Oh yes!! I'm back with my new story, and I hope you all like it!!!
On with the fic!
Chapter 2,
Jessie Carllow
Kenshin (who by the way is about 8 years old at this time) was polishing his practice sword by the well at his master's home. He was pondering over the reprimand given to him by his Shisho the previous day, but couldn't seem to understand why Hiko so strongly disliked this western woman. Maybe he was afraid that she would be a bad influence to him, or maybe he thought that she would turn Kenshin against him? But none of it seemed to be very probable, so the boy sat in the sunlight, continuing to polish his blade as a pensive expression danced across his young face.
The sound of hoof beats along the dirt road alerted the boy that they had some unexpected company. The next sounds to reach his ears were the angry shouts of his master as they clashed with the high pitched whinnies of a very upset horse. Kenshin ran as quick as his feet would carry him to the front of the house, where he witnessed his master as the angry man swung a sword high over his head in an attempt to slash the beast's rider to pieces!
Kenshin: Master, NO!!!! What are you doing, you're going to kill someone!
Hiko: Stay out of this boy! This doesn't concern you!
Kenshin: Please, she's not going to hurt anyone, she only came to return my clothes.
Hiko: WHAT!!!!! Why in Kami-sama's name would she have your clothes!?!?!? That's it, you little wench, what have you done to my student!?!
Kenshin: (throwing himself in the way of his master's blade) No, it's not like that, please Shisho, just let her leave here in peace!
Jessie: My goodness sir, you know, I've met men like you before, your blood pressure'll be the death of you. I was only coming to return the boy's clothes, they got wet yesterday as I was pulling him out of the river. If it pleases ya, I'll be off now, for all our sakes.
Hiko: (trying in earnest to remain calm) No, I believe you and I need to have a talk, if you'll walk this way? Kenshin, please take this girl's horse to the well, keep him company for a bit.
The young boy just stood, completely baffled, as his master shoved the reins of the horse into his hands, and turned to Jessie, roughly taking her by the arm and heading back down the road with her, his voice lowered to a deadly hiss.
Hiko: Why are you here!
Jessie: I'm sorry, I didn't know you had a son, I helped him out yesterday, and when he told me he lived with you, I thought for sure it had to be some other guy.
Hiko: He's not my son! And please, just stay away from him, I don't need you to turn him on me too.
Jessie: Oh! Come off it already! I would never do such a thing, he already knows how to get to my house anyway, so how do you know that he won't just wander back over one day?
Hiko: Because he'll listen to ME!!!
Jessie: You got some real issues, you know that? It's this kind of behavior that screws kids up for life, you know?
Hiko: No, it's spending too much time with cowards like you that will screw him up!
Jessie: HOW DARE YOU EVEN THINK OF CALLING ME A COWARD!
Hiko: I wasn't thinking, I was doing!
Jessie: (beginning to walk away) You sound just like my brother!
Hiko: Good, at least one of us does!
And my fellow readers, that was the straw that broke the camel's back, the moment those words reached her ears, she turned and swung with all of her might, a perfect left hook to Hiko's cheek bone. The blow caught him purely by surprise, and the tall man staggered back a moment, chuckling slightly, but just loud enough for her to hear.
Hiko: I guess I deserved that one, just get out of here for now. I don't need your help to be able to raise a young boy.
Jessie: Yeah, the same way you didn't need help to save my brother?
Hiko turned on her, rage seething in his eyes, but she was gone, as quick as lightning, leaving nothing but swaying bushes in her wake.
Hiko: (muttering aloud to himself) Just the same as always, as fierce as any manslayer, but still nothing more than a woman.
Jessie had returned to the house, and ran to the well where Kenshin sat stroking Stud's soft muzzle.
Kenshin: Is everything alright Miss?
Jessie: (her bangs falling across her face, hiding her emotions from the young boy) Yes, everything is just fine.
Kenshin: I've been thinking about those lessons, I think it would be good for me to learn to ride, that is, if you would still teach me?
Jessie: Um, yes, I'd love to teach you, but not without the permission of your master.
Kenshin: Oh.........alright...well, I'll talk to him. See you around, I guess.
Jessie: Yeah, see you around.
She rode off into the woods, just as Hiko emerged from the trail. He stood by his student as the girl rode off.
Kenshin: Shisho, might I...
Hiko: No, you will spend no more time with that woman.
Kenshin: Sensei, why do you hate Carllow-san so much?
Hiko: Ancient history my boy, very ancient history.
