Sasameki Koto and Ranma ½: Martial Arts Mix

Chapter Twelve

Soun Tendo beamed as he and Genma Saotome drank sake in a cafe not far from the dojo. "This could work out well for our plans to unite the families," he suggested.

"I'm still not entirely sure it's wise having Sumika move in full time," Genma noted as he enjoyed the sun on his face.

Soun shrugged. "Yes, I will have to clean out the attic and put Sumika there," he conceded, "but if she helps draw fire AWAY from Ranma and Akane, it could be worth it."

"Hmm," Genma grunted.

If there had been one benefit of Sumika arriving, other than their learning her cold techniques, it was that SHE was now drawing the sort of attacks that Ranma normally did. Which actually left Ranma and Akane alone to be couples. He HAD been a bit worried when Akane showed some interest in Sumika too, but they were settling into a steady friendship.

"And are you okay with her seeing Katsumi?" Genma asked his compatriot thoughtfully, taking a drink.

Soun shrugged slightly uncomfortably. "I had some misgivings," he admitted, "but Sumika is a fine martial artist and a good young woman. I approve of her."

"And if we need a heir for some reason?" Genma asked curiously.

Drinking a bit himself dryly Soun said, "They can adopt."

Genma laughed heartilly at that. "Waitress, more sake please," he waved.

"A toast," Soun agreed, "to joining of schools, even if it's not quite what we planned."

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

Sumika sneezed, then blinked in confusion. "What was that from?" she wondered.

"Anime cliché," the world weary sounding Ranma noted, "just ignore it."

"If you say so," Sumika shrugged.

The two were training, after a morning run along with Ranma sparring with Genma. Sumika still found herself vaguely in awe when she saw the two fight. They were blindingly fast, as well as trotting out strange moves and techniques against each other.

"Keep punching the gravel," Ranma reminded her, "I know it's boring, but it's also toughening up your hands quite nicely."

"Right, sensei," Sumika agreed as she punched with each hand. She had, when younger, punched sand to toughen up her hands. Ranma thought that was pretty wussy, and after showing her how to protect her hands with chi, moved her up to this.

Punching away, Sumika mused at the... distance between her and the martial artists in this part of Japan. These people had committed to becoming masters of the art from childhood, and had spent all their lives training. Her? She was good at karate and had ONE special stunt. So yeah, her chances of catching up with them were pretty low.

And honestly? Sumika wasn't THAT driven to become some kind of martial arts master. Her primary intent on training with Ranma was to get to the point she could adequately defend herself from the locals. Or protect others, pretty much.

"Okay, take a break," Ranma smiled as he noted, "your hands are gonna get sore if you keep going too long."

"I STILL find it hard to believe you and Ryouga beat yourselves up with boulders to do this to your whole bodies," Sumika shook her head.

"It ain't the craziest thing we've done," Ranma shrugged eloquently.

"Just don't let them do them to you, please," Akane noted as she walked into the dojo in her own karate gear. "Up to a three way spar?"

"As long as you two don't team up against me," Sumika laughed, "you two are deadly together."

Akane grinned, "We are, aren't we?"

"Oh boy," Sumika sighed, knowing another ass kicking was to follow.

As they fought, Nabiki Tendo watched, taking shots with her phone's camera. She had a good market for Akane and Ranma photos, and interestingly there was a developing market for Sumika shots too. Watching them she wondered if Sumika had figured out how good she actually was yet... YES she was having to push herself to keep up, but 99% of the kids in this town couldn't do that.

After letting them beat on each other a while Nabiki finally called, "Want to take a break? Kasumi nearly has lunch ready."

The three stepped back. Interestingly, while Sumika was battered she wasn't bleeding. A nice change from the last couple of bouts. "Good," Ranma said eagerly, "I'm hungry."

"Don't forget to wash up first," Sumika reminded them all.

Akane looked amused, "Don't want to mess up Kasumi's table, do we?"

