Author's note: Thank you to those who took the time to review. Thank you very much for leaving me you opinion. It was fun and encouraging reading them. I used to reply (if possible) every review I received because I thought it would be polite to do so. But I have this bad habit of asking too much question in my reply and that, I realized, can be really annoying. So, I will stop being annoying and stop replying review unless it is to answer question.
Warning: This chapter is not beta yet. And my inspiration seemed to be at its best at wee hour in the morning when my eyes are tired and my brain is half asleep. It is weird, I know. So, error is inevitable (even if my brain is full awake). This chapter (I like to think) concentrate on character and plot development.
Previously, Kaoru couldn't mind her own business and landed both she and Kenshin into trouble with a mobster during their vacation to Netherlands. Kenshin could not get himself and Kaoru out of the tight situation without help from Blackie, who was sent by Old Man Kai. Kenshin felt miserable for failing to protect Kaoru.
Father & Son
The sun almost rose to its peak when Kaoru woke up to Kenshin's fingers tenderly caressing her hair. He rested against the bed board, watching her trying to regain the functions of her limbs. She found a little difficult opening her eyes despite the bedroom being properly shield from the sun ray by the heavy drape.
"Morning," he greeted when he reckoned she awake enough to hear him.
She did not response but instead she turned to her side and strapped her arms across his waist.
"Still sleepy?" he asked softly.
She nodded with her face pressed onto his abdomen. His chuckled lightly..
"Stop shaking," she mumbled, the trembling was giving her headache.
He smiled at her complained and continued to idly twiddle her hair with his fingers. It amazed him how much she could sleep. He can't blame her. He blamed himself instead. He had planned for a tight schedule vacation and she was exhausted from it. Furthermore the night before…
At that last thought Kenshin sighed heavily. He had stayed up all night, unable to sleep. The whole time he only watched Kaoru slept. He was not able to come to term with himself; for failing to protect her. His memory kept on reminding him of previous night's event, leaving him no peace. He closed his eyes and took a deep breathe. He exhaled slowly but the conventional calming method was of no help to his broken ego, his self worth.
"What's wrong?" Kaoru asked with extreme concern. She was abruptly awakened by his unusual dampened aura.
Kenshin forced a smile, "Nothing's wrong. Go back to sleep." He gently stroked her head, applying just enough pressure to rest her leveled head back to the pillow.
Kaoru resisted and pushed herself to sit up. She momentarily gazed at him, trying to read his expression. She got up on her knees and straddled herself on his thighs. She looked at him intently, almost sympathetically as her hand left her side to cup his cheek. Her thumb lightly brushed his cheek.
"What's wrong?" she tried again.
He shook his head and closed his eyes, savouring the soft feel of her skin. He knew his eyes would betray him, giving out his emotions. His hands rested on the sides of her thighs.
She asked no further for she already knew what was troubling him and learnt that he had no intention of telling her. She leaned in and lightly pecked him on the lips. "It wasn't your fault," she convinced him, holding his gaze when he peeled open his eyes. She wrapped her arms around his neck and tightened her hold. "You did all you can." She stroked his head as he nuzzled against her chest.
He did not say anything but hugged her tightly and hid his face.
"It wasn't your fault." She repeated. "It wasn't at all…" She had only herself to blame for all that had happened.
If only she minded her own business…
If only she had listened to him…
If only…
They held each other for a long while before Kenshin finally raised his head and asked, "Hungry?" He smiled.
She nodded, released him and got off him. When the back of her head was turned to Kenshin, her face was drowned by a deep remorse when she realized he had not slept much, if at all, while she unperturbedly slept throughout the night as if nothing had happened and left Kenshin to battle with his guilt which was entirely her fault.
By the time, Blackie's masters came out from their bedroom, food was ready to be served. The aroma of the sizzling pan of meat wafted the entire suite. Kaoru was a little surprised to find a Chinese looking chef and his little stove in the suite, near the balcony.
"Good afternoon," Blackie stood up from his chair, "slept well?" he asked. "Your branch will be ready in a minute," Blackie started walking away from round dining table.
"Blackie, please sit with us," Kenshin insisted as he pulled out a chair for Kaoru.
Blackie obliged with a smile and sat down at the dining with his masters. He continued to sip his coffee.
As Blackie had promised, plates of food were presented in front of Kaoru within minutes. Everything on the dining table was something either she or Kenshin liked. It wasn't anything too heavy for their first meal of the day and neither it was from the breakfast menu. She made an effort to look up and examine the area near the balcony. She noticed on make shift kitchen were ingredients that wasn't served on the table. It was probably, she suspected, meant for breakfast which she didn't wake up in time to get any. She took a sip of her tea and it was exactly how she would drink them.
She silently concluded that Blackie was a close observant and meticulous man. Blackie came crashing into Miguel's just in the niche of time, doctors were already there when they got back to the hotel and food was ready when she got up from bed. Blackie had everything all planned out. She couldn't help but believed Blackie had always thought a few steps ahead of her and Kenshin. She smiled as she dug into her plate of food. She could not have expected anything less from the man her grandfather had entrusted with his last blood line.
Kenshin noticed his wife was smirking slightly and he wondered.
Kaoru looked up and found Blackie's flawless complexion. Only then did she have a chance to take in Blackie's charming features. He had a square and strong jaw which suggested that he was a man of his own opinion; not just merely a follower. He had a very high nose bridge for a Chinese man and he had a high forehead despite his baldness. Kaoru stared into his pair of deep narrowed eyes. He had very calculative eyes and they hold an eventful past. She had no doubt that her grandfather had appointed this man to be Kenshin's left hand and from the moment Blackie himself to her and Kenshin, he will be part of their lives.
