Mornings After

By hye kyo

Disclaimer: Nope, Rurouni Kenshin and all its characters are not mine.

Author's Notes: So the fifth chapter came out earlier than what I had intended. And fortunately, this too came out earlier. I haevn't yet replied to most of your reviews…particularly because the semester has already started…my last semester specifically…

Anyway, thanks to those who read and reviewed! And please do continue supporting this story. On with it!

Chapter Six: Trying to be romantic

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She knew it was just a dream sequence.

She stepped out of the tub, dried herself with a towel and finally slipped on a robe. Kaoru heard people laughing, tiny voices. She walked and realized that the laughing voices were near, were young, were tiny.

She walked towards the porch, realizing that the house she was in was a very unfamiliar house. Again, she knew this was just a dream sequence, but somehow it was very real.

"You're done?"

It was a voice. A painfully familiar voice. A voice who had been just hours ago cheering at the findings of her, well, pregnancy. But she wasn't sure herself about it, she needed a second opinion. Nevertheless she looked up to find him smiling.

"You should hurry up, it's almost lunchtime." Kenshin smiled, or the Kenshin of her dream sequence smile.

It made her frown and she ignored him.

"Come," Kenshin held her by the arm and led her to the family hall.

He looked at her cheerily and beckoned her to slide the doors.

"Why?" she asked, frowning. "I think I should dress up first."

"They are all very hungry."

She looked puzzled. All? She shrugged and ignored the redhead and started sliding the door. She had a bad feeling about this.

As soon as she had the doors open, she knew it was really bad. Little redheads came running towards her calling her mama.

---

Kaoru opened her eyes with such force she couldn't remember ever opening her eyes in such a way. The image of swarming redheads continue to clobber her mind to death such that she had quickly forgotten that the light directly above her was blinding. She blinked several times.

She blinked again and thought of her dream as the light above her made a hazy halo. She felt thirsty. Maybe because she had such a bad dream. Anyway, when did she have a fluorescent lamp directly above her bed? She must have transferred that before and had forgotten about it. She should be taking some brain vitamins, she's becoming a bit senile.

Kaoru sat up and frowned as the walls of her room, which she had painted beige where now all white. When had she changed it?

A woman in a nurse uniform came from the bathroom and smiled at her, "You're already awake Kaoru-san. How are you feeling?"

Kaoru frowned. What is happening?

The nurse was about to say something more when the door suddenly opened, revealing a very excited Aunt Misako and a psyched Misao.

"Kaoru dear!" Aunt Misako rushed to her. Misao followed suit. Soon Kaoru was feeling a bit breathless from all those hugs.

"Aunt Misako," she murmured, not really understanding what is happening.

"I'm so glad you're fine."

Misao held her hand which made Kaoru shot her a puzzled look. She then turned to Aunt Misako, "What happened to me?"

Misao laughed, "Kaoru, I didn't know people could have amnesia after laboring for five hours."

Now Kaoru was even more puzzled, "What?"

"Oh don't mind her," the aunt gave her another bone-cracking squeeze. "I've seen him. He is so adorable, with eyes like yours."

Again, for the umpteenth time that day Kaoru was baffled.

There was a commotion at the door and Aunt Misako went over to see it and when she came back she was grinning widely, "They're here!"

Kaoru waited, and soon realized that who Aunt Misako was referring to was none other than the maniac himself, Kenshin. She smirked.

"Kaoru," his voice beckoned her to look.

And when she did she found a small redhead in his arms, sleeping, wrapped in white blanket. Kaoru looked up at him to ask him but just as she was about to open her mouth to speak Kenshin quickly pressed his lips to her.

He pulled away quickly but Kaoru knew that it was nerve-racking.

"He's still asleep," he commented, looking at the sleeping child.

"Give him to Kaoru," Aunt Misako said and helped Kenshin place the baby in Kaoru's unwilling arms.

"Well, now that you've given birth," Kenshin whispered, "I guess it's time we get married."

Kaoru frowned. It was just last night when they found out about it. It was even a tentative finding, at least for her. And now she had already given birth? What is happening?

Aunt Misako moved in and said, "And maybe it's time for the second baby."

Her eyes widened.

"Yeah," Kenshin said grinning goofily, "I think it's time. When do we start?"

And all she could do was let out a scream.

---

Kaoru opened her eyes. She was screaming. She quickly realized she was awake and surveyed her surroundings. Was she awake this time now? Really awake now? She slapped her arm, pinched herself and shook her head. Okay, it hurt so maybe she really was awake.

She shouldn't be thinking hard about it. She got out of bed, went to the kitchen and drank a glass of water. She would have to pray more often and longer before going to bed at night. Hopefully, she would be able to avoid all those nightmares.

