Tuxedo Mirage

One

Nervously, Tsukino Usagi boarded Flight 404. At eighteen years of age she had always had a distinct dislike for planes. She recalled the times when she was little how her family would drag her on another vacation with them – time after time she refused to go anywhere that required air travel and time after time it turned out to be a complete disaster. In the end, vacation's were frequently ruined due to Usagi's tantrums and this is why, Usagi figured, her parent's were ecstatic that she was off to college.

-----

Ah, yes, college – it seemed like yesterday she was starting high school but in fact, that had been four years ago and this May she had received her diploma. She was definitely not a little girl anymore. Despite this though, Usagi was more then happy with herself for graduating ( as was the rest of the Tskino household, relatives, and various friends ) and was pleased to realize that high school wasn't as hard as she'd thought it would be.

It was applying for colleges that turned out to be the most difficult part.

Usagi recalled making a promise to Naru, who had been her friend since the diaper days, at the start of high school that would stick together no matter what happened – that they would always be there for each other. Best Friends Forever, the two amigos ( and Umino ), sister's at heart – and all of that.

Promises, though, tend to be broken.

Naru had gotten an early acceptance into Ohtori University in Nagoya and had taken it the first chance she got. This thoroughly angered Usagi, but after many fights which almost permanently ended their friendship, she held her tongue and eventually got over it.

Usagi's acceptance letters didn't come till late April. With them, there was both good and bad news. Long before they were to take the college entrance exams there was a developing issue in the Tsukino residence. Ikuko, her mother, desperately wanted her to attend a college nearby home incase she became ill. That way, Ikuko would get the chance to bring her home and lovingly nurse her to health – she also wanted her daughter to be close home during the holidays. Usagi's father, Kenji, agreed wholeheartedly although she suspected her mother threatened him somehow ...

As for Shingo, Usagi's brother ... well ... he couldn't care less where his ane went – as long as he got her room.

It turned out that Usagi had only gotten accepted by only two of the five colleges she applied for. The first, Jybuuan College was approximately an hour's drive from her house. The second, NYU was a continent away. Meaning of course, to get there, she would have to do it by air travel – unless she could grow wings out of her butt ...

One thing however, was certain : She was NOT going to Jybuuan, no matter how much Ikuko protested. She planned to break the news to her parents that night, at the celebration dinner – swearing to herself she would not let them discourage her. She was eighteen years old – not eight and she would not be confined to a life at home.

For once, Shingo agreed and decided to back her up fully.

She appreciated that. Even though she knew inside his evil little mind he was probably debating whether to paint Usagi's walls white or blue ...

That night, without hesitation, she broke the news to her parent's halfway through dinner. To her complete surprise, they encouraged her, rather then discouraging her. Usagi was so confused be this that she asked her parents, very matter-of-factly, what in God's name was going on.

And, after a tedious speech about not using Kami-sama's name in vain, Usagi got her answer. One night, after a long discussion ( which really meant they yelled their heads off ) Ikuko and Kenji came to the understanding that their little girl was no longer very little anymore and that it was time to let the bird fly out of it's nest.

"We don't want you to burden you dear," Ikuko said sympathetically as Kenji and Shingo ( with devil's horns poking out of his oversized head ) nodded behind her. "If going abroad is what you want - by all means we won't stop you. After all, you eighteen years old, not eight, and we shall not let you be confined to a life at home. Now, why don't we get back to eating, eh?"

Usagi couldn't have said better herself.

-----

"Ma'am," a feminine voice said behind her as a hand touched shoulder, Usagi jumped a little then turned around to see a rather pretty flight attendant with short navy blue hair and sapphire blue eyes. "Ma'am" the attendant repeated, "We're about to take off, you'd better get seated."

It took Usagi a few seconds to realize what she just said. Her skin went pale and her eyes widened a bit. "Take … off …"

The attendant titled her head slightly and furrowed her eyebrows together. "Ma'am … are you alright? What's wrong?" Usagi snapped out of her horrible daydream in which Shingo was riding on top of her plane grinning evilly as it plummeted towards the ocean, saying in a sing-song-ish voice, "I've got your rooooom! I've got you rooooom! Bwhaha!"

