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Disclaimer!: I didn't create Kenshin and it's characters! This is just
	what I do for fun!
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Couch Potatoes  part 2
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	######### Shishi-o's Couch 1 day Later ######### 

{:Click:}

White background, Kaoru sits on an oversized red couch.

Kaoru: That's why I use Tampax... Period.

{:Click:}

Shishi-o: I know way too much about her.

{:Click:}

Shishi-o: It's on!

	-Television-

Voice: Welcome to Hiko and Pals!

Hiko walks out with his "Baka deshi dummy"

Hiko: Say hello dummy.

(Baka Deshi Dummy) Kenshin: I'm not the dummy, you're the dummy.

Hiko: No you're the dummy!

Shishi-o: he he. *his laugh is in pure amusement*

Yumi knocks on the door. He fumbles and quickly changes the channel.

Shishi-o: Come in.

Yumi: Hey! What are you watching?

Shishi-o: Nothing much.

		######### Tokyo #########

Kenshin tucked the envelope into his gi. A few moments later, Kaoru
walked into the room with a blank expression.

Megumi spoke.
"What's wrong Kaoru?"

Kaoru clenched her fists even more tightly as her eyes remained cast down.

Kenshin gazed upon her with warm, violet eyes. He reached his hand to touch 
her shoulder.

Kaoru raised her head abruptly.
"Let's go home."

Kenshin wacthed her with worry amd sympathy. 
He noded slowly as he placed his arm around her shoulder.
"Uh... let's."
 
		---Kyoto, same time---

Jiya turned to the Okashira.
"Aoshi... What are you saying?"

Aoshi seemed to ignore him.
"What do you think Misao?"

Misao recomposed herself. Her eyes were bright and determined as she look
at her Okashira... the man she loved.

"And I think it would be in my best interest for you not to be involved
in such frivolities as my involvement in a beauty pageant. Now,
will you excuse me?"

Everyone watched her as she gracefully made her way up the stairs, blue
Kimono sparkling brightly in the midday sun.

Aoshi sighed deeply. 

"Aoshi, what was that all about?"

"Jiya, may I speak to you privately?"
 
		---In the Kamiya Dojo---


Yahiko was doubled over in laughter.

"I can't believe you busu! You still keep going to those beauty 
pageant things"

Yahiko continued laughing.
"That dog Sano brought home has  better chance than you."

Yahiko stopped laughing as Kaoru walked past him silently.
She went into her room and slid the door shut.

Megumi grabbed Yahiko by the collar of his neck.
She began to shake him like a ragdoll as she spoke.

"You little idiot! This is not the time! Later you *will* apollogize
to her."

Megumi dropped him onto the ground as she and Kenshin made their way
into the kitchen.

It wasn't long before Sano came whistling in with what looked like
enough food for a picnic.

"Yo kenshin! Tae sent this for Jou-chan. Where is she anyway?"

"In her room. I don't think she'll be out any time soon... things
didn't seem to go to well..."

Sano whistled a low, missle-like whistle. 
 
"I guess we all can't be Miss Meiji like Megumi. How does it feel to
have your crown taken away."

"It's not being taken away..." Megumi's tone was defensive "It's being 
passed on."

"Let's eat!"

Everyone traced the voice until their eyes made contact with the woman...
It was Kaoru wearing a sash that spelled out
"Miss Tokyo"

"Way to go Jou-chan!" Sano yelled, his fishbone falling out of his mouth.
 
"You did it Kaoru!" Yahiko exclaimed.

Kenshin felt relieved.

		---Kyoto---

"EH???"

Jiya shouted.

"You're a judge!"
Tears began to stream down his face.
"That means Misao will win for sure!!"

"The other judges are, Seta Soujiro, Seijiro Hiko, Hajime Saitoh, and
the HItokiri Batousai."

Jiya became solemn.
"What's going on?"

Aoshi blew before taking a sip from his piping hot cup.

"We suspect a sabatoge from a group of renegades. Kamatari has regrouped
and formed something of a shin-juppongatana. The event could turn into
the site of a mass assasination, as practically all of the current Meiji
officials will be there. The original panel of judges were notified. 
The new panel was assembled to defend these officials from potential
danger. Having Misao involved would only put her in harms way. 
Besides... the last thing I need is added distraction."

Jiya nodded.
"But perhaps it would be helpful?"

Aoshi finished the last of his tea.
"How could it be?"

Okina began to stroke his beard.
"Perhaps the entire Onibanshuu could assist. Having a fighter like Misao 
involved in the contest could be beneficial and safer for the other
women involved."

