While we are waiting for the new Kenichi chapters to be translated I will try to make the waiting a little less boring with a new chapter of my own. :) Sorry about the delay but I had to study for the finals and for a month till the rest of the finals start I have the power to update.:)
By the way since my pre-reader, The Moon Princess can't be reached neither by email nor by her fanfiction account I'm in the middle of looking for a new pre-reader! Any sacrifi... volunteer for the work? :P
DISCLAIMER: I don't own either of the cast of characters, only the plot and my original characters only!
Timeline:
Ranma ½ - The end of the manga.
Kenichi – A weeks before the start of the manga.
„Writer"
"Hello."Speech
"(Hello.)"Thought
"Mouko Takabisha" attack/ technique
„[U-chans]"signs
„/Hello/"Panda signs
„\Hello\"Telepathic
„//Hello\\"Telephone
Part 3: New school a new start?
The life at Ryouzanpaku was calm, it had a pace or a routine call it whatever you would like to. The mornings started whit Hayato waking up first, a quick morning exercise with Sakaki who was up and ready early in the morning after that a short conversation with his co-masters while Akisame prepared tea. Today however this was quickly disturbed when even the owner of Ryouzanpaku was woken up by the noises from outside!
"...faster!.. Is that your best?!... Watch your foot!" A familiar voice caught the tall man's attention but while to him it was a 'song of the past' the rest of the house was either still half asleep or was up and slightly angry for the morning wake up call!
"Would you SHUT UP jijii!?" When the residents of the house realized just who were making the morning rumble they forgot the anger when they witnessed the beauty of the movements and the evidence of joy when master and student sparred. Usually such events meant that both sides focused too much to even THINK about enjoying the fight but these two were fighting for the sheer joy of it!
When Happosai and Ranma clashed the air seemed to ripple around there bodies, the ki infused air felt heavier then it is usually. To the masters it didn't mean any problem since they didn't feel any differenc but Miu who didn't have an advanced ki control yet felt slightly weaker.
"Happo Dai Karen!" The ki infused bomb flew towards Ranma who reacted in the last second and kicked the bomb straight into the sky were the bomb detonated!
"If that would have exploded near Ranma..." Akisame's voice was trembling slightly but luckily for his reputation no one seemed to notice it.
"...then he would have been surely hospitalized at best!" Kensei finished and both him and Akisame was as shocked as everybody else.
"Is he trying to kill him or what!?" Shio was straight out furious but he didn't want to lash out on the new master yet... not until everybody else agrees with him. When he saw Shigure's hand turning white from the force she was gripping her sword he felt eased that he WASN'T the only one who felt this way!
"Nice one jijii but you are NOT the only one!" Hearing this coming from the pigtailed youth Happosai let out his purple miasmic aura to match his heir's blue. Suddenly Ranma jumped upwards and came down with a ground shaking kick that made a crater in the yard but he didn't stop there, when Happosai evaded the kick his body moved forward and the old man was already in point blank range.
Ranma let his ki flow into his arms and his arms blurred as Happosai struggled to dodge or minimize the damage!
"Elder do by any chance you know just HOW is the kid doing that? He did the same thing against me in our fight yesterday and I'm still not sure how he learned such stuff!" While normally the fierce karate master could instantly recognize a technique if he gets enough information about it this one was still a mystery.
"From the looks of it this technique is an intense speed training... but normally such speed can't be reached with just that."
"It looks familiar to on of my speed training techniques... but mine isn't utilizing ki this way." Kensei spoke out still looking at his new disciple, it must have been either a close to impossible training or the boy was a master at using his ki.
"They are finishing...it." Shigure whispered as she saw Ranma dashing towards Happosai who once again summoned up his purple aura. Seeing this, the pigtailed fighter evaded the first attack that would have easily pushed him backwards and would have left him open for an assault.
Happosai who was surprised when Ranma suddenly spun around his axel and evaded his punch only to land behind him, the old man lashed out with his pipe only to hit air.
"Mouko Takabisha!" Hearing the so well known words Happosai prepared to dodge the incoming blast where ever it came from. When he felt the incoming orb he jumped as high as he could and saw the orb exploding where he stood a moment ago.
"(Ranma is getting stronger by every fight... now where is he?)" As the old master was seemingly flying, he quickly tried to find his heir when he saw that something was blocking the Sun!
"TAKE THIS!" Before the old man could have moved Ranma crashed into him from above the two plummeting towards the ground at an alarming rate.
"Five hundred yen on that they will separate before they crash!" The Chinese master held out his hat and put his five hundred yen in it as he waited for the other wagers.
"I'll hold and raise it by two hundred that they won't crash!" Koetsuji started searching in his shirt for his wallet and the money soon started piling up.
"Hold it and raise it by a hundred that they WON'T separate!" Sakaki was in a mood for a quick gamble as he threw in his eight hundred yen. Seeing the others in such a cheerful mood Hayato pulled out his wallet also and raised the award by two hundred yen.
What really got everyone surprised was when Shigure pulled out one thousand two hundred yen."Two hundred that they won't separate and they won't... crash." At the side line Apachai was confused for a moment before he ran to his room for his secret stash. Miu in the other hand didn't know what to think, the day had barely started and the new inmates already lightened up the mood even if she didn't like the idea with gambling. Her eyes were racing between the pigtailed boy and the small master as the two exchanged blows in mid air while plummeting towards the ground.
As the two combatants were descending they heard a familiar voice and both felt a wave of ki coming towards them. A green ki orb sailed towards them Ranma smacked it away only to be thrown away by Happosai. As Ranma looked towards his master he saw an object in the small man's hand that he didn't want to see for a LONG time: an umbrella! Just like the one that Ryoga is always carrying around. When the pigtailed boy landed he saw his eternal rival standing on the wall.
