Disclaimer: Rurouni Kenshin isn't mine.

When Sakura Blossoms Fall

Chapter 16: Together Again

Kenji glanced up languidly with his azure eyes to observe the city he had left over five years ago. The constant bustle of the crowds was still uncomfortable to him, and he consistently felt himself involuntarily drawing back, longing for the open expanses in China he had grown so used to in the past years. Gone was the friendly and comforting familiarity, replaced by a strange and hollow emptiness. The rebellion had changed him more than he thought. For the first time, he was actually beginning to miss the bare and scarred Chinese terrain.

His bored gaze passed slowly over the multitude. Not a single familiar face among them. His lean frame rose and fell in a heavy sigh. He didn't really expect anyone to be there, anyway. No one knew he was coming back, and even if they had, they probably wouldn't have cared. After all, he hadn't even contacted anyone in Japan for half of a decade.

Heaving his small bag over his shoulder and securing the sword once again resting comfortably at his side, he stepped forward with an air of feigned confidence, re-immersing himself into Kyoto life.

He had planned on going back to Tokyo, but a tiny flicker of hope had changed his mind. Many years had passed since he was last here, and perhaps Hiko had experienced a change of heart concerning his training. Then again, did training with a sword even count for anything anymore?

What had possessed him to agree with Sanosuke and actually come back anyway?

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

He stopped to catch his breath as he reached the top of a very familiar mountain. He smiled crookedly to himself. His skills had become rusty. This climb used to be so much easier. His fingers impulsively grasped the hilt of the sakabatou as he stepped onto his former training grounds. A true smile spread across his pale face as Hiko's small home came into sight. A bright yellow light emanated from under the doorway.

Taking a deep breath, Kenji stepped up to the old familiar door and hesitantly knocked, almost fearful as ideas of Hiko's present state filled his imagination. For all he knew, Hiko might not even be living here anymore.

"Who is it?" a gruff and frustrated voice from inside asked. Kenji almost laughed. It was Hiko all right.

He carefully pushed the door open, stepping into the soft light. Hiko sat across the room, a cup of sake in his hand, looking almost exactly the same as he had ten years ago, with the exception of a few more gray hairs and barely discernable wrinkles.

He started to mutter something vulgar about being disturbed, but stopped when he finally looked up and recognized the figure before him.

"Himura?"

"Hello, Hiko-san."

Hiko chuckled to himself, dropping his gaze and shaking his head back and forth slowly.

"Well it's about time. Sit down."

"You're still not going to train me anymore, are you?" Kenji questioned quietly. The two had moved outside to the fire, and Kenji was staring up at the vast array of stars in the dark sky.

"I told you that before you even left. This time, the Hiten Mitsurugi truly ends with me. You don't need that style. It doesn't fit these times. Besides, I'm getting old, Himura. I wouldn't be of much use to you anymore, anyway."

Kenji looked at his former master in surprise. That was the first time he had heard the man admit any weakness or lacking in himself. And if Hiko admitted to it, his aging really must have dulled his abilities, even if his appearance was largely the same.

Hiko, however, didn't seem to think his words had been abnormal in any way. He continued, ignoring Kenji's look.

"I thought you would have learned how much times have changed during that rebellion."

Kenji sighed. "Yeah, I guess I did. That's what possessed me to decide to leave the army."

"You tried leaving the army?"

"Yes."

"Idiot."

Kenji shifted his eyes to the other man in surprise. "What?"

"You can't just leave a war once you've gotten yourself involved in it, Himura. That's been true since even before my time."

Kenji chuckled to himself. "Yeah, I figured that out."

"So did you really run?"

"Yes. It wasn't because of discomfort with the situation, though. My commander betrayed me. That's why I abandoned my responsibilities."

Hiko took a sip of sake, and Kenji continued when he failed to respond.

"I realized I was just one of the government's dogs. I was a pawn, whose individual importance never really mattered. I couldn't get stronger in a war like that."

"I guess that's a selfish philosophy, though. But after I had left, I met up with an old friend of Tou-san's."

"And who was that?"

"Sagara Sanosuke."

Hiko's face showed no change in emotion, but he continued asking questions curiously.

