A.N. I have put my two other stories on hold for the moment because it's just impossible for me to focus on all three stories AND my schoolwork, so if any of you are fans of Destined for Failure or A Demon's Mate I'm terribly sorry, but I hope to never be one of those authors who completely abandons her fics. All three stories should have a new chapter by the end of January (maybe the end of December if I have time), so be sure to check back, or add me to author alert.

Also, some notes on this story:

Kenji is based of my three and a half year old baby cousin; who is surprisingly bright and smart. I know it might be a little weird for some, but it just makes the story more interesting.

-ForeverMine

Chapter Four

Kenshin glanced up at the small building with undisguised distaste.

The old diner looked as if it would crumble at any given gust of wind. The tacky mustard yellow paint peeling on the sides, and the worn look of the walls was the complete opposite of what Kenshin was used to.

This was where Kaoru had worked for the past four years? He felt a pang at his heart as he remembered how he had always promised that he would take care of everything for her. That she would never have a worry in her life if she had chosen him. Guilt weighed down his heart as he imagined his beautiful angel working in such a wretched place.

Kenshin gripped his hands tightly as he recalled all he had discovered about Kaoru's life in his research. All her hardships, all because he had believed Tomoe's lies.

Apparently, she had taken on two jobs in the beginning when she was still pregnant with Kenji, and had later on dropped one to work longer shifts. His eyes shifted between an icy blue and light amber as he thought of Kaoru working so much when she should've been taking extra care to make sure that she was resting and eating right.

Stepping forward Kenshin opened the wooden doors to the diner and as he stepped in he couldn't help but be slightly confused.

The outside made it look like it was nothing more than a run-down hole, but inside the diner was cozy and clean. Little trinkets were scattered everywhere, and the small diner was filled with the warm aroma of brown sugar and cinnamon.

"Welcome, sir, would you like a booth or a table?" a young waitress asked him, her voice was polite, but her eyes shone with confusion. He must've looked really out of place with his crisp cut designer suit and most of all – his bright crimson tresses.

"Neither, I'd like to speak with the owner," Kenshin replied curtly. The young waitress nodded and walked quickly over to the back room.

Moments later a middle aged woman dressed in a traditional kimono stepped out. A warm smile graced her lips until she laid her eyes on him. Her gaze turned cold and her lips set themselves in a hard line.

"Tae-san," Kenshin greeted, recalling her name from the information he looked up.

"What is it you want?" Tae questioned, her voice sharper than any knife.

Kenshin's eyes narrowed; he was not used to such disrespect.

"I have some questions for you," he replied, his voice was curt and detached, but Tae could see the tiny signs of distress that was displayed by his actions.

Tae met Kenshin's cold amber glare straight on and answered, "I have nothing to say to a man who has the nerve to abandon his family."

Kenshin almost winced at her scathing words. Almost.

"You have no right to say such a thing," Kenshin hissed taking a menacing step forward, Tae didn't budge.

"I speak no lies," Tae said simply, clasping her hands in front of her as she analyzed the man standing in front of her. The rumors had been true, he certainly was handsome. The man standing in front of her radiated power, and demanded respect. Everything about him spoke of his ambition and strength.

'The exact opposite of Kaoru's kind and trusting demeanor,' Tae thought to herself.

Kenshin didn't reply to the woman's words; for he couldn't deny them. He was the one who had made the mistake. He was the one who had driven away Kaoru.

"Tell her I'm going to be waiting at our home," Kenshin said quietly, his voice subdued but the underlying threat was present, "Tell her, if she doesn't come, I shall come and find her."

Tae gave a short nod; indicating that she understood and Kenshin took his leave.

Stepping into his sleek black Bentley after leaving the small diner Kenshin let out a sigh. The owner had been much less willing than he had imagined, but he was relieved in a sense. If Kaoru had had that woman watching over her; things must've been slightly easier.

Kenshin revved the engine and placed on his sunglasses as he sped off to the home that he hadn't returned to in nearly four years.

