Apprentice
Chapter 23
How things have changed, pt. 2
(AN: I just want to say how everyone's reviews have kept me going on. Interesting questions, constructive comments, great ideas and of course, encouragement and compliments. 130+ reviews now. I never thought that would happen! Knowing people are reading and enjoying makes the work worthwhile. I spent a lot of time in the library, on-line and even interviewing a few people to make this story half-way authentic, so I'm glad it was time well spent.)
(AN2: Someone thought Kenshin asking Kenji to help him take a bath was strange. I think you must know that in Japan, families often bathe together, although the actual washing takes place outside of the bath, where you just soak. By then, they had soap, but before that, you used rice bran and herbs tied in a linen bag to clean yourself then rinsed yourself with a dipper from a large bucket of hot water. The natural oils in the bran act sort of like soap. In those times, men and guests bathed first, then everyone else. The dojo has it's own little bathhouse, from what I see on the series. Pretty nice. A lot of people used public baths. Nothing odd about it, really. Besides, Kenshin was making a little joke to make Kenji feel like he wasn't going to be treated like a baby. Ideas about nudity are very different in Japan than in America. The nude body is simply there, but not leered at. That's exceedingly rude. I, for one, think it's a much healthier attitude. Sorry if I shocked anyone. I can't help what's in your little heads, now, can I?)
(AN3: Warning major fluff ahead. Cavity alert!) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Oi, kitsune-onna, Kaoru is here," Sano stuck his head inside the Oguni clinic. He was babysitting today, Souzou was a very active toddler and Suzame was taking care of her grandfather today. His rheumatism was acting up.
He and Megumi kept an eye on the frail old man, but his granddaughters were doing a good job of it too. Gensai-sensei still showed up almost every day at the Oguni. Sometimes, his rheumatism made it impossible, though.
Ayame was now married to the handsome young herbalist, Kusuri Misaru. It was hard to believe she was 17 now, thought Sano.
Suzume, the youngest, was still home devoted to caring for her grandfather.
Kaoru came in and knelt down.
"Hot enough for you?" asked Megumi. Her friend looked flushed and tired.
"I'm glad I'm not the only one feeling it," said Kaoru. She wiped at her sweating forehead with a handkerchief.
"Well, you look healthy enough, aside from being overheated and a little tired, what's the problem?" asked Megumi briskly.
Kaoru looked pointedly over at Sano, where he was blowing raspberries on Souzou's stomach to keep him entertained. The little boy shrieked with delight and gave Sano's hair a good yank, making him wince.
"Can we talk alone?" she asked. Megumi raised her brows delicately.
"Sano, take Souzou outside for a moment, please," asked Megumi, giving him a look from under her brows.
"Nani?" he said, distracted by Souzou still yanking on his hair as he tickled his belly.
"Woman talk," she said, pointing towards the back door.
"Ah, I get it," he picked up the toddler. Winking at Kaoru in passing, he went outside into the back yard of the clinic. In the distance, Kaoru heard Souzou shriek again with laughter.
"What's wrong, then, Kaoru?" asked Megumi, concerned.
"I think I'm...pregnant," whispered Kaoru.
Megumi chuckled, relieved. "Gods, Kaoru, I thought it must be something bad."
Her friend was often a bit shy about such matters, thought Megumi. Probably came from not having a mother with which to discuss certain "things".
"Let's take a look at you, then," said Megumi, businesslike again.
After a brief examination, Megumi smiled at her. "Well, Dr. Kaoru, it looks as though you have made a correct diagnosis. You're going to have a child in little over 5 months, best guess."
"Really?" said Kaoru. She had an odd combination of relief, shock and happiness flitting across her features.
"Have you said anything to Ken-san?" Megumi asked her.
"No, I wasn't sure enough to say," Kaoru said, "I didn't want to make him worry, you know how he is."
"Well, he is a worrier," conceded Megumi. "I'd love to see the look on his face when you tell him." She laughed. Kaoru could see those fox ears again. "I'd have the smelling salts ready."
"You do want another child, Kaoru?" asked Megumi.
