Mornings After

By hye-kyo

---

Disclaimer: Nope, Rurouni Kenshin isn't mine, nor all its characters…

Author's Notes: Okay, for those who cheered because Kenshin and Kaoru are starting to warm up a bit, I warn you now…things will get a bit more complicated than they should be. This is a bit longer than the usual, probably because it's almost Christmas. Anyway, thanks to all those who reviewed. I really appreciate them all.

---

Chapter eight: the return

---

To say that Kaoru was having a hard time sleeping was an understatement.

She tossed and turned. She was feeling restless. She knew fairly well why she was feeling that way and that made annoyed her. This was Kenshin's fault. If only he hadn't…

She sat up, looked around the dark room and took in a deep breath. She couldn't sleep. She needed something to do. And to think that she was feeling sleepy moments ago before he kissed her.

She needed to do something. She looked around still and her eyes settled on the telephone. She pulled it towards her and thought of calling Misao but decided against doing so as she realized how haggard a graduating student like Misao is. She thought for a while and just as she considered calling Tae the phone suddenly rang.

She picked it up. "Hello?"

"Kaoru."

She narrowed her eyes and despite the alleged annoyance she felt, her cheeks felt hot. "Kenshin."

---

He had decided to call her. He had been debating with himself whether he should call her or not. And even though he told himself that he shouldn't, here he was dialing her number.

After a ring, Kaoru's voice came from the other end. "Hello?"

"Kaoru." He was nervous. What would he say.

"Kenshin." She sounded annoyed.

"Yes." He murmured. Now what?

"Why did you call?" she must be about to sleep.

"I just…" why did he really call in the first place? "I just…I just want to know…to know if you're still awake." Yeah right. Very lame. He was dismayed at himself.

---

Kaoru smiled disbelievingly. "Really? How…how irrelevant."

She could sense him smiling sheepishly. "Yeah…I think so too."

She cleared her throat and asked, "You can't sleep?"

There was a deep intake of breath, "Actually yes."

"Me too." She shifted the phone to her other ear and nestled her head on her pillow. Somehow she knew she was glad she was now hearing his voice. It sounded good over the telephone.

"Really?" he murmured. His voice was low and deep and that made Kaoru blush. She closed her eyes and suddenly remembered the feeling of his lips on hers. It made her blush even more and she quickly shook her head. She shouldn't be thinking about it.

"Yes."

"Kaoru," he said. There was a rustle of sheets, "I'd see you tomorrow morning."

She frowned and wondered. It was normal for him to fetch her from work every evening but to see her in the morning was weird, especially since he usually brings Misao to the university every morning. "Aren't you going to drive Misao to the university?"

"No…I could opt not to…" he whispered.

"Would that be okay for Misao?"

"Yes. I'd tell her I have something to do."

Kaoru laughed, "We are both lying to her."

There was a pause and then finally, "I really want to tell her now."

To which she quickly said, "Don't." She was surprised at the intensity of her word and she cleared her throat and said, "Don't…don't tell her…at least yet…"

"Why?"

"Because…" she faltered. She simply doesn't want to. Besides Kaoru knew how Misao had hated the fact that Kenshin had spent so much time with his ex. Misao didn't really hate his ex, it was just that she became annoyed at her brother's lack of time for her. She doesn't want Misao hating her too. Though actually she doesn't really know how Misao would react.

"Kaoru."

She doesn't know what to say. Maybe she just doesn't want to get married and that's why she doesn't want people to know about it. Panicking, she said, "I have to go to sleep. Good night."

"Kaoru," his voice came a bit higher and louder.

"Good night," and she quickly placed the phone back on it cradle.

---

Kenshin knew he had said the wrong thing. He was treading about it warily and he didn't know that no matter how wary he'd try to be he still wouldn't avoid stepping on the landmines. Kaoru sure was pretty fidgety about the pregnancy.

