A/N: Thank you everyone who reviewed. I really appreciate every comment. Also, before I forget, THANK YOU, for those who suggested Kamatari instead of Soujiro being gay. I almost forgot about Kamatari being gay, but to everyone who suggested this; you just saved Soujiro's gender. LOL! On with the story.
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Pretend
Chapter Four: Developing on you
It's been four days since the incident with coming home late. Life in the Himura residence was getting boring for Kaoru. She wasn't used to just sitting around, she was used to going out in bars with her friends, but now she was stuck. Not that she didn't enjoy being around Kenji, but she especially likes it when Kenshin was there. She wasn't sure if it was infatuation she's feeling, but she was happy for what she's feeling.
For four nights straight, Kenshin has been coming home late at night, and whenever he does, he's always too tired to sleep on the ground. So he sleeps on the bed next to Kaoru, and would always drape his arm around Kaoru's waist.
The first night he did that, Kaoru was shocked and tried to remove his arm, but it was futile for his arm was already encircled around her waist, and he was now cuddling to her. Kaoru allowed him, and let her mind drift away to a peaceful sleep; the smell of sandalwood lingering around her. The next morning, she saw that Kenshin's arm was still around her; she smiled. She didn't dare struggle, but instead she hugged him back, and went back to sleep. But whenever she woke up again, Kenshin would be gone, and in his place would be Kenji hugging a teddy bear with her picture on the frame. (The teddy bear was the kind where you're supposed to place a picture on its belly, like a picture frame.)
The routine went on, and Kaoru wasn't against it. Kaoru was sure she has feelings for Kenshin, and she tries so hard to keep it to herself. Sometimes, she wished that she really was Kenji's mother; she's grown fond of the child and can't bear to think of leaving him. They would make such a happy family, and then they wouldn't have to tell Kenji the truth. Yes, Kaoru liked the idea, and she sure as hell going to keep the plan going.
What makes Kaoru wonder most of the time is how she ever fell in love with Kenshin Himura. Sure, he annoys her like hell whenever they see each other. There's when they would lock their eyes with each other, and sometimes their contact would never break. Also, there's times when Kaoru would catch a glimpse of his killer body. But most of all, she loves him because he can make her smile even though she's annoyed by him.
Kaoru knows that Kenshin is capable of loving again. Even though she's been hearing rumors around the house that Kenshin is seeing 'Ms. Shura', Kaoru didn't let it affect her, that much. Of course the maids don't know of their little charade, they knew as much as Kenji; and that started the rumor of Kenshin having an affair. Kenji once asked what affair was, but Kaoru lied telling him that she didn't know what it meant either, Kenji bought it.
Kaoru knows what she would do to ignite Kenshin again and to see whether he has feelings for her or not. But first she has to meet her opponent.
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Kaoru was playing with Kenji in the front yard, when the house gates suddenly opened, and Kenshin's limousine entered. Kaoru pulled Kenji to the side of the pavement towards the grass section. The driver opened the door to Kenshin's side, and Kenshin came out with another person trailing behind him. The next person was a woman, who at first appeared disheveled and whose lipstick was smeared; it was apparent to Kaoru that the woman and Kenshin were making out and were doing some touching. The woman had shoulder length hair and clear complexion, but she was small. Kenji ran up to his father and hugged him, after seeing him come out of the limousine. Kaoru followed Kenji, getting ready to pull him if the woman tried to kiss him.
"Daddy, you're home!" shouted Kenji, still hugging Kenshin.
"Kenji I want you meet someone," Kenshin moved aside and revealed the woman. "She's my co-worker, her name is Shura."
'So this is Shura. She's not that bad but I'm not letting her get Kenshin' Kaoru thought.
"So you're the famous Kenji Himura," Shura said kneeling down to reach Kenji's height.
Kenji looked at Shura straight in the eye, and decided he didn't like her. "I don't like you," Kenji stated clear, without any emotion.