Blackie noticed that his mistress had been observing him but he paid no attention to it.
Kenshin leaned on his side towards his wife and whispered, "Kaoru, you are staring…"
Kaoru snapped out of her reverie and apologized bashfully. For a short moment, Kaoru concentrated on her plate before she asked, "Blackie, how's grandfather?"
Blackie smiled and replied, "He is fine. Still going about the usual. He never stops worrying about you, my Lady…"
"Kaoru," she corrected.
Blackie smiled before he continued, "He would have very much wanted to be with you right this moment, Kaoru but he has his very reason not to."
"I understand," Kaoru acknowledged. "He still thinks that his shadowed enemy might follow his lead to me..." She sighed. 'He worries too much for his own good.'
The door bell rang and ended the conversation abruptly.
Blackie immediately walked to the door. His demeanor was of wary. He peeked through the door before he relaxed his shoulders and opened the door. Blackie moved away from the walkway to the side and bowed slightly as Hiko's large build came through the door into the suite. Saitoh came after Hiko.
Hiko smiled, seeing his family members. He opened his arms to Kaoru who was walking towards him. He thoroughly scanned her being. "Sleep well?" he asked, hugging her not too tightly.
"Hm," she nodded. She was not proud of it but she did.
"Shishio," Kenshin greeted.
Hiko released her and look towards his son, standing behind Kaoru. He searched for Kenshin's injury but was satisfied when he didn't find any visible injury. "Baka," he muttered.
Saitoh dryly watched the scene, puffing his cigarette.
"We need to go now." Hiko referred to Saitoh and himself. "We will be back shortly and then we will be flying back to Japan." He turned, walking towards the door. Just before he walked out of the room, he glanced at Blackie and nodded.
XoooooooooooXoooooooooooXooooooooooXooooooooooooXooooooooooooooX
Kenshin stared out at the cloudy blue sky through the small window as the plane effortlessly rammed into the cloud. His finger idly tapped lightly on Kaoru's back.
He sighed heavily for the umpteenth time in the day, before he turned to look down at his lap - Kaoru had pillowed her head on his lap. He removed his hand from her back and smoothed her hair, spilling on his lap. He gave a few gentle strokes before he looked up at the interior of the private jet.
The setting was nothing like the conventional plane. There were only very few but large seats. The leather seats were so much larger than the ones available for the first class passenger in a commercial plane, allowing Kaoru to comfortably rest horizontally. There was a full liquor bar right at the front where Hiko and Saitoh sat near to.
Kenshin noticed how Saitoh kept filing up Hiko's sake cup. Since they boarded the plane, Saitoh never once walk ten steps away from Hiko. They had been discussing so quietly that Kenshin could not hear them. Hiko never once glanced at Kenshin's direction on the plane or say anything more than one sentences at a time since Hiko came back to the hotel suite. And it was eating Kenshin on the inside.
Kenshin quietly observed his father. He wanted to know what was playing in Hiko's mind but Hiko's expression was unreadable. 'Why hasn't he say anything about the incident?' Kenshin couldn't help but pondered miserably. Kenshin had been waiting for Hiko inevitable scolding but it never came. As if it wasn't enough to deal with his current guilt, Hiko had to torment him with a cold shoulder which was totally out of Hiko's character.
Kenshin could not bear it any longer. He needed to speak to his father.
Kenshin summoned for the flight attendant and asked for two pillows. He carefully maneuvered himself and slipped the pillows under Kaoru's head. He stood and walked towards his father. .
Hiko remained expressionless as Kenshin invited himself to sit across Hiko and Saitoh. Hiko casually sipped his sake, not saying a word. Saitoh voluntarily stood and walked away, giving Hiko and Kenshin some privacy.
"You shouldn't drink too much when on the plane," Kenshin started gently. He was genuinely concerned for his father's health. Upon closer observation had Kenshin realized Hiko had numerous fine line featuring his face that wasn't there before Kenshin left for Netherlands.
Hiko replied, "It relaxes me and helps me to do some thinking," and he took another sip, avoiding eyes contact with his son.
Kenshin was not at ease with Hiko's response or reaction. He had expected Hiko to say, at least, something nasty to him or start Hiko's inevitable lecture of how of an idiot he was. Kenshin shifted uncomfortably in his seat, not knowing how else to approach his father. "What did Bradoss want?" he went straight to the point.
"Nothing you should be concerned of. You should return to your seat or Kaoru would start worrying again," Hiko warned as he gestured towards Kaoru who began to stir her way to consciousness when she subconsciously realised something was missing from her side.
Kenshin turned back to look back at the end of the plane.
"I need to discuss with Saitoh in private," Hiko added.
The message was clear to Kenshin – Hiko had no wish to speak to him. He stood up and walked to the end of the plane feeling hurt. Had he disappoint his father? He pondered deeper. For the remaining of the journey, he quietly sat at the end of the plane.
It was late afternoon when they landed safely on the ground. Two limousines were already waiting for them. As Kaoru walked down the flight steps from the plane, she spotted a very large man in black suit standing by one of the limousines. Whilst she had seen Hiko's driver prior but she had no idea that he was huge. The driver smiled at the sight of Hiko and it fascinated Kaoru. His almost angelic face didn't quiet fits into his large muscular body.
