Part 3

(Kaoru)

Kenshin put a hand out to my son-turned-phoenix on the futon. Kenji struggled to his feet, well, claws, then moved into my husband's reach. Kenshin picked him up, carefully supporting his ribcage and long spindly legs. I followed them both outside, standing away from them. I knew that Kenshin was going to shift, so I gave him the room he needed. Kenshin set Kenji on the ground, moving slowly so he would have time to adjust to standing in his new body.

"I am also able to do this Kenji, only I am not a phoenix, as you are." Kenshin explained with a smile, backing away slightly from the bird standing warily in front of him. He shut his eyes, and again he shifted. Kenji watched with wide eyes, and then walked forward slowly, inspecting Kenshin's larger body.

"You're a unicorn tousan." Kenji said. He opened his wings and pushed them down, trying to fly, but he didn't manage to get far off the ground. Kenshin nickered, putting his head down and nudging Kenji with his ruby horn.

"Don't move to fast Kenji. Flying will come later." The crimson stallion folded his legs and settled on the ground beside the tiny bird. "For now I just want you to get used to this form, and moving around in it. We'll start flying in a few days, alright?"

Kenji fluttered his feathers, but nodded and walked closer to Kenshin. Already he seemed to be getting used to moving in the phoenix body, he no longer walked with a shake in his step. He settled himself next to Kenshin, looking up at his father with wonder. "Why am I like this tousan?"

Kenshin sighed. "I suspect you got it from me, and I got it from my parents, but I'm not sure. I don't know why you are a phoenix, only that I will have to train you quickly. I've met shifters before, and most were simple animals like wolves or a large cat called a panther. I saw few birds, and one horse. I am the only legendary animal I know of, being a unicorn, but you my son, you are a greater creature. Phoenixes are hard to kill, since they are so fast and clever, at least according to legend, and they are reborn from ashes when they die."

Kenji seemed shocked, trying to swallow all of this. "Wow tousan, that's just, wow."

Kenshin whickered, like a chuckle in a way. "It sure is Kenji." He suddenly looked up at me, standing silently on the porch. "Why are you standing there all by yourself Kaoru? You can come sit with us."

I smiled, moving forward off the porch. I sat beside Kenshin, leaning against his warm crimson side. He put his nose around to nuzzle my shoulder and I patted his muzzle. Kenji stood again, climbing into my lap and settling himself in a ball. I petted his golden feathers.

Kenji looked up at me with curious eyes. "Can you shift too okaasan?"

I shook my head. "No Kenji, I can't. You got this from your tousan, not me." I smiled. "But I don't mind. I'm perfectly content to watch you learn."

He touched my cheek with his long beak, and then looked back at my husband. "Why can't I learn to fly now tousan? I want to!"

Kenshin closed his violet eyes and shook his head. "I don't want you to get hurt Kenji. If something went wrong….."

I chuckled and smacked his side lightly. "You seem to be anxious to teach him to defend himself in this form anata, why can't he learn to fly? With both of us here I'm sure nothing will happen."

He nodded after a moment, smiling at me with his eyes. "You're right Kaoru, as always. I suppose we can start today Kenji, but small steps, alright?"

Kenji let out a strange crowing noise, obviously in joy. "Hai tousan. Come on, get up! Let's start now!"

Kenshin whickered again, his chuckle in this form. "Alright, alright Kenji. Slow down." I stood and allowed him to rise to his hooves, and he shifted back. I carefully dropped his gi around his shoulders, then stepped back as Kenji flung himself towards Kenshin. "First thing." Kenshin said. "You should learn to grip my arm, standing on it. Okay?"

Kenji nodded, watching Kenshin's face as my husband picked him up. Kenshin glanced at me, and I understood, coming closer and taking Kenji from him. Kenshin held out an arm and I set Kenji's claws against it. Kenji gripped slowly, and I loosened my grip carefully. Kenshin flinched as Kenji's claws dug into his skin, but other than that he gave no indication that it hurt at all. I frowned, knowing I would have to look at that later. Kenji crowed in joy again. "I'm doing it tousan!"

Kenshin chuckled. "Hai, that you are Kenji." As Kenji opened his wings Kenshin put out his other hand to steady the phoenix. "Careful, don't upset yourself." Kenji gripped Kenshin's arm tighter, and I grew worried as I saw blood trickle down Kenshin's skin.

"Kenshin….." I murmured. He shook his head.

"It's fine Kaoru. I'll be alright," he said with a smile.

Kenji suddenly noticed the blood coating his claws and he let loose a caw of fear, flinging himself away from my husband. Kenshin cried out as Kenji faltered in the air, flapping his wide wings quickly. I caught Kenji as he fell, cuddling him close as he shuddered. "I hurt you tousan…." he whispered, hiding hisbeak in my loose black hair.

Kenshin sighed. "No more for today Kenji, Kaoru. You need to change back Kenji." He moved closer, bringing out a cloth he had in the sleeve of his gi and wiping Kenji's claws clean. "Focus on yourself Kenji. Imagine your own hair, and body."

Kenji closed his eyes, and slowly he began to change as his body took on a faint blue-violet glow, the same color of his eyes. Soon my shaking son was huddling in my arms, completely terrified and naked. I hugged him close, bringing him inside. I whispered nonsense words to him, looking sadly at Kenshin.

Kenshin touched Kenji's shoulder lightly. "Gomen nasai Kenji. I should not have gone so quickly with you. I hope you will forgive me."

Kenji nodded shakily, showing a smile for his father. "Gomen for hurting you tousan. I shouldn't have hurt you. Arigatou, for starting to show me to fly today. I, I really liked that."

Kenshin smiled back, and then followed me inside. I sent Kenji to his room to get some clothes while I bandaged Kenshin's arm. There were only a few shallow scrapes, nothing serious, but I knew I would have to make something for Kenshin to wear while training Kenji so this wouldn't happen again. "I'll get some leather to make a pad for him to land on."

Kenshin looked at me wide-eyed. "Leather? But that costs so much koishii."

I shook my head. "I don't mind Kenshin. I've been keeping some money saved for something important, and I thing this counts. It's important that Kenji learns to fly, so I don't mind at all. Don't you worry about it."

Kenshin smiled. "Alright Kaoru." He kissed my hand lightly, causing a blush to spread across my cheeks.

I shook my head. "After all these years you can still make me blush Kenshin." He chuckled, and then we turned our attention to Kenji as he came back into the room.

"So," he said joyfully. "Can we try again tomorrow?"

Kenshin laughed, ruffling our son's bangs. "I suppose we will Kenji."

HM: Bit of a fluffy chapter. I had fun with it. Hope you enjoyed it! Please review!