The sun peeked through the sliding doors of the Kamiya Dojo, casting soft morning light across the wooden floor. Birds chirped outside, and the world felt calm, as if in no rush to begin the day. Inside the dojo, however, life was already stirring.
Kaoru hummed quietly to herself in the kitchen, her sleeves rolled up as she prepared breakfast. The scent of miso soup and freshly cooked rice filled the air. She glanced at the small pot on the stove, where she was simmering some fish—Kenshin's favorite. She had become quite adept at cooking over the years, though she'd never admit it out loud. It was something she found herself enjoying, especially when it was for her family.
Outside, the soft sound of sweeping could be heard. Kenshin, with his familiar red hair tied back and wearing his simple yukata, was methodically cleaning the courtyard. The broom swished lightly across the stones as he tidied up the fallen leaves. He had always preferred doing things by hand, finding solace in the simple tasks that kept his mind at ease. It reminded him of the life he had now—a far cry from his days as Battousai. Here, there were no battles, no wars, only the gentle rhythm of daily life.
"Kenshin, breakfast is almost ready!" Kaoru called from the kitchen, poking her head out with a smile.
"Hai, Kaoru-dono," Kenshin replied with a small smile, wiping the sweat from his brow. He leaned the broom against the wall and walked toward the house, pausing only to give the garden a once-over. The flowers Kaoru had planted were starting to bloom, adding color to their peaceful home. He couldn't help but admire the way life had settled into something so beautifully ordinary.
Inside, the table was already set. Kenshin sat down just as Kaoru brought out the steaming dishes. Their son, Kenji, was still in his futon, stirring but not yet fully awake. Kenshin chuckled softly. "Looks like someone stayed up too late again."
Kaoru grinned, sitting down across from him. "He was insisting he wasn't sleepy, but two minutes after lying down, he was out like a light."
They began eating, the quiet sounds of clinking bowls filling the room. Kenshin savored the warmth of the miso soup, glancing at Kaoru from time to time, watching as she absentmindedly tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. The domesticity of it all never failed to amaze him. It wasn't so long ago that his life was anything but peaceful. Now, this—sitting across from Kaoru, eating the breakfast she made—was his new normal.
Kaoru, feeling his gaze, looked up and raised an eyebrow. "What? Is something wrong?"
Kenshin shook his head, his smile widening. "Nothing, Kaoru-dono. I'm just... happy."
She blushed slightly and muttered, "Well, don't just stare, eat before it gets cold."
As they continued their meal, a little voice broke the quiet morning. "Mama, Papa!"
Kenji appeared in the doorway, his hair adorably tousled from sleep, rubbing his eyes with his tiny fists. He wore a sleepy grin as he toddled over to the table. Kaoru scooped him up into her arms, setting him on her lap.
"Good morning, sleepyhead," she said, kissing the top of his head.
Kenshin reached over and ruffled Kenji's hair. "Someone's up early," he teased, earning a sleepy giggle from his son.
"Papa," Kenji mumbled, his little hands reaching for a piece of rice. Kaoru handed him a small bowl, and he began to eat messily, much to Kaoru's mock frustration.
"Kenji, careful!" Kaoru said, trying to wipe off some rice that had ended up on his cheek. Kenshin chuckled softly, watching as his son attempted to eat with determination, much like his mother's own fiery spirit.
After breakfast, the day rolled into its usual domestic routine. Kenshin took Kenji outside, teaching him how to sweep the courtyard, though most of the time was spent with Kenji trying to chase butterflies or playing in the dirt. Kenshin didn't mind; seeing his son so full of life filled him with a quiet contentment.
Meanwhile, Kaoru tidied up inside the house, humming again as she cleaned. She could hear Kenshin and Kenji's laughter from outside, a sound she never thought she'd cherish so deeply. There were moments when she'd stop in her tracks, thinking about how far they had come. Their lives used to be so chaotic, always on edge, with danger lurking around the corner. Now, the biggest problem they had was whether Kenji would nap on time or if they'd have enough rice for dinner.
By mid-afternoon, the heat of the day had set in. Kenshin and Kaoru sat under the shade of the trees in the garden, watching as Kenji played with a wooden toy Sanosuke had made for him. The light filtered through the leaves, creating a dappled pattern on the ground.
"Kenshin," Kaoru said softly, leaning back against the tree trunk, her eyes half-closed. "Do you ever think about… how different things are now?"
He nodded, glancing at her with a gentle smile. "Every day. This is a life I never thought I'd have."
Kaoru smiled, reaching for his hand. "I'm glad we both found it. I can't imagine my days without you or Kenji."
Kenshin squeezed her hand lightly. "Nor can I. It's a peaceful life, Kaoru-dono. One that I will always protect."
Kaoru smirked. "You're still using 'Kaoru-dono,' huh? You know you can just call me Kaoru, right?"
Kenshin laughed softly. "Old habits die hard, that they do."
They sat in silence for a while longer, enjoying the simplicity of the moment. The sound of Kenji's giggles filled the air as he ran around, chasing after a butterfly. Kenshin and Kaoru exchanged a look, a silent understanding between them: this was their happiness, their peace. They had fought so hard to reach this place, and now, they could finally enjoy the fruits of that struggle.
As the day began to wind down, and the sky turned pink with the setting sun, Kenshin and Kaoru gathered Kenji in their arms. They headed back inside the dojo, where the warmth of their home waited, where every day was a quiet testament to the love they had built, brick by brick.
It was a simple life, but it was theirs.