Written:
October 3—28, 2005
Released: 29 October 2005, rev. 0
Category: Drama.
Summary: A wolf and a dragon discuss the care of
their young. Fourth in the Adoptiion series.
Disclaimer: The characters and story of Rurouni
Kenshin are the property of Nobuhiro Watsuki, Shonen
Jump, et
al. Used without
permission. This work is for entertainment only, and no
profit is intended.
Adoption IV. Sacrifice
A slightly mad, slightly too thin, slightly too hard man in
a Meiji policeman’s uniform eyed a slightly too tall,
slightly too-well-muscled man in a much too dramatic cape.
The slightly mad man—orâ perfectly normal wolf of Mibu—blew
a languid smoke ring and said:
“I'll admit to surprise that you agreed to finish training
the fool. I thought your deshi was the
baka, not you.”
â“I simply do not see how you would agree to guide the hand
meant to cause your death. And why reward desertion with
loyalty? How do you grant yet another skill to one who
turned his back on you so completely? How do you even
bother to make the effort, Hiko?”
The slightly too well muscled man eyed him back
unblinkingly.
“How do you live amongst those who’d be fool enough to be
believe you meant that? You know the answer as well as I,
Saito. There was never any real question of teaching him
what he needed. You would have me believe that you could
abandon any of your children.”
“As if you could ignore the threat to your child.””
“As if you could turn your back on anything that would keep
him safe.”
“As if you had a choice.”
Saito blew yet another smoke ring.
“I see,” the policeman drawled, “and a dragon with but one
hatchling will fight for it even more fiercely, ne?”
“Indeed, Wolf, even if it is a baka hatchling.”
Owari
===========================
Glossary
Baka—idiot, dummy, stupid
Deshi—pupil, apprentice, disciple