"This is Anji," Hiko introduced to Kaoru.
Anji bowed in full and Kaoru returned the gesture with a slight bow.
"I believed that you have met him before." Hiko had noticed Kaoru was looking at Anji with curious eyes.
Kaoru nodded.
"Hiko, I'm leaving. Goodnight." Saitoh bided his goodbyes and left in another limousine on his own.
The journey back home - Hiko's home - was a little quiet for Kaoru's liking. She couldn't help feeling there was a tension stretching between Kenshin and Hiko. Although Kenshin was holding her hand, he looked away from her, out the window. Kaoru was almost certain that Kenshin was avoiding eye contact with Hiko who was sitting right in front of him.
Kaoru tugged her hand in Kenshin's and he turned to her. "What's wrong?" she asked softly.
Kenshin shook his head with a small smile before he turned to the window again.
In silent, Hiko was observing his son at all time.
XoooooooooooXoooooooooooXooooooooooXooooooooooooXooooooooooooooX
Hiko's house was much smaller than what Kaoru had anticipated. Instead of a mansion that sat across few acres of land, it was just a typical old Japanese style house, like her home back in Kyoto. The house had an exceptional landscape with a small koi pond. The surrounding was serene and peaceful. She was in for another surprised to find Anji was also Hiko's housekeeper – the one and only one housekeeper. She can hardly imagine a man as masculine as Anji doing all the housework wrapped in a little tiny apron.
Anji, carrying their travel baggage, led Kaoru and Kenshin to their room on the second floor. As Kaoru walk through the house to the second floor, she marveled that cleanliness and neatness of the house. Anji opened the door to their room and Kaoru was awed. While she had thought that the house was of an antique theme, bedroom had a contemporary design. The entire room was in white, giving it a clean and refreshing feel. Almost immediately Kaoru fell in love with the bed with a touch of Japanese in the design. There was even an attached bathroom.
Anji bowed and took his leave, leaving the couple to their room.
"Kenshin, this is beautiful!" She hurried and threw herself on the bed.
He smiled and went to sit next his wife. "I'm glad you like it. This will be our room from now on."
Kaoru sighed in relief with her eyes closed. She was glad to be home although to a new home instead. The back of Kenshin's hand raised itself to caress her cheek.
She leaned in to his touch and sighed again. She missed the apartment already. The apartment held many fond memories of her and Kenshin. However, she knew it would be unlikely that they will return to stay in the apartment. Not after his and her identity has been exposed. 'It's alright…' she thought. They can build as many sweet memories anywhere, as long as they are together.
Kaoru opened her eyes when she heard two knocks on the door. She sat up. Kenshin walked to the door and opened it. Hiko ignored and walked passed Kenshin towards Kaoru.
"You like the room?" Hiko asked.
Kaoru smiled, "Yes, very much."
"Good," Hiko said before he turned around to face his son. "Meet me at the dojo. We will have a short practice before dinner."
"Alright," Kenshin obliged. Finally, the moment he had been painstakingly awaited for had arrived; "Hiko's inevitable form of punishment – beating the crap out of Kenshin.
"Will you be alright on your own?" Kenshin asked Kaoru. He didn't want her to follow him to the dojo.
Hiko's smirked at Kenshin's question and left the room.
"Yes, I'll be fine. I'll wait for you in the bath," she teased seductively.
"Alright," Kenshin smiled and lightly pecked her on the cheek before he changed into more appropriate clothing. He could have responded better to her seduction but he was not in the mood. He needed to clear thing up with his father.
Without Kenshin by her side, the bedroom suddenly felt empty with loneliness. Kaoru sighed and looked around the room, thinking of what she should do first. She stood up and brought her luggage onto the bed. She opened her luggage before she drew open the sliding door of the closet. All of Kenshin and her clothing were already hanging or folded nicely in the closet. She took out a few hangers and started unpacking her luggage. After she was done with Kenshin's luggage as well, she sat in front of the dressing table. Everything from the old room in the apartment had been transferred to the new room. She drew open the drawer and found her silk embroidered jewelry box was exactly how she would hide it. She concluded, Anji, like Blackie was an observant and meticulous man.
She sighed while looking at the mirror, thinking of her next agenda. She decided that she wanted a take a thorough look at the house and left the room. She walked down the ground floor, turned a corner and almost bumped into Anji.
"I'm sorry," she apologized.
"It's ok," Anji's voice came out very gently. "Is there anything that you need, Kaoru-sama?"
"Oh no, I was just looking around. I want to get familiarized with the house."
"I can give you a short tour, if you please," Anji offered.
"I would like that very much, thank you." Kaoru was delighted. It was much better than having her aimlessly roaming around on her own.
Anji smiled.
XoooooooooooXoooooooooooXooooooooooXooooooooooooXooooooooooooooX
Hiko was sitting on his calf meditating with a katana laid in front of his on the wooden floor when Kenshin reached the entrance of the dojo. Kenshin took longer than he should to reach the dojo as he had only been to the house less than ten times since he could start remembering things. Kenshin padded quietly into the dojo.
With his eyes still closed, Hiko instructed, "Pick a katana."
Kenshin obliged and chose the nearest within his reach.
Hiko stood up when he sensed Kenshin was ready with his hand picked katana.
Hiko held katana in front of him and stood up. He flipped the katana over, the blunt edge facing up and stood his defensive posture, waiting for Kenshin to attack, as usual.
