Disclaimer: I do not own RK. Neither do I own the characters.
A/N: I want to add this recent brainwave into my story but just can't seem to find a proper connection… So we shall wait and see…
~~
Watching budding swordsman train under him was one of his greatest satisfaction in life. It reminded him of how he endured his own training and mastering the technique finally, earning the title of "Master of the Kamiya Kasshin Style".
Yahiko looked upon the young and new students, all lined up in neat roles, eagerly pending the start of their first lesson. Such keenness was good but it always wore off half way through the training. Students dropped out when they couldn't take Yahiko's harsh training. And he drilled them so, to make sure they had a good foundation.
Over the other side of the hall, Yutaro was taking charge of the older class. Often, the basics were taught by Yahiko. When the students mastered them fully, Yutaro would take over.
Soon, the dojo would liven up with the shouts of the two trainers and students, the dull thud of flesh upon wood and clacking of shinais.
~~
Soujirou smiled in amusement. Kenji was so cute and innocent. Kaoru had left the boy in his care to do some grocery shopping and he didn't mind at all. The boy was an angel. Kenji inherited much of his father's looks and his parents' liveliness. Watching the boy playing with a butterfly in the yard, Soujirou couldn't help thinking that perhaps Kenji was god's gift to Kenshin. Son and father, they shared the same small body size, hair colour, and most importantly, soulful, gem like, violet eyes. It was just like Kenshin reborn, however, this time, able to live a carefree life, clean of bloodshed, sheltered and loved. Surely this was the kind of life Kenshin longed for?
"Yo Kenji, Soujirou."
The young swordsman looked up to find Sanosuke leaning against the gate, with Megumi cowering behind him. He got off the porch and bowed deeply.
"Sano oniisan… Ohayo gozaimasu… Okaa sama's out, Soujirou oniichan is taking care of me." Kenji had finally let the butterfly go and was tugging the two through the gate, into the house.
"Hey, not bad Soujirou, I'm almost half your age but you get a "chan" suffix and I don't."
Soujirou smiled broadly. Sano accepted him too. So, he was left with … … Megumi. He glanced at her and saw that she flinched when he made eye contact. Heart sinking, Soujirou could only forced himself to continue smiling and offer to fetch Kenshin. Without waiting for a reply, he went off, knowing Kenshin was cleaning the kitchen.
"Megumi oneesan." Kenji turned the focus of his big innocent to the lady doctor beside him. He had been shrewd enough to notice a subtle change in Soujirou's expression.
"Hai, Kenji?"
"Is Soujirou oniichan sick? He looked weak."
Megumi flinched again at the mention of the name. She had been terribly shocked when she received the news from Sano. She simply couldn't understand why Kenshin and Kaoru accepted him. After all the atrocities he had committed, why? She knew Kenshin was magnanimous but this was too much.
"I'm sure he's fine." The lady just couldn't resist saying "he" with a wealth of hate flowing in her voice.
"Megitsune… I warned you…" Sano growled deep in his throat.
Megumi shuffled away from him protectively. My thinking is justifiable. What's wrong with hating a killer? Before having a chance to retaliate, Soujirou had returned with Kenshin.
"Megumi-dono, Sano."
Both replied with a simple nod and stayed silent. The tension grew between them as Megumi glared at Soujirou, Sano glared at Megumi and Kenshin looked at the both of them.
"Otou-san, Soujirou onii-chan has been taking very good care of me." Kenji had seemingly sensed the tense atmosphere and sought to ease it. The interruption didn't break the tension but it did bring the three from their "staring fit".
"Kenji, be good and go to Yahiko onii-san ok? Tell him I need to talk to Sano onii-san, Soujirou onni-san and Megumi onee-san."
The young boy nodded and scampered away, in the direction of the training hall. Kenshin turned and walked away, knowing Sano and Megumi were wise enough to follow.
~~
Kenshin led the trio into the living hall and had them settled down before excusing himself to make tea. His real motive was to allow Megumi and Soujirou to have another chance to interact. He shot Soujirou a reassuring glance and left the room.
Seated across each other, Megumi had no choice but to make eye contact with Soujirou. After all, how many times can my eyes go round the room? She was surprised to see a look of remorse and something she couldn't make out in his eyes. Something she had seen before. In someone's eyes too. Kenshin. Guilt suddenly crept upon Megumi and caused her to cringe at her thoughts. At that moment, she couldn't help but remember the time when she just acquainted Kenshin, Sano and the others. They hadn't been so willing to accept her… Maybe I was too hard on him.
Just then, Kenshin returned with the drinks he promised. He swept his eyes across the room, taking in Soujirou's forlorn face, Megumi's guilty expression and Sanosuke's bored, impatient look. He took it as a good sign and set the tray of cups down. Then Kenshin sat down.
Glancing at each of them again, he addressed the young doctor, waiting for her to respond.