Such an answer did not please the young samurai however, and so, he began to brew up a new scheme in his head, one that would give him both answers, and new questions.
That's all folks! Nah, I wouldn't be that cruel, this chapter is longer so keep reading!
That night, Hiko lay sleeping, a bottle of sake limply clutched in his hand. He had taken in a particularly large amount that night due to the stress from the day's events, and so, the young Kenshin knew he would not be heard as he left the safety of his small room. Just to ensure his escape went unheard, he left through the small window in his room, a trail of sheet rope was the only trace of his departure.
The small child ran off into the woods, racing along through the underbrush, avoiding as much contact with the roads as possible, for fear that he should meet any unwanted bandits. The moon raced ahead of him, casting its shreds of light down through the foliage to light the youngster's path. The woods finally came to an end as they were met by a road that lead down to the river's banks.
Kenshin: Oh boy, how am I going to get across this? She can't be totally isolated; there must be some kind of bridge, or shallow crossing point somewhere. Although, it is an island, well, more like a large portion of land surrounded by a mote, but she would have to have another way to cross besides using her horse.
The small boy began to walk up and down the bank, searching in both directions for some way to cross. He wasn't going to make the same mistake of getting himself trapped down by the river again. The noise of rushing water filled his head, his search still remaining futile. Finally, a strange noise fell upon his sensitive ears, causing him to look to his right, towards the woods. The little samurai placed his hand on the hilt of his old practice sword, and prepared to face whatever it was that might come forward. The bushes began to sway, and two golden, florescent orbs shone in the moonlight.
Kenshin: (stepping back and trying to look fierce) Come out! Show yourself!
And indeed, his opponent did show itself, but what stepped from the bushes was far from what he had expected. It was a rare and dangerous Siberian tigress, and she was hunched down, massive shoulders shifting, claws extended, and ears erect. She moved slowly, watching the child, but stopped short, emitting a low growl. With lightning speed, she turned back towards the woods, looking over her shoulder at Kenshin as if asking him if he was going to follow or not. Then, she took off, leaping through the woods, Kenshin watching after her for a moment before deciding to follow. Before he knew it, they had reached a small burrow, almost invisible to any passer by, that resembled a cave leading into the ground, and Kenshin followed on his belly after her. After a few minutes the cave opened up, and there remained nothing more than a rickety old log for them to cross and they would be on the small island. The tigress was already halfway across the log, and looked back once again to see if she was still being followed. With a final leap she was across, Kenshin hot on her heels, but she stopped. In front of her was a wall of thick grass, which she disappeared into, Kenshin, stumbled in after her, but was totally lost. Not too long after that, he fell upon dry, flat ground again, and was amazed to find himself around the back of Jessie's house, with Jessie sitting and gazing at the stars from a chair on her back porch. The child ran to her, startling her for a moment, but after she realized who he was, she listened to his tale of the tigress.
Kenshin: Where is she? I know she cam this way! Did you see her?
Jessie: Heehee, I don't know what you saw, but there are no tigers around here, they stay way up in the mountains, away from people.
Kenshin: But, but she lead me right here, I heard her voice inside my head, and she told me to follow her, and she lead me here!
Jessie: Alright, alright, just calm down, I'm sure it was all for good reason, and we can straighten things out tomorrow, but for now, go inside and get some rest. I'll be out here for a while yet. The spare bedroom is the second door to the right down that one hallway.
Kenshin: Thank-you, Miss Carllow, but I did have one question for you, why does Shisho dislike you so greatly.
Jessie: Oh, my poor boy, that is definitely a story for another time, when you are not so young. Go get yourself to bed now.
The little boy bowed his head to her before reluctantly retreating within the confines of the strange western house. Then Jessie stood there for a moment, staring into the darkness.
Jessie: So you're finally back, Zana?
The reeds trembled slightly as the great tigress moved through them, slowly approaching the young woman.
Jessie: It's been quite a while since I've seen you round these parts, are you well?
Zana gazed calmly at the girl.
Jessie: So what's headed our way now? I'm starting to believe that little medicine man was right, and why have you brought me the boy?
Zana: (raising her head and bawling softly) RrrrrrrrrrrrrAAr, rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrAAr.
Jessie: Live long my friend, and watch over us all in these times of peril.
The tigress dipped her head lightly towards her human friend before bounding into a bright shaft of moonlight. There she looked back at Jessie one last time, and almost, as if she were a ghost, she disappeared the moment she stepped out of the light!
Oooooooooooooooooooooooooo, spooky! Reviews please! Happy 4th of July everybody!!!!!
