As always, these characters don't belong to me, they belong to Nobushiro Watsuki! I'm just using them to sate the desires of many people, including myself.
DISCLAIMER: This story, and all chapters of this series include material that is not for children. 18+ only please!
I can't believe I made it to 10 chapters! I guess I can't call myself a OneShot writer anymore.
This is what this story has truly been leading up to, Enjoy. And please read the Author's note at the end before commenting.
Kaoru barely felt the cold of the winter. Tokyo was covered in a blanket of white. Kenshin, Yahiko and Sano took shifts keeping the fires lit, and warming the coals for the futons. But Kaoru didn't need any coals; between Kenshin and the baby she was her own furnace. Kenshin insisted she wear socks and normal winter clothes, but she was often hot. Yahiko and Sano couldn't understand it, they were both freezing, sparing in the practice rooms for much of the day just to keep warm. Kenshin sat by the fire, watching over Kaoru who would sit near the shoji doors or pace the halls of the dojo rubbing her belly. No one quite knew her due date, but Megumi estimated late February or March. Kaoru was hoping it would be sooner. She couldn't sleep; she was constantly eating, and constantly having to go outside for the bathroom.
January had passed slowly. Megumi had brought some books for them to read, and Tai–san and Tsubame-chan visited when they could, but Kenshin wouldn't let Kaoru leave the estate without him, and they never went far. She was bored silly but she knew it put his mind at ease. They played shogi, or dice but they all longed for the first signs of spring to come through the snow.
Lessons continued – being taught by Kenshin (and occasionally Yahiko) of course – but some students stayed home for the winter. Winter in Tokyo was usually short, but it seemed an eternity in the Himura household. Sano was practicing his hunting skills, and occasionally brought home game to share. Tsubame-chan always brought food from the Akebeko on her visits. Kaoru was taking a particular interest in Tsubame-chan and Yahiko lately; she could see there was more to those two than before, and they were spending a lot of time together. Thanks to Tsubame-chan, Yahiko had become quite the chef.
By mid-February the snow was melting, icicles falling from the roofline, and the first little baby buds of green were popping up through the snow. Kenshin spent the afternoons planting seeds in the small garden they had out back, and Kaoru helped when she could.
At night, Kaoru lay on her side trying to get comfortable. Some nights Kenshin would fall asleep with his arms wrapped around her, she never slept those nights, but she enjoyed them. Other nights she sent Kenshin away so she could actually sleep, but he never went far. He'd take his Sakabato like he did years ago, and curl up against the wall. How he slept like that Kaoru would never know, but his protectiveness was something she loved about him dearly.
As soon as the snow melted, Kenshin went out to the bathhouse to defrost the tub, and much to Kenshin and Kaoru's happiness they were able to take a bath together. Kaoru couldn't even see her toes, let alone clean them, and Kenshin was an eager volunteer. Something about the bathhouse always seemed to turn her on, and Kenshin had been waiting to alone with her for some time. Being cooped up all winter had certainly taken its toll on all of them.
He soaped her up from head to toe, slowly drawing sudsy circles over her flesh. Kaoru relaxed into his embrace, forgetting about her back pain, and just focusing on the feeling of Kenshin pleasuring her. Kaoru wasn't sure she had the energy, but her mind knew they both needed this. He nibbled her ear as his fingers pulled and pressed her thighs, drawing her legs open. His soapy fingers reached around her tummy and brushed her nether lips sending a shiver down her spine. She wasn't even feeling the cold, just the heat radiating from Kenshin's slender chest on her back. She closed her eyes breathing in the steam from the tub. Low moans rumbling from her heaving chest.
"Are you enjoying this Kaoru-dono?" Kenshin whispered while laying kisses on her neck and shoulders. His lips and tongue tickling her skin.
Kaoru moaned in response. Her breathy reply came late due to Kenshin's fingers, which began circling her most sensitive spot. "Oh, Ken-shin I…always enjoy the way you make me feel…"
Her head drooped into his shoulder, and he picked up the pace. He was enjoying this immensely, it had been nearly two months since he'd made her squirm like this, he thought it would be much longer until he had her at his mercy again.
