A RK Cinderella Story
by: nyllemnev
Disclaimer: They are not mine. Heck, I'm just using them to write this silly idea of mine so don't sue me.
Notes: Hehehe... Do you think Yahiko OOC? Hehehe, sorry if I made him kinda out of character but I think Yahiko can be really nice especially when he know that Kaoru is feeling down, let's just put it that way, ne? And I do know that Kamatari is a *ehem* he. Let's just say he is a she. Hehehe... Nevermind, on with the story...
Chapter 3: You again?
"Why do I have to do this?" Kenshin frowned as he sat on his room, staring at several carriage arriving through the window.
"You're parents only wants to see you… you know… settle down with…" Sano said.
"I don't need to get marry… not this soon!" Kenshin frowned at Sano. "I don't wanna get marry or whatever."
"Yeah I know." Sano nodded. "You always told me that."
"Can you think of any idea how can I escape this stupid ball thing?"
"C'mon Kenshin. Stop being so stubborn." Sano said. "It's not that you have to pick a girl you have to marry in this ball!" he added reading what is in the mind of his best friend. "All you have to do is to make an appearance in this thing then… No big deal!"
"No big deal, you say." Kenshin frowned again, standing up. "Sano, you know how boring it could be."
"Come to think of it, pal. There would be plenty of pretty girls there." Sano winked at Kenshin. "Who knows, you may find that girl of your dreams this night."
"Yeah right." Kenshin said in a mock voice. "There will be a lot of pretty girls out there. C'mon Sano, we all know that they only want my attention because they only want my money, they only want fame."
"I give up." Sano said raising his hands in defeat. "I don't know how to convince you anymore." He sighed. "I'm just asking you, Kenshin. Please, just make an appearance in the ball or your father is going to kill me." He said before leaving Kenshin alone in his room.
***
"Do I look good? Do I look good?" Kamatari asked to her mother and sister.
"You look like a pig stuck in a small sack." Tomoe muttered under her breath and her sister glared at her.
"You want me to tell you how you look like? You look like an old hag trying to scare everyone inside the palace."
"WHY YOU LITTLE PIG-?!?"
"WHY YOU OLD MAID-?!?"
"Just stop it, you two." Megumi said, trying to stop her two daughters from arguing. "You two look the best." She smiled at her two daughters as they smiled back sweetly. "Unlike some other girl that I know." She added throwing a disgusted glance at Kaoru, who looked down.
"Yeah. Unlike some other person out there." Kamatari and Tomoe both said, smiling.
"Just remember that you are not supposed to go in there, understand?" Megumi said and Kaoru only nodded.
"Yeah. You can't go in there! You'll only humiliate us. I mean…" Kamatari said, looking at Kaoru from head to toe. "Wearing that thing… Mou! So old-fashioned!"
"Hai." Kaoru said in a low voice.
"So, we'll leave you here with the coachman." Megumi said, before walking towards the huge palace with her daughters.
Kaoru only sighed as she watched her stepmother and sisters go inside the palace. 'They will surely have a great time, I know. Mou! How I envy them.' She sighed as she leaned on the carriage.
"Hey busu, why all that sighing and all that sad face? …" Yahiko turned to her.
"Mou! How many times do I have to tell you to stop calling me busu?" Kaoru frowned at Yahiko who just grinned. "What are you grinning at?"
"Hehe... That's the busu that I know." Yahiko grinned more. "I really missed the busu of before. You are just no fun to be with, you know. You always have something to do or there is always something on your mind."
"Eh? What are you talking about? Of course I'm still like before. I never changed." Kaoru pouted in a childish manner.
"Hehe, of course you're different now. Before you always have time to practice kendo with me, we fought a lot, ne? Do you remember the one time when I accidentally broke that flower vase? You said that was your favorite." he chuckled a little at the thought. "You nearly killed the hell out of me when you found out that I broke it."
Kaoru smiled as she remembered it. That was a gift from her father's friend Hiko Seijurou, a member of the royal army.
"Yeah. I remembered that." she giggled at the thought. "Did it really hurt? I'm sorry but I think you deserve it. That vase is a gift from a family friend." she smiled again. "I'm sorry if I haven't got any time to... you know... hang out with friends, they tell.. it's just that..."
"I know." Yahiko sighed. "You had lots of things to do. I do have works to do too, but I still got time to... do things for myself."
"Yeah." Kaoru nodded at her best friend.
"Yes, yes... that's all you say." Yahiko shook his head, waving a finger at Kaoru's face. "You know sometimes it's not wrong to say no. Don't let them do this to you."
