Chapter 1 Preparations
*Thoughts*
-Tendo Dojo, Nerima, Japan-
"I am so happy for you Akane!!!" Kasumi exclaimed as she prepared dinner.
"Kasumi, it's so exciting and terrifying at the same time. I mean I've never been to another country before and to live there for a year? That is a long time to be away from home." Akane looked worriedly at the letter in her hands.
"Not to mention Ranma." Nabiki sneaked a peek at the letter in Akane's hand, "Promise to bring me some American money for my souvenir."
"I am not really sure if I'll accept the offer, Nabiki. With all that's going on here, how could I leave you, Kasumi and dad?"
"Exactly what kind of offer did you get this time, 'kane?" Ramna coming in from the dojo went straight to the refrigerator to look for food. "You aren't gonna try and get married again are you?"
"Not that you would care, Ranma." Akane glared at him, crossing her arms and rereading the letter.
"Akane has been asked to be a foreign exchange student to the United States. You should be proud of her Ranma."
Ranma winced at the slight disapproving sound in Kasumi's voice "Exchange student, huh? Sounds like fun. How long would you have to be there?"
"A year but I am sure you won't notice that I am gone with Shampoo and Ukyo hanging around."
"You know it ain't like that, Akane" Ranma growled
"I am sure that Akane would have a grand time in America. Especially if you take P-Chan." Nabiki gave a sly look to Ranma as she said this.
*Oh kami!! Does she know about Ryoga? * Nabiki just laughed at the confused and slightly horrified look on Ranma's face.
"That's a great idea, Nabiki!! Then I won't feel so homesick!! I'd better go tell dad so that he can sign all the papers!!" Akane rushed out of the room in search for the Tendo patriarch.
"Hey Nabiki, can I talk to you about P-Chan?"
"Sorry Ranma got an important meeting. I am sure we can talk about it later. Maybe when the little piggy finds his way home again." Nabiki laughed as she left the house leaving a very confused Ranma behind.
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"Well Akane, I am glad that were you were asked such a wonderful honor but I am not sure I want you in a strange country by yourself and with no family near you" Soun said reading the letter for a fifth time.
"But father, it might be a good learning experience for Akane. And she is good at making friends." Kasumi stated as she gave Genma and Ranma second helpings.
"That is true Kasumi dear," Genma said between bites of rice, "it would be a great for both of them."
"Both of them?" Akane questioned stopping between bites.
"Why Saotome!! What a great idea. I consent to this trip only if you take Ranma along with you." Soun said happily, "That way I won't have to worry about my little girl and you two will be together and he will keep you safe."
"Dad, I can take of my self and besides-"
"Besides I don't know English Mr. Tendo so I definitely can't go to America." Ranma explained as he ate his dinner, "and beside who would want to spend a year with a bunch of strange foreigners with a tomboy like that."
"Ranma...." Akane's anger immediately flared all the while Ranma was totally oblivious.
"Ranma, you have no choice in the matter. You are going to America with Akane and that is final." Genma nodded his head
"Besides Ranma, its your responsibility to keep Akane safe." Kasumi stated ignoring the anger in the younger teens eyes *and maybe they can learn to get along better when they are there*
Ranma ducked his head at this "I guess your right Kasumi..."
"BUT I DON'T NEED TO BE PROTECTED"
"Its settled then. Nabiki could you please arrange for the ticket for Ranma?"
"Of course daddy, Akane are you going to want to take that pig of yours? That probably won't be covered by the exchange program."
"If I am going that pig is not." Ranma stated as he immediately got hit with whatever Akane had handy at the time.
"Yes Nabiki, it would be great if you could arrange for P-Chan too"
"Oh this is going to be so wonderful for you two!!" Kasumi smiled happily.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------- Talen Residence, Kansas, United States
"Um, Mom, you didn't really apply to be a foreign exchange student's sponsor did you??" Jennifer the oldest of the three Talen children questioned as she read the letter.
"Foreign Exchange Student, oh how cool will that be!!" Libbie squealed. Libbie was one of the close friends of the Talen children and was at their house almost as much as she was at home.
"Libs, that was my ear. Mom answer the question" Jennifer glared at Libbie
"Well, I didn't think they would actually approve us I mean it was just a spur of the moment type of thing." Jane Talen stated as she put away the weeks groceries.
"Mom, maybe you should think twice the next time you decide to do something like this. Your spur of the moment thing just changed our lives for the next year." Jennifer handed the letter to her mother.
"Oh shit. We actually got approved and they are sending a girl from Japan. It says she'll be arriving next month." Jane sat down in the nearest chair.
"Japan!!! I always wanted to meet someone from Japan!!!" Libbie started jumping up and down excitedly.
