The Tendo Dojo Murders
[Disclaimer: These characters are the property of Rumiko
Takahashi. This story has not been authorized nor will it
likely ever be. I'm not making any money or promoting
anything with this, so please don't sue me. This story
contains some violent scenes so reader discretion is
strongly advised.]
Chapter 1: Fire
The Cat Cafe was busy, the customers waiting a little longer
than usual for their afternoon ramen. They were in no
hurry--the weather outside had turned cold and rainy, and
no one seemed particularly anxious to be back out in it.
Nevertheless, when Shampoo entered, one customer recognized
her and said, "Hey! Is anybody gonna serve us? Like
today?"
The customer cringed when she saw Shampoo's reaction. It
was not anger or annoyance or even surprise. Shampoo simply
looked through her with the most empty expression she'd
seen. The customer tried to go back to looking
inconspicuous as Shampoo went to the kitchen.
"How was your trip to China?" Cologne asked her, as Shampoo
went to the kitchen.
"No interesting happen," Shampoo muttered.
At first, Cologne was indifferent to Shampoo's answer and
was about to order Shampoo to work, when she noticed
Shampoo's tone had been very flat. It was very unlike
Shampoo to be so emotionless.
Cologne studied Shampoo's posture and discovered Shampoo
was very blank in her form and movements, as well.
"Something on face?" Shampoo asked, looking around at a
mirror.
"Nothing," Cologne replied. "Just pick up some of these
orders," she said, gesturing to several bowls of ramen.
As Shampoo blankly turned and went to work, Cologne frowned
and began to mutter to herself, wondering if Shampoo had
found another magic artifact again.
"I'm not getting involved this time," Cologne told herself,
already beginning to finish her work there.
***
When Ranma and Akane entered the Cat Cafe, Akane seemed
strangely cheerful as Ranma (girl-type and pouting a little
bit) seemed strangely morose. They were soaking wet, and
they took a moment to dry off near the entrance.
"He said you were 'nice,'" Ranma said to Akane, somewhat
pointedly.
"I like a good downpour," Akane said, somewhat mysteriously--
as if in reply to Ranma's statement. "I wouldn't want it to
rain like that all the time."
"Then you get all upset," Ranma added. "I thought you liked
Ryoga."
"I do like him," Akane said, turning and looking annoyed.
"So you admit it!" Ranma said, trying to think of something
to add to that.
Shampoo appeared then, and beckoned to them from the
kitchen. Shampoo then disappeared back into the kitchen.
As Ranma and Akane started to follow her, Akane said,
"Ranma, what is your problem?"
"What ya mean?"
"Why do you care if I like Ryoga or not? Don't tell me
you're jealous!"
Ranma made a sour face as they entered the kitchen and said,
"Oh, please!"
Akane stopped and looked in amazement, as Ranma continued
pouting. "You don't see me gettin' all weepy just cause
someone calls me 'nice.'"
Ranma thought for a moment that she had gone too far,
because Akane continued to look at Shampoo in astonishment,
and Ranma had to do a double-take when she finally looked at
Shampoo.
"What's up?" Ranma asked them.
Just before Ranma could see what the matter was, Shampoo
turned and took a container from beside her. "I get this
for Ranma," Shampoo said, rather unceremonious. "This water
of nan-niichuan--spring drown man."
Ranma nearly fainted from shock, then leaned close to Akane
to ask, "Am I missing something? What was just happening?"
"I don't know," Akane said. "Shampoo just had the most..."
Akane gestured in that universal way that meant something
one can't figure out a way to say, but by that time Ranma
had finally absorbed the significant part of what Shampoo
had just said.
"Is this really?" Ranma asked, taking the container.
"Yes," Shampoo said.
Ranma, taking the container and immediately dumping the
contents on herself, looked blissful as Shampoo suddenly
seemed very serious.
"I only ask one favor," Shampoo said. "Help get revenge for
Shampoo..."
Ranma, turning back to boy-type for good, said, "Oh, sure.
Whatever..." Meanwhile, he grinned and rolled his eyes in
pleasure and pinched himself to make certain he wasn't
dreaming.
Akane watched in growing disgust as Ranma began chuckling
and Shampoo fell to her knees and started weeping. Akane
took it in for a moment, then cleared her throat.
Ranma looked at Akane and Akane gestured meaningfully at
Shampoo with her eyes.
"Huh?" Ranma asked. "Oh... What the--?"
***
An evil chuckling filled the air, and it brought Shampoo
around with a start.
For some reason, Shampoo could not remember anything up to
this moment from the time she had arrived in China.
At first, she thought she was standing on a small island in
the middle of the sea, but the smell of smoke brought her
back to where she really was--that and a voice.
"Shampoo!" the voice said. "Glad you could finally make
it!"
Shampoo looked around, searching for the voice, but all she
could see were the smoking remains of the tribe. Everywhere
she looked, she saw smoke and burned-out husks of what were
houses and bodies. Here and there, some had fought in vain
against some fearsome intruder.
"Who?" she asked. "Who are you?"
"The killer," the voice replied, matter-of-factly. "I am
the homicidal maniac that caused all this destruction. What
do you think of my work?"
Shampoo searched again, but the voice may have as well been
coming straight from out of the smoke-filled sky.
"Like it?" the voice asked.
Shampoo had no strength left to answer, as the figure
suddenly emerged. It was nothing more than a hooded figure
dressed all in black, holding a sword. He stood before her
as if proudly displaying his talents before an appreciative
audience--the sword leaning up against his shoulder in a
haughty fashion, approaching arrogance.
"You Amazons fight pretty good," he smoothly added. "I've
got to admit." He paused for a moment in thought and said,
"Nothing like myself, of course, but it was fun."
