Sessha doesn't think so. At least, sessha hopes not. He does not like Kaoru-dono, de gozaru. In fact, Sessha thinks it is time you got over your infatuation of the, quote, "little girl." Sessha is very sick of doing laundry and cooking all the time, de gozaru. It is even worse than with Shishou. He at least would get drunk and pass out for long periods of time. Here, it is constant work.

            [Oh come on rurouni! Don't tell me you don't like Kaoru at all! I mean, just look at her! Humina humina humina… And remember those times we walked in on her while she was bathing…] Battousai trailed off and began drooling with a dazed look in his eyes.

            The rurouni impatiently put his hands on his hips and said, Sessha does not think that is very proper, de gozaru. Get your mind out of the gutter, de gozaru. Kaoru dono is too young. Sessha likes more mature women. And women that are less controlling and violent. He winced and put a hand to his head gingerly, remembering all the times Kaoru had hit him.

            [Oh pipe down, Rurouni.] Snapped Battousai irritably. [If you're not going to be any fun at all, you'd better just finish the laundry.]

            Sessha hates doing laundry, de gozaru. It makes my hands dry.

            [Ooh, it makes my hands dry.] Mocked Battousai in a high pitched voice. [Dry up, pansy. You're wearing a pink gi. If I still had control of this body, we'd never be walking around looking like a flamer!]

            The Rurouni frowned. Sessha thinks it is time you went away, de gozaru. My gi is magenta, and if you haven't got anything nicer to say, you had better just lie low. Why did you choose now to come back? I thought you'd gone away sometime during my ten year wandering period.

            [Why should I listen to you?]

            Because Kaoru dono is in love with me, and she's scared of you.

            [Oh.] Battousai went to the corner and began to sulk.

            Kenshin groaned at the enchange that just happened  in his head. I am so glad they haven't tried to involved me in that discussion, de gozaru. He then chuckled. Who would have thought that Battousai would fall hard for a nice girl and Rurouni would be fighting against it. Those two baka's. He snorted this time And who would have thought Battousai would enjoy doing laundry for a little whisp of a girl… As he continued pondering…

            "Oi Kenshin! What's so funny over there? You looking at Jochan's underwear?"

            "Oro?!" Kenshin fell back swirly eyed, the garment he had been washing falling on top of his face. Sanosuke sauntered by and looked. "Heh! Whattdya know? I was right! Kenshin, is there something going on between you and Jochan the rest of us ought to know?"

            [Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes!] Chanted Battousai jumping about eagerly, jolted out of his depression with that happy thought.

            No way de gozaru!

            "Ororororo?"

            "Che, Kenshin… you're so out of it. Hey- where's Yahiko chan?"

            Yahiko, who had been practicing in the training hall lauched himself out into the yard and promptly began gnawing on Sano's head.

            "Don't call me chan!"

            They began to fight, running abou the yard and causing random destruction. Then, the two then tumbled around the yard creating a cloud of dust and then the rolled out the door and into the street.

            Kenshin suddenly whipped his head up and put his hand to his nose to wipe away the trickle of blood. Kaoru had come home, looking georgeous in a completely new kimono… one like she had never worn before… In fact… he wasn't even sure it was a kimono… but… he liked it. A lot. Maybe too much.

            Kaoru grinned as she walked into the dojo, glancing down the street at the dust cloud of Sano and Yahiko. She tried to sneak into the dojo unnoticed, but then she saw Kenshin was still doing the laundry. She had thought he would have been done, since normally Kenshin absolutely flew through the chores… He didn't seem to notice her however, but at a second glance, Kaoru saw some amber flashes in his eyes, so concerned, she went to him. She cautiously approached Kenshin, and knelt next to him, carefully arranging her skirt.

            "Kenshin, daijobu?"

            The trickle of blood from Battousai's nose became a full fledged downpour. The sleeve of his gi was quickly being soaked with blood. He then promptly passed out. Kenshin glanced at Kaoru and he also felt a sudden heat and strange urge wash over him. Even the rurouni felt an unusual twinge.

            "K-K-Kaoru d-d-d-dono…"

            "Kenshin?" She asked concered, putting a slim hand to his forehead, "Are you ok? You feel a little hot…"

            At this, the Battousai's prone form twitched, and even the rurouni blushed. Kaoru then noticed that Kenshin was staring at her, well, no, a certain part of her… She giggled.

            "Ah, Kenshin, I know it's a little racy, but I… met someone… and… he's taking me out to dinner and it's a Western party, with dancing, so Tae-san and Megumi-san helped me choose this dress. I know it's not like the things I normally wear, and I'm not exatly used to the neckline or bare arms, but… it's only for a few hours. I think."    

            As soon as Kaoru mentioned her bare arms, which Kenshin hadn't even noticed before, the Battousai leaped up. Eyes blazing with passion.        

            [You baka! You're so slow my Kaoru has a date! A date! With some filthy bastard who's going to go dancing with her! He's going to touch our Kaoru! Now get off your lazy @$$ and let's go find this guy and eat him for breakfast!] At this point, his voice had reached a shriek. He again glanced at Kaoru. [But first… let's eat Kaoru…]