"Aaarrrggghhh!!!!!" Megumi wailed louder this time, clutching her stomach.
Kaoru paled when it hit her, she squeaked, "You're having the baby."
Megumi glared daggers at her and yelled, "Of course I am having the baby!!! Aaaaaaarrrrggghhhh!!!"
Kaoru immediately ran to her side as she placed Megumi's arm on her shoulder to support her. I can't take her to the clinic. It's to far. I have to deliver the baby myself. Dread washed over her causing her knees to suddenly weaken, Oh no… Can I do this? Kaoru, collect yourself. You can do this. She bit her lower lip as she assisted Megumi towards her room. I can do this… I have to.
Kaoru's self-encouragement chant was cut short when Megumi cried louder, "Aaaaarrrggghhhhh!!!!!"
~~~~~
Regan looked at the scene before her in dismay. She huffed, "Hmph! Just when the timing was perfect." She shrugged, "Oh well, no need to rush things. I'll just stick around to investigate. It doesn't hurt to get to know the enemy, right?" She smiled and nodded to herself in agreement as she tried to climb a tree. She rolled her eyes and reprimanded herself, "Regan, you can't climb a tree wearing this!" Oh well, I'll just return later… that lady might take a while to give birth.
~~~~~
"Aaaaaarrrrggghhhh!!! SANO I HATE YOU!!!! WHAT DID YOU DO TO ME!!!!"
Sweat beads began to form on Kenshin's forehead as Sano paced the hall outside their room frantically. "Why isn't Kaoru out yet? What's taking her so long?"
"AAAAGGGHHH! TORI-ATAMA, I'LL NEVER SLEEP WITH YOU AGAIN!!!"
"Oro!!!"
After one last piercing wail, a baby's cry was heard. Kaoru came out of Megumi's room, her kimono stained with blood as she smiled at Sano, "You have a daughter."
"Yatta!!!" Sano jumped in the air, showing extreme happiness as he bolted towards their room.
"How is she?" Kenshin asked, tucking the stray hair from Kaoru's face.
Kaoru sighed in extreme fatigue and smiled, "She's fine."
"You delivered the baby all by yourself. I'm so proud of you, Kaoru." Despite the fresh blood on Kaoru's kimono, Kenshin pulled her towards him for a hug.
Kaoru pulled back, blushing in embarrassment, as she chuckled softly, "Actually, I am so glad that Megumi is a doctor. I really do not know what to do. Kami knows that I was more panic-stricken than she was."
Kenshin smiled, looking directly into her eyes. "…but you pulled it through."
Kaoru nodded and continued, "Despite the pain, Megumi calmly, well, actually, not to calmly, told me the directions and I just followed her."
"Kaoru, I am so proud of you," said Kenshin while stroking her cheek with his hand.
Looking around, Kaoru asked, "Where is Dr. Genzai?"
"I ran to the clinic to fetch him as soon as I learned about Megumi's condition but he wasn't there. I just left a note and told him to come here immediately."
"Hmmm… I wonder why he left the clinic…" Kaoru looked thoughtful for a moment and continued, "Probably some emergency… By the way, does Yahiko know already?
"I don't think so," he replied while shaking his head.
"Oh…" Kaoru looked down at her feet and trailed her eyes to meet his. "Kenshin?"
"Hmmm?"
Unable to contain her previous emotions, she closed her eyes trying to fight back the tears as she said, her lips quivering, "I was so scared, Kenshin. I thought I wouldn't be able to deliver the baby properly. I was so afraid that I might do something wrong and hurt Sano and Megumi's child. If that happened, I know they will never forgive me."
Just when Kenshin was about to console Kaoru, Dr. Genzai banged the door open, his face pale and terrified as he panted, "Is everything alright?"
Kaoru and Kenshin stared at him in shock.
Dr. Genzai's eyebrows creased because of their lack of response. He approached Kaoru and shook her shoulders rather violently. He said, voice filed with panic, "Kaoru-chan, tell me did something bad happened?"
