If you're still reading, than you either like what I have written or are
a masochist. Or maybe you just don't have an opinion yet. Anywho, here's
my e-mail for to use as an outlet for your frustrations:
oddball22@hotmail.com
DISCLAIMER: I own it all! The Effiel tower, the Staue of Liberty, and
the Pyramids of Egypt! So get your stinking paws off of them!
HAHAHAHAHA! Hey, let me go! Get that hugging jacket off me! What are you
doing with that needle? Don't stick it into my arm! OUCH! I'm going to
get... zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...
Ranma 1/2: New Challenges
Winds of Change
Chapter 4
Deep inside a cave, two cloaked figures were laying on the
floor. Both appeared to be very weak and barely moving. In the center of
this cavern, a multi-colored crystal pulsed brightly in a small pool of
water, which was atop a rock column. Right above the crystal a thin
opening stretched from the ceiling, all the way through the earth to the
ground above, creating a wind tunnel that blew cold air onto the
crystal.
Off to one side, a rock wall slid open and two more figures
appeared. One was talking to the other and his head was turned. "I still
don't see what this is about! We have to find the others or you know
what will happen! Even you can't deny it!" The speaker turned to face
forward where he immediately caught sight of the two on the ground.
"Kami-sama!" Quan exclaimed and rushed over to them.
The one remaining in the door way laughed. "All too easy," was
all he said.
"We have to help them!" Quan proclaimed. "If they die the sects
will erupt into civil war!"
The doorman pointed a finger, directing Quan's attention to the
crystal sitting atop the rocky spire. "Not if I command thier entire
loyalty."
"What have you done!?" he demanded, his face ashen. He suddenly
found his strength waning. In all my years, I've never... How could
could he have created such a powerful artifact? He attempted to walk
toward the figure in the doorway, but felt himself become heavier by the
second, as his own magical energies were drained. The one in the doorway
stepped back and began to close it.
"No! You can't leave me here!" The door finished closing and the
man sunk to his knees. "No... how could he... an Elemchrys... not
complete..." was all he managed before falling on the ground.
As he lay there, the voice of the Garon, the Fire Lord, echoed.
"Don't think you've saved the boy. I managed to find where you sent him,
and will have him before the week is over."
"No... How did you...?"
"The wonders of technology my old friend. I owe icequeen some
thanks..."
Ranma awoke Kenji the next morning for school and left the
dojo. Kenji shook his head to clear his mind of the images. It was the
same dream again. He was surrounded by flames and had a very strong
feeling of helplessness.
What does it mean? he pondered. Should I tell the others
about it? No, not 'til I figure it out. He then wiped the sweat off his
brow and went for one of his new, light blue shirts. As he got ready,
his thoughts drifted to yesterday.
They had hit the mall and got him several sets of clothes. What
made the day more interesting, was all the things Ukyo was telling him.
About Ranma's fiancees: Akane, Shampoo, and Ukyo. Kenji was taken aback
by that last one, but Ukyo had told him that after Ranma and Akane's
failed wedding attempt some time ago, she had given up on him.
She explained how she had interrupted the wedding with bombs in
an attempt to win Ranchan for herself, but then felt extremely bad
afterward when neither Ranma nor Akane would talk to her. After a couple
of weeks, they finally made up, and Ukyo came to the conclusion that
Ranma and Akane really did care deeply about each other, even if they
didn't seem to show it at times. So, she decided to back off on her
attempts to "snag him" for herself and let the two sort things out on
their own.
It wasn't an easy decision, but it was the only one she could
make.
Kenji nodded and felt strangely compelled to squeeze her
shoulder in support as he saw a tear fall from her cheek. He half-
expected Ukyo to just smile and shrug him off, but was pleasantly
surprised when she leaned into him and gave him a one-armed hug. That
made him feel good and he smiled. He found himself liking her, but
quickly supressed those feelings. It was obvious she was still hung up
on Ranma, and he still had his own problems to deal with.
Still, he couldn't stop the smile that stuck to his face as he
joined Ranma and Akane on their walk to school.
"So, what do you think of Ukyo-chan?" Kenji turned to find Akane
smiling at him.
The question caught Kenji off guard and he stammered. "Uh....
well... She's nice."
"And?"
He managed to recover his wits and turned away from her "And
what?
"Don't you like her?" Akane asked.
"Well, she seems like a nice person," he replied. He seemed like
he was going to say something else, but changed his mind. "Just forget
it. It's none of your business and I've got more important things to
worry about." His face hardened. "Once I get my memory back and/or
locate my family, I'm gone."
It was apparent to both Ranma and Akane by his tone that Kenji
wasn't about to say anything else, so the the rest of the walk to school
was in silence.
Kenji was mentally berating himself. What was I thinking!?
Sure, she's pretty cute, but I can't let a girl's face distract me! I've
more important things I should be concerned with. A new thought entered
his head. Besides, this could be some plot of theirs, to get me to
stick around. Buy me stuff, play nice, present me with a nice girl... If
they're responsible for my amnesia, they could be trying to create a new
life for me and hope I won't think about my old one.
Eventually, they came upon the school. As they passed through
the gate, the new student took a look around. It was a pretty big
structure and the yard was filled with students laughing and talking as
they headed to class.
"Halt!"
Kenji instinctively stopped at the command, then looked around
for the speaker. He found it in a guy who was dressed in a blue hakama.
He was also pointing a bokken in their direction.
"Hiya Kuno!" Ranma grinned. "What's shakin'?"
Kuno responded. "Know this, Saotome, that thy days are numbered
with the lovely Tendo Akane. Thou shalt not be allowed to enchant her
with thy black magic and expect to get away with it."
Ranma waved him off. "Yeah, whatever. Listen, I'd love to stay
and chat, but I'd like to get to class on time today."
Kuno then laid his eyes on the person standing next to Akane and
spoke to him. "Who be thee, that thou accompanith my fierce tigress? Has
the sorcerer Saotome aquired an apprentice to his dark arts? Or mayhap
you be a fellow dark master?"
Kenji raised an eyebrow. "I'm..."
The figure held up a hand. "Wait! Think it should be so rude as
to ask one's name before offering thine own. Behold! For the one who
stands before you is the Kendo master, Blue Thunder of Furinken High,
Kuno Tatewaki, age 18." Thunder seemed to echo in the distance. "And who
might thou be and what is thy relationship to lovely Tendo Akane?"
"Name's Kenji." Kenji bowed his head foreward slightly, giving
the sempai the proper respect. "And, as if it's any of your business,
I'm just a houseguest, temporarily."
"Thou dost not have any dark designs on my Tigress, Akane-kun?"
"Designs?" Kenji spared a glance at Akane. "Uh, I guess not."
Kuno seemed somewhat relieved, then looked a bit upset. "Think
not enough of me as to not offer thy full name? Would thou darest incur
my wrath?"
"Leave him alone, Kuno-sempai," Akane jumped in. "He's got
amnesia and doesn't remember a whole lot. My family is looking after
him, until he recovers."
Kunou nodded. "Ah, then you have my utmost sympathies dear boy.
As for you Tendo Akane, I shall win you from the cur known as Saotome
and set you free. En guarde, sorcerer!"
Kuno charged and, a short scuffle later, was rendered airborne.
"That's just Kuno, the resident looney," Akane told him as they
resumed their walk into the building. "Don't worry about him. But he is
the kendo club champion here at school and a good fighter, so try not to
make him mad, okay?"
Akane waved to Ranma. "Ranma, you go ahead to class. I'll take
Kenji-san to be registered."
"Gotcha." Ranma nodded. "See ya later man." He turned and
started to run off. "And try not to let the principal cut your hair!"
came the receeding call.
Kenji blinked. "Nani?"
