Apprentice
Chapter Eight
The Wrath of Hiko
(AN: Thank you all so much for the encouraging reviews. I can't say how much it means to know that people are reading and enjoying my stories. I get so much pleasure out of writing them. I know this fiction is a bit on the disgustingly sweet side, but I can't help it, it's dedicated to my 10 yr old son. He's one of the great joys of my life. Anyway, for those of you who want more of Hiko and his infamous teaching techniques for chibi baka deshis, here goes.)
Kenji watched his father's retreating form as he walked down the mountainside with a certain amount of trepidation.
Kenshin had stayed an extra three days to help his Master repair the worst of the damage to the shed, and then he had to be on his way.
"Don't worry, Kenshin, Kenji will be helping me with the rest of the repairs," Hiko assured his former apprentice, "Won't you, Kenji-chan?"
The grin that Hiko gave Kenji accompanying this statement was less than reassuring. In fact, it was downright scary.
"Yes, Shishou," said Kenji, to all appearances properly respectful.
He was already scouting out hiding places.
"I can't believe my to-chan is leaving me here," wailed Kenji in his head. "Shishou Hiko hates me, he's big, he's mean, he's scarier than Aoshi-san, and I want my MOM!"
However, Kenji was nothing if not a child with tremendous will, and right now that will was totally engaged in making sure that his father would be proud of him not acting like a big stupid baby when he left.
"I can't believe I'm leaving my only son with Shishou Hiko," thought Kenshin to himself as he walked down towards Kyoto. "He's impossible to please, insufferably conceited, scarier than Shishio Makota and Yukishiro Enishi put together, but I miss my KAORU!"
However, Kenshin was nothing if not a man with tremendous will and he exerted that will to it's utmost to not appear a sniveling baby in front of his son.
Kenshin felt he could not leave without a few parting words to his Master Shishou alone, so he sent Kenji to the river for more water.
"Shishou, I know that you will do all for Kenji-chan that you did for me, that I do" said Kenshin earnestly.
"Probably more, baka deshi, since I appear to have somewhat more with which to work," said Hiko gruffly.
They were sitting outside on a log, and Hiko had his ubiquitous jug of sake at his feet.
Kenshin frowned slightly. This was not going the way he had anticipated. He cleared his throat politely.
"Shishou, I hope that you will mold Kenji into a honorable man, and this unworthy one admits he is unsure of his own abilities to properly guide his son," Kenshin knew he was kissing ass, but it was a tactic that had sometimes worked with Hiko in the past.
"Are you saying that I did a poor job with you, baka deshi?" growled Hiko, "because I can assure you, I do not perform poorly, regardless of how hopeless or insignificant the task. Demeaning yourself in this way reflects poorly on me, I will not allow it."
Kenshin wasn't quite sure, but was that a ....compliment? He was on shaky ground, having never been the recipient of one, or even half a one, for that matter, from that particular source, so he decided to play it safe and keep his mouth shut on the matter.
Hiko eyed him over the sake cup.
"My, you're quiet all of a sudden, baka. I was expecting more ass-kissing, to be honest," he said, "after all, this may be your last chance until autumn."
Kenshin sighed. Familiar ground. "I'm sure I've practiced that sufficiently, even for your demanding standards, Shishou."
Hiko laughed. "I see being around me has once again done you good, you may actually be developing a sense of humor. I do you the honor of having a parting drink with me, go get a cup."
It was not an invitation so much as an order, and Kenshin had been trained to obey his Shishou in all things. He went inside to retrieve another cup.
"I'm done, Shishou," said Kenji, sleeves tied back and panting a little with exertion.
"Are the water barrels all filled?"
"Yes, Shishou."
"Is the water clean? I must have very clean water for my work."
"Yes, Shishou."
"It'd better be, or you'll be dumping those barrels and starting over again, boy."
"Yes, Shishou."
"Sit there and keep your mouth shut, boy, then, the adults are having a conversation and your opinion is not required."
"Yes, Shishou."
Kenshin arrived with the cup, resuming his seat next to Hiko, who poured him a small splash.
"Thank you very much," said Kenshin politely, bowing his head, although he'd been given an insultingly small amount by anyone's estimation. He didn't mind, he wasn't overly fond of very strong sake anyway. He sipped it in an equally polite manner, not slurping it down, and then carefully set it down on the log.
"You drink like a timid virgin, Kenshin," scowled Hiko, pouring him a larger amount this time, "it reflects badly on me for you to drink without enjoying. Didn't I teach you anything about the true nature of living, you moron?"
"Yes, Shishou," replied Kenshin, taking a bigger drink this time, "Thank you very much."
