The Great Pretender

Disclaimer: Samurai X is not mine.

A/N: Sorry, this is so late. I am in a depressed mood lately. Curse the grading system! Oh yeah! Don't forget to read and enjoy! Review too beloved readers! It will make me write faster! Promise! HAHAHA! Promise Enishi will come out next chapter. Hopefully many reviews to make me write faster. Wink! Wink!

Story recap: Kenshin and Kaoru have arranged marriage. Kenshin hates Kaoru and loves Tomoe. Kaoru loves Kenshin and is Tomoe's best friend. Kaoru's friends and families kept her from knowing the dark side of things namely the love affair between Kenshin and Tomoe. But of course being observant as she is Kaoru knew of the happenings around her. Except of course the things only Kenshin knew namely the affair between Kenshin's father and Kaoru's mother. Kenshin blame Kaoru for it and always compare her to her mother. As one would say an apple will fall from its tree or something like that. So Kenshin plan to break away from his family and have his own life with the love of his life. When Tomoe came back with the title of a Lady, Kaoru still sees the lingering love her husband have for Tomoe. Enishi, Tomoe's brother, and once best friend of Kenshin also came back and told Kenshin that he likes Kaoru and would fight for his love for her. And as faith would have it Kaoru met Akira, a divorce lawyer in the supermarket and she instantly hates him. And Kenshin met Tomoe in one of his business trip.

Chapter 7

Kenshin

"Kenshin?"

1 voicemail

Open?

'Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday Old man! Sorry couldn't resist the jibe! Happy Birthday Kenshin!'

Are you sure you want to delete?

"Yeah?" I asked, phone between my shoulder and my ear. I looked at the pop-up button and without hesitation pressed enter.

Voicemail deleted

"Have you received my email and my voicemail?"

You have 1 unread message in your inbox

I barely paid attention to Kaoru on the phone as I stared blankly in the computer screen – my mind was somewhere else entirely. I was smiling like a fool again as the image of Tomoe crossed my mind. I brushed my hand through my hair, frustrated to my desire of the only woman I couldn't have.

"Kenshin? Are you still there?" Kaoru's voiced echoed in my ear pulling me back to the present.

"Sorry, I was reading your email." I lied and I could just imagine the smile on her face.

"Really?" Kaoru asked happily and it startled me to discover that she was really that easy to please. It made me feel guilty that while Kaoru was on the phone speaking to me I was remembering Tomoe and everything about her. And I guess it was my conscience telling me to read the email I got from my wife and not just delete it like I was planning to.

Hi Kenshin! You think I forgot your birthday huh? Of course not! I wish I could greet you face to face but since you are busy voicemail and email is enough. Well, I'm sure it's enough we do this every year. Did you eat well husband dear? You know if you were home I'll probably whip you with the most delicious food ever. But since you're not you can imagine it! I'm probably eating here with my delicious cooking. You know, you could never get a wife like me. Really sorry for the late greeting. I'm super busy this week. This annoying guy keeps annoying me and me and Enishi spent great bonding time together. HAPPY BIRTHDAY KENSHIN DEAR!

"Happy Birthday Kenshin."

Ignoring her, I looked at the message rereading it to make sure I've read it correctly the first time skipping everything except the second to the last part.

This annoying guy keeps annoying me and me and Enishi spent great bonding time together.

"What did you and Enishi do?" I blurted out much to my own surprise. Annoyed at myself I impetuously clicked delete.

Are you sure you want to delete?

My hands stopped as I saw the pop-up message. I stared at the monitor unwilling to admit I was waiting for Kaoru's explanation. After all her life is her life and it's none of my business who she hangs with. So what if Enishi had started to make his move? Kaoru is my wife in paper only.

"Well…" She said slowly her voice laced with curiosity at my question, "he came over this afternoon. He kept me company that's all. We talked about almost everything. Did you know that he bought a company over Europe? Or that after all this time he never had a real long lasting relationship? I actually asked him if he was just confused on his orientation because it's not healthy in a man of his age and personality to have a one week relationship. I don't know why but he just laughed and then stared at me for a long time. It really made me uncomfortable but other than that the afternoon is completely enjoyable. I almost forgot how fun it is to be around Enishi. And! And! I finally can cook stuffed turkey! Enishi taught me. He is an amazing cook! He tasted it and he told me it was great! It's nice to prepare that for your birthday but then again you're always busy at this time of the month. Well…every month you're busy not that I blame you, the company is getting bigger. So did you receive my voicemail and email? Did you?"

Maybe it's because Enishi harboured feelings for you?

At the thought my hand unconsciously tightens its grip on the mouse. Finally noticing I loosen my grip, totally disgusted at myself.

