9
Note: Hey hey everyone, guess who is back with another chapter at week's end as I said. Once again thank you for everyone who gave me reviews and have showed support by giving my story chance especially those who gave it an alert and those who added this to their favorites list already. It makes me giddy and warm inside it really does. Hope you like this one…but enough talk, on with the story!
Disclaimer: I do not own the Ranma ½ in any way shape or form anything else that isn't part of the Manga or Anime is quite mine.
The Chinese restaurant known as the Nekohanten is quite the popular place within the Tokyo district of Nerima. Whether it was someone coming in after a hard day's work, perhaps a cute young couple who wanted to spend some time together away from the eyes of their peers and parents alike, or maybe it was someone who was just plain hungry and hasn't eaten all day . Whatever the reason a person has to coming into the establishment it is known as a place where the locals could sit back and relax and enjoy themselves.
The place has an interesting combination of good food and entertainment to some degree that made it a mainstay in the community. When it came to food, there were many dishes on the menu Sweet & Sour Pork, fried dumplings but the one thing that the place was known for was it's various noodle dishes and in this regard, Ramen reign supreme. Of course when the place first opened there were a lot of Japanese people who questioned if people from China could make Ramen proper but their disbelief were quickly squashed once they partaken of the fine cuisine.
As far as entertainment went it wasn't really in the traditional sense really. No, the restaurant it's self didn't provide entertainment. No guy on a piano playing or Karaoke. It was more along the lines that entertainment just happened around there. For most of the male population it was seeing that sexy hot blue hair waitress, of course this was rather a double edge sword to them really because she normally would make the deliveries and that meant that they had to deal with that shriveled up old prune she called grandmother or that young Chinese boy who by his constant habit of mistaking customers with other people was deemed to be in serious need of some laser eye surgery. This lead to a good portion of the teenage male populous to order out from the Nekohanten instead of dinning in, but once again that double edge came into play because you would either have the fine looking young girl to deliver your food or a white duck wearing glasses with the latter being confusing or fascinating the customers.
The primary source of 'entertainment' was actually the martial art fights and chaos that would erupt around and within the building. It was almost like actually being at a martial arts movie instead of just watching one on TV. The place has been considered by the local residents to be an extension of the chaos; a "hot spot" if you will, because of this the Nekohanten has become sort of a mild tourist attraction in Nerima.
Of course there was a reason for it being an extension to the chaos, the place actually served as a base of operations to the Chinese amazons in their efforts to get the martial artist Ranma to marry Shampoo and bring him back to the tribe or in the case of the only male resident of the Nekohanten, defeat Ranma and have Shampoo to himself. The ancient woman realizing that the young heir to the Saotome style was going to be more stubborn as a mule they were going to need financial support and the fact that it was place not too far from the Tendo household which was pretty much the very core of the chaos also helped in that fact.
From the time of day it was the dinner rush and people who worked in the restaurant business know that around this time of day was arguably the busiest time. People would come in by the dozens waiting to be seated so that they could feed their bellies with the good food that the restaurant of their choice provided for them. However, the Nekohanten wasn't going through the dinner rush, as a matter of fact there weren't any customers there at all for the evening. The reason for this wasn't because that the food was suddenly terrible that day, it was because that they closed earlier for today.
The Chinese Amazon Elder known as Cologne was in the middle of the empty restaurant standing on a table. Her arms were folded upon her chest as the tip of her trademark gnarled wooden staff wedged in her arms. She didn't like closing the restaurant early for any reason, after all, every hour that they were closed when they were supposed to be opened was lost business and that was money lost to competition, but then again there was just some things more important that money.
Anyone who knows the elder woman knows that she is perhaps the personification of calm, no matter what normally happens within Nerima it is very rare for her to be genuinely surprised, angered, sadend, etc. This only makes sense considering that she us a master in the martial art technique: The Hiryu Shoten Ha which requires a soul of ice. There were rare moments where she would be caught by surprise, hell, most of the time she was quite entertained over the chaos that surrounded Ranma but now because of what happened earlier she felt she had to close up restaurant for the day.
