Chapter 4: Meeting Shina
Morning came on with bright sun-rays floating in through the window. Thomas was up way before day break, busying himself with some stuff on his laptop and getting the few things he needed together. Ian rolled over in bed, groaning in response to the rough shaking he was given.
"Get up you over-grown snake! Get your butt out of bed and help me."
The blond opened one eye and peered at Thomas, who stood over him with arms crossed.
"Oooh bug-off..."
Thomas rolled his eyes as Ian covered his head up with the blanket, and then grabbed the sheet and yanked it off.
"Get up! We have to get a move on!"
Ian groaned again and sat up, glaring at Thomas as he walked across the room and shook Shana way more gently than he had done his brother.
"Get up, Scarlett. Come on, we have to get to Shina's place."
The tired redhead sat up, peering out the window and blinking several times.
"It's morning already?"
Ian pulled a shirt over his head, running a hand through his hair.
"Unfortunately, yes."
Shana looked over at the clock, shaking her head.
"Goodgrief....it's only 7:30."
Thomas didn't take his eyes off of his cell-phone as he dialed a number.
"Naturally. Now get up."
He put the phone to his ear, waiting.
"Ah, ee; kono sono Go-ruden Doragon kappoutan? Gu-. Kan Watashi to-ku dzuki Shina nanitozo?"
Shana raised an eyebrow, looking over at Ian. The blond laughed, putting his laptop in a computer bag.
"He said, 'yes, this the Golden Dragon restaurant? Good. Can I talk to Shina please?'."
Shana sighed, taking up her traveling kit and heading to the bathroom to freshen up.
"I'll be out in a few minutes...and you can deal with his blabbing."
Thomas gave her a glare, as he was apparently on hold, but then suddenly smiled widely when a female voice was heard over the phone.
"Shina? Itto gu- dzuki hia kora temae! Ee? Ee wareware dearou yagate bachi temae roppou. Ai shi teru. Adiosu."
He smiled, ending the call. Ian put on his shoes, looking up at him.
"Is she excited?"
Thomas laughed, putting the cell phone in his pocket.
"You bet! You should have heard her; she was basically squealing on the other line."
Ian laughed, adjusting his laces.
"Well then, I guess we'll get a move on. Shana should be out in a minute."
One Hour Later
All three were soon heading down the not-so-packed back-roads of Tokyo in what Thomas called his "Tundra Baby", with Shana clinging to the back of the seat out of sheer worry.
"Thomas, you had better slow down..."
"I have got it! Do not worry!"
"Not worry? Are you kidding?"
"Stop talking to me! I know what I am doing!"
"Are you sure about that, Thomas?"
The Asian man twisted around in the seat to glare at the redhead, nearly missing a passing car.
"THOMAS!"
"I have got it, okay!?"
Ian turned to look at Shana, patting her arm that was wrapped around the back of his seat.
"Let him handle it...he knows what he's doing."
Shana let out a sigh, leaning back in the seat of the rented truck.
"I hope so."
Just then Thomas' cell phone rang, causing her to jump. He was about to answer it when Ian grabbed it from him, giving him a matter-of-fact look.
"I'll answer that...you drive."
Thomas was about to protest when the blond flipped the phone open.
"Ee? Ah konnichiha Shina, Watashi gozen Tomisaburo's yuujin. Ee, wareware oite hon houto. To-ku dzuki temae yagate. Bai."
Ian closed the phone, setting it in the cup holder and looking over at his brother. Thomas continued to glare at him.
"Seriously, I don't want to die before I get there..."
Thomas rolled his eyes and continued driving.
"It would not be my fault. Besides, she is my sister...I am the one that is supposed to talk to her."
Shana leaned forward, looking at both of them.
"Alright, so what was that all about? You know I don't know a word of Japanese."
Ian laughed, adjusting his seat-belt.
"That was Shina and she was wondering where we were at."
"I heard Thomas' name mentioned..."
"Yes, I told her that I was one of his friends."
Thomas laughed, looking over at his brother.
"You should have said 'chijin' instead of 'yuujin'."
The two started laughing hard, with Shana sitting clueless.
"What was that supposed to mean?"
Through fits of laughter, Ian explained.
"There are several different forms of the word 'friend' in Japanese, with 'yuujin' literally meaning the word 'friend', while 'chijin' means friend or acquaintance, but also means idiot or fool."
Thomas nodded.
"So in English it would have sounded something like "I am Thomas' idiot", which is actually very true."
Ian smacked his brother on the head, smiling.
"You think you're so funny."
Thomas shrugged.
"Well, it made you laugh."
Shana shook her head, sighing.
"You two are crazy. Alright, when will be be there?"
The Asian man looked at the GPS on the dashboard.
"Any minute, actually."
