Disclaimer: Rurouni Kenshin isn't mine!
Chapter 13:
After six months Kaoru became plump and grew more and more almost everyday, much to her frustration. She felt fat even though Megumi and Tae both protested that she looked like the very perfect model of a pregnant woman. "Don't be silly Kaoru! Stop complaining. Your whining is gonna drive me crazy! This is so normal and you know that! It was inevitable that this was what was to come."
"Demo-" She pouted.
"I'm sure you're driving Ken-san nuts as well. You're beautiful and glowing with motherly radiance." Kaoru smiled as she rested her arms on the protruding belly.
"Sorry. It's just this is all new to me." Megumi patted her tummy and smiled.
"Three more months."
"I don't know if I can last that long."
"I don't know if Ken-san can last that long." Kenshin, much to Kaoru's protest, said he would do all the household chores and cooking during this time. He was leaning on the post on the patio, asleep. Kaoru got up and grabbed a blanket and draped it over her exhausted husband. "He never quits does he?"
"No and he won't let me do anything, but rest and watch him do everything. It's not like I'm an invalid. I mean I am doing cooking lessons, but that's about it." She sighed as she watched his chest move up and down. "He also has a job at the rice shop in town. I mean since I can't give lessons, it's our only income."
"Just remember you have friends here if you ever need money or a good meal." Megumi said.
"Arigato. I don't know what I would've done if you weren't here."
"I wouldn't miss this for anything." She got up and waved goodbye silently. "Take care. I'll be back in another week."
"Okay." Kaoru sat down next to her Kenshin and placed her head on his shoulder. "I wish I could do something to help you my love." She sighed as she closed her eyes.
"One thing you could do is go to bed, that you should." His lavender blue eyes fluttered at her and he grinned.
"I don't want to get up. It's so comfortable like this and not to mention warm." She snuggled closer to him and he slid his hand over her belly. His touch sent a warm tingle up and down her spine, making her moan in gratitude.
"I've got to go to work, honey that I do."
"Okay. Get back soon." She pouted. "I'll be waiting. Oh that's right I have cooking lessons with Tae-san tonight."
"Have fun. I'll be going." They embraced, their little ritual every time he left, kissing each other goodbye. "I'll be back right after sunset." She waved goodbye and pouted. She hated being alone in the dojo and it reminded her of all the years before Kenshin had come. 'It's too quiet. I hate this.' She crossed her arms over her tummy and felt a small *thump* *thump* of a heartbeat. 'Oh I'm not alone.' She smiled as she rubbed where the sound had come from. Kaoru sat down and placed her swollen feet into a basin of cool water.
"Hey Kaoru!" A familiar voice called.
"Hi, Yahiko!" She jumped up to hug the boy as close as she could. He poked her and smirked.
"So how you doing?"
"Just fine."
"Kenshin at work?"
"Hai. What brings you here?" She cocked her head to the side.
"Oh no reason. I just kinda miss coming here every once in awhile."
"You can come over anytime you want you know."
"I don't miss it that much." He sneered. "Plus I've seen how you and Kenshin are all over each other sometimes, gross."
"Hmph! Well now I know how to get rid of you when I want to." She giggled.
"Uh huh sure." All of a sudden a small kick pounded inside herself.
"Oh! Here Yahiko feel this." She grabbed his hand, placing it on the spot where the baby had kicked.
"What are you doing? Oh, wow." He said as the baby kicked again, making his eyes widen.
"See, don't you feel it. Isn't that amazing?" She smiled.
"Yeah, I guess."
"Oh I know you were amazed I saw that look on your face."
"Has Kenshin felt that? I mean the kicking?"
"No he hasn't had the time. He's so busy working and doing all the chores around here." Kaoru semi-pouted. Yahiko saw the expression on her face and made his decision.
"Kaoru if you need help around here just ask. I'd be happy to and so would baka Sanosuke."
"That would be so nice of you." She bowed to him. He was finally growing up.
"So what needs to be done now?"
"What you're going to start now?"
"Why not? Tae-san gave me the day off."
"Why don't you take Tsubame-chan out for a date?"
"Nani?" He looked at her in disbelief.
"Don't even pretend you don't like her. That's why you put up with wearing that kawaii apron at the Akebeko, ne?" He was blushing furiously and was trying to say something, but he was speechless.
"Hmph! That has nothing to do with it." He crossed his arms and frowned. "Now tell me what I can do before I change my mind."
"Okay, okay. There're dishes in the sink and half of the laundry needs to be done."
"That it?"
"Hai, arigato." Her feet were tired and she sat back down, placing them in the basin once again. Her eyes closed as she heard Yahiko go into the kitchen and clean up the mess.
"Damn! What's with all these dishes? You would think twenty people lived here!" She smiled as he complained while he worked, but quickly fell asleep after she had taken her feet out of the container. Kaoru reclined against the wall. The noise helped put her to sleep. Yahiko had finally finished cleaning the mountain of dishes and headed out to do the laundry. He stopped and picked up the blanket and placed it over her, like a little brother. Yahiko then went to the task of washing and hanging the laundry. As he was doing this Tae-san had entered the yard.
"Yahiko, so that's where you went."
"Shhh!" He put his lip to his mouth and pointed over at the dozing Kaoru.
"Oh. Sorry. I just came over here to give her, her cooking lesson today."
"Whatcha making?"
"Oh just some tempura and other basic things. We need to get started if she wants Kenshin to have a nice meal when he gets back from work. Has she been resting all afternoon?"
"Uh huh." Tae walked over to her and tapped her shoulder.
