Author's Notes –
Tax season is almost over – woo hoo!
Didn't get as much this year as last, but I've got most of what I need already.
Not looking forward to all the yard work that comes with Spring and Summer though. But so it goes.
# # # # #
Time – the system of those sequential relations that any event has to any other, as past, present or future; indefinite and continuous duration regarded as that in which events succeed one another; duration regarded as belonging to the present life as distinct from the life to come or from eternity; a system or method of measuring or reckoning the passage of time.
Time, it was really a simple concept, one that Tenma Saotome understood very well. Yet for all that he understood about it, he'd never understood the saying "Time flies by when having fun" until now.
The first half of the first week of the summer break seemed to fly by as the group from Mahora first headed into Tokyo to support Makie and the others at the Rhythmic Gymnastics meet before going to support Akira at the swim meet. The time at the hotel's pool had also been enjoyable, as was the trip to the beach before they finally returned to Mahora.
Honestly, Tenma had expected his time with the girls to end there as he headed off to visit his aunt and uncle and to help out at their restaurant. The past few days had flown by for Tenma as the few customers on hand spoke to him about their various experiences with his father. Many had initially mistaken him for his father upon seeing him, but after explaining that he was not Ranma they immediately guessed that he was his son.
It had taken him less than an hour to get into the flow of things, a minor feat considering how empty the restaurant was on week days. Thought he work barely kept him busy, the ability to visit and converse with other fighters was very welcome.
The familiar jingling of the bells over the main door signaled the arrival of another customer, prompting the young cyborg to pop his head out from behind the grill. "Welcome," greeted Tenma as he took in the woman before him. Standing tall, she held herself with the pose of a practiced fighter. Her red hakama, silvery-pink gi, and the ornate scabbard suggested that she was more than just a swordswoman. Clearly she was a master if not the head of a school or clan.
The elegant woman paused as she looked at him, something that many of those who knew his father did when the spotted him. "You must be Tenma," the proud woman stated. "I'm a friend of your father's."
"Motoko," the proprietor and host of the restaurant called out as he appeared at the kitchen door. "It's good to see you. Tenma, this is Motoko Aoyama."
"The current leader of the Shinmeiryu," stated the cyborg as he placed her face and name. "My apologies," head bowed slightly, he purposely strode towards her. "Please, have a seat at the grill."
"Actually," the proud woman said as she stepped past the threshold of the restaurant, "I'm not alone."
A second woman appeared behind the Shinmeiryu head. Like Motoko she wore a hakama, but her gi was a soft white and her scabbard was a plan pitch black. Behind her a younger girl, this one perhaps no older than Asuna and her classmates, also dressed in a hakama and gi entered the restaurant.
"Toko Kuzunoha," the powerful woman said as she inclined her head slightly, "I'm an associate of your father's."
Tenma returned the gesture. Officially she was the Mahora kendo team's coach. Unofficially she was the second in command of operations at Mahora.
"Setsuna Sakurazaki," the girl said, her fake brown eyes locking with his blue ones.
Having spent so much time around Asuna, Tenma had become accustomed to seeing someone with colored contacts. It was clear to his perceptive eyes that the young swordswoman was also hiding her eyes for some reason.
"You're a day early," the always cheerful master of the grill stated as she appeared beside her nephew.
"I wanted to make sure that there'd be a seat for us tomorrow." A warm smile passed between the two women. "And I wanted Kuzunoha-san and Sakurazaki-chan to enjoy your wonderful cuisine. As experienced as they may be I'm sure that they'll be preoccupied tomorrow."
"So you wish to have Sakurazaki-chan test herself against Tenma?" Konatsu asked as he eyed the pale girl.
"Times have changed," Motoko grinned mischievously, "Ranma isn't around as much as he used to be, and word has spread that his eldest son is here. The weather looks promising as well."
He knew enough of the Grill's reputation to make the connection. The grill was one of the few places where martial artists of any school could come for a peaceful spar. While most dojos officially supported inter-dojo sparring, few actually allowed it within their own doors, thus the appeal that Saotome's had for various schools and masters as it allowed them to freely spar without consequence.
It helped that his aunt and uncle were accomplished martial artists in their own right, and that they were friends with masters of other schools as well. But it was Ranma Saotome who brought in many of the others. Within the select world of master level martial artists only he had mastered so many different schools and styles of martial arts.
Yes, Sunday really would be interesting.
X X X X X
Saturdays were usually a day full of hustle and bustle at Sakura Lane. Between the morning of classes and the afternoons dedicated to club or team activities the girls who called the dorm their home were often seen rushing in and out of the building as they dashed off to their various activities. But today was different.
