+++++++++++++++
Ranma vs. The world 9: Spain!
++++++++++++++++
Ranma sat on the plane and frowned. Ryoga wandered around the front
half of the jet and bothered the captain and stewardesses as he
searched in vain for the bathroom. An hour and a half later Ryoga
returned to his seat escorted by one of the stewardesses. "You could
have helped you know," grumbled Ryoga.
"I told you where it was six times Ryoga what more did you want?" said
Ranma as he smiled at the woman who had brought his companion back in
thanks.
Ryoga frowned and said nothing. The pair sat for a while and Ryoga
finally broke the silence. "I still don't understand how I did it."
"What?" said Ranma.
"The Hado ken stupid. I don't get it, what's the difference? I don't
understand. I still use the same amount of chi right?" said Ryoga more
to himself that Ranma.
"Not exactly, think back to the Hado Shi shi houkou dan. What happened
after you did it?" said Ranma looking annoyed.
"What? Nothing..." said Ryoga.
"You didn't get a stomach ache or nothin?" said Ranma.
"Huh? yeah, what's that got to do with...Wait a minute, you right!
Every time. I never thought about it," said Ryoga in shock.
"Has it happened since you learned Hado ken?" asked Ranma.
"No. Why not?" said Ryoga.
"You dope, for the Shi shi houko dan you gather your own life force in
your abdomen right?" said Ranma.
"Yeah and I push it out through my hands, just like your Moukou
takabishi, so?" Ryoga was getting annoyed.
"Are you that dense? The Hado ken uses raw life energy gathered from
outside your body. We got so accustomed to gathering chi like that We
were trying to do Hado ken that way. It was tearing our bodies apart.
Kinda like trying to run a car on crude oil instead of gas," said
Ranma smugly.
"I get it! We still use our chi center to gather Ki but we form it
outside our bodies in our hands!" said Ryoga as he finally understood.
"See that wasn't so hard P-chan, you should try thinking more often,"
said Ranma with a smile.
"What did you call me?!" yelled Ryoga.
"Calm down Ryoga we're two miles above the ground!" cried Ranma.
+++++++++++++++++
A few hours later a wet and beaten Ranma walked off the plane followed
by an angry looking Ryoga. "Stupid jerk."
"Shut up Ranma this is all your fault," said Ryoga bitterly.
"Give it a rest pig," said Ranma to herself as she walked into the
customs line. She pulled out her second passport and smiled at the man
at the counter.
++++++++++++++
Ranma looked out the hotel window and frowned as P-chan emerged from
the shower squealing loudly. "What's the matter Ryoga? No hot water?"
she said with a smile.
P-chan nodded and grunted. "Well you can just stay that way for a
while. That's for throwing that drink cart at me on the plane," said
Ranma with a smirk. P-chan growled and bit her ankle.
++++++++++++++++
Dear Akane,
Me and Ryoga arrived in Spain today. This Ryu guy really gets around!
We finally achieved Hado ken and hopefully have gotten closer to Sho
ryu ken. Ryoga had to walk around for an hour and a half to find the
bathroom on an airplane. The stupid jerk. Surprisingly we're getting
along pretty well. Later we're gonna do some sight seeing. I hope it's
not too much of a chore dragging lost boy in the right direction.
We're gonna do some askin' around too. We've tracked the guy this far
we might as well go all the way. I can only hope we find him soon so I
can finally get home.
I miss all of you. I'm even starting to miss the Kunos. Scary huh?
Ja,
Ranma.
++++++++++++
Dearest Akari,
Ranma is still as big a pain in the ass as he always was. I hate his
guts. He finally got what he deserved in China when he got arrested.
Too bad he got away. I try to be civil but he keeps opening his mouth
and screwing every thing up. We landed in Barcelona a little while
ago. I think that's in Germany or something. The stupid jerk probably
got lost but he won't admit it to me. We're supposed to be in Spain.
Maybe he'll keep quiet and I won't have to kick his ass again. I hope
you are well. I miss Japan and you as well.
till we meet again,
Ryoga.
++++++++++++++++
Nerima...
"He didn't say anything to me about being arrested!" cried Akane as
she read Akari's letter.
"He probably didn't want you to worry. My Ryoga-kun is so considerate
to write me like that on his training trip. Just like a pig!" squealed
Akari as she sat with her on the porch of the Tendo home.
"If he's wanted in China then he can't go back. That means he can't
marry Shampoo...not that I care," said Akane to herself. "I'll kill
him when he gets back. He's a criminal now!"
Akari hugged her letter to her chest. She smiled when she noticed how
tightly Akane held her own.
"I wonder how he's paying for this? That hotel is expensive," said
Nabiki from behind the pair.
"What?" said the two girls in unison to her.
"Look at this, they flew from China to India to Spain? Then they stay
at this hotel? Where are they getting all this cash?" she wondered out
loud.
"What? What hotel?" said Akane.
"Akane that stationary is from one of the more expensive hotels in
Spain. It would cost about a million yen to stay for one day," said
Nabiki to them.
"What?!" cried Akane in shock. Akari just smiled cheerfully. "I knew
it! He's a bank robber! I'll kill him!" cried Akane in anger again.
"How romantic!" squealed Akari.
Nabiki just sighed.
+++++++++++++++++
Ranma and Ryoga sat at a bar after a fruitless search for information
leading to Ryu. "I'll buy you one," said Ryoga with a sigh.
"Huh, ok..." said Ranma halfheartedly.
++++++++++++++++
An hour later...
"You're my best pal," slurred Ryoga with tears in his eyes as he
hugged Ranma.
"Heh, thash pathet...pathetic. We beat the crap out of each others all
the time," slurred Ranma with a grin.
"But...I loves you man," said Ryoga sadly.
"Gee I loves you too," said Ranma as he began to cry as well.
"Hey, don't gets weird on me palllllllll. I'll kick your ass," said
Ryoga as he steadied himself on the bar.
Ranma snorted. "My kid could kick your ass Ryoga."
"Akane's preg...havin a kid?" said Ryoga as he seemed to clear up.
"Heh nope," said Ranma happily.
"Oh that's ok then...But my kid could beat your kids ass," said Ryoga
as he started to fall again.
"No way Ryoga, my ssson would beat the...crap out of your kiddd,"
replied Ranma.
"You sayin my kid ain't strong?" said Ryoga as he clumsily grabbed
Ranma's collar.
"No, My, my, kid...he'sss jussst stronger that your...kid." said Ranma
as he snickered and gave Ryoga a drunken punch.
"Oh, I guess that's ok then." slurred Ryoga.
"I know!! we'll have them have a man ta man fight when they grow up!"
said Ryoga happily.
"Hey, good, good, good Idea, Hey, waitaminiut, What if one of us has a
girl?" said Ranma as he perked up.
"They'll just have to get married," snorted Ryoga.
"Yeah, hey bartender. Bring me two pieces of paper and a pen OK?!"
said Ranma loudly.
Damn Japanese tourist. muttered the man as he complied.
"Why two?" asked Ryoga in drunken interest.
"That way we can both hava contract," said Ranma.
"Oh," said Ryoga as he signed his name to both pages.
"This way the Saotome and Hibiki schools of martial arts will be
joined," said Ranma as he wrote out the contract and snickered to
himself.
+++++++++++++++++
Ranma vs. The World part 10
The ninja strikes.
+++++++++++++++
Ranma and Ryoga wandered into a bar and sat at the counter. "Hey,
where can we find some information on someone named Ryu?" said Ranma
as he held up a large bill to the bar tender.
The man took it and nodded over to a corner where a man sat alone. He
was well built, had a large wide brimmed hat on his head that hid his
eyes and tied around his neck was a bandanna. Ranma and Ryoga walked
over to him. "Wada ya want?"
"We're looking for someone," answered Ryoga as he eyed him carefully.
There was something about this man that disturbed him slightly. Ranma
looked relaxed and calm.
"Well, I'd say you found someone, eh?" answered the man with a small
chuckle. He stood and pulled a bat from under the table. He rested it
on his shoulder and grinned at the pair with an unfriendly stare.
"Look we just want a little information, we're not out for trouble,"
said Ranma carefully.
The man swung the bat and Ranma ducked, Ryoga simply caught it in his
palm. The man frowned and stepped back into a fighting stance. "I'm
sick of them sending you young punks to me. I left Italy to get away
from you little bastards and they still send you. I'll teach you the
same way I taught the others," snarled the man as he back handed Ryoga
in the face and sent him into the bar.
Ranma jumped towards him and punched the man in the face easily
avoiding his swings.
"Ranma no, I want this one," said Ryoga as he stood and shook his
head. He didn't know what that bat was made of but it hit just as hard
as his umbrella did. He pulled it off his back and stood ready for the
man's attack. The man charged and Ryoga blocked the bat with his
weapon. He punched the man in the stomach and received a hard uppercut
for his efforts. Both men staggered back. Ryoga growled and charged
in, the man swung up with the bat and took Ryoga dead in the jaw.
