WAH! GOMEN NASAI! GOMEN NASAI! I'M SO SORRY! (BOWS) (BOWS AGAIN) (BOWS SOME MORE) I'M SO SORRY FOR THE LOOOONG UPDATE. PLEASE FORGIVE ME! THESE PAST FEW MONTHS, I'VE BEEN REALLY BUSY WITH SCHOOLWORK THAT I BARELY HAD THE TIME TO WRITE AND UPDATE MY STORIES. SORRY! ANYWAY, ON WITH THE STORY TO KEEP YOU FROM WAITING!
AS ALWAYS…DISCLAIMER: I DON'T OWN RURUONI KENSHIN, ONLY DANTES, RICARDO, AND THIS STORY.
WORKING UNDERCOVER by Sutefani-chan
CHAPTER 5
It still hurt though.
No matter how hard he tried to remain calm and jolly, nothing could ever make him relax. It was as if his heart was trying to break-free as it was pounding furiously.
This was not his day.
He stared at his now hair-free legs and arms. It still showed some red patches that outlined the waxing papers that were once stuck on their bare skin. He couldn't move freely; he had to take caution when he tried to move his body so as not to feel the stinging sensation still present.
It was quite itchy and he badly needed to scratch those itchy parts but Dantes had forbidden him to. He grumbled.
Unfortunately for him, his underarms too were now hair-free.
He grumbled some more.
This was DEFINITELY NOT his day.
Now wrapped in a long, warm blue robe with nothing on inside but his boxers, he was worried about his chum's state. After that horrible incident, which he swore he would never-ever-do-again-not-even-in-a-million-years, he was separated from his friend as he was led to an absolutely different room from Sano's – which Kenshin doesn't know where. Considering his partner's attitude, he knew that Sano was in a worse state than where Kenshin was currently in.
He sighed. At this hour, he should be in his desk at the Shinsengumi quarters, shuffling papers or out in the streets trying to retrieve Mrs. Fausuto's cat from the clutches of misfortune of falling off a high sakura tree.
And now, here he was, sitting on a high chair with nothing on but his boxers and a long blue robe, with his body hair pulled out. He cursed under his breath. He knew he should have faked a fever or something.
Suddenly, the door opened and then entered Dantes and two Japanese women with short skirts and blazers on.
"Where's Sano?" asked Kenshin as Dantes and the two approached him, holding in their hands a big silver metallic luggage in which Kenshin assumed were "gadgets" that were going to be used on him.
"Ooh, don't yoo worry. Monsieur Sagara eez een safe hands," assured Dantes as he and his ladies were starting to assemble the "gadgets".
"S-safe hands?"
"My good amie, Ricardo, eez een charge of heem. Now, enough talk! Wee have too move oon weed dha action!" Suddenly, Kenshin's high chair reclined and he found himself staring at Dantes' face upside down.
"W-What are y-you p-planning to do?" worried Kenshin.
"Ooh, yoo know, bee-yoo-tee-fying yoo. Wee just need too treem yoor eyebrows and work oon yoor makeup. Wee also need too doo something weed dhat scar, and yoor pedicure and manicure counts also." With that, Dantes clapped his hands and immediately the two Japanese ladies in blazers and skirts surrounded him with a pair of tweezers on their hands.
"Anou…demo, does it hurt?" Kenshin suddenly blurted out.
"Now, doo I have too re-peet eet? Noo, eet doesn't hoort a beet!"
Kenshin glared at him. Based from experience, he decided not to believe the French stylist anymore.
While praying that the plucking of the eyebrows won't hurt that much, the two ladies started on trimming his eyebrows, plucking the strands one by one.
He cringed at the slight pain as the two continued to pluck his eyebrows, with Dantes humming cheerily to himself while busily sorting the round cases of makeup to be used on Kenshin. He sighed to himself, well, at least this is much better than having your body hair being pulled out all at the same time.
Then, the picture of Sano slipped into his mind once more. If Kenshin wasn't enjoying this, what more was it with Sano? Reminding himself, Sano was one person Kenshin knew has less tolerance when it comes to grooming. What was happening right now? Has Sano – presumably – probably – broken loose from the hands of the evil Shinsengumi prosthetics people and was now wandering the halls of the building like an escaped mental fugitive?