He tried to get his fingers inside her, but his arm was already stretched quite far, so he opted to speed up his movements and put great pressure on her overly sensitive lips. His fingers flew, her lips pulsing and shaking around him, she moaned for him to stop and slow down but they were half-hearted requests. It was Kenshin's free hand than sent her over the top, he reached up to her sensitive nipples, distracting her, and she climaxed. The contractions were too much for her swollen body, and she realized she was urinating. Embarrassed, she whispered, "Kenshin don't look I'm…" tears swelled in her eyes, but Kenshin kissed them away.
"Shhh. It's fine Kaoru, it's natural that it is, and expected when there is baby that big inside you! Come, let's get into the bath." Kenshin said in his all too calm manner. He was never fazed by anything. Kenshin placed a light kiss on her lips and helped her up from the washing bench.
Struggling to stand on shaking legs, Kenshin supported most of her weight into the bath. They cuddled in the warm water and Kenshin poured water over her head and she his. She knew he was ignoring his desire, but they chatted for a bit, and much to her surprise he asked her, "Kaoru, can we make love? I'll be slow and gentle. I miss you, I need to feel you around me."
"Mmhmm. I'm nearly weightless in the water, I think I can manage but I'll let you know if I'm getting too tired." Kaoru said.
"I've been craving your body for so long, that I have." He guided Kaoru on top of him. He wished that she could face him, but he knew that was impossible. He slowly lowered her onto his length. She moaned as he inserted himself for the first time in what seemed like forever. Kenshin supported her lightweight frame around her rib cage as he slowly moved her up-and-down on his erection. Her moans increasing in intensity as Kenshin found his rhythm. He found himself unable to keep the pace slow as he had promised. Kaoru tried to help by holding onto the side of the tub, but she found herself squeezing her own bosom, and holding her swollen breasts in place as she bobbed on top of him.
They were both straining to keep up the speed, and Kenshin asked breathily, "Can we change positions?" Kaoru knew it was a good idea, she sat up and he followed as she moved to the side of the tub, he stood behind her, running his hands down her back. She took one of his hands and placed it on her stomach, he understood he needed to hold her belly for this to work. He filled her once more and began to move in her, feeling the small motions of his child stirring inside her. Kaoru had to lay her head on the arm that was holding the side of the tub; her exhaustion starting to take over, she wasn't sure how much more she could endure. She knew Kenshin needed this after being so patient with her these last cooped up months. Her insides felt amazing, despite her discomfort, she thought she might just cum again.
Kenshin could tell that her moans were no longer pure pleasure; he picked up the pace slightly, whispering to her that he was very close, and to bear with him just a few more moments. Kaoru was breathing heavily, trying to tolerate the sweet pain that her love was bringing her. His manhood throbbing within her womb where their child grew. Water lapping around them. After a few more rough penetrations, he released inside her, calling out her name. Kaoru felt her lips contract and welcome his seed each time he released.
Collapsing from exhaustion he lowered her to the bench in the bath. Her head rolling onto his shoulder. Kenshin kissed her tenderly on the forehead and laid his head against hers. His loving voice thanked her, and she could feel his tender thoughts for her as he gently stroked the wet hair from her face. They sat there together regaining their strength until the tub began to cool and they knew they had to get out. Kenshin wrapped Kaoru in her robe and they walked out into the calm beginning of spring, back into the dojo where they spent the afternoon in peace.
After two false alarms, the dojo was in a tizzy. Megumi had come and went twice, expecting to deliver baby Himura.
The first time, Kaoru had woken Kenshin from his slumber, over exaggeration the pain she was in. "KENSHIN! GET UP!" She had yelled from the futon.
"ORORO?" He startled awake, springing from the corner where he was sleeping. "What's wrong?" He asked in a panic.
"The baby is coming."
Kenshin had run around the room in circles, gathering various things until Kaoru yelled at him again, "Get Megumi you dummy!" Like an army soldier, he snapped out of his daze and ran from the dojo, nearly forgetting his shoes.
Three hours later, a very groggy Megumi, Sano, and Yahiko slumped back to their beds because the contractions had subsided.
A few days later, it happened again, but this time Kaoru knew the pain was worse. This time, Yahiko was sent to fetch Megumi, who after finding out it was another false alarm, set Kaoru on bed rest, left the basin and towels and returned home.