Ryoga was sent over several tables and crashed to the ground between
several patrons.
"Home run!" said the man as he turned back to his table. Ryoga stood
and snarled the man turned and smiled as he realized that he had more
fight left in him. "Go back to your mom weakling."
"I'll show you weak! Hado ken!" cried Ryoga as he shot a chi blast at
the man.
He simply smiled and readied himself like a baseball player. With a
grunt he swung and slammed his bat into the fireball and sent it
directly into Ryoga's chest. The lost boy was thrown into the wall
from his own attack and slumped to the ground.
"Pathetic," snorted the man as he walked back to his table and lifted
his drink to his mouth.
"Its not over yet, not by a long shot!" said a voice from behind him.
The man turned to see Ryoga standing with a large grin on his face.
"Let's finish this."
"Kid I'm gonna make you sorry you were ever born. No one gets between
a man and his beer," snarled the man as he stared Ryoga down.
Ryoga just stared right back, no fear, just determination. "You can't
make me sorry I was born, that's his job," said Ryoga jerking his
thumb towards Ranma.
"Hey!" cried Ranma defensively.
The man simply charged and swung at Ryoga who stopped the bat easily
with his hand. The man tried to follow up with a punch but Ryoga
ducked under the bat and elbowed him in the gut. The man bent forward
and Ryoga kneed his chest sending him to the floor.
"Little bastard!" cried the man in anger as he swung the bat full
force Ryoga dodged and parried with his umbrella for several minutes
while the man destroyed the bar in his rage. He swung at Ryoga and the
lost boy stopped his bat with a single finger. "Impossible!" he cried
angrily.
"Let's see how well you do without your bat," sneered Ryoga as the bat
cracked and then shattered.
The man yelled in rage and charged Ryoga who sidestepped and brought
his umbrella down hard on the back of his head. The man fell to the
floor unconscious.
"What happened? You were getting the crap beat out of you," said Ranma
with a bewildered stare. "How'd you get so much better all of a
sudden?"
"Easy, I fought him like I have to fight you," snorted Ryoga.
"What do you mean?" asked Ranma.
"Usually I can just overpower my opponents, but when I meet someone
stronger or faster than me I have to fight with skill instead of
strength," answered Ryoga.
"Why don't you just fight like that all the time?" asked Ranma dumbly.
"Because it isn't really necessary with most opponents. It takes less
energy for me to take a hit than to dodge it. The breaking point
training made it so only someone really strong could hurt me, you know
that," said Ryoga with an annoyed glare.
"I'd rather just not get hit," replied Ranma.
"That's because you're weak," snorted Ryoga.
"I'm strong enough to kick your butt!" retorted Ranma angrily.
"We'll see about that!" cried Ryoga as he swung.
In the shadows two figures watched from separate corners of the room.
"That one had grace and beauty. He is almost as handsome as I. Perhaps
we were destined for one another? I shall meet him, we shall fight and
it should be a glorious battle. Only handsome fighters win true
combat; but what if both are fair?" said one to himself as he sipped
his wine and watched the exchange coolly. Ranma stood and pushed Ryoga
to the floor with his foot as the lost boy shoved his head back with
his hand and struggled to rise. "To find such strength in one so fair
arouses me."
Ranma stopped and looked around.
"What are you doing? We're fighting dammit! How dare you ignore me!"
snapped Ryoga as he got in a cheap shot on the boy's head.
"I think we should leave," said Ranma finally.
"What? Why?" said Ryoga.
"I just got a weird feeling. Kinda like what I felt before I met
Kodachi or when Ukyo and Shampoo arrived in Nerima. I just think we
should go," said Ranma as he looked around warily.
The bartender simply stood and cleaned glasses and most of the
customers had fled the chaos. The only ones who remained were a few
die hards at the bar and a few people sitting in booths.
"That's redicu..." Ryoga stopped as he felt a familiar presence. "For
once I think your right Saotome. We won't find anything out here."
"Humph, They are still not ready." snorted the other figure in the
shadows as an aura glowed around him. "But perhaps the other one
watching..."
++++++++++++++
Ranma and Ryoga sat in their hotel room later that night and collapsed
on the beds. "Ranma this is getting expensive, we have to find this
guy," said Ryoga.
"Duh braniac, you think I didn't know that?" snorted Ranma as he
buried his head in the pillow. Ryoga was too tired to argue with him.
+++++++++++++++
Late that night Ranma snapped awake and sat up. He turned and looked
around the room warily. "Who's in here?" he cried.
Ryoga groaned in his sleep and tossed his pillow at the noise
unconsciously sending Ranma to the floor. "Dammit Ryoga!" he muttered
as he picked himself up. He turned to the table and reached for the
lamp. His fingers brushed against something and he grabbed it and
turned the light on. "A letter?" he muttered as he looked at the
envelope in his hand. He turned to see the window was still open. He
growled and opened the note carefully.
+++++++++++++++
Dear sir,
Information on the man who you seek has come into the hands of our
honored host. We ask that you come to his home and negotiate terms for
the information. You will be received tomorrow evening at nine
o'clock. Please go to the address on the card enclosed.
We eagerly await your arrival.
++++++++++++++++++
The next morning Ranma sat with Ryoga at a small cafe just outside the
hotel. "So what do we do?"
"We go, we can't find any information on our own. All we know is he
was here. What else could we do?" answered Ranma.
"It could be a trap, remember China?" said Ryoga warningly.
"We don't have much choice, besides when has that ever stopped us?"
said Ranma cheerfully.
"Maybe it should," said Ryoga with a small grin.
+++++++++++++++
That night Ranma and Ryoga stood at the door of a large mansion. It
opened after a moment and a stuffy looking butler greeted them.
"Yes?" he said.
"We received this last night," said Ranma as he held out the
invitation.
"This way," said the man as he led them through the elaborate home.
They were taken to a small stairway and led into a dark room with a
large fenced in arena. On a stage a band played and women danced
excitedly, as guest drank and laughed around the cage. The pair were
taken to a table and sat near the entrance to the cage.
"At least we got good seats," snorted Ryoga.
The lights dimmed and a shadowy figure entered the large cage in the
middle of the room. The crowd cheered as he waved at them, a spotlight
shining down on him from above. He had long brown hair that was
braided to the small of his back and a long snake tattoo that went
around his torso from his waist to his chest. He was wearing a
porcelain mask and had a long set of claws on his right hand.
"Vega!" cried the crowed excitedly. Ranma frowned and stood.
"Ah my handsome friend you have arrived. I am called Vega, I have
something you want," said the man as he climbed into the cage.
Ranma felt very uncomfortable under his gaze. "You have information on
Ryu?"
"That I do, If you want it I'm afraid you'll have to defeat me," said
the man as he bowed dramatically.
Ranma smiled and cracked his knuckles. "I've got no problem with
that," he said as he jumped over the fence and into the ring with
Vega.
Ryoga frowned and looked at the wall behind him. Hanging there were
hundreds of scalps. "I've got a feeling you may have gotten in over
your head Saotome," He said to himself as he turned towards the ring.
Ranma bowed to his opponent and Vega saluted him by bringing his claw
up to his chest. "Well lets see which of us is truly the more fair,"
said Vega with a confident air about him.
"What?" said Ranma with a cold glare.
"Truly you must understand, that only those who hold such beauty as us
may win a battle. It is the way of things," said Vega.
"I know a guy a lot like you back home, he is just as arrogant and air
headed," snorted Ranma calmly.
"Your words sting me my love; surely we shall make the ultimate love
as we dance in combat to the death. Surely one with beauty such as
yours can appreciate such a glorious battle," said Vega as he finally
stood ready.
"This guy is nuts!" thought Ranma as he prepared himself.
Vega yelled and charged towards Ranma with his claw raised...
++++++++++++++++
Ranma vs. the world part 11.
The iron cage and the dragon fist.
++++++++++++++++
Ranma rolled to the side as Vega's claw came down and struck the
ground where he had been only moments before. He jumped back and shot
a few jabs towards the man. Vega moved fluidly out of the way of all
his strikes and slashed at him again with the claw. Ranma moved aside,
but not before Vega shaved the bottom of his pigtail slightly. He
ducked with blinding speed and tried for the ninja's feet with a low
sweep only to have Vega jab at his leg forcing him to back off.
"Damn I gotta get that claw away from him!" thought Ranma in a panic.
Vega laughed and stood arrogantly a few yards away from him. "Come now
fool, surely you can do better. I was expecting a challenge from one
as fair as you."
Ranma growled and glared at him evenly. "I'll give you a challenge!"
he roared as he charged Vega sending a volley of amaguriken speed
punches at the man. Vega reeled back as he was struck dead on and
slammed into the fence.
