Recap

"Nagi, this is my mom and dad. They're getting my things so I can go straight home after the tour."
-Rei

"It's a baby girl."
-Mrs. Mashiro

"I wish I could let my hair down but everyone would mistake me for Nagihiko."
-Nadeshiko

"You don't have to pretend in front of the group. Just be yourself Nadeshiko."
-Temari

"I know but I have great news. Nadeshiko heard me. She was talking on the phone and then she was talking to her reflection. I talked to her and she turned around looking for me. She heard me!"
-Temari

"I know that both of us have been cursed with this stupid tradition-" -Nagi
She (Nade) gasped at my remark.
"I know you hate it as much as I do. We were taught to not question it but what mother won't know won't hurt her." -Nagi

Temari: I just realized that I had my own POV in the last chapter

Rhythm: Hey! How come you get one!

Temari: Because your point of view isn't important to the story at the right times. If I wasn't in the bathroom then we wouldn't know that Nadeshiko's chara is close to being born and-

Rhythm: *floats of to Kusukusu while ignoring Temari*

Kusukusu: *giggles*

Temari: HEY!

Chapter 20 Eleven Hours

*Rima's POV*

"Rima"

"Rima"

"RIMA!" My eyes snapped open. Who woke me up? I looked at the clock next to my bed to see it was four in the morning. Why did someone wake me up so early? I felt hands on my shoulder shaking me lightly. I looked over to see Rei.

"Rei? Why did you wake me up?" I asked.

"We have to get ready to leave for the airport. Today is the day we go to America!" she cheered. I instantly woke up. That's right! I rolled over and got out of bed. Quickly Rei and I changed into casual clothing. Utau informed us that it was a really long flight.

"How long will we be in an airplane?" I asked.

"Utau said it took about 11 hours to get to California," Rei said.

"That's going to suck," I said.

"That's why we are bringing carry on bags with stuff to entertain us," she said. Her and I already prepared carry on bags and we both had a big suitcase each full of stuff we would need. Papa said that there are thieves who steal luggage in airports when people are collecting them after they arrive so he got us tags for our suitcases. It has our names, phone number, and address. Mama said that it's helpful if our luggage ended up getting lost.

"Rima, Rei! Are you dressed?" papa asked as he knocked on the door.

"Yes we are uncle. Come in!" Rei said. He walked in

"I just wanted to make sure you girls were up and around. We'll leave in about twenty minutes. I have to get your mother or aunt up. I would let her sleep in but she really wants to see you to off before you go," he said.

"Alright dad. We're almost done with everything," I said. He smiled at me.

"It's odd. You've grown up so fast yet your so young. We'll miss you Rima," he said. I walked up to my dad and hugged him. He hugged me tight as if apologizing. He didn't need to be sorry anymore. All is well in our house again.

"I'll miss you guys too," I said. We let go and he left my room to wake up mama.

"Rima, it looks like you don't need me anymore," Rei said.

"I'll always need you Rei. Not as my guardians but as my friend," I said. She smiled at me. We packed together. The charas helping us as we stuffed last minute things into our bags.

"Girls, we're should leave in a few minutes," I heard mama call.

"We're ready," Rei said. Her and I lugged all our stuff down the stairs. Each of us had a pillow for the ride there. Mama told us that we will probably get some sleep so it's good to bring a pillow. I was sure that the airplane people gave you one but maybe mama didn't want me to use one of theirs. Each chara had their own little suitcase. We warned them that no one can see them so we put their little suitcases in our carry on so no one would see floating toy luggage around the airport.

"I'll get everything in the car," papa said. He took our bags and went out to the car.

"Rei, you mother and father are on their way," mama said as she set out a plate of breakfast.

"I'm going to tell them today," Rei said looking determined. Was Rei crazy? She was pretty much telling my mother her secret.

"I think that's a good idea Rei. They will be a bit worried but I think they will understand you alias," mama said. I looked up at my mother surprised.

