"You see, that wasn't so bad," Harper said as he unstrapped her seatbelt when the plane landed in Osaka.

Shaundra opened her eyes and unglued her hands from the seat rest.

Ichiro sat at her right, smiling at her discomfort. "See, flying's really not bad. You have made it here alive and in one piece."

"This time," she muttered as she stared down at her white knuckles.

Ichiro had convinced her not to take the anti-anxiety medication before she flew. The knots in her stomach began to ease.

Ichiro rose first, giving her a delightful view of his behind encased in a pair of khaki shorts. She slid out of the seat next, and Harper slid out after her. Their group had lessened by three. Riley, Jackson and Dorothy had returned to the United States, leaving her to fend for herself with Harper.

Of course, Juanda had a fit once she learned that Shaundra wouldn't be returning for another two weeks.

"What's wrong with her?" Takumijo asked as he walked up from the back of the plane.

"She's afraid of flying," Yori explained.

"Crazy fear. There's nothing to it and it's the fastest way to get around."

"That's easy for you to say. You are always having concerts all over the world," Shaundra replied.

The Kansai Airport was just as busy as the one in Tokyo with businessmen, tourists and daily commuters. It didn't take quite as long to get their luggage or get through Customs as it had when they'd first arrived in Japan. The only thing that was really different was the scores of screaming girls and young women who were there for the arrival of Aomori and the security guards who kept the crowds at bay while the band entered and left the airport. Throughout it all, Ichiro held her hand, ignoring the calls and shouting of his name. Like the other three, he now donned a hat and sunglasses, as if their six-foot frames could slip by unnoticed. A few of the girls brazenly took pictures and videos with their digital cameras and cell phones, and a few even tried to touch them.

"Look, it's her, Shaundra Morrison," someone shouted. "Yori's new girlfriend."

The crowd pushed forward, knocked down the barricade and headed directly for her. Ichiro and Yori jumped in front of her like they could stop a crowd of charging women. "Get her out of here," Yori shouted at Ichiro.

Ichiro forced her to run the rest of the way through the airport and out into the waiting limousine van while the guards held back the mobbing fans. Satoshi, Yori, and Takumijo arrived next, followed by Harper, Mr.

Niigata and Masaaki. John Sampson and Kenshin were the last to arrive.

Kenshin changed places with the young man who had arrived with the van. The other young man jumped out and helped stack the luggage and instruments in a second van, then they climbed into the other van while the guards continued to hold back the crowd. Ten or fifteen minutes later, both vans moved out of the parking spots and drove out the airport.

"Man, that was close," Takumijo said, removing his cap and sunglasses. "It hasn't been this bad in a long time."

"Do you mean you've been through this before?" Shaundra asked, still trying to catch her breath.

"Yes, it happened a lot after our debut," Takumijo explained. "The girls would go crazy, pulling at our clothes and hair, and a few of them have even thrown themselves at the hood of our vans."

"Sorry," Shaundra apologized. "This wouldn't have happened to you if I hadn't been with you."

"Don't be," Yori said. "Without those fans, we'd be nothing."

"True," Satoshi agreed. "They are our fan club, they buy our records, and they care for us better than our parents. They just get a little crazy at times when they think we're in danger."

"So they're attacking me because they think I'm a threat?"

"Yes," Satoshi explained. "Each and every one of those girls dream of being that special one to us. Now they think you've stolen Yori away from them."

"That's crazy," Shaundra replied. "It's a one in a trillion chance that one of them will end up with one of you."

"Didn't you have someone you idolized when you were their age?"

Takumijo asked.

"Yes, I dreamed of marrying one of the Jackson Five, but as you can tell, that didn't happen."

"Which one?" Ichiro asked.

"Never mind."

"Sooner or later, they will realize that you aren't a threat," Harper replied after listening to them talk for a while.

"I doubt that," Shaundra replied. "You don't know women. We are prone to jealousy and we're very vindictive."

"Really?" Yori asked, acting like he didn't believe her.

"Yes, haven't you heard the old adage, „hell hath no fury like a woman scorned'?"

"No, and I don't like it. Why is it used?"

"It's usually used when a man breaks the heart of the woman he loves."

"Oh, oh, Yori," Satoshi teased. "You're going to be in so much trouble with Amaya."

