Title: Of Equal Terms

Anime: Rurouni Kenshin

POV: Hiko Seijuro

Author's notes: Just an idea of what could (but obviously doesn't) take place in Seijuro-sensei's head. I got the idea when I watched the way he operates more closely. Of the last sentence, take care to note he is not saying he's a father, but that he's always wished to be a father figure, and hopes he was looked up to as one. Anyways, enjoy!!

I cannot bring myself to terms with life.

His life, to be precise.

The fact that he is my successor…

I knew him from the time he was a mere imp of a boy, scrawny and close to helpless. I must've looked huge to that boy.

No. No longer a boy. A man for sure.

He's not as dumb as I tell him he is, either. For some swordsmen, it will take a lifetime to learn the secrets of their style.

For him, it took 4 years, plus two extra days.

I only tell him negative things about himself because I am realistic.

I give him what he will get in this world, and hope he understands it's for his own good.

I like to think that, but it's not the whole truth.

I tell him things like that because if I said what I wanted to say, he'd never leave.

He believes he's nothing special. Loathes himself for committing murder among those of the Revolution.

However, he ceases to remember that, even though the Meji era has government issues, it's still a more peaceful place then what was before.

And he helped to create that peace, like it or not.

So innocent…Even now, I can't believe those eyes aren't clouded with hate and self destruction.

He's the same as he was 15 years ago, when I first saw those eyes in front of mine.

Mine, which are so openly bitter compared to his.

Mine, which he looked up to for 4 years, and I like to think still looks up to.

If I was to tell him we are equal, he'd laugh and try to tell me he'll never measure up to me.

But, in all actuality, he has even surpassed me, because he can create so much right with one sword now that he sees his path.

And yet he's so fragile. Like he'll crumble the instant anything goes wrong.

I know that's not true.

I know it's never been true of that man.

Stubborn, yes, but strong willed, even more.

And that is something I envy of him.

We are of equal terms.

But I still feel something has always been lacking.

Something I've always wanted to tell him, to show him.

But I've always hid it, afraid I'd destroy what little we have and had.

I will continue to hide it.

Perhaps I was wrong.

Perhaps…perhaps he will always be gentle Shinta, and not Kenshin.

Perhaps I was wrong in trying to change who he was.

But now that I see him again…

It never affected him.

It made him stronger and wish to strive for more, as I had hoped.

Though are paths are finished crossing now,

To him I wish to give a final parting gift.

Though only through spirit, I wish he knew these words.

"Take care, my son Kenshin".

Don't get it? Basically: Kenshin does look up to him, in a way. So he hopes he was a good influence. He hopes Kenshin will be safe, and that being a master of the Hiten Mitsurugi style will remind him of himself in the future. He is not Kenshin's father, but wishes, that at some point, Kenshin looked to him as one.

Please review! Thank you for reading!