Shura took a step back, surprised at what Kenji said. Kaoru just stared, and covered her mouth trying not to laugh. Kenshin was taken aback, by what his son said.
"Kenji, take back what you said," Kenshin simply stated.
Kenji shook his head, and looked straight in his father's eyes. "Daddy, I don't like you anymore," he said, and when Kenshin looked into Kenji's eyes he saw a glint of amber, he was shocked. Kenji knew exactly what was going on, it was just like his classmate's parents; they separated because his father had another girlfriend. Kenji didn't want that to happen, he has waited too long for his mother to come back, and he's not going to let his father ruin it.
"I don't like what you're saying young man, and now I want you to go up to your room," Kenshin ordered, with a hint of anger in his voice. Instead of Kenji heading straight inside the house, he walked solemnly towards Kaoru; she accepted him with open arms, and carried him. Kenji started crying on Kaoru's shoulder. Kaoru looked at Kenshin and locked gazes with him, but she broke it by turning away. They both headed inside the house.
Kenshin turned towards Shura and apologized for his son's behavior. Shura waved it off, saying that it was a normal behavior for a kid to behave that way towards someone he didn't know. Kenshin sighed in relief, he was still concerned why his son acted that way, he was surely going to talk to Kaoru later on; but right now he has business matters to attend to. They started walking inside the house.
"Who is that woman with Kenji?" Shura asked, while walking with Kenshin; they were in front of the door. She was wondering why Kenji had ran towards her and not to the house.
"She's my wi…" Kenshin trailed on stopping himself from opening the door, mentally smacking himself. He was about to say 'his wife', but then he realized she wasn't. Instead rephrased himself, "She's Kenji's mother."
"I see, and she's staying in your house?"
"Sort of," Kenshin wanted to avoid the subject, Shura didn't know anything about what was happening, and Kenshin wasn't about to start spreading his secrets around so he just talked about business.
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"Shh, its okay now baby," Kaoru reassured a still crying Kenji. Kaoru cooed Kenji while carrying him, and after a while he fell asleep. She placed him on his bed, and wiped his tears away, and then left the room. Kaoru headed in the kitchen where she would have a little chit chat with the maids.
The maids like Kaoru, she's always helping them, and they know that she's a good person. They felt at ease with her around, so when they saw her approaching, they didn't have to act as if they were working, they act natural around Kaoru.
"Good afternoon Miss Kaoru," said one of the maids, and others followed suit.
"Good afternoon, and how many times did I tell all of you not to call me 'Miss', just call me plain Kaoru," Kaoru kind of scolded them. "Do you know where Kenshin is?"
"Sir Kenshin is in the study with Miss Shura," said one maid. "They're discussing another case from what I've heard."
"I see, well are they doing more than just talking?" asked Kaoru.
"They were kind of disheveled when I came in with tea," said the maid. "But please don't think that I'm spying or anything."
"No, no don't worry I'm not. I'm just wondering what they're doing."
Kaoru, in truth was mad, she wasn't expecting Kenshin to just 'fool around' in his house, where Kenji can just walk in on him and see him with another woman. Kaoru left the maids and headed inside Kenshin's room, and sat down.
"I really have to do something, or else I'm Kenshin to that woman!" Kaoru said to herself, and so she dialed Misao's number.
"Hello, Misao you seriously need to help me."
"What is it?" asked Misao on the other line.
"It's Kenshin, I'm losing him."
"What do you mean losing him?"
"Ok, let's meet tomorrow at the café we usually hang out okay?"
"Sure, sure, usual time too?"
"Yeah, same table too, okay bye." Kaoru hung up the phone, and was left to think until she couldn't think anymore and decided to cook.
Upon reaching the door way, Kenshin suddenly opened it and bump Kaoru's forehead accidentally.
"Watch it!" shouted Kaoru, massaging her newly bumped forehead.
"Sorry," was all Kenshin could muster, while looking at Kaoru. He didn't even realize that he was staring at her, when she suddenly snapped her fingers. He continued his way towards the closet and got some clean clothes, while Kaoru headed out.
