Rurouni Kenshin Fanfic

Rurouni Kenshin & Samurai X Original Japanese Version © N.Watsuki/Shueisha * Fuji-TV * SME Visual Works Inc. * Sony Pictures Entertainment

All Fanfics created by Chiruken (me) were written for the sole purpose of shared entertainment and not intended for publication or sale.

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Mamorigami

by Chiruken

Chapter 9

Hedatari

“Your father loves you very much, Kenji.” Yahiko glanced at the boy from the corner of his eye.

“Yeah, right.” Kenji snorted derisively. “He loved me so much that he couldn’t wait to get away.”

With a barely audible sigh Yahiko turned his gaze forward again. Five years had made Kenji a very bitter child. “I see. What makes you say that?”

Leaning back with his hands folded behind his head Kenji glared up at the clear blue sky. “He left ‘Ka-san and me…and never came back. He doesn’t care. Never did, never will. If he did…he never would’ve left in the first place.” He shrugged as if unconcerned though the hurt still lingered in his expressive blue eyes. “I guess I can’t really blame him…he just doesn’t know how to love us, that’s all.”

“That isn’t true, Kenji, and you know it. Your father is so full of love that he can’t express it enough.” When he heard another snort from the boy’s direction, he decided to try a different route…one of painful truth. “You know about your father’s past, right?”

“Yeah, sure. How could I not? Every one keeps talking about it as if he was some great hero…” His eyes narrowed on a small fluffy cloud drifting lazily overhead. “If he was such a hero…then why is he wandering around Japan seeking atonement for his crimes? Shouldn’t heroes be proud of what they did?”

“Yes…well…” Yahiko cleared his throat and shook his head slowly. How could someone like Kenshin and Kaoru who were such kind and generous people produce such a self-centered little brat? “All right, Kenji. Have it your way. But here’s something I doubt you could’ve known. The man you hate so much, your father…he’s so full of love that his body can’t support it and it’s killing him.” He ignored Kenji’s shocked look and continued. “That’s right, he’s dieing. He’s trying to spend the last years of his life helping everyone he can. Rather than accusing him falsely, why don’t you try to understand him? Maybe when he’s home you should try spending time with him getting to know him rather than sulking in a tree somewhere. Don’t you realize how much you’re hurting yourself, your mother and your father with this childish behaviour?”

Kenji jumped to his feet, hands closed into fists at his side. “What do you know? You don’t have to listen to ‘Ka-san cry night after night when he leaves again. You don’t have to watch her everyday as she stares at the gate waiting for him to return. You couldn’t understand…”

Yahiko stood and glared down at the boy he’d thought of as a younger brother. “Couldn’t I? I’ve been in your place, Kenji. The only difference is that rather than taking my anger out on everyone around me I tried to help Kaoru in every way I could. What are you doing? You’re making it harder for her. Do you think it’s easy for her to know that she’s lost both her husband and her son? She’s coping the best way she can and if you’d just talk to her, maybe it would be easier for the both of you. You may as well have left with him for all the good you’re doing here.”

“I’m nothing like him!” Kenji shouted, his words echoing around the doujou off the walls. He winced despite himself.

“No, you’re not.” Yahiko turned away, hiding the deep sorrow reflected in his eyes. “And at this rate you never will be. Your father is a good man, Kenji. Next time he returns, take the time to sit and talk with him…get to know him. You may be surprised at what you learn.” He strode across the yard and out the gate without looking back, though he knew instinctively that the boy was still staring at his back.

“Yahiko…” He turned as he exited the gate to see Kaoru leaning against the wall.

“Kaoru?” He blinked and looked around quickly, but couldn’t see any reason for her to be standing in the street. “What are you doing out here?”

“I was listening to you and Kenji…” She sighed and tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear as the breeze caught at it and blew it into her eyes. “I don’t know what’s happened to him. He used to be such a good boy…but now…”

“He needs Kenshin.” Yahiko sighed and leaned against the wall beside her. “When is he coming home? Has he written to say?”

She nodded and reached into her sleeve, extracting an envelope, still sealed. “This just came.” She held it up for Yahiko to see the handwriting, knowing that he’d recognize it as Kenshin’s.

“Well? Open it, Kaoru!” He waited impatiently as she did so, and then leaned over her shoulder to read along with her. He quickly skimmed over the lines and grinned when his eyes fell on the information that he’d been seeking. “Hey! That’s today! He should be home today!” He looked at her quickly when she didn’t join in with his enthusiasm. “Kaoru?”

“Kenji will just run away again as soon as he finds out. And Kenshin will be sad…” She drew in a deep breath and raised her eyes to stare into Yahiko’s. “So we won’t tell Kenji that his father is coming home. This has gone on long enough. Those two have to talk to each other, whether they like it or not. This can’t continue. They keep hurting each other…” She shook her head, expression sad, yet determined. “It has to stop.”

Yahiko nodded slowly in agreement. “You’re right. I won’t say anything to him, then. You want me to have Tae prepare something for tonight?”

Kaoru shook her head with a smile. “No, that won’t be necessary. But…” Her smile widened into a grin, her eyes shining with excitement. “Maybe we should reserve a table at the Akabeko to celebrate. Would you go by the clinic and ask Genzai-sensei to join us tonight…along with Ayame and Suzume? We can make an evening out of it…it’ll be such fun, just like before, right?”

“Yeah…I’ll be sure to invite them.” He placed his hand behind his head and grinned sheepishly. “Um…Kaoru…would it be all right if I invited Tsubame?”

Kaoru laughed and nodded. “Of course, Yahiko! Tsubame-chan is always welcome, you know that!”

“Thanks. I’ll see you later, then.” He turned and waved over his shoulder as he strode away. He hoped that Kenji and Kenshin could resolve their differences this time. It was just too hard for Kaoru to cope with both being so distant and pulling further away from her. He was definitely looking forward to seeing Kenshin again, though he was worried that Kenji would just walk out when he discovered that his father was home and they’d kept the knowledge from him purposefully.

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Definitions:

Mamorigami: Guardian (Deity)

Hedatari: distance (time in between; remoteness in any respect, as in a relationship)