Chapter Five: Remembrances and Goodbyes
____________________
Ranko looked at the stone slab. It was set into the Saotome family shrine. Ranko just stared not knowing what to do or even how to feel.
There was a simple inscription, 'Nadoka Saotome, she never stopped searching.'
The date of death was almost two years ago.
Akane stepped up behind Ranko and held her, "I'm so sorry Ranko."
"I barely remember her. It's almost like a dream." Ranko whispered. Finally she broke from her almost trance like state and lit the incense on the shrine. She clapped her hands and knelt in prayer.
A few hours later Ranko stood in the foyer of her mother's house. A short stocky lawyer stood behind her holding a briefcase. Ranko entered the house and looked around. It was completely furnished. Everything was covered in dust cloths. There were photos and paintings on the wall. Ranko looked at one at random. She saw a lady standing with her father. There was a little girl standing in front of them. They looked so happy, Ranko thought. She knew that was her and her mother in the photo but couldn't remember it ever being taken. She wandered the house trying to find anything that was familiar. Hoping something was there to remind her of her life before her father took her off on their training trip.
She went upstairs and found her mother's room. There were more photos of people and places she didn't know. The bed was made and there were clothes in the closet. It was as if someone was still living here. Ranko shivered slightly and left the room.
The next room was different. The walls were painted with a faded pink with white trim. There were picture of fairy tale characters here and there. There was a cute white dresser next to a small bed that had a flower patterned quilt on it. There were stuffed animals piled all over it. One stood out to Ranko. It was a worn white rabbit with a red ribbon around it's neck. One of its button eyes hung loose and it was threadbare in places. The stuffing seemed compressed around the joints making it seem loose and floppy. One of the ears was bent half way.
Ranko stared at it for a moment then walked over and picked it up. Suddenly the memories seemed to come rushing back in a flood.
* * * * * * * * * *
"I don't care! You're not taking my little girl away on some damned training trip. If you train anything like your master she'll just grow up warped." Nadoka cried.
"I'm not going to discuss this while you're being irrational." Genma scowled.
Ranko looked over the banister, she couldn't see her parents but she could hear them fighting. She suddenly heard a slap as her mommy stopped talking mid-sentence.
"I'm going out." Genma said. The door slammed shut behind him.
Ranko heard quiet sobbing as she went downstairs. She hated it when her mommy and daddy fought. She looked around the corner and saw her mommy sitting on the floor with her back against the wall. She was holding a hand against her cheek.
Nadoka wiped away her tears when she saw Ranko approach. Trying to smile she took the little girl in her arms and hugged her tight.
"Don't cry mommy. I promise I'll be good." Ranko said.
"Oh honey, it's not your fault. You've always been a good girl. Your daddy and I just disagree sometimes that's all." Nadoka tried to comfort her daughter. She let go of Ranko and got up off the floor. "Now off to bed with you. Growing girls need lots of sleep."
Nadoka went upstairs with Ranko and tucked her in tight. She gave the girl her stuffed rabbit and turned to leave.
"Mommy? Can you kiss Mr. Bun goodnight? He gets scared without a goodnight kiss." Ranko pleaded.
Nadoka smiled and went back to the bed. Leaning over she kissed the rabbit on the forehead then she gave Ranko a kiss as well before turning off the light and closing the door.
It was completely dark when Ranko woke up. She almost cried out but a hand went over her mouth.
"Shhh, it's just your daddy." Genma said.
Ranko wasn't sure what was going on. Daddy smelled funny. He often did when he came home at night lately. He made Ranko get up and get dressed. Then he handed her a small backpack. Opening the window he picked up Ranko.
"Where are we going daddy?" Ranko asked sleepily.
"We're going camping. You like camping don't you?"
Ranko nodded a little, "Where's mommy?"
"She's going to catch up with us later. She's... Umm, she's getting some groceries."
"Oh. Wait, I need Mr. Bun. He wants to go camping too!"
"No, we don't need stuffed animals where we're going." Genma said.
Genma jumped out the window and hopped down to the ground and ran off down the road.
The worn white rabbit fell off the side of the bed it had been precariously perched upon.
