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After the Fall - Chapter 2, Remnants of a Past Best Forgotten
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Tatewaki Kuno was going through the possessions the Tendo family had brought for him. They had been so kind to do so, and yet he found himself throwing almost everything out.
His clothing he kept -- for the moment. Tendo Nabiki had promised (or threatened, he couldn't tell which) to take him shopping to update his look, or at least give him a variety of styles to choose from each day. That would probably be for the best, though the thought brought him back to days when she had tried desperately to dress in a way which would attract him. He worried about being turned into some sort of doll, on which she would drape clothing. Then he realized: Ranma was not wearing his old outfits either. Doubtless Akane had done the same to him, and he had survived. Anything his new Sensei could survive, he believed he could as well.
His bokken. He needed to have the rest retrieved from fortress Kuno, but one would suffice for now. He would keep it, though assurances from Ranma were that his lessons would not require him to use it for some time.
An interesting twist... photos of his family, when his mother was still with them. Things had been so different then. His father a calm, collected, stern but loving educator, his little sister Dachi so cute. So many things had changed since the untimely death of his mother. His father had snapped, leading to his eventual disappearance and reappearance as the wacky hawaiian headmaster. His sister, with only her father as a role model, began going steadily more insane. And then there was her cooking... truly an abomination. It was so sad, to see the once-proud house of Kuno fallen so low.
He realized belatedly that his mother's grave was completely untended. The last time he had been there was before high school; he was sure that Kodachi had never attended it. While it was possible that his father had, the man was gone now, and had been for at least as long as Kuno had been in rehabilitation. He made a mental note to speak with his mother on the morrow, and requested that Nabiki remind him.
His datebook... useless now. All it had were florists and old poetry. He disposed of it.
His schoolbooks... now that was interesting. He still needed to complete his schooling, which meant returning to Furinkan. At least things were quiet there now. He would not join the Kendo Club, though he might end up as an instructor if Tendo Ranma were serious.
The rest of his possessions Kuno asked be disposed of. He had no need of relics of his past madness. What was of more importance was information on the people of his life, of the world and events he had missed.
As Nabiki began to relate history, he found it.. intriguing. Hibiki and Kuonji, married, was an interesting development. He had never thought that the lost boy would have the chance to settle down, and even more would never have thought that the two of them would find feelings for each other. Apparently the existence of a GPS locator did wonders for keeping them together, however. Kuonji now ran her restuarant, retitled "Hibiki's", by day and taught classes at night. She had kept her personal name, now using it as a middle name for the non-formal occasions, and preferred being addressed as "Kuonji Ukyou" unless absolutely necessary. Ryoga, meanwhile, worked at a quarry on the outskirts of town, putting his Bakusai Tenketsu training to good use. He was even teaching one class in umbrella combat, though nobody had figured out how to duplicate his personal umbrella's peculiar hardiness yet.
After the Tendos had married, the China gang had stayed for a while, but had left about the time Kuno's detox had finished. Of note was the fact that their return was nearly due. The one known as Mousse had been kicked out of his tribe, but had then studied under Tendo Ranma and learned enough about true martial arts to defeat Shampoo. As her "airen" was married, she was forced by custom to become Mousse's bride. The wizened Cologne had gone home, taking the newly married couple to recite vows and pass through various Amazon marriage custons before they returned to keep up the family business, a little restuarant called the Nekohanten.
Tendo Soun and Saotome Genma were once again on a training journey with their Master, the lecherous Happosai. They had apparently remained home for a bit, but had left once Genma proved to Nodoka that he was still "Manly". He was expected home in two months, for the birth of Ranma's sibling.
Ranma and Akane had a little child of their own, a cute little redhead who reminded him of the Pigtailed Girl -- but then again, since Ranma was indeed the Pigtailed Girl, it was only right that the girl take after her father. Without the drugs hazing his mind, Kuno had caught on to both the reality and existence of Jusenkyou curses upon a demonstration of Ranma's curse, and had begged once more for forgiveness. The matter had been settled by little Ranko, who had run up and hugged her "Unca Tachi" and begged him not to cry.
Most surprising of all was the current status of Tendo Kasumi. Her beloved, Ono Tofu, had returned after his own research and had asked for her hand in marriage. Very soon, she would be leaving the household, though since the happy couple planned to reopen Doctor Tofu's clinic (with Kasumi serving as Nurse) she would never be far from her sisters.
Every few months, it seemed, some long-forgotten fiancee of Ranma's would show up, find out he was already taken, and leave. A few had stayed and challenged Tendo Akane, with bad results. Once word had gotten out, the challenges had ended; now, the only time any student (even mere beginners) of the Anything Goes school was ever in a battle was during sparring or a tournament.
Much of the madness that had seemed commonplace to the old world that Kuno remembered had long since ended, and with a few jokes about the "Nerima Wrecking Crew" the tales of old battles had become mere local legend. The Tendo/Saotome school, however, had grown almost beyond its bounds, with classes lasting from early morning for those who had to work or preferred that time of day, to a few evening classes taught for higher level students or those students of Kuonji Ukyo's particular brand of martial arts. Kuno listened to the sounds of training as Nabiki related the two years of history Kuno had missed, and wondered at how he was expected to fit into such a prestigious school. He only hoped that he would prove worthy of the honor.
Kuno sighed, lying on his bed as Nabiki left to go check on the status of dinner. Nerima today was certainly different from the world he had left two years ago.
Nabiki returned to the room, and informed him that dinner was ready. He came downstairs to the table, and realized that the meal set before him was... plain. He was about to mention this fact, and then remembered that it was not his place to criticize. This was the state to which he should aspire to live, and he should be grateful to his hosts rather than critical. He began eating, and discovered that in this one course was flavor far beyond his "refined" meals. He had been missing out on many things, when he eschewed the world he had thought beneath him. It was time to grow and learn anew.
He turned to his neighbor, who had already finished his meal. "Tendo Ranma, I have a request to make."
"Yeah sure Kuno, go ahead. Name it, and if it's within our power it's yours."
"Would thou spar with me this evening, to begin my training?"
Eyes stared at him from around the table, and Kuno began to feel uncomfortable. He waited a moment, till Ranma answered.
"Of course... though if you're learning, ya really should call me either Sensei or just plain Ranma. We don't go much on serious formalities here."
Kuno was chagrined. He had not even noticed that he had fallen into his old speech patterns. They had seemed right before, but now... "I'll try. Thank you."
"No prob. Soon as you're rested from dinner go grab your bokken and we can get started."
Fifteen minutes later, little Ranko watched, giggling at the way her father and Unca Tachi fought. Unca Tachi had such silly clothing, too, especially when it was all wet from falling into the koi pond over and over again.