It has been… what… three days since that strange man entered my
life? Three days since my life was utterly ruined by that wandering
fool. Three days… since that close-minded idiot inadvertently
shattered years of work, hopes and dreams. Three days… since that
inconsiderate jerk announced the end of me ever achieving happiness.
Three days… since that low-life bastard gave the ultimatum of either
defeating my fiancé, or spend my eternity in Hell! Three days since
that… ugh, JACKASS, engaged me to his even worse directionally lost,
jackass of a son. Three days since I've neither seen high or hair of
the both of them. Three days…
Well, at least there were three days of peace.
Promises Lost 5
When Fathers Unite…
Ranma blinked awake. This in itself was odd. Other than the
fact that he occasionally woke due to a kick out the window, a bucket
of cold water, loud snoring, and/or the chiding of a very uncute
tomboy, he hardly woke up so early. Perhaps today was a good day for
him?
Ranma yawned and reached his arms up stretching, pulling lax
muscles, popping stiff joints and regaining circulation back into his
body. If you asked him, sleeping on a mattress was making him too
soft. After completing some basic stretching, Ranma began to roll up
his mattress, noticing oddly that his pop's mattress was already rolled
and placed at a corner. Two conclusions could come from this. 1.) His
pop woke up before him, (and knowing that lazy excuse for a father,
this was highly unlikely. And second, he and Mr. Tendo were out all
night "planning" on furthering the engagement. Jerks!
Sighing, Ranma kicked his mattress to the side of the wall then
walked out of the room, heading toward the bathroom. After completing
several… **ahem** bodily functions, he turned the faucet to wash his
hands and his face. He let the sink fill and turned off the water. He
then dipped his hands into the supposably warm liquid and… cursed. In
a high pitched voice actually. Grumbling he turned on the hot water to
the furo, and placed his hands under the running water… and cursed
again. For the second time that month, the furnace was broken.
Perhaps it was when he and Ryouga were "sparring" the other
day, or when Shampoo came for a visit yesterday and Mousse picked a
fight. Eh well, he supposed he'd have to rely on the kettle. Assuming
that the gas hadn't been shut off as well.
Ranma grumbled and stomped downstairs, expressing her annoyance
annoyingly. Her mood was deferred as she heard hearty laughter coming
from the living room. Curiosity getting the best of her, she decided
to investigate. There, around the dinning table sat her old man, Mr.
Tendo, and that Wannabe-Gajin dude she saw on the roof that other day.
Akane and Nabiki were sitting as well, starting on their breakfast.
So, her Pop was up earlier, she thought! That jerk probably
kept her asleep so he'd eat his rations! She'll show that lazy panda
who's boss! Ranma then stormed to the living room and kicked her
father on the head, knocking him down to his side.
"Oi, Oyaji! What's the deal with not waking me up earlier!"
Genma's response, to his loving son's inquiry, was a gentle
fling of his heir to the cool and refreshing koi pond outside.
"Ranma! Show some manners. We have guests!" Ranma just
sputtered out water and glared at her father, who then laughed and
looked at his company. "Kids today, don't you think so Ryoku?" Ranma
decided to payback his father later by beating the stuffing out of him,
but first eat. She sat down in her usual spot, next to Akane, and
thanked Kasumi who had now began serving him a bowl of rice and some
tea.
Ryoku, on the other hand had been observing Ranma all this
time. His face, expressed in wonderment. He smirked then grabbed
Genma in a headlock, rubbing his knuckles, hard, on the larger man's
hankerchiefed head.
"Genma, you bastard! Hahahah! Why didn't you tell me you had a
daughter! Had I known earlier we could've worked up an agreement!"
Nabiki raised an eyebrow at this. Genma's eyes widened at the
prospect, then narrowed as in thought. Soun nearly choked on his tea
then glared at Genma, seeing as he was thinking the proposal over.
Genma saw this and laughed nervously at Soun. Akane just sighed and
resumed eating.
Ranma, on the other hand, was disgusted at the proposal. She
stood up and glared at Ryoku, who was just smiling at her.
