Kendo Club
Ch 17
Well here we are again! I had planned to update this BEFORE I went on Spring Break, but nothing worked out that way. But now I'm back in the cold with a TAN! Yes!
Anyways... hope you enjoy. Just FYI, this chapter has been tweaked a LOT.
If an outsider were to watch Hiko and Kenshin, they would conclude that things were almost back to normal, they way they had been before Kenshin had left. The outsider, however, would be wrong. There was always an awkwardness between the two men, one that stemmed from the fact that they no longer got along, and they annoyed each other now more than ever.
Or, perhaps, Hiko just no longer knew how to respond to Kenshin.
Hiko was used to the boy being outspoken, argumentative and spirited. A wonderful cook, too, and although he wouldn't admit it, a highly talented swordsman. Now, however, he was silent and withdrawn, never cooked or practiced kata (not that he could, since Hiko had hidden his swords and locked the dojo).
He could no longer predict his nephew's responses, either. Kenshin seemed to have a set of three he drew upon; a harsh, sarcastic remark while his eyes flashed scarily, a superior smirk with no other expression, and, most terrifying of all, a blank stare while he detached himself from reality. Hiko had no idea what to do in those situations, so mostly he left Kenshin alone when it happened.
Hiko wasn't sure the boy could take care of himself, but money was beginning to run low, and he had to return to work. After an internal battle, he surmised that Kenshin would be fine as long as he kept the dojo locked, and the swords kept away. He informed the school that he'd be returning to his teaching position the next day, and then lectured Kenshin on what was acceptable and what was most definitely not before he left.
Kenshin listened, but obviously wasn't interested. His bland expression showed just how bored he was with the lecture, and the rules, and Hiko's constant admonitions. Perched on the arm of the couch, he watched with distant eyes and what was either a smirk or a smile playing around the edges of his mouth. Hiko grew annoyed and told Kenshin the last rule while glaring fiercely at the teen. The teen blankly blinked back.
"Alright, boy, I have to leave," Hiko announced as he moved to the door, throwing on his coat. As he placed his hand on the doorknob, he turned and spoke to Kenshin one last time. "Behave yourself. Don't do anything rash or hasty."
Kenshin met his eyes and raised an eyebrow, taunting Hiko. "Since when is making food rash or hasty? Well, with you, I suppose it is... I'll be fine, though."
Hiko frowned at him, then before the boy could make another snide remark he fiercely swung the door open and stormed out, slamming it behind him.
The redhead smiled to himself and slid of the arm of the couch, to settle on the end cushion. He found the remote, pulled a blanket over himself, and for the rest of the day amused himself by watching the programs that were screening. Later in the day, after lunch and a snack, he fell asleep in front of the TV in the familiar, safe house.
On the threshold of her brother's house, Ishi shifted her little son so he rested more comfortably against her side and rang the doorbell. After waiting a few minutes, she pushed the button repeatedly, irritated that no-one answered.
On the couch, Kenshin snapped awake at the high-pitched buzzing noise, and sprang up to look frantically around the room. It took him a few moments to realise that it was the doorbell, relax, and realise that he did, in fact, have to go answer the door. After a muttered curse, he hurried to the door, redoing his now messy ponytail on the way. He took a deep breath, and then opened the door.
Ishi sighed irritably, about to try holding down the doorbell button when she heard something click. She twisted slightly, and then turned to look at the door, which was now standing fully open. She stepped forward cautiously, hushing her son as she leaned in to look around. "Hello?" No answer. "Hiko? Nii-san? This isn't funny, you know!" she protested, and stepped inside.
Ishi saw a flash of red in the corner of her eye and whirled to face it, just as Shinta pointed in the direction she whirled and said, "red." What she saw left her awestruck, and with her eyes wide in surprise, she whispered, "Kenshin?"
The teen blinked, but didn't answer. Ishi knew it was her lost nephew. How many teens had flaming red hair, like Kenshin? His looks had changed over the years though, his hair was longer and his way of tying it was different. His eyes were now a sharp violet, instead of the innocent blue they used to be. He also was acting strange, instead of an exuberant greeting he was staring at her with those violet eyes, tensely, waiting for something to happen.
