Whoa, where did this come from…LOL…I didn't expect to actually finish the next chapter until this weekend, but for some reason I sat down and stuff just started spouting out…I figured, "Go with the flow," so here it is! Anna, I thought about that, but decided not to touch on it right now (I'm not sure if I ever will, but I dunno), it would be an important issue to deal with, I agree on that…I'm just not sure which way I'd want to take it at this point…SMDP, you know, wouldn't it be funny to write a one shot about Ms. Cleo and Hiko having some sort of telethon or something, I don't know, but when I read your review that was the first thing that popped into my head…I could never write it, but I think it would be funny! Marwolv, hmmm, be careful, I may take you up on that offer…being cursed with my insanity might be harmful to your health….LOL Once again, everyone, your fantastic and far to kind for words, thank you so so so so so so much for reading this and reviewing. I rely on everyone so much to help me with ideas and keep me in line…lol…you're all wonderful!

Standard Disclaimers Apply

Chapter 13

"Master, I did not come here to talk about Kaoru's and my private life, that I did not," Kenshin groaned, rubbing his temples and trying to shut out his master's salacious laughter. He was beginning to regret even coming to Hiko's cabin in the first place, the man's relentless jokes at his expense were becoming almost unbearable. "I don't see what any of this has to do with Kenji!" Kenshin almost whined.

Hiko sniffed and smirked, his eyes dancing with delighted mischief. "Well, I'd have to say it has everything to do with him, you made him, didn't you? You and that sword wielding raccoon woman."

Kenshin gasped, his face paling, "Master! Such talk is…indecent!"

Hiko stopped laughing and glared at Kenshin, fighting the urge to reach out and clobber him along side his thick skull. "It is not! It's a fact! And by all things holy, Kenshin, I'm not asking you to give me the details of you sex life with the woman! Did you even hear what I asked you in the first place, or where you not paying attention…again?"

Kenshin could feel his face burning as he stared at Hiko, trying hard to remember what the other man had asked him before the conversation turned vulgar. His brow crinkled as he thought hard, "You asked me how I thought Kenji was made, that you did," he finally stated in a matter of fact voice. He gave Hiko a disgusted look and crossed his arms in front of his chest.

Hiko snarled and swung out a massive arm to catch his stupid student across the forehead, knocking the red headed man off the log backwards. "THAT…is NOT…what I asked, idiot!" He stood up suddenly and whirled around to stare down at his student, who was rubbing a red welt on his brow. Dark eyes glowered at the small form and Hiko uttered an aggravated sigh. "Let me put it simply then, since you don't seem to understand regular Japanese, Kenshin. Tell me what you see in your son. What is he made of?"

Kenshin stared up at his master, his face puzzled. What kind of trick was the man trying to pull now? He did not want to be baited into another embarrassing conversation, nor degrade his wife any further with such talk. His master was good at creating awkward and almost shameful situations.

What was Kenji made of? What was he talking about?

"Think ki, Kenshin," Hiko muttered, sitting down again, but facing his fallen student.

"Ki?" Kenshin echoed, a brow twitching, "What is his spirit made of?"

Hiko closed his eyes and only nodded, waiting for Kenshin to continue.

Kenshin pulled himself into a sitting position, wrapping his arms around his knees and hugging them to his chest. A faint picture of Kenji fluttered in his mind and he could feel the fire of the boy's spirit ebbing past his own like a gentle desert wind. The breeze in his mind was hot and unrelenting, but never enough to burn or cause him any discomfort. Instead, his son's spirit only tickled his mind, like the faint fluttering of a butterflies wings, tender, teasing, and warm with life.

"He's like a breeze master," Kenshin whispered, "A warm, calming breeze that turns into a ferocious sandstorm with the blink of an eye. He's the powerful, but gentle, all wound into one. When his spirit touches mine, it brings me joy and contentment, my heart is at ease." Kenshin closed his eyes and smiled softly, remembering the first time he'd ever touched his son and the feeling it brought him.

