AN: I have predicted that this story is only going to carry onto twelve chapters, which means this story is slowly ending! WAH! I don't want it to end but it must! I've also decided to stay with Shiori verses Shiroi, just flows off the tongue better.
Also, a great big hug to Leila Winters and fujifunmum for reading last chapter's Author's Notes! This is for you gals! Sex Scene part 2!
Kaoru sucked in her breath and arched her back as she felt his hands touch the sensitive area. She wanted to cry out but had a hard time concentrating as intense waves washed over her. "Do you want more?" Kenshin asked his eyes centered on her face. She wiggled beneath him trying to somehow sooth the burning with her movements. He touched the spot again teasingly making her moan in the process. "Yes! Yes! Oh gods yes!" Kaoru finally cried out. Kenshin sighed and placed some more ice on the sprained ankle. Kaoru sighed in relief. "Ha, ha, buso! You're such a klutz!" Kaoru lashed out at Yahiko as he danced away from her strikes. "Yahiko! When I get my hands on you!" Kenshin sighed and continued to stroke the sore muscles. "Maa, maa, Kaoru-dono."
What did you think they were doing? ::waggles eyebrows:: Writing these things is fun!
Extra BIG HUGS to Leila Winters for editing and making Saitou in character! I love you girl!
Just fixed some spelling errors. ^-^ Thank you Jason M. Lee, LSR-7, & Mara! Oh and I added Shiori's point of view.
Disclaimer: I thought of if I did a little song and dance to this then no one would sue me for not owning Kenshin or any of his rights. However, I forgot the song and I can't dance so there goes that idea.
Heart of a Wolf
Ch.9
The still morning air was broken by a thin, chill wind. Light clouds floated languidly in the dawn's morning sky, each one painted beautifully with the bright colors of daylight. Oranges and pinks stood side by side with violet while they bathed everything in their richness. Flowers slowly lifted up their heads, opening petal-by-petal beginning the daily ritual. Bees and butterflies stretched their wings in flight from one colorful flower to another. Everything was waking up slowly at first before building into a crescendo of noise and life.
Kenshin did not notice these things. He had been sitting out on the porch before the sun could paint its way through the dawn, before the morning dew had settled, just sitting and waiting. His large, violet eyes never moved from the worn wooden gateway, he tried not to blink as well but could not help doing so. Sleep rimmed the edges of his consciousness but he shoved them back forcibly keeping his eyes on the entrance to his home. He would have been there all night had Kaoru not convinced him to come to bed.
Kenshin was not feeling well either but shoved that pain back and focused on memorizing each crack and nook within the wood a few feet before him. His thoughts jumbled together before separating, submerging themselves within the folds of grey matter only to be combined again into an intangible mush. He let out a heavy sigh bowing his head low, the red bangs brushing his nose softly. He could not think. Nevertheless, he forced himself to remember things he did not want to, remember things he had tried so hard to bury and formulate words to describe it all. He had to do this no matter how much it hurt him. He needed to explain himself as best as he could in hopes of shedding some light and making peace with Kenji.
That is why he sat on the porch facing the gateway. Kenji was supposed to come home today, he was going to come demanding answers… answers that Kenshin wasn't so sure he was ready to give but would do anything to keep his son than push him way. The older Himura thought back to the previous day when he had an unexpected visit from his former enemy Saitou Hajime.
Kenshin had awoken to the urgency of danger. It was like an old friend to him, one that helped him in many times but also reminded him of many years that he tried to put past him. It was a familiar danger, one that he knew well. Kenshin quietly pried Kaoru's arms off him and leapt softly to his feet. It had been many years since he felt that presence near his home and now that it had come, he could feel a small tremor run through his body. All his thoughts focused on the reason why the ex-Shinsengumi member was here. Had there been a fight in the city? Had it something to do with him and his past? Had Kenji been there fighting? Had he found Kenji… dead?
Kenshin shook off that thought and slid open the shoji door that separated him from Saitou. Saitou looked up at him for a moment with one thin eyebrow raised before calmly returning to his tea. Kenshin's brain stopped. What? Saitou was drinking tea in his home? Had he died and gone to hell? Was this some sick, twisted nightmare that would trap him for a lifetime? Was Saitou drunk? Kenshin quickly looked around for the fires and the demons but found none instead he saw Yahiko look up at him worriedly.
"Yahiko?" Kenshin asked unsure of what was going on.