With the end of the spring term and the start of the summer break the girls' schedules had changed. The few who remained on campus had little to do during the first week. While most who weren't participating in one of the various sports competitions and hadn't gone to cheer/support their peers Saturdays were usually a day full of hustle and bustle at Sakura Lane. Between the morning of classes and the afternoons dedicated to club or team activities the girls who called the dorm their home were often seen rushing in and out of the building as they dashed off to their various activities. But today was different. The few who remained on campus had little to do during the first week. That was true of those who had returned to the campus and dorms early as well.
Unlike most Saturdays, this particular one was dreadfully slow. While most of their peers were out frolicking at the beaches or soaking in an onsen somewhere, the handful of 2-A girls were simply sitting around World Tree Plaza with little to do.
Well, most had little to do.
Asuna lazily watched as her former rival and fellow student slapped aside a palm strike from her shorter opponent. With a yawn the strawberry blond observed how the taller blond flipped over the shorter blond before throwing a spinning high kick.
Playfully Ku Fei rolled out of the path of the leggy blonde's kick before springing to her feet. "Class Rep improve much," grinned the playful kung fu master. "Saotome-sensei has taught you much."
The taller girl nodded, barely breathing hard despite the frantic pace of the light sparring session.
All around them a few of the other girls from 2-A were seated, some fascinated by the fight others like Asuna only mildly interested. The junior swim champion, Akira Okochi, sat beside her friends Makie and Ako. Of course if Ako was present then so was the blond foreigner she called her boyfriend.
Baka Black sat beside her best friend and roommate, while Baka Blue leaned against the tree.
"I hear that Saotome's Grill is supposed to be a restaurant catered towards martial artists," Luke stated as he watched the fight intently. "It'd be a great place for you to test yourself."
"Sounds fun," exclaimed Baka Yellow as she slipped under the Class Rep's kick and countered with a sweep that sent the taller girl sprawling.
"Tenma says that they only have open sparring on Sundays," the foreign boy explained. "He's still going to be there tomorrow."
"That's a good idea," exclaimed Baka Pink, surprising everyone. "I hear their food is second to none."
"Haruna did say that she'd be heading there once she got back from England today," stated Baka Black, adding more incentive for the group to head over that way.
"That probably means that Saotome-sensei will be headed there too," the class Paparazzi noted. "Didn't he say that he was going to London to get his other son?"
"You should go," Konoe whispered into the strawberry blonde's ear.
Asuna had nearly forgotten that her best friend and roommate was sitting beside her. The usually giggly girl had been silent much of the day, absorbed as she was in reading the latest Harry Potter book.
"Tenma's never met his brother," the chocolate haired girl stated, spelling out the situation for her friend. "I'm sure Makie's thinking the same thing."
"We should go!" proclaimed the fiery redhead. "What else do we have to do?"
Startled by her declaration, the other girls considered what she'd said. They really didn't have anything else to do, and as much fun as surprise pot was, there was only so much that they could take of it.
"Yeah," several girls exclaimed encouragingly.
"We definitely need to get out of Mahora for a day or two," Konoka added. "It'll be fun."
X X X X X
There were only a few times in his life when Ranma recalled ever being so irritable and agitated. Sure, there had been those times with the Neko-ken training, but aside from that the raven haired immortal was generally an easy going and laid back person.
"You've got a ten year old kid teaching English?" exclaimed the immortal as he dragged said kid into Dean Konoe's office. The long flight from England had not been restful nor had it been pleasant as his keen mind pondered a multitude of thoughts, chief of which was why the hell was the Dean hiring a child to do an adult's job?
"Ah," the wrinkled old man greeted as he turned towards the trio of instructors that now entered his office, "Saotome, Narusegawa, I see you've brought young Mr. Springfield. I was just about to send Takahata to greet you at the airport. Did you catch an earlier flight out? What about your son? I really was hoping to meet him."
Ranma paused, unprepared for the cunning ploy that the Dean had surprised him with. "Sir," said the immortal as he calmed himself, "Haruna's with Hiro, they've gone to the Grill to meet his Uncle and Aunt. He'll be back for testing tomorrow."
"Good, good," smiled the old man. "How was the flight Negi?"
"Um," squawked the boy, "it was good."
The immortal glanced from the young boy to the cagy old man.
"Good, good," the Dean muttered. "Due to circumstances you'll be staying with Saotome. He is of course an accomplished mage; though he prefers the physical arts."
Ranma leveled his gaze back at Dean Konoe, dispelling his illusion as he did so.
"A glamour?" exclaimed the young mage. "No, there wasn't any of the usual shimmering when I tried to look past the illusion, but I didn't sense any magic either."
"That's a secret," stated the auburn haired beauty.
