Chapter Seven
Ranma got to school, school was the last thing on his mind. There was something about Oro Hiroshi that bugged him. Being a martial artist he was sensitive to different energies and auras and there was just something about that guy that rubbed him the wrong way.
That innocent smile, that friendly façade--he was hiding something, and Ranma wanted to know what. If the man was a creep, then why was Ryoga hanging around with him? He was just as acute to different energies as he was. Maybe he had some sort of spell over Ryoga? But Ryoga seemed his usual dense self when he spoke to him. He didn't sense anything out of the ordinary with Ryoga. But Ranma had a sense that there was.
And then there was the damage to the dojo. That was not done by a single individual. The damage was too much on a large scale to be done by Ryoga alone. There had to have been a fight. And Ryoga was smart enough not to use his Lion Roar Shot indoors. So his excuse that he was practicing it in Oro Hiroshi's dojo late last night didn't fly with Ranma.
"Saotome, pay attention!" the teacher said in a raised voice, as Ranma laid back in his desk during first class looking like he was in a daze, staring at the ceiling. "What's the answer to this math problem?"
Ranma looked at the chalk board for the first time since class begin and noticed that it was covered with a very complicated math equation, to which he didn't know the answer to. "I-I…don't know, sir," he replied.
"If you're not willing to learn, Mr. Saotome, then stop wasting the other students time and go stand out in the hall," the teacher said. Ranma rose from his desk and left the classroom. But he didn't leave the room empty handed. For punishment in not be attentive, he carried two buckets of water in each hand. The purpose of this was to create discipline in the mind of the student holding them. But being a martial artist, he had discipline up the yin yang! But then why was he now standing outside in the hallway holding these two buckets of water?
Again, something to do with Ryoga got him into trouble. First it was having to pay for Ryoga's meal at Ukyo's restaurant (for which he'd get the money back from Ryoga when they had their fight in a week's time) and second, throwing his attention to this Oro Hiroshi guy, for which Ryoga says he accidentally destroyed his dojo while practicing the Lion Roar Shot. Something was rotten, and the smell wreaked of Oro Hiroshi.
Lunch period. Kuno sat down with Nabiki Tendo at a table across from each other in the student cafeteria. "Just the sight of this place makes me ill with discontent, Nabiki Tendo," Tatewaki Kuno said. "What was it you wanted to speak to me about? Speak fast, my time is precious."
"I may have something you might be interested to purchase," she said. "I know of your obsession with the Pig-tail girl and--"
"I do not have an obsession with the Pig-tailed girl," he said defensively. "Though she does occupy my every waking moment, and very often my dreams. Many is the time I dream of a perfect work where she and I are together, married with children." He began to blush. "She's like an angel who fell from the heavens but still retains her innocent and lustful, incumbent beauty. She is Juliet, and I am the sun."
Nabiki shook her head and rolled her eyes. "I'm glad you're not obsessed, Kuno-baby, now that would be scary," she said. She smiled.
"Forget about that, why have you brought me to this insidious place?"
"An offer, Kuno, one I know will interest you greatly."
"You're trying my patience, Nabiki Tendo. I have more important things to do than gabber with the likes of you. I am the champion of this school's Kendo Club and I must practice or falter when the time comes to test my skills in actual combat."
"Like against Ranma, for example?"
Kuno paused for moment. "Ranma Saotome is a special case. His skills greatly match my own, and one day he will bow to the might of Tatewaki Kuno. But in the meantime, until that day comes, the panther waits for the kill. The Blue Thunder of Furiken High will not be denied the kill."
"Ah-ha, okay," Nabiki said. "Back to reality." And she plopped the photos of Ranma she took the previous night on the table in front of Kuno. At first Kuno didn't know what they were, but when he picked one up and looked at the picture closely, he was shocked at what he saw.
The picture he held showed the Pig-tail girl sleeping, spread out half-naked on the floor on a red comforter, revealing a naked breast hanging out of a rather bold, almost male in appearance tank-top shirt. And the moment he took in the full regalia of the picture he started to blush and a drop of blood fell from his nose. He plugged his nose. "These are pictures of the Pig-tailed girl," he said obviously. "How…"
"How did I get them? Well, let's just say I have connections. And these are the reason I invited you here today. And they're for sale."
"Scandalous and daring," Kuno said. "I must have them! How much?"
"Three hundred Yen a piece, ten in all," Nabiki said.
"That's 3000 Yen! That's highway robbery, that's thievery, that's--" Nabiki stood up from the table like she was about to leave. Then Kuno stood up and put his hand on her shoulder for her to stay. "Like I saying--that's a fair price." And got out his wallet to pay her. Nabiki produced a thin smile. She knew he would pay. Her ploy of getting up and acting like she was about to leave always worked with Kuno.
Kuno glared at the pictures of the Pig-tail girl as Nabiki rose from the table. "Nice doing business with you, Kuno-baby," she said.
"You're a tough negotiator, Nabiki Tendo, but I feel the price was well worth it," he said. "Never have I seen the Pig-tail girl in such an unashamed manner. These will go well in my collection of her."
"You have a collection of the Pig-tail girl?"
"Of course," he said. "As well as your sister. All legitimate photos I assure you, nothing brash or brazen, or creepy or sinister. Wholesome pictures, and pictures well worth the effort in obtaining."
"I'm glad to hear that," she said, rather uninterested. "Well Kuno, enjoy the photos, and thanks for the cash. A little weird that you would happen to have 3000 Yen on you, but hey."
"I carry that much on me because I never know when something will catch my eye and I want to purchase it. Besides, I'm rich."
"And that you are, Kuno-baby. Thanks again."
Nabiki smirked and watched Kuno gock over the pictures of Ranma.
If you only knew the truth, Kuno. If only you knew. But it's best that you don't know or I wouldn't have this 3000 Yen.
Ryoga wiped his brow of sweat as he carried yet another 2x4 over to a pile of debris in the corner of the compound. He was exhausted and could use a drink, and as if on cue, Oro Hiroshi came out of the house with a glass of cold lemonade. "Thank you," Ryoga said, and drank it down. "I was thinking, Mr. Hiroshi. Instead of waiting until your dojo is rebuilt, why not rent someone else's dojo until the construction is completed? It might take a month."
"That's an excellent idea, Ryoga," Oro Hiroshi said. "Do you have any recommendations?"
"How about the Tendo Dojo? They're not using it. At least I don't think they are. Ranma and Akane practice in the dojo from time-to-time, but Mr. Tendo doesn't have any students. It would be the perfect place for you to teach your students until your dojo is back up again."
"I'll ask Soun Tendo this afternoon about it, great idea Ryoga," Oro Hiroshi said.
"I could ask him for you, Mr. Hiroshi. I know Mr. Tendo personally." Ryoga said.
"I'll leave it to you then, Ryoga," Oro Hiroshi said.
To be continued...