"Listen buddy! I don't know who you are, but there ain't no
way…"
"Not like it matters anyway. He's taken. Plus, you're right,
you're too much of a tomboy." Ryoku interrupted. This caused Akane to
sputter out some rice, in laughter, at the last part. Nabiki smirked
in amusement. Inwardly she thought that having to get up early was
begining to pay off.
Ranma sputtered as well, but in shock. Having her ego deflated
a bit she looks away and snorts. She grumbled, too hungry still to
utter a retort.
"Ah, but please forgive my crude manner. I do really need to
socialize more." Ryoku smirked. He stands and bows in a gentleman form
at Ranma. "Hibiki, Ryoku Hibiki, at your service young maiden."
Ranma blinked. This was pig-boy's old man? The man was
definitely not like Ryouga. First of all, this guy actually smiled.
Not to mention he seemed to act all calm and smooth. Feh, talk about
the apple dropping far from the tree. Of course, being a Hibiki, who
knows which got lost first, the apple or the tree.
"Not only is he Ryouga's father, Ranma," Nabiki added. "He's
also a world famous doctor, archeologist, scientist… and not to mention
entrepreneur. Making him one of the richest men this side of the
hemisphere."
Ryoku just scratched the back of his head, unaccustomed to such
praise. He laughed nervously, showing off the Hibiki trademark fangs.
Ranma supposed he was Ryoga's father after all. Ranma just shrugged
and stood up, thanking Kasumi for the meal.
"Yeah whatever. C'mon Akane, we'll be late for school."
"Wait, wait! You never told me what your name was, young
miss."
Ranma seethed inwardly and sighed. She grabbed Akane by the
arm and started heading out towards the front gate with Akane in tow.
He yelled back.
"Name's Ranma Saotome, c-ya."
At this Ryoku just blinked, then looked at Genma, shaking his
head.
"I never did figure you for originality, Genma, my friend."
~~~~~~~~~~**********~~~~~~~~~~
Being forced to use the cup of tea to change himself back,
Ranma, now male form, and Akane ran down the alley, heading toward
school. As they neared the gates, they slowed to a steady walk.
Neither of the two speaking a word. That is, until Akane decided to
break the silence.
"Who would've guessed Ryouga-kun had such an important father,
ne Ranma?"
Ranma, annoyed by the sudden focus of Ryouga and his kin, just
looked away and scoffed.
"I don't see what's so special. I'm just glad my Old man
didn't take up on his offer." He shuddered.
Akane just smirked, and looked at Ranma teasingly.
"What would be so bad about that?" She giggled. Ranma nearly
facefaulted and looked at Akane incredulously.
Akane then stopped and blinked. She looked at Ranma
questionably.
"Though, I wonder what he meant when he said 'his son was
taken'…"
Ranma just shrugged. He was about to answer when he heard a whooshing
sound in front of him. He jumped in the air, narrowly missing several
spatulas that impeded themselves onto the fence.
"What the…?"
From the ground, Ranma looked up and saw Ukyou standing on the
top of the wall surrounding the school, looking at him apologetically.
She was wearing her usual Okonomiyaki uniform and had her hair tied
back. He also noted the stocked Bandelier, mega spatula strapped
behind her, and several miniature spatulas on her hand.
"Sorry Ranchan! I hope you forgive me, but I had no other
choice!" She cleared her throat and looked at Ranma with a look he
hadn't seen since he reacquainted himself with her that day she first
came to Nerima. Meaning, she looked seriously pissed and ready to give
Hell.
"RANMA-HONEY, PREPARE TO BE DEFEATED!!"
Ukyou then threw several more miniature spatulas at Ranma's
head, knowing perfectly well that he'd just dodge them without
difficulty. She swung out her mega-spatula and jumped up into the air
with him. Ranma saw this and decided to end this insanity quickly and
kicked at the spatula heading straight toward his head.
Ukyou growled as her main weapon was knocked out of her grasp.
She then reaches into her okonomiyaki uniform and pulled out a bag of
flour, and threw it at Ranma, causing it to explode within impact.
This gave her ample time to land onto the ground and grab her battle
spatula.
Akane, on the meantime, was confused. Why was Ukyou attacking
Ranma again? Haven't they already settled this a year ago or so?
"Ukyou, stop! Why are you doing this!?"
"Ucchan! What the hell are you doing?" Ranma restated, dodging
idly at the swinging of the spatula at his head.
