Disclaimers: Sixth verse, same as the first...
Notes: So... for those of you who didn't read my update notes in the bio section... my computer deleted what I had of chapter six and refused to let me get my story back, so this came out later than expected. For that I am profoundly sorry. I'm trying to make a goal of getting at least one to two chapters out a month (I know... making a ton of progress on that, huh?). It's going to be slow in progress, mainly due to I just got my first job and won't have quite as much time to write. Once again, I won't abandon this story. It just might take a while. Thanks for your awesome reviews - I never, in my wildest dreams, expected to get 40!
88888888888888888888
Reflections
By Sean Montgomery
88888888888888888888
His hair was slightly matted to his face, and he could just begin to feel the heat from the soon to be warm day. The covers were sticking to his body with the combined heat and sweat. He threw them off with a grunt, digging his face further into his pillow with an irritated sigh. The day wasn't going to get any cooler, which meant his will to work would be nearly gone. He felt more than heard the footsteps from behind.
"Are you really so lazy?"
He resisted the urge to groan. "It's gonna be hot."
"If you think you will not have as much work to do today, you greatly misjudge me." There was a thud by his head. "Get me some water. And clean up while you're at it."
"Am I able to do it later?"
The figure gave a grunt. "Baka deshi."
With his face still in the pillow, Kenji rolled his eyes, knowing the matter would be resolved in Hiko's favor, but hating the name Hiko chose for him. He sluggishly sat himself up and looked at the bucket.
"Hurry up."
Kenji turned in time to see Hiko leave the doorway of the small hut. He looked back at the bucket. He sighed the deep sigh of the restless and stood, rolling his futon and changing into a gi and hakama. Letting the bucket hang loosely from one hand, he pulled away the blanket from the doorway and shielded his eyes from the blaring sun. How late was it?
"You've been asleep most of the morning. Once you get cleaned up we'll begin." Hiko said, keeping his gaze on the small fire before him. Kenji moodily adjusted his gi and made his way toward the forest, listening for the sound of the small brook.
Each master had different tools and styles for training their students. While others had resorted to force and intimidation, others, like his mother, had used practice. Constant practice. So much so that the student began to wonder what they were doing learning a style that seemed so... useless. But that was where ignorance came in. After all, 'the only thing worth doing was worth doing with all your heart,' his mother had told him. She was shocked people only understood this after they had learned everything from her. Patience and practice were her tools.
Hiko was a different person altogether. While he was strong in his words and his training, Kenji found some things just flat-out odd about the man. Did he really need so much sake before each training session? And if so, why didn't he offer any to his lone student?
It must be something personal, he thought with a small sigh, pushing away some branches to reveal the small brook before him. He let the bucket, held loosely in his fingers, fill with water and dunked it over his head. Why else would the man insist of something so strong so early in the morning?
He wondered how his father ever did it.
His movements slowed. The small droplets of water glistened from his bangs, his hair draped across his face. A slight breeze cooled him off, but his mind was full of fury.
"... you mean you don't even know
How was he supposed to? His father lived a very mild-mannered life. He never heard rumors or anything from townspeople. Father was always on those journeys of his while Kenji collected his own memories of anger and loneliness, rage at the neglected attention from his father. It was always about his father's past.
"...you baka deshi..."
Maybe he was an idiot for not noticing the signs first. After all, who wouldn't notice that the manslayer of legend had the very same features his father had?
"...the Hitokiri Battousai..."
"...is your own father!"
Kenji stared at the empty bucket in his hands. It took everything inside for him not to heave it with all his might at the nearest tree.
88888888888888888888
The heat wasn't as unbearable after walking in it for a while. Kyoto seemed to be used to it by this time and was unaffected, vendors and people walking around the city as if the day were cool. Yahiko paused on the steps leading into the mountains. "It's weird to think that we're coming back up here, huh?"
Kenshin stopped a few steps above him and looked back at Yahiko. "It's been a long time, that it has. I never expected I would be back here. At least, not under the present circumstances."
"Remind me why we're doing this again?"
"To get Kenji to come back to Tokyo with us."
"So you can explain everything to him, right?"
Kenshin gave a deep sigh and turned to continue walking up the steps. "That's the plan, that it is."
"And the reason you took me instead of Kaoru is...?"
Yahiko takes more after Sano than he realizes, that he does. "Kenji loves his mother. Very much. So much that any convincing on her part would only lead to him coming home for the wrong reasons, such as because she told him to, not because he needs to listen. He needs to come home because... he needs to understand why I am the way I am, why he wouldn't learn the Hiten Mitsurugi from me. Kaoru would aid me, yes, but a man to man talk with you is something he needs more."
