Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ To Love Again ❯ Chapter 9 ( Chapter 9 )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: Silent Tears of Agony 
Anime/Manga: Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Drama / Romance / Angst | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 04.13.2005 | Pages: 5 | Words: 4.9K | Visits: 935 | Status: Completed
Anime/Manga: Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Drama / Romance / Angst | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 04.13.2005 | Pages: 5 | Words: 4.9K | Visits: 935 | Status: Completed
Title: To Love Again ; Chap: 9
Ack! Over 100 reviews! You people are not helping my guilt complex! :(
Before I forget, I want to let you know that I'm hosting a fanfic challenge/contest. If you're interested you can check out my site for details (you can find the link on my bio page).
Many thanks to Pinay Tiger and Night Impfor being my beta-readers.
-
"Kenji?" Kenshin quietly closed the front door and padded over to the living room.
"Kenji? Kozuke?" A dark head turned at Kenshin's inquiry.
"Uncle Kenshin!" Kozuke ran over and glomped onto Kenshin's leg. Kenshin chuckled and tousled the boy's hair.
"Well I'm glad to see you too! But where's Kenji?" His question was answered when he felt a small weight attach itself to his other leg. Kenshin patted his son's bright head and flicked his nose when Kenji lifted his face up to smile at his father. Kenshin half-smiled at his son's sleepy expression. Just like him, his son was not a morning person.
"Hey sport." Kenshin's attention was drawn away when he heard a small groan come from the couch. He had to fight to keep a grin off his face. Kaoru was in the process of sitting up and she looked cute with her hair mussed from the previous night's sleep and the sleepy expression in her eyes.
Kaoru yawned and stretched, trying to gather her bearings. Once she did she blushed in embarassment and hurried to straighten up her hair. Having the man who was both her crush and her boss see her first thing in the morning was not high on her priority list.
"Morning," she mumbled. Kenshin nodded his head in greeting. "Did uh, Megumi-san have her baby?"
"Oh yeah," Kenshin looked down to smile at his nephew. "You have a little sister." Kozuke regarded his uncle with distaste.
"A sister? But what can you do with a girl?" His statement caused Kaoru to raise an eyebrow.
'What indeed.'
Kenshin chuckled, "why don't you wait until you see her before you make any decisions. You two get changed. And be quick about it!" he added as they ran up the stairs. With them gone Kenshin found himself standing in awkward silence while Kaoru stiffly folded the blanket she had used.
It was Kenshin who finally spoke through the smothering air. "Megumi and Sano would like it if you came with us to the hospital."
'But you wouldn't?' It was always Megumi or, sometimes, Sano who asked for her company. Never Kenshin. Did he really find her company so displeasing?
"Thank you. I would like that too." Kaoru went back to trying to untangle her hair with her fingers.
"Here." Kaoru blinked a couple of times when she found a comb shoved in her hands.
"So you can comb your hair," Kenshin explained a tad impatiently. Kaoru rolled her eyes.
"Well I know that, it's just . . ." Kenshin crossed his arms and looked down at Kaoru, causing her to squirm. "I just woke up, how do you expect me to act? Besides, it really isn't good to use a comb on long hair if its dry. Not that I'm ungrateful or anything." Kaoru started to fidget with the comb.
Kenshin rolled his eyes and stuck his hand out. "If you're not going to use my comb then I would like it back."Kaoru held it to her chest in a possessive gesture, which was strange when she thought about it considering it wasn't hers. "No, no. I'll use it. Once shouldn't hurt anything."
Kenshin shrugged his shoulders in annoyance. "Whatever." He left Kaoru feeling guilty, but over what she couldn't figure out.
.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
"I'm glad you could make it missy."
"Thank you for inviting me, Sagara-san." Sano shook his head.
"How many times do I have to tell you to call me Sano?" He picked up Kozuke and set him on his hip. Both she and Megumi are sleeping right now," he whispered as they entered the maternity room. "So we have to be quiet."They all gathered around the crib to hover overthe baby and Kenshin picked his son up to give him a better view.
"She's very red." Kozuke whispered loudly.
"And small," Kenji added.
Sano chuckled, "believe it or not you two used to be just as red and small as she is."
Kaoru smiled softly. Her hand ached to caress the infant's sure-to-be-smooth skin, but she was afraid of waking the child. "She is adorable Sagara-san."
Sano gave a proud smile. "Thanks missy."
"Have you decided on a name yet?" Kenshin asked.
Sano nodded, "we're naming her Taki, after my grandmother."
"Do you have a middle name?"
"Grace."
Sano scratched his head and shrugged his shoulders when Kenshin raised a questioning eyebrow. "Meg insisted."
"I think its a pretty name," Kaoru defended.
"Thank you Kaoru. I'm glad to hear somebody agree with me." Everyone turned around when they heard Megumi's tired voice.
"Mommy!" Kozuke opened his arms and ran toward his mother. Megumi opened her arms to recieve him in a hug.
"Hi baby." She kissed her son on the head. "So what do you think of your new sister?" Kozuke shrugged his shoulders.
"She's okay I guess." Megumi smiled and rubbed his arm.
"Is she sleeping?" She asked Sano.
"Yeah."
"Mom here yet?" Sano shook his head.
"Oh it sounds like Taki's waking up." Sano picked her up and walked over to the bed Megumi and Kozuke were lying on. "Would you like to hold her Kozuke?"
He nodded and stuck his arms out. Kenshin tugged on Kenji's and Kaoru's sleeves. "Let's leave hem alone for awhile and go get breakfast."
.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
By the time they got back Megumi's mother and step-father had shown up. Megumi passed Kenshin on her way back from the bathroom and sniffed. "I smell french fries." Her eyes narrowed.
"We . . . ate out for breakfast."
"And you didn't bring me anything?"
"I was just looking out for your health!" Kenshin tried very hard not to cower but sometimes his sister could be very intimidating. And it just wasn't fair that she was taller than him to boot!
