Tenth chapter! And I have all these reviews! Arigatou gozaimasu, minna, arigatou!
Review responses at the end. ^_^ I won't make a habit of such inserts as can be found below.
(reformatted)
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"You're fired!"
"N-N-Nani de gozaru ka?! (a-choo!)"
Tae leveled with her delivery man, hands on the table, looking intently at him, from a booth at the Akabeko. In between coughs, the delivery man was aghast and devastated by the sudden turn of events.
"First reason: You can't handle it, Kenshin! You know what happened to you, in just three weeks of working for me!"
He bowed his head low. It was true, he had to admit.
"Second reason: Allow me to quote from Jason M. Lee: "You just became a tightwad ex-rurouni-slash-hitokiri with money and that you're starting to smother Kaoru a tad bit. She needs some girl stuff and a bit of happiness, not just you.... BAKA DESHI…………..The father should be supportive to the mother as well! Not just physically but emotionally!!"
"Hai, hai, Tae-dono, sessha gets the point, (choo!)" Kenshin sweatdropped in front of Tae's icy stare. "Although, you must tell me…………who exactly is Lee-dono?"
Tae shrugs. "No idea. Some person gave me the quote. But, he does give my sentiments about this current situation VERY WELL! So I suggest you take his advice!"
"Orooo……."
Tae put a hand on his shoulder and said affectionately, "Kenshin, you're my friend before you're my employee. Kaoru needs you more than your salary, especially now. How is she going to enjoy being your wife, if you don't see each other? Do yourselves a favor, and get an easier job than being my delivery boy."
"But who will take my place for the rest of the winter, Tae-dono?"
In reply, the main door of the restaurant opened. Sanosuke stepped in, brushed off some snow from his shoulders, and demanded some sukiyaki for that morning's deliveries. Kenshin glared at the rooster-head instinctively, for taking away his second job.
"Easy, easy, Kenshin," Tsubame appeased the redhead. "Look at it this way, at least he will not have to take free lunches at your house, and at your expense."
"That's what you think, Tsubame-dono……………" Kenshin growled, still looking intently at Sanosuke.
"Oi, Kenshin! Glad to see ya here!" he happily greeted the bristling Red Dragon. "Rather nice of Tae, doncha think, to give me this job? She says I can use it to pay off all my debts, and for some pocket money. Um, wait a bit------why are staring at me like that, pal?"
"Because Tae just gave you MY job, Sano!"
"Because I don't want you to die on this job, Kenshin!" Tae retorted.
"Oh………I see………." Sanosuke scratched his bristly head for an answer, then snapped his fingers. "Oi, I just remembered. I've just been to the precinct. The chief wants to talk to ya. Maybe it's about a job, Kenshin! Anything is better for you than this!"
"It better be about a job, Sano, or you don't get to eat at the dojo….." Kenshin warned, fuming between coughs and sneezes, as he exited the Akabeko.
"Is THAT how he repays my kindness?! Ungrateful little-----" Sanosuke has fists ready to attack.
"Calm down, Sanosuke!" Tae refereed. "Of course he's grateful. However, this tough decision is something of a downer on that father-to-be, poor Kenshin………"
…………………………..
"Well, so far, everything is in order," Megumi evaluated Kaoru and her baby. "No unnecessary pains, no bleeding. You're getting the nourishment you need. I hate to admit this, but Ken-san HAS been very good to you!"
"See, what did I tell you?" Kaoru grinned at her examiner.
"But," Megumi continued, "while Ken-san has been good to you, YOU have not been good to him!"
"Try living with him for half a year and see if that's easy to do," Kaoru replied sadly. "Always the hero, always the martyr, always looking out for everyone else except himself! That man will kill himself trying to be good to me, or worrying himself to death because of me! Yare-yare, he almost did, let me see, three times already, by my count………"
"………and last week………Three times, you're right." Megumi counted mentally. "Try your best, anyway. Make it worth his while to do these……….CRAZY stunts……….that baka!!"
Kaoru nodded agreement with a smile.
"I'll be here until tomorrow, then I'll be going back to Aizu. My business here with Genzai-sensei is done. I'll be back in the spring. I don't trust that Hayata with delivering a baby………."
"But what about Sano--"
"I'm leaving TOMORROW, Kaoru," Megumi reiterated. "We can deal with that rooster head then."
……………………………..
At his office, the police chief was discussing the possibility of Himura-san's taking another training position. It would just be another two-hour session in the afternoon, he promised. One of the trainers under him, he explained, was reassigned to Kyoto, to help in training other police officers there. A replacement for this man would only be considered during the summer. Thus, for the time being, and since he was aware of Himura-san's financial situation, would he not consider taking over first? The salary would be equivalent to that given to the former trainer for handling the class. He continued to explain the details of the new assignment to Himura, who would be under the new class, what would be taught in it ------
But Himura's head was bobbing up and down with a consistent rhythm, his eyes shut under long red bangs.
