Disclaimer: Rurouni Kenshin belongs to Watsuki.
A Son's Guilt: Chapter Three
"I will give you the money then," Kenji answered quietly. "Just don't harm my friend."
"Right," the shorter man sneered. "Well get going. And don't even think about trying to call for the police. We've boarded up the doors so it can't be opened from the outside. Said this place is temporarily closed."
"Just don't harm my friend," Kenji repeated, heading to the front with the bearded man's sword prodding his back. His heart sank. There's two more of them...they're guarding the entrance...this makes it harder...
"What's taking you so long?"
"Nothing," Kenji said hurriedly, taking out the money boxes. The taller man grabbed several greedily.
Now where did I put it...my reverse blade...it should be here behind the counter...
"Look, Daisuke, this place is just as filthy rich as the others. It was a good idea to come here."
Daisuke, still holding his blade against the whimpering Kadoma's neck, was smirking at Kenji. "Are you looking for your useless sword boy?"
Kenji spun around. "What?" he demanded, his anger rising. "You have my sakabatou?"
Daisuke snickered. "Do you think we're novices at this or something?" He pointed to his waist, and with a jolt, Kenji realised the second sword hanging there was his own.
"I'll be taking this piece of junk," he jeered. "I don't think you should miss it all that much. I know it's worthlessness matches the one who originally carried it."
Kenji stared at the man.
"Oh yeah. We've heard all about your demented daddy. All that no-killing crap. About the only person known for carrying a sword like this, and a real idiot if you ask me!"
Kenji drew back his fist and punched the man square in his face. 'Don't ever disrespect my father again!' Daisuke was knocked to the ground, and Kadoma was sent reeling backwards. But before he could make a dash for it, he was kicked in the head and grabbed by one of the other men.
The bearded man looked amused. He snickered. "You let the kid hurt you. Tsk tsk Daisuke."
When Daisuke got back to his feet, he was practically livid. "You're sure as hell gonna pay for that!" he roared, drawing his sword. Kenji, temporarily satisfied that he'd broken the man's nose, suddenly felt very diminished.
You idiot! Letting your temper get the better of you...now look what you've done!
"Killing men is a pastime of mine. Getting rid of a kid like you will be pretty easy. And then after I kill you, I'll kill the others. You can die knowing it was all your fault. All for a dumb sword and your idiot dad."
No! Kenji's mind whirled frantically as Daisuke raised his sword, preparing to strike. His eyes darted from man to man, until they all became a blur. I'm helpless to do anything...how could I have been so stupid...!
Then suddenly, Kadoma shouted his name.
"Kenji!" he called weakly. "Pig! The painted boxes! It's still there!"
"Huh?" Daisuke uttered, turning to Kadoma.
But Kenji understood perfectly. And in that split second, it suddenly hit him what he had to do. His face paled but his resolve was strong. These men don't look like they'd care if we died...I don't care about me..but if I die, then I can't save the others...
Kenji swallowed, nodding slightly at Kadoma.
Otou-san...I'm sorry.
o-o-o-o
"He might feel a bit weak and drowsy, but these are normal symptoms of the antidote. They should wear off by tomorrow morning."
Kaoru nodded with great relief, squeezing her son's hand, reassured by it's warmth. Her face was drawn, and it was clear she had spent the last hour in a heightened state of anxiety. Her shoulders were still trembling.
Megumi smiled faintly as she soaked a cloth in water and placed it on Kenji's forehead. "I'm glad I came back from Aizu," she said softly, glancing at Kenshin, who was sitting on Kenji's other side, looking lost in thought. "I can't say I'm too proud of my knowledge of drugs, but it's something else when I can use it to save a life."
Kaoru brushed back Kenji's matted locks, feeling comforted by the rise and fall of his chest. I could have lost him...Instinctively, she kissed his cheek, her eyes becoming teary again.
"We can't thank you enough Megumi-san," she whispered. Her gaze fell on Kenji's bandaged arm. "And his wound is not at risk of infection anymore?"
"Definitely not. I've cleaned and stitched it to the best of my ability, and the antidote would render any traces of poison harmless. As long as he doesn't over exert himself, it should heal normally." Megumi glanced at Kenshin, but he was still staring into space. Deciding that this might be a moment to leave the family alone together, she got up to leave.
"If there's anything else I can do for you, don't hesitate to ask."
