Fanfic by Blueroseulan

August 31, 2005

Hey… I'm back… ;) I wanna apologize though… for the long update… and short ones… I'm really really experiencing writer's block right now. I dunno what's going to happen next… That's why I'm asking you guys to help me… tell me what u think the proer ending for this story is. A good one? A tragic one? Please review and let me know what u think!

Anyhoo, this would be a short chappie… I also don't know if I would like to expand Kenshin's jealousy on SouKao or just cut the whole thing short…waaahhh I hate writer's block!

RK doesn't belng to me guys.

Please review!

K

N

K

"Soujirou! Is that you? Sou-chan!"

The man cheerfully nodded and made his way hurriedly towards Kaoru who still stood dumbfounded in the middle of the street.

"Hey… is that the way you'd greet a long-gone friend?" he asked, trying to mock pout, but grinning widely instead. She blinked, once, twice and finally, rushed to the lad, flinging her arms around him.

"Sou-chan! Oh dear Sou! I really missed you!" she beamed, her dull sapphire eyes lighting up. The man nodded then gave her one scrutinizing look, making her blush and feel uncomfortable at the same time. Finally, in a grim tone, he spoke:

"Gee Kaoru… I know you're pregnant and all… but by heck! You never told me you practically look like a walking whale!" he muttered, his frown breaking into a wide wide grin. A pout blossomed in her lips but it didn't stay, for after awhile, both of them had started laughing at his clumsy comment.

"Oh Sou!" she said in between gasps of breath and giggles. "You should've told me you were coming so I could've readied myself for insanity!"

Shaking his head, Soujirou took a glance in the dark heavens and a frown crossed his face. "It looks like the rain isn't stopping for now. I better take you home" he murmured, taking out an umbrella from his knapsack.

She shot him a quizzical look. "Have you learned magic as well Sou-chan? You don't usually produce umbrellas from out of the blue." It was a statement that earned her both a shrug and a grin. Shielding both of them from the pelting rain, a hand crept to grasp gently her shoulders as he carefully led her amidst the busy streets of Tokyo.

"So… why did you decide to come back?" she asked him suddenly, surprising him with her sudden query.

It took him a long time before he could answer. And by the time he did, they were already halfway across the flight of stairs leading to her pad.

"I don't really know… it's just that I sensed that something might be wrong here with you… So I decided to follow my instincts and come back to Tokyo." His voice was weak and hesitant. A bit shy, she noticed as she rummaged through her bag for her house keys.

Standing in her doorway for awhile, she flashed him a grateful smile before whispering:

"You know what Soujirou? I'm really really glad you followed your instincts and came back…"

K

N

K

He caught up with her bus just in time to see her trudge slowly in the streets. Something definitely tugged at his heart seeing her in such a pitiful and desolate state. He was just about to leave his car in a curb and run after her when all of a sudden, a brown haired man possessing the same stature as his appeared out of nowhere. Kenshin was almost ready to spring for her protection when he suddenly became aware that they were more than just mere acquaintance. The way she flung her arms around the man was needless to say, enough to drive fires of jealousy in his veins.

Palms crumpling into fists when he saw him put an arm around her slight form, he felt himself shake with anger and envy. Ironic as it may seems, it should be him walking her home. Him protecting her from the pelting rain and him who was beside her, with her, watching her every move, relishing her every touch…

The way her eyes sparkled in the presence of the other man did not go unnoticed.

His chest felt on fire. Though he wanted to follow her, he knew it wouldn't…couldn't do it… it would have been far too late… And so, with a heavy heart, he turned back to his heels, to his car and dorve listlessly back home.

K

N

K

Kaoru delighted over the fact that her best friend had indeed came back to drop her a visit. She should have known his flowers were hints enough on his return. And so, they spent the rest of the hours chatting away, catching up with the passed time and making her forget all about Kenshin and his ex girlfriend for a short while. She had ignored the other man's calls though. Turned off her phone and tried to get him out of her mind. Kaoru had decided that it would be better if she avoided him, much less talk with him. Tomoe's words had been enough… she had realized that making him fall in love with her was far too absurd a dream and that mothering his child was the only role she'd have to play in his life.

Soujirou on the other hand kept his words well; days passed and he bade sure Kaoru was well and comfortable before he went home at night. He had also heard about Kenshin, the father of her child though the facts stopped there. He knew of nothing else. But what made him different to the other was his willingess to let Kaoru work as a part-time waitress in the Akabeko.

"I know you hate being bored and besides; I've talked with Tae-san. She assured me she'll take good care of the two of you." He offered one night, glad to see a wide grin spread from her face.

She had hugged him, right there and then, whispering words of gratitude to him and thanking him for being her best friend. Without his smiles and cheerful demeanor, she would have been very much buried in a pit of depression she told him.

The man smiled; merely hugged her closer though inwardly, he was slightly hoping that she'd confess that he'd also captured her heart as well.

But she didn't and Soujirou kept to his thoughts.

K

N

K

He felt desperate.

For almost two weeks, he hadn't received word from her.

He called, no one answered, he emailed, and he received no reply.

She wasn't at home either.

And so, out of emotions akin to desperation and despondency, he found himself driving towards the Akabeko; hoping that he could finally weasel some information and news about Kaoru.

Imagine his surprise when he saw her there.

Amethyst eyes widening, he could believe that in all places, he would find Kaoru in that over crowded place, working and serving even though she was almost halfway through her seventh month.

It angered him needless to say.

He was just about to approach her, maybe snatch away the tray she was carrying when he herad someone call her name.

"HEY KAORU!"

He looked around and saw it was the same man again.

K

N

K

"HEY KAORU!"

She turned and smiled slightly to the man. "Hey Sou-chan… what brings you here?" she inquired, wiping the sweat in her fore head. He blushed fiercely but nevertheless was able to reply.

"I was hoping we could eat dinner together." He offered her a weak smile and tried to hide the redness in his face.

She beamed "Well, my shift is about to end just about now. I'll just change and we could go." She nodded before disappearing from his sight, only to appear a few moments later clad in a simple halter printed dress.

"Let's go?" she asked, totally oblivious to the –I'm-shocked-because-you-absolutely-look-gorgeous- look in his face. She had to elbow him slightly in the ribs to shake off the dumb stare he had on his face.

"Ah…yeah…right hai." He stuttered, unconsciously putting an arm around her fragile form and trying to prevent people from bumping into her. They were just about to leave the Akabeko when somebody roughly pulled Kaoru's arm

"Wait."

She quicly turned around to know who had deftly tugged her arm. When she saw who he was, sapphire eyes widened with shock and she had to gasp.

"Kenshin!"

TBC….

TUT TUT! Kenshin's there… Kaoru's there… and Soujirou's there… what next! Please drop a review and tell me what you think!

PS KIYAA! I'm having writer's block… PLEASE PLEASE drop any suggestions for an ending!

Bluerose.