Alright, I said I wasn't gonna update again until I got some reviews, but I guess I lied. I'm not gonna plan the itinerary without input, though, so I think this chapter will help out a little with that… hopefully…
I've discovered that I think if I want to get noticed, I have to update more often than once a week… I don't know if I'm gonna be able to get new chapters out that fast, though… and I plan on only working on one story at a time… maybe… we'll see how my muse treats me… but enough of my jabbering, on with the story!
Btw, PLEASE R&R…I'd really appreciate it!
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In the morning, the group resumed their argument. After some thought, even Sano had his two cents – or two shekels, in this case [lol] – to add in. Being a naturally active person, the Japanese decided he'd rather do the hikes, which disappointed the girls, of course.
"How are you going to learn about us if all you get to see while you're in the country are the natural habitats? I think it would be far more beneficial to interact with other people." 'Especially me,' Dina wished to herself, while trying her hardest not to let it show.
Chava noticed, though, and raised her eyebrows questioningly for a second before adding her argument. "You're gonna need stuff to take back to your friends in Japan… the best place to find those are in the cultural centers. You can find anything in the new city or old city of Jerusalem, and Tsfat has really great hand-dipped candles."
"But it wouldn't be a complete trip without taking a dip in the Dead Sea," Benny interjected. "And it would be a total loss to miss out on the beaches." He shot Sano a meaningful look, implying other reasons why it might be desirable to visit the beach.
"Well, I have nothing to worry about, I already have you sold on my ideas." Adam sat back with his hands clasped behind his head.
"If it's shopping you're worried about, Tel Aviv has plenty too…" Adam glanced at Dina, as if trying to get her to back off a little bit. He wanted her to understand that their new friend might have someone waiting for him at home… even though he could tell that she was thoroughly choosing to ignore the idea of there even being a possibility.
"I'm not worried about too much, just as long as I can keep my skills sharp and my other various needs met." Even though Sano was used to disagreements (he was notorious for being involved in them, after all!), he wasn't quite sure what the rules were in this country. With his luck, the women would win and that would be the end of it – just like at home…
"And what needs would those be?" Dina gave the oblivious one a caressing hug just as he realized he hadn't quite worded what he said the way he meant to.
"Oh, uhh… mostly just food and a place to sleep is all…"
"We've already discovered that's not a problem, right Chava?" Adam reminded everyone where they'd slept last night.
"Oh, and I meant to tell you, the food was really good. I'm not used to this stuff, so it was a nice change… Thank you."
"You're very welcome, and I'm sure there's more. It seems to me like chances are you've never visited a Jewish family before. It's one of the things my mom's pretty bad about. We really like to make sure everyone's had plenty to eat!"
"That's some sweet music for my ears!" This admission sent the Israelis giggling. They had seen proof of this yesterday, but still seemed baffled by the fact that anyone could always be that hungry…
This time, it was Benny who got the group back on track. "But, we still haven't figured out any kinds of beginnings for the itinerary…" He received groans from the other four as a reply, even though they all knew he was right.
"Well, let's see… Sano's the one we're focusing on because he's the only one of us who's never seen ANY of it… but he has no basis for making an educated decision because he's never seen any of it… It's gonna make it tough." Chava seemed to have a way of putting it all into nice, neat perspective.
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"Oi, Adam-san, where do you think I could find a scroll and something to write with? I just thought it would be a really great idea to tell my friends at home about you guys."
The Israeli was about to point out that it might be easier to just send an e-mail, because it won't take as long, but then thought better of it. "Please, just call me Adam, none of the fancy endings, alright? It's totally unnecessary. Anyway, I could get you a pen and some paper, if that would work well enough for you…"
"I guess that would work. You'll have to show me how to use this 'pen.' Thank you."
~
Dear Kenshin,
Betcha thought you'd never hear this from me, but I wish you were here. I honestly think you and jou-chan, and Yahiko, and even Kitsune would really like it here. They think the same as you do… the circumstances are different, but the signs are all there. They want peace with their neighbors… They've been fighting for a bunch of years already, and not a whole lot of progress has been made, from what I can gather. Some of the countries are civil with them, but many more are still hostile. They don't even get along with some of the people living inside their borders! Heh, that's all too familiar to us, ne?
Anyway, speaking of everyone else, tell them I say hi… yes, even Kitsune, if you want. You don't need to include the fact that I asked you to, though… chances are, if I know her, she'll guess at that all on her own, and she certainly doesn't need to hear it from you… just tell her I wrote to you, that should be enough.
I met some people when I got off the boat. Yeah, that's how I know some of their history already. These guys are about the same age as me, with kinda odd names. The one girl's I can't even pronounce, it's got a weird sound at the beginning. Anyway, they want to take me on a tour of the country. Apparently, it's pretty small, because the one guy said you could go all the way from one end to the other in about a day. That must be by those weird bus-thingies.
Which reminds me of something else – I think I must have traveled forward in time some, because they got all kinds of weird things that I've never seen in Japan or anywhere in my travels. I don't really know how I got here… I hope once I leave here, that the rest of the world will still be in the right time period. The only way to know is if you get this, and then wait it out until I decide it's time to move on again…
So, I guess that's about it. I really do think you all would like it here, even Kitsune. While we were walking yesterday, I saw this really huge clinic. One of the guys said it was called a hospital. I don't really know exactly what that means, but if it's just another word for a big clinic, then it's gotta be something good… I have a feeling I might end up there while I'm in this country, but who knows. If I plan on keeping my skills sharp, I guess you can count on it. Don't worry, I still have some of that balm she gave me.
Alright, I gotta go now. The new 'group' is waiting for me.
-Sano
PS. The food is really good. Jou-chan might even be able to learn from them!
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"Where should I address it to?" Adam asked when Sano brought him the finished letter.
"It should be enough to write 'Kenshin Himura, Kamiya Dojo.' It's in Tokyo. He lives there with his wife, Kaoru, who happens to be the current master of the Kamiya Kasshin School there. They're both masters of the sword…"
"Wow! That would be so cool to meet them! …It's too bad they're so far away… probably too tough for them to make the trip, huh?"
"Yeah, I imagine so. They probably have a kid by now, too…"
"Well, come on. We gotta go help finish the itinerary…"
"Heh, sounds like fun…" 'But… not so much,' Sano thought, as he followed the Israeli back to the other room.
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End Chapter 4
A/N: Okay, I really hope to get the group on the move in the next chapter. I'm still unsure how long I'm going to drag it out, but I wanna make each consecutive chapter be a different place they visit… I could figure out the itinerary on my own, but I'd prefer to make this part of the story interactive, so that you can see the places you want to see, not just the ones I want to talk about… I hope you know a little more about some of the places now, and so, I look forward to hearing from you. I wish for reviews before I update this story again!