Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ A Giant and the Lion Cub ❯ Chapter 12 ( Chapter 12 )

Standard disclaimers apply

Chapter 12

Hiko connected with the upper bank with ease. Such a feat was nothing really for a master of his caliber, though any other human being would surely be a pile of flesh and bones at the bottom of the falls after such a descent. More than likely, a commoner's heart would have given out half way down, and a death that was surely frightening, but painless to say the least, would occur.

None of that mattered now though, there was no time for egotistical pride of the skills he possessed, the child he still held clasped to his breast was barely breathing. The boy's skin was ashen white and his lips were turning blue around the edges. Hiko put an ear to the boy's small chest, and winced slightly at the gurgling, rasping sounds of water bubbling in the boy's tiny lungs. Each meager breath he took became weaker and weaker, the effort draining him of any strength he had left.

Quickly, the giant man hooked the boy over one arm, tilting his face to the ground and hitting him smartly on the back several times. The young child made a sickening sound as a cough ripped through his throat, and he vomited river water upon the ground. The body trembled slightly in the larger man's arms, the breathing louder now, more forceful, but wheezing and irregular. "Come on child, open your eyes," Hiko pleaded, laying the boy on his side carefully, hoping the water that still remained would force its way out. He could only pray the boy's incredible spirit would prevail and fend off death.

Kenji could feel the ache in his chest. It hurt to take in air, but at least he could breathe now, the water flowing down his nose and mouth gone. He felt another cough tear at his little throat, and heaved again, throwing up more of the stale water. He was so cold, swimming in darkness, trying to find his way out, barely aware of his surroundings. He wanted his father now, he was afraid of this dark that surrounded him with icy tendrils, trying to consume him. No matter how hard he tried, he could not find the one he searched for, he could not feel him, he was alone in the dark and so very afraid.

He started to cry. A low, ragged moan at first, slowly echoing into a harsh, piercing wail. Tears welled in his eyes and streamed down his face. It hurt to cry like this, his searing throat and battered lungs protesting, but he didn't care. He was scared and the only person able to console him was no where to be found. He lay on the ground, his cheek pressed to the cold, sandy soil and sobbed.

Hiko smiled with relief as the boy began to cry and sank to the ground next to him. The child would live, the color already coming back to his face and lips, even though he still lay on the ground, face pressed to the sandy soil, eyes bound tightly shut. "Cry all you want chicchai riaon. I'll be mad at you later," Hiko thought to himself as he closed his eyes and ran callused fingers through his wet hair.

**********

Kenshin paused as he climbed the face of the mountain, frowning slightly at the trail ahead of him. The afternoon sun was slowly waning away over the trees, in its last stages of brightness before it faded to into dusk. The air was cool and damp and a slight breeze shifted in the trees. As always, the forest was at it's most beautiful, almost calming and inviting, but Kenshin felt uneasy. He could have sworn he heard something on the wind, a sad, frightened cry that made his hair stand on end.

"Kenshin?" a small voice asked from behind him, "Are you okay?"

The samurai turned to look down at his wife, his face drawn into a tight frown. He only nodded slightly, forcing his rurouni grin to come forth as he extended a hand and helped Kaoru over the rock he was standing on. He surveyed the rest of his companions, sighing as he watched Misao deliver a swift kick to Yahiko for pushing her into a small bog of mud. It was just his imagination, he decided, his nerves still on edge from the previous night and lack of sleep. Still, he wanted to hurry now and he motioned for his followers to quicken their steps. "Come on Yahiko, Misao, there's no time for goofing off."

The two younger travelers stopped their fighting, noting the sharpness in Kenshin's voice. It was rare for him to snap at anyone, and it wasn't to be ignored when he did. They immediately stopped their petty squabble and complied, hastening their steps.

"Your worried about something," Kaoru pressed, grasping Kenshin's gi for support as she tried to clamber up the next rock, cursing herself for not bringing her training clothes. She didn't remember the trail to Hiko's cabin being so rough before, but the forest changed rapidly with each passing season, so it really wasn't that much of a surprise.

"Just nerves, koishii," Kenshin answered, putting his hands around his wife's thin waist and lifting over the boulder.

