Chapter Fourteen
Ranma had only been trying to cool down, but her off-campus stroll had landed her in the middle of a confrontation between her new friend Miyuki Gojo and three thug-like girls from another school. That was fine with Ranma; she needed to blow off steam, and they weren't, technically, on school property. She'd promised not to fight at school or during school, but if it was in defense of a friend, she could rationalize it.
In typical fashion, Ranma waited for her opponents to move first. She didn't wait long. The one who wasn't restraining Miyuki swung.
It was probably a good punch for a girl, by street fighting standards. To Ranma, it was agonizingly slow. She dodged, stepped inside the girl's swing, and punched her in the gut.
She pulled her punch quite a bit. Even if they were street thugs, they were girls, and likely not even trained in martial arts.
The girl crumpled to the pavement. Inwardly Ranma winced. The girl deserved it, of course, and Ranma was in girl form, but...
The other two released Miyuki and came at Ranma simultaneously.
The fight was short – too short. The girls might have been semi-talented street fighters, but they were no match for any Nerima martial artist, let alone Ranma. She had barely worked up a sweat before all three of the older girls were lying on the ground, moaning in pain. Ranma sighed, still awash in pent-up anger and frustration.
"Dammit," she swore. "Where's pig-boy when you really need him?"
Miyuki practically levitated across the sidewalk to enfold Ranma in a fierce hug. "Oh, Sempai!" she exclaimed. "You saved me! I was so scared."
"Uh..." Ranma said, helplessly, "you're welcome... it was nothing." In Ranma's world, a girl hugging her meant Akane was about to walk into view.
"Nothing? It was amazing!" Miyuki exclaimed "Oh, that was so awesome!"
"They were just three school thugs," Ranma said. "You can let go now..."
"And you rescued me! I can't believe this happened!" Miyuki gushed. "I mean, I wanted it to happen – I was even going to arrange for it to happen – but then, it just happened, all on it's own!"
"You were going to what?"
"It must have been fate," Miyuki exclaimed, finally pulling back. "That's it, of course. You're fated to be my best friend!"
"Uh... sure," Ranma said. "If you say so..."
"But how can I ever repay you?" Miyuki asked. Before Ranma could reply, she said, as if the idea had only just occurred to her, "I know! I'll invite you over to my house tonight."
"You don't hafta do that…."
"No, I insist!" Miyuki grabbed Ranma's hands in hers. "You have to come! I won't feel right if I don't repay you for everything you've done for me."
"Really," Ranma said, "it was nothing... it's a martial artist's duty to protect the weak, Pops always said..."
A nearby moan caught Ranma's attention. One of the hooligan girls sat up. She stared at Ranma with a mixture of loathing and fear.
"You're still here?" Ranma asked.
"You hit me!" the girl spat. "You bitch!"
Ranma raised an eyebrow. "We can go for round two if you like," she said.
The girl scrambled backwards, shaking her head. "No, that's fine. We're cool." She turned to her two companions, who were groaning and getting to their feet slowly. "Come on guys, let's get out of here!"
When they were gone, Miyuki began to dance about on the sidewalk like an overstimulated toy poodle. "Oh my God! This is so perfect." she exclaimed. "Ranma, you are so totally awesome. What magical girl could be more cool than you?"
"Magical girl?" Ranma asked.
"Never mind!" Miyuki said. "We'll talk more after school. I'll meet you at the Vice Principal's office, okay? Be ready! Don't forget!"
Ranma frowned as the strange girl went skipping down the sidewalk. She was used to girls taking an interest in her, but that had always been when she was a guy – and none of them had ever acted anything like Miyuki.
XXX
The end of the school day found Ranma in her mother's office again.
Nodoka Saotome glared at her daughter. "Thirty minutes detention, Daughter," she said. "I'm keeping it short because there were extenuating circumstances."
"Kuno attacked me!"
"So you and Akane said. I believe you, Ranma, but that's not the point. Violence is never the answer. At least, certainly not at school nor during school hours. You could have thought of a better solution."
"Mom," Ranma said. "I tried. There's no reasoning with that baka..."
"Language, Daughter!"
"Sorry, Mom, but he really is," Ranma said.
"Well," Nodoka said, "if he's intent on fighting you, then how about a challenge? That seemed to work well with Miss Kuno."
"Yeah, but her brother don't want to fight me. He wants to kiss me." Ranma shuddered.
"Her brother doesn't want to fight me, Ranma. And I am absolutely against you having a cross-dresser as a boyfriend..."
"Mom!" Ranma exclaimed. "He's not my boyfriend! He's a creep who won't leave me alone!"
"Well, don't worry;" Nodoka said. "He shouldn't bother you again. I called his Principal and gave him a piece of my mind."
Ranma sighed. "Yeah, like that's going to work," she muttered.
"What was that?"
"I said, 'Thanks, Mother,'" Ranma replied. "Oh, and by the way, I got two challenges for Saturday now. Shizuko Satori wants to fight me too."
"Indeed? You will have quite a busy day Saturday then," her mother said. "Do not forget to finish your studies beforehand. I won't let you run off to play with your friends if your schoolwork hasn't been done."
"Yes, Mother."
