For the next month after Megumi's childbirth, the Kenshin-gumi had their hands full. Sano and Kenshin had to work overtime to earn more money; Yahiko and Kaoru took turns in babysitting while Megumi helped Dr. Genzai in the clinic. Their schedules were quite hectic, but the thought that their whole family helped each other was quite comforting and heart-warming.
Since the newest addition to their family arrived, the Sagara's ate breakfast at the dojo everyday. The routine was actually more convenient for the two households. After breakfast, Sano and Kenshin headed to work while Megumi and Kaoru took turns washing the dishes and watching over baby Yoshino. After taking care of the chores, Megumi and Kaoru sat by the main hall to rest.
Both stared blankly into space until Megumi broke the silence, "Kaoru-chan, I really want to thank you for delivering the baby. It means so much to me."
Kaoru turned to her and smiled sincerely, "It was nothing, Megumi."
Suddenly, Megumi pulled Kaoru for a tight embrace and exclaimed, "Oh Kaoru, you have been a very good younger sister to me!"
Kaoru's jaw dropped as she stroked Megumi's back with uncertainty, surprised and at the same time baffled at her sudden outburst of emotions. It must be motherhood, she rationalized to herself.
"I'm so glad I met you, Kenshin and Sano… if it weren't for you guys…"
Kaoru slowly and hesitantly hugged her back, giving in to the sentiments. "Hush, Megumi. It's all in the past. You know what? If I would be given a chance to have a sister, I would want her to be exactly like you."
Megumi instantly pulled back, frowning, "Okay now, let's stop this before we get too dramatic."
Kaoru inwardly chuckled, I knew this wouldn't last.
Looking at the horizon, Megumi spoke, "Kaoru-chan, I have something to tell you."
Kaoru noticed the sudden change of Megumi's tone and expression. She asked worriedly, "Is there anything wrong?"
"Oh no… nothing like that. It's just…" Taking a deep breath, she continued sadly, "Sano, Yoshino, and I are leaving for Aizu,"
"When?" Kaoru immediately stood up to face Megumi.
"This afternoon…"
"What?" Kaoru's eyes widened upon hearing her answer.
Unable to look at her friend's eyes, she looked away and sighed, "I'm sorry if I didn't tell you sooner… You know me Kaoru... I'm not up for long and sappy goodbyes."
"But…"
Megumi cut her off and reasoned, "If I had told you, it would have made it harder for all of us."
"Why are you leaving so soon? Why won't you wait for a few more months?"
"I knew you would say that, but please understand, I want to establish my family there. If Sano hadn't insisted, we would've left during my first month of pregnancy. I know that my reasons might not make sense to you but please understand that I am doing this for the Takani's."
Kaoru nodded in understanding as she placed her hand on Megumi's shoulder, "You don't have to worry, Megumi. I understand more than you know. I think in a way, it is somewhat similar to the attachment I have with my father's dojo. Even if mother and father passed away already, everything they built including their hopes, dreams and values remain in the dojo. I wouldn't want to leave this and… I do want my family established where my parent's memories are."
Megumi pulled her for another hug and whispered, "I'm glad you understand. I''ll truly miss you tanuki-chan."
Kaoru smiled despite the sadness building inside her and whispered back, "I'll miss you too kitsune-neechan."
~~~~~
Eight-year old Regan stepped out of the bathroom after taking a long and relaxing bath. Closing her eyes, she dried the excess water from her hair with the use of a hand towel as she hummed her way to her closet.
"I have always wondered what your mother looked like when she's nude."
Regan immediately snapped her eyes open, dropped the hand towel and crossed her arms to over her chest. Her heart was beating violently as she asked, fear apparent in her voice, "Father, what are you doing here?"
"Hush, child. It's just daddy," he said in a low tone while sitting on the bed. He eyed her from head the foot, rubbing his chin with his two fingers. "I have always missed seeing your mothers body. Her beauty reflects on you. I can see it clearly now," he said with an evil smile on his face.
