Disclaimer: I do not own RK. Neither do I own the characters.
A/N: I left out a note in my previous work "Upon Meeting". At the point of time when the story happened, Sanosuke returned already. In this sequel, I'll feature his brother too, so spoiler warnings!! On with the story… …
~~
The young man woke up at the crack of dawn. He expected the sight of a dark sky to meet his eye, but all he saw was an unfamiliar ceiling. Where was he?
He sat up with a jolt, and realized he was snug in the comfort of a warm futon. It took a while for the situation to sink in.
Being a wanderer for years, sleeping under shelter felt strange to Soujirou. Always, it had been the open sky to greet him when he first opened his eyes. Too long a habit, Soujirou felt a surge of unusual confinement and less than fresh air.
Easing out from under the blankets, Soujirou folded the futon neatly and put it aside. It was only yesterday Kenshin and Kaoru had welcomed him as part of their family. Not to mention Yahiko too. Plus Sanosuke and Kenji. It would take longer than one night for him to get used to the idea.
Fresh, cool morning air poured into the room as he slid the shoji smoothly open. Leaning against the wooden door frame, Soujirou thought of his past wandering life and compared it to one night of family life full of love and concern. Definitely, wandering provided much more freedom, but the pull of family life was much too strong. Yesterday evening, Soujirou had resisted the temptation to flee. He fought with the many different emotions within him.
After what he had done being part of the Juppon Gutana, he felt uneasy at receiving the attention Kenshin showered upon him. Guilty as he was, Soujirou wanted to leave Kenshin and his family to live the life they should have without him. Having anticipated his feelings, Kenshin talked to Soujirou privately that night. That conversation drained Soujirou of all determination he had to return to wandering life.
When Kaoru passed him a bowl of rice during dinner with a broad smile, Soujirou felt comforted.
When Sanosuke and Yahiko started a brawl over the dinner, Soujirou felt a sense of belonging.
When Kenji pulled him outside to play after the dishes were cleared, Soujirou felt accepted.
When Kenshin finished with the private conversation, Soujirou felt complete.
His heart soared at the feeling of family life. How distant this sensation was to him. After years of fighting with Shishio, his pure and innocent soul had been torn away from him. Now, he was trying desperately to bring the pieces back, and the feeling of being home helped a lot… …
Soujirou caught a movement with the corner of his eye. He stepped back into the depths of the shadows of his room, readying himself to move if necessary. But all efforts proved fruitless as Kenshin walked out of his room. Or the room he shared with Kaoru
~~
Kenshin awoke at the crack of dawn, as usual. He loved the peacefulness of place when everything still seemed asleep.
Careful not to wake his wife, he slipped out under the covers and smoothened them, tucking them gently around Kaoru. Bending down, he brushed a light kiss on Kaoru's forehead. Straightening up, he made to exit the room, stopping only to glance at Kaoru's peaceful sleeping form. The mere sight of her could assure him that he was the happiest man alive.
Kenshin left his room, closed slid the shoji close and turned. He smiled and called out.
~~
"Ohayo Soujirou. Surely the fresh morning air is more appealing than the shadows of your room?"
Kenshin called out in the general direction of Soujirou's sleeping quarters. Thirty odd years into his life, Kenshin's alertness had yet to forsake him. He chuckled lightly when Soujirou came into view. The young boy moved with much stealth then even Kenshin nearly missed noticing him. If not for the slight opening of the shoji, Kenshin would not have known Soujirou had awoken.
"Ohayo gozaimasu, Himura-san."
"It's about time you called me Kenshin."
Soujirou faltered for a moment, then nodded his consent. He very much wanted to give Kenshin the respect he deserved, but since Kenshin insisted, Soujirou had no choice but to comply.
Kenshin stepped off the porch and headed towards the well. He turned and glanced at Soujirou, asking without speaking for Soujirou to join him. Soujirou returned Kenshin's silent question with an answer just as unspoken. Both walked towards the well, footsteps in unison.
~~
Kenshin hauled a pail of water from the well and offered it to Soujirou first. The latter readily accepted. Kenshin sprinkled water on his face and Soujirou did the same. When washing up was done, Kenshin brought out yesterday's laundry. It was an usual routine for him to wash the clothes at dawn, hanging them out to dry under the morning sun and collect them when the fiery ball subsided into a lovely, scenic view in the evening.