"Sit down, Battousai. I have something important to tell you." Yahiko glared at the older man, whatever having transpired between them before Kenshin entering came back into the young man full force.
"Just tell us already you bastard!" Yahiko all but used his bokken on the man who sat calmly sipping the tea Tsubame had brought in. Kenshin sat next to the seething young man and patted him on his shoulder to calm him down.
Now Kenshin was worried he did not know what was going on but had the distinct feeling that it was about Kenji. Kenshin stared at the cop already envisioning those thin lips telling him that Kenji was dead and that they needed him to identify the body. He gave a silent prayer that this was not about Kenji, that it was about something else, anything else!
Saitou watched the two carefully with his golden eyes before letting out a heavy sigh. "Himura," Kenshin almost fainted. "I found your son-"
"NO!" Kenshin stood up and grabbed a hold of the man's jacket. "It-it-it isn't true!" Tears began to form in the large violet eyes as they stared at the wide brown eyes. "He can't be dead!" Behind Kenshin Yahiko gasped.
"Ahou!" Saitou growled out before gently removing the shaking hands from his jacket. "Your idiot son is not dead." He had not let the hands go yet.
"Not dead?" The diminutive red head repeated.
"He is alive… for the time being, anyways." There was a sigh of relief from both Kenshin and the man behind him.
"Then is he injured?" Kenshin asked a bit more calmly trying to remove his hands from Saitou's grasp, but the older man would not let him go.
"No. Not much at least, I take it he'll have trouble chewing for a few days but nothing permanent."
"What the hell did you do to Kenji?!" Yahiko asked standing up completely infuriated with the psycho cop. He was purposely worrying them about Kenji!
Saitou turned to the spiky haired boy and gave him a bored look. "I did nothing that he didn't have coming to him. Honestly, Battousai, what manners did you teach your son?"
Kenshin blinked twice before Yahiko once more stepped in. "Listen here you bastard! Kenji is a good kid and he has the best manners there are! Whatever the reason you saw fit to-"
"Shut up boy I'm tired of-"
"I am not a BOY!" Yahiko cried out and then flushed. Saitou rolled his eyes towards the young man as it all became clear. Kenji might have his father's temper, but Yahiko was who raised him to be impulsive.
"Then stop acting like one for a moment and listen to what I have to say. I found your son," He glared at Kenshin, brown eyes taking a golden color, "Groping my daughter right outside my front door!" Saitou growled and then mentally smacked himself. That was not what he was going to say.
Kenshin and Yahiko were in a state of shocked silence. "You're… daughter?" They both turned to each other remembering the little girl that had been at the dojo who had reminded them of someone.
Yahiko's cinnamon colored eyes widened as he leaned forward in disbelief. "You're Shiori-chan's father?!" Saitou glared at the youth that spoke about his little girl so informally.
"Shiori is indeed my daughter. You'd best remember that the next time you speak her name. Go make yourself useful and leave while the Battousai and I speak of important matters." Saitou nodded towards the door that Kenshin had entered.
"No way man! Whatever you have to say to Kenshin you say in front of me!"
"Yahiko," Kenshin looked over to the astonished man. "Please do as Saitou asks." A hurt look crossed Yahiko's face before he nodded and quietly walked out of the room leaving the two old assassins alone.
Saitou watched Kenshin carefully before letting his hands free. He took in his sickly, pale face tainted red with fever. The large violet eyes that were sunken into his face. He looked so fragile, so old at that moment. Was this really the man that he had fought so many times in battle? "If you would treat your son the way you treat that boy then none of this would have happened." Kenshin whipped his head towards the wolf, eyes wide. Saitou looked away from the expressive eyes. "Don't be so surprised Battousai. I found your son, remember?"
Kenshin bowed his head suddenly feeling as ill as he looked. "So he told you."
Saitou returned his gaze at the redhead. "No. He told my daughter, I merely overheard." It took everything in Saitou's power to keep from grabbing his blade at the thought of last night.
Kenshin however noticed how the man's hand trembled. A small smile formed on his lips before it disappeared. "H-how is he?"
Saitou sighed before pinching the bridge of his nose with two slim fingers. "As stupid and annoying as I imagined him to be." Kenshin blanched but Saitou ignored him. "He's arrogant, stubborn, and has a temper that puts your wife to shame."
