Wow, I've been gone like, THE ENTIRE SUMMER!!! Let me just say that after traveling to Australia, the Grand Caymans, and Cozumel, you can fall pretty far behind on your writing! But anyway, I'm back, with fresh ideas, and will hopefully be able to start cranking out the literature!

Chapter 3,

Ancient History

Well, let's see………where was I, oh yes! Zana had just left (did I mention that she, like Kenshin has violet eyes?) us and now Jessie turned to head back into her own humble abode. Kenshin stood waiting in front of the spare room that she had told him to use.

Kenshin: Jessie, who were you talking to?

Jessie: Oh, nobody, sometimes I just like talking to myself. Now, what was all of that you were saying about a tiger?

Kenshin: Well, I told you, I saw one! I know I did, I just know it, she lead me here too! I was afraid at first, but then it was like she wanted me to follow her, so I did, and that's how I got here, but you have to have seen her! She must've crossed right in front of you!

Jessie: Sorry Kenshin, I didn't see any tigers, like I said, they don't come down here anymore, there's too many people. Ah Kenshin…you kids have all of the fun…Kenshin……is Kenshin your real name? It doesn't seem so.

Kenshin: Actually, before sensei found me, my name was Shinta, but he said that was no name for a swordsman, so now my name is Kenshin!

Jessie: Shinta……that's a beautiful name, not that Kenshin isn't great, but don't you miss your old name, after all, a name is a precious thing, it's something only your parents can give you.

Kenshin: I don't know, I never really thought about that, I always just let Shisho call me Kenshin, I like that name.

Jessie: Well, so long as you're happy with it!

Kenshin: Yes, well, I suppose I should say goodnight.

He walked slowly into his room, looking around at all of the old things in the bright moonlight that filtered through the window above his western styled bed.

Jessie: I'll tuck you in.

Kenshin: Tuck me in?

Jessie: Yeah, why is that not cool?

Kenshin: I've never been "tucked in" before.

Jessie: Oh God, you're not serious are you!?! You're like, not a kid. Well, we can fix that, come on. I can't believe you're already 8years old and you've still never been tucked in!

She pulled back the covers and tucked them close around him once he was comfortably in the bed. He sat for a moment, curiously staring around at all of the strange things lining the room.

There were long swords and short ones, there were whips, and strange boots with metal stars attached at the heel, great long barreled guns, and some so tiny they could fit in a briefcase. Large assortments of bullets and gunpowder kegs sat in tidy boxes in a corner, and several black and white pictures hung in the shape of an awkward triangle on the wall. One picture, oddly enough, one was of Jessie, Hiko, and another man. Jessie stood happily in the middle, her arms reaching upwards around both of their shoulders. This must've been quite an old photo, because Jessie wasn't much more than 4 inches shorter than Hiko now, and she had to be at least 9 inches shorter than him in this photo.

Kenshin: Who is that?

He pointed sleepily at the man standing to the right of Jessie. She sighed and slowly rose off of the edge of the bed and walked over to the photo, chuckling dryly as she ran her fingers over the image.

Jessie: (sarcastically) Who, this unbecoming rascal? Hah, he's my brother, Johnathan Carllow. And this of course is your late Hiko.

Kenshin: You all look like such good friends there, why are you and Hiko such enemies now?

Jessie: Well, a long time ago, at the very beginning of this revolution of yours, those two were great pals. My brother and Hiko could've been brothers themselves, but anyway, they decided to go off and fight this war. They were young and rash and said I couldn't come because I was too young and because I was a girl. Well that got me mad, so I dressed as a boy, cut my hair, and road off to join them. I met up with them pretty fast, and alerted them of who I really was. They were angry that I had followed them, and told me to leave, but I stayed and went into battle with them. Hiko and my brother were ideal warriors, selflessly supporting one another in the thick of the noise. Where one's blade fell short, the other reached and so on, but I rode in alone. I was well trained, and was having no trouble at all, I was really quite good, but my brother let his concern get the better of him and left Hiko's side to come to my aid. That made Hiko jealous, but that wasn't the whole reason why he hates me now. After my brother rode to meet me, he and Hiko were separated. They were not used to battling solo, and so struggled apart. My brother's worry was not totally useless; however, for once he reached me he noticed that the enemy had mounted a large cannon on the hill. The cannon was aimed straight at us and the rest of our troops. He rode up beside me, and kicked my mount hard in the gut, which sent him reeling away, out of range of the cannon. The horse I rode then was the father of the late horse you see just outside. Anyway, the explosion caught my brother as the ball fell and killed him instantly; Hiko never forgave me because he says that if I had listened to them and gone home, then my brother would still be here. Part of me for a while believed him, but now I realize that it was John's time, and no matter what I had done, nothing could've prevented what happened. Besides he gave his life so that mine might be preserved, and I would never want his efforts to be wasted. But anyway, that's the story, and Hiko's still upset that he was so helpless in that situation.

Kenshin: That is a sad story. Why must we kill like that?

Jessie: Because, we're human, and imperfect, and so long as there are men to fight, and the urge for conflict, death will ensue. But don't ever be like that Kenshin, no matter what may happen to you in the many long years ahead, don't ever let your blade fall on the innocent, or shed blood for a corrupt purpose. Don't ever forget to love, and to move on and learn from your mistakes, rather than dwell and cry over them. Your hands will do many things, both great and terrible with the sword, I can see that in you already, but in the end, if you remember love, I know that you will be alright and that you will make the choice to use your blade for the defense of those who need it.

Kenshin: That is a good lesson, you should teach it to more people. Then we could all live peacefully, that we could.

Jessie: In time my boy, in time they will all learn, we just don't know how much time it will take.

Kenshin: (yawning and nodding off) It will take as long as the teacher……decides it……shall.

Jessie: That is a wise answer, goodnight……Shinta.

She closed his door behind her and walked off to her own quarters, kids today, man they just come up with new ways to surprise us everyday!

Well, I know it's short, but I had to udate fast. I'm sooooooooo behind with my work, and my computer is giving me a hard time. Please be patient with me, I'm trying to get caught up on everything!