{These characters are not property of me. I would never attempt to claim them as my own. This story may not be used without my permission, and may not be used to make money in any way, shape or form. Characters and certain situations were created by Rumiko Takahashi, so don't try any funny stuff!}
[11 years later]
"Come on, Dad. You're getting slow," Takuma said, laughing.
"Slow? I'm only a little more than twice your age. I can still take care of you and that big mouth of yours." Tatewaki was breathing a bit hard anyway.
Takuma laughed again. "Only if you catch me!" He ran off across the yard, showing no signs of fatigue from the practice session.
Tatewaki followed behind, pushing himself. Takuma was fast and seemed to never get tired. Oh to be 16 again... Tatewaki thought he'd pass.
Not following the path, Takuma suddenly darted through some trees and Tatewaki swore silently. Takuma had avoided it for so long, so why did he have to find it today.
Going through the trees himself, Tatewaki found Takuma standing in the small clearing, staring at the small markers.
"Dad?" he asked, looking confusedly at the pleasant yet gruesome scene before him.
"I'm sorry you had to find this."
"Graves?"
Tatewaki shook his head. "No. Only markers. Items of remembrance for our ancestors." His voice was quiet and solemn.
Takuma knelt in front of a marker, blank save for the rose etched into the marble. He ran his fingers over it. "Who's this?"
Tatewaki hesitated to answer. The incident hadn't been spoken of much at all. Takuma seemed to have accepted it all and gotten over it without a hitch. Of course, it was hard to say what Takuma's reaction would be now. "Kodachi," he answered simply.
Takuma's hand didn't stop moving over the stone, but he didn't say anything either. "Why?" he asked quietly.
"Because, there was a time that she was my sister. There was a time that she was... she was my little sister that I had to take care of. There was a time that she was as innocent and helpless as you used to be. There was a time that she needed help and never got it."
Tatewaki wiped his eyes before Takuma could see that he had tears threatening to fall.
Takuma looked at the marker in a sort of stunned fascination. Silently he offered her a prayer. 'I'm sorry. I'm sorry you didn't get the help that you needed. I'm sorry this had to happen.' Closing his eyes, Takuma vowed to come out some time and offer his respect for the people and things that might have been.
Standing slowly, looking at the other markers, Takuma realized there was a tightening in his chest. "It's OK, Dad. I understand."
Tatewaki put his hand on Takuma's shoulder and squeezed gently.
Takuma turned around, his face solemn. He maintained his calm for a moment, then it broke. "I was so scared, Dad." Takauma's voice quavered as he spoke.
Not hesitating for a moment, Tatewaki pulled Takuma into a hug and held him. Takuma resisted for a second then returned the hug. He hadn't ever held anything back, and had never felt the need to let anything out until now.
"Come on, let's go inside," Tatewaki said as Takuma pulled away, leaving his arm over his son's shoulders.
As they walked back across the yard, Tatewaki had to say it. "Don't... don't tell your mother about this."
Tatewaki shrugged. The whole subject was still a bit delicate since Kodachi wasn't exactly the best memories either of them had. "Just don't. I don't bring up that time at the lake do I?"
Takuma turned beet red. "Dad!"