written by mtgranola
Disclaimer: I'm just 'borrowing' the Kenshingumi for awhile, so please don't sue/authoress looks to poor Kenshin tied up to her bed and grins evilly/ This should prove to be…fun. Mwahahaha! I don't own the rights to Ain't That The Way it belongs solely to Ani Difranco and Righteous Babe Records.
Warning: Extreme OCCness, I didn't think that I would have to do this since it is an AU fic, but apparently I do. I'm merely playing with Watsuki-san's characters so of course they aren't going to be cannon.
Notices: Kiddies, don't smoke! It's a hard habit to break, believe me I know. And if you ever find yourself in a foreign country that doesn't have age limitations don't succumb to temptation just because you can! Also noteworthy: Daydreaming in your car about Kenshin is hazardous to your health, the health of your car, and the people on the sidewalks, so don't do it!
Chapter Two:
Everything you can imagine is real- Pablo Picasso
I stood looking in front of the mirror at Misao's place. I had to admit, albeit grudgingly, that the outfit she had picked out for me was pretty nice. So for tonight's opening, I am wearing a ¾ length skirt with irises of varying color painted on the front. I really like it though, it kind of reminded me of those dancing skirts that women wore back in the 1920's and 1930's. I have no idea what the material that it's made out of is called, maybe crepe or something like that, but then again, fabrics and clothing are not my specialty. That's Misao's department and she loves dressing people up in the clothing she thinks they should be wearing. The top was a simple black scoop necked shirt that clung to my curves and covered up my cleavage quite nicely. I may paint nude people, sketch nude people and study them on a near daily basis, but that doesn't mean I'm not a little self conscious of my own body. There I said it! I am a walking contradiction of myself….
Then of course, there are the heels that she insisted that I wear. Heels, in my opinion, are the gods' curse to women. But this particular pair was rather cute. I almost gagged, since when have I been a shoe person? Sneakers and sandals were the only thing that I ever really wore, and now I'm calling a pair of heels cute.
"Hey, Kaoru, you about ready for some makeup?" Misao asked from the other side of the door.
"Misao, I though we've been through this? No make up." I responded. "I swear to the gods if you make me wear makeup I'll change into that yellow poufy dress that you hate and wear my yellow Sketchers along with it."
"You mean that outfit you wore to senior prom?" I could just imagine the look of horror on my best friend's face and I smiled gleefully at the prospect.
"Yes, that one."
"Mou! You are fashion challenged you know that? I promise nothing overboard," Misao pleaded, "Just some eye shadow and lipstick, please Kaoru!"
"I'm not fashioned challenged, I'm creative." I argued with her trying to avoid looking into her 'puppified' eyes. I rolled my eyes, I knew I wasn't going to win this argument. It was useless, I could never win in an argument against Misao. I resigned myself to the upcoming torture and opened the door to allow my overjoyed friend into the room.
"I'm going to make you look fabulous Kaoru! Just you wait!" she squealed in excitement.
I sighed, honestly you would think that she was sixteen and not twenty-two years old. I don't know how Aoshi, Mr. Ice Man himself, could put up with her overwhelming personality seeing as he was so stoic and unemotional…. But then again, they say that opposites attract, and the gods' knew that Misao had enough energy and emotion for two people. Maybe it was a way of counter-balancing two very extreme personalities.
I tried to sit patiently while Misao painted my face up for me before she declared that she was done. I looked into the mirror, I hardly recognized myself. Perhaps this dressing up thing wasn't half-bad after all.
"So what do you think?" Misao asked from behind me as she tamed my hair into a mussed bun at the nape of my neck instead of my usual high ponytail, letting my two purple lengths of hair to frame my face. Totally clashed with the whole 'looking nice' idea, but since when have I cared?
"I really like it." I told her with a smile, "Thanks."
She waved my thanks off, telling me that's what friends were for. Then she booted me out of the room so that she could get ready herself. I found a seat on the couch and waited patiently for my little whirlwind to finish. Good thing I went first, because Misao could take forever getting ready if she really tried, and I really didn't want to be late for my own opening.
&&&&&&&
"So, are you nervous?" Megumi asked as Misao and I walked into the gallery.
