1 (AN: This point in the story marks the end of Shane's year over
seas…after this you'll hear very little from Jessie, and most of this
chapter is dedicated to her. She is a friend who deserves a guy more
special than I and she will forever be a good friend to me^^)
2
3 An Unavoidable Fate…A Sudden Venture Homeward
For the entire day all Ami could do was sit and smile at the ceiling. Her classmates were a bit puzzled at her expression, but went about their business as usual. Being this…out of it in sorts was very much unlike Ami. The sensei couldn't help but notice it the moment she had walked into the classroom. It didn't seem to hinder her from learning, but every free moment she seemed to have was used to stare off into space or something like that. Eventually the final bell rang, and sensei walked over to her desk. "Mizuno-san."
Ami looked up and smiled, "Hai?"
"Is everything Ok? You seemed much different than usual today."
"Different?"
"Hai. You were, sort of out of it."
"Oh…don't worry sensei. Everything is fine. Just glad to see a friend of mine you could say."
The sensei raised an eyebrow and replied, "Hontou desu ka?"
Ami nodded, "Hai!"
"Well then Mizuno-san. I have nothing more. Have a nice day."
Ami bowed and replied, "As with you sensei."
Royal Crown Arcade…
Ami walked in through the glass doors and waved to her friends sitting on a bench. "Ami-chan!" Usagi said.
"Usagi-chan how was class?"
Usagi shook her head, "Horrid, I flunked another test barely, and Minako scored higher than me."
"Well, I told you to study for it instead of staying over at Mamoru- san's for a while," Rei taunted.
"Rei-chan, if you were to take a test on what I did you'd fail even worse than me!" Usagi retorted.
Rei laughed, "Don't make me laugh Usagi. I can score higher than you on any subject hands down."
"If the subject was love, you'd be at the bottom of the list Rei-chan," Usagi taunted back.
"Nani?!" Rei said gritting her teeth and growling.
"You heard me!" Usagi said growling back.
Sparks could be seen coming from the middle of this fight, and Jessie said, "Hey guys!" Rei and Usagi stopped and looked around at all the kids in half stupor looking at Usagi and Rei.
"You guys should really try to get along," Minako shook her head.
"You'd never know they were good friends with how much they fight," Makoto sighed.
"Not in a million years," Jessie agreed.
"Anyways, I thought you said Shane-chan was coming over here today," Rei asked Jessie.
"Hai, he said he would make it as soon as he took care of something," Jessie nodded.
"What about Urawa-chan, Ami-chan?"
"U-Urawa-kun?!" Ami blushed a little.
"Hai. Didn't you say he'd meet us here as well?" Makoto asked.
"Uhh…" Ami was at a loss for words and blushed a little more.
Usagi almost caught it like grabbing a fish from a stream, "He asked you didn't he Ami-chan!"
Ami looked over at Usagi and stumbled out, "A-Asked me? Asked me what?"
Usagi laughed and replied, "Ami-chan's got a boyfriend!"
Ami turned redder than ever and looked at the floor completely embarrassed. "Ehh?! You and Urawa-chan are an item now?!" Minako said shocked.
Suddenly the conversation shifted and revolved around everyone firing questions at Ami about her and Urawa. The glass doors to the arcade opened and Shane wheeled himself in moving over to one of the token dispensers. Calmly he pulled out a yen bill and exchanged it for tokens to the games. No one had taken notice to Shane entering the arcade and for some reason he seemed to enjoy it. He wheeled over to one of the games and hummed putting the appropriate amount of money into the game slot. Motoki noticed him over at the game and walked over just to say hi. It had only been maybe 15 seconds from where he was until he saw the screen. "Wow! You're pretty good!" Motoki seemed surprised.
Shane shrugged, "If you say so man. Have you ever beaten this?"
"Really. Not that many know about all these secret tricks you're pulling off, and yeah I've beaten it a few times. By the way, I'm Motoki."
"Motoki…I'm Shane."
"Shane? That doesn't sound too much like a Japanese name."
"Yeah, well I'm actually from the US. Foreign exchange program and all that."
"Ahh! Like Jessie-chan!"
"I take it you met her?"
"Hai. She's a regular with Usagi's group now."
Shane made a slight laugh, "Never thought she was much of a gamer. Learn something about someone new everyday."
Motoki noticed his score and was a little hesitant of how high it was. "Have you played this game a lot?"
Shane shook his head, "No, this is my first time."
"But, how do you know all these tricks?"
"They're telegraphed to easily."
Shane did another trick and Motoki looked ever more shocked, "You-you found out how to get that?!"
"To easy. They have way too many patterns they run. Once you see them it's easy."
Shane's score continued to grow and people started to crowd around the machine. Eventually Minako saw something was going on and said, "Hey guys. Someone must be tearing up the newest Sailor Moon game."
Usagi nodded, "Last time I saw a crowd that big was when Ami-chan played the Sailor V game a long time ago."
Jessie blinked, "Sailor V? Sailor Moon? Never heard of those games before."
"We'll explain later Jessie-chan. Want to go see who's beating it this time?" Usagi asked.
Everyone nodded and headed over to see what whom the mysterious gamer was. By the time they had reached where the crowd was, everyone in the arcade was watching on the above monitors as this mysterious gamer was doing things that no one even knew existed or had thought possible. "Look at him go!" Minako said stunned.
"Sugoi!" Usagi was in awe.
Motoki looked over and saw Usagi and her gang on the outer edge of the circle and weaved his way out toward them. "Usagi-san!"
"Motoki-san!" Usagi smiled.
"You're not going to believe this kid! It's his first time playing it!"
"What?!"
"It's kind like when Ami-san played that Sailor V game a long time ago. Only this kid is doing things that made it look like he did the programming for the game!"
"Who is he Motoki-san?" Makoto asked.
"Dang…I forgot. I was in such awe with him I forgot!"
Usagi face-faulted and said, "Motoki-san."
Motoki-san put his hand behind his head and made a slight laugh. "Gomen ne Usagi-chan."
Usagi looked back up at the above monitor and said, "He's already at the last level!"
"B-but! That's impossible!" Motoki was in complete shock.
"Believe it Motoki! I'm just as shocked as you!" Makoto said.
"Dear God! He's going through everything like it's nothing! His combos are insane!" A few seconds later Motoki looked like a stone statue, "He-he just b-b-beat the last boss…in…one c-c-comb-b-b-o?!"
The entire crown looked like they had seen a ghost. No one had torn through the game like that before. Not even the experts of the game. The high score for the game was beaten by about 25 million and no one could understand how it was physically possible for things to be done how Shane had done them. Everyone watched as Shane put in his initials he used in games. NMS. Shane smiled and knew no one knew what those initials meant, and no one would find out. Probably. "Well, I've spent enough time here. I best get home." Shane turned around and noticed no one had moved out of the way for him to leave. Everyone just stood in awe and looked at his score. Shane tried to wheel himself out of the crowd, but no one moved. "Uhh…gomen nasai?" Shane asked. No one seemed to hear him and he asked louder, "Can I get through please?" No one heard a word. Shane closed his eyes and clinched his fist a bit angry. He opened his eyes and asked with a hint of anger in his voice, "Can you move out of my way?!" No one moved it was like looking at a bunch of statues. Shane couldn't take it anymore and he screamed, "EVERYONE GET THE FUCK OUT MY FUCKING WAY NOW!!!!!" Everyone jolted from their trance and slowly moved out of Shane's way fearing that he would get out of his wheelchair and get down medieval on someone's ass. Shane still looked exceedingly pissed off and said in his native American tongue, "Thank you." After this he mumbled numerous obscenities and wheeled out of the crowd.
Motoki looked at Shane as he wheeled by and said, "That's just…incredible!"
Usagi finally noticed Shane and said, "Shane-chan?!"
"What, you were expecting someone else?" Shane said with a prideful smile.
"Who was the one who just beat the game?"
"Shane-san was the one," Motoki said still a little stunned.
Usagi made a surprised whine and said, "Shane-san?!"
"Like I told you Motoki. It's a really repetitive game." Shane hummed and wheeled himself out of the arcade leaving Usagi and her friends in awe.
Makoto rushed out after him a few seconds later and yelled, "Hold on Shane-kun!"
Shane made a slight groan but stopped for Makoto to catch him. "What do you want?" Shane said a little upset at her presence.
Makoto made a slight huff and said, "You know our first league game is in 3 days?"
Shane shrugged, "How does it affect me? I'm no longer able to play."
"Yeah, but you could still come along and cheer for us can't you?"
Shane shrugged, "If I feel like I could. Just depends on what I have to do."
"God what can someone in your condition do other than sit around and be waited on hand and foot?" Makoto thought.
Shane made a slight growl and replied out loud. "There's a lot I can do Makoto."
Makoto looked at him a little surprised and laughed, "What are you talking about Shane-kun?!"
Shane shook his head and suddenly popped it up looking around intently as if he were searching for something. "What was that feeling?" Shane thought.
"Shane-kun?" Makoto asked him, "Daizyoobu desu ka?"
Shane looked back at Makoto for a few seconds and shook his head, "Hai. Daizyoobu desu." Shane couldn't help but think, "What was that feeling I just felt? Energy close to my own was nearby. Or maybe…"
Once again Makoto poked Shane from his somewhat trance. "Shane-kun…are you sure everything is fine?"
Shane nodded, "Hai, everything is."
"Then, why did you suddenly just trance out on me?"
Shane returned his look to her and replied, "It's nothing Makoto. Just a bad feeling of indigestion from lunch."
Makoto nodded, "Wakarimasu."
"Tanikaku, if you'll excuse me I have things to get done at home. Chores, homework…you know the usual." Shane wheeled himself off without time to hear a reply from Makoto on that last exchange of words.