"Trust me… ** whoosh **… Ranchan. I… **whoosh**… don't like
this… **whoosh**… any more than… **Swing**… you do! **……** Huh?"
Ukyou blinked as no more whooshing sounds were heard. She
looked to see Ranma holding her spatula, and bandoleer. When did he…?
It didn't matter any longer. She lost again. Her heart wasn't into
it like that first time. She could never hurt her dear Ranchan. She
sunk to her knees and looked to the ground.
"Now," Ranma sighed. "Would you please tell me what the Hell
you were doing?"
"It's all that Jackass's fault!"
"What did Oyaji do this time?" Ranma sighed and rubbed his
head.
"Not that jackass, the other jackass! Ryoku Hibiki!" Ukyou
growled.
"What does this have to do with Ryouga-kun's father?" Akane
asked, kneeling next to her grief-stricken friend.
"Other than the fact that the Jackass engaged me to that idiot
Ryouga, nothing!" Ukyou sighed
"WHAT?" The two teenagers chorused loudly, causing several
curious students to gather at the scene.
"Yeah, and unless I defeat you like I had promised more than
ten years ago, I'm stuck to live my life with that navigationally
handicapped jackass, Ryouga!"
Somewhere in the beaches of Atomi, A certain yellow and black
bandanna'd teenager sneezed violently.
Akane nodded in understanding, but she then smiled and rested a
hand on the Okonomiyaki chef's shoulder.
"And what's so bad about that?" Ukyou jolted out of her
depressive mood and blinked at Akane like she was sprouting two noses.
Akane just smiled and tilted her head slightly. "I know Ryouga-kun
doesn't have the greatest direction in the world, but he is a sweet
guy. He's very loyal, and a perfect gentleman."
Ranma just raised a brow at this, scoffed and turned away, not
jealous at all. Nope. Feh, if only Akane knew the real Ryouga, what
would she say then about her dear "Ryouga-kun"? Ranma then thought
about it a while. Pig-boy and Ucchan? On the one hand, it settles
some of his problems. Ucchan was his best buddy, and to hook her up
with Ryouga, wasn't a bad idea after all. Then again… nah… it just
wouldn't work out. Who'd ever believe that those two would make a cute
couple? Other than Akane, not a single soul. Stupid Akane.
Meanwhile, Akane was still trying to persuade Ukyou into
thinking over the engagement. She absolutely adored the idea of Ukyou
and Ryouga! They just had too much in common not to have thought about
it before! They were both lonely, and needed someone.
"Ukyou-chan, I don't see what your problem is. Ryouga-kun's a
very sweet guy. He's a good friend, and very trusting." Akane then
looked at Ranma, who seemed to be deep and thought. She smirks and
closed on in to Ukyou and whispered to her ear. "Not to mention he has
a cute butt."
Ukyou facefaulted violently. Did Akane just say Ryouga had a
cute butt? Akane looks at Ukyou's expression and rolled her eyes,
hands on her hips.
"Honestly, don't tell me you never noticed! He works out
constantly with his martial arts. Most of my friends are always saying
how hot he is and all that. Some of the girls in my class even set up
a Fan club for him." Akane giggles at this. "Won't they be jealous
when they find out you're engaged to him!"
Suddenly both their thoughts were interrupted as the first bell
rung. Akane stands, still smiling at the shocked Ukyou.
"Just think it over, okay, Ukyou-chan?"
With that, she grabs a distracted Ranma by the pigtail and
heads on to class, leaving a stunned Ukyou, kneeling on the ground.
For minutes Ukyou does not even move. Not in expression, nor in
movement. Suddenly she looks over at the Furinkan building and blinks.
"Did she just say … Ryouga had a cute butt?"
She sighed. No one was left to answer her but a simple breeze.
~~~~~~~~~~**********~~~~~~~~~~
It's amazing what 3 days of computerless experience makes you write.
^_^ I'm still wondering about chapter four. Should I make a
side-story on that till Akari re-unites with Ryouga? Or just leave it
be? **shrugs**
Eh well.... I'll think of something soon. Comments and Crits
appreciated.. really! I got the ego the size of Gosunkugi's. Flames
will be misinterpreted as comments.. so send them too! ^_^
life? Three days since my life was utterly ruined by that wandering
fool. Three days… since that close-minded idiot inadvertently
shattered years of work, hopes and dreams. Three days… since that
inconsiderate jerk announced the end of me ever achieving happiness.
