Author's Note: Here it is, the final entry! I started this short story collection as a way to get back into my writing and reintroducing myself to Rurouni Kenshin and its characters. The only downside I found is that I missed a few deadlines in my attempts to update every Tuesday to which I hope to improve on in the future as I write more stories. More importantly to update earlier rather than late at night.

I would like to thank everyone who reviewed, favorite, and read this collection! More importantly to all your support!

Thank you! ^_^

Author's Note 2: This final entry is slightly reminiscent of my first chapter in this short story collection. Therefore I felt it was good to bring everything full circle and have this story take place post-Jinchu when Kenji is four going on five.

Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin.

Story 30, Picnic Part 2

It was a beautiful day in Tokyo by the river with a shining sun and plenty of food to eat. Kenshin, Kaoru, and Kenji had sat on the blanket as the others arrived to enjoy this day. Aoshi, Misao, and Megumi were visiting for the week while Sanosuke had returned to Tokyo after five years away. Yahiko and Tsubame were arriving from the Akabeko with some extra food while Tae helped with the set up.

Kenji was getting a little restless in Kaoru's lap and kept trying to wiggle out of her arms. "I better take Kenji to play with his ball. Will anyone join us?"

Misao eagerly raised her hand. "I will!"

As all three left, Kenshin and Sanosuke helped with the rest of the set ups. Putting a plate down, Sanosuke chewed on his fishbone. "How'd we get stuck doing this job?"

"Everyone is helping that they are."

Sanosuke huffed and helped to finish the set up. Once he was done, Sansouke stood up and stretched his back out until he heard a creak. He cringed in pain and rubbed his back. "I got to get back to working out."

Megumi sighed. "Again rooster? Will you ever give your body a rest?"

"I'm just a little stiff."

Megumi narrowed her eyes and shook her head before turning to Yahiko. "I hope you are healing well since your last fight."

Yahiko stared at her and knew what she was talking about. He had been in a tournament recently and got a sprained ankle when he turned the wrong way. "The swelling's gone down."

"Be sure to take it easy though. I can examine it later if you want."

"That would be great. I want to get up and practicing again."

"As long as you rest." Tsubame said as she started to place the rice balls out on a plate.

Yahiko rolled his eyes and turned to Kenshin. "You want to go fishing?"

"Thank you but I'm going to stay here and rest a bit. Working in the garden yesterday wore me out that it did."

Yahiko nodded and then grabbed the rod nearby to head to the river for some fishing.

"Hey! I'll join you!" Sanosuke grabbed a nearby rod as well and followed Yahiko to the river with an empty bucket in his hand.

Kenshin looked over at Aoshi who was helping Tae with the bucket of rice.

"Thank you Shinomori-san."

Aoshi nodded. "I think I'll meditate by the river."

Kenshin watched as Aoshi left and turned back to the blanket to find Megumi using a fan to cool herself off. "Miss Megumi, why not rest under that tree nearby?"

"I prefer the fan more. Besides it's not that warm out."

"At least have some water." Kenshin grabbed the bucket nearby and scooped some water out into a cup. He handed it to Megumi who took it from him and guzzled it down.

Kenshin smiled and the heard the sound of footsteps nearby.

"Mommy I want to play some more!"

Kaoru looked down at her son to see his blue eyes looking up at her pleading. His little hand was clamping hers and swinging it a bit. "I know Kenji but we need to check on the food and eat soon. You also have to wash your hands."

"Ahh, I don't want to."

A half hour later and after Kenji had washed his hands, everyone was sitting on the blanket enjoying the delicious food and talking about everything. Kenji was eating his rice ball while he observed all the adults surrounding him. He was curious about why they would all be content talking to themselves rather than playing.

'Playing is a lot more fun.' Kenji thought as he finished the last of his rice ball.

Kenshin ruffled his son's hair. "I'm proud of you for finishing your meal Kenji that I am."

"Daddy?"

"Yes?"

"Why do adults like talking more than playing?"

"Oro. That's an odd question."

"I just don't understand and I want to."

Kenshin looked at his son and tried to think of what to say. Kenji was now four and about to turn five yet he was becoming more perceptive each day. When Kaoru told him that she was pregnant, Kenshin had been worried and scared. Wondering if he would be a good father and guide his child in the best way possible. When Kenji was born and became a toddler, he proved to be a precocious child but thankfully it had lessened over the years. Now he was about to tell his son something about the adult world.

