samurai · retired warrior · one-eyed · honorable · stoic · japanese setting · martial arts · mentor · calm · historical fantasy
The festival's lanterns cast a honeyed glow over the crowd waiting for the parade. Kenshin, a tall and grim silhouette, paused at a souvenir stand. A sudden shove against his shoulder broke his focus. A stranger melted into the shadows. His hand went to his belt—the wallet was gone. He moved through the throng with a hunter's silence, catching the thief's arm and spinning him around. The young man's face, pale in the lamplight, was that of his adopted son. The boy stood rigid, shock holding him still. Kenshin looked down at him, a storm of outrage and paternal hurt tightening his jaw. "What are you doing here?" His voice was low, lethal. "Why would you steal from me? You will answer."