Putting on her best smile, Usagi said : "No, I'm fine. Thanks for asking though, er …" she quickly looked at the attendant's badge which read in bold, capitalized letters : MIZUNO AMI, "… Ami. I suppose I'll just be heading to my seat now." She turned halfway around when the attendant suddenly said : "If you need anything, just let me know, Ma'am, I'll be around the plane." Usagi smiled, turned towards her again, and said :

"Thanks Ami. By the way, I'm Usagi - enough of this 'Ma'am' nonsense." With that, she extended her hand. Ami, as she was now known as, looked a bit taken aback but then gladly did the same and the two shook hands. "It's nice to meet you Ma'a -," She blushed and covered her mouth, clearing her throat, she corrected herself, "I mean Usagi."

Usagi giggled - but was cut short by a sudden shift in the plane. Frightened, she held onto Ami's arm. "W-Wh-What was that?"

Ami smiled, "We're getting ready for take off. We should be moving down the runaway right now …" Sure enough, Usagi could feel the plane moving underneath her. She practically wet herself.

Quickly, she let go of Ami and hurriedly said to her :

"WellguessI'dbettergonicemeetingyoubyebyeAmi-chan!" With that, Usagi whisked off into the distance in search of her seat, leaving Ami standing there in curious awe of her new companion.

-----

After a short mini-marathon, one room down from where her encounter with Ami had been, Usagi had finally reached her seat. And to her it was better then finding the Fountain of Youth.

Though she would have preferred the window seat, which was currently occupied by a man with jet-black hair who was resting comfortably, eyes closed, with headphones on still attached to the minuscule television on the back of another plane seat. Beyond, the setting sun cast rays of dark orange which seemed to illuminate the man's perfectly sculpted features. He was rather … handsome … even Usagi had to admit - and at this, she gave a little blush, but then quickly looked away.

She tossed her bag into the compartment above the seats, closed it, and was about to sit down carefully without disturbing the man when …

The plane gave a big jerk as it lifted up towards the skies.

"Wahh!" Usagi screeched as she fell atop of the man's lap, causing the headphones to rip off. He woke up startled, and looked down at Usagi who smiled meekly at him - he opened his mouth, about to say something when the plane swiftly moved to the right causing Usagi to go flying the other way - she simply wouldn't have it and clutched onto the man's shirt, if not for his seatbelt they both surely would have gone flying across the room.

"Hey!" He shouted in annoyance, having his shirt nearly ripped off by some stranger wasn't really his cup of tea. "What the hell is going on? Who are you? And most importantly, who do you think you are?"

Usagi, distraught by such rudeness, was about to say something in protest when … the plane swiftly moved to the left causing Usagi's face to get smashed against the plexiglas window, "Mmmph!" she cried in pain ( or at least something similar to that since she was squished up ). Fortunately, she would not have to stay in that position for long for once again the plane moved to the right and once again she was nearly tossed like a children's toy had it not been for the stranger's shirt.

This time although, she must have grabbed on too tightly - before she knew it a snap was heard and after a loud, "What the f-" from her would be seat mate ( for surely Usagi knew he would file a restraining order against her after this incident ) they both flew wildly across the room only to land in the aisle opposite them.

The man collected himself and stood up. It was not the same for Usagi, however, who was a dizzy mess. She felt all wobbly - like Jell-O and she began seeing two of everything - including the hand, outstretched, in her face.

"Take it." A suave, yet angry voice said to her. She took it, confused, and was lifted up only to come face to face with … him. He was tall. At least a full foot feet taller then Usagi, who, at eighteen stood a mere 5'0". Yes, she was that short. His eyes were a beautiful shade of dark violet and at the moment they looked very fierce.

"If you keep staring like that you're going to burn a hole in me."

Usagi blushed, and quickly let go of his hand. "I wasn't staring at you, I was staring at … at the man behind you." And then Usagi randomly pointed to a rather disgruntled fat man with bloodshot eyes and frizzy red clown hair walking down the aisles - holding his crotch, apparently he was heading to the bathroom. When he spotted Usagi pointing at him, he put on a deranged smile and hobbled over to where she was, shoving the mysterious stranger out of the way.

"Hey there, pretty lady," He drooled. "My name is Suzuki Ichiro," promptly he stuck out the hand he was holding his crotch with, "What's yours?" and with that he put on a maniacal smile. Usagi went pale, "Er … er …" What was she to do?

Ah ha! The mystery man! He would surely help her. And, leaning over to where the fat man pushed him, she cupped her hand around her mouth and whispered into his ears :

"This guy is crazy. Help me get rid of him?"

"Um, pretty lady?"

