Kaoru sighed for what felt like the millionth time that day. Kenshin had pushed things even further by insisting that she stay in bed until her legs healed up. And by 'insisting' what she really meant was forcing. It was clear that Kaoru had no choice in the matter. True, she tried to get on her feet and leave on her own accord, but Kenshin just found her and brought her back.

She felt little more than a king's prized canary, meant to be in the cage for its whole life. She wanted to spread her wings and fly. She wanted to be able to do the things that she used to take for granted. Breathing in the fresh air without someone constantly looking over her shoulder. Making her own food with her own kitchenware. And teaching her class without any incident.

She froze up when Kenshin came through the door, once again failing to knock beforehand. He had a bowl in his hands. He set the soup down on the floor and sat down so that he was eye level with Kaoru.

The woman was on guard since he could lose control at any minute. The pleasant face he had did nothing to soothe her worries.

"I thought I'd come by and get you lunch."

Kaoru was tired of the false pleasantries, "I'm not hungry."

Kenshin tilted his head off to the side. The smile was still wide across his lips, though his eyes showed mocked confusion.

He was playing a game with her. Kaoru felt herself getting angry. He was only pretending to be in control over his Battousai self. But she knew that Battousai was still around, waiting for a chance to strike. She knew she would see those golden eyes any second now.

"But you skipped breakfast. I really think you should eat, that you should. Otherwise how will you ever get your strength back?"

"I have my strength, Kenshin. I'm healthy as a horse."

"Then you should have a healthy appetite," Kenshin pushed the bowl of soup closer, "Eat. Before it gets cold."

Another order from him. It was one too many at this point. Kaoru stubbornly crossed her arms and said nothing. She made no move to do as she was told.

"Miss Kaoru. Eat."

Again he got no response. Kaoru braced herself for any reaction. Kenshin laughed to himself, though the laugh was filled with sinister intentions.

"You should really do as you're told, Kaoru. You won't like what I'll do if you don't."

There he was. Battousai in the flesh. Kaoru felt goosebumps trail along her shoulder. But once again, she made no move to do as he said.

The sinister look was replaced with Kenshin's sheepish smile.

"Well. No sense in having this food go to waste."

Then to Kaoru's surprise, he actually took a spoonful of the soup and put it to his lips. She couldn't believe her eyes. He was going to eat it instead? This was the first time he had given up a fight with her since he went crazy.

She wasn't prepared for what came next. Kenshin pulled her into a lip smashing kiss. Red in the face, Kaoru remained paralyzed as Kenshin forced her lips opened. Then he transferred the soup to her tongue. Not knowing what else to do, Kaoru swallowed.

Kenshin pulled away and dipped the spoon into the bowl—

SLAP!

Kenshin rubbed his cheek that had a large, red handprint on it. He smirked without looking at her in the eye. Kaoru wasn't finished yet. She threw the bowl away, spilling the contents on the floor.

Never had she been as angry as she was now. And she was no stranger to rage. But this….this…

She couldn't think straight. She could barely even see straight. You know the phrase "seeing red?" Well, that was what was happening to her right now. Out of the corner of her eye she could see Kenshin looking at her all smug. Didn't he realize that she wanted to grab his neck?

Didn't he care how much he hurt her?

She stood up, towering over the man with a disgusted look on her face. Kenshin stood up as well, challenging her with his cool gaze.

"I told you that you wouldn't like what I had in store for you."

"Go. To. Hell," she spat. Kenshin actually seemed surprise at this, though also amused.

"You shouldn't use that kind of language, that you shouldn't. What if a potential suitor heard you say something like that? They might not realize how much of a noble lady you are."

"You kissed me. Why are you talking about suitors?" Kaoru shrieked. What was this man's game? Did he know about her feelings for him? And was he using that knowledge to toy with her?

Kenshin fiddled with the Reverse Blade Sword that rested by his side. He didn't used to carry that around inside the house. Kaoru guessed that he was preparing himself for the worst. In case someone attacked them in the dead or night or something. Even though there was absolutely no reason for them to do so.

"It wasn't a kiss. I was getting you to eat your soup like a good little girl."

"I didn't want any damn soup."

"Please mind your language, Miss Kaoru."

Kaoru responded by spouting out every curse in the book. Kenshin had a blank smile on his face while she released her torrent of insults. The man scratched his nose.

"I will just let you cool down. And then I'll make you something delicious."

"I'm never eating a damn thing you make again!" Kaoru must've been pissed off if she was willing to give up Kenshin's cooking.

"Oh? Will I have to 'kiss' you again, Miss Kaoru?"

"You're no different than that man who tried to rape me!"

Silence. Finally Kaoru said something that got through to Kenshin, if the frown on the swordsman's face was anything to go by.

But Kaoru stop congratulating herself instantly. Kenshin's eyes were not only narrow. They were raging gold. And they were staring right into Kaoru's eyes. Kaoru averted her gaze, fearful of what this man might have in store for her. He grabbed her chin and forced her to look back at him. He leaned his head in close. Too close. As if he was going to kiss her a second time.

