Hey guys,, you ready for the next chapter? Well guess what...IT'S COMING RIGHT AT YA! This chapter is the beginning of the second arc, The Tamao Chapter~! So I hope you like guys !

Strawberry Panic-Episode 17:

Touchdown in the U.S.A

The blue-haired woman emerged from the plane with the other passengers, brushing some strands of blue from her pale face. She carried her book bag on on shoulder as she adjusted her glasses that have become mandatory due to her constant computer usage. She sighed as she straightened them, her azure orbs gazing as she made her way out of the terminal. As she walked a camera that hung from her neck swayed a her pace increased, her short locks moving in tune with the camera. The blue-haired woman was dressed in a pair of faded blue jeans and a simple graphic tee, her casual appearance was one that didn't stick out from the other that walked with her.

Wow I'm actually in America; I wonder why I haven't visited sooner?

She closed her eyes as an image of Shizuma and Nagisa appeared in her mind. A small frown found it's way on her face, her eyes darkening slightly. Oh I remember now...it's really my own fault that I haven't visited...I need to overcome those old memories.

Her thoughts were interrupted when she felt her phone vibrate in her pocket. She fumbled around in said pocket until she was able to pull it from the crowded confines of her her pocket. She put the sleek touch phone up to her ear and answered it.

["Hello?"]

The chipper voice of a certain redhead filled her ears. ["Hey Tamao! You've landed right?"]

Tamao smiled as she walked over to the United States Customs. ["Well yes Nagisa-chan...we can't talk on our phones while still on the plane."] The blue-haired woman chuckled to herself, ["I will be heading to Customs soon."]

There were two other voices that were heard on Nagisa's end of the line. She noticed that one of them belonged to Shizuma, though the other voice was unknown to her. ["Seems like you guys are already here huh?"]

Nagisa laughed, ["Yeah, ShiShi-chan made sure we got here early."]

"Oh" Tamao said, her lips parted in slight surprise.

She wondered why Shizuma would even care, seeing as they did have a very unfriendly relationship in the past.

Shizuma walked down the path from the library, her silver locks swaying in the cool breeze. It was snowing this evening, the sky a pale gray. The silver-haired beauty walked through the snow unaffected by the cold, her stride as graceful as ever and without flaw. She was distracted though, her eyes on the thick book that was in her hands. She had the book so close that it blocked the bottom half of her face from view.

"Shizuma!"

Shizuma looked up at the sound of her name and her eyes widened slightly before confusion washed over her golden orbs. She blinked at the trembling form of Tamao who was standing before her in only her pajamas. The girl's usually neat hair was now a tangled and wild mess of blue. Her skin seemed a little pale and the dark circles under her eyes didn't help to make her appearance any better. The girl's appearance baffled the silver-haired woman, her eyes still wide. Also the vibe that was emitting from the teen wasn't that pleasant either.

Shizuma smiled slightly, feeling a bit uncomfortable. ["Hey Tamao-san, you should go back inside...are you trying to catch cold?"]

Tamao's teeth clenched together and her hands balled up into fists as hot angry tears started to spill from her eyes. Her body began to shake a it more violently, her eyes burning with a dark fire.

["You took her from me...the only one...you took Nagisa from me!"]

Shizuma opened her mouth to say something but thought it would be wise to stay silent for this situation.

Tamao continued, ["And now...now you're going to just up and leave on her? HUH?"]

Shizuma closed her book and the sound echoed throughout the area. She narrowed her eyes until they were golden slits, ["You don't understand the situation. I have to go to America...and Nagisa is paying no mind to that. She accepts it."]

Tamao's hand raised itself before Shizuma could continue, connecting with the silver-haired woman's face. The blue-haired girl now had her head bowed, her aqua bangs casting dark shadow over her cerulean orbs.

["You're wrong, I do understand...Nagisa-chan may not seem to be bothered but every night I hear her crying. She's holding it all in for you so you won't worry about her! She's suffering because of your selfish wishes! You don't even care about her...do you?"]

Shizuma looked up and their eyes met, causing a gasp to leave the shorter of the two. The silver-haired woman put her hand up to her cheek, touching the sore spot as tears trailed from her eyes. She laughed pathetically as her eyes fell on Tamao once again.

