Greetings...
Here we go again! Remember to send your credit card numbers to this
address:
oddball22@hotmail.com
DISCLAIMER: I didn't create these characters! Really, I didn't! I'm just
a lackey set up to take the fall, be the scapegoat, a patsy, chump, fall
guy...
Ranma 1/2: New Challenges
Winds of Change
Chapter 6
Ranma woke up and checked himself, sighing when he realized he
was female.
Normally, this wouldn't be a question for most people, but
Ranma's unique disposition negated that. Somedays he woke up male, some
female; even when he went to bed as the opposite gender. He long ago
stopped wondering why he'd get changed in the middle of the night, since
it seemed to happen quite frequently.
Yawning, she grabbed her toiletries and headed to the bathroom.
Still half-asleep, she disrobed and tossed her clothes into the hamper,
then tossed her towel over her shoulder and strode into the bathroom.
The careful reader would note that fate would usually have
Akane already in there, and would administer some punishment for Ranma's
half-asleep error.
However, today was different.
Her fogged brain instead took a minute to process form the
question of why there was a dog in the bathroom, and why was it's nose
bleeding? Then she blinked, realization setting in as she figured out
who it was.
"Remember, hot water reverses it," the redhead told him,
pointing to the furo.
The wolf broke it's gaze away and jumped into the bath. A
feeling of relief came over Kenji as his natural form came back to him,
then froze. Wait a minute! There's a naked girl in the bathroom. No,
wait. That's Ranma! What is he doing!? The amnesiac youth slowly turned
around to see *her* washing down.
Still in the nude.
With no clothes on.
He quickly turned his back to her again, his mind forming one
question and passing it along to his mouth. "What the hell are you
doing!?"
"What?" Ranma's confused voice asked. "Just washin' down."
Kenji sputtered. "B-but... but you're a girl!"
"I am not!" Ranma's female voice protested. "I'm a guy!" .
"Doesn't look like it!" Kenji countered.
Ranma huffed, then poured a bucket of water over her head to
rinse off the soap suds. "I. Am. A. Guy. Despite what I look like. And
what about you, dog-boy?"
Kenji screwed his eyes shut, his nostrils flaring. He then
stood up. "And who's fault is that?" he accused, while reaching for his
towel, still keeping his eyes off the naked girl. "I haven't forgiven
you for that." He quickly left the bathroom.
Ranma sighed noisily as she slid into the furo and returned to
his normal gender. Great, someone else who blames me for their
problems. That's nothing new.
Breakfast was served by Kasumi. At the table, both the Tendos
and Saotomes reiterated their desire for him to stay, and Kenji very
reluctantly agreed. Part of him was glad to stay (not that he'd admit
it), but most of him was still itching to leave and search for his real
life.
Breakfast passed in silence after that, and Kenji somehow
sensed his depressive mood was dampening the atmosphere, but he didn't
care.
Ranma was wondering what he could do about it. If he was
Ryoga, I'd just insult him until he wanted to kill me again. A slow
smile spread across his face. Actually, that ain't a bad idea. Ryoga
hasn't been around for awhile, and I need a good opponent to spar with.
Kenji's not that bad...
He waited until after the group began to break up immediately
following the morning meal. As predicted, Kenji started to wander off
alone. He was just approaching the gate to the Tendo compound when Ranma
caught up to him.
"Heya dog-boy, what'cha doin'?"
"Shut up, Saotome," Kenji snapped, from the gateway to the Tendo
property. "And go away."
"Aw, you don't want me to do that," Ranma returned from his
perch on Kenji's head.
"Get offa me!" The amnesiac threw a punch up to knock Ranma off,
but the pig-tailed boy had already leapt to the top of the outer wall.
Ranma could see the other boy's temper was beginning to flare.
"Man, that was pathetic. Whatsa matter? Fleas gettin' to ya?"
"Shut up or else," Kenji threatened through clenched teeth. Part
of him knew he didn't really stand a chance against the pig-tailed
martial artist, and that was why he was holding himself in check.
Another part knew Ranma was intentionally goading him.. "Get lost."
"Yeah, that's what it it is!" Ranma said in realization. "You
just got fleas! Well, that's easily fixed, we'll just get ya a flea
collar."
Kenji leapt up and tried to jump kick Ranma off the wall, but
missed when the target jumped back. "Shut up!"
Ranma seemed to ignore him as he continued talking. "We'll make
it a nice pink color with bells and frilly things. And if we're really
lucky, we can hook ya up with one with a nice little poodle or
something!"
Kenji's restraint was almost audible as it snapped.
"AAAAUUUGGGHHH!"
The fight that followed lasted almost half an hour, since Ranma
wasn't really trying to beat him, so much as he was just getting Kenji
to work out his frustrations. Truth be told, Ranma thought, the amnesiac
martial artist did seem to be getting better; he was able to land a
couple of blows, though to Ranma, they still didn't hurt much.
Eventually, Kenji was left panting against a wall, having
managed to practically exhaust himself in the fight. He was bruised and
in pain, but strangely he was actually feeling a little better. He
glanced up to see Ranma grinning at him.
"What's your problem!?" he demanded to know.
