Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ Two Faces of the Same Person ❯ Chapter 1 ( Chapter 1 )

Disclaimer: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin. The sole rights belong to Viz, Sony, Watsuki-sensei, and other related parties.

 

Notes before you read: This story is a crossing of two possible universes for the Rurouni Kenshin story. It takes place in the manga time line. It is my belief that in that manga, Kenshin never his family and wandered around again. There is nothing in it that suggests this is a possibility, while there are comments that hint against this. As is a well known fact, Watsuki wanted a happy ending for his characters and was none to happy with the ending of Seisouhen. In this story, Kenji-chan is based off his counterpart in “Sacred Swords” and “The Giant and the Lion Cub”. He has a loving relationship with his father. The relationship, in this story, between the characters from the Seisouhen universe will be as they are in the OVA. Without further adieu, here is the story.

 

Two Faces of the Same Person

 

Chapter 1:

 

It was a story book spring day, the type that is so full of the magic of new life and fresh beginnings that it inspires poets to write their short staccato-like haikus. Cherry blossoms, the trademark of the season, adorned the delicate branches of the trees lining the wide avenue. There was a sense of celebration in the air. The soft blossoms raining down like nature's confetti added to the festive spirit. And why shouldn't the day been as such, for today was the seventh anniversary of Kenji Himura's birth?

 

Three figures walked by along the sakura draped street. One was a beautiful young women whose blue black hair was tied back to reveal her heart shaped face. Her eyes revealed kindness and mature gained through experience as well as motherhood. Following shortly behind her was her husband with a head of short-cropped red hair, unusual for a man of Oriental origins, and a cross-shaped scar that had faded with age. He grinned down at the youngest member of there family who was busy chattering away to his father, the nearest attentive ear. The littlest one possessed his father's fiery hair and his mother's expressive eyes. An outsider looking at the picture the family presented would be able to sense the deep love they each had for one another.

 

With every step the excitement of the little one, Kenji, appeared to increase exponentially for they were headed to a picnic in his honor. What child doesn't enjoy being the center of attention for a day? At the moment, he was busily asking who all was coming to the small gathering.

 

“Will Yahiko be there? He's never at home anymore. He's always at Auntie Tae's.” He pinched his face in a small expression of worry.

 

Kenshin tried to suppress a smile. He knew exactly why Yahiko had been spending more and more time at the Akabeko. Kaoru and he were expecting a declaration of marriage any day now. “Don't worry, Kenji-chan. I'm sure he'll take special care to be there just for you.”

 

Kenji scrunched his face in irritation. “Otousan, don't call me -chan! I'm big now! I'm seven!” He let go of Kenshin's hand and attempted to hold up seven fingers to emphasize his point.

 

Kenshin adopted an expression of mock seriousness to humor his son. “You are certainly big that you are. However, it's traditional to call children -chan until they are fifteen years old.”

 

Kenji walked along silently for a moment, seemingly deep in thought. “Then why does okaasan still call Yahiko -chan? That must be why he's never home anymore.”

 

Kenshin quickly smothered a laugh. “She only does that to tease him.” He tried not the cringe when he saw his wife send him a withering look out of the corner of his eye. He turned to Kenji quickly and asked if he wanted a piggy-back ride. Before the child could reply, he'd already been swept onto his father's back who was hurrying along at a speedy pace.

 

It was until she was out of her husband's line of sight, now far ahead, that was allowed her lips to upturn slightly and her head to shake lightly. It was times like these, when she could watch two of her greatest joys so carefree, that she felt the peace that they al had fought so hard to attain. It was hard to believe sometimes that the life she led was not a dream. She was afraid that one day she'd wake up to cruelly find that her happiness was only a fantasy produced by a deluded mind. She heard her husband's unguarded laugh as he responded to something their son had said. Her smile widened.

 

(Line Break)

 

Kenji's mouth water as his eyes took in the large spread. Megumi and Tae when ahead of the Himura family to set up so everything would be ready by the time the guest of honor arrived. It took all his control not to dive in and start feasting. He knew better though. His father continuously stressed the importance of being a gentlemen like his father so he had to wait until everyone else arrived. Yahiko and Tsubame, two of the guests who were missing, were supposedly bringing over a special surprise.

 

He looked around at the adults talking. Kenshin and Doctor Genzai were avidly discussing something. Megumi and Kaoru were engaged in the usual friendly banter. Ayame and Suzume were with Yahiko and Tsubame, helping with the clean up at the Akabeko before they all came over. Tae was no where to be seen at the moment. He started to squirm as his attention waned. Why was he being ignored? It was his party after all. He glanced around quickly to make sure no one was looking before he started to inch towards the food. If no one was going to pay attention to him then he was going to help himself to some of the feast laid out before him.