Soujirou stared at the pile of soiled clothes, very confused. He would not have expected a former hitokiri to be doing the laundry.
Kenshin chuckled merrily at the young boy's expression. He knelt down and started work, knowing Soujirou was bright enough to figure out Kenshin was not joking about doing the laundry.
And indeed, Soujirou understood. Still mildly stunned by the fact, he, too, crouched beside the tub and began to help Kenshin.
Between the two, brief conversations trickled from their mouths, slowly forming a lively chatter just soft enough so as not to wake the others.
~~
Himura Kaoru woke up and per normal, found the space beside her empty. Kenshin had long been awake and about the house, and with no doubt finished washing and hanging out the clothes and prepared breakfast. This was the life Kenshin had chosen ever since he stepped into the Kamiya dojo.
Getting off the futon, she packed it neatly and placed it away. Stretching, Kaoru yawned, and stopped halfway when she heard Soujirou speaking to Kenshin outside the room. I almost forgot we have a new member in the family. I have to make sure he feels welcomed. First thing I'll do is drop any honorific behind his name. Then introduce him properly to all the others.
Musing to herself, Kaoru didn't notice Kenshin poke his head into the room.
"Oro? Koiishi?"
The sight of Kaoru standing in the middle of their room, thinking first thing in the morning amused Kenshin. It took Kenshin to walk into the room and stand in front of Kaoru to bring his wife back to reality.
"Oh Kenshin! Ohayo! I was just thinking… Ah, Ohayo, Soujirou."
Kaoru was about to explain to Kenshin her thoughts but saw Soujirou standing outside the room. Delighted at the relieved look on his face, she smiled brightly at him before leaving the room with Kenshin at her heels.
~~
Soujirou was pleasantly surprised when Kaoru called him without any honorific attached to it. Her acceptance was readily shown in her cheery voice and bright smile.
Watching her leave the room, Soujirou's heart released some tension it still held within. He turned around and found Kenshin grinning at him. One down four more to go, not to mention some others… …
~~
Both swordsmen walked to gate, just in time to welcome a spiky haired youth. He greeted them with a yawn.
"Damn that Sanosuke… I shouldn't have agreed to let him have his house back… Now I got to share the place with him and he snores… How can I sleep beside a human who snorts like a pig?"
Scratching his head, Yahiko's eyes watered as he tried to cover another huge yawn.
"It's might as well I'm here. I'll go catch some more sleep. That is if busu lets me. Oh yeah, Soujirou, nice to see you still here."
Soujirou couldn't conceal his delight. Kenshin grinned even wider as they went off to look for yet another person.
~~
Kaoru loved waking Kenji up. His violet orbs were exactly like Kenshin's. These soulful gems sparkled with innocence, something Kaoru also saw, to some extent, reflected in Kenshin's eyes.
"-Hayo Kaa-san…"
"Rise and shine darling."
With that she would leave to let Kenji to clamber out of bed himself later. Sliding the door open, she found Kenshin and Soujirou just arriving.
"Is Kenji awake?"
Kaoru nodded and observed the look Kenshin and Soujirou exchanged. Curiosity left Kaoru standing where she was, watching Kenshin prod Soujirou towards Kenji's room. When the latter finally mustered the courage to enter, Kaoru turned to question her husband. Even without talking, Kaoru could convey her message.
"Soujirou was worried about everyone not accepting him."
Then Kaoru understood. The advantages of being happily married. Both saved a lot of words.
~~
"Kenji?"
The young boy turned to face Soujirou. His face immediately brightened and flung himself off his mattress. Giving a yelp of joy, Kenji ran forward and clung to Soujirou's. When the latter leaned down, he wrapped his hands around Soujirou's neck and squealed happily when the wanderer brought him up to sit on his shoulders. Turning around cautiously, Soujirou flashed Kenshin and Kaoru a bright grin, his heart lighter than ever.
~~
Sanosuke and Megumi had yet to make their appearances in the dojo so breakfast started without them. After a booming "Itadakimasu!!" dishes were cleared fast.
Slowly, the dojo's students started to arrive. So did Yutaro.
