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Ranma 1/2: New Challenges
Minor Disturbances

Chapter 4





Ranma was sleeping. This wouldn't be a bad thing if he was at
home and it was night. It would be a bad thing if he was in class.

Currently, he was in class. Actually, it was study period so he
got away with it. This time he felt he was justified in sleeping because
of the heavy workouts and training her went through all weekend.
Natsume, Kurumi, and Akari were put through their paces, and he even
spent some more time working on his teamwork with Akane. He had begun to
teach her aura control, and then to use that to feel an ally's movements
and read them.

Sunday night ended with a battle royal. Ranma and Akane vs.
Ryoga, Akari, Natsume, AND Kurumi. The fight lasted over an hour, and
the dynamic duo pulled out a win by the barest of margins, mostly
because the quartet had trouble timing their attacks so they woudn't hit
their own teamates. Ranma's plan was simple: Wear down the girls, then
team up on Ryoga.

It was simple and it worked. Which was why Akane was also
sleeping in class. Fortunately, a wake-up call was soon forthcoming.

"AAAAAALLLLLOOOOOHHHHHAAAA!"

Ranma was now clinging to the ceiling. Akane had almost
duplicated the motion, but some part of her realized she was wearing her
school dress and it might not be a good idea. They returned to their
seats and the student body settled down to listen to the rest of
Principal Kuno's speech over the intercom.

"Da big Kahuna got a big surprise for all you keiki's and
wahini's!" he announced. "While I be enjoyin' the islands, me come
across amercian holiday called Halloween. It be end of da month, so da
big kahuna be throwin' major costume party and dance for all good
keiki's. Be sure to bring date! Details be followin' later, yeah!"

The annoucement ended and the school began to talk excitedly
among themselves. A costumed dance party at the end of the month!

Looking at a calender in her notebook, Akane determined that is
was in two weeks, on a Saturday night. she thought to herself.

Ranma was thinking along slightly different lines. It was
unusual for the principal to do something this nice for the school
without throwing in some sort of catch; usually a haircut. Of course,
they had vanquished Galfgar, so maybe the principal was coming around?
He shook his head and decided to think on that later. Somehow he sensed
something else was more important, but he couldn't figure out what.

The bell rang and the class erupted into conversation. Ranma
caught the gist of some of the conversations and they seemed to revolve
around who was asking who to the dance. *Ding!* He suddenly remembered
what was important and turned around to see Akane looking at him.

"Uh, Akane?"

"Yes?" she replied ever-so-sweetly.

He swallowed. Why was this so difficult even though their
feelings were known? "You, uh, wanna go to the dance? With me, I mean?"

She smiled. "I'd love to, Ranma. We'll have to find some good
costumes." She brightened, then smiled mischievously. "And I have the
perfect idea! Just leave them to me!"

Ranma groaned. "As long as you don't plan on makin' them, since
we know you can't sew."

Akane sighed and smiled. If he could revert to old habits, so
could she. "Ranma no Baka," she said softly. *Wham!*

The class quieted down and looked at the quarrelling couple.
Apparently some things never change, though the mallet in Ranma's head
wasn't delivered at full force and only drove his head into the desk, as
opposed to the floor.

Ranma's head came up. "What'd you do that for?"

"You still have to make it up to me for hiding P-chan's secret
from me. This will be the perfect revenge." She then smiled and started
to giggle, then broke out laughing and Ranma joined her. The class
collectively shook their heads and went back to their own conversations.

Then again, maybe things do change.

Ukyo had watched the exchange with amusement on her face, and
wishfully wondered if she would ever have someone who looked at her the
way Ranma looked at Akane. She turned to the side to look at an empty
desk a few seats over and wondered where Kenji was. He said he was going
to catch up to them right after he finished closing up following the
breakfast rush, yet he never showed.

"Heya, Ucchan, who ya going with?" Ranma asked.

Ukyo turned around. "Huh? Oh, I don't know. Do you know where
Kenji-kun is?"

Ranma shook his head. "Haven't seen him. Doesn't he walk to
school with his sister and you?"

"Yeah, but we left a little earlier this morning. I just gotta
bad feelin' about this."

He shrugged. "Well, he ain't exactly on Nabiki's nice list, but
I think he can handle anything she throws his way."

She sighed. "Yeah, I suppose you're right."






As a matter of fact, Kenji was not alright. He was currently a
wolf and running from the expert Nerima animal control department, who
was in hot pursuit. Somehow, he
knew she was responsible.

He had started his walk to school when the water hit him. That
was the only way to describe it as it came from all sides, ensuring a
thorough soaking. After shaking himself out of his clothes, a van pulled
up and several people piled out with nets and other devices and began to
assault him with the intent to capture.

