I know it's been quite awhile since I've put out a new chapter and I'd just like to say…sorry. But…here's an updated chapter!
Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin.
All In The Name Of Cement Shoes: All Is Not Always Fair
The exact word that poured out of the weary Misao's mouth consisted of one syllable and two letters: "Ow". And it was heard by a good portion of the guests. The aching pain that throbbed an unusual beat in Misao's head was drowned out by the numerous conversations drifting within the crowd. The blurred features of Okon and Omasu floated above her.
"Are you alright?" Misao squinted but managed to figure out that it was Omasu inquiring about Misao's fall. The quirky wedding planner rubbed her head and sat up, signaling to everyone that she was indeed fine. In front of her, sat the worried maids and behind them stood strangers in expensive clothes. To her right, Misao could hear sharp whispers that didn't sound too friendly. She cocked her to the area of hushed dialogue and found Okina desperately trying to calm down a frantic Aoshi. A slight blush spread over Misao's pale cheeks. How sweet! He was worried about her.
"Take her upstairs! I don't care if she has some nervous disorder! Get her out of the public's eye or I will deal with her." Sadly mistaken. Misao bunched up her skirts and began the long road back to her dressing room.
The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. Embarrassment was one thing. Misao could handle embarrassment. But the monster downstairs was downright mean. At least the snobs he had tried to introduce her to had the gall to ask if she was okay; or so Okon had told her. But no. Master Aoshi didn't give a flying flip whether or not her rear end had been deflated or the simple fact that there was a large lump taking residence on her skull. Frustrated, Misao plopped down on the large bed that housed Omasu. The nerve of some people…
It was then that Misao could hear the clanking of pots being sent to the dishwasher. Dishwasher could mean one thing and one thing only: the party was over. The guests had said their good-byes and went off to find another socialite of whom they could take over their house for a matter of hours at a time. Without thinking, Misao tore off the costume chosen for her and threw on a simple pair of plaid pajamas and thundered down the stairs. Okina must have sensed her arrival (or recognized the walk of an angry woman) and met the girl at the base of the staircase.
"Miss Misao! Please, I beg of you! Take your anger out on me!" Misao raised a petite finger at the old butler and glared daggers into his aged body. With every menacing step the planner took, the glare deepened and Okina could swear on his life that hell itself had risen within Misao's ocean hued orbs.
"You know, I'm really close to doing that, old man. But I'm a bit of a softie when it comes to old butlers giving up their lives for selfish, prudish men like Aoshi Shinomori. So get out of my way!" Okina happily obliged after the loud threat and pointed towards a duo of French doors that could have only led to the back door. For a moment, the dazed Misao was thrown out of her anger and into a child like awe. What Aoshi considered a backyard; Misao considered a new world. Numerous statues graced the edges of carefully crafted gardens and ponds. In the middle of the large grassland stood a giant fountain crafted from an odd stone that Misao had never seen before. The fountain itself was shaped into a lotus flower with a large glass sphere resting upon the rushing water. Misao wondered how something so fragile remained unbroken.
"The moon fits perfectly inside the glass orb at midnight – weather permitting." Misao's amazement was cut short by the brisk voice of the monster himself. She quickly turned on her heel to face him, or rather, his chest. Damn her height. But Misao was only encouraged by the difference between them. He would not intimidate her.
"Look, I don't know who you think you are but I will not stand to be treated so! You could've at least asked –"
"You're angry." Misao took a second to comprehend that he had just stated the obvious. How quick of him.
"You're damn right I am!" Misao stared up into the deep depth of her supposed husband's eyes.
"You want to hit me…" Misao blinked. It hadn't occurred to her to strike him, but the thought was becoming more and more desirable by the millisecond. It was then that she noticed just how clenched her fists were. Even her bones were itching to sock him one and….
"And knock you right…on…your…ass." The multi millionaire quirked an eyebrow before taking a single step towards Misao.
"Then be my guest." The jerk even had the balls to lower his face to her eye level! Inside Misao's head, Kaoru's voice began a tedious lecture, thought out specifically for her coworker. You're getting angry. Hell yeah! The ass didn't even ask if she was okay! Anger gets you nowhere in life, Misao. Be patient! The soft tone was beginning to get on Misao's nerves. True, patience was a virtue but it was virtue that Misao lacked in great portions. Patience, my friend. But he was right there! Cheek slanted ever so slightly so that Misao could leave an excruciating reminder of his insensitivity in the shape of her hand. MISAO! PATIENCE DAMMIT! Misao shook off her friend's anger. She had gotten the message. Misao leaned over and placed a chaste kiss on the smooth surface of Aoshi's cheek.
"I will not give you the pleasure of seeing my pain through my anger. You're going to have to try a lot harder than that to run me off." She then walked back to her room, leaving a stunned Aoshi in the process.
The Blue Toad (a bar deep within New York City and Misao's prime hangout after a long day)
Inside a smoke filled room, a forgotten jazz tune blares out into the small joint and relaxes a handsome redheaded executive. Coincidentally, it is the same redhead that catches the eye of our runaway heiress.
Himura Kenshin, CEO of a foreign trades business, watched in a dazed stupor as a petite blonde began a dance loosely inspired by 'Striptease'. He had lost some interest in the beginning, that is, until a lace bra found its way into his drink. It was then, and then only, that the young man had lost complete interest. He watched her carefully climb down from her position on a nearby table and stumble towards the bartender to order another drink. The muscular man reluctantly filled her glass and watched in dismay as she downed the liquor in one single gulp. She then turned her attention to the lean man beside her.
"Welf hellow thar cootie…" Kenshin checked for a quick exit but found it blocked off by a young woman in dire need of assistance.
"You know, drinking that much alcohol in such short a time cannot be all that healthy." The blonde raised a sloppy eyebrow and proceeded to throw a limp arm around Kenshin's shoulder.
"But I'm celefratin'!" Besides, the stained blouse, the runs in her pantyhose, and the smeared makeup, Kenshin could swear that he had seen the woman before.
"Do I know you from somewhere?" The blonde suddenly smiled and continued on with her story.
"See, I juss made a…a…great…GREAT…escafe. I was subbosed to get married! MARRIED! Do youse hare me! But see…bare wiff me now…hees nefer seen me. Sos I stole my wedding planter's car so she coulds marryim. I'ma friggin geneus! GENYOUS!" It all made sense now. The broad was Aoshi's bride to be. Well, former bride to be. He honestly pitied the young woman that the drunken brat hanging on to him had forced to marry Aoshi. He shook his head as she slid down to the tiled floor and passed out for the night.
"Hey, Hal", violet orbs swing around to the worried voice of the woman who had blocked his exit. "Have you seen Misao today? She was supposed to go see Aoshi Shinomori's wife today. And her car's parked outside but I don't see her anywhere in here." The large bartender shook his head and began to close for the night. Slowly, Kenshin began to put the puzzle pieces together. And he wasn't liking the outcome of it.
"Um, Miss, I think I know where you might be able to find your friend." He thoughtfully stuck out his hand. "Himura Kenshin." He watched the girl bite her lower lip and then smile graciously.
"Kaoru Kamiya. You know where Misao is?" Kenshin nodded but prayed to everything holy that Aoshi didn't find out who and whom he wasn't marrying. "I just hope Misao realized that patience is a virtue. She has a tendency to lose her mind with certain people."
Yes, it's short. But next chapter will be longer.