Disclaimer - I own Kenshin, lalalalala la!
Aoshi - Coughs politely and unsheaths kodachis
Hitoezakura - Geez, I don't own Kenshin, but one day, when I learn how to use a sword...
Alright, then, thank you, my first reviewers!
TimeWarper - I have myideas about how the two will get together, so you'll just have to wait
WhiteRabbit5 - Thank you so much! I've loved your fanfics, and it's an honor to recieve such a wonderful review from you!
Kaede11 - Thank you for the compliment! I always love good reviews!
Mori'quessir - I'm going on your favs? I'm so honored!
Alexis Barnes - I'm updating, so don't worry!
Weezhart - Thank you for the compliment, and you'll just have to remain curious about how the relationship between Aoshi and Kaoru will develop...
mistressofhyde - Thank you! I love compliments!
cutiema-chan - Thank you for the compliment! Thanks for calling me cool too!
Alright, now for some quick things about this story. This is going to be quite a bit longer than any of my other stories (I'm sorry all you people who like short stories!). Secondly, it's going to be slow updating, since my high school AP exams are in a month (and like an idiot, I signed up for SAT IIs at the same time...). Thirdly, it was actually a spur of the moment fanfic! However, I did spend a few hours thinking about the course of this story, and I added one major twist to this story...you'll figure it out at the end of the chapter...
And if any of you are fans of romance fics, you could try reading my series (you don't have to, so don't feel obligated!).
I must be boring you now! Read on and hopefully, you'll enjoy it!
HOW IS THIS LOVE?
Chapter 1 - Isn't Life Wonderful?
"Lights! Camera! And…action!"
Arimate Minako flipped her beautiful golden hair back and propped both her elbows on one of the tables of Takimi Café, resting her chin on her hands as she stared into Kagushi Ryou's deep blue eyes.
"So" she whispered softly, her lips curving into a smug and pleased smile. "I've enjoyed spending these last few nights with you. Every minute of the day reminds me of you. When shall we meet again?"
Ryou ran his hand through his black bangs before turning to Minako with a cold smile.
"Never. I'm sick of you."
Minako's eyes widened with shock and tears began to fill her eyes as she stared at Ryou in horror.
"Never?" she managed to choke out. Ryou simply nodded and reached over to drink his cup of coffee.
SPLASH!
Ryou glared at Minako angrily as the burning hot coffee spread across his clothes, enveloping the usually clean and crisp t-shirts and pants with a large brown stain. Minako glared back just as angrily before throwing his now empty cup of coffee onto the floor, shattering the fragile ceramic cup to pieces.
"What was that for?" asked Ryou coolly.
"You can't just dump me!" shrieked Minako, her voice causing the heads of the customers and waiters of the Café to turn towards her in outrage and shock. "I love you, and you can't say you don't love me! No one can resist me!"
"You love me?" asked Ryou, a smile surfacing his face. He suddenly broke out into crazed laughter. Minako stared at him as if he had suddenly become crazy, and the customers tried to ignore the loud couple, a look of disgust surfacing their faces as they realized their peaceful evening had just been ruined.
Ryou managed to stop laughing as he spoke to Minako. "You love me? That's the most ridiculous comment I have ever heard from your mouth!"
Minako's eyes sparked with anger and her hand suddenly shot out. But before she could make contact with Ryou's cheek, his powerful grip held her hand immobile.
"Don't you dare try to slap me" whispered Ryou, his voice dangerously low. "You know that what I'm saying is completely true. Not once have you said you loved me until now, and that too, only after I threw my money around and bought you lavish gifts. Face it, you love my power and my money rather than me!"
Minako flipped her hair and smiled slightly, her lips curving into a sad and weak smile. "That's true, I did like your power and your money. That was the first reason I decided to try to go out with you. But Ryou, do you think anyone could ever fall in love with you? You, Mr.Kagushi, are an emotionless man, a man who doesn't believe in true love!"
Minako's eyes filled with tears again, but she made no move to wipe them away.
"I tried" she continued. "To open your heart. Yes, I was selfish, and I probably wouldn't have stayed with you if you hadn't thrown around your money for me, but I tried to fall in love with you. I tried to make this experience beneficial for both you and me! I wanted the money, you wanted the love, and that was what I tried to do! But you don't accept love! You don't even think it exists!"
"Of course it doesn't!" muttered Ryou. "Tell me, what good has come out of love? Reproduction? Oh sure, because this world is lacking people! Betrayal? Oh yeah, I want to be dumped by you when you see another guy and chase after him for his power and money! The lies? Right, I want to hear you say you love me when you just love my assets!"
Minako's eyes sparked with anger once again, and she slammed a few bills on the table.
"Here's my money for this stupid coffee of yours!" she shrieked angrily. "I don't ever want to see you again! However, I know that I will laugh when I see you walking down the streets alone, because with your attitude, there will be no one who will ever fall in love with you!"
She whirled around and stormed out of the Café, her heels clicking against the marble floors. Ryou threw a few more bills on the table before slipping his shades on and walking away.
"Cut!" called out the director.
Aoshi threw his shades to Kaya, who laughed before tossing the shades back into a box labeled "props".
"Excellent job Aoshi!" called out Kaya. "You're doing well with your character Ryou!"
That's because I have the same beliefs as Ryou…what good is love?
"And you make an excellent Minako" said Aoshi calmly with a nod before walking away into his trailer.
"Aoshi-san?"
Aoshi turned to see Okon, his agent, sitting on his couch, a few forms in her hands. He groaned inwardly.