Kenshin didn't know what he was feeling, he suddenly had the urge to kiss her lips, but then when he looked at her she just looked plain. Nothing extraordinary, but then how come he had those kinds of urges? He didn't want to go further ponder the subject so he just took a bath.
Kaoru was confused, before Kenshin wouldn't even apologize and now he was apologizing and staring too. Kaoru just shook her head and went to the kitchen to prepare dinner, when she caught some news from the maids.
"I saw him french her…"
"I know, I wonder what she would think if she saw them."
"Oh, but I like her better than the prissy one."
"Yeah, yeah me too."
They all stopped when they caught Kaoru staring at them, and they continued on working; suddenly they felt afraid of her. Upon hearing all this, Kaoru felt more determined that she's going to fight for what she's feeling.
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The next day Kaoru waited for Kenshin to finish eating his breakfast, with anticipation in her eyes.
"So did you like your breakfast?" asked Kaoru.
"Yes," Kenshin answered, wondering why Kaoru took a sudden interest if his breakfast was good. "Where's Kenji?"
"Oh, well, he's in his room," said Kaoru. "Don't worry I brought him breakfast; he's eating while watching his favorite cartoon."
"I see," Kenshin said, looking at Kaoru, and he saw that she still wanted to say something else.
"Kenshin since you said to ask your permission if I'm going anywhere," Kaoru started. "Well, we're going to be late when we get home, so don't worry okay, and if you need to check up on us you know my number right?"
"Wait, we?"
"Yeah, Kenji and I."
"I see, very well, but be careful," Kenshin answered. "Oh yes, before I forget, I need to talk to you okay?"
Kaoru just nodded, too happy to finish her food, so she just watched as Kenshin finished his food. She watched how his Adams apple went up and down, and how he chews his food. Kenshin seems oblivious in her action, when in truth he could feel her stare but he didn't want the feeling to go away, which surprised him, so he just went on eating.
Kenshin stood up after he finished eating, and he said he's going to be late, but Kaoru just stared at him. His top three buttons were opened, Kaoru saw how his muscles flexed as he got up, and couldn't help up imagine what it would be like to touch his chest. All those thoughts banished when she heard Kenshin shout at her.
"Did you hear what I just said?"
"Yes, I know I'll take care of him," said Kaoru, somehow she knew what he was talking about when she was imagining thoughts of touching his chest.
"Well, just tell Kenji I said goodbye, we still have to talk about what happened yesterday."
Kaoru just nodded at everything he said; somehow Kaoru seemed to be in trance when Kenshin is around. She liked the feel of being mesmerized by Kenshin so she didn't fight anything she felt.
Kenshin left the house, with Kaoru watching his every move, as if memorizing everything about him. Kaoru's trance was broken when she felt someone tugging at her clothes, and saw Kenji.
"Yes Kenji?"
"Mommy, I'm thirsty."
Kaoru smiled and said, "What kind of drink do you want?"
"Mmm… orange juice!" Kenji decided.
"And orange juice it is," Kaoru said laughing at how Kenji's face twisted while thinking.
Kaoru got Kenji some orange juice, and decided to watch him eat.
'He's so much like his father, it's like they're just a photo copy of each other,' Kaoru thought. She studied him, while he was drinking orange juice, and while he talked about how his superhero fought the bad guys, and all she could do was nod. Kaoru wondered which features he got from his mother, and saw none. It seems like every feature Kenji has, Kenshin have.
"Mommy, are you and daddy going to separate?"
The question brought Kaoru out of her thoughts, and looked at Kenji quizzically.
"What do you mean?" she asked back.
"Well, my friend at school, said that his parents separated because his daddy had another love," started Kenji, Kaoru listened carefully. "And his mommy got really sad, and then his mommy left his daddy, and now my friend lives in two houses."
"I see, don't worry mommy's not going to leave daddy," said Kaoru.