The day started.
A/N: I left out a note in my previous work "Upon Meeting". At the point of time when the story happened, Sanosuke returned already. In this sequel, I'll feature his brother too, so spoiler warnings!! On with the story… …
~~
The young man woke up at the crack of dawn. He expected the sight of a dark sky to meet his eye, but all he saw was an unfamiliar ceiling. Where was he?
He sat up with a jolt, and realized he was snug in the comfort of a warm futon. It took a while for the situation to sink in.
Being a wanderer for years, sleeping under shelter felt strange to Soujirou. Always, it had been the open sky to greet him when he first opened his eyes. Too long a habit, Soujirou felt a surge of unusual confinement and less than fresh air.
Easing out from under the blankets, Soujirou folded the futon neatly and put it aside. It was only yesterday Kenshin and Kaoru had welcomed him as part of their family. Not to mention Yahiko too. Plus Sanosuke and Kenji. It would take longer than one night for him to get used to the idea.
Fresh, cool morning air poured into the room as he slid the shoji smoothly open. Leaning against the wooden door frame, Soujirou thought of his past wandering life and compared it to one night of family life full of love and concern. Definitely, wandering provided much more freedom, but the pull of family life was much too strong. Yesterday evening, Soujirou had resisted the temptation to flee. He fought with the many different emotions within him.
After what he had done being part of the Juppon Gutana, he felt uneasy at receiving the attention Kenshin showered upon him. Guilty as he was, Soujirou wanted to leave Kenshin and his family to live the life they should have without him. Having anticipated his feelings, Kenshin talked to Soujirou privately that night. That conversation drained Soujirou of all determination he had to return to wandering life.
When Kaoru passed him a bowl of rice during dinner with a broad smile, Soujirou felt comforted.
When Sanosuke and Yahiko started a brawl over the dinner, Soujirou felt a sense of belonging.
When Kenji pulled him outside to play after the dishes were cleared, Soujirou felt accepted.
When Kenshin finished with the private conversation, Soujirou felt complete.
His heart soared at the feeling of family life. How distant this sensation was to him. After years of fighting with Shishio, his pure and innocent soul had been torn away from him. Now, he was trying desperately to bring the pieces back, and the feeling of being home helped a lot… …
Soujirou caught a movement with the corner of his eye. He stepped back into the depths of the shadows of his room, readying himself to move if necessary. But all efforts proved fruitless as Kenshin walked out of his room. Or the room he shared with Kaoru
~~
Kenshin awoke at the crack of dawn, as usual. He loved the peacefulness of place when everything still seemed asleep.
Careful not to wake his wife, he slipped out under the covers and smoothened them, tucking them gently around Kaoru. Bending down, he brushed a light kiss on Kaoru's forehead. Straightening up, he made to exit the room, stopping only to glance at Kaoru's peaceful sleeping form. The mere sight of her could assure him that he was the happiest man alive.
Kenshin left his room, closed slid the shoji close and turned. He smiled and called out.
~~
"Ohayo Soujirou. Surely the fresh morning air is more appealing than the shadows of your room?"
Kenshin called out in the general direction of Soujirou's sleeping quarters. Thirty odd years into his life, Kenshin's alertness had yet to forsake him. He chuckled lightly when Soujirou came into view. The young boy moved with much stealth then even Kenshin nearly missed noticing him. If not for the slight opening of the shoji, Kenshin would not have known Soujirou had awoken.
"Ohayo gozaimasu, Himura-san."
"It's about time you called me Kenshin."
Soujirou faltered for a moment, then nodded his consent. He very much wanted to give Kenshin the respect he deserved, but since Kenshin insisted, Soujirou had no choice but to comply.
Kenshin stepped off the porch and headed towards the well. He turned and glanced at Soujirou, asking without speaking for Soujirou to join him. Soujirou returned Kenshin's silent question with an answer just as unspoken. Both walked towards the well, footsteps in unison.
~~
Kenshin hauled a pail of water from the well and offered it to Soujirou first. The latter readily accepted. Kenshin sprinkled water on his face and Soujirou did the same. When washing up was done, Kenshin brought out yesterday's laundry. It was an usual routine for him to wash the clothes at dawn, hanging them out to dry under the morning sun and collect them when the fiery ball subsided into a lovely, scenic view in the evening.
