Fanfic by Blueroseulan

August 15, 2004

AN: Somebody told me that Kenshin should at least feel gullible for what he has done… and so I made him a little bit guilty. Please don't flame me though… I also think it's just a natural reaction for a man with a girlfriend who's just had had an affair with another woman, and there's a baby on the way too! Oh, but this chapter is dedicated for knk fans! Enjoy guys!

Please review!

K

N

K

"Here you go Kaoru-chan. Take care on the way home!"

Smiling while waving goodbye to her boss Tae, Kaoru allowed her hands to grasp the small container of riceballs and beef the woman had been generous enough to let her take home. Though her pay was very minimal and barely allowed her to pay her overdue bills, Tae made it a point to give her employees the extra servings of food in return.

As expected, the alley leading to her home was dark and eerie. Normally, she would just ignore the creepy feeling of being watched and would just walk casually back to her place.

But the uncaring feeling would soon end. Now, she was pregnant and her life wasn't the only one at stake but the baby's as well.

"Himura-san, I told you… I could walk alone. I've been walking on this alley for almost all the years of my life!"

Her words echoed back in her mind and she frowned. Of course deep down inside she had wanted his presence… it kinda gave her the security that no matter what happens, there was somebody to at least help her…if not protect her.

"I would protect our child and would love him no matter what the given circumstances are."

The child. He would protect the child. It wasn't rightful to say he was protecting her.

Frowning, she took a deep breath and walked towards the building, only releasing a loud sigh of relief when she reached the eighth floor. Searching for her keys in her bag, her foot collided with something that lay on her doormat.

It was a bouquet of fresh flowers.

So… he knew I loved flowers…I she thought while secretly hiding a smile. How sweet of him… A small card caught her eye and she took it hesitantly.

Kaoru,

I just wanted to tell you how much I miss you.

Soujirou.

She frowned, somewhat slightly disappointed that it wasn't him who bought her the flowers. Wait a minute… why would she feel disappointed? And why the heck did she even think it was Kenshin's doing? Her flowers had always come from Soujirou so why the sudden change of thinking?

Shaking her head, she balanced the bouquet and the Tupperware of food in one hand and fumbled for the lock with the other. After she had successfully entered the room, she placed the food on the table and went to get an old vase for the bouquet her friend had sent. Placing the vase together with the blooms on the living room, she was just about to flop down on the sofa when her doorbell rang twice.

"Kaoru… are you there?"

Releasing a soft gasp, she knew the owner of the voice. She was surprised but nevertheless she went to get the door with a smile.

"Konbanwa Kenshin. Uh—Kenshin?"

Her companion was almost buried under two heavy bags of groceries and packages of different kinds.

"Oh hi Kaoru… Say… could you help me carry these to the kitchen? I'm afraid something would break, spill or something…"

Before she could reply though, he had already placed a package on her hand whilst motioning her to grab the grocery bag he was carrying in an effort to help him.

In her haste and surprise, she didn't realize that her fingers had met his. When she did, they had already reached the kitchen and her face was already darted with different blotches of red and pink hues of embarrassment. He had also become suddenly aware of the closeness proximity they had shared and he found his face grow hot with the shared awkwardness.

"Um… Kenshin… what are those?" she asked, deciding to finally break the sudden silence.

"Oh…these? Well, these groceries are for you Kaoru." He replied while busying himself with unloading the parcels and avoiding her eyes.

With his remark, Kamiya Kaoru's mouth practically dropped open.

"For me! But Kenshin…!"

"No buts." He said firmly while stacking her cabinets with peanut butter, bread, milk and the food of the like.

"But I don't need this!" she still protested, still in awe with the whole lot of supplies stacked in her cupboard.

"The baby does."

The baby does… His answer seemed to have brought her back to reality. The baby. She may not need his grocery, but his baby does.

"oh… I—I see…" she stammered, looking away and trying to hide the sudden eruption of colors in her cheek.

He gave her a small smile, noticing her slight discomfort. She started helping him—after a while of standing idiotically on the floor— and she couldn't help but murmur

"It's really kind of you to buy me… I mean the baby… all of these groceries… Really! I'm touched and embarrassed at the same time!" she giggled nervously, still feeling awkward of their situation.

"You did ask me to help you financially." He reminded her. "Though I prefer buying you supplies than giving you money."

A glare shot towards him. "Why? Don't you trust me enough!"

Surprised with her reaction, it took him a moment to realize that she had misinterpreted his words.

"No! No… I do trust you. I think you're a level headed woman and that you're sensible enough to handle extra cash. But… well, I guess it makes me feel at ease knowing that you're not starving the baby. I mean… I've seen your empty fridge and all…" he stuttered, trying to at least get the point across.

The frown on her face remained for awhile. Finally, it dispersed to a smile, allowing him to release the breath he hadn't realize he had been holding.

"Fine. I get your point…. But only because you look sincere enough!" she laughingly added as an afterthought. "Oh… I see you've bought medicines too."

He nodded. "I am sincere Kaoru. If you must know… and the medicine… well… I just wanted to make sure you still have reserves after you've again been generous enough to give away free medications." He jokingly said.

She mock frowned and then returned back to her task of arranging her fridge with uncooked meat, fish, sushi and milk. After they had packed away the supplies in the cabinets, both of them heard a loud rumble and Kaoru had to smile sheepishly.

"It's my stomach. I think the baby's starting to get hungry." Making her way to the food she had taken home from the Akabeko, she offered it to him and said:

"I could at least share my dinner with you. It's the only thing I could do to thank you."

