A dry heave nearly escaped her lungs, but Kaoru managed to keep herself silent. She felt very exposed in her night gown with a glaring Kenshin-no-Bottousai holding tightly onto her. She knew that struggling wasn't an option, nor should it even be a concern. This was Kenshin, he wouldn't hurt her in a million years. Why did she have the urge to run? She mentally repeated to herself. He wasn't Battousai the Manslayer. He was Kenshin Himura.

That cold glare was scary. Kaoru was taken back in time when she was a child and forced to sleep by herself for the first time in her own room. Her child self was sure that without the presence of her parents, the darkness would turn into a giant monster and eat her up. That same raw terror she felt back then had returned, and because of Kenshin no less.

"What are you doing, Miss Kaoru?" Kenshin forced himself to look slightly less angry but the rage was still there, "Why are you trying to sneak out?"

There was nothing she could do. She was caught. But she refused to act like a helpless child, not after all the years of training she had in order to be as strong as she possibly could be. She would honor her father by refusing to cower in fear.

It took a few seconds for her to gather her nerve to respond.

"I couldn't sleep and I didn't want to deal with you."

Kenshin appeared shocked, like he had no idea that Kaoru was getting fed up with him. Did he honestly not realize this? At least he no longer looked like the scary angry Battousai he just was mere seconds ago.

"I understand that I'm being a bit pushy," he admitted.

A bit?

But Kaoru was relieved to hear this from Kenshin. Maybe he was finally snapping out of it. Maybe Battousai was starting to hit the road?

Then Kenshin's face hardened once more.

"But I have my reasons."

The nerve. He was actually justifying himself for his creepy behavior! Kaoru was livid because she knew what this meant for her. As long as Kenshin felt justified, he was going to keep acting like this. She threw his hand away and backed away with a glare.

"Listen Kenshin. You've lost it. Ever since you fought off that man, which I'm grateful for, by the way. I really am! But ever since that, you've been acting like I'm going to kill myself the second you look away. It's obsessive!"

There was silence after that, with nothing breaking the night quiet except Kaoru's heavy breathing. She had just finished with her rant. But she felt the dread because she knew this wasn't her normal outburst. She didn't scream at Kenshin Himura, but at the legendary Manslayer. What was he going to do?

Kenshin was hurt for a second, but then his expression contorted in rage. Kaoru held her breath when he took a step closer.

"Is that really what you think?" he asked in a low, dark voice.

Despite telling herself not to look afraid, Kaoru backed up even more quickly than before. He glided toward her. Literally. One second he was a few feet away and the next he was towering right in front of her, and Kaoru didn't hear one footstep from him. He held her chin to keep her from looking away, silently demanding that she stared straight into his hard eyes.

"Well, you're right."

Kaoru barely managed to find her voice.

"I…am?" she squeaked out.

Kenshin seemed to find her fear cute, rather than trying to comfort her like the Kenshin Kaoru knew. The sly smile that spread on his face made Kaoru realize that she was talking to a whole different person.

"It's true. I'm not entirely sure why, but that man stirred something in me. So yes. You're right in accusing me of being obsessive and unreasonable."

He leaned in toward her until his hot breath whispered in her ear.

"But I don't care."

Kaoru's eyes burst out wide in shock at the confession. Kenshin leaned his head away to gaze her reaction. The young lady was trembling in fear, desperately wishing that Kenshin would snap out of it. That he would apologize and be sweet again and act humble and say oro and just be Kenshin. The Kenshin that she fell in love with.

But the samurai grabbed hold of her arm and gently but firmly led her back inside. She didn't struggle this time. His statement left her paralyzed and bewildered. All she wanted to do was be alone and think for a moment.

It seemed that Battousai was at least willing to grant her that wish. Once at the door of her bedroom, he paused and ushered her inside. Trying not to look at him, Kaoru went in and shut the door quickly in his face.

Of course, he was still out there. He was right outside the door, in the darkness just like the hungry monster she had feared as a child. Kaoru fell to the floor and sighed.

The light from the window woke her up, the sun making her wince before blinking her eyes open. Another beautiful day was here but she was not in any state to enjoy it. For the first time, she didn't want to immediately head to the kitchen and fix something. She wanted to stay in the safety and solitude of her room for as long as she could.

A knock on the door.

"Miss Kaoru. Are you awake? Breakfast is ready."

It sounded just like the usual Kenshin's voice. But no. Kaoru would not be fooled again. She held onto her knees and bit her lip to keep silent. Kenshin tried a few more knocks before leaving. He gave up. Good.

She sat there for who knew how long before another knock came.

"Hey, are you in there?"

Thank goodness. It was Yahiko's voice. Kaoru opened the door and found him frowning up at her.

"Come on," he urged, "You said you would teach me a new move today. Let's go."

No sign of Kenshin. At least not for now. Kaoru breathed out a relieved sigh.

"Okay."