Disclaimer: Watsuki-sama is rightful god of this universe.

A Son's Guilt: Chapter One

He can't know. One hand pressed firmly against his bleeding arm, Kenji staggered through the gates of the Kamiya dojo. But he'll find out...No. I can't let him. The world spun at alarming angles, blurring his vision and making him feel nauseous, but it was nothing compared to the panic.

The only thoughts he allowed himself to have were repeated over and over in his head, as though he were creating a tight cocoon. A safe place where he could assure himself that everything was just as they normally were.

I won't tell him. It's not that serious.

All he had to think about was how the wound didn't matter. Not how it got there. Or why.

He tried to be careful as he approached the side entrance of the dojo, checking behind him to make sure his blood hadn't made it's way to the ground. His father might not be home at the moment, but Kenji knew what a keen eye Kenshin had. He would be sure to notice and ask how it got there.

Gritting his teeth against the pain, he finally made it to his room and slid the shoji shut behind him.

After removing his blue gi, and with his left hand still clamped against his wound, Kenji reached for the bandages in his desk drawer. Wiping away most of the blood around the cut, he quickly bandaged his arm as tight as he could. That's better, he thought with relief, wiping his fingers clean with the remaining bandages.

It's just a cut..nothing serious. I don't have to tell him. It'll get better in no time.

Then gathering up the bloody gi and fabric, he shoved it into the last drawer of his desk, deciding to get rid of it later. For now, he had to make something for dinner. His parents would be back soon, and they wouldn't be pleased to find he had neglected what he had promised to do.

Because I never let him down...It would be shameful for his son to be anything less than he is.

Ignoring the throbbing ache in his arm, and the guilt rising in his heart, Kenji made for the kitchen.

o-o-o-o

"Fight, there's been a fight!"

Kenshin frowned as he reached out with an arm to shield his wife from the group of men that rushed past excitedly.

"At the bakery, there was a fight!"' a fellow turned to exclaim at the curious onlookers, before disappearing round the corner. Kenshin's frown deepened, but it was one of concern. Kaoru adjusted the shawl around her shoulders, then turned to him with a worried look.

"Anata..."

"Yes." Kenshin replied, glancing in the direction the group had run towards. "No doubt the same place Kenji works at. It is the only foreign bakery in town after all."

"Do you think he's alright?" Kaoru asked, looking anxious.

Kenshin smiled at her. "I'm sure he is fine. Knowing him, Kenji has done his best to avoid any damage being done, either to the place, or the people involved."

Kaoru visibly relaxed, picking up her bags again. "Of course he would. But still...it seems odd for someone to have had a fight at a bakery...over what? The last few pieces of a cake?"

Kenshin looked amused. "Well if it were serious, the police would be storming in that direction by now. And Kenji should be home, his shift finished half an hour ago, that it did. He is making dinner tonight, remember?"

"Yes, I forgot! Well let's be on our way then, I'm intrigued to see what he's prepared."

"And what he's burned down?" added Kenshin jokingly.

"Of course not," answered Kaoru with a smile. "Don't confuse him with me."

o-o-o-o

Kenji poked at his dinner nervously. He was definitely hungry, but eating involved using chopsticks.

Unfortunately, this task seemed near impossible, as his injury had only worsened since he got home. Asides from the throbbing, his arm had become strangely stiff, and a shooting pain ran through it whenever he raised his hand. He would have scoffed ordinarily, as the cut was in his upper arm, and shouldn't be able to affect his fingers. But he felt it there, too.

I feel dizzy as well...this is strange...How am I going to get through dinner? he thought, half panicked. It's a good thing I'm able to cloak my ki...

"Kenji?"

The fifteen year old jumped, nearly upsetting his bowl of soup. His parents stared at him.

"Yes, Otou-san?" Kenji replied weakly.

A faint line appeared between Kenshin's brow as he exchanged a quick look with his wife. "Are you sure you're alright? You look pale."

Kaoru chewed her food slowly as she observed her son. Kenshin was right, Kenji had looked unwell the moment they arrived home. He wasn't his usual cheery self, and hadn't said more than a few sentences since dinner started. She frowned. Was that sweat beading on his forehead?

"Your father's right Kenji. If you're sick, you know you should tell us. Megumi-san will be with us for a while, it's no trouble for you to visit her."

"I'm fine, Okaa-san. Just a little shaken by what happened at the bakery, that's all."

Kenshin nodded.

Ah, that's why he's cloaking his ki. Perhaps he felt more anxiety than he wants to let on.

"I can understand that," Kenshin commented. "But you didn't tell us what happened."

Kenji looked up to see his parents watching him expectantly.

"It was just thieves, looking for money." he muttered. "They had swords...Kadoma and Masaki were with me, and we... managed to fend them off. That's.. all really."

"I heard a few of them were killed," Kaoru commented as she reached for another helping. "One of those men were shouting about it, weren't they Kenshin? They'll have all the details in the paper tomorrow, although you can't always trust them to be accurate, unless the police comment."

She looked thoughtful. "I know it was self defence, but how difficult it would be, being the mother of the one who delivered the killing blow. Was it Kadoma? He always was very boisterous. And didn't you say he keeps a wakizashi with him at the back of the shop?" She laughed. "The one he calls 'Pig'?"

There was a loud clatter as Kenji's chopsticks fell from his hand.

A momentary silence followed. Kenshin looked at the chopsticks then at Kenji, who had stood up abruptly, his face visibly paler.

"I'm sorry," he mumbled. "...I'm just tired. It was a lot for me to take in, what happened today. May I be excused?"

"Yes, Kenji," Kenshin replied quietly.

He exchanged a worried look with Kaoru.

I should talk with him tomorrow... I'll just have to accept that he needs to be alone right now.