"What was he doing in China?"

"He and his brother and sister were helping Chinese refugees that had suffered from the rebellion." He paused, an agitated expression passing across his features. "That's why I don't understand why the Hiten Mitsurugi is useless now, Hiko-san. The Hiten Mitsurugi's ideal is to save the weak from times of suffering, and that's exactly what we did. We protected the suffering villagers from outside threats while they rebuilt their lives. We assisted the innocent. We saved the weak. And I couldn't have been as much of a help to them, or succeeded in rescuing Sanosuke from the Japanese army, if it wasn't for my training in your style. I know times have changed, but the theory still applies."

"Ah, but the rebellion is over, Himura. And obviously there wasn't a need for your services anymore since you have returned."

"But something like that might come up again, and I want to be able to protect my comrades and allies and friends."

"Then why are you asking me for help? It sounds as if you already are capable of protecting them, Himura. You protected your friends and fellow soldiers in the war, and didn't lose one, am I correct?

"Yes, but—"

"You're already strong enough to protect those you care about, without any further training from me. It's time for you to start living in the present. You can't surpass your father, because you don't live under the same circumstances he did. It's too late for old men like me, but you're young. You still have a chance to build a good life for yourself in this era."

Kenji ran a hand through his hair, unable to cope with the idea that Hiko was basically asking him to give up on everything he had been pursuing for his entire life.

"But what about the Oniwabanshu? They still train to fight."

"True, they continue to train and become stronger in these changing times. But they also embrace the Meiji era for what it is, and don't cause unnecessary battles during the newly restored peace. Besides, if you're so concerned with protecting others, don't you think you should be training in your mother's style?"

Kenji opened his mouth to protest, but stopped. Hiko was right. At the beginning of the war he had been obsessed with power, and becoming better than his father. But by the end of those horrendous years, his focus had shifted from himself to others. He still kept surpassing his father as one of his primary goals, but perhaps becoming more powerful wasn't the way to do it. All he had to do to be better than that man, at least in his mind, was avoid hurting those he cared about. He didn't need the Hiten Mitsurugi for that. Hiko was right. The style he had been avoiding since childhood because of what he considered weakness was now perfect for him.

He glanced at his former master, surprised at the man's perception. But Hiko said nothing to acknowledge the realization Kenji had just had.

"You can live here until you find a permanent home," he said simply, then stood and disappeared into his hut.

Kenji leaned back to watch the stars again. That settled it. As soon as possible, he would return to Tokyo and train with Yahiko in the Kamiya Kasshin Ryu, assuming that Yahiko still held the position as its master. Besides, while he needed to begin training in his mother's style, he also needed to reacquaint himself with Yahiko and his family.

He said a silent prayer of gratitude for Hiko's words. The elder man's wisdom had helped him realize that becoming a better warrior than his father was a foolish dream now. He frowned. He still hated the man for everything he had done to his mother, but he really could become better than that without making a huge name for himself. Even after all those years in the army, he still hadn't found what he viewed as "true strength." But perhaps he had been approaching it in the wrong way. And hopefully, through this new course of returning home to learn to protect other's through his mother's style, he could finally achieve that dream.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Kenji whistled cheerfully to himself as he rummaged through the items before him, searching for necessities for his journey back to Tokyo. He had been in a consistently better mood since his decision to return home, much to the surprise of Hiko, who was used to a bitter and arrogant adolescent haunting his home.

He picked out a gi from the store he was currently in, paying the owner with a gracious smile. Then he stepped back onto the street, taking a deep, refreshing breath, and moving on to his next destination. He turned his head to scan the street for another store, but his eyes stopped short midway through their search.

His tongue caught in his throat, and a shaky smile spread across his face. The young woman that held his attention began to turn away from him, so he quickly cupped both hands to his mouth and yelled in her direction.

"Chizuru!"

She glanced over her shoulder tentatively, apparently not sure if she had truly heard someone call her name. Her engaging eyes skimmed the masses for a few moments, and she shrugged to herself and almost continued away when her eyes froze at a point near Kenji's waist. He glanced down, and realized that she had somehow noticed the sakabatou. When he looked back at her face, she was staring at his vivid vermillion hair. Then her gaze shifted slowly, carefully downward to his familiar, sky blue eyes, her own almond ones widened and her delicate face suddenly paled. Kenji smiled again. Recognition had dawned.