Yori feigned indifference. "Amaya is not the vindictive type. Why would you think she would do something to harm me? We've been friends for years."

"Has another woman come between you before?"

Yori stared at him with eyes that just wanted to kill.

"Let me rephrase that. You better watch your back."

Ichiro squeezed her hand. "He'll be all right as long as I'm by your side."

The look Yori gave him could have soured milk.

Shaundra winked at Yori, forcing a smile out of him. "Don't worry, Yori. I won't let her get to you."

Takumijo was right. Osaka was very beautiful with lots of tall buildings similar to Tokyo, but with less people milling about. Aomori didn't exactly live in town. They lived in an area called Sumiyoshi, a rural ward that reminded her of down south in places like Mississippi and Alabama. The hotel Kenshin took her and Harper to was located just down the road from where the band members stayed. Ichiro offered to give her his room at their home, but Shaundra politely declined for all the obvious and right reasons. After an exhilarating nap, Shaundra got dressed, met up with Harper in the lobby and then went outside to wait on Kenshin to take them to Aomori's place for dinner.

Kenshin arrived and she and Harper climbed inside a utility vehicle this time, which she thought made sense since the band lived nearby. He drove away from the hotel and down a long highway road for about ten minutes, turning onto a dirt road. The house sat behind a secured gate manned by two guards. The gate opened and Kenshin drove up to a large farm house. There were lush lawns, a little bonsai tree, and on the front door was big letter A.

Harper got out of the car, helped her out and then Kenshin drove the car around to the side to park. She followed him up the stairs and waited while he knocked. A few minutes later, Yori appeared and welcomed them in.

In typical Japanese fashion, she and Harper removed their shoes and put on slippers that Yori provided them. They followed him through the foyer. The house was immaculately clean, she discovered, as she peeked into rooms with modern furniture and brightly painted walls.

The tantalizing aroma of food greeted her somewhere in the middle of the house.

"Ichiro has been busy in the kitchen all evening," Yori explained. "He made us stop at the store so he could have all the right ingredients." He escorted them to the back of the house where they found Satoshi and Takumijo huddled around a video game while Masaaki watched a soccer game on a big screen television. They looked so much like a true family with Masaaki watching over them like a big brother. He turned off the game and walked over to greet them. Yori walked out of the room.

"Welcome to Aomori's domain," he said. "This is where they hang out when they are not rehearsing."

Satoshi said something to Takumijo in Japanese about the game they were playing and Takumijo responded very loudly. They shouted and Satoshi rolled around on the floor, obviously after winning the game.

"Pay no attention to them," Masaaki said. "This is how they unwind when they're home."

Shaundra remembered those days quite fondly when Clarence and Earl had been younger. They'd begun with Atari and, as far as she knew, the both still played video games when they weren't working.

"Would you like to play?" Satoshi asked Shaundra when they finally noticed her.

"No thanks. I never developed a skill for such things. I have enough trouble manipulating my laptop and cell phone."

"Dinner should be ready shortly," Masaaki said. "Why don't you go say hello to Ichiro while I talk to Mr. Harper?" He pointed in the direction of the kitchen and sent her off like a child while the men discussed business.

She found Ichiro washing dishes and wearing an apron. "Hmm, just the way I like my men."

Ichiro spun around at the sound of her voice. He dried his hands on a red and white checkered towel and walked over and hugged her.

"Welcome to our home."

"What are you cooking?" she asked once he released her. Something simmered in a big wok that sat on a countertop grill. All four burners of the conventional stove were set to low and there was also something baking in the oven.

"Dinner," he answered sarcastically. He backed her to a red kitchen cabinet and lowered his lips to hers. Suddenly, the atmosphere around them got very hot. His tongue pushed past her lips and into her mouth. He tasted so sweet.

"Get a room," Takumijo said as he entered the kitchen.

Ichiro broke the kiss. "Mine is right upstairs," he said to Shaundra as they watched Takumijo get a glass from a cabinet, rinse it and then walk over to the refrigerator and pour some juice.

"Nice move," he told Ichiro.

"Forget both of you," Shaundra replied. "There are too many people in this house to even attempt sneaking off to your bedroom."

"We'll be real quiet," Ichiro told her.

"Speak for yourself. You're twenty-five and hot. There's no way I'm going to be quiet."

Takumijo nearly choked on his juice. "I think I better leave you two alone." He rinsed the glass and put it in the sink. "How long before dinner is ready?"

