Changes
Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin or the lyrics of Hushabye Mountain. Please enjoy!
Discovering Changes
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
Kenshin opened the gate and surveyed the moon bathed dojo yard. Everything was just as he remembered, maybe a little more cleaned up, but still basically the same. Everyone seemed to be asleep if the lack of lights meant anything. As he approached the deck, Yahiko appeared, apparently having just come from the kitchen, a rice ball in his hand. He nearly dropped it when he caught sight of Kenshin.
"Kenshin? Is that you?"
"Hai. It is me," said Kenshin. Looking closely at Yahiko, he saw that, he had experienced a growth sprit; his face had lost its childish characteristics and taken on the hard, defined planes of a young man. He was not wearing his usual yellow and green outfit, but a gia of navy blue with a white and blue collar, and a white hamaka. "You've grown quite a lot these past two years." Yahiko merely nodded. "How is Kaoru? Is she sleeping right now?"
A child's cry suddenly pierced the air, and Yahiko gave a soft laugh while shaking his head. "She isn't now." When he noticed that Kenshin's hand had gone to his sword, he quickly reassured the wanderer, "This happens almost every night. Come on, I'll take you to her. Just, don't go up to her."
Kenshin nodded and followed Yahiko around the corner of the deck, to the back of the dojo. They stood where some of the rooms opened out onto the garden, and Yahiko motioned him to be quite and to stay within the shadows that the full moon had cast.
Shortly, one of the paper doors was pushed open and Kaoru stepped out, a crying bundle in her arms. She cooed to the child and began to walk around the garden, gently rocking him. After a couple minutes the child stopped crying, but still whimpered as big tears slid from his eyes. Kaoru gently wiped the tears away and placed the baby's head on her shoulder making comforting noises and rubbing his back. Her back was to the wall of the garden, so she did not see, when a figure stood momentarily on the wall, and then silently jumped to the ground near her. Kenshin's hand went to his sword, but once again Yahiko stopped him.
"It's all right," he whispered and motioned for Kenshin to look back to where Kaoru was standing.
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
"Is he hungry?" came Aoshi's calm voice. " Sick? Or was it bad dream?" He asked gently touching his child's head, concern starting to fill his voice.
"The weather is a little warmer tonight, and I think that is bothering him," Kaoru reassured her husband. "I think I'll leave the door open tonight once he falls back asleep."
Aoshi nodded, relieved that there was nothing seriously wrong with his child. "Could hear him from miles away. Must take after you when it comes to being vocal" he said as he wiped a stray tear away.
Kaoru was about to scold him, but instead decided to shove him slightly with her free hand, when she saw the smile curving his lips. She shifted her son back into her arms and rocked him again as she walked over to the koi pond, Aoshi right by her side. Soon the baby was cooing back at his mother and gave a sleepy yawn. "Here he wants to hear his papa sing," said Kaoru carefully passing the baby into Aoshi's arms.
Aoshi stared thoughtfully at his son, raising an eyebrow. " Is that right? You don't want your mother to?" The baby cooed his approval causing Kaoru to laugh softly as she turned back to their room. Aoshi watched her go and then come back out with the babies cradle. She set it on the deck and sat beside it arranging the blankets. Aoshi looked back at his son. "Tell me Yuki, how does your mother do this? Huh?" After a moment of thought, he cleared his throat and his deep voice began to fill the air.
"A gentle breeze from Hushabye Mountain
Softly blows on Lullaby Bay
It fills the sails of boats that are waiting
Waiting to sail your troubles away
It isn't far to Hushabye Mountain
And your boat waits down by the key
The winds of night so softly are sighing
So then will fly your troubles to sea
So close your eyes on Hushabye Mountain
Wave good-bye to cares of the day
And watch your boat from Hushabye Mountain
Sail far away from Lullaby Bay"
Aoshi walked over to his wife and gently laid his son in the cradle and kissed his forehead. "Goodnight son. Daddy loves you. Very much." He whispered as he sat by Kaoru and pulled her into his arms, while she gently rocked the cradle.
"So close your eyes on Hushabye Mountain
Wave good-bye to cares of the day
And watch your boat from Hushabye Mountain
Sail far away from Lullaby Bay"
When the baby fell asleep Aoshi took him and the cradle, back into the room. As he settled himself back on the porch he decided to share the news he had just received.
"Saito tells me that there has been a report of Himura arriving in the area."
"I hope he doesn't make himself a stranger. This is his home," said Kaoru, as she began to settle herself between Aoshi's legs.
Aoshi simply nodded. He had actually already sensed Himura's presence when he had returned home. He also knew that Yahiko was with him, so decided not to take notice of his appearance. Besides, Kaoru would find out tomorrow, and at the moment he was tired and wanted the sole company of his wife tonight. They shared a deep kiss, before Kaoru settled back. Her back was to his chest, as he wrapped his arms around her and they watched the stars.
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
"The baby is Aoshi's isn't it?" asked Kenshin. A pointless question really. Aside from the fact that he had never slept with her, he had been gone two whole years. There was no way the child could be his.
Yahiko nodded. "Yes. A lot has happened the past two years. They are married now. Have been for almost a year."
Kenshin nodded, he was glad she had someone who could love her as completely as she deserved. Staying in the shadows of the deck, Kenshin turned to leave.
"They will want to see you," said Yahiko, "This is still your home."
Kenshin nodded again, "Is my room still the same?"
Yahiko nodded, "Will you be alright?"
"Her happiness is my happiness", said Kenshin, and it was true. Tomoe would always stand between Kaoru and himself. His time away had made him face this fact. Together they would never really find happiness. Tomoe would always have a part of his heart that Kaoru could never have. If she was truly as happy, as she looked holding her baby with Aoshi, than, that was enough.