"When it comes to mixing potions, the process is similar to cooking," explained Nekozawa, "All of the ingredients are essential and need to be measured properly and mixed accordingly. That being said, math is one of your greatest assets."

He and Haruhi were in the kitchen again, but this time, having moved all of the books to the living room, they would physically be concocting a potion. Haruhi flexed her fingers while she listened to Nekozawa talk about teaspoons and fractions, the difference between a pinch and a smidge, and just how dangerous adding a little more or not enough could put a person on the wire between life and death. This only made her more nervous, but Nekozawa promised to see her through every step. They were making a minor sedative, mainly used for calming one's nerves and usually taken mixed within a drink. Haruhi set to doing as much as she could on her own, having excelled in her math studies over the past few days. She had to do a good job, because she would be the one to test her own potion.

Haruhi had been with Nekozawa for nearly two weeks now, and she was beginning to get used to things. She still missed her family and friends to the highest degree, but that's not to say she wasn't trying her hardest to make the best of her situation. No regrets.

That's what she kept telling herself every time she looked at him.

"Hey, be careful with that! Don't put that in!" Nekozawa snapped. Haruhi was brought back to attention and steadied the glass jar before returning to its place on the shelf. She resumed stirring the peppermint scented concoction and put the lid on when Nekozawa instructed. The potion would be simmering for a few hours so it was time to get some schooling in. The two of them ventured to the living area where they sat down among the book strewn floor. Haruhi leaned her back up against the side of the fireplace – which almost looked like a hiding spot if you think about it – and Nekozawa was sitting at an angle in front of her. He shuffled through three different piles of books before he found the one he deemed most suitable. He tossed it to her.

"No conventional education today, kitten, strictly magic. First up: botany. You almost put deadly nightshade in out potion back there. While deadly nightshade is not fatal it does have the potency to knock a person out for several hours. You had the right path of mind, but you need to do some brushing up."

"…Kitten?"

"Ah, yes, I think it suits you. It seems like every little thing you do reminds me of a kitten: clumsiness, your dazed, intelligent expression, stretching after you wake up, curling up on the floor like you are now, and not to mention, you're just plain adorable and so-" Nekozawa stopped speaking abruptly. He immediately snapped his head to one of the windows up front and practically jerked Haruhi to her feet before shoving her into the bedroom. "Get in the closet and don't come out until I retrieve you," he ordered. Nekozawa pushed aside his robes so she could have a spot in the back.

"What's going on?"

"I have a visitor dear, and if you remember correctly one of the rules is that you keep yourself out of sight," he gave her a short kiss on the cheek, "I'll be back for you when he's gone, don't worry." Nekozawa then hurriedly left the room while Haruhi sat in the dark corner of his closet wondering if all the fuss was really necessary.

"Ne, Umehito, you bastard!" she heard through the walls. Whoever the visitor is was outside prodding the wooden door with something heavy. "Let me in before I let myself in, you conniving son of a bitch!"

"If you're referring me to the son of hell's hound, then I'm more likely to be flattered than insulted, you red-headed devil!" Nekozawa greeted back. Haruhi heard the door open and close and now the strange visitor was inside the house.

"Whoa, what are all these books for? Are you cleaning out your references? And what's with the calming potion on the stove; are you irritated? I bet it's because you knew I'd be coming to visit today."

"I'm just brushing up on some of the basics, Kaoru, but now that you mention it I'll have to drink some when you leave."

"Now, why would you say that, and after I travelled all this way just to give you a present?"

"Why are you wasting my time? I've got better things to do, you know."

"Hah, like brushing up on calming potions? That's child's play and you know it. So, what are you hiding? Is Bereznoff making you act weird?"

"I wouldn't put it past him. Besides, it's never a crime to review the basics, especially when you're working on an advanced spell."

"Oh, so it's a new spell! Why didn't you say so? Anyway, I've brought you some pixie dust from the castle's gardens since you said you were running out, and I also brought you some boar skin and my homemade magick wax. What you do with it is up to you. I just need some potions, and none of that peppermint swill, if you please."

