Chapter Summary- Enter Myojin Yahiko into the mix.
IMPORTANT- My RuoKen stories are based on the MANGA version not the anime, so if anything confuses you I'll try to explain it at the end of the chapter. Plus, it means no stupid pink Gi *grin*
Disclaimer- The Genie refused to grant me my wish so I will never own RuoKen . . .
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"You can be as strong as you wish now, Yahiko."
-Himura Kenshin- Manga Volume I, Chapter III
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Chapter Five- Another House Guest
On the way home from teaching at another dojo Kaoru noticed the child she saw earlier in the day being carried off. It was the boy who tried to steal Kenshin's money. Instantly recognizing the men carrying him as local Yakuza members she went back to find Kenshin. When she found him he was preparing the bath for her, she told him the story of how the boy had been taken. Kenshin immediately went for his Sakabatou and told Kaoru to wait while he found the child and would be bringing him back to the dojo. Kaoru could only agree and wait.
Tracking a Yakuza's hideout is not a problem for a former hitokiri. He had done similar things in the past. All anyone had to know was where to look and who to talk to, locating the thugs were easy. Of course when he reached the destination they were not going to simply allow him to just waltz right in, especially with a sword at his side. Taking out a group of Yakuza guards was not an issue to Kenshin, they were not Shinsen gumi or trained Samurai, they were out in minutes.
Even if knocking out the men were simple, it took longer than Kenshin preferred, fighting with a Sakabatou added on a little more time than needed sometimes. If he were still a hitokiri they would have been stopped in one deadly arc of a real Katana. Unpleased with his timing or not, he arrived at the perfect time. One of the men had drawn a sword and was about to bring it on the child as he entered, bringing the door down on the man as he kicked it in.
Kenshin shared some words and a simple proposal with the Yakuza boss, he was to give Yahiko to him. The men in the background grew restless and the boss called for backup for fear of a raid, but Kenshin kindly informed him his men outside were taking a nap thanks to him. The Yakuza member Kenshin smashed with the door stirred and aimed for him with his concealed blade. Only with a flick of the wrist and the help of his hilt the man went flying through the ceiling, proof that thieves were weak and all talk. Flashing the boss his most feared look that made him famous, his proposal was granted.
Yahiko slapped Kenshin's hand away when he offered his assistance again; he did not need help from Kenshin. After calmly apologizing to the child again he gathered him up, carrying him over his back as they exited from the building. Knocked out Yakuza lined the halls. Yahiko was fed up with himself on the way back to the dojo, he wanted to be stronger, not wanting help from anyone else. Kenshin quietly understood his fear, in a way he reminded him of Kaoru-dono. Refusing help, declaring they could do everything on their own, wanting to be stronger. In the end, really needing someone as a guiding hand, a little protection, but not much.
Kaoru's and Yahiko's reaction to another was one Kenshin would never forget. How else would someone react if they had to teach a child who tried to steal from them earlier that day, or be taught by someone who tried for a kill from a body slam after stealing some guy's loose change. It was bad, but Kenshin was the master of hiding his emotions, no one would have expected he was rolling on the floor with laughter inside.
After a hysterical argument it was decided he would stay and train under Kaoru. The Kamiya Dojo welcomed its second guest, a descendent of a long line of Tokyo Samurai, Myojin Yahiko.
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The evening before had gone off with no major problems after it was decided Yahiko would stay. Kaoru and Yahiko went to bed mumbling unrecognizable things under their breath and Kenshin went to sleep with a smile. He could not help it, it was to amusing for someone who lived the life he had, and they thought they had it bad. Kenshin rose first the next morning, shortly after Kaoru did the same. Trying to help Kenshin in what ever way possible, but as usual he just told her to sit and wait to be served, everything was almost done anyway.
Kaoru resigned to setting the table, reminding herself she would now have to set the table for three. Her house was becoming much livelier these days.
"Kenshin."
He turned away from the miso soup he was stirring to look her way. "Hai?"
"I'm going to cook tonight. You have not let me do it since you came." The look she gave him was the one he instantly recognized as the one he could not argue with.
Kenshin inwardly sighed but plastered a smile on his face. "If you wish, Kaoru-dono."
Kaoru beamed, she received no protest from the rurouni this time.
"Will you come with me today to the market to get tonight's ingredients? We'll also need to pick up some medicine for that kids injuries."
