Hey Guys! Haha! I managed to update before I left! Yay for me! Sadly I won't be able to update agin until Monday! Pleae forgive me! But I did manage to get this chapter out before the weekend . . .so . . .you have to forgive me! Hee hee! Okay on with the fic!
Disclaimer: I am slowly going crazy 1,2,3,4,5,6 SWITCH! Crazy going slowly am I 6,5,4,3,2,1 SWITCH! Do I really have to do these? Yes. . .yes I do. I don't own Rurouni Kenshin!
Chapter 13: Then Came Morning
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They finally arrived at the small farm, and Kaoru quickly hopped off her horse and ran to the door. Remembering only after that, that she needed to stable Summer. She turned to do so when she saw Megumi wave toward the house telling her she would take care of it. Kaoru smiled fleetingly before practically dragging Matthew into the house.
She took him into the back room and knelt down by Kenshin.
"Don't worry the doctor is here now, you'll be alright." Kesnhin groaned slightly and Kaoru looked up at Matthew.
"Step aside please." The doctor examined Kenhsin with precise movements then turned to Kaoru.
"His temperature is severely high. Normally by now for a small child brain damage would be beyond repair." Kaoru grabbed the nearest thing to stable herself. "But luckily we are not dealing with a child. Hopefully this man will have the strength enough to recover. Now I need you to get me some clean linens and boil some water promptly. We are in a race with time. Now hurry what are you standing there for."
Kaoru turned dazed and left the bedroom. She stood in the middle of the room completely at a loss. 'Kaoru what are you doing?' Her mind screamed. 'HE needs your help now get your rear outside and get some water.' Kaoru rushed to the front door only to have it opened from the other side and Megumi stalk in with two buckets of water.
"Don't worry I have the water. Now where do you keep your pots?" Kaoru quickly showed Megumi where she could find everything. Then left to go search for some extra blankets.
"Megumi?"
"Yes, Matthew?"
"We're gonna need some ice."
"Right." Megumi went over to the icebox and took large chunks out and placed them in a large bowl. Meanwhile Kaoru ran around the house grabbing the few odd things the doctor needed, and doing anything she could to help.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *Hours later Kaoru found herself sitting on the sofa along with Megumi in the living room exhausted from the running around. They were waiting on Matthew to come out and give the synopsis.
"Megumi?" Kaoru asked timidly.
"He's going to be fine Kaoru. Trust me. My husband's good at what he does. Which is why we have to be away from home so often."
"Away?"
'Great. My plan worked I managed to get her mind off of it. "Yes my husband is well sought after and for that reason we travel all around the local states. We actually arrived her last night."
"That's why you're never here on Sundays."
"Yes, we leave on the weekends usually. I'm so glad that we have nowhere we need to be this weekend though. We actually get a break. Ever since we've been married we've been on the move without rest. It'll be nice to have a 'home' even if it's temporary."
Kaoru stared at Megumi's wistful face. 'It must be hard having to travel all the time.'
"Never mind that so have-" Megumi was cut short by her husband as he came out from the back.
"Doctor?" "Matthew?" Kaoru and Megumi said simultaneously.
"He'll be fine. Just let him rest for a while. I'll be back in two days to check up on him. Now, Megumi lets be off." Matthew proceeded to leave but Megumi stood still. He turned slowly when he realized she wasn't following.
"Matthew I'd feel better if I stayed the night with Kaoru. It's been such a long time since I've seen her and . . .I don't want to leave her alone."
Kaoru smiled gleefully. She had been worrying about being left alone, and now Megumi had offered to stay. What better alternative was there?
"Do as you wish. I'll be by early to pick you up in the morning."
"Thank you Matthew. See you then."
He tipped his hat and left. Megumi sat back down on the sofa.\
"Thanks Megumi . . .you didn't have to stay you know."
"Don't worry. I want to. We have so much to catch up on. Now that Matthew is gone I can finally talk freely."
"What do you mean?"
"Oh it's nothing. I just don't want to sound like I'm complainng when I'm around him."
"Hmmm?"
"Never mind. Anyway, how have you and your husband been?"
Kaoru knew well at what Megumi was hinting at and immediately turned her head.
"Oh we've been getting along just fine. HE sleeps on the couch while I sleep in the bed."
Megumi's mouth dropped open. "You mean to tell me you two don't even s;eep in the same bed?"
"Well, now that you mention it not until last night. But I don't think that was intentional."
"Why on earth not?"
"Why on earth should we?"
"You're married. It's okay to do when you married."