"Fifteen minutes," Ichiro answered. "Or maybe an hour if I can get Shaundra to change her mind and follow me upstairs."

"Fifteen minutes," Shaundra answered. "There will be no hanky-panky while these guys are in ear range."

Takumijo teased Ichiro about striking out and left.

"Why are you torturing me?" Ichiro asked her.

"Patience is a virtue."

"I've been patient for twenty-five years." He went over to the stove to check on the food. "There's soda in the refrigerator."

Shaundra got herself a soda. "Can I help you with something?"

"Have you ever prepared Japanese food before?"

"No," she replied.

"Then no." He pointed to the table. "Sit."

Shaundra sat down, content to watch the master chef at work. She was also content to watch his butt since he had his back to her most of the time.

This kitchen was similar to the one in Tokyo but just a different color scheme. This one was red and white with red curtains at the two big windows. Ichiro's cookware and small appliances matched. He looked so comfortable doing what he was doing. "Do you prepare all the meals?"

"Yes, it is my job in the family. I prepare the meals and keep the house."

"I like a man who knows his way around the kitchen," Shaundra replied honestly.

He turned to face her. "You do not think it is girly?"

"Hell no. Someone has to cook and clean, and I don't think those other three would do a good job at it."

"You got that right," he said going back to his cooking.

"What made Mr. Niigata change his mind about allowing you to come home?"

"His wife," Satoshi answered. "She missed him and demanded that he come home to see her before going to the United States. We were just going to hang around Tokyo for another two weeks practicing so in order to save face and his marriage, he came home."

Shaundra laughed. "Well, I guess that explains who the boss in that family is."

"Mrs. Niigata is a very nice woman, but she doesn't like to travel. Like you, she's afraid of flying."

"Smart woman."

"The food is ready," he announced.

Shaundra rose from the chair and held out both hands. "Point me to the bathroom. I'd like to wash up first."

"Do you want me to take you there? I have often fantasized about making love to a woman in that tiny room."

Her heart did a flip flop. "No, just point it out," she said with a chuckle. He was so cute. After finding her way to the immaculately cleaned and pristine white bathroom, she found her way back to the dining room where everyone had gathered, including Kenshin. Masaaki pointed to a seat and Shaundra sat down. Ichiro wheeled in the food a few minutes later, winked at her and served them.

"Let's go for a walk," Ichiro suggested after the meal ended and he allowed her to help him wash the dishes and put them away.

Some exercise was exactly what she needed to walk down the filling meal, and it would give the two of them time to be alone.

"I'm taking Shaundra to see the gardens," Ichiro announced to the others who were back in the den watching the rest of the soccer game.

Masaaki waved them off and cheered for his team at the same time.

Shaundra followed him through the house and out of the front door.

Night had arrived and the stars looked close enough to touch as she gazed over the landscape of the rural community.

Ichiro took her hand and walked her down a path that led to a beautiful garden filled with mixed green foliage, lilies and irises. The setting was perfect for a romance novel.

"Are these cherry blossom trees?" Shaundra asked as they stopped for a moment.

"Yes, and during the spring they are beautiful with little pink and white petals."

Shaundra signed contently. "It's the first image I get when I think of Japan. Too bad it's not spring. I would love to see the bright colors."

He pulled her to him and kissed her gently. "I can just imagine you with the petals falling in your hair. Would make a beautiful picture."

Shaundra smiled and snuggled into his warm arms. He skin smelled like cinnamon, probably from all the baking and cooking. She liked that.

"Why, Ich, I think you're quite the romantic."

"I speak the truth, beautiful lady. Let me show you something." He took her further into the grove of trees and then stopped by a tall one.

"This is Aomori's tree. Mr. Niigata planted it when we first came to live here. He said it would grow as we grew."

Shaundra looked up. The tree stood above all the other trees. "That would explain why all of you are over six feet tall." The area was tranquil, a lot like him.

He walked her over to an open field. "This is where we play soccer."

Images of him as a little boy running around in the area made her happy. It made her heart feel good to know he wasn't too traumatized about being separated from his family. "Are you good at sports?"