Chapter 2,
Jessie Carllow
Kenshin (who by the way is about 8 years old at this time) was polishing his practice sword by the well at his master's home. He was pondering over the reprimand given to him by his Shisho the previous day, but couldn't seem to understand why Hiko so strongly disliked this western woman. Maybe he was afraid that she would be a bad influence to him, or maybe he thought that she would turn Kenshin against him? But none of it seemed to be very probable, so the boy sat in the sunlight, continuing to polish his blade as a pensive expression danced across his young face.
The sound of hoof beats along the dirt road alerted the boy that they had some unexpected company. The next sounds to reach his ears were the angry shouts of his master as they clashed with the high pitched whinnies of a very upset horse. Kenshin ran as quick as his feet would carry him to the front of the house, where he witnessed his master as the angry man swung a sword high over his head in an attempt to slash the beast's rider to pieces!
Kenshin: Master, NO!!!! What are you doing, you're going to kill someone!
Hiko: Stay out of this boy! This doesn't concern you!
Kenshin: Please, she's not going to hurt anyone, she only came to return my clothes.
Hiko: WHAT!!!!! Why in Kami-sama's name would she have your clothes!?!?!? That's it, you little wench, what have you done to my student!?!
Kenshin: (throwing himself in the way of his master's blade) No, it's not like that, please Shisho, just let her leave here in peace!
Jessie: My goodness sir, you know, I've met men like you before, your blood pressure'll be the death of you. I was only coming to return the boy's clothes, they got wet yesterday as I was pulling him out of the river. If it pleases ya, I'll be off now, for all our sakes.
Hiko: (trying in earnest to remain calm) No, I believe you and I need to have a talk, if you'll walk this way? Kenshin, please take this girl's horse to the well, keep him company for a bit.
The young boy just stood, completely baffled, as his master shoved the reins of the horse into his hands, and turned to Jessie, roughly taking her by the arm and heading back down the road with her, his voice lowered to a deadly hiss.
Hiko: Why are you here!
Jessie: I'm sorry, I didn't know you had a son, I helped him out yesterday, and when he told me he lived with you, I thought for sure it had to be some other guy.
Hiko: He's not my son! And please, just stay away from him, I don't need you to turn him on me too.
Jessie: Oh! Come off it already! I would never do such a thing, he already knows how to get to my house anyway, so how do you know that he won't just wander back over one day?
Hiko: Because he'll listen to ME!!!
Jessie: You got some real issues, you know that? It's this kind of behavior that screws kids up for life, you know?
Hiko: No, it's spending too much time with cowards like you that will screw him up!
Jessie: HOW DARE YOU EVEN THINK OF CALLING ME A COWARD!
Hiko: I wasn't thinking, I was doing!
Jessie: (beginning to walk away) You sound just like my brother!
Hiko: Good, at least one of us does!
And my fellow readers, that was the straw that broke the camel's back, the moment those words reached her ears, she turned and swung with all of her might, a perfect left hook to Hiko's cheek bone. The blow caught him purely by surprise, and the tall man staggered back a moment, chuckling slightly, but just loud enough for her to hear.
Hiko: I guess I deserved that one, just get out of here for now. I don't need your help to be able to raise a young boy.
Jessie: Yeah, the same way you didn't need help to save my brother?
Hiko turned on her, rage seething in his eyes, but she was gone, as quick as lightning, leaving nothing but swaying bushes in her wake.
Hiko: (muttering aloud to himself) Just the same as always, as fierce as any manslayer, but still nothing more than a woman.
Jessie had returned to the house, and ran to the well where Kenshin sat stroking Stud's soft muzzle.
Kenshin: Is everything alright Miss?
Jessie: (her bangs falling across her face, hiding her emotions from the young boy) Yes, everything is just fine.
Kenshin: I've been thinking about those lessons, I think it would be good for me to learn to ride, that is, if you would still teach me?
Jessie: Um, yes, I'd love to teach you, but not without the permission of your master.
Kenshin: Oh.........alright...well, I'll talk to him. See you around, I guess.
Jessie: Yeah, see you around.
She rode off into the woods, just as Hiko emerged from the trail. He stood by his student as the girl rode off.
Kenshin: Shisho, might I...
Hiko: No, you will spend no more time with that woman.
Kenshin: Sensei, why do you hate Carllow-san so much?
Hiko: Ancient history my boy, very ancient history.
Such an answer did not please the young samurai however, and so, he began to brew up a new scheme in his head, one that would give him both answers, and new questions.
