Mornings After

by hye-kyo

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

Author's Notes: So this is the tenth chapter. A little delayed yes, but it's a bit long...so maybe I think it's fine. Anyway, I lost my cell phone and I feel so down...It;s okay to lose A cellphone, but not The cellphone...I guess I've grown fond of it...

sighs

Chapter ten: the stalking

---

Monday morning wasn't as enthusiastic. Kaoru knew that the day would be gloomy, from the time she woke up to the time she left the apartment. The sky was dark with impending rain. She wanted to simply stay at home and sleep.

"Kaoru," Tae's voice broke into her thoughts.

She quickly looked at her, alert. "Yes?"

"Do you mind bringing this to Seta-san?" Tae placed a yellow transparent folder on her table.

"This is?"

Tae sighed, "I wasn't able to sleep last night because of that. It was the inventory and accounting for this month's supplies."

Kaoru smiled. Tae really looked worn down. "Okay, I'm going now."

"Thanks," and Tae slumped on her swivel chair.

---

Kaoru became a bit hesitant as she neared the door. Slowly she pushed it open and was surprised to hear no creaking sounds. The secretary greeted her and directed her inside. Softly she knocked and Seta's low cool voice came from inside telling her to come in.

He was talking over the phone when she came and was wearing an annoyed expression on his face.

"Yes, yes. I'd call you," and the call ended. He turned his chair, stood up and walked over to her.

"Sekihara-san asked me to bring you—"

"I'm stressed!" he suddenly said out of nowhere.

To which Kaoru became dumbstruck. "Huh?"

He laughed, "Let's have something to eat at the cafeteria." He went to the door.

"It isn't yet my break," she said rather sadly, for she was getting hungry herself.

"Don't worry, it's fine," he grinned, walked back to her and beckoned her to the door.

"O-okay," she murmured as she allowed herself to be led to the door. The secretary winked at her as she made her way out. It actually baffled her.

---

"Megumi," Kenshin had the door ajar.

"Yes?" Megumi looked up.

"Aren't there any calls for me?" he scratched the back of his neck, picked on his necktie and then at his cuffs.

Megumi shook her head and gave him a weird look, "Why? Are you expecting a call?"

He looked like he was caught redhanded. And that puzzled Megumi. Kenshin laughed nervously and said, "N-no…not really, I was just thinking…you know…I can't sit still without doing anything…"

"I see," Megumi had averted her gaze and was looking down on her planner. No, there really wasn't anything scheduled for today. Who was he expecting to call anyway?

---

Kaoru finished her cream puffs, finished her glass and murmured, "Thank you."

"Thank you?" he asked with a wicked grin, "You have to return the favor soon."

"Favor?" she frowned, "I didn't—"

"I treated you to a snack right?" he popped his last piece of bread into his mouth and said in between bites, "You'd treat me next time."

Kaoru should've seen this coming. Nothing in this world is free. It would be too good, sinfully good. And Kami doesn't allow that.

"Okay?" he asked, leaning over to reach towards her.

Kaoru was taken aback and she blushed as she managed to say a "Y-yes" but contrary t what she had been expecting Soujiro wiped the cream off the side of her mouth.

"Ah…thanks…" she pounded herself inwardly. What was she thinking?

Soujiro smiled, stood up and said, "I want to take your picture."

"Eh?" she looked up at him.

He simply smiled, pushed his chair so he could get out, returned it back and started leaving. "Tae-san would be looking for you by now," he called back.

Again, Kaoru was left dumbfounded. Seta-san is an extremely weird character. And peculiarly, she found herself smiling.

---

Misao smiled at the receptionist, hurried to the elevator and punched the buttons to her brother's floor. Megumi called earlier, saying Kenshin left after receiving a call from a woman. Who could that woman be? Her senses tell her this is going to be one hell of a gossip. If she could only contact Kaoru.

She stepped in as soon as the elevator doors swung open. It was empty. Megumi would be waiting for her now. Soon she would know why her brother has been acting weird.

"Misao," Megumi was leaning against the glass door, looking at her watch when she heard the bell of the elevator. When she looked up she saw Misao coming.

"Hey," Misao gave her a serious look.

"Let's better talk outside," she said, "Kenshin might come back soon."

"Okay," Misao looked around. No one was there. "You should've just told me to wait outside the building."

"I received a call from your brother right after I called you, he said he's going to be back soon. And I really want to know how she looks."

"She?" Misao frowned, "What do you mean?"

"You'll see soon."

"Do you know where to find my brother? Would it be okay if you leave this time?"