"What are you talking about? I'm so nervous I think I'm going to be sick." I answered her, looking around at all the people who had come to the reception. There were quite a few of the well-to-do's of our city meandering around with glasses of champagne in their hands conversing with each other. I hadn't really expected this, too be quite honest, I thought only the local art junkies, a few friends, and perhaps a couple of collectors would be there.
"Well, if you're going to be sick, make sure you use the bathroom. There's a few of the high and mighty here, it wouldn't do to make such a scene." Megumi said loftily, looking through the men to see which ones she would flirt with for the night. I stuck my tongue out at her behind her back as she stalked her prey.
I don't mean to sound bitchy, I really love Megumi, but she and I are like oil and vinegar. While she's a medical student at the university, has good looks to boot and carries herself like a lady; I barely managed to graduate, I don't consider myself to be overly pretty but I know I'm not a dog, and lets face it, I'm a tomboy. Always have been, always will be. Not exactly girlfriend material in the eyes of the guys, I've always been more like their buddy and they've always treated me like their younger sister.
But it looked as though have the population of the ritzy part of town were here, not to mention at least half a dozen recognized artists that I had met during my university days. Of course my friends, and some students that were a couple of years behind me in school. Now that I think about it, I was really glad that Misao convinced me to dress up, I'll have to remember to thank her later because she's already bounced off on her everlasting quest for her Aoshi-sama.
Why she insisted on calling that man 'sama' I will never figure out. I always mean to ask my genki little friend, but I always manage to forget when I'm around her. Then again, I forget a lot of important things that I need to do when I'm with Misao.
Great, I'm all alone in the midst of a whole lot of people that I don't know. This is the reason why I was hoping that this was going to be a small affair. I am not really comfortable with situations like these, I'm always afraid that'll I say the wrong thing, do the wrong thing or otherwise make a fool of myself….
"Ah, Kaoru-chan! I've been looking all over for you!" a voice broke me out of my thoughts. I looked at the older woman, Higa Yuki and the owner of the gallery that was hosting my show.
"Higa-san, it's good to see you." I replied politely, giving her a small bow.
"Yes, yes. Your speech will be around eight o' clock, just thought I'd let you know so you'd be ready, Kaoru-chan."
"Arigatou. I will be ready at eight then."
She gave me a smile, "Oh, I'm so excited for you! There are so many people here, and a few have already asked about a couple of pieces that are for sale."
I gave her a small smile in return, trying to keep my nervousness from showing. I know about the speech of course, a rather elaborated artist's statement wherein I get to explain the hows and whys of this particular installation. Oh joy, I can't wait. I hate having to give speeches, I've gotten a little better over the years. At least I don't cry when I have to get up in front of people any more….
&&&&&
Kenshin rolled his eyes as his latest girlfriend, if you could even call her that, talked to one of his business partner's wives. He didn't know what he was thinking when he let her talk him into going to this particular event. Oh yeah, he wanted to get her into the sack….
Art didn't bore him, he actually quite enjoyed it and he grudging had to admit that the artist who painted the works he was now staring at in boredom was quite good. However, having to go out into public just so she could expose her self to the general public at large, hopefully with a picture of the two of them in the society pages the next day, disgusted him.
"Enjoying yourself there, Kenshin?" his best friend Sanosuke asked from beside him.
"I think you know the answer to that, Sano." Kenshin replied gritting his teeth, watching his latest fling flirt with one of his competitors.
"That boring, huh? I, for one, would have thought that you would enjoy Jou-chan's show."
"Jou-chan?"
"Yeah, you know the barista you were eyeing this afternoon?"
"She did all this? And she works in a coffeehouse?"
"Well, she's an artist Kenshin, but at least she's not a starving artist." Sanosuke replied shrugging his shoulders, "Jou-chan's got a good head on her shoulders. She knows that her art isn't going pay the bills, yet, and possibly not for a long time, so she's gotta to do something to pay the rent."
"Why are you here, anyways?" Kenshin asked, narrowing his eyes.
"Me? Supporting Jou-chan, of course. Maybe buy a painting or two." Sano answered nonchalantly, "She's a good artist, and getting an independent show like this at her age is pretty impressive."