Hazel eyes turned towards the former model intent on discerning her true appearance.
"She's not a mage," chuckled the scruffy blond. "She's completely non-magical, but she knows about magic and our world."
The young mage turned to his senior.
"Not all of the teachers here are magi," explained the Dean. "Most of the ones who don't have some tie to magic don't know about us, a majority of the student body doesn't know that magic exists. It will be your job to help hide the existence of magic from the uninitiated."
Soaking in Dean Konoe's words, Negi nodded his head, determined to do his best.
"There's no way they're going to take him seriously," Ranma interjected. "If they can't take me as a 16 year old there's no way they'd take him as a ten year old."
"You're only sixteen?" asked Negi.
"He only looks sixteen," Naru explained. "He's actually older than me and Takahata."
"You do have a point," ceded Dean Konoe. "But what do you propose we do? I doubt that young Negi has the experience casting your master piece every day."
'Ah, that's what you're playing at,' mused the immortal.
"Actually," Takahata spoke up, joining the conversation, "Narusegawa mentioned that you have something that can alter his age."
A slight chill ran up and down the immortal's spine as he glanced at his former lover out of the corner of his eye. 'She told him about that?' "Yeah."
"That's why you look like you're sixteen," concluded Negi.
Had he truly been sixteen he might have blurted out some asinine retort that might have made the boy suspect or distrust him but despite his appearance Ranma had learned from his past mistakes, sort of. "It's a curse, that's why I use illusions."
"Oh."
"Anyways," interjected Takahata, "Negi's in a precarious position. His father is a renown mage, unfortunately he's also made plenty of enemies. The idea of hiding who he really is by altering Negi's age should help divert attention away from him, but eventually there are going to be those who will come looking for the Springfields."
"So you want me to protect him," Ranma huffed.
Dean Konoe held up his hand, "Not so much – we would like your assistance in diverting attention from him. Because many of the other Association leaders respect you they are less likely to move against you or those in your care. The simple fact that he would be residing in your house even if he's not otherwise associated with you should garner him some protection."
"Especially if they think that if he really was related to Nagi that he'd come to Mahora and your Association first," concluded Ranma. "But by staying with an outsider like me it further distances himself from you."
Both the Dean and Takahata nodded, if only somewhat reluctantly at the conclusions the immortal had reached.
"Of course Hiro and Haruna are going to have to keep his secret as well," the immortal added. "And he'd have to keep the disguise up at my place as not all of my students know about the existence of magic."
Again the two Kanto magi nodded.
"I'm not teaching him anything," declared Ranma.
"Fine," Dean Konoe replied, a bit too quickly for Saotome's taste.
He was trapped, and he knew it. The damage was done, but now he'd have to focus on keeping the kid out of his way. But what was the true goal behind the old man's schemes? The fact that Negi appeared to be no older than Hiro could mean that he didn't trust Hiro. Or he could just be using Negi to spy on Ranma.
"As Negi will be living with you, you'll be in charge of assessing his ability as a teacher and as a mage," the old man stated.
'It's not that easy, is it?' the mildly paranoid man wondered even as he nodded at the old man's request. A quick glance at Takahata seemed to confirm it as the blond didn't appear to be giving anything away.
Still, his head hurt from all the frantic thoughts that had raced through his mind since he'd first met Negi in London. Unable to sleep, he'd found his mind racing to several different conclusions. Perhaps he had misinterpreted the situation. It'd happened before, and was likely to happen again, but it never hurt to be prepared.
No, what he needed now was some sleep. Letting his mind and body to rest would definitely help.
"Fine," he muttered. "But I'm going to do things my way."
X X X X X
Thoughts ran through his cunning mind as he strained to keep up with the conversation around him. Though he'd made a point of learning Japanese, Negi Springfield had not expected anything like this. The heated and tense conversation between Ranma Saotome and Dean Konoe had flown by him as he struggled to keep up with his new landlord and peer.
The unexpected revelation that Ranma wasn't the man he appeared to be and that he was a master of illusion had caught the youth unprepared. It was just after that that Negi had lost track of the conversation.
It didn't help that he was still jet lagged despite having slept for part of the flight from London. As sharp as he was it was clear that he needed to work on his Japanese before classes started in a few weeks. If all the Japanese spoke like the adults present then he'd be lost in just a manor of hours.
"As Negi will be living with you, you'll be in charge of assessing his ability as a teacher and as a mage," stated Dean Konoe.
The young boy stood straight upon hearing his name.
"Fine," agreed the raven haired youth that was Ranma Saotome, "but I'm going to do things my way."
For a moment silence filled the gigantic office as Ranma and Dean Konoe locked gazes.
