Cursed

by lossehelin

For a thousand years the village has known of the beast living in the old palace. A beast said to live on human blood. One father knows the truth, and is now bound by word to return a favor he has ignored for thirteen years.

28. Father's Instincts

Thanks for all the wonderful reviews. I'm getting such great praise for this story, and it only encourages me to try harder to make it live up to your standards!

Disclaimer: I'm sure they're glad I don't own them.

Chapter 28: Father's Instincts

Rays of sunshine sparkled off the thousands of raindrops still wetting the new buds and rocks, slowly drying the surfaces of soil and foliage. It was muddy in places, where the rain had collected and puddled, but it was to be expected after a week of constant showers. The air smelled fresh, alive, and there was an exciting zing in the atmosphere that spoke of dormant energies reawakening after their winter slumber. Spring was fully upon the palace now, and everything spoke of rebirth.

Frowning, Kenshin glared out over the boundary wall and at the far-reaching glittery ocean, the cheerful vibe of spring dampening his mood. He preferred the rain. He preferred a storm. Anything to counter this sickening exuberance that he was not a part of. Everyone was happy, everyone but him, and he hated them all for it.

"My lord." Eyes closing, Kenshin felt a spike of irritation. The only time of day he was allowed any peace from another's presence anymore was during mealtimes. Those few short hours were all that was keeping him sane. Any interruption set his teeth on edge.

"What is it, Musashino?"

"Uh…" Unnerved by the coldness in his master's voice, the hedgehog shuffled his small legs. "I was informed the lady wishes to dine with you. Today… right now." A low growl rumbled Kenshin's throat and the hedgehog cowered, stuttering over his words.

"I am in no mood to dine with her." Lip curling, Kenshin's frown turned dark.

"I-I'm sorry, my lord, but…" Backing up as Kenshin cast his glowering features towards him, Musashino fought with his own instincts and loyalty to his master's wishes and needing to follow the orders of the lady. "…she said she wouldn't start eating until you arrived…"

Jaw grinding, his growl lowered a notch. "Then you will simply inform her that there is no need to wait. I am not coming."

"I understand, my lord, but… the lady was very insistent." Golden eyes narrowed, sending Musashino scrambling back down the veranda out of a sense of self-preservation. "I'll inform her right away!"

Watching the boy run, Kenshin's irritation boiled in his stomach, his mind trying to keep a hold of those thoughts that fed it life. It had barely been two days since her private rendezvous with the damn cheetah, and the woman was acting as if nothing was or should be wrong. In fact, she was even acting like the discovery of his past was no longer bothering her. Like she no longer cared, or was no longer affected by the knowledge. It hurt, the pain different than he was used to, and no amount of effort on his part let him deal with it in his normal way. He was angry, he was irrational, and though his first reaction had left him feeling defeated, the longer he had to deal with it, the more twisted his insides became.

At least when she was upset he knew that she still cared. That warmth had been tested and stretched too far, however. He could see that clearly now. Choked and bound by her fear, she had turned to another, needing comfort and everything he could not give. The occurrence was inevitable, and he should have expected it with more surety, but the rational part of his mind was hardly ever in control when it came to her. It was as if his sense abandoned him, leaving him to swim through a sea of emotion he could never find his bearings in.

Struggling, a new feeling churned in his gut, souring his temper and leaving him deflated. How could she? Resignation and reluctant acceptance pooled together. Why wouldn't she? Denial followed swiftly, a selfish want not to believe. It can't really be true! I can't even stand the thought!

Stumbling upon the last thing he had ever wanted to see in his life was like an echo of staring at that painting for the first time. Jealousy had shot dangerously through his heart, mistaking his own portrait for that of his brother. Only this time there was nothing to calm him from his rage, because there was no mistaking who Kaoru was holding onto, and there was no relieving the knowledge by telling himself that it was not real. Soon after his fury of seeing someone else in the painting, longing had taken its place, wanting what it portrayed for himself. Once again, this was no different, merely more potent. He wanted what Soujirou had. Wanted it for himself.

