a/n: it's a LONG chapter... that's all i have to say... other than i changed my pen name so it's now, 'TheDirtyDuck' okies? great... plz don't forget to review! it motivates me!

Chapter 11: Another Try (Haunting Prom Memories)

Sano hummed to himself as he drove towards Kenshin's house. Kaoru said she had told Kenshin all about the date, so he wasn't too concerned with giving out the details, but he did want some more advice. Things were finally good between him and Megumi for the time being and he figured that it was time for that date he'd promised her over the phone. That is, if Kenshin thought it was a good idea. He knew Kaoru wouldn't be thrilled with the idea, but he didn't really care. On the other hand though, he really didn't want another meeting with her bokken.

He pulled in Kenshin's driveway and got out of his car. He walked up to the door and knocked on the door before he finally just opened it and walked in. Kenshin wouldn't care, he rationalized.

"Sano," Kenshin said, voice a little exasperated. "I wish you would stop inviting yourself in."

"Sorry. You didn't answer when I knocked."

Kenshin sighed. "I was on my way when I found you lounging on my couch."

"What can I say? You were taking too long."

"I was talking to Kaoru-dono on the phone, that I was," he explained.

"Oh. Someone got the hots for a certain missy?"

"No. Sano, why are you here?"

"Oh, yeah. I was gonna ask you what you thought about me taking Megumi on a date as the guy from online."

"I think you should run it by Kaoru-dono first."

"Why does her name always come up when we talk?" he demanded.

"Because she's the one who set this whole thing up, remember?"

"I know, but we don't just talk about my issues. I mean, even before all this started you would talk about her," he pointed out.

"I did not," he instinctively denied.

"Yes you did."

"No," he started, his eyes glowing faintly amber. "I didn't."

"Whatever. I know you did, but if you insist on saying that you didn't… Maybe I should go straight to Jou-chan and tell her about your secret crush…"

"I don't love her Sano."

"Aw, that's a bunch of bullshit man, and you know it!"

"Kaoru-dono is an intelligent woman. She does not need someone like me interfering. And besides, I don't love her as you say. She's just a friend."

"Yeah, a really hot friend with a killer pair of legs," Sano added.

"I thought we were talking about Megumi-dono?" Kenshin asked, irritated.

"Oh, yeah, we were. And then you told me to ask Jou-chan first."

"You should."

"And I'm not going to."

"Fine… Give it a few more days. Talk. Then spring it on her for the weekend," he suggested, plopping down on the couch next to him.

"Thanks Kenshin. I think I'll go do that. Bye."

"…Bye," he said, watching as his best friend fled out the door towards his car.

Sighing he headed back to his bedroom, debating what Sano had said about Kaoru. Sure she was attractive, he would admit that much, but did he love her? He didn't think so. Not the way he had loved Tomoe. Tomoe… Just the thought of her made his eyes sting with tears. It had been weeks since her passing, a short time that hadn't eased the pain. Kaoru had desperately tried to help, but had been unable to do so with her soft cooing and gentle touches. She just didn't catch his attention like that…

His eyes caught the picture on his wall; one from high school. She was hanging on his arm, laughing with Megumi at their graduation. She looked so content. But she just didn't hold his attention… not that way…

Or did she?

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Megumi ran to the phone as she entered her apartment with her groceries. She got to the phone, just as the machine was going off.

"Hello?" she asked, pressing the stop button on the answering machine.

"Hey."

"Oh! How goes it?"

"Pretty good, how are you?"

"I'm fine. Just finished my grocery shopping."

"Always good to be stocked up on food. Me personally, I can't cook so it's mainly take out or microwave able foods," Sano said with a chuckle.

"Hmmm, that so? Well, I'll have to treat you to my fine culinary skills sometime. Although I'm not quite as good as Kenshin, I've got some skill," she told him happily.

"Great! Could I intrude upon your home, say, Saturday evening for said dinner?"

"Really? As in a date? You and me?"

"You bet! I figured I'd kept you waiting long enough," he started. "Besides, I'd hate for this guy you've been ranting about to take my place before I've even gotten a chance to get there."

"That sounds wonderful! I'll see you then, then!"

"Alrighty then. I'll see you Saturday and talk to you tomorrow, okay?"

"Bye," she whispered softly.

"Good-bye."

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Kaoru danced around her kitchen, listening to her music as she washed the dishes. She barely heard the doorbell ring due to the volume. She bounced off to the front door and threw it open, a welcoming smile on her face. It lit up when she saw Sano.

"Ooo! Does this mean that you've talked to Megumi again? Like, in person?"

"No… I think you might hate me after this… but I asked her out. Not as me, though."

"Sano…" she ground out through her grit teeth. "Tell me you're playing an insanely cruel joke on me."

"Uhh…" The look on his face was answer enough.

"You didn't… I'll kill you!" She lunged for the bokken she kept behind her couch for easy access.