As they closed on him, Kenji recalled learning a special
technique from Ranma that would help in this situation. What was it
called? Oh yeah, the Saotome Secret Technique.

In other words, he ran.

He flew down the street as fast as his little wolf legs could
carry him, belted around a corner, and continued running. he thought. Ducking into an alley, he left the
vaunted animal control people in the dust. He took a breather while he
listened for any sounds of his pursuers.

"Where did he go?"

"I think he went this way!"

"We'll split up, but be careful. Nabiki-san said this dog was
dangerous."

He
looked down the alley and noticed it ended in a high fence. He was about to trot out the
way he came in when a couple burly men blocked the way.

"Nice doggy," one said. "We're just gonna take you somewhere
better."

"You think he believes that?" the second one asked.

"Naw, better get the tranq gun."

The ninja boy trainee-turned-wolf growled in fear as one of the
men pulled out a tranquilizer rifle and pointed it at him. He resisted
the urge to attack, since these guys were only doing their job, but one
or two shots with that rifle and he was a goner.

He sprang to the side to avoid the first dart, then jumped
again to the top of a garbage can to dodge the second shot.

"How does he do that? He's fast!"

He couldn't fly in this form, but he still had limited control
of his wind abilities. Utilizing a wind boost, he sprang to the wall.
Upon contact, he used another boost to propel him upwards to the other
wall as he continued to triangular jump up the alley.

The two men watched in shock as their prey disappeared onto the
roof above them, then looked at each other.

"Uh, I won't say anything if you won't."

"Agreed."






Up above, Kenji continued to roof hop as he went in search of
hot water. Another part of his mind wondered at what the best way to get
back at Nabiki would be, but most of his mind was taken with finding hot
water. Leaping back down to the street, he galloped rapidly
back toward Furinken.

"There he is!"

Kenji risked a look backwards to see a white van approaching
from behind. A woman was leaning out the passenger side with a nasty
looking stick that had... sparks? crackling from one end.

He poured on the speed and the school gradually appeared in the
distance, but the van was still closing. The wolf grinned. He
changed course suddenly veering off to the side, yet the van stayed with
him. Just as he was about to leap the wall into the school yard,
something made contact with his wolfish behind.

"Awwwoo!" he cried as several thousand volts assisted his leap
over the wall.

The van wasn't so lucky. The driver slammed on the brakes, but
it was too late. As Kenji hit the ground on the other side and rolled in
pain, he could hear the impact the van made with the wall. Lazily he
forced himself to regain his feet. The aftereffects of the shock were
fading, but his butt still felt somewhat numb and tingly.

He shook his head and trotted off to find some hot water, or
someone who could get him some. The courtyard was empty of students, but
he'd barely gone a few feet when two more men in white appeared with a
net and a tranq gun. They shouted,
pointed in his direction, and the chase resumed.

Dashing through an open side door in the school building, he
ran down the empty hall. Two more men appeared at the end of the hall before he
could reach the stairs.

He stopped and turned around, but the two men who were chasing
him blocked off his escape route. As they slowly
advanced on him, Kenji growled lightly.

He turned and leapt at the the two men behind him. The net came
down, but Kenji grabbed the shaft in his mouth and swung it around,
whacking the one holding the tranq gun. He couldn't put that much force
into into it, but it was enough to send his target stumbling back.

"Did you see that?"

"That dog just attacked him with a net! Auugh!"

"Are you sure this is a normal animal? This is Nerima..."

"You heard what Nabiki said! We HAVE to get this wolf or else
those pictures get out!"

Kenji wasted no time and ran as fast as his legs could carry
him, back the way he came. The door was still open and he sprung through
it, the Animal Control men right behind him. In a few seconds, he had
crossed the courtyard and was back out into the streets.

He suddenly realized he had slowed while looking for a place to
change back, and he paid for the mistake when a dart hit his already
tender behind. That sped him into action as he ducked into a nearby
public bath.

In his haste, he failed to notice he entered the wrong side.

*Splash!*

Unfortunately, the bath was only mostly empty at the moment.

"Yes, I made it!" the now nude boy exclaimed. That's when he
noticed the towel clad females looking at him rather... nasty. "Ulp!"

The blood loss from his nose incapacitated him enough for the
standard `Pervert in the bath!' beating to commence. It ended with a
flight over to the men's side.

Being half-concicous from the beating, he was unable to do
anything as he flew through a cold water splash (of course). His
impromptu flight ended when he hit the ground and slid out of the the
public bathouse altogether.

