Title:    A New Beginning

Rated: PG-13 (Violence & Language)

Author: charismatic angel

Email: charismatic_angel@msn.com

Chapter Date: August 21, 2003

All the stuff you do not want to read but I have to say:

* sighs * I do not own Rurouni Kenshin. Someone else owns the rights and characters to this series. You know the rest…(Please don't sue me)

Chapter 27:

"Why did you kill our baby?"

Kaoru's eyes widened with shock. "Who told him?"

Kaoru could hear her heart pounding in her ears. She felt a sudden urge to open the car door and run out. There was no way she could face him without feeling ashamed for what she could have done. How could she tell him that she never went through with it? Did he want the child?

"Why." Kenshin whispered.

Kaoru noticed she had taken too long to answer. They weren't going anywhere until she answered his question. Kaoru nervously shifted her hands in her lap trying to think of what to say. A huge lump logged itself in her throat making even more difficult to say what she had to.

"I…I…didn't go through it." Her voice was barely above a whisper. She was still looking away from him. It would be unbearable to look at the hurt and sadness in his eyes.

Kenshin let an inward sigh of relief. It took him a full minute to let what she said sink in. 'So she didn't go through with it.' He was being sent through an emotional roller coaster. "Lets go inside." Kenshin replied as he started to exit the car.

Kaoru sat frozen in her seat. She was somewhat uncomfortable with Kenshin's reaction. She found it difficult to read him. He came off somewhat aloof. Kaoru expected him to be angry but he seemed none the least. He was devoid of any emotion, which scared her even more. She could have taken him yelling at her, telling her she was wrong for what she did. His emotionless state hurt her more than any words could have.

Kaoru finally found the courage to get out of the car and followed him to the door. Kenshin kept his back to her as he silently slid the key in the door and opened it. She followed him inside, keeping her distance from him. Kenshin turned flicked the switch to the lights.

The house was small and very neat. The rooms were sparsely decorated and screamed function. It was a complete 180 from Kenshin's apartment. His apartment was exquisitely furnished and styled. This was probably a temporary abode for him and that's why there was nothing with character or belonging hanging around.

Kaoru followed Kenshin past the living room and towards the kitchen. Kenshin suddenly lost balance and grabbed the wall for support. He didn't bother to think that the battle with Aoshi took a toll on his body. His was tattered and stained with blood. No one else but Kenshin could withstand a beating of this caliber.

"Kenshin!" Kaoru gasped as she rushed over to help him. She put her arm around him and tried to help him up. Kenshin winced in pain as Kaoru put unknown pressure against his wounds. Kaoru looked at watched him with a pained expression. It was all her fault that Kenshin got hurt.

"I will be fine." Kenshin tried to assure her as he backed up from the wall and slowly continued moving. The pain increased with each step he took. His breath was becoming heavy and ragged. Kaoru wasn't sure how much more of this he could take.

'Why is he being so stubborn? Why won't he let me help him?' She thought to herself.

"Kenshin." Kaoru whispered, putting her hand to her lips. She stood still and watched him hobble along. Kenshin was determined; not asking for any help. He made his way down the narrow hallway towards his bedroom. He had just enough strength to walk to the bed. Half ways there he collapsed at the side of the bed. Kaoru heard Kenshin fall and rushed after him.

"Kenshin! Kenshin! Are you alright?!" She asked in a panicked voice. When she entered the room she saw him crouching beside the bed. His breathing was erratic and shallow. She didn't care that he didn't want any help. She wasn't going to sit still watching him struggle in pain.

Kaoru gently helped him up and eased him on the bed. Kenshin didn't have the strength to object. He let her take care of him. Kaoru arranged the pillows behind his head so he would be more comfortable. As soon as she was satisfied that he was as comfortable as could be, Kaoru unbuttoned his shirt.

His wounds needed to be taken care of. Her face contorted when she saw the gashes that were still seeping fresh blood. 'How could I have let him do this.' Kaoru thought to herself.

She wasn't a doctor but Kaoru could tell that he would need stitches for a few of his wounds. Using what medical knowledge she had, Kaoru sought out clean towels and a bowl of water. She carefully cleaned his wounds with the water and gently applied pressure with the clean towel so the bleeding would stop.

Kenshin's eyes were half closed but he could make out Kaoru's figure. He didn't want her to see him this way. Sure he was mad at her but he couldn't let his anger cloud the love he had for her.

A loud knock at the door startled Kaoru that she almost knocked over the bowl of water next to her. 'Who could it be?' She worried to herself.

Hesitantly, Kaoru got up and decided to see whom it was. Kenshin reached out and grabbed her wrist before she could get too far.

"Kaoru, please let me get it." He said, struggling to get up.

"No, you can't get up in your condition. You've lost too much blood." Kaoru noted.

"What if it's him? I can't let him take you." He said, with fear in his voice.

Kaoru was shocked that after all this time he still cared what happened to her. Did he still love her? Or was he trying to protect his unborn child? Or maybe both?

Kaoru put her hand over his and smiled gently. "No one, not even you could stop him if he decided to come here tonight. You have been hurt enough on my account. Don't worry about me Kenshin. I wouldn't feel right if something happened to you."

Kenshin weakly smiled and let her wrist go. Kaoru took one last look behind her before she left to answer the door. She slowly made her way to the door and tried to peer out the window, so she could see who it was. It was too dark outside to see who it was. She could only make out a tall shadow. Fear rose to her throat as she slowly turned the knob.

'So this is how it ends.' She thought with fear.

She opened the door and almost jumped back in shock. "SANO and MISS MEGUMI! What are you doing here?!" Kaoru said with wide eyes.

"Where's Kenshin? Are you alright?" Sano said with a worried look on his face.

Megumi butted forward and pushed Sano away as she entered the house. "What happened?" Sir Ken said he needed me to bring my medical supplies?"

"I am fine but Kenshin is a different story. Miss Megumi he needs your help."

Sano walked in from behind Megumi and walked towards Kaoru. He unexpectedly threw his arms around Kaoru and held her in a tight embrace.

"You should have told us kid." He whispered, as the unshed tears glittered in his eyes. Knowing he was about to get a little too emotional, Sano broke the embrace.

Kaoru was a little startled by Sanosuke's sudden emotional outburst. She never knew him to be so caring. He was always ruff and tuff and never showed his softer emotions in front of other people.

"Miss Megumi, I will show you to Kenshin. I cleaned his wounds the best that I could. He is in your hands now."

"Kenshin." Sano whispered as the fear grew in his eyes.

End of Chapter 27

Okay, I know this is a very short chapter. This is probably not what you were expecting but it's the best that I can do at this time. I am in the process of moving back to the dorms and am pressed for time. If I get some time tomorrow I may add a little more, but I can't promise anything. Updates after this week will be on a weekend only basis.

I am taking 18 credits this semester and my classes are going to be time consuming. I again apologize for the delay in the progress of this story. You guys have been so great throughout the whole ordeal. My special thanks goes out to you.

Well, I am off to load my car with all my possessions and my newly purchased $430.09 textbooks. (gulps) Yes, that's right you heard e…$430.00!! eep! For those of you still in public school, count yourself lucky that you don't have to pay for textbooks. Enjoy your free education while it lasts. College tuition will eat you alive lol…College isn't that bad, it's been a great experience for me, besides the costs. Anyways, I am blabbing.

Thank you for reading and see you next time!

~*Charismatic Angel*~