So, where's Enishi?"

"He's still in Hokkaido. He requested to be allowed to come here as soon as he heard, but he won't be here until tomorow morning," Sano answered.

"Oh, so how is my little brother doing anyway?" Tomoe asked.

"Um, ok, I guess. Kenshin will know more than me though, he'll be home soon. Until then Kaoru can fill you in somewhat if you'd like, we'll be by there shortly."

After a moment or two of silence, Sano couldn't stand it anymore. "So, what's it like in America, and where did you stay?"

"Hm, well I can't tell you an exact location, in case the police use it in a witness protection program again. But, I can tell you this much, it was on the west coast, with a high Asian population. They did this for two reasons, one was so that in case those after me found out I was there, it would be harder to find me, amoung others of my race, and the other was so that I would feel a bit more at home. It was nice though, I got to practice my English. It had been a while, so I was a bit rusty, but I was able to get along ok. As for how it was, in some ways it made me think of Japan, just more mixed races, which was kind of nice. I got to learn more about other cultures and all, the main thing I didn't like was not being in contact with those I knew over here, and that people seem a bit ruder over there then here, though acording to the older ones, people here are ruder than when they where my age."

'Ah! I wish I didn't ask! Is she ever going to stop?' Sano thought to himself. 'Doesn't matter, we're here, so she can talk to Kaoru now.' "Well, we're here."

"Oh, so soon? I was having a wonderful chat with you too, well maybe some other time."

"Uh, sure", Sano said, hesitantly. As Sano started to grab some of the luggage, Kaoru came out to greet them.

"Tomoe its so good to see you again!" Kaoru said as she ran up to her sister-in-law. "Here let me help you with those."

"Oh, thank you Kaoru-san, at least someone here doesn't have to be asked to give help," Tomoe said as she looked over at Sano.

'What's she looking over at me for?' Sano thought to himself.

"Kenshin wasn't able to get off of work early unfortunately, so it will be a few hours still before he gets here. In the mean time, can you please tell me what it was like? But we'll work well we're talking. Its been a few months since anyone's lived here, so it needs some cleaning."

"Sure Kaoru, and after I tell you what it was like over there, please tell me what's been going on since I left. I'm sure a lot of things have happened while I was gone." 'I feel so out of the loop, I didn't think so much could happen in just 14 months. Of course, I didn't think that I would be gone that long either.' Tomoe thought to herself. 'Enishi's joined the military, Kaoru's had her baby, Sano's gotten married. Before I left Ken-chan said he was just seeing someone, not even engaged yet. My how swiftly things can change.'

"Tomoe, Tomoe," Kauro's voice slowy drifted into Tomoe's thoughts. "Tomoe!" Kaoru yelled.

"Oh, sorry," Tomoe said, "my mind was drifting, is all. What is it you wanted?"

"I was wondering if you wanted to dust the furniture or wash the windows."

"Oh, I'll dust, thank you."

"Ok."

After a few minutes of silence, Kauro spoke up.

"So, Tomoe-san, how are you doing? I mean you've been gone so long, and you had to change your life so much. So, you know, how where you able to do it?"

"I-I'm not quite sure, Kaoru. I guess I just thought of Enishi and Kenshin and, well, all of my friends and family, including you, Kaoru." Tomoe then turned to look at Kaoru. "Are you crying Kaoru?"

"Don't worry, Tomoe, its just that what you said was so nice of you to say. Thank you, Tomoe, thank you."

"You're welcome Kaoru-chan," Tomoe said with smirk.

"Wha?" Kaoru responded. "Chan? Chan!?" After this Kaoru smiled evily. "I'd be careful eating supper tonight if I were you, Tomoe, you never know what might be in it."

"Yes, well, I will just have to make dinner then. It would probably be better then what you'd make anyway." Tomoe said with a Megumi Laugh.

Some time later...

"Thank you for your help, Tomoe. It made it go a lot faster."

"You're welcome, Kaoru. So when will Kenshin be home?" Tomoe asked.

"Should be any minute now."

And then, any minute later, the door opens, and in comes Kenshin.

"Ken-chan!" Tomoe yelled.

"Tomoe, you're home!", Kenshin exclaimed.