Megumi huffed and walked over to join her mother. "I don't know why you didn't quit while you were ahead and stop after me mom." She winked at Kenshin to let him know she was just teasing him. Their mother smiled.
"Megumi this is the cutest little baby I've ever seen." Kenshin grinned and leaned against the door jamb.
"You say that about every baby mom!" His mother turned to greet him with a bright smile.
"But she is, she has her mother's ears, her father's nose, and her granpa's eyes."
"Yes, and when Sano's relatives see her they'll be saying how much she looks like their side of the family." His mother laughed a bright, beautiful laugh and walked up to her son to give him a kiss and hug.
"How are you sweetie?"
"I'm good mom, real good."
"I'm glad." She bent down to squeeze Kenji into a hug. "And look at you Kenji! My goodness you've gotten so big I hardly even recognize you."
While Kenshin's family was busy exchanging greetings, Kaoru took the opportunity to assess his mother. She was about the same height as Kaoru and had a similar build as well and Kaoru envied the grace with which she carried herself. Her hair was the same gorgeous red as Kenshin's with a few silver streaks weaved in the strands, while her eyes were a warm violet.
'What an unusual color.' Kenshin's mom stood before Kaoru.
"And who is this young lady?"
"It's not what you think mom," Kenshin rolled his eyes at the dissapointment on his mother's face. "She's Kenji's nanny." Even though Kaoru knew this to be true, she still felt a little sting of depression at his words. It felt as if that defined all she was in his eyes.
Maybe it did. Maybe it was for the best. "Mom, this is Kaoru Kamiya. Miss Kamiya this is my mom, Sara."
Sara smiled warmly, "its a pleasure to meet you Kaoru. Megumi has told me about you." Kaoru bowed and shook her hand.
"Thank you." Sara brought over a tall man and looped her arms through his.
"This is my husband Seijuro." Kaoru greeted him in the same manner she had his wife. "Well," Sara started to rifle through her purse, "I want to get some pictures of Taki before she falls asleep." She handed the digital camera over to Kaoru. "Would you mind?"
Kaoru nodded her head. "Of course not." She took several pictures of everybody holding Taki, including the two boys. When a nurse walked by, Megumi called out to her.
"Excuse me, would you mind taking a picture of us? I want Kaoru to be in one."
"Certainly." She directed Sano to sit on the bed next to Megumi and hold Kozuke on his lap, while Megumi held their daughter. Seijuro and Sara stood on Sano's side of the bed while Kenshin and Kaoru stood on Megumi's side, Kenji being held by his father. The nurse waved her hand in a moving gesture, "you need to move closer to the bed and lean in." Kaoru still stuck out a little bit causing the nurse to shake her head at her.
"No sweetie, you need to move closer." Kaoru hesitated.
"But then I'll be blocking Kenshin and Kenji."
"Why don't you just hold Kenji," Sara suggested. Kenji made a face when Kenshin handed him over. Kenshin put a hand on Kaoru's shoulder to lean forward and whisper "smile" in Kenji's ear. Just at that moment the nurse snapped the picture and Kenji immediately squirmed out of Kaoru's evil clutches.
Seijuro motioned for Kenshin to join him outside of the room. "I need to discuss some business with you." Meanwhile, Megumi was scanning through the pictures they had taken.
"Taki really is a beautiful baby." She kissed her son on the head, "just like you were." Megumi came to the last picture and smiled. Pointing to Kenshin and Kaoru she asked her mother, "don't they look cute together?"
Sara looked at her daughter with surprise. "I thought Kenshin said she was Kenji's nanny?" Megumi gave her a meaningful look.
"But don't you think they look cute together?" Recognition dawned in Sara's eyes and she smiled smoothly.
"Why yes, I do." Sano overheard their little discussion and groaned internally.
'Great,' He thought sarcastically, 'now there's two of them. And when they start causing trouble, Kenshin's gonna blame me.'
"Kenji," Kenshin came back in and squatted in front of the boy. "I'm afraid I just found out I have to go out of town." Kenji's face crumpled.
"But I don't want you to go!" Kenshin curled his hands around his shoulders.
"I know you don't Kenji, but it'll only be for one night. Besides Kaoru will be with you." Kaoru smiled enthusiatically.
"That's right Kenji, we can have your favorite dinner and play a game or watch a movie. We'll have lots of fun, I promise."
Kenji scowled, "I don't wanna stay with you."
"Nevertheless," Kenshin began in a firm voice, "Kaoru will be watching you while I am gone and you will behave for her." Kenji pouted and crossed his arms. "Fine."
But Kaoru could tell it wasn't "fine" and she dreaded the coming week.
.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
Misao smiled as she looked through some baby clothes. Aoshi didn't want her to leave the house unattended, but everyone was busy and darnit she was tired of sitting home all alone!
Misao paid for the few clothes she had selected and headed for home. It was getting toward the time of day when Aoshi would call her. She smiled at some passing children and touched a hand to her stomach. Soon she and Aoshi would be leaving Japan and they could see Kaoru again. And there would be no nasty Soujiro to interfere this time.
'Perhaps she'll even feel up to helping me prepare for the baby. It's too bad . . . She would have made a wonderful mother.' Her eyebrows drew together in anger. 'No matter what lies that man fed her to the contrary.' Misao lifted her head when she thought she heard a cry for help. She hurried over to an alley when she heard it again to find a man doubled over, seemingly in pain.
"Are you okay?" Misao approached him cautiously, you never could be to careful it could be a trick to mug her. But it did look like he was bleeding. She touched the man's shoulder gently. "Sir?" The man emitted a low chuckle.
"I've often wondered what it would take for you to treat me kindly." He turned hard blue eyes up to face Misao. "Fancy all I had to do was pretend to be someone else." Before she could move he he pushed her against the wall with such force the bag fell out of her hand.
