Disclaimer: For the past 3 years, my New Year's Resolution was to own
Rurouni Kenshin. I'll need a few more years in order for it to happen
though.
The chapter after this one is THE last chapter! I swear!
-
It had been six months since Kenshin and Kaoru had been married. Really, things hadn't changed that much either. Kaoru still bonked Kenshin over the head whenever she was frustrated with something he did and Yahiko still called her ugly. Sano had changed but not for the better. He continuously gambled things, his house more than anything and was constantly taking refuge at the dojo.
Kaoru hadn't expanded, which surprised Megumi. Sure, it was noticeable but not enough to where she had to purchase new kimonos. Her old ones worked perfectly so she wasn't exactly complaining. The only other pregnancy kimono's she saw were all brown and black. Kaoru had absolutely refused to wear black and if brown came anywhere near her, she'd scream.
For the past two weeks however, Yahiko refused to train with her. Unlike everyone else, he and Megumi had enough since to keep track of the months. This was the 9th month of Kaoru being pregnant but none of the others, besides him and Megumi, had the brains to keep track of time.
However, Kenshin hadn't exactly been using his brain for the past week either. Although he had no idea this was her 9th month, he didn't let her go anywhere without him. Even if it meant getting beaten to death with a magical bokken, he followed her. Kenshin completely refused a no for answer. And when she thought that she was being sneaky by going off on her own, Kenshin would walk on the roofs of restaurants and other buildings just to keep track of her.
Once every week, Megumi had to take time out of her schedule to check up on Kaoru. She didn't want her to forget anything and was always on her about petty things. No matter if it was that she was eating improperly or just the matter of playing around with swords way to much, Kaoru was always scolded by the doctor. She knew that Megumi was just trying to help but Kaoru was getting a little fed up with it all. Basically, Megumi was calling her a bad mother, saying she wasn't doing this or that right.
Sano was the only one who really remained the same. He still called her the baby name Jou-chan and picked on her about the way she cooked. Sanosuke was probably, out of all of the four she hung around, the person she'd rather be with the most. Yahiko wouldn't pick up a bokken when she was around, Megumi was on her about everything and checked her tempeture almost every week, and Kenshin would not let her out of his sight.
Kaoru knew it was unfair to say she'd rather spend time with her husbands best friend rather than her husband himself but she just couldn't take all the 'I must protect you!' crap he was dishing out.
-
"I'll be right back Kenshin. I got some soap suds on me," Kaoru said, getting up. She and Kenshin had sat down to do the laundry together. Not like she had a choice. Kenshin actually made her come. He probably didn't realize he was doing it, but really, Kaoru was just trying to find an excuse to leave.
"No sense in changing your clothes when they would just get wet again," he said with a smile. Kaoru gave a low snort, low enough so he wouldn't hear.
"Kenshin, I think I'll lay down. I really don't feel good," she told him, walking into the dojo.
"Should I get Megumi-dono?" Kenshin asked with worry. Kaoru shook her head no and headed inside. He decided it was best not to follow her as on account when she was feeling good it was a sign of a mood swing.
Kenshin had resumed his laundry washing and quietly began humming to himself. "Hey, Kenshin," came Sano's voice from behind him.
Kenshin whirled around to see the street fighter standing behind him with a smile on his face. "Oh, Sanosuke, what brings you here may I ask?"
*As if he didn't know, * Sano thought. He's a gambler and that's what he does. He gambles until there's nothing left. Which he had nothing left.
"Sano, you lose all your money . . . again . . ." asked Yahiko, who had been sitting on the roof of the dojo unnoticed.
"Hey, how'd you get way up there?" Sano questioned him, holding his hand up to protect his intense brown eyes from the sunlight. Yahiko jumped down, spreading dust on Sano's shirt and over a newly washed kimono Kenshin had just pulled out.
"Kenshin showed me how to jump higher yesterday. I wont be able to jump as well as him, but I sure am gonna try!" Yahiko smiled proudly, as if what he had done was the turning point in his life. *Give me a break. * Kenshin thought, trying to clean off the kimono a second time.
Before Kenshin could scold Yahiko anymore, Kaoru's voice screamed his name. "KENSHIN!!!!"
