Author-chan's notes: Hi everyone! Thanks for all the reviews from last time! I'm so glad the PBKB were so popular! They'll be appearing again. (I fell in love with Kaito and Takumi, I admit.)
Oh, and a little note to any fanart artists out there. I've been itching to see a picture of baby Kenichi in the laundry basket for the longest time, but I've been too busy to draw one myself and I've never drawn a baby before so I wouldn't know where to start. If anyone feels like drawing a fanart (baby Kenshin or otherwise) for this fic, I would love to see it! I might even finally get off my bum and make my own website to post the artwork up there. Just e-mail it to me (my e-mail can be found on my profile page.)
Well, here comes chapter 17 and the start of the new Arc! Enjoy!
Key:
"talking"
'thoughts that can only be heard by thinker, a.k.a. private thoughts'
/thoughts that can be heard by thinker and spirits, a.k.a. telepathy/
writing in a letter
qpqpqpqp indicates scene/time change
Like Father Like Son
(Chapter Seventeen: Nine Years)
Nine years later…
"Ken-nii!" Sasuke yelled as he raced across the yard, drenched in the summer sun, "Come and get me!"
"Sasuke!" Kenichi laughed, following his brother.
The two were embroiled in a game of tag, one that Sasuke knew he would win.
Kenichi always went easy on his big brother.
And Kenshin couldn't use his god-like speed while Kenji and Chizuru were watching.
Nine years had passed since Kenshin had been reborn as Kenichi. He was now a healthy nine year old, running, talking, and laughing just like any child his age…But he was no child. Not in his mind. He was still Himura Kenshin, the former assassin, the former rurouni. He had turned nine years old six months ago, but his fifty-fifth birthday was coming up in a few weeks.
It was amazing. Nine years went so fast. Kenji was no longer a child, Kenshin reflected. He was twenty-six, already a man. He had been a man for a long time now. Kenshin still couldn't believe it. It seemed only yesterday when Kenji was a tiny baby.
"Sasuke, Kenichi!" Kenji called out to the brothers, "It's time for your lessons!"
"Hai, O-Otou-san," Kenichi replied, stumbling slightly over the name. Then he walked over to his father/son in a manner that was much too calm for a normal child's. Sasuke merely groaned.
'Sessha will never get used to calling Kenji-kun father,' Kenshin sighed to himself as Kenji handed both his sons shinai.
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A little while later, Kenichi, Sasuke, and a few other boys and girls their age were swinging a shinai as Kenji called out forms.
Kenji had finally gotten Chizuru to allow him to teach their sons Kamiya Kasshin a few months ago. They were only in the lower classes, due to the fact they hadn't been training long, but Kenji had high hopes for both of his children. They took to the sword very well, Kenichi more so than Sasuke. Sometimes, by the way Kenichi moved Kenji swore that the younger redhead was already a seasoned fighter.
But then Kenichi would trip over the laundry basket, oroing with swirls in his eyes and Kenji shook the thought away.
A seasoned fighter would never trip over the laundry basket.
Sasuke also instinctively knew the sword, and went through his forms diligently. But sometimes Kenji spotted the dark-haired boy practicing the Kamiya Kasshin forms without his shinai or bokken.
Kenji felt sorry that he had never learned kempo or any other sort of hand to hand combat. Sasuke would probably do much better as a martial artist.
At times like these Kenji wished Sanosuke was still here.
Or even better, Shinomori Aoshi.
Kenji blinked at his sudden thought. He hadn't seen Shinomori Aoshi or the rest of the Oniwabanshu for years, since his time training under Hiko. It was strange that he would think of the ninja group now.
Suddenly there was a knock on the dojo gate.
qpqpqpqp
At the police station
Chou was polishing one of his swords idly. He was waiting for Sai, his assistant for the past nine years, to come back with the information Chou had sent him to gather.
Chou growled. What was taking that brat (yeah, so what if the brat was twenty-eight already, he was still a kid brat) so long?
"If that idiot stopped for soba," Chou growled quietly, "I'll kill 'im."
"Boss, boss!" Sai's voice called out as he skid into Chou's office, a stack of papers in his hand, "I got it, boss!"
"It's 'bout time, ahou," Chou sneered, "What took ya so long?"
"It was kind of hard to find this stuff, you know!" Sai snapped, "But I got the info you wanted. It's official; Hamano is in Kyoto."
"Damn," Chou hissed, "That idiot yakuza has become more trouble than he's worth."
Chou continued to growl to himself. Hamano was a thorn in his side. Hamano had shown up in Tokyo a few years ago as the young leader of a yakuza gang after the old boss, Ishimaru, died. At first, Chou hadn't paid much attention at first to Hamano, since at first sight the new crime lord appeared to be an idiot. But he was so much more. Hamano was as slippery as an eel and had escaped capture many times. Sai, despite his renowned information gathering skills, had only come up with fragments on the elusive yakuza boss. However, they did know one thing about Hamano…
…He was Hamano Genji, Sai's old boss from his thieving days.