Dragging his beaten and soaked body out of the garbage, the
unhappy wolf once again trotted down the street.
he repeated over and over again as a mantra. It was then that the
effects of the tranq drug began to overwhelm his adrenaline. He suddenly
felt very tired.

Taking a detour through the park, he stumbled into the forest
and collapsed under a thicket of bushes. In a matter of seconds, he was
out like a light.







They were just getting out of school when the next major even
occured. Ranma, Akane, Ukyo, and Yuri were walking to the school gates
when it appeared (Kenji never did get to school that day). It crashed
through the cement wall and continued toward the school.

"What is that!?" Yuri exclaimed as an eight foot tall, thing,
came lumbering toward them.

"I think it's... a robot?" Akane answered.

And it was. Vaguely human shaped, bi-pedal, and covered in
slivery-grey shades of metal.

Ranma voiced the next question."Well, where did it come from?
And what's it doin'?" They watched as students scattered before it. It
seemed to be moving in a straight line towards the school.

"Stop delinquent!"

Akane gasped. "Oh no, Hinako-sensei's going to try to take it
on!"

The young girl stood before the automaton and brandished her
coin. "This is your last warning." No response. "Happo Five-Yen Satsu!"
Nothing. "Grrr.. Try this! Happo Fifty-Yen Satsu!" Nothing. "Hmmm, I
need some energy." She turned a nearby group of onlookers and sucked
them dry, gowing into her adult form.

Ranma and co. were on their way when she unleashed her return
attack.

"Happo No-Yen Coin Return!" The blast of stored ki energy struck
the robot and pushed it back a few feet, but didn't seem to stop it.
Instead, the robot's chest opened up and a missile launched back at the
diminutive teacher. "Eep!"

Ranma put on a burst of speed and picked up the teacher,
carrying her to safety while Akane lanched her own ki blast to destroy
the projectile. Everyone hit the dirt as the explosion tossed up a dust
cloud.

Yuri looked up. "Is it gone?"

The dust settled to show the robot still advancing. "Not a
chance, sugar," Ukyo said while drawing her battle spat. "We gotta stop
that thing before someone gets hurt!"

Ranma disengaged himself from Hinako who was torn between
thanking him profusely and crying at why her attack didn't work. "I'm
with ya, Ucchan. Let's go, Akane!"

Ranma and the two girls leapt at their target, which stopped
and lifted both arms. They failed to dodge the electric zaps it unloaded
on them, and they hit the ground well short of the robot.

"What did... it hit... us with?" Ranma sputtered. He looked up
to see Akane still writhing from the attack. "A-kane!" He focused his
strength and forced himself to his feet, working his way over to his
fiancee.

Ukyo was a little better off since the shock had struck her
spatula and managed to travel up her right arm before she dropped it.
Now it lay limp and numb at her side, while she held several throwing
spatulas in her other hand. Charging them with her ki energy, they took
on a shade of green and she launched them. They exploded upon contact,
and this time the robot showed some damage, thought not much.

"Akane, say something!" Ranma had made it over to his now still
fiancee and held her head in his lap.

She lazily opened her eyes and looked up at him. "Ran...ma?"

Concern was written heavily all over his face. "Hey tomboy, are
you okay?"

She smiled. "Yeah, just a little shaken from that attack. I'll
be okay. Go get it for me, okay?"

He forced a smile back at her. "Sure, I'll turn it inta scrap."
He carried her off to the side and gently laid her down, before turning
back to the metal monstrosity.

Ukyo enagaged the thing, tossing spatulas and dodging the
return electric attacks while Yuri snuck up on it from behind with her
wakizashu drawn. While it was distracted, Yuri plunged the 14 inch blade
into it's back, then flew backward as another shock traveled along the
metal object and into her. Both the ninja girl and the sword landed some
distance away.

Ranma decided to get it's attention. "Moko Takabisha!" The ki
ball slammed into the target the same time as Ukyo's spatula's, sending
it off balance.

Ukyo used the oppurtunity to regain her battle spatula while
Ranma charged in and unloaded a chestnut fist that rocked the machine.
His fists dug in, smashing metal and circuitry. When he stepped back 10
seconds later, there wasn't a spot on the robot's front that wasn't
undamaged. Everyone watched as the machine slowly toppled backward and
Ranma bounced away holding his hand in pain.

"Ow! That thing's got a tough hide!"

"I got it, Ranchan!" Ukyo leapt into the air and charged her
battle spat, then came down blade first. The weapon bisected the robot
vertically then, following the rules of anime, it exploded. The rule
being, any metal object can and will explode regardless of if there's
anything combustible inside it.

