Battle Of The Bands!
Chapter 8- The Special Performance!
MUSHY! MUSHY! MUSHY! SAPPY! SAPPY! SAPPY! Read on and enjoy!
Later that night, Megumi, Misao, and Kaoru arrived at Seijiro and sat down at their third row table and ordered their drinks when the waitress came by. They watched the people on the dance floor, laughing at the occasional drunk stumbling over themselves as they tried to impress someone. Misao glanced at the bar and saw Hiko flirting with Omasu and chuckled, "Check out Hiko, he thinks he's so cool."
"I know but I'm happy for him."
"Yeah, maybe now he'll be busy and lighten up on the guys so we can spend more time with them."
They laughed at Megumi's comment, although deep down hoping she'd be right. A few minutes later Kaoru started to doze off during a soft song the DJ was playing when she suddenly felt arms wrap around her and a familiar voice sounded in her ear, "Don't fall asleep yet, girl, the show hasn't even started yet."
Kaoru turned around and smiled at Kenshin, "I'm not but this song will make anyone sleepy."
"True, I'm glad you're here."
"So what's this special performance all about, Kenshin?"
"I can't tell you."
"Oh come on."
"Hey Kenshin! Come on we need to get set up!"
"Coming Sano! I've gotta go, I'll see you later."
Kenshin started to walk off but Kaoru caught his shirt and pulled him back, "Wait a second, what are you up to?"
Kenshin smiled mysteriously and ran his hand over her cheek briefly, "You'll see."
He kissed her on the forehead and headed off backstage to join the others, getting a groan from Kaoru. Misao heard her and smiled, "What's wrong?"
"Kenshin won't tell me what's going on."
"We'll find out in a minute the DJ's stopped playing and everyone's sitting down."
Kaoru looked around and sure enough everyone had come from the dance floor and had found a seat, waiting for the show to begin. She smiled to herself and looked to the stage just as Hiko made his way up to the microphone, putting on his usual smile, "Welcome to Seijiro everyone, I know you're going to have fun so let's get this show started. Please welcome the Blood Warriors!"
Everyone cheered as the guys came on stage and plugged in their guitars and quickly got ready. A couple minutes later Kenshin smiled and stepped up to the mike, "Hey Seijiro, how are ya?"
Everyone cheered briefly and Kenshin chuckled, "I guess that means you're doing good, huh? We're happy to have all of you here tonight for this very special performance, I know you're gonna love it so lets get started with Fuel's 'Falls On Me.'"
They began to play and everyone immediately got into the song as Kenshin began to sing, putting every bit of emotion he had in him into his singing. The performance lasted for nearly an hour as the guys played several songs by Fuel, Sevendust, and others, getting a large reaction from the crowd after they finished 'Take Me As I Am' by Sevendust. Kenshin wiped his brow and smiled as he moved back up to the mike, "Thank you, we have one more song for you before we let the DJ take over. It's a soft song that I know everyone has heard before, but I have to admit I can't sing it by myself so I'm gonna need some help. Now, which one of you pretty young ladies would like to come up here and help me out?"
All the girls in the audience cheered and raised their hands and Kenshin smiled, "Man, this is a tough choice," Kenshin pretended to look around and immediately turned to Kaoru and pointed to her, "How about the beautiful young lady in the third row?"
Everyone cheered and Kaoru shook her head, smiling up at Kenshin. She didn't know what he was up to but she didn't want to get up and sing in front of everyone. Kenshin chuckled and waved his hand, "Come on now, don't be shy."
"I don't want to."
"Come on, don't make me have to come out there and get you."
Everyone around her yelled at her to go and Misao and Megumi tried to get her to go but Kaoru sat put and tried to ignore it all. Kenshin laughed and got off stage, going over to Kaoru. Megumi and Misao pushed her out of her seat and Kenshin took her hand, leading her up on stage, keeping her hand in his as he handed her a microphone, "See, I don't bite. Kaoru and I are going to sing a song we all know by heart, it's 'From This Moment' by Shania Twain and Bryan White. You ready, Kaoru?"
"As ready as I'll ever be."
"Let's go guys."
The others started playing and Kaoru shyly started singing, looking to Kenshin when his part came up. He flashed her a heart melting smile that seemed to say 'it's alright, don't be afraid.' Kaoru smiled and sang more loudly when her turn came up and by the end of the song she and Kenshin sounded like they were one, getting a very loud and long round of applause from the audience once they finished.
