Inspired by the movie Before Sunrise, a one-shot. Whoever the characters are, your guess is as good as mine. Reviews are muchly appreciated.

One Shot.

She furrowed her eyebrows and shifted uneasily in her seat, glancing surreptitiously at the couple across the aisle. The couple had been quarrelling ever since the flight began and she was not too sure if she could tolerate it any longer. The quarrel escalated and she sighed, grabbing her bag and left her seat.

Fortunately it was an early flight and the plane was thankfully half-full. She spotted an empty seat a few rows down, next to a tall guy.

"Sorry, is this seat taken?" She asked in English. The guy glanced up at her from his book and motioned to it.

"No. Couldn't stand the feuding couple?" He asked nonchantly. She smiled, embarrassed. He closed his book and turned to her, gesturing to the couple. "So, do you happen to know what they are quarrelling about?"

"Well, they were arguing over who gets to take the seat nearer the aisle."

"Ah, sou-da."

"Oh, you speak Japanese!" She asked excitedly. It was good to know of someone who spoke her native tongue. She was getting rather tired of having to speak English. He gave her a small smile.

"You speak good English yourself." She blushed. "Just came back from some exchange programme?"

"Yes, oh, how did you know?" He chuckled at the amazement in her tone. He tapped his fingers to his temple.

"Pyschic." She pouted a little at the realization that he was teasing her. "Well, I happen to notice something sticking out of your bag which says 'Tokyo University- New York University Exchange.'

"AH!" She exclaimed as she fished out the file from her bag. She smiled at him but he merely shrugged his shoulders.

"So, are you from Tokyo?"

"Nah. I actually stay in New York. I am flying to Tokyo to attend some tennis match."

"Ah, so you're a tennis player? Are you very good? My ex.. um, my friend is a very good tennis player." She fumbled around a little, her cheeks colouring.

"Well, I wouldn't say I am the best. So you have an ex-boyfriend who is a tennis star?"

She glanced down at her hands and looking him, gave him a wistful look. "Well, that was a rather long time ago. We weren't really that compatible and he was busy and I had my exchange to do so… yeah."

"I see." There was small awkward silence which was thankfully broken by the air stewardess.

"Ah, orange juice please." She asked politely as the air stewardess nodded. The flight was such a long one and she was feeling a little thirsty. The orange juice came in at such an opportune time.

"Do you have Ponta?"

"Ah sir, I do believe we've ran out of it. Will orange juice do?"

"Ok." The air stewardess filled another cup and handed it to the young man before moving on to the next row.

"You like Ponta?" She asked, sipping her juice.

"You have no idea. I'm addicted to them. They are… the greatest things on earth to have when you're hot, hungry, tired and thirsty."

"Wow. You make them sound like some elixir."

"Well, they are, for me I guess."

"You're really interesting!" She blurted out and he looked at her curiously before grinning.

"Oh, what do you mean by that?"

"Er… well… for starters you speak great English, something which not many Japanese guys do well." She confessed. "I mean… well… I am so tired of guys back home not doing anything substantial, just thinking of ways to get laid and not studying properly."

"Wow. That's the longest sentence I've heard you speak so far with such passion."

"Oh, quit teasing." She blushed again.

"Well, sounds like you get hit on a lot."

"They just don't have anything to do. That's why." She frowned. "It's annoying really, especially when I am not one of those girls who like such attention."

"Different priorities I guess. So what are you majoring in?"

Her frown disappeared and she brightened up. "Oh, I am doing economics!"

"You sound like you sure love it. SO… that makes you an economist. Economists invent jobs for themselves, don't they? They sound like spin doctors."

"That isn't a nice thing to say."

"Sorry, was just… well, am not too fond of economists."

"Oh?" She looked at him. He shifted uneasily in his seat, aware that she was prompting him for a response.

"My ex was studying economics. She dumped me for another economics dude. Said she preferred economists. He was such. A. bastard."

"I'm sorry to hear that."

"Well, it sucked. I mean, it sucks to know that she wasn't thinking much of me when she dumped me. Like ok." He leaned his head back in his seat.

"Then she just isn't quite worth your time and effort. You seem like a nice guy. It isn't right for you to be cheated."

"Maybe." A small smile played on his lips.

"So, do you have siblings?" She asked as she struggled to find a space to put her bag. It was rather huge and she didn't want to put it on the floor.

"Here, give it to me." He motioned for it and put it on the seat next to him. "Well, no. I have a cat though. A Himalayan cat."

"Oh! That's really nice. You didn't bring it with you?"

"Well, I did. But I had to put it in a special pets' corner of the plane. It's ok. It's probably sleeping now. Hang on, let me see if I still have it…" He slipped his hands into his pockets and came up with a wallet. Fumbling a bit, he located a small piece of paper and passed it to her.

"Here's it. I call it Karupin."

"It's cute! I mean, it's so round and furry and look at its eyes!" She blabbed excitedly.

"I'll show it to you later when I pick it up. So, do you have siblings?"

"No, I'm the only child." She said shyly. "I stay with my grandmother though."

"Your parents?"

"Oh, they passed away in a car accident." She said softly, looking down at the floor. He felt bad immediately for asking and in a move that surprised the both of them, he put his hand over hers.

