Note: This story was dynamically reformatted for online reading convenience.
 
 Paradise on Earth

   By Emi Tsuruta

   Note: this is one in a series of posts about my life.  If you'd like to
know more about my friends and me, drop by my home page at:
/~emitsuruta/

   A couple of years ago during my summer vacation, I headed back to Japan
to visit my family and friends.  I was happy to see my mom again, but she
had hoped, I guess, that I would just spend a couple of quiet weeks at home
with her cooking, grocery shopping and telling her about my time in the
States.  I really love my mom of course, but she can be a bit
overprotective at times.

   That's one reason why I was so happy when my mom's younger sister, Aunt
Sachie, gave me a call.  Even though Aunt Sachie is the same generation as
my mom, she is more of a live wire, joking and laughing all the time and
really enjoying her life.  I've always felt a bond with Sachi, and she
sounded really happy to see me.  She told me that her husband, Uncle
Yuuzou, had a vacation coming up.  They'd made plans to go on a day trip to
a mountain in the western part of Tokyo, and she invited me to come along.

   "Mom, can I?  Please!" I pleaded.  Even though mom and Sachi were so
different, they get along well.

   "Um, yes, I guess that would be alright," my mom nodded.

   "Yay!  I can go," I told Sachie, all excited now.

   The day of the trip, my uncle came by to pick me up in their car.  I
thought 'oh no,' when I first saw my uncle all dressed up in his best
mountain climber's outfit, complete with knee-length shorts and a cap with
a feather in it.  I guess he wanted to look like he knows what he's doing,
but I didn't really have a hiking outfit with me in Japan.  Most of my
clothes were still back in California.  Anyway, they didn't seem too
worried when I came out in a pair of white sneakers, khaki cargo pants and
an orange and white striped hoodie.  Luckily, Aunt Sachi and her son Hideki
were dressed more normally too.

   I climbed in the back of their SUV, and we set out on the long drive to
Mount Takao in the wild bushy parts of western Tokyo.  They were all
anxious to hear stories of my life in America, so I told them, but Hideki
kept interrupting with all these silly jokes.  They were all in a good mood
though, and we had fun chatting and singing along the way.

   Eventually, we arrived at Takao-san-guchi, the entrance to Mount Takao.
Uncle Yuuzou unpacked his mountain-climbing gear, but as it turned out, not
far from the base there was a cable car that takes you half-way up the
mountain to Takao Monkey Park.  This was all a bit too developed for Uncle
Yuuzou, who was looking for adventure, so back we went to the car where he
looked for a more interesting place nearby.  I had my doubts, but he
explained he had this special map that points you to secret beauty spots
where tourists don't usually go.  He told us that there is a waterfall not
far from there, and so off we went in the car again.  When we got to the
park entrance, he parked, got out his camcorder, and filmed the scenery
along the hike out.  It was mostly babbling brooks and cedar trees along
the winding trail.  We hiked through this valley with mountain slopes or
cliffs on either side.  I was surprised when we passed all these other
hikers, but I guess it was the high season for travelling with the summer
vacation and all.

   We must have been hiking for at least an hour when we finally came to
the falls at the end of this narrow valley.  It was a beautiful waterfall,
very high with a thin curtain of white water spraying down through the
dense tropical jungle.  There was a pond at the base with beautiful deep
blue water.  It honestly looked like something out of a movie.

   I must have looked disappointed because Sachie looked over at me,
waiting for me to say something.

   "No, nothing," I assured her.  "I was just wishing I'd known we were
coming here.  I would have brought my swimsuit."

   Sachie looked over at Uncle Yuuzou, as if they shared some kind of
secret.

   "We could go in swimming," she suggested, turning back to me.

   "But none of us brought swimsuits," I protested.  Both Uncle Yuuzou and
Hideki continued to avoid my gaze, but it was obvious that there was
something they weren't telling me.

