The Three Saotomes
Part 28
A New Beginning.
+++++++++++++
Ranma walked slowly down the front steps of the hospital. A
walking cane in his hand supported some of his weight as he slowly
made his way down with his family.
Nodoka stood beside him, with Genma opposite her, Genryu and Ukyo
trailed a little behind him, and both had unreadable expressions on
their faces.
"Don't look so down little brother, I won't be this weak for
long," commented Ranma as he gave a quick glance back at the boy.
Genryu blushed and turned his head away. "Sorry."
"You shouldn't be, you think I don't know what a pitiful sight
this is?" snorted the older boy casually.
"Right," grumbled Ukyo sarcastically.
"Son," said Nodoka.
"I'll be back to normal soon enough," said the boy calmly as he
continued to walk away. He stopped when a black limousine rolled to a
stop in front of him on the street. "He wouldn't," muttered Ranma
angrily.
The door opened and a familiar figure stepped out, two large
bodyguards stood on either side of him as he strolled up to the
crippled looking man.
"Hakama," snarled Ranma angrily.
"Now, let's calm down a bit shall we? You're in no condition to do
anything at the moment," said Hakama calmly. "I merely came to inquire
about your condition."
"I can still do it you know," snarled Ranma, as he looked the boy
dead in his eyes. "If I do, I'll just have to make sure I take you
with me."
"How quaint," snorted the boy as he looked Ranma up and down for a
moment. "I can see you're just as spiteful as ever."
"More so now," agreed Ranma with a smirk forming on his face.
"There is no animal I cannot tame, much less an upstart like you,"
said Hakama coldly. "I'll have my 'wild horse' yet."
"Over my dead body," said Genryu as he stepped up beside his
brother. Ukyo was just behind him, an angry scowl on her face.
"If it comes down to it. You're too weak for my taste just yet.
I'll catch up with you in a few months, and we'll settle this," said
Hakama as he looked the trio up and down for a moment. Genma and
Nodoka stood a comfortable distance away from them. The boy brushed
off the lapel of his suit for a moment and smirked back at Ranma.
"I don't think so," said Nodoka as she stepped down from beside
Genma. "Whatever problem you have with my son, it ends here and now."
"Problem?" said Hakama with a cheerful looking smile as he turned
towards her. "My dear woman, I want him alive. He will be mine, I will
tame him yet, and he will be my most magnificent conquest."
"Pardon?" muttered Nodoka with a shocked expression. All the color
drained from her face in an instant.
Hakama chuckled and turned away, walking back towards his car.
"I'll be seeing you, Saotome."
"Yes," agreed Ranma. "You will."
"Who was that man?" asked Nodoka as she turned towards him.
"Just an annoying thorn in my side, nothing for you to worry
about," said Ranma as he started walking again.
++++++++++
Shampoo stood on the deck of the ship that was carrying them back
to China. The sea was calm, and a wind blew from the west that made
her hair billow out behind her as she simply watched the waves.
The spear was wrapped, and slung across her shoulder like a
firearm, the glow long since gone from the metal. Her eyes searched
the horizon, looking for any sign of her homeland.
"Shampoo," said Mousse as he walked out onto the deck behind her.
"Perhaps we can have a romantic moment here, looking out over the
ocean..."
She ignored him completely as he strolled up beside her. He was
grinning like an idiot, mentally praising his luck at finding such a
perfect moment. He spread his arms to embrace her, thinking he would
sweep her off her feet.
"If you touch me, you will never make it home. Leave me alone,
you're disturbing my meditation," said the girl calmly. She didn't
even bother to look at him.
Mousse grabbed her, hugging her tightly in his arms. "But...I love
you! How can you be so cold? How can you turn me away like that?"
Shampoo moved like a striking cobra, her arm snapped up in an
instant, catching his neck. Mousse gasped as he found himself lifted
off his feet easily. She turned to face him, her features completely
calm.
"I warned you Mousse," she stated.
The boy's glasses fell off, and vanished into the water below as
she moved him over the side of the deck. He attempted to gasp for air
desperately, clutching at her arm in desperation.
Shampoo's features never changed, she continued to watch the
horizon as the boy struggled in her grip. Slowly, his struggles
slowed, becoming weaker and weaker. His eyes began to turn red with
blood and his chokes slowed.
"Shampoo! Bring him on the deck and release him at once!" snapped
Cologne as she bounded towards them.
The girl responded by casually tossing him back without turning
away.
Mousse slumped down, gasping desperately for breath. His vision
faded in and out as he struggled to rise to his knees.
"Leave me," said Shampoo coldly to the both of them. "I have much
to think about."
"Indeed," agreed Cologne as she pulled Mousse along, watching her
cautiously.
"Shampoo..." whispered Mousse. He found himself thrown against the
wall roughly. His head hit with a metallic clang and he jumped up,
rubbing the spot in irritation.
"If you ever touch Shampoo again, I will not stop her from killing
you," said Cologne as she glared at him.
"I can't see!" muttered Mousse as he felt around himself for a
moment.
"Your eyes will return to normal soon enough. Another few seconds
and you would have died boy," snorted the elder. Her face softened
somewhat as she watched him flounder about pathetically. "Stop being
an idiot, you were almost blind anyway."