"I'm sorry for asking."

"Oh, don't worry. Please." He removed his hand almost immediately and she found herself feeling a little sorry that he had done so.

"Well, if it's any comfort, I have a dysfunctional family. My dad has a stash of porn magazines and my mother is usually screaming the house down half the time."

"You have an interesting family." She laughed and he shrugged his shoulders, throwing her a smile nonetheless.

"I think Karupin's the only normal being around. I had it when it was a baby. I was a baby myself but I loved it. I still sleep with it. It's so furry it becomes my bolster." His eyes softened considerably. "I don't know what I will do if it dies."

"Well, my Labrador died just last summer." She said, placing her hand over his unconsciously. He looked at it but did not attempt to remove it. "I had it when it was a baby too."

"Yeah. We both love our animals a lot."

"More than our girlfriends or boyfriends at that." They both laughed and settled back into a silence, although it was a comfortable one now.

"So how did you get so interested in tennis?" She asked him.

"Well, I was about 4 and I was visited by an angel who said he would bestow me with tennis powers."

"Wow! That's incredible." She laughed heartily. He chuckled alongside.

"Ok, seriously. When I was 4, Karupin happened to be chasing a tennis ball and somehow it chased the ball to a court. Unbelievable but yeah, I ended up at a tennis court. And I saw my dad playing tennis, in such a professional manner I found it unbelievable. I later found out my dad was a professional player but gave it up for family although I find that a little questionable."

"That's the longest time I've heard you speak."

"Now you're teasing."

"So you've been it forever?"

"Well, since 4. I love the exhilaration when I push myself. I think of the adulation I first experienced when I first saw my dad playing and think of how incredible it can transform a person. Like magic."

"That's really nice. I mean, the way you see your dad in. A different light."

"Hmmph. Only this once. How about you? What do you like doing?"

"Oh! Well, I like cooking." He cocked an eyebrow on hearing that.

"Can you cook Japanese food?"

"OH yes. I cook dinner for my grandmother. When I was still with my boyfriend, I cooked bento lunches for him. He said they tasted fantastic."

"Good. My mum never cooks Japanese food and I miss them like crazy. The Japanese food sold in New York cannot compare with those in Japan." His mouth watered just thinking of all the exquisite delicacies.

"I should invite you over one day for a meal."

"Ah, I was just wondering when you would ask. I would have shamelessly asked for an invitation if you didn't anyway." She laughed a tinkly laugh.

"Thank you. But it is only humble fare."

"No worries."

Just then, the intercom came on.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we're landing soon. Please fasten your seatbelts and remain in your seats."

"Oh, that's fast." He marveled and she nodded. They strapped on their belts but he could not help noticing she looked a little nervous. "Nervous?"

She wringed her hands a little. "Well, kind of. I hate the whole feeling."

"Never mind. I'll be here." He patted her head and held her hands. She blushed yet again from the close contact but found it reassuring.

As the plane began its descent, she gripped his hand tightly and shut her eyes. Finally, the pilot's voice came on. "Ladies and gentlemen, we've landed at Narita Airport. It's a beautiful summer day and I hope you've enjoyed flying with Japan Airlines. Have a pleasant day."

"It's over."

"Thank goodness."

"You ok?" He brushed a small strand of hair from her face.

"Thank you." They sat there in silence as the passengers started filtering out.
"Well, I think we better get out before they lock us up here." She chuckled.

"You really have a sense of humour. Oh! My bag!"

"Ah, I could have robbed you."

"I know you wouldn't do that. You're a real gentleman."

"Oh! Karupin! I have to pick him up."

"Great, I would love to see your cat."

They headed for the conveyor belt. "Ah, here you go." He helped her lift her luggage bag as she pointed out the brightly coloured bag.

"Thanks."

"Welcome. Anymore pieces?"

"Oh! There it is!" She laughed as he stretched out and managed to hook the bag off the belt.

"You nearly caused me to dislocate my arm and you still laugh."

"I'm sorry but it looked funny!"

"OK." But his eyes danced with mirth and she knew he was not really mad. She waited for his bag to arrive and they headed for the exit.

As they reached it, they soon realized they had to part ways.

"So, this is it." He said, hands in his pockets. She was a little disappointed that he seemed a little bored.

"Well, shall we exchange numbers? Oh! I don't even have your name!"

"Ryoma Echizhen. And you're… Ryuuzaki Sakuno."

"Oh! How did you know!" She asked, surprised. He no longer seemed bored and smiled.

"I peeped at your passport."

"That's naughty of you." He cocked his head.

"Well, let's not exchange numbers. You know, people who do such things just forget about them and it becomes but a passing thing."

"True. Ok, we won't then. But how will we get to meet then?"

"If fate allows."

"You're a strange man, Ryoma-san." She gave him a wistful look. "Well, then we better leave. Good bye Karupin." She waved at the little cage he was carrying."

"Well, before we actually leave…" He paused and leaning towards her, he kissed her on the forehead. He smiled at her.
"We'll see each other again." She smiled.

"Goodbye Ryoma."

"Goodbye Sakuno."

And with that, they both turned to leave, each not daring to glance back, their hearts still pounding.

I do hope we'll see each other again.

The End.

Reviews are muchly appreciated. Thank you in advance!