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reii-ichi · 5 months ago

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Fleeting Memories

Kenshin struggles to overcome his grief after the death of his wife, straining his relationship further with his children. He became detached and distant. (Last Part!)

Warning: Heavy angst, bad daddy Kenshin, unnamed MC

Children: Uesugi Takeru (13 years old), Uesugi Ken (13 years old), Uesugi Sakura (5 years old)

Other children: Takeda Oujiro, Takeda Himeko (11 years old)

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

.........

Thank you to anyone who has read this story, tbh it is lacking so much and I swear there are a lot of cringe moments. It was fun doing this. I hope you will enjoy this last part.

Also shout out to @reii-ichi for this lovely art!💕

Always happy to see more daddy Kenshin content! 🤭

The castle bustled with the energy of a new day, but Kenshin sat alone in his study, nursing a cup of sake.

....................................

-Kasugayama Castle-

He stared at the papers on his desk, war reports, letters from retainers, but they blurred together. His mind drifted back to the image of his daughter crying.

Letting Sakura return was a mistake, he thought bitterly, taking another swig of sake. She doesn’t belong here.

“Father,” Ken’s voice broke through his thoughts. The blonde boy stood in the doorway, his expression unreadable.

“You broke her gift, didn't you?”

Kenshin didn’t look up. “I have no time for such a useless trinket.”

Ken’s jaw tightened. He muttered a curse under his breath and left without another word.

...........

Sakura giggled and skipped among the scattered blossoms.

Takeru followed close behind, arms crossed but smiling faintly as he watched her. “You’re going to trip if you keep running like that, Sakura.”

“No, I won’t!” she called back, spinning in circles. Her laughter rang out, light and carefree, until it was interrupted by a sudden, harsh cough.

...........

Kenshin stiffened, the cup in his hand freezing mid-air when he heard one of his children screaming. He hot to his feet, the sake cup shattering as it hit the floor. The urgency in Ken’s voice sent a chill through him.

He was already moving, his feet pounding against the wooden floor as he rushed to the garden.

The sight stopped him cold.

In the garden, Takeru knelt on the ground, holding a limp and pale Sakura in his arms. Her doll lay forgotten in the grass beside her.

“She just fell,” Takeru stammered, his usual calm composition completely broke as tears streaming down his face. “She said her chest hurt, and then... ”

Kenshin didn’t speak. He crossed the garden in two long strides, his heart racing as he knelt beside his children.

“Wake up,” he said sharply, his voice more commanding than gentle.

She didn’t respond. He pressed a hand to her forehead, it was burning hot. His heart clenched.

“Inside. Now.”

Takeru hesitated, his tears spilling over. “But—”

“Now!” Kenshin snapped, scooping Sakura into his arms and carrying her toward her room. He moved with such urgency.

“Someone, get a healer!” Ken shouted, running close behind.

............

Ken paced back and forth, his hands clenched tightly at his sides. “Why aren’t they here yet?” he growled.

“They’re taking too long!” Takeru snapped, his voice sharp, filled with an anger that rarely surfaced. He knelt by Sakura, holding her small, limp hand, his face pale. “She doesn’t have time for this!”

Ken slammed his fist against the wall, startling a servant nearby. “I’ll drag them here myself!” He turned to leave, determination blazing in his eyes.

“Ken, stop!” Takeru called after him, but it was too late. His twin was already gone. Left behind, Takeru gritted his teeth and knelt down, he gently held Sakura's hand.

“She’ll be fine,” he murmured, as much to himself as to her. “You’ll be fine. Just hold on.”

After a while, Ken burst through the doors, his clothes dusted with dirt and his eyes burning with fury. Behind him stumbled the healer, her face pale and fearful.

“You’re late!” Takeru roared, his voice echoing through the room.

The healer bowed deeply, trembling as she stepped forward. “Forgive me, young master, I came as fast as I—”.

“Enough,” Kenshin’s cold voice cut through the tension, silencing everyone.

His piercing gaze fell on the healer. “Do your job,” he ordered, his tone leaving no room for argument.

The healer knelt beside Sakura, her hands shaking as she examined the child. Sweat beaded on her forehead under Kenshin’s and his sons’ watchful stares.

“She has a high fever,” the healer began, her voice barely audible. “It is severe, and—”

“And what?” Kenshin’s voice was low and dangerous. He stepped closer, his shadow looming over her. “If this child does not recover, you will regret ever stepping foot in this castle. Do I make myself clear?”

The healer paled, bowing so deeply her forehead nearly touched the floor.

“I- I will do everything within my power to help our young lady, my lord."

............

Sakura’s condition remained fragile on the next day. Shingen and his children had been staying at the castle during the turmoil, but word arrived that issues in Kai required Shingen’s immediate attention.

“I have to go,” Shingen told Kenshin, his voice heavy with regret as they stood in the hallway. “Kai needs me, but I wish I could stay longer.”

“Go,” Kenshin said simply, his tone unreadable.

