Chapter One Hundred Seven

"I DID WHAT I COULD… MOTHER. TO MAKE YOUR DEATH AS PAINLESS AS POSSIBLE. I'M SORRY IT WAS NOT IN MY POWER TO STOP IT."

Smiling gently at the downcast features across from her own, Kaoru squeezed the hands she held between them. It was so strange, and yet so very familiar, to see this young man. So very odd and comfortable to hear this adult address her as mother. There was so much of Kenji that she could see in his expression, and therefore, so much of Kenshin. She knew that this being was the reason Kenji sounded so much older than he appeared, but age mattered little to a mother. Their child would always be their child.

"Don't be upset. I'm not. I'm happy that it meant getting to meet you. I'm happy that it meant meeting Kenshin." Clenching her fingers around his once more, her grin showed teeth and her eyes glistened with moisture. "I'm happy you thought of me."

A small smile pulled at his mouth before his chest rose to speak again. His voice was deep with power, like a rumbling volcano, but soothing like the shelter of home during a thunderstorm. When he spoke, however, he cast his voice low, as if holding the true strength of his tone back for her.

"MY VESSEL GAVE YOU A GIFT THAT HAS TROUBLED YOU."

Frowning, Kaoru lifted her chin.

"Troubled? What do you mean?"

"THE ONIBI FLAME WAS A GIFT FROM MY VESSEL, WHOM YOU HAVE NAMED KENJI."

"O-oh! Is that true? Kenji gave it to me?"

"HE MEANT WELL, BUT IT WILL WORK BEST IF YOU KNOW HOW TO USE IT PROPERLY. SHALL I TEACH YOU?"

"Yes! Please!"

His smile widened, and he slipped his hands free to flatten both of hers together between the firm strength of his fingers.

"THEN I SHALL." A pause lingered between them, and his voice turned gentle. "MOTHER… WILL YOU DO ME A FAVOR?"

Smiling and nodding, Kaoru's sapphire eyes glowed as she gazed fondly upon the image of the other half of her son. "Anything."

The silence stretched, and when he swallowed, it appeared strained.

"YOU HAVE LEARNED THAT A TRUE NAME HOLDS POWER, AND IS MEANT ONLY FOR SOMEONE EXTREMELY IMPORTANT AND TRUSTED TO KNOW. THAT WILL NOT BE THE CASE FOR ME AND MY PERFECT VESSEL. EVERYONE WILL KNOW MY TRUE NAME, AND THAT NAME WILL NOT GIVE THEM POWER. IT WILL, IN FACT, BE THE OPPOSITE. THE MORE WHO KNOW OF ME, THE MORE POWER I WILL GAIN. BUT… ONLY YOU… AND FATHER… WILL KNOW MY VESSEL BY THE NAME KENJI. THAT MAKES THIS GIVEN NAME MORE SPECIAL THAN MY TRUE ONE. WHAT I WOULD ASK OF YOU IS… WILL YOU ALSO CALL ME BY THIS GIVEN NAME… FROM NOW ON?"

Her smile blossomed like sunshine, and she tweaked his nose happily.

"What an adorable son you are. Of course, I will, Kenji."

X

The words echoed in Kaoru's mind as she blinked awake, and she smiled sleepily at the side of Kenshin's face when he turned to check on her. Stretching, she hummed to awaken her tired vocal cords.

"Has it been ten minutes already?"

A red eyebrow lifted, and he huffed a laughed.

"More like three hours."

"Huh?!" Pushing herself upright, she glanced around at the bubble still surrounding them. "Why'd you let me sleep that long? I clearly said ten minutes." Pouting, she smoothed down her mussed hair. "I know I heard something about getting married immediately. I at least wanted to fix myself up a little first."

More laughter echoed under the weight of the waterfall's pounding rhythm as Kenshin sat up next to her. Tenderly, his bandaged thumb brushed under her right eye.

"It's fine. You were tired, and needed the rest. I wouldn't want my bride-to-be to have dark circles under her eyes."

Her bottom lip became more pronounced, but she looked happy with his concern.

"Anyway, it gave me some time to think while you slept." Amusement twisted his features, and he pushed her unbound hair back over one shoulder. "You know… I think we're what the old folk call 'delinquents.'"

Sputtering with laughter and confusion, Kaoru tilted her head.

"Why? Because we're wanted terrorists?"