She sent Shampoo to make the last of the schedule deliveries and refused to take any more take-out was just no way that she could concentrate on making the various dishes that the Nekohanten was known for. Hell, at this moment in time she wanted to just jump out of her skin and scream to the Heavens. No, she didn't need any kind of distraction right now. She didn't need to deal with outsiders right now. What she needed was space, she needed the quiet; she needed stillness so that she could concentrate on her thoughts on the current situation. What she needed to do is weigh her current options carefully and decide the best course of action.
There was a foulness in the air and she didn't like it one bit. How could things change so drastically over a short period of time over the course of one single conversation?
(Flashback: Earlier that evening)
Cologne was standing on top of the stove currently making a batch of fried noodles. It was proving to be a rather busy day for the Nekohanten, while there normally would be groups of customers that would roll in during the various times of day where meals would normally be eaten, lunch, dinner, etc. This time there was a steady stream of customers wanting to be served, why? She didn't know but as long as they paid for their meals she really didn't care either.
Once she was finished with the latest batch she heard the kitchen door open and in came a young Chinese boy. He had long raven hair that went past his shoulders, wearing the male version of a white Mandarin Collar Cheongsam along with ocean blue pants with a red lining cloth around his waist. His most distinguishing feature was the fact that he was wearing a large round extremely thick pair of glasses.
"Here are the latest orders, old monkey."
Cologne proceeded to give Mousse a whack on her wooden staff. She didn't say anything or even looked in his direction to do it. It was easy enough to hit the blind idiot when the mood suits her but she did find some amusement when she heard him grumble to himself as he picked himself up off the floor, she was tempted to do it again just for good measure. "Is Shampoo back from her deliveries yet?" She asked calmly still not looking at him.
"No not yet." Mousse grumbled as he rubbed his head in an attempt to ease the pain.
It only makes sense. Considering the steady stream of customers added to the fact that it was indeed the lunch hour her granddaughter most likely won't be back for a while still. The Nekohanten has indeed become even more popular lately it was a good thing she foresaw this and hired part time help.
"There was however a request to see you."
This manages to poke at Cologne's curiosity for a bit as she gave the Chinese youth a sideways glance. "Oh? Has Son-in-law finally come to his senses?"
The elder watch as Mousse scoffed.
"Not if he knows what's good for him." Mousse said more to himself than to her. Then he looked at her directly "No, I haven't this person before. He was a guy dressed in black with a fedora hat sitting at table 5. I know he isn't from our tribe and looks rather young and he asked for you specifically and not Shampoo like most of the men his age would, which begs the question, how would he know you? I mean anyone who is on a first name basis with you are either family or are mysterious mummies like you and I doubt-"
Mousse was unable to finish that thought as he found himself on the floor once again courtesy of the Elder's Staff. She sighed over Mousse's disrespect and pointed her staff in a non-threatening manner to one of the part-time help and told her to continue cooking the meals while she address her mysterious visitor.
Using her staff like it was a pogo stick she began hopping toward the main area of the restaurant, she made sure to hop on Mousse's back as continued punishment. Her wrinkled face gave a satisfying smirk as she heard the boy scream and she proceeded onward.
She continued to hop towards table five and quickly saw the person that Mousse described. From, what she could tell he was a tall slender man who was wearing a cotton dark blue shirt and tie, behind him was a black trench coat that was placed neatly on the chair, his gloved hands was calmly clasp together on top of the table as if waiting patiently and of course last but not least was that hat that he was still wearing, it was strange that he was still wearing it considering he was in doors and he already took off his coat but it was just a minor thing.
Once she arrived at the table she could feel something odd coming from this person. The closer she got the more she felt something like fingers crawling up and down her spine and this nagging sense of familiarity. Well, whatever the case may be, she knew that she had to be careful around this person. "Hello young man, I believed you wanted to see me?"
The person didn't say anything at first instead he seemed to be deep in thought like he was in his own little dream world. Even though she couldn't see his face because of his hat she could practically feel him smile and then what followed was a light chuckle. "Is something amusing? Look I am a very busy person and don't like to have my time wasted so if you have business with me directly then say it otherwise I suggest you order something then leave."
