Of Wine and Water by: P.P.V.V.
Disclaimer: The Standard Disclaim applies…
AN: To everyone's awesome reviews, I thank you from the bottom of my heart! It was interesting to see everyone's opinions with Kenshin's initial sword training. I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one who thinks the way I do. Thanks again for leaving me your thoughts. Here are mine on paper again: I hope you all don't mind if I continue jotting down the ramblings of my mind for a while longer.
Notes: This chapter's title may be the same as Bonnie Tyler's song, but in no way was it inspired by it. Strange. In any case…
Onward.
Chapter 12
- Total Eclipse of the Heart -
Kenshin tried not to stumble as his Master steered him forward and pushed him to sit down. "Master?"
It was the middle of the night and the boy was tired. After a full day of trying to increase his speed and stamina, he wanted nothing more than to sleep. Or if not, at least lie down. His whole body was aching again. Hiko's heavy hands on his shoulders were uncomfortable and he couldn't help but be irritated.
"You will join me in Meditation," Hiko told him.
"Meditation, sir?"
"Yes," the man replied, moving in front of his pupil. Having just come from the bath, Hiko's long black hair splayed over his shoulders like a waterfall. He tied it back with a string before taking a seat so that he was facing the boy. He crossed his legs and Kenshin quickly shifted around to mirror him. "When you meditate, you calm your body and clear your mind. It will help you relax and sleep."
Kenshin blinked at the man warily.
"I know you haven't been sleeping for the last couple of days," Hiko said, causing the boy to flinch. "Did you think you could hide it from me?"
Lowering his head, Kenshin confessed, "I'm sorry, sir. But the nightmares…they…"
"I know," Hiko said, coolly, not waiting for the rest of the boy's sentence. "You're not very good at keeping your emotions at bay in your relaxed state. We will start on calming the mind before bedtime. Maybe that will help you."
Still not completely convinced, Kenshin shrugged. "What do I have to do?"
"You close your eyes and breathe deeply, in and out," Hiko instructed.
Kenshin did as he was told. After several minutes, he opened one eye. "Sir? How long do I do this for?"
"For however long it takes you to feel like you have cleared your spirit."
His spirit?
Confused, the boy opened his other eye, too. Before he could ask, Hiko poked a large finger at his chest, dabbing it rather harshly. "You have a confused spirit. It's written all over your aura. It's struggling against what you used to be and what you are now."
Stifling a yawn, Kenshin breathed, "I don't understand, Master."
"Of course you wouldn't," Hiko muttered, and even in the dim lighting, the student could make out the fact that the elder man rolled his eyes. He felt himself starting to blush in embarrassment but his mentor spoke again. "It's normal, don't worry. The concept of meditation is often looked down upon by many people. Some say it is a waste of time."
This time, Kenshin really did blush. That was exactly what he'd been thinking.
If Hiko knew, he did not bother to comment on it. Instead, he raised one of his large hands and automatically, Kenshin followed it with his eyes. Once his Master did that, he knew he had to pay attention. If caught doing otherwise, he'd get punished for it somehow or another later. "Meditation is used by many schools that teach the Way of the Sword. Why do you think that is?"
Yawning again, Kenshin ventured a guess. "Because…it keeps them from being jumpy?"
That sounded ridiculous even to him and he waited for his Master to scold him for the suggestion. Instead, Hiko nodded once. "In a sense. Going into a battle pumps adrenaline. Some men become a tangle of nerves, whereas some lose themselves in the power that comes with wielding the sword. Afterward, they either become insane or so remorseful that they kill themselves. If they survive at all, that is."
Attention now fully caught, Kenshin felt the palms of his hands get sweaty. "So what does calming their minds do to help them?" Hiko continued, and he looked pointedly at the boy.
It was hard to think through his fatigue, but Kenshin knew that he could not use it as an excuse. Alertness was one of the Principles that Hiko had been stressing for the entire week. Maybe this was his way of testing him in that lesson. So he tried to ignore the leaden feeling of his body and the detached feeling of his brain. "It helps them to focus," he said, at length. At his Master's silence, he hurriedly added, "If they calm down, they can concentrate on what needs to be done instead of panicking."
The Master looked long and hard at him before nodding again. "Very good. And here I thought you'd remain an idiot forever."
Before Kenshin could protest, Hiko started The Lecture again. "A good night's sleep helps focus. Meditation helps you clear away all other thoughts. It helps you become one with your intent. It helps you become one with yourself.
"A troubled mind reflects a troubled heart. Since you are named after The Heart of the Sword, you will never fully grasp its principles until you can come to terms with yourself. Are you a child who is afraid to encounter his dark shadows? Are you a swordsman who has confidence in his abilities to face his foes and defeat them? Are you a boy who is easily distracted and confused? Are you a person who is willing to go through lengths to achieve strength?"
"I want to protect," Kenshin told him, without missing a beat.
Hiko sighed. "You're still so naïve."
Stubbornly, Kenshin sat up straighter. "I don't want to be afraid any more, Master. I want to know that I can stand up for myself and for others in time of need, so that no one has to die on my account ever again."
The light from the oil lamps reflected in Hiko's eyes as he appraised his student once more. "Then at the present time, don't think of the things that you were or that you may become. It will only serve to confuse you and no matter how much training you do, you will never be anything but a divided soul. Think of who you are. Focus!"
He watched as the boy obediently closed his eyes and as per his instructions, began to breathe deeply.
I am not a peasant boy.
I am not a slave.
I am not afraid.
Shinta was gone. Everything associated with Shinta was the past and would not interfere any longer.
I am…
Himura…Kenshin.
Word Count: 1, 048
Moving Forward…
AN: And we have reached the turning point in Kenshin's mind set; in his training. Leaving behind the past and coming to terms with what is now is difficult for some people. But it's one of the first steps in moving forward from any traumatic experience.
In regards to the topic of Meditation: there are those that do believe it's a complete waste of time. But in this, I have to disagree. Meditation does a world of good before entering into any type of competition or stressful situation in my opinion (and experience).
I'd love to know your thoughts both on that topic and on this chapter, so leave them for me in the form of reviews, please!
Thanks for reading,
-P.P.V.V.
Edited: August 25, 2016