"Thank you Megumi-dono."
Kaoru bowed her head in gratitude as the older woman left the room. Then she worriedly turned to her husband. "Kenshin? That's the first sentence you've spoken since you came in here. What's wrong?" Other than the obvious fact that our son was badly wounded, and didn't let us know...
She tried again. "Kenji-chan will be alright. That's the most important thing isn't it?"
Kenji has never hidden anything from him before...
Kenshin looked up at her finally, forcing a smile. "Hai," he said softly. 'Of course it is."
o-o-o-o
It was proving to be another busy day at the Tokyo police station. This had been the case ever since the rising rate of robberies on shops selling foreign goods. One interrogation room currently held three people. Two of them were boys, no older than fourteen or fifteen, who were seated in front of the office desk, and looked very scared. The other was a tall, wolfish looking police officer who looked bored, as though this was something he dealt with on a regular basis. Ever since he stepped down from the Inspector position--- which his wife kept complaining about anyway, saying he didn't spend enough time with his family--- it seemed this was all he ever dealt with-- Foolish teenage boys.
"Now then." said Hajime Saitou as he exhaled another ring of smoke. "Are you going to tell me what really happened or are we going to have a problem?"
Masaki shifted nervously, glancing at Kadoma, who just gave him a look and went back to staring coolly at the police officer.
Saitou leaned forward, knitting his fingers. "Three men are dead." he said dangerously. "And their leader is not known for his friendliness. He won't just let this slip by him. For your own sake and your families sake, I need to know exactly what happened. Now, you say it was your wakizashi that slew those men, correct?"
"Yes sir." Kadoma replied confidently. "That's my sword Pig sir."
This earned a giggle from Masaki, who promptly shut up when Saitou looked at him.
The officer regarded Kadoma for a moment, puffing away on his beloved nicotine. It was the only thing keeping him from straight out throttling them. He may have a few more white hairs now, but getting older had definitely not put a lid on his more violent urges.
"And you boy, were knocked out, while he was busy employing the use of his Pig." He smirked. "And what a fitting name for a sword that belongs to a boy like you, Kadoma.'
The boy resisted the urge to scowl. God, he hated cops.
"Y-yes sir, I was knocked out," Masaki managed to answer.
"Alright. I don't have a problem with believing that." His lip curled as he observed the chubby boy. "But I'll tell you the part that really confuses me." He looked at Kadoma. "About the other boy also being unconscious the whole time, and you managing to cut all four men with one stroke of the sword." He raised an eyebrow.
Kadoma looked surprised. How did he..?
Saitou smirked. "It's very easy for someone like me to be able to determine what sword techniques were used through the examination of the bodies."
The boys were silent, until Saitou sighed irritably and stood. 'Well there's only one way to find out."
"Find out what sir?" Kadoma asked suspiciously, not liking how the conversation was going.
"Find out whether you're telling the truth or not, gaki," Saitou responded with a feral grin as he drew his sword.
The boys gasped.
In one fluid moment, Saitou had picked up the blood stained wakizashi and threw it at Kadoma, who barely managed to catch it out of shock.
"I want you to fight me like you fought those men."
"B-but sir!"
"Not so cocky now, are you?" Saitou snickered. " Don't worry. You won't be able to hurt me."
Kadoma stood motionless. That's not what I meant..!
"Hurry up and attack!" the officer barked.
Less than a minute later the black haired youth was lying panting on the floor as Saitou sheathed his sword with a satisfied smile.
"You didn't kill those men," he concluded smoothly as the boy struggled to get to his feet.
He came over to Kadoma's side and leaned in until they were face to face. The teen gulped.
Guess this didn't work after all...now Mr Himura's going to know...kuso...!
"Admirable of you to cover for your friend," Saitou whispered. 'Though it seems odd that you would, considering your reason for the deaths is self defence. I suggest you never lie to a police officer again if you know what's good for you." His eyes narrowed. "You're lucky. I would not have been so forgiving had this happened ten years earlier."
"Y-yes sir!" they chorused in relief.
Sorry Kenji...
"Now get out of my office. You can wait in the main room until I come back with the other boy."
Saitou watched as they quickly exited the room. He snorted. A gleam entered his eyes as he walked towards the reverse blade propped in the corner.
Well well, he thought to himself as he reached for it. Looks like I'm going to have to pay a visit to the home of one Kenji Himura...