An Ultimatum Ranko Chapter:7
As Ranma and her Mother made their way home it was around noon as they were walking back from the new school she would be attending for the next year and a half St. Hibachi was rather magnificent she considered comparing it to Furinkan which was a comparatively large school.
"So you attended school there Mom?" Ranma asked curiously as she watched for cars as she and her mother crossed the street via the crosswalk.
Nodoka regarded her daughter as they walked. "Yes I did dear... I believe you will find this school more down to earth and sympathetic to it's students needs." she assured.
Ranma gave a sideways glance to her mother as they walked taking in what her Mom just told her. 'Well if I ain't dealing with Kuno... and the rest, I suppose I might finally get further on learning something not that I really care too... but Mom would be happy if I learn so guess I will try.' she thought as she spoke up. "Mom think grandmother would have an issue if I dress in my old cloths to practice in?"
"I don't think she would mind so long as you adhere to the contract you should try one of those sports bra's it might help your movement." Nodoka offered to her daughter.
As they continued their walk Ranma took off her glasses momentarily to polish a smudge off the lenses before replacing them. "Mom think we should get some of that cleaner the doc' offered, he said it would clean them far better."
"We have some cleaner already it came in the mail, I placed it in your room on the nightstand next to your alarm clock sweetie." Nodoka said cheerfully as she looked to a convenience store contemplating then setting her mind to work. "Dear go on ahead home I will meet you there I have to grab some things."
Ranma paused momentarily as she watched her Mother disappear into the nearby convenience store. 'Okay I guess.' she thought as she continued her trip home once there she opted to use the side gate that the security guard opened for her as she made her way up the path she watched as students were over in the field to the far left of the manor practicing their sword techniques. Watching momentarily she hurried into the house determined to get ready so she could practice so she wouldn't get soft.
Neji stood in the main hall as her granddaughter came into the house looking rather excited. "What has you in such a good mood child?" she asked curiously.
"Oh Nothin' Grammy; ah really just wanna practice ya' know, it's one of my favorite things to do." Ranma said as she continued on past her grandmother.
Neji gave her granddaughter a smile. "Well change out of that dress dear you mustn't practice in that outfit try something more casual such as sweats if in cursed form that is." she offered to the fleeing girl.
Once arriving into her room Ranma didn't need to be told twice as she took her earrings out replacing them with silver studs then went about taking the rest of her formal outfit off then opening up a drawer she looked to her old classic outfit starting to grab it then paused as she looked to a black sweatshirt that matched a black track with a white pinstripe that ran down the the side of each leg of the pants... taking both outfits out she placed them on the bed eying them both as she undid her bra taking it off tossing it to the hamper, she then walked over grabbing a white sports bra putting it on noticing the slight difference it was compared to the under wire bra she was just wearing, once done she looked to both outfits fighting a small battle in her head. 'I can wear my old outfit for practice and go as a guy, but the new outfit I haven't tried it yet... but it's form fitting.' she pondered on this for a bit as it was a hard choice since she was still getting used to the feminine clothing she had already wore pondering on this a little longer she opted to try on the track outfit which was in her opinion tight yet comfortable on her form.
Ranma looked to herself in the floor length mirror pondering as she could see every curve of her body except that which the sweatshirt hid as it came down over her buttocks. 'Not too revealing I suppose... but it feels light as a feather.' she pondered as she threw out three punches to the air and did a couple kicks to demonstrate to herself whether the outfit would hinder her any at all once satisfied the picked up her glasses from the end table placing them back over her eye's leaving the room. She continued walking towards the dojo her grandmother said she could use she felt wary as she was slightly worried about running into any boy's while wearing her chosen practice attire. 'That may take getting used to never wore clothes that fit me before while practicin'... though I can move a lil faster without my old clothing's resistance to the air around me.' she pondered the differences.
The east wing was rather livid with the sounds of students practicing the art as there were students outside on the lawn outside as well, Ranma took notice that most the students she had seen with the exception of the other night were male. Walking past one of the classes she looked into the window of the sliding doors seeing Reila in the middle of teaching a class of female student's, continuing on she finally arrived at the second dojo at the end of the hall stepping in she gulped as it was already in use by some male students.
