Chapter 10 Of Roses and petals...
Ranma and Akane watched as Chi slowed his movements. Ranma started to walk over to Chi when Ranma collapsed holding his stomach.
"RANMA!"
Akane ran up to Ranma and held him. She had forgotten about the food she had cooked last night. She had known last night that Ranma would become sick because of it. In all the excitement so far she had forgotten to make preparations.
Akane looked over to Chi. Akane could tell that Ranma knew what ever it was that was wrong with Chi. She didn't have time to try and find out, Ranma needed help now.
"Turn him over."
Akane raised her head when she heard Chi speak. She was surprised that Chi was putting aside what ever was wrong with him to help Ranma. She hoped what ever it was, it wasn't too bad.
Akane turned Ranma over an then looked at Chi.
"Step back. This is going to make a mess. I didn't wanna have to do this or I woulda done it last night."
Akane took a couple of steps back. She watched as Chi walked up to his brother and placed a couple of fingers around his stomach. Suddenly Ranma jerked forward and vomited.
"EW!"
Chi turned Ranma on his side and then helped him sit up. Both boys were a mess.
"That's why I didn't wanna do this. Ranma'll be fine in a few minutes, but we both need a bath now."
Chi helped Ranma up and they both started towards the house. Akane followed them. She'd tell Kasumi about the mess and appologize, it was her fault after all.
Akane saw everyone start asking the boys what happened, but Chi just went towards the bathroom.
"Um, Kasumi?"
"Akane, what happened?"
Akane looked down and figited slightly.
"I sorta cooked for Ranma last night. He just threw up in the dojo. I'm sorry. They're going to go take a bath. We're going to be late for school. I'm going to go clean up the mess."
"No. We'll take care of it. Kurumi."
Akane looked over at the one time Tendo, now Saotome.
"Why?"
"The mess was made by our brother. We'll take care of it."
"One of them at least."
"Natsume, I'm going to check on them. I'm a little worried about Chi."
Ryouga looked around. There were a lot of people here he didn't really know. He was getting very confused.
"Um... What's going on?"
Seeing Ryouga more lost than usual, Kasumi tried to catch him up on what had happened lately.
"Well it seems that one of Grandfather Happosai's students arrived and challenged Akane. Auntie Nodoka then adopted him. Natsume and Kurumi showed up as Ronin and Uncle Saotome lied saying that they were his daughters so that Auntie Saotome would adopt them to preserve honor. Now Ranma has one new brother and two new sisters. I don't know anything about the other boy with Auntie Saotome, maybe he's anouther Saotome or something."
Ryouga looked at Kasumi with a blank expression.
"...Ok."
"You're Ryouga Hibiki, ain't you?"
"Yeah I am, who are you?"
"My name's Ryu Kumon. I'm going to be studying with the Saotomes for a while. Ranma told me a little about you. He said that you were one of the only people he doesn't have to hold back around. I could always use an extra sparring partner while I'm here."
Ryu stuck ou his hand. From what he heard about this guy, he wanted Ryouga as a friend. Besides, Ryu hadn't made a real friend in a long time, not counting the Saotomes.
Ryouga looked at the hand offered. It had been a long time since he had made a real friend. If he thought about it, Mousse was the last friend he had made and they had just started out as enemies of a common rival. This would be the first time he had ever been offered friendship so openly.
"Sure. I'd like that."
Outside the Bathroom...
Kurumi looked at the door. She wondered if she should knock or what. She had come up here when she saw Chi and Ranma come upstairs. She was worried about Chi. When Ryouga arrived and gave the news about Mousse's brother everyone had been watching him, except her. She had been looking at Chi. She had just attacked him and he had just fogiven her. She had still believed that it wasn't enough. She saw the look on Chi's face when he heard that Mousse's brother was dead. It was the same look she saw in the mirror after she and her sister found their father.
Kurumi had blamed Chi. He had known and sent them with no warning. Now she understood that he was actually trying to help them, and now he and Ranma were her older brothers. Brothers, she had only had her sister in all her years. Natsume had been her only family, and at times it had seemed like only Natsume wanted her. Now she had an entire family who cared for her, including a father who was willing to sacrifice his own honor for her and a brother that would accept pain, even death for hurting her.
Now Chi was hurting for some reason she didn't know. It seemed Ranma knew, so maybe if she asked now they'd tell her. She was about to knock on the door when she heard them talking. She didn't mean to eavesdrop, honest.
