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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 3
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	######### Yokohama, Night of the Pageant #########

"I'm soo happy for you Kaoru!"
Misao squeezed Kaoru in a manner that rivaled Jiya's.

"Me too Misao! You were always beautiful but kami-sama has treated you 
especailly well these past three years."

Misao did a mock bow.
"Arigatou gozaimasu... Or do you prefer Arigatou de gozaru."

Kaoru chuckled.
"That's true, But Misao-chan, how'd you know Kenshin was a judge?"
Kaoru asked.

It was then that Misao became serious.
"That's right! Kaoru, we've *got* to talk."
 
	######### Shishi-o's couch that same night #########

Yumi pops a kernel in her mouth.

Yumi: Oh shut up already! Those announcer's just won't stop talking.
	
	--Television--

Male Voice: But what i'm most impressed with is the panel of judges. I don't
	Know if I should be hiding or hollering!

Female voice: You're right, our five judges have great notoriety--- I mean
	fame in Japan.   

Yumi throws some Popcorn at the Television.

Yumi: Shishi-o, where have you gone *now*!

Shishi-o: Shut up woman. 

	######### Audience in Yokohama #########

Yahiko stands next to Sano.

"This is so fancy... Why do we have to wear these western clothes anyways." 
Yahiko adjusted the collar of his white blouse.

"Shut up and smile!"
Sano whispered as he nudged his arm.

A old man in a traditional kimono passed by with younger woman on his arm."

Yahiko motioned to Sano.
"Hey, look at who that old guy is with!"

Sano was about to smack Yahiko until he realized who it was.
"Yahiko... That's Megumi..."

Yahiko nearly spat his drink out.
"That's Megumi!!"
Yahiko took a closer look and began to grin.

"And I thought she was foxy in her doctor gettup... I didn't even 
recognize her in those expensive clothes." 

All Sano could do was stare. 

Yahiko continued to speak.
"What's she doing with that mummy anyways... He probably paid her
to walk around with him... or maybe they're together??"

Sano's eyes bulged out as he grabbed the collar of Yahiko's neck.

"Don't be stupid!"
He began to shake Yahiko like a ragdoll.
"Megumi's not like that--"

Sano stopped as he noticed the small crowd that gathered around them. 

He released the boy and began to pat him on the back.
"Are you okay now? That's why I told you not to drink too fast... he he..."

When the crowd finally dissipated, Sano sighed in relief.

		---Backstage---

"So Aoshi told you?"

Misao nodded.

"Looks like he's finally beggining to open up to you."

Misao fumed and turned SD.
"No way!! He doesn't even notice me!"

Kaoru waved her hand dissmisively.
"Whatever you say..."

"Mou!! What about you and Kenshin... It wouldn't be fair if your
husband was a judge!"

A few girls looked in the general direction of Misao.
"Did you just hear something?"

Kaoru covered Misao's voice.
"You be quiet! Kenshin and I haven't even kissed yet."

She eased her hold on Misao.
"Besides, we have to get dressed. They're probably starting soon."

"You're right... And we have to keep our eyes peeled."

"Misao-chan, do you need help with your make-up?"

"Thanks Kaoru."

		---The judges area.---
		
Saitoh's lean body seemed to glow in his tuxedo. And for once, his
white gloves weren't the least bit inappropriate.

He moved to Aoshi who proved to be equally elegant if not more in his black 
formal Kimono.

"I see you've notified your fellow Oniwa Banshuu."

Aoshi nodded.
"Do you think that girl of yours is safe here."

Aoshi's eys twitched once before he nodded again.

"Both you and Himura seem think they can stand a chance against those 
attackers..." He paused to notice a slight flinch in Aoshi's expression.
"In any case, keep a close eye on the officials... never let your
gard down."

With that Saitoh walked away.

	######### In a building two blocks away #########

"Big-K... no one else seems to be entering the building."

Suddenly a pigeon flew into the window landing on one of the cloaked 
figures.

The cloaked figure removed the paper attached to the birds leg.
He briefly glanced at the paper before looking up.

"It has begun."
Sounded a muffled voice.

	######### Shishi-o's couch #########			

Yumi: Even in casual Kimonos they're beautiful.

	--Television--

Male Oficial's Voice: Miss Kobe

Yumi's eyes twitch.

Yumi: Well.. at least most of them. How'd *SHE* get on here??

	--Television--

Megumi: Miss Kobe, if you had one wish, what would it be.

Miss Kobe: *pause* hmm... To give everyone enough rice to eat.

Megumi: *eye twitching* Thank you.

Writing appears on the Tv Screen as the judges display their scores onstage 
with white boards.

~	Score (out of 10):

~	Hiko: 1.5
~	Himura: 9.0
~	Hajime: 2.2
~	Soujiro: 9.9
~	Shinomori: 7.2

~	Total: 29.8

	######### Yokohama, same night. Beauty Pageant ##########

Soujiro was smiling as usual. 

Saitoh managed to notice someone walk inside.

"Shinamori, who's next?"

Aoshi looked as his list and swallowed.
"Miss Kyoto." he said pointedly.

"Miss Kyoto... give her a 9.8 for me... I'll be right back."

