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Sagara: Rebel in Willow Falls - Act 7

by starshifter ::: 30.Jan.2004

Sagara: Rebel in Willow Falls **Act 7.1**

"Thwap"

"Thwap"

"Thwap, Thwap, Thwap"

Yahiko leaned outside the door, listening to Sano hit the boxing bag out in the shed. He was satisfied, Sano was finally practicing. The door creaked shut behind him as he walked to the kitchen table and uncovered his breakfast. He shifted in his seat and began to shovel the food into his mouth. Sano must have finally gotten motivated to practice after his fight with Aoshi. It was about time. Yahiko fingered the tablecloth and ran his eyes across the lines that made up the plaid pattern, considering what to do with his morning. What did he want to do today? Sano would be working the late shift tonight. Yahiko had already decided to go with him; he had been bored at the Gensai's the last time. He couldn't deny that he had enjoyed the great cooking, but as far as he was concerned, Sano was less demanding than the older adults. If he worked at it, he could even try to talk Sano into letting him walk to the diner to get a malt or float. His stomach growled in anticipation and he grinned. Definitely malt. Chocolate. Whip Cream. Sprinkles. A cherry to top it all off.

Sagara: Rebel in Willow Falls **Act 7.2**

Kenshin licked his lips and told his feelings to his father, his desire to have his freedom, and take charge of his life. As Hiko listened, he was drawn into the past. His memories were skewed, but it didn't mean he wasn't aware of them or the way they marked the transition to the present. He conceded that sometimes memories could lie dormant, the carrier unaware of them and acting as though they don't exist. At other times, he thought, they were there for introspection later, to learn from, and were often the impetus always as the forefront of consciousness, driving a person's way of life, and the force behind their beliefs. Kenshin had not lied to Sano about feeling little remorse over the loss of his mother at an early age; His memories of her loss were few, far and distant. But, that is not to say that her death had no effect on him.

It did, although indirectly, through his father.

From the moment she died, Hiko had refused to care for his son alone. He failed to see the advantages of hiring a nanny to raise the child in the home, or to marry another woman for the sake of his child. Hiko unfortunately was a throwback to older generations of males in his family. He had experienced the pain of separation from his family at an early age, and believed he became a man of independence and responsibility that much faster. He firmly believed his son would benefit from being enrolled as soon as possible in a private boarding school. Kenshin's education, life, and the shaping of his entire future soon were left in the hands of an "institution".

Kenshin's reaction to being thrown into another world away from his home was merely classified as 'separation anxiety' by Hiko. His son needed to grow up, only then would Hiko be ready to deal with him. Kenshin soon adjusted to the environment of the school and moved up in the social hierarchy. When he returned home on holidays, his father was pleased to see the changes, namely, the obedient and conforming behavior.

A year before they moved to Willow Falls, events transpired that forced Kenshin's father to permanently remove him from the school and place him back into public life. Hiko was more than satisfied not to mind, he now believed his son was capable of interacting with him as an adult, and saw no need to continue his private studies. Kenshin was to finish the course of his education in public school, and expected to excel his way into his father's alma mater.

Looking back, Hiko realized that he could have seen that his son was testing his boundaries, wearing masks developed through years of practice, and hiding the real person deep inside. If Hiko had seen that, he could have helped his son then, and drawn out that person. Instead he had been pushed towards a predetermined future. A future planned by him, one who had already set out into the world and succeeded at what he wanted to accomplish. Kenshin didn't have an outlet, and suddenly, it was too late to find one because Hiko and Kenshin were on the road that led them to Willow Falls.

It had occurred coincidentally enough, while Kenshin was out driving, and although he was a careful and responsible driver on most days, he could easily get distracted. After staying out too late one night, at a party given by some classmates at a local restaurant, he drove home the usual way, and was waiting at a light to turn left onto a main street. He saw a truck approaching directly across from him, but gave it very little attention since he would have the right of way. The traffic was clear to his left and to his right, and he proceeded into his turn. Suddenly, he was caught in the glare of bright lights and he felt the car shake violently. He regained his senses in a local emergency room.

Kenshin was the only one to survive the accident. As he learned later, a car coming from the opposite direction along the main street had failed to stop at the intersection and plowed into him as he was making the turn. Inside the vehicle, a family of three had perished. The driver of the truck, the only witness, stated that he didn't see any signs that Kenshin had been given the signal to turn. If he hadn't, then Kenshin had driven into oncoming traffic. No one however, was able to determine with accuracy who had been at fault. There were indications that the other driver had lost control of the vehicle sometime prior to entering the intersection, and the impact damage to the skid marks were proof enough of the fact that the other car was traveling above the desired speed limit. Kenshin was released from the hospital after a few days.