"Since when have you been such an expert on the art world?"
"Um, well…" Sano scratched the back of his head. "I dated a girl who was kind of an art 'groupie,' and I picked up a lot from her. And Jou-chan talks about it every once in awhile if she's in a good mood when I go in for coffee…."
"Art 'groupie'?' Kenshin stifled a laugh, imagining some women wearing less than decent clothes like he had occasionally seen at the few rock concerts he had been too, "There are actually people like that?"
Sanosuke shrugged, "Yeah, some weirdoes in that bunch, let me tell you. They go to all the openings, drink champagne and act like snobs. Analysis the artist's works with a bunch of fancy words, that sort of thing. But I haven't seen any of them here tonight, but that's not surprising. Jou-chan and that bunch don't get along very well."
"Interesting…."
"Tori-atama, so glad you could make it." A soft feminine voice came from beside the two men, "Does Tanuki know that you're here?"
"Nah, haven't run into her yet." Sano replied, scanning the crowd. "How's things going, kitsune?"
The tall man flinched as the woman viciously slapped him upside his head. "Don't call me that you stupid rooster." She growled before catching sight of Kenshin. "Oh, I'm sorry I don't believe I know you…?"
"Kenshin. Himura Kenshin." He supplied, offering his hand to the young woman.
"Takani Megumi." She replied, shaking his out stretched hand. "Pleasure to meet you, Ken-san."
Kenshin frowned at the woman's familiarity before she excused herself to go mingle among some more people.
&&&&&
I stood in front of one of my larger paintings, scrutinizing my own work as usual. I could see flaws everywhere in the piece, and inwardly I cringed. Seriously, I have no idea what other people see in my works.
But then, maybe my works are supposed to be flawed. I'm far from perfect, I know. I have a short temper and can get a little violent at times when I can't put my frustration into words. The people I paint have flaws too, although I'm not too sure what they are. I know one lady posed for our weekly life drawing sessions just because she's a bit…okay, I'm lying, she's very narcissistic and a possibly a nymphomaniac as well. For her payment she asked for one piece of our work, I've heard from somebody else that she had them all framed (I'd hate to see that particular bill, framing ain't cheap) and gives them to her lovers…. I'm a little uncomfortable with the thought of that for some reason.
I'm a bit of a prude, and although I find the naked human body beautiful it scares me at the same time. Misao got me to read one of her romance novels one time and I couldn't even finish it because I was blushing so much. Not to mention the horrible lack of a plot, all sex and no story. There's got to be more to love than just physical attraction and the inevitable romp in the sack.
I sighed and tried to listen to Ani Difranco playing in the background. Usually they'd have some high class jazz or classical music playing at a showing like this, but I asked Higa-san to play a few CDs I had burned myself. A lot of Norah Jones, Ani, Tori Amos and the like. Beautiful strong voices and bluesy beats that inspire a lot of my own songs. I think it fits in well myself and I find myself bopping my head along to the music while sipping my champagne.
I love you and you love me and ain't that that way it's supposed to be?
I swing my stick legs 'round from the root and I pile drive each foot into a platform boot.
And I'm up and I'm out cuz I'm bouncing off the walls.
And I come when you call and you call.
"Hey Jou-chan." Sano said as he slid up beside me, "Great show."
"Thanks Sano." I replied, musing another painting over my glass of champagne. "You come with that groupie?"
"Jou-chan! You wound me!" he mockingly exclaimed, "Nah, haven't seen Angela in months. I figured if I didn't come you wouldn't put that extra shot of expresso in my cappuccino anymore."
"Gee, thanks." I said as I rolled my eyes, "Nice to know that I'm only good for a shot of expresso."
"Just kidding, Jou-chan. I came because you're my friend." He smiled at me, "You're good, wouldn't be too surprised if someday some I don't find you making my coffee anymore."
"You really think so?"
I got a super cute three piece suit.
One piece for your body.
One piece for your smile.
One more little piece if you stay a while.
Yeah, cuz I love you and you love me.
Ain't that the way it's supposed to be?
"Damn straight I do." He nodded towards the painting I was looking at. "This is ten times better than anything I went to with Angela, and the music isn't so boring either, a bit chicky though."