No. Eyes closing, he leaned into one of the posts lining the veranda. It's her. I want her for myself. Talons biting into the wood, he fought his breathing as the truth of what he had acknowledged sunk in. None of those things he had wanted to know and experience were born from simple curiosity. Coveting her attention, her smile, her respect, her acceptance, her affection, the warmth of her hand in his, or the strength of her arms wrapped around him like she had done Soujirou, they all had only one thing in common; her. Never in his life had he ever craved such things from anyone else, nor would he even now. It was only because it was her.

Too bad the realization had come too late.

Bitterness burst into flame inside his chest, charring all other emotions and turning them into smoke. It wasn't fair! He had brought her there. He had protected her; befriended her; humored her; gave her everything she could ever want. Why now, when he finally wanted something back, was he to be denied? And how could she give that which he wanted to someone else so easily, so quickly? He had known her long before the cheetah had. Why did Soujirou deserve what he did not?

And how dare she go about like nothing had changed between them. Kaoru had made her choice, and he was not it. For her to act like it was fine, for her to pretend like they were still friends, it did nothing more than disgust him. Because it hurt too, and it confused. He hated the mess she had made of him.

Tucked away in a small corner of his mind… he had begun to hate her as well.

Cringing, he listened to her approach, almost wishing she had not regained her former stubbornness and audacity. It had taken her only slightly more time to build it back up than lose it, but the confrontation was inevitable. He knew her too well, now. She could not just let things go, she did not take well to being ignored. After spending so long avoiding everything that had to do with his life, perhaps it was good that she was so abruptly forward. Perhaps it was even for the best that they get everything out in the open.

Waiting expectantly for the irritation that was sure to soak her voice, Kenshin's frown turned slightly baffled when she merely stopped behind him and said nothing. Angry that she wasn't following his own schedule of events, Kenshin's question was a click of teeth. "Is there something you wanted?"

Instead of an answering annoyance, the woman sighed. "I should have known you were angry with me."

Disgust contorted the muscles in his face, stunned that she would even think otherwise. "What reason do I have not to be?"

"None, I guess." There was a pause, and her voice became smaller. "I'm sorry."

Sorry? In disbelief, he wanted to laugh. Sorry you've made me desire your interactions and warmth? Or sorry you have completely ripped them from me?

"Do you not believe me?"

"No."

Her breath gasped in and out once, quickly. "I… I guess that's fair. I mean… I spent so much time trying to convince you I believe in second chances and then… when the time came, I couldn't prove I believed it at all. It was so awful of me, and I know it hurt you, and even if you don't believe it, I really am sorry."

Not for Soujirou, for the rest of it. Snorting, his wings twitched as the realization hit him. She was still conveniently forgetting that piece of truth. Suddenly tired, he closed his eyes and tried to be rid of her. "Go and eat your meal. It is no doubt cold by now."

"But…" She stuttered, his seeming indifference upsetting her tone. "I wanted you to join me. You've been avoiding me since the other day, and… I guess I deserve that too after avoiding you, but…" She took a breath, as if gathering courage. "I've missed you and I really want you to join me for lunch."

All of his rage trembled in his chest, reminding him of all of her feeble attempts at communication over the last couple days. "I am sick of hearing you lie to try and humor me."

"Lie?"

"I do not find it amusing, and I wish you would stop. I can tell you are forcing yourself to be nice to me, and it has become nothing but annoying."

"But Kenshin…"

"Stop it." Turning finally to level his glare over a shoulder, he felt his resolve weaken as her blue eyes appeared bruised and vulnerable. They were no where near the relieved and thankful state he had imagined them to be in when he finally freed her of some fabricated obligation. Feeling his shoulders begin to sag in sympathetic regret, he forcefully conjured up the memory of her happily embracing the cheetah and his bitterness returned to strengthen his determination. "I don't need your pity." Jerking away before her ignorant act won him completely over, he stomped off down the veranda.

