"Crap," I cursed, looking at the dark liquid spreading across the hem of my dress. "And I was being so careful, too." I grinned at Kenshin ruefully, dabbing at the place where I had spilled my drink on him too. "I forgot I had my drink in my hand."

He laughed, and spun me in a circle. "You're wonderful."

I blushed scarlet, but I couldn't help but feel warmed at the praise. I don't know what I did to deserve it, but it felt good to just have him in my arms. I heard a few cheers and catcalls around me, and my blush deepened. Kenshin held my gaze with his violet orbs, and soon I forgot I was surrounded by many people. All I was aware of were his eyes, his mouth, his arms gently caressing mine, the heat of his body as he closed the small gap between us…

He took my lips with his with an urgent need, and I gladly reciprocated. All thought of propriety flew out of my head and I wrapped my arms around his neck, stroking my fingers through his thick hair. I pulled him closer to me as I gasped for air, and he lightly bit my lower lip.

I heard a polite ahem, and I wanted to ignore it…until I became aware of the dozens of eyes witnessing this very…er, private scene. I stepped back, my whole face as red as Kenshin's hair, and I was gratified to see that he was also sufficiently embarrassed. He rubbed the back of his head awkwardly and gave me a secret smile. I couldn't help but smile back, but I ducked my head at the last moment to hide my reddening face. Our audience raised a loud cheer in celebration, and the party went on.

I was glued to Kenshin's side for the rest of the night. I felt lighter, freer, happier. Words cannot describe the high I was on that night. I felt as if air wasn't heavy enough to hold me, that I would float off into space and never be seen or heard from again.

Thankfully, he stuck with me all night, too. There were periods where I needed a seat, and although I know it must have been very boring to just be sitting next me as I did mothing but people watch, Kenshin seemed very content. He would hold my hand, tracing patterns on the back of my hand. Periodically he would kiss the palm of my hand and meet my eyes with his entrancing violet ones. I would feel myself get warm all over at his glance. I suddenly couldn't wait for everyone to leave.

Near midnight, the robot DJ suddenly stopped the music. This was during one of my sitting spells, so I craned my head as far as I could to see what was going on. Sano came and stood next to me, and I raised an eyebrow. Before I could ask what he was doing, suddenly my whole chair lifted and I was airborne.

Squeaking in surprise, I looked under me and saw who was holding me. Kenshin winked, and Sano gave me a smirk. I hurriedly closed my legs and gripped the edges of the chair, hoping that these two men – who had vast differences in height – would not drop me. I know they wouldn't do it on purpose – scratch that, Sano would – but still.

They suddenly put me down in front of a table, and I released the breath I had been holding with a whoosh. Kenshin pecked my cheek and I turned my face to him, as a flower would to the sun. Then, I heard the age-old song of 'Happy birthday'. I froze. They didn't…

They did.

A beaming Misao and smirking Megumi came out, proudly holding a monstrosity of a cake. I don't mean the size alone, but also the way it was decorated. I don't know how she found out, but then again, it was Megumi. She knew everything.

The sides were decorated with ninja princesses, reminiscent of the compromise our parents came up with when Sano and I were six. And, at the top, was an old-fashioned Barbie doll, dressed in all black. She even had the ninja mask.

I couldn't help it. I burst out in laughter, grabbing Sano's hand for support. He was shaking with laughter as well, and we shared a glance. That only doubled our mirth, and I bent over double.

"Sheesh, what's the big deal?" Yahiko could be such a mood killer sometimes.

I grinned at him. "I don't even think you were born yet, but for our sixth birthday-"

"Mum decided to blend our birthday party ideas together-" Sano continued.

"And this was the result!" I finished.

Yahiko looked at the cake, then at us, and sighed. "Mum was so weird."

I giggled. "Yeah, it didn't work."

Sano handed me a knife and I grinned at him. Seeing a mischievous glint in his eyes, I began to wonder what he was about to…

Whap!

My smile slid off my face. Raising my hand slowly, I wiped the cake Sano had just generously threw in my face. Black and pink icing dripped onto my dress. I was sure that my eyes were shooting lasers at him as he guffawed. I quickly grabbed a handful of cake, and pulled my arm back.
"No, Kaoru plea-"

Megumi's voce didn't even reach me, and I pelted the cake at Sano's head. With a smack it landed squarely on his grinning face. I allowed a smug smile to cross my face. He swiped some of the cake off his face with his index finger and sucked it, then gave Misao an appreciative look. "Nice cake," he complimented, and Misao sputtered in embarrassment and shock. "Too bad kaoru's gonna be wearing it all."

Huh?

Before I could react, he picked up the entire cake and dumped it on me. My hands curled into claws and I was trying very hard to keep the scream of rage from escaping my throat. "Sano…" My voice was tense with all the emotions I was trying to hold in. "Don't you know to treat a pregnant woman well?"

"Ah, damn! You're in for it now, Sanosuke!" I heard Yahiko cheer from behind me.

Well, if I weren't pregnant, Yahiko would be right. But because I was so close to my due date, I really didn't want to risk it.

I tried to force myself to calm down, and I plastered a smile on my face. Sano seemed to relax somewhat – Yahiko's comment made him painfully aware of how vengeful I could be – but my smile turned cold. You will pay, I mentally communicated to him. He seemed to get the message. I extended a hand to him regally, and he looked at my open palm with a confused expression.
"What?"
"Something to clean myself up with, please." I asked through clenched teeth.

He grinned cockily at me. "Nah, you look better this way."

Ok, I'm not proud to admit it, but I snapped. If Kenshin didn't grab my arms at the right moment, I would have been hitting Sano so hard, he'd be transported to the next galaxy.