* * * * * * * * * *
Ranko was crouched on the floor hugging the rabbit in a deathgrip when Akane found her. She was rocking back and forth, tears coming down her cheeks. Akane reached out and touched her shoulder. Ranko pulled away as if she'd been hit.
"Ranko, It's me, Akane."
Ranko seemed to come to herself a bit, "He stole me away from my mommy. He never even told me she was alive. Now she's gone. It's all his fault. Everything. My life was ruined all because he wanted a male heir." Ranko spat bitterly.
Akane sat down and pulled Ranko into a hug. This time Ranko didn't pull away. She fell against Akane and cried herself to sleep as Akane gently rocked her.
* * * * * * * * * *
It was about half an hour later when everyone was sitting around the coffee table in the Saotome living room.
"Now that we have proof of your identity we can proceed with your mother's will." The lawyer said. Nabiki sat next to Ranko to explain anything she didn't understand.
"First off, she left you the house and a sizable trust fund in your name. Unfortunately a good portion of that will be taken for inheritance tax. Also it appears there were quite a number of stocks your mother had invested in over the years. They are in both your names so you may be able to avoid paying too much in the way of taxes on them. Finally there is this." The lawyer picked up and placed on the table a cloth wrapped bundle.
"The will left specific instructions that this was to be given directly to you in the event of her death."
Ranko reached out and took the bundle. It was heavier than she expected. She carefully unwrapped the cloth to reveal a moderately ornate hilt of a katana. Unwrapping further revealed the sheath of the sword. It was red with gold dragons inlaid upon it. She pulled the sword out slightly and gasped at the blue color of the steel and the sharpness of the edge.
"The family sword." Ranko whispered in wonder. Ranko re-wrapped the blade and rested it on her lap with Mr. Bun.
"Now about the house..." The Lawyer began.
"Sell it. Sell it all." Ranko said coldly.
* * * * * * * * * *
After all the forms had been signed and the papers filed, Ranko and the Tendos returned home. Nabiki began to go over the itemized list of everything Ranko had inherited. She whistled loudly as she tallied up some of the figures.
"Boy, even after taxes Ranko will have enough to live on comfortably for years. That's even taking into account the cost of college." Nabiki smiled, "This almost puts the Kuno fortune to shame. Ranko, if you'll let me reinvest some of this I could get you a much higher return in about five to ten years."
Ranko just nodded dumbly. She still cradled the stuffed rabbit as if it were her lifeline to the world.
Kimiko looked at the small girl. She seemed so frail and tiny compared to just the other day, "Ranko? How about you help me get dinner ready to get your mind off things for a while?"
That seemed to snap Ranko back to reality a little, "I think I'd like that Auntie."
After Ranko and Kimiko left to the kitchen Soun looked down from his newspaper, "That poor girl. She's been through so much. Akane, How would you feel about her becoming part of the family?"
Akane nearly choked on her tea. She coughed for about half a minute, "What do you mean daddy?" She finally got out.
"I've been thinking of adopting her into the family." Soun said thoughtfully.
"Are you sure that's wise? Ranko's mother may be dead but her father is still out there somewhere and may object." Nabiki said.
Soun's eyes clouded for a minute, "Oh, Saotome how could you have come to this? Still Nabiki, I hardly think Genma is in a position to legally fight it. So, how would you feel about it?" he asked again.
"I...I don't mind really. I really think the decision should be left up to Ranko." Akane said after a moment.
"True, true. I would like to talk it over with your mother some before I bring it up with Ranko." Feeling the case was closed at least for now, Soun went back to his paper.
* * * * * * * * * *
After dinner Ranko and Akane were in Akane's room.
"Adoption?" Ranko sounded surprised.
"Yeah, you'd be my sister." Akane sounded glum.
"But that would mean..." Ranko trailed off.
"That we couldn't really be together." Akane finished for her.
"I could always say no. It's not like I don't have any money to pay my way here. And I am technically the head of the Saotome clan now. It's just me and Father and mom left me the family sword." Ranko said.
"It would be easier if we could just tell my father about us." Akane sighed.
Ranko hugged Akane close, resting her head on the taller girl's shoulder.
"I was wondering if you could tell me how your mother died. Nabiki wouldn't tell me." Akane asked hesitantly after a few minutes.
