Disclaimer: I do not own Love Hina, nor any of the original characters created in said series. All other characters copyright BrokenKokoro.

Author's Note: This story is based loosely off of the Love Hina manga. Not everything I mention is 100 consistent. It takes place after the original story has ended, right before Keitaro and Naru get married. Ema Maeda is already living at Hinata House in this story. The ages of some characters may be slightly off as well.

Prologue (An Unwilling Goodbye)

The rain dripped on the windshield as Isaac (my boyfriend? Fiancé? I wasn't sure) drove me to the airport. Although I was 20, I had never flown in an airplane before. I was nervous, but not nearly as nervous as I felt about the long, harrowing journey ahead. You see, I was going to Japan. Ever since the young age of 15, it had been my dream to spend a year living there. Fresh out of college with a degree in Graphic Design, I decided now was the perfect time. Not only was Isaac starting college in about a week (he was 2 years younger than I), but also a year apart would ultimately test, and possibly strengthen, our confusing relationship. He had given me a beautiful diamond ring almost six months ago for my birthday, but whether it was an actual engagement ring or just a promise ring, we weren't sure. Hopefully this year-long, semi-hiatus would help us both figure out what we wanted from each other. However, I couldn't mull over my feelings much longer. The International Airport of Philadelphia was slowly, but surely, coming in to view. The rain had subsided to a light drizzle, and the sun was trying to peek out from underneath the clouds. I looked over at Isaac, who was concentrating on finding a parking spot. His normally white-blond hair looked dull in the cloudy atmosphere. Sort of like my feelings. Don't get me wrong – I was excited to go to Japan, but I didn't want to face the reality of not seeing Isaac for a whole year. The absence of the car's engine snapped me back to my senses as I realized that Isaac had the car parked. We stared at each other awkwardly for a moment, and then he asked,

"When does your flight leave again?"

"Not for about another half-hour," I replied quietly.

My throat felt tight, and it was all I could do to keep from crying. Isaac seemed to sense this. I saw a look of sympathy flicker across his bright blue eyes, and he stroked my shoulder in a reassuring way.

"Isaac—" I began shakily.

He shushed me gently, then leaned over the stick shift console and gave me a soft kiss. I received it warmly, breathing in his scent, filling my lungs with his sweetness. Suddenly, everything seemed okay in the world. I forgot all about where I was and why I was there as we continued in this manner; his kisses comforting me while my tongue found his and I stroked his hair. As soon as it had begun, it stopped when I realized that time had not stopped – I had a plane to catch. When I pulled slowly away from Isaac, I felt that my face was wet with tears.

"Lynn…" he trailed of concernedly.

"I'm fine," I muttered as I hastily opened the car door while avoiding eye contact.

I slammed it shut more aggressively than intended, which caused me to jump.

Why couldn't I get it together? I thought. This is ridiculous.

I began unloading my luggage from the backseat.

"Want a hand?" Isaac, who had also got out of the car, asked.

I mumbled an incoherent response, again without looking at him. I was too afraid I'd start crying again, which is the last thing I wanted Isaac to see. But whatever I had been trying to say, it didn't seem to matter to Isaac. He had already retrieved my two large Samsonite suitcases from the trunk of his car. I shot him a smile of appreciation as we emerged through the revolving glass doors of the airport and heaved our way towards luggage inspection. My suitcases, duffel, toiletry case and purse all passed successfully and were promptly loaded onto the terminal. All that was left was goodbye. We made our way silently toward the gateway that led to my flight – Philadelphia, PA to Tokyo, Japan. I turned to face him, and, without warning, locked him in a tight embrace, burying my face in his chest.

"I'll miss you," I whispered raspily – my voice was choked by a new bought of tears.

Isaac patted my hair gently.

"Lynn," he began heavily. "Are you sure you want to do this? Is this really what you want?"

I hesitated, not daring to breathe, the fibers of his shirt filling my nose. Was I doing the right thing? My mind immediately flashed back to the months of preparation for this moment, and the enthusiastic letters I had received from the landlords of where I was about to be living. My veins seemed to flow with excitement, despite the sadness I felt. I pulled my face out of the wet (from my tears) folds of Isaac's shirt and smiled happily at him. For even though my heart ached inside, I was thrilled about the coming year.

"Yes," I breathed.

Isaac's eyes seemed to light up from my change of heart.

"Good," he replied. "Because no matter what country you're in…I will always love you, from the bottom of my heart."

He finished with a kiss on my forehead. At this response, my sadness seemed to have dried up. Without further ado, I let go of Isaac and headed for the mouth of the gate.

"Wait!" He called desperately.

I turned, still smiling.

"Where are you staying?"

"Hinata House. It's supposed to make dreams come true," I shouted back. That definitely didn't sound like a bad thing, I thought as I glanced at my ring sparkling in the sunlight.

End Prologue

Author's Note: This is the first time I've ever submitted something – please rate/review! I know there is not much relevance to Love Hina yet—but the first chapter (which is currently in progress) is when the story really starts. Let me know what you think! Thanks. –BK