I really hope you enjoy this story. Hehe, but this is only the beginning...

I shut the door behind me and shifted the multiple bags slung over my shoulders to try to find comfort under all of the weight. Then, I wrapped my hand around the handle of my 2 suitcases and began fast walking to attempt to reach my best friend as she trotted ahead.

Pieces of her dark plum hair bounced through the thousands of people. Her porcelain skin seemed to pop from the others' tanned bodies. Unlike me, she dragged one suitcase and a single duffel bag while expertly maneuvering the crowd. Although it seemed as though they were avoiding her which made the task much more easy.

"Hotaru!" I called desperately. "Wait up!"

She stopped briefly to glance stoically over her shoulder towards me. For a moment, our eyes connected - amaranthine clashing with amber - before she turned away and continued on.

I sighed, inwardly praying that she wouldn't be so cold throughout the entirety of our trip.

The bustling natives and foriegners of Tokyo continued rushing by as I attempted to find my terminal. The ticket in my hand said that it was terminal 38 but I couldn't seem to find a hall or sign that led towards the said vicinity.

As I began to panic, I spotted Hotaru, impatiently awaiting by a hall which had terminals 30-38. I waved cheerfully to catch her attention before tripping over to her.

"Please," I pleaded, "Don't do that to me again. You know how horrible I am with directions."

She merely cocked a brow before saying monotonously, "Let's go, Idiot."

We walked leisurely down the less crowded hall and decided to eat our breakfast at the Dunkin Donuts by our terminal.

"I told you we'd be too early. Our flight is at 5:30 AM but you wanted to be here 3 hours earlier. Why? I'll never understand you Hotaru. I woke up at frickin 2:30 in the morning just to-"

"I'm doing this for you so I wouldn't complain," she commented casually.

We ate silently momentarily before I gained my stamina yet again and began prattling. "Aren't you excited, Hotaru? A tour of Europe with our own tour guide and group. We'll be traveling with all of them for the entire summer. It should be amazing! Plus we'll make lots of new friends."

Hotaru nodded. A small glint entered her usually emotionless eyes as she said, "I'll taste all of the finest foods."

I giggled and chirped, "Plus the crabs from the Mediteranean are supposedly to die for."

A rare sight fell before my eyes: Hotaru smiling. It was miniscule and soft but the view was practically mesmerizing.

We finished off our food before gathering our belongings and walking to the seats against the windows. I pulled out my phone and looked at the e-mail sent from our tour-guide, Narumi.

"He said to meet him at the sign at promptly 5 o'clock. In other words, we've got a long wait ahead of us." I sighed dejectedly. I lost 2 hours of sleep for this? My thoughts almost instantly brightened when I thought of the trip ahead of us.

"You might as well start your list," Hotaru reminded me.

"Oh yeah," I replied while searching through my carry-on for my notebook. I eventually found it and began scribbling the things that I wanted to do.

Bucket List:

1)Go to Europe
2)Eat spaghetti and pizza in Italy
3)See the Leaning Tower of Pizza
4)Visit a Mediterranean beach
5)Go water-skiing in the Sea

And it went on and on with all sorts of ideas and things I wished to do this summer. I wanted more than anything to make the best out of it for multiple reasons.

I finally finished my list off with my main goal.

83)FALL IN LOVE

Beaming at my job well done, I turned to Hotaru to announce my accomplishment only to find her peacefully sleeping. I smiled softly at the beautiful view. She always looked so content when sleeping and with the morning sun's rays softly coating her face, it made her appear surreal.

She shifted slightly in her seat to become more comfortable before her head fell limply atop my shoulder. I placed my own head above her own, applying little pressure in fear of awaking her.

Minutes passed by before I looked away from her entrancing face. When I looked forward, my eyes fell upon 2 men searching the area for seats.

I softly waved my hand successfully gaining their attention. I then proceeded to point to the 2 seats beside mine.

The blond smiled gratefully as he glided over although his raven-haired friend was more reluctant.

Seeing that my friend was asleep, the blond gingerly set his bags down before sitting beside me.

"Thanks," he whispered.

I smiled kindly in return and replied, "It's no problem."