As the students continued they're fast paced sparring, Ranma started to back up out of the room when one of the boys called to her.
"Hey Saotome-san how are you doing today?" Niko called as his boyfriend Burnique waved to her as well.
Ranma looked to the two boys feeling rather awkward. "I am uh doing-fiine... Uh I'll come back later thought the dojo was free good-bye" she said as she quickly left leaving the two boys feeling awkward heading back to her room when she turned to a knocking on the door frame of the dojo the girls were practicing in finding instructor Reila standing there giving her a smile. "Hey Sensei."
"Hey yourself child... your dressed for a work out but you don't seem to be doing anything but roaming the halls." Reila said with a eyebrow cocked.
Ranma shrugged some. "Well the Dojo I was gonna use seems to be in use... and well I didn't wanna bother the boy's ya know." she explained.
"Girl if there is just a few boy's in there just go in and practice there is no reason to let good practice time go to waste." Reila said as she started to head back to her class giving Ranma a reassuring look.
Ranma let out a sigh steeling herself as she walked back to the other dojo as the boy's were looking at her soon as she stepped back into the room. "Before you ask I am not allowed to spar with ya." she simply stated, heading over to the far end of the dojo, the sound of her bare feet making a light noise on the wooden floor, while the boy's followed her with their eye's.
"Well no issues... kinda too bad I hear your really good." Niko said as he prepared to resume his practice match with Burnique who looked to the redhead curiously.
Ranma prepared to begin her regime looked to Niko giving a cocky grin. "Don't believe everything ya hear." she said as she brought her right hand up placing a finger over her lips in a shushing motion before rapidly starting her regime moving into a Kata she had worked on for her female form that would help her better harness her speed, and agility.
The two boy watched the redhead in wonder as she moved fluently from one Kata to the next opening up a furry of blows to some unknown targets they couldn't see almost seeming to be a blur as she moved from one target to the next.
Niko's jaw slackened. 'Kami... how is she moving like that?' he wondered as he had been practicing for a year and a half at the sword-based arts never before had he seen such speed and precision though she wasn't using a bokken which obviously helped her speed but didn't explain the sheer movement he was witnessing.
Burnique watched along with his boyfriend awestruck. 'Please tell me I don't ever gotta fight her in the weekly duel!' he exclaimed to himself doubt creeping into his thoughts on whether he couldn't keep up with the girl in question or not. "How do you move that fast?" he called to the pig-tailed martial artist who paused breathing rapidly looking to him momentarily.
"It's called well over... well soon to be seventeen years of practice of my families anything goes martial arts style training, and well I am skilled in a multitude of school practices that are mainly based off speed and precision, and Aerobatics. Where some rely on strength to power their way I do not have to fully rely on such things." Ranma explained before going back into her regime.
Elsewhere in the household...
As Genma was lounging on a black leather couch watching some TV on a thirty two inch plasma screen in one of the guest den's, he caught sight of his wife through the door leading to the main corridor of the house. "Hey No-Chan you looking for Ranma?" he called.
"Not really Dear... I am sure he is in one of the dojo's as we speak, I am surprised you are not there now training with her." Nodoka said off handed now leaning against the door frame looking to her husband.
Genma shrugged his shoulders. "I wanted to but your parent's won't allow it, they say I am a bad influence on our own son." he let out a depressed sigh.
"You wrapped our son in fish sausage... and you wonder why they would think that dear?" Nodoka jabbed giving her husband a slim smile, while walking over giving him a hug. "I still love you dear." she said as she leaned forward.
Genma wrapping his arms around his wife and gave her a gentle kiss back before breaking it. "Well that certainly helps my mood... at least someone loves me." he chuckled nervously.
East wing dojo...
Sasha hurried down the hall towards her masters class he/she was teaching once arriving she went straight over to Reila. "Your daughter is here, would you wish me to take over?" she whispered.