"Psssst, Rima. Remember what Kairi said at the TV station?" Kusukusu asked.

"Wait! My mom doesn't know about Rei and Aarin," I said.

"She was informed earlier this week," Kairi said.

Oh yeah! Mama knows about Do Re Mi and Arihiko!

"I don't want to tell them till we're at the airport just in case they don't approve. It will be past security and everything so they'll have to let me go," she said.

"Do you really think that's needed?" mama asked.

"I don't know. I'm scared," Rei admitted.

"It's understandable to be afraid of the unknown but wouldn't they found out from you instead of someone else?" mama asked.

"You're right auntie. I'll tell mama and papa when they get here."

"Tell us what Rei?" We turned around to see my aunt and uncle. They looked a bit concerned.

"Mama, papa," Rei said surprised.

"What's on your mind dear?" auntie said.

"Is there something you're not telling us?" uncle asked. Rei looked at both of her parents.

"Mama, papa, I...I have something to tell you," she said. Her hands were shaking. I've never seen her this scared before. I walked up to her and held her hand. She looked at me surprised. I smiled and nodded giving her encouragement.

"Rima," she whispered.

"I'm here for you," I said. She smiled at me.

"Mother, father. I haven't been honest with you. These few years we've been apart I've begun a career," she said.

"Rei, what do you mean? You're too young to start working," auntie said.

"It's not more of a job. It's more of expressing my talent. I've become a singer. We're going on this tour not just Utau but for me and Aarin as well. Him and I go by the names Do Re Mi and Arihiko," she said.

"Aarin?" auntie said surprised.

"You mean your pen pal from America?" uncle asked.

"Yes, he's been living in Japan since I've moved here. He lives with his aunt and helps her around the seasonal store she owns," she said.

"Do Re Mi and Arihiko are together. Does this mean that... MY LITTLE GIRL HAS A BOYFRIEND!?" my auntie cheered.

"Mother?!" Rei said surprised by her reaction.

"It's good you pursued a singing career. I remember when you were little and you would sing all around the house. Also you found a cute boyfriend," auntie said hugged Rei.

"I'm surprised you're into gossip," Rei said.

"Arimi is the biggest news right now," auntie said.

"Also we will need to meet this boy," uncle said.

"If we all get in the car then we can head over to the airport and you can meet all of my friends," Rei said. We quickly finished breakfast and got in the cars. Rei went with her parents while I got in mama and papa's car.

"Rima, make sure to stay with the group, also please call us every night to let us know you are safely back at the hotel, and"

"Mama, I'll be okay. I'm a lot more responsible and we are all going to use the buddy system. Nagi may have a boot on his foot but we know he'll do all he can to protect me," I assured them.

"He will take care of you just fine," papa said.

"Of course that will be good in the future too," mama said. They were talking about Nagi and I being married. My face turned red.

"We've embarrassed you dear," mama said and giggled.

"Mama please don't say those things. Nagi's mother finds it funny to embarrass us too," I said.

"It's harmless joking Rima," papa said.

"I know," I said.

"Rima, the next time you see us I'll be a lot bigger than I already am," mama said.

"That's right. Have you thought of a name for my little sister?" I asked.

"Not yet but we'll let you know when we have one," papa said. We parked and then pap carried my suitcase and carry on into the airport.

"Rima! Over here!" Amu called me over. Almost all of my friends were here. Rei even beat me here. Everyone's parents were here. Of course Ikuto and Utau's mother was looking for their father so she wasn't there. Also Kukai came alone too. Ikuto probably gave him a ride here too.

"We have to wait for Aarin. He is the last one. Our plane should began to let us board in forty minutes since there was a bit of delay," Utau said.

"Right here guys." Aarin walked up to us with a woman behind him. That must be his aunt. I haven't seen her in a while. I believe the last time I saw her was when Rei and Amu forced Nagi and me to be the mad hatter and Alice. Rei went up to Aarin and hugged him. He hugged back. I could tell she whispered something in his ear.