Kenshin held up Kaoru's hand and took his mike out of the stand, "Let's hear it for my lovely assistant!"
Everyone gave Kaoru a round of applause before Kenshin spoke again, "Alright, I have one more thing to do before I let you go, so please be patient and stay with me for just a moment."
Kenshin waited until everyone was quiet before he turned to Kaoru and smiled lovingly at her, rubbing his thumb over her knuckles, "Kaoru, these past six months have been the most wonderful time of my life. Since I've met you I feel like I'm worth more than just a club singer or a street fighter, you make me feel like I'm a human being and you've accepted me even with my dark past and loved me for who I am now and I will always adore you for that. I know I'm not perfect and I know that I haven't always been as affectionate as I need to be towards you. And... even though I haven't been able to say it... I love you, Kaoru, I always have and I always will. You're my world, you're my life and you've given me the best six months of my life and I hope that you'll give me many years of joy in the future. I couldn't find the perfect song or make one up that expresses just how much you mean to me or ask you what I want to ask you so just let me ask you now."
Without warning Kenshin reached into his pocket and pulled out a small black box before kneeling down on one knee, getting a soft gasp from everyone on stage as well as in the audience. He cleared his throat and looked back up at Kaoru with gentle amber eyes as he opened the box and held it up to her, "Kaoru, I love you and I want to spend the rest of my life with you, I've wanted to ask you this for a long time so let me ask you now. Kaoru Kamiya... will you honor me by becoming my wife? Will you marry me, Kaoru?"
Everyone in the club held their breath as they waited for Kaoru's answer. She looked from Kenshin to the ring in disbelief, he'd just asked her to marry him! She'd dreamt of this moment but she never suspected it would actually happen! A tear slid down her cheek and a beautiful smile came to her face and she looked down at her red hared singer, "Yes I will! I will marry you, Kenshin Himura!"
Kenshin slipped the ring on her finger as he stood up, taking her into his arms for a soft kiss. Everyone stood up and cheered loudly as they sealed their promise and the DJ came on with a soft laugh, "Way to go! Alright everyone, let's leave them alone and get down to some dancing."
Everyone slowly left to the dance floor and started dancing, a few people keeping an eye on Kenshin and Kaoru just incase they might do something.
Kenshin pulled away from Kaoru and was shocked to see her crying, tears streaming down her face. He gently wiped them away and smiled at her, "What's wrong, love?"
"Nothing, I'm so happy, so this was what you were up to! You're wonderful, thank you, Kenshin."
Kaoru hugged him and Kenji and the others came up to congratulate them, "Way to go, man! Was this what you had to get this afternoon?"
"Yeah, that's why I was so edgy on the way over here, I was nervous."
"Well you pulled it off beautifully, buddy, congratulations."
"Thanks, Sano."
All of the sudden they heard the DJ come over the speakers and announce, "This song was dedicated by our bartender, Hiko. It's going out to Kenshin and the future Mrs. Himura. Come on up you two and have a dance and by the way, congratulations."
A very romantic song came on and Kenshin smiled at Kaoru, "Dance with me?"
"Yes."
They went out to the dance floor and embraced each other tightly, the music relaxing them and making them feel light. After a moment Kenshin pulled back enough to look at Kaoru and smiled, "I told you this would be a night you wouldn't forget."
"I don't intend to, I'm so happy, I never suspected this to happen. Did the others know about this?"
"No, I didn't tell anyone, I knew they'd get excited and tell you."
"I see, well I must admit I was scared when you made me get up and sing with you. But it was worth it."
"I agree, you've made me so happy, Kaoru, and I promise you, I will do everything I can to see you smile and to make you happy."
"Then will you... kiss me?"
Kenshin chuckled, "If that will make you smile, I will."
"It would."
Kaoru closed her eyes and the whole world seemed to vanish as Kenshin softly pressed his lips to hers, happiness coursing through her as she realized that this man truly did love her and that he was truly hers. She knew he had much guilt in his heart but she would do everything she could to take away that guilt, to be able to see him smile from the other side of his pain. For that she would do anything, Kenshin was her happiness and she was going to make sure that she was his, no matter what the cost.
There's chapter 8! There's more to come so keep on reading! Oh by the way, thanks for not killing me, I appreciate it :). Let me know what you think of this chapter and I'll get the rest of this story finished ASAP, promise. Bye now.