"Eh?"
"C'mon busu! I know you want to go in there." Yahiko frowned at her, making a face.
"Nothing like that. Besides I can't go in there. I mean Aunt Megumi..."
"Here we go again." Yahiko sighed. "Then you can go peer through the window. There! They didn't say that you're not supposed to peer."
"Eh?" Kaoru's face brightened as she smiled at Yahiko. "Hey! That's a great idea. You know sometimes some pretty good ideas comes in that spiky head of yours."
"Mou! What's wrong with my hair?!?" Yahiko's eyes narrowed at her as she stood straight.
"You wanna go with me?" she asked and Yahiko only shook his head. "Then see ya later!" she said as she walked away.
"Yeah, enjoy!" Yahiko smiled at her back. "You need a break after all."
***
"Sano said all I need to do is an appearance." Kenshin said to himself, pacing back and forth inside his room. "Make an appearance that's all. He never say that I need to stay in the ball and 'socialize' with people."
He sighed as he stared again at several carriages outside through the window. "Oro? How come there are so many carriages there?" he sighed again, 'My father must've planned it well.'
His eyes fell on the table beside his huge bed. On a certain blue-indigo ribbon laid there silently. Without knowing it, he was clutching the ribbon on his fist, taking in the scent of it. 'Jasmine Rose...' he murmured to himself. 'Smells like jasmine rose...' he sighed again, as he put the ribbon on his pocket.
"I'd rather be walking around there, meeting several town's people than stay here, dance with those girls or whatever." he said to himslef. "But I promised Sano that... okay... I only promised that I will only appear in the ball anyway." he smiled, "Then... maybe after making an appearance, I could go out... and..." he smiled wider at the thought before going out of his room.
***
"Oh... How wonderful..." Kamatari said dreamily to no one. "It seems it would only take a little more minutes before I will finally see my groom-to-be..."
"Sorry?" Tomoe snorted behind her sister. "You are saying something?"
"Shut up, old maid! Don't ruin my night!" Kamatari glared at her sister who glared back. "You are just jealous because you can see that many guys are staring at my goddess-like beauty."
"Uh-oh... sorry? did I get it right? Goddess-like beauty? Are you making me sick?" Tomoe said, looking like she was about to puke. "They are staring at you because they are feeling pity for a huge pig stuck in a small rotten sack."
"You are jealous." Kamatari said ignoring her sister's last comment. "Who would waste time to an old lady like you! Gosh, even the prince will be scared at your monster-like looks. Hehehe... I mean the prince doesn't need a mother, he needs a wife... a princess..."
"Then it would be not you." Tomoe said back, now aware of some heads turned to their direction. "The prince wouldn't like a pet like you... Come to think of it, the prince will never want a pig as a pet!"
"WHY YOU-?!?" Kamatari throw a deadly glare at her sister. "You are just jealous!!! Jealous!!! I mean the prince will never want a woman ten years older than him. I mean you're thirty."
"I'M ONLY TWENTY!!!! ONLY TWO YEARS OLDER THAN THE PRINCE!!!" Tomoe spit out at her sister. "I mean, look who's talking! you're 19 and the prince is only 18 (hehehe... Kenshin? 18?)."
"At least I look younger than my age." Kamatari said. "Unlike some other girls out there who looked like ten years older than their real age."
"I HAD ENOUGH-!!!!"
"Tomoe! Kamatari! Stop making a scene!" Megumi's superior voice stopped her two daughters from killing each other. "Will you act like a real lady? The prince will never give an eye for the two of you if you act like some sort of a low-class woman like your step sister."
"Yeah! I don't want to be a low-class woman like Kaoru!!!" Kamatari giggled and Tomoe only nodded.
"Then you act like a well-refined woman." Megumi smiled at her two daughters.
"Ladies and gentlemen..." the butler said aloud, making all heads turned to the elegant staircase. "The Prince of Tokyo... Himura Kenshin." he said as Kenshin appeared.
"Yeah, I knew he will do it this time." Sano from the crowd smiled as he watched Kenshin join the people. "Hehe, I knew it."
"The Prince! The Prince!" Kamatari said dreamily. "He will go to me! I knew it! He will come for me!!!" she giggled as she started to blush furiously at the thought.
"Mother, do I look good? Do I look good? Do I need to let Kaoru fix my ribbon?" Tomoe asked.
"You both look good, my daughters, the prince will surely notice you."