Kenshin felt his stomach churn. This is bad.
Slowly – rather, hesitantly – they took off his sneakers and socks off. The effeminate man moved closer and closer to him, hesitant, as if he was afraid a gruesome and unpleasant monster would come out from the other man and pounce on the former.
Slowly, closely…
"Eek!"
"WHAT? WHAT? IS THERE A CRIMINAL? WHERE?" startled the young man as he rose to his feet, clutching his fists as he cocked his head warily from left to right, searching for any sign of an intruder.
"No! Those!" The effeminate man had a horrified look on his face, pointing accusingly rather at the confused lad's feet. Sano looked down and stared at his feet, and then he returned his gaze to the trembling Ricardo and glared at him, "What – now?"
Ricardo winced, "N-Nothing!" But he continued to gape at Sano's feet.
"Ahem."
Ricardo quickly looked up from the pair of feet and said, "Oh! Of course! Let's get on with it, shall we?"
He took out nail clippers and filers and a rather large foot scraper. Upon seeing those "foreign tools", Sano let out a startling cry, "HOLY CRAP! WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO WITH MY FEET!"
"These are grooming tools, particularly for pedicure, Sagara-san," answered one of the female assistants of Ricardo. With gloves on, they held Sano's feet still by his lower leg. They tried to keep him still however Sano was struggling to free himself.
"Just relax, señor," soothed Ricardo.
"No, no, no. Anything but THOSE…"
"Por pabor, señor, but we need to clean your, erm, feet. This is nothing unlike the waxing you've just encountered."
"Now hold it, pal. I'm not going to let you destroy my feet using those -!"
"Alright! Hand me the cotton and that bottle, por pabor!" Ricardo suddenly exclaimed. Immediately, they got down to work, and about five people were holding Sano down as he trying to escape from them. Seeing that there was nothing that he could do, he finally accepted his defeat. He sighed. This is going to take a long time.
Ricardo eyed the lad's feet with an appalled yet disgusted look on his face. This is going to take forever.
"Do you think they're doing fine, Hiko-san?" asked Soujirou cheerfully.
"They should be. After all, this is a top-rank mission," answered Hiko without looking up from the newspaper he was reading.
"Hai. I think you're right," smiled Soujirou.
This is gonna be one hell of a laugh trip, Hiko smirked as he turned a page and continued reading.
The transformation was almost perfect. His legs and arms were now hair-free. His feet and skin were as smooth as silk. His fingernails and toenails were done with a chic French tip coat each. His beautiful red hair was accented and was trimmed into a shoulder-length, wavy layered hair. They added highlights and blow-dried it so that it falls into place. His eyebrows were trimmed and he could almost pass as a girl without anyone knowing that he was a man.
Dantes eyed him as if Kenshin was a piece of art. He was rather pleased with himself.
"Peer-fect! Mag-nee-fee-cent! Coo-dn't be moor proud!"
Kenshin stared at his reflection in the vanity mirror in front of him. He had to admit it. Dantes really did a superb job on Kenshin.
"How-ee-verr!" objected Dantes suddenly.
Kenshin turned to the stylist.
"A pee-st steel ree-mains! Wee hav too doo something weed dhat scar!"
Dantes was right, thought Kenshin. Even though Kenshin wouldn't really want to hide his scar, somehow he felt the need to now. In his apartment or even in the quarters, the boy was very popular with his scar. If they are to do this assignment undercover, then he had to abide with the rules and do what Dantes had to say.
Suddenly, Dantes left the room and came back again with a metallic silver box in his hands. He set it down on the table and opened it, taking out another set of makeup and some elastic facemasks. Then he took a mug and filled it with water. Facing Kenshin, he got to work.
Carefully, he placed the mask on Kenshin's face, letting it fit perfectly. Then he took special adhesive tapes and taped the edges of the mask on Kenshin's skin. After that, with a paintbrush, he dipped the brush in the water and spread the water carefully and slowly around the edges, letting it stick to his skin. He continued doing the procedure until he was satisfied. Then, he applied another layer of facemask and repeated the procedure. The mask was quite itchy though, for poor Kenshin was feeling really uncomfortable with it and was trying to scratch his face, if only Dantes wasn't tapping Kenshin's hand, scolding Kenshin. Scowling inwardly, Kenshin let it go.