" 'Chicky'?" I asked with an eyebrow raised.
"Yeah, bluesy and chicky." He replied with a smirk on his face. "No offense or anything but I prefer alternative rock to anything else."
"You would." I commented.
"Hey what's that supposed to mean?"
I gotta beeline double time.
Leave my home sweet home for your honeycomb.
Then I show up steady ready and proud and I find I've forgotten how to talk out loud.
"You realize that most of these women are alternative artists, right?"
He looked almost stupidified for a moment, which considering that it was Sano wasn't too hard.
Isn't it just like you to bring me to my knees in my brand new stockings while the cat is out with my tongue.
Isn't it just like you to bring me to my knees in my brand new stockings.
Love makes me feel so dumb.
"Hey Sano aren't you going to introduce me to your lovely friend?" A unfamiliar masculine voice came from behind us. I turned and looked at the intruder and felt my throat constrict. It was the same man with the violet eyes from this afternoon. Up close he was even more beautiful than he was before. Red hair almost crimson, blood red. A shade that I had never before seen on another person, reflecting the gallery's track lighting almost like flames.
And those eyes, I could get lost in those eyes.
Cuz I love you and you love me and ain't that the way it's supposed to be?
Yeah, cuz I love you and you love me.
Ain't that the way it's supposed to be?
I looked up at Sano who didn't look to happy at the moment, I don't know why. It almost seemed as if he was having a war with the other man using his eyes.
"Kaoru, this is my friend and boss Himura Kenshin. Kenshin this is Kamiya Kaoru and the artist of this exhibition."
"Pleased to meet you Himura-san." I find myself blushing. Mou! I always find the wrong times to blush, it's embarrassing.
"The pleasure is all mine." Himura murmured, taking my outstretched hand and gently brushing his lips over my knuckles. I shivered a bit at the contact, like a sudden jolt of electricity had jumped up my spine. I could feel my cheeks heat up even more. One minute with the guy and I'm acting like a highschooler who's crush just spoke to her for the first time…. "You are very talented, I can't remember the last time I enjoyed an opening so much."
"Thank you. You're too kind." I replied quietly, gently removing my hand from his and looking back into his eyes. Was it my imagination or did his eyes change to amber for a moment? Strange…. "Excuse me, Himura-san, Sano. I must go prepare for my speech."
I didn't even wait for them to acknowledge my excuses, turning my back and hurrying away to find Higa-san as soon as I could. My heart was beating in my chest like I had just run a mile in record time and I felt all sorts of giddy…. I'm an artist, artist's aren't supposed to be 'giddy'. We're supposed to be dark and gloomy and hate the world. Well, I've never taken it that far, and I'm more cheerful than most, but I do have my moments. Oh how I wish one of those moments came right now….
Nope, no can do. Gotta lovely little speech to say and explain my creative process. How the hell does one explain their creative processes? I can't say I truly understand what's going on in my mind when I'm painting. It's something that just comes.
How do you explain that to a crowd that is made up of people who are not artists?
Can you tell? I'm trying not to think of those liquid violet eyes that belong to a certain crimson haired business man. I saw the suit, I know. Expensive looking, probably Gucci or Armani or something equally pricey…. Ahhh! Don't think about him Kaoru! He's way out of your league anyways.
The right minded business world doesn't work well with the left brained enclave that belonged to the creative among us. It would never work…. Great! Now it sounds as if I'm actually interested in him! I'm not! I'm not! I'm not!
That's weird, it feels like someone's staring a hole into my back….
&&&&&&&
Kenshin looked at Kaoru as she walked away from him and Sano, a small smirk gracing his lips. He hadn't missed the way Miss Kamiya had responded to him….
Interesting.
"I still don't like the idea of you going after her, Kenshin." Sano said beside him, watching his best friend watch his other friend walk away. "I don't want to see her hurt."
"Don't worry so much Sano." Kenshin reassured his friend. "I'll just ask her for a date and if she turns me down I won't bother her anymore."
"Somehow I don't quite believe you." Sano muttered, reaching for a glass of champagne.