Shampoo struggled, then managed to ask, "Why?"
"Why?" the figure said. "Why did I let you live? Why did I
kill them?" He thought for a moment, puzzling, then said,
"I don't know. Mysterious, isn't it?"
The figure paused for another moment, then started to leave
again, "Well, I'd love to stay and chat, but I've got to
run. More people to kill..."
Shampoo had no urge to stop him--no anger or fear. At the
time, she didn't even feel resentment. There was only shock
and a deep sense of emptiness where she had once had a
village.
Chapter 2: Coward
That evening, Ranma and Akane tried to explain some of this
to their fathers and Akane's sisters, Nabiki and Kasumi.
Soun, of course, did nothing but weep uncontrollably while
Kasumi was stunned and Nabiki looked suspicious. Genma,
however, seemed unaffected--shrugging everything off to
continue eating.
The Tendo living room was very still aside from the sound of
the rain and Genma eating, and the others stopped to look at
him.
"What?" Genma said. "I think you people are all gullible.
Especially you, boy," he said, turning to Ranma. "You'd
believe anything someone said after curing you of that
curse."
"Don't sound so jealous," Ranma muttered.
"Mr. Saotome?" Kasumi started.
"How can you be so callous?" Akane said. "What if it had
been one of us?"
"But it wasn't," Genma replied. "Look, all I'm saying is,
take another good look at this. Shampoo has no proof to
back up her story. All we have is her word for it, and I
saw nothing in the news."
"Surely," Nabiki agreed, "there would be something on TV."
"The Amazon tribe isn't exactly a recognized city," Ranma
said.
"Oh my," Kasumi said, agreeing. "That's right. Whatever
happens there is a strict secret."
"Still," Genma said, "it does seem suspicious that we
wouldn't hear rumors."
"So," Nabiki said, "what are you doing here, Ranma? Didn't
you agree to go fight this mysterious man in black?"
"Yeah," Ranma replied, "but Cologne insisted that I stay out
of it."
"She seemed to take offense at the idea when we told her,"
Akane added. "I guess we shouldn't have told her, like
Shampoo said not to."
"So, Shampoo stayed behind?" Nabiki asked, a little
nonplussed.
"No," Ranma replied. "She threated to tear down the shops
if she couldn't go along. She was getting pretty animated
by that time."
"We should do something," Soun said, finally daring to
speak. "This is just so horrible!"
"What can we do, Tendo?" Genma asked him. "I mean, it's not
like the killer left a calling card."
"But we can't just sit here, either," Soun whined. "We're
martial artists! It's our duty to go after vicious
criminals like that."
There was another grim silence, as Nabiki paused in thought,
Genma rolled his eyes in irritation, and the others glanced
around at each other eagerly.
"Our duty is to protect the innocent," Soun said.
"I guess it's a matter of honor, Pop," Ranma added.
Genma groaned and then said, "Oh, all right. Run off to
China if you like, but leave me out of it."
"Don't you want to visit the cursed springs?" Ranma prodded
him.
"Not if it means having to fight that old crone!" Genma
replied. "If she said to stay here, she has a good reason.
Just trust me, Ranma."
"I agree," Nabiki said. "We don't even know if any of it is
true."
Ranma folded his arms and said, "I ain't stupid. I know
what the old bag meant. She doesn't want us tromping
through the scene of the crime like wild horses in a jewelry
store. I ain't like that, though."
Akane looked at Ranma doubtfully, and even Soun had to pause
for a moment as Ranma cleared his throat and then continued.
"Anyway, I believe Shampoo. The sooner we find this guy,
the sooner we can kick his butt."
Akane looked around and said, "Okay, Ranma, but how exactly
are we going to find this guy?"
"He could be anywhere in China by now," Nabiki said.
"Or maybe not even in China," Genma added.
Kasumi then thoughtfully said, "Excuse me, but isn't it true
that the killer targeted the Amazon village? He spared
Shampoo, but he said nothing about sparing Cologne. I think
this is why Shampoo did not want her to know."
"But," Nabiki said, "Shampoo said the killer knew her by
name. If he knows her, then he must know Cologne."
"Which must mean," Genma said, "that Cologne probably knows
him. All the more reason not to get involved."
"What do you mean, Pop?" Ranma asked.
"Ranma," Genma said, adjusting his glasses, "think about it.
If we go over there, it'll just be one misunderstanding
after another. We don't know half the people that old mummy
knows, so just stay out of it till she gets back. She won't
be gone that long, anyway."
Soun, at his wit's end, said, "Saotome! I can't believe
what I'm hearing! This is all so...!" Soun then left the
room, fuming as he went.
"I gotta agree, Pop," Ranma said. "What's gotten into you?"
"Since when are you so noble, Ranma?" Genma asked him.
"Don't tell me you're doing this just for honor!"
Genma glanced meaningfully at Akane, and that ended the
argument immediately. Ranma got up and fumed his way out of
the room.
Kasumi sighed disappointedly and went to the kitchen as
Akane and Nabiki studied Genma's devil-may-care attitude.
"Amazing," Nabiki said. "Isn't it, Akane?"
"What?" Akane said.
"I mean," Nabiki explained, "what a little fear of death can
do to someone."
Akane innocently frowned and said, "No way. This isn't the
first time Mr. Saotome has faced a real mass-murderer, is
it?"
Genma stopped and casually smiled--perhaps a little too
casually, because he seemed to lose his balance for a
moment. He then returned to eating silently, while Nabiki
winked and Akane stared at him for a moment in shock.
***
Ranma was packing, and he glared daggers at Genma when Genma
appeared. Genma therefore decided to go to the dojo for
some meditation. Akane appeared a moment later, a little
uncertain of herself.
