Thanks to all those who reviewed and those who have written asking what's going on...I appreciate your patience...hopefully this will make up for it.
ON TO THE STORY!!!!!
Chapter Seven: Project Dojo
Planet Earth
Kenshin stroked the hair of his wife as she slept soundly across his chest. He had worn her out...more than once. He smiled in deep satisfaction as he looked lovingly at her still features. I still can't believe she's mine! Koishii, how I've longed to make you mine in every possible way, and now I can. I promise, no one will ever harm you. I am yours, and you are mine...you will always be under my protection. Kenshin's eyes danced in amusement as he watched the edges of Kaoru's mouth turn up into a smile. It was almost as if she could hear his silent vows in her sleep.
I still don't understand why I can't remember the past five years. It's so odd that I should forget so much. Last thing I remember of Kaoru was making up my mind, that I would be her protector and follow her wherever she went....and watch every move she made. I wonder if I ever followed through with my plan. She seems somewhat different from what I had always imagined she'd be, but then again, I can't really say I remember getting to know her very well. This is all just so confusing...
"Kenshin, are you alright?" Kaoru said. She had been watching his face carefully for quite a few minutes when she saw his brow knit with what appeared to be confusion. I hope he's not piecing things together... Kenshin snapped out of his reverie to answer her that yes he was fine.
"What are you doing awake so soon? I thought for sure you'd be out for the rest of the night," Kenshin winked at her with a lustful gaze.
Kaoru blushed and swatted him playfully on the abdomen. "Kenshin, I was thinking, I haven't seen my folks in quite a while...and well, oh wait, do you even remember them?" Kaoru asked blushing with embarassment. She had forgotten that he'd lost 5 years of his memory, and she didn't even know whether or not Kaoru's father had ever met Kenshin.
Kenshin laughed and reassured her, "Nope, can't say I've actually met the guy and can remember his personality, but I do recall what he looks like. So at least I know I won't be running up to embrace your butler and calling him dad!"
Kaoru grinned in amusement. "Okay, good, well how about we go for a visit tomorrow afternoon? Sound good?"
Kenshin pouted, "Koishii, you do realize I don't remember our previous months of wedded bliss...I was kind of hoping to make up for that and ravish you all day long for the next 3 weeks. Possibly and probably longer!" Kaoru blushed a deep crimson.
"Please, Kenshin, I really have to talk to my father right away. It's really important!" Kaoru pleaded.
Kenshin's face instantly masked with worry, "Is everything okay Kaoru? What's so important?" Kaoru looked away, avoiding his probing gaze. Kenshin picked up her hand and held it delicately within his own. "Koishii, you can tell me anything. Please share with me what is bothering you."
Kaoru continued to avoid his eyes as she answered, "I will tell you Kenshin, I promise. I just can't right now. All I can say is that it is of dire importance that I speak with my father soon. Please Kenshin, let's go for a visit, okay?"
Kenshin released his grip on her hand, allowing it to fall to her lap. He was hurt that his wife would not share what was bothering her so much. Not only had he lost 9 months of his marriage to the woman of his dreams, but now she was refusing to share important details about her affairs. He felt as though he was losing her, even though he never dreamt he would ever have her. Kenshin reluctantly nodded his agreement. "Sure, love. I'll take you to see your father tomorrow."
Kenshin's voice sounded semi-depressed. Kaoru realized he was probably annoyed with her reluctance to share with him the details that concerned the talk she needed to have with her father. But she couldn't help it. I'm sorry Kenshin, I just need time to think up a story to explain why I want to ask my father to tear down that forrest...I need time.
Kenshin slid from the sheets and was about to leave when Kaoru caught him by the shoulder. "Don't be upset dear, I promise, I'll tell you tomorrow after the talk with my father. I want this to be a surprise."
Kenshin stood still for a moment before climbing back into the bed and giving her a light kiss on the forehead. "I'm sorry, I know it must seem unfair for me to leave like this. I just need some time to think. I'm not upset love...I just want to go train for a while, I always tend to think better with a sword in my hand." Kaoru nodded and allowed him to leave. I hope you're not lying to me. If you're anything like Battousai, you going to train means you ARE upset indeed... Kaoru just gazed after him as he left the room. Then it was time to get to work.... Now what is a good, legitimate reason for wanting that forrest torn down... and so Kaoru began to brainstorm.
Planet Areth
Battousai swiftly made his way through the wooded area that would direct him towards Megumi's clinic. As he walked, he imagined his daughter. He wondered what she looked like, whose features would be more dominent in her face. Kamiya Kaylynn, eh? Kaylynn is fine, I suppose I shall allow the woman that much decision...but that child is a Himura, whether or not the wench likes it.
