Rurouni Prom

As we've all said, I don't own RK, but here's another story from my sick little mind! This is my second attempt at a story (my 1st one SUCKED!) So don't be too harsh on me, please? Any ways, I want to thank RocknRoll Kenshin for letting me use her character ideas from 'Kenshin Rock', I loved them so much that I had to try and put them in a story of my own and she was nice enough to let me use them. I'm not nearly as good of a writer as she is so don't hate me if her guys are out of character, 'k? Any ways, it's modern day, Kaoru's at the prom... well... I'll just let you read it, I'm sure you're tired of hearing me by now, read on folks!

The lights were dim and romantic, the tables scattered about the room were covered with a sheer white cloth, making them appear to glisten in the faint light. Candles on each table showed people where to go and balloons of all different colors danced along the ceiling, seeming to mimick the dancers on the floor below them. Kamiya Kaoru sat off in the back of the room, watching with sad blue eyes as everyone else danced and laughed all around her. It was the night of her senior prom and she should've been more than ecstatic, instead she felt sad and depressed as she gazed at all of the happy couples out on the dance floor. A sigh escaped her as she saw a cute guy she liked hugging one of the popular girls, a girl she wanted to be like. The girl's name was Suki, she was pretty, smart, and a cheerleader, while Kaoru was a tomboy, average and a swordsman, there was no way she could compete with her so she didn't even bother to try. She had on a deep blue dress that came down to her shins, pink glittery cherry blossoms dotted the simple dress, making her appear to be a moving cherry blossom storm. Her long black hair was up in a loose ponytail, tied back by a glittering pink ribbon and a small tiara rested just above her bangs as they shielded her lonely eyes from the rest of the world. The DJ announced that the band had arrived and asked everyone to take their seats which they did. The DJ smiled and spoke into his headphones, "The band is finally here so put your hands together for the Blood Warriors!"

Kaoru clapped lazily as the band quickly set up their equipment and started getting ready to play. She recognized three of the band members, one was her friend Sanosuke, he was the rhythm player, the bass player she only knew as Aoshi, Misao's boyfriend, and the drummer was called Kenji but she didn't know him personally, she only knew him through her friend Chizuru. The singer was someone she'd never seen before but he looked very similar to Kenji, he was a little taller than herself and he had waist length, blood red hair put up in a high ponytail as his long bangs kept her from seeing his eyes. On his left cheek was a cross-shaped scar, he was wearing a pair of black formal pants and a deep red shirt underneath a black jacket, the whole ensemble made him look very mysterious and cool. After a few minutes he smiled and stepped up to the microphone, "Thank you all for coming, sorry to keep you waiting but my drummer can't drive to save anyone's life."

Kenji stood up and smiled brightly, waving at the crowd, "Sorry, took a wrong turn at Mc Donalds."

Everyone laughed for a moment and the singer let it quiet down before he started again, "I hope you're having a good time so far, it's your night to shine and we're going to make sure that you enjoy it, so let's get started and get this show on the road, shall we?"

The band played a couple of old rock songs and then played a few love songs, their performance lasting about thirty minutes before they finally took a bow, "Thank you all so much, have a great time and if you're driving home drive safely, goodnight, thank you."

Everyone cheered loudly for the band as they left the small stage then the DJ started playing the typical prom songs again, everyone getting up and finding their partners as they began to dance. Kaoru sighed sadly and looked around for Sanosuke but he had apparently left already, now who was she going to talk to? A couple of the girls came to stand in the corner next to her and she overheard them talking, "Did you see Kaoru's dress? She looked like someone just threw pink paint all over it and then tossed some glitter on it to cover it up."

"I know, she is so stuck up, she never talks to anyone and if she does then she's yelling at them like she's a barbarian."

"I know what you mean, Suki, she's a pretty good fighter, I saw her compete at a few tournaments at school but if you ask me, she should stick to swords and leave people alone, she just is not a girl you want to hang out with."

"I know, she's a girl you want to avoid, her and her ugly dress."

They started laughing and Kaoru got up and ran out of the ballroom, running outside into the chilly night air. She sat on one of the benches near the door and put her face in her hands, tears streaming down her face as she let out a tormented sob. This night was a total disaster! She didn't want to come in the first place but her mother had insisted she go so she came to please her mother. She knew it would be this way, she could deal with being alone, she just couldn't take the comments anymore, she'd heard them all night and she was sick of them, she just wanted to go home and cry herself to sleep.

