Of Wine and Water By: P.P.V.V.

Disclaimer: The Standard Disclaim applies...


AN: This collection of chapters/snippets seems so random that I'm surprised anyone is able to find a semblance of order to them.

Onward to yet another.


Chapter 11

- Back to the Basics -

"But…" Kenshin chewed on his bottom lip, trying to quell the disappointment that rose up in him.

A few feet away, his Master looked at him, expectantly, his eyebrow raised – prompting; daring - waiting for him to finish his complaint. So, the child did.

"This isn't a sword," he protested.

"Clearly," was the drawling response. The sarcasm behind it made Kenshin wish he hadn't made a comment to begin with.

He lowered his gaze to the "weapon" he held. It was a long pole, whittled into a shape similar to that of a sword, but it was made of sturdy wood. Its edge was nowhere near sharp enough to cut anything. Its weight, however, made him have to grip it with both of his hands.

And here he'd been so excited.

After months of studying hard, of trying his best at all the chores he'd been asked to do, he was rewarded with…with a toy.

Was the Master making fun of him?

"To wield a sword requires much discipline, indeed. It needs a resolve that you haven't yet grasped," Hiko told him, his deep voice wrenching Kenshin away from his dark thoughts. "Every pupil needs to practice, to strengthen themselves before they take on the burden of steel that cuts. It is a weapon that demands respect.

"Only an idiot would let a child walk around with a sharp object that he doesn't even know how to hold. And I," the Master finished, with a flourish of his cape, "am no idiot. I'll not have you touch a sword until I am sure you deserve to. For now, this will suffice to learn the basics."

Kenshin lowered the makeshift blade to the floor. "Yes, sir."

Hiko seemed surprised by his quick compliance because his eyes widened slightly. He had expected a little more argument from his boy. After all, when children had it in their minds to fuss, their tantrums went further than a simple complaint.

Well, he supposed he was thankful that Kenshin wasn't exactly the typical type of child. Then again, it was a bit worrisome that he still lacked the normal reactions that most kids his age exhibited. There was still such a long way to go in rehabilitating him.

Hiko pushed those thoughts to the back of his mind for further contemplation at a later time and moved to stand behind his student. Kenshin swiveled around so that he could listen to the Master's instructions. "Every morning, after you've brought in the water for breakfast, you will add some new routines to your daily exercise."

He smoothly unsheathed his sword with a grace that stopped Kenshin's breath in his throat. Slowly, he went about showing him how to swing his sword, how to grip it and how to keep his balance. "Fifty of these in the morning will do for now," Hiko said. "We will increase it over time. But today, I expect you to do as I did until I am pleased with what I see. "

Kenshin nodded, and, under his Master's sharp eye, began the drills.

So concentrated was he that he did not notice the sharp chill in the air, or the ominous presence of black clouds above their heads. His red-blood hair stirred in the late winter wind that brought with it a flurry of white snow. The nature around them went ignored however, as the student sliced his wooden sword viciously again and again through the air at an invisible enemy.

Perhaps he was envisioning those who hurt him.

Or maybe he was venting his anguish of the mess of his life into his strokes.

Whatever the case, the Master was impressed at the power behind each swing.

By the time Hiko called his actions to a halt, Kenshin's arms felt hollow and his legs shook in exhaustion. The back of his shirt was soaked with sweat, his bangs clinging to his forehead. These he absently swept away with the back of his hand as he turned his eyes up eagerly to see if he had done well enough for his endeavors.

Hiko, as always, gave no outward sign of praise. He merely shrugged and said, "You'll get better over time," before turning to lead the way back. "Let's go inside. It will start to storm and I don't want you catching a cold."

Obediently, Kenshin scurried after him, clumsily stringing the wooden sword to his waist using the ties of his pants. When he reached his Master's side, he felt the man's big hand come to rest briefly on the top of his head before he was ushered into the warm cabin he'd come to consider home.


Word Count: 778

Moving Forward...


AN: There are those that believe that Hiko would instantly bestow Kenshin with an actual Katana/Wakizashi for training. I am not one of those. I have yet to meet a Master (in any form of Martial Art) that would teach a complicated move to a novice who has not yet learned the basics. It is my belief that Hiko would start the boy's weapon training with a wooden sword.

The most important lesson in any form of Martial Art is respect. Respect for one's own discipline. Respect for the opponent. And respect for the weapon/technique that is being wielded.

Feel free to leave me your thoughts/comments on this chapter and on this idea. Agree? Disagree?

Thanks for reading,

-P.P.V.V.

Edited: August 25, 2016