Chou groaned. He never wanted to experience something like that again. He didn't care if flying was the safest way to travel. It sure didn't feel like it. He much preferred driving. At least he had more control over what was happening.
Now all he had to do was find Kamatari. That shouldn't be too hard. He'd really stood out in the Juppongatana.
But this airport was very crowded. He couldn't tell one person from the next. Finally, he turned to a man who looked as though he worked there.
"Excuse me," he said, "have you seen a que—I mean, female Japanese student anywhere?"
The man looked at him as though he were crazy. Then, he began to talk in a very loud voice.
"I—DON'T—SPEAK—JAPANESE."
Chou blinked. He didn't know what the man was saying, but he knew it must be English.
And he didn't know a lick of English.
He swore and stomped off.
Suddenly, he had an idea. Kamatari understood Japanese.
"All right, Kamatari!" he yelled. "Where the hell are ya? Ya said you'd be waiting for me, didn't ya?!"
"Over here!" came a giggly voice.
Chou turned around. Yes, it was Kamatari all right. But he looked different. He looked…womanly. And in every aspect.
"I'm wearing a stuffed bra," he explained. "It makes me look more like a woman, don't you think?"
Chou nodded slowly.
Kamatari was wearing jean shorts and a t-shirt that said something in English.
"Um, Kamatari?" he asked slowly. "What does that shirt mean?"
Kamatari looked down at his shirt as though he'd never seen it before. "Oh. It says 'Adidas.' It's a brand name."
"Oh."
"Well, let's get going."
"Going?"
"Yeah. To my place. I'll show it to you."
"Okay." Chou couldn't stop staring at Kamatari. For the first time in his life, he was absolutely smitten. He'd never been interested in anyone, not even in the slightest bit. He sighed. But there was no way Kamatari would forget Shishio so quickly. After all, it had only been six months.
"Hop in," Kamatari said cheerfully. "I just got my driver's license here. I sold my antique scythe and bought this car. It's not very nice, but at least I don't have to walk everywhere anymore."
"Kamatari! You got rid of your scythe? What were ya thinkin'? That's the only memory ya have left of Shishio!"
Kamatari smiled as he got behind the wheel. "I think I'm finally starting to get over him. I'm sure he and Yumi are very happy in hell. Together for eternity." He grinned at Chou. "Do you have your seatbelt on?"
"Yeah."
"Then away we go!" He started the car, hit the gas pedal, and they were off.
Kamatari was an amazingly good driver. He was fast, but not reckless. He was careful, but not slow.
Chou stared out the window as he listened to country music playing from the radio.
"I'm not a big fan of country," Kamatari admitted, "but it beats all the pop stations playin around here. I wish they had some classic rock or something. Maybe a little classical music." He sighed happily and pulled into his driveway.
It was a nice house, but nothing fancy. There was a big tree out front, and a fence surrounding the backyard.
"Come on in."
Chou slowly followed Kamatari into the living room. It was very nice and clean. There was a piano, a grandfather clock, and a rocking chair next to the window.
"I'm sorry. I don't have a lot of furniture yet. The government provided me with the house, but I'm on my own from this point."
"You know, Kamatari…" Chou began. Then, he stopped.
"Yes?"
"Never mind. It's nothing. I was just thinkin', y'know, maybe I could stay here for a while and help ya out. I have more skills than just swinging a sword around."
"Oh, really? That would be nice. For now, though, you'd have to sleep on the floor until I can buy another bed. Is that all right?"
"Of course."
Kamatari smiled. "All right, Chou. I've been pretty lonely. I'm very sensitive, you know, and I don't exactly fit in with the Americans. I think they all sense that I'm not really what I appear to be."
Chou looked away. "Well…I like ya better as Kamatari, the Great Scythe of the Juppongatana."
Kamatari's eyes filled with tears.
Chou heard a sniffle and turned to face him again. He jumped when he saw Kamatari was crying.
"Oh, jeez, I'm sorry. Did I say somethin' wrong?"
Kamatari wiped his eyes. "No. It's just…That's the nicest thing anyone's ever said to me." He took off his shirt and bra.
Chou's eyes grew wide. Kamatari had a very nice figure. There wasn't a single hair to be seen on his entire upper body.
Kamatari blushed. "Oh, I'm sorry, Chou…It's just that we're both men, you know. And I didn't think you'd mind."
Chou shook his head. "No, Kamatari. I don't mind at all."