Fanfic by Blueroseulan

August 21, 2004

AN: RK DOESN'T BELONG TO ME! So yah guys don't sue okay!

Anyways, this is major fluff, sugarey sweet thing. But if you guys love mush and fluff, I think you'd enjoy this more than (hopefully) feel disgusted… please! Don't flame me! This is just what I get from being starved with fluff in the anime and OVA…(sob) Anyways, I'm just ranting on… so off with the story.

DO: review for me. I love reading your reviews and the main reason why I don't update regularly because I don't get many from you guys out there. (sob)

DON'T: forget to review

DON'T: flame me. Please. Need I say more?

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She was annoyed.

Oh yes she was.

It had stemmed on what had happened in Kenshin's office awhile ago. But she didn't blame the man entirely for it. Rather, she was irritated by the unfamiliar emotions that were now racing at her chest. The feeling was so foreign… so anew. When she ended up landing on him, it felt, so to say, as if her heart would literally burn itself to death what with its fastened beatings.

From behind her, she heard a loud honk which she assumed came from a car. A frown tugging at her rigid lips, a pestering driver was the least of all things she needed now.

But as it turned out, the man sitting behind the wheel was anything but a pestering driver.

It was him.

Two options presented at her head. One, she would just run away and avoid him, for she wasn't in a good mood to talk right now, (which wasn't just favorable for it was obvious he had a car) or two, she'd just bang herself dead crazy on the brick wall.

"Kaoru!" the man called, jogging towards the woman who seemed rooted on the very spot, cheeks flushing scarlet red.

"Um…uh…hi Kenshin… " she stuttered weakly, unable to meet his gaze. Noticing her discomfort, he dipped a hand inside his pocket and reached out a wad of bills.

"The bill. I forgot to pay the bill." He reminded her.

"Oh. I see…Sorry." She bowed in apology before taking the money. "Well, I better be going." She added.

"I better take you home." He offered, turning his car to start his engine.

She immediately raised her hands in negation. "Um… taking me home is not necessary. I can do it by myself… and besides… um… well… Ihavetogototheparkfirst."

He frowned. "I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you were saying." He looked confused and she sighed.

"I'm going to the park first." She stated, trying hard to convince him and praying he'd believe her excuse. "Well, I got to go. Bye!" she waved before hastily turning her back on him.

A hand shot out to grasp her wrist and in an act of surprise, she turned around to find his face merely centimeters from hers once again.

"I need to go to the park too." He simply murmured leaving her no choice but to finally nod her head.

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The wind was chilly and Kaoru found herself shivering slightly. Kenshin left to buy hot chocolate and coffee for the both of them and she was left alone sitting on a park bench under the shade of a large old sakura tree. She would have enjoyed the relaxing feel of the peaceful aura, had not it been for her nervousness and confusion.

Why am I avoiding him? Normally, I enjoy spending time with him… is this because of what had happened in his office? I don't know… I'm confused really…She frowned and rubbed her palms together for more heat. Hugging herself closer, she was surprised when she suddenly felt the gentle drape of a coat in her shoulders.

"Your cold." Her companion stated while making sure his coat shielded her from the wind. Offering her the steaming cup of hot chocolate, shyly, she accepted it and gave him a weak smile. He sat beside her in silence, sipping his coffee.

"So, you said you had to go to the park. Do you have something to do here?" he asked her, trying hard to disperse her nervousness he felt.

"I… well… I go to the park whenever my mind's clouded. The aura in here helps clear my thick brain you know." She joked, allowing a smile to finally break at her lips.

He gazed at her, silently studying her features. Her midnight colored hair was tied on a high ponytail, a pink ribbon tying it firmly on its place. The bulge on her stomach was more than evident and it gave a slight tug in his heart. Seeing her rounded belly, it felt, for him that he was seeing his own child. His gaze was so intense and she couldn't help but blush under his eyes.

"Wh-what?" she bit her lip as a sign of nervousness.

Suddenly shaken from his stupor, he rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "No-nothing." He stuttered, looking away with his cheeks flaming red.

For awhile she was silent, allowing nothing but the wind to speak amidst the two of them. I'm confused right now… but the confusion ends here…

"Kenshin, why are you doing this?"

He blinked once, twice, taken aback with her sudden question.

"What do you mean Kaoru?" he asked, face painted with evident confusion.

"I mean THIS. Your actions, the things you've been doing for me… I don't really understand."

He shot her a look. "It's for the baby you know. I try my best to be a good father." He replied, looking at her intently.

Flailing her arms in exasperation, the woman grimaced.

"Come on Kenshin. Unborn babies don't need trips to the park like this. Nor do they need taro ice mochi in the middle of the night. So tell me… why?"

Why indeed… he bowed his head, hiding his face under the curtain of his blood red bangs. When he looked up, he had a faraway look in his eyes that Kaoru could not depict.

