Burned in Memories

Chapter 4

Complications

By Pinay Tiger

Kaoru woke to the morning songs of common house sparrows, the ringing and clanging of wind chimes a melody in the background welcoming another warm and gorgeous day. She tried to get up, propping her body half-assed on her elbows, but fell back sloppily on the plush bed, sighing. It's very much a sin waking up in this fashion, and she wanted to indulge in the comfort of Kenshin's bed a bit longer. Maybe fall back asleep for an hour or two. She closed her eyes, and smiled. Maybe for an eternity. And the smells of breakfast set their sensory sails to float deliciously to Kaoru's nose.

The realization that Yahiko could have been up and ready to cause hell in Kenshin's house didn't flood to her thoughts until she heard the pounding and plummeting of footsteps in the den outside Kenshin's room-the kid was already up, probably having consumed half or more of the sweets and soda from the game room's fridge. She sighed-has it literally been less than 24 hours surviving the hurricane that is Yahiko? Their first encounter after several months was rather... dare she say, murderous at one point, and then comically pleasant the next when Kenshin stepped in.

She decided to linger in such a languid state, closing her eyes as she heard the dying steps of the youth bounding downstairs.

Growing up with Yahiko had impacted her life in many ways, with more good than bad. But why did the negativity, or remnants of the not-so-good, always stand out from all the happiness? Maybe it was human nature-to dwell and hold a shadow of despair or uncertainty in the highest regards over happiness. But the city both her Father and Yahiko resided didn't help with the gloom and dreariness of how a person can feel from one day to the next.

Kaoru rolled on her side, grabbing a body pillow, cuddling and clinging to it as if it were her lifeline.

Seattle was a city she was happy leaving, finding San Diego much sunnier, much happier, and much more vibrant and full of life. The culture, the sun, the food, the sun, the plethora of things to do, and the sun, were all perks of being on her own; Kenshin was just a gorgeous topping among all. She smiled. And the smell of sweet sizzled sausage and plump pancakes was enough to get her off the bed, and rush to the bathroom to get ready for the day.

But Kenshin was the sun...

By the time she danced down the stairs, the sight of Kenshin garbed in an apron that read "Kiss the cook" greeted her. Kaoru's younger counterpart sat at the table, repeatedly introducing his lips to various foods. Kenshin was a sight for sore eyes, but Yahiko and the way he ate, repulsive.

"Kid," she swatted him on the head, causing Yahiko to gag a little, "learn some manners!"

Yahiko choked and gulped down a glass of orange juice before eliciting: "Ya' know, I was doing fine with the way I ate up until you happened to smack me! Good morning to you too!"

Kenshin's back faced the two, and he smiled to himself, inwardly giggling at how childish the two were. "Good morning, Kaoru. I must fix up another batch of pancakes. It will be just a few brief moments if you don't mind."

"Take your time, Kenshin. Was there not enough to begin with? Have you eaten already?"

He spun on his heel to grab an egg from the table, and took a moment to brush a clean hand over her cheek fondly. "No." He swayed his head in the direction of the kid who was still shoving food down his wind pipe ferociously. "He's got a bigger appetite than Sano."

"I think he's a younger walking version of Sano, come to think of it..." she seethed.

"They do have some strong similarities, but that would be cutting a very fine line," Kenshin joked. "I'll have some more pancakes done in about ten minutes. Help yourself to some coffee."

And she did just that. Kaoru left her pedestal near Yahiko, took a cup of coffee walked to the sliding glass door. She could tell it was going to be a very tepid day-Probably a good day to take the boy to the beach or something...-and she welcomed the cool sea breeze that smelled of seashells, sand, and salt water. Her eyes traced the palm trees that speckled Kenshin's backyard, and noticed a bunch of plywood laced through thin rope tied carelessly everywhere. Her attention immediately trained their eyes to Kenshin sliding the door from behind, the man tying his red hair up in a messy pony tail, sidestepping to her.

"Did these pieces of wood decide to commit suicide?" she drawled.

Kenshin took the coffee cup from her hands delicately, and shook his head. "No. Yahiko said he needed something to practice with, and so, he made do with tying up all these planks in various distances from each other to swing his shinai at."

"Got to admit, that's very resourceful."

"Do you want to eat out on the porch, or inside?"