   "It shouldn't matter, should it?" Sachi continued.  "We're all family
here."

   It sounded like she was hinting that we should all go skinny-dipping
together!  I have to say I was more than a little surprised by this.  I'd
known Sachi my whole life, and I knew of course that she was more
open-minded than my mom, but even so, at first I thought it would be
seriously weird for the four of us to get naked in front of each other. 
Was she serious, or just teasing me?  Still not sure, I let out a nervous
giggle.

   "Ha!  Yeah, right!  That would be pretty funny!"

   The expression on Sachie's face was quite serious though.  Maybe she
isn't joking.  Uncle Yuuzou was ignoring us, absorbed in filming the
waterfall.  However, I could tell from the way that Hideki was playing with
the stones at the waterside, ears half-cocked, that he probably knew that
his mother was going to suggest this.

   "Um, what?  Do you mean..." I shook my head, still trying to get my mind
around this.  "Skinny-dip?"

   "Sure, why not?" Sachie beamed, all smiles.  "It's no big deal really,
is it?"

   Sachie is one of the few people in the world who knows what I'm really
like.  She'd seen me coach her daughter Namie on how to get her new husband
Ryoichi's motor running.  I guess I'd gotten a little carried away.  I
talked Namie into stripping naked, and phoning Ryoichi to invite him to
come home early.  I thought that might shock Sachie, but she hadn't really
reacted much at the time, and now I understood why.  Maybe they all are
closet naturists.

   "Um, have you...  um...  ever done anything like that before?" I asked
cautiously.  They'd all seen the things I get up to, and perhaps even heard
stories from Namie about what I was like on our hot spring trip.  It must
have sounded like I was asking for nudist credentials.

   "We've been to co-ed hot springs.  Hasn't everybody?"

   I guess part of the problem was I'd kind of forgotten about how relaxed
people are in Japan about nudity.  In America, people seem a lot more
uptight in some ways.  For Sachi, and probably Uncle Yuuzou and Hideki as
well, getting naked perhaps wasn't such a big deal.  But even so, I still
felt weird.  I wasn't exactly a little girl anymore, and both Hideki and
Uncle Yuuzou were adult men with presumably healthy sex drives.

   Yuuzou set down his camcorder, and moved to take off his shirt.

   "Yeah, it is kind of hot today.  It would be nice to cool off."

   Hideki just kind of sat there quietly at the pond's edge not saying
anything while his parents got undressed.  My uncle and aunt are no longer
so young, but they didn't seem ashamed about their bodies at all.  They'd
probably been to many a hot spring, and I guess they must have taken Hideki
and Namie with them.  Namie had turned out quite shy.  Hideki seemed in no
rush to get naked in front of me, but apparently, their parents were quite
at ease with their bodies.

   One thing that was bothering me about this whole skinny-dipping idea was
the other hikers we had seen on the trail on our way out.  Probably many of
them knew about this waterfall, and so someone could show up at any minute.
Neither Sachie nor Uncle Yuuzou seemed too concerned though.  They both
stripped naked, and waded into the water for a dip.

   "Oh it's wonderful in here," my uncle cried out.  "Nice and refreshing."

   I still felt a bit self-conscious about stripping in front of Hideki,
but his mom and dad seemed so at ease with the whole nudity thing that I
began to wonder if I was the one who was being too prudish.  I kicked off
my sneakers, and took off my socks, but when I went to lift up my creamy
orange and white hoodie, Hideki's eyes shot over this way.  He was
surprised I guess that I seemed willing to strip in front of him.  I must
admit that the thought of taking off my clothes with him watching was
giving me butterflies.  In the past, I'd always tried to avoid being seen
naked by him.  It was so strane to think that here I was getting naked in
front of him 'for free.'

   I glared at him, trying to get him to stop watching me, and get
undressed himself.  He scrunched up his face to signal that he didn't want
to, but I wasn't really so keen on being the first of us two.  We stayed
there for a while watching each other, both waiting for the other to strip.

