Wolf cubs are so cute! Kawaii! Ok… now that you've had your dose of sugar… let's bite into some real meat.

Disclaimer: Everything that's made up is mine. Everything that's someone else's isn't.

Chapter 10: Brothers

Something strange was going on. It was in the way Kenshin no longer showed displeasure towards her clothing. At least, not while they were anywhere but at the dinner table. He still seemed to think it completely inappropriate that she should dress the way she did and sit down to eat. Like their meal time was something special.

There was still a large amount of leftover frustration over his mother's kimono. He had been pleased when finding her carefully hanging each of their layers up inside the training hall, all the shoji open to allow for the crisp air to relieve them of any stale odor. They had even shared an almost comfortable conversation together. Of course, that entire day alone had been strange; starting with her adventure to the Saitou residence; to finding muddy paw tracks from a certain mutt all over her clean verandas; to wondering how she was going to hang each of the delicate pieces of silk without snagging them on her calluses; and ending with two affable wolf guards appearing to stay up with the valuable collection. The next day, however, upon finding that she was not airing out the kimono so that she could wear them, the lord had returned to scowling at her.

Kaoru was very much aware of how offended he was that she would not dress like one of his noble women, but she herself was still hurt in a prickly corner of her chest. It wasn't a feeling she was experienced with, and she found herself quite incapable of dealing with it. So she ignored it. It was the only way she could make it through those situations they had to share without succumbing to another emotion she was just a bit unsure of. It wasn't a happy sensation, and she was a little afraid it might lead her into a fight with him she would not be able to get away from unscathed.

Training helped. Training had always helped, and now that she had somewhere to train, she was feeling much happier and at ease. This mood was preferable, and she fervently wished for it to rub off on Kenshin. So she smiled, each day, and greeted him like he might be a friend, hoping that if she ignored their troubles he would do the same and they could go on as if nothing had happened. They may have even been able go past it and become true friends. There was much about Kenshin that was exasperating and sometimes idiotic, but there were also moments when she could see a person just as normal as she. That was the person who always greeted her politely and tried to hide his enjoyment over her enthusiasm at meal times.

It was in the uncomfortable way he had brushed off her questioning about his protection when she was four. It was the off-hand way he had complimented her clumsy necklace, pleased and wary over her wearing it at all times. It was the vulnerable way his voice had shook while speaking of his mother and the slight quiver in his hand as he had touched the screens in her pavilion. It was the heartache they shared, the kimono he loved, and that iron wall he kept around himself that broke only on rare occasions. Just recently, it was the way his eyes looked at her training clothes with slight wonder instead of disgust.

She suspected she knew why he was accepting her outfits with a more reasonable air. Only a week after her training had reassumed, Kaoru found her awareness of her surroundings sharpening like it always did. She was just slightly surprised by how dull her senses had become, but she kind of thought that might have been because she was now besieged by animals instead of humans. When she finally did notice, though, the gleam of amber irises from a partially open shoji and dark red hair shadowed by the shelter of the overhanging roof, she had nearly stumbled through the rest of that kata. It wasn't as if she had expected her pastime to go unnoticed, but she had not anticipated his interest in such a fixed and intense way. Every single day she would covertly sneak a look at that same shoji, and every single day he was there, watching as if he had nothing else in the world better to do.

He probably doesn't. Spirits know I would get bored after a few centuries.

Now that he did know she was a samurai in training she half-expected him to lecture her over that one as well. Fighting was not lady-like, not in the least, or so she had always been told by the villagers. That same evening after discovering him studying her in the training hall, she had braced herself for the coming storm. First it was the way she cleaned up after herself, then it was the way she dressed, next it was the way she wanted to spit-shine the palace into shape, after that it was the court kimono she refused to wear, and now it was the boyish way she taught her body swordsmanship. Not one ounce of her was lady-like and this, she was sure, was the final straw.

However, not one word of it had passed his lips, and she was slowly starting to accept that there wouldn't be a confrontation about it. It still unnerved her, when she caught him watching, or when he politely acknowledged her without one sniff of that flat, snobbish nose because of her clothing. In fact, he seemed fine with it, as if all the ladies he had known were skilled with a sword.