"Don't worry about. I think the principal is gone for the week
anyway, so we have plenty of time to prepare you to face him." They
arrived at the new student registration door. "Here you go. My dad's
already called the school so they're expecting you. Good luck!"
"Uh, arigato." Kenji waved and she waved back as she took off.
Hmmm, that Kuno guy said something about Ranma practicing dark magic.
Maybe I should have a further talk with him. He glanced at the door.
But I've got something else to do at the moment.
Nervously, Kenji pushed open the door and entered.
"So what do you think of Kenji-san?" Akane asked Ukyo as they
sat under a tree at eating lunch.
Ukyo blushed slightly. "He seems alright. Are you sure you
don't know anything else about him?" She's trying to fix me up,
probably to get me completely off Ranchan. The chef thought about it a
bit more. Why not? At the very least it might make Ranma jealous enough
to...
Akane shook her head as she swallowed a bite of her sandwich.
"Only what you know, though we are being careful since we don't really
know him."
"That's too bad." Ukyo turned thoughtful. "If I had amnesia, I
could use someone to be close to. After all, I imagine he isn't feeling
too comfortable being in an unknown place with an unknown past." She
took another bite of her okonomiyaki.
"Hey, look! There he is now. Want to invite him over? He seems
to be looking for a place to have lunch..."
Ukyo nodded. "Sure, why not?"
"Hey Kenji-san!" Akane called to him. "Over here!" He scanned
the area and saw Akane and Ukyo sitting under a tree and waving at him.
He waved back and walked over to them.
They made room and he managed a half-smile as he sat down while
unpacking the bento box prepared by Kasumi. He immediately started into
his sandwich.
Then they inquired as to how his testing went and he told them.
The tests and the forms he had to fill out weren't so bad. The forms
worried him at first, since he didn't have a whole lot of info about
himself to put down. But, following the advice of Soun, he put his last
name as Tendo, and their address as his own.
After filling out several forms, they lead him into a separate
room for the test. It was several pages long and covered a variety of
subjects in a multitude of formats. He was surprised at how much he knew
and he thought he did quite well.
"That's good!" Ukyo smiled at him. "With any luck, we might end
up in the same class group."
A new voice interrupted them, and Kenji looked up to see
someone he didn't know. The figure handed Ukyo a note and then took off.
She unfolded the note and looked it over, her brow furrowing.
"What's it say?" Akane asked.
"Just that someone wants to meet with me right now and talk
about something," Ukyo said after a moment. "I guess I better go see
what they want. Hey Kenji-san, Akane-chan, I'll see ya later."
Both Kenji and Akane waved goodbye and Kenji watched her as she
disappear around the corner of a building, then returned to his lunch.
"Where's Saotome?" he asked Akane.
A small sigh seemed to escape her before she answered.
"Probably showing off in one of the noon sports games the guys play.
I..."
He tuned Akane out as the hairs on the back of his neck began
to rise, telling him something was wrong. Then, a sudden movement from
above caused him to cry a warning of, "Akane, look out!" before pushing
her out of the way. A loud *crack* could be heard and Kenji grasped his
left arm in pain.
The assailant had struck him with some sort of club, though it
was obvious they were probably aiming for Akane. The individual then
flipped away and began to laugh.
"OHOHOHOHOHOHOHO, that was a close call Akane dear. Does Ranma-
sama know you're cheating on him?" She smirked. "It just proves he
doesn't deserve a harridan like you!"
Akane stood up and brushed the dirt from her school uniform.
"Kodachi! What are you doing here!?" she demanded.
"A true martial artist would have seen that coming," She let
loose some more of her patented laugh (a patent shared with Naga). "If
you couldn't see that, how will you protect Ranma? Just proof that my
darling Ranma-sama belongs with me!"
Kodachi? Kenji thought as he opened his eyes and looked at
the figure standing a few yards away. She had black hair tied into a
pony tail, and was dressed in only a green leotard. Why's that name
seem familiar? Oh yeah! Ukyo said that was one of the girls chasing
Ranma, though she added that Kodachi was a complete lunatic. Now I can
see why; that laugh alone is driving me nuts!
Realizing that he was laying on his stomach, he attempted to
get up using both hands but immense pain short through his left arm,
causing him to rely solely on his right.
"Kenji-san is my friend!" Akane said out loud, then risked a
glance back at him. "You okay?"
Kenji blinked at the friend comment as he twisted his body into
a sitting position against the tree. He nodded at her. "My left arm
hurts like hell, but I'll be fine." Then he muttered under his breath.
"But why does everyone assume I'm more than a friend to you?" And why
would you want to be my friend after what I did to your sister?
Akane shook her head, turned back to Kodachi, and assumed a
fighting stance. "Enough of this! Get lost since nobody wants you here!"
Akane's shouts didn't seem to affect Kodachi at all. "You have
some nerve, Tendo, after trying to bind my love in marriage. You also
managed to turn my Ranma-sama against me. I don't know how you did it,
but do not think you will succeed." She laughed some more and started
her assault on Akane. "When you're out of the picture, Ranma-sama will
be all mine!"
The two girls began to fight and at first it seem they were
evenly matched. Kodachi seemed to be more agile, but Akane was stronger
and could take more punishment. As the fight wore on, it caught the
attention of a few students who wandered over to see what the fuss was
about. Kenji stopped looking at them and turned back to the fight.
Akane had managed to disarm her opponent of her clubs, and land
a few hits to her midsection, causing the crazy girl to back up,
clutching her stomach. Just as Akane was about to follow up on her
attack, Kodachi looked up and blew some sort of powder into Akane's
face. She gasped and stumbled back, before falling to her knees.
"Wh-what?" Akane's eyes bulged.
Kodachi got up and walked over to her now helpless opponent.
"And now to finish this once and for all!" She picked up one of her
clubs and raised it above her head.
Kenji watched incredously from the sidelines. She's going to
kill her! He forced himself to his feet and yelled a forceful. "NO!"
causing Kodachi to pause. "There's no need to do that. Or are you a
coward who can only win a conflict by ambushes and dirty tricks?"
Kodachi laughed yet again. "Just a simple paralysis powder. And
I suggest you stay out of something that's not your business."
A snarl passed the young amnesiac's face. "You hit me! I think
that means it is my business." He went into an attack stance that
favored his left arm. "Normally I try not to hit ladies, but one thing
is clear: You ain't no lady!" With that, he attacked, and all Akane
could do was watch the new battle unfold.
Argh! I can't use my left arm! She seemed to be almost as good
as Akane, and I know how my sparring matches against her fared. This
isn't good, but I have to do something!
Kenji feinted with his right, then worked through a series of
kicks, trying to keep his left arm safe, but all of them were either
blocked or dodged by the myraid tools produced by his opponent. Kodachi
responded in kind with a few well-placed club strikes of her own.
They danced around a bit, neither one able to land more than a
few strikes each. Kenji managed to dodge most of her latest attacks, but
one roundhouse crashed into his left arm before he could do anything.
Pain lanced through him and sparks exploded in his vision, momentarily
stunning him, but that moment was enough.
Kodachi seized the opportunity to whack him a few times with
her club, finishing with a strike to his stomach. As the air was forced
from his lungs, Kenji collapsed onto his back. He landed next to Akane,
glancing up into her face.
She was looking down at him and seemed to have a tear in her eye
as she tried to mouth, "I'm sorry."
Then, a shadow was over them. They didn't have to guess who it
was.
"Well, now, that was a pathetic display," Kodachi smirked. "I'll
deal with you, little boy, in a moment after I get my true prize!" Kenji
watched in horror as she raised her club once more, and there was
nothing he could do. No!
Then, the wind gathered.
