Hi there everyone! It's been a while since I submitted anything for Kenshin, so when the idea for this came to me, I knew I had to post it! I rarely do anything for this series that doesn't have Sano in it, but I love Kenshin as a father. I decided not to use my original characters Souko or Machiko, so Kenji was obvious. This is based off of Samurai X: Trust and Betrayal/Reflection, not the Rurouni Kenshin manga.
There is no mention of the wife/mother in this. Picture yourself in her place if you want. I do... He he he... I own nothing. -Stares wide eyed and toddles off-
History of the Top
'History really does repeat itself,' a bemused Kenshin thought as he stared at the small gift in the paper box his son held.
It was a top. A child's toy carved out of oak, or maybe even birch. It was wider than it was tall, with a sharp edge and a rounded point for a smooth spin. The red, blue and green weaved around it in a way that would blur into a dizzying spiral and it was shiny with a fresh coat of varnish. The winding tie was soft and strong, made of woven cotton strands and plain white.
Kenshin watched as Kenji held the toy in his tiny hands, turning it over, eyes wide and mouth slightly open in wonder. Kenshin knew that spark in the three year-olds' eyes and took the top, showing him how to wind the tie just right so it wouldn't land crooked. The boy giggled and clapped as the top went skidding across the tatami mat, running to chase after it. Kenshin sighed and leaned against the wooden panelled wall, mind fluttering through memories.
He remembered his own small hands winding a plain and well-loved top, pulling the tie and watching as it skidded clumsily across the wooden floor to his mother's feet. 'No no, Shinta, like this,' she would say as she sent the toy hopping across the floorboards with grace, causing the boy to laugh in awe.
He remembered clutching the top to his chest as the other slaves were picked off one by one, watching as the bandits' swords flashed like lightning above him. He was scared as the blood showered down and mingled with his already blood red hair, then he was angry when they turned on him.
He remembered falling asleep with the top by his side, above his head but not between him and his katana. Not that it mattered, as he would always wake up with the toy in his hand and his Master scowling at him for being so childish, so attached.
He remembered how he would spin the top across the inn's tatami mat when he was alone in his room at night. It was the one thing other than drinking that would help settle his mind after bloodying his mind; the comfort of his once innocent childhood.
He remembered leaving it behind in the small house in Otsu, left to burn and fuel a fire that would carry so many things to another world. His childhood, his foolish dreams, his one true love…
Kenshin winces as he thinks of this and shakes his head, returning his eyes to his son. Kenji awkwardly winds the tie around the top, pulling a little to jerky, but it does the trick and the toy spins. Kenshin smiles as the toddler's face lights up and he nods as he stands to take his son's hand.
Maybe history does repeat itself, but there is always an exception to a rule.
I really do love Kenshin as a father. And Kenji is just so cute, I wanna pick him up and cuddle him!