'He-he couldn't be that bad!' Kenshin's mind began to swirl. True he did not know his son but he knew Kaoru and she had raised him. Saitou had to be making this worse than it really was! Kenji could not be like that!
Saitou looked back at Kenshin and rolled his eyes heaven ward. "He reminds me of someone I knew."
Kenshin blinked out of his thoughts and lifted his heavy head towards the man before him. "Who?" Uncertainty and ignorance threaded into his voice causing Saitou's left eyebrow to twitch suddenly.
"Ahou." Saitou said as he looked pointedly at him. "You may not have been with him for most of his life but he is definitely your son, Battousai." Saitou smirked at the sick redhead. "Smarter too. Who do you suppose he would have learned all of that from? Certainly not anyone from around here."
"Oro!" Kenshin tired to glare at his rival but somehow just could not. Instead, he smiled at the older man, a genuine smile. In a small way, Kenshin was glad that Kenji was like him, though he did not like the attitudes he picked up.
Saitou saw the smile and turned his face from it. "I spoke with him this morning before coming here." Kenshin's smile faltered at the words and tone Saitou had suddenly picked up. "He knows what kind of man you were. He knows about Battousai the Manslayer."
There he had said it. Saitou wasn't the one to give away a clue to what was going on, let alone help people get personal lives back together, but Kenshin was different. Saitou had been his rival for several years more than two decades worth, he had been his ally in the later years, and now he found himself feeling sorry for the redhead. But…why the compassion?
Saitou sighed as he thought about that word. Tokio had always teased him about being friends with Battousai and though Saitou denied it with anger and annoyance, he knew that he could count on Kenshin should he ever need him. However, Saitou would not do the same for him, or so he thought. 'No, I am just trying to get the idiot out of my house and away from Shiori!' The wolf growled to himself though he knew that somewhere deep down in side of him he cared for the diminutive man more than he wanted to.
Kenshin felt his smile fall and the world quiet down. The older Himura had and would always be ashamed of what he had been during the war. It had been dangerous for any who knew him when the Bakumatsu died down since so many wanted to extract revenge. The name Battousai was dangerous and he did not want his son to say it without knowing the troubles it could cause, but he did not want his son to know those troubles. He had wanted to protect Kenji in this new world he had sacrificed to create. Kenshin kept the name a secret from the boy knowing that his friends would do the same. They all wanted Kenji to grow up like a normal boy and not live the life any of them had to- but now he knew… now he was in danger.
"Wh-why did you…" Kenshin couldn't even speak around the lump that had formed in his throat. Why did he have to know? It was already bad enough that Kenji hated him for not being there for him but now to know that he was a murderer? Why did he have to know? What difference would it have made?
Saitou looked over at the redhead suddenly feeling his stomach knot. But…he had done the right thing…right? Kenji had to know. "Himura," The name sounded funny coming from his lips, leaving a strange after taste as well. If it had been at another point in time Kenshin would have thought the world was ending, again, but he was so enthralled in his thoughts that he barely registered the words spoken. Saitou tried again.
"Himura, listen to me." Saitou could have sworn that his voice had sounded desperate. Angry with himself, he looked at the Battousai. He had only meant to tell him that his son would be coming home soon. But now, his mouth refused to speak further.
Kenshin looked up shadowed violet eyes brimming with unshed tears. He didn't want to cry anymore and especially not in front of Saitou but he felt as though he could. As if, it would make no difference.
Those eyes finally broke the barriers Saitou had been trying to keep up. Those eyes he had seen before, tired and sick eyes, eyes that spoke that they would be relieved of the pain soon. It had been those eyes that he had missed yet dreaded each time he saw them. Saitou was a man that loved the truth and therefore always looked into the eyes of the one speaking to him, to see if it was truth. He often fell in love with eyes, eyes that told more yet said little. Okita had eyes like that, Tokio too… and now this small man before him had them as well.
Saitou cursed mentally every part of his self-resolve trying desperately to build its self back up but he let his shoulders droop and his hands curl against the fabric of his pants. Why did this always happen to him? Was he not a man that could hold his mind and emotions in check no matter what life threw at him? But was he not also always loosing the ones he cared for dearly?
"Kenji had to know and he will come to you with questions of his own. No matter what that idiot child of yours says, it doesn't change the past. What you did, you did for your own survival and time doesn't change that. Your son will never know the blood that was shed in order for him to gain such freedom. His future was at the cost of your own life. If he still does not appreciate your efforts, then he is dumber than I thought.