Kenji forced himself to a sitting position and thrust out his
right arm, palm outward towards Kodachi. A blast of wind rushed from
behind him to gather at his palm, then shoot with tremendous force to
slam into the leotard-clad girl. The Black Rose was tossed several yards
away to be dumped on the ground.
Kenji froze. What in the world was that!? he wondered. A quick
glance at Akane told him she was thinking the same thing.
"I don't know how you did that," came a familiar female voice.
"But, now you've just sealed your fate as well." Kodachi was standing up
the same time as Kenji.
"Just leave already!" Kenji yelled. "There's no point in this
continuing!"
Kodachi shook her head. "Ah, but there is!"
With that, she took her right hand out from behind her back
where she was hiding it and flicked something at Kenji. He thought he
managed to dodge it when he suddenly felt a constricting force around
his neck. His hands went immediately up to try and free himself of the
long ribbon that was protruding from a handle in Kodachi's grip, and
wrapped around his neck. He was forced to his knees with a quick tug
from Kodachi, and he could only stare hopelessly while Kodachi produced
a hoola hoop.
A hoola hoop? he thought in utter astonishment. Clubs,
ribbons, and now a hula hoop... Who is this crazy chick?
Kodachi hit something on the hoop and small blades sprung from
it, transforming it into a lethal buzzsaw. She grinned maliciously, then
tossed it towards a helpless and suddenly very scared Kenji. His eyes
began to close as he started to run out of air. I guess I'll find out
who I was in the afterlife...
He caught a flash of silver in his periphial vision, and
suddenly the ribbon released. Kenji didn't so much as dodge the buzzaw,
but more like fell out of its way just before impact. It spun away and
landed somewhere, he wasn't quite sure where. He looked up to see a
small spatula embedded in the ground and someone standing in front of
him.
"You okay, Kenji-san?" Ukyo's welcome voice came to him.
"Am I... glad to... see you," Kenji managed to cough out as his
airflow returned. "I coulda taken her if it wasn't for my arm."
"Just let me handle this," she replied, then assumed a fighting
stance, drawing her huge spatula off her back and holding it in both
hands.
"No!" came another female voice. Kenji looked up to see a
redheaded, pig-tailed girl land in front of Ukyo. "This is my fight!"
"But Ran-" Ukyo started.
"She hurt Akane, she's mine!" Kenji got a better look at the
speaker. She was slightly shorter than Ukyo and was wearing a red
Chinese shirt and black pants... almost like... Ranma? "Get Akane and
Kenji out of here!"
Ukyo glanced back at Kenji. "Whatever you say, Ranko." She
turned away and helped Kenji to his feet. "You okay, sugar?"
The amnesiac tested his legs. "I think I can walk, but Akane-
san was hit by some sort of paralysis powder."
Ukyo swore, then went over and picked her up. "Sorry about this
Akane-chan, but we gotta get you to a doctor."
Kenji thought he saw Akane nod slightly as he began to follow
Ukyo out of the ring of students that had gathered to watch the new
redhead battle the maniacal laughing gymnast.
Kenji risked a look back. "But what about that girl?" he asked
indicating the red-head.
"He-" Ukyo shook herself. "She'll be fine, she can take care of
herself. Kodachi must've sent that note to get me away. There was no one
to meet me when I arrived at the location the note detailed."
Kenji could only nod as they left the school grounds. As they
walked briskly away, Kenji thought he could hear a "Kenchu Tenshin
Amaguriken" being yelled by the red head. Chestnuts roasting on an open
fire? What has that got to do with anything?
He was now walking next to Ukyo (who was still carrying Akane),
still lost in thought over all that had happened. That blast of wind,
how did I do that? Well, maybe I didn't but someone else did. If so,
who? If I did it, then just what sort of person was I? Also, that red-
headed girl looked kinda familiar; could she be someone from my past?
"A yen for your thoughts?" Kenji started as Ukyo asked him the
question.
"Uh, I was just thinking that red-headed girl looked familiar, "
said Kenji. Better not tell anyone about that wind blast just yet, at
least until I figure it out. "I think she may be someone from my past,
since she seems so familiar, but I just can't place her." Ukyo giggled.
"I was thinking... what's so funny?"
"Nothin' sugar," Ukyo explained. "She's just someone at school
who you'll meet sometime."
Kenji nodded, then they found themselves at a clinic. "Why are
we here?"
"Oh, that's right," Ukyo realized. "You haven't been here
before. This is Tofu-sensei's clinic. Good thing it's so close to the
school."
Kenji looked thoughtful. "Tofu, he's the guy who treated me
when I first arrived at the Tendo dojo."
"Tofu-sensei?" Ukyo called when they entered the reception area.
"You in here?"
A man's face, who Kenji recognized as belonging to the doc,
appeared from behind a curtain. "Ah, Ukyo-chan! What are you doing
here?" Then he took notice of everybody else. "Akane-chan and Kenji-san,
too! What happened to you two?"
Ukyo was still carrying Akane and Kenji was holding his left
arm. Kenji caught a glance of himself in a mirror and flinched. Dirt
scuffs and several rips covered his new school uniform. He had a nasty
bruise forming on his right cheek, too.
"We were attacked by Kodachi again," Ukyo explained as Tofu led
them back into the examination room. She laid Akane down on the
examination table. "Akane got hit by a paralysis powder and Kenji was
hurt pretty bad."
"Hmmm...." was all Tofu said as he examined Akane. He then went
to one of his shelves and got a small container filled with some purple
stuff. He unscrewed the top and sprinkled some of the contents under
Akane's nose. Slowly, but surely, Akane started to move. She sat up and
began to check all of her muscles.
"Ah, thanks Tofu-sensei!" said Akane. "I feel much better!"
The doctor smiled. "Just her standard stuff. I always keep some
antidotes to all her potions and powders on hand. In fact, I don't think
she's tried anything really new in quite awhile. We might be due for
something any day now." Tofu turned to Kenji. "Now it's your turn, have
a seat." He patted the examination table as Akane jumped down. Kenji
took her place. "Now, what hurts?"
"My left arm mainly. Everything is just bruises, I think." Kenji
stiffened as Tofu prodded his arm.
"I make the diagnosis here," said Tofu. "Though, in this case,
you're right. Nothing too serious and your arm's not broken, but your
shoulder is dislocated. Hold still." Tofu hit a few pressure points,
then quickly popped his arm back into place. Kenji was expecting at
least a little pain, but there was none, which surprised him. "There is
no break, but you have a few bruised tendons and muscles. I suggest not
using this arm as much as possible, and it should heal in a day or two."
Kenji let out a deep breath he didn't realize he was holding.
"Thanks, uh, I guess that's two I owe you now."
Tofu waved him off. "You're covered under the Tendo health
plan, which is quite comprehensive, I assure you." Ukyo and Akane
laughed at that, to Kenji's confusion. "As for you memory loss, I have a
few suspicions, but I have to consult with someone before I'll know for
sure. It seems that part of your memory is just repressed because of
some sort of..." Tofu hesitated.
"Some sort of what?" Kenji asked. "Come on, tell me doc!"
Tofu resumed. "Some sort of trauma." Kenji heard Akane gasp and
wondered what he could have been through that was so bad, he'd block it
out. "But that's not all, there was also some sort of magic applied to
further bind your memory. Mainly just the parts dealing with your
personal life. The rest of your brain that contains general knowledge
was left intact."
Kenji could only sit there in silence while he tried to digest
all this. Trauma and magic? What's going on? Wait a minute! He looked
up. "Magic? There ain't no such thing!"
Tofu just shook his head. "Well, it's not important right now.
I still have to talk with someone."
Akane spoke up, having a sneaking suspicion. "Who? you don't
mean..."
Tofu nodded as he guessed what she was going to say. "Yes,
Cologne-san is the only one I can think of off hand who might know for
sure and what steps to take."