Almost a week passed, and Kaoru was stir crazy. Kenshin did his best to entertain her, they set up pillows on the porch for her so she could sit outside, but since it was Cherry Blossom season, she started complaining. "Kenshin!" She whined. "I wanna go on a walk." He had ignored her for several days already, but he knew he couldn't keep it up. Happy wife, happy life. He thought. And he knew Kaoru wasn't happy.
"Megumi said you have to lay down." He said sheepishly.
"I don't care! I can't lie here anymore! Obviously this kid isn't coming out anytime soon!" she said, frustrated. No matter what Kenshin said, she complained until he caved in.
"Okay, lets go for a walk, just to the trees, then we are coming right back, that we are!"
"Yay!" Kaoru cooed, "Help me up!" Kenshin gave Sano a look, warning him to be on guard. Sano nodded, and kept hanging the laundry. Kaoru had to wear a pair of Kenshin's sandals because they found hers didn't fit, and they set off. "You better not tell Megumi about this." Kaoru threatened. Kenshin chuckled.
"This one's lips are sealed." Kenshin teased as they came upon their favorite spot, the Cherry Blossoms were in full bloom, though not falling quite yet, much to Kaoru's disappointment.
She took a deep breath in. "It smells wonderful out here. " She said, leaning heavily against Kenshin, his arm wrapped around her waist, and their hands joined on her protruding stomach.
"That it does," Kenshin paused, staring at his glowing wife. " Your skin glows pink just like these blossoms Kaoru. " Kenshin said. They had found a large tree to rest against, and were enjoying each others silent company. Kenshin reached around Kaoru and looked into her eyes before laying a light kiss on her, which deepened as he began to rub her belly, Kaoru supported the child with one hand, and combed through his red hair with the other, moaning into his kiss. He hadn't kissed her like that in what seemed like ages.
Suddenly Kenshin broke the kiss, and drew away from her, hand on his hilt.
"Do you hear something?" Kaoru asked softly. Kenshin looked about, then back to Kaoru, his eyes darted downward, but he kept his face in check, even though his insides were screaming, he even thought he heard a voice inside him say, "Damn, this kids got bad timing."
"Kaoru, we need to get you home now." Kenshin said calmly, already looping an arm around her middle, and pulling her away from the tree.
Kaoru looked confused. "But Kenshin, we just got here. What's wrong? I-AhhhHH!" She buckled over slightly, pulling Kenshin down with her. When she caught her breath she looked up at him, her face in pain, worry darting across her brow. "Okay," she nodded, "Let's go." They walked in silence for a bit, Kenshin reminding her to breath each time she buckled over, but he knew they were taking too long.
"Put your arms around my neck Kaoru-dono." He commanded. She obliged, wincing though the next contraction. Kenshin picked her up, steadying himself, hoping he could support her, not from the weight, but her size. He yelled out when he neared the dojo, "SANOSUKE!" Within seconds, the gate swung open, and Sano was already on the run to Megumi-dono's house.
Yahiko saw Kenshin with Kaoru in his arms, she was slumped into his shoulder. Yahiko pulled the bedding into the spare bedroom, and helped Kenshin set Kaoru down, when he looked into his wife's eyes again, he saw fear there. He stroked her head. "Yahiko, can you fill the basin while we wait for Megumi-dono to arrive?"
"Sure Kenshin!" He said, running out of the room.
"He's gotten…. so mature." Kaoru said, smiling. "He'll be a great brother."
"That he will, that he will." Kaoru was holding Kenshin's hand firmly, working through her contractions, which were mere minutes apart now. Kenshin tried to distract her, but it wasn't working. He'd never been good at small talk. "It's finally happening! Aren't you excited Kaoru?" No reply. "I'll admit, I'm nervous, that I am." No reply. Kaoru's breathing increased.
"Kenshin, I'm going to punch you for doing this to me! OW! " She screamed though another wave of pain. Kenshin was having a hard time watching this. During the next breath, Kaoru looked over at Kenshin, her expression softer. "Will you stay with me?"
"Oro? "
"During the birth, will you stay? I don't have my mother here and I…"
"Of course. If that is what you desire, I will stay, if Megumi-san allows me to – "
"If I allow what?" Megumi said, making an entrance as usual, she was flanked by an arsenal of Sano, Tai-san and Tsubame-chan. A rush of relief came over Kenshin. He wasn't sure they'd make it in time, he nodded to Sano in thanks.
