Fanfic by Blueroseulan

December 9, 2005

AN: Well, this chapter is a bit lighter than the others. It will focus on Kenshin's attempt to win back his children. Hope you guys like it!

oh and please don't forget to review my new story posted on It's called REAL. It's a Sou/Kao Pairing.. Different ne? Oh well, I'm hoping you guys would support my new fic and my others as well.

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RK doesn't belong to me.

K
N
K

Kamiya Kaoru had grown accustomed waking up in the morning and finding the other side of their futon unoccupied. But she wasn't really really prepared to see her children's room empty.

"Kenji? Kiriko?"

There was no reply, and Kaoru thought her paranoia would have been enough to drive her insane.

"KENJI! KIRIKO!"

She would have gone mad, had torn down the rest of Japan to find her missing children had not a big white sheet of paper resting atop the table caught her eye.

Kaoru,

Kenji, Kiriko and I have gone fishing. We've brought breakfast with us so you don't need to worry about that. I'll bring them home. I promise. Take Care and be safe.

Kenshin.

For a while she just stood there, waiting to calm her palpitating heart as it deliberately reduced its pumping to the point of weakening her knees.

If she hadn't seen the note…

Well it was quite an act of stupidity in her part, making her panic overwhelm her and fogging her mind. She was ready to blame him when she noticed his sudden effort to make time for her children. Yes, that was effort in his part considering that he hasn't fully recovered the broken rib he had once severed. Another fact didn't escape her cleared up mind. He didn't say 'I love you' to her. Merely the words take care and be safe. Had he done it purposely? Or was it an accident meant to describe what he felt inside? She suddenly felt sadness course through her chest. It was so unlike him. Kenshin was never the romantic type, but ever since they were married, he made it a point to tell her how much he loves her… It was especially included at the end of each note he had given her. Now, there was nothing. Even as her eyes carefully roved between his clumsily written note, wishing to see the words she suddenly yearned to read, there was nothing. Only a clean blank space was there to greet her eyes.

Sighing, she started to head back to their room. It had been barely a week since they last talked to each other… civilly. And yet, she felt as if it was taking forever.

Oh well… Afterall, this was my idea…

Shaking her head, she started to change. Wearing her gi and hakama, she then proceeded to the dojo where she tried to occupy herself with something else.

Kiriko has been quiet through out the trip, as her father noticed. He had woken up extra earlier to prepare them a small breakfast that he intend for them to eat at the river, covering up a lame excuse as to catch fish whilst his own intentions were to spend time with them. Kenji had been all right. Though it surprised him to some extent how quickly he had earned the boy's trust. It must be a father- son thing he rationalized. Though he would really appreciate if he could be in Kiriko's good graces again after this trip.

They finally arrived at the river. Unfolding the blanket he had brought for the three of them and carefully placing it under the shade of the blooming sakura tree, he got out his fishing rod and started to prepare his worms for bait. He was about to place it in the cool water when he suddenly stopped, aware of two bright pair of eyes staring inquisitively at him. A quick spark of realization hit him and he smiled.

"Kiriko?" he asked, trying to hand her the rod. With this, Kenji protested.

"Tou-san! I want to go first!"

He smiled gently. "Kenji-kun… it's impolite for a gentleman to say that…"

"But I don't want to be a gentle man!" the kid started to frown.

"Well try to be one. Come here," he calmly said, placing the rod in his son's chubby palms, "Now, you say to your sister, Ladies first and then you bow."

Curiosity finally won over with amazement of western culture as Kenji tried to mimic his father, tumbling slightly when he tried to bow. Laughing, Kenshin assisted him back at his own feet and placed his young arms in a position that somewhat resembled that of a bow of western men.

Kiriko could only stare as he taught Kenji the proper way of bowing. When her hands did not move to accept the rod from Kenji's hands, her father had neared her and slowly extended his palm where the rod now rested.

"Would you like to give a try Kiriko-chan? Otou-san could teach you how to catch fish." He said softly, amethyst eyes twinkling.

Interest winning the best of her, she shyly raised her eyes to meet his kind ones as she gave a faint 'hai'. He gave her a big smile, though his heart was jumping up and down in euphoria. This was it. This was his first step. He should try to make her trust him even more. Guiding the younger one's hand, he placed the thin long stick in between her clumsy fingers. After a few moments, the bait caught and Kiriko was suddenly screaming in delight.

"Tou-san! Tou-san! Come see! A fish! Wai! A fish! Kirko caught fish!" she beamed, voice mad with excitement and happiness.

He smiled, glad that the gods seemed to have favored his side for now. "Wow! That's certainly a big one Kiriko-chan! You're certainly lucky! Tou-san's so proud of you." He exclaimed as he knelt down to retrieve what she caught.

There was nothing so special about it. It was merely a small one, but it was enough to get her piked up. And her father's encouraging words added to her cheerfulness.

Both Kenji and Kiriko took turns in holding the rod as Kenshin patiently sat by their sides telling them stories about the fairies and fireflies that enchanted the river. He was such a good storyteller and the children were so absorbed in his tales that they didn't seem to mind that the only fish they had caught since the morning was the one Kiriko first caught. After telling a few, Kenshin had decided they stopped to rest and eat, this providing him with an opportunity to bring his surprise.

Both amethyst and indigo eyes widened as their father produced a big red box inside the basket.