"That wasn't too bad," Ranma answered, nonchalantly. "Of course,
I've seen better." He thought of Ryoga, Mousse, and Taro. "But then
again, I've seen worse." Thoughts of the Kunos went through his head,
then he shivered and pushed them out again.
Kenji sighed, shook his head, and started back into the dojo.
Inisde, he found Akane going through several cement blocks. In fact, she
had piled seven on top of each other and was in the midst of driving her
fist through all of them.
"How do you do that!?" he exclaimed, after the pile had been
reduced to rubble.
She smiled at him. "Focus. And spending a couple years
practicing it."
Ranma followed Kenji in. "More like brute strength."
Akane was tempted to show Ranma her `brute strength', but
instead settled for sticking her tongue out at him. Then she noticed
Kenji's battered condition. "What happened to you?"
The amnesiac spared Ranma a half-venomous glare. "You can thank
your fiance for that." He shook his head. "Like it was even a fair fight
to begin with. Maybe you should teach me those fancy moves of yours? The
blue fireball thingy, and that fast punch technique?"
"You mean the Moko Takabisha and the Chestnut fist?" Ranma
asked.
He nodded, trying not to look too eager. If I can learn his
moves, then maybe... "Yeah, that's what they're called."
Ranma hesitated. "Well, I don't know. Those techniques are
pretty dangerous and hard to learn. Ya need to have superior focus to
even attempt them, let alone get 'em out successfully."
"What about that wind blast, Kenji-san?" Akane suggested, then
realized what she said when it was too late. "Oops."
Ranma cocked his head. "What wind blast?"
Akane continued when Kenji shrugged that it was okay. "Well,
when we were attacked by Kodachi several days ago, and I was paralyzed,
I was about to get hit by her when Kenji did something. I felt a strong
gust of wind and she went flying backwards."
"I told you I'm not even sure I was the one who did it," Kenji
added.
"I think you were," she countered. "It felt like it came from
you."
Ranma looked thoughtful, the idea of learning a new technique
fueling his excitement. "Interesting. Well, if ya did it once, we can
get ya ta do it again."
"How?" Kenji asked.
Ranma grinned. "By recreatin' the circumstances that caused ya
to do it in the first place."
The amnesiac smirked and said sarcastically, "You mean I have
to dislocate my shoulder, paralyze Akane, and get attacked by Kodachi
again?"
Ranma and Akane blanched.
"Naw, just get them similar," Ranma explained. "Here, we'll try
this. Why don't you two get inta the position you were in before and
I'll be Kodachi." Akane dropped to her shins and Kenji laid down beside
her. "Now, I'll come at Akane, and you do what you did before to stop
me."
Kenji nodded. Ranma began to run towards Akane with his fist
raised. Kenji rose to a sitting position and stretched his hand out,
palm forward. Ranma was just about to strike when Kenji willed the wind
to strike. Nothing happened. Ranma's fist flew past Akane's head and
struck the ground behind her.
"See, I thought it wouldn't work," Kenji said dejectedly.
"Don't be so quick to quit," said Ranma. "It took me quite
awhile to develop the Moko Takabisha. I just think we're missin'
somethin'." Ranma thought for a second. "What were you feeling at that
moment?"
"Huh?" Kenji looked questionably at him.
"I've found that what you're feelin' and thinkin' makes a move
easier or harder to pull off," Ranma explained. "For instance, the Moko
Takabisha is fueled by confidence."
"Don't you mean ego?" Akane quipped.
Ranma stuck his tongue out at her, then turned back to Kenji.
"Now what were you feeling?"
The amnesiac young man thought back. "Well, I was hurt and
angry. I guess a little bit scared. I knew she was going to hit Akane,
and I just wanted to stop her."
Ranma looked thoughtful. "The desire to protect... That might
be it. Ok, let's try it again. This time, try thinkin' all that stuff
you did before."
Kenji nodded and they set it up again. He made himself angry
and scared as Ranma began his charge. He intensified those feelings, and
the effect was that his heart began to beat faster. Sitting up, he
extended his hand, palm forward. Ranma closed the distance and began to
bring his fist down, while Kenji tried to imagine a genuine threat to
Akane.
He snapped his eyes open.
As Ranma's fist grew closer, a gust of wind flew past Kenji,
gathered in palm and struck outward. It wasn't as strong as before, but
it was enough to throw Ranma off a bit so he missed Akane by a wide
margin and tumbled to the floor.
Kenji sat there for a few seconds and stared at his hand. "I...
I guess... I did... do that..." he managed. "Did I?"
Ranma sat up with a smile on his face. "Heh! Now that's more
like it. I did feel an odd change in the air flow and before I knew it,
the wind hit me and I was forced sideways."
"That was great, Kenji-kun!" Akane complimented him.
Kenji smiled wide. "I've got real power!" Then he frowned. "But
it wasn't as strong as before."
"Probably because part of you knew Akane wasn't in real danger,"
Ranma said thoughtfully. "Now you'll just have to give it a name." Ranma
tapped his fingers on the floor and thought. "We could also use someone
who poses a real threat, just enough to make you feel a good sense of
danger. Now who would...."
As if on cue, the door slid open and Kenji saw a new boy with a
yellow shirt and a yellow and black striped bandanna around his head,
standing there. He was also wielding an... umbrella?
"SAOTOME, PREPARE TO DIE!" he yelled, before charging his
target.
