Of Wine and Water By: P.P.V.V.
Disclaimer: The Standard Disclaim applies…
AN: So sorry that I didn't get a chance to update these past few weeks. I've been extremely run off my feet at work. Anyway, for this chapter I'd like to thank Kari-Kateora for the inspiration she left me in our chats. Surely something set Kenshin on the path toward fighting in the Revolution. This is my take. Enjoy.
Chapter 29
- Blissful Ignorance -
"One pound of salt, a bucket of tofu and a barrel of rice, please," Kenshin ordered.
Other than him, the confectionary was empty of all other customers. He had decided to make his presence known before the crowds did. It was the time when supplies were still in stock and there was no fear of a scramble for an item that was in demand. Added to that, Kenshin had the chance to browse the different merchandise at his leisure without being jostled about by other people. Although…come to think of it, the crowds had been rather sparse throughout the town that day, despite it being the peak of Harvest Season.
The shopkeeper, Matsura, peered at him as Kenshin dug into his shirt to find the allotted money. "Hiko-san didn't come down with you, today?"
"No, sir. He sent me in his stead."
"That's an awful armload to bring by yourself."
"…I can manage."
"You're becoming an adult already, aren't you, Ken-chan?" Matsura noted.
Kenshin gave him a small nod, not knowing what to make of that nickname. A part of him bristled at the effeminate endearment and the other balked, not liking the familiarity. He'd always thought Matsura was shady and so, had kept his distance respectfully.
He had to fight down the shiver that crept over him when the man gave him a wide grin that was missing teeth.
"Is there anything else you would like?"
What an ambiguous sentence. It made Kenshin's throat lodge. "N-no. No, thank you, sir…"
Involuntarily, he took a step back when Matsura got up to go get him the items he'd requested.
Calm down, Kenshin told himself. This was not the first time he'd spoken to the man. There was no reason to be nervous. Granted, the most he'd had to do was exchange customary greetings and at those times, he'd had Hiko by his side.
Now, he was alone.
His Master had insisted that he could go to Town and get the necessities by himself. And he'd been coerced into doing it if he didn't want to have to tackle two large loads of laundry. Kenshin had quickly agreed, of course, to face this new challenge over such a mundane chore.
In so doing, he was now face-to-face with one of his darkest shadows; his biggest fears. He'd never liked strangers. He avoided being in the company of other men as much as possible. His past experiences, however long ago, had left vivid imprints and his self-preservation had only risen even though he knew that no one would ever be able to hurt him that way again.
He had to concentrate on calming his heart rate. How embarrassing would it be if he turned tail and ran? How could he possibly explain that to his Master?
To his relief, the man walked away, and in an effort to distract himself, Kenshin idly began to peruse the shelves.
There were many trinkets for sale in all different shapes and sizes. Items for everyday use were on display as well, but what caught his eye were brightly colored boxes that were placed toward the center of the store.
Sugar candies.
His mouth watered at the remembrance of a morsel freely given by a passing caravan. Without his Master by his side, he was allowed to reminisce without fear of being scolded.
Sensing someone behind him, the boy cringed and jumped away. Maybe it was instinct. Maybe it was reflex. Whatever it was, he managed to put a good foot or so of distance between him and Matsura before the man's hand could make contact with his shoulder. Crouched defensively, his knuckles white on the hilt of his sword, Kenshin offered the store keeper a glare of warning.
The man's eyes were wide and Kenshin could read confusion in them as well as bewilderment, no doubt at his skittish reaction.
"I called you, but you didn't answer," he finally said.
Kenshin shrugged one shoulder, unable to apologize for his seemingly rude behaviour. If Hiko found out about this, he'd get it good…but he could not find it in himself to feel the least bit sorry.
When the man motioned to the purchases that were now stacked neatly on the floor, Kenshin straightened and relaxed his grip on his weapon, ducking to grab them. "Thank you," he murmured.
Matsura nodded, eyeing him in a way that made Kenshin wince inwardly. "Are you all right, Ken-chan?"
"Please call me Kenshin. And I'm just fine," Kenshin hoped his voice did not squeak. It sounded pathetically like a plea to him.
Matsura nodded again. "Right. Sorry. Kenshin. Are you sure you're all right?"
"Yes, thank you." He held out the money and bowed. "This was much appreciated."
Once it was out of his hands, he grabbed his purchases and all but made a run for the exit. He was almost there when the store owner called out to him. "Wait!"
The hair on the back of Kenshin's neck prickled and all his senses rose on high alert. His eyes gaged the distance between himself and the man, his mind racing in time with his accelerated heartbeat. He could make it outside in no time, he was sure. He was more than certain that he could clear his sword from its scabbard in even less time, if needed.
His fears disgusted him.
He'd thought he'd gotten over them.
Why was he so pathetic?
Warily, Kenshin paused in his tracks, turning slightly back to the man, slipping a blank mask over his face. He would show no fear.
Never again.
He would not allow it.
He would not be the victim any more. Hiko had promised him. Hiko had trained him.
