As always, I don't own these sexy characters, Watsuki does. I just borrow them.
This story ain't for the kiddies.
Happy Holidays everyone! Enjoy!
It was a brisk winter morning in December. The sun was just beginning to creep over the distant mountains. Kenshin stared out into the breaking dawn. He loved the calm of the morning. It reminded him of being up in the mountains, hidden by trees when he was a boy. He enjoyed rising before his Master in those days, and watching the sun spread its rays through the labyrinth of trees. Kenshin stood on the porch looking over the backyard of the Kamiya Dojo. It couldn't be more than six in the morning. His hands tucked into his sleeves for warmth. He was thankful to have recently purchased new wool tabi socks for everyone. The temperature in Tokyo was growing increasingly colder by the day. Kenshin let his mind wander in the peace of daybreak.
It seemed like only yesterday that he lay in the pits of despair due to Enishi's rage. Kenshin often believed that, even though Enishi was the brother of his lost beloved, he was the one who made it possible for Kenshin to love anew. A forgiveness he never imagined to receive. From tragedy grows happiness. Kenshin thought, but he couldn't remember where he heard the proverb. He smiled wryly.
A snore echoed through the walls of the paper dojo. Yahiko. His mind jumped topics. He truly has become a man these past months. He has stepped up in the dojo, and with Tsubame-chan as well. That he has. His cooking has gotten good too. Perhaps he has prepared me for fatherhood all these years, even if subconsciously.
The sweet chirping of the morning birds, and a breeze that blew past the chimes hanging near him drew his attention. His keen senses sometimes made it hard to focus when he didn't have his guard up. He liked the peaceful life he lived now. One where he was not expecting to be attacked at any moment. A life where his beautiful, very pregnant, wife lay warm on the futon in the walls of her father's house. Somehow, he had inherited a legacy and a family better than he could have wished for. A life where he could protect those he loved – and never have to kill again.
As his thoughts wandered, his hand habitually rested on the hilt of his sakabatou, still tied to his hip. Whenever he thought of his sword, it seemed to hold so much of his life, his memory. A capsule of pain and love. Heavens Sword. But the burden of Megumi's warning still hung on his shoulders like a pillory. The idea that in less than 5 years he should lay down his sword for his health, was something the former manslayer couldn't comprehend. His hand gripped the hilt tightly, and a cold burst of air forced his eyes shut.
On his eyelids, he saw the Battousai staring at him; eyes blazing, fierce. Kenshin's eyes shot open, his breathing heavy. He slid to the floor. What was that? His mind raced. It had been a long time since he saw his other self. Consumed by this vision, Kenshin did not sense his wife at the door.
He hesitantly closed his eyes once more, prepared this time. Much to his amazement, the hitokiri was still there. Though he did not speak to Kenshin, his emotions were strong.
Kenshin could sense the Battousai's strong resentment toward him. Kenshin could feel the power of his dark self. He could feel the tragedy and anguish locked within him. Deep down, Kenshin knew that Battousai held his worst memories and thoughts, and kept his great desire for many things in check. Kaoru was one such thing, and using his sword was another. But Kenshin sensed something within the gaze of himself, Battousai's lust was tainted, there seemed to be a light, a fluttering color around the edges of his vision. Love? The thought crossed his mind for an instant. Did Battousai have feelings for Kaoru? For the child? A red aura pulsed from the manslayer, warning Kenshin he was on a dangerous inward path. Did Kenshin want to recognize these thoughts and memories? What would it lead to him remembering if he did accept them?
Kenshin didn't know, but he was sweating bullets. He was truly terrified of his other self, but something was keeping him locked in this trance. Battousai was fighting with Kenshin's emotions. Showing him flashes of images, feelings. Kenshin witnessed Battousai with Kaoru. Though his actions were aggressive, Kenshin could sense that the hitokiri cared greatly for Kaoru. Kenshin saw that Kaoru enjoyed being with Battousai, her expressions so different from when she lay with him. These thoughts I've had…. you've tried them with her. Kenshin stated rhetorically to Battousai. His vision seemed to agree. She accepts you? Both of us? How can that be? Even I cannot accept you. Kenshin's vision of Battousai blurred, almost as if the apparition on his eyelids were fighting for words. Kenshin could feel the anger, and a different kind of desire there. A desire he had only felt once before – coming from himself – when he wanted to die and be with Tomoe. When he wanted to disappear, and join his love. Did Battousai wish to disappear?
