Broken Alliances
By Skye Silverwing
Chapter 1: The Forging
Disclaimer: Ranma ½ and its characters are the property of Rumiko Takahashi.
17 Years before Jusenkyo.
Two young warriors waited expectantly outside the deep cave that their master had vanished into. They looked at each other, silently praying that their plan worked, and fearing the result if it failed.
It had taken far more sake then they had expected to convince the horrible old man that a group of beautiful women had gone into the caves depths to bathe in a secret hot spring there, but the old fool had finally given in to his perversion and bounded willingly into their trap.
The pair of Martial Artists extended their ki senses, waiting for the beacon that was their Master to reach the deepest portion of the caves, then, together, they pushed down on the plunger, activating the dozens of charges that they had laboriously hidden along the entire length of the cave.
A satisfying series of explosions rang out throughout the cavern, followed by a deep, rolling rumble, signifying that the cavern had caved in along most or all of its length. The two martial artists looked at each other and grinned.
The Master was dead.
Without a word, the two went about quickly finishing their plan, rolling a huge boulder in front of where the cave used to be and hanging it over with wards made from male undergarments. They then posted signs about dangerous avalanches and rockslides as well as creatures that my or may not inhabit these woods.
In truth, both men feared that the explosion and resultant cave-in had failed to snuff the life from the old geezer, though their ki senses showed his power fading rapidly. Fortunately, there was no way, even if he did survive, that he could escape through wards so laced with male chi.
Satisfied, the long-haired martial artist turned to his balding companion. "We have done it, Saotome!" he said, "We have destroyed the master, and secured ourselves as the masters of the Anything Goes School!"
His companion nodded happily. "We have indeed Tendo!" he said, "We are free, and we can run the school as we see fit. How do you plan to use your half of the school, Tendo?"
Soun Tendo sighed. "Unfortunately, we still have limitations that could prove difficult to overcome…" He said, "It was always my desire to build a Dojo, and teach the Art to my children and all those that desired to learn it. Unfortunately, I lack the funds…"
Genma Saotome smiled at his friend. "Indeed. I, too, would like to build and run a Dojo." He said, "I even have the money to build it. Unfortunately, due to certain… unsavory… things I had to do while under the Master, I am not allowed to purchase property within the greater Tokyo area."
The two went silent for a moment. "I know, Tendo!" Genma said with a broad grin, "I will lend you the money to build your Dojo, then, when No-chan and I have a son, I will train him up with the Aerial style of Anything Goes. You then train your daughters in your ground style of Anything Goes, and we can have them marry each other, uniting the schools and giving us equal share of the Dojo. It is the perfect way to get both of us what we want!"
Soun thought about his wife, Kimiko, and their daughter, Kasumi. He knew Kasumi was just a baby, but he had always sensed the girl's strong spirit. This could work, especially if he had more girls with such spirit. And it would give his family a home and a place to train and learn the love of the Art.
After a moment, he nodded. "Alright, Saotome, we have a pact." Soun said, "In exchange for your money to build the Dojo, we will marry your son to my daughter to join the schools of Anything Goes, over which, we shall both serve as masters."
Genma and Soun shook hands, sealing the pact, and then they each went their own way.
.o0o. .o0o. .o0o. .o0o. .o0o.
Far bellow, in a dark place, a dark being sank into a meditative sleep. "Curse those ingrates…" it said. "I will make them pay for this…" Then its mind drifted in the darkness. It would bide its time until it became possible to escape, then it would wreak its revenge.