Chapter 3 Lost Luggage and Cramped Legs
*Thoughts*
{Japanese}
As the four was putting the assorted luggage in the car Akane stared at it and tried to remember what she was looking for. Then it clicked "Ranma, where is P-Chan?"
"What's a P-Chan" Kate questioned praying her sister was thinking too deeply to be listening.
"P-Chan is my pet pig. He's so cute! I brought him with me so I wouldn't get lonely and I think I left him inside." Akane yelled as she ran back into the airport.
{Akane, I am sure the little oinker is just fine!!} Ranma yelled as he chased after Akane.
"Pet Pig?" Jennifer looked at her sister, "please tell me she did NOT say pet pig."
Kate just nodded somewhat dumbfounded "I am sure this is just a huge coincidence I mean it does just mean pig cute right so that could be a common name. Right??" She said somewhat unsure herself.
"Uh, lets forget that for now and worry about how mom's going to react to a pig in the house." Jennifer stated feeling more and more confused by the minute, "We'd better go see if they need any help." And went back into the airport with Kate following behind her.
Coming in from the bright Kansas sun made them sun blind when they walked into the darker interior of the airport, unfortunately it didn't affect their hearing. All either of the girls could do was blink rapidly to see what was going on.
{WHAT DO YOU MEAN HE GOT SHIPPED TO THE BAHAMAS??} Akane yelled at the obviously frightened desk clerk. She was so angry she was starting to cry and the tears in her eyes made her even more furious. *How could they lose my P-Chan? I double-checked his tag myself*
{Akane, will ya calm down they don't understand a word your yelling at 'em} Ranma said grabbing her shoulder and looking behind him to see the two American girls just gawking at the scene in front of them. "Maybe one of you two could help?" Ranma suggested. *I would have asked the older of the two but I don't know which one that is*
Having adjusted to the light in the building both girls had been both shocked and somewhat frightened at the fact that Akane had been pounding on the counter and screaming in Japanese. Jennifer recovering more quickly than Kate blinked at Ranma's statement and walked up to the counter where Ranma stepped aside to give her room.
"Excuse me sir, but could you please tell me what happened to my friend's pet?" She asked as politely as possible to the very confused and frightened man. Jennifer could see why he was frightened as she stood next to a very upset Akane who was trying very hard to calm down. The counter she had been pounding on had cracks and fist imprints that were well over a quarter of an inch deep.
"Y-yes Ma'am, the animal was sent to the Bahamas as the tag on its cage said but when no one picked it up it was sent back to the return address in Japan." The man looked pleadingly at Jennifer hoping that answer would be enough to get the crazy Asian girl away from him.
"Thank you very much." Turning to Akane, Jennifer did what she thought was best and grabbed Akane's shoulders turned her around and walked her out the door with Ranma and Kate trailing behind. Akane being so surprised at the girl's forceful action went along.
When the got back outside Jennifer sat down on the nearest bench and sighed heavily. "Akane, I know your new here but-" she stopped at that point because the look on her sister's face screamed PLEASE DON'T SAY ANYTHING ABOUT WHAT JUST HAPPENED, "but, um... Look you pig got sent back to Japan to the return address on the carrier. That can only mean that it was sent back to your family and should be safe. Your can make sure when you call your parents tonight and tell them you made the trip safely. In the meantime, we should pick up some food and get out of here I do not want to deal with rush hour traffic." And with that she got up and went to her car.
Kate being somewhat weary of the two foreigners beside her hurried to catch up with her sister, "Hey Jen, I take it this means we're aren't stopping at the Barnes and Nobles for Frappachino?"
"Do you really want to be hyper with one maybe two somewhat insane people sitting in the backseat?"
"Eh, I guess not." Kate pouted as she got into the car. *We only get into Wichita once every few months and it's the closet place to get frappachinos*
Both Akane and Ranma were totally embarrassed by what had just happened. The fact that both had excellent hearing and could hear and understand what the two girls had just said made them feel worse.
Akane turned her anger from herself to Ranma {Ranma, if you had ANYTHING to do with P-Chan's destination change I am so gonna hurt you}
Ranma flinched but for once said nothing as he opened the door for her. He didn't know how to fix the situation and the fact that he had created it was worse. When he had changed the porker's destination he hadn't counted on how tired Akane would be once they got to where they were going. She couldn't sleep on either of the planes like he had been able to and was extremely tired. He also knew that if she had not been that tired she wouldn't have made such a scene. As he got into the car himself he decided they would forgive them if they tried really really hard to be polite. Since he was lost in his own thoughts he didn't hear what Kate had said to him until Akane elbowed him.