"No…" Leaning in, he left a soft kiss on the side of her mouth. "Because we technically conceived a child as teenagers."

"Oh, you're right!" More sputtered laughter, and Kaoru leaned into his chest. "I was seventeen… but you were only fourteen!" A gasp, and she covered her mouth. "That makes me a predator." Kenshin's arms wrapped around her shoulders as she looked soberly concerned. "Oh no… I think… I think your dad would have been mad at me for taking advantage of you."

"My dad would probably have been thrilled about a grandson…" If they had conceived a child the normal way, that was. Kenshin would have to explain to Kaoru later why his father had decided not to introduce them as children. For now, he wanted to enjoy the normal and playful atmosphere they were sharing. Turning the conversation back on her, Kenshin sighed dramatically. "I'm afraid your dad would have likely weighed how valuable my life actually was."

"Well…" The word was drawn out as Kaoru thought on his logic. "He wouldn't have killed you, at least."

Chuckling, Kenshin nodded seriously.

"At least."

Looking up at him from his chest, Kaoru's grin softened.

"My parents would have liked you. I… wish you could have met them."

"Me, too."

Taking her face in both bandage-wrapped hands, his amusement darkened to a more solemn expression.

"Kaoru… it would be best if we kept Kenji a secret, for now. The Kagu-tsuchi is something my bloodline has protected since the creation of the Earth." Dark eyebrows disappeared behind her bangs, and her sapphire eyes widened. "Kenji's conception and birth is a momentous occurrence. I am only an imperfect vessel that contains the Kagu-tsuchi's power, but Kenji will be a perfect vessel that will wield that power. He must be protected, and the safest way to do that is for as few others to know of him as possible."

But… you were so willing to extinguish his life only days ago! Why, when he's obviously so important?! Deep creases crushed her eyebrows together, and she tangled her fingers into his hair. He was willing to do that for me. The depth of his love seemed suddenly frightening and reassuring at the same time. I'm so glad he changed his mind. I want him to love Kenji just as much.

"Okay. Is there anything else we need to do? Did you… find a safe way he can be born?"

"I believe so… but it's still dangerous. My core is damaged and I was unable to transition into a full dragon. I may not be able to control the power necessary to save you both. Which is why I want to take as many precautions as possible in advance. It is also why I asked if you would marry me today." His face twitched and he looked apologetic. "It helps that I was going to ask you to marry me anyway."

Kaoru seemed unfazed but curious.

"How is getting married a precaution?"

"Do you remember what I told you about the difference between human marriage and the marriage our kind practices? Or… at least the old type of marriage we used to practice?"

"Yes. It's permanent, right?" Kenshin nodded, and Kaoru sat up a little straighter. "Oh, Hiko-sama explained it a little more to me. Something about a marriage seal that allows you to share your power."

"That's right. It will strengthen each of our power by combining them, but more importantly, it will reinforce and deepen our bond to one another. Every seal is different, but I intend to work into our seal the ability to sense each other. Among other things, this will allow us to know where the other is if need be. If, of course, you are okay with that."

A slight shrug of her shoulders preceded her agreement.

"I don't see why not. I'd actually prefer knowing where you are so I don't have to worry."

"Me, too." Relief relaxed his shoulders. "There is also a level of instinctiveness about a seal between demons. You may not notice it as you are human, but others will detect that you are married and it will act as a warning. The stronger your spouse, the stronger that warning will be. This should afford you more protection than before. Mostly, though, I am hoping that by strengthening our connection it will allow me to better sense Kenji, and where the barrier of your soul begins. This way I can safely extract him when the time comes for him to be born."

"What… do you have to do when it is time?"

Red lashes fell. "What I have to do hasn't changed. I will have to stab you with the Kagu-tsuchi again, the same way I did when… Kenji was conceived. The blade must pierce your soul in order to pull Kenji out, only this time I am going to try not to damage your soul in the process. I will do everything in my power to save you both, but…" Though he had promised her already, and declared confidently to the Kagu-tsuchi that he would, doubt still lingered in wait for him to lose his determination. As the Kagu-tsuchi had said, this was not something he could accomplish simply by wishing it or saying he would make it happen. This was something he would have to struggle to make a reality.

"I trust you." The declaration was simple and earnest, and it washed away the doubt in his heart easily. "I know you won't hurt me."