"Now then," Nodoka said, "Have you thought of a school club to join yet, Dear?"
"What?" Ranma looked surprised. "Ah... no, sorry, I haven't thought about it. I've been busy."
"Remember that you have until Friday," Nodoka replied, standing. "Otherwise I shall pick one for you, and you may not like what I pick. Now, Daughter, I have a conference with some teachers, so you just sit here and think about how you might have better handled your encounter with this Kuno boy."
Nodoka left the room. Several minutes later the office door opened and Akane slipped inside.
"Hey, 'Kane," Ranma said.
"Hey, Ranma," Akane replied. "So... you still got in trouble?"
"Yeah," Ranma said. "But only a little bit. Are you still mad at me?"
Akane flashed a lopsided smile. "I'm not mad at you, Ranma," she said. "I'm just... well, I don't think we should hang around those girls."
"Which girls?"
"The ones we ate lunch with," Akane said. "Kaida, and Rin, and Akela."
"Kaida's been really nice to us," Ranma said. "Her friends seem nice too. Besides, what choice do we have? Everyone else is ignoring us."
"Kohana's our friend," Akane said.
"You said she was weird."
"She is weird. But Ranma," Akane said, an edge creeping into her voice. "Those other girls are... perverts."
There was a short pause. Ranma replied. "Well then I guess I fit right in don't I?"
Anger flashed in Akane's eyes. "Ranma, be serious!"
"I am being serious," Ranma replied. "I'm a boy who turns into a girl. Right now I'm dressing in girl's clothes and acting like a girl. What's more perverted than that?"
"That's different," Akane insisted. "These girls... well, they probably all want to... to kiss you... and... you know..."
Ranma nodded. "Yeah, I noticed that."
'You did? Then why didn't you say something?"
Ranma shrugged. "Akane, half the people I know want to have sex with me."
Akane stared at Ranma in shock, which turned slowly to anger. "Ranma, that's not something to be boasting about..."
"I'm not boasting," Ranma said. "It's just the truth. It's kinda creepy, actually..."
Akane's fists clenched. She closed her eyes. She seemed to be counting under her breath. Ranma flinched, reacting to a blow that never came. Then Akane laughed, albeit in a strained manner.
"You say that so nonchalantly, without any trace of pride," Akane said. "You're so clueless sometimes, Ranma. But I guess I am too. I suppose it is true. But this is different. You're a girl now, and these girls like you because you're a girl."
"Does it matter?" Ranma asked. "I've got guys after my girl side, girls after my guy side. After a while it's all the same to me. As long as they're not attacking me or trying to date me, then it's cool."
"No, it's not," Akane said. "Look, how would you react if a guy was after your guy side?"
"Akane, Kuno tried to kiss me this morning. What difference does it make if I'm a guy or a girl?"
"Okay," Akane said slowly. "I guess I can see your point. But if we hang around those girls, then other people will talk."
Ranma nodded. "I suppose."
"I don't want people thinking I'm weird, Ranma!"
"Then you probably shouldn't hang around me, Akane."
"You know what I mean!"
The two girls sat there for a few minutes in silence. Ranma said, "You don't have to wait for me, you know. I told you that Miyuki invited me over to her place."
Akane nodded.
"You don't mind that it's just me?" Ranma asked.
"No, that's fine," Akane said. "Yuka and Sayuri were going to come over again today anyway. You have fun with your new friend."
"Well – I don't know if she's my friend so much…" Ranma said.
"At least I know Miyuki isn't in lust with you," Akane said. "She just... idolizes you, I guess. Young girls are like that sometimes. She probably sees you as a really cool big sister."
"Yeah," Ranma said. "Something like that, I guess."
As if on cue, the door opened and Miyuki Gojo stepped inside. "Ready, Ranma?" she asked.
"Ah... can you wait a bit?" Ranma replied. "'Cause I got thirty minutes detention for fighting on school grounds today..."
"What?" Miyuki exclaimed. "But that wasn't even on campus!"
Akane looked from Ranma to Miyuki. Ranma looked suddenly nervous. "What wasn't on campus?" Akane asked suspiciously.
"Oh my gosh!" Miyuku gushed. "Akane, you'd never believe it! It was soooo cool! Right after lunch I was..."
With the lightning-quick reflexes of a highly trained martial artist, Ranma flew from her chair and clamped one palm over Miyuki's mouth.
"Nothing, nothing!" Ranma said. "I only punched Kuno today, that's it, I swear! That's why I got thirty minutes detention." She locked eyes with Miyuki and added, "Of course, if word got out that I'd done anything else, I'd be in a lot more trouble and I wouldn't be allowed to visit anyone's house tonight..."
Miyuki's eyes widened in understanding. Ranma removed her hand.
"If word about what got out?" Akane growled.
"Ah," Miyuki said. She glanced from one girl to the other. "Sorry, Akane. I'd better not say."
Akane sighed in exasperation. "Fine, be that way," she muttered. She headed for the door. "I'm going home. Don't stay out too late, you two."
As Akane passed her, Miyuki whispered, "I'll tell you outside..."
XXX
Twenty minutes later, Ranma Saotome stood with Miyuki Gojo in front of the St. Hebereke school gates.