He nodded, "Hai. After breakfast?"
"That sounds good."
Kenshin returned to the mundane task of finishing breakfast. Slice the vegetables, cook the rice, prepare the fish, stir the miso, all so easy and done with out thought. It was nice to do something simple with no consequences. When everything was finished and ready to be eaten he remembered the new resident.
"Sessha will go wake Yahiko and see if he is willing to eat."
Kaoru nodded with a smile as Kenshin left the room. The night before when he brought Yahiko she noticed the extent of the feared injuries. He had definitely been beaten, not severely but needed a few days of down time to recover his aching muscles and heal the scratches and bruises. Of course he was well enough to roll off a few insults.
Silently opening the door to Yahiko's resting place, Kenshin peered in. Yahiko was lying on the futon, covers tangled, sleeping in a diagonal position. He must have slept very well to look so carefree will sleeping. Kenshin padded over to Yahiko and placed a hand on his shoulder as he knelt down. Shacking his shoulder a few times beckoning him to wake up.
"Yahiko."
His eyes opened slowly then snapped wide when a look of confusion crossed his face. Kenshin kept his hand in place to calm the boy.
"Yahiko. Its Kenshin, remember?"
Yahiko blinked a couple of times then registered his surroundings and the man above him, he was safe.
"Oh, I forgot where I was for a second." He scratched the back of his head in embarrassment.
The rurouni smiled. "Breakfast is done, are you well enough to join Kaoru-dono and sessha?"
Yahiko snorted, little scratches were not going to keep him from a meal. "Of course I am!"
Kenshin brought himself into a standing position and walked over to the corner where Yahiko's clothes were waiting.
"Sessha washed your clothes, so when you're dressed we will be waiting for you." He handed the Gi, Hakama and the rest of the articles to Yahiko and quietly returned to the Kitchen.
Yahiko thought it was a little odd that the man said he washed the clothes but then disregarded it thinking he may have heard him wrong. He was agitated at first when Kenshin called him a child but cooled himself when Kenshin said he may look like one but had the heart of an adult. The swordsman had shown him more respect than anyone else did in a very long time, probably since his parents died. He knew they would both get along fine, and him being crafty with a sword added to his judgement. Hopefully Kenshin would show him some techniques in the future.
Kaoru was somewhat of a problem, she seemed to act as old as his age. She had been nice enough to offer him shelter though, so his thoughts were cast aside to make a final decision about her later. After finishing with his dressing he jogged to the kitchen. Kaoru was sitting at the table. Kenshin was stirring something in a pot. Another odd thing about Kenshin, he seemed to be the one cooking.
Kaoru stomped down any ill words she had on first seeing the child and met him with a smile. "Ohayo, Yahiko."
He was a little caught off guard at the morning pleasantries from her but decided to return it with a little spite. "Ohayo, busu!"
Kaoru could not believe the little brat. Kenshin sighed and walked over to the table, putting a subduing hand on Kaoru before breakfast was ruined.
"Maa, maa, let's just eat in peace."
Kaoru glared at Yahiko but kept her mouth shut. Yahiko sat at the table with a grin, torturing Kaoru was going to be fun.
Breakfast was brought about quietly as Kenshin did the honors, bringing all the food items to the table. Kaoru served from her position. Yahiko quietly noted how Kaoru eyed the rurouni while trying to be conspicuous. He wondered what their relationship was, nothing on that subject had been conversed the night before.
Yahiko turned his head to Kaoru as he asked the question. "So, are you guys married?"
Kaoru sputtered out the tea she was drinking, coughing a few times before she could respond. "Huh?!"
Yahiko glanced at Kenshin who just sat and smiled, he seemed to do that a lot, he thought. It was a logical question, they both seemed the same age, definitely were not related because of Kenshin's stark difference in appearance to Kaoru. On that fact, he did not even seem Japanese, another question for another day. What else was there to think, single men did not live with single women with out something going on. That much he knew at least.
"Well, are you, or are ya' not?"
Steadily placing the tea down Kaoru glanced at Kenshin first before talking. "No, Kenshin is just staying with me for a while."
Yahiko was confused, that did not make sense at all. "But you guys seem the same age and--"
"Kenshin is twenty eight, I'm seventeen." Kaoru cut him off, she did not like where his remarks were going and wanted to save herself and Kenshin any embarrassment.
