Disclaimer: I don't own anything in this story.
Chapter 2
Hiko continued glaring at his body. "Well?!"
Kenshin held up his hands. "It's not my fault! I only used the Ku-zu-ryu-sen! I highly doubt that caused us to switch bodies!"
I used a Ku-zu-ryu-sen, as well. However, we've used the same attacks before, and nothing like this has happened! What went wrong? Hiko wondered, standing and brushing the dirt from his clothing.
After the shock of having switched bodies wore off somewhat, Kenshin and Hiko headed back to the cabin. Hiko was muttering curses under his breath, most of them directed at Kenshin.
The now ebony-haired rurouni followed silently behind his master-- or at least tried to. He could walk quietly, but no matter how hard he tried, he could not move without making some sort of sound. I feel like I'm a lumbering ox! Hiko's body is much too muscle bound for my tastes, Kenshin thought, cringing as another branch snapped under his foot. He sighed. This is going to take some getting used to.
When they reached the cabin, Kenshin idly built a fire, his mind wondering what had caused the switch and how they could reverse it. Hiko made a beeline for the storage room, emerging with two jugs of sake. They sat in silence, Kenshin staring into the fire, deep in thought, while Hiko drank.
After a few minutes, Hiko began to have trouble sitting upright, and began swaying slightly as he tried to maintain his balance. Why am I drinking only a sip at a time? It's much faster this way, he thought, setting the saucer down and drinking straight from the jug. The sake hasn't tasted this good in a long time, he thought, hiccupping.
Kenshin was going over every detail of what had happened, trying to find an explanation. He was so deep in thought that he didn't notice Hiko's rapidly declining state until he heard a thump, and looked up. The red head was lying on the floor, an empty sake jug clutched loosely in one hand, with another empty jug at his feet. His cheeks were flushed, but he seemed to be sleeping peacefully. With a start, Kenshin realized what had happened. Great. He passed out, drunk. My body doesn't have anywhere near the tolerance for sake that his does. All I can say is that HE had better be the one to wake up in that body tomorrow morning! he thought, moving Hiko to a futon. He stayed up, staring unseeing into the fire until it had burned down to embers. Trying to understand what had caused the situation had left him with a dull throb behind his eyes. Deciding it could wait until morning, Kenshin stretched his slightly stiff muscles, and went to bed.
. . .
Kenshin woke up the next morning with his skull pounding. He raised a hand to his head, surprised to see that the hand was not his, until he remembered the events of the previous night. Kenshin stretched, feeling more than a few of his muscles starting to cramp, before standing up. He suppressed a groan as the pounding in his head intensified with the change of altitude. Moving carefully to the kitchen, he started making some willow bark tea for his headache, wondering why he felt so shaky. Perhaps I pushed Shishou too hard last night-- he's not getting any younger, after all. I just didn't realize his body had deteriorated this much! Kenshin thought, rubbing a muscle that was cramping in his shoulder.
He walked over to the sink and splashed cold water on his face, hoping the shock would override the other complaints from his body. It helped a little bit, but not much. Going back into the other room, Kenshin got dressed while his tea steeped. He eyed Hiko's mantle, finally throwing it over his shoulders. If I'm going to dress up like Shishou, might as well do it right.
After he had his tea, he went to check on Hiko. The red head was still asleep, so Kenshin decided to prepare a few things before Hiko woke up. I have only ever once drank enough sake to pass out. You're lucky I'm experienced and here to help you, Shishou, Kenshin thought, carrying a bucket of water and a cup outside. He placed them in the shade, a little ways away from the house, before retrieving a few cloths and putting them next to it. Thinking about the mess that was likely to follow Hiko's waking, Kenshin took off the mantle, putting it back in the house. No use in dirtying more clothes for me to wash, he thought, grabbing another cloth. He turned as he heard a soft moan come from Hiko's futon.
Hiko opened his eyes, instantly regretting it. He moaned, an alien and painful sound to his ears, as he covered his eyes with his hand, trying to block out the light. He mentally checked his body, discovering his head felt like it was under a sword smith's hammer, and his stomach was very anxious to empty itself. Not willing to make a mess in the house, Hiko stood to go outside. He realized this was a very bad idea as his legs gave out beneath him, the room spinning and tilting crazily. Two strong arms caught him as he fell.
"Come on, Shishou. Let's get you outside," a deep voice said near his ear. Hiko's stomach threatened dire things as he felt himself being lifted and carried outside.
"Put me down! I can walk!" he said, glaring into the face of...himself.
Kenshin paused, closing his eyes as a wave of dizziness hit him. The spell passed momentarily, and Kenshin looked down to see Hiko glaring at him with amber eyes. Oh, so that's what I look like. No wonder I could terrify people with a look, Kenshin thought, hurrying over to the edge of the clearing, trying not to jostle Hiko too much. He set Hiko on the ground, supporting him, just as Hiko's restraints broke. The red head vomited, his stomach trying to rid itself of what it could. Kenshin supported Hiko's limp body, wiping his mouth as he paused, gasping for breath before his stomach contracted again. Kenshin had to firmly resist the urge to vomit with Hiko. I'm not usually this squeamish. What's wrong with me? Kenshin wondered, forced to look away as he wiped Hiko's mouth.