"I'm not doing this out of pity!" Both of her strong hands latched onto his left arm, slowing him down as she dug in with her heels. Though she had withheld it longer than he had anticipated, her temper was finally showing itself. "You're my friend, dammit! I care about you! And at least I'm trying to do something! You have to be literally forced into anything!"

Trying to shake her off, he growled, his tail lashing as his wings buffeted the outer wall of a pavilion and the eaves of the veranda roof. "Let go of me, woman!"

"No! You're not going anywhere until I start hearing the truth from you!"

Finding himself unable to escape, he huffed in disbelief of the accusation, his free hand carefully prying on hers. "I have never lied to you."

"But you never tell me everything, either. You tell me half-truths and bits and pieces here and there, and then I have to learn the rest from somebody else. Saitou-san told me about your brothers." His upper lip curled. "Misao-san told me about your mother." He looked away. "Tomoe-dono told me about the curse." His hand dropped and the arm she held relaxed. "And Soujirou-kun told me what I should have heard from you."

Every loose muscle in his body tensed, the mixture of harsh emotions troubling his heart coming to a stand still. Neck swiveling slowly, his golden irises looked her over. "And just what was that?"

"Only why. I'm sure you didn't know exactly everything Tomoe-dono was going to tell me, but you knew what I was going to find out. She was not kind about it, Kenshin. It would have helped if I had heard it from you first."

"You would have had no reason to believe me."

Perplexed, her mouth hung open and her shoulders slumped. "What reason did I have not to?"

Shifting angrily, he tried once more to pull away. "I could not speak of it. Not in front of you. Not in front of anyone."

"So you were going to just let me hear it from someone else knowing they would be biased?"

"What I did was the worst kind of evil." Hissing, his head leaned forward to let his hair curtain and darken his face. "I have no right to defend or try to justify the actions I took."

"But you were going to just let me make my own assumptions without knowing the full truth. That was not fair."

"What is it you are looking for? An apology for your distress? If it would do any good, I would give that apology to you. I am truly sorry for the suffering you have endured because of me, but my sorrow will never erase the sins I committed."

Releasing his arm, Kaoru instead pushed on his shoulder in an attempt to make him face her. "I didn't want an apology for me, Kenshin. Learning about your past was something I needed to deal with, yes it was harder because you didn't tell me everything yourself, but I'm not mad at you for how it affected me. I don't like how it affected you. I don't like how you dealt with it. You avoid everything, Kenshin, you don't face anything, and you let it hurt you without trying to make it better. You should have made me listen to you. You should have stood up for yourself. You should have said anything, whatever you needed, to fight against your own pain. If you cared about our friendship at all, you would have fought to make sure it didn't disappear. You can't just stand back and let everything happen without you."

The subject had completely sidetracked him away from his original bitterness, and though the image of her with someone else was still within his mind, she was trying to erase it, trying even to encourage him to fight against it. Did she even understand what it was she was telling him, because he sure didn't. Her reaction to his past had been warranted, understood, and even expected. He did not hate her for acting as she had. It had hurt, but he deserved that pain. What had truly hurt him was her familiarity with another. What angered him was her ignorance of his torture. In absolute confusion and despair, his incomprehension making him even more irritable, he grabbed her by both shoulders, unwittingly shaking her. "How do you think I should act? What exactly do you want me to say?"

"Whatever you need to do or say to make yourself feel better. If there's something you want to say, then say it. If there is something you want to do, then do it. Don't hold it back and continue to hurt yourself with your inaction."

Something I want to say and something I want to do. That is all that she wants. Vividly he recalled her violent reaction to his helping hand at the breakfast table those two short days before and he knew what he wanted to say. It took less time for him to know what he wanted to do.

Her sharp intake of breath was loud in his ear. The slower exhalation of that breath was warm on the scales of his neck. She was tense in the embrace of his arms, but he had given her little time to prepare for his assault. For a moment his torment increased as he was unable to stop himself from comparing her frozen posture to that of her willingness when she was with Soujirou. Eyes clenched shut, he tried hard to ignore the shiver of pain that swept down his chest, and tightened his hold instead. It was nice getting to hold her this once, even if it only heightened his longing to have her hold him in return.