Sumika blushed just a bit but she said simply, "Just being a good guest, Akane."

Akane hid a smile. DAMN could Sumika be charming, in a gentlemanly kind of way. It was almost too bad she had been targeted by Kasumi...

"I'm moving WHERE?" Sumika blinked.

Kasumi looked equally annoyed, interestingly enough. "Father has agreed to your staying with us, but he seems uncomfortable with us continuing sharing a room," she noted dryly.

"Or he's sharper than he looks," Ranma muttered.

Akane kicked him in the shin.

"Ow!" he winced.

Both Kasumi and Sumika ignored that. Or didn't hear, hopefully. "Ranma, I'll need your help moving things into storage," Kasumi noted, "and if Akane could help too?"

"Sure," Akane sighed.

"I'd like to help too," Sumika added.

Kasumi smiled, "Thank you."

"Are Genma and Soun coming too?" Ranma asked as they entered the dining area.

"They went out, probably drinking again," Nabiki shrugged.

Sumika looked at her thoughtfully, "Bad?"

"Not TOO bad, but they're rowdy drunks," Kasumi answered serenely. "You need to be more worried if Master Happosai visits."

"Don't SAY that," Ranma, Akane and Nabiki all visibly shuddered.

Sumika blink. "Do I want to know?" she asked the others.

"Just pray he doesn't show up," Ranma said firmly.

Kasumi dished up the food, then gracefully sat down beside Sumika. "Excuse me," she smiled impishly at Sumika.

"Oh, no trouble at all," Sumika smiled back warmly.

"If they start sharing the same cup, I may be ill," Nabiki noted dryly.

"Don't be mean, just because you're on your way to becoming a loveless spinster," Akane teased her sister.

"Oooh. Just wait until you need to borrow money for anything," Nabiki said ominously.

"Shutting up now," Akane said quickly while Ranma chuckled.

After lunch Nabiki slipped away from the dojo. She had business to attend to, and people to see. She checked in with her agents first, then met with the bookies. There was some disappointment that there had been less epic Ranma related fights, but Sumika was also now turning up in the betting.

"Be careful how much you bet on her," Nabiki cautioned, "She IS good, no question, but she's not in Ranma's class."

"Yes ma'am," he nodded. "But she will win against most of the normal martial artists?"

"Oh, yeah," Nabiki laughed.

Photos of Ranma and Akane sold briskly to the boys and a few interested girls too. Nabiki was a equal opportunity marketer, after all. Shampoo was also a good seller, as were Kasumi and Sumika. She didn't feel bad about selling the photos, since the profits went to the dojo anyway. Well, MOST of the profits anyway.

Nabiki headed to the next meet up, moving just a bit cautiously. The next client was... a touch unstable, in her opinion. Reaching their meeting place, then in a swirl of black rose petals, Kodachi Kuno appeared before her.

"Do you HAVE to do that?" Nabiki asked as she brushed rose petals off her shoulders.

"Yes, actually," Kodachi said, amused. The taller, busty martial artist was dressed in a long skirt and blouse, rather than her usual gymnastics outfit.

"I had to ask," Nabiki sighed.

"Do you have my brother's usual order?" Kodachi asked politely.

"Ranma and Akane pics," Nabiki passed them over and received cash. "I'd suggest keeping him away from them... I think both are getting fed up with him."

"I'll do what I can," Kodachi tucked the photos away. "Do you have photos of Sumika for sale?" she asked a bit tentatively.

"Just taken this morning," Nabiki said. They dickered a bit on price, then she passed them over. She was used to the look of blatant desire that appeared on Kodachi's face when she looked at Ranma photos. This was different, oddly enough, more... tender.

"Thank you," Kodachi nodded and strode away.

To be continued...

Notes: YES, I'm aware that the Tendo Dojo doesn't have a attic. I'm also having Nabiki use a camera phone. So sue me. Just consider this a kind of 'alternate now' universe for both Sasameki Koto and Ranma ½.