"Soccer is my favorite, but I'm a pretty fast runner too." His eyes lit up as he described matches between he and the others when they had been younger. "Yori is an excellent swimmer." He pointed. "We have a pool over on the other side of the farmhouse, but we hardly have time to use it anymore." They stopped at a bench and sat down. "Sometimes, I come out here and sit down when I need a little peace and quiet."

Shaundra looked around. "It is peaceful. It's a shame you don't get to take advantage of it more often." She inhaled. "What was it like growing up here?" She snuggled up in his arms.

"Aren't you supposed to save those types of questions for the interview?" Ichiro asked, kissing the top of her head.

"The interview has already started. It began the minute I arrived in Osaka."

"But you're not writing." She pointed to her forehead. "Good memory. I'll jot it all down later.

Usually, paper and pen make people uncomfortable and less talkative."

She touched her heart. "I'm also writing it here."

He chuckled warmly. "To answer your questions, it was wonderful growing up here. Well, eventually it was after we got over being separated from our families at such a young age. We do everything together and everything is for the group."

"Is it hard being the youngest?"

"Yes. In the beginning, it was pretty nice. They'd make sure I had enough to eat and would protect me when others made fun of me for not talking. Then, one morning, I woke up and I was just as tall as they were, but they still see me as a small child with a pretty face and a soft voice.

And they still think they need to protect me."

"I can vouch that you're very much grown up," Shaundra replied.

Ichiro blushed so sweetly under the starry sky and moonlight.

"You keep doing that and I'm going to forget all about all those people in the house and sneak you up those stairs and have my way with you."

He sighed. "With my luck, we'd get caught."

Shaundra chuckled. "You're probably right."

He pulled her onto his lap. "Would you settle for a kiss?"

Shaundra nodded. "Oh, yes, please."

Yori watched as Ichiro gently brushed a lock of bang away from Shaundra's face and heard her giggle. The sound went straight to his heart.

"What are you watching?" Satoshi asked as he approached.

"Ichiro," Yori announced. He pointed. "He's over there on the bench with Shaundra."

"When are you going to give this up?"

"Don't think I haven't tried. I keep trying to walk away and get her out of my system. I was brought up to do the right thing, and by that, I mean marry the girl I'm engaged to. But the harder I try to convince myself to do the right thing, I see her smiling face and hear that husky deep voice."

Satoshi leaned against the tree Yori hid behind. "Maybe inviting her to Osaka was not one of Mr. Niigata's most brilliant ideas."

Yori walked away from the tree and Satoshi followed. "Maybe not, but we'll have to make the best of it."

"What does Amaya think about her being here in Osaka?"

"I haven't told her yet. In fact, Amaya does not know I have returned.

I thought I should take this opportunity to make a decision about my future."

"The answer is simple...marry Amaya. Shaundra will be gone soon and nothing but a sweet memory. There are too many obstacles in your way preventing you from having a future with her. Not to mention the fact that her life would always been in danger."

"You're right. I got a very nasty fan email yesterday. The writer threatened to kill her if I didn't break up with her."

Satoshi gasped. "What did you do?"

"I wrote back that there was no relationship and then gave it to Masaaki to handle."

They arrived back at the front porch and sat down. "Do you think that Ichiro is receiving similar threats?"

"It's possible since they attended the concert and the after-party together. And who knows who saw them together the night he snuck away with her on their first date. But you know how he is. He likes to keep things to himself."

"We both know that something like this is too much for him to handle."

"I know," Yori replied. "But until he's ready to share it with us, there's nothing much we can do."

"You are the leader. Talk to him."

Ichiro and Shaundra approached. "What are you two doing out here?"

Ichiro asked.

"Spying on you," Satoshi answered honestly with a little smile. He turned to Shaundra. "Did you enjoy the tour?"

"Yes, it was very nice. You have a lovely place."

"But you've only seen a small part of it. Ichiro needs to show you where we work and play."

"I offered to show her my room, but she declined," Ichiro said with a little pout.

Yori cleared his throat as Satoshi laughed. "Maybe she shouldn't have refused. It's the cleanest room and the house and has the loveliest furniture."

Shaundra eyed him suspiciously. "Why are you being so nice to Ichiro all of a sudden?"

"Ichiro is my little brother whether or not he believes it at the moment.

I like the effect you have on him. I've never seen him so happy."

"Me too," Satoshi replied. He took her hand. "Allow me to show you the rest of the place while the two of them try to patch things up."

Shaundra looked at Ichiro for consent and he nodded.

