AN: Gomen for taking so long! Classes start tomorrow and I wanted to at least finish this off, so sorry if the ending sucks!! Sorry no Sex Scene this time! ^^;; Replies for Reviewers from Chapter 9 are at the bottom! ^-^ Sorry for taking so long to get them out! Honestly they're getting to be a page now! Other awesome stories are also listed at the bottom! Don't forget to review! Ja!
Disclaimers: The song is Eating Me Away by Skillet from their CD Alien Youth. They are an awesome Industrial Christian Rock band so check them out! As always Rurouni Kenshin does not belong to me and I can never claim his hotness, but I can dream about him ne? ^.~


AN Feb. 18: Rewrote Kenji & Kenshin scene. Don't forget to nominate stories for the RK Choice awards! Hint: This story would be perfect for the Drama category. *wink wink* Ch.11 almost finished may be out by Friday. ^-^

Heart of a Wolf

Ch.10

Time seemed to stop as all sounds died around the Kamiya Dojo. The sun hid itself from those below taking with it its warmth. A chill breeze moved through the trees their branches moving against the invisible force, creating a soft eulogy. The breeze tugged on loose strands of hair and cloth adding these sounds to the symphony of emptiness that permeated the dojo. Once again the sun appeared from behind the cloud revealing blue violet eyes stared intently into dark violet ones. So much hurt was heard in the trees that day…

Kenji choked back the sob that collected in his throat at the sight of his father there waiting for him on the porch. It brought back memories of his childhood when he himself had done the same thing. How many times had he sat there, in that exact spot waiting for the man he never knew to come home? How many times had he been disappointed by the appearance of Yahiko, the Kashin students, mail men, everyone else but him? How many times had his mother done the same thing? When had he stopped doing it? When did he realize that his father wasn't coming home? When had he stopped believing that his eyes would shine in anticipation, at the joy of seeing the one you were waiting for come home, the way his father's did? When did he loose his father? When did he stop being his son?

Kenshin let go of the breath he didn't know he held. Kenji was home. Kenji was home! He wanted to run to his son and embrace him tightly, hold him till the day ended, and forget everything that was between them. He wanted to do so many things! Tell him that he loved him. Kiss his forehead like he used to do when he was a boy. He wanted to thank Kami-sama for giving his son back! The pain was gone, the sickness ignored, the past forgotten... Kenshin would have run to Kenji if not for the look in his son's eyes. There was so much hurt there that it left Kenshin breathless. Those eyes did not want Kenshin to come running those eyes wanted answers to the pain that they endured. Kenshin's guilt washed over him, his heart shuddered within his chest. Old demons were about to rise and he was not looking forward to it.

Shiori clutched the bento close to her chest. Her heart beat wildly leaving her breathless and lightheaded. She could feel the hurt that permeated through the air, physically touch it. Her heart clenched and tears sprung in her eyes. The scene was so painstakingly familiar. She could remember when she used to wait for her father on the porch; whether it rained or snowed, she would wait. He never would come though… a police officer with news and a letter would appear before her father ever did. But she was alright with that… right?

Shiori fought back the tears that wanted to flow so freely from her eyes. She had to be understanding. She had to be strong, for her father and now for Kenji. No, she had to be strong for herself. The small girl swallowed back the pain, the hurt, the memories and stapled a smile onto her pale face. She would see this situation through and someone would receive a happy ending even if it killed her.

Saitou wanted nothing more than to shove the two together, the unending silence was unnerving him. 'Why don't they just say something?!' He thought angrily, his thoughts and emotions frazzled by so many things. Shiori's birthday was coming up in a less than a week and he had to leave again. 'Another birthday missed.' He frowned at the thought and actually felt his knees shake under his weight. He couldn't miss it, this scene before was a warning sent from God. This could be him and Shiori in the future. He rationalized that this was the reason why he was so involved in Battousai's affairs-they were a premonition of things to come if he let them. Saitou had to change his and Shiori's fate, but how? He was so scared to loose her! If something happened to her… if she was to die… No! He wouldn't let that happen! But if she was to die…he would die if he lost her… just die.

Yahiko felt his legs weaken and buckle beneath his weight. It felt as if he was waiting for a grand battle to begin and a battle it was. The young kenjitsu had learned a little about Ki sensing and was bombarded with all the fierce emotions that everyone seemed to be projecting unchecked. He turned brown eyes to the tallest of them all. Saitou seemed to be indifferent to the entire situation but there was a stiffness in his posture that belied the truth. The only one that didn't seem to notice anything was Shin'Ya.

