Disclaimer : I don't own RK, "How To Lose A Guy In Ten Days", "God Must Have Spent A Little More Time On You", "If You Say My Eyes Are Beautiful", "Same Script, Different Cast". All original characters are mine to claim.
Synopsis: Are some people really meant to be? Or is life just a big coincidence? Kaoru and Kenshin are going to learn that, sometimes, time is the best answer for everything. Modern day AU. KK story.
Italics – thoughts
A/N: Kenshin is very OCC in this fic. He's not Battousai. He's not Rurouni. He's simply Kenshin. And Hiko is not his adoptive father. Also, this story will go slowly, so all the details will be revealed in their specific times.
On with the story!
We Were Meant To Each Other
Chapter 5 - Karaoke
Misao walked quietly through the thick corridors, filled with books of all sizes, colors and ages. The smell of old entered her nostrils and she remembered her grandfathers' house at Kyoto. That old man… But today, she wandered those corridors with one single mission: find her precious Aoshi. Since he wasn't at the front desk, where he usually is seated, guarding used books or emending others, she new he was in here somewhere. She glanced both to right and left through each corridor until she came to a halt. There he was: her Aoshi, reading a book, very focus and clearly not to be disturbed.
But Misao was Misao and silence was NOT part of her vocabulary. So, she walked to him and disturbed. "Hello. Remember me?" Aoshi lifted his eyes from the book and glance at her slightly before returning to his book. "Makimachi Misao? Journalist; that usually comes here to read?" Or stare at you…
"Hm." Was the only sound.
But for Misao, it was far more than just a sound. For Misao, it was acknowledged. "Great, you remember! So, how've you been? Much work at the library? I guess you can be tired at the end of the day since you're always showing where the books are, or placing them on their original places. I mean, it takes a lot of discipline to know where each book is to be placed. I would never be able to do that, for sure! Sometimes, I don't even know where I put my socks; imagine books at this enormous library. How many books are here anyway? Two hundred thousand? Less? More? I'm so curious…"
Aoshi sighed silently and looked at her. "Do you need anything miss?" He said, using his best cold tone. What was it with this young woman? It seemed that everyday she'd enter the library and chat with him endlessly about anything at all, even if he didn't answer her or even made a sound! She was just so…intriguing. She was blushing lightly at his question.
"Well…ano…actually…are you free tonight? 'Cause I was thinking we could go to Karaoke night at the Akebeko. Do you know the place? It's about ten minutes from here…down the street…little cozy place?" Her jade eyes were shinning with hope, looking at him straight in the eye, not showing fear or embarrassment. Simply: hope. Aoshi felt so out of place that before new what he was doing, he found himself nodding shortly.
She was so intriguing.
Misao smiled widely. "Great! Until eleven at the Akebeko! Ja ne!!" She watched as she walked/run out of the library.
This girl was something. Something he could definitely not put out in words. Shaking his head, Shinomori Aoshi resumed his reading, not as focused as he was before the interruption.
"Are you two insane?"
Kaoru rolled her eyes. She half expected this reaction from Hiko. It was almost six o'clock and they had yet to convince Hiko. "Hiko-san, think about it. You said you wanted to be the first breaking this new, so imagine if our own deployments are in there!! Everybody will devour out newspaper in order to know what we've been through. Is sort of like being on backstage. Everyone likes to know what happens behind the scene! That's why MTV has a show specially dedicated to that! It makes more than sense!" Why was it being so difficult for this man to accept their plan?
He simply raised his eyebrow. "Kamiya, if I wanted a company like MTV, I would have one." She huffed. "Plus, it's true, I want to be the first one breaking the news and deployments are always great for stories, but I'm not about to suicide my best team of journalists! Anything could happen to you! Imagine if you're caught? You'll be dead in seconds, and that would not be a nice thing to happen. No."
Kaoru smirked. "Why I didn't know you cared."
"I may annoy you Kamiya, but that doesn't mean I'm willing to lose you. I'll not throw you to the lions!"
She glared. "Fine then! We'll find another press company." She turned to Kenshin. "How much will Tokyo Shimbun pay for this exclusive I wonder…" An evil glint was set on her beautiful eyes. Yep, she can be tricky if she wants too. Kenshin thought, chuckling inwardly.
Hiko gave her an annoyed look. "Don't lower yourself Kamiya. You know as well as I do that our company is far better than any others."