Kaoru caught Kenshin's free hand as he turned to the house, and he let her pull him into her. "I wanted to hold you first. Where were you last night? I've been meaning to finally spend a night-err-I mean some time with you."

Kenshin smiled at her innocence. "I was called into work last night. You had fallen asleep on me on the couch-with Yahiko snoring up a war on the floor-and I didn't want to wake you." Kaoru plastered her forehead to Kenshin's back as her hands started tracing delicate lines on his stomach and chest. "You didn't even know I was gone after I put you in bed," he eased her thoughts, smiling as he broke the contact between them. "If you want to eat, you better come in before he gets the rest of the food. I can only make so many pancakes before an entire box runs out of mix."

Good point. As they walked in, Yahiko ran out, shinai in hand.

"What's with you? Never saw you this happy before..." Kaoru lashed, avoiding getting pummeled to the ground.

"I'll show you. I'll have you on the ground begging for truce by the end of the day. I will get my bearings straight, and work on some of my killer techniques. I, Yahiko Myojin, will defeat you." He had the biggest crooked smile on his face that Kaoru decided against telling him he was a few inches from smashing his head on the-"Ouch!"

"Kenshin said those things were used as a makeshift target to spar and swing at, not a means to reassembling your brain. If you want to fight me, Yahiko, I expect 1000 swings, and running say...20 laps around Kenshin's backyard." He opened his mouth to rebuke her offer. "And no arguing."

"How big is his place anyways?" the kid asked, rubbing the spot on his head that contacted wood.

Kenshin popped his head out the glass door beckoning Kaoru to come join him for breakfast, throwing at Yahiko, "A good 6 acres that ends with a stretch of private beach overlooking the rest of La Jolla, Yahiko. It's a good run. Enjoy." The kid could hear the sinister sarcasm behind those words, and sighed in defeat. Fuck it all...

The definite click of the door indicated Kenshin's presence, and Kaoru hopped atop a small bar stool. Her stomach growled for some food. Kenshin was one step ahead of her.

"20 laps around my place," he passed her some syrup when he noticed her lightning fast grip on the pancakes, "huh? Sounds like trying to incapacitate him! It hasn't even been one day!" Kenshin laughed.

"I'm not the one who said your backyard was 6 acres!" Kaoru stuck her tongue out. He beamed a crooked smile in her direction.

Before Kenshin sparked conversation a second time, he calculated his next words inwardly, Kaoru eating beside him. His glorious amber eyes flexed in a moment of curiosity, but the young adult next to him was blindsided to his shift in contemplation. Kaoru felt the hair on her neck stand on end-the same feeling you got when walking down an alley alone, knowing very well you were being stalked, or maybe that same feeling of danger (all she knew was she couldn't quite put the words together). A bewildered air settled between the two.

Kenshin's eyes burned into her, causing her to look away. But the red of her cheeks and the frown of her brow stole secrets and whispered her failure.

"Kaoru, we need to talk." She never heard that tone before-and it scared her a little. But when she looked up, she saw that smile of his. It granted her honesty. Her crippling hesitation put Kenshin on a slight edge. He used a calmer approach, and discarded initial thoughts about beating around the bush. "Why didn't you ever mention Yahiko?"

"What are you talking about, Kenshin?" She still didn't meet his gaze, partly because she knew he was going to win the staring contest and partly because she felt a twinge of guilt hurricane through her heart. Betrayal was a bitch, even if it meant keeping small secrets. But neither knew riding the same wave was one thing they had in common.

She bit into a cooked piece of bacon. "Only last week did you mention who he was..."

"I've said his name numerous times-"

"Once. On the second day we went out; and that does not eliminate the question as to why yesterday was the first day his relation to you was announced."

She bit her lip, and dropped her fork. It drowned in the sloppy, thick yellow pond on her plate. How she wanted so much to finish her eggs. "He isn't..."

"Isn't what?"

She noted how small his voice was, and how silent and pathetic she was. "He isn't really my brother."

Kenshin was quiet then. "Go on."