"Saotome! You dared to leave Akane-san alone! How dare you play around with that old pervert when Akane-san could be in danger?!" Ryoga was yelling and pointing at them to emphasize his meaning. Before the fanged boy could continue he was stopped by an incoming brick. He dodged by reflex and turned towards Ranma who already had a few more bricks piled up next to him.
"Why the hell did you throw that!?" Ryoga couldn't understand the meaning of this action or that where did Ranma get those building materials in a matter of moments.
"I was wondering if this would shut you up but I guess I was wrong." The Saotome heir seemed disappointed then let the brick fall from his hand to the ground. Ryoga was red from anger first he had to find Ranma because Akane wasn't the usual without him! Now that he found him Ranma doesn't seem to be in a hurry back!
On the sidelines the inhabitants of Ryouzanpaku watched the new comer arguing with the new disciple. While they did hear Ranma's version first hearing it another time from the other side never hurts does it?
"... and now that I found you I will bring you back even if it means I have to gag and tie you up!" Ryoga was angrier then he usually is, mostly because from the looks of it his eternal rival didn't even care about what he just said!
"Look Ryoga, I DON'T care what you want and could you stop trying to make me the bad guy like every time you try to blame me for something! By the way I thought that YOU would be the first person to do a dance of joy that I left Nerima!" Ranma spat out the last sentence laced with suspicion concerning the lost boy.
"Yeah... but you know that I can't stay around a place for long..." Ryoga was about to blow up, Ranma was taunting him when he KNEW that he CAN'T stay in a place for long!
The spectators didn't really understand why did this young fighter suddenly intruded the dojo and attacked there disciple but from the looks of it an entertaining fights is about to start. Miu wasn't sure if she should intervene before something bad happened but from the looks of it her help wouldn't be needed.
"... how about this Ryoga let's fight, if I win you leave me alone and if you win I will go back to the Tendo dojo." The offer was tempting and Ryoga couldn't believe that Ranma actually made this gamble. Not that he minded it, all he had to do was to beat Ranma into the ground and then he can take him back to the dojo and everything would be back to normal.
"Fine, let's get it on!" Ryoga yelled out and threw his backpack at the outer wall that had a big spider web like crack on it after the backpack impacted with it.
The two took up the starting forms, Ryoga's was an offensive one that had plenty of openings but with his endurance it didn't mean much. Then again against Ranma who took every opportunity to beat him he had to watch out for said openings. Ranma quickly took up his stance that emphasized speed rather.
"(The good old dodge till he's too blind to aim always works.)" Ranma smirked as Ryoga took the bait and dashed towards him with his usual concrete shattering hits. Dodging in the last second so that Ryoga couldn't follow up with another attack always worked and by the rate they were going at it Ranma started landing hits while dodging.
To the spectators they could only see Ryoga slowing for a moment before he continued and increased his speed, to that Ranma replied by speeding up also.
"Wow, those two are really something." Sakaki was amazed by the two young fighters, he could beat them easily but they were very close to reaching master level.
"You said it. Could you pass the popcorn Akisame?" Kensei was amazed at the grace the new disciple showed, while this Ryoga boy acted more like a juggernaut not that he minded but the Chinese master preferred using the enemies strength against them.
"I agree but I do have a feeling they are just warming up. Here you go. Anyone would like some tea?" The mustachio man passed the popcorn to his Chinese friend and started making some green tea.
"Apachai would like and bandana boy much like Apachai. He two go and destroy." The Death God of Mua Thai grabbed a cup and drank from it as he analyzed the two fighter's style.
"That boy is also a... weapon user." The busty kunoichi could easily tell by the way Ryoga used a hand slice that almost connected with Ranma but instead of it the yard now had a medium sized slash mark in it.
"Hohoho! This boy really knows how to pick his rivals. Such fire is rare these days." Hayato felt proud at the new addition to his home, okay the boy did have some short comings but those weren't that bad.
"Now only he would act more like the heir to the Musabetsu Kakuto Ryuu and I would be pleased." Happosai sat next to Akisame who almost instantly made a cup of tea for the old man.
As Ranma was still dodging and sneaking in hits he dropped his speed unconsciously and Ryoga got to close. Close enough to almost land a decisive blow, had Ranma not dodged the last second Ryoga's sudden heel kick the pigtailed boy would mostly be down for the count.
Before the lost boy could have continued with a haymaker Ranma stepped in and did a double palm strike that knocked the air out of Ryoga long enough for Ranma to make a distance between them.
"(Not good, usually Ryoga is already in a near uncontrollable rage but now he still retained some of his control. This is getting better and better.)" Ranma smirked as he started enjoying the fight, Ryoga didn't understood why Ranma was acting like that but he'd better not think that this fights is over with this!
Collecting the depressed energy in himself, the lost boy moved in melee range with his enemy then to the surprise of the pigtailed boy Ryoga kneeled down and yelled."Shishi Hokoudan!" A green orb erupted from his hand and connected with Ranma's abdomen blowing him backwards, doing plenty of damage to boot. Standing up was a pain in the ass or in the stomach to be precise, even breathing hurt as the burnd skin stretched.
"Well if that is how you want to play then by me guest Ryoga!" Ranma said as he ripped off his shirt and let his aura explode. For a few moments the fanged boy was startled by the killing intent that radiated off his arch enemy. Doing the only logical thing Ryoga let off with a yell and his battle aura flared up and the two started into a staring contest waiting for a moment when the opponent showed a moment of hesitation.
Miu and the residential masters whistled at the sight, it was a rare sight to see two people who were this skilled at such a young age.
"I don't know what did they go through but it must have been hard for them to reach this level. I might even assume that there training was FAR harder then what you put Miu through." Sakaki couldn't hold that in himself even if Hayato looked darker at him for a moment but then the old man started nodding.
"Well it is hard for me to say but I have to say it. Considering what I had put Miu through is nothing compared to them... at least from what I gathered from Ranma's story. This Ryoga boy went through the same hardships most likely." Hayato wasn't sure if that was a problem, comparing the two trainings his was FAR more human and caring then what Ranma had.