Ranko nodded and pulled a piece of paper out of her pocket. It was a printout from Nabiki's computer. She handed it to Akane. Akane unfolded it. It was from an online newspaper archive.
Woman killed by Drunk Driver:
Twenty Nine year old Nadoka Saotome of Nerima district, Tokyo, was hit while crossing a street in Osaka. The driver was arrested for drunk driving and vehicular manslaughter after a fifteen minute chase by police. Mrs. Saotome died on route to the hospital, her last words were her calling out for her daughter who had been abducted eight years earlier; according to paramedics in the ambulance. Mrs. Saotome had been traveling for eight years searching for her lost daughter who had been kidnapped by her own father, Genma Saotome. Mr. Saotome is wanted for a multitude of crimes all over Japan and even parts of China.
Akane realized she was shaking as she finished the article. "I understand now. Her marker, 'she never stopped searching.' She must have loved you very much."
Ranko nodded sadly, tears in her eyes, "I know. Somehow I'll make father pay for all he's done."
"And I'll be right beside you all the way." Akane promised.
The two girls kissed briefly and Ranko got up to leave for her own room.
Ranko shut the door to her room and walked over to the dresser. Her mother's katana rested on a stand. She picked it up, admiring it's simple beauty. She pulled the sword out of the scabbard to fully view the blade. As the blade came free a small piece of paper fell loose onto the floor. She picked it up and unfolded it to show a letter written on a full sheet of paper.
To my Daughter Ranko,
If you are reading this letter then it means you are alive and have found I am not. I am sorry I have not been there to see you grow up. I'm sure your father had his reasons for taking you from me and I hope he has not poisoned your memories of me. I wish I could see the beautiful woman you should be by now but I will trust in the spirits and kami to keep you safe until the time we can be reunited. I will watch over you as much as I can. Know that the blade you posses has been handed down from mother to daughter for over twenty generations of the Saotome clan. Yes, I was a Saotome, your father was not. He assumed the name because of his class and wealth. You are descended from a proud samurai clan and I know you will bring honor and pride to the Saotome name. Wield this blade only for honor and the defense of the weak. Make your mother proud.
Until we meet in the here after, your loving mother, Nadoka Saotome.
She turned and caught her reflection in the mirror. Her eyes were bloodshot and puffy from crying. Her hair was disheveled and her clothes hung loosely on her small frame. For a moment she saw the scared little girl who spent those first few days with her father crying while they were on the run. Then she straightened up and closed her eyes, finding her center, she looked at the mirror again. There was determination and strength in her eyes now.
"I have friends and family now. I will no longer be afraid. I will avenge you mother, I swear it on this blade." She said quietly with a steely edge in her voice as sharp as the sword in her hands.
* * * * * * * * * *
"Come on Ryouga, how am I supposed to get over this if you won't take me seriously?" Ranko complained.
Ryouga shook his head, "I'm sorry Ranko, I'm just afraid I'll hurt you."
Akane sat to the side of the dojo watching the two spar. She concealed her jealousy well she thought. Ranko really needed a male to spar with to get over her fears and Ryouga was her only male friend. That didn't mean Akane had to like it. She almost laughed out loud as she thought about it. Ranko was a much better Martial artist than Akane was. After some of the stories she told of her encounters in China and even in Japan, Akane realized Ranko was either a certifiable liar or truly gifted.
Ranko put Ryouga to the mat for the fifth time, "Damn it, you're not even trying!" Ranko growled.
Ryouga leapt up and re-assumed his stance. Ranko punched again followed by a leg sweep. Ryouga just blocked or avoided all of Ranko's attacks.
"Fine! If that's the way you want it. Final Attack! Kami's Wrath!" Ranko held out her hands in front of her as lightning shot from her hands into Ryouga.
Ryouga convulsed for a moment before collapsing in a smoking heap on the dojo floor.
Akane stared at Ranko in wide eyed disbelief, "Ranko, how did you do that?" she gasped.
Ranko was examining Ryouga to make sure there was no permanent damage then she stood up and jumped around until she was in Akane's arms.
"Yatta! I did it!" She cried happily.
"Did what? What was that?" Akane asked again.
"A chi attack. I learned it from an oni woman who showed me how to do it after I helped her find her boyfriend. Apparently it only works on boys." Ranko answered.
