DICLAIMER: again, I don't own RK, watsuki – san does. So yeah. Longer chapter btw

''FUCK YOU KENSHIN! WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?! YOU BAKA!'' sanosuke screamed at him attempting to futai no kiwami his best friend all the way to china. Kenshin easily evaded all of his punches, which managed to make him angrier. Yahiko hit him on the head with his bokken as hard as possible in an attempt to cool him down, but accidently knocked him out. He was taking the news better than sano, or at least it seemed as if he was, his eyes however betrayed his emotions, and kenshin noticed he was furious with his decision.

''gomen, yahiko, but I have to do this. I have no other choice, this is part of the revolution I started, and it is my duty to finish it.''

'' I understand, but what about kenji? Isn't he a bit young to go to war?''

Kenji was insulted, yahiko was talking about him as if he wasn't even here, and on top of that, he's fifteen, more than old enough to fight. A swordsman is a man when he becomes fifteen, yahiko has no reason to treat him as anything less. '' going to war,'' he said with some malice '' was my decision, and mine alone. Otou-san is going to teach me the mitsurugi style and I will be able to help protect Japan the way my father has.''

Yahiko was taken aback by the cold tone kenji had taken with him, 'although' he thought to himself ' I guess I should have addressed him about it, rather than kenshin'

''Gomen, kenji, I didn't mean to offend, just, take care of yourself. Okay?''

''hai, you don't need to worry about me.'' With that, kenji excused himself from breakfast and went to sit in his room. He would say his goodbye's later, right now, he needed to focus on how he would tell tsuki that he was going to war. He would never have the right words, nor would he ever find the right time to break the news to her…''

back to the kitchen with yahiko and kenshin

''Kenji and I need to go purchase his swords within the hour, however, there is something I need to talk with you about. Stay here, I'll be right back.''

Kenshin got up and walked out of the room leaving yahiko quite confused. If kenshin needed to talk, why did he just leave.? His thought were cut off when kenshin walked back into the room carrying his sakabato, yahiko just stared at him, not sure what was going to happen next.

'' Yahiko, I am no longer worthy of carrying this sword. I believe that you have earned it, and I believe you will do good with it as a follower of the Kamiya Kasshin Ryu. I will entrust this sword to you, yahiko. I trust that you will use this sword for the protection of innocent people without taking the life of a man, as I tried to do. I have failed, but I believe that you will not. I have faith in you yahiko, don't disappoint me. I truly am sorry I couldn't be a better role model.. gomen.''

Yahiko couldn't belive what he was hearing, and before he could completely register what kenshin had told him, the sakabato had replaced his bokken in his obi.

''kenshin… I don't know what to say, I've always wanted the sakabato, but not like this.''



'' I know, but, now is the time. Whether it's how you thought it would be, or not. I'm sorry, but I have to go now. I won't leave without saying goodbye to everyone, but kenji and I need to get his daisho. Kenshin left yahiko in the kitchen staring at his new sword. Contemplating the circumstances in which he received his new weapon. ' I will use this the way kenshin used to, I will not fail him.'

Kenji was pulled back to reality when he heard a rough knock on his shouji, '' yes?'' he called out. Kenshin slid back the door, '' it's time to go, we need to get a lesson in before noon, and I'm sure you have people you need to explain your situation to.''

"hai, otou-san. I'm ready to go."

As kenshin and kenji walked through the streets of Tokyo, kenji started to wonder where they were going to get his swords, he'd never seen a blacksmith in town before. Kenshin, knowing what his son was thinking, answered without kenji even asking the question. " I have an old friend from the revolution who still has quite an array of swords in his possession. I'm sure he'll let you buy a katana and a wakizashi from him. And don't worry about the sword laws, I have special permission to carry my diasho, and as my son you do too.''

'' hai, otou-san.'' kenji responded '' what do I use a waki-'' he was cut off by the shrill screech of a police whistle. A group of about 5 policemen surrounded kenshin and kenji yelling something about breaking the sword code and having to come down to the station with them.

''baka,'' kenshin mumbled under his breath '' I have special permission to carry my daisho, if you have any questions I suggest you bring them up with saito, er fujita-san, which ever name you know him by."

The policemen looked completely stumped. Why would a common man have such permission? '' I'm sorry sir, but you need to come with us, I cannot see why a common man would have permission to carry a daisho.''

'' we don't have time for this, move, or I'll make you.and I suggest you take me up on my first offer.'' And with nothing more to say, kenshin and kenji continued walking, leaving the policemen behind them stunned into submission. Just as one of the cops was about to chase after them again, saito walked up behind him. '' fujita –san, that man is carrying swords, he says he has special-''

"Shut up ahou, I told you today that battosai and his son had permission, I suggest you don't get in his way again, he has a lot to do in about 4 hours. Now get out of my face, back to your duties.''

''what!? Are you telling me that man was, the hitokiri battosai? But, he's so tiny!''

'' I thought told you to leave, but if you must know size has nothing to do with skill, and as many men are baka's like you, they underestimated him and paid for their mistake with their lives. Now, get out of my face… last I checked you were supposed to on patrol, not debating with me over the size of the battosai.''

'' hai, fujita-san, gomen nazi.'' The officer and his patrol group hurriedly returned to their jobs.

''we have arrived kenji. Shibumi-san has about 7 daisho laid out, I want you to give them each a good swing, pick the one you're most comfortable with. A sword isn't just a weapon, it should be an extention of yourself, it should feel natural. Keep that in mind, and remember, your swords are you best friends in battle.''



'' hai, otou-san.''

Kenshin knocked on the door, '' ah, Himura-san, always a pleasure. And this must be your son kenji, my my he looks so much like you. Except for his eyes, such a brilliant blue. Please come in, I have a few daisho lain out for you, pick the one you feel most comfortable with.''

''Arigato, Shibumi-san. how much do I owe you?''

''ah himura, forget about it. As long as you keep our country safe, that'll be payment enough.''

''shibumi-san, your kindness knows no bounds.''

Kenji was fingering over the different sets, some in black sheaths, others with brown, even one with a blue sheath similar to his eye color.' Your swords are you best friends in battle, they should be a natural extension of yourself' his father's words kept flowing through his mind. Sure it sounded easy enough, but for some reason, it wasn't. All of these swords looked like they would make great weapons. After swinging them all at least twice, one set in particular stood out. It was the sword with the blue sheath, he felt like it was calling out to him. After giving it a couple more good swings, he decided. This daisho would be his best friend on the battle field.

'' a fine choice, kenji.'' Kenshin told his son.

''arigato, otou-san, shibumi-san'' kenji bowed to each of the men in the room with him.

'' okay kenji, it's time to start your first lesson. Domo arigato, shibumi san, I hope to see you again sometime. ''

And with that kenshin and kenji left to the river for their first day of training.