I highly doubt that. I wonder what he's really thinking.

It was late morning and Kaoru had wandered herself out to the larger pavilion over the pond, her sapphire irises staring at the icy water as she curled just slightly in on herself. It was really cold with the chill trying to seep into her very bones, and the sky overhead was a thick, dark ominous blanket speaking of winter. Soon it would snow. Maybe even that day. It always snowed earlier up on the mountain, and Kaoru was starting to realize it got colder quicker, too. It was days like these that made her miss home.

Closing her eyes she tried to forget her recent contemplations and imagine home's warmth instead. She remembered the comfort of her mother and father and the heat from their fire as lunch simmered on the stove. It would smell so wonderful, chasing the cold from her body with its spicy aroma, and she would snuggle just a little deeper into her father's arms.

"Mama, tell me a story."

Soft laughter, her mother's laughter, tinkled in her ears. "Wouldn't you rather your father tell you a story?"

"Nuh-uh. His stories are weird."

"Oh?" Another giggle. This one amused as her father grumbled.

"I like yours. Yours are nice, Mama."

"Alright, dear." Her graceful movements flowed from corner to corner of their small kitchen, keeping track of their meal as she spoke. "Once, a long, long time ago, there was a sorceress. She was beautiful and kind, and everyone loved her. Great was the power she possessed, yet she used it only to help those who were in need. Peasant and noble alike sought her out for that power. Even, it is said, the emperor himself. There were many, as well, who tried to woo her, for she was a beauty without equal."

"Except for you, koishii."

"Be quiet, anata. I'm trying to tell a story." Kaoru giggled, her father hiding his laughter in her hair. "As I was saying, there were many men who desired her… but her heart was already taken. She had given it to a childhood friend, a boy who grew to become her lover, and soon, her husband. Their love was great, and their kindness equal. They wished only for a quiet life, but there were many things happening in the world that they could not control.

"A new breed of warrior was arising, nobles began fighting for more land and power. Many of them were quickly deterred, but one lord in particular would not be quelled. Time and time again he would attack his neighboring lands, seeking to widen his territory, wanting more and more than he already had. The cries from the people became outraged, begging their own lords to help them, to protect them. Finally it became too much, and war broke out.

"Wanting only to protect his wife and the people of his village, the husband of the sorceress joined the battle. Being heavy with child, she could not go with him, and so she prayed for his safe return…"

"… What is it, Mama? Why did you stop? What happened to her husband?"

"Oh baby… he never came home."

Kaoru was jerked out of her thoughts as Yahiko, his large paws thumping against the walkway, came barreling towards her. "Lady, Lady! There's someone here to see you!"

Heart jumping, her eyes lighting up, Kaoru felt the smile on her lips tremble. "There is?"

Nodding, the tiger seemed almost as eager as she. Who could blame him, though? She was the first guest they had had in too long. Another guest would interest anyone. "The lord said you should see him in."

"Well, just this once I think I should do as he asks, then." Grinning, Kaoru fast-walked her way back down the veranda and to the steps that divided it into two sections. A couple skips down them, her feet shoving into her sandals, and she was heading towards the gate. Yahiko followed her, no doubt curious, and she opened the doors with his large head pushing at the back of one knee.

"Father!"

"Aijou." There was a smile on his face when he hugged her back, and Kaoru was relieved to find his depression had not won out over his mind. "I hope you are well." He pulled back to look her over, his own expression amused at finding her in her training clothes. "You will freeze without something warmer to wear, aijou."

"Yeah, I guess I'm going to have to figure out something soon." Reluctantly agreeing, Kaoru sighed. She supposed she could layer her training kimono, and she did have one overcoat, though it was a little thin and worn. Without warning the amusement on his face turned to shock and she yelped when he jerked her by her elbow. "Father!"

"Kaoru, watch out!"

Twisting her head behind her to see what had upset him, she saw nothing but Yahiko still standing framed in the gate. "Watch out for what?" Retrieving her elbow, she rubbed at the joint and gave him a worried look.