**********

Hiko picked at an ear and looked at the tiny boy sullenly. The child still cried, though not quite as loud now, but it was still enough to make the larger man's ears ring. He frowned at the boy who sat wrapped in a towel in front of the fire, his red hair matted to his face, and nose dripping with goo. "Chibi raion, that's enough. Crying isn't going to do you any good now, so knock it off," Hiko barked suddenly.

Kenji turned to stare at the man, his cries reduced to hiccups and an occasional sob that wracked his tiny body. His bottom lip trembled and eyes still spilt tears, but he abided with the man's orders. He was still very frightened and alone, not really understanding the implications of the event, but instinct told him that something very bad could have happened to him if it wasn't for the giant man who pulled him from the river. He stood on shaky legs and climbed into Hiko's lap, pressing himself against the man's chest. Little whimpers escaped his throat as he fought back the urge to cry out again and his tiny body shook with fear.

Stunned, Hiko stared with astonishment at the small boy who held him so close. Had he ever been this small and scared himself, he wondered, watching the boy huddle himself into a ball against the folds of his cape. He never thought about his own childhood, he couldn't remember anything about it. Fear was something he didn't know, or possibly, couldn't recall. He felt slightly guilty for shouting at the young boy, and timidly put his arms around the trembling child, uncertain what to do or say.

"It's okay Kenji chan. You don't need to cry anymore, crying won't make things better. Just learn from your mistakes child, and try not to be afraid." Never before had he touched anyone like this, nor had his voice ever sounded so gentle. Not even in the few years he raised the boy's father had he reached out to console him in such a way. It was a strange irony indeed, but he felt his words rang true and what he was doing was right. The boy was just a baby really, even behind those wise eyes, phenomenal courage, and amazing intelligence.

Kenji sniffed and sighed slightly, his sobs fading into hiccups. He fisted a hand into the man's cloak and raised his head to look at his savior. "All wet. All smelly," he replied quietly, mustering up a halfhearted smile. They both reeked of river water and muck, soaked to the bone during their swim in the chilly river.

"Hai, and I have no clothes for you baka kodomo," Hiko stated, relieved the boy was overcoming the scare. His former student's old clothing had been used already, so Hiko would have to put his sewing skills to use to fashion another makeshift kimono for the boy. How the townsfolk would laugh if they knew that the 13th master of Hiten Mitsurugi could sew clothing as well as a seamstress. The life of a recluse required many skills though, sewing, cooking, and other domestic chores were among them.

He moved the child off his lap carefully, pulling away the towel and eyeing every inch of the boy's skinny body. His eyes lingered on a rather nasty gash above the child's right brow, it would leave a slight scar, but wasn't life threatening. The rest of the boy's body was a bit battered, with a few scrapes and bruises, but nothing was broken, as he had feared. The child was incredibly lucky, more so than he'd ever know probably. Death had spared him today, Hiko was sure of it.

He hissed slightly as he moved his own shoulder, touching the deep wound carefully. It would need attention immediately, or infection would definitely set in. The rock had gouged out a considerable amount of flesh, it would not sew up easily, so he would have to settle for a compress and bandage. The boy's clothing issues would have to wait. He tossed the towel back at the boy, whose eyes danced with concern at the man's obvious pain, "Don't look at me like that," Hiko snapped, "Go outside and I'll be there in a minute."

Kenji narrowed his gaze at the bigger man. "Owie," he stated, pointing to the bloodied cloth that stuck to Hiko's shirt, "Big Owie."

Hiko rolled his eyes, "It takes more than a mere scratch like this to hurt me baka. Now go outside, the light is better there and I'll fix both of us up." He shoved the boy gently out the door then began rummaging around his cluttered cabin for the medicine chest. "I haven't had to use this thing in years," his thoughts grumbled in his head, "Now where did I put the damn thing…"

*********

"I can see the cabin!" Yahiko shouted excitedly. He stopped suddenly, causing Misao to run into him and almost fall onto the trail, "Kenshin, are you sure Kenji is here. I mean what if…" He kicked absently at a rock, his fears and worries suddenly returning. They had no real proof Kenji had actually been found by Kenshin's master. It was all an assumption really. If he wasn't at the cabin of Hiko Seijuro, what would they do? What would Kenshin do?