"Shampoo! Why?" said the boy as he finally gave up and fell to his
knees again.
"She is not the same person we once knew Mousse. You'd best
remember that, she has seen and done things you cannot imagine,"
snorted the old woman in disgust.
"But...I still love her!" pleaded the boy.
"And she does not love you. There is nothing you can do about
that," said Cologne calmly.
"She does! She just..."
"If I had not stopped her, you would be dead boy," said Cologne
with an icy tone. "Shampoo did not even bat an eye when she held you.
There is no place in her heart for you anymore."
"But..." stammered Mousse.
"The times of the past are gone Mousse. Shampoo is a hunter now,
she has lost much of her kindness. Some of it will return in time, but
she will never be the same girl again. Her childhood is over, and she
is a woman, and a warrior now. You will not be able to chase her as
you have been, and escape with a mere beating."
Mousse hung his head, for the first time she could remember,
Cologne saw real fear in his eyes.
"I..."
"It is over Mousse, you have lost. If you do not give up your
foolish quest for my Great Granddaughter's heart, you will die."
"The I'll die!" snapped the boy as he stood up.
"If you must continue, give her some room. I do not care for you
personally boy, but I also don't want to explain what happened to you
to your mother. She is not open to you now, leave her alone for a few
weeks, or at least until we get back to China."
"She will love me," insisted Mousse.
"Dig your own grave boy, but don't make me a party to it. Until we
reach China, you are not permitted to speak with Shampoo. On pain of
death," said the old woman as she turned away from him.
Mousse merely slumped down against the wall, he had no idea what
to do, and he still couldn't see. Both Amazons left him there for the
remainder of the trip, and he did not move.
+++++++++++
Two weeks later...
Ukyo Saotome sat behind her grill, Ranma was sitting in front of
her with a smirk on his face as he watched Genryu move around the
restaurant. The boy was waiting on the few customers inside the shop.
"Quit starin will ya?" said Genryu irritably.
"I'd never think you'd get into this business thing. It suits
you," said Ranma cheerfully. "You'd do better if you did it as a girl
though."
"I haven't been able to talk him into it," muttered Ukyo absently.
"I don't see you pulling no carts around!" retorted Genryu.
"So, how are things going?" said Ranma as he turned towards Ukyo.
"You've been keeping my brother all to yourself over the past few
weeks."
"We've got a business to run," said Ukyo with a shrug.
"It was a joke, jeez," snorted Ranma as the girl put a plate of
Okonomiyaki in front of him.
"I know, we've...adjusted pretty well," said Ukyo as she smiled at
him weakly.
"Love life doing okay?" asked Ranma.
"None of your business!" cried Genryu from across the room.
"I know, I just like getting you all worked up. Both of you turn
the most interesting shade of red whenever I bring it up," said Ranma
with a small chuckle.
"Jerk," snorted Ukyo as she turned away.
"Well, I suppose. You didn't expect something like near death to
change me that much did you?" said Ranma cheerfully.
"I suppose not. How are you feeling anyway?" asked Ukyo.
"Better every day, a few more weeks and I won't need this
anymore." Ranma tapped his cane against the counter top. "I should be
able to start training again after that."
"Hey! Great!" said Genryu. "I can't wait to pound on you for bein
such an ass!"
"We'll, I've got to admit, this little sister thing is kinda new
to me. I've had practice though," said Ranma as he looked at Ukyo and
grinned.
"Hey! What's that supposed to mean!?" cried Genryu.
Ukyo giggled slightly and covered her mouth.
"Ah, I've still got it," said Ranma as he winked at her.
"Right," said Ukyo as she rolled her eyes.
"Well, I definitely didn't get my wit from my father, must be
mom's side of the family," said Ranma as he picked at his okonomiyaki.
"How is that fat fool doing anyway?" said Ukyo.
"I dunno, he's still living with Soun. I'm not exactly welcome
there. Neither one of the idiots is speaking to me, and frankly, I'm
much happier," said Ranma cheerfully.
"Pop hasn't changed much," said Genryu lazily.
"I'm surprised he hasn't tried to get you out of your marriage,
and into another stupid engagement," said Ranma casually. "Mom won't
speak to him at all, and she definitely won't let him near me."
"Ranma..." muttered Genryu uncomfortably.
"Don't worry, I'll go talk to the moron after I'm able to defend
myself a little better. Those two are dumb enough to try a shotgun
marriage."
Ukyo nodded. "I hear Akane is coming to see you a lot."
"Yeah, stupid pig headed..." muttered Ranma. "She's a good
student, and shows up every afternoon. I'm not sure what old man Tendo
has to say about that, but she's devoted to kicking my ass once I get
better."
"A lot of people are," agreed Ukyo lazily.
"Yeah, kinda nice to have a break," said Ranma with a snort. "I'm
thinking the only reason I haven't heard from Soun or Genma is because
she comes over so often. Those idiots are expecting love to bloom
between us or something."
"Yup, that sounds like something Pop would do," said Genryu as he
walked up next to them and leaned against the counter.
"Mom wants you two over for dinner tonight," said Ranma as he
looked at the pair for a moment as he finished his meal.