Saitou took a deep shuddering breath. Had he really said all that? It wasn't like him, not like him at all! Why could such eyes always break away all that he had made and show what he was? He felt exposed as if he were naked and under the scrutiny of this man before him.
Kenshin was surprised at first, but quickly rendered miserable. Of all things, he had not expected to find Saitou capable of speaking with such feelings. Though his voice and demeanor had seemed uncaring and gruff, he knew the underlying message and the effort it had taken to speak to his old rival in such a way. But he had spoken and both were aware of the weight to the words.
Kenshin reached over and took hold of Saitou's right arm. It was an old form used to greet each other weaponless and meaning no harm to the other. Used for comrades, brothers in battle, and those who trusted each other dreadfully. Kenshin had known that he and Saitou shared something beyond what they had with anyone else. They both had known each other in battle and had thought to die in battle. Alas, fate had been kinder to them allowing them to live their lives. Rivals, yes, they had to best the other always, but when Kenshin stopped caring if he won or lost to Saitou that competition force that bound them was thrown to the wind. So what bound them now? Their past? Yes, they both shared an equally bloody past that was hard to leave behind. Their present? Yes, both their children felt neglected and left in the dark about their lives. Their future? That Kenshin was not so sure. Saitou's reaction to everything had confirmed what Kenshin had feared the most. Was he really going to die?
Kenshin blinked and watched the clouds float by lazily. A soft warm wind tousled his hair and warming his chilled body. Death, so long ago he had said that he did not fear it and was always ready to die needlessly if it could save one person. But when he realized that life was what saved others, what others had sacrificed to give to him, he had enjoyed it. Almost greedily consumed it though he knew he did not deserve it. So now his time was up. Now he was to turn in the payment that was long due. Could he handle this? Could they handle this?
Kenshin bowed his head. Saitou had been hasty to leave but had mentioned that Kenji would come today to speak with him. Was this his punishment for a life ill spent? To die before resolving anything with his son? Moreover, if he did reach a conclusion was it fair to have Kenji for—what? Days? Weeks? Months? Who knew when he would breathe his last!
"Oi. Kenshin!" The red head blinked back into reality at the strong voice. Yahiko sighed as he placed his hands on his hips, his voice suddenly taking a reprimanding tone. "Kenshin you shouldn't be out here! You need to rest!"
Kenshin smiled and almost laughed at the scolding young man. "Maa, maa Yahiko. I'll be alright." Kenshin gave him a true smile making Yahiko blush slightly.
"Even so Kenshin you should at least wear a jacket or somethin'." Yahiko looked away from the man he admired. For a second there he looked healthy and beautiful, not that Yahiko was interested in men, it's just that Kenshin's softer features made him a sort of pretty guy. Yahiko sighed and shook his head knowing that Kenshin was not going to move from that spot until Kenji came. "I'll go bring you a haori." Yahiko muttered before entering the home.
Kenshin's eyes crinkled in delight of having won his way…again. He took a deep breath letting the air fill his lungs completely. He did feel better today, maybe he was just thinking too seriously about his sickness and tainting it with the relationship he had with Kenji.
"Ojisan! Ojisan!" Kenshin blinked, as he looked up at the small boy running up to him waving a bokken. The older man smiled at the boy. If Kenji was Kenshin's little copy then Shin'Ya was definitely Yahiko's son.
"Ohayoo, Shin'Ya." Kenshin nodded his head towards the eager youth.
"Ohayoo Ojisan!" Shin'Ya bowed respectively to the Kenjitsu. Myojin Shin'Ya carried his grandfather's name and his father's looks, but it was his mother's sweet temperament that made it impossible to believe he was Yahiko's son. Shin'Ya had just turned twelve last winter and was growing like a weed.
"How was your stay with Tae-dono?" Kenshin asked as he patted the space beside him. Shin'Ya plopped down on the ledge letting his feet swing out underneath.
"It was good. Tae-san let me cook a little!" Shin'Ya smiled at the memory and then looked around. "Ano… Ojisan have you seen Tousan or Kaasan?"
Just as Kenshin was about to answer Yahiko stepped through the shoji door holding a haori and cup. "Kenshin here's a jacket and some tea." Yahiko looked down at the little figure sitting next to the red head. "Shin'Ya? What are you doing here so early?" Father smiled down at his son teasingly. "I would never think you knew what morning was!"