"He will dance with me first!" Kamatari said.
"No, he will dance with me first." Tomoe said smiling.
"Mou! Don't smile! you're gonna scare the prince"
"Mou! Shut up!"
"You two, stop it." Megumi said. "Well-refined young ladies, always remember. The prince will never like a low-class woman."
"Yeah! Like Kaoru!!!!" Tomoe and Kamatari both agreed, smiling widely.
(in the other side of the room)
"Sano you didn't tell me that there will be this number of people." Kenshin said, smiling back politely at everyone who smiled at him. "How can I get out of here if this will be this many."
"I never know your parents will invite this many." Sano said. "Just enjoy, okay? There are so many beautiful young ladies here. Who knows maybe you could finally see the 'right girl' for you."
"Oro? I told you I'm not ready you all of this marriage stuff or whatever. I'm outta here."
"But you haven't dance with someone."
"I'm in no mood to dance."
"C'mon buddy, just chill out."
"I'm outta here." Kenshin said and started to walked out of the room, oblivious to everybody.
***
"The Prince must be already there." Kaoru sighed as she heard the butler announced the arrival of the prince. "Oh... How I wish I was there." she sighed as she sat on the elegant water fountain, watching what is happening through a huge window.
"Mou! i can't get to see what's happenning there from out here." she sighed again. "How I wish Aunt Megumi just let me go with them. I will do anything for that to happen, but they just wouldn't let me. I do look rubbish anyway."
Kaoru just sat there closing her eyes as she heard the orchestra began playing a music. "Tomoe-san and Kamatari-san are surely enjoying the night of their life. One of them must be already dancing with the prince... Oh the prince..." without knowing it, Kaoru stood up, eyes shut as she began to dream again.
She was dressed in an elegant blue gown, her hair was fix in a high elegant bun on her head. She was wearing her mother's blue diamond necklace, a gift from her father. every head was turned to her as she entered, the prince was just standing there, watching her as she walked towards him, giving him one of her brightest smiles. She imagined her prince to be a little taller than her... He has red hair... Yes, flaming auburn hair, dancing softly with the slightest touch o the wind... He has lavender eyes... those soft violet orbs that will take your breath away...
'Oh... how I want to drown into those violet orbs of his...' Kaoru thought dreamily, creating an image of her imaginary prince charming in her mind's eyes. She slowly made a graceful bow at her imaginary prince as the orchestra starts a new music.
'And how I wish to dance with him... Just one dance...' she slowly raised her hands to place it in the shoulder of her imaginary prince and her other hand to take her imaginari prince' other hand. She started to dance with the tune of the music, to dance with the image she have created in her mind.
***
"Good thing I got away from there." Kenshin sighed as he finally have escaped. He sighed, he got to dance, how many girls before finally getting out'... two, three... whatever'
"Finally I'm free." he smiled as he take a deep breath. "I'm free." he smiled again as he turned another corner, careful not to be caught by anyone. He paused in mid-step as he saw a certain girl, sitting in the fountain, watching what's happening inside through the window.
"She... is..." Kenshin's eyes widened when she stood up, making a graceful bow to no one, before raising her hand, making an impression that she is dancing with her eyes closed. "She is that girl!" he said as he remembered the girl he have saved the other night.
Kenshin just stood there as he watched the girl, dancing with the man on her mid's eye. "She is... so... so beautiful... Totemo Kirei..." he said to no one as he admired how her long hair danced with the wind in her slightest move. How the moonlight made her skin glow in the dark...
'Kami-sama, am I dreaming? Was this goddess in front of me... for real?' Before he knew it, he was now standing almost in front of her, making her open her eyes to stare at him quizzically.
***
'Oh... my prince charming... how I wish to see you in front of me now." Kaoru slowly opened her eyes, only to gasp when she saw the person in her mind's eye standing in front of her.
"It's you again..." the man said almost hesistatingly.
"Huh?" Kaoru blinked trying to make sure that she is not dreaming, trying to remember where she have seen that face, and why did it appear in her mind's eye.
"I'm sorry to disturb you... I never mean to watch you... Er... I was just trying to have some fresh air..." Kenshin scratched his head, blushing slightly, flashing an embarass smile.
"Uhm... it's alright..." Kaoru smiled back, as she remembered him. "I know you, you're the one who saved me the other night. I almost didn't recognize you with that." she smiled again.
"Oh this." Kenshin stared down to himself. He was now wearing one of his royal outfits, a white upper and a royal blue pants. "Yeah, quite different from my gi and hakama."