Kaoru sat out there for several minutes, not caring about the freezing cold wind as it wafted over her bare arms and shoulders. After awhile she calmed down and was thinking about calling her father to come pick her up but her thoughts were interrupted when she felt something drape over her shoulders. She gasped and looked up, coming eye to eye with a familiar face as he smiled at her, "It's cold out here."

Kaoru nodded slightly as her mind finally registered where she'd seen him before, it was the singer from the band and he had the most beautiful eyes she had ever seen. They were a piercing amber color and they seemed to glow with a hidden strength, even in the pitch black of night she could easily see his flaming gold eyes as they looked into hers, "Mind if I sit down?"

Kaoru shook her head and he sat next to her, crossing a leg over his knee before smiling at her, "Why are you out here all by yourself crying?"

Kaoru hastily wiped her face and glared at him, "I'm not crying!"

His eyes widened for a brief moment, apparently not expecting her to react the way she did. Kaoru felt guilty and sighed, "I'm sorry, I'm edgy right now."

"It's ok, but why are you out here, it's freezing and there's perverts all over the place."

"Like anyone would try to kidnap me, I'm just the ugly duckling."

"That's not true, I think you're actually quite beautiful myself."

Kaoru flushed at his comment and turned away from his intense gaze, there was just something about those eyes that frightened her and attracted her at the same time. She heard his deep throaty chuckle and a shiver went up her spine, "So... why are you out her, sir? I thought you'd already left with your band."

"No, they found their girlfriends in there and they're busy dancing so I decided to come out her and get some air then I saw you crying and came over to see if I could cheer you up."

Kaoru smiled, "Thanks, but I'm ok, it's silly, and any ways, you were great out there tonight."

"Thanks, we try but there are times that we completely suck."

"I bet that's not true, I thought you did wonderful."

He nodded and they sat in strangely comfortable silence for a moment then another breeze came up and Kaoru shivered, even with his jacket covering her it was still freezing. He apparently caught her reaction to the cold and smiled, "You still cold?"

"A little, it didn't bother me before but now I feel like an Eskimo."

The singer laughed out loud and Kaoru couldn't help but smile, he had a really nice laugh, "I hear ya, so what brought you out here in the first place, you never answered me."

"You don't want to know."

"I'm going to annoy you until you tell me."

Kaoru looked up into his eyes and saw the mischief there and... a challenge? His eyes seemed to glow and say 'tell me or else.' She sighed and looked to the ground, hugging the jacket closer to her, "There were some girls in there making fun of me and I... ran out here to get away from it."

"Why were they making fun of you?"

"They said my dress looked like someone threw paint and glitter on it and that I was a tomboy who needed to stick to swords and leave people alone."

The singer raised an eyebrow, "You're a swordsman?"

"Yes, is... that a bad thing?"

"Absolutely not, I admire a strong woman, there's nothing wrong with a girl using a sword."

Kaoru turned pink and smiled, "Thanks, I feel silly now."

"Why? Because of what they said?"

"Yes."

"Don't pay attention to them, they're ignorant, too much brown nosing caused their brains to die."

Kaoru laughed, getting a bright smile from the man sitting next to her, "That's much better than that frown I've been seeing, I much prefer that pretty smile."

Kaoru giggled, "Thanks, you can go in if you'd like, I'm ok now."

"If I go in you're going with me, I'm not going to leave a lady out here by herself, and if those girls bother you they'll have to deal with me."

He stood up and held his hand out to her, helping her to stand when she took it. They went back inside and Kaoru went to her original table, surprised to see the singer still following her as he took the seat next to hers, "You don't have to hang out with me if you don't want to sir..."

"Kenshin." he said, abruptly cutting her off

"What?"

"I'm not a 'sir,' I'm a Kenshin and that's what I'd like you to call me."

Kaoru smiled and looked down at the table, "Ok... Kenshin, you don't have to hang around with me, I'm sure you have more important things to do then follow a tomboy like me around all night."

Out of nowhere she felt strong, calloused fingers grasping her chin, forcing her to look up into Kenshin's deep golden eyes, "I'd rather spend the night following a tomboy like you then fending off those fake, stuck up little girls. The only important thing I have to do tonight is to make sure you have fun and smile."

Kaoru turned pink at his words but smiled all the same, "Thanks, I'm Kaoru by the way."

