Author's note: Sorry AGAIN about the delay in updating, I have a long list of excuses but I doubt any of you are really interested in that so we'll just leave that there and hope you enjoy the chapter. I will say though that I am currently in the process of packing up my life into a series of boxes once again for moving - I'm going to try to post the next chapter again before I relocate, but I'm not sure how I'll go, and once I move I'm not too sure what I'm doing for net access yet either. So in short, if you don't hear from me for a while, I'm not dead (at least, not clinically) and I AM going to do my very best to hurry and finish the fic, but it might take just a little longer than originally anticipated. I thank you for your patience.
Response to Reviewers! (We have another personal record for number of reviews for a chapter! Thanks again everyone! I'll try my best to keep it short, but it's pretty long all the same, so if you don't want to read this section skip ahead to the pretty line and chapter.):
RoUsHi: Another new reviewer! Thank you!
MsJadey: Wow, another big long review from MsJadey! Thanks! I'm afraid you lose ten bucks, seeing as there's not even seven chapters left for me to make cliffhangers with. I could have made Hiko figure it out right away I suppose, but again I wanted to reinforce the point of his shock given that he never actually even considers he's capable of doing something like that to Kenshin, as well as the fact I wanted Kenshin to tell him himself. As for the relationship between master and student to come... well, we deal with that this chapter and the next, but you can probably guess, given your psychic tendencies. Very deep rationalisation on your part, by the way, but.... WRONG! Bwa ha ha! Just kidding. Your last comments made me laugh (heh heh - see, I laughed.) And yes, we do have patterns put in here, as you will once again see this chapter! Yay! That's it from me, thanks for the review.
Vesca: Here's a valium, breathe deeply.... ok, here's the update! A bald Vesca, that might be funny. Thanks very much for the review, and you are welcome (though for what I don't know).
Eanide: Thanks for the review, and yes, he ran. You did read it correctly.
Crazy Girl Person: Yes, he ran. People seem to be having a problem with this. Very true and insightful on Hiko's need to reflect. Yes, drink water everyone! If this fic doesn't convince you, talk to your local doctor who will! I anxiously await your next update, and thanks as always for the review! Everybody bow to Crazy Girl Person!
Hiko-and-Kenshin: Many people tell me that I am evil, so many in fact, that perhaps there might be some psychological base for the accusation after all. What are you doing up reading this at 5:26am, you crazy person? Go to SLEEP! Thanks for the review!
Kai: I'm still torn between happy/sad ending, but it's coming soon. Thanks for your review! Happy to see you are still reading.
Alandrem: Wow, here's someone I haven't seen for a long time - I remember you from Servitude! Sorry again to everyone about the cliffhangers, I've been good with them up until now though, haven't I? Anyhow, thanks for the review.
DarkHorse: I'm tempted to leave it end like that just to torture people, but guess not. Thanks for your review.
Chiruken: I do believe Hiko-and-Kenshin told me I'm evil, alone with a long list of other people, so I'm becoming convinced it's true. (Shrugs. Oh well.) Thanks very much for the very high praise, hope I didn't destroy the fragile emotions of my readers, and thanks as always for the review! Must get around to actually reviewing the rest of your fics..... it's only fair, after all.
Emz: (I want my spatula back, I have to pack it away). LOL. Thanks for the review as always, great Emz!
Kyanos: Last one! (Phew!) Really, these cliffhangers aren't intentional..... I didn't even think they were that bad of a cliffhanger..... thanks for the review, happy if you liked it! (Grins cheerily).
Ack, that took much longer than intended, especially for a fairly short chapter to come, sorry about that. Enough for me already, here's the chapter!
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Routine
Chapter 16 - Truths Unsaid
By Sinnatious
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Hiko did not return for four days.
Kenshin tiredly pulled himself out of bed, heart constricting when he was confronted with the eerie silence and the lack of his master's presence once again. He tested his shoulder painfully. It was healing well, but it would be another couple of days before he could start even thinking of training again, fast healer or not. Pain, it seemed, was something he was quickly becoming used to - he hardly noticed the slash across his chest or other more minor injuries. He was fortunate that thanks to Hiko's care, he probably wouldn't scar. He didn't want any more reminders of that incident than absolutely necessary. In fact, he was trying his hardest to forget it, but Hiko's continued absence made it most difficult, the emptiness and silence itself pressing down upon him. Had his Shishou truly abadoned him? Would he ever come back?
Even not knowing, Kenshin attempted to go about with things as he normally would have - as best as he could in his state, anyway. The day Hiko had left he'd still been terribly weak and in pain so it had been difficult to pull himself from his futon in order to get food and drink, but even if he had since improved he still exhausted quickly and it took him a great deal time to do anything. Which was good in a way, because he didn't want to have too much spare time on his hands, otherwise he might start thinking about his confession and its repercussions, or many of the other recent events better left untouched in the river of time. He certainly didn't want to be thinking like that, because every time he did, he began to wonder if all of his worst fears had at last come true.