"I don't know… honestly… I don't really know…" he murmured, still not looking at her. "I guess I've grown attached not only to the baby but to the mother as well." He added, releasing a sigh.

Oh.My.God. With his words, her arms suddenly flopped limply back to her side and Kaoru flaccidly dropped back beside him.

"Are you kidding me?"

He gave her a dark look that showed his annoyance. "No, I certainly am not kidding you. Why would I joke on a matter such like this?"

She bit her lip and looked away. "I'm sorry… I'm just scared and…" she trailed off.

"Scared? Why are you scared?" he asked, his hand touching her arm. She blushed deeply with the contact.

She hesitated, unsure whether to tell him the truth or not. Finally, she took a deep breath, steeled herself and whispered her reply:

"It's just that… I've grown fond of you as well…"

It was his turn to stay speechless, his mind frozen in the spot. She's grown fond of me… had I heard her right? She's grown fond of me!

"We-well.. You see, I…I… appreciate your… ways… yes! Yo-your ways of showing how much you love our baby…Seeing a full father figure i-in you… I… well I feel thankf—"

Two muscled arms came up to grasp her form as he drew her in a sudden tight embrace.

"You don't need to thank me… I do this because I want to… Not just out of my obligation."

She smiled, despite the tears that had suddenly pooled in her eyes. She would have savored his embrace had it not been for the sudden spike of pain in her back.

"ITAI!" she yelled, releasing him and hand shooting to grab her back. Alarmed all of a sudden, his palm came up to gently massage her spine.

"I'm sorry… it's just that my back aches when the weight of the baby is put on it." She muttered weakly as an apology.

"It's fine… really... What would you want me to do? Do you need a doctor? Should I drive you down to the hos—" she cut him off by placing a slender finger over his lips.

"Aww come on Kenshin, it's nothing. You're just overreacting." She joked, elbowing him slightly in the ribs and flashing him with a smile. "Though I find the idea sweet." She added, but upon realizing that her words had been far too leading, felt the sudden eruption of colors in her face.

A chuckle rumbled from his lips. "I'm sorry if I overreacted… I'm just concerned you know."

She shook her head and smiled. "It's okay. Usually, when my back aches, I just lie down and try not to move a bit."

With her words, he perked up, as if having a light bulb lighted in his head. "I know! I've got a spare blanket in my car and some pillows too. Wait here. I'll go get it." And before she could protest, he was running towards his car.

When he was out of her sight, she allowed the smile she had been hiding to grace her lips.

"He's so sweet…" she whispered to no one in particular.

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After fixing the blanket and the pillows under a shaded spot, he assisted her to her feet and onto the make-shift bed. Smiling with gratitude, she felt her heart beat quicken when she felt him settle himself beside her.

"It's nearly sunset. Don't you have anything to do in your office?" she asked dismissively, not at all looking at him but directing her gaze to the orange-sepia colored sky.

He shook his head in negation. "I've been working straight for days. I believe I deserve this break." He said matter-of-factly.

"Of course…" he heard her whisper "Everyone of us needs to have a rest of some sort."

Both were silent for awhile, secretly enjoying the other's company when…

"Kaoru, I want you to quit your job in the Akabeko."

"Nani!"

He pulled himself back to his feet and sat up, allowing his gaze to travel on her own sapphire eyes.

"I know, I know… you love working in that canteen. But you're almost halfway through your pregnancy. It's going to be hard and as you said so yourself, your back's been hurting." When he saw the disapproval in her eyes, he was quick to add: "Just this period. After you've given birth, you're free to do whatever you like. Just please… for the baby."

She sighed, gave him a last look and finally said,

"Alright."

He smiled, and then settled back beside her. By this time, the sun was slowly starting to lower herself and a few twinkling gems had claimed their positions in the sky. A cold wind blew unexpectedly and she unconsciously scooted closer to him, seeking warmth. Though he was surprised with her actions, he allowed his arm to travel and settle in a protective hold in her waist.

She instantly froze under his touch. Suddenly reminded how painfully close they were from each other. Glancing at him, she wondered if he didn't mind the close contact they shared.

She decided he didn't.

. For awhile, no one spoke, still a bit rigid and uneasy in the sudden intimacy. But after a few precious moments, Kaoru suddenly sighed and relaxed, permitting herself to savor the feel of his arms wrapped around her waist.

A hand crept to gently tug the pink ribbon that held her hair. Inky jet locks tumbling to slide past her shoulders, she slightly shook her head. "We really shouldn't be doing this you know." She murmured though her voice sounded far contented rather than disapproving.

He chuckled, but nevertheless willing to push her. "And why?" he asked, letting his slender fingers run gently on the soft curtain of midnight colored locks.

"Because… never mind." She whispered. "Mou Kenshin… you're making me feel sleepy you know…" she grumbled a bit, eyelids starting to droop with the first touches of sleep.