As if she needed permission; this was annoying. "We adopted him when he was about 6 years old. I was the only child of my father. And he had always wanted a boy from day one. Interesting how things would have been if I was non-existent, and if he had a boy. He once said, 'You better be better than any other child out there holding a bokken.' His wish was granted. But he never had the chance to experience football, or soccer, or big night outs with his guy friends. Never had a son who won a baseball game, whose friends got fat off pizza, while the fathers got fat off beer and got belligerent and competitive." She smiled then. "How conceited it is though-and more humiliating-to get beat by a girl in the art of swords, and hand to hand combat. He was proud, yes, but he was also strict and very, by the book I guess. Yahiko lost his biological parents back in Japan. His parents were natives, but he was born here in the states. He was always interested in his family's history: I think his lineage dates back to the samurai of the 1800's and he has always been one to want to learn the art of swords." Kenshin smiled, and Kaoru took a breath before continuing.

"Unfortunately, his father had ties with the Yakuza in Tokyo, and was murdered." Kenshin's muscles tightened; Kaoru noticed his tension. "His mother was held captive for some time, and the government did very little to put her under some form of witness protection. She begged for her life, and was thrown into the red district of Tokyo as a whore to make ends meet. Poor Yahiko thought his uncles to be caring people, but in truth they were gang members. She did well to raise him, she really did. But heartache and a body enduring what seemed a millennium of hard work, and abuse in less than 3 years, got the best of her and the inevitable came. I have never seen a picture of his parents before, and Father never knew who they were except for their brief history. But Yahiko had a certain spark, Father had commented on before."

She drew in a long breath, her eyes fixed on the stove. The clock read twenty passed eight. "I believe he was around six when he came home to us. He landed at SeaTac airport when we lived in Puyallup, and he was very sad, depressed, almost suicidal. He didn't know about his parents' passing. My father told Yahiko he was his one true uncle. After knowing that his mom left him, but her death being a mystery, Yahiko had accepted in his mind that he was abandoned. Unwanted. And his weakness was something he feeds off to make himself stronger."

"So, he believes he is weak." It was a statement, but Kaoru nodded as if it was a question. "But he does not know his parents are dead?"

"No. He accepted that he was abandoned. And so, set our lives on this journey."

"And he thinks of you as his sister?"

"Not in the traditional sense of the word. He knows we are not related, but he is a very family driven boy. He shows his frustrations easily, wearing his heart on his sleeves. I wouldn't doubt it if he became one of those emo boys running around in junior high and high school."

Kenshin laughed at that. The thick cloud of tension evaporated, and Kaoru relaxed a little. "Yahiko in tight jeans, and slick, black spikey hair-I have to see that."

She gave a gentle smile, and grabbed for her orange juice.

"But Kaoru, that still doesn't explain why you didn't mention him until recently. Shouldn't I have known about him weeks ago?"

She heaved in disfavor. He wasn't going to let this go, would he? "I'm still getting used to "us", Kenshin."

"That doesn't give you a right to disclose such information from someone as significant in your life as myself. I want you to know that you can come to me for whatever reason, and I am never going to judge or dismiss you."

"So, you're not mad?"

"I am." He turned then, meaning to look her fully in the eyes, "though I can't be mad for keeping some things that are to be taken to the grave."

Kaoru didn't hear a word after the first two; and Kenshin intended for it to die on his lips.

Yahiko nearly ran into the glass door, bounding in sweaty and tired, interrupting the two. "Kaoru-you lied! His place is only a couple of acres! And the beach is closer than you said it was!"

The couple looked at each other, amber burning passionately into sapphire, and laughed. "Didn't think it would take you long to know how far the beach was, Yahiko!" Kenshin smiled. "Anyways, I think Kaoru wanted to take you out today and enjoy the sunshine. I have to go to work-"

"Didn't you go to work last night, early in the morning, Kenshin?" Yahiko jeered.

The older man ruefully smiled. "No rest for the restless, Yahiko."

"Well that fucking movie sucked!"

"Language, brat, language!"

A snort. "That was a waste of twenty bucks."

"No shit," Kaoru whispered.

"Who knew dildos and poop could produce so much profit for a movie. I think you're a jackass to think Jackass 3 is even worth a buck."

"No comment. You were the one who wanted to watch it. I think it's rather offensive to watch penises fly at the speed of light."

Yahiko laughed at that outburst. "So, when will Kenshin be home?" Kaoru shrugged the question off lazily, and noted the orange and purple swishing across the twilight. "Ya' know, I thought that movie was already out on DVD."

"It is... I just thought taking you to a movie was a good starting point."

The kid snickered. "A port-a-potty filled with shit-heh! Now ain't that some shit?"

