Just You And Me

Part 1

When he said he could come over, my excitement could barely be contained. Who would of thought that anyone would be the slightest bit interested in flying all the way from Japan to come to a small, unknown town called Three Lakes just for one person?

I couldn't help but to think that this was a sign- a possibility that maybe, just maybe, the shy, nervous boy named Yuki Sanada felt for me as I felt for him.

The airport here in Three Lakes is tiny, only enough for... say, five planes? And by that, I don't mean those giant jet planes that you fly from place to place, but those passenger planes for about 6 people that make all the noise in the world. You couldn't sit in that for 15 hours, could you? So, because of this, Yuki was taking a flight from Tokyo to San Francisco, California, before taking a flight from there to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, about 5 hours south from Three Lakes. He was coming alone, naturally. I did miss Haru, but both Yuki and Kate knew that the little alien couldn't possibly sit still on a plane for that long. He wasn't ready just yet.

Kate had enough fate in Yuki for him to be able to travel alone and navigate through the airports, even in a foreign country. But if he had problems- you know Yuki, he would use that trusty phone of his to search up an english word or phrase at the speed of light. It astonished me how fast he could type on that thing, let alone find the answer he was looking for in the heat of the moment.

Thoughts like these ran through my head as I sat in the seat of my old, beat up '94 Chevi Suburban, one had on the wheel and the other hanging out the window. The truck was slightly older than I was, but it was reliable enough. Sure, I worried about it starting up every time I hopped in the front seat, or I worried about the tires, or if it needed an oil change or if the door was gonna fall off or god knows what, but it was a trooper, that's for sure. It was heavy and strong, perfect for towing my boat around and launching it in the lakes. And even though it was old, it was spacious and it had that certain feel to it that you couldn't get with a new car. After all, if I had used all my money to get a new car, it would only get dirty all the time, and I wouldn't have enough to get a good boat.

I pressed down on the gas petal and sped around a car in front of me, whizzing past people and hopping back in the lane. True, I was speeding, but Yuki was worth speeding for. I wanted to be there when he came out of the airport. I was only an hour out on the road, and after thinking, I figured Yuki was somewhere over Colorado as of now. I smiled slightly, turning up the radio and listening to come classic rock. I was learning the English language well, but I don't like the music that was current. I always have the oldies on, listening to bands like The Doors, The Eagles, Cheap Trick, The Beatles and countless more. This old music had a certain feel to it that fit the car and the country. It sounded real, and I liked that.

I tapped my hand against the wheel, hoping Yuki would like it too. My heart skipped a little as I thought of his smile, his beautiful gray eyes, his ruffled red hair that stood out from everyone else's dully colored hair. It was always easy to pick him out from the crowd.

The thought of Yuki helped me drive just a little faster. We had a week, just him and I, and that's all that mattered. I planned to make the most out of every moment I had with him and cherish every second we spent together. I had so much planned, including... a small blush crossed my cheeks as I pictured the scene.

I also planned to tell him how I felt about him. I stalked the weather for this week, and saw every day would be perfect. Perfect for fishing on the lakes, for walking through the woods, and most importantly, for campfires and stargazing. That's how I planned to tell him- under the stars, the flames burning out to where all that was left was some glowing embers. I knew that the light of the fire would make his sun-kissed skin glow, his already brightly colored hair even brighter. I knew the licks of fire dancing in the breeze would reflect gorgeously in those silver eyes I fell so hard for, that rosy blush on his pale cheeks standing out just a little more.

Yuki Sanada was absolutely perfect, and I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with him.

It would only be a few more months before I was 18, and I knew Yuki was already that age. We would both be adults, and it would be time for Yuki to choose a college, or some place to live.

With me?

I bit my lip, gazing at the pine trees whizzing past me, the heavy clouds rolling across the sky, the sun peeking around the corners of them. Maybe... just maybe, Yuki feels the same way, and maybe... he'll want to be with me, too.

I had fears, though. What if he wasn't... that way? Was he dating Erica, or some other girl in his class? Maybe if he is that way, he has feelings for Haru? I always thought about that when Yuki would get so sad during that time- that time, after we successfully saved the world from Urara. Haru left, going back to his home planet, and Akira headed elsewhere. Yuki and I were alone for a few months, and it was then I fell more and more for him, loving those times we could fish together, just him and I. Those times when he'd flush red after I gave him a certain smile, and look away, hiding his red cheeks. I always wondered if that was a sign. Was he flustered because he knew how I felt, and he felt the same way? Or was he just nervous under my gaze?