Three days… since that low-life bastard gave the ultimatum of either
defeating my fiancé, or spend my eternity in Hell! Three days since
that… ugh, JACKASS, engaged me to his even worse directionally lost,
jackass of a son. Three days since I've neither seen high or hair of
the both of them. Three days…
Well, at least there were three days of peace.
Promises Lost 5
When Fathers Unite…
Ranma blinked awake. This in itself was odd. Other than the
fact that he occasionally woke due to a kick out the window, a bucket
of cold water, loud snoring, and/or the chiding of a very uncute
tomboy, he hardly woke up so early. Perhaps today was a good day for
him?
Ranma yawned and reached his arms up stretching, pulling lax
muscles, popping stiff joints and regaining circulation back into his
body. If you asked him, sleeping on a mattress was making him too
soft. After completing some basic stretching, Ranma began to roll up
his mattress, noticing oddly that his pop's mattress was already rolled
and placed at a corner. Two conclusions could come from this. 1.) His
pop woke up before him, (and knowing that lazy excuse for a father,
this was highly unlikely. And second, he and Mr. Tendo were out all
night "planning" on furthering the engagement. Jerks!
Sighing, Ranma kicked his mattress to the side of the wall then
walked out of the room, heading toward the bathroom. After completing
several… **ahem** bodily functions, he turned the faucet to wash his
hands and his face. He let the sink fill and turned off the water. He
then dipped his hands into the supposably warm liquid and… cursed. In
a high pitched voice actually. Grumbling he turned on the hot water to
the furo, and placed his hands under the running water… and cursed
again. For the second time that month, the furnace was broken.
Perhaps it was when he and Ryouga were "sparring" the other
day, or when Shampoo came for a visit yesterday and Mousse picked a
fight. Eh well, he supposed he'd have to rely on the kettle. Assuming
that the gas hadn't been shut off as well.
Ranma grumbled and stomped downstairs, expressing her annoyance
annoyingly. Her mood was deferred as she heard hearty laughter coming
from the living room. Curiosity getting the best of her, she decided
to investigate. There, around the dinning table sat her old man, Mr.
Tendo, and that Wannabe-Gajin dude she saw on the roof that other day.
Akane and Nabiki were sitting as well, starting on their breakfast.
So, her Pop was up earlier, she thought! That jerk probably
kept her asleep so he'd eat his rations! She'll show that lazy panda
who's boss! Ranma then stormed to the living room and kicked her
father on the head, knocking him down to his side.
"Oi, Oyaji! What's the deal with not waking me up earlier!"
Genma's response, to his loving son's inquiry, was a gentle
fling of his heir to the cool and refreshing koi pond outside.
"Ranma! Show some manners. We have guests!" Ranma just
sputtered out water and glared at her father, who then laughed and
looked at his company. "Kids today, don't you think so Ryoku?" Ranma
decided to payback his father later by beating the stuffing out of him,
but first eat. She sat down in her usual spot, next to Akane, and
thanked Kasumi who had now began serving him a bowl of rice and some
tea.
Ryoku, on the other hand had been observing Ranma all this
time. His face, expressed in wonderment. He smirked then grabbed
Genma in a headlock, rubbing his knuckles, hard, on the larger man's
hankerchiefed head.
"Genma, you bastard! Hahahah! Why didn't you tell me you had a
daughter! Had I known earlier we could've worked up an agreement!"
Nabiki raised an eyebrow at this. Genma's eyes widened at the
prospect, then narrowed as in thought. Soun nearly choked on his tea
then glared at Genma, seeing as he was thinking the proposal over.
Genma saw this and laughed nervously at Soun. Akane just sighed and
resumed eating.
Ranma, on the other hand, was disgusted at the proposal. She
stood up and glared at Ryoku, who was just smiling at her.
"Listen buddy! I don't know who you are, but there ain't no
way…"
"Not like it matters anyway. He's taken. Plus, you're right,
you're too much of a tomboy." Ryoku interrupted. This caused Akane to
sputter out some rice, in laughter, at the last part. Nabiki smirked
in amusement. Inwardly she thought that having to get up early was
begining to pay off.