Hiko smiled to himself, "Do you see, Kenshin? He is part of you, always, as he is a part of your wife. You two joined to create a totally separate being, who has taken your traits and merged them to form his own. Your gentle nature and determination, Kaoru san's explosive temper, but kindness and compassion, it's all right there in front of your eyes. Think of it as a foundation to build on, Kenshin. Anything that comes after it can be tore down and rebuilt."

Kenshin opened his eyes slowly and gazed up at Hiko's slightly smiling face. He was beginning to understand where he was going wrong. Though his son would learn the Hiten Mitsurugi style, the only sword school formidable enough to satisfy and tame his powerful spirit, it was completely irrelevant to the boy's nature. No matter what sword style Kenji learned, he would always be Kenji, and the things that made him who he truly was, would remain ever unchanging.

It was his duty as a father to nurture the traits Kenji had, show him how to expand on them, and guide him to the right path. For the past few weeks, he had focused only on the darkness he could see forming around his son, threatening to claim him and he had failed to see the light inside the boy. There was nothing to fear, for even in darkness Kenji would remain the same.

Kenshin blinked, thinking about his own soul, which was torn in two by the bloodiness of his past. No, that wasn't true at all. His spirit was whole, a perfect entity, the embodiment of who he was. Shinta lived on in him throughout the revolution, crying out for the bloodshed to stop, pleading to be nurtured and cared for, and fighting to fend off the hitokiri darkness that threatened to overtake them both. If it hadn't been for the desperate cries of his true self, Kenshin knew he would have been doomed to a life as a bloodthirsty killer, surrounded by bodies and death. It was his gentleness, compassion, remorse, and humanity that kept him from the depths of hell, those were the things he really was, and they made up his own personal foundation.

"The hitokiri nest," Kenshin mumbled to himself. That's all it was, the hitokiri. A façade to hide the pain he truly felt and justify the wrongs he committed. The hitokiri was like a sparrow, constructing an intricate nest in the most obscure and inconvenient places, his heart. He smiled suddenly, thinking how old nests were swept out of the eves in the spring, never to be thought of again.

"Huh?" Hiko asked, arching a brow at his student. If he didn't know any better, he'd swear his baka deshi looked a bit more enlightened. "Are you okay, or has your brain finally gone to mush with all this thinking?"

Kenshin smiled at his master, his violet eyes soft and glinting slightly, "I was just thinking about something you said to me many years ago, master. I thought I understood you then, but now I know what you really meant."

Hiko frowned at Kenshin, not understanding what he was babbling about. He was the only one on this mountain who was allowed to talk in riddles and he wasn't about to let his idiotic student get one up on him. "It's about damn time," he muttered, "Though better late than never, I suppose."

Kenshin released his hold on his knees and stretched his back, eyeing his master carefully. "I don't think I told you what I was thinking, master. Since when did you become a mind reader?" He felt his lips twitch slightly as he watched Hiko's frown turn into a hostile glare.

"Kenshin, do you honestly think if I could read minds, I'd waste time reading yours? Trust me, there wouldn't be much there to interest me," Hiko huffed, he was not to be had, at least not by Kenshin.

Kenshin shook his head slightly, but said nothing, not wanting to start an argument he knew he'd never win. "Thank you, shishou, for your help today. I knew I could count on you."

Hiko waved his hand in dismissal. "I didn't do it for you, baka deshi. I did it for chicchai riaon. Someone needs to look after his best interests," he barked.

Kenshin smiled a knowing smile, "Still, thank you, from all of us."

Hiko rolled his eyes and looked away to the path that led back down the mountain. "So what are you going to do?"

Kenshin sighed and slowly stood up, working the kinks from his neck and back. "Well, right now, I think I'm going to go back to the Aoiya and spend some time with my wife and son…quality time, that is. We'll be leaving Kyoto in a few days, so I think I'd like to show Kenji some of the sights in the city," he paused and put a finger to his temple, "And when we get back to Tokyo, I'll begin teaching Kenji chan the ideals of Hiten Mitsurugi, but he's still far too small to pick up a sword."