A tear rolled down Kenshin's sweating cheek, a cold hand pressed against his skin, and wiped the tear away. Kenshin's eyes shot open, his body rigid, hand still on his sword. His breathing heavy. He realized that Kaoru's hand firmly gripped his fighting hand to keep him from drawing his blade. "Shhhhh" she said. Pulling his head to hers, foreheads together, she looked into his eyes, which showed great terror and sadness.
"What's wrong Kenshin? You look like you've seen a ghost." Kaoru asked, concern filling her voice.
"Mm. A ghost. Maybe that is what this one has seen after all. A ghost of myself." Kenshin said softly, almost a whisper.
"A dream?"
"Something like that." Kenshin half smiled. The smile that broke Kaoru's heart, the smile of half her husband, half the truth.
She unexpectedly kissed him, just a sweet small kiss. Kenshin's face smoothed, and his smile turned more real, eyes softening, her met her gaze. Then turned to lean against the pillar, and he pulled Kaoru to lie against him. He placed his free hand on her pregnant belly, loosely wrapped in her pale blue winter kimono. He nuzzled his face in her hair, which she had yet to tie up. "I'm sorry to have worried you Kaoru. It was just a bad dream, that it was." As expected, his voice, being forced to sound convincing, did not fool Kaoru.
Kaoru sighed. "Kenshin, will you never be honest with me? I know when you are faking it." She said. Though her voice was more resigned than angry.
Kenshin grabbed one of her soft hands and entwined her fingers with his and rested it on her belly, his thumb rubbing mindless circles where it lay.
"I do apologize, this one sometimes does not know how to put emotions into words." He admitted sheepishly.
"No one does Kenshin, that is why it is a wife's job to know how to interpret their husbands' language."
"Even this one does not know the language. In fact, I'm not even sure what I saw Kaoru-dono. Truly. I saw a ghost of…I'm not sure. But he said nothing. He only filled me with questions about myself. I must sort these feelings Kaoru. I do not believe you can help me. Not this time, no you cannot. Something has to change within this one."
Kaoru stared at their entwined fingers, trying to unravel Kenshin's riddle.
"Oh for Kami's sake Kenshin. You are back to your rurouni speech. It's too early to try and interpret your puzzled thoughts." She pushed up off him, struggling to turn her body in order to stand.
But Kenshin's desire for his wife had been planted him by Battousai this morning. He hardly thought about his actions before acting. He thought he felt a flash of the manslayer as he gingerly reached around her back, and turned her head into his kiss. Her eyes open, and his shut tight. An imprint of Battousai's light still burned there on his eyelids. His hand trailing from her belly to the small of her back, and then to cradle her head as he deepened their kiss. Kaoru moaned into his kiss and relaxed into his strong arms. Her arms already bowing from the pressure of his kiss and the weight of the baby. Kenshin leaned her back on the hard wood. He stared into her eyes, tenderly rubbing her protruding stomach. His hand slipped down, finding the opening in her kimono. He used his arm to bend her right leg up, giving his lustful fingers access to her recesses. She wasn't as wet as he usually found her. Maybe I surprised her! He thought triumphantly. Or maybe it's just too cold…He chuckled a bit. His fingers circling her clit, and flicking her flesh. But he wanted to excite her like Battousai had. That he did. Why was it so hard for him to excite his wife like his other self had? Her helpless form…
Flashes of the Battousai ravaging his wife appeared when he blinked. And his desire for Kaoru took over. He thrust 2 fingers inside her and began to pump her, finally feeling her juices wet his fingers. Kaoru sharply sucked in the cold air. Her eyes flying to his gaze, transfixed, trying to see if this was Kenshin or Battousai.
"Who are you looking for Kaoru?" He asked, adding a finger and quickening his penetrations. Slowly like molten lava easing its way up her body she began to feel the heat he was creating within her.