"Oh, yes, yes, of course, but I just had almost given up hoping," said Kaoru. "Oh, Kenji, he's away training with Hiko-san, of course. He's going to be so surprised when he comes back."
"He won't be the only one," thought Megumi, visualizing a swirly-eyed Kenshin.
Kaoru sat up, as she had finished retying her obi, and impulsively hugged her friend.
They stood up.
Megumi called to Sano, who was now giving Souzou a ride around the yard on his shoulders, "You can come back in now, Mr. Eavesdropper."
"So, Jou-chan," said Sano, "knocked up again?" He grinned at Kaoru, who was turning an interesting shade of deep red.
"Sanosuke, if you weren't holding that child, I'd hit you so hard, your grandchildren would feel it!" yelled Kaoru.
"Pregnant women shouldn't be fighting anyway," he joked.
"If I had my bokken, I could still knock you into next week," she declared.
"But, then, I couldn't give you my congratulations," said Sano, smiling at her sweetly
"Does he always try to charm his way out of rudeness?" Kaoru asked Megumi, who was rolling her eyes at her husband.
"Usually," she replied.
"Go home now and give your Ken-san the good news," said Megumi, steering her towards the door.
They watched her retreating figure. Sano jiggled his son a bit to keep him distracted, but he was starting to fuss a little.
"I think he's hungry," said Sano. "I'm sure he is," said Megumi, "it's nearly time for lunch."
"Come on, kid," said Sano, hoisting him against his shoulder and patting him. "Let's go feed you."
"EAT!" said Souzou, clapping his hands together. Megumi laughed.
"He learned that word quickly enough!" she exclaimed.
"Why not, it's the most important one," said Sano, grinning.
"T'-chan!" said Souzou, grabbing at Sano's hair.
"Say, 'Oka-chan', Souzou," Sano prompted.
Souzou reached for his mother, "K'chan," he said.
"See, he knows it," said Sano. "He gets his brains from you, and his good looks from me."
Megumi rolled her eyes again. "Poor child, don't listen to your oto-san, he's a big handsome idiot."
"You aren't too bad-looking either," teased Sano. He put Souzou down on the floor and gently grabbed her by the shoulders, and pulled her against him for a kiss.
"Oh, you flatterer, you," giggled Megumi, as he took her earlobe into his mouth.
Souzou toddled over to the table, "EAT!" he said pointing at the basket of food Megumi had brought.
"I guess we should feed the kid," said Sano, muffled, with his lips pressed against Megumi's neck.
"Hmm," she said in a distracted tone. She heard a noise.
She pushed him away as Souzou tried to climb on the table.
"I guess we should eat."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Kaoru walked home in a daze. She was surprised she hadn't gotten lost by the time she opened the dojo gate.
Kenshin was on the back engawa washing clothes. He had removed his gi because of the heat, and his back glistened with a light film of sweat. Kaoru sat down on the step and stared at nothing.
"So, Kaoru, back so soon?" he asked her. He held up a dark blue cotton gi from the rinse water and scrutinized it, and began to wring it out to hang up.
"Hai," she said quietly.
"Shopping?" he asked, hanging up the gi carefully so it would dry evenly.
"Uh, no," she confessed. "I went to see Megumi."
Kenshin turned quickly and ran over to the step where she sat. "You're not sick are you?" he asked, pressing a still-wet hand to her forehead. "You don't feel feverish. Why didn't you say something? I would have walked over with you," he asked anxiously.
"I'm not sick," she said, pushing his wet hand away. "Sorry," he said, wiping his hands on his hakama leg. "I got your face a little wet," he looked slightly embarrassed.
"That actually feels good," she said, wiping her face with her handkerchief again. "It's so hot."
"Are you too hot? I can draw you a cool bath," he said, starting to stand up.
She pulled him back down by his hand. "No, I'm fine. I'm feeling fine. I'm very happy, Kenshin." She put her arms around him and buried her face in his neck.
"What is it?" he whispered, now completely confused.
He felt her take a deep breath, "We're going to have another baby."