Ranma sputtered as well, but in shock. Having her ego deflated
a bit she looks away and snorts. She grumbled, too hungry still to
utter a retort.
"Ah, but please forgive my crude manner. I do really need to
socialize more." Ryoku smirked. He stands and bows in a gentleman form
at Ranma. "Hibiki, Ryoku Hibiki, at your service young maiden."
Ranma blinked. This was pig-boy's old man? The man was
definitely not like Ryouga. First of all, this guy actually smiled.
Not to mention he seemed to act all calm and smooth. Feh, talk about
the apple dropping far from the tree. Of course, being a Hibiki, who
knows which got lost first, the apple or the tree.
"Not only is he Ryouga's father, Ranma," Nabiki added. "He's
also a world famous doctor, archeologist, scientist… and not to mention
entrepreneur. Making him one of the richest men this side of the
hemisphere."
Ryoku just scratched the back of his head, unaccustomed to such
praise. He laughed nervously, showing off the Hibiki trademark fangs.
Ranma supposed he was Ryoga's father after all. Ranma just shrugged
and stood up, thanking Kasumi for the meal.
"Yeah whatever. C'mon Akane, we'll be late for school."
"Wait, wait! You never told me what your name was, young
miss."
Ranma seethed inwardly and sighed. She grabbed Akane by the
arm and started heading out towards the front gate with Akane in tow.
He yelled back.
"Name's Ranma Saotome, c-ya."
At this Ryoku just blinked, then looked at Genma, shaking his
head.
"I never did figure you for originality, Genma, my friend."
~~~~~~~~~~**********~~~~~~~~~~
Being forced to use the cup of tea to change himself back,
Ranma, now male form, and Akane ran down the alley, heading toward
school. As they neared the gates, they slowed to a steady walk.
Neither of the two speaking a word. That is, until Akane decided to
break the silence.
"Who would've guessed Ryouga-kun had such an important father,
ne Ranma?"
Ranma, annoyed by the sudden focus of Ryouga and his kin, just
looked away and scoffed.
"I don't see what's so special. I'm just glad my Old man
didn't take up on his offer." He shuddered.
Akane just smirked, and looked at Ranma teasingly.
"What would be so bad about that?" She giggled. Ranma nearly
facefaulted and looked at Akane incredulously.
Akane then stopped and blinked. She looked at Ranma
questionably.
"Though, I wonder what he meant when he said 'his son was
taken'…"
Ranma just shrugged. He was about to answer when he heard a whooshing
sound in front of him. He jumped in the air, narrowly missing several
spatulas that impeded themselves onto the fence.
"What the…?"
From the ground, Ranma looked up and saw Ukyou standing on the
top of the wall surrounding the school, looking at him apologetically.
She was wearing her usual Okonomiyaki uniform and had her hair tied
back. He also noted the stocked Bandelier, mega spatula strapped
behind her, and several miniature spatulas on her hand.
"Sorry Ranchan! I hope you forgive me, but I had no other
choice!" She cleared her throat and looked at Ranma with a look he
hadn't seen since he reacquainted himself with her that day she first
came to Nerima. Meaning, she looked seriously pissed and ready to give
Hell.
"RANMA-HONEY, PREPARE TO BE DEFEATED!!"
Ukyou then threw several more miniature spatulas at Ranma's
head, knowing perfectly well that he'd just dodge them without
difficulty. She swung out her mega-spatula and jumped up into the air
with him. Ranma saw this and decided to end this insanity quickly and
kicked at the spatula heading straight toward his head.
Ukyou growled as her main weapon was knocked out of her grasp.
She then reaches into her okonomiyaki uniform and pulled out a bag of
flour, and threw it at Ranma, causing it to explode within impact.
This gave her ample time to land onto the ground and grab her battle
spatula.
Akane, on the meantime, was confused. Why was Ukyou attacking
Ranma again? Haven't they already settled this a year ago or so?
"Ukyou, stop! Why are you doing this!?"
"Ucchan! What the hell are you doing?" Ranma restated, dodging
idly at the swinging of the spatula at his head.