"I've brought some breakfast hopefully you haven't eaten anything yet!" Shiori cheerfully broke the silence causing her father to raise a thick brow, but he kept silent. The black haired girl was suddenly the center of attention as all eyes turned to her.

Shin'Ya smiled at her with a glint in his blue eyes. "My mom is already making something but if you hurry she might be able to work around what you've made." He stood from the porch intending to lead the young girl to the kitchen where Tsubame was hiding away.

Shiori was taken aback momentarily before nodding and turning to her father. "Chichihue Yahiko-san is an instructor of the Kamiya Kasshin Ryuu," She turned back towards the spiky haired man jutting her chin in his direction. "Will you be teaching a class soon?"

Yahiko blinked at her question. "A-Aa."

Shiori smiled and turned back towards her father. "I would like to join the dojo father." She informed the tall man before her.

Saitou merely nodded before looking towards Yahiko. "I'll be sitting in on your class to see if it is worth my daughter's time and effort."

Yahiko bristled at the comment but realized what was going on. He nodded his consent though he ground his teeth together in annoyance. "Shin'Ya, please take Fujita-san to the kitchen and help your mother." The little boy nodded before leading Shiori away. He then invited Saitou to follow him towards the dojo.

Shiori passed by Kenji with a pleading look in her golden eyes. 'Please try to understand him.' Kenji never did anything to inform her that he understood her request, he simply left his face barren of any emotion. She knew however that he had understood and followed the taller boy leaving the two Himuras to their own destruction or redemption. She prayed it would be the latter of the two.

It's eating me away…

I said to God

Kenji never moved, his feet becoming attached to the ground of which he stood upon. Before him was than man he loathed to hate and whom he was so terribly afraid of. Anger boiled within him, overflowing from his veins. But he had seen the look in Shiori's eyes, begging him to understand, to not push his father away without at least hearing what he had to say. But what could the man say to fix all that was between them? What could be said to relieve him of this crushing pain? His heart was in shattered pieces and each piece was much too small to be glued together by words. Somehow Kenji found his voice as he pushed back the rage that was building inside him. He wanted to know, needed to know, how this was all going to end.

It's rotting in my mind…

It's like a cancer

"Why are you out here?" Kenji internally winced. He hadn't meant to be so harsh about it. But looking at his father he couldn't fathom as to why he would be out there on the porch when he was so sick. He should have been inside resting or at least away from the cold wind. His mother was going to worry so much. It made his blood slightly boil. His mother always worried herself sick over that man, and for what reason? All he ever did was leave. He left her, and he left him. Why should they care about a man like that? A silly wanderer who has no home.

Is there anything, anything

At all to numb the nothingness?

Kenshin winced as Kenji's words rushed towards him like a knife. "I have been waiting for you." He answered softly looking down at the ground. 'I've been waiting to explain, to talk to you, to hold you, to tell you I love you. Please Kami-sama, don't let it be too late.' He didn't have the heart to look his son in the eye. He knew that what lay behind the violet blue eyes was a swirl of confusing, hurt emotions. All that had been caused by him, by his absence in the lives that he cared the most about, maybe this was his punishment for killing so many.

I need a reason to breathe…

Kenji snorted. "Why would you wait for me? Why do you care if I came back or not?" Trepidation slithered on the outside of his consciousness, making him wary of his father's answer. He knew the answer was to meet him, he had seen it in his eyes, yet… yet he could not bring himself to realize this and instead sunk deeper behind his barricade, his anger. Fury, rage, hurt, all these emotions were clearly heard in his voice but not as strongly as the fear. He was afraid of the man before him, afraid of his rejection, of his hate. Kenji didn't think he could possibly handle another situation like the day before, another wound that would dig deeper and leave him exposed to the cold air. He was sure that he had no more blood left, but somehow he was afraid to bleed.

It's eating me away…

Kenshin looked back up surprise evident in his face. "Of course I care Kenji! You're my son! The only one I have!" The older Himura was hurt and angry at the words. Angry at himself for letting his beloved child think that he didn't care about him, angry at the fear that his son's voice held. Was he really so afraid of him? Was it because he had been Battousai? Was he afraid that his own father would take his life? The bitter coopery taste of blood filled his mouth as guilt flooded through his small body. He had bit his tongue. 'Why did he have to know?'