Kaoru yawned as she got out of bed quickly, to retrieve her crying child. "Are you hungry little one?" Kaoru asked as she smiled down on her little bundle of pride. Kaoru shivered as she walked quickly back to the warmth of her bed, carrying her baby in her arms. She made a mental note to suggest Megumi get a rug in that room of hers. Kaylynn squirmed and whimpered as Kaoru swiftly opened her top. It wasn't quick enough for Kaylynn though as she let out another angry cry. Kaoru quickly brought her to her breast and Kaylynn cooed in contentment as she suckled the sweet milk that filled her stomach. Kaoru suddenly felt as if eyes were on her.
"Megumi? I'm sorry, I didn't mean for Kaylynn to wake you. She's just hungry...everything's okay, go back to bed," Kaoru spoke softly, so she would not disturb her feeding child.
"Only way I'll do that is if it's your bed I'm going to..." a low voice spoke in a bone-chilling tone.
Kaoru looked towards the sound of the voice and saw glowing amber eyes. As the man stepped forward and into the light, she gasped and her features blanched white.
Battousai sighed as he finally reached Megumi's clinic. It was 5 til midnight. Megumi should have that kid in a secure location by now. I don't want to deal with seeing the wench just yet... For some reason, Battousai just did not like the affect this Kaoru seemed to have on him. Maybe it was the fact that she carried his child...or maybe it was just her. Whatever it was, he didn't like it.
He stealthily stepped inside and made his way to the room he knew the child would most likely be in. But what he saw before him was unexpected. He did all he could to hold himself in check. There he saw Kaoru, undoing her gown, letting her chest fall free from it's bondage of cloth. He had forgotten how beautiful her body was. And then he saw her, his daughter, as she sucked contently from her mother's breast, getting her fill and quietly nodding off. He watched as Kaoru became aware of his presence, her eyes had focused and she was glancing around the room in curiousity. Then she spoke, "Megumi? I'm sorry, I didn't mean for Kaylynn to wake you. She's just hungry...everything's okay, go back to bed" Her voice as soft as silk and he relished how it rolled off of her tongue with such gentleness...little did she know that he would more than willingly take her up on that invitation.
"Only way I'll do that is if it's your bed I'm going to..." he spoke in a cold ice tone, each word deliberate in it's meaning.
Battousai smirked tauntingly as he stepped into the light and heard her gasp of fear. For a moment, something inside him was telling him to leave her be and not to scare her. He pushed it down not heeding the warning. He did not like the way this woman seemed to be weakening him, causing him to feel guilty about her fear of him.
Kaoru stayed as still as could be and shut her eyes tightly after seeing his taunting smirk. Please let this be a dream...please, don't let it really be him. Kaoru opened her eyes cautiously hoping to find her and her child alone...but she was not granted that hopeful wish. Battousai stood over her staring down at the child at her breast. Kaylynn had fallen asleep a few minutes prior and milk was lazily dripping from the corner of her mouth. Battousai watched the careful, small rise and fall of her chest. He reached down and scooped up the child in his big rough hands. He was so quick Kaoru didhn't have time to react. Kaoru moved as if to snatch the child back, but one glowering look from his molten amber eyes froze her in her tracks.
"I know you do not wish to keep me from my own child...so you best stay where you are. Or you won't like the consequences," Battousai spoke icily.
Kaoru's sapphire eyes sparked angrily and her motherly instinct went into effect. She stood from the bed and planted her hands firmly on her hips. "Just what do you think you are doing here? I'm telling you right now Battousai, so help me, if you lay one finger on that child to harm her, I don't care what it takes, I will kill you!" she shouted in rage.
In a blur of red, Battousai had her pinned by her neck against a wall, having already deposited the baby soundlessly into her cradle. "What was that?" he snarled, his eyes afire with molten amber.
Kaoru's eyes showed no sign of backing down, but her aura reeked of fear. Battousai remained indifferent and stared her angry glare down with one of his own, one that had promised death to many others who dared defy him. Battousai admired the courage she had seemed to obtain in such a short time. She was like a mother bear protecting her cub...but what she failed to realize is, even the mother bear realizes she's chancing death by having a show down with a hunter with a shotgun.
Just then Sano and Megumi appeared at the door in the room. "Jou-chan, you okay? I hear you scream and-" Sano stopped what he was saying and immediately went on the defensive as he saw Kaoru pinned to a wall by a mad man. Sano growled low in his throat, "Let her go now..."
Battousai dropped her angrily onto her mattress. "You'd be wise to first find out who you're dealing with then to challenge me," Battousai spoke, his aura just confirming his authority to kill all and any that opposed him. He drew his katana and immediately fell into a fighting stance. Sano just stared at him unafraid. He was about to attack when Megumi jumped in front of him in a protective stance.
