Disclaimer
Sorry, the only thing that I own is the clothing that Kenshin is wearing in the set on stage. Grin. And I am writing this out of my head and am definitely not making any money off of it, so if you want to get a Minnesota quarter, a plastic alien, and a machine-washed Legolas trading card, you can go ahead.
A/N
The song is "I'm to Sexy for My Shirt," by Right Said Fred
Chapter Three – Invitations
A little boy was laughing as he was running through well-tended fields of grass, his face bright with joy as he ran.
His long red hair flew out behind him, violet-amber eyes dancing as the wind blew gently and he was left without a care in the world. He called out behind him as his face illuminated into a brilliant smile, his miniature white hakama and dark blue kimono billowing around his skinny frame.
"Come on Jijii (grandfather)!!! Let's find Hiko-onii-san (big brother Hiko)! I want him to teach me more swords!!"
The old man laughed at the young child's antics. His white hair was worn long, just like both of his grandsons. He was eternally glad that he was able to keep all the children here for the summer. He knew that his unstable son had been using his daughters to earn an income, and as soon as he was old enough, he would be using the little boy as well. The eldest, Hiko, was kept safely at the ancient dojo under the guise of being the next to pass on the Hiten-Mitsurugi-Ryu of swords.
His granddaughters were currently collecting flowers, sticking close to each other and laughing as they watched their youngest brother. The laughter never reached their eyes. All of them wore traditional kimonos of bright colors and beautiful designs, but their young faces were worn and their dark eyes were jaded.
"Jijii!!" Contagious laughter filled the old man's head as he continued walking calmly across the field; the little boy was looking impatient and indignant. "Come on Jijii! Hiko-onii-san is waiting for us at the dojo!"
The pounding of drums made the little boy frown, bright eyes looking around for where they were coming from.
It just kept pounding as the world and his grandfather began to fade…
As the happy memory began to slip away, Kenshin could feel that there was a soft pounding, just on the edge of his consciousness, faint but still there. He slowly felt the blank world of dreams slipping away.
And the pounding was steadily getting harder.
Kenshin's eyes opened slowly, closing instantly at the bright light from the window, as he turned onto his side and pulled the blanket more tightly around his shivering body, trying to ignore the migraine and the flicker of nausea in his stomach. Sleep was once again beginning to claim him.
That was, until the little flicker became a full blown surge of partially digested food up his esophagus and into his mouth.
Eyes wide, Kenshin dashed into the toilet, managing to get his mouth over the porcelain bowl before everything he had eaten the night previous expelled itself from his stomach. He choked and gagged, clinging to the edges of the toilet as he threw up and dry-heaved violently.
After what seemed like hours, he stopped dry-heaving and leaned heavily against the toilet, reaching over weakly and flushing its contents away. He noticed with eyes bleary from the raging headache that he was still wearing the clothes from the night before – and they were currently flecked with bits and pieces of his most recent meal. Groaning softly, he picked up a wash clothe and wet it with cool water, using it to wipe his face and mouth, trying to get the taste out of it.
The chink of plastic and glass on metal startled him into looking at the source of the sound. There was a small bottle of aspirin and a glass of water sitting on the sink.
Sano grinned down on him.
"You'll definitely want some of these Kenshin." His grin widened. "These little aspirin work wonders with nausea and headaches from a hangover."
Kenshin groaned and covered his eyes, shielding them from the light. "Sano, how did I get home?" His voice was grainy and hoarse as he spoke. "The last think I remember is talking to Kaoru-dono at the Akabeko."
If it was at all possible, that grin widened. "Jou-chan brought you back here after you passed out at the table you two were eating at after you drank all the sake."
His head jerked up and he looked like he was going to be sick. "I… what?" His shoulders slumped and he groaned, swallowing the four little pills with the glass of water. Kenshin slumped with his head on his arms. "I can't believe I did that. I'm so sorry Kaoru-dono. I can't believe she was left to pick up the mess I made."
Sano rolled her eyes. "Jou-chan didn't seem to mind. She just used your cell phone to call me and find out where my apartment was." He bent down to look in the stripper's face. "I just couldn't imagine that she managed to get you out to her car and almost the entire way into the building by herself."
Kenshin looked at him reproachfully. "I can't believe I did that Sano. I was treating her to dinner after what she did for me last month, then I get drunk and she had to find a way to get me home. She must think the worst of me."
Sano smacked his forehead. "Well, worrying about it isn't going to do you any good right now." He grabbed Kenshin's arm and lifted him protesting from the floor. "Now go get clean clothes on and meet me in the kitchen. You'll need something more to drink and something to eat. Tokio-san is on a mission to have you fill out more—meaning you are going to eat something—and she wants you to run with me. So make sure you can run in these clothes."