After a few moments the mysterious figure stops chuckling. "I must say…the years have not been kind to you…" the spoke in a smooth voice.
Cologne's eyes slowly widen with horror, even more so than usual as she heard that voice. That voice sent shivers throughout her elderly body. That voice, that voice that was polite and smooth but had a maniacal edge to it oh she knew that voice very well but it couldn't be…it has been so long since….
"You know, I am kind of hurt that you didn't even recognize me, but that's alright after all, it has been long time hasn't it?" The man finally raised his face up so that Cologne could see his face, He opened his eyes to reveal those same damn glowing emerald snake like orbs that she was all too familiar with. "…Cologne….."
"You….." The elderly woman said venomously as she quickly got off her staff and landed on top of the table. She held her wooden tool ready to send this man to oblivion where he belonged. Her battle aura was about to set the entire restaurant ablaze. Of course normal people would be screaming and running out in the streets however, with this being Nerima the people figured they were about to see some of that 'oh so famous entertainment', so they just looked on while enjoying their meals.
"Ah ah…." The silver haired man began as he calmly raised a hand. "Now now, there is no need to get all angry now. Besides judging from the energy you are building up, this must be an attack meant to do me in and then some but how will you explain to the village if your beloved customers get hurt in the process."
Cologne snapped out of her rage for a moment to take the time to look around the restaurant. She saw the people there looking at them not as if they were frightened but like they were watching a TV-show wondering what was going to happen next. With a curse under her breath she glared at the man before her as she let her battle aura die down. She could hear the disappointments throughout their restaurant as they watch that scene that promised some of that chaos that Nerima was known form fade away into nothing, but their entertainment was of no concern to her. She was focused completely on this male before her.
She could feel the anger rise within her as she took in his features, she saw the already arrogant smirk on this man's person grow into a sly grin. The leaders of the Joketsuzokuseriously frowned upon harming/killing an innocent also being one of the leaders herself she would have been more stigmatized if she went through with her attack and this man knew it.
"Great, now that we gotten that out of your system, Perhaps now we can have a more civil conversation."
Every word that the man spoke was like having an ice pick shoved down her ear. Just being in the same country as him made her want to blow it up just to make sure that he wouldn't survive it. "Why are you here?" She said in a quiet but vicious tone.
She saw that the sly grin on the man's face now lowered it's self into a small smile.
"Oh such cold cold hatred, and after being separated for so long. I was hoping for a warmer welcome than that. After all, how long has it been? A century? Two?"
Cologne's eyes narrowed. "A thousand years can go by and it would still be too soon before I saw you again. Now, do not seek to test me snake, How did you manage to break your seal?"
"My, you are terribly upset. What could I have possibly done to warrant such hatred?"
"You took my little brother, snake."
"Hey, it was a Tuesday." The man shrugged.
"Do not mock me creature!"
"Awww, you still remember your old pet name for me. I am truly touched…..really I am." Cologne watched as he once again gave a light chuckle before continuing. It vexed her greatly that he found such amusement in this. "How did I break my seal?….What else could it be? I am just that awesome."
Cologne growled under her breath as he listened to his laugh. "Do I look like I am playing games snake?"
"Okay, how about this one? I am out on good behavior…" He finished laughing but not losing that arrogant smile. "I figured it was time off from watching you and the rest of that pathetic tribe living your lives, talking, learning, training, fighting, breeding…." The mysterious figure gave a light cringe at that last part. "Ugh….people shouldn't be allowed to have kids, where is the glory of ethnic cleansing when you need it?"
Cologne was about to lose the last of her patience. It was obvious that he wasn't going to tell her how he escaped but one thing was clear to her. There was no way he could have done it on his own. She forged the seal herself she along with the rest of the elders, he must've had help but that was a mystery that was going to have to be solved in time but with him in Nerima she had to wonder exactly how much time was left. "Alright then, let's go back to my first question. Why are you here in Nerima?"
She found that he didn't answer her right away instead he seemed to relax even more in her presence going so far as to sit back in his chair clasping his hands together and resting them on his chest, his head was lowered with the hat covering the upper half of his face but that smile was ever-present to her eyes.