"Tou-san! Tou-san! What is it!" they both asked excitedly.

He shook his head, a smile growing in his face. "It's a surprise. We'll open it after we've eaten."

Amusement danced in his eyes as he fondly watched his children eat. They certainly had big appetites! Two pieces were the only ones left of the batch he had prepared that morning… and he thought it was too much and he could give his wife some…

"Tou-san! Kenji and I are finished! Open it already!" Kiriko mumbled her mouth still full with sushi that he was only able to understand her after a moment.

"Now now Kiriko-Chan… One should not speak when their mouth is full…" he reminded her gently. A frown crossed her face and her chewing picked up speed. Swallowing it in a gulp, she said in an impatient tone. "Tou-san! Kirko's finished! 'pen it up!" she demanded.

Laughing at the tone in her voice, his eyes drifted to Kenji who was still busy munching off the remaining sushi. Nodding slightly, he turned to give her a box. "Try to guess what's inside it..." he suggested gently.

Her hands took the parcel and she gave it a shake. Excitement was getting the best of her; Kenshin could see that, and he knew just like Kaoru, Kiriko had a short temper. Helping her unravel the big yellow bow that held the box in place, he couldn't help but chuckle when he saw the look of curiosity flickering in his children's eyes.

"These are chocolates." he explained. "Candies made only by Westerners. Try some Kenji-kun, Kiriko chan."

Wondering eyes curiously looked on the different shapes of birds, plums and flowers that rested beneath their eyes. Kenji, who was feeling braver, reached out to try some. No sooner than the sweet reached his lips, he beamed in delight:

"OISHII!" he exclaimed, prompting Kiriko to get a piece shaped like a plum.

"OISHII!" she beamed, already liking how sweet it tasted.

He chuckled, glad to see them happy. He had thought they would like it, the box of sweets catching his eye on the way to the riverside. He had secretly bought it to a stall that specialized Western goods when they weren't looking. He was more than thankful that the trip had somehow helped him bridge the gap between him and his daughter.

She was so much like her mother, Kenshin found himself wondering again as he watched her practically shove another one, this time shaped like an albatross in her watering mouth. She had a short temper, one that quickly rose whenever she was displeased. But unlike Kaoru who easily trusted someone—that is even strangers—Kiriko had the tendency to become terribly suspicious —that he proved upon his arrival—. But now he realized that when someone had earned her trust, just like her mother, she trusted the person entirely and wholeheartedly.

They had started to walk back home before noontime. Knowing very well that Kaoru will be preparing lunch for the three of them. They made a captivating sight, really, and even the passers-by couldn't help but stare at the small picture of peace and contentment that was present in the trio.

Kenji had asked for a piggyback ride and so, up in his shoulders the young boy of three went. Kiriko found the idea of having her father carry her in his strong arms far more appealing. He had managed to balance her in his right arm while his left held the light basket that carried the box of sweets where only three pieces remain, that being a flower, a butterfly and a duck.

Soon, as the dojo began to be in view, he allowed Kenji to run ahead, alerting Kaoru of their presence. Father and daughter arrived to find mother and son nestled in a tight hug and he just had to smile.

Blue eyes widening, a look of surprise registered in her features when she saw him holding Kiriko tightly and protectively in his arms. No sooner had her father set her down, Kiriko was at her small feet, sprinting towards her mother like a small sprite, mouth bursting into life as words resembling 'trip' river' 'fish' and 'sweet' spurted like a fountain. Her geta had even fallen off in her haste but the child paid no heed, only focused in telling her mother all about the wonderful stories her father told her in the river.

Laughing slightly, he reached the slipper with strong firm hands and carefully knelt down to place it into her small feet again. Patiently and carefully, he murmured gentle reminders while doing it, a sharp contrast with the non-stop chatter in her voice.

"There, there, there Kiriko-chan, be careful de gozaru yo." He smiled as she shared a look of delight with him.

Kaoru remained unmoving even as Kiriko tugged harder at her skirt, one hand full with the big box she carried.

"Kaa-san! Kaa-san! Look! Tou-san brought us um—uh choc—what do you call it again tou-san?" she asked, eyebrows scrunching in concentration.

"Chocolates Kiriko-chan."

"Hai! Coc'late!Tou-san brought Kaa-san choc'late! WaiWai!" she beamed in glee, dancing around to get her mother's attention. Eyes widening as she reached to open the box, she found that words again had failed her.

"Chocolates? From the Western countries? …?" She asked, voice suddenly sounding soft and unsure.

He nodded, giving her a gentle smile before kneeling beside Kiriko to watch the reaction in Kaoru's face.

She slightly smiled, noticing the look of apprehension leave his face to be replaced with relief.

There's still hope after all…

TBC…

So what do you think? A bit mushy? Oh well, here's a short preview for the next one:

"Whatever do you mean Kamiya-san?" Uramura asked, his courage failing him. He had felt Himura's irritation and while he was aware of his non-killing vow… he would really appreciate walking back to Saitou in one whole piece, thank you very much.

Well," she murmured, placing her chin on a thumb," Since, your both in the opposite sides, why don't you meet halfway? Give my husband a vacation. In that way, he'll get what he wants, and then after his break, he could continue working under you."

Whaddya think? Oh don't forget to review my new fic okay?

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Ja!

Blue