Kenshin readied in his position and his eyes never leave sight of Hiko. He waited patiently for the right timing; waiting for his fighting spirit to be fully charged. He was determined not to lose this battle. Moment passed in silence to the extent that they could listen clearly to each other's breathing rhythm. In a flash, Kenshin launched a full frontal attack.
"You're attack is very weak and predictable, 'son'." Hiko smirked while effortlessly blocked Kenshin's continuous hit. "How long have you not been meditating? Have you been too busy sorting out your relationship with Kaoru that you neglect your sword practice?"
"I do practice!" Kenshin strike harder, aiming for Hiko's shoulder but Hiko readily blocked it.
"Not enough! Or your new marital life has wear you out?" Hiko teased, lazily defending himself against Kenshin's attack.
Kenshin's face reddened from embarrassment. "That! has nothing to do it."
"You think so?" Unexpectedly Hiko changed his strategy. Switching from defending mode, he moved forward and ferociously brought his katana down on Kenshin.
Kenshin could only blocked, unable to locate any opening to counter Hiko's forceful attack.
"I don't remember training you to be this weak," Hiko remarked calmly as he stepped into Kenshin's space, pushing Kenshin to step backwards.
Kenshin was beginning to feel the heat in his body. He knew he was losing the battle and he could not afford to lose it. He cannot further disappoint his father.
"I can fully understand why you were not able to protect your wife," Hiko commented as he continued to back Kenshin to the end of the dojo. "You almost had her gang rape. What kind of husband would that make you? And you call yourself a national champion of kenjutsu and a law enforcement elite?!" Hiko's verbal attacked hit bullseye on Kenshin's sore point.
Kenshin felt his boiling blood flowing aggressively in his vein. His breathing began to pant. "I will not repeat the same mistake again!" Kenshin swore. Like greased lightning, he swung his katana to the side, aiming for Hiko's rib cage.
Hiko knew his son well and anticipated Kenshin's movement. He spotted an opportunity. He quickly bent down and swept Kenshin's calf with his own causing Kenshin to almost land on his bottom on the hard wooden flooring if not for his reflexes. Kenshin stood on his bended knees with both his palm flat on the floor, his katana still in his hand. When Kenshin looked up, Hiko's katana softly tapped on his right shoulder.
"How exactly are you going to protect her? You can't even save yourself." Hiko asked, lifted his katana and took a few steps back.
Kenshin glared at his father. He was puffing and his temper was on the rise. He was capable of protecting her! On the double he roared, gaining momentum, and sprinted towards Hiko. He doubled his speed of attack on Hiko.
XoooooooooooXoooooooooooXooooooooooXooooooooooooXooooooooooooooX
Anji had been a very helpful in showing Kaoru around and his company was pleasant. He was indeed a gentle giant. Anji took the liberty to explain to her the history of the house. Apparently, this was Hitomi, Kenshin's deceased mother, dream house and Hiko bought it for her with his hard earned money. After marriage, Hitomi spent lots of delicate time decorating the house. She had always wanted a warm home to greet her husband whenever he comes back from work. Even after Hitomi ran away, Hiko still maintained the house as she had left it. It was one of Hiko's many ways to feel her inexistence presence. As time went by, furniture deteriorated and Hiko would replace the worn-out with an exact replica.
"How was she like?" Kaoru couldn't help but wondered out loud.
Anji smiled before he answered with a question, "Would you like to meet her?"
"She is not dead?!" Needless to say, she was shocked by the news.
Anji, provided no answer, smiled and led her to the Hiko's study room. Without knocking, Anji pulled the shoji door open and Kaoru was puzzled where was no one present in the study room. She looked around scanning the room. Although the house was really nice, she can't help feeling that something was amissed. Something should have been there but it wasn't…
"Here," Anji handed a small wooden photo frame which pulled out from Hiko's drawer to Kaoru.
"Anji!" she took the photo frame in her hand, "the way you have put it was as if she was still alive. And I fell for it!"
Anji smiled again before he calmly spoke, "She is indeed alive. Her presence, the memory of her still lingers in the house as we remember. No doubt her physical body is no longer with us but as long as we are still breathing, she remained alive in our memory," his index finger pointed to his temple, "in our heart," and he placed his palm on the centre of his chest. "In truth, she has never left us…"
Kaoru noticed another thing about Anji- he was spiritual. She stared down well preserved photograph. "She is beautiful. Kenshin so much looks like her…" she whispered softly to no one in particular. The young woman in the photo was so young and happy. She then realised where Kenshin got his charming smile from.
"There are more of her photos in Hiko's room. We can take a look at it right after this, if you wish," Anji said.
She nodded delightfully. "Hang on. Wouldn't it be impolite to walk into Hiko's bedroom without his permission? Let alone going through his things?" she asked when the thought struck her. She carefully handed the photo frame back to Anji.
"He couldn't mind if it is Kaoru-sama, you," Anji answered, pulling and straighten the stand at the back of the photo frame. He dexterously placed the photo frame standing neatly on the desk.
"Aren't you going to put it back where you pulled it out from?"
"It is time for her to constantly smile elegantly at him, on the desk, instead in the darkness of the drawer. This position suits her much better," Anji moved the photo frame slightly so that sun ray was reflected on photograph. "Hiko doesn't need to conceal his feeling any longer. Cloudy days are over. His family is back where they should belong and united now," Anji explained further.