Ranma charged and kicked at him while he was leaning against it. Vega
grabbed the fence and lifted himself into the air with his legs over
his head. Ranma's kick hit the fence at the same moment as Vega let go
and tackled him. The boy screamed in pain as the claws were jammed
into his shoulder hard. Vega smiled as he felt the tendons snap and
then the solidity of the concrete floor as the blades impaled the
boy's arm completely. He twisted his hand before pulling back and
raising his hand for another strike.
Ranma's arm screamed again as the man slowly pulled the blades out.
The ninja had made a fatal mistake however, when he left the boy's
legs free. Ranma kicked up and grabbed the sides of Vega's head with
his feet. He smiled darkly as he saw the surprise register in the
man's face as he lifted him into the air and slammed his head down
into the concrete as hard as he could. Vega rolled with the blow and
Ranma cursed as he stood shakily. Vega stood across the arena and
shook his head to clear the daze.
Ranma grit his teeth and closed his fist as he gathered the ki from
the air around him. "Bastard. Eat this Hado ken!" he lifted his good
arm and shot a large blast of energy at Vega. Unfortunately the blast
knocked him back into the fence and caused him to jam his injured
shoulder. He growled and grit his teeth as the pain blacked his vision
out for a moment.
Vega saw the blast coming and back flipped twice as it neared him,
just as it was about to catch him he flipped onto the side of the
fence and kicked off it over the fireball. He hit the ground rolling
and stopped dead in front of the still dazed Ranma stabbing his right
upper thigh this time.
Ranma screamed again and swung at the ninja forcing him to back off
for a moment. He kicked Vega in the chest and turned into a vicious
elbow at his neck. Vega staggered but recovered quickly and rolled
between Ranma's wide stance slashing his right leg again as he passed.
He then turned and swept the boy's legs from under him.
Ranma hit the floor hard and his head cracked the floor as it hit. He
quickly rolled to the side as Vega's claw came down where his head
was. The boy stood quickly and wavered for a moment on his good leg.
"I knew you were worthy of me. No one has given me this much trouble
for some time my friend," said the man as he removed this mask.
Ranma smiled and tapped a fragment of the cracked floor up with a
light tap of his shoe. Vega's eyes went wide as Ranma then quickly
kicked it and sent it into his face. Vega screamed as if he had just
had his face ripped off. He clutched his face and glared at Ranma
through his fingers with wild eyes. A small cut had formed on his face
and was bleeding slightly.
"I will kill you," said Vega with a now deadly calm.
"Just try it," sneered Ranma as he put his hands up.
Vega Charged forward and replaced his mask. Ranma tried to kick him
back and he simply swiped his arm to the side.
Ranma's eyes went wide at what he saw. His ankle had three blades
sticking from it. He fell to the ground and yelled as he clutched it.
Vega simply stood over him and watched as the blood ran down his
claws.
Ryoga frowned and glared into the cage. He realized what was going on.
Ranma was trying to set up the heaven blast but his plan backfired in
his face. "Ranma, don't you dare lose." he yelled.
As he lay on the ground a plan formed in Ranma's mind. "It might
work...if I can stand and last long enough to do it."
Ranma stood shakily and watched Vega carefully. The man simply stood
and did nothing but stare at him unmoving. He realized that if he
attacked now he would probably be killed. So he waited.
He didn't wait long however as Vega charged silently and slashed at
the mostly immobile Ranma's arm.
The boy ignored the pain and concentrated as the ninja moved in from
behind him and took a shot at his back. Ranma managed to dodge it but
was caught by the back swing in the chest. He fell to one knee and
almost collapsed. Vega hopped higher and higher along the edge of the
cage until he was almost to the top. Ranma grit his teeth and tried to
focus the chi around him.
Then Vega dove straight for him. "No! Too soon!" was all Ranma could
think as he punched upwards reflexively. He felt an almost
overwhelming power surge through him and he felt almost like he should
be in the air but didn't quite make it.
The next thing he knew Vega was flying up into the air away from him.
The ninja landed roughly and stayed down.
"What the hell was?" thought Ranma as he felt some one take his arm.
He looked to see a sullen looking man in a Tuxedo holding his arm up
silently.
He shook him off and walked over to where Vega lay and knelt down
beside him. He lifted the mask and frowned as he saw Vega glaring at
him with hate filled eyes. A single trickle of blood ran from his
mouth. "I won where is Ryu?"
"I will never concede defeat," said Vega as he tried to raise his claw
and failed.
Ranma frowned and punched him dead in the face, and Vega ceased to
move.
"Our sources report that he was last sighted in England," said one of
the servants just outside the cage.
The crowd began to cheer loudly as Ranma exited the cage staggering
and hopping on his one good leg.
Ryoga was the first to meet him. "Was that?" he said looking at Ranma
with a serious gaze.
"It wasn't Sho ryu ken...but it was close," replied Ranma to the
unfinished question.
In the shadows a dark figure sneered at the spectacle. "It seems I was
mistaken about the ninja, he'll be of little challenge. The boy
however is coming close," it said as it watched.
+++++++++++++++++
Three days later the pair was on a plane bound for London.
"Ranma maybe we should wait." said Ryoga. "You're in no condition to
travel and you'll slow us down."
"No, if we don't go now we may never find him," said Ranma sharply as
he hobbled over to his seat with his crutches.
Ryoga frowned and accepted it. "Ranma what was that thing you did in
the ring?"
"I don't really know. I was trying to do a stationary Hiryu shouten
ha. I was focusing the ki in the air and trying to move it in a spiral
when Vega attacked. I hadn't had time to charge it properly so I just
let go with what I had. The next thing I knew I had won," said Ranma
as he gazed out the window and watched the baggage load.
"A stationary Hiryu shouten ha?" said Ryoga in surprise. "I didn't
think you could."
"Well I wouldn't know till I try will I? It would have worked if he
had come a few seconds later."
"Instead you got a sort of 'Ryu Ken'." said Ryoga thoughtfully.
"Yeah, I was charging the cold energy in my fist when he attacked me,"
said Ranma looking contemplative.
"Cold energy?" said Ryoga skeptically.
"Basically I was making sure there was no chi in my arm so it would
get cool. That's what causes body heat, chi," said Ranma absently as
he glared out the window.
Ryoga smiled as the plane lifted off. He had a lot to think about on
the way to England. However unintentionally Ranma had just taught him
how to do the Hiryu shouten ha and maybe he had even given him the
secret of the Shoryuken.
+++++++++++++++
Ranma vs. The world part 12.
A gentlemen's game.
Part 1: The proposal
+++++++++++++++
Ryoga staggered off the plane weary and drowsy from the flight. He had
never experienced jet lag before and it was certainly an interesting
experience for him. It felt like three a.m. to him and Ranma was
practically fresh as a daisy.
Still in crutches Ranma cheerfully hobbled his way down the hallway
with Ryoga in tow. He stopped at a pub just outside the airport after
they finished their trip through customs and there they sat down to
eat just beside the bar.
"So where do we go from here Ranma?" asked Ryoga looking more
irritated than usual as he placed his wet umbrella across the back of
his traveling bag.
"We need a hotel at least," muttered the currently female Ranma as she
shoved another sandwich in her mouth casually. The lost boy grumbled
and simply sat with his eyes closed as the men at the bar quietly
watched soccer with an occasional cheer.
"I guess we can check out a few hot spots around later
tonight...Ryoga?" Ranma noticed Ryoga was sitting in a rather relaxed
position and drooling. "Dammit P-chan wake up! I can't carry you
around on these stupid things!" she scolded giving him a whack on the
head with one of the wooden crutches. Ryoga snapped awake and just
snorted indifferently.
"I heard you, let's just get to the hotel I can barely stand," he
slurred.
"I doubt if you'd make it jerk," grumbled Ranma as she stood to pay
the check.
At the bar Ranma's money was waved away. "It's been taken care of by
the gentleman at the booth."
"Huh?" said the girl in surprise. She turned to see a large black man
sitting in a booth with a stiff collared shirt and a cup of tea in
front of him. He waved her over and smiled as she sat.
"Join me for a spot of tea?" he said calmly as she walked over.
"Thanks, but I'm with someone," said Ranma warily.
"Oh, bother I forgot to introduce myself. I am Duddly, world famous
boxer and renowned sportsman. I was wondering...would your companion
be Mr. Hibiki?"
Ranma stopped cold. "What if he is?"
"Oh don't be so worrisome, it's just that I have heard he was
following Mr. Ryu with his companion Mr. Saotome and a rather
attractive young woman. I would like to meet them; but I understand
Mr. Saotome is injured; and it appears you have suffered unfortunately
as well," said the man pleasantly.
"I'm afraid 'Mr. Hibiki' has a bit of jet lag right now..." said Ranma
as she calmed down considerably.