"Oro?" he whispered, pulling back to look into her face.
"It's true, anata," Kaoru said gently. Her eyes started to fill up with tears.
"Oro?" he said again. He sat down heavily on the step beside her and put his head in his hands. "You're sure?" he said, sounding dazed.
"Of course I'm sure, now, that's why I went to see Megumi. I couldn't believe it." "You're sure?" repeated Kenshin.
"Kenshin, what's wrong with you?" Kaoru asked, "Aren't you happy?"
She peered at him, trying to see his face, which was covered by his hands.
"I'm happy," he said, muffled by his hands.
"I can't tell with you hiding like that, silly," she said, trying to pry his hands away. She realized then he was crying.
"Kenshin, it's all right," she said, hugging him tightly. She smiled, her own eyes overflowing.
"He's so sentimental," she thought, stroking his hair as she held him against her breast.
Finally, he spoke, "When?" he asked in a hoarse voice.
"In about 5 months," she replied. "Just like Kenji, it'll be wintertime when the baby comes."
He nodded, wiping his eyes with the back of his hand. "Sorry, anata, I was ... surprised," he explained, needlessly.
"As was I," said Kaoru, smiling at him. He nodded.
"You're all right, then?" he asked again.
"Everything is fine," she reassured him. He nodded, again, grasping her hand tightly for a moment.
"I need to finish rinsing the laundry," he said, standing up suddenly.
"I know," she said gently.
"You should go eat and lie down," he said, looking at her. "I left something for you in the kitchen.
"I'm fine," she protested.
"You look tired," he said, helping her up and leading her to the doorway.
"It's just the heat," she said, to him, "No fussing, all right?"
"I can't help it, I like to fuss," he said, suddenly smiling at her.
"I like to be fussed over, but not too much," said Kaoru, smiling back at him.
"Eat, and take a nap," he ordered, pulling her inside.
"Take one with me?" she offered, smiling.
"As soon as I finish, I will," he said. He pulled her close and kissed her gently. "Don't wait for me," he said.
But, she did wait for him.
Chapter 23
How things have changed, pt. 2
(AN: I just want to say how everyone's reviews have kept me going on. Interesting questions, constructive comments, great ideas and of course, encouragement and compliments. 130+ reviews now. I never thought that would happen! Knowing people are reading and enjoying makes the work worthwhile. I spent a lot of time in the library, on-line and even interviewing a few people to make this story half-way authentic, so I'm glad it was time well spent.)
(AN2: Someone thought Kenshin asking Kenji to help him take a bath was strange. I think you must know that in Japan, families often bathe together, although the actual washing takes place outside of the bath, where you just soak. By then, they had soap, but before that, you used rice bran and herbs tied in a linen bag to clean yourself then rinsed yourself with a dipper from a large bucket of hot water. The natural oils in the bran act sort of like soap. In those times, men and guests bathed first, then everyone else. The dojo has it's own little bathhouse, from what I see on the series. Pretty nice. A lot of people used public baths. Nothing odd about it, really. Besides, Kenshin was making a little joke to make Kenji feel like he wasn't going to be treated like a baby. Ideas about nudity are very different in Japan than in America. The nude body is simply there, but not leered at. That's exceedingly rude. I, for one, think it's a much healthier attitude. Sorry if I shocked anyone. I can't help what's in your little heads, now, can I?)
(AN3: Warning major fluff ahead. Cavity alert!) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Oi, kitsune-onna, Kaoru is here," Sano stuck his head inside the Oguni clinic. He was babysitting today, Souzou was a very active toddler and Suzame was taking care of her grandfather today. His rheumatism was acting up.
He and Megumi kept an eye on the frail old man, but his granddaughters were doing a good job of it too. Gensai-sensei still showed up almost every day at the Oguni. Sometimes, his rheumatism made it impossible, though.
Ayame was now married to the handsome young herbalist, Kusuri Misaru. It was hard to believe she was 17 now, thought Sano.
Suzume, the youngest, was still home devoted to caring for her grandfather.
Kaoru came in and knelt down.