Makoto snapped her fingers like she had missed another opportunity and thought, "I'll ask him next time."
Shane's house…
With the house being empty, Shane finally felt he could have a second to relax. He closed his eyes for a second and thought about the energy he had felt. It was nothing like an evil presence, but more along the lines of something similar to his own energy. "It has been nearly 3 years since I quit, and I do know that energies of the same bloodline cannot feel one another. So it has to be someone that was close to my bloodline." Shane shook his head. "I was hoping that I'd never have to feel energy or…anything that powerful again. What I felt from Mamoru-san though. It puzzles me a bit. I've never felt energy of that fashion before. It wasn't nearly as strong as I was, but…I knew he had felt my energy as well. His look, his grip, it was like he was just as surprised as I was over the feeling." Shane lowered his head and looked at the wheelchair. He made a disgusted face and said, "and if I wasn't succumbing to this piece of crap…I could probably find out more. For all I know, Mamoru could be some crazy all-powerful being trying to determine what the hell the resistance to taking over this planet is." Shane went into his room and loaded up his laptop thinking that his answer was within its hard drive. He looked at the picture of the last time a warrior of greatness made his appearance. "Perhaps…it's time to revive the great warrior and figure out what it is that is bugging me so." Shane made another slight smirk and shook his head, "But I can't when I'm stuck here in Japan. I left everything back in the States, and unless a miracle happens where I'm whisked back, I won't be able to procure anything." Shane looked at the picture of the warrior giving a prideful smile and narrowed his eyes.
The next day…
With leagues starting in 2 days Makoto had to make sure she was mentally prepared. She wasn't worried about the physical aspect of the whole game, but had to make sure she wouldn't crack under pressure. After all, basketball was 90% mental and only 10% physical. Shane wheeled himself into class later than he usually did and took to his seat without a word. He seemed to be in deep thought, and his fingers were flying across his laptop. Makoto looked over at him and said, "Morning Shane-kun!" Shane didn't even acknowledge her greeting and kept typing. "Shane-kun?" Makoto said a little more wondering. "Daizyoobu desu ka?" Shane kept going on still giving not so much as a peep. Makoto looked at what he was writing, but since it was in English text she couldn't make it out too well.
The bell for class rang and Shane shut his laptop down. Usagi rushed into the classroom followed by Minako who was followed by Jessie. Shane looked up and shook his head, "It's becoming a chain reaction."
Usagi huffed from her mouth, "Don't even start Shane-chan! It's not my fault I didn't wake up on time!"
Shane laughed and shook his head, "It's fine Usagi-chan, and it's none of my concern."
Usagi looked at Shane a little confused and asked, "Shane-chan, daizyoobu desu ka?"
Shane nodded, "Hai, daizyoobu desu. Why do you ask?"
Minako seemed a bit confused as well, "You seem so…nice today."
Shane gave a confused but somewhat shocked facial expression, and replied, "Yeah, I guess I'm finally getting out of my shell you could say."
Makoto poked Shane on the shoulder and asked, "What were you working on earlier?"
Shane thought for a second and replied, "I'm doing research on a great warrior."
"A great warrior?"
"Hai. He hails from the States, well, he protects the world, but mostly he just takes care of what happens where I'm from."
Makoto nodded, "Wakarimasu." The sensei came into the room and class began.
That afternoon…
Things got even weirder when Shane asked if he could tag along with Usagi and the others for a bit. Of course Usagi was more than overjoyed that Shane was finally getting used to being around them, but even she thought that a sudden change of personality was a little suspicious. Of course with her upbeat attitude, how could you tell? "So Shane-chan…about yesterday at the arcade," Usagi was curious, "How were you able to do all that crazy stuff?"
"Crazy stuff?"
"Hai. You were doing things that not even Ami-chan might have been able to do if she were into video games!"
Shane made a slight laugh and shrugged, "Your guess is as good as mine!"
"Huh?" Usagi was confused, "Didn't you know what you were doing?"
"Well, I know I was doing something, but as for how, it's just a blank in my mind as to how I knew what I did. I'd call it gamers' instinct."
"Gamers' instinct?!"
"You must have one hell of an instinct then Shane-chan!" Minako said taking a sip of her drink.
"I guess. Of course when you play games as long as I have, you tend to figure out things in games. All games have patterns, and when you play enough you start to see patterns in and unto themselves. So once you understand the patterns you begin to understand how the programmers create patterns for their games and how they create patterns for their secrets, levels, strategies, etc."
Ami put her hand to her mouth and nodded, "Wakarimasu Shane-chan."
Everyone else looked completely confused at what Shane had explained and looked at Ami and Shane. "Uhh…yeah. That's true…Shane-chan!" Usagi put her hand behind her head and laughed.
Shane nodded and looked at his watch. "Well, I have to head out for now. Things to be done, research to be continued." Shane waved to everyone and wheeled himself out of the little shop.
Jessie watched him wheel out of sight and thought a little more before getting up herself. "Usagi-chan, I…have to do something as well."
"Jessie-chan?"
Jessie looked at Usagi and smiled, "Don't worry Usagi-chan. Just a little bit of homework that is really important."
Usagi looked a little confused and nodded, "Hai. I'll talk to you later then."
Jessie hurried off in the direction of Shane, and Makoto seemed a bit curious. "Usagi-chan, doesn't Jessie-chan live in the other direction?"
Usagi-chan nodded, "Hai. Do you think…"
Makoto freaked out, "She has a crush on Shane-kun?!"
Usagi looked over at Makoto, "What if she does?"
Makoto looked a little caught, "Uhh…"
Minako snickered a little, "She's jealous."
Makoto laughed, "J-jealous? What do I have to be jealous of?!"
"You like Shane-chan and now you're scared that Jessie-chan might be attracted to Shane-chan!"
Makoto laughed and said trying to defend herself, "Minako! I think you're just trying to push something that doesn't exist!"
Minako made a slight shifty eyed look and replied, "Then why do I find you bringing lunch for Shane-chan everyday?"
Makoto again looked caught and replied, "Shane-kun asked me to! He said that my food was…of sufficient quality to be eaten."
Usagi and Minako looked at each other a little suspicious of her reply and tried to act like they agreed with Makoto. "Hai, Mako-chan, we believe you," Usagi said nodding in unison with Minako.
Rei shook her head, "You two need to get a life."
Shane's house…
"Welcome home Shane!" his mother guardian said.
"Tadaima," Shane replied in the correct way.
"How was school?"
"It was…good. I still wish I could walk. It's kinda annoying not able to use my own feet sometimes."
Shane's guardian smiled, "Well you'll be able to soon I'm sure."
Shane nodded and headed into his room. "Now to keep searching. I'm sure that eventually I'll be able to find it, but…what if I'm too late, or my laptop can't pinpoint its location?" Shane continued his research until knocks on his door made him look up.
"Shane? There's someone here to see you," his mother guardian said.
Shane pushed a few buttons on his laptop and said, "Come in!"
Jessie opened the door and looked at Shane. "Shane-chan, how are you feeling?"
"Something wrong Jessie?"
Jessie looked down and away from Shane, "I'm somewhat scared actually. I have a feeling that you'll be returning to the States sooner than expected."
Shane seemed a little scared that Jessie might be onto something but used his somewhat cool tone to try and smooth over nothing was going to happen. "What makes you think that Jessie?"
Jessie shook her head, "I'm not sure…its like something inside me is telling me that you're leaving. Almost like a premonition."
Shane shook his head, "I don't recall anything drastic enough to make me leave. I rather like it here in Tokyo."
Jessie shook her head, "Sorry about that. I just kinda felt like telling you what I felt. I feel a lot better now that I've told you."
Shane nodded, "It's fine. I'm sorry to have worried you so."
Jessie nodded and blushed a little, "You don't have to be sorry Shane…- kun."
Shane knew what that meant almost instantly. "Great," he thought, "now I've got two after me."
Jessie bowed once more and headed out of Shane's room still blushing a little. Shane's mom walked by his door and asked, "What did you say to her that's making her blush so?"
Shane shrugged, "If I could tell you I would, but I'm not sure."
Shane's guardian smiled, "You just treat them nicely now you hear?"
Shane nodded, "Don't worry mom, it's cool."
Next Day…
The school was in a buzz with news…somehow everyone thought that Jessie and Shane were going out. Shane groaned at this knowing that someone must have made up something or thought they saw something to rationalize the gossip. Girls giggled as he passed by in his wheelchair and boys gave his nods and smiles like this was a proud thing to have. When he arrived in the classroom everyone went quiet and stared at him. Shane simply smirked and said a little tactless, "What the hell you all staring at? Never seen a guy in a wheelchair before?" He shook his head and wheeled himself over to his seat and pulled out his laptop. The groups of kids started making up rumors that the laptop was where Shane kept the dirty photos of Jessie. Shane growled a little his fist clenched to the point of kicking someone's ass, but he calmed down and got the laptop up and running. It was only 8:05 so kids were still coming into class, but Shane shook his head with an angry look on his face as they stared at him. A few minutes' later Shane's eyes went back to his laptop screen and the expression on his face was one of realizing something. "So I DID put it there. I just KNEW it wasn't on this Earth," Shane thought. The screen was displaying some weird text most of it unreadable to anyone but Shane…but there were a few words that were in English…most likely because the language didn't have the correct word or text for what it was trying to say. "Damn, if only something drastic enough could get me back home. Then I could retrieve that medallion…and go on with the search." Shane looked up again instinctively and watched as a very confused Jessie, Usagi, Minako, and Makoto strolled into the classroom.
Jessie instantly gave Shane an upset look like he had caused the whole mess. "Shane-kun!" she sounded like she was whining, "What did you say to get this whole mess started?! Why is everyone saying we're going out?!"
