"She's the one that went after him without reason," Kaoru replied pointedly, not liking this other person's tone one bit. But, Kenshin was right, they had a place to be, and she didn't want to be late. Later, she knew, she would look back and congratulate herself on keeping her temper so well. That, or she would just take her frustrations out on Kenshin later. Still, it didn't stop her from gripping her skillet a little tighter, as she walked around Sen and Okita and behind Kenshin.

"We don't have time for this, Kenshin. Or for her. Let's go." Her voice felt strange to her, as if she were walking on a very thin rope and if she let herself sound any softer or any angrier the rope would break and she would just go on a pan-whacking spree. That woman had hurt Kenshin, and in the back of her mind, Kaoru knew she would find a way to make her pay for it. She started off down the hall without him briskly.