After that, Dantes took out the set of makeup and started applying foundation on the boy's face.
"Um, Dantes-san?" mumbled Kenshin.
"Oui?"
"Are you sure this is water-resistant? I mean, it won't smudge or come off easily? The mask – I mean?"
"Monsieur Himura, I a-zhoor yoo dhat deez mask eez the beezt mask dha proos-the-ticz dhee-parrt-ment yooses."
"Oh."
After applying foundation, Dantes started applying eyeliner and eye shadow on Kenshin's eyes. Dantes outlined Kenshin's eyes with liquid eyeliner using an eye brush. Then he applied soft shade of mocha brown on Kenshin's eyelids up to the bottom of his eyebrows. After that, he applied a thin dark brown shade on the eyelids. Then, he applied a soft tinge of pink blush on Kenshin's cheeks. Then he added a light cranberry red gloss on Kenshin's lips as the finishing touch.
"Dherr yoo go!" cried Dantes. Kenshin studied himself in the mirror. He blinked. He blinked harder. Was what he was seeing in the mirror real?
Okina entered the room. Upon seeing Hiko, he asked, "Are they done yet?"
Hiko shook his head, "Iie, and it's been two hours since they started."
"Well, we can't blame anyone. The Shinsengumi Prosthetics department is doing their best to help make this assignment successful. Although – no offense – your boys seem to be the ones making this a long one."
Hiko managed to smirk, "I know, but I have trust on those boys, no matter how stupid they can be at times."
Suddenly, their conversation was cut off when they heard the click of the doorknob. All eyes turned to the doorknob.
"Could it be them?" whispered Okina. Hiko shrugged.
The door slowly opened. They held their breaths. Suddenly, a brown head peeked and smiled at them. Okina and Hiko sighed heavily.
"Ohayo, Okina-sama, Hiko-san. Anou, are they done?" asked Soujirou.
"Iie," Okina shook his head.
Suddenly, they heard a knock on the door. That must be them, everyone thought. They heard a click of the doorknob. All eyes were on the door.
Opening the door, a man with a Japanese woman by his side entered the room. Okina, Hiko and Soujirou held their breaths.
"Well?" demanded Hiko.
"Monsieurs, I wood like too pree-sent too yoo dee bee-yoo-tee-fool, love-lee, magnifique, merveilleux chef d' oeuvre –!"
"Just get on with it!" grumbled Hiko. You're making me sick.
"Dee once Monsieur Ken-sheen Hee-moo-ra, now Mademoiselle Ka-zoo-mee Ka-mee-ya!"
As if on cue, Kenshin carefully entered the room, hesitant at first, as if somebody was going to pounce on him. Then, he froze as soon as he saw the three.
"W-What?" muttered Kenshin.
Speechless.
"W-What?" Kenshin muttered once more.
The three's jaws dropped. Was what they were seeing real? It was a complete transformation. Kenshin's once long and beautiful hair was snipped into a more refined layered shoulder-length hair. Soft highlights were visible on his hair. His lashes were longer now, and his eyelids were accented with different shades of brown eye shadow. There was a tinge of soft pink on his cheeks and what was most remarkable was that his scar was no longer there on his left cheek. It was gone now. From being an amateurish-looking Kenshin, he had been turned into a well-refined-looking Kamiya Kazumi.
As if slapped back to reality, Soujirou quickly rushed to Kenshin's side, "Whoa, Himura-san! You look, you look like a real lady!"
"Anou…Soujirou-san…" Kenshin gave an awkward grin. Oh man.
"Don't just stand there, baka no deshi! You're making a fool out of yourself!" scolded Hiko. Deep inside, he was too shocked also, seeing his student dressed as a woman.
He remembered saying to himself once, "I will not have a faggot as my successor. Ever!" He blinked. He blinked once more.
But this was just an assignment, Hiko assured himself, and it was not like Kenshin was going to be a total gay. And if Kenshin would ever be one, Hiko swore to himself that he would make sure the boy would never see daylight again. He sighed in relief.
Kenshin absent-mindedly walked towards the chair and almost lost his balance if only Soujirou didn't help him prevent his fall. He was wearing heels, and he was very uncomfortable with it. All in all, he was very uncomfortable. He was wearing a pastel pink spaghetti straps but was covered with a red bolero. For his lower body, he was wearing a white floral pleated skirt, which goes down an inch below his knees. Underneath the clothes, he was wearing a body suit so as to give shape to his body, as well as to give him breasts.