Hotaru shifted again, taking her head out from beneath my own and moving it to my lap. I knew that if she witnessed herself mercilessly cuddling soundlessly in my lap, she'd die of humiliation and then somehow invent a medicine to keep her awake from doing any further embarrassments in her sleep.

"You sure do have a lot of luggage," the male commented, his cerulean wells analyzing my multiple bags.

I nodded and patted the suitcase closest to me. "My friend and I are going on a trip to Europe with a tour group. We're supposed to meet him at 5 o'clock by the terminal sign."

The raven-haired male peaked through his closed lids, revealing a dazzling crimson iris. "Shit," he mumbled miserably.

The blond on the other hand was practically beaming with utter joy. "We're going on a tour group too! Our leader's name is Narumi."

I gasped in amazement. "Ours too!" We laughed lightly together in happiness that we had found one another. I then introduced, "I'm Mikan Sakura and this," I waved my hand over my sleeping crony, "Is Hotaru Imai."

"I'm Ruka Nogi," the male replied with an excited grin. "And this," he gestured to the brooding man beside him, "Is Natsume Hyuuga."

"It's very nice to meet the both of you," I said politely.

Ruka grinned his charming grin while Natsume scoffed softly before closing his eyes again.

"They must be similar," I whispered to Ruka. "Natsume and Hotaru I mean. Both are not morning people."

We laughed quietly resulting in Natsume glaring at us.

Ruka asked, "Is she always so peaceful?"

I shook my head while swallowing a giggle. "Just the opposite in fact. Hotaru's usually cold and distant around others but is actually wicked kind and selfless. She just has trouble showing her emotions."

Ruka nodded before saying, "Natsume's similar. He tries to scare people off so don't be intimidated by him."

The said lad glared sharply at Ruka while growling.

Smiling confidently I replied, "Don't worry, he doesn't seem scary in the least." Natsume turned to glare at me with enmity flashing across his eyes. After staring at one another for a while I concluded, "Nope, Hotaru's worse."

"Really?" Ruka asked in bewilderment.

I nodded surely, still gazing at Natsume. "I think it's because with him, I can see his emotions in his eyes while with Hotaru you can't tell so easily." Ruka slowly nodded in agreement. "I like knowing how people feel better than being in the dark, you know?"

"Even if their feelings are negative?" He inquired.

"Yup," I chirped. Then I poked Natsume's forehead lightly and asked, "Are you going to say anything else besides 'Shit'?"

The lad belatedly slapped my hand away before muttering, "Go to Hell."

I twitched in irk before sighing, "At least give me a chance."

Natsume ignored me so Ruka and I chatted until it was the designated time. I lightly awoke Hotaru, cooing, "Hotaru, come on it's time to wake up. We need to meet our group."

She stirred for a moment before perking up and smoothing her clothes out nonchalantly. Her orbs seemed slightly dazed considering she just awoke but the fog dispersed when she saw the two stunning males by my side, both of whom were watching her.

"Thank you, Mikan," She spoke tersely. Hotaru then turned to the males, giving them a once over. "And whom do we have here?" she asked with an edge.

I giggled quietly, knowing that she was being protective of me. "This is Ruka Nogi and the brooding male on his right is Natsume Hyuuga," I explained.

Ruka smiled and sent Hotaru a kind nod while Natsume glanced momentarily at her before snorting and looking away again. My mind quickly thought of two scenarios that could happen due to their responses.

Hotaru nodded emotionlessly to Ruka before walking up to Natsume and staring at him until he looked up into her demanding eyes.

"What," he demanded.

My best friend looked him over before commenting, "I guess you're too idiotic to fully comprehend the procedure of introducing one's self correctly."

Natsume narrowed his wells in irate. Hotaru merely snubbed him with her nose and walked towards our rendezvous.

I laughed as the lad glared uselessly at her back. As I passed by him with all of our luggage, I patted his back and remarked, "See? She's worse then you."

The four of us await for the group to assemble. Eventually some girls timidly tip-toed towards us with two other proceeding towards us in opposite directions, both of which seemed perfectly permed and content.

The strawberry blonde reached us first. She smiled a dazzling smile but I only noticed the way that her mole seemed to dance with her facial muscles.

"I'm Luna Koizumi." Her emerald gaze travelled to the two beside Hotaru and I before she purred, "I can entertain you at any time, boys."