"Sorry for the wait," Ranma said.
"It's no trouble at all," Miyuki replied.
Ranma looked about. "So... where's the limo?"
"Oh, don't be silly," Miyuki said. "It's not that far. We can walk."
Ranma shrugged. "Fine by me, then." The two set off down the sidewalk.
It was a cool Fall afternoon. A light breeze chased dry leaves across the pavement. The sun warmed the earth, but every day sunset came sooner. The coming of Winter was in the air.
After a moment, Ranma leaped up and began walking on top of the nearby fence.
Miyuki's eyes widened. "Wow. That's cool!"
"Just practice," Ranma said. "If there's one thing Pops was right about, it's that everything can be practice. Walking, eating, everything can be a competition or a chance to practice and improve your skills. If you want to be the best, you gotta practice all the time."
Miyuki nodded. "Around-the-clock training," she said. "That makes sense."
"Yeah. Around-the-clock, and all day too," Ranma said. "So, where are your friends?"
"Sachiko has kendo practice, and Tomari works in the library after school," Miyuki replied.
"Library Club?"
Miyuki nodded. "Yeah, that's it."
Ranma seemed to consider this for a moment.
"Nah," she said. "Sounds boring."
"What do you mean? Tomari loves books."
"Then it's a good club for her," Ranma said. "How about you? Are you in any clubs?"
"Oh – I'm in the 'Go Home Club'."
"That's my favorite," Ranma said, "but Mom won't let me do that anymore."
"Oh?" Miyuki asked. "You have to join a club?"
"Yeah. She says it's an essential part of the school learning experience."
"How odd," Miyuki commented. "So... what one are you going to join?"
"No idea."
"I'd join a club," Miyuki said, "if there was one about magical girls."
Ranma said, "Well, if there ain't one, you could always start one."
Miyuki came to a sudden halt. She blinked.
"Ohmygod!" she exclaimed. "I never even considered that!"
Ranma nodded. "Stands to reason. I'd do that myself, except that I don't know what club I'd be interested in. Martial arts I guess, but school karate clubs are always just baby stuff, and I don't want to run my own club."
Miyuki had a twinkle in her eye. "Oh, don't worry, Ranma – I'm certain we'll find a club that outfits you properly."
Ranma blinked. "Uh.. outfits me?"
Miyuki giggled nervously. "Oops, is that what I said? I meant we'll find one that suits you, of course...
"That reminds me!" Miyuki fished a phone from her purse. "Ranma, what's your cell phone number?"
"Ain't got one," Ranma replied.
Miyuki was aghast. "What? You don't have one? Is that even possible?"
"Mom's not rich," Ranma said. "She can't afford to buy me one. For that matter, I've only been living with her for a week. Before that I was living with Pops, and, well, Pops owns even less than Mom. He makes street beggars look like Rupert Murdock, to be honest."
"But... how do you contact your friends?"
Ranma shrugged. "My friends don't have cell phones either."
"Ranma, I have a cell phone and I'm your friend! What if I need to call you? What if... what if I'm attacked by street hooligans again?"
"Yell real loud?" Ranma suggested.
"No!" Miyuki slammed her fist into her palm. "Ok, before we head home, we're stopping at a phone store. Got it?"
"Miyuki, I..." Ranma began, but the girl was already headed off in a new direction. Ranma ran after her.
XXX
"Do you like Sailor Moon?"
Ranma and Miyuki wandered through the aisle of a phone store. On either side of them were rows and rows of cell phone accessories, bits of brightly-colored plastic sealed in more plastic. Ranma yawned. Shopping always bored her. If there was one thing good about all those years on the road with a penniless father, it was that they never had to shop.
"Actually, I'm more into Rei Hino," Ranma said. "You know, Sailor Mars."
"Rei's cool," Miyuki agreed. "This one, then." She grabbed a package and held it out. "See? It's a Sailor Mars cell phone strap!"
"A lanyard," Ranma said.
"A lanyard? What's that?"
"A wrist strap, like on a ski pole," Ranma replied. "It's a sailing term. They use lanyards on ships to keep things from flying all over the place. You know, when the boat's at sea."
"Really?" Miyuki replied. "How do you know that?"
Ranma made a face. "Pops and I hitched rides on boats several times," she said. "We sailed part of the way to China on our trip. He likes to say that we swam the whole way, but that's only partly true..."
"They really ought to have Sailor Moon cell phones," Miyuki complained. "I guess the cell straps -- sorry, the lanyards -- and stickers and stuff will have to do." She paused, then added, "So, who does Akane like?"
"What, you mean Sailor Moon characters?" Ranma shrugged. "I got no idea."
"Well, she looks like Ami, so we'll go with that," Miyuki replied.
Not for the first time, Ranma said, "Miyuki, I really don't think you need to do this. Akane and I have done fine without cell phones up till now. Besides, I'll end up owin' you more money than I ever owed to Nabiki..."
"Nonsense," Miyuki said. "You aren't going to pay me back. This is a favor, to thank you for saving me today. Also so I can call of you, of course! Besides, no high school girl these days should be without one."
She found a Sailor Mercury cell strap and grabbed it, then picked out some Sailor Moon decals. "All rightt!" Miyuki said. "Now, the only question is, do they have anything as cool as Sailor Moon cases?"