From what he could gather Ranma clearly was a mage. Even though he worked in Mahora, where there were other magi (students and teacher, though not everyone there was trained or knew it existed) he wasn't actually affiliated with them. Too young to understand the subtle politics that appeared to affect the various magical factions in Japan (unlike England with its unified Magical Association) Negi simply stood still, watching the two men as they squared off in a duel of wills.
"Come on Negi," said Ranma in his less than eloquent Japanese, "I'll show you the house and your room before Haruna and Hiro get back."
Negi nodded absently, simply content to follow the other man's lead.
The raven haired man closed his eyes for a moment. Suddenly the young man was replaced with an older image of himself.
Negi blinked, trying to pierce the illusion. He still couldn't believe that this man before him had mastered illusions to the point where he could cast them without any of the usual gestures or incantations.
"Hmm," the illusionist grumbled as he looked at the young boy. "This won't do. I don't know how you're going to look like as an adult… You're going to have to be invisible until we get home."
Again the young boy blinked.
With a simple snap of his finger Ranma cast his spell.
He could feel the other man's magic wash over him as it took effect. "I can still see myself," he exclaimed as he waved his hands before his face.
"Of course you can," Ranma muttered. "It's nothing like the Disillusionment spell from Harry Potter –you're not completely invisible, just to anyone who sees in the same light spectrum that normal humans can see."
"But you can see me," countered Negi.
"I know where you're standing because I cast the spell, and you're talking, so it's pretty obvious for me where you are," explained the other mage.
"Oh."
The trip to Saotome's house flew by quickly as both Narusegawa and Saotome made a beeline for the building on the edge of the campus, leaving Negi with no time to take in the sights of the city.
"Most of the students are gone for the summer break," Narusegawa explained. "There are many sports competitions being held at the beginning of the break so that the students don't have to take time away from their classes and studies, unfortunately that leaves most of Mahora feeling pretty empty. Even after the competitions are finished many students opt to take a week or two off to relax and enjoy themselves."
Negi nodded heedless of the fact that his companions couldn't see his gesture.
"Why'd you become a teacher?" Narusegawa ventured to ask as Ranma closed the gate to his property.
"I was told that I needed to become a teacher if I wanted to become a better mage," answered the young mage.
"You're a western mage," Ranma muttered as he led them towards the house. "Do you subscribe to the Pactico style or the Magical-swordsman philosophy?"
The question caught Negi by surprise. "I'm still in training," he muttered, glancing away from the obviously learned man before him.
"But you graduated, right?" the other man asked.
"But he's only ten," Naru interjected.
"Kid's a genius," shrugged Ranma.
"How do you know?" demanded Naru.
"He's either a genius or his very stupid," Ranma answered. "If he's going to be teaching here than I would think he's a genius.
"The number of very powerful magical artifacts that he's carrying around suggests that he at least knows how to use them if not care for them. Artifacts themselves aren't that uncommon, but the number and the power of the ones he has suggests that he isn't a typical mage. The staff alone is a dead giveaway. That's probably why you flew here in an airplane instead of using one of the teleportation gates – your weapons and artifacts would have been confiscated and your identity would have been revealed to those who the Dean and your former master wants to keep you safe from."
"Should we be talking about this out in the open?" asked a slightly timid Negi.
"It's my property," Ranma replied. "It's safe. I'm surprised you didn't feel the magical barrier when you stepped through it, then again, you're probably not used to Eastern magic."
Negi nodded. It was true. Having spent his entire life at the academy he had dedicated his life to magic, but he'd only managed to learn Western Magic. There were nearly as many philosophies and theories regarding magic, but most that he knew involved incantations to invoke, enchant, conjure, or summon. There was also the use of runes and glyphs that some magi used, but he didn't know anything about those styles. He'd definitely have to learn about the other styles of magic now that he was in Japan.
The sound of the solid oak door closing snapped him out of his thoughts. He'd barely had a chance to look at the house as he followed Ranma into the building, thus leaving the spacious hallway to make the first impression on him.
Finely worked wood and clean walls greeted him.
"I'm going to crash in the guest room," Narusegawa mumbled.
It didn't take an expert to realize that the auburn haired beauty was tired. In fact, all of them were tired. Only Negi's excitement and Ranma's apparent apprehension at the situation he'd found himself in had kept the two magi awake since they'd arrived in Japan a scant few hours ago.
"Your room's the second from the right," Ranma explained.
Negi nodded as he watched the buxom woman walk down the hallway before taking the second room on the left.
"Your room's got a bathroom attached to it, but there's another bathroom right there," Ranma pointed to the first door on the right. "There's another bathroom at the end of the hallway. It's actually a changing room that leads out to the onsen, but there's a bathroom connected to the changing room as well. The living room's that way" he pointed to the left, "then there's the dining room and the kitchen. Through the living room is the dojo."
