Kenshin's Search Begins

"….well…that's the whole story." Kenshin finished. It had taken him all day to tell them the story of his life. Kaoru had added some details when the stories related to her and Kenshin but it was mainly his story. Kenji and Kano ate while they listened but neither one said a word. Kenshin took notice of their facial expression as he told them the story. Their faces ranged from amusement, excitement, happiness, anger, fear and finally wonder. He was glad he told them. It felt like a huge weight had been lifted off his chest but there was still tightness in his heart. Even though it felt good telling his sons, the one who needed to hear it the most was not present.

"Wow dad. This is a lot to take in. I mean…I've heard of Battousai the man-slayer before but I would have never guessed in a million years that it was you….Dad your famous." Kenji said this with excitement in his voice.

"I'm not that man anymore, that I'm not. But you now see why Kiriko might be in danger."

Kenji and Kano both nodded their heads. Kaoru looked out window and realized that it had got dark.

She jumped up; "Oh my goodness, Kenshin your story took all day."

"ORO!" Kenshin got up and looked out the window. "I have to get going."

"Let me come with you dad." Kenji got up to get his things.

"Yeah me too." Kano ran behind him.

"NO….no… you boys need to stay here and watch over your mother.. Just like I told you in my story, I promised to protect her at all times. So, while I'm gone I need someone I can trust to protect your mother for me."

"But won't you need our help?" Kano asked.

"It will be all right. I must do this alone. As soon as I get to Kyoto, I'll get help from Aoshi and Misao. I promise to write you and tell you what's going on."

Kaoru didn't like this idea of him going alone but she understood. "Well, if you insist on doing this alone, Kenshin. I insist you get started first thing in the morning. It's too dark and your tired from this long day. I know Kiriko has a head start but I also know you'll find her. But you'll only be able to find her if your body is fully alert."

Kenshin smiled, "Yes, I guess your right my love."

"Boys I think you should wash up and go to bed. It's been a long tiring day."

"Yes mom." They both said in unison.

"Kenshin you need to do the same. I'll start packing your satchel."

Kenshin walked over and gave her a kiss. Then looked into her deep blue eyes, "You know, you're taking this pretty well that you are. I know you're worried about Kiriko but for some reason I don't think you're as worried as me."

Kaoru laughed at this remark, which confused Kenshin. "Kenshin, I think you really under estimate Kiriko. She is a smart spirited girl. She's not smart for doing this but none the less, she is a lot like you. I'm worried but I know she's okay for some reason. You just make sure you bring her home safely." She kissed her husband on the cheek and went in to the room to prepare his satchel.

Kenshin stood there for a moment. What does she mean by I under estimate Kiriko? He thought for a minute and then laughed to himself, she's wrong I understand my little girl completely. And I know Kiriko doesn't know how to protect herself in this crazy world. She NEEDS her daddy.

The next morning before the sun came up; Kaoru, Kenji and Kano were all outside to see Kenshin off.

"Kenji you're the man of the house. I want you to care of all the things that I do while I'm gone."

"So basically I get to do laundry all day." Kenji mumbled.

Kaoru and Kano burst out laughing.

"HAHAHAHA I gotta to make sure Meya comes by to see that..HAHAHAHA," Kano teased then he stopped laughing all of a sudden. "Hey dad, if Kenji's the man of the house then what does that make me?"

"My slave! HAHAHA!" Kenji laughed in a menacing voice.

" No, you won't be Kenji's slave. You can help you mother with the food and make sure she doesn't burn down the house-" (POW!) Kaoru punched Kenshin in the head and knocked him back two steps. Kenji and Kano both laughed.

"OOOORRRROOO!"

"SHUT UP KENSHIN! I'm not gonna burn down the house."

Kenshin smiled, "I know my love.….Well I better get going." Kenshin started walking down the road.

"Bye Dad, remember you promised to write us when you got in Kyoto!" Kano waved.

"Be sure to bring back my stupid little sister so I can give her a good beat down-" (SMACK!) "OUCH THAT HURT MOM!"

"You be careful, Kenshin! We love you!" Kaoru waved.

Kenshin turned around and grinned, " I love you guys too. Bye…"

Kenshin already had a plan mapped out. First he would go by the Akabeko. She might have stopped there to get some food for her journey. Then he would go by the bookstore. Kenshin knew Kiriko had no way of knowing how to get to Kyoto, so she would have probably got a map from Mr. Liu. He could probably tell me what direction she went in, he thought.

The sun was starting to come up and Kenshin could see it was going to be another nice day. He kept thinking about Kiriko, How would she defend herself? Why did she take Kano's bokken if she doesn't know how to use it? And what did Kaoru mean I under estimate Kiriko? Does Kaoru know something I don't know? These thoughts ran through Kenshin mind as he approached the Akabeko.

"Hello! Sir Ken!"

"Oro?" Kenshin looked up and saw Tsubame waving frantically to get his attention. "Hello Miss Tsubame, I'm sorry, I daydreaming about something. How are you?"

Tsubame put down her broom and walked over to Kenshin. "I'm doing just fine. Is Kiriko okay? She was really upset about what happened yesterday." She asked in her soft sweet voice.

Kenshin smiled at Tsubame, "I think Kiriko is okay. Uuumm…did you see her come by here yesterday?"

Tsubame gave Kenshin a puzzled look. She knew Kiriko doesn't go anywhere alone. "Uumm…no I didn't see her but maybe Miss Ti did. I'll go get her." She went inside the Akabeko. Kenshin waited outside. A few minutes later, Miss Ti came out.

"Hello, Sir Ken. How can I help you?"

"I was wondering if Kiriko might have stopped by here yesterday."

"No, I haven't seen her. Is there something wrong?" Miss Ti asked with concern in her voice.

"Thank you for you help, Miss Ti. I should be on my way." He waved goodbye and continued his walk through town.

Miss Ti watched him for a moment. How strange, she thought then went back inside the Akabeko.

Mr. Liu was setting up his display window when his saw Kenshin coming down the road. Mr. Liu put the last book in place and went outside. He already knew what Kenshin was coming to see him about.

"Hello! Mr. Himura, how are you doing this fine morning?"

"Hello Mr. Liu. I'm doing all right that I am."

"So what brings you by to see this old fart?"

Kenshin chuckled, "Well, I came by to see if Kiriko might have stopped in here yesterday?"

"Hhhhmm, Kiriko you say…" Mr. Liu stood there for a moment scratching his balding head. "Let me think."

Kenshin remained quiet and waited patiently for an answer.

"Nooo…. I have to say I haven't seen her. Things have been pretty slow around here these days."

"Oh," Kenshin frowned and looked at his feet. I really thought she'd come by here.

Kenshin bowed to Mr. Liu, "Thank you for help Mr. Liu. Have a nice day." He turned and started to walk away.

Mr. Liu continued, speaking quite loudly to himself, "Yep… things have been quite slow around here…although I did have one customer come by…let me see…oh yes that person bought a map I think."

Kenshin stopped dead in his tracks. He turned back around to look at Mr. Liu.

"Yes…it was a map to Kyoto. Sold my last one to that person. I think that person headed west from here." Mr. Liu looked at Kenshin. Even though Mr. Liu's face had no expression, Kenshin could see the smile in his eyes.

"Thank you, Mr. Liu"

Mr. Liu frowned, "What cha thanking me for? Now get on outta here if you ain't gonna buy nothin." He grabbed his broom and started sweeping the walkway.

A large smile spread across Kenshin's face, and then he walked off towards the west.