"If I don't know you, I might think that you are actually the prince." she giggled and Kenshin's face paled.
"Oro?"
"Eh? Are you alright?" Kaoru asked him worriedly, seeing his face paled. "Did I say something wrong?"
"Oro? A-anou... It's nothing." Kenshin again scratched his head. 'I think scratching my head is finally being a habit when I'm in front of her.'
"I'm glad to find you here. Are you invited to attend the royal ball too?" she asked.
"Oro? Hehe... something like that... hehe..." he blushed again when she smiled sweetly at him. The music began to change and he just stood there staring at her.
"Huh?" Kaoru blushed when she noticed him staring at her with a silly smile on her face. "Nani?"
"Would you mind dancing with this unworthy one?" Kenshin said, bowing at her.
"Eh?" Kaoru blushed at his gesture before smiling, making a graceful bow before accepting his hand. "It would be my pleasure." She gave him a sweet smile and he smiled back
* … A dream is a wish your heart makes…
when you're fast asleep…
in dreams you will lose your heartaches…
whatever you for, you keep…
… Have faith in your dreams…
and one day…
Your rainbow will come smiling too…
… No matter how… your heart is beating…
if you keep on believing…
… A dream is wish that'll come true…*
***
"Where is that Kenshin?!?" Sano frowned as he go out to find his friend. "Grrr… he still managed to escape. I really can't understand that one!!! I mean, he's pretty lucky, girls are the one chasing him, whatever." he growled under his breath.
"I swear I'm going to kill him when I find him." he said evilly as he turned to a corner. That is when his eyes widened. He saw his friend there, dancing with a certain young lady, to the tune of the music from inside the palace. A goofy grin appeared in his face.
"I knew it… Hehehe… He will find the 'right girl' for him this night." Sano said. "So that is why he doesn't come back. Hehehe… I will never stop asking you about this one Kenshin, hehehe…" he thought as he walked away, back to the royal ball.
***
"Thank You." Kaoru smiled, making a bow to Kenshin as the music stopeed. "Thanks, Kenshin."
"Oro??" Kenshin stared, a little confused at her. Watching her as she sat on the fountain again. "Why?" he asked as he sat beside her.
"You saved me again. This is the second time now." she said, with a small smile on her face.
"Oro??? I saved you???"
"Oh… yes you do." she giggled seeing his face full of questions. "The first time from all of those bad guys. Now for this loneliness that I felt."
"Oro? You are…" Kenshin's eyes widened. "What made you sad, Kaoru-dono?"
"Mou! What is all about this '-dono' stuff?" she pouted.
"Oro? Gomen-nasai, Kaoru-dono."
"Okay fine." Kaoru sighed. "Anyway thanks. I really enjoyed my night because of you, even though I didn't have that chance to really get in there to actually see the prince." she smiled at him ."But I guess, I'm still lucky to find you here."
"Oro? If that is so… I have to thank you too." Kenshin smiled back. "I mean, you know. I've been pretty bored in there, that's why I go out. Thanks for making my night great."
"Looks like we're quits, ne?" Kaoru said and Kenshin only nodded. Then sighed when she heard the clock strike twelve. "Oh no… I guess, I need to go back now."
"Oro? How come?" Kenshin asked, not wanting to be away from her.
"My stepmother and sisters will be back now." Kaoru said.
"Oh yeah, I know." Kenshin nodded, rather quite disappointed. "We will see each other again, ne?"
"Of course. I would love too." Kaoru smiled at him. "Anytime."
"Okay." Kenshin smiled taking her hand and giving it a squeeze. "I'm looking forward to seeing you again." he smiled as he let go of her hand.
"Oh… me too." Kaoru smiled and blushing slightly, placing the hand he have squeezed near her heart. "I'm have to be going now." she stood up and Kenshin only watched her go.
"I will see you again, my princess…" he said with a tender look in his eyes. "I will."
***
"Mou! Where are you tanuki-girl!!!" Kamatari called angrily as she stepped in the carriage.
"I'm here." Kaoru said, panting. "How's you night?"
"Shut up and it's none of your business." Tomoe replied curtly following her sister.
"Eh?"
"Just shut up." Megumi said. "Let's go."
"Hai." Yahiko answered back.
"What was that for?" Kaoru asked Yahiko who shrugged.
tbc...
A/N: Hehehe... that's another chapter done. Thanks for those who reviewed!!! I'm really glad that you guys like it. Till next chappie... see ya!!! Mwahugzzzz!!!!
by: nyllemnev
Disclaimer: They are not mine. Heck, I'm just using them to write this silly idea of mine so don't sue me.