"Well isn't it some unspoken rule that if you are going to be working in someone else's backyard that it is common courtesy to let them know?"
Cologne was clearly not amused by the answer. "For as long as I have known you Snake, you are one of the last beings on this planet that would ever let formalities come into play unless it suits your purpose."
"Am I that transparent?" The man laughed as he finally took off his hat to reveal his surprisingly well-kept silver hair.
Cologne didn't respond and just watched him carefully as he raised himself and leaned forwards placing his elbows on the table with his hands still clasp together before him. The grin was still there but his eyes were now more focused than before, even his voice seemed to take on a deeper tone.
"While it is true, I do have certain…..tendencies that you find questionable but I figured hey, after all we been through I'll be a nice guy this time around." The grin that was placed on that man's face lowered to a light smile. "By the way, give up on Ranma Saotome."
That simple little line was enough to put a shocking expression on the elder's face. While it was true that Ranma was usually the cause of the trouble here in Nerima, she was curious to know what he wanted with her son-in-law. "What do you mean, give up on son-in-law?"
"Exactly what it sounds like old woman. You can start by no longer addressing him as your son-in-law. The guy is a lost cause I mean seriously he almost married that Tendo girl surely you have gotten the hint off of that? He wants better things in life, I mean sure that great great great granddaughter of your is quite a showpiece but the pro doesn't out weight the cons of that future. Especially when you mix it in to being tied down to that dying tribe you have up in China. He would be doing nothing but letting that talent go to waste."
The once shocked expression that Cologne gave off was now back to distain when he heard her "guest" talking. "What exactly are your planning snake?"
The man raised his eyebrow in a rather curious manner. It was the typed of expression that said: 'are you serious?' but it was clear that she was quite serious the man suddenly began laughing…it wasn't loud enough to draw attention but it was enough to cause the Amazon clutch her staff in anger.
"Wow Cologne. I knew you were slipping but I didn't think it was this bad. "
Cologne was on the verge of attacking him. She had just about all she could stand from this….this THING and she wasn't about to take another second more.
"That's what I love about you Cologne." The man's grin returned as he watched the elder with amusement in his eyes. "Did it ever occur to you that you are not getting the answers you are seeking because you are asking the wrong questions?"
That got Cologne's attention. "What do you mean?"
The expression of the man that Cologne called snake changed to a completely serious one. Those piercing green eyes were more enough to bring back those same shivers down her spine once again.
"What do I mean?….perhaps you will catch on faster if help you rephrased your earlier question."
Cologne didn't say anything but instead just waited for the man to continue on.
"One question you ask me: 'How did I break my seal?' Maybe instead of asking me that maybe you need to ask yourself a more important question like. 'How long has my seal been broken?'"
The man paused so that Cologne could process what he just said. Now that she thought about it that was the better question to ask especially considering that she would have received notice from the village if his seal was broken. Her eyes widen as she looked at him with a realization. Seeing this the smirk on the snake's face slowly made it's self known.
"Now let me help you with another reiteration. Instead of asking 'Why I am in Nerima?' perhaps you should be asking. 'How long I have been in Nerima?'"
Once again there was silence as Cologne processed those words in her mind. She could feel the sweat begining to form on her forehead from thinking about the possible answer to that question.
"You know I have to say that I am very disappointed in you Ghoul. There was a time I would never have been able to have get this close. I mean all this time that I have been watching you carry on about that stupid kiss of death and marriage law. Trying to get that transgender freak to marry that girl of yours, even helping him trying to find a cure.
You even go so far as to teach him and that lost piglet a few of your techniques to make them stronger and for what? Because you felt you could benefit from it? Just how stupid are you? You are trying to get him to submit instead you help make him stronger than ever. Are you out of what's left of your feeble mind? You BREAK the enemy, you don't help them but that's what you've been doing and what do you have to show for it?"
Cologne listened to the words that he spoke and while it was true that his words hit closer to home than she would dare admit, that her effects to get Ranma to marry her Shampoo have proven difficult in the long run there was something else that she was focused on and as she looked at him, she saw that the smile was now growing into a grin and it wasn't the playful one he was giving earlier. She realized that he knew exactly what she was thinking.