"Sounds good to me," replied Genryu with a small shrug.
Ukyo growled at him for a moment. "We've got things to do here."
"You don't know your mother in law very well. She won't take no
for an answer. Whatever you're supposed to be doing, it will be here
when you come back. She hasn't seen her son for almost ten years
little sister," said Ranma cheerfully.
"I suppose...and don't call me that," said Ukyo with a small
frown.
"Why not? It's true," said Ranma calmly.
"Jerk," said Ukyo as she turned away from the grill for a moment.
"You're running out of insults," commented Ranma as he stood up.
"I've got to get back, Akane should be showing up soon. I'll see you
two lovebirds later then." He twirled the cane around in his hand as
he strolled towards the door.
++++++++++++
"You're still overextending," said Ranma as he watched Akane go
through her kata from the porch of the Saotome home. He walked over to
her and moved her body slightly, correcting her mistake. His hand
brushed against her chest for a moment as he did so.
"Pervert," muttered the girl angrily under her breath.
"Maybe I am," replied Ranma as he stepped back and nodded for her
to begin again.
Akane did as she was instructed, growing faster and more intense
with each motion.
"Calm down," said Ranma as he sat down again. "You've got focus,
but it can work against you if you get to worked up."
"What do you mean?" said the girl as she paused and looked over at
him.
"To quote my father, 'A martial artist must be aware of his
surroundings, as well as his opponent. Becoming too focused can result
in missing something important, such as another attacker, or a stone
that could be used to your advantage."
Akane snorted at this and sat down in the grass. "I thought you
didn't like him."
"Genma Saotome is a lot of bad things, but he is an excellent
teacher," said Ranma with a shrug.
"Maybe I should get him to train me," replied the girl snidely.
"He wouldn't do any better than your father did, but for different
reasons," replied Ranma.
"What? Are you saying my father is a poor teacher?" snarled Akane
as she rose to her feet.
"Calm down. Your father couldn't bring himself to train you
properly, out of fear of hurting you. My father would just slack off,
because you're a girl. He wouldn't think you could take it."
"Pig," grumbled Akane.
"Among other things, yes," said Ranma with a small nod. "Our
culture in general tends to think of women as weaker beings. It's not
completely his fault."
"What happened to you then?" said Akane as she sat down again. She
still didn't look particularly happy with him.
"I met women who were just as strong as I was, if not stronger,"
replied the boy with a shrug. "I tend to not be influenced by other's
opinions as much as most people. I prefer to draw my own conclusions,
based on experience. Which is one of your faults as well."
Akane turned her head away from him for a moment, but didn't
argue.
"You've certainly lost some of your bark over the past few weeks,"
commented Ranma.
"I'll never beat you if I don't learn more," said Akane as she
glared at him for a moment. "Like you said, my father isn't going to
be enough, and you're all I've got otherwise."
"I see," said Ranma with a small chuckle.
"Ranma! You have a guest," said Nodoka as she walked out of the
home for a moment.
"Really?" said the boy in surprise.
"Hello," said Kasumi as she walked up behind the woman and smiled.
"Kasumi?" muttered Akane in surprise. "What are you doing here?"
"I've been visiting Ranma. I got used to talking with him while he
was staying with us," replied the girl as she sat down next to him.
"We used to keep the same hours, I'd spend a lot of time talking
with her in the morning," said Ranma with a shrug.
"It hasn't been the same since he left," said Kasumi cheerfully.
Akane frowned; she didn't like the idea one bit. Until something
Nabiki said crept into her mind. "How many friends do you think Kasumi
has?" She growled in the back of her throat for a moment, and remained
silent.
++++++++++
Akane finished her kata, and walked into the home. Ranma and
Kasumi were chatting cheerfully together at the table. They were
sitting opposite one another, and had tea set out between them. She
walked up to the pair and sat down.
"Kasumi, you've been coming over here often?"
"Huh? Of course I have, where did you think I'd been going?" said
the girl as she blinked and looked at her sister.
"Kasumi stops by on the way to the store Akane," said Ranma with a
small chuckle.
"But..." said the younger girl as she looked down at the table in
disbelief.
"It wouldn't surprise me if no one noticed you were gone an extra
hour or two, Kasumi," said Ranma with a small chuckle.
"Oh my," gasped the older girl as she put her hand over her mouth.
"You mean?"
"If Akane didn't notice, I'm pretty sure those two idiots didn't
either." Ranma laughed for a moment as he noticed the expressions on
both girls' faces.
"Don't call my father an idiot!" snapped Akane as she punched
Ranma in the back of his head.
Ranma fell face first onto the tabletop and clutched at his chest.
"Oh! My heart!" He stood up and staggered around over dramatically.
"Oh! It's the big one! I can feel it!"
Kasumi giggled, while Akane merely scowled at him.
"Well, I suppose we're done training for the day Akane," said
Ranma as he looked up at the clock. "Genryu and Ukyo are both coming
over tonight for dinner, mom's gonna be busy in the kitchen till then.
I'll walk you to the store Kasumi."
"Thank you," said the girl with a small smile.
"No problem," said Ranma with a shrug.
"I'm going too," said Akane quickly. She jumped up and stood
between the pair.
