Prologue

Kaoru, smiling, walked out of the dojo, stretching her arms towards the sky. "What a great workout!" She exclaimed, looking up, "So late already? Half the day's gone by…" She looked brightly around the yard then, stopped…

She pondered for a few moments. "I feel like I'm forgetting something really important…" She said, sitting down and crossing her arms over her chest.

"Hey busu…" Yahiko said from behind her.

"Shut it Yahiko!" She snapped, and then turned around to face him. "Yahiko…what day is it today."

"June." He replied, picking the inside of his ear with his pinky finger.

"I said day baka, not month!" She huffed and turned back around.

"How the hell should I know?" He barked backed. He was then silent for a moment, he sighed gravely and moved in front of her. "It's the twentieth. Happy busu?"

Kaoru's eyes widened in horror, "OF JUNE?" she said scrambling out of her seat on the porch. "Oh no I can't believe I forgot it!" she tightened her hands into fists and she quickly brushed pashed Yahiko.

"What's that for?" He shouted at her, his eyes red with anger.

"I forgot it! I forgot! STUPID, STUPID!" He heard her call as she ran across the yard to the main house.

"Got that right…" he sighed.

Kaoru threw open the door to the kitchen, and when she didn't find what she was looking for there she shouted in frustration. She spun around and ran back outside, going around the back and finally finding the required item on his knees, a disappointed look on his face.

"I suppose they forgot…or just don't know…" he sighed again and shrugged.

"OH KENSHIN I'M SO SORRY!" Kaoru shouted, tears pouring down her face. She ran over towards him and wrapped her arms around the poor, unsuspecting man.

"Oro?" Kenshin squeaked; he looked at Kaoru, who was currently soaking his gi with her tears, "Why are you sorry Kaoru-dono?" He asked, patting her back to calm her down.

"I…for…got…YOUR BIRTHDAY!" She wailed, squeezing him tighter. "I feel so…so BAD!" She cried again.

"It's really okay Kaoru-dono! Sessha doesn't mind!" He said, trying to calm her down with no sign of success.

"I didn't even get you a present Kenshin." She said, pulling away and sniffing, "I mean, this an important birthday too…you're thirty now, aren't you?"

Kenshin's face fell for a moment at being reminded of his age, "Hai…" he said flatly, but he changed his expression at Kaoru's curious face. "This one means, I'll be alright." He smiled but Kaoru shook her head.

"I need to make this up to you or I'll never forgive myself!" Kaoru thought for a moment, not realizing her arms were still securely wrapped around Kenshin's neck. "I know!" she said, her lips forming into a mischievous sneer.

"Oro…nani?" he asked, tensing a bit.

"I'll be your slave for a day!" She said brightly, finally letting go and standing up.

"A wha-da-wha?" Kenshin asked, tilting his head to the side in confusion.

"A slave for a day!" She said, clasping her hands together. "That means that I'll do whatever you want me to do, no objections, no nothing from now until…I guess midnight."

Kenshin blinked, "But Kaoru-" Kenshin started.

"No buts Kenshin!" Kaoru stated, cutting him off. "I knew that your birthday meant something to you now that you have friends and family who can celebrate it with you. It hurts me that I forgot…please? It'll be fun!"

Kenshin didn't say anything for a moment, but, he finally smiled at her and nodded, "Alright…if you really want to do this…"

"I really, really do." She said excitedly.

"Then, Kaoru…" he said smugly, dropping the dono, "You are now my slave." Kenshin chuckled…then…a small smirk crept onto his lips…

…This could be fun…