I know I haven't even finished any of my other fics, but yes I am
starting a new one! This little creation came to me one night as I was
reading and I felt that I just had to get it out here for everyone to read!
Well, this is supposed to take place back during the revolution; right
after Kenshin had been found and taken in by Hiko. Hiko taught Kenshin all
he knew about swordsmanship, but you know someone had to teach Kenshin more
about life in general. I mean not like Hiko couldn't have done it, but I
always thought there had to be some sort of motherly figure in Kenshin's
younger life. So I decided to substitute my own ideas about what it was
like for him in those early days!
Chapter 1,
The Tigress
A young Kenshin Himura stumbled down the bank of the river that ran a ways from Hiko's home. He had been sent to fetch water by his master and so with great eagerness and willingness to please his beloved sensei, he stumbled along as quickly as his tiny legs would allow him as he tried to balance the heavy wooden buckets on the pole that lay across his shoulders. He rolled the bottoms of his hakama up so that he could wade out into the mud far enough so that he could fill his buckets with clean water. His task was tedious and exhausting; for the fast running current threatened to carry away his pale if he let his fingers slip even the slightest off of the handle. The young boy hooked both buckets back over the notches in his pole and hoisted the heavy burden up onto his shoulders. As he turned to make his way back up the bank he realized now why his master had told him to be careful which part of the river he got the water from. With all of the extra weight now resting precariously on his shoulders there was no way Kenshin would be able to scramble back up the muddy bank side.
Kenshin: Uh oh, this does not look good that it doesn't! How will this one ever manage to get back up?
Kenshin was never one to quit without even trying though, so he began his dangerous assent, carefully placing one foot in front of the other, but he had only made it up a few steps before he began sliding back down. The bank was just as steep all along that side, as far as Kenshin could tell, but there was a bend in the river a little ways downstream, so he headed down that way in hopes of finding an easier way out of this little trap. There were thick forests on either side of the stream as he rounded the small turn, and now he couldn't even tell what lay beyond the ridge of the bank.
Kenshin: I hope there aren't any robbers around here.
All of a sudden a small bobber attached to a fishing line plopped into the water a short distance from him, and he watched it as it was swept away in the current, the fish nibbling madly at it before he realized that the line had to have an owner. So the young boy discharged his load and cupped his hands around his mouth and called to whoever it was on the far side of the bank.
Kenshin: HELLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, is anyone up there?
The shocked face of a young woman peered over the bank side at the youngster. She seemed harmless enough and so Kenshin waved his arms above his head to make sure he had her attention. She was pretty, no older than 20 years, but her slightly tan skin and dusty hair told him that she had been outside a while. Her eyes were a sparkling grayish white color and she had long, blondish brown hair. She wore a wide brimmed straw hat, and western styled black riding breeches, she also wore a loose white gi and was bare foot. She was definitely a foreigner, because she had a western accent and most of the women around these parts didn't just walk around dressed, well, like her.
Woman: Can I help you sir?
Kenshin: (nervously rubbing the back of his head) Um, this may sound strange, but I can't get back up the river bank and I was wondering if you new of a place where it would be a little less steep so that I might get out of here.
The young girl chuckled at his predicament before nodding her head and replying to him.
Woman: Hold on little fella, give me a second and I'll get you out of there.
She returned after a few moments with a thick rope, which she had tied a small stone to the end of to use as a weight.
Woman: I'll throw this to you, an you just grab a hold and I'll pull you across to this side an haul you up.
Kenshin: Couldn't I just find a flatter place to climb out of here?
Woman: Sure, if you feel like walking with those buckets on your shoulders for the next four miles. But trust me; this way is just a little bit faster! Now, tie the rope about your waste, and hold tight to those buckets so you don't loose them.
Kenshin did as he was told and though he did get quite wet, he was across and out of the ravine in no time at all. The woman even helped him to refill his buckets with water and gave him some dry clothes to wear until his others were clean.
Woman: I'll just bring them back tomorrow, but for now, let's get you home.
Kenshin: Um, oh, by the way, I didn't happen to catch your name.
Woman: Hah, it's Jessie, Jessie Carllow. And you are?
Kenshin: My name is Kenshin Himura. I live a ways back on the other side of this stream with my sensei, Master Hiko.
Jessie: Well, we'll just get you back to your master Hiko before he starts to wonder where you've been.
Kenshin: But how will we get across the river?
Jessie: Well, WE can't cross the river, but a good friend of mine can!
Kenshin: Really! Who?
Jessie: You'll see, we just have to get back to my house; it's not far from here.
She led him back a ways into the woods, where they found a small cottage with little puffs of grey smoke coming from the chimney. A large coral off to the side held several cattle among other livestock, but tethered to a small post at the front of the house stood a rather large Arabian stallion. He was a fiery reddish gold color, save for his mane and tail which were a stark white, with clear blue eyes, and four white hooves.
Kenshin: I can't ride a horse.
Jessie: Well you won't be riding him alone, I'll go with you.
