Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ —¤: Boy meets dad :¤— ❯ Breakfast at Kohagi's ( Chapter 10 )

I own all rights to anything and everything Kenshin.

(You don't really believe all the ^crap^, do you? :P)

 

 

 

 

- CHAPTER 10 -

 

Ever since the talk on the roof, the two redheads had become almost inseparable.

 

However, the relationship between father and son wasn't a bed of roses just because Kenji finally came clean with Kenshin about his origins just yet.

 

Kenji felt like he could act normally around Kenshin now, so he felt like he didn't need to cut Kenshin any slack anymore. If he wasn't before, he was more brutally honest than normal now. He also felt safer for his sanity because he had someone to talk to about his time with.

 

Kenshin on the other hand, sometimes found himself treading cautiously around Kenji due to the latter's confession about hating him in the future. He felt extremely guilty every time he thought about the times when he attacked Kenji, too. But, he also felt proud of the fact that his son seemed to be very skilled with a sword. In his opinion, although he admitted to himself that it just may be a tad bit biased considering that the kid was his son, Kenji not only had skills, but he had a brilliant mind as well. On top of that, the kid had really good morals and conduct. I wonder if he got that from me or from his mother…?

 

Despite his easy acceptance and pride in Kenji, the Battoussai was also still trying to get used to the fact that the teenager who was two years older than him really was his kid. He didn't know, didn't have experience, and was stumped on how to deal with the situation.

 

Everything was so very complicated.

 

The young hitokiri could also feel himself growing soft every time he looked at Kenji, and he couldn't help but wonder about the kid's mother every time.

 

If anybody found this new-found closeness between the skilled assassin and the new bodyguard unusual, nobody commented on it. Katsura was even pleased that their young hitokiri seemed to have gained a friend.

 

……

 

On their way to breakfast, the Battoussai couldn't help but notice the smirk that was firmly in place on Kenji's face. He raised a brow in question.

 

“It's been more than a week, ten days to be exact.” Kenji remarked, looking like a well-fed cat.

 

Kenshin frowned. Was that supposed to mean something? He couldn't figure out what the significance of that statement was. “More than a week since what?”

 

“Since I came here. You told me that I wouldn't last a week with my `piece of scrap' of a sword, remember?”

 

As Kenji continued to gloat, Kenshin remembered that particular conversation. “Well, considering that you are from the blood of my blood, I should hope that you'll last longer than a week, even with that useless sword of yours.” Kenji growled but the young hitokiri continued, oblivious to the temper he was once more igniting. “And besides, now that I know who you are, do you really think that I'm going to let you die? I will protect you, don't worry. No one will dare lay a finger on you and survive.”

 

The older redhead scoffed. “Excuse me Kenshin,” he drawled out, causing Kenshin to frown. `Kenshin' didn't like being called “Kenshin” by his son, even if the kid was older, but every time they discussed what to call each other, they ended up with a battle of wills with no victor - Kenji refusing to call him “father” since it would raise suspicions; Kenshin refusing to let Kenji call him plain `Kenshin' because he was technically Kenji's father and it sounded disrespectful; Kenji also refused to call him “Battoussai” because it solidified the fact that his father really was a ruthless assassin and he didn't want to think about it - “But I distinctly recall someone's ass getting kicked about several days ago,” Kenji looked pointedly at Kenshin's diagonal wound on the left cheek that looked like it was starting to heal. “If I can defeat the legendary Battoussai, don't you think I'm more than capable of `taking care' of myself?”

 

“But you are still my,” Kenshin dropped his voice to a whisper, “son.”

 

“But I'm older than you!”

 

“So?”

 

“I'm older than you.”

 

“So?”

 

“I'm older than you!”

 

Kenshin sighed. “So? Just because you're older than me now doesn't change the facts, does it? You should show respect to your father.”

 

“Well you should show respect to your elders, and I'm still technically older than you!”

 

“You are so hard-headed.”

 

The young bodyguard snorted. “I probably got that from you.”

“No, you probably got that from your mother.”

 

“Did not.”

 

“Did to.”

 

“Not.”

 

“To.”

 

“No.”

 

“Yes.”

 

On and on they argued until they reached the dining room. The sight of the Battoussai arguing with his look-alike was a normal occurrence in the inn by now so it wasn't any wonder that nobody lifted their heads from their miso soup as the two redheads continued to argue.

 

“I took it easy on you, you know.”

 

“Did not!”

 

“If I'd have known you can use my sword style, I would have taken the fight more seriously.”

 

Kenji just rolled his eyes and took a bite out of his rice ball. Himura the Battoussai had been really chatty these past few days, and became what can only be described as friendly, to Kenji. If he didn't know any better… “You know Kenshin, I think you're growing soft just because you found out who I really was.”

 

“I haven't!” the Battoussai vehemently denied.

 

“Could've fooled me.” Kenji smiled an offensively self-satisfied smile, feeling like he won this round.

 

Before the young hitokiri could come up with a comeback, Iizuka appeared beside him, gaining his attention. “I have another assignment for you tonight,” he told Kenshin and slipped him a piece of paper.

 

For the first time since he accepted the job as a hitokiri in the shadows, Kenshin felt extremely uncomfortable. What did Kenji think of me right now? He accepted the piece of paper from Iizuka and nodded his head as the man stood up and left the room.

 

An uncomfortable silence passed between the two for the first time in several days.

 

“It's okay you know, I understand. It's your job.” Offered Kenji, trying to relieve the tension. He himself had to go to bodyguard assignments during the past few days, but he knew that Kenshin's job was very different from his own.

 

They really needed to get past this hitokiri business. If Kenshin doesn't do his job, then he's not going to help usher in the new era. No Meiji era equals bad news.

 

“I understand,” Kenji said again and placed a reassuring hand on Kenshin's shoulder, squeezing it.

 

It seemed to do the trick, since the Battoussai almost smiled and nodded his head gratefully. Both Himuras continued to eat breakfast in companionable silence.

 

 

 

A/N: Okay, my muse just died. :P I feel so terrible, I re-read Bunny's fic and there it is. That line I love so much. :sniff: I'm so sorry!!! :cries: :sigh: Yeah, my muse died. :( I feel so bad… I wanted to re-write that part but I just felt so disheartened by copying that line, I swear I didn't mean to. :sniff: I shall hold the funeral for my muse at 3pm tomorrow. :P

 

Bleugh, my heart wasn't on this chapter either… I feel sooooooooooo bad. :sigh:

 

I need something to cheer me up… I'll try to watch that episode where Kenshin accidentally proposes to Kaoru and see if my dead muse would come back to life, okie? :P

 

Wish me luck!