Fanfic Critic - Well I certainly didn't copy this plot because I haven't watched "A marriage of Convenience" and I'm sorry if I gave you that impression but I'm being totally honest with you. It's not that I'm being defensive I just want to inform you. Well thanks for your review. See yah J
cyjj - :squeeze tightly: well they'll see each other differently when Kenshin cease to being cynical and stubborn like a mule. But of course it will take lot of chapters before that man changes. ;) And besides, in this story Kaoru is somewhat man hater. :wink devilishly:
chibiBattousai - Well when I planned this plot the first thing that entered my mind is that falling in love with one another are a bit cliché so I created something that is out of the blue. And there is a saying that "the more you hate, the more you love." so I kinda applied that theory on this story :pinch on your cheeks: well I update as fast as I can but I think I'm a little slow, wish me luck J I love your reviews it seems that I'm improving (in my way of thinking J)
BLONDE GOTH()- CONGATULATION!!!! : The biggest hug I could muster: Its good thing that the guy also likes "Anime" or else there would be war (that is a joke) : wink with a smiley face: About the question, Kenshin wants the child but Akira despise the child. I won't elaborate anymore.bwahaha :) About the money, Kenshin is a billionaire but if his brother doesn't want to have custody over the child then the court "might" favor on Kaoru and I don't think Kenshin is the type of guy who would prey on his beloved Kaoru, so don't worry about Kenshin, he is a good guy. And about the fights, I have this theory that "the more you hate, the more you love" that i kinda applied it there. hehehehehe. Sorry i have a wicked sense of humor :P...Imbecile means, feeble-minded. hahaha, I know, I know Kenshin is not feeble-minded. It's my turn to ask…Are you English or American??? I don't know why I asked it but don't take it as an insult. Hehehehe. :giggle so hard and hug you tightly:
himesama16 – I'm not much of a cliffhanger but I love to hook readers. Hehehehe : evil smile: Did I made sense out of my sentence??? Kenshin and Kaoru will be together but not yet, not yet. Its good to have new picture of their love story and to be honest with you, I still don't know how am I going to make them fall in love with one another. My mind is totally messed and with those two bickering at one another, I don't know how to continue this story ;P wish me luck. Hehehehehe (hug so hard)
Sweet Tea() - :smile wickedly: Thanks for having an interest in this story. You mentioned that it reminds you a story, Tis good to know. I never thought that my story will remind readers of something they read but hope you won't think of me as though I copied it. (well someone thought about that but hey who am I to stop them) JI love your reviews and I would love your suggestions if any…hope I'll see you in my next chapter :wink:
kenshin's-angel – I am definitely a Filipino or tagalong. I live in Manila. I learned about you when I read one of your story…Its title has to do with fall in love… I can't remember the exact title, and if I haven't reviewed I'll do so later. I know it is kind of late to tell you but I still want to tell you get well soon. :giggle with a hug: The next time I respond to your reviews it will be Tagalog na J
RuroKenFan a.k.a. Ficfan() – I'm totally grateful for loving this story and for inspiring me to keep it rockin :P Its glad it caught your attention and I would love to see you again for my next chapters
Rei– your question…Kenshin will adopt Kenji, so much for the love of Kaoru….. And besides Akira doesn't want the child while Kenshin wants children…but it'll be in the later part of the storyl. About your other ques…Kaoru will never finish schooling but, I know I haven't written in my first two chapters…Whenever Tomoe goes home from school, Kaoru read all the books.. in my way of thinking its self study and besides she's a clever, smart, brilliant girl. I post this chapter so that I could answer your question :sweat: hehehehe hope I'll see you'gain. Bye :mwah;
Angel338 – Thanks for thinking my story is great, well it is because my reviewers are great! :P About the thingy….Kaoru marrying Akria, I don't remember I wrote it there or in any chapters but if I did don't worry Kenshin will not allow Kaoru to get married to Akira J You know how Kenshin was so possessive J :giggle:
angelstarhikaru() – I know Sandra Brown.. I read some of her books, you know the mirror, mirror… any way if you don't know it…it a great story, and can't remember the other two books :P I'm sorry if Kenshin is what I thought the abusive one…hehehehehe :smile sheepishly: Well love your review
Chibilover2000 - :Hugs and Kisses: I'm so glad to hear from you again. But the other story.. it seems that I can't continue, for now. And I'm glad you love this story :smile sweetly: Hope I'll see you again in my other chapters.
