Chapter 1
By Crystal
*Screw the disclaimers ^^;;*
My eyes fluttered open. An unfamiliar ceiling. Not the one home in Edo, Kyoto or Otsu. I looked around, this looking like a room similar to our house up in the mountains, but I knew it wasn't the same house. I felt the unfamiliar touch of the kimono I was wearing. It was certainly not my own. At the corner of my eyes, I caught a child looking back at me from where the open shoji was. A familiar looking face... "Toku-kun." I greeted, I tried to sit up, but my left side hurt like hell.
"Tomoe-san." Toku-kun greeted while smiling, "Daddy said that you shouldn't move too much, you're hurt."
"Where am I? Most importantly, why am I here?" I asked him.
He shook his head, "I don't know, but Daddy brought you back. I'll get him for you." I thanked him, and he ran out like any children would. I looked down at my stomach fondly. I still wonder if this is all a dream.
The next second, Hisashi-san walked him. "Tomoe-san." He greeted.
"Hisashi-san." I greeted back, "Why am I here? I thought... I was dead."
"You were lucky. That day, a letter arrived for you, I took it with me to deliver it for you, on the way, I met Tokami-san. The doctor. As we arrived, we saw your house burning and we ran inside. You were on the futon lying peacefully and we thought you were asleep, until we found blood seeping through your kimono. Tokami-san and I brought you outside, where the fire would not reach and checked on you. The sword missed your heart by an inch. You lost a lot of blood and remained unconcious... Until now."
I thought this over. "How long have I been unconcious?"
"Around a month."
My eyes widen and I felt fear, "What about the baby?" I asked urgently.
I saw him smile, "The baby's safe. We've been feeding you everyday while you were unconcious. Although, I can't seem to find Kenshin-kun every time I tried. It seemed like he disappeared in the shadows. No one's heard of him ever since your house burned down." I nodded understandingly. Indeed, Kenshin did disappear back in the shadows. Back to his own way as Himura Battousai... Until the war ends. I tried sitting up again, "Tomoe-san... I wouldn't do that. I know what you want to do, maybe go to Kyoto and try to find him, but you're too weak right now, and you're carrying Kenshin- kun's child. I don't want you hurt. I refuse to let you leave until the whole war is over."
He helped me sit up and I looked down again at my stomach. The baby was still there and healthy... Himura Kenji. I smiled down at him, even though it has been two months since I had gotten pregnant, my stomach didn't seem any bigger. I sighed and looked up at Hisashi-san. "Domo Arigatou gozaimasu. If it wasn't for you, neither Kenji or I would be alive."
"Kenji?" Hisashi-san asked curiously.
I nodded proudly and smiled, "Himura Kenji. Kenshin and I picked the name when I found out I was pregnant."
"I see... Kenji-kun must have a bit effect on you. I've never seen you smile before, but now... It's the second time. You should smile more. I'm sure Kenshin-kun would like you smiling a lot more."
"I know... I will..." I responded. I couldn't wait for Kenji to be born. I was certainly going to teach him manners, maybe even spoil him rotten. Or maybe not. I don't think Kenshin would be too happy about that.
I saw Hisashi-san smile, "For now, until the revolution, you may stay here." I started to protest, but Hisashi-san kept on talking, "The letter was burned in the fire while I was searching for you. I'm sorry about that, but it's from someone named Yukishiro Kaga." Father...
"Thank you for telling me. I appreciate it."
"It's quite all right. Rest up, Tomoe-san. I'll bring in dinner tonight and get the doctor to check on you after that. I'm sure you'll be able to walk soon." I nodded and lowered myself slowly into the futon again, my left shoulder aching. It might've been a month, but it still hurts. Slowly, I closed my eyes and pictured a red head with a cross scar on his left cheek holding up another red head, only smaller. And beside the two of them... It stood me, smiling.
* * * * *
It's been another month since Hisashi-san had saved me. I was still living at their house, looking after Toku-kun whenever they were working. My wound on the shoulder still hurt, but I insisted on working. I mean, I don't want to be a freeloader. I'm cooking dinner right now and when I do cook dinner, it reminds me of the time I taught Kenshin how to cook. He was pretty good, had a talent for it. I think I said that before... Anyways, ever since I woke up a month ago, I've asked Hisashi-san to bring me any news about the war. Even if it includes Battousai. So far, he hasn't told me anything...