With Kaoru

Misao was shocked at the sight she saw when she opened her front. Kaoru's eyes were filled with tears, and she looked to be holding onto Kenji as if he was her lifeline. Her expression especially worried Misao the most; the last time Kaoru had had such an expression was when Kenshin had left her.

"No…," Misao began slowly, her emerald green eyes widening. She quickly ushered her best friend and god son inside. Kaoru set Kenji gently down upon the worn leather couch in the middle of the family room before turning back to face Misao.

"He knows," Kaoru said softly, her voice cracked slightly, "He knows."

"Oh, Kaoru," Misao comforted as she placed Kaoru's head softly upon her shoulder and guided her into the small dining room, "It's going to be alright."

"But, he knows. He's going to take him away," Kaoru said, worry etching itself into her voice.

"Kenshin wouldn't dare do that. Even if he tried, I'd make sure of it myself that he wouldn't get within ten feet of Kenji if you didn't wish it. You don't think I'd let him take away my own godson do you?" Misao asked, trying to make light of the unexpected meeting. She thought of the redhead that had hurt her best friend so much and she tightened her fist in anger. He didn't deserve all the tears she shed for him.

"It's just, I don't know what I'd do without him, Misao," Kaoru murmured softly, lifting her head off of Misao's shoulder to look her in the eyes.

"You said that about Kenshin too," Misao reminded her, her emerald green eyes serious, "And you've moved on. You don't need him. You've proven that, Kaoru."

Kaoru looked away from Misao's piercing gaze and didn't reply. Misao sucked in her breath sharply.

"Kaoru…you don't mean," Misao began, her eyes wide with disbelief, "You can't truly want to get back together with him! After all that he's done to you? After all he hasn't done for Kenji? Do you still…love him?" Her last words were hesitant.

Kaoru didn't deny it.

"When I told him I didn't want him in my life, or in Kenji's, my heart felt like it was cracking itself in two. You didn't see his expression Misao. I've never seen him like that before. He looked…broken," Kaoru spoke softly, tilting her head so that her raven tresses curtained her expression.

"Do…you…still…love…him?" Misao repeated slowly, her eyes had a determined blaze.

After a few moments of tense silence, Kaoru nodded slowly.

"Oh, Kaoru," Misao moaned in compassion, falling back into her seat, "Why can't you just forget him? If you just did, he wouldn't be able to cause you any more pain."

Kaoru reached out and took one Misao's hand in hers, "He's Kenji's father Mi-chan. Every time I look at Kenji's face I see his. I can't ever forget. Even though he hurt me, I could never hate him. He's…Kenshin; the father of my child, and the man I gave my heart to. No matter how much I want to forget, I never will." Kaoru wrapped her arms around Misao's small form and began to cry softly.

'Kenshin, you baka,' Misao thought sourly as she rubbed comforting circles on Kaoru's back as she buried her face in the crook of her neck.

"Mama…" the soft calling alerted both of the women as Kenji's voice rang throughout the small room, "I'm hungry."

Kaoru stood up immediately and began to brush away the tears on her cardigan sleeve.

"Alright, darling. Mama will just be a moment, why don't you go play with your blocks, ne?" Kaoru suggested, pasting a false smile on her face as she turned to face Kenji's sleepy face. Kenji rubbed his eyes cutely and nodded.

"Hai, Mama," he replied with a yawn, turning to Misao he bowed respectfully, "Ohayo, Auntie." Misao stood and went over to ruffle his hair. She smiled down at him, but in her mind she was thinking about Kaoru's words.

'Does it pain you to look at him, Kaoru?' Misao wondered as she followed Kenji into the family room that was stocked full of children's toys.

"Auntie, will you play with me," Kenji asked, tugging on Misao's flowing skirt. Misao met his hopeful violet gaze and grinned.

"Of course, cutie pie," she agreed, reaching for the Candyland board game and handing to Kenji.

Kenji giggled and proceeded to open the game with renewed glee.

The telephone rang, and Misao stood to go pick it up, but Kaoru interrupted her with, "I'll get it!"