"Hai," came her timid reply. Not only did Kenshin's age command respect, all knew Kenshin was wise in matters of life. And the knowledge and principles he had, it intimidated everyone.
"Soujirou returned only yesterday, with a heart full of determination to amend his doings. Yahiko took his appearance offending and picked a fight. I came in time to stop it. You were fetched to heal my wound, thank you again, and was escorted back by Yutaro before Yahiko and Soujirou returned. Today you came with Sano. I believe he told you Soujirou is now part of the family. Would you like to explain your reluctant acceptance?"
Megumi was taken aback by Kenshin's cold voice. She had never heard him talk this way before. Now confronted by a demanding Kenshin, an angry Sano and a miserable Soujirou, she wished for the first time in her life that Kaoru was around. And her prayers were answered.
A faint voice filtered through the rice paper on the door.
"Tadaima!"
The company stopped talking and could hear Kenji's squeal of delight. Silence followed and Kaoru's dainty footsteps came close. Soon, she stood outside the door, pausing before sliding it open slightly and poked her head in.
"Is everything alright?"
She flung the door open at the sight of Megumi's desperate look, her husband's and Sano's less-than-happy expression and Soujirou's dejected face. Taking a deep breath, she stepped into the room, closed the door and took a seat opposite Megumi. Kaoru understood the situation fully. She didn't know where they "left off" so she glanced at Kenshin, who in turn prompted Megumi.
The young lady sighed. So Kaoru wasn't much help. I should have known she would side Kenshin, no matter what. She simply couldn't help the bitter thoughts that flowed through her mind. Being besieged by so many people's onslaught, her mind betrayed her and went blank.
Biting back a frustrated groan, she struggled to answer under the tremendous pressure. The combined ki in the room was suffocating. Finally, after collecting her broken strings of thought, Megumi forced the words out of her mouth.
"He's a killer."
Soujirou stiffened. Hanging his head low, Kaoru could tell it was a big blow. As much as she wanted to console him, Kaoru left it all to Kenshin. He knew better than her.
"So was I, Megumi."
~~
A/N: Kenshin's angry!! Ok, maybe not really, but still…. Updates might be slower now, you know, the usual homework load… So, yah, make do with it ok?
To:
Maaya: Thank you!
Kyouhi: pairing? Maybe, but I think action/adventure would be more likely, or drama…
Additional note: Go check out the RKRC awards organized by Sekihara Tae (my idol!). Plenty of good fics there, much better then mine… Resolution: Must write like those people there! Webby: www.sekihara.dreamhost.com/rkreaders/
A/N: I want to add this recent brainwave into my story but just can't seem to find a proper connection… So we shall wait and see…
~~
Watching budding swordsman train under him was one of his greatest satisfaction in life. It reminded him of how he endured his own training and mastering the technique finally, earning the title of "Master of the Kamiya Kasshin Style".
Yahiko looked upon the young and new students, all lined up in neat roles, eagerly pending the start of their first lesson. Such keenness was good but it always wore off half way through the training. Students dropped out when they couldn't take Yahiko's harsh training. And he drilled them so, to make sure they had a good foundation.
Over the other side of the hall, Yutaro was taking charge of the older class. Often, the basics were taught by Yahiko. When the students mastered them fully, Yutaro would take over.
Soon, the dojo would liven up with the shouts of the two trainers and students, the dull thud of flesh upon wood and clacking of shinais.
~~
Soujirou smiled in amusement. Kenji was so cute and innocent. Kaoru had left the boy in his care to do some grocery shopping and he didn't mind at all. The boy was an angel. Kenji inherited much of his father's looks and his parents' liveliness. Watching the boy playing with a butterfly in the yard, Soujirou couldn't help thinking that perhaps Kenji was god's gift to Kenshin. Son and father, they shared the same small body size, hair colour, and most importantly, soulful, gem like, violet eyes. It was just like Kenshin reborn, however, this time, able to live a carefree life, clean of bloodshed, sheltered and loved. Surely this was the kind of life Kenshin longed for?
"Yo Kenji, Soujirou."
The young swordsman looked up to find Sanosuke leaning against the gate, with Megumi cowering behind him. He got off the porch and bowed deeply.
"Sano oniisan… Ohayo gozaimasu… Okaa sama's out, Soujirou oniichan is taking care of me." Kenji had finally let the butterfly go and was tugging the two through the gate, into the house.
"Hey, not bad Soujirou, I'm almost half your age but you get a "chan" suffix and I don't."
Soujirou smiled broadly. Sano accepted him too. So, he was left with … … Megumi. He glanced at her and saw that she flinched when he made eye contact. Heart sinking, Soujirou could only forced himself to continue smiling and offer to fetch Kenshin. Without waiting for a reply, he went off, knowing Kenshin was cleaning the kitchen.
"Megumi oneesan." Kenji turned the focus of his big innocent to the lady doctor beside him. He had been shrewd enough to notice a subtle change in Soujirou's expression.
