What Does it Matter?
"Are you sure she's with Sano, Yahiko? She didn't go off by herself? Was she upset?"
"Geez, Kenshin why worry so much? Busu went off with rooster-head and she's fine." As an after thought he added, "At least I think she is."
"What do you mean you think? She is or she isn't. Which is it?"
Muttering things to himself like 'crazy rurouni' and 'must talk to Kaoru about crazy Kenshin' Yahiko finally answered," Well, while she was dragging Sano off she complemented me on my budo (AN: Once again I don't know.) skills but I was just swinging my practice sword around."
"Now that is strange. I wonder…" Before Kenshin could finish musing he was interrupted by laughing and the cause of laughter, Kaoru and Sano.
"Oi! Kenshin is dinner ready? Boy am I glad you took tonight, if I had to eat some of 'Jou-chan's cooking I wouldn't be able to stand tomorrow."
"What's that supposed to mean? You don't like my cooking?" Kaoru knew her cooking was toxic, but she decided to play the docile girl who has never heard anything insulting before. From the looks on the face of Kenshin, Sano, and Yahiko it would seem she was a better actress than she previously thought.
"Kaoru-dono I'm sure-"
"Busu you know that's-"
"Kaoru you know perfectly well that I only bother teasing you about your cooking so you'll fell inspired to improve." 'Please don't let her cry' Sano thought to himself. 'She's too vulnerable right now. Ouch!' With her fist in Sano's arm Kaoru just laughed with delight.
"Oh, Sanosuke. I was teasing you. What's the matter? Can't take your own medicine?"
"Why you little- Yahiko on the count of three. One…"
"What are you guys planning?" Kaoru started to back up.
"Don't worry ugly, you'll get what's coming to you."
"Three!" And Yahiko and Sano both made a leap for Kaoru. Sano got to her first and started to tickle her. Unable to take joy in the scene unfolding in front of him, Kenshin walked away saying, "Dinner is already ready."
The three remaining stared after him and exchanged glances.
"Yahiko, is Kenshin still acting abnormal?"
"Yeah. What got into his miso soup this morning? He did cook didn't he?"
"Well you know I didn't…" Kaoru silently stared at the direction had left and sighed. Sano heard the sigh and looked at his friend. Putting his arm around her shoulders he lead her into the dinning room.
"Hey! What's with you two?"
"Huh?" Kaoru still looked dazed.
"Running off for a lover's tryst and now cuddling in the yard?!?! No wonder Kenshin is acting strange. Geez, I didn't think roosters went for raccoons. Guys? Guys?" The last remark Yahiko made fell upon deaf ears seeing as Sanosuke and Kaoru had already left.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
'Is that what Kenshin thinks? That Sano and I are…' Kaoru blushed at the thought and then remembered 'What does it matter? We're not in love and never were.' She braided her hair and slipped on to her futon. Asleep in mere minutes, she didn't notice her bedroom door quitely open, nor the shadowy figure.