At that very moment, Kaoru felt like shedding tears of joy of bittersweet and hug Anji. She finally understood what was missing from the house – human's warmth. While Hitomi continued to live in the house and heart of those who loved her but it was cold because she had no physical form. Hiko and the house had only been wrapped in her, unintentionally, coldness. Kaoru could understand the emptiness and lack of warmth in Hiko's heart. Hiko unconditionally poured his love to his wife and son without receiving their warmth in return. Perhaps, sake was as close as the warmth that Hiko's had been yearning for. But that will soon change, Kaoru vowed. She and Kenshin were there to stay and they will fill in all the emptiness in the house and replaced the cold with their warmth.
XoooooooooooXoooooooooooXooooooooooXooooooooooooXooooooooooooooX
Half an hour had past and Kenshin had yet to touch Hiko with his katana.
Kenshin's emotions overrode his rationality and fighting spirit, enabling Hiko's to easily read his next move through his body language. Hiko evaded Kenshin's katana with a smirk on his face. Kenshin got angrier. Kenshin moved faster and sliced down his katana at quicker pace.
"Haven't I thought you anything, boy?" Hiko asked calmly, dodging another one of Kenshin's blow. "Anger, emotions, won't do you any good in battlefield. You will only expose your weakness to your opponent and the way to defeat you." Hiko reminded. He saw another opening and swung his katana, hitting Kenshin on the side of his rib.
"You are not able to protect her in your current state." Hiko simply stated.
Kenshin was panting hard, running out of breath. He had used most of his energy and he could hardly touch the material hanging loose around Hiko. 'You are not able to protect her in your current state,' kept echoing in his mind and he refuse to accept defeat. She was his to protect and he will keep her safe at all cost.
Hiko carefully observed his son's emotion that was written on his face and kept a close tab on his son's breathing pattern. He knew he had successfully stirred his son from within. However, there was also something else that he had stirred which was not intended – determination.
Kenshin closed his eyes and tried to calm his temper. His father was right; his temper was not helping him in any way. He thought of her; thought of her smile, thought of her laughter - Kaoru, his wife. The corner of his lips almost curled upwards. He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly before he upright himself. He glared at his father but he had a better control over his temperament. Without taking his eyes of his father, he walked to the side of the dojo and picked up a sheath. Kenshin threw the sheath to Hiko and Hiko effortlessly caught it in his hand.
Hiko remained expressionless, watching his son. He could see the burning flames in Kenshin's eyes.
Kenshin holding a katana in one hand and a sheath in another, walked back to the center of the dojo. He stood face to face with Hiko. He held up his arms and carefully sheathed his katana. His left foot took a step back and he glared at Hiko from the corner of his eyes before he cast down his sight on his bended knees, positioning himself in a battojutsu stand. One hand holding his katana by the sheath and another on the hilt of the katana, Kenshin was ready.
Hiko smirked before he sheathed his katana and be in position.
There was only silence and they waited.
In the twinkling of an eye, Kenshin dashed forward and drew his katana. Hiko drew his and clink! Steel met with steel. They both withdrew a few steps back.
"I see that you haven't forgotten how to draw your sword," Hiko commented casually.
"Apparently, still not enough to defeat you," Kenshin said before he vanished.
Hiko was startled by how fast his son could move. Hiko's senses perked up and quickly turned around to find the tip of his son's katana pointing at his throat.
"I win," Kenshin said nonchalantly.
Hiko smirked and walked to put away his katana.
"It isn't a wonder why you are the national champion but you do realize that that alone isn't going to give you enough to protect your family." Hiko sat down on a bench wiping off his sweat with a clean towel.
"…" Kenshin stood quietly, making a guess where the conversation would be heading.
"You could have easily defeated Miguel if you were alone but the moment Miguel pointed a gun at Kaoru, you are immediately defeated, no matter how strong you are and how capable you are at defending yourself." Hiko threw a bottle of water to Kenshin before he opened one bottle for himself and drank.
Kenshin walked up, at the same, twisted open the cap of the bottled water before he rested himself on the bench next to Hiko. He gulped down the content of the bottle.
Hiko continued, "All it took to save you and Kaoru was just a phone call and why?" He turned to look at his son but wasn't expecting Kenshin to answer his question.
"Brute force," Hiko stared at Kenshin in the face, making sure that Kenshin was paying full attention, "doesn't save you or the one you love from anything. Authority does. Unlike brute force, authority is an influential power which you can't hold, see or feel but you can exercise it without sweat and it will take you to wherever, whatever you want. Authority would be the most your powerful tool in protecting the one you love. Do you understand?"
"Hai," Kenshin can't help but agreed with his father. He knew long ago that the world works around social hierarchy and there would never be equality. What had happened with the Bradoss just magnified the theory into cold rash reality for him – the stronger of the two in term of social status will always win. At the end, his father was right. With what he had at present, he was not able to protect the ones that are precious to him. Plainly put it, he was weak.
Hiko knew Kenshin was thinking of the truth of his logic and he thought it would be a good time to break it to him. "I want you to pick up your family name – Seijuro, Seijuro Kenshin. The family name itself is an authority. The only reason why Bradoss let you off was because you are my son, a Seijuro in essence. He didn't want to cross line with the Seijuro and he wanted to establish a friendship with me for business reason."
Kenshin listened quietly. It wasn't an exorbitant request but…
Hiko continued. "Everyone think only for themselves. People pay you the respect even though they hate you because you either have authority over them or you have something that they want. In Bradoss's case, I have something that he wants- business prospect. In short," Hiko picked a clean towel and threw onto Kenshin's face, "if you want social recognition, you'll have to gain a competitive advantage.