Forgetting her previous outburst, Kaoru shook her head and smiled, "There's nothing to worry. Megumi and Sano have a healthy and beautiful baby girl."
Kenshin looked at him quizzically and asked, "Dr. Genzai… you look so agitated. Is there anything wrong?"
Dr. Genzai just stared into space as a memory from the distant past came back to him.
~~
"I'm so sorry. If I had gotten here sooner, this wouldn't have happened. This is all my fault," he struggled to say as tears streamed down his face.
"No. Dr. Genzai, please don't blame yourself."
"I should've watched over her. I knew her time was near but I left. I left… If I had stayed, this wouldn't have happened. I'm so sorry," he cast down his eyes, feeling his heart torn in pain and regret.
"Dr. Genzai please don't say that, don't blame yourself."
"But it is all my fault..." he sobbed as he banged the wall with his fists.
~~
"Dr. Genzai?" Kaoru asked worriedly as she tilted her head to look at the old man better.
"Hmmm?"
"You must be tired running all the way here. Please sit down." Kaoru motioned him to sit beside her as she continued to look at him with concern.
"I'll get you some tea," Kenshin said as he walked towards the kitchen.
"How is Sano and Megumi?" Dr. Genzai asked more calmly this time.
"They're fine," Kaoru reassured. "They are in their room.
"Oh…" Eyes downcast, Dr. Genzai called out, "Kaoru-chan?"
"Hmmm?"
"I'm sorry I wasn't here when Megumi gave birth. She was supposed to be my responsibility and… I failed her," he said miserably.
Kaoru smiled and placed her hand on top of his, "Don't worry. No harm done. At least I would know what to expect when the time comes." She blushed immediately upon the completion of her statement.
"But still…"
Suddenly, Yahiko and Tsubame burst through the door. Yahiko said, breathing heavily, "Is everything alright? Tsubame and I rushed here as soon as we read the note that was left in Dr. Genzai's office."
"Everything is fine," Kenshin replied as he entered the room with a tray of tea.
"So what happened?" Tsubame inquired.
~~~~~
Regan returned to Megumi's house wearing black pants and black shirt. She held her hair up with the use of a hat. Using men's clothing gave her the freedom to move. With one swift move, she perched on a tree to spy on them using a binocular.
~~~~~
While the others went inside Megumi's room to see how she is doing, Kenshin led Kaoru to the front garden. Kenshin embraced Kaoru as he whispered to her ear, "I missed you."
"I missed you, too," she replied. "Kenshin?"
"Hmmm?"
"Sano and Megumi really look happy together, ne?"
Kenshin nodded, inhaling the fresh scent of Kaoru's hair. He said in a low voice, "Kaoru…"
"Hmmm?"
"…I would like to be the one to deliver our baby someday."
Kaoru was taken aback by his words. Blushing furiously, she pulled back and exclaimed while playfully slapping his arm, "Kenshin!!!"
"What's wrong with what I said?" Kenshin asked innocently, creasing his eyebrows.
"N…no..nothing. You just surprised me," Kaoru stuttered in embarrassment. Looking into his eyes, she smiled warmly, "Anything you want, my love, as long as it makes you happy." With that, she cupped his cheeks, pulling him closer for a kiss.
~~~~~
Regan watched the couple with a critical eye, This man must be Kenshin, sister's fiancée. Looking into the sky, she thought, I wonder whom can I ask to obtain information… The owner of the restaurant that boy worked at must know something. Time to try the Akabeko food… Regan smiled at herself, "This is better than I have expected… food and information in one place. This must be my lucky day." She climbed down the tree and whistled a tune as she headed towards the Akabeko.
~~~~~
Regan returned home with a big smile plastered on her face. "Tadaima!!!"
Yuku stepped out of the kitchen to welcome her, "Okaeri nasai! You seemed pleased, Regan. Did you push through with your plans?"
Regan shook her head in negation.
Yuku's face fell, "Oh…" So… you changed your mind.