Aoshi nodded.

Saitoh left his seat, unnoticed by all.

The Official continued.
"Miss Kyoto."

Misao didn't feel nervous yet. She couldn't feel anything as a matter of 
fact. She pasted a dazzling smile on her face, focusing her attention
on sounds from the door... Besides, this was just casual wear. 

Aoshi slyly reached for Saitoh's white board. He continued to watch the 
stage.

	######### Shishi-o's Couch #########

Yumi: She's pretty I guess... But I look better.

Yumi popped more popcorn in her mouth.

	--Television--

Megumi: If you could meet anyone past, present, or future, who would it 
	be?

Misao: My grandfather. I've never seen him, but he's had the greatest 
	impact on my life. I'd just want to thank him. 

	######### Yokohama, Pageant #########

Aoshi wrote down his score ~9.8~

He moved to Saitoh's board remebering what he was told ::Give her a 9.8::
Aoshi wrote down Saitoh's score ~9.9~
He smiled a ghost of a smile.
"That's more like it." 


~	Score (out of 10):

~	Hiko: 9.7
~	Himura: 9.7
~	Hajime: 9.9
~	Soujiro: 9.9
~	Shinomori: 9.8

~	Total: 49.0


	######### Shishi-o's couch some time later #########

Shishi-o come out wrapped up in aluminum foil.

Yumi: What are you doing??

Shishi-o: I'm going to that contest... something big's happening
	tonight.

Yumi buries her hands in her head.

Yumi: You can't get into the Television.

Shishi-o: Have you seen "Stay Tuned".

Yumi sweatdrops.

Shishi-o: besides, I've learnt some codes...

		--Television-- 

Yahiko wearing a red and white baseball cap with a black tee-shirt
and blue jeans.

Yahiko: Charmelion I choose you!!

Voice: RKmon, weekdays at 7 on the WB

Suddenly screen goes blank only to return with  "3rd Annual Miss Meiji" 
pageant Across the Tv screen.

Welcome back!
 Our five finalist are in this order:

~ Miss Sapporo 49.5
~ Miss Tokyo 49.2
~ Miss Kyoto 49.1
~ Miss Nagoya 47.6
~ Miss Yokohama 47.5

Male Voice: Is it Just me, or is Seta Soujiro giving everyone the same 
	score?

Female voice: In any case, the women that have made it really deserve it.
	All that's left is evening wear, and then the question round.

Male Voice: It's a really close battle, but my personal favorite is Miss 
	Tokyo.

Female voice: I like Miss Kyoto... she's got confidence and spunk.

Male: But everyone else seems to favor Miss Yokohama.

Female: She's the under dog that managed to sneak in... Maybe she'll
	 pull it off??

	######### Yokohama, one block away #########

"The eagle has landed. Big-k is safely in the building. All soldiers
on standby. We're waiting for the sign. 1 if by hand... 2 if by feet."

	######### Pageant, backstage #########

Kaoru zipped the back of Misao's long western, evening gown.
The two women suddenly froze.

"Shh!... Misao, did hear that?"
Kaoru whispered.

Misao nodded before grabbing Kaoru's hand. 
"Someone has to go notify Aoshi..."
 
Kaoru looked around.
"You should go, you're quicker... besides, that dress is much lighter than 
this Kimono."

Misao nodded.
"Be careful"

Kaoru winked.
"I'll be fine."

Misao slid around the curtain. She used her ninja skills to creep towards 
the judges section.

She hid behind a thin curtain.

"Aoshi."
She whispered.

He didn't even flinch.

"Aoshi." she whispered more loudly.

"Aoshi" her tone more demanding. She clenched her fist before preceeding
to remove one of her shoes. She chucked it at Aoshi knocking him clean in 
the skull. He still didn't flinch.

She preceeded to remove her other shoe when a hand grabbed her arm.

"What are you doing here? Go backstage."

She looked up to find Saitoh looming over her.

"They're here."

"Of course Ahou."

"No, you don't understand... They're backstage! I think they attacked 
someone."

Saitoh nodded.
"In that case, stay here."

"What??"

With that, Saitoh returned to his seat. He whispered something to
Aoshi.

Misao saw Aoshi nod so she waited. She gaped when he remained seated.
"What are they doing!!"

The Oficial then came out.
"Now onto formal evening wear. We will begin in no particular order. 
Miss Nagoya."

The curtain parted revealing someone in a red western dress.
 They wore the "Miss Nagaoya" sash... But it wans't Miss Nagoya.

The official gaped: Where's Miss Nagoya.

Kenshin spoke.
"I guess it has begun."

Hiko nodded.
"Yes, baka deshi."

Misao emerged from the curtain and gaped as well.

"... K-K amatari!"

"Good evening Ladies and Gentlemen... This is where the fun begins."
Kamatari grinned.

			TO BE CONTINUED...
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NOTES:

1. One more part... The big finish is yet to happen ^_^
2. When I listed the judges, I worte the names so that H's could be
	together and S's could be togther... so I might have used 
	someone's surname instead of their name or vice versa... 
	Sue  me! =:P  ^_^

E-mail me here
with questions or comments!