While Miu never really had time to learn how to gain friends because a friend would mean a connection with a place and that would have had an emotional drawback on the girl. While Ranma didn't really learned how to make friends he DID gained some, those friends either turned into enemies or become problems later in his life thanks to his father. Speaking about the boy Ranma was in a problematic situation.
The two powerful martial artists clashed, neither giving an inch as they traded blows. The Hibiki boy had the advantage because of his monstrous stamina and durability but that alone didn't earn him the victory. While in such a close range doing flashy movements were out, this meant the old beat up the opponent was the only option. Ryoga first tried with a straight punch that was easily dodged by Ranma even at this range.
Ryoga's fist met air and was right behind Ranma's back as the boy twisted out of the way and attacked with a spinning elbow aimed at Ryoga's face even he would feel that! Instead of bearing it like he usually does Ryoga moved his body so he was out of range for the attack before Ranma could have retreated from the elbow move Ryoga used a side kick that landed on Ranma's back.
Earning a loud grunt from Ranma the fanged boy felt superior. Instead of crumbling to the ground Ranma took a only a step forward that followed up a spinning sweep. The fanged boy was caught with his guard down as he lost his balance and he stumbled towards Ranma who was already in the process of his the next attack, he used his superior speed to move under Ryoga and do a rising uppercut that slammed into the fanged boy's abdomen pushing out the air from his lungs. What Ranma didn't anticipate was that Ryoga wouldn't be unconscious from that alone, he grabbed the pigtailed boy's arm and throw him into the air.
The close quarter fight was over and it turned into a ki struggle. When they clashed again the speed they used was astonishing. Seeing this level of dedication and skill brought tear to the eye of the masters. The two young fighters were using ki enhanced melee attacks while the battle aura further enhanced defence, endurance and speed.
When Ranma was descending from the air he quickly lashed out with a kick that was blocked by Ryoga but this gave the pigtailed boy a chance to continue his attack. Before he landed he aimed a backhand at Ryoga's face with his right but his arm was caught by his target and Ryoga was ready to retaliate with his left only to be caught by the young Saotome.
"Give up Ranma you CAN'T win this time!" Ryoga was sure of his victory, his still had control over his rage and his depression aura earned him an edge over Ranma, the heavy air around him made breathing harder, straining the muscles in Ranma's chest. While the confidence aura helped out a little it wasn't enough against someone who mastered the Shishi Hokoudan. "Do you think I would have gotten THIS far if I would EVER give up!?" With that Ranma increased his ki output straining his reserves and muscles as he started pushing back the depression aura and tightening his grip on Ryoga's arm earning a low grunt.
The struggle quickly ended when Ryoga tightened his grip, Ranma had to get out of the situation or he would lose. He jumped up and planted his feet deep into Ryoga's stomach. Letting Ranma go Ryoga stumbled back but he didn't give up yet. Both Ranma and Ryoga were tired now that showed when the battle auras disappeared. Ryoga lashed out using his momentum and landed a hit straight at Ranma's chin, the impact threw the boy backwards. The Saotome boy reduced some of the damage by moving with the hit but he was still dizzy.
"(Okay... I HAVE to end it NOW!)" As Ryoga was advancing Ranma strained himself to use the Soul of Ice technique.
"You know Ryoga, this was fun but now this is the end. When this is over I will drag you back to the Tendo house and tell everyone how you lost. Not that it would be new. After all the only two who couldn't see what a looser you are is Akari and Akane who are both too thick to see it! " These words sent Ryoga into a frenzied state and he dashed forward attacking Ranma with every strength he got left. In his berserker state he didn't take notice when he was drawn into a spiral. When Ranma stopped Ryoga felt victorious, he WILL pulp Ranma first before he will drag him back on the longest route he could find preferably where the roads had bumps where he could smash Ranma once or twice... on EVERY bump! Suddenly a shiver went through Ryoga's spine when he saw the emotionless smile on Ranma's face.
"Sayonara Ryoga! Hiryuu Shoten Ha!" Ranma did an uppercut and the air blew upwards pulling Ryoga into the tornado.
"OH CRAP! QUICKLY GRAB ONTO SOMETHING!"The masters were all grabbing into something that would be hard to be sucked up by the tornado.
The only one who couldn't find a good spot was Miu, she grabbed onto the wooden column when the tornado was already pulling her towards it. Her arms gave up after a fierce struggle.
"MIU!" Hayato saw his only heir being swallowed by the tornado. He turned towards Happosai who was grabbing onto his leg.
"What have Ranma did!?"
"He used an ancient Amazon technique! Don't worry it's only fatal if Ryoga tries to fight it!" Even though he knew that Ryoga had been a victim of this attack in the past, he wasn't sure if in a berserker state he wouldn't try to fight it!
Inside the tornado Ranma was on the verge of consciousness, his ki reserve was at it's lowest, he knew that he just endangered his own life but either that or he would have to go back to the Tendo dojo losing this chance to train further.
He was about to fall to onto his knees when he heard the elder yelling and a scream following it. He looked up and saw Miu inside the wind trying to fight the torrent of air!
"(No! If she fights it, it will only become stronger!)" He tried to speak but his voice was swallowed up by the tornado, he did what he only done a few times. He jumped into the torrent and tried to reach Miu!
As the Tornado lifted, everyone was shocked when there was no one on the ground! Happosai was afraid and looked at the tornado."He couldn't have..."
The young Furinji was at her limit, she tried to get out of the tornado but she couldn't do anything! The worst when she tried to fight it, it only felt stronger! Just as she was about to lose consciousness, she saw a shadow closing in on her.
"(DAMN YOU RANMA!? I can't believe that I fell for your trick! I can't lose like this!)" Ryoga was far higher than Ranma was but he could make out his eternal rival with his last strength he used all his depression and anger to fire off his green ki orb that flew towards his enemy going through the air current. Ryoga wanted to laugh but the world darkened and he fell unconscious.
