[...so it's with a VERY HEAVY SIGH that he shifts his bags again, finally stepping away from the door and moving toward the stove. there's no reason not to eat just because Shinpachi is here. he keeps a careful eye on him just in case, but otherwise goes through the motions of preparing for a meal without fuss. things are taken from the bags and laid out on the counter - rice, meat, even some tinned vegetables - and the bags themselves are neatly folded and set to the side.

when Kaoru speaks again, there's a lilting note of amusement in his tone. it's not a pleasant one.]

I'm a little surprised, hearing that kind of naive opinion from a member of the Shinsengumi. Aren't you supposed to be feared assassins; men who would cut each other down in the blink of an eye if necessary? [no kaoru that is just okita] You talk like you don't know of the world at all.