Kenshin and Hiko walked down the roads of Tokyo market, bypassing people and stalls. Loads of merchants and their carts of goods moving and yelling at people.
Hiko pushed a man who was drunk by the side singing and dancing to a tune only in his head. The hat on his head fell and he bent to pick it up but fell due to no stamina and he shook his head "the level of drunks are increasing around Tokyo. You come out every day to an addict"
Kenshin looked back at the man since they had passed him "drunkenness is what people use to chase away sorrow and grief. Pain they don't to feel anymore and—"
"More like to chase away laziness also? You can't use that as leverage to sit around on the street." Hiko spit out, venom laced in his words. His head turned to another man who looked torn and haggard sitting down on the floor sniffing something into his nose.
"Take a look at that druggie"his head jerked to him appraising him so intently "does he look like someone who got into pain or grief? No he doesn't. He looks like a person who hates working and hates adding blood to the society and do you know their end or what would be of them?" Kenshin shook his head and he sniggered.
"Well that's for another day"
"What do you think of adding one more apprentice alongside me?" They stopped to buy dried meat from a woman's stall. Hill turned to him and smiled eerily, shaking his head. He mouthed "no" and gave the woman money before Kenshin picked up a stick of dried meat and they left.
"Not everyone wants to train in Tokyo, some are against the dojo and want it down. Don't ever force anyone to train or learn from you. Swordsmanship comes from the heart and moves to the brain with practice."
***
"Seems we are going to be moving on to the next phase of the training but the question that always tugs my mind is if you are ready?!!" Hiko flung the wooden sword at Kenshin and he stumbled back but still had his stance with him.
He started after him hitting and willing the stick relentlessly at him and Kenshin swung his carelessly, some touched him and some didn't. He coughed but hiko didn't stop hitting him, kenshin coughed, his voice inaudible as he pleaded and hiko laughed.
Kenshin coughed and blood spluttered out from his mouth, bending over on one knee he coughed continuously and hiko stood in front of him, dragging his hair up his face coming into view "I can't teach you the next technique if you keep on being this weak . My student can never be this weak , now stand up and fight me like an enemy"
Kenshin wriggled his hair from his grasp and Hiko clicked his tongue stepping back before turning back to leave but turned again to stop the hit that almost touched his head. He laughed maniacally, retreating as Kenshin came after him fighting with vigor and strength.
Their sticks clanking together, nobody stopping, labored breathing and sweat dripping down both bodies. Kenshin was gaining on him and Hiko let him but when he got him on his shoulder he knew he wasn't letting him have his way but he was gaining on him.
His height was not much taller than when he had come but he was getting mature and his height was almost the same. His rough brown hair flew in the air as he fought. Hiko's was packed at the back so it didn't matter or got stucked up in his face.
While hiko saw that kenshin was gaining on him and defeating him, he smirked, swinging his legs and marching up to a tree and jumping down thus hitting kenshin in his stick he had already set straight landing on it.
He fell on his butt and hiko came down from the tree hitting him before he could stand and fight at his chest restricting his movements. He exhaled walking away and Hiko smiled, clasping his hands on his shoulders.
"You did well," he praised.
"So am I ready for the next training?" Kenshin asked, walking away. Hiko followed by shaking his head but Kenshin didn't see it "Nahhhh that would wait for a time. We need to wriggle up more of our bones together"
Kenshin turned and scowled at him before walking away.