DISCLAIMER: not mine...

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As he got older, he learned a little here and there, but his thoughts were always on something else. He sighed, "I hate this small island… if only I could travel…yeah, be like

a pirate or a..." his thought was halted by a whack on his skull, the culprit still holding the papers in a rolled cylinder.

"I have the decency to come and teach you on my mini-vacation and you have to daydream away my lesson..."

"Ah, come on Doc, you know I really don't care…I don't even need it anymore! I've been a lot better, the other doctors even say I'll be cured in another month or two!" He smiled at her, young teenage eyes aglow with excitement.

"Huh…" Kureha started, "well, if that's the case I'm not needed anymore..." she picked up the paper work, as he frantically waved his hands and tried to snatch for her arm.

"Wait Doc! You know I don't mean for you to leave!" She sighed looking at the kid, "please stay, not as my doctor but my friend? Please?"

"Fine, tell me what these dreams are of yours..." she sat down next to him with her hand cupping her chin.

"Well, I want to travel the world and become a super rich robber..." he continued to relate all his dreams of grandeur, while she listened. Something about this boy just made her stick around. Probably because he had no friends, she reasoned, or how much his stubbornness reminds her of her own. Oh well, she would just have to support him in whatever oddball dreams he decided to follow knowing in the end he'd turn around.

Soon the time had come, Kureha was asleep when a loud thunking noise came from her front door. She stirred looking at her clock that read 3:25 am. Why?, was her only thought as she dragged herself out of the warm bed and carefully avoided stepping directly on the chilly floor tile. She pulled her cover around herself, walking to the door. When she opened it she was bombarded with a hug.

"Doc!" his voice was high pitched in an excited tone that somehow made her worry, "Now's the time! I have all my preparations! I'm gonna go out to sea and travel like I wanted to!" He smiled at her with brown eyes bright enough to rival the sun's rays. He had a couple small bags to either side of him.

"Oh, really? So, why are you telling me and not your mom?"

"Uh, well, you know my mom! She'd never let me go! But if you tell her after I'm gone she can't stop me..." the pleading in his eyes killed her.

She thought for a minute and replied, "Don't think I'll tell your mom anything. All my moneys stashed in the bottom drawer of my living room china cabinet, I had better not see any missing. I don't want you going near the 5:05 am boat heading southeast, and most of all I would never want to see you again if you leave here you lousy boy!" She pinched him hard on the arm, "You got that?"

"Yeah! Geez, leggo my arm!" He rubbed his redden skin, "Well, good night, and good bye," he smiled warmly, as she headed back to her room. Her heart was a bit sunken in, but she has her few things she wouldn't admit too.

"Yeah, later Hiriluk..." she waved half-heartedly heading down the hall.

"By the way, you can use my first name. We've known each other long enough!"

"Not in your dreams kiddo, a doctor is known by their last name's credibility."

"I'm no doctor!" He pouted angrily as she disappeared into her room. Kureha stayed awake a small while listening to him rummage through her drawer and then leave. She didn't want him to, but he had to find his own way. She'd miss him.

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