"Oh that's right Elder. I have been in this place for quite some time now and you didn't even know it. You know, there were a couple of times were I thought you genuinely found me out but each time was quickly squashed. You know the things I could have done to you and the rest of that so-called 'Nerima wrecking crew' before you even realized what was going on?
You have gotten Soft, Cologne. It got to the point where I had to literally walk through your front door before you even knew I was here."
Those cold hard words hit her pride harder than anything physical damage ever could. He was right and she knew it. It seemed that he came in just for the sole purpose to mock her but that wasn't it at least not entirely.
"Oh, will you look at the time. I have to make sure my package has been delivered." The silver haired man spoke, now with that playful arrogance he had before. He calmly picked up his hat and placed it on his head as he stood up and then proceed to collect his coat from the chair. "I am sure we will be seeing each other again real soon in the near future."
As the mysterious man took just a couple of steps towards the door he found his path block by the wooden staff that Cologne is always seen with. The larger round end pressed against his chest and as he looked down he saw that the old woman with a determined look stopping him. He gave out a dark laugh finding amusement at her attempt. "You diluted ghoul."
"You are not leaving here. By my ancestors, I sealed you away once and so help me I will do it again…" Cologne spoke quite a quiet intensity that no one in this ward has ever witness from her before.
"Oh how quickly we forget."
The pale skin man lowered his head as he let out a low chuckle. He slowly raised his head and shot opened his eyes revealing those now glowing green orbs. The elder of the amazons was shocked as she suddenly was covered in a faint green light unable to move. "w…..w…..w…"
"W..w…wha…What? …you mean what?" The man grinned mockingly at her as he removed the staff that was pressed against his chest and he suddenly crouch down to get a closer look at his victim."You see that last time you defeated me you had help. What do you have now? A bunch of teenagers who are too stupid to know their own limitations?"
All Cologne could do was glare at him while being trapped helpless by this creature. Of course no one would help her, at least no one who wasn't a martial artist, the people there wanted to just observe the chaos not be part of it.
"Oh, you truly don't have a clue do you? While you were living the cozy life here, trying to get that transsexual to agree to be your son-in-law and help produce a bunch of Chinese speaking rug-rats, an entire world was still continuing on without you and what's the one constant in the world?"
The guy placed a hand upon his ear so that he could hear the answer but all he got was just an angry growl and some grunts as she tried in vain to break free of his little paralyzing technique. He laughed from the response and decided to move in closer and with little whisper in her ear answered the question.
"Change."
With that being said he stood up strait, taking a little time to fix his clothes he proceeded to leave the restaurant while putting on his coat. Once the door closed behind him Cologne found that she could move again.
She took the time to take a few breaths in order to collect herself and get some air into her lungs. Being paralyzed was a horrible thing, unable to talk, move, and sometimes if it was severe enough, think or even breathe. Once she found herself calming down, she took up her staff in her hands.
"Oh Granny, are you alright."
Cologne's eyes narrowed as she turned around to find Mousse standing behind her with large curious eyes. "And just where were you during all of this?"
"Oh..uh….me? I was….uh..doing the dishes. Lots and lots of dishes."
The Amazon elder looked at the young man with various emotions running through her being. She knew that he was watching the conversation the whole time from the back; she just couldn't believe that he thought she was going to be in the mood for some of his pathetic attempts at denials after what happened. Anyone who knew their relationship knows that they didn't get along at all in fact they couldn't stand each other but one would figure that amazons would have each other's back. It seemed that the young still had a lot to learn and a few whacks from her mighty staff would be a step in the right direction.
"Listen to me carefully Mousse. I want you to close up the restaurant early, let those who are now eating finish their meals but don't let anyone else in and make sure not to take any more carry out orders. After you are done with that I want you to go out and find Shampoo and make sure she gets back safely."
"Alright Granny." He said with a hint of determination. He was a bit pumped up over that fact that he actually had official permission to go and find his lady love. "I won't let you down."
"One more thing more." Cologne spoke firmly stopping the Chinese youth from proceeding with his instructions. "If you run into that man, I want to make it perfectly clear that you are not to engage him on any circumstances. That…creature is at a level beyond what you are capable of dealing with and I won't have my granddaughter endangered because of your pride. Do I make myself clear?"
