My Date with the Battousai's Daughter
Chapter 2- Meet the Parents
Asakura Kiyosato walked along the road, following written directions to the dojo where he would pick up his date this evening. As he turned down the grassy walkway that led up to the gate, Kiyosato nervously straightened his dark green gi and ran his fingers through his black hair, smoothing his bangs. After many weeks of flirting with her at his family's shop, Sakura had finally agreed to have a date with him. Now all he had to do was make a good impression on her family and all would be set. Kiyosato wondered about this. From what Sakura had told him, they were quite strange. Her mother was a kendo master, while her father apparently cared for the house, although he also occasionally did odd jobs for the police as a swordsman. She also had an older brother who was away studying and an older adoptive brother who helped run the kendo school. "Definitely an unusual family." Kiyosato mused as he arrived at the gate. Pausing to brush a spec of dirt off his black pants, he entered.
Sensing an unfamiliar male presence at the gate, Kenshin tensed and walked quickly outside. He strode towards the intruder, eyes narrowed in a menacing glare, then realized belatedly that the boy must be Sakura's date. Mentally berating himself for being so paranoid, Kenshin relaxed his stance and gave the young man before him a deep bow and a friendly smile. "You must be my daughter's friend. Welcome to our home."
Kiyosato took a deep breath and stared at Kenshin. Willing his heartbeat to slow, he wondered how the kindly little man in pink could have acted so intimidating a moment before. Bowing, he stated formally, "I am. It is an honor to meet you Himura-san."
Walking out on the porch, Kaoru saw them and exclaimed, "Oh you must be Kiyosato-kun! Welcome!"
Kenshin winced at the name and the flood of memory that accompanied it. "Is this some kind of twisted karma?" He wondered morosely. As Kaoru led them inside, Kenshin studied the young man, feeling strangely distrustful—if only out if a desire to protect his daughter…
"Uh oh," Kiyosato thought, seeing Kenshin's face harden, "I hope her dad hasn't heard something about my reputation." As they sat down, Kiyosato suddenly had the strange but distinct impression he was being weighed as an opponent. Looking at Kenshin, Kiyosato wondered, "Aren't his eyes purplish blue? They looked amber a moment ago…hmm…must be my imagination."
"How old are you Kiyosato?" Kenshin asked; his gaze fixed firmly on him.
"I'm sixteen." Kiyosato answered, relieved that despite the tense atmosphere they were only asking all the usual questions.
Kaoru pretended to be oblivious to the struggle going on before her. "So where will you be going?" She asked brightly.
"We're going to a restaurant called the Haku Baikou for dinner." Kiyosato said. "A friend of mine helped me get a reservation."
"Is that so?" Kenshin replied absently, lost in thought, but still staring intently at Kiyosato.
Forcing a smile, Kiyosato nodded enthusiastically, closing his eyes to avoid the other man's gaze. "Kami-sama," he thought, "oh I wish he'd stop staring at me like that…as if he could see through me or something..."
At that moment Sakura came walking in. She was wearing a long black kimono with white embroidered flowers and a blue obi. Her hair was pulled up in a tight bun held by an ornamental comb.
Kiyosato gasped, she was beautiful.
Kenshin also gasped, she looked just like her mother before they were married.
Sakura smiled when she saw Kiyosato. "Are you all getting acquainted?" She asked.
"Yes." Kenshin said, walking over to her. Taking her face in his hands, he smiled and kissed her on the forehead. "You look beautiful little flower."
"Thank you Dad." Sakura said, embracing Kenshin before walking over to Kiyosato.
Kenshin only nodded and bowed his head; his bangs hiding the worry and sad longing that suddenly came over him.
Knowing what he was thinking, Kaoru put a hand on his shoulder. "She will be fine." She whispered in his ear. "You can't protect her every moment."
Kenshin only nodded and put his hand over Kaoru's.
Taking her hand in the crook of his arm, Kiyosato led Sakura out the door. As the gate closed behind the couple Kenshin sighed, trying to suppress the paranoia that arose in him at having to trust his little girl to another man.