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

Disclaimer: The Standard Disclaim applies…


AN: Hi everyone! At the original time I was writing this, I was busy and stressed with work and studying and getting ready for placement interviews...how long ago it seems! Anyway, here's the next chapter. It's a short again, this time around. But I personally love it. I hope you do, too.


Chapter 15

- Incremental Progress -

If there was one thing Hiko had learned in the year that his pupil had been living with him, it was that children had an endless supply of energy.

Or at least, Kenshin did.

He was a bundle of nerves, always bouncing on the balls of his feet, ready to do something.

When it became out of hand, Hiko had him go running and boy, were those legs of his ever fast! The child had already started to show signs of the speed he was looking for.

He also learned that Kenshin had the appetite of four cows. Hiko swore he'd just gone down to the village a few days ago. Were they out of rice so quickly already?

"More, please!" his boy sang, stretching his arm out, bowl in his upturned hand, hopefully.

"You'll get indigestion if you eat too quickly," Hiko scolded, taking the bowl from him. He began to fill it again anyway, making a mental note to himself to get two barrels of rice next time around. He was relieved to see that Kenshin had begun to gain some weight. He'd even grown a few inches. Now, those amethyst eyes were not as large in his face, his cheeks not as hollow.

He watched with fondness as his student seemed to inhale that bowl, too. So long as he was healthy, Hiko was happy.

"Yesterday, I saw a crane," Kenshin told him, excitedly, and as he jabbered, Hiko could make out the fact that his boy was missing a few of his teeth. "I think it has a nest somewhere. But it was beautiful, Master! You should have seen its wings! It was eating something, but I couldn't see what because if I went closer, I would have scared it away." He reached for his bowl of soup and finished it off between his sentences. "And I also saw a toad. It was kind of far away from the river, so it may have wandered. I thought it might die so I brought it back there. And also, I saw - "

"-Kenshin, finish your food and quit yapping," Hiko ordered, but he couldn't find it in his heart to get truly angry.

Kenshin gave him a beaming smile that made him feel like he stood on top of the world.

"Can I go out to play today, sir?" he asked, instead, switching topics so quickly that Hiko had to pause for a moment to understand the question.

"Did you finish all your chores?"

The child nodded, vigorously.

"And you finished all your exercise drills?"

Kenshin nodded again.

"And what about your readings?"

At that, Kenshin's face fell. "No, not yet." For he disliked reading the most and always put it off for as long as possible.

"If you finish those you may play outside before dinner," Hiko allowed.

He was rewarded with a whoop of good cheer. "Thank you, Master!" the child hollered. "You're the best!"

Hiko smirked. "I know."

As he watched his student hurry through the rest of his meal, he treasured that moment, however mundane it seemed, in his heart, knowing he would never regret his choice in adopting the brat.

For someone who was so inexperienced with children, he wasn't doing bad.

Not bad at all.


Word Count: 545

Moving Forward…


AN: The timeline is vague – go figure, from the previous chapters. Other than that, Kenshin is progressing typically like all little boys do: he hates homework, loves to ramble and loves to eat. I hope it was realistic enough. Thanks to those who gave their honest opinions in the form of reviews, and those who put this humble work onto their "favorites" list. Also, thanks to those who pointed out mistakes. If you guys see any more, do let me know and I'll go back and fix them.

Anyway, you guys are the absolute best. Leave me your thoughts and comments in that little box below. Be my inspiration!

Thanks for reading,

-P.P.V.V.

Edited: August 25, 2016