A/N: Guys I have this insane impulse to hug all of you, reviewers, for being with me. I'm so glad. So the summary of this chapter is that Kenshin returned and offered a bargain that Kaoru couldn't decline. There :P Hope you'll like it.
Special thanks to May(), who proofread this chapter. I'm so glad you did it. J
Chapter 5
Misao laughed at her friend's startled face. She didn't want to tell Kaoru about what had just transpired, but curiosity got the better of her. "Oh Kaoru, if you could only see your face in a mirror! I tell you, it would break into pieces in sympathy." With that said, she laughed again. She regained some semblance of sanity and slowly walked towards Kaoru's rigid form and sat down beside her while she waved her hands in her face, "Kaoru, are you dead then? I don't have any money to bury you, so you better get back here before the doctor strangles you to pieces." Misao shouted in Kaoru's ear and laughed helplessly. She never thought that telling Kaoru about the incident would render her speechless….and deaf. She tried to stifle her laughter to a thin thread, but when Kaoru glared at her dangerously the thread snapped into two, and Misao couldn't help but to laugh so hard that tears started to form in the corner of her eyes.
"Stop laughing Misao! Or I'll…" Kaoru threatened, her eyes turned to a deep blue as she glared daggers at the person sitting next to her.
Misao grinned, "Or you'll what?"
"Or I'll kill the breath out of you." Kaoru boasted, "Wouldn't that that be lovely?"
Misao smiled at her and stood up, "I'll tell you what is lovely. He has this wonderful effect on you and you're trying to avoid it because it scares the hell out of you. Don't fight it Kaoru, you might as well give in."
She didn't like hearing that, "Misao, you are talking in riddles. If he has this so called wonderful effect on me, as you proclaimed, I sure as hell would have buried myself six feet under already. Anyway, that wonderful effect doesn't scare the hell out of me; it just makes me extremely furious for the first time in my life."
"Suit yourself, Kaoru. I was only making a statement out of this absurd situation about the two of you." Misao said.
Kaoru rolled her eyes heavenward and shook her head. "Well your statement is absurd as the situation here." She stood up and went to her nephew's cot and kissed him on his forehead.
Misao didn't take offense and smiled at her friend's defensive words. Inside, she knew that Kaoru was definitely affected by the beautiful, red hair and sexy amber eyed man. "Goodnight." She called out happily as Kaoru approached the door.
"Goodnight." Kaoru stopped and turned around, " By the way….are you certain you want Kenji beside you tonight? If you're having second thoughts I'll take him now."
"Nonsense"
"All right, if you persist." Kaoru walked out of the room and went to her own. She couldn't erase Misao's words from her head. I'll tell you what is lovely., He has this wonderful effect on you and you're trying to avoid it because it scares the hell out of you. Don't fight it Kaoru, you might as well give in. She could still remember the last time a guy had a wonderful effect on her. She was fifteen, innocent, and naïve at that moment. He used it to his advantage and made Kaoru look like the biggest fool and humiliated her thoroughly. He was one of the popular guys in their school. At first Kaoru couldn't believe that he, the Mr. Popular, gave her a sign that he was totally head-over-heels in love with her, since no one had ever dared to do before. He always winked at her whenever their eyes met; he gave her flowers, chocolates, or a random assortment of stuff for no particular reason. He often asked her if they could walk home together, as though he was her boyfriend, holding her hand, and carrying her books and bag after school to make their relationship look official. Kaoru felt that she was the happiest and luckiest girl at that moment, but it all ended on that fateful day when her "boyfriend" didn't show up at their usual meeting place.
That day, as Kaoru walked home alone, she overheard what the other students were talking about behind her back. For three consecutive days, while she was walking home, the girl's would talk about her relationship with her "boyfriend." Their relationship was merely a bet on the boy's part while it was a real relationship on her part. She recalled how the other girls would say that she was but a tomboy, simply because no other girl has learned kendo. One of the girls would say that she had the ugliest pair of eyes that one could ever see, which would cause the rest of them to laugh thoroughly with the insult. She still remembered how they mocked her, how they jeered at her, and how they humiliated her, and only her in the entire school. It was in that moment Kaoru no longer cared that she had one of the highest I.Q. in the school, all she cared about was how her dignity was shredded into pieces.
Kaoru freed her hair from her tight bun and brushed it for a while and flopped herself on her bed and stared at the ceiling. She sighed and whispered, "You are wrong Misao, that overly egotistical guy doesn't affect me wonderfully one bit at all, because men are stupid and ignorant, and totally disgusting." She continued to mumble to herself, she'd be dead before he had this wonderful effect on her. Kaoru kept on telling herself that lie until she almost believed it.