"Oh um… thanking me is not necessary Kaoru."

"But I want to."

"Alright."

K

N

K

The evening found them sitting in the rooftop, under the star-lit canopy of Tokyo, sharing riceballs and tonkatsu.

"I always eat my dinner here in the rooftop. I find it relaxing just to watch the twinkling city lights."

He nodded and silently bit on a rice ball.

"Say Kenshin… what do you do for a living? I mean, I've told you my job and all… and… well?" she asked, glancing back at him and expectantly waiting for his reply.

"Well…I... The um… The Tokyo International Chain of Hotels belongs to me and my uncle…"

For the second time that evening, her mouth once again dropped wide open.

"WH-what?" he asked, suddenly conscious and uncomfortable.

She stood up, arms flying in a gesture of disbelief.

"ARE YOU KIDDING ME! T.I.C.H. BELONGS TO YOU! YOU'RE PRACTICALLY THE RICHES MAN IN JAPAN!"

He coughed, trying to figure a way to easel him out of the situation. She seemed to observe his discomfort though, for she suddenly dropped back to her seat and closed her agape mouth.

"Geesh Kenshin… You didn't tell me you're rich…" she said disbelievingly. "Don't get me wrong though, I'm not about to hound you for cash." She reassured him, going back to munching her dinner.

Silence reigned for awhile. Until,

"Kaoru, I've noticed that you're living alone. Where are your parents?"

She was quiet at first. Resting her head back at the recliner and looking at the twinkling gems that hung in the sky.

"They died… ten years ago. When I was thirteen."

"Oh."

Silence.

"My parents also died when I was young."

She looked at him, surprised with his sudden disclosure. "We're both forced to mature younger I guess." She joked, lips forming a bittersweet smile.

"Yeah. I guess so. I found it—Sumimasen." He apologized when his phone suddenly rang.

"Hello?"

"Kenshin?"

"Tomoe? Yep I'm out. I'm fine. Really… you're just getting paranoid. Yep… I love you too. Bye."

Kaoru heard Tomoe's voice in the background and she felt slightly uncomfortable with the situation. Watching as he put down the phone, in a stuttering voice she queried:

"So, how is Tomoe coping with the… baby?" she knew it was a bit rude to ask and her question was definitely out of place. But she wanted to know. Needed to know. After all, Tomoe was his legitimate girlfriend, it would be but natural for her to have some sort of violent reaction.

"Oh… Tomoe is coping quite well with it."

"She isn't mad?" Surprise and fascination was in her voice.

"Oh… well… we've both agreed that the baby wont ruin our relationship. We intend to keep it steady… and we are going steady." He replied, though it seemed to her that he was trying to convince more of himself than her. His tone was firm, resolved… but somehow it lacked finalization and he seems to falter with his words. Kaoru was surely damn broke, but certainly, she wasn't as stupid as not to feel the growing tension between the two persons that were now included in the whirlwind also known as her life.

"Oh." It was all she could say, knowing there was more than just a simple problem to be resolved but unwanting to press the issue further. He bade not to speak and they both sat in silence for a while.

"Kenshin?" she perked up, Indian sitting and looking at him.

"Nani?"

She smiled, sapphire irises wide and filled with sincerity

"Just so you would know… If you have any problems, you could always come down here and see the two of us. You just go here and say 'Kaoru-chan, I've got this problem… ' and you go lean on my shoulder. I don't mind. After all, I'm your friend right? Both me and the little koneko in here won't mind listening to you."

She knows…Touched by her concern and sincerity, he nodded, a grin touching his lips.

"Of course."

Then, the man glanced at his watch and stood up.

"It's getting late. I better go. You rest okay?" He thought he noticed a hint of disappointment in her eyes but he decided to shrug it off. After all, both of them were just friends. It was but rightful for them to enjoy the others company right?

She insisted on escorting him downstairs. Watching as he turned her back, a hand suddenly shot to grasp his wrist.

"Matte!" Cheeks flushing majorly with embarrassment, she bowed low as a sign of her deep gratitude.

"Kenshin… Arigatou… not only for the groceries you've bought… but for also accepting our child…Iroiro Arigatou Gozaimasu."

He nodded solemnly and bowed in return. Cerulean orbs watched as the red head walked away, her eyes filled with happiness, confusion and sadness.

Kami-sama… why is it that I'm feeling this way towards a man I barely even know…? He's just the father of my child. The connection stops there. Please… let it end there… Don't allow this situation to become more complicated than it already is…Kami-sama… tasukete onegaishimasu…"

TBC

Some translations:

Kami-sama—God

Kami-sama tasukete onegaishimasu—God help me!

Iroiro Arigatou Gozaimasu—Thank you so much for everything

AN:

Whew! Chapter 3 finished! Some reminders though:

Hope I don't get multiple violent reactions and flames for the 'Tomoe I love you' part… ugh… I also hate it, but hey it's part of the story, I just had to put it. Gomenasai ,

Tut!Tut! There's Soujirou sending flowers! What's gonna happen next? (Wink wink)

I'm going to establish conflicts between Kenshin and Tomoe in the next chappie. So if you guys are dying to at least read them fight with each other (Just like how I feel) The next chapter is yours to enjoy. And for all KnK lovers like me… major fluff ahead!

Please drop a review before you go on with the next chapter! I love reading your reviews!

Ja!

Bluerose