Megumi nodded, glanced behind her and then leaned closer to whisper, "I'd make some interesting excuses."

"Good," Misao smiled sheepishly. "We'd better hurry now."

"Right. I should've called Kaoru."

Misao thought for a while, slipped her hand into her jeans' pocket and debated against not doing so, "She's probably busy."

"Right again. You could tell her as soon as I tell you."

"Come on now, I'm dying to know."

And the two of them crept slowly to the elevator.

---

Kenshin looked at his watch. The pitchy voice of the violin was making her nervous. He looked at his watch again and sighed. Maybe she has decided against meeting him.

A waiter approached him.

"I'm still waiting for someone," he quickly said and dismissed the waiter away. Tomoe asked him if they could meet now, but where is she? He dipped his head low, bit his lower lip and thought of giving him a call. He straightened up and when he looked up he saw Tomoe coming.

"I'm sorry I was late," she mouthed apologies as she walked towards him.

Kenshin stood up, pulled her chair like a gentleman and assisted her as she sat down.

"Thank you," she smiled, tucked a few stray strands behind her ear and looked at her watch. "I made you wait."

To Kenshin it seemed like an unintended pun. "Not really, I was late myself," so a little lie wouldn't hurt, especially if it's for his ego.

"Did you order already?"

He shook his head, turned to where the waiter is and beckoned him to their table. He was actually getting nervous. He was the one who suggested they meet in this restaurant. Why was he nervous in the first place? He was much more nervous now than when they finally met again after a long while. Why?

---

Megumi had slipped her arm through Misao's left to support her weight. She was in her last months and she was gaining more weight.

"Where are we going?"

"We're going to eat. And you're going to pay for it," she said as she steered Misao inside a fine dining restaurant.

"Here?" Misao panicked, "It's very expensive here. If you want something Italian I could treat you a spaghetti meal at McDonald's."

"We're here because you're brother's here," Megumi said as they peeked through the glass windows.

"How'd you know?"

Megumi smiled slyly, "He's inside already. And the woman's there too," she said. She slowly opened the door, trying to hide from Kenshin's view. "Come quickly."

Misao followed and they were soon led to a table a couple of feet away from Kenshin's. "How'd you know he'd be here?" she asked as they took a seat, and covered their faces with the menu.

"He asked me if this place serves good Italian food after receiving that call," she whispered. Megumi had her eyes trained on Kenshin.

"I see," Misao glanced at Kenshin and then at the woman. "So it's about a woman."

"I want to know how she looks," Megumi said.

"What's her name?" Misao asked as she slightly lowered the menu, trying to have a good look at the woman. Somehow she seemed familiar.

Megumi glanced at her, cleared her throat and said, "Yukishiro, Yukishiro Tomoe-san."

Misao's eyes widened involuntarily, dropped the menu and turned to Megumi, "Tomoe Yukishiro?"

Megumi frowned, puzzled, "Yes. Do you know her?" she quickly propped Misao's menu to cover her. "If you let it fall down Kenshin would see us."

Misao stared plainly at Megumi and then to the woman. That's why she seemed familiar. "Tomoe's back?"

The waiter said something which Megumi dismissed. "Who is she?"

It took Misao to answer it. She swallowed, turned to Megumi and said, "My brother's ex-fiancé."

"Ex?" this time it was Megumi's turn to involuntarily widen her eyes.

"She's returned."

"Why?"

"I'd better tell this to Kaoru."

"Does Kaoru know her?"

Misao nodded, glanced at the waiter as she heard him say incomprehensible words. She waved her hand and told him to just wait. "How could this be? I thought she got married already."

Megumi looked at the woman and then at Kenshin. Now she wanted to know even more.

---

Tae shot her a questioning look as Kaoru slipped through the door, trying hard to be left unnoticed.

She should have not listened to Seta-san about skipping work. She has completely forgotten about the meeting, she might not even get her first monthly pay today because of that.

"That's all for today," Tae said, dismissing the rest. "The payroll officer would be waiting until four."

There were some claps and cheers. Sure, everybody was waiting for it. Kaoru gathered her things and stood up sneakily. Tae might probably give her a beating or two.

"Where have you been?" Tae's voice came loud, clear and threatening.

Kaoru slowly turned her head, gave a weak smile and said, "I'm sorry."

Tae arched a brow, "You've been gone for three hours after delivering the reports to Seta-san."

Kaoru looked down on her toes. She couldn't see them because of her pointed strappy heels, "I'm sorry. I forgot there was a meeting today."