Kaoru laughed. "Well it's certainly a cheap way to go out: a 3D movie, popcorn, and sodas. Don't you agree? I know this place isn't as posh as where Kenshin lives-"

"Haha, what is the name of this place again? San Bistro?"

"Kid, it's San Ysidro!"

"So how does it feel? To live right next to the Mexican border? I mean gosh-" Yahiko fixed his gaze from the painted sky to the spotting of whites and browns and grays that seemingly looked like trash scattered across a hillside of brown and bronze, "that place looks scary."

"What T.J.? San Diego is rather safe," Kaoru said, putting her hands in her pockets-a slight chill acted like a stalking butler, but she knew it wasn't even cold. "I think we place somewhere in the top 5 safest cities in the United States."

"Seattle has so many murderers. I mean there's Bundy, the Green River Killer."

"Lack of sun is what I always said to Father!" She was now smiling.

"Well, anyways, to change the direction of our subject, Kenshin's pretty loaded huh?"

"I guess you can say that? Why do you ask?"

"Come on, Kaoru," he accented with frustration, "what average man has a beach for backyard property?"

"He works hard. Why does it matter?"

"It doesn't. You know, I have never been to a beach like that. I got to jog in the water!" He smiled then, and Kaoru was elated he was still in one piece. Not a bashed pulp of guts and bad word choice. "Any beaches in San Bistro?" It sounded more appropriate to a tween.

"Uhh, yeah, Imperial Beach, but Kenshin said there was a bunch of crime going on in the estuary. Told me to stay away from some places."

"Bummer..."

"He does have a private stretch of beach, Yahiko! Just wait till we get home!"

The two started to wander aimlessly, leaving the dollar theater behind. Yahiko kicked a discarded Coke can and yawned. "So how long now?"

"How long what?"

"You and Kenshin?"

"Been awhile. Do you like him?"

The child smiled. "Amazing he likes an ugly like you!" And with that he was off, Kaoru behind standing wide-eyed at his remark, taking a long eternity of a second before running off after him. The kid was fast, she admitted, but didn't even worry about how far away they were getting from the Las Americas Premium Outlets. The sun was dying now, and Kaoru hoped she can grab the kid before they ventured too far passed the safety of the few streets she knew. What's worse was her decision to leave her phone behind in the safety of her glove compartment. She watched Yahiko skid to a stop, and turn on a nearing street. Camino De La Plaza, she read. She Saw Mexico to her left, the I-5 to her right, and Yahiko nowhere to be seen.

She hollered his name a few times, and cursed under her breath. This wasn't any fun. The heavy foot traffic traveling to and from the outlet stores started to die down as she passed Bibler Drive. A few strangers crossed paths with Kaoru, but no sign of the brat. Oddly enough, something caught her attention, but just for a fleeting moment. A bright light kept reflecting in her direction.

Kaoru froze, taking a quick look over her shoulder. That annoying glare was blinding, gleaming and twinkling, as if to mock and poke at her irritations. She scanned for the light's source-a stranger stood in the shadows of an alleyway, looking in her direction. There was a crooked smile on this man, one that made Kaoru feel uneasy. She wondered about the oddities of this stranger. He had platinum white hair that spiked in every direction, a small earing on his left ear, and such small round eyeglasses that barely concealed his eyes. Kaoru crinkled her nose in distaste, looking at the hideous orange pants and jacket that adorned the man. A battle of wits was about to ensue, but Kaoru decided it was better if she focused her energy on finding the brat instead of picking fights with strangers, and continued her search.

A small community of older houses promised safety, but still no Yahiko. The alien feeling of being watched was suffocating. It was different with Kenshin around; he possessed a protective persona, and an assuasive one at that. But the stinging sensation was telling her to get her brother, and get the hell out of where ever she was.

The raven-haired girl tramped down Maguire Road-it was then did she catch up with the youth, a snide smile on his face, his chest rising and falling with fatigue and joy. He was trapped in a cul-de-sac, but knew of the undeveloped green belt behind.

"One more step, and I will ground you here in San Diego, and never let you leave my sight!"

Yahiko dared to snicker and flashed white teeth. "That'll be fine with me! Kenshin will spoil me!"

She gawked at the boy's assertion and growled as he took a step back. She dashed for him, the chase continuing. However, Yahiko's inexperienced stamina burned like cheap gas, and Kaoru flung her body forward, latching onto his shirt. They tumbled hard to the ground.