And now, Hamano Genji, former thief turned yakuza boss, was in Kyoto. And it was Chou and Sai's duty to capture him.
"So boss, do you want me to purchase some train tickets to Kyoto?" Sai asked as he put a cigarette in his mouth and lit it, "I could also get reservations at an inn."
"Don't bother with the reservations, just get the tickets," Chou replied, standing up from his desk, "I know of a place we can stay."
"Huh?" Sai blinked at the blond cop. Chou just smirked at him.
"It's been awhile since I got to annoy that annoying weasel and that ice cube," Chou grinned, "Just a piece of advice: Duck when ya see the kunai comin'."
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At the Akabeko
Tsubame wiped her face, sighing in exhaustion. It was lunch time, and the customers were pouring into the restaurant. She was short on staff today, so she had to do twice the work she usually did at the restaurant that she and Yahiko owned. At times like these, she wished Tae was still around to help her. Luckily though, she was not completely alone. Both Yahiko and their fourteen year old son, Shinya, were there with her helping out.
She smiled quietly to herself. Shinya was a good boy. A hard worker both at the Akabeko and at the dojo. Shinya had recently earned the rank of assistant master of the Kamiya Kasshin Ryu, a feat that had made his parents proud.
Yes, Tsubame was very proud of her son. But if only he didn't have such a temper…
"Damn it, Tou-san!" Shinya's voice roared from the kitchen, "You're being too stubborn!"
"I'm being too stubborn?" Yahiko's voice growled back, "You're the one being too stubborn, Shinya!"
"But, Tou-san!"
"Shinya, that's enough!"
Tsubame sighed. Shinya really did have too much of a temper.
qpqpqpqp
Back at the Dojo
Knock, knock, knock!
"Coming!" Kenji called out as he opened the gate to let in the person on the other side.
Meanwhile, the students, including Kenji's own sons, stared curiously at their instructor. It was rare that someone would come in and interrupt the class. Maybe it was one of their parents. When Kenji opened the gate to let in a man dressed in a Western suit, the students blinked in confusion. None of them recognized the strange man.
Except Kenichi.
'That man,' Kenshin thought to himself, 'His ki is so elusive! He's an onmitsu!'
qpqpqpqp
"Yes, may I help you?" Kenji asked.
"Are you Himura Kenji?" the man asked in a slow careful tone.
"Hai, I am," Kenji replied, one eyebrow raised.
"I have a message, from Kyoto," the man began in a low tone so no one could hear, "The Okashira wishes to meet with you." With a quick flourish of hands, the man produced a kunai from his sleeve to prove his identity before making it disappear again.
Kenji blinked. This man? A ninja? And one of the Oniwabanshu to boot? That was surprising. But then again, ninja were supposed to be able blend with their surroundings.
"I see," Kenji replied just as softly, "Meeting place?"
"Aoihana," the man replied, naming a restaurant near the docks, "One hour from now. Misao-sama will be waiting for you."
Then with a quick bow, the man walked off, seeming to disappear in the shadows.
qpqpqpqp
A little while later at the Akabeko
Chizuru smiled happily to herself as watched her sons eat lunch. Kenji had told her that an old friend from Kyoto had wanted to meet him and that he would be out for a few hours at most. Chizuru guessed that it was probably alright that she took the boys to lunch while she waited for his return.
Briefly, Chizuru wondered what friend from Kyoto Kenji was meeting. She knew her husband had a few contacts outside of Tokyo, but he had never told her much about them. To be honest, Chizuru was a little bit curious.
Suddenly, the sounds of her sons brought her back to the present. Sasuke was using his chopsticks to poke Kenichi, trying to provoke his even tempered younger brother. Kenichi simply smiled at his brother's antics and ate his lunch as if nothing was going on. Chizuru had to admit, the two boys made a funny pair. Sasuke was the energetic one. He was a little prankster, a trait he no doubt got from his father. Kenichi was the calm one, taking everything in stride like a seasoned pro. Despite their differences (or maybe because of it) the two brothers got along much better than most siblings. Chizuru secretly believed the reason for their comradeship was because Kenichi never contested Sasuke for anything, and acted almost like an indulgent grandparent than a brother towards Sasuke.
"Chizuru-san!" a voice called, waking Chizuru from her musings.
"Oh, Shinya-kun," Chizuru blinked at the young man standing next to their table, "How are you?"
"Fine. Where's Himura-sensei?" Shinya, who was still wearing the waiter's apron around his waist, "I need to speak with him."
"Kenji said he was meeting with an old friend today," Chizuru replied, "He said it might take awhile."
