Author's note:

I don't own Ruruoni Kenshin. Not now and not ever. Read and Review.

Chapter 7

Megumi's image flashed through Aoshi's mind. Something must have happened to her whether it was good or bad he couldn't tell but there was something all right. He has been on this island for about 4 months now and he feels that he might be here for some time more.

If he senses the wind correctly soon enough the storms will come by the island much frequently than it has been. To be honest life in the island wasn't so bad and the other passengers have come accustomed to the life here. Some have set-up homes and started their own measures to have comfortable living but Aoshi preferred to live isolated from the village they were setting up. "I really don't understand you at all Aoshi, you still prefer to live in this cove when you could live over at the beach where everyone is." It was Misao, crossing from the boulder that separated the cove he was on and making her way towards him. He looked at Misao then back to the sea and he felt the tightening in his fists.

Misao then sat beside him and looked up to his distant eyes and frowned. He must be thinking about the one he left back on the mainland again. It was always the same thing he was thinking when he has that distant stare in his eyes. Misao then let out a sigh and hugged her knees and stared at the direction Aoshi was staring at. Misao prayed for courage to break the silence but it was Aoshi who broke the silence himself, "I am gonna go away pretty soon."

Misao looked at his face immediately with a wide stare on her face, "Away? How do you plan to do that Aoshi?"

Aoshi was still staring towards the open sea as he answered Misao's, question, "I'll build a boat or a raft...the main land could not be so far away." Misao can feel anger swelling inside her, he's only known Aoshi for a couple of months but she felt a connection deeper than friendship. It was as if Aoshi was her older brother and she couldn't be at ease with the thought that his older brother may die in sea alone.

"I know I can't stop you...and so I have no other choice, the great Misao will accompany you."

Aoshi stared back at Misao and shook his head, "I can't let you, it's way too dangerous and the sea will become very unpredictable. There's no guarantee we'll make it. I can't allow to risk your life. "

Misao stood up and turned towards the sea, "You're right but I am not a little girl like you think I am. Back in the mainland I was something amazing you know. I don't want to be stuck on this island as well. So whatever you say I am coming with you, got that?" Then like a playful little girl she rushed out to the sea and began to splash water on Aoshi's face.

Aoshi knew it was stupid but he couldn't help but smile a bit. He had a good feeling they will make it back. "Just a little more, Megumi."

Megumi has been looking at the map for an hour and she could feel another headache coming. They have already been in sea for two days but they haven't seen any signs of the ship or any clue where the passengers could be. With a heavy heart and no conclusion Megumi decided to place the map back to her drawer. Megumi went out her room and headed out for the deck for a bit of fresh air and a change of scenery. As she was walking towards the deck she noticed a man with 'Sagara' written at the back of his open shirt, he was leaning on the rails of the ship and was looking very distantly. 'Sanosuke Sagara', Megumi thought, there wasn't much on his profile but he was well known among the other crew members as a seafarer and a good fighter. Megumi remembers debating whether to hire him or not but good reviews from the other crew members made her finally agree. She was lost in thought of analyzing his profile when he suddenly came over and grabbed her shoulder and drew her closer.

"How dare you?" She then slapped Sanosuke's left cheek.

"What was that for? I know you're the head of the expedition but why did you suddenly slap me like that." Megumi felt her cheeks flush from anger. How could this man simply grab her and then hug her for no reason at all.

"Well, I don't see any reason for you to simply embrace me any time you wanted to!" Sanosuke's mouth was wide open and his face was full of disbelief. "You worry about being embraced when I simply saved your life back there."

"Saved my life?" Megumi was about to argue further till she saw that the railings have stopped and she was walking towards the open end of the ship. Indeed Sanosuke grabbed her before she could reach the open-end and has indeed saved her life.

"I don't know how much of your mind has been blown away by losing your fiancee...but I don't see any point in losing your wits to keep on living." Sanosuke then turned away and walked back to his cabin still trying to alleviate the sting on his cheek.

Megumi was both embarrassed and furious, how can he easily say she's lost her will to live but somehow she felt she indebted to these man. She simply bit her lip and looked towards the open sea and after looking at the ocean her mind once again drifter with thoughts of Aoshi.

Author's Note:

I think the story will get more interesting once more characters start appearing. Read and Review, all I can say is it's been a long long time.