Kenji smiled after hearing this, and so he continued to talk about his superhero, until Kaoru stopped him.
"Kenji do you want to go with me?" asked Kaoru. "I'm going to meet your Auntie Misao."
Kenji smiled and said yes, and added if they could go buy some toys after, and Kaoru complied.
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Kaoru and Kenji arrived at the café, and saw Misao already sat in their usual table in the corner, with two other people. Kaoru and Kenji walked towards them, and they looked back at hearing someone approaching.
"Kamatari, Soujiro, what are you guys doing here?" asked Kaoru.
"What we're not invited anymore?" asked Kamatari.
"No, no it's not that, it's because I thought you two were in Spain," reasoned Kaoru.
"Well, we were but we had enough of Spain," said Kamatari, while Soujiro just smiled. "Besides, don't you miss your two favorite cousins?"
"Of course I do, I haven't seen you guys for what, two years."
"Kaoru I don't believe you've introduced us to this little man," said Soujiro, now smiling at Kenji.
"Oh yeah, this is Kenji, my son."
Soujiro stopped smiling, and Kamatari spit out his drink, while Misao just sat there smiling up on Kaoru.
"Your son," said Kamatari, finally recovering from the shock. "Since when did you have a son?"
"Since now," Kaoru answered back. "Kenji why don't you go kiss your Uncle Kamatari and Uncle Soujiro."
Kenji walked towards Kamatari and tip toed, trying to reach Kamatari, so Kamatari bent over. After kissing Kamatari's cheeks, Kenji went over Soujiro, who did the same thing, and afterwards Kenji walked back to Kaoru.
"Kenji go over the play pen over there, and play with the other kids," Kaoru ushered Kenji. "We have some grown-up talking to do over here."
Kenji walked towards the play pen, and Kaoru sat down at the available seat next to Misao.
"So who's the father?" asked Kamatari.
Kaoru told them of what happened, and they understood.
"I got to admit Kaoru, you snatched a pretty good deal, and a very handsome little boy," said Kamatari.
"His face is pretty familiar," said Soujiro. "Did you say Kenshin Himura was the father?"
Kaoru nodded, and asked if Soujiro knew him.
"Of course!" Soujiro exclaimed. "Kenshin Himura, the millionaire lawyer, world's famous playboy."
Kaoru ignored this and turned to Misao and said, "I need your help."
"So, you're falling for him," stated Kamatari.
"How do you know," asked Kaoru.
"I could tell how you're so interested on what Soujiro had to say about him and stuff."
"Well, now you know, I need to make him fall for me too."
"Don't worry dear cousin, Kamatari's back and there's no need to fret now."
Kaoru, Misao, and Soujiro locked gazes, with sweat obvious in their foreheads. They knew that Kamatari's plans were always drastic and extreme.
"Do you guys remember in high school," started Kamatari. "When Soujiro couldn't get away from this girl and Misao acted as his girlfriend? Well, we're going to be doing the same thing again, except Soujiro is going to act as Kaoru's lover."
"Yes, that's the greatest plan you've ever thought of!" shouted Kaoru, and then all of the people looked over their table. Kaoru shrunk in her seat, and all the people went back to their business. Soujiro just sweated more.
They ended their day with hugs and kisses, and their plans ongoing. Kaoru took Kenji to a toy store and they went to a fast food and ate. Kaoru didn't order any food from the café because she was too busy talking.
They went home at 9:00 pm, Kaoru tucked Kenji into bed, and she dressed for the night and snuggled in the bed. Kenshin still wasn't home, and that's good, cause then he'll be too tired to make his bed and then just sleep in the bed and cuddle with Kaoru again. In some ways, Kaoru's starting to fall for Kenshin, and she likes the idea and wouldn't dare have it any other way.
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A/N: Thank you for reading, and sorry for the late update. Please review and tell me of what you think, I'd really appreciate it. My next update would be my other story "Simple Truth". If you have time, read it too, and review also. Till next time. Fateful