Chapter 2: Journey at last


There was a knock at my door,

"Rise and Shine" Dr Trent entered. "I talked to Dr. Alex and we both agreed there is nothing more we can do for you here. So you are free to go home. I've talked to Dr Jin also, and he's heading back home later today, and agreed to take you along on a vacation, he doesn't know, I thought you'd want to tell him. I bet you've grown since you got here, so you'll probably need some clothes. I'll see what I can do."

I was able to shower and brush my hair, and Dr. Trent gave me a nice summer dress, it was blue and form fitting, but it showed off what little figure I had developed over the past 4 years.

"You look good." He told me as we walked towards the doors leading to Dr. Jin and the car waiting for us. I turned to Dr. Trent to say goodbye,

"I always knew it'd be you who'd understood me, and the one I could open up to. Thank you for your help." I bowed a little.

"No thank you." He went to pull me into a hug with one arm, and his hand met my cheek. I closed my eyes and leaned into his hand, I had never been touched like that by a guy, as I slowly opened my eyes his lips met mine. I blushed as he pulled away. He smiled and started to walk away.

"Wait Dr. Trent." I ran to him and jumped up wrapping my arms around his neck. Hugging him tightly and his arms wrapped around my waist. "I will miss you. You've been a friend to me, like no one else has ever been."

"Hikari I was just doing my job."

"I know but I will still miss you my dearest friend." He kissed me again with a little more passion, when we released each other he whispered in my ear,

"I will miss you too my love." We turned away from each other slowly and walked away.

"Are you finally ready?" Dr Jin asked. I nodded and got into the car.


Dr. Alex looked at a blushing Dr. Trent

"What was THAT?" Dr. Trent sighed,

"A force I couldn't control. I think I love her."

"Well you know love just hopped into a cab and drove away."

"She's so young; she needs to live before she learns to love back. Maybe someday, we'll meet again." Dr. Alex shook his head,

"I don't get you," he said as he walked away.


"You look nervous." Jin asked me.

"Well I haven't interacted with people other than Trent, Alex, and you for the past 4 years." I lied. Jin laughed,

"You'll love Harmonica Town." I smiled, that wasn't what scared me, seeing the face of my family did.

"How long has it been since you've been back to Harmonica Town?" He had to think for a moment,

"I was 17 when I left to go study medicine and that was 6 years ago."

"Do you have a sweetheart back home?" Jin chuckled,

"Why are you interested?" I giggled.

The ferry that took us from the big island to Cascanet Island was much bigger and faster than Pascal's little boat, it seemed like it took half the time to arrive. When we arrived at the dock Jin smiled,

"Home sweet home. Would you like me to show you around?"

"I think I'd like to explore by myself, thanks though."

"Ok I'll be at the clinic if you need me." With that Jin headed off.


I looked around, thinking to myself. Strange, usually Toby or Pascal always hung around the docks fishing, but no one was around. Is it a holiday? What holiday could it be? The only one that was at the beginning of summer was the firefly festival and that was at night. It just can't be a holiday. I noticed a girl with bright red hair wearing a purple outfit that I've never seen before. She looked busy dancing so I decided not to go over there and talk to her. Find friends or home first? I should really go see my dad, so home it is.

I walked down the dock passed 'Off the hook', around the corner passed 'Brass Bar' and 'Sonata Tailoring', then around the corner and down the hill to a small beach. I took off my shoes and felt the sand between my toes and let the waves wash over my feet. I stood there for several minutes, and took a huge deep breath, "I can do this" I told myself. I continued my walk towards the farmland.

As I approached I saw my brothers, Yuuki and Takeru hoeing the ground. "They must be getting ready to plant seeds." Yuuki saw me and punched Takeru in the arm, Yuuki then ran inside. Takeru dropped the hoe and ran towards me, and I couldn't help but run towards him, it had been too long since I saw him. I dropped my bag and shoes and let him pick me up into a hug.

"Hikari I'm so happy to see you!"