Kenshin scowled at him, but moved into his room. Sano grinned as he walked out into the kitchen. Tokio had indeed told him quite forcefully that she didn't want to see Kenshin as skinny as he had been on that first day of stripping, and that she wanted him to get into shape.
As he was finishing making the ramen, Kenshin walked gingerly into the room. His hair was wet where he had washed it and it was tied in a high ponytail. Remnants of eyeliner remained around his eyes. He wore a tight black muscle shirt that contrasted with his pale skin sharply and left the tattoo on the base of his neck exposed. The long sweatpants were sleek and black with crimson stripes running down the sides. His running shoes were black and crimson. Sano snorted at his choice of colors—they seemed to be the only ones that he wore outside of work, but then, he hadn't seen all of them.
Kenshin frowned down at the bottle of neon green energy drink sitting on the table at the place where he usually knelt for meals. Sano grinned and placed a bowl of creamy chicken ramen in front of him with a set of chopsticks. He wore long white shorts with no shirt and a red strip of cloth through his dark spikes. His jogging shoes were white and well-worn.
"Drink it; it'll hydrate you faster than water will. And eat up." He smiled. Kenshin looked like he was going to be sick as he looked at the food in front of him. "And yes, you'd better eat it or I might call up Jou-chan and tell her something unpleasant about you, or maybe Tokio-san?"
The ex-fight merchant grinned as his friend quickly began eating the food in front of him. He began shoveling his own into his mouth. After a few minutes, he sat back and looked at the ex-prostitute closely.
"Now, Kenshin, Jou-chan said that you were talking about things last night." His face was serious as he watched Kenshin pause, watching him closely with those violet eyes ringed in that strange shade of amber. "She mentioned that you told her about your past in the whole."
"What did she tell you?" He seemed worried. There was a subtle layer of fear behind those carefully guarded eyes.
Sanosuke sighed. "All she said was that you had told her, and that if I wanted to know, then I had to ask you," He took a sip of his milk, muttering, "wish she had though."
Kenshin looked at Sano oddly. He swallowed before setting down the half-empty bottle of neon sports drink. "Sano," he said softly, "if you want to know, then I'll tell you."
Sanosuke looked very closely into the violet-amber eyes of his fellow stripper. He could see things in those eyes that he could not explain, and he had seen Kenshin looking off into space for no apparent reason often—he wanted to know. He nodded.
With another sip of the lime drink, Kenshin launched into nearly the same story he had told Kaoru.
§
Kaoru looked up at the stage from the doorway of the strip club. She had hoped that she would just be in and out, but Kamatari, who was manning the doors, had insisted that she watch Kenshin during his first set of the night, since it was something that Tokio had had him working on for a while, and it was quite different from what she had seen the night previous.
She stood in line, nervous. She had discovered earlier that day that there was an extra bedroom at the dojo. A smile had lit her face as she thought of Kenshin staying there—it would be easier on Sano, and he could help her around the dojo with chores, cleaning, and the basics of kendo.
There where a couple dozen women also waiting in line at Guilty Pleasures, all of them chattering to each other about the acts that were going on tonight.
As Kaoru unconsciously eavesdropped on the conversations, she found that the strip club had a website, and each of the strippers had their own fan club where their fans would see schedules of when they were going to perform and would get updates. She frowned slightly as she listened to how the newest stripper, Yuukyou Kurai (Pleasures, Dark) (a/n its surname, first name, so really, it would be Kurai Yuukyou), had one of the biggest fan clubs.
As they talked about the act he did the night before, she realized that they were talking about Kenshin. Kaoru thought that it was interesting that he had chosen such a name to strip under.
"ID please." Kamatari smiled that strange little smile at Kaoru as he stood in the doorway. "Are you here to see Kurai-kun again?"
Kaoru grinned slightly. "I was just wondering if you could give him this for me."
Kamatari took the little slip of paper. He smiled. "I will if you stay and watch his first set." The smile widened. "I can guarantee that you'll enjoy it."
So here she was at the far back wall of the club close to the exit.
As she watched, the curtain began to rise and the music began to play loudly. Her eyes widened slightly as she watched Kenshin strutting across the stage, a black cowboy on his head, black fishnet shirt that revealed more than it covered, slightly loose leather pants, and long black trench coat. Those unique eyes were carefully lined, some of his loose hair caught in a thick black collar around his neck. Fingerless black leather gloves completed the dark look.
I'm too sexy for my love too sexy for my love
Love's going to leave me
He spun with one hand on his head and that other sweeping outwards. With the eyeliner, she noticed the amber in his eyes coming sharply to life. He was grinning and mouthing the words.