"Ryoga?" said Akane silently, just loud enough for Kenji to
hear. The she grabbed him and pulled him to the side.
"What's going on?" Kenji asked.
"Ryoga-kun's always after Ranma for something," she explained.
"But it's usually Ranma's fault, so I don't get involved. Don't worry,
Ranma can handle him."
"Chill Ryoga, what'd I do this time?" Ranma asked as he dodged
the umbrella repeatedly.
"You tried to kiss me, you hentai!" he yelled, his attacks
growing fiercer.
"Ryoga!" Ranma yelled back. "That wasn't my fault, I can
explain!"
"Shut up!" his opponent snarled.
The two battled around the dojo for about 30 seconds before
Ryoga landed a series of blows that slammed Ranma into the wall. Ryoga
began to glow a faint white, then, in one smooth motion, he brought his
hands together.
"Shi Shi Hokoudan!" he yelled, prompting a beam to lance out and
knock Ranma through the wall and into the yard.
"Ranma!" the two sideliners exclaimed.
Akane and Kenji followed the battle outside, but it was
becoming clear who would win this fight.
"Why isn't Ranma-san using any of those techniques he used
before to save me?" Kenji asked.
"I was wondering the same thing myself," Akane replied.
Another few volley's of attacks were exchanged, then Ranma was
slammed against the outer wall, sliding slowly to the ground. He didn't
seem to be moving. Ryoga picked up his umbrella and leaped into the air,
coming down point first.
"Now I've got you!"
A sickening feeling welled up inside the amnesiac youth as he
realized what that could do to Ranma, tough as he was. While Ryoga
descended, Kenji suddenly decided that upon a course of action. Ranma
had saved his life, even if he ended up cursed. It was time to repay the
debt.
Kenji put both hands together and concentrated. The desire to
protect Ranma filled him. A faint gray aura surrounded his body as he
gathered his ki. The wind changed and gathered. He felt something inside
as the energies gathered, almost like a barrier, but didn't give it much
thought. He snapped opened his eyes and concentrated on the downward
heading figure.
The words tumbled from his lips almost without thought. "KIJIN
BOUHUUKEN!" he yelled. All at once the wind blew past Kenji, gathered in
his foreword facing palms, and flew foreword.
Ryoga turned after hearing the shout, a split second before 200
mph winds struck him in a concentrated force. He was blown him out of
the yard and sent soaring over several houses to disappear into the
horizon.
Suddenly, Kenji found his legs wouldn't support him. He dropped
onto his butt, feeling like someone had just zapped all the strength out
of his body. He looked up to see Ranma sitting up and smiling at him,
despite having a bruised and battered body. He was actually giving Kenji
the thumbs up!
Akane could only stand and stare.
"I was wondering when you were going to do something!" Ranma
chuckled while returning to his feet.
Kenji could only stammer out a "Nani?"
"Well, I figured this would be as good as chance as any to get
that `Fierce God Windstorm Attack' of yours to fully activate," Ranma
explained. "Nice name, by the way."
His iinazuke wasn't as amused.
Akane's voice started low but gradually rose. "You mean you
held back on purpose so Ryoga-kun could beat you to a bloody pulp all
because you wanted to put yourself in a dangerous enough situation which
you hoped would be enough to get Kenji to save you!?" Ranma nodded, his
smile disappearing. "BAKA!" She pelted him across the yard and into the
pond. "How dare you make me worry like that! Come on, Kenji-kun!" She
grabbed his arm and dragged him towards the house.
Kenji didn't have the strength to resist as Akane took him
inside, even if he wanted to resist, which he didn't. The thunderous
expression she wore convinced him to go along peacefully.
An hour later, Kenji had taken a bath and recovered his
strength. Then Akane informed him she had scheduled a day of fun to help
take his mind off troubles for one day. Kenji objected, saying he'd
rather train some more, but Akane showed him a note she had obtained
from Dr. Tofu. In it, the doctor had practically made it an order for
him to relax and have fun. He said it might help his memory if he were
to spend a day to unwind and take his mind off current events.
That last part convinced the amnesiac to go along with it,
albeit reluctantly. He would've rather have learned some more from
Ranma. He had thought that if he could learn enough of Ranma's fighting
style, he might be able to really beat him and pay him back for both the
sucker punches and his curse.
He exited the house with Ranma and Akane as they led him down
the street. Glancing over at the pig-tailed martial artist, Kenji still
found it funny to know Ranma became a girl. Though I suppose it beats
becoming some mangy dog, Kenji thought. At least he/she remains human
and stays dressed.
Then another thought struck him. "Hey, won't that Ryoga guy be
back soon?"
Ranma laughed. "With the sense of direction he's got, he should
be back ina coupla weeks if he really wants ta find me."
Akane sighed. "Unfortunately, Ranma's right. Poor Ryoga-kun is
constantly getting lost so we won't see him for awhile. Speaking of
which, I haven't seen P-chan in awhile either."
Kenji thought he saw Ranma scowl, then quickly hide it. "Who's
P-chan?"
"He's my small, black, pet piglet," Akane answered. "He tends to
wander off occasionally, but he always comes back. If you see him, could
you bring him home?"
Kenji nodded. "Got it. If I see a small, black piglet, bring
him back."
Akane smiled. "Arigato!"
