(a/n: Well my pretties it has been a while, has it not? I'm terribly sorry about that. The reasons…will remain a mystery. I know that to give no explanation for this is cruel, but that's life is and how this particular cookie crumbles it. I am back now though, in full swing I might add, and am ready to further attempt to enthrall you with my thoughts and interpretations and tales. Thank all of you who actually come back to read and for all of the encouraging reviews. Not to sound like a bad awards show cliché, but I thank all of the fans.)

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Vol. 20 Desired Destinations

-Fuu-

This was it. We had reached Kyoto in just a few more days. I was living at the highest tension level I thought possible without going insane. But when I looked at Jin, I knew what I was feeling was nothing. With each step we took on the still-moist dirt road his tension grew, threatening to crash over us like the most uncaring and destructive wave. Even Mugen stayed quiet, keeping his unhelpful comments and negative musings to himself.

We stood at the city gates, just on the outside. It was as if all of us were afraid of the uncertainties that lay inside. It was Tsukiko that took that first step, not tentatively, but boldly as if she were trying to prove something.

"I guess we go to the hotel first, get settled, then wait for you to find Shino, Jin," she said, the careful command in her voice most likely betraying her feelings.

"Agreed," Jin said with one of his trademark reserved nods.

And then suddenly they were off, like soldiers on a mission. Mugen and I were left blinking in the dust.

"Oh yeah, this is going to be fun," he grumbled. With a great and heaving sigh he started after them.

Slouching, I followed.

Later……….

Jin had gone out the door as soon as he had set some of his things down. Tsuki. paid no attention –or at least pretended to- and went about fixing some dinner for the three of us. Usually Mugen would be out hitting the red light district too, but I think that he knew what was going on was more important…that, and the fact that he had no money and was too much of a scaredy-cat to ask Tsuki.

"Really, you haven't sat down since we got here. Why don't you relax?" I asked the long haired woman.

"I would rather cook."

"That's fine with me," Mugen said happily as he lounged against one of the cushions. I shot him a corrosive look. He shrugged and closed his eyes lazily again.

Tsukiko set a dish in front of us and we both leaned in to grab some. We paused, still staring into the dish.

"What the hell is this crap?" Mugen demanded, his finger drawing closer to one of the odd little pillow-like things. Tsuki swatted his hand.

"It's a European dish. It's called ravioli. It isn't the exact recipe as we make it back home, but I made the best of the ingredients I could find."

"Rava-what-ey?" I asked.

"Ra-vi-o-lli."

"Whatever, can I taste it?" Mugen asked. Tsuki nodded.

He dug his chopsticks in and put the whole thing in his mouth. He chewed for a minute and then swallowed. He went for another.

"Is it good?" she asked.

His answer was cramming another three in his face. Hurriedly I took some in a bowl before Mugen ate them all.

"Whoa," I moaned as I chewed. It was delicious!

Tsuki laughed. "Well I'm glad you like it, I made plenty. I know how much all of you freaks eat."

"Is all food in Europe like this?" I wondered aloud.

"Sometimes, but there is a lot of better things than this."

Mugen and I stared wide-eyed at her. "If we ever go to Europe, I'm going to get really, really fat."

"What's the difference? You do that here too." Mugen scoffed.

"Hey!"

-Jin-

It had taken me longer than I had anticipated finding the reform house that Shino was supposed to be staying at. I stood at the front door taking careful breaths. I didn't know what I was going to do, but I knew that I had to see Shino before I took any further steps. I raised a hand to knock on the door.

"Jin?" a surprised and disbelieving voice asked from behind me.

I turned, my hand still up.

"Shino."

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(a/n: Ha, ha, ha. Cliff hanger. Between this and the seeming abandonment over the last two months you all must hate me. But alas, you will have to be patient for the next installment. It isn't so bad, patience is supposed to be a virtue, but I find little use for it. In the mean time, please do the whole R&R ordeal even if I may not deserve it so I know how ya feel. sigh It's good to be back.)