"Perfectly understandable, I wouldn't want to inconvenience you at the
moment; I know your busy with just arriving and all. Just wanted to
make sure I was on the card you see. Your two friends are making quite
a splash in our little circuit," said Duddly as he sipped at his tea
delicately.
"Really?" said Ranma in genuine surprise.
"Oh yes, word has it the two of them may be eligible for a ticket to
the grand fight with Mr. Bison himself this year in Thailand. Mr. Ryu
is sure to be there; but it is still several weeks away," said Duddly
calmly as ever.
Ranma felt a small surge of pride form in the pit of her chest. If she
came home with that under her belt then her father would definitely
have some serious bragging rights; Not that she cared much about that;
Just making it to the grand fight was enough. She turned her attention
towards the man and smiled warmly. "Do you know where Ryu is?"
"Of course, tell your friends they'll find out after the match, win or
lose. I do hope your friend is up to it, say around nine o' clock
tomorrow night? At the boxing arena near the airport's south side?"
said Dudly with a small twinkle in his eye.
"How much?" asked Ranma calmly. She knew that getting a lead so
quickly was almost too good to be true. Regardless of what the man
said, Ranma would jump on the opportunity like a starving rat on the
last piece of cheese on the planet.
"You bring seven thousand pounds and the purse is quadrupled if you
win; your hotel accommodations are on me of course. The Queen
Elisabeth Hotel, suite 233," said Duddly calmly as he finished off his
tea and passed Ranma a hotel key.
Ranma smiled again. "You got a deal," she said curtly.
"Those two have quite a business manager I must say. I am charmed and
hope to see you again. It was a pleasure doing business with you," he
took her hand and kissed it gently and dryly as he walked out of the
pub. It took all of Ranma's control just to keep from decking him.
"Wake up stupid, we have a fight." growled Ranma as she kicked Ryoga
awake. The lost boy sluggishly shook his head and scowled as he rose
from his chair.
"Already? We haven't even been here a day yet," he muttered.
"Whatever let's go," muttered Ranma as she hobbled towards the door.
+++++++++++++++
A few moments later the pair were in a less than desirable section of
London. The hotel they were to stay in was a good walk from the
airport and the fact that Ranma was struggling with crutches didn't
help matters any.
"Ranma we know we're gonna get attacked right?" said Ryoga lazily as
he followed.
"Of course, I've never been to a place like this yet that I didn't get
attacked," said the girl lazily as they wandered through murky and
dirty streets that seemed devoid of human life.
A few feet later Ranma stumbled across a nest of punks. They were
typical Euro trash. Punked out as much as possible with leather and
various hair colors with lots of piercings and odd jewelry. Ranma
sighed and watched lazily as they surrounded her and ignored Ryoga.
"Hey luv ya know it ain't safe out on the streets alone," said the
lead punk as he placed a restraining hand on her shoulder. Ranma swat
it off and glared at him, but he didn't take the hint.
"Maybe we should protect you, for a price," said one of the others.
"I'm not alone," said Ranma as she jerked her thumb back at Ryoga
calmly.
"Heh, looks like you are to me, that shrimp doesn't count," said the
lead man again.
"Oy, Ryoga-san, Bakusai Tenketsu," said Ranma to her companion
halfheartedly.
Ryoga nodded and touched a stone staircase next to him causing it to
explode violently. Ranma sneered at the boys and walked on as they
stared at Ryoga nervously.
The lead man was still surprisingly bold however. "Boss don't take
kindly to show off tourist," snorted the boy as he tried to shove
Ranma back into the circle of boys. He found himself suspended in the
air by his neck as Ranma held him against the wall using one of her
crutches.
"Back off brit boy. I don't have time to waste with you," she growled
and let him fall to the ground just before he passed out.
"OY! What's all this noise 'ere?" said a rumbling voice from the
apartment in front of them. Ranma paled as a huge black cyber punk
that put the boys around her to shame emerged and glared at them.
"B-boss...I uh..." stammered one of the boy's as he shook violently
and almost wet himself.
"I needs me beauty sleep see? Keep it down, and let those damn tourist
go! Da big man don't care about no stupid muggins! Scat the lot o'
ya!" growled the man as he ran a comb through his hair and snorted.
The punks made themselves scarce quickly and vanished into the
alleyways.
"Thanks," muttered Ranma halfheartedly as she glared at the newcomer
uneasily.
"Heh, don't worry about it missy. Just make sure that Mr. Hibiki makes
it to that fight all freshened up 'ere," said the man as he walked
back into the apartment lazily.
Ranma breathed a sigh of relief and turned to see Ryoga leaning
against a trashcan passed out again. She also felt a bit nervous that
the man had known about a fight that was only planned a half-hour ago.
"Dammit Ryoga! What the hell is with you? You can walk around Japan
non-stop for months and you can't stay awake for five minutes in
London?!!"
The rest of the trip was uneventful.
+++++++++++++++
That night Ryoga slept peacefully in his bed. Ranma smiled slightly as
she finished up another letter home. Her thoughts wandered from place
to place and she realized that she hadn't been male all day. If you've
ever been to London you'll understand why not, but still it was
unusual for her to have just been so oblivious about it. Needless to
say she did not feel like getting up at the moment just to change;
besides, her bandages needed to stay dry and they didn't have a proper
bath anyway.
Her arm was much better and would be healed in a week or so; She
looked at her cast and frowned as she made a fist. A small ball of chi
formed and she sighed as he watched it burn in the air in front of
her. For the first time in her life it was not a chore to keep it
there. Fed by the life around her she felt as if she could keep it
there almost indefinitely. Still, the Sho ryu ken eluded her. Despite
all her power and skill, she could not perfect such a simple
technique.
"Maybe that's just it? Deceptively simple looking I suppose. Maybe I'm
trying too hard to find a simple way to do something that isn't
simple?" mused Ranma with a small grin appearing on her face. She
sighed and watched as the glow died down in her hand and left her in
the darkness again. "I will find it," she swore silently.
"I shall await that moment," said a dark voice in the back of her
mind. Ranma snapped alert and glanced around the room as a ghost of a
presence faded away. It's power was almost overwhelming and she could
feel the cold chill of evil still in the air.
++++++++++++++
In the still of the London air M. Bison stood on the balcony of his
room a few floors above Ranma and Ryoga's suite in the pent house. He
gazed off into the street and smiled to himself. "I think I'll take in
a show tomorrow, perhaps a boxing match."
++++++++++++++
Dear Akane,
It's been a few days since I've written home. I hope your all doing
well. Every day it feels like we're getting closer to Ryu, I know that
we'll catch up soon. I just hope he can help us with the technique...
It's becoming more and more obvious that it's some sort of power you
have to find in yourself. I've learned a lot, whether I find him or
not I'm still glad I made the trip. I know I won't fail, I'll make you
all proud of me. I swear it.
Now for the other half of my letter. Ryoga is doing well. He's as good
a traveling companion as he's always been. I'm honestly glad I brought
him in a way though. After such a hectic life I don't think I could
take a trip like this alone. I've never been really alone before. I
suppose I should tell you that I've been injured a little. It's
nothing serious I promise, looks much worse than it really is. The
photo on the front of the card is us on the shores of the Thames
river, it's really wet in England. It's almost impossible to stay dry
[that's why I'm a girl in the photo.] Kick Kuno for me once OK? I miss
that.
Ja!
Ranma
+++++++++++++
Dearest Akari,
I hope this letter finds you well. Traveling with Ranma is pure hell.
He spends all his time as a girl flirting with the men here! Just
yesterday she conned some guy out of his lunch just by looking at him;
and while were in Spain he got his butt kicked and now he won't admit
to it! It's enough to make a real man sick! After that he tried to
steal my umbrella to stay dry, he said he was trying to keep me dry
because of some stupid bus; that liar has no shame. I miss Japan and
hope to return there soon, but only after I've defeated Ranma once and
for all!
Until then,
Ryoga.
++++++++++++++++
Akane frowned as she looked at the slightly bandaged Ranma on the
front of the post card. Ryoga had his elbow planted in her head and he
had a smile on his face. Ranma was glaring at him angrily and several
men were watching the whole scene all around them; most of them
looking at Ranma.
"That dope, he looks like he almost got himself killed!" growled the
angry fiancee.
Her friend Akari Unryuu sat cheerfully next to her and sighed
contentedly. She hugged her own card to her chest and looked at Akane.
"It's not so bad Akane, she probably just got stabbed through the foot
or something. He'll be fine."
"If he gets himself killed over some stupid martial arts technique
I'll kill him!" growled Akane as her battle aura flared.
"That's just how men are Akane, especially men like ours. They'll be
fine. Just have a little faith!" said Akari with a romantic gaze in
her eyes.
"I...suppose you're right," said Akane reluctantly as she leaned back
and watched the sky for a moment.
"Really?" said Akari in genuine surprise.
"That dope is too stupid to die so well," she finally finished.
Akari breathed a sigh of relief; it seemed all was right with the
world again.