"For what? Aijou, do you not see that young tiger?" His voice was now a whisper, and his arm outstretched in front of her to herd her backwards as he tried to retreat. Yahiko, finally catching on to what had frightened him, looked just slightly downtrodden.

"Father, Yahiko's not going to hurt either of us. Jeez." Pushing her way around him, Kaoru approached Yahiko and gave him a smile. "Don't be upset, Yahiko-chan. Father's just not used to you."

"What, now you're going to call me little, too?" There was a grumpy tone to his voice and his features scowled, which made him look all the more intimidating and forced Koshijirou to back up a few more paces. "I'm older than both of you, ya know?"

Seeing what had really upset him, Kaoru tried not to giggle. "Sorry, Yahiko-kun. I forgot."

"It talks?" Voice really high-pitched and unsure, Koshijirou stopped moving to stare at the tiger in a daze.

"Oh… yeah, sorry Dad. I guess you wouldn't be used to that either, huh?"

"You heard it too?"

"Yes, Father. You're not going crazy, I promise." Waving him over with a hand, she laughed when he hesitantly scooted closer to her side. "Father, this is Yahiko. Yahiko, this is my father."

"Well, he's doing a lot better than you did."

"Shut up, brat." Irritated, Kaoru growled down at him. Smiling now that he was getting her riled up, Yahiko continued helpfully.

"Lady Kaoru passed out cold the first time Sano talked to her."

"My daughter? Fainted?" It was an intriguing thought, and Koshijirou couldn't help the tease that entered his voice even though he was still a little uncomfortable with the tiger talking to him. His daughter wasn't having any problems, however, and it made it easier for him to adjust to.

"Yep. Fell over like a log."

"Alright, that's enough. Run along and tell Tae-san that she's going to have another mouth to feed at lunch time." Shooing him away, Yahiko still grinning like it was his birthday, Kaoru stuck out her tongue and swatted at his tail when he turned.

"So, I take it he's not the only one here that…"

"Everyone here is like that, Father, so be prepared. They're all different kinds of animals, and when I say all different kinds, I mean it." Laughing, Kaoru hooked her arm through his and led him into the palace grounds, shutting the gate behind them. "I met an elephant about a week ago. He was really nice."

Koshijirou's blue eyes were searching over the view in front of him, slightly awed by everything that he was seeing. It was a much bigger place than he had expected, and it was in much better shape, too. "Where… is the master, Kaoru?"

Shrugging, Kaoru turned him up the steps to the western pavilion. "Somewhere about. He usually just does his own thing. He knows you're here, though. He sent Yahiko to inform me."

"Ah." Careful to watch her expressions and reactions, he was relieved to find nothing there that would cause him worry. She has been treated decently, at least. And she seems comfortable. For this, I am grateful.

"Tell me about home, Father. Did you get any new students?"

They spent until lunchtime catching up, and Kaoru was happy that he had three students now living at the dojo. They were excellent trainees, or so she was informed, and she felt a pang of jealousy at his praise, reluctant to give up her place as his best apprentice. There was still quite a bit about the Kamiya Kasshin-ryu that she was unaware of, and now that she was living separate from her father it was going to be all the harder to learn it. Though a part of her wanted to savor her limited days with him, another wanted to utilize them for her training. She wondered if there wasn't a way to achieve both.

Kenshin came in late to lunch, which was unusual, but they waited patiently since Tae stubbornly refusing to serve the food until he was seated. With him on her left and her father on her right, the entire room seemed suddenly tense and the air thick. Unlike with his first meeting with her, Kenshin tried to hide nothing about his appearance. His head was held high and his posture was very haughty and arrogant. The bangs covering his face lay close against his scales while the large width of his irises were like twin-golden suns peering out between crimson clouds. The wings at his back fluffed slightly, spreading his long hairs outward, and even though he wore only a set of hakama he seemed quite dignified. It was like he was a true master of the palace who showed up whenever it pleased him.

Koshijirou was more openly guarded and Kaoru could tell the posture of the red-scaled lord was intimidating and alarming to him. His own pose was as taut as a bow string, but perhaps that had been Kenshin's plan all along. Needless to say, nothing was spoken over the meal and Kenshin retreated just as smoothly when it was finished. Koshijirou didn't bother to mask his sigh of relief when he was gone.

