Howdy! Thanks to the suggestion of one of my reviewers Tintin-chan we're having a party to celebrate having more than 300 reviews! YAY for us. (Hands out cake, ice cream, party hats, noisemakers, and balloons.) So enjoy munching on your cake as you read this chappie. Sorry about the long wait for this chapter. Hopefully things will pick up again! On with it!
Disclaimer: Don't own it, so don't sue me.
Chapter 22: New Surprises
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Kaoru often visited Misao two to three times a week after the incident, but as the cold winter months faded away into spring, Kaoru found herself less and less able to make the trip. Her tiny waist had tripled in size and she often found herself having the strong desire to eat constantly and to nap every chance she got. Kenshin would often walk into the house in the evening just to find her sound asleep with a clothesbasket of mending to do sitting beside her.
She felt bad about falling asleep with work to be done but Kenshin had never complained for a minute. He was always hard at work with the new addition to the house. The framework had been laid and Sano had come over a couple of times to help put up the walls. The days became longer and hotter as the summer months approached and Kaoru became more and more restless with anticipation.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *The month was February and Kaoru was awkwardly trying to hang the laundry up on the wire outside the house when she heard the soft trotting of a team coming up the road. She hobbled around the house only to see Megumi atop of a buggy the reins held taught in her hands. Kaoru took one look at her face and her stomach sunk.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *"Matthew is dead." The words were like a splash of ice water on Kaoru face. They had been spoken with such emotionless uncaring sympathy that Kaoru found herself unable to utter a word. "The stupid idiot got himself killed in a brawl up in Nebraska."
"Wh-when did this happen?" Kaoru whispered.
"I just got word yesterday evening. The county sheriff sent me word by telegram. I leave tonight."
"Wh-when will you be back."
Megumi smirked to herself. "I don't know. Maybe never." She looked impassively at the wall. "I don't plan on being back any time soon. There's no reason for me to stay. You see being female I'll hardly make enough money to live on. I suppose I can still continue to be a doctor though. I'll probably travel around just as Matthew did. Maybe even to the same patients."
"How did he get into a brawl?"
"Who knows. That man was such a dimwit at times. I think what probably happened is that he was partying a little too hard and exchanged some not so pleasant words with the town bully. With me elsewhere he had no one to get him out of trouble, so he paid for it with his life."
"You mean this has happened before?"
"Sure. I found him in saloons all of the time. Even had to go in and drag him out a couple of times."
"You went into a saloon!?!"
Megumi just nodded and continued to stare at the wall.
"B-but saloons are for . . ."
"I know that Kaoru I wasn't in there long usually. I've even had to treat patients in saloons. It's not that big of a deal anymore."
Kaoru felt numb. Her friend had become so callused to everything she didn't know what to do. Megumi's once expressive attitude had been silenced with work and duty. The man that she had once looked forward to spending days of happiness with had deserted her and left her without any consolation.
Megumi stood suddenly and Kaoru with her. "I have to go now."
"Wait! You just got here."
"Really, Kaoru, I can't delay any longer. I need to move on with my life."
"Where will you go?"
"I don't really know."
"Will you come back when I'm due?" Kaoru asked as a final attemp to save Megumi from becoming consumed with her work.
Megumi paused and looked into Kaoru's watery eyes. She sighed, "I suppose I can do that for a friend."
Kaoru tried to smile but it never reached her eyes. Megumi hugged her brusquely and awkwardly as she turned to leave. Never in her life had Kaoru been so dumbfounded. The woman she had grown to admire for her strength and commitment was now beginning to walk out of her life forever.
She watched as Megumi glided down the front porch steps out to her awaiting buggy. In a matter of moments Megumi had slipped through Kaoru's fingers. There was nothing she could do that would bring her back. She stood there helplessly staring into the dusk.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *After Megumi had left. Little had changed in the tiny town. No one seemed to notice or care that one of its greatest contributors was gone. As the days passed February turned into March and March into April.
When April rolled around it was at that time Misao began to come visit Kaoru usually bringing a new quilt or outfit for the new-coming arrival. Kaoru and Misao would often sit and talk for hours. Misao would act excited and joyful but beneath the sparkle in her eye Kaoru often caught the glint of sadness and regret. As the expected occasion drew closer Kaoru would often catch Misao tearing up and staring out the window in deep thought.