"I suppose I will do better with your son, Kenshin," Hiko sighed dramatically. "After all, he does seem to have more fire in him than you ever did, although I suppose fire may be a poor choice of words, considering recent events."
Kenji blushed, but bit his lip and stayed put.
Kenshin had to smile at that from behind his cup, he couldn't help himself. He finished his drink and put down the cup.
"I thank you for the drink, but I'm afraid the time has come for me to go," Kenshin said, rising.
Kenji lowered his eyes and blinked, but said nothing and stayed where he was.
Hiko rose and put down his cup.
"I give you my word that no harm will come to this boy, Himura Kenshin, as long as he is in my care" he said formally and tilted his head in a slight bow.
Kenshin could barely contain his surprise. Shishou making a vow to him? He felt the heat rush to his face.
"There is no need to say what I already know is true," Kenshin said in a quiet voice. He was touched by the gesture more than he could articulate. Kenji looked up at the two men and realized that something significant had occurred, and he was the center of the matter. Suddenly, he felt a bit better than he had in days.
"Come here, Kenji-chan," said Kenshin, reaching out a beckoning hand towards his son.
He complied, rising from his seat on the ground and standing quietly before his father.
"Misao-san and Aoshi-an have promised me that they will visit you once a month, Kenji-chan," Kenshin told his son. "They will send us letters from you to your mother and I, so I expect you to write."
"Yes, Otosan," said Kenji, head still down.
"Are you going to kiss your tochan goodbye?" asked Kenshin, holding out his arms.
Kenji raised his head. His eyes were shining, but he was not crying. He smiled, and flung his arms around his father, who gave him a kiss on the forehead and both cheeks. Kenji kissed his father's cheek gently, not minding the familiar, now faint cross-shaped scar there.
Kenshin reluctantly released his son's embrace, turned, picked up his things and left, not looking back.
Kenji stood there watching his retreating form until he could no longer see his father. He sighed, faintly and turned to find Hiko's piercing dark eyes watching him interestedly.
"So, Kenji-chan, ready to have some fun?" asked Hiko, grinning. He looked to Kenji like a sleek tomcat who had just caught himself a nice fat juicy little mouse.
"H-hai, Shishou Hiko?" said Kenji uncertainly. "Fun?"
"Oh, we'll have much more fun than your father and I ever did, I'm sure," said Hiko, with that same grin.
Kenji gulped. His definition of fun was just about to undergo a drastic change.
Chapter Eight
The Wrath of Hiko
(AN: Thank you all so much for the encouraging reviews. I can't say how much it means to know that people are reading and enjoying my stories. I get so much pleasure out of writing them. I know this fiction is a bit on the disgustingly sweet side, but I can't help it, it's dedicated to my 10 yr old son. He's one of the great joys of my life. Anyway, for those of you who want more of Hiko and his infamous teaching techniques for chibi baka deshis, here goes.)
Kenji watched his father's retreating form as he walked down the mountainside with a certain amount of trepidation.
Kenshin had stayed an extra three days to help his Master repair the worst of the damage to the shed, and then he had to be on his way.
"Don't worry, Kenshin, Kenji will be helping me with the rest of the repairs," Hiko assured his former apprentice, "Won't you, Kenji-chan?"
The grin that Hiko gave Kenji accompanying this statement was less than reassuring. In fact, it was downright scary.
"Yes, Shishou," said Kenji, to all appearances properly respectful.
He was already scouting out hiding places.
"I can't believe my to-chan is leaving me here," wailed Kenji in his head. "Shishou Hiko hates me, he's big, he's mean, he's scarier than Aoshi-san, and I want my MOM!"
However, Kenji was nothing if not a child with tremendous will, and right now that will was totally engaged in making sure that his father would be proud of him not acting like a big stupid baby when he left.
"I can't believe I'm leaving my only son with Shishou Hiko," thought Kenshin to himself as he walked down towards Kyoto. "He's impossible to please, insufferably conceited, scarier than Shishio Makota and Yukishiro Enishi put together, but I miss my KAORU!"
However, Kenshin was nothing if not a man with tremendous will and he exerted that will to it's utmost to not appear a sniveling baby in front of his son.
Kenshin felt he could not leave without a few parting words to his Master Shishou alone, so he sent Kenji to the river for more water.
"Shishou, I know that you will do all for Kenji-chan that you did for me, that I do" said Kenshin earnestly.
"Probably more, baka deshi, since I appear to have somewhat more with which to work," said Hiko gruffly.
They were sitting outside on a log, and Hiko had his ubiquitous jug of sake at his feet.
Kenshin frowned slightly. This was not going the way he had anticipated. He cleared his throat politely.
