Disclaimer: As always saving my own ass comes first, I do not own Rurouni Kenshin, nor do I own any money so don't sue me!

A/N: Just a small bit of info, I almost always (like 98.9 percent of the time) base my fics on the rk manga. I am a die hard fan of it, the consequence being I almost loath the OAV's so I doubt I will ever do a fic based on them. (but don't hold me to it you never know what I might write.)

I would like to say in Kenshin's defense for the next part of this story, trying to meditate and clear one's mind of all thoughts is -really- hard, I know, I meditate everyday, and how Aoshi can do it the way he does is beyond me... but I guess that's what happens when you are an emotional rock!

Now on with the story...

MEDITATION

And so he meditated, he had nothing better to do, and he had the awful feeling that Hiko still was watching over him from some bush. Kenshin centered his being trying to let all thoughts flow away from him, a task he found very close to impossible.

When he thought his mind was finally settled a thought would suddenly pop up in his mind, usually something along the lines of 'It's way to cold out here...' but eventually that thought faded as his body became numb. Then other thoughts plagued him as he desperately tried to push himself into thoughtlessness, but it was impossible now. The more he tried to push himself to stop thinking, the more he would remember, remember words spoken behind his back...

'Look at that boy, he has red hair... He's the spawn of a demon... Someone should rid him from us... He will only cause us misfortune... He is worthless... No one will miss him when he is gone!' Always words like that, sometimes followed by some kind of dirt clod thrown at his back, sometimes a rock or two...

'Concentrate!' he reprimanded himself as he drifted back to those thoughts, 'Stop thinking about things that have nothing to do with training!'

'Demon...'

'Nothing but a demon.'

'Worthless.'

'No one will miss him...'

"Your not concentrating Baka-deshi." Hiko stated plainly after watching the boy struggle with himself for nearly half the day. "Put whatever demons you have in your head to rest, and cease all thinking. I will not let you leave that rock until you do so!"

Kenshin tried to protest but Hiko threw him a look that said 'Do not argue with me, you will never win.'

Kenshin sighed in defeat and tried once again to clear his mind.

It had taken poor Kenshin through the night and into the next morning before Hiko was satisfied that the boy was able to clear his mind.

"Come here bozu."

Kenshin's eyes snapped open, anger filling them as his master called him by this new nickname.

"What?" Hiko asked looking amuzed at the boys reaction "Would you rather me call you Baka-deshi?"

Kenshin just glared at him, 'I would rather you call me by my name.' he thought to himself.

"Hmm... fine we'll stick with Baka-deshi." Hiko said as Kenshin walked towards him feeling his muscles cramp from sitting so long. "Eat this it'll warm you up." Hiko handed the boy a bowl of Congee(1).

"I'm not an invalid," Kenshin stated as he looked at the bowl presented in front of him. That wasn't the only reason he didn't want to eat it, he was terrified of Hiko's cooking, it tended to make his stomach do weird things.

"It's to warm your body up baka-deshi, and if you don't eat it you will be sorry." Hiko's threatens tended to work. Kenshin did have to admit that he was colder than an ice cube, that water had to be near freezing and the cold air wasn't much help warming up his drenched body either.

Kenshin nearly gagged on the first bite, but he continued to eat getting used to the disgusting taste. 'I shouldn't have to get used to eating something,' he thought as he chocked down the last bit of the mess his master called food.

"Get out of those wet clothes, I have a job for you to do." Hiko commanded.

A JOB FROM HIKO

Kenshin sighed, glad to get out of his soaking gi and hakama which, were starting to freeze to his skin in the frigid temperature. When Kenshin appeared in front of Hiko again dry and a little bit warmer, he got the bad feeling his master was going to do something cruel and sadistic, as he usually did.

"I want you to go down to the village and get me the best sake they have." His master then smirked, waiting for Kenshin to question the simplicity of this task.

"What are the conditions?" Kenshin knew this game, make it sound easy, when the task is nearly impossible.

"You have to be back her in an hour. If not I am making you do 10,000 katas and you can't eat until you finish."

Kenshin yearned to roll his eyes, but he knew better, 'Like I care if I eat your food...' he didn't much like the sound of doing 10,000 katas.

- - -

Kenshin had made it into the village in record time, it hadn't even broken twenty minuets and he was already staring at the sake stand trying to figure out a plan of action. As much as he hated stealing in any form, he hated the idea of the practice swings his master had threatened him with even more.

The boy sighed, in the months he had been with Hiko his agility had increased due to the mere fact that Hiko had always pushed him so far beyond his limits every day. But he still had doubts that he could get to the sake stand undetected. Taking in one last look of his surroundings he saw an old blanket and threw it over his head to hide his crimson hair and his intentions. Slowly he made his way down towards the little stand, good thing there was a crowd, no one would notice one boy. He waited until the owners attention was drawn to a man buying a cheap gourd before he swiped one of the more expensive bottles.

Without another breath Kenshin ran out of there like he was being chased by the gatekeepers of hell themselves...

