"Don't you think it's too early to break hearts, Kaoru?"

Kaoru glared at her overacting-overprotective-hopeful-brother-in-law-to-be. They have been wasting time assessing her visitor. She can't imagine why, though. He was extremely polite and respectful when he entered the house and asked her siblings to take her out for a business meeting. Strictly BUSINESS meeting. Moreover, if it was supposed to be a date, there isn't something to speculate as well. Aoshi has been, in every way, a gentleman.

"Do you not know him Ken-san? HE'S MY BOSS or are you having memory gap yet again?" she hissed.

"As a matter of fact Kao, I remember him clearly, but don't you think that's rather lewd of you to start dating your BOSS?"

Kaoru almost choked then her cheeks turned pink with embarrassment then red with anger. This man is despicable and without morals. How can he even say that in front of her boss? Gods! The insensitivity.

She breathed through her nostrils like a bull ready to attack a certain "red" target.

"That's Kaoru-dono to you, Himura—"

He nudged his head on the side with her retort.

"—and besides I do not owe you any explanation since you are still a contender to be a prospective brother-in-law so save yourself the trouble."

Kenshin wanted so much to pound the brat. Can she be at least grateful? He really thinks 19 is too early to date. Besides, the fact that her date has a mileage of years on her is something not very agreeable though the thought of having a younger date is quite atrocious as well.

Kaoru's eyes panned from left to right. Across her are people who maliciously think that this man, Aoshi Shinomori, which is beside her, wants to date her and vice versa. Though she accepts the examination from Tomoe and Enishi, she doesn't think the other two needs to scowl on her guest mainly because they are trying to overdo each other just to win Tomoe.

She rubbed her temples from the strangeness of the situation. She didn't imagine that a simple lunch meeting on a weekend could cause so much upheaval in their household.

"You see, SIBLINGS, Shinomori-san here just wanted to have a lunch meeting with me."

"On a weekend?" Akira inquired.

She nodded, "Yes, on a weekend."

"Why on a weekend, there are other working days to choose from, don't you think?" Kenshin interjected.

Aoshi not wanting to cause any more trouble than necessary let Kaoru handle the situation. Anyway, she is more versed with her family. He'll save her if it becomes more bothersome than it already is.

Kaoru, on the other hand, would have wanted so much to throw two men out of their house. The interrogation is really getting to her nerves by the moment. But her constant thrive for decent conversation is on the brink since the two trying-spectators doesn't seem to want to stop anytime soon.

And so, they barraged her with questions.

"You're still an intern. Aren't you overworking a bit for the part?" Akira added. Kenshin noted this and instantly thought of a question to challenge Akira's questioning.

"Or is this overworking thing borders on different definition?" Kenshin smugly asked.

Akira sensed what Kenshin was trying to do so he dropped another.

"Are you trying to bribe him so you could pass your internship with flying colors?" Akira grilled.

"Is Aoshi in any way pushing too far than necessary?"

Kaoru was getting dizzy looking from left to right with their nonsensical questions. She wanted to answer but she realized that the two morons are actually competing with themselves and no one actually cares about the situation truthfully. She could have tolerated it if they didn't course through to the topic that is so off-handed, insensitive and vile.

"Are you using yourself to accomplish all of that?" Akira finalized.

Kaoru's eyes blazed with fury that Yukishiros' identify as ballistic and so Tomoe abruptly covered the two men's mouth closed.

Kaoru stood with bowed head and an aura, if seen ordinarily, that is creating havoc already.

"You! You pathetic, conceited, overbearing, manipulative, bullheaded, cow-witted homo erectus are going to leave this house or I'll drag you myself to that cold tarmac nursing your fatally wounded self and ego."

Enishi knew what's definitely going to happen so he went over to Kaoru and started holding her. He has been a victim of that years ago and a week ago she surely was on the verge had she summon the strength to.

As if on cue, Kaoru started spitting obscenities and curses she could muster and reached for things and threw it at them. Akira and Kenshin just stared in disbelief at the roaring Kaoru.