Her sisterly instincts kicked in, and instead of shredding his limbs from his torso, tickled him despite her anger. Yahiko crackled, and threw both arms in defeat. "Okay, I apologize! But you brought this on yourself! Don't play jokes on me."

She got up, hoisting him off the dirt. Kaoru looked around, lost. "It's getting dark, kiddo. I think we should head back."

He acknowledged her wishes with a nod. "Where to, captain?"

Kaoru trudged along the dirt path, Yahiko in tow. It didn't take longer than a few minutes before they saw a main road, but not as many street lights dotted this one. They continued before coming to a stretch of green shrubs to their right, and a desolate road that read: Dairy Mart. Kaoru was sure making a left will take them back to the outlets, and to the safety of the public's eye and her car. She wanted to get the fuck out of here, and their fifteen-minute hunting session turned into an hour of trying to get their bearings straight.

They walked until the road forked into two smaller trails.

"Dairy Mart and then there's Old Dairy Mart. This is ridiculous. Yahiko, hand me your cell."

"I don't have one, smartass!"

Kaoru was growing worried now, but not because of the darkness and not because of how lost they probably were, but because of how the feeling of terror clenched her throat. She heard some distinct whistles from behind, and motioned Yahiko to come close. She bent to his ear: "If I say run, run back in the direction of the streets we just walked. There's gotta be someone out that can hear you cry for help. Got that?"

The boy gulped, but afforded a sheepish nod. He watched Kaoru collect her feelings, and the girl run to a pile of junk a few yards away. She kicked down some old furniture, and found a chair leg suitable for a substitute bokken. In that moment, Kaoru's gut twisted, and footsteps resonated closer. Yahiko instinctively ran to her side, scared.

The distinct whistle came again, and a few chortles in a language she wasn't quite sure of swam to her ears. Yahiko grabbed her shirt, and begged her not to let them get hurt.

"I think they're speaking in Spanish, Kaoru. I want to get the hell out of here."

"I know, trust me; I do too." Kaoru could smell the alcohol now, as a group of men approached.

"Miren esto! Una mujer!" She didn't like the tone hissing from this man, and knew he was addressing others. But how many more? was the question. "Lo divertido?"

"Habla ingles?" Kaoru croaked.

"Hijo de puta," came the rich, thick, accent. A group of four came out of shadow, from a short, fat one, to even a man taller than Sano. Kaoru couldn't place distinctions on their faces, but knew they were a group of Latino men. Kenshin had warned her numerous times of the surging violence in and around San Diego, especially in places closer to the border. She bit her cheek when she knew she was being addressed. "I can whisper sweet nothings to you in whatever language you want, dear. Quiero chocha." He was disgusting.

"Stay back!"

The fat one smiled. "Not too fast! We want to have some fun! We will have you calling us papi by the end of the night." His dark eyes laughed, and then darted to Yahiko. "The pendejo kid can watch!"

The group chortled and said some more things in Spanish, things Kaoru could not make out at all. They closed the distance between them, and at that point, Kaoru snapped at Yahiko to run.

"What about you?"

"Get the hell out of here, and get some help! I can take these pigs down!"

Kaoru knelt in a defense position, awaiting the first to approach her. She squared her shoulders, broken chair leg ready to make contact on skin. Two of the men chased after Yahiko, and the remaining two laughed at the girl in front of them.

The kid knew he was being chased, but had very little juice to run off. Instead of taking the first right to backtrack his footsteps, he ran forward, opposite of Kaoru, running on a deadly stretch of desolate street hidden from the public. He felt his heart race faster than his feet could trample, and worried about the men behind closing in. His sister would be okay, he told himself. She had a makeshift bokken, and she's been able to handle her own against many sparring partners.

The ground at this instant resembled a carpet being yanked forcefully underneath Yahiko, the kid slamming hard to the cold cement. He cursed at the stinging sensation of gray scraping on skin, and turned on his elbows, eyes the size of saucers, fright and terror staged. The two assailants neared.

Yahiko felt the noxious aura of his followers, but felt an even more menacing presence. The kid didn't know whether to run again or fight. One problem: he had no shinai, he had no makeshift weapon either.

"Think you could get away, kid?" one man snickered, closing the gap. "Tu pinche Americanos!"

"You will not put one finger on either the woman or the child." An unknown voice hissed from the shadows.