I couldn't care less what will happen to them both. Good riddance I say, if Enishi succeed in making Kaoru love him. She'll be out of my life in no time. But then again I doubt Enishi could stand against our parents. Those people are too powerful for their own good.

Message deleted

"Did you like it?" Came her soft voice followed by a big intake of breath.

"Yeah." I said it's the same every year what's there to like?

"Will you keep it?" She said between coughs.

"Of course." I lied and looked at the now empty folder. I loosened my tie and relaxed myself in the sofa as I looked at the balance sheet of the company I'm planning to buy, "Are you alright? You're coughing real hard."

"Yeah I'm fine. The food I swallowed went to the wrong track. So how was your day?"

I stilled as memories of the day came back to mind. And I smiled unconsciously. It was hard from keeping myself smiling when I could still vividly remember everything. Tomoe's expressions told me she was still not over me and it gave me the tiniest bit of hope. I'm no fool; I won't make the same mistake again. I will not act on my feelings because if I lose her again I would die. Someday when I could finally break free and properly divorce Kaoru then I can finally make Tomoe love me. But now I can only be her friend.

"Nothing much. Business as usual."

"I see…"

"Were you expecting something?" I asked curiously, suspicious of the tone of her voice. My wife is not that bad I've known her since we were young. But then again her parents are manipulative bastards and so is she. She already manipulated my life since she'd known I can never love her. Told our parents everything, break up with me to just see me crawling back to her and it was her fault Tomoe's family went bankrupt. I was guessing she got the gist of things and told our parents again that she can't marry me because I like someone else. Self-sacrificed my ass. She did that to let things go her way. Kaoru knew her parents would do anything for her and that the marriage would mean big profits for both sides.

And maybe behind my back she has another paramour serving her needs in bed. I never touched her that way and it's impossible for a woman with a whore of a mother to wait for too long. It was because of her mother's affair with my father that made my own mom shut herself in her own world. Who's to know that Kaoru won't do that to the man she claimed to love?

"No! Of course not! Umm…I heard from Enishi Tomoe is there. Have you seen her? How is she?"

I smiled at the easily crafted lie. Before I would have believed it but now knowing the cunning mind of my 'wife' I hardly believed her question does not hold another intention to it.

"Really? She is?" I asked feigning surprise, "I'm sorry honey but I'm too busy that I hardly noticed anything but paperwork."

Tomoe's face flashed quickly in my eyes and my smile widen as I remember what had transpired this afternoon.

"Aren't you glad I quickly corrected your friend?" Tomoe asked. I walked slowly beside her and nodded in forced agreement. My hand itched to hold her hands but I painfully stopped myself. It's unforgivable for me to ruin this fragile friendship that we have. I know the passion is still there but acknowledging it would have me walk two steps backward.

"As a thank you, would you like to go out to dinner with me?" I asked boldly and I saw the hesitation in her eyes.

"This place is big so I doubt we'll bump into each other. But if I see her I will tell her you said hi." I said, trying to stay focus on the conversation and not suddenly blurt out anything that happened today. I couldn't let her clue in or she might tell our parents. And it will kill everything that I've plan.

"I see. Thanks. It's still early in the evening. Do you have something to do? It's your birthday today so don't work too much! Do you want me to stay up late and talk to you in the phone?"

"That would be nice. But I really have this important deal and I need to concentrate on it. And I don't want to burden you. I don't want you to tire this morning only because it is my birthday. Don't worry I'll sleep early and order some tasty food for dinner."

"Dinner?" Tomoe asked hesitantly, "I don't know Kenshin…I have this very important thing to do and…"

"Couldn't you take time off for a friend? Don't tell me you forgot it's my birthday today?" I asked teasingly, cutting her off in mid-sentence. Tomoe blush a deep shade of red and it made me stare at her longer than necessary.

"Of course not!"

"Good! I'll pick you up at eight then." I said, grinning at her wolfishly.

"You'll work, sleep, and eat? Yup that really sounds you alright. I hope you don't overwork yourself too much Kenshin. It will kill you someday."

"Don't worry about me, worry about yourself. You sound weird over the phone. Well…I have to go I really need to finish this project." I said as I looked at the clock. It's already fifteen minutes pass seven. And I still need to prepare myself to meet with Tomoe.

"Well…goodbye then and I lo!" I closed my phone cutting Kaoru off. I put my laptop down and dash to the bathroom to prepare myself for my date…I mean the dinner I have with a friend.