Everybody was shock and frozen. Everybody didn't dare made a move except for Kenshin who grabbed Kaoru's hand, bowed to Tomoe and signaled Enishi to let go. When Enishi did, Kenshin pulled Kaoru with him to a run outside.

Honestly, he didn't know what came over him to save the hysterical brat but he was guilty as hell for what has transpired and the only vindication he could have is to placate her in whatever means that could work.

They ran for almost a minute but Kaoru still didn't look okay. She was catching her breath in between sobs while on the run. She was crying so hard one's going to think she'll faint anytime soon or dehydrate or die from lack of air.

He stopped and doubled over placing his hands on his knees for support. He took deep breaths himself before straightening up looking intently on Kaoru.

"Are you feeling better?"

His eyes scanned her face, every inch of it. She's gaining color now, he saw. Her eyes tantalizing with the pools of tears she's trying not to shed. Her lips quivered, her shoulders quaked and her chest rose and fell quickly from labored breaths.

She looked at him wanting to insult him, to degrade him, to wound him as much as they have wounded her, to let him feel embarrassed about the child play they had enacted. But she couldn't bring herself to, which is her weakness --confrontation. That is why, when everything builds up inside her, her only release is her hysterics. She was not one to cry, but when she did, she couldn't bring herself to stop, so as much as possible she wouldn't. She was never also brave in serious confrontations. She'd rather stock it all up than hurt someone, even indirectly, in anyway.

He waited for her to answer because that will give him relief. He was focusing on her face that he didn't realize soon enough the harsh slap that touched his cheek.

"Now, I'm feeling better."

She said in disgust then walked away.

The next morning, Kaoru was back to her old self. Though Tomoe and Enishi doubted her, they'd more likely want her to smile than mope and get depressed. Besides, if not talking about the subject or make an apology would make her feel better in the moment. They'd refrain from doing so until they feel it ok to do so.

"Kao, do you want me to drop you in the office or get you home after work?" Enishi asked out of goodness and guilt. Kaoru has always been the joy and the entertainment in the trio, if she keeps up with the mask, at the end of the day, she'll really be broken.

Kaoru sipped her coffee and boringly looked at Enishi.

"Do you need the car? I can lend it to you if you want. You don't have to fetch me. I can get by with train or cab."

Enishi had a car but it was brought to China two years ago by Kaoru's father thinking that he'll be staying for more than two years. Until now, his car hasn't arrived from China yet.

"No, not really. Just a thought."

Tomoe sat across Kaoru. She was worried with her. Damn those bakas for doing what they did but she can't alter them and yet she didn't even try stopping them which is what's eating her.

"Kao, do you mind if I ride with you after work?" She asked innocently.

"I would like to Tomoe but I'll be 'overworking' today. I need to finish some things."

Defeated in her attempts, Tomoe just let it go. She doesn't know how to drive because Kenshin has always driven her home but riding with Kao is a different matter. She wanted to talk to her but maybe today just wasn't a good time.

Kaoru left the house and just took a cab. She thought they might need the car, with them constantly hinting of its use.

The Yukishiros just looked at each other and sighed.

If the God's were in favor of someone, definitely without a doubt, that would be Kenshin Himura, the red-haired a--. His name was posted on my desk, a clear statement that he needs something from me. The nerve!

Yesterday was beyond me. Akira was his usual self, the ever trying to dip on others' problems and what better way to illustrate that is the situation he and Tomoe has got themselves into. But Ken-san, Himura, he was usually the 'I'm-not-interested-with-that-sort', 'let-them-be' or his usual dialogue to Tomoe when it concerns me or any member of the family which is 'They-have-a-mind-of-their-own'. Whatever has prompted Himura yesterday was absolutely extreme to extract that kind of behavior from him. Maybe he is sensing Tomoe's partiality towards Akira that's why. Well, I don't think they have to bother me for that.