"Can I... I mean would you teach me?"
Ranko nodded enthusiastically, "Of course! You know what this means don't you?"
Akane shook her head.
"I can fight boys again! Let's celebrate! We're going on a shopping spree!" Ranko grabbed Akane and dragged her out of the dojo.
Ryouga slowly regained consciousness and sat up blearily, "Have I been shouting 'Shazam' in the middle of a storm again?"
* * * * * * * * * *
Ranko tried on a yellow sundress that showed off her legs as she twirled in front of a mirror next to the dressing room. Akane nodded approvingly at her choice. Ranko seemed really happy for a change and her mood was catching.
Akane caught herself admiring Ranko's legs. That was when she realized there was something odd, "Ranko? You never told me how you got all those fine scars on your body."
Ranko's smile disappeared and Akane instantly regretted asking. Ranko looked down at her legs and Akane watched as her eyes moved to her arms as her hands moved to her face.
"I'm sorry Ranko, I didn't mean to upset you." Akane apologized.
"No Akane, it's not your fault. Maybe I should have said something earlier about it." She sat down next to her lover. "I was about six years old when father tried to teach me what he called an 'unbeatable technique', the Neko- ken. It involved tying the individual in some sort of fish based food like fish sausages and throwing them into a pit of hungry cats."
Akane gasped as she turned white.
Ranko continued on, "Apparently I was supposed to learn this fighting style by fighting off the cats. It didn't work, all it taught me was to be afraid of cats. So he tried it again, with sardines, octopus, fish cakes. After about the tenth time something happened. I snapped. My fear overwhelmed me and I blacked out. When I woke up later I was lying on this old lady's lap as she rocked me back and forth. My father found me soon after, covered in scratches and bite marks. He never told me what happened and stopped the training. To this day I've been afraid of cats and if I can't get away from them I black out."
"Oh Ranko, that's horrible! If I ever see that...that..."
"Get in line. I get first crack at him." Ranko smirked, some of her fire returning.
Unseen by either girl a dark shape darted out of a clothing display and out of the store.
* * * * * * * * * *
End Chapter Five
Ranko looked at the stone slab. It was set into the Saotome family shrine. Ranko just stared not knowing what to do or even how to feel.
There was a simple inscription, 'Nadoka Saotome, she never stopped searching.'
The date of death was almost two years ago.
Akane stepped up behind Ranko and held her, "I'm so sorry Ranko."
"I barely remember her. It's almost like a dream." Ranko whispered. Finally she broke from her almost trance like state and lit the incense on the shrine. She clapped her hands and knelt in prayer.
A few hours later Ranko stood in the foyer of her mother's house. A short stocky lawyer stood behind her holding a briefcase. Ranko entered the house and looked around. It was completely furnished. Everything was covered in dust cloths. There were photos and paintings on the wall. Ranko looked at one at random. She saw a lady standing with her father. There was a little girl standing in front of them. They looked so happy, Ranko thought. She knew that was her and her mother in the photo but couldn't remember it ever being taken. She wandered the house trying to find anything that was familiar. Hoping something was there to remind her of her life before her father took her off on their training trip.
She went upstairs and found her mother's room. There were more photos of people and places she didn't know. The bed was made and there were clothes in the closet. It was as if someone was still living here. Ranko shivered slightly and left the room.
The next room was different. The walls were painted with a faded pink with white trim. There were picture of fairy tale characters here and there. There was a cute white dresser next to a small bed that had a flower patterned quilt on it. There were stuffed animals piled all over it. One stood out to Ranko. It was a worn white rabbit with a red ribbon around it's neck. One of its button eyes hung loose and it was threadbare in places. The stuffing seemed compressed around the joints making it seem loose and floppy. One of the ears was bent half way.
Ranko stared at it for a moment then walked over and picked it up. Suddenly the memories seemed to come rushing back in a flood.
* * * * * * * * * *
"I don't care! You're not taking my little girl away on some damned training trip. If you train anything like your master she'll just grow up warped." Nadoka cried.
"I'm not going to discuss this while you're being irrational." Genma scowled.
Ranko looked over the banister, she couldn't see her parents but she could hear them fighting. She suddenly heard a slap as her mommy stopped talking mid-sentence.
