Meanwhile, Battousai carried the sleeping Kaoru into his car and drove off to the cottage. He had called people to clean up the place and had bought the daily necessity. Other than that, nothing had been changed. He wanted to keep that place as usual.

Leaving a note stating, 'Sleep well. I'll be coming after my class. If you are hungry, there are food in the fridge and cupboards. Don't think too much now. Rest well. I'll inform your friends about your location.'

It was already morning when he reached his own mansion. He had wanted Kaoru to live with him but under the current situation, Kaoru may not agree and it was not appropriate. Taken a bath, he left for work.


Misao was worried for Kaoru. She had not heard form her since the day she extended her stay in the hospital. Even Megumi didn't have the chance to see her. Amakusa had guarded Kaoru from everyone and insisted that Kaoru's doctor will not be Megumi.

She missed Kaoru's voice, her smile and her fiery stubborn character. It wasn't the same without her. Tokyo-U was just another boring place with no Kaoru.

'Kaoru…' Misao thought and was interrupted when a hand landed on her shoulder. Turing around, she saw Battousai looking at her as if telling her to follow him.

"Kaoru is with me now. No, she is not staying with me. I've taken her out of the mansion and let her on herself at Kenshin's cottage. You should inform the rest. She wanted to see all of you." Battousai said and was about to leave when Misao stopped him.

"Why did you do that? Don't you know the consequence that may harm Kaoru? Why don't you let her go? The one she love was Kenshin, not you!" Misao held tightly onto Battousai's blouse.

"She will die if that husband of hers continues to cage her up. Do you want to see her die? Do you want her to meet my dead brother that early? I love her and I'll make her love me back. Nothing can stop me including all of you. I've given Kenshin the chance and now that he's dead, Kaoru will be mine. Another thing, beware of your surroundings. There are people spying on you and the rest." Battousai continued as he glared at Misao.

"Spies? Sent by who? Amakusa? We'll be careful. Back to the topic, do you know that she's pregnant? The baby is not yours… will you treat the baby like yours? Just as I had expected, you will do the same thing as what Kenshin had done before. You'll protect her like there is no tomorrow right? In that case, make sure you keep that promise… I'll inform the rest...and… Thank you." Misao said with a sorrow and left. Calling upon the rest who was just as shocked as Misao, they gathered at Sano's place.


"What did you say? Battousai took Jou-chan from the mansion? What about Amakusa? Did he know that?" Sano exclaimed.

"I'm not sure too but he said that there are spies following us and Kaoru is at the cottage at the moment. She will be staying there until the birth of the child." Misao replied.

"We better hurry to the cottage. Kaoru is pregnant. I'm a little worried." Megumi said.

"But my brother should have noticed her if she's gone. His senses are quick. I'm not sure what he will be going to do about that…" Sayo said worriedly.

"Yes, her brother is someone not to be offended especially when he had stated that Kaoru was his. Those spies must be sent by him. He will go under-hand to find Kaoru and deal with the person who took away her from his side." Shouzo continued.

The group who heard what Shouzo said was fidgeting. They knew that Amakusa was deadly cruel when it comes to Kaoru and his business. Clearing off that thought, they rushed to Kaoru's side.

Sensing that Kaoru lost might be connected to her close friends, Amakusa called Sayo on her phone but no one answered. He felt suspicious. Trax had stated to track Kaoru for him but still there had been no news.

He was worried and angered. Amakusa didn't even have the mood to have meetings with Enishi and the others business partners but had to continue. He didn't want his effort to go down the drain just because of his lack of mood.

Amakusa somehow felt that the lost of Kaoru was not as complicated as it seems. No matter what, he will and must have her back.


Kaoru woke up in the afternoon. It had been a long time since she had a good sleep. Somehow, this place clam her down. It was definitely a place for the birth of her child. Just as she was about to get off the bed, different voices were heard. From that moment, Kaoru jumped out and went to the door.

To her happiness, the voices belong to her friends. She missed them a lot and had many things to say to them. She needed their approval in many things. She wanted the support from them. The moment she opened the door, she threw herself to the group and gave a hug to them.

"Jou-chan, missing us already? Come back to work then! You'll feel more freedom!" Sano said. He was happy to his little sister.

"Kaoru, how are you dear? Is the baby doing well? Come, you need a check up immediately" Megumi continued, looking at Kaoru with joy.

"Ya! Kaoru, come back to school. The school is dead without you! Come back! We'll kiss ass again!" Misao shouted energetically.

"Hope you are doing well." Aoshi said just as he did normally, not many words.

"Kaoru, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I didn't know that brother would lock you up. Please for give me…" Sayo requested with tears forming.

"It's good to see you again. We're sorry that we had not informed you earlier about Sayo's brother possessiveness." Shouzo continued while calming his wife.

"Hold on! Hold on! Come in and sit first. Aren't you guys tired? I'll reply one at a time alright?" Kaoru giggle but deep in her heart, she was touched.

