Thank you to everyone who responded for the other chapters, I'm kinda a sucker for feed back…anywhoo…final instalment, though I am thinking of a sequel or something along those lines, bad writer's block….here ya go!
Hiko sat back with a burp and sighed. It had been a little bland, but all in all much better then he could ever manage.
"Gohan wa oishii katta." Kenshin rose and began to clear the dishes, and Hiko's mouth dropped open in shock. He waited until the boy had left, however, to express his amazement.
"How did you do it Taki-sama? I've been trying to instil manners in that idiot for a year!" Taki smiled gently.
"How long has he been living with you Hiko-san de gozaru ka?"
"Two years, why?"
"How were his manners before you took him in?"
"Impeccable. Why?" Taki smiled again.
"You answered your own question, that you did. The boy only needed a good role model, that he did." Hiko gaped like a fish out of water, but slammed his jaw shut when Kenshin came back into the room.
"Kenshin-san, please have a seat. The dishes can wait for later, that they can." Kenshin sat, his posture perfect. Taki turned back to Hiko.
"He is welcome to return if and when the time suits, that he is." Taki got up and left the master and the pupil alone. Hiko broke the silence first.
"So, I take it you didn't offend him too badly with your stupidity." Kenshin blushed.
"No, Shishou, I performed as best I could." Hiko snorted.
"Figures. I'm proud of you, you know." Hiko said as quietly as the atmosphere befitted him to. "Just don't let it get to your head." Both were silent after until Taki returned.
"I'll see to the dishes now." Kenshin rose and almost ran to the kitchen.
"Hiko-san?"
"Hai?"
"You must see to it that he is trained beyond the use of the blade, that you must."
"I know that."
"Yet, you must teach him that as well. He will not live if you have not taught him to fly within the next two years."
"What do you mean?"
"The Ishin are becoming strong, as are those loyal to the old government. The fate of the entire country rests on your shoulders, and his, Hiko-san, that it does."
"Explain." Hiko put down the tea.
"Kenshin's heart will lead him to aid the people. Whichever side he chooses will win the war. However, the difference between the two main parties will greatly affect the outcome if you are not careful, that it will." Silence reigned in the small room, until the aesthetic rose and went to finger one of the older hangings.
"If he chooses those loyal to the old government, Japan will be strong and keep outsiders from ever disrupting our way of life and the warrior spirit will remain strong. Too strong. Within three generations there will only be those that are strong and those that are weak, the weak only serving the strong as long as they prove useful… and I cannot in good conscience let that happen. He must side with the Ishin."
"But…"
"Hiko, if he does not he will die and die quickly, and Kenshin does not deserve a murderer's death, that he does not…"
"I will teach him everything I know."
"Sessha knows, Hiko. Sessha will do the same. I am telling you this, because once he leaves, he will become a scarred demon that makes it rain blood." Behind the door, Kenshin's eyes widened and he quickly returned to the kitchen, leaving the cups for later. Hiko, too, trembled where he sat.
"Is there anything…."
"No. This must be. His heart will heal."
"I cannot accept it!"
"Maa, maa. Calm down Hiko-san, or the boy will sense your discomfort. He is very sensitive to such things and must be brought up properly with a strong heart and good sense of benevolence, honour, piety, loyalty, devotion, wisdom, duty, and love for this to work. If you cannot handle such a task as was destined you the day you were born then sessha will find someone who can." Hiko closed his eyes at the ultimatum.
"I, can do it." Taki smiled.
"Sessha knows this, that he does. Sessha is proud of you, Hiko-san. You have grown up to be a fine warrior and an even better shishou to Kenshin. Now, when he returns you are both to go to bed. When you wake up sessha will not be found, and you are to take him back and teach him everything you know, that you are. Is this understood?"
"Yes. Completely."
"Good. Now, how have you been faring? I hear you have taken an interest in pottery…"
--
"Baka! One hundred dou ryu sen, now!"
"Hai, Shishou!" Hiko watched as the boy performed each stroke perfectly, smoothly and without hesitation. He hadn't forgotten the lessons that Taki had taught him either, and for that Hiko was grateful. Yet, he was sad. Kenshin had become the son he had never had, kami-sama but he missed his wife, and he would be leaving soon. Taki had said as much. There was one technique he had yet to master, and was becoming discontent with the situation of the people around him. Ryu sui sen…I'll teach it to him tomorrow. Hiko took a pull directly from the sake jug.
--
Kenshin sat, his head lolling about occasionally as if he were sleeping and his arms wrapped tightly about the katana that had become a part of him. The wakizashi was still tucked in his hakama and he could feel his top pressing into his stomach when he breathed. Most of the other recruits in the kouhei for the Ishin shishi lay about, drunk, passed out, asleep, or resting. A handful continued to play with the dice by the fire on the far side of the field, far to distant to do Kenshin any good. Suddenly his hand shot to the hilt of his sword and he began to rise, but was knocked back to the ground and covered in a thick blanket.
"You should keep warm, that you should." By the time he had clawed his way out of the fabric, there was no sign of his benefactor. It didn't matter though, he knew who it was. Sighing, Kenshin lay back down against the tree and closed his eyes, scanning the area with his ki. He found what he wanted almost immediately.
"Please, Taki, tell Hiko I'm sorry, but this is something I have to do." He heard a soft chuckle from the branches above him, but it could have been the wind.
"Hiko-dono knows, but sessha will inform him none the less. Go to sleep Kenshin, when you wake up remember to wait for the man with the umbrella to come before demonstrating what you can do."
"Hai, Taki-san. Demo…why are you here?" Kenshin thought he heard Taki sigh.
"This is the last time we will speak until the war is over and you have begun your quest, and even then there is no guarantee that sessha will last even that long."
"Nani?"
"If you wish to one day be happy, no matter what happens, live...keep living. You will meet a lady, little one, and your son will be the one to bring you the peace you seek. No matter what, don't give up. Promise me that."
"But…"
"Promise."
"I promise."
"Now, go to sleep."
"Hai." And Kenshin did.
--
"TOMOE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
--
"I am getting a little tired of wandering…"
--
"It's time for me to wander again…"
--
"Tadaima."
--
Kenshin sat holding the tiny mass of red hair and blue eyes and smiled.
"Taki-san…you were right…I'm happy." Kenji laughed.
1)Gohan wa oishii katta - the meal was delicious
Japanese Terms
Ishin shishi - group Kenshin eventually becomes a part of
Kouhei - recruit group composed mostly of peasants and farmers
Tadaima - at present or 'I'm home'