Disclaimer: Neither Fruits Basket nor the Fruits Basket characters are mine. They belong to Natsuki Takaya.
The plot does belong to me. Let me know how you like it so far. Please read and review.
Chapter 3 San Diego Bound
The next morning Momiji boarded the jetliner bound for America with a smile and a wave for his father and Haru. The minute he sat down in the roomy first class passenger seat he grimaced in pain. He had managed to acquire a pounding headache from keeping pace with his Poppa and Hatsuharu's consumption of sake. He had known better than to try that stunt from previous experience, but it had seemed like the thing to do at the time. He shook his head and groaned. That was the wrong thing to do now as well.
The stewardess passed by his seat and noticed his discomfort. "Sohma-san, may I get you some aspirin or perhaps a pillow on which to rest your head?" Momiji grinned at her. " Is it that obvious I have a pounding headache?"
"Well sir, I have to admit that your grimacing was quite noticeable. Did you have an interesting Bon Voyage party last night?"
Momiji shrugged his shoulders with a rueful expression on his mobile face. "Yes, stewardess-san, you could say that. A cup of coffee and an aspirin would be wonderful right about now. Thank you very much."
With a flirtatious toss of her head, the stewardess turned to retrace her steps and fulfill the request of her gorgeous passenger.
As he waited for the stewardess to return with the items he had requested, he thought back on the reason for his overindulgence in sake. Shigure had stopped by the restaurant on his way home from the editor's office. The dog had seemed quite nervous when he stopped by their table and dropped a business card on Momiji's empty dinner plate. Shigure spoke in almost a whisper. This was quite odd and very out of character for the older Sohma.
"Momiji, take this, it will be of some help to you when you arrive in America. That is all I can tell you, ask me no questions."
"But Shigure…"
"I can't tell you, it's a secret. I'm sure you will figure out why I gave it to you soon enough. So Momiji, tell me, are you planning on searching for our flower during your time in America? Hatsuharu tells me he told you as much as I told him… never mind."
"Shigure, why the mind games? Why can't you just talk to me straight if you know something about her whereabouts?"
"No, no, no…it wouldn't be nearly as much fun if I told you everything Momiji-kun. Have a safe trip and let me know how you find America."
Shigure looked like he might say a little more but then he glanced over his shoulder at the person that had just entered the restaurant. In a normal tone of voice intended to carry he spoke quickly, "There's Kureno-kun. Akito told me to stop by and wish you a safe journey for him. He was not feeling well." His errand complete Shigure left the restaurant.
He had turned go without even partaking of a cup of sake for his trouble. Momiji had looked at his papa and Haru and they had just shrugged their shoulders. He considered Shigure's actions and Kureno's presence. Akito must be keeping the dog on a leash, but why? No wonder he had said very little. Perhaps he could e-mail Shigure once he arrived in America. Momiji looked at the business card. It simply read:
AJ's Fine Foods
Exports and Imports
Phoenix, Arizona
623-555-2233
He tucked the card away as the stewardess returned with his coffee and aspirin.
"Arigato gozaimasu."
"No problem Sohma-san. It's all part of my job. Please don't hesitate to ask if I can get anything else for you. It will be a long flight to San Diego. My name's Kristin if you need me."
"Thank you Kristin-san. I will be sure to remember that."
The remainder of the trip passed without incident. Momiji's headache faded after a nap, aspirin and several cups of coffee. He recovered enough to spend some time flirting with Kristin and holding intelligent conversations with his fellow passengers.
Kristin smiled as she saw the whole first class compartment congregating around the blonde young man. His laughter was infectious and his quick wit kept everyone on their toes. Too bad she had to return to Phoenix with this flight. She would have enjoyed getting to know him during his sojourn in San Diego.
Momiji removed a business card from his wallet as he was leaving the plane. "Accept this please Kristin-san. Call me next time you are in San Diego."
Kristin looked at the card and smiled once again at her engaging passenger. "With pleasure Sohma-san."