"Exactly. Another score for my point of view. Let us do this and we'll continue to be the first and only expanding press companies all over Japan! One day we'll conquer America! Come on Hiko, think as you always do: highly." She said with conviction. She would win this battle and the exclusive would be hers.
"Damn you and your ability with words, Kamiya." He paused. "Fine, suit yourself." She smiled widely and opened her mouth to say something, but Hiko cut her. "But, if anything happens to you, don't say I didn't warn you. Remember: I was blackmailed into this."
She grinned. "Don't worry, Hiko-san. Have I ever let you down?"
"No…" He sighed. "You stubborn girl. Make sure to return safe, you hear me? I want my exclusive AND the ones who wrote it alive, got it?" He glanced at Kenshin. "And you make sure not to ruin everything!"
Oro! What did I do? "Of course, sir."
Hiko nodded. "Good. Now, you said tomorrow you start training, right?" Kaoru nodded. "Make sure to pass buy and notice me of everything before you enter this madness, is that clear?"
"Yes sir."
With a dismissal wave, Hiko leaned back at his chair. "Good. You may leave now. I'll see you two tomorrow. Get out." They nodded and exited the room.
Kaoru glanced at her watch. 6:15 pm. "So…are you really going to Karaoke night or you just said that so that Sano would shut up and let us leave?" She said, smiling curiously. Kenshin looked at her and paused for a second. The way she was smiling at him made him remember somewhere in the past. The one day she smiled at him and he, for once, noticed. It had made his heart beat faster and he was sure to be blushing slightly, hoping she wouldn't see it. That's how it should be. Always smiling.
Snapping out of his reverie, when Kaoru waved a hand in front of his face, he grinned at her. "I'm actually going. I want to catch the old times. How about you? Are you allowing yourself to be blackmailed by Sano?"
"You mean blackmailed by Sano AND Misao. Don't forget those two are so alike. And I have to go since Misao is convinced her once a lifetime love is finally going on a date with her, so I need to be there to make sure she doesn't get hurt or do anything stupid. And Misao and alcohol are really not a good combination. She tends to act…stupidly."
Kenshin nodded. "Well then, see ya at the Akebeko." He said, heading to the elevators. "Oh, and Kamiya" He looked at her, "Try not to be late." Kaoru glared at him, but didn't have the time to answer as Kenshin entered the elevator and closed the door.
She sighed. And here I was starting to think he might have changed…yeah right…
"Will you slow down Misao?" Kaoru said between breaths. "I'm on high heals you know?"
Misao shook her head vigorously. "We're late Kao! I can't risk of losing my Aoshi-san this night just because I wasn't there on time. Come on!" Even though she was ordering her friend to quicken her pace, her high heals were killing her too. Me and my idea of looking taller… They were both very dressed over but Misao wanted to cause a good impression on Aoshi and she obligated Kaoru to dress herself up too, so that she wouldn't make a figure all by herself. She looked ahead and sighed. "Thank Kami-sama, we're here! Finally! Oh I'm so nervous!!"
Kaoru slowed down and sighed. "Trust you to change your mind just as we were leaving the house…"
They entered the restaurant. Lots of tables were set in front of the stage, were a single microphone stood at the center. Tae really works this night out…wow… Kaoru thought, glancing around, searching the place for any familiar faces. "I can't see him…" Her best friend muttered, looking around anxiously. Kaoru smiled worriedly. "Don't worry. He must be late, just as we were. Didn't Sano and Kenshin say they're coming? I can't see them either…I had no idea Karaoke Night at the Akebeko would fill like this! This is looking like a live show!"
"Hey Itachi-musume, is that you?!"
The girls turned to the voice. Misao glared. "Of course it's me. Who were you expecting? Budha? You're so vain you baka tori-atama…"
"Oi, who're you calling tori-atama?"
"At you." Was the cold answer. "And don't bother me! I'm looking for someone…"
Sano smirked. "Uhh, itachi-musume is on a date? Who's he?"
"He's not here yet…" She said, sighing lightly. She hoped he wouldn't dump her. No…Aoshi would never do that to me. He's kind and educated. I know he's coming. "Let's just find ourselves our seats, ne? I want to be right in front of the stage!!" She went ahead, the rest of the group trailing behind.
