Karta: Hey there! I updated much sooner this time! Anyway, I had to do a bit less editing than I like so it's only been looked over two or three times. Please excuse any mistakes, I promise to fix them later. Oh and thank you again reviewers!

DISCLAIMER: I own nothing! But THANK YOU SO MUCH for bringing up SUCH a painful subject.

P.S.: Kenshin's a bit OOC in the chapter, sorry!

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Sano glared at the apron pinched between his thumb and forefinger. It wouldn't be quite as humiliating if the thing wasn't frilly.

"Sanosuke, I'm back!" Tae rushed through the doors of her restaurant with a smile that didn't seem to reach her eyes.

"Alright! Here's your apron." Sano flung it at the brunette, who caught it with surprisingly little effort.

"Thanks Sano. Will I be adding anything to your tab?" She asked briskly. Sano gave her an insulted glare.

"You most certainly will not!" He looked mock horrified, "Anyway, I better be going."

"Wait!" Sano turned back to stare at the businesswoman, "I mean. . . Can you tell me something?"

"Ah, Sure. What is it?" Sano leaned closer, simply to unnerve her further.

"Well I was kind of wondering. . .um. . . How well do you know Karou?"

"Pretty well."

"Then, well, does she. . . That is to say" Tae struggled to find the right words, "I'm beginning to think she um, prefers the company of women." She finally managed to say, rather quickly.

"Huh?"

"Well, it's not that I have a problem with that kind of thing, but I was so sure that she and Kenshin. . ." Tae trailed of uncomfortably.

"You mean. . .?" Sano's look was one of shock, for a second anyway, "Well I guess she could be attracted to women. Then again, her and Kenshin are pretty close."

"Yeah, but I went over there and you see I met Karou's friend Katana." Tae began, "Then Karou pushed me out of the dojo entrance and made sure I left, which I did. But then I looked down I noticed my purse was gone, and I remembered that I left it leaning against the fence around the dojo."

"Your purse?" Sano arched one eyebrow.

"It was one of those awkward western purses that merchants import every so often." She explained, then continued, "Anyway, I went back to get it and when I got to the dojo I saw Karou and her friend hugging, pretty intimately I might add."

"Huh. Not a friendly hug then." Sano turned to go again, "I need to meet this Katana. I'll see you, Tae."

"Alright. tell me if you find anything."

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Sano started towards the dojo doors slowly, trying to make as little noise as possible. Once he reached the thin screens that made up the entrance to Karou's home bits of conversation could be heard through the walls.

". . . love. . . . . .It's. . . you. . . .!"

"I. . . love. . . . . . you!"

Sanosuke opened the door with much curiosity. There Sano was forced to look through some strange powdered white substance that filled the room. It was difficult but he could make out the shape of Karou and her, female, companion KISSING!

"Tae was right!" He exclaimed surprised.

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Moments before in the dojo. . .

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"Karou, is this really necessary?"

"Yes, Kenshin. Even I wear make-up every once in a while." Karou powdered Kenshin's nose a bit more.

"But *ACHOO* I can't *HACK, HACK* see!" Kenshin's violet eyes watered as the powdery substance seemed to make seeing and breathing impossible.

"Oh, sit still! We're not even close to finished." Karou scolded, "Oh I love this shade of lipstick. It's the absolute perfect color for you!"

"I do not love any of this Karou-dono!" Kenshin exclaimed, very desperate, "Please, don't make me cross dress! I beg of you!" The warrior broke into sobs.

"Oh Kenshin. . ." Karou was really beginning to feel bad about the whole situation. She gave him a comforting, friendly little hug, then pulled back, "Feel better."

"Tae was right!" Both turned at the sound of a familiar voice. Sano just stood at the doorway. It only took a few seconds for Kenshin to jump up as well.

"I need to do laundry. I think I forgot to hang the d- d- DARKSSSS" More sobs came followed by the thin warrior running past Sano towards the outdoors.

"Huh? What's wrong with her Jo-chan. I really don't care if you two elope you know." Sano sat down with Karou. The explosion soon followed.

"You IDIOT! What do you mean by 'her' anyway! Kenshin's still a GUY! AND WHO SAID WE WOULD ELOPE!" Karou ranted.

"That was Kenshin?"

"Who else you MORON!" Karou screeched.

"Uh heh heh. Funny story."

"Yeah well, I need to check on Kenshin. I think all these frills have gone to his head." Karou stood, then added, "But after making him cry I'm sure you've noticed THAT!"