Eventually Kenshin forbid Kaoru to leave the house. Kaoru's sickness did not only confine itself to the nights now. It had come back with a vengeance and Kaoru would find herself mainly sitting in one position all day just waiting for the next upheaval. Kenshin began to grow worried as the final days of April passed away. The long awaited month had arrived and the baby was expected to arrive any day now. Kenshin was plagued with visions of supposed complications, and Kaoru throwing up every hour didn't help ease his worries.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *Kenshin was finishing up the sanding on the brand new crib he had made when Kaoru entered the barn.
"Kenshin?"
"Hmmm?"
"I think you need to send for Megumi."
Kenshin turned and looked at her confused. "What?"
"I said . . .I think you need to send for Megumi."
"You don't mean?" Kaoru nodded. Kenshin jumped up and ran over to her grabbing her shoulders lightly.
"Do you feel alright? You need to go lie down. Is there any pain? I need to get a doctor."
"Kenshin." Kaoru said calmly. "Megumi is a doctor. Go into town and send a telegram."
"Town. Telegram. RIGHT!" Kenshin said as he rushed past her. "Wait! What about you?"
"What about me? I'll be just fine. I'm going to go lie down now until you get back. Okay?"
Kenshin nodded his head vigorously and took off. "KENSHIN!" Kaoru called out.
He turned. "You need you horse."
"Oh right. Almost forgot." She watched him run into the barn like a mad man, and she sighed and shook her head.
'This is going to be interesting.' She grabbed her stomach as she felt the first labor pain wash over her. She stood there trying to steady her breathing. 'I really need to get inside.' She thought as she made her way across the yard towards the house.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *As soon as Megumi had gotten word she had immediately left the town she was staying in. 'It's fortunate that I was so close.' She thought to herself as her carriage sped down the road. 'You dimwit you made sure you would be close when the call arrived. You're not as unconcerned as you make yourself to be.' Her mind argued. She shook her head.
'No, I really am not concerned. Kaoru is just a girl I met on a boat. Yes, maybe we had some good times and maybe we could even have been called friends but things are different now.' 'How so? You seem to me that you're pretty eager to get back to that household. You feel warm and secure there. So don't act like you don't have feelings for that family's friendship 'cause I'm not buying it.'
Megumi found herself arguing with her mind more and more often on this topic. Yes they had been friends. But she was a strong woman and she didn't need anyone's help. She could make ends meet on her own. 'What about all those times when you sit in a chair all alone at the end of the day reminiscing about past times.'
'I don't need anyone . . . "So just shut up and go AWAY!" She shouted out loud into the wind blowing past her face. "I don't need anyone . . ." she repeated softly to herself. 'I guess only time will tell.' The back of her mind said as it slowly faded away once again.
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Ok I know this chapter was short. But I fell just awful that I haven't updated in a while. School has been so hard. And my work is driving me crazy. I'm determined to finish this story before I go on my cruise, which is coming up very soon. I have about three more weeks. Hopefully if I stay dedicated it can be accomplished. You'll just have to keep your fingers crossed. Anyway on to my reviewers!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*My Reviewers ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Shiomei- (bows up and down for ten minutes) I am so sorry. My stupid review alert system stopped working right when you sent your review for the last chapter so I didn't get it until after I posted chapter 21. Then I was going to re-up it and answer your review but guess what? You had already reviewed chap21 like the faithful reviewer you are! So I missed it entirely . . .I am so sorry. I really feel bad. Your reviews are some of the favorites I enjoy reading. Anyway as for instant messenger I have AOL my IM name is ThejagRrules kinda corny huh? Anyway thanks for both of your reviews I only wish that my stupid review alert system would quit messing up. (Starts to pull out all the hair on her head.) I feel better now. Hope you like this chapter even though it's short.
Kakashi-fan- Yea that was a trying time . . .anyway it's time for things to liven up a bit around the Himura household! YAY!
Mz.AmberEyes- Yes poor poor Misao. I hate Sayo . . .can't wait to . . .dispose of her . . . muahahaha!
Baseballfreak202- I agree stupid Sayo! I love Sano . . .but its Kenshin's time to enter into the world of fatherhood don't you think?
Kenshinobsession- Yea that was a sad chappie and this one's not too upbeat itself except for the end . . .it was so short . . .but I really have only a bit of time to write so I write when I can. Sorry bout the long wait.
Lazy Lime- Glad you l-o-v-e my story! Hehe that makes me happy! Yea, well now Megumi has some of her own problems to work out. So I wonder what you think about that? Anyway the time has come for Kaoru and Kenshin to enter into the wonderful world of parenthood . . .yay!
Moonsilver- Yea I know. . .I give every single character something to work out don't I? Kinda annoying if you think about it . . .I'm so evil! Now it's Megumi's turn! So all we come out with is a BIG MESS!