"You can't let that old ghoul get her hands on Kenji-san!" Ukyo
spoke up for the first time, shooting to her feet from the chair she was
in.
"Don't worry about it," Tofu assured them. "I won't let anything
happen to him. Now I suggest you all get back to class."
He ushered them out of the clinic and they started their walk
back to school. Nobody said much, either during the walk, or at school.
Each was lost in their own thoughts.
Back at school, Kenji only had to take a few more tests, then a
school advisor helped him get a class schedule. When his classes got
hammered out, he was informed he'd start attending them Tuesday. Since
classes had started a couple of weeks ago, he was going to have to try
and catch up on the missed work if he was going to pass any of them.
Passing through the schoolyard, he spied a couple of boys in
kendo garb heading into the gym. Akane said Kuno was the kendo champion
here at school, and I still need to have a talk with him. So decided,
he followed the two boys into the gym.
Inside, there were about 15 other boys dressed similarly and
going through various kendo exercises. Scanning the gym, he found his
target.
A bokken lanced across his path, preventing him from going more
than a few steps. "Hold!"
Kenji eyed the guy holding it. "What's your problem?"
"What's your purpose here?" the guy said from underneath his
kendo mask.
"Why should I tell you?" Kenji demanded to know, his voice
becoming threatening. "It's none of your business."
He found another bokken pointed at him. "I think you'd do well
to answer the man's question," the large man who owned it told him.
From what Kenji could remember, kendo was mainly a sport and
not a very dangerous martial art to a serious opponent. Threat
Assessment: Low.
"My `business' is not with you," Kenji replied. "Now be a good
boy and back off."
"You hear that guys?" The large man sneered. "He wants us to
back off." A round of laughs echoed in the gym.
Kenji yawned and glanced around. Kuno was now leaning silently
against the wall and observing the unfolding situation. I didn't really
want to make a scene, but it looks like if I want any respect here, I'm
going to have to earn it.
"Tell you what," the large man continued. "If you can beat me,
we won't throw you out right now." He grinned. "You can call me Hiro.
I'm second-in-command of the kendo club here."
Someone tossed a bokken at Kenji and he snagged it out of the
air by the handle. He twirled the blade around, impressing both his
audience and himself. Where'd I learn to use a sword like this?
Outwardly, he remarked, "Not bad, but kendo's a child's sport."
Hiro flipped his mask down as the others backed away. "Who said
anything about kendo?" He attacked.
Kenji brought the weapon up and parried the first three blows,
before finding his feet swept out from under him. He hit the ground with
a *thud*, then rolled away and flipped back to his feet.
Hiro was grinning at him. "Not bad for a newbie."
Kenji shrugged. "Just warming up. I'm guessing there are no
rules?"
Hiro didn't bother to nod as he attacked again. Kenji performed
better this time, though several strikes came dangerously close to
touching him. He's not bad, but after my sparring sessions with Ranma
and Akane, he's working in slow motion.
Kenji tried to let instinct guide his actions more than
anything else, since it seemed he could use a blade, he just didn't
actually remember how. In any case, it worked. On the next pass, Kenji
managed several body blows by flipping over Hiro's head. When he turned
to face his adversary, Kenji distracted him with the sword thrusts
again. Once Hiro was in position, Kenji disarmed him with a hand chop to
the wrist and pointed the blade at Hiro's neck when the larger boy went
for his downed blade.
"Want some more, big boy?" he sneered at his downed opponent.
"Very well done," came a familiar voice from the sidelines. "It
isn't many who can best my second in one of our special matches." The
kendo group dissipated to let the two talk. "What be thy name?"
Kenji blinked. "Uh, you met me this morning. Don't you
remember? It's Kenji."
"Ah yes. You must forgive me, as many a distraction begs time
from my noble self. Dost though wish to join our noble kendo
institution?"
Maybe this wasn't such a good idea. "Naw, that's okay. Listen,
I just wanted to talk with you about some things."
Kuno nodded. "If you wish for me to impart a potion of my vast
wisdom upon thee, you need but ask. But make quick, for I am a busy
man."
"Uh, yeah. This morning you said something about Ranma using
dark magic?"
Kuno's visage darkened. "It be true. He ensorcelles those
around him, most notably Tendo Akane and the pig-tailed girl so they
remained trapped in his dark will. They are not free to show their
affection for me."
Kenji cocked his head. He remembered Akane hitting and arguing
with Ranma a couple of times. Would she do that if she were
`ensorcelled? But if there's even a chance... "Really. You see, the
last thing I remember is waking up in the Tendo dojo. I have no real
memory before that."
"So you must be a victim of his dark arts," Kuno concluded. "I
caution you to be wary around him. And if you happen to discover the
source of his power, I would pay well for that information." He looked
up. "Now I have other things to attend to. I must begin my daily
meditations on how to free both Tendo Akane and the pig-tailed girl so
they may date with me!"
"Both of them?" Kenji asked, incredously.
"Of course! The Blue thunder cannot be satisfied by any one
woman. That, and I cannot decide between them, so I must have both! Now
I must go."
With that he walked away and Kenji was left scratching his
head. He was still scratching it as he left the gym. Well, that was a
total waste. Kuno really is a looney.
"Hey Kenji-san!" Akane found him.
"Akane-san," Kenji said. "I was hoping I could find someone who
could take me back." They started the walk when Kenji realized something
else. "Hey, where are Ukyo-san and Ranma-san?"
"Ukyo's already left and Ranma had to stay and work on some
stuff," she explained. "He'll be back later."
They walked a little farther and Akane wrestled with whether or
not to ask something that had been on her mind since the fight. She
finally decided in favor of it.
"Kenji-san?" she started. "Can I ask you something?"
He shrugged. "I suppose."
"It's about the fight. I-" she paused, then continued in a lower
voice. "I first want to thank you for stepping in. Not that I couldn't
have beat her," she added hastily. "She just surprised me."
He shrugged again. Truth be told, he was also quite unsure why
he stepped in. "It's nothin'. I couldn't very well let someone get beat
up that was unable to fight back. It just doesn't seem right, somehow."
Akane nodded. "Also, about that thing you did to stop Kodachi
from hitting me the second time..." She let her voice trail off.
Kenji gulped. "I... I really don't know. Heck, I'm not even
sure if I did that, or if it
was someone else doing it. I just felt I needed to DO something and then
my body reacted."
Akane nodded. "I felt the wind suddenly change and then blow
past me. After Kodachi was knocked away, I saw a look of fear in your
face and I was worried."
"Really?" Kenji saw Akane nod again. "Look, as far as I'm
concerned, that was just a fluke of nature thing, not in my control. I
tried a few times when I got back to school, but nothing happened, so I
think it was either a freak accident, or someone else's doing."
"Hmm... Well, we'll figure it out later," she tried to reassure
him as they reached the Tendo Dojo.
She seperated from him and entered the house, while he headed
to the dojo to relax. Someone was standing in the doorway, apparently
waiting for him.
"What do you want, Tendo?" the amnesiac asked, tiredly.
"Heard there was a fight today," Nabiki replied simply. "And you
were involved. Helped Akane out, even."
He shrugged. "Yeah, so?"
"I just find it strangely convenient that you were in the right
place at the right time."
He shrugged again and pushed passed her. "Just lucky, I guess."
"Let's cut to the chase," she said suddenly. "Akane may be
starting to believe you, but don't think for a moment I do."
"I couldn't care less," he drawled, his back to her.
A quick flash of anger stole across her face, but it soon left
and Kenji never saw it.
"Very well, just letting you know where I stand," She turned and
left.
