Of Wine and Water By: P.P.V.V.
Disclaimer: The Standard Disclaim applies…
AN: The inspiration from everyone is just truly overwhelming. I can't thank you enough. This time around, I'm going to have a short note before the chapter begins.
Notes:
Respect is shown in a variety of ways in the Japanese culture. Since Rurouni Kenshin is greatly steeped in it, I can't get away without making some references because they just do not translate well enough into the English language. Again, I'll stress that I like to generally stay away from unnecessary usage of the Japanese language in my stories, but in these cases, I find I have to make an exception.
-San: this is an honorific, usually tacked on at the end of a stranger's name or an elder's name.
Bowing: the customary greeting of the Japanese people. The more important the person, the deeper the bow.
End notes.
Onward.
Chapter 5
- Putting the Best Foot Forward -
The early hours of the morning were witnesses to a man and child winding their way down the mountain. The former was tall, broad and muscled whereas the latter was a scrawny thing, tiny in comparison.
Unlike the man, the child was dressed in a shirt that he seemed to be swimming in, while his companion looked almost regal in his garb of forest-colored clothing and red-trimmed white cloak.
Together they walked toward the town and the going, though slow, was better than it would have been had they tried to make the trip three weeks earlier. The boy had a healthy tinge of pink to his cheeks now and looked much better than he had when he'd first entered into the care of the man.
Time and again, Kenshin would reach out to steady himself using his Master's hand.
"You've got the worst balance I've ever seen," Hiko commented.
Kenshin frowned and let go of his hand. "You walk too fast."
"You're just clumsy. You'd better not fall on your face and embarrass me when we get to the town." His little face turned as red as his hair and he scowled up at the man, displaying that spirit that Hiko loved to see.
"I won't!"
"See to it that you don't."
They walked together again in silence before Kenshin asked, "Master? When we get to there, can I have a brush set of my own like yours?"
Hiko nodded once. "Yes. You are starting to wear mine out with the way you press so hard on it."
Kenshin looked torn between making a face, but then he grinned, hopefully. "Can I have a sake disk like yours, too?"
It was Hiko's turn to scowl. "No, of course not. You're too young for something like that."
The child absentmindedly grabbed his hand again. "When I'm older, then?"
The Master actually smiled. "Yes. When you're older. But today, we are going to focus on getting you some clothes so you can start your physical training as soon as possible."
Kenshin hopped down a rock, wobbling a little but using Hiko as a crutch. "What are those for?" and he pointed toward the sacks that were slung over one of the man's shoulders.
Hiko shrugged it in emphasis. "These are the pottery pieces that I've finished. I'm going to sell them." At Kenshin's questioning hum, he explained, "That's how I make a living. How else do you think I am able to make money?"
Kenshin thought on that for a moment. Where he'd come from, his parents had worked for other people. Somehow, he couldn't see Hiko doing any farming, or bowing and scraping to samurai who came to tax the land. Maybe that's why the man lived up in the mountains. Maybe he didn't want to pay dues to the collectors…
Or maybe he was running away from them?
The speculations made him lag behind and Hiko sharply called his attention. "You're daydreaming again, aren't you? Keep up or else I'll leave you behind."
If there was one thing that Kenshin had learned, Hiko was a man of his word. If he said he would do it, he would do it. "Sorry, Master." He scurried to catch up.
By the time they reached the village, it was already bustling with activity. Townspeople had opened up their stores and the farmers were out planting. A few children ran through the dirt streets, laughing and playing. Other children were strolling together in a group no doubt off to some lessons if the supplies in their hands indicated anything.
As soon as the two of them made their presence known, a hush fell over the crowd and all eyes turned to them. They settled curiously on the boy, whom they'd never seen before.
Shyly, Kenshin returned their gaze, his grip on his Master's hand tightening.
"Hiko-san! Good morning!" a woman called out. She was the one heading the group of children.
"Shibata-san, good morning," Hiko replied.
"Who is this young lady?" Shibata asked, peering down at Kenshin.
And here Kenshin was thinking she was the most beautiful person he'd ever seen. He changed his mind.
"I'm a boy, not a girl!" He told her, heatedly. "You take that back!"
Shibata looked surprised and before she could apologize, Hiko yanked his student forward. "Idiot! That's not how you talk to your elders!" He looked to the young woman ruefully. "Sorry. He's got a temper, this one." To Kenshin, he ordered, "Introduce yourself and apologize for being so rude."
"So rude? She called me a girl!"
"Kenshin." His tone rose at the end and that disapproving look was on his face, telling the child that he should not argue.
Hurt, Kenshin looked to his Master and then to the woman. "Sorry," he mumbled, unenthusiastically. He added a bow as if to show he really meant it (when really, he didn't).
