Drabble 4
Kenshin and Chibi-Usa sat at the chabudai watching Kaoru as she ladled stew from the pot on the fire into bowls on a tray. A lanky frame appeared in the open doorway.
"Yahiko, join us for dinner," invited Kenshin. "Kaoru has made some of her famous stew for us to enjoy."
Yahiko's expression changed to one of horror. "No thanks," he commented, continuing to mutter under his breath, "No way, I'd poison myself with some of Uglie's tripe."
Kaoru grew red with anger. "You brat!" she screeched and began moving toward him brandishing her ladle.
Kenshin jumped up and sprang between them. "Now dear, you don't really want to get upset; you don't want to wake Kenji."
He narrowed his eyes and glared at Yahiko. "And you will apologize and sit down to dinner."
Chibi-Usa watched with interest as Yahiko slumped to a seat across from her. The boy had been very rude, which did not seem as if it were an unusual occurrence in this odd household. This was the first time the mild mannered man had shown any signs of backbone.
She sampled the stew. It was . . . interesting, different, and not in a good way. She shrugged; she had eaten worse, some of Usagi's failed attempts came to mind. Besides she was starving.
"No more for me," Yahiko stirred his untasted stew and put down his chopsticks. "Is there any tea?" Even Kaoru would have a hard time ruining that.