Part 2: "My Darling Ukyou," Wailed the Lamp Post
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Nerima was a very interesting place. That is, there wasn't any other word to describe it politely. Ken winced as a stop sign flew by them, wailing something about a darling Ukyou.
They continued on their way. Soon, a boy in a spotted yellow bandana with a huge pack and a red umbrella asked them the way to Furinkan High School. They didn't know, so he asked the way to Nerima.
This IS Nerima, Omi said, confused.
It is? I made it! Oh, Akane, this must be the power of love! He paused. That was a stupid thing to say. Jeeze, Ryoga, work on your speeches, he muttered, wandering off.
Because a car could be traced they walked. They had rooms at a nearby hotel, but Aya felt driven to find these martial artists, Omi wanted to check out his new school, and Yohji and Ken figured they'd better find a place to open a flower shop, or something like that. Now that they weren't under Persia or Kritiker, it would be their real job. So now they were plodding ever closer to Furinkan High School and its surrounding crazies.
The sign went wailing by again, only this time it was a turn left sign. Ken winced again.
They passed Ucchan's Okonomiyaki, which looked comfortable, and the Cat Café, which looked exciting. Three stores down was an empty shop. Yohji and Ken stopped by to negotiate and make arrangements to move in. Aya and Omi continued on to Furinkan, to sign Omi in as a new student.
All de boys be gettin' de buzz cut, the Principal said, only to get his face mooshed.
That again? Ranma asked from his place on the Principal's head. I feel sorry for this school when I get out of here. Jumping down and casually tossing the Principal through a window and into Juuban, he turned to Omi. Just ignore him, he said. The entire Kuno family is insane. The only thing he could hurt is your hair.
Omi reached back and tugged on a few strands. he said hesitantly. I, uh, noticed Are you a martial artist?
Ranma said proudly. I'm Ranma Saotome, heir to the Saotome School of Indiscriminate Grappling, also known as Anything Goes Martial Arts. Any particular reason you're coming here?
We came because we're looking for you, Aya said.
Oh great. Do you have a sister? Did Pops promise you anything? Or are you just here to kill me?
Omi and Aya looked at each other, then at Ranma again.
None of those? Ranma asked, relieved. For the past three years, everyone I've met either wants to kill me or marry me. It's such a relief to meet someone who doesn't want to do either!
The Jusenkyou guide referred us to you, Aya said.
Ranma raised an eyebrow.
Aya sighed and settled for glaring at nothing.
I fell in the Spring of Drowned Wolf, Omi said. Aya fell into the Spring of Drowned Fox Demon. Two others were with us. Yohji fell into the Spring of Drowned Girl—
Another aquatranssexual! I'm not the only one!
You fell into the Spring of Drowned Girl?
I was pushed. And it's all pop's fault. He can't even read Chinese. Anyway, what does the fourth one turn into?
Omi gulped. He got the feeling he was way in over his head. Ken fell into the Spring of Drowned Very Big Cat.
Don't let him transform near me, then, Ranma said. I went through the Cat Fist training, so I have severe ailurophobia. You really don't want to be around when I go cat.
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So, what are you gonna put up here?
Well, we worked before as florists
But florists have no need for balance training, Ranma said. Don't worry. A lot of us have secrets around here. But it's one of the safest districts, as long as you don't mind having a high repair rate. The only real crime is Happousai's panty-thieving.
Of course, Happousai had to come at his name. Ranma, my boy! You just have to try this on! he cried, splashing him and holding out a bra.
Rrrgh! I'll get you, old man! Ranma yelled, chasing him off. Soon, she was joined by many women waving impromptu weapons, plus some men, a pig, a duck, and a shriveled thing that cackled as it pogoed around on a stick.
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Sorry bout that. Ranma said, dripping wet and male again. Hey, if you guys are hungry, would you like to come back to the Tendo dojo? I'm sure Kasumi wouldn't mind the extra guests.
We really shouldn't—
Ah, come on! You'll probably get to