Kaoru

"…ve you." I said hearing the beeping of his phone. I looked at my cell phone dejectedly but still angry to myself that I almost said the three forbidden words. Too much romance movies made me too soft. Kenshin already know of my undying love for him there is no need to add more humiliation on my part by saying those words. If only Kenshin would stop thinking about work and stop loving my so called best friend then maybe just maybe I still have a chance in his heart.

"Stop looking at your cell phone like your dying." Kamatari said snatching my phone away from me. I made a pathetic effort to take it back but coughing my lungs out took too much of my energy. Clucking his tongue Kamatari helped me put the oxygen mask back on my face and help me lie on the hospital bed, "This is what you get on insisting to call Kenshin and try to act normal at your state."

I smiled weakly, thankful that I still have him as a support. After Enishi have gone my asthma attack came back much worst than before. And before I knew it I already called the only one person who knew about my worsening disease. Kamatari drove to the hospital like a madman only wearing his bathrobe and demanded for immediate hospital care.

"I'm sorry for disturbing you in your date. I'm guessing you're getting to the good part now." I said slowly trying to breath in every word. Kamatari looked at me in mock anger as he reclined himself in the seat next to the bed.

"Well…that guy is one piece of meat. You have to pay me by telling me what happened with you and your student's hot uncle. Did you do the deed?" He asked teasingly and I tried to laugh but it only ended in another coughing fit. He looked at me worriedly as he begun to rise in the chair but I signalled him to stop.

"It's okay." I breathed out.

"Well…don't blame me if you find it hard to breath." He said huffily but we both know he couldn't do anything. It was never my intention to let him know of my condition but one time when I was teaching I had another attack and from then on he knew about my deep dark secret. I couldn't tell anyone for fear of them treating me differently like what my parents did. I couldn't handle another over protectiveness and piteous looks. But now I'm glad Kamatari accidentally found out about it. Without him, I might have died.

We heard a knock and Kamatari went to see it. And by the sway of his hips when he came back I was guessing it's my handsome doctor again checking up on me for the umpteenth time.

"Yo! Where's that stupid Kenshin?" Doctor Hiko barked as he emerged from view. Kamatari snake his arms around his neck as he latched himself to him as tightly as humanly possible.

"Working." Kamatari answered sweetly, "But I'm here if you want."

"Sorry but I'm here because of her." Hiko answered indifferently used to Kamatari's antics already. Doctor Hiko is a family friend. My doctor was his father but he replaced him when the old doctor died.

"You're loss." Kamatari said, swaying his hips provocatively, "Why go for the sickly girl when you can have a healthy and sexually experience me here?"

The doctor's face was indescribable and probably a little bit green and I couldn't help but laugh which ended much to my dismay in another hacking fit. They both looked at me worriedly and the Hiko immediately dash to my side to aid me. After making sure I was okay he faced Kamatari seriously.

"Because I like to eat pussy and not lick a penis." Hiko deadpanned and I blush beet red. I scampered away from him and looked at him warily, "What?"

"Pervert!"

"It's not like you didn't experience that with my nephew." Hiko scoffed and Kamatari stifled his laughter. I avoided Hiko's gaze as I found the blanket more appealing to look at, at the moment.

"You didn't?" He asked surprised as realization dawn on him. He looked about to laugh but he compose himself in the last minute and only letting out a smile unlike my so called friend who was already laughing in the floor despite the mask in his face.

"He's busy." I said defending my husband. But in return I got pitying looks from both bastards. I crossed my arms indignantly and added, "I don't find anything funny. It's not like I'm a repressed virgin. Oh please it's not like I want to have sex without love. As for now Kenshin's mind is somewhere else namely the family business."

"And Tomoe. I heard she's back." Hiko said thoughtlessly much to my chagrin.

"I told her to rape the guy already. I even gave her rohypnol to knock him out immediately. But Kaoru is too nice." Kamatari added smugly. I looked at him heatedly but he pointedly ignored it.

"Why are you here anyway?" I asked instead, "You know I need my rest."

"I'm here to talk to you."

Here we go again.

"I need to call someone. I'll just go out. See ya Kaoru and I'm just outside if you want to 'do' me doctor." Kamatari said and wink at Hiko shamelessly. We stared at his retreating figure and silence reign in the room.

"Why didn't you tell Kenshin about this?" Hiko asked breaking the tense silence between us. I was unable to look into his eyes and instead stare at the floor. He already asked me this a million times and probably to the insistent of my parents. If I had not pleaded with them that not to let Kenshin know of the extent of my sickness then probably they already have told him in hopes that he could see me in a new light.

"I never even told my best friends. They only knew I have asthma." I answered instead.

"Kenshin is your husband." Hiko reasoned.

