Reflections on Relationships

Part 2: Yahiko

Kenshin sat inside the Kamiya dojo, silently watching 15-year-old Yahiko train some of the newest students. Kaoru was out playing in the yard with little Kenji, but Yahiko had asked Kenshin to sit in on the training session so Kenshin could potentially advise him on what he could improve upon in his teaching. Ever since Yahiko had accepted the sakabato a few months ago, he seemed desperate to live up to Kenshin's expectations, even though Kenshin knew he was more than capable. From child pickpocket to master swordsman, he had certainly proved himself as one of Kenshin's closest friends.

He watched Yahiko adjust his student's grip on the shinai in much the same way Kaoru used to adjust his grip when he had first begun training. Much as the two had argued and picked on each other, they had grown incredibly close, and Yahiko respected Kaoru's true strength with a sword, despite the fact that people had scoffed that she was a woman and therefore incapable. Both Yahiko and Kenshin knew better than that; they'd seen Kaoru in battle.

Yahiko put his students through their paces, just as Kaoru had always done with him. Kenshin mused on how much the boy had grown in the five years he had known him. He had gone from a spirited young boy with raw talent to a true master of the style. Kenshin trusted Yahiko absolutely, and he hoped Yahiko knew that. He glanced over at the sakabato, knowing there was no better successor than the young man in front of him; he trusted that when it came time for Kenji to inherit the sword from Yahiko, it would have been well used for the protection for the people of Japan.

"That's enough for today," called Yahiko to the 4 students in the room. "We'll continue the torture at the next lesson."

Yahiko grinned at his words, causing his students to chuckle as they made for the door.

"Goodbye Sensei," they called. "Goodbye Himura-san," they said, looking at Kenshin in awe as they passed.

Once they were all gone from the dojo Yahiko made his way over to Kenshin.

"Have you been telling them stories about me again?" asked Kenshin with a laugh.

"Maybe," joked Yahiko, his voice much deeper now that he was older. "Old habits die hard, you know. I can't help but mention you when it comes to swordsmanship."

Kenshin smiled, noticing a flash of fear shoot through Yahiko's eyes as he looked around the dojo.

"Where's Kaoru?"

"She's out in the yard playing with Kenj, that she is," answered Kenshin, smiling at the thought of his wife and son.

Yahiko visibly relaxed. Ever since the Enishi incident he had been more protective of Kaoru, always a little jumpy when he suddenly didn't know her whereabouts. Kenshin certainly didn't blame him; the image of what they thought had been Kaoru's body stabbed through the heart and covered in blood would forever remain seared in their hearts and minds.

"So do you think I'm doing well with my students, Kenshin?" asked Yahiko, crossing the room to pick up the sakabato and sliding it into the belt of his hakama.

"I think you're doing very well. They all appear to be improving with each lesson, that they do," answered Kenshin.

"I hope so," said Yahiko. "I just don't if I can teach them as thoroughly as Kaoru and you taught me. I just learned so much from Kaoru's teaching and from watching all your battles…" he stopped, looking the man he admired above all in the eye.

Kenshin's eyes ran over Yahiko's form, noticing just how much he'd grown. At fifteen he was strong, talented, and well on his way to being a renowned swordsman. But he was still a young man who needed reassurance from the only father figure he'd ever really known.

"You were taught well Yahiko, and you possess a strong spirit. You will do well. Do you think I would have passed my sakabato on to anyone less worthy?" Kenshin smiled, placing his hand on Yahiko's shoulder.

Yahiko smiled too, his expression indicating his reassurance. The two walked out into the yard to greet Kaoru and Kenji.

"How did your lessons go Yahiko?" asked Kaoru from her position tickling Kenji on the ground.

"They were fine. I think those particular students are really improving," responded Yahiko, leaning down to tickle Kenji as well. The 2-year-old boy's peals of laughter echoed through the night, and Kenshin watched the three from a little distance as they played.

At fifteen Kenshin had already been recruited by Katsura as an assassin for Choshu, had already begun to fight in the bloody streets of Kyoto, had begun to lose all sense of himself in the fight to bring peace to Japan. But as he looked at Yahiko, he knew things were different in this era. Yahiko could fight to protect the weak and the innocent with the sakabato, his sword never stained with the blood of men. Yahiko was the golden representative of the new generation.

A mixture of friend, little brother, and son to Kenshin, Yahiko was one of the most loyal people in his life. He had stood by Kenshin through it all, including everything that had transpired with Shishio and Enishi, always believing firmly in Kenshin's ideals, always doing his best to assist in the fight, always going beyond what was expected of him. The red haired man leaned against the doorway's edge, watching three of the people he loved most perfectly at peace in the afternoon air. In that moment he knew he had passed on his sakabato to the most worthy person in Japan; Yahiko Myojin.

AN: Hi all!! I did try awfully hard on this, but I'm not sure how it turned out. I think the relationship between Yahiko and Kenshin is so interesting, and so very deep, that I'm not sure I did it justice. The next chapter will focus on our favorite rooster head, Sanosuke.