Notes: Hehehe... Do you think Yahiko OOC? Hehehe, sorry if I made him kinda out of character but I think Yahiko can be really nice especially when he know that Kaoru is feeling down, let's just put it that way, ne? And I do know that Kamatari is a *ehem* he. Let's just say he is a she. Hehehe... Nevermind, on with the story...
Chapter 3: You again?
"Why do I have to do this?" Kenshin frowned as he sat on his room, staring at several carriage arriving through the window.
"You're parents only wants to see you… you know… settle down with…" Sano said.
"I don't need to get marry… not this soon!" Kenshin frowned at Sano. "I don't wanna get marry or whatever."
"Yeah I know." Sano nodded. "You always told me that."
"Can you think of any idea how can I escape this stupid ball thing?"
"C'mon Kenshin. Stop being so stubborn." Sano said. "It's not that you have to pick a girl you have to marry in this ball!" he added reading what is in the mind of his best friend. "All you have to do is to make an appearance in this thing then… No big deal!"
"No big deal, you say." Kenshin frowned again, standing up. "Sano, you know how boring it could be."
"Come to think of it, pal. There would be plenty of pretty girls there." Sano winked at Kenshin. "Who knows, you may find that girl of your dreams this night."
"Yeah right." Kenshin said in a mock voice. "There will be a lot of pretty girls out there. C'mon Sano, we all know that they only want my attention because they only want my money, they only want fame."
"I give up." Sano said raising his hands in defeat. "I don't know how to convince you anymore." He sighed. "I'm just asking you, Kenshin. Please, just make an appearance in the ball or your father is going to kill me." He said before leaving Kenshin alone in his room.
***
"Do I look good? Do I look good?" Kamatari asked to her mother and sister.
"You look like a pig stuck in a small sack." Tomoe muttered under her breath and her sister glared at her.
"You want me to tell you how you look like? You look like an old hag trying to scare everyone inside the palace."
"WHY YOU LITTLE PIG-?!?"
"WHY YOU OLD MAID-?!?"
"Just stop it, you two." Megumi said, trying to stop her two daughters from arguing. "You two look the best." She smiled at her two daughters as they smiled back sweetly. "Unlike some other girl that I know." She added throwing a disgusted glance at Kaoru, who looked down.
"Yeah. Unlike some other person out there." Kamatari and Tomoe both said, smiling.
"Just remember that you are not supposed to go in there, understand?" Megumi said and Kaoru only nodded.
"Yeah. You can't go in there! You'll only humiliate us. I mean…" Kamatari said, looking at Kaoru from head to toe. "Wearing that thing… Mou! So old-fashioned!"
"Hai." Kaoru said in a low voice.
"So, we'll leave you here with the coachman." Megumi said, before walking towards the huge palace with her daughters.
Kaoru only sighed as she watched her stepmother and sisters go inside the palace. 'They will surely have a great time, I know. Mou! How I envy them.' She sighed as she leaned on the carriage.
"Hey busu, why all that sighing and all that sad face? …" Yahiko turned to her.
"Mou! How many times do I have to tell you to stop calling me busu?" Kaoru frowned at Yahiko who just grinned. "What are you grinning at?"
"Hehe... That's the busu that I know." Yahiko grinned more. "I really missed the busu of before. You are just no fun to be with, you know. You always have something to do or there is always something on your mind."
"Eh? What are you talking about? Of course I'm still like before. I never changed." Kaoru pouted in a childish manner.
"Hehe, of course you're different now. Before you always have time to practice kendo with me, we fought a lot, ne? Do you remember the one time when I accidentally broke that flower vase? You said that was your favorite." he chuckled a little at the thought. "You nearly killed the hell out of me when you found out that I broke it."
Kaoru smiled as she remembered it. That was a gift from her father's friend Hiko Seijurou, a member of the royal army.
"Yeah. I remembered that." she giggled at the thought. "Did it really hurt? I'm sorry but I think you deserve it. That vase is a gift from a family friend." she smiled again. "I'm sorry if I haven't got any time to... you know... hang out with friends, they tell.. it's just that..."
"I know." Yahiko sighed. "You had lots of things to do. I do have works to do too, but I still got time to... do things for myself."
"Yeah." Kaoru nodded at her best friend.
"Yes, yes... that's all you say." Yahiko shook his head, waving a finger at Kaoru's face. "You know sometimes it's not wrong to say no. Don't let them do this to you."