"I see you're still the same coward who has to beat on women to feel like a big man." Her eyes were spitting fire at the short man. Soujiro backhanded her.
"And you have the same smart mouth. Now tell me where Kaoru is." Misao narrowed her eyes.
"Let. Me. Go. Now. Or I'll scream." She looked down when she felt something press against her stomach to find Soujiro had placed a knife there. He smiled cruelly and leaned forward to whisper in her ear.
"If you scream I'll cut your baby out." Misao's eyes widened.
'How did he know? I'm not showing yet.' Misao tried to keep from trembling in both anger and fear. "You wouldn't," she lifted her chin defiantly.
"I was going to do it to Kaoru," he danced the tip of the blade across her stomach. "But then the little brat died on its own."
"You're sick." Soujiro punched her across the face.
"I didn't ask for you lip. Just answer my question!"
"I don't know where she is and even if I did I wouldn't tell you." Soujiro frowned and decided to try a different tactic.
"Misao after you tell me I promise I'll let you and your baby go unharmed." His voice was soft, almost sweet. Misao shook her head.
"Do you actually think I would believe anything you say?" Soujiro started to cut the knife into her stomach.
"Don't!" Misao kicked him and pushed with all her might. He only stumbled back a few feet but it was enough for Misao to escape. Soujiro followed her to the edge of the alley and started yeling.
"I'll be watching you! I know where you live and where you work! I'll find out where Kaoru is!" Misao ran without direction, her only purpose to escape Soujiro. Tears blurred her eyes to the point where she couldn't see anything. She didn't even hear her husband calling her, which is why she struggled against him when he grabbed her.
"Misao, calm down. Its just me." Misao looked up to see Aoshi gazing at her worriedly. Misao sobbed and buried her head in his chest.
"Oh Aoshi, it was horrible. Soujiro attacked me and he knows about the baby and . . . oh! The baby! Aoshi we have to go to the hospital!"
"Okay, okay." Aoshi led his wife to their car. "Whatever you need. Just please calm down Misao."
.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
"Are you sure everything is all right?" The doctor smiled and nodded at Misao's question.
"It's just a superficial cut. But keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn't get infected." The doctor left Misao to get dressed.
Misao saw Aoshi's tense form and forced a smile. "At least nothing serious happened."
"Misao," Aoshi's voice was low, "this was exactly why I didn't want you to leave the house without someone with you. What if you were hurt worse or killed? Suppose the baby had been hurt?"
"Nothing happened."
"But it could have!" Misao sucked in a breath, Aoshi hardly ever raised his voice to anyone. "I just don't want anything bad to happen to you." Misao's eyes softened.
"I know, but it gets so boring staying at home alone since I stopped working. And you don't like me to do much packing, not that there's much left." She mumbled the last part to herself.
"I'm just worried about you straining yourself." Misao rolled her eyes.
"Fatherhood has really turned you into a mother hen." She patted the spot next to her on the bed.When he came over she leaned her head on his shoulder and wrapped her arms around his waist. "Koi I'm worried. Soujiro knows that I'm pregnant. What if he finds out we're moving?"
Aoshi shrugged, "does it matter?"
"He said he was going to be watching us. He might follow us to California and run into Kaoru." Aoshi brused some hair out of her face with his knuckles.
"I'm afraid all we can do is let Kaoru know so she can decide what she wants to do." Misao's shoulders slumped then straightened back up when an idea occured to her.
"Perhaps there is something more we can do if Kamatari-san would be willing to help us again."
.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
This is possibly the worse chapter since chapter two. Mayhap I shall go back and fix it someday. Bleh.
I want to apologize for saying I was discontinuing the last chapter. It was just a joke, I didn't know so many people would be upset. :>
Important note: I decided Soujiro is Kaoru's ex-husband not her ex-boyfriend. :)
Recommended Fanfic: "A Simple Twist of Fate" by kiesmoon. I'll be the first to admit this isn't as good as her other works. But it was good enough that I found myself so absorbed I forgot their was a plot. If that makes any sense. Really its more of a second plot. Anyway, I went back and re-read it and the plot's just as good as the rest of the story. It's definately worth your time. :)
MY REVIEWERS
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LAChick: I'm glad you liked it. :) The long paragraph wasn't my fault, I had it spaced but mediaminer malfunctioned and squished it all together. I re-submitted it, but it doesn't seem to help. Hmph. Thanks for reviewing! :)
Inuyasha0313: Of course I will. Thanks for reviewing. :)
ShadowStar666: I'm glad you like Megumi! I realized I was making her a little too nice. So I tried to give her some of her attitude from the show, but I felt she and Kaoru had no reason to be rivals in this story, which is why she's nice to her. Thanks for reviewing! :)
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mellyd: I know I don't update very quickly, but I have other stories I'm trying to update as well. (Plus the real life. Bleh.) Thanks for your review! :)
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animelover222222: And this chapter doesn't really satisfy that need does it? I'm sorry. Thanks for reviewing! :)
Via x Infinito: It's not soon, but it is an update. And I just want to say that I think you're doing a really good job with Caught in His Web and I think its really cool. Thanks for reviewing! :)
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dragon lover ryushi: I finally decided to update. Thanks for the review! :)
kitsune: No! Please don't strangle me, then I wouldn't be able to continue this story. (Is that a good enough bribe?) Anyway, as you can see, I'm done with my break. :) Thanks for reviewing! :)
ixchen: Oh I hooked a reader! Goody. :) I'd read your bio and your married, so am I getting the feelings and emotions right? I have no experience to base it on. (Not that I'm complaining). Thanks for reviewing! :)
blobbub: What a funny name. :D Well, I think you're the only one who did like the ending. :) Hey, you guessed right! :) Thank you for being patient about my break, I appreciate it. Thanks for reviewing! :)
fox: Thank you. Thanks for reviewing! :)
Kaoru4: Well, here's more! Thanks for reviewing! :)
clamsofmacabre: Thank you. :) Yep, good old Sou. :P I was gonna make it Enishi, but I changed my mind. :) It confuses me too. Which is why I try to keep it to a minimum now. :) Really? All the chapters? Cooly. Thanks for reviewing! :)
PhoebeOtaku: Actually, as yet there is no angry mob. (But I am patiently waiting.:) Thank you for understanding my reasoning. :) It seems actually alot of people agree on that matter and approve of my choice. :) Thanks for reviewing!