Kaoru stared at the ground and messed with her hands. Megumi smiled compassionately at her. "Look," she took Kaoru's hand, "let me tell you something. You have such a great gift waiting for you. A child is something special. You can't just buy one in the store you know."
"I-I-Know . . .it's just . . . I don't love him!"
"Did he ask you to love him?"
"Well, no."
"See Kaoru, nobody asked you to love him. Least of all him. All he asked you to do when he married you was to be a good wife and mother. All he wants from you is your willingness to have a family."
" . . ."
"Look I don't know why it's such a bad thing . . .I'd give anything to be able to have children."
Kaoru looked up into Megumi's eyes. "What do you mean?"
"Oh, not like that. I can have children . . .Matthew doesn't want any. He told me that the day we got married. 'I'm too busy a man to have children, so I hope you're ok with that.'" Megumi sighed. "I really think the reason he married was so he could just have someone to help him with his work. Now, don't get me wrong I enjoy helping. I learn so much everyday! It's just when you've been delivering other people's babies for so long . . .and you hold that little child in your arms . . .you start you wonder if you'll ever be that mother on the table who gets to name it. Who gets to raise it . . .who gets to enjoy the blessing of bringing life into the world."
Megumi stopped talking and looked out the windows. Tears welling up in her eyes. Tears began to stream down Kaoru's face as well as she sat in silence trying to find words of comfort. What could she say? What could she do, but sit there and let her friend mourn.
"But it's nothing you need to worry about." Megumi said quickly. "Look at me Kaoru, don't take this chance for granted, we're never promised tomorrow. Stop being a baby and be a woman. Do what women were born to do. Give life to newborns and fulfillment to your husband. Do you understand?"
Kaoru nodded wiping the tears from her face. "I-I do . . .but how will I know when he's ready." Megumi squeezed her hand.
"I have feeling you'll know. But you've got to try and help it along. I have a feeling your husband if feeling at a loss at what to do right now. Just make extra efforts to make him smile. Loop your arm through his every now and then, brush the hair from his forehead. Make him feel that you at least care. You do care don't you?"
"Of course . . .it's the love thing I have a problem with."
"Well, like I said, he didn't ask you to love him . . .he asked you to accept him."
"I understand Megumi." Th women hugged. It felt so good for both of them to see the other again. Even though they knew it would be short-lived. They stayed up late into the night talking and giggling leaving the remnants of the previous conversation to mull over in their minds.
* * * * * * * * * * * *Morning came. And just as Matthew had promised he came to fetch Megumi early in the day. Kaoru watched from the porch as the two road off. 'Megumi . . .' she thought with pain in her eyes. 'Why must you suffer?' She shook off the upsetting thoughts and decided she should try to get some things done. With Kenshin laid up she would have to do both their work.
She worked late into the evening plowing, chopping, and whatever her hands could find to do. Not forgetting to periodically check up on her husband. After she came inside for the night, she cooked up a pot of pea soup and went into the back bedroom to eat.
She sat eating watching his face as he slept peacefully. He hadn't woken up all day, which concerned her but Matthew had said it was to be expected. She scooted her chair over to the bed and looked down at his face. HE looked so at ease with the world, completely at rest. She wished she felt that way . . .but she didn't. So many emotions were rising up in her. Emotions she didn't understand . . .fear the main one. She sighed and laid her head down on the blanket next to his chest.
'I must be doing something wrong. Why can't I just be at rest? Why can't I just have peace?' As these emotions swirled around in her head Kaoru drifted off into a dreamless sleep.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *Morning came. The sun poked its head from behind the mountains and stretched its rays across the plains. Scattering the tiny prisms of the dew. Slowly it filtered its way through the curtains into the bedroom.
He fluttered his eyes open, and gazed around the room. 'How did I get here? What Happened? Where's Kao-' His thoughts came whirling to a halt as he noticed the slumbering figure next to his hand. Her hair shimmered in the sunlight and Kenshin grasped all the energy he could to lift his hand and stroke the gleaming mass. It was so soft in his hands . . .like silk. He smiled to himself. 'Well, she's not mad, apparently.'
Kaoru stirred slightly and opened her eyes only to find herself staring into Kenshin's ever-gorgeous purple eyes.
"Kenshin." She said softly. "How do you feel?"
He tried to answer. He really did, but his throat was so dry he couldn't squeak out a reply. He was getting frustrated when he suddenly felt cool liquid sliding down his throat. He closed his eyes. It felt so good. Kaoru pulled that water away.
Kenshin looked at her with disdain. "More please."
"No Kenshin, the doctor said not to give you too many liquids off the start. You may not be able to keep it down."