Kenshin reacted before any of them. He dropped the kimono on the ground and ran straight to where the scream was heard. Kenshin used his godlike speed to reach his room. He opened the door and saw Kaoru standing over their futon, her legs wet.
"My . . . my water broke . . ." she whispered. Kaoru clutched her stomach, a contraction coming on. Kenshin immediately ran and held her up before turning to Yahiko and Sano.
"Sano, go get Megumi! Yahiko, could you get a warm wash cloth?" commanded Kenshin. Neither of the two of them questioned him and ran off to do their duties. Picking Kaoru up, he slowly walked her to the futon. Just as he laid her down, Yahiko came in with the cloth. Kenshin folded it into a perfect rectangular shape and laid it across her forehead. Kaoru stopped breathing hard and looked at Kenshin.
" Whoa, who knew that contractions hurt so much!" Kaoru stated, panting.
"And to think it's just the beginning," Yahiko thought aloud. Kaoru's went wide and she laid her head back on the pillow. Kenshin sent a glare in Yahiko's direction. Yahiko shrugged just as Megumi and Sano ran into the room. Kaoru chuckled.
"Great, just what I need. An audience," she stated. Megumi narrowed her eyes.
"How long has it been?" she asked. Kenshin held up five fingers and Megumi nodded her head. Kaoru sat straight up with another contraction.
"KKKKEEEENNNNSSSHHHHIIIINNNNN!" screamed Kaoru. She reached up and grabbed Kenshin's red locks, shaking his head repeatedly.
"ORO! You're ripping out my hair that you are!" he cried, trying desperately to pry her fingers off of his head.
"GET THIS THING OUT OF ME!!!" Kaoru added with another high pitched scream.
"LET ME GO! WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME?!?!?!?!" Kenshin yelled with her. Kaoru stopped pulling out his hair and looked him straight in the eye.
"I . . . want . . . morphine . . ." she said through gritted teeth. She let go of Kenshin slowly, dragging out a handful of red locks. Kenshin's hand went to where Kaoru's hand was.
"We . . . better get the kid out before Kenshin goes bald," Sano chimed in, staring at the small bald spot where his haired had been.
"Yeah. Yahiko, Sano, I need for you two to kneel down so Kaoru's legs can be propped up," Megumi commanded, rolling up Kaoru's kimono.
"I better not get any excess crap on my hakama," Yahiko muttered, only to be smacked by Megumi.
"Since Kaoru's not able to do it, then I finally got the honors to do so," she told him. Grumbling, Yahiko knelt down next to Sano so Kaoru's legs wouldn't be in the way.
"Well . . . you two can think of this as the day you helped ugly Jou-chan give birth to her kid," stated Kaoru sarcastically. Sanosuke gave her a grin. Then came another contraction.
"Okay Tanuki, PUSH!" Megumi yelled, settling herself in position to catch the child. Kaoru squealed and pushed.
"HARDER!" Megumi yelled.
"I am doing THE BEST I can DO!" Kaoru screamed, still pushing. Kenshin clutched his stomach.
"It hurts," he grunted, watching Kaoru going through the pain. Kaoru gave him and evil glare and began to shake him vigorously.
"It hurts? IT HURTS?! HOW THE HELL CAN IT HURT YOU? YOUR NOT THE ON HAVING CONTRACTIONS YOU FATHEAD!" Kaoru screamed, shaking him harder and harder.
"ORO!" Kenshin cried.
"What else do I do?" Kaoru panted, taking a small rest.
"Keep pushing. Kenshin help her!" Megumi cried.
Kaoru began to push again. "C'mon Kaoru! Push 'em out, shove 'em out wwwaaaayyy OUT!" Kenshin chanted. Megumi felt like beaning Kenshin over the head with something but Kaoru needed real support.
"IT HURTS!" Kaoru yelled.
"But koishii! Push!" Kenshin said.
"YOU SHUT UP!" Kaoru screamed, pointing her finger at Kenshin, "YOU DID THIS TO ME!"
Kaoru stopped for a second to take a breath. "You know, Carol Brunette once described labor pains. She said grab your bottom lip . . . and pull it over your head."