CrypticMaidenRK: I just love it when I get reviews from authors whose stories I'm reading. :) Yes, Kaoru's past. That'll be fun. :D Tomoe's death is rather average though. I couldn't get creative enogh for that. :) Actually I turned this story pretty far around from the dream, basically it was just the interview, that he was a widower and he wanted Kaoru to be ready to give her life for Kenji. (But I thought him actually making a requirement was a little too over the top.) Oh! I love the Addams family! Gomez is such a kick. You wanna know what I dreampt tonight? That I played a RK board game (with very confusing directions) and Saito hugged Kenshin. O.o Yeah, I was shocked too. Even in the dream I remember being shocked. lol. :D Yes, I have watched "The Nanny" off and on, I'm not that big of a fan but if nothing else is on its okay. I'm sorry but I'm really tired of people asking why its rated R, because I've put it in my author's notes at least twice. Anyway, its rated for rape in a later chapter. Thanks for reviewing! :) And I hope you getto work on your story soon. I want to see Ken's reaction when he meets Kaoru again.
RedAndBlackDragon: Here it is. Thanks for reviewing! :)
Poi Poi: I know, but I figured with them being so young they wouldn't appreciate that as much. :) Thanks for reviewing! :)
flaming-amber: By my calculations you are reviewer number 100! Thank you, although I honestly wasn't expecting so many for a few more chapters. (I figured 10 reviews per chapter.) And . . . you don't hate me! Yay! I know it seems a little slow but sometimes it seems a little too fast, my only excuse is I still haven't written too many stories so I'm not very experienced with pacing. A few more charactrers, but not necesarrily from her past. :) Thanks for reviewing! :)
MysticalElfGoddess: I'm glad you think its angsty, that's what I was going for but it didn't seem enough to me. My, no eating or sleeping eh? Well I then I must be dead now. lol. I knew somebody wanted her to have a girl, but I couldn't remember it was you. Sorry. But at least she had one! Thank you for the compliment and for reviewing! :)
cyjj: I made you wait a long time, didn't I? Sorry. Thanks for reviewing! :)
rain angst: I know this one isn't as good, but at least we all got to see Sou, right? Thanks for reviewing! :)
Nekotsuki: Ooh! Another reviewer whose story I read. That's make two! Although, I haven't reviewed your story (so no need to aplogize). But I think you write very nice action. :) I just hope I can tie all the "intrigue" together at the end. :) I'm worried I'm might have formed too many strings and it will just be a jumbled mess. :O Thanks for the compliment and for reviewing! :)
glasclach: I'm sorry it was just a joke. Hopefully, I'll get the knack of good pacing before I finish this story. Thanks for reviewing! :)
Miko Kagome Archer: Wow. You reviewed every chapter, thank you so much. :)
Scented Candles: On your fave list? Oh, that's sweet. :) There isn't any more because . . . that was the last chapter! (For the moment.) :) Anyway I have another one now. I kinda based Kaoru on me, except she has more backbone. :) What did you think of Sou? I told my cousin when I wrote the scene in this chapter, I was trying to portray him as realistically demented. She said he was just demented and asked if I was trying to make him surpass Charles Manson. lol. Thanks for reviewing! :)
Triste1: I took one this time. :) I'm glad you think I don't have too many mistakes. I am doing a little better. Yes, I have read stories like that and it is so frustrating! I usually just give up. Yeah, cats are the best! At least I think so. :) Thanks for reviewing! :)
Reignashii: No, he isn't. That was just a dream. Kaoru doesn't really do anything with a sword or bokken in this story, I couldn't figure how to work it in. But I'm trying to work it in to other stories. Unfortunately I'm more of a "touchy-feely" drama kind of person than a kick-butt action kind of person, so its difficult. :) Yea . . . I'm not sure when A/M are coming. Probably within the next five chaps. Thanks for reivewing! :)
Sacharia: I've read much better ones than this, but thanks for the compliment. :> Beautiflul words, eh? Well thank you! I like that. :) Thanks for reviewing! :)
kat: Here's another chapter. Don't worry I won't give up on this story. :) Thanks for reviewing! :)
thechickenlittle2000: Promise is good. Thank you. And thanks for reviewing! :)
horse-crazy-gurl: Its not soon, but it is an update. :) Thanks for reviewing. :)
sabella/pan: Sorry about that. :> I thought it was pretty funny. :) But apparently nobody else agreed with me. :) Your welcome and thanks for helping me with my contest! :) Thanks for reviewing! :)
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Converting /tmp/phphlVQ71 to /dev/stdout
Ack! Over 100 reviews! You people are not helping my guilt complex! :(
Before I forget, I want to let you know that I'm hosting a fanfic challenge/contest. If you're interested you can check out my site for details (you can find the link on my bio page).
Many thanks to Pinay Tiger and Night Impfor being my beta-readers.
-
"Kenji?" Kenshin quietly closed the front door and padded over to the living room.
"Kenji? Kozuke?" A dark head turned at Kenshin's inquiry.
"Uncle Kenshin!" Kozuke ran over and glomped onto Kenshin's leg. Kenshin chuckled and tousled the boy's hair.
"Well I'm glad to see you too! But where's Kenji?" His question was answered when he felt a small weight attach itself to his other leg. Kenshin patted his son's bright head and flicked his nose when Kenji lifted his face up to smile at his father. Kenshin half-smiled at his son's sleepy expression. Just like him, his son was not a morning person.
