Everyone liked my last chapter so much that I decided to give you another one. It's a bit shorter but I hope you like it anyways.

Standard Disclaimer applies

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Part 1: Around the World

Chapter 4: Just Another Day

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With each day that went by their relationship grew. Their first destination on land was California. They spent a day there, they didn't sight see much. They, or rather Tsukushi decided to go to Disney.. She's always dreamed about going. Tsukasa really didn't want to go. For a guy who isn't afraid of much he can't stomach roller coasters but he went only for her. He was thankful he didn't throw up. They went on a lot of rides. The line wasn't long because it was a weekday and Doumyouji bribed the people. Tsukushi would've been appalled but she didn't know. She just thought it was another influence the Doumyoujis have, in a way it was - their influence was money.

Regardless, they had a wonderful time. They took many pictures. One where he's screaming off the top of his lungs on a roller coaster ride (how they got that I don't know), a few others with the Disney cast like Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, Cinderella and her Prince. Doumyouji really didn't want to take those pictures. He thought it looked ridiculous, taking pictures with some clown who was wearing a cartoon character outfit. He relented because Tsukushi really wanted to capture the moments. They went to a wax museum, Madame Tussauds, Tsukushi marveled at how real they looked. She thought Doumyouji was just joking with her when he said they weren't real. When she realized they weren't moving she paled. It was scary seeing something so life like. Doumyouji said he wanted one done of him. Tsukushi blanched at the thought of seeing another Doumyouji. She said, "One Doumyouji is more than enough".

Doumyouji took that as a compliment and replied, "Of course, you don't need two handsome rich guys running around." Tsukushi nearly choked on her drink. Then they both laughed. It's only been a week yet they were able to joke and talk about silly things they never could before. Tsukushi hasn't been that happy since junior high, 2 years ago. They were having dates like normal people, what Tsukushi had always wished for. The feeling she had when she was playing hopscotch the day they separated came back to her. She loved it.

They traveled to all the major cities in the United States, all except Hawaii. Tsukushi said, "I don't want to go there now. I've decided that place will be for our honeymoon. If we go now it'll ruin the effect later."

She said it so simply and without blushing that Tsukasa was dumbfounded. It was usually him who made all the plans but now Tsukushi was actually accepting a future for them. Tsukasa turned bright red. Honeymoon he thought. (AN: And you know what he's thinking.)

It took them a bit more than a month to travel all over North, Central, and South America. Doumyouji really didn't like it in Central America, especially Mexico. The water wasn't clean. It wasn't what he was used to but surprisingly he made do. He might have complained but he didn't give up and say he was going back to the boat, which was docked. He roughed it out and they visited a lot of monuments. They took a lot of pictures there too. Mostly of them together and behind them was some kind of historical landmark. Tsukushi learned a lot during those times. Her English was really bad but she knew enough to communicate. Doumyouji knew just as much as she did, so they both had fun laughing at each other.

"It's so difficult communicating in English," said Tsukushi.

"Probably because we're only speaking when we're there."

"That's true." Tsukushi thought about it and came up with an idea, "Why don't we speak only English to each other?"

"Huh? Do you know what you're saying? Do you have any idea how long it takes to learn a language?" Tsukasa's mind boggled at the idea. When he was young it took him at least two years to learn a language and that was with the help of special tutors.

"I'm not an idiot. I know it's hard but you can't learn unless you use it every day." Tsukasa ended up conceding. After all, it was a good idea.

So Doumyouji forced everyone around them to speak English too. As a result, both of them were forced to speak in English if they wanted to communicate. It worked marvelously. They were nearly fluent by the time they left the Americas.

During the days when they were not on land they spent two hours studying the next language with a hired tutor. The next stop was Spain. They had already started learning a bit of Spanish because most of the places in South America spoke Spanish. Tsukushi found it much easier to learn than English. They only stayed a few days. Touring all around the country, taking pictures here and there.

When Tsukushi went back to the boat she would always find Ryoko at her work place and tell her all about her trips.

"How come you don't get off the boat?"

Ryoko shrugged, "I go sometimes, like when we docked at New York. I went to Times Square. It was just weird traveling by myself."

"I know! You could come with us next time. I want to introduce you to Doumyouji."

"Iie!" She balked at meeting a man who had so much power. She tended to stay away from the rich if possible. She knew a wrong move would cost her everything.

"You don't have to be afraid of Doumyouji. He might look intimidating but he's actually alright."

"Well of course you would say so. You're the only one safe from his wrath."

"I promise you he won't hurt you. Please come. It'd be a lot of fun."

"I'll think about it."

"I'll tell Doumyouji and call you tonight." Tsukushi left.

Ryoko still had a lot of work. Many people were coming to her for a massage. It seems word got out that she was very good. Ryoko didn't mind the work. Her salary doubled. So it went up from $500 a week to $1000 a week (AN: This is in US dollars) plus tip. When Ryoko first entered the business, she didn't realize how profitable it was.

"Harder sweet thing," said the guy who she was giving a massage to.

Ryoko rolled her eyes. That's why she hated working for guys. They were all perverts. Since she started working on the boat she had at least 100 advances. Luckily they only hit on her, none of them had tried to take it any farther.

She was grateful when she was done. The man slipped into his Terri robe and approached her. "How about giving me a personal massage in my room? I'll make it worth your while."

"No thanks." She said it straightforward so that there would be no misunderstanding. She knew these men wouldn't understand subtlety. And she hated how he made it sound like she's a whore. She would never accept money to sleep with a guy, no matter how desperate a situation she was in.

"I will have you." Then the guy left. Ryoko exhaled a sigh of relief. Thank God he didn't try anything, Ryoko thought. And what did he mean he'd have her? Nobody was going to own her, neither in this life nor the next.

Finally the workday ended. Ryoko went up to her room. She was so tired. She ordered Chinese and went back to her room. She took a bath and ate alone. She thought of Tsukushi. When Ryoko heard the girl she was going to receive was a guest of Doumyouji, she didn't know how to react. She thought it was another one of those rich girls, but Tsukushi was just like her. They were both from a poor background and each had their own struggles. They instantly connected and became good friends. Tsukushi invited her to go out with them she didn't know if she should accept. It was one thing being friends with her and another to meet her boyfriend. She knew he was a very powerful man, the heir to Doumyouji Corporations. She's seen him a few times on television and from all the times she's seen him he looked mean. But he fell in love with Tsukushi, which must mean that he has his good points. Tsukushi didn't seem like the kind of girl that would fall in love with a cruel man.

Ring Ring. Ryoko wondered who was calling her at this late hour. "Moshi Moshi."

"Ryo-chan, it's me."

"Tsukushi?"

"Yeah. I talked to Doumyouji. He said he didn't mind if you came along. So do you want to come when we go to France?"

"But I don't know how to speak French."

"Neither do I, but Doumyouji knows. It'll be fun."

Ryoko thought about it. "I have to work though."

"Tomorrow? Think you can get a day off."

"I don't know, on the contract it said I have to work everyday if necessary."

Tsukushi was silent, thinking about what to do. "Okay, I'll call your boss. And I'll call you right back." Tsukushi hung up, but not even 10 minutes elapsed when the phone rang again.

"She said it's okay. She was more than happy to lend you to us."

"Okay. I'll come." She was curious to see what kind of guy Tsukushi fell in love with.

"We'll pick you up at 8 in the morning. Good night."

"Good night." They hung up the phone. Ryoko went to brush her teeth. She was wondering if she made a mistake agreeing, but it was too late now. She went to sleep and hoped tomorrow wouldn't be too bad.

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