"Hot enough for you?" asked Megumi. Her friend looked flushed and tired.
"I'm glad I'm not the only one feeling it," said Kaoru. She wiped at her sweating forehead with a handkerchief.
"Well, you look healthy enough, aside from being overheated and a little tired, what's the problem?" asked Megumi briskly.
Kaoru looked pointedly over at Sano, where he was blowing raspberries on Souzou's stomach to keep him entertained. The little boy shrieked with delight and gave Sano's hair a good yank, making him wince.
"Can we talk alone?" she asked. Megumi raised her brows delicately.
"Sano, take Souzou outside for a moment, please," asked Megumi, giving him a look from under her brows.
"Nani?" he said, distracted by Souzou still yanking on his hair as he tickled his belly.
"Woman talk," she said, pointing towards the back door.
"Ah, I get it," he picked up the toddler. Winking at Kaoru in passing, he went outside into the back yard of the clinic. In the distance, Kaoru heard Souzou shriek again with laughter.
"What's wrong, then, Kaoru?" asked Megumi, concerned.
"I think I'm...pregnant," whispered Kaoru.
Megumi chuckled, relieved. "Gods, Kaoru, I thought it must be something bad."
Her friend was often a bit shy about such matters, thought Megumi. Probably came from not having a mother with which to discuss certain "things".
"Let's take a look at you, then," said Megumi, businesslike again.
After a brief examination, Megumi smiled at her. "Well, Dr. Kaoru, it looks as though you have made a correct diagnosis. You're going to have a child in little over 5 months, best guess."
"Really?" said Kaoru. She had an odd combination of relief, shock and happiness flitting across her features.
"Have you said anything to Ken-san?" Megumi asked her.
"No, I wasn't sure enough to say," Kaoru said, "I didn't want to make him worry, you know how he is."
"Well, he is a worrier," conceded Megumi. "I'd love to see the look on his face when you tell him." She laughed. Kaoru could see those fox ears again. "I'd have the smelling salts ready."
"You do want another child, Kaoru?" asked Megumi.
"Oh, yes, yes, of course, but I just had almost given up hoping," said Kaoru. "Oh, Kenji, he's away training with Hiko-san, of course. He's going to be so surprised when he comes back."
"He won't be the only one," thought Megumi, visualizing a swirly-eyed Kenshin.
Kaoru sat up, as she had finished retying her obi, and impulsively hugged her friend.
They stood up.
Megumi called to Sano, who was now giving Souzou a ride around the yard on his shoulders, "You can come back in now, Mr. Eavesdropper."
"So, Jou-chan," said Sano, "knocked up again?" He grinned at Kaoru, who was turning an interesting shade of deep red.
"Sanosuke, if you weren't holding that child, I'd hit you so hard, your grandchildren would feel it!" yelled Kaoru.
"Pregnant women shouldn't be fighting anyway," he joked.
"If I had my bokken, I could still knock you into next week," she declared.
"But, then, I couldn't give you my congratulations," said Sano, smiling at her sweetly
"Does he always try to charm his way out of rudeness?" Kaoru asked Megumi, who was rolling her eyes at her husband.
"Usually," she replied.
"Go home now and give your Ken-san the good news," said Megumi, steering her towards the door.
They watched her retreating figure. Sano jiggled his son a bit to keep him distracted, but he was starting to fuss a little.
"I think he's hungry," said Sano. "I'm sure he is," said Megumi, "it's nearly time for lunch."
"Come on, kid," said Sano, hoisting him against his shoulder and patting him. "Let's go feed you."
"EAT!" said Souzou, clapping his hands together. Megumi laughed.
"He learned that word quickly enough!" she exclaimed.
"Why not, it's the most important one," said Sano, grinning.
"T'-chan!" said Souzou, grabbing at Sano's hair.
"Say, 'Oka-chan', Souzou," Sano prompted.
Souzou reached for his mother, "K'chan," he said.
"See, he knows it," said Sano. "He gets his brains from you, and his good looks from me."
Megumi rolled her eyes again. "Poor child, don't listen to your oto-san, he's a big handsome idiot."