"Y…yes maam." Mousse saw that inner rage in the old ghoul's eyes and he wasn't about to set it off. He hasn't seen that look since they were back in China and he be damned if he was going to incur that level of her wrath so without another thought he set out to do what he was told.
(End flashback)
~Damn him…..Damn him to the very depts of the many hells.~ Cologne thought as she sat upon a table within the now empty Nekohanten. To think after all this time HE or rather IT was back in her life and she allowed it to happen. She couldn't help but run through her mind all the time she spent in Nerima chasing after Son-in-law. The more she reminisce the more that she found the clues that pointed to his presence.
He was there alright, he was there watching and waiting in the shadows. The aura was there when she first arrived in Nerima trying to get her Son-in-Law to marry Shampoo by locking in her curse, it was there when she was in the forest with Ryoga teaching him the breaking point technique, and it was there, when Ranma was facing Happosai which ended with the huge Hiryu Shoten Ha. He was always there; faint but there and she allowed herself to let him slip away because she was too busy focus on Ranma. ~And damn me….~
The Elder known as Cologne didn't expect that her future son-in-law was going to be this difficult to tame but in the end, that creature was right. Back in her younger days she would have broken son-in-law by now and they would already be in china, but that was another matter right now she had to focus on the task at hand.
She kept going over the conversation in her mind thinking of every word that he said and every movement that he did. While for the most part it was indeed just a way for him to mock her. There was something else behind it; he wasn't one to just do something like that at least not without some other motive.
Her eyes narrowed as the realization dawned on her. It was a challenge, he wasn't just mocking her he was challenging her; it was just like he said. He could have done so many things and gotten away with so much but he didn't and that wasn't like him. He loved causing chaos and misery and he love letting people know he was doing it.
He knows now that she knew he was back, she would do everything in her power to stop him. He knows that she will interfere with him; it was almost like he was counting on it really. He wanted her to come in what he was planning because he wanted his victory to be all the sweeter…after all what better way to mock and humiliate someone then to beat them when they are at their strongest and with help, but what was he planning? As the conversation continued in her mind she came across another discovery.
"Son-in-Law….he chose Ranma as his target." It made sense, after all she knew him he was dropping subtle yet not-so-subtle hints and the fact that he even mentioned Ranma in the conversation at all spoke volumes. She also remembered him saying something about a package. "…oh no…."
Cologne jumped off the table and perched herself on her staff and began to hop out the door. ~I need to get to the Tendo household quickly and warn them. Oh gods above protect them if that monster is already there…. ~
Ranma was still within the room kneeling next to his friend/rival Ryoga. Kasumi and Akane already left the room, the eldest Tendo sister needed to continue on with various household chores while his fiancé wanted to take a bath, of course that was only half the reason, he saw it in her eyes, she didn't want to see their friend in the state he was in now and after looking at his rival's chest he honestly couldn't blame her.
Even though he was appearing to be looking at the sleeping eternal lost boy his thoughts were somewhere else. He was wracking his mind trying to figure out what happened to him. Try as he might no one he knew could to inflict that type of damage on him at least lately. Twisting the flesh on his chest almost like it was clay.
Lime was perhaps strong enough to do that to his friend, he always did have that monstrous strength but from what he seen of the wound, the claws he had wouldn't be big enough. Pantyhose Taro had the strength in his cursed form but he was too large to make a smaller wound like that, besides he wouldn't show his face around after that little stint with Rouge.
The pig-tailed boy chuckled a bit at that before returning to his thoughts. The only people he could see doing this was either the old Ghoul or the Freak. Even though they both were old dwarfs, they still have way more power in their little bodies than a 21 year old athlete in his prime. Who knows what they were truly capable of? But, it was highly unlikely they would do something THAT brutal, no this looked like a vendetta of some kind. ~Could there be another player in town? ~
Ranma found himself torn away from his thoughts when he heard the door open to reveal Kasumi standing there.
"Excuse me Ranma, but you have a guest waiting for you in the living room."