"He's here Yahiko," Kenshin's voice echoed from a few steps behind, "Trust me." Kenshin smiled slightly. His son was with his master, he could feel it in his heart, but something troubled him. It was a feeling of foreboding, as if something had happened, but he could not put his finger on it. Kenji was a magnet for trouble and Kenshin could only hope nothing too horrible had befallen his master.

Yahiko's spirits brightened and he suddenly laughed as he broke into a run along the trail. He trusted Kenshin with his life, there was no way he could be wrong. He wanted to see his brother now, and allowed himself to sprint towards the cabin at full speed, ignoring the cries of Kaoru and Misao to wait for them.

**********

Hiko dabbed the boy's brow with a bit of clean cloth, trying to clear the dirt out of the wound. There were a few pieces of gravel embedded in the gash, where the child's head scraped along the river bottom during his swim. Kenji snarled at him, but was held fast by two strong knees and one massive hand. "Hold still you little rat. Your lucky you have a thick skull or your brains would be feeding the fishes right now," Hiko growled irritably. The boy hissed at him with the venom of snake and squirmed even harder, the fight he almost lost coming back rapidly.

Suddenly, his head snapped around and pale eyes grew large as he gazed at the trail that led up to the cabin. "Oro?" he whispered, growing completely still.

Hiko froze as well, his impeccable hearing picking up the sounds of approaching people and sensing a very familiar ki. He glanced at the boy he held between his knees and grinned wide. "You picked that up even before I did, didn't you little lion cub. Amazing!" Hiko released the child from his grasp and stood up, waiting for the arrival of his unexpected guests.

So his baka deshi was alive and had come to reclaim his blood. Maybe he wasn't as dumb as Hiko thought he was, being able to figure out where the boy had gone in the first place. It certainly took him long enough though, and Hiko wondered how many people met the end of the sakabatou while his stupid pupil put the pieces of the puzzle together. He was an idiot for letting the boy get away from him in the first place, and Hiko intended on telling him so.

"Father, Mama, Yah-ko…" Kenji whispered softly, his pale eyes glazing over as he watched the clearly visible form of Yahiko running down the path, followed closely by Misao. The boy let out a sudden squeal of elation, throwing down his towel and running as fast as his little legs would carry him. His family had come to find him, all of them together and his heart soared with relief.

He did not bother to stop at Yahiko, instead running past him, shouting and yelling, his body a streaking white of nakedness in the late afternoon sun. He fell into the arms of his mother, tear's of joy streaming down her face as she clasped her son to her, her voice shaking as she scolded him and told him how much she loved him all at the same time.

Kenji wriggled free of her grasp, shoving away her questioning fingers as she noticed his bruises and scrapes. Several paces behind his mother stood the one he longed for the most. With a strangled cry, he bound away from his mother and launched himself into the folds of his father's gi, almost knocking the man off his feet.

Kenshin crushed his son close to him, burying his face into his son's hair, murmuring out apologies and promises in a long stream of barely coherent words. His heart burned with happiness, relief, and grief. "I'm so sorry Kenji chan," he said into his son's red locks, "Will you ever forgive me? I'll never lose you again, child!"

He was answered with a great sob and wet tears against his skin. Startled, he pulled his son away from him and stared into the wet, crystalline eyes. "Kenji, what's wrong," he asked, brushing away the strands of hair that fell into the boys eyes, confused at the tears he saw streaming down the boy's face. Kenji never cried, but apparently, the boy was distraught enough to wail like the child he was now. Kenshin was almost relieved by the crying, is signified his son was at least partially normal, but he quickly noticed the deep bruises and wicked cut above his son's brow. Something had happened and that was why Kenji was crying. His son was frightened.

He gathered the boy into his arms and stalked over to his master. He gasped slightly as he saw the deep wound on the man's shoulder. "You're hurt shishou," he stated, keeping the emotion out of his voice. The two men stared at each other in stony silence for a few moments.

"Baka kodomo there decided to take a swim in the river," Hiko finally replied, his lips pressed into a thin line of disapproval, "You really should teach him how to swim."

Kenshin frowned at his master, his hackles raising, "The river here isn't that deep," he pointed out. He knew far to well how deep the river was here, having been thrown in numerous times before.

