"I thought you might like that...now we have to find my Mom and Dad something...plus we could probably see some sights before we head back.."

  She asked "So, what do your parents like that we could get them for presents here?"

"Well...Dad usually likes little trinkets...talismans that ward off evil spirits and all that stuff. Mom...she's a bit more difficult to shop for...she likes that really elegant stuff...vases...pottery...things like that.."

  She said "Hrmmmm.  Let's wander around the mall a little then."

Jeff wandered the mall with Candy, pointing out several game stores, a candy store, and a three story arcade. They finally came to what appeared to be a crafts and trinket shop.

  Candy ushered him into the trinket shop, and asked him <Red>"Think maybe this will have something?"Red>

"I think it will," he said as they walked in to the store.

He then approached the clerk, and asked her if they had either a vase or any trinkets. The clerk pointed towards the back, and it seemed to have a host of trinkets, and also a nice vase with a picture of a waterfall and kanji written on it.

  Candy enjoyed browsing too, and showed him this and that as they found them.

Jeff went up and paid for the vase and the mirror. After they were done, he turned to Cathy.

"All right, now that we've got THAT out of the way, what would you like to do now?"

  Candy said "Let's take a walk in some of the memorial gardens.  They're supposed to be very beautiful."

Jeff smiled at Candy and said, "That sounds good. Let me get some directions."

After conversing with one of the store clerks, Jeff extended his hand to Candy.

"All right..looks like we've got some directions.."

  Candy grinned, and said "Excellent.  You realize I'll be able to come back directly to anywhere we've been, right?  As long as I've seen the place, I can port to it direct."

"Yeah, I realize that. Heck, we may have to come back a few more times after this..."

  That got a giggle, and Candy said teasingly "Maybe surprise your parents with a trip to Japan, no airfare needed?"

"That would be cool...I know that they would appreciate that..."

  She grinned, and said "It's not like it would be hard.  I know I'm good at surprising my Mom with random vacations.  She loves them, but she always wants to complain while she's on them."

Jeff shrugged and replied, "Well..my folks haven't been on a vacation in a LONG time, so it'll be something different for them."

  "I always hear how the airfare is so expensive, they could really enjoy a vacation if we covered that expense, right?"  She hugged him, grinning.

"Oh yeah!" Jeff replied. "The airfare is the biggest part of it, aside from the hotel.."

He hugged her back, and added "You're full of hugs today..."

  She said "I'm enjoying this trip.  Are you?"  She was walking with her head in his shoulder and smiling.

Jeff chuckled at that and said to her "I am too. I've always wanted to come here..and now here I am..with somebody who is extraordinary."

  She said "You're terribly sweet.  Better yet, you know I can bring you back here any time you like.  And we can shop until we drop!"

Jeff smiled at Candy.

"That will be lots of fun, and I have had a total blast too. I wish that we could make time stand still sometimes in moments like this."

  She nodded, and said "I know.  Hey, I get to buy dinner here, okay?  They've got some wicked steak houses here."  She was still leaning on him and holding his hand too.

Jeff looked at her a bit surprised. "Um...sure...there's a lot of good Hibachi steakhouses around."