Heart of a Wolf Chapter Twelve, a rurouni kenshin fanfic

An: Well this took longer than I expected many because halfway when I was writing this my lights shut on and off for a while. I freaked out because I didn't know when was the last time I saved and I had written a lot! So yeah I was happy when my comp did a recovery and there was almost everything. I nearly wept for joy. This chapter is sooo much longer than the others because I had so much to say at the end and I just found the scenes getting longer and longer... I thought about just adding an epilogue but just decided to get it all out of my system. I hope you enjoy the final installment of Heart of a Wolf. I know I will miss it dearly.

Disclaimers: Same thing, same owners, not me. The song is Dare You To Move by Switchfoot from their album Beautiful Letdown. So yeah... awesome band. I wasn't even going to do a song but it was playing while I typed so I think it's only fair that it gets put in.

Heart of a Wolf

Ch.12

A week had passed since the events of the rainy day were performed and neither Kenji nor Shiori had spoken to each other since then. Kenshin and Kaoru had recovered from their cold under the watchful care of their caring 'children,' Tsubame, Yahiko, and Kenji. Shin'Ya had returned to the dojo day after day with his father reciting the details of his day with the petite dark haired child with a shyness and eagerness that belied of a young boy innocently in love. It drove Kenji mad with jealousy and hurt causing him to lash out at the younger boy in anger during kendo practice. Tsubame was torn, she wanted her son to have the happiness that all mothers feel their children deserve, but she also knew what she saw and what she had seen was true love even with the limiting age boundaries. Kaoru was also torn, she wanted very much to comfort her son and denounce Shiori but she could not hate the one girl that saved her husband so long ago giving her happiness in keeping her soul mate for just a little longer. Kenshin however felt very much like smacking his son until some sense fell into him but refrained from doing so out of fear of his wife. Yes, a mad Kaoru driving him into his deathbed was the last thing he wanted at the moment.

Thus, it was this reason, and some fatherly instinct of course, that Kenshin sought to take his son out of his dreary mood and down trodden state. Really what a pitiful sight he made, even put Kenshin to shame on his worse Battousai Brooding™ moments.

Kenshin sighed and looked over at his son with quite contemplation. Sure he had the right idea in the beginning but now he seriously doubted if his babble would make any sense. Kenji was currently sitting across from the older Himura with a look that could kill. Apparently Shin'Ya was going to take Shiori to the Sakura Festival tonight much to the disappointment of the young red head.

"What?" It was rough and harsh and made Kenshin wince at the tone. It poked at the fresh wounds reminding him of the days when him and Kenji used to fight.

"I uh, I wanted to talk." Kenshin hung his head in defeat. He really just wasn't suited for all this, really. He could feel Kenji lift a heavy brow in bewilderment. Kenshin shook his head and sighed. "You can't keep behaving like this." Oops… to much force not enough care. "You're starting to worry your mother and me." There a balanced, proportional parental equation. Kenshin gave himself a mental pat on the back.

"What would you know?" Kenji snarled as he glared as his father more out of frustration than anger. Kenshin gave his son a sad smile that caused the young boy to stop and look at his father.

Kenshin looked over at the row of names that lined the dojo's wall. It had taken Kaoru so long to rebuild her dojo, but it was well worth all the sweat and tears. There were so many memories carved into the dojo's walls. The first time Kenshin saved Kaoru from Gohei, the battle with Saitou, and most importantly… Kenshin stared directly at the spot where the Kaoru doll had been pined, the thought made his stomach lurch and his heartache in the mere memory.

"Dad?" Kenji asked unsure of the strange emptiness his father was exuding.

Kenshin turned back to his son and gave him his soft smile. "I know we've never talked much," Kenji hung his head slightly at the comment. "But I'd like to share something with you." Kenji looked up his eyes usually bright. Kenshin chuckled at this.

"What?" Kenji asked confused at the switch in emotions.

"I imagine that's what I looked like when Shishou had a samurai story to tell." Kenji blushed slightly and gave his father a soft smile. Kenshin's eyes darkened slightly. "However this is not a happy tale." Kenshin's voice lost it's light tilting and became serious. "I'm sure you've heard of Battousai, ne?"

Kenji was a little unsure of how to answer that question. He looked at his father carefully before nodding his head slowly. "I've heard some things." He said carefully.

Kenshin smiled at the answer. 'He really has grown up a lot.' "Have you heard what he looks like?" Kenji shook his head and Kenshin closed his eyes. "Red hair, crossed shape scar on his left cheek…" When Kenshin opened his eyes again Kenji's violet blue ones were glued towards his in curiosity and apprehension. "I am Battousai." Kenshin knew that this would come as no surprise to the young man, after all Saitou had told him the same thing. But Kenshin was surprised at the accepting and urging look in his son's eyes. Kenshin closed his eyes again and began to weave his tale.