XXX
At that moment, Akane was sitting in her room. With her were her friends Sayuri and Yuka, whom she'd been expecting. What she had not been expecting was the addition of her sister Nabiki.
"Why are you here, Nabiki?" Akane half-growled.
"I have some things to go through with Mrs. Saotome," Nabiki said. "You know, paperwork and stuff."
"Then... you're really going to transfer to St. Hebereke?" Sayuri asked.
Nabiki smirked. "Looks like it," she said. "It's not final just yet, but that's why I'm here."
"Wow," said Yuka. "Everyone's leaving Furinkhan."
"Yeah," said Sayuri. "All we got left is Kuno and his stupid father."
"And Ukyo," said Sayuri. "Although you have to wonder how long that's going to last."
Nabiki glanced about Ranma's room. "I'm also interested in knowing how Ranchan's doing with the whole girl thing," she said. "We haven't set down what our first challenge is yet, but I'm curious. He's already been a girl for several days -- dressing like a girl, attending school, etc. How's he doing?"
"She is doing just fine," Akane replied, a trifle sourly. She paused, remembering what Miyuki had divulged to her on the school steps. "Except..."
Nabiki plopped down on her bed. "Yes? Please, do go on. Tell me everything..."
XXX
As expected Miyuki lived in a house that was huge by Japanese standards, but it wasn't nearly the size of the Honda mansion that Ranma had visited the night before. Still, it was impressive: a Western-style house made partly of brick, with large bay windows on the front. It was surrounded by a well-kept hedge. A stone pathway led between large trees up to the front porch.
A woman with short hair in a formal suit answered the door.
"Good evening, Miss Gojo, and welcome home," the woman said. She spoke with the rich, sonorous voice of one who was highly trained in saying 'good evening' and paid well to do it right. "And this must be your guest. Miss Saotome, is it not? Good evening to you."
"Wow," Ranma said. "You have a female butler!"
"Well, of course," Miyuki replied. She smiled at the butler and added, "Good evening, Miss Okomoto. Ranma, if you need anything I'm sure Miss Okomoto can get it for you."
"Indeed," the butler added.
Ranma studied the butler carefully. She looked normal enough.
The girls removed their shoes and set their school bags aside. Miyuki led Ranma to the living room.
"Tell me, Miyuki," said Ranma, once the were out of the butler's earshot. "Is your butler secretly a master martial artist or something?"
"What? Miss Okomoto? Oh gosh, no. Should she be?"
"Nah. Just wondering. I mean, she didn't seem to be, but ya never know."
The living room was furnished in a Western style, with thick beige carpeting and leather chairs and sofa. Ranma had only visited the homes of a few wealthy people before, and so was still not quite certain what to expect. Compared to Kohana's mansion, it was refreshingly bright and colorful. There were large open windows on two sides of the room, only one small bookshelf with what seemed like ordinary books, and very little black to be seen. Ranma couldn't distinguish between Gothic furniture and any other styles, but the difference between the 21st century Gojo household and that of the 19th century Honda house was obvious.
"It's because of Khan, isn't it?" Miyuki asked. "The Honda butler. He's a martial artist isn't he?"
Ranma was surprised. "You know him?"
"Well, of course," Miyuki said, exasperated. "Tomari is only my very best friend ever." She paused, laughed nervously, and added, "Apart from you of course! But anyway, do you really think I need a martial artist butler? I could get one if you like; I just have to ask Daddy."
"No, that's okay," Ranma said.
"No, really, he'll do it," Miyuki replied. "Daddy does whatever I ask!"
"Please don't," Ranma said. "I don't want to get Miss Okomoto fired." Ranma thought about that a moment, and added, "That's all I need, someone else with a reason to hunt me down. Probably belongs to a secret butler's guild with highly trained butler ninja..." her voice trailed off.
"It really sucks how much the Hondas are worth," Miyuki growled. "It's soooo hard to compete with that. I'm lucky to have the magical girl budget that I do have, but that's practically a drop in the bucket for Tomari and Kohana! Do you think Tomoyo Daidôji had to work on a budget? Huh? Life would be so much easier if I had the kind of money that Tomari has; then I could be the perfect magical girl's best friend!"
Ranma shifted uncomfortably. "Ah… about this magical girl thing you keep bringing up… you aren't talking about me are you? 'Cause I ain't no magical girl.."
"Oh, but you almost are, right?" Miyuki said. "I mean, you're the most amazing girl martial artist I could ever hope to meet…."
"Girl or guy, actually," Ranma said, modestly.
"Exactly! And I saw you fighting in that gothic lolita outfit…."
"That wasn't planned," said Ranma. "And actually, that outfit's not really built for fighting in. If it weren't for my sense of balance..."
"Oh, but that's no problem at all!" Miyuki exclaimed. "What kind of best friend would I be if I designed outfits that you couldn't fight in? No, next time you'll have an outfit built for fighting, I promise!"
"Uh… next time?" Ranma repeated.
Miyuki's suddenly looked as if she'd said too much. "Oh, but Ranma, aren't you hungry?" she asked.
Ranma blinked.