"(Fuck! I have to take Miu out of here! 'Gotta hurry to the top! What the!?)" As he was about to make an escape he saw an emerald ki orb sailing towards them. His anger flared up feeding the tornado with power but Ranma did what he had to do. He grabbed the ki orb and re directed it downwards the impact from the bottom of the tornado blew them higher and Ranma could already see the end of this hellish ride.
When the bottom of the tornado had a green tint to it Happosai knew what he had to do.
"Everyone the tornado is about to die down! Get ready to grab them!" The masters followed orders and prepared themselves to grab the falling people.
Just as Happosai said the tornado died down and they could see Ranma and Miu falling together towards the ground while Ryoga was about to land on the roof!
Hayato ran to catch Ryoga while Sakaki and Akisame went to intercept the pair. Ranma saw that the ground was closing in fast but he didn't have the strength to move, all he could do was to tighten his grip on Miu and if he can make her fall softer!
"(Why, am I always playing the hero!?)" That thought went through Ranma's mind before he felt something crashing into them and what little strength he had seeped away and he fell into blissful unconsciousness.
When Ranma woke up he was in the main room, moving was a pain in the ass but he had to sit up to take a good look around. Next to him was and empty bed and Miu who was still unconscious while Ranma was trying to get up, the muscles in his body were screaming at him to stop moving. When the door opened the pigtailed boy could see Ma and Akisame entering the room both with medical equipment.
"Welcome back, you really made us panic when you pulled that tornado attack." The short Chinese man started mixing some herbs while he spoke to Ranma... and something told the pigtailed boy that the hissing, dark green brew might be a medication but it still seemed like something Akane cooked up on a GOOD day! Okay not that much but the smell was close!
"Yeah, while we are used to being in danger when watching a duel between martial artists, a tornado was unexpected." The juijitsu master wasn't used to being afraid, but that a soon to be disciple of his made him feel like that felt strange!
"Gomen... I didn't want to but that WAS my last ace in my sleeve. I guess I should have warned you about this somehow." The pigtailed boy scratched the base of his pigtail and had an embarrassed smile form on his lips. To Ranma's surprise Happosai and Hayato entered the room both seemed at peace but the eyes spoke differently. The grandmaster of his school had a slight anger in his eyes paired with happiness mostly because everyone was alive!
"Where is Ryoga by the way?" The pigtailed boy asked as he looked at the empty bed once again.
"We don't know, when I left the room and returned a quarter hour ago he was gone." Ma replied not knowing how could the boy be up and walking already after a battle like that.
"Yes, well the important thing is that no one is harmed and once Miu wakes up you can get ready to go to school." The elder spoke out and Happosai started cackling like a maniac.
"School?!"Surprise couldn't describe what Ranma felt, he thought that he came here to train and not to study!
"Why are you surprised? I enrolled you here yesterday, your papers are soon to be transferred from Furinkan high and thanks to our dear little Hinako it should be done in a week at worst, not to mention it is a secret from the principal." Happosai's reasons did have meaning but Ranma still didn't like that AGAIN his life was pre made for him.
As the pigtailed boy was grumbling and reasoning with himself that school might not be so bad, Miu stirred and regained her consciousness. Her eyes wondered a little before they caught her first ever friend. A friend that almost harmed her, even if that wasn't his intention.
"How long have I been out?" The blond martial artist asked as Akisame pulled out a watch from his shirt."(Since when did it have an inner pocket?)"
"Exactly forty five minutes and six seconds." The juijitsu master's words calmed the housekeeper down enough to see that someone else was in the room. The Chinese master made up another of his healing potions while trying to reassure Ranma that it was safe to drink it.
"Don't worry, you can drink it. Kensei-san is my pharmacist for a while now and he hasn't messed up yet." Hearing this from the elder still didn't make Ranma very sure but hey, it CAN'T be worse than Akane's cooking right? In a big gulp he downed the brew and in a moment he felt like throwing up.
"Had worse but it is still disgusting." He was already used to poisons, potions and toxic waste like the youngest Tendo's cooking so it didn't harm him. Trying to warn the blond beside him the raven haired boy saw Miu drinking the brew and seemingly didn't have any effect on her.
"Well, if you two are ready then you should get going to school." Akisame spoke and dodged an incoming schoolbag that hit Ranma in the face.
"As the heir to the Musabetsu Kakuto Ryuu you shouldn't EVER lower your guard!" The grand master of his school laughed than had to dodge the incoming bowl that had the medical brew in it not a minute ago.
The two teenager martial artist moved quickly compared to the rest of the students they encountered. The strange this was that the pigtailed boy was ACTUALLY wearing a school uniform even if he didn't buttoned in the top three buttons on the white shirt and the trousers were a size bigger that way it didn't hinder his movement. While walking on the street Ranma saw a chained fence and had the urge to jump up there. The Furinji heiress was about to start a conversation when suddenly Ranma jumped onto the fence and started walking on it like it was a sidewalk!
Seeing that Miu was looking at him he turned his head towards her while still going without losing balance.
"Something you wanted to ask?" At Ranma's words Miu smiled and jumped up behind him, while she did have the ability to stand on it moving at a walking pace was different. Sensing that his friend was in trouble walking along the fence at a normal pace the pigtailed boy stopped so that Miu could catch up.
"Why did you jump up here?" The never ending question that he can never say a real answer, him jumping on the fence had many reasons. Miu was feeling down because from the looks of it Ranma didn't wanted to answer her but then suddenly the boy turned around and walked backwards while facing her.
"I was raised so that I should turn everything into training and this is a way for balance training. The question is why did you follow me?" The blond girl wasn't sure what to say, it could be because she felt that Ranma challenged her in a way or that she wanted to walk with him.