"What!?" He turned his head toward Kenshin to get a good look, the man before him was very odd in every way. He snickered. "Kenshin, you're old."
Kenshin's smile flattened, and he frowned. "Sessha is not old."
Kaoru giggled at the almost pout on Kenshin's face, his age seemed to be the first sore spot anyone discovered. She did not mind that he was almost eleven years older than she was, but it was true. "Kenshin, you're not that old."
Kenshin just calmly picked up his tea and sipped it, he decided on not making any further comments.
Snickering, Yahiko took a few bites of his food and decided it was tasty, living there with good meals and a roof over his head was not going to be to bad at all. "This is good."
Agreeing, Kaoru took a few more bites of her own meal. "Kenshin is a very good cook."
He was confused again. "Kenshin does the cooking?"
"Hai."
Kenshin interjected before Yahiko could reason. "Kaoru-dono has kindly afforded to sessha's well being so in return sessha helps with the chores."
"More like do all of them, Kenshin." Kaoru's chore list had dramatically decreased when Kenshin arrived, she found herself being bored most of the time because he flatly refused her help.
Kenshin keeping house and home? That was really off to Yahiko. "But you're a swordsman, don't ya' have to train all the time?"
Kenshin just smiled at Yahiko. "Sessha finds time to train with his sword."
Before Yahiko could say anything else Kaoru shoved more food onto his plate, a silent gesture on not to say anything more, along with a death glare. Kenshin continued to eat quietly every once in a while adding in a few words to their conversation. Kaoru was full of bubble as she spoke. They filled him on how the dojo was run and what would be expected out of him. Just a few chores and help when ever needed, nothing very hard.
After breakfast Kaoru and Kenshin left Yahiko at the dojo, they protested he needed some rest. His muscles were aching whether he liked to admit it or not, so he agreed and returned to his room to lay down until they got back, but after that he was going to be up and about and they had nothing to say about it.
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When Kenshin and Kaoru were at the market they trailed through the crowd stopping at various stalls. Kenshin was not about to say anything when she picked up weird ingredients. He never lived in Tokyo before so maybe she was going to make a local special. Tokyo's flavor was a little different from Kyoto's, that was the region he was familiar with the most, living there for a large portion of his life. Traveling around Japan allowed him to partake in different recipes, some he liked, some he did not. For the most part he still cared for Kyoto's taste, so his dishes in return retained the same flavor. He had not eaten a lot in Tokyo so he could not make a judgement on Kaoru's ingredient list, he would just have to wait and try it for himself that evening.
When they returned the day consisted of tending to Yahiko's wounds with the medicine they bought will they were out. Kenshin aired out another futon for Yahiko to use and washed some more of his clothing. Kaoru went to train students at another dojo, returning early in the afternoon. After Yahiko was released from Kenshin's motherly clutches he went around to discover the dojo. It was a lot better than his last lack of a home.
When Kaoru returned she bathed and dressed quickly, her mind was set on the kitchen. She refused any help from Kenshin and kicked him out, letting him know relaxing was okay every once in a while. After trying to help Kenshin resigned to another task as he waited for dinner to be prepared, cleaning his sword. He took a seat in the sitting room across from Yahiko, who was lying on the floor looking at a book Kaoru had brought from her dojo. Yahiko started when he saw Kenshin bring the sword with him, it seemed for the most part he did not carry the sword with him around the dojo, leaving it in his room, but once outside it was with him at all times. Yahiko was old enough to fully understand that carrying a sword was indeed illegal but he himself was a little bit of an criminal, so he said nothing about it.
Unsheathing the sword Kenshin placed it on the ground in front of him, also lying cleaning tools alongside of it. He briefly wiped the sheath down, smoothing it. Next picking up a cloth and a little bit of his own special concoction for cleaning. Layered the metal with a small film rubbing it in, then wiping it away. Continuing the process to perfection. His sword was not used a lot, more than he would like it to be but he did keep up with it's maintenance. It was one of his few possessions and probably in a way his most prized and hated one at the same time. He would never be able to put down a sword until an answer was found, it was the irony of it all.
After a few moments of watching Kenshin methodically clean he noticed something was odd about the sword. The day before when he rescued him Kenshin had never acutely unsheathed the sword, this was his first glimpse at it.
