Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ Wild As The Wind ❯ Butterfly Kisses ( Epilogue )

Butterfly Kisses

[Start music.]

Soujiro walked softly through the dimly lit halls of the Aoiya carrying the drowsy form of his four-year-old daughter Yumi.

[There's two things I know for sure]

Shifting his precious bundle to the side a bit, he freed a hand to quietly open the door to the room she shared with her two-year-old brother Kenji.

[She was sent here from heaven, and she's daddy's little girl]

The slight movement roused little Yumi and she lifted her head to look at her father with half-lidded blue eyes and gave him a dozy smile.

[I drop to my knees by her bed at night,]

Soujiro smiled back peacefully as he set Yumi in her futon and tucked her in. After she was all tucked, she waved her diminutive hand, gesturing for him to come nearer.

[She talks to Jesus, and I close my eyes]

Following his daughter's request, Soujiro leaned his face near her allowing her wrap her arm around his neck and place a faintly wet kiss on his lips.

[And I thank God for all of the joy in my life, but most of all, for...]

He sighed in contentment, retucking his sweet daughter in, as Misao entered the room carrying a sleeping Kenji.

[Butterfly kisses after bedtime prayer]

After she had the little boy settled in, Soujiro helped up his obviously pregnant wife and they left the room saying their goodnights.

[Stickin' little white flowers all up in her hair]

The scene changed to show a five-year-old Yumi playing with baby Satoshi in the Aoiya's garden under Soujiro's eye. She had decided to decorated her brother's blanket with flowers and was carefully arranging them around his sleeping form. With a gleeful smile on her face, she turned and offered a handful to her daddy who smiled and began to weave them into her long braid.

["Walk beside the pony daddy, it's my first ride." ]

The scene moved forward to a seven-year-old Yumi perched atop a bored looking mare walking in a lazy circle. She had latched onto her daddy's hand as she shifted nervously on the large animal.

["I know the cake looks funny, daddy, but I sure tried."]

Next, in the Aoiya's kitchen, a disheveled nine-year-old Yumi and three-year-old Masae proudly presented their daddy with their latest culinary masterpieces.

[Oh, with all that I've done wrong,]

Soujiro smiled as he took a bite of... whatever they had cooked and swallowed it ignoring the bitter taste. The girls waited expectantly for his comment as he set down his chopsticks.

[I must have done something right]

"It's delicious!" he exclaimed smiling.

[To deserve a hug every morning, And butterfly kisses at night]

Though his stomach has become upset, he could feel his heart swell as his little girls rushed up to hug him in excitement.

[Sweet sixteen today,]

The scene moved forward again to the Aoiya where Soujiro stood in the doorway between the dining room and kitchen taking a break.

[She's looking like her momma a little more everyday]

Yumi waited tables in a simple yukata, her long braid whirling around her as she gracefully maneuvered herself and her cargo of hot food around patrons and other waitresses.

[One part woman, the other part girl]

As the waitress nearest her stumbled, Yumi deftly caught her tray without spilling a drop from either. With a quick spin to avoid the body of the tripped young woman, she smiled and winked while the surrounding customers cheered. Yumi set both trays down on the closest table and help the other girl up. Soujiro smiled at his little girls performance.

[To perfume and makeup, from ribbons and curls]

Later, she stood near the front door, reluctantly dressed in a blue kimono, greeting incoming customers. She cheerfully chatted with them as she led them to their seats and bid them farewell with a friendly "Come again!" as they left.

[Trying her wings out in a great big world. But I remember... ]

Many young men would tarry at the door before they left trying to prolong their time speaking with her. Soujiro noticed one young man that he had seen doing this several times before... and this one, she actually seemed to enjoy talking to.

[Butterfly kisses after bedtime prayer]

''Maybe I should ask her mother to check him out...'

[Stickin' little white flowers all up in her hair]

Yumi fussed with her hair while Masae handed over her pins. Misao stood next to Soujiro and squeezed his hand as they watched their daughters.

["You know how much I love you daddy,]

She had checked out this young man that had been trying to court their daughter. He seemed like a nice young man, in training to be a tailor. After several request on his part, they had finally consented to a date.

[But if you don't mind,]

After finishing with her hair, Yumi turned and asked her parents for approval on her outfit. They both smiled and nodded.

[I'm only going to kiss you on the cheek this time."]

Yumi kissed her daddy on the cheek before going out into the sitting room to rescue Shigeru.