Still, even if he wasn't acting himself, he was her sweet, thoughtful, lovable nephew. floor. "It's great to see you're here," the woman commented, walking slowly forward with her arms spread until she was level with the teen and wrapped herself around him. He stiffened at the physical touch and closeness, but Ishi didn't release him from her embrace.
"I'm so glad you're safe Kenshin, we were worried about you," she smiled and partially released him so that she could look him in the face. "But you're back now, that's all that matters."
The teen continued to gaze at her with wary, blank eyes, not reacting to her warm words. Finally a few minutes later he replied softly, "Hello, Aunt Ishi."
She smiled up at her nephew, then pulled him close to her again and embraced his thin, tired body. When Ishi let him go the redhead nearly smiled for his aunt, but then he saw out of the corner of his eye the little boy sitting on the floor, and for a few seconds he stopped breathing.
"Kenshin?" Ishi asked in almost a whisper. The redhead ignored as he stepped past her, his eyes locked on the black-haired little boy. He moved until he was just a few steps away and then kneeled, and caught Shinta's attention.
"Hi there," Kenshin said softly. "What's your name?"
The little boy stared at Kenshin with bright blue eyes. "S'nta," he replied, and then smiled brilliantly. "S'nta!"
"Nice to meet you, Shinta," Kenshin's smile wavered as he said the name. "I'm Kenshin. Your cousin."
"Ken'n?" He looked confused, the small forehead creased and then small front teeth bit into the lip. "Ken-ni," he declared, making Kenshin's smile grow a little. "Kenny!" the little boy said again, grinning ear to ear, then leaped forward to wrap his arms as far as they would reach around his older cousin.
Kenshin smiled for real and returned the embrace, tightly holding his little cousin, and namesake, to him. He closed his eyes, soaking in the moment.
Behind them Ishi watched the pair, grateful that her boy could bring her lost nephew so much happiness, and also grateful that Shinta was so happy himself.
"What is this, a soap opera?" An irritated voice barked at them from the open doorway. "Move, you're blocking the door to the room."
Ishi turned to see her brother standing behind them, "so now you decide to show up." She scolded irritably.
Hiko frowned at her, then raised a eyebrow questioningly. In response she indicated Kenshin and Shinta with a slight jerk of her head. Hiko smirked. "If you keep squishing him like that, boy, he'll suffocate."
Kenshin stiffened and pulled away from his cousin, slowly straightening and then rising to stand with his back to the other two.
"Kenny?" Shinta asked curiously.
The redhead forced himself to smile, and struggled to put even the smallest one on his face. He put a finger to his lips and the young boy nodded and mimicked the action.
"Kenshin," Ishi spoke his name softly, almost worriedly.
Hiko laughed in an insulting kind of way, "he's fine Ishi, the boy's strong. No need to worry at all."
The teen slowly turned to face his uncle, then gazed at him with cold, hard eyes. "I wouldn't talk if I were you uncle, since your opinion obviously means nothing." Kenshin replied icily.
Ishi stared back and forth between them, wondering why there was such an awkwardness between the two. They had used to get along so well before, and why was Kenshin being so cold?
"Is that right?" Hiko questioned sarcastically, smirking.
The redhead didn't reply, instead he just continued to stare icily at the other man, his face devoid of expression.
"Mommy?" Shinta whispered quietly, walking over to tug gently on her shirt.
"Shh, honey," she whispered back, then patted him on the head. "I think Uncle Hiko and Kenny need to talk."
There was an unspoken argument or conversation between the Uncle and nephew for several minutes, which ended with Hiko growling under his breath and turning away.
Kenshin smirked mischeviously at the other man, and then said softly, but triumphantly, "fine."
The woman was still confused, even more so now. What had just happened?
She was surprised when the redhead walked over to her and Shinta, then stopped and bent down, smiling softly at the boy. "Hey Shinta, how about we go and leave your mom and uncle Hiko alone?" he questioned, reaching down to gently hold his cousin's small hand.