"Ladies and gentlemen may I have your attention please?" A small diminutive woman spoke from the podium, "I'd like to thank you all for coming tonight to Kamiya Kaoru-san's debut as a solo artist. Can you please give a warm welcome to our guest of honor tonight?"
The throngs of people in the room stopped chatting with themselves and applauded politely as Kaoru took her place by the podium.
&&&&&
I looked out at all the people gathered in this one room just for me and my art. My heart nearly stopped. I think I smiled at them before I cleared my throat to speak to them about my vision.
"Thank you all for being here tonight. When Higa-san approached me several months ago about having an independent show, I didn't know what to say or what I would exhibit. I was honored and overwhelmed a bit having just got out of college. Over a cup of coffee and a slide show we somehow decided that my paintings of nude models would somehow be the central theme. I decided that if we were going to show my life studies I was going to call the show Inner Beauty.
As you can see, most of my paintings here tonight ere on the side of expressionism, and that is because when I have the model in front of me I don't paint what I see I paint what I feel. The human body is a work of art itself and I feel that I drag out what is more on the inside rather than what is exposed on the outside. In our society we tend to shun the nude human form whether it be male or female and I feel that it's a shame. We can where fancy clothes or paint our faces to disguise the people we are inside, but when there is nothing to protect ourselves from the viewer we feel weak and vulnerable. We expose our innermost thoughts and secrets, and that makes us feel uncomfortable.
Inner Beauty was put together in an effort to show that exposing ourselves isn't shameful, that letting other people see us for who we truly are isn't all that bad. Again, I want to thank you all for making the time to come out here tonight. I appreciate your support so very much."
I released the breath I had realized that I had been holding as the gathered crowd broke out into another round of applause and I chanced a look at Higa-san. She smiled and gave me a discreet thumb up sign. Funny how I didn't feel the same way.
I know that hardly anyone understood what I was talking about, hell, I wasn't too sure if I understood it myself. I looked down to see my hands shaking slightly, the adrenaline rush I had received because of my nervousness receding. I tried my best to smile again at the crowd, holding my ground even though I felt like running away and lighting a cigarette to soothe my nerves.
"You did great Kaoru!" Misao exclaimed, throwing her arms around my neck. "Congratulations!"
I gave her a lopsided grin. "Thanks Misao."
I looked around the room once more, watching as the people drifted off back into their little circles, some of them taking their leave when I caught a pair of violet colored eyes staring at me. I could feel my cheeks heat up again….
"Come on, Misao. I need a cigarette." I muttered, grabbing my genki friend's hand and leading her towards the exit.
I felt those eyes watching me again as I walked out the door….
&&&&&&&
end chapter two.
Reviewer Responses:
The Great Blue Emu: interesting name I must say. /rips a page out of Watsuki-san's book/ Oro? Okay, ummm. I'm happy that you think that this story would be good enough for fictionpress however, I have no intentions of doing so. One, I'm too lazy (hey, honesty is the best policy) to think up my own characters for something that just came to my head whilst daydreaming and two, even if I gave them different names, I think I would still be 'borrowing' from Watsuki-san…. When I write this story, I think of the Kenshin-gumi, I'm not too sure that it would work otherwise. Thanks for reading my story though.
Sagitarious Devil: Thanks for reviewing my fic! I'm glad you like it and I hope that this second chapter lives up to expectations!
Khmer Moon Blossoms:Thank you for reading my story, I'm happy to know that you've enjoyed reading it.
blooded wyngs: actually, 'mou' is a common word that can be translated (as closely as English allows) to 'oh my gosh' or 'oh goodness'. It's actually a very mild swear word that is used only by females, from what I understand. Of course, I may be completely off the mark, if I am I hope someone will correct me. Thanks for enjoying my story!
-infidelmaki-: /high five/ yep, yep. Author is also an artist…. I'm beginning to think that this fic came out of me spending way too much time in the studio though…. Smelling turpentine all day can not be healthy for your brain.
Kaiya: Thanks for reading my story! I'm glad you've enjoyed it and I hope that you enjoy this second chapter! Sorry it took so long to get out!
gabyhyatt: Thank you for being the first to review my fic! I'm glad you liked it!