Back at the sake stand the owner suddenly burst out in laughter as he watched a red haired boy run away.

"Looks like Hiko-san has a fine apprentice on his hands," The man chortled as he made another mark on the Sword masters tab.

- - -

It had taken young Kenshin exactly fifty minuets to retrieve the sake and reappear in front of his master. Hiko smirked as the boy gasped for air, his baka-deshi still had so much to learn.

"Well, well my baka-deshi," Hiko said as he inspected the sake Kenshin had stolen for him, "Ah a very good libation indeed. But-" Ah there was the word that Kenshin dreaded. "You should not have been exhausted from that meager task. I think you should do the 10,000 strokes, yes that should do, I want you to do that swing I taught you yesterday."

Kenshin wanted to groan but suppressed the urge, he really didn't feel like getting double the work.

By the time he was done his body screamed bloody murder as he collapsed on the ground in a heap.

TIME PASSES ONCE AGAIN

Once again time has passed like water through a sieve; Kenshin was now nearing fourteen, and had nearly mastered most of the Hiten Mitsurugi he had learned from his master. There were many other things Kenshin had mastered as well, like waking up earlier than his master and prepare breakfast (along with every other meal as well). He also learned that the mushrooms on the edge of the forest were not to be eaten, unless you wanted to suffer a very painful, and very near death experience.

Hiko didn't complain when Kenshin started to cook either, actually it was his plan to cook his food as horribly as possible for the boy, it was a strategy to see if the boy had any brains worth using. Not to mention it gave Kenshin the incentive to get up earlier and become faster in the things he did. Ah yes this was but a small piece of a plan to make his baka-deshi stronger, and it pleased him to see that it was working. Another little piece of his plan that he so much enjoyed was brow beating the poor boy, and working him to a physical exhaustion. Hiko didn't much condone torture but he saw this as nothing more than training the boy for the real world, he saw no torture in anything he did.

"Baka-deshi!" Hiko called to the young teen who had been practicing one of the techniques his master had actually taught him the 'Doryusen' as the katana made contact with the ground rocks and debris flew towards his master who easily blocked the onslaught. Hiko shook his head Kenshin's form was appalling, and he was more than happy to point it out.

"Baka-deshi! Your form is awful I thought I taught you better than that!" Within an instant Hiko had knocked the teen flat on his bottom and explained the anomalies in his stance. "And after you execute it three times in a row perfectly to my liking I have something to tell you."

Kenshin grumbled under his breath, it took him nearly four hours to satisfy his master's demand. His muscles screamed in agony, sure he was used to his masters menial demands but to repeat such a difficult maneuver over and over again was very taxing.

"Now that you finally got the hang of it baka-deshi, get your nap sack we're going on a little trip."

"Where to master?" the boy asked trying to sound innocent.

"That, is none of your concern, just get your stuff so we can leave."

"Hai!"

It didn't take long for Kenshin to retrieve his bag, he had a feeling Hiko would do this, this wasn't the first time they had left to a mysterious place. Kenshin knew that when Hiko said 'That is none of your concern,' it only meant one thing, they were going on a training journey, and that meant a living hell for Kenshin. His master, on these little 'trips' tended to beat Kenshin to a hairs breadth from what seemed like his ultimate death. Miraculously however the boy survived every time and came out a bit stronger each time because of it, and that was something he would never admit to his arrogant master. It only meant one more thing for Hiko to lord over Kenshin's head, and his pride just wouldn't allow that.

"Are you ready yet Baka-deshi?" There was that name again, how he hated it, if his master was going to give him a new name why doesn't actually use it? He should have just called him 'Baka-deshi' to begin with and save him the trouble with coming up with another name.

"Hai master" Kenshin replied as he followed his master who sauntered down the mountain to kami knows where.

A NEW LESSON FOR BAKA-DESHI

They arrived to what Hiko called there destination, Kenshin on the other hand thought it looked like the perfect image of hell, it was nothing but hard cracked earth dead plants and rocks all around them.

"Master?"

"Baka-deshi, do you know why I brought you here?"

Kenshin shook his head, he knew he had to be there to be beaten... I mean for training. He knew that his master's question was more complex than that so he just stuck with the ignorant act.

"Tell me what one of the first things I taught you?"

"Don't eat the mushrooms?" The boy responded sarcastically.

Hiko hit him on the back of the head with his sheath. "No, Baka-deshi, guess again."

Kenshin thought for a few moments, trying to recall what it was that his master had taught him. "Umm... he who runs after two hares won't catch either one (2)" that was the best he could do he hoped his master was thinking along those lines.

"Good guess, but no. What did I teach you about the art of kenjutsu?"

'Ah yes that again,' Kenshin closed his eyes and recited what Hiko had drilled into his mind "A sword is a weapon. Kenjutsu is the art of killing. Whatever pretty words you use, this is its true nature." No matter how many times Hiko tried to convince him of this he would not let himself believe it, killing is not the answer, there is always another way.

"Well at least you can recite it, next thing you need to do is believe it."