The women screamed as he balled his fists into the fabric of the flimsy shirt and pulled.
I'm too sexy for my shirt too sexy for my shirt
So sexy it hurts
I'm too sexy for Milan too sexy for Milan
New York and Japan
The remnants of the shirt were thrown behind him on the stage. He grinned sexily.
Women screamed.
Money hit the stage.
His hips swayed back and forth hands moving across the slender bones as he strutted towards the pole at the front of the projecting stage.
And I'm too sexy for your party
Too sexy for your party
No way I'm disco dancing
Kenshin grinned as he stopped at the edge of the stage, spinning and making the trench coat fly out around him. The closest woman gasped as he came off the stage and straddled her lap, moving erotically against her.
I'm a model you know what I mean
And I do my little turned on the catwalk
Yeah on the catwalk on the catwalk yeah
I do my little turn on the catwalk
It looked like he had left the woman utterly breathless as he flipped backwards and landed on the stage in a crouch. He grinned at the audience. Kaoru watched, stunned, at the graceful ease at which the trench coat came off and flew across the stage.
I'm too sexy for my car to sexy for my car
Too sexy by far
I'm too sexy for my hat
Too sexy for my hat what do you think about that
His took the hat off, the long strands of his hair flowed like a crimson waterfall down his back. Locks were braided and beaded with small, bright silver beads that flashed as he spun and his hair flew out around him.
He crawled across the stage with those strange eyes looking animalistic through those strands of crimson red.
I'm a model you know what I mean
And I do my little turn on the catwalk
Yeah on the catwalk on the catwalk yeah
I shake my little touche on the catwalk
Women screamed as the leather pants ripped away to reveal skin tight leather chaps that did nothing to cover his g-string or his perfectly sculpted ass.
Money flowed from their hands as he curved his body erotically around the pole body swaying and twisting in ways that seemed almost impossible for any normal person.
The sheen of sweat on his skin glittered in the light, eccentuating the curve of his smooth muscles, the flat terrains of his abs, the thin line of red hair leading down into the flimsy g-string.
I'm too sexy for my too sexy for my too sexy for my
He turned with his back facing away from the stage, his hair pulled over one shoulder as he started moving those sexy hips. Kaoru watched in amazement as he started to bend backwards, hair tumbling over his shoulder as he threw his head back in the direction of the audience with his eyes closed.
If one looked closely enough, you could almost see down into the g-string.
The women of the crowd were going wild.
'Cos I'm a model you know what I mean
And I do my little turn on the catwalk
Yeah on the catwalk on that catwalk yeah
I shake my little touche on the catwalk
His hands met the floor and he flipped himself over, legs wrapping securely around the pole in a way that would allow him to pull his body up to face the women.
Kaoru just stood there with her head shaking slowly. She had never seen anyone so damn flexible.
Still wearing that grin on his face, he slid down the length of metal, continuing his sexual dance on the stage.
Kaoru couldn't remember the last time she had seen that much yen in one place.
I'm too sexy for my cat too sexy for my cat
Poor pussy poor pussy cat
I'm too sexy for my love to sexy for my love
Love's going to leave me
I'm too sexy for this song
It ended with Kenshin standing with his arms above him around the pole, hips thrust out to the side with a slight grin on his face and amber eyes—the violet was hardly noticeable with the wondrously done makeup job—burning in his face.
If she hadn't been looking, Kaoru wouldn't have noticed the slight widening of his eyes.
He had seen her.
She grinned sheepishly and waved before exiting slowly, listening to Tokio's voice as the owner brought forth another round of applause and introduced the next stripper.
§
Kenshin looked down at the little slip of paper in his hand as he dialed the number from it and onto his cell phone. He had just finished his last set, and Kamatari had brought him this little slip from Kaoru saying that she wanted to be called as soon as he was done for the night. He had already changed, wearing slightly loose, slightly belled, leather pants and a long-sleeved, button-down black shirt with a long black jacket and a very long crimson scarf that wrapped once around his neck before falling to the ground.
After a few rings, she answered the phone.
"Kamiya Kaoru speaking." He swallowed thickly.
"H-hello, Kaoru-dono." He smiled sheepishly. "You wanted me to call you? I just finished my set and Kamatari came and gave me the note."
Soft laughter was heard on the other line. "Yes, I'm glad he gave it to you. There was something that I wanted to talk to you about tonight."
Kenshin felt his stomach plummet as he remembered what Sano had told him about the night before. "What do you want to talk to me about, Kaoru-dono?"