Shin'Ya rolled his eyes and smiled. "I wake up early all the time!"
Yahiko laughed as he placed the jacket around Kenshin's small shoulders. "Oh is that so? Well I suppose noon for you is early!" Yahiko grabbed his son in a headlock pressing his knuckles against the dark hair, all the while laughing.
"'Tosan!" Shin'Ya cried out laughing with his father.
Kenshin watched the two quietly as a pang of jealousy filled him before over turning into guilt. Had Kenji missed this? Would they have been like this if he had never left? Kenshin looked down at the cup of tea he held his violet eyes misting as the laughter beside him continued. He only prayed that it was not too late to fix things, that he and Kenji could have a second chance. But was he going to get this chance? Would Kenji come home to talk?
Kenji wanted to scream and shake the two people he walked with. Unlike any of his walks, Shiroi had become incredibly silent walking two feet behind the men. Saitou was in the lead with Kenji slightly behind him. The silence irritated him. He wanted the nonsense chattering from the little girl, wanted her talking about things he really didn't care to hear about; instead there was a pessimistic silence that covered the three.
She had been like that all morning while skittering back and forth in the kitchen. She had prepared his parents a nice little meal and some tea to help sooth their illness. However, Kenji got the impression that she was doing that not just out of hospitality but because she wanted to get out of her father's way. It had been quite evident that Fujita-san was uncomfortable around his only daughter. Why that was, Kenji did not know but he did know that he didn't like it! How could someone be uncomfortable around Shiori? Kenji stopped to think about that further.
What did he know about her? He knew that she was smart and at times lonely. But what else did he know about her? Her mother died her father traveled; she had some brothers, how many he didn't know. He suddenly felt uncomfortable around the two. It had only been three days since he meet the little girl but there was a sense of comfortableness that she exuded. As if he knew her yet didn't. That thought did not settle well in his stomach. Was it because he had been weak in his sense lately due to the problems with his father? Or was it because she had intended it to be so? Knowing yet not…
Kenji stole a quick glance at the girl over his shoulder. Could she really be capable of manipulating people at her will? Kenji narrowed his eyes in thought. No, she was just a girl. He left that thought on the street and crushed it as he walked by.
Saitou had noticed the shift in his ki and frowned. Shiori had been acting strange lately as if she was trying to hide this big secret from him or Kenji, maybe even both. Saitou shook his head. In the beginning, he had known his daughter and now she was like a puzzle to him. Of course he was to blame for that, distancing himself from the child with no consent on her well being.
Saitou watched Kenji carefully out of the corner of his eyes. Would she turn out like him? Lost, hurt, and confused? He didn't want that to happen to her, but he also didn't really know how to solve this problem. He wasn't like Kenshin in the sense that he felt he needed to atone for all the killings he had done. After all, Saitou had killed for a reason and a purpose, no matter what side he had chosen. But how was he to explain that to her? Explain that he merely wanted to protect her from things that would take her away from him as tuberculoses had taken her mother. Saitou inwardly cringed. How long had he avoided her because of his beloved Tokio? Shiori resembled her mother so much that sometimes it hurt just to look at her, to listen to her voice and watch her gestures mimic her late mother. How could he explain to her that he loved Tokio so much that he feared that her death might repeat in Shiori
'Tokio why aren't you with me? Why do I have to face this silly fear alone?' Saitou felt alone without his wife and knew that Shiori could help him fill the void that Tokio had left. But he was afraid, afraid to take the first step to building that relationship. He was afraid that the dangers his creed brought would take her away from him. So he distanced himself for her, tried to hide his past and ideals from her, but somehow she learned. Saitou had wanted to raise her to a good woman, one that obeyed that was humble, but Shiori often had different ideas. She had convinced him to teach her kendo and he did simple tricks that she could use to defend herself if needed but no gatotsu, definitely no gatotsu.
Right before he left Saitou had received some news that the gang he had been following was moving out of the country. If it were true then Saitou would be leaving the country as well. How long would it take to catch them in the act of smuggling in arms he didn't know…but how would Shiori react to that information? Could he tell her that he was leaving for who knows how long to far away lands? Saitou had to tell her but how long could he hold the information from her?
She felt out of place and suddenly wished to hide somewhere until everything passed. Her father had told her countless of times that other peoples business was strictly that. But how could she have avoided that painfully familiar look? Those eyes burned with much the same hurt as hers did. How could she have turned her back on that?
