IT WASN'T SUPPOSED TO BE LIKE THIS! I am so, incredibly sorry. Really, I honestly lost all of my inspiration for a short while. I didn't give up on this story though. I just waited until it all came back... so we'll see how it goes. (Smiles) Okay, this is officially my longest story... and I am SO. Freaking. Excited! Anyway, here's chapter 11. You're probably going to kill me in how I'm planning to end this. Probably. I'm not sure yet (laughs).
Rurouni Kenshin: I do not own. The Purpose: I do own.
PS: There. Is. Sex. In This Chapter. So, yeah... just so you know. I have guidelines at that part, if you want to skip it. Have fun, kiddies. Okay, not kiddies. Kiddies don't need to be reading this. (laughs)
It was their last week of school and Kaoru was getting more nervous by the minute. She wasn't ready to graduate; she wasn't ready to start a new life. An unfamiliar life anyway. She sat in class, waiting, lightly tapping her pen against her desk, hardly paying attention to the last of the lesson.
A ball of paper landed on her desk and she looked over. Misao was gesturing for her to read it. Kaoru opened it and silently read it.
I think it's sweet that Kenshin is staying with you. I still wish you guys would come to Kyoto.
Kaoru smiled and looked up to see the instructor's back to her. She quickly wrote her own message before throwing it back at Misao.
We'll come visit. I promise. You better come visit too. I can't believe it's only been five months.
Five months. Five months since Tomoe had been gone. It seemed like a lifetime ago... She was the reason they were where they were now, in life. She was the purpose. Kaoru smiled, silently thanking her.
The ball was thrown back at her. It's only been a few months for you and Kenshin, but seeing you two together... it feels like a lifetime. I'm glad he makes you happy. We all think that you two make a cute couple. I think Tomoe was right in putting you two together. Whether you guys realize it or not.
She smiled. She began to write back, but the teacher's voice made her jump.
"If you two keep passing notes, I'm going to hold you after school." He looked over his shoulder at them and they gave a sheepish smile. "I know that you're all ready for graduation and summer vacation, but you have a few days left. If you could bear with my boring lectures just a few days more..."
He was joking of course. If there was any class that was enjoyable, it was this one.
"Sorry." Kaoru laughed. Misao just stuck out her tongue as he turned back towards the board.
"That's very immature, Makimachi." The whole class laughed.
Kaoru's phone went off just then, indicating that she had received a text, and they all looked at her.
"What have I told you about phones?" The teacher sighed.
"I'm sorry sir." She pulled out her phone and saw that it was Akira. "I'm really sorry, but this is really important."
"And what is it about, Miss Kamiya?"
They all stared at her, waiting for an answer. "It's about Tomoe." She announced before standing up and grabbing her backpack. "I'm really sorry." She rushed out of the room and went to the room across the hall where Kenshin and Aoshi were.
She opened the door and immediately apologized. "I'm sorry to interrupt, but I need to borrow Kenshin."
"What do you need him for, Miss Kamiya?" Saito Hajime. He hated her. Mostly because she couldn't pay attention in his class.
"Our godchild is about to be born." She smiled at him and Kenshin's eyes widened. He quickly excused himself and met her at the door.
"Are you sure?" He asked as they walked out of the school.
"Well, Sayo is in labor. Any time now." She smiled. Labor could be long, but they wanted to be there for all of it. Akira wanted them there as well.
Kenshin walked to his car and opened the passenger door for her. "She's a little early, isn't she?"
"Kaoru laughed and waited until he got in on the other side. "Hey, you can't argue with a baby when it's ready to join the world."
As Kenshin pulled out of the parking lot, he took her hand. He quickly made his way to the hospital. On the way, Kaoru had called Akira and he said he would meet them outside.
"How is she?" Kaoru asked when they arrived and walked up to him.
"In pain." He smiled sympathetically.
"I can't even imagine." Kenshin commented. Akira laughed, agreeing.
"Yes, well, us women can do a lot that you couldn't even imagine." She smiled and they returned it, wholeheartedly.
"Come on. I'll take you to see her." They walked inside and into a room where a fragile young woman lay on the bed, her stomach swollen with Akira and Tomoe's child.
"Sayo," Akira got her attention, "this is Kaoru and Kenshin."
She must have known who they were, because she smiled and held out her hand.