"I would never hurt you, Kaoru-dono." Swallowing with difficulty, he gently pushed his cheek into her hair. "Nor would I ever let harm come to you." Inhaling one tremulous breath of jasmine, he carefully let go and stepped away.

Softly the material of his kimono snagged, pulling against his back, and he glanced down even as he was turning to leave. Scrunched into the dark blue silk was her own slim, white hand, her fingers reluctantly uncurling to let him go. For one invigorating moment he knew with total certainty that she wanted him to stay, that she did not wish to let go, and that she was not adverse to his embrace. It swayed his decision to flee, halting his movements so that it was he who stood frozen, watching as her hand finally, lingeringly, slipped free to fall back to her side.

The moment passed just as quickly and his surety was besieged by doubts and excuses. Eyes lifting swiftly to her face, he searched desperately for even a hint of the surety he had felt, wanting to believe it was true. The sudden and forceful return of his attention reddened her cheeks, her blue eyes dark, her eyelids heavy, and when his scrutiny lasted too long she bit her lip and looked away. Both hands clasped together in front of her body, and she tugged fitfully at the sleeves of her kimono until they covered the tips of her fingers.

"Well I…" Voice breaking, she cleared her throat and squirmed uncomfortably. "I think you should have done that a long time ago. I mean," Her blush deepened, spreading all the way down her neck, and Kenshin found it was rather fascinating to watch. "don't you feel better?" When he didn't answer immediately she glanced up at him, a shy smile pulling at her lips in reaction to whatever she read on his face. "I like when you say what you feel, and I… think it would be great if you felt like you could tell me anything. And of course…" Her shoulders shrugged, and her eyes dropped again, the motion decidedly bashful. "I'm always open for a hug if you need one. Just…" A childish, lecturing frown pulled on her mouth, even as a smile was trying to tug her lips upwards. "don't be so abrupt about it next time. You surprised me."

Whatever reason he had for feeling upset with her was gone now. It would probably come back later to plague him, but her words were an appealing invitation, tempting him with the fulfillment he had coveted. Slowly his hand lifted towards her arm, the movement causing her sapphire irises to lock steadily with his. He was briefly able to interpret the anticipation staring back at him and it only encouraged him to forget everything else he thought he knew. In this moment, she was truly happy to be there with him.

"Aijou?"

Kenshin froze and Kaoru jumped, her eyes widening as she spun to face the owner of the voice. "Daddy?" A puzzled look was creasing the face of the older Kamiya, and Kaoru nearly panicked thinking about how long he could have been standing there. Scrambling for something to distract his attention, Kaoru blurted out the first thing that came to mind even as she blushed. "What are you doing here?"

Unwillingly amused, Koshijirou chuckled. "I can't visit my own daughter?" Meeting her halfway as she hurried forward to embrace him, his smile automatically dropped as he studied the lord over her shoulder. His paternal instincts were screaming, and although he didn't know why, he was feeling particularly overprotective. Smile reappearing as Kaoru pulled back, he held her by the shoulders and looked her over. "You keep getting more and more beautiful each time I visit. Just like your mother."

"Dad. This is only the second time you've been here." Rolling her eyes, she sighed.

"Yes, yes, but it does not make the statement any less true." Wrapping an arm around her shoulders he kissed her on the temple and squeezed her into his side. "Well, enough of that. I was actually summoned here."

Confused, Kaoru blinked. "What?"

"Since I have been given so little time to visit you, I was not going to come again until the end of summer, but I received a summons from the lord yesterday."

Both sets of blue eyes looked to Kenshin curiously, but there was an assessing slant in Koshijirou's that suggested he was suspicious. Though unsettled at first, Kenshin was used to ignoring animosity of any form. Cool mask once more in place, covering his disappointment of the interruption, he inclined his head in acknowledgement. "I needed to speak with you in person, Kamiya-san. I hope it has not inconvenienced you in any way."