"I want Kenshin to stay with me." Kaoru said laboriously.
"A boy in the delivery room? Kaoru, I don't – " But she saw the look of concern on Kenshin's face. "All right. But you better sit behind her and support her back, got it?" She commanded.
"Yes Ma'am!" Kenshin said, moving behind Kaoru's head.
"I'm staying too!" Said Yahiko and Sano in unison, but it was too late.
Megumi clapped the shoji doors on their noses and said in response, "No you are not!"
"AwwwWWWwwww" They said, and Kenshin heard them both plop to the floor, imagining the pouts on their faces made him smile, until Kaoru tensed with pain again.
Tai-san and Tsubame-chan dropped to her sides, taking her hands. Megumi pulled back her kimono a little and spread her legs a bit more. "How are you doing Kaoru?" Megumi asked, "Or was I called in for no reason again?" She said almost sarcastically, which matched Kaoru's scowl.
Kenshin answered, "We were out for a wa—" Kaoru cut him off with a fake scream, but he got the hint. "This time is real that it is, it's been nearly an hour, the pain is now every 3-4 minutes."
"Good, I made it just in time it would seem, hang in their Kaoru, you're ready, so the next time I need you to sit up and push, I'll count to ten, try to stay up that whole time, but its okay if you can't."
Kaoru had never been a quitter, and she wanted this child out as soon as possible. As she lay on Kenshin's lap, sweat beading down her face, he squeezed her shoulders. "We can do this." He whispered to her. She took a deep breath and then the next wave came, Kenshin supported her back, and Tai-san and Tsubame-chan held her legs and she loudly cursed all the Kami possible in 10 counts. By the 3rd round of counts she was back to screaming if she had the breath for it. Kaoru was looking rather pale, and Megumi's face had brightened.
Kenshin asked, "Megumi-dono?"
"Kaoru, I can see the head! It's time to use all your strength."
Kaoru let out a faint chuckle. What do you think I've been doing until now?! She thought.
"Okay Kaoru I need you to push!" Megumi said, and Kaoru's scream nearly deafened everyone in the house. "Okay, half way there, just the shoulders, come on Kaoru!"
Kaoru squirmed a little at the sensation, she was tired, and Kenshin could hear it in her breathing. He knew why guys weren't usually allowed in the room. This birth thing was terrifying. "A little more Kaoru! A little more! Yes!" Megumi sung.
Kaoru fell back against Kenshin, panting. Kenshin smiled at his first glance of the slimy little thing that was his…. son. "We have a son, Kaoru." He whispered. She opened her eyes, they watched Megumi cut the umbilical cord, and heard the first cry of their baby.
"Can we come in yet?!" Yahiko screamed.
"NO!" Megumi screamed back. She had swaddled the baby, and motioned for Kenshin to come. He got the approving squeeze from Kaoru that it was okay to go. Tai-san took his place, as his son was placed in his arms, and he was transfixed. All his worries, and fears of being a father flashed before his eyes, but they vanished. Little sleepy purple eyes stared up at him. So much for an easy girl he thought.
"He looks just like you Kenshin." Kaoru said, as she winced in pain. "Go to the others Kenshin." He looked confused. "Go!" She ordered.
Kenshin left, infant in arms to meet his friends. He sat outside the shoji doors, with Sano patting him on the back, and Yahiko asking to hold the mini Kenshin, but Kenshin couldn't bring himself to let his son go just yet.
"Is Kaoru okay? " Yahiko asked, they were all trying to ignore the moans from behind the doors.
"She'll be fine, that she will. She always is." He had to trust the women in his life now, more than ever before. More than when the kids were sick from poison, more than when he was wounded, they held the life of the one he loved dearly in their hands.
After a while, the shoji doors opened, and the basin had been filled with the towels. Tsubame-chan carried it to the yard. Kaoru lay on clean sheets, and Kenshin came to her side, handing over the small bundle. "He's so little. Just like his otousan probably was. " She tapped his little button nose and he yawned. Everyone laughed.
"Okay Okaasan" Sano teased, "What's the little red-caps name going to be?"