Kaoru smirked at Kenshin. "Well, well, well, who's the late one, huh, smart boy?"
Kenshin grinned. "I wasn't late." He paused, pointing to his friend ahead, chatting with Misao. "He couldn't find his jacket." Kaoru was about to answer when Misao called. "Hey guys! This table is perfect!" The four took their seats, Misao insisting to be in front of both the stage and the front door, to keep an eye on it. Sano started chatting about something rather ridiculous with both of girls. Kenshin was admiring the interaction between the three of them. It was amazing that, even being with them through elementary school and high school, he'd never realized this friendship between them. Sure Sano would talk about them, but Kenshin never thought it was like this.
They were laughing and joking about things he couldn't picture and, at some point, his heart ached a bit. He didn't know why, but all of a sudden, he started wishing he had lived this friendship with the three of them. Sure, he would talk with Misao and Kaoru…
Kaoru.
Somehow, seeing her after all these years erased the picture he had in his mind. In there, he still had the image of the 'Saint Kaoru', as he once named her. She was always there when he needed; always helping with everything…even with his loved life… even though she was in love with him. Yes, of course he knew, but…I guess I was too much a kid to even realize how serious it was…
"Hey man!" Sano hit Kenshin at his back. "Why are you so quiet? We're here to CELEBRATE!! Hey, Mayo! We want to order!" He said loudly. Damn, he was happy. Having his long time best buddy around him again was amazing.
"What are you guys drinking?" She asked.
Sano grinned. "I'll take a jar of sake, my buddy here will drink one too! What you girls want?"
"Pinacolada!" Misao answered immediately.
Kaoru thought for a second before ordering one too. She wasn't planning on drinking more than that since tomorrow's a big day. And she can't hold on alcohol that good. The house was full by now, and everybody was talking loudly and looking at the stage anxiously. Aoshi was still no where to be seen, she noticed. She glanced slightly to her friend. She was laughing at something Sano was saying to Kenshin, who answered right back at him. The two were really close friends. She was glad they reunited…friends shouldn't loose contact. Suddenly, Misao gasped and stood still.
"What's wrong Mi?" She asked worriedly.
"He's here." Misao answered in a whisper. The group looked at the direction she was looking. Next to the front door, stood Shinomori Aoshi, glancing around the room. He was all dressed in a nice black suit that suited him very nicely actually. Black bangs fell in front of his white face, slightly covering his cold blue eyes. "What should I do?"
As if sensing them, Aoshi looked at their direction and started walking to them. They quickly turned, embarrassed. "He's coming!! Now what? Oh God, I should have planned!!"
"Misao honestly, why are you freaking out? Geez, he's not God, you know? I mean, he doesn't even---" Kaoru's babble was short cut when Aoshi coughed lightly. The four of them looked up. For seconds no one dared to spoke, hoping for the tall guy to take the initiative. When he didn't, Misao smiled and made the first move. She still couldn't believe he had actually come. Her heart was beating so fast she was afraid to have a stroke.
"You came. I'm glad."
Aoshi looked at the young girl in front of him. Her eyes were so different from his owns. They were full with emotion and life. His were so cold they could scare the life out of any living being. Yet, this young girl was showing so much courage on approaching him and asking him out, that he couldn't deny the offer. For the first time in many, many years, someone was compassionate enough to approach him and try to be his friend, despite his cold attitude. He nodded at her, not muttering a word. Around the table, three more people were seated: two boys and a girl, slightly alike the one looking at him intensely.
After what it seemed an eternity, Misao snapped out of her reverie and mentioned Aoshi to sit with them. He took the chair between herself and Sano, his back turned to the stage. They proceeded with introductions, and the group resumed his friendly chatting, with Aoshi only watching silently. Suddenly, the lights on the center of the stage were on and Tae appeared, moving to the center were the micro was set. The room turned into a row of applauding and whistles all around; everyone excited for the start of the Karaoke.
"Hello everyone! I'm so glad to see my house filled with so much people. And all of them singers!! How you know?" The room laughed. "Well, this night, the house is yours!" Another set of whistles and excitement filled the air. Misao cheered at Tae. "So…I need someone to open the night! Who's the brave one to climb to our stage and face the crowd? Just look at the catalogue lying at the tables in order to choose the song you want to sing and come up here!"
