Disclaimer: Surprise! This may come as a shock to you, but I do not own any of the characters to SM (GASP!) Yeah, apparently it belongs to Naoko Taekuchi and a bunch of Japanese people in suits. The other characters I came up with, (you'll be able to tell who they are) are mine (duh!)

(thoughts)

Chapter One: Obligatory First Chapter and Introductions

Narita International Airport

"Welcome to Tokyo", proclaimed the large sign in English on the LCD screen above gate number 7, before switching to Japanese characters. The dull roar of planes outside on the tarmac could be heard even over the hustle and bustle inside the terminal. There didn't seem to be any empty room anywhere, everyone was on the move. Coming and going. Going and coming. (I don't I will ever get used to this), he thought glumly as he glanced around the terminal trying to spot any sort of directions to baggage claim. (To bathroom you must turn behind? What the hell does that even mean?), staring at one of the translation massacre that at one time might have passed as directions to the facilities.

(Why am even here of all places? I don't belong in Japan. I wanted to go someplace where I know what I'm eating, where they speak English, where they're…taller….). He tried to picture the academic quad at Pembroke. The grass was a shade of emerald green, not a cloud in the sky, the sun is always shining, and the air smells like warm root beer and the people play their ukuleles all day long and anyon—WHOA!

He was quickly shaken from his little reverie narrowly avoiding becoming tram roadkill. "Sonofa", he grumbled under breath. "May as well find the damn luggage." Heaving a sigh, he fell back into his thoughts, going over the strange events the few days before that had led him here.

Flashback

/When you walk away, you don't hear me say..pleeeassseee oh baby, don/ The cell phone began to blink and vibrate, moving around the table like some sort of new age epileptic jumping bean.

(Hmm…the number is listed as restricted.)

"y'ello?" he said, casually.

"It has been a long time", a mysterious voice replied.

"Um, possibly…depends who's calling. I think you might have the wrong number there buddy."

"Hardly the case, you are indeed exactly who I must speak with", the voice stated matter-of-factly.

"Really now, cause you know I really don't receive calls from strange unidentifiable people as often as you might think…"

He wanted to hang up, but for some inexplicable reason, he felt compelled to continue the conversation.

"You do not know me, but you may consider me…a friend"

"A friend? Ok? So what do you want with me?" he asked skeptically.

"There is a matter of the utmost importance and you will be needed."

"Uh-huh. And you're Nigerian royalty and you want to wire money to my account all you need is my bank number right?"

"Yes….I mean, NO! This is no time for foolishness." The person on the other line seemed a little flustered. "You must come to the central city of Japan. Once you have arrived much more will be explained"

"Are you serious?" he chuckled slightly. "Really, what is this about?"

"There is no time for lengthy explanations, you must come"

"Well, sorry to break it to you,.but I already have plans. You see, I'm goin' to London in three days, so guess you'll just have to find some other guy."

"Actually you will find that all the records show you will be going to study at Tokyo University" the voice stated. "I suggest you prepare you leave in three days."

"Yeah, ok. I think I've had enough here. I'm hanging up now, ok? Ok? Buh-bye"

"You must fulfill your destiny…the future depends on it." The voice faded as he put down the cell phone and pressed End Call.

click

The phone went dead.

End flashback

And now he was here. Cody Takell meet Japan. Japan meet Cody. Whoever that person was they sure had done a hell of job. Indeed all the records showed him to be registered for the foreign study program in Japan and having paid the 30,000 bill. And of course the registrar wasn't any help. Then again she never was. Strangely, his professors, his advisors, and even his parents acted like he had always registered to go to Japan!

(Shit! I barely know a Japanese word beyond what I learned from Kill Bill …and everyone seems to be staring at me) But that was mostly due to the fact that he tended to stick out in this kind of crowd. At 6'2'', with somewhat shaggy brown hair down to his neck, dark amber eyes, and a medium build, he tended to be head and shoulders above the native Japanese milling about in the airport. (Well, at least I get my own apartment…) Hailing down a taxi he climbed in and using the patented Tourist Cab Directions Technique™ (talking VERY loud and flapping your arms like a constipated chicken), explained to the driver his destination.

(Kind of a strange coincidence that I would have a relative in Tokyo as well. Supposedly, my "uncle" is waiting there for me. Ha! I didn't even know I had Japanese relatives…I'm about as white boy as they can come. Oh well must by marriage…of my 2nd cousin's uncle's brother's college roommate…). The taxi jolted to a stop, jarring his thoughts.

Bowing awkwardly to the cab driver, Cody turned around looking for this relative he was supposed to meet. Searching the entrance he spotted a man, slightly balding, probably in his 60s standing with a small slouch. He was dressed in mostly black, and supported himself with a bamboo cane. (Hee hee, he kinda looks like that guy from the Karate Kid movies. Wax-on! Wax-off!)

"Excuse me? Yeah, hi. My name is Cody Takell, I supposed to meet someone here, I don't figure you might be him?" He asked searchingly

The man regarded Cody strangely for several seconds before replying.

"Ah yes, nice to meet you Takell-san," the man replied smiling warmly. "My name is Miyagi Kesuke, but call me Uncle."

Cody tried desperately not to laugh. "You're serious? That's your name?"

"Of course" Uncle replied nonplussed, "Why would it not be? Is there something funny?

"No, no not at all" Cody quickly answered. "Don't take this the wrong way, but I'm surprised at how well you speak English".

"I practiced my English for you coming. Who are you doing? Is it good?"

Cody simply stared. "Umm yeah. Doin' great."

"Okay, we go to room now. Follow me"

Stepping out of the elevator the pair walked down the hallway. Uncle fished a key from his pocket and stopped in front of one of the doors. "Here is where you stay", Uncle said as he unlocked the door and opened to a modestly sized room. The bedroom, kitchen, and living rooms seemed to be all rolled into one.

"I give you chance to settle. I be back in 3 hours. I can show you great sites in Tokyo" Uncle called over his shoulder as he quietly closed the door.

"Uh……..ok, thanks" Cody said softly staring at the closed door.

(Well this should be interesting….)

Author's Notes:

Ooh! Can't you just feel the excitement? ….. Yeah, me neither. But I'd like to think it gets better. Or at least it does in my small delusional mind. Which clearly is all that matters.

Once again, C&C is welcomed and encouraged. Cheers.

Next Chapter: Dangerous Exchange