Tears of the Sea

Chapter 2

  For the next week, Miroku remained in his home office with his nose crammed in books and notes he was making for himself. With his left hand controlling his computer mouse, his right hand writing down notes, and his nose in the book, it was like he was multitasking double time. Just then, Megumi came in with a hot cup of coffee.

“Find anything yet?” Miroku looked up from his research. Megumi noticed he had huge black circles around his eyes.

“Not yet, but I have to be close.” He smiled as he took a sip of coffee. Megumi sighed.

“Listen, Miroku, I know your research is really important to you and all, but there is such a thing as over working. You’ve been cramped in here for a whole week and haven’t had much to eat or sleep. In fact, the last time I saw you even close your eyes was 3 days ago. If you keep this up, you’re going to make yourself sick.” Miroku smiled as he sat the coffee cup down on his desk.

“I know I’ve been pushing myself and I’m sorry if I’m worrying you, Megumi. But don’t worry. I'll be fine.” He assured her as he rolled his chair over to his other desk which had all his lab equipment on it. While adjusting the lens, he peered through his microscope and observed a sample.

“There’s just so much I still don’t know about the big watery world down there.” Raising his head, he peered out the window and looked out at the ocean view.

“What wondrous creatures lay out there that are just waiting to be discovered? Where did they come from? How have they survived for so long? Just how many undiscovered life forms are out there that the world has yet to see?” Megumi smiled as she walked up to her brother's side and placed her hand on his shoulder.

“I know what you mean. I want to know about the ocean's secrets just as much as you do, Miroku. So does Sanosuke. But still, if you want to know about them, you’re first going to have to take care of yourself. After all, you can't exactly discover new life forms and collapse from exhaustion at the same time.” Before he could respond, Miroku suddenly let out a loud yawn. Megumi grinned.

“See what I mean?” Rubbing his eyes, all Miroku could do was smile.

“Alright, I get your point. I promise not to overexert myself.”

“Good, that’s just what I wanted to hear.” That being said, Megumi walked out of the room. For a long time, Miroku just stared at the sea.

“Such a beautiful sight. Just what new discoveries lay buried beneath your sparkling waves? I will uncover the secrets one way or another. I swear I will.”

   The next day, Miroku woke up to the sound of a dog barking. As soon as he walked out of his room, he was suddenly pushed down by a big black dog who started licking his face.

“Hey?! What the?! Shippo?! Where did you come from?!” Shippo happily licked Miroku's face as he wagged his tail wildly.

“Come on now, boy! Cut it out!” Miroku laughed as he tried to sit up. Finally, Shippo backed down allowing Miroku off the floor.

“You sure know how to give a guy a morning wake up call, don’t you boy?” Shippo let out a happy bark as his tail continued to wag. Just then, Miroku looked down at Shippo's broken leg.

“Hey, your splint is gone. Guess that means you’re feeling better.” Before he could react, Shippo jumped high in the air and pushed him back down again.

“Oh, come on now, boy! Give a guy a chance will you?!” Just then, someone came up from behind them.

“Where's the fun in that? After all, tackling someone and holding them down is the fun part.” Miroku looked up.