The boy nodded meekly and let Kenshin slowly lead him away from the adults, through the living room, and into the kitchen.
Ishi waited until they had disappeared into the other room to ask, "how long ago did he come back to you?"
"Little longer then three weeks maybe." Hiko shrugged uncertainly, glancing at the open doorway then back at his sister.
That woman sighed, "he's changed, a lot." Such a comment was met with silence from the Peanut's Gallery. "Not that I'm blaming you," she said quickly.
Hiko glared at her, "It wasn't my fault. The boy was like this when he returned. Actually, he was worse before, even more cold and withdrawn."
Ishi sighed, "I can't believe it, my dear, sweet Kenshin acting this way. It's not like him at all."
"After what's happened to him, I don't blame the kid," his uncle grumbled under his breath, almost...mournfully?
Ishi turned sharply towards him, her eyes like ice. "What do you mean?"
But Hiko shook his head and refused to meet that cold gaze, "Kenshin should tell you, it's his life." He sighed, "but most likely he won't, the stubborn baka."
"Nii-san, tell me." She leaned forward towards him, then her voice fell to a whisper. "If something is troubling my nephew and I am able to help him, then I want to do just that." The woman pointed forcefully at her chest, "he has become like a son to me and I care very, very much for him. So you tell me right now, or I will march in there and ask the boy himself!"
The man blinked slowly, then replied gruffly, "it was his choice to go, but it wasn't his choice to come back. He didn't mean to."
"What do you mean?"
Hiko sighed, "he didn't want to come back Ishi. He came back for a completely different reason."
She shook her head confusedly, "I-I still don't understand."
"When he ran away from us, Kenshin was recruited by the Ishin Shishi. They took him and they formed him into, well I'm sure you've heard the rumors."
"Rumors?"
The man scowled, "don't play dumb with me Ishi, you know what I'm talking about." He paused then went on, "I know you know the rumors, about the blood-demon assassin, with amber eyes and blood-red hair who lurks in the shadows and murders people with his sword."
"No, no…" Ishi murmured, the realization hitting her.
"That's what they turned him into: a cold-hearted assassin who killed on their demand." Hiko sighed, "that's why he came back here- the boy was ordered to kill me. And, because he didn't recognize me, the fool nearly did. I stopped him just in time."
Ishi frowned, struggling to believe what her brother was saying. "You mean Kenshin was the infamous Hitokiri Battousai? I, I-"
Her brother frowned annoyed at her, "he was, Ishi. But now he's both Kenshin and the Battousai. The baka's showing aspects of both of those personalities. He's fighting to find the balance of the two." The man sighed, "and I can't tell if he's winning or losing."
"Poor Kenshin, I feel so sorry for him," Ishi whispered, tears ready at the corner of her eyes.
"He doesn't need us to feel sorry for him, or to pity him. That baka needs us to help him learn how to cope with what he's done, he needs us to be supportive of him."
She smiled at him, almost. "You're getting soft, baka ni-san. You're showing how much you really care for the boy. Before we know it, you'll be over emotional and a big softie."
Hiko glowered at her, scowling angrily.
Ishi laughed, "don't look at me like that Hiko, I was just teasing you. I could never see you being like that."
"Hmph."
His sister rolled her eyes, then glanced over towards the kitchen-temporarily hearing Kenshin and Shinta's soft voices conversing quietly. Then she looked back at her brother, and sighed dramatically. "I named my son Shinta because I thought it would give Kenshin a chance to remember what his life used to be like, how happy he used to be." She paused, frowning, "and, to keep his memory alive if he did never return. But it seems like Shinta's given him even more then that." She smiled happily, "Kenshin just looked so happy when he saw Shinta, and also while they were talking."
Hiko frowned thoughtfully at her, "when I told him you had named your son with his birth name, he broke down and cried. The kid cried for a long time; loud, hard, heart-wrenching sobs."
Ishi silently stared at the floor, unsure of what to say.
"But, in the end I think he accepted it." He shook his head, "I don't know Ishi… all I do know is that the boy severely regrets what he's done and that he is still learning to heal from it."
