Chapter 10: Wait! I know you!
Ranma walked back from another session with kendo session with Kuno. So far his first week at Furinkan went off without a hitch. He had made friends with Kuno and Akane, and to some extent Natsume; however both girls were a bit reluctant to spend time around Kuno. Natsume was still a little miffed at having lost so easily to Ranma. So far she challenged Ranma to 9 battles and each time he was spending less and less time to beat her. Akane was intrigued at the pigtailed martial artist's style having never seen it before. She constantly pestered Ranma about it but always got the same answer in reply. "It is my family style and I am not entitled to divulge its secrets to anyone not born of the Saotome family unless they are my wife."
"Come on! Can't you at least demonstrate your techniques? I can show you some of mine. Come on! From one martial artist to another.". Akane was always treated with the same infectious grin before Ranma would tap her forehead and disappear. Kuno was soon becoming a close friend. Ranma learnt a lot about the kendoist during his sparring sessions with him. He soon learnt about his sister and their rather neglectful father. In return, Ranma told Kuno about his father attempting to engage him to several women and keeping him ignorant so that he could live off of Ranma's hard work. Kuno was shocked at how self-centred Genma was and vowed that if he ever caught that lazy panda, he would have a rug made out of him.
So it turned out, Kuno had very little to help Ranma with. It seemed that his technique had just a few small holes in it.
#Flashback#
"Let me see one of your sword katas Ranma. I'll be able to judge your capability based on that."
"Hai Sensei!". Immediately Ranma was a blur, demonstrating an advanced sword kata with much precision and accuracy. However it was evident to Kuno that the technique needed a little work. "Stop.". Ranma turned to face Kuno before bowing. Kuno moved to the centre and took his bokken from his stuff space. This is so cool. I really have to thank Ranma for showing me this. Kuno thought before facing his charge. "Ranma. You have excellent technique and precision. However you have a tendency to let the tip of your sword fall as you do swings. Also your sword is too close to your body which is a big mistake. In sword fighting, you need speed to launch a strike. Holding the sword that close to your body is good for sideways slashes but you leave your entire front guard exposed. You need to learn to control the distance between the tsuba and your body. Otherwise you are near my level."
#End Flashback#
After that, Kuno-kun asked me to become a member of the kendo team. I joined and now I'm the vice-captain and a regular competitor in the tournaments. I'm lasting longer in the sparring matches between myself and Kuno-kun and my guard has improved. Kuno-kun says that a little more work and I will be his equal in the sword. Ranma was becoming giddy at the thought of finally mastering his swordplay. He always preferred the Chinese straight blade he carried. Light, quick, and most importantly impossible to kill anyone without intent. Ranma mused.
Realising he was next to home, Ranma jumped off the fence and walked through the gate. Grandpa Genryu had left a few days ago so Ranma and Nodoka were living together. Ranma had learnt a lot about his mother. She was a master of her family's sword style. Kamaya Kenshin I think she called it. She was also a school kendo teacher and had been for the last 8 years.
Seeing Ranma's interest in swordplay, she decided to let him study her form when she trained. Ranma for his part was highly attentive and could pick up techniques in just a few demonstrations. Nodoka was quite impressed by Ranma's skill with his straight blade although she wished he would not favour a gaijin weapon over the Katana. However upon hearing her son's reasoning, this opinion was immediately cast away. My manly son. He studies the sword not to destroy but to protect. If only I could have seen him grow into the wonderful young man he became.
Today however, Nodoka was wearing a beautiful summer kimono with an ornate jade inlaid bow tying up her long auburn hair. Noting his awe at the look, Nodoka giggles a bit before firmly saying "Go in and get dressed. I left out a formal yutaka for you to wear.". After shaking his head a couple of times Ranma replies "Mom you look amazing! But what's the occasion?"
"Thank you son. Your complement means a lot to me.". Nodoka giggled. I still have it if my manly son likes the way I look. Wait! Does that mean he likes traditional girls or fighters? Nodoka snapped out of it when she noticed Ranma waiting for an explanation. Clearing her throat, she immediately asks Ranma "Remember a few days ago how I told you we arranged your engagement before you were born?"