"Ranma," she said, "is this such a good idea? There really
may be nothing you could do for Shampoo."
Ranma stopped packing for a moment and considered, then
continued packing. "You really think I'd back out at this
point, Akane?"
"No, I guess not."
"Anyway," Ranma continued, setting his bags up neatly, "if
I don't, Shampoo may hold it against me the rest of my
life."
Akane smiled and realized that this was something Ranma
would never have done before they had met. Ranma never
would have given Shampoo's concerns a second thought.
"Pop's okay," Ranma said. "He's always like this. He has
his pride, but it just takes a little encouragement. I'm
taking him with me if I have to tie him up and drag him."
Ranma looked at his things, folded his arms and considered
for a moment. "Now..."
"What?" Akane asked.
"How in world am I going to--?" Ranma then suddenly hit his
hand and said, "Ah! I got it!"
Akane watched in amazement as Ranma took a sheet of paper
and started writing.
"Good ol' Kuno," Ranma said. "I can always count on the
'Blue Thunder of Furinkan High.'" Ranma chuckled as he
worked on the letter.
"Kuno?" Akane muttered, looking at the letter. As she
finished reading, she said, "You're crazy! No way that'll
actually work!"
"Trust me, Akane," Ranma said. "This'll work. I know that
moron well enough. He's got this coming, too--now that I
think about it." He tapped the letter and added, "This is
perfect. I kill two birds with one--"
Soun Tendo suddenly appeared and said, "Ranma! Ah, I knew
you wouldn't abandon your duty! You make me so proud!"
Soun put his arms around Ranma and Akane and said, "This is
perhaps the finest day of this household! A day to
remember! You two have my blessing to go together, of
course."
"I'm not takin' Akane, Mr. Tendo," Ranma said, narrowing his
eyes at Soun. "This is a job for men."
"Dad!" Akane added--thoroughly embarrassed, "Please!"
***
Not a moment of doubt came to Ranma until he entered the
dojo, all packed and ready to travel about two thousand
miles. It was a trip he'd made before a few times, after
all.
Seeing his father's serious bespectacled face, however, made
him recoil with doubt--as if hearing Genma's thoughts.
Do really believe you can defeat a man who slew the entire
village of Amazons and then casually bragged of it afterward
to Shampoo?
"Hello, Ranma," Genma said. "Nice weather, huh?"
"If you like rain," Ranma said. He glared back at Genma
with as much ferocity as he could muster. Are you a man or
a panda? I honestly can't tell, anymore.
"I find rain very soothing," Genma said. "Very calming."
If you're going, you're going alone.
"Really?" Ranma said. "I've always hated it, but maybe I
could learn to like it." If I go by myself, I'm not coming
back.
***
Nabiki was leaning up against the door, listening, as Kasumi
and Akane stood nearby with Soun.
"What are they saying?" Akane asked. "I can't hear a
thing."
"Something about the rain--" Nabiki said.
***
At this point, Ranma and Genma were in an all-out staring
contest--neither one dared look away for a moment.
Don't kid yourself, Ranma. You're only a hero when it's
convenient or necessary. This isn't your fight, so stay out
of it.
As far as I'm concerned, Pop, I'm already there. The only
question is whether I'm gonna drag you along with me.
If I let you drag me into this, you may as well just start
ignoring me the rest of my life.
When have I ever listened to you?
Genma sighed and spoke, "Ranma, have you learned nothing all
these years? A martial artist is always quick to defend and
slow to attack, not the other way around."
"Strategy?" Ranma said. "Is that all you can think about?"
"I'm merely telling you what you should already be
thinking," Genma said, getting seriously annoyed. "If it is
possible to attack or to defend, which do you choose?"
"This is stupid--"
"Well? Attack or defend?"
Ranma folded his arms and scowled. "I'm not arguing with
you. You're either coming or you ain't."
"I'm not, but neither are you."
Ranma grimaced in anger as Genma continued.
"The simple fact is that you're letting your anger get to
you, and that is the first thing a fighter should never do.
Stay within yourself. Everything you need is always with
you."
Genma got up and turned away, trying to wax as profound as
possible for him.
"Look ahead, but not too far," he said in his most
instructive tone. "Discover in due time the weakness of
your opponents on your own terms. Know your enemy and
yourself."
Ranma realized that he was fighting a losing battle.
Thinking was never his strong point, and Genma was using up
all his ammo.
"Can you even be certain that there is only one enemy?"
Genma asked. "Will Shampoo really want revenge when she
discovers who it is? Even if you get revenge, will it
really improve how anyone looks at you?"
Ranma was never very good at arguments, but he could see
right through Genma like glass. Preach all you like. What
you're really saying is that you're too afraid to face this
fight like a man. Oh, well. I did my best. Ranma then
said, "All right, Pop. You win. You stay, and I go."
Ranma got up to leave, and then shot back, "Pop, I'm just
curious. Could you tell me something?"
"What is it, Ranma?"
"Were you born a coward or did you just decide to become
one?"
***
The others flinched in shock--to hear Ranma's nasty tone--
trying hard not to imagine how humiliated Genma must have
been to have heard that to his face.
***
Genma merely smiled in a devious way as Ranma turned toward
the door again. Just as Ranma was about to leave, Genma
said, "Ranma, don't be foolish. You can't go now."
Ranma, exhausted, turned and snarled, "Why not?!"
"Because the last flight out to China left at six-thirty."
Genma chuckled as Ranma stomped out the door, muttering,
"Then I'll just swim!"
Chapter 3: Flight
The next morning, Kasumi was doing the usual water-ritual as
Ranma descended from his tree to join the others at
breakfast.
Ranma was miserable, and his face was covered with scratch-
marks from the tree bark and insect bites. This was nothing
new, though. Ranma had often spent the night in the tree,
on top of or underneath the house. He probably knew this
place better than anyone.
