>A plane on the way to Japan, late night...
>
>   Azel sighed as she nearly toppled into the dingy blue airplane 
>seat.  The encounter with the clerk had taken a lot more energy out 
>of her than she had expected.  She was weary but finally, on her 
>way, at the end of one journey.
>   *Though if I could... I would redo that last encounter.  Somehow 
>I think the clerk won.  Yeah, I got a place on a plane... but it's a 
>cargo plane!  Dingy, small, cramped... true it's a plane for 
>expensive cargo that needs handlers, but still! I'm amazed they even 
>let people on this plane.*
>   Resting her grungy hands on the even grungier arm rest, Azel 
>relaxed and took note of her surroundings.  The engines of the plane 
>revved up and the blasting noise took away the remaining sounds of 
>the airport.  Azel leaned over and peered out the window to see the 
>ground fall swiftly away from the plane.  Her stomach lurched with a 
>hint of air sickness and Azel quickly turned away from the window.  
>Around Azel was a small passenger area, most likely for porters.  
>She peered around the corner and caught sight of a door closing up 
>front.  The cockpit was most likely up there and the remaining area 
>of the plane was probably a huge cargo area.
>   *At least there isn't too many passengers... just a small group 
>of what appears to be porters, and a couple of travelers like me.*
>   Two groups caught her attention.  The first was a group of 
>porters... or at least they were dressed like porters.  While the 
>other group of porters were at ease and joking, these men were 
>stiff, formal.  They looked as if they would be more at ease 
>guarding a fancy mansion... or lurking in the alleys.  One of the 
>men noticed Azel's gaze and glared back, menace in every action.  
>Azel paled slightly and tried to appear normal as she shifted her 
>attention.
>   *That's one group I'd rather stay away from... I'm not looking 
>for trouble.  Especially where I'm outnumbered... and out maneuvered. 
>Still... maybe I should mention this to someone in Japan.*
>   Azel grinned.
>   *Yeah right.  "Mr. Stranger sir, I saw scary looking porters on 
>the plane, you want to arrest them?"  Sure.*
>   Azel glanced over the other porters and the travelers till she 
>saw the other group that had caught her attention.  There was a man 
>and a woman, talking in excited tones to each other.  The man appear 
>tall, even sitting down, his black hair falling to his shoulders, 
>and his traditional robes worn with ease.  The woman had similar 
>black hair but all up in a tight bun.  She wore a bright outfit, 
>definitely oriental in origin.  However, the thing that caught 
>Azel's attention was their discussion.  It involved plenty of hand 
>waving and cries of recognition.
>   *Whatever they're talking 'bout, it's gotta be better than 
>nothin'.*
>   Azel yawned as fatigue overwhelmed her, but she was determined to 
>at least get a name from the other travelers.  She rose and walked 
>over to them, sitting down in the chair opposite.  Gesturing and 
>waving, the other travelers didn't even seem to notice Azel.  
>Hesitantly, she coughed and waved and finally mumbled, "Hello.  My 
>name is Azel."  Azel quickly tried to think of something more to say 
>as they abruptly stopped their conversation and looked at her.  "I 
>though since this was going to be a long flight, maybe we could talk 
>a bit...  I've never been to Japan before.  Actually this flight was 
>a last minute sortof thing..."
>   The man's eyes lit up in recognition.  "Ahha!  The girl from the 
>lobby!  Yes...  I am Saotoma.  This is my companion Chi-Chi.  I'm 
>going back to Nerima because my gym is there and Chi-Chi is going to 
>see the contest at Nerima."  The woman smiled and nodded.
>   *He seems to know me...  Um.  That's odd.  I don't think I know 
>anyone from Nerima.  A contest!  I thought I heard about a contest 
>in Nerima...*
>   "Yes the contest is in Nerima."  Chi-Chi almost echoed Azel's 
>thought.  "My husband, Goku, should be in it.  Gohan, my son, 
>desperately wanted to enter, but he was too young.  However, Goku 
>took him along when they left earlier so that he could see the 
>tournament.  I'm worried about his study habits though... Gohan 
>needs to study hard!"
>   "Ahem, yes," Saotoma cut into what seemed to be a long discussed 
>topic.  "I'm sure he does...  Anyway.  So you've never been to 
>Nerima before?  I have daughters your age, I'm sure they'd be glad 
>to show you around if you would accept my hospitality at my gym."
>   Azel hesitated.
>   *He seems reliable... but is it safe?  I don't know anyone in 
>Nerima...  Well maybe I'll stick with him a little while.  Just to 
>hear about this tournament.*
>   "Sure, I'd like to see Nerima," Azel grinned.  "Now about this 
>tournament... what's it for?  What styles?"
>   Saotoma laughed and began to explain.  "It's an anything goes 
>tournament and the reward is..."
>   The plane flight continued on as Chi-Chi and Saotoma explained 
>the tournament to Azel.  The young girl was plainly interested in 
>seeing the tournament and the offer of hospitality at Saotoma's gym 
>had been accepted.  Yet for some strange reason, throughout the 
>flight, an old adage rang in Azel's head.
>   *One journey's ending is yet an other's beginning.*