   I felt a bit annoyed at my uncle and aunt for bringing me here, and not
telling me that we might have a chance to swim.  Had they been planning on
skinny-dipping right from the start?  Were they trying to lure me into
getting naked in front of Hideki for some reason?  Or maybe I'm just
over-thinking the whole thing.  The more likely explanation was that I'd
gotten so used to living in the States that I'd forgotten how relaxed
people in Japan are about nudity.  This wasn't a trick on their part, just
a natural response to my comment about how nice it would be to go for a
swim.

   Slowly, I began to worry that if I didn't go in swimming soon, other
people would come, and I'd miss my chance.  My uncle had already come back
to shore, and headed for where he'd left his stuff.  My aunt was still
happily swimming away, so I finally made up my mind to go for it.

   Since lifting up my hoodie had gotten such a big reaction from Hideki,
this time I undid the belt on my cargo shorts first.  Hideki was facing
away from me, but he was kind of watching me out of the corner of his eye.
Trying to act like I didn't care, I undid the buttons that run down the
front of my shorts, and peeked down checking what kind of panties I was
wearing.  Luckily, I had on plain white cotton panties that day, but the
weave was slightly loose making them ever so slightly see-through.

   I didn't really want Hideki to see what kind of panties I was wearing,
so I ended up pulling my panties down at the same time as my shorts. 
Unfortunately, this just got me excited as suddenly I was standing there
bottomless in front of them all.  It's a bit hard to explain why I was
getting so worked up - they were my family after all - but I guess
somewhere along the way I'd picked up the idea that there's a connection
between being naked and having sex.  Also, there is something kinky about
wearing just a top, but being naked from the waist down.

   Leaving my shorts and panties on a rock, I carefully picked my way
across the pebbly bank down to the water's edge, and stuck my toe in the
water to see how cold it was.  I glanced over at my uncle only to find that
he was videoing me with his camcorder.  Placing my hands on the bare cheeks
of my bottom, I glanced down at my pussy, a bit embarrassed to be filmed
like this, wondering if I should cover up.  I did think it was a bit weird
for him to be filming me - his own niece - half naked like this, but Sachi
didn't seem concerned at all, so maybe it wasn't that strange.  I guess he
just wanted to record the moment for their family album, but to tell you
the truth, being filmed wasn't making it any easier to calm down.

   I turned back to Hideki to see what he was doing.  He quickly turned
away from me, and skipped a stone across the surface of the pond, but
clearly, he'd been staring at my bare bottom.  I did feel a bit strange
receiving so much attention from the two of them, but I'd come this far. 
Still self-conscious, I reached inside my sweatshirt from below, and pulled
my other arm in getting ready to lift the shirt off.  Almost without
realizing it, I arched my back to accent my bottom and breasts as I lifted
the shirt over my head and off.  I looked even sillier with just my bra on,
so I quickly took it off, and placed it on a rock with the rest of my
clothes.  I was stark naked now in front of the three of them, and boy did
it feel strange!

   "Hideki, aren't you going to come in?" I taunted as I made my way down
to the water's edge.  It seems my show of bravery had shocked him out of
his stupor, and he quickly peeled off his clothes to join me.  My uncle was
right about one thing - the water was cool and refreshing.

   Within a minute or two, Hideki was aked, and followed me in, splashing
me from behind.  I splashed him back, giggling, happy I guess to be doing
something that seemed so playful and innocent after the tension of
stripping in front of them.  I kept backing up to get away from Hideki's
splashing, but soon he was almost splashing his mom, so she motioned for us
to stop.  So as not to bother her, we moved off to the side and into the
deeper water where you could swim.

