Chapter 2: Excuse me?

Tokyo was packed and loud, the endless noise of machinery, voices, cars, shouts, horns and other things dominating the city. Shana, Ian and Thomas were content to walk to their hotel, which was fairly close to the airport, and avoiding the traffic jam and countless bicycles. Poor Shana was almost completely overwhelmed, not having ever been to Japan, and the rush of people alone made her sufficiently dizzy, not counting the cars, bikes, jet lag and the dominating brightness of the countless neon signs, making the usual darkness of eight at night almost as bright as noon. The chattering racket of people talking in a totally unknown language to her was stressful, and lack of sleep only added to it. Thomas and Ian, on the other hand, seemed to be completely used to it all. They politely refused the offer of an old woman who was selling a bunch of trinkets in the Japanese language without one ounce of difficulty, and didn't even seem to care about the loud noise and rushing crowd. Shana stuck to Ian's arm like glue, never letting go. Thomas walked behind her, just encase she happened to get separated. He laid a strong hand on her shoulder, causing her to jump a little, not knowing that he was behind her.

"Do not be nervous, Shana. I know that Tokyo can be a little intimidating, but you will get used to it."

Shana really didn't reply, but simply laid her head against Ian's shoulder, gazing dully ahead as they made their way through the crowd. Thomas looked at her, and then got up beside Ian, slipping past a group of bad looking girls who smiled flirtatiously at him.

"Brother, I think we need to get Shana to the hotel as soon as we can...she is looking a little pale."

Ian looked down at the redhead, wrapping his free arm around her shoulders and pulling her in closer, smiling reassuringly.

"We'll be there soon, Scarlett. Look, it's only right up ahead."

Shana glanced up, and was more than relieved to see the hotel sign. They walked on a little ways, crossing the street with only a few seconds to spare, and finally making it to the entrance. Ian opened the door for his two friends, prompting the redhead to go on in with Thomas.

"Hey, you two go on, I'll be up to the room in just a minute, okay?"

Thomas answered for the both of them, nodding towards his brother.

"Sure, we will get everything put up."

Shana took hold of Thomas' arm, looking up at him as they walked to the front desk.

"Where's Ian going?"

Thomas pulled out his wallet as he talked, handing his bag to Shana.

"I do not know, but he will be back shortly. I tell you what, go and sit over there in the lounge, and I will check in. It may take a minute, there appears to be quite a few people."

Shana gave him a pouty look, and he gave her his infamous 'raised-eyebrow' look. She sighed, and then slung his bag over her right shoulder, while carrying her own in the free hand.

"Oh alright. Don't take long....I don't want to have to sit by myself."

Thomas laughed as she walked away, and then went on to the front desk. Shana sighed and slumped down in one of the chairs, glancing around. The hotel was very nice, with a quiet atmosphere. The lounge had several chairs, as well as tatami mats and traditional box tables called hakozen. She looked off to her left, catching a glimpse of Thomas at the front desk. In the lobby, there was a bunch of vases with bamboo stalks in them, and then a small fountain of sorts surrounded by a good sized water pool that had been built into the floor. Tropical vegetation was grown around the lobby in long wooden boxes, and a pleasant but strange smell dominated the place. Shana craned her neck back, looking up at the ceiling several stories above her head. There were small balconies that stuck out of each level, and there were a few people moving about on them. It was a very nice hotel indeed, but she couldn't help but feel a little nervous. This wasn't America. This was Japan...and she didn't know a thing about it. This fact was proven when a couple came up, sitting down in the chairs beside her. She smiled at them politely, hoping they would leave her alone, but almost panicked when they spoke to her.

"Hajimemashite. Onamae wa nan desu ka?"

Shana straightened, almost feeling her heart jump. What was she going to say? What did it mean? She remembered the 'hajimemashite', but...what was the rest? The couple seemed very friendly, all bright smiles and sparkling eyes. She winced a little when they looked a little puzzled, so she brokenly tried to reply.

"Um...ha-jime-mash-ite..."

The woman smiled kindly, and then nodded towards her bags.

"Temae yori America?"

Shana swallowed. She recognized the 'America', but...oh help! She tried to look confused, and shrugged, but then decided that was probably not the best thing to do. She finally gave up, shaking her head.

"English? Do you speak English?"

Now it was the couple's turn to look confused. The woman cocked her head a bit.

"Ah...eigo?"

Shana nodded, hoping she was making sense.

"Um...yeah, En-glish. Do you speak English?"

The man shook his head, smiling politely.

"Iiya eigo. Sumimasen."

Shana was about to panic when she heard a welcoming and familiar voice behind her, spinning around to find Thomas standing beside the chair.

"Oh Thomas! Thank goodness you're here. I don't know what they are saying."

Thomas gave her the room key, smiling at the two and bowing slightly from the waist.

"Hajimemashite. Honto ni gomen nasai, kanojo wakara nai nicchuukantougou. Nanitozo moushiwake watashitachi."

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End Chapter 2! Woohoo! How'd ya like it, eh? Sorry it's so short...I was in a rush!