"Because I wanted to talk to you, so can you tell me about yourself?" The two switched places and now Miu was leading Ranma to school as they started having a conversation about random things that happened since the training trips.
After the fence ended the two returned to the sidewalk but still continued the conversation, until someone bumped into them on the corner. The man was tall, not as big as Sakaki or Appachai but he was at least as tall as Kuno Tatewaki. Had a long bleach blond hair and black eyes, a cigarette between his lips. He had a white shirt and a pair of jeans with black sports shoes. To Ranma this scenario felt strange mostly because he was used to that when someone bumped into him they usually beg for mercy and leave as fast as they can. Seems like this part of Nerima hasn't heard about him yet since the guy was followed by two other guys, all three of them looked like the typical hooligan who is only brave when they have a knife in the pocket and a weak person to rob!
"Hey look here, a babe hanging out with a looser like this is such a shame, why don't you ditch him and go out with me instead." The guy who bumped into Ranma looked over Miu from head to the top but his eyes slowed down around her breasts, this somehow irritated Ranma.
"Hey Ryuichi why don't we you know, beat the kid and you know take her with us?" The second guy was a short haired brunette with brown eyes and the same outfit as the blond. Only his shirt was brown and his jeans were black.
"Urusei Ichiro! No wonder that the girl your after hasn't noticed you yet with that attitude of yours." The blond punk yelled at his friend who looked like he just realized the answer to life. The third guy was silent and only nodded all the time before he looked at Ranma and seemed to be deep in thought.
The blonde turned towards the two martial artist who didn't even asses him as a threat, he once again looked at Ranma with a supposedly scary face but it made him look like more of an idiot.
"You're still here? Looks like this little looser is trying to be brave, how about I bash your teeth in!" As Ryuichi reeled his arm back to throw a haymaker Ranma didn't even moved he waited for the punch but suddenly the third guy grabbed the blonde's arm and stopped him.
"Oy Mamoru, why did you do that?" Ryuichi didn't know why did his pal stop him from knocking out this kid but when he saw fear in his eyes and that he was slightly sweating he knew that something wasn't right.
"Ryuichi that kid... looks exactly like Saotome Ranma. The guy from eastern Nerima, where all the crazy martial artist lives.
"(It's good to know that Furinkan's reputation reached here after all.)" The pigtailed boy smirked as he was waiting for the reactions. Hearing his friends word the blond guy looked at Ranma carefully observing every inch of him, as he realised who he was about to hit his cigarette fell out from between his lips and he quickly started taking steps backward.
"Impossible! Why is he here? Better get out of this neighbourhood, if he is here that means that the rest will follow!" Ichiro spoke out then started running, leaving his two friends there to face the pigtailed martial artist's wrath. Ranma smiled and the two guys thought that they were going to die.
"Miu lead the way or we will be late." Miu just nodded and started into a slow pace as the two disappeared at the next corner.
As they ran they heard the school bell from afar. This meant they either hurry or there will be some kind of punishment. The pigtailed martial artist was about to roof hop to the school but then realised that Miu would stay behind.
"Miu can you roof hop?" Ranma was hurrying so he only asked once and waited a few moment for an answer.
"Nani?!" This worked as an answer to Ranma as he picked up Miu bridal style and took to the roof tops, his ki infused into his legs increasing his speed. Miu was screaming since she hasn't anticipated this. Soon the fear turned into joy as she enjoyed the view and the speed, though she could run fast this was something completely different! When she stopped screaming Miu coordinated Ranma towards the school because he was only going in a general direction for a half minute or so.
As the two were nearing the school, the still lingering students were gawking. Normally people didn't go to school by jumping from rooftop to rooftop! When the rooftops ended Ranma jumped as high as he could and they landed inside school grounds. Miu still had her arms around Ranma's neck even though her feet were on the ground. The closeness of the girl now caused the pigtailed boy to tense up, it was different when she was grabbing onto him when he was giving her a roof hop ride but that was necessary!
"Could you like...um... let go?" A moment later and he will start blabbing like an idiot so Ranma mustered what little control he had left to speak those words. The Furinji heiress let him go and seemed embarrassed a bit about the situation. The two didn't say a thing as the mass of the student body moved so they wouldn't come within ten meters to the martial artists.
The tardy bell rang and Miu led them into the building to finalize the registration and get the needed information such as class and homeroom. It could be pure luck or something to do with Hayato and Happosai but the Saotome and Furinji heir got into the same class, the history teacher Yasunaga Fukujirouasked them to wait outside until he asks them to come in.
Thanks to his superior senses the Saotome heir heard every word that was said in the classroom, the baldy teacher spoke about the challenges they will probably have to face in this year that brought a little commenting from the students. The usual whining, bragging and optimistic view of things, then came when he mentioned two other who would join in the struggle was the key word that brought up a turmoil from the class, mostly about the little show and that they don't want freaks near them. That alone gave Ranma PLENTY of reasons to stay AWAY from his classmates! Strangely the thing that hurt him more was that they included Miu as well not only him, he was getting used to being looked up on as a freak or someone who stood out of the group.
"... and now please come in." Ranma was too deep in his thoughts but Miu brought him back by shacking him a little. They went into the class and from the nearly petrified faces the pigtailed boy started to understand what Herb enjoyed so much about making people fear him. The teacher started saying some general information about them but in Ranma's case it was given by Happosai.
"Now please introduce yourself to the class Furinji-kun." The aging teacher looked on Ranma and somehow he felt that he HAD seen this boy not so long ago. His thinking was stopped when the blond girl took a little step forward. Before Miu could have started someone was speaking loudly just in front of the door.
"(Whoever it is the guy is in a SERIOUS need to patch up his confidence.)" The pigtailed boy could almost pity the guy when he was hit in the face by the incoming blackboard eraser. What happened after it almost made him laugh like a maniac! The guy ACTUALLY said he was sorry for entering the class late and sent HIMSELF out of the class! After sending him outside to stand a little Miu continued his introduction what she hadn't seen was the way the wimpy guy looked at her like most religious people looked upon a deity.