   The water nearest the falls was quite deep indeed, so I began to wonder
if I could go up the cliff side, and make a dive from above.  I climbed out
of the pond onto the bank near where my uncle was sitting, but the cliff
was too sheer on that side to climb up.  I looked across the pond to the
other side, and there seemed to be some flat stones that led to a trail up
the cliff side.  I was shivering a bit from the cool air after my dip, but
rather than go back into the water, I walked along the pebbly shore towards
my uncle intending to walk all the way around the pond.  My uncle - never
the shy one - pointed his camcorder right at me, as I walked up to him
dripping wet and naked.

   "Uncle!" I squealed, a bit embarrassed to be filmed from so close up. 
He just laughed though, obviously delighted that I felt confident enough to
show them my body.  I'd been swimming a lot in Oceanview, and so was
actually pretty proud of how I looked at that time - slender waist,
washboard stomach, firm calves and hips.  I dabbed my fingers at my
sensitive nipples which were shining pink in the strange jungle light.  My
pussy was tingling too, but I didn't dare touch it with all of them looking
on.

   After I passed him, my uncle turned to video me my rear end as well, so
I gave my booty a little shake just to tease him.

   "Uncle, stop it!" I giggled pretending to object.  He just laughed
though aware that I was just teasing.  Hideki was staring still trying to
wrap his mind around what a brazen little hussy I was, but his mom didn't
seem to mind.  She just smiled, as I made my way to the path, and then
disappeared up the trail.

   "Hey!  Where are you going?" Hideki shouted after me.

   "I want to see if there is a place you can dive off from," I said,
turning to explain.  The slope was quite sheer, but there was a sort of
zigzag path leading up the side of the cliff.  I kept slipping in the mud,
but I slowly managed to make my way up to a diving platform of sorts higher
up the cliff.  By the time I got there though, something was going on down
below.  Uncle Yuuzou was rushing to put his clothes back on, and Sachie had
gotten out of the water to get dressed as well.  I scanned the valley
trying to figure out what was going on until finally I saw them.  It was a
group of four or five hikers coming down the valley this way - one youngish
man and a group of middle-aged ladies.

   I looked down at my naked body, a bit worried.  Now what do I do?  I
guess I could just hide somewhere until they move along, but who knows how
long that might be.  I couldn't see Hideki, but he too must have gotten out
of the water to get dressed.  What on earth am I doing up here - buck naked
- anyway?

   My uncle was all dressed by then, but rather than gathering up my
clothes and bringing them to me, he continued to point the video camera up
at me watching to see what I would do.  Their whole family is like that I
swear.  Every time I get myself in a fix like this, instead of doing
something to help me, they all just sit back, and watch, almost as if they
enjoy seeing me embarrassed.  I guess Namie helps me sometimes, but
unfortunately, she isn't here today.

   Anyway, I backed away from the edge of the jump-off trying to keep out
of sight as the hikers came up to the pond.  Over the roar of the falls, I
could vaguely hear what sounded like my uncle greeting the hikers.  Oh come
on, guys.  This isn't funny!  Bring me up my clothes!

   I put my hand between my breasts, listening to my heart beat.  I was
terribly worried that the hikers might come up the same path I did because
it did seem to lead upward deeper into the park.  Aftr I'd been standing
there shivering and naked for what seemed like an eternity, I heard the
rustling of bushes as if someone was coming up this way.  I braced myself
for the worst, but luckily, it turned out to be my aunt with my clothes. 
She motioned for me to stay quiet because the hikers were still there, but
she finally handed me my hoodie, so I could get back dressed.

   Once I was all dressed again, we climbed back down the cliff.  Hideki
had this smirk on his face, clearly having enjoyed seeing me squirm.  My
uncle was still chatting away with the hikers.  Anyway, they eventually
moved on, but none of us felt like skinny-dipping anymore, so we headed out
on the long hike back to the car.  On the ride home, everyone was pretty
quiet, perhaps mulling over our little adventure there.

   Of course, I didn't tell my mom or sister about what happened.  I don't
think Sachie told my mom either.  Eventually, my vacation ran out, and I
headed back to the U.S.  to my life in Oceanview in California.