Misao was about to settle down once again, but Kaoru came into the room, the telephone held limply in her hand. She had a look of complete despair on her face.

"What's wrong?" Misao asked immediately rushing over to her friend's side, she glanced down quickly at Kenji's small form who was on looking the scene with curious eyes.

"It was Tae-san," Kaoru said softly, "She said that he stopped by the diner."

Misao gasped, and Kaoru nodded, biting her lower lip slightly.

"He told her that he wants me to meet with him," Kaoru continued, and Misao's eyes widened even more.

"Are you going to?" Misao questioned, placing a hand on Kaoru's shoulder.

"I…I don't know, but if I don't…" Kaoru trailed off, and Misao nodded. Kenshin was never the type to leave things alone if he wanted them done.

"Go, then. Settle it once and for all; I'll watch Kenji for you," Misao suggested, tightening her hold slightly on Kaoru's shoulder.

Kaoru nodded and smiled gratefully at Misao.

"I don't know what I'd do without Misao," Kaoru said, hugging her long time best friend tightly, "I really don't."

Misao laughed, "I don't know what I'd do without you either Kao-chan."

"Mama," Kenji asked aloud, interrupting his mother's tender moment with his auntie, "Are you leaving?" He didn't like the thought of his mother leaving him with Auntie Misao; especially after that episode with the stranger with hair just like him, so he decided to play with his mother's compassionate nature and incapability of withstanding his tears.

"Oh, Kenji-chan," Kaoru crooned when he began to sniffle, "Mama's just going to be a little while. Auntie Misao has tons of games she planned to play with you!" Kenji didn't take the bait.

He pout slightly and tears began to trail down his tiny face.

Kaoru frowned and quickly leaned down to pick up her son.

Cradling him to her chest she patted the back of his head comfortingly.

Kenji gave a small smirk that both women missed. And after an hour of coaxing, Kaoru finally set Kenji down upon Misao's couch in exasperation.

"I want you to stay," Kenji said stubbornly as Kaoru kneel in front of the small boy.

"I know, baby. But Mama has important matters to attend to," Kaoru repeated again for the hundredth time, "I'll only be a short while. You won't even miss me."

Kenji peered into his mother's deep sapphire blue eyes and relented.

"Promise you'll come back soon, Mama?" he asked cutely, holding out a tiny pinkie finger.

Kaoru flashed a bright smile and quickly wrapped her own pinkie around his.

"Promise."

As she left the apartment complex she let out a sigh. Walking toward the bus stop she noticed that her hand was shaking slightly. Glancing down at it she wondered briefly,

'Is it from excitement or fear?'

Kaoru's heart beated faster with each step, and she couldn't rid her mind of the amber eyes that had seared themselves into just hours before. She thought briefly about her old penthouse. Tae had told her that Kenshin wanted to meet there. It was a place she had never wished to return to, but times do change. Waivering slightly, Kaoru leaned against the metal pole of the bus stop for support.

The large bus arrived moments later; screeching to a halt right in front of her. Kaoru stepped aboard, but her eyes looked back. The single question lingering in her mind,

"Am I making the right choice?" Her left hand came up to trace the smooth ring that hung on a thin gold chain around her neck. She felt slightly ashamed that she couldn't bring herself to get rid of it. Even in the worst of times, Kaoru was never able to pawn off the small trinket that Kenshin had promised his heart to her with. Right after she had left the penthouse, it had caused her so much pain just to look at it, but now it served as a reminder to her, so she would never forget.

The bus began to shift forward, and Kaoru closed her eyes and took a deep breath to calm her frayed nerves. In less than twenty minutes she would be standing in the room where her life had once been shattered right before her eyes, but now she was determined not to let that happen again.

A.N. I'm sure a few of you have read the "old version" of this story, but I decided that that twist was a little much. But I plan to start a story using that plot soon (another love triangle, whoopie!)

What to expect in Chapter 5? Another (more heated) confrontation between K & K. And...