A/N: And so, I'm leaving you another story.

Chapter 1

Flight of Love

"You can be the peanut butter to my jelly."

"Natsuki! Hurry up or you're going to miss your own flight!" I heard Saeko shout downstairs as I locked my last baggage. My mother was more eager about this than I was, to say the least. To be fair and all, I was not the one who planned this sudden trip. It was just a few days ago, when my mother thought kindly that it would be good to inform me of my little, and insignificant, relocation—the transfer that she was aware and fully knowledgeable for at least two months ahead. I remembered stepping into our house when she nonchalantly said, "Hi, Natsuki! How was school? Oh, I forgot, I signed you up for the exchange student thing and you're leaving for Japan in three days! Isn't that great, sweetie?" while sipping her darn green tea! She spoke of it as if I was just leaving for the movies a couple of blocks away from our house.

It was Japan. JAPAN! The land of the Rising Sun that is, oh would you look at that, located at the opposite side of the planet! Okay, well, that was just my a little bit overreacting, well maybe not a little bit. But come on, Japan? Really, Saeko? Really?

I pulled my favourite hoodie over my head and made my way downstairs, languidly dragging my feet and things with me. They were the ones who put me into this without my consent. Couldn't they, oh, I don't know, at least pick a later flight? It was freaking five in the morning, for crying out loud! Geeze.

"Honestly, can't you chill your horses, woman?" I groaned as I stepped into our foyer. "You'll wake our neighbours." Looking away, I stifled my laughter when I saw my currently sleeping-while-standing younger sister drooling beside our mom.

"Oh, shut it, little one." I rolled my eyes at my mother's oh so unique and affectionate name for me. It was funny considering that I was towering over her. "Are you sure you packed everything you need?" My mom looked at me from head to toe.

"Yes I did. Now can we go?" I impatiently asked. "I want to go back to my peaceful slumber, thank you very much."

A yawn escaped from my sister's mouth before she settled to join the non-existent conversation I should be having with Saeko, "You would have gotten that sleep you needed if you weren't packing until two this morning, Natsuki." I immediately glared at my suddenly awake sister. I couldn't, however, hold the glare for too long by the way she looked. Alyssa paired no better than me. Her crystalline blue eyes were lacking its usual gleam, while her blonde hair decided to gloriously erect in all direction. Alyssa luckily inherited most of her traits from our father. I always blatantly complained to Saeko that I got the shorter end of the stick and got stuck with her genes flowing throughout my body, just to annoy the foul entity out of the woman. A guilty pleasure I developed through puberty.

"Honestly, Natsuki. Didn't I tell you how many times ago to start packing?" I looked at my mom that was now mirroring my glare. Surprise, surprise, she inherited that glare from me. Yeah… ah, no.

I stared at my mother incredulously, "Um, in case you forgot because of your old age," I immediately smirked when I noticed Saeko's eye twitched, "you told me I was leaving three days ago, mom! The information's barely sank into me yet." I watched as my mother sheepishly scratched her cheek. "I can't believe you're shipping me off to Japan." I grumbled in between my gritted teeth.

"Don't be such a child, Natsuki. You're already old enough to be living on your own. So, what's the difference?"

"I can't even speak nor understand Japanese, mom! How would I survive over there?" I moaned, earning an amused look from both my mother and my sister.

"You have to do better than that Natsuki. You're such a bad liar." Alyssa scoffed. That was not cute at all. Not cute.

Saeko nodded. "Really. Who do you think you're fooling?"

"But I really don't." I whined like a 5-year-old brat I was, almost noticing the mischievous twinkle on my mother's olive eyes. Almost.

"Don't you want to learn about your roots, our culture? Don't you want to see the place where your dad and I were born? You'll definitely love it there, Natsuki." Saeko said in perfect Japanese, which I also almost noticed immediately. Almost being the keyword once again.

"No! I perfectly like my life here." I instinctively answered back in Saeko's mother tongue. I instantly shut my mouth when I realised what had just happened. Great. So, I may have lied about not being able to understand Japanese. And maybe also about not being to speak the language at all. I could understand and speak the language, big deal.

"Our point taken," Saeko and Alyssa chorused. Now they had the guts to double team on me. "Now, get your whiny bubble butt inside the car so we could leave." I glared at my mother, nonetheless following her into the car waiting in front of our house. How worse could this shitty situation get, right?

"Now, Natsuki, if something goes wrong. And I mean anything, just go to Mai or—"

"'The Yuuki's and they would help me take care of it.' I know, mom. I know. You repeated that for a hundred times already." I grunted, raising an arm to show her my mild irritation.

"Just making sure you are listening. I was once your age too and I know that my words often enter in your right ear and immediately leave on the other." I heard the announcement of my flight once again as my mom continued her not-so-little sermon. Honestly, were all moms like that?