"Sano, if you have noticed, I'm pregnant but I don't mind working for another two months or so! Ask the boss for me and I'll be back when he agree. Megumi, I'm alright. See, look at me. I do not need any check-ups. You are the one. I do not wish my niece or nephew to be a premature baby. So was it a niece or nephew am I getting?" Kaoru teased.

"It is a girl with looks that her mother has." Megumi said with proud.

"Yes, yes, I believe so. Stop bragging about your looks! Misao as the same as you, I do hope to return to school but… Amakusa may look up the University. Don't worry about me guys. I'm fine. Thank you for all the concerns you guys had for me. Sayo, I don't blame anyone for my situation and believe me, I do not regret having a time with your brother. His possessiveness is actually one point that I kind of like in a sense. He made me feel protected. Aoshi and Shouzo, promise me that you'll treat the girls well or I'll hunt you down! Got that?" Kaoru said and everyone joined in the laughter.

They were delighted and happy that Kaoru was back to her own-self as before. They talked about Megumi's baby and Kaoru's. They talked about many things and when it was time for them to leave, they each hugged Kaoru and went off.

It was just then did Battousai appear with several shopping bags in his hands. He had bought more stuff for Kaoru. He had even bought toys for the unborn baby. He wanted to treat the baby as his own. His willingness was the proof of his undying love for Kaoru.

"You even bought toys…? My tummy is not showing any sign of enlarging yet… but thank you. You can have the title of being my baby's god-father!" Kaoru said excitedly.

'I want to be the kid's father, Kaoru…' Battousai thought.

"Now, how do you intend to spend your days here before the kid is born? Sleep and eat like a pig or….?" Battousai teased.

"Hey! Are you saying that I'll become one big fat hen after laying my egg? I'll still practice kendo! I don't need you to remind me of my figure!" Kaoru answered.

Their argument and teasing went on until the evening when it was the time Battousai should be going.


Months passed. Megumi was about to have her baby girl born into the world while Kaoru had been showing off her enlarged tummy when the group visited her. She had not left the cottage once over the months.

Not intending to know whether her baby is a girl or a boy, Kaoru never once went for a check up. Her health check up was done by Megumi. She was all well and healthy. Her figure was unexpectedly still in shape except for the tummy area.

Amakusa had been waiting for the news of Kaoru but seems like even the best known tracking company, Tainted, couldn't find any too. His mood wasn't getting any better. He was worried and yet angered. He had stopped his last night activities ever since Kaoru was taken away. Although he looked nothing of sadness, deep within him was breaking. He tried to ask Sayo but she kept her mouth tight and always changed to another topic when he asked her about Kaoru.

The partnership between him and Enishi was successful. His company had gone up to another level. His popularity thus increased. Many women tried to get close to him whenever they saw him in the club but none of them got his attention. His mind was only clouded with the memory of his wife, Kaoru. He missed her badly. It was then that he knew that he couldn't live without her. He needed her spirit, needed her warm and needed her love.


On another side, Battousai had been showing affections to Kaoru. He had been showering her the deepest love and concern that every pregnant woman looked for in any husband. He wanted her to know how he felt about her. He wanted her to return those feeling he had for her to him. He had been the one who accompanied her whenever he had any free time. Everything he did was just to make her happy and fortunate.

Kaoru was a woman after all. She certainly felt the excessively care from Battousai and knew that he love her. Indeed, Kaoru felt loved but not in a way she felt with Kenshin or Amakusa. Over the months, she had gained the memories of Battousai. She remembered the days they had spend in the Himura mansion and the times she cared for his injuries. Although he had the same appearance as Kenshin, they weren't the same. Kaoru couldn't love Battousai the same way. They could only be friends.

Sano and Megumi had stopped their visits to the cottage as Megumi was about to have their baby given birth. Misao was busy with her job, school examinations and not forgetting to save some moments for Aoshi.

KAORU'S POV

'I'm bored. How many months have I been staying put in this cosy place? Kenshin… thank you for the beautiful house. You are once the man that I had loved deeply. You'll always be a part of me. As for now, the man who I love is Amakusa. Both of you are equally important to me. Bless me Kenshin. Bless the child that is growing in me each day. Maybe I should leave this place for a while to have a walk to the city... or even to the hospital to give Megumi a surprise! It had been such a long time… I don't think he will be searching for me anymore… not that he even care… I'm just a no-body who ruin his reputation….'

AMAKUSA'S POV

'Where are you, Kaoru? It has been six months twenty-five days since I've last seen you. Why are you hiding away from me? What have I done to make you do that? I've stopped bedding any woman that's not you. Haven you read the papers or magazine? (that's all your fault that she left willingly with another. Did you actually think that she would have bedded another man? Did you think that she is a slut? You could have believed in her... now that she's gone, you'll live to regret that…) I'm going to find her back and stop talking to me!'

"Ango, prepare the car, I'm going to the DARK-side tonight." Amakusa said to his man.