She saddled up the brute, who whinnied anxiously, yearning to get out and run. She put Kenshin up first and then swung her own body up over the horses back. He snorted at the extra body that now sat upon his back, not understanding why such a tiny little thing would be allowed to ride him. Jessie didn't even need to kick him to get him going; he just bolted off in the direction of the river. Kenshin gripped madly onto the animal's mane, his eyes scrunched shut. The horse bucked his head at the small annoyance, but galloped on, skidding almost to a stop at the first side of the bank and completely leapt over the river, landing gracefully on the other side. Kenshin's grip relaxed and he began to open his eyes at the blurry world as they sped along. The ride wasn't so bad after he got used to it, and a small smile spread over his face as Jessie gave a whoop to urge the mount on. They halted suddenly when Kenshin pointed out Hiko's house, almost throwing the poor boy off. Kenshin unhooked his buckets from the horse's saddle, which, surprisingly enough were still full of water, and thanked Jessie for her kindness.
Jessie: No problem, just be careful next time, hey, if you ever want to learn to ride, you know where to find me!
Kenshin: Alright, thank-you again.
He waved as Jessie turned and headed back to her own home, she responded with an identical gesture, and noticed that Hiko had come out to see who had returned his student.
Jessie: (whispering in her horses ear) Come on, Stud, get us home now.
Kenshin: (muttering to himself) An odd name for a horse.........
Hiko: BAKA-DESHI!!
Kenshin: Uh, oh......hello sensei, I've brought you your water.
Hiko: Where have you been, and why are you dressed in those ridiculous clothes, and for Kami-sama's sake, do you have any idea who that woman was?
Hiko had begun to shake Kenshin by his shoulders, causing him to spill the majority of the water in his buckets. The child simply stared at his master in fear and slight confusion.
Kenshin: I went to get your water, and I got stuck in the ravine.
Hiko: I told you to watch where you went to get it!!
Kenshin: I......I forgot.
Hiko: GRRRRRRAAARRRRRRRRR.........oh, just forget it, just promise me you'll never set another foot near that woman so long as you may live!
Kenshin: But she was very kind to me, that she was, and she helped me get out of the ravine, and refill my pales, and......
Hiko: And I don't care! Just never set one foot near her again!
Kenshin: But, why master?
Hiko: Because that woman is a pure evil little witch!! She's a tigress without stripes, who hides among the unsuspecting and then strikes without warning!!
Kenshin: Sessha fears he does not understand your anger.
Hiko: I'm your sensei, you needn't need to understand my reasoning or anger, just do as I say!
Kenshin: Yes sir.
Hiko: Now, go and fetch us some water, and this time, don't get yourself stuck!!
Kenshin: Ugggghhh, yes sensei.
The young boy trudged off to redo his tiresome task, pondering all the while just what could possibly make his master despise the kindly young girl so very much. Maybe they had a history. He would have to investigate this later, but for now, he had to attend to his chores.
Well readers, how do you like it? I promise you all, it will get much better, but for now, this will have to do. Hope you all liked it!
Chapter 1,
The Tigress
A young Kenshin Himura stumbled down the bank of the river that ran a ways from Hiko's home. He had been sent to fetch water by his master and so with great eagerness and willingness to please his beloved sensei, he stumbled along as quickly as his tiny legs would allow him as he tried to balance the heavy wooden buckets on the pole that lay across his shoulders. He rolled the bottoms of his hakama up so that he could wade out into the mud far enough so that he could fill his buckets with clean water. His task was tedious and exhausting; for the fast running current threatened to carry away his pale if he let his fingers slip even the slightest off of the handle. The young boy hooked both buckets back over the notches in his pole and hoisted the heavy burden up onto his shoulders. As he turned to make his way back up the bank he realized now why his master had told him to be careful which part of the river he got the water from. With all of the extra weight now resting precariously on his shoulders there was no way Kenshin would be able to scramble back up the muddy bank side.
Kenshin: Uh oh, this does not look good that it doesn't! How will this one ever manage to get back up?
Kenshin was never one to quit without even trying though, so he began his dangerous assent, carefully placing one foot in front of the other, but he had only made it up a few steps before he began sliding back down. The bank was just as steep all along that side, as far as Kenshin could tell, but there was a bend in the river a little ways downstream, so he headed down that way in hopes of finding an easier way out of this little trap. There were thick forests on either side of the stream as he rounded the small turn, and now he couldn't even tell what lay beyond the ridge of the bank.
Kenshin: I hope there aren't any robbers around here.
All of a sudden a small bobber attached to a fishing line plopped into the water a short distance from him, and he watched it as it was swept away in the current, the fish nibbling madly at it before he realized that the line had to have an owner. So the young boy discharged his load and cupped his hands around his mouth and called to whoever it was on the far side of the bank.
Kenshin: HELLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, is anyone up there?
The shocked face of a young woman peered over the bank side at the youngster. She seemed harmless enough and so Kenshin waved his arms above his head to make sure he had her attention. She was pretty, no older than 20 years, but her slightly tan skin and dusty hair told him that she had been outside a while. Her eyes were a sparkling grayish white color and she had long, blondish brown hair. She wore a wide brimmed straw hat, and western styled black riding breeches, she also wore a loose white gi and was bare foot. She was definitely a foreigner, because she had a western accent and most of the women around these parts didn't just walk around dressed, well, like her.