"Libbie, calm down or I'll be forced to get you a towel for the drool that is coming out of your mouth. Besides, the only reason you are obsessed with Japan is because you watch too much Anime."
"You watch just as much as I do." Libbie pouted
"True but I don't attempt to examine anyone who might remotely be from Japan."
"Hey Y'all!!" The second oldest Talen child walked through the door followed by his best friends Zach and Ben. He then immediately went over and kissed Libbie on the lips "hey love, whacha up to?" "Jon, your never going to believe what mom did this time." Jennifer started to explain just as their younger sister walked through the door, "Hey Kate, you're going to want to hear this too."
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"So it's decided then?" Jon asked the rest of his family.
"Yep, Akane will stay in Jennifer's room since she has the biggest room in the house." Jane stated, happy that she had gotten the bedding arrangements prepared.
"Mom, you didn't just say her name was Akane did you?" Jennifer asked nervously.
"Eh? Yeah, why?"
"Oh nothing. Just strange that's all." Jennifer said quietly
"Hey Jen, I think you have been watching too much Anime. I mean the name might be very popular in Japan." Kate said obviously slightly worried that her sister spent way too much time at home in front of the T.V. and computer.
"Yeah, I know. But every time that I will talk to her I'll think of that show."
"Besides Jen, you don't actually think that it could be the "real" Akane I mean its just a cartoon, right?" Jon laughed as he left the room.
"Yeah, just a cartoon. But I am getting a strange feeling about this situation."
Pointedly ignoring her sister's crazy train of thought "Hey Mom, when do we pick her up any way?"
"Next week, she comes in on the 2:30 p.m. Flight. I have to work that afternoon so Jen will you go up to Wichita to pick her up?"
"Sure mom."
"I want to come" Kate stated
"Sure I need the company on the drive up there anyway"
A/N: Lets give you all some background information on the Talen family. There are 3 children: Jennifer 20, Jonathan, 18 and Katherine, 15. They live in a moderately sized town in Kansas with their widowed mother, Jane. They have a few closely-knit friends: Ben, 18, Zach, 18, Libbie, 16, Chris, 16 and many others who often hang around their house. This is my first fic. It will be a little strange but I hope you all enjoy this small piece of insanity. Oh and in case you are wondering the people in Kansas are based on my family but the names have been changed. Enjoy!!
*Thoughts*
-Tendo Dojo, Nerima, Japan-
"I am so happy for you Akane!!!" Kasumi exclaimed as she prepared dinner.
"Kasumi, it's so exciting and terrifying at the same time. I mean I've never been to another country before and to live there for a year? That is a long time to be away from home." Akane looked worriedly at the letter in her hands.
"Not to mention Ranma." Nabiki sneaked a peek at the letter in Akane's hand, "Promise to bring me some American money for my souvenir."
"I am not really sure if I'll accept the offer, Nabiki. With all that's going on here, how could I leave you, Kasumi and dad?"
"Exactly what kind of offer did you get this time, 'kane?" Ramna coming in from the dojo went straight to the refrigerator to look for food. "You aren't gonna try and get married again are you?"
"Not that you would care, Ranma." Akane glared at him, crossing her arms and rereading the letter.
"Akane has been asked to be a foreign exchange student to the United States. You should be proud of her Ranma."
Ranma winced at the slight disapproving sound in Kasumi's voice "Exchange student, huh? Sounds like fun. How long would you have to be there?"
"A year but I am sure you won't notice that I am gone with Shampoo and Ukyo hanging around."
"You know it ain't like that, Akane" Ranma growled
"I am sure that Akane would have a grand time in America. Especially if you take P-Chan." Nabiki gave a sly look to Ranma as she said this.
*Oh kami!! Does she know about Ryoga? * Nabiki just laughed at the confused and slightly horrified look on Ranma's face.
"That's a great idea, Nabiki!! Then I won't feel so homesick!! I'd better go tell dad so that he can sign all the papers!!" Akane rushed out of the room in search for the Tendo patriarch.
"Hey Nabiki, can I talk to you about P-Chan?"
"Sorry Ranma got an important meeting. I am sure we can talk about it later. Maybe when the little piggy finds his way home again." Nabiki laughed as she left the house leaving a very confused Ranma behind.
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"Well Akane, I am glad that were you were asked such a wonderful honor but I am not sure I want you in a strange country by yourself and with no family near you" Soun said reading the letter for a fifth time.
"But father, it might be a good learning experience for Akane. And she is good at making friends." Kasumi stated as she gave Genma and Ranma second helpings.
"That is true Kasumi dear," Genma said between bites of rice, "it would be a great for both of them."