His brows twitched, but when he opened his eyes, they were determined and intense. "This time, I will look only at you." She smiled steadily, and her body did not even quiver once in fear. Even though he knew that what he had explained to her was terrifying. She was not afraid. Waiting and even willingly allowing another to stab her square in the chest was unnatural for any being. Still, she was trusting him completely by offering her life and Kenji's life carefully into his hands.

He would not betray that trust. Not for the rest of their lives, nor even into the afterlife.

"We're getting married today, Kenshin. That means you're going to look at only me forever." She laughed just a bit evilly, and he blinked in surprise at first, before nodding agreeably.

"Yes, Ma'am." Holding out an offered hand, Kenshin's smile warmed. "Are you ready?"

Her reply was just as easy.

"Yep."

After gathering their clothes to redress, Kenshin released the bubble of flames protecting them and led her back to the cottage. The walk through the forest felt much more welcoming than when he had traversed it only hours before. Glancing at her affectionately, his troubled heart already eased by her presence, he was comforted further when she started to hum. It was the same song she had hummed at the hot spring, a song so far without words. Lifting his attention from her profile, his eyes briefly frowned at the dirty and blackened length of braided hair hanging from her high ponytail.

Carefully lifting the protective charm from where it was hooked to her hair tie, he spared Kaoru a reassuring look before running the length of the braid through the curl of his fingers. Carefully making sure that his flames did not singe or burn the gauze of his bandages, he performed a quick cleanse of the braid to remove it of all soot and debris. Its ruby exterior glowed like polished gemstone as it came out the other side. He meant to present it back to her, but when he extended his hand in offering, the salamander emerged from the charm between them in a roar of fire.

"Hey you! Where have you been the last three days, huh? I was so worried." Kaoru was, of course, excited to see the loyal guardian, but the salamander took the moment to display how upset he was with Kenshin. With one quick strike, the fire lizard bit him hard on the calf, and Kenshin yelped and jerked away at the same time.

"What the hell?!"

An angry snort shot fire from the salamander's nostrils, and he growled threateningly before turning to rub himself against Kaoru's side and lean into her embrace.

"You poor thing. It hurt when he transitioned, didn't it?"

The salamander nodded and lifted his head to rest his upraised chin against her sternum. His expression was pitiful to earn as much sympathy as possible, and Kaoru showered him with it generously. Having fallen on the ground without so much as a word of concern, Kenshin glared at the protective charm in irritation.

"I'm starting to rethink how useful you are."

A side-eyed look of superiority briefly twisted the salamander's expression, and nothing needed to be said to point out how unlikely it was that he could get rid of him at that point. Once Kenshin had gained his feet, the salamander bounced away from Kaoru and decided to prance ahead of them happily. Through the link, Kenshin listened to the charm proclaim its elation and knowledge of their impending marriage.

I guess I kind of deserved to be bitten, considering everything that's happened.

Taking Kaoru's hand when she offered, he assured her that he was fine when she finally asked.

In the yard around Hiko's home, the water dragon stood contemplating the half upside-down bowl of hardened lava that had formed over the clearing. A side-effect of the barrier he had created and the lava Kenshin had inadvertently conjured. Gruff words of low irritation muttered from his stern mouth, and a deep sigh lifted his chest as they stopped behind him. Not even a glance was spared in their direction to acknowledge their approach, but his words became clearer.

"…damn kid turned my home into an active volcano. I remember now why I never wanted any of my own." A few more grumbles threatened to curse Kenshin with a constant monsoon over his apartment, to see how he liked his comfort being disrupted.

"'Morning, Hiko-sama!" Kaoru cheerfully greeted him, almost as if used to hearing his complaints. His arms crossed, but he still refused to look at them.

"I see you found him."

"He was right where you said he'd be."

Kenshin frowned as he realized Hiko had not only failed to do what he said he would to keep Kaoru away for a while longer, but had in fact done the exact opposite by giving her directions. He had no complaints about the outcome, of course, but it proved the water dragon had grown a bit impatient with him.

"Good. You still planning to leave for neo-Tokyo?" Finally, Hiko turned, and his chin lifted. "The sooner you retrieve that piece of core the girl carries, the better. You might even still be capable of fully transitioning."