Usagi turned away from the stranger, and faced the fat man - putting on what was to be the fakest smile in all her life. "Er … yes?"

"Who are you talking to?"

Usagi pointed to the man next to her. "Otoya. Er … my boyfriend, Otoya. Yes, that's it … boyfriend!" And she laughed all the while hoping it would work. "Isn't that right Otoya?"

Silence.

"O-Otoya?" And she turned to her side to see that no one was beside her. In fact, it had been that way since the fat man had introduced himself. Usagi had been talking to thin air. She turned back to say something to the fat man, only to see that he began running down the aisle with all his life.

Usagi just shook her head, and slowly headed back to her seat.

-----

Upon her arrival, she saw the stranger look up from the newspaper he was reading and smiled devilishly as Usagi sat down.

"Boyfriend, huh? I'm flattered."

Usagi faced him, big blue eyes in a furious glare. "It was the only reasonable thing I could come up with at the time. And anyway, how do you know - you weren't even there!"

"You're a very loud person, especially at this moment. Now if you don't mind, odango atama, I'd like to continue reading," With that he took out two small earplugs from his pocket, put them in, picked up his newspaper, and went on observing the events occurring in the world. But Usagi wouldn't have it.

"What! What did you just call me -" Before she could finish her question, however, the man again put down his newspaper, reached into his small bag that was strewn under his chair, grabbed a balled up pair of socks and stuffed them into Usagi's mouth - he then went onto reading.

Usagi started seeing red and furiously spit out the ball of socks, about to go into a tirade - she was interrupted by none other then Mizuno, Ami - as gentle looking as ever. "Hello Usagi," she said, smiling warmly, "May I get you anything?" Usagi, still furious, shouted :

"Yes, Ami-chan! As a matter of fact, you can," With that she pointed to her seat mate from hell, "I want - no demand a new seat mate! I can't stand this guy!" To her shock, came a voice beside her: "Why whatever do you mean Usagi? We were getting along perfectly just awhile ago." He had taken the earplugs out, and was now smiling sweetly.

She turned to face the guy, wide eyed. "W-Wh-What? Are … you serious?" Suddenly she turned to Ami and glared, "Ami-chan - he's lying - it's an act! Don't believe him, come on Ami-chan - move me!" And threw herself onto Ami and looked desperately up at her, "Oh please, don't let me suffer!" Dramatically, she put a hand on her forehead, and fainted ever-so-slightly.

"Who's acting now…" the man mumbled under his breath. Usagi turned around, red faced, "I heard that!" she turned back to Ami. "You heard that, right? Right! Tell me you didn't hear that, because he said loud and clear!" In a traditional Japanese manner, Ami sweat dropped. "Usagi-chan, you need you calm down. Please, sit down."

She obeyed.

Ami cleared her throat and said, "I honestly came over here to cater to your needs. As far as seating is concerned, I'll see what I can do but it seems to me that your seat mate is delighted to have you around," and she nodded towards the man who still sported the same, sickly sweet smile that made Usagi cringe.

"But Ami-chan -"

Ami ignored her. "I must go Usagi - I have other people to attend to … Oh! I almost forgot the plane will be landing to refuel on gas - I suggest you two buckle up." And, with a wink, she walked away.

Pouting, Usagi leaned back into her seat. "Why'd you have to do that? I could have gotten a new seat … but no, you just had to stick your nose where it does belong. I suppose I could - Hey! Were you even listening? Hey!"

Sure enough, the man was back to reading his newspaper. Earplugs snugly fastened back in place. "You should fasten up." he said bluntly, turning the page and yawning a bit.

Usagi rolled her eyes. "And why should I listen to you?"

He didn't have to respond. As the plane dove down to land, it moved swiftly to the left and before Usagi knew it - her face once again met the plexiglas window.

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Chapter One - Finished … and we're moving! Whew, there it is 6 pages of reading all in it's glory, and more on the way to come! I hope, for all those who read it enjoyed it, and please, be easy on the flames.

SD Usagi: Don't listen to her, everyone! Chibi Chibi wants flames … lots of 'em!

Me: Quiet you! ( Bonks Usagi-chan with a hammer ) Don't pay attention to her folks, she's having a bad day.

SD Usagi: ( In a daze ) No thanks to you - Hehe! Would that be one lump or two?

Me: ; Erm, yes, anyway please review and stay tuned for the next chapter which will be posted as soon as possible!

Love Always

- Chibi Chibi - chan