Ranma blinked in surprise, but Kasumi didn't seem to notice.
+++++++++++
Inside the store, Ranma hung back a bit with Akane, while Kasumi
did her shopping blissfully.
"Watch yourself," said Akane coldly.
"Come here," said Ranma as he stopped and waited patiently.
Akane strolled up to him and looked him dead in the eyes.
"I know what you're worried about," said Ranma calmly. "I've got
no interest in her that way, Akane. I just lost my wife, and I'm not
about to start something new now. I doubt if I'll be able too for a
very long time."
Akane's features softened for a moment, but she continued to stare
at him. "Keep your hands to yourself."
"I'm not going to promise you anything. I like Kasumi, and we're
good friends, in a few years, things might change. In the short term
though, you've got nothing to worry about."
"She doesn't need you," replied the girl coldly, anger seethed
inside her voice.
"She knows that, and doesn't need you to protect her from me,"
said Ranma calmly. "Akane, I'm not looking for love, and she knows
it."
The younger girl said nothing and turned away from him. Ranma
remained behind, and watched her leave as calmly as ever. He sighed
and shook his head for a moment before continuing to follow them.
++++++++++++
"Goodbye Ranma, it was nice seeing you again," said Kasumi as she
bowed to him as they parted ways outside the store.
"Same here Kasumi," said the boy as he returned the gesture. "I
suppose you'll be coming by again tomorrow?" He looked directly at
Akane as he said this.
The girl merely nodded and turned away from him coldly.
++++++++++++
Ryoga Hibiki was trapped. He glared at the fallen wall of rubble
that now held him inside the small cave he had used to duck out of the
rain. "Damn. I'm trapped," he growled as he attempted to move some of
the debris out of the way. For every stone he moved, two more replaced
it.
A voice outside the cave called to him. "I may have a way for you
to escape. Here take this." A scroll fell through a small opening at
the top of the blocked entrance.
"What? Who's there? What is this?" said the boy as he picked up
the scroll.
"It's a technique used for demolition. I've never been able to get
it right. Maybe you'll have better luck with it," said the voice
calmly.
Ryoga frowned and attempted to peer through the crack near the
top. A small man in a hardhat stood outside the cave. "I work at a
construction site nearby. I'm afraid I don't have any tools with me,
or I'd help you out."
"Thanks," muttered Ryoga halfheartedly.
"Sorry. I'd call for help, but by the time anyone else got here,
you'll have dug yourself out of there. The rockslide wasn't that bad,"
said the man with a shrug as he wandered away.
"What is this technique?" grumbled Ryoga as he opened the scroll.
His eyes went wide as he began to read.
++++++++++++
"What the heck?" said Ranma as he turned to see a familiar looking
ball of energy bouncing towards him.
"BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAA! What a haul!"
"Granpa?"
Happosai skidded to a halt and stared up at the boy for a moment.
"Well, if it isn't li'l Ranma!"
"Still up to the same old tricks are we?" said the boy with a
small chuckle.
"Of course," said the old man cheerfully. "I've heard about what
happened to you. A real shame."
"I'm getting better, but it's time consuming," said Ranma with a
slightly tired sounding sigh.
"I imagine so. I'll come by and see you tomorrow. I may be able to
help you out a bit," said the old man as he sat down on the pavement
and lit his pipe.
"Pardon?" muttered Ranma in shock.
"Well, you are going to be my heir after all. You promised me
you'd let me train you after that whole thing was over," said the old
man as he looked up at the boy.
"I...suppose I did," muttered Ranma as he looked down at the old
man for a moment. "Real training though, not that crap you pulled on
Soun and my father."
"Of course, those two idiots still don't realize I never took them
seriously," said Happosai with a small chuckle.
Ranma nodded and leaned against a nearby wall. "According to the
doctors, I'll never be like I was though."
"Rubbish," snorted Happosai. "Doctors aren't worth spit. I'll have
you back to normal in no time flat."
"I'm sure," commented Ranma wryly.
"Don't count this old man out yet, I've got a trick or two up my
sleeve still," said Happosai cheerfully as he hopped back to his feet.
"You'll forgive me if I don't get too excited," deadpanned Ranma.
"I'd love to do a little training with you though. I don't think I've
ever seen my mother happier than the day she caught us raiding her
panty drawer."
"Nodoka, is a good woman," agreed Happosai.
"Well, I'll see you later then, I've got to get back. Mom's having
Genryu and his wife over tonight. You know how these things can be."
"How is that cute little sister of yours anyway?" said Happosai.
"Ukyo?" muttered Ranma as he feigned ignorance.
"No boy! The hot one, that cute little redhead!" quipped Happy.
"Oh, well you should know. She's coming down the street with her
wife, and about fifty other women armed with brooms and mops."
Happosai looked over his shoulder for a moment. "Oops, gotta run
boy!" He lifted his bag back over his shoulder and jumped up onto the
wall.
"Yup," agreed Ranma as he watched the old man rush off. "I suppose
I should tell Mom that Genryu and Ukyo are gonna be a little late."
++++++++++++
TBC...
Next time: Guess who's coming to dinner? And I don't mean Ukyo and
Genryu.