Kaoru went to her immediately and took her hand. "It's so nice to meet you." She smiled at the woman.
"Likewise." Sayo smiled before she looked behind her. "Hello Kenshin. It's a pleasure to finally meet you." He only smiled in response. Sayo's body tensed up as another contraction hit.
Her breath was quick and shallow, like she was having a hard time getting any air. Kaoru knelt down by her side. "Breathe." She whispered in the girl's ear. "It's okay. You can do this." She soothed. Sayo's breathing began to return to normal and Kaoru swept her hand through the girl's hair. "That's it." Sayo just smiled a pain stricken smile at her.
Hours went by and finally the baby was ready to come into the world. Only one person was allowed to stay in the room, and Akira said that Kaoru could.
"No." She shook her head as she made her way to Kenshin. She took his hand and looked back at Akira and Sayo. "This is your baby. You should be the first one to greet him."
His eyes widened at Kaoru's sincere words. "Thank you."
"We'll be out in the hallway." She smiled. They stood in the hallway as they heard Sayo scream, groan and cry in pain.
Kaoru couldn't help but cringe and Kenshin gave her a sympathetic smile. "Not for you, huh?" He teased.
"Not right now." She replied, cringing again at the woman's reactions behind the door. "I want kids someday."
"How many?" He asked without thinking.
She smiled up at him. "At least one, but I could possibly want more." She paused. "How about you?"
"I'd be lucky enough to have one." He said.
"Why do you say it like that?" She asked.
He looked into her eyes. "Sometimes I don't feel like I'm worthy enough to be a father."
She looked forward, staring at the wall in front of her. "It doesn't take much to be a father." She stated, before she smiled to herself. "But I think you'd be a great dad." When he didn't reply, she looked up at him, and his eyes were wide; startled. "I'm sorry. Was that too forward?"
"No, not at all. I'm honored that you think that." He smiled. He opened his mouth to say something else, but the door opened, revealing Akira.
He had the biggest smile on his face; something that most people didn't get to witness. "He's beautiful."
They entered the room and saw the tiny being in Sayo's arms. Tomoe's child. She abandoned the men at the door as she made her way to Sayo.
"Would you like to hold him?" She asked, her eyes heavy. Giving birth was exhausting.
"Can I?" Kaoru asked, hopeful.
Sayo smiled. "Of course." She held out the baby and Kaoru gently took him, minding his head. He was indeed beautiful. She felt tears roll down her cheeks as she turned towards the others. "He's perfect."
Kenshin made his way to her and wiped her tears. "Yes, he is." He turned to Akira. "What did you decide to name him?"
Akira smiled as he made his way towards the group. "Yahiko."
Kaoru's head shot up as she looked at Kenshin.
"What is it?" He asked, concerned. Kenshin gave her an alarmed look as well.
"When we were younger, we always talked about having children." Kaoru explained. "She loved the name Yahiko. She never changed her mind, no matter how many times we would ask her. 'Yahiko. It has to be Yahiko'." She looked down at the infant in her arms. "She never changed her mind..." She whispered. "She loved you. She loves you." She told Yahiko.
Akira looked down at his child and smiled a sad smile. He obviously missed his wife, and looking down at a baby who looked so much like her, he must have missed her even more. "He knows she does." Kaoru handed him his son and he gladly took the newborn. "I just wish she'd been able to hold him before passing."
"She did." Kaoru smiled as she reached her arm around Kenshin's waist, as he, in turn, wrapped his arm around her shoulder. Akira and Sayo looked at her, questioning. "Tomoe held him in her arms as he was being born. It might have only been instant for us, but for them, it was an eternity." Kaoru looked back at Sayo. "You did an amazing job." It was hardly a compliment. Amazing didn't even begin to describe what had happened.
Sayo gave a light, tired chuckle. "Thank you, Kaoru." She looked at Akira. "If you don't mind, I'd like to get a few hours of sleep before you have people over to see your son."
"Not at all." He smiled at her before she lay back to fall asleep.
The week had gone by slower than anyone could have ever imagined, but at the same time, it had gone faster than anyone was ready for. After this, they would have a few weeks with each other before they separated.
Most of the week Kenshin had been with Aoshi and Sanosuke; occasionally Misao and Megumi would tag along. Kaoru had gone to the hospital to see how Sayo and Yahiko had been doing. She would sit there all afternoon and talk to the two. She'd learned a lot by it; how she had met Akira and how he had introduced her to Tomoe. The way she had described the scenes and Tomoe's reactions made Kaoru's heart warm. It was just like Tomoe.