"Thanks man. I'd forgotten about Akane cooking last night. What was that?"
"Just a shiatsu point a friend taught me."
"So. You wanna talk about what happened?"
"You threw up."
"You know what I mean. Mousse's brother."
"I've already cried enough tears for the dead."
"But he was your father."
"NO. My father was Genma Saotome. That's the man who raised me. Wing Tsu was just some story I was told as a child. He died at my older brother's side when I was a baby."
Kurumi was shocked and confused. Who was this 'Older Brother' Chi mentioned, and how could Mousse's 'younger brother' be Chi's father. She realized that Chi and Mousse did pass a remarkable resemblence. Kurumi jumped when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She looked and saw the woman who was insisting on adopting her and Natsume, giving Kurumi her new family. Nodoka hushed her and motioned for her to come with her. Kurumi followed her reluctantly, she was a little embarrased at being caught. Nodoka lead her to the room Nodoka shared with her family when she stayed here.
"Alright dear, what were you doing?"
"I was worried about Chi. He suddenly got so depressed when he heard thet the one guy was dead."
"And what did you hear my sons talking about."
Kurumi looked embarased.
"I heard Ranma say that the boy was Chi's father, but that doesn't make any sense."
Nodoka looked at her new daughter. She had known that she would have to tell her and her sister sooner or later about Chi. It seems that it'll just have to be sooner. She would tell them today, she had to tell Genma the truth as well. She was about to tell Kurumi something when the door opened.
"Nodoka dear. Perhaps you should wait until the others are at school. The boys are dressing now and Akane and Nabiki have already gone. That Ryu boy is leading Ryoga to Furinken right now."
"Of course. Would you gather the others while I get ready?"
"Sure. Nodoka?"
"Yes?"
"Soun and Kasumi? Should I keep them busy?"
Nodoka looked at the master of her husband's school. She knew what he was asking, and what it could mean if they learned about the world Chi was from. She finally came to a decision.
Furinken High School...
Kuno looked out of the gates and waited for either the arrial of his beloveds or the arrival of his enemy Saotome. He watched as the lost boy was being lead to the campus by some stranger in camo pants and a black shirt. Kuno silently wished this stranger luck against his father, the principal. This new boy looked like the kind to be labeled delinquent.
Kuno caught sight of his tigeress Akane aproaching with her sister Nabiki. Just behind them he saw his foe along with some chinese stranger.
"Akane! Wait up!"
For months there had been days when Akane would get mad and go ahead of Ranma. It was a common sight to see Ranma running up calling for Akane. What was seen next was NOT a common sight.
"Ranma!"
Akane turned around and glomped Ranma. Everyone looked closer. Many were expecting a wig to fll off and reveal shampoo in disguise. When it became apparent that it actually was Akane a group of Akane's friends ran up to drag her away and ask her questions. They were shocked to discover Akane was dagging Ranma along with her. Akane would not let go of Ranma.
Nabiki walked past Kuno and got a good seat to watch what appeared to be another useless fight between Kuno and Ranma. She was surprised when Chi walked up to Kuno and pull out a sheathed Katana and held it out to offer it to Kuno.
Kuno tried to ignore this new annoyance and prepared to smite Saotome when he caught a good look at the katana being offered to him.
"How..."
For the first time in years, Tatewaki was at a loss for words. This was HER sword. How could this stranger have gotten it.
"This was given by a Kuno as an offering of aid when needed. I give it to you and will speak with you at your home in private after school. Is this acceptable?"
Kuno nodded his head slowly. Someone had given this man his family's 'other' sword. Kuno started to draw the blade when Chi placed a hand on his wrist lightly.
"I thank you for your time, but I wouldn't do that until we speak later. You may not like what you find."
Now Kuno was curious. Could this sword be a fake?
Kuno drew the blade and looked at it. It appeared blank, but Tatewaki closed his eyes and concentrated as he had been taught. He knew that he would have his answer when he opened his eyes. He opened them.
"WHAT?"
Ranma and Akane turned their heads towards Kuno and saw Chi there. It looked like they had been talking, and now Kuno was staring at a swordblade as if it was trying to attack him.