[With all that I've done wrong]

Her mother had left him in there Uncle Aoshi for the last fifteen minutes. She collected him and after saying goodbye to her family, they left to see their play.

[I must have done something right]

Aoshi nodded as he left the room. Soujiro sighed.

[To deserve a hug every morning,]

So Aoshi approved of him too... and the young man had survived fifteen minutes alone with him.

[And butterfly kisses at night]

'I guess I'll just have to let her be courted and allow her to decide...'

[All the precious time Like the wind, the years go by]

Shots of Yumi over the next several years flicker by... waitressing, cooking, sparring with her mother, bent over her studies... each show her maturing grace.

[Precious butterfly Spread your wings and fly]

In each one, Soujiro watched as she developed further and further away from being just his little girl.

[She'll change her name today]

Soujiro stood outside staring at the half open shoji.

[She'll make a promise, and I'll give her away]

Taking a deep breath, he stepped in as was struck breathless at the sight before him.

[Standing in the bride room just staring at her,]

Nineteen year old Yumi stood in the center of the room while Misao adjusted the crimson kimono around her. His mind wandered back twenty-one years when Misao had worn the same garment.

[She asked me what I'm thinking, and I said "I'm not sure,]

Yumi turned her head to look at him and waved her hand at him.

[I just feel like I'm losing my baby girl."]

Soujiro stepped forward and took it looking into his eldest daughter's eyes. They held such excitement combined with nervousness. He could tell that it was taking all of her willpower to hold still for her mother.

[Then she leaned over....an gave me....]

When Misao was finally finished adjusting the kimono, Yumi leaned over and put her free arm around her father's neck pulling him into a loose embrace, taking care not to wrinkle anything.

[Butterfly kisses, with her mama there]

She pressed a light kiss into his cheek and stood up straight again, allowing her mother to complete the preparations.

[Sticking little flowers all up in her hair]

Misao made her finishing touches on Yumi's hair and pronounced her ready.

["Walk me down the aisle, daddy, it's just about time"]

Together, the family walked to the room where the ceremony would be held. They paused outside of the door.

["Does my wedding gown look pretty, daddy?"]

Yumi turned to her father and asked his approval.

["Daddy, don't cry."]

As Soujiro smiled at his daughter, he could feel the tears as they flowed down his face. When Yumi reached her hand up to wiped them from his cheek her own eyes became moist.

[With all that I've done wrong,]

Misao handed them both hand kerchiefs to dry their eyes before she slid open the shoji.

[I must have done something right]

Soujiro and Misao left Yumi at the door as they made their way to their seats.

[To deserve her love every morning, And butterfly kisses]

As they settled in, they watched their daughter make her way to the front of the room where her groom was waiting.

[I couldn't ask God for more, man, this is what love is]

As Yumi settled herself across from her husband-to-be, Soujiro turned and looked at Misao. She had tears threatening to escape her eyes and a smile on her face. ''She's so beautiful,' he thought. As she turned her head to look at him.

[I know I've gotta let her go, but I'll always remember ]

She took his hand in hers and squeezed it in affirmation. With that, they turned their attention back to the ceremony.

[Every hug in the morning, and butterfly kisses...]

Owari.

by Bob Carlisle & Randy Thomas

This little story is dedicated to my dad who doesn't want his little girl to go away either.

Disclaimer: Neither the song nor the Kenshin gang are mine (but little Yumi, Kenji, Satoshi, and Masae are) and I am making no profit from this story so please don't sue (I swear, it's not worth it.)

Author's Notes: I really thought that this entire timeline was finished with ''The Gift' but both Chiriko (my muse) and Soujiro insisted that I write one, really final songfic. Who could possibly resist that much cuteness? This little piece of mush is brought to you by milk-flavored candy, my orange cat (who is attempting to drive me insane) and yellow nail polish. No sound file for this one guys (gomen!) As always, comments are welcome! (Though I know I can't expect too much considering I've been off in lurker land for the past couple of months...)

BTW, in case anyone was wondering, Sou-chan is 31(!) at the very beginning of this story... and about 46 <FAINT!> at the end of it (time really flies...)

(Written April 2000)

Riah-chan
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Ruki_and_Ryo/
.. .because everyone needs a little R&R.
"Well, then there'll be just one less person to poke fun at you, right pumpkin."
"Tashika ni kimi wa Queen, kedo dattara ore ga King da na!"