Chapter One
"Holy cow! Look how big Tokyo is! I had no idea that it was this big! It's bigger than LA and San Diego combined!" she looks at the girl next to her "I just hope that it doesn't get as hot as Yuma in the summer, or I might move in with you."
They both smiled "You got that right, and if it is as hot, I'm moving my butt right to the next plane home, and I wont' lift a single finger to help you" they both grin at each other. The two girls look like twins except for the fact that one has very long hair, and the other shorter. But in reality they are the best of friends closer than sisters.
"Kristy, Chrissy settle down! Just because you can see Tokyo doesn't mean that the plane has landed. I had quite the time trying to persuade Kristy's dad for her to come with us, and that she would be safe and sound with us in Japan
"He's very stubborn, all right, Suzie, um Mrs. Baldwin; even when I'm an adult he acts like he needs to monitor my every motion." she sighed and shook her head in frustration.
"Your just lucky that your out of school," Chrissy stated.
Her mother looked at the two girls talking and sighed when she sees heir hair. "I still don't understand why you two dyed your hair black and have it up in that silly style of yours. After all, Kristy is only going to stay for about two months."
"Mom, this is going to be the last two months we'll have together." They looked at each other, and Chrissy smiled innocently. "Besides it will seem to be as if we are really sisters, like we've always wanted." Chrissy said
Kristy rolled her eyes "You mean that you always wanted; I have enough sisters as it is, and I really don't want to add to my collection." She sighed glad to be away from the family of seven.
"You mean that you don't want another sister?" Chrissy faked a hurt expression and voice, which makes Kristy laugh.
"I'd thought that you two wouldn't have been able to manage here." Chrissy's mom said, sighing. "I know that I won't; it's going to be hard for me. You and father have enough experience with Japanese to get through, but I don't".
"Oh don't worry so much mom; the only reason why we know so much is because we got started in Japanese anime. And then we got into the culture and language so we could understand it more. Besides, we're going to help you learn; it will take awhile, but you will learn. Besides, you're in Japan. And you could ask people if they speak English. It's required in Japan to learn at least some of it." She put on her headphones to listen to some tunes, and her mom takes it as a change of subject.
"I'm so glad that you never got interested in that crude rock that John and Jason play all the time. All those terrible images, and suggestive material they try to feed to young people these days."
Chrissy smiles as she turned and winks at Kristy making sure that Marilyn Manson's Golden Age of Grotesque's Mob Sean isn't so loud to be heard by her mother. They both grin evilly. "Well with you teaching me, finally I'll be able to read that calligraphy that your so good at. Chrissy groaned and leaned to whisper to Kristy.
"One of the major reasons we even learned how to read and write Japanese was so that we could send notes to each other without her knowing what it was about," she said carefully in Japanese. Kristy frowned when Chrissy's mom pretended not to notice. She thought they were gossiping about her.
"Your going to have a lot of free time, not having to worry about Whitestorm, aren't you? I wonder what you'll do with that time," Chrissy's mom said thoughtfully.
Kristy was shocked and angered at Suzie. At the mention of Whitestorm, Chrissys face was shocked, then hurt as she remembered her beloved pet and companion was across the ocean in San Diego Zoo. "Thanx a lot mother." Chrissy muttered with a slight snarl in her voice. Her eyes start to water despite her anger, and she sank, in her seat putting the hood of her light jacket over her head.
"I never did approve of that thing." She said in an actual thoughtful tone.
Chrissys response was to jam her headphones tighter to her face and crank the volume up. Tears started to form from the thoughts and memories with Whitestorm, even though she tried not to think of her. She tried to suppress them.
"It always shed all over that cave it was in" her mother said, continuing, "I would have hated to have it in the house."
Chrissy slightly sniffled and wiped the tear that escaped from her eyes and continued to hide her face, determined to not show her weakness.