"How," the woman choked on that one word that was so important, "how much did they hurt him? How much of his spirit did they destroy?"
Her brother looked directly at her, his eyes cold and fierce, "you've seen him, Ishi, what do you think?" He asked simply.
The woman didn't answer that, but she didn't have to. Nii-san was right, she had seen Kenshin and she had also seen the damage that had been done to him, the part that was visible at least.
They were silent for several minutes, considering everything that had changed in such little time.
Into that silence Shinta quietly walked in from the kitchen through the room and over to his mother. He tugged gently on her jeans, his other hand's thumb firmly in his mouth. "Ka-san?"
Ishi started from her thoughts at the soft, cautious voice of her son. She looked down at him then gently untangled his hand from her clothes and knelt to face him. He looked worried, very worried. "What's wrong, honey?"
The boy shifted his weight and mumbled something around the thumb in his mouth, not looking at her.
"I can't understand you honey," Ishi told him softly, gently tugging his hand away from his mouth, and brushing the hair out of his eyes. "Tell me again honey, what's bothering you?"
Shinta moved uncertainly, then said quietly, "Kenny's being weird, sometin's wrong."
Ishi blinked at him then quickly stood up. Was Kenshin okay?
Her brother cleared his throat, "I'll go check on him."
"No, I will." The woman kneeled again and lovingly hugged her son. "Thank you, Shinta."
She left the boy, and the man, and skirted around the furniture that was placed recklessly around the room. Ishi stopped in the arched open doorway of the kitchen to see Kenshin bent over the counter, his forehead resting on the cold marble and his clenched fists resting beside his head. The teen was shaking harshly but quietly, and Ishi couldn't tell if he was crying or if he was having a fit of some kind.
"Kenshin?" she questioned quietly, stepping cautiously closer to him, her eyes fixed on his small figure. He didn't respond, the name falling on deaf ears. The shaking continued and he also stiffened a little in her presence. The woman continued closer to her nephew, step-by-step until she was standing beside him. "Kenshin?"
Ishi heard a soft intake of breath, and before she knew it there was a knife being pressed into the side of her neck, while her wrists were gripped together in one of Kenshin's hands.
She raised her head to meet a pair of startlingly cold, violet amber-flecked eyes. The woman steeled herself to not pull her hands away, or flinch away from the knife at her throat and so they stayed that way, frozen in time for several minutes until Ishi asked quietly again, "Kenshin?"
He didn't respond, except to keep gazing at her with dangerously empty amber-flecked eyes. His expression didn't change, not even when he pressed a little harder with the knife against her throat.
"I know you won't hurt me Kenshin. I know you love me too much," She told him softly, meeting his empty gaze with cool brown eyes. Was this the Battousai she was facing? Was this how he had been as the Battousai, so calm and detached?
To her relief the teen started, his hand dropping away from her throat to rest at his side. His hand opened to drop the knife it was holding. Coldness faded from his eyes, and awareness slowly took its place as the amber-flecked violet eventually became hard violet.
"Aunt, aunt Ishi?" his quiet voice asked confusedly, as if he were speaking from a distance.
The woman smiled happily. "Kenshin," she breathed, then stepped cautiously forward and enveloped him in a tight, loving hug. He tensed at the touch at first, but then leaned into the embrace and rested his head on her shoulder. Ishi squeezed his thin body once then hugged him tighter, trying to reassure her nephew.
"I'm so sorry," the teen whispered into the fabric of her shirt, clutching at it. She heard him sob a few times before he continued. "I, I didn't mean to hurt you. I would never hurt you on purpose." He gasped for breath, then went on, the tears and pain evident in his voice, "I, I just didn't recognize you!" the redhead commented harshly, as if he were angry with himself. "I'm so, so, so sorry Aunt Ishi. I'm so very sorry."
His aunt hugged him tightly as she took in his rushed, quiet speech. He should know that she he would never hurt her, he should know. "It's alright Kenshin, it's alright." She raised her hand to gently run her fingers through his long hair. "I know you would never hurt me, or anyone else you loved."
