Hey! This is my first story I've uploaded to the exchange, and I hope it's not too epicly long. Anyways, I've planned on writing this story for a while, and I just adapted it for Valentine's. However, if you like this story, and would like to hear more- a non-Valentine version perhaps ^_^?)
I love feedback, so feel free to leave hugs/flames in my guestbook ^_^.

P.S: I apologize for any mistakes, as I'm kind of a n00b at this...
ANYWAYS...On the the story!!

?Aishiteru.*?


*Aishiteru- I love you

I beamed at one of the few Japanese words I recognized.
?Hajimemashite?? I blurted out a familiar phrase I had heard frequently in the city, hoping it would be relevant.

He laughed- a serious, unsmiling laugh. ?Nice to meet you too,? he winked, parenthesizing my face in his hands. A flicker of nervousness flashed across his granite face- an unusual emotion for him. I felt my stomach drop slightly, a strange emotion passing over me too.

His pallid skin seemed to glow in the darkness. His contrastingly onyx semi-oriental eyes glinted, catching the light from the overhead moon. He stooped lower, until our eyes were level. I reached out my hand slowly, meeting his normally observant face, which now seemed blank and out of focus. He sighed sadly, meeting my hand with his, his long slender fingers cool, yet welcoming and familiar.

?Mata atode aimashou,? he murmured forlornly in his native tounge, avoiding my obvious confusion. My eyes quickly misted over as he slowly turned. I tried to shout his name, but it stuck in my throat. I flung my arms around him, but his strong frame easily forced my arms back.

He pivoted slowly, and began walking away. ?Please,? was all I could muster, but I knew he wasn?t listening. Please, if you love me, you?ll turn once. You don?t need to say anything, I pleaded silently, as if he could read minds. I forced myself not to blink, waiting for him, to turn and scoop me into his arms.
But he didn?t. ?Just once,? I whispered. In one fluid movement, his head turned- so quick it was merely a flicker. And with that, he was gone.

The cold bite of winter bit my bare arms and legs. I held myself tightly, partially to keep myself warm, but mostly to keep from falling apart. I sank to my knees, rapidly spiraling into the literal and figurative darkness Itsuki had left me in.

?Rina??
Don?t call me that. You know I hate it.
My mind formed the silent words, but my mouth would not move. I tried forcing the words through my clenched teeth, but they were like a locked gate. I attempted willing my laden eyes to open, but they remained shut, as if they were glued.

?Irina, come on. Please wake up!?
There was such an annoying desperateness in the pleading voice that I thought my head would explode. I felt a heavy, calloused hand lay itself on mine. A warm, almost clammy hand, completely unlike Itsuki?s normally cool skin.

I forced my eyes open. Itsuki.
That was the only word that mattered.

I looked up into his eyes. They bore into me, as if trying to read my mind. Opaque, blue eyes, half covered by a tousled fringe of ash blonde hair. He impatiently brushed his hair out of his eyes. A dead light shone in them- not at all like the excited sparkle constantly danced across Itsuki's.

?I can?t believe it! You?you're okay,? he stammered. I nodded, unsure of where I was and why I should be okay. The starch white of the room near blinded me, and the smell of antiseptic burned my dry throat, mixed with the faint aroma of flowers. A hospital. I was at a hospital. I pushed back a lock of limp blonde hair that had curtained my eyes.

?Wh?what happened?? I asked groggily, the words getting stuck in my throat. His brow knitted, worried. ?You don?t remember?? he gasped quietly. I shook my head, flinching at the pain that traveled down my spine. I tried sitting up, but he pushed me down, and he flopped down on the bed.
?You?ve?well, you?ve been in a coma, Rina. We were in a car accident two months ago, going to the Christmas dance,? he said hushed-like, as if it was a controversial subject. I blinked hard, the dam of time broken as details began flooding into my head. A deer?
I shook my head, confused. Another shot of pain went through my body, but the adrenaline absorbed it. Two months ago?

I peered past his broad shoulders, dazed and confused, trying to avoid his impeding stare, at the mountain of floral arrangements.
One plant caught my eye. A cactus?.
A crisp memory flooded unwillingly into my lethargic brain?

?Come on, Irina. I know you Americans celebrate Valentine?s Day,? he sighed, exasperated. I rolled my eyes.
?Well, most do. But not me,? I told him defiantly, crossing my arms.
This was partially true. I did not happily celebrate any holiday, let alone Valentine's day.
Plus, it never was that big in America. Maybe in grade school, but I haven't willing celebrated it after fifth grade.

He smiled devilishly. ?Oh? Someone break your little heart??
I shook my head vigorously. ?I?m just not a lovey, dovey flower type of girl, okay??

?Hey, well, at least I don?t have to worry about getting you a present,? he said, shrugging his broad shoulders.
Even when he lost, Itsuki always won. I wondered if it was his natural charm, soothing voice, or calm yet towering stature.
Regardless if someone was the most concided person I've ever met, Itsuki always made them reassess thier confidance.

?Hey, well, at least I don?t have to worry about getting you a present,? he said, shrugging his broad shoulders.
Part of me wanted him to fight, to say `Oh, Irina, you silly girl,? and show up the next morning with a bouquet of flowers.
But that was never Itsuki style.

I chewed my nail, trying and probably failing to look like I didn't care.
Truth be told, I've always been alone on Valentine's Day, and part of me wanted this to be the first, and most special Valentine where I've ever been in...love.
I cringed at the word. He raised his eyebrow, ruffled my hair, and walked away, his confidant and perfect stride never faltering.

The next morning I woke up alone. I sat up, rubbing my tired eyes. I was still unbelievably experiencing jet lag. I glimpsed around the room, looking for a sign of Itsuki. The warm February sun flooded in through the vast windows, illuminating the room I had called home for what seemed like forever.

?Itsuki," I sang, "Come see the snow, Itsuki!" I recieved silence.
I cocked my head, listening for the sounds of running water or clanking dishes. Again, silence.
I decided he had stepped out, and thought little of it.

A dangerous looking plant on the nightstand caught my eye. A cactus? I knitted my brows in confusion, and relaxed when I saw the note. Even from afar, I could easily recognize Itsuki?s flawless calligraphy.

?Just because you?re not a ?lovey, dovey, flower type of girl doesn't mean you can't like this.
-???Itsuki
P.S; Tonight, I want to tell you something. Meet me in courtyard.?

?Two months ago, I was in Tokyo, Andrew,? I whispered, my eyes widening in confusion. He frowned.
?No, Rina,?-stop calling me that!-?Two months ago, we were in a car accident. I swerved to avoid a deer. You?ve never been to Asia, let alone Tokyo,? he informed me worriedly. I massaged my aching head, trying to make sense of everything.