Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ Separate Lives ❯ chapter 8 ( Chapter 8 )

Separate Lives

by

Barbara Sheridan

(based on characters created by Nobuhiro Watsuki)

Chapter 8

Aoshi peered in the window closest to Megumi's front door. He'd been knocking for some time. Surely the housekeeper was home at this time of day.

"Takani-san is not at home today," A passing neighbor called.

"She's at the clinic then."

"No. She has left Aizu---" Before the man could finish, Aoshi had sprinted out of sight.

***

"If she didn't tell you herself, then perhaps... I... shouldn't..." Dr. Oguni's voice faded the harsher Aoshi's expression became.

"Where is she?" he asked , pausing between each word, biting back the turmoil boiling within him.

She left for Tokyo two weeks ago. She's gone to deliver the Himura baby."

"And you allowed this?" Aoshi's bellow rattled the window frames. "You should have forbidden her! You, of all people should know how torturous that will be for her!"

The doctor met the ninja's venomous glare with a look of calm detachment. "I am neither her father nor her husband. I have no right to forbid Megumi any more than you do."

Aoshi clenched his hands into fists. "It will crush her to see Himura fawning over the Kamiya woman's child while her own must go unrecognized."

"Then perhaps she needs someone who cares for her there to support her. Although Sakura accompanied her, I don't believe she' s ever been told the circumstances of Kaemon's birth."

Aoshi was gone before the doctor finished his sentence.

* * * *

Tokyo

A small clock chimed midnight minutes after the room resounded with the wails of newborn boy and the excited shouts of Yahiko who'd been pacing outside the door.

"He's so tiny, that he is," Kenshin Himura said as he hesitantly took his son in his arms for the first time.

"They usually are," Megumi said dully as she finished cleaning the exhausted Kaoru and changing the linens on the futon. She removed the soiled things then washed her hands and returned to the bedroom, her heart cleaving at the sight of Kenshin sitting beside Kaoru, his arm around her as she nursed their dozing baby.

Megumi cleared her throat as much to get Kenshin's attention as to stop the cry of anguish that wanted to escape her throat. "I'm going to make some tea. Would you like some Ken-san?"

"No, T. thank you. Kaoru?"

"I am a little thirsty. Thank you Megumi."

Megumi nodded then exited the room. She put water on to boil then went to stand outside the kitchen door, leaning back against the wall, her eyes closed. She remembered Kae's birth almost two years ago. She'd been so frightened, so sad that she could never give him the proper family, the loving father that he deserved. Young Kenji would have that and more.

"I was such a fool," she whispered into the darkness.

"Oro?"

Megumi jumped at the sound of Kenshin's voice. He gave her a long questioningly look and she had the distinct impression that he could read her mind and know the secret she'd spent so much energy concealing.

He seemed about to speak but stopped and turned swiftly, his eyes narrowed, their color turning from the usual violet shade. "Someone is out front."

Megumi breathed a small sigh of relief. It was probably just Yahiko coming back with a bottle of sake to celebrate. Perhaps she should get one too--to drown her many sorrows-

Her thoughts broke off abruptly as she heard Kenshin's voice and that of-

"Aoshi?" she whispered when he appeared in the kitchen, hands stuffed into the pockets of his coat.

He cleared his throat. "I was in the area on business. It ran longer than expected. I was arranging a room when I ran into Yahiko. I know it's quite late, but I wanted to congratulate Kenshin."

"Oh," Megumi said quietly, chiding herself for her initial impression. The tea kettle whistled and she stepped back inside. Kenshin held up his hand.

"Allow me. You must be quite tired Megumi-dono."

She nodded. "A little," she said easing down to the floor, ordering herself not to stare at Aoshi.

Kenshin fixed two pots of tea and set one on the table in front of where Megumi sat. He placed the other on a small tray. "Would you like to see Kaoru and the baby, Aoshi?"

"If you don't mind I'll stop back in the morning before I leave Tokyo."

Kenshin smiled, offered a quick bow then left.

Satisfied that he was out of earshot, Aoshi sat. "How are you holding up through all this?"

"I've delivered a lot of babies. The long labor was harder on Kaoru than me."

Aoshi reached out to take Megumi's hand. "You know what I mean."

Megumi set down her cup and went outside, feeling Aoshi's presence directly behind her. She stopped and turned, valiantly holding in the tears. "I know I have no right…I know it shouldn't... but...it hurts..." Her lower lip trembled and though she hugged her arms across her middle to contain it, her pain broke free in a rain of silent tears.

Aoshi enfolded her in his arms, wishing he could take her pain and make it his own. She didn't deserve this. She deserved a happy life. Her son deserved a happy life.

"He should be told," Aoshi said softly once Megumi's tears subsided. "He needs to assume responsibility for his first born."

Megumi pulled back, shaking her head violently. "No. Never. I want Kaemon to know a father's love and guidance but not if its forced. "

"Forced? How could it be forced? Any man would be proud to call your son his. He's a fine boy with a strong warrior's spirit."

Megumi shook her head and turned away. "I can't. I won't."

Perhaps you should claim the boy. You love him as a son. You love his mother, want her for your own...

Aoshi's gaze darted to the left. He thought he saw Hannya. Hearing a sound behind him, he turned quickly. It was Himura. His eyes narrowed as he saw the former hitokiri's attention shift from him to Megumi.

"I didn't mean to interrupt. I wanted to know if you would be spending the night, Megumi-dono." He turned his head. "And you are welcome as well Aoshi. I will prepare the rooms-"

"No," Megumi said. I have the room at the inn. Kaoru doesn't need me now. I'll check on her then come back in the morning."

After looking to Aoshi who shook his head, Kenshin nodded then withdrew back into the dojo as silently as he'd come.

"You'll let me walk you to the inn?"

"All right. I'll be ready in a few minutes."

Aoshi stared off into the darkness. He wanted more than anything to give Megumi the life she deserved but he couldn't. He couldn't take the chance of putting her or Kae in danger.

Are you sure?His heart asked. Or are you the one in danger of falling prey to 'foolish emotions'?

Thankfully, Megumi returned before he had to supply an answer.