Chapter 6

Kenshin's fever hovered up and down over the next few days. Kaoru stayed with him throughout it all, talking softly to him and bathing his forehead in cool water. He woke a few times, mostly long enough to drink and eat. Kyla examined him once more, running gentle fingers over his swollen abdomen while sending out her magic in waves. She proclaimed the child perfectly healthy.

Megumi returned a few times to check on the redhead. She was happy with his care, and left Kaoru to take care of him, telling her to keep a close eye on his temperature.

Kaoru stirred from her place on the futon, opening sapphire eyes. She was extremely warm, and she looked down to see Kenshin's red head tucked under her chin again, his cheek resting against her collarbone. Kaoru smiled, sliding her hand down to press against his belly. The baby stirred slightly at her touch, but did not kick at her hand. She brought her hand up again to touch Kenshin's forehead, smiling widely. His fever had finally broken; everything was going to be fine now.

She slowly eased her way out from under Kenshin sliding off the futon. Kenshin snuggled into the blankets, but he didn't wake. Kaoru walked from the room, smiling slightly as she watched her husband. He shifted again, but Kaoru had already left the room.

She made tea quietly, thinking ahead in her mind. According to Kyla, Kenshin was about 1 month and a half away from his due date. She still wasn't sure how the birth would work, but she was fully prepared to do what she must. Kaoru was already studying up on signs of labor from books that Megumi had given her. She thought that Kenshin might perhaps go into labor, but with his strange condition there was no guarantee.

Kyla came in not long after Kaoru finished the tea, smiling at her. "Ohayou Kaoru. You're up early. How are you?"

Kaoru smiled, pouring her friend a cup. "Good. Kenshin's fever's broken too, so I think we'll be alright now."

Kyla grinned. "Good. He's still sleeping I expect."

Kaoru nodded. "Hai, he is." She suddenly had a thought. "He gets so close to me every night, usually in positions I used to be in. It's a bit strange to see him like that."

Kyla cocked her head. "What positions is he in?"

Kaoru thought a moment. "Well, usually with his head just under my chin, his cheek on my shoulder or collarbone. Sometimes he wraps his arms around my waist."

Kyla chuckled. "Well you can't really fit in those positions anymore now can you? He's just switched your positions during the night."

Kaoru laughed when she thought about this. "Hai, you're right. His stomach gets in the way now…"

Kyla shared a laugh with her, and then patted her friends shoulder. "It's alright Kaoru, I'm sure he's done it subconsciously. Besides, it's not a big difference is it?"

Kaoru shook her head. "Iie."

Just then Kenshin walked into the room, yawning and stretching. "Ohayou koishii, onee-san."

Kaoru smiled at him, going to help him as he sank down onto a cushion. He groaned slightly as he did so, putting a hand on his lower belly. Kaoru's smile turned into a frown. "Kenshin?"

The redhead smiled at her. "It's okay; I'm just a little sore koishii. I'm fine."

Kaoru still didn't quite seem sure, but she moved away from Kenshin and settled on her own cushion. All drank their tea in silence, when suddenly Kenshin groaned, his teacup dropping from nerveless fingers to shatter on the table top.

Kaoru gasped, going quickly to his side as he wrapped his arms around his belly, grimacing and pulling in a few sharp breaths. "Kenshin, what's wrong?"

He kept breathing quickly and sharply, his fingers clenching in his gi. After a few seconds he relaxed, sighing slightly in relief.

Kaoru's face was a picture of pure fear as she watched him sit up straight again. "I'm alright Kaoru, just a bit of pain. I'm fine now."

Kaoru did not take his explanation this time. "Oh no you don't anata, I won't take that this time. Kyla…"

She didn't have to finish, Kyla was besides her, pushing Kenshin's gi back from his swollen stomach and pressing a hand to his skin. Kenshin sat quietly, allowing his sibling to examine the child. Kyla shook her head. "Nothing's changed at all from the last time I examined him. The baby's fine."

Kaoru narrowed her eyes, but backed down from the argument. 'Perhaps I can find the answer in Megumi's books…' she thought, pulling out a broom to sweep up the shards of Kenshin's teacup. Once she had done that she excused herself to her room, picking up a book and burying herself in its pages. There she found the answer.

"False labor pains can start about halfway through pregnancy, although they are not very strong. They can start later and be more powerful for some women, but don't worry, this is natural."

(A/N: I don't even know if they knew about this stuff, but it was discovered in 1872, so I'm assuming they do.)

That was all the book said. Kaoru sighed in relief, glad that what she had seen was nothing more than a natural part of pregnancy. Kenshin was fine; there was nothing wrong at all. She looked up in time to see Kenshin move slowly into the room, worry on his features. "Kaoru?"

She put the book with her stash and stood to meet him, a smile on her face. "Is everything alright anata?"

Kenshin nodded, although Kaoru saw him put a hand on his stomach again, his facial expression slipping for a moment. "You left so quickly koishii. Did I upset you?"

Kaoru shook her head rapidly, helping him as he settled down onto their futon with a slight grunt. "Not at all. I was just worried about you, I'm alright now. You just scared me there for a moment."

Kenshin smiled at her, kissing her cheek gently. "It scared me too, but nothing seems to be wrong, so I'm not going to worry too much about it."

As Kenshin slowly lowered himself to the futon she came closer, sitting beside him. "Are you sure you are alright?"

Kenshin sighed, his head bowing. "I'm just ready for this to be over Kaoru. I'm so ready for this to be over Kaoru. I'm so tired all the time, and everything is sore. I feel so vulnerable."

Kaoru pulled him close, resting her chin against his red hair. "Kenshin, you've done so well, I'm incredibly proud of you. I'll protect you, as will Kyla and Aurora. You know you are safe here."

He hugged her. "Kaoru, can I ask you something? And you promise you'll answer honestly?"

Kaoru blinked, pulling back from him. "Of course Kenshin. You know you can ask me anything and I would tell you the truth."

Kenshin hesitated, looking down in uncertainty. "Do you…do you think I'm fat?"

Kaoru had to restrain a giggle as she squeezed him tightly. "Of course not. I think you're adorable." She planted a kiss on the tip of his nose. "I couldn't love you anymore than I do right now."

Kenshin giggled as she tickled his ribs. "Arigatou Kaoru…" He hugged her. "Aishiteru."

Kaoru brushed a kiss across his lips. "Aishiteru mo my Kenshin."

The two sat quietly in each others arms, Kenshin's head leaning against Kaoru's shoulder. After a moment Kaoru felt a shudder run through Kenshin's body as he moaned into her shoulder. She put a hand to the bulge of their child, feeling his stomach muscles as they tightened.

Kaoru held him until the pain passed and he leaned fully against her tiredly. "Are you okay?"

Kenshin nodded. "I'm alright. I'm just worried about what this is."

"It's only false labor pains, it's natural." Kaoru soothed. "It'll be going on for a while, but hopefully it will fade before the birth."

Kenshin sighed. "Good." He closed his eyes and weaved his fingers through hers, bringing their joined hands down to rest on his rounded belly. "I'm glad…"

Kaoru kissed his forehead gently, setting her cheek against his hair. 'Don't worry anata, not much longer now. You can do this, I know you can.'