"I'm going out." Genma said. The door slammed shut behind him.
Ranko heard quiet sobbing as she went downstairs. She hated it when her mommy and daddy fought. She looked around the corner and saw her mommy sitting on the floor with her back against the wall. She was holding a hand against her cheek.
Nadoka wiped away her tears when she saw Ranko approach. Trying to smile she took the little girl in her arms and hugged her tight.
"Don't cry mommy. I promise I'll be good." Ranko said.
"Oh honey, it's not your fault. You've always been a good girl. Your daddy and I just disagree sometimes that's all." Nadoka tried to comfort her daughter. She let go of Ranko and got up off the floor. "Now off to bed with you. Growing girls need lots of sleep."
Nadoka went upstairs with Ranko and tucked her in tight. She gave the girl her stuffed rabbit and turned to leave.
"Mommy? Can you kiss Mr. Bun goodnight? He gets scared without a goodnight kiss." Ranko pleaded.
Nadoka smiled and went back to the bed. Leaning over she kissed the rabbit on the forehead then she gave Ranko a kiss as well before turning off the light and closing the door.
It was completely dark when Ranko woke up. She almost cried out but a hand went over her mouth.
"Shhh, it's just your daddy." Genma said.
Ranko wasn't sure what was going on. Daddy smelled funny. He often did when he came home at night lately. He made Ranko get up and get dressed. Then he handed her a small backpack. Opening the window he picked up Ranko.
"Where are we going daddy?" Ranko asked sleepily.
"We're going camping. You like camping don't you?"
Ranko nodded a little, "Where's mommy?"
"She's going to catch up with us later. She's... Umm, she's getting some groceries."
"Oh. Wait, I need Mr. Bun. He wants to go camping too!"
"No, we don't need stuffed animals where we're going." Genma said.
Genma jumped out the window and hopped down to the ground and ran off down the road.
The worn white rabbit fell off the side of the bed it had been precariously perched upon.
* * * * * * * * * *
Ranko was crouched on the floor hugging the rabbit in a deathgrip when Akane found her. She was rocking back and forth, tears coming down her cheeks. Akane reached out and touched her shoulder. Ranko pulled away as if she'd been hit.
"Ranko, It's me, Akane."
Ranko seemed to come to herself a bit, "He stole me away from my mommy. He never even told me she was alive. Now she's gone. It's all his fault. Everything. My life was ruined all because he wanted a male heir." Ranko spat bitterly.
Akane sat down and pulled Ranko into a hug. This time Ranko didn't pull away. She fell against Akane and cried herself to sleep as Akane gently rocked her.
* * * * * * * * * *
It was about half an hour later when everyone was sitting around the coffee table in the Saotome living room.
"Now that we have proof of your identity we can proceed with your mother's will." The lawyer said. Nabiki sat next to Ranko to explain anything she didn't understand.
"First off, she left you the house and a sizable trust fund in your name. Unfortunately a good portion of that will be taken for inheritance tax. Also it appears there were quite a number of stocks your mother had invested in over the years. They are in both your names so you may be able to avoid paying too much in the way of taxes on them. Finally there is this." The lawyer picked up and placed on the table a cloth wrapped bundle.
"The will left specific instructions that this was to be given directly to you in the event of her death."
Ranko reached out and took the bundle. It was heavier than she expected. She carefully unwrapped the cloth to reveal a moderately ornate hilt of a katana. Unwrapping further revealed the sheath of the sword. It was red with gold dragons inlaid upon it. She pulled the sword out slightly and gasped at the blue color of the steel and the sharpness of the edge.
"The family sword." Ranko whispered in wonder. Ranko re-wrapped the blade and rested it on her lap with Mr. Bun.
"Now about the house..." The Lawyer began.
"Sell it. Sell it all." Ranko said coldly.
* * * * * * * * * *
After all the forms had been signed and the papers filed, Ranko and the Tendos returned home. Nabiki began to go over the itemized list of everything Ranko had inherited. She whistled loudly as she tallied up some of the figures.
"Boy, even after taxes Ranko will have enough to live on comfortably for years. That's even taking into account the cost of college." Nabiki smiled, "This almost puts the Kuno fortune to shame. Ranko, if you'll let me reinvest some of this I could get you a much higher return in about five to ten years."