Every time I have received forms, it has never been good luck…what are these forms for now?
"Yes?" asked Aoshi coolly, holding out his hand to receive the forms. Okon smiled softly and forked over the forms.
"There is no need to worry" said Okon with a small wink as Aoshi thumbed through the numerous papers. "This isn't about anything particularly serious. However, you do need to transfer to a different university. The director wishes to film the next few scenes in Tokyo, and therefore, he decided that you should transfer to Tokyo University."
"What about Kaya-san?" asked Aoshi, quickly heading over to his computer to check his email. He quickly scanned the messages list until he found the one he was looking for, and then printed it out.
"Kaya-san has no need to worry" replied Omasu, the young agent who represented Kaya. She smiled apologetically.
"I'm sorry I eavesdropped" said Omasu. "However, to answer your question, Kaya-san's family lives in Tokyo, so she's going to stay with them. She's already a student of Tokyo University, so there is currently no need for her to transfer."
"You'll be staying at the Aoiya" said Okon with a grin. "Think about it Aoshi! You'll be reunited with Misao-chan again!"
Aoshi smiled ever so slightly upon hearing Misao's name as he tucked the printed paper into the pocket of his trenchcoat, which was hanging from a hook on the back of the door.
She was the only person who saw me smile a true smile…she's like a little sister to me…but will my living nearby her put her in danger?
"Okon-"
"Okina already thought about that Aoshi" said Okon solemnly. "He thought that you and Kaya-san deserve to take a break and live with family for a few months."
"That's true" said Aoshi quietly, slipping on his black turtleneck and simple blue jeans before he pulled on his trenchcoat. "I'll sign the forms when I come back from dinner."
"You and Kaya?" said Omasu with a grin. Aoshi almost glared at Omasu, his blue eyes turning ice-cold.
"We're friends, nothing more" said Aoshi shortly. "I don't love her. We're just having dinner, an essential meal."
"Fine" replied Okon with a sigh. "Omasu and I will be filling out the forms so that all you guys have to do is sign them."
Aoshi nodded his thanks and then swept out of the trailer.
"Aoshi-san, what's on your mind?" asked Kaya with a smile, using her chopsticks to pick up a piece of beef from the sukiyaki as they sat in his private apartment. Being famous actors, they couldn't go to any restaurant without being pestered or recognized. So almost every night, they would wear disguises and come to Aoshi's secret apartment for dinner.
I know Omasu and Okon think I'll fall in love with her…but I'm not in love with her, and I never will be! She's a good friend, and nothing more!
Aoshi simply shook his head and concentrated on the question Kaya had asked him a few seconds earlier.
"After two years, we finally get to go back to Tokyo…Does Misao even recognize me anymore?" said Aoshi quietly. Kaya sighed and placed her chopsticks down before taking Aoshi's hand.
"Aoshi-san, it'll be alright" said Kaya with a grin. "She adores you, so I'm sure she recognizes you! How could she forget that you raised her when your parents died? How could she forget that you treated her like a sister, never like an adopted girl? How could she forget that you helped her out of every situation when she kept mouthing off to bullies? She couldn't Aoshi, and I know that Misao will greet you with a hug the moment she sees you!"
Aoshi nodded and proceeded to eat his sukiyaki. Kaya smiled once again, but her smile fell the moment Aoshi's question rang out through the air.
"Are you happy with this kind of life Kaya-san?"
Kaya's head jerked up instantly, her eyes wide and surprised. She fiddled with the chopsticks before finally answering.
"Not entirely…" she whispered softly, her eyes slightly watery. "I don't like being away from my family, and I don't like thinking that when I'm near my family, I'm putting them in danger…but we're the only two who can do this Aoshi. Everyone else has their families, or they're too young…I had to do this…"
A moment of silence ensued before Aoshi reached into the pocket of his trenchcoat.
"Okina sent me an email today evening" said Aoshi quietly. Kaya's eyes widened with surprise once again.
"What is it about?" asked Kaya softly, placing her chopsticks down on the side, her plate almost completely empty. Aoshi sighed.
"There are going to be some parties that we have to attend in Tokyo, so Okina told us to be on the lookout" replied Aoshi.
"Do you really think that this is going to work?" asked Kaya worriedly. "I know the Japanese government received a threat from someone who claimed they would take over the nation, and I know it was an extremely serious threat too, but can the two of us really find out who is behind this just because we're actors?"
"We became actors simply to be given the opportunity to mingle with the elite" replied Aoshi, setting down his chopsticks to signify the end of his meal. "When we speak to the elite, at least we might have a sense of who sent the threat and why. Then we can inform Okina and take the necessary action."
Kaya sighed, but smiled sarcastically. "Our life is wonderful, isn't it?" she asked.
"The life of a secret agent truly is amazing" answered Aoshi, a sarcastic smile adorning his face as well.
Author's notes
Alright, so Kaya and Aoshi are indeed secret agents. If you didn't understand what I said in the fanfic, they became actors so that they could mingle with high-class people. They figured that one of them made the threat, and when they find out who, the government can decide what to do!
Note - Kaya doesn't think Aoshi likes her...she's just very friendly, and they both are fairly good friends. Also Aoshi's a bit out of character, but I had to make him speak a bit more than he usually does!
I know, this is going pretty slow, but the next chapter does have Kaoru, Sano, Misao, Enishi, and Megumi! So I'm hoping the next chapter goes well.
As for pairings, well, you'll figure out the other pairings as the fic goes on!
I'm leaving now, so please take the time to review the fanfic! Thank you for reading and reviewing, and Ja ne!