"Kenshin?"
He looked up at Yahiko and wiped his hands with a cloth. "Hai?"
"What's wrong with your Katana?"
Kenshin chuckled at the boy's confusion. "It's a Sakabatou, if that's what you mean."
Yahiko's brow was knotted. Kenshin was very, very odd. "But what's the use of a reverse blade katana? You can't kill any bad guys."
He gathered the cleaning tools together as he answered, eyes on the ground before him. "That's the point. Sessha does not kill . . . anymore."
Before Yahiko could ask another question Kaoru called them to the kitchen for dinner. Kenshin quickly re-sheathed his sword and exited the room. Yahiko could not make anything out of Kenshin's answer, he did not know there was a swordsman who existed who did not kill. He was carrying a sword for Kami-sama sake, it was a weapon meant for killing. Then again, the blade was reversed and therefore could not kill, but his last comment had made him believe Kenshin did indeed kill before. Kenshin thoughts had Yahiko's brain pumping with new ideas. He decided he wanted to get to know Kenshin very well, maybe even try to understand him.
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Dinner started without any problems. Kenshin set the table quickly before Kaoru could stop him, it be the end of him before he let Kaoru-dono do everything that night. Kaoru brought out dinner and placed it on the table. Yahiko took the same seat he did early in the day, silently claiming it as his own. Kaoru sat next to Kenshin as expected. She served everyone with a smile, being very proud of herself for cooking a meal for her new boys, and all with out a rurouni's help.
Kenshin graciously took the bowl out of Kaoru's hands as she offered it to him. "Kaoru-dono, what did you make for us tonight?"
Kaoru smiled. "You'll see."
Yahiko eyed the food in front of him, something seemed off but it looked all right. "Oi! Let's eat."
Kaoru and Kenshin nodded and then took the first bites of their food.
Once again Kenshin placed the famous rurouni mask on his face as he silently chewed Kaoru-dono's dinner.
Kaoru gagged a little bit but decided maybe it was the first bite that was wrong, and went for a second.
Yahiko coughed and forced the food down his throat, tears rimming on his lids.
"This is awful!" Yahiko tried to be nice for the evening, he saw how she tried to make dinner all by herself. He tried, honestly.
Kaoru glared as she tried to choke down her second bite. Kenshin calmly chewed on his first bite still.
Yahiko tried the rice, no one could mess up on that. He was wrong, he had to say something else. "Now I see why Kenshin does the cooking!"
Kaoru softly placed her chopsticks on the table along with the bowl. Kenshin was about to interject because he thought she was about to cry, but her head shot up and she looked at the boy.
"I know it's awful! But your going to have to deal with it will living here! You brat!"
Yahiko stuck out his tongue. "Just try and make me! Busu!"
That was the last straw for Kaoru, she practically jumped over the low table to get at Yahiko, before she could ring his neck he was running out the door down the hall. Kaoru soon followed.
Kenshin finally swallowed his first bite of food and decided to start cleaning. It seemed like dinner was not going to get ate. While clearing away the items he heard Yahiko's taunts and Kaoru's backlashes as they chased each other around the dojo, he knew it would probably become a routine. There was nothing he could do about it, so he let them vent their steam. It reminded him that Kaoru was young, in her own respect close to still being a child. At her age he was head of a Sword squad fighting in the war, he never did anything similar to what she was allowed. He was happy enough to watch as she enjoyed the rest of her child hood, glad there was someone who could live it for him.
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Same as the night before, Yahiko and Kaoru went to sleep mumbling, to tired to eat. Kenshin had another smile plastered on his face as he watched the two's antics, amusing as usual. Around ten in the evening he was still awake sitting on the porch thinking about the days events. He turned his head in the direction as he heard footsteps on the wood.
"Kenshin?"
"Aa, It is you Yahiko. Could not sleep?"
"No . . . I was hungry."
Kenshin chuckled at the boy, he figured that was probably the problem. Tired or not, hunger could keep a boy up at his age. He had been Yahiko's age once before too. "Sessha can prepare something for you quickly, if you would like."
Yahiko nodded, "Would you?"
He winked at him through the darkness. "Besides, sessha is hungry too."