"Oh, you're too flattering," grumbled Nekozawa. 'Haruhi can't stay in there forever,' he thought, 'how can I make this bastard leave faster?'

"-and I'd like some medicine for the flu, as well," finished Kaoru while Nekozawa was wrapped in his thoughts.

"Well, then follow me out to the shed and I'll help you pick some out."

Haruhi heard the pair of them leave and let out a loud sigh when she slumped back against the wall, hoping this stranger, Kaoru, would leave before she had to relieve herself.

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Nekozawa grudgingly led Kaoru to the sheds out back, all the while thinking of ways he could get rid of his rival as quickly as possible. Compared to the white wizard, Nekozawa looked like quite the commoner. He was wearing a loose, un-tucked, long-sleeved white shirt along with a pair of black breeches and black riding boots. His blonde hair was scraggly and untamed, and a layer of sweat had formed over his body while he was working in the hot kitchen with Haruhi. The humidity of the swamp outside did little to alleviate his mood.

Kaoru, on the other hand, looked calm and cool. He had on a light blue vest over a long-sleeved white shirt with ruffles down the front. Both his breeches and riding boots were a solid white and looked very clean. Over all of this Kaoru wore a large flowing white hooded cloak embroidered with intricate light blue designs. A travelling pack was slung over his shoulder and on the opposite side – in his right hand – he had a long white and silver staff with an unimaginably large pearl at the top surrounded by tear-shaped frames; the staff was a good two feet taller than him. And finally, on his left middle finger, there was a solid gold ring embossed with the royal crest.

Nekozawa unlocked the sheds and ushered Kaoru in; rather, he roughly shoved him on the shoulder and pushed him through the door.

"Hey! Now, what's all the rush? You must be hiding something. I'm sure of it!"

"Just take what you need and leave. I'm very busy today."

"I can see that," Kaoru snickered, "What are you going to make next; stitching syrup?"

"I am a healer, after all. Now, hurry up." Nekozawa was growing more irritated by the second.

Kaoru eyed the half-dead man slumped in the corner of the shed behind the cauldron. "Though, some would find your methods a little uncouth, I hope that this one at least deserved it."

"Deserving is a matter that can never truly be measured. He was just simply at the wrong place at the wrong time. Now, if you don't mind, I'd prefer it if you hauled ass and left. Surely the royal family will not be pleased if they discover that you've been associating with me. The prince, above all else, is not especially thrilled by my existence. Now, do you mind?"

"Alright, alright," went Kaoru as he scanned the shelves for his desired potions, "You want me gone, I get it." He picked up a few bottles and boxes and deftly put them in his pack. Nekozawa seemed to breathe a sigh of relief and held the door open for his dear old friend. The two men stepped out and he relocked the shed.

"You my friend," continued Kaoru, "should get laid…as soon as possible, which reminds me, we have a new courtesan at the palace. Her name's Eclaire. I've tried having a go at her, but she won't let anyone except the prince near her. And even he's keeping his distance. I wonder what her game is. She won't last at palace very long if she keeps this up."

"Please stop with this incessant rambling immediately, and kindly leave my property. I'd love to duel you, but today's not a good day. I haven't channeled Bereznoff in a while and I'm lagging in my prayers-"

"Say no more, I'm off. Keep in mind though; I won't announce myself the next time I decide to visit."

"I look forward to it," said Nekozawa as he escorted Kaoru to his horse. The brilliant gray steed was left outside of Nekozawa's property for its own safety.

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Neko-sensei had been gone for a fairly long time. Curiosity hadn't caused her to leave the closet and peek out the window, but she was worried the calming potion would over boil and be utterly useless. She got to the window just in time to see a handsome red-head ride away on a gray horse, and Nekozawa was nowhere to be seen.

"Tsk, Tsk, kitten. I thought I made myself clear. Why did you leave your hiding spot?" Nekozawa was behind her in the doorway, and he did not sound happy.