I slice the daikons neatly and set it on the plate. Everything reminded me of Kenshin. From cooking to killing, from daikons to blood. I still have his top I took a month ago. It's in my pocket right now, never left me since that day. Well, in return for the top, he has my shawl and journal. I play with the top a bit sometimes during the night when everyone's asleep. One night, while I was looking at it, I found something carved on it. It said Shinta. It might've been his name... But I don't know. Pretty sure though, I mean, who would call their own son Kenshin?
Toku-kun was already eating and I look up from my kneeling position as I hear the door slide open. "Hisashi-san..." I greeted.
"Tomoe-san. I found information about the revolution right now." I smiled, "It has to do with Hitokiri Battousai, do you want to hear it?" I nodded, that's what I've been waiting to hear for weeks. "It's really strange. Rumours actually. But the rumours are strange. On the day I found you, Hitokiri Battousai left the shadows and became a guard for the Ishin shishi... Coincidence, really." I felt my heart beat faster. So what I heard before Kenshin burned the house was true? Katsura-san did tell him that all assassinations will be given to the skilled swordsman. Perhaps, I had changed Kenshin more than I ever thought I did. I did... Actually. Would Battousai ever kiss a woman out in public? Would Battousai ever learn how to cook? Would the Battousai... Actually have a wife? Before I came, I meant. In a way, I guess I changed him a lot... And I changed a lot too. Who would have thought it... Himura Battousai actually having a wife. It I wasn't his wife, I would think that it was a joke. Probably also think that who would be stupid enough to marry Battousai.
"What a relief." I looked up at Hisashi-san, utter confusion on my face. He looked back up at me and smiled, "If Kenshin-kun went to the war, then it's a good thing he won't have Battousai as the assassin. Battousai is, after all the best swordsman in this war."
I smiled slightly, "Kenshin is on the same side as Battousai... He'll be fine. He can defend himself very well..."
"Hitokiri Battousai is a demon, he will kill anyone in his sight. Kenshin- kun might be strong, but Battousai is stronger. I'm just afraid..."
I smiled, sadly, "There's no need to worry... Kenshin might not be the best swordsman, but Battousai isn't a demon who kills his own team." So that's what everyone thought about Kenshin... It isn't surprising, no, but, the truth is, he is the complete opposite when he's the man that doesn't kill. The best husband, the only man willing to cook, or learn to cook anyways, do laundry, help around the house... Need I say more? But, when Kenshin's killing, he still isn't a demon. Okay, maybe I did think about him as a demon as first... But that was a long time ago.
Hisashi-san smiled, with a bit of amusement in his eyes. "I know that." I was taken aback by the replied. "I know who Kenshin-kun is. Who else has flaming red hair in Japan? Eyes the colour of the fire burning in hell when he's mad? But they never said anything about violet eyes that held love." I frowned slightly. "Don't worry, Tomoe-san. I'm not going to say anything about it. I just wanted to make sure that Kenshin-kun is Battousai. It was pretty obvious about his looks and with you curious about Battousai's news so much, it only made my suspicions grow."
"Arigatou..."
"There's no need to thank you. Right now, you better eat up and go to bed. You need food for the baby and sleep too." Toku-kun was finished, his mother? She died after giving birth to him. It's good that Hisashi-san still treats him that nicely. I start eating my food. Sometimes, I wonder what will happen if I give birth to Kenji and I suddenly died. Who would look after him? The only person I can think of was either this family or Father. But... I guess I can always get Hisashi-san to send Father a letter if I felt I was dying. Right now, I felt hungry.
* * * * *
To say that my stomach has grown a little is an understatement. It's huge! I can barely walk straight here. Kenji's already eight months old. It's April 18, 1865. An year an a whole month since I met Kenshin. Seven months since I saw Kenshin. I remember what I was doing today last year. Waiting for Kenshin to come back to the inn from an assassination. I remember telling him that even in separate rooms, I get worried whenever he leaves. That night, he wasn't paying much attention to me. I never thought he would love me that much. Never thought about it that night. Trying to be close to him sounded impossible back then. Seeing him now sounded impossible to me. He had said that he would not kill anymore and with me dead, he wouldn't go anywhere. If my guess is right, he was probably going to wander around Japan, protecting people... Like he promised me.
I still don't really know where to go after the revolution. I want to go find Kenshin, but Hisashi-san doesn't want me to. I know, it's for my own good, but I miss him so much. If I don't go now, then I have to wander all around Japan and look for him. How do you expect a defenceless woman to wander around with her child? Perhaps, if I stay in Tokyo, I will meet him somewhere. Or I might not. I don't know... I will decide, after the revolution. Indeed, these seven months have been hell for me, but I can manage. Another month till the baby is born. Till Himura Battousai's son is born. Himura Kenji... I can't wait!