Dinner past quickly and Kenji soon found himself exhausted from
the day's events. He was out cold by the time his head hit the pillow.
a masochist. Or maybe you just don't have an opinion yet. Anywho, here's
my e-mail for to use as an outlet for your frustrations:
oddball22@hotmail.com
DISCLAIMER: I own it all! The Effiel tower, the Staue of Liberty, and
the Pyramids of Egypt! So get your stinking paws off of them!
HAHAHAHAHA! Hey, let me go! Get that hugging jacket off me! What are you
doing with that needle? Don't stick it into my arm! OUCH! I'm going to
get... zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...
Ranma 1/2: New Challenges
Winds of Change
Chapter 4
Deep inside a cave, two cloaked figures were laying on the
floor. Both appeared to be very weak and barely moving. In the center of
this cavern, a multi-colored crystal pulsed brightly in a small pool of
water, which was atop a rock column. Right above the crystal a thin
opening stretched from the ceiling, all the way through the earth to the
ground above, creating a wind tunnel that blew cold air onto the
crystal.
Off to one side, a rock wall slid open and two more figures
appeared. One was talking to the other and his head was turned. "I still
don't see what this is about! We have to find the others or you know
what will happen! Even you can't deny it!" The speaker turned to face
forward where he immediately caught sight of the two on the ground.
"Kami-sama!" Quan exclaimed and rushed over to them.
The one remaining in the door way laughed. "All too easy," was
all he said.
"We have to help them!" Quan proclaimed. "If they die the sects
will erupt into civil war!"
The doorman pointed a finger, directing Quan's attention to the
crystal sitting atop the rocky spire. "Not if I command thier entire
loyalty."
"What have you done!?" he demanded, his face ashen. He suddenly
found his strength waning. In all my years, I've never... How could
could he have created such a powerful artifact? He attempted to walk
toward the figure in the doorway, but felt himself become heavier by the
second, as his own magical energies were drained. The one in the doorway
stepped back and began to close it.
"No! You can't leave me here!" The door finished closing and the
man sunk to his knees. "No... how could he... an Elemchrys... not
complete..." was all he managed before falling on the ground.
As he lay there, the voice of the Garon, the Fire Lord, echoed.
"Don't think you've saved the boy. I managed to find where you sent him,
and will have him before the week is over."
"No... How did you...?"
"The wonders of technology my old friend. I owe icequeen some
thanks..."
Ranma awoke Kenji the next morning for school and left the
dojo. Kenji shook his head to clear his mind of the images. It was the
same dream again. He was surrounded by flames and had a very strong
feeling of helplessness.
What does it mean? he pondered. Should I tell the others
about it? No, not 'til I figure it out. He then wiped the sweat off his
brow and went for one of his new, light blue shirts. As he got ready,
his thoughts drifted to yesterday.
They had hit the mall and got him several sets of clothes. What
made the day more interesting, was all the things Ukyo was telling him.
About Ranma's fiancees: Akane, Shampoo, and Ukyo. Kenji was taken aback
by that last one, but Ukyo had told him that after Ranma and Akane's
failed wedding attempt some time ago, she had given up on him.
She explained how she had interrupted the wedding with bombs in
an attempt to win Ranchan for herself, but then felt extremely bad
afterward when neither Ranma nor Akane would talk to her. After a couple
of weeks, they finally made up, and Ukyo came to the conclusion that
Ranma and Akane really did care deeply about each other, even if they
didn't seem to show it at times. So, she decided to back off on her
attempts to "snag him" for herself and let the two sort things out on
their own.
It wasn't an easy decision, but it was the only one she could
make.
Kenji nodded and felt strangely compelled to squeeze her
shoulder in support as he saw a tear fall from her cheek. He half-
expected Ukyo to just smile and shrug him off, but was pleasantly
surprised when she leaned into him and gave him a one-armed hug. That
made him feel good and he smiled. He found himself liking her, but
quickly supressed those feelings. It was obvious she was still hung up
on Ranma, and he still had his own problems to deal with.
Still, he couldn't stop the smile that stuck to his face as he
joined Ranma and Akane on their walk to school.
"So, what do you think of Ukyo-chan?" Kenji turned to find Akane
smiling at him.
The question caught Kenji off guard and he stammered. "Uh....
well... She's nice."
"And?"
He managed to recover his wits and turned away from her "And
what?
"Don't you like her?" Akane asked.
"Well, she seems like a nice person," he replied. He seemed like
he was going to say something else, but changed his mind. "Just forget
it. It's none of your business and I've got more important things to
worry about." His face hardened. "Once I get my memory back and/or
locate my family, I'm gone."
It was apparent to both Ranma and Akane by his tone that Kenji
wasn't about to say anything else, so the the rest of the walk to school
was in silence.
Kenji was mentally berating himself. What was I thinking!?
Sure, she's pretty cute, but I can't let a girl's face distract me! I've
more important things I should be concerned with. A new thought entered
his head. Besides, this could be some plot of theirs, to get me to
stick around. Buy me stuff, play nice, present me with a nice girl... If
they're responsible for my amnesia, they could be trying to create a new
life for me and hope I won't think about my old one.
Eventually, they came upon the school. As they passed through
the gate, the new student took a look around. It was a pretty big
structure and the yard was filled with students laughing and talking as
they headed to class.
"Halt!"
Kenji instinctively stopped at the command, then looked around
for the speaker. He found it in a guy who was dressed in a blue hakama.
He was also pointing a bokken in their direction.
"Hiya Kuno!" Ranma grinned. "What's shakin'?"
Kuno responded. "Know this, Saotome, that thy days are numbered
with the lovely Tendo Akane. Thou shalt not be allowed to enchant her
with thy black magic and expect to get away with it."
Ranma waved him off. "Yeah, whatever. Listen, I'd love to stay
and chat, but I'd like to get to class on time today."
Kuno then laid his eyes on the person standing next to Akane and
spoke to him. "Who be thee, that thou accompanith my fierce tigress? Has
the sorcerer Saotome aquired an apprentice to his dark arts? Or mayhap
you be a fellow dark master?"
Kenji raised an eyebrow. "I'm..."
The figure held up a hand. "Wait! Think it should be so rude as
to ask one's name before offering thine own. Behold! For the one who
stands before you is the Kendo master, Blue Thunder of Furinken High,
Kuno Tatewaki, age 18." Thunder seemed to echo in the distance. "And who
might thou be and what is thy relationship to lovely Tendo Akane?"
"Name's Kenji." Kenji bowed his head foreward slightly, giving
the sempai the proper respect. "And, as if it's any of your business,
I'm just a houseguest, temporarily."
"Thou dost not have any dark designs on my Tigress, Akane-kun?"
"Designs?" Kenji spared a glance at Akane. "Uh, I guess not."
Kuno seemed somewhat relieved, then looked a bit upset. "Think
not enough of me as to not offer thy full name? Would thou darest incur
my wrath?"
"Leave him alone, Kuno-sempai," Akane jumped in. "He's got
amnesia and doesn't remember a whole lot. My family is looking after
him, until he recovers."
Kunou nodded. "Ah, then you have my utmost sympathies dear boy.
As for you Tendo Akane, I shall win you from the cur known as Saotome
and set you free. En guarde, sorcerer!"
Kuno charged and, a short scuffle later, was rendered airborne.
"That's just Kuno, the resident looney," Akane told him as they
resumed their walk into the building. "Don't worry about him. But he is
the kendo club champion here at school and a good fighter, so try not to
make him mad, okay?"
Akane waved to Ranma. "Ranma, you go ahead to class. I'll take
Kenji-san to be registered."
"Gotcha." Ranma nodded. "See ya later man." He turned and
started to run off. "And try not to let the principal cut your hair!"
came the receeding call.
Kenji blinked. "Nani?"