["I know...you think that this doesn't hurt me as much?"] The silver-haired woman fell to her knees, ["but this is the only way I can escape my arranged marrage. It the only way that we can be together! I've tried so hard but my parents couldn't convince my arranged husband's parents...this was my only option."]

Tamao stood still, silent and unblinking. She kneeled down next to the silver-haired woman, watching at the woman buried her face in her hands. She could only utter the words as she looked at Shizuma's form.

["Shizuma...I...I'm sorry..."]

["Tamao, are you there?"]

Tamao blinked as she realized that she was still on the phone with Nagisa, her eyes refocusing again. [Oh sorry, I spaced out for a minute there..."]

Nagisa giggled, ["Well okay then, call when you leave customs."]

["Okay,"] Tamao said simply before she hung up.

The aqua-haired twenty-three year old stepped into line with her passport and form in hand. The crowded lines seemed to have moved quickly to her and before she knew it was her turn in line. She felt a pang of nervousness as she thought about seeing Nagisa and Shizuma; it would have been the first time in so many years.

"Hello Miss."

Tamao looked up at the woman at the desk a smile gracing her features, "Hi." The woman extended her hand and Tamao handed her the passport and her customs form.

After waiting a short while she got her passport and headed over to get her luggage. She waited as her luggage came around which was a black and blue suitcase set. The set stood because it had cat designs all over the luggage. She gathered her things and headed to the airport entrance, calling Nagisa as she did so.

Nagisa answered on the second ring, ["Hey, where are you?"]

Tamao took in her surroundings, ["Hm...I'm by the main entrance..."]

["Oh that you? We're coming your way!"]

Suddenly Tamao heard the scuffling and clumsiness of a certain redhead. She put her cel phone in her pocket as she turned around just in time to meet the hug of an emotional Nagisa. Nagisa had collided with the blue-haired girl at such a speed that as soon as Nagisa had her arms around Tamao, they fell over. The two laughed as they hit the ground, Tamao a bit more surprised than the other. As she laughed Tamao glanced up and noticed Shizuma and another woman, both with smiles on their faces.

When she caught sight of the other woman though, her eyes rested on her for a moment too long. The woman was smiling but she stood back from the group, her hands stuffed in the pockets of her black jogging pants. She long dark hair that draped over her shoulders, falling over them in silk tresses of black. Her skin was a chestnut color that seemed clear of any type of blemish. Hiding behind the cutain of her bangs were sparkling gray eyes.

As the two got back to their feet Shizuma walked over to them.

["Long time no see Tamao-san."]

Tamao smiled and extended her hand. Instead of a handshake, Shizuma pulled the aqua-haired woman in to an embrace. A surprised gasp left Tamao and the siler-haired woman laughed at her reaction, a kind smile on her face. When she broke the embrace, the silver-haired woman motioned to the woman who had her hands in her pockets.

["I would like to introduce you to my friend Tanya."]

Tanya looked up at Tamao and waved to her. She then walked over and timidly shook the aqua-haired woman's hand.

"Nice to meet you," Tamao said.

["Nice to meet you too Tamao-san."] Tamao blinked, surprised Tanya could speak such amazing Japanese. Her American accent almost seemed nonexistant.

A cocky smirk found its way onto the dark-haired woman's face, "Ha, I got the same reaction from Shizuma when we first met."

Tamao smiled, "Wow, your Japanese is great!"

Tanya's cheeks colored slightly as she waved her hand in the air dismissively. "Well thank you."

Nagisa pumped her fist in the air, "All right! Let's get going!"

Nagisa, Tanya and Shizuma all helped Tamao with her luggage before leaving the airport. When they made it to Tanya's SUV the blue-haired woman looked up at the clear sky, a smile on her face. She didn't know why, but she had a feeling that something important was going to happen on this trip. A sudden spring a excitement sprung within her, causing her smiles to widen as she got into the car.

I have a feeling that this is going to be interesting...and maybe even fun.

So Tamao is in the U.S of A now WOOT! I wonder what'll happen when our blue-haired buddy gets a taste of her surroundings? Well thanks for reading and please PLEASE drop me a review yes? It would make me a very happy writer~!

-NEKO