A soft crying woke Kenshin from his sleep, and he realized it was his newborn son. Rising from the futon and careful not wake his wife, Kenshin made his way to Kenji's room next to their own. Kenji was fussing in his cradle, and Kenshin scooped him up and began to comfort him.
"Shh, little one," Kenshin murmured. "We don't want to wake your kaa-san, do we?" He rocked the infant gently, calming Kenji.
Kenshin looked down at Kenji, who had taken to sucking his tiny thumb. "Your kaa-san says you look like this one, that she does, Kenji-chan." Kenshin smiled slightly. "She's right in that you have this one's red hair, that she is, but…" Kenshin stroked the baby's cheek. "I pray you grow up to a much different man than your tou-san. Do not make the same mistakes this one did."
Kenshin rubbed his nose to Kenji's making the infant giggle. "I love you too much, my son. I won't let anything happen to you. I promise."
Kenji suddenly latched onto Kenshin's red hair, making his father squeak out an "oro." Kenji giggled again, enjoying his "toy."
Kenshin was able to free himself, but couldn't help but chuckle at his son's amusement. Kenshin began to softly hum, trying to calm his son back to sleep. Slowly, words began to form, and Kenshin's tenor voice rocked Kenji sleep.
The proud father gazed down at his sleeping son and whispered, "I love you, Kenji, indeed I do."
This is not the end, a second chappie is waiting for you!