I've read quite a few fanfics that involved this plotline (Kaoru leaving Kenshin because she was pregnant, without him knowing), but this has got to be one of the best. I like the take of Kenshin's response, not Battousai's, because often this kind of set-up has him searching/hunting for her, rather than trying to respect her wishes and give her her space (or the self-deprecating "you were too good for me" that seems so rurouni).

On to comments about the story, itself- I don't have any kids, so I can't speak to the potential frustration of a teenager, but I thought you balanced Kenji really well here. It's not easy to balance the awkward not-a-kid-but-not-an-adult phase. I initially read this last week, before I reactivated my ff account, so I came back to write a review, which means re-reading it, and I started laughing when I got to the piece where Kenji said the boys at school make comments about her, because I know what's coming later (foreshadowing at its best!). He's a teenager who gets embarrassed, but loves his mom, and I thought he was adorable. I loved his protective streak, both with Kenshin and with his classmates; I also had to look up what "MILF" meant, because I've heard the term enough to know the general context but not the exact acronym.

I also love the humor that you insert, both in your descriptions and commentary, but also in the dialogue itself. The little turn of phrases and asides were great, like describing Misao's ability with hair, or when Kaoru asked herself how she could still be dazzled by Kenshin's smile after all these years. And the dialogue felt natural, and very in-character.

The only critique I might have is that there were a couple of times where I think autocorrect may have substituted a wrong word (like "faltering" instead of "flattering"), or there was a smaller word missing ("I" or "in" or whatever), but I genuinely enjoyed this story. Thank you for sharing it!

I've read this story years ago and just got the nerve to put a review. It's a great story where everything was presented well. The blames and fears of both parents as adolescence were brought up. It was also a great reflection of the Himura family whereas Kenji's hostility with Kenshin and attachment to Kaoru. I really love the Kenji-Kaoru moments.

Also, I've read a similar story before where the girl's reason for not telling the guy was also not to hinder his dreams and future. But the whole reason was that she didn't want to have her child experienced being resented by the father for being the reason of abandoning the dream. The guy might have loved them from the start and truly loved them but she doesn't want to risk the possibility of having him hate the child later in life. I really like the story of that one and yours was added on one of the best rendition of the plot.

I love this fic. I remember reading this years ago and I stumbled upon it again. Was just as great as the first time I read it. I really like how both of them were to blame, but neither were really at fault. Great balance.

There should be a sequel to this. It's so good.

Make more!

Loved the story! It was sweet, honest, and very personal. I can see many other women making the same decision Kaoru's did and still rocking it! Hope we can get a sequel from you! :)

Please write a sequel! Please please please!

I like it! Both are a little too much the martyr so this is probably how it would turn out. However, I really do think that kenshin would have made a point to get the reason from her face to face. But still an awesome story and i really love how you did kenji! Keep it up and Thank you!

It's a fantastic little story I'm team KenKao all the way.

OHHH LOVE this fanfic! can believe I found again

OMG its awsm i luv d way u started d stry...
Great wrk ;)

i could totally imagine kaoru as a hot mom.. XD

Looks like it's the end of the line for the Kenji and Kaoru chronicles since were starting up Kenshin and Kaoru again..

Well actually, scratch that, it going to be the triple K chronicles.. LOL, A series of stories about the woes of Kenji for have very attractive parents and his mortification of their PDA.. Despite the fact that is transpires inside the four walls of their house, still PDA for him, though.. Poor boy.. At least we'll be sure he won't be getting anyone pregnant anytime soon..! XD

Although I don't really blame Himura about what happened. I wouldn't really say it would be stalker-ish if he did end up at Kaoru's doorway when she broke up with him. It's only natural if he indeed was so in love.. I mean, come on, they just did the deed a few months ago before the break-up. What self-respecting man would not itch to get his hands on his woman again after a night like that? Himura must be weirder than Hiko gave him credit for.. XD

Even normal ex-boyfriends have such obsessive ways... and Kenshin, well, if the rather slim chance of meeting Kaoru after fifteen years of no communication convinced him into packing his bags and moving meant anything, yeah, he's definitely obsessed.. he's probably one lock of hair shy of being a stalker.. and don't get me started in him hoping to find her in his emergency room in the off chance..XD

Fun story! My favorite part were still Kenji and Kaoru moments.. XD

Love it! But you might want to put in a little more description at the beginning. Both is very IC in my opinion:)

Up until Kenji pointed out Kenshin's fault in the situation, I actually blamed Kaoru entirely. But then when Kenji revealed how her mother's cell, city, name, etc. etc. were all the same, I could see Kenshin getting blamed for at least part of it. I mean, how long does it take for Kenshin to supposedly get the nerve to at least go up to Kaoru? I would have thought less than nine months. IDK, breaking up by phone seems cowardly and suspicious all at once. Once some of the hurt cooled down, Kenshin should have been able to think more logically.

Then again, maybe it's me being female and understanding both sides of the situation and wanting to blame them both, LOL.

I also loved how Kaoru is oblivious to her "MILF" status, as you so put it. It was obvious from the beginning, and made me love Kenji even more.