"Kaoru huh? That suits you very well."

They sat and talked for several minutes getting to know each other a little better and were soon laughing at the boys trying to impress their girlfriends with strange break-dance moves. A soft song came on and Kaoru sighed happily, "I love this song."

"Then let's dance."

"WHAT?"

Kaoru turned to him with surprised eyes and he simple smiled, "You said you like this song so let's get out there and dance."

"I can't dance very well, Kenshin."

"Neither can I but we can learn together, so come on."

Kenshin held his hand out and patiently waited as Kaoru looked from his eyes to his hand, debating whether she should really do it or not. She looked up into his eyes and was surprised to see that they had deepened in color, making them look like honey as they gazed into hers, "Trust me, Kaoru."

Kaoru finally gave in and took his hand, letting him lead her out onto the dance floor. He put his hands on her hips as she rested hers on his shoulders before he started to sway back and forth to the slow melody of the music. Kaoru was actually starting to enjoy the dance then she heard some of the girls around her whispering to each other, "Look at that! Kaoru got that hot singer!"

"I know, I bet she knocked him over the head with her sword, either that or she drugged him."

They started laughing and Kaoru tried to pull away from Kenshin but he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her against him, whispering softly into her ear, "Don't mind them, this is your night, don't let them ruin it for you. And they're wrong about you, I know I've only known you for a short time but I do know that you're a wonderful person, one that I'd like to dance with all night if you'll let me."

"No... this is embarrassing to you, Kenshin..."

"Kaoru," Kenshin put his hand under her chin and lifted her gaze to meet his, pain filling his heart when he saw fresh tears in her deep blue eyes, "there's nothing embarrassing about dancing with a beautiful young woman, I'm more than honored to be out here with you. Just trust me and I'll take care of you, I promise."

Kaoru smiled and nodded, leaning her head against the solid strength of his chest as she felt his strong arm encircle her shoulders, pulling her even closer to him. They stayed that way throughout the whole song and after it ended they went back and sat down at the table, "Thanks for the dance, Kaoru."

"Sure thing."

They heard giggling and they looked over to see Suki and her friends laughing at Kaoru, "Can you actually believe he danced with her? I bet someone paid him to do it."

"I agree, no guy in the right mind would willingly dance with Kaoru."

Kaoru hung her head in shame and clenched her fists together to keep herself from crying. Kenshin's eyes suddenly flashed into a blazing golden fire and his voice went deeper, "I'll be back, Kaoru."

"Where're you going, Kenshin?"

"To talk to someone."

Kenshin got up and went over to Suki and her friends, standing beside the table until they looked over at him, "Oh hello there, did you finally get tired of the tomboy?"

"No, I didn't, I came over here to ask you why you're insulting my date."

"Your date?"

"Yes, my date, now answer me, why are you insulting her?"

"We always make fun of Kaoru, she's a tomboy and a swordsman."

"And there's something wrong with swordsmen?"

"Yeah, girls don't do it, it's weird."

"Really? Then I suppose you think I'm weird too, right?"

"No, you're awesome."

"Obviously not, you insult one swordsman you insult them all and I don't appreciate it when people make a mockery of my master's teachings!"

"You're a swordsman?"

"Yes I am, and more than proud of it. I don't care what you think of me, your opinion means less to me then a flea bite, however, I will not let you insult Kaoru, especially when I'm around! That girl has more courage and strength then you'll ever hope to have! You made it this far by being pretty and sucking up to the students and teachers, well guess what, your 'skills' don't impress me, you're nothing but a stuck up, worthless, selfish little girl! And if you think I'm going to let you insult my date anymore than you're dead wrong! I'd much rather dance with a tomboy than a snobby little brat like you, not everyone has the perfect life you have, some of us actually have to work to get what we want, of course the only work you probably know about is in the boy's locker room, am I right?"

Everyone's jaw hit the table and Suki poked Kenshin in the chest, "Who do you think you are?"

"I'm Kenshin Himura, and I really don't care who you are, all I know is that you're a stuck up cheerleader with too many boyfriends to take on the Maury show all at once. Now I'll ask you one time and one time only, stop the insults or you'll wish you'd never even laid eyes on Kaoru."

"What're you going to do, sing me to sleep?"

Kenshin smiled evilly and leaned down close to her ear so that only she could hear him, "You insult Kaoru again and I will personally show you as to why I was once called the Shadow Assassin."