"HIMURA!" the chief shouted with a heavy slam to his table.
"S-s-sir! (achoo!)" the redhead awoke with a start and sat ramrod straight in front of the chief.
"Do I take it that you are not interested in this offer?" Chief Uramura asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Not at all, Uramura-dono," the chief trainer stammered, "I-I mean, no, it's not a problem, I mean, yes, I AM interested……………sumimasen………….I'm not completely myself yet, Sir, I will be fine by next week……I got a little tired walking here from the Akabeko………"
Uramura shook his head and laughed at Himura. "Starting next week, then, Himura-san. Now you go on home to that pretty wife of yours, and get some rest. The whole platoon had been asking at all hours of the day about you. They even took up a collection!"
"Please give them my thanks for the concern. I will be back to regular duties next week." He exited with much embarrassment on his face.
……………………………
"Who paid for this spread?!" Kenshin inquired urgently, as he stared at three large lacquer boxes filled with sushi of all kinds, a large soup tureen, two whole red snappers on a beautiful red plate, four plates of tofu, a large container full of rice, and three plates of sashimi. The containers were all laid out on the floor of the dojo's practice area, surrounded by sake bottles, teacups, and five rice bowls. His eyes were running through Kaoru, Yahiko, and Sanosuke, determining a guilty party, mentally calculating how much all the food cost.
"Relax, Kenshin! Tae sent this over! It's her peace offering to you, and it's her going-away present to Megumi."
"I AM relaxed, Sano! It's just that the savings, you see…………"
Kenshin stopped haranguing his friend, as his eyes ended with his wife, and he stared at her beauty on that particular night. She was wearing the blue kimono, the one he gave her out of Tae's salary. It truly complimented her blue eyes and almond-shaped face. The face was better seen, as Kaoru had pulled back her long black hair in the formal married woman's arrangement. If only to see his wife looking this wonderful once in his life, was worth all the long nights and sick days.
"Kaoru…………dono………….."
"Now, anata, what have I always told you to call me?" Kaoru asked as she blushed a deep red.
"Koishii………….Sessha no utsukushii kanai de gozaru……." Kenshin managed to mumble. Beloved, MY beautiful wife.
Kaoru smiled lovingly as she looked deep into the eyes of her pale-faced husband, who still wore the well-worn, half torn hakama and yukata. Megumi's words came back to mind. She had not sufficiently returned all the love and concern that went into the kimono she wore.
Megumi clapped her hands together. "Alright, alright, you lovebirds, that's enough. I'm getting hungry, so let's eat!"
Despite the change in marital status, Kaoru still found herself competing with the foxy doctor for the redhead's attention. The evening was full of good-natured icy stares, bantering, whaps on the head, and hearty laughter. Stories from the past and the present were exchanged, tales of funny experiences, tales of sadness, tales of adventures in faraway places. The food was consumed with great relish until all ate more than enough. The drinks flowed until all were filled.
The night wore on, and the festivities slowed down to a more comfortable pace. Half-empty teacups and dirty bowls were scattered on the floor. Yahiko was sprawled on the floor as well, hands on his stomach, snoring loudly. Sanosuke was rubbing his own belly with satisfaction. Beside him, Kaoru propped up her husband, head half bowed and eyes closed.
Megumi cleared her throat, and addressed the only two people awake to hear her. "Well, I never thought I would have so much fun coming back here. I never realized how much I've missed this noise. Now I'm sure I'll be here after a few months. Thank you."
She faced the rooster head. "YOU, don't make a habit of suddenly popping out of nowhere, scaring the living daylights out of people. Write more often! I suppose you know the address here anyway……and my address in Aizu."
"Yeah, don't let her get worried about you, Sano!" Kaoru teased, raccoon tail sprouting out.
"Alright, foxy lady. I promise to write to you and to Kaoru --- whenever I can remember," Sanosuke ran his hands through his spiky hair, scratched his head, and grinned wide. "I know you'll miss my handsome face!"
"Not enough, rooster head! Now raise your right hand………."
Sanosuke obeyed.
"………and repeat after me: 'I promise to write to Takani Megumi and Himura Kaoru, at LEAST once a month, and tell them that I am still alive, and tell them something about myself, and to tell Megumi that he misses her…….."
"How am I supposed to repeat that, Megitsune?! And to write you that I miss you—aren't you a little out of character right now?" Sanosuke screamed at the doctor.
The doctor simply scooted nearer to him, twirled a strand of her long hair through her index finger, and twinkled her piercing eyes at him. Like a cat begging to be held, she stroked the side of her face through Sanosuke's coat sleeve, and purred, "You will write us, every month, won't you, Sano? Please?"
No man could resist such rueful entreaties. The blood was rising in his veins. "Do that when we're alone somewhere, foxy lady!"
Suddenly the fox gave him a hard slap. "Now PROMISE!"