The students stopped gossiping and looked over at the bickering couple. Shane looked over at the students and then back at Jessie before sighing and shaking his head. He returned to his normal English and spoke, "Jessie I don't know what's going on…it's stupid gossip. Someone started something based off something they know nothing about. It's pointless…let em think what they want. It shouldn't matter if we know what's going on."
Jessie growled a little and looked over at the crowd and then back at Shane. She replied in an English voice as well, "Well it's not comforting when you have hundreds of sets of eyes looking at you as you walk by you know."
Shane nodded, "Tell me about it. Look, for right now just ignore what they say. That's about all we can do really…all right?"
Jessie sighed and nodded and replied, "All right."
Shane made a slight grin and said playfully, "Now hug and kiss me."
Jessie growled and hit him a little bit as he laughed and tried to parry her punches. The gossiping returned and Shane still laughed as Jessie still tried to hit him for his comment.
Later that day…
Usagi looked exhausted and the massive bruise on her hip didn't help much either. "You know next time you try to SPIKE a volleyball, how about landing on your feet instead of another player," Minako said.
Usagi nodded her face showing a little pain and she replied, "I will take that into consideration if I ever walk gracefully again."
Jessie was still quiet and looked at the ground like something was bothering her. Makoto looked at her and touched her shoulder, "Jessie-chan? Daizyoobu desu ka?"
Jessie didn't reply or even open her mouth to attempt to reply. "Jessie- chan?" Usagi asked her. Jessie looked up suddenly and dashed backwards toward the school. "Jessie-chan?! What are you doing?!" Jessie's eyes were full of tears and she ran as fast as she could to see if Shane was still nearby. She arrived at the school and saw no sign of him outside. She looked in the direction of his house and dashed off towards it. After a few minutes she spotted him wheeling himself down the sidewalk and stopped. Something inside of her felt hurt…and not hurt like an internal organ, but a hurt that, could only healed through an emotion. The emotion…of love. Slowly Jessie walked up behind Shane and caught him as he was looking across the street for traffic and such. She stopped and wanted to say something to him, but it hurt her to try.
Shane gave a smile and said, "Well Jessie, what did you forget to do to me this time? You still never did land a punch from earlier." Jessie curled her fist up but it went limb and she let her fingers fall. Shane turned his head around and looked at her shadowed face. He then turned the entire wheelchair around and asked again more serious this time, "Jessie…what's wrong? Why are you crying? Did someone do something to you again?! Where are they! Let me at em! NO ONE makes you cry!"
Jessie ran over and hugged him crying on his shoulder. Shane was surprised at this sudden over pour of emotion and slowly put his hand on her back. Jessie cried and her head moved back and forth as she whispered out, "I'm so sorry Shane…I'm so sorry."
Shane nodded slightly and replied, "It's Ok Jess…I forgive you. It's Ok. I'm here for you now."
Jess sniffled a few more times and pulled her crying eyes back from his shoulder. She looked into his serious pupils and her red tear-ridden eyes seemed to smile. She gave a slight smile and she replied, "Shane…I'm so sorry. Please…can you ever forgive me?"
Shane blinked and nodded, "Yeah, but…what did you do wrong?"
"I…" she looked away from him the words to describe how it felt just couldn't be said. So she did the thing that came to her heart. She returned her head and eyes to his and gently brought her lips toward his. Shane of course didn't really have any idea what she was pulling so he waited, and when her lips connected with his, he realized what it was she was sorry for. She kissed him and a few more tears escaped her eyes, but not tears of sadness it seemed. For her lips seemed to curl a little as she kept her lips on his. She moved her head back and looked at his eyes again and finished, "I am sorry, that I feel in love with you Shane."
Shane was a little shocked of course, but when she kissed him, he felt something. A feeling that he had perhaps experienced sometime before now. His eyes seemed to give off a gentler glow than before and Jessie smiled looking into his eyes. "You have such pretty navy eyes Shane," she said cooing a little still holding her embrace on him. Shane nodded with a slight movement of his head and Jessie curled up on his wheelchair like a scared child cowering in fear.
"Jessie…listen, I have to tell you something."
Jessie looked up and stared back into his pupils her face maybe mere inches from his. "What is it sempai?"
Shane sighed and replied trying to phrase the words as best he could, "Jess, I…I don't know what to think. I don't know if I love you back or not. Do I like you? Yeah…a little, but I don't know if it's cause you're a good friend…or something else. I just don't know."
Jessie's head turned away and she made it look like she was ashamed of showing him how she cared for him. "I see…you can't tell me because you don't love me. That's how it is."
Shane shook his head, "Jess…" Shane took his hand and moved her face back to his and gave her a deep kiss that surprised her somewhat, but she liked that feeling. The feeling of his tongue moving about in her mouth and tease her like a worm trying to catch a fish. After a few moments Shane released his gripping lips from hers and replied, "Please, trust me when I say that I don't know, but if I find out that it is love for you, then I know I'll have made the right decision." Jessie blushed a little and smiled moving her head down toward her breasts in a playful manner. Shane smiled back realizing that he had made her feel better and asked her, "If you want to you can come back to the house and we'll talk some more. I mean, you're always welcome too, and plus I might get to know you better."
Jessie nodded and replied getting back to her feet, "Arigato sempai." She looked back him with a slight blush on her face and asked a little embarrassed, "sempai…can I…hold your hand back to your house?"
Shane made a slight blush and said, "Well, I suppose there's no harm in that, after all everyone at school thinks we're going out anyways, so let's just go along with it for a while."
Jessie nodded and gently gripped his hand smiling and saying, "You have such warm hands too, just like your heart Shane."
Shane put his other hand behind his head and replied, "I thank you Jess, but I'm not that warm hearted."
She shook her head, "You're the most kind hearted person I know. You may not always do everything kindly, but you do it in a way that's kind- hearted."
Shane laughed and replied, "Well I GUESS you could say something like that."
Jessie giggled a little and held Shane's hand as they journeyed off to Shane's house for the day.
Shane's house…
Jess sat down on the couch and slightly undid the ribbon on her fuku uniform considering she was a bit warm. Shane was in the kitchen grabbing some something to eat for his guest, and asked, "Hey Jess, what kinda pop you want?"
"Well, what kinds do you have?"
"Uhh…Pepsi, and Sprite!"
"Hmmm, I'll have a Pepsi then!"
"Aright!"
Shane wheeled himself back into the living room with a tray full of cookies and a Sprite for Jess. A can of Mountain Dew lay between his legs sitting in the middle of the chair and Jess asked, "Hey! You didn't say you had Dew!"
Shane shook his head, "That's my pop. One thing I don't like doing is sharing that stuff cause it costs me an arm and a leg."
"You're parents don't buy it for you?"
"Nope. I gotta ration the stuff as long as possible."
"Well, come on! Let me have one…please?"
Shane sighed, "Aright, you can have mind and I'll have the Pepsi."
Jessie clapped her hands together and hugged him, "Thanks sempai."
Shane nodded and set the cookies down on the glass table that was in the living room. "So…" Shane seemed at a loss for words.
Jessie tried to start a conversation by saying, "Uhh, how's the leg?"
Shane laughed a little and replied, "Ahh, it's still out. It'll be a while before I'm back on my feet, but I keep trying to walk on it."
"Shane! Don't hurt yourself worse!" Jessie looked scared.
Shane smiled, "Don't worry Jess, I've been in A LOT worse situations than this, so it's nothing new."
"Really? What all have you done?"
"Well, I've already broken all the bones in my body, twice perhaps and some bones so many times it's a miracle they still function. I've torn a lot of my muscles and THOSE are hard to fix, since they require so much treatment."
Jessie's eyes just sat there in a dilated state like she had seen a ghost and asked, "Are you kidding me?!"
Shane shook his head, "Nope."
"How do you injure yourself that much?!"
Shane laughed, "Just unlucky you could say. Fights, spars, all kinda things."
Jessie nodded and said, "Well still, you might be able to recover from all those things, but just don't over do it. Please."
Shane nodded and replied, "I won't Jess, don't worry." Jessie's eyes looked concerned of course, but Shane motioned her over to him. Jessie moved over to him and cuddled up next to him while he finished, "Look Jess, what I'm involved and like doing requires a lot of physical impact sometimes, and like I said, I've always recovered fast, but I don't do stupid things that I know will only injure myself worse."
Jessie curled up on his lap and nodded gently her eyes still worried and she replied in a slight baby tone, "Ok, Shane."
Shane wrapped his arms around her and she blushed a little. "Hey, relax now. You got nothing to worry about here Ok?"
Jessie nodded her head up and down his chest slightly and she looked up at him. He was beaming a more relaxed smile that kinda glowed with warmth. Her cheeks grew redder still and she slowly moved her head up to his. Shane gently closed his eyes as she did and moved his head back towards hers. Their lips embraced and Jessie moaned a little. The kiss continued and Jessie slowly moved her hand underneath his shirt touching his chest. It felt warm to her. The same kind of warmth she wanted to feel. Their kiss was released only to be rejoined as she slipped her other hand down his pants. Shane's eyes went a little wide and he moved his hand to retrieve the hand that had penetrated his pants. Jessie moaned a little and gently rubbed penis a little. Of course any male who felt a woman's hand on their penis while kissing them would instantly get a rise, and Shane was no exception. He quickly broke off the kiss and pulled her hand out of his pants and shook his head. Jessie moaned a little and said, "Come on Shane! Please? Don't you know how good I'll feel if you let me?"
"Jessie, for one thing you're attempting to go WAY to fast. We've known each other for barely a month maybe more! You can't expect to have a good relationship at that speed. You'll burn out quicker than a sparkler!"