"Yes mom. And I remember you said I could get to know the girl I was engaged to so that the marriage would be successful."
"Yes I did. You see I spoke to your potential father in law about your terms. He convinced me that the best option would be for us to stay with them at their house. That way, you get to know the girls and then …"
"Wait a minute. Girls?". Nodoka gulps at the cool voice Ranma used to say the word 'girls'. "
"Yes I did. You see I spoke to your potential father in law about your terms. He convinced me that the best option would be for us to stay with them at their house. That way, you get to know the girls and then …"
"Wait a minute. Girls?". Nodoka gulps at the icy voice Ranma used to say the word 'girls'. "Yes son. Girls. You see the engagement states that you will be engaged to one of their daughters but not specifically which one. I am sure I informed you of this when we first spoke."
"Well if we did, I clearly didn't remember it." Ranma fumed. However he calmed down immediately before realising the implication. "This means I have a choice!". Immediately much calmer at this revelation, Ranma quickly went into his room, changed into the yutaka and joined his mother. Nodoka was simply speechless by the sudden change in Ranma's mood before realising how much he resented his father for attempting multiple engagements. I must have made him think of Genma. Sorry son. Never again will I cause you to remember that man.
Meanwhile at the Tendo home,
"Girls?". Soun Tendo was in a cheerful mood today. Two weeks ago; he informed his daughters of the impending engagement to his old friend's son. Albeit the girls were a bit annoyed at this, they were willing to accept this due to the fact that family honour rested on this marriage. He was quite surprised when a panda came in instead of his old friend. Even more shocking was when the panda turned into his old friend in front of the family and introduced himself as Genma Saotome. If that didn't cause a stir; the fact that Ranma wasn't here in person definitely was the last straw that broke the camel's back.
"Girls? Come quickly. I have just heard that your fiancé is on his way now and will be here in a few minutes.". This was greeted by a vast number of responses. His oldest daughter Kasumi was feverently muttering "Please be an older man. Please". His second daughter simply had that calculating look in her eyes. She was unsure as to whether or not she should change. After all, the last time I did, I was greeted by a part-time panda who simply mooched off of the family.
His two younger daughters had mixed feelings. Natsume was dressing herself as best she could, hoping to be the first between herself and Akane to be married. Although she may have appeared to be interested in marriage; in actuality, she was after the dojo. She was one of the two heirs to the Tendo dojo, the other being Akane, and her 'father' had conveniently decided that the first of the two heirs to get married would inherit the dojo.
Akane was quite reluctant. Although she would deny it if anyone would ask; she had developed strong feelings for Ranma. I think I prefer him over Dr Tofu. He at least doesn't like Kasumi so much that he is oblivious to anyone else. She just hoped that her father would not force the engagement to her. Akane knew that no matter how much he denied it, Soun Tendo intended for the dojo to be passed onto her and not Natsume. Natsume was the student of his old master and Soun was worried as to what might happen to the dojo should she be given it.
The youngest daughter, a young 12 year old with brown hair and a fiery temper only rivalled by her intense hunger, was quite pleased since it was highly unlikely that she would be picked. Out of all the daughters, she had the largest age gap between herself and their new fiancé. However she sure knew that she would try and dispel any attraction. If he is attracted to me then he must be a pervert. she reasoned.
Just then, the doorbell rang. Soun immediately rushed to the door with all the other girls following. Genma had conveniently left the house intending to avoid a confrontation with his son. Soun opened the door to be greeted by an auburn haired woman wearing a beautiful kimono. "Nodoka! Come in, come in. And you must be …"
"Ranma!". Akane had just come to see who her potential fiancé was. Hearing a familiar voice, Ranma's head immediately shot up over Soun Tendo before seeing the familiar faces of the three Tendo sisters he had come to know. "Akane? Natsume? Nabiki?". Turning towards his mother "I'm supposed to marry into the Tendo's?"