But why would he be, other than the fact that maybe he felt the same way?

Before I knew it, signs for Milwaukee were becoming bigger and bigger. 28 miles, 15 miles, 6 miles, 2 miles. It wasn't long before I pulled up to the airport, and I hovered around in the oasis before seeing my old flip-phone light up and blink, signaling a text. I instantly grabbed it, flipping it open with a pounding heart.

'I'm here.' Just those words caused my heart to jump in my throat, and I smiled, throwing the phone into my pocket and speeding down onto the highway for only a few seconds before swerving into the airport. I gripped the steering wheel anxiously as I pulled up, sitting under a few ramps and watching people flood out of the airport and find their rides or usher taxis towards them.

And there he was.

Small but clear, I spotted his red hair, and saw him hastily apologizing to people as he dragged his bag behind him, keeping his head down as he crossed the street. I hopped out of the car, checking my hair in the mirror and adjusting my glasses before stepping around the car, a small smile on my lips as he searched for me. His perfect silver eyes met my own, and a smile spread across his face.

"Natsuki!" He trotted over to me, dragging his apparently heavy suitcase behind him. I couldn't help but to smile back at him, until an impatient woman in the car behind us honked obnoxiously. I glared at her before gently patting Yuki on the back. "Hop in, I'll get your bag." He looked up at me gratefully before sliding into the car, pulling hard to close the heavy door. I lifted his bag and tossed it in the trunk, causing the whole truck to bounce a bit. It was heavy, and I wondered what Yuki could have brought that made the bag so heavy. Probably a lot of unnecessary stuff, but that's fine. I cursed under my breath as the people behind me honked again, and I leaped into the car, starting it up and driving away quickly, getting us onto the highway and heading north. Yuki laughed nervously as some people honked and swerved around us, screaming things that I couldn't hear. I just rolled my eyes and waited for them to pass before turning to admire the boy sitting next to me, who was curiously looking around at his surroundings. I then realized that it's been a while since I spoke Japanese with anyone, except for over the phone. And whenever I spoke to Yuki, I felt a bit more at home.

"How was the flight?" Was the first thing I asked, glancing at Yuki every few seconds as I drove.

"Long," Yuki sighed, leaning back in the chair and reclining it slightly. "My ears are still a little plugged..." He leaned over to the side, tapping at the side of his head with his hand, as if hitting himself would make it better. I laughed and shook my head.

"I remember that," I responded. "That's the worst part of the plane ride. Did they give you that really bad, thick ramen?"

"Don't remind me," Yuki groaned, pouting slightly at me. God, even that was adorable. I snickered and took that as a yes.

"I'm sorry," I spared a hand to ruffle his hair, which I longed for so long to touch. In those few seconds, I felt his hair, remembering how soft it is, how thick it is in the back. How it's just a bit darker a layer deep...

I noticed Yuki's cheeks again, darkening to a light pink as my fingers played with his hair. The sight caused me to blush as well, and I pulled my hand back, gripping the steering wheel awkwardly and coughing. Yuki tensed slightly and looked the other way. "I-it's fine," he stammered a little, nervously laughing. "It's better than nothing."

"Right," I agreed, laughing as well. It's always been like that. Whenever I touched his hair, he would blush, I would blush, and we'd continue talking.

That would change this weekend.

We talked back and forth for those 6 hours, myself telling him my best fishing stories and a little about my cabin- I wanted him to experience it himself. Yuki told me about the flight and school and how he's getting better at fishing. Words can't describe how proud I was of him.

It was around 7 p.m. when we arrived at the cabin, and Yuki was drifting in and out of sleep. The time difference was quite drastic, and I knew tomorrow he'd be a little funny getting up and going to sleep, but knowing Yuki, he'd adapt quickly. I'd keep him busy.

