Chapter 11: Where Life left off, is renewed

It seemed that life had never once stopped for what it once was, Haomaru had changed slowly aboard his cousin's ship; but life aboard the Outlaw Star seemed to progress almost twice as fast for him. It was something that he fell right into and found himself at home with the fast pace of life, though at first it had been a struggle for him. The day started often close with Aisha and it would end with her and he that much closer he found.

"Hao? What are you doing up so soon?" Aisha yawned as she sat up in the bed, dressed in a kimono that she'd chosen as her own; she loved the satin/silk combination of the cloth. It had freely wrapped around her curvy form, smoothly caressing her skin and was almost plush to sleep in. She rose from the bed with a purr, stepping out to the floor; giving off a grin since she found why Hao hadn't answered her.

Hao's mind was on the plane of another existence, he was meditating with the practiced grace and focus that many of his fellow students had envied in him. His mind envisioned flowing clouds in an ever graceful path, it was the way that that his thoughts led him to his inner self. He brought the serenity and grace of the world with him often, seeming flawless in this practiced art. One wouldn't know it by common, but he had been at this for a number of hours and was only just recently freed from that ever present waking himself from the state. All was well… then he felt his body tackled down to the ground.

"Hee hee, trying to leave me all alone Hao? You've been meditating while I was asleep, now you've got some morning time for me. Just before things start to pick up, you should get used to this and fast." She mused and stroked his chest with her fingers, just smiling as she looked at his silken hair as it hid his eyes from her. She did grow to enjoy that most about him, was the serene look in his eyes so constantly.

"You're right about that, Aisha…you entreat me to so much love. I can only do the same, to such a wise beauty." He slid his fingers along her cheeks, though a soft pink tint was in his cheeks. He still seemed to be forward in his emotion, his lips soon gently pressing a very soft kiss to Aisha's lips; it was something that had finally become regular to him. Giving her this small gift he found often made her purr; he could tell she enjoyed these chaste kisses they shared.

She curled her leg over his waist and sat upon him idly, purring as she held that kiss just a little longer. Her hands wandered over his chest idly, just rubbing over his chocolate skin and the thin hairs that lined it; like a soft cat fur it was gentle and just the way she liked. She drew back from the kiss and looked at him with a satisfied smile.

"You continue to kiss me like that and we'll proceed just at the right pace, I am glad to see you've become an adept at kissing me." She said that with a teasing smile, though only got a soft purr from his lips as she nuzzled under his chin and rests herself against him.

They remained laying down for the latter of a while, just for the rest of there hour before things began to fly off the handle.

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There was a loud knock at the door that was more like banging; it was Gene passing by the door, deciding to let them know what time it was.

"Hey you two! Wake up and stop cuddling and what not, we have a ship to keep in shape eh?" he made it more of a joke, since that it was Jim who kept the ship in near top shape often.

While not the only one who did the work, it was common knowledge that Jim was a young genius who always used his wit to ensure that Gene was in the best standing he could be with the Outlaw Star. Aisha helped and Hao had grown used to helping her with what she did, it was a growing understanding of the current functions that he'd serve on the ship; he still found his time for training despite the use for maintenance and living.

By mid day he found himself in the room of the ship they'd allowed some kind of 'training' to be done, it was one he found was nearly perfect for the advanced half of the shoreline blade style to be used. He was undertaking some of the harder skills to master that were still kept on scrolls, he drew the katana blade and raised it above his head; his knees bending as his bowed his knees a little bit; bringing the sword back in his crouched position for a 'fang thrust', his speed was simple but amazing as it came forward.

A fierce sword thrust that pierced right through the air, creating a vacuum around the end of the blade it; that was the basis of the technique most of all it seemed. The number 1 of overall 4 techniques that were written on the scroll, as they were hidden techniques to be used only in tides of an emergency; Haomaru felt things ahead weren't going to be smooth. The place they were heading? Who knew…but he would protect them with his sword, no matter what lay ahead of the blade's tip.

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Gene gave a yawn and looked to Aisha, who now was in the kitchen with him at the time; she was making some form of what she considered a snack. For the moment wasn't going to bother Gene as it wasn't his focus, he did however make an inquiry to her.

"So this is the guy that changed your life Aisha…heh, never expected to see you tied down by anyone. I didn't picture you for the kind to take a lover." Though the red haired outlaw soon regretted the words; it protracted an angry growl from her lips, the look in her eyes rather intense for such a subject he was finding out now was this tender.

"He's not a lover Gene; he's more than that…really a one of a kind nice guy. A little rigid with his morals and some of his mannerisms but its nothing that I can't fix with him. I like him and he likes me back, it's a deep and mutual feeling and I can admit it feels nice. He's not…someone whose just after a little tail, he'd really die for me and that is something that I don't think I'd want to happen." She was a cross between distant and a little melancholy with the way she spoke it.

Gene saw her reaction and gave a real smile this time, not one of his trademark grins or even a smirk. It was good to see an old friend who hadn't realized it yet, like he and Melfina figured out some time ago; about being in love with one another.

"Well if that's the case, you should finish up here and go to him. He's probably back in the room doing something, he finished his work around the ship with more grace than well; a cat even would. He's good and efficient at what he does, he's a good addition to the crew Aisha; and it's good to have you back with us." He said this more or less truly meaning it.

Aisha smiled at him, a little fangy grin that was portrayed with a kitten-ish mewl as she headed off towards her and Hao's room with food for them both. She imagined he was meditating or something, a nice thing but a habit that she would ensure he had less of. Now they were a couple and she'd show him the way to walk it; C'tarl style.

With the old crew back together, it would only be a matter of time before trouble found them; the Tendo King…who'd seem to be forgotten by Haomaru and Aisha knew well their location. It would be time to send the 108 Stars into action; a group thought to be finished and yet rebirth seemed so easily possible.

(End Chapter)

Settling into life back aboard the ship, life is a little brighter, but what means the return of the Tendo King? A new formation of the 108 Stars means a new threat.

Well hope you enjoyed the Chapter R&R .