Hiko arched a brow at his student, "He's never going to be a big man, Kenshin. You know this don't you?"

"Hai, he's very small for his age, but I think by next summer he'll be large enough to begin the basics," Kenshin's eyes narrowed suddenly and he looked his master straight on, "Maybe I'll send him to you during the summers, once he's old enough." He stifled a laugh at the thought of his master being left alone on the mountain for three or four months with his overly active son. It might do them both some good, though.

Hiko returned the stare, "I'd prefer you keep your monster to yourself," he stated, watching Kenshin chuckle slightly, "But if you feel your not up to the task, or that you can't handle it, I'd be more than happy to straighten him out. I don't want some half-assed Hiten Mitsurugi student wandering the country side."

Kenshin's laughter dropped off and he glared at Hiko, "And what's that suppose to mean?"

Hiko stood up and pointed to the trail, "Something for you to think about on the way back down the mountain," he barked.

Kenshin shrugged and cast his master an almost fond smile before he set of in the direction of the path. He paused suddenly and turned slightly to look over his shoulder, "Oh, shishou, Kaoru told me to tell you she is planning lunch by the river in three days. You're invited and she hopes you'll stop by to see Kenji chan." He watched as the man's angry face fought to remain encased in its hardened lines, "I thought I'd relay the message, you know how easily she's offended." With that, he turned and started off for the Aoiya, leaving his master to think alone about the invitation, though he already knew what the man would decide. Kenshin smiled to himself and whistled a soft tune, enjoying the scenery around him.

*********

"Aoshi sama, I don't think it's a good idea for you to be up so soon. You need to rest!" Misao cried, barring the door with her small body and trying to prevent the taller man from exiting the Aoiya. Her dark blue eyes pleaded with him to heed her words and go back to his own room

"Misao, I am fine. Fresh air will do me good, and the back yard isn't that far to walk," he stated, staring at her with indifferent, icy eyes. He watched the small woman shake her head, her long bangs flying this way and that while the lengthy braid mimicked the harsh movement. He knew he was fighting a losing battle, as arguing with Misao once she got an idea in her head an impossible task, but he was tired of lying in his stuffy and dark room.

"But Aoshi sama," Misao whined as he took one of her arms off the frame of the door, "It's just too soon!"

It was time for desperate measures and Aoshi sighed, looking deep into the little ninja's eyes. His heart fluttered a bit at seeing her genuine concern for his well being and he felt himself soften slightly. "Misao, I'll go sit on the porch. Why don't you go make tea and join me for a bit," he asked in his quiet, rumbling voice.

Misao felt her mouth drop slightly, shocked at what she'd just heard. She stared at him for several moments, reaching out to feel his forehead.

Aoshi frowned, "Misao, I'm fine…please…the tea."

She jumped slightly and her face reddened. "Oh, ummm…okay…I'll be right back!"

Aoshi sighed again then smiled softly to himself. It was a faint smile, barely noticeable if anyone had been watching, but a smile to say the least. Stiffly, he made his way outside and eased himself down onto the steps, closing his eyes against the late afternoon sun and basking in its warmth. It felt so good to be out of the stuffy room and away from the dank dreariness. He could almost feel some of his strength returning as the rays of light irradiated his face.

He wondered where Himura was, knowing the man had disappeared sometime during the morning. It was unlike him to leave his family unattended for so long, especially in a place such as Kyoto. This place held so many bad memories for the man, it was a wonder he even came here at all anymore.

Aoshi let his eyes train up the tree that had played a dramatic role in the accident of several days ago. He could vividly picture Himura chan's face, so full of remorse, sadness, and fear for his father's life. He remembered Himura, franticly climbing the tree, throwing aside all reason to rescue his boy from certain death. What a pair they made, father and son, cut so closely from the same cloth that even their willingness to die for each other was perfectly copied. It was foolishness, though Aoshi couldn't help but admire the devotion the two shared.