Hiko narrowed his dark gaze, "Maybe not where you're thinking of my baka deshi, but up there it is." Hiko motioned to the river at the top of the falls, "Besides, the little whelp thought it would be a good idea to go for a joy ride over the edge of the falls as well. I was fairly certain he couldn't swim when I dove in, and I knew for a fact he couldn't fly…"

Kaoru made a sharp cry and put her hands over her mouth, while Yahiko and Misao sucked in their breath. Kenji almost died, that was apparent, but once again he miraculously came out barely scratched.

Kenshin stiffened and looked down at the boy in his arms, who had suddenly fallen asleep, his hands tightly twisted into his father's hair, a small, contented smile playing upon his lips. His master had saved the most precious thing in his life. Kenji would have surely died if it wasn't for Seijuro Hiko and for that, Kenshin owed his master his master everything. He bowed his head deeply, trying not to disturb his child, "I cannot thank you enough shishou, for all you've done for me. You have saved me twice over in this life time, my life is yours."

Hiko growled at his student, wanting nothing more than to grind the babbling idiot into the dirt under his boot, "Shut up Kenshin. You are such a moron! I didn't save chicchai riaon for you! Do you think I could honestly live with myself if I let a mere baby die in the river? Give me a little credit, I'm not completely heartless. I took you in didn't I!" Hiko brought his face up close to his students, "Besides, that boy is smart, which is more than I can say about you! He's trouble with a capital T, but smart none the less. It would be a waste for him to die so young."

Misao was fuming mad, her blue eyes blazing, "Hey! Kenshin is trying to thank you Hiko sama! You don't need to call him names and yell at him like that!" She gulped when Hiko fixed her with a dark, obsidian glare.

"Stay out this weasel girl," he barked, "You forget that I raised him. His over polite façade isn't fooling me one bit, so you can cut the crap baka deshi. You're an ignorant fool with the brains of a rabbit, but I wonder…how long did you know your whelp was up here with me?" Hiko knew the minute he saw his student that the man had left his son here on purpose. It was only obvious. Everyone was dressed in clean clothing, looking rested, well fed, and generally unfrantic about their smallest family member. It didn't take a genius to figure that out that Kenshin had left his son in his master's hands, with the motive of a just due justice, no matter how warped it seemed.

Kenshin almost smiled at his master's outburst. He should have expected as much, Hiko was highly intelligent, but Kenshin wouldn't give him the title of genius just yet. He did feel severely guilty that something horrible had happened, he had not expected both master and son to stare death in the face, and he had a feeling Kenji chan managed to stir up more trouble than just that awful incident. "Chicchai raion? He's given him a pet name already. Master, you're more transparent than you know." Kenshin cleared his throat, and stared at his master with calm, unfazed violet eyes. "I'm sorry for the trouble Kenji has caused you master, I never expected something so awful to happen here. I honestly do appreciate you taking care of him for me. He was greatly missed. If you need anything from us, please feel free to ask. We are in your debt forever."

"At least let me bandage and clean that wound for you Hiko san," Kaoru offered, "It's the least I can do for you right now." Hiko shrugged and stalked off to the cabin with Kaoru following close behind.

Yahiko peered down at Kenji, smiling softly at his red haired brother. "I can't believe how lucky this kid is Kenshin. He could have died, but didn't. The gods smile on him, that's for sure." He reached down and smoothed away some of the matted hair, frowning at a sudden thought. "What happened to his clothes, I don't see them hanging out to dry anywhere."

Kenshin shrugged, he didn't care, and he doubted that his master would tell them the other tales of the boy's adventures. Hiko Seijuro had his pride. He tucked his son into his gi the best he could, briefly remembering when Kenji had been a mere baby, fitting inside his clothes nicely. His son was safe with him now and he'd never let him wander away again.

**********

Hiko stared at Kenshin as the rest of the group made their way down the mountain. His student held his son, who still slept, safely cradled halfway inside his gi. He had not once set him down or relinquished his hold on the child, not even when his wife offered to take the boy back with her. It was rare to see a father whose bond with a child ran deeper than the mother's, but Hiko could not deny that was apparent here. He actually had saved his students life by pulling the boy from the water. His silly student always was the symbolic fool, seeing his entire existence in the life of a baby, but Hiko couldn't blame him really. Kenji was particularly special. He had the ability to touch people inside their hearts, and those small fingers had his student's bound tightly within their grasp.