"Don't worry about. I think the principal is gone for the week
anyway, so we have plenty of time to prepare you to face him." They
arrived at the new student registration door. "Here you go. My dad's
already called the school so they're expecting you. Good luck!"
"Uh, arigato." Kenji waved and she waved back as she took off.
Hmmm, that Kuno guy said something about Ranma practicing dark magic.
Maybe I should have a further talk with him. He glanced at the door.
But I've got something else to do at the moment.
Nervously, Kenji pushed open the door and entered.
"So what do you think of Kenji-san?" Akane asked Ukyo as they
sat under a tree at eating lunch.
Ukyo blushed slightly. "He seems alright. Are you sure you
don't know anything else about him?" She's trying to fix me up,
probably to get me completely off Ranchan. The chef thought about it a
bit more. Why not? At the very least it might make Ranma jealous enough
to...
Akane shook her head as she swallowed a bite of her sandwich.
"Only what you know, though we are being careful since we don't really
know him."
"That's too bad." Ukyo turned thoughtful. "If I had amnesia, I
could use someone to be close to. After all, I imagine he isn't feeling
too comfortable being in an unknown place with an unknown past." She
took another bite of her okonomiyaki.
"Hey, look! There he is now. Want to invite him over? He seems
to be looking for a place to have lunch..."
Ukyo nodded. "Sure, why not?"
"Hey Kenji-san!" Akane called to him. "Over here!" He scanned
the area and saw Akane and Ukyo sitting under a tree and waving at him.
He waved back and walked over to them.
They made room and he managed a half-smile as he sat down while
unpacking the bento box prepared by Kasumi. He immediately started into
his sandwich.
Then they inquired as to how his testing went and he told them.
The tests and the forms he had to fill out weren't so bad. The forms
worried him at first, since he didn't have a whole lot of info about
himself to put down. But, following the advice of Soun, he put his last
name as Tendo, and their address as his own.
After filling out several forms, they lead him into a separate
room for the test. It was several pages long and covered a variety of
subjects in a multitude of formats. He was surprised at how much he knew
and he thought he did quite well.
"That's good!" Ukyo smiled at him. "With any luck, we might end
up in the same class group."
A new voice interrupted them, and Kenji looked up to see
someone he didn't know. The figure handed Ukyo a note and then took off.
She unfolded the note and looked it over, her brow furrowing.
"What's it say?" Akane asked.
"Just that someone wants to meet with me right now and talk
about something," Ukyo said after a moment. "I guess I better go see
what they want. Hey Kenji-san, Akane-chan, I'll see ya later."
Both Kenji and Akane waved goodbye and Kenji watched her as she
disappear around the corner of a building, then returned to his lunch.
"Where's Saotome?" he asked Akane.
A small sigh seemed to escape her before she answered.
"Probably showing off in one of the noon sports games the guys play.
I..."
He tuned Akane out as the hairs on the back of his neck began
to rise, telling him something was wrong. Then, a sudden movement from
above caused him to cry a warning of, "Akane, look out!" before pushing
her out of the way. A loud *crack* could be heard and Kenji grasped his
left arm in pain.
The assailant had struck him with some sort of club, though it
was obvious they were probably aiming for Akane. The individual then
flipped away and began to laugh.
"OHOHOHOHOHOHOHO, that was a close call Akane dear. Does Ranma-
sama know you're cheating on him?" She smirked. "It just proves he
doesn't deserve a harridan like you!"
Akane stood up and brushed the dirt from her school uniform.
"Kodachi! What are you doing here!?" she demanded.
"A true martial artist would have seen that coming," She let
loose some more of her patented laugh (a patent shared with Naga). "If
you couldn't see that, how will you protect Ranma? Just proof that my
darling Ranma-sama belongs with me!"
Kodachi? Kenji thought as he opened his eyes and looked at
the figure standing a few yards away. She had black hair tied into a
pony tail, and was dressed in only a green leotard. Why's that name
seem familiar? Oh yeah! Ukyo said that was one of the girls chasing
Ranma, though she added that Kodachi was a complete lunatic. Now I can
see why; that laugh alone is driving me nuts!
Realizing that he was laying on his stomach, he attempted to
get up using both hands but immense pain short through his left arm,
causing him to rely solely on his right.
"Kenji-san is my friend!" Akane said out loud, then risked a
glance back at him. "You okay?"
Kenji blinked at the friend comment as he twisted his body into
a sitting position against the tree. He nodded at her. "My left arm
hurts like hell, but I'll be fine." Then he muttered under his breath.
"But why does everyone assume I'm more than a friend to you?" And why
would you want to be my friend after what I did to your sister?
Akane shook her head, turned back to Kodachi, and assumed a
fighting stance. "Enough of this! Get lost since nobody wants you here!"
Akane's shouts didn't seem to affect Kodachi at all. "You have
some nerve, Tendo, after trying to bind my love in marriage. You also
managed to turn my Ranma-sama against me. I don't know how you did it,
but do not think you will succeed." She laughed some more and started
her assault on Akane. "When you're out of the picture, Ranma-sama will
be all mine!"
The two girls began to fight and at first it seem they were
evenly matched. Kodachi seemed to be more agile, but Akane was stronger
and could take more punishment. As the fight wore on, it caught the
attention of a few students who wandered over to see what the fuss was
about. Kenji stopped looking at them and turned back to the fight.
Akane had managed to disarm her opponent of her clubs, and land
a few hits to her midsection, causing the crazy girl to back up,
clutching her stomach. Just as Akane was about to follow up on her
attack, Kodachi looked up and blew some sort of powder into Akane's
face. She gasped and stumbled back, before falling to her knees.
"Wh-what?" Akane's eyes bulged.
Kodachi got up and walked over to her now helpless opponent.
"And now to finish this once and for all!" She picked up one of her
clubs and raised it above her head.
Kenji watched incredously from the sidelines. She's going to
kill her! He forced himself to his feet and yelled a forceful. "NO!"
causing Kodachi to pause. "There's no need to do that. Or are you a
coward who can only win a conflict by ambushes and dirty tricks?"
Kodachi laughed yet again. "Just a simple paralysis powder. And
I suggest you stay out of something that's not your business."
A snarl passed the young amnesiac's face. "You hit me! I think
that means it is my business." He went into an attack stance that
favored his left arm. "Normally I try not to hit ladies, but one thing
is clear: You ain't no lady!" With that, he attacked, and all Akane
could do was watch the new battle unfold.
Argh! I can't use my left arm! She seemed to be almost as good
as Akane, and I know how my sparring matches against her fared. This
isn't good, but I have to do something!
Kenji feinted with his right, then worked through a series of
kicks, trying to keep his left arm safe, but all of them were either
blocked or dodged by the myraid tools produced by his opponent. Kodachi
responded in kind with a few well-placed club strikes of her own.
They danced around a bit, neither one able to land more than a
few strikes each. Kenji managed to dodge most of her latest attacks, but
one roundhouse crashed into his left arm before he could do anything.
Pain lanced through him and sparks exploded in his vision, momentarily
stunning him, but that moment was enough.
Kodachi seized the opportunity to whack him a few times with
her club, finishing with a strike to his stomach. As the air was forced
from his lungs, Kenji collapsed onto his back. He landed next to Akane,
glancing up into her face.
She was looking down at him and seemed to have a tear in her eye
as she tried to mouth, "I'm sorry."
Then, a shadow was over them. They didn't have to guess who it
was.
"Well, now, that was a pathetic display," Kodachi smirked. "I'll
deal with you, little boy, in a moment after I get my true prize!" Kenji
watched in horror as she raised her club once more, and there was
nothing he could do. No!
Then, the wind gathered.