"Trust me… ** whoosh **… Ranchan. I… **whoosh**… don't like
this… **whoosh**… any more than… **Swing**… you do! **……** Huh?"
Ukyou blinked as no more whooshing sounds were heard. She
looked to see Ranma holding her spatula, and bandoleer. When did he…?
It didn't matter any longer. She lost again. Her heart wasn't into
it like that first time. She could never hurt her dear Ranchan. She
sunk to her knees and looked to the ground.
"Now," Ranma sighed. "Would you please tell me what the Hell
you were doing?"
"It's all that Jackass's fault!"
"What did Oyaji do this time?" Ranma sighed and rubbed his
head.
"Not that jackass, the other jackass! Ryoku Hibiki!" Ukyou
growled.
"What does this have to do with Ryouga-kun's father?" Akane
asked, kneeling next to her grief-stricken friend.
"Other than the fact that the Jackass engaged me to that idiot
Ryouga, nothing!" Ukyou sighed
"WHAT?" The two teenagers chorused loudly, causing several
curious students to gather at the scene.
"Yeah, and unless I defeat you like I had promised more than
ten years ago, I'm stuck to live my life with that navigationally
handicapped jackass, Ryouga!"
Somewhere in the beaches of Atomi, A certain yellow and black
bandanna'd teenager sneezed violently.
Akane nodded in understanding, but she then smiled and rested a
hand on the Okonomiyaki chef's shoulder.
"And what's so bad about that?" Ukyou jolted out of her
depressive mood and blinked at Akane like she was sprouting two noses.
Akane just smiled and tilted her head slightly. "I know Ryouga-kun
doesn't have the greatest direction in the world, but he is a sweet
guy. He's very loyal, and a perfect gentleman."
Ranma just raised a brow at this, scoffed and turned away, not
jealous at all. Nope. Feh, if only Akane knew the real Ryouga, what
would she say then about her dear "Ryouga-kun"? Ranma then thought
about it a while. Pig-boy and Ucchan? On the one hand, it settles
some of his problems. Ucchan was his best buddy, and to hook her up
with Ryouga, wasn't a bad idea after all. Then again… nah… it just
wouldn't work out. Who'd ever believe that those two would make a cute
couple? Other than Akane, not a single soul. Stupid Akane.
Meanwhile, Akane was still trying to persuade Ukyou into
thinking over the engagement. She absolutely adored the idea of Ukyou
and Ryouga! They just had too much in common not to have thought about
it before! They were both lonely, and needed someone.
"Ukyou-chan, I don't see what your problem is. Ryouga-kun's a
very sweet guy. He's a good friend, and very trusting." Akane then
looked at Ranma, who seemed to be deep and thought. She smirks and
closed on in to Ukyou and whispered to her ear. "Not to mention he has
a cute butt."
Ukyou facefaulted violently. Did Akane just say Ryouga had a
cute butt? Akane looks at Ukyou's expression and rolled her eyes,
hands on her hips.
"Honestly, don't tell me you never noticed! He works out
constantly with his martial arts. Most of my friends are always saying
how hot he is and all that. Some of the girls in my class even set up
a Fan club for him." Akane giggles at this. "Won't they be jealous
when they find out you're engaged to him!"
Suddenly both their thoughts were interrupted as the first bell
rung. Akane stands, still smiling at the shocked Ukyou.
"Just think it over, okay, Ukyou-chan?"
With that, she grabs a distracted Ranma by the pigtail and
heads on to class, leaving a stunned Ukyou, kneeling on the ground.
For minutes Ukyou does not even move. Not in expression, nor in
movement. Suddenly she looks over at the Furinkan building and blinks.
"Did she just say … Ryouga had a cute butt?"
She sighed. No one was left to answer her but a simple breeze.
~~~~~~~~~~**********~~~~~~~~~~
It's amazing what 3 days of computerless experience makes you write.
^_^ I'm still wondering about chapter four. Should I make a
side-story on that till Akari re-unites with Ryouga? Or just leave it
be? **shrugs**
Eh well.... I'll think of something soon. Comments and Crits
appreciated.. really! I got the ego the size of Gosunkugi's. Flames
will be misinterpreted as comments.. so send them too! ^_^