I woke up with tissues in my hands. I rubbed my sore and dry eyes. I sat up and looked out the window seeing familiar skies of my neighboring home towns. The pain in my chest returned as I looked around to notice everyone around me was different.

"It happened…" I breathed.

"Please readjust yourself to the proper seating position and buckle yourself for we are preparing to land!" The pilot over the PA announced. It happened almost exactly like it did when I first arrived.

During customs check, they probably saw I wasn't in any mood to go through their b.s. question service as the only asked me routine questions then sent me on my way. I was able to get my luggage with no problems either.

Suddenly, it hit me.

I ran to the closest ladies room, I sat my stuff down all by the sink and lifted my shirt and turned as far as I could to see my back.

"It's still gone!" I breathed with excited relief. As I rolled my shirt back down I saw the snowflake pendant still around my neck. I grasped it tightly as fresh tears flooded down my face.

After composing myself I went back out to the airlines desk immediately.

"Good afternoon! How can I help you today?" The guy behind the desk chimed.

"When is the next available flight to Japan?" I asked with a hopeful smile on my face.

"Let's see." He paused while looking at his computer. "Our next flight is all booked, but in two days we have one available."

"I'll take it!" I smiled as I whipped out my card to him I hardly used it while I was there so I still had a ton of money I had saved up that I was able to use for this.

After my bold purchase, I made my way to the long term parking to find my car. I smacked the button for my car lock since it wasn't working right.

"C'mon! This day can't get any worse…" I muttered to myself as I gave up and decided to look for my car the old fashion way. I was satisfied when I found it, and in one piece. I jumped and dropped my keys when my phone started ringing out of no where.

"Oh god, I forgot all about that." I sighed heavily. I reached into my suitcase, flopping my hand around until I found my phone.

"Mushi Mushi? Ugh, Hello?" I forgot for a sad moment.

"Oh thank God, Lilly!" I heard my mother cry over the phone.

"Oh mom! I'm so sorry! My phone wouldn't work over there!" I started. I sat in my car for a moment talking with my mother about everything.

"Wait, so where are you going to stay in the mean time?" She asked me as I told her I already booked another flight out. I didn't have the chance to tell her the whole story as of yet.

"Oh, I'm not sure." She cut me off.

"Come home! You can stay here until your next flight! I'll start dinner and you can tell us the rest of your story! Just be careful, Mike is still looking for you." She told me.

"Yes, I'm very aware, thank you mother. I'll see you soon!" I hung up with her. Just as I was about to start my car, I figured it would be a good idea to check my engine first just in case Mike tried to pull something. I reached down to pop my hood and got out. I spent some time looking over everything until I realized I should look for something simpler. He wasn't the brightest guy around.

What DID I see in him? I thought as I started searching for the break line. Sure enough it was cut, but not all the way. Just enough to get me into traffic for a hard wreck. I took a deep breath and grabbed my stuff out from my car.

"Taxi it is…" I sighed to myself.

After I made it to my parents house I decided I would tell them everything about my time in Japan. Just not with all the true details. I know there would be no chance in any living soul believing me. Even though Mike was there, he never watched anime to know who anyone was. Growing up with the show, my parents would recognize the names if I told them so I made minor changes.

"I told your father you probably fell in love with some wonderful Japanese boy." My mother proudly smiled.

"Well I'm more upset I made you guys worry. I'm sorry it took me so long." I sipped my tea my mother had made me.

"I told you those international phones were a waste of money!" My dad pointed out to me.

"Yes, you were right." I chuckled then turned into a yawn.

"Oh you must be so tired! Go to bed early, it'll do you some good." My mom patted my back and sent me off to my old room upstairs. It was only 7pm but I knew she was right, especially after all the crying I did. I opened the door to my room and paused for a moment. They turned it into a nice guest bedroom. I sat my suitcase and other things on the ground and plopped on the bed.

"Hmm…" I reached in my pocket and smiled as I felt the hiruseki stone Yukina cried and gave me. I pulled it out and stared at it. It really was beautiful, I placed it back in my pocket and knocked out for the night.