"I'm always hungry," she said.
XXX
Ranma waited alone in Miyuki's room.
She had expected servants to prepare a meal. That's how it worked at the Honda mansion. But Miyuki had insisted on making dinner herself, claiming it was part of being a magical girl's best friend. She left Ranma watching an episode of Card Captor Sakura on a large-screen television.
There was something odd about being alone ina girl's room by invitation. Ranma kept expecting Miyuki to burst in screaming something about perverts and hit her over the head. But no, Miyuki was in the kitchen, and Ranma was just another girl. Girls got invited to other girl's rooms all the time, right?
Except, of course, that she barely knew Miyuki. Then again, Miyuki had been in her room, why not the reverse?
Ranma looked about. Up until now she'd been in Ukyo's and Shampoo's rooms once or twice, and Akane's, Nabiki;s, and Kasumi's of course, and even had once visited Sayuri's room. That was probably the only time she'd been in what she might consider a normal girl's room, but that had been with Akane and Yuka present.
Not, mind you, that she would consider Miyuki a normal girl, but this was definitely the room of a girl who wasn't into martial arts or anything very non girly. There were posters of magical girls and sweet lolita outfits on the walls – no pictures of guys at all, in fact. Ranma wondered briefly if Miyuki was a girl who only liked girls, like Kaida, but dismissed the thought. One entire wall was covered with bookshelves full of manga and dvds. There was a desk with a computer on top – that part reminded her of Nabiki. There was a large closet stuffed with clothing of all kinds, mostly dresses with lots of bows and ribbons and lace and frills. Ranma shuddered involuntarily at that, even though her own closet looked somewhat similar these days.
There was a sewing machine in one corner. That struck Ranma as unusual.
Ranma wasn't very familiar with Card Captor Sakura, but by halfway through the second episode she had a sudden insight into what made Miyuki Gojo tick.
When you do special things you should wear special costumes? Ranma thought. The magical girl's best friend -- videotaping her every move...
At that moment Miyuki entered the room with a tray full of food. There was rice and chicken katsu and spring rolls and miso soup, and a lemon cake that clearly could not have been prepared within the last hour, if Ranma had thought about it. When those delicious smells hit Ranma in the face, all other thoughts fled.
For the next several minutes, Ranma ate as only a Saotome could.
"So, Ranma," Miyuki asked, "why are you attending St. Hebereke? I mean I'm glad you're here, of course, but I just have to know."
Ranma shrugged. "I got to go to school. Everybody does."
"Well, of course," Miyuki replied. "What I mean is, why a girl's school? You're really a boy, aren't you? I know you turn into a girl, but you're really a boy inside, right?"
"You know about that?" Strangely, Ranma didn't seem surprised at this revelation.
"I found out yesterday," Miyuki replied. "I hope you don't mind. Actually, I think it's really cool. You actually transform! It's real magic!"
"It's not all that," Ranma said. "But I don't care if you know. Actually, it's better if people know, since they'll probably find out eventually anyway. My friends should know, at least."
"Exactly! So why a girl's school? Is it because your mother is the Vice Principal?"
"That's part of it," Ranma said. "I sort of made a promise to my mom a long time ago – actually so long ago I don't even remember it, but basically I gotta graduate with good grades. I ain't too good a student, so Mom thought this up as a sort of last chance to turn things around. Because of the curse and because she's the Vice Principal, and because she thinks girls make better students, especially when separated from boys. She thought I could leave all the chaos and all the fights behind by changin' schools and changin' my life around. Only that part isn't working out so far."
"I get it," Miyuki said, nodding. "So… you need help studying?"
"Yeah," Ranma said. "Actually, I was out late at Kohana's last night and I'm here tonight, so I guess I'm not off to such a good start on that front either."
"No worries!" Miyuki replied. "I can help you with that. Easy!"
Ranma frowned. "No offense, Miyuki, but you're not in the same grade as me."
"But I'm a good student, and so is Tomari. I'm sure we could help."
"Tomari?" Ranma asked.
"She should be here any moment." Almost as soon as the words left Miyuki's mouth, the doorbell sounded. "There, see? Her library club only lasts about an hour."
"Well, if you really think you two can help..."
"Absolutely!" Miyuki said. "More importantly, I bet you could use some help on just being a girl, right?"
"Ah… yeah."
Miyuki grinned. "Perfect! Hang out with me, I'll teach you everything you need to know!"
XXX
As the setting sun painted the sky in brilliant oranges and reds and shadows claimed the land below, a small fire could be found on a forested hillside. Carried on the evening breeze was the scent of cooking rice and the sound of muted voices.
Closer in, two figures could be seen seated by the fire. One was a very large man in a white gi. He wore a white bandana over his bald head and wore glasses. The second man was much smaller and older and dressed in a dark purple gi. He was also bald, with tufts of white hair around his ears. He puffed on a pipe thoughtfully.
"So, Genma, that's how it is," he said.
The larger man nodded.
"Sounds like your wife has finally gone psycho," the litte man observed.
Genma sighed. "This time, Master Happosai, I fear she truly has. This plan of hers, it's... insane. It can only cause irreparable harm to the boy. I've worked so hard to train him properly, to avoid anything that would weaken him or criple him in any way..."