She heard him gasp before he pulled away from her, releasing his hair and clothes from her hands. The redhead regarded her carefully with hard, violet eyes for several long seconds before he walked forward, carefully skirting around her, and left the kitchen.
Ishi turned, composing herself, in time to see her nephew silently enter the shadowed hall and a few seconds later enter on of the room and slam the door behind him.
Then she slowly walked out of the kitchen and paused just beyond the doorway, gazing at the place where Kenshin had disappeared.
There was a rustle of cloth and a soft clearing of the throat to her left, and then Ishi turned to meet her brothers eyes. A moment of understanding passed between them, and Hiko rose from where he had been talking with Shinta to cross the room and enter the hallway.
Her son had turned at the same time as his uncle, and he now met her eyes, looking more relieved then worried.
Ishi wordlessly walked over and knelt before the boy, then tightly pressed the boy against her chest.
Hiko stood in front of the teens doorway, wondering what had been "wrong" with his nephew, according to Shinta, and if his sister had done something to help or if she had done something to make it worse.
There was a loud "thump" from the other side of the door, the sound of an object hitting another with a strong force, and a minute later Kenshins soft voice called, "you can come in, Uncle."
The man placed a hand on the doorknob and slowly turned it, then pushed the door open making it creak as it moved. He saw his nephew laying on his bed, resting on a pile of pillows. There was a pile of something next to him, and he was twirling on of those somethings in his hand.
"What are you doing?" Hiko questioned, closing the door behind him and then gazing quickly around the room.
The teen glanced over at him, smirking mischieviously. He then stopped twirling the object, and tilted his head to peer at the back of the door.
Hiko looked in the same direction and to his surprise there was a makeshift dart board-ish thing hanging there, with many holes already punctured in it.
"What on earth are-" he questioned both confused and surprised.
As he asked the teen narrowed his eyes in concentration and then in one fluid motion raised his hand and threw the object at the door. It avoided the man by almost a foot then buried itself point first into the board.
The Uncle stared intently at the door, and then back at his nephew who was smiling lopsidedly, fingering another object. Hiko glanced once again at the board and noticed to his surprise that were was a knife stuck into it.
"You're throwing knives? At the door?"
Kenshin raised his eyebrows mockingly, then picked up another knife and, after weighing it slightly, threw it at the board. He threw a few more until they were all sticking out of the board.
"How did you learn to throw knives like that?" questioned Hiko, glancing at the door where nearly all of the silverware-turned-kunai were clustered directly in the center of the dartboard where a bullseye had been drawn.
His nephew glanced over, then slid off the bed and walked over to the door from which he pulled all the knives out off, gathering them in his hand. "Friends," he replied shortly as he returned to the comfortable piece of furniture.
"Friends," the man echoed doubtfully, blinking. He leaned against the wall so he could see both the door and the teen.
"Yes," Kenshin agreed, then shifted against the pillows until he was comfortable. A few seconds passed and he resumed throwing the knives,
Hiko was quiet for a few minutes, puzzling over the concept of "friends" his nephew was talking about. For that amount of time the only sound in the the room was the one made by the knives as they hit the board, and the quiet technical buzzing of the television still on in the living room.
When the teen rose again, the older man demanded, "who are these supposed 'friends' of yours?"
Kenshin paused in his act of taking the weapon-silverware out of the board to turn and smile secretively at his uncle. Hiko waited for the boy to speak, but instead he tilted his head to the side, smiled and returned to his task.
By now the man was thoroughly frustrated with his nephew, reduced to standing against the wall grinding his teeth and glaring angrily once and again at the teen who was acting clueless and indifferent.
'The past Kenshin would never act like this,' Hiko thought, then caught himself. 'Is that true?' he asked silently, 'did he really never behave so indifferent before? Was he really like this then as well?'
"Stop acting childishly, baka, all I want to know is who these friends of yours are, were." The older man scolded irritated, glaring coldly.