A tall guy lifted from his seat and made his way to the stage. "Oh, we have a brave one among us! Hello, how're you tonight?" Tae asked to the man. "I'm fine thanks."
"So what song are you singing? What's your name by the way?"
"I'm Takehito. I'm going to sing 'God Must Have Spent A Little More Time On You' for my girlfriend seated over there." He pointed into the crowd, with a loving gaze. Tae nodded smiling and indicated to start the music, leaving the stage. The music started and the room was focused on the singing man. Tae approached their table and took a seat next to Kaoru.
"It's so good to see you all here guys! And who might you be?" She asked, turning to Aoshi with interest. He looked at her coldly and muttered his name, bowing slightly. Not pleased with the answer, she glanced at the girls with a questioning glance. Who's the statue?
Misao thought for a second. What was she going to say? He's my date? That sounds to intimate…and they don't know each other that closely. Not at all. "Hum…he's my…my, my friend! I asked if he wanted to come with us and he said yes, as you can see." She said, quickly hiding her faint blush by paying attention at the man singing for a second.
'Why do I feel like I'm losing control?
I never thought that love could feel like this
and you've changed my world with just one kiss.
How can it be that right here with me
there's an angel?
It's a miracle...'
The lyrics were so beautiful, she noted. She glanced quickly at Aoshi. He was as stoic as ever, looking with no emotion to the stage, not paying the slightest attention to her. She sighed faintly. She wished we would just be spontaneous and ask her to dance or something. Lifting her eyes, she glanced at the dance floor to the left side of the stage, were some couples could be seen, dancing romantically at the lovely music.
'Your love is like a river
Peaceful and deep
Your soul is like a secret
That I never could keep
When I look into your eyes
I know that it's true
God must have spent...
A little more time
On you...'
Aoshi was paying attention to the lyrics of the song the boy was singing. It was talking about love changing ones' life. He didn't believe that much on love. His lifetime experience told him better than to continue believing on fairy tales. Even with the loud music, Aoshi's trained ears caught a faint sighed coming from is side. Looking from the corner of his eye, he caught Misao gazing with a faraway look at…the dance floor. The look on her eyes was so different from before that he felt the urge to do anything to give them back the light they had when she looked up at him.
Sano excused himself suddenly, lifting from his chair and heading to a woman on the far side of the bar. Kaoru shook her head. There he goes again… Tae was no longer with them, since she had to serve other tables, but promised to return later. The table was left in silence, with the two not paired couples lost in their own thoughts, at the distant sound of a love melody.
When it ended, there was a huge line with people wanting to sing a song. This time, a young woman walked to the stage and yet another ballad was sung. What is it with these people and romantic ballads anyway? "I'm going to the bathroom. You want to come Mi?" Kaoru asked, finishing her drink. I drank it already? No wonder I need to go to the bathroom…
"No, I'll stay here. I need to keep an eye on Himura here. Don't want him to drink too much, ne?" She said, grinning. Actually, she didn't want to leave Aoshi. She was afraid that if she went to the bathroom, he wouldn't be there any longer.
Kenshin rolled his eyes. "Ha, ha. As if! I don't recall a time when you saw me drinking so you have no argument to say that."
"Okay then. Can you order me another drink?" Misao nodded and they were left at the table.
Kenshin was feeling a bit odd. Sano was out there somewhere, chasing a woman, Tae was nowhere to be seen and now Kaoru had left them too. And he was left alone at the 'supposed' date. He was feeling so unease. Even the music was starting to make him feel nervous. Not taking it any longer, he excused himself and left the table. He reached the bar and asked for a beer.
Kaoru left the bathroom and noticed Kenshin seated at the balcony. She approached him from behind. "Hey." He turned quickly; his shoulders relaxing when he saw who it was. Kaoru giggled. "What's wrong with you? Never went to a bar before?" She said, sitting next to him and ordering a 'pinacolada'. She just couldn't help drinking that. It was her favorite one. She thanked and took a sip before looking at Kenshin.
"Very funny. Try to be alone at a table with two people that are supposed to be on a date and you'll know how I felt for a second." He said, drinking his beer.
Kaoru sighed. "He's so stoic isn't he?" She asked, glancing at the couple. "I wonder what Misao sees on him…from what she told me, he doesn't say anything other than 'do you need anything?', 'what is the book you're looking for', you know? Those kinds of things. Other than that, he doesn't mutter a thing. I just hope she doesn't get hurt this night." She paused. "I whished he would take her to dance or anything. At least she would win that for the night." She said, taking a longer sip of her drink.
