The Kid and the Bountyhutner

The Kid and the Bountyhunter

Author stuff: This fic was never supposed to see the light of day, but I found myself thinking it over, and here it is. For you. To read. It was a silly 2am idea I had while plotting out another fic idea. And it hung around.

And since that one is refusing to be worked on, here you go!

Ronin had been called many things in his life – son, brother, student, troublemaker, fry cook, thief, bodyguard, smuggler, boyfriend, line cook, husband. Almost father.

But he'd never been called a hero. And, for him, that was fine.

Hero was saved for those holier-than-thous and those goody-two-shoes. People who weren't... him.

So then, please tell him why was standing up for the little girl being harassed by police officers.

Okay, maybe "harassed" was a bit of a strong word, but the girl was... uncomfortable. Her eyes darted about, tugging on her clothes, and she wasn't speaking. He barely allowed the thought of "where were her parents" cross his mind before it turned to the headlines.

The Great Devourer Attack killed people. And while it was a slim chance, she might have lost both of them.

He bit the curse hanging on his tongue and stalked over.

"Hey," he called out, getting the officer's attention, "what are you doing, talking to my kid without me around me?"

...Probably not the smartest thing he could have said – the police knew who he was – but he'd be damned if this kid got into trouble or something.

One of the officers looked taken aback, blinking at him.

"Ronin?" he asked, looking more like a fish than human. "You have a kid?"

"Yeah. And? That surprise you for a reason?"

The officers exchanged glances.

"We were under the assumption that this child was... without a guardian."

"There's an orphanage that's taking in kids," said the other officer. "We're just trying to make sure everyone who needs a home gets one."

Ronin frowned.

"Oh yeah? Is the system being reformed to make things easier for good parents to adopt kids?"

"Well, as far as we know –"

"So it's the same as what I grew up in." He crossed his arms, eyes flicking to the girl. She was slowly creeping to his side, hand reached out to grab his pant leg. She ducked behind him, holding on tight. "Look, my kid and I were only just reunited, so if you don't mind."

He reached behind him and scooped the girl up, holding her close.

He brought her back over to the general sleeping area, setting her down on a nearby bed. Her eyes darted around, glancing back at him on occasion.

"You, alright?" he asked, sitting on his bed. That jolted her out of whatever thoughts she'd been having – probably the fastest way to get out of here and away from him.

She blinked at him for a moment before nodding slowly.

"They didn't hurt you or anything?"

She shook her head.

"Good. You can never tell with cops." His shoulders relaxed and he looked her over.

Pale blonde hair that looked a little stringy and could probably use a good washing. A pair of wide brown eyes, curious and cautious. She was older than he thought, but that was due to her height. She was a little short. And a little malnourished. Heck, they all were.

"Want to tell me your name, kid?" he asked quietly. "In case the cops ask?"

Her eyes darted back over to where the uniformed men were surveying remaining unhoused people. After a beat, she nodded, and in the softest voice, she said:

"Harumi."

He repeated it, stroking his chin.

"Any nicknames? Haru? Rumi? Ruru?"

She ducked her head down, tears glittering in her eyes at the last one. She tucked some stray hair behind her ear. Probably a family nickname.

"I'll just stick with 'kiddo', how about that?"

She peeped back up at him, a tear slipping out but no others following it.

"Okay," was the soft reply.

He smiled and reached out to ruffle the top of her head. She flinched. His hand stopped its initial path and lowered, palm held out to her.

"I'm going to get some coffee," he said. "You want to come with me? I think they still have some hot chocolate. It was really watered down the last time I checked, though."

She stared at his hand for a moment, her face scrunching up as she mulled it over.

"Okay," she said. She slipped her hand into his and pulled him towards the heavily picked over snack table.

She paused halfway there, stopping to look up at him.

"What do I... what do I call you?"

"Just call me my name for right now, kid. I'm Ronin."

"Ronin." She nodded and gave his hand a squeeze. "It's nice to meet you, Ronin."

"It's nice to meet you Harumi."