Chapter 5

            Swollen ankles and back pains were currently the blights of Kaoru's otherwise comfortable life. Kenshin, Yahiko and Kenji were either training or running errands, and Kaoru was trying to heat a washbasin of water to soak her feet in. "I hate the last months of pregnancy," grumbled Kaoru to herself, "I feel like a bumbling fool who's good for nothing."

Abrupt knocking on her room's wall interrupted Kaoru's thoughts as she heard Misao's voice resonating softly from the hallway, "Kaoru, can I come in?"

Kaoru couldn't help but grin when she thought of the changes Misao had experienced over the last few years—she was quite a responsible adult these days—she didn't know what she would've done without Misao helping her out now. "Aa, Misao," she affirmed firmly, "I would love to have you keep me company." The door slid open as Misao slipped in soundlessly. When she first looked at Kaoru with her kimono skirt pulled up to her knees and her feet set in the basin, she started to laugh heartily. "Hmmm," observed Kaoru, "she still kept her child-like cheer and humor; however, even after all this time." Then Kaoru gave her a mock glare with humor clearly glistening in her eyes, "What's so funny, Misao-chan?"

Misao stopped laughing to gasp, "Yo-you're soaking…feet!" She stopped shortly to giggle some more, but she made the mistake of trying to breath through her nose at the same time, and her laughter came out in the form of an undignified snort that sent Kaoru on her own laughing spree. When Misao and Kaoru had returned to some degree of composure, Misao said as gripped her aching sides,  "You looked like an old woman! The only person who I know of that soaks his feet is Jiya, and that's because he's ancient!" The vision of an old Kaoru hunching over and rinsing her wrinkly feet like Jiya had sent Misao over the edge with merriment.

Kaoru stuck her tongue out at Misao and retorted, "Well, just wait until you're pregnant—then you'll see how hot water works miracles on swollen limbs."

Misao's eyes sparkled mischievously as she answered innocently, "Yes, we'll see…"

Kaoru held her tongue before she could blurt out anything about Aoshi—after all, she wasn't sure how sensitive the topic was with Misao currently. Surprisingly, Misao herself didn't seem to feel any turbulent emotions—she wasn't moping or whining about Aoshi, nor was she triumphant and infatuated. Kaoru could almost call her countenance one of calm expectation, even. Kaoru's relief and pride threatened to overwhelm her as she looked at her surrogate little sister and close friend with comprehending eyes—this was how she felt soon before Kenshin had asked her for her hand in marriage. Aoshi would come around and tell Misao, and she hoped that when it happened, she would be invited for the wedding.

"Mou, Kaoru! Why are you staring at me like that? Do I have something smeared all over my face? Did your devil of a son Kenji mess up my pretty face?"

Kaoru laughed lightheartedly as she shook her head, "No, your pretty face is perfectly intact—it's just that I was thinking how well we've all grown over the years." Then Kaoru paused and added with emphasis, "No, actually, I've been thinking how well you've grown these last few years." Misao glowed with pleasure as she took Kaoru's hand impulsively and started to pat it gently. Kaoru's great heart had taken her in among all of the other lost people she had nested, and she was glad she had such a woman as her friend. After all, the famous Himura Kenshin Battousai wouldn't choose just any woman as his cherished soulmate: she had to have a spirit as strong and encompassing as his own. 

Kaoru lifted her legs out of the basin as Misao rushed over to help her, "Here, let me take the washbasin away, you stay here and rest."

 Kaoru smiled as she watched Misao heave the washbasin, sloshing water all over her kimono on the way out. Then she felt a familiar pressure on her abdomen and a flush of water broke out. "Oh no…" thought Kaoru as she quickly thrust the towel between her legs, "It's already started." She shook her head to clear it and hollered, "Misao! I need Genzai-sensei now!"

The child came quickly after a relatively easy labor period. Misao tiredly gathered bundles of bloody towels off Kaoru's bed and decided to do the laundry for Kenshin tomorrow morning. Misao passed by the backyard door on her way back from the laundry room in the back of the dojo and paused to look up at the moon. It was a clear night with an enormous pale moon and a sky embellished with stars. Misao sighed contentedly as she slicked back a sweaty strand of hair. "So much for a bath," mused Misao as she tossed her braid over her shoulder, "I'll worry about all the work and errands tomorrow—we all deserve to rest peacefully tonight." She stopped at the dark doorway of Kenshin and Kaoru's bedroom. Genzai-sensei had left shortly, worn out but very pleased; the child was healthy and Kaoru had delivered with relative ease. Misao looked into the door and saw that Kenshin had slipped into the bed with Kaoru and the new baby after having checked on a sleeping Kenji. "A girl," thought Misao, pleased to have another of her kind join their numbers, "a beautiful black-haired, violet-eyed girl with a strong pair of lungs." Misao chuckled to herself, "Like mother, like daughter..." and softly slid the door closed with the picture of husband, wife and daughter curled up in peaceful, sheltered sleep engraved in her memory.