Here it is, my long overdue CHAPTER II. Extremely sorry about the delay, very complicated life I have. This one is a bit shorter that Chapter 1 (I think), but still, enjoy!

Chapter II-Calm before the Storm

The sunlight broke through the window and shined in the room. Michiru had the only "American" room in the manor. The wood floor and white desk reflected the morning light into her eyes. She sat up, the wooden bead creaking. The clock read six forty-five. Too early for her. She lay back down.

A horn broke the silence. She jumped up. Outside, Tenoh waved from a roofless red car. "Come on!" he shouted.

Michiru waved back. She went to her closet and pulled out a yellow sundress with cherry blossom petals embroider into the fabric. She put it on over her undergarments and took her white sandals and straw hat before she walked out.

The Manor was quiet. She could here her father snoring in the great hall where he passed out the night before. She navigated through the maze of corridors and walls in a hurry. Finally she pulled open the front door.

Tenoh waited beside the car. He wore a black turtleneck with a beige jacket and blue jeans. He leaded on the red car-an American Ferrari by the looks of it- with a smile on his face. "You look great. Hop in." He jumped into the driver's seat and opened the passenger door. As soon as Michiru was settled in, Tenoh floored it. They turned around and drifted-which made Michiru scream and Tenoh laugh. Soon they were driving along the country, the wind in their hair and beautiful scenery all around them.

"Where are we going?" Michiru asked. Tenoh looked down in between the two seats. There was a picnic basket with the stereotypical red and white checkered blanket. "A picnic?" Tenoh smiled and nodded.

"Where did you get the car?" Michiru asked while gazing around the lathered interior of the red vehicle. "I didn't buy it. Someone brought it in to get it fixed then left the country."

"You fix cars?"

"Yeah. I want to become a racer. But everyone has to start out somewhere. What do you want to do?"

"I don't know. My father wants me to be a musician. Right now, all I really want to do is become the wind and go wherever life takes me."

"Become the wind, eh? That's not a bad idea."

Michiru gazed at him. His smile was contagious. She was smiling. He laughed, she laughed. Some time was spent in nonsensical laughter. Then Tenoh pointed some of the scenery that Michiru would have missed.

Tenoh parked the car. Michiru saw before her the ocean with a white beach below a small grassy hill. They got out; Michiru spread the blanked on the hill as Tenoh unpacked the food. There were dumplings, sushi, shrimp and rice balls with four cans of soda pop. When everything was set up, Michiru ran towards the water.

"I didn't know that a place like this existed."

"I'm glad you like it." Tenoh said lying back on the blanket, "I often come here to think."

Michiru sat beside him and they began to eat.

"Tell me, Tenoh, where are you from?" She said snapping open her first can.

"I'm from Kyoto, but I live in Tokyo now with my dad. I'm going to the Mungen Academy next year."

"Where's your mom?"

"She died when I was two."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be. 'Don't dwell on the past', isn't that what I said?"

"Yeah…" Michiru leaned back, and watched the clouds go by.

The morning turned into the afternoon. They ate while chatting about small things that really had no meaning to them. Then Michiru piped up. "I missed my first concert."

"Do you want to go back?" Tenoh asked.

"No, I want to swim."

Michiru threw off her dress and jogged down to the water. She jumped in, the cool water feeling so good. Michiru always loved to swim, it relaxed her. When she surfaced, Tenoh stood by the water's edge. "Come in!" she called. "I'd rather not." He replied. Michiru dived down and surfaced near him, splashing water all over him. "Is that a challenge?" he asked. "I guess it is." She replied.

Tenoh grinned and kicked off his shoes and socks. He dove into the water-clothes and all-and got a head shot on Michiru. They swam, splashing each other, not even noticing that their after noon sun was being eaten away by dark rain clouds.

There it is. Please review. I thrive on them. Third chapter will be up soon, you have my solemn writer word!

RM McKenna