Chapter 30

(Karei)

I wiped my forehead clean of sweat, straightening up from my work. My little garden was doing well, and I was extremely proud of it. I had never really had a green thumb, but since Kenshin had come I had found that I was actually pretty good at it. The boy had started this small garden when he had been with me, and had taught me to care for it. He had been smart, Kenshin.

I missed the boy dearly, but I knew that it wasn't meant to be that he stay with me. That day when he had told me he was leaving I had not been surprised. I could sense his uneasiness, he was getting restless. So I let him go, no matter how much I had wanted him to stay.

It had been nearly 4 years since I had last seen him, 3 since the war was over. I knew that he had probably been wandering around, looking for his own place to settle down. I settled the basket full of daikon radishes against my hip, going into my little hut. I washed them in a bucket of water cleaning and binding them together for storage purposes. I sat down then, leaning against the wall tiredly and closing my eyes.

I was getting a little old to do this. I was already reaching my 45th birthday, which was only about a month away. My body was growing tired of living by itself, and since I had to do all the work in the house it didn't help.

It was silent, and it wasn't until I heard something vaguely familiar that I opened my eyes. It was the sound of wings beating, I would recognize that anywhere. It sounded…just like my deceased husband. This thought brought tears to my eyes, the memories of him welling up.

I stood, going to the door. What I saw when I opened it made me gasp.

It was Kenshin, my Kenshin. Hai, I say my. I felt an unnatural connection to the boy, as though he was my own son. I walked out, the tears filling my eyes spilling over. "Kenshin, you're here."

He smiled, beaming at me. He looked so much different, that boy I had once knew, once nursed back to health. His shoulders were much broader, he had more muscle along his bare chest and torso, and his face had gained the sharp lines of a grown man. He was about 21 after all. His wings, they had also gained volume, his plumage was fuller and they had more muscle that was easily visible. "Karei-dono, I missed you so much."

I found myself wrapped in his strong arms, clutched to his chest. I hugged him back, petting his long red hair. It felt as though a burden had been lifted from my heart, my son was home.

I pulled away from him to smile at his face. "Oh, I missed you so much Kenshin. I was wondering when you were going to return."

He smiled again. "I'm sorry it took me so long Karei-dono. I have missed you too. But I came back, just like I said I would."

I turned, gesturing towards the cabin. "Come inside, you must be tired from flying. I want to hear what you've done with your life."

He followed me, a chuckle resounding in his chest. Once inside I poured him some tea after warming it, sitting across from him. I looked at him harder, studying the lines of his body. It was then I noticed the heavy scars along his arms and chest, lacing his pale skin. I bit back a gasp as he stood, turning from me to go look around where he had lived with me years ago. There was a multitude of scars across his back, there was barely a bit of skin that was unmarred. I could tell that they were marks from a whip, but they were long healed. There were also faded marks among his feathers.

I stood, tears again flowing down my face. "Kenshin…"

He turned to look at me, and then his violet eyes softened as he realized what I had noticed. "Oh Karei-dono, please, don't cry for me. It's alright."

I shook my head. "No, it's not. What happened to you Kenshin?"

He sighed, and then returned to my side, sitting while pulling me down as well. "After the war was over, I was captured," he murmured. "There was a man, he strived to own me. After a while he did, I was his pet." His face twisted in disgust. "He kept me on a collar and leash, using me for his own pleasure, whether it be with pain, or in other ways."

I heard the hidden meaning in those words, even if he didn't have to say them out loud. I knew what that man had done to Kenshin. I couldn't help it; I drew him close to me, petting his hair gently. I felt his startled breath against my skin, and I spoke quietly. "Oh Kenshin, my son…"

His eyelashes tickled my neck as he blinked. "N-Nani? Son?"

I smiled, pulling back and holding his face between my hands. "Hai, son. That's what I see you as, my son. I did help you through life after your father died, and I seem to have formed a connection with you. I feel like you are my own."

He smiled then, closing his eyes. I saw a single tear slip down his cheek. "I…I see you as my mother Karei-dono. I suppose I always have, in a way. You were so kind to me, you gave me the mother I never had." He opened his eyes, and those violet depths were glistening with tears. "I want you to come with me Karei-dono. Come home with me…kaasan."

I blinked at the endearment, but I smiled. "I thank you Kenshin, but I don't think I could leave this place."

He seemed to grow fearful. "Please Karei-dono. Come home with me. I want you to live at my home, meet my family. Please."

I blinked. "Family? And don't call me dono, please Kenshin. I see you as family, and family does not need such things."

His expression changed to happiness as he nodded. " Alright. And hai, family. Please, come live with me. I don't want you to be out here by yourself, I want you to come be with us."

I sighed, leaving his side and standing. There were so many memories for me attached here, could I really leave my long time home?