"Miss Kaoru? Wake up, cooking lesson, remember?"
"Huh? Oh Tae-san, gomen."
"It's alright. Now let's go into the kitchen and start." She helped the woman up carefully and they headed into the dingy kitchen.
"What the?" It wasn't dingy, in fact it was spotless. "Yahiko did you do all this?" She called to the boy. He rushed in with a big proud grin on his face.
"Hehe..." He rubbed the back his head smiling.
"I don't know how to thank you enough and Kenshin will be very thankful too."
"I know how you could thank me."
"Huh what? Anything."
"If I could stay for dinner?"
"Of course!"
"I mean Sano's cooking is okay, demo he burns it often." The two women giggled and patted the boy's head. "No problem." He said as he went back to the chore of doing the laundry. The women took all the groceries out of the bag Tae had brought. She then began the lessons and before Kaoru knew it she was cooking all by herself, with a little help of course.
"I'm doing it! I'm finally cooking!" She patted herself on the back.
"Yup! You're doing very well." It was almost dark and Kenshin would be coming home very soon. The ladies placed the Kaoru-prepared meal on the table, awaiting Kenshin's arrival. Out of the darkness of the yard a shadow crept.
"Kaoru stay back! Someone's out there!" He took out his practice sword and attacked the stranger who yelped in pain.
"Damn brat!"
"Sano?" Yahiko said as he heard the voice.
"Who did you think it was?"
"Well a prowler, you were creeping around like one."
"Shut up!"
"Boys!" Kaoru snapped, "I figured you'd be showing up." She smirked. "Come on you can eat some too, even though as always you didn't earn it like this young man did here."
"Huh? He earned a meal?"
"In fact he did. He cleaned the kitchen and did half of the laundry." She stated, while glancing over at the blushing boy.
"He willingly helped? That's a first."
"Shut up!" Kaoru sighed and went back into the kitchen to grab the drinks and an extra plate and chopsticks. When she came back into the room, Kenshin was sitting down at his spot next to hers.
"Welcome home, sweetie. How was work?" She kissed his cheek, making Yahiko and Sano cringe. She glared at the two.
"It was fine, that it was." He said wearily.
"I made dinner tonight." She said happily.
"You did?!" Came Sano's response as he scrambled to his feet, Tae had grabbed his collar pulling him back to his spot.
"She did well today. I think she's finally starting to get it. She didn't even start a fire today!" Everyone, except Kaoru, sweatdropped.
"Hey! That wasn't nice Tae!"
"Well it's true and I'm very proud of my student."
"Arigato." She grumbled as she served everyone her cooking. They all started eating and much to Kaoru's surprise Yahiko and Sano didn't say a word. The two gulped it down and actually went for seconds, making her feel very proud. Kenshin ate silently.
"Kenshin are you feeling alright?"
"Huh? I'm fine, just tired."
"Well I should say so. You haven't stopped working at all these couple days." Everyone was done eating and Tae and the boys cleared the table as Kaoru talked to Kenshin. "Honey, we should go to bed here soon after they leave." He nodded his head dumbly. She sighed and got up to help put away dishes. Karou felt a little guilty. Here she was doing absolutely nothing while he was forced to wear himself down and not once did he complain.
"Well see ya later Jo-chan, Kenshin."
"Sayonara." The two went out the door waving as they went.
"Bye! Arigato Yahiko!"
"I must be leaving too."
"Thank you Tae-san." She was getting tired of saying thank you's to everyone, wishing she could do more. Tae left as well, escorted by Yahiko and Sano. "Come on Kenshin, let's go to bed." After all that sitting she groaned as she got up, placing her hand on her back in the process.
"You must be tired. Care for a bath?"
"I should be asking you that." She smiled, taking his hand in hers she led him to the bath house. He threw in a few logs and lit it up to warm up the water. Kaoru had taken a few oil lamps into the pitch black room and quickly undressed, Kenshin entered as well. He gazed at the beauty of her form. It was soft and curved. Her belly was growing and had become harder over the weeks. She dipped her foot in the water testing it, lukewarm still. She was chilled and draped her yukata over herself waiting for the water to heat up. Kenshin came up from behind her and wrapped his arms around her, running his hands over her soft skin. She pulled his lips onto hers and they explored each other's mouth for awhile, until they realized steam was coming off of the water. She took off the robe and dipped into the warm water. Kenshin massaged her aching muscles gently. She jumped, "Oh wait, Kenshin! Feel that!" She said excitedly pulling his hand onto her stomach. The baby had kicked again.
"He's got quite a kick." He answered as he grinned from ear to ear. "Incredible." He sighed softly.
"Who said it's going to be a boy?"
"Oro? Oh, I just, I don't know. It just kind of slipped out that it did."
"So you want a boy?"
"No I don't care really. Boy or girl, as long as it's healthy."
"My thoughts exactly." He started to massage her again and she cooed with pleasure. "Why don't you come in here?"
"Oro?"
"I can massage your aching muscles too you know. I'm sure you're sore from lifting all that stupid rice." She smiled. He nodded his head shyly and slowly undid his yukata. He sat in between her legs and she began to rub his lower back and worked her way up. He sighed loudly as she smiled at his wonderful reaction. When the water went cold as the fire died out they both got out and dressed themselves. Kenshin lifted Kaoru carefully into his arms and carried her into the dojo and set her in the bed. She had grown drastically heavier, but he kept that to himself knowing how touchy she was about that subject. He crawled in next to her, wrapping his arms around her. Kenshin smiled when he heard two heartbeats instead of one. This was the perfect way to end a long tiring day he thought.