Kenji forced himself to a sitting position and thrust out his
right arm, palm outward towards Kodachi. A blast of wind rushed from
behind him to gather at his palm, then shoot with tremendous force to
slam into the leotard-clad girl. The Black Rose was tossed several yards
away to be dumped on the ground.
Kenji froze. What in the world was that!? he wondered. A quick
glance at Akane told him she was thinking the same thing.
"I don't know how you did that," came a familiar female voice.
"But, now you've just sealed your fate as well." Kodachi was standing up
the same time as Kenji.
"Just leave already!" Kenji yelled. "There's no point in this
continuing!"
Kodachi shook her head. "Ah, but there is!"
With that, she took her right hand out from behind her back
where she was hiding it and flicked something at Kenji. He thought he
managed to dodge it when he suddenly felt a constricting force around
his neck. His hands went immediately up to try and free himself of the
long ribbon that was protruding from a handle in Kodachi's grip, and
wrapped around his neck. He was forced to his knees with a quick tug
from Kodachi, and he could only stare hopelessly while Kodachi produced
a hoola hoop.
A hoola hoop? he thought in utter astonishment. Clubs,
ribbons, and now a hula hoop... Who is this crazy chick?
Kodachi hit something on the hoop and small blades sprung from
it, transforming it into a lethal buzzsaw. She grinned maliciously, then
tossed it towards a helpless and suddenly very scared Kenji. His eyes
began to close as he started to run out of air. I guess I'll find out
who I was in the afterlife...
He caught a flash of silver in his periphial vision, and
suddenly the ribbon released. Kenji didn't so much as dodge the buzzaw,
but more like fell out of its way just before impact. It spun away and
landed somewhere, he wasn't quite sure where. He looked up to see a
small spatula embedded in the ground and someone standing in front of
him.
"You okay, Kenji-san?" Ukyo's welcome voice came to him.
"Am I... glad to... see you," Kenji managed to cough out as his
airflow returned. "I coulda taken her if it wasn't for my arm."
"Just let me handle this," she replied, then assumed a fighting
stance, drawing her huge spatula off her back and holding it in both
hands.
"No!" came another female voice. Kenji looked up to see a
redheaded, pig-tailed girl land in front of Ukyo. "This is my fight!"
"But Ran-" Ukyo started.
"She hurt Akane, she's mine!" Kenji got a better look at the
speaker. She was slightly shorter than Ukyo and was wearing a red
Chinese shirt and black pants... almost like... Ranma? "Get Akane and
Kenji out of here!"
Ukyo glanced back at Kenji. "Whatever you say, Ranko." She
turned away and helped Kenji to his feet. "You okay, sugar?"
The amnesiac tested his legs. "I think I can walk, but Akane-
san was hit by some sort of paralysis powder."
Ukyo swore, then went over and picked her up. "Sorry about this
Akane-chan, but we gotta get you to a doctor."
Kenji thought he saw Akane nod slightly as he began to follow
Ukyo out of the ring of students that had gathered to watch the new
redhead battle the maniacal laughing gymnast.
Kenji risked a look back. "But what about that girl?" he asked
indicating the red-head.
"He-" Ukyo shook herself. "She'll be fine, she can take care of
herself. Kodachi must've sent that note to get me away. There was no one
to meet me when I arrived at the location the note detailed."
Kenji could only nod as they left the school grounds. As they
walked briskly away, Kenji thought he could hear a "Kenchu Tenshin
Amaguriken" being yelled by the red head. Chestnuts roasting on an open
fire? What has that got to do with anything?
He was now walking next to Ukyo (who was still carrying Akane),
still lost in thought over all that had happened. That blast of wind,
how did I do that? Well, maybe I didn't but someone else did. If so,
who? If I did it, then just what sort of person was I? Also, that red-
headed girl looked kinda familiar; could she be someone from my past?
"A yen for your thoughts?" Kenji started as Ukyo asked him the
question.
"Uh, I was just thinking that red-headed girl looked familiar, "
said Kenji. Better not tell anyone about that wind blast just yet, at
least until I figure it out. "I think she may be someone from my past,
since she seems so familiar, but I just can't place her." Ukyo giggled.
"I was thinking... what's so funny?"
"Nothin' sugar," Ukyo explained. "She's just someone at school
who you'll meet sometime."
Kenji nodded, then they found themselves at a clinic. "Why are
we here?"
"Oh, that's right," Ukyo realized. "You haven't been here
before. This is Tofu-sensei's clinic. Good thing it's so close to the
school."
Kenji looked thoughtful. "Tofu, he's the guy who treated me
when I first arrived at the Tendo dojo."
"Tofu-sensei?" Ukyo called when they entered the reception area.
"You in here?"
A man's face, who Kenji recognized as belonging to the doc,
appeared from behind a curtain. "Ah, Ukyo-chan! What are you doing
here?" Then he took notice of everybody else. "Akane-chan and Kenji-san,
too! What happened to you two?"
Ukyo was still carrying Akane and Kenji was holding his left
arm. Kenji caught a glance of himself in a mirror and flinched. Dirt
scuffs and several rips covered his new school uniform. He had a nasty
bruise forming on his right cheek, too.
"We were attacked by Kodachi again," Ukyo explained as Tofu led
them back into the examination room. She laid Akane down on the
examination table. "Akane got hit by a paralysis powder and Kenji was
hurt pretty bad."
"Hmmm...." was all Tofu said as he examined Akane. He then went
to one of his shelves and got a small container filled with some purple
stuff. He unscrewed the top and sprinkled some of the contents under
Akane's nose. Slowly, but surely, Akane started to move. She sat up and
began to check all of her muscles.
"Ah, thanks Tofu-sensei!" said Akane. "I feel much better!"
The doctor smiled. "Just her standard stuff. I always keep some
antidotes to all her potions and powders on hand. In fact, I don't think
she's tried anything really new in quite awhile. We might be due for
something any day now." Tofu turned to Kenji. "Now it's your turn, have
a seat." He patted the examination table as Akane jumped down. Kenji
took her place. "Now, what hurts?"
"My left arm mainly. Everything is just bruises, I think." Kenji
stiffened as Tofu prodded his arm.
"I make the diagnosis here," said Tofu. "Though, in this case,
you're right. Nothing too serious and your arm's not broken, but your
shoulder is dislocated. Hold still." Tofu hit a few pressure points,
then quickly popped his arm back into place. Kenji was expecting at
least a little pain, but there was none, which surprised him. "There is
no break, but you have a few bruised tendons and muscles. I suggest not
using this arm as much as possible, and it should heal in a day or two."
Kenji let out a deep breath he didn't realize he was holding.
"Thanks, uh, I guess that's two I owe you now."
Tofu waved him off. "You're covered under the Tendo health
plan, which is quite comprehensive, I assure you." Ukyo and Akane
laughed at that, to Kenji's confusion. "As for you memory loss, I have a
few suspicions, but I have to consult with someone before I'll know for
sure. It seems that part of your memory is just repressed because of
some sort of..." Tofu hesitated.
"Some sort of what?" Kenji asked. "Come on, tell me doc!"
Tofu resumed. "Some sort of trauma." Kenji heard Akane gasp and
wondered what he could have been through that was so bad, he'd block it
out. "But that's not all, there was also some sort of magic applied to
further bind your memory. Mainly just the parts dealing with your
personal life. The rest of your brain that contains general knowledge
was left intact."
Kenji could only sit there in silence while he tried to digest
all this. Trauma and magic? What's going on? Wait a minute! He looked
up. "Magic? There ain't no such thing!"
Tofu just shook his head. "Well, it's not important right now.
I still have to talk with someone."
Akane spoke up, having a sneaking suspicion. "Who? you don't
mean..."
Tofu nodded as he guessed what she was going to say. "Yes,
Cologne-san is the only one I can think of off hand who might know for
sure and what steps to take."