"Of course not. I always enjoy seeing my daughter."

A sad frown was marring Kaoru's face and she spoke what her father could not. "You aren't going to count this as one of his days, are you Kenshin?"

Pausing as a dark brow lifted at the easy familiarity in which she spoke his name, Kenshin pulled his eyes away from her father. A slight stirring of unease was fluttering around his stomach, and it puzzled him to realize the man was able to invoke such a response in him. Only a few months before the dojo master had feared him. What had changed his cowardice into confidence?

"No, my lady." The eyebrow lifted just a bit higher. "I had no intention of penalizing him for my own summons." Turning to the side, Kenshin gestured down the veranda. "It won't take but a moment. In the meantime, you should really return to your meal, Kaoru-dono, and inform Tae-san that your father is here and will be along shortly."

"Ok." Smiling, she shared the look with her father and encouraged him to follow after Kenshin. "Will you be joining us, Kenshin?"

Golden eyes flitting back to Koshijirou quickly, Kenshin shook his head. "I'm afraid I must get back to my duties."

"Alright, I'll have Tae send something over for you. I know you haven't been eating."

Unable to help his smile, Kenshin was glad he was walking in front of her father. "Very well, my lady."

It wasn't really fair at all, he decided, how easily she could rid him of his anger. Strange, since she was the very reason for it to begin with. If he wanted to be truthful, though, laughing with her was much more appealing than arguing. He would think on the rest of it later.

Opening the door to the pavilion he had converted into an office, he led her father inside to the innermost room. In a much more comfortable situation now that he was on familiar ground, Kenshin knelt on a cushion and then waved a hand at another. Now back in the roll of master, the alien nervousness and anxiety was gone, leaving no trace to track its origin. It didn't really matter, he told himself, because it was not something that would be repeated, anyway. Whatever odd sensations he had experienced were no doubt a side effect of the expectant atmosphere building between him and Kaoru.

"As I said before, Kamiya-san, this will not take long, and then you may dine with your daughter as I am sure you are hungry."

The blue eyes of Kaoru's father were much more sensible and shrewd than her own, and they were even now calculating every word that Kenshin was speaking. The change in his demeanor once again struck the lord as unexpected. Denial, fear, sorrow, anger; these were all the emotions he had seen from the man. Not once had he witnessed this calm discipline and measuring stare. Not while he looked at him, anyway. It seemed some changes had occurred in his life, some realizations and adjustments to the new arrangement, and in enduring, had found his strength.

"If I am to enjoy a day of my daughter's company without cost, then I am grateful and will give you as much time as you need." Curiously, he looked around the interior of the room. "I understand your need to be brief, though. You must be a very busy man if you have not even been eating."

Kenshin frowned. The observation had sounded too much like disapproval. "My duties keep me busy enough."

"Ah." Blue eyes came back to him and Kenshin vaguely noticed that Koshijirou's held more grey than Kaoru's. Much like the steel of a katana. "Not busy enough to keep Kaoru from meddling, as is her way."

Hearing a touch of humorous understanding, Kenshin nodded, but didn't answer. The conversation was starting to sound too much like a trap. For several long seconds they did nothing but blink at each other, and then Koshijirou actually smiled.

"What was it you wished to discuss with me, my lord?"

Silent for a moment or two longer, Kenshin tried to figure out the mechanisms to the trap but found he was unable to. Giving up, he instead looked down as he lifted a stack of papers to study, the action clearly dismissive. "I have recently decided that the restrictions I set upon you may have been a little harsh." Surprise lifted both of Koshijirou's eyebrows. "Kaoru-dono is the only remaining member of your family, it would be cruel to separate you completely."

"I'm sorry, my lord, but… what are you saying?"

"I have decided that you may visit whenever you wish, for as long as you wish. I have had one of the western pavilions made ready for you, and it will be yours whenever you stay."