"Aarin, this is my mom and dad," Rei introduced. She then looked at her parents.

"Mama, papa, this is my boyfriend Aarin. These are all the friends I made here. There's Amu, Ikuto, Utau, Kukai, Nagi, Nade,Yaya, Kairi, and Tadase. I also have Nami but she's not coming on this trip," Rei introduced everyone. The adults all chatted with each other.

"? eggs" the charas yelled.

"Now?" Ikuto asked.

"In the airport girls bathroom," Miki said.

"Amu, you and Utau go into the bathroom. You can purify eggs so it shouldn't take all of us that can charanari. Also it's a girls bathroom," Tadase said.

"Go idea," Amu said.

"What about me and Rei? We can charanari too," Yaya said.

"Yes but if you all go then it will look suspicious," Rei said.

"Alright," Yaya said.

"Amu and I will be right back," Utau said. The two of them left.

"Everyone began to feel the heat or chill. At least the ones that felt it before.

"No," Kairi said. I was freezing. Nagi pulled me into his lap and wrapped his arms around me to warm me and cool him. The others had similar ideas except for Kukai and Ikuto.

"What's wrong guys?" Aarin asked.

"It's hot," Tadase said.

"It's happening now?" he asked.

"Yeah, don't you feel it?" Yaya asked. She sat on Kairi's lap. They were backwards from us. She was hot and he was cold.

"I don't feel anything," Rei said.

"That's suspicious," Kairi said.

"What do you mean?" Aarin asked.

"You two are the only ones with charas that haven't been hot or cold," Ikuto pointed out.

"You think we're doing this?!" Rei asked surprised that we accused her.

"It adds up and you have a record of doing this before," Kairi said.

"We were bribed. Now I don't have anything to lose," Rei said.

"Same here," Aarin said.

"Guys, there's no way that it's Rei and Aarin," I said.

"But Mashiro-san-"

"No! They are not against us, not this time," I said. They all stopped talking.

"Now we are going on this tour and we aren't going to accuse them because I know it's not them," I said. They all agreed.

"They are boarding soon," Nade said as she walked over to us.

"We have to wait for Amu and Utau to get back."

"Here," Amu said. Utau was next to her.

"Kids, they're calling people to board the plane," Mrs. Fujisaki said. All of us hugged our parents and went through a weird tunnel.

"Rima, do you want to sit next to the window?" Nagi asked.

"Yeah," I said. He let me in first then he sat next to me. Rei sat on the other side of him while Aarin sat in the seat across the aisle. After sitting down for about ten minutes, everyone was in their seats. The plane began to move while the flight attendants showed us the exits and how to use and oxygen bag.

"How do we go into the sky?" I asked Nagi.

"This is your first plane ride?" he asked.

"Yeah," I said. He held my hand. First they turn off the lights, then the plane get in position, then we zoom up and forward. The light turned off.

"Ladies and gentleman, this is your pilot. We are now ready to take off," the pilot said through the intercom. I squeezed Nagi's hand. I'm so nervous.

"It's alright Rima," he said. I felt better untill the plane sped up really fast. I almost felt like screaming. Nagi must have noticed because he kissed me just in case I did. I felt better.

"Look out the window," he said. I turned my head to see us going up and up.

"We're flying," I said.

"You're right Rima. We're flying," he said. After a few minutes we weren't going up anymore. The pilot gave the ok to move around and get electronics out.

"That was so cool," I said.

"You were scared for nothing," Nagi teased.

Hour one:

"Uno," Rei said. I drew a card.

"Skip you Nagi," I said.

"Dang," he said.

"I was hoping you would change the color," Rei said as she drew another card.

"Can't go," she said.

"Skip Nagi again," I said.

"How many skips do you have?" he asked.

"One more," I said honestly.

"It's alright Nagi because Rima has to draw four," Rei said as she put down the card she just drew.

"Dang it!" I said.

Hour Two:

"Is that a new manga Rima?" Nagi asked.

