Nomad - Luke's Journey of Life
Chapter 2: Nerima 2
Luke Nomades had just set off on his journey of life. His first stop, the Tendo dojo.
At the dojo, it was a couple of days after the failed marriage of Ranma Saotome and Akane Tendo. Everyone was focusing on getting back to some semblance of a normal routine. Which meant fiancees getting into yet another scuffle over Ranma. The scuffle had started overflowing into the street just as Luke had stepped into the gate of their little yard.
The only warning he had was a clash of weapons before the conflict smashed into him. All he could do was square his feet and shout, "Ki Field!" The field pushed against the girls and shoved them away from him. They all rounded on him; the field had pressed against some of their more private areas.
"HENTAI!" they all shouted. The subsequent attacks broke his concentration, forcing him to resort to blocking with his staff. Blows also resounded off his shield. Both were twisted away, and he resorted to blocking with his forearms and legs.
With a final mallet blow, he was blasted into low earth orbit and crash-landed in a building. He pried himself out of the wreckage and took off to the dojo once more.
By the time he returned, the fighters had split. Akane had stayed, but the others had returned to their various homes or businesses. He limped over to where his stuff lay, inside the dining room.
"Oh, hello, sir! Sorry about your stuff. We gathered it up and we had hoped you'd be back," Kasumi said, before setting another place. "Here, this is for you."
Ranma and his father nearly snatched it up, but Luke lashed out with his fingers straight out, his middle finger slapping into their pressure points. "Oh, sorry, reflex. My name's Luke Nomades."
Akane glared at him, but he returned it with an emotionless glance.
"So you pulled that Ki Field technique, huh? I haven't seen a technique like that much. Is it a family technique?" Genma asked.
"You could say that. I'm the first one in a while to use it. Most of my family can't use Ki."
"I noticed you were able to hold out for only a little while against those girls. Ranma here could've held out much longer," Genma said, slapping his son's shoulder with his good hand.
Luke had begun eating, but paused to say, "Actually, that's why I'm here. I'm beginning a life-long training trip, and I was told this was my first stop. I need to learn Ki techniques and, obviously, a little about unarmed defense."
"Ranma will be happy to teach you!" Genma volunteered.
"Dammit Pops, stop puttin' words in my mouth!" Ranma yelled.
"I can work for my room and food. I was trained in cooking and construction as part of the Path." Luke calmly interjected. "I've been cooking for myself since I could read."
"Anybody'd cook better than this tomboy."
"Grrrr... RANMA!" Mallet, meet Ranma.
"Why meeeeeeeeeee..."
"So it's decided. Ranma can train you, and you can fix this new hole in the roof," Soun said.
After dinner, Ranma helped Luke by passing boards to him. "So you were trained in the Path. Can't say I've heard of it."
"I've only heard a little about your school. Like yours, it's a family thing," he spoke as he struck a nail, driving it in with one blow.
"I guess we can start tomorrow. I gotta say, I'm curious about your style."
"Well, we'll each learn something tomorrow. I'll sleep out in the yard."
The two finished the job and went out to the yard. Luke draped his cloak over the staff, creating a tent.
"G'night, sensei," Luke said, half-joking.
"Yeah, just call me Ranma. G'night."