"Eh?"
"C'mon busu! I know you want to go in there." Yahiko frowned at her, making a face.
"Nothing like that. Besides I can't go in there. I mean Aunt Megumi..."
"Here we go again." Yahiko sighed. "Then you can go peer through the window. There! They didn't say that you're not supposed to peer."
"Eh?" Kaoru's face brightened as she smiled at Yahiko. "Hey! That's a great idea. You know sometimes some pretty good ideas comes in that spiky head of yours."
"Mou! What's wrong with my hair?!?" Yahiko's eyes narrowed at her as she stood straight.
"You wanna go with me?" she asked and Yahiko only shook his head. "Then see ya later!" she said as she walked away.
"Yeah, enjoy!" Yahiko smiled at her back. "You need a break after all."
***
"Sano said all I need to do is an appearance." Kenshin said to himself, pacing back and forth inside his room. "Make an appearance that's all. He never say that I need to stay in the ball and 'socialize' with people."
He sighed as he stared again at several carriages outside through the window. "Oro? How come there are so many carriages there?" he sighed again, 'My father must've planned it well.'
His eyes fell on the table beside his huge bed. On a certain blue-indigo ribbon laid there silently. Without knowing it, he was clutching the ribbon on his fist, taking in the scent of it. 'Jasmine Rose...' he murmured to himself. 'Smells like jasmine rose...' he sighed again, as he put the ribbon on his pocket.
"I'd rather be walking around there, meeting several town's people than stay here, dance with those girls or whatever." he said to himslef. "But I promised Sano that... okay... I only promised that I will only appear in the ball anyway." he smiled, "Then... maybe after making an appearance, I could go out... and..." he smiled wider at the thought before going out of his room.
***
"Oh... How wonderful..." Kamatari said dreamily to no one. "It seems it would only take a little more minutes before I will finally see my groom-to-be..."
"Sorry?" Tomoe snorted behind her sister. "You are saying something?"
"Shut up, old maid! Don't ruin my night!" Kamatari glared at her sister who glared back. "You are just jealous because you can see that many guys are staring at my goddess-like beauty."
"Uh-oh... sorry? did I get it right? Goddess-like beauty? Are you making me sick?" Tomoe said, looking like she was about to puke. "They are staring at you because they are feeling pity for a huge pig stuck in a small rotten sack."
"You are jealous." Kamatari said ignoring her sister's last comment. "Who would waste time to an old lady like you! Gosh, even the prince will be scared at your monster-like looks. Hehehe... I mean the prince doesn't need a mother, he needs a wife... a princess..."
"Then it would be not you." Tomoe said back, now aware of some heads turned to their direction. "The prince wouldn't like a pet like you... Come to think of it, the prince will never want a pig as a pet!"
"WHY YOU-?!?" Kamatari throw a deadly glare at her sister. "You are just jealous!!! Jealous!!! I mean the prince will never want a woman ten years older than him. I mean you're thirty."
"I'M ONLY TWENTY!!!! ONLY TWO YEARS OLDER THAN THE PRINCE!!!" Tomoe spit out at her sister. "I mean, look who's talking! you're 19 and the prince is only 18 (hehehe... Kenshin? 18?)."
"At least I look younger than my age." Kamatari said. "Unlike some other girls out there who looked like ten years older than their real age."
"I HAD ENOUGH-!!!!"
"Tomoe! Kamatari! Stop making a scene!" Megumi's superior voice stopped her two daughters from killing each other. "Will you act like a real lady? The prince will never give an eye for the two of you if you act like some sort of a low-class woman like your step sister."
"Yeah! I don't want to be a low-class woman like Kaoru!!!" Kamatari giggled and Tomoe only nodded.
"Then you act like a well-refined woman." Megumi smiled at her two daughters.
"Ladies and gentlemen..." the butler said aloud, making all heads turned to the elegant staircase. "The Prince of Tokyo... Himura Kenshin." he said as Kenshin appeared.
"Yeah, I knew he will do it this time." Sano from the crowd smiled as he watched Kenshin join the people. "Hehe, I knew it."
"The Prince! The Prince!" Kamatari said dreamily. "He will go to me! I knew it! He will come for me!!!" she giggled as she started to blush furiously at the thought.
"Mother, do I look good? Do I look good? Do I need to let Kaoru fix my ribbon?" Tomoe asked.
"You both look good, my daughters, the prince will surely notice you."
"He will dance with me first!" Kamatari said.