"Just make sure you don't allow him to lock you in any room."

Satoshi took Shaundra up the stairs, leaving Ichiro alone with Yori.

Yori patted the porch for Ichiro to sit down. "I know we've had our differences these last few weeks, but I need to talk to you about something."

"Like what?"

"Shaundra."

"What about her?" Ichiro asked.

"Have you been getting any threatening emails about her from fans?"

Ichiro sighed. "Yes, quite a few."

"Did you respond?"

"No, I figured it wouldn't do any good. I forwarded them to Masaaki to turn over to the police."

"Good, but that still doesn't help the situation. I need to ask you a favor that you probably won't like."

"Can't be worse than getting punched in the face." Yori grimaced. "I would say I'm sorry, but you had it coming to you."

"So what do you want me to do?"

"Stop seeing her."

Ichiro opened his mouth but remained silent.

"You're putting her in danger every time she's seen with you."

"I can't just walk away and pretend I don't care."

"She's returning to the United States in a few weeks so what's the difference if you do it now or then?"

Ichiro did not answer. He just sat silent for several minutes as if contemplating an answer. "I can't desert her."

"You're going to get her hurt because of your selfishness."

"I love her," Ichiro confessed. "Do you truly know what it means to find someone who makes you complete?"

Ichiro's admission startled him. He had no idea their relationship had progressed so far. "How can you be in love with her? You barely know her."

"The same way you do. The only difference is that I am free to pursue her."

Yori sighed. "This has nothing to do about the way I feel about her.

How do you plan to protect her?"

"I could officially announce that we are dating. That would take the pressure off of you."

"I'm not worried about me."

"You should be. You are the leader of Aomori. We would be nothing without you. If they hate you, they hate us."

Twenty-five and already philosophical, Yori mused. And in love for the very first time. "If you can't give her up then promise me that you won't take her off anywhere without the guards. Or the two of you can meet here."

"There is no privacy here," Ichiro stated matter-of-factly.

"What do you need privacy for?"

Ichiro looked away.

"Oh." Yori chuckled. "Don't get your hopes up so high. Shaundra's an experienced woman who needs a real man to please her. If you know what I mean? And you're young and inexperienced with women."

Ichiro smirked. "Just because I've never been with a woman before does not mean that I can't please her. So don't try to con me. I'm closer to bedding her than you are, and she thinks I'm cute."

"Satoshi thinks you're cute too, but I think he has a better chance of bedding you than you have of bedding Shaundra."

Ichiro folded his arms in front of him. "Manhood jokes are so below you, Yori, and besides, Satoshi is not my type."

Yori reached over and rustled his hair. "Okay. You win. But don't say I didn't warn you." He rose and started up the stairs.

Ichiro jumped up quickly and nearly knocked him down getting through the door.

"What's the hurry?"

"I forgot. She's alone with Satoshi. He's after her too."

Yori sighed deeply. It was lucky for them that Shaundra would be leaving in a couple of weeks or she'd be the death of them.

"When did you first know that you wanted to be a singer?" Shaundra asked Satoshi as the fiddled with one of the synthesizers in the practice room.

"The first time I saw Michael Jackson perform," he replied, playing around with a beat. "I think I might have been six or seven. I was over at a friend's house. Of course, it was an old broadcast, but I knew right then and there that I wanted to be an entertainer like him."

"You're not saying that to score brownie points because I mentioned that I wanted to marry one of the Jackson Five when I was a girl?"

Satoshi shook his head. "No, I don't have to stoop that low to win a woman's affection."

It was too easy not to take the bait. "What would you do to win a woman's affection?"

Satoshi stopped. "Is that one of your interview questions?"

Shaundra shook her head. "No, I'm just curious."

"It depends on the woman that I'm trying to impress."

"What about the young lady you took to the publishing company's party."

"Oh, you mean Miko. She's a singer. We trained together for a while before making our debut. Mr. Niigata thought it might be cute to make us a duo."

"What happened?"

"Aomori," he answered. "Or, I should say Ichiro. Mr. Niigata heard him sing and then he changed his mind thinking a boy band would make a better package. So he snatched Takumijo and Yori from other groups because we were similar in height and appearance and formed Aomori."

"Now back to Miko. Are the two of you still close? Is she your girlfriend?"