Kenji shook his head as she turned to talk to Ranma. What is
with these people? Why are they being so nice to me when they don't even
know me? I don't even know who I am, and I don't trust myself. I may
never understand why they want me around.
By the time Kenji looked up, they were stopped in front of
Ucchan's. He blinked as Akane pulled himside. "What are we doing here?"
he asked her.
"Ukyo-chan is going to join us!" Akane stated.
Kenji frowned. "But why's she gotta come along?" he complained.
*Clang!* A large, flat, metal object promptly found his head.
"I'm so glad you're eager for me to join you," Ukyo drawled from behind
him.
He pried the spatula off his head. "Ouch! What'd you hit me
for!?" Now I REALLY wonder if this is such a good idea.
Ranma chuckled, for once NOT the object of a female inflicted
pounding.
"I'll be ready in a moment, Akane-chan," Ukyo said. She replaced
her battle spatula on her back and went into the back room. The
restaurant was relatively empty of customers at the moment, but Ukyo had
said the dinner hours were the busiest times.
Ranma motioned Akane over, after Kenji took a seat at the grill
to wait. They were far enough away to talk softly without being
overheard.
"What is it, Ranma?"
"Are you still sure about this?" Ranma asked, doubt clearly
written on his face. "I'm all for Ucchan finding someone else ta take
her mind off me, but, why him?"
Akane shrugged. "Why not? Like I said, he seems to like her and
vice versa. That, and I can't think of anyone else at the moment. She
doesn't feel anything for Konatsu, poor guy. And I think they need each
other, at least for now." She nervously reached out and took his hand,
giving a gentle squeeze. Ranma seemed to brighten at the contact.
"Kenji-kun needs someone to really trust and open up to, and
Ukyo-chan needs someone to make her feel special." She smiled. "Ryoga
might've been good; remember the haunted cave?"
Ranma chuckled. "I really thought they had something going."
"They might have, but Ukyo's been too hung up on you to do
anything about it. And Ryoga is with Akari now."
A smiled flitted across Ranma's face. "Yeah, pig-boy's really
lucky to have her."
"The point is," Akane continued, catching his eyes with her own,
"everybody needs somebody. No one needs to be alone..." A minor blush
colored her cheeks.
Ranma suddenly became aware that she wasn't just talking about
Ukyo and Kenji anymore, and also of Akane holding his hand. Does
she...? "Akane..."
"I'm ready!" came Ukyo's voice, interupting whatever Ranma was
going to say.
Ranma and Akane were suddenly several feet apart and standing.
"Uh, ready to go, Ucchan!" Ranma said, nervously.
Akane sighed. Maybe later.
The quartet headed out of the restaurant.
Nearby, another figure watched them leave. Hmmm... so this is
the one. he thought. None of of them look like much. I could take all
of them easy. Almost immediately, his master's words came back to him.
"Find him, watch him, but take no action." The figure sighed.
Oh well, at least this was better than sitting around that
stuffy cave.
The group didn't get too far when the inevitable happened.
No, not rain, something much worse (at least in Ranma's
opinion).
"Nihao, Airen!" came the call of the purple-headed Amazon on the
dreaded bicycle of death. "Shampoo have free day from restaurant. Ranma
can take Shampoo on date!"
"Ohohoho! Did I hear my Ranma-sama's name mentioned?"
"Saotome, you cur! I shall smite thee!"
"Oh great," Ranma muttered.
"They're going to ruin everything!" Akane whispered to him.
Ranma sighed. "Leave it to me." He leapt to the top of a nearby
building. "Hey, if anyone wants me, here I am!"
The remaining trio watched as a rooftop-traveling bicycle, a
leaotard clad gymnast, and a angry kendoist converged on Ranma's
position. He promptly took off across the rooftops with three figures in
hot pursuit.
"Well, now what?" Ukyo asked, hands on her hips. "Should we go
after him?"
Akane shook her head. "No, I don't want to let this spoil the
day." She watched the direction her fiance headed off in. "Besides, I
think I know where's he headed. Here, take these." She pulled out a
couple of movie passes and handed them to Ukyo and Kenji. "I'll go get
him and we'll meet you at the movie theater later, or the restaurant if
we can't make the movie." She wrote down the name of the restaurant,
then took off down the street without another word.
"Akane-chan, wait!" Ukyo called, but it was too late.
"Well, what now?" Kenji asked, somewhat exasperated.
She turned to look at him. "We go see a movie, what else?"
"W-what, just us!?" he blurted.
She scowled at him. "And what's so bad about that?"
Ukyo looked like she was itching for a reason to reach for the
huge spatula on her back, so Kenji backed off. "Uh, nothin', I guess."
This better not be some plot of theirs. I can't afford to let myself
get too distracted.
The okonomiyaki chef relaxed. "Well, you heard her. They'll
catch up later. Let's go."
-------------------------------------------------------------
Author's notes:
The translation for Kenji's attack, Kijin Bouhuuken, means: `Fierce God
Windstorm attack' At least I think I'm getting this right. I'm not
really adept at Japanese, so if I got this wrong and someone wants to
correct me, feel free. I actually wanted `Raging Windstorm', but I
couldn't find the appropriate Japenese for `Raging'. If you know, tell
me! Will pay bug bucks!