Kenshin faced some adverse media after the incident; and he couldn't handle meeting people in public for a time. But, the most detrimental factor in his recovery was that he suffered from considerable guilt. Irregardless of what he had been told countless times, he was convinced that he had been responsible for the deaths. His father eventually located a therapist to see the troubled teen, and Kenshin adopted a more positive outlook after a few weeks. Although everyone said Kenshin was fairing better, Hiko knew that his son was no stranger to hiding his true intentions or feelings. He was positive that the "can-do" spirit and smile that met cheery eyes was merely a ruse. So Hiko didn't let his son out of his sight.

The move to Willow Falls came together as Hiko searched for a house in a small, quiet community that was also close to one of his corporate offices. After the move, Kenshin soon appeared content, and over the course of the year, the memories of the accident seemed to fade, and Kenshin thriving. Or at least Hiko thought he was thriving, because as he looked at his son now, he got the impression that he had just fallen into a routine, living in a happy, moodless haze. The curfews had just been a formality that Hiko instigated at the beginning as a concerned parent; not from any mistrust he had in Kenshin. He hadn't given the curfews a single thought after placing them, and up until the present time they hadn't seemed to bother Kenshin. Instead, he had been eager to please, obey, and ready to follow in his father's footsteps. His father couldn't complain, and could find no fault.

Sagara: Rebel in Willow Falls **Act 7.3**

Hiko frowned at Kenshin, running a hand through his dark hair. 'Perhaps this is what was wrong; once again, I mistook Kenshin's behavior for something it wasn't. Instead of actually helping him to move on after that accident, I did what he wanted and effectively cut him off from the world, from any responsibilities. All he had to do was placate me; he didn't grow, or try to experience things for himself. I wonder what has caused the change in him now.

To Kenshin he said "You are right, the curfews and restrictions need to go, and I have no doubts that you are capable of governing yourself. In fact, I agree that you should start as soon as possible."

Kenshin looked at him in shock. He hadn't expected it to be that easy.

Hiko sighed.

"I have made several mistakes in the course of my life time, but I think I was at my worst when raising you. I knew what was happening, but I didn't even begin to act on it. Only now, can I see, all the opportunities that I had to help you, and instead I was never there for you. I hope you can forgive me. But, you have become a stronger person Kenshin, even despite my negligence, and I am so proud of you."

Kenshin blinked, not fully understanding what was happening. His mouth hung open. He broke out of his reverie when a comforting hand was placed on his shoulder. "I've had a long day, but I am very glad that I waited up for you. I think we should continue our conversation in the morning." Hiko smiled and turned to depart. "Good night Kenshin."

Kenshin stuttered out a "Good Night" to his father's retreat.

The tension escaped in a rush from his limbs as his father disappeared from the doorway. Kenshin had never felt so exhilarated before, and he wanted to laugh or sing. He stepped forward and the energy dissipated. He grinned. Release the tension, and I lose all my strength, huh? He exited the room and turned out the lights. He couldn't keep a thought in his head as he climbed the stairs, and he was asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow.

~

Aoshi lay in bed until late. It was unusual for him, so he wasn't surprised when his mother checked on him. Megumi had already called twice. Aoshi feigned illness as best as he could, and stared at the ceiling. The fight with Sanosuke had been..unusual. He was expecting an all out battle, indicative that Sano was aggressive and blood thirsty. Instead, he had fought deftly, like he was in the ring at a boxing match.

It had puzzled Aoshi.

A few minutes into the fight, Aoshi had found his pent up anger and frustration fading. Sano's style of fighting calmed him, and he had felt compelled - no, HE HAD WANTED to fight Sano on a level field, and at the same pace. He buried his head in his pillow. Sano had embarrassed him. But, he would have felt..weak; it would have been reprehensible to not fight Sano fairly. He couldn't understand how Sano had managed to calm his fury; apparently there was more to fighting than he was even aware of. He got out of bed and dressed. Sano worked the night shift at the Garage on ~ Street. Aoshi decided he would pay him a visit after stopping of at Megumi's house and his father's office. Aoshi stepped out of his room and went to find his mother; she probably had some errands he could run as well.