Woman: Can I help you sir?
Kenshin: (nervously rubbing the back of his head) Um, this may sound strange, but I can't get back up the river bank and I was wondering if you new of a place where it would be a little less steep so that I might get out of here.
The young girl chuckled at his predicament before nodding her head and replying to him.
Woman: Hold on little fella, give me a second and I'll get you out of there.
She returned after a few moments with a thick rope, which she had tied a small stone to the end of to use as a weight.
Woman: I'll throw this to you, an you just grab a hold and I'll pull you across to this side an haul you up.
Kenshin: Couldn't I just find a flatter place to climb out of here?
Woman: Sure, if you feel like walking with those buckets on your shoulders for the next four miles. But trust me; this way is just a little bit faster! Now, tie the rope about your waste, and hold tight to those buckets so you don't loose them.
Kenshin did as he was told and though he did get quite wet, he was across and out of the ravine in no time at all. The woman even helped him to refill his buckets with water and gave him some dry clothes to wear until his others were clean.
Woman: I'll just bring them back tomorrow, but for now, let's get you home.
Kenshin: Um, oh, by the way, I didn't happen to catch your name.
Woman: Hah, it's Jessie, Jessie Carllow. And you are?
Kenshin: My name is Kenshin Himura. I live a ways back on the other side of this stream with my sensei, Master Hiko.
Jessie: Well, we'll just get you back to your master Hiko before he starts to wonder where you've been.
Kenshin: But how will we get across the river?
Jessie: Well, WE can't cross the river, but a good friend of mine can!
Kenshin: Really! Who?
Jessie: You'll see, we just have to get back to my house; it's not far from here.
She led him back a ways into the woods, where they found a small cottage with little puffs of grey smoke coming from the chimney. A large coral off to the side held several cattle among other livestock, but tethered to a small post at the front of the house stood a rather large Arabian stallion. He was a fiery reddish gold color, save for his mane and tail which were a stark white, with clear blue eyes, and four white hooves.
Kenshin: I can't ride a horse.
Jessie: Well you won't be riding him alone, I'll go with you.
She saddled up the brute, who whinnied anxiously, yearning to get out and run. She put Kenshin up first and then swung her own body up over the horses back. He snorted at the extra body that now sat upon his back, not understanding why such a tiny little thing would be allowed to ride him. Jessie didn't even need to kick him to get him going; he just bolted off in the direction of the river. Kenshin gripped madly onto the animal's mane, his eyes scrunched shut. The horse bucked his head at the small annoyance, but galloped on, skidding almost to a stop at the first side of the bank and completely leapt over the river, landing gracefully on the other side. Kenshin's grip relaxed and he began to open his eyes at the blurry world as they sped along. The ride wasn't so bad after he got used to it, and a small smile spread over his face as Jessie gave a whoop to urge the mount on. They halted suddenly when Kenshin pointed out Hiko's house, almost throwing the poor boy off. Kenshin unhooked his buckets from the horse's saddle, which, surprisingly enough were still full of water, and thanked Jessie for her kindness.
Jessie: No problem, just be careful next time, hey, if you ever want to learn to ride, you know where to find me!
Kenshin: Alright, thank-you again.
He waved as Jessie turned and headed back to her own home, she responded with an identical gesture, and noticed that Hiko had come out to see who had returned his student.
Jessie: (whispering in her horses ear) Come on, Stud, get us home now.
Kenshin: (muttering to himself) An odd name for a horse.........
Hiko: BAKA-DESHI!!
Kenshin: Uh, oh......hello sensei, I've brought you your water.
Hiko: Where have you been, and why are you dressed in those ridiculous clothes, and for Kami-sama's sake, do you have any idea who that woman was?
Hiko had begun to shake Kenshin by his shoulders, causing him to spill the majority of the water in his buckets. The child simply stared at his master in fear and slight confusion.
Kenshin: I went to get your water, and I got stuck in the ravine.
Hiko: I told you to watch where you went to get it!!
Kenshin: I......I forgot.
Hiko: GRRRRRRAAARRRRRRRRR.........oh, just forget it, just promise me you'll never set another foot near that woman so long as you may live!
Kenshin: But she was very kind to me, that she was, and she helped me get out of the ravine, and refill my pales, and......
Hiko: And I don't care! Just never set one foot near her again!
Kenshin: But, why master?
Hiko: Because that woman is a pure evil little witch!! She's a tigress without stripes, who hides among the unsuspecting and then strikes without warning!!
Kenshin: Sessha fears he does not understand your anger.
Hiko: I'm your sensei, you needn't need to understand my reasoning or anger, just do as I say!
Kenshin: Yes sir.
Hiko: Now, go and fetch us some water, and this time, don't get yourself stuck!!
Kenshin: Ugggghhh, yes sensei.
The young boy trudged off to redo his tiresome task, pondering all the while just what could possibly make his master despise the kindly young girl so very much. Maybe they had a history. He would have to investigate this later, but for now, he had to attend to his chores.
Well readers, how do you like it? I promise you all, it will get much better, but for now, this will have to do. Hope you all liked it!