He stopped and paused for a moment, just outside the house.
Ranma suddenly realized that this could be the last time
he'd set foot inside, and it made him aware of how much he
would miss it.
He'd never had any doubts when he went to battle Saffron,
but now he was almost certain he would leave forever--if for
no other reason than pride.
Kasumi noticed a sad expression on Ranma's face, and she
said, "Oh, good morning, Ranma! Breakfast is ready!"
And, with that, Ranma returned to the Tendo household one
last time.
***
Ranma wasn't quite himself, though, and everyone else could
sense it. Ranma was sullen and withdrawn, though everyone
else seemed cheerful.
They pretended not to notice, but Ranma could tell that they
were aware and were trying not to show it--saying anything
other than what a man's duty and honor demanded.
Try as he might, Ranma could never recall exactly what was
said, later--and it was a pity, because he would often long
to remember what had been said.
***
At the Kuno residence, Tatewaki was in a similar mood--
anxious and impatient with anyone who dared stand in his
way for a moment.
"Brother, dear," his sister Kodachi said, "why all this
disturbance? It upsets Mr. Wolfman so."
Kodachi held out a small hamster to her brother, and he
seemed a bit surprised to see the thing trembling in
Kodachi's grasp as Kodachi frowned childishly.
"Begone, vile sister!" he said, taking a step back. He then
thrusted a letter out toward her and explained, "There is a
damsel in distress, and I have not a moment to spare!"
Kodachi took the trembling hamster in one arm as she took
the letter in the other hand, quickly investigating its
contents.
"To my dear Kuno," she read. "I've gone to China because
something has upset me terribly. I will never see you
again, so do not bother coming after me--but know that I
will be thinking of you as I plunge from the face of
Quanjing's highest summit. Farewell."
Kodachi chuckled and said, "At last! I'm rid of that foul
demon-girl!"
Kuno, gathering some bags together, took a spill over
himself, as Kodachi cackled laughter at her own good
fortune. She then took a start as she looked at the letter
again. "Oh, dear! I missed this part--" She continued
reading, "P.S. There is a legend that whoever jumps from
this mountain will simply fly away. If I could, I would
dearly love to see those villains Ranma and his father
watch me go, but alas, it is too much to hope for."
"My sword!" Kuno cried, "How can I go without my sword?!"
Kuno looked around frantically.
"Silly boy!" Kodachi said. "How do you expect to take a
sword through customs?"
Kuno suddenly produced a practice sword and brandished it,
saying, "I shall just have to be very persuasive."
Kodachi laughed as she gently brushed the sword aside.
"Now, now, brother dear. One cannot just march through an
airport with a display of weapons at your side."
"Who said anything about an airport?" Kuno said. "I have no
intention of flying with the unwashed masses."
"But brother," Kodachi said, somewhat imperious, "you do not
have a license to fly, and you dismissed the last fifteen
pilots we had."
"Curses!" Kuno said. "To the airport, then!" He pointed
with his sword, as he marched toward the door. "No
sacrifice is too great for my pigtailed goddess!"
***
Sitting around the Tendo living room table, the mood seemed
to reach a peak of cheerfulness, just as Ranma decided it
was time to ruin it. Nabiki, who had been anticipating this
moment, had already fled to her room, but Akane, Soun, and
Kasumi were there to witness the entire incident.
Ranma grabbed his bags and said, "Okay, Pop. It's time to
stop fooling around. Time for us to go."
Genma just sat at his place, however, still as a statue.
"Come on," Ranma said. "Better hurry. No telling whether
Kuno will take off without us."
"Maybe it would be better if--" Kasumi started.
Ranma turned and looked at her, and Kasumi's voice stuck.
Ranma had a look of grim determination. Ranma nudged Genma,
and Genma slumped over the table, completely inert.
"Let's go, huh?" Ranma said. "Pop?"
They looked carefully at Genma, but he was completely still.
Soun chuckled nervously, expecting Genma to look up and
smile at them.
Ranma nudged Genma again, but Genma remained motionless.
"Come on, Pop. Stop playin' possum. It ain't gonna work."
Soun and Akane looked on intently, suddenly alerted when
Kasumi gasped and looked away.
"Pop?" Ranma said, getting anxious. "Stop it, right now!
It ain't funny! Get up!"
Genma slumped over sideways and lay still on the floor as
Ranma and the others watched in shock.
"Pop!" Ranma exclaimed. "What the hell--!?"
Akane was already halfway to the phone by the time Ranma
said, "Hey! Somebody call a doctor! I don't think Pop's
fakin' it!"
Soun watched with a look of stunned horror, as Kasumi wept
silently and Ranma slapped Genma gently in the face, but
no sign of life escaped him.
***
Dr. Tofu said that Genma had been poisoned, and it didn't
surprise anyone. It also didn't surprise anyone when Ranma
refused to return to the Tendo home. No one bothered Ranma
about anything--not about his failed attempt to avenge the
Amazons, not about his impending nuptials with Akane, and
certainly not about any left-over English homework he'd
forgotten in his room.
So, where Ranma went and what befell him the rest of that
day, no one knew--and if they knew, they didn't tell Akane,
later.
***
As Kodachi and Tatewaki Kuno started their ascent, Kodachi
suddenly realized that her beloved Ranma was nowhere to be
seen and she said, "Brother dear, where is Ranma and his
father?"
"Huh?" Kuno said, confused. "Why molest my attention with
such trivia?"
Kodachi, still smiling but very annoyed, said, "Brother
dear, this whole trip is totally pointless for me unless my
darling Ranma accompanies me!"
"And how is that my problem?"
"I want off this flight!"