He settled on the bed, thought about her and realized he was looking forward to seeing her the next day. Maybe he should kiss her again, except that this time it'd be much longer, much harder, much more romantic. He giggled despite himself.

---

"You're up early," Misao placed a plate of fried egg and toast in front of him.

He scratched his head. Now he would lie. Again. "I have something to do."

"What?" Misao sat across him and took a sip from her cup of hot chocolate. "I made you coffee."

"Thanks," he lifted the mug to his lips, "I couldn't drive you to the university today."

Misao smiled, "That's okay. Why?"

"I have to do some early paperwork. I have a couple of bundles left last night."

"You shouldn't overdo it." Misao stood up from the table, waited by the kitchen counter until her sandwich was done. The oven rang softly.

"Yes ma'am."

"By the way," she came back biting her toasted sandwich, "Aunt Misako called last night before you came home."

"Really?" he finished his egg and toast and drank the remaining contents of his mug. He stood up and washed his hands on the sink. He should be going by now. He doesn't want to make Kaoru wait. "What did she say?"

"She wanted to see us this weekend."

That surprised him. He knew it was natural for Aunt Misako to want to see them but it wasn't natural for her to want to see them during the middle of the month.

"Weird eh? She knew how busy we are both but Aunt Misako was insisting. She told me to tell Kaoru."

He thought. Did she knew something? How then? No one knew about it except him and Kaoru. No one except the two of them.

"Hey aren't you going yet?" Misao said breaking into his thoughts, "It's almost eight."

"Ah…" he said, regaining his senses back, "Yeah…yeah. I'd call you later."

"Alright."

Kenshin hurried to the living room, grabbed his file cases and his car keys, hurried to the car, tossed the file cases at the back seat and got in. He was feeling excited.

---

Kaoru opened the door. It was Kenshin. "Good morning."

"Good morning," he replied. He ran a hand through his hair.

"I almost forgot that you would be coming," she said candidly. She laughed to herself and started putting on her shoes.

Kenshin pouted. He was certain she almost forgot. He watched her and swallowed hard.

"How was Misao?" she asked. She had finally both feet in. She straightened her skirt and went to the door. Turning to face him she quickly motioned for him with his hands.

"She's fine. She told me about a call last night."

"Call?" she asked, feeling interested. There was something horrifying about it.

"Yeah. A call."

"Who?"

"You won't believe it."

Kaoru frowned, "So who called?"

Kenshin stepped out and waited until Kaoru had the door locked when finally he said, "Aunt Misako. It was Aunt Misako."

She slipped the keys inside her bag and sent him a puzzled look, "Why? This time of the month? Did something happen?"

"I don't know. I hadn't the time to call her. She wanted you there too." He led her to the elevator, punched the keys and turned to face her. "What do you think?"

She drummed her fingers on the wall, "I don't know. I hope it's not about…" she trailed off.

Kenshin knew exactly what she was going to say. "I know it's not about that."

Kaoru brightened up and looked at him, "I think so too. I hope it's not really about…it."

The doors of the elevator opened and Kenshin quickly dismissed the topic as he led her inside. They were both quiet on the way down.

---

She slipped the shoe off her feet. It was an hour after lunch and she was feeling sleepy. Her legs were getting numb. She slipped it on and stood up.

"Do you like some coffee Tae-san?" she asked as she went to the counter. She needed a cup herself.

"Sure." Tae looked up from her table.

She started pouring from the brewer onto two white cups. It was still hot.

"Say," Tae said, "Are you free tonight?"

Kaoru turned to her as she added milk and sugar. "Why?"

"Last time was a riot and so we wanted to go out again. It would be a lot better if you're there." Tae stood up, went to the counter and picked up her cup as she mouthed thanks.

"I don't know…" Kaoru turned the cup, stirred a bit more and finally looked deep into the creamy liquid as she contemplated.

"Is it because of you're boyfriend?" Tae teased.