It's eating me away,

It nibbles at my brain…

Kenji shook his head ruefully smiling at it all. 'Lies .' His mind whispered. "You didn't seem to remember that when you left. Did you also forget that you had a wife here in Tokyo? Or maybe you found some other woman to warm your bed, a new family to go to!" Kenji snarled out violet blue eyes narrowed and cold as ice. It was a low blow, he knew it, his father knew it but he didn't care. 'Lies… they are all lies…'

The question of my existence,

And the matter of pain…

Kenshin was in front of Kenji so fast that the poor boy had no chance to block the blow that came rushing towards him. The impact of Kenshin's fist left the auburn haired youth sprawled below his towering form, glaring down at him. "I would never betray your mother like that!" Kenshin spat out his blue eyes just as cold. "Ever! Your mother is everything to me!" And then he realized his mistake. He had never struck his son before.

I shake my fist, I shake my fist

At the cosmos and my insignificance!

Kenji brought a shaking hand to his jaw. 'Twin bruises.' Kenji morbidly mused a small smile working its way to his mouth. But Kenji wanted to hurt his father, wanted to hurt him like Kenshin had hurt him. He could still feel the stinging pain of each shard of his heart cutting deep into his flesh, could still feel the blood that dripped slowly killing him as each second went by. Tears sprung in his eyes unexpectedly, stinging them like tiny needles. His father had struck him. He had dared to lay a hand on skin that he claimed to love and protect. 'Lies…' He knew he deserved it for what he said but… "You have no right to touch me."

I need a reason to breathe…

"Kenji-" Kenshin crouched down to his level extending a hand towards the wound, internally wincing as Kenji recoiled back from his touch as if he was a snake ready to strike. It hurt him. He had not meant to do that, but the frustration the need to put him in his place had taken precedence over any rational thought and suddenly Kenji was much further away than he had been before. 'I'm sorry…'

It's eating me away…

"You have no right to touch me! You are not my father!" Kenji skittered back, kicking up dust and dirt in his hurried frenzy. His hand never left his cheek, he was afraid that if he removed it that he would find a scar much like his father's on it. Cross scars of pain and blood.

Save me from my rage
And my humanity!


"Kenji! Don't say that please! I'm sorry! I shouldn't have-" Kenshin pleaded and begged with him to stop and just listen to him. The older Himura wanted to go back in time to stop himself from ever touching him! To stop himself from ever leaving! But what was done was done and no amount of wishing and praying could change that. He just wanted forgiveness and a chance to start over, to try again and mend these open wounds. He wanted his son back.

I'm more nothing than being!
Is this my legacy?

"Don't apologize! I don't need your pity!" Kenji shouted standing up in one smooth motion his hand gripped the reddening cheek madly. Tears streaked down the pale face leaving a trail of salty moisture on the dirt-ridden flesh. Wide, wild eyes glared, spurned, and hated everything within the man before him. "I don't need YOU!"

Feel it eating me away!

"Kenji-" Kenshin saw the extreme look and grew fearful. He wanted to help him! To stop all this! His head spun with all the hateful words and the raw emotions that slammed into his tired and sick body. 'I don't need YOU!' The words echoed in his head a thousand fold shattering any thought that was in its path. 'But I need you…'

All that I am, all that I want, all that I lack
Come on and save me!

"Shut up! I don't want to hear you!" Kenji whirled around with every intention of leaving this place of hatred and pain. He had to leave now! Every single fiber in his body cried out, throbbed with something frightening! Desperation, doubt, fear, anger, rage, pain—it was all there calling him to hurt the diminutive man. To make him stop talking! To crush him the way he had crushed Kenji. To destroy him like he had destroyed his son. He had to leave before things got out of control. He had to get away from all this! 'Coward…'

All that I am, all that I want, all that I lack
Come on and save me!

"Son, please let me explain!" Kenshin desperately cried out groping at his son's kimono sleeves, stopping him from leaving once again. 'Don't leave! Can't you see that I need you? Can't you see how much you mean to me? How much I love you?' Kenshin could feel the desperation sinking into his bones causing him to quiver slightly. Tiny needles pricked at his eyes causing the vision of his son before him to blur slightly. 'I need you…'

Save me from my rage
And my humanity!