Regan shifted uncomfortably as she slowly walked towards her closet to get her clothes, her eyes not leaving his penetrating stare.
"Regan come here…"
Regan almost jumped up in surprise as she asked, her voice trembling, "What for, father?"
Marcus narrowed his eyes dangerously as he said in a more forceful tone, "Come here!"
Regan walked toward him, her towel firmly held by her tight grip. Her mind was screaming not to approach him but she was more afraid to disobey him. She stopped right in front of him, breathing heavily.
Marcus placed his hands on her arms, stroking them lightly. He trailed his hands to her fist, which held the towel, as he looked at her mischievously.
Tears were slowly running down her cheeks as she stared at the movements of his hands.
Marcus took her hand away from the towel, letting it fall on the floor with a soft rustle. He observed her from head to foot with a wide smile forming on his face. He ran his hands down from her shoulders… to her ribs… hips, thighs, calves… then up from her inner thighs… to stomach and then he rested them on her breasts. He smiled in appreciation as he squeezed her taut nipples.
Regan froze from where she is standing. Utter terror filled her and the only thing she could do was to stare at him in horror. Finally, the dam that held her tears broke. She cried because of helplessness, confusion, fear and hate. She wanted to fight back but… she knew she couldn't. She wanted to scream for help but… she knew she couldn'tt. She wanted to defend herself but… she knew she couldn't. She just couldn't. She closed her eyes to blind herself of the nightmare that was happening, but it was no use because she was feeling every horrific sensation his touches were giving her. She choked out, "What are you doing!?"
"You make me miss your mother so much," he replied, groping her. Unable to contain himself, he placed his arms on her waist and threw her on the bed and laid on top of her.
Her eyes widened in panic. Shutting out all rational thought, she struggled and screamed, "Stop it! Father! Stop it! What are you doing?"
Marcus glared daggers at her as he hit her hard with the back of his hand. "Shut up!!!!" He gripped her two hands on top of her head to immobilize her thrashes. With his free hand, he began undoing the button that held his pants.
"NOOOOOO!!!!!"
He straddled on her stomach and continuously slapped her on the face until blood dripped from her nose and lips. He grabbed her hair and hissed, "I will not have you disobey me, Reiko!!!"
Regan closed her eyes in submission as she whimpered, "Please... oh please…Don't do this…"
Regan snapped her eyes open as she sat up from her bed. Clutching her heart tightly, she chanted, Breathe Regan. Calm down. It's all in the past. Breathe…Smile girl… With that, she smiled widely. That's right… smile to keep your remaining sanity.
Regan stood up from her bed and headed towards the kitchen. She poured herself a glass of water and leaned on the counter. She closed her eyes, savoring the feeling of the cool water running down her throat.
"Bad dreams?"
Regan shook her head and replied, "Hmm... not really same old things."
Yuku nodded, sitting on the chair across her. "Are you ready with your plans?"
Regan placed the used glass on the sink and nodded. "Yes, I've spent the last month polishing up my plans." She walked in front of Yuku, placed her hand on hers and exclaimed, gleam apparent in her eyes, "Oh nana! I am so excited. Tomorrow nothing is going to be the same again!!"
"Dear, I think that's an understatement."
~~~~~
That evening, Kaoru tossed and turned on her futon, trying to sleep. For some odd reasons, the silence around the dojo was certainly bugging her. Letting out an audible sigh of resignation, she stood up and headed towards Kenshin's bedroom. She knocked on his shoji doors softly and called out, "Kenshin are you still awake?"
Kenshin slowly got up, fixed the tie on his yukata, opened the door and asked, "Kaoru, is there anything you need?"
Kaoru blushed lightly at the sight of him. She cast her eyes and whispered, "Ano… Kenshin, I was just feeling a little lonely tonight. With Sano and Megumi gone, I don't know, I think nothing is going to be the same again."
Kenshin nodded in understanding, opening the door wider as he invited her to come in. Kaoru nodded shyly as she sat beside his futon.
