Diary of a Manslayer
A sequel to Kendo no Go
by Akai Kitsune ::: 22.Jun.2004
Chapter 07: In Your Eyes
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"She has your eyes." Kaoru surprised him with her soft-voiced comment, the morning after the birth of their daughter. Kenshin looked at her in astonishment, then turned his gaze to the baby curled tightly in the blankets beside where his wife knelt. He smiled gently after a moment, wrapping his arm around her shoulder and pulling her close. "Is that so?" he murmured a reply, his cheek against hers. She didn't answer for a long time, her eyes unreadable as she watched the sleeping baby. Finally, she sighed. "She was only awake for a moment. With Kenji... I forgot how much they sleep, at first." "It's all they know right now," Kenshin commented, brushing his finger against the child's flawless skin. "Soon she'll be awake and smiling... laughing... calling us..." "Okaa," Kaoru whispered, a wistful smile on her face. "Otou..." He grinned, kissing her cheek. "So... are you happy?" "I've always been happy." The smile remained on her face as she spoke, but he couldn't help but notice a small glint of reservation in her eyes. It worried him - she wasn't usually like this. Shifting his position to rub her weary shoulders, he waited a moment before speaking again. "Kaoru... are you all right?" He felt her shiver beneath his fingers. "I... I really don't know... I was hoping that it would be..." "Kaoru-?" Kaoru turned back, giving him a brave smile. "It shouldn't mean anything, you know. I'm not worried, so... don't be upset." Kenshin blinked at her, bewildered. "What are you talking about?" She sighed, shaking her head and brushing her hand though the tuft of black hair on the baby's head. "Her eyes." He followed her gaze, even more puzzled by her answer. She had always told him how much she loved his eyes, despite the unusual colour. Kenji had taken after her, his eyes like blue twilight, and they both loved him dearly. But... he had known she secretly wanted a child with violet eyes. So why-? Before he could ask her to elaborate, Kenji's voice called out from his bedroom, sleepy from his afternoon nap. He was about to rise and go to the boy, but Kaoru reached out and grasped his wrist, shaking her head. "I'll go," she said simply. "Kaoru," he objected, "You're still tired from-" "It's fine. But stay with her." Kaoru's eyes were gently imploring as she stood, giving him a kiss before she disappeared into the hall. Stay with her. Kenshin turned back to his daughter, his second child, shifting restlessly in her bed. He felt a little guilty for not acting earlier, to allow his wife to stay behind and rest, but it was too late for foresight. He could do nothing but remain where he was and obey her request. Not that he had any complaints... He would ask her about her enigmatic comments later, when the children were asleep. She would tell him then - it wasn't like her to keep secrets. That's your job, a niggling voice spoke within his mind, but he banished it before it could go further. He was tired of secrets, tired of lies. He was her husband now, and he wouldn't hide from her any longer. Well... he'd try, anyway. The baby squirmed again, yawning widely. He grinned again, watching her antics; Yahiko would have quite a few things to say about that jaw, when he saw her. He sincerely hoped that Kaoru wouldn't be around to hear them. He opened his mouth to greet the child as her eyes fluttered open. But as soon as violet eyes met gold, his mouth went dry. "She has your eyes." The baby blinked, peering up at him, her eyelids falling partway to conceal the sleepy amber shade. Kenshin felt as if his heart had stopped. This... this is why Kaoru was... "... don't be upset..." He wanted to run. He wanted to run away and hide from the fact that continued to echo throughout his mind. "... your eyes..." Not my eyes. Not anymore. Never again. His hands were shaking, and he felt so weak he could barely move. How could this have happened? How could it have gone so... The baby, still unnamed, lost interest in their staring contest and rolled slightly, closing her eyes and slipping into a child's dreamworld once again. He watched her, leaning closer, as her tiny hand fisted around the corner of a blanket. Such a strong grip, he thought absently, a flicker of pride breaking through the strange fear in his mind. Maybe... Stay with her. I never knew. He suddenly smiled, curling up beside his sleeping daughter, his hand drifting through her silken hair. I never knew that gold could be such a beautiful colour.
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