Oujiro tried his best to hold back tears, while Himeko clung to her father’s arm, sobbing uncontrollably. The usually spirited 11-year-old girl could barely speak through her cries.

“I don’t want to leave!” she wailed. “Sakura’s still so sick. What if she doesn’t—”

“She will,” Shingen interrupted firmly, though his expression softened. He knelt before his daughter, placing his hands on her shoulders. “She’s strong, Himeko. You have to believe in her. Say your goodbyes for now, and we’ll return soon.”

Himeko sniffled but nodded. She approached Sakura’s bedside, her lower lip trembling as she clutched Sakura’s hand.

“Get better, okay?” she whispered. “I will visit again, we will play together.”

Sakura, barely conscious, gave a weak nod, her lips curling into the faintest smile.

...........

Days passed, and the castle grew quieter.

Kenshin had long convinced himself that his stoicism was a strength, a shield to protect his children and himself from the pain of their loss. But now, as he sat outside Sakura’s room, he felt that shield crack.

The faint sound of her cough seeped through the walls, gnawing at his resolve. He couldn’t focus on anything, his mind kept returning to her frail form, her trembling voice calling out for him.

Ken and Takeru remained by her side constantly, but Kenshin found excuses to linger nearby, watching through the doorway or pretending to check on the healer’s progress.

He hesitated before stepping inside, his footsteps almost silent.

“Father?” Ken’s sharp voice cut through the quiet. The boy was awake, his arms crossed as he glared at Kenshin. “Why are you here?”

Kenshin frowned. “Do I need permission to check on my own daughter?”

Ken didn’t back down. “You haven’t cared before. What’s changed now?”

“Ken,” Takeru muttered, trying to de-escalate.

But Kenshin’s gaze didn’t waver. “I was wrong,” he said simply, his voice firm.

Ken blinked, caught off guard by the blunt admission.

Kenshin knelt beside Sakura, brushing a damp strand of hair from her face. His hand lingered for a moment, trembling slightly before he withdrew it.

Ken and Takeru exchanged a glance, they still feel skeptical, but decided to leave their father be.

...........

On the next day, Takeru and Ken had to continue their lessons and training as they could no longer skip them, so Kenshin decided to watch over his daughter.

The healer knelt trembling on the tatami floor, her hands shaking as she packed away her supplies. “The fever is dangerously high,” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. “If it doesn’t break soon…”

Her words hung heavily in the air, unfinished.

Kenshin's arms crossed, his shadow stretching ominously across the room. Without his sons nearby, his cold presence was even more pronounced. His piercing gaze bore into the healer, making her almost paralyzed with fear.

“You’re telling me there's nothing more we can do?” Kenshin’s voice was low, yet it carried an edge of menace that made the healer flinch.

“M-my lord, I have tried everything,” she stammered, bowing deeply. “It is up to her will now…”

Kenshin stepped forward, his footsteps deliberate and heavy. The air grew colder as he towered over her.

“If she dies, your failure will not be forgiven,” he said, his voice like ice. “Pray to your gods that your efforts are enough.”

The healer bowed even lower, her forehead nearly touching the ground. “Y-yes, my lord.” She scurried away, the sound of her hurried footsteps fading down the corridor.

Kenshin stood motionless for a long moment, staring at the small, fevered form on the futon. He had been through wars, had watched men fall in agony, yet nothing had ever torn him apart like the sight of his daughter, so frail and helpless.

Her tiny face was flushed, damp hair clinging to her forehead. Her breaths came in shallow, uneven gasps.

“Daddy…”

Her voice, weak and trembling, shattered the icy armor around his heart. Her eyes fluttered open, barely able to focus on him.

“I… I’m sorry,” she whispered, her small hand twitching as if trying to reach for him.

“I didn’t mean to be bad… Please don’t hate me.”

Kenshin’s chest tightened painfully. His jaw clenched as he knelt beside her.

“You… foolish child,” he murmured, his voice cracking.

“Please… don’t be mad,” she continued, her voice breaking. “I’ll get better soon. I’ll be good.”

Kenshin couldn’t hold it in anymore. The walls he had so carefully built around himself came crashing down.

“Stop,” he whispered hoarsely, his hand fisted tightly. “Don’t say that. Don’t…”

Sakura’s lips quivered, tears slipping from her fevered eyes. “I’m sorry…”

“No,” Kenshin choked, bowing his head, his tears falling freely. “Don’t apologize. This isn’t your fault... ”

It's mine.

For the first time, he allowed himself to call her name.

“Sakura.”

Her name felt heavy on his tongue, but it was a truth he could no longer deny.

“Stay with me,” he whispered. “Don’t leave. I can’t... I can’t lose you too.”

“You don’t hate me?” Her voice weakening, a sign that she was falling asleep.

“Never,” Kenshin said firmly, he reached out for her tiny hand. “I could never hate you. I’ve been a fool.”

Sakura was already asleep so he didn't know if she heard all of it. Kenshin didn’t move. He stayed at her side, his hand never leaving hers, as the night stretched on.

