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

Disclaimer: The Standard Disclaim applies...


AN: Hullo again, everyone! Thank you to all who show continued support for this story in the form of reviews. You're my inspiration, my reason for continuing to write. For those of you who just read and don't review…well, at least you're reading. That matters, too. In any case, thanks for stopping by again for this week's chapter.

Please enjoy.


Chapter 30

- Disagreements –

"That is enough." Hiko's voice had gained a hard edge, and instinctively, Kenshin felt his mouth close and his shoulders hunch. "I will hear no more about wars or rebellions. Eat your food and attend to your duties. You've readings to finish and chores to be done. There's no time to be wasted with the goings on of the outside world."

Kenshin put down his bowl, having suddenly lost his appetite. He watched as his Master began to clear away sections of the table in sharp, wooden motions. He could tell that he was angry and he wished he'd kept his mouth closed.

"Honestly," Hiko huffed, "I expect you not to dally when I send you on errands. If you are going to be running around entertaining every thought that's presented your way - "

"-I wasn't entertaining thoughts," Kenshin interrupted, defensively. "Master, if you would just listen…"

"I said enough," Hiko ordered and obediently, Kenshin fell silent. "You are at the height of your training. If you lose focus now, you'll only jeopardize your abilities."

The boy stared down at the remainder of his food – rice and pickled vegetables. The meat was being salted and saved for the long winter ahead. They had not had time to catch fish either, so it was a simple meal. Usually, Kenshin would have no problem finishing three bowls. Today, he had only managed to pick a third of his rice from his first bowl away.

As his Master started in on the dishes, the Apprentice thought back on his last encounter in town. He'd eavesdropped on a meeting-of-sorts where farmers, vendors and even whole families had come out to voice their concerns about the upcoming winter months. It had been agreed that they would stock up whatever they could to survive it and try their best to pool resources to make up the taxes for the spring season.

There were stories that had been shared; terrible ones of penalties and suffering. Of death. It had all be in the name of the Law and so they could do nothing.

There were whispers of groups that were forming to combat the imbalance of power.

The people wanted their say.

The people wanted their freedom.

And I want to help them, Kenshin realized.

Before his Master could chew him out for falling into the nasty habit of daydreaming, he quickly stuffed the rest of his food in his mouth and downed it all with whatever remained of his soup.

I can help them, he thought, eagerly. I'm able. I'm willing. What better way is there to use what I've learned?

In his excitement, he dashed two dishes together in his haste to clean up, breaking both in the process. His nose made out the sharp smell of blood, the pinch of pain of broken flesh coming on as a secondary stimulant.

"Foolish boy!" his Master's shout made him jump more than the breaking pottery had. "What are you doing? Are you all right?"

"Yes, sir. Sorry, sir." He reached for the pieces but Hiko's larger hands intercepted his.

"Go attend to your wounds and leave this to me," his mentor said, and Kenshin could make out the man's exasperation. "The last thing I need is for you to go around breaking anything else."

Cheeks warming, Kenshin bowed his head once before hurrying outside toward the brook.

It was beginning to get colder, the winds from the North picking up. There was a scent of rain in the air, and he knew that if the temperature dropped any further, that rain would turn into snow and he wasn't looking forward to it.

The wounds were shallow, thankfully, as the clay had only grazed his skin. They would not affect his grip on his sword and he breathed out a sigh of relief as he watched the blood wash away with the flowing water.

He took the time to sort out his thoughts and by the time he trudged back to the cabin, he'd come up with a plan.

Excitement getting the best of him again, he all but crashed into the small space, eyes alight.

"Master," he cried, "why don't you come with me to one of the Town meetings?" He was certain if he did, he would understand the people's situations. Then, if he was still opposed to Kenshin helping, maybe Hiko would volunteer his services instead. Perhaps they could even work together…

Hiko glanced up from the cupboards, slanting a look at his apprentice. "Are you still on about that nonsense?"

Stricken, Kenshin let the door close behind him with a soft thud. "It's not nonsense, sir! People's suffering is not something to turn a blind eye to."

"The only person who will be suffering will be you," his Master growled, crossing his burly arms over his chest. "I already said that I will hear no more of this topic."

"Not talking about it doesn't mean it's not happening," Kenshin argued, feeling himself flush with frustration. He knew he was toeing the line with his flippant remark, but he couldn't help himself. Didn't Hiko have a heart? Didn't Hiko care?

No…

No, apparently he didn't.

"You don't want to be bothered because it doesn't concern you," Kenshin pushed the issue, not caring that Hiko's face darkened in anger. "You're not the one being oppressed. And because you can protect yourself, you don't find it necessary to go out on a limb for others."

Hiko was in front of him in less time it took for Kenshin to blink. "Don't you dare put words in my mouth, Kenshin," he spat, through clenched teeth. "You're letting your emotions get the best of you. I thought I taught you better than that. It's pathetic."

For the first time in a long time, tears filled Kenshin's eyes. How unfair. Was he supposed to cast aside his humanity? If that was the case, he didn't want anything to do with this training.

He felt like he was seeing his beloved Master for the first time; like a great gulf divided them even though they were practically standing nose-to-nose. How had it come to this?

"From now on," Hiko announced, "you are not to go to any of these meetings again. Have I made myself clear?"

Kenshin glanced away, with the knowledge that he'd lost this confrontation quite miserably. "Yes, sir," he murmured.

"You will attend to your studies and I will increase your hours of training as punishment for today."

Gut tightening at the unfairness of it all, Kenshin swallowed his protests and nodded, glumly.

"I can't hear you."

"Yes, sir."

Hiko let out a sound that was a cross between a sigh and a snort.

Kenshin raised his eyes, defiance shining in the tears. "But that won't stop me from believing in what I do," he said, evenly. "And I still believe those people need to be helped."

Hiko turned with a swish of his cloak. "Not another word on the subject," he snapped. "I believe you have some work to do. You will not rest until you've done it all."

Lifting his chin, Kenshin stormed out of the house, again.

Even if he wasn't able to go to those meetings, he would always be able to get word from the Townspeople.

His Master had expressly forbidden him to involve himself, and for the first time in his life, Kenshin was going to knowingly disobey him. While a part of him felt guilty for the very thought of going against Hiko's wishes, the other part was determined.

It was in his heart to help.

For my namesake, I will bring justice to those who oppress, he thought as he grabbed an empty bucket. It took many trips to fill a wash tub and while he hated the task almost as much as he hated doing laundry, today, he didn't mind. The trips helped clear his mind and harden his resolve.

He would lay down his life for what he believed was right.


Word Count: 1, 335

Moving Forward...


AN: The next couple of chapters may be a bit late in coming, but I'll still try to do my best to keep up the regular weekly updates. As the story is rapidly drawing to a close, I hope I am doing this relationship breakdown properly. Let me know your thoughts. Every single one of them count and I do appreciate hearing from you!

Thanks for reading,

-P.P.V.V.

Edited: August 26, 2016