The teen was in the act of walking back to the bed with knives in hand, when Hiko snapped at him. He abruptly stopped in his place and turned to stare blankly with wide, but dull, violet eyes. "What?"
Hiko scowled and stamped over towards the teen, "just tell me, stop playing with me on this."
Kenshin continued on his way to the bed, not making eye contact again with the man as he walked, and then crawled across the covers to relax against the headboard. When Hiko didn't make a reply or response, the redhead sighed and closed his eyes.
"The Oniwaban."
His uncle choked, then stood gasping for awhile until his breathing and heartbeat were under control again. "You know people in the Oniwaban?"
The teen nodded, "yes."
"You have friends in the Oniwaban, the most elite, talented group of ninjas in this city?" he questioned disbelievingly, eyebrows raised.
"Yes."
Hiko frowned, "that's ridiculous…how?"
The redhead blinked confused at him, then opened his mouth. It hung open for a few moments before he closed it again without saying anything.
"Well?"
Kenshin frowned, then went back to throwing the knives at the door, mouth set in a firm, grim line.
From looking at his nephew Hiko could tell something had happened with the teen, he was acting withdrawn again. He sighed annoyed, "fine then, don't tell me if you don't find it necessary to." A moment went by before the man muttered softly, "the Oniwaban."
"Yes, the Oniwaban," the redhead echoed snappishly, sounding tired and impatient. "Yes, they are my 'friends' and yes, they are the ones who taught me how to throw knives, among other things."
The man frowned, annoyed that the boy was mocking him and the teen had been, and was, hiding things from him. "Kenshin…"
He threw another knife, more forcefully at the door, "if there's nothing more you want to say Uncle, please leave." Another knife hit the cardboard.
Hiko blinked, had Kenshin just ordered him to do something? He shook his head to rid himself of the questions and uncertainties. "Fine." The man moved towards the door, keeping a watchful eye out for any stray knives. "If you need something, come tell me," he opened the door and stepped through the doorway. "Ishi and Shinta might leave soon if you want to say goodbye."
The teen didn't reply and continued to stare off into space opposite him, eyes unfocused and his face a mask.
His Uncle paused just outside the hall, turning to glance at the boy for a few moments before turning back and closing the door behind him.
A few days later, after school at kendo club practice Hiko was running his students through some basic drills. He noticed a few of them having trouble and decided to approach them after practice, especially Kamiya. The girl had a lot of skill and potential, but she need to try harder.
"Alright, one more round and then all of you are done," Hiko called to the students, causing a chorus of triumphant shouts to start. "Quiet!"
The teens obediently quieted in a second, exchanging eye rolls and funny faces behind the man's back. Twenty minutes later Hiko announced the end of practice, telling them to put the bokken away then get their things and leave. He had seen a flash of red once in that small amount of time, but convinced himself it was from the headlights of a car going by. When he sent out his ki to search, he found no one nearby, except for the students.
Hiko told himself he was just being paranoid and shook his head, then walked over to the hallway leading to where the changing rooms were, reached out and flicked the switch next to the opening, turning the lights in the main gym off. After a few seconds pause he went back across the floor to the large double doors that led outside, checked the room once again then pushed the doors open and stepped out.
Since Kamiya had the key to the side door where the student went out, and the man trusted her enough to lock that door like she did every time, Hiko left her to that and pulled his key ring out of his pocket. Selecting the right key, there were only half a dozen or so, he lifted it to one of the locks and slid it inside.
"Hello Uncle."
The man started violently and turned quickly to see a red-headed teenager standing a few feet away on the sidewalk.
"K-Kenshin? How-?"
His nephew smiled mischieviously, "I snuck out of the house." The violet eyes slid off to the side to study the gym curiously, "you might have to change the front lock," he added as if they were discussing the weather.
Hiko blinked at him, still puzzling over how the teen had been able to sneak up on him without the man realizing it, no one had ever…
"You broke out of the house?" he repeated dumbly.
"Mmm." Kenshin turned partially sideways to observe the rest of the school grounds. "So this is where you teach."
The man straightened and nodded, following the boys gaze. "Yes. It's a nice school, I like it."