Her eyes rested briefly on her father's wide back. Was he angry with her? Mad that she had let herself into this boy's life and he into theirs? Was he happy to see her? Glad to be home and away from work? It was so hard to tell what he was thinking, but it was easy to tell when he was hiding something.
Her father was a man who hid himself well. His emotions, thoughts, facial features and even posture were always constantly in check. His mouth however often betrayed him. It formed into a tight frown when he was unhappy about something. It quirked itself into a smirk when highly amused by something or someone. It became still and thin when he thought deeply about something that troubled him. It was that passive line that he always presented towards her.
Was it something she had done? Could she undo it? Tears jumped into her large eyes her heart wrenching. What had she done to make her father hate her so?
As the surroundings became more familiar, Kenji stopped thinking about the small girl behind him and began to dread the meeting with his father. What was he going to say? Would he forget all that he heard the day before and just forgive him for it?
I love you.
Lies. The word danced in the back of his head teasing him with its presence. It was like a demon in the shadows that wished to torture its prey by hiding its identity. He lied to you. He doesn't love you. He hates you. He lied to you about his past. Kenji felt his heart constrict within his chest a lump forming in his throat. What if he had been lying and he didn't really love him? Could Kenji handle that rejection, again? He hates you. Kenji could feel the tears creep up into his eyes and he pushed them back forcibly.
Coward. The word lashed out at his thoughts. You're a coward. You know that its not true. His mind seemed to hiss out at him. The gates for the Kamaiya dojo came into view. What was he to do, to say?
His heart began to race as his mind went blank leaving him alone with his fears and doubts. Would he apologize? Would things go back to the way they were? Would they fight again and again and never reach anything? What? What would happen?
The troupe stopped before the door each tortured by their own thoughts. There was laughter coming out from behind the doors.
"Are you ready?" Saitou asked his voice baring the harsh tone once again.
'This is your chance! Get out of here! Run!' Kenji felt his knees buckle beneath him. Coward. The word whispered again through his mind. The young Himura took a deep breath before pushing the wooden gate open revealing his father waiting for him on the porch.
---- tsudzuku ----
Ojisan-Uncle
Kaasan- Mom, a slang of Okasan which means mother.
Tousan- Dad, a slang of Otosan which means father.
Okay wait before I begin giving my thanks there are a couple of stories that I think everyone should read! More next time!
Crimson Destiny, Red Soul Shiori makes an appearance in this wonderful Kenji story! Awesome start and has a promising future!
The Wolf's Mission Yes an awesome story about Saitou and Tokio! (Saitou is so great here!)
Nine Months A cute little story about Kaoru being pregnant and Kenshin worrying about it all!
An Alternate Place and Time A very different perspective on how Kaoru meet Battousai!
The Past is Present A dark, angsty fic that is leaving me in suspense guessing what's going on!
My Life College life through Kenshin's eyes. Dark and light, but mostly just a really good read!
Arrigato Gozaimasu!
Man I really can't thank all of you enough! 105 reviews and we're only up to the 9th chapter! Arrigato mina you guys really do motivate me to do this and bring a light to my gloomy days of studying. ^-^ Thank you all so much. I also would like to give a special thank you to V-Babe for being the 100th reviewer! Yatta! So keep reviewing and telling me what you guys think about this story! ^-^ Every comment makes a difference!
Crystal- Hum... well I haven't really come to a conclusion to Kenji's temperament when he sees his father again. I mean there are so many emotions he could have (anger will be one) that is hard to choose. Hopefully the next chapter will live up to the expectations of everyone. ^^;; It's gonna be really hard!
Shuro- Eh heh... lying no! NEVER! I just think it could be done a lot better, preferably by someone who knows what they are doing! ^^;;
Chri- Yay! You found it funny! I have a really bad sense of humor that only my sister can understand, so I am really happy that someone else can find it humorous as well! ^-^ Well it's not to say that Kenji hasn't heard that Battousai was his father it's just never really been confirmed. When I revise the story I will make sure that I make that point clearer! Thank you for your input on that! It was very helpful! Sorry for making you wait so long! School is evil!!
Tanuki-dono- WAI! As always you are one of my biggest fans! Thank you so much for being very supportive in everything you do! You're just way too awesome to describe with words alone! Thanks for reviewing my story! Also thank you for visiting my website! Keep drawing and writing! MOU! Where's the next chapter of CDRS?!