"Is it always like that?" Wondering how his daughter did it, he closed his eyes to try and focus his chaotic energy.

"No. Usually he talks to me a little. I think you made him a nervous."

"I made him nervous?" Thinking her silly for even suggesting something so obviously wrong, he shook his head. "Aijou, I don't think anyone could make him nervous."

"You'd be surprised." Standing and brushing at her pant legs, Kaoru gestured towards the door. "Would you like a tour around the palace? Katsu-san would be tickled if I showed off his new paintings, and everyone has worked so hard to clean it up, it wouldn't be right not to brag."

X

They were in the training hall now. A setting they had occupied since mid-afternoon after Kaoru had led the man around the palace like it was some grand tour. Her father wasn't nearly as comfortable as she was, and each time he was introduced to a new servant his energy spiked just a little higher anxiety. Now that they were training together, however, he was focused and in a familiar element

It was the ease in which they moved against each other that did it. The way they were both accustomed to how the other fought. The way they trusted one another implicitly. Kenshin was jealous. He had never had that.

Even during his training no mercy had been shown. If he could not counter the attack then he would suffer the result. It had been a ruthless experience, and there were many scars on his body to remind him of it. No trust had ever been developed between him and his master, but his father had wished it to be so. Even though his father had been his master. Especially since his father had been his master.

His father had only ever wanted sons that could win in battle. He would tolerate nothing less than fierce warriors who relied on no one but themselves and killed without a trace of remorse. With four boys to raise in such a way it seemed only natural that at least one of them would live up to his expectations. As the youngest Kenshin had nothing to look forward to in terms of inheritance, and so there was nothing for him except to please his father.

He had learned the hard way that his father was never pleased.

A cold breeze ghosted over his bare back and the thin leather of his wings drew just a bit closer to his scales. Winter was always the most uncomfortable time of year for him, and he usually spent most of it huddled in his rooms but today he did not move. It wasn't like he could fall ill, no matter how far his body temperature dropped. Nothing natural could kill him. Only a death blow by his own hands or the hands of another could claim his life. The curse made sure of that.

So he sat on the planks of the open veranda, watching from the outside a dance of far less danger and of more beauty than the one he had been taught. He wanted to scoff at their silly idea of warping the meaning of swordsmanship into something so weak, but at the same time he was drawn to the peace it seemed to carry in its movements. Neither of them were tainted by something as heavy as death, nor hated because of their skill in bringing it.

Golden eyes stared, watching as the wooden practice swords clacked together and Koshijirou's voice rang out a warning of her timing. She nodded, paused to catch her breath, and threw herself back into the fight. Kaoru was good, but her father was a master and it was easy to tell the difference in their skill. It would be a few years yet before she would be able to best him.

A deep breath pulled through his nose and the match before him blurred just slightly to show him different figures darting through the hall. There were four, each with hair as red as the setting sun. Three were attacking the smallest.

"Today, Kenshin, is your fifteenth birthday. You are more than old enough to join your brothers in battle." Himura Izo stared down at him with eyes as icy and hard as his name suggested. Like tough amber gems, his irises spoke of nothing but complete and utter control. Nothing would break that control, and he would settle for nothing less than complete obedience, either. "Now you will be tested, like your brothers before you. Do not fail."

"Yes, Father."

Saluting him briefly, Kenshin turned to face his opponents. Across the hall his three brothers stared back. Each held live steel in their hands, like he; all bared and deadly sharp. No flimsy practice sword would do for Himura Izo, and neither would it do for his sons. This was a test of endurance, strength, and skill. If he were to allow himself to be killed by his older brothers, then he was not worth the time to send into battle. Just from the look on their faces he knew they would not be merciful. Kenshin would not be merciful either.

Even though he had withstood the rigorous training of his father, a spark of nervousness tugged at his belly. Shinta, his oldest brother, had mastered the sword far quicker than the others. With his sharp wit and calm composure he would not be an opponent to underestimate. Tenshi, the next to oldest, was a ruthless man who enjoyed fighting even more than he enjoyed his women companions. Already there was a fire of excitement and death burning in his eyes. Isamu, though only five years older than Kenshin, was already renowned on the battlefield for his strength and fortitude. One blow from his sword, it was said, could crush a man much bigger than Kenshin's small stature.

