Mornings After

by hye kyo

Disclaimer: Nope, RK isn't mine. Sadly…

Author's Notes: I want to thank everyone for the reviews for chapter six. I reread it and realized there were a lot of misspelled words and some grammatical errors. I actually didn't check it. Anyway, I'm actually on a roll so that expect to see chapters coming up regularly, maybe until the ninth chap.

This is shorter than the last one but I hope you'd all still like it. Things are starting to heat up between the two so I hope I satisfy those who wanted to see more KK interaction. Anyway, thanks a lot for those who spent the time reading and reviewing. I hope you all would continue extending your support. Thanks a lot.

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Chapter Seven: High school romance

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It was a Saturday morning and Kaoru has the day to herself. She stepped out of the cab and inhaled deeply. The air was cool and the weather was nice so she thought she might shop a bit and indulge in things she had missed for so long.

She was having coffee and croissant and was watching people walk by when her phone rang. It was Kenshin and that probably meant having her nice day-off ruined. Nevertheless she answered the call.

"Yes?" she said, her voice gruff.

"Kaoru?" she could just imagine Kenshin's wary look. And it made her smile despite the irritation.

"What?"

"Where are you?"

Kaoru snickered. So she was right after all, her perfect day was bound to be ruined. Nothing is really perfect in this world. "Mall. I'm in the mall. Why?"

"I want to see you…" that sounded shy and timid, as if Kenshin was actually debating with himself whether he wanted to say those words or not.

"A-ah…" so she was unable to respond the way she normally would.

"Could I come and see you?" his hushed voice made her blush and she quickly shook her head as she realized how hot her cheeks were. It must be the coffee.

"S-sure…" she mouthed. As soon as the words were out of her mouth the call ended.

---

Kenshin was standing in front of her twenty two minutes after. He was wearing a shirt and jeans, a bit unusual for him since his wardrobe only consist of suits.

"Hey," he said and smiled.

Kaoru smiled and looked down on her coffee, "You want to have coffee?"

He shook his head, "I've already had a cup."

"You aren't busy?"

"Am not.

Kaoru looked away, picked up her cup and finished it. She was long done with her croissant and she was only waiting for him to tell her they should go.

"Come on?" Kenshin asked.

"Where?"

"To shop."

Kaoru frowned, "What do we shop for?"

Kenshin grinned and placed his hands on her shoulders, "Baby clothes. What do you think?"

She should have seen it coming. "It's still a long way from—"

"Still," he cut her short, "I think somehow we should prepare for it…for his or her…"

Kaoru couldn't still reconcile the idea that in a couple of months she'd be giving birth. And the more unacceptable thing is that the baby she'd be giving birth to is his. That made her look away and blush.

"So?" he asked, already standing up.

"O-okay…" she murmured, placing the cup back on the saucer. She took in a deep breath, so maybe this was bound to happen. She stood up as well.

---

Kenshin was grinning to himself as he picked up a pair of pajamas. "What do you think?"

She nodded. "Cute."

"Really?" he mused to himself.

"Kenshin, don't you think it's a bit early?" she turned to him while he looked at the pajamas, "Besides, why do you keep on picking out blue stuff when we actually do not know whether it'd be a boy or girl."

He suddenly looked like he had been hit. He turned to her suddenly and said, "Right. Maybe I should pick some pink things too."

Kaoru could only sigh. No, he wasn't getting her point. "No, pick green or yellow. It's safer that way."

"Really?" he asked, beaming. Somehow, Kaoru suggesting about this was making him more psyched.

She shrugged.

He went over to a green pair and picked it up from the rack and held it out for her to see, "So how's this?"

Kaoru smiled despite herself. Kenshin was amusing to watch, "It's pretty."

"Okay, I think we should get this one."

"We should just window shop for now, and buy stuff maybe next month or the month after that," she said, hoping he would listen.

"But—"

"Or maybe after we know the gender of the baby," she should just go along with him. Besides, it's a bit fun too.

"I think you are right…" he said and then looked at the green pajamas. "Couldn't we buy this one at least?"

Kaoru looked at his pleading face and smiled again. Kenshin looked utterly cute and that was disconcerting her, "Alright…"

Kenshin grinned and suddenly slipped his hand through hers as he made his way towards the counter.

---

He was wondering why he was having such a good time.

Kaoru had been making her laugh, even though she wasn't intentionally doing it. At times she really could be irritating but even that was okay for him.

He had given the pajamas to Kaoru for her to keep until the time comes. He would love to keep it himself, but knowing that she must be coaxed to be excited about the pregnancy he decided to give it to her instead.

He thought Kaoru would be annoyed with shopping and looking for baby stuff but on the contrary she had seemed happy. He knew it was something he should look forward to. So maybe deciding to get married wasn't a bad decision after all.

The door opened suddenly. He stood up from having sprawled on the bed unceremoniously. He narrowed his focus and found that it was Misao.

"Let's eat. I'm hungry," Misao called as she tapped her foot impatiently.

"Okay, I'm down in a minute," Kenshin said as he watched Misao close the door. He still couldn't stop himself from grinning.

---

Misao dropped by at around eleven in the morning. Her brother was out and she found herself chatting with Megumi.

"I don't know," Megumi said as Misao asked her about any weird things his brother had been doing.

"I see…He's been so cheery lately," Misao murmured. She rested her chin on her palms and crossed her leg.

"You want to have coffee?" Megumi asked, "I also noticed his unusual cheeriness. But don't you think it's rather good, since he's been always stiff and overworked."