"Yes please do I have to get changed good looking out." Reila stated as she turned heading to the back to change back to her birth form. After a few moments he rose in height from four-foot-nine to five foot three his muscle mass increased as he reached over grabbing a sash as he looked at it with a shake of his head as he then tied it around his waist. 'Some things just must stay hidden at times like these... I really need to tell her... I can't teach my classes with my daughter here all the time.' he thought as he left out the rooms exit entering the second dojo taking note of some of the teens practicing there striking techniques on their free time, as he walked he took notice of his granddaughter working out wearing a rather form fitting outfit. "I see you have taken a liking to the dojo."
Ranma paused her work out turning to the sound of her grandfathers voice. "Yea it's nice Gramp's, though crowded ya know." she answered while giving a sideways glance at the two of the boy's feeling rather awkward as they were now kissing one another. 'That is so... eww weird... but I can't stop staring.' she thought as she fought herself trying to stop staring at the sight unfolding before her.
"Yes things can be a little crazy around here." Reinji said as he took note of what was holding his granddaughters view as he took her arm leading her out of the dojo.
Ranma still watching the boys in curiosity finally turned her gaze as the door to the dojo was now closed. "I have never seen two guys willingly kiss each other before Gramp's is that allowed here?"
"A long time ago it was frowned upon, but do to the change of opinions and the views of different parents from different walks in life including your own have opted our school to become more accepting of the changing times." Reinji explained as he hooked his right arm around his granddaughters left arm as they continued they're chat while walking towards the main house.
Ranma-Chan's room thirty minutes later...
Ranma sat in the furo of his room he looked to the doors latch making sure it was in place, the steam from the bath rose into the air as the jet's massaged his aching muscles. 'Those boy's... that is disturbing... but then I flirt with guy's when in girl form how different is that? Does that make me a pervert?' He eased himself back to relax. 'I take advantage of her tactically there is nothing harmful in using those assets to my advantage... so yes there is a difference I am not a pervert like those two individuals...' Ranma was then woken from his thoughts, and literally woken up rising up some as he had completely submersed himself after falling asleep gasping as he spit the bath water out of his mouth and lungs.
The sound of knocking came from the furo door. "Dear are you alright?" Nodoka called from the other side of the door.
"I am fine Mom is there something you need?" Ranma called from his spot in the furo as he was still regaining his breath.
Nodoka leaned against the door a moment. "I was wondering if you would like to go eat with your Father and me tonight?" she asked after pushing off the door.
"I think I am just going to go to bed perhaps another time." Ranma said as he climbed out of the bath grabbing a towel to dry himself off, then wrapping the towel around his waist, listening he heard no noise in the room finally he opened the door walking out stopping turning his head to the right seeing his mother leaning against the wall.
Nodoka gave him a pleasant smile. "Are you sure you won't change your mind Dear?"
"Mom can't I be allowed time to myself just for one night?" Ranma asked looking to his mother with a pleading look.
Nodoka contemplated her sons words then gave him a nod. "Very well dear just this once but I would prefer you come join us... we will be at dinner for a little while should you change your mind hon." she then turned opening the door and left the room shutting the door behind her. After watching his mother leave he walked over locking the door then sat down on the bed to think.
Ranma looked over on the nightstand by his bed, opening up a book to the twentieth page looking over the contract he had signed. Letting out a sigh of frustration. 'I don't know if I could do this for a full year and a half... what if I start being a girl.' he shook himself from the thought as shivers ran up and down his spine, he then dove onto the bed wrapping himself into her blanket which was a black color, as if to hide from the world in the comfort of the soft satin material that enveloped him. A knock was heard at the door Ranma peaked out from under the blanket to the door before disappearing under the blanket once more.
"Ranma I am coming in whether your ready or not." Akane's voice called as she unlocked the door with the key she was given, stepping into the room she looked around taking a note of the balled up blanket on the bed. "So your hiding in your room?"
"I am just resting Tomboy just leave me alone okay. Now get out I am not even dressed." Ranma called from under the blanket in hopes his blue haired friend and fiancee would just leave.