The redheaded boy nodded.
"Oh," Ranma muttered, "there's a magical charm that'll announce when someone's approaching the house from the front door and another for when people are entering from the side entrance to go to the dojo. You'll get used to them. It won't trigger when there are others here, so you're not going to hear it when my students are here."
Again Negi nodded.
"Wait here," Ranma ordered.
The young boy stood still as the other man vanished in an unexpected display of speed. He could hear the subtle sound of steps on the newly installed wood steps as Ranma dashed up the stairs. In a few seconds the older man returned, his hands behind his back.
"Well," sighed the raven haired man as he once again released his illusion, "I hate to do this, but I can't let you in on all my secrets, particularly this one."
The young boy stood there, dumbfounded as he wondered what the other man was talking about.
"Close your eyes," ordered the older mage, "and open your mouth. The thing that's going to turn you older has to be administered orally."
Obediently Negi did so despite his reservations. He could feel the other man's hand on his head, pushing his mouth wider even as he pushed his head back. Before he could even react he felt something being shoved between his lips and into his mouth. Whatever it was it was long and soft, but nothing like a banana. His gage reflex was overpowered by Ranma's strong, firm hands as the master martial artist shoved the entire thing into Negi's mouth.
Finally the strong hands clamped his mouth shut.
"Chew," Ranma ordered, "then swallow."
As much as he wanted to, Negi couldn't, not with that thing in his mouth. With his throat and mouth full, all he could do was struggle to swallow the object.
Even with his eyes closed Negi could see stars against the back of his eyelids. As suddenly as they appeared though they were gone - replaced with a darkness that filled his world.
"I guess I should have chopped it up first."
X X X X X
The cool, humid air felt refreshing to the young cyborg as he stepped out onto the arena. He didn't know why, but he immediately headed for the arena every time he was allowed a break.
"You feel it, don't you?" his uncle's voice called out to him. It was a credit to his ninja skills that he'd managed to sneak up on the cyborg, managing to surprise him as he did so.
Tenma simply closed his eyes and took in a deep breath, taking in the mysterious aura that seemed to envelop the wide open space he stood in.
"It's the residual battle auras of those who have fought here," the cross-dressing ninja explained.
The cyborg opened his eyes, "I thought they only sparred here?"
"Sparring can mean many things. To someone like your father sparring is anything that isn't life or death, or where victory is meaningless. I've seen his opponents go for killing blows or at least blows that would kill a lesser man, but your father brushed them off as though it was nothing."
The younger Saotome nodded. "Because to him it wasn't a serious attack, even if it connected."
"Possibly."
"Father believes that as a martial artist one always knows the exact amount of force to be used against one's opponent."
Konatsu nodded.
"The masters who fought here always knew the right amount of force needed to secure victory without endangering the lives of those watching."
"'What's the point of winning if you have to destroy the planet'."
"That's what father says whenever he sees Dragon Ball Z on."
Konatsu smirked. "You came here because it reminds you most of why you were born."
Tenma blinked, startled by the man's words.
"Biologically you are a mechanical clone of Ranma's, yet he regards you as a son," the ninja elaborated. "In a way he feels that you are capable of living the life that he couldn't."
"Because of the curse."
"Because of how his father raised him."
Again the cyborg paused.
"You're thought patterns, your body – everything about you is meant to mimic him. And while his reasons for activating you differ from why he wants to keep you around, he believes that you deserve a chance to live your own life. That's why he argued so vehemently to the others that we allow you to exist."
He wasn't sure how he was supposed to take those blunt words or why his uncle was even telling him this, but Tenma found himself turning around to look at the man he called his uncle.
"Ranma does love you, as a father loves a son," Konatsu stated. "None of his children were brought about by natural means, yourself included. He may not have wanted you at the time of your conception or birth, but he accepts you – all of you, and he's done what he believes is the right thing for all of you."
His words slowly sunk in. "All of us? There are more besides Hiro?"
His uncle nodded. "Two more that I know of. I barely know the man responsible for the others, but from what Ryoga has said he suspects that there are more."
The familiar ringing of the bells caught their attention despite the fact that they were in the patio and the arena.
"Haruna!" Ukyo's voice cried out. "And you must be Hiro!"
Tenma looked at his uncle, unsure what else needed to be said.
"You're my nephew," declared Konatsu, "just like Hiro is. If you need anything, feel free to come talk to me."
With a nod Tenma followed the older Saotome back into the restaurant.