Kenshin glanced at her. "Don't get drunk with that. I don't want you climbing onto the tables and start dancing, okay?" He said, smirking.
She glared. "For you're information, I don't drink that much. And even when I do, I never reach the drunkenness state."
"Oh that's bad…I was counting on a strip dance later on but—Hey!" He said, touching his head. Kaoru glared. "Serves you right. Won't you ever stop being a pervert?"
"Kaoru, I was kidding, Geez, don't you have sense of humor?"
Kaoru only 'humphed'. Two girls were singing a duet right now. And yet another ballad. She glanced at Kenshin. He was watching the girls singing with mild interest. His eyes moved from one side to another, casually stopping at some point, then resuming their scanning. She blushed faintly when his research ended at her eyes. She blinked and smiled before taking another sip of her drink. She played softly with the pinky umbrella floating on her glass. "So how are your parents taking your sudden move?"
Kenshin smiled lightly. "They're fine. My mother calls everyday saying she misses me and asking when I'm coming home to visit them." He pauses. "My father is overwhelming with my move." He chuckled. "He even said they are going to their second honey-moon. Can you imagine that?"
"That's so sweet! They must really love each other…"
He nodded. "Yeah, my parents are quite a couple. I look up at them, you know? I think they've been through very bad moments but when they solve it, somehow, that makes their love stronger." He shook his head. "But sometimes is gross."
Kaoru laughed. "I can imagine your face when they are all cutie-cutie with each other!"
"You have no idea." He said, smiling. "But Kyoto is so unlike Tokyo. I got used to it. Of course Tokyo holds much memories of my past, school, past friends and loves, but Kyoto has become my home. It was a good decision from my parents. Have you ever been there?"
"No. I've never left Tokyo. As you know, I kept studying until I graduated and started working immediately at Mitsurugi Daily Express, even though I was just as a probationer. Then one thing led to another and I never left the company. Tokyo has been my home ever since I can remember." She paused. "But I'd love to visit Kyoto. I think it was a couple of years ago that I had a proposal to visit the city, but it just…never worked out." She sighed.
Silence was set between them, as the two observed the stage and the movements around the restaurant.
"You wanna dance?"
Kaoru blinked. "What?" She looked at him shocked.
Kenshin smirked. "I asked if you want to dance with me. Come on! We have nothing better to do and besides," He said, rising from his seat and grabbing her hand, "it's not like I'm asking you to marry me. It's just a dance." She allowed herself to be dragged to the dance floor. Couples were dancing around them, paying no attention to their surrounds. Kenshin smiled softly, taking her right hand into his one, and placing his left one softly on her waist, stepping closer. She placed her left one at his shoulder and looked up into his violet eyes. They began to sway along the soft melody coming from the voice of a young couple at the stage.
'If you say my eyes are beautiful
It's because they're looking at you
And if you could only see yourself
You'd feel the same way too
You could say that I am a dreamer
Who's had a dream come true
If you say my eyes are beautiful
It's because they're looking at you'
Kaoru broke eye contact, slightly embarrassed. This music was so way out of line. Here they are, partners, long time 'friends', soon to be 'lovers' on their fresh new mission, dancing a romantic ballad as if they were the most in love couple on earth. It just felt so…strange. It had been a while since she was this close with a man…and, here she was with him out of all men.
'If you wonder why I'm smiling
It's because I'm happy with you
And the warm sensations touch my heart
And fill me through and through
I could hold you close forever
And never let you go'
He felt like he was being intoxicated by her smell. Strong jasmine filled his nostrils and he felt, ironically, those 'warm sensations touch his heart'. Kenshin didn't understand what was happening to him. This was Kaoru. The girl who was never really…close to him. He would casually talk with her on internet, asking help for school work, love problems, but it just never went beyond that. So what could be different now?
'Now my heart is an open door
Won't you come inside for more
You give love so sweetly now
Take my love take me completely now
If you say my eyes are beautiful
It's because they're looking at you'
Kenshin lifted Kaorus' face. Violet locked with sapphire blue as the music reached its peak. Why would it be different now? They both thought.