Ranma managed to catch his friend before she hit the ground.
After seeing that she was okay, he went back to Akane while Ukyo checked
on Yuri.

His iinazuke had already regained her feet when Ranma got
there. "Hey, good job. Sorry I wasn't much help back there."

He grabbed onto to her to steady her. "What are ya talkin'
about? You got that missile and saved Hinako and myself."

She smiled. "Thanks, Ranma."

"Let's all get to Tofu's and make sure you're okay."

She nodded to him and didn't protest when he picked her up and
cradled her in his arms. She could walk, but she rather liked the
feeling of being in his arms.

"Ah, there it is!" came a new voice. "What? Who broke it!?" The
remaining students turned to see a young boy checking out the remains of
the robot.

"Is this yours, young man?" Hinako asked.

He stood up. "Well, actually it's my father's, but I was
working on it and decided to see what it could do! My name is Fuchida
Takayoshi, and I'm the world's greatest scientist, next to my father of
course. We just moved in nearby."

"Well, I'm Ninomiya Hinako, and I say you're a delinquent for
causing so much damage. Prepare to be punished!" She brandished her
coin.

Takayoshi laughed. "Oh yeah? What are you gonna do little
girl?"

"Think we should do something?" Akane asked.

Ranma shook his head. "Naw, for once she's got the right
target."

"Happo Fifty-Yen Satsu!"

"Urp!"





"Well, physically you're okay, you just need some rest to
recover from the shocks you've received," said Dr. Tofu as he finished
his examination of Akane. "And that goes for the rest of you. Tomorrw
your ki balances will be back to normal, but today they're a little
mixed up. You may have some trouble doing more complex things like your
martial arts."

"Thanks Dr. Tofu," Akane replied. "I am feeling better now." She
got down off the table and looked at her companions. Ukyo had her arm in
a sling as it was still pretty numb, but that would wear off by
tomorrow. Yuri had received the biggest shock and was looking pretty
ragged. Ranma, being Ranma, had shrugged most of the effects off. He
wouldn't admit it, but Akane could tell he wasn't feeling as good as he
showed.

"Come on sugar, let's get going," Ukyo said as she helped Yuri
up. "Thanks again Doc!" Yuri waved weakly as Ukyo guided her out.

For the rest of the trip home, Akane chose to walk instead of
letting Ranma carry her. She did let him hold her hand, however, and
that seemed to be enough for both of them.






"Pray tell what that was all about, Nabiki-kun," Kuno said as he
escorted her home. He had taken to being her guardian ever since she had
agreed to date him. She thought it was sweet, but it didn't mean she had
feelings for him. Nope, not all.

Well, maybe a little.

But what he was referring to, was that they had caught the tail-
end of the battle of the robot, but weren't in time for him to do
anything.

"Honestly, I have no idea, Kuno-baby," she replied. "But I plan
on finding out. If today is any indication, Nerima's interesting factor
has gone up by another couple of points from the addition of a mad
scientist." She still sported her green hair, but it was starting to
fade.

"I fear you may be right," he said with a sigh.

She looked over at him. "Why, I thought you'd be used to the
strange stuff by now."

He shook his head. "Actually, I took no real notice of the
`strange stuff' until now, since my mind was under the spell of that
demon."

"Hadn't thought about like that. Ignorance must be bliss, I
guess."

"Indeed, but I am happier this way." He cocked his head. "I have
noticed your feud with Kenji-san and I am worried. I speak with
experience when I say such grudges are unhealthy."

She winked at him. "Ah, just havin' a little fun, Kuno-baby.
Besides, I learn from each of my `encounters', so there's no need to
worry."

"Indeed."





Kenji blinked his eyes a couple of times as his sleep addled
brain came online. The information download
began. With that thought, he came fully awake and looked around.


He got up and stretched, wincing as the pain from the beating
made itself clear that it hadn't gone away yet. Making sure the coast
was clear, he started back towards Ucchans.

He soon found out that one should never ask that question.






Turning a corner several minutes later, his body froze as the
restaurant came into view. A couple of vans were parked near
the restaurant and several animal control officers were patrolling the
area. I can't go in the front or back. Guess I'll have to try for a
window. Only thing is, how'd they know to look for me here? The answer
came to him immediately.

He stealthily leapt to the roof and padded around, looking for
an entrance. Looking down, he could see that the small bathroom
window was open. It was several feet off the ground so no one could peek
in. There were two people patrolling the alley
behind the restaurant, and he wouldn't be able to get in before being
seen. I need a distraction.

He looked up and focused on a pair of garbage cans down the
street. Gathering his concentration and the wind, he sent a strong gust
down the street and knocked over the cans.

"What was that?"