"...I transferred from Shouchiku Gakuen, please take care of me now." The class opinion on her suddenly changed after she finished her introduction but it still felt a little tense towards the buxom Furinji heiress.
The teacher looked at Ranma as a sign for him to prepare for his introduction."Saotome-kun let's hear it." Hearing those words Ranma took a deep breath before he chose how to do the introduction.
"I transferred from Furinkan Highschool, most of my life I was on training trips as it is a family tradition to know martial arts." Normally he would have blabbered something but he felt the need to be formal.
When Ranma finished the reactions were varying from straight fear to near madness, did his adventures sound that terrifying or had just Nabiki altered them a bit in that magazine?
"Right, now that we have only two available seats, could you sit in the back row after that we will find a permanent place." The teacher pointed to the back row, the seats were right next to each other by the window. The class went away fast, while Ranma was either sleeping or acting like he actually listened and only took notes about what he WAS interested in. After all he COULD benefit from these strategies the teacher just described... who knows whit his life? Miu on the other hand was taking notes without stopping mostly because she was interested in studying and her education.
After the class was over the two sat down under a tree, sharing opinions on the school.
"Ranma-san, you seemed like you weren't enjoying yourself in there." The Furinji heiress was thrilled that she was surrounded by people of her own age, even if they didn't open up to her yet. Hearing the blond girls words Ranma opened one his eyes and looked at her.
"You bet I wasn't enjoying it. While it was nice for a change to not be disturbed by ambushes or a lunatic that would just barge into the room, I still don't feel like I could fit in a school." After finishing and from the looks of it the school topic was out of the list of conversation. Miu felt like Ranma DID have a reason after all he BARELY went to school, getting out of elementary was a miracle whit his life style. The recess was quickly over and Miu had to coerce Ranma to return to class.
School ended soon and the buxom blond girl accompanied by the pigtailed fighter. Instead of Ranma's preferred way of transportation via roof hopping, they were walking since that didn't bring any unnecessary attention. Not to mention that this way they had a more time to speak with each other.
"What do you think about your first day?"
"Same as always, this school is just like any other one." The enthusiasm of going to school just radiated off from Ranma. He didn't know why he was acting like this with Miu but he was aching for a fight and since he won't fight girls... unless it was necessary Miu was out of the question for a good fight maybe Sakaki or one of the masters?
"You seem tense somehow care to share the cause of it?" Miu was still trying to talk to the pigtailed boy who gave in to her.
"Every time I went to school there was ALWAYS someone who came to face me and here... I was ignored even by the karate and judo team!" This reply confused the Furinji girl, she couldn't understand why Ranma didn't enjoy being normal for a change... but she DID understand what he meant.
Miu enjoyed a challenging fight that makes you go all out reaching new levels in the process. When Miu started pondering on something Ranma already KNEW what she was thinking and what will she suggest.
"Well then, how about when we return home we have a short match?"
"I don't fight girls... if it isn't necessary." The pigtailed boy quickly added before he would have hurt the buxom blond girl's feelings that would either result in an enraged girl or a crying girl and neither was good for the pigtailed boy.
Hearing this, the blond girl looked at him with curiosity then she understood what he meant at least she thought she did.
"(Ranma-san won't hit a girl because he thinks it's not a honourable thing to do but he will if it is needed from him.)" Then again there is that that he might think of girls as weak opponents but that idea was quickly forgotten by Miu, now if she understands it correctly if she WOULD show Ranma that she CAN be an opponent then he would fight her!
"I understand but don't think I'll leave it like that." Seeing the challenge in her eyes Ranma wasn't sure if his future is bright or not.
Entering his new home Ranma had to face that Ma sensei and Akisame sensei was missing, he felt that Sakaki was in the yard probably either practicing or drinking. Shigure and Apachai were in the living room and Happosai was with Hayato...
"Okayri, how was your... day?" The illusive kunoichi's voice came out of nowhere but Miu went to change clothes and to prepare diner. Seeing that he was alone with Shigure who was somewhere in the room.
"Slow and boring like any other day I had to go to school." His answer hadn't surprised Shigure as when she was tutored by her master she was bored as well. Probably all the other masters were as well... maybe accept Akisame who's thirst for knowledge was always there to motivate him.
Ranma left without another word and went into his room that he shared with Happosai for the moment. He still didn't understand WHY there isn't a staircase... not that he really needed it but in the night it CAN be a bother. When he wanted to go to the toilet at night and he was still half asleep he had forgotten about the stairs and he had to thank his reflexes or he would have landed with his face first from a good 3 or 4 meter high.
As Ranma entered his room he thought through the do list in his head, the priority and the need was hard to do but he had to finish his school work before he started his daily lessons or he would never do it.
Luckily Akisame seemed to be in his room... playing on his guitar and composing? Well who else to ask for help if not him?
"Ranma-kun, I hope you don't mind that I invaded you room but I like to entertain myself here. Somehow this room flames creativity in me." With that he started playing some notes and wrote some of it on a paper.
"Okay. I'm just going to do some homework and then I could use a lesson or two." Somehow the pigtailed boy KNEW he just SHOULD have kept silent when the juijitsu master's eyes started to give a light show.
An hour and a half later Ranma had finished his homework and also had learned astronomy and history in the process of a math problem! There is only ONE thing he still didn't understand."(The chalk I understand but WHERE the HELL did he get the blackboard AND the desk from?!)" Some questions stay unanswered as Akisame went out of the room with only his guitar.
Getting ready for a lesson from one of the masters, he started into an easy kata to warm up. Soon another kata was on the chain and another until he was out of katas so he started from the first one but faster adding new katas into the chain.