Part 28
A New Beginning.
+++++++++++++
Ranma walked slowly down the front steps of the hospital. A
walking cane in his hand supported some of his weight as he slowly
made his way down with his family.
Nodoka stood beside him, with Genma opposite her, Genryu and Ukyo
trailed a little behind him, and both had unreadable expressions on
their faces.
"Don't look so down little brother, I won't be this weak for
long," commented Ranma as he gave a quick glance back at the boy.
Genryu blushed and turned his head away. "Sorry."
"You shouldn't be, you think I don't know what a pitiful sight
this is?" snorted the older boy casually.
"Right," grumbled Ukyo sarcastically.
"Son," said Nodoka.
"I'll be back to normal soon enough," said the boy calmly as he
continued to walk away. He stopped when a black limousine rolled to a
stop in front of him on the street. "He wouldn't," muttered Ranma
angrily.
The door opened and a familiar figure stepped out, two large
bodyguards stood on either side of him as he strolled up to the
crippled looking man.
"Hakama," snarled Ranma angrily.
"Now, let's calm down a bit shall we? You're in no condition to do
anything at the moment," said Hakama calmly. "I merely came to inquire
about your condition."
"I can still do it you know," snarled Ranma, as he looked the boy
dead in his eyes. "If I do, I'll just have to make sure I take you
with me."
"How quaint," snorted the boy as he looked Ranma up and down for a
moment. "I can see you're just as spiteful as ever."
"More so now," agreed Ranma with a smirk forming on his face.
"There is no animal I cannot tame, much less an upstart like you,"
said Hakama coldly. "I'll have my 'wild horse' yet."
"Over my dead body," said Genryu as he stepped up beside his
brother. Ukyo was just behind him, an angry scowl on her face.
"If it comes down to it. You're too weak for my taste just yet.
I'll catch up with you in a few months, and we'll settle this," said
Hakama as he looked the trio up and down for a moment. Genma and
Nodoka stood a comfortable distance away from them. The boy brushed
off the lapel of his suit for a moment and smirked back at Ranma.
"I don't think so," said Nodoka as she stepped down from beside
Genma. "Whatever problem you have with my son, it ends here and now."
"Problem?" said Hakama with a cheerful looking smile as he turned
towards her. "My dear woman, I want him alive. He will be mine, I will
tame him yet, and he will be my most magnificent conquest."
"Pardon?" muttered Nodoka with a shocked expression. All the color
drained from her face in an instant.
Hakama chuckled and turned away, walking back towards his car.
"I'll be seeing you, Saotome."
"Yes," agreed Ranma. "You will."
"Who was that man?" asked Nodoka as she turned towards him.
"Just an annoying thorn in my side, nothing for you to worry
about," said Ranma as he started walking again.
++++++++++
Shampoo stood on the deck of the ship that was carrying them back
to China. The sea was calm, and a wind blew from the west that made
her hair billow out behind her as she simply watched the waves.
The spear was wrapped, and slung across her shoulder like a
firearm, the glow long since gone from the metal. Her eyes searched
the horizon, looking for any sign of her homeland.
"Shampoo," said Mousse as he walked out onto the deck behind her.
"Perhaps we can have a romantic moment here, looking out over the
ocean..."
She ignored him completely as he strolled up beside her. He was
grinning like an idiot, mentally praising his luck at finding such a
perfect moment. He spread his arms to embrace her, thinking he would
sweep her off her feet.
"If you touch me, you will never make it home. Leave me alone,
you're disturbing my meditation," said the girl calmly. She didn't
even bother to look at him.
Mousse grabbed her, hugging her tightly in his arms. "But...I love
you! How can you be so cold? How can you turn me away like that?"
Shampoo moved like a striking cobra, her arm snapped up in an
instant, catching his neck. Mousse gasped as he found himself lifted
off his feet easily. She turned to face him, her features completely
calm.
"I warned you Mousse," she stated.
The boy's glasses fell off, and vanished into the water below as
she moved him over the side of the deck. He attempted to gasp for air
desperately, clutching at her arm in desperation.
Shampoo's features never changed, she continued to watch the
horizon as the boy struggled in her grip. Slowly, his struggles
slowed, becoming weaker and weaker. His eyes began to turn red with
blood and his chokes slowed.
"Shampoo! Bring him on the deck and release him at once!" snapped
Cologne as she bounded towards them.
The girl responded by casually tossing him back without turning
away.
Mousse slumped down, gasping desperately for breath. His vision
faded in and out as he struggled to rise to his knees.
"Leave me," said Shampoo coldly to the both of them. "I have much
to think about."
"Indeed," agreed Cologne as she pulled Mousse along, watching her
cautiously.
"Shampoo..." whispered Mousse. He found himself thrown against the
wall roughly. His head hit with a metallic clang and he jumped up,
rubbing the spot in irritation.
"If you ever touch Shampoo again, I will not stop her from killing
you," said Cologne as she glared at him.
"I can't see!" muttered Mousse as he felt around himself for a
moment.
"Your eyes will return to normal soon enough. Another few seconds
and you would have died boy," snorted the elder. Her face softened
somewhat as she watched him flounder about pathetically. "Stop being
an idiot, you were almost blind anyway."