   I think the next time I saw them all was that New Year's when I headed
back to Japan for another visit.  My uncle and aunt hosted a big holiday
celebration at their house.  My mom and dad were there, my sister Norika
and her British boyfriend Evan, Namie and Ryoichi, and also this
businessman Mr.  Kato and his wife who were neighbors of Uncle Yuuzou's. 
We were all spread out across their living room in little groups chatting.
I was sitting on the sofa with Namie listening to her talk about her job
and married life.  I was so wrapped up in our conversation that honestly I
didn't realize what was happening until it was too late.

   How I think it started was Aunt Sachie set up a laptop on one of the
side tables, and was showing videos of their travels to various places.  I
thought she'd said something about them going to Vietnam or Indonesia, and
so I wasn't too surprised when the video showed what looked to be a jungle.
I turned back to Namie, and started telling her about Oceanview, not really
paying attention to the videos.

   As we talked though, I heard the sound of splashing water, and Hideki
laughing.  I turned to look at the screen, and suddenly, recognized that
this wasn't some jungle in southeast Asia, but rather the falls we'd
visited in the summer!  On the screen, there was Hideki running in after me
naked, and then, a few moments later me getting out of the water - buck
naked - and walking straight towards the camera!

   I looked around the room.  Up until then, everyone had been focused on
their various conversations, but now with me there naked on the computer
screen, people were turning to watch.  My aunt rushed in from the other
room, apparently finally realizing what video it was.

   "Oh my!" she exclaimed, embarrassed.  There were a few shots of my aunt
naked as well, so I'm pretty sure this was all a mistake.  Now everyone
looked over at the computer screen as it showed me walk up to my uncle, and
then pass him shaking my bare booty as I walked away.  Mr.  Kato and
Ryoichi and especially Evan were all wondering why on earth I was naked.

   "Oh I didn't mean to show this," Sachi rushed to explain.  "This is from
our trip to Mount Takao with Emi last summer."

   "What are you doing?" Ryoichi asked, staring right at me, obviously
pretty shocked.  I covered my mouth.  My face was getting all hot. 
Luckily, in the video, I disappeared into the jungle, and my uncle's camera
panned back to the falls, but I'm pretty sure they all saw me naked.

   "There didn't seem to be anyone around, so we went in skinny-dipping,"
my aunt went on.  She glared at the laptop trying to figure out how to stop
the video.  Unfortunately, Sachi isn't very good with computers, and she
couldn't get the mouse working.  I was hoping someone would help, but
Hideki just sat there with this goofy grin on his face.  Sachi looked over
at me apologetically, but she clearly had no idea how to stop the video.  I
wasn't really sure how their laptop works either.

   In the video, I finally reappeared at the top of the cliff still naked
as my uncle oomed in on me.  The Katos and my whole family were all
watching now in shock as I pranced around in my bare scuddy.  Let me tell
you - I was so embarrassed!  I know that my aunt didn't mean for this to
happen, but how on earth could she not realize which video this was?

   After that segment finished, the room went silent.  Ryoichi and Evan
peered over at me, I guess comparing the naked me with the real life me.  I
did my best to smile, and pretend it was no big deal, but I felt so
embarrassed - honestly.  Even after we moved to the dining room to eat
supper, I could feel all of them staring at me.  I looked to Namie for
support, but she was annoyed at me because Ryoichi seemed so excited to see
me naked.  I wasn't the one who put that video on though!  How is this my
fault?

   After supper on our way home, my mom kept lecturing me on how I
shouldn't have gone skinny-dipping.  My dad didn't say much.  He knows how
Sachi is I guess, and could imagine how it had started.  One good thing to
come out of this was it did sort of make my mom more aware of the kind of
stuff I get up to, so maybe next time, she won't be so shocked.

   Emi Tsuruta
/~emitsuruta/