"Kaoru keep pushing!" Sano yelled, tired of having her practically laying on top of him. Kaoru reached down and grabbed his bottom lip.
"DON'T! YOU TELL ME WHAT TO DO!" Kaoru yelled, but continued pushing anyway.
"Kaoru, just one more push!" Kenshin said, holding her hand. She grunted and pushed as hard as she could, screaming at the top of her lungs. Kenshin began to scream with her. Soon, Kaoru laid her head back on Kenshin's chest to get some air. Kenshin looked up to see Megumi wrapping the newborn baby in a towel.
Megumi slowly looked up and told them , " It's a boy." Kaoru smiled against Kenshin, happy that they had made a new life. Megumi walked over and handed the baby to Kenshin. Over his shoulder, Sano stared at it. Then walked over to Kaoru, smoothing out her hair.
"Jou-chan . . ." he said. Kaoru looked up, seeing him biting his lip, " You just had . . . a lizard . . ."
Kaoru picked up the pillow next to them and began hitting Sano continuously.
"SERIOUSLY! HE CHANGED COLORS THREE TIMES!" he yelled running out the room. Megumi understood why he did that. Sano isn't one to be soft, always has to be the macho man. He didn't want to tell her that he was going to leave them alone with their child because that was just downright soft. Megumi grabbed Yahiko by the collar of his gi and dragged him out the door, shutting it.
Kenshin hadn't noticed a thing. All he could do was stare at his son. Unlike normal babies, this one had hair already. A lot of it as well, it almost touched his shoulder's. It was a bright red, just like his was. It took a few moments but soon the baby opened his eyes. They were a rich violet but in them Kenshin could see a hint blue. The baby looked up at him and smiled, reaching out to grab Kenshin's hair. When the child had it in his grasp, he began laughing. A tear trickled down Kenshin's cheek.
*I never thought that I could do something right . . . * Kenshin thought, a small smile on his lips.
"Kenshin?" Kaoru's voice broke into his thoughts. He turned around to see her sitting up. Gingerly, he crawled to the side of their bed and sat next to her so she could see the baby.
After a moment, Kaoru looked up at Kenshin. "He looks just like you . . ." she said with care. Then she noticed the tear on his left cheek. "Kenshin? Kenshin, what's wrong?"
Kenshin shook his head. "Nothing's wrong," he told her, " For the first time in my life . . . everything's going the way I want it to go . . ."
Kaoru leaned her head on Kenshin's shoulder, brushing the lonely tear away from his eye. "Kenshin, no matter what happens, we'll always be here for you." She leaned up and kissed him gently on the lips, their son asleep in between them. Kenshin regretfully broke the kiss and look down at the baby.
"I want . . . I want you to name him Kaoru," he said, handing the child to her. He settled himself behind her so she could sit up straight with the baby in her arms.
Kaoru looked at the baby. It had little resemblance of her except for the tinge of blue in its eyes and the small nose. It had more of a Kenshin look.
"Ken . . ." she started. Then she turned around to look at Kenshin. "Ken . . . ji. I want to call him Kenji."
"That's a perfect name," he said, smoothing out the baby's hair. Kaoru handed him back to Kenshin. Kenji gave a yawn and rolled over, burying his face in Kenshin's chest to comfortable enough for sleep. Kenshin wrapped his arms around Kaoru.
"Thank you Kaoru," he murmured, kissing her lightly on the cheek. She gave him a puzzled look.
"For what?" she whispered. Kenshin looked back down at his son.
"If it weren't for you . . . Kenji wouldn't have ever been born. You gave me something that I could believe in Kaoru. That's why I'm thanking you," he whispered in her ear, capturing her lips again. So it came to pass that on July 21st, Himura Kenji was added to the household.
-
I really hoped you guys liked that. And yes, Carol Brunette is a real person who lived back in the 1840's. And yes, she did say that if you want to know what labor pains feels like, take your bottom lip and pull it over your head. One more chapter left yall. Then I'm posting my Yahiko and Tsubame fanfic on New Year's day. I'm posting the last chapter tomorrow. I got a little lazy and didn't want to wait until New Year's eve to finish this story. And the Tsubame and Yahiko fic wont be as long or as dragged out as this one . . . I hope. Ok, well, catch you later!