"No, I only invited her because she is a friend and was a part of a girl group that performed at our concert." He paused. "You don't remember her?"

Shaundra sat down on a seat next to him. "Not really. I didn't pay too much attention to the girl group."

"Why not?" Satoshi asked, looking deeply into her eyes. "They're a very good group."

Shaundra smirked. "I'm not into girls."

"I don't understand."

"Why look at a bunch of girls when there are so many beautiful men around to gaze at?"

Satoshi actually blushed.

"Oh, not you too. You guys need to stop that blushing. It makes me feel like a dirty old woman when I pay you a compliment."

Satoshi raised an eyebrow. "Are you?"

"Am I what?"

"A dirty old woman."

Shaundra slapped him on the arm. "No, you're the first guys younger than me that I've taken an interest in."

Satoshi tried to duck the hit. "Why?"

"Why what?"

"Why us?"

Shaundra lowered her head. "I have no idea. I saw a picture of you guys before I came to Japan and, I don't know, I think something inside of me woke up. I've never been attracted to men outside my own race or age group before."

He used his finger to lift her chin. "You mean we turned you on?"

She nodded. "Totally," she said, going back to her questions.

"But you can't date all of us."

"I know that. Where did you grow up?"

"Are you trying to change the subject?"

"I'm supposed to be working, not fantasizing about what I would do if I was stuck on a deserted island with all four of you."

"Okay, let me make this easy for you. I know you don't like me that way, and you can barely tolerate Takumijo, so that just leaves Yori and Ichiro. How do you really feel about Ichiro?"

Shaundra sighed. "He's so hot. I think I lose my fricking mind whenever I'm around him. He makes me feel so alive."

"But he doesn't talk," Satoshi said sarcastically.

"He does to me."

"That's what bothers me. What is it about you that makes him animated? We've been trying to get him out of his shell for years. And what do you see in him that you don't see in the rest of us?"

Shaundra smirked. She could not possibly tell him that.

Satoshi laughed. "It's the hair, isn't it?" He laughed. "I knew it.

You've got a thing for Ichiro's hair."

"So do you, and that's down right freaky."

"Would you still desire him if he was bald?"

Shaundra stopped and thought about it. "That's a good question. Hell yeah."

Satoshi moved away from her. "Why? What is it about him that makes you desire him so?"

Shaundra shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know. I think when two people click, it just happens."

"What about Yori?"

Satoshi would have to go there. "What about him? "What do you desire about him?"

Shaundra thought about it. "Nothing anymore. He's engaged."

"I saw the two of you dancing in the lounge one night and then making out in the hall outside of your hotel room."

"That seems like a million years ago. What do you want me to say?"

"Explain to me how you can be in love with both of them."

"I'm not, okay?" she said angrily. "I only love one of them."

Two weeks went by in a blur. It was hard to believe that she would be returning to the United States in a couple of days, ending her stint as a journalist and returning back to her normal life.

"This is a pretty damn good story," Harper said as they ate lunch in the hotel restaurant.

"You say that like it is a surprise."

"It's not. I knew that you were a journalist before you started writing novels. Why did you give it up?"

"I wanted a family," she confessed. "The next thing I knew, I was too old to compete with all those youngsters that came after me."

Harper flipped the page and continued reading. "You surprised me, though. I thought you would have written a bigger story on Ichiro."

"That would be bias and I wanted to give all of them equal treatment.

Besides, Ich is a very private fellow and doesn't like all the hoopla."

Harper put the paper down and reached from her hand. He held on to it. "How long are you going to play this little cougar game? You're going to break his heart when we leave the day after tomorrow."

"Why does everyone think that I'm playing a game? Is it that hard to believe that someone my age can actually fall for someone his age?"

"Yes, it is. But I get it. You're in a foreign country and you want to sow a little wild oats before you're back in grandma mode."

Shaundra removed his hand from his grasp. That response was another reason she and Harper couldn't date. He lacked depth and understanding beyond his own needs.

"And what about Yori? You have him so confused. Don't you know that you piss him off by messing with Ichiro when he's obviously the want you want."

"You're confusing me. You think I'm leading Ichiro on, but you have a soft spot for Yori?"

Harper shook his head. "No, I think they'd both be better off without you."

Shaundra clenched her fists. That's a cruel thing to say."