Jessie sighed and looked at him begging with her eyes, but not able to breach Shane's now serious face. She looked down a little and nodded her head against his chest and replied, "You're right…I…I'm sorry Shane…I'll go now." Jessie stood up and grabbed her bag rushing out the door leaving Shane alone.
Shane sighed and shook his head again stating, "I'm sorry Jess, but if you wanted to go that fast, then…I'm afraid I can't love you back." The phone rang and Shane wheeled over to answer it. He picked up the receiver and said in the native Japanese greeting, "Moshi Moshi."
"Shane?" a voice on the other end sounded like very clear English.
Shane looked a little surprised and said, "Dad? What are you calling over here for?"
Shane's father replied, "Shane I've got some bad news. You're mother is in the hospital. She was doing fine and the suddenly she just fainted. Right now she's in a coma and the doctors don't know what's wrong with her. She's stable but like I said she's in a coma."
Shane's hand slowly let its grip off of the phone and let it drop to the floor. His face was slightly pale and he looked like he had seen a ghost or some other form of supernatural wonder. After a few seconds he reached down and retrieved the phone and replied, "Dad…I'm on my way home."
There was a small bit of silence and then his father replied, "I'm sorry you had to come home so early Shane, but I know that you care for your mother very much."
"Yes I do dad. I'll tell my foster parents and get on the next flight I can tomorrow."
"All right."
Shane wanted to ask his dad about something, but instead chose not too. He did however ask, "Hey dad? How have things been going back in the States?"
"Everything has been fine. This is all that's gone on here at home."
"I see."
"Yes, but anyways, I'll see you tomorrow then son, and I pray the good Lord keeps your mother alive till then, because I know you'll want to pray over her."
"Yeah, she and I…were always really close," Shane's voice was breaking down in tears.
"Talk to you tomorrow then Shane."
Shane could barely talk his voice was so choked up, but he did get out, "I…love you…dad."
"I love you too fig."
"Bye dad."
"Bye."
Shane set the phone back on the receiver and cried. He pounded his fist against the armrest of the wheelchair and screamed out massive profanities. It seemed like everything in his world was turning upside down, and he didn't have a clue why."
Next Day…
"So…I won't be here anymore after tomorrow I'm afraid," Shane told the sensei.
His sensei nodded and replied, "I understand Shane-san, and I pray for your mother's recovery."
Shane nodded and fought back the tears that still were in his eyes. "Thank you Sensei, and I pray you do well for the year with the students."
The sensei bowed and Shane did a half bow from his wheelchair. He then wheeled himself out of the classroom, and as he did, Jessie was entering. It was only 7:45 but she knew Shane liked to get there early, and she was hoping to spend some time with him before class. What she didn't expect was to see his eyes so red and hurt looking. "Shane? What's wrong? What happened?"
Shane shook his head and said, "Jessie…just come to the airport around 5 tonight if you can all right?"
Jessie blinked and asked, "What's going on Shane? Why do I have to meet you at the airport?" Jessie's voice was a little scared at what he was saying.
Shane shook his head, "Just please, I can't tell you right now. If you want to get a reply from me about yesterday then, come to the airport."
Shane wheeled himself off and grit his teeth as tears ripped out of his eyes once more. Jessie had no clue what was going on and for some reason it hurt her more than being rejected by him. "Shane…what's wrong with you that would take you down into depression this much?"
During class…
Makoto looked around and wondered where Shane was. I mean she was worried about him, and all. Usagi couldn't help but notice Jessie was in a funk by the way she would sigh and set her forehead on her crossed arms across her desk. "Psss…Jessie-chan," Usagi whispered to her while the teacher had his back turned to the class. Jessie stared solemnly ahead at the board just ignoring Usagi and then gave another unhappy sigh. Usagi looked ahead at the teacher and slowly moved her pencil over and touched Jessie with the lead side. Jessie turned her head toward Usagi slowly.
"What do you want Usagi…I'm…thinking," Jessie said as nonchalantly as possible.
Usagi blinked a few times and thought better of asking what was wrong before returning to her normal face forward position.
Lunch period…
Usagi decided it was now to get answers from Jessie, and she caught her still just sitting on her desk with arms folded and her forehead down as such. Usagi took a deep breath and walked over to her and smiled, "Hey Jessie-chan!" Jessie just sat there unresponsive. She was dead as a board and about as lively as one. Usagi made a slight growl but asked, "Jessie- chan…why are you so down in the dumps? What happened?"
Jessie turned her head toward Usagi, and her eyes looked red, and tear stained. Usagi was taken aback that she had not realized that Jessie was crying and Jessie responded, "Usagi-chan…what would you do if the one you fell in love with had to leave you forever?"
Usagi finally saw some light coming in on the situation and replied, "Jessie-chan…does this have to do with Shane-chan?"
Jessie rubbed her head up and down on her arms and replied, "Yes, but after today there's a chance I'll never see him again."
"Why do you say that Jessie-chan?"
"Because…he asked me to meet him at the airport later on tonight. I think he has to head back to the States or something."
Jessie cried hard and dove onto Usagi crying on Usagi's shoulder. "Jessie-chan…" Usagi was all she could muster to comfort her in this time of sorrow.
The Airport…
It had been a harsh day of packing and Shane had chosen to use crutches over the wheelchair on the plane home. He looked at his foreign mother and father who were crying because of his sudden departure. "Hey…don't you two get all emotional on me," Shane said with a smile.
His mother hugged him tightly and said, "You been good now, and make sure you give us a buzz once in a while so we know you're doing ok?"
Shane nodded his eyes once again broken out in tears. "Hey, I LOVED Japan, and I LOVED having you as my guardians. You two cared for me like I was your son, and for that I'll ALWAYS be grateful. Don't worry though, I'll give you a call or something here when I find some time."
His father hugged him too and said, "Hey, you heal up that injury and get back on the court. It's nice to know that you prefer playing basketball over the rigors of drugs and other stuff like that.
Shane nodded and replied, "And you keep practicing, and here soon I might just come back and give you a rematch."
His father gave a light chuckle and replied, "You're like the son we never had, and I couldn't have asked God for anything more Shane."
Shane smiled and replied, "You guys are very loving parents and I hope that God blesses you with a child soon."
His mother and father gave him one final wave and left leaving Shane alone to the sounds of flight attendants scampering about and operators telling people about flights that were coming in or going out. It was a somewhat surreal moment for the pure thought that it seemed nearly perfect. At that exact moment people moved around like they had no worries. No worries…hardly how Shane felt. He had MUCH to worry about, and he was afraid that he might lose his mother. That's something NO child should have to go through, but he shook his head and limped down to his gate where they were not quiet yet ready to board. He looked around thinking Jessie would show, but kinda laughed at the thought. A voice from behind him however prompted him to stand as tall as he could and he realized that the voice matched Jessie's. "So will I ever see you again?" Jessie asked him again.
Shane turned around and looked at Jessie her eyes were just as red and swollen as his. "Jessie…I…"
"It doesn't matter. I don't really care, but I do want to know one thing. Why are you leaving Japan?"
Shane turned his head away the bitter pain of tears reappeared in his eyes again and replied, "Family illness. My mother…is in a coma right now, and it might be that we lose her. If that's the case…then I want to see her one last time."
Jessie's eyes widened and she replied turning her head away, "Shane! I…I'm sorry!"
Shane shook his head and gave a slight laugh, "You don't have to be sorry Jessie, you didn't do anything wrong."
"Yes I did Shane…all day I cried because I wanted you to love, and…all I did was act selfish. I didn't even consider that your mother was in a coma."
"Yeah, weird how life throws you a curve isn't it?"
Jessie nodded and looked back at Shane with a silent look on her face. Shane's face was the same way and they just stared at each other for nearly a minute neither one saying anything. Eventually Jessie just started crying out loud and ran over embracing Shane in a sobbing hug digging her head into his chest. She was in so much sorrow right now. Not only was she about to lose something important to her, but also the chances to ever see him again were so thin that it was to the point of being microscopic. She looked up at him once more and stared into his bloodshot navy eyes and smiled a little saying, "I don't care how much crying you've done…you still have the most beautiful eyes I've ever seen."
Shane nodded and replied, "Hey…come her and I'll give you a kiss to remember me by."
Jessie blushed brightly and nodded moving her head forward wanting to remember this moment in her heart forever. Shane's bloodshot eyes seemed warm and he moved his head down to greet hers. Their lips connected and warmth hit them both that they both realized that this was never going to be again. This was the last time they would ever meet under these circumstances. Jessie held onto his lips as long as she could before the calling of, "Final call for boarding, flight 3710 from Tokyo to Los Angeles."
They parted lips gently and Jessie sniffled once. "Shane…I want you to know…I'm glad I met you. You were never forceful, or rude without good reason, and, I'm sure that whoever you end up with will be a very happy girl. Because I know you'll make a good husband to them."
Shane nodded and replied, "Jess, don't sell yourself short when I say you have a lot going for you. When you find that special someone they will realize they have one HECK of a girl that loves them totally, and forever." Jessie blushed and wiped some tears away giving his a weak smile.
Shane turned around and said, "Good bye…Jessie-kun." Shane limped over to the boarding area and disappeared from Jessie's sight.
Jessie stood in position still and whispered from her lips, "Aishiteru."
Shane sighed and sat down in his seat on the plane and looked outside at the sun. It wasn't its usual glow, and in much the same way he felt like the sun. Not his usual warm self, but did the sun ever have to worry about losing something important to him? Shane just started at that ball of heated plasma and gas and realized that this was indeed a blessing in disguise for him to head home, but he was hoping it would have been under more…cheerful circumstances. Something suddenly spiked his sense and he looked around expecting something unearthly to appear. Nothing showed however and he sat in his seat weary that something here was awry. He did stay cautious but showed no signs to the other passengers that something felt funny.