"No, he will dance with me first." Tomoe said smiling.
"Mou! Don't smile! you're gonna scare the prince"
"Mou! Shut up!"
"You two, stop it." Megumi said. "Well-refined young ladies, always remember. The prince will never like a low-class woman."
"Yeah! Like Kaoru!!!!" Tomoe and Kamatari both agreed, smiling widely.
(in the other side of the room)
"Sano you didn't tell me that there will be this number of people." Kenshin said, smiling back politely at everyone who smiled at him. "How can I get out of here if this will be this many."
"I never know your parents will invite this many." Sano said. "Just enjoy, okay? There are so many beautiful young ladies here. Who knows maybe you could finally see the 'right girl' for you."
"Oro? I told you I'm not ready you all of this marriage stuff or whatever. I'm outta here."
"But you haven't dance with someone."
"I'm in no mood to dance."
"C'mon buddy, just chill out."
"I'm outta here." Kenshin said and started to walked out of the room, oblivious to everybody.
***
"The Prince must be already there." Kaoru sighed as she heard the butler announced the arrival of the prince. "Oh... How I wish I was there." she sighed as she sat on the elegant water fountain, watching what is happening through a huge window.
"Mou! i can't get to see what's happenning there from out here." she sighed again. "How I wish Aunt Megumi just let me go with them. I will do anything for that to happen, but they just wouldn't let me. I do look rubbish anyway."
Kaoru just sat there closing her eyes as she heard the orchestra began playing a music. "Tomoe-san and Kamatari-san are surely enjoying the night of their life. One of them must be already dancing with the prince... Oh the prince..." without knowing it, Kaoru stood up, eyes shut as she began to dream again.
She was dressed in an elegant blue gown, her hair was fix in a high elegant bun on her head. She was wearing her mother's blue diamond necklace, a gift from her father. every head was turned to her as she entered, the prince was just standing there, watching her as she walked towards him, giving him one of her brightest smiles. She imagined her prince to be a little taller than her... He has red hair... Yes, flaming auburn hair, dancing softly with the slightest touch o the wind... He has lavender eyes... those soft violet orbs that will take your breath away...
'Oh... how I want to drown into those violet orbs of his...' Kaoru thought dreamily, creating an image of her imaginary prince charming in her mind's eyes. She slowly made a graceful bow at her imaginary prince as the orchestra starts a new music.
'And how I wish to dance with him... Just one dance...' she slowly raised her hands to place it in the shoulder of her imaginary prince and her other hand to take her imaginari prince' other hand. She started to dance with the tune of the music, to dance with the image she have created in her mind.
***
"Good thing I got away from there." Kenshin sighed as he finally have escaped. He sighed, he got to dance, how many girls before finally getting out'... two, three... whatever'
"Finally I'm free." he smiled as he take a deep breath. "I'm free." he smiled again as he turned another corner, careful not to be caught by anyone. He paused in mid-step as he saw a certain girl, sitting in the fountain, watching what's happening inside through the window.
"She... is..." Kenshin's eyes widened when she stood up, making a graceful bow to no one, before raising her hand, making an impression that she is dancing with her eyes closed. "She is that girl!" he said as he remembered the girl he have saved the other night.
Kenshin just stood there as he watched the girl, dancing with the man on her mid's eye. "She is... so... so beautiful... Totemo Kirei..." he said to no one as he admired how her long hair danced with the wind in her slightest move. How the moonlight made her skin glow in the dark...
'Kami-sama, am I dreaming? Was this goddess in front of me... for real?' Before he knew it, he was now standing almost in front of her, making her open her eyes to stare at him quizzically.
***
'Oh... my prince charming... how I wish to see you in front of me now." Kaoru slowly opened her eyes, only to gasp when she saw the person in her mind's eye standing in front of her.
"It's you again..." the man said almost hesistatingly.
"Huh?" Kaoru blinked trying to make sure that she is not dreaming, trying to remember where she have seen that face, and why did it appear in her mind's eye.
"I'm sorry to disturb you... I never mean to watch you... Er... I was just trying to have some fresh air..." Kenshin scratched his head, blushing slightly, flashing an embarass smile.
"Uhm... it's alright..." Kaoru smiled back, as she remembered him. "I know you, you're the one who saved me the other night. I almost didn't recognize you with that." she smiled again.
"Oh this." Kenshin stared down to himself. He was now wearing one of his royal outfits, a white upper and a royal blue pants. "Yeah, quite different from my gi and hakama."