"Go on now, Natsuki." Saeko pulled me into a tender hug. No matter how big of a nag Saeko was, it was always enjoyable to feel her warmth. "Call me when you get there, honey, okay? And please, refrain from getting Nao and yourself into any kind of trouble. You alone are already a handful for Mai."

I sighed as pretence of my annoyance. I haven't gotten my sleep and was practically brain dead in the middle of the airport. So, why was she still talking? And why do I have to go through all this trouble again? Oh, right. Japan. I was really starting to hate Japan.

"Yes, yes. Nao and I will behave and not cause any problem for Mai, mother." Saeko snickered at my underlying sarcasm as I returned the hug rather shyly before letting go. I turned to my little sister soon afterwards. "Now, Alyssa, I know that you'll miss your wonderful sister. But try not to cry at night okay?" I teased my younger sister, ruffling her hair.

"Cantankerous tomboy," Alyssa mouthed. I gasped in mock hurt before grinning at her. Why, that brat. "I might, make note of the word might, miss you. But I am definitely not going to cry." Alyssa childishly stuck her tongue out.

"Even if there's going to be a thunderstorm tonight?" I taunted the little girl. I smirked when I saw her stiffened. "I'm just kidding, Alyssa. And I might, take note of the word might, miss you too." I gave her a reassuring smile before heading towards the security gate peacefully.

"Sis-con!"

Until that utterly unwanted loud comment from my mother.

I impulsively glared back at my mother who had a sardonic smirk plastered on her face. It took all of my willpower not to climb over the railings and just smack her out cold. The idea was immensely tempting, but the trouble I had to go through dragging Saeko out and into the car waiting outside the airport was just not worth it. How could she, my own mother, same flesh and blood, accuse me of having a disgusting fixation on my sister? Just what gave her the idea? Was it when I threatened this guy, who was hopelessly crushing on Alyssa, that I would cut him up and feed him to my imaginary pet wolf if I see him, ogling my sister again? Even to this day, I still refused to acknowledge Saeko's conclusion that I have a sister complex. That was just plain revolting. Me, the great Natsuki Kuga-sama, had a sister complex? That would be the day the earth falls out of its orbit.

I walked down the corridor leading to my plane as I read my pass. K-11. At least my mother had the decency to get me a nice business class seat. After waking up at such a un-Natsuki-hour, I immediately slumped into my assigned seat near the aisle. Taking another quick glance of the people coming inside, I pulled the sleep mask over my eyes, stretching my body as comfortable as possible. Good thing I still got no any annoying person sitting on my right hand side.

Sleep was slowly coming in when I heard a very melodious voice excusing her self. I suddenly had the urge to peek at the owner, just stopping when I realized the sudden shift and soft rustling beside me. Great. My dreaded flight companion has arrived. Woo-hoo! Yeah, no. Let's stop that.

A quick glance at my right and I found my companion snoozing peacefully—and fortunately, quietly—beside me when I woke after my first nap of the trip. Thank god, this person was at least someone bearable while sleeping. I was never a fan of public transportation since that time during high school when I got a seat away from my family, and instead found myself sandwiched in between a snotty 4-year old kid and a Snorlax. [1]

I was watching some movies on my laptop when the flight attendant came to my seat. I prevented to groan in slight displeasure when she presented me a Japanese style meal. Honestly, why would I want to eat something that I knew I would be eating for at least three meals a day after landing in Japan? I decided, obviously enough, for the second choice of the bland airline meal. I was about to ask for my holy condiment when I heard her speak. Have you ever heard something so sweet and pleasantly nice to the ear to the point that it would give you eargasm? It was like listening to Jimi Hendrix play live solo at the comfort of your own room. It was that great.

"I would take the Japanese bento please." I watched as the flight attendant gave her a kind smile before handing her the bento box and my mayonnaise to me. I waited until the server attended to the people seating far behind us, still facing back at the mysterious woman with a really nice voice behind me. Really nice voice? I groaned at my own eloquent description.

I tried to act normally and smoothly as possible, but alas! I was stuck with this cursed luck and I accidentally and clumsily knocked over my opened water bottle. I slowly looked in horror as she, somewhat calmly, wiped the water that spilt on her long, white and smooth legs—ooookay! Back up there for a second. I was not. I repeat, NOT, checking her gorgeously shaped legs. Oh! Would you look at that, I was not jinxed after all. Yay me!

"I-I'm so sorry about that!" I apologized after I finally found my tongue from the deepest level of my large intestine. I heard her giggle, making out the words "it's fine" as my eyes refused to leave the pleasant view below.