2
3 An Unavoidable Fate…A Sudden Venture Homeward
For the entire day all Ami could do was sit and smile at the ceiling. Her classmates were a bit puzzled at her expression, but went about their business as usual. Being this…out of it in sorts was very much unlike Ami. The sensei couldn't help but notice it the moment she had walked into the classroom. It didn't seem to hinder her from learning, but every free moment she seemed to have was used to stare off into space or something like that. Eventually the final bell rang, and sensei walked over to her desk. "Mizuno-san."
Ami looked up and smiled, "Hai?"
"Is everything Ok? You seemed much different than usual today."
"Different?"
"Hai. You were, sort of out of it."
"Oh…don't worry sensei. Everything is fine. Just glad to see a friend of mine you could say."
The sensei raised an eyebrow and replied, "Hontou desu ka?"
Ami nodded, "Hai!"
"Well then Mizuno-san. I have nothing more. Have a nice day."
Ami bowed and replied, "As with you sensei."
Royal Crown Arcade…
Ami walked in through the glass doors and waved to her friends sitting on a bench. "Ami-chan!" Usagi said.
"Usagi-chan how was class?"
Usagi shook her head, "Horrid, I flunked another test barely, and Minako scored higher than me."
"Well, I told you to study for it instead of staying over at Mamoru- san's for a while," Rei taunted.
"Rei-chan, if you were to take a test on what I did you'd fail even worse than me!" Usagi retorted.
Rei laughed, "Don't make me laugh Usagi. I can score higher than you on any subject hands down."
"If the subject was love, you'd be at the bottom of the list Rei-chan," Usagi taunted back.
"Nani?!" Rei said gritting her teeth and growling.
"You heard me!" Usagi said growling back.
Sparks could be seen coming from the middle of this fight, and Jessie said, "Hey guys!" Rei and Usagi stopped and looked around at all the kids in half stupor looking at Usagi and Rei.
"You guys should really try to get along," Minako shook her head.
"You'd never know they were good friends with how much they fight," Makoto sighed.
"Not in a million years," Jessie agreed.
"Anyways, I thought you said Shane-chan was coming over here today," Rei asked Jessie.
"Hai, he said he would make it as soon as he took care of something," Jessie nodded.
"What about Urawa-chan, Ami-chan?"
"U-Urawa-kun?!" Ami blushed a little.
"Hai. Didn't you say he'd meet us here as well?" Makoto asked.
"Uhh…" Ami was at a loss for words and blushed a little more.
Usagi almost caught it like grabbing a fish from a stream, "He asked you didn't he Ami-chan!"
Ami looked over at Usagi and stumbled out, "A-Asked me? Asked me what?"
Usagi laughed and replied, "Ami-chan's got a boyfriend!"
Ami turned redder than ever and looked at the floor completely embarrassed. "Ehh?! You and Urawa-chan are an item now?!" Minako said shocked.
Suddenly the conversation shifted and revolved around everyone firing questions at Ami about her and Urawa. The glass doors to the arcade opened and Shane wheeled himself in moving over to one of the token dispensers. Calmly he pulled out a yen bill and exchanged it for tokens to the games. No one had taken notice to Shane entering the arcade and for some reason he seemed to enjoy it. He wheeled over to one of the games and hummed putting the appropriate amount of money into the game slot. Motoki noticed him over at the game and walked over just to say hi. It had only been maybe 15 seconds from where he was until he saw the screen. "Wow! You're pretty good!" Motoki seemed surprised.
Shane shrugged, "If you say so man. Have you ever beaten this?"
"Really. Not that many know about all these secret tricks you're pulling off, and yeah I've beaten it a few times. By the way, I'm Motoki."
"Motoki…I'm Shane."
"Shane? That doesn't sound too much like a Japanese name."
"Yeah, well I'm actually from the US. Foreign exchange program and all that."
"Ahh! Like Jessie-chan!"
"I take it you met her?"
"Hai. She's a regular with Usagi's group now."
Shane made a slight laugh, "Never thought she was much of a gamer. Learn something about someone new everyday."
Motoki noticed his score and was a little hesitant of how high it was. "Have you played this game a lot?"
Shane shook his head, "No, this is my first time."
"But, how do you know all these tricks?"
"They're telegraphed to easily."
Shane did another trick and Motoki looked ever more shocked, "You-you found out how to get that?!"
"To easy. They have way too many patterns they run. Once you see them it's easy."
Shane's score continued to grow and people started to crowd around the machine. Eventually Minako saw something was going on and said, "Hey guys. Someone must be tearing up the newest Sailor Moon game."
Usagi nodded, "Last time I saw a crowd that big was when Ami-chan played the Sailor V game a long time ago."
Jessie blinked, "Sailor V? Sailor Moon? Never heard of those games before."
"We'll explain later Jessie-chan. Want to go see who's beating it this time?" Usagi asked.
Everyone nodded and headed over to see what whom the mysterious gamer was. By the time they had reached where the crowd was, everyone in the arcade was watching on the above monitors as this mysterious gamer was doing things that no one even knew existed or had thought possible. "Look at him go!" Minako said stunned.
"Sugoi!" Usagi was in awe.
Motoki looked over and saw Usagi and her gang on the outer edge of the circle and weaved his way out toward them. "Usagi-san!"
"Motoki-san!" Usagi smiled.
"You're not going to believe this kid! It's his first time playing it!"
"What?!"
"It's kind like when Ami-san played that Sailor V game a long time ago. Only this kid is doing things that made it look like he did the programming for the game!"
"Who is he Motoki-san?" Makoto asked.
"Dang…I forgot. I was in such awe with him I forgot!"
Usagi face-faulted and said, "Motoki-san."
Motoki-san put his hand behind his head and made a slight laugh. "Gomen ne Usagi-chan."
Usagi looked back up at the above monitor and said, "He's already at the last level!"
"B-but! That's impossible!" Motoki was in complete shock.
"Believe it Motoki! I'm just as shocked as you!" Makoto said.
"Dear God! He's going through everything like it's nothing! His combos are insane!" A few seconds later Motoki looked like a stone statue, "He-he just b-b-beat the last boss…in…one c-c-comb-b-b-o?!"
The entire crown looked like they had seen a ghost. No one had torn through the game like that before. Not even the experts of the game. The high score for the game was beaten by about 25 million and no one could understand how it was physically possible for things to be done how Shane had done them. Everyone watched as Shane put in his initials he used in games. NMS. Shane smiled and knew no one knew what those initials meant, and no one would find out. Probably. "Well, I've spent enough time here. I best get home." Shane turned around and noticed no one had moved out of the way for him to leave. Everyone just stood in awe and looked at his score. Shane tried to wheel himself out of the crowd, but no one moved. "Uhh…gomen nasai?" Shane asked. No one seemed to hear him and he asked louder, "Can I get through please?" No one heard a word. Shane closed his eyes and clinched his fist a bit angry. He opened his eyes and asked with a hint of anger in his voice, "Can you move out of my way?!" No one moved it was like looking at a bunch of statues. Shane couldn't take it anymore and he screamed, "EVERYONE GET THE FUCK OUT MY FUCKING WAY NOW!!!!!" Everyone jolted from their trance and slowly moved out of Shane's way fearing that he would get out of his wheelchair and get down medieval on someone's ass. Shane still looked exceedingly pissed off and said in his native American tongue, "Thank you." After this he mumbled numerous obscenities and wheeled out of the crowd.
Motoki looked at Shane as he wheeled by and said, "That's just…incredible!"
Usagi finally noticed Shane and said, "Shane-chan?!"
"What, you were expecting someone else?" Shane said with a prideful smile.
"Who was the one who just beat the game?"
"Shane-san was the one," Motoki said still a little stunned.
Usagi made a surprised whine and said, "Shane-san?!"
"Like I told you Motoki. It's a really repetitive game." Shane hummed and wheeled himself out of the arcade leaving Usagi and her friends in awe.
Makoto rushed out after him a few seconds later and yelled, "Hold on Shane-kun!"
Shane made a slight groan but stopped for Makoto to catch him. "What do you want?" Shane said a little upset at her presence.
Makoto made a slight huff and said, "You know our first league game is in 3 days?"
Shane shrugged, "How does it affect me? I'm no longer able to play."
"Yeah, but you could still come along and cheer for us can't you?"
Shane shrugged, "If I feel like I could. Just depends on what I have to do."
"God what can someone in your condition do other than sit around and be waited on hand and foot?" Makoto thought.
Shane made a slight growl and replied out loud. "There's a lot I can do Makoto."
Makoto looked at him a little surprised and laughed, "What are you talking about Shane-kun?!"
Shane shook his head and suddenly popped it up looking around intently as if he were searching for something. "What was that feeling?" Shane thought.
"Shane-kun?" Makoto asked him, "Daizyoobu desu ka?"
Shane looked back at Makoto for a few seconds and shook his head, "Hai. Daizyoobu desu." Shane couldn't help but think, "What was that feeling I just felt? Energy close to my own was nearby. Or maybe…"
Once again Makoto poked Shane from his somewhat trance. "Shane-kun…are you sure everything is fine?"
Shane nodded, "Hai, everything is."
"Then, why did you suddenly just trance out on me?"
Shane returned his look to her and replied, "It's nothing Makoto. Just a bad feeling of indigestion from lunch."
Makoto nodded, "Wakarimasu."
"Tanikaku, if you'll excuse me I have things to get done at home. Chores, homework…you know the usual." Shane wheeled himself off without time to hear a reply from Makoto on that last exchange of words.
Makoto snapped her fingers like she had missed another opportunity and thought, "I'll ask him next time."