"Hey sport." Kenshin's attention was drawn away when he heard a small groan come from the couch. He had to fight to keep a grin off his face. Kaoru was in the process of sitting up and she looked cute with her hair mussed from the previous night's sleep and the sleepy expression in her eyes.
Kaoru yawned and stretched, trying to gather her bearings. Once she did she blushed in embarassment and hurried to straighten up her hair. Having the man who was both her crush and her boss see her first thing in the morning was not high on her priority list.
"Morning," she mumbled. Kenshin nodded his head in greeting. "Did uh, Megumi-san have her baby?"
"Oh yeah," Kenshin looked down to smile at his nephew. "You have a little sister." Kozuke regarded his uncle with distaste.
"A sister? But what can you do with a girl?" His statement caused Kaoru to raise an eyebrow.
'What indeed.'
Kenshin chuckled, "why don't you wait until you see her before you make any decisions. You two get changed. And be quick about it!" he added as they ran up the stairs. With them gone Kenshin found himself standing in awkward silence while Kaoru stiffly folded the blanket she had used.
It was Kenshin who finally spoke through the smothering air. "Megumi and Sano would like it if you came with us to the hospital."
'But you wouldn't?' It was always Megumi or, sometimes, Sano who asked for her company. Never Kenshin. Did he really find her company so displeasing?
"Thank you. I would like that too." Kaoru went back to trying to untangle her hair with her fingers.
"Here." Kaoru blinked a couple of times when she found a comb shoved in her hands.
"So you can comb your hair," Kenshin explained a tad impatiently. Kaoru rolled her eyes.
"Well I know that, it's just . . ." Kenshin crossed his arms and looked down at Kaoru, causing her to squirm. "I just woke up, how do you expect me to act? Besides, it really isn't good to use a comb on long hair if its dry. Not that I'm ungrateful or anything." Kaoru started to fidget with the comb.
Kenshin rolled his eyes and stuck his hand out. "If you're not going to use my comb then I would like it back."Kaoru held it to her chest in a possessive gesture, which was strange when she thought about it considering it wasn't hers. "No, no. I'll use it. Once shouldn't hurt anything."
Kenshin shrugged his shoulders in annoyance. "Whatever." He left Kaoru feeling guilty, but over what she couldn't figure out.
.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
"I'm glad you could make it missy."
"Thank you for inviting me, Sagara-san." Sano shook his head.
"How many times do I have to tell you to call me Sano?" He picked up Kozuke and set him on his hip. Both she and Megumi are sleeping right now," he whispered as they entered the maternity room. "So we have to be quiet."They all gathered around the crib to hover overthe baby and Kenshin picked his son up to give him a better view.
"She's very red." Kozuke whispered loudly.
"And small," Kenji added.
Sano chuckled, "believe it or not you two used to be just as red and small as she is."
Kaoru smiled softly. Her hand ached to caress the infant's sure-to-be-smooth skin, but she was afraid of waking the child. "She is adorable Sagara-san."
Sano gave a proud smile. "Thanks missy."
"Have you decided on a name yet?" Kenshin asked.
Sano nodded, "we're naming her Taki, after my grandmother."
"Do you have a middle name?"
"Grace."
Sano scratched his head and shrugged his shoulders when Kenshin raised a questioning eyebrow. "Meg insisted."
"I think its a pretty name," Kaoru defended.
"Thank you Kaoru. I'm glad to hear somebody agree with me." Everyone turned around when they heard Megumi's tired voice.
"Mommy!" Kozuke opened his arms and ran toward his mother. Megumi opened her arms to recieve him in a hug.
"Hi baby." She kissed her son on the head. "So what do you think of your new sister?" Kozuke shrugged his shoulders.
"She's okay I guess." Megumi smiled and rubbed his arm.
"Is she sleeping?" She asked Sano.
"Yeah."
"Mom here yet?" Sano shook his head.
"Oh it sounds like Taki's waking up." Sano picked her up and walked over to the bed Megumi and Kozuke were lying on. "Would you like to hold her Kozuke?"
He nodded and stuck his arms out. Kenshin tugged on Kenji's and Kaoru's sleeves. "Let's leave hem alone for awhile and go get breakfast."
.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
By the time they got back Megumi's mother and step-father had shown up. Megumi passed Kenshin on her way back from the bathroom and sniffed. "I smell french fries." Her eyes narrowed.
"We . . . ate out for breakfast."
"And you didn't bring me anything?"
"I was just looking out for your health!" Kenshin tried very hard not to cower but sometimes his sister could be very intimidating. And it just wasn't fair that she was taller than him to boot!
Megumi huffed and walked over to join her mother. "I don't know why you didn't quit while you were ahead and stop after me mom." She winked at Kenshin to let him know she was just teasing him. Their mother smiled.
"Megumi this is the cutest little baby I've ever seen." Kenshin grinned and leaned against the door jamb.
"You say that about every baby mom!" His mother turned to greet him with a bright smile.
"But she is, she has her mother's ears, her father's nose, and her granpa's eyes."
"Yes, and when Sano's relatives see her they'll be saying how much she looks like their side of the family." His mother laughed a bright, beautiful laugh and walked up to her son to give him a kiss and hug.
"How are you sweetie?"
"I'm good mom, real good."
"I'm glad." She bent down to squeeze Kenji into a hug. "And look at you Kenji! My goodness you've gotten so big I hardly even recognize you."
While Kenshin's family was busy exchanging greetings, Kaoru took the opportunity to assess his mother. She was about the same height as Kaoru and had a similar build as well and Kaoru envied the grace with which she carried herself. Her hair was the same gorgeous red as Kenshin's with a few silver streaks weaved in the strands, while her eyes were a warm violet.
'What an unusual color.' Kenshin's mom stood before Kaoru.
"And who is this young lady?"
