It was early Saturday morning by the time the police had finished questioning the teens. Tired out by the days events both Kenshin and Sano had fallen asleep in the living room of Hiko's small home. Kaoru crept into the living room holding two blankets she'd found in the house. She gently placed one over Sano who lay sideways on a chair, his legs hanging over the arm. She giggled softly as he began to snore. She then turned to Kenshin, who was lying fast asleep on the couch. He was curled up on the cushions, his back pressed tightly against the couch's arm for protection. She was careful not to make much noise, figuring him to be a light sleeper. He stirred slightly as she placed the warm blanket on top of him, fearful for a moment that she'd woken him up. But he merely snuggled deeper into the couch pulling the sheet closer. She sighed as she silently left the room making her way down the hall to the kitchen. She poked her head in, surprised to find Hiko sitting at the kitchen table sipping a glass of what Kaoru guessed to be the same stuff he'd served them last time she was here. "You're still awake Kaoru," He commented glancing up at her.
"Yah," she answered entering the room. Hiko beckoned for her to sit down next to him. She excepted the seat, shifting nervously as he studied her. "I…" She hesitated a moment. Hiko took another sip of his drink waiting for her to continue. "I'm worried about everyone." She paused gathering her thoughts. "We don't even know where Megumi is or even if she's… alright." Her hands tightened. "Sano tries to hide it but, he really cares about her. He's about ready to jump into anything head first without looking and Kenshin…"She trailed off, nervously glancing up at Hiko who regarded her back steadily. "He blames himself for what's happening right now."
Hiko nodded his head leaning back in his chair. "Kenshin's been like that for a while now. He's had a tough life, got mixed up with the wrong people at Mizuki High, first crossed paths with Shishio there."
Kaoru swallowed nervously plucking up her courage. "You're not… Kenshin's father." She'd been wondering that for a while now.
Hiko shook his head, taking a sip of his drink. "That's one of the reasons why he's like that. He won't talk about it much, but from what I've been told, his biological parents died when he was really young. He was put into foster care, after that, got jostled around to lots of different people till he was about thirteen. Then he got stuck with this real idiot who didn't pay any attention to what the kid was doing. That's when Kenshin started attending Mizuki High. After his little tangle with Shishio, I got my hands on Kenshin." He took a swig of his cup. "He's a little odd but a good kid." He fell silent, regarding Kaoru as she struggled to speak.
"Hiko," she began slowly. "Why are you telling me this?"
He was silent for a while gazing down at his empty glass. "I think you're a great kid, Kaoru. Not a lot of kids your age would look out for a friend like Kenshin." He smiled kindly at her.
She blushed slightly. "I-I haven't done that much."
He shook his head. "He trusts you, Kaoru. There aren't a lot of people who can say that for him. I think you're a good influence on him."
"If you don't mind me asking… why does… Kenshin always refer to himself as 'this one'?"
"I don't know his exact reasoning behind it," answered Hiko with a shrug. "Right before I got my hands on Kenshin there was an accident of some sort. A fire I've been told. It was a real blow to him, whatever happened. He started saying 'this one' after that."
Kaoru took a deep breath. "I heard him say 'my' in the park."
A look of surprise crossed Hiko's face. Before turning to look at some inner memory as his eyes fell to his glass. Kaoru watched his reaction silently, studying his face as his eyebrows knitted together. A clock struck out the early hour. "You should get some sleep Kaoru." He said in a quiet voice. She nodded rising from her place wishing him a good night before leaving the room. Hiko didn't hear her speak. Lost so deep in thought, worried about what she'd told him.
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She awoke to the sound of a creaking door closing. She opened her eyes blinking a few times before scanning the dark room around her. It took her a moment to remember where she was as she glanced over to see Sano snoring loudly. He lay sprawled out on the chair, his blanket gone having been knocked to the floor sometime during the night. She slowly sat up rubbing the sleep from her eyes glancing over at the couch to find it empty, Kenshin was gone. She stood up noticing the front door was open the last few stars of night still visible in the sky. She made her way over pausing just inside the doorframe. Through the glass she could see Kenshin sitting alone on the porch. She reached a hand out to open the door but wavered at the last second, hand hovering just above the latch. She wasn't sure if she wanted to disturb him. He seemed to sense her presence for he turned to look at her a smile on his face. "Morning miss Kaoru," he greeted.