Kenshin uncovered his face and wipe of his sweat that was dripping from his face and body.
"You need to have something that no one has so that they have no choice but to suck up to you and kiss your ass. And information," Hiko stressed with his index finger, "is your main bullet in this reality game." and smirked cunningly. "The Seijuro brand name will only give you a head start. Nothing will last forever and you will have to constantly work to maintain your competitive edge if you wish for the best for your family which was why I considered Kai's proposal for the union."
Kenshin was curious but he never asked why though. When he first saw Kaoru's photograph, he was already turning head over heel and it didn't matter why in the first place Hiko had brought up the marriage proposal.
Hiko explained further, "The Kai on its own is very strong and sound organization. There would be no need for the union Kai and Seijuro at this stage but time does not stop moving and people do not stop evolving. Bear in mind, authority itself is limitless. Limitation lies with the person that exercise it. So it is up to you to determine how far you can stretch your authority. Old Man Kai could hand Kaoru to Blackie, his most trusted assistant but he is in the opinion that if he were to tie two powerful families together, that would add on to Kai competitive edge and enforced his pillar. All he wanted was the eternal prosperity for his descendant. So would I, Kenshin." Hiko's expression was of stern, stressing his point.
Kenshin was a little surprised to hear his own name coming from Hiko's tongue. Hiko would normally address him as 'Baka' or 'boy'. Sometimes even 'son' with a sarcastic edge to it.
"The only difference between me and Kai was that I gave you a choice, unlike Kaoru. You are my son and I wish for nothing but your happiness. I don't want you to go marrying a woman you have no affection to just because of power craze, which was why I did not discuss in details of Kai's proposal with you until you agree to the proposal. You are not a pawn for my expansion plan." Hiko's expression softened and he can't help stressing again, in case it didn't get through his son's thick skull when they first had the discussion eight years ago.
Kenshin knew that much already. However for some reason, Kenshin felt happy and was trying very hard to stifle a smile when Hiko said what he just said.
"Neither you nor I can change the fact that you are my son and I wouldn't have it any other way. You'll be constantly subject to threat because of my influence. It is not my intention to bring any harm to my family but the choice is no longer with me. I tried to leave behind underground life for your mother and you but I failed miserably. Instead, I get pulled deeper and deeper into underground web and your mother left me... Since there is no road of return for me, I can only work for the best for what is left of my family. You'll have to face it – you cannot protect your family without money and power…"
The dojo fell back into silence.
Kenshin finally open his voice. "I can understand where you are coming from but I would want to work it out on my own. Even if I am to take up the family name, I will still be piece of shit if I have nothing to my own. I will still be back at square one. I have already been given a head start by being your son and Kai's successor, irregardless whether I am Himura Kenshin or Seijuro Kenshin. I need to build my fundamental strength on my own. Otherwise I would just be Seijuro Hiko's son. I want people to know and respect me for me. And I think that is best for me and Kaoru."
Hiko sighed, "Kenshin…" He didn't manage to complete his sentence when Kenshin interrupted.
"So, I'll stick with Himura Kenshin," Kenshin smiled proudly and turned away to look in front of him. "If you are worried about bloodline, our first son will be a Seijuro,"
Hiko couldn't help but rolled his eyes. While it was good that Kenshin had wanted to work his own effort - craving his own competitive edge - he was being too naïve. His rival would not wait for Kenshin to mature before they set out to destroy his son. Looked as if he had failed to educate Kenshin on certain aspect of reality. His son was so stubborn. "Kenshin," he wanted to start his lecture but once again put to a halt when he heard…
"Dad," Kenshin paused to feel how the word rolled smoothly at his tongue, "thanks for everything." He had always wanted to call Hiko 'Dad' but he never had a chance, or rather he wasn't allow to do so.
Hiko was stunned. He had yearned for so long to hear his own flesh and blood calling him 'Dad' that he almost slip off the bench. He had entirely forgotten about his lecture. "You're… You're welcome," he said awkwardly, not knowing how else to respond.
"Dad…" Kenshin called again and hesitated, "I love you." After all these years, he finally built enough courage to say it out loud. And he felt extremely good about it but he didn't turn to look at his father. The moment was a little too awkward and embarrassing.
Hiko was utterly speechless. Like his son, he slowly turned to the front and leaned back against the wall on the bench. A pearl of warm tear were budding at the corner of his eyes and rolled down his cheek.
Once again, the dojo fell back into silence – a soothing silence. The father and son sat quietly next to one another without looking at each other, relishing the very rare precious moment.
XoooooooooooXoooooooooooXooooooooooXooooooooooooXooooooooooooooX
Kenshin didn't bother to knock on door before he entered the bedroom. The room was quiet and Kaoru was nowhere to be seen. He walked further into the room and he heard a soft humming voice. It was coming from the bathroom. He smiled cheekily before he carefully slide the bathroom door open.
There she was- in the large round tub fit for two – waiting for him, as she had said earlier. She was covered in foam and he could see nothing more of her naked state except for her head, her arms and her knees. She had earphones on with her eyes closed and was not aware there was someone watching her every move.
Kenshin continued to lean against at the door frame with his leg crossed over the other, observing her. She hummed and moved her body slightly to the music she was listening. Her elbow rested comfortably on top of the bathtub. Her milky skin was very tempting and he wondered how long they have before dinner. He pushed himself of the door frame and padded towards her. He sat at the top of the tab. Unaware she was being watched, she hummed a little louder. He smiled.