---

Kenshin signed the last sheet, slid it back into it's expandable envelope and grinned. Somehow, even if it was all accidental, he was happy with the results.

Dr. Akai said Kaoru is pregnant. And that meant him becoming a father in a matter of seven months. It meant, finally, his own family.

He had wanted to have his own family since three years ago. He had thought it was finally going to come true when he was engaged. But even engagements are fragile such that by the end of July three years ago his wife-to-be left him.

He wasn't easily affected. Ever since he had been able to hide his feelings well. But with Kaoru he easily becomes transparent. Maybe it was because they've been with each other for so long that hiding something from each other was actually futile.

Kaoru was a year younger than him when it comes to age, but ten years older when it comes to experience. Somehow he envied her independence, he envied her ability to continue alone.

For the longest time he was with his family, attached, dependent, even the course he chose in college was very much dependent on the decisions of his father, including the university he attended. He knew that it was his duty as a son to continue the company, even if what he wanted was to pursue other things. He envied Kaoru for the reason that she could do anything.

---

Kaoru changed into a pair of fitted jeans, white shirt and slipped on her jacket. Today was casual Friday, and she didn't really want to get made up and dressed so flamboyantly. She checked herself on the mirror and grabbed the keys from her dresser.

She locked the door as she stepped out. Too bad her car wasn't fixed yet. It seems that it would take another couple of days before she could finally use it. In fact it may be that by the time the car was already fixed, she would be already on her crucial years and would be on leave.

Kaoru jogged, she had to catch the bus or she'll be late. And she doesn't want to be late today for finally they'd get to meet the executive officer of the company.

---

"You're early," Sekihara-san said as they met in the elevator.

"Of course. I wouldn't want to be late today," Kaoru said punching for the fourth floor.

"How are you feeling? Better?"

She suddenly thought of Kenshin and her pregnancy. Okay so those were depressing but she had to live her life to the fullest. She had to make the most out of the remaining months of single-blessedness. "Better, I think."

"Good," Tae said. The elevator door swung open as they reached the third floor. "I'd be getting off here. I'd see you later."

"Alright." She said, waving at her. She wondered how she would tell them about her pregnancy, how she would ask for her pregnancy leave. She wondered if Sekihara-san would be mad at her—she said she wasn't involved with anyone and how could she be pregnant if she as single.

The elevator door swung open for the fourth floor. She stepped out, sighing. She knew there was no hope for her. Women dream of getting married and having children. Maybe after seeing the baby…

She rounded up the corner and just as she was about to turn her head to face the north a man appeared from the curb ending in a collision against her. Kaoru was pushed back as they made impact.

"Ow," she said, rubbing her hip. She landed on her butt. She looked up only to find the man rubbing his hip too.

"I'm sorry," the man said.

"Don't worry. We weren't both looking," Kaoru said. She stood up. Somehow the voice seemed familiar.

When the man looked up it was then that she realized why he and the incident were very familiar.

"You!" Kaoru said, beaming. She helped him up.

"Ah," the man broke into a grin, "Yes. And it is also you."

"I think we were meant to find each other."

The man laughed. He still has a camera dangling about his neck.

"How was it?" she asked, beckoning to the camera.

"Oh, this? Couple of scratches here and there and, well actually a part of the lens broke. But it's alright."

"Really?" she gasped, "I'd…I'd pay for the damages. I'm really sorry."

The man smiled, "Don't worry. Anyway, do you work here?"

Kaoru looked at the camera and tried to smile as he turned to him, "Ah…yes. Yes I work here. I know I have to pay for the repair but actually I'm quite broke myself. Could you, I mean, wait until…"

He laughed, "I told you it's okay."

"But it isn't."

"I'm Soujiro, Seta Soujiro," he said, suddenly extending his hand."

Kaoru looked at him and after realizing what he was doing she smiled rather awkwardly and started to say, "Kamiya—"

"Kaoru," he finished it for her, "You gave me your contact details before."

"Ah," Kaoru laughed at herself, "Yes, yes. I remember." She took his hand and shook it.

"By the way I'd—"

"I'd pay for the repair by the end of the month. Would that be okay?"

"I told you it is—"

"Seta-san!" a woman's voice beckoned him to look back.

Kaoru's eyes widened as she realized who it was.

"Tae-san," Soujiro acknowledged, smiling at her.

Tae turned to Kaoru and confusion registered on her face. She gave her a questioning look.

"Sir," Tae said, looking back at Soujiro, "You have a meeting with the accounting department this afternoon. I came to deliver the reports to you but you were not in your office so I left them all there."

"Thank you," he said. And turning to Kaoru he said, "I'm so glad we met again. Don't worry for the repair. But if you insist I might think of something one of these days."

Kaoru wasn't able to answer.

"I'd call you." He grinned and then he looked back at Tae, nodded to her and went towards the elevator.

