I have an announcement to make that's rather important. Next week I am leaving on a trip for Japan so I will not be able to write. I'll be gone for about for about a week. I'm going as an exchange student! It's going to be so fun. Anyway, on with the story.

Chapter Twenty Five: With Good News Comes Bad

Kenshin returned later that afternoon with the supplies bought. He smiled when he passed through the yard seeing his son terrorizing Sano.

"Hey Kenshin, you're finally home! You can take your little brat back now!" He said pleadingly as he pulled Kenji off his body and tried to hand him to Kenshin.

"No, no Sano. I have to go make dinner for us all. I'm sure Kenji enjoys being with his uncle Sano, doesn't he?!" Kenshin teased patting his son on the head.

Kenji nodded and giggled. Sano glared at Kenshin as he began to walk away. "Get back here Kenshin! I'm not your babysitter! I'll get you for this!"

Kenshin made his way into the kitchen and quickly put away the supplies. He could hear Megumi and Kaoru's voice from the dining room and he decided to leave them alone so they could talk. He was happy that they were finally getting along.

He pulled out tofu and began to cut it along with a bunch of vegetables. He was going to make Miso soup...and what else? He thought for a moment as he dug through the pantry. He pulled out some noodles and smiled. This would do.

Kaoru was just serving Megumi tea when she heard Kenshin moving around in the kitchen. "Kenshin must be back." She said happily as she set down the teapot. Megumi smiled.

"So, how is life married to Sir Ken?" She teased. She knew very well what it must be like and she only wished that Sano was just a little bit more sensitive.

Kaoru lowered her eyes and looked at her own cup of steaming tea. "I think he's keeping something from me." she admitted softly.

Megumi looked at her with concerned eyes. "What do you mean?"

Kaoru sighed. "Well I don't know for sure, but he's been acting very strange lately...And sometimes...I'm scared that things are too perfect for us and that they won't last..."

Megumi shook her head. "No, this can't be too perfect. Don't think like that. You're just nervous that's all. I'm sure it's nothing big. Ask him about it. I'm sure he'll be open with you. He does love you a lot you know and I'm sure he would never try and hurt you on purpose."

A little smile played on her lips as she thought of something else. "Besides...I have something else to tell him.."

Megumi's fox ears perked up. "What...do tell..."

Kaoru giggled as she whispered into her ear. "I'm pregnant again.."

Megumi's eyes widened and she grinned. "Wow that's wonderful! He's going to be delighted."

Kaoru sighed. "I hope so. We never really talked about having kids anyway. It just sort of happened. I hope he doesn't mind." She said self- consciously.

Megumi crossed her arms. "Of course Kenshin doesn't mind. In fact he loves it! Don't you see the way he cuddles Kenji? Sir Ken was always good with children and I can't imagine him without."

Kaoru's eyes sparkled. "You really mean that?"

Megumi nodded and laughed slightly. "Of course I do. When are you planning to tell him?"

Kaoru grinned, an evil glint in her eye. "I think I'll surprise him tonight."

Later that evening Kenshin was just finishing up the laundry, taking it down from the long poles and folding it neatly. The sun was just disappearing over the horizon so he worked quickly to get it brought inside. He would have it done already, but Sano and Megumi had stayed late into the evening and he had been busy entertaining them.

Kenji was playing in the yard, chasing after the illusive fireflies that started appearing as it grew darker out. "Come on Kenji. Let's go in." Kenshin said as he grabbed his son's hand and they both walked into the house, Kenshin struggling to carry the laundry all the way.

Later after Kenshin had put Kenji to bed, he retreated to their room exhausted. Kaoru was there to greet him with a smile.

"You look tired." She said worriedly as she brushed her hands through his hair.

Kenshin smiled tenderly back at her. "It's nothing. Just lots of work today." He said planting a soft kiss on her lips before he changed into his sleeping robe. He heard Kaoru walk slowly up beside him and he turned to look at her. He was puzzled by her expression. She looked almost worried and sorry about something, but at the same time kind of happy.

"We need to talk Kenshin.." Kaoru said slowly.

Kenshin took her hands in his. "What is it? You know you can tell me anything."

Suddenly she broke out in a huge smile and lunged at him wrapping her arms around him. He was startled at her sudden exuberance which caused him to lose his balance and they both tumbled to the ground, Kaoru laughing all the way. Kenshin looked up at her with a puzzled expression until she finally opened her mouth to explain.

"I'm pregnant Kenshin! We're going to have another baby!" She said excitedly, planting a kiss on her bewildered rurouni's nose. Kenshin broke out in a grin and softly kissed her back. Another baby!

"Oh Kaoru." He said as he sat up and pulled her into his lap, wrapping his arms around her. Kaoru buried her face in his gi and sighed contentedly.

Kenshin looked up and spotted his sakabotou resting against the wall and all the sudden it hit him. His mouth tightened and he gripped her harder as he realized...he had not told her yet. He had to leave...but he couldn't...not now...if only he didn't have to go...