"Now Jou-chan… Don't you think it's time? I mean… she's been waiting for so long…"

"A little longer wouldn't kill her! And besides! Date her now, that classic anger will burst after she sees it was you all along! After she sees that it was you lying to her the whole time!"

"I'm sorry! It's not until Saturday! Cancel!"

"I can't! That would be rude!"

"Well then… I'll just have to make sure that she's busy, now won't I?"

"You wouldn't…"

"You're right. I'll just have to make sure that BOTH of you are busy!"

"What! How're you going to manage that!"

"You will have your date. Just, not as 'Mr. Right' as you've proclaimed yourself. As Sano."

"How the hell are you going to do that?"

"You'll see!"

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Saturday was fast approaching. Megumi was getting slightly nervous, she still didn't know what to do. Kenshin had invited her over for dinner with him and Kaoru, but she'd declined, saying she had a date. Kaoru had tried to convince her to cancel, but she just couldn't…

The sound of her phone ringing made her jump. She looked over towards it and reached over to grab it.

"Hello?"

"Yo."

"Hi."

"Listen, I know this is like, really rude, but I can't make it Saturday night."

"Oh… Can I ask why?"

He hated lying to her, really he did. "My mother's just passed away. I…"

"I understand," she said quietly. "It's really alright."

"I'm so sorry. I feel like nothing ever works out."

"It's fine. I swear it."

"Maybe we can reschedule for next week sometime," he suggested.

"I'll look forward to that then."

"Yes. Until then."

"Too da loo," she bid.

"Bye."

'Well,' she thought, 'Now I can accept Kenshin's offer… Kaoru is going to be disappointed. I know she wanted to spend time with him… alone…'

Sighing, she headed into her bedroom, dialing his number as she went. She told him of the circumstances and why she could now go to dinner. She really wished she wasn't going; no offense to Kenshin or anything, it's just she'd rather have a date.

Little did she know that she would…

-----------------------

Sano showed up at Kenshin's place Saturday around five to help him with dinner. Er, or rather to bother him before dinner was actually served. Kenshin stared at him, agitated. Kaoru at least knew enough to stay out of the kitchen due to previous bad encounters with it. He sighed, trying to shoo him out of his cooking space.

"Sano, could you please just go wait in the living room with Kaoru-dono?"

"Why do I have to? She's been pissy lately!" he whined.

"You won't be alone with her for long; Aoshi and Misao-dono are coming as well," he told him.

"Really?" he asked in an interested voice. "Think we can get Aoshi to play poker with us this time? I mean, he's got a perfect face for it…"

"We can try…"

Kaoru froze when she heard that Misao was coming. This could be bad. Misao still had the tape, much to her dismay; she hadn't finished 'commentating' had been her official excuse. Then again, Misao probably didn't even know she was going to be there...

"Hiya everybody! I brought tons of entertainment!" Misao's cheerful voice rang throughout the house.

'Oh no…' Kaoru thought, eyeing the video in her hand.

"Aoshi, good to see you," Kenshin greeted coming out of the kitchen.

"Himura, Himura! Wasn't this absolutely hilarious the first time through! Well now, everyone can watch it because I finished the commentary!" Misao said excitedly, running to the VCR.

"No!" Kaoru cried, chasing her. "No! Let's NOT watch that!"

"Hello?" Megumi called into the house.

"Yo!" Sano greeted. "Fox!"

"Rooster," she said coolly, but there was a deceiving smile plastered on her lips.

"Hey! Megumi! Check it out! You remember Kaoru's prom, right? Well, I have the video and I even went through and added my own special commentary to it!" Misao informed her.

"Ohohohoho! That was to die for! We simply must watch it!" Megumi said and Kaoru SWORE she saw fox ears pop out of her head.

"No!"

"It's payback time, Kaoru. All that shit you've put me through for this stupid 'dating' thing… I think this is absolutely perfect," Megumi said slyly.

"Oro?"

"What the hell is everyone talking about?" Sano asked, completely confused. Misao rushed over and filled him, making him ready to put the tape in himself.

"NO, NO, NO, NO!" Kaoru screamed again.

"Yes, yes, yes!" Megumi and Misao contradicted together.

"Poor Kaoru-dono…" Kenshin sympathized, understanding her embarrassing situation having both been there and seen the tape.

Sano chuckled heartily watching them all argue. He made for the kitchen while Kenshin was preoccupied, hoping to get a sample of dinner. Unfortunately for him, Kenshin saw and firmly reprimanded him.

"Sano, dinner is meant for dinner, not anytime before or in between," he told him, agitated with his hunger. "It'll be ready shortly."

"Fine…" He could wait. Or so he thought. His stomach rather disagreed with that thought.

"Kenshin?" Megumi asked lightly. "Do you need help getting anything on the table?"

"Sure, um, the dishes are in that cupboard over there." He pointed to a cabinet to his right. "And the glasses are in the one next to it. Everyone can get what they want out of the fridge."