Shane's house…
With the house being empty, Shane finally felt he could have a second to relax. He closed his eyes for a second and thought about the energy he had felt. It was nothing like an evil presence, but more along the lines of something similar to his own energy. "It has been nearly 3 years since I quit, and I do know that energies of the same bloodline cannot feel one another. So it has to be someone that was close to my bloodline." Shane shook his head. "I was hoping that I'd never have to feel energy or…anything that powerful again. What I felt from Mamoru-san though. It puzzles me a bit. I've never felt energy of that fashion before. It wasn't nearly as strong as I was, but…I knew he had felt my energy as well. His look, his grip, it was like he was just as surprised as I was over the feeling." Shane lowered his head and looked at the wheelchair. He made a disgusted face and said, "and if I wasn't succumbing to this piece of crap…I could probably find out more. For all I know, Mamoru could be some crazy all-powerful being trying to determine what the hell the resistance to taking over this planet is." Shane went into his room and loaded up his laptop thinking that his answer was within its hard drive. He looked at the picture of the last time a warrior of greatness made his appearance. "Perhaps…it's time to revive the great warrior and figure out what it is that is bugging me so." Shane made another slight smirk and shook his head, "But I can't when I'm stuck here in Japan. I left everything back in the States, and unless a miracle happens where I'm whisked back, I won't be able to procure anything." Shane looked at the picture of the warrior giving a prideful smile and narrowed his eyes.
The next day…
With leagues starting in 2 days Makoto had to make sure she was mentally prepared. She wasn't worried about the physical aspect of the whole game, but had to make sure she wouldn't crack under pressure. After all, basketball was 90% mental and only 10% physical. Shane wheeled himself into class later than he usually did and took to his seat without a word. He seemed to be in deep thought, and his fingers were flying across his laptop. Makoto looked over at him and said, "Morning Shane-kun!" Shane didn't even acknowledge her greeting and kept typing. "Shane-kun?" Makoto said a little more wondering. "Daizyoobu desu ka?" Shane kept going on still giving not so much as a peep. Makoto looked at what he was writing, but since it was in English text she couldn't make it out too well.
The bell for class rang and Shane shut his laptop down. Usagi rushed into the classroom followed by Minako who was followed by Jessie. Shane looked up and shook his head, "It's becoming a chain reaction."
Usagi huffed from her mouth, "Don't even start Shane-chan! It's not my fault I didn't wake up on time!"
Shane laughed and shook his head, "It's fine Usagi-chan, and it's none of my concern."
Usagi looked at Shane a little confused and asked, "Shane-chan, daizyoobu desu ka?"
Shane nodded, "Hai, daizyoobu desu. Why do you ask?"
Minako seemed a bit confused as well, "You seem so…nice today."
Shane gave a confused but somewhat shocked facial expression, and replied, "Yeah, I guess I'm finally getting out of my shell you could say."
Makoto poked Shane on the shoulder and asked, "What were you working on earlier?"
Shane thought for a second and replied, "I'm doing research on a great warrior."
"A great warrior?"
"Hai. He hails from the States, well, he protects the world, but mostly he just takes care of what happens where I'm from."
Makoto nodded, "Wakarimasu." The sensei came into the room and class began.
That afternoon…
Things got even weirder when Shane asked if he could tag along with Usagi and the others for a bit. Of course Usagi was more than overjoyed that Shane was finally getting used to being around them, but even she thought that a sudden change of personality was a little suspicious. Of course with her upbeat attitude, how could you tell? "So Shane-chan…about yesterday at the arcade," Usagi was curious, "How were you able to do all that crazy stuff?"
"Crazy stuff?"
"Hai. You were doing things that not even Ami-chan might have been able to do if she were into video games!"
Shane made a slight laugh and shrugged, "Your guess is as good as mine!"
"Huh?" Usagi was confused, "Didn't you know what you were doing?"
"Well, I know I was doing something, but as for how, it's just a blank in my mind as to how I knew what I did. I'd call it gamers' instinct."
"Gamers' instinct?!"
"You must have one hell of an instinct then Shane-chan!" Minako said taking a sip of her drink.
"I guess. Of course when you play games as long as I have, you tend to figure out things in games. All games have patterns, and when you play enough you start to see patterns in and unto themselves. So once you understand the patterns you begin to understand how the programmers create patterns for their games and how they create patterns for their secrets, levels, strategies, etc."
Ami put her hand to her mouth and nodded, "Wakarimasu Shane-chan."
Everyone else looked completely confused at what Shane had explained and looked at Ami and Shane. "Uhh…yeah. That's true…Shane-chan!" Usagi put her hand behind her head and laughed.
Shane nodded and looked at his watch. "Well, I have to head out for now. Things to be done, research to be continued." Shane waved to everyone and wheeled himself out of the little shop.
Jessie watched him wheel out of sight and thought a little more before getting up herself. "Usagi-chan, I…have to do something as well."
"Jessie-chan?"
Jessie looked at Usagi and smiled, "Don't worry Usagi-chan. Just a little bit of homework that is really important."
Usagi looked a little confused and nodded, "Hai. I'll talk to you later then."
Jessie hurried off in the direction of Shane, and Makoto seemed a bit curious. "Usagi-chan, doesn't Jessie-chan live in the other direction?"
Usagi-chan nodded, "Hai. Do you think…"
Makoto freaked out, "She has a crush on Shane-kun?!"
Usagi looked over at Makoto, "What if she does?"
Makoto looked a little caught, "Uhh…"
Minako snickered a little, "She's jealous."
Makoto laughed, "J-jealous? What do I have to be jealous of?!"
"You like Shane-chan and now you're scared that Jessie-chan might be attracted to Shane-chan!"
Makoto laughed and said trying to defend herself, "Minako! I think you're just trying to push something that doesn't exist!"
Minako made a slight shifty eyed look and replied, "Then why do I find you bringing lunch for Shane-chan everyday?"
Makoto again looked caught and replied, "Shane-kun asked me to! He said that my food was…of sufficient quality to be eaten."
Usagi and Minako looked at each other a little suspicious of her reply and tried to act like they agreed with Makoto. "Hai, Mako-chan, we believe you," Usagi said nodding in unison with Minako.
Rei shook her head, "You two need to get a life."
Shane's house…
"Welcome home Shane!" his mother guardian said.
"Tadaima," Shane replied in the correct way.
"How was school?"
"It was…good. I still wish I could walk. It's kinda annoying not able to use my own feet sometimes."
Shane's guardian smiled, "Well you'll be able to soon I'm sure."
Shane nodded and headed into his room. "Now to keep searching. I'm sure that eventually I'll be able to find it, but…what if I'm too late, or my laptop can't pinpoint its location?" Shane continued his research until knocks on his door made him look up.
"Shane? There's someone here to see you," his mother guardian said.
Shane pushed a few buttons on his laptop and said, "Come in!"
Jessie opened the door and looked at Shane. "Shane-chan, how are you feeling?"
"Something wrong Jessie?"
Jessie looked down and away from Shane, "I'm somewhat scared actually. I have a feeling that you'll be returning to the States sooner than expected."
Shane seemed a little scared that Jessie might be onto something but used his somewhat cool tone to try and smooth over nothing was going to happen. "What makes you think that Jessie?"
Jessie shook her head, "I'm not sure…its like something inside me is telling me that you're leaving. Almost like a premonition."
Shane shook his head, "I don't recall anything drastic enough to make me leave. I rather like it here in Tokyo."
Jessie shook her head, "Sorry about that. I just kinda felt like telling you what I felt. I feel a lot better now that I've told you."
Shane nodded, "It's fine. I'm sorry to have worried you so."
Jessie nodded and blushed a little, "You don't have to be sorry Shane…- kun."
Shane knew what that meant almost instantly. "Great," he thought, "now I've got two after me."
Jessie bowed once more and headed out of Shane's room still blushing a little. Shane's mom walked by his door and asked, "What did you say to her that's making her blush so?"
Shane shrugged, "If I could tell you I would, but I'm not sure."
Shane's guardian smiled, "You just treat them nicely now you hear?"
Shane nodded, "Don't worry mom, it's cool."
Next Day…
The school was in a buzz with news…somehow everyone thought that Jessie and Shane were going out. Shane groaned at this knowing that someone must have made up something or thought they saw something to rationalize the gossip. Girls giggled as he passed by in his wheelchair and boys gave his nods and smiles like this was a proud thing to have. When he arrived in the classroom everyone went quiet and stared at him. Shane simply smirked and said a little tactless, "What the hell you all staring at? Never seen a guy in a wheelchair before?" He shook his head and wheeled himself over to his seat and pulled out his laptop. The groups of kids started making up rumors that the laptop was where Shane kept the dirty photos of Jessie. Shane growled a little his fist clenched to the point of kicking someone's ass, but he calmed down and got the laptop up and running. It was only 8:05 so kids were still coming into class, but Shane shook his head with an angry look on his face as they stared at him. A few minutes' later Shane's eyes went back to his laptop screen and the expression on his face was one of realizing something. "So I DID put it there. I just KNEW it wasn't on this Earth," Shane thought. The screen was displaying some weird text most of it unreadable to anyone but Shane…but there were a few words that were in English…most likely because the language didn't have the correct word or text for what it was trying to say. "Damn, if only something drastic enough could get me back home. Then I could retrieve that medallion…and go on with the search." Shane looked up again instinctively and watched as a very confused Jessie, Usagi, Minako, and Makoto strolled into the classroom.
Jessie instantly gave Shane an upset look like he had caused the whole mess. "Shane-kun!" she sounded like she was whining, "What did you say to get this whole mess started?! Why is everyone saying we're going out?!"