Suki let her mouth hit the table and Kenshin walked back to Kaoru and sat beside of her, grinning to himself a few seconds later when Suki and her friends hastily left the prom. Kaoru saw the evil glint in his eyes and laid a hand on his shoulder, "What did you do, Kenshin?"

"I told them what I thought about their personalities and how much I disliked them insulting you."

"You didn't have to do that!"

"No, I didn't, but I wanted to, no one insults my date and gets away with it."

"Date? You just came here to sing for us!"

"That was my only intention at first, but then I found a beautiful girl who caught my attention."

Kaoru smiled and let out a laugh, "So how do I get rid of you?"

"You don't, you're stuck with me, babe."

Kaoru giggled as the song 'Everything I Do' came on and tugged on Kenshin's arm, "Will you dance with me?"

Kenshin smiled, "I'd love to."

They went out to the dance floor and Kaoru immediately put her arms around his neck, sighing happily once he put his arms around her waist. They danced in silence for several moments then Kaoru leaned up to his ear, "Thank you."

Kenshin only chuckled and pulled her closer to him, starting to sing along with the old love song. Kaoru sighed and laid her head against his shoulder, he had such a beautiful voice, it was slightly husky and had an edge to it, but at the same time it was deep and soothing, it was one of those voices that you couldn't help but listen to and love. After the song ended Kaoru looked at her watch and sighed, "It's late, I need to get home."

"You have a ride?"

"No, but I can call my dad to come get me."

"I'll take you, I have nothing else to do tonight."

"Ok, let's go then."

Kaoru followed Kenshin out to his car and he drove her home, both laughing and joking the whole way. After they reached her house he walked her to the door and Kaoru smiled shyly, "Thank you, Kenshin."

"For what, Kaoru?"

"For... dancing with me, I really enjoyed your company."

"Anytime, Kaoru, I was more than honored to dance with you."

"Well... thanks again... goodnight Kenshin."

Kaoru turned to go inside but she felt a rough hand gently catch her wrist and pull her back, "Wait Kaoru."

"What is it?"

Kaoru looked up into his deep gold eyes and saw a soft smile on his face as he put his arm around her waist, pulling her to him, "What're you doing, Kenshin?"

"I can't let my girl leave without kissing her goodnight, can I?"

Kaoru flushed deeply and looked to the ground, completely thrown off by his words, "You... you don't have to kiss me... if you don't want to..."

Kenshin put his finger under her chin and lifted her face up to his, his eyes gentle as he rested his palm against her flushed cheek, "I do want to."

Without another word Kenshin leaned down and pressed his lips to hers in a tender kiss. Kaoru gasped, surprised at the sudden move but after a moment she relaxed into him, enjoying the feeling of his lips against hers. After several moments Kenshin finally pulled away and smiled softly at the flustered young girl in his arms, "Goodnight, my sweet Kaoru."

With that, Kenshin turned around and went to his car and drove off, not noticing the happy smile on Kaoru's face as she watched him leave.

The next morning Kaoru decided to go to the mall for some time to herself, her mother had been bugging her ever since she'd gotten home, asking her over and over about the young singer who'd stolen her daughter's heart. She sat down on one of the benches and sighed, she knew she'd never see Kenshin again. He was much older than her and he was a popular singer, he didn't have time to hang around a little girl like her, though her heart yearned to see the mysterious man again, there was just something about him that she just couldn't get out of her mind. The entire night she thought about him and his kiss, still feeling his lips against hers even as she drifted off to sleep, he had incredibly soft lips for a man and he was surprisingly gentle, as if he was afraid he'd hurt her if he touched her too hard. But there was some hope, he had called her 'my sweet Kaoru' so maybe he liked her!

Kaoru sighed, she was just kidding herself, she'd never see him again, no matter how badly she wanted to. She sat there for several minutes until she finally decided to head home but just as she was about to get up she felt a pair of strong arms wrap around her shoulders as a beautiful red rose appeared in front of her face. Kaoru turned around in her seat and her face lit up with joy when she met a pair of bright gold eyes, "Hello again, my sweet Kaoru."

THAT'S ALL FOLKS! Did you like it? Hope so, sorry if it sucked, I really tried, so let me know what you think 'k. Any ways, thanks again RocknRoll Kenshin, I hope I got your guys' personas right, see you all later!