"I see," Shinya murmured, "Do you mind if I wait for him at the dojo then? Lunch is almost over, so it'll be my break time."
"And mine as well," a second voice chimed in behind Shinya. Chizuru looked up to meet Yahiko's eyes.
"I hope you don't mind me tagging along as well," Yahiko said with a grin.
"Not at all," Chizuru replied.
Shinya just gave a slight groan.
qpqpqpqp
A little while later at the Dojo
Sitting around a low table were four figures. Chizuru, Yahiko, and Yahiko's wife, Tsubame, sat across from a young man, a fourteen-year-old, almost fifteen.
"Where is he?" the man sitting across from Chizuru growled.
"Be patient, Shinya-kun," Chizuru sighed, looking at Yahiko for help.
Yahiko sighed as well. Shinya was his only child with Tsubame, and was turning fifteen in a month. Shinya was a masculine version of his mother with his light frame, straight neat hair, and expressive eyes. However, he acted nothing like his mother, much to Yahiko's chagrin. Shinya was hot-headed and stubborn, even more so than his father. And more than that, he was a swordsman without a purpose, a fact that frustrated Shinya to no end.
"I'm done being patient!" Shinya yelled, standing up, "Where is Himura-sensei?"
"Sit down, Shinya!" Yahiko ordered, glaring at him, "Kenji is busy elsewhere. None of us know where he's gone, so just be patient!"
"What do you want with Kenji anyway, Shinya?" Tsubame asked trying to defuse the situation.
"I'm almost fifteen, Kaa-san," Shinya began, "I'm almost a man. It's my turn to inherit the sakabatou."
"Are you telling us you want to challenge Kenji for the sakabatou?" Yahiko asked, his eyes widening, "No! I forbid it!"
"WHY, TOU-SAN?" Shinya roared, glaring at his father, "It's my time to wield that sword! You and Himura-sensei had your time to wield the sakabatou, now it's my turn."
"No," Yahiko murmured.
"You inherited the sword when you were fifteen!" Shinya pointed out with a glare, "So did Himura-sensei. Why can't I inherit it as well?"
"It's not your time!" Yahiko snapped back, "Neither Kenji or I asked for the sakabatou or looked to own it. When, or if, you are ready for the sakabatou, Kenji will be the one to challenge you, not the other way around. You don't understand the sakabatou's purpose or reason for existence."
"Then tell me," Shinya begged.
"I can't," Yahiko replied, "It's something you have to figure out for yourself."
"Damn it, Tou-san!" Shinya yelled, throwing his hands up in disgust, "Just stop it! I want the sakabatou! I will have it!"
"Listen to yourself!" Yahiko snapped, standing up to look straight into Shinya's eyes, "You sound like a bratty child wanting a toy! The sakabatou is not just some object!"
"Yahiko, Shinya," Tsubame murmured, holding out a pacifying hand, "Please, calm down."
"Then tell me, Tou-chan, what is it?" Shinya hissed, ignoring his mother, "What is the sakabatou?"
"That's not something I can tell you right now," Yahiko sighed, "The only way you could understand –"
"I don't need more excuses," Shinya growled, "Just get Himura-sensei."
"He's still out," Chizuru said, "You'll have to wa—"
"Kaa-san?" a voice from the doorway interrupted. The adults turned to look at Kenichi and Sasuke standing by the door, their eyes wide at the tension in the room.
"What's the matter?" Chizuru asked, gesturing for them to come in.
"Ken-nii wanted to come in," Sasuke began, always the one who spoke up first, "He said it was important."
"Well then, Kenichi, is there something wrong?" Chizuru asked her red-haired son. The nine-year-old shifted slightly, uncomfortable with what he wanted to say.
"Speak up, Kenichi," Yahiko commanded, "It's not like we're going to eat you."
"Shinya will," Sasuke muttered under his breath. The teen glared at the younger boys. There had always been tension between Sasuke and Shinya, so it was no surprise when the two started a glaring contest.
"Se-I just wanted to say," Kenichi began in that careful, gentle tone that sounded too much like the one he owned in his past life, "I don't think Shinya-kun should have the sakabatou. It doesn't seem right. The sword belongs to O-Otou-san."
"Nani?" Shinya hissed, turning to face Kenichi swiftly, "Who are you to make that call?"
"Just a student of the Kamiya Kasshin Ryu," Kenichi replied, smiling the famous Rurouni smile, which made Yahiko and Tsubame blink in recognition.
'Just a Rurouni.'
"I just know you shouldn't have that sword, Shinya-kun," Kenichi continued, still smiling, "It's not your time. You're not ready for it, nor do you need it."
'Yahiko had earned the sword. Kenji needed it. The same case does not apply to you, Shinya-dono. The sakabatou was not meant for you. Sessha can feel it. Your talents call you to a different path, de gozaru.'