"Alright! Alright! Anything to keep ya happy! Once a month! OW, Megumi!" As he held his injured cheek, Sanosuke gave her a goofy smile. "I'll miss you too, foxy lady." He added warmly.
Megumi then faced the raccoon. "And you, remember what I told you this morning!"
"S-S-Sure, Megumi………" Kaoru haltingly replied.
"I'm not scared for you, or your baby, from what I've seen," she continued. "But I am afraid for him," as she pointed at the lowered red head. "Don't make him work so many hours, Kaoru. Fight him if he tries to get another part-time job. You and I know that he's best suited just for house chores."
"Um, I, I guess so….." Kaoru sweatdropped.
"You think too little of me, Megumi-dono," the red head was raised, and the wan little face smiled.
"No, sir, I am not. I know and I have seen what you can do. But I am saying that heavy, consistent work is not your thing. Stick with your training job, and you'll be fine. Do not scare your wife again! Promise me!"
"Hai………..hai……….." and the head bowed again and leaned on Kaoru's shoulder. She slowly lowered his head to her lap, and lovingly stroked the red hair. Both women smiled warmly at the exhausted little man, breathing quietly as he slept.
"Make him keep that promise to us, alright?" Megumi begged.
"Count on it," Kaoru shook her hand.
………………………………….
OK, the responses! WOW! 101 dalmatians –I mean—reviews, so far! Domo arigatou gozaimasu!!
I have to say right now that I don't know a lot of Japanese. I still won't understand anime without subtitles. I can't remember the verbs and the adjectives! I consulted a book for the sentence above. ^-^ The book, by the way, acknowledges the existence and use of "de gozaru".
Chiki-san, About the compliments, you're always welcome. Sorry for leaving you with such cliffhangers, but I hope you liked them! I like angst, but not too much. I understand now how Mr. Watsuki felt, why he got so depressed writing the Jinchuu arc. Angst gets to you terribly! Easy on the Nihonggo, easy, kabayan! Dahan-dahan! I don't know a lot!
Crystal, the money paranoia will last for a little while longer. ^_^ And by now you know that peace once again reigns.
Sabrina-star, I so agree. Shopping is good! I just don't know what to buy………^_^;; Weird, my brother has better shopping sense than I do. The delay has been explained. I actually finished chap 9, trying to find a way to get on the net! Labor, um, that will be after several more chapters.
Ayce Shade, don't worry. We all go through the few-reviews-for-first-fic stage. I'll say, I'm just an average, middle-class citizen now. I get a decent number of reviews to keep me happy. Sorry about the lack of S/M here, but then this is a K/K thing after all.
Azura Dea, thanks for loving the story! I'm hurrying, I'm hurrying……..
Soul-san, thanks for liking the stuff about the pickles, and the last few lines of chap 9. No, our first couple won't divorce. ^-^
Marstanuki, thanks much!
Lina Gabriev, your comment (Kaoru crazier than normal and on crack) made me stop and think about the direction this thing is going in, thanks! I saw the Saitou-Kenshin fight again recently, and I'm so happy that my rendition of Battousai isn't so off as I thought.
^-^
JML, did you know that I read in Reader's Digest, husbands of pregnant women can also have morning sickness and cravings? ^_^ But I won't make Kaoru eat soap, of all things………….No kidding about that Yu-Gi-Oh thing? Sorry, YGO hasn't hit our country yet, and I don't know much about it! The Red Dragon movie trailers were all over the place when I made the pickles and deliveries chapters, and that's where I got the inspiration. I still haven't seen it. Ralph Fiennes wa scary desu, scary!! Sorry again about chap 8. As to chap 9, he did fall to the ground, so he can give even Megumi a scare. You scare me, good sir! You know your medical stuff more than I do, and I'm supposed to be a pre-med grad! ^-^ But then, I didn't take up obstetrics!
Siomei, thanks for the compliments about the dialogues. I have a bad habit of paying more attention to dialogue and action than descriptions when I read stories. The Sherlock Holmes stories have these LONG dialogues, and I think I took my style from those. ^_^
Hotaru Yukishiro Tomoe Kamiya (long name!), Sorry you got confused. I hate it when I have to reboot. Hope you come back and read chap 8 over. ^_^
Fehrocious, I made you cry? O_O Sorry about that. That chap was one of the hardest to write.
C-chan, thanks for the compliments about the angst.
V-babe, arigatou. I'll try to balance the stuff out……but that'll be hard to do once I get more people in………
Misao Soup, I didn't mean to be diabolical. But I did want everybody to come back. ^_^
CardMistress Sakura, Ken-niitan is alright, he's alright. You can come out from under the desk now.
Emiri-chan, I hope you liked the resolution chap. ^_^ Thanks for liking the stuff so far.
Tanuki-dono, thanks for liking the story! Please come back and keep enjoying!
Sano, thanks for saying it's sweet and cute. Keep reading, onegai!
Although I have my plans, suggestions for future chaps are welcome! See ya, guys!