"Shampoo! Why?" said the boy as he finally gave up and fell to his
knees again.
"She is not the same person we once knew Mousse. You'd best
remember that, she has seen and done things you cannot imagine,"
snorted the old woman in disgust.
"But...I still love her!" pleaded the boy.
"And she does not love you. There is nothing you can do about
that," said Cologne calmly.
"She does! She just..."
"If I had not stopped her, you would be dead boy," said Cologne
with an icy tone. "Shampoo did not even bat an eye when she held you.
There is no place in her heart for you anymore."
"But..." stammered Mousse.
"The times of the past are gone Mousse. Shampoo is a hunter now,
she has lost much of her kindness. Some of it will return in time, but
she will never be the same girl again. Her childhood is over, and she
is a woman, and a warrior now. You will not be able to chase her as
you have been, and escape with a mere beating."
Mousse hung his head, for the first time she could remember,
Cologne saw real fear in his eyes.
"I..."
"It is over Mousse, you have lost. If you do not give up your
foolish quest for my Great Granddaughter's heart, you will die."
"The I'll die!" snapped the boy as he stood up.
"If you must continue, give her some room. I do not care for you
personally boy, but I also don't want to explain what happened to you
to your mother. She is not open to you now, leave her alone for a few
weeks, or at least until we get back to China."
"She will love me," insisted Mousse.
"Dig your own grave boy, but don't make me a party to it. Until we
reach China, you are not permitted to speak with Shampoo. On pain of
death," said the old woman as she turned away from him.
Mousse merely slumped down against the wall, he had no idea what
to do, and he still couldn't see. Both Amazons left him there for the
remainder of the trip, and he did not move.
+++++++++++
Two weeks later...
Ukyo Saotome sat behind her grill, Ranma was sitting in front of
her with a smirk on his face as he watched Genryu move around the
restaurant. The boy was waiting on the few customers inside the shop.
"Quit starin will ya?" said Genryu irritably.
"I'd never think you'd get into this business thing. It suits
you," said Ranma cheerfully. "You'd do better if you did it as a girl
though."
"I haven't been able to talk him into it," muttered Ukyo absently.
"I don't see you pulling no carts around!" retorted Genryu.
"So, how are things going?" said Ranma as he turned towards Ukyo.
"You've been keeping my brother all to yourself over the past few
weeks."
"We've got a business to run," said Ukyo with a shrug.
"It was a joke, jeez," snorted Ranma as the girl put a plate of
Okonomiyaki in front of him.
"I know, we've...adjusted pretty well," said Ukyo as she smiled at
him weakly.
"Love life doing okay?" asked Ranma.
"None of your business!" cried Genryu from across the room.
"I know, I just like getting you all worked up. Both of you turn
the most interesting shade of red whenever I bring it up," said Ranma
with a small chuckle.
"Jerk," snorted Ukyo as she turned away.
"Well, I suppose. You didn't expect something like near death to
change me that much did you?" said Ranma cheerfully.
"I suppose not. How are you feeling anyway?" asked Ukyo.
"Better every day, a few more weeks and I won't need this
anymore." Ranma tapped his cane against the counter top. "I should be
able to start training again after that."
"Hey! Great!" said Genryu. "I can't wait to pound on you for bein
such an ass!"
"We'll, I've got to admit, this little sister thing is kinda new
to me. I've had practice though," said Ranma as he looked at Ukyo and
grinned.
"Hey! What's that supposed to mean!?" cried Genryu.
Ukyo giggled slightly and covered her mouth.
"Ah, I've still got it," said Ranma as he winked at her.
"Right," said Ukyo as she rolled her eyes.
"Well, I definitely didn't get my wit from my father, must be
mom's side of the family," said Ranma as he picked at his okonomiyaki.
"How is that fat fool doing anyway?" said Ukyo.
"I dunno, he's still living with Soun. I'm not exactly welcome
there. Neither one of the idiots is speaking to me, and frankly, I'm
much happier," said Ranma cheerfully.
"Pop hasn't changed much," said Genryu lazily.
"I'm surprised he hasn't tried to get you out of your marriage,
and into another stupid engagement," said Ranma casually. "Mom won't
speak to him at all, and she definitely won't let him near me."
"Ranma..." muttered Genryu uncomfortably.
"Don't worry, I'll go talk to the moron after I'm able to defend
myself a little better. Those two are dumb enough to try a shotgun
marriage."
Ukyo nodded. "I hear Akane is coming to see you a lot."
"Yeah, stupid pig headed..." muttered Ranma. "She's a good
student, and shows up every afternoon. I'm not sure what old man Tendo
has to say about that, but she's devoted to kicking my ass once I get
better."
"A lot of people are," agreed Ukyo lazily.
"Yeah, kinda nice to have a break," said Ranma with a snort. "I'm
thinking the only reason I haven't heard from Soun or Genma is because
she comes over so often. Those idiots are expecting love to bloom
between us or something."
"Yup, that sounds like something Pop would do," said Genryu as he
walked up next to them and leaned against the counter.
"Mom wants you two over for dinner tonight," said Ranma as he
looked at the pair for a moment as he finished his meal.