Furinji Miu was prepared with everything, the house was in a good condition so she didn't had to clean it her homework was finished so she had a few hours of free time till dinner to spend it as she wants to. Seeing the one of the new additions to the household Miu quickly ran to her room to change clothes. The blond girl dashed to the dojo but stopped when she heard noise in there.
When she opened the door slightly so she could see what was going on in there, what she saw had hypnotized her. In the dojo was the young Saotome, going through katas at an inhuman speed. The trance like status stopped when Ranma's kata reached the peak when he jumped up and did a reversed full moon kick. The pigtailed fighter landed with a grace that would make most felines and trained martial artist jealous. Ranma was surprised by the sounds of hands clapping together. Miu was applauding like she hasn't seen anything like this before.
"Sugoi! That was beautiful Ranma-san!" Ranma felt nervous, no one had ever complimented him for doing his katas... Genma always told him that he still needs to improve and Akane was always fuming about it when he did it while Ryoga called him girly for doing it.
The flashbacks were ended by Miu shaking him lightly."...Ranma-san is having flashbacks again?" Ranma smiled as he scratched the back of his head, the n he realised that Miu was wearing a training gi... sort of. The training gi shirt was there... but she didn't have the trousers. Instead she had a form fitting spandex that made sure to hug her curves JUST enough to prove that the they were VERY real but leaving just enough for the imagination to work with.
"You look good but why are you wearing that?" Ranma wasn't sure where that came from but somehow he felt like he should put some soy sauce on his foot because he could feel a 'foot in his mouth' moment already.
Instead of bashing him for being a pervert like the pigtailed boy thought Miu blushed and looked straight into his eyes.
"You seemed tense so I thought I might help you." Those were the words that had an alternative meaning, especially in that tight form fitting clothing. While most man would be salivating and dreaming about the busty blond Ranma started panicking. Usually if a girl is coming at him like this means a new fiancée to be, fiancée means trouble and trouble equals MORE fiancées and the circle repeats itself! When he started sweating slightly Miu wasn't sure why he started sweating but she waited for a reply.
"Ah, you know... I ... uh... I have to... uh ... go... yeah that's it! I have to go... somewhere!" Ranma was already through ten possible scenarios out of those only two seemed to work for him... either she will understand that he likes her but not like that or she will pummel him. As he was about to say a saving word Miu smiled and took a step backwards.
"Come one it will be fun." With that she went into a basic fighting stance, seeing this Ranma felt stupid. He actually thought that Miu would want to do THAT with him, she just wanted to fight with him!
"(Matta... usually girls don't like it if I hold back... but they don't like it if I do fight back!)"Memories of fighting with Akane popped up, earning a mallet to the head when he didn't fought back and earned a mallet to the head when he dared to pin point where she should improve!
Seeing that her opponent was deep in thought she felt that she might as well start, this might shake Ranma out of... whatever is going on in his head! She jumped towards her opponent and lashed out with a heel drop that was evaded in the last moment by the pigtailed boy the look in his eyes told her that he was surprised!
"(What is he so surprised about?)" She quickly attacked again covering that four step space between them to move within his guard. Her fists lashed out some of them did land but even those were nothing as Ranma moved with the attack to lessen the impact! That was when he lashed out by pure reflex and Miu had to brake or she would have been caught by a nasty kick straight in the jaw! Ranma out of his doze took up a stance quickly, one of his hand behind his back, slightly bending forward, one foot in front of him and it looks like it's hovering on the ground.
It was an unknown stance to the blond martial artist but she was excited about fighting with someone of her calibre!
"I see you're ready!" Miu said then moved to attacking range trying to stay out of his range as she HAD seen what he is capable of. Ranma haven't moved but rather he followed her only with his eyes as from the muscles flexing in his arms showed that he is ready for anything! That was when she saw a HUGE hole in his defence it was on pure reflex that she attacked and Miu realised that it was a trap a little too late. Her fist was pushed away as Ranma moved into her personal space and lashed out with a palm strike to her shoulder. This threw Miu off her balance long enough for Ranma to continue his attack when he grabbed her arm and wanted to subdue her. What the pigtailed boy haven't counted on is that similar to him Miu was acting on fighting instincts and reflexes as she suddenly broke free and her heel barely missed Ranma's forehead as the pigtailed boy dodged.
As the two continued to fight for the thrill of the fight, there was an unsaid promise between them that they would only depend on skill so there wasn't any ki enchanted movements done! Swallowed up by the sensation of the fight neither of the two had felt when all the masters walked in and started watching the sparring match.
Even without ki enchanted movements the fight was something else! Both fighters were seasoned fighters with enough experience and skill to make it an entertaining match for the masters.
Happosai and Hayato were constantly voicing out there thoughts about the fight and where could the two improve. What the two elder discussed caught the others attention as well, Sakaki knew that Miu was a good fighter even if she still had to improve a little to enter a completely new level, while Ranma had to get rid of some of his flashy movements... thought it seemed to work for him in a fight!
Koetsuji thought the same as Sakaki, with this fight they can kill two birds with one stone: it will deepen the friendship between the two heirs and also it will work as the perfect way to think up a new way to train them if it was needed.
Ma liked how the two fought there forms were fluid, also evading attacks like an eel while pressing on the offense isn't that easy if the opponents are matched!
"Miu-chan is more agile and slightly... faster." Shigure's opinion had a basis as Miu was making the rave haired boy step back to gain space for an attack while dodging in a manner that would make a champion gymnast jealous!
"Apa! Ranma is as fast but he stronger then Miu-chan!" As Apachai just spoke out Ranma quickly countered and turned the tide of the fight his strength was giving Miu a hard time when the blond fighter grabbed the raven haired boy's left arm with her right and tried to throw him before that he grabbed her with his left arm while his right grabbed her shirt and threw her instead when he quickly turned to face her! Miu landed on her feet with a grace of a feather it was enthralling to see her seemingly break the laws of physics as she floated towards the ground.
