Author's note: Hey everyone. I'm sorry about another long delay but since I last updated, things have happened. There were two deaths in my immediate family, so I decided to take a break for a while. But now that time has passed and school is out, I'm planning to do a lot of writing over the summer till school starts back up, which will shorten my updates. I hope you can all forgive me for the long delay and enjoy these two fabulous chapters.
Disclaimer: Don't own Rurouni Kenshin.
Chapter 7
Tears of Pain
The Call to Hugo
November 13, 1995
Kaoru and Kenshin pushed their cart around the aisles looking at the sales for cranberry sauce.
"Kenshin, grab the generic brand. It's usually good."
"Alright" he said as he walked to the shelf and grabbed the can and placed it in the cart "it was nice of your parents to invite me and my parents for thanksgiving dinner."
Kaoru smiled, "My mom thought it would be nice since you've helped me out and all."
Kenshin looked at her confused, "I thought you were going to tell your parents about the baby at thanksgiving?"
Kaoru froze for a second when she grabbed a can of pumpkin mix and turned as she placed it in, "I am. I was referring to you letting me stay with you after you know."
Kenshin blushed abit "Oh, right" he put his hand in a fist and coughed into it "So you're definitely going to tell them next Thursday."
"Yes. I'll be three months along and Thanksgiving seems like the right time to tell them."
"Good. What else do we need?"
"Pickles and vanilla ice cream."
Kenshin raised his eyebrow, "Pickles and vanilla ice cream?"
"Yeah, I've had a craving for them for the last few days" Kenshin continued to stare at her and she smiled "Oh come on, it's not like I'm eating something gross."
She walked down the aisle and Kenshin continued to stare, 'Gross?'
Kenshin and Kaoru had finished putting the groceries away and were sitting down at the table. Kenshin was drinking his tea as he watched Kaoru gobble down on the pickles and ice cream she'd bought. For a few weeks, Kenshin had been wondering if Kaoru would ever tell Hugo about their baby. He knew Kaoru was still angry with Hugo, but he knew she just would not tell him. It was Hugo's child too, after all. He decided to bring it up delicately.
"I got an invite for Sano and Megumi's wedding."
"When are they getting married?"
"December fifth. You're invited too."
"Awesome. I'll have to wear black though."
"You'll still look thin Kaoru."
"I guess your right" she continued to eat her meal and Kenshin thought of how to bring up the subject of Hugo.
He sipped his tea and said, "I was thinking about everybody dancing at the wedding and I remember how good a dancer Hugo was."
Kaoru froze at the sound of his name and looked down at her bowl and continued eating.
"He use to be great at waltzes. I remember how he danced at the college ball we had, you remember?" Kaoru stayed silent, "He really proved himself as the waltz man that night. The twirls, the dips, the timing. Yep, Hugo was a shining star that night."
Kaoru looked up with a jolt and angrily said, "Kenshin, stop beating around the bush and just tell me the truth."
Kenshin put his tea down, "What?"
"Don't play confused with me. You think I should call Hugo. Well, here's your answer. No! No! And No!" she then went back to eating.
Kenshin leaned over the table abit, "Kaoru, I know what he did was wrong and unforgivable, but that shouldn't stop you from telling him. He's the father of your child."
"He's nothing, but a lying, cheating, man whore!"
"But he's still the father and he has a right to know."
Kaoru put her spoon down and the melted vanilla ice cream covered it, "I known you're right but he still lied to me, treated me unfairly, went behind my back, and cheated…on me! And the worst is that it was Megan. Megan, my best friend."
Kenshin held her hand in his, "I know that it was terrible and they don't deserve your forgiveness or your time but Hugo needs to know about the baby. Don't let your anger and hatred for him keep Hugo from being your baby's father."
Kenshin stared at her as she pondered it over. Kaoru removed her hand from her chin and spoke, "You're right. I have to tell him. It's morning there now and I'll call him right now. I still got his number for where he's staying" Kaoru got up and went to her address book and took out the piece of crumpled paper.
Kenshin smiled at her as he put the dishes in the sink, "You're doing the right thing Kaoru."
Kaoru smiled at him, "I know."
"I'll be in the living room, okay."
"Alright" he started to walk away when Kaoru said, "Kenshin?" he turned his head and she smiled "Thanks."
Kenshin smiled at her and disappeared behind the wall.
Kaoru looked at the 11-digit number and picked up the phone and dialed.
'It's now or never.'
The phone rang for a few seconds before being picked up.
"Hello?"
Kaoru didn't speak, just listening to his voice made her angry.
"Hello?"
Kaoru coughed a bit and answered, "Yes, hello. Hugo."
"Who is this?"
"It's Kaoru Kamiya."
"Kaoru Kamiya. This is a surprise."
"I know, for me too." Kaoru was at a loss for words but somehow found strength, "How are you?"
"I'm great. Being back home in America is good, not that Japan was bad."
"That's good. How's your family?"
"They're great" there was a small pause "my mom misses you."
Kaoru was a bit surprised yet flattered, "Oh, how is she?"
"She's great as usual."
"Well, tell her I said hi."
"I will."
There was a small pause and Kaoru took a deep breath, it was now or never, "Listen, Hugo. Um, there's something I have to tell you."
"Okay?"
"It's very serious so you really got to listen."
"I'm listening, I'm listening," he said worriedly.
"Okay, don't interrupt me."
"I won't, I won't"
"Okay, here it is. After you left I was really down and depressed…"
"I know I hurt you Kaoru…"
"Let me finish please" he was silent and let her continue "I was real upset after what you…and Megan did to me that it made me sick and I stopped being sick but it still happened every morning. I'd rather tell you in person then over the phone but I can't because you live far away and…"
"What are you trying to say Kaoru?" he said confused.
Kaoru took a deep breath, "I'm saying that I'm pregnant and the baby's yours."
There was a pause and neither one spoke.
"Hugo? Say something?"
"What do you want me to say?"
Kaoru was bewildered, "What?"
Hugo continued angrily, "What do you want me to say? That's great Kaoru I'm thrilled! I want to be with you now that you're pregnant!"
Kaoru was astounded, "Would you stop yelling! It's your child too! We're having a baby and you could at least be happy!"
"Are you sure it's mine?"
"What?"
"Are you sure it's mine?"
"How can you even say that!" she shouted as tears came down her cheeks.
His tone matched hers, "Are you positive? For all I know you probably had a one night stand, got pregnant, and are trying to pass it off as mine!"
"I can't believe this. I can't believe this! I called to tell you about the baby and now your saying it's not yours! Well, fine! Be that way! I can raise this baby myself with no help from you!"
"Fine by me! Megan and I are getting married and are going have kids that are actually mine!"
Kaoru froze for a minute as tears streaked down her face, "Go ahead! Marry that whore! You two will be the perfect whore couple!"
"Great! Goodbye slut!"
"Goodbye man whore!" she slammed the phone on the receiver and tore the paper with Hugo's number into pieces and threw it on the floor. When she turned to her side, she saw Kenshin.
Kenshin had heard the shouting Kaoru was doing and went to see her. He witnessed her slam the phone and then tore a paper to shreds. Kaoru looked up to him and he became heartbroken. Kenshin saw the tears streaming down her face, staining her cheeks. Her blue eyes were hidden by the red, puffiness below the eye.
"Kaoru?" he moved to embrace her but she quickly dodged him and ran to her room, slamming the door shut. Kenshin looked back and heard the muffled cries from her room and gently whispered, "Kaoru, I'm sorry."