I turned to look back at his face, and in that moment, I knew that I would be able to. For Kenshin's happiness, I would do what he wanted. And besides, I wanted a family, somewhere that I could call a home, with more than just the trees to keep me company. I smiled and nodded. "Hai. I will come with you Kenshin."

His face filled with joy, and he nodded. "What did you need to do Karei?" He made a face. "I feel weird calling you that."

I giggled slightly. "If you feel strange calling me that, then call me kaasan. You seemed to have no trouble doing it a moment ago."

He nodded, blinking slightly. "Alright."

I sighed, going around the cabin. There wasn't much I needed; the cabin would never be used again if I went with Kenshin. All I had to do was get my clothing, which I didn't have much of. I packed a small bag, and then went into my room, getting something from the small chest in there that I kept a few extra blankets in.

Kenshin took the bag from me as I returned, and then he blinked when he saw what I held in my hand. "You kept it…"

I held that single glistening feather that he had given me four years ago when he had left. It had never lost its luster, much to my surprise, it had stayed beautiful. I had kept it for his memory, and its presence kept up my hopes that he would someday return. "Of course I did Kenshin. It came from you."

He smiled, and then I followed him outside. He slung the bag over his back, and then held out a hand. "Are you ready to fly, kaasan?"
I blinked. "Fly?"

He chuckled and nodded, pulling me up into his arms without my consent. "Hai, fly. How else do you think we would get home?"

I cried out as he pumped his wings down, shooting into the air. I closed my eyes, wrapping my arms tightly around his neck. I felt his chuckle vibrate through his chest. I glared at him. "Kenshin, how could you do this to an old woman?"

He looked hurt. "Aw, come on. I know you can handle it. And besides," he said, giving a powerful sweep of his wings. "I don't think you're old. You'll never be old to me."

I blinked, and then smiled. "That's the nicest thing anyone's ever said to me."

He laughed, and then soared higher, bringing us into the sun. "Well, that's the son's job, to make his mother feel special."

I kissed his cheek. "Well that's sweet. I wonder if you'll regret taking me, because it's the mother's job to make her son feel embarrassed."

He scrunched up his face at my kiss. "Oh, I suppose I will, but that's alright. Because I wouldn't give you up, even if I do get tired of your teasing."

I looked into the clouds, watching the world fly by as he carried me through the beautiful place that I had never truly seen until this moment.

It was night by the time Kenshin landed. We were in front of a little dojo, a homely place. I had to stand still for a minute, regaining my feet and my breath. Kenshin held me in place, making sure that I wouldn't fall. Then he led me into the small dojo, into a kitchen where I saw a young lady sitting.

Kenshin instantly began fussing like a mother hen, and I when I saw why I smiled. The young woman was heavy with child, and with the way Kenshin was reacting he was the father. He went to her, helping her to her feet. "Kaoru, you should be in bed!"

She shook a finger in his face. "Don't you tell me what I can handle Kenshin Himura! I wanted to stay up to meet Karei, I'm just fine."

He closed his open mouth, opting to stay silent. I giggled slightly, and his gaze turned to me. "Kaasan!"

I smiled, stifling my laughter. "I can't help it…"

The woman, Kaoru, blinked. "'Kaasan?'"

Kenshin smiled, turning to look at her again. "I see her as my mother, and it's easier for me to call her that. She was the mother figure in the time I needed it the most after all, so I did sort of bond with her." He looked towards me. "Karei, this is my wife, Kaoru Himura. Koishii, this is my surrogate mother, Karei."

The young woman held out a hand to me. "Hello there Karei. I'm glad to have you in the family."

Kenshin began to scold again. I giggled. He was sure overprotective of Kaoru; it was a wonder how she could handle it. "Kaoru, you should really be in bed!"

She frowned in his direction. "Kenshin, what did I tell you before?" He mumbled something, looking down. She sighed, rolling her pretty blue eyes. "As long as I am carrying your child, I will do whatever I want. I'm certainly strong enough to meet Karei, and I do not have to rest as often as you think!" She looked in my direction, huffing out a breath. "Men."

I nodded. "I know what you mean Kaoru. They are quite a trouble to deal with."

Kenshin was gaping like a fish in my direction. "But…but…"

I shook my own finger at him. "Now Kenshin, you have to realize, we women aren't as fragile as you think we are. Give us a chance. Now come on, why don't we all get some rest, not just Kaoru. It's late."

Kaoru nodded. "Well said. You have been flying most of the day anata; I'm surprised you're not ready to fall off your feet. It's been a while since you've flown like this."

He pouted at this comment, and I laughed heartily with Kaoru. Life would be much better from here on out, and I was glad I had come to live with my son, and his family.

Yes my friends, this is the end... I am very sad to admit it, but it is true! I'm still not sure how I like this final chapter, but I did my best. I hope that you like it, and please review one last time for me!