"Sounds good to me," replied Genryu with a small shrug.
Ukyo growled at him for a moment. "We've got things to do here."
"You don't know your mother in law very well. She won't take no
for an answer. Whatever you're supposed to be doing, it will be here
when you come back. She hasn't seen her son for almost ten years
little sister," said Ranma cheerfully.
"I suppose...and don't call me that," said Ukyo with a small
frown.
"Why not? It's true," said Ranma calmly.
"Jerk," said Ukyo as she turned away from the grill for a moment.
"You're running out of insults," commented Ranma as he stood up.
"I've got to get back, Akane should be showing up soon. I'll see you
two lovebirds later then." He twirled the cane around in his hand as
he strolled towards the door.
++++++++++++
"You're still overextending," said Ranma as he watched Akane go
through her kata from the porch of the Saotome home. He walked over to
her and moved her body slightly, correcting her mistake. His hand
brushed against her chest for a moment as he did so.
"Pervert," muttered the girl angrily under her breath.
"Maybe I am," replied Ranma as he stepped back and nodded for her
to begin again.
Akane did as she was instructed, growing faster and more intense
with each motion.
"Calm down," said Ranma as he sat down again. "You've got focus,
but it can work against you if you get to worked up."
"What do you mean?" said the girl as she paused and looked over at
him.
"To quote my father, 'A martial artist must be aware of his
surroundings, as well as his opponent. Becoming too focused can result
in missing something important, such as another attacker, or a stone
that could be used to your advantage."
Akane snorted at this and sat down in the grass. "I thought you
didn't like him."
"Genma Saotome is a lot of bad things, but he is an excellent
teacher," said Ranma with a shrug.
"Maybe I should get him to train me," replied the girl snidely.
"He wouldn't do any better than your father did, but for different
reasons," replied Ranma.
"What? Are you saying my father is a poor teacher?" snarled Akane
as she rose to her feet.
"Calm down. Your father couldn't bring himself to train you
properly, out of fear of hurting you. My father would just slack off,
because you're a girl. He wouldn't think you could take it."
"Pig," grumbled Akane.
"Among other things, yes," said Ranma with a small nod. "Our
culture in general tends to think of women as weaker beings. It's not
completely his fault."
"What happened to you then?" said Akane as she sat down again. She
still didn't look particularly happy with him.
"I met women who were just as strong as I was, if not stronger,"
replied the boy with a shrug. "I tend to not be influenced by other's
opinions as much as most people. I prefer to draw my own conclusions,
based on experience. Which is one of your faults as well."
Akane turned her head away from him for a moment, but didn't
argue.
"You've certainly lost some of your bark over the past few weeks,"
commented Ranma.
"I'll never beat you if I don't learn more," said Akane as she
glared at him for a moment. "Like you said, my father isn't going to
be enough, and you're all I've got otherwise."
"I see," said Ranma with a small chuckle.
"Ranma! You have a guest," said Nodoka as she walked out of the
home for a moment.
"Really?" said the boy in surprise.
"Hello," said Kasumi as she walked up behind the woman and smiled.
"Kasumi?" muttered Akane in surprise. "What are you doing here?"
"I've been visiting Ranma. I got used to talking with him while he
was staying with us," replied the girl as she sat down next to him.
"We used to keep the same hours, I'd spend a lot of time talking
with her in the morning," said Ranma with a shrug.
"It hasn't been the same since he left," said Kasumi cheerfully.
Akane frowned; she didn't like the idea one bit. Until something
Nabiki said crept into her mind. "How many friends do you think Kasumi
has?" She growled in the back of her throat for a moment, and remained
silent.
++++++++++
Akane finished her kata, and walked into the home. Ranma and
Kasumi were chatting cheerfully together at the table. They were
sitting opposite one another, and had tea set out between them. She
walked up to the pair and sat down.
"Kasumi, you've been coming over here often?"
"Huh? Of course I have, where did you think I'd been going?" said
the girl as she blinked and looked at her sister.
"Kasumi stops by on the way to the store Akane," said Ranma with a
small chuckle.
"But..." said the younger girl as she looked down at the table in
disbelief.
"It wouldn't surprise me if no one noticed you were gone an extra
hour or two, Kasumi," said Ranma with a small chuckle.
"Oh my," gasped the older girl as she put her hand over her mouth.
"You mean?"
"If Akane didn't notice, I'm pretty sure those two idiots didn't
either." Ranma laughed for a moment as he noticed the expressions on
both girls' faces.
"Don't call my father an idiot!" snapped Akane as she punched
Ranma in the back of his head.
Ranma fell face first onto the tabletop and clutched at his chest.
"Oh! My heart!" He stood up and staggered around over dramatically.
"Oh! It's the big one! I can feel it!"
Kasumi giggled, while Akane merely scowled at him.
"Well, I suppose we're done training for the day Akane," said
Ranma as he looked up at the clock. "Genryu and Ukyo are both coming
over tonight for dinner, mom's gonna be busy in the kitchen till then.
I'll walk you to the store Kasumi."
"Thank you," said the girl with a small smile.
"No problem," said Ranma with a shrug.
"I'm going too," said Akane quickly. She jumped up and stood
between the pair.