"I am sorry what did you say?" Akane asked politely trying to repair the horrible impression she had just made.
"I asked what y'all like to eat." Kate said as she twisted in her seat to look at the two as they looked at her blankly. Rolling her eyes she said, "you know like McDonald's, Burger King, Taco Bell. Fast food that you can eat while you drive."
"Oh well, McDonald's will be fine." Akane said looking for her purse to get some money. "Do you know how much it'll be?"
"Well that will depend on what you get," Kate turning to face forward to watch the traffic as her sister weaved in and out of it on the interstate "and besides we are paying for you so don't worry about it."
"You don't have to – "
"Thank you both, you are very generous." Ranma interrupted Akane {besides you and I both know that we don't know how to count their money very well.}
Akane nodded in agreement with Ranma and then realized how polite he had been for the last few minutes *he is acting weird he must be as tired as I am*
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After about an hour on the road Akane gave in to exhaustion and fell asleep. Ranma having nothing else to do did the same. While sleeping they both slumped to side leaning on each other and using each other for pillows.
Meanwhile Kate and Jennifer conversed quietly.
"I am never offering to feed that boy again." Jennifer glanced at her sister, "I mean he's got a bigger appetite than the most of the boys combined"
"Well he sure could put away that's a fact." Kate stared out the window. It was getting dark and she knew her sister didn't like driving in the dark "do you want me to drive?"
"No, I'll be alright. Besides were stopping here quickly to stretch our legs. I am sure Akane and Ranma need some fresh air and a good stretch."
"Hey Jen, you don't think they are playing a joke on us do you?" Kate looked at her waiting for an answer.
"Kate, I honestly don't know what to think right now. I mean you can see in their eyes that there not lying but at the same time its just too weird. I mean honestly, either it is a trick or just a HUGE coincidence, we'll watch them for a while." Jennifer looked at her sister, "what I want to know is how Akane was able to crack and put and indention into the counter at the airport."
"She did that? Whoa, talk about strong. I wouldn't want to be hit by her." Kate watched the signs by the road, "the next town is coming up should I wake them up or wait till we stop?"
"Wake them up now so they can be awake when we get there. That way they have about five minutes to remember where they are and how to speak English."
Kate turned and shook Ranma lightly on the shoulder "hey time to wake up". The foreign language and the fact that the first thing he saw was Akane's head on his shoulder startled Ranma so bad that he jumped back as far as the vehicle allowed and in the process woke Akane up who also yelped and jumped at Ranma's sudden movement and shriek of surprise. Having both of the passengers jump so violently at Kate barely touching them made her jump back and yell in surprise. The sudden movement of everyone in the car startled Jennifer enough that she swerved and barely avoided a head on collision with a semi truck. Jennifer quickly got the car back under control and pulled over to the side so that she could calm down from the scare the near accident had given her before she continued on to the town.
"Is every one alright?" Jennifer rasped as she tried to calm down. She hated being that scared and the fact she had almost gotten them all killed shook her very soul. She looked in the rear view mirror and saw the two teenagers simply nodding. She turned to her sister who just looked back at the other passengers. She took some deep breaths and pulled back on to the highway. Within minutes, they were in town and Jennifer stopped at the first convenience store she came across.
"Alright we're stopping here for a minute or two so you might want to get out and stretch. If you want anything to drink or something to munch on just tell us." Jennifer stopped the car and went inside.
"Hey are you two really alright? I didn't mean to scare you so bad." Kate questioned as she got out of the car.
"Scare? I don't get scared you just startled me that's all." Ranma scratched the back of his head while he said these. Kate looked at him in pure disbelief and went inside the store.
"Ouch!!" Ranma winced as he got out of the small car. His muscles were incredible sore from sitting all this time.
{Ranma, are you okay?} Akane as she stretched her legs up against the car. She knew it wasn't quite appropriate considering her skirt but she was afraid that if she didn't her legs would fall off.
{Sure, I am just not used to sitting so long. I mean even when Pop and I went to China we swam so we were constantly moving not all this sitting junk.} Ranma stretched his legs one at time straight up into the air and was bending backwards to touch the ground when Jennifer and Kate stepped out side and gawked at both him and Akane stretching in ways that most people find incredibly difficult.
"Did I mention that we are both into martial arts?" Ranma stated staring at the two surprised and incredibly impressed girls from his upside down viewpoint. He then turned his head and accidentally looked up Akane's skirt and as usual she caught him at that exact moment.