Almost.
Kenshin got into his jaguar and drove off. He couldn't think of an explanation at the sudden surge of possessiveness that overcame him the moment he walked through her doorstep. He didn't know if it was because of the baby or the woman-girl who stood in front of him, regal as a queen, proudful and full of haughtiness. He gripped his steering wheel tightly and cursed so hard. He stopped at one of the famous hotels and went to his penthouse. His pace was as deadly as a panther, but as smooth as a baby's touch. His eyes were both piercingly cold and extremely menacing to those who bothered to look. His lips were curled in a snarl and his hands were fisted at his side. He walked into his penthouse and removed his trench coat, recklessly tossingit on one of the couches. He went directly towards the massive stone fireplace and crouched down, starting a blazing fire to ward off the chill. He stood up and took out a sword from the sword rack beside the fireplace. He placed it on his waist and stood in a fighting stance. The space was enough for him to practice his sword techniques without actually destroying his things. He unsheathed his sword and started to swing it in a wide arc. His practice continued until the wee hours before dawn. After his body felt relaxed, he sheathed his sword and placed it back on the rack. Kenshin then went to his room, plopped himself on his bed and tried to get some rest before he took a bath.
Kaoru suddenly bolted from her bed and looked at the time. It was almost four o'clock in the morning, when she felt an uneasiness overcome her. She didn't know if it was due to her growling stomach, or from falling asleep immediately last night. Then suddenly a thought occurred to her, she had forgotten all about her aunt. She threw the bedcover off of her body and ran outside of her bedchamber. She didn't know if her aunt had made it home safely, or if her aunt had locked the door after she left. Kaoru immediately went to the main door and noticed that the lock was secured and heaved a heavy sigh, eventually returning to her room.
Three days had past without anger bursting from the either party. Both Kaoru and Kenshin were too lost in their own world to pay heed to one another.
Kaoru placed the child in his cot and stared at him for a while. She smiled and placed the back of her hand on his cheeks in a small caress and whispered, "One day, I'll make sure that you'll be as happy as your mother was." The child looked at her, enraptured. "Oh don't look at me like that young man. You should always smile for the world to show that you are as tough as I am!" She said and smiled gently at the toddler. "Okay, stay put and I'll be back with our food."
Kaoru went to the kitchen and fixed some of the food that they were going to need on their little field trip. She placed the food in a small basket, with a large cloth as their blanket. When she had finished packing, she placed the basket at the foot of the door and went to the telephone hanging on the wall. Kaoru took out a pen and a paper and wrote a message for Misao incase she arrived home without either of them to greet her. Misao was out for the day because her manager had asked her if she could work overtime for a while and she agreed easily. Kaoru, on the other hand, asked for two days leave so that she could take care of Kenji for the time being while Misao was out to work.
Kenji was having a fine time being on his own. Between his two hands was a toy that he greedily placed in his mouth as he let out a lusty cry. He wrinkled his nose and continued to gnaw the toy as he made loud, slurping sounds. He let go of the toy and began to suckle diligently on his chubby fists. He giggled and closed his eyes tightly and opened it instantly.
Kaoru walked toward the mirror and secured her hair with a blue ribbon. The linen suit she wore that morning was a typical outfit that she would wear. It was black in color, had a straight, loose black skirt that reached her calf, and a long, gently shaped jacket that could be buttoned at any time. Her flat shoes were blue in color and matched the ribbon in her hair. She smiled ruefully at her appearance, clearly aware that she was in all black, and walked over to the cot and picked the child up, placing him in his stroller. Kenji made a lusty scream as he looked at Kaoru's face. Kaoru smiled in return and grabbed the basket of food at the foot of the door and went on her way.
The two of them walked for a few blocks and arrived at one of the most beautiful parks in the city. The park was filled with trees that weren't too tall, and the ground was covered with grass, whose color was as rich as the color of hills in spring, with a lake at the center of the field. The lake had logs located at the sides and a bridge that expanded through its center, allowing for visitors to take a look at the fishes, swimming freely. On the left side of the park, there was a playground. The playground was surrounded with three to five inches of cement to keep the sand from coming out and to keep the place insect free. Children were either playing with the swings and slides or creating sand castle.
