Somewhere I Belong

When This Began

The cool breeze at the port of Yokohama greeted their company of five. It was already full of people: merchants, tourists, businessmen and travelers, even in the hours before the sun was up during the usual autumn mornings. Welcoming the eastern horizon with the flooding of the sunrise was such a breath-taking view, but Kenshin's companions seemed to be wishing they were still sleeping in their futons, save for his shishou who was eager to get to the dock or he might be late for his trip back to Kyoto.

"Sensei, what's inside this baggage?" Complained Sano, stealing a half yawn. "It's heavy."

"Pottery materials." Hiko simply replied without looking behind him.

"Isn't Kyoto already teeming with abundance of such?" Sano mumbled sleepily.

Kaoru glared at Sano.

"Jo-chan, a heavy load at dawn without taking any breakfast? Can't you imagine how hard it is for me?" Sano whispered to her. Kaoru gave him a thud on the side.

"It's better to bear that than endure Kaoru's cooking. Megumi's doing breakfast." Yahiko butted in. "Can't wait to get home."

Kaoru's temper for Sano and Yahiko was about to burst when Hiko declared that they had arrived at the designated dock already. Hiko led Sano to a cart where baggage were being placed. The sensei bid farewell to each. He was especially grateful to Kaoru for having him at her dojo.

Hiko then turned to him and placed his left hand across his chest, a gesture of trust amongst samurai. "Kenshin, keep in mind what I told you."

He responded with a nod.

They all bowed low as the master climbed the ship until Hiko disappeared in the crowd of people getting on board.

-----

Hiko watched from above the ship's deck as the company turned to leave. Their backs now turned to him, he noticed how his baka deshi seemed to be jovial while walking along with his found family. He had never seen Kenshin like that. And Hiko was happy. And yet a bit remorseful.

What if he went after Kenshin and stopped him from joining the Ishin-shishi and got him back? Would he be a happier man now?

But he, Hiko Seijuro, did nothing. He let him go thinking that his then 14-year old apprentice would learn his lesson. His pride ruled him which nailed him to his house in the mountains while time flew by. The hitokiri came, went and become the rurouni he was.

Hiko's eyes focused on the back of the Kamiya girl walking beside Kenshin. Her long hair blown about by the early breeze of the bay, mingling with the red head's.

She went after him. She brought him back. And he did so willingly.

It was something more than reciprocity of good deeds that moved them. She had love to give freely and abundantly. And that was what Kenshin needed more than his mentoring and righteous advice. In his mind, Hiko admitted this defeat against the Kamiya girl months ago.

He came back to her. The idiot is in good hands. No. He is not hopeless after all. And that's all what he came for.

The brawler and the student brat saw him above deck and were pointing at him. Kenshin and Kaoru looked back, too. Hiko realized he was waving at them. He stopped himself immediately and crossed his arms. His reactions were getting to his own nerves sometimes.

-----

Kaoru gave a chuckle on Hiko's reaction. Kenshin noticed it. By now, Kaoru-dono knew his shishou all too well already. Hiko Seijuro was a part of his past who this young lady beside him also embraced like her own. And it made him feel lighter, like he was stuck in a book's chapter and someone lifted the page and turned it to the next. He threw a furtive admiring glance at Kaoru-dono, but immediately shifted his gaze back to the deck when he thought she had noticed him.

"Have a safe trip, shishou." Kenshin said and waved. And the others began waving back, too.