Thanks to Crau-san, caseyedith, Scarred Sword Heart, and Syolen for their reviews. You guys are awesone!
No, I don't own Rurouni Kenshin. Quit making me say it! It's mean!
Spatchcock
-verb
0. To insert or interpolate, esp. in a forced or incongruous manner.
It is dinner time, and Kaoru is yelling for Yahiko to come in and eat before it gets cold. Kenshin is putting the finishing touches on the salmon (a rare treat in their none-too-wealthy household, and so one with which he takes special care) when he hears Sanosuke come whistling innocently (read: with intent to mooch) up to the house. He grins, glad that Kaoru bought extra.
They are an odd bunch, he thinks, watching them at the table. Yahiko eats like the teenager Kenshin remembers being, grace sacrificed for speed. Kaoru is quite ladylike, except when she is whacking Yahiko upside the head and yelling for him to use manners, darn it, isn't he supposed to be samurai?
When Sano isn't stuffing his face (again, that insatiable teenage hunger!) he's making fun of the other two, and Kenshin too for good measure.
Kenshin can't help but smile behind his rice bowl. It's weird, their little family, but it works.