"That… that is the best news I've had all season." Bowing low until his forehead touched the floor, Koshijirou clenched his eyes shut. "I don't know how to thank you enough." Hands fisting to deal with the release of a tangled mass of emotions he had tried to lock away, the father knew he now understood true relief. The torturous thought of missing so much of his daughter's life had plagued him for countless days and nights. Now he would not have to worry about such things.

"Your gratitude is not necessary." Brushing a few notes onto a page, he carefully filed the paper away and turned to the next. "I know it will make Kaoru-dono happy."

"Kaoru doesn't know about this yet?" Something was warning him once again to be cautious and attentive. It was a strange sensation. Like the expectance just before an opponent moves to strike. Though the dragon-formed lord before him seemed much tamer and was more polite than the last time he had been there, Koshijirou couldn't help be think that he was his opponent.

"No. I thought I would leave that up to you." The soft scrape of the brush in his clawed grip intensified the quiet.

"Has my daughter been happy here?"

Golden irises glanced up, blinked, and dropped again. "You will have to ask her. I cannot answer for her."

"But you want her to be happy."

Kenshin's hand froze mid-brushstroke. The trap was closing in on him. "…Yes."

Steadying his breath, Koshijirou pushed hesitantly into his next question. It would decide what type of opponent the lord was and the tactics he needed to utilize against him. "Do you not think she would be happier at her own home, visiting you?"

Red lashes lowered over his eyes and he sighed slowly. "Kaoru-dono is free to leave whenever she wishes. I would not force her to stay if she truly wished to go."

"I see."

Feeling abruptly gruff, Kenshin shuffled through the stack of papers. "Now if you don't mind, I need to get back to my duties. Musashino will show you to your pavilion and then escort you to the dining hall."

Koshijirou followed the direction of Kenshin's careless gesture, surprised to find a small hedgehog waiting for him just outside the shoji in the hallway. "If you would follow me, Kamiya-sama."

Still partially bewildered by the talking animals, though slowly getting used to it, Koshijirou nodded. "I would be grateful for the assistance." Standing, he bowed his head one last time to the lord. "Thank you again. Even if it was just to make Kaoru happy, you have eased my mind as well." And yet, at the same time, I am strangely unsettled. Something much greater than simple amity has developed between my daughter and this cursed lord. No man would go through so much trouble for one young girl. Not without reason.

As he stepped down into the surrounding hallway, two young snow monkeys appeared around the corner carrying a tray of food between them. They nodded to him politely, but settled the tray on the raised flooring and began assembling a placement of dishes beside their master. "The lady wanted you to know she will be checking the tray when you send it back to make sure you've eaten, my lord." There was a smile in the words coming from one of the monkeys. "And I am to stay to make sure you do not simply get rid of it." The other spoke up, clearly trying not to giggle.

Growling, Kenshin snatched up a bowl of rice and the ivory chopsticks. "I was planning on eating, and I do not need an audience."

"Lady's orders, I'm afraid."

Clearing his throat to hide his laughter, Koshijirou shook his head. "Kaoru can be overly stubborn about such things. Take it from someone with experience, it's useless to try and fight her."

"Maybe I should blame it on you, since you are her father." Irritated, Kenshin grumbled. Unwittingly, an atmosphere of informality through understanding had developed, making it much too easy for both to respond.

Shrugging, Koshijirou shouldered his bag. "Blame it on her mother. Sayoko was persistent when it came to the care and happiness of her family." Something vulnerable loosened the frown on the lord's features, giving Koshijirou pause, and the suspicion in his mind took form. As a father, it was disturbing his composure.

"I see. Then you should not keep her waiting much longer, or she will begin to worry about you as well." Dismissed from the building, Koshijirou was left with little choice but to follow his escort. No amount of distance could pull his thoughts from that office pavilion, however. There was too much there for him to think on.

