Author's Note: Sorry I took so long with this chapter, I became victim of the dreaded writer's block as how to have Kaoru's pregnancy advance and the introduction of Shura. As it turns out, I had to make this chapter into two parts as the next part is going to be a bit involved as Kenshin and the Kairyu join forces to battle Samekuroi. Thank you so much for the reviews (39 and the story isn't even a half way through—wow) and the readers—To Praise Divine Mercy—I use the old KJV but when I researched about the beginning of Christianity in Japan I found out that the translations of the Bible at the time of the 1870's were translated Psalms and New Testaments brought over by Jesuit missionaries who were catholic and they use "Holy Ghost".
Glossary of Japanese words and terms
Ohagi—A sweet made of rice balls covered with sweet bean paste.
Hikitate-geiko-- sparring practice where a senior kendoist guides a junior kendoist through practice (Kaoru is doing this verbally since she can't participate in the actual exercise)
Kakari-Geiko--short, intense, attack practice which teaches continuous alertness, the ability to attack no matter what has come before, as well as building spirit and stamina.
--Tanuki—Megumi's nickname for Kaoru—"raccoon girl"
Kitsune—Sano's nickname for Megumi—"fox"
PREPARATIONS
Beside the closed shoji, Kenshin stood stoically outside with Sanosuke and Yahiko. They noticed his serious demeanor and wisely refrained from pumping the ex-hitokiri for information. His eyes were narrowed, icy blue and staring at nothing as he waited to hear about the condition of his young wife. The reality of having to breathe life into her weighed heavily on him as he faced the near tragedy that she had almost died. He shuddered inside with the thought of losing Kaoru and a cold chill gripped his heart as tears stung his eyes.
After what seemed to be an eternity, the shoji slid open and Megumi stepped out, expressionless as she addressed the men, who waited with anxious faces.
She sighed wearily as Sanosuke asked impatiently, "Well, kitsune? How's Jou-chan?"
The lady doctor ignored the street tough and grasped Kenshin's arm to pull him aside. "Ken-san, I want to speak to you privately."
Kenshin's eyes grew wide as he asked, "Megumi-dono, is she…?" He could not bring himself to finish the sentence.
Megumi stared at him incredulously. "Ken-san, of course not! But you need to know something very important, something Kaoru must tell you herself." And with those enigmatic words, she led him into the room, closing the shoji.
Kenshin stared at the prone figure of his wife on their futon, Dr. Gensai by her side as she lay back, her eyes closed as she dozed. Dr. Gensai looked up at the distressed swordsman as he slowly approached the futon, and the elderly physician got to his feet.
"She's resting now, Kenshin. She'll be fine, thanks to you."
"Gensai-sensei, what is wrong? Why did she swoon?" Kenshin wanted to know.
The craggy visage broke into a smile. "It's not uncommon for women in Kaoru-chan's condition to faint every now and then. Especially early on."
Now Kenshin was totally confused. "Early on?" he echoed dumbly.
A soft rustling sound emanated from the futon, garnering Kenshin's full attention. "Kenshin?" Kaoru called weakly.
He immediately dropped down to kneel beside her. "I'm right here, Kaoru-koishii." He took her hand in both of his and kissed it. "How are you feeling?"
She managed a wan smile. "I'm fine, anata. Did you hear?"
"Hear what?"
Kaoru gazed up at Dr Gensai and Megumi as she inquired, "Didn't you tell him?"
The doctor replied amiably, "We thought that you should." And he and Megumi both exited, closing shoji leaving Kaoru alone with a very curious and anxious husband.
"So are you going to tell me what is going on?" Kenshin asked, irked by the news that seemed shrouded in mystery.
Kaoru began, "I wondered why I couldn't keep anything down and was so lightheaded all the time, I began to think that I…" she sighed as she looked away, feeling somewhat flustered.
Kenshin did not take his eyes from hers. "Go on," he urged.
"And when we returned from Hakone, I wondered why I didn't have my monthly time…"
Kenshin nodded as he blushed slightly and then wordlessly motioned for her to continue.
Kaoru took a deep breath as she said, "Dr Gensai and Megumi both confirmed that I'm going to have a baby."
Kenshin's eyes grew to amethyst saucers as he stared at his wife. "A baby?" He sat as if suspended in time.
Kaoru nodded as it was her turn to be anxious. "Kenshin? Are you all right?"
Kenshin shook off his initial inertia then leaned forward and wrapped Kaoru in his arms, cradling her head against his shoulder as the stunning news sank into his psyche and penetrated his thoughts. He said nothing just caressed his wife as his heart pounded with intense love for his bride.
