Chapter 16- Peace Restored

Aoshi woke up slowly, gradually allowing the light seep into his eyes. Once he'd overcome being blinded, he found himself back in the temple, lying in a small white bed. He groaned quietly as he reached up with one hand to rub his forehead. What a night that was.

Suddenly, he realized he wasn't alone. Kenshin was asleep in the bed across from his, mouth wide open as he snored. Aoshi rolled his eyes, of course. Kenji lay scrunched up at the foot of the bed, snoring just as tad softer. That was when Aoshi became aware that he wasn't the only one on his bed.

Genichi lay there next to him, curled up in the crook of his arm. Even in his sleep, he smiled, hands knotted in his father's sleeve. Aoshi couldn't help but sigh in relief. His son was safe. Feeling the sleep weigh down on him again, he rested his head back onto the pillow and pulled the boy closer against his side.

.......

Years passed.

.......

"Papa! Wait for me!" came a voice, one that had grown much older in the ears of Aoshi.

The okashira paused on that dirt road and smirked over his shoulder. Out of the gates of the Aioya came Genichi, carrying something long and black in his hand. Once he caught up with his father, they began to walk.

Aoshi glanced over at him. "Why are you bringing that with you?"

Genichi gave him a playful grin, one that stuck with him even at the age of 14. All the years that had passed, and he was still as pure and innocent as ever. "I wanted to show Mother my new sword!"

They walked along the wooded path, side-by-side. Aoshi smiled on the inside as he remembered how every year, on this very day since Genichi was 6, the two of them would travel this road. It was a day of tribute to those they knew watched them from above.

Genichi had strapped the sword to his waist, admiring how it curved upwards towards the blue afternoon sky. Then he looked up at his father, something that no longer required craning his neck. Even in his preteens, he was almost up to his shoulder. "Papa, will you tell me about them all again when we get there?"

"Again? I tell you about them every time, Genichi." Aoshi pretended to sound annoyed. "Don't tell me that you don't pay attention."

His son laughed while lacing his fingers behind his head. "Are you kidding, Papa? Of course I listen!" His eyes were sparkling. "But it just gets better each time I hear about Mother and Hannya and all of them!"

As if Aoshi minded? He shook his head and smiled slightly. Sure Genichi would grow tall and strong, but he would forever remain a child. So much like her.

He finally nodded. "Hai. I will."

And so, they continued on to the site of burial, Genichi's comical gait matching Aoshi's steady stride.

And as they approached, a warm light cast down on them through the trees.

Somewhere out there, their guardian angel was smiling.