Eventually, he made his way to the chair safely.
"Monsieur Dantes, he is a masterpiece!" exclaimed Okina.
"Merci, monsieur, merci. Eet eez my dyoo-tee too give my beezt too make heem bee-yoo-tee-fool, and I deed! Bien cuit!" bragged Dantes.
"We see," said Hiko boringly.
Dantes continued, "Eet was a beet harrd at first, difficile, foor he eez a monsieur, and I hav too doo dha beezt dhat I cood doo too make heem a mademoiselle! Belle! How-ee-verr! I –!"
"Uh, that's enough Dantes. M-merci," said Okina. Dantes gave him a cheery smile and sat on a nearby sofa, ordering the Japanese woman to leave the room.
Kenshin was sighing every now and then, reminding himself not to panic. Everything was turning upside down. He didn't have to be in this state, if only he didn't agree to do this assignment. And now, not only did he let himself get into this trouble, but he got his friend involved in it too.
"Some friend you are."
Shut up.
Then suddenly, the realization struck him. Sano!
"Soujirou-san, is Sano done yet?" He asked Soujirou.
"Iie," Soujirou shook his head, "Demo, I'm sure they're on their way now."
"I hope Sano's okay."
Soujirou smiled at him, "Ah, don't worry, Himura-san. Sagara-san's fine."
I hope so.
All of a sudden, the door opened and in peeked a woman's head. All of them turned to her.
"Yes, may we help you, miss?" offered Hiko. The woman didn't answer and glanced around when her eyes stopped on Kenshin. Kenshin gave her a confused look, and said, "Do I know you?"
The woman blinked. "K-Kenshin?"
Upon hearing her voice, Kenshin almost choked. That voice, he couldn't be mistaken. He knew that voice too well. Upon hearing her voice, everyone else stared at the woman also. Their eyes widened and their jaws dramatically dropped to the ground.
Kenshin couldn't believe his eyes.
You've got to be kidding.
"S-Sano?"
WAH! YES, I'VE UPDATED! WEHEHE, I KNOW, GOMEN NASAI! IT'S BEEN A VERY, VERY, VERY LONG TIME SINCE I LAST UPDATED THIS FIC. EXAMS HAPPENED JUST A WEEK AGO, AND A MONTH AGO WE WERE BUSY DOING A SCHOOL MUSICAL AND SO MANY PROJECTS FLOODED OUR WAY. SO PLEASE FORGIVE ME!
EIST, IS IT TRUE? IS IT TRUE THAT IT'S FORBIDDEN TO PUT REVIEWER'S NOTES HERE? OH WELL, DAMN IT.
WAH! I GOT 22 REVIEWS FOR LAST CHAPPIE! I KNOW, I'M TOO SHALLOW BUT IT'S JUST YOU GUYS MAKE ME HAPPY AND I'M DOING THE BEST I COULD TO RETURN THAT HAPPINESS. WEE!
WELL, A REVIEWER ASKED WHAT SACREBLEAU MEANS. WELL, IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN IT'S FRNCH FOR "HOLY COW!" WEHEHE, WELL, IT WAS USED IN DISNEY'S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. LUMIERRE (?) SAID THAT EXPRESSION WHEN THEY SAW FROM THE CASTLE WINDOWS AN ANGRY MOB BANGING THE CASTLE DOORS WITH A LARGE LOG.
JAPANASE WORDS:
IIE-NO
HAI-YES
DEMO-BUT
ANOU-UM/UH
FRENCH WORDS:
MERCI-THANK YOU
OUI-YES
MAGNIFIQUE-MAGNIFICENT
MERVEILLEUX-MARVELOUS
CHEF D'OEVRE – MASTERPIECE
DIFFICILE-DIFFICULT
BIEN CUIT! – WELL DONE!
BELLE-LADY
MONSIEUR – MISTER
MADEMOISELLE-LADY/MISS
AMIE-FRIEND
ABOUT THE CLOTHES:
BOLERO – IT'S A SHORT BLAZER, CAN BE LONG-SLEEVED OR NOT. IT GOES DOWN ABOVE THE BELLY.