About five minutes later, they had entered a less-populated area of Tokyo, on the outskirts of the city, with a long run of poorer houses and a few markets. Children ran around in the streets unattended, with the few cars there were slowing down until they passed. Thomas' smile faded as he observed the never ending scene of cheap apartments and muddy sidewalks, people walking about to their various tasks with hardly a nod of acknowledgment at anyone who passed. Shana looked around doubtingly.
"This is where Shina lives?"
Thomas looked out the window, shaking his head.
"I guess so...."
He paused, frowning.
"It makes me sick that she has to live here."
Ian raised an eyebrow, glancing around.
"Yeah...maybe we can help her out or something."
Up ahead was a small restaurant, not much to look at, with the neon Japanese writing above it missing a few lights. There were Japanese lamps at the front, with a neon sign of a golden dragon twisting around the door frame. The truck came to a stop in front of it, and Thomas turned off the engine.
"Well...here we are."
He looked doubtfully at the sign, and Ian read his thoughts. He laid a hand on his brother's shoulder, looking over at him.
"It'll be alright, Thomas...let's hope she hasn't changed as much as this place has."
Thomas sighed, unbuckling his seat-belt.
"Let us hope..."
When the three had entered the place, they found it to be a little more nice-looking than the outside....but just a little. The best part was that it was clean, and a lot of Japanese lamps illuminated the place. There was a lot of cigarette smoke off to the right in the smoking area, but that didn't bother Thomas. What made his stomach turn was the sight of several geisha lingering about the tables and giving their customers flirtatious looks. He turned his head away, almost completely sickened. Shana looked up at him with a worried expression, laying a hand across his back.
"Are you alright, Thomas?"
He shook his head briefly, clenching his jaw. Ian noticed, and turned.
"What is it? Are you okay?"
Thomas glanced back over at the geisha, nodding towards one of them.
"Shina...what if she is like them? What if she is totally different than what I remember?"
Shana patted his shoulder, turning as a waiter walked up.
"It'll be alright, Thomas...just wait."
The short little man in front of them bowed briefly.
"Hajimemashite. Doushite kan Watashi fujo temae?"
Ian answered for his brother, giving him a minute.
"Ee. Wareware rukku taishite Shina Arashikage. Kamoshirenai wareware to-ku motte kanojo?"
The little man opened his mouth as if to say something, then closed it, then nodded.
"Ee. Tadashii ato tossa..."
He turned, disappearing through the double doors at the far end of the building that led to the kitchen. Shana looked up at Ian quizzically.
"Well?"
Ian looked a little puzzled himself.
"Uhm, he said it would be a minute. Thomas, was that guy acting weird?"
Thomas shrugged.
"A little, maybe, but then again, you are an outsider, and spoke to him in perfect Japanese...it may have just confused him."
A minute or two passed, and then there was a commotion that came from the kitchen in the form of a hardly-controlled squeal and a clatter of what sounded like dishes. Thomas raised an eyebrow, and then smiled a little, looking intently at the doors.
"Here she comes..."
No sooner had the words left his mouth that the double doors flew open and a young, overjoyed little girl came bursting out.
"Oniisan oniisan! Goshujin korede! Oniisan!"
Thomas ran to greet her, and she practically threw herself against him. She was so light that Thomas picked her up and spun her once while she clung to his neck, half laughing and half crying. She kissed his cheek profusely while excitedly jumping up and down.
"Oh oniisan Watashi nou temae choudai touhou! Watashi gozen dakara ureshii korede!"
[*Oh brother I knew you would come here! I am so glad you are here!]
Thomas laughed, hugging his sister tightly and finger-combing her long black hair.
"Watashi gozen nimo, Shina. Doushite jibutsu ryoukin?"
[*I am too, Shina. How do things fare?]
Shina squealed excitedly, taking his hands.
"Bakkin! Bakkin! Oniisan ichininmae mohaya. Goshujin dakara tansei mohaya! Oh oniisan, itto dakara gu- dzuki gorannasai tamae mou!"
[*Fine! Fine! Brother is adult now. You are so handsome! Oh brother, it is good to see you again!]
Thomas laughed, hugging his sister again and kissing her forehead fondly.
"Temae nimo, Shina. Imouto ichininmae douyou oniisan, soshite kanojo meppou shan."
[*You too, Shina. Sister is adult like brother, and she is very beautiful.]
The young girl grinned, blushing slightly, but before she could say anything, she was cut off by a harsh voice behind her.
"Shina! Coudai ushiro korede izen Watashi atari tamae mou!"
[Shina! Get back here before I hit you again!]
Thomas looked up to find a man across from them in a white shirt and tie with an angry expression on his face. Shina turned to speak to him sheepishly, her voice sounding small.
"Watashi gozen sumimasen, taishou...Watashi—-"
[I am sorry, boss...I--]
She was cut short as the man gave her a sharp blow to the face, causing a bruise to quickly form. Thomas was enraged...he stepped forward, fists tightly clenched.
"Tachisaru waga imouto tandokude...."
[Leave my sister alone....]
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