Out of the corner of his eye he caught movement from Shinta and turned in time to see a small, encouraging smile pull at the corners of his mouth. Before arriving at the hall Shinta had stopped him on the veranda with a hand on his shoulder in that ease they shared as siblings. "Remember, little brother, you promised to be my protector. I want to see how firm your resolve truly is before I decide if you are worthy or not."

Kenshin had made the bold declaration Shinta had spoken of as a child of barely seven years. What kind of protection he had thought to give his eldest brother that he alone could not offer himself was beyond him now that he knew better. There was only one man stronger than Shinta… and that was their father.

Eyes closing, he steadied his racing heart. No matter what the outcome of Shinta's decision he had to prove he was at least worthy of his father's approval. No… that was not true. There was nothing in his life that he truly wanted. That hadn't changed since childhood. He did not want family like Shinta, nor power like Tenshi, nor even honor like Isamu. He wanted only to stay where he was, because trying to find a new path outside of the one he was on was undesirable. He would best Shinta. He would prove he could protect him better than even their father.

At Izo's signal Kenshin readied himself to face their charge.

Something cold and wet alighted on the tip of one wing, forcing his thoughts back to the present. Turning, Kenshin watched as snow lightly dusted the grounds behind him. The snows were later than usual, but it would not change the fact that they would be swift and harsh like every other winter before. Just as the strikes from his katana had been.

"That is enough."

Kenshin let the sword in his grip relax until the tip pointed at the ground, his eyes sweeping over the three opponents that had faced him on their feet not fifteen minutes before. Only he now stood while they lay or knelt on the polished wooden floor, their lungs gasping for breath. For a moment Kenshin felt surreal as the adrenaline from the fight left his brain and he swayed; light-headed and faint. He was not winded at all, and his eyelashes widened as he understood what kind of difference there was between him and his defeated brothers. The fight had been rigorous… but nothing like a single match with his father.

Features returning to an impassive mask, he looked to Izo for the approval he had earned. For surely approval was nothing less than should be given after the absolute victory he had achieved over his brothers. Nothing but disdain passed over those features, however, and not once did his amber eyes look at Kenshin. Instead, they too surveyed the three trampled boys, all old enough now to be called men, and a derisive sniff twitched one of his nostrils.

"You call yourselves samurai? The three of you together could not kill one little boy fresh out of training."

Kenshin found it was suddenly very hard to breathe as the air he had no problem taking in only seconds ago escaped him. It hurt, this feeling, but it was not truly new. It was only a build up of emotion that had finally reached its climax, and now, standing at its peak, he was faced with what he did not want. Two paths, both veering away from the other. Kenshin did not like change. Blindly stepping off the cliff in front of him, Kenshin choose to take neither.

Tensed muscles loosened and the mask on his face did not crack. The pain faded until there wasn't even a dull ache, and he looked away to the wall. None of it had ever mattered to him. He realized that now. Whatever his father said, Kenshin was merely there to do his bidding.

"It is obvious that Kenshin is a master the likes of which none of us has ever seen before, Father." Kenshin looked quickly to Shinta, blinking at his compliment. Rising up from his kneeling position, Shinta smiled across the hall at Izo's retreating form already in the door. "Should you not be proud that your son has taken to the sword so well?"

The dissipated ache in Kenshin's chest throbbed one final time and for that one small moment Kenshin felt anger towards his oldest brother for the first time in his life. Anger for giving him hope that he could bring about a reaction from the man they all called father.

"I am ashamed, that my oldest son and heir to my holdings was bested by a fifteen year old boy." Storming out of the training hall, Izo did not look back… and the ache once again disappeared into oblivion to stay.

Still smiling, Shinta began to laugh softly as he stood to his feet. "I am not ashamed. I am proud to have such a brother to protect me and my family." Walking over to Kenshin, he threw an arm around his shoulders and ruffled his hair like he always did. "Now I can rest easy, knowing nothing could possibly harm all that I care for. Right, little brother?"