"It's not what you think mom," Kenshin rolled his eyes at the dissapointment on his mother's face. "She's Kenji's nanny." Even though Kaoru knew this to be true, she still felt a little sting of depression at his words. It felt as if that defined all she was in his eyes.
Maybe it did. Maybe it was for the best. "Mom, this is Kaoru Kamiya. Miss Kamiya this is my mom, Sara."
Sara smiled warmly, "its a pleasure to meet you Kaoru. Megumi has told me about you." Kaoru bowed and shook her hand.
"Thank you." Sara brought over a tall man and looped her arms through his.
"This is my husband Seijuro." Kaoru greeted him in the same manner she had his wife. "Well," Sara started to rifle through her purse, "I want to get some pictures of Taki before she falls asleep." She handed the digital camera over to Kaoru. "Would you mind?"
Kaoru nodded her head. "Of course not." She took several pictures of everybody holding Taki, including the two boys. When a nurse walked by, Megumi called out to her.
"Excuse me, would you mind taking a picture of us? I want Kaoru to be in one."
"Certainly." She directed Sano to sit on the bed next to Megumi and hold Kozuke on his lap, while Megumi held their daughter. Seijuro and Sara stood on Sano's side of the bed while Kenshin and Kaoru stood on Megumi's side, Kenji being held by his father. The nurse waved her hand in a moving gesture, "you need to move closer to the bed and lean in." Kaoru still stuck out a little bit causing the nurse to shake her head at her.
"No sweetie, you need to move closer." Kaoru hesitated.
"But then I'll be blocking Kenshin and Kenji."
"Why don't you just hold Kenji," Sara suggested. Kenji made a face when Kenshin handed him over. Kenshin put a hand on Kaoru's shoulder to lean forward and whisper "smile" in Kenji's ear. Just at that moment the nurse snapped the picture and Kenji immediately squirmed out of Kaoru's evil clutches.
Seijuro motioned for Kenshin to join him outside of the room. "I need to discuss some business with you." Meanwhile, Megumi was scanning through the pictures they had taken.
"Taki really is a beautiful baby." She kissed her son on the head, "just like you were." Megumi came to the last picture and smiled. Pointing to Kenshin and Kaoru she asked her mother, "don't they look cute together?"
Sara looked at her daughter with surprise. "I thought Kenshin said she was Kenji's nanny?" Megumi gave her a meaningful look.
"But don't you think they look cute together?" Recognition dawned in Sara's eyes and she smiled smoothly.
"Why yes, I do." Sano overheard their little discussion and groaned internally.
'Great,' He thought sarcastically, 'now there's two of them. And when they start causing trouble, Kenshin's gonna blame me.'
"Kenji," Kenshin came back in and squatted in front of the boy. "I'm afraid I just found out I have to go out of town." Kenji's face crumpled.
"But I don't want you to go!" Kenshin curled his hands around his shoulders.
"I know you don't Kenji, but it'll only be for one night. Besides Kaoru will be with you." Kaoru smiled enthusiatically.
"That's right Kenji, we can have your favorite dinner and play a game or watch a movie. We'll have lots of fun, I promise."
Kenji scowled, "I don't wanna stay with you."
"Nevertheless," Kenshin began in a firm voice, "Kaoru will be watching you while I am gone and you will behave for her." Kenji pouted and crossed his arms. "Fine."
But Kaoru could tell it wasn't "fine" and she dreaded the coming week.
.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
Misao smiled as she looked through some baby clothes. Aoshi didn't want her to leave the house unattended, but everyone was busy and darnit she was tired of sitting home all alone!
Misao paid for the few clothes she had selected and headed for home. It was getting toward the time of day when Aoshi would call her. She smiled at some passing children and touched a hand to her stomach. Soon she and Aoshi would be leaving Japan and they could see Kaoru again. And there would be no nasty Soujiro to interfere this time.
'Perhaps she'll even feel up to helping me prepare for the baby. It's too bad . . . She would have made a wonderful mother.' Her eyebrows drew together in anger. 'No matter what lies that man fed her to the contrary.' Misao lifted her head when she thought she heard a cry for help. She hurried over to an alley when she heard it again to find a man doubled over, seemingly in pain.
"Are you okay?" Misao approached him cautiously, you never could be to careful it could be a trick to mug her. But it did look like he was bleeding. She touched the man's shoulder gently. "Sir?" The man emitted a low chuckle.
"I've often wondered what it would take for you to treat me kindly." He turned hard blue eyes up to face Misao. "Fancy all I had to do was pretend to be someone else." Before she could move he he pushed her against the wall with such force the bag fell out of her hand.
"I see you're still the same coward who has to beat on women to feel like a big man." Her eyes were spitting fire at the short man. Soujiro backhanded her.
"And you have the same smart mouth. Now tell me where Kaoru is." Misao narrowed her eyes.
"Let. Me. Go. Now. Or I'll scream." She looked down when she felt something press against her stomach to find Soujiro had placed a knife there. He smiled cruelly and leaned forward to whisper in her ear.
"If you scream I'll cut your baby out." Misao's eyes widened.
'How did he know? I'm not showing yet.' Misao tried to keep from trembling in both anger and fear. "You wouldn't," she lifted her chin defiantly.
"I was going to do it to Kaoru," he danced the tip of the blade across her stomach. "But then the little brat died on its own."
"You're sick." Soujiro punched her across the face.
"I didn't ask for you lip. Just answer my question!"
"I don't know where she is and even if I did I wouldn't tell you." Soujiro frowned and decided to try a different tactic.
"Misao after you tell me I promise I'll let you and your baby go unharmed." His voice was soft, almost sweet. Misao shook her head.
"Do you actually think I would believe anything you say?" Soujiro started to cut the knife into her stomach.
"Don't!" Misao kicked him and pushed with all her might. He only stumbled back a few feet but it was enough for Misao to escape. Soujiro followed her to the edge of the alley and started yeling.
