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

Disclaimer: The Standard Disclaim applies…


AN: Thanks for the awesome reviews, everyone! I had 100% back up from you guys for the last one that I was so happy (not to mention relieved)! Good to know I'm staying historically correct to some degree. And great to know that people are still enjoying the story. Here's the next chapter, which is not nearly as intense.

Onward.


Chapter 23

- A Matter of Pride -

The waterfall crashed, sending a cloud of mist across the glade which stood still and sparkling in the dead of the winter. All the animals had taken to hibernating, something that Kenshin would have dearly loved to do, but alas…training meant that he was up before dawn every day, no matter what the weather condition.

Master Hiko would not stand for anything else.

Currently, he was leading his pupil through the glade, carving a path in the snow banks that Kenshin would have otherwise had to wade through.

Today, they were going to deviate a little in their routine. Because it was too icy to be jumping slopes and Hiko did not want to risk Kenshin breaking his neck, he decided that it was time to see how well the boy had come to learn to defend himself.

Kenshin was half expecting it when Hiko turned and brought his sword around in an arc to smack him on the upper arm. He barely managed to block the blow, his hilt shuddering under the pressure. It still managed to hit him slightly, and the boy winced and clicked his teeth in annoyance at his slow reflexes.

Hiko's hum showed him that he was impressed but not satisfied.

Fighting down a blush, Kenshin sprang away, leaving a few feet between them, right hand automatically unsheathing his blade and holding his sword aloft.

"Always anticipate."

Hiko's words rang through the clearing as he lifted his own sword up as if to attack again. "Your enemies aren't going to announce themselves all the time. Some men don't have enough honor or etiquette to do so. Once you become good enough, they won't even have a chance for introductions." His mouth quirked. "Dead men don't need them anyway."

Dead men…

Kenshin could clearly remember the bandits and slave drivers that he'd been herded along with.

The three sisters

The blood.

"Pay attention!"

Sucking in a breath, Kenshin tightened his grip on his hilt. "Sir."

"You should always be ready for an attack which means, your sword never leaves your side - whether you sleep, whether you eat…whether you take a piss. I don't care. It becomes a permanent fixture on your person. Am I understood?"

This time, Kenshin flushed in embarrassment. He'd accidentally left his sword back in the cabin the other day before he'd gone for a run. It was as close to a reprimand as he'd ever get, he supposed. "Yes, Master," he dipped his head in apology, rightly chastised.

"Good. Now, back to the lesson," Hiko said. "As I was saying, you must always be at the ready for an attack. Enemies will always resort to the most ruthless, baseless tactics and the worst thing that can happen to you is for you to be caught unaware. If they slit your throat because of your carelessness, then you have no one else to blame but yourself." He lazily flipped his sword so that it rested, blade-side-up, across the inner part of his hand and forearm.

"Well, I don't think anyone would be able to hit me," Kenshin said, proudly, thrusting his chest forward slightly. "You've seen for yourself how fast I am."

Hiko raised an eyebrow at the confidence behind the statement. He grudgingly had to agree with the kid. Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu's speed made it almost impossible for the opponent to see the practitioner, let alone connect a blow. Still, that type of overconfidence could lead to mistakes.

And one mistake was all it took.

Without warning, Hiko lunged and rapped Kenshin on the thigh with the flat of his blade. It caused the boy to flinch and before he could even cry out in surprise and pain, he was rapped four more times – once on each arm, across the stomach and finally, on his other thigh.

Hiko's gaze was challenging.

Kenshin met it with his own defiant glare.

The attacks came again, this time a bit slower, but still faster than he was used to. By the end of the lesson, Kenshin was smarting all over. Despite the cold weather, he had broken into a sweat, his breath showing in little puffs every time he panted.

Hiko slapped him one more time, this time a little harder than the rest of the times, on the hand that was holding his sword. It made Kenshin grit his teeth, but he managed to not drop his weapon. "Good. You were listening. But it looks like you'll need to work on your idea about not getting hit there, kid. The most I can say about you is that you are a very boring target."

Kenshin listened as his Master broke into a round of laughter that was once again, on his account. He felt his pride sting alongside his body.

Right then and there, he promised himself that he would train even harder. He would not allow himself to be made fun of this way again by anyone. It showed Kenshin just how much he still had to learn, just how much he still lacked in his abilities. Apparently, he hadn't come far enough. He took a step forward just as Hiko made to sweep away. "Please, Master. Teach me how.

"I…I was arrogant but there is still so much I need to know. So…please," begged the child. It took Hiko a moment to come to terms with the fact that Kenshin would not remain a child forever. He was grown up now, a far cry from the shivering whelp he'd first brought home, and well on the way to manhood.

It was a simple request, but the humble eagerness behind it fairly took his breath away.

He turned to look at his student over his shoulder, seeing the spirit and determination in his student flaring as bright as the day he'd first lain eyes on him.

And with the pride that a father must feel, Hiko grinned.


Word Count: 985

Moving Forward…


AN: Putting someone in their place is the best way to nip arrogance in the bud. Students of any Martial Art must learn the importance of being humble, lest they think themselves invincible, or worse yet, above others. (Poor Kenshin just never gets a break.)

Please review for me and let me know your thoughts. By all means: go wild with them! No review can ever be too long. Inspire me again!

Thanks for reading,

-P.P.V.V.

Edited: August 25, 2016