Had he ever known such devotion? His brow crinkled as he thought hard, wondering what it would feel like to have someone so willing to throw everything away for his own sake. Was it possible for a person to care for him so deeply? He shook his head slightly, trying to ward off a dark feeling of unworthiness. He had failed in his life so many times and disappointed the only ones he could barely call family. How could he possibly ever deserve such love, respect, and adoration?

His thoughts drifted to Misao, they way she pampered him, looked after him, regardless of the coldness and indifference he treated her with. Some would call it pathetic, the way she followed him around, tending to his every need, but he knew it was nothing of the sort. She was a fine girl…no woman, now. It was he who was pathetic and she who wasted her time on him. She was far past the normal marrying age, though the opportunity had presented itself several times, but she always respectfully declined.

He bristled slightly at the idea of another man becoming the object of her affection and devotion, though he wasn't certain why. It would be best if Misao was married to a man who could care for her and offer her happiness. She deserved to be with some one who was worthy and successful in life, but still, the idea formed a bitter taste in his mouth.

The door slid open behind him and Aoshi blinked, his thoughts falling away and shattering inside his mind. He could hear the gentle thump of her feet as she padded closer to him and heard the slight tinkling of the tray she carried. His heart pounded in his chest, but face revealed nothing as she sat down next to him, smiling quietly as she poured the tea. She handed him a cup, her fingers brushing his, causing a bolt of electricity up his arm and down his spine.

His hand shook slightly as he took the cup, yet he managed a curt nod of thanks and quietly sipped his tea, gazing out over the yard and at the giant tree again.

Misao followed his gaze, but sat in thoughtful silence for many moments, observing Aoshi. She knew that behind his stony mask was a man of deep and passionate emotions. If that weren't true, he would have never believed in his cause so fervently, even though his logic was all twisted and wrong at the time. His wounds were deep and more than likely, would never fully heal, but she would wait by his side, coaxing him along, until he was comfortable with himself again.

"Why do you think Himura chan jumped from that tree, Misao?"

She jumped at the sound of his voice, almost knocking over the tea tray. It was unusual for him to speak so freely and the honey soft tone always startled her. "I…I…I think he was trying to stop Himura from climbing up after him," she stuttered, staring at him over the rim of her cup.

Aoshi nodded slightly, "Something like that. I thought I had not seen devotion like that in many years," he thought back to the Tokyo group, who had thrown themselves before a gattling gun to save him, then he leveled his gaze at her, "But I think I've been blind."

Misao stared at him, her eyes wide and unblinking. "What are you talking about, Aoshi sama? I don't understand." Her mind was turning over and over in her head, part of it screaming a hearty hurrah, while the other half desperately tried to reason away her hopes.

Aoshi turned back to the yard and sipped his tea, his face impassive. "You will. It will just take a bit more time," he replied quietly.

"Yes, Aoshi sama. Time is okay," she whispered, still staring at him in complete wonder, "I'll wait."

Aoshi only nodded slightly, his dark hair falling into his eyes and the two drank their tea in silence.

"Misao?"

"Yes?"

"Don't call me 'sama' anymore. It doesn't suit me."

"Okay….Aoshi."

**********

Kaoru held out the filthy shirt she had just stripped from her son's slight frame with two fingers. It reeked of stagnant wash water and earth, totally ruined by the boy's mud fight with the Saito girl. Crinkling her nose up, she tossed it into a corner and eyed her son as he stood completely naked and trembling inside the bathhouse.

She cast him a reassuring smile, hoping to ease his phobia somewhat before diving into the task of working the clods of mud free from his crinkly parts and out of his hair. It would be a long afternoon and she hoped they'd be finished by dinnertime with out to many setbacks. She tried not to laugh as she stared at him, his milky skin almost completely brown from muck and crud, his frame so slight and skinny a stranger would think him to be half starved, and his hair a dingy brown, instead of flame red, sticking out in wild dreadlocks atop his head.