The pavilion he had been given was only a few removed from the master's at the center, giving him plenty of space and privacy. It was much nicer than his own home, clean, and had everything he would need already placed inside just waiting for him. It was strange, because although the lord had firmly stated that Koshijirou was only there to keep Kaoru happy, he had gone out of his way to make sure the pavilion was more than comfortable. Even the screens were freshly painted, depicting several soothing scenes of the ocean, a bamboo forest, and even one of a dignified tiger. The last one made him smile, because it reminded him of the young tiger he had been first introduced to on his last visit.

Kaoru was waiting for him impatiently in the dining hall, and by the look on her face, her curiosity was about to eat her alive. Smiling as he entered, she jumped up from her cushion and proceeded to drag him to his own seat. Shoved down onto the pillow, he couldn't help but laugh as she dropped down next to him and stared expectantly. "Well?"

Feigning ignorance, because he knew it would kill her, he reached for his tea cup. "Well what, aijou?"

"What did you talk about?"

"Now, aijou, perhaps there was a reason he wished to talk to me in private, did you think about that?"

"Don't be ridiculous, I'm sure it was only a formality. I mean, what could he possibly have to say to you that I couldn't hear about?" Trailing off slowly, Kaoru blinked, then turned to her food. Red slowly spread down her cheeks, surprising her father and widening his eyes, but then she shook her head and rolled her eyes with a frown as if dismissing the idea as foolish. "Oh come on, old man, you know it wasn't anything I couldn't hear."

Frowning himself now, he studied her with the same ounce of suspicion he had studied the lord. It's not true. She's much too young, and how could it be with… Eyes narrowing, he looked straight through her lifted eyebrow and nervous glances. "Dad? Are you ok?" Face clearing in worry, she touched his shoulder. "You didn't fight, did you?"

I am liking this situation less and less. Perhaps I should try to convince her to come back home. At least there I can keep an eye on her.

"Dad?" Blinking he pulled himself back to the present. "You didn't say anything bad to Kenshin, did you? You know, he's really a good person, I mean… he's done some things in his past, but his trying to be a better person now. Isn't that what you told me really counts?"

"Yes, Kaoru, and no, we did not argue. In fact, he gave me some good news."

"Oh?"

Nodding, he squeezed her hand and smiled. "It seems you were right about being nice to him, aijou, because he is going to allow me to visit whenever I want."

"Really?" Sapphire eyes lit with joy, and she bounced in place.

"He has even given me my own pavilion to stay in while I am here."

"That's great!" Excited, she laughed. "See, I told you he was a good person, and it's not just because I'm nice to him. He really cares about everyone here, and he's a good master to them all. Granted it took a little persuasion to convince him to take up the job, but he didn't really need any more help then a bit of encouragement."

"You mean outside interference." Amused, even though he was still uneasy, Koshijirou grinned when she shrugged with a small pout.

"I didn't do that much, just groomed him up a bit, that's all."

"Ah, I was wondering about that. Seeing him fully clothed does make it a bit easier to speak with him. Like he's tamer and more civil."

"Yeah, he's never said anything, but I think he's more comfortable too."

She nodded, and Koshijirou could feel how much easier it was for his daughter to speak about the master. As if they were on more than just speaking terms. As if they were friendly with each other. As if they spent a lot of time together. "You are getting along well here, then?"

"Oh yes, I've made a lot of friends, and I'm never really lonely. Kenshin spends as much time with me as he can, when he's not busy, and I get to use the training hall whenever I want. I can basically go wherever I want, and, oh, do you remember Tae, the cook you met last time you were here? She got married a few weeks ago. It was really beautiful, because everyone showed up to celebrate. It was touching just to know that everyone cares so much for one couple's happiness."

"Then you are happy here?"

"Well… yeah, I am." Wondering at the sad way her father asked, Kaoru's smile faded. "Especially now that you get to visit me whenever you want. A lot of stuff has been happening, and I was a little afraid to ask for fear of adding to it, and with the weather acting the way it has, I thought I might have a bit more time to bring it up." Her smile returned. "It makes me happy to know Kenshin did this on his own."