Happosai blew a smoke ring, clearly not all that interested in what Genma had to say. "I never knew what you saw in No-chan anyway," he said.
Genma grunted. "What, are you kidding, Master Happosai? Do you not remember what she was like when we first met? She was as beautiful as the morning sun, as graceful and noble as a swan, and far smarter than I. She still is! She's a teacher after all. I don't really deserver her, to thell the truth."
"She was sweet when she was a girl, I'll grant you that." Happosai stared off into space, reminiscing.
"I don't know what I'm going to do!" Genma wailed.
"Do? There's nothing to do," Happosai said. "Unless you wish to alienate your own wife..."
"But the schools must be joined!"
"See, this is why I never married," Happosai said. "Too much trouble! If you cross her now, you risk destroying everything you've planned. You said yourself that any interferance would result in her cancelling the engagement."
"She would neve dare..."
"In any case," said Happosai, "The schools can still be joined. You simply must wait two years."
"Never! I will not allow my son to be weakened by No-chan's twisted views on learning! I did poorly in school, but as you can see it's never hindered me. If I sit back and do nothing, she's going to turn my son into some sissy, flower-arranging girl..."
"The world can always use more girls," Happosai said brightly. Genma glared at his Master as much as he dared. "Yeah, okay, suit yourself," Happy added. "Just don't expect me to get involved. The boy's my student, but trust me, two years is the blink of an eye. I have plenty of time to teach him what I choose, and if he's a girl part of that time, so much the better!"
Happosai pulled a tin of rice from over the fire. "Dinner's served! Let's eat!" he exclaimed. Genma grabbed the other. They wolfed down their simple meal in seconds.
Happosai stood and stretched. "What you need, Saotome, is to relax and forget your problems for a while. As it happens, I have the perfect thing in mind! There's a secret training grounds in the area that I've been meaning to visit..."
Genma leaped to his feet. "An excellent idea, Master Happosai! Lead on!"
In an instant the two were bounding across the landscape like the Nerima martial artists they were. "Never let it be said that your Master doesn't have your best interests in mind!" Happosai crowed as he flew through the air. "I was going bring the boy to this place, but if he's a girl then that just wouldn't work. Too bad too, I've only just started teaching him my true secret techniques."
"You have?" Genma shouted as he lumbered behind.
"Yes, of course. Started about a month ago."
"But Master! You never taught me any of those secret techniques..."
"Of course not, you fat fool! You never proved worthy of them." Happosai came to an abrupt halt at the edge of a clearing. An isolated building could be seen up ahead. Genma blinked. He had not expected a secret training grounds to include neon lights...
"Ah," said Happosai happily. "The Red Hot Tea House Kunoichi! Yes! The legendary female ninjas! Adventurous, violent, sexy, and historically very important! Ready, Genma?"
Genma sighed. For a moment, he'd completely forgotten who his Master was. He sadi, "Yes, Master, of course..."
XXX
The evening was not what Ranma had expected. She really hadn't had any expectations, but of those that she didn't have, one of them was certainly not to spend an hour and a half on school work, with the substantial aid of two girls who were younger and by all rights should not know so much more than their upperclassman.
Finally they closed the books. Not only was Ranma's schoolwork done, but she actually felt like she had learned something for once.
"Want to watch more Card Captor Sakura?" Miyuki asked.
"Ah... there wasn't really a lot of fighting," Ranma said. This was, of course, a huge negative in her book.
"Well, I've got Sailor Moon, of course, and Magical Project S, and... well, name a magical girl series, I probably have it."
"Probably?" Tomari said.
"Magical Project S?" Ranma asked. "That's the one with Pretty Sammy, right?"
Miyuki nodded enthusiastically. "You like that? I saw the manga in your room. Sailor Moon too."
"Well," Ranma said, "those were just copies from the library, and they were out of order..."
Miyuki stared at Ranma in shock. "Oh. My. God. You haven't read those series from the beginning?"
"Well, no," Ranma said. "I've never owned my own copies..."
Miyuki ran to her shelves and began grabbing books. She piled them in front of Ranma. "Here! Take mine! Please!"
"What? Miyuki, I can't do that," Ranma said. "I don't have the money to repay you..."
"Don't worry about it," Miyuki said. "I can replace them easily."
"But you already got me that phone..."
"Ranma," Miyuki said, "I would be very sad to think that a fan of those series wasn't able to read the whole thing... here, I can give you some other good ones too. You really can't miss Card Captor Sakura; the anime is best of course, but... do you have a dvd player?"
Ranma shook her head.
"Oh, take my spare one then. It's a portable one, see? Nice and compact, so you can take it anywhere."
"There's no way I could do that..." Ranma began.
"Yes, Ranma," Miyuki said firmly, "you can. These things are cheap, trust me. It's time I got a new one anyway..."
Ranma watched as the stack of manga and dvds in front of her grew. "Miyuki, I can take all of this stuff," Ranma said again.
"Yes you can," Tomari replied. "Miyuki can afford it, honest. And if she can't then I certainly can..."
Miyuki looked thoughtful.
