Of Wine and Water By: P.P.V.V.

Disclaimer: The Standard Disclaim applies...

AN: This chapter was written during the new year of 2012. It's rather light and a break for our dear Master and Apprentice.

Notes:

I've veered away from historical detail a little in this chapter. 正月"Shougatsu", the Japanese New Year, was celebrated in the late 1800s after the Meiji Restoration. But I figured there were some people who looked forward to the turn of the year and celebrated it beforehand in their own ways. History can only record so much. Again, I'm being purposefully vague as to the timeline – take it as you will.

Also, there is a bit of Shinto rituals touched upon here. Buddhism and Shintoism are the two largest religions in Japan, so festivals and the like are strongly connected.

Onward.

Chapter 10

- Gestures of Affection -

It was cold. So bitingly cold.

It nipped at Hiko's cheeks and spread itself swiftly throughout his body. But forward he pressed, for it was the only option. A snowstorm looked to be on the way and they were much closer to the Town than they were to home. If worse came to worse, they could wait out the bad weather at the local Inn.

He heard Kenshin behind him, sniffling and shuffling his feet as he tried his best to keep up. Realizing this, Hiko began to stomp the snow underfoot in an effort to help his boy out. If the redhead noticed, he did not let on, as intent as he was on keeping his footing so that he would not slip and fall on the ice beneath the snow.

Once again, he looked ridiculous in clothes that dwarfed his tiny body. It was the warmest coat that Hiko owned, and, not wanting Kenshin to suffer the drastic drop in temperature, had draped that around him.

The kid made use of the overly long sleeves, hiding his small hands within. Every so often, he would rub them together to try and keep them warm. His face was tinged pink despite Hiko's best efforts to use his own body to shield him from the worst of the wind's sting.

"Just a little further," Hiko told him.

In response, Kenshin puffed out a breath, no doubt looking forward to getting out of the cold.

It had been a while since the Master had dragged his apprentice with him to the Town. Staying away from gossip and meddling fools was the best way to keep his pupil focused, not to mention it saved him from the headache of having an overly materialistic monster on his hands. Already, he could picture children squalling in the marketplace, begging their parents for any sweet bun or pretty trinket their eyes landed on.

Up until now, Kenshin had only ever asked for one thing. Everything else, he was content to be given. Maybe it was because he was used to a simple life. Or perhaps it was because he felt he didn't deserve anything extra. Or was it because he was afraid to ask?

That thought ran clear to the back of his mind when the boy suddenly slipped. Faster than even his brain had time to process the action, Hiko's hand whipped out to grab hold of him before he could fall face-first into the snow.

Kenshin let out a surprised squeak, and whether it was because of his relief at being saved from what promised to be an embarrassing tumble or because he was taken aback by the sheer speed of Hiko's reflex, the Master did not know. He swiftly righted the child before resuming his pace as though it had not happened in the first place.

Kenshin hesitated for a moment or two before scurrying to catch up, long sleeves flying behind him. "Master," the boy asked once he had drawn level with him, "why must we travel in such weather?"

Questions again.

Lately, his apprentice had taken to asking him all sorts of things. Why was there such thing as seasons? How did birds learn to fly? Could there be such thing as ghosts? And the list went on and on.

"It is the turning of the year," Hiko told him, answering this question just as solemnly as he had all the others. "We are going down to get some more supplies before the weather hits its lowest peak. You don't want to be travelling in the worst of the winter, do you?"

He expected the boy to ask more questions, but surprisingly, he remained silent, sucking on his bottom lip deep in thought.

The trip took much longer than Hiko expected for by the time they reached the main heart of the city it was wide awake, preparing for noonday meals and the hustle and bustle of the festive crowd.

Everywhere they looked, people were dressed in their best, their clothes bright and overly decorated. They seemed, in Hiko's opinion, to match the colorful banners and ribbons that were strewn about the houses and the stalls. Kenshin's curious gaze took in all the sights, the bright spark in his eyes lifting Hiko's spirits. Laughter and singing rang in the air, mingling in with the sweet aromas of various dishes that were being made on the spot that tempted travelers to stop for a bite.

The roads were thick with slush, the snow not able to maintain its form after being trampled upon by hundreds of feet. It decided to concede defeat and left a path that Hiko didn't know if he liked better.

Resigned, he led them over to one of the many large bonfires that had been set up so that people could snatch a bit of warmth before returning to the festivities. Nearby, a bunch of children were running around playing a game and when Hiko saw Kenshin eyeing them, he put a hand to the child's back. "I have some errands to run," he said. "You may go with me or play with them if you wish."