By Crystal
*Screw the disclaimers ^^;;*
My eyes fluttered open. An unfamiliar ceiling. Not the one home in Edo, Kyoto or Otsu. I looked around, this looking like a room similar to our house up in the mountains, but I knew it wasn't the same house. I felt the unfamiliar touch of the kimono I was wearing. It was certainly not my own. At the corner of my eyes, I caught a child looking back at me from where the open shoji was. A familiar looking face... "Toku-kun." I greeted, I tried to sit up, but my left side hurt like hell.
"Tomoe-san." Toku-kun greeted while smiling, "Daddy said that you shouldn't move too much, you're hurt."
"Where am I? Most importantly, why am I here?" I asked him.
He shook his head, "I don't know, but Daddy brought you back. I'll get him for you." I thanked him, and he ran out like any children would. I looked down at my stomach fondly. I still wonder if this is all a dream.
The next second, Hisashi-san walked him. "Tomoe-san." He greeted.
"Hisashi-san." I greeted back, "Why am I here? I thought... I was dead."
"You were lucky. That day, a letter arrived for you, I took it with me to deliver it for you, on the way, I met Tokami-san. The doctor. As we arrived, we saw your house burning and we ran inside. You were on the futon lying peacefully and we thought you were asleep, until we found blood seeping through your kimono. Tokami-san and I brought you outside, where the fire would not reach and checked on you. The sword missed your heart by an inch. You lost a lot of blood and remained unconcious... Until now."
I thought this over. "How long have I been unconcious?"
"Around a month."
My eyes widen and I felt fear, "What about the baby?" I asked urgently.
I saw him smile, "The baby's safe. We've been feeding you everyday while you were unconcious. Although, I can't seem to find Kenshin-kun every time I tried. It seemed like he disappeared in the shadows. No one's heard of him ever since your house burned down." I nodded understandingly. Indeed, Kenshin did disappear back in the shadows. Back to his own way as Himura Battousai... Until the war ends. I tried sitting up again, "Tomoe-san... I wouldn't do that. I know what you want to do, maybe go to Kyoto and try to find him, but you're too weak right now, and you're carrying Kenshin- kun's child. I don't want you hurt. I refuse to let you leave until the whole war is over."
He helped me sit up and I looked down again at my stomach. The baby was still there and healthy... Himura Kenji. I smiled down at him, even though it has been two months since I had gotten pregnant, my stomach didn't seem any bigger. I sighed and looked up at Hisashi-san. "Domo Arigatou gozaimasu. If it wasn't for you, neither Kenji or I would be alive."
"Kenji?" Hisashi-san asked curiously.
I nodded proudly and smiled, "Himura Kenji. Kenshin and I picked the name when I found out I was pregnant."
"I see... Kenji-kun must have a bit effect on you. I've never seen you smile before, but now... It's the second time. You should smile more. I'm sure Kenshin-kun would like you smiling a lot more."
"I know... I will..." I responded. I couldn't wait for Kenji to be born. I was certainly going to teach him manners, maybe even spoil him rotten. Or maybe not. I don't think Kenshin would be too happy about that.
I saw Hisashi-san smile, "For now, until the revolution, you may stay here." I started to protest, but Hisashi-san kept on talking, "The letter was burned in the fire while I was searching for you. I'm sorry about that, but it's from someone named Yukishiro Kaga." Father...
"Thank you for telling me. I appreciate it."
"It's quite all right. Rest up, Tomoe-san. I'll bring in dinner tonight and get the doctor to check on you after that. I'm sure you'll be able to walk soon." I nodded and lowered myself slowly into the futon again, my left shoulder aching. It might've been a month, but it still hurts. Slowly, I closed my eyes and pictured a red head with a cross scar on his left cheek holding up another red head, only smaller. And beside the two of them... It stood me, smiling.
* * * * *
It's been another month since Hisashi-san had saved me. I was still living at their house, looking after Toku-kun whenever they were working. My wound on the shoulder still hurt, but I insisted on working. I mean, I don't want to be a freeloader. I'm cooking dinner right now and when I do cook dinner, it reminds me of the time I taught Kenshin how to cook. He was pretty good, had a talent for it. I think I said that before... Anyways, ever since I woke up a month ago, I've asked Hisashi-san to bring me any news about the war. Even if it includes Battousai. So far, he hasn't told me anything...