"Could he? That's great, right Kenshin?" Hiko still believed that what Kaoru carried in her chest was only a piece of Kenshin's core. True to their conversation, Kaoru was keeping Kenji a secret by not correcting him, but her enthusiasm for Hiko's advice was genuine. Which Kenshin found strange. From what he had understood about Kenji's conception, whatever piece of core he had lost was now inside Kenji for good. Was that not what Kaoru had understood? Violet eyes lingered on Kaoru questioningly, before he decided the best course of action was to simply agree for now.

"Hmm." Briefly he tried to smile at her as if encouraged, but there were more important matters to discuss at that moment. Swinging his gaze back to Hiko, he bowed his head formally. "We will be leaving, today if possible. Before we go, I had hoped you would agree to officiate our wedding."

Without missing a beat, Hiko grunted.

"Of course."

A few seconds later, the komainu popped their heads over the lip of the magma overhang.

"You called, Master?"

"Bring me the stone from the bottom of the hot spring, and take Kamiya-san to be purified."

Both lion-dog guardians looked at one another before jumping up with excitement. "Are we having a wedding?!" Ayame disappeared down the slope of the hardened igneous rock to turn up next to them, but Suzume jumped off to land at Hiko's feet. Kaoru was promptly drug away by the hands latched to either arm, and their echoing giggles were happy and teasing. "We haven't had a wedding in so long!" The salamander pranced along behind them, the flat of his head pressed excitedly into the small of Kaoru's back to hurry her along. Left with the water dragon, Kenshin glanced up at the way his failed transition had changed the face of the mountain.

"Want me to try clearing it?"

"No." The deadpan answer was filled with doubt that he even could. "Cleaning up this mess is going to take years, and I don't need you piling onto it." He started muttering again, about finally getting to leave his mountain only for it to be destroyed the same day. The irritation was shaken from him with a rumble of dismissive air. "Are you marrying that girl to make it easier to get that piece of core out of her?"

The change in conversation was sudden, but Kenshin made sure not to react. Thinking over his answer, he finally nodded slowly.

"That's part of it. Do you… think it rash?"

Hiko huffed. "You should have married her weeks ago when I told you to. Would have saved some time and prevented that fiasco with the spider."

A rueful sigh lifted and deflated Kenshin's chest. "…You're right."

"I know I'm right." There was no arrogance in the response, but Kenshin fought the urge to roll his eyes at the man's confidence. "Congratulations, boy." While the felicitation was genuine, his voice was annoyed. "Now I can tell you to get the fuck off my mountain without feeling guilty."

Rubbing his nose to hide his unexpected grin, Kenshin bowed again. "Yes, Master."

Ayame came running back a few moments later with the requested stone in her hands. It was the size of a small melon, and perfectly smooth. Its color had darkened from the heat of the hot spring source, and it glowed with a soft pearlescence.

"Here you are, Master."

"Good job."

"I'll be heading back now." Grinning, Ayame took off back into the trees towards the hot spring.

The stone was handed off to Kenshin without fanfare. It was required that the stamp for a marriage seal be formed from a natural source, whether stone or wood. That source also had to be pure, to allow no taint to disrupt the bond, which usually meant it was old. This stone, in particular, had sat at the bottom of the hot spring since it was formed thousands of years prior.

"You have an idea on what your marriage seal will look like?"

"Yes." Truthfully, he had been thinking about it off and on for weeks, and he had a perfect outline on what he wanted included in the seal now. Holding the stone in the palm of his outstretched hand, he soaked it in his flames to carefully ingrain every small detail he had previously mapped out in this mind into the stone. The unneeded pieces burnt away into ashes that fell at their feet, along with the unfortunate bandages concealing his maimed and nail-less fingers, until all that was left in his hand was a heavy stamp and a small bowl for the stamp to fit into. Once finished, Hiko collected the stamp from him to inspect the seal he meant to use.

"It's a little big, isn't it?" The stamp was the size of Hiko's palm. Marriage seals were usually no larger than a coin.

"I wanted to make sure it was fair." Smiling harmlessly, Kenshin brushed off his observation.

Hiko frowned as he continued his study. "It's thorough all right." Suddenly, dark brows slammed together as his mind deciphered a certain portion of the seal. "What the hell is this?!"

The feigned innocence on Kenshin's face slowly disappeared. "Nothing you need to worry about."

"Boy." There was a warning in his tone, but Kenshin looked away.

"It's the only way I could come up with. I know better than anyone… that you can't defeat Death."