"I was a little under your age when I joined the war. I was used to be the shadow assassin that killed all those who opposed the ideals of the Kogoro Katsura and the Choshu clan. I honestly thought that by killing I was doing some good, that in this I was riding the world of some evil and bringing hope to others. I was so foolish. I forget when I realized that I was human and I slipped deeper and deeper into this shell that I had created. A killer without remorse, a killer without emotion, I became Battousai the manslayer.

I continued on falling further and further into my self-inflected madness to the point where I could barely tell what day it was. I was just going through life's motions ignoring what my heart was telling me. That this was wrong, that I shouldn't live this way, that I was being used. But I ignored it, crushed it down into my soul and continued on never caring if I lived or died nor of the people I hurt. That attitude and my sword style made me nearly invincible… nearly. I guess the Kami-sama was finally tired with me and one fateful night I killed one person whose death would forever change my life.

Kiyosato Akira, I didn't know his name at the time but he was to give me the first slash to my scar." To emphasis this Kenshin traced the line that slide down his cheek. "A month later I met a woman, her name was Yukishiro Tomoe. I helped her with some ruffians but she then followed me into an alleyway where a ninja assassin was. She witnessed the murder and I could not kill her. I will never forget what she told me that night. "You make it rain blood."

I took her with me to the inn I was hiding in. Katsura-san said to keep her in my room since there was no more space. Eventually I grew 'accustomed' with Tomoe and because of a traitor the Choshu clan was found out and we had to depart from Kyoto. Katsura-san had asked us to go into hiding together as man and wife. It surprised me that Tomoe agreed and then she agreed to make it official."

"Whoa! You married another woman?!" Kenji asked wide-eyed getting a small "Oro" from his father. He then quieted his voice so that only Kenshin could hear. "Does mom know about this?" He whispered. Kenshin fell over.

"Oro… yes, your mother knows about this." Kenji crossed his arms on his chest and nodded self righteously, in a way that reminded Kenshin frighteningly of Hiko. Kenshin sighed and gave his son a small smile. "Can I continue now?" Kenji blushed and nodded. Kenshin smiled his chest surging with warmth. Kenji acted a lot like his mother sometimes. "Well then, yes Tomoe and I were married in a little shrine on our way to the hiding house.

We were living in a little farmhouse selling medicine to the local village. In time my love for Tomoe grew and through her I found a new meaning in life. I found that I wanted to protect her and her happiness. She confided in me one day that someone had stolen her happiness but would not tell me who or how. Slowly I returned to my normal self and then one day I was told that Tomoe was our traitor.

It was true in a way, Tomoe had been a traitor but not to Katsura-san or the Choshu clan but to me, Battousai who killed Kiyosato, her fiancée. When I found out I was devastated. She had left to a nearby forest to meet with a group that had placed her within my range in an attempt to save me, but I had no idea of this. I just wanted to protect her and ask for forgiveness. I followed her and had to fight to get to where she was being held captive. I lost part of my hearing, my eyesight and I was injured and bleeding badly. I was just unfit to battle the man behind everything but I fought anyway, not caring at all for my life.

But Tomoe had fallen in love with me as well and she was fearful that I would die. I saw that I had one shot at killing the man responsible for keeping her and ending my life as well, but Tomoe felt that it was not time for me to die. She jumped before me intending to protect me and I cut through her killing both her and the leader. It was then that I received the cross scar." Kenshin once again traced the diagonal slash that marred his cheek. His sad violet eyes searched Kenji's. "I made my vow then that after the war was over that I would never kill another soul, instead I would protect those against death."

There was a heavy silence that lingered in the air. Night had already descended and Kenshin could hear the faint sounds of the crickets adding their solemn soliloquy. "Is that…" Kenji hesitated not sure if he should ask. "Is that why you left?"

Kenshin slowly nodded. "I have taken too many lives, Kenji, that I just could not sit by and watch others suffer. I have to help them in whatever way I can."

Kenji didn't know if that answer should have satisfied him or made him angry. "I see." Kenji hung his head letting his wild red brown bangs cover his eyes. He heard a shifting and the form that had previously been before him sat next him gathering him in the strong arms.

"I never knew that I had caused you pain, or rather I never wished to recognize it. I am dirty Kenji, stained without repair. I cannot understand why I was so blessed to have both you and Kaoru." Kenshin placed his chin on top of his son's soft hair. "I only wish that I could have known better, that I had stayed with both of you." He whispered softly.