I walked the halls of SNS, high-heels tapping on the marble floor, my eyes constantly strained upwards. I was thinking about yesterday so much I didn't notice Aoshi. One look at his bored look and cordial smirk made me blush from embarrassment. He might be thinking of my family and its weird extensions.

I waved my hand to him and smiled.

"Himura needs us. I think he'll be offering for you." He said as he gathered the folders from me like a gentleman.

"What is he going to offer? I've heard that when he came over to our house last time but I really didn't understand."

Aoshi kept walking, this time a little slower to catch my pace.

"You see Kao, we have a history of intern taking over the position of assistant for a project. Sometimes they even get the chance of managing it, that is, however, if the intern excels and has prior experience. That is what he might offer you."

Aoshi looked at me, studied me. I didn't react so quickly. If things are different between Kenshin and I, I would have jumped with joy over that offer but knowing him and his tactics I had to analyze first.

Aoshi led me to the elevator while I was in deep thought. He lounged himself on the elevator wall across me and looked at me carefully. He was trying to read me and I guess he did. Everybody does.

I looked at him and slanted my head and challenged him to read me just for amusement.

He looked at my eyes piercing them. Then at my surprise, he looked me from toe to head smiling with provocative sneer. He lingered his eyes on my hips and I was frozen on the spot. After, he settled his sights on my lips and smiled wider then to my eyes. I didn't mask my surprise. For all I know, he was only teasing.

I placed both hands on my hips and shot my brow up.

"So?"

He removed himself from the wall and walked towards me. I felt giddy. This man is by far, a very accomplished rake, a very attractive, gorgeous and accomplished rake.

He looked at me, this time he wasn't smiling and whispered huskily.

"I think your belt is too big it overwhelms your waist and your lipstick color is paler than your original lip color."

I laughed at that so hard. He joined in.

Of course he was teasing!

Aoshi and I have had this connection the night he rode me home when I was totally trying to kill Enishi in my mind. I guess he was the big-brother or best friend I was wishing for that never came true. Not that Enishi could not be a brother. He's like younger than me with his mentality and all.

I boxed Aoshi's shoulder before pushing him.

"You're spiteful!" I said jokingly.

He just smiled and rested beside me.

"Kao, if you do not want the offer, you know you don't have to accept."

"I know. Probably that's just a bribe for a truce."

"Probably. But he should realize that you really deserve it. If I were him, I'd really give it to you."

I smiled at that. It was refreshing to hear those words. I leaned my back on the same wall as Aoshi's and looked at him, still in deep thought. What he said was true, I deserve it and there's one way I can prove it.

The elevator door opened.

Kenshin stared at Aoshi and Kaoru. The man really is testing his patience. If he didn't know better, Aoshi could have been flirting with Kamiya and the chit, innocent as she is, could have welcomed it so openly. Didn't they know that elevators have small cameras? He'll try to ask a copy if he can.

Yesterday, Kamiya had shielded Aoshi from them. Now, as he observes the two, something feels off at the scene. Kaoru was lazily settled beside Aoshi, eyes looking at the man deeply while Aoshi looks at the ground. Were they dating? Does Tomoe know? He'll have to ask that as well. If she can't discipline her sister, maybe he can as her future-brother-in-law.

"Good afternoon, you two." His eyes never leaving Aoshi not wanting to miss anything he might do in a blink.

"Good afternoon, Himura."

Kaoru just bowed his head and walked out of the elevator. Aoshi followed and settled a hand on Kaoru's back as he lead her out. Kenshin noted this but let it pass. But he won't forget it. He was keeping tabs.

When they reached the office of SSC, Kenshin started the meeting and laid everything about the offer he was asking of Kaou and finalized.

"You don't have to make a decision right now. I want you to think twice or thrice deeply."

Kaoru looked at Aoshi then to Kenshin. She didn't want to overanalyze such an easy question. She has an answer already.

"I have a decision already. I accept your offer to be an assistant on this project."

Kenshin just shot his brows and extended his right hand. She accepted it with grace.

"Good." He commented.