Kaoru grinned into her cell phone. She had talked to Sano earlier that night when he was home—she had wanted to make sure that he knew about what she was doing before she asked Kenshin. Sano had given her his full approval.
"It's nothing you need to worry about Kenshin," she suddenly giggled, "or should I say, Kurai?"
Kenshin felt himself blush and he stuttered. "Where did you find out about that? The only people that know are the people that are the guests."
Kaoru laughed softly. "I overheard someone referring to your act last night, and that name was connected to it, so I made an educated guess. So, have you had dinner yet? I was wondering if you could come over here and we could discuss it."
Kenshin breathed a sigh of relief. "Not since Sano fed me ramen after I woke up this morning."
"Do you want to pick something up on the way or do you want me to order something? We can split the bill either way."
"I'll pick something up at a convenience store. What kind of bento do you like?"
She smiled. "Just pick me up whatever you're having."
"Alright. I'll be there in twenty minutes at the most."
"Okay Kenshin. Ja-ne (goodbye)."
"Ja-ne."
§
Fifteen minutes later, Kaoru looked out the window of the dojo and smiled. Standing at the gate was Kenshin, carrying a plastic bag containing two bento boxes and a few containers of juice. She smiled at him. His long hair blew forcefully in the wind, unrestrained in the dark night under the streetlights. Wrapping a sweatshirt around her shoulders, she walked out and opened the gate.
He smiled slightly. She was wearing a dark blue kimono with a silver pattern of dragons flowing across it. An obi of dark gold and tiny flames of red sewn into it accompanied the traditional look. Her hair was tied into a high ponytail with soft bangs framing her face. Her bright blue eyes were smiling.
"Hello Kaoru-dono."
She noticed that he had managed to remove all traces of the stage makeup—this was probably the first time she had seen him without anything lining his eyes to make them stand out more in his face.
But that hadn't changed anything.
Those gem-colored eyes were still startling against that pale, almost white skin and crimson red hair. She smiled back at him.
"Hello Kenshin." She gestured towards the house separate from the dojo. "Come on in, it's freezing out tonight."
"Thank you Kaoru-dono." He held up the bag in his hands. "I got us some bento. It's mostly sushi so I hope you don't mind."
She shook her head. "No I don't, in fact, it sounds really good right now." She hung up his coat and they both removed their shoes as they entered the main hall and then led him to the dining room. While she went to get chopsticks, he set the food on the table with the juice drinks. Both of them were orange. Both of them sat down at their respective seats.
"Itadakimasu." Kenshin bowed his head slightly before speaking the meal thanks.
They ate in near silence, until Kaoru set down the bite of food she was about to put in her mouth.
"Kenshin, how do you like living with Ayame-chan and Sanosuke?" Her voice was soft and she watched him closely, looking for any kind of reaction. He paused.
"It's fine, I just feeling guilty sometimes because in order to make room, Ayame-chan had to give up her room so that I could sleep in it -- she stays in Sano's room." He blushed as he looked at her. "If I could move out, I would, but it's hard to find an apartment where the people will let me live after they find out what I do for a living." He stopped and looked at her curiously. "Why do you want to know Kaoru-dono?"
She smiled as she leaned forward and rested on her elbows. "There's an extra room here at the dojo and there is no one in it. I was wondering if you would want to move in there."
The morsel of food in Kenshin's chopsticks dropped back into his bento box.
A/N
Hey there. Sorry I haven't updated in such a long time, but the summer was suddenly taken over with work and summer reading and I just couldn't find the time. Then school started, and with college applications that I am still working on, not to mention playing hockey six days a week and trying to get through seven honors classes, a JROTC class where I have to organize everything b/c the Battalion Commander can't do shit, it's been really hard to get through everything. And let's not forget, the other laptop we had was an asshole and decided to shut down, leaving my dad unable to retrieve anything off of it. So everything I had — including the full story outline — was completely lost. I've pretty much had to start from scratch and the plotline has shot off in an utterly different direction. Not to mention, I am also co-authoring a series of novels with a friend of mine, and we are typing everything and getting things in order to send to potential publishers. Believe me, I am the editor for the most part, and it's harder than hell to get through the three full notebooks. I am really sorry for all of this, but I am going to continue this story as often as I can. Please read and review and I have a few questions to ask:
What do you think of Kenshin's personality and look so far? Is he too pathetic?
What about his sets? I think that the last one was really whacked, headed in too many different directions.
Does anyone want to beta read for me? So far I have one really good one, but I would like few more! Please leave me your hotmail address so I can IM the files, or an email address so I can send you the chapters to be edited within a review. Thank you!!
And please review! They help loads!
--MistressNeko