"Yeah but—"

"Your brother also needs to relax, maybe something good had happened."

Misao frowned, "Don't you really know anything? Did he close a deal or something like that?"

"We have the business in good shape, but if I remember accurately, his aura never really changes that much even if we experience booms."

"He's really acting weird."

Megumi stood up, "Join me for coffee. I don't have anything to do for now."

Misao stood up too and smiled, "Sure. Anyway, how are you?"

"About to give birth. I'm actually nervous about it but I'm psyched." Megumi was grinning to herself as she punched the elevator keys.

"Don't forget to make me a godmother okay?"

"Of course!" Megumi laughed. She never would. Megumi had known her for five years now, it began when she started working for the company. "And Kaoru too."

"Good," the elevator doors swung open. They both stepped in. Misao looked as if she had remembered something and said, "You've talked to Kaoru?"

"Not yet," Megumi said, "Haven't seen her for a while."

"The last time I saw her I thought she looked like she was hiding something."

"You're becoming suspicious aren't you?"

Misao snorted and then frowned, "Maybe…it's all because of my brother. He makes me worry."

"Ask him then."

"I couldn't."

"Why?"

Misao thought. She doesn't really know why she couldn't ask him. She knew there are things they couldn't talk about and somehow, whatever it was, this was one of those things.

"I'd call Kaoru and ask her when she's free. Then I'd call you."

"Lovely."

"And don't bring Aoshi."

Misao blushed, "I won't."

---

Kaoru stretched her arms and yawned. She felt tired. The day had been long and she felt so exhausted. She had always been this exhausted in the insurance company, but never this contented. She was happy with her current job and she wouldn't trade it with anything else.

"Going home?" Tae asked as she gathered her things.

Kaoru nodded.

"Let's eat somewhere. Yuka, Rui and Kumi are coming."

Kaoru wanted to go and almost said yes but suddenly realized the redhead would be waiting, she immediately declined the offer. "I'm sorry but I can't. I have something to do."

Tae eyed her suspiciously. "Really…I knew I was right all along."

Kaoru shot her a puzzled look, "What?"

"You actually have a boyfriend." And Tae laughed.

She reddened, "N-no…I don't have one…" She was saying the truth. Kenshin isn't technically her boyfriend. Actually they haven't any relationship. It just so happened that he got her pregnant. Well, that didn't sound good. She sighed to herself.

"Don't worry I wouldn't tell anyone if that was supposed to be a secret," she grinned sheepishly.

Tae could be really dangerous, "Tae-san, really I don't have a boyfriend."

"Then what about that Himura-san who's always with you?"

"I told you already—"

Tae frowned, "You're a bit showbiz-y aren't you?"

She stood up, nervous about this conversation. She might unnecessarily say something about the pregnancy. "It's late…I should get going…You too Tae-san, Yuka and the others might be waiting for you already."

Tae suddenly looked at her watch and said, "Right, right. I'm late, I'd see you tomorrow." She quickly grabbed her handbag and darted for the door. "Good night!" she called.

Kaoru could only heave a sigh of relief.

---

Kenshin was standing by his car when she came. He eagerly waved at her, "How was your day?"

"Okay," she said. She took a seat as he opened the door and said, "I'm hungry. I think I'm going to die if I don't eat something right now."

He grinned, "I know you are." And he revved up the engine and sped away.

---

Dinner was okay actually. They were talking like normal people and surprisingly Kenshin hadn't made mention of anything about the pregnancy. It was rather comforting, to be able to chat with him without actually bickering with him.

She stepped out and looked at the dark building. It was only nine in the evening and she was already feeling sleepy. She turned to Kenshin.

"Good night," he said and looked down on his feet.

"Good night. Thanks for dinner," she said and started for her apartment. She was looking forward to sprawling on the bed and taking a long sleep. Just the thought of it makes her sleepy.

"Wait," he suddenly said as he slipped a hand around her arm.

Kaoru halted, looked at his hand on her arm and turned to face him. She mused about bickering with him for delaying her sleep but turned down the idea as she saw his blushing face. "W-what?" she croaked. She frowned at her own voice.

"I just…I just thought that…" he faltered as he lifted his eyes to meet hers.

Kaoru blushed and hoped that her blush would be undetected in the dark.

"That…that to make this romantic…I think…I think I should…" he faltered as he slowly closed the distance between them and placed a chaste kiss on her mouth.

It lasted for a couple of seconds but to Kaoru it seemed to have lasted for an hour. She was wide-eyed as he pulled back and smiled at her.

He cleared his throat and whispered, "Like what I said before…let's try to make it romantic."

Kaoru knew that in high school terminology, this should be the time when she should giggle and kiss him back. But she wasn't in high school, and even if she was she would never do such a thing. But somehow, she wanted to do just that.

He swallowed hard, "Good night." He slowly turned towards the car and opened the door.

"Kenshin," she called as he was about to slip in.

He stopped and asked without turning to face her, "Hn?"

"Good night…and take care…" her head felt a little heavy and her cheeks were burning. Somehow, she wanted to call him and make him stay. But she shouldn't because she doesn't feel anything for him. Or at least she thinks she doesn't.

He broke into a smile as he nodded and slipped into the car. Tonight he'd be going home light-headed. He wondered if he'd have a hard time sleeping. Actually, he may not want to sleep at all tonight.

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A/n: So how was it? Please tell me what you think about it. Thanks a lot!