Kenshin sat across her and placed her hand in between his. "Kaoru, even if Sano and Megumi left us, their hearts will always be with us. Don't be sad, darling," he consoled.
Kaoru removed one hand from his to gently stroke his cheek. "I know that, but…" Kaoru paused for a moment, then said in a soft and uncertain voice, "…Can I sleep with you… even for just tonight… I just don't want to be alone…"
"Hush, darling," Kenshin said as he pulled her towards him, spooning her against him on his futon. He pressed a soft kiss on her hair and whispered, "Alright, if that is what you want, Kaoru."
"Kenshin, thank you for always being there for me."
"I'll always be here. I will never ever leave you again. Never."
Kaoru turned around to smile sweetly at him. She raised her head to reach
his lips giving him a soft and slow kiss. "I know, Kenshin. We'll always be together. I promise."
~~~~~
Breakfast was more quiet than usual since Sano and Megumi moved to Aizu. Kenshin and Kaoru ate in silence but neither or them mind. The presence of each other was enough for them. After Kenshin left to go to work, Kaoru resumed her routine.
She sat down under the sakura tree as she inspected the remaining pages of her mother's journal. After finishing this, I'll carry on with my search for answers…
July 24, 1861
I don't know how long I can go on like this…Koshijiro and I are starting to move on with our lives… with Kaoru on our side. She really is an angel, if it weren't for her… I might as well be emotionally dead by now, but the pain is still there. How can a mother get over the loss of one of her daughters? Kaoru stopped reading as soon as she read those lines, I had a sister? Her heart paced rapidly as her stomach sank. She felt her mind whirling as she staggered to rationalize what she had read. Clutching the journal tightly with her hands, she continued reading… Kaoru's twin died even before I had the chance to touch her… to claim her as mine…
The wind blew hard on her direction causing the sakura leaves to dance with it. Suddenly a figure stood before her, casting its shadow on her. When Kaoru looked up, her instincts ran wild as confusion, panic, and fear overcame her.
"Hello there, sister."
Then, darkness overcame her.
Author's Notes:
I gave you a glimpse of Regan's life to give you more understanding of her character.
I hope this answers your questions regarding Regan and Kaoru's relationship. I don't know if you have noticed but they celebrated their birthday on the same date. [See prologue.] ^_^
Special thanks to all those who left a review!
Midori-chan- that is sooooo my favorite line, too. If a guy told me that… I know know if I'd kiss him or kick him for being a perve. ^_^;; but if it is Kenshin, then why not? ^_^
Fuuzaki- let's just say that she has a major case of identity crisis.
Battousai angel- I know what you mean, having the legendary Hitokiri Battousai isn't some just twist and turns, ne?
Hatokirei- Alright, I am eagerly waiting for you new threat. Hehehe. ^_^;;
Artemismoon- just read on! ^_^
Hotohori- Yes, Regan is the villain. She spared Megumi because she decided that it would be best not to be rash and investigate. Nana is the same as Yuku, the woman who raised her.
Dora-chan- great job! It'll be explained later on.
Hana-chan- Oh, well. Playing PS is also fun! I am glad you still have the time to read my fic. ::hugs::
Chibigreenwizardmon- thanks for giving this fic a chance. About your question. I am glad you read between the line, it is very important in this fic. however there is something more to it.
Gypsy-chan- I wanted to give Kenshin and Kaoru waffy moments, it gives a breather after all those I don't know… wickedness?
Tan Kimiko- you can always mail me when you need any help. ^_^
Dementedchris- I had always wanted to do an evil villain. It's always a guy.
Marstanuki, Onna- I will never kill Megumi and her baby! ^_^
JML- I agree on you on that… to add on, she had to live alone after her father died. But that comment about her life being perfect was Regan's. If you can recall, she said a little twist and turns here and there. I guess, compared to her life, Kaoru's was a carousel ride. ^_^ Hehe, me, too. Imagine how daddy Sano would be protective of her when she grows up. I guess he'll need a new zanbattou.
Special thanks to Midori-chan for pre-reading.
Inspire me… Leave a review!
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