That woman with her painted lips, manners and simply by being her brought out all of Kaoru's insecurities. She was raised as a real woman while Kaoru grew up among men and boys, knowing nothing about how to behave as a girl.
She handled it the only way she knew how— by temper tantrums. Which made things worse.
After a particularly disastrous evening, she sat outside on her favorite spot, berating herself for loosing her cool, again.
"She doesn't mean harm, you know." Kenshin stepped up to her quietly, leaning against the other side of the beam next to her. "She envies you, that she does."
Lifting doubtful bluebeyes at his profile, she raised an eyebrow. "Envy me?"
"You have a freedom that she wishes she had, that you do."
"I find it hard to imagine that she would want to be sweaty and loud." Kaoru snorted.
"No, not that. But you speak your mind like she never could, that you do. And" he paused to catch her eye as a small, knowing smile teased his lips." She's just as clueless about how to behave around you, as you are."
With that, he bowed his head slightly and left her to think.
———————————
An.: Sorry for the delay. Here's the newest one. I have to admit that I needed several years to understand and appreciate Megumi. Now I'd like to think I do.