"No! And don't call me 'son'! Didn't you hear me? You are NOT MY FATHER!" Kenji yelled barring his white teeth and snatching his sleeve away, hard. He hated him! It was so hard to breathe. Why did he come back here? A tear fell down his redden cheek. Why? His heart was painfully trying to beat against the crushing force of his chest. WHY?!? So that he could feel more pain? How many more times could his heart break before there was nothing left? He was out of tears! Out of blood! Why did his father wish to hurt me so much? His left hand twitched, aching to feel the touch of the red head's heated skin. 'Lies… SHUT UP! They are all lies…'

I'm more nothing than being!
Is this my legacy?

"YES I AM!" Kenshin yelled right back at him, his voice warbling slightly. His face was an angry red and his breathing was coming in short gasps. He had forgotten how to breathe suddenly. His narrowed eyes were brimmed with a golden yellow color. He was furious! He was hurt! How could he say those things? Kenshin thought he wanted to talk! To listen to his side of the story! 'Don't leave… listen please… I love you…'

Feel it eating me away!

Kenji couldn't take it anymore! When would this man have enough blood on his hands? When would he just shut up?! The demons had won. Kenji's heart was consumed with hatred and fear. He spun around quickly and landing a devastating blow, knocking Kenshin several feet away. Kenji breathed heavily. His whole body trembled as he watched the mad skid softly against the dirt ground. He sneered at the man that disgusted him, but it somehow come out like a choked sob. "Are you?" Kenji whispered brokenly, he just couldn't speak around whatever was lodged in his throat. "A father would know his son's favorite color." Kenji watched as Kenshin lay on the ground spread-eagle his chest rising and falling rapidly. "A father would teach his son how to be a man." Kenji growled out the words as he roughly wiped the free flowing tears away. But they wouldn't stop. More tears spilled from the dull, icy blue gray eyes. "A father would be t-there… on-on his son's… fifteenth birthday…" Kenji choked out, sobs breaking his voice as he bent his head down. He was silent for a moment as he tried to push all thoughts of that day away. 'I needed you…'

All that I am, all that I want, all that I lack
Come on and save me!

Kenji had wanted nothing more than his father to be there on that day. All previous malice and hatred was forgotten as hope swept through him. Maybe… just maybe he'd come! Yahiko had been telling him stories of his fifteenth birthday surprise, his father's reverse-blade sword. Kenji could vaguely remember that day as he had been a small child but Yahiko's excitement rubbed off on the younger boy, filling him with a sense of hope and wonder. Kenji could see it now… Kenshin would see him and embrace Kenji all the while teasing him about being a man and marrying soon. His mother would protest about her baby boy leaving her grasp and his father would tease her about coddling him at his age. They would all laugh and his parents would stare at each other in blissful romance then kiss in front of everybody. Yahiko would make gagging noises while holding Tsubame and Shin'Ya close. Kenji would laugh at them all puffing out his chest as the new man of the family… family… it was all he had ever wanted, a real family. That would have been his genpuku gift… They could have been a family again. If only he would have come…

All that I am, all that I want, all that I lack
Come on and save me!

Kenshin's body shook with sobs that were caught in his throat. 'He needed me and I wasn't there! He needed me…' Why did it have to be this way? Why did everything have to turn out to be this way? If he had never left… if he had never killed Tomoe… if he had never become Battousai this would never have happened. "Gomen nasi Kenji-kun. Sessha is—sessha is unworthy of all of you." 'I never deserved Kaoru, I never deserved Kenji. This was just some sick punishment for my sins.' Kenshin rose slowly and painfully facing his beloved son with moist violet eyes before hiding them beneath his lowered bangs. "Sessha should leave before sessha causes anymore pain." 'You don't need me anymore… I can only bring tears.'

It's eating me away…

The young auburn haired youth stared at his father in absolute horror, his face paler than usual. 'Did he just—Did he just say what I think he said?' Kenji trembled the shear force of his fright shaking his strong bones and firmly planting him in the ground. His mouth had run dry at the statement, his throat on fire at the choking, sob caught in it. 'N-no! Don't go!' The world spun around so fast that it left him dizzy. He could suddenly hear his heart beat thunder dangerously in his chest. He could hear his lungs gasping desperately for air. 'I need you… don't go…'


Save me from my rage
And my humanity!