 

Kenshin looked over at his son reaching for the food and suppressed a sigh. He quickly grabbed Kenji before his hands closed around the nearest rice ball and trapped him in his lap. Kenji turned around and glared as best he could.

 

“Not now Kenji. You have to wait until everyone else gets here.”

 

Kenji's eyes widened and adopted a glazed look. His out pushed lip began to tremble. Kenshin felt something lurch deep in his stomach and the eminent feeling of guilt took over. He knew he was doomed. “Alright, but only one.”

 

The forlorn look disappeared from Kenji's face has he dived out of his father's lap and grabbed the rice ball he'd been aiming for earlier.

 

Tricky little devil! Kenji knew how to play upon his father's heartstrings and Kenshin fell for it almost every time. It was hard for him to deny his son anything, especially on his birthday. Kenji was the gift from heaven that he thought he'd never have and still didn't feel worthy of.

 

Kenshin felt a hand be placed upon his shoulder. H turned his head to see his wife, eyes sparkling with hint of amusement of her beloved's predicament. “Darling, you're hopeless.”

 

He closed his eyes and sighed, knowing it was true. “You'd think that after everything I've faced and experienced, I would be able to stand firm before my seven year old son.”

 

Kaoru laughed, slipping her arms around him from behind and resting her head on his shoulder. “Not even the fiercest of warriors can escape from succumbing to Kenji's charm.”

 

Kenshin caressed the side of her face briefly before lucking a stray piece if hair behind her ear. “Then how is it that you possess this skill that the rest of us lack?”

 

“I gave birth to him, dear. I was able to see through his charm from the beginning.” They both turned back to look at their son who had finished his rice ball and was busy picking the leftover rice off his fingers.

 

Kenji's head shot up when he heard the sound of approaching foot steps He got up and broke into a run when he realized who it was. Yahiko narrowly missed losing his load when he was assaulted by a red- haired missile. “Yahiko, you came! What took so long? They wouldn't let me eat till you came.” He pointed an accusatory finger back at the group gathered around the picnic blanket.

 

Yahiko noted the few pieces if rice clinging to Kenji's bangs but he decided to let it pass. “So brat, you ready to celebrate.”

 

Kenji glared daggers up at him. Yahiko barely managed to jump out of the way, think precariously balanced in his arms, and avoid being hit by what would have been a well placed kick. “What'd you do that for?”

 

“Don't call me a brat, Yahiko-chan?”

 

He tried no to face fault. “Who are you calling little, pipsqueak?”

 

“Why are you arguing with a seven year old, Yahiko-chan?” The two boys looked over to see Kaoru standing there was a self-satisfied look on her face.

 

“You stay out of this, ugly.”

 

Kaoru just tilted her head slightly to the side and shrugged, not the least bit fazed. “My my, we are quick to react.” She knew she'd hit a nerve. “I was only commenting because I didn't want you to embarrass yourself in front of Tsubame.”

 

Yahiko turned a few shades redder as he turned around to see Tsubame, a hand in front of her mouth, trying to stifle her giggles. This round went to Kaoru.

 

 

Kaoru leaned over and whispered conspiratorially to Kenshin, who was now standing beside her. “And you and Kenji were wondering why I still call Yahiko -chan?” Kenshin shook his head in disbelief, sharing in the joke. It was times like this that he lived for.

 

(Line break)

 

The meal was nearing its end. Everyone had eaten their fill, including Kenji which was a rare occurrence. At the moment he was busy chomping away at the surprise Yahiko at brought him, a box full of chocolates. Kaoru shook her head at the sight, knowing it would be impossible to get him to sleep later that night.

 

Tae came over to Kenji and knelt down. In her hand she held a small circular cake with a single lit candle on top. “Here, Kenji-chan. There is one more dessert for you.”

 

He looked down at the candle then up at Tae in confusion. Kenshin watched bemused, not much like the combination of his son and fire. He didn't want that little cunning mind to get any ideas. Kaoru, who was sitting beside him, seemed to know what was going on so he decided to calm himself and hold his peace.

 

“It's a tradition in the West, Kenji.” People make a wish and blow out the candle. The wish travels on the smoke up to the gods so that they can hear and grant it.” He looked at her skeptically but decided to give it a try. He shut his eyes for a moment before opening them and glowing out the candle.

 

Yahiko yelled from across the blanket. “So Kenji, what'd you wish for.”

 

A grin alighted on the small boys face. “I wished for something weird to happen. You're never at home. You're always at Auntie Tae's so it's boring now. I want something fun to happen!”