But the day was finally here: Graduation.
It was just hours before the ceremony and they, as a graduating class, were together, giving their final goodbyes.
Many people surrounded Aoshi and Kenshin as their girlfriends leaned against the far wall; watching the scene before them.
"This kind of irritates me." Misao growled.
"If you're so uncomfortable about women flaunting over your boyfriend, why don't you go do something about it?" Megumi commented as she walked up to them.
Misao made a move and Kaoru laughed before grabbing her arm, holding her in place. "Misao, let it go. Just think of it this way: They'll never see him again like this, but you have years to come with him."
"Is that supposed to make me feel better?" She asked, looking at her friend. "Knowing that I get to have the rest of my life with him, but other girls get to crawl all over him for the next ten minutes?"
"Yes." A voice answered, making them all jump. They turned and noticed the two said men were beside them. They blushed guiltily.
"And they weren't crawling all of us." Kenshin smiled beside him.
"Maybe not from where you were, but from back here that's certainly what it looked like." Kaoru argued playfully.
"Is that jealousy I hear?" He teased.
"And, what of it?" Kaoru stuck out her tongue and Misao laughed. Megumi just rolled her eyes.
"Have any of you seen Sano?"
"He said he'd be a little late." Aoshi answered before looking at Misao. "We're going to go get ready and then we'll be back." She nodded before watching them leave.
They girls left soon afterwards, going to Kaoru and Kenshin's house to get ready. To their surprise, Hiko was home.
"What are you doing here?" He asked them as they entered.
"We're getting ready for graduation. What are you doing home?" Kaoru asked.
"I'm grabbing a few things so I can run some errands before I head to the school. I thought the boys were getting ready here." He commented after a moment of silence.
"They were at first." She smiled sympathetically at him. It was his house and he had no idea what was going on. "After figuring out that we had no place to get dressed, they decided that we should get dressed here and they would get dressed at Aoshi's."
He sighed. "Fine." He looked at the girls. "Don't drag your feet." He said as he walked out the door.
An hour passed and they were ready to go. Jumping into Kaoru's car, they made their way to the school. They had told the guys they would all find each other there. After they parked, they approached the doors, but something caught Kaoru's eye. Telling the girls to go ahead, she went to the person who had got her attention, and her eyes widened in surprise as she saw Kenshin.
"What are you doing out here?" She asked as she approached him.
He smiled at her. "I wanted to spend a few more minutes alone with you before we were bombarded by our classmates."
She smiled back as she wrapped her arms around his waist. "I'm sorry I've been so busy this week..." She had once again put someone before him.
"Don't apologize." He kissed her forehead. "You needed to do that, and I'm glad you did. I've been keeping myself busy."
"I love you." She mumbled against his shirt.
He gave a small chuckle. "I love you, too."
She pulled out of his arms and tugged him towards the door. Kenshin went with her willingly. "I'm not ready for this." She admitted.
"None of us really are." He said. And with that, they walked into the school finding their friends and eventually taking their places.
They took their places and the ceremony started. It was long and drawn out, but they all had a good time. Kaoru stood by classmates, whispering little jokes and snide comments to each other. She really would miss them all.
They were pulled out of their conversation when the principle cleared his throat and hesitated. "This isn't what we normally do at graduation, but students have put together a presentation for all of you." He paused again. "I hope you all enjoy this."
Kaoru looked confused as the room darkened and pictures began to show up against the back wall. A slideshow. She shifted her stance, looking at it curiously. It started out with a picture of the graduating class. Pictures of friends showed up afterwards; laughing and loving life. She could hear the families of students chuckling in the background. Not that she could blame them; some of the pictures were very amusing.
Her breath caught as pictures of her friends starting showing up. Misao and Aoshi walking down the hallway, hand in hand. Megumi and Sanosuke sharing a kiss under the tree in front of the school. Kenshin and her laughing at something Tomoe said. After that, countless pictures of Tomoe showed up. Her beautiful smile, her joyful spirit.
Kaoru felt tears roll down her cheeks as pictures of her and Tomoe played. She smiled against the tears. Their friends were in the background of each picture, but her eyes were on Tomoe. She missed her still, but she didn't hurt like she used to. She'd finally moved on.