The students stopped gossiping and looked over at the bickering couple. Shane looked over at the students and then back at Jessie before sighing and shaking his head. He returned to his normal English and spoke, "Jessie I don't know what's going on…it's stupid gossip. Someone started something based off something they know nothing about. It's pointless…let em think what they want. It shouldn't matter if we know what's going on."
Jessie growled a little and looked over at the crowd and then back at Shane. She replied in an English voice as well, "Well it's not comforting when you have hundreds of sets of eyes looking at you as you walk by you know."
Shane nodded, "Tell me about it. Look, for right now just ignore what they say. That's about all we can do really…all right?"
Jessie sighed and nodded and replied, "All right."
Shane made a slight grin and said playfully, "Now hug and kiss me."
Jessie growled and hit him a little bit as he laughed and tried to parry her punches. The gossiping returned and Shane still laughed as Jessie still tried to hit him for his comment.
Later that day…
Usagi looked exhausted and the massive bruise on her hip didn't help much either. "You know next time you try to SPIKE a volleyball, how about landing on your feet instead of another player," Minako said.
Usagi nodded her face showing a little pain and she replied, "I will take that into consideration if I ever walk gracefully again."
Jessie was still quiet and looked at the ground like something was bothering her. Makoto looked at her and touched her shoulder, "Jessie-chan? Daizyoobu desu ka?"
Jessie didn't reply or even open her mouth to attempt to reply. "Jessie- chan?" Usagi asked her. Jessie looked up suddenly and dashed backwards toward the school. "Jessie-chan?! What are you doing?!" Jessie's eyes were full of tears and she ran as fast as she could to see if Shane was still nearby. She arrived at the school and saw no sign of him outside. She looked in the direction of his house and dashed off towards it. After a few minutes she spotted him wheeling himself down the sidewalk and stopped. Something inside of her felt hurt…and not hurt like an internal organ, but a hurt that, could only healed through an emotion. The emotion…of love. Slowly Jessie walked up behind Shane and caught him as he was looking across the street for traffic and such. She stopped and wanted to say something to him, but it hurt her to try.
Shane gave a smile and said, "Well Jessie, what did you forget to do to me this time? You still never did land a punch from earlier." Jessie curled her fist up but it went limb and she let her fingers fall. Shane turned his head around and looked at her shadowed face. He then turned the entire wheelchair around and asked again more serious this time, "Jessie…what's wrong? Why are you crying? Did someone do something to you again?! Where are they! Let me at em! NO ONE makes you cry!"
Jessie ran over and hugged him crying on his shoulder. Shane was surprised at this sudden over pour of emotion and slowly put his hand on her back. Jessie cried and her head moved back and forth as she whispered out, "I'm so sorry Shane…I'm so sorry."
Shane nodded slightly and replied, "It's Ok Jess…I forgive you. It's Ok. I'm here for you now."
Jess sniffled a few more times and pulled her crying eyes back from his shoulder. She looked into his serious pupils and her red tear-ridden eyes seemed to smile. She gave a slight smile and she replied, "Shane…I'm so sorry. Please…can you ever forgive me?"
Shane blinked and nodded, "Yeah, but…what did you do wrong?"
"I…" she looked away from him the words to describe how it felt just couldn't be said. So she did the thing that came to her heart. She returned her head and eyes to his and gently brought her lips toward his. Shane of course didn't really have any idea what she was pulling so he waited, and when her lips connected with his, he realized what it was she was sorry for. She kissed him and a few more tears escaped her eyes, but not tears of sadness it seemed. For her lips seemed to curl a little as she kept her lips on his. She moved her head back and looked at his eyes again and finished, "I am sorry, that I feel in love with you Shane."
Shane was a little shocked of course, but when she kissed him, he felt something. A feeling that he had perhaps experienced sometime before now. His eyes seemed to give off a gentler glow than before and Jessie smiled looking into his eyes. "You have such pretty navy eyes Shane," she said cooing a little still holding her embrace on him. Shane nodded with a slight movement of his head and Jessie curled up on his wheelchair like a scared child cowering in fear.
"Jessie…listen, I have to tell you something."
Jessie looked up and stared back into his pupils her face maybe mere inches from his. "What is it sempai?"
Shane sighed and replied trying to phrase the words as best he could, "Jess, I…I don't know what to think. I don't know if I love you back or not. Do I like you? Yeah…a little, but I don't know if it's cause you're a good friend…or something else. I just don't know."
Jessie's head turned away and she made it look like she was ashamed of showing him how she cared for him. "I see…you can't tell me because you don't love me. That's how it is."
Shane shook his head, "Jess…" Shane took his hand and moved her face back to his and gave her a deep kiss that surprised her somewhat, but she liked that feeling. The feeling of his tongue moving about in her mouth and tease her like a worm trying to catch a fish. After a few moments Shane released his gripping lips from hers and replied, "Please, trust me when I say that I don't know, but if I find out that it is love for you, then I know I'll have made the right decision." Jessie blushed a little and smiled moving her head down toward her breasts in a playful manner. Shane smiled back realizing that he had made her feel better and asked her, "If you want to you can come back to the house and we'll talk some more. I mean, you're always welcome too, and plus I might get to know you better."
Jessie nodded and replied getting back to her feet, "Arigato sempai." She looked back him with a slight blush on her face and asked a little embarrassed, "sempai…can I…hold your hand back to your house?"
Shane made a slight blush and said, "Well, I suppose there's no harm in that, after all everyone at school thinks we're going out anyways, so let's just go along with it for a while."
Jessie nodded and gently gripped his hand smiling and saying, "You have such warm hands too, just like your heart Shane."
Shane put his other hand behind his head and replied, "I thank you Jess, but I'm not that warm hearted."
She shook her head, "You're the most kind hearted person I know. You may not always do everything kindly, but you do it in a way that's kind- hearted."
Shane laughed and replied, "Well I GUESS you could say something like that."
Jessie giggled a little and held Shane's hand as they journeyed off to Shane's house for the day.
Shane's house…
Jess sat down on the couch and slightly undid the ribbon on her fuku uniform considering she was a bit warm. Shane was in the kitchen grabbing some something to eat for his guest, and asked, "Hey Jess, what kinda pop you want?"
"Well, what kinds do you have?"
"Uhh…Pepsi, and Sprite!"
"Hmmm, I'll have a Pepsi then!"
"Aright!"
Shane wheeled himself back into the living room with a tray full of cookies and a Sprite for Jess. A can of Mountain Dew lay between his legs sitting in the middle of the chair and Jess asked, "Hey! You didn't say you had Dew!"
Shane shook his head, "That's my pop. One thing I don't like doing is sharing that stuff cause it costs me an arm and a leg."
"You're parents don't buy it for you?"
"Nope. I gotta ration the stuff as long as possible."
"Well, come on! Let me have one…please?"
Shane sighed, "Aright, you can have mind and I'll have the Pepsi."
Jessie clapped her hands together and hugged him, "Thanks sempai."
Shane nodded and set the cookies down on the glass table that was in the living room. "So…" Shane seemed at a loss for words.
Jessie tried to start a conversation by saying, "Uhh, how's the leg?"
Shane laughed a little and replied, "Ahh, it's still out. It'll be a while before I'm back on my feet, but I keep trying to walk on it."
"Shane! Don't hurt yourself worse!" Jessie looked scared.
Shane smiled, "Don't worry Jess, I've been in A LOT worse situations than this, so it's nothing new."
"Really? What all have you done?"
"Well, I've already broken all the bones in my body, twice perhaps and some bones so many times it's a miracle they still function. I've torn a lot of my muscles and THOSE are hard to fix, since they require so much treatment."
Jessie's eyes just sat there in a dilated state like she had seen a ghost and asked, "Are you kidding me?!"
Shane shook his head, "Nope."
"How do you injure yourself that much?!"
Shane laughed, "Just unlucky you could say. Fights, spars, all kinda things."
Jessie nodded and said, "Well still, you might be able to recover from all those things, but just don't over do it. Please."
Shane nodded and replied, "I won't Jess, don't worry." Jessie's eyes looked concerned of course, but Shane motioned her over to him. Jessie moved over to him and cuddled up next to him while he finished, "Look Jess, what I'm involved and like doing requires a lot of physical impact sometimes, and like I said, I've always recovered fast, but I don't do stupid things that I know will only injure myself worse."
Jessie curled up on his lap and nodded gently her eyes still worried and she replied in a slight baby tone, "Ok, Shane."
Shane wrapped his arms around her and she blushed a little. "Hey, relax now. You got nothing to worry about here Ok?"
Jessie nodded her head up and down his chest slightly and she looked up at him. He was beaming a more relaxed smile that kinda glowed with warmth. Her cheeks grew redder still and she slowly moved her head up to his. Shane gently closed his eyes as she did and moved his head back towards hers. Their lips embraced and Jessie moaned a little. The kiss continued and Jessie slowly moved her hand underneath his shirt touching his chest. It felt warm to her. The same kind of warmth she wanted to feel. Their kiss was released only to be rejoined as she slipped her other hand down his pants. Shane's eyes went a little wide and he moved his hand to retrieve the hand that had penetrated his pants. Jessie moaned a little and gently rubbed penis a little. Of course any male who felt a woman's hand on their penis while kissing them would instantly get a rise, and Shane was no exception. He quickly broke off the kiss and pulled her hand out of his pants and shook his head. Jessie moaned a little and said, "Come on Shane! Please? Don't you know how good I'll feel if you let me?"
"Jessie, for one thing you're attempting to go WAY to fast. We've known each other for barely a month maybe more! You can't expect to have a good relationship at that speed. You'll burn out quicker than a sparkler!"