Akane's anger and instinct kicked in as she slammed Ranma into the ground yelling {RANMA YOU PERVERT!!!} then she preceded to walk into the store.
Both American girls blinked as they recognized on word in the sentence that Akane had screamed as she pounded Ranma. "Hey are you okay Ranma?" Jennifer asked as she offered her hand so that he could get up. Although not needing the offered hand Ranma took it and she helped him up.
"Yeah, fine. You get used to it." He said brushing the dirt off his clothes.
"You mean you get used to being called a Pervert? That is what that word means right? Hentai means Pervert right?" Kate asked dryly.
"How did you know that?" Ranma was surprised that they would know any Japanese let alone that particular word.
"Oh, lets just say you pick things here and there." Kate said as she watched her sister go inside in search for Akane.
Jennifer entered the store not knowing how to deal with Akane. She was slightly afraid of the strength in the girl but was pretty sure that Akane wouldn't hurt her. But what was bothering her most is how closely these two people were acting to the characters in one of her favorite Animes. What she wanted to know is if this was just a huge joke or if they really treated each other that way. Her thoughts were interrupted as she spotted Akane in the candy section of the store.
"Uh, hey Akane are you okay?" Jennifer looked at the candy and picked up some Crispy M&M's.
"Yes, of course. I must apologize. Ranma makes me so angry sometimes. Especially when he acts like a pervert. I mean who does he think he is looking up my skirt like that?" Akane fumed quietly.
"Um, you might not want to hear this but I think it was an accident. I mean you were stretching your legs and I don't think he looked intentionally." Jennifer said quietly praying she wouldn't add fuel to the girl's temper. When a person has no hand-to-hand combat training and lack of weapons then they really should avoid angering people who have the ability to crack counters.
"Maybe your right." Akane said, totally embarrassed at her behavior. She and Ranma had not even been there for a day and already freaking people out. She could tell that both sisters were weary of her. How could she tell them how tired she was and that she usually isn't like this at all?
Jennifer took a deep breath, glad the girl understood. "Well let's pay for this stuff and get out of here. What do you think?"
"That would be great" Akane smiled and knew everything would be all right when the other girl smiled back. They headed out to the car and go on with the drive.
As the four was putting the assorted luggage in the car Akane stared at it and tried to remember what she was looking for. Then it clicked "Ranma, where is P-Chan?"
"What's a P-Chan" Kate questioned praying her sister was thinking too deeply to be listening.
"P-Chan is my pet pig. He's so cute! I brought him with me so I wouldn't get lonely and I think I left him inside." Akane yelled as she ran back into the airport.
{Akane, I am sure the little oinker is just fine!!} Ranma yelled as he chased after Akane.
"Pet Pig?" Jennifer looked at her sister, "please tell me she did NOT say pet pig."
Kate just nodded somewhat dumbfounded "I am sure this is just a huge coincidence I mean it does just mean pig cute right so that could be a common name. Right??" She said somewhat unsure herself.
"Uh, lets forget that for now and worry about how mom's going to react to a pig in the house." Jennifer stated feeling more and more confused by the minute, "We'd better go see if they need any help." And went back into the airport with Kate following behind her.
Coming in from the bright Kansas sun made them sun blind when they walked into the darker interior of the airport, unfortunately it didn't affect their hearing. All either of the girls could do was blink rapidly to see what was going on.
{WHAT DO YOU MEAN HE GOT SHIPPED TO THE BAHAMAS??} Akane yelled at the obviously frightened desk clerk. She was so angry she was starting to cry and the tears in her eyes made her even more furious. *How could they lose my P-Chan? I double-checked his tag myself*
{Akane, will ya calm down they don't understand a word your yelling at 'em} Ranma said grabbing her shoulder and looking behind him to see the two American girls just gawking at the scene in front of them. "Maybe one of you two could help?" Ranma suggested. *I would have asked the older of the two but I don't know which one that is*
Having adjusted to the light in the building both girls had been both shocked and somewhat frightened at the fact that Akane had been pounding on the counter and screaming in Japanese. Jennifer recovering more quickly than Kate blinked at Ranma's statement and walked up to the counter where Ranma stepped aside to give her room.
"Excuse me sir, but could you please tell me what happened to my friend's pet?" She asked as politely as possible to the very confused and frightened man. Jennifer could see why he was frightened as she stood next to a very upset Akane who was trying very hard to calm down. The counter she had been pounding on had cracks and fist imprints that were well over a quarter of an inch deep.