She nodded, moving to get out six plates. Sano immediately came over to help her, taking half the dishes. She smiled at him in appreciation as they set the table together. She looked out into the living room to see if everyone was ready for dinner and almost tripped over nothing. Kaoru had tackled Misao to ground, holding her in place as she tried to regain ownership over the tape. Aoshi was watching rather amused as Misao continued to elude Kaoru about it's whereabouts.

She rolled her eyes and called everyone out to the table for dinner, seeing that Kenshin had finished cooking whatever had been on the stove. They all herded out into the dining area, ready for food. Predictably, Sano was the first at the table. They all laughed at some random comment about food that had burst from his mouth before digging into the food.

Dinner was a curiously good affair. Megumi and Sano only argued over trivial things such as drinking beer when you were supposed to drive yourself home that night. He protested that he had driven home with many more than the three bottles he'd downed, but Megumi didn't buy it. Much to her surprise, she ended up offering him a ride home later which he accepted in order to drink as much as he liked. Misao and Aoshi talked softly to one another about little details about their respective days at work. Kaoru chose to stay pretty much silent, even when Kenshin tried to talk to her, answering in monotones. He wasn't making it easy to give up on him.

When Misao was finished eating, she leapt out of her seat and bounded all the way over to the TV and pushed play on the VCR. Kaoru realized only belatedly that the movie was already playing. Everyone crowded in the living room, sitting comfortably to watch.

--------------------------------

"Hold still!" Megumi said, brandishing her hot curling iron.

"No! Keep it away!" Kaoru screamed, running down the hallway as she nearly plowed down her father who was currently in charge of the camcorder.

"KAORU!"

"Bwa! Get away!" She threw her arms up and ran around like an idiot, still screaming.

"I'm not going to curl your hair! I'm just going to add volume to it!"

"I don't trust you! Last time I looked like a poodle gone wrong!" she retorted, still managing to evade the hot iron.

Eventually, Kaoru was sat in the seat, her friend Sayo holding her down while Megumi did exactly as she said she would. When she was finished, half of Kaoru's hair was tied up with an indigo ribbon to match her flowing dress while the rest of it hung down the length of her back, ending at her waist.

"Kaoru," Megumi said exasperated. "Please tell me you are not wearing those freaking flats…"

"What's wrong with them!" she demanded.

"Everything! Wear the high heels Yumi and I picked out for you!"

"But I can't walk in those!"

Kaoru did end up in those said high heels. She walked towards the entrance, her arm hanging on her date's, which happened to be Shigure. He was a surprisingly good date, not to tall… just right. Unfortunately though, she ended up tripping over God knows what and falling on her face, bringing him with her. She apologized all night. Kamatari had come with a friend named Chou and had 'graciously' offered to tape all night since neither of them liked dancing. She'd definitely told 'her' no, but somehow this was created…

"Put that damn thing down!" Kaoru commanded as she downed a shot later on in the hotel room.

"No! Kaoru, I didn't know you had a stomach for alcohol!"

"I don't."

"Then…"

She tipped her head back to take another shot before picking up the beer sitting on the table. She hiccupped softly and giggled. Everything was getting blurry…

"Hey," she slurred. "Kamatarshi… Are you gonna finish that -hic- can!"

"No, here-" 'She' barely had the words out of 'her' mouth when she found the can swiped out of her hand and pressed to Kaoru's mouth.

"Oro? Do you guys have any shampoo?"

"Hee hee…" Kaoru giggled uncontrollably, trying to walk over to where Kenshin was. "I du- -hic- -dunno…"

"Kaoru-dono…"

"Kenshieeeennnn! You is so pretty…"

"Oro!"

"Hey… You has to shtay shtill…" she told him, pressing a finger into his chest.

"Oro, Kaoru-dono could you please-"

"Don't you -hic- think I'm -hic- pretty too?"

"Oro!"

"Kamatari!" Megumi barked. "Turn that thing off!"

"You're no fun!"

"Kaoru, oh my god… how much did you drink?" Megumi asked, noticing both the slur and the trouble she was having walking.

"I… I shthink I'm going to besh shick…" And she lost her cookies all over Kenshin tux.

-------------------

Misao was dying, that having been her seventh time watching it. Megumi shook her head with the memory… Kaoru hadn't touched a drink since then, except the occasional margarita when she went clubbing. Kenshin turned away from the screen, also remembering. Sano was laughing his ass off, pointing at Kaoru who was cowering and mumbling something about having to get going. She sped out the door and Megumi thought it would be a good idea to get Sano and take him home so she could go home and go to bed.

"Come on," she said, helping him up. "We're leaving."

"Right… bye Kenshin."

"Bye," he murmured, ejecting the tape and handing it to Misao.

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Megumi and Sano sat in the car, quiet music playing in the back round as she drove him towards his house.