"Shishou, I hope that you will mold Kenji into a honorable man, and this unworthy one admits he is unsure of his own abilities to properly guide his son," Kenshin knew he was kissing ass, but it was a tactic that had sometimes worked with Hiko in the past.
"Are you saying that I did a poor job with you, baka deshi?" growled Hiko, "because I can assure you, I do not perform poorly, regardless of how hopeless or insignificant the task. Demeaning yourself in this way reflects poorly on me, I will not allow it."
Kenshin wasn't quite sure, but was that a ....compliment? He was on shaky ground, having never been the recipient of one, or even half a one, for that matter, from that particular source, so he decided to play it safe and keep his mouth shut on the matter.
Hiko eyed him over the sake cup.
"My, you're quiet all of a sudden, baka. I was expecting more ass-kissing, to be honest," he said, "after all, this may be your last chance until autumn."
Kenshin sighed. Familiar ground. "I'm sure I've practiced that sufficiently, even for your demanding standards, Shishou."
Hiko laughed. "I see being around me has once again done you good, you may actually be developing a sense of humor. I do you the honor of having a parting drink with me, go get a cup."
It was not an invitation so much as an order, and Kenshin had been trained to obey his Shishou in all things. He went inside to retrieve another cup.
"I'm done, Shishou," said Kenji, sleeves tied back and panting a little with exertion.
"Are the water barrels all filled?"
"Yes, Shishou."
"Is the water clean? I must have very clean water for my work."
"Yes, Shishou."
"It'd better be, or you'll be dumping those barrels and starting over again, boy."
"Yes, Shishou."
"Sit there and keep your mouth shut, boy, then, the adults are having a conversation and your opinion is not required."
"Yes, Shishou."
Kenshin arrived with the cup, resuming his seat next to Hiko, who poured him a small splash.
"Thank you very much," said Kenshin politely, bowing his head, although he'd been given an insultingly small amount by anyone's estimation. He didn't mind, he wasn't overly fond of very strong sake anyway. He sipped it in an equally polite manner, not slurping it down, and then carefully set it down on the log.
"You drink like a timid virgin, Kenshin," scowled Hiko, pouring him a larger amount this time, "it reflects badly on me for you to drink without enjoying. Didn't I teach you anything about the true nature of living, you moron?"
"Yes, Shishou," replied Kenshin, taking a bigger drink this time, "Thank you very much."
"I suppose I will do better with your son, Kenshin," Hiko sighed dramatically. "After all, he does seem to have more fire in him than you ever did, although I suppose fire may be a poor choice of words, considering recent events."
Kenji blushed, but bit his lip and stayed put.
Kenshin had to smile at that from behind his cup, he couldn't help himself. He finished his drink and put down the cup.
"I thank you for the drink, but I'm afraid the time has come for me to go," Kenshin said, rising.
Kenji lowered his eyes and blinked, but said nothing and stayed where he was.
Hiko rose and put down his cup.
"I give you my word that no harm will come to this boy, Himura Kenshin, as long as he is in my care" he said formally and tilted his head in a slight bow.
Kenshin could barely contain his surprise. Shishou making a vow to him? He felt the heat rush to his face.
"There is no need to say what I already know is true," Kenshin said in a quiet voice. He was touched by the gesture more than he could articulate. Kenji looked up at the two men and realized that something significant had occurred, and he was the center of the matter. Suddenly, he felt a bit better than he had in days.
"Come here, Kenji-chan," said Kenshin, reaching out a beckoning hand towards his son.
He complied, rising from his seat on the ground and standing quietly before his father.
"Misao-san and Aoshi-an have promised me that they will visit you once a month, Kenji-chan," Kenshin told his son. "They will send us letters from you to your mother and I, so I expect you to write."
"Yes, Otosan," said Kenji, head still down.
"Are you going to kiss your tochan goodbye?" asked Kenshin, holding out his arms.
Kenji raised his head. His eyes were shining, but he was not crying. He smiled, and flung his arms around his father, who gave him a kiss on the forehead and both cheeks. Kenji kissed his father's cheek gently, not minding the familiar, now faint cross-shaped scar there.
Kenshin reluctantly released his son's embrace, turned, picked up his things and left, not looking back.
Kenji stood there watching his retreating form until he could no longer see his father. He sighed, faintly and turned to find Hiko's piercing dark eyes watching him interestedly.
"So, Kenji-chan, ready to have some fun?" asked Hiko, grinning. He looked to Kenji like a sleek tomcat who had just caught himself a nice fat juicy little mouse.
"H-hai, Shishou Hiko?" said Kenji uncertainly. "Fun?"
"Oh, we'll have much more fun than your father and I ever did, I'm sure," said Hiko, with that same grin.
Kenji gulped. His definition of fun was just about to undergo a drastic change.