Ranko just nodded dumbly. She still cradled the stuffed rabbit as if it were her lifeline to the world.
Kimiko looked at the small girl. She seemed so frail and tiny compared to just the other day, "Ranko? How about you help me get dinner ready to get your mind off things for a while?"
That seemed to snap Ranko back to reality a little, "I think I'd like that Auntie."
After Ranko and Kimiko left to the kitchen Soun looked down from his newspaper, "That poor girl. She's been through so much. Akane, How would you feel about her becoming part of the family?"
Akane nearly choked on her tea. She coughed for about half a minute, "What do you mean daddy?" She finally got out.
"I've been thinking of adopting her into the family." Soun said thoughtfully.
"Are you sure that's wise? Ranko's mother may be dead but her father is still out there somewhere and may object." Nabiki said.
Soun's eyes clouded for a minute, "Oh, Saotome how could you have come to this? Still Nabiki, I hardly think Genma is in a position to legally fight it. So, how would you feel about it?" he asked again.
"I...I don't mind really. I really think the decision should be left up to Ranko." Akane said after a moment.
"True, true. I would like to talk it over with your mother some before I bring it up with Ranko." Feeling the case was closed at least for now, Soun went back to his paper.
* * * * * * * * * *
After dinner Ranko and Akane were in Akane's room.
"Adoption?" Ranko sounded surprised.
"Yeah, you'd be my sister." Akane sounded glum.
"But that would mean..." Ranko trailed off.
"That we couldn't really be together." Akane finished for her.
"I could always say no. It's not like I don't have any money to pay my way here. And I am technically the head of the Saotome clan now. It's just me and Father and mom left me the family sword." Ranko said.
"It would be easier if we could just tell my father about us." Akane sighed.
Ranko hugged Akane close, resting her head on the taller girl's shoulder.
"I was wondering if you could tell me how your mother died. Nabiki wouldn't tell me." Akane asked hesitantly after a few minutes.
Ranko nodded and pulled a piece of paper out of her pocket. It was a printout from Nabiki's computer. She handed it to Akane. Akane unfolded it. It was from an online newspaper archive.
Woman killed by Drunk Driver:
Twenty Nine year old Nadoka Saotome of Nerima district, Tokyo, was hit while crossing a street in Osaka. The driver was arrested for drunk driving and vehicular manslaughter after a fifteen minute chase by police. Mrs. Saotome died on route to the hospital, her last words were her calling out for her daughter who had been abducted eight years earlier; according to paramedics in the ambulance. Mrs. Saotome had been traveling for eight years searching for her lost daughter who had been kidnapped by her own father, Genma Saotome. Mr. Saotome is wanted for a multitude of crimes all over Japan and even parts of China.
Akane realized she was shaking as she finished the article. "I understand now. Her marker, 'she never stopped searching.' She must have loved you very much."
Ranko nodded sadly, tears in her eyes, "I know. Somehow I'll make father pay for all he's done."
"And I'll be right beside you all the way." Akane promised.
The two girls kissed briefly and Ranko got up to leave for her own room.
Ranko shut the door to her room and walked over to the dresser. Her mother's katana rested on a stand. She picked it up, admiring it's simple beauty. She pulled the sword out of the scabbard to fully view the blade. As the blade came free a small piece of paper fell loose onto the floor. She picked it up and unfolded it to show a letter written on a full sheet of paper.
To my Daughter Ranko,
If you are reading this letter then it means you are alive and have found I am not. I am sorry I have not been there to see you grow up. I'm sure your father had his reasons for taking you from me and I hope he has not poisoned your memories of me. I wish I could see the beautiful woman you should be by now but I will trust in the spirits and kami to keep you safe until the time we can be reunited. I will watch over you as much as I can. Know that the blade you posses has been handed down from mother to daughter for over twenty generations of the Saotome clan. Yes, I was a Saotome, your father was not. He assumed the name because of his class and wealth. You are descended from a proud samurai clan and I know you will bring honor and pride to the Saotome name. Wield this blade only for honor and the defense of the weak. Make your mother proud.
Until we meet in the here after, your loving mother, Nadoka Saotome.