"Both of them?" Akane questioned stopping between bites.
"Why Saotome!! What a great idea. I consent to this trip only if you take Ranma along with you." Soun said happily, "That way I won't have to worry about my little girl and you two will be together and he will keep you safe."
"Dad, I can take of my self and besides-"
"Besides I don't know English Mr. Tendo so I definitely can't go to America." Ranma explained as he ate his dinner, "and beside who would want to spend a year with a bunch of strange foreigners with a tomboy like that."
"Ranma...." Akane's anger immediately flared all the while Ranma was totally oblivious.
"Ranma, you have no choice in the matter. You are going to America with Akane and that is final." Genma nodded his head
"Besides Ranma, its your responsibility to keep Akane safe." Kasumi stated ignoring the anger in the younger teens eyes *and maybe they can learn to get along better when they are there*
Ranma ducked his head at this "I guess your right Kasumi..."
"BUT I DON'T NEED TO BE PROTECTED"
"Its settled then. Nabiki could you please arrange for the ticket for Ranma?"
"Of course daddy, Akane are you going to want to take that pig of yours? That probably won't be covered by the exchange program."
"If I am going that pig is not." Ranma stated as he immediately got hit with whatever Akane had handy at the time.
"Yes Nabiki, it would be great if you could arrange for P-Chan too"
"Oh this is going to be so wonderful for you two!!" Kasumi smiled happily.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------- Talen Residence, Kansas, United States
"Um, Mom, you didn't really apply to be a foreign exchange student's sponsor did you??" Jennifer the oldest of the three Talen children questioned as she read the letter.
"Foreign Exchange Student, oh how cool will that be!!" Libbie squealed. Libbie was one of the close friends of the Talen children and was at their house almost as much as she was at home.
"Libs, that was my ear. Mom answer the question" Jennifer glared at Libbie
"Well, I didn't think they would actually approve us I mean it was just a spur of the moment type of thing." Jane Talen stated as she put away the weeks groceries.
"Mom, maybe you should think twice the next time you decide to do something like this. Your spur of the moment thing just changed our lives for the next year." Jennifer handed the letter to her mother.
"Oh shit. We actually got approved and they are sending a girl from Japan. It says she'll be arriving next month." Jane sat down in the nearest chair.
"Japan!!! I always wanted to meet someone from Japan!!!" Libbie started jumping up and down excitedly.
"Libbie, calm down or I'll be forced to get you a towel for the drool that is coming out of your mouth. Besides, the only reason you are obsessed with Japan is because you watch too much Anime."
"You watch just as much as I do." Libbie pouted
"True but I don't attempt to examine anyone who might remotely be from Japan."
"Hey Y'all!!" The second oldest Talen child walked through the door followed by his best friends Zach and Ben. He then immediately went over and kissed Libbie on the lips "hey love, whacha up to?" "Jon, your never going to believe what mom did this time." Jennifer started to explain just as their younger sister walked through the door, "Hey Kate, you're going to want to hear this too."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
"So it's decided then?" Jon asked the rest of his family.
"Yep, Akane will stay in Jennifer's room since she has the biggest room in the house." Jane stated, happy that she had gotten the bedding arrangements prepared.
"Mom, you didn't just say her name was Akane did you?" Jennifer asked nervously.
"Eh? Yeah, why?"
"Oh nothing. Just strange that's all." Jennifer said quietly
"Hey Jen, I think you have been watching too much Anime. I mean the name might be very popular in Japan." Kate said obviously slightly worried that her sister spent way too much time at home in front of the T.V. and computer.
"Yeah, I know. But every time that I will talk to her I'll think of that show."
"Besides Jen, you don't actually think that it could be the "real" Akane I mean its just a cartoon, right?" Jon laughed as he left the room.
"Yeah, just a cartoon. But I am getting a strange feeling about this situation."
Pointedly ignoring her sister's crazy train of thought "Hey Mom, when do we pick her up any way?"
"Next week, she comes in on the 2:30 p.m. Flight. I have to work that afternoon so Jen will you go up to Wichita to pick her up?"
"Sure mom."
"I want to come" Kate stated
"Sure I need the company on the drive up there anyway"
A/N: Lets give you all some background information on the Talen family. There are 3 children: Jennifer 20, Jonathan, 18 and Katherine, 15. They live in a moderately sized town in Kansas with their widowed mother, Jane. They have a few closely-knit friends: Ben, 18, Zach, 18, Libbie, 16, Chris, 16 and many others who often hang around their house. This is my first fic. It will be a little strange but I hope you all enjoy this small piece of insanity. Oh and in case you are wondering the people in Kansas are based on my family but the names have been changed. Enjoy!!