Sequel to Strike of New Life. Yes, I know it's been a while since I've posted anything. My apologies. Yes, yes. Sorry. Been really busy, as of late. Writing seems to be too much for my lazy mind. Desperate need of school. Anyway, I'm working on lots of new stories. I might post one later. I have a few chapters of this done. And a couple of a new story, for POTC that I might post. Anyway, enjoy.

Chapter One

The satisfaction of having finally run away, successfully, on my own, seems to have disappeared as the separation anxiety and complete and utter loneliness set in.

Only an hour or so has gone by since the dreadful plane ride ended and I was allowed departure from the evil thing. Not that the buzzing has left my ears. My brain is blurred and fuzzy, my hearing having still not returned just yet. After finding my bag, I had dragged it off to a cab, finding civilization, for once, exactly what I craved. Though, the time change really put me off. I left during the day in Tokyo, so when I got off, it would be night time there, but, with the eight hour difference, it is still day time. Or, something. Well, no, wait, it's night time when I got off in London, because it's early morning Tokyo. God, my head hurts. Either way, there were very few people out and it's really dark. Not that the time made a big difference. It was raining. Quite hard, too.

Whatever time of day it was in whatever part of the world, I was tired and needed a bed to sleep in. I'd only barely made it to the hotel before collapsing.

As of this moment, it is four in the morning, London time; noon, Tokyo time. I'm lying in this hotel room, feeling the weight of being all alone in a country unknown to you, while your friends and family have no idea of your whereabouts. The darkness in my mind and chest were just about to drown me when my phone went off, startling me and bringing me back to the world.

Practically falling from the giant, soft bed and tripping over my bag, I grab for my phone, opening it without a second thought. After that awkward conversation with Tamaki, I'm not sure why I'm answering the phone.

"Hello…?" I spoke, voice cracking. Am I crying? When did that happen? Maybe I'm just tired…

"Virginia. It's Kyoya."

And the guilt seeps in…

Shut up, Voice.

"Hi… er… I'm.. uh… I'm really sorry, Kyo." Trying to hide the obvious guilt that Voice felt the need to remind me of, my voice sped up, slurring words together. "I know I shouldn't'a lef' bu' I jus' happened to be at the airplane, waiting for someone an' I saw there was a sale on tickets to London an' it was bout to leave… I… just… left…"

Cause that wasn't just the biggest lie on the planet.

I don't appreciate your sarcasm. So, maybe I saw the sale before going to the airport. And, maybe I did pack a bag and leave. It was still, technically, last minute. And I did go to pick up my family. I just never actually met up with them.

"How could you leave me? You know about my fathers' deal. If I don't have you, I'm stuck with whatever stuck up princess my father chooses and I can't say otherwise." He sounds as though I'd betrayed him. That's not fair.

"So, come with me."

"What? What are you talking about?"

As if I don't know that, at this precise moment, he's packing a bag and booking a flight here. "I didn't mean to leave you." Not a complete lie. "Really. And I know you're coming after my anyways, so," can't believe I'm saying this, "why not come find me? I give you permission."

A long silence hung on the other end of the line. He's probably really confused, but, even though I am "running away", I am rather lonely. Guess I'm too used to being around the Hosts. As the silence dragged on, I looked up at the muted TV and began flipping through channels. For a different country, the shows are all just as awful.

Maybe because it's 4am.

No, that can't be it. I roll my eyes, noticing Kyoya has yet to respond.

"Or, we make this interesting." I went on to explain my amazing plan for a country-wide game of hide and seek throughout the entire summer. The more I got into the explanation, the more real the idea became and the more rushed my voice seemed. Even I could hear the excitement in my voice. "So, do you accept?"

He said something that I had expected and didn't shock me one bit. "I'm already on my way."

Then I remembered what I was running from. "Oh, come on. You have a party going on, soon, I believe. Leave tonight, after the party. I know how much money you'll lose if you cancel last minute. Go to your party. All of you. Then, come find me. Game officially starts tomorrow. So?"

"I accept your proposal and would love to join in on the game." Greta, now I have to figure where to hide.

I let out a long yawn I hadn't realized I'd been holding back. Going to be a long night ahead of me.

"Good boy, Kyo. Now, I'm sorry, but it's late here. Plane ride and all that. Jet lag. Haven't slept in weeks. I'll talk to you when you arrive."

"Alright. Good night, Virginia."

The line went dead, leaving me to plan for the oncoming summer. Must not be found. Not missing my chance at staying in England. So, first step?

I grin, settling down on the bed with my notebooks and sketchpads surrounding me on all sides. The TV goes black before the title of the movie I had brought with me goes on. "Yo ho, and really bad eggs."

I chuckle, setting to work on my sketchbook.

Title: Become Unrecognizable.