======================== THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS
PRELUDE =======
Instead of running Stay and keep it coming You're getting your kicks right at the source You're taking your guidance from the force But where do you get love Down below or from somewhere above Got a scary feeling I know Where you get love
-Matthew Sweet, 'Where Do You Get Love?'
"Hiroshi, my friend, we live in interesting times."
"Indeed we do, Daisuke. We certainly do."
They idly observed the grounds of Furinkan High as a lazy afternoon lunch passed by. It was, for once, a perfectly normal afternoon. Girls were gossiping, guys were bragging, epic battles were being fought in the cafeteria for a decent sandwich.
In other words, it was very much unlike Furinkan as they knew it.
"Considering the time of year, it's surprisingly pleasant outside,
isn't it?" wondered Hiroshi.
"Mmm," grumbled Daisuke. Hiroshi had a point. For late January, it should be pretty darn cold, but every now and then the weather would let up just enough for outside lounging to be a viable option.
"Ominous," said Daisuke.
"Very," agreed Hiroshi.
"Somehow, there's a vital energy lacking here. It's as if Furinkan's soul has been drained of its robust spirit."
"I know what you mean," said Hiroshi. "Perhaps we have become too accustomed to the chaos which our Furinkan is famous for?"
"We are strangers to normality," said Daisuke glumly.
"I wonder," pondered Hiroshi, "once we leave these halls, will the rest of the world seem like a grey and lifeless place?"
"Perhaps, my friend. Perhaps. When again will we walk amongst warriors of legend? Witness epic battles? Bear witness to impossible magic? We take these things for granted. Some of us even wish this to end. Rather foolish, that."
"I'll always look back with fond memories," said Hiroshi. "This is,
after all, the springtime of our lives."
"Ah, youth. We shou-"
"Hey, check out the babe!" said Hiroshi.
"Babe? Where?" asked Daisuke. "Where's she at?!"
"Over there, man." Hiroshi pointed at a young girl with a bit of a tan and tomboyishly short hair. She was obviously not a student, since she wasn't in uniform. She seemed to be looking over the grounds with a certain amount of longing, and a little bit of confusion.
"Say... I've seen her before somewhere," said Daisuke.
"Yeah, me too. Wonder where." Hiroshi seemed to mull things over in his head, then stood up.
"Hey, where ya goin?" wondered Daisuke.
"Gonna go talk to her, of course," said Hiroshi with a lecherous grin.
"Are you sure that's a good idea?" wondered Daisuke.
"Huh?"
"I'll bet you a lunch that the girl is a martial artist of sorts," said Daisuke. "And, well, need I remind you of what happens to those who get too deeply into the martial artist circle?"
Hiroshi knew all too well. Almost all the martial artists of Furinkan were, at the moment, in the hospital. Ranma, Ryouga, Kuno, even Happosai.
Wait. They were in the hospital.
"Hey, what could possibly happen?" wondered Hiroshi. "I mean, all the major hazards are currently outta the way, y'know?"
"Ooh, good point," said Daisuke.
Hiroshi grinned smugly, started walking, then halted. "And... where are YOU going?" he wondered.
"Why, with you, my friend," said Daisuke with a sly grin.
"I saw her first," said Hiroshi.
"Why, are you suggesting I'd try something underhanded?" wondered Daisuke. "Hiroshi, buddy, I'm hurt. I'm coming along just... to watch your back... yeah... I mean, who knows, she might be a psycho martial artist or something."
"Yeah. Right."
"Excuse me, guys, but I wonder if you could help me with something?"
Hiroshi and Daisuke froze in surprise. The Girl had come to _them_.
This was unheard of. A pleasant change, actually. Usually, the girls that were looking for help ended up running to Ranma.
Heheh they both thought, good thing Ranma isn't here.
"Why, yes," said a suddenly smooth Hiroshi, "what can I do for you?"
Daisuke frowned briefly at the sudden transformation. Be damned if Hiroshi was going to outcool him. In a smooth, soothing voice, Daisuke said, "How could I refuse to help a lady in distress? Ask away."
Hiroshi's cool flickered briefly as he cast a mean glare at Daisuke.
"Well," said the girl, blushing slightly, "I was wondering where students go to register for admission."
"Oh, that?" said Hiroshi. "Tha-"
"That's room 112, first floor," said Daisuke, slightly elbowing Hiroshi to one side.
The girl giggled, amused at the boys antics. "Are you sure that's the room? I thought it was the rec room."
"The rec room?" said both boys. "We have a rec room?"
"Well, there were these palm trees everywhere, a small pond, and lots of sand."
"Ah... that _is_ the office," said Hiroshi.
"Our principal has, well, strange tastes," explained Daisuke.
"Just keep on going to the back," said Hiroshi. "You'll see the front desk eventually."
"Oh. Okay."
"Want me to walk you there?" said both Hiroshi and Daisuke.
"No, that's alright, I think I can manage."
"I hope you don't mind me asking," said Hiroshi, "but... what's your name?"
"Man, how rude," said Daisuke. "You introduce yourself _first_." He smiled at the girl, saying, "Sorry about my friend's rudeness. He's a little short on social manners."
"Hey you!" protested Hiroshi.
"My name is Daisuke."
"And I'm Hiroshi."
"Hiroshi, Daisuke, nice to meet you. My name is Ryoko," said the girl,
"Ryoko Muhoshin."
The boys seemed to be distracted for a moment as their brains spun around, nagging them about something.
"Ahah! I knew I saw you before!" said Hiroshi. "You were watching the big fight between Ryouga and that new guy that looked a lot like Gosunkugi."
"Wait a minute," said Daisuke, "you're related to that Gos-clone?"
"Mm-hm. I'm his sister."
Both boys nearly facefaulted.
"You look... nothing like your brother," said Hiroshi.
"I hear that all the time," said Ryoko. "Actually, Ryo is the weird one in the family. The rest of us are perfectly normal."
"So... you'll be enrolling in Furinkan this semester?" wondered Daisuke.
"Actually, my sister will."
Both boys seemed momentarily disappointed.
Waitaminute. Sister? thought both.
"Well, if your sister needs help around here," said Hiroshi.
"We'd be glad to help," said Daisuke.
"Thanks, guys. I'll keep that in mind. Bye, and again, thanks for the help." She strolled away happily, leaving the two sighing and admiring her obvious atheletic traits.
"If her sister is anything like her," said Hiroshi.
"Oooh yeah," said Daisuke.
"AHEM."
"What are you two perverts up to now?!"
The boys paled, then turned around slowly.
"Aheheh, Sayuri, hi," said Hiroshi.
"Yuka, how's it going?" said Daisuke.
"That's it," said Sayuri, "our double-date is off!" Yuka nodded firmly in agreement.
"Aw, c'mon!" said Hiroshi. "We were just talking to her!"
"Girls, please, don't overreact!"
Despite their protests, the girls stomped off, leaving the boys alone and rejected.
"You know," said Hiroshi, "somehow, that felt strangely familiar."
"Yeah, it did, didn't it?" said Daisuke. "Man, we haven't heard anything like that since Akane and Ranma's old arguements.
"Seems we're becoming like them, eh?" said Hiroshi. Both laughed loudly at the joke.
Then they froze.
"Man, I hope not," said Daisuke.
"Me too, man. Me too."
-end prelude-