The chapter after this one is THE last chapter! I swear!
-
It had been six months since Kenshin and Kaoru had been married. Really, things hadn't changed that much either. Kaoru still bonked Kenshin over the head whenever she was frustrated with something he did and Yahiko still called her ugly. Sano had changed but not for the better. He continuously gambled things, his house more than anything and was constantly taking refuge at the dojo.
Kaoru hadn't expanded, which surprised Megumi. Sure, it was noticeable but not enough to where she had to purchase new kimonos. Her old ones worked perfectly so she wasn't exactly complaining. The only other pregnancy kimono's she saw were all brown and black. Kaoru had absolutely refused to wear black and if brown came anywhere near her, she'd scream.
For the past two weeks however, Yahiko refused to train with her. Unlike everyone else, he and Megumi had enough since to keep track of the months. This was the 9th month of Kaoru being pregnant but none of the others, besides him and Megumi, had the brains to keep track of time.
However, Kenshin hadn't exactly been using his brain for the past week either. Although he had no idea this was her 9th month, he didn't let her go anywhere without him. Even if it meant getting beaten to death with a magical bokken, he followed her. Kenshin completely refused a no for answer. And when she thought that she was being sneaky by going off on her own, Kenshin would walk on the roofs of restaurants and other buildings just to keep track of her.
Once every week, Megumi had to take time out of her schedule to check up on Kaoru. She didn't want her to forget anything and was always on her about petty things. No matter if it was that she was eating improperly or just the matter of playing around with swords way to much, Kaoru was always scolded by the doctor. She knew that Megumi was just trying to help but Kaoru was getting a little fed up with it all. Basically, Megumi was calling her a bad mother, saying she wasn't doing this or that right.
Sano was the only one who really remained the same. He still called her the baby name Jou-chan and picked on her about the way she cooked. Sanosuke was probably, out of all of the four she hung around, the person she'd rather be with the most. Yahiko wouldn't pick up a bokken when she was around, Megumi was on her about everything and checked her tempeture almost every week, and Kenshin would not let her out of his sight.
Kaoru knew it was unfair to say she'd rather spend time with her husbands best friend rather than her husband himself but she just couldn't take all the 'I must protect you!' crap he was dishing out.
-
"I'll be right back Kenshin. I got some soap suds on me," Kaoru said, getting up. She and Kenshin had sat down to do the laundry together. Not like she had a choice. Kenshin actually made her come. He probably didn't realize he was doing it, but really, Kaoru was just trying to find an excuse to leave.
"No sense in changing your clothes when they would just get wet again," he said with a smile. Kaoru gave a low snort, low enough so he wouldn't hear.
"Kenshin, I think I'll lay down. I really don't feel good," she told him, walking into the dojo.
"Should I get Megumi-dono?" Kenshin asked with worry. Kaoru shook her head no and headed inside. He decided it was best not to follow her as on account when she was feeling good it was a sign of a mood swing.
Kenshin had resumed his laundry washing and quietly began humming to himself. "Hey, Kenshin," came Sano's voice from behind him.
Kenshin whirled around to see the street fighter standing behind him with a smile on his face. "Oh, Sanosuke, what brings you here may I ask?"
*As if he didn't know, * Sano thought. He's a gambler and that's what he does. He gambles until there's nothing left. Which he had nothing left.
"Sano, you lose all your money . . . again . . ." asked Yahiko, who had been sitting on the roof of the dojo unnoticed.
"Hey, how'd you get way up there?" Sano questioned him, holding his hand up to protect his intense brown eyes from the sunlight. Yahiko jumped down, spreading dust on Sano's shirt and over a newly washed kimono Kenshin had just pulled out.
"Kenshin showed me how to jump higher yesterday. I wont be able to jump as well as him, but I sure am gonna try!" Yahiko smiled proudly, as if what he had done was the turning point in his life. *Give me a break. * Kenshin thought, trying to clean off the kimono a second time.
Before Kenshin could scold Yahiko anymore, Kaoru's voice screamed his name. "KENSHIN!!!!"