"W-what?" Kenshin took a step back, what exactly was his master getting at here?

"I have taught you battou-jutsu, I have taught you the techniques of Hiten Mitsurugi, but still you hold on to your innocence. You still think that you can overcome every little thing, you still believe that you can live a life as a swordsman who does not kill. It is about time you learned that is a foolish idea."

Kenshin just stared, he understood what Hiko was saying, but it was hard to believe that he was going to prove his point in the middle of this desolate place.

"Before we do anything it's time for a review, name the nine attacks of kenjutsu in which all techniques are based on."

'A pop quiz? After what he just told me?' Kenshin knew his master could be weird, but this was border line freaky. "First, the Karatake (downward stroke), Kesagiri, the slantwise downward stroke to the shoulder, reverse Kesagiri, right Nagi (belly stroke), left Nagi (reverse belly stroke), right upward cut, left upward cut, and the Sakakaze, upward stroke. Finally, the stroke that pierces at the shortest range to the chest, the Tsuki (3)" yet again, the reciting was almost mechanical, and nearly unnecessary for him, but he still appeased his master.

"Good job baka-deshi, now let's see how well you put that to good use." Hiko walked further into the desolate area.

Kenshin's senses soon piqued up, he could feel a lot of fighting ki's, and then he felt it, fear, he could sense the slaughter that was just beyond the small hills in front of him.

Hiko had already disappeared, his speed was still amazing even though Kenshin knew he was just as quick as his master. Kenshin followed and was soon stopped when his master grabbed the collar of his gi.

"Don't get ahead of yourself baka-deshi," Hiko let go of the boy and looked down at the village below. "Tell me what you see?"

"Master those people are being slaughtered, and you are sitting here asking me questions?"

"Don't undermine my reasons!" Hiko reprimanded before continuing, "Down there, it will be your choice, to save those who are being oppressed, but remember what I have told you, wielding a sword carries it's price." With that Hiko walked away from his pupil, leaving him with the decision, would he turn his back on the village down there, or would he take a stand, even if it means taking the lives of the oppressors? Suddenly the katana at Kenshin's side felt heavier.

'I will not turn my back on them... but I will not kill either, there has to be another way.' Kenshin didn't wait another moment, he had made his decision, and he would stand by it.

- - -

Hiko watched his student make his decision and walk down towards the village. 'You have to learn some how,' Hiko knew if he were to teach his baka-deshi the succession technique without the knowledge of life and death it would destroy his very soul.

"I better make sure he doesn't kill himself down there first." The Hiten Mitsurugi master sauntered down towards the village following his baka-deshi's path.

THE FIRST BATTLE

The tension was pumping through his body as the young Hiten apprentice watched the bloodshed before him. He seemed almost frozen, unsure what to do. He had never seen so much carnage in his life, even the attack on his slave train was not like this.

"ITAI!!!"

The scream broke through his thoughts as he saw a child cowering from a disgusting looking man, his sword driping with fresh blood held high over the child.

Kenshin seemed to have jumped into a natural reaction. His Katana meat the other mans with a metallic crash. It was the clash heard round the world. The young boy pushed the repulsive man back and prepared to kill the man himself when he hesitated. When had he ever decided it would be okay to kill another man. Sure his master told him it was a necessary piece to kenjutsu, but that never meant he would accept it.

"Fool!" Kenshin was brought back to reality once again when a man killed the one he was supposed to be fighting. "A battle is no place for a child!" The man reprimanded, "This is a blood spill in the name of the Tokugawa, if you are not going to help prevent it properly then get the hell out of the way!"

"Blood spill for the Tokugawa?"

"Are you deaf boy?" The man said harshly, "Where have you been, on top of a mountain or something?"

Kenshin just stared. 'Actually yes I have been,' he thought as he watched the man turn his back and continued fighting.

"Baka-deshi?" Hiko looked down at Kenshin who just stood there unable to think clearly.

'What did that man mean?' Kenshin thought to himself, around him the chaos died down. He had failed to do anything, he nearly failed that child. He had failed his master, and his own mind.

"Master?" Kenshin looked up at Hiko unable to form the real question he wished to ask, so he stuck with the next best thing. "Why?"

To be continued...

1. Congee is an Asian dish... it's kinda like a mushy rice porridge... Kenshin says "I am not an invalid" because Congee is regularly given to invalids as a meal. But in truth Congee is also given as a sort of comfort food, kinda like chicken noodle soup...

2. If this sounds familiar, it should, it comes from the 10th manga... Hiko says this to Kenshin, after the baka-deshi begs Hiko to finish his teachings. XD

3. I hope I got my info right, I don't take kendo or kenjutsu, so my info maybe wrong, if anyone would like to correct me please do.

BOZU- a nickname calling a boy shrimp (I think, my memory is rusty)... not to be mistaken with Yahiko's 'busu' endearment for Kaoru ...

A/N: You didn't actually think I would make Kenshin kill someone yet do you? the next chapter should be fun to write, I always wanted to learn about japan in the late 1800's but I never got around to it now I have to XDD