"I'm really tired doctor. I need my sleep. I'm really sorry can we do this another time?" I said as I looked at him. We stared at each other and for a moment I thought he would not let go of the matter but he did and I feigned sleep until I heard the door of my room closed.

I couldn't tell him my reason. It sounded so lame and selfish. But really all I want is Kenshin to see me as the woman I am. I don't want him to treat me as someone dying. I don't want to see pity in his eyes. I don't want him to love me that way. I want him to need me because he loves me and not because I need him that's why he loves me. I know he loves another person and while it hurts I still can't stop hoping. I mean, I still can hope right?

Kamatari

"Did she tell you?" I asked immediately after seeing him closed the door. Hiko looked at me startled, his brows raised.

"I thought you have a call to take?" He asked amused, his hands in his pockets.

"How could I call someone at a time like this? I never thought I could get tense like this. Her 'attacks' is getting frequent. I thank Buddha that it's never when Kenshin is in the house. I know how she so much insist not let him know. But why? I mean this could make him bound to her or something. Kenshin is a responsible man he would not leave Kaoru behind when he knew she is dy...you know like this."

"She still won't tell me. I guess she hates being pitied. I know you are worried but that won't help Kaoru."

"Stop acting cool doctor. You are worried too. Is she going to be okay? Her usual six months visit to the hospital is getting more frequent. Now she is going here every other week. I thought you said she is pretty safe now that she reached this age without much complication."

"She is a miracle Kamatari. But sooner or later she needs to go back to America. It's the best place to continue her medication if she still wants to live until 38." Hiko answered seriously. His beeper beep and he looked at it then smiled at me genially, "Just watch over her. And convince her to tell Kenshin. It's for her own sake."

"Well…if it's Kaoru I believe she would find someway to solve this problem." I answered cheekily. Hiko laughed giving me a backward wave.

Now alone I looked at the door leading to Kaoru's room and gulped. I could feel tears in my eyes but I held them back for I knew she would never like it to see me cry. I pasted a smile on my face, wiped my eyes, steadied my hands, put the mask back on and open the door with a bang. I am ready for a show.

"I know you're awake you slut. Now tell me what happen between you and your student's hunk uncle."

Akira

"Hanna, let's go ride that! What's it called again?" Kaoru Himura excitedly pointed at another ride mostly ridden by children. I looked at her but there is no hint of mockery in her face. It was plain obvious she would gladly want to ride that thing. It was like seeing an innocent child in an adult.

"That's a merry-go-round teacher." Hanna helpfully supplied.

"Don't tell me you don't know that? Really, rich people nowadays." I scoffed at her and as expected she angrily faced me. She's really an open book.

"Shu-shut up! Of course I know what it is! I just forgot the name that's all."

"Um…sir? Sir? Mr. Gianni is here? Should I let him come in?"

I looked up, startled, to see my efficient secretary disoriented. I lay back in my chair and muttered, "You looked confused. Anything wrong?"

"I never see you think so deeply before." My secretary answered and my eyebrow rose in question. Realizing her words she immediately amended, "I mean you're always alert you know. But I've already called you four times and even waved my hands in front of your face but you didn't respond. Is that new case really hard?"

Damn that woman!

"There is no case too hard for me." I answered arrogantly, "Let him in. I think I've made him wait for too long."

"Yes sir."

I nodded absently, my mind wondering back to the pre-school teacher.

"She is really a nice child, she is very intelligent too." Kaoru said as she watched Hanna riding the tea cup ride. Seeing us Hanna waved at us and I waved at her back. Observing this Kaoru added, "You really love her do you?"

"Of course! She is what's left of my sister. Sometimes it makes me doubt my ability to take care of her."

She looked at me seriously, her eyes sympathetic. I almost wanted to grin seeing that as usual I hooked a woman with the same line. It's almost a pity really; I thought she would be different. But I guess she is still like any other girls. Now, is it alright for Mr. Himura to share his wife? Hah! Like I would care.

"You're doing a good job." She said but I was a bit surprised that she did not caress my face like any woman would in a situation like this.

"Thanks."

"But next time don't use that line to pick up girls ok? Have a conscience! You're using Hanna for goodness sake!" She said exasperated and shocked as I was I couldn't help but laugh.

That woman is one of a kind!

"So you think you could do this?"

Huh? We were discussing something? Dammit! That woman is messing with my life.

"Of course." I answered confidently although knowing nothing of the situation. I still have my secretary and she could fill me on anything.

"Good. I entrust everything to you then. Thank you." Mr. Gianni said. I nodded and smiled watching him close the door. Now alone I looked at the phone in my table staring innocently back at me.

That woman is a problem.

"But I always face my problems head on." I grinned at this and picked up the phone to dial her number.