Nabiki was confused and annoyed. It was all Chi's fault again. She was starting to think that she might have to personally deal with him. She knew nothing about him. He had attacked Akane yesterday. Now he was Ranma's brother and Ranma was going along with it. What really got her gaot was that Ranma appearently knew what was going on, or maybe not.
Nabiki looked and saw the confused look on Ranma's face about Kuno's outburst.
"So Ranma doesn't know about this part yet."
Nabiki looked back at the blank swordblade in Kuno's hands and saw Kuno slowly turn his head to face her and regard Nabiki with a strange look on his face. It was making Nabiki uncomfortable. Suddenly Kuno shethed the katana and walked into school, without saying a word.
Ranma walked up to Chi to see what had happened.
"Hey Chi, what.."
Ranma was interupted by the bell. It started raining as well. It was going to be one of 'those' days it seems.
Lunch time, Cat Cafe...
Shampo watched Mousse continued to work. Mousse wasn't paying any attention to what he was doing. He was obviously thinking about his brother. Shampoo was amazed to notice that Mousse still made no mistakes.
He's very good. Those thoughts ran threw her head. He had always been good. She never doubted his skill, and if she ever doubted his determination she only had to remember the fight against the birdman that had once held her captive. He was the greatest male fighter the Amazons had produced in years. He could defeat anyone of her generation. Including her.
Despite what many people believed about Shampoo, she was not stupid. She knew that Mousse was now a better fighter than her. Maybe not when they were children, but Shampoo had concentrated on chasing Ranma for the last couple of years. Mousse had been training. He was determined to beat Ranma.
Shampoo never had the heart to tell Mousse that she wasn't chasing Ranma because of the laws. Shampoo knew that Cologne could fid a way around that if it was needed. No, Shampoo was chasing Ranma of her own free will. She had fallen for him, just as Mousse loved her.
Right now she wished that she could have picked who she fell in love with. Mousse was her oldest friend and any girl in the village would kill to have him for themselves. Besides, if she had chosen Mousse maybe Wing would... NO! It was not her fault.
Shampoo looked at Mousse one more time. She would give anything to make Mousse's pain go away. Maybe even herself...
"Shampoo! Get back to work."
"Hai."
Nerima streets, after the last bell of school...
"Nice school."
"Yep. Thank Kami it was a slow day."
Ryouga and Ryu stopped at that.
"You're.."
"..joking, right?"
"No, usually it's much worse. It was quiet for some reason today."
"The pineapples..."
"That crap about a school haircut."
"Those perverts trying to watch Ranma take a cold shower..."
That caught Akane's attention.
"Perverts?"
"Don't worry Akane. They try turning off the hot water in gym about once a month. Chi pounded the guilty before I got a chance. By the way, thanks guys."
"You have to put up with all that with your curse? Maybe it's worse than I thought it was."
Akane stopped walking for a moment. She had been trying to work on observing things around her fo a while. Something about Ryouga and curses was bothering her. But of course, Ryouga was their friend. It couldn't be all that important.
Akane stopped again.
"Akane, are you alright?"
"Ranma, does Ryouga have a curse?"
Ranma, Ryouga, and Chi froze at that question. Nabiki and Ryu turned and watched what was going on. Ranma had a look of fear on his face. Ryouga looked like he was about to die.
Chi decided to intervene.
"Akane, Did you mean it when you asked me to train you earlier?"
"Huh? When did I?"
Chi turned to look her in the eye.
"You don't want me to train you?"
"YES!"
"Good. What is your answer from yesterday's question?"
Akane looked at Chi. Had it only been yesterday that he had arrived into her and Ranma's life? It seemed like it had been months. But she had made her choice. She was glad that Chi seemed willing to train her. If she was right, he was about to test her. She was ready.
"I never took my training seriously, I fell apart when my mother died. I always expected to just be the best no matter what happened."
"Very good Akane. I will answer one question for everyone you answer properly. I will only aswer if you are ready for the answer. Yes, Ryouga has a curse."
Eveyone stared at Chi as he admited what no one had been ever to tell Akane before. Nabiki was mad. She hadn't known Ryouga had a curse. It did make sense though. So, what was he... Nabiki's eyes got wide and she slowly turned to Ryouga.
"What is it?"
Akane was worried to hear this answer, if her fears were right then why didn't Ranma tell her? Wait, he did try...
"No. I ask. What does honor say about knowing an ally's weakness?"
"Never betray an ally by telling an ally's weakness..."
