"Hey, Killer?"

"Yeah, bird?"

"When is this little sojourn of yours going to end?" she asked, stretching out on the futon that served as her bed. They had arrived in Tokyo a week ago but, instead of a hotel, Killer had found an old, traditional Japanese home to rent. The place itself was sparsely furnished. Killer didn't know how long he intended to stay and didn't want to be bogged down with a lot of stuff when he decided to up and move. At least, that's what he told her. She was certain he was doing this just to torment her.

Killer looked up from the paper he was reading and turned his attention to her.

"It ends when you've come full circle."

"Huh?"

"Part of being on a sojourn means you're out to find yourself, right?"

"Yeah . . ." she answered hesitantly.

"The journey ends when you've come full circle, when you've discovered what is that you were out to discover. I take it you're feeling homesick again?"

"A little . . ." she nodded.

"You know there's nothing stopping you from going back home, Trixie."

"I know . . . but I don't feel like I've accomplished what I've set out to do . . ." she sighed.

"And how do you propose that you accomplish what you've set out to do, Trixie?"

"I . . ." To that, she really had no answer. She knew she was on a quest to become a stronger person, so she could return back to Speed but she had no clear ideas beyond that. "I don't know."

"In order to live, you must leave the confines of these walls. Find yourself a job, help out somewhere . . . Push yourself to the limits. Take a chance every now and then, and forget your fear. Do something other than just sit here and think about how homesick you are. That's the only way you're going to know."

Killer turned back to what he was reading, leaving Trixie alone with her thoughts.

'Live a little . . . do something. But what can I do? I've always had it easy . . . and maybe that's the problem. It's settled then. Tomorrow, I find myself a job. No matter how hard it is, I'll stick with it until it's time for us to leave.'
She curled up on the futon and pulled the blanket up to her chin. Closing her eyes, Trixie smiled slightly as she thought about her return home and to Speed . . .

Early the next morning, Trixie rose and went about what was becoming her daily routine. Before breakfast, she stretched on a yoga mat, listening to a New Age artist called Loreena McKennitt. After the yoga session, Trixie showered then ate breakfast. Breakfast was no longer cold pizza and Coca Cola or leftover cheeseburgers from McDonald's but miso soup, green tea, and star fruit.

'Amazing,' she thought, sipping on her tea. 'In one area, Killer is one way but get him out of that environment and he's completely different.'

"Something the matter, bird?"

"Huh?" Trixie blinked, her reverie broken.

"You're staring at me kinda funny. Was just wondering if something's wrong."

"Oh," she chuckled. "No. Just amazed at how you were a party animal in California but here, you eat the same way that the Japanese do."

At that, he laughed.

"Yeah, I guess I do."

"Torie get you into this?"

"Kinda," he nodded. "It was actually Ryan who got me into Japanese foods."

"Ryan?"

"Yeah. He was half-Japanese, y'know. His great grandmother lived in Kyoto and gave him a few recipes so he could fix them for Torie."

"How did Torie react to that?" Trixie inquired, leaning forward and resting her chin on her hand.

"Oh, Torie loved it. She knows how to speak Japanese and to write it as well, and she already had a Japanese cookbook."

"Torie sounds like she's very open-minded," Trixie commented.

"She tries her best. That's all she can do," Killer smiled. "That's all anyone can do."

"Yeah . . ."

"So . . . what are you going to do today, bird?"

"Well," Trixie began thoughtfully, "I was thinking of finding a temporary job somewhere but I'm not sure what I'll be able to do . . ."

"Hey, just do the best that you can and give whatever you end up landing the same. You don't know what you can do until you do it."

"Sky's the limit?"

"Sky's the limit," he winked. "Good luck today."

"Thanks."

888888888

The sun shone as Trixie stepped out of the little house that she shared with Killer. He had already left for the day but not after taking the time to smell some plantlife. Flowers had been planted along the walkway by the previous owners and Killer stopped every morning to smell at least one of them each time he left. Trixie thought it odd that a grown man like him would take the time to stop and smell the flowers.

'Still, it is something like an age-old adage,' she mused as she bent down and took a delicate sniff. Then she giggled. Lavender mixed with jasmine . . . definitely interesting. 'Better get moving. Can't find a job if I'm sitting here, smelling the flowers.'

She rose quickly and took off. Skipping lightly, Trixie took great care to not bump into anyone on her way through the crowded streets. Japanese people had a funny way of running into others and not stopping to apologize. She couldn't recall the number of times she had been bowled over and had Killer stop her from chewing the offenders out. It took some getting use to but Trixie felt she was getting the hang of it.

As she wandered through the city, she kept pulling out her dictionary, trying to find help wanted signs. But with the people pushing or shoving, she hadn't been able to find any place that was willing to hire her. By the end of the day, her hair had become a mess and her makeup streaked her face. When she got back to the house, Killer had some sushi, couscous salad, and iced tea ready.

"I'd ask how your day went," he had commented, "but I think I can tell. No luck, huh?"

"No," she shook her head, grabbing a tissue. "I couldn't even read the writing in the buildings. And I had my dictionary with me . . ."

"Hey," he took her hand in his and knelt before her. "It's okay. Everyone experiences failure every now and then. You can't let it get you down."

"I know," she sighed. "I'm just not used to this, though."

"We have to suffer some kind of a defeat in order to gain victory. Can't have everything coming up roses. Now come and have something to eat."

He set her plate before her but, despite the encouragement Killer had given, Trixie still felt a small pang of homesickness.

'I'll find my way home. I swear I will.'