"If I don't know you, I might think that you are actually the prince." she giggled and Kenshin's face paled.
"Oro?"
"Eh? Are you alright?" Kaoru asked him worriedly, seeing his face paled. "Did I say something wrong?"
"Oro? A-anou... It's nothing." Kenshin again scratched his head. 'I think scratching my head is finally being a habit when I'm in front of her.'
"I'm glad to find you here. Are you invited to attend the royal ball too?" she asked.
"Oro? Hehe... something like that... hehe..." he blushed again when she smiled sweetly at him. The music began to change and he just stood there staring at her.
"Huh?" Kaoru blushed when she noticed him staring at her with a silly smile on her face. "Nani?"
"Would you mind dancing with this unworthy one?" Kenshin said, bowing at her.
"Eh?" Kaoru blushed at his gesture before smiling, making a graceful bow before accepting his hand. "It would be my pleasure." She gave him a sweet smile and he smiled back
* … A dream is a wish your heart makes…
when you're fast asleep…
in dreams you will lose your heartaches…
whatever you for, you keep…
… Have faith in your dreams…
and one day…
Your rainbow will come smiling too…
… No matter how… your heart is beating…
if you keep on believing…
… A dream is wish that'll come true…*
***
"Where is that Kenshin?!?" Sano frowned as he go out to find his friend. "Grrr… he still managed to escape. I really can't understand that one!!! I mean, he's pretty lucky, girls are the one chasing him, whatever." he growled under his breath.
"I swear I'm going to kill him when I find him." he said evilly as he turned to a corner. That is when his eyes widened. He saw his friend there, dancing with a certain young lady, to the tune of the music from inside the palace. A goofy grin appeared in his face.
"I knew it… Hehehe… He will find the 'right girl' for him this night." Sano said. "So that is why he doesn't come back. Hehehe… I will never stop asking you about this one Kenshin, hehehe…" he thought as he walked away, back to the royal ball.
***
"Thank You." Kaoru smiled, making a bow to Kenshin as the music stopeed. "Thanks, Kenshin."
"Oro??" Kenshin stared, a little confused at her. Watching her as she sat on the fountain again. "Why?" he asked as he sat beside her.
"You saved me again. This is the second time now." she said, with a small smile on her face.
"Oro??? I saved you???"
"Oh… yes you do." she giggled seeing his face full of questions. "The first time from all of those bad guys. Now for this loneliness that I felt."
"Oro? You are…" Kenshin's eyes widened. "What made you sad, Kaoru-dono?"
"Mou! What is all about this '-dono' stuff?" she pouted.
"Oro? Gomen-nasai, Kaoru-dono."
"Okay fine." Kaoru sighed. "Anyway thanks. I really enjoyed my night because of you, even though I didn't have that chance to really get in there to actually see the prince." she smiled at him ."But I guess, I'm still lucky to find you here."
"Oro? If that is so… I have to thank you too." Kenshin smiled back. "I mean, you know. I've been pretty bored in there, that's why I go out. Thanks for making my night great."
"Looks like we're quits, ne?" Kaoru said and Kenshin only nodded. Then sighed when she heard the clock strike twelve. "Oh no… I guess, I need to go back now."
"Oro? How come?" Kenshin asked, not wanting to be away from her.
"My stepmother and sisters will be back now." Kaoru said.
"Oh yeah, I know." Kenshin nodded, rather quite disappointed. "We will see each other again, ne?"
"Of course. I would love too." Kaoru smiled at him. "Anytime."
"Okay." Kenshin smiled taking her hand and giving it a squeeze. "I'm looking forward to seeing you again." he smiled as he let go of her hand.
"Oh… me too." Kaoru smiled and blushing slightly, placing the hand he have squeezed near her heart. "I'm have to be going now." she stood up and Kenshin only watched her go.
"I will see you again, my princess…" he said with a tender look in his eyes. "I will."
***
"Mou! Where are you tanuki-girl!!!" Kamatari called angrily as she stepped in the carriage.
"I'm here." Kaoru said, panting. "How's you night?"
"Shut up and it's none of your business." Tomoe replied curtly following her sister.
"Eh?"
"Just shut up." Megumi said. "Let's go."
"Hai." Yahiko answered back.
"What was that for?" Kaoru asked Yahiko who shrugged.
tbc...
A/N: Hehehe... that's another chapter done. Thanks for those who reviewed!!! I'm really glad that you guys like it. Till next chappie... see ya!!! Mwahugzzzz!!!!