A low rumble shook the water dragon's chest. "You fire demons are the most reckless lot I've ever met." Passing the seal back, Hiko waved his hand. "Go clean up." The muttering started up again as soon as Kenshin turned away, and he grinned as he listened to the fading words. Hiko Seijūrō apparently thought himself doomed to worry about his idiot apprentice until the very end.

X

A/N: I decided it best to put this here instead of later so that we can end this group of chapters on a higher note. The only reason I'm mentioning it at all is because I've spoken of my cats often in the author notes of probably all of my stories at this point. My two cats have been with me for a very long time, so long that I have a hard time remembering what it felt like before them. I love them both so much. So much more than I've loved any other pet, and I know it's because they've been with me constantly for as long as they have. They were my lifeline, and we weathered so much together. I already stated during the salamander's first appearance, that one of my two cats, Ebony, passed away in 2020. She was 17 years old, and such a pretty lady. The salamander's personality is based off Ebony in many ways, and it was my way to honor her memory. The only reason I was able to cope with her passing was because I still had her sister, Ivory, to take care of me. (They came from the same litter, so they are truly sisters.) She always cuddled me. No matter where I was, she had to cuddle with me. Even while I was trying to work out, lol. She turned 20 years old this year, and on the 9th of July, she finally decided it was her time to go. Chapter 106 is the last chapter written with her sitting in my lap. The last chapter I will ever write with either of them trying to demand my attention. A few days before I last posted, she acted like she wasn't feeling well, but then her appetite came back with a vengeance and I thought we were okay. She even sat in my lap as I finally decided to defeat Ganondorf in Tears of the Kingdom. (I'm not sure I'll ever be able to play it again now.) Only a few days after I last posted, though, she declined rapidly and I had to take her to the vet. I'll spare you the details, but it's been hard. So much harder than I even imagined. But I don't want anyone to be sad. I know she deserves her rest, and I'm so grateful and lucky to have had her and her sister with me for as long as they were. It's hard not to miss her, though, to miss them both. I'm having good and bad days. The good days I can function normally, and think about them with a calm heart. The bad days… are bad. I'm trying to use those good days to write. I'm sorry this means that it took longer than normal to post. I will ask only that you use any free time you have to think fondly of a pet you once had and loved, as well as smother any living pet you have with so much attention they think you're crazy. XD

Just some fun little facts about my pretty cat-vultures. (You don't have to read this. I just want to memorialize them somewhere.) Ebony was the very proper, pretty one, with her soft meows, deep purr, and beautiful, thick coat. She had an attitude, though, lol, as cats tend to have. She loved being carried around, but was quick to get upset if you teased her. She liked to play bite, but never bit hard, and would always lick you afterwards as if apologizing. (In fact, she'd lick you randomly. She was so weird. XP) When she was younger, she would jump into my arms, but as she aged, she would paw at my knee for me to pick her up or for pets. She talked a lot, and always had to tell me about her day. She was the one I had to keep an eye on when it came to anything plastic. She would chew it, and I still have plenty of things with her bite marks on them, lol. Ivory always looked like she was plotting the downfall of the world when you caught her alone, but would slow blink you with love when in your lap. If I was sitting, she would lean into my chest with her entire weight and stare straight up at me. If I was laying down, she had to sleep or cuddle in my face, and would lay her head down on my shoulder in such a trusting way. Her meow was almost offensive, and sounded more like a strangled duck than a cat. Strangely, that meow changed after her sister died, and became softer but no less demanding. Her purr was broken, like an engine miss-firing. She played with her tail, like it was a feather toy, and sucked on her paw like a kitten. She hated to be picked up, and though tiny compared to her sister, you could not make that girl do anything. Everything had to be done on her terms, or not at all (even at the end). She never once bit me though, not until that very last day, and only then it was because she was in pain. I wished for the bite to scar, but alas, it has healed.

I miss them meowing in the kitchen for food, and sleeping on my chest. I miss them prancing down the hallway after me like little ducklings, and guarding the door while I use the bathroom. Ebony was my pretty girl, and Ivory was my sweet little lady. As my husband said, Ebony probably met Ivory after she passed, huffing and upset that she took so long, and then mortified by how dirty Ivory's ears had gotten in her absence. (I tried to keep them clean, but her sister did such a better job.) Three last kisses on the forehead, little girls, and make sure you be good.