Thanks once again to the excellent reviewers: Althea M, Syolen, caseyedith, Jasmine blossom625, donhisiewen, geckohawaii, Rihannon, WellITriedSoManyOptions, kokoronagomu, Emi Violet, Crau, and Scarred Sword Heart.
I do not own Rurouni Kenshin.
Zetetic
-adjective
Proceeding by inquiry; investigating.
What is that smell?
Yahiko pauses before the gate of the dojo, sakabatou on his shoulder. He has been gone for some time, teaching at a dojo in Hokkaido, but surely they didn't burn the whole place down in his absence?
Because that's what it smells like. Something charred.
Kenji comes streaking out of the house, followed shortly by Kenshin, carrying baby Iria on one shoulder. Kenji skids to a stop by the gate, coughs a bit, then grins. "Hi, Uncle Yahiko!"
"What happened?" Yahiko asks.
"We're going to Akabeko for lunch," Kenshin says, looking a bit harried with his eyebrows singed. "Welcome back, by the way."
"Thanks," Yahiko says. "Um, why?"
Kenji pulls a face that belongs on a baboon. "Momma tried to cook."
Waving a small fist in the air, Iria-chan adds emphatically, "Boom!"
"And is she coming?" Yahiko asks warily. Kaoru who fails at cooking is usually Kaoru in a foul mood.
"No," Kenshin says. "We'll bring her something back. She has a headache."
"Inhaled the fumes," Kenji says helpfully.
"Ah." Yahiko decides that discretion is the better part of valor and lets it go. Sometimes, there's just no need to investigate further.