Kenshin reacted before any of them. He dropped the kimono on the ground and ran straight to where the scream was heard. Kenshin used his godlike speed to reach his room. He opened the door and saw Kaoru standing over their futon, her legs wet.
"My . . . my water broke . . ." she whispered. Kaoru clutched her stomach, a contraction coming on. Kenshin immediately ran and held her up before turning to Yahiko and Sano.
"Sano, go get Megumi! Yahiko, could you get a warm wash cloth?" commanded Kenshin. Neither of the two of them questioned him and ran off to do their duties. Picking Kaoru up, he slowly walked her to the futon. Just as he laid her down, Yahiko came in with the cloth. Kenshin folded it into a perfect rectangular shape and laid it across her forehead. Kaoru stopped breathing hard and looked at Kenshin.
" Whoa, who knew that contractions hurt so much!" Kaoru stated, panting.
"And to think it's just the beginning," Yahiko thought aloud. Kaoru's went wide and she laid her head back on the pillow. Kenshin sent a glare in Yahiko's direction. Yahiko shrugged just as Megumi and Sano ran into the room. Kaoru chuckled.
"Great, just what I need. An audience," she stated. Megumi narrowed her eyes.
"How long has it been?" she asked. Kenshin held up five fingers and Megumi nodded her head. Kaoru sat straight up with another contraction.
"KKKKEEEENNNNSSSHHHHIIIINNNNN!" screamed Kaoru. She reached up and grabbed Kenshin's red locks, shaking his head repeatedly.
"ORO! You're ripping out my hair that you are!" he cried, trying desperately to pry her fingers off of his head.
"GET THIS THING OUT OF ME!!!" Kaoru added with another high pitched scream.
"LET ME GO! WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME?!?!?!?!" Kenshin yelled with her. Kaoru stopped pulling out his hair and looked him straight in the eye.
"I . . . want . . . morphine . . ." she said through gritted teeth. She let go of Kenshin slowly, dragging out a handful of red locks. Kenshin's hand went to where Kaoru's hand was.
"We . . . better get the kid out before Kenshin goes bald," Sano chimed in, staring at the small bald spot where his haired had been.
"Yeah. Yahiko, Sano, I need for you two to kneel down so Kaoru's legs can be propped up," Megumi commanded, rolling up Kaoru's kimono.
"I better not get any excess crap on my hakama," Yahiko muttered, only to be smacked by Megumi.
"Since Kaoru's not able to do it, then I finally got the honors to do so," she told him. Grumbling, Yahiko knelt down next to Sano so Kaoru's legs wouldn't be in the way.
"Well . . . you two can think of this as the day you helped ugly Jou-chan give birth to her kid," stated Kaoru sarcastically. Sanosuke gave her a grin. Then came another contraction.
"Okay Tanuki, PUSH!" Megumi yelled, settling herself in position to catch the child. Kaoru squealed and pushed.
"HARDER!" Megumi yelled.
"I am doing THE BEST I can DO!" Kaoru screamed, still pushing. Kenshin clutched his stomach.
"It hurts," he grunted, watching Kaoru going through the pain. Kaoru gave him and evil glare and began to shake him vigorously.
"It hurts? IT HURTS?! HOW THE HELL CAN IT HURT YOU? YOUR NOT THE ON HAVING CONTRACTIONS YOU FATHEAD!" Kaoru screamed, shaking him harder and harder.
"ORO!" Kenshin cried.
"What else do I do?" Kaoru panted, taking a small rest.
"Keep pushing. Kenshin help her!" Megumi cried.
Kaoru began to push again. "C'mon Kaoru! Push 'em out, shove 'em out wwwaaaayyy OUT!" Kenshin chanted. Megumi felt like beaning Kenshin over the head with something but Kaoru needed real support.
"IT HURTS!" Kaoru yelled.
"But koishii! Push!" Kenshin said.
"YOU SHUT UP!" Kaoru screamed, pointing her finger at Kenshin, "YOU DID THIS TO ME!"
Kaoru stopped for a second to take a breath. "You know, Carol Brunette once described labor pains. She said grab your bottom lip . . . and pull it over your head."
"Kaoru keep pushing!" Sano yelled, tired of having her practically laying on top of him. Kaoru reached down and grabbed his bottom lip.