Even more distressing was that Hiko had left without Kenshin even getting the chance to tell him everything, and the swordsman wasn't entirely certain if he could work up the courage to confront his master twice. As much as he wanted to just leave it as is, given that he'd probably done enough damage already, there were other facets of Hiko's drunkeness that the young swordsman couldn't let lie. It did not make for peaceful sleep at night, that was for certain.
That, and the complete and utter emptiness of the mountain.
Well, it was a good thing that Hiko had brought back plenty of food when he'd gone to pick up supplies the other day, the red-head admitted to himself. Given that it was only himself he was cooking for at the moment, he had enough for days yet. His lack of appetite probably helped.
Sighing to himself, Kenshin surveyed the empty kitchen - he had managed to clean it up some but without the proper use of both arms there wasn't much he could do about the door yet. It appeared that they were out of water - he didn't even really consider that technically it was 'he', not 'they', who was out of water, and refused to acknowledge anything different. Picking up the bucket, favouring his wounded shoulder, Kenshin made his way wearily out to the river. The walk seemed so long at times like this.
He filled the bucket, then sat in the grass for a while, thinking he could at least take the opportunity to do some meditation; even if he couldn't practice his sword technique, he could still work on his ki control. After an hour or so, he gave up in frustration as he found himself constantly distracted. Sighing again, he looked at the innocent bucket of water as if perhaps it could suggestion a solution to his problems. When it surrendered no opinion, Kenshin merely threw his arms up into the air in a gesture of surrender, winced as he remembered his wounds, picked up the bucket of water and began walking back to the hut, already dreading another dinner eaten alone. Even having a drunk Hiko here was better than this, though how he could still be thinking that after being beaten half to death made him wonder. Shishou was right - he really was stupid.
Kenshin was so wrapped up in his thoughts that he didn't notice the presence of a familiar ki until he was almost back at the hut. He hesitated briefly, at first not daring to believe, but as he delved deeper into his senses there was no doubt. Overcome by a sudden rush of excitement, he hurried with the water to the still-broken door of their hut. "Shishou! You came back!"
Startled upon his entry, the youth dropped the bucket of water to spill onto the floor and over his feet as he was overwhelmed with the stench of sake. Horror quickly replaced joy as the power of it made his eyes water. No..... he hadn't.....
Sake was everywhere. The smell of it was overpowering, far stronger than he'd ever smelt it before. It even covered the floor of the hut. It was like a vision from his nightmares - and standing amidst the shallow sea of sake was his master, Hiko Seijuuro the 13th.
His breathing shallow, Kenshin kept trying to force himself to wake up, desperately attempting not to panic, not believing what he was seeing, what he was being faced with. The pain in his shoulder seemed to freshen as the odor of the sake made all of his worst memories seem like only yesterday. It was as if time itself had frozen, until Hiko moved his head slightly to regard the red-head out of the corner of his eye, though he still did not fully turn around.
Seeing this, Kenshin managed to force himself to relax marginally, as apparently his Shishou was quite sober, holding only the shallow dish he used for just tasting sake. Around him, though, were the shattered remains and spilled contents of his two favourite sake jugs, the source of the powerful odour. Hiko still stood in the centre of it all, turning back to the shallow dish after a moment, expression thus hidden from the youth.
"Shishou? What are you doing?"
In disgust, the swordmaster cast aside the small dish of sake. "It still tastes bitter," he muttered. Ignoring his pupil's question, he said, "I suppose I should apologise for leaving you like that for four days. I'm glad to see that you managed without me."
It wasn't what Kenshin expected to hear from his Shishou, but took it as a sign that the man was back in control again, though obviously not quite yet himself. But what was his master's usual self these days anyway? Somewhere along the line, that had become blurred to the apprentice. "I'm glad you came back." Well, ninty percent of him was. The other ten percent was dreading having to complete his confession of sorts.
A painful silence stretched on, Hiko still not turning to face the red- head. Even though the swordsman wanted to give the man longer before dropping another bombshell on him, he felt that if he didn't act now, taking what may be his one opportunity, his courage would falter and he'd never be able to say anything on the matter ever again. Finally, he said, "Ano, Shishou, can we go outside? I can't breathe in here."
Hiko chuckled to himself, a sound which relieved the apprentice even further. Perhaps not everything would have to change after all, and even if his master was aware of everything he might not become a different person. "You have a point, baka deshi. We should probably talk, anyway."