"No Battousai, leave him, please I beg of you! He doesn't understand," she pleaded. Battousai relaxed his stance and sheathed his sword as Megumi turned to Sano. "He is the baby's father, and he's also the legendary Hitokiri Battousai, please, do not cross him. I do not want to lose you, Sano!"
Sano looked at her in shock. Then looked to Kaoru, "Jou-chan, I don't care if this guy is the father or not, don't let him treat you that way. And so help me if he ever lays a finger on you, I will drop kick him. You don't have to take any crap from this guy...you're way better than that!"
Kaoru had remained focused on Battousai, her anger digging into his back like nails. She nodded that she heard Sano, but never removed her eyes from Battousai, for fear she would miss something and he would attack her little girl.
"You know he's wrong. Don't think just because I have given you a reprieve that you are free. You still belong to me, Kaoru. You're mine...and if anyone else dares touch you, they will pay the price," Battousai growled out. Sano heard the hidden meaning. If Battousai ever smelt his scent on Kaoru, he'd kill him. Sano stared at the Battousai defiantly. Then he strut over to Kaoru and gave her a hug telling her to take care of her baby and herself.
Battousai bristled at the man's lack for respect. This, Sano character, as Megumi called him, didn't think that Battousai would really follow through. He drew his katana and struck him with the hilt of the sword knocking him out. "Megumi, take him...and when he wakes...tell him that was a warning." he spoke icily. Megumi moved to do his bidding. Then Battousai glared at Kaoru. "As for you, I'll be back...you're still mine...as is that child," then he strode out of the room. Stopping at the doorway, he called over his shoulder, "Oh, and so you know...the brat will have my name...you can keep referring to her as Kaylynn, but just know that it is now Himura Kaylynn." With that he strode out into the night.
Himura? Then...is his real name Kenshin? He looks just like Kenshin does, but he's so cruel, and so mean...they can't possibly be...one and the same man, like Kaoru and myself...can they?
Planet Earth
"Hey daddy, how are you?" Kaoru asked, embracing the man she longed to keep as her father forever.
"I'm doing good. And how is my lovely daughter today?" the older man laughed, a twinkle in his old eyes.
"Well, actually, not so well. I have a lot of things on my mind and I was hoping you could help," she said slowly.
"Well, why don't you go ahead and tell me what's on your mind, princess," he smiled.
"Well, I want the forest...or at least, a certain section of it," Kaoru said.
"Whatever for, dear?" he asked curiously.
This was the beauty of her plan...after staying up half the night thinking about it, Kaoru came to the perfect excuse for wanting that particular section cleared...and actually, Battousai was the inspiration for it.
"Well, daddy, I know in this day and age, there are a lot of dangerous people about. It could be really dangerous for a young woman to go out on her own for fear of being attacked. Or a young boy as well. And I was thinking...I want to build a dojo..." she spoke each word carefully.
"A dojo? Why, Kaoru, you don't even know the art of fighting. Who will teach in this dojo of yours?" the old man asked.
"I don't know daddy, I was hoping you could help out in that area. And that's another thing too...I want to learn to protect myself. Kenshin is such a strong amazing man, and I know he could protect me if ever the need arise...but you know how independent I am. I want to be able to protect myself," Kaoru pleaded.
"Well, actually, your great uncle does know a style of fighting. I believe it's called the Kamiya Kasshin Ryuu. Why don't I give him a call and see if he'd be interested in running this dojo of yours?" he smiled as his daughter's eyes brightened.
"That would be great daddy! Can you do me another favor?" Kaoru asked sweetly.
"Why of course dear, what is it?" he inquired.
"Please send over some workers tomorrow after noon so they can get to work clearing out the area for my dojo," Kaoru said. With a sly grin, she added, "I know just the perfect spot..."
I know, it wasn't very long...but hey, at least it's an update right? right! I am so sorry about taking so long to update. My sister did have her baby...she ended up having him early. He only weighed 4lbs 15oz. But he is doing great. He actually was very health when he was born, despite the fact he was 5 weeks early. Both baby and mother are doing fabulous. And he is such a doll!!! Well, I hope to get a new chapter out within the next two weeks. Thanks everyone SO much for your patience...I appreciate it so much. You all take care and I'm going to post this then go to sleep. (Last night I pulled an all nighter because I was reading fan fics....I was up until 7:50am then slept for 3 and 1/2 hours and I've been up since and now its 12:46am of the next day. Woot!) Cya'll later...and please, do me a favor and give me some encouragement by reviewing. Much thanks!!!