Upon reentering the restaurant his eyes immediately set on the wild haired brunette boy standing in the center of the crowd. Physically he looked nothing like his father. His lean build suggested some form of martial arts training, but he was far too young to have trained his body to its peak. No, he'd definitely have some growing to do as he barely came up to Haruna's ribs, thus only up to Tenma's stomach.
Only the boy's striking blue eyes suggested that he was related to Ranma as the clear blue orbs seemed to be a trait that both Ranma and Tenma had in common with Hiro.
"So your father's tending to some business in Mahora still?" the brunette woman he called his aunt asked as she turned to her daughter.
Haruna nodded. "He and Narusegawa-sensei had to take the new teacher to meet the Dean. They'll come here tomorrow."
Tenma wasn't sure what to make of his little brother, but his uncle's words had reassured him somewhat. Still, the obvious tension hung in the air as two pairs of blue eyes locked.
"Tenma," Ukyo called out, "come meet your brother!"
Though most would have taken what she said to a simple reprimand Tenma knew that she was ordering him to break the ice with Hiro. Despite the fact that he was a cyborg, or perhaps because of it, Tenma wasn't sure what to say. Mentally he'd run a variety of scenarios in his mind as he worked throughout the week, but it was hard to actually predict what would happen as he had no information on Hiro to work with.
Still, he found himself approaching the crowd and his brother. "Yo."
"Yo," the runt returned.
Tenma couldn't help but smirk. Reaching out he ruffled his little brother's wild brown hair, causing the younger Saotome to look up at him with a slightly irritated look.
"You both have your father's eyes," the stately swordswoman declared. "Of course, Tenma, you look like a spitting image of your father when he was your age, but you both clearly have his eyes."
Both boys looked over to the proud swordswoman, neither sure what to say.
"This is Motoko Aoyama," said Ukyo as she indicated the woman. "She's a friend of your father's. She once lived in the dorm that your father owns a percentage of. She's also your grandmaster's sister-in-law and the current leader of the Shinmeiryu."
Though Tenma had already knew as much, he knew that Hiro didn't know, and that it was important for their aunt to introduce the Shinmeiryu leader.
"This is Toko Kuzunoha," the brunette woman added as she turned to the other woman. "She's Mahora's kendo club's coach. And this is Setsuna Sakurazaki, she's in class 2-A of the girls' junior high school and one of Haruna's classmates. She's also in the kendo club."
"Pops says you've been trained in boxing," Tenma interjected, drawing his brother's attention.
The boy glanced up at him, nodding fearlessly.
"But he's had me working with him on several other styles as well," Haruna interrupted. "I've taught him basic karate, jujitsu, and aikido while your dad's shown him judo, taekwondo, kick boxing, and sambo as well as a few other styles."
Again Hiro nodded, reaffirming what Haruna claimed.
Tenma grinned. "Tomorrow's going to be interesting."
X X X X X
Though she enjoyed her time in England, she just couldn't get used to the single bed that she'd been provided. It didn't help that she had a tendency to toss and turn at night and the tiny bed didn't accommodate that as she often ended up with a limb or two over the edge of the bed. The queen-sized bed in the second guest room took up most of the tiny room but fit her perfectly. The firm mattress was much better than the soft one that she'd had while in England, and it was the perfect size, allowing her to sprawl about as she slept.
As tired as she'd been Naru had barely enough energy to close the door and strip off her clothes before crawling into bed. Though she was only a guest, she thought little of the fact that she was sleeping in only her panties as the sleepwear she'd packed were still in her suitcase.
It didn't take long for her to fall asleep as the comfortable bed called out to her. So much had happened in the past day or so that her mind was busy processing everything. She didn't know how long she'd slept, only that her body had demanded that she wake up to tend to some bodily functions.
Seeing that the sun had set long ago, her sleep addled mind opted to ignore the fact that she was practically naked. After all, Ranma had seen her naked more than once and Negi, well, he was just a harmless kid.
Finishing her business, she felt her stomach growl. Yawning, she headed for the kitchen to appease her rumbling stomach.
She wasn't sure what to expect, what with Ranma having been gone for the previous week and all, but from the look of things he'd clearly woken up to get some food earlier in the evening/night. Squinting, she barely made out what appeared to be a tray of freshly made sushi and sashimi covered in plastic wrap along with some fruit salad and stir-fried udon. Peeling back the plastic wrap she attacked the fruit salad, savoring the mixture of sweetness and tartness as well as the variety of textures from the citrus fruits, apples, mango, strawberries, and bananas.
Her hunger sated, the auburn haired beauty squinted at the clock. Unable to discern the numbers on the digital clock she shrugged as she headed back towards the guest room. The sound of gently splashing water reached her ears, drawing her further down the hallway towards the changing room. Despite her curiosity she knew better than to just barge in, especially since the only others present were supposed to be male.