Kenshin nodded, hurriedly going outside and waiting patiently for his master to follow. Hiko kept walking, until they were at the cliff by the waterfall where they often trained. He took a seat on the rock where he'd waited all afternoon for the boy to wake up that time, and Kenshin remained standing a short distance away.
They remained this way for some time, neither willing to break the silence. Finally, figuring it was probably his place, Hiko forced himself to speak - what he had to say wasn't easy for him, but it had to be said. "You should have told me sooner. I wasn't even aware."
"I know, Shishou. I'm sorry."
Hiko knew there had to be more to the story than that if his apprentice truly had kept such a thing secret for so long. His moment of terror when he'd come back to the hut to find him with the smashed remains of the jugs of sake hadn't been missed - what could motivate him to hide from his own master something that frightened him so? That, though, would have to wait until more important things had been said. ".....Are you still willing to train under me? I'm going to ensure that it never happens again. I'll give up sake if I must."
The boy's expression was one of surprise. Hiko sensed great wave of relief from his ki. "Of course I'm willing, Shishou! I was afraid that you would refuse to teach me."
"Rubbish, baka deshi. I am the one at fault. We'll have to lay off for a few days until your wounds fully heal, though," Hiko said, keeping his voice gruff to mask his own relief. His pupil was certainly a special one, if he'd so readily forgive him for attempting to kill him, drunk or not. Just at the times he started to think he'd made the wrong decision, the spirited youth would surprise him.
Another silence stretched on, this one slightly less tense. As usual, volumes remained unspoken, yet somehow understood between them. Between the two, that would likely be how it would always be. Suddenly, though, the boy spoke, breaking the stillness.
"Shishou," Kenshin said, turning to face him properly. A brief breeze tousled his clothes and hair. Hiko raised his eyes to watch his apprentice carefully, wondering what it was. Looking at his stance, he frowned. Was his pupil going to attack him? It certainly felt like it, he seemed to be trying to build up his confidence in his ki, but he could read NOTHING in his stance. His facial expression, his position, no clues at all. And Hiko knew every attack Kenshin knew - even to how he might throw a punch. What attack could it possibly be? Maybe - something he'd made up? Could he have been wrong in hoping the boy would so readily forgive him for such a horrible transgression?
Kenshin took one step forward, then another, until he stood right in front of his master. Hiko waited patiently, as Kenshin hung his head and stared at the ground at length.
"Hiko," he breathed. Hiko started at the sound of his name coming from his apprentice's throat. Since when did the baka deshi EVER refer to his master as anything other than Shishou?
"What do you want now?" the swordmaster asked, still trying to figure out what else his apprentice could possibly have left up his sleeve.
"I- You left before I had the chance to tell you everything."
The older man almost felt the urge to recoil at that. What else could there possibly be to tell? He wasn't so sure if he wanted to know, but after what he had unwittingly put his student through he owed it to at least hear him out this time.
"What is it?"
Kenshin seemed indecisive, opening and closing his mouth as if searching for the right words, but those right words simply didn't exist.
Perhaps, had the situation been any different, he might have taunted the red-head at this point in time. But the swordmaster knew that it would be quite some time before things would be the same again, if they ever were the same ever again. So he waited for his apprentice to act.
What that act was, not even the Hiten Mitsuryugi master could have predicted.
Kenshin leaned over, and kissed him passionately.
Hiko didn't quite know what to do about that.
It lasted for a good half a minute or so, the swordmaster too shocked to do anything other than sit there, eyes wide and pupils dwindled to obscurity. Finally, Kenshin let him out of it, a little bit wide eyed himself. Had he just kissed his own Shishou?
Well, it wasn't like it was the first time. But this time, his Shishou wasn't drunk, and for another, wasn't the one who had instigated it.
Oh, crap. He hadn't really considered how the man might react if he didn't understand immediately. Apologies and forgiveness and everything else aside, he was still a dead man. It'd be at least a Ryu-Kan-Sen-Tsumuji.
"Well, that was certainly....," Hiko stuttered, straightening out his mantle - Hiko Seijuuro, stuttering. Another incredibly rare and embarrassing event. But what word could he use to finish that sentence? Surprising? Well, certainly. Amazing? Well..... Actually, come to think of it, his baka deshi was a disturbingly good kisser, he had to be experienced, no one ever learnt to kiss like that without some practice. But where had he-
Oh no.
Face turning pale, Hiko regarded his pupil once again, who was staring at him as if he expected to have his head removed by a katana. "I didn't."
Nodding nervously, Kenshin affirmed, "You did. Many times."
For the second time in less than a week, Hiko fled like the demons of hell themselves were after him.
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I don't do this on purpose, really. It just happens this way. Please don't forget to review.
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