Yuki was asleep when we pulled up to the cabin, and I smiled, taking the time to observe every detail of his sleeping face. Those perfect, soft lips split slightly from each other, his eyelashes fanned out across his cheeks, a dusty, gentle blush on his cheeks. His skin was pale but not a sickly pale- just pale, and it was pretty. Like a porcelain doll... my little doll.

He was out, and he has been asleep for about half an hour now, so I took his luggage inside, placing it in the guest room, reluctantly. I wanted to say we only had one bed, but the place had two bedrooms, and I owned a couch and a futon, so there was really no excuse for us to sleep together and somehow wake up in each other's arms. That was the only downside, but maybe he would want to sleep with me after I tell him that I...

I smiled, shaking my head. Don't get ahead of yourself, Natsuki. I gently laid his bag down on the ground next to the bed, and got the fan out, turning it on medium- just enough to keep the room cooled off and have a little noise.

After the room was set up nicely, I went outside and pulled my sleeping angel from the car seat, holding him close to me as if he was my little bride. If only...

I carried him into the house, stepping into the room and placing him onto the bed, where the covers were pulled over. I moved over and removed his shoes, taking them to the area between the house and garage before coming back in and pulling the covers over him. I tucked him in and smiled as he shifted, nuzzling into my hand as I stroked his hair lovingly.

I pushed back some of his soft hair and kissed his forehead before shutting the door behind me, allowing him to nap for about an hour as I prepared dinner. I went with traditional miso soup tonight, something Japanese that would make him feel more comfortable. We could go out to eat tomorrow or the next night.

Once finished with the soup, I untied my apron from my neck and hung it next to the stove, then slowly opened the door. I smiled again, seeing him turned slightly to the side. I kneeled down next to the bed, placing the food tray on the stool next to the bed for a moment.

"Yuki," I whispered, gently shaking his shoulder. He groaned a little, but didn't move. Stubborn...

I leaned closer, my lips brushing his ear. Good god, Natsuki. don't you dare bite...

"Yuki," I whispered sharply, causing him to flinch and scramble away, his eyes wide and hair ruffled. I snickered before dropping my head, my shoulders shaking in laughter. Yuki stuttered before gripping the blankets, his cheeks blazing red.

"N-Natsuki! What was that for!?" Yuki cried before seeing the soup, and his expression changed from flustered to surprised.

"You cooked me dinner?" Yuki whispered, his eyes trailing back to me. Now that he was awake, I stood up, flicking on the lights. Yuki barely reacted, since the lights weren't strong or harsh.

"Of course I did," I told him, lifting the tray from the nightstand and stepping over to the bed, placing it on his lap. "You'll never get used to America's time zone unless you eat at the right times and sleep at the right times." Yuki blushed again, nodding and taking a few bites before glancing up at me.

"It's good... just like home," he murmured, eating more. I wanted to kiss his head again, whisper into his hair, but I held back and simply ruffled it again as I walked out. That's all I wanted to hear- that he liked it.

"I'll wake you up in the morning," I said in the doorway, catching his pink cheeks before I grabbed the door handle. "Your bag is right there. Just leave the tray on the floor next to your bed if you want." I started to pull the door shut when Yuki stopped me.

"Natsuki?"

I smiled a little. No one could make me this happy when they said my name.

"Yes, Yuki?"

"... Thank you. I'm really happy..." Yuki turned slightly to look me in the eyes. "I miss... having you around." His eyes shone with honesty, and my heart filled with warmth. If only you knew how much I love you.

"I miss you, too, Yuki," I told him. "Now stop being cheesy and get some sleep, goofball." Yuki's cheeks flamed red and he stammered before I laughed and closed the door. I stood outside the door, listening to the silence as he sat there, and then the clinks of the spoon against the bowl as he ate hastily, in embarrassment.

Adorable.

I decided I would go out in the garage and fix up the baits for tomorrow, so I stepped out into the garage, cranking up the radio and sitting on the ledge of the boat, fiddling with my multiple tackle boxes and tapping my foot on the wheel of the trailer.

"I want you to want me..." I sang along with the song, "I need you to need me... I want you to love me..." a small smile spread on my cheeks. I Want You to Want Me by Cheap Trick- one of my favorites to hear, and one I can really, truly relate to.

Yuki... I closed my eyes, stopping what I was doing for a moment. I love you, so much. And I hope you love me like I love you, too..