The Boy and The Fox [Book 2]

12

"Shigure, why are you dragging me with you?" Kenshin asked, glaring behind his tinted glasses. He had been dragged out of the main estate by the man so suddenly that he hadn't even gotten the chance to grab his walking stick.

"Oh, come on Kenshin, it'll be fun and not to mention the fact that you haven't left the estate in days." Shigure said happily.

"Well, some of us actually have to work."

"You're a private investigator, and your job is nowhere near here." The man stated.

"Some people have more than one job, and you know that." Kenshin retorted.

"More than one job?!" The older man exclaimed, clutching Kenshin's arm even tighter, "That sounds like something out of a horror movie!"

"You know it doesn't, and let go of my arm." He said, pulling his arm away, but Shigure only tightened his hold every time he tried.

"I can't let you go. I'm so scared right now that if I do, I'll burst into tears." Shigure exclaimed even louder than before, indicating that someone was coming or he was just being extra dramatic.

"Oh my, what's our dear little fox doing out and about!" A familiar voice called out

"You're here to Aya?"

"Of course, I am. Tori and dear Kana invited us along to have drinks with her friend."

"So this is what you had planned."

"I knew you wouldn't have agreed to come if I told you, so I just dragged you along instead."

"I hate you." Kenshin stated bluntly as they continued to walk until arriving at their destination.

Kenshin was still glaring daggers in Shigure's direction, that was until he heard a voice call out to them. His glare quickly transformed into a charming smile as he greeted Kana and her friend, who was introduced as Mayuko. After greeting everyone, Kenshin promptly made his way to Hatori's side, taking hold of his sleeve.

He knew that Kana never minded when he grabbed onto Hatori's sleeve, knowing that it was something that helped him feel at ease when he met new people or was in a crowded place. Kenshin honestly appreciated that Kana never took it the wrong way.

The six of them drank and talked for hours, all of their different and unique personalities mixing surprisingly well. But it wasn't until Kenshin paid extra close attention to Mayuko that his eyes widened slightly as he realized that the woman had a crush on Hatori, who would've thought that their serious Hatori managed to make two women fall for him.

Smiling to himself, Kenshin wondered if anyone else had figured it out or if he was the only one that did; perhaps even Mayuko herself didn't realize it yet.

"Oh, I think this is the first smile Kenshin's given anyone that isn't his son." Shigure commented while Ayame agreed happily.

"Wait, he has a son? Aren't you kinda young to have a kid?" Mayuko asked, surprised.

"He's not Kenshin's biological son, but he's like a father figure to the boy." Kana explained to her friend. The two girls continued to talk about the matter, causing Kana to giggle at Mayuko's confused thoughts.

Kenshin pulled on Hatori's sleeve, causing the man to give his attention to him, "Is everything alright, Kenshin?"

"Yeah, I just wanted to tell you that you're one sly dog."

"Uh, what do you mean?" The man asked, but Kenshin didn't give him an answer, instead he took a sip of his drink, leaving a confused Hatori staring at him until Kana got his attention once again.

---

"Stop treating me like a child!" Kenshin snapped as Hatori gave him his weekly check-up. To say that Kenshin dreaded his appointments was an understatement, and it didn't help that each time he tried sneaking away, Hatori would find him and drag him back to his office.

"I wouldn't have to treat you like a child if you'd sit still." Hatori retorted, causing the young man to glare at him, but he soon settled down.

As the dark-haired man continued with his examination, Kenshin tilted his head in interest, "Something's different about you." He stated matter-of-factly.

"Huh, what do you mean?"

"Did you meet someone new?"

"No, I didn't."

"Then it's someone you already knew."

"No."

"Yes, you did. Your voice just got slightly higher." He pointed out.

"No, it didn't."

Kenshin thought of all the people Hatori knew until there was only one person that came to mind, "Is it Mayuko?" After saying that name out loud, he heard something drop to the ground with a loud thud.

"Where did you get that idea from?" The man asked defensively.

"It was the first name that popped into mind." Kenshin told him with a shrug.

Kenshin could hear Hatori let out a sigh before the man began picking up whatever he had dropped.

"You know she actually had a crush on you a few years back."

"What are you talking about?"

"Of course, you didn't know you were too in love at the time, but Mayuko... I could tell that she held a pretty bright torch for you. Maybe she still does." Kenshin said softly, staring in the man's direction. Kenshin hoped that whatever had caused Hatori to become slightly happier would continue to do so.