.

My flight return came quickly and I got overly excited. I was putting so much hope into this flight sending me back to their world. I don't know what I would do if it doesn't.

"Do you have everything?" My mother asked me just as I was packing my car. My father and I repaired the break line my first full day back.

"Yes I'm sure." I smiled to her. She smiled back and looked at my necklace. I had a jeweler add some metal to it so I could fasten the jewel to my necklace with the snowflake pendant.

"Oh when did you do that?" She asked.

"Just yesterday. If I stall anymore mom, I'll chance on missing my flight." I chuckled to her. She gave me a big hug.

"You tell that Hiro boy I want to meet him!" She pointed to me as I got in my car. (Hiro being Hiei)

"I told you mom, its not a real relationship." I smirked to her and waved her off as I pulled away.

My heart hasn't felt so alive since I first got on the plane to Japan. No, who am I kidding. Since the first time Hiei kissed me. My heart was pounding almost just as hard. The lines were long and painful through each check. Check the luggage, check the ticket, check the passport. Can we move this along?! You think a better system would have been made by now.

Now I see why Hiei hated humans so much. I smirked to myself as I waited impatiently through each security check.

FINALLY, I was at my gate. Waiting for the flight number to be called for the line. I was like a child waiting for Christmas morning to arrive. I paced back and forth in the waiting area. I finally found a free spot on a wall to lean against. I did everything I could to keep myself calm, but all I could think about was being in Hiei's arms again. I had been replaying that last embrace I had with him over and over in my mind.

If only I knew…I wouldn't have let him go. I thought over and over as I tapped my fingers on my ticket.

I jumped as soon as my flight number was called. I grabbed all of my things and made it to be one of the first ten people in line. I was nearly jumping with excitement. I did the routine of stepping slightly forward each time someone went in, gave the lady my ticket and passport, grabbed it back, THEN walked through! I was getting more and more excited as I packed my carryon then sat in my, not so comfortable seat. I saw everyone as they came into the plane and took their seats. I had to be sure that no one would be familiar when I come to.

I typically ignored the safety direction speech thing. Does anyone pay attention to that when it's not their first time flying? Then we all buckled up as our plane headed for the runway. My heart began to race with each movement of the plane and second that passed. I felt like I finally breathed after our smooth take off. I leaned back in my seat and realized I was so hyped with energy.

I waited for the knock out moment.

I ended up picking a movie to distract me from focusing on every minute passing. I would look out the window and occasionally pay attention to the movie I had picked. Kate Leopold, rather old movie to be on a flight. Palm Pilot? Seriously? How old IS this movie?

"Have you selected anything for lunch yet?" The flight attendant startled me.

"O-oh, uhm I'm sorry, I haven't even looked at the menu." I admitted. I grabbed the menu and picked the more basic of the few selections they offered.

How long has it been? I should have been out by now right? I thought with a slight panic. I shook my head and realized there's no way to know how consistent this all is.

After my Japanese style lunch, I picked another movie and got comfortable. I looked at my phone and saw five hours had already passed. I started to get a little nervous, but thankfully I was beginning to feel tired. I laid my seat down and fell asleep.

.

.

.

I woke up.

Something...

Something's not right... I thought as I sat up. I looked at my phone.

"What?" I breathed to myself as I noticed there's still an hour left in the flight.

My heart sank in my chest and my eyes began to water.

"Excuse me miss, since you're up now, would you like your dessert or dinner?" The same flight attendant from before asked me. I stared at her for a blank minute, not sure what to say.

"Uhm, no thank you…I'm not hungry." I forced out. I looked across the way and saw the same people from before.

I sat there.

Dumfounded.

Staring at the floor in front of me for the rest of the flight.

It didn't happen...

After the plane landed, I went through all the usual procedures of customs and baggage claim. I ended up sitting on a bench in the airport with all my stuff, staring into nothing.

What now? I thought as I felt myself become overwhelmed with numbness. I looked down at my phone and booked a room at the closest hotel. It was so close I didn't even need a cab. Not that I could find where the cabs are anyway. I couldn't read anything.