"Well, when adults get together we prefer to talk more especially if we haven't seen friends in a long time. Remember last night when you spoke with Miss Megumi or played just a while ago with Miss Misao?"

"Yes."

"That's part of what adults do. We talk about life and anything we want. We catch up when we could not otherwise since we are busy or live far away."

"So like at dinner time we talk to each other. It's the same as the picnic."

"That's right." Kenshin patted his hand on his son's head. "Let's go for walk to that bridge down by the river. Take your mother with us."

After the meal was completed, Kenshin took hold of Kenji's hand while Kaoru grabbed the other one. All three walked away from the group to walk down to the bridge which Kaoru and Kenshin had visited years ago before their marriage. The afternoon had made the temperature go down slightly but it was still warm enough to stay outside.

Kenji giggled and smiled as he held his parents' hands and felt happy to be by their sides for the first time that day. He could feel the blades of grass touch the skin of his feet and made an attempt to take off his sandals to walk barefoot.

"Kenji don't take off your sandals until we get home."

"Ah please Mommy."

"You heard your mother. Once we get home though you can take off those sandals."

Kenji gave a pout and held on to his parents' hands tighter. "When are we getting to the bridge?"

Kaoru looked down at her son. "We'll be there in two minutes. Do you know how many seconds that is?"

"Umm. One hundred something."

Kenshin looked down at his son. "One hundred twenty. Why not count those numbers?"

Kenji smiled and nodded as he began to count aloud. Kenshin and Kaoru looked at each other with smiles and continued to guide their son towards the bridge.

They had finally gotten to the bridge and Kenshin had lifted Kenji over the ledge to look at the water. It was rustling and they could hear the water crashing against the rocks. Kenji was fascinated and liked staring at the water.

"Look daddy! He water is moving fast!"

"That's right Kenji. It's moving fast and there's plenty of fish beneath the water."

Kenji put a finger to his mouth as he thought about his father's words. "Yahiko and Sanosuke went fishing earlier. Can we go fishing daddy?"

"Of course."

"We can bring Yahiko and Sanosuke too. That way we can talk while we fish and have con..conver…"

Kaoru and Kenshin looked at Kenji, encouraging him to say the words. Even mouthing it along with him.

"Conversa...con...ver...sa...tion. Conversation!"

Kenshin and Kaoru laughed as they hugged Kenji.

"That's right Kenji. We can all have conversation."

Kenshin, Kaoru, and Kenji were leaving the bridge back to their friends. It would get dark soon and dinner would have to be prepared. Kenji ran ahead of them a little before walking slower. He knew that if he went to far his mother would shout and he did not want to make her angry.

'Like when Uncle Hiko said a bad word.'

Kenshin and Kaoru were following behind as Kenji walked ahead. Kaoru then looked over at Kenshin and smiled before grabbing hold of his hand as they walked together.

"Our Kenji is growing strong and healthy."

"That he is."

"Our second child will be just as strong and healthy."

Kenshin stopped in his tracks and stared at his wife who simply smiled at him with her blue eyes.

"Are you?"

"Megumi confirmed it this morning."

Kenshin smiled wide and grabbed hold of his wife in a hug that was gentle. He felt elated at the news and excited about being a father once more. He let go of Kaoru and kissed her before she pushed him away lightly.

"Kenshin!"

"I'm sorry, I just felt so excited. I lost myself."

"Don't be. We do have to tell Kenji and the others though. I want everyone to know."

Kaoru took hold of Kenshin's hand and both walked towards Kenji who had got distracted be a flower growing from the ground. He looked up at his parents and got between them, holding a different hand.

All three walked towards their friends who were about to pack up and head back to town. It was upsetting to leave a nice place after a lovely picnic but enjoyable to be with friends. The Kenshin-gumi, as Yahiko called them, were always having a nice time when together. Misao and Aoshi had become part of that group five years ago. Then Tae and Tsubame joined them along with Kenji when he was born. Now another would join them within less than a year and experience the ups and downs of life including the life lessons.

'It will be an adventure though that it will.' With that final thought Kenshin held his son's hand a little tighter and, with Kaoru, made their way further to their friends.

End

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