"Ranma?" she called out as she opened the door to the onsen.
"Yeah."
"Mind if I join you?"
"Sure."
Slipping out of her panties and shirt, she folded them neatly in a basket before grabbing a towel. Clutching the gentle cotton towel to her bosom she mentally noted that it was too small for her, barely covering her. 'But it's only Ranma,' she thought as she eyed the open door. 'He's seen me naked plenty of times.'
Despite the fact that only the waning moon lit the onsen and that a silvery haze filled the area, Naru knew that Ranma could clearly sense her if not see her. His keen senses grew with experience and his eternal youth kept them from degrading.
Though she'd trained as well, Naru knew that she'd need several lifetimes to get as good as he was, and at least another decade of dedicated instruction to get as good as Shinobu had been when she'd come to Mahora earlier in the year. Still, her own senses were better than average, allowing her to make out his silhouette in the steamy haze as she stepped into the hot water.
As vast and spacious as the onsen was, she couldn't help but gravitate towards her former lover, seating herself next to him and even going so far as to lean against him. Setting her towel on the faux stone ledge she sighed, content to merely be sitting beside the master martial artist.
"Something bothering you?" she finally asked as she set her head on his shoulder.
"Just thinking," he replied, shifting his arm so that he could rest it on her shoulders and drew her in.
She knew better than to pry any further. Despite their past intimacy there were times when the proud martial artist prized his privacy. The simply act of putting his arm around her had told her that he didn't mind her being with him even though he was in no mood to make conversation.
"Massage," ordered the feisty woman. She might not get a good conversation, but she knew that in the current mood he was in he was capable of giving her a more than adequate massage. Grabbing his hand she set it on her shoulder even as she shifted her position so that she was now sitting on his lap.
Strong, dexterous fingers began to gently knead her flesh, working out the tension in her shoulders.
Ranma was a creature of action. As much as he wanted to be considered an enlightened and learned person, he always thought best when he was doing something. Though his preferred medium was through the arts, even giving a massage allowed him to think clearer.
It was one of the things that she loved about him - one of the many things that she loved about him actually.
His knowing experienced hands worked out the knots in her shoulder and neck before slowly moving down to her back and spine.
Sighing contently she leaned forward as she slid back on his lap.
Before she even knew it she felt his manhood pressed against her buttocks. Were it any other man she was sure that he would have been aroused. But Ranma was Ranma. With his mind working through whatever problem he was handling and his hands simply massaging her, his body failed to register any possible sexual arousal.
Again she was reminded of why she loved Ranma. Had it been anyone else she was sure that things would eventually lead to sex, but this was Ranma. As much as she might want or hoped it would happen, she knew that it wouldn't unless she took the initiative for it.
But tonight she was content to just enjoy his company as he was sure to enjoy hers.
Massage complete, Naru removed herself from his lap, standing up before him. She didn't care that she was naked, not when it was just the two of them. Turning around, she smiled before leaning over to give him a tender kiss on the cheek. "Thanks, I needed that."
X X X X X
A cool evening breeze greeted the trio of travelers as they departed Saotome's Grill after an evening full of light hearted banter about the Saotome family had done wonders with the two Saotome boys as they both were enlightened about their father and grandfather.
"The boy seems cold and distant," the youngest of the trio finally said, breaking the silence as the group reached the empty train station.
"Sakurazaki-chan," said the leader of the group as she smiled sadly at the girl, "how would you feel if you were finally reunited with a brother you only recently discovered existed?"
The pale swordswoman paused. "I… I… I apologize Aoyama-san, I had no idea."
"Their father has a tragic past," the other woman stated. "Unfortunately it's not limited to just him, but his children as well."
Setsuna nodded, accepting her elders' words as truth.
"I know that you feel obligated to guard Konoe-chan," stated the kendo coach.
Again the young girl nodded.
"Tell me, what do you think of Tenma Saotome?" the veteran swordswoman asked.
Setsuna took a moment to consider all that she knew of the boy. "Asuna-san is prepared to confess her feelings for him at the end of the summer. He is reliable, an accomplished martial artist, and appears dependable."
"But what do you think of him?" demanded the head of the Shinmeiryu.
"He's not a threat to Ojou-sama," stated Setsuna. "He would be a good ally if needed."
Motoko nodded. "And what of Hiro?"
Again she paused, considering what little she knew of the boy and her recent interactions with him. "He has a hint of demonic magic about him."
Again the leader of the Shinmeiryu nodded. "He has spent the last three years under the tutelage of a demon."
Her companions froze.
"Ranma owed the demon a debt," she explained. "He requested that Ranma allow him to train his most promising child for three years."
