a/n: Gah, it's a week late, I know, I know... Things have been hectic lately, so I can't promise a weekly update anymore... But I'll try my best! Don't forget to review!

Disclaimer: We all want Kenshin body-slaves. Sadly, we can't all have one...

Exchange
Chapter Twelve: Acting

Kenshin wasn't in the living room when Kaoru crawled out of the shower hours after their kiss. She had decided against talking to Megumi on the grounds that the older demon would tease her for enjoying it. She fiddled with the ends of her wet hair and sighed before settling down on the couch.

He hadn't been forcing her into that horrendous cage for a while and she doubted he would ever make her occupy it again. Her head sunk into the pillows and she closed her eyes, letting the heat of the fire wrap around her. She drifted off in a matter of minutes, the last thing on her mind her roommate.

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Kenshin sighed deeply and stared at his ceiling. He hadn't wanted to face her again after she emerged from the bathroom so he'd fled. The idea that he was a coward made him sick, but he wasn't ready to face her just yet. He closed his eyes in hopes of falling asleep but he knew it wasn't going to happen; he had too many things racing through his mind.

If he did get any sleep tonight it would be filled with sinful dreams of running his hands through raven black hair and lips traveling over ivory skin. He groaned and rolled over trying to drive his mind away from the tempting thoughts.

Her annoying habits had attracted him to her from the start even if he had denied it at first. The way her eyes narrowed into a vicious glare when she was angry, the way she snapped at him in two word sentences, those endearing childish pouts…

And her smile. He rarely saw it, but when he did it was something he made sure to memorize. A soft smile worked it's way up to his lips as he continued thinking about her against his will.

He hadn't really meant to kiss her tonight. It had just sort of… happened. He was glad he had though. The feel of her lips against his was a better sensation than he ever could've imagined and he wasn't even going to start thinking about her tongue…

"Gah," he muttered, rolling over again, attempting to find some semblance of peace.

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Kaoru steadily avoided his gaze all morning by keeping her eyes trained on the movement of her hands. She was taking deep breaths going through the movements of her routine stretches. She could feel his hot amber eyes roving her figure as it twisted into different positions and for once, it made her self conscious. Her face flamed as she struggled to hold her positions. She lost her balance with her thoughts and finally turned around to face him.

"Will you stop staring?"

"Hmmm?" he asked, managing to look convincingly bewildered at her request.

"You." She pointed at him. "Have been staring at me all morning. I can't stretch like this."

"I was just making mental notes," he answered.

"Of what?"

'The curve of your neck. The way your back arches…'

"Your stretches."

She raised a skeptic eyebrow. "Liar," she whispered.

"Pardon?"

"You lie. I think you were checking me out," she said, sticking her tongue out.

It was so unusual for her to let loose like this, but she figured it could only do good for the charade she was attempting to pull off. He managed to look a little surprised and embarrassed by her observation, but he didn't deny it. She moved forward, swaying her hips naturally as she did until she was standing right in front of him. She pushed her index finger into his chest and raised her lips to his ear.

"You think I'm attractive," she murmured, her lips brushing his ear with every syllable.

"I…" Kenshin could find no words to respond intelligently so stayed quiet instead.

She laughed softly before pushing away from him and returning to her stretches. She had hoped that she fixed his staring problem, but she stood corrected when she felt his eyes on her again. She closed her own eyes and smiled secretly. She may not know a lot about love, but she sure was learning how to drive Kenshin crazy quickly.

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Enishi fumed as he melted into the shadows. She was interfering. She was interfering with his Jinchuu. He growled at a passerby making them look at the shadows a second time before passing it off as their imagination and continuing on. He sighed, knowing that scaring humans would do him no good in his current position.

He had originally planned on using Kaoru, but he didn't really think that was a good idea anymore. She would kill him on the spot if he aggravated her enough. He had almost expected her to do away with him during their last meeting. He supposed she would have if he hadn't fled when he did.

It gave him time to plan. And what a careful plan he was crafting. She would die along side her precious lover. She would die by Battousai's hand, the way his sister had, and then, Battousai would die by his hand. He grinned manically as his plans flashed through his mind. Yes… Tomoe would have her revenge and he would have his on his dear leader…

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Kaoru chewed on her bottom lip, thinking back on her encounter with Enishi. He was out of his mind, to say the least. And he was scheming. She just knew it. He'd never been a problem when Tomoe was around, but now that she was gone, there was no one to keep him under control. She shot a glance around the empty living room, wondering if Kenshin would mind if she left for a bit.

He was in the shower so her original plan was out of the question; there was no way she could attempt to find Enishi by scrying for him. She would have used the bathtub, but Kenshin was showering… She supposed she could fill the kitchen sink with water, but she'd rather not have to answer all the questions that Kenshin would ask when he found her dangling a jewel over his kitchen sink that was full of water.

She threw another look towards the bathroom door before getting up. There was one person in this world that would be able to tell her where he was. He was probably expecting her by now. Then again, he probably knew that Enishi was after her and Battousai now…

And she would so hate to disappoint him by not showing up.

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She was gone. Kenshin cursed and fiercely towel dried his hair. Not even a stupid note saying, "Be back soon," or something. He wasn't terribly happy that she'd disappeared on him again, but there really was nothing he could do.

He threw his damp towel down on the couch and sat down next to it with his arms crossed over his chest. She was so damn confusing. One second she was driving him insane with her teases and the next she was pissing him off by leaving without a word.

He wanted to vent his frustrations on something. Anything. He grabbed his sword and made for the door. He hoped she got back before he did, because he'd be more than angry if she was still gone when he returned.