She turned and caught her reflection in the mirror. Her eyes were bloodshot and puffy from crying. Her hair was disheveled and her clothes hung loosely on her small frame. For a moment she saw the scared little girl who spent those first few days with her father crying while they were on the run. Then she straightened up and closed her eyes, finding her center, she looked at the mirror again. There was determination and strength in her eyes now.
"I have friends and family now. I will no longer be afraid. I will avenge you mother, I swear it on this blade." She said quietly with a steely edge in her voice as sharp as the sword in her hands.
* * * * * * * * * *
"Come on Ryouga, how am I supposed to get over this if you won't take me seriously?" Ranko complained.
Ryouga shook his head, "I'm sorry Ranko, I'm just afraid I'll hurt you."
Akane sat to the side of the dojo watching the two spar. She concealed her jealousy well she thought. Ranko really needed a male to spar with to get over her fears and Ryouga was her only male friend. That didn't mean Akane had to like it. She almost laughed out loud as she thought about it. Ranko was a much better Martial artist than Akane was. After some of the stories she told of her encounters in China and even in Japan, Akane realized Ranko was either a certifiable liar or truly gifted.
Ranko put Ryouga to the mat for the fifth time, "Damn it, you're not even trying!" Ranko growled.
Ryouga leapt up and re-assumed his stance. Ranko punched again followed by a leg sweep. Ryouga just blocked or avoided all of Ranko's attacks.
"Fine! If that's the way you want it. Final Attack! Kami's Wrath!" Ranko held out her hands in front of her as lightning shot from her hands into Ryouga.
Ryouga convulsed for a moment before collapsing in a smoking heap on the dojo floor.
Akane stared at Ranko in wide eyed disbelief, "Ranko, how did you do that?" she gasped.
Ranko was examining Ryouga to make sure there was no permanent damage then she stood up and jumped around until she was in Akane's arms.
"Yatta! I did it!" She cried happily.
"Did what? What was that?" Akane asked again.
"A chi attack. I learned it from an oni woman who showed me how to do it after I helped her find her boyfriend. Apparently it only works on boys." Ranko answered.
"Can I... I mean would you teach me?"
Ranko nodded enthusiastically, "Of course! You know what this means don't you?"
Akane shook her head.
"I can fight boys again! Let's celebrate! We're going on a shopping spree!" Ranko grabbed Akane and dragged her out of the dojo.
Ryouga slowly regained consciousness and sat up blearily, "Have I been shouting 'Shazam' in the middle of a storm again?"
* * * * * * * * * *
Ranko tried on a yellow sundress that showed off her legs as she twirled in front of a mirror next to the dressing room. Akane nodded approvingly at her choice. Ranko seemed really happy for a change and her mood was catching.
Akane caught herself admiring Ranko's legs. That was when she realized there was something odd, "Ranko? You never told me how you got all those fine scars on your body."
Ranko's smile disappeared and Akane instantly regretted asking. Ranko looked down at her legs and Akane watched as her eyes moved to her arms as her hands moved to her face.
"I'm sorry Ranko, I didn't mean to upset you." Akane apologized.
"No Akane, it's not your fault. Maybe I should have said something earlier about it." She sat down next to her lover. "I was about six years old when father tried to teach me what he called an 'unbeatable technique', the Neko- ken. It involved tying the individual in some sort of fish based food like fish sausages and throwing them into a pit of hungry cats."
Akane gasped as she turned white.
Ranko continued on, "Apparently I was supposed to learn this fighting style by fighting off the cats. It didn't work, all it taught me was to be afraid of cats. So he tried it again, with sardines, octopus, fish cakes. After about the tenth time something happened. I snapped. My fear overwhelmed me and I blacked out. When I woke up later I was lying on this old lady's lap as she rocked me back and forth. My father found me soon after, covered in scratches and bite marks. He never told me what happened and stopped the training. To this day I've been afraid of cats and if I can't get away from them I black out."
"Oh Ranko, that's horrible! If I ever see that...that..."
"Get in line. I get first crack at him." Ranko smirked, some of her fire returning.
Unseen by either girl a dark shape darted out of a clothing display and out of the store.
* * * * * * * * * *
End Chapter Five