Chapter 1

After landing and seeing that the sun was starting to rise, she couldn't help but yawn. Even after getting through customs, she could feel some of her energy dwindling. Her adrenaline had to be wearing out which meant she was going to sleep well when she got home.

Glancing at her phone that she just turned back on she watched messages from various people pop up, but she only opened one. It was going to keep her from being lost and wandering the airport until she was ready to scream in frustration.

We're by baggage. You won't be able to miss us.

That was a blessing since that meant killing two birds with one stone. Looking at the signs she followed them and kept an eye out for anyone that might look familiar. Pushing up her purple framed glasses she hurried to the baggage claim with her carry on bags slung over her shoulders.

Stepping up to the conveyor she watched for her bags even if they were hard to miss. If there was one thing, she made sure to do was decorate her bags so they wouldn't get lost in the jumble of bags. Looking out the corner of her eye she felt her curiosity be piqued. Grab her bags then head over or head to them and then grab her bags? What would be easier?

"You sure her flight didn't get delayed or anything? She would have messaged us when she landed." A woman's voice made her want to lean over but she didn't want to appear rude. The last time she wanted was someone to think she was a creeper of some sort.

"She might have turned her phone on yet. Give her a few minutes and then we'll talk to someone." A male voice answered the woman which made her spine straighten.

Turning her attention as she yanked her bags off the belt she smiled and tucked her auburn braided pigtail behind her. She saw a sign in her younger host brother's hands which was in English and Japanese. She couldn't thank them for being simple for that because she wasn't sure if her mind was going to work for her at the moment.

Slowly she noticed how her two host brothers looked like their mother which made her laugh to herself. From the pictures she could tell her host father was the type that expected everyone to work hard and follow the rules. But she couldn't pull her gaze from who was going to be her older host brother.

From the black slacks with a simple dress shirt that was dyed a dark red to the way his hair was pulled back into a simple ponytail. Quickly she looked away to keep herself from overreacting. There was no way something could spark because she was too plain, and more guys rather torment her then get to know her. If that was one thing, she wished she could change she would in a heartbeat.

"Um . . ." She trailed off as her steel blue eyes turned their attention to the small group. Softly and almost awkwardly she waved and tucked her hand into her back pocket. "It's finally nice to meet you all in person."

A gasp escaped her as she was enveloped into a hug by the woman as her head was cradled in the woman's bosom. It felt like she was their long lost daughter when there was no way she was since she didn't look like either of them.

"You made it. You wouldn't believe how much I'm glad there is another girl in the house." The woman chirped as she pulled her back and stared at her. "Did you have a good trip? Did you have any problems?"

She gently shook her head and stepped back. Bowing to them she felt her braids fall in front of her which irritated her. "I'm sorry for being rude. I'm Ashley, your exchange daughter or sister for a year. It's a pleasure to meet you all."

A small snicker escaped someone, but she didn't see who. Standing up straight she tilted her head as she watched them.

"Well, you might need some refresher. I'm Mikoto. Over there is my husband Fugaku. Your youngest brother is Sasuke even if he is the same age as you. Then there's Itachi who is your older brother. You haven't had a chance to meet him yet since he's been busy with school."

"I apologize for that. But when it comes to inheriting the business, I want to be ready for that time." Itachi apologized with a small bow. Quickly Ashley looked away then back to give herself a breather. He might be the death of her unless someone came along.

Waving she smiled. "It's fine. It's understandable."

Without a word Fugaku grabbed her bags and started to walk away. They followed after him as she looks in some things of the airport. The small booths that sold food that made her realize how hungry she was but at the same time she wanted to curl up into a ball to hibernate.

"We're glad you're here besides having another woman in the house." Mikoto chirped, earning Ashley's attention.

"Well, I was surprised that my parents let me do this. But I guess dad wanted me to see the world like he did back in his youth." She answered as she glanced at her phone. Biting her cheek, she stepped outside and took in the noise that she was going to have to get used to. There wasn't going to be any tree frogs to serenade her to sleep or catching lightning bugs in the back yard. "My parents are grateful though Mikoto-san."

"Go ahead and call me okaa-san. This way you can get used to being in our family faster and you won't feel like an outsider." Mikoto replied as she glanced back at her.

"Your father traveled? Where to?" Fugaku piped in with an ebony eyebrow raised.

"It was when he was in the army. He mostly traveled in Europe like Germany and the such. Honestly I'm jealous of him because of it but being here is just as great to me." She replied and stopped walking with them. "Is it alright if I go ahead and call them so they don't keep worrying? It won't take that long."

A small wave from a couple of them was all the answer she needed as she glanced at the time back home. Her father was probably still up since he seemed to rarely sleep during the warmer months. Tucking the phone to her ear she listened to it ring a couple of times before someone picking up was heard.

"Everything okay? Your flight didn't get delayed, or anything did it?" Her mother's voice was higher than it should have been causing her to pull the phone away. Glaring at it she shook her head and tucked it back.

"Mom I figured you would be asleep since you did all the driving."

"Of course not. Not when I was waiting for ― hey wait I wasn't done talking." Her mother growled as the sound of the phone being taken from her was also heard.

"Was the flight smooth?" Her father's voice caused a small smile to cross her face. "Were they there waiting for you like they said they were?"

"Yes, to both questions dad. We're on our way to their house now so I can get settled in." She replied with a roll of her eyes. Leave it to her father for still being suspicious of them despite meeting them during a couple video chats.

"Did you get any sleep on the way there?"

"Nope. I wanted to bounce around in the plane because of the excitement." She answered only to flinch as if she could feel the glare coming from her father. She should have known better than to answer like that. "I didn't. I tried a couple of times but I'm just too excited."

She could already picture the dead look her father would be giving her if he was there with her. It wasn't her fault that her adrenaline got the best of her, and she wanted to meet everyone face to face. "You do realize that you're going to pass out as soon as you get comfortable right? You're just like your mother."

Puffing her cheeks out she glanced at her new family and watched as amusement danced on their faces. At least they were getting a kick out of her facial expressions. "I know dad. I gotta go so this way we can leave the airport. I'm sure everyone has their own things they gotta do for the day."

After a quick grumble from her mother, she hung up and stuck her phone back into her pocket. Getting her bags put in the trunk and tucked into the seat in between her brothers she couldn't help but yawn. There was no way she was going to last until she got home. If she did then it would be some miracle.

"So, Ashley you can relax today. Tomorrow if you're up to it we can get your measurements for your school uniform." Mikoto rattled off as she glanced back. She was way too happy to have another girl in the family. Was her grandma like this when she was raising her dad and his five brothers? She would have to ask her when she came home.

She nodded as her eyes stayed trained on the scenery that was passing by.

"You like dogs, right?" Sasuke asked as he looked at his exchange sister.

"Of course. Why?"

"Well, we do have one named Shiro. He's pretty friendly so don't be surprise if he tackles you for attention." Itachi answered with a soft laugh.

She nodded and looked out the window again. Scooting down further in the seat she felt her eyes getting heavier. Her father was right, but she wanted to prove him wrong by fighting her sleep. At least until they got to the house, and she collapsed onto her bed.

"Ashley?" Mikoto called out only to close her mouth. Quickly she pulled her phone out and snapped a picture of the auburn haired teen leaning against Itachi asleep. "It's going to be a nice change with her around."