They just stood there, watching each other awkwardly for a few moments as the crowd milled around their rooted feet. Then the spell broke, and a grin that nearly split Chizuru's face in two appeared. Kenji cringed as she ran toward him, fully expecting a slap across the face and a demand to know where on earth he had been.

"Kenji!" she squealed.

She leaped at him, thrusting her arms around his neck and laughing as the force of their bodies meeting sent them spinning in circles, and Kenji's arms held her waist to prevent her from falling.

"I missed you so much!"

Kenji allowed himself to laugh as they slowly lost speed and came to a stop, though neither let go.

"I missed you too."

A man standing nearby and watching them began to cough uncomfortably. At first both ignored him, but when Chizuru glanced in his direction she quickly saw the problem. His eyes were fixed on Kenji's sword.

Sighing to herself, she acted quickly and grabbed Kenji's wrist, dragging him out of the streets to a place he immediately recognized.

He turned his eyes to observe the interior of the Aoiya as they slipped inside. He grinned. This place hadn't changed at all.

"Kenji, you have to be more careful!"

"What?" he whined.

"You can't just wander the streets with a sword here! Don't make a habit of it, all right?"

Kenji relaxed as she smiled, shaking her head and dismissing the issue. She took a step backward and placed her hands on her hips, tipping her head to the side.

"What?"

"It's just amazing to see you again. I'm so glad you're all right."

The corner of his mouth twitched upward in a small smile. "Same here."

They paused as footsteps resounded from another room, and another familiar voice echoed in Kenji's ears.

"Chizuru, is that you?"

Misao stepped into the room, brushing a stand of gray hair out of her face.

Her eyes stopped on Kenji, and she was obviously surprised to see Chizuru alone in the inn with a strange man, as she promptly dropped the basket of food in her arms.

Chizuru glanced at Kenji and smiled, then moved toward Misao and bent down to gather the scattered food. Misao just continued watching Kenji with wide eyes, placing a hand on Chizuru's shoulder after a few moments to stop her. Her small mouth fell open slightly, and a piercing squeal burst forth from her lips.

"Kenji!"

She unexpectedly leaped across the room, almost faster than Kenji could follow, and wrapped her arms tightly around his neck.

"Misao—I can't breathe . . ."

She released him and stepped back, giving him a friendly slap on the shoulder.

"Oh Kenji, where the heck have you been all this time?"

He chuckled at her enthusiasm as she backed up, taking a better look at him. "You sure have grown up on me."

"Misao? Misao, are you all right?"

Kenji turned to see Aoshi entering the room, followed closely by the rest of the Oniwabanshu that he remembered so fondly. But there was someone new . . .

"And who is this?" he questioned after being re-introduced to his friends by an animated Misao. The kunoichi turned loving eyes on the little girl Kenji was watching.

"This is Asuka," she replied, rubbing the little girl's head. Asuka giggled and ran behind Aoshi, peeking out at the redheaded stranger.

"Asuka, this is Himura Kenji. He's an old friend of your father's and mine."

Kenji nearly choked. "F-Father?" Aoshi? A father? That's right . . . Misao was pregnant when I left. Upon a closer look, however, he saw the obvious resemblance. The little girl had short black hair, the color a characteristic gained from both of her parents. But her eyes were miniature versions of those of Aoshi, just as drastic and powerful, but happier and not as cold. She giggled at the awed look on his face.

"Are you a ninja?" she questioned suddenly.

Kenji smiled and shook his head. "No, I'm not. Are you?"

Asuka grinned. "No, but I'm going to be one someday, just like Otou-san and Okaa-san!"

Misao grinned widely at that comment, and glanced at her husband. Aoshi was just watching their daughter, allowing the smallest of smiles to be seen on his lips.

Kenji looked back up at Misao.

"How old is she?"

"Five."

"Five . . ." he mused, shaking his head. I really have been gone for a long time."

Well, there you have it. I know it wasn't much, but at least they're together once again. Next Chapter: Foreign Emotions.