I felt lost.

Confused.

Hurt.

Disappointed.

All at the same time. I must have looked horrible as I sauntered to the hotel. Some people stared at me as they walked passed me. One woman I think offered me something. But I couldn't understand to know.

I checked in, got my room key, and entered my small room. Thankfully I had a decent view of the town, but that wasn't what I wanted. None of it was.

BUZZ BUZZ

BUZZ BUZZ

I felt my phone in my pocket. I wanted to ignore it, but I had a feeling it was my mom. I reached in my pocket and pulled it out and saw I was regrettably right.

"Hey mom." I answered.

"Oh I'm so glad your phone works this time!" She screamed.

"Yea, yea…me too." I forced a reply.

"What's wrong?" She had to ask. A large lump in my throat stopped me from talking normal.

"Nothing." I cleared my throat, hoping it would go away.

"It's nothing, just a change in plans. I'm not able to see my friends this time." My voice cracked.

"Oh sweety, I'm sorry. Enjoy your time anyway! I put some extra money in your bank account as an early birthday present. Do something fun!" She told me.

"Oh thanks mom." We ended our call and I decided to stay in bed for the rest of the day.

.

My last day came. I had only left my room a few times for food, coffee, or random souvenirs. I packed all of my stuff and sat on my bed feeling so defeated. I pulled my phone from my purse.

"Seriously?" I groaned. Three hours until I can even leave. Five hours till my flight. UGH time was moving so slow. I wanted nothing more than to leave. I thought about heading out anyway, but figured I would be bored out of my mind without a place to hide. I got up and stared out my window. I spotted a tattoo shop I never noticed before.

Yes. Was all I thought before I grabbed all of my stuff, checked out of my room and headed for that shop.

"Irasshaimase!" They shouted to me. I asked as well as I could if any of them speak English.

"Ah, I speak little English." One, very tattooed, man approached me.

"I would like two tattoos." I said.

"Ok, what tattoos?"

"One, Sakura, the flower here." I showed him the back of my left hand.

"And Uroboros here." I showed him the back of my right hand. He smiled and nodded to me.

"Let me draw, and I'll show you for your o.k. Ok?" He told me. I nodded with a smile. He was very quick with his drawings. They were both perfect, I sat down and allowed the man to permanently mark my skin. I'm sure this was a very impulsive move. But I had to do something. I feel like I'll wake up and forget everything that happened. This was my own way of reassuring myself, I'll never forget.

The pain of the buzzing needles was intense and raw feeling after a while. It was worth it though. It was everything I could ask for and so much more. During the session, the guy had asked me what it was for. I told him, vaguely, that I had fallen in love and was heart broken. He felt bad for me that I was left heart broken.

"I know the pain you feel." He told me.

"My wife died. It hurts, but you will find life again." He told me with a smile.

"I'm sorry about your wife." I said to him.

"Nah, she is in better place. No pain."

I smiled a sympathetic smile to him. I wish I could know how Hiei was doing. I could only hope that he wasn't hurt, or upset. My heart sank some more as I thought about it.

"All done!" The man smiled to me as he finished cleaning my skin. I smiled to him and thanked him. He wrapped my hands in cellophane, I paid him and thanked him for everything.

"Good luck to you!" He told me as I left.

I was able to get a cab easily and made it, still early, to the airport. I stopped in the little gift shop and got the skin cream the guy suggested to me for the flight home. I went through the check points, security, blah routine that I've become used to. It was late at night, so the airport was virtually empty with only a few shops open, few people scattered around. I found my gate and took a seat that wasn't taken by a sleeping person.

What do I do? I thought as I realized more and more, this is it.

I'm truly never going back…

Am I just supposed to live a normal life from here?

How can I even do that?

Is it possible?

I pulled out my phone and spent all my waiting time looked up portals, parallel universes, other world experiences. All I could find were pages dedicated to the theory of transportation portals. Or paranormal vortexes.

"Here we go." I sighed heavily to myself as my flight number was called over the PA.

I sat up, grabbed my stuff, and entered the plane.