"I'll be watching you! I know where you live and where you work! I'll find out where Kaoru is!" Misao ran without direction, her only purpose to escape Soujiro. Tears blurred her eyes to the point where she couldn't see anything. She didn't even hear her husband calling her, which is why she struggled against him when he grabbed her.
"Misao, calm down. Its just me." Misao looked up to see Aoshi gazing at her worriedly. Misao sobbed and buried her head in his chest.
"Oh Aoshi, it was horrible. Soujiro attacked me and he knows about the baby and . . . oh! The baby! Aoshi we have to go to the hospital!"
"Okay, okay." Aoshi led his wife to their car. "Whatever you need. Just please calm down Misao."
.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
"Are you sure everything is all right?" The doctor smiled and nodded at Misao's question.
"It's just a superficial cut. But keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn't get infected." The doctor left Misao to get dressed.
Misao saw Aoshi's tense form and forced a smile. "At least nothing serious happened."
"Misao," Aoshi's voice was low, "this was exactly why I didn't want you to leave the house without someone with you. What if you were hurt worse or killed? Suppose the baby had been hurt?"
"Nothing happened."
"But it could have!" Misao sucked in a breath, Aoshi hardly ever raised his voice to anyone. "I just don't want anything bad to happen to you." Misao's eyes softened.
"I know, but it gets so boring staying at home alone since I stopped working. And you don't like me to do much packing, not that there's much left." She mumbled the last part to herself.
"I'm just worried about you straining yourself." Misao rolled her eyes.
"Fatherhood has really turned you into a mother hen." She patted the spot next to her on the bed.When he came over she leaned her head on his shoulder and wrapped her arms around his waist. "Koi I'm worried. Soujiro knows that I'm pregnant. What if he finds out we're moving?"
Aoshi shrugged, "does it matter?"
"He said he was going to be watching us. He might follow us to California and run into Kaoru." Aoshi brused some hair out of her face with his knuckles.
"I'm afraid all we can do is let Kaoru know so she can decide what she wants to do." Misao's shoulders slumped then straightened back up when an idea occured to her.
"Perhaps there is something more we can do if Kamatari-san would be willing to help us again."
.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
This is possibly the worse chapter since chapter two. Mayhap I shall go back and fix it someday. Bleh.
I want to apologize for saying I was discontinuing the last chapter. It was just a joke, I didn't know so many people would be upset. :>
Important note: I decided Soujiro is Kaoru's ex-husband not her ex-boyfriend. :)
Recommended Fanfic: "A Simple Twist of Fate" by kiesmoon. I'll be the first to admit this isn't as good as her other works. But it was good enough that I found myself so absorbed I forgot their was a plot. If that makes any sense. Really its more of a second plot. Anyway, I went back and re-read it and the plot's just as good as the rest of the story. It's definately worth your time. :)
MY REVIEWERS
Mediaminer
LAChick: I'm glad you liked it. :) The long paragraph wasn't my fault, I had it spaced but mediaminer malfunctioned and squished it all together. I re-submitted it, but it doesn't seem to help. Hmph. Thanks for reviewing! :)
Inuyasha0313: Of course I will. Thanks for reviewing. :)
ShadowStar666: I'm glad you like Megumi! I realized I was making her a little too nice. So I tried to give her some of her attitude from the show, but I felt she and Kaoru had no reason to be rivals in this story, which is why she's nice to her. Thanks for reviewing! :)
kasumi the vampire queen: Thank you.:) Thanks for reviewing.
mellyd: I know I don't update very quickly, but I have other stories I'm trying to update as well. (Plus the real life. Bleh.) Thanks for your review! :)
Fanfiction
Easy-Company-506/101: I do believe the award for most unique name goes to you. :) How did you come up with it? I'm late? Strange, I don't remember setting a time-limit. Well, for a little while anyway updates should be faster. Okay? Thanks for reviewing! :)
animelover222222: And this chapter doesn't really satisfy that need does it? I'm sorry. Thanks for reviewing! :)
Via x Infinito: It's not soon, but it is an update. And I just want to say that I think you're doing a really good job with Caught in His Web and I think its really cool. Thanks for reviewing! :)
Jupiter's Light: Thank you. Thanks for reviewing! :)
dragon lover ryushi: I finally decided to update. Thanks for the review! :)
kitsune: No! Please don't strangle me, then I wouldn't be able to continue this story. (Is that a good enough bribe?) Anyway, as you can see, I'm done with my break. :) Thanks for reviewing! :)
ixchen: Oh I hooked a reader! Goody. :) I'd read your bio and your married, so am I getting the feelings and emotions right? I have no experience to base it on. (Not that I'm complaining). Thanks for reviewing! :)
blobbub: What a funny name. :D Well, I think you're the only one who did like the ending. :) Hey, you guessed right! :) Thank you for being patient about my break, I appreciate it. Thanks for reviewing! :)
fox: Thank you. Thanks for reviewing! :)
Kaoru4: Well, here's more! Thanks for reviewing! :)
clamsofmacabre: Thank you. :) Yep, good old Sou. :P I was gonna make it Enishi, but I changed my mind. :) It confuses me too. Which is why I try to keep it to a minimum now. :) Really? All the chapters? Cooly. Thanks for reviewing! :)
PhoebeOtaku: Actually, as yet there is no angry mob. (But I am patiently waiting.:) Thank you for understanding my reasoning. :) It seems actually alot of people agree on that matter and approve of my choice. :) Thanks for reviewing!