Kaoru and Kenji spent the better part of the day sitting on their blanket on the bank of the lake that curved into a picturesque path through the sweeping front lawns. Sunlight bathed both of their faces, giving them a mystical appearance, and warmed Kaoru's limbs as she cradled Kenji tenderly in her arms. She kissed the top of his head as she sang lullabies, while the baby cuddled contentedly against her and continued to suckle on his fist. The infant's head was covered with red hair that gave him the angelic face with a devilish grin. Her stomach growled in frustration as she told a gruesome tale of one of her favorite discoverer, Marco Polo. (A/N: did I say it right?) She knew that she shouldn't have told the tale, but the child was so enraptured she couldn't help herself. She was rewarded by a toothless grin from the child, as he suckled his thumb thoroughly. She placed him between her legs and mopped the wetness from his mouth.
Then an old lady passed by, "Is that your baby?" she asked
"Yes," Kaoru answered while looking at the child.
"Is the baby a girl or a boy?"
Kaoru looked up and smiled at the old lady. "He's a dearest boy. Come take a seat." She offered.
"Thank you." The old lady sat down and looked at the two. "He is a nice young man."
Kaoru's smile was genuine, for the first time she had forgotten that the child she held in her arms was not her son at all but her sister's. "Yes, he is nice young man." Kaoru looked at the old lady and asked gently, "Do you have any companions?" She looked for someone who might be looking for the old lady.
"No…I'm afraid I've lost myself, but I think they'll be looking for me." The old lady answered,
"In that case feel free to join me." Kaoru offered some of her cookies to the old lady. 'Its good thing that I didn't bake that cookie or else she might shout at me' she thought. "What is your name?"
"My name is Abigale."
"That is a nice name. I'm Kaoru and this baby is Kenji." She said. A shout drew their attention. "I think someone is calling you?" Kaoru asked.
"You are right but I have one last question. Why are you wearing black on this fine day?"
"I'm mourning my sister." Kaoru said matter-of-factly.
"Then God be with you my child." Abigale left the two, not bothering to look back.
It was already five thirty in the afternoon and there was still no sign of Misao. Kaoru stood up and placed the sleeping child in his stroller and rearranged their things, in preparation for the trip home. Kaoru made certain that their place was clean and spotless. She took hold of the stroller and they went home.
Upon arriving at her door she saw a man waiting. "Excuse me, is there something I can do for you?" Kaoru asked softly.
The man turned around and stared at her.
Kaoru took a deep breath and asked, "What do you want Mr. Himura?"
"I told you I would come back for the child." Kenshin said impassively.
Kaoru sighed heavily and glared at him, "If you would move from my doorway, maybe the two of us can talk inside."
Kenshin did as she suggested. Kaoru moved forward and opened the door, bringing Kenji inside with her. Kenshin soon followed, and closed the door to the outside world, looking at Kaoru and the child all the while.
Kaoru placed the basket on the table and proceeded to the living room with the stroller. Kenji, awakened by the sudden chill, immediately arched his back into a bow, and let out a loud, thoroughly undisciplined scream, followed by wild kicks. Kaoru looked at him worriedly, cradled him in her arms, and crooned him back to sleep. Kenshin immediately moved to stand beside Kaoru, and offered comfort to the child. Kaoru stiffened from the sudden warmth she felt from her back. Her face burned as she gazed at her nephew.
"Why is he crying?" Kenshin asked, his voice had suddenly softened to a caress. His breath sent tremors through Kaoru's form.
"Ma..Maybe..he is hungry," Kaoru stammered.
"Let me take him," He started, reaching out for Kenji. "while you prepare his food." He finished
Kaoru nodded without further delay. She heated the baby's bottle and prepared his milk on the counter. She returned a few minutes later and took the child from Kenshin to feed him. They child ceased his gurgles and started to close his eyes. Kaoru smiled and held him for a few more minutes forgetting all about Kenshin.
Kenshin looked at the two and turned his back. He strode to one of the chairs and sat down. Kaoru walked over to the cot located on the left side of the living room, and put the sleeping child in it. She whirled around and faced him. "What are you doing here? Didn't I tell you that I won't give him back to you?" She asked.
"We must consider my nephew's future…"
"Are we back to that?" Kaoru asked, controlling her anger for the child's benefit. When Kenshin nodded Kaoru said the only thing she thought of that moment, "I said it before, and I'll say it again. The child's future is with me. He will not leave this place unless I'm with him. And you cannot get your hands on him while I'm still alive because if you do, you'll see yourself in court with attorneys at your side. Have I made myself clear?"