"Excuse me?" her voice snapped me out of my stupor, or more accurately stupidity. I felt my face heat up as I realized that the woman in front of me might have noticed where I was staring. It was going be a total turn off if she reacted like one of those stupidly beautiful bitches who acted like they lost something precious when you look at their, ahem, assets. "Are you okay, Miss?" she continued in fluent English.

"Huh? Yeah! I'm, ah, fine. Are you? I mean, are you okay? I am so sorry about that." I finally looked at her face. I gasped softly after seeing her unfairly attractive visage. Her alluring ruby eyes bore into mine. It was the first time I had seen such endearing pair of eyes. And those succulent red lips! It was practically screaming 'kiss me' at my face.

Goodbye Snorlax, hello my beautiful Ninetales! [2]

"I'm okay. No harm done." She smiled at me before she attended to her, I highly doubt, warm food. We were swathed by silence as we tried to eat—or more likely, I tried to eat, while she enjoyed her Japanese meal and green tea. I spent a few quick and discreet glances towards her. You know how when you see something nice that you cannot help but follow it with your eyes? But the thing was, she was something more than nice. Words did not give justice to how unearthly gorgeous she was. She looked like she jumped right out of those unrealistic fairy tales I read to my sister a couple of years ago.

"So, um, you're going to Japan?" I asked after the attendant left with our dirty dishes. I raised a curious eyebrow as she chuckled behind her hand. Before I knew it, the corners of my mouth were stealthily tugging upwards, mirroring the smile in front of me. Why were we laughing anyway?

She tilted her head to the right as she stared at me with those enthralling eyes. Now that was cute. Really, really cute.

"Does this plane go any where else I am not aware of, besides Japan?" She asked with full amusement in her tone. I felt my face heat up once more. Damn, the maintenance crew could really check this plane's air conditioning.

"I, ah, um... Well…" I just wanted to hit my head on the small table in front of me. I wasn't always this inarticulate, really.

"My, aren't you cheeky?" I grinned at her after gathering myself. The smile she had never faltered. I was never a religious person but thank all the gods existing out there that I was seating at that time as I felt my legs melt at the sight of that perfect smile.

"Yes, I am going to Japan." She told me slowly as if I was some toddler, amusement in her eyes never left.

"Vacation? Are you by yourself?" I tried to look around in case she had friends or family with her. And no, I did not even consider saying boyfriend or girlfriend. Just don't get to that. Please.

"Yes, I am by myself. And no, not for a vacation either." I looked at her inquisitively. "I am actually from Japan. I just visited someone in California." She added, answering my unspoken question.

"Oh." Since when did I become one syllable Sue?

"Yes, 'oh.'" She mimicked me in enthusiasm. Now she must be thinking I am somewhat a retard tongue-tied weirdo! Gasp!

"I mean, that's nice. I guess." I mumbled. "On the other hand, I am tra-transferring there." The stammering shocked me as I whimsically decided to speak Japanese in front of the obviously Japanese woman.

"You don't have to speak Japanese if you're not comfortable with it." She smiled warmly.

Shaking my head, I replied. "No! I am actually good at it. I just… yeah." I bashfully scratched the back of my head. My brain conveniently decided to go on a vacation at the moment.

I had my balled fists on my lap as I watched her in the corner of my eye, gulping when she crossed her slender legs.

"So you, uh, you don't wear kimono?" I asked. I know. Stupid, right? Really. But what can I say? I was trying to keep the conversation alive and going, and my brain vacationing far, far away was not really helping.

Her eyes sparkled in enjoyment as she laughed heartily for the first time we had spoken. I could get used to that laugh.

"Are you always this funny?" She asked, wiping the tear that formed at the corner of her eye. "And to answer you're question, no. That is stereotyping Japanese. I only wear one during formal occasions. Do all foreigners think that way?" I grinned back at her. "Wait," She paused to look at me straight in the eye. Oho! Welcome back, beautiful garnet shade of eyes! Surprisingly, or not, I held her gaze, unwavering. There was something about this unique colour of her eyes that just drawn me in. After god knows how long I stared at her eyes, my gaze shamelessly fell upon her full and plump lips. I felt like Agnes surrounded by thousands of downy unicorns. I suddenly had this irresistible urge to just pounce and enjoy that velvety pair of lips.

Suddenly, I saw a small frown on her face. What now? She was happily chatting with me one second and the next she was upset. Moody much? Did I do something wrong? Did I say something obnoxiously stupid? Just what the fu—oh… Oh! I guess I missed what she was saying. "Ah, pardon?" I tilted my head to the right. It was hard to concentrate on what she was saying when it was her that caused my distraction in the first place. Ironic.

Suddenly the broad smile was back on her face. "Ara, do you like what you see?" She asked in a very sultry voice. Shiver ran down my spine. And what the hell was ara? Was that a Japanese thing?

"Hu-huh?" Oh great, another stuttering. Get a grip, Natsuki.