"The face of my husband, as always." She said breathlessly.
"I can't do the things he has done to you! I want you, but this one cannot!" Kaoru could feel his rage, confusion and resentment.
Wait. Kaoru thought, The things he has done? Does my Kenshin know what Battousai and I have done? Her thoughts confused, but she could not dwell on them. Kenshin was determined today, and she was enjoying it. Even though sex had become quite difficult with the size she had grown to, it would seem that Kenshin had not lost interest in her, and Battousai seemed near the surface, but not showing. There was something off about Kenshin. He had been able to be truer to his desires a few times before, but usually he was aided by the hitokiri. Today was quite different. She had seen no flashes of gold eyes.
Kenshin withdrew his fingers, and as Kaoru watched, he licked them, and then with one motion he drove four fingers inside her very aroused nether lips. He left them inside as his thumb toyed with her ball of nerves, her insides were pulsing, and her breathing heavy. "Shush Kaoru, or Yahiko will hear." Kaoru breathily laughed. As if she could be quiet at a time like this!
After a few more quick penetrations, Kenshin slipped his hand deeper within her, a memory of the night in the woods flashing across his mind. This was something he wouldn't be able to do much longer, Kaoru moaned a little, in pain. Kenshin leaned over her belly, and said seductively, "I've wanted to see you writhe again." His deep purple eyes pierced hers, and he placed 2 fingers from his clean hand in her mouth, "But it would seem he beat me to it." Kenshin growled, and he twisted his enveloped hand to touch her secret place once more and she shivered in sweet ecstasy, she bit into his fingers, stifling her usual scream. Her walls contracted around him, leaving his hand soaked. After her breathing slowed, he removed his hand, tapping her ball of nerves making her jump a little. He smiled a smile Kaoru hadn't seen before. Somehow her sweet Kenshin seemed…satisfied?
Kenshin drew himself up –his unattended erection obvious in his pants. "I will go draw the bath Kaoru-dono. Join me when you can."
Kaoru watched Kenshin's back disappear around the soaking tub to light the fire under the water. She licked her dry lips and tasted metal. She had drawn blood when he stifled her screams. Good thing I suppose. Yahiko would have been very confused… So, after a bit of a struggle to right herself, Kaoru made her way to join her husband in the bathhouse.
After lighting the coals, Kenshin mindlessly pumped air into the bellows under the bath house. His mind was racing. He had just acted on an impulse. An impulse fueled by jealousy of him. A sensation which he usually ignored. Battousai had been where his impulses were stored for so long. Were his deeper desires and thoughts escaping Battousai's grasp, or was Battousai releasing them somehow? Kenshin wasn't sure. The feeling of losing control over himself was overwhelming. He had to get his emotions in order. He was about to be a father. He needed to compose himself.
He heard the bathhouse door creak open and shut with a thud. Kaoru he thought. Is she the reason Battousai is changing? Kenshin wondered. His intense lust had abated, for the time being. He felt more like himself now. Or was it possible the other desires that had swept over him before were him as well, but when he left them unattended Battousai acted on them? He shook his head at the thought. He respected Kaoru; yet she didn't object or complain earlier either.
He entered the bath, greeted by the smooth backside of his wife. Her Kimono hung on the rack inside, her skin glowing. She was mixing suds onto the wash cloth. Her motions slow and meticulous, teasing Kenshin needlessly. He already wanted her. He always wanted her. His earlier erection returning as he slipped out of his clothes and pulled up a bench next to his wife. He gently took the cloth from her and massaged soapy circles on her back.
"How long has it been since we bathed together?" She asked. Pulling her hair to one side. Exposing more of her flesh to him.
"Quite some time, that is has." He answered.
"I miss having you to wash my back." Kaoru said playfully.
"Then we should do this more, that we should." And even though Kenshin did not say I love you, Kaoru could feel his warmth radiate through her. She smiled, and watched his hands at work.
"Kenshin…" Kaoru moaned into his touch. His soapy hands were roaming over her full breasts, circling and gently squeezing. They were tender from pregnancy. Kenshin circled her taught tummy with the cloth, cleansing her stretched belly button, and then moving to massage below her tummy, though it was hard to access while sitting on the stools. His head leaned to lay sweet kisses on her bare neck, and slowly he trailed his kisses down her shoulder.