Kaoru closed her lips tightly. She was unable to say or do anything. Her heart was about to hammer outside her chest.

"I don't like that tone you have with me. Miss Kaoru, I am not being mean to you."

"….Oh…" Kaoru gulped and forced out a sarcastic retort, "Why don't I believe you?"

Kenshin's lips parted open and Kaoru half expected another kiss. But he was just opening his mouth to reply.

"You don't know what I'm really capable of, Miss Kaoru. I know you've heard stories, but that's nothing like seeing the Battousai in person."

"So…you're Battousai now? Not Kenshin?" Kaoru felt lost without Kenshin. She didn't want to be in this man's presence any longer. She wanted the sweet and lovable Kenshin back.

Kenshin (or Battousai) let her go. He sighed.

"I admit that I took some extreme measures to get you to eat. But you will not go on a hunger strike to get your way. Is that understood?"

Kaoru said nothing. Kenshin didn't press her into anything else. He rubbed the back of his head.

"I'll get Miss Megumi to look at your leg again. I don't want it to be infected."

"There's no open wound. So it can't get affected," Kaoru argued. Really, she just sprained both legs. She wasn't in any danger of losing them, despite what Kenshin might think.

"It's better to be safe than sorry, right?"

He left the room, leaving Kaoru to her thoughts. The young woman touched her lips and looked at the hand that touched them. Something about that seemed so wrong….yet so right too…

Megumi was there within the next hour. She seemed unusually happy to be here, even though this was clearly a waste of her time. Kenshin showed her to Kaoru's room as if she couldn't have found it by herself.

"Thank you, Sir Ken. Please wait outside. Ladies only here."

Kenshin nodded with a small smile. Yet the smile seemed tense. It looked like Kenshin decided to stop pretending to be normal around Megumi. It didn't look like Kenshin smiling. It looked like a serious swordsman who wasn't used to smiling trying to force a grin.

"I'll be right outside if you two need me," he informed. With that, he left. Kaoru turned to Megumi to say something. Megumi pulled out some strange bottle from her kimono. Kaoru beamed at her.

"Is that what I think it is?" she whispered in case Kenshin could hear.

Megumi nodded. She put it back inside her clothes.

"Sano will come by later with a friend of his. He'll be the one to stage everything. I'll make tea for everyone and put this in Sir Ken's drink. Then when he wakes up, we'll be ready."

"How do we know he won't hurt Sanosuke's friend?" Kaoru nervously glanced at the door, as if Kenshin would come busting through it any second.

"The drug will make him feel sluggish even after waking up. There's no way he'll be able to attack for the next twenty-four hours."

"Are you sure? This is Kenshin we're talking about," Kaoru didn't want to question Megumi's plan, but she needed to make sure everything would go smoothly.

"Then make sure it looks like you're really beating him to a bloody pulp. I'm sure when Kenshin sees how well you're doing, he won't even consider fighting for you."

"I hope you're right."

"Stop worrying so much. Sano and I are on the job. We'll snap him out of it in no time."

It seemed that making the drug really boost Megumi's confidence. Kaoru didn't want to dampen her spirits, so she kept quiet. Megumi finished wrapping her foot in bandages. Kaoru gave the doctor a strange look, so Megumi explained.

"I know you're not bleeding. But I figured that Sir Ken will feel better if he doesn't keep seeing the bruise on your ankle. The kneecap can just stay hidden underneath your clothes. But I'm sure Kenshin gets nervous every time he sees your foot."

"I guess you're right. Oh God. I hope your plan works out."

Megumi smiled when she heard Sanosuke's voice apparently talking to Kenshin. She held up a finger.

"Time for tea."

Kaoru stood up. Megumi supported her weight as they walked out the door. Kenshin was in front of them in a flash. He took hold of Kaoru, nearly bumping into Megumi in the process. The older woman frowned but the swordsman didn't catch onto it.

"Where are you two going?" he asked.

"Just to the dining hall. We're going to have some tea. That should help with the pain."

"I could've brought her some," Kenshin protested.

"Sanosuke is bringing a friend over. And I figure I would be a good host."

It wasn't her house to host in. But if Kenshin caught onto this fact, he didn't mention it. Something else took Kenshin's attention.

"Sano is bringing a friend? Who?"

"One of his gambling buddies, I'm sure."

Kenshin tensed up at this.

"He's bringing someone like that into Miss Kaoru's house?"

This time Kenshin did not miss the frown on Megumi's lips. Kenshin set Kaoru at the tea area. She had to lower herself slowly as to not to hurt herself any more than necessary.

"Sanosuke trusts him, so I do too. And you should know that he wouldn't bring anybody dangerous."

"Still…" Kenshin paused. Megumi cleared her throat with a disgruntled look on her face.

"I promise you that everything will be alright. Now let me make the tea since I will be the host. I also brought some ingredients for dinner, Sir Ken."

"I'm not sure…"

But he didn't have much else to say. Megumi left the kitchen. Kaoru braced herself for when they put this plan to action.