Kenji hiccupped and wrapped his arms around his father tightly. "It's okay now." Even if it wasn't, Kenji pushed back any resentment and bitterness he felt towards his father and found it replaced with a sort of pity. Pity that his father had never realized his worth.

Kenshin kissed the top of his son's head. "For a long time after Tomoe's death I thought that I could never love someone like I loved her. And I haven't. The love I have for Kaoru is far different than what I ever had for Tomoe." Kenshin pushed his son away to look at him better. "I guess what I am trying to say is that it's not the end of the world Kenji. You are still young and there will be many other opportunities in life." Kenshin stroked his son's hair and face enjoying it the only way a father could.

Kenji sighed and shook his head. "No, Chichi, you're wrong. I will never love anyone else but her."

Kenshin was taken aback by the force and absoluteness that was in Kenji's voice. "Kenji, she's only twelve! She doesn't even know the meaning of love."

Kenji shook his head again. "It doesn't matter, I'd wait an eternity for her." The look in the violet blue depths startled Kenshin but he knew that those were true emotions and unshakable ones at that.

Kenshin sighed and then pulled away looking at the stars that were slowly coming out. "Tell me what happened then. Maybe I can help."

Kenji muttered something darkly under his breath that sounded like an insult on Yahiko's part, but Kenshin didn't ask for clarifications. "Well it started when the doctor told us you were sick. I was sitting outside on the roof and Yahiko came…"

"And then she just walked off." Kenji sighed as he wrapped his arms around his drawn knees. "I didn't know what to do. She just kept spouting those crazy words. I knew that she was upset about the Akebeko thing but to be like that?"

Kenshin blinked up at Kenji, and silently fumed at being shorter than even his own son. "Well like I said she's only twelve maybe that was her way of covering it. In any case, you still have to talk to her and at least mend the friendship that you two were building. After that…" Kenshin drawled.

"After that?" Kenji inquired with a raise of his eyebrows.

Kenshin placed a heavy hand on Kenji's head ruffling some of his hair. "After that wait till she grows up and knows what love is. Confessing your feelings for her now would only confuse her."

Kenji seemed to think about it. "What about Shin'Ya? He's getting attached to her."

Kenshin sighed. "You cannot forbid them to not see each other and if Shin'Ya is in love with her he's only a kid as well. He may very well have a passing thing."

Kenji grunted. "I still don't like him bragging about everywhere they've gone."

Kenshin laughed good naturally and stood up stretching. "Well then," He looked at Kenji over his shoulder. "Tonight is the last night for the festival ne? Then how about we go out tonight?"

Kenji gave his father a wide grin before jumping to his feet and rushing to change. Kenshin watched his son go before looking over to the side. "Would you give this unworthy one the honor of accompanying me this evening?"

Kaoru crept out from behind the bushes and pouted cutely. "Mou, Kenshin. I was wondering when you were going to ask me."

"Ah, forgive me Karou-dono, I did not think that our son would have appreciated his mother spying on this man to man talk." Kaoru blushed in the darkness and walked up to her husband.

"Maybe, but I at least would have told him to put on his nice blue kimono and haori." Kenshin laughed as he drew in Kaoru for a quick kiss.

"He really is in love with her."

Kaoru giggled. "Who knew? Maybe one day we'll have Saitou for an in-law!" Kenshin made a sour face making Kaoru giggle again.

"That has to be a punishment from God." Kenshin admonished.

The dark haired woman smiled and placed her head on his chest listening to his heartbeat softly. They were quite for some time before she asked. "Is he really? Could it just be a passing fancy?"

Kenshin rubbed his chin against the top of Kaoru's head. "No. He means it. If you could only have seen his eyes." Kaoru looked up at Kenshin and he smiled. "Just like that. They were just like that." The red head leaned down brushing his lips against hers softly before crushing them for a delicate kiss. Violet blue eyes smiled and walked backwards forgetting the shoes he had left behind.

Shiori wanted to groan in annoyance. She had wanted to do that all week but refrained from doing so and refrained from it now. She just wanted to gag the chattering boy next to her.

"Shi-neechan! Shi-neechan! Look! It's 'Ka-san! 'Ka-san!" The small six year-old then proceeded to drag the older girl over towards the frantic woman. Once the plump female saw her baby boy she wailed and clutched at the child tightly. Shiori smiled and bowed out of politeness as the woman thanked the girl child through tears and sobs.

She sighed as she walked back to where her father stood waiting a curious glint in his amber eyes. She ignored the look and grasped his hand in hers wanting to get away from the small boy that was calling goodbye to her. She refrained herself from running though, it just wasn't lady-like.