Tomoe would always be there, but there was so much more to be happy about than to be sad about. Tomoe's life fulfilled it's purpose- and it was glorious.
The last picture was edited. It was so obvious, but it Kaoru's knees go weak. It was a picture of Kenshin and Kaoru together, their friends surrounding them, as Tomoe and Akira smiled by their side.
Their was deafening silence that followed before a round of applause went off. It was beautiful. The lights came back on, but Kaoru couldn't focus.
Classmates instantly surrounded her, pulling her into hugs. It disrupted the auditorium. She hugged them back, apologizing when her tears made their shirts wet. They all stepped back as Kenshin approached her. He pulled her to his chest as she wrapped her arms around his waist.
"Are you okay?" He whispered in her ear.
"I'm great." She smiled against her tears. "That was perfect."
He pulled back and wiped away her tears. "Are you okay to finish?" She nodded. "Good." He smiled, before he gave her a quick kiss. He reluctantly went back to his spot before they announced the graduating class.
When the ceremony was over, they all cheered and separated to find their friends. Kaoru ran to Kenshin. He caught her full force against his body. "So, we're officially graduates." She smiled up at him.
"Are you ready for what comes next?" He asked.
"As long as you're there with me, yes." Someone cleared their throat behind them and they turned to look. "Akira." Kaoru smiled.
He walked towards them, Yahiko in his arms and Sayo to his side. "The ceremony was beautiful."
"It was, wasn't it?" She smiled, gently taking her godson out of his father's arms. "Thank you for coming."
"Thank you for inviting us." He smiled back.
Kenshin wrapped his arm around Kaoru's waist. "We're glad you both could make it." He reiterated. After that, their friends came and bombarded them. Yahiko soon started crying, and Kaoru chastised all of them for waking him up.
Akira and Sayo laughed. "You'll make a good mom." Sayo smiled at her.
Kaoru eyes flew from the baby to Sayo. "What makes you say that?"
"I just know." She smiled. They all stood their for awhile and talked after that. Finally, as people were clearing out, they excused themselves. Yahiko needed to be put to bed.
She was always sad to be separated from him, but she knew that she would see him again. Taking Kenshin's hand, they walked out to the parking lot. "She was right, you know." He said.
"About what?" She looked up at him.
"You would make a good mom." He laughed at her shocked expression. "Don't give me that look."
"Thank you." She smiled, embarrassed. "I've always wanted a child, I just didn't know if I would be any good at parenthood. So that means a lot."
"You'll be great." He kissed her cheek.
When they made it home, Hiko was there to greet them. "The ceremony was great." He commented, before grabbing his suitcase.
"Where are you going?" Kenshin asked.
"The office. I'm sure you two are wanting some alone time together. Have a good night." He walked to the door. "Don't destroy my house." He added before walking out.
They stared at each other for a minute. "I'm not really sure what to do..." Kaoru admitted.
"What do you want to do?" He asked. Her face turned crimson at his question, and he laughed. "I want to be with you." He whispered in her ear.
She just wrapped her arms around his neck; holding him close. "I love you." She murmured against his neck.
"I know." He said. "I love you, too."
(Mature)
He pulled back from her and grabbed her hand, leading them into his room. They didn't waste any time. As soon as the door shut, he pushed her against his; his lips descending to hers. His hands latched her sides as her hands wrapped around to his back. They kissed, long and hard before his hands pulled her dress up, taking it off over her head. She stared at her lovingly. She stood before him in just her panties.
Nervous of his opinion of her, she covered her breasts up, but he gently pushed her arms away. "Don't be embarrassed." He smiled before he kissed her again; taking her breasts in his hands. She let out a moan as she slipped her hand into his pants, cupping him.
He smiled against her lips as one of his hands found their way into her panties. She gasped against his lips as he began to play with her.
There was so much sexual tension between the two of them. She wasn't sure she could take much more of this. She took her hand out of his pants and placed it against his shoulder. "Kenshin." She begged against him.
He pulled back, a little. "Are you in a hurry?" He teased.
"Don't tease." She stuck her tongue out. "Please."
He smiled as he separated from her. He led her to the bed, making her lay down before he took his shirt off, followed by his pants. Climbing over her, he gently separated her legs and entered her.