"Y-yes Ma'am, the animal was sent to the Bahamas as the tag on its cage said but when no one picked it up it was sent back to the return address in Japan." The man looked pleadingly at Jennifer hoping that answer would be enough to get the crazy Asian girl away from him.
"Thank you very much." Turning to Akane, Jennifer did what she thought was best and grabbed Akane's shoulders turned her around and walked her out the door with Ranma and Kate trailing behind. Akane being so surprised at the girl's forceful action went along.
When the got back outside Jennifer sat down on the nearest bench and sighed heavily. "Akane, I know your new here but-" she stopped at that point because the look on her sister's face screamed PLEASE DON'T SAY ANYTHING ABOUT WHAT JUST HAPPENED, "but, um... Look you pig got sent back to Japan to the return address on the carrier. That can only mean that it was sent back to your family and should be safe. Your can make sure when you call your parents tonight and tell them you made the trip safely. In the meantime, we should pick up some food and get out of here I do not want to deal with rush hour traffic." And with that she got up and went to her car.
Kate being somewhat weary of the two foreigners beside her hurried to catch up with her sister, "Hey Jen, I take it this means we're aren't stopping at the Barnes and Nobles for Frappachino?"
"Do you really want to be hyper with one maybe two somewhat insane people sitting in the backseat?"
"Eh, I guess not." Kate pouted as she got into the car. *We only get into Wichita once every few months and it's the closet place to get frappachinos*
Both Akane and Ranma were totally embarrassed by what had just happened. The fact that both had excellent hearing and could hear and understand what the two girls had just said made them feel worse.
Akane turned her anger from herself to Ranma {Ranma, if you had ANYTHING to do with P-Chan's destination change I am so gonna hurt you}
Ranma flinched but for once said nothing as he opened the door for her. He didn't know how to fix the situation and the fact that he had created it was worse. When he had changed the porker's destination he hadn't counted on how tired Akane would be once they got to where they were going. She couldn't sleep on either of the planes like he had been able to and was extremely tired. He also knew that if she had not been that tired she wouldn't have made such a scene. As he got into the car himself he decided they would forgive them if they tried really really hard to be polite. Since he was lost in his own thoughts he didn't hear what Kate had said to him until Akane elbowed him.
"I am sorry what did you say?" Akane asked politely trying to repair the horrible impression she had just made.
"I asked what y'all like to eat." Kate said as she twisted in her seat to look at the two as they looked at her blankly. Rolling her eyes she said, "you know like McDonald's, Burger King, Taco Bell. Fast food that you can eat while you drive."
"Oh well, McDonald's will be fine." Akane said looking for her purse to get some money. "Do you know how much it'll be?"
"Well that will depend on what you get," Kate turning to face forward to watch the traffic as her sister weaved in and out of it on the interstate "and besides we are paying for you so don't worry about it."
"You don't have to – "
"Thank you both, you are very generous." Ranma interrupted Akane {besides you and I both know that we don't know how to count their money very well.}
Akane nodded in agreement with Ranma and then realized how polite he had been for the last few minutes *he is acting weird he must be as tired as I am*
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After about an hour on the road Akane gave in to exhaustion and fell asleep. Ranma having nothing else to do did the same. While sleeping they both slumped to side leaning on each other and using each other for pillows.
Meanwhile Kate and Jennifer conversed quietly.
"I am never offering to feed that boy again." Jennifer glanced at her sister, "I mean he's got a bigger appetite than the most of the boys combined"
"Well he sure could put away that's a fact." Kate stared out the window. It was getting dark and she knew her sister didn't like driving in the dark "do you want me to drive?"
"No, I'll be alright. Besides were stopping here quickly to stretch our legs. I am sure Akane and Ranma need some fresh air and a good stretch."
"Hey Jen, you don't think they are playing a joke on us do you?" Kate looked at her waiting for an answer.
"Kate, I honestly don't know what to think right now. I mean you can see in their eyes that there not lying but at the same time its just too weird. I mean honestly, either it is a trick or just a HUGE coincidence, we'll watch them for a while." Jennifer looked at her sister, "what I want to know is how Akane was able to crack and put and indention into the counter at the airport."
"She did that? Whoa, talk about strong. I wouldn't want to be hit by her." Kate watched the signs by the road, "the next town is coming up should I wake them up or wait till we stop?"
"Wake them up now so they can be awake when we get there. That way they have about five minutes to remember where they are and how to speak English."