Kenshin looked to him and then the children, before saying decidedly, "I'd like to join them, please, Master."

"Then off you go," acquiesced the elder. "And mind your manners and keep your wits about you. I will find you when I'm finished."

Bobbing his head enthusiastically, his boy did not need to be told twice, zipping away toward the other children as fast as his little legs could carry him. Soon, his red hair was lost within the crowds, and for a moment, Hiko felt an uncalled-for panic surge forward when he could no longer see his charge. He had to take several deep breaths to push the feeling away, wondering what on earth had caused it to surface in the first place.

Deep inside, he knew what it was.

Attachment.

Oh dear gods above, he was getting himself into a lot more trouble than he expected. No matter how hard Hiko tried to turn his heart to stone, Kenshin seemed to be able to squeeze himself into the vulnerable cracks he'd (intentionally?) left. It wouldn't do to become too tender or else it would only make it much harder on his apprentice in the coming years.

In the final test.

As though reading his mind, the crowds before him parted slightly, giving Hiko the ability to see the little redhead playing alongside the other children, his innocent face alight with the mischief that came pre-packaged with little boys.

With a small smirk, Hiko shook his head.

For now, he supposed, it was okay to raise the boy in such a way. Kenshin had seen and experienced enough grief that a little bit of love was not a punishment.

He stalked off to get his purchases, not wanting to dwell on the topic any longer. But it followed him around as he bought the boy a new pair of gloves, a new pair of socks, another pair of sandals and a warm, fit-to-size coat that was the same color as his.

When he came upon his student a few hours later, the boy excitedly grabbed his hand. "Master, come see! They say that the Temple bells are going to ring!"

Amused, but trying not to show it, Hiko let himself be led through the crowd. "Calm down, Kenshin," he said, as the child began to run up the long set of stairs that had been swept clean of any snow. "The Temple is not going anywhere and the bells will ring all afternoon. Be careful or you'll trip again."

Obediently, Kenshin slowed his pace and together, he and Hiko finished the trek upward.

Up ahead, a few priests were chanting a prayer and Kenshin craned his neck to see. "Why do they ring the bell?" he demanded in a whisper that was not quite a whisper. It made heads turn to regard him but the line shuffled forward as the people moved to make their individual requests for the new year ahead.

"It is done so that the gods will hear. It is said that the sounds carry the words to the higher heavens," Hiko told him.

Kenshin gave him a dubious frown, but he turned to pay attention to what the other people were doing.

"Would you like to make your own requests? " Hiko offered.

To his surprise, Kenshin ducked his head and hunched his shoulders.

It was Hiko's turn to frown. "Surely there is something that you desire." For what little boy didn't? He was fairly sure that Kenshin was bursting with them.

Again, his apprentice shook his head. "No, sir..." he murmured. "I could not ask for anything more."

Hiko's thoughts from earlier came back to him and, impulsively, he thrust a coin into the child's hand when it came out to seek his own.

Surprised, Kenshin gazed up at him in question.

"You should at least pay your respects," the Master said, rearranging his cloak in an effort to sound nonchalant. Let it not be said (or known) that Hiko Seijuuro ever doted on anyone. By that time, he was sweating due to the large number of bodies pressed together into one small space. He could always blame it on the sudden heat if anyone asked why a blush had risen to his cheeks. "If anything, you have things to be grateful for."

Kenshin seemed to consider that for a moment, his face taking on a very grave, very serious look that made Hiko wonder just what the child was actually thinking. Finally, he curled his fingers over the coin. "...Yes, I do."

As they approached the large offering box and bell, his student resolutely threw in his coin and reached out to ring the instrument as the many before him had.

Hiko watched as Kenshin bowed his head in respect and silently offered his petitions. When he was finished, he swiveled in place to regard his mentor in that way he had of looking for approval. When Hiko gave him a small nod, the boy broke into the most brilliant smile before rushing back to his side.

With a mental sigh at his affections, Hiko had his internal battle again of keeping his own smile from stretching across his cheeks. To cover up his unease, he marched forward and tossed a coin into the box for himself, copying Kenshin's earlier actions of ringing the bell.

Yes there was much to be thankful for, indeed.

And let it not be said (or known) what it was that Hiko was thankful for.

Word Count: 1, 776

Moving Forward...

AN: A big thank you to everyone who took the time to review. Your comments are the best thing an authoress could ask for. To everyone who has favorited and followed this story, thank you for your support.

Thanks for reading,

-P.P.V.V.

Edited: August 25, 2016