Here we go again! Remember to send your credit card numbers to this
address:
oddball22@hotmail.com
DISCLAIMER: I didn't create these characters! Really, I didn't! I'm just
a lackey set up to take the fall, be the scapegoat, a patsy, chump, fall
guy...
Ranma 1/2: New Challenges
Winds of Change
Chapter 6
Ranma woke up and checked himself, sighing when he realized he
was female.
Normally, this wouldn't be a question for most people, but
Ranma's unique disposition negated that. Somedays he woke up male, some
female; even when he went to bed as the opposite gender. He long ago
stopped wondering why he'd get changed in the middle of the night, since
it seemed to happen quite frequently.
Yawning, she grabbed her toiletries and headed to the bathroom.
Still half-asleep, she disrobed and tossed her clothes into the hamper,
then tossed her towel over her shoulder and strode into the bathroom.
The careful reader would note that fate would usually have
Akane already in there, and would administer some punishment for Ranma's
half-asleep error.
However, today was different.
Her fogged brain instead took a minute to process form the
question of why there was a dog in the bathroom, and why was it's nose
bleeding? Then she blinked, realization setting in as she figured out
who it was.
"Remember, hot water reverses it," the redhead told him,
pointing to the furo.
The wolf broke it's gaze away and jumped into the bath. A
feeling of relief came over Kenji as his natural form came back to him,
then froze. Wait a minute! There's a naked girl in the bathroom. No,
wait. That's Ranma! What is he doing!? The amnesiac youth slowly turned
around to see *her* washing down.
Still in the nude.
With no clothes on.
He quickly turned his back to her again, his mind forming one
question and passing it along to his mouth. "What the hell are you
doing!?"
"What?" Ranma's confused voice asked. "Just washin' down."
Kenji sputtered. "B-but... but you're a girl!"
"I am not!" Ranma's female voice protested. "I'm a guy!" .
"Doesn't look like it!" Kenji countered.
Ranma huffed, then poured a bucket of water over her head to
rinse off the soap suds. "I. Am. A. Guy. Despite what I look like. And
what about you, dog-boy?"
Kenji screwed his eyes shut, his nostrils flaring. He then
stood up. "And who's fault is that?" he accused, while reaching for his
towel, still keeping his eyes off the naked girl. "I haven't forgiven
you for that." He quickly left the bathroom.
Ranma sighed noisily as she slid into the furo and returned to
his normal gender. Great, someone else who blames me for their
problems. That's nothing new.
Breakfast was served by Kasumi. At the table, both the Tendos
and Saotomes reiterated their desire for him to stay, and Kenji very
reluctantly agreed. Part of him was glad to stay (not that he'd admit
it), but most of him was still itching to leave and search for his real
life.
Breakfast passed in silence after that, and Kenji somehow
sensed his depressive mood was dampening the atmosphere, but he didn't
care.
Ranma was wondering what he could do about it. If he was
Ryoga, I'd just insult him until he wanted to kill me again. A slow
smile spread across his face. Actually, that ain't a bad idea. Ryoga
hasn't been around for awhile, and I need a good opponent to spar with.
Kenji's not that bad...
He waited until after the group began to break up immediately
following the morning meal. As predicted, Kenji started to wander off
alone. He was just approaching the gate to the Tendo compound when Ranma
caught up to him.
"Heya dog-boy, what'cha doin'?"
"Shut up, Saotome," Kenji snapped, from the gateway to the Tendo
property. "And go away."
"Aw, you don't want me to do that," Ranma returned from his
perch on Kenji's head.
"Get offa me!" The amnesiac threw a punch up to knock Ranma off,
but the pig-tailed boy had already leapt to the top of the outer wall.
Ranma could see the other boy's temper was beginning to flare.
"Man, that was pathetic. Whatsa matter? Fleas gettin' to ya?"
"Shut up or else," Kenji threatened through clenched teeth. Part
of him knew he didn't really stand a chance against the pig-tailed
martial artist, and that was why he was holding himself in check.
Another part knew Ranma was intentionally goading him.. "Get lost."
"Yeah, that's what it it is!" Ranma said in realization. "You
just got fleas! Well, that's easily fixed, we'll just get ya a flea
collar."
Kenji leapt up and tried to jump kick Ranma off the wall, but
missed when the target jumped back. "Shut up!"
Ranma seemed to ignore him as he continued talking. "We'll make
it a nice pink color with bells and frilly things. And if we're really
lucky, we can hook ya up with one with a nice little poodle or
something!"
Kenji's restraint was almost audible as it snapped.
"AAAAUUUGGGHHH!"
The fight that followed lasted almost half an hour, since Ranma
wasn't really trying to beat him, so much as he was just getting Kenji
to work out his frustrations. Truth be told, Ranma thought, the amnesiac
martial artist did seem to be getting better; he was able to land a
couple of blows, though to Ranma, they still didn't hurt much.
Eventually, Kenji was left panting against a wall, having
managed to practically exhaust himself in the fight. He was bruised and
in pain, but strangely he was actually feeling a little better. He
glanced up to see Ranma grinning at him.
"What's your problem!?" he demanded to know.
"That wasn't too bad," Ranma answered, nonchalantly. "Of course,
I've seen better." He thought of Ryoga, Mousse, and Taro. "But then
again, I've seen worse." Thoughts of the Kunos went through his head,
then he shivered and pushed them out again.