Kenshin dragged me upstairs while I spat and shout curses at my self-satisfied twin. It was only when he locked the door that my other senses kicked in. We were in the master bathroom, and damn did Meg know how to decorate a place. It was all marble, and made for luxury and comfort. Kenshin was at the sink, and the water was running before I could ask him what he was doing, he turned around and I saw the damp towel in his hand. With slow and gentle movements, he wiped the cake and icing from my face as if I were a child. I scrunched my face as the rough towel scraped my face, but didn't complain. When my face felt clean, Kenshin rocked back on his heels and gave me a smile.
"There we go. I was worried I wouldn't be able to find you underneath all that cake."

I blushed. His close proximity to me made me think of our…ahem, kiss…earlier that night. Obviously his thoughts went in that direction too, because his eyes began to burn gold. I bit my lip as he leaned closer, but as I expected his mouth to meet mine his head suddenly ducked. I was puzzled for a split second, but then I felt his tongue flick out on my neck.

Red flared from my toes to my face and back down as I realised what he was doing. He looked up at me, mischief in his eyes. "Sano was right. The cake is…delicious." I felt his tongue against my skin again, and then his lips as they traced the line of my neck to my shoulder. Breathing became hard as he made his way back up to my face, and I just wished that those soft lips that were caressing my neck was on mine, gosh dang it!
As I felt his hot breath on my chin, I turned my face eagerly to his. He raised an eyebrow, but must have seen my expression because his lips descended onto mine hungrily.

At that moment, I didn't care if I was covered in cake or gold. All I was aware of was Kenshin's warm lips on mine, his tongue mingling with my own, his hot hands tracing my body…at that moment, I truly felt wanted.

An incessant knocking pierced my consciousness and I felt annoyance rising in my breast. I tried to ignore it, but unfortunately, when Sano wants to be heard, he'll be heard.

"Kenshin you sneaky bastard! I swear, if you lay a finger on my sister while she's in there with you I'll-"

"Sano, shush. Don't you know that they're together?" Meg's vice floated through the door as well, and I sighed in exasperation. Kenshin leaned back and gave me a rueful smile.

"We'll finish this later," He promised, and I felt heat rise in…certain places (including my face) in my body at his husky tone.

"Why else do you think I don't want them alone?" Sano yelled back at Megumi. "Kenshin, dammit, if you don't open this door right now, I'm gonna kick it down!"
"You will do no such thing!" Megumi screamed at him. "This is wood imported from Italy!"

In a more subdued tone, Sano added: "I'll kick it down, and Megumi will murder both of us!"
I heard the slap even from inside the bathroom, and winced. However, I couldn't wipe the grin from my face. He deserved it.

"Ok, ok, fine! I'll get Megumi to get the key! How's that?"

Kenshin chuckled and lightly brushed his lips against mine. "I think we kept them waiting long enough." He murmured. I nodded and in a smooth movement, he got up and opened the door.

Sano's mouth was open as if he was about to start scream something again, the bright red handprint from Meg's slap visible on his face. Megumi looked pissed, but when she met my gaze, I swear a pair of fox ears appeared. "Had fun? Ohohoho."

I flushed and tried to regain my composure, which was virtually impossible to do with Kenshin so close to me.

Sano, on the other hand, was shoving his finger in Kenshin's face. "What were you doing to her?" He demanded.

Kenshin raised his hands in innocence. "Nothing…much."

I saw a vein pop in Sano's forehead and he lunged towards Kenshin. Kenshin, however, was too fast for him and easily dodged. Sano began chasing Kenshin down the hallway and I giggled at Kenshin's frazzled face. I was surprised at his brazenness, but then again after his kisses, I felt my confidence rise as well. Maybe I had the same effect on Kenshin?

I shook my head.

Impossible.

Megumi and I heard a crash, and I saw her freeze. Her eyes reflected the light of hell as she marched out of the bathroom, and I felt sorry for the two boys.

"What the hell is this?" She yelled. I followed her at a slower pace, my lower stomach cramping slightly. I dismissed the slight pain, figuring it'll go away eventually.

"It's all Kenshin's fault." I heard Sano say, and when I saw him, his head was bowed. He looked very much like he did when mother reprimanded him. I looked at Kenshin, and he didn't even deny the accusation. However, judging from Sano's expression, I assumed he was lying.

Megumi seemed to come to the same conclusion, and she took an old fashioned base ball bat (where in the seven hells did she get THAT?) and hit him on the head with it. He slumped onto the floor, drool trickling out of his open mouth. A bump was visible on his head.

Megumi turned her attention to Kenshin, and he shied away from her. "Do you have anything to say?"

The cramp hit again, a bit more severe this time. I grabbed a hold of the nearest wall, my right hand gently massaging my stomach. What was happening? I felt another cramp, and a small, "Oh," escaped my lips. Liquid cascaded down the inside of my legs and pooled on the floor. I looked at it in surprise.

"…My water just broke," I said softly.

No-one heard me.

"Oro…" Kenshin leaned away from Megumi's killing aura, and she raised the bloody bat.

"My water just broke!" I screamed, my voice frantic. Panic tightened my chest. It was too early! He was a whole month early! Was this even possible?

Meumi stopped what she was doing and immediately turned into the concerned doctor. 'Are you sure, Kaoru?"

"Yes!" I screeched back at her. "I didn't just pee my pants!"

Megumi looked at the puddle of water at her feet, and he face blached. Then the cool, capable doctor appeared.

"Sano, Kenshin, get up. Sano, I want you to get the car, and Kenshin I want you to call the hospital. Tell them that Doctor Takani is coming in with a woman in labour."

So guess who has been reading a bit too much smut manga lately? *raises hand guiltily* Can't you tell? ;) Review please!