Ruka smiled uncomfortable while Natsume scoffed in distaste. "It's a pleasure-"

"I'm Sumire Shouda," The other permed girl interrupted Ruka. She flipped her forest green hair over her shoulder nonchalantly before proceeding, "I'm not a morning person so don't bug me."

We all turned to her as she pulled off her sunglasses and revealed her matching eyes. She put her glasses atop her head before leaning against the pillar in exhaustion.

Suddenly a blond male appeared before our eyes. He adjusted his glasses that obscured his caramel eyes before speaking formally, "Hello. My name is Yuu Tobita. I'm pleased to meet your acquaintances."

Then, before we could say anything, the two shy girls approached us. The lass with navy hair introduced, "I'm Nonoko Ogasawara." She kept her matching orbs steady and still as she looked at every one of us.

Her magenta-haired friend added, "I'm Anna Umenomiya." Unlike her friend, Anna had her Carolina-blue orbs casted downwards.

Together they bowed slightly and said in unison, "It's a pleasure to meet you all."

As they looked up, I smiled brightly at them and as I was about to introduce myself, a carmen-haired woman threw her arms over the two and gasped, "Sorry I'm late. The bathroom had a long line."

The two girls shook their heads. "It's fine Misaki," Anna said.

Misaki looked up and took notice to all of us watching the three quietly. "I'm Misaki Harada. Let's have some fun, alright?" Her smile was so big that her chocolate irises were practically squeezed shut.

"Hey!"

We all turned to look towards the loud-spoken person. He had a mop of navy hair and matching eyes with a small tattoo of what seemed to be a star on his cheek bone.

"You all here for the tour?" He asked.

We all nodded 'yes' in reply except for Hotaru and Natsume who just stared at him.

A brunette popped out behind the man with a cheerful smiled slapped across his face. "Yo, I'm Koko Yomi," he said.

On the males other side popped out a lad with silver hair and beautiful aqua orbs. "Youichi Hijiri," said the nonchalant man.

"And I'm," proclaimed the blue-haired individual, "am Tsubasa Andou. We're all really looking forward to traveling with you!"

I smiled warmly. All of these people seemed kind enough. I had a feeling that this vacation would be amazing.

"You here for Narumi?" Asked a male walking towards us.

We all nodded again.

"Me too. I'm Mucho." He had black-shaved hair and matching eyes that were supremely exhausted.

Luna clutched onto Natsume's arm, cooing, "I'm sorry but I never caught your name."

He shook her off and scoffed, "Stay away, Prostitute."

She gasped in horror and was about to let all Hell loose when Ruka intercepted, "He's Natsume Hyuuga and I'm Ruka Nogi. We are very delighted to meet all of you." Ruka smiled forcefully in discomfort but apparently his statement calmed Luna down.

"Hotaru Imai," Hotaru said monotonously.

I beamed brightly and boomed, "I'm Mikan Sakura! It's so great to meet all of you. I'm really looking forward to this trip. I've always wanted to-"

"Shut up, Idiot," Natsume said nonchalantly.

I growled lowly before smacking the back of his head lightly. "Don't hush me Mr. Brooding."

Once he recovered from my small yet unexpected whack, he hissed, "Don't touch me, Hag."

"I am only 18. That's not old!"

"In your eyes maybe."

Ruka put his hand on Natsume's shoulder before whispering loudly, "Natsume you're 18 too..."

Everyone laughed hysterically as Ruka got pummeled by the enraged lad.

Then suddenly, Tsubasa threw his arm around me, saying, "You seem fun Mikan."

I laughed cheerfully. "Thanks, Tsubasa."

"She's an annoying idiot," Hotaru commented wryly.

Koko threw his arm around my other shoulder, defending, "Then she's just my type."

After he winked, I wiggled out of their grasp and hugged Hotaru tightly. "You know you love me-"

Baka! Baka! Baka!

I fell to the floor after she shot me with her infamous gun that shot rubber balls.

Everyone gasped before Sumire rushed to me and held me in her arms. "What the hell is your problem? You just shot your friend!"

Hotaru blew off the smoke before emotionlessly putting the gun in her carry-on again.