I slice the daikons neatly and set it on the plate. Everything reminded me of Kenshin. From cooking to killing, from daikons to blood. I still have his top I took a month ago. It's in my pocket right now, never left me since that day. Well, in return for the top, he has my shawl and journal. I play with the top a bit sometimes during the night when everyone's asleep. One night, while I was looking at it, I found something carved on it. It said Shinta. It might've been his name... But I don't know. Pretty sure though, I mean, who would call their own son Kenshin?
Toku-kun was already eating and I look up from my kneeling position as I hear the door slide open. "Hisashi-san..." I greeted.
"Tomoe-san. I found information about the revolution right now." I smiled, "It has to do with Hitokiri Battousai, do you want to hear it?" I nodded, that's what I've been waiting to hear for weeks. "It's really strange. Rumours actually. But the rumours are strange. On the day I found you, Hitokiri Battousai left the shadows and became a guard for the Ishin shishi... Coincidence, really." I felt my heart beat faster. So what I heard before Kenshin burned the house was true? Katsura-san did tell him that all assassinations will be given to the skilled swordsman. Perhaps, I had changed Kenshin more than I ever thought I did. I did... Actually. Would Battousai ever kiss a woman out in public? Would Battousai ever learn how to cook? Would the Battousai... Actually have a wife? Before I came, I meant. In a way, I guess I changed him a lot... And I changed a lot too. Who would have thought it... Himura Battousai actually having a wife. It I wasn't his wife, I would think that it was a joke. Probably also think that who would be stupid enough to marry Battousai.
"What a relief." I looked up at Hisashi-san, utter confusion on my face. He looked back up at me and smiled, "If Kenshin-kun went to the war, then it's a good thing he won't have Battousai as the assassin. Battousai is, after all the best swordsman in this war."
I smiled slightly, "Kenshin is on the same side as Battousai... He'll be fine. He can defend himself very well..."
"Hitokiri Battousai is a demon, he will kill anyone in his sight. Kenshin- kun might be strong, but Battousai is stronger. I'm just afraid..."
I smiled, sadly, "There's no need to worry... Kenshin might not be the best swordsman, but Battousai isn't a demon who kills his own team." So that's what everyone thought about Kenshin... It isn't surprising, no, but, the truth is, he is the complete opposite when he's the man that doesn't kill. The best husband, the only man willing to cook, or learn to cook anyways, do laundry, help around the house... Need I say more? But, when Kenshin's killing, he still isn't a demon. Okay, maybe I did think about him as a demon as first... But that was a long time ago.
Hisashi-san smiled, with a bit of amusement in his eyes. "I know that." I was taken aback by the replied. "I know who Kenshin-kun is. Who else has flaming red hair in Japan? Eyes the colour of the fire burning in hell when he's mad? But they never said anything about violet eyes that held love." I frowned slightly. "Don't worry, Tomoe-san. I'm not going to say anything about it. I just wanted to make sure that Kenshin-kun is Battousai. It was pretty obvious about his looks and with you curious about Battousai's news so much, it only made my suspicions grow."
"Arigatou..."
"There's no need to thank you. Right now, you better eat up and go to bed. You need food for the baby and sleep too." Toku-kun was finished, his mother? She died after giving birth to him. It's good that Hisashi-san still treats him that nicely. I start eating my food. Sometimes, I wonder what will happen if I give birth to Kenji and I suddenly died. Who would look after him? The only person I can think of was either this family or Father. But... I guess I can always get Hisashi-san to send Father a letter if I felt I was dying. Right now, I felt hungry.
* * * * *
To say that my stomach has grown a little is an understatement. It's huge! I can barely walk straight here. Kenji's already eight months old. It's April 18, 1865. An year an a whole month since I met Kenshin. Seven months since I saw Kenshin. I remember what I was doing today last year. Waiting for Kenshin to come back to the inn from an assassination. I remember telling him that even in separate rooms, I get worried whenever he leaves. That night, he wasn't paying much attention to me. I never thought he would love me that much. Never thought about it that night. Trying to be close to him sounded impossible back then. Seeing him now sounded impossible to me. He had said that he would not kill anymore and with me dead, he wouldn't go anywhere. If my guess is right, he was probably going to wander around Japan, protecting people... Like he promised me.
I still don't really know where to go after the revolution. I want to go find Kenshin, but Hisashi-san doesn't want me to. I know, it's for my own good, but I miss him so much. If I don't go now, then I have to wander all around Japan and look for him. How do you expect a defenceless woman to wander around with her child? Perhaps, if I stay in Tokyo, I will meet him somewhere. Or I might not. I don't know... I will decide, after the revolution. Indeed, these seven months have been hell for me, but I can manage. Another month till the baby is born. Till Himura Battousai's son is born. Himura Kenji... I can't wait!