They repeated this two or three times before Hiko seemed to be finished. Good grief, where did all that come from? I know I didn't eat that much yesterday, Kenshin thought, shaking his head. By this time, Hiko was shaking like a leaf, beads of sweat running down his face. Knowing the smell would only worsen the problem, Kenshin picked Hiko up, moving him to the bucket of water he had placed in the shade.
The movement caused Hiko to start dry heaving. Kenshin dipped the cup in the water, noticing that he was shaking as well, before placing it to Hiko's lips. The smaller man shook his head, but Kenshin insisted. "Shishou, it is better if you have something to throw up. Just small sips," he said, coaxing Hiko to drink.
The first two sips came back up, but the third one stayed down. Taking this for a good sign, Kenshin helped Hiko rinse his mouth out before laying him on the ground. Dipping one of the cloths in the water, Kenshin pushed back Hiko's red bangs, laying the cloth on his forehead, and covering his eyes against the light. "Would you like some willow bark tea for your headache?" Kenshin asked, softly. His head was pounding badly enough for him to consider drinking some more tea. He could only imagine what his master's head felt like.
Hiko mumbled an affirmative answer, and Kenshin went to fetch a cup of the tea he had left in the kitchen. He helped Hiko drink it, before trying to move the red head inside.
"No, leave me out here for a while longer. My stomach isn't completely settled," Hiko said, his light tenor somewhat strained.
Shrugging, Kenshin returned inside and brought out a futon. He laid it on the ground before picking Hiko up and putting him on it. Kenshin noticed his master's jaw clench at having to be picked up, but Hiko knew he couldn't get onto the futon without help, so he didn't say anything.
After his stomach had settled again, Hiko looked at Kenshin. "Bring me some sake."
Kenshin looked at him, surprised, before shaking his head. "I'm sorry, Shishou, but that's what got you in this condition in the first place. My body can't handle as much sake as yours can. You're going to have to do without," Kenshin said, going back into the house.
Now that Hiko had been taken care of, Kenshin decided to make breakfast. His stomach had settled down after Hiko had finished throwing up, and he was hungry. He moved around the kitchen, distracted, as his hands went through the motions of cooking. Kenshin usually took care of himself when he was sick, but it was just weird to look down and see his own face contort in pain. He wasn't quite used to looking at his body from an outsider's viewpoint. Absently, Kenshin reached for a bottle of salt to season the food. Not realizing that Hiko's arms were longer than his, he accidentally knocked the stack of wooden bowls behind it off the counter. They clattered onto the floor, hitting against each other and making a lot of noise, but none of them broke. Kenshin had stooped to pick them up when he heard a soft moan come from outside.
Getting a mischievous smile on his face, Kenshin took a deep breath. "SORRY, SHISHOU!" he apologized, his voice much louder than it needed to be. He tried not to laugh too loudly as he heard Hiko cursing him and all baka deshi's in general.
. . .
Kenshin had already finished breakfast and was working on the laundry by the time Hiko felt steady enough to stand on his own. The willow bark tea had helped, but his head was still giving him a lot of grief. The best cure he knew for that was currently in the storage room, and Kenshin refused to bring it to him. Slowly standing and carefully making his way inside, Hiko went straight for the sake.
Entering the storage room, Hiko walked to where he kept his sake jugs, only to find they had been moved. Taking a step back, he scanned all the shelves on the wall, noting that every last sake jug had been moved to the top shelf. Hiko tried to reach one, only to be reminded that Kenshin's body was too short. Cursing his deshi's vertically challenged stature, Hiko looked around for the stool. He had enjoyed telling Kenshin to get things from the top shelf, and the younger man had placed a stool in there for that purpose. Although, it now seemed that Kenshin had not only moved all the sake out of Hiko's reach, but taken the stool, as well.
Not willing to admit defeat by searching for it, Hiko eyed the shelves, critically. I built these shelves myself, so I know they're sturdy. They wouldn't hold me, but they should hold Kenshin's measly weight, Hiko thought, putting his foot on the bottom shelf. He stepped up slowly, testing its strength, before climbing higher. The second shelf started to groan when he stepped up, so he quickly climbed back down. This is the last time I'll allow that baka deshi of mine to visit-- all he ever does is cause problems! Hiko thought, growling softly. He eyed the sake jugs, thinking about another way to retrieve them. He could practically hear Kenshin outside, laughing.
Another idea formed in his mind, and he stuck his head out of the room to make sure Kenshin wouldn't see him. He looked at the shelf again, judging the height. Bending his knees, Hiko jumped up, snagging one of the sake jugs. Unfortunately, being able to walk doesn't mean one is able to jump, and Hiko landed on his back, sake jug cradled protectively in his arms.