Again he smiled, but nevertheless continued stroking her hair. "Is that so? Then rest… Don't worry… I'll protect you." He assured her. She smiled in reply and as if pulling of a brave act, steeled her breath—and rested her head in the crook of his shoulder.

He stiffened slightly but nevertheless allowed a secret smile to glide in his lips. His fingers traveled to settle on the large bulge on her waist and he sighed contentedly. Her hand drew to touch the child in her womb as well, but instead of rounded skin, her fingers unexpectedly met his. Astonished, she felt him tighten his hold and lace his fingers around hers, making colors flush in her cheeks.

Suddenly, they felt a stirring in her stomach and both simultaneously reacted. It was as if the child felt its father's touch for the first time and couldn't help but move under his touch.

"Kenshin!'" she exclaimed, voice filled with amazement. "Did you feel that? The little koneko is saying hi to its otou-san for the first time!" she smiled, eyes sparkling with joy.

He pulled himself to his feet and knelt to touch his ear to her belly, trying to listen and detect his child's movement. And as in response, the baby kicked as hard as it could, knocking Kaoru suddenly breathless.

"Oww… that was a good one." She beamed watching as he looked back at her, his face filled with awe, amazement and pride. He laughed and slightly shook his head. Lying beside her, once again, he spooned her to his side, noticing the flush of red in her cheeks.

"You know," he started, catching her attention, "I usually don't talk to other people. I'm the quiet type you know. And I don't do self-disclosures. What I dunno is, how come I've easily engaged in a conversation with you." He added; his face somehow painted with confusion.

"I don't really know. Maybe because fate wanted you to have a baby?" she replied, though unsure of her answer.

"Maybe… or maybe because it wanted me to meet you?" he murmured, resting his chin atop her head. The woman sighed, but nevertheless decided to keep silent.

"It's just that… I feel so at ease when I'm with you." He stated, his gaze traveling the wide expanse of the sky. She smiled slightly glanced back at him and whispered:

"I feel at ease with you too. Before, when I used to live by myself, I felt so alone… But now, with you and the baby, I'm always assured that no matter what happens, there's somebody willing to listen to me and at least be with me… " she trailed off, trying hard to dismiss the tears that had suddenly condensed in her eyes. Traveling her gaze, she noticed how soft his features were, contrasting with the sharp almost strict look he always wore in broad daylight. His scarlet colored hair reminded her of dying embers in a fire. And his eyes, his eyes… perhaps the most exotic of all his features with their amethyst gem like color, were what had drawn her closer to him.

"Of course… I would protect you…and the baby… I'd do anything to protect you and our child." He whispered tightening his grasp on her waist. She smiled gratefully and snuggled closer to him. Inwardly though, her mind was starting to alarm panic bells. She really shouldn't be so much attached to him. Stop the contact. Stop the contact and touching now. Now or else you'd regret it.

But she decided that the voice at the back of her head was far too annoying to listen to and that it was wiser to just throw caution in the wind.

"What do you think Kaoru? Would our baby be a boy or a girl? What do you think? Kaoru? Kaoru?" he glanced at her and he suddenly froze.

There was Kaoru, dozing off serenely in his arms, face painted with peace and total oblivion to the living world.

He smiled to himself. There's just something about her that I haven't found in any other women I've known all my life…

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It was well past midnight when Kenshin's black Benz pulled to a slow stop before the dark alley. He glanced at her still sleeping form and mentally debated with himself if it was but rightful to wake her up or just carry her up to her own pad. Deciding to choose the latter, he carefully lifted her, afraid to wake her up, and as if she might break like fragile glass in his arms at anytime started to trek the dark path towards her apartment.

The building was dark, and Kenshin had to be very extra careful not to trip on a single step. Tightening his grip on her, he steeled his breath and started climbing the flight of steps that would lead to her place. He felt her move to bury her face deeply to his chest, and sigh in contentment even in her sleep. Sometimes, she would release a soft moan, accompanied with the gentle whimper of his name and he would close his eyes tightly to steel himself some control. Goddamnit… the elevator's not working and… there she goes again! Breathe Himura! Breathe!"

Finally, after what had seemed like the walk of eternity to him, her doorway appeared in his sight and he gave a sigh of relief. Trying hard to balance her weight while rummaging through her bag for her house keys, he successfully opened her door and carried her towards her bedroom.

Settling her gently to her bed, he adjusted her blankets and tucked her warmly inside, making sure she wasn't cold. He stood beside her for a few moments, just watching her sleep and before he left, placed a chaste kiss on her forehead and another in her belly for the child sleeping in her womb.

Oyasumi-nasai Kaoru…koi…

TBC…

Well there you go guys… fluff and mush all the way! I really enjoyed doing this chapter! The next one though, is somewhat lemony limey. (Wink wink) that should give you preview enough.

Don't forget to review!

Ja!

Bluerose