*Ahh a new chapter a clean sheet of paper! Good times! I hope this chapter isn't too depressing . . .it shouldn't be. Anyway the 'dynamic' thing yea I'm gonna go for it. As long as you guys don't like . . .kill me. Yea so anyway please, please, please rest assured it will end good! Oh and nothing out of the ordinary is in this chappie so you'll have to wait for the dynamic stuff, so anyway on to the disclaimer!
DISCLAIMER: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin ok? So there! Hah you can't get mad at me!
Chapter 5: The Step into the Unknown
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*America (Berriesburg)~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The next couple of days passed slowly for Kenshin, but as soon as he thought he wouldn't be able to stand the wait any longer Sunday had arrived! Kenshin road into town early that morning, even as he sat in church he fidgeted all through the service until finally the hour had arrived. Kenshin left the church and decided to walk down to the county's courthouse.
As he walked up the sidewalk to the front steps he could already tell there were more than just a 'few' men present. He shifted his way through the crowd until he caught sight of Sano up at the front of the line.
"Hey Sano!" he shouted.
"Hey Kenshin up here!" Kenshin made his way to the front as fast as he could. When he finally arrived at the front Sano had just finished registering.
"Here ya go buddy. I knew you'd come through." Sano smiled at his friend.
"I don't understand. Are all these men here for wives???"
"Yea and that's why they're having a screening process."
"What do you mean?"
"Don't worry about it Kenshin. You'll make it through!" Sano said with a confident grin.
Kenshin sighed. "You didn't tell me I had to be interviewed . . .this whole thing is crazy."
Sano laughed and slapped Kenshin on the back. "Aww c'mon Kenshin can't handle it???" He teased. Kenshin grinned and began to fill out the sheet, while the man behind the counter plagued him with questions. Kenshin felt that this was the most annoying thing he'd ever done in his life. By the time he and Sano got out he was sweating and exausted.
"Hey Sano?"
"Yea?"
"Remind me to never do that again ok buddy?"
"Heh heh hopefully we won't have to do it again!" The men laughed as they continued to walk down the street.
"So how long is it gonna take for them to get here???" Sano asked.
"Anxious???"
"Naww, just curious is all."
"Oh . . .I dunno I think it takes three to four weeks."
Sano whistled. "Ouch, that's a pretty long time."
"Yea but it probably won't be long enough."
"Yea I have so much stuff I need to do!"
"Me too." The men both mounted their horses and took off together down the road towards their ranches.
"Well, I'll see ya tomorrow buddy" Sano said with a wave.
"Yea, 'till tomorrow!"
Though the men parted ways they were both at the same time embarking upon the greatest journey of their lives.
~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:Europe~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:
It had been two weeks since Kaoru had registered and she had yet to hear even a word about it from anyone.
'Maybe I wasn't accepted.' She thought. She shrugged her shoulders and continued to walk towards her home. 'Home' she thought. 'If I am accepted . . .then my home will be somewhere else . . .' she sighed. She was ready to get out and yet she had no idea what to expect. 'I guess I can just expect the best and then maybe it'll happen' she thought optimistically. As soon as she walked through the front door she saw a man sitting right in the middle of their floor.
"Mother? Who is this?"
"Oh Kaoru you're home! This is Mr. Beuford he comes with news about your little 'trip.'
"Oh???"
"Hello Ms. Kamiya."
"It's Kaoru." Kaoru replied as she shook his hand.
"Well, Ms. Kaoru it seems as though tomorrow you will be one of the passengers on the Great Platoon."
"Great Platoon?"
"It's a ship Darling, to take you to America." Kaoru's mother clarified.
"I'm going to America TOMORROW!"
"Yes ma'am. The men's applications were received last week and after reviewing them we have paired each woman up and the ship is ready to set sail tomorrow."
"But . . .it's so sudden"
"I realize that . . .but you must understand there really is no need for delay. You will be stopping at two different ports before you actually leave for America."
"Oh."
"Rest assured all your needs will be met. There will be blankets and food provided. You will be on the ship for about two and a half weeks. Once you reach mainland America you along with others will be taking a train to your final destination."
Kaoru sat down. She couldn't believe it. It was happening all so fast. She couldn't take everything in. "Tomorrow? Boat? Two weeks? Train?"
This was nothing new for Mr. Beuford he had been to twelve houses so far and all the reactions had been the same. A shocked stunned look on each woman's face that clearly showed signs of fear and determination. 'These women will make it.' He thought with satisfaction.
"Now, Ms. Kaoru if you have any further questions I will be accompanying you women on this trip as well, fell free to ask me any question at any time."
"Yes . . .thank you." Kaoru managed to say just as he walked out.
"Well, isn't that exciting. A boat ride, a train ride! The country side oh M'dear you are going to have such a wonderful time."
Kaoru just looked at her mother. How could she take it so calm? Her mother was elated. Kaoru managed a smile before saying, " I think I'll go and . . .pack . . ."
"Oh yes of course you need to pack! Good heavens me there is so much to do before you leave." Kaoru just watched as her mother scurried around the house grabbing different things and flinging them in a bag. At that moment Yahiko came home. HE began to say something when he noticed his sister's expression.
"Kaoru? What 's wrong? Why are you just sitting there?"