"Thank you Kasumi I will be right down." Ranma gave her a light smile but was curious to see the light blush that was placed on her cheeks but decided not to comment on it. When she left to go back downstairs he calmly turned to Ryoga's sleeping form with worry in his eyes. ~Don't sweat it man, we will find out who did this. I mean, you helped me out in the past and even though we have our differences we are still friends in the end right? ~
With those final thoughts he calmly rose to his feet and went to find out just who his guest was. He just hoped and prayed it wasn't another rival or fiancé that pop promised for a dumpling and some water.
Once he entered the room in question he saw the man that Kasumi claimed to be his guest and at the moment he was talking to Mr. Tendo. He was a slightly-pale lanky man, well-dressed, and gave off a presence of politeness. Even though the man was kneeling, Ranma could tell that if he actually stood up he would be significantly taller than him. Ranma raised an eyebrow when he saw his hair. It was short going just past his ear, was parted down the middle with the color being Silver/white which was strange to the young martial artist, unless the person was old, it was just a weird hair color for someone to have. He saw a black fedora hat placed on the table which, of course belong to the mysterious guest considering it was right in front of him.
The truth was that Ranma didn't know what to make of him. He didn't see anyone else with him so that was a good sign and he clearly wasn't female which was an even better sign. He would like to say that he wasn't another rival who done him wrong because half the rivalries he formed he didn't even realized what he was doing at the time.
Once they finished laughing over a joke Tendo made they both finally noticed Ranma had already entered the room.
"Ah, Ranma,. Please come in here." Soun Tendo spoke as motioning for him to sit. "Ranma this is Zachary. Zachary this is Ranma."
"Nice to meet you, Zachary." Ranma said calmly as he took his place at the table. "So what did you want to see me about?"
Seeing his cue to exit, Soun calmly stood up and left the living room so that the two could speak in private.
"Well first off," The man in the trench coat began. "Call me Zach; there is no need to be so formal. Second, I am visiting you because I am writer Ranma and I am currently writing a book about the various chaotic things that Nerima is known for. This ward has developed quite the reputation for it's self which only makes sense After all, it isn't that often that you see a humongous golden bird flying around causing destruction in it's wake."
Ranma gave a sigh as he remembered what Zach was talking about. Stupid Kuno and that damn Phoenix, that was something he didn't want to relive any time soon. Now that he thought about it having this man here didn't seemed so strange, he never really considered it before but if someone just simply stated that he had a weird life it would be the understatement of the year. If anyone else outside of Nerima went through half the stuff that Ranma and his friends went through they would have quarantine the entire area. Now that he thought about it, it is surprising that no one came around here sooner asking about a story.
"I asked around and it seems that you were the one to talk to when it came to the strange things that has been happening here in Nerima. So if you don't mind, I would like to ask you a few questions."
Ranma watched as the man reach into the inside of his coat and pulled out a small pocket size notebook with a pen along with a small tape recorder. He nodded agreeing to the questions besides perhaps it would give him a change to think about what happened to Ryoga. Perhaps retrace the steps of his life so far.
"Alright." Zach began by clicking his pen. "Ranma, it is said that you were trained by your father in the Saotome style of anything goes martial arts at a very early age. Is that true?"
"Yes it's true"
Do you feel that he made the right decision of ripping you away from your mother thus denying you any chance you had at a normal childhood?"
To say that Ranma was taken aback by the surprisingly bold question would have been the understatement. He was expecting a question about how he like Nerima or something not something so bold and personal. "Hold on, I don't see how that has to do with anything."
Zach seemed to ignore Ranma's protest and continued on. "You made it very clear that you are a man no matter what."
"That's right."
"So, why do you constantly turn yourself female in order to get free eats? Why do you use your female form trying to seduce helpless unsuspecting men all even going so far as to almost kiss some of them?"
At this point Ranma was blushing furiously from embarrassment. "Now hold on a second."
"Answer the question: Is it true that you have done this?"
"Well, yeah but-"
Zach continued on. "Could it be that even though you claim to be a guy through and through that you secretly long to feel the warm embrace of a man when you are currently a member of the fairer sex?"
Ranma slammed his hands into the table out of frustration. "NO! What kind of question are these?"