Jason M. Lee- Daijobu? Daijoubu?! WAH! I'm sorry! But I had to give us girls a little fan service here! ^.~ Hee hee Thanks for reviewing! And yes Kenji and Shiori should be together in every story! BWAHAHAHA! (referring to comment on Crimson Destiny, Red Soul)
Magia- Yeah it will all pass, but right now I should be doing some homework and I'm not! *sigh* I am just so tired of writing papers, doing projects, and taking tests. At least the end is near! Dec 13 last day of the semester! YATTA!! Thanks for the wonderful idea! Yeah I had thought about using that but it just wouldn't work out with the ending I'm going for. But it was still excellent input! Hum... maybe as side story of some sort? A before this story happened? Thank you so much for all your wonderful support! I'll be needing all I can get!
fujifunmum- I love you! Will you marry me? JK! (I hope I didn't scare you! ^^;;) You have been one of the few from the beginning and I love all your stories! *HUG* You are the best reviewer and author ever! ^-^ Yes Shiori is only 12. Hum... I guess I should have put in there somewhere that she had seen her older brothers and sisters-in-law do it so that's why she would want to do it. (and who wouldn't want to kiss Kenji? ^.~) Saitou is a man of few words (though very OOC in this chapter) that's why I love him! ^-^ Thank you again for noticing that problem I'll fix it come revision time. ^-^
Leila Winters- Thank you so much for editing this story! You write the best Saitou ever! I just love him!! Thank you so much! ^-^ You should send me a picture that you have drawn and let me see if you are as bad as you think you are. (most probably not!) Thank you for looking at my art I really do appreciate it. ^-^ I'm an artist before a writer (that's what I'm getting my degree in. ^^;;) Write more for Wolf's Mission!
Koneko-chan- No I can't tell you that would be giving the ending away. ^-^ Gomen just know that you'll either love me for it or hate me for it. ^^;; And you're right there is just something wrong with Kenji making out with a twelve year old. ^-^ Well, Shiori will have to be a guidebook for Kenji I suppose! Yeah I like the way the name flows better. ^-^ Thanks for reviewing!
J. Liha- ::blushes:: Thank you so much for looking at my pictures! Oh I'm not that good! All my friends draw better than I do! ;_; Markers are hard to use and they took me months (and money... lots of money) to learn how to use them! If you draw I would love to see some of it! ^-^ Art is always good art especially when shared among friends!
LSR-7- Actually Shiori's name has been like that until last chapter, so you weren't miss-reading anything. ^-^ Actually Shiori is a girl's name used in Japan I came across it from an anime I watched a long time ago which is why I misspelled it. But you're right it doesn't have the same softness that Shiori does. Arrigato gozaimasu for your input on the name thing I really appreciate it! Knowing what my readers think about stuff like that is very important to me. ^-^ ::bows:: You have my thanks.
V-Babe- ::throws confetti:: YATTA! You're the 100th review! ::bows:: Arrigato Gozaimasu! ::blushes even more:: It's not that great. Arrigato! Input is always appreciated and great reviews always wanted! ^-^
StillbornAngel- Gomen for making you wait so long! College life is taking it's toll! (that and work -_-) Thank you so much for reviewing!
Chibi-Nikoru aka Shadow Flame- I remember you! ^-^ Thank you for looking at my art work and for reviewing!
Little swordfighter- DON'T KILL ME!! @.@ Gomen, gomen! I don't know where I said that but if I did then it's partially true! ::thinks back:: Er... where did I say that? I don't really recall saying it. ^^;; Gomen my memory is really bad! I can't go into the details of how everything is going to work but I promise you it won't be like in OVA where you wanted to pull your heart out (I did! I wanted to give it Kenshin so that he could live!) but the unfortunate will happen. ;_; Gomen nasi!!!
Miya-chan- ::covers ears:: ORO! ::turns into a beet:: Arrigato gozaimasu for reviewing! ^-^
Ladymercury- Hee hee that conversation actually wrote itself. I was planning on going into this deep and dark conversation when I said to myself "Oi self! Saitou would never tell Kenji that!" So I kinda went with the flow. ^^;; I wish it could have been a little deeper or maybe even longer. Thank you for thinking this story is funny! I try to do it but I'm just not very funny!
Once again thank you all for reviewing! You have given me a peace of mind about my story and the relief I needed from all of my horrible homework! ::bows:: I am forever in your debt.