Kaoru could only stare.

"I didn't know you know him." Tae suddenly said, poking at her.

"Huh?"

"Him. The boss."

Kaoru's eyes widened slowly as realization hit her, "The boss?"

"Right." Tae looked at her watch, "I'd see you later. Right now I'd have to make sure he reads the reports."

Kaoru could only nod.

---

"I didn't know you knew him," Tae said as she came back carrying a stack of folders and envelopes.

"Him?"

"Seta-san."

Kaoru thought and said, "Is her really the boss?"

"Yes." Tae raised a brow, she suddenly took a seat next to hers and grinned, "Spill the details."

"What?" she frowned, "I only met him once before this morning."

"Really?"

"I broke his camera that's all."

Tae frowned, "Is that all?"

"Yes. And I have to get that monthly pay so I could have the damages repaired."

"I see," Tae said, dismayed, "I thought there was something."

"There's nothing," Kaoru said, shuffling the papers, "Don't be silly."

Kaoru decided to have lunch all by herself. She sighed. Kenshin gave her a call earlier, saying he'd want to see her this evening.

In a couple of months she'd be giving birth and that scares her. It meant responsibility. All these years she had been responsible for herself, and even then most of the times she hadn't be responsible enough. How could she be in charge of yet another life?

Kenshin should've known better than this. He should've not talked her into agreeing with marriage. In fact, the idea of him getting very psyched about it was so frustrating. How could she get married with a man she doesn't love, let alone like?

Even though she was sure she was different from most women, she still has her romantic dreams. Even if she doesn't really intend on getting married, she was sure that if ever she gets married she'd marry the man she loves. But the only man whom she had ever liked had dumped her and was now out of sight.

She took a gulp of water. She'd have to talk with Kenshin tonight. She'd have to get herself out of this mess, even if it meant carrying the responsibility of bringing up a child alone.

---

Kenshin came to pick her up after seven. He was waiting by the parking lot when she came.

"Hi," he said, grinning at her.

She ignored him and looked away, "Where are we going?"

"Aren't you hungry?" he asked.

"Not really."

"Have you had lunch?"

"Yes."

"You had dinner already?"

"No, not yet. But I don't have the appetite."

"I think you should eat. Especially now that—"

"Could we just please not talk about it?" she snapped.

Kenshin was stunned but nevertheless said, "Okay."

Kaoru suddenly felt bad but ignored the feeling and turned to the car and opened the door. She climbed in.

Kenshin only sighed as he followed suit.

---

"Could I come in?" he asked.

"Sure," she said and opened the door.

Kenshin was a bit surprised at her for letting him in. Especially now that she was seething mad at him. He stepped in and invited himself to sit.

Kaoru sat in front of him. "Look, I'm sorry for snapping at you like that."

Kenshin broke into a small smile, "It's okay actually…I'm used to it."

That made her smile. "Yeah…"

Kenshin remained silent, afraid that he might say the wrong things again.

"Kenshin…maybe…maybe I'm just a bit unsure of all that's happening. Well, a bit unsure is a very huge understatement actually. I feel that…that everything was so rushed, it happened all at once, without the two of us knowing it is actually happening."

"Yes. I know. I feel the same way."

"Then…then I think…I think we should not go deeper into more unsure stuff…like marriage."

Kenshin frowned and looked hard at her. "Haven't we talked about this?"

"We have. I know I promised but—"

"I'm being rational here Kaoru."

"You are not being rational. Why do you want to get married anyway?" she crossed her arms over her chest.

Kenshin looked away and smirked.

"Look here Kenshin…all I'm saying is," she swallowed, "I guess…I guess I'm still like most women."

That caught Kenshin's attention and he slowly turned to look at her.

Kaoru swallowed hard again, "Even if…even if I'm just like this…even if I'm just like this I still…I still want things like this to be…to be romantic."

Kenshin's eyes widened, "Romantic?"

"I still want it to be like…you know…me romantically inclined with…with whomever I am going to marry…" she blushed and looked away.

Kenshin waited for her to say more but when she didn't, he cleared his throat and said seriously, "Okay…so…let's try to make this romantic."

Kaoru suddenly looked at him and was puzzled.

He looked away and stood up, "I'd better get going."

"Kenshin," she called, following him as he went for the door.

"Hn?" he asked as he opened the door.

"I don't think you're getting what I'm trying to say."

"I get it," he said stepping out. He turned around to face her and looked hard at her. "I get it." And before closing the door he suddenly leaned nearer and gave her a quick and light kiss on the mouth. He looked away and closed the door.

Kaoru was left alone to wonder about it.

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A/n: So how was it? It was rather long wasn't it? Anyway, I hoep you all liked the story. Please tell me what you think about it. Thank you in advance.