Ranma vs. The world 9: Spain!
++++++++++++++++
Ranma sat on the plane and frowned. Ryoga wandered around the front
half of the jet and bothered the captain and stewardesses as he
searched in vain for the bathroom. An hour and a half later Ryoga
returned to his seat escorted by one of the stewardesses. "You could
have helped you know," grumbled Ryoga.
"I told you where it was six times Ryoga what more did you want?" said
Ranma as he smiled at the woman who had brought his companion back in
thanks.
Ryoga frowned and said nothing. The pair sat for a while and Ryoga
finally broke the silence. "I still don't understand how I did it."
"What?" said Ranma.
"The Hado ken stupid. I don't get it, what's the difference? I don't
understand. I still use the same amount of chi right?" said Ryoga more
to himself that Ranma.
"Not exactly, think back to the Hado Shi shi houkou dan. What happened
after you did it?" said Ranma looking annoyed.
"What? Nothing..." said Ryoga.
"You didn't get a stomach ache or nothin?" said Ranma.
"Huh? yeah, what's that got to do with...Wait a minute, you right!
Every time. I never thought about it," said Ryoga in shock.
"Has it happened since you learned Hado ken?" asked Ranma.
"No. Why not?" said Ryoga.
"You dope, for the Shi shi houko dan you gather your own life force in
your abdomen right?" said Ranma.
"Yeah and I push it out through my hands, just like your Moukou
takabishi, so?" Ryoga was getting annoyed.
"Are you that dense? The Hado ken uses raw life energy gathered from
outside your body. We got so accustomed to gathering chi like that We
were trying to do Hado ken that way. It was tearing our bodies apart.
Kinda like trying to run a car on crude oil instead of gas," said
Ranma smugly.
"I get it! We still use our chi center to gather Ki but we form it
outside our bodies in our hands!" said Ryoga as he finally understood.
"See that wasn't so hard P-chan, you should try thinking more often,"
said Ranma with a smile.
"What did you call me?!" yelled Ryoga.
"Calm down Ryoga we're two miles above the ground!" cried Ranma.
+++++++++++++++++
A few hours later a wet and beaten Ranma walked off the plane followed
by an angry looking Ryoga. "Stupid jerk."
"Shut up Ranma this is all your fault," said Ryoga bitterly.
"Give it a rest pig," said Ranma to herself as she walked into the
customs line. She pulled out her second passport and smiled at the man
at the counter.
++++++++++++++
Ranma looked out the hotel window and frowned as P-chan emerged from
the shower squealing loudly. "What's the matter Ryoga? No hot water?"
she said with a smile.
P-chan nodded and grunted. "Well you can just stay that way for a
while. That's for throwing that drink cart at me on the plane," said
Ranma with a smirk. P-chan growled and bit her ankle.
++++++++++++++++
Dear Akane,
Me and Ryoga arrived in Spain today. This Ryu guy really gets around!
We finally achieved Hado ken and hopefully have gotten closer to Sho
ryu ken. Ryoga had to walk around for an hour and a half to find the
bathroom on an airplane. The stupid jerk. Surprisingly we're getting
along pretty well. Later we're gonna do some sight seeing. I hope it's
not too much of a chore dragging lost boy in the right direction.
We're gonna do some askin' around too. We've tracked the guy this far
we might as well go all the way. I can only hope we find him soon so I
can finally get home.
I miss all of you. I'm even starting to miss the Kunos. Scary huh?
Ja,
Ranma.
++++++++++++
Dearest Akari,
Ranma is still as big a pain in the ass as he always was. I hate his
guts. He finally got what he deserved in China when he got arrested.
Too bad he got away. I try to be civil but he keeps opening his mouth
and screwing every thing up. We landed in Barcelona a little while
ago. I think that's in Germany or something. The stupid jerk probably
got lost but he won't admit it to me. We're supposed to be in Spain.
Maybe he'll keep quiet and I won't have to kick his ass again. I hope
you are well. I miss Japan and you as well.
till we meet again,
Ryoga.
++++++++++++++++
Nerima...
"He didn't say anything to me about being arrested!" cried Akane as
she read Akari's letter.
"He probably didn't want you to worry. My Ryoga-kun is so considerate
to write me like that on his training trip. Just like a pig!" squealed
Akari as she sat with her on the porch of the Tendo home.
"If he's wanted in China then he can't go back. That means he can't
marry Shampoo...not that I care," said Akane to herself. "I'll kill
him when he gets back. He's a criminal now!"
Akari hugged her letter to her chest. She smiled when she noticed how
tightly Akane held her own.
"I wonder how he's paying for this? That hotel is expensive," said
Nabiki from behind the pair.
"What?" said the two girls in unison to her.
"Look at this, they flew from China to India to Spain? Then they stay
at this hotel? Where are they getting all this cash?" she wondered out
loud.
"What? What hotel?" said Akane.
"Akane that stationary is from one of the more expensive hotels in
Spain. It would cost about a million yen to stay for one day," said
Nabiki to them.
"What?!" cried Akane in shock. Akari just smiled cheerfully. "I knew
it! He's a bank robber! I'll kill him!" cried Akane in anger again.
"How romantic!" squealed Akari.
Nabiki just sighed.
+++++++++++++++++
Ranma and Ryoga sat at a bar after a fruitless search for information
leading to Ryu. "I'll buy you one," said Ryoga with a sigh.
"Huh, ok..." said Ranma halfheartedly.
++++++++++++++++
An hour later...
"You're my best pal," slurred Ryoga with tears in his eyes as he
hugged Ranma.
"Heh, thash pathet...pathetic. We beat the crap out of each others all
the time," slurred Ranma with a grin.
"But...I loves you man," said Ryoga sadly.
"Gee I loves you too," said Ranma as he began to cry as well.
"Hey, don't gets weird on me palllllllll. I'll kick your ass," said
Ryoga as he steadied himself on the bar.
Ranma snorted. "My kid could kick your ass Ryoga."
"Akane's preg...havin a kid?" said Ryoga as he seemed to clear up.
"Heh nope," said Ranma happily.
"Oh that's ok then...But my kid could beat your kids ass," said Ryoga
as he started to fall again.
"No way Ryoga, my ssson would beat the...crap out of your kiddd,"
replied Ranma.
"You sayin my kid ain't strong?" said Ryoga as he clumsily grabbed
Ranma's collar.
"No, My, my, kid...he'sss jussst stronger that your...kid." said Ranma
as he snickered and gave Ryoga a drunken punch.
"Oh, I guess that's ok then." slurred Ryoga.
"I know!! we'll have them have a man ta man fight when they grow up!"
said Ryoga happily.
"Hey, good, good, good Idea, Hey, waitaminiut, What if one of us has a
girl?" said Ranma as he perked up.
"They'll just have to get married," snorted Ryoga.
"Yeah, hey bartender. Bring me two pieces of paper and a pen OK?!"
said Ranma loudly.
Damn Japanese tourist. muttered the man as he complied.
"Why two?" asked Ryoga in drunken interest.
"That way we can both hava contract," said Ranma.
"Oh," said Ryoga as he signed his name to both pages.
"This way the Saotome and Hibiki schools of martial arts will be
joined," said Ranma as he wrote out the contract and snickered to
himself.
+++++++++++++++++
Ranma vs. The World part 10
The ninja strikes.
+++++++++++++++
Ranma and Ryoga wandered into a bar and sat at the counter. "Hey,
where can we find some information on someone named Ryu?" said Ranma
as he held up a large bill to the bar tender.
The man took it and nodded over to a corner where a man sat alone. He
was well built, had a large wide brimmed hat on his head that hid his
eyes and tied around his neck was a bandanna. Ranma and Ryoga walked
over to him. "Wada ya want?"
"We're looking for someone," answered Ryoga as he eyed him carefully.
There was something about this man that disturbed him slightly. Ranma
looked relaxed and calm.
"Well, I'd say you found someone, eh?" answered the man with a small
chuckle. He stood and pulled a bat from under the table. He rested it
on his shoulder and grinned at the pair with an unfriendly stare.
"Look we just want a little information, we're not out for trouble,"
said Ranma carefully.
The man swung the bat and Ranma ducked, Ryoga simply caught it in his
palm. The man frowned and stepped back into a fighting stance. "I'm
sick of them sending you young punks to me. I left Italy to get away
from you little bastards and they still send you. I'll teach you the
same way I taught the others," snarled the man as he back handed Ryoga
in the face and sent him into the bar.
Ranma jumped towards him and punched the man in the face easily
avoiding his swings.
"Ranma no, I want this one," said Ryoga as he stood and shook his
head. He didn't know what that bat was made of but it hit just as hard
as his umbrella did. He pulled it off his back and stood ready for the
man's attack. The man charged and Ryoga blocked the bat with his
weapon. He punched the man in the stomach and received a hard uppercut
for his efforts. Both men staggered back. Ryoga growled and charged
in, the man swung up with the bat and took Ryoga dead in the jaw.
