"Dash, blame Tucker for bringing it up, not me." Danny growled. "Besides, if it weren't for my parents, you wouldn't be wearing that modified Fenton Phone." The Fenton Phones are a set of communication devices made to cancel out ghost noise. Maddie and Jack Fenton had produced and modified a bundle in the previous week in order to act like translators for the students. "At least I get to wail on you in seventeen different languages."
"And what seventeen would those be?" Dash sweated as he turned around to face Jazz. You see, Dash has a crush on Danny's older sister, but because Dash openly bully Danny, Jazz was not interested. Fortunately for him, the school system allowed him to get away with bullying. One day, however, Danny left for the restroom and didn't come back, though he turned up at the Fenton's house all bloodied up. Let's just say that if it weren't for Danny's intervention, Dash would be haunting geeks. "Oh, I mean, I know seventeen different whale calls!"
"Good, I must have heard wrong then." Jazz went up ahead to avoid her parents. 'Why does every girl Danny know have to be so violent...' He took a look at Valerie Gray and Sam Manson. He shuddered at the thought of being beaten up by a ninth-degree blackbelt and a girl who wears steal-toed combat boots. Come to think about it, there were a lot of girls who could beat him up, but the public didn't need to know that. "So where are we going, Fen-Fenburger?"
Danny sighed. "Just because Vlad's all friendly with my parents doesn't mean I know. Besides, I have a feeling he chose a place to his benefit."
"So it's cheap? I knew there was a catch when we rode in first class!"
'Yeah, like the fact my dad was the only one put in coach.' "I didn't say that. I'm just saying he might have chosen a place from one of his business deals."
"Like the Hyatt?" Dash rubbed his chin. "You don't suppose the mini-bar's free?"
"Guys, according to the GPS, we won't be going to the Hyatt or anywhere with mini-bars. It's called the Hinatasou or Hinata Inn." Tucker fiddled with his PDA.
"It's an old-fashioned inn with hot springs founded by Hina Urashima." Sam brought up as she read a pamphlet. "The inn is filled with numerous secret passageways and is believed to have existed over a hundred years. In addition to the inns, the Urashima family also owns several sweets stores, including the one we just passed."
"So we're gonna be served by a bunch of grannies? I should have stayed home..." As they reached the top of the stairs they saw seven beautiful girls greeting them. "...Although I don't think it'll hurt to stay here for a while."
Mr. Lancer walked up to the woman who had not greeted them. "Excuse me, can I speak with the manager?"
The woman looked at him. "Interesting that you speak clearly in Japanese even though your posture suggest you have not even learned it. I am the manager."
Mr. Lancer saw a sign saying "invitation only". "Really? I would have thought you would be older. There should be a reservation for the class of Casper High..."
"Ah, so you're the group Mr. Masters spoke of..." Her eyes glanced over at the students. "And I see he has tricked me. However, a deal is a deal."
Danny heard it. It wasn't surprising that Vlad got his way, but what was the deal the manager agreed to? As the class walked into the inn past every wannabe tenant, Danny couldn't shake the feeling he was being watched...especially from one of the maids.
"That thing's pointless. Fear me." Danny sighed. His dad was currently fiddling around with a third Ghost Gabber, hoping to translate what Japanese ghosts have to say. But that was kind of pointless since Maddie pointed out that the Fenton Phones could be altered and mass-produced for this occasion. Still, Jack was stubborn.
"On the bright side, Danny, Dad didn't modify it to work on people." Jazz was busy reading a psychology book...in Japanese.
"And why are you reading? It's a vacation and in a language we're going to speak. Fear me."
"Because Mom and Dad didn't make a visual translator or any device with that kind of ability. Besides, not all of these books come out in America." Jazz didn't hear a witty response. "Let me guess, you don't know about scanlations, which is a bad habit to pick up by the way."
"Well, um, I wouldn't need them to understand what the story in mangas are. I understand from the pictures. Fear me."
Jazz rolled her eyes. "Anyway, shouldn't you go set up your own room?" Earlier, Mr. Lancer instructed the class that the hotel had enough to accomodate one person per room, though he would like to minimize "costs" if the parents at least stay in the same rooms. He is also okay with students pairing off with each other as long as the pairing wasn't coed. While Jazz thought best to stay with her parents, she had adviced Danny to bunk with Tucker. "Or if it weren't for Mr. Lancer, you could bunk with your girlfriend."
Danny got up, red in the face. "Sam's just a friend. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going out."
"Clueless. Fear me."
If he had ghost powers, he could travel down the hallways invisible and unhalted. Actually, he does, but if he was going to live under the same roof with obsessive parents and an unforgiving ex-girlfriend, the last thing he wanted to do was have ecto-guns go off in the inn. BOOM! Or at least more than there is.
"Huh, that sounds further than where my parents are." Danny shrugged the thought off. The Fentons, known for many things related to ghosthunting, were obviously known for inventing many ghost-related weaponry. It was also common for their inventions to horribly mess up, though ironically it works in the hands of Danny Phantom or just about anyone else. BLURP! "Oh, that sounds more like them."
He yawned. It was getting late. He thought to turn back to his room, but something pressing at the back of his neck stopped him. He knew whoever sneaked up on him wasn't a ghost. "Okay, what's your deal with me?"
"You have the scent of death upon you." A tough female voice scowled. Danny didn't recognize this voice. Maybe one of the maids? "Like Masters. What is your relationship to him?"
Danny frowned. "Vlad's my dad's friend, but he has a thing for my mom. I know what he plans to do to my family, yet I cannot expose him without earning his wrath."
The object at his neck seemed to tighten more. "Interesting story, death-child, but I know you're not telling me the whole truth."
He sighed. "Okay, my parents are ghosthunters. Twenty years ago, my parents and Vlad were working on a ghost portal. However, there was an accident, landing Vlad in a hospital and ruining his chance to marry my mom. And about a year ago, my parents moved from a prototype to the actual model. They couldn't turn it on, however, and by the time I checked the portal myself and found out why, I was the second victim."
She lowered her blade. "So...that is to say that your parents almost killed two people, especially those close to them." She frowned. "Then they will pay for their crimes."
Danny panicked. "No, it's okay! I mean, sure Vlad wants to get back at Dad, but I know those two wouldn't harm any living being on purpose...even if they are a bit obsessive."
She raised an eyebrow. Then turning around, she put her katana away. "I see. I will not involve myself in the affairs of your family or Masters. However, should you threaten the state of the inn, I will not hold back."
As the woman walked away, Danny shook his head as his knees gave away. "Won't hurt to stay here for a while. Yeah right, Dash."