'If you say my eyes are beautiful
It's because
It's because
They're looking at you'
The song ended and the couple received a great amount of applauses. Kenshin released Kaoru and smirked. "Well, that was cool. We didn't dance together since…when? About 10 years ago? Maybe more?"
"What are you talking about Kenshin?" Kaoru asked, heading to their table. It was time to give Misao some company.
Kenshin followed her close behind. "Don't tell me you don't remember. It was at that girls' birthday party. What was her name again? The one with the glasses…"
"Oh, Hitomi!"
He grinned. "Yes! That's right! You remember? They paired us up and obligated to dance the entire song." He chuckled. "Kami-sama, I hated those parties…"
Kaoru laughed. "Yeah, I wasn't much a fan either. Especially when we would be paired up together…"
"Hey guys! Where've you been? Suddenly everybody just vanished from the table. Where's Sano?" Misao asked, glad they're here. Aoshi hadn't muttered a thing the entire time since he arrived. Actually, he hadn't even moved. And she was bored. She glanced at her watch. It marked midnight. It wasn't late at all, but it was better to return home than stay here with a failed date.
At that moment, Sano appeared with a woman under his arm. And already drunk. "Hey guyz…I'm staying with this very beautiful young gurl, 'kay? Kenshin, here're the keys! You take caare!" And they left to somewhere unknown. The group blinked.
"Oro…" Kenshin broke the silence, chuckling. "Well, I guess he won't be home until tomorrow…"
Kaoru rolled her eyes. "Trust Sano to get drunk at the beginning of the night." She said, shaking her head. She sat next to Misao and Kenshin set next to her. Tae appeared that moment and said her thanks to the woman that had finished the song. "Well, what about that? They can all sing very well! You guys rock!" The crowd applauded once again. "So, I wanted to do something for a while ago…years actually. It all started with a small bet between me and two friends of mine." Kaoru widened her eyes. Oh God…don't you dare…
"You see," she started again, walking to their table, "they're my best friends ever since high school, and, one night, we were at my house, and start betting stupid things like, for example, that Kaoru sang better than me, and things alike." She paused, grinning at both girls sitting below. "I guess it's time we clear things out, don't you think girls?" Misao cheered and Kaoru shook her head vigorously. "Come up here guys…Kenshin, give them a help, will you?"
Kenshin nodded, grinning, and grabbed Kaoru by her arms. She glared at him. "What are you doing? Let go of me! I mean it Himura!! Let go of my arm!!"
"You either go there and have some fun or I'll make sure we loose the mission." He said seriously.
Kaoru gasped. "What do you mean 'have some fun'? I'm having fun!! Don't do this to me…" She pleaded.
Kenshin's answer was shoving her onto the stage. She stumbled slightly and stood at the center of the stage, her face flushed and sending daggers at his direction. He knew she was going to be very angry tomorrow, but he just wanted to see her letting herself be free from formalities for a second. He only grinned at her and gave her thumbs up.
You're so dead, Himura Kenshin. Misao stood next to her, smiling at the crowd. Finally some excitement. She glanced quickly at Aoshi and flushed when she noticed him gazing at her intensely. Noticing me now, huh?
"People, this is Kamiya Kaoru and Makimachi Misao, my best friends. So, what I propose to do is…a challenge. We'll sing one song at the time and, in the end, the public will decide the best singer! What you think guys?" Everyone cheered and yelled a single 'yeah'. Kaoru turned white. I knew I shouldn't have come.
"So, Misao can be the first singing?" Misao nodded. "Good. Oh, and one more thing, the songs are picked occasionally by the system, so there's no choice what so ever. Let's see what you'll be singing…" The screen went blue for a second before the title appeared. "And Misao will be singing 'More Than Words'. What a great song, ne Misao? Come on everyone; give your applauses for Makimachi Misao!" She handed her friend the micro and winked, before pulling Kaoru aside, waiting for their turn.
Kaoru glared but was silenced even before she could start speaking. "Don't even think on saying 'no'." Tae's gaze was set on hers and she knew better than say anything. The music started and Misao spread her voice to the crowd.
'Saying I love you
Is not the words I want to hear from you
It's not that I want you
Not to say, but if you only knew
How easy it would be to show me how you feel
More than words is all you have to do to make it real
Then you wouldn't have to say that you love me
Cos I'd already know'
Misao blushed lightly, taking in the true meaning of the lyrics. Glancing tentatively at Aoshi, she found his eyes and their gaze stood still, as Misao sang again.