"But then again, I'm just saying what Yahiko-sensei said," Kenichi said brightly, "You should listen to your father, Shinya-kun. The sakabatou can be dangerous in the wrong hands; after all, it still is a weapon to be used in battle."
"Kenichi," Shinya growled, "Don't butt into conversations that don't concern you."
"But the sakabatou is my concern!" Kenichi protested.
"How?" Shinya hissed. Kenshin fell silent.
'It's sessha's sword, de gozaru.'
"That's what I thought," Shinya sneered at the redhead's silence.
qpqpqpqp
Meanwhile at the restaurant, Aoihana
Kenji entered the small establishment quietly, grateful to be at least to be out of the burning sun. Why did Misao have to choose a place that was by the docks? Being here at Aoihana reminded Kenji why he hated the docks so much: too much noise, the scent of raw fish and salt, and old memories of his mother waiting for a ship…
Shaking his head to clear it, Kenji glanced around the establishment looking for Misao. Shinomori Misao led the Kyoto based Oniwabanshu along with her husband, Aoshi, but they still had contacts in Tokyo and kept up to date with the events in the new capital. It had been awhile since he had seen her, but Kenji still remembered the long braid, cheerful/hyper demeanor, and expert aim with kunai. There was a reason why she was one of the Okashira of the Oniwabanshu.
The restaurant, although small, was dark, even though it was around noon. Heavy shutters and smoke (whether from cigarettes, cooking, or opium, he couldn't tell) attributed to the darkness. No doubt it would be hard to spot Misao in all of this; she was a kunoichi after all.
"Over here, Himura!" a voice across the room called. Looking up with a smile, Kenji's eyes caught the exuberant expression and waving braid that could only belong to Misao. Walking over to the female ninja, Kenji sat himself down at her table.
Kenji took a moment to observe the kunoichi for a moment. She hadn't changed much, her hair still long and braided, her expression open and happy. She had changed her outfit though. Instead of the usual shinobi outfit that Kenji was used to seeing her in, she was dressed more conservatively in a feminine kimono and hakama which no doubt hid more kunai than her old outfit did. The only thing that showed she was now forty-two was a stray stand of gray hair at her temples and light lines around her eyes and mouth. Misao had aged well.
"Shinomori-san," Kenji greeted politely, "It's been awhile."
"I'll say," Misao huffed, "You've grown up. You scared me when you walked through the door though. For a moment I thought you were your father."
"Yeah," Kenji said ruefully, "I guess I'm looking more and more like him, huh?"
There was a bit of silence between the two of them before Misao broke it.
"So, uh, how are you?" she asked, "I heard you had gotten married, had a few kids…"
"Yeah," Kenji smiled quietly, "My wife Chizuru is back at the dojo with our sons, Sasuke and Kenichi. She probably already went out to lunch at the Akabeko by now."
"Chizuru, huh?" Misao said slyly, a glint in her eyes, "She must be cute. I have to meet her and your sons. Anyone who can have you grinning like a baka like that must be something."
"Oro!" Kenji squeaked, hastily wiping away the grin on his face with a blush. Misao blinked for a moment, as another man's face eclipsed Kenji's for a moment. She shook off the vision quickly though.
"Shinomori-san," Kenji began, growing serious, "As interesting as it is trading life stories, why have you called me here? What's going on?"
"I guess I can't hide from you, eh, Himura?" Misao sighed, "It's about Hiko."
"Hiko-sensei?" Kenji blinked. Misao nodded, becoming uncharacteristically somber.
"He's dying, Himura."
-
Author-chan's notes: Oh yeah, cliff hanger! What's happening to Hiko? And will Shinya get the sakabatou? And how many different words for ninja can I use in one chapter? Who knows?
If anyone is wondering where the heck Shinya popped out of, he was mentioned briefly in earlier chapters (such as in chapter 7). And no, I'm not making up Shinya either. Shinya was actually thought up by Watsuki himself. Watsuki mentioned in an author's note that he had already planned out a future story for Kenji, but decided that he wouldn't write it. He also mentioned Shinya, who really was Yahiko's son according to him. In Watsuki's mind, he made Shinya as someone who would challenge Kenji for the sakabatou. I'm basically just taking Watsuki's idea and running with it. Of course, since Watsuki never mentioned how the Shinya/Kenji fight would go, I decided to come up with my own version of the events that led up to the fight.
Also, does anyone want to guess the name of the new arc? There's a pattern to how all three of the arcs are named, so try to figure it out. Once you figure out the pattern to the name of the arcs, some hints to the future of the story will be reveled. (Hint: look at the last chapter for the name of the last arc.)
Well, bye for now! (Gosh, I'm lazy…I didn't put in a glossary! Sorry about that.)