Kenshin meets Eko

As Kenshin continued his walk towards Tokaido Trail, he came upon a small shed like house. A skinny little boy with chubby cheeks was sitting on the ground trying to tie a string to a long stick. Kenshin thought it looked like he was trying to make a fishing rod.

Eko looked up and saw Kenshin approaching. He became frighten because the guy was carrying a sword in a time where swords were forbidden. Eko gathered his fishing rod and turned to head into the house. Then he stopped and turned back around quickly. Eko narrowed his eyes to get a better look at the guy. Oh my goodness, Eko thought with excitement, that guy looks just like Kiriko.

Kenshin stared at the little boy as he approached. The boy smiled and Kenshin smiled back. Does this little boy know me?, Kenshin thought. The boy walked towards Kenshin cautiously.

Kenshin stopped, "Hello."

"Um…hi." Eko answered back.

Kenshin was starting to feel a little awkward under the boy's hazel stare. "Uumm..it's a nice day isn't it?"

"Yes….may I ask you a question." Eko finally turned his gaze away from Kenshin.

"Oro? Uumm..sure." Kenshin said looking very confused.

"Do you know Kiriko Himura?"

Kenshin's eyes widened. How does this boy know Kiriko? "Why yes I do. I'm her father, Kenshin Himura."

Eko started to laugh; "I knew it. You look just like her."

"May I ask you two questions?"

Eko stopped laughing a nodded.

"What is your name and how do you know Kiriko?"

"My name is Eko Hashi and Kiriko saved my life."

"Oro! What do you mean she saved your life?"

"Well, actually she saved me and my mother…" Kenshin must have had the most confused look on his face because Eko started to giggle. He took Kenshin's hand and led him into the house. "…come inside and have some lunch with us. I'll tell you the whole story."

After Eko and his mother explained what Kiriko had done for them, Kenshin was flabbergasted.

"Mr. Himura your daughter is wonderful." Ms Hashi complimented.

"Thank you, Ms Hashi." Kenshin really didn't know what to say. It was very hard to believe that Kiriko had done so much in such a little time, but the thing that shocked Kenshin the most was the part about her fighting. "Are you absolutely sure Kiriko was fighting?" Kenshin asked for the third time.

"Yes…"Eko answered slightly annoyed for having to keep telling him again, "Did you teach her?"

"Now that's the part I don't get. I didn't teach her and neither did her mother."

Eko looked at Kenshin with slightly puzzled expression. "Well who ever taught her did a great job. Didn't she tell you about us?"

"Well, that's the thing. I'm out here looking for her."

Ms Hashi had a suspicion that Kiriko was not going home the night she left.

"What do you mean look-"

"She left here last night right after dusk. I pointed her in the direction of Tokaido Trail." Ms Hashi interrupted Eko. She'd explain it to him later.

Kenshin was relieved that he didn't have to explain to Eko that his daughter had runaway. "Well I better get going. Thank you so much for the wonderful lunch."

"It's the least we could do for the father of such a wonderful girl." Ms Hashi led Kenshin to the door.

Kenshin slightly blushed.

"Kiriko said she would come and visit one day. Will you make sure she keeps her promise?" Eko asked. His bright hazel eyes sparkling in the sunlight.

Kenshin smiled. "I will make sure she remembers that I will. As a matter of fact, we'll all come and visit one day. How does that sound?"

Eko smiled brightly. He ran over and hugged Kenshin. Ms Hashi blushed. Her eyes telling Kenshin she apologizes for the way her son was acting. Kenshin smiled and shook his head telling her there's no need for apologies. He hugged Eko back and said his farewells.

Hearing this new information about Kiriko only baffled Kenshin even more than what Kaoru had said. Where in the world did she learn how to fight? Was Kaoru teaching her behind my back? No that's not possible, she's the one who didn't want Kiriko to learn swordsmanship in the first place. Was it her brothers? No that can't be it either. When was she doing all this? This also made Kenshin worry more. She might be able to do basic swordsmanship but she could get caught in a situation she can't handle.

After walking a couple of miles, Kenshin started to notice that it was getting dark. Kenshin stopped to build himself a small fire. He was actually getting very sleepy. Wow it's been a while since I've been on the road. I guess it's taking a toll on these old bones because a couple of years ago I would have walked all night. He chuckled to himself. Well maybe before Kaoru and I had children I could have walked all night. Kenshin got settled on a small futon he made. He laid on his back and stared up at the stars. Kenshin drifted off to sleep thinking about Kaoru, the boys, and especially Kiriko.