Akane let a sigh escape her lips. "Ranma your Mother would really like you to come eat with the rest of us, and I came to see if I could talk you into it I mean this is tough but you made the decision to go through with this now your in here trying to hide well you can't stay in here forever you know."
"I am not trying to hide in here Tomboy... I just wanted some time to myself is that too much to ask of you?" Ranma said peaking out from the blanket noticing Akane was now on her haunches eye level with him.
Akane gave the redhead a small smile. "Come eat something, besides I kinda missed you at school today."
"Fine you win go wait in the hall Tomboy." 'Note to self learn to resist that smile.' Ranma chuckled inwardly.
Akane standing up giving her friend and fiancée a nod. "I'll be right outside the door, if your late I am coming back in to drag you to the dining room."
"Yea what ever Tomboy, yer so not cute." Ranma called as he was getting out of bed soon as Akane was exiting the room.
Akane chuckled as she shut the door. "What ever Baka get dressed and get out here." she called.
Dinner with family...
The Saotome family personal dining room was a rather large spacious room it's floors made of marble, a rather large chandelier made of gold and diamonds served as the rooms lighting, it's center focal point was a rather large dining room table that was made of high quality oak, that had a glass covering that sat on top of a white table cloth, food,plates,bowls,chopsticks were laid out in a traditional manner, Soun sat on the left hand side of the table with his eldest daughter to his left, while Nabiki sat to his right. Genma sat at the right side of the table his wife to his left, while Happosai sat at the far end of the table, while Reinji sat at the head of the table his wife Neji was sitting next to her daughter Nodoka.
Reinji looked to his right taking note of the time on the old oak finished grandfather clock noting the time fast approaching nine thirty in the evening. "It would seem my granddaughter, and your daughter is late Soun perhaps we should get started?"
"Maybe we should give them another minute or two." Soun said in a respectful tone.
Reinji gave the Tendo patriarch an understanding look. "Yes another couple minutes wouldn't hurt."
Meanwhile.. Akane leaned against the wall her patience wearing thin. "Ranma are you ready we gotta hurry if we expect to join the meal or we will have to eat in the west wing. I for one want to eat with oue family so get your butt out here!" she turned her head to the right noticing the door opening up and Ranma stepping out of the room wearing a forest green formal Kimono that had a red sash that was tied around her waiste creating a bow at the small of her back, her hair was tied back into a ponytail as a forest green bow with green stud's in her ears, her glasses in place the light of the hallway reflecting off of them.
"I am ready you can quit shouting let's get this over with." 'Wonder what they cooked up for dinner. Ranma thought as she closed the door taking in Akane's appearance, formal outfit which was quite plain yellow with pink flower-print, her hair in usual style.
Akane scrutinized her fiance's appearance. "Don't you think you over did it?"
"And you didn't do enough?" Ranma countered as she started walking to the dining room as the blue haired Tendo girl followed her in silence trying to figure out if there was anything to her fiancee's words.
Niko was walking down the corridor as he took in the sight of both teenage girls as they walked around the corner, he smiled. "Hello Saotome-san, and you are?" he asked gesturing to the blue haired girl.
"Tendo.. Look we are in a hurry so if you would please excuse us." Akane said as she continued to walk, Ranma at her side who acknowledged Niko's presence with only a nod of her head.
Burnique let a chuckle escape his lips as the girl's walked by him, finally catching up to his lover. "Niko why don't you give up Saotome-san, and those Tendo's don't want to give us the time of day."
"But if Saotome-san is possibly going to be the future headmistress of the Academy, she may have some more advanced techniques that could improve the way I fight.. I would like to get a head start rather then waiting for when she takes over by then I may have already graduated the class." Niko responded as he leaned against the wall. While Burnique leaned on the wall opposite.
Burnique shrugged his shoulders. "Just cause you graduate doesn't mean you couldn't come to the school for advanced courses, besides there is other sensei's out there take Reila for instance you could learn from her."