They both made their way to the kitchen as Yahiko laughed at Kenshin's last comment, it seems he did not eat any of her dinner either. Kenshin quickly warmed rice and miso left over from his breakfast, a light snack for the two in moments.
"Kenshin, I don't see how ya' can put up with her."
Kenshin raised an eyebrow as he handed Yahiko some rice balls. "Well, Kaoru-dono is a very wonderful girl. Allowing us to stay here is being very unselfish on her part. Sessha does not know many who would be as kind as her."
Yahiko looked up at the smiling rurouni in front of him and wondered what kind of Kaoru he was seeing when he was not around. "I don't know . . ."
"Do not worry, you will see." Sipping his miso soup after he answered. Kaoru might have seemed she did not care for the boy, but Kenshin knew otherwise. When she first asked him to stay he saw it was a genuine request, she cared for his well fare. A rare kindness he could not turn down, and the same was happening for the boy. In time he would understand.
"Maybe, but her cooking gots ta' change."
He chuckled at the boy's comments again, that part was true at least. "Sessha will cook tomorrow."
Yahiko stuffed another rice ball into his mouth. "Good."
Kaoru had a good heart and was well versed in almost everything else, but Kenshin planned on cooking for the three of them as much as he could in the future.
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To be continued
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Next Chapter- *Thinking* hmm . . . AH! Maybe Yahiko learning more about Kenshin and Kaoru's 'relationship'. And who's this guy with the spiky hair? Yeah, maybe it will be about that, maybe.
Author's Notes- Ahh, the mandatory 'Kaoru's cooking' bashing, now that that's out of the way I can move onto something else. Yeah, I know it was kind of a Yahiko chapter, but whatever.
Big differences from the manga and the anime in this chapter too. Yahiko came in the third chapter of the manga, after Kenshin met Yamagata as I stated in the previous one. And, NO, Kaoru did not come and try to rescue Yahiko; the anime is just a bunch of big liars. Fakes! Ahem, anyway, it starts out the same. Yahiko tried to steal Kenshin's money, Kaoru body slammed him. A little talk and they went their separate ways. Kenshin words got through to Yahiko and he wanted to stop stealing but ended up getting beaten into a bloody pulp. Kaoru noticed him on the way home being dragged by the Yakuza. But she herself did not go get him back; she waited at home for Kenshin to do the job. The part when Kenshin arrived was the same, he kicked in the door, requested Yahiko come home with him, gave them the Battousai eyes, shot that one guy through the roof and left with a protesting Yahiko. He brought Yahiko back to the dojo and told him he could train there, Kaoru and Yahiko started fighting and that was the end of that. So the only big difference was Kaoru did not try to save Yahiko. Make sense?
As always, thank you for reading and let me know what you think!
Glossary-
Hai- 'Yes', also said when agreeing with something.
Kaoru-dono- 'Miss Kaoru', more polite and outdated version of 'Kaoru-san/sama', only Kenshin uses this.
Sessha- Kenshin's archaic way of saying 'I', instead of using 'Watashi', 'Ore' and so on.
Aa- It's kind of like 'yes', men usually say it when they are agreeing with something. Kenshin says it a lot.
Kami-sama- Japanese version of 'Oh my god' or 'for Christ's sake', get the drift?
Yakuza- 'Japanese Mafia', Thugs pretty much.
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I thank my radical reviewers!
Tatsu-no-Houo- Yeah, if the 'sesshas' get to intense I might try using something similar to what you said. But I think his speech is nifty so I'm trying to leave it the same with out making it annoying. Arigato!
Icegal- *Snickers* ha ha, you think its cute, thanks!
Lucrecia LeVrai- First off, thanks for the numerous reviews, it makes me all fuzzy when I know people are continuing to read my stuff. Second, I'm glad you like it! Thanx
Polka dot- Yeah, I wish I could just push the fast forward button and write the mushy stuff at the end, but I will be patient!
bonessasan- I'm glad the 'sesshas' did not irritate you, that makes me feel a little bit better. Thanks-o-bucket for the numerous reviews, it means much! Thank You!
hpdigigal- *smacks Kenshin on the head for being too polite* Yeah, we all know what you mean. Damn him sometimes . . .
vindemon64- Wow, such a giddy review! It makes me all tingly. Made me just want to finish this chapter today when I saw it. Thanx!
My review people rock! *Blows kisses*
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Thanx!