We're back, everyone! Just so you all know, I'm writing this all out of my head, no paper-to-digital copying involved! I ran out of notebooks to write in, so I'm using the phone I have that doesn't have a SIM card yet.

You all know what the disclaimers are… I get tired of repeating myself...

"Unexpected kindness is the most powerful,

Least costly, and most underrated agent of human change."

~ Bob Kerry

"The ache for home lives in all of us.

The safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned."

~ Maya Angelou

When Embo came to, he was lying on a bed in what looked like an infirmary, the wounded from the battle on similar beds all around the large room. To his surprise, however, the young woman, Sugi, was sitting at his bedside.

"Good, you're awake," she said, smiling. He stared at her in confusion, and it was the first emotion that the woman had seen in him since she first saw him. "The medics treated your injuries; you should be good to go in a few days."

"Ok…" he said slowly, getting his emotionless front back up. "Thank you."

"You're welcome," Sugi said, puzzled by his actions. She had never met anyone who was so distant, so detached, so indifferent to everything around him. It just made her want to figure him out even more. "So… what is it like, traveling the stars?"

He looked at her, unable to hide his surprise. Then, using the most basic words he could in his native language, he said, "Better than being average."

It was true, since most Kyuzo never left Phatrong. Sugi didn't speak for a minute, obviously translating his words in her head, and then she looked confused.

"Average? So, not many leave your planet?" He shook his head, and she looked thoughtful. Suddenly, he realized just what it was she wanted from him.

She wanted to go out into the galaxy, to explore the universe, and he was her chance to do it. He had a ship, and the ability to fly it.

But would he be willing to take her?

A few days later, Embo was getting ready to leave. He had been given his 200,000 credits as payment for his services, and was healed enough to travel.

Suddenly, just as he was about to walk (actually, limp) into his ship, he heard someone shout behind him.

"Wait! Hold on there!"

Embo turned, and saw Sugi running over to him. She had a duffel bag slung over her shoulder, and a blaster strapped to her hip. When she stopped in front of him, she looked up at his eyes.

"I want to go with you," she stated, brown eyes challenging. "I want to go to the stars and become a greater warrior than I am now."

Embo stared back at her indifferently, trying to figure out what to do. Somehow… he felt like he didn't want to refuse her.

Wordlessly, he jerked his head towards his ship, and Sugi grinned.

"Thanks! I promise you won't regret it!"

And that's chapter two! I'm literally not sure where this is going to go from here specifically, but I know a basic plot for it! Until next time!