"Mmm." The redheads eye caught the dangling key chain and the key still placed in the lock. "You should lock the doors so no one will break in."
Hiko grimaced then turned and put a hand on the key, "like you?" He shot back over his shoulder as he switched the lock.
The teen smirked, "no, I only break out."
Silence dawned as the man finished locking the gym doors, tested them, then turned to face his nephew again. When neither of them spoke he started forward and began walking down the path. "Does this have to do with those Oniwaban friends of yours?"
Kenshin began walking next to the man and then stepped into pace with him. At the abrupt comment he turned a startled glance on his uncle, "what?"
Hiko was surprised at the teens reaction, but before he could say something the teen disappeared. As he was wondering where the boy had gone, he heard someone running behind him and turned in time to see a familiar young girl nearing him.
"Hiko-san! Hiko-san!" She stopped a few feet away, gasping for breath, "Hiko-san. Thank goodness I caught up to you!"
"Kamiya." The man greeted surprised. "Why did you come after me?"
The girl smiled at him, then straightened and looked off to the side, not meeting his eyes. "Well, um… I've been having trouble with the kata we're practicing-"
"I noticed."
Kamiya scowled darkly, "thanks." She sighed and hung her head, "well I was wondering that since I'm having a hard time, if you would mind helping me out of class, just for a little practice."
Hiko looked uncertain for a moment before he replied, "very well. Can you meet me here tomorrow morning at 11?"
"Tomorrow's Saturday."
"Yes."
The girl sighed loudly, looking defeated. "Fine, I'll meet you at 11, in the parking lot." Her older companion nodded. "Se you tomorrow then!" She called as she ran back down the sidewalk, now grinning happily.
He shook his head, "that girl has the most odd, violent mood swings." With that comment the man began walking again.
"Who was that girl?"
Hiko started and turned to the side, stopping. "Why do you keep sneaking up on me?" he demanded angrily.
The teen smirked, "because it's amusing." He turned to where Kamiya had went to, "so who was she?"
"Kaoru Kamiya, school sophomore. She's in the kendo club." The man rattled off the facts.
"Hmm."
Hiko waited for the redhead to speak again, but when he didn't he turned forward again and resumed walking towards the parking lot.
His nephew followed him after a moment's pause, silently falling into step beside the older man. They walked in silence to the lot until Kenshin stopped just a few steps away on the sidewalk, staring at the lone car standing on the cement.
The man continued to the vehicle, not noticing that the teen wasn't with him until he was unlocking the car, jamming the key into the lock and turning it side to side. When he did realize the man turned and called over his shoulder, "what's wrong baka?" The car clickedand Hiko pulled on the door handle, causing the door to swing open- nearly hitting the man in the stomach. "Get in, boy."
But the redhead shook his head and backed away a few steps, looking scared. "No, no I think I'll walk home."
"I said get in," the man demanded, scowling as he stood with the car door open behind him.
Some emotion flickered in the boys eyes, but before Hiko could classify it, it was gone. His face showed no hint of what he was feeling, and neither did his body language or his ki. But, if he had to guess the man would say it had been fear, or haunting memories. "The car won't hurt you boy, just get in and we can go home."
The teen shook his head.
When neither of them spoke again, Hiko stepped forward menacingly finally getting irritated. "Nothing's going to happen to you baka…"
"No," Kenshin whispered under his breath, lowering his head. "I, I'll walk home," then he stepped back and turned away.
"Get back here baka!" The man shouted at his back, then when the teen continued to walk away he strode quickly after the boy.
But his nephew still didn't respond, so Hiko caught up with him and grabbed the teens arm, forcefully stopping him. They stood that way for several minutes, Hiko glaring at Kenshins back and tightly gripping his arm while the teen stood in front of him, his head down with the held arm pulled behind him. As the relatives froze, the shadows lengthened around them and everything grew still and quiet around them.
"Tell me what's wrong boy," Hiko instructed softly, loosening his grip on the arm.
The redhead stiffened, and then relaxed slightly. A few minutes later he sighed and hung his head. "I, I just don't want to ride in the car."