"So long for now, then." Momiji swiftly exited the disembarkation ramp and headed for customs. He had packed lightly so after he displayed his passport and work visa he was allowed to leave. The whole process took about 10 minutes and he was on his way to pick up his luggage. He would be in America for at least two years and his Poppa would be shipping the rest of his belongings after he found a place to live. There were corporate apartments he could choose from, but he liked the idea of a house and had made up his mind to check out rentals over the next few days.
Kristin thought about the young man as she prepared the cabin for the continuation of the flight to Phoenix. He had been quite handsome and very charismatic. She didn't usually look up guys that gave her their business cards, but perhaps she would make an exception for this particular person. She wouldn't be back in San Diego for three weeks. As soon as she was back in Phoenix, she and her friends would be leaving for a long trip to the Northwestern United States and British Columbia. It would be much cooler than the temperature in the desert during the middle of June.
The plane landed on the tarmac at Sky Harbor Airport and Kristin finished her final check of the cabin before wishing everyone a farewell and wishing them safe journeys during her absence.
As she left the passenger area, her three roommates enthusiastically greeted her.
"Wow Kristin, I thought you were never going to get here!" the tall blonde girl exclaimed. "I am so ready for this vacation."
"Risa, you knew I wouldn't be in until now, why were you so stressed out about it?"
"I've been looking forward to this vacation for 3 months and I can't wait to get started. Do you really blame me for being stressed?"
Kristin laughed. " You stressed? You are the most laid-back person I know. How long has she been like this Hana?"
"For about the last three days if her vibes are anything to go by."
"Kristin, I am so glad you are home safe again. We really missed you this last week. Everything is really pretty quiet when you are not home."
"Tori, you always say that when I come home again. I missed you guys as well. Did you get the van like we discussed?"
"Yes, we did and all of our suitcases and supplies are loaded, except for yours Kristi-chan. Jackson-san was very happy to let me borrow it. He just said to take good care of it and return it safely."
Kristin smiled at her three friends, Victoria Tanaka, Arisa Uotani, and Saki Hanajima. "Fantastic, we'll be leaving at first light tomorrow. I get to drive first!"
"Hey, I wanted to do that," Arisa complained.
"Uhmmm…Uo-chan, I think Kristi-chan is the better choice," Tori said with a grin. Uo usually drove as if she was a race car driver.
"Hana-chan, where has our sweet, shy friend gone. Are you sure we haven't picked up a stranger since coming to live here in America?"
"Hey, are you through giving Tori a difficult time? I want to tell you about this absolutely wonderful guy I met on my last flight home from Tokyo."
"Someone new Kristi? What have we told you about picking up strange men," Risa teased.
"Stop it, Risa. You know I don't pick up just anyone."
"Such wonderful vibes when you two argue," Hana said mischievously.
"Please tell us about this person, Kristi-chan."
Kristi began, "He was tall and handsome with blonde hair and gorgeous brown eyes. I think he must be half-Japanese and half-German. His name was Momiji Sohma."
Tori raised her hand to her mouth. Arisa and Hana both glanced at her.
"Tori?" Kristin questioned.
"Please go ahead Kristi-chan. The name just sounds like that of someone I used to know."
Author's Notes: Hello again all.This fic is turning out to be a lot of fun to write. I hope you will like it as well as I do. Thanks to all of you who read and reviewed my last chapter.
Livi, Thanks. Hope my plot lives up to expectations.
Kyo-obsessed Okay, I am trying to keep you from attacking your computer. Expect an update within the week.
Dark InuYeah, seven years is a long time.A lot has happened to Tohru in that time. Hope you enjoy.
Black Winged Angel Sami I should be updating about 4 - 7 days apart. I hope you continue to read.
Slow Motion Runner Yeah, Slow Mo is easier to type. I am glad you like the story so far. I like sweet, warm and fluffy myself.
Takeru Takaishi's Gurl Glad you like it.Momiji/Tohru has been a pairing playing at the back of my mind for a long time.
NightFall2525 Did you figure out the answer to your question. If not, you will know for sure next chapter.
Be back with an update in a few days. Ja mata