CrypticMaidenRK: I just love it when I get reviews from authors whose stories I'm reading. :) Yes, Kaoru's past. That'll be fun. :D Tomoe's death is rather average though. I couldn't get creative enogh for that. :) Actually I turned this story pretty far around from the dream, basically it was just the interview, that he was a widower and he wanted Kaoru to be ready to give her life for Kenji. (But I thought him actually making a requirement was a little too over the top.) Oh! I love the Addams family! Gomez is such a kick. You wanna know what I dreampt tonight? That I played a RK board game (with very confusing directions) and Saito hugged Kenshin. O.o Yeah, I was shocked too. Even in the dream I remember being shocked. lol. :D Yes, I have watched "The Nanny" off and on, I'm not that big of a fan but if nothing else is on its okay. I'm sorry but I'm really tired of people asking why its rated R, because I've put it in my author's notes at least twice. Anyway, its rated for rape in a later chapter. Thanks for reviewing! :) And I hope you getto work on your story soon. I want to see Ken's reaction when he meets Kaoru again.
RedAndBlackDragon: Here it is. Thanks for reviewing! :)
Poi Poi: I know, but I figured with them being so young they wouldn't appreciate that as much. :) Thanks for reviewing! :)
flaming-amber: By my calculations you are reviewer number 100! Thank you, although I honestly wasn't expecting so many for a few more chapters. (I figured 10 reviews per chapter.) And . . . you don't hate me! Yay! I know it seems a little slow but sometimes it seems a little too fast, my only excuse is I still haven't written too many stories so I'm not very experienced with pacing. A few more charactrers, but not necesarrily from her past. :) Thanks for reviewing! :)
MysticalElfGoddess: I'm glad you think its angsty, that's what I was going for but it didn't seem enough to me. My, no eating or sleeping eh? Well I then I must be dead now. lol. I knew somebody wanted her to have a girl, but I couldn't remember it was you. Sorry. But at least she had one! Thank you for the compliment and for reviewing! :)
cyjj: I made you wait a long time, didn't I? Sorry. Thanks for reviewing! :)
rain angst: I know this one isn't as good, but at least we all got to see Sou, right? Thanks for reviewing! :)
Nekotsuki: Ooh! Another reviewer whose story I read. That's make two! Although, I haven't reviewed your story (so no need to aplogize). But I think you write very nice action. :) I just hope I can tie all the "intrigue" together at the end. :) I'm worried I'm might have formed too many strings and it will just be a jumbled mess. :O Thanks for the compliment and for reviewing! :)
glasclach: I'm sorry it was just a joke. Hopefully, I'll get the knack of good pacing before I finish this story. Thanks for reviewing! :)
Miko Kagome Archer: Wow. You reviewed every chapter, thank you so much. :)
Scented Candles: On your fave list? Oh, that's sweet. :) There isn't any more because . . . that was the last chapter! (For the moment.) :) Anyway I have another one now. I kinda based Kaoru on me, except she has more backbone. :) What did you think of Sou? I told my cousin when I wrote the scene in this chapter, I was trying to portray him as realistically demented. She said he was just demented and asked if I was trying to make him surpass Charles Manson. lol. Thanks for reviewing! :)
Triste1: I took one this time. :) I'm glad you think I don't have too many mistakes. I am doing a little better. Yes, I have read stories like that and it is so frustrating! I usually just give up. Yeah, cats are the best! At least I think so. :) Thanks for reviewing! :)
Reignashii: No, he isn't. That was just a dream. Kaoru doesn't really do anything with a sword or bokken in this story, I couldn't figure how to work it in. But I'm trying to work it in to other stories. Unfortunately I'm more of a "touchy-feely" drama kind of person than a kick-butt action kind of person, so its difficult. :) Yea . . . I'm not sure when A/M are coming. Probably within the next five chaps. Thanks for reivewing! :)
Sacharia: I've read much better ones than this, but thanks for the compliment. :> Beautiflul words, eh? Well thank you! I like that. :) Thanks for reviewing! :)
kat: Here's another chapter. Don't worry I won't give up on this story. :) Thanks for reviewing! :)
thechickenlittle2000: Promise is good. Thank you. And thanks for reviewing! :)
horse-crazy-gurl: Its not soon, but it is an update. :) Thanks for reviewing. :)
sabella/pan: Sorry about that. :> I thought it was pretty funny. :) But apparently nobody else agreed with me. :) Your welcome and thanks for helping me with my contest! :) Thanks for reviewing! :)
Kodora Fairy: Thank you! I'm glad somebody thinks so! (Especcially with my track record. eheh.) I'm glad you think its coming nicely. Thanks for reviewing! :)
My shout-out list( author alerts and favorites): Box Turtle, chmsweety, Shade16, Katrina5, Setzu, MysticalElfGoddess, Kaoru4, Scented Candles, Stardust Angel2, MoodSightEyes, Story Weaver1, sabella/pan, Miko Kagome Archer, Horosha no Kage, Kitsune-Tenshi-16, are-en1, Julie7, Phoenix Rises, Yukimaru, Vision2, ixchen, K1dgey, sataness-ov-desire, anime-lover93, Mystique1909, Pinay Tiger, whitesparkles99, Minni May Yukibara, gaby (hyat, SailorNeo, CEEGEE, Cursed Lone Wolf, TanukiGirl22, Lyphta, Miko no Kokoro, tvsweetie, Night Imp, Anarane221, EverKitsune, Princess Lady Subaru, .Blissful.Misery., evilteddybear, Michelada, glasclach, wELcoMe2mYLiFe, Prince Aoshi, Elowen Elrondion, koorime-princess12, XxSilentxDreamerxX, The Monster in your Dreams, MeMyselfandI3737, Wren Yang, horse-crazy-gurl, unknown beedee, swimchick1614, ash211, sold my soul for cheese-cake, jmj102, violetjewelz, RedAndBlackDragon, rdeveranime, Reignashii, Mistress de Winter, LeyaBabe, CrypticMaidenRK, WorthlessShadow, roxygrlygoddess, Sapphirefoxgirl, AngelBabie4u, angelic-kuti, Kodora Fairy, pyramidgirl89, aznangel91, animeinsomniac, Lady Katherine2, Time Mistress, kakashi-fan, Bushido2, Via x Infinito, animelover222222
I appreciate your encouragement. :)
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