Important Note: The main reason I haven't been updating as quickly as I had in the past is because I have "run out of inspiration" for this story, so to speak. I do appreciate all of the reviews for my story – especially the person who wanted to do artwork from this fic – but I just haven't had the "impulse" (you authors know what I'm talking about). And particularly with my crazy (yet very dear) friend Sarah practically threatening me to read some of her favorite stories on this site (heh!), it showed me how bad some of my work cries for freshening-up and editing. Then after basically forcing chapter nine out of the minuscule inspiration I had left, I thought I needed a small break on this story. To those wonderful reviewers who would literally e-mail me to death if I quit on this story (I would say "stalk", but thought it better not to), do not fret! I will finish this fic...somehow. I promise.

Nevertheless, here is chapter ten, the "big day", as some call it. If you are reading this, thank you so much for keeping up with this story...though it hasn't been updated in a year…maybe more. I appreciate the twenty who put this story on their favorites lists, the nineteen who put it on alerts, and all the wonderful people who took time out of their day to e-mail/IM me about the delay. Each review is also greatly appreciated; I never expected to receive so many in the first place!

Chapter 10

During the many months of apprehensive waiting...

"Kenshin...I need help...it hurts..."

Kenshin sprang to his feet and dashed into the room where Kaoru was, half-expecting to see her writhing on the floor in pain. "Kaoru! Is it time?! Does it hurt that much? Do I need to get Meg..."

Kaoru gave him a look. "My foot is asleep, Kenshin, and I have to use the restroom quite badly."

...the long and exhausting hours of classes...

"You broke my child's shinai!" accused a young mother, grasping her seven-year-old child (complete with runny nose and mischievousness written all over his face) to herself as she looked down angrily at Kenshin.

"Um...ma'am...that's not exactly what happened..." Kenshin sighed and rubbed the lump forming on his head where the child's shinai made contact. Sighing again, he looked behind the mother. Only seven more in line waiting to speak with him, and then he could go home.

...the jokes shot by Sano...

"Hah! Kenshin, I can't wait to see the look on your face when you have to change the baby's diaper!"

...and the nail-biting sessions with Megumi (which is another story in itself)...

"So…this is how you hold a baby?"

"Ken-san! It's not going to attack you!"

...Kenshin had attempted to prepare himself mentally (and physically) for the now long-awaited for, long-sought for time. He had tried to steel himself for what he knew would happen. The time was coming quickly. He even essayed to have a plan ready so he could be more prepared than the average husband.

But it was not meant to be.

It was "the night." Everything was still, save for the crickets chirping softly outside. A mellow wind drifted through the window accompanied by a high crescent moon which cast a gentle shadow on the whole room, outlining the sleeping couple. The night was perfect. Nothing could ruin such a beautiful picture.

Kenshin was sleeping soundly on the floor, blanket around him tightly. Kaoru was on the futon (Kenshin insisted she have it all), and suddenly awoke with a slight groan.

"...Kenshin?"

Kenshin groggily opened his eyes and yawned. "Hmm?" Kaoru probably wanted a drink of water, or needed help standing to go to the bathroom. This was a regular occurrence now, and he was trying to get used to it. He closed his eyes for a second to rub them. "What is it?"

"I–I think it's time, Kenshin..."

"Time?" Kenshin heard that term used somewhere before, but was so tired that it didn't register. His eyes still closed, he thought hard. Ahh, yes...Megumi used it in one of their sessions when referring to...

Kenshin's eyes shot open. He felt his adrenaline shooting through his body like a bullet out of a gun. "Don't worry, Kaoru! Try to hold on! I'll have everything ready in less than a minute!" He sprang from his sitting position and ripped off his yukata, revealing a regular gi underneath the robe. He whipped out his sandals which were in a corner and slipped them on (traditions mattered not to him at this moment), tying back his hair at the same time. "I've been preparing for this situation by way of practice for a long time!" Then he got to work.

"Kenshin, I'm okay. Please don't over-rea.."

Moving with the legendary speed of Hiten Mitsurugi Ryuu, Kenshin began "Plan A". Every night after he found out Megumi told Kaoru that it could be any day now (she tried not to let Kenshin know, but somehow the information leaked), Kenshin had confidentially pre-packed all the necessary items needed for the stay at the clinic. And every night Kenshin would secretly practice and make sure the items were in their proper places so there would be no goof-up.

"Megumi was ri..."

Kenshin moved quickly, not stopping to listen to his wife's protests. Okay, there are four packages... He grabbed one, dived for the second, picked up the third, leapt for the fourth (it was on the dresser) and scooped it all into his arms in mid-air.

Kaoru, half-shocked and half-amused, watched the show with her mouth open.

"I'm almost ready, Kao..." Forgetting that all of the packages combined were heavy, Kenshin and packages crashed to the ground, piling up in a big heap.

Buried beneath the packages, he could hear Kaoru gasp and then start laughing.

Regaining his composure, Kenshin leapt up with the boxes and ran outside. Soon after, he rushed back in. "Come on, Kaoru, we must get to the clinic!"

Kaoru tried to stand and then sat down again. She sadly looked up at Kenshin.

Kenshin sighed. He knew what must be done.

Kenshin sat inside the clinic, nervously fidgeting with his hands and at the same time wondering when his back would heal from the obvious strain he had put on it. You see, carriages are rarely seen rumbling around in the middle of the night, and poor Kenshin had to resort to the unfortunate alternative.

He carried Kaoru and said packages the whole way to the clinic.

It was funny to see a worn-out Megumi's reaction when she answered the door that night. Instead of being met with a friendly face, she was answered with a muffled voice beneath packages, and a Kaoru!

After guiding Kenshin in (all the time wondering how he found his way to the clinic in the middle of the night with packages stacked up to the heavens and Kaoru in his arms), she quickly woke up Dr. Gensai and told Kenshin to stay put for a while.

"I think you'll be more harm than good right now," she almost chuckled. "I will get you later, though."

So Kenshin sat there in silent thought, staring at his hands, with only packages for company. He wondered if Kaoru was going to be okay. He hoped that there wouldn't be any major (or minor, at that) complications. He contemplated if everything would go smoothly.

And he prayed for the best.

Author Notes: (1) - More seriousness in the next chapter, I do believe. I was going to put the whole thing in one chapter, but then thought it best for humor in one chapter, and mores seriousness in the other. Anyway, please leave a review. I will do my best to update. Although I think I'll continue a bit after Kenji is born (a little on his younger years), suggestions are welcomed!

(2) - I am not sure what they did for delivering babies (like if they just delivered babies at home, or whatnot), and even so, I thought my way would be more amusing.

(3) - I don't know if I'm allowed to do reviewer responses on here anymore…haven't been on here in a long time. But a big 'thank you' to everyone who is still keeping up with this story, and another 'thank you' to the ones who are newer to this story. Welcome aboard!