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

Disclaimer: The Standard Disclaim applies...


AN: When you're sick, stuck at home and full of ideas, the result is another chapter for all you lovely people out there. I wish it would happen more often – without the part about being sick, mind you – but I'll take what I can get.

Onward.


Chapter 16

- Family Feud -

"What do you think you're doing, young man?"

Hiko's voice from behind him made Kenshin jump involuntarily. The sword that he'd tried to grasp clattered to the floor, bringing with it its stand and knocking over a few other loose trinkets that lined the shelf it rested against. The disapproval that colored the Master's tone made his throat go dry with dread.

As each item fell with a soft thud to the ground, the boy winced. "I-I wasn't - "

"-How many times have I told you to keep your hands to yourself when it comes to things that aren't yours?" Hiko asked, angrily, striding purposefully toward the fallen weapon. In one fluid motion, he picked it up and stood it upright once more.

"I just wanted to see," Kenshin protested, weakly.

Hiko rounded on him and instinctively, his apprentice flinched away. Lately, he'd become stricter, his punishments harsher and his patience thinner. Ever since Kenshin had really started learning the strokes of the wooden sword, Hiko had been breathing down his neck over everything. It was like his Master was looking for his every mistake so that he could rub it in his face.

In all truth, Kenshin was sick of it.

His overbearing attitude was becoming suffocating.

The sudden smack on his hand made him cry out; made his fingers tingle with the sting of flesh hitting flesh.

Hiko snarled, "I've also told you that you aren't to touch a sword until I say so, haven't I?"

Kenshin brought his smarting hand up to his chest, cradling it with his good one. "Y-yes, Master. But I wasn't going to do anything! I don't see why - "

" – I don't see why my instructions aren't clear enough for you, my apprentice. And I don't see why you find it necessary to argue with me over them, either."

Taken aback, Kenshin shook his head. "No, sir. I wasn't arguing!"

He felt shame wash over him when Hiko merely raised an eyebrow at his outburst. Then, he gestured to the mess on the floor. "Clean this up and when you are finished, you are to stay in the bedroom. Or do you have any questions? Because apparently, I seem to be having trouble making myself clear on certain things."

Ears reddening at the unmistakable mocking jibe, Kenshin clenched his fists. His right hand throbbed in reminder that it had been assaulted just a few seconds ago and was not up to being used just yet. Kenshin ignored it, a hot feeling lodging itself in his chest.

"Why do you always have to treat me like I'm an idiot or something?" he demanded. Hiko gave him that same incredulous look.

Kenshin decided that he hated it.

He also hated how his master was always telling him to do things, always dictating his every move, always yelling at him for the mistakes he made, always doling out punishments and making him feel so insignificant.

"It's not like I was going to do anything with it," Kenshin told him, heatedly.

Hiko calmly said, "Forget the mess and just go to the bedroom before I lose my temper entirely. Honestly, I wonder if your impudence is part of your genetic make-up. If so, and if I was your father, I'd hope that it did not come from me."

"Well," Kenshin said, impudently, "you're not my father."

"And thank the gods for that."

"So stop acting like it!"

They exchanged a heated glare and had Hiko not been as taken aback as he was, he would have whipped the boy where he stood. The tension in the room was so thick that, were it tangible, it could be cut with a sword.

Finally, Hiko took a step back, his eyes, to Kenshin's horror, full of the disappointment he hated to see.

"I may not be your father, but you are living under my roof. The rules are laid down for you to follow and I expect you to do so without questioning them," said the Master, flatly. Beneath his voice was a simmering rage that Kenshin feared would overflow. When that happened, things would get nasty and he wondered just how close it was to doing so. He realized that he really didn't want to find out. "If you don't like it, then you know where the door is." And with that, he stalked away, his long legs taking him toward the hearth. He settled himself down before it, keeping his broad back toward his wayward student.

Standing in his spot, Kenshin swallowed against the tide of emotions that rose up in him. Hiko's words had hurt more than the warning slap, cutting him straight to the core and making his ego smart. What on earth possessed him to go and run his mouth like that?

He hadn't meant it, really.

If anything, Hiko was more of a father to him than his real one ever was.

With two older brothers and an elder sister, Kenshin had never really gotten the attention that he'd craved when he'd been younger. He remembered having to stay home most of the time while everyone else got to go and help on the fields. His father had never had the time to care for him as he had the others.

Especially not when the tax collectors had come around.

Hiko, on the other hand, had taken him in, fed him, clothed him and spent hours teaching him. But it was more than his generosity that Kenshin had come to be grateful for. It was the comforting hands that woke him from his nightmares; the rich baritone voice that assured him of safety; the smell of cedar and sandalwood and smoke that spoke of home.

