Disclaimer: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin!
Sadness everywhere! Can't wait until we get back to Keiko!
Enjoy!
After nearly a month, Kaoru gave up. She'd waited for Keiko to return with Kenshin every day since her sudden flight, but the young woman had not returned. Koi had cried nearly a whole night for her mother before calming down. Kaoru had taken the infant to raise as her own, and no one on the street seemed to question her about this new child, they supposed that it was hers, because of the black hair and lavender eyes.
"Kenshin, what're we going to tell Ai-chan? She's been asking about Keiko-chan ever since she disappeared."
Kenshin sighed and placed a hand on his wife's shoulder. "This one will tell her about her parents, since Keiko-ne never had the heart to."
"Be careful, Kenshin. Ai-chan isn't as strong as you think. She could cry for weeks just because of the news of her father's death, let alone her mother's sudden absence."
"This one knows, but Ai-chan must know about it. Or else she'll be upset in later years."
"That's true, Kenshin. But still, be gentle."
"As gentle as the truth can be in this case."
Kenshin found Ai sitting by herself while Kenji practiced swinging a stick like a sword. He knelt next to the little girl and nudged her a little. She looked up, her innocent plum eyes full of questions.
"Where's Mommy, Uncle Kenny? I miss her."
Kenshin gave a sad smile and placed a comforting hand on the girl's head. "Ai-chan, it's time to tell you about both your mother and father."
Ai blinked and asked, "Daddy is waiting for Mommy and me in Kyoto. Did Mommy go back without me?"
"No. Your father died almost a year ago, Ai-chan."
"Died? What do you mean, Uncle Kenny?"
"He's gone forever."
"Gone? He's not waiting in Kyoto?"
"No, he's not. You won't ever see him again. That's why your mother was so sad all this time."
Tears came to her eyes and she buried her face in his gi, starting to bawl. "But I want to see Daddy! He was so sick and Mommy wanted to help him!"
"Ai-chan, your mother isn't coming back, either. Although she's not dead. She just doesn't want to see this one anymore."
Ai pounded her small fists into his chest, shaking her head and yelling, "I want to see Mommy and Daddy! I want to see them!"
Kenji finally noticed his cousin's distress. "Daddy, why is Ai-chan crying?"
"She's just sad, Kenji. She'll be happy again in a little while."
sobs Poor Ai! I feel sorry for her by being abandoned by her mother...but it had to be.
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