***
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[Disclaimer: These characters are the property of Rumiko
Takahashi. This story has not been authorized nor will it
likely ever be. I'm not making any money or promoting
anything with this, so please don't sue me. This story
contains some violent scenes so reader discretion is
strongly advised.]
Chapter 1: Fire
The Cat Cafe was busy, the customers waiting a little longer
than usual for their afternoon ramen. They were in no
hurry--the weather outside had turned cold and rainy, and
no one seemed particularly anxious to be back out in it.
Nevertheless, when Shampoo entered, one customer recognized
her and said, "Hey! Is anybody gonna serve us? Like
today?"
The customer cringed when she saw Shampoo's reaction. It
was not anger or annoyance or even surprise. Shampoo simply
looked through her with the most empty expression she'd
seen. The customer tried to go back to looking
inconspicuous as Shampoo went to the kitchen.
"How was your trip to China?" Cologne asked her, as Shampoo
went to the kitchen.
"No interesting happen," Shampoo muttered.
At first, Cologne was indifferent to Shampoo's answer and
was about to order Shampoo to work, when she noticed
Shampoo's tone had been very flat. It was very unlike
Shampoo to be so emotionless.
Cologne studied Shampoo's posture and discovered Shampoo
was very blank in her form and movements, as well.
"Something on face?" Shampoo asked, looking around at a
mirror.
"Nothing," Cologne replied. "Just pick up some of these
orders," she said, gesturing to several bowls of ramen.
As Shampoo blankly turned and went to work, Cologne frowned
and began to mutter to herself, wondering if Shampoo had
found another magic artifact again.
"I'm not getting involved this time," Cologne told herself,
already beginning to finish her work there.
***
When Ranma and Akane entered the Cat Cafe, Akane seemed
strangely cheerful as Ranma (girl-type and pouting a little
bit) seemed strangely morose. They were soaking wet, and
they took a moment to dry off near the entrance.
"He said you were 'nice,'" Ranma said to Akane, somewhat
pointedly.
"I like a good downpour," Akane said, somewhat mysteriously--
as if in reply to Ranma's statement. "I wouldn't want it to
rain like that all the time."
"Then you get all upset," Ranma added. "I thought you liked
Ryoga."
"I do like him," Akane said, turning and looking annoyed.
"So you admit it!" Ranma said, trying to think of something
to add to that.
Shampoo appeared then, and beckoned to them from the
kitchen. Shampoo then disappeared back into the kitchen.
As Ranma and Akane started to follow her, Akane said,
"Ranma, what is your problem?"
"What ya mean?"
"Why do you care if I like Ryoga or not? Don't tell me
you're jealous!"
Ranma made a sour face as they entered the kitchen and said,
"Oh, please!"
Akane stopped and looked in amazement, as Ranma continued
pouting. "You don't see me gettin' all weepy just cause
someone calls me 'nice.'"
Ranma thought for a moment that she had gone too far,
because Akane continued to look at Shampoo in astonishment,
and Ranma had to do a double-take when she finally looked at
Shampoo.
"What's up?" Ranma asked them.
Just before Ranma could see what the matter was, Shampoo
turned and took a container from beside her. "I get this
for Ranma," Shampoo said, rather unceremonious. "This water
of nan-niichuan--spring drown man."
Ranma nearly fainted from shock, then leaned close to Akane
to ask, "Am I missing something? What was just happening?"
"I don't know," Akane said. "Shampoo just had the most..."
Akane gestured in that universal way that meant something
one can't figure out a way to say, but by that time Ranma
had finally absorbed the significant part of what Shampoo
had just said.
"Is this really?" Ranma asked, taking the container.
"Yes," Shampoo said.
Ranma, taking the container and immediately dumping the
contents on herself, looked blissful as Shampoo suddenly
seemed very serious.
"I only ask one favor," Shampoo said. "Help get revenge for
Shampoo..."
Ranma, turning back to boy-type for good, said, "Oh, sure.
Whatever..." Meanwhile, he grinned and rolled his eyes in
pleasure and pinched himself to make certain he wasn't
dreaming.
Akane watched in growing disgust as Ranma began chuckling
and Shampoo fell to her knees and started weeping. Akane
took it in for a moment, then cleared her throat.
Ranma looked at Akane and Akane gestured meaningfully at
Shampoo with her eyes.
"Huh?" Ranma asked. "Oh... What the--?"
***
An evil chuckling filled the air, and it brought Shampoo
around with a start.
For some reason, Shampoo could not remember anything up to
this moment from the time she had arrived in China.
At first, she thought she was standing on a small island in
the middle of the sea, but the smell of smoke brought her
back to where she really was--that and a voice.
"Shampoo!" the voice said. "Glad you could finally make
it!"
Shampoo looked around, searching for the voice, but all she
could see were the smoking remains of the tribe. Everywhere
she looked, she saw smoke and burned-out husks of what were
houses and bodies. Here and there, some had fought in vain
against some fearsome intruder.
"Who?" she asked. "Who are you?"
"The killer," the voice replied, matter-of-factly. "I am
the homicidal maniac that caused all this destruction. What
do you think of my work?"
Shampoo searched again, but the voice may have as well been
coming straight from out of the smoke-filled sky.
"Like it?" the voice asked.
Shampoo had no strength left to answer, as the figure
suddenly emerged. It was nothing more than a hooded figure
dressed all in black, holding a sword. He stood before her
as if proudly displaying his talents before an appreciative
audience--the sword leaning up against his shoulder in a
haughty fashion, approaching arrogance.
"You Amazons fight pretty good," he smoothly added. "I've
got to admit." He paused for a moment in thought and said,
"Nothing like myself, of course, but it was fun."