"Why?"
Kenshin shook his head slightly, "I just don't."
Hiko groaned quietly, and pulled gently on the arm. "I'm not letting you walk home boy so you might as well tell me."
"Just because!"
The man frowned at the sudden outburst, so he had gotten the teen angry now. "Fine. If you can't answer me, then you'll have to ride home with me." He turned on his heel and began forcefully dragging the boy back to the parking lot. Suprisingly Kenshin didn't fight him again and Hiko was able to open the door and push the teen into the seat before closing the door, circling the car and getting in in the drivers seat.
He glanced once at his nephew before starting the car and driving across and out of the parking lot. The teens face was white and scared, his eyes fixed on the windshield looking withdrawn. 'He'll never be the Kenshin we used to know, there's just too many differences now.'
The next morning the redhead woke up early and sleepily made his way out of his room, through the hall and into the living room before he collapsed onto the couch. He reached out, groped for the remote and turned the television on before laying back down to watch cartoons and cooking shows for the rest of the morning.
An hour or so later Hiko started getting ready to pick up Kamiya. He pulled on his coat, grabbed the car keys and said a quick, hasty goodbye to Kenshin before locking the door and going to the car.
When the man and Kamiya returned, Hiko hung up his coat, tossed the keys onto the table while saying, "I am going to the bathroom, the dojo's downstairs. My nephews asleep on the couch, so try to be quiet." He disappeared away into the hall, and his voice drifted back to her, "I'll meet you in a few minutes."
The girl grumbled something under her breath about disrespectful and inhospitable men before she took off her coat, folded it and put it on the table. She walked in a few steps further, examining her surroundings. It was a nice house, a good size for a small family.
A soft rustling noise brought her out of her thoughts, and Kamiya turned towards its source. She saw a figure lying on the couch, covered with a blanket and curled slightly up on the cushions. The television was on so whoever it was had been watching the Saturday morning shows.
"Kamiya!"
She started again and looked in the direction of the hall, "I'm coming, I'm coming," the girl muttered quietly before started walking off in that direction. As she went around the couch Kamiya was given a better view of the person laying there, or more specifically a view of their bright red hair peeking out from under the blanket. The face was mostly hidden from her view by the pillow and the position the person was lying in.
'So that's Hiko-san's nephew," Kamiya thought to herself smiling, then she turned and walked over and into the hall, off to spar with Hiko.
Well, thats it for this chapter. Next time we shall return to the future... or the present (whatever way you want to look at it)
Like I said, I just got back from Spring Break in California and am currently worshipping the tan I got. Its weird, I know, but I live in Minnesota so I never get a tan! Also, I'm sorry but I wasn't able to write very much, so I'll try to make up for it in my remaining time off.
For those who are keeping up to date with my life (I doubt anyone is) the Senior Paper is DONE and TURNED IN and the yearbook is also DONE! Now I'll be able to write more so there will be (hopefully) more updates.
Thanks to my reviewers:
CrystalMind, Chisu-chan, sestrilla, Neverforget99, Micki G, Michika-chan, Draconic Ban-Sidhe, Yanikei, enchantedsleeper, avidgokufan
Christina: Thanks, but I'm confused what you mean by 'past and future charecters.' Oh, Aoshi and Misao? They're Kaoru's friends, and now Kenshins friends in high school. Misao doesn't recognize him but Aoshi (as you know) does. Wow, I honestly hadn't noticed that. Well, I suppose that it can take time in the future as well. It's modern day so none of the meji era differences confine it. If your still confused I'd be happy to explain it further.
I just realized this (slow I know) but we're up to 127 REVIEWS! Thank you to anyone who has ever reviewed!!!! You all make me so so so happy!
If I didn't respond to your review or if there is something you are confused about please don't hesitate to contact me (email or PM) and I will answer your questions as best I can!
O.o I almost forgot to thank Ash-chan! (bows) I'm so sorry!!!!!!!!!!!
Thats all I can think of for now... if there's anything you can think of please contact me!
ja ne,
miji-chan