The smell of the ocean was strong when the petite japanese woman got off the boat that landed in New York. She had small bags so they were easy to load in a taxi. The only thing difficult or annoying was that her Kimono kept dragging or getting caught.
"So," The taxi driver asked, "Do you have a name?"
"Sakura," The Japanesse woman muttered, "My name is Sakura Honda."
"Pretty name for a pretty lady."
Sakura shifted in her seat, it was improper for a man to openly say a woman was pretty. Sakura knew she had to accept the compliment her bother told her that it was one of the many things different about America.
"Arigato."
Sakura guessed that the taxi driver couldn't understand japanese because he became quiet. She rode in blissful silence to her apartment.
It was 2 hours later until her apartment was livable. It was suited for American needs but it also had a few Japanese comforts: A slipper rug, multiple masks of gods, a miniature Sakura tree, a couple of hanging katanas and an art station complete with tea making equipment. The reason Sakura was in America was because of her brother. Unlike most countries, Sakura and Kiku Honda were twins but since males were considered dominant, Kiku got the boring job of watching over home while Sakura traveled to every country and learned what ever that country had to teach for her brother. The passing of what Sakura learned was easy because since birth she had a telekinetic connection with her brother.
Later Sakura was bringing her sketch book from the ground floor when she was on the stairs, a man shoved her, she lost her footing and fell down the stairs she thought she was going to die until she felt herself hit something soft and then she felt her self grabbed.
"Woah!" A voice behind her said, "That was quite the fall. Are you okay?"
Sakura turned around and saw a blue eyed american wearing glasses with blonde hair. Sakura blushed when she realized she was in the arms of this American.
"Gomen!" Sakura shouted.
"It's okay." The American said, "Are you alright."
"Diajoubu."
"That's good. Hey my name is Alfred by the way. Do you speak english."
Sakura collected herself.
"Hai, I can speak english Alfred san. My name is Sakura Honda."