He raised his hand to gently touch her moist cheek. She was startled and her eyes flew open. She slipped and almost fully submerged herself into the water if not for Kenshin bending over and holding her by her rib.
"Kenshin!" she screamed.
"Hey…" he couldn't help chuckled at the sight of her frightened and angry face, "I'm sorry I scared you," he grinned. His left hand was still under the water. After helping her to her position his hand went for her thigh, caressing her wet slippery skin.
She removed her eye phone. Judging by his leering look, she knew his mood had picked up. She was a little envious. She tried so hard to cheer him up since the night before and it didn't work the slightest bit. Just two and a half hours of private session with Hiko, he was all happy and ready to jump on her. "How did training went?" she asked nevertheless.
"Good," he answered, his eyes were scanning all over her except her face. "I'm all sweaty now. So, can I come into the water with you?" His fingers began to lecherously trace her thigh upwards to the area where the hips meet the thigh and then traveled downwards to the centre.
Kaoru's feet reflexively kicked the water and she arched her head to the back. "Kenshin, don't do that." She tried to catch her breath.
"Why?" he had to ask and did it again.
"Because it is ticklish," she giggled before she sat up, exposing top half of her sleek foamy body. She raised both her arms, locking them around his neck and tugged him to bend forward. "And it is driving me mad," she sealed his lips with hers. His hands were still actively moving under water.
She leaned back and he had no choice but removed his hand from under the water because he needed both his hands to support his weight. He maneuvered himself to be supported by one hand so that his other free can go back into the water. Just as things were starting to heat up between them, Kaoru mobile rang.
They both ignored the ringing sound but it was gradually getting louder and louder and stopped abruptly. The phone went silent for a few second before it rang again. The ringing pattern kept repeating for another two times.
Kaoru broke the kiss and sighed. Kenshin back dove in, not wanting the distance between them
"Kenshin, no," she stopped him. "I can't concentrate when the phone keep on ringing." Ringing of the phone was still playing in the background.
"Ignore it."
"Kenshin, if we don't answer it, Hiko or Anji is going to come knocking on our door, asking if there is anything wrong." Kaoru pushed herself up and stood. She got out of the tub and wrapped the bathrobe around her.
Kenshin hungrily watched her and followed her out to the room.
Before she could reach for her phone, Kenshin picked it up and looked at the caller ID. "Why is he calling you?" he frowned, not too happy to find out that it was Enishi who kept calling her.
"I don't know but I am about to find out," she reached out grab her phone from Kenshin but he held the phone far within her reach. "Kenshin, give the phone," she said exasperatedly.
"Why?"
"Because it is ringing and I want to answer it. Come on give it to me." She tried to climb onto him.
"You are not obligated to answer his call. You are on vacation."
"Kenshin you are not being reasonable."
The phone stopped ringing.
Kenshin lowered his hand. "HE is the one who is not being reasonable for calling you on your vacation. And why the hell is he so persistent?"
At the count of five, it rang again.
Seizing the opportunity she snatched the phone from his grasp. "That is exactly why I need to answer his call and find out. It maybe something important," Kaoru reasoned before she answered, "Hello?"
"Hello Kaoru," Enishi greeted. "Where are you? I called the lab earlier and the Professor told me that you were on vacation." He sounded a little worried.
"Yes, I went to Netherlands. But I am back home now," she answered briefly. She was having a hard time concentrating on talking when Kenshin started his next line of assault - embraced her from behind and nibbled at her ear lope, tempting her to end her call quickly. She bit her lips to stop her from sighing with pleasure.
"Who did you went with?" Enishi could have taken a wild guessed but he had to ask.
"I… went with…" she tried to think of a best answer despite Kenshin trying to rob her of her sanity and said, "my boyfriend." If she had answered husband, Enishi would have ask further questions and she had no intention to prolong the conversation any longer.
Kenshin stopped. 'Boyfriend?' Kenshin was not happy with her answer. He had been intently listening to their conversation in spite of his busy lips.
Enishi noticed that Kaoru wasn't her usual self. She sounded a little tipsy as if she was on drugs or alcohol. "Kaoru, are you alright? Are you sick?"
Without warning, Kenshin swiftly parted the opening of the robe near her thighs, his arm still holding her to him. His finger ghosted on the area which he just discovered earlier she was hypersensitive to and her breath hitched, a soft moan escaped from her lips. She immediately covered her mouth and held the phone as far away from her as possible.
"Stop it!" Kaoru chided softly.
Horror dawned onto Enishi. He heard her. She wasn't sick. She was… she was… He couldn't even care to think about it. Whilst he knew she was Seijuro's mistress but he never venture further into details of their relationship. Just a mere thought of Seijuro's wrinkly old skin touches her supple young skin disgusted him to no end. Distantly, he began to register her voice.
"Hello? Hello? Enishi, are you still here?" Kaoru asked, both concern and embarrassed. She wondered if he had heard her and figured out what she was doing.
"Yeah," Enishi's tone was dead as grave. "I'll call you later. Bye," he said robotically and hung up without waiting for any reply from Kaoru.
Kenshin smiled triumphantly at her neck.
'He knew…' was Kaoru's conclusion. She turned to her side, glaring at a lascivious Kenshin with flushed face from both embarrassment and anger. "What were you thinking of doing?" she swatted his hand her thigh. "I was on the phone with my boss!" She stood akimbo in front of him.