"Hmm." Looking down into his lap, Koshijirou closed his eyes. "And what would you say if I told you that you didn't have to stay?"

Kaoru frowned, puzzled. "What do you mean?"

"I was also informed that if you wished to come home with me, that you may." Meeting her eyes suddenly, he leaned forward, his hand grabbing hers. "Your place is at home, Kaoru. You could still visit here if you wanted, but it is not proper for an unmarried woman to be living without a suitable guardian around to look after her."

Kaoru was instantly defensive, without even truly understanding why. "Dad, I am perfectly capable of looking out for myself. Besides, everyone here looks after each other, and Misao's with me almost twenty-four seven. Not to mention, I'm probably the most improper person here. Kenshin just about freaks out when I do anything he considers inappropriate. You should have heard him about my training clothes, and don't even let me get started on the cleaning. I thought he was going to pop a blood vessel."

"It is not your clothes or your independence that worries me, aijou." Fumbling and uncomfortable, he wished for his wife to be there. Surely a woman needed to be having this conversation with their daughter. Father's were really not suited. Shaking his head with a sigh, he studied her again. She really was quite beautiful. Womanhood was agreeing with her. "Kaoru… you are still very young and, I know you don't like hearing this but, naïve as well." Covering the hand she had resting on the table, he stilled her disagreement. "I just… I don't want you getting hurt."

Instantly, Kenshin's words echoed in her mind, promising never to hurt her, never to let her get hurt, and she smiled. "Don't worry, Dad, I won't."

Sadness twitched his features. "Does that mean you wish to stay here?"

Biting her lip, Kaoru hesitated, then nodded. "I love you, Dad, and I miss home, but… I'm… I'm beginning to really love it here, too. I don't want to leave now. I've made so many friends, and I feel… I feel like I belong here, like I'm wanted. Don't get me wrong, I know I was loved at home, but I never…" Her shoulders slumped, and Koshijirou squeezed her hand comfortingly.

"You never fit in at the village."

"No. I know why now, but… I also know why I never will fit in there. I want to stay here, besides…" Chuckling softly, she glanced quickly at the empty spot at the head of the table. "someone's got to keep Kenshin in line, and he sure won't let his servants get away with that."

But he will you. Hanging his head, he let his fingers slip away from his daughter's. You are falling in love with this man, aren't you, aijou? I only hope that his intentions are just as innocent. Perhaps it would be best if I made sure. After all, a man to man talk would be much easier than trying to explain such things to his daughter.

"I suppose then, aijou, that I will simply have to content myself with visiting as often as possible."

Nodding merrily, Kaoru picked up her chopsticks. "I would like that, Father."

X

A/N: I don't know why, but this chapter took more time to write than the others. They were harder, but this one kept sidetracking me and I would get lost thinking about future events. Funny huh? Well, I didn't really resolve the Soujirou thing for Kenshin yet, but he has been encouraged to stay in the game lol. They're so cute! I also didn't really resolve Kaoru's issue with Kenshin's past, but she has realized that it doesn't mean she can't still care about the Kenshin she knows now. We'll get to the rest in the next chapter, hopefully, since I was trying to get to it in this one, and it didn't work out so well. Oh well, Kaoru's dad was a blast. I wanted to make sure there was a definite difference between this Koshijirou and the one we saw last time. He has come a long way in his own life, after realizing that although his wife is gone and his daughter is staying elsewhere, that his life is not completely over with, and he cannot just give up, either. More of that will be shown later too. Probably the chapter after next, or after that one, just depends. And Kenshin getting nervous because of that father issue…lmfao. So cute, although, he really doesn't understand it completely yet. I liked how he wanted to write it off as something else entirely. In denial, he is. Especially since Koshijirou almost caught them getting cozy.

Alright, next chapter we get to reminisce with Kaoru's dad about some old stories. Oh, and Sayoko means evening child. I was so glad I finally got to work in Kaoru's mother's name. Please leave a review, and see you soon.