"Hmm? Oh umm well I'm leaving tomorrow and mother is apparently packing for me . . .so I have nothing else to do . . ."
"You're leaving tomorrow? Sheesh, the jerks could have at least let you have more than a day's notice." With that Yahiko began running around the room helping Kaoru's mother get everything ready. Kaoru just watched as the two most important people in her life worked to get everything ready for her. She heaved a sigh and began to pack as well.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *The sun rose just as Kaoru was getting her last few things together. 'Well,' she thought. 'The day has finally come.' She looked around the room. She smiled as she remembered her and Yahiko having to 'rig' the stove so it wouldn't tip over on its side. There were so many memories here, and she would always carry them with her. Wherever she ended up. She walked outside to say goodbye to her mother and brother for the last time. Mr. RC had come to fetch her early this morning but had stepped outside with he family to let her be by herself for just a moment. She smiled at him as he began to walk to the end of the street in order to give them a moment.
"Well . . .thank you for helping me pack."
"Oh you're so welcome dear. You're sure you don't want us to go with you to the dock?"
"No. Mr. RC will accompany me. Everything should be just fine." She just looked at her family . . .all she had left. She quickly gave Yahiko a hug. "Take care of mother for me ok?"
"You know I will Kao."
"I know. I am so proud to have you for a brother Yahiko. Don't ever forget that."
Yahiko smiled a weak smile. "I won't."
Kaoru looked at her mother, her best friend and confidant. The woman who made her what she was today. She looked into those calm, supporting eyes, eyes who gave her confidence to take on anything.
"Mother?"
With that Kaoru's mother wrapped her arms around her daughter for the last time. Kaoru returned the embrace. She took in her mother's scent. She felt as he mother stroked her hair and as she sweetly placed a kiss on her forehead.
"Go now, and know I've always loved you and always will. I am so proud of you . . .my daughter." Kaoru kissed her mother's withered cheek and turned to go. She walked with heavy steps to the end of the alley. She turned to look at her family one last time. There they stood. Yahiko with his head held high and a protective arm around their mother. Her mother with tears in her eyes waved her hand.
Tears welled up in Kaoru's eyes. This was it. It was now or never for her, her moment of truth. She knew what she had to do . . .but it was so hard. She raised her hand and with a final smile. Turned to head towards the harbor.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * The Harbor* * * *Kaoru arrived at the harbor along with Mr. RC who was preparing her papers for boarding. Kaoru watched as families said their good-byes, as men kissed their wives, and sailors prepared to make way.
"Come." Mr. RC said as he touched Kaoru's shoulder to awaken her from her reverie.
Kaoru followed him until they reached a boarding station.
"This is as far as I may come with you Ms. Kamiya. You sure you want to so this."
"I do."
"Then here are your papers. There is and envelope with the information on the man you are to meet, and where he lives. Do you understand?"
"I do."
"I salute you for your courage young lady. There will be an orientation meeting tonight in the hull, where you and other women will be dwelling for the better part of the trip. I wish you the best of luck."
Kaoru looked into the old man's warm eyes. "Thank you Mr. RC. For everything." Mr. RC smiled as he watched Kaoru walk up the gangplank. 'That is some woman. I pray she gets a man worthy of her.'
Kaoru stepped onto the deck of the ship. She looked out over the sea. So calm, so peaceful. "Ma'am" one of the sailors said. "The hull is down those steps."
"Thank you." Kaoru replied. She took one last glance at London, her home. She would never see it again. A single tear slid down her cheek as she made her way into the dark depths of the unknown.
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Tadaaaa!!! There I was so inspired by your reviews I wrote the next chapter. Remember to not kill me in future chapters I promise it will be good in the long run! I always keep my promises! Time to thank my reviewers!
*********My Reviewers************
Noner_89- I updated hope this is soon enough!
Bob-san- I am so hone'red its a gonna be on yer fav's list. Reely I am!
Moonsilver- Well, yes . . .al the women will be on the same boat. And I guess you'll just have to see how that unfolds, as for the hobbies. Women back then didn't really have 'jobs' but I do have plans for Megumi, Misao, and Kaoru. Kaoru was the hardest so it's gonna be a kind of a stretch but it should work out juuust fine! Thanks for the review! Hope you liked this chapter!
Koishii Sweet- Thanks so much for the help. Yea K/K action will be coming . . .umm slowly . . .lol well, you'll se what I mean.
Kenshin's-angel- You're very welcome! I really enjoyed your story! I'll try to post the next chappie soon!
Me, Myself, and I- Yea the fear thing worked great! You gotta love Sano! Thanks for reviewing and I'm gonna have some good times with the 'dynamic' stuff! Aww you're so sweet for reading my other ficcie even though you've never watched Yugioh. (sniffs) it's just to nice to be true . . . * Smiles* I'm going to go and dance now (dances) That was fun! I don't care if you don't read it anymore. Just thanks for reading it! Hope you liked this chapter!
Maya-chan- picks up bottom lid of mouth and brushes it off. Don't worry! See I updated! Bandaged bruised chin. All better now! ; )
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Once again thanks to all my reviewers if I missed anyone let me know! You guys are the reasons that keep me writing! Thanks again! And don't forget to REVIEW!!!!
~Kairi7~