Kate turned and shook Ranma lightly on the shoulder "hey time to wake up". The foreign language and the fact that the first thing he saw was Akane's head on his shoulder startled Ranma so bad that he jumped back as far as the vehicle allowed and in the process woke Akane up who also yelped and jumped at Ranma's sudden movement and shriek of surprise. Having both of the passengers jump so violently at Kate barely touching them made her jump back and yell in surprise. The sudden movement of everyone in the car startled Jennifer enough that she swerved and barely avoided a head on collision with a semi truck. Jennifer quickly got the car back under control and pulled over to the side so that she could calm down from the scare the near accident had given her before she continued on to the town.
"Is every one alright?" Jennifer rasped as she tried to calm down. She hated being that scared and the fact she had almost gotten them all killed shook her very soul. She looked in the rear view mirror and saw the two teenagers simply nodding. She turned to her sister who just looked back at the other passengers. She took some deep breaths and pulled back on to the highway. Within minutes, they were in town and Jennifer stopped at the first convenience store she came across.
"Alright we're stopping here for a minute or two so you might want to get out and stretch. If you want anything to drink or something to munch on just tell us." Jennifer stopped the car and went inside.
"Hey are you two really alright? I didn't mean to scare you so bad." Kate questioned as she got out of the car.
"Scare? I don't get scared you just startled me that's all." Ranma scratched the back of his head while he said these. Kate looked at him in pure disbelief and went inside the store.
"Ouch!!" Ranma winced as he got out of the small car. His muscles were incredible sore from sitting all this time.
{Ranma, are you okay?} Akane as she stretched her legs up against the car. She knew it wasn't quite appropriate considering her skirt but she was afraid that if she didn't her legs would fall off.
{Sure, I am just not used to sitting so long. I mean even when Pop and I went to China we swam so we were constantly moving not all this sitting junk.} Ranma stretched his legs one at time straight up into the air and was bending backwards to touch the ground when Jennifer and Kate stepped out side and gawked at both him and Akane stretching in ways that most people find incredibly difficult.
"Did I mention that we are both into martial arts?" Ranma stated staring at the two surprised and incredibly impressed girls from his upside down viewpoint. He then turned his head and accidentally looked up Akane's skirt and as usual she caught him at that exact moment.
Akane's anger and instinct kicked in as she slammed Ranma into the ground yelling {RANMA YOU PERVERT!!!} then she preceded to walk into the store.
Both American girls blinked as they recognized on word in the sentence that Akane had screamed as she pounded Ranma. "Hey are you okay Ranma?" Jennifer asked as she offered her hand so that he could get up. Although not needing the offered hand Ranma took it and she helped him up.
"Yeah, fine. You get used to it." He said brushing the dirt off his clothes.
"You mean you get used to being called a Pervert? That is what that word means right? Hentai means Pervert right?" Kate asked dryly.
"How did you know that?" Ranma was surprised that they would know any Japanese let alone that particular word.
"Oh, lets just say you pick things here and there." Kate said as she watched her sister go inside in search for Akane.
Jennifer entered the store not knowing how to deal with Akane. She was slightly afraid of the strength in the girl but was pretty sure that Akane wouldn't hurt her. But what was bothering her most is how closely these two people were acting to the characters in one of her favorite Animes. What she wanted to know is if this was just a huge joke or if they really treated each other that way. Her thoughts were interrupted as she spotted Akane in the candy section of the store.
"Uh, hey Akane are you okay?" Jennifer looked at the candy and picked up some Crispy M&M's.
"Yes, of course. I must apologize. Ranma makes me so angry sometimes. Especially when he acts like a pervert. I mean who does he think he is looking up my skirt like that?" Akane fumed quietly.
"Um, you might not want to hear this but I think it was an accident. I mean you were stretching your legs and I don't think he looked intentionally." Jennifer said quietly praying she wouldn't add fuel to the girl's temper. When a person has no hand-to-hand combat training and lack of weapons then they really should avoid angering people who have the ability to crack counters.
"Maybe your right." Akane said, totally embarrassed at her behavior. She and Ranma had not even been there for a day and already freaking people out. She could tell that both sisters were weary of her. How could she tell them how tired she was and that she usually isn't like this at all?
Jennifer took a deep breath, glad the girl understood. "Well let's pay for this stuff and get out of here. What do you think?"
"That would be great" Akane smiled and knew everything would be all right when the other girl smiled back. They headed out to the car and go on with the drive.