Absence Makes The Heart Grow Fonder

Chapter 7: Almost There

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Kaoru looked around the room and sighed as she got up.  Misao was still fast asleep on her bed, but Kaoru found sleep to be eluding her as of late.  She quickly dressed and washed up before grabbing one of her books and heading for the ladies' lounge Isabella had told them about. 

On her way she paused to look over the rail of the ship.  An excited voice spoke behind her.  "Beautiful and kind of eerie isn't it?"

Kaoru jumped and spun, wide eyes meeting those of Isabella.  "Oh, Isabella.  I'm sorry.  You startled me."

Isabella giggled.  "Even though I've been on ships before, it still amazes me how huge the ocean is.  Huge is an understatement, but I can't think of a better word.  It just takes my breath away and makes me feel kind of scared all at the same time."

Kaoru looked out over the water with the young woman and sighed.  "I've never been far enough away from land to not be able to see it.  It is kind of frightening."

Isabella piped up.  "No more dark thoughts!"  She glanced at the book in Kaoru's hand.  "Were you headed to the ladies' lounge?"

Kaoru nodded.

"Well, reading simply won't do.  You can't talk to people if you read!  Have you ever done needle-work?"

Kaoru cocked her head to the side.  "Like mending clothes?"

The young woman shook her head, a slight smirk on her delicate features.  "No, needle-work.  You make designs on pieces of cloth."  She held up a half-finished picture for Kaoru to see and then reached into the small bag she was carrying and fished out a new one.  "Here, you can do this one if you like!  I have lots of them.  They're fun and you can still talk while you're working on them!"

Kaoru accepted the cloth with a small giggle.  "You remind me a lot of Misao."

Isabella looked at Kaoru questioningly.  "The other young woman from

dinner?  How so?"

"Well, you seem to really enjoy everything about life and you have this sort of care free and happy attitude.  Very cheerful.  That's exactly how Misao is."

Isabella nodded.  "I've always been like this.  Some people find it annoying but you know what?  Who cares what they think!  I have fun being the way I am!"  She linked her arm through Kaoru's.  "Now come on!  Let's go and chat while we do needle-work!"

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Misao joined them shortly afterwards, eagerly accepting the needle-work kit Isabella handed her.  "These are so much fun!  I never considered bringing one though.  I wish I had!"

Isabella stitched a bit and then lowered it to her lap.  "So, why are you girls traveling?"

Kaoru and Misao exchanged looks.  Misao shook her head.  "You wanna handle this one, Kaoru?" 

Isabella looked at them questioningly.  "Now I'm intrigued.  Do tell."

Kaoru quirked an eyebrow.  "It's a long story.  Sure you want to hear it?"

Isabella eagerly nodded, leaning forward as if she was being told a secret.

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"And that's that."

Isabella dabbed at her eyes.  "Those idiot men.  How could they not see what was right in front of them?"

Misao shrugged her shoulders.  "We've been wondering the same thing these past couple of years."

Isabella suddenly stood up, determination clear on her face.  "Alright, it's settled.  I'm going to help you girls get your men!  By the time I'm done, those guys will be worshipping the ground you walk on!  Mark my words, ladies!"

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In Japan

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Kenshin walked home with a light step, quietly humming as he made his way back to the dojo.  The trip to the police station had gone very well.  Not only was he getting a good paying job, but it was a stable one.  Being an internal affairs officer meant he was out of harms way and Kaoru would definitely appreciate that.  He would easily be able to help Kaoru with finances for as long as he remained at the dojo.

Sano dragged behind him, pouting with his hands shoved in his pockets.  "Why did ya have to get me caught up in this, Kenshin?  I didn't need a job.  I don't live at the dojo."

Kenshin turned and grinned at the taller man.  "Well, you sort of do.  You stay overnight when you're too tired to go back to your own place.  You eat there, you hang around during the day, and you feel very at home.  It's only fair that you start to repay Kaoru-dono's kindness to you."

Sanosuke huffed and glared at Kenshin's back.  "So, now I have to work for Saitou?!  I hardly think it's fair that I have to put up with that maniac."

Kenshin shook his head.  "You don't work for Saitou, Sano.  You work for Chief Uramura as a bodyguard.  Whenever officials come into town, you look after them and make sure they're safe.  You probably won't even see Saitou."

The ex-fighter merely huffed again and kicked at pebbles in the road.

Kenshin smiled as he swung the gate open.  "I'm home!"  He looked around cautiously when no one answered.  He made his way quickly to the scuffling sounds in the training hall and stopped dead in his tracks.  "Oro?"

Yahiko was glaring at Aoshi and Aoshi was glaring back.  No one was moving anymore, but Kenshin could see the sweat running down their faces, proving they had been moving earlier.  No one spoke, no one moved and Kenshin wondered if either of them was even breathing they were so still. 

Sanosuke, being a bit less tactful, blurted out.  "Oi, why are you staring at each other like that?"

Yahiko swore softly under his breath.  "You made me lose my concentration, Rooster-head!"

Kenshin looked at Aoshi, already having figured out what they were doing.  Aoshi made his way over to him.  "The kid shows no fear.  That's

very impressive considering his age."

Kenshin nodded.  "Yahiko had to grow up very quickly."

Aoshi nodded.  "I was trying to see how brave he truly was.  Make sure it wasn't a façade.  When he didn't break under normal eye contact, I tried overwhelming him with ki.  But, since he can't sense ki, it didn't have any effect."

Kenshin continued to stare out into the yard, watching Yahiko and Sano wrestle.  "So, was that the first phase of his training?"

Aoshi nodded.  "Tomorrow I'll show him the basic forms in martial arts."

He made a quick bow and gathered his trench coat.  "I'm going to meditate in the temple nearby."

"See you later, Aoshi."  Kenshin waved and then went over to break up the battle still carrying on in the yard.

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Back on the ship

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Misao squirmed a bit during dinner.  Isabella knew she wanted to ask her something, but she seemed hesitant to do so.

"Misao, if there's something on your mind go ahead and say it."

Misao sighed and then turned to her.  Her mouth opened and closed a few times and then she finally found her words.  "Well, you said you could help us get our guys.  It's been almost two months, we arrive in America tomorrow and you haven't really done anything yet."

Isabella giggled.  "Silly girl.  You're staying in New York right?"

Misao nodded. 

"Well, that's where I live!  It's hard to do much for you on a ship.  In my experience, to feel and be fabulous, you must first look fabulous.  Once we get there, I can take you shopping and find you some great clothes and then we'll begin!"

Misao let out a breath.  "I'm sorry, but I was getting a little worried.  I want so much for this to work."

Isabella patted her hand.  "It will, dear.  Just trust me."

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Later that night, Kaoru chewed on the tip of her brush as she made out her eighth letter to Kenshin.  She had written him once a week since they left Japan and their last night on the ship was no exception.

Misao glanced at her friend as she finished packing the last of her things.  "Shouldn't you be packing, Kaoru?"

Kaoru spoke around a mouthful of wood.  "Already did."

"Oh.  Are you writing home again?"

Kaoru nodded. 

"Kaoru, you won't get over Kenshin if you keep writing to him."  Misao gently scolded her.

"I'm not sure I want to get over him, Misao.  I just want to see if I'm really in love with him.  And if this burning pain is any indication, I'm deeply in love with that man."  She sighed and looked over her letter, signing it after approving it.

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A/N:  This chapter's kind of short since they arrive next chapter and lots will have to happen.  Anyway, hope you enjoyed and please review!  Hugs & Kisses!