Shampoo struggled, then managed to ask, "Why?"
"Why?" the figure said. "Why did I let you live? Why did I
kill them?" He thought for a moment, puzzling, then said,
"I don't know. Mysterious, isn't it?"
The figure paused for another moment, then started to leave
again, "Well, I'd love to stay and chat, but I've got to
run. More people to kill..."
Shampoo had no urge to stop him--no anger or fear. At the
time, she didn't even feel resentment. There was only shock
and a deep sense of emptiness where she had once had a
village.
Chapter 2: Coward
That evening, Ranma and Akane tried to explain some of this
to their fathers and Akane's sisters, Nabiki and Kasumi.
Soun, of course, did nothing but weep uncontrollably while
Kasumi was stunned and Nabiki looked suspicious. Genma,
however, seemed unaffected--shrugging everything off to
continue eating.
The Tendo living room was very still aside from the sound of
the rain and Genma eating, and the others stopped to look at
him.
"What?" Genma said. "I think you people are all gullible.
Especially you, boy," he said, turning to Ranma. "You'd
believe anything someone said after curing you of that
curse."
"Don't sound so jealous," Ranma muttered.
"Mr. Saotome?" Kasumi started.
"How can you be so callous?" Akane said. "What if it had
been one of us?"
"But it wasn't," Genma replied. "Look, all I'm saying is,
take another good look at this. Shampoo has no proof to
back up her story. All we have is her word for it, and I
saw nothing in the news."
"Surely," Nabiki agreed, "there would be something on TV."
"The Amazon tribe isn't exactly a recognized city," Ranma
said.
"Oh my," Kasumi said, agreeing. "That's right. Whatever
happens there is a strict secret."
"Still," Genma said, "it does seem suspicious that we
wouldn't hear rumors."
"So," Nabiki said, "what are you doing here, Ranma? Didn't
you agree to go fight this mysterious man in black?"
"Yeah," Ranma replied, "but Cologne insisted that I stay out
of it."
"She seemed to take offense at the idea when we told her,"
Akane added. "I guess we shouldn't have told her, like
Shampoo said not to."
"So, Shampoo stayed behind?" Nabiki asked, a little
nonplussed.
"No," Ranma replied. "She threated to tear down the shops
if she couldn't go along. She was getting pretty animated
by that time."
"We should do something," Soun said, finally daring to
speak. "This is just so horrible!"
"What can we do, Tendo?" Genma asked him. "I mean, it's not
like the killer left a calling card."
"But we can't just sit here, either," Soun whined. "We're
martial artists! It's our duty to go after vicious
criminals like that."
There was another grim silence, as Nabiki paused in thought,
Genma rolled his eyes in irritation, and the others glanced
around at each other eagerly.
"Our duty is to protect the innocent," Soun said.
"I guess it's a matter of honor, Pop," Ranma added.
Genma groaned and then said, "Oh, all right. Run off to
China if you like, but leave me out of it."
"Don't you want to visit the cursed springs?" Ranma prodded
him.
"Not if it means having to fight that old crone!" Genma
replied. "If she said to stay here, she has a good reason.
Just trust me, Ranma."
"I agree," Nabiki said. "We don't even know if any of it is
true."
Ranma folded his arms and said, "I ain't stupid. I know
what the old bag meant. She doesn't want us tromping
through the scene of the crime like wild horses in a jewelry
store. I ain't like that, though."
Akane looked at Ranma doubtfully, and even Soun had to pause
for a moment as Ranma cleared his throat and then continued.
"Anyway, I believe Shampoo. The sooner we find this guy,
the sooner we can kick his butt."
Akane looked around and said, "Okay, Ranma, but how exactly
are we going to find this guy?"
"He could be anywhere in China by now," Nabiki said.
"Or maybe not even in China," Genma added.
Kasumi then thoughtfully said, "Excuse me, but isn't it true
that the killer targeted the Amazon village? He spared
Shampoo, but he said nothing about sparing Cologne. I think
this is why Shampoo did not want her to know."
"But," Nabiki said, "Shampoo said the killer knew her by
name. If he knows her, then he must know Cologne."
"Which must mean," Genma said, "that Cologne probably knows
him. All the more reason not to get involved."
"What do you mean, Pop?" Ranma asked.
"Ranma," Genma said, adjusting his glasses, "think about it.
If we go over there, it'll just be one misunderstanding
after another. We don't know half the people that old mummy
knows, so just stay out of it till she gets back. She won't
be gone that long, anyway."
Soun, at his wit's end, said, "Saotome! I can't believe
what I'm hearing! This is all so...!" Soun then left the
room, fuming as he went.
"I gotta agree, Pop," Ranma said. "What's gotten into you?"
"Since when are you so noble, Ranma?" Genma asked him.
"Don't tell me you're doing this just for honor!"
Genma glanced meaningfully at Akane, and that ended the
argument immediately. Ranma got up and fumed his way out of
the room.
Kasumi sighed disappointedly and went to the kitchen as
Akane and Nabiki studied Genma's devil-may-care attitude.
"Amazing," Nabiki said. "Isn't it, Akane?"
"What?" Akane said.
"I mean," Nabiki explained, "what a little fear of death can
do to someone."
Akane innocently frowned and said, "No way. This isn't the
first time Mr. Saotome has faced a real mass-murderer, is
it?"
Genma stopped and casually smiled--perhaps a little too
casually, because he seemed to lose his balance for a
moment. He then returned to eating silently, while Nabiki
winked and Akane stared at him for a moment in shock.
***
Ranma was packing, and he glared daggers at Genma when Genma
appeared. Genma therefore decided to go to the dojo for
some meditation. Akane appeared a moment later, a little
uncertain of herself.
