HM: Sorry it's been so long! I hope everybody enjoys this one!

Part 2

(Kaoru)

I just stared. Could this great animal still be my husband? "Kenshin?" I murmured again. "Is it really you?"

The horse moved closer, violet eyes focused on me. "It is me Kaoru." He stopped before me, studying my face. "Are you angry with me?"

That shocked me. "Angry?" Whatever for Kenshin?"

His voice seemed subdued, seeming to come from everywhere and nowhere and once. "I kept this from you for a long time, that I did. I should not have. Gomen."

I smiled reassuringly. "Don't apologize anata. I'm only surprised, and you had every right to hide this from me." I lightly touched his muzzle and he leaned into my caress. "I think you're beautiful." I touched his horn and the gem. "What are these?"

"Ruby is my horn, and the jewel is an amethyst, the gem that holds my power," he explained. "Why don't we go inside, and I'll explain everything."

I nodded and he turned and trotted back to his fallen yukata. Again he took on the glow that I had first seen, and again he changed. He lifted the yukata with one half-formed hand and wrapped it around himself. He walked towards me, smiling lightly. I followed him back inside, sitting with him in the main room. I waited patiently for him to begin, watching him.

"I've been like this for a long time, and I don't know why I am this way. Hiko thought that it came from my parents. He helped me through it as much as he could, and I thank him for that." Kenshin paused. "I haven't shifted in many years, but I felt power rising in Kenji. I believe he may change soon."

I was shocked. "Kenji? You think so?"

He nodded. "I've also been seeing visions and I don't like what they foretell. I see Kenji being taken away and strange men showing him like an animal." He shuddered. "And pain, so much pain." He looked down. "I'm afraid Kaoru, that I am."

I hugged him tightly, knowing that the contact would calm him down. "It'll be alright anata. We just need to be prepared for anything."

He sighed. "I'm still worried Kaoru. I don't know how Kenji will take this." He looked at me. "He's still so young. I think I can hold off his transformation until he's at least nine, but I don't know. I don't want him to change too soon, it might frighten him."

I nodded, understanding, and he rose to go into Kenji's room. Our son was still sleeping peacefully. Kenshin crouched next to him, placing fingers to his own forehead and Kenji's. The red glow I had seen earlier surrounded them both, and I saw Kenshin's eyes become glowing violet holes in his face. I watched in fascination.

The light suddenly faded and Kenshin dropped to his hands and knees. I ran to him, surprised to see sweat running down his skin. He was breathing heavily and trembling. "Kenshin…."

He closed his eyes, trying to still his shaking. "Only…..tired…."

I helped him stand, letting him lean on me. We went into our room and I helped him lay down on our futon. He closed his eyes wearily. "I've held it off…." he murmured. "He won't change for a while, how long I don't know……." He faded off, drifting into sleep as his face relaxed.

I sighed and settled beside him, laying my head back on his chest. I still wasn't sure about all of this, but I would trust Kenshin…..

(Four and a half years later)

Kenji still had not changed, and for that I was slightly grateful. Kenshin had only shifted once more, though I had been sleeping at the time. I couldn't help but wonder what Kenji would become, whether it be a unicorn like Kenshin or some other creature.

I narrowed my eyes slightly as I watched Kenji play in the front yard. He was currently climbing a tree, and not getting very far. He had paused, panting lightly and holding his head.

"Kenji?" I called, concerned. "Kenji, what's wrong?"
He shook his head, blinking rapidly. I watched in horror as his eyes fluttered closed and his grip loosened, causing him to fall from the tree. I screamed, but Kenshin was beneath the tree in an instant, gently catching our son.

"Kenshin!" I said, running towards him. He came towards me, his face serious.

"It has begun Kaoru. We must take him inside," he murmured. I nodded, following him as he went inside. I frowned as I heard a whimper from the red-haired form in Kenshin's arms.

"Is it painful Kenshin? The change?" I asked hesitantly as my husband lay Kenji on his futon.

He studied our son with pensive violet eyes. "It may be. I can't remember my own first change very well. Mine was quick, but there was pain."

I knelt beside Kenji, wringing my hands worriedly. Kenji shifted on the futon, and I watched in amazement as patterns began to form on his skin, feathers. His skin darkened to a liquid gold color, feathers standing out. His neck lengthened, his face shifting and growing into a beak.

Kenshin gasped, kneeling beside me. "He's a phoenix…."

"The legendary bird of life……" I whispered, putting out a hand to touch Kenji's new body.

The creature's eyes snapped open, and he turned his head to look at Kenshin and I. "Okaasan? Tousan?" He looked down, extending wings in wonder. "What am I?"

Kenshin smiled gently. "You have inherited a great thing from me Kenji. I will teach you, and you need only to trust me. Will you let me show you this new world my son?"

Kenji studied his father with beady eyes, and then nodded his small head. "Hai tousan. Hai, I trust you."