"How long have you been doing things like this?" Saitou asked mostly wondering to himself. Shiori shrugged and began to fiddle with her parasol. Saitou smiled and adjusted his haori slightly. He had given her that parasol a long time ago when he had first begun to teach her basic sword techniques. It was custom made at his order from an old Shinsengumi sword smith. There was a hidden blade within the shaft of the umbrella perfectly weighted for the small girl. The shaft itself acted like a saya being made of iron underneath the bamboo coverings. Iron and wood created the top so that if she should ever need to the parasol could act like a momentary shield. One could say that Saitou was paranoid, he was… he was a father and fathers tend to be paranoid.

"Have you been practicing?" He asked casually looking down for a moment to study his daughter's fair face. The people around them parted to let the two of them pass.

"Yes, father." She looked up at him her brown eyes twinkling. "I'm going to be just like you one day." Saitou smiled down, he had missed that phrase the most.

"I'm sure you will."

"Shiori-chan!"

Saitou bristled at the familiar calling and turned his golden gaze on the group that was walking towards them. Beside him Shiori stiffened before placing that all too familiar mask on her face.

"Shin'Ya-kun." She whispered as they neared the father and daughter. Shin'Ya bowed towards Saitou politely before bowing again to Shiori. Saitou's frown deepened.

"How have you been?" He asked his voice pitching with excitement.

"I have been well. Myojin-san, Himura-san, Kaoru-san, Tsubame-san." She bowed to them all and they were quite aware that she ignored Kenji. "How are you all fairing this evening?"

Saitou glared at Kenshin for making his little girl suddenly act like a little woman. Kenshin oroed and nudged Kenji, whose eyebrow was twitching in annoyance. "Himura." Saitou nodded gruffly.

"Fujita." Kenshin nodded back towards him with a knowing smile. He then took in both his former rival's appearance and Shiori's. Kenshin could say that he had never seen Saitou in a kimono and hakama but then he would be lying. Instead he thought that it had been a long time since he hadn't seen the wolf wear his police uniform. Saitou was dressed in a dark smoky gray kimono with a black haori. Printed on both was a small leaf design that was almost lost in the weaving.

Shiori however was wearing a light blue kimono with long sleeves that almost reached her ankles. Printed at the ends of the sleeves and kimono was a great wave in a darker shade of blue with the crests in white. A purple dotted golden obi hugged her waist snuggly before tying into a knot at her back and spilling the stiff ends down Tied around the obi was a maroon colored cord that matched the small silk hand bag she carried. Folded in the front of her kimono was a red sash that matched the under kimono the poked out gently against her slim neck and wrists. Her lush dark hair was gathered up behind her head with an intricate hair ornament that matched her colors leaving her bangs to frame her face.

"Shiori-chan!" Tsubame exclaimed upon seeing the tiny girl. "You look beautiful!"

Shiori blushed but thanked the soft woman and glanced up at her father's face tenderly. "Papa picked it out for me."

Yahiko snorted at the comment and folded his hands behind his head. "Well, for once he has good taste."

"Yahiko!" Kaoru and Tsubame berated the young man and then both began to take turns in scolding him.

Kenshin chuckled at the scene and Saitou allowed himself to smile at the look etched on Yahiko tanned features. Shin'Ya ignored his parents and looked directly at the small girl that seemed to try to hide behind her father.

"Shiori-chan, have you seen the stall with the koi?"

"Koi?" The little girl asked interested. "No I haven't."

Shin'Ya smiled and pointed with his thumb to the stall. "It's right there do you want to go try to catch one?"

Shiori smiled and looked up at her father for permission. Saitou nodded before landing his piercing gaze on Kenji. The young red head backed up a step before following the two children.

Kenshin watched them walk off and then noticed that as punishment Yahiko had to accompany the two chattering woman to a booth with silk ribbons. The spiky haired man mouthed to Kenshin 'Help Me!' but the small red head knew if he interfered with his wife's punishment he'd end up sharing it too. So he just gave the boy a sheepish smile of apology.

"Shiori came home a week ago soaked to the bone and appeared that she was crying." Saitou said keeping his golden eyes fixed on the three that were hunched over a few sealed baskets.

Kenshin sighed as he crossed his hands behind his back. "So I hear."

Saitou fixed his smoldering glare on Kenshin and the diminutive man just smiled. Saitou internally cringed. "And why exactly did she come home in that state?"

Kenshin thought his words carefully. If he said the wrong thing he would find his son at the end of a Gatotsu. "Apparently she and Kenji had a misunderstanding." Saitou raised a slim brow. Kenshin wrinkled his brow unsure of how to answer that. "If she hasn't said anything then she probably doesn't want you to know about it just yet."

Saitou grunted. "No. If she hasn't said anything it is because she doesn't think that I should worry about it."

