Early that morning, Kenshin was surprised when he woke up without anybody sleeping beside him. Usually, he was the first to wake up in the dojo but it seems that, this morning, Kaoru had other plans… plans, which might give Kenshin white hairs at an early age.
"Yahiko-chan!!!" Kaoru called out from outside.
"Just a minute, busu!!!" Yahiko replied in a grouchy manner.
"Oro!" Kenshin said to himself as he rushed out of the door, not even bothering to change into his day clothes. He glanced worriedly around the perimeter, looking for his wife. When he finally saw her, his eyes bolted out of its sockets. There she was, walking towards the dojo, wearing her training gi and hakama, which were too tight for her because of her condition. Sweat formed on Kenshin's forehead as he noted the bokken she had been waving dangerously on one hand. Kenshin's eyes trailed towards a frightened Yahiko as he followed them towards the dojo.
When he arrived there, Yahiko was already counting-off strokes Kaoru made him do. He immediately ran to Kaoru's side and held her hands tightly. Looking straight into her eyes, he said in a clam tone, "Kaoru, you shouldn't be doing this… it might not be good for our baby."
"But Kenshin, I am sick and tired of sitting or moping inside the dojo doing nothing!" Kaoru replied defiantly.
"Kaoru… taking care of our baby is something…" Kenshin said tenderly but with more force.
Kaoru rolled her eyes and turned her attention to Yahiko, "Yahiko!!! I didn't tell you to stop counting!! Make your voice louder!"
Yahiko glared at her and muttered curses under his breath.
Kaoru looked at her husband while caressed his cheeks, "See, anata? This is not so strenuous. I just observe Yahiko from a distance and yell at him!" She ended her sentence with a smile, being pleased at herself for her reasoning.
Kenshin was not convinced even one bit. He was about to contest Kaoru's lame excuse when noticed Kaoru wince.
Great… just great… now Kenshin will gloat in victory… ugh! Of all the times my stomach would hurt… it just had to be now… Can't it be postponed later when I had already won the argument!? Ugh! Unable to contain the aching feeling, she clutched her stomach and cried out in pain. "AAAaaarrrggghhhh!!!!!"
Alarm, worry, fear passed through Kenshin's features upon seeing his wife's condition. Without any hesitation, he carried her on his arms and ran god-speed towards the clinic. Kaoru, love… Please be okay. I'll never forgive myself if something happens to you and our baby. Kaoru, please hang on.
Kaoru tightened her hold on Kenshin's neck as she felt her stomach throb. "Kenshin!!! Hurry up!!!"
"Orororo!!!" How can I use my god-speed when she is so heavy!! Breathe Himura. Think positive thoughts. You can do it! Your baby is healthy. That's right… Oh Kami!!! She is so heavy!!!! Ororororo!!!!
~~~~~
Kenshin paced the waiting room of Dr. Genzai's office frantically as he waited for the results of Kaoru's examination. Just then, the doors flew open and a cloud of smoke filled the room. Kenshin glared at the unwanted visitor as he said in an icy voice, "Uninvited visitors are not wanted. Get out, Saitoh! I'm not in the mood to fight." With one swift move, he unsheathed his sakabattou and waved it in front of Saitoh's face, cutting the cigarette dangling on his mouth, "Cigarette smoke is dangerous for my child. Leave."
"My, my, my… Daddy Battousai is touchy today." Saitoh stepped inside as he threw the remaining cigarette on the road.
"What do you want?" Kenshin growled.
"What do I want?" Saitoh smirked. "I have what you want from me."
Kenshin continued to glared at him and said while crossing his arms, "Which is…"
"Fatherly advice."
Kenshin eyes widened and fell [RK style!]
"As you know, I already have three boys. Since this is your first child, Tokio convinced me to talk to you what to expect during and after pregnancy. Actually, I was quite worried about the conception part about you being knowledgeable about it but I guess that Kamiya girl led the way."
Kenshin looked at him dangerously with amber eyes as his gripped tightened on the sakabattou."
"Maa, maa. Battousai. Like I said, that is not what I came here for. I just want to tell you what to expect… cravings, morning sickness, mood swings and other representation of hormonal imbalance will taunt you until her conception."
Kenshin yawned mockingly and said, "I already know that Saitoh… Kaoru is in her eight month already. Don't you think I should have known that by now?"
"…"
Kenshin frowned and continued, "I appreciate your effort but I think I can handle things on my own." Like I'd really follow a wolf's advice on parenting…
"Hmph… Looks like you think you got everything figured out Battousai. Oh well, I wasted enough time already." With that he turned around to leave. Before stepping out of the door, he said, "Tokio made sure I tell you this… Make sure you give her all your love, patience and support… she will need it during this delicate stage. Don't worry, everything will be rewarded when the baby comes out." Yeah right…
Kenshin's jaw dropped at Saitoh's wise words as he watched his retreating figure fade in the horizon.
~~~~~
Later that evening, Kenshin woke up when he heard the soft drops of rain against the roof. He stroked Kaoru's cheeks tenderly as he gazed at her beautiful features. He watched her slow and rhythmical breathing, finding it calming to his nerves.
Kaoru slowly fluttered her eyes open as she took Kenshin's hand and pressed it on her lips. She gave him a sweet smile and whispered, "Kenshin… Thank you…"
Kenshin lowered his head and pressed a soft kiss on her lips. "For what?"
"For everything. For putting up with me… For your love… For…"
Kenshin placed a finger on Kaoru's lips to silence her and said, "You don't need to thank me. I love you. As I have said a million times already… I'll do everything for you and our baby."
Kaoru leaned forward and captured his mouth with her own for a long a passionate kiss. When they were already sated, Kaoru asked while stroking Kenshin's hair, "Have I been such a pain these days?"
Kenshin shook his head and said, "No, darling."
"I'm so sorry… I know that it took you a lot of patience to deal with me… to put up with my capriciousness… I'm sorry and… thank you."
"Serving my beloved wife is my pleasure," he replied, pressing a soft kiss on her nose.
"Kenshin?"
"Hmmm…."
"I'll never regret the day I challenged you…"
"…I'll never regret staying with you."
"That's good…" Kaoru murmured as she slowly closed her eyes.
"Kaoru?"
"Hmmmm…"
"I'll never regret the day I asked you to be mine." Kenshin said with much ardor as he caressed her stomach.
Kaoru opened her eyes, smiling widely as she pulled him close for another kiss.
Moments later, Kenshin pulled away wide-eyed. He felt his heart beating rapidly as he immediately sat up. He pressed his ear against her belly as tears began to form in his eyes. He said in outmost joy, "Anata, I felt it!!! I felt our baby kick!!!"
Kaoru ran her fingers across his cheeks to wipe away the tears as she replied, "He will be just like you Kenshin… I just know it."
Kenshin smiled sincerely as he continued to feel his baby's presence. He whispered to her stomach, "Baby, you will give your mother and I so much happiness. I can't wait to finally hold you in my arms." He pressed a soft kiss on Kaoru's navel before he lay down beside Kaoru and continued kissing her. He said in between the kiss, "I love you."
Kaoru melted into their kiss, feeling her heart burst in happiness.
Author's Notes:
Sorry for no more facts. I was supposed Kaoru's favorite person… the idea came from dememtedchris. According to her, that there was book that states that sometimes pregnant women tend to like some people and hate some people at one point. It's kindda like cravings but in this case, it's not food. The idea for this chap came from gypsy-chan and chris. Thanks girls!
My thank you notes will be posted in the next chapter. =)