"I had to change my plans. It's not my fault they are already dead."
Yuku's eyes widened in surprise, "Your mother and father is already dead?"
"I'm afraid so…" sighed Regan. "Don't worry, Kaoru is still here."
"Kaoru?"
"My sister…"
"So how did the investigation go?" Yuku asked as she took the bag Regan was carrying.
"Quite good, actually," smiled Regan. "Luck is on my side today. I ate at the Akabeko. Have you heard about that place? I don't think so but the food is absolutely amazing. I'll have to take you there some time…" Regan said enthusiastically.
Yuku bowed her head slightly, raising her eyebrows. She said in a low tone, "Regan…"
Regan grinned sheepishly, "Oh yeah. Well, the restaurant manager turned out to be a good friend of Kaoru's. Since I was wearing men's western clothing, I played along and talked to her on a low voice. She was quite reluctant on sharing the details so I just told her that I was planning to open another branch of the dojo. With just a little coaxing and praising, she relayed to me Kaoru's life story."
Yuku's lips twitched in curiosity as she asked, "What did she tell you?"
Regan raised her finger to her temples as if she was trying to remember and said, "My sister's life is pretty exciting, considering that her fiancée is the legendary Hitokiri Battousai of the Bakumatsu..."
Yuku gasped upon hearing the word Hitokiri.
"…Some twists and turns here and there but now, she basically lives a perfect life." Smiling widely, she continued, "You know what? I have a perfect plan for her perfect life."
Author's notes:
Please read the italicized comments, it may answer some of your questions. ^_^
Thank you to all those who read this fic and special thanks to those who left a review!
Hotohori- ::bows down:: I'm sorry for that mistake. I am so sorry. Baka chibi-angel! ^_^;; Yes, it did make me happy.
Macy- there is a reason behind Regan's change of heart [from wanting to be with her family to extracting revenge]. Read on and find out
Gypsy-chan- HAHAHA!!! I never thought of it that way. ^_^ You are soooo funny!
Dementedchris- actually I already introduced the bag when she was talking to Yuku. About Yahiko, I didn't mention that he noticed the bag to emphasize that Yahiko was entranced with her beauty. I have a purpose for this… I'll explain in the latter chaps.
Hatokirei- why is it that every time I read your review, I am semi-expecting to be whipped? Hatokirei-chan you traumatized me! Hehehe… kidding!
Fuuzaki- you, too! ^_^ You guys deserve it for encouraging me!
Selene!!! I loved your review! It waaayyyy cracked me up! The sarcastic and humorous tone to it was way hmmm… indispensable. Hehehe…
Battousai angel- I got that idea from watching Buffy. Angelus did that to Buffy, right?
Dora-chan- nope I didn't kill Megumi. In case you forgot, she is pregnant! Got you there, ne? ^_^
Susan- sorry for that. Well, she is bad in terms of morally bad but actually as the story progresses you'll see why had become that way. Hehehe… and I said not that bad. ^_^
Leigh- we'll see… actually, this is more of a game of wits… of finding the truth.
JML- hope this answers your comment. ^_^ I had actually planned that out for the cliffhanger but don't get Regan wrong, she will plan everything… CAREFULLY. Thanks for the note! I love suggestions!
Hana-chan- how's your PSII? Still addicted to it?
Tan Kimiko- thank you for that wonderful promise. I'll keep that in mind…
Midori-chan- yup, Kenshin isn't too old… for me…. Hehehe ::kidding!::
Marstanuki- go Mars! Beat her into a pulp!
Onna- hope I didn't give you a heart attack! ^_^
Special thanks to the awesome Midori for beta-reading.
For those who want to exchange banners with my site, just email me at chibi_angelica@yahoo.com
To all the reviewers, I love you soooo much! Thank you for all the encouragement. I had written a one-shot dedicated to you. It is entitled 'The Poetry of Flowers'. Leave me a review ok?
Thank you! Thank you for the 100++ reviews!
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