"Oh." Kenshin rocked on his heels. "Don't kill him please."

"I'll try to remember that Battousai." Saitou sneered as he walked over to the booth where Shiori was holding a bowl with her koi proudly. Kenshin sighed and shook his head following the tall man softly.

The rest of the night passed without much happening, except for the occasional quarrel everything was peaceful and jolly. What came to a big surprise to the small group that Saitou did in fact have a sense of humor, much to Kenshin's unfortunate pleasure. Shin'Ya kept Shiori busy involving her at all the booths while Kenji brooded behind them. Apparently Saitou wanted him to keep on eye on the two much to his displeasure. Shiori either ignored Kenji completely or was extremely polite to the boy. Kenji tried his hardest to be just as polite to her but the urge to shake her often caused him to snap out his remarks. Saitou had attempted to kill Kenji once when only Kenshin was looking, thank God, which caused a strange scene between the two to which many will deny ever happened, especially the two involved. All in all it was a pretty peaceful and normal night for the group, if you can call setting fire to a stand normal.

"Over here mina!" Kaoru called from where she and Tsubame were setting a blanket. They were gathered near the river where candle lighted boats were supposed to float down signifying the end of the weeklong festival. The two women had disappeared to gather the blanket and other snacks while the men took care of the burning booth incident.

The bank that the group convened on was one that Kenshin and Kaoru had visited frequently. It was the bank where Jineh had kidnapped Kaoru making Kenshin realize that he was indeed in love with the blue-eyed Kendo instructor. The group chattered quite noisily and was grateful for the semi-solitude of their encampment.

Welcome to the planet

Welcome to the existence

Kenji watched them all with a soft look of fondness on his face. This was something that he had never really experienced. The convening of family members bickering and quarreling good naturally with each other. Even Shiori's father who seemed so stiff and emotionless was divulging into the fun of teasing and smart remarks. He watched them all memorizing each face, each sound of laughter, each grunt of annoyance. He wanted to remember it all and never forget that at one point in his life he really did have a family.

Everyone's here

Everybody's watching you now

Everybody waits for you now

He was so absorbed with the ruckus his irregular family was making that he barely noticed the presence beside him. He turned his head slightly looking directly at Shiori who had the same expression on her face as he did. It was then he remembered why they meet, why they seemed to be walking down the same path. They shared a common bond of loneliness. Kenji rethought his emotions, maybe what he felt was just the need to feel that emptiness and Shiori had filled it with her kindness and caring spirit. Maybe he really was just having a passing fancy.

What happens next?

"I want to remember this forever." Shiori said sniffling slightly as she craned her neck to meet his dark eyes. "There seems to be a log closer to the river. I think that would be a better place to watch the ships don't you?"

I dare you to move

I dare you to lift yourself up off the floor

Kenji didn't know how to respond to this. First she ignored him and then she wanted to go to the bank with him? He didn't know what to say so he just nodded. Shiori smiled brightly and called out to her father notifying him of their trek down the grassy slop. Saitou glared at Kenji threatening him with his eyes before turning back to insult Kaoru over her badly cooked rice balls. Kenshin smiled at the two and struck up a conversation with the youngest Myojin who looked like he might join the couple.

I dare you to move

Like today never happened

Today never happened before

Shiori had already begun her journey before Kenji followed her closely in case she happened to slip. The small walk had been uneventful and soon they were both sitting on the log facing the river their backs to the noise slightly behind them. They sat silently staring at the calm dark waters waiting for the candle lit ships to pass by.

Welcome to the fallout

Welcome to resistance

The first ship appeared in the darkness; rather the light from the candle appeared first like a small firefly dancing amongst the darkness. Soon it was joined by others flickering amongst the others with the cool blowing breeze. They floated by quietly like ghost ships moving through the mists taking with them their secrets. Noiselessly cutting through the water's surface they glided past the two silent observers.

The tension is here

Kenji watched Shiori from the corner of his eye almost ignoring the ghostly ships just to watch her childish face. For a moment he saw something he had never seen before like the ships a ghost of something that flickered by on her face. Shiori faced his searching blue violet eyes with her own honey colored ones and he almost gasped. Within her golden depths he had seen the woman she was to become once the childish body faded away. No. This was a glimmer of something that was already starting to grow.

Between who you are and who you could be

Between how it is and how it should be

Shiori looked away from the young man's piercing gaze on the effect he had on her stomach. She could swear she swallowed a thousand koi who were now swimming around her stomach wildly. How she wished she could calm her racing heart and regain the breath that was stolen from her. Whoever had stolen it from her had taken her voice as well and all thoughts of apologizing with it.