His guilt made his stomach knot into an uncomfortable ball that made him want to vomit.

Kenshin's eyes wandered to the sword that he'd wanted to hold. His earlier curiosity was now grounded to dust by his Master's righteous anger. Reverently, he avoided it as he scrambled to pick up all the trinkets that he had carelessly knocked over.

At this rate, he'd never be deemed worthy to wield one. He was hot-headed, insolent and prideful – all the things a swordsman should not be. The fact that Hiko knew this made despair reach its ugly fingers out to him. The weapon that had become the center of his life seemed to mock him from the corner.

He wasn't ready.

One thing at a time, Kenshin told himself, resolutely. He'd be damned if he let things lie the way they were. He'd never forgive himself for succumbing to his weaknesses. He wanted to get stronger. He wanted to be worthy of the honor to wield that weapon and to do that, he had to forget his arrogance and swallow every trial that came his way, however difficult it proved to be.

He did not go to the bedroom as was asked of him when he was finished cleaning up. Instead, he resolutely walked toward the man he had come to respect in more ways than one and hovered behind him, uncertainly.

Hiko stirred slightly, turning his head to look over his shoulder in contemplation. He said nothing and Kenshin awkwardly knelt on the ground, placing his hands in front of him on the soft mat. His arms were trembling as though he'd done a thousand swings – punishment like that would have been preferable to this. He wished Hiko would have punished him that way instead of giving him such silent scrutiny. Instead, he had to resort to the most severe punishment of all.

The lesson of humility.

Taking a deep breath, Kenshin bowed, bringing his forehead to the ground in penitence; in the way he'd been taught to show reverence and respect. "Master, I'm sorry. I…I shouldn't have said what I did."

Hiko finally turned to face him, bringing his large body around, face unreadable. "No, you shouldn't have."

Kenshin did not move from his prostrate position. "Please," he begged, his voice cracking in embarrassment. He swallowed against it, not caring if his Master thought he was pathetic. "Please, Master, forgive me."

The man said nothing for the longest time, but Kenshin stubbornly refused to get up, body strung tightly into a coil as he waited for his decision. Finally, Hiko murmured, "Very good, Kenshin. Learning to admit to your wrongs is not easy. Asking for forgiveness even more so. Get up. You're making a spectacle of yourself."

"Not until you say you do," Kenshin firmly stated.

Hiko let out a breath noisily. "Yes, yes, you dramatic child. I do. Now, look at me when I'm talking to you," he ordered.

Amethyst eyes snapped up obediently, filled with unshed tears.

"I'll say it again: you have no right to put your hands on things that aren't yours. Respect for others goes so far as to the things they own."

"Yes, sir. I just couldn't help myself..."

"Evidently." He drummed his fingers against his knee. "You will get your own sword in due time, Kenshin. It is a heavy burden, one that you will never be able to rid yourself of once you decide to carry it. And when you do, there will be no turning back. Are you sure you want to continue with this knowledge?"

Kenshin thought about that for a moment. Even if he wanted to give up now, there was no way he could. There was nowhere else for him to go. "Yes, Master. I do. And…if you will see fit to continue teaching me, I'll try my very best not to disappoint you."

Hiko considered him with a slight tilt of his head. His big hands came out to grasp Kenshin's shoulders and squeeze them in emphasis. "You have just got to have some patience. There is much still to learn and you are young. You will get your chance, my boy, I promise you."

The redhead bowed his head respectfully, a lump hitting his throat at the way the Master doled out the endearment without a second thought.

Hiko may not have been his father, but he was still his boy.

Hesitantly, Kenshin reached out to snake his arms around the man's torso in a quick hug.

To his surprise, he felt Hiko return it and in that small motion that was very uncharacteristic of his mentor, Kenshin knew that all was forgiven.


Word Count: 1,732

Moving Forward...


AN: I figured Kenshin resented his Master at some point or another. Keep in mind that he is an orphan who had to come to terms with not only himself, but his situation. I'm sure every adopted child goes through this phase and he was no exception.

I couldn't help but make a reference to the classic Parental House Rules. Every kid's heard it said. Hiko was harsh here, but again, I believe him to be the type that doesn't take impudence lightly. Some might even argue that he was being too gentle, not kicking Kenshin out completely after that little episode, especially a man of his pride and upbringing. So, was Hiko out of character?

I walked the fine line again.

I'd love to know your thoughts! Do leave me some feedback!

Thanks for reading,

-P.P.V.V.

Edited: August 25, 2016