Kenshin, having finished the laundry, came inside, stretching his aching back. Hearing a thump come from the storage room, he shook his head. Shishou got his sake, he thought, a little annoyed. He hadn't really thought moving the sake out of reach would have deterred his master, but he also wasn't too fond of the idea of having to help Hiko through another hangover.
A few minutes later, Hiko emerged carrying a sake jug and glaring at Kenshin. He sat down, pouring some sake into a saucer, and sipping it.
"Shishou, drinking is the reason why you have a hangover in the first place. Why--" Kenshin started, only to have Hiko interrupt him.
"I have more experience with hangovers than you do. By drinking a little bit, sake will actually make you feel better."
"By whose definition of a little bit..." Kenshin mumbled, watching Hiko drink. Rubbing a cramping muscle in his leg, Kenshin decided now was a good time to apologize. "I'm sorry, Shishou. I didn't mean to push you so hard last night," he said, solemnly.
Hiko paused, cocking an eyebrow at Kenshin. What is he babbling on about, now?
At Hiko's confused look, Kenshin continued. "Your body, Shishou. You're not getting any younger, and I didn't realize how our sparring match would affect you this morning."
Hiko's eyebrow twitched. "Are you calling me old?"
"Shishou, I woke up with a pounding headache, although I didn't drink any sake last night, and I doubt I could get drunk in your body if I tried. My muscles have been cramping all day, I feel very shaky, and I'm sore. You tell me you're not getting old," Kenshin replied, a little annoyed. How dense does Shishou think I am? I'm the one in his body, for crying out loud!
Hiko looked at Kenshin. "You didn't drink any sake last night?" Kenshin shook his head, and Hiko continued. "Baka deshi! You're going through sake withdrawal!" He started to hand his jug of sake to Kenshin, but stopped, seeming to consider something. He glared at Kenshin again. "You can reach-- go get your own sake," he said, re-filling his saucer.
. . .
Drinking some sake had made Kenshin feel much better, and he decided to take advantage of it. Hiko's stockpile of firewood was pretty low, so Kenshin took it upon himself to chop some more. Kenshin had never considered himself to be weak, but chopping wood in Hiko's body was a new experience. He'd never been able to accomplish the chore with such ease. Kenshin was enjoying using his new muscles.
Hiko came outside, sake jug in hand with his katana in his obi, and went to his kiln. He busied himself building a fire. "Hey, don't you have another gi with you?" Hiko asked, eyeing the magenta gi with distaste.
"I have a blue one, but it was left with Kaoru-dono's things, at the Aoiya," Kenshin explained. I didn't think she'd actually take my gi so I'd wear the magenta one...
Hiko grunted-- an odd sound in Kenshin's higher voice --and, removing the gi, tossed it into the fire.
Kenshin felt a thrill of relief before the seriousness of the situation hit to him. "Shishou, that was a new gi..." Kenshin said, watching the material burn.
Hiko looked at him. Kenshin didn't seem too upset about losing it. "I refuse to wear pink. Don't worry, I'll buy you a new gi," he said, taking a seat on the log in front of the kiln.
"That's not what I'm worried about. Kaoru-dono just bought that gi for me, and she'll be expecting me to wear it," Kenshin said, softly. He didn't want to imagine Kaoru's reaction when she found out the gi was burned.
Hiko looked up, as if he had just remembered something. "Today is Friday, isn't it? You were supposed to go back to Tokyo with that Kamiya girl today, weren't you?"
"Yes, I was supposed to pick up Kaoru-dono at the Aoiya this morning," Kenshin said.
"She'll come up here looking for you, no doubt. Tell her you've decided I need more training, and I'll be staying here for a while longer," Hiko ordered.
"Huh? But, Shishou, why don't we just tell her--"
"Baka! You did something to get us into this mess, and I will not allow my reputation to be tarnished because of it. No one finds out what happened, understood?" Hiko asked, his tone brooking no argument.
Kenshin sighed. "Alright, Shishou."
Hiko turned back towards the fire, taking a sip of his sake. A cool wind blew lightly across his bare back, brushing his hair softly against his skin, and sending goosebumps down his arms. He shivered, involuntarily. Why am I so cold? I know Kenshin needs more body fat to keep him warm and winter is fast approaching, but this is ridiculous! Is Kenshin always this cold?! he thought, folding his arms to retain some of his body heat without looking like he was trying to do so.
Kenshin shivered as a light breeze ruffled his black hair. That's strange. I'm sweating and shivering at the same time. Could I be getting sick? Kenshin wondered. Movement out of the corner of his eye caught his attention. Looking over, Kenshin saw Hiko get off the log and kneel on the ground, much closer to the fire. Kenshin chuckled at his master's discomfort, not noticing he no longer felt cold. You shouldn't have tossed the gi into the fire. It gets pretty cold up here in the mountains, Kenshin thought, smiling. His smile faded as he felt a familiar ki in the distance, heading towards them. It was Kaoru.
. . .
To Be Continued