I dare you to move

"Shiori, I want to say something." Kenji started as the boats began to float closer to them and light up the bank on which they sat at. She faced him waiting patiently for him to speak. The auburn haired youth let out a small chuckle before returning his gaze to the ethereal ships bound on their journey. "I can't think of what to say now."

"Then don't say anything." She said as she shivered against the night's chill breeze.

Like today never happened

Today never happened

Kenji blinked for a moment before shrugging off his jacket and slipping it onto her thin shoulders. "But I need to say something."

"Don't try to justify what happened, you would discredit it all." Shiori didn't know where she was pulling the words from but they just flowed from her lips like water to the thirsty.

Maybe redemption has stories to tell

Maybe forgiveness is right where you fell

Where can you run to escape from yourself?

"I want to apologize for how I've been acting with you. It's rude and I'm sorry you don't deserve it." Shiori kept her eyes trained on the calm waters that she wished her heart could reflect.

Kenji shook his head. "No. I do deserve it. I never meant to hurt you Shiori. You-… You're a good friend to me." Kenji looked over at the small girl and captured her eyes with his. "I don't want to lose you."

Where you gonna go?

Shiori shook her head. "This is getting strange don't you think?" She asked looking back at the ghost ships as they continued on their path. Each one that passed by lit her face with their soft golden glow. "We are just children. Our lives are just beginning and here we are sounding like old lovers."

Kenji smiled at her carefree comment. "Aa… maybe." They watched the boats move on. The flicker of the shadow to come passed by her eyes again and Kenji understood. His father didn't understand her like he was starting to, but then again he would wait for however long she wanted. "Can I ask you something?" The dark haired girl nodded silently. "Why didn't you tell me your family name?" Shiori grew quite.

Salvation is here

She wasn't quite sure why she did, so she pondered her answer carefully. "Well, as you can quite tell my father isn't a people person so his name tends to bring ill emotions." She looked back at Kenji his face glowing in the pale moonlight. Her heart stopped and fluttered lightly in her chest. "And because I felt a kindred spirit in you." She whispered softly blushing and looking back at the boats.

I dare you to move

Kenji smiled and stretched slightly before reaching into his sleeve and pulling out a wrapped object. Shiori looked at the object in his hands curiously. "Here." The young Himura handed the small girl child the small article wrapped in rice paper. She took the gift carefully with small fingers looking up at the red head in bewilderment. His violet eyes twinkled in amusement. "You said your birthday was this week right? It's a present for you." Shiori looked from him to the present and back to him.

"Thank you."

Like today never happened

"Well open it." Kenji nodded towards the bundle within the chubby fingers.

Shiori looked down at her present again before opening the wrapped surprise with shaking fingers. A strange emotion filled her as she pulled out the simple wooden comb from the mass of crinkled paper. The wooden teeth was a dark cherry color while three wisteria blossoms made of dedicate porcelain decorated the top. She let out a startled gasp as she caressed the fragile blossoms carefully.

"Do you like it?" Kenji asked almost unsure of her answer. Shiori faced him with tears in her eyes. He quickly panicked. "What? What is it? What did I do wrong?"

She laughed at his stricken face while whipping away a stray tear. "No, you did nothing wrong. It's just that… I don't know what to say."

Kenji smiled and looked back at the boats that were slowly dwindling. "Then don't say anything."

Like today never happened

Shiori laughed shaking her dark head. "Mou! Kenji! I want to say something though."

"Say you'll wait for me." Kenji supplied with a deep serious tone.

She looked up into his eyes confused. "Wait for you? Why? Where are you going?" She asked frantically. "You can't leave! Because I'm-"

Kenji raised a dark brow. "Because you're what?"

She hung her head until her bangs covered her face and Kenji felt a sinking sensation at the bottom of his stomach. "Because I am leaving."

The world crashed down around Kenji. "You're what?" He whispered as the last few candle boats passed them.

The small girl looked away unable to face him and his pleading eyes. "Chichihue has an assignment that will keep him away for a long time, but this time he's going to take me with him. We'll be stopping at Aizu for a short while before leaving Japan completely."

Kenji couldn't breathe. "Leaving Japan?" He asked breathless, his eyes wide. No, this couldn't be happening to him. No he just got her back! Why was he losing her again?! What had he done to deserve this punishment?! "When do you leave?" Maybe he still had some time to convince her father to let her stay with him at the dojo.

"Tomorrow." Shiori whispered silently. As the last ghost ship slipped by it carried all of Kenji's hopes deep into the darkness. They were silent again and the group behind them began the loud chattering again drowning out the crickets that sang a sad melody.