She dropped a hand in the bath water to test its temperature and nodded with satisfaction. She motioned for Kenji to approach, taking note of his hesitant steps. It was like it took all his concentration to make his feet propel him forward and his little face was etched in restrained terror. "Kenji chan, kitten, mama's not going to let anything happen to you. I promise, okay?"

Kenji only stared at her with wide, pale eyes, his feet stopping within a few feet of the tub. "Don't put it on my head, okay, mama?" He pointed to his unruly hair and pleaded with her with his eyes.

Kaoru shook her head and reached out to pick her child up. "Well, Kenji, I have to wash your hair, it's totally filthy, but I will tell you when I'm going to pour the water, okay?" She handed him a small cloth and eased him into the tub, trying not to wince as he clutched her robe with a white knuckled grip. The look on his face practically wrenched her heart in two. His eyes were full of intense fear, held in check by a fine thread of trust and his face had paled several shades, taking on an almost grayish hue.

Slowly she began to scrub the boy, watching as the grime floated away in hefty chunks. Kenji sat, totally stiff and unmoving, the cloth she'd handed him clenched between his small fists. "Water's not all bad, kitten. It can't hurt you like this," she offered as she poured some down his back, taking note of the trembling muscles beneath his skin.

"It's scary, mama," Kenji whispered, closing his eyes against the memories that always threatened to claim him during bath time. "So, so scary…"

"It's only scary because you let it be, Kenji chan," she replied, trying not to make his fears sound unfounded or ridiculous. "It can be dangerous, but more often than not, it isn't. What happened to you was an accident, a very scary one at that."

Kenji nodded again but said nothing. He'd heard it all before, but his parents words did nothing to ease his fear. His body refused to work properly around a body of water and that was just something they'd all have to learn to live with.

Kaoru sighed, seeing her son tense up as she prepared to wash his horridly matted hair. She stroked his head and began to hum a tune she had sang to him since he was an infant, smiling softly to herself as he eased a bit at the sound of the melody.

The rest of the bathing session went well, no out bursts, no dramatic scenes, probably one of the most sane bath's Kenji had taken in several years. She had managed to clean him up fully, except a few extra tough places such as his ears and nose, but that would all have to work itself out on it's own. She lifted her son out of the tub and wrapped him in a soft towel, rubbing his arms and head vigorously.

"See, that wasn't so bad," she smiled, tweaking the boy's tiny, slightly upturned nose.

Kenji stared at her a moment and gave her a small smile. "Not for you, mama," he stated. It had taken everything he had to remain as calm as he did for her. It was by far the most difficult bath he'd ever taken.

Kaoru laughed and pulled her son into a tight hug, pressing her cheek against her wet hair. "I know, kitten, I know! But you did so well!"

Kenji crinkled his face up as he was caught in his mother's warm embrace. He buried his face into her neck and sighed, allowing her to coddle him like an infant. "Mama?" he murmured.

"Yes?"

"How come you feel funny?"

Kaoru pulled her son away from her and stared at him hard, "What do you mean, 'I feel funny'?"

Kenji shrugged and tilted his head slightly, "I get a tingly feeling when I'm next to you, but not when I'm with father."

Kaoru laughed and hugged her son again, smiling into his hair, "It's called being a mommy, Kenji chan! Only mommies are special that way!"

Kenji only shrugged again and sighed deeply, enjoying his mother's tingly feeling as well as her company.

I'm so glad people like little Yu chan…I want her to be tough, but sweet…I mean, I suppose if you grew up being the youngest, a girl, and with only three brothers around you'd have to grow up pretty tough, but I don't know anything about having brothers or being the youngest….since I have one sister who's six years younger than me….Yu will be in other fics, I've already got another planned out, which includes her…giggles….As for Kenji and the mud, ya, he's gotten over it, I figured Hiko telling him the mud would eat off his skin wasn't as traumatic as almost drowning in the river and I couldn't have the poor kid wandering around full of phobias…LMAO (for those of you who don't know that story, told in full detail in the last couple chapter of A Giant and the Lion Cub) Hiko's so wise…I love him…I want one of my own…I could keep him in line…LMAO…ya right!