"Hikari!" Came another voice, I looked over Takeru's shoulder and my dad was running out of the house with Yuuki right behind him.

"Let me take a look at you." Takeru set me down. "I didn't even recognize you, but I knew it was you." Takeru told me.

My dad hugged me, "You've grown so much."

I grinned ear to ear, "It's so good to see you guys. You'll have to tell me everything that's happened since I left."

My dad hugged me again, "And you're cured! Boys the farm can wait, this is cause for a celebration."

"Woo Brass Bar for dinner," Yuuki shouted.

"I'd like to get cleaned up from my long journey before we leave." I told Dallas.

"Sure, sure that'll give Yuuki time to find your sister." Yuuki groaned.


I walked into the house, almost exactly as it was before I left, and so was my room. I sat on my bed; it was so soft compared to the hospital bed. Everything looked untouched, the only thing is someone came in and dusted my things, Takeru would've been my guess; he always looked after me like a second father. I looked into the mirror and brushed my hair while staring back into my own eyes. To be able to look into a mirror was a special reward at the hospital, one I didn't get, and my face wasn't what I remembered it to be, no wonder Takeru didn't recognize me, I don't even recognize myself. My stomach grumbled and reminded me how hungry I was. I left my room, "Ok let's go."

Dallas, Takeru, and I walked to the Brass Bar.

"Yuuki and Akari are meeting us there." Takeru told me. I gulped before entering, hoping there would be no one else but us there. Hardly, of course. The room went silent as I entered in behind Takeru. Luke, Owen, Kathy, Luna, and Akari were standing together. Kathy's dad, Hayden, was behind the bar with a boy with Peach colored hair. There were a couple tables pushed together.

"Hikari!" Akari screamed and ran towards me giving me a hug.

I smiled, "I missed you sister."

She squealed with joy, "And you talk!" Hugging me once again. Yuuki came over and hugged the both of us,

"One happy family again." After several seconds we finally broke our hugs and sat down.

I choose a seat towards the middle, Takeru and Dallas sat to my left and Yuuki on my right. Akari sat across from me Kathy on her left, Luke and Owen on her right. Luna took the end next to Yuuki and Kathy, and Hayden eventually joined us at the other end next to Owen and Dallas.

"Hikari," Hayden started speaking to get my attention, "If I saw you walking down the street there is no way I would have thought you to be Akari's sister, you have grown into quite the little lady if I do say so myself." The boy with peach hair walked over to our table, "This is Chase he's my new cook. Chase," Hayden pointed at me, "That is Dallas' youngest daughter, Hikari; please take good care of her tonight. Drinks are on me!"

Chase came over to me to get my order, and everyone else broke off into their own little conversations. I looked around, nothing was how I had expected it to be, the little groups gave no indications that anyone was in a relationship with anyone at the table.

"So is it just how you remembered it?" Takeru asked me. Before I had a chance to answer Owen asked,

"Are we how you remembered us?" These questions had the whole table silent waiting for my answers.

I thought a moment, "No and not really."


Nobody asked me why or wanted details, and they left it at that, breaking back into their own conversations. After most of us had finished our food, Takeru leaned over and asked me how our aunt was. I couldn't answer it so I excused myself to the bathroom.

I walked out of the bathroom and Chase cornered me in the little hall. "So you're new in town."

"Um not really."

"Well I am."

"Welcome then, seems like you have made yourself right at home already."

"You're not going to offer to show me around, you can get reacquainted with the island and tell me all about it."

"Thanks I'm good though." I tried to squeeze past him; he was making me uncomfortable, was he trying to hit on me or something?

He blocked my way, "I won't take no for an answer."

"Well you're going to have to!" I raised my voice. I went to push by him again and he grabbed my arm,

"I know where to find you."

"Is that a threat?" Suddenly someone else joined us in the hall,

"Is everything ok?" It was Owen. I was able to free myself.

"I need some air." I told my family and left Brass Bar and headed towards the clinic.