"Shiori." Saitou called down towards the small girl. He could feel the despair that radiated from Himura's son like a thick cloud that wished to choke him. In away the wolf was almost disappointed that Shiori and Kenji weren't older and able to marry, he knew that the auburn haired youth would have taken great care of his little daughter. Yet he did not feel any pity for the broken hearted youth for he did not wish to relinquish his cub just yet. "We have to go now."

"Hai!" She said cheerfully waving at her father, her painless mask slipping into place effortlessly. How sad that a twelve year old could do such a thing so easily. She turned back to Kenji and placed a small kiss on his cheek receiving a startled glance from wide blue eyes. "Thank you again for the present Kenji. I will cherish it always." There was such an endless sadness within the dark pools that she wished she could say it was a trick, a joke that she had planned to play on him. However her words were true and just like that rainy night she slipped away from his fingers not looking back.

"Matte!" Shiori turned at the desperate tone almost slipping on the soft grass.

Kenji's eyes were burning with determination and something she couldn't place her finger on, the blue violet orbs brimmed with amber. It was fascinating! She heard a collective gasp from the people not too far from her and wanted to turn to look at them but could not tear her eyes from such blazing eyes.

"Say you'll wait for me."

"What?" She asked more for clarification.

Kenji clenched his fists tightly trying to control his shaking. "Say you'll wait for me and I'll find you."

Shiori shook her head her heart threatening to burst forth from her chest. "You're talking nonsense! Wait for you where?"

Kenji's eyes softened a bit before speaking again. "In your heart. Wait for me in your heart and no matter where you go I will find you."

Shiori looked back at her father who was frowning but not saying anything. This was an important mission for him that much she knew and she could have Kenji missing it up. "Kenji, you can't come after me."

"Even if you tell me not to I will. I'll find you if you only tell me that you'll wait for me." He pleaded his voice choking on something lodged in his throat.

The little girl sighed and regarded him carefully. Something about the proposition didn't seem so preposterous and in her heart, (darn her heart!) her heart wanted this. Wanted him to chase her till the ends of the earth. She didn't know why but she knew it was right. "I'll wait for you." She whispered it so softly that it was almost lost to the wind.

Kenji smiled in relief before glancing up at Saitou with pleading eyes.

Saitou grunted giving Kenji a cold hard stare with burning amber eyes. "Boy, you better know what you are asking for." Kenji nodded briskly his eyes never wavering from the intense gaze. Saitou watched him, analyzed everything about the young man before him, from Kenji's posture to his blazing eyes. He sighed Tokio would have smacked him by now. "Four years."

Kenji almost tripped as Saitou broke eye contact and grasped his daughter's hand helping her up from the slippery slope. "What?"

Saitou snorted giving the short boy a thin frown. "You have four years to better yourself, then I will let you know my decision."

Kenshin gave a small sigh of relief at Saitou's answer. Kenji was just nodding and looking at him with a look that Kenshin wasn't sure he wanted directed at him. "Thank you Fujita-san." Kenshin bowed low at Saitou who sneered at his politeness.

"Get up you moron. I didn't say yes to the brat."

Kenshin just chuckled. "But you didn't say no either." Saitou just grunted in response. "I give you my word that Kenji will be a suitable husband for your daughter within four years time."

Saitou raised an eyebrow. "He better be. Just thinking that I'll have to put up with being related to you is enough for me to say no." Kenshin just smiled as his left brow twitched in annoyance. Saitou smirked before tugging gently on Shiori's hand. "Come on we've wasted enough time with these morons." Shiori gave them all a watery smile and a hasty bow before walking hand in hand with her father.

Everyone else was silent and then Yahiko pounced on Kenji. "You just had to fall for that wolf's daughter didn't you!" Yahiko continued to hold the young Himura in a headlock while rubbing his knuckles viciously arouses the mussed red hair.

"YAHIKO!" Kaoru smacked the brown haired man with her bokken. "Leave my baby alone!"

"Ow! You ugly old hag!" Yahiko growled out to her and commenced sparring with his teacher in a cloud of dust and curses.

"Maa, maa…" Kenshin tried to stop the two before eventually giving up to help Tsubame and an extremely quite Shin'Ya pack up.

Kenji just smiled and watched the two disappearing forms till he couldn't see their outlines anymore. 'Four years seems like a long time Shiori but I'll find you and I'll be strong just for you.'

