Author's Note- Hello everyone… recently in our school's everyday bulletin, our counselor put in a note that they were currently 'shipping out' foreign exchange students. You could choose from three destinations. One was European, one was German, and the final and most wonderful (no fucking guessing here) was Japan. Immediately I wanted to go and asked my mother. She naturally… objected. Six months gone would be interesting. After awhile however, I ran it through my judgment, and thought better to stay home. Maybe next year when I'm a Junior in high school. Anyways, I know I vowed never to even consider doing a self-insert in my entire fanfiction career, but… this opportunity proved much too tantalizing. I request something from all of you that someone normally would pray not to have. When I write this, if it starts getting much too out of hand, criticize the hell out of me, and bitch me out until I correct my idiocy. I know this is getting to be a bit long for an A.N., but… well… I felt I should give you folks a warning. Finally, and last of all… please… rate how you wish.

A 2009 Obscurum Production

That Crazy Kendo Girl- Story of my travels in Japan

Chapter 1- The Long Flight In

As I sat in the noisy terminal, I wondered how in the hell I, Cameron Scott, could be doing this. The money had been sent, things had been organized, and now… I was going to Japan as a student to study abroad. My mom's foot had finally healed, and my dreams had come true. Now all that was left was to leave the 1960's terminal at Spokane International Airport, known in full to my fellow friends and pilots as Geiger… something or other, the designation being known to Air Traffic Control as KGEG, and board a Boeing 737-800 for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport which was KSEA in short. This would only be the preamble to the probably seemingly endless flight across the Pacific, more than likely in a 777-300 or newer. As I thought about whom I would meet at the other side of the cabin hatch of the plane, the sound of the loudspeaker brought me from my thoughts.

"United flight 337 to Seattle-Tacoma International and connecting to Tokyo-Haneda International is now boarding. Those boarding, please report to gate C-21 and wait for the final boarding call."

I stood up, and thought about the ten-hour, forty-five minute flight ahead of me. I sighed, and headed for the gate. I marched with pride in my Navy Pea coat, and 1960's Beatle boots. A few people in the terminal stared, and to my surprise not with amusement, but with understanding and respect. I also wore my eight-point hat. I beamed with pride.

Nothing better than to go over with my head held high.

The heels of my boots sent out resonating knocks on the tile floor as I walked toward C-21. Just as I arrived the final boarding call was announced, but not before a special announcement.

"Will Cameron Scott please report to gate C-21? You have someone looking for you, a Miss Mandy Neill."

I stopped in my tracks approximately twenty feet from the gate. The name was a name I knew well, and one of the many reasons I had decided to make a break for the beckoning island nation. She had been my final opportunity of having some sort of 'girlfriend' out of high school. She was very charismatic, and had wonderful curves. She was respectfully smart, and sadly… was taller than me, but that was no problem. She had a cheerful smile, and also could brighten up just about any person. As with anyone I liked and wished to start a relationship with, I treated her as best I could, with all my grace, but from a distance. Previous times with other people had been disastrous, and had come out too aggressively and awkwardly. Now my realization of my stupidity and slow reaction was fueled by a burning, scorching fire of self hate. The reason I felt as such, was and is because I had lost her to Mike Thomas, an upperclassman. I did not hate him, and pretty much I was on friends-type terms, but whenever I saw her… with him… I would give him my best cold stare, and wheel around on my gleaming black heels. A bit too flashy for my style, but still I hoped she would notice… alright, I bet whoever's reading this 2,000 yen that she could care less.

"Oh shit, what do I do, and what are my options?"

I took a half step, and advanced forward one full step. Then after a short time, the second foot followed, and I had a slow tip-toe like pace. I had covered ten feet, and was about to bolt. What finally caused me to snap was the friendly wave from the lady at the check-in counter. I turned, and began to run like Ferris Bueller. To my surprise, as I neared a supporting column within the terminal a figure in a dark coat stepped out and grabbed me. I was quickly enveloped in a warm, soft, and slightly loving embrace. I felt myself, going forward, and as I began the downward fall to the floor the sure-footed person who had me stepped back accordingly, completely understandable with all the practice that 'she' had had being in high school sports. She had been a volleyball player, and from my fleeting memories had been a basketball player. As long, dark brown hair dropped over my face in a long silky fall of strands, I knew that it was Mandy.

"Damn it… I didn't make it."

She held firm.

"Why are you running? Something bugging you?"

My cap had been knocked off, and I gave her a sarcastic expression from beneath my mop-top hair. She looked down, and smiled.

"No. Abso-friggin'-lutely nothing."

"Oh, well that's good."

I looked up, and flattened my eyes to give her an on-my-nerves expression. She laughed, picked up my cap, and began to herd me to a bench. We sat hard on it, and looked out the large bay windows as a 737 approached the jetway to my gate. She turned to me, and I gave her a cautious expression.

"I'm sorry I wasn't in class yesterday. I wanted to say goodbye before you left… and well… here I am."

I thought about the previous day.

"Oh yeah, you were absent weren't you?"

"Yes, I was sick."

I crossed my legs, and we sat silently on the bench. Soon enough however, she reached up, and shoved me over playfully. I looked at her again.

"What?"

"Well, don't you have anything to say?"

"Well I… don't know. Thank you, I guess to start."

I honestly didn't know what to say, and never had any intention of saying much in the first place. My original plan had been to board the plane, plug into my iPod, and listen to my endless collection of modern and Beatles music. Things had changed. Before I could conjure up any sort of beginning conversation, the lady at the check-in counter stepped up to the microphone.

"All right ladies and gentlemen, 337 is now boarding. Will Cameron Scott please come over to the check-in desk, so we can get you in and on your way? All others, please follow called by class, starting with first class."

I stood up, and turned to Mandy. She gave me a slightly sad expression, and stood up as well.

"We're going to miss you."

"Yeah, well I don't know if I'll feel the same… but I will remember you particularly while I'm there, okay?"

"Good."

She hugged me a final time, and we finally broke. I waved, and then finally turned. I ran for the ticket counter, was processed, and was finally on my way… to Japan. I walked down the jetway, and was welcomed aboard the familiar plane with the friendly smile of a flight attendant. The only luggage I had was my laptop, a Dell XPS. I entered first class, passed through, and entered business class. I was over the wing. I found my seat, and opened the luggage rack above, stuffing the computer into it. As I was about the shut the hatch however, I thought better of it, and pulled the computer down, shutting the bin. I then stuffed the case beneath my seat. The flight attendants briefly went through the safety procedures of which I was fondly familiar. I could fly the damn jet. I buckled my seat belt, cinched it tight, and settled in for the flight. As the plane began to taxi from the gate, I plugged in my iPod, and played the first song. Soon, the scream of a Boeing 707 reached my ears, and I fantasized about my future.

"Flew in from Miami Beach BOAC,

Didn't get to bed last night.

On da way da paper bag was on my knee,

Man I had a dreadful flight.

I'm back in the USSR.

You don't know how lucky you are boy,

Back in the USSR."

The plane lifted off the runway, and then we traveled a few more feet. I felt the gear thump into the wells, and the flaps retract as the captain eased back on the thrusters. I was airborne, and off on my new six-month life.

Author's Note- I know, I know, and yes I know, it was short. Only four pages right? Well anyway, I'm going to continue. If you hate me, hate me. This is from unhappened personal experience. I think I'm going to hate the uniform ahead of me… and then again… maybe not. As long as I can wear me hat, I'm happy.