It was his fault. He should never have accepted Kaoru-dono's invitation to stay at the dojo. He should have left years ago, wandering around Japan never attaching himself to a place, or people, he just brought pain and suffering. If he had done that… if he had done that then maybe he would have rotten away miserably like he deserved. A morbid thought occurred to Kenshin at that moment. Maybe his own son hating him was punishment because he was so dirty. So blood soaked that this was the proper retribution for his sin. He had separated so many loved ones that now he was farthest away from the one he loved the most. Kenshin moved heavy feet towards the wooden gates behind his son. He would leave and this time for good, never to come back and cause all this heart ache and pain. He would carry the knowledge of his own worthlessness till the day the sickness would overtake him and send him to hell. 'You don't need me anymore…'


I'm more nothing than being!
Is this my legacy?

"NO!" Kenji grabbed onto his father tightly, nearly crushing his fragile bones in the embrace. Kenji buried his face in the blood red hair hiding his tears within the strands of silk. His breath was quick and shallow. "No… don't go." Kenji whispered hoarsely. "Please… don't go… don't leave me…" 'I need you…'


Feel it eating me away…

Kenshin was in a slight state of shock as the strong, thin arms tightened even more around him. His head spun at the rapid change of attitude that Kenji exhibited. His heart fluttered in the warm embrace that he had longed for. Kenshin shuddered releasing a wet sigh giving in to his previous temptation when Kenji arrived. The older Himura hugged his son just as tightly as Kenji hugged him. "I won't go Kenji. I won't leave you." Kenshin whispered harshly into his son's shoulder before kissing his forehead. Their argument wasn't finished but it was the beginning of the healing process. There was still so much they needed to talk about. So much to be explained, so much apologizing to be done, so many more tears to be shed, and even more love to be gathered. "I won't ever leave you again. I need you." Kenji shook in response muttering words Kenshin could not hear but understood. Kenji needed him too.

"Ow!" Shiori cried out dropping the sharp knife on the cutting board. The small girl placed her bleeding finger in her mouth cringing slightly at the bitter taste.

"Shiori-chan! Daijoubu desu ka?" Tsubame hurriedly removed the iron pot from the fire before clambering towards the small girl worriedly. Shiori nodded mutely even though her large, luminous eyes began to shimmer with unbidden tears. Tsubame smiled lightly at the girl and slowly eased the wounded finger from the protective cavity. "Here, let me see." The older woman said softly, smoothing frayed nerves.

But Shiori had been over emotional the past few days, especially with the little escapade with Kenji and his father. It brought back unwanted fears and doubts, things that she had been so sure of before seemed distant memories in the past. Did her father really love her? Did he care that she was alone? Why did he leave if he loved her? These thoughts and more swirled around inside her like a tornado waiting to take down the wall that held them back.

The tears streaked down even though she didn't want them to, even though she tried to push them back. "I'm-I'm such a k-klutz." Shiori sobbed out as Tsubame inspected the cut finger. It wasn't so bad just a minor wound that would heal easily.

Tsubame shook her head leveling her dark blue eyes with Shiori's brown ones. "Maa, it happens to everyone." She smiled at the little girl child. "I've done it several times, see?" Tsubame showed Shiori her own right hand that held small scars and nicks against the perfect skin.

Shin'Ya had come over as well to inspect the wound over his mother's shoulder. "Does it hurt?" He asked innocently trying to figure out what it was that was making the shorter girl cry. Shiori shook her head in a negative. "Then why are you crying?"

Tsubame gasped whirling around to face her son. It was those moments that really made Shin'Ya Yahiko's son. "Shin'Ya!" The small boy cringed under the reprimanding tone. Tsubame then patted him out of the kitchen. "Go get some bandages."

Shiori had placed her finger back in her mouth in hopes of stopping the bleeding. Tsubame would have laughed at the sight if she didn't want to offend the girl. The black haired child was hiccupping now, tears streaming down slowly from each golden eye, and her finger protectively in her mouth. Tsubame had always wanted a little girl, not that she didn't want Shin'Ya just that she wanted someone to teach how to cook, to mother and dote on with girly things. She and Yahiko had tried to have another child after Shin'Ya but had no luck.

Tsubame shook her head clear of those thoughts and pulled the girl towards the small step in the kitchen. Sitting down she gathered up the wolf's cub in her lap, hugging her tenderly and whispering soft soothing words into the black hair.

Shiori had tried to hold back the tears and tried to be strong, but the moment she was scooped up in the older female's arms she broke down. How much she had longed for her mother to do that! To have someone to talk to about things only girls talked about. To explain all her fears and ask all her questions. How much had she wished that her mother had never died so she could be held like that. Shiori cried harder unable to hold back anymore, unable to pretend to be the grownup, she was just a little girl after all.