Like today never happened before…

---- owari ----

AN: Okay there was an error! It seems that in my delusional sleepy state I posted something before it's time. ^^;; THIS is where it ends, however I have one more update to do! There will be an major Author's Note sometime this week that will contain that portion that some people read. Bunch of enthusiast. ^.~ I am soo sorry for the confusion! ^^;; So please be on the look out for the next update! Well I love you all and I must say that I will definitely miss Heart of a Wolf and it's sad to see it end, but I'm proud of it and I hope you are too. ^-^

Drawing of Shiori in her Kimono:

Jason M. Lee- Well I'm glad I can make you feel useful! ^-^ I would tap into your marvelous knowledge for this story but there isn't much that I need help on, at least I think so. ^^;; Chizuru looks WAAAY too much like Kaoru and it kind of bothers me because then it seems as if Kenji has this Oedipus complex. And THAT is scary. yes they are very comfy I just wish my feet weren't so big so that I could wear them! ;_; Mou!

Argentum Draco- Yay you reviewed again! Thank you! ^-^ Awesome name!

AngelsExist- Arrigato gozaimasu for reviewing!

darktenshi- I am so glad you understand that time is a commodity! ::weeps with joy:: But now Spring Break is over! ::weeps:: Kenshin dieing? *giggle* Thank you for pointing out my mistake! ^^;; Yeah I think I was interrupted like 3 times when I was writing that part! ^^;; Thank you for your awesome review! It made me smile! ^-^

C-Chan- Thankfully I updated faster than last time! ^^;; Yes Chizuru is the girl that we see at the end of that... OVA ;_; ::waah!:: I saw you updated yay! Now I just need to review! Er.. YAY! ^^;;

me me me and only me- ::HUGGLES:: Thank you!!!

Rei2- *sigh* Why is everyone crying! ;_; Ro-Chan doesn't want anyone to cry! And I can't help but put the angst! ;_; It's sad but it just works at the moment! That and I am not very humorous. -_-;; Thank you for reviewing!! ^-^

Gypsy-chan- ::MAJOR HUGGLES:: I need to sign your guest book! ^^;; I really do love your site I was reading this depressing K&K fic and it just left me well.. depressed so I jumped to your site and waddled in the coziness of sappy romance! ^-^ I saw it there! Yeah I just can't get over that gorilla! Did you see Fitz's pictures?

JadeGoddess- Yes there is a happy ending for all, though we really don't know much about it. ^-^ Thank you for reviewing!

Crystal- Well it was a love triangle for about um... a few seconds? lol! Yes I too am all for the Shiori/Kenji coupling! Thank you so much for reviewing!

Andrea- Arrgiato for reviewing! ^-^

Leila Winters- ::HUGS:: You are so funny! I'm glad my Saitou passed your approval! ^-^ It really is a pain to write him sometimes! Don't panic! Everything will turn out A OK! I promise! ::points above:: SEE?! ::cracks a whip:: Write I say! WRITE! ::insert mad cackle:: Hee hee I'll be waiting patiently here... on FF.net... for your story... and its chapters... ^-^

griever- Updated! Thank you so much for reviewing!! ^-^

Bio-Nic- ::blushes:: I'm glad you love it! ^-^ Arrigato gozaimasu for reviewing!

Ajay- Well I do try to break the horrible mood with my equally as bad humor. ^^;; I'm happy that someone actually gets my jokes, lame as they are. Eh? I didn't put a translation at the end of that chapter? Well, Nanimono means nothing. Ikkokumono means -kun

sabbie- ::HUGS:: Well here it is! And you better update soon too! ::shakes finger at sabbie::

Tanuki-dono- ::laughs:: Yeah she makes a one time appearance, sorry but I just can't stand to have her create too much conflict. Hee hee... Kenji can be such a baka sometimes but such a sweetheart too don't you think? ^-^ *sigh* I didn't want it to end either so I'm giving people a choice later in the next update. Some people accidentally got a preview of my contents so I'm a little frazzled. -_-;; U! Update soon too! I want to read the next chapter already!

Shiomei- Muchas gracias por tu commento! Yo tambien soy latina. ^-^ Pero no lo pratico escribendo y no sea lo que estoy hasando alguna veces. ^^;; Bueno no se! ^^;; Nostros no usamos "lo" antes de "que sera, sera" muchas veses, pero hases sentido. Voy tenir que preguntar a mi madre a ver. Y no te precupes de los accentos yo noca lo se lo pongo a las palavaras. ^^;; Soy tan mala!

Kira- Hey thanks for reviewing! So you read the sex scenes eh? Heh heh... Huh? ::Soap bounces off Ro-Chan's forehead knocking her out cold.:: Ororororooo... @,@

Kenshin: Oro! Rochan-dono!

Kaoru: Is she dead?

Sano: Quick bury her in the back!

Kaoru: Sano! That's horrible!

Sano: Look Jou-chan if she lives she'll continue writing those sex scenes!

Kaoru: ::blushes:: Well I kinda liked those, ne Kenshin?

Kenshin: ::blood trickles from his nose:: Hai Kaoru-dono!

Sano: Bunch of pervs.