"It's the newest edition of my favorite. My character is worried that she won't be able to rise about her challenges but I think she'll make it," I said.

"I know she will," Nagi said. I smiled up at him. He returned my smile. I kissed him lightly.

"Guys I went to the bathroom for a minute," Rei said. Both of us laughed as we pulled away.

Hour Three:

I yawned again.

"Rima, if you're tired then get some rest," Nagi said. I grabbed my pillow and set it behind me.

"How many hours to we have left?" I asked.

"I think about eight," Nagi said.

"Ok, goodnight," I said.

"Goodnight Rima," he said. I tried to sleep but I couldn't get comfortable.

"Nagi."

"Yes?"

"Can I lean on you? It's hard to sleep sitting up," I said.

"Of course," he said. I leaned my head on his shoulder.

"Nagi," I whispered.

"Yeah?" he whispered back.

"I love you."

"I love you too." I quickly fell asleep.

Hour Four:

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Hour Five:

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Hour Six:

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Hour Seven:

I woke a little confused. Where am I? I saw Nagi next to me. His head was leaning on mine while mine leaned on his shoulder. My hand was in his, our finger intertwined. A book is opened on his tray. He fell asleep reading.

"Rima, you're awake," Rei said.

"Yeah," I said.

"I wanted to thank you for standing up for me earlier," she said.

"Of course I would. I know it's not you and Aarin this time," I said.

Hour Eight:

My neck started to hurt. Nagi was still asleep so I couldn't move without waking him. I was starting to fall back asleep since I was comfortable.

Hour Nine:

zzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Hour Ten:

I feel asleep again.

"Good morning sleeping beauty."

"I should say the same to you Nagi," I said as I sat up.

"I didn't sleep as long as you did," he said.

"I actually woke up in the middle of my nap," I said.

"Rima, your hair is a mess," Kusukusu said.

"It is?" I asked.

"You look cute when you just wake up," Nagi whispered in my ear. My cheeks felt warm. He kissed them.

"Nagi being smooth like always," Rhythm said.

"Where have you guys been?" Rei asked.

"We've been playing extreme tag. We plan on playing it for the whole trip," Kusukusu said.

"Have fun," I said. They floated away to not get tagged.

Hour Eleven:

We began to descend but it was a slow process and my ears hurt.

"Chew this," Nagi said as he handed me a piece of gum. I didn't question it. I felt a little better after I started chewing.

"My mom always had us take gum so our ears felt better when we changed altitudes," he said.

"Why does it help?" I asked.

"No idea," he said. We all waited till we eventually made it back on the ground.

"We're finally here," I said.

"Did you enjoy your first airplane ride?" Nagi asked.

"I did but I was asleep for a part of it," I said.

"It's better that way. It gets boring on a plane," he said. After about thirty minutes of getting out of the airplane and getting our luggage, Sanjo herded us into a limo that was waiting for us.

"Woah!" Yaya yelled.

"It's so different here," Amu said. All of us admired the scenery of California.

"Are those palm trees?" Tadase asked.

"Yes Tadase, California is known for them," Nade said. I swore I saw a slight blush on Tadase's cheeks but maybe I didn't see it.

"We all have a buddy for the buddy system?" Sanjo asked.

"It's pretty much all the couples and then Nadeshiko and Tadase are paired together because they are leftover," Utau informed.

"Maybe they'll be a couple," Temari said. Nagi seemed shocked. Maybe I'll have to look into it but Nadeshiko isn't showing signs of liking Tadase. I guess we'll have to wait and see.

Rima: We are finally in America

Nagi: The plane trip was really long except the times we fell asleep

Rima: It was fun

Nagi: Even though you were scared

Rima: *pouts* shut up

Nagi: How about you do the question? It's been a while since you've done it

Rima: Alright. Question #22, what do you think will happen during the tour? Maybe some people getting together or apart, maybe fun or sadness.

Nagi: Don't give spoilers Rima

Rima: My bad

Nagi: Review