"It came from down the street, let's check it out!"

The wolf leapt down to street
level, staying in the shadows. When the officers reached the cans, he
leapt through the open window, just squeezing through. Inside, he
managed to land in the steamy furo.

He let out a sigh of relief as he felt his natural body return.
He then stepped out of the bath. Immediately afterwards, he became aware
that he was not alone.

A certain very nude and very angry okonomiyaki chef was staring
at him. Apparently she had just finished washing and was about to enter
the furo herself. He looked. She looked.

One hand came up to staunch the flow of blood that threatened to
flow from a certain ninja boy's nasal cavity. "Ukyo! This isn't what it
looks like! I..."

"KENJI NO HENTAI!"

*CLANG!*

Ukyo slid the door open, scooped the prone Kenji up with her
battle spatula, and tossed him out the door. As he impacted the wall, he
idly wondered where the mega spatula she hit him with, came from.

Kenji slowly sat up. "Stupid girl! Why'd you have to do that!?"
His instincts suddenly took over and he rolled out of the way as several
mini spatula's impacted the wall where he had been sitting. He breathed
a sigh of relief when he noticed he was okay. And at least he was home
AND human. "Well, I'm glad that's over..."

"What's over Kenji-sama?" Konatsu asked. "I thought Ukyo-sama
was in there."

"Eeep! She is... I mean, it's not what it looks like!" Kenji
stammered.

The kunoichi looked at him strangely, then sadly shook his head
and walked off. "I see."

Kenji exhaled and went to change into some new clothes, then
flopped onto his futon. "At least this day is over," he grumbled to
himself.






"Is everything ready?" Ariko asked.

"Yes, the circle is complete," Hikaru answered. "All that
remains is the summoning spell and then we will have our magic sensei."
He hadn't told her about his run-in with the thugs and his display of
magic; mostly because he couldn't repeat the spells.

He looked down at the circle and mystic marks they had made on
the floor of Ariko's basement. Nodding to his partner, she began to pour
the contents of the last vial in the circle while he read from one of
the books. At first, nothing happened when he finished reading, but then
light welled up in the circle.

Wind whipped around the chamber as the light became more
intense. In a final burst, the light was gone and the wind died down.
When they opened their eyes, a short, elderly man floated a couple feet
off the ground in the middle of the circle. Clothed in a dirty robe, he
literally radiated mystery and... something else the two youths couldn't
identify, but it definitly raised their fear senses. It was if they had
awakened some great power that could kill them in an instant if they
made it mad.

Hikaru especially felt as if they were meddling with forces
they couldn't possibly comprehend, but Ariko seemed more excited that
the summoning spell had worked, and curious about the old man.

What hair he had left was all grey and his eyes were closed,
giving the nervous pair the impression he was asleep. For a few minutes,
nothing was said.

"Well, aren't you going to tell me why you summoned me?" the old
man asked, eyes still closed.

"Y-you're not asleep!?" Ariko gasped.

The old man smiled. "No, merely blind." He `looked' back and
forth between the two teens. "So, you wish to learn magic?"

Gos was still blinking and staring, so Ariko asked. "How did
you know?"

"Simple, I can sense the magical auras you two have built up.
Only someone who has worked magic before would have those auras. Though
you're only at the novice level, this summon circle was well crafted."
He frowned. "Although, those same auras are `out of whack', so to speak.
You'll need to get them under control or you could hurt someone."

The old man then reached into his robe and pulled out a small
jeweled amulet which he then tossed to Ariko, who caught it. There was a
bright flash, and when it died down, the young novice sorceresss
discovered she was holding a large book with the same jewel encrusted in
the cover. It looked extremely old, and there was a lock keeping the
book from being opened.

"This is a spellbook you shall learn from, and the jewel that
can summon me outside of this room. Magic is best practiced in an open
space, so just rub that jewel when you're ready to start learning." He
looked up as if listening to something. "I must leave for now, but we'll
meet again later." The old man's body began to dematerialize.

"Wait!" Ariko shouted. "Who are you?"

"Call me, Darmondo." With a *pop*, he was gone.

The two magicians looked uneasily at each other and wondered if
this was still a good idea.







The two magicians forgot to do one more thing before going to
bed that night, their minds taken up in thought of their new magic
sensei. They forgot to erase the circle and remove the enchantments. So
it was, when midnight came around, that the circle flared brightly
again. When the light show died down, three small figures, no more than
a foot or two in height, were standing there.

When they tried to leave, they were stopped by the barrier of
the circle. Growling in frustration, they attacked one segment of it and
managed to erase a section. So freed, the three little gremlins laughed
to themselves and disappeared into the night.