Soujirou stared at the pile of soiled clothes, very confused. He would not have expected a former hitokiri to be doing the laundry.
Kenshin chuckled merrily at the young boy's expression. He knelt down and started work, knowing Soujirou was bright enough to figure out Kenshin was not joking about doing the laundry.
And indeed, Soujirou understood. Still mildly stunned by the fact, he, too, crouched beside the tub and began to help Kenshin.
Between the two, brief conversations trickled from their mouths, slowly forming a lively chatter just soft enough so as not to wake the others.
~~
Himura Kaoru woke up and per normal, found the space beside her empty. Kenshin had long been awake and about the house, and with no doubt finished washing and hanging out the clothes and prepared breakfast. This was the life Kenshin had chosen ever since he stepped into the Kamiya dojo.
Getting off the futon, she packed it neatly and placed it away. Stretching, Kaoru yawned, and stopped halfway when she heard Soujirou speaking to Kenshin outside the room. I almost forgot we have a new member in the family. I have to make sure he feels welcomed. First thing I'll do is drop any honorific behind his name. Then introduce him properly to all the others.
Musing to herself, Kaoru didn't notice Kenshin poke his head into the room.
"Oro? Koiishi?"
The sight of Kaoru standing in the middle of their room, thinking first thing in the morning amused Kenshin. It took Kenshin to walk into the room and stand in front of Kaoru to bring his wife back to reality.
"Oh Kenshin! Ohayo! I was just thinking… Ah, Ohayo, Soujirou."
Kaoru was about to explain to Kenshin her thoughts but saw Soujirou standing outside the room. Delighted at the relieved look on his face, she smiled brightly at him before leaving the room with Kenshin at her heels.
~~
Soujirou was pleasantly surprised when Kaoru called him without any honorific attached to it. Her acceptance was readily shown in her cheery voice and bright smile.
Watching her leave the room, Soujirou's heart released some tension it still held within. He turned around and found Kenshin grinning at him. One down four more to go, not to mention some others… …
~~
Both swordsmen walked to gate, just in time to welcome a spiky haired youth. He greeted them with a yawn.
"Damn that Sanosuke… I shouldn't have agreed to let him have his house back… Now I got to share the place with him and he snores… How can I sleep beside a human who snorts like a pig?"
Scratching his head, Yahiko's eyes watered as he tried to cover another huge yawn.
"It's might as well I'm here. I'll go catch some more sleep. That is if busu lets me. Oh yeah, Soujirou, nice to see you still here."
Soujirou couldn't conceal his delight. Kenshin grinned even wider as they went off to look for yet another person.
~~
Kaoru loved waking Kenji up. His violet orbs were exactly like Kenshin's. These soulful gems sparkled with innocence, something Kaoru also saw, to some extent, reflected in Kenshin's eyes.
"-Hayo Kaa-san…"
"Rise and shine darling."
With that she would leave to let Kenji to clamber out of bed himself later. Sliding the door open, she found Kenshin and Soujirou just arriving.
"Is Kenji awake?"
Kaoru nodded and observed the look Kenshin and Soujirou exchanged. Curiosity left Kaoru standing where she was, watching Kenshin prod Soujirou towards Kenji's room. When the latter finally mustered the courage to enter, Kaoru turned to question her husband. Even without talking, Kaoru could convey her message.
"Soujirou was worried about everyone not accepting him."
Then Kaoru understood. The advantages of being happily married. Both saved a lot of words.
~~
"Kenji?"
The young boy turned to face Soujirou. His face immediately brightened and flung himself off his mattress. Giving a yelp of joy, Kenji ran forward and clung to Soujirou's. When the latter leaned down, he wrapped his hands around Soujirou's neck and squealed happily when the wanderer brought him up to sit on his shoulders. Turning around cautiously, Soujirou flashed Kenshin and Kaoru a bright grin, his heart lighter than ever.
~~
Sanosuke and Megumi had yet to make their appearances in the dojo so breakfast started without them. After a booming "Itadakimasu!!" dishes were cleared fast.
Slowly, the dojo's students started to arrive. So did Yutaro.
The day started.