Tsubame had just held the girl tighter and began to rock gently when the anguished wails began. They were muffled by her shoulder but the shear force that the tiny body shook with was enough to cause Tsubame to cry too. 'How can one so little harbor so much pain?' It reminded her of Kenji when he was small. How much had he cried when he was little and how hard too! Tsubame pulled Shiori in tighter, more towards herself hoping beyond hope that her body could somehow absorb the pain.

Kaoru watched her two love ones silently, wet salt traveling down from sapphire pools. She knew that Kenji was going to stay and that he was going to have questions, for both of them. But at least now the two of them would be able to talk to each other and heal themselves together. They may argue some more they may not. And though she hated watching the two of them fight over and over again, she knew it was to be done. She knew that they had to solve this somehow, that father and son had to come to some sort of conclusion only they could be happy with.

The sick kenjetsu instructor fell to the tatami floor coughing harshly, ruby red blood splattered against snow white skin. Kaoru's blue eyes widen and then sadden suddenly. 'Kenshin…' Kaoru bowed her head slightly staying that way for a few moments before crawling back towards her room. She wouldn't let them know. If she did then everything that had happened up to this point would be worthless. Kenji was still store and if the bruise were poked hard enough it would erupt again.

The kitchen door snapped open loudly causing the small woman inside to jump slightly turning to look at the intruder. Blue eyes widened as they took in the tall lanky police officer with harsh, cold amber eyes. "What happened?" He asked gruffly his fierce eyes never leaving the shivering child.

Tsubame gawked for a moment before shaking in fury. "Nothing!" She snapped causing the man to look at her curiously before turning back to the small girl. The usually fearful woman protectively pulled the girl away from his gaze. "What can I help you with sir?" Tsubame asked a little harsher than she had intended once again gaining the curious look of the police officer. Yahiko had told her about this cold hearted man, and even though he made her heart race with fear, her motherly instincts caused her to bare her fangs towards him.

Saitou let out a sigh that sounded more like a growl. He was tired of all this. His daughter was in so much anguish and despair that he had felt her ki all the way from the dojo. Rushing over to her proved that she was crying and bleeding, if his nose was correct, in the arms of the silly boy's wife. And now said wife was acting as if it was her cub and not his! Saitou clenched his hands unconsciously moving one towards his sword. He was agitated and worried over Shiori! He was not about to let some woman assume that she was the caretaker of his child!

Yahiko appeared behind Saitou breathing hard with sweat trickling down his face. He glanced at the group in the room, quickly assessing the situation. Yahiko moved pasted the wolf and stood between him and his wife. "Tsubame it's alright. Fujita-san is her father." He said softly over his shoulder never taking his eyes off the man at the doorway.

Tsubame gasped at the statement but only tightened her grip on the small child. Shiori managed to calm down and sniffled an apology to the older woman pushing away from the embrace. Shiori muttered another apology to Yahiko that he didn't quite catch but nodded in acknowledgement anyway. Tsubame stood up slowly her wide eyes going between her husband and the petite girl walking away.

As soon as Shiori was near him Saitou bent down to her level and placed his blazing eyes on her red face and then moved them down to the steadily bleeding finger. Saitou sighed in relief. Shiori kept her face downcast and swallowed her sobs. Her father hated those who were weak. Now she had given him another reason to despise her. That thought caused her bottom lip to quiver.

Yahiko watched the entire exchange with curiosity. Then with a move that surprised even him, Saitou gently picked up the girl in his arms and exited the kitchen. He felt his wife grip his arm tightly and he shook his head in response. Yahiko couldn't understand the wolf and his daughter but he knew that Saitou was the only one who could help her now.

It felt like an eternity had passed when Kenji pulled from his father's grasp. He sniffled and whipped the remaining tears away before facing his father again. He felt silly, stupid even, at everything that he had said and done. He had barely even tried to hear the man out to understand his reasoning. But… Kenji felt better as if the heavy burden that he carried had finally been taken off his shoulders.

"Kenji?" Kenshin asked hesitantly. What if he changed his mind now? What if this was just a small show of what Kenji really felt inside but was still buried beneath too much pain and hurt?

Kenji looked back at his father a small rueful smile staggering on his face. "Chi-ChiChiue…" Kenshin smiled so brightly that it almost made Kenji want to squint his eyes.