"Doctor? What day is it?" He asked trying to sit up only to find himself pushed back down onto his back with the greatest of ease by Kaoru.
"You're not supposed to sit up either." Kaoru rebuked. "Today is Sunday."
"Sunday!" He gasped trying to get up again, but was immediately pushed down again. "How can it be Sunday?"
"Because you've been out cold with a fever for two days that's why. I wake up Friday morning to find you burning up! You gave me quite a scare Kenshin. Please don't do that again!" Kaoru said getting up from where she was sitting.
"The horses!"
"Took care of the horses. The left field is almost completely plowed and you can't get out of bed for the rest of the day. The doctor should be by tomorrow afternoon. Then and only then can you even think of getting up! Now I'll go make some breakfast I'm starved.
Kaoru's skirts flew about her legs as she exited the room with a bounce. Kenshin sat there in shock. She did all of the chores . . . she was worried? Well, there's hope yet. Kenshin soon drifted back asleep.
* * * * * * * * * * * *He slept until evening waking up every now and then to Kaoru's movements
around the room. HE was awakened later that night by a soft shuffling behind him. He felt the covers lift and Kaoru slide into bed beside him. His heart skipped a beat. Was this for real? He was too afraid to turn his head lest he frighten her off. So he just lay completely still listening to the sound of her breathing until it finally became slow and timed.
He rolled onto his back to catch a glimpse of her sleeping form. She was curled up in a ball clearly sleeping with difficulty. Perhaps she was cold. Slowly and deftly Kenshin took the top blanket from his mound and laid it over top of her. He watched her face as the stress immediately washed away. He smiled. She was a good wife. They still had so much to look forward to, and with those thoughts in mind Kenshin drifted asleep once again.
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And there it is folks! I can't believe it I have over 100 reviews. (Throw candy to everyone) thank you all! You guys . . . * sniff * I couldn't have done it without you * sniff * Now I will thanks each of you personally! Cause you all mean sooo much!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*My Reviewers~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Kakashi-fan- Yes silently and sweetly! Awwww. Yes I plan on having him in my story but I'll also have another 'visitor'. Well you'll see. I may need you help with a name though. KK hope you liked this chappie!
Moonsilver- Yes the reaction was classic don't ya think? Hope you enjoyed this chappie!
Bob-san- 'tytt I don't like it' Um I don't know what tytt means but I do know what I don'' like it means so I hope that the tytt means something good . . .Hopefully you liked this chapter!
Koishii Sweet- Aha! You're so smart . . .yes it will give way to a blossoming . . .relationship . . .well kinda . . .we still gotta work on it. Thanks for the review your reviews are always so encouraging!
Noner_89- Glad you like it! What does (s/s/s) mean?
Me, Myself, and I- Well, now you know why Megumi hasn't been around. Let me know what you think of her situation! Thanks for reviewing!
Gypsy-chan- Yes I really try hard to update fast and well, it usually happens. Hope you liked this chapter I put a LOT of thought into it. I needed to get Megumi's story out there and Kaoru has some major issues she needed to be set straight on. I think I accomplished it. Don't you? Thanks!
Animegurl444- I'm updating I'm updating! See here's another chapter!
Poppy2- Hope you liked this chapter! Yes, Kenshin was a sweetheart!
Allin656- See Megumi wasn't mean . . .just a little caught off guard. Hope you like how I portrayed her in this chapter!
Kenshinobsession- I know cliffies are evil, but see no cliffie! And I didn't leave you with one all weekend right? Hope you liked this chapter!
The Evil Witch- Yea they have feelings. Whether or not they can define them you'll have to wait and see! Hope you liked this chapter! And I love your story!
Tintin-chan- See they managed alright! Megumi's here and things are going smooth . . .well until I write more that is . . .eheheheh I'm evil!
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* * * * I'd also like to send a shoutout to those who have me on their author alert list: Kaname-chan, Kakashi-fan, Koishii Sweet, Maya-chan, Alderine, PurpleEvaPilot01, supertrunk, watergoddess1307, DragonMasterofDaShadows, and Kenshinobsession!
Thanks for keeping up with my story! It means a lot! Hope you all enjoyed this chapter!
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Well that's all folks! At least until Monday. I won't have time until then. Going on a retreat! Woo hooo! Yea well gotta go now. Yes I have to leave right now! Aren't you glad I updated before then? KK well please remember to leave a review before you leave. You have no idea how much it means! And if I get lots of reviews I'll be able to maybe update Sunday night! Who knows . . .Sooooo LEAVE A REVIEW PLEASE!!!!
~Kairi7~