"Ranma," she said, "is this such a good idea? There really
may be nothing you could do for Shampoo."
Ranma stopped packing for a moment and considered, then
continued packing. "You really think I'd back out at this
point, Akane?"
"No, I guess not."
"Anyway," Ranma continued, setting his bags up neatly, "if
I don't, Shampoo may hold it against me the rest of my
life."
Akane smiled and realized that this was something Ranma
would never have done before they had met. Ranma never
would have given Shampoo's concerns a second thought.
"Pop's okay," Ranma said. "He's always like this. He has
his pride, but it just takes a little encouragement. I'm
taking him with me if I have to tie him up and drag him."
Ranma looked at his things, folded his arms and considered
for a moment. "Now..."
"What?" Akane asked.
"How in world am I going to--?" Ranma then suddenly hit his
hand and said, "Ah! I got it!"
Akane watched in amazement as Ranma took a sheet of paper
and started writing.
"Good ol' Kuno," Ranma said. "I can always count on the
'Blue Thunder of Furinkan High.'" Ranma chuckled as he
worked on the letter.
"Kuno?" Akane muttered, looking at the letter. As she
finished reading, she said, "You're crazy! No way that'll
actually work!"
"Trust me, Akane," Ranma said. "This'll work. I know that
moron well enough. He's got this coming, too--now that I
think about it." He tapped the letter and added, "This is
perfect. I kill two birds with one--"
Soun Tendo suddenly appeared and said, "Ranma! Ah, I knew
you wouldn't abandon your duty! You make me so proud!"
Soun put his arms around Ranma and Akane and said, "This is
perhaps the finest day of this household! A day to
remember! You two have my blessing to go together, of
course."
"I'm not takin' Akane, Mr. Tendo," Ranma said, narrowing his
eyes at Soun. "This is a job for men."
"Dad!" Akane added--thoroughly embarrassed, "Please!"
***
Not a moment of doubt came to Ranma until he entered the
dojo, all packed and ready to travel about two thousand
miles. It was a trip he'd made before a few times, after
all.
Seeing his father's serious bespectacled face, however, made
him recoil with doubt--as if hearing Genma's thoughts.
Do really believe you can defeat a man who slew the entire
village of Amazons and then casually bragged of it afterward
to Shampoo?
"Hello, Ranma," Genma said. "Nice weather, huh?"
"If you like rain," Ranma said. He glared back at Genma
with as much ferocity as he could muster. Are you a man or
a panda? I honestly can't tell, anymore.
"I find rain very soothing," Genma said. "Very calming."
If you're going, you're going alone.
"Really?" Ranma said. "I've always hated it, but maybe I
could learn to like it." If I go by myself, I'm not coming
back.
***
Nabiki was leaning up against the door, listening, as Kasumi
and Akane stood nearby with Soun.
"What are they saying?" Akane asked. "I can't hear a
thing."
"Something about the rain--" Nabiki said.
***
At this point, Ranma and Genma were in an all-out staring
contest--neither one dared look away for a moment.
Don't kid yourself, Ranma. You're only a hero when it's
convenient or necessary. This isn't your fight, so stay out
of it.
As far as I'm concerned, Pop, I'm already there. The only
question is whether I'm gonna drag you along with me.
If I let you drag me into this, you may as well just start
ignoring me the rest of my life.
When have I ever listened to you?
Genma sighed and spoke, "Ranma, have you learned nothing all
these years? A martial artist is always quick to defend and
slow to attack, not the other way around."
"Strategy?" Ranma said. "Is that all you can think about?"
"I'm merely telling you what you should already be
thinking," Genma said, getting seriously annoyed. "If it is
possible to attack or to defend, which do you choose?"
"This is stupid--"
"Well? Attack or defend?"
Ranma folded his arms and scowled. "I'm not arguing with
you. You're either coming or you ain't."
"I'm not, but neither are you."
Ranma grimaced in anger as Genma continued.
"The simple fact is that you're letting your anger get to
you, and that is the first thing a fighter should never do.
Stay within yourself. Everything you need is always with
you."
Genma got up and turned away, trying to wax as profound as
possible for him.
"Look ahead, but not too far," he said in his most
instructive tone. "Discover in due time the weakness of
your opponents on your own terms. Know your enemy and
yourself."
Ranma realized that he was fighting a losing battle.
Thinking was never his strong point, and Genma was using up
all his ammo.
"Can you even be certain that there is only one enemy?"
Genma asked. "Will Shampoo really want revenge when she
discovers who it is? Even if you get revenge, will it
really improve how anyone looks at you?"
Ranma was never very good at arguments, but he could see
right through Genma like glass. Preach all you like. What
you're really saying is that you're too afraid to face this
fight like a man. Oh, well. I did my best. Ranma then
said, "All right, Pop. You win. You stay, and I go."
Ranma got up to leave, and then shot back, "Pop, I'm just
curious. Could you tell me something?"
"What is it, Ranma?"
"Were you born a coward or did you just decide to become
one?"
***
The others flinched in shock--to hear Ranma's nasty tone--
trying hard not to imagine how humiliated Genma must have
been to have heard that to his face.
***
Genma merely smiled in a devious way as Ranma turned toward
the door again. Just as Ranma was about to leave, Genma
said, "Ranma, don't be foolish. You can't go now."
Ranma, exhausted, turned and snarled, "Why not?!"
"Because the last flight out to China left at six-thirty."
Genma chuckled as Ranma stomped out the door, muttering,
"Then I'll just swim!"
Chapter 3: Flight
The next morning, Kasumi was doing the usual water-ritual as
Ranma descended from his tree to join the others at
breakfast.
Ranma was miserable, and his face was covered with scratch-
marks from the tree bark and insect bites. This was nothing
new, though. Ranma had often spent the night in the tree,
on top of or underneath the house. He probably knew this
place better than anyone.