"No. I told you already I don't—"

"Then come with us. At least just this once. I promise you it would be really good." She sipped from her cup, "This is good."

"Really? It's rare that I am able to make good coffee." She grinned and then said, "About tonight…I'll see…"

"At least decide early, so we could call the restaurant Yuka had in mind for reservations."

"Okay," she said. So she wanted to go with them but first things first she has to ask Kenshin about it.

---

His mobile phone rang just as he was going to the cafeteria. It was Kaoru. Somehow, he knew he was excited about it.

"Yes?" he asked softly. The elevator door opened. Three women from the procurement entered. They nodded at him and he smiled.

"Kenshin." Her voice was a bit hushed, yet there was an echo.

"Kaoru." He said and smiled to himself. And then he asked, "Are you in the washroom?"

"Eh?" her voice was flustered. "Y-yeah…how did you know?"

He laughed and that caught the attention of the three women. They turned to him and he quickly slipped towards the corner of the elevator.

"Anyway," she said, "I can't see you tonight."

He arched a brow, "Why?"

"I…I have…I am going out with the girls…" her voice was a bit more hushed.

"Really?" was what he could only ask.

"Yeah…so, so you don't need to pick me up tonight."

"I see." He thought for a while and then continued, "Where will you be going?"

"I am not sure."

Kenshin scratched his nape, "Okay…just, just don't drink." He knew alcohol's bad for pregnant women.

Kaoru was silent for a while until she finally said, "Okay."

Kenshin smiled. Does that mean Kaoru's asking permission?

"By the way, just so you know, I am not asking permission," she quickly said as if on cue.

Kenshin grinned to himself. At least they have the same wavelengths. "I know. Just don't drink and don't stay up late."

"Okay."

"Call me when you get home."

There was a huff and then, "You're a bit bossy aren't you?"

He leaned back as the elevator doors opened. The three women disappeared. "I just…I just—"

"Oh alright…" and then there was a sigh. After a moment of silence she finally said, "That's all…see you…" and then there was a click.

---

Kaoru came home at two in the morning. She was tired and so she quickly washed her face, changed her clothes and got ready for bed.

Kenshin told her she'd call, but it was already two in the morning. She was wondering if she still should call, thinking that he might be asleep by now.

Nevertheless, she picked up the phone, propped her pillow behind her and settled comfortably. She'd make this quick. If no one answers, at least she had tried calling. She dialed and waited.

"Hn?" Kaoru quickly knew it was his voice. He sounded like he had been sleeping.

"Kenshin," she cleared her throat.

"Kaoru?" there was a rustle of sheets. And a yawn.

"I'm sorry to wake you up." She smiled apologetically, though she knew he wouldn't be seeing her.

"What time is it?"

"Two A.M."

There was silence and then, "What? Don't tell me you just got home! I told you not to stay up late."

She laughed, "Don't overreact."

"I'm not overreacting," Kaoru could just imagine his frown.

"At least I called."

"At least I called," Kenshin mimicked her tauntingly and then, "Go to bed now. You need a lot of sleep."

"Yes, yes," Kaoru felt her cheeks getting hot. Somehow having someone tell you what to do was actually making her feel mushy.

"I'll see you tomorrow then?"

Kaoru blushed even more and pulled the pillow closer. She snuggled down and looked up at the ceiling. "Alright…"

---

"So I'll see you tonight." It wasn't a question. By now, Kenshin should have the guts. He had picked her up on his way to his work. It was only seven thirty in the morning and here he found himself having a normal chat with her.

"Let's see…" she placed a finger thoughtfully on her chin and said, "I have to do some overtime."

Kenshin frowned, "Why?"

"Things started piling up."

He pouted and said, "But you shouldn't be overworking…especially, especially since you're…" he stopped, he knew Kaoru wouldn't like talking about it that much.

"Don't worry," she said, looking away. She looked at her watch and turned around. With her back to him she said, "I'll…just…I'll just call you when I get home."