"You can't let that old ghoul get her hands on Kenji-san!" Ukyo
spoke up for the first time, shooting to her feet from the chair she was
in.
"Don't worry about it," Tofu assured them. "I won't let anything
happen to him. Now I suggest you all get back to class."
He ushered them out of the clinic and they started their walk
back to school. Nobody said much, either during the walk, or at school.
Each was lost in their own thoughts.
Back at school, Kenji only had to take a few more tests, then a
school advisor helped him get a class schedule. When his classes got
hammered out, he was informed he'd start attending them Tuesday. Since
classes had started a couple of weeks ago, he was going to have to try
and catch up on the missed work if he was going to pass any of them.
Passing through the schoolyard, he spied a couple of boys in
kendo garb heading into the gym. Akane said Kuno was the kendo champion
here at school, and I still need to have a talk with him. So decided,
he followed the two boys into the gym.
Inside, there were about 15 other boys dressed similarly and
going through various kendo exercises. Scanning the gym, he found his
target.
A bokken lanced across his path, preventing him from going more
than a few steps. "Hold!"
Kenji eyed the guy holding it. "What's your problem?"
"What's your purpose here?" the guy said from underneath his
kendo mask.
"Why should I tell you?" Kenji demanded to know, his voice
becoming threatening. "It's none of your business."
He found another bokken pointed at him. "I think you'd do well
to answer the man's question," the large man who owned it told him.
From what Kenji could remember, kendo was mainly a sport and
not a very dangerous martial art to a serious opponent. Threat
Assessment: Low.
"My `business' is not with you," Kenji replied. "Now be a good
boy and back off."
"You hear that guys?" The large man sneered. "He wants us to
back off." A round of laughs echoed in the gym.
Kenji yawned and glanced around. Kuno was now leaning silently
against the wall and observing the unfolding situation. I didn't really
want to make a scene, but it looks like if I want any respect here, I'm
going to have to earn it.
"Tell you what," the large man continued. "If you can beat me,
we won't throw you out right now." He grinned. "You can call me Hiro.
I'm second-in-command of the kendo club here."
Someone tossed a bokken at Kenji and he snagged it out of the
air by the handle. He twirled the blade around, impressing both his
audience and himself. Where'd I learn to use a sword like this?
Outwardly, he remarked, "Not bad, but kendo's a child's sport."
Hiro flipped his mask down as the others backed away. "Who said
anything about kendo?" He attacked.
Kenji brought the weapon up and parried the first three blows,
before finding his feet swept out from under him. He hit the ground with
a *thud*, then rolled away and flipped back to his feet.
Hiro was grinning at him. "Not bad for a newbie."
Kenji shrugged. "Just warming up. I'm guessing there are no
rules?"
Hiro didn't bother to nod as he attacked again. Kenji performed
better this time, though several strikes came dangerously close to
touching him. He's not bad, but after my sparring sessions with Ranma
and Akane, he's working in slow motion.
Kenji tried to let instinct guide his actions more than
anything else, since it seemed he could use a blade, he just didn't
actually remember how. In any case, it worked. On the next pass, Kenji
managed several body blows by flipping over Hiro's head. When he turned
to face his adversary, Kenji distracted him with the sword thrusts
again. Once Hiro was in position, Kenji disarmed him with a hand chop to
the wrist and pointed the blade at Hiro's neck when the larger boy went
for his downed blade.
"Want some more, big boy?" he sneered at his downed opponent.
"Very well done," came a familiar voice from the sidelines. "It
isn't many who can best my second in one of our special matches." The
kendo group dissipated to let the two talk. "What be thy name?"
Kenji blinked. "Uh, you met me this morning. Don't you
remember? It's Kenji."
"Ah yes. You must forgive me, as many a distraction begs time
from my noble self. Dost though wish to join our noble kendo
institution?"
Maybe this wasn't such a good idea. "Naw, that's okay. Listen,
I just wanted to talk with you about some things."
Kuno nodded. "If you wish for me to impart a potion of my vast
wisdom upon thee, you need but ask. But make quick, for I am a busy
man."
"Uh, yeah. This morning you said something about Ranma using
dark magic?"
Kuno's visage darkened. "It be true. He ensorcelles those
around him, most notably Tendo Akane and the pig-tailed girl so they
remained trapped in his dark will. They are not free to show their
affection for me."
Kenji cocked his head. He remembered Akane hitting and arguing
with Ranma a couple of times. Would she do that if she were
`ensorcelled? But if there's even a chance... "Really. You see, the
last thing I remember is waking up in the Tendo dojo. I have no real
memory before that."
"So you must be a victim of his dark arts," Kuno concluded. "I
caution you to be wary around him. And if you happen to discover the
source of his power, I would pay well for that information." He looked
up. "Now I have other things to attend to. I must begin my daily
meditations on how to free both Tendo Akane and the pig-tailed girl so
they may date with me!"
"Both of them?" Kenji asked, incredously.
"Of course! The Blue thunder cannot be satisfied by any one
woman. That, and I cannot decide between them, so I must have both! Now
I must go."
With that he walked away and Kenji was left scratching his
head. He was still scratching it as he left the gym. Well, that was a
total waste. Kuno really is a looney.
"Hey Kenji-san!" Akane found him.
"Akane-san," Kenji said. "I was hoping I could find someone who
could take me back." They started the walk when Kenji realized something
else. "Hey, where are Ukyo-san and Ranma-san?"
"Ukyo's already left and Ranma had to stay and work on some
stuff," she explained. "He'll be back later."
They walked a little farther and Akane wrestled with whether or
not to ask something that had been on her mind since the fight. She
finally decided in favor of it.
"Kenji-san?" she started. "Can I ask you something?"
He shrugged. "I suppose."
"It's about the fight. I-" she paused, then continued in a lower
voice. "I first want to thank you for stepping in. Not that I couldn't
have beat her," she added hastily. "She just surprised me."
He shrugged again. Truth be told, he was also quite unsure why
he stepped in. "It's nothin'. I couldn't very well let someone get beat
up that was unable to fight back. It just doesn't seem right, somehow."
Akane nodded. "Also, about that thing you did to stop Kodachi
from hitting me the second time..." She let her voice trail off.
Kenji gulped. "I... I really don't know. Heck, I'm not even
sure if I did that, or if it
was someone else doing it. I just felt I needed to DO something and then
my body reacted."
Akane nodded. "I felt the wind suddenly change and then blow
past me. After Kodachi was knocked away, I saw a look of fear in your
face and I was worried."
"Really?" Kenji saw Akane nod again. "Look, as far as I'm
concerned, that was just a fluke of nature thing, not in my control. I
tried a few times when I got back to school, but nothing happened, so I
think it was either a freak accident, or someone else's doing."
"Hmm... Well, we'll figure it out later," she tried to reassure
him as they reached the Tendo Dojo.
She seperated from him and entered the house, while he headed
to the dojo to relax. Someone was standing in the doorway, apparently
waiting for him.
"What do you want, Tendo?" the amnesiac asked, tiredly.
"Heard there was a fight today," Nabiki replied simply. "And you
were involved. Helped Akane out, even."
He shrugged. "Yeah, so?"
"I just find it strangely convenient that you were in the right
place at the right time."
He shrugged again and pushed passed her. "Just lucky, I guess."
"Let's cut to the chase," she said suddenly. "Akane may be
starting to believe you, but don't think for a moment I do."
"I couldn't care less," he drawled, his back to her.
A quick flash of anger stole across her face, but it soon left
and Kenji never saw it.
"Very well, just letting you know where I stand," She turned and
left.
Dinner past quickly and Kenji soon found himself exhausted from
the day's events. He was out cold by the time his head hit the pillow.