He stopped and paused for a moment, just outside the house.
Ranma suddenly realized that this could be the last time
he'd set foot inside, and it made him aware of how much he
would miss it.
He'd never had any doubts when he went to battle Saffron,
but now he was almost certain he would leave forever--if for
no other reason than pride.
Kasumi noticed a sad expression on Ranma's face, and she
said, "Oh, good morning, Ranma! Breakfast is ready!"
And, with that, Ranma returned to the Tendo household one
last time.
***
Ranma wasn't quite himself, though, and everyone else could
sense it. Ranma was sullen and withdrawn, though everyone
else seemed cheerful.
They pretended not to notice, but Ranma could tell that they
were aware and were trying not to show it--saying anything
other than what a man's duty and honor demanded.
Try as he might, Ranma could never recall exactly what was
said, later--and it was a pity, because he would often long
to remember what had been said.
***
At the Kuno residence, Tatewaki was in a similar mood--
anxious and impatient with anyone who dared stand in his
way for a moment.
"Brother, dear," his sister Kodachi said, "why all this
disturbance? It upsets Mr. Wolfman so."
Kodachi held out a small hamster to her brother, and he
seemed a bit surprised to see the thing trembling in
Kodachi's grasp as Kodachi frowned childishly.
"Begone, vile sister!" he said, taking a step back. He then
thrusted a letter out toward her and explained, "There is a
damsel in distress, and I have not a moment to spare!"
Kodachi took the trembling hamster in one arm as she took
the letter in the other hand, quickly investigating its
contents.
"To my dear Kuno," she read. "I've gone to China because
something has upset me terribly. I will never see you
again, so do not bother coming after me--but know that I
will be thinking of you as I plunge from the face of
Quanjing's highest summit. Farewell."
Kodachi chuckled and said, "At last! I'm rid of that foul
demon-girl!"
Kuno, gathering some bags together, took a spill over
himself, as Kodachi cackled laughter at her own good
fortune. She then took a start as she looked at the letter
again. "Oh, dear! I missed this part--" She continued
reading, "P.S. There is a legend that whoever jumps from
this mountain will simply fly away. If I could, I would
dearly love to see those villains Ranma and his father
watch me go, but alas, it is too much to hope for."
"My sword!" Kuno cried, "How can I go without my sword?!"
Kuno looked around frantically.
"Silly boy!" Kodachi said. "How do you expect to take a
sword through customs?"
Kuno suddenly produced a practice sword and brandished it,
saying, "I shall just have to be very persuasive."
Kodachi laughed as she gently brushed the sword aside.
"Now, now, brother dear. One cannot just march through an
airport with a display of weapons at your side."
"Who said anything about an airport?" Kuno said. "I have no
intention of flying with the unwashed masses."
"But brother," Kodachi said, somewhat imperious, "you do not
have a license to fly, and you dismissed the last fifteen
pilots we had."
"Curses!" Kuno said. "To the airport, then!" He pointed
with his sword, as he marched toward the door. "No
sacrifice is too great for my pigtailed goddess!"
***
Sitting around the Tendo living room table, the mood seemed
to reach a peak of cheerfulness, just as Ranma decided it
was time to ruin it. Nabiki, who had been anticipating this
moment, had already fled to her room, but Akane, Soun, and
Kasumi were there to witness the entire incident.
Ranma grabbed his bags and said, "Okay, Pop. It's time to
stop fooling around. Time for us to go."
Genma just sat at his place, however, still as a statue.
"Come on," Ranma said. "Better hurry. No telling whether
Kuno will take off without us."
"Maybe it would be better if--" Kasumi started.
Ranma turned and looked at her, and Kasumi's voice stuck.
Ranma had a look of grim determination. Ranma nudged Genma,
and Genma slumped over the table, completely inert.
"Let's go, huh?" Ranma said. "Pop?"
They looked carefully at Genma, but he was completely still.
Soun chuckled nervously, expecting Genma to look up and
smile at them.
Ranma nudged Genma again, but Genma remained motionless.
"Come on, Pop. Stop playin' possum. It ain't gonna work."
Soun and Akane looked on intently, suddenly alerted when
Kasumi gasped and looked away.
"Pop?" Ranma said, getting anxious. "Stop it, right now!
It ain't funny! Get up!"
Genma slumped over sideways and lay still on the floor as
Ranma and the others watched in shock.
"Pop!" Ranma exclaimed. "What the hell--!?"
Akane was already halfway to the phone by the time Ranma
said, "Hey! Somebody call a doctor! I don't think Pop's
fakin' it!"
Soun watched with a look of stunned horror, as Kasumi wept
silently and Ranma slapped Genma gently in the face, but
no sign of life escaped him.
***
Dr. Tofu said that Genma had been poisoned, and it didn't
surprise anyone. It also didn't surprise anyone when Ranma
refused to return to the Tendo home. No one bothered Ranma
about anything--not about his failed attempt to avenge the
Amazons, not about his impending nuptials with Akane, and
certainly not about any left-over English homework he'd
forgotten in his room.
So, where Ranma went and what befell him the rest of that
day, no one knew--and if they knew, they didn't tell Akane,
later.
***
As Kodachi and Tatewaki Kuno started their ascent, Kodachi
suddenly realized that her beloved Ranma was nowhere to be
seen and she said, "Brother dear, where is Ranma and his
father?"
"Huh?" Kuno said, confused. "Why molest my attention with
such trivia?"
Kodachi, still smiling but very annoyed, said, "Brother
dear, this whole trip is totally pointless for me unless my
darling Ranma accompanies me!"
"And how is that my problem?"
"I want off this flight!"
***
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