Tae shot her a deadly look and then suddenly broke into a fit of laughter.

"What?" Kaoru asked, baffled by the sudden expression.

"Nothing," she said, "Actually Seta-san called me. He said he abducted you to the cafeteria."

Abducted? Such an apt word. Kaoru forced a smile, "Yeah…but I tried going back early, just so you know…"

Tae grinned, "Don't worry. I just have this weird feeling…"

"Weird feeling?"

"Yeah…maybe I'd be seeing more of Seta-san in this department," she said, laughing as she went out of the room.

Kaoru wondered at the words.

---

Kaoru found him standing by the door of his car. She waved at him to which he nodded curtly. "Hi," she said as she neared him.

"Hi," he murmured, opened the door and slipped in.

Kaoru did the same and secured her seatbelt. She was wondering if Kenshin was feeling much better now compared to yesterday. "Ah…How is your day?"

Kenshin suddenly turned to her as he revved the engine, "F-fine. You?"

Kaoru frowned but nevertheless ignored his weirdness, "I just got my first salary!" she tried to make it sound so enthusiastic.

"Good," he said as he trained his eyes on the road.

"Good?" she asked. So it was good. And then?

Kenshin nodded, turned left at the nearest curb and kept silent.

"I was wondering…"

"Hn?"

"Do you want to eat out? It's my treat this time." She smiled, leaned forward and waited eagerly.

Kenshin shook his head, "Maybe some other time. I'm tired myself."

Kaoru felt disappointed, dismayed and frowned at him. "I see…" she looked away, out into the window and cursed inwardly.

Then his phone rang. He pressed the handsfree button and picked up the speaker, tucked the ear phones into his ear and said, "Yes, who is this?"

Kaoru looked as his expression became much more serious.

---

"Yes, who is this?" Kenshin asked. His eyes were still on the road.

"This is Dr. Akai," the voice from the other end said.

"Ah, yes doctor," he mouthed. "What is it?"

"You're wife's first monthly check up would be on Friday," she said. Kenshin heard the sound of pen against paper.

He was taken aback. Had he forgotten about Kaoru's pregnancy. He turned to see Kaoru staring expectantly at him and quickly went back to watch the road. "This Friday?"

"It is important, especially since this is your first time. We would want to keep track of your wife's pregnancy."

"I…I see…" he almost choked. He had been too occupied with Tomoe such that he had forgotten about Kaoru almost immediately.

"Well then, see you Friday," the doctor's gleeful voice came from the other end of the line. Finally there was a click and the call ended.

Kenshin wanted to halt the car, but he didn't.

---

Kaoru looked at him intently, not being able to contain her curiosity about the caller, she asked, "Kenshin, who is it?"

Kenshin stood silent for a long time, and suddenly turned to her stunned, "W-what?"

Kaoru frowned, "You're acting weird again." She smiled, hoping it would ease him up. So was it still about his father. "Who called? But if you want to keep it a secret…" she smiled again.

He took in a deep breath, shifted gears as he neared her building. "It was Dr. Akai."

"Dr. Akai?"

"Yes," he murmured as he brought the car to a stop. They were finally here.

Kaoru forced a laugh, "Well it seems okay if she calls right? Especially since—" she stopped. What was she doing? She doesn't want to talk about it but now she was the one initiating the talk about it.

Kenshin nodded. "Your first monthly check-up is scheduled on Friday."

That took her aback. The fake smile she was about to plaster on her face diminished suddenly. "Really?"

He nodded again. He opened the door, slipped out and went to her side. He opened the door for her and beckoned her to step out. He reached out a hand.

She didn't know if she should be happy he was such a gentleman or if she should be offended for it seems like he was rushing to get rid of her. Nevertheless she took his hand and stepped out.

He sighed, looked away and said, "So…see you tomorrow night."

Kaoru nodded.

"I'll see what time I'd be free for Friday."

Kaoru said yes. She wondered what he was looking at.

Slowly he turned back to her, smiled and said, "I'd be going then."

Kaoru watched as he turned his back, walked over to the driver's door and opened it. Involuntarily she called him, "Kenshin."

Kenshin glanced at her.

"Uh," she swallowed hard. Why was she getting these weird feelings anyway? "If there's something bothering you…" and then she failed to complete her thoughts.

He smiled. "Yes, thank you." And then he slipped inside.

Kaoru almost literally spanked herself as she heard those stupid comments. She watched as the engine was brought to life and as the car disappeared into the distance.

---

A/n: So how was it? I can't say anythign anymore...too tired...