Looking around Shinta's shoulder, Kenshin watched Isamu roll over onto his back, a groan tearing from his lips at the wound in his side. Tenshi was just sitting up, rubbing his head, and the look in his dark yellow eyes spoke of nothing but hatred as he glared across the hall at Kenshin. It was deep and dark hatred for the brother that had caused him such humiliation. A servant came running up from behind, helping Isamu to his feet, and Kenshin left the unadulterated loathing of his second to oldest brother for the third. There was no pity in himself for them, nor hatred, but Kenshin was surprised to feel a touch of condescension at the shadow of fear in Isamu's eyes.

"Right, little brother?" Tilting his chin, he looked slightly up at Shinta and returned to the ever present serenity he exuded.

"I promised to always protect you, Shinta-sama. It is my duty as your brother to do so."

"Great." Smacking him on the back, Shinta grunted as the shock sent a twinge up his own arm. "Spirits, kid… you didn't go easy on us did you." Rubbing his shoulder, he laughed again, unaware of the dark feelings coming to life in his other two brothers. Then his smile turned softer as two figures came in through the door their father had exited, and Shinta threw his arm back around Kenshin's neck to drag him over. "You missed my greatest defeat, Yuriko-dono. My little brother here has just finished teaching us all a new lesson."

"Are you hurt, Shinta-sama?" Kenshin watched as Yuriko, his brother's wife, hurried forward, worry in the set of her mouth and the crease of her brow. There was a towel in her hands to wipe at his face, and a haori thrown over an arm for him to wear so he would not catch a chill in the cold air outside.

"I'm fine, beloved…"

Kenshin was distracted as soft fingers touched his elbow, and he turned to look at the second woman. Kinuko… his beautiful, delicate mother with her eyes like perfect, soft violets. "I'm proud of you, Kenshin. You have worked so hard for this strength to protect your brother." Her smile was soft, as always, and she nudged at his arms to bundle him in his own haori. "Why don't we ask for a special dinner tonight to celebrate? The cook's new apprentice makes a wonderful dessert, I've heard."

"Oww!"

Kenshin snapped his head back around to look at Kaoru's kneeling form in the training hall, her fingers empty of the wooden sword that now lay discarded on the floor. She was messaging the back of her hand, and biting her lip as if to stale the pain.

"I'm sorry, aijou. Are you badly hurt?" Koshijirou knelt next to her, reaching to cradle her injured hand in his.

"I'm sure it's fine, but I'll probably have a nasty bruise."

"I'm sorry."

"Be quiet, old man. It was my fault." Twisting her wrist around and curling her fingers rapidly, she tried to work out the ache. "It's already feeling better, so it wasn't that bad. I want to try that one again, though, so I can figure out what I did wrong."

"Not while you're hurt, aijou. Why don't we pick this up another day?"

"What other day, Father?" Standing and throwing out her arm in negation, her features turned fierce. "We've already wasted half of one, and you only have thirteen more to visit me! I don't want to waste any of them on a small injury like this!"

Koshijirou's face crumpled just slightly, and Kenshin sat back to look away. Somewhere, deep in his chest, that feeling he had thought he'd banished centuries ago throbbed. Behind him, the snow continued to cover the yard.

X

A/N: Just a few notes on the names. Izo means ice or iron. Tenshi means angel (like I said before). Isamu means bravery (which is fun, since I make him start fearing Kenshin). Yuriko means lily child. And Kinuko means child of silk. I liked Kinuko, because of all the kimono she has. Anyway…

This chapter was just thick with info, and I enjoyed writing it the most so far… well, except for the little cutesy scene with Saitou's boys and Kaoru. I got to show a bit of the difference between Kaoru's mom's stories and her dad's. I want to see if any of you caught on to a few details there. Then with Kenshin and his background… I think I'm starting to really like Shinta. And I wonder if anyone noticed that there were only four sons and five wives? Ah well…

Hope that you enjoyed, and that it makes up for my late post of chapter 9. Please leave me a review and hope to see you soon.