Yahiko paused for a moment, watching his friend make his way up the worn steps. The last time he had been in Kyoto, Yahiko was joined by Kaoru in order to see Kenshin again, to make sure he was safe. When he had left Kyoto, Misao had become part of their lives, and Kenshin no longer suffered from his injuries. He couldn't deny the weight that seemed to be lifted off his friend's shoulders. He seemed livelier, yet wiser after his fight with Shishio and his recovery from his wounds. But now, watching him years later climb a simple flight of stairs, Yahiko noticed that the former manslayer seemed hunched over, as if he carried a great weight with him. Old age had nothing to do with it, he was sure. The man was taking this whole burden, his sons anger, the pain of his past, on himself.
The man in question stopped when he noticed Yahiko was not with him. Kenshin turned and looked at his young friend, a questioning stare in his eyes. "Yahiko? Are you okay?"
With a small smile, Yahiko made his way up the steps and took the bag Kenshin carried from him when he reached the levelthe older manwas on. The violet gaze still held curiosity. "Oro?"
The Tokyo Samurai said nothing, only progressed up the stairs. Kenshin followed soon after, his steps only slightly lighter. Kenshin no baka, Yahiko thought, turning to look at Kenshin. You can't put everything on yourself. Sometimes, you've got to let others help you out. You should know that by now.
88888888888888888888
Chores were a pain.
Not because she suddenly had so many. It was because she never realized how much time Kenshin spent at the basin to clean a simple stain on a kimono. With a huff of breath to get a strand of hair out of her face, Kaoru lifted the wet fabric out of the water, sighing when she saw the rebellious stain was still there. She would have lifted a hand to her face, but her hands were wet, her fingers resembling a very red fruit. She dunked the kimono back into the basin and continued to scrub, determined to make it look as though she could handle her husbands chores.
I wonder how he's doing? She thought absently, her eyes glazing, her mind wandering. It had been around two days (but it's felt like two weeks) since he left, determined to bring Kenji with him so that they could discuss... everything, she guessed. Kenshin's past, his brutal, bloody years as a manslayer, the Revolution, Tomoe, and his wandering after the final battle. Maybe even a little bit of their struggles together, the moonlit battle with Jinei, the duel to the death with Shishio, and the chaotic mind of his brother in law, Enishi. Hopefully he would even listen in the first place. Maybe by then he wouldn't scream accusations to his father, but understand why he had done what he had done.
"I know enough. Enough to know that you aren't the man my mother thinks you are."
Why hadn't she said something then? Kenji's words were so harsh, so disrespectful, so... angry. He hadn't realized that she knew everything about Kenshin that she could. Fifteen plus years of marriage had a lot of stories behind it. He had told her everything about himself while his son wouldn't get a story until he was older. I'm sure he wanted him to be older than fifteen. Knowing the man, he would have waited until Kenji was forty. But Kenji was considered a man now, and like the stain that wouldn't come out, the fabric wearing thin, Kenji's patience would only get smaller and...
The fabric wearing thin?!
Snapping out of her thoughts, Kaoru lifted the fabric and moaned. The rebellious stain had now turned into a rebellious hole. Defeated, she set the kimono back into the basin and growled. Couldn't she do anything right? Cooking, yes, but that was because Kenshin had taught her while they were courting. Laundry must have been his special talent or something.
She let the sleeves of her workout gi loose, ready to dunk herself into the tub. Why was it so hot all of a sudden?
A knock on the door snapped her out of her thoughts. Wiping her hands on a rag, she hurried over to the door and adjusted her hair before opening it. "Misao?!"
"Happy to see you too." Misao grumbled, not getting the greeting she had expected.
"No! I mean, yes - of course! Misao, it's great to see you!" Kaoru pulled back and gestured to the dojo. "Would you like to come in?"
"Thanks!" Misao answered, her perkiness flooding through. Dropping her things as soon as she was in the dojo, she bear-hugged Kaoru. "It's been a long time, my friend."
"Too long. What brings you to Tokyo? Oniwabanshuu business?"
Misao's eyes dropped to the ground. "Unfortunately, no. Kenshin sent me."
Her world faded away with those words. Kenshin sent her? Was he...? "Misao, has something happened?"
"No! Oh, no! Goodness, I'm sorry! He made it to Kyoto just fine! Him and Yahiko are perfectly fine. He just sent me because he didn't want you to be alone."
"He said that?"
"Those were his words."
Warmth flooded her heart. The first night he had left she couldn't sleep, the old memories of the ache and pain of loneliness eating at her. It had been that way for a few nights until last when she finally got a few hours. She remembered when he had married her he had said that he would never leave her alone again. Even if it wasn't him, his promise rang true with Misao.
"Thanks for coming, then. I really appreciate it." Kaoru smiled and took Misao's things, guiding her into the dojo. "By the way, do you know how to do laundry?"
88888888888888888888
"Nothing changes here, does it?" Yahiko asked, gesturing to the place where Hiko's hut stood before them. The same fire burned in the same fireplace, the same log sitting before it. Hiko was no where to be found.
"Not that I've seen. I wonder if they're out training already."
"This early? I hope not."