Kenji sighed, shook his head, and started back into the dojo.
Inisde, he found Akane going through several cement blocks. In fact, she
had piled seven on top of each other and was in the midst of driving her
fist through all of them.
"How do you do that!?" he exclaimed, after the pile had been
reduced to rubble.
She smiled at him. "Focus. And spending a couple years
practicing it."
Ranma followed Kenji in. "More like brute strength."
Akane was tempted to show Ranma her `brute strength', but
instead settled for sticking her tongue out at him. Then she noticed
Kenji's battered condition. "What happened to you?"
The amnesiac spared Ranma a half-venomous glare. "You can thank
your fiance for that." He shook his head. "Like it was even a fair fight
to begin with. Maybe you should teach me those fancy moves of yours? The
blue fireball thingy, and that fast punch technique?"
"You mean the Moko Takabisha and the Chestnut fist?" Ranma
asked.
He nodded, trying not to look too eager. If I can learn his
moves, then maybe... "Yeah, that's what they're called."
Ranma hesitated. "Well, I don't know. Those techniques are
pretty dangerous and hard to learn. Ya need to have superior focus to
even attempt them, let alone get 'em out successfully."
"What about that wind blast, Kenji-san?" Akane suggested, then
realized what she said when it was too late. "Oops."
Ranma cocked his head. "What wind blast?"
Akane continued when Kenji shrugged that it was okay. "Well,
when we were attacked by Kodachi several days ago, and I was paralyzed,
I was about to get hit by her when Kenji did something. I felt a strong
gust of wind and she went flying backwards."
"I told you I'm not even sure I was the one who did it," Kenji
added.
"I think you were," she countered. "It felt like it came from
you."
Ranma looked thoughtful, the idea of learning a new technique
fueling his excitement. "Interesting. Well, if ya did it once, we can
get ya ta do it again."
"How?" Kenji asked.
Ranma grinned. "By recreatin' the circumstances that caused ya
to do it in the first place."
The amnesiac smirked and said sarcastically, "You mean I have
to dislocate my shoulder, paralyze Akane, and get attacked by Kodachi
again?"
Ranma and Akane blanched.
"Naw, just get them similar," Ranma explained. "Here, we'll try
this. Why don't you two get inta the position you were in before and
I'll be Kodachi." Akane dropped to her shins and Kenji laid down beside
her. "Now, I'll come at Akane, and you do what you did before to stop
me."
Kenji nodded. Ranma began to run towards Akane with his fist
raised. Kenji rose to a sitting position and stretched his hand out,
palm forward. Ranma was just about to strike when Kenji willed the wind
to strike. Nothing happened. Ranma's fist flew past Akane's head and
struck the ground behind her.
"See, I thought it wouldn't work," Kenji said dejectedly.
"Don't be so quick to quit," said Ranma. "It took me quite
awhile to develop the Moko Takabisha. I just think we're missin'
somethin'." Ranma thought for a second. "What were you feeling at that
moment?"
"Huh?" Kenji looked questionably at him.
"I've found that what you're feelin' and thinkin' makes a move
easier or harder to pull off," Ranma explained. "For instance, the Moko
Takabisha is fueled by confidence."
"Don't you mean ego?" Akane quipped.
Ranma stuck his tongue out at her, then turned back to Kenji.
"Now what were you feeling?"
The amnesiac young man thought back. "Well, I was hurt and
angry. I guess a little bit scared. I knew she was going to hit Akane,
and I just wanted to stop her."
Ranma looked thoughtful. "The desire to protect... That might
be it. Ok, let's try it again. This time, try thinkin' all that stuff
you did before."
Kenji nodded and they set it up again. He made himself angry
and scared as Ranma began his charge. He intensified those feelings, and
the effect was that his heart began to beat faster. Sitting up, he
extended his hand, palm forward. Ranma closed the distance and began to
bring his fist down, while Kenji tried to imagine a genuine threat to
Akane.
He snapped his eyes open.
As Ranma's fist grew closer, a gust of wind flew past Kenji,
gathered in palm and struck outward. It wasn't as strong as before, but
it was enough to throw Ranma off a bit so he missed Akane by a wide
margin and tumbled to the floor.
Kenji sat there for a few seconds and stared at his hand. "I...
I guess... I did... do that..." he managed. "Did I?"
Ranma sat up with a smile on his face. "Heh! Now that's more
like it. I did feel an odd change in the air flow and before I knew it,
the wind hit me and I was forced sideways."
"That was great, Kenji-kun!" Akane complimented him.
Kenji smiled wide. "I've got real power!" Then he frowned. "But
it wasn't as strong as before."
"Probably because part of you knew Akane wasn't in real danger,"
Ranma said thoughtfully. "Now you'll just have to give it a name." Ranma
tapped his fingers on the floor and thought. "We could also use someone
who poses a real threat, just enough to make you feel a good sense of
danger. Now who would...."
As if on cue, the door slid open and Kenji saw a new boy with a
yellow shirt and a yellow and black striped bandanna around his head,
standing there. He was also wielding an... umbrella?
"SAOTOME, PREPARE TO DIE!" he yelled, before charging his
target.