Ranma blinked in surprise, but Kasumi didn't seem to notice.
+++++++++++
Inside the store, Ranma hung back a bit with Akane, while Kasumi
did her shopping blissfully.
"Watch yourself," said Akane coldly.
"Come here," said Ranma as he stopped and waited patiently.
Akane strolled up to him and looked him dead in the eyes.
"I know what you're worried about," said Ranma calmly. "I've got
no interest in her that way, Akane. I just lost my wife, and I'm not
about to start something new now. I doubt if I'll be able too for a
very long time."
Akane's features softened for a moment, but she continued to stare
at him. "Keep your hands to yourself."
"I'm not going to promise you anything. I like Kasumi, and we're
good friends, in a few years, things might change. In the short term
though, you've got nothing to worry about."
"She doesn't need you," replied the girl coldly, anger seethed
inside her voice.
"She knows that, and doesn't need you to protect her from me,"
said Ranma calmly. "Akane, I'm not looking for love, and she knows
it."
The younger girl said nothing and turned away from him. Ranma
remained behind, and watched her leave as calmly as ever. He sighed
and shook his head for a moment before continuing to follow them.
++++++++++++
"Goodbye Ranma, it was nice seeing you again," said Kasumi as she
bowed to him as they parted ways outside the store.
"Same here Kasumi," said the boy as he returned the gesture. "I
suppose you'll be coming by again tomorrow?" He looked directly at
Akane as he said this.
The girl merely nodded and turned away from him coldly.
++++++++++++
Ryoga Hibiki was trapped. He glared at the fallen wall of rubble
that now held him inside the small cave he had used to duck out of the
rain. "Damn. I'm trapped," he growled as he attempted to move some of
the debris out of the way. For every stone he moved, two more replaced
it.
A voice outside the cave called to him. "I may have a way for you
to escape. Here take this." A scroll fell through a small opening at
the top of the blocked entrance.
"What? Who's there? What is this?" said the boy as he picked up
the scroll.
"It's a technique used for demolition. I've never been able to get
it right. Maybe you'll have better luck with it," said the voice
calmly.
Ryoga frowned and attempted to peer through the crack near the
top. A small man in a hardhat stood outside the cave. "I work at a
construction site nearby. I'm afraid I don't have any tools with me,
or I'd help you out."
"Thanks," muttered Ryoga halfheartedly.
"Sorry. I'd call for help, but by the time anyone else got here,
you'll have dug yourself out of there. The rockslide wasn't that bad,"
said the man with a shrug as he wandered away.
"What is this technique?" grumbled Ryoga as he opened the scroll.
His eyes went wide as he began to read.
++++++++++++
"What the heck?" said Ranma as he turned to see a familiar looking
ball of energy bouncing towards him.
"BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAA! What a haul!"
"Granpa?"
Happosai skidded to a halt and stared up at the boy for a moment.
"Well, if it isn't li'l Ranma!"
"Still up to the same old tricks are we?" said the boy with a
small chuckle.
"Of course," said the old man cheerfully. "I've heard about what
happened to you. A real shame."
"I'm getting better, but it's time consuming," said Ranma with a
slightly tired sounding sigh.
"I imagine so. I'll come by and see you tomorrow. I may be able to
help you out a bit," said the old man as he sat down on the pavement
and lit his pipe.
"Pardon?" muttered Ranma in shock.
"Well, you are going to be my heir after all. You promised me
you'd let me train you after that whole thing was over," said the old
man as he looked up at the boy.
"I...suppose I did," muttered Ranma as he looked down at the old
man for a moment. "Real training though, not that crap you pulled on
Soun and my father."
"Of course, those two idiots still don't realize I never took them
seriously," said Happosai with a small chuckle.
Ranma nodded and leaned against a nearby wall. "According to the
doctors, I'll never be like I was though."
"Rubbish," snorted Happosai. "Doctors aren't worth spit. I'll have
you back to normal in no time flat."
"I'm sure," commented Ranma wryly.
"Don't count this old man out yet, I've got a trick or two up my
sleeve still," said Happosai cheerfully as he hopped back to his feet.
"You'll forgive me if I don't get too excited," deadpanned Ranma.
"I'd love to do a little training with you though. I don't think I've
ever seen my mother happier than the day she caught us raiding her
panty drawer."
"Nodoka, is a good woman," agreed Happosai.
"Well, I'll see you later then, I've got to get back. Mom's having
Genryu and his wife over tonight. You know how these things can be."
"How is that cute little sister of yours anyway?" said Happosai.
"Ukyo?" muttered Ranma as he feigned ignorance.
"No boy! The hot one, that cute little redhead!" quipped Happy.
"Oh, well you should know. She's coming down the street with her
wife, and about fifty other women armed with brooms and mops."
Happosai looked over his shoulder for a moment. "Oops, gotta run
boy!" He lifted his bag back over his shoulder and jumped up onto the
wall.
"Yup," agreed Ranma as he watched the old man rush off. "I suppose
I should tell Mom that Genryu and Ukyo are gonna be a little late."
++++++++++++
TBC...
Next time: Guess who's coming to dinner? And I don't mean Ukyo and
Genryu.