Aoshi's expression turned thoughtful.

"If there was someone with some fighting skills involved in the actual 
contest, they would have acess backstage most of the time and
they would have to keep in  close proximity with the girls that were 
there. If the sabateours made a play for the women at least
someone on our side would know."

Aoshi stroked his chin.
"You may be right..."

Jiya regarded Aoshi with respect.
"I think you should go see Misao."

Aoshi nodded.

*********

Misao siezed the pillow on her futon and began to strangle
it.

"I can't believe him!!"

She stood up and began to jeer Aoshi.
"I think it would be in your best interest.. Grr!"

She began to strangle the pillow some more.

::Knock knock::

Misao stood up again.

"Misao?" a familiar voice called from behind the door.

Misao froze.

"Can I come in?"

"Um-- yes."

The slid open revealing her Okashira.

A lot has changed in 3 years...

They sit across from eachother as Misao clutches her folded "Miss Koto" sash.

They both begin to speak.
"About what I said earlier--"

They open their eyes in shock.

"Can I speak first?"
Misao asked.

Aoshi nodded, his eyes a bit wider than usual.

"I didn't mean to be so harsh... Being that you're the okashira, I should've 
kept in mind that there must have been a reason you suggested such a thing.
Gomen for being so selfish... I was just caught off gaurd."

Misao smiled at Aoshi. He almost gasped at her understanding.
He began to gingerly rub the back of his neck. A lot has changed in
3 years.

When he realized what he was doing, he stopped almost immediately and cleared
his throat.
"Well, I realize that I worded things incorrectly. The least I could
have done was give you an explanation instead of expecting you to follow
blindly. In any case, I've changed my mind."

Misao's expression brightened.
"Really!"

"Yes."

"Seriously?"  

"Yes."

"Aoshi-sama are you kidding?"

"No."

::I've beat him this time!!::

"I think you'll be of service to me."

Misao's expression became solemn. Aoshi continued.

"Well, do you remeber Kamatari?"
		
		---Same time, in Tokyo---

"Yes, I remember."
Kaoru eyed Kenshin warily.

"Well, she-- he has basically reformed the Juppongatana. Saitoh
suspects that they will strike at the pageant and assasinate the
officials that attend."

Kaoru nodded.
"But it should be a good thing i'm in the contest."

"Oro?"

"Yes Kenshin, while the fine swordsmen sit in the audience judging,  
will there be any backstage protecting the women?"

Keshin expression became thoughtful.

"If no one is protecting the girls wouldn't it be a good thing If i'm there. 
How many women in that beauty pageant do you think practice Kamiya Kasshin 
Ryu?"

Kenshin laughed.

"That's true... but there's another problem... I'm one of the judges."

		---Same time Kyoto---

"Aoshi-sama! You're a judge!!"

Aoshi blushed slightly.
"If you win, they might think it is because you are Oniwabanshuu."

Misao laughed.
"But Aoshi, there's nothing specail going on between us. If anything,
i'd probably lose points because of you..."
Misao's voice trailed off as she thought about what she just said.

Aoshi thought about it as well.

		---Same time Tokyo---

Kenshin and Kaoru fell silent.

After all these years, nothing had happened between them.

"Well I guess it's alright." said a dazed Kenshin.

		--- Same time Kyoto---

"I wouldn't--"
Aoshi stopped what he was saying.

"So we leave tonight... yes?"

Misao nodded.
"yes. I should really change. I don't want to soil this Kimono."

Aoshi regarded her. It would be a shame if it was destroyed.

"You do that..." Escaped out of Aoshi's mouth "And Misao." he continued.

"Eh?"
She felt herself blush as she looked up.

"Ganbatte."

"Sure thing." 

 
######### 2 days later in Shishi-o's Living room in the real world #########

{:Click:} 

Omasu supports Hiko as he staggers out of what apparantly seems like a 
party.

Omasu: Give me the keys.
 *Scene freezes*
Voice: Friends don't let friends--

{:Click:}

Yumi: Ah! Right on time!
	*she sits back and rests the remote*
	Shishi-o, hurry with the popcorn!!

Shishi-o: But i'm still changing my bandages!

Yumi: It's about to start!! Come on!! I'll dress your burns during the
commercial break!

Shishi-o: Fine.

Across the Tv screen in fancy yellow cursive is "3rd Annual Miss Meiji" 
pageant.

Voice: Welcome to the 3rd Annual Miss Meiji Pageant.

			TO BE CONTINUED...
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NOTES:

None!

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