"Ryoga?" said Akane silently, just loud enough for Kenji to
hear. The she grabbed him and pulled him to the side.
"What's going on?" Kenji asked.
"Ryoga-kun's always after Ranma for something," she explained.
"But it's usually Ranma's fault, so I don't get involved. Don't worry,
Ranma can handle him."
"Chill Ryoga, what'd I do this time?" Ranma asked as he dodged
the umbrella repeatedly.
"You tried to kiss me, you hentai!" he yelled, his attacks
growing fiercer.
"Ryoga!" Ranma yelled back. "That wasn't my fault, I can
explain!"
"Shut up!" his opponent snarled.
The two battled around the dojo for about 30 seconds before
Ryoga landed a series of blows that slammed Ranma into the wall. Ryoga
began to glow a faint white, then, in one smooth motion, he brought his
hands together.
"Shi Shi Hokoudan!" he yelled, prompting a beam to lance out and
knock Ranma through the wall and into the yard.
"Ranma!" the two sideliners exclaimed.
Akane and Kenji followed the battle outside, but it was
becoming clear who would win this fight.
"Why isn't Ranma-san using any of those techniques he used
before to save me?" Kenji asked.
"I was wondering the same thing myself," Akane replied.
Another few volley's of attacks were exchanged, then Ranma was
slammed against the outer wall, sliding slowly to the ground. He didn't
seem to be moving. Ryoga picked up his umbrella and leaped into the air,
coming down point first.
"Now I've got you!"
A sickening feeling welled up inside the amnesiac youth as he
realized what that could do to Ranma, tough as he was. While Ryoga
descended, Kenji suddenly decided that upon a course of action. Ranma
had saved his life, even if he ended up cursed. It was time to repay the
debt.
Kenji put both hands together and concentrated. The desire to
protect Ranma filled him. A faint gray aura surrounded his body as he
gathered his ki. The wind changed and gathered. He felt something inside
as the energies gathered, almost like a barrier, but didn't give it much
thought. He snapped opened his eyes and concentrated on the downward
heading figure.
The words tumbled from his lips almost without thought. "KIJIN
BOUHUUKEN!" he yelled. All at once the wind blew past Kenji, gathered in
his foreword facing palms, and flew foreword.
Ryoga turned after hearing the shout, a split second before 200
mph winds struck him in a concentrated force. He was blown him out of
the yard and sent soaring over several houses to disappear into the
horizon.
Suddenly, Kenji found his legs wouldn't support him. He dropped
onto his butt, feeling like someone had just zapped all the strength out
of his body. He looked up to see Ranma sitting up and smiling at him,
despite having a bruised and battered body. He was actually giving Kenji
the thumbs up!
Akane could only stand and stare.
"I was wondering when you were going to do something!" Ranma
chuckled while returning to his feet.
Kenji could only stammer out a "Nani?"
"Well, I figured this would be as good as chance as any to get
that `Fierce God Windstorm Attack' of yours to fully activate," Ranma
explained. "Nice name, by the way."
His iinazuke wasn't as amused.
Akane's voice started low but gradually rose. "You mean you
held back on purpose so Ryoga-kun could beat you to a bloody pulp all
because you wanted to put yourself in a dangerous enough situation which
you hoped would be enough to get Kenji to save you!?" Ranma nodded, his
smile disappearing. "BAKA!" She pelted him across the yard and into the
pond. "How dare you make me worry like that! Come on, Kenji-kun!" She
grabbed his arm and dragged him towards the house.
Kenji didn't have the strength to resist as Akane took him
inside, even if he wanted to resist, which he didn't. The thunderous
expression she wore convinced him to go along peacefully.
An hour later, Kenji had taken a bath and recovered his
strength. Then Akane informed him she had scheduled a day of fun to help
take his mind off troubles for one day. Kenji objected, saying he'd
rather train some more, but Akane showed him a note she had obtained
from Dr. Tofu. In it, the doctor had practically made it an order for
him to relax and have fun. He said it might help his memory if he were
to spend a day to unwind and take his mind off current events.
That last part convinced the amnesiac to go along with it,
albeit reluctantly. He would've rather have learned some more from
Ranma. He had thought that if he could learn enough of Ranma's fighting
style, he might be able to really beat him and pay him back for both the
sucker punches and his curse.
He exited the house with Ranma and Akane as they led him down
the street. Glancing over at the pig-tailed martial artist, Kenji still
found it funny to know Ranma became a girl. Though I suppose it beats
becoming some mangy dog, Kenji thought. At least he/she remains human
and stays dressed.
Then another thought struck him. "Hey, won't that Ryoga guy be
back soon?"
Ranma laughed. "With the sense of direction he's got, he should
be back ina coupla weeks if he really wants ta find me."
Akane sighed. "Unfortunately, Ranma's right. Poor Ryoga-kun is
constantly getting lost so we won't see him for awhile. Speaking of
which, I haven't seen P-chan in awhile either."
Kenji thought he saw Ranma scowl, then quickly hide it. "Who's
P-chan?"
"He's my small, black, pet piglet," Akane answered. "He tends to
wander off occasionally, but he always comes back. If you see him, could
you bring him home?"
Kenji nodded. "Got it. If I see a small, black piglet, bring
him back."
Akane smiled. "Arigato!"