Shibata gave a nervous laugh. "Kenshin, is it? I'm sorry if I insulted you."
He didn't answer, straightening and looking at her dolefully. At a look from his Master, however, he dipped his head in a reluctant manner but chose not to reply.
Shibata looked to Hiko who put his hand on Kenshin's shoulder. "This is my new apprentice." He let his fingers squeeze slightly, prompting Kenshin to murmur, "It's nice to meet you."
She smiled down at him and he once again had the thought that she was the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen. "Will I get the pleasure of teaching you?" she asked, but Hiko was the one who replied, "No. He learns with me."
"Surely you don't plan to make the child a hermit as well?"
"If you are questioning my ability to teach fundamental material, Shibata-san, I regret to inform you that I am greatly offended."
Eyes widening, Shibata bowed low. "Of course not! Hiko-san, I defer to you. I am merely offering my services if ever they are needed."
Hiko looked down at her, and finally swept his cape to the side. "I'll keep that in mind. That does not mean, however, that Kenshin is to be denied the rights to socialization with the other children whenever we are in town." He glanced at Kenshin, who was watching the exchange with a solemn expression. "You may join them in their play, if you desire."
Kenshin considered it for a moment, before shaking his head and shrinking back behind him.
"Very well. Shibata-san," his guardian excused them with a bow of the head and a flourish of his cloak. Once again, Kenshin had to trot to keep up.
Once they had left the woman and children behind, Hiko turned to face him, glowering. "You will watch your tongue and manners young man. You're already a bumbling fool but I cannot tolerate insolence." It was not a suggsestion. It was a command.
The boy stiffened. "Yes, sir."
Hiko grunted, angrily leading them off again toward another building closer to the middle of the town. Here, he was introduced to the winemaker, whose name Kenshin did not catch because he was too busy trying to read the different names of the sake around them. Only after his mentor had bought himself some alcohol did they wander over toward the vendor whom Hiko supplied with wares.
This man was middle-aged. His hair was graying and receding. To Kenshin, he seemed shady, but he held his tongue, not wanting to incur Hiko's wrath any more that day. He kept himself closer to the doorway so that he would not be within reach of the unknown man.
Here, Hiko dropped off his new creations and gathered the money he'd made off of the ones that had been sold. As the two men talked, Kenshin looked around the store and caught sight of a glass container, with something that looked very similar to a rabbit within.
"Don't touch anything," Hiko called, when he caught sight of Kenshin bending over it to pick it up.
Little hands retreating, Kenshin swiveled to look at him.
"You break it and I'll have your hide," Hiko warned. "Keep your hands to yourself when it comes to things that aren't yours."
Kenshin glanced at the figurine again and backed away a step. "Yes, sir. Sorry, sir."
Hiko resisted the urge to roll his eyes. The shopkeeper merely laughed and commented on what a fatherly figure the swordsman seemed to be.
If Kenshin didn't know better, he could have sworn he saw a blush rise to Hiko's cheeks. But the man was moving again, taking Kenshin's elbow and dragging him along with him.
Many times people stopped Hiko to have a word with him and Kenshin lost track of how many people he was introduced to. He concentrated instead on keeping up with his Master's long legs and with drinking in the sights of a town that, to a little village bumpkin, was terrifyingly amazing.
Their last stop before making the trek back up the mountain was the dressmaker's. There, they had him fitted for new clothing and various accessories. Afterwards, Master and Apprentice wound their way toward the trail they'd taken earlier, the pack considerably heavier than it had been from that morning with their new purchases.
By that point in time, Kenshin was exhausted. His belly was full, and he was actually looking forward to the seclusion of the cabin. After having been surrounded by so many people all day long, he was feeling a little overwhelmed. He thought back on those he'd seen and met and tried to remember what their names and occupations were.
Hiko seemed to read his mind, "I know for a fact that you don't remember a single person you met because you daydreamed the entire time."
Kenshin wanted to refute that, but he couldn't. Damn, the man seemed to know everything! He could feel a blush rise to his cheeks.
"We'll have to work on your focus," Hiko sighed.
The setting sun was witness to a man and child, winding their way up the mountain, hand-in-hand, making their way back home.
Word Count: 1,677
Moving forward…
AN: For those of you who are wondering why Kenshin seems so clumsy and airheaded (for lack of a better word), just remember that he is still a little boy. Children tend to have a very short attention span and their curiosity is boundless. I'm sure Kenshin acted much the same way as any kid when surrounded by new faces and things. In any case, I ask that you give me your feedback and thoughts on this installment. Until the next chapter,
Thanks for reading,
-P.P.V.V.
Edited: August 25, 2016