He would not fail her again.

.............

In the solitude of his study, Kenshin set the broken crane on the workbench.

He surveyed the tools and materials at hand. Among them, a small container of nikawa sat tucked in the corner. The glue, made from animal hide, had been used by his craftsmen for years to repair furniture and ceremonial items. He set it over a brazier to warm, the faint smell of the adhesive filling the room.

Carefully, he cleaned the splintered edges of the crane, sanding them down just enough to fit the pieces together snugly. The nikawa softened as it warmed, turning into a smooth, sticky paste. Kenshin dipped a fine brush into the adhesive and began applying it to the fractures with meticulous care.

The process was slow. Each piece needed time to set before he could move on to the next, and the delicate wings required extra attention. His hands, so accustomed to the weight of a sword, trembled slightly as he held the fragile crane.

As dawn broke, Kenshin pressed the final piece into place and held it steady until the glue set. The crane was not perfect, small scars remained where the wood had splintered, but it stood whole once more.

........

The early morning felt unexpectedly calming. Kenshin stayed at Sakura’s side, his hand resting lightly on hers. Ken and Takeru dozed fitfully nearby, they were clearly exhausted because of their lessons and training. Despite warnings that they might catch the sickness, they refused to sleep anywhere but near their little sister.

Sakura’s breaths, once shallow and uneven, had begun to deepen. Kenshin barely moved, his heart pounding at every little sound she made. He was afraid to hope, but when the healer finally arrived to check her again, the woman’s face lit up with cautious optimism.

“The fever has broken,” she said quietly, bowing to Kenshin. “Young lady Sakura is recovering.”

Ken and Takeru, who had just woken up, smiled widely at the news. Kenshin closed his eyes briefly, sighing out in relief as well.

.........

When Sakura woke, her fever has indeed broken as the colour has returned to her chubby little face, Kenshin was there, the repaired crane in his hands.

“You fixed it?” she whispered, her voice soft but filled with wonder.

Kenshin nodded. “I tried my best, but it's not perfect.”

Sakura took the crane, cradling it gently. “It’s perfect,” she murmured, her eyes lighting up with joy.

“Did he... just fix something for Sakura?” Ken muttered, rubbing his eyes as if he couldn’t believe it.

“Maybe he’s possessed,” Takeru suggested.

“Thank you, father.” she murmured, her voice stronger than before.

Kenshin frowned. “It’s ‘Daddy,’” he corrected, his tone firm but not unkind.

The little girl blinked adorably at him, then gave a tiny, shy smile. “Daddy…”

The corners of Kenshin’s lips twitched upward, and he nodded. “Much better.”

Ken and Takeru both froze at the exchange.

Ken whispered in disbelief, “Did he just asked her to call him 'Daddy'?”

Takeru grimaced, looking deeply uncomfortable. “I think she did. Please don’t make us say it.”

“Yeah, no way,” Ken muttered. “He’s ‘Father’ or ‘Old Man.’ That’s it.”

Kenshin shot them a pointed look. “Would you like to say something, boys?”

Both twins straightened up immediately, shaking their heads vigorously. “Nothing, Father!” they chorused.

Sakura giggled weakly, watching her brothers squirm. “Daddy’s nice…”

Ken raised an eyebrow at her. “You sure we’re talking about the same person, Sakura?”

Sakura giggled again, her laugh light and joyous. “Ken… you’re silly.”

Ken crossed his arms. Takeru leaned in, careful not to squish her as he hugged her.

“You better get strong soon. I need someone to help me fight Ken.”

“Hey!” Ken protested, but he leaned in too, wrapping his arms around both of them.

Kenshin watched his children, his heart swelling with a mix of love and regret. He knelt down and pulled all three of them into a firm embrace.

The twins froze, glancing at each other in silent panic.

“I think Father is truly sick. Or this might be a dream.” Ken whispered, pinching Takeru’s arm.

“Ow!” Takeru hissed. “It’s real, you idiot.”

Sakura snuggled closer into her father’s arms, her giggles bubbling up again. “Daddy’s hugging us…”

Ken groaned. “Can you not call him that?”

Sakura’s laughter grew louder, which made her brothers and father smile as well.

Kenshin held them tighter, vowing silently to protect his children and never let them drift apart again. It might be difficult to atone for all of his mistakes, but he would never give up, just like how his children had never given up on him.

Outside, the cherry blossoms danced in the wind, their soft petals swirling like whispers of hope. Kenshin glanced toward the window, the faintest smile tugging at his lips.

It was almost as if his late wife was there, watching over them, her presence lingering in the gentle breeze. He could almost hear her voice, warm and full of pride, urging him to cherish this precious bond, to hold his family close.

And for the first time in years, Kenshin felt a fragile but certain peace take root in his heart.

#ikemen sengoku #ikesen kenshin #ikesen #ikesen shingen #ikemen sengoku shingen #ikemen sengoku kenshin #イケメソ戦国 #イケ戦 #fan work

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