"Mrs. Baldwin, you enjoy doing this to her, don't you?" Kristy was astonished that she could say that in front of Chrissy; Suzie knew that Whitestorm and Chrissy were close, almost inseparable at times. She then jammed her own headphones on.
Suzie was then sorry for even saying that. "I just didn't like her so near that thing; it's a creature, a deadly one, not a person. When Chrissy play-fought with it when I was there, I was afraid it would tear an arm off or bite her." she knew that they couldn't or weren't hear her, and just sat in silence as the shore of Japan closed in rapidly.
By the time the seat belt light went on, Chrissy's mood changed, and started to laugh. "What's so funny?" Kristy asked, completely puzzled by the turn of her mood.
"I just thought of how much money I could have had if I convinced Jason to have me baby-sit Snickers instead him putting Snickers in a kennel"
Kristy then chuckled as well. "You would seriously look after that mobile natural disaster called a dog? Besides, Jace probably wouldn't, let you anyways, seeing as you use him for your karate practice. Besides, would you really be able to take care of Snickers till Jace came back? I think exploring Tokyo instead would distract you, and poor snickers would be left out of it all!"
"But that's it! Snickers would give me the best justification of exploring ever! I mean the dog has to be walked after all, that and we need our garbage disposal with us."
"I don't think you would have any time of taking care of Snickers. From what you said, High School is just as hard as collage in Japan. And as soon as we unpack to some extent, we need to stop by the school and get your schedule, ID, and your school Uniform"
"Yeah, hey, mom, tell us how we got the apartment again? I don't think you told us how yet," Chrissy lied, changing the subject, wishing to enjoy the last day of freedom instead of worrying about it. The plane landed and Taxied to the terminal hookup.
"I thought that I did, oh well," she said as she grabbed her jacket under her seat. "Well, there was this guy that was renting out an apartment for the summer, and your father needed one for a while because the ship was in the dock being repaired. Normally they would pay for one but the damage was extensive, and the hotel wasn't close enough, or nearly big enough for your father and all of his stuff, not to mention, his soda." they grabbed the overhead luggage and filled out of the plane.
"Yeah dad and his 'claustrophobia' " Chrissy said jokingly.
"Well anyways, so he went to the apartment complex and asked if he could rent a room for awhile; the man was clearly having psychological issues and had ranted and raved about armored suits attacking and that he didn't want anything to do with it again. He threw the keys at your father and said that he could stay as long as he wanted wherever he wanted, and that he was getting out of the place. The next day they found him dead; they think that his illusions drove him to suicide." They grabbed the other luggage off the carousel and headed out of the airport.
"I still don't understand how suits of armor are supposed to just move around by themselves." they finally got through the crowds and tried waving down a taxi.
"I don't understand either but what can you expect, Kristy, the guy was ill in the head," Chrissy said.
"Taxi! Taxi!" They tried to hail a Taxi for quite awhile, but Chrissy's mom was getting tired. "Chrissy, Kristy, why don't you try Japanese? I can't seem to get a taxi, I guess they don't understand English." She sighed. "Maybe I should have taken the Japanese class with you two at the collage after all."
"Don't worry so much mom, you'll learn; once you're here where it's used every day, then you'll catch on quick. They say that if you are where it's spoken, it will be easier to figure it out"
"Yeah, don't worry, we'll handle the talking and stuff, although I'm a bit rusty." She winks at Chrissy "Oh, well, we'll soon find out. Karaguruma! Karaguruma!" Chrissy's mom had rested by a bench, and sighed at how easily they pronounced it. Kristy looked at Chrissy and rolled her eyes. "Hey, lazy one, are you going to help, or are you trying to play the supervisor?"
"I thought you were doing just fine." She smiled.
"Yeah, ha, very funny. Come on, help me, will Ya?"
She smiled briefly and rolled her eyes again and started to call out. "Okay, karaguruma, karaguruma, yo, karaguruma," they screamed for a taxi for what it seemed like five minutes; Kristy even was willing to put out her leg.
