Genpuku
by: MrFoshizzlePro
Disclaimer: Rurouni Kenshin is owned by Nobuhiro Watsuki. I own nothing ^^;
A Fateful Day's Arrival
The day had finally arrived.
The reality of this had never occurred to Himura Kenshin until his son's fast approaching fifteenth birthday. It had seemed like an ordinary day at first. The laundry was taken care of, the dojo had been cleaned, and breakfast was cooking. Up until this time, Kenji had disappeared and his concerned father took this into consideration as he worked in the kitchen alone.
Kaoru was the first to enter the kitchen, the hot smell of miso hanging in the air like fog. Sneakily, she drifted behind the form of her husband and cloaked her hands over his unexpecting violet eyes. Kenshin drew in a sharp breath, at first taken completely off guard by the sudden darkness that stole his vision. Then, realization came over him and he smiled amusingly.
"Could these beautiful hands belong to that of Kaoru?" he asked, purposely acting confused for his wife's own enjoyment.
Kaoru pulled her hands away from Kenshin's eyes and lightly bonked him over the head with her fist. "Oh stop," she giggled, pressing her lips against his scarred cheek gently, adding, "I'm not a little girl. You don't have to pretend you're confused if you really know it's me."
Kenshin chuckled and closed the gap between their bodies by extending his slender arm around Kaoru's waist. He pulled her close to his side as he stirred the steaming soup. "Okay koishii," he murmured. He tilted his fiery head against hers and smiled. "For now on, my confusion will be real."
Kaoru sighed deeply. "Anata, you baka."
"Would a baka know how to cook?" He inquired with a raised eyebrow.
"Maybe..." There was a glint in Kaoru's eyes when she spoke. Kenshin quietly chuckled in response.
Suddenly, a thought stroked the young woman, pulling her from their tender moment. "Oh, Kenshin, isn't today-" He gave her no chance to finish her sentence, for he solemnly nodded his head in confirmination. "Hai," he said. "Today is the day of Kenji's genpuku ceremony."
Another sigh sounded, this time from Kenshin. His eyes reflected his troublesome thoughts. "Kenji is not our little boy anymore, de gozaru. One forgets the times move faster than this one's own speed."
Kaoru dipped her head in agreement. " But even so," she told him, giving her husband a reassuring look as her sapphire eyes swept over his slitted violets. "He will always be our little Kenji no matter what. If there is one thing time can't take, it would be the loving bonds we share as a family."
"You are right, koishii." Kenshin squeezed her tight. Her reassurance had calmed his fading nerves. "Whatever the future may hold for him," he went on with newly found confidence noticeable in his voice. "Kenji will grow to be a great man."