Once the others had gone, Hiko sat down upon his log and sighed. It was a silent offer for Kenshin to sit as well, and the man did so, placing himself carefully at the opposite end of the log, clutching his precious bundle close to his chest. His master cleared his throat a couple of times, and Kenshin stared at him curiously. It was a strange day when Hiko had difficulty finding the words he wanted to speak.

"Your child is a pain in the neck, Kenshin," Hiko started, his voice gruff and gravelly, "He's got a horrible temper, acts out irrationally, and is a magnet for trouble." He made an unconscious wave to the bathhouse, which Kenshin didn't understand.

"He's like me when I was young," Kenshin stated quietly.

Hiko grunted, "You give yourself far too much credit. You were eight when I found you, this boy is only three. He's far more spirited than you ever were. You'll have your hands full as he grows."

"Master, I know all this already."

"Shut up, I'm not finished!"

Kenshin rolled his eyes and wondered why he actually put up with his master's insufferable treatment.

"He's far smarter than you too. That boy has more cunning and wits in his little finger than you've managed to display in your entire lifetime. The difference between you two is he may get angry quickly, but he actually thinks through his actions. With lightening speed mind you. I saw what he did to that sake shop, it was amazing for a child of his age. If I didn't know any better, I'd think he was my child and not yours."

Kenshin almost groaned, "Master, what are you getting at?" Kenshin wanted to go home, climb back into bed with his son, and sleep until it was time to catch the boat back to Tokyo.

Hiko gave an exasperated sigh, "Do I have to spell it out for you baka? He's an amazing child and your lucky to have him. Don't ever take your eyes off him for a second, and never let him go. Train him Kenshin, as I did you. It's the only way he'll ever become tame and know peace. He has the spirit of a phenomenal swordsman inside him."

Kenshin frowned at his master and shook his head slightly. "I cannot train Kenji in the Hiten Mitsurugi style, his body will be like mine, if not smaller. He would suffer the same fate as me if he ever used it."

"He won't have to use it as often Kenshin, if ever. This is a time of peace, but eventually, you'll have to let him choose. Kamiya Kasshin won't satisfy the spirit he has in him." Hiko could see his student's frown darken, "There's nothing wrong with the Kasshin style, it's a fine sword skill in its own, but this boy harbors an impressive spirit, he will make great things happen if given the proper tools."

Kenshin sighed and made a slight nod, "I'll consider it master, but nothing more than that. He's too small right now."

The two of them sat in silence, listening to the sounds of the forest around them for what seemed like eternity.

"I should be going master," Kenshin stated finally, seeing the first signs of fireflies in the light of dusk.

Hiko only nodded, not bothering to move when Kenshin stood to leave. He glanced at the small boy in the man's arms and smiled softly to himself. He would see the boy again, that he was sure of, even if it meant traveling to Tokyo.

Kenshin made it several feet before his master's voice stopped him.

"I thought you were dead Kenshin."

Kenshin didn't bother to turn around, he smiled quietly and replied, "I'll send you a letter every now and then, if you like."

Hiko only answered with a disgruntled huff, but Kenshin only smiled wider. Yes, he'd send his master a letter from time to time, just to set the man's mind at ease. He even pondered the idea of bringing Kenji back with him next year and letting him stay with the man while he paid his yearly tribute to Tomoe. His master would like that, he was sure of it. It would give the tall man time to teach his son the lessons the father didn't want him to learn. Kenshin grinned wide and proceeded down the trail.

Okay, I lied, I had to break this chapter up….I'm already pushing 4500 hundred words….the next chapter is the final one, for sure…As for Hiko advising Kenshin on teaching the boy Hiten Mitsurugi, I have no idea what style Kenji learns, but I figured it just fit into the fic, and no one said I was sticking to the original story perfectly….who knows what Kenji will learn in future fics….shrugs….I'm also a solid believer that Hiko cares about Kenshin more than he lets on…if he didn't, he would have never went to the Aoiya to save Kenshin's friends, nor would he have decided to teach him the final lessons left incomplete….I wish there was more of him in the story, he's a great character one of my top three that's for sure!