"We all know that money is the only reason for you to want the child. If you give him to us, I'll make certain you get paid. Whatever you want, whatever you need; I'll give it to you. Within my power you may live as a princess if you want. All I want is for you to just give me the child." Kenshin said sardonically.
Kaoru shuddered as she breathed in deeply. Humiliation surged through her. She couldn't believe that she was being seen as a gold digger in their eyes. She shook her head and said, "Are you trying to buy my nephew from me?"
"If you want to think of it in that way." Kenshin replied.
"Well Kenji is not for sale." Kaoru emphasized every word she said, "If you want a child, you can go to an orphanage and adopt one with red hair and purple eyes, or you can have every other child but not him. Not my nephew."
"Here you are telling me that you wish to deprive Kenji of his natural heritage," he declared, coldly scornful. "Then, you want him to live in an apartment with a guardian who is not of good temperament with a label of illegitimacy to bear throughout his life! I think you are totally insane. He belongs with my family and he will have a family of his own."
Kaoru tensed, "What ever you say to me I won't give him to you."
"For his sake Ms. Kamiya, consider his sake." Kenshin almost pleaded.
"Why do you want him in the first place?"
"It is none of your business." He stated murderously.
"Well it is my business."
Kenshin stared at her in black fury. "How much longer will you sacrifice the child for your own frivolity? You and I know that what you want is money, not that child!" he snapped at her.
"How dare you accuse me like that?!" Kaoru exploded, "Damn you! You don't know anything about me in the first place, for you to judge me this violently. You don't know anything about me for you to conclude that I'm a gold digger."
He smirked and glared hot daggers at Kaoru, "You are not a gold digger? Let me say, Ms. Kaoru, that I have all the evidence that proves that you and your sister are nothing but gold diggers. And from the look of you, I must say you really are a gold digger."
"Get out! Get out" she raged, shaking with supreme anger that she couldn't contain.
"I won't leave this spot unless I have the child in my arms."
"Well you may stand there for all eternity but you can't have him, not now not ever."
Silence reigned from the two individuals for several minutes.
Kenshin broke off, as calm as before, "All right. If you don't want to give him to me, let's make a deal."
"What kind of a deal?" Kaoru asked, wary all of a sudden.
"So you are looking forward to the deal?"
"I am only asking what the deal is." Kaoru clarified.
"Kenji will be with me and my family for a month then he'll be back with you for a month."
"You think me daft. If he is going to leave this place to go with you, I'm going with him."
Kenshin scowled at the given statement and tried to think of another solution. "If you don't want to give him to us, then I'll stay here with you."
"Are you insane?" Kaoru gasped.
"I'm not. So which do you prefer?"
"I graciously decline both deals."
"There is no choice for declination here; either you accept the first deal or the second?"
He waited a full minute for her to respond, but Kaoru remained stubbornly silent.
"Well?" He demanded, "What say you?"
"May I decline now?"
"Goddamit…I told you to choose one! Don't press your luck woman!"
Kaoru shuddered from his outburst. "If I choose the second, you are going to stay here forever?"
"Yes."
His answer didn't sit well with Kaoru, she shook her head, "What about the first one, If the child goes with you…"
Kenshin cut her question, "Then he goes with me."
"Well I won't let him go with you without me."
"So you are saying, you are going to stay with me?"
"You said for a full month?" Kaoru hastily asked.
"Of course for a full month, then he will be returned to you for a month, then he will come back to me."
"You mean you'll have him for a month, and then I'll have him for the next month after and so on?"
"That is what I said woman. Don't make me repeat it."
Kaoru considered the two options being given to her. "But there is a problem Mr. Himura…" Kaoru started.
Kenshin gritted his teeth in exasperation, "What's the problem?"
"I have a friend who is staying here. And I don't want her to be left alone because Kenji likes her immensely."
"You are really pressing your luck woman."
"I don't…"
"All right, I'll agree with you." Kenshin stood up and started back towards the door. "I'll be back tomorrow to get the child, you, and your friend." Kenshin choked on the last of his words and then glared at the girl standing near the cot.
When Kenshin left, Kaoru took a deep breath and sighed. 'What did I just agreed upon?' Kaoru scolded herself. Then a thought suddenly struck her that almost caused her to stumble onto the ground. "I just made myself look like a gold digger." She whispered. She sat down on the floor and stared at the silent living room.
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A/N: So how was it??? Hope you liked it. And for the second time thanks for May() for proofreading this chapter. Thanks to all reviewers