Koishii Sweet- Yay I'm back . . .and struggling . . .but not giving up. Hopefully this chapter will give me a boost . . .sorry it was short but it's all I could do for now. Hope you enjoyed it!
Cybele- Oh yay! Another reviewer! That makes me happy! You've been following my story? Wow! That's great! Anyway I wonder what you think about the new situation with Megumi and about the baby that's on the way. Hmmm I'm so glad you reviewed I'll look forward to reading more of them!
Me, Myself, and I- Oooo . . .shopping! Seeing the arch! I went up the arch one time . . . it was fun. I was goingt o the Southern Baptist Convention with my family. It was pretty fun. What church do you attend? You all things work together for good for those who believe in Him. I've often found many verses quoted that leave things like that out . . .pretty sad. Hope that this wasn't too short!
Lily of the Shadow- Yay a coupon. Mmm that sure was good eating. I ate there . . .2 minutes ago . . .kind of . . .in my mind. . . anyway wonder what you think of this chappie!
Gypsy-chan- Yea kind of unexpected and I like doing things like that. Misao will have a hard time around Kaoru and it will be pretty strained. But like I said I'm a big fan of fairy tales and I like happy endings so everything will end up alright.
Tintin-chan- So much for updating sooner huh? Here are some extra empanadas I had. Yay party! Thanks for all of the supplies! That last chapter was sad wasn't it? Now Megumi's going to have some problems too.
Half-breed-demon-fox- I know it was really sad. Hope you liked this chapter!
Chocoberry- heheh who said anything about Kenji?? (ducks beneath flying vegetables) IT WAS A JOKE! I PROMISE! He'll make it HE'LL MAKE IT!
Ochanoko- Sorry about the long wait for an update! Ooo that rhymes . . .just say it out loud . . .long wait update . . .dod odo od . . yea . . .that's my song . . .man something is definitely wrong with me.
Mirage- Yes poor Misao and now poor Megumi . . .man all of my characters are just struggling aren't they?
Allin656- Oh . . .yea sadness . . .man my story is looking bleak except for the fact the baby's about to arrive! Yay! Hmmm as for your question ummm wasn't planning on having Shoshio or Enishi in my story but you know characters have a way of butting themselves in so maybe . . .
AnimeSoul3- munches loudly on cookies . . .these are REALLY GOOD! A boy huh??? I'll see what I can do . . . lol
Ginny-cry- I loved the empanadas. I had Chicken, ham and cheese, and beef. All were very good! Sorry ou had a heart attack. Here's an apple. I don't know if you like apples . . .but here's one anyway . . .lol.
Hioga-chan- Yes my entire story is like a big mess. You've got a bunch of people with endless amounts of problems . . .and there are only more to come so passengers just buckle your seatbelts please!
Catnip- So glad you like where things are going. Sorry about another extremely long update but I went through a time of minor writer's block. Hopefully now it's completely gone!
Mishorou Mie- Good! Glad you loved it!
Lanse- I know it was very depressing for me. I think that's why it took so long to update that and I had minor writers block . . .argh. Glad you enjoyed it though!
Chibi Binasu-chan- Oooh you have contacts? That's cool. A lot of friends I have like contacts a lot better than glasses as for me I have neither so I don't really count in my preference. You're thirteen? That's cool my bro is 13 also!
Darky- Yes very sad. Sry bout that long wait for the update.
PhoebeOtaku- Kaoru's family back home . . .she HAS A FAMILY? Why wasn't I aware of this? Just kidding just kidding . . .lol. Well you'll just have to wait on that one. As you can tell I have enough problems for them as it is! More will come muahahaha!
The Evil Witch- I'm so glad you had a good time in NZ. Don't cry. Maybe one day we will travel to New Zealand together . . . (dreams) maybe not. Sorry bout the long wait.
Sequel x Kira Yamato- Sorry that last chapter shocked you. This one probably put you in a tizzy as well. Hope you all enjoyed the cake!
Animemistress419- Yes they need to have a good sit down and talk. Now Megumi's got problems and Kenshin and Kaoru are about to have their lives changed forever . . .adds some new horizons to the story doesn't it?
Makenshi'-girl- I do try to keep them pretty seep. If they're not then the story is easy to predict. What do you think of Megumi's new trial? Ahh the next chapter should be fun.
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There we go. Hope you all enjoyed the party! Until next time this is you captain saying "when the seatbelt light is on keep you belt buckled. Remember to keep your stuff out of the aisle and enjoy the ride!" So now that we're ready. REVIEW!
~Kairi7~