Dreams & Memories
Part 5
By: Tisha


	"Final boarding call for flight 887 to New York." The announcement was repeated in English and 
Akina stood up, facing Hiroshi.

	"Do you have everything?"

	"Yeah. Not that I even *have* much."

	"All your money?"

	"Yup, it's safe."

	He stood silently. "Don't forget me. Even if you do remember your past."

	"I never could."

	He smiled and they hugged quickly, both noticing that everyone was already on board. 

	Akina walked quickly toward the entrance and handed her ticket to the man. "I'll call you as 
soon as I'm settled!"

	Hiroshi waved one last time and watched as the plane took off. He didn't understand why he 
felt like he was losing something so important. He silently laughed and shook his head. "That girl really 
grows on you."


•••••••••••••••••••


	"This is too weird."

	"I know. This is a place I hoped I'd *never* have to come to again."

	The other two nodded in agreement as they walked down the tiny path. They stopped in front 
of a certain headstone with a certain name inscribed. 

	"I *know* she's alive."

	The other three remained silent. Rei had even told Usagi's parents that she did a fire reading 
and could feel Usagi's life. Ikuko had gently told her that she didn't believe in psychic power but that 
she hoped she was right. 
They hadn't had a funeral since the investigation was still ongoing, even though they hadn't turned up 
a thing. Everyone hoped Usagi was still alive and they put off the funeral for as long as they could. Or 
the way Usagi's father put it- 'when they have something to bury.'

	"Where is she?"

	Rei shook her head. "I did another reading this morning. It's like she faded. It's harder to feel 
her anymore, but she *is* alive."



•••••••••••••••••••


	"It's gorgeous." Akina ran her hand along the marble counter and turned to the man. She was 
trying to act normal as possible, but this man was *very* handsome. "It's a bit more than I was 
planning to spend..."

	"Don't worry. I can always talk my father into accepting late rents when someone is a little 
behind. I think you'd like it here."

	"Well the big city definitely reminds me of Tokyo...I'm just not sure if that's what I want."

	He put his head to the side. "You're mysterious. And you speak very good English."

	She smiled. "Thanks. A very good friend taught me." She looked around again at the walls that 
were so white they almost shined. She glanced out the window at the wonderful view. "I'll take it."

	"Great. If you ever need anything you can call me." He handed her a business card. "When are 
you planning to move in?"

	Akina shrugged. "Now?"

	He looked at her. "Well, what about your stuff?"

	She bit her lip. "I don't really have any."

	"Well don't you think you should have gotten a furnished apartment?"

	She shrugged. "I like this place. All I really need is a couple little things. I have a bit of money. I'll 
need to get a job though. Hey, do you know anywhere that needs a waitress?"

	He raised his eyebrows. "You're asking the right person. My best friend owns a really fancy 
restaurant. He can always use more help, and you'll get great tips. I'll have him call you...as soon as you 
get a phone." He laughed a little and Akina joined in. 


	"Thanks." She dug into her purse and gave him several bills. "Here's my first two months rent. 
Now I guess I'll go buy myself some stuff."

	He nodded. "Okay, well here are your keys. Have fun in the city."

	She smiled at him as she locked the door to her new apartment behind her. The only things 
inside were her two suitcases.


•••••••••••••••••••


	Akina looked around at her apartment and smiled. She'd been living here for two days and 
already had it furnished comfortably enough for one person. She had a bed and a dresser in her room, 
a small table in the dining room and a couch and end table in the family room. The kitchen already had 
everything she needed and she had gone grocery shopping so she could have some food, although 
with the way she cooked she was safer eating out.

	There was a knock on the door and she went to it, happy to have a visitor, even though she 
wondered who it could be. She opened the door to find Chris, her landlord's son, the same one who 
had sold her the apartment. "Hi, Come in."

	He took the invitation and looked around. "I just wanted to make sure you got settled in and 
everything." He took in the furniture and looked back to her. "No TV?"

	She smiled. "Nah, I only got the basics so far."

	He nodded. "Well, looks like everything's good then." He smiled but didn't leave. Instead he 
looked at Akina. "Umm... I was kind of wondering...would you like to maybe go to dinner sometime or 
something?"

	Akina smiled. She really liked Chris and was glad that he apparently liked her back. She didn't 
want to be in a strange country without any friends. "Sure. Just give me a call whenever."

	He smiled. "Okay, I will then." He waved a hand and backed through the door. Akina closed it 
behind him and leaned against it, sighing.


To be continued