Kenshin's face oscillated between worry and relief. "Don't call me at two in the morning." He smiled, disbelieving she actually said she'll call him. Maybe now they're actually getting somewhere.

Kaoru grinned, "I'd call you at three." And then she walked away quickly.

---

Kenshin drove to his office with a happy face. He greeted Megumi with such a wide grin that Megumi responded with a puzzled look.

He couldn't wait until tonight. Kaoru said she'd call him and that's making him excited, fidgety and extremely cheery. He sat on his leather chair, leaned deep and took in a deep breath. Why was he feeling this way?

He had known her for so long and had never felt like this around her. Sure he thought she was rather pretty and attractive but had dismissed all thoughts when Aunt Misako took her in, though there were no legal papers signed. Why now? Why does he feel this way now? Was it all because of the pregnancy?

He smiled to himself. Maybe getting married isn't all that bad. He remembered her asking him to the prom. He refused and went with someone else. Why did he refuse then? Why did he say he doesn't want to go to the dance but ended up going there with someone else? Why not her?

Ah, he smiled to himself, because he was mad at her. She went out with someone else the week before she asked her. That made him mad. Why had he been mad anyway? That he couldn't understand. Maybe because he thought she lied to him, about not being interested in boys and stuff.

He laughed to himself. She said she wasn't interested in boys but went out with someone a week before she asked him to go to the prom. And that made him mad? He laughed again. Yeah, he had been mad because she lied to him. That's all. That's all there was to it.

Or so he thought.

---

Megumi picked up the phone. It was almost time for her to go home. It was from the lobby. "Yes?"

"Please tell Himura-san someone wants to meet him."

"Does he have an appointment with Himura-san?" she asked, quickly flipping through her organizer.

"She said she didn't schedule an appointment."

Megumi arched a brow. So it was a woman, "I'd ask Himura-san. What's her name?"

"Ah, Yukishiro-san, Yukishiro Tomoe-san."

Megumi closed her organizer and said, "I'd put you on hold okay?" and she pressed a button and Kenshin's local.

"You could just knock you know," Kenshin laughed. And he dropped the call.

Megumi sighed and wondered at his cheery voice. She looked up as the door opened.

"Do I have an appointment?" he asked, standing with his arms akimbo.

"There's someone at the lobby wanting to see you."

Kenshin frowned, "I don't remember having scheduled something for today, especially at this time. It's kind of late."

"Yukishiro…Yukishiro Tomoe. She's waiting for you at the lobby."

He was stunned. He looked hard at Megumi and asked, "Who?"

"Yukishiro Tomoe-san. Do you know her? Do I tell them to bring her in?"

He looked away, trying to regain his composure. He took a step back and said, the cheery tone in his voice gone, "Tell them…tell them I'll meet her at the lobby." And he took another step back and finally turned, towards the elevator.

Megumi wondered but nevertheless pressed a button and said, "Please tell Yukishiro-san to wait at the lobby, Himura-san is on his way." And the call ended. Megumi wanted to know.

---

Kenshin caught sight of the digital clock as he dashed out of the elevator. It was already eight thirty in the evening. He was wondering why she was here, after…after everything.

He stopped as he saw her standing by the counter. She had her long hair pinned at the nape of her neck. She walked towards the couch and turned as she was about to sit down.

He took a step towards her and then another until he felt so close. "Tomoe," he murmured.

She looked up as she sensed him. Her eyes widened and softened slowly as she stood up to greet him, "Kenshin…it has been a long time." Her voice was soft and mellow amid the noise.

Kenshin still couldn't believe his eyes. Tomoe was here, in front of him, just when he thought she would be gone forever.

She looked away and murmured, "I just came back…and was around the vicinity and thought I might invite you…for a dinner."

---

---

A/n: So that was it, I'd be posting the ninth chapter early next week…please tell me what you think about it. Okay?

---