"Don't you dare refer to my son as a mushroom Sanosuke!" Kaoru piped. She looked at Kenshin, and said, "We are going to name him Kenji. Using the same character for Kenshin's 'ken' and the character for 'the way' 剣路."
"Kenji. The way of the sword. What a noble name, you give this one too much credit, that you do Miss Kaoru." Kenshin said stroking the child's head, which was covered in a fine red dusting of hair. "Kenji…"
"Great name Kaoru! Only you would think of that." Megumi said.
"After all Kenshin, it was your sword that brought us together, and saved us many times. Just as raising Kenji will be our new path in life." Kaoru said. Kenshin was silent, happier than he had ever felt.
"Yahiko, you're a big brother now!" Tsubame-chan beamed. "How exciting! " Her smile made the young boy blush.
"Congratulations Kaoru, get some rest, and feel free to call on us if you need us." Tai-san said, ushering Tsubame-chan outside with her.
"Thank you, you two! I'll never be able to repay you!" Kaoru yelled after them.
Once they were out of earshot, Megumi joked, "You can help her deliver Yahiko's child one day as payment." Yahiko, Kaoru and Sano's eyes all trained on Megumi in horror, but Kenshin just laughed. "What? Too soon?" Megumi said, feigning innocence.
Yahiko ran outside in embarrassment. "Still a child after all I suppose," said Sano.
Megumi threw an arm around his shoulders and said, "Let's go find Yahiko and see what's for dinner. I'm sure our new parents are hungry."
Finally alone, Kenshin propped Kaoru up on his lap again. "Parents. I can't believe it's finally over."
"Over? Kenshin, it's never over. This is the beginning of everything."
"I guess you're right, that you are. Kenji. Already a troublemaker, just like his mother."
"And a redheaded fireball with eyes that can make any woman swoon, just like this father."
Kenshin leaned over and kissed her upside-down.
Kaoru felt a tear drip in her hair. "Kenshin?"
"No cause for worry. Tears of joy as I hold my family in my arms. For a wanderer, this is quite a happy but unexpected path to be on. Thank you Kaoru, for giving this one a home."
Much to everyone's surprise, Kenji slept through the night after his first delicious supper. In the morning, an unforeseen guest arrived. Kenshin went to the door when he heard the gate open, "Master!" Kenshin cried out. "Welcome. It's good to see you."
"So, it finally happened my idiot apprentice." He said. "The boy has become the father."
"How did you know, Master? It was just yesterday."
"Something in the wind told me that the child would be born as the first petals fell from the Sakura blossoms. A fitting time for my purest pupil."
"I'm you're purest pupil?" Kenshin asked, in wonderment.
"Of course not. But I foresee that one day this child will apprentice with me. Where is he?"
"Impeccable timing as usually Sejuro-san." Kaoru said as they neared her room. "You even knew it was a boy. Sugoi."
"Kaoru-chan, you look wonderful, like a pale winter's moon." Kaoru blushed a little. Kenshin bit his tongue.
"Would you like to hold your grandson?" Kenshin offered. Hiko swallowed hard.
"If you think an old man like I deserves the honor, I would very much like to." Hiko said humbly. This was a side of his Master Kenshin had never seen before.
Kaoru placed the child in his arms, and just like Kenshin, you could see the bond forming already. "He looks so like you Kenshin, his eyes, pure but hard as yours always were. What is his given name?"
"Himura Kenji." Kaoru answered
"Ken…ji. A fitting name for a child who bears so many burdens from his father, and so much patience from his mother." Kenshin sighed in the background. "I'll stay a few days, but then I must return. I'll cook tonight." He handed the infant back to Kenshin and left the room.
Thank you to all my readers, Kenshin fans and pervs out there =). Your comments and PMs have truly kept this story going, and I know it takes me many months to update! I'm a busy person, sorry guys! I'm going to be moving to another country soon, so I'm going to try to get the last chapter I have done released before that. The SECONDARY climax as it is.
Please don't leave comments about historical or medical inaccuracy about the birth. I'm not a doctor, and I honestly didn't want to do any real research about medieval birth techniques.
Also, I didn't put a birth date for a reason, it's just sometime in March based on conception. The Kanji for Kenji is accurate, and is what Watsuki, the Author used to spell his name, so don't correct me.
剣路 (Sword, the way) Kenji