"Not cruel, honest. They're young, impressionable young men and they are best friends. What do you think is going to happen if you choose one of them over the other?"

"Nothing, because I'm not going to make that decision. Hopefully, things will return to normal between them once I leave."

He grabbed her by the shoulders and shook her gently. "You can't believe that's how it's going to turn out."

Why was he getting all over her case? If she was such an evil person, she would have slept with both of them.

Harper released her. "Maybe we shouldn't attend the party tomorrow night."

"That would be rude. Mrs. Niigata has gone out of her way to do this in our honor. The least we can do is show up to say good-bye to everyone."

"You are aware that the Saitama's are going to be there?" Harper asked.

"So what? There's nothing going on between me and Yori. As far as I'm concerned, he's made his decision. And like you said, I'm going home in two days so what difference does any of this make? It was fun, but now it's over."

"Maybe you have yourself convinced of that. Maybe you think by walking away you can forget about them and make them forget about you.

I know what I saw in your eyes when you danced with Yori that night at that club in Shibuya, and I know what I saw in your eyes when you danced with Ichiro at the publishing party."

Shaundra's eyes misted. Harper was too smart for his own good. She turned away, refusing to let him see her one moment of weakness.

"I'm sorry if I hurt you, Shaundra, but you do realize that this farce can't go on any longer? Let's face it. You're really in love with one of them and I know which one. Why don't you tell him?"

"I can't, Harper," Shaundra cried.

"Why not?"

"Because it just wouldn't be right. Look, I know I've made a mess of this. I didn't come here looking for a relationship or to fall in love. But when I did, I fell hard, and for a while I thought I could pull this off. But reality has a way of setting in late at night when I'm alone. I cannot tell him because I don't want to see the hurt look on his face. Long distance relationships don't work and I can't ask him to give up his career and his citizenship and come back with me to the United States. That would be unfair." She sat down in a chair tired and exhausted.

"What about you? Don't you deserve to be happy?"

"I'm fifty and he's twenty-five. I can't give him kids or speak Japanese. It just wouldn't be fair. I think it is best just to walk away friends and let him go on with his life. In just two days it will all be over and I'll be doped up and on my way back to New York."

Harper patted her hand. "You'll always have me."

"That's not very comforting, especially since all of this is your fault anyway."

Good old American soil. Shaundra didn't even bitch about all the traffic two days later as the cab drove her from the airport to her home in suburbia. New York hadn't changed much in two months. The air was still polluted and the people still walked around caring only about themselves.

It was late when she arrived and she was glad that she hadn't told her family when she would be arriving because she wasn't prepared for all the questions. Shaundra paid the taxi driver, rolled her cases up to the front door and left them there, deciding to check the mail before entering.

Usually, Tricia got the mail, but she had gone off for the weekend with some friends and would not be returning until much later.

Shaundra opened the mailbox, reached in and pulled out the mail. She turned, walked back to the door and put the key in the lock. She turned the knob and prepared to take the luggage inside. All of a sudden, there was a very loud explosion and then, everything went black.

"Mama, can you hear me?"

It sounded like Tricia.

"Please, wake up."

Shaundra tried to open her eyes, but it made her head hurt.

"She's semi-comatose," another voice said. "It may take some time before the medication wears off or she regains consciousness."

Medication? Where the hell am I at? What was the last thing she remembered? Everything was fuzzy. She remembered the Niigata's party, Yori's strained facial expression as he and Amaya announced the date of their wedding, Ichiro's beautiful new song that he played for everyone there, and the good-byes.

"Wake up, Mama."

I just need a little more rest. I'm so tired. Even if she wanted to wake up, she couldn't. Hmm, Yori's marriage announcement. She felt her chest rise and fall.

"What's wrong with her?" Tricia asked.

"Her blood pressure just spiked. I'll give her something to stabilize it."

Wedding date, January 16, 2011. Yori had tried to make eye contact with her, but she'd ignored him. She wasn't going to give either him or Harper the pleasure of seeing her reaction.

Ichiro's reaction to her leaving had been calm, peaceful and serene, which was an interesting parting surprise for Aomori. They thought he would cry and act like a child. Hmm, nothing was ever as it seems. She tried to move around, but her body and head ached. I'm injured. How? The house! It blew up. Why? Oh lord...the fan girl contract. Stupid Harper.

She'd told him that women were vindictive. She dozed off again.

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