"You aren't too bad-looking either," teased Sano. He put Souzou down on the floor and gently grabbed her by the shoulders, and pulled her against him for a kiss.
"Oh, you flatterer, you," giggled Megumi, as he took her earlobe into his mouth.
Souzou toddled over to the table, "EAT!" he said pointing at the basket of food Megumi had brought.
"I guess we should feed the kid," said Sano, muffled, with his lips pressed against Megumi's neck.
"Hmm," she said in a distracted tone. She heard a noise.
She pushed him away as Souzou tried to climb on the table.
"I guess we should eat."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Kaoru walked home in a daze. She was surprised she hadn't gotten lost by the time she opened the dojo gate.
Kenshin was on the back engawa washing clothes. He had removed his gi because of the heat, and his back glistened with a light film of sweat. Kaoru sat down on the step and stared at nothing.
"So, Kaoru, back so soon?" he asked her. He held up a dark blue cotton gi from the rinse water and scrutinized it, and began to wring it out to hang up.
"Hai," she said quietly.
"Shopping?" he asked, hanging up the gi carefully so it would dry evenly.
"Uh, no," she confessed. "I went to see Megumi."
Kenshin turned quickly and ran over to the step where she sat. "You're not sick are you?" he asked, pressing a still-wet hand to her forehead. "You don't feel feverish. Why didn't you say something? I would have walked over with you," he asked anxiously.
"I'm not sick," she said, pushing his wet hand away. "Sorry," he said, wiping his hands on his hakama leg. "I got your face a little wet," he looked slightly embarrassed.
"That actually feels good," she said, wiping her face with her handkerchief again. "It's so hot."
"Are you too hot? I can draw you a cool bath," he said, starting to stand up.
She pulled him back down by his hand. "No, I'm fine. I'm feeling fine. I'm very happy, Kenshin." She put her arms around him and buried her face in his neck.
"What is it?" he whispered, now completely confused.
He felt her take a deep breath, "We're going to have another baby."
"Oro?" he whispered, pulling back to look into her face.
"It's true, anata," Kaoru said gently. Her eyes started to fill up with tears.
"Oro?" he said again. He sat down heavily on the step beside her and put his head in his hands. "You're sure?" he said, sounding dazed.
"Of course I'm sure, now, that's why I went to see Megumi. I couldn't believe it." "You're sure?" repeated Kenshin.
"Kenshin, what's wrong with you?" Kaoru asked, "Aren't you happy?"
She peered at him, trying to see his face, which was covered by his hands.
"I'm happy," he said, muffled by his hands.
"I can't tell with you hiding like that, silly," she said, trying to pry his hands away. She realized then he was crying.
"Kenshin, it's all right," she said, hugging him tightly. She smiled, her own eyes overflowing.
"He's so sentimental," she thought, stroking his hair as she held him against her breast.
Finally, he spoke, "When?" he asked in a hoarse voice.
"In about 5 months," she replied. "Just like Kenji, it'll be wintertime when the baby comes."
He nodded, wiping his eyes with the back of his hand. "Sorry, anata, I was ... surprised," he explained, needlessly.
"As was I," said Kaoru, smiling at him. He nodded.
"You're all right, then?" he asked again.
"Everything is fine," she reassured him. He nodded, again, grasping her hand tightly for a moment.
"I need to finish rinsing the laundry," he said, standing up suddenly.
"I know," she said gently.
"You should go eat and lie down," he said, looking at her. "I left something for you in the kitchen.
"I'm fine," she protested.
"You look tired," he said, helping her up and leading her to the doorway.
"It's just the heat," she said, to him, "No fussing, all right?"
"I can't help it, I like to fuss," he said, suddenly smiling at her.
"I like to be fussed over, but not too much," said Kaoru, smiling back at him.
"Eat, and take a nap," he ordered, pulling her inside.
"Take one with me?" she offered, smiling.
"As soon as I finish, I will," he said. He pulled her close and kissed her gently. "Don't wait for me," he said.
But, she did wait for him.
