Chapter Five

Author's Notes

Despite the fact that I haven't gotten any recent reviews, I'm posting Chapter Five anyway. The inspiration for this chapter came from a dream I had last night. I'm serious! I never even fathomed of the story taking on a twist as big as this one! I would like to thank whatever deity and/or muse came to me.

On another note, I'm not sure if the title truly fits this chapter. If you haven't noticed by now, all of my chapters are titled with song titles. I couldn't find any title that was simply "Eyes", so I settled for "Sad Eyes" (it's off a Enrique Iglesias CD, by the way). It fits in a way, but not totally. You'll see. Just read.

Disclaimer

Ditto.

~*Chapter Five: Sad Eyes*~

Hitomi stood casually, leaning against the paper walls of the dojo. Something about the way Kenshin did the laundry entranced her; it was…strangely soothing. He didn't rely on modern appliances such as a washing machine and dryer. He washed everyone's clothes in a simple tub of water and a washboard. It was tranquil. Peaceful. Soothing.

Hitomi sighed, massaging the bridge of her nose. I'm losing it, she realized sadly. Here I am, thinking to myself how relaxing Kenshin doing the laundry is, when I should be thinking about how I am going to get back to Gaea.

She was coaxed out of her thoughts as Kaoru joined her in watching Kenshin do the laundry.

A few minutes passed, then came Kaoru's nearly inaudible sigh. "A catch. That's what Megumi told me Kenshin was one time."

Hitomi turned to face her, confusion clearly knitting her light brown brows.

Kaoru giggled quietly at the look on Hitomi's face. "She's right, I realized," she continued. "I mean, here Kenshin is—not taking any lessons from me, just simply living here. And he still volunteers to do the laundry, cook meals, and watch over and play with little Ayame and Suzume whenever Genzai-sensei has something to do and can't convince Megumi to." She hung her head and closed her eyes, obviously contemplating on whether to continue or not. Facing Hitomi again, she chose to continue. "Hitomi, I really don't mean to pry into others' private affairs, but…were you in love with the father of your baby?" Her deep blue eyes flashed concern and worry for asking something so personal of her new student.

Hitomi smiled, easily dissipating the concern and worry of Kaoru. "I don't mind you asking. And yes, I was in love with him." Her emerald eyes shifted upwards, looking at the clear blue sky which was marred with only a few puffs of white cumulous clouds. "I still am. And I always will be."

Kenshin paused in his washing to wipe a few soap bubbles from his cheek. Looking up, he smiled warmly at the sight before him. Kaoru-dono and Hitomi-dono get along like true sisters, he thought to himself. It is good for Kaoru-dono to have a relationship like that.

Suddenly an all too familiar feeling crept onto the back of his senses. His eyes narrowed, and his hand instinctively felt for his sakabatou [reverse-blade sword]. He silently walked to the dojo gates, so as not to worry Kaoru or Hitomi.

At the dojo gates stood a man. He was tall—taller than the tall Sagara Sanosuke (Sano), who was easily a good six feet tall. His hair was almost white in its blondeness, and his eyes were an odd mixture of blue and amber.

"Can Sessha help you?" Kenshin asked politely, unsure if this man was source of the odd ki sensation he was feeling.

The man smirked. "I suppose so," he answered with a distinct British accent to his Japanese. "I'm looking for a woman with child by the name of Kanzaki Hitomi."

Kenshin's eyes narrowed further. So this strange man is looking for Hitomi-dono. But…Kanzaki wasn't her last name… "Sessha is sorry to inform you that there is no one here by that name."

Again the man smirked. "I should've guessed she wouldn't go by that anymore. Fanel then. Is there a pregnant woman here that goes by Hitomi de Fanel?"

Kenshin tightened his grip on his sakabatou. On one hand, he didn't want any harm to come to Kaoru's new student. But on the other hand, he didn't want to lie. Finally deciding to tell the truth, he answered, "Yes. There is a Hitomi de Fanel residing here."

The man grinned, and motioned to open the gates.

Kenshin quickly intervened. "Since Sessha has answered you, you will answer Sessha, that you will. What is your name?"

"My name will not be familiar to her," the man answered. "But if you must give her a name, give her this: Isaac. She'll be familiar with that one."

Kenshin nodded, having accepted the man's answer. "You will stay here while Sessha gets her, that you will," he commanded.

The man nodded, waving his hand as if to hurry Kenshin along.

"So you're telling me that you love Kenshin, but you're not sure if he feels the same for you?" Hitomi asked Kaoru. Gee, I wonder why this is sounding familiar…she thought ruefully.

Kaoru nodded. "I'm sorry that I've dumped my whole life story on you…"

"No," Hitomi interrupted. "Don't be. This is exactly how I felt. What you need to do is…"

"Hitomi-dono!" Kenshin interrupted, running towards her and Kaoru.

"What is it, Kenshin?" Kaoru asked, her voice tinged with worry.

"There is a man at the gates looking for Hitomi-dono," he answered, his violet eyes still slightly narrowed from his confrontation with the strange man.

Hitomi's brows creased. Who…? "Did he give you his name?" she asked meekly.

"The only name he gave Sessha was 'Isaac'."

Hitomi gasped. Her hands trembled. It can't be… Dornkirk is dead!

Suddenly a chuckle could be heard. "So you remember the name," the man spoke. Obviously, he hadn't obeyed Kenshin.

Again Hitomi was confused. "But…you're not…" she stuttered.

"No, I'm not Isaac. I'm not who you knew as Dornkirk," the man confirmed. "But I am his son!" Again he chuckled, advancing forward.

"What's going on here!" Kaoru demanded, now clinging to Kenshin out of fear. Even though she was scared to death by the strange man, she felt tingly as one of Kenshin's arms held her as well. His other hand gripped his sakabatou.

"None of your business!" the man snapped. He turned to face Hitomi. "Interesting how small a world—or should I say universe?—it is. I certainly never thought I'd see the famous Seer from the Mystic Moon. But I have a mission, one that I intend to complete."

"What is your mission?" Hitomi ventured bravely, her arms folding around her stomach in a protective gesture.

Yet again the man chuckled. "My true mission, that which my late father sent me on, is to kill you once you give birth to your child and raise him as my own. He's the heir to both Gaea and the Mystic Moon, you know. I could really use that. But I have a personal vendetta against you. You see, my daughter should be the rightful Queen of Fanelia. But you…you are carrying the King's child. That presents a problem."

Kaoru and Kenshin simply stood by, stupefied expressions on their faces.

Hitomi shuddered. Van! Please…help me…she thought hopelessly. This man…he wants to kill me! He wants to take our baby away! I won't let him do that! "Who ARE you?!" Hitomi growled.

"My Earth name? Nicholas Newton. Or, in Japanese style, Newton Nicholas." The man's blue/amber eyes twinkled. "My Gaean name? Longg. Neicodemus de Longg."