Disclaimer: Watsuki is great. RK is his. This statement is rather badly put.

Chapter III

After the painstakingly lengthy make up session..

Quietly gazing around her as the photo shoot with the arrogant-looking photographer called Seijuro Hiko, she felt a slight twinge of regret, infused with a great deal of nervousness. 'How am I gonna compete with these beautiful girls.. Just because I want to get the prize money…' Unwittingly, her thoughts flew back to Yahiko, her only younger sibling, and Kenshin, her adoptive big brother.

' I really must win the money..', she said determinedly.

"So, I wish you all good luck and have fun while you're at it!", Okina-san's voice was heard clear across the room, before he walked off, leaving Hiko Seijuro, the photographer, with the girls.

The first photo shoot was nerve-wrecking for Kaoru especially, for the snooty Seijuro-san was quite a difficult man to please. To top that off, the TV crew was constantly filming all of their activities.

'Celebrity life definitely doesn't suit me..' she thought with a grimace.

"Are you going to stand like a stiff-pole at the corner there?", his amused words surprised Kaoru. She stood forward sheepishly, earning a few snickers from the girls. 'Darn… why is everyone still here?', she scowled. Nervousness grew into tight knots that pinch her insides.

"There, loosen up.. relax your hands on both your sides, bend slightly forward.. No, keep you chin up, no, don't frown at me, relax your hands…No, goodness' sake, I said loosen up.. ", he frowned, approaching the anxious girl.

If before Kaoru was trying to follow his instructions, after his rude remarks, she felt her anger simmering rapidly, a small frown marred her features. 'He's such a jerk!'

Hiko halted his step as he shot her an amused look.

'The little chit is upset… interesting..'

"I wouldn't recommend a scowl in a photo shot, would look ugly", he calmly said. Kaoru glared at him, the azure-sparks in her eyes lit up dangerously.

"Pardon me, Sir, this is what I look like.. I apologize if it's not up to your standard", she lashed out sarcastically. The girls around them were whispering, obviously commenting on her crudeness. She was embarrassed and annoyed, but couldn't care less anymore. Hiko's smirk widened considerably. "Call me Hiko-sama..", he offered, making Kaoru roll her eyes in the process. He took a glance around the room, "Those of you who have finished, please kindly make yourselves scarce. I don't want petty disturbances in this room", he said in an authoritative voice, startling and silencing all the girls at once. Most of them hastily retreated awayfrom the room.

He turned back to Kaoru. "Very well, let's start again, Kamiya.. Kaoru, isn't it?", he countered. Kaoru nodded curtly. "Okay, let's see if I could do something about your standard", he grinned lopsidedly. The fire in her azure eyes was back in almost no-time. Right at that moment, he flashed his camera, taking a close up photo of her face.

Sputtering, Kaoru protested, " Just what you're thinking you're doing ..?"

A condescending smirk was back on his face "Just doing my job.. you look better in that pose", he teased, unwilling to say that the raven-haired girl did indeed look better with her fiery disposition displayed for all to see. Before she could even speak a word, he cut her attempt effectively.

"Now, now.. you gotta trust a professional. Get yourself over there…and this time, give me a smile" he commanded, ignoring the cold glares the girl shot at him. Hiko-sama..? pfft… no kidding.. she rolled her eyes while forcing a stiff smile across her lips.

The first week went by in a flash, leaving Kaoru teetering to get into the feel of a show-biz life. She was trying to fit in, and by the end of the first week, she did manage to befriend a few girls. Sayo-san was one of them. 'She was kind and gentle, unusual traits to be found these days', Kaoru thought in awe.

One evening, she was rushing to get to the ballroom for another activity. Wrapped in a gleaming burgundy ball gown, she shifted her feet uneasily. As she was paying no attention to where she was heading, before long, she was lost in the one of the labyrinth-like hallways, sporting a stupefied look on her face.

'Great going, Kaoru… what should I do now?'

A male voice startled her, "Looks like you need some help… what are you looking for?", he said in a cool voice.

"Ah.. I'm looking for the ballroom", she gratefully replied, turning her head to face one extremely attractive tall guy wearing a plain white polo shirt and jeans. Even the most casual of attire didn't deter his good looks. A pair of dark shades perched atop the bridge of his nose, hiding his eyes completely, and his hair.. Kami.. shocking platinum strands lay messily atop his head.

"I see, it's not far off.. let me take you there.. may I..?", with that, he offered his hand forward. Clumsily, Kaoru thrusted her hand into his larger ones. Feeling a sudden warmth enveloping her fingers, she was struck speechless. All the way, she was unable to take her eyes off the kind stranger who pulled her hand close to him as they made it to the majestic double door of the ballroom. "Here we are", he pointed to her. "aa… thank you…", mentally kicking herself, she shot a sheepish smile at him.

He bowed curtly as he took her hand upward, grinning handsomely. Swiftly, he placed his lips atop her trembling right hand for a quick peck.

"My pleasure.." he replied smoothly, as he turned to leave, leaving a very dazed beet-red faced Kaoru on her own.

'Is this courtesy thing common in the show biz world?', she couldn't help but to ponder.

'Hmm... then perhaps I could adjust to being a celebrity after all..', she thought, smiling.

Kaoru fell back on her bed, totally exhausted, physically and mentally after the numerous activities all through out the week. Why, photo shot, make-up session, interview session, and a special introduction session amongst the competitors were enough to make a normal girl go nuts. If not because of the fact that her family needed money, she would never dream of joining. Especially when many of the girls latched themselves to the lecherous man named Okina, hoping that by being sweet to him, he could make them win or something. To top it off, he acted like he was the founder of Playboy magazine, openly flirting with them… Kaoru shook her head in disgust.

'No, monetary prize wasmy one and only incentive'.

Kenshin and Yahiko's face suddenly flashed across her mind as she closed her eyes.

Strangely enough, soon both their faces blurred, and turned into the face of a certain platinum-haired guy. Unconsciously, she rubbed her right hand as she felt a burning sensation run across it. With a smile, she drifted into a deep slumber.

A/N: hmm.. what can I say? review pls.