"And Dean Konoe knows this?" hissed Mahora's second in command of operations.
"Yes," replied the proud swordswoman. "I'm sure he's taken things into account and has a contingency plan, but I want you both to keep an eye on the boy and assist Saotome-sama should he request it."
Despite their other duties, both knew that they answered to Motoko Aoyama first and foremost. Neither was in any position to deny her request. "Yes Mistress."
X X X x X
The gentle rustle of the leaves was the only notice she had that she wasn't alone. Of the handful of those in Mahora who were capable of ascending the mighty World Tree, only a few of them were capable of completely evading her senses.
"Good evening Takahata," greeted the sniper.
"Tatsumiya," the scruffy blond returned.
"What brings you up here?" the track coach asked as she spotted a pair of students outside of the library.
"The view from up here is spectacular," the man lied.
"Yes, it is," agreed Mana. "But that's not why you're up here."
Neither said anything for a moment as an actual breeze rustled the leaves of the World Tree.
"I'm sure you've seen the glyphs about campus," said Takahata.
"You're trying to map them? Good luck. It looks like they've gone unused this week."
"Have you placed a tracer on them?"
"Of course. I also made sure that no one else could put one on them."
"Take your tracers off of them," he ordered.
"Saotome?" the sniper growled. Somehow she knew he was behind it. Though students often set up their own personal escape routes, most of those were spotted throughout the term. This particular network had only just been noticed but had been in existence before the term, right when he'd arrived at Mahora.
"Regardless of what you think of him, he's still one of the teachers at Mahora," Takahata stated. "Not that he won't change them once he realizes you've been watching them."
"Why do you let him have such free reign?" demanded the sniper.
"He's a special case," Takahata stated. "We need someone who's objective and isn't tied to Mahora, someone like Ranma. He gets things done that we can't. As underhanded as that may seem, it's very effective and we know that he's not going to go out of his way to screw us over. He may not be part of the Kanto MA, but he is an ally."
"Are you sure about that?" questioned Mana. "The demon that raised his son these last three years was the same one who attacked that Welsh village four years ago."
The blond man paused.
"I see you didn't know about that."
Takahata glanced at the sniper, unsure how to mask his uncertainty. "What else do you know?"
"The Light Association has been acting up," she added. "It seems some of their princesses have gone rogue. Then again, it is the summer break so maybe they just sent them on vacation somewhere.
"Of course, the Independents are off on break as well so the other MA's aren't happy to have rogues in their territory."
Reaching into his pocket the scruffy man pulled out his pack of cigarettes and a lighter.
"No smoking," snapped the sniper. "Someone's been scanning the tree lately, and I don't want them to know we're up here."
Despite her request he pulled out a lone cigarette and put it to his lips without lighting it. "I'm surprised at how much intell you get while away for your meets."
"I'm sure you are," she replied as she focused her sites on a couple outside of the girls' high school dorm.
"Nothing on those redheads?"
"Nothing, though I doubt they'll act up until the next full moon."
For a moment the two remained silent, neither one willing to share any more information. Only the rustling of the leaves signified that he'd departed, leaving just as he'd come.
With the man gone Mana turned her gun north, focusing on the three story building. "Always with the haze," she muttered as her scope failed to penetrate the silvery steam that surrounded the onsen. "What are you up to Saotome?"
X X X X X
In the short time that he'd called Mahora home, Ranma Saotome had thought that he had also mastered his heart. Yet even the wisest man could lose sight of his heart and where it lay. It was not to say that he didn't love the young beauty known as Shinobu Maehara or that he loved either woman more than the other. No, he loved Shinobu, just as he loved Naru, but the love he felt for each of them was different yet the same in both cases.
And it wasn't that the, um, fling with Shinobu hadn't been enjoyable and liberating, but there was something off about their relationship. Secrets aside, their relationship just felt incomplete.
Despite the way his own father had acted while raising him, Ranma felt that misleading his children was wrong. It was one thing for them to as a family to be secretive about the existence of magic to the non-magical, but keeping his relationships (and how snuck into his bed) a secret was sure to be something that would come back to bite him in the ass.
The gentle creaking of the well-oiled closet door told him that he was no longer alone in his room. Sitting up, he smiled at the buxom blunette as she emerged from the closet. "Yo," he greeted, "I figured you were going to show up."
"Oh?" exclaimed a slightly disappointed Shinobu. "Maybe I'll just go back then?"
"Actually," he said as he looked into her eyes. "There's something we need to talk about."
X X X X X
A/N
I think I'll leave things here for now. Gotta finish taxes… At least the snow's gone, but now I have to cut down a tree or three (or four).
Dreamingfox