She stepped hesitantly out into the chill predawn air. "Good morning," she replied sitting down next to him. "What're you doing up this early?"
"This one felt like watching the sunrise, that he did," he answered turning to stare out at the sky. His crimson hair was pulled back in a ponytail, like always, but the scar on his cheek wasn't hidden. "It's really beautiful today." Kaoru pulled her eyes away from it, looking up with wonder at the pink glow that had appeared tipping the clouds.
"It is," she breathed, not wanting to break the still morning air. "I'm usually asleep at this time. I don't remember the last time I saw the sunrise." She fell silent, watching the blossoming colours that accompanied the rising sun.The pinks grew in brilliance, turning to a shining copper. The very tip of the sun broke the horizon dispelling the last of the stars from the heavens. A warm breeze brushed past, bird songs caught within its winds.
"Hiko told you a little about this one," Kenshin commented after a while. There was no anger in his voice. "That doesn't…" He trailed off staring at his feet, a note of fear obvious in his voice.
She turned to him a kind smile on her face. "It doesn't change anything, Kenshin. If anything, we're alike you and I. My… biological parents are both dead as well. The only relatives I have are only related to me in law through some complicated way." She paused for a second. "We're really close though, I see them as my family. But," Their eyes met as she finished speaking. "I'm adopted like you."
Kenshin smiled sadly. "You're lucky miss Kaoru, that you are. You've found a family."
"What about Hiko?" asked Kaoru. "Don't you consider him family?"
Kenshin shook his head. "He is merely this one's guardian for a while." His eyes became distant for a moment. "There'll be a time when Hiko… this one will have to wander away, like a Rurouni."
"Don't say that! Hiko isn't like that at all."
"He only looks after this one because it's his job. If this one hadn't been in-" he faltered, falling into silence.
Kaoru immediately sensed his discomfort. "You don't have to say if you don't want to Kenshin."
He opened his mouth to say something but his voice caught. His violet eyes shifting briefly to the dawn sky. "Sorry." He apologized quickly rising to his feet. A desperate need to get away, bubbled up in his chest. "This one should have never laid his troubles on you." He reached for the door to escape into safety. He felt a gentle pair of hands grasp hold of his left wrist. He stopped, standing there gazing through the glass into the house. It was a great effort for him to turn to look at her. Her deep sapphire eyes pleading with him, her delicate face framed in bright morning dawn. She's so beautiful, thought Kenshin, before he could push the feeling from his mind. His eyes fell away from her.
"Please," she asked softly. "Don't go." He started, looking at her with surprise, a small reflection wonder in his eyes. "I meant what I said. If you don't want to tell me, I won't force you." Their eyes met, empty lavenders meeting gentle azure. "I'm here for you, Kenshin. Don't forget that." She released his hand then smiled. "It's going to be a pretty day," she commented, a breeze picking up, dancing through her silky raven hair.
He sifted unsure of what to do. He glanced at the door, freedom, and an escape. His eyes then fell to Kaoru. Her gentle gaze waiting calmly for an answer. He was being offered another choice. No, he thought, his heart went cold, a small gasp escaping his throat. "I'm sorry." He turned, hiding below his fiery hair as he pulled the door open, retreating away from her.
The door hissed shut behind him, leaving Kaoru sitting alone on the wooden porch. Her back was turned towards the door, gazing sadly at the heavens. "You don't have to be." She answered to the air. Her head slumped forwards as she placed a hand against her temple. "You don't have to be."
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Hey guys! Another chapter has been posted yay! I was having soo much trouble with this one, trying to decide where to break it. This looked like the best place, so there you are. Chapter 6 in all it's short glory. The next chapter is going to be a lot longer, ugh… all the correcting I have to do.
If you hadn't guessed it I'm back from my fencing tournament, with a nice bronze metal from the team matches. Whao I kicked butt! Came home sporting several swore muscles and large bruises but had a blast all the same. That was my great adventure of the week.
Big thanks to midnite cherry blossomz, you're going to have to keep reading to find out the answer to your questions. Since you guys have been enjoying reading my fic it really helps inspire me to update quicker. So another warm thanks for the reviews and I'll be back soon with the next chapter!