Kaoru could tell this was her normal gentle Kenshin. The rough Kenshin from before seemed to have disappeared. Her curiosity had surely been peaked. She wondered if Battousai had anything to do with before.
Without saying a word, Kenshin picked up the rinsing bucket and rinsed them both off. He bent to stir the water in the tub a bit before holding out a hand and helping Kaoru into the bath with him. She quickly fell into his arms on the bench in the water, relaxing her head against his chest. She could feel his erection, though he ignored it, as usual. How frustrating… She thought he would be different after that unexpected surprise this morning,
However, Kaoru sighed, and decided that whatever Kenshin had to work out, he would have to do it for himself, for better or worse. They had made their vows to each other, and if she had to initiate sometimes, so be it. He had left her tender, and hungry for more. Laying there on the patio, a cold breeze flowing up her kimono. She cursed his self-restraint sometimes. She began moving her hand up and down on his shaft. Kenshin's eyes fluttered, and he rested his head on the edge of the bath. A moan growling from deep in his bare chest. He leaned her back a little with his supporting arm, while his other fingers wandered to her slit, Kaoru had not fully recovered from before, and she bucked a little at his first touch. Kenshin bit her earlobe from behind, capturing the flesh and sliding it through his teeth. Kaoru relaxed into his shoulder, still stroking him. Her legs parting.
Her large belly was truly beginning to cause problems, but the water was helping. The weightlessness felt amazing.
"Climb onto me" Kenshin suggested, and Kaoru obliged. He pushed her up, and she turned around, positioning herself over him, he had to help guide himself in, and they both giggled a little since she couldn't see over her belly. Kenshin's hands were everywhere as she began to slowly ride him, testing the waters in this new position. He held her wrists to help her not bounce too high. She loved being held down by him, Kaoru enjoyed being helpless, although she was glad she was leading this time, she wasn't sure if she could have handled his normal speed. He teased her tits with his fingers, squeezing lightly, watching little drips of milk peek through the surface. Kaoru had to lean into him in order for him to capture her nipples in his mouth, but they both couldn't keep up that position. So Kenshin placed his strong hands on her hips, guiding her gently over his cock, helping her as she began to tire.
"Oh… Kaoru." Kenshin moaned, he was beginning to thrust up into her. "Can you make it?" He asked, his breathing very heavy. They had been at it a while, and he knew she was tired.
"Support my back and I'll make it." She answered, her breathing was labored, and Kenshin was worried, but he was so close. "Don't worry if I don't finish, okay?" Without a word, Kenshin placed his hands on her back, supporting her as she bobbed on top of him, quickening her pace slightly, to his amazement. The water in the bath was getting tumultuous. Kenshin had to sit a bit straighter to support her, and her belly was pressing on his stomach. Kenshin had to put the baby aside from his thoughts.
He was pushing up into her, watching her swollen tits bounce right on the surface of the water, waves lapping between them as she rode him. Her moans were loud, mixed with breathless whispers of his name.
His climax was so near, he pulled her down, burying himself in her and she circled her hips on him, nearly grinding on his bones, the pressure sent him over the edge and he released shot after shot of hot semen into her occupied womb. It took all his strength to keep supporting her. Eventually, he lifted his exhausted wife, and floated her down to the bench. Her breathing still heavy, Kenshin leaned over to capture a nipple in his lips again, she moaned. "I knew you weren't done Kaoru."
"Really, Ken-san you don't have…to…" but she lost her convictions when his hand brushed her clit. A crazy idea flashed through his head. Kenshin took a big breath of air and ducked under the water, his loose hair billowing to the surface. His face buried in her, tongue tracing her pleasure spot, she grabbed his head. Kenshin struggled back to the surface, gasping for air.
"Kaoru! Please do not try and kill this one. That you should not."