"Hai, Kenji?"
"Is Soujirou oniichan sick? He looked weak."
Megumi flinched again at the mention of the name. She had been terribly shocked when she received the news from Sano. She simply couldn't understand why Kenshin and Kaoru accepted him. After all the atrocities he had committed, why? She knew Kenshin was magnanimous but this was too much.
"I'm sure he's fine." The lady just couldn't resist saying "he" with a wealth of hate flowing in her voice.
"Megitsune… I warned you…" Sano growled deep in his throat.
Megumi shuffled away from him protectively. My thinking is justifiable. What's wrong with hating a killer? Before having a chance to retaliate, Soujirou had returned with Kenshin.
"Megumi-dono, Sano."
Both replied with a simple nod and stayed silent. The tension grew between them as Megumi glared at Soujirou, Sano glared at Megumi and Kenshin looked at the both of them.
"Otou-san, Soujirou onii-chan has been taking very good care of me." Kenji had seemingly sensed the tense atmosphere and sought to ease it. The interruption didn't break the tension but it did bring the three from their "staring fit".
"Kenji, be good and go to Yahiko onii-san ok? Tell him I need to talk to Sano onii-san, Soujirou onni-san and Megumi onee-san."
The young boy nodded and scampered away, in the direction of the training hall. Kenshin turned and walked away, knowing Sano and Megumi were wise enough to follow.
~~
Kenshin led the trio into the living hall and had them settled down before excusing himself to make tea. His real motive was to allow Megumi and Soujirou to have another chance to interact. He shot Soujirou a reassuring glance and left the room.
Seated across each other, Megumi had no choice but to make eye contact with Soujirou. After all, how many times can my eyes go round the room? She was surprised to see a look of remorse and something she couldn't make out in his eyes. Something she had seen before. In someone's eyes too. Kenshin. Guilt suddenly crept upon Megumi and caused her to cringe at her thoughts. At that moment, she couldn't help but remember the time when she just acquainted Kenshin, Sano and the others. They hadn't been so willing to accept her… Maybe I was too hard on him.
Just then, Kenshin returned with the drinks he promised. He swept his eyes across the room, taking in Soujirou's forlorn face, Megumi's guilty expression and Sanosuke's bored, impatient look. He took it as a good sign and set the tray of cups down. Then Kenshin sat down.
Glancing at each of them again, he addressed the young doctor, waiting for her to respond.
"Hai," came her timid reply. Not only did Kenshin's age command respect, all knew Kenshin was wise in matters of life. And the knowledge and principles he had, it intimidated everyone.
"Soujirou returned only yesterday, with a heart full of determination to amend his doings. Yahiko took his appearance offending and picked a fight. I came in time to stop it. You were fetched to heal my wound, thank you again, and was escorted back by Yutaro before Yahiko and Soujirou returned. Today you came with Sano. I believe he told you Soujirou is now part of the family. Would you like to explain your reluctant acceptance?"
Megumi was taken aback by Kenshin's cold voice. She had never heard him talk this way before. Now confronted by a demanding Kenshin, an angry Sano and a miserable Soujirou, she wished for the first time in her life that Kaoru was around. And her prayers were answered.
A faint voice filtered through the rice paper on the door.
"Tadaima!"
The company stopped talking and could hear Kenji's squeal of delight. Silence followed and Kaoru's dainty footsteps came close. Soon, she stood outside the door, pausing before sliding it open slightly and poked her head in.
"Is everything alright?"
She flung the door open at the sight of Megumi's desperate look, her husband's and Sano's less-than-happy expression and Soujirou's dejected face. Taking a deep breath, she stepped into the room, closed the door and took a seat opposite Megumi. Kaoru understood the situation fully. She didn't know where they "left off" so she glanced at Kenshin, who in turn prompted Megumi.
The young lady sighed. So Kaoru wasn't much help. I should have known she would side Kenshin, no matter what. She simply couldn't help the bitter thoughts that flowed through her mind. Being besieged by so many people's onslaught, her mind betrayed her and went blank.
Biting back a frustrated groan, she struggled to answer under the tremendous pressure. The combined ki in the room was suffocating. Finally, after collecting her broken strings of thought, Megumi forced the words out of her mouth.
"He's a killer."
Soujirou stiffened. Hanging his head low, Kaoru could tell it was a big blow. As much as she wanted to console him, Kaoru left it all to Kenshin. He knew better than her.
"So was I, Megumi."
~~
A/N: Kenshin's angry!! Ok, maybe not really, but still…. Updates might be slower now, you know, the usual homework load… So, yah, make do with it ok?
To:
Maaya: Thank you!
Kyouhi: pairing? Maybe, but I think action/adventure would be more likely, or drama…
Additional note: Go check out the RKRC awards organized by Sekihara Tae (my idol!). Plenty of good fics there, much better then mine… Resolution: Must write like those people there! Webby: www.sekihara.dreamhost.com/rkreaders/