"That's rich.. she won't teach men, she only teaches girls.. and well she is from what I hear a lot easier to train under. I mean Master Saotome-san is one of the best but he isn't much to look at ya know, that and he is a slave driver. Hey Honey let's go get something to eat I hear there is chocolate moose pudding being served for desert." Niko said offering his right arm.
Burnique smiled as he placed his left arm around his boyfriends "Sounds good to me Dear." he said as they started toward the student's dining room.
Nodoka looked up as the twin doors opened as her daughter, and Akane stepped through walking to their seats at the table, she marveled at her daughter formal outfit with a look of approval. "We almost started without you two."
"Sorry Mom." Ranma said as she took a seat next to her grandmother, while Akane sat next to her middle sister.
Nodoka gave her daughter a loving smile. "It's okay Dear I am glad you decided to join us."
Reinji waited a moment making sure he had his family and guests attention then lead them through prayer, once finished the meal commenced.
Genma picked up his chopsticks with a blur snatching a morsel of food bringing it to his mouth stopping as he felt eye's upon him. "What did I do something wrong?"
"I think pop's our campfire eating habit's have no business at this table." Ranma said as she picked up her chopsticks in her right hand as she started eating.
Genma just gave a nod as he started to eat his meal at a normal speed, while Nodoka just smiled at the exchange.
"So Reinji do you play shogi by chance?" Soun asked as he picked up his cup taking a drink of it's contents.
Reinji looked to Soun giving him a nod. "Why yes sometimes I enjoy a game of shogi. though I must admit I am out of practice as I haven't had anyone here that plays."
"Well perhaps I could change that I am rather fond of the game myself, and your son in law is rather good at the game as well." Soun said as he set his glass down.
Ranma snickered some at this point. "Pop's good at shogi since when?"
"Well he has beaten me on occasion." Soun retorted to the snickering redhead.
Ranma broke into a laugh, then gave a serious look. "Only way he ever beat you at Shogi is when he cheats... Oh look over there a hundred yen coin." she mocked.
"Boy stop lying I have no need to cheat at Shogi besides I could beat you easy enough." Genma said giving his daughter a glare.
Ranma taking a bite of her food, while giving her father a serious look as she chewed a moment before swallowing. "Fine let's put your money where your mouth is the challenge is shogi and there is no do overs you game Pop's?"
Reinji watched his son in law waiting for an answer, while Neji was doing the same.
"Well son are you going to accept her challenge?" Reinji asked as a few minutes went by no answer.
Genma shifted his gaze as he wasn't winning the staring contest he was having with his daughter. "Fine Ranma I accept your challenge."
"My Husband is so brave." Nodoka cooed to herself as she then took a sip of her own drink.
Akane rolled her eye's, while Nabiki calculated the results of who would win in her head.
Kasumi taking a bite of her food. 'I really need something to do I wonder when our house will be habitable again?' she asked herself trailing on in thought.
Happosai while eating his food looked between Genma, and Ranma. 'This should be interesting to watch.' "You know we could make this a bit more interesting-" he started to offer getting interrupted.
"Stop before you say it letch.. you might anger the natives." Ranma snapped already knowing what he had in mind.
Happosai frowned. "But Ranma you didn't even hear my idea yet."
"If it has anything too do with silky darlings I don't want to hear it." Ranma retorted as she picked up her glass taking a drink of its contents.
Akane gave a nod in agreement with her fiancé. 'I swear even with Ranma's grandparents seated at the same table Happosai is a pervert and makes no attempt to mask it.'
Reinji chuckled inwardly remembering some of his more interesting moments as Reila when Happosai was around though somehow the old pervert never found out they were one in the same that he knew of. 'I swear he never changes.' "Happosai did you ever get very far with that Amazon girl?"
"No I decided she wasn't my type... and besides why settle for her when there are tons of beautiful girlies I could be getting acquainted with." Happosai explained with honesty.
Nabiki chuckled at his words. "Yea specially hot redheads isn't that right Happosai?"
"Well yes as of a matter o-" Happosai started to answer as he instantly felt small as Neji, Nodoka and the redhead in question all gave him a glare.