Kaoru didn't know what she was expecting, but this was definitely not it. It was so much better. She pulled her knees up towards her chest as he slid in and out of her. He was slow and gentle, which was new to her... but she loved it.
He leaned down to press his lips against hers. Kaoru smiled against them as her her nails lightly scraped down his back. She felt him shiver against her, and she felt a triumphant feeling well up inside of her.
Kenshin smiled down at her. He loved her, more than he thought he could ever love anyone. He wanted her to pick the pace she wanted. Sliding out of her, he rolled to lay beside where she had been, bringing her to sit on top of him.
She looked confused.
"I want you to pick a pace that's good for you- for the both of us." He brought his hand up to cup the side of her neck; brushing his thumb against her cheek.
She smiled as she took him into her again, gently beginning to rock against him, slowly getting picking up her pace. Soon she held a constant pace as she rode him. They both let out sounds of pleasure. A thin layer of sweat covered both of their bodies, and they marveled in it.
She leaned forward as he leaned up. She slammed her lips against his as she rocked against him. His hands found their way to her hips as he took control. She dug her nails lightly into his shoulders as he started to pound against her. They were both so close to release.
"I love you." She repeated against his thrusts.
Their release was fierce. Crying out, they shuddered against each other. Kaoru leaned forward, collapsing against Kenshin's chest.
Wrapping his arms around her body, he held her close. "I love you, too." He smiled against her hair.
(End Mature)
She continued to lay there. She didn't know if she could move. Her bones felt like jelly. "That was so perfect."
"It was." He agreed. "I'm not sure how we've made it to where we are, but I'm glad we did." Kenshin admitted.
Kaoru found the strength to lean up to look at him. "I'm glad we did, too. I can't imagine a life without you." She confessed to him, her cheeks heating up.
He smiled, but didn't say anything. She rolled off of him; laying down beside him. Kenshin pushed her hair out of her face as he thought of what to say?
"Are you okay?" Kaoru asked after a few minutes passed.
He looked surprised at her question. "Yeah, why?"
"You just look deep in thought." She shrugged.
He just smiled, again. There was a paused before he opened his mouth to speak. "When Akira came to ask us to be Yahiko's godson..." He paused again.
She propped herself up on her arm. "Yes?" Where was he going with this? There were so many things he could say with this, but only one stuck out to her. His bad reaction to her saying 'your girlfriend's godson'. He might not have meant anything by it, but the reaction had hurt her.
"When you were persuading me to say yes, and I was telling you how sick the situation was... I remember you saying to think of it as my girlfriend's godson."
Kaoru felt sick to her stomach. Why did it have to be that part? She didn't react; she lay there, waiting for him to continue.
"In that moment, I pictured you with a child in your arms..." He paused, embarrassed. "and I loved it." He admitted.
"What?" Kaoru asked, not believing her ears.
"I'm not rushing you, and I'm definitely not pressuring you." He replied. "I just want you to know that I want to spend my life with you." He lay there in the silence for a moment, until a smile began to form on her lips.
"I will always be here with you." She stretched her arm over his chest. "I am in love with you, and that's never going to change."
"I love you" was all he could say. They lay there in the comfortable silence, until he laughed.
"What's so funny?"
"The awkwardness of that conversation." Kenshin admitted.
"What, exactly, made it awkward?"
"We just had sex, and I told you I wanted to have a family with you." He smiled, but his smile quickly fell at a realization. He opened him mouth, but she beat him to it.
Kaoru's eyes were warm, and loving. "It's okay. Whatever happens, we'll face it." She leaned forward and kissed him.
The next day, Hiko came back to a quiet house... too quiet. Walking up the stairs, he saw that Kenshin's door was open. He quickly scanned the room before walking to Kaoru's door.
If they were sleeping, he didn't want to wake them up. Quietly opening the door, he saw that they were indeed sleeping. Together. Naked. They definitely took the opportunity he handed to them.
Smiling to himself, he shut the door and went back downstairs. He sat in his chair before the phone rang. "Hiko." There was a pause. "May I ask whose calling?" Another pause. "I'll have them call you back. They're sleeping right now."
Oh. My. Geezus. I feel pleased with how that turned out. Again, I really want to apologize for taking so long to update. School, no inspiration... it's a killer. But, I've had some inspirational moments in life, so it totally helped. I hope you all enjoy this.
Questions? Comments? Concerns?
-K