"It would work" Kristy protested
"No it won't" I'm not having my best friend flashing her leg to get a ride Chrissy thought.
"Yeah it will."
"Nah, I think I have an idea." she looked at the street wickedly.
"It better not be stupid." Kristy gave her 'don't do anything you might regret' look.
"Like yours wasn't." She gives Kristy her 'trust me' look.
"Like I said. it better not be stupid." Kristy was concerned. for Chrissy was well-known to do crazy stunts; with her brothers and Whitestorm they were often also called the B&B family.
Ok this is it she smiled adrenaline pumping, she waited until the taxi got closer and jumped in front of it, and arms spread wide. The driver slammed on the brakes, and Chrissy cartwheels out of the way. Three seconds latter, the taxi was in the middle of where Chrissy was just standing.
"ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?!" her mother and Kristy said in a panic.
"KURUTTERRU HOKOSHA!" the driver added
I am not a crazy pedestrian, thank you very much, Chrissy thought back at the driver.
"What were you thinking?! That was so stupid of you! I asked if it was, and you said no; how could you?! You lied to me, you could have been hit, you… you numbskull!" she yelled finally, frustrated.
"No, it was fun, and dumb," she hastily added seeing the looks she got from them both "but we got a cab." The looks didn't improve "Lets just get inside of the cab, okay? You can scold me latter."
"You are getting the biggest list of chores that I can think of for the week, and that's the least of what you are getting"
"Sure" she said muttering I got you the cab, I wasn't going to get hurt; I know what I'm doing.
"Mrs. Baldwin where is the apartment anyways?" Kristy asked, needing the name so she could translate it to the driver.
"Its Saminico Lane." The driver started to drive; Kristy shrugged, glad to not have to translate.
"I can't wait to see how it looks; I hope that the bedrooms are big enough."
"Actually, you and Kristy are going to have to share rooms."
"What, why? Not that I wont, but I was hoping that I would get my own room." Chrissy cried
"You didn't let me finish; when Jason and John get here, you will have to move out of their room and into yours."
"Okay" they said, and they went in silence, absorbing the secrecy.
It was a beautiful place filled with advertisements, authentic Japanese restaurants, and American ones right beside them. Huge TV screens were everywhere on the main street, and bikes and pedestrians filled the walkways everywhere. It was a chaotic city that was beautiful at the same time, all of it, moving in perfect harmony. They passed the hustle and bustle and reached the calmer streets.
"Hey, Kristy, when we get to the apartment, why don't we race to it?" Chrissy challenged her.
"Sure; Mrs. Baldwin, where exactly is the apartment?"
"Its number one-oh-seven, on the seventh floor."
"Hey, lucky sevens." Chrissy smiled.
"You need three sevens in order for it to be lucky" Kristy smiled at Chrissy for being so silly and superstitious.
"So we're missing a seven who cares" Chrissy defended as they were pulling to a stop.
"Thanks." They yelled at the driver stopped in front of the apartment, and Kristy and Chrissy took off leaving a screaming mother in a taxi.
"Come on, Kristy, its not fun to wait on a slowpoke." They stopped at the elevator.
"Man this elevator is slow I'm not waiting." She rushed up the flight of stairs.
"Hey, Kristy, that's not fair." She sped off, following Kristy, and sped past her; she turned the corner and bumped a guy that had an arm full of schoolbooks, which spilled across the floor. "Oh, I'm so sorry, let me help you. Sorry." Christy felt absolutely terrible
"Way to go, Chrissy, just run into the guy, will ya." Kristy started to help to pick up the books and read the cover of one of them. "Advance Calculus, Advance Chemistry; the only one in your stack that lets us know that your human is this mythology book."
"Heh, Yeah, my friends often tell me that I'm too smart to be human." He smiled as he accepted the books, and his violet eyes sparkled with amusement. "Are you here visiting someone?" his blond hair seemed determined to stay across one of his eyes.