"Do… do you meant it Kenji?" Kenshin took a step forward, his violet eyes glistening. Kenji blushed slightly before moving back a step much to Kenshin's disillusionment.

"You can be…" Kenji started wishing he didn't sound so much like a lost child at the moment, but that is how he felt. "You can be if you want to…"

Kenshin nodded his head vigorously before looking sullen again. "We… we have much to talk about, de gozaru yo."

"Aa." Kenji agreed, not liking the way the conversation was going. "Anou… how are feeling? Shouldn't you be inside resting? What about Okasan? Is she feeling better?" Kenji rattled through trying not to go back to the same feeling as before. It was weird the way he was acting, as if nothing had happened between them.

Kenshin was about to answer when a flaring ki began to approach them. The ex-hitokori immediately jumped in between the offending ki and his only child. It wasn't until he had started to 'poke' at the ki that he relaxed slightly. Kenji merely stared down at his father wondering what was going on.

Saitou appeared with a not too happy scowl across his sharp features, Shiori protectively curled into his broad chest. Saitou didn't even spare the two red heads a glance as he passed by them. "Send her cloths home tomorrow." He called over his shoulder not once looking at the two.

Kenji blinked and was about to follow if not for the strong grip on his shoulder. Kenshin shook his head. "Sessha thinks it would be better if he took care of her now, de gozaru yo." Kenji was about to protest it but the look in his father's eyes squashed the retorts. "Your mother will be very happy to see you, that she will." Kenji nodded mutely as the hand was removed; he glanced back towards the door before following his wobbling father.

Kenshin managed to make it to his bedroom door before collapsing in fitful coughs. Kenji cried out as he caught him watching with large eyes the blood that splattered onto the curled hand. The rest was slow as if the moments thereafter were played under water. He knew he yelled for Yahiko, he knew that a doctor had come, but most of all he knew what his father was trying to hide.

Arrigato Mina! So sorry if the ending sucks! This are the replies to reviews on Ch.9. ^-^

FanFiciton.net:

Jason M. Lee- Err… oops! My bad in the misspelling I wonder where in the world I got the idea to spell it that way! ^^;; ::pats JML on the back:: I'm sorry the fan girls get you. If I could I'd start a fan boy rush on Kaoru but I think Ken-sama may personally visit and hurt me if I did. ^^;;
Vesca- *sigh* Well the scene between Kenshin and Saitou was nothing what I had planned it to be, in other words it wrote itself. I wanted the scene between Kenji and Saitou to be like that and well that wrote itself too ending up with a short introspective. ^^;; My fingers doth type many a strangeth things. I'm not to pleased with the conversation between Kenshin and Kenji went. I felt like I built all you guys up for a really watery reunion. Even with the help of the song it didn't work quite as well as I had wanted.
Crystal- Thank you so much for your words of encouragement! ^-^ Yeah I like the softer side of Saitou that I know exists yet we never get to see too much of it. Most people seem to think that he's all mean and cold but he's not, he's just practical and most of all protective. ^^;;
LSR-7- *sigh* Yes it's a little too angsty for my tastes as well… it's a wonder I'm writing it at all! Anyway, thank you for the misspelling correction! ^-^ I had a bad source (for once actually looking up how to spell something in Japanese! I know I'm sad…) It's been taking me a long time to write the ending of this fic, reaching the top of the hill is one thing actually getting there is another (from now on the story really is just down hill… ha ha ha… I need serious mental help.)
Fujifunmum- HUGGLES!! Yes I've built up the tension only to let it flop right down. ;_; Ro-Chan is very sad now. Saitou is back in character right now actually, Leila Winters helped me out with Saitou. (she's really funny!) Sorry I didn't have a Sex Scene 3! I'm so frazzled right now with the semester starting up again and cost for books and tuition that I'm basically drained of all creative processes! (which is why I'm starting to doubt if I should have written this at this moment…^^;; Maybe I should have waited a bit more…) I'll write one especially for you next time!
V-Babe- Thank you so much for reading and reviewing! It makes me happy to know that you like my story (it's my first successful one ((well not counting Inuyasha…)) I think that there is a new wave of stories coming around featuring the relationship between Kenji and Kenshin, however you're right, most of them don't explore Kenshin's feelings and thoughts. Glad I was the first one! ^-^;; It's rare these days to become original about something! ^-^ ::blushes:: Oh this really isn't the best. There are several stories better than mine but I am glad you think of it that way. Check out my favorite authors/stories list, there are some pretty awesome stories I've read that would tower over mine! ^-^;
Mara- *GASP* YOU glanced at MY story? ::bows:: Oh thank you! You are one of the best Saitou/Tokio writers out in the Rkfandom! Er… sorry about the Gatotsu thing… I never check my spelling (I really should but I'm too lazy…)
Angel Baby- ::blushes pink:: Aww… thank you for being such a fan! Yes, Kenshin is just way too awesome for words alone, which is why he's so hard to write. ^^;; Thank you again for reading and reviewing! I hope to hear from you again!
chris kugler- Anou… I'm not sure what you mean? Is he dead in this story? Not Yet. Is he dead in the Anime? He was killed off in the last OVA. Is he dead in the manga? Watsuki never wrote it and as far as I know he didn't want that so no.
Ayce Shade- Don't I knowth. ^-^ Yeah, I'm getting this chapters out waaaay too slow now. Can't help it really… like I said to another reviewer… and I quote.. "reaching the top of the hill is one thing actually getting there is another (from now on the story really is just down hill… ha ha ha… I need serious mental help.)"
Tanuki-dono- MEGA HUGGLES!! I forgot to ask about the tornados! Is everything ok? I feel stupid now. ^^;; I'm going to send you an extensive email reply so I won't go into much here. ^-^ Just one thing though...UPDATE GIRL! How dare you leave us all hanging like that?!? :Þ