That's all folks! Nah, I wouldn't be that cruel, this chapter is longer so keep reading!
That night, Hiko lay sleeping, a bottle of sake limply clutched in his hand. He had taken in a particularly large amount that night due to the stress from the day's events, and so, the young Kenshin knew he would not be heard as he left the safety of his small room. Just to ensure his escape went unheard, he left through the small window in his room, a trail of sheet rope was the only trace of his departure.
The small child ran off into the woods, racing along through the underbrush, avoiding as much contact with the roads as possible, for fear that he should meet any unwanted bandits. The moon raced ahead of him, casting its shreds of light down through the foliage to light the youngster's path. The woods finally came to an end as they were met by a road that lead down to the river's banks.
Kenshin: Oh boy, how am I going to get across this? She can't be totally isolated; there must be some kind of bridge, or shallow crossing point somewhere. Although, it is an island, well, more like a large portion of land surrounded by a mote, but she would have to have another way to cross besides using her horse.
The small boy began to walk up and down the bank, searching in both directions for some way to cross. He wasn't going to make the same mistake of getting himself trapped down by the river again. The noise of rushing water filled his head, his search still remaining futile. Finally, a strange noise fell upon his sensitive ears, causing him to look to his right, towards the woods. The little samurai placed his hand on the hilt of his old practice sword, and prepared to face whatever it was that might come forward. The bushes began to sway, and two golden, florescent orbs shone in the moonlight.
Kenshin: (stepping back and trying to look fierce) Come out! Show yourself!
And indeed, his opponent did show itself, but what stepped from the bushes was far from what he had expected. It was a rare and dangerous Siberian tigress, and she was hunched down, massive shoulders shifting, claws extended, and ears erect. She moved slowly, watching the child, but stopped short, emitting a low growl. With lightning speed, she turned back towards the woods, looking over her shoulder at Kenshin as if asking him if he was going to follow or not. Then, she took off, leaping through the woods, Kenshin watching after her for a moment before deciding to follow. Before he knew it, they had reached a small burrow, almost invisible to any passer by, that resembled a cave leading into the ground, and Kenshin followed on his belly after her. After a few minutes the cave opened up, and there remained nothing more than a rickety old log for them to cross and they would be on the small island. The tigress was already halfway across the log, and looked back once again to see if she was still being followed. With a final leap she was across, Kenshin hot on her heels, but she stopped. In front of her was a wall of thick grass, which she disappeared into, Kenshin, stumbled in after her, but was totally lost. Not too long after that, he fell upon dry, flat ground again, and was amazed to find himself around the back of Jessie's house, with Jessie sitting and gazing at the stars from a chair on her back porch. The child ran to her, startling her for a moment, but after she realized who he was, she listened to his tale of the tigress.
Kenshin: Where is she? I know she cam this way! Did you see her?
Jessie: Heehee, I don't know what you saw, but there are no tigers around here, they stay way up in the mountains, away from people.
Kenshin: But, but she lead me right here, I heard her voice inside my head, and she told me to follow her, and she lead me here!
Jessie: Alright, alright, just calm down, I'm sure it was all for good reason, and we can straighten things out tomorrow, but for now, go inside and get some rest. I'll be out here for a while yet. The spare bedroom is the second door to the right down that one hallway.
Kenshin: Thank-you, Miss Carllow, but I did have one question for you, why does Shisho dislike you so greatly.
Jessie: Oh, my poor boy, that is definitely a story for another time, when you are not so young. Go get yourself to bed now.
The little boy bowed his head to her before reluctantly retreating within the confines of the strange western house. Then Jessie stood there for a moment, staring into the darkness.
Jessie: So you're finally back, Zana?
The reeds trembled slightly as the great tigress moved through them, slowly approaching the young woman.
Jessie: It's been quite a while since I've seen you round these parts, are you well?
Zana gazed calmly at the girl.
Jessie: So what's headed our way now? I'm starting to believe that little medicine man was right, and why have you brought me the boy?
Zana: (raising her head and bawling softly) RrrrrrrrrrrrrAAr, rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrAAr.
Jessie: Live long my friend, and watch over us all in these times of peril.
The tigress dipped her head lightly towards her human friend before bounding into a bright shaft of moonlight. There she looked back at Jessie one last time, and almost, as if she were a ghost, she disappeared the moment she stepped out of the light!
Oooooooooooooooooooooooooo, spooky! Reviews please! Happy 4th of July everybody!!!!!