I opened my eyes again and brushed my tawny hair out of my face. As I stood up gingerly while holding my head in slight agony, everyone gasped again.

"Hotaru, I told you not to do that anymore," I whined.

She merely replied, "And I told you that I can't help it. It shoots all idiots in sight."

I sighed and then took notice to all the fretting people surrounding us. Deciding to explain I started, "Hotaru made a gun that shoots rubber balls and says 'baka'. It shoots all idiots instinctively. I'm used to being hit with it though so don't worry."

Everyone slowly nodded, seemingly reluctant to agree with my words. Hotaru suddenly flicked the lump on my head making me flinch in pain.

She whispered, "Secrets are kept secretively."

I nodded minutely to show her I received what she was saying.

Before anyone could comment or question, another male appeared in the center of our little circle. He had shoulder-length blond hair and velvet orbs.

"Hello everyone! I'm Narumi, you're tour guide for the summer." We all smiled kindly in reply. "Our flight will be leaving in a little while so during the time given, I'd like to establish some rules and guidelines to follow while on our trip."

Sumire scoffed quietly, "I wasn't aware that there'd be stupid-ass rules too."

Narumi, oblivious to her snide comment, continued. "For rules I have only a few. One: no going off on your own unless I have given the 'OK'. Two: Everyone must have a partner," he thought pensively for a moment before saying, "and it must be the opposite sex."

There were several murmurs among our little posy until Nonoko squawked, "Why is that?"

Narumi shrugged momentarily before explaining, "I thought it'd be more fun. So before we continue, would you all like to choose partners?"

We all scurried about, trying to snatch who we wanted. I first wanted to be with Tsubasa but then noticed that Misaki had taken his hand and they were chatting happily. I turned to look for Ruka to find Hotaru already beside him, ignoring his words.

Frantic, I looked for Koko. I saw him approaching me and smiled happily until Anna shyly grabbed his arm and said something that made him grin fondly. Knowing that he was out, I looked around again. Yuu was taken by Nonoko and Mochu had Sumire on his arm.

The only two left were Natsume and Youichi. Considering that Luna was desperately attempting to make the holder of crimson wells her partner, I went for Youichi. As I took a step towards the lad who was watching me warily, someone grabbed my arm.

I turned to find an indifferent Natsume holding my bicep while looking the other way. I smirked in realization that he wanted me to be his partner but after seeing Luna's stabbing gaze and Youichi's troubled orbs glancing at Luna, I decided what to do.

Taking his hand off of my arm, I whispered, "I don't want poor Youichi to have to deal with her."

Natsume glared harshly at me and as he opened his mouth, I proceeded, "Besides, you're a big man. You can handle her much better."

With that, I skipped to Youichi. Once there, I asked, "Youichi, would you like to be my partner?"

The male looked over me before saying, "Sur..." His gaze travelled to something behind me and before I could turn to look, Youichi said, "No."

I gaped at him as he walked to Luna and tugged on her arm. Taking the chance, Natsume walked to me and smirked.

"Looks like you're too ugly for him."

I scoffed and mumbled, "You bastard, making Youichi do something like that."

Natsume's smirk became broader, having heard my statement. "Don't worry, I'll repay him for allowing me the honor of being stuck to a cow like you."

Narumi clapped his hands, gaining our attention. "Okay seems like everyone's paired up. Now, you must stay with your body all the time. The third rule is that everyone must pay for their food and souvenirs. The money you paid me beforehand was used for traveling and hotel costs."

We all nodded.

"Alright. Some guidelines to follow are: No getting wasted, no smoking, no harsh treatment to others and girls and boys will be sharing rooms. Don't fret, you may choose who you'd like to room with. But no girls and boys together, okay?"

Again, we nodded.

The intercom crackled as a lady said, "Flight 38 to Venice, Italy will be boarding now. Will seats 1-45 please line up and get ready to board the plane."

Everyone dispersed as we were all in the 30's.

"Please sit with you partner on the plane! It'd help break the ice for later," Narumi called as we scrambled for our belongings.

I groaned before looking over at Natsume. Unlike me, the lad was smirking cynically. That's when I knew that this would be a long vacation.

Please drop a review to tell me what you think :D

Also, please vote for me on GARCA! Check out my profile for a link.

Thanks so much for reading!