'What would you do if my heart was torn in two
More than words to show you feel
That your love for me is real
What would you say if I took those words away
Then you couldn't make things new
Just by saying I love you
More than words'
'More than words' was something she wished from him. Aoshi looked straight into her eyes. This girl was pouring out her love for him, even though they didn't know each other and even on their 'date', he had behaved as cold as ever. Inside him, he felt something in his heart. What was with this young woman that made him thinking so much?
'Now I've tried to talk to you and make you understand
All you have to do is close your eyes
And just reach out your hands and touch me
Hold me close don't ever let me go
More than words is all I ever needed you to show
Then you wouldn't have to say that you love me
Cos I'd already know'
Kaoru glanced at her friend, declaring her undying love for the statue-man through the beautiful song. Misao was someone so unlike her. She was romantic and believed fully in love while she…to Kaoru, love didn't mean anything anymore. Love is an illusion, something that comes and goes…like rain.
'What would you do if my heart was torn in two
More than words to show you feel
That your love for me is real
What would you say if I took those words away
Then you couldn't make things new
Just by saying I love you
More than words'
The song ended and, for a couple of seconds, the room was silent, still absorbing the passion in this petit young woman, as she sang the song with her entire heart. Soon, applauding and cheers filled the room and Misao thanked, stepping to the side of the stage, standing next to Kaoru, who grabbed her hand and smiled.
"Wasn't she the greatest? I'm sure the man behind this song is thinking twice before denying this woman's request, don't you think?" The crowd agreed and Misao looked at Aoshi, who stood as coldly as before, drinking his tea. "Well, next is my beautiful friend Kaoru. You see," Tae said, walking to Kaoru and grabbing her arm, taking her to the center of the stage, "she's just pretending to be shy. You know she's a great journalist? So now you wonder, how can she be shy when she's a journalist? Ne, Kaoru?"
Kaoru glared.
Tae chuckled. "So, in order to get her out of her shell, I'm going to provoke her with a little challenge. We'll be singing, both of us, 'Same Script, Different Cast'. Are up against?" Kaoru was about to shook her head, but was interrupted as a microphone was shoved into her white trembling hands. "Start the music Yuro." She turned and whispered to her friend. "Don't ruin this, ne? Just imagine our younger years singing at the shower!"
Kaoru wasn't so confident and as the music started playing, she felt her heart beating faster than it already was. Tae signaled her she'd start singing first and then…she would come up. They both knew this song very well because it had been a song from their earlier years. She looked at her friend confronting her and felt like the crowd had vanished.
'I know he's leaving me for you'
Kaoru placed the mic in front of her mouth and sang the next verse. 'Who said that who told you that is true?'
'What is he telling you could it be the same things that he told me' Tae looked at her provoking.
'He told me that he loves me'
Tae smirked. 'I heard that'
'He told me I was beautiful
How did you know? How did you know?' Kaoru voiced the question and waited while her friend entered the chorus.
'This is a retake of my life
I was his star for many nights
now the roles have changed and your the leading lady in his life
lights, camera now your on just remember you've been warned
enjoy it now cause it won't last
same script different cast'
Kaoru placed the mic again, starting her role. 'What you're saying could be true but how can I take advice from you?'
'I'm not hating but I wish the one before me would have warned me too babe'
'Don't say no more la la la la la la la la la' Kaoru sang, covering her right ear.
Tae raised her voice. 'Uncover your ears girl'
'I'm not listening la la la la la la la la la' Kenshin smiled at her performance. She was really getting into the song.
'But I know you hear me' Tae paused, looking serious. 'Maybe my reasons are wrong, but I know that you believe me' Kaoru shook her head at her, as Tae entered the second chorus of the song.
'This is a retake of my life
I was his star for many nights
now the roles have changed and your the leading lady in his life
lights, camera now you're on just remember you've been warned
enjoy it now cause it won't last
same script different cast'
Kaoru raised her voice. 'It's your fault you didn't love him enough'
Tae shook her head. 'That's the problem I loved him too much and when you love him he becomes unattracted to you'
'Oh no he's changing now he'll prove you wrong' Kaoru defended her role on the song with all of her mighty. 'So go away leave us the hell alone'
'He loves me'
'He'll hurt you'
'He'll stay with me'
'He'll leave you'
'For sure, For sure' They both sang and the crowd went wild.