Yet, his breath was shallow as that irrational overwhelming panic crashed over him. He could feel his arms tremble as it fought to take over.
Matsura was reaching toward him and Kenshin had to blink back images from his mind's eye.
Images of men pinning him to the floor.
Images of clothes being ripped from his back.
Images of roaming fingers and leering grins.
"Here, have this," Matsura's voice did not match those that were laughing in his memories. It took Kenshin off-guard to the point where he had to shake his head from a sudden bout of dizziness.
In the store owner's fingers was nestled a bag of the sugar candies, its bright colors seeming to snap the boy from his daze and allow him to ground himself in the present.
For a long time Kenshin just stared, unable to move, wanting (but not daring) to reach out and snatch the peace offering. Like a wounded animal, he was not willing to put his trust in a total stranger who might bring him some pain. When he finally managed to tear his gaze away from the enticing package, he softly said, "I haven't enough money for that, sir. But thank you, anyway."
Matsura regarded him seriously but did not withdraw the packet. "None needed, kid. I doubt that Master of yours will let you indulge in anything of the sort. Hiko-san doesn't seem to be the pampering type. I bet you he offers you only a hard time at everything."
"Master is good to me," Kenshin murmured, in an almost defensive way. But secretly, he had to agree with the elder man. He found himself smiling just slightly at the man's accuracy.
"I'm sure of that," Matsura's grin this time did not seem all that skeptical after all. Then, with all sobering seriousness, he inquired, "He does do right by you, doesn't he?"
"Yes, sir. He does. He never raises his hand to me unless I've done something to deserve it. I've been learning a lot from him. He is a good teacher." On an afterthought, Kenshin added, "And…a strict one, too."
The shopkeeper's sudden laugh startled him. "Gotta have a bit of fun, then, don't you?" he wheedled. "Go on, take it." Kenshin fumbled, placing his purchases back onto the floor as the man proceeded to drop the small cloth into the boy's hand.
"But…"
"What Hiko-san doesn't know won't hurt him," the shopkeeper told him. "And if he does find out, don't tell him it was from me."
Kenshin relaxed slightly, clutching the packet to himself. "Thank you…"
Matsura grinned and this time, Kenshin didn't feel a shiver of revulsion.
"Get on about with you then," the man said. "And be careful, would you? There's talks of revolution everywhere nowadays. People are becoming more and more violent and the roads aren't safe."
"Revolution, sir?"
"You know," Matsura gestured vaguely in the air as if to stave off any lengthy explanations, "uprisings against the government and all that."
Pensively, Kenshin tucked the small gift into his sleeve's pocket. The man's tone of voice had changed from that of light banter to nervously grim and it sent his senses on alert once more. "I'm afraid I'm not all that knowledgeable in that topic, sir," he said, truthfully.
"Oh? I thought your Master would have told you about that, seeing how he's a swordsman."
Kenshin shook his head. "No… Sir, why are people rising up against the government?"
Matsura looked around as if wary of other people hearing what he was going to say, but the shop remained empty. His gesture caused Kenshin to stretch his senses out, unconsciously to see for himself if there were any people lingering outside the shop, as well. "They say that the government is corrupt. Rich people, getting richer…even stealing from the poor!"
In surprise, the boy glanced up at him. Matsura nodded and tapped the side of his nose. "People are protesting about the ridiculous tax and even the abuse that the samurai class is inflicting on us commoners. If you look around you, you'll see the suffering. It hits hardest in winter, when there's not a lot of food to go around."
Kenshin blinked, drinking the news in. For the last few years, he'd known nothing but comfort in the simple life style Hiko had introduced to him. He always had enough to eat. They'd always been able to get by just fine on whatever wages his Master made. And no one ever came to collect tax from them.
A distant memory stirred, one in which he could see his father, cowering before men, begging them for just a little more time…
Matsura's voice interrupted his thoughts and he turned amethyst eyes back to the elder man. "But that's not something that should concern you. You're still a boy and wouldn't understand these things." He crouched to pick up the purchases and hand them back to Kenshin. The young man could hear a few of his joints pop as he did so and he winced at the sound.
It must be terrible to be old.
"Don't eat all of it at once or you'll spoil your appetite for lunch."
The sudden change in topic confused Kenshin for a moment before he remembered the small gift he'd been given.
"No, sir. I won't, sir."
When Mastsura smiled this time around, Kenshin did not find it as oily, nor as frightening. With a final bow, he left.
As he wound his way back up the mountain, he pondered his interaction, his thoughts weighing just as heavily as the packet of candy in his pocket.
Word Count: 1, 890
Moving Forward…
AN: I doubt highly that Hiko spoke of revolution or anything of its like. I believe this is why Kenshin went into the war with so much idealism. So ends his blissful ignorance.
A quick note for those of you who are interested: the sugar candy, also known as 金平糖 (Konpeito) is a Japanese candy that is shaped like a star (or meteorite?) and comes in a lot of merry colours. It is sold in Japan even today as a standardized sweet.
Thanks for stopping by again and for reading,
-P.P.V.V.
Edited: August 26, 2016