She shook her head, biting her lower lip. She did not just do that! That was so unfair. "I asked if you always visit the country."

Huh? What country? Good gracious. Just what the bloody hell was wrong with my brain? When would the thing come back and do its job? Not that I'm bragging or anything but I had always been a straight A student. Surprisingly. I know, right?

"This is actually my first time." I confessed after getting a hold of slight connection between my mind, my ears and my mouth.

She raised one of her elegantly shaped eyebrow. "Really?" I nodded. "And you speak fluent Japanese because?"

"You could thank my mom for that. She excruciatingly taught me Japanese every single afternoon of my childhood in which I should be playing with kids my age, you know."

"Just accept it. You were adorable while sleeping," she laughed, "with the drool and a few scrunching of your nose." She said as she charmingly scrunched her nose. I blushed at her bold statement. Me, cute? I think something was wrong with that beautiful head of hers or something. I wear suspicious looking hoodie and a pair of ragged jeans with a scowl on my face and she called me cute? I assure you, I was nowhere near the definition of cuteness. Natsuki Kuga was a tough young girl. I just simply didn't do cute.

Moreover, was she always like this? Comfortably teasing some stranger she met on a plane? She spent the whole trip teasing the living shit out of me every chance she got. Not that I was complaining though. We both buckled our seatbelts as we heard the captain spoke over the intercom. A couple of minutes later and we were already getting ready to leave. Ah, the time I dreaded to arrive was now a few seconds away.

"So, do you maybe want to have some tea or something before you leave?" I asked, hopefully not sounding too eager, as we walked towards the terminal gate. I, at least, get to have tea with her, right? After all, I made her laugh copiously. Not to mention I kindly and chivalrously offered to carry her carry-on baggage.

Brownie points for Natsuki!

"I would love to." But? I could definitely sense a 'but' in there. "But I'm afraid my friend's already waiting for me." See! Told 'ya so.

"Tha-that's fine," I gave her a toothless smile. I handed the bag back to her, hoping that I didn't sound and look so dejected in front of her.

"Thank you." She gratefully took the bag, giving me another one of her tender smiles.

"Yeah, well. I guess I'll see you around?" Just what was I saying? Japan consisted of 6,852 islands with at least 100 million people. And I'll see her around? It was like finding a needle in an 8-acrefull of haystack. Good luck with that.

"Yes," she slightly bowed her head. "Goodbye." I watched her walking figure in awe. I could definitely spot her effortless in the heaps of these travellers in the middle of the busy airport. What a bummer, and I was really looking forward to having tea with her. But I guess I'll see, ah. Uhm. Shit!

"Wa-wait!" I shouted as I run after her, smirking when she immediately turned around. Was she waiting for me to call out to her? Why, this girl. She raised an amused eyebrow at me. "I-I didn't get your name." My heart was starting to pick up its pace from the little run and the nervousness that suddenly crept up in every nerve in my body.

"I thought you would never ask." She smiled brightly at me. "I'm Shizuru." She said, sociably extending her arm.

I took a deep breath before straightening myself. "Hi, Shizuru. I am Natsuki, Natsuki Kuga. It was nice meeting you." I took her offered hand. That was when I felt it. You know how when you accidentally touched the metal pole in the school cafeteria with your slightly wet hands? Then there was this pleasantly shocking electric current run through your hand. That was how it was. Did she feel that too? Could she hear my heart erratically beat?

"It was nice meeting you too, Na-tsu-ki." She slowly let go my hand before walking away from me and into the busy terminal. My eyes threatened to pop out of my head when I saw her sway those hips. Was she doing this intentionally? 'Cause intentionally or not, it was certainly affecting me. Especially the way my name rolled off her tongue. I never loved my name so much until she said it.

Have you ever had those moments where you wish that things would just stop? Those times were you wish you had the power to manipulate time and repeat the few hours where you were on cloud nine.

In the middle of the noisy international airport, where I stood, there was stillness. People seemed to just stop being. As if they had vanished to some unknown destination. Everything was nonexistent. There was nothing except this girl and me. It was as if everything I had ever done was for this moment. This feeling.

There and then, I had unknowingly ridden the flight of love.

[1] Snorlax – for those who doesn't know or remember, Snorlax is the sleeping pokemon!

[2] Ninetales – ooookkkaaaayyyy. Another pokemon. Lol ^_-

A/N: What do you think? Quite different than my usual style too, eh? Better? Yes? No? I actually quite like writing in first person POV. Natsuki might have come out a little OOC but hey, it's a fanfic, what'd you expect?

Looking of an update to any of my stories? Hopefully, I could get to that soon. I am quite busy, being summer and all. Gotta earn money like crazy, gotta spend money like crazy!

Ciao!