"So Reinji I was wondering how long Reila has worked for you as an instructor." Soun asked while taking another morsel from his plate.
Nodoka perked up hearing her old friends name.
Reinji bit his lip momentarily. "She came to work here not long ago after Neji here decided to open our school to girls to learn our ways."
"She does a fine job at teaching our girl's." Neji said with pride before she finished the last of her meal.
"Um is Reila my friend from high school Father?" Nodoka quarried with interest as she hadn't seen her friend in awhile.
Reinji looked to his daughter thinking of an answer. "No instructor Reila is much to young to be that girl Hon."
"Oh alright father." 'Too bad I really miss her Reila was one of the nicest friends I had we did everything together nearly.' Nodoka thought as she accepted her fathers response.
Later that evening...
The dining room still in use as it was quickly approaching eleven in the evening as the family all sat around the table watching the shogi match as Ranma sat on the right side of the table, Genma sitting at the left, the table was cleared with the exception of the shogi board that sat on the table between them.
"Pop's man your a lot better then me at this game I must admit." Ranma said without a hint of sarcasm as she moved a piece into place taking into account all it's tactical possibilities given her father's pieces and their positions.
Soun watched the game carefully watching the red-head for any sign of cheating. 'How is he doing that no cheating.. no do overs could it be that Ranma is better at shogi then myself?'
"It's like they say boy you can't expect to master a game in one try it takes practice." Genma explained as he carefully studied the board. 'The boy is right where I want him three more moves and it's all over for him... yep this old man is superior.' he boasted to himself as he moved his bishop into place.
Ranma studied the board tactically as she moved a pawn carefully up one space, while placing her gaze elsewhere on the board making an act of focus. 'Now just gotta hope he falls for it... and that bishop of his is no more.. placing his king in check, then that means he would have to move back, then one move of my rook with a clear line of sight I can cut him off, or maybe...' she trailed off in thought.
Nodoka pondered as she watched her husband awaiting his next move as his hand edged toward a pawn. 'No don't do it Dear.. your being setup.' she thought on this while at the same time feeling pride at her child's brilliance.
Nabiki watched on carefully as she awaited the Saotome Patriarchs downfall when he surprised her by moving the bishop out of harms way so it was in the protection of the gold general. 'Wow he didn't fall for it.'
"Nice try Boy you gotta get up awfully early to fool me." Genma said with pride.
Ranma smiled at her father. "Yea your right Pop's... which I admit I do get up early sometimes." she said as she moved a pawn one more space flipping it over to promote it to tokin(promoted pawn) which in turn placed his king in tsumi(checkmate) do to the fact her fathers pieces were arranged in a line blocking the kings escape.
Genma blinked as he just realized he lost the game. 'Impossible... He cheated!' "You cheated!"
"I did not Pop's when a pawn reaches the promotion line it is promoted to tokin." Ranma said with a grin.
Genma glared at his daughter. "You did too cheat tell him Tendo there is no such move."
Neji rolled her eye's. 'Why did my daughter marry such a man as him.. I will never understand.'
"Saotome it's a perfectly legit move.. I must admit you lost this round. Well if you all will excuse me I am going to bed." Soun said in a dull tone as he stood up.
Reinji gave Soun a nod. "Good night Soun see you in the morning." he watched the Tendo patriarch leave the room his gaze falling on his son in law. "Well me and Neji should be going to bed ourselves. Son you did alright your moves are tactically sound, you just are being too predictable." he said as he started to leave with Neji following suit.
"Good night Pop's see ya tomorrow I am game for a rematch if you want one." Ranma said as she got up from her chair then headed for her room, the Tendo sisters following suit.
Genma sat there looking at the board studying it as he felt two soft arms wrap around him.
"Goodnight dear I am going to bed." Nodoka said softly from behind her husband as she removed her arms leaving the room.
Genma let out a small sigh as a tear dropped from his eye. 'He praised me... not once has my Father in law praised me.' he felt quite choked up by this, quickly standing up and leaving the room in hopes to hide his emotions.