I don't know how that guy can stand keeping his hair like that,Chrissy thought. it would bug the hell out of me having it get in my eyes
"Nope, were moving here. Well, she is anyways." Kristy said gesturing to Chrissy.
"What about the story of the monsters; aren't you scared?" he asked with a frown.
"Nah, if they give me any trouble, they'll just get the beating of a lifetime." she briefly goes into her fighting stance and laughed.
"Well, then I guess you'll be okay" he said, laughing as well. "Are you going to live here all alone?"
"No, my Dad is already here, and the rest of my family is coming in a few weeks. I suppose you live here too. So, what's your name?"
"Well you're a little abrupt, aren't you? Its Sage Date."
"It's the way I am. Christine Baldwin, and if your wondering, no, my dad isn't bald yet, and I'm not related to the famous ones." Sage smiled as they shook each other's hands, and Kristy took the time to sneak off get ahead. "aww, shoot." She said seeing her "Sorry, I'll see you later."
"If you need any help, I'm in one-oh-eight." with that he continued down the stairs.
Right next door Chrissy smiled. "Wait up you cheater!" she yelled at Kristy.
"Not a chance." She smiled, but soon slowed. "Uh, what number apartment was it?" she asked as she glanced at the doors.
"Not telling." She speed past her.
"Oooooh, fine, you win, but by forfeit." They both slowed to a walk.
"Fine by me, but your still not getting the number, in case you were wondering about starting again."
"Ow, Yeah hit me on the nose" she pretended that Chrissy actually did "You know me way to well"
"And you know me too well; at least we know each others tricks."
"Ah but you haven't turned the bag inside out; explain that, wise and powerful." they laughed.
"Well, I have my ways of knowing. Come on silly." they walked till they finally reached the seventh floor.
"After you," Kristy said in a mock bow.
"He better be home, or I'll be mad." as she knocks on the door.
"That would not be fun in the slightest." they both stopped when they hear a rumble and a crash of falling items, and they looked at each other, looking for answers.
"I'm coming!" the voice called from the apartment. A rattle of keys, and deadbolts, and the door opens with her father holding a twenty in his hand.
"Oh my gosh, Dad! Don't tell me you thought I was the pizza man!"
"Sorry, girls, I thought you were going to be here latter." he hastily stuffed the bill in his pocket. "I was planning to pick you all up later, after I ate." he went inside, and they followed him; the apartment looked like a typical bachelor pad. "Well," he said "Am I going to get a squeeze or what?" he asked, and Chrissy gave her customary bone-crunching hug. "That's better; fixes my back every time," He said getting a laugh from the girls. he cocked his head to the side perplexed "So what's with the black?" he lifted a strand up, of Chrissy's hair and Chrissy ducks her head down a bit.
"I didn't want to stand out too much, that and I felt like a change," she said.
He smiled, small wrinkles showing near his eyes, showing the age in his young face. "And so, as usual Kristy fallowed," he laughed. "And your mother, did you convince her to do the same?"
"Oh cripes, we forgot her downstairs." Chrissy turned and ran down until she almost bumped into Sage again, who was carrying her luggage and was muttering about a Kento.
"Oh, Mom, I'm sorry, I got exited and I really wanted to see the apartment, and…" she said, taking luggage from Sage and her mom.
"Chrissy, calm down, I know. But, for future reference, please don't ever leave me alone like that again; I was lucky that this young man knew English and that he was our neighbor," she sighed as she passed the rest of the luggage to Kristy and headed up with her.
"Thank you so much for helping my Mum," Chrissy said bowing. "I got carried away by the excitement; I've always wanted to visit Japan and now I'm living here."
"Its ok with me, I was going back up anyways and saw that your mother looked so helpless; I had to help" he sat the few bags she didn't take from him next to her door and started to go into his. "Oh, what school are you going to? The first day is tomorrow."
"I have no clue, but I'm pretty sure that I'm going to Hanna High."