"Sorry Kenshin! It's my usually reaction." She pleaded, sitting on her hands. Kenshin didn't like that. He grabbed her hands, and guided her to pull her legs apart, then he plunged between her legs again, this time biting at her flesh and plunging his tongue in her. He repeated this several times. Then he went under and blew his oxygen over her, letting the bubbles tickle her. He grabbed her thighs roughly when his face was inside her, he knew she was close, so he thrust three fingers inside her, scissoring them and teasing her nub with his thumb, within seconds she was contracting from another orgasm, one she was ready for. She grabbed his wet matted hair and kissed him to keep herself from screaming out.
It had been a long while in the bath, and Kenshin got out to prepare their towels. He rubbed Kaoru down from head to toe and helped her re-tie her sleeping kimono. Kaoru had to help Kenshin calm his hair, which had become a tangled mess from being underwater. While she did, she plucked up the nerve to question him.
"What got into you today? You seemed…distant, yet somehow close since this morning."
"Oro?" Kenshin thought about it. "Maybe it was something I sensed in my dream. I am not sure Kaoru-dono, that I am not. This one surely did feel something consume me today"
She could tell she wasn't going to get much more out of him. "Come on. Let's go back."
Kenshin opened the bath door back into the cool morning, going down the stairs backward, holding Kaoru's hand. Kaoru stopped at the top step, looking at the sky in awe.
"It's snowing, Kenshin!"
Kenshin never looked up at the sky, he only looked at the bright glowing face of his wife in the morning light. "That it is Kaoru, the first snow of the year." He tugged her hand so she focused on him again, and he pulled her into a deep kiss when she reached the bottom step. His hands embracing her stomach between them. "The snow reminds me of the falling Sakura Blossoms Kaoru. You always look so beautiful amongst them."
Kaoru blushed bright pink, despite the cold, and they heard the shoji door slide open, a drowsy Yahiko stumbled out, rubbing his eyes, then after noticing the snow, his eyes brightened. "SNOW!" He yelled, quickly dawning his shoes and running into the yard, spinning in circles. He then realized that Kaoru and Kenshin, who had crossed the yard, were standing under the dojo awning, Kenshin was holding Kaoru in his arms, their heads leaning together, both smiling at Yahiko. Kaoru's hand was resting on her tummy. Yahiko ran over to them, not saying anything about them being gross, or lovey-dovey. He looked up at Kaoru, and then touched her belly for the first time.
His young innocent eyes widened. "It's so hard!" He said. Kaoru giggled, and looked up at Kenshin.
"Aye, there is a lot of baby in that small space, that there is Yahiko."
"I know I know" He said. Then he leaned real close to her stomach, "When you are here, I'll be the best onii-sama ever, and one day we'll play in the snow together, and I'll teach you to throw snowballs at your dad, and go sledding…."
Kaoru smiled down at Yahiko. "A big brother huh? Do you want a sister or brother?" Kaoru teased.
"Sister. Boys are too much work." Yahiko said with a shrug and he went inside. Kenshin laughed and Kaoru smiled. They looked at each other.
"I agree with Yahiko." Kenshin said.
"I want a baby boy." Kaoru said at the same time.
"Really?" Kenshin asked.
"A chibi Kenshin. How cute that would be…" Kaoru teased him, as she left his embrace and went inside to make breakfast. Mumbling about how he always made her hungry.
Kenshin stared after his wife, waddling into the kitchen. I don't know if I could handle another girl though…that I do not. One Kaoru is enough for me.
Kenshin slid the shoji door closed behind him, locking out the cold air of the first snow, the very snow that started to stir his thoughts of Battousai.
Merry Christmahannukwanzica everyone! The last chapter was pretty short, but the night I published it, inspiration struck, and I wrote up this baby. I've been looking for a good transition sequence and I think I finally did it. Sorry I made you all wait so long between chapters. RL can be tough and sometimes I'm just not inspired to write. Thank you to all my devoted followers. Your support is what keeps me writing this. Besides my love of KenshinxKaoru.
Please favorite and review! Happy Holidays!
Author's Note: Updated Dec. 2016: A couple tiny minor things were fixed, and I added a little extra sexy. Nothing ground shaking, just suggestions. Enjoy. Thanks for the years of support everyone! Happy New year, a year later!