Kenshin gave Yahiko an odd look. "You don't know my Master..."
"Neither does your son. He above all else should know that tardiness isn't tolerated with me."
Through the blanket covering the door, the massive frame of Seijurou Hiko stepped into the sunlight. He made his way over to the log and sat before the fire, a jug of sake next to his feet. "You knew that well, didn't you Kenshin?"
"I did, Master." Kenshin said,walking towardsthe log. "Surely Kenji has an idea of it. Why would he be tardy? Shouldn't he be here, or does he sleep in the city?"
"Of course not. I sent the boy to get me some water for sake. He must still be bathing."
Suddenly, out of the thickness of the bushes and the deep forest, footfalls made their way to Kenshin's trained ears. It only took him a moment to realize it was Kenji making his way back from the river. His palms began to sweat, nervousness taking over. He took a deep breath and released it when Kenji emerged through the line of trees.
"Sorry I'm late, Master," he was saying. "The trees were thick around the river, and..."
He stopped when he saw Kenshin and Yahiko staring at him. He grinned. "Hello, Yahiko." His face darkened when he turned to Kenshin. "What are you doing here?"
"There will be respect in your tone the next time you speak, baka deshi." Hiko said, standing to face the travelers and his student. "In all honesty, I was wondering the same thing."
Kenshin turned to Hiko, his eyes suddenly unreadable. "I have a few things I need to discuss with you, that I do."
Hiko took a drink of his sake. "Of what nature?"
"About my son and the story you told him of which you had no right to."
Hiko never paused. "About your past? Is that what this is all about?"
"If it's all right with you, I'd like to speak with you while Yahiko and Kenji go somewhere."
Hiko turned to Kenji, noting the full bucket of water, and sighed. He walked over to the boy and snatched the bucket from his hands. "Don't expect me to be merciful to you tomorrow. You will get extra practice."
"Don't I get a say in this?" Kenji complained, opening his arms.
"Of course not. Go to the city with that boy over there-"
"Hey!"
"-and do what you wish."
Kenshin smiled at Yahiko, pulling the young man closer. "Take him out to eat somewhere. Remember to just talk with him."
"How many people are still considering me a boy around here?"
"You aren't a boy to me, Yahiko. Doing this for me is one of the most grown-up things I've ever seen you do."
Yahiko smiled. "Beyond live in Sano's old place and pay his tabs, right?"
"Especially that."
Yahiko nodded and turned to Kenji, holding out an arm and guiding the boy to the steps back to the city. Kenji never acknowledged Kenshin as they passed. It took everything inside Kenshin to ignore his son's anger and to focus on the matter at hand.
"So, baka deshi, what is it you need to discuss?"
888888888888888888888888888888
So, how did I do tackling Hiko's character? I think I did okay.... I went over his character again in the anime and tried to stay true to his personality. What do you think?
Reviewer Responses (brownie points to all of you!):
Misaoshiru - Yay! You have no idea how freaked out I was about that. But where did I use 'were' instead of 'where'? I couldn't find it...
Animeinsomniac - Thanks. I need that moral support sometimes... well, most of the time, but it sure helps when I get it! Thanks for that!
Lexi-chan - Thank you! I hope this met your expectations!
Samuraiduck27 - Well, you'll have to find that out in a few chapters. :) I love your name, by the way.
Rurouni Kaoru Kenshin's Love - Thanks!
The SeVeReD-HaNd - You'll find out soon. Thanks for reading!
Ms.Zeal - I didn't really include the reverse-blade because I didn't think it would fit right in the story. Yahiko has it, just not here. Thanks for reading!
Cardinal - I've thought a lot about your review, actually. The reason I put an unstable relationship between Yahiko and Tsubame was for comedic purposes, but then I thought I needed to flesh it out a little more. Maybe it didn't work like I thought it should have...
Lynn10 - Doesn't the plot always thicken? I think I'm getting inspired to write a A/M story, actually!.... maybe not....
Kobe-Mac - That's true. It kinda destroys the greatness if they can't make it to the Super Bowl. Sorry about T.O., man. That's gotta hurt, but I wouldn't be surprised to see them make it. We will just have to see. Maybe the Panthers will play them again... :)
Bokken of Doom - Bokken! My friend! Aoshi is just so darn... quiet! It was hard to determine what he would say and what he wouldn't. Misao was too much fun, I think.
Tanukigirl22 - Only shorter, eh? Well, we all have our specialties, I guess... Aoshi's voice changes throughout the anime. Don't worry about remembering it. I can't think of it now, actually...
Nekotsuki - Good to see you! I'm glad you think this is going somewhere. Since I consider you one of the finest on this site, that's a huge compliment! Hope you are getting inspired for 'Tanabata'. I'm hooked, man!
Unicornfan - No, I'm not a guy, but I do know of a few male authors who have written romance (besides Watsuki). Thanks for checking this out!
Have a Happy and safe New Year's, everybody! See you on the next chapter!