Happosai started laughing as Ranma's trademark smile appeared the young Saotome was really enjoying the fight! It wasn't like with his usual fights where Ranma only had to keep up his speed and make his opponent mad! This winner in this fight will be by either decided by luck or skill!
The two were fighting for a good ten minutes now when both Miu and Ranma started feel it. Both were taking deep breaths, knowing that the next clash will be presumably the last in the fight. Ranma snickered as he thought how long it been when he had such a good fight! Maybe Herb was the only person who was at the same level... well if the Musk prince wouldn't depend on his ki attacks so much!
The two young fighters started into a staring contest, challenging the other to attack! As neither wanted to attack yet they only took a step towards each other. After another minute later Miu saw a HUGE opening on Ranma's defence! She was about to strike but saw that the opening was a trap, from that stance Ranma could quickly attack five different ways thanks to his speed!
Accepting the challenge she copied Ranma's action making a huge opening on her defence as well!
The raven haired boy's look turned serious when he saw what his opponent was doing... man that irked him! There was a trap before him that he could easily use to his advantage... but to do that he would have to use his ki and that would take out the fun from the fight! When they were still tempting each other to attack Ranma couldn't wait any longer and moved into attack!
Ranma started with a jab aimed at the hole in Miu's defence that the blond girl deflected and moved into strike back at the pigtailed boy with heel kick that have crashed into Ranma's arm and it was the boy's chance to end the fight!
He grabbed her leg and pulled her towards him that made the Furinji girl lose her balance and she fell to the ground, Ranma then followed it up by standing over her body and before Miu could have gotten him off her his fist impacted right next to her head the dust on the floor was blown away at the power of the hit.
Seeing that this could have been a hit if he wanted it Miu had to realise this was the end of the match.
Looking into her deep blue eyes Ranma saw a little sadness and the previous excited look faded. When deep blue eyes locked onto the gray-blue eyes the two stayed like that both falling deep into the emotions the other was feeling at the moment. This moment was broken by the masters who were applauding at the fighters. It was of those rare moments when they actually enjoyed watching a fight! When Ranma realised that he was still above Miu he blushed a little and helped her up.
"You fought well Ranma-san." The blond girl smiled at the still nervous boy.
"You two, been a long time since I had so much fun!" Ranma's compliment eased Miu, humility was one of the things that her grandfather had thought her in the past but she rarely lost a fight so this experience felt relatively new.
After the spar with Miu, Ranma started his training first was Akisame.
"After such a good fight I think you don't need to warm up so I prepared something different." The moustachioed martial artist brought out four one hundred pound iron balls, a long rope and a tire.
That afternoon Ranma was seen running around the town swearing in a manner that would put even a sailor to shame as the whip landed on his back! After getting used to a pase Ranma couldn't bear it and shouted at the juijitsu master!
"Why, do I have to run around the town you slave driver?!" Seeing his disciple's rage Akisame felt like answering him.
"As you know all things start with the basics and while I know that your level is above this, a little body training can't hurt." Hearing this Ranma wasn't surprised after all when he and Genma were on the ten year long training trip they started the day with basic training.
"I understand... but what's with the whip!?" At the pigtailed boy's words Akisame looked stoic as ever.
"Motivational equipment, now let's continue or I will triple the distance!"Koetsuji cracked the whip making Ranma run again at an increasing pace.
After coming back to the dojo Ranma didn't like this master at all, hopefully the next training session won't be as painful. After getting rid of the weights Ranma heard footsteps. The raven haired boy looked to the source to see the Chinese master looking straight into his eyes.
"I hope you are ready for some training with me." Ma seemed happy but this made a chill run down Ranma's spine.
"Now Ranma, since you are already an adept at fighting my training will be light so let's start with refreshing the basics." The young Saotome nodded and the elder Chinese master started his lesson with basic standing to movement ones. After two hours of refreshing the basic and advanced stances Ma Kensei stopped his lesson.
"Not bad, not bad at all. How about you and I have a training fight?" The Chinese master didn't have to ask Ranma as he was already ready for a fight! He took up his usual stance but limited himself only to kenpo movements. Ma Kensei smirked at this the boy will be the pride of martial arts once they are done with him!
The fight was quickly over but under that time both fighters looked at each other in a completely new light! Ranma thought that the bald china man was a milder version of Happosai but now he had respect for him, he really gave him a good beating. In his opponents head the pigtailed boy was like his younger self only this boy had a far larger scale of fighting styles to back him up!
"Well done, I think I have to change my training plans after all!" Hearing this Ranma was laughing. Maybe with opponents like Ma training here won't be so bad. Then out of nothing a sprinkle of water hit the raven haired boy turning him into a buxom redhead. This resulted in the Chinese man getting his camera and copping a feel where he could!
In a building only a few stations away a girl sat on her seat in a room full of her lackeys. A blond boy stepped forward with a list in his hands.
"Kisara-sama here is the list of people that could be good recruits for Ragnarok." Kisara smiled at the list, not only did it have plenty of people on it with the background information that would rival a certain Tendo's work but it also had information where these recruits to be learned.
Then one name caught her eyes, it didn't have ANY information on him except his previous school! This boy was a mystery she wanted to crack, he HAD to have something in him to get on the list WITHOUTH any background info!
"Start sorting out which can be an asset and which is useless and for this Saotome... bring him to me!"
Author's note:
Hopefully the long wait was worth it, because I sure enjoyed writing this chapter. Now the only question is HOW am I going to insert Kenichi into this? I'll think up something sooner or later.
I read this chapter five times to make sure I haven't made any gramatical errors, if there is still some then this proves one thing:
I can't type a text with a good grammer!
Strange thing mostly because I had the english final last year and had a 97% score on it (that three percent error was on the writing part by the way) so I guess I either have to write the story by hand which is a bit of a problem because my writing can be barely called writing or I have to ask someone to write it down for me...
Translation:
Okayri – welcome home
Hai - yes
Abonai - watch out
Hanaste – let go