C-Chan- Thank you so much for reviewing! Yes I post this story in only three places, Fanfiction.ne, Mediaminer.org, and Tales From the Meiji Era (tfme.net) so if you ever see it else where let me know!! ^-^ Hope this chapter wasn't too much of a disappointment for you! ;_; I so sad that this is ending I can't think straight! (that and classes... gah...)

test- ::blinks:: Notice what? Sorry about the cliffhanger at the last chapter... just seemed like the best place to stop. Well that and my mind went blank. ^^;; Thank you so much for reviewing! ^-^

Argentum Draco- ::blushes red:: Thank you so much for reviewing! I'm glad you like it. Yeah, the chapter lengths don't really hinder me, I'm used to babbling for 12+ pages for reports ^^;;, it's the content that always slows me down. I'm nearing the end and I'm slowly trying to hold on to the story. I kinda don't want to finish it. ^^:; But I will! I just can't leave all you guys hanging now can I? ^-^ Thank you again for reviewing!

darktenshi- ::blushes bright red:: That is one of the most wonderful reviews I've ever had! HUGS thank you so much! ^-^ I'm glad you like my story! I'm even more happy that you saw my pictures! ::flashes her finger in a 'V':: Yatta! Sorry about the lack of depth in this last chapter... I think I'm going to rework it once more. Not quite sure just yet. You can thank Leila Winters for helping me with the characterization of Saiotu! He's one tough cookie to write, him and Kenji! Gah! Shiori is one of my favorite Original Characters to this date. She's actually one that I had created before I saw Kenshin and then I kinda molded her around some ideas that came to my head when I was watching the TV series. When I decided to write this story Shiori went under some major character restructure as I tried to fit her into the series. I glad you like her! She's not so hard to write but not very cooperative at times either! ^-^

J. Liha- Don't ever say that your artwork sucks! Drawing is not just about talent but about a lot of hard work and skills learned! ^-^ Talent only allows one artist to take a bound from the starting line where another has to begin at the very beginning. So don't say that it sucks, I'll be offended. My stuff used to suck 8 yrs ago, but I look back at them and think that they held the best memories of when I was first introduced to anime. ^-^ So draw on Liha-dono! ^-^ Oh and thank you for reviewing!! ^^;;

Tales from the Meiji Era:

Battousai's Woman- Thanks for your compliment on my Kenji drawing! Also thank you so much for taking the time to review this story! Your review is even more special to me because I know that at TFME it's not the most ordinary thing to do! I'll think about drawing more stuff for the site but it's really up to Mir to decide if she wants them. ^-^ Maybe one day I'll get a whole set drawn for her! ^-^

Other Awesome Stories:

Whistle in the Dark by Talco

The Loop: Getting Personal by sugarsweet143

Ties of Loyalty by Unseen Watcher

Hey don't forget to leave me a message! I know it's a long scroll down but I appreciate all my reviewers and want to thank them one on one! So before you go read the stories I suggested REVIEW! Thank YOU! ^-^