Jessie sighed and looked at him begging with her eyes, but not able to breach Shane's now serious face. She looked down a little and nodded her head against his chest and replied, "You're right…I…I'm sorry Shane…I'll go now." Jessie stood up and grabbed her bag rushing out the door leaving Shane alone.
Shane sighed and shook his head again stating, "I'm sorry Jess, but if you wanted to go that fast, then…I'm afraid I can't love you back." The phone rang and Shane wheeled over to answer it. He picked up the receiver and said in the native Japanese greeting, "Moshi Moshi."
"Shane?" a voice on the other end sounded like very clear English.
Shane looked a little surprised and said, "Dad? What are you calling over here for?"
Shane's father replied, "Shane I've got some bad news. You're mother is in the hospital. She was doing fine and the suddenly she just fainted. Right now she's in a coma and the doctors don't know what's wrong with her. She's stable but like I said she's in a coma."
Shane's hand slowly let its grip off of the phone and let it drop to the floor. His face was slightly pale and he looked like he had seen a ghost or some other form of supernatural wonder. After a few seconds he reached down and retrieved the phone and replied, "Dad…I'm on my way home."
There was a small bit of silence and then his father replied, "I'm sorry you had to come home so early Shane, but I know that you care for your mother very much."
"Yes I do dad. I'll tell my foster parents and get on the next flight I can tomorrow."
"All right."
Shane wanted to ask his dad about something, but instead chose not too. He did however ask, "Hey dad? How have things been going back in the States?"
"Everything has been fine. This is all that's gone on here at home."
"I see."
"Yes, but anyways, I'll see you tomorrow then son, and I pray the good Lord keeps your mother alive till then, because I know you'll want to pray over her."
"Yeah, she and I…were always really close," Shane's voice was breaking down in tears.
"Talk to you tomorrow then Shane."
Shane could barely talk his voice was so choked up, but he did get out, "I…love you…dad."
"I love you too fig."
"Bye dad."
"Bye."
Shane set the phone back on the receiver and cried. He pounded his fist against the armrest of the wheelchair and screamed out massive profanities. It seemed like everything in his world was turning upside down, and he didn't have a clue why."
Next Day…
"So…I won't be here anymore after tomorrow I'm afraid," Shane told the sensei.
His sensei nodded and replied, "I understand Shane-san, and I pray for your mother's recovery."
Shane nodded and fought back the tears that still were in his eyes. "Thank you Sensei, and I pray you do well for the year with the students."
The sensei bowed and Shane did a half bow from his wheelchair. He then wheeled himself out of the classroom, and as he did, Jessie was entering. It was only 7:45 but she knew Shane liked to get there early, and she was hoping to spend some time with him before class. What she didn't expect was to see his eyes so red and hurt looking. "Shane? What's wrong? What happened?"
Shane shook his head and said, "Jessie…just come to the airport around 5 tonight if you can all right?"
Jessie blinked and asked, "What's going on Shane? Why do I have to meet you at the airport?" Jessie's voice was a little scared at what he was saying.
Shane shook his head, "Just please, I can't tell you right now. If you want to get a reply from me about yesterday then, come to the airport."
Shane wheeled himself off and grit his teeth as tears ripped out of his eyes once more. Jessie had no clue what was going on and for some reason it hurt her more than being rejected by him. "Shane…what's wrong with you that would take you down into depression this much?"
During class…
Makoto looked around and wondered where Shane was. I mean she was worried about him, and all. Usagi couldn't help but notice Jessie was in a funk by the way she would sigh and set her forehead on her crossed arms across her desk. "Psss…Jessie-chan," Usagi whispered to her while the teacher had his back turned to the class. Jessie stared solemnly ahead at the board just ignoring Usagi and then gave another unhappy sigh. Usagi looked ahead at the teacher and slowly moved her pencil over and touched Jessie with the lead side. Jessie turned her head toward Usagi slowly.
"What do you want Usagi…I'm…thinking," Jessie said as nonchalantly as possible.
Usagi blinked a few times and thought better of asking what was wrong before returning to her normal face forward position.
Lunch period…
Usagi decided it was now to get answers from Jessie, and she caught her still just sitting on her desk with arms folded and her forehead down as such. Usagi took a deep breath and walked over to her and smiled, "Hey Jessie-chan!" Jessie just sat there unresponsive. She was dead as a board and about as lively as one. Usagi made a slight growl but asked, "Jessie- chan…why are you so down in the dumps? What happened?"
Jessie turned her head toward Usagi, and her eyes looked red, and tear stained. Usagi was taken aback that she had not realized that Jessie was crying and Jessie responded, "Usagi-chan…what would you do if the one you fell in love with had to leave you forever?"
Usagi finally saw some light coming in on the situation and replied, "Jessie-chan…does this have to do with Shane-chan?"
Jessie rubbed her head up and down on her arms and replied, "Yes, but after today there's a chance I'll never see him again."
"Why do you say that Jessie-chan?"
"Because…he asked me to meet him at the airport later on tonight. I think he has to head back to the States or something."
Jessie cried hard and dove onto Usagi crying on Usagi's shoulder. "Jessie-chan…" Usagi was all she could muster to comfort her in this time of sorrow.
The Airport…
It had been a harsh day of packing and Shane had chosen to use crutches over the wheelchair on the plane home. He looked at his foreign mother and father who were crying because of his sudden departure. "Hey…don't you two get all emotional on me," Shane said with a smile.
His mother hugged him tightly and said, "You been good now, and make sure you give us a buzz once in a while so we know you're doing ok?"
Shane nodded his eyes once again broken out in tears. "Hey, I LOVED Japan, and I LOVED having you as my guardians. You two cared for me like I was your son, and for that I'll ALWAYS be grateful. Don't worry though, I'll give you a call or something here when I find some time."
His father hugged him too and said, "Hey, you heal up that injury and get back on the court. It's nice to know that you prefer playing basketball over the rigors of drugs and other stuff like that.
Shane nodded and replied, "And you keep practicing, and here soon I might just come back and give you a rematch."
His father gave a light chuckle and replied, "You're like the son we never had, and I couldn't have asked God for anything more Shane."
Shane smiled and replied, "You guys are very loving parents and I hope that God blesses you with a child soon."
His mother and father gave him one final wave and left leaving Shane alone to the sounds of flight attendants scampering about and operators telling people about flights that were coming in or going out. It was a somewhat surreal moment for the pure thought that it seemed nearly perfect. At that exact moment people moved around like they had no worries. No worries…hardly how Shane felt. He had MUCH to worry about, and he was afraid that he might lose his mother. That's something NO child should have to go through, but he shook his head and limped down to his gate where they were not quiet yet ready to board. He looked around thinking Jessie would show, but kinda laughed at the thought. A voice from behind him however prompted him to stand as tall as he could and he realized that the voice matched Jessie's. "So will I ever see you again?" Jessie asked him again.
Shane turned around and looked at Jessie her eyes were just as red and swollen as his. "Jessie…I…"
"It doesn't matter. I don't really care, but I do want to know one thing. Why are you leaving Japan?"
Shane turned his head away the bitter pain of tears reappeared in his eyes again and replied, "Family illness. My mother…is in a coma right now, and it might be that we lose her. If that's the case…then I want to see her one last time."
Jessie's eyes widened and she replied turning her head away, "Shane! I…I'm sorry!"
Shane shook his head and gave a slight laugh, "You don't have to be sorry Jessie, you didn't do anything wrong."
"Yes I did Shane…all day I cried because I wanted you to love, and…all I did was act selfish. I didn't even consider that your mother was in a coma."
"Yeah, weird how life throws you a curve isn't it?"
Jessie nodded and looked back at Shane with a silent look on her face. Shane's face was the same way and they just stared at each other for nearly a minute neither one saying anything. Eventually Jessie just started crying out loud and ran over embracing Shane in a sobbing hug digging her head into his chest. She was in so much sorrow right now. Not only was she about to lose something important to her, but also the chances to ever see him again were so thin that it was to the point of being microscopic. She looked up at him once more and stared into his bloodshot navy eyes and smiled a little saying, "I don't care how much crying you've done…you still have the most beautiful eyes I've ever seen."
Shane nodded and replied, "Hey…come her and I'll give you a kiss to remember me by."
Jessie blushed brightly and nodded moving her head forward wanting to remember this moment in her heart forever. Shane's bloodshot eyes seemed warm and he moved his head down to greet hers. Their lips connected and warmth hit them both that they both realized that this was never going to be again. This was the last time they would ever meet under these circumstances. Jessie held onto his lips as long as she could before the calling of, "Final call for boarding, flight 3710 from Tokyo to Los Angeles."
They parted lips gently and Jessie sniffled once. "Shane…I want you to know…I'm glad I met you. You were never forceful, or rude without good reason, and, I'm sure that whoever you end up with will be a very happy girl. Because I know you'll make a good husband to them."
Shane nodded and replied, "Jess, don't sell yourself short when I say you have a lot going for you. When you find that special someone they will realize they have one HECK of a girl that loves them totally, and forever." Jessie blushed and wiped some tears away giving his a weak smile.
Shane turned around and said, "Good bye…Jessie-kun." Shane limped over to the boarding area and disappeared from Jessie's sight.
Jessie stood in position still and whispered from her lips, "Aishiteru."
Shane sighed and sat down in his seat on the plane and looked outside at the sun. It wasn't its usual glow, and in much the same way he felt like the sun. Not his usual warm self, but did the sun ever have to worry about losing something important to him? Shane just started at that ball of heated plasma and gas and realized that this was indeed a blessing in disguise for him to head home, but he was hoping it would have been under more…cheerful circumstances. Something suddenly spiked his sense and he looked around expecting something unearthly to appear. Nothing showed however and he sat in his seat weary that something here was awry. He did stay cautious but showed no signs to the other passengers that something felt funny.