 

Yahiko colored a little, feeling a bit guilty about neglecting the small boy who'd become like a brother to him. Kaoru shook her head in dismay, wishing that her son would learn to keep certain sentiments to himself. Kenshin, on the other hand, was busy trying to visualize exactly would sort of “weird” happening his son wanted to occur. None of the images in his mind seemed very appealing. Kami-sama help him if they actually did decide to grant his son's wish.

 

“Why don't we have Kenji open his presents now.” It seemed like a good time to Megumi to change the subject.

 

Kenji leapt at the suggestion, which seemed to have been the right one. From Misao and friends at the Aoiya, he received some sweets and a Western style suit, measurements provided for by Kaoru, which was quickly tossed aside in disinterest. Tae gave him a carp shaped tako, or kite, which held him captivated because of the bright colors. Yahiko gave him a set of hagoita paddles and ball. From Sano, he received a crude wooden flute from whatever country the man was traveling in at the time. Kenshin secretly wondered how long it was until the toy mysteriously disappeared and was hidden away like all the other toys Kenji received that made noise. Lastly, from his parents, he received a new kimono (that was quickly tossed aside with the suit after Kenji wrinkled his noise in distaste), and a strange mechanical toy. Kaoru at seen it being sold at a market stall, along with some other items from around Europe and couldn't resist buying it. It marched in place while beating upon a small drum. Kenji was fascinated by the toy that could move on its own.

 

After presents were opened, the group decided it was time to go their separate ways. Everyone got up, dusting themselves off attempting to look a little more presentable after being on the ground for a long period of time. Yahiko picked up the sakabatou, which at been resting beside him, with a visible reverence and strung it through the top part of his hakama. The sword at belonged to Kenshin before him, so he carried to sword with pride because of the extreme respect he held for his role model.

 

Kaoru tried to stay and help, but Tae shooed them away stating that she and her family should be spending time with their son on his birthday. Thus, the Himura family, accompanied by Yahiko, once again found themselves walking back down the sakura lined avenue.

 

Kenshin was carrying Kenji who in turn was still enthralled by the mechanical toy. Kenshin smiled down at his son, reveling at how easily amused he was sometimes. If only they all could live like children, delighted by the simplest pleasures in life instead of needing something more to be content, then the world might be a more peaceful place to live.

 

The dojo came into view, the slightly worn state adding to the feeling of home. Something didn't feel right though…

 

His eyes narrowed and his arms tightened unconsciously around his son. There was a presence in the dojo. He glanced over at Yahiko who had his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. So he felt it too. Kaoru glanced between the two of them, picking up on the tension.

 

Kenshin tried to analyze the ki. It seemed familiar, yet he couldn't place it. The ki was weak, yet the strange thing was that it felt like a swordsmen, albeit one that had fallen from peak physical condition.

 

He slowly went forward and opened the gate, still holding Kenji tightly. The small boy was quiet, picking up on his father's mood. Kenshin peaked into the yard, not seeing anyone. His eyes came to rest upon a figure that was leaned up against one of the dojo's poles, apparently asleep. Only his left profile was visible. He heard a small gasp beside him and looked at over at his wife. He followed her gaze back to the figure and noted the detail he'd missed in his brief glance before.

 

His eyes widened, refusing to believe what they were telling them. It couldn't be but there was no mistaking it. Care lines graced the face and the hair was streaked with a few strands of gray, but otherwise the figure looked the same. He was staring at himself, only older.

 

Yahiko stood beside him drop jaw. Kenji just stared in bewilderment at the three adults, not quite grasping what was going on. Sure, the man looked like his father but he knew it wasn't because Kenshin was holding him at the moment. Yahiko was the first who managed to speak.

 

“Kenji, it looks like you got your wish.”

 

To be continued

 

A/N: I know that some of you may have read this story before. Yes, this is the same one that I posted two or three years ago. It wasn't until recently, when I renewed my interest in Rurouni Kenshin, that I considered finishing this story. I went to read it, just to reacquaint myself with what happens and had the worst time trying not to cringe. Thus, in hopes of actually making this story good, I've decided to rewrite it completely, though it will still contain many similar aspects to the previous timeline which is being used as the framework for the story. Therefore, I would be forever and deeply thankful if I could get feed back from you, the readers. Any suggestions you have on how I could improve this story are welcome. Also, does anyone know whether Kenshin gets another sword after giving the sakabatou to Yahiko? In Yahiko no Sakabatou, it looks like he's carrying a sword but I can't figure out if it's a real one or a wooden one. Thank you.

 

Your friend,

Naomi

 

P.S. Hagoita is a traditional Japanese game, similar to badminton except without the net. If I misspell or misuse one of the Japanese words or phrases in this story, please inform me so that they may be corrected immediately. The same goes from spelling or grammatical errors. Thank you.