Kenji shook his head as she turned to talk to Ranma. What is
with these people? Why are they being so nice to me when they don't even
know me? I don't even know who I am, and I don't trust myself. I may
never understand why they want me around.
By the time Kenji looked up, they were stopped in front of
Ucchan's. He blinked as Akane pulled himside. "What are we doing here?"
he asked her.
"Ukyo-chan is going to join us!" Akane stated.
Kenji frowned. "But why's she gotta come along?" he complained.
*Clang!* A large, flat, metal object promptly found his head.
"I'm so glad you're eager for me to join you," Ukyo drawled from behind
him.
He pried the spatula off his head. "Ouch! What'd you hit me
for!?" Now I REALLY wonder if this is such a good idea.
Ranma chuckled, for once NOT the object of a female inflicted
pounding.
"I'll be ready in a moment, Akane-chan," Ukyo said. She replaced
her battle spatula on her back and went into the back room. The
restaurant was relatively empty of customers at the moment, but Ukyo had
said the dinner hours were the busiest times.
Ranma motioned Akane over, after Kenji took a seat at the grill
to wait. They were far enough away to talk softly without being
overheard.
"What is it, Ranma?"
"Are you still sure about this?" Ranma asked, doubt clearly
written on his face. "I'm all for Ucchan finding someone else ta take
her mind off me, but, why him?"
Akane shrugged. "Why not? Like I said, he seems to like her and
vice versa. That, and I can't think of anyone else at the moment. She
doesn't feel anything for Konatsu, poor guy. And I think they need each
other, at least for now." She nervously reached out and took his hand,
giving a gentle squeeze. Ranma seemed to brighten at the contact.
"Kenji-kun needs someone to really trust and open up to, and
Ukyo-chan needs someone to make her feel special." She smiled. "Ryoga
might've been good; remember the haunted cave?"
Ranma chuckled. "I really thought they had something going."
"They might have, but Ukyo's been too hung up on you to do
anything about it. And Ryoga is with Akari now."
A smiled flitted across Ranma's face. "Yeah, pig-boy's really
lucky to have her."
"The point is," Akane continued, catching his eyes with her own,
"everybody needs somebody. No one needs to be alone..." A minor blush
colored her cheeks.
Ranma suddenly became aware that she wasn't just talking about
Ukyo and Kenji anymore, and also of Akane holding his hand. Does
she...? "Akane..."
"I'm ready!" came Ukyo's voice, interupting whatever Ranma was
going to say.
Ranma and Akane were suddenly several feet apart and standing.
"Uh, ready to go, Ucchan!" Ranma said, nervously.
Akane sighed. Maybe later.
The quartet headed out of the restaurant.
Nearby, another figure watched them leave. Hmmm... so this is
the one. he thought. None of of them look like much. I could take all
of them easy. Almost immediately, his master's words came back to him.
"Find him, watch him, but take no action." The figure sighed.
Oh well, at least this was better than sitting around that
stuffy cave.
The group didn't get too far when the inevitable happened.
No, not rain, something much worse (at least in Ranma's
opinion).
"Nihao, Airen!" came the call of the purple-headed Amazon on the
dreaded bicycle of death. "Shampoo have free day from restaurant. Ranma
can take Shampoo on date!"
"Ohohoho! Did I hear my Ranma-sama's name mentioned?"
"Saotome, you cur! I shall smite thee!"
"Oh great," Ranma muttered.
"They're going to ruin everything!" Akane whispered to him.
Ranma sighed. "Leave it to me." He leapt to the top of a nearby
building. "Hey, if anyone wants me, here I am!"
The remaining trio watched as a rooftop-traveling bicycle, a
leaotard clad gymnast, and a angry kendoist converged on Ranma's
position. He promptly took off across the rooftops with three figures in
hot pursuit.
"Well, now what?" Ukyo asked, hands on her hips. "Should we go
after him?"
Akane shook her head. "No, I don't want to let this spoil the
day." She watched the direction her fiance headed off in. "Besides, I
think I know where's he headed. Here, take these." She pulled out a
couple of movie passes and handed them to Ukyo and Kenji. "I'll go get
him and we'll meet you at the movie theater later, or the restaurant if
we can't make the movie." She wrote down the name of the restaurant,
then took off down the street without another word.
"Akane-chan, wait!" Ukyo called, but it was too late.
"Well, what now?" Kenji asked, somewhat exasperated.
She turned to look at him. "We go see a movie, what else?"
"W-what, just us!?" he blurted.
She scowled at him. "And what's so bad about that?"
Ukyo looked like she was itching for a reason to reach for the
huge spatula on her back, so Kenji backed off. "Uh, nothin', I guess."
This better not be some plot of theirs. I can't afford to let myself
get too distracted.
The okonomiyaki chef relaxed. "Well, you heard her. They'll
catch up later. Let's go."
-------------------------------------------------------------
Author's notes:
The translation for Kenji's attack, Kijin Bouhuuken, means: `Fierce God
Windstorm attack' At least I think I'm getting this right. I'm not
really adept at Japanese, so if I got this wrong and someone wants to
correct me, feel free. I actually wanted `Raging Windstorm', but I
couldn't find the appropriate Japenese for `Raging'. If you know, tell
me! Will pay bug bucks!