Ryoga was sent over several tables and crashed to the ground between
several patrons.
"Home run!" said the man as he turned back to his table. Ryoga stood
and snarled the man turned and smiled as he realized that he had more
fight left in him. "Go back to your mom weakling."
"I'll show you weak! Hado ken!" cried Ryoga as he shot a chi blast at
the man.
He simply smiled and readied himself like a baseball player. With a
grunt he swung and slammed his bat into the fireball and sent it
directly into Ryoga's chest. The lost boy was thrown into the wall
from his own attack and slumped to the ground.
"Pathetic," snorted the man as he walked back to his table and lifted
his drink to his mouth.
"Its not over yet, not by a long shot!" said a voice from behind him.
The man turned to see Ryoga standing with a large grin on his face.
"Let's finish this."
"Kid I'm gonna make you sorry you were ever born. No one gets between
a man and his beer," snarled the man as he stared Ryoga down.
Ryoga just stared right back, no fear, just determination. "You can't
make me sorry I was born, that's his job," said Ryoga jerking his
thumb towards Ranma.
"Hey!" cried Ranma defensively.
The man simply charged and swung at Ryoga who stopped the bat easily
with his hand. The man tried to follow up with a punch but Ryoga
ducked under the bat and elbowed him in the gut. The man bent forward
and Ryoga kneed his chest sending him to the floor.
"Little bastard!" cried the man in anger as he swung the bat full
force Ryoga dodged and parried with his umbrella for several minutes
while the man destroyed the bar in his rage. He swung at Ryoga and the
lost boy stopped his bat with a single finger. "Impossible!" he cried
angrily.
"Let's see how well you do without your bat," sneered Ryoga as the bat
cracked and then shattered.
The man yelled in rage and charged Ryoga who sidestepped and brought
his umbrella down hard on the back of his head. The man fell to the
floor unconscious.
"What happened? You were getting the crap beat out of you," said Ranma
with a bewildered stare. "How'd you get so much better all of a
sudden?"
"Easy, I fought him like I have to fight you," snorted Ryoga.
"What do you mean?" asked Ranma.
"Usually I can just overpower my opponents, but when I meet someone
stronger or faster than me I have to fight with skill instead of
strength," answered Ryoga.
"Why don't you just fight like that all the time?" asked Ranma dumbly.
"Because it isn't really necessary with most opponents. It takes less
energy for me to take a hit than to dodge it. The breaking point
training made it so only someone really strong could hurt me, you know
that," said Ryoga with an annoyed glare.
"I'd rather just not get hit," replied Ranma.
"That's because you're weak," snorted Ryoga.
"I'm strong enough to kick your butt!" retorted Ranma angrily.
"We'll see about that!" cried Ryoga as he swung.
In the shadows two figures watched from separate corners of the room.
"That one had grace and beauty. He is almost as handsome as I. Perhaps
we were destined for one another? I shall meet him, we shall fight and
it should be a glorious battle. Only handsome fighters win true
combat; but what if both are fair?" said one to himself as he sipped
his wine and watched the exchange coolly. Ranma stood and pushed Ryoga
to the floor with his foot as the lost boy shoved his head back with
his hand and struggled to rise. "To find such strength in one so fair
arouses me."
Ranma stopped and looked around.
"What are you doing? We're fighting dammit! How dare you ignore me!"
snapped Ryoga as he got in a cheap shot on the boy's head.
"I think we should leave," said Ranma finally.
"What? Why?" said Ryoga.
"I just got a weird feeling. Kinda like what I felt before I met
Kodachi or when Ukyo and Shampoo arrived in Nerima. I just think we
should go," said Ranma as he looked around warily.
The bartender simply stood and cleaned glasses and most of the
customers had fled the chaos. The only ones who remained were a few
die hards at the bar and a few people sitting in booths.
"That's redicu..." Ryoga stopped as he felt a familiar presence. "For
once I think your right Saotome. We won't find anything out here."
"Humph, They are still not ready." snorted the other figure in the
shadows as an aura glowed around him. "But perhaps the other one
watching..."
++++++++++++++
Ranma and Ryoga sat in their hotel room later that night and collapsed
on the beds. "Ranma this is getting expensive, we have to find this
guy," said Ryoga.
"Duh braniac, you think I didn't know that?" snorted Ranma as he
buried his head in the pillow. Ryoga was too tired to argue with him.
+++++++++++++++
Late that night Ranma snapped awake and sat up. He turned and looked
around the room warily. "Who's in here?" he cried.
Ryoga groaned in his sleep and tossed his pillow at the noise
unconsciously sending Ranma to the floor. "Dammit Ryoga!" he muttered
as he picked himself up. He turned to the table and reached for the
lamp. His fingers brushed against something and he grabbed it and
turned the light on. "A letter?" he muttered as he looked at the
envelope in his hand. He turned to see the window was still open. He
growled and opened the note carefully.
+++++++++++++++
Dear sir,
Information on the man who you seek has come into the hands of our
honored host. We ask that you come to his home and negotiate terms for
the information. You will be received tomorrow evening at nine
o'clock. Please go to the address on the card enclosed.
We eagerly await your arrival.
++++++++++++++++++
The next morning Ranma sat with Ryoga at a small cafe just outside the
hotel. "So what do we do?"
"We go, we can't find any information on our own. All we know is he
was here. What else could we do?" answered Ranma.
"It could be a trap, remember China?" said Ryoga warningly.
"We don't have much choice, besides when has that ever stopped us?"
said Ranma cheerfully.
"Maybe it should," said Ryoga with a small grin.
+++++++++++++++
That night Ranma and Ryoga stood at the door of a large mansion. It
opened after a moment and a stuffy looking butler greeted them.
"Yes?" he said.
"We received this last night," said Ranma as he held out the
invitation.
"This way," said the man as he led them through the elaborate home.
They were taken to a small stairway and led into a dark room with a
large fenced in arena. On a stage a band played and women danced
excitedly, as guest drank and laughed around the cage. The pair were
taken to a table and sat near the entrance to the cage.
"At least we got good seats," snorted Ryoga.
The lights dimmed and a shadowy figure entered the large cage in the
middle of the room. The crowd cheered as he waved at them, a spotlight
shining down on him from above. He had long brown hair that was
braided to the small of his back and a long snake tattoo that went
around his torso from his waist to his chest. He was wearing a
porcelain mask and had a long set of claws on his right hand.
"Vega!" cried the crowed excitedly. Ranma frowned and stood.
"Ah my handsome friend you have arrived. I am called Vega, I have
something you want," said the man as he climbed into the cage.
Ranma felt very uncomfortable under his gaze. "You have information on
Ryu?"
"That I do, If you want it I'm afraid you'll have to defeat me," said
the man as he bowed dramatically.
Ranma smiled and cracked his knuckles. "I've got no problem with
that," he said as he jumped over the fence and into the ring with
Vega.
Ryoga frowned and looked at the wall behind him. Hanging there were
hundreds of scalps. "I've got a feeling you may have gotten in over
your head Saotome," He said to himself as he turned towards the ring.
Ranma bowed to his opponent and Vega saluted him by bringing his claw
up to his chest. "Well lets see which of us is truly the more fair,"
said Vega with a confident air about him.
"What?" said Ranma with a cold glare.
"Truly you must understand, that only those who hold such beauty as us
may win a battle. It is the way of things," said Vega.
"I know a guy a lot like you back home, he is just as arrogant and air
headed," snorted Ranma calmly.
"Your words sting me my love; surely we shall make the ultimate love
as we dance in combat to the death. Surely one with beauty such as
yours can appreciate such a glorious battle," said Vega as he finally
stood ready.
"This guy is nuts!" thought Ranma as he prepared himself.
Vega yelled and charged towards Ranma with his claw raised...
++++++++++++++++
Ranma vs. the world part 11.
The iron cage and the dragon fist.
++++++++++++++++
Ranma rolled to the side as Vega's claw came down and struck the
ground where he had been only moments before. He jumped back and shot
a few jabs towards the man. Vega moved fluidly out of the way of all
his strikes and slashed at him again with the claw. Ranma moved aside,
but not before Vega shaved the bottom of his pigtail slightly. He
ducked with blinding speed and tried for the ninja's feet with a low
sweep only to have Vega jab at his leg forcing him to back off.
"Damn I gotta get that claw away from him!" thought Ranma in a panic.
Vega laughed and stood arrogantly a few yards away from him. "Come now
fool, surely you can do better. I was expecting a challenge from one
as fair as you."
Ranma growled and glared at him evenly. "I'll give you a challenge!"
he roared as he charged Vega sending a volley of amaguriken speed
punches at the man. Vega reeled back as he was struck dead on and
slammed into the fence.