"I'll tell you what," she said. "I'm a... a bit of a clothing designer, actually. Only I need a model to work with. If you could help me out, I'd be ever so grateful, and I'd consider it payment for what I'm giving you – the books, the dvds, and the dvd player. Is that a deal?"
Ranma thought about this for a second.
"What, you mean just try stuff on? That sort of thing?"
"Exactly," Miyuki said. "Just stand still while I measure you, try a few outfits on, and let me make some adjustments. You can even watch some anime while I'm doing it..."
Ranma glanced to Tomari. Before she could even say something, Tomari said, "No. I do not model for Miyuki. Ever."
"Well… okay," Ranma said. "I'll do it."
XXX
The Red Hot Tea House Kunoichi lay in ruins. Nearby, Happosai lay on some rocks, gasping for air.
"Kuso!" he exclaimed. "How terrifying! Never have I seen women so ugly! They make Cologne seem sexy..."
"I aged ten years," Genma gasped.
Happosai jumped to his feet. "Come, Genma. Let's get as far away from here as possible!"
"Right behind you, Master!" The two bounded off into the woods as quickly as they'd arrived.
A few minutes later the air shimmered, and a young girl appeared in the clearing. She gave a cry of alarm.
"Oh! What foul villain would do such a thing?" she exclaimed. Quickly she produced a can of gasoline and doused the wreckage. "Step mother?" she called out. "Sister Koeda? Sister Kome?" She lit a match and dropped it. In seconds the ruins were engulfed in flames.
Behind her, someone cleared their throat. "What are you doing, Konatsu?"
"Ah... cleaning up?" The young ninja turned and clapped her hands together. Three of the ugliest women the world had ever known stood behind her. "Step Mother! Sisters! I was so worried about you..."
The step mother and step sisters had clearly been through a bruising fight. This did not, however, prevent them from pounding the younger, more beautiful Konatsu into the ground.
Once the youngest kunoichi had been sufficiently punished, her step mother towered over her and said, "Konatsu, you must avenge this evil deed!" She kicked her step daughter once more for good measure, then added, "Until you do, you are banned from the kunoichi village!"
Trembling, the young kunoichi got to her feet. "Who shall I look for?" she asked.
"A fat man in a white gi with glasses, and a tiny, ugly dwarf of a man in a purple gi," her step mother replied. "The fat one said that his name was Ranma Saotome..."
Konatsu nodded. She clenched her fist. "Ranma Saotome," she vowed. "For what you have done to me and mine, you shall pay!"
XXX
Blissfully unaware of impending doom, Ranma sat in Miyuki's bedroom eating ice cream and watching more Card Captor Sakura. She wore an outfit remarkably like one of Sakura Kinomoto's. It involved a lot of ribbons and frills and twice as much fabric as necessary. Miyuki claimed that this provided the right amount of "flounce" which was apparently very important.
Despite her initial reservations about a series aimed at young girls that didn't involve much fighting, Ranma had now been sucked into the series. It really was plotted well, and once Syaoran had shown up there was even someone who sort of knew how to fight. That instantly made the series more interesting to Ranma, or at least, gave her an excuse for being interested. So engrossed was she that she failed to ask Miyuki about the strange parallels between her and Tomoyo Daidoji.
"You like this show?" MIyuki asked. Ranma nodded, not even looking up.
When an episode ended and the closing theme was playing, Ranma asked, "Is there some sort of martial arts card? Something that helps her fight better?"
"Now," said Miyuki, "we can't give away things that haven't happened yet, that would be spoiling it."
Ranma had spent nearly an hour trying on different outfits, mostly elaborate sweet lolita dresses with more ribbons, bows, and frills than could be found in a wrapping paper factory. Ranma did have to admit that the clothes were well made and quite cute. Miyuki was a good seamstress as well as a good cook -- and a pretty good artist into the bargain. Ranma had one of Miyuki's sketchbooks in her lap right now. She glanced down at it.
"You're good," Ranma said. "I could never draw anything like this."
"Thanks, but I'm not that good," Miyuki admitted. "All I'm really good for is costumes and character designs. Static poses, that sort of thing. Sachiko's the real artist. That's why she's drawing the manga."
Ranma glanced up in surprise. "You're doing a manga?"
"Oh, yes!" Miyuki exclaimed. "Tomari is writing it and Sachiko is drawing it! I'm kind of in charge of the whole thing... you know, I provide most of the initial ideas for characters and plots, and they go from there."
"It's about magical girls?" Ranma asked.
"Yes! How did you know?"
"Ah... just a lucky guess," Ranma said with a smirk. "So what are you going to do with it when you're done?"
"Well, we're going to publish it, of course," Miyuki said. "We're hoping to have it done before Winter. Then we'll try and sell it at the next Comic Fest."
"What's that?" Ranma asked.
Miyuki's eyes threatened to pop out of her head. "You mean you don't know? It's like, the biggest comic festival in the country! Maybe in the world!"
"Really?" Ranma said. "That's pretty cool then."
"Yeah. It's big. I mean, most of the people that sell stuff there are at least in college. We're just first year high school students!"
"I'm impressed. You'll have to let me read it."
Miyuki exchanged a nervous look with Tomari. "Ah... yeah. We will," she said half-heartedly.