Both smiling they entered together at the chorus.
Tae: 'This is a retake of my life (Yes it is!)
I was his star for many, many, many nights'
Kaoru: 'now the roles have changed and I'm the leading lady in his life'
Tae: 'lights, camera now you're on just remember you've been warned
enjoy it now cause it won't last
same script different cast'
Kaoru entered her own chorus and felt as if she could reach the skies with the emotions within her
'This is a retake of your life
You were his star for many nights
But now the roles have changed and I'm the leading lady in his life
lights, camera now you're on just remember you've been warned
enjoy it now cause this will last
I'm the future you're his past'
They both sang the last chorus of the song, giving shivers at all the watchers. They looked like two divas competing with each other about something unimportant.
'This is a retake of my life
Kaoru: It is
Tae: I was his star for many nights now the roles have changed and your the leading lady in his life
Both: Lights
Both: Camera
Tae: Now your on just remember you've been warned
Kaoru: Remember you've been warned
Tae: enjoy it now
Kaoru: you watch us now
Tae: it won't last
Kaoru: Oh no it will last
Both: Same script different cast
The room was silenced as the last notes of the beautiful melody sounded through the columns. The girls breathed deeply and turned to the crowd, smiling lightly. Suddenly, an explosion of applauses, whistles and cheers erupted and one could almost see the room shaking. They thanked and Tae proceeded presenting the night, while Misao and Kaoru went back to their seats.
Kenshin was still gaping when Kaoru took the seat next to him. She glanced at him and rolled her eyes. "What?"
"That was very good." Was the only thing that came out of his still gaping mouth.
She blushed lightly and thanked. Glancing at her watch, she called it for the night.
"Already going home? Maa…can we stay a little longer, Kao? I'm really enjoying being here!" Misao looked up at her with her eyes pleading. Kaoru grinned. "Don't do that look. You can stay if you want, but you're walking home alone?"
Misao was about to answer when Aoshis' suddenly move shut her off system.
"I'll take her home. Don't worry. She'll be safe." And that was it.
Kaoru blinked twice before reacting. "Oh, thank you! Well, I'm going. I still need my beauty sleep." She said, winking.
"You're walking?" Kenshin asked, rising from his seat also.
"No, I'm flying." She just couldn't help herself.
Kenshin grinned. "Funny aren't you? I'll drive you home."
"I can walk, you know?"
"I can drive, you know?"
Kaoru rolled her eyes, but smiled. "Alright. Thanks."
They said goodbyes and left the place. Kaoru grabbed her jacket closer to her body, slightly reprimanding herself for not remembering it's January. They walked to the parking lot and Kenshin's black Volkswagen turned his lights on. Entering, Kenshin started the engine and turned on the heater.
"Brr, it's cold. I don't know how you can be wearing skirts. You women and style."
Kaoru sighed. "It's not for style. I just happen to like this skirt. And it doesn't make me look fat." She said, staring at the passing streets.
Kenshin chuckled. "You're not fat even if you're wearing Santas' clothes."
She glanced at him from the corner of her eyes, but said nothing.
"I didn't know you sing." He said suddenly, focused on the traffic. Even at the late hours of the night, there were cars everywhere.
Kaoru smiled. "You don't know many things about me. Turn left."
"You sound mysterious."
"Just said the truth. Stop here please."
The car stopped in front of Kaoru's building. Kaoru unbelted her seatbelt and turned to him. "Thanks for the ride…partner. Don't' forget: tomorrow, 9 am, at the police headquarters." Kenshin nodded and she got of the car. Before closing the door, she looked at him and grinned. "And Himura, try not to be late."
The door closed and Kenshin speeded off. Kaoru entered the apartment, dressed her PJ's and jumped into the bed, falling asleep immediately.
The night was called into an end.
To be continued…
A/N: Well, I hope you like this chapter. I'm not totally happy with it…I guess I put too many lyrics, ne? TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK!! I guess people didn't like last chapter…sighs sadly I do my best Thanks to all who reviewed!! Your comments mean the WORLD to me! winks
Next chapter: Training
Well, until next chapter guys! And please, READ AND REVIEW!!!
Ja ne!!
Agnes