Ranma charged and kicked at him while he was leaning against it. Vega
grabbed the fence and lifted himself into the air with his legs over
his head. Ranma's kick hit the fence at the same moment as Vega let go
and tackled him. The boy screamed in pain as the claws were jammed
into his shoulder hard. Vega smiled as he felt the tendons snap and
then the solidity of the concrete floor as the blades impaled the
boy's arm completely. He twisted his hand before pulling back and
raising his hand for another strike.
Ranma's arm screamed again as the man slowly pulled the blades out.
The ninja had made a fatal mistake however, when he left the boy's
legs free. Ranma kicked up and grabbed the sides of Vega's head with
his feet. He smiled darkly as he saw the surprise register in the
man's face as he lifted him into the air and slammed his head down
into the concrete as hard as he could. Vega rolled with the blow and
Ranma cursed as he stood shakily. Vega stood across the arena and
shook his head to clear the daze.
Ranma grit his teeth and closed his fist as he gathered the ki from
the air around him. "Bastard. Eat this Hado ken!" he lifted his good
arm and shot a large blast of energy at Vega. Unfortunately the blast
knocked him back into the fence and caused him to jam his injured
shoulder. He growled and grit his teeth as the pain blacked his vision
out for a moment.
Vega saw the blast coming and back flipped twice as it neared him,
just as it was about to catch him he flipped onto the side of the
fence and kicked off it over the fireball. He hit the ground rolling
and stopped dead in front of the still dazed Ranma stabbing his right
upper thigh this time.
Ranma screamed again and swung at the ninja forcing him to back off
for a moment. He kicked Vega in the chest and turned into a vicious
elbow at his neck. Vega staggered but recovered quickly and rolled
between Ranma's wide stance slashing his right leg again as he passed.
He then turned and swept the boy's legs from under him.
Ranma hit the floor hard and his head cracked the floor as it hit. He
quickly rolled to the side as Vega's claw came down where his head
was. The boy stood quickly and wavered for a moment on his good leg.
"I knew you were worthy of me. No one has given me this much trouble
for some time my friend," said the man as he removed this mask.
Ranma smiled and tapped a fragment of the cracked floor up with a
light tap of his shoe. Vega's eyes went wide as Ranma then quickly
kicked it and sent it into his face. Vega screamed as if he had just
had his face ripped off. He clutched his face and glared at Ranma
through his fingers with wild eyes. A small cut had formed on his face
and was bleeding slightly.
"I will kill you," said Vega with a now deadly calm.
"Just try it," sneered Ranma as he put his hands up.
Vega Charged forward and replaced his mask. Ranma tried to kick him
back and he simply swiped his arm to the side.
Ranma's eyes went wide at what he saw. His ankle had three blades
sticking from it. He fell to the ground and yelled as he clutched it.
Vega simply stood over him and watched as the blood ran down his
claws.
Ryoga frowned and glared into the cage. He realized what was going on.
Ranma was trying to set up the heaven blast but his plan backfired in
his face. "Ranma, don't you dare lose." he yelled.
As he lay on the ground a plan formed in Ranma's mind. "It might
work...if I can stand and last long enough to do it."
Ranma stood shakily and watched Vega carefully. The man simply stood
and did nothing but stare at him unmoving. He realized that if he
attacked now he would probably be killed. So he waited.
He didn't wait long however as Vega charged silently and slashed at
the mostly immobile Ranma's arm.
The boy ignored the pain and concentrated as the ninja moved in from
behind him and took a shot at his back. Ranma managed to dodge it but
was caught by the back swing in the chest. He fell to one knee and
almost collapsed. Vega hopped higher and higher along the edge of the
cage until he was almost to the top. Ranma grit his teeth and tried to
focus the chi around him.
Then Vega dove straight for him. "No! Too soon!" was all Ranma could
think as he punched upwards reflexively. He felt an almost
overwhelming power surge through him and he felt almost like he should
be in the air but didn't quite make it.
The next thing he knew Vega was flying up into the air away from him.
The ninja landed roughly and stayed down.
"What the hell was?" thought Ranma as he felt some one take his arm.
He looked to see a sullen looking man in a Tuxedo holding his arm up
silently.
He shook him off and walked over to where Vega lay and knelt down
beside him. He lifted the mask and frowned as he saw Vega glaring at
him with hate filled eyes. A single trickle of blood ran from his
mouth. "I won where is Ryu?"
"I will never concede defeat," said Vega as he tried to raise his claw
and failed.
Ranma frowned and punched him dead in the face, and Vega ceased to
move.
"Our sources report that he was last sighted in England," said one of
the servants just outside the cage.
The crowd began to cheer loudly as Ranma exited the cage staggering
and hopping on his one good leg.
Ryoga was the first to meet him. "Was that?" he said looking at Ranma
with a serious gaze.
"It wasn't Sho ryu ken...but it was close," replied Ranma to the
unfinished question.
In the shadows a dark figure sneered at the spectacle. "It seems I was
mistaken about the ninja, he'll be of little challenge. The boy
however is coming close," it said as it watched.
+++++++++++++++++
Three days later the pair was on a plane bound for London.
"Ranma maybe we should wait." said Ryoga. "You're in no condition to
travel and you'll slow us down."
"No, if we don't go now we may never find him," said Ranma sharply as
he hobbled over to his seat with his crutches.
Ryoga frowned and accepted it. "Ranma what was that thing you did in
the ring?"
"I don't really know. I was trying to do a stationary Hiryu shouten
ha. I was focusing the ki in the air and trying to move it in a spiral
when Vega attacked. I hadn't had time to charge it properly so I just
let go with what I had. The next thing I knew I had won," said Ranma
as he gazed out the window and watched the baggage load.
"A stationary Hiryu shouten ha?" said Ryoga in surprise. "I didn't
think you could."
"Well I wouldn't know till I try will I? It would have worked if he
had come a few seconds later."
"Instead you got a sort of 'Ryu Ken'." said Ryoga thoughtfully.
"Yeah, I was charging the cold energy in my fist when he attacked me,"
said Ranma looking contemplative.
"Cold energy?" said Ryoga skeptically.
"Basically I was making sure there was no chi in my arm so it would
get cool. That's what causes body heat, chi," said Ranma absently as
he glared out the window.
Ryoga smiled as the plane lifted off. He had a lot to think about on
the way to England. However unintentionally Ranma had just taught him
how to do the Hiryu shouten ha and maybe he had even given him the
secret of the Shoryuken.
+++++++++++++++
Ranma vs. The world part 12.
A gentlemen's game.
Part 1: The proposal
+++++++++++++++
Ryoga staggered off the plane weary and drowsy from the flight. He had
never experienced jet lag before and it was certainly an interesting
experience for him. It felt like three a.m. to him and Ranma was
practically fresh as a daisy.
Still in crutches Ranma cheerfully hobbled his way down the hallway
with Ryoga in tow. He stopped at a pub just outside the airport after
they finished their trip through customs and there they sat down to
eat just beside the bar.
"So where do we go from here Ranma?" asked Ryoga looking more
irritated than usual as he placed his wet umbrella across the back of
his traveling bag.
"We need a hotel at least," muttered the currently female Ranma as she
shoved another sandwich in her mouth casually. The lost boy grumbled
and simply sat with his eyes closed as the men at the bar quietly
watched soccer with an occasional cheer.
"I guess we can check out a few hot spots around later
tonight...Ryoga?" Ranma noticed Ryoga was sitting in a rather relaxed
position and drooling. "Dammit P-chan wake up! I can't carry you
around on these stupid things!" she scolded giving him a whack on the
head with one of the wooden crutches. Ryoga snapped awake and just
snorted indifferently.
"I heard you, let's just get to the hotel I can barely stand," he
slurred.
"I doubt if you'd make it jerk," grumbled Ranma as she stood to pay
the check.
At the bar Ranma's money was waved away. "It's been taken care of by
the gentleman at the booth."
"Huh?" said the girl in surprise. She turned to see a large black man
sitting in a booth with a stiff collared shirt and a cup of tea in
front of him. He waved her over and smiled as she sat.
"Join me for a spot of tea?" he said calmly as she walked over.
"Thanks, but I'm with someone," said Ranma warily.
"Oh, bother I forgot to introduce myself. I am Duddly, world famous
boxer and renowned sportsman. I was wondering...would your companion
be Mr. Hibiki?"
Ranma stopped cold. "What if he is?"
"Oh don't be so worrisome, it's just that I have heard he was
following Mr. Ryu with his companion Mr. Saotome and a rather
attractive young woman. I would like to meet them; but I understand
Mr. Saotome is injured; and it appears you have suffered unfortunately
as well," said the man pleasantly.
"I'm afraid 'Mr. Hibiki' has a bit of jet lag right now..." said Ranma
as she calmed down considerably.