Kenshin ignored her question and casually remarked, "You are married to me in China," he touched her cheek, "so technically, I am your husband. Not boyfriend." His lustful eyes matched her angry gaze.
"We have not had any wedding ceremony or signed matrimony papers in Japan, so, technically, no one knows that I am someone's wife." She knew she was not making any sense but wasn't going to let him win.
"Not just someone but Himura Kenshin's wife," he corrected, as her turned her around and hugged her from behind. "It will soon change; the whole of Japan will know who your husband is…" he planted a kiss on her neck.
"Why is that?" She strained her neck to look at his face.
"Because both Hiko and Aoshi are now planning for our wedding?" Kenshin explained.
"They are?" Kaoru was surprised to know.
"Yes." He moved backwards and dropped both their bottoms on the edge of the bed.
"When?" She asked, leaning on to him. She was a little upset because no one seemed to involve her in her own wedding plan. Not in China, and not in Japan either.
"The sooner, the better. I want to announce to the whole world that you belong to me." Kenshin tightened his arms around her. He thought for a while before he asked, "Do you think you boss will come to our wedding if you invite him?"
"What? You want to invite him to our wedding?" How bizarre. "I thought you dislike him?"
"I do but he likes you and I want him to know that you are taken," Kenshin reasoned.
Kaoru released herself from his hold and turned to face him. "Don't be silly. He is in love with Tomoe. You were there at the hospital. You should know that." She didn't know whether to laugh at her over zealous husband or hit him in the head for being insecure.
"But I should be worry too much about it. Not like you are likely to see him again," he said, completely ignoring what Kaoru just told him.
"Kenshin, are you even listening to me? I said that he is in love with Tomoe," she paused for a second. "Hang on, why did you say that it is unlikely that I will see him again?"
"After the wedding, which will be sometime this week, we will move to Shanghai,"
"What?" Kaoru stood up in front of him. Clearly she was furious.
"It was your grandfather's idea," was his best line of defence.
"Who do they think we are? Retard? It is bad enough that we can't arrange for BOTH of our wedding and now they decided that we can't decide where we want to be?!"
"Calm down Kaoru," Kenshin tone turned serious when he realized she was genuinely upset. "I agree with you they are being too overly protective but you know they meant well."
"But why are moving back to Shanghai so soon? I haven't even warm up to this house yet. I want to stay for a little while longer…" She calmed down but her unhappiness had not dissipated. "I want stay here with Hiko. He had been so lonely for so long," she trailed off.
Kenshin finally understood where her unhappiness was stemming from. "You have nothing to worry about. Hiko would be going with us. Your grandfather hasn't feeling too well, lately and Hiko thought it would be best we go back there."
All of a sudden, Kaoru felt a horrible person. How could she have forgotten there was another lonely soul, like Hiko, who needed his family to be by his side. "What's wrong with him? The last I spoke to him, he seemed healthy. And Blackie said that he was fine."
Kenshin sighed, "Hiko didn't give much detail. I would love to spend more time in this house too…" A melancholy mood descended upon him when he thought his parents. The one thing his father did not tell him was; authority and power came with a high price to pay – isolation. He had two great examples and he swore he will not take precedent over them.
Kaoru bent her upper body, hugging him and he felt much better already. The past, he cannot change but the future is in his own hand. To light up the mood, Kenshin fell back on the bed, pulling Kaoru along. He rolled them over so that he was looking at her from the top.
"I'm glad I have you," he said earnestly. It was because of her, he learnt that love is a verb and not a noun.
She smiled and pulled him down to resume where they had stopped earlier because of the phone call. Just when the flame of passion started to spark, they were interrupted once again by the knocking sound of the door.
"Kenshin-sama, Kaoru sama," Anji's muffled voice was heard behind the close door, "dinner will be ready in fifteen minutes time."
Kenshin groaned and she chuckled.
"Looks like we would have to adjourn the session till another time," she teased. "Get off me and take you long overdue shower. You are starting to smell," she said, pinching her nose.
"Oh no, you are not getting away. We still have fifteen minutes before dinner," he got off her and scooped her up, "and you are coming into the shower with me." He headed to the bathroom with protesting wife in his arms.
XoooooooooooXoooooooooooXooooooooooXooooooooooooXooooooooooooooX
Tomoe knocked the door before she walked into Enishi's dazed state. "Enishi, is something wrong?" She began to worry. It had been a very long time since he wore that expression. The last she remembered was when she told him about Akira. "Enishi?"
"I need to go back to Japan. There is something I need to take care of," Enishi announced without looking at his sister.
"Oh… Did something happen?" she asked further.
"Yes and I need to sort it out immediately," he explained briefly. 'I will not lose her. She is mine!' "Will you be alright by yourself?"
"Of course you silly. And I am not by myself. Akira is with me."
Enishi turned and smiled at Tomoe. Akira, will be another problem that he will deal with later.
XoooooooooooXoooooooooooXooooooooooXooooooooooooXooooooooooooooX
Author's note: I side tracked a lot in this chapter. Maybe my 'inspiration' isn't working too well at two in the morning after all.
As I was writing, I noticed that I screw up big time with the name. It should be Hiko Seijuro and Seijuro Hiko, as in my story. I thought it is a little weird to call someone so close to you by the surname and Seijuro Kenshin sounds much better than Hiko Kenshin. So, I stick to Seijuro Hiko.
Thank you in advance for those to took the time to tell me what you think of it. And thank you to those who took the time to read this chapter.