Akane's eyes went wide and she turned to Ryouga with fear in her eyes. Everything made sense now. Some of Ranma's actions had still seemed stranged even though she now knew Ranma was inoccent.
"P-chan...?"
"OHOHOHOHO!"
Ryu had been watching everything like it was some kind of soap opera. He was surprised to discovered some girl was suddenly glomping onto his chest. He looked down and found his eyes on the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.
"I don't know who you are beautiful, but if you wanna take this somewhere more private..."
Kodachi opened her eyes and looked up into the face of the man who was suddenly holding her in his arms. She had seen her Ranma-sama with the tomboy and some people she had never seen before. She had snuck up quietly and jumped at the most handsome one. It had to obviously be her Ranma-sama. This wasn't Ranma.
"Who are you kind sir? I thought you were my dear Ranma-sama."
Kodachi made no move to leave Ryu's arms.
"Name's Ryu Kumon. If it'll help, I could grow a pigtail. Ranma's right behind you."
Kodachi lept out of Ryu's arms so fast everyone thought that she might have learned to teleport. She was suddnly standing behind Nabiki. Kodachi was blushing.
Ranma turned to Chi.
"Cheating? You really fight dirty."
Chi just smirked. He looked around and realized that Ryouga had gotten lost again. Oh well, Ryouga would deal with Akane when he got back.
"Ranma-sama, it wasn't what it looked like. I swear."
Ranma put his arms around Akane and pulled her into a big kiss. It felt so right to finally do this with her. After a couple minutes, they seperated for air.
"Kodachi, I love Akane. I'm Taken. Ryu's single."
"Huh?"
"Miss Kuno. I have business later at your home with your brother. Perhaps you would like to accompany us and I can escort you home, later."
Kodachi thought about this for a moment. She was very confused. She had never been invited to join Ranma and his friends. She had never felt anything for a guy besides Ranma. No guy had ever called her beautiful before. Not even her Ranma-sam... Ranma.
Kodachi : "If I wouldn't be a bother."
Nabiki, Akane and Ranma were shocked. Kodachi wasn't expressing her eternal love for Ranma. She was walking with them quietly. It might have something to do with the fact that Ryu had moved to walk next to her. They were less than a foot apart. If anyone was looking, they would have noticed Kodachi occasionally taking quick glances at Ryu. Kodachi's blush only got darker as they walked. Ryu was staring at Kodachi. He had been told about Ranma's many suitors. Ranma chose Akane. Kodachi was avalible. Life was finally going his way.
Outside Cat Cafe...
Mousse put the trash into the dumpster. He had noticed Shampoo looking at him all day. He smiled. They always did care for each other. He knew why she was still in Japan. Mousse wasn't stupid either. Shampoo was waiting fo Ranma to choose her. Mousse knew Ranma loved Akane. They were both just stubburn and stupid. Mousse only hoped that Shampoo chose Mousse before Ranma broke her heart.
There was someone hiding in the shadows. Mousse was a master of hidden weapons. His brother was dead. Mousse wanted a good fight. He also didn't wanna waste his time on a weakling.
"I know you're there. I am haing a bad day and would love a good fight. Leave or else."
"I see Japan has taught you manners when thretening people."
Mousse looked into the shadows and saw the impossible...
Tendo Dojo, Outside...
"Well. This has been an interesting couple of days. What's next? People from the future?"
Nabiki laughed at her joke as they entered and announced their arrival.
Genma came to meet them.
"Chi Tsu? Can we talk son?"
Chi froze as he heard his full first name spoken for the first time in years. Mother had told Father.
Genma lead his new son into the house.
Akane was confused. She turned the corner after Chi and suddenly was being hugged by a cying Tendo as if Akane was on her death bed. Akane looked at Nabiki and saw her frozen, looking at the person holding Akane. Akane turned her head and was shocked to see it was Kasumi crying...
Author's Notes:
I really apreciate everyone reading my stories. Some of the reviews I had been getting didn't make much sense until I tried to read my story on this site. It seems I am having trouble uploading my stories. I am trying to reupload and revise my previous chapters.
Those were the old Notes.
Recap and apologies:
I'm sorry it took so long.
My computer broke. booted my story because of script format.
Had to do a rewrite.
Needed sleep...Zzz...Zzz.
Huh? oh, sorry.
Starting work on new chapters soon. As always, please review. I like the input.