"Perfectly understandable, I wouldn't want to inconvenience you at the
moment; I know your busy with just arriving and all. Just wanted to
make sure I was on the card you see. Your two friends are making quite
a splash in our little circuit," said Duddly as he sipped at his tea
delicately.
"Really?" said Ranma in genuine surprise.
"Oh yes, word has it the two of them may be eligible for a ticket to
the grand fight with Mr. Bison himself this year in Thailand. Mr. Ryu
is sure to be there; but it is still several weeks away," said Duddly
calmly as ever.
Ranma felt a small surge of pride form in the pit of her chest. If she
came home with that under her belt then her father would definitely
have some serious bragging rights; Not that she cared much about that;
Just making it to the grand fight was enough. She turned her attention
towards the man and smiled warmly. "Do you know where Ryu is?"
"Of course, tell your friends they'll find out after the match, win or
lose. I do hope your friend is up to it, say around nine o' clock
tomorrow night? At the boxing arena near the airport's south side?"
said Dudly with a small twinkle in his eye.
"How much?" asked Ranma calmly. She knew that getting a lead so
quickly was almost too good to be true. Regardless of what the man
said, Ranma would jump on the opportunity like a starving rat on the
last piece of cheese on the planet.
"You bring seven thousand pounds and the purse is quadrupled if you
win; your hotel accommodations are on me of course. The Queen
Elisabeth Hotel, suite 233," said Duddly calmly as he finished off his
tea and passed Ranma a hotel key.
Ranma smiled again. "You got a deal," she said curtly.
"Those two have quite a business manager I must say. I am charmed and
hope to see you again. It was a pleasure doing business with you," he
took her hand and kissed it gently and dryly as he walked out of the
pub. It took all of Ranma's control just to keep from decking him.
"Wake up stupid, we have a fight." growled Ranma as she kicked Ryoga
awake. The lost boy sluggishly shook his head and scowled as he rose
from his chair.
"Already? We haven't even been here a day yet," he muttered.
"Whatever let's go," muttered Ranma as she hobbled towards the door.
+++++++++++++++
A few moments later the pair were in a less than desirable section of
London. The hotel they were to stay in was a good walk from the
airport and the fact that Ranma was struggling with crutches didn't
help matters any.
"Ranma we know we're gonna get attacked right?" said Ryoga lazily as
he followed.
"Of course, I've never been to a place like this yet that I didn't get
attacked," said the girl lazily as they wandered through murky and
dirty streets that seemed devoid of human life.
A few feet later Ranma stumbled across a nest of punks. They were
typical Euro trash. Punked out as much as possible with leather and
various hair colors with lots of piercings and odd jewelry. Ranma
sighed and watched lazily as they surrounded her and ignored Ryoga.
"Hey luv ya know it ain't safe out on the streets alone," said the
lead punk as he placed a restraining hand on her shoulder. Ranma swat
it off and glared at him, but he didn't take the hint.
"Maybe we should protect you, for a price," said one of the others.
"I'm not alone," said Ranma as she jerked her thumb back at Ryoga
calmly.
"Heh, looks like you are to me, that shrimp doesn't count," said the
lead man again.
"Oy, Ryoga-san, Bakusai Tenketsu," said Ranma to her companion
halfheartedly.
Ryoga nodded and touched a stone staircase next to him causing it to
explode violently. Ranma sneered at the boys and walked on as they
stared at Ryoga nervously.
The lead man was still surprisingly bold however. "Boss don't take
kindly to show off tourist," snorted the boy as he tried to shove
Ranma back into the circle of boys. He found himself suspended in the
air by his neck as Ranma held him against the wall using one of her
crutches.
"Back off brit boy. I don't have time to waste with you," she growled
and let him fall to the ground just before he passed out.
"OY! What's all this noise 'ere?" said a rumbling voice from the
apartment in front of them. Ranma paled as a huge black cyber punk
that put the boys around her to shame emerged and glared at them.
"B-boss...I uh..." stammered one of the boy's as he shook violently
and almost wet himself.
"I needs me beauty sleep see? Keep it down, and let those damn tourist
go! Da big man don't care about no stupid muggins! Scat the lot o'
ya!" growled the man as he ran a comb through his hair and snorted.
The punks made themselves scarce quickly and vanished into the
alleyways.
"Thanks," muttered Ranma halfheartedly as she glared at the newcomer
uneasily.
"Heh, don't worry about it missy. Just make sure that Mr. Hibiki makes
it to that fight all freshened up 'ere," said the man as he walked
back into the apartment lazily.
Ranma breathed a sigh of relief and turned to see Ryoga leaning
against a trashcan passed out again. She also felt a bit nervous that
the man had known about a fight that was only planned a half-hour ago.
"Dammit Ryoga! What the hell is with you? You can walk around Japan
non-stop for months and you can't stay awake for five minutes in
London?!!"
The rest of the trip was uneventful.
+++++++++++++++
That night Ryoga slept peacefully in his bed. Ranma smiled slightly as
she finished up another letter home. Her thoughts wandered from place
to place and she realized that she hadn't been male all day. If you've
ever been to London you'll understand why not, but still it was
unusual for her to have just been so oblivious about it. Needless to
say she did not feel like getting up at the moment just to change;
besides, her bandages needed to stay dry and they didn't have a proper
bath anyway.
Her arm was much better and would be healed in a week or so; She
looked at her cast and frowned as she made a fist. A small ball of chi
formed and she sighed as he watched it burn in the air in front of
her. For the first time in her life it was not a chore to keep it
there. Fed by the life around her she felt as if she could keep it
there almost indefinitely. Still, the Sho ryu ken eluded her. Despite
all her power and skill, she could not perfect such a simple
technique.
"Maybe that's just it? Deceptively simple looking I suppose. Maybe I'm
trying too hard to find a simple way to do something that isn't
simple?" mused Ranma with a small grin appearing on her face. She
sighed and watched as the glow died down in her hand and left her in
the darkness again. "I will find it," she swore silently.
"I shall await that moment," said a dark voice in the back of her
mind. Ranma snapped alert and glanced around the room as a ghost of a
presence faded away. It's power was almost overwhelming and she could
feel the cold chill of evil still in the air.
++++++++++++++
In the still of the London air M. Bison stood on the balcony of his
room a few floors above Ranma and Ryoga's suite in the pent house. He
gazed off into the street and smiled to himself. "I think I'll take in
a show tomorrow, perhaps a boxing match."
++++++++++++++
Dear Akane,
It's been a few days since I've written home. I hope your all doing
well. Every day it feels like we're getting closer to Ryu, I know that
we'll catch up soon. I just hope he can help us with the technique...
It's becoming more and more obvious that it's some sort of power you
have to find in yourself. I've learned a lot, whether I find him or
not I'm still glad I made the trip. I know I won't fail, I'll make you
all proud of me. I swear it.
Now for the other half of my letter. Ryoga is doing well. He's as good
a traveling companion as he's always been. I'm honestly glad I brought
him in a way though. After such a hectic life I don't think I could
take a trip like this alone. I've never been really alone before. I
suppose I should tell you that I've been injured a little. It's
nothing serious I promise, looks much worse than it really is. The
photo on the front of the card is us on the shores of the Thames
river, it's really wet in England. It's almost impossible to stay dry
[that's why I'm a girl in the photo.] Kick Kuno for me once OK? I miss
that.
Ja!
Ranma
+++++++++++++
Dearest Akari,
I hope this letter finds you well. Traveling with Ranma is pure hell.
He spends all his time as a girl flirting with the men here! Just
yesterday she conned some guy out of his lunch just by looking at him;
and while were in Spain he got his butt kicked and now he won't admit
to it! It's enough to make a real man sick! After that he tried to
steal my umbrella to stay dry, he said he was trying to keep me dry
because of some stupid bus; that liar has no shame. I miss Japan and
hope to return there soon, but only after I've defeated Ranma once and
for all!
Until then,
Ryoga.
++++++++++++++++
Akane frowned as she looked at the slightly bandaged Ranma on the
front of the post card. Ryoga had his elbow planted in her head and he
had a smile on his face. Ranma was glaring at him angrily and several
men were watching the whole scene all around them; most of them
looking at Ranma.
"That dope, he looks like he almost got himself killed!" growled the
angry fiancee.
Her friend Akari Unryuu sat cheerfully next to her and sighed
contentedly. She hugged her own card to her chest and looked at Akane.
"It's not so bad Akane, she probably just got stabbed through the foot
or something. He'll be fine."
"If he gets himself killed over some stupid martial arts technique
I'll kill him!" growled Akane as her battle aura flared.
"That's just how men are Akane, especially men like ours. They'll be
fine. Just have a little faith!" said Akari with a romantic gaze in
her eyes.
"I...suppose you're right," said Akane reluctantly as she leaned back
and watched the sky for a moment.
"Really?" said Akari in genuine surprise.
"That dope is too stupid to die so well," she finally finished.
Akari breathed a sigh of relief; it seemed all was right with the
world again.