OF WINE AND WATER by: P.P.V.V.
Disclaimer: The Standard Disclaim applies…
AN: What a great response, yet again. Thanks for sharing your opinions with me, everyone. I was greatly encouraged and my muse was piqued to go ahead and write the next bit. I found out that this story has not only been favorited and followed on this website, but it's being blogged about and shared through other social media. I'm so happy! Thank you guys, so much!
Onward.
Chapter 32
- Inevitable Regrets -
The day Kenshin decided to leave, it was overcast and chilly. If ever it were to snow, it would be a wet one.
As such, an extra pair of pants, a couple of shirts and socks went into a small rucksack. These were followed by his worn pair of gauntlets that he used in his every day training and kept his hands warm. He decided against his sandals, favoring the study boots that Hiko had invested in just that year for him.
There was little that he owned that was dear to him in regards to trinkets, so when Hiko handed him the wooden top, he could not help but be surprised. It was the same one he'd played with for years until his training became so difficult that he'd forgotten about it all together.
"Don't forget to pack some food," Hiko said, brusquely, effectively ending whatever awkward pause had wedged itself between them.
A sheepish look stole the young man's features. "I really shouldn't…" he began, and Hiko frowned down at him, sternly.
"You haven't left the house yet. Until you do so, you are still under my care. What is under my roof belongs to you while you are here."
His words caused Kenshin to have difficulty swallowing. The way Hiko cleared his throat before continuing to speak, told him that it must have been twice as hard on his mentor. For the umpteenth time, he felt guilt sting him. "The road will be a long one and it looks like it will snow heavily. You might even be holed up somewhere before you can find whichever wretched group you will join. You'll need whatever sustenance you can get."
Kenshin nodded slowly and bent to tuck the toy into the folds of his sack. Then, he raised his head as if something occurred to him. "Master…when I am settled, I will send word to you. If I can, I will send you letters - "
"-Don't bother."
The statement made his boy blink.
"I have no need to know of your foolishness. Nor do I have the desire to know about whatever is going on in this war that you fancy so much. If you get killed with your crazy ideals, then so be it. And if you survive, which I doubt highly, you'll come to be filled with regret to the point of insanity. I have no need to know of that, either."
Kenshin looked like he wanted to argue, but Hiko cut him off again, not wanting to hear his whining lest he think he entertained the thoughts. "In fact, it might be better that you did die so that you wouldn't have to go through that hell. It would be kinder."
Hand stilling over his bulging travel pack, the student shot an incredulous look at his Master. The strings to the bag swung like a pendulum, demanding attention but they went ignored. "So…so you're hoping that I die, is that it?" The words were harsh, full of disbelief and hurt.
"No!" Hiko's cry filled the small cabin. His hands – those same hands that had come to his rescue so long ago; that had rubbed his back to soothe away the fear that came in the night - came out to grasp Kenshin's shoulders. "That's the last thing I want, do you understand me?" Still in shock, the boy felt himself get shaken. "That's the last thing," he repeated, slowly, with emphasis.
His gaze was dark and earnest, filled with worry and an emotion that Kenshin had never been able to place.
Until now.
It made leaving all the harder.
When his hands had come up to grasp his Master's shirt, he had no idea, but his fingers curled into the material as the realization hit him like a punch to the gut.
"Kenshin!"
Sucking in a breath, Kenshin managed to squeak, "Yes, sir! I understand, sir…"
The grip on his shoulders relaxed a little and he was set back, but his fingers refused to untangle themselves.
They stayed that way for a long time, both trying to find the courage to pull away first.
"The letters…one day, they'd stop, and I'd never be able to bear it." The admission made Kenshin stiffen and his guilt level intensify. "So, I would rather be oblivious than stand on my doorstep worrying over your safety. Besides," Hiko's voice became rough again, dropping the underlying tenderness in favor of its usual biting sarcasm, "if you got killed, it would only be because of your lack of skills."
"I can take care of myself," Kenshin assured him, the stubborn grip his fingers insisted on taking in his mentor's shirt, loosening at last. "Trust in your teaching, Master."
Hiko finally turned, keeping his face hidden so that his boy was not able to see his expression. Was it disappointed? Most probably. Maybe it was sad. If that was the case, Kenshin was certain Hiko would never show it. "Apparently, it wasn't enough. And in no way was it completed." His white cloak ruffled gently as the man strode away, leaving that bitter statement in the air and letting the awkward silence hang between them once again. "I'm going out to get some firewood. When I get back, you'd better be gone."
"Master…"
"Pack some food," Hiko reminded him.
"…Master..."
"And above all, remember your principles."
Kenshin sighed, looking down at the sword that hung at his waist. "…Yes, Master."
With that, Hiko left, without another word and not once looking back.
His student watched his broad back until it disappeared from sight, and fought back the tears of frustration and regret. Things could not have turned out any worse.
The sound of something falling made him jump and swivel in place. His amethyst eyes caught sight of the wooden top, which had slithered from its place in the un-tightened sack. It reminded him that he only had a few moments to gather his things and get going. As he picked it up, he wondered whether he would ever get a chance to play with it; whether his Master meant to remind him of his naivety and youth.
With that thought, new worries began to sprout in Kenshin's mind. He would have to prove himself so that the others would take him seriously. He didn't even want to think about not being able to qualify for the war. Returning here would be just as humiliating as it would be disgraceful. His pride considered leaving the toy behind, but something caused him to bury it deep within the sack so that it would stay safe and hidden.
Once he finished doing so, he hurriedly rummaged through the cabinets to help himself to food that would not spoil very quickly. His Master would return soon and he knew the man would not be happy to find that he was still lingering around. Chastising himself for dallying, he forced himself toward the door where he slipped his warm coat on. He adjusted his sack over his shoulders and took a quick look around the place – his home – for the last time, memorizing its layout and its smell.
From here on out, he would no longer be under his Master's protection.
From here on out, he would be alone.
Again.
Resigned to that idea, and more terrified than he wanted to admit, Kenshin crossed the threshold, knowing that it was possible that he would never return there again.
Word Count: 1, 242
Moving forward…
AN: And he's out! We all knew it was inevitable. I hope you enjoyed the chapter…and I really hope I didn't make the Master and Student too out of character. But I can't imagine how hard it must have been for the both of them. I imagine it was a bitter falling apart and that even though Kenshin disappointed Hiko, it didn't mean that Hiko hated him for it.
Your thoughts, as always, are welcome! I'd love to hear from you again.
Thanks for reading,
-P.P.V.V.
Edited: August 26, 2016