"DON'T! YOU TELL ME WHAT TO DO!" Kaoru yelled, but continued pushing anyway.
"Kaoru, just one more push!" Kenshin said, holding her hand. She grunted and pushed as hard as she could, screaming at the top of her lungs. Kenshin began to scream with her. Soon, Kaoru laid her head back on Kenshin's chest to get some air. Kenshin looked up to see Megumi wrapping the newborn baby in a towel.
Megumi slowly looked up and told them , " It's a boy." Kaoru smiled against Kenshin, happy that they had made a new life. Megumi walked over and handed the baby to Kenshin. Over his shoulder, Sano stared at it. Then walked over to Kaoru, smoothing out her hair.
"Jou-chan . . ." he said. Kaoru looked up, seeing him biting his lip, " You just had . . . a lizard . . ."
Kaoru picked up the pillow next to them and began hitting Sano continuously.
"SERIOUSLY! HE CHANGED COLORS THREE TIMES!" he yelled running out the room. Megumi understood why he did that. Sano isn't one to be soft, always has to be the macho man. He didn't want to tell her that he was going to leave them alone with their child because that was just downright soft. Megumi grabbed Yahiko by the collar of his gi and dragged him out the door, shutting it.
Kenshin hadn't noticed a thing. All he could do was stare at his son. Unlike normal babies, this one had hair already. A lot of it as well, it almost touched his shoulder's. It was a bright red, just like his was. It took a few moments but soon the baby opened his eyes. They were a rich violet but in them Kenshin could see a hint blue. The baby looked up at him and smiled, reaching out to grab Kenshin's hair. When the child had it in his grasp, he began laughing. A tear trickled down Kenshin's cheek.
*I never thought that I could do something right . . . * Kenshin thought, a small smile on his lips.
"Kenshin?" Kaoru's voice broke into his thoughts. He turned around to see her sitting up. Gingerly, he crawled to the side of their bed and sat next to her so she could see the baby.
After a moment, Kaoru looked up at Kenshin. "He looks just like you . . ." she said with care. Then she noticed the tear on his left cheek. "Kenshin? Kenshin, what's wrong?"
Kenshin shook his head. "Nothing's wrong," he told her, " For the first time in my life . . . everything's going the way I want it to go . . ."
Kaoru leaned her head on Kenshin's shoulder, brushing the lonely tear away from his eye. "Kenshin, no matter what happens, we'll always be here for you." She leaned up and kissed him gently on the lips, their son asleep in between them. Kenshin regretfully broke the kiss and look down at the baby.
"I want . . . I want you to name him Kaoru," he said, handing the child to her. He settled himself behind her so she could sit up straight with the baby in her arms.
Kaoru looked at the baby. It had little resemblance of her except for the tinge of blue in its eyes and the small nose. It had more of a Kenshin look.
"Ken . . ." she started. Then she turned around to look at Kenshin. "Ken . . . ji. I want to call him Kenji."
"That's a perfect name," he said, smoothing out the baby's hair. Kaoru handed him back to Kenshin. Kenji gave a yawn and rolled over, burying his face in Kenshin's chest to comfortable enough for sleep. Kenshin wrapped his arms around Kaoru.
"Thank you Kaoru," he murmured, kissing her lightly on the cheek. She gave him a puzzled look.
"For what?" she whispered. Kenshin looked back down at his son.
"If it weren't for you . . . Kenji wouldn't have ever been born. You gave me something that I could believe in Kaoru. That's why I'm thanking you," he whispered in her ear, capturing her lips again. So it came to pass that on July 21st, Himura Kenji was added to the household.
-
I really hoped you guys liked that. And yes, Carol Brunette is a real person who lived back in the 1840's. And yes, she did say that if you want to know what labor pains feels like, take your bottom lip and pull it over your head. One more chapter left yall. Then I'm posting my Yahiko and Tsubame fanfic on New Year's day. I'm posting the last chapter tomorrow. I got a little lazy and didn't want to wait until New Year's eve to finish this story. And the Tsubame and Yahiko fic wont be as long or as dragged out as this one . . . I hope. Ok, well, catch you later!