"Why aren't you in the school art club?" Ranma asked. "Or the fashion club? Or even a cooking club?"
"I don't want to be," Miyuki said. "I'm not interested in any of that."
"Miyuki's in the Go Home Club," said Tomari.
"True," said Miyuki, "but maybe not for much longer."
Tomari raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Did you finally found a club you want to join?"
"Maybe," Miyuki said. "I'll tell you tomorrow, after I've had more time to think about it."
Ranma reached for another sketchbook. "What's in here?"
Miyuki snatched it out of her hands. "You can't look at that!" She clutched the sketchbook to her chest. "Sorry, Ranma, but this one is off limits. At least, for now..."
"Okay," Ranma said. She glanced at the clock. "Actually, it's getting pretty late," she said. "I should probably head home..."
XXX
Once again, Ranma arrived home late, in a limo, and wearing a new outfit she'd been given. Miyuki had insisted that Ranma keep one of the outfits and wear it home. Ranma got out, thanked the driver, and entered the house.
Her mother was seated in the living room. She frowned. "Daughter, I understand that making new friends is important, but I don't want you up late on school nights..."
"Don't worry, Mom," Ranma said. "We were studying. I got my homework done."
"Well, that's good," Nodoka said. "But a good night's sleep is also important."
Ranma nodded. "I promise I won't stay out this late again," she said.
Ranma lugged a very large backpack up the hallway. She dumped it on her bed.
"Welcome back, Ranma," Akane called out from her side of the room. "So, did you have fun at Miyuki's?"
"Yeah, actually," Ranma replied. She began to unpack her bag.
Akane pulled aside the curtain to watch. "What all this?" she asked.
"Ah... just some stuff Miyuki lent me," Ranma said. "Well, gave me, I guess."
Akane picked up a manga volume. She raised an eyebrow. "Sailor Moon? I thought I recognized them. You like Sailor Moon, then?"
Ranma shrugged. "Sure. I mean, it is about fighting, part of the time. I just thought it was cool all around."
Akane smirked. "You've read it before didn't you?"
"Eh... just a couple of manga here and there," Ranma said. "Ones Nabiki left around. I never got the chance to read it all the way through before. Miyuki gave me the whole series."
"Nabiki would've leant them to you, you know. You should have asked."
"No way!" Ranma said. "If someone had found out, I'd have never lived it down!"
"But it's okay now?"
"Of course," said Ranma. "I'm a girl now."
Akane rolled her eyes. "Lots of boys read shoujo manga, Ranma. Even stuff like Sailor Moon."
"Not me," Ranma said. "Not boy-me, anyway."
"You're neurotic, you know that? But anyway, read whatever you like. It doesn't matter." She paused, then added, "Although if you start reading yaoi manga I'd be worried."
Ranma rolled her eyes. "Please. Nothing like that."
"Ranma, do you know what yaoi manga is?"
Ranma looked doubtful. "Um... some magical girl team?"
Akane laughed. "Right, Ranma. That's it exactly." She looked Ranma up and down. "Cute dress, by the way."
"Thanks. Miyuki made it," Ranma said absently. "Oh, I almost forgot!" She pulled something from her school bag and handed it to Akane. "Here!"
Akane stared at the object in her hand.
"It's a cell phone," Ranma said. "Decorated with Sailor Mercury stuff. You know. We didn't know which Sailor Scout you liked, but Mercury kind of looks like you..."
As Akane continued to stare, Ranma held up another phone. "See? Mine's Sailor Mars..."
XXX
Miyuki sat in her room with Tomari. She picked up the sketchbook that she'd kept from Ranma. She opened it.
The first page depicted a slim, athletic girl with bright red hair, dressed in a modified Gothic Lolita maid's outfit. Above her in large letters it said, "Magical Warrior Princess Ranma."
"You're going to have to tell her eventually," Tomari said.
Miyuki hugged the sketchbook to her chest. "Not until it's ready to publish," she replied. "By then, she can see for herself. This is going to be the most brilliant, awesome manga the world had ever seen!"
"She's not going to like it," Tomari said.
"Oh, she'll come around eventually," Miyuki said. "Trust me."
XXX
In another part of town a group of rough-looking boys and girls were hanging out in a parking lot. The moon was high overhead, but the group kept to the shadows of a nearby building.
"One girl?" one of the boys exclaimed. He had blond hair that stuck straight up, and was tall and powerfully muscled. The others deferred to him -- clearly he was the leader of this group. "Tell me how one little girl -- a St. Hebereke girl -- beat up three of my toughest girls?"
"She's a demon," one of the girls said. "A holy terror."
"She used some kind of martial arts on us," a second girl said.
"Yeah," said a third. "She's tiny, but she hits like a pro. Trust me, Goku, you can't take this one lightly."
Goku Kenji rubbed his stubbled chin thoughtfully. "She's really that good?"
"She beat the three of us up!" the first girl repeated.
"Yeah, but she's still a girl," Goku said. "Still, I can't be having any high-class Princess beating up on my gang. We're going to have to teach this girl a lesson."
He paused, then growled, "Right. Tell everyone to assemble tomorrow at Noon. Everyone. I want the whole gang there. We're going to do this thing right..."
To Be Continued