"Ranma Ranma," Zach leaned in closer speaking in a low whisper while completely ignoring the pig-tailed boy's outburst. "Taking into the fact that you are both male and female, is it true that you can actually reproduce asexually?"
Ranma's head was now as red as a cherry tomato. He slammed his hand into the dinner table one more time but this time use the momentum to get to his feet. "That's it! This interview is over, I suggest you leave…..quickly!" Ranma wanted nothing more than to beat this man within an inch of his life but even he knew better about attacking someone who couldn't fight the way that he was used too. For now he was content with him just leaving, he had better things to do than be ask stupid question by some weirdo.
"Ah I understand, don't want to talk about it, alright well perhaps another time then." Zach calmly put away his notebook, pen, and tape recorder into his coat pocket and then proceeded to acquire his hat and quickly placed it on his head before he went heading towards the door that would lead him to the backyard.
"Whatever," Ranma placed his hands on the back of his head and casual began to leave heading for the stairs hoping to check on Ryoga. He took about two steps when he heard the man snapping his fingers.
"Oh wait; actually I have one more question."
"What?" Ranma spoke with a low growl. He was no longer in the mood for any more of this man's crap. If he asks another question concerning his mother or about his curse weak or not he was going to knock this guy into orbit.
"I was wondering, Did you received my package?"
Ranma gave the man a curious sideways glace. He saw that the man at one foot outside and seemed to be giving him a playful smile. "What are you talking about? I didn't receive anything from you."
"Oh sure you have, you know, wears a yellow shirt, green pants, has a yellow bandana with black spots all around it. Gets lost all the time."
At that point Ranma lowered his arms as he turned fully facing him, his eyes widen as he watched that playful smile become a grin on that sent chills to his very soul. That is when something clicked in his mind as he listened to the man as he continued.
"Has a nice gaping hole right in the middle of his chest."
"Y…You…." Ranma looked at the man with narrowed eyes. "You are the one who did that to Ryoga?"
"Bingo!"
Before Ranma could say anything else, the man quickly went out the door and raced out in an attempt to get away. The Saotome heir quickly went after him, jumping over the dinner table and we out in an effort to catch him. However he found nothing out of the ordinary when he looked outside. "Oh no you don't" He said to himself as he quickly jumped to the roof so that he could get a better angle in hopes to finding Zach. However, this seemed to be in vain as he looked around the area and saw nothing, no clue as to where that guy went.
"Hey kid…"
Ranma blinked as he turned around only to have a fist greet him right in the face. It came so fast that he really couldn't registered it until it was too late. He found himself falling off the roof hitting the ground below. He didn't have time to bask in the pain as he saw the man who sucker punched him in the air clearly with the intention of stomping him while he was down.
He quickly maneuvered himself out of the way as Zach's feet hit the ground causing a small hole and a light rumble. Ranma quickly got to his feet never taking his eyes off the man who was at this point rubbing his right fist with his left hand.
"Oh you have no idea how long I have been waiting for the opportunity to punch you in your face." Z now had his right hand on his hat all the while watching the boy get into a fighting stance.
"Well I hope you enjoyed that punch because it won't happen again." He spoke with that determination he was known for. "If you are looking for a fight you came to the right place. Get ready for a beat down because Ryoga is going to have some serious payback through me, with interest."
Ranma watch as the man laughed over that little declaration. "Oh man, it has been so long sense something happened in Nerima that I forgot about your over bloated arrogance. Besides I don't want to fight."
Ranma raised his eyebrows over that last bit but didn't say anything as he remained focus.
"No…I want a massacre. But don't worry."
Ranma watch as Zach calmly removed his hat from his head and placed it aside before as he looked up. He could see that the pupils in his eyes have become snake-like slits and as he looked at him he could feel his whole body tense up.
"It will be a real scream."
…I promise…
Well, there it is Chapter 3. I hope you all enjoyed it and I hope to hear from you all to let me know if I am doing a good job or not for feedback is always welcome.
Anyway, Chapter 4 should be up sometime during the week so stay tuned. Once again I hope you all are enjoying the story so far. :P
Xul
