Thanks again to all my awesome reviewers: SRAS9, Jasmine blossom625, caseyedith, kokoronagomu, mijin, Althea M, donhisiewen, geckohawaii, LimeGrass, Emi Violet, Crau-san, and Scarred Sword Heart. Much love!
Orthoepy
-noun
The study of correct pronunciation.
The autumn afternoon is a rare moment of solitude for the two of them: The children are playing distantly in the background, laughing and screaming; and underlain is the deeper growl of Yahiko's voice calling for order. Iria-chan pokes her head out the door and says, "Momma, Papa, supper's ready."
"Shall we go in, my love?" Kenshin asks. Kaoru looks it him, his red hair now liberally streaked with gray, and smiles.
"Wouldn't miss it," she says.
Today is the annual Himura-Myojin-Sagara dinner, and all the children, grandchildren, and adopted family are attending. Kenshin has a special place in his heart for Iria's oldest boy Kensei. He is the only one of Kenshin's grandchildren to have inherited his grandfather's fiery hair, and his grandmother's temper to match it, along with a sweet, helpful spirit.
He is displaying that attitude of helpfulness now, supporting the gigantic bowl of ohagi Megumi brought beneath his mother's hands. He beams when he sees Kenshin.
"Hi, Grampa—!" Kensei doesn't ever see the warped floorboard sticking up out of the ancient dojo floor, and the ohagi flies skyward, then arcs down onto Kensei-chan's head, spattering his mother's kimono all the way to her knees.
For a moment there is utter, horrified silence.
Then Kensei says, "Oro?"
Kenshin can't help it. He bursts out laughing.