"My Kaoru," he murmured. "I am better than all right, I am speechless with joy, koishii. From the moment we first met, you've given me so much and now this. How can I thank you for this wonderful gift? A child," he spoke with awe as if the notion of someone like him being a father was something unconceivable.
Kaoru pushed back to study her husband's handsome face and was humbled as she saw the man once feared by multitudes sitting before her his eyes bright with unshed tears. She reached and stroked his titian bangs back as he lowered his head and sniffled, the emotion of the day finally breaking him as he wept. . . .
Out in the hall, both Dr. Gensai and Megumi walked toward the common area with two very irate and impatient youths trailing them. Finally, Sanosuke had enough secrecy as he grabbed Megumi's arm and yanked her to face him.
"Okay kitsune, out with it! What's going on with Jou-chan, we have a right to know!"
She wrenched her arm free as she spat, "Take your filthy hands off me, tori-atama. I'm sure Ken-san and the tanuki will tell you when they get ready." She lowered he head as he leaned down to examine her more closely. Her sherry eyes were guarded but were shining as a small tear traced down her ivory cheek followed by another.
"Hey, what's the matter?" Sano wanted to know, Megumi's tears strangely unnerving him.
Megumi glared at him, a hot retort on her lips but she saw the warm concern in the umber depths of Sano's eyes as he waited for her response and her mood changed. She questioned herself Why am I so upset by the news of Kaoru's pregnancy, anyway? It's no secret that Ken-san had chosen her a long time ago and she is his wife now, so it's only natural that she bears his child. So why am I crying? Kuso!
She took a deep breath as she replied, "Nothing. I was just reacting to the news."
Sano demanded, "What news?"
Megumi sighed as she gave up on keeping the news from the intrepid street fighter. "Ken-san and Kaoru are going to have a baby."
Sano's eyes flew open wide. "No kiddin'? That's great, Kenshin a father, wow!" He smirked as he added, "I always figured he had it in him, nothing less from the Battousai, eh? Sounds like he sure didn't waste any time, they've only been married a month."
Megumi shook her head as she said acidly, "Trust you to make it sound disgusting."
Sano threw her a leer as he bowed and said audaciously, "Arigatou, kitsune." He headed where everybody else was gathered as Megumi sighed again.
"He's hopeless."
Later that night after having made love, sleep eluded the former hitokiri as he held his slumbering wife, his thoughts teeming as he contemplated the reality of becoming a parent. Since coming to live at the Kamiya Dojo, he had been like a surrogate father to Dr. Gensai's two precocious granddaughters and some of his happiest times were taking the girls to the market or fishing with him as they showered their love on him. During those times as he would watch them nap under the tree at their favorite fishing spot, he often mused what it would be like to actually have a child of his own and pictured himself and Kaoru with a child together. When he was married to Tomoe, they did not speak of having a family, the times were too treacherous but he had wondered about it. But the idea was snuffed out, along with Tomoe's life by his sword and so the thought of having a normal life, with a family to call his own was far, far away.
But you changed that, Himura Kaoru he said silently to his sleeping wife. You invited me to share your home and your life and made me believe I could have a normal, happy life. Even when I left to wander again, you followed after me and battled by my side. You put your own life on the line to stay by me and now you're carrying my child. My love for you is immeasurable, my koishii.
He closed his eyes and began to pray Kami-sama, I'm so grateful for the gifts you have given me, a life redeemed and now so full of promise with this beautiful woman. Arigatou, Kami-sama, for my child, now growing inside her, please make sure both are safe, to me they are beyond price. As I serve in my new position, let me look to you to guide me in doing what is right for those whose only wish is to live in peace. In your highest name, I pray, amen.
Kenshin yawned as he tightened his arms about Kaoru and his violet orbs closed as sleep finally claimed him.
The next morning the news of a new addition to the Himura family had spread to the circle of the couple's friends and family as the dojo became crowded with well-wishers. Tae and Tsubame were first, Tae's joy bubbling over as she hugged the mother-to-be and acted the part of a mother hen, directing Kaoru to take it easy. As the weeks passed and winter approached, Kaoru's figure filled out and became more round as the baby grew and her activities as a kendo sensei curtailed.
During this time, Kenshin fit flawlessly into his new role of an attentive and protective father-to-be as he made sure his wife got enough rest and nourishment. When he came home from his meetings with Yamagata, he coddled her and made sure she never lifted a finger, usually bringing a token of affection to give to her. He also dealt with her mercurial moods as her hormones and boredom had them both on an emotional roller coaster.
To assist with Kaoru's changing body and her needs, Megumi used her skills as a physician to mix a blend of herbs and tea to create a soothing brew to help keep her calm and deal with her morning sickness. She came one day to administer the mixture to the rather petulant mother-to-be.
Kaoru sniffed in displeasure. "This is terrible. I can't even eat without getting sick, and I can't do my kendo, ohhhh!"
Megumi knelt beside the young woman. "I know, Kaoru. But it will be over soon as you get advanced in your pregnancy. Take this," she urged as she handed her a steaming cup.
What is it?"
Megumi pushed the cup in Kaoru's hand to her lips. "Just sip this slowly. It's a combination of ginseng and chamomile to calm your stomach down and allow you to eat. And just keep resting, your body needs to adjust to the life growing inside."
Kaoru obediently sipped the tea as her husband came in to check on her. Megumi got to her feet to greet Kenshin.
"Ohayo Ken-san."
"Ohayo to you, Megumi-dono. How is my Kaoru doing?" the swordsman asked in concern as he knelt down by Kaoru to caress her forehead.
Megumi replied, "She'll be fine. That tea is for her to help calm her stomach down and she should get plenty of rest for the next month. Things should calm down after the third month."
Kenshin sighed, the delicacies of womanhood baffling to him as he tried to offer comfort to his koishii. "I hope so," he said dubiously.
And so was the case with Himura Kaoru, day after day as the winter snow covered the ground and activities were brought inside. The stubborn young woman insisted on sitting in the practice hall every morning to verbally instruct Yahiko in his kakari-geiko, and hikitate-geiko as they tossed insults back and forth as usual. But if Kaoru got to thinking she could join in the activity, Yahiko would bodily force her to sit again, threatening her with reports to Kenshin if she was disobedient, reining her in quite handily. Nevertheless, several times the former hitokiri's temper was tried by his wife's constant attempts of ignoring the doctor's orders as she became bored.
At the same time, Kenshin was heavily involved with the internal affairs of Japan as he and Yamagata negotiated with Hebikuroi and they pledged to help put a stop to Samekuroi. But merchants, fearful for their cargo, had cut back on their shipments to foreign interests so there was a lull in ships being attacked, as well as the advent of winter weather. However, attacks on villages continued, though not as frequently, somewhat lulling all into a sense of false security, all except Kenshin who figured that Samekuroi was just waiting out the winter to resume their egregious activities.
The winter passed quickly as signs of spring began peeking through the snow, crocuses and pussy willows began to surface as the days got longer and warm ocean breezes drifted over from Tokyo Bay. It was early March as Kaoru's belly began to get larger and the baby made his presence known by kicking her often, making her a bit testy as she frequented the otearai and tried to stay active in her kendo. But Kenshin stood firm about her needing to rest and even went as far as to carry her to place her down on a cushion to rest amid vehement protests from his wife.
She was in the parlor per Kenshin's order one day when Tae and Tsubame came to call. Tae brought a box of ohagi for Kaoru, her favorite craving of late as she helped herself to the sweet rice balls.
"Oh Kaoru-chan, I'm so happy for you!" she gushed as she looked at her dear friend, who was consuming ohagi as fast as she could.
Tsubame echoed the sentiment. "Hai Kaoru-san, it's so wonderful that you're having a baby." She glanced about and asked shyly, "Is Yahiko around?"
Kaoru and Tae both exchanged knowing glances as Kaoru replied, "He's in the practice hall doing his strokes. You can see him there, Tsubame-chan."
The gamin girl with the iris eyes glowed with pleasure as she blushed and excused herself. Both Tae and Kaoru giggled after she left in the direction of the practice hall.
"It looks like a certain young samurai has stolen Tsubame's heart," Tae said smiling.
"Hai, and believe me it's mutual. Why do you think Yahiko spends all his time at the Akabeko, when he's not here," Kaoru pointed out as she took a sip of tea. Thankfully, for the last month she had been able to keep her breakfast down and her appetite increased to eating larger portions. Her stomach was calmer, she attributed to what Megumi had told her about her pregnancy progressing and the herb tea mixture that Megumi had made for her.
Their conversation was interrupted by the joyful father-to-be as he entered the dining room. "Ohayo, Tae-dono," Kenshin said cheerfully as he knelt beside his wife and kissed her tenderly much to the former's delight. "Are you all right this morning, koibito?"
Kaoru reveled in Kenshin's unabashed affection. "Hai anata. I just finished breakfast and I feel fine. Tae brought me ohagi."
"So I see," he responded with a chuckle as he saw the bean paste she was licking from her lips. But then he added with a frown. "But I'm afraid I must leave you. I have an unavoidable errand to run. Yamagata expects me for a meeting in an hour to discuss the Samekuroi situation."
Tae spoke up, "Samekuroi? Isn't that the group of pirates I've been reading about in the paper? The ones attacking the merchant ships?"
Kenshin nodded as he said dourly, "Hai, they are a persistent group that they are. They stopped during the winter snows but now that spring is approaching, they have resumed." He turned to Kaoru and added, "I will probably be back after long after sundown so please don't wait dinner for me." He kissed Kaoru on the tip of her nose. "Please don't do anything too difficult, koishii and be sure to go easy on your katas if you do them."
Kaoru sighed impatiently as she protested, "Mou, Kenshin I'm not made of porcelain. I'll be fine, so stop worrying."
Kenshin chuckled as he got to his feet. "Now you're asking the impossible, my Kaoru. I'll always worry about you and now I'll worry about both of you." He patted her gently rounded abdomen then turned and headed to the door as he said over his shoulder, "The laundry is finished and hanging on the rods, that it is. Bai bai koishii, Tae-dono."
"Bai bai," Kaoru answered as she sighed and rose to gather the breakfast dishes but Tae pushed he back down on her cushion.
"Iie Kaoru-chan. Since I'm here, I'll do the dishes and begin something for lunch, you just rest." The perky proprietress of one of the busiest restaurants in Tokyo began to pick up the breakfast dishes ignoring Kaoru's protests. . . .
Over at the Ministry of Defense, in Yamagata's office Kenshin had just arrived and as he did every day shared his happy home life with the military leader and his excitement of being a father.
Yamagata chuckled as he responded, "Well, I can't say I'm surprised. You spent a year living with Kamiya-san before you wed her so I figured you would become a father shortly afterward. You showed more restraint then most men would have."
Kenshin grinned as he said, "To tell you the truth, Yamagata-san, I wondered at times if I could. She stole my heart the moment I met her and it was only my feelings of being unworthy of her that kept my desires in check." He sighed as he sat down and added, "This is what I always hoped for, that it is, to have a life with Kaoru and now a baby."
"Omedeto, my friend." Yamagata sat behind his desk. "However, this morning I must share some disturbing news with you concerning Samekuroi." He handed a document over the desk to Kenshin.
Kenshin perused the contents with a frown. "I see that they are getting bolder in their attacks, ransacking warehouses of textile mills and other places of business involved in foreign trade including fishing villages. This is not good."
"Things are so bad in certain coastal villages that the feared Kairyu has returned to battle them. That group had disappeared for a while but because of the attacks on the villages, the Kairyu has acted as defenders for them."
The Kairyu Kenshin said to himself. It's been a long time since I even thought of them, I wonder….
"Himura? Are you all right?" Yamagata noticed Kenshin's faraway look and was concerned. "Himura?"
But Kenshin was locked in a reverie of memories of the encounter with the Kairyu and Shura the leader who was one of the most courageous women he had ever met, next to Kaoru. She had been the leader of a group of pirates, outcasts from her village that ended up betraying her and tried to kill her. When they had boarded Senbonya's ship and threatened to kidnap Kaoru, he had begged them to spare her and offered his life in return. He went with Shura and her crew as she had captured him to kill him and ended up freeing him instead. During the time as Shura's captive, he had become a hostage as the crew mutinied against her, and her first mate Ginjo shot her. He then had to rescue her and saved her life as he took the bullet out of her leg. During the time as Shura's captive, he had believed that his life was ending and had but one regret, that he had not told Kaoru how he felt about her. He had mulled over that when Shura came to him and asked what kind of woman was Kaoru that he would give his life for her and he had told her about the girl that was so like her. The two were both so similar in appearance, loneliness, and temperament, he had felt drawn to the comely female pirate as he was to the feisty, beautiful kenjitsu sensei who now shared his name.
Yamagata uncomfortably cleared his throat to get his warrior's attention. "Himura, I have taken steps to negotiate with the Kairyu since we seem to be on equal sides this time as their only desire is to protect their and the surrounding villages. So I have asked that their leader meet with us who is waiting in another room. So let's go." Yamagata rose and walked through a side door as Kenshin silently followed.
Their leader? I wonder if Shura-dono is still leading the Kairyu even after that disaster with Ginjo he mused as he walked behind Yamagata.
They entered a room that was dimly lit by the gas jets on the wall sconces and a diminutive figure swathed in a voluminous cloak stood, their back to the door. Yamagata cleared his throat and spoke to the figure.
"I have brought our negotiator to meet you so you may share your information with him since he will be the one that will work with you to attempt to prevent bloodshed."
"Huh!" a husky alto scoffed. "I wonder how this man can succeed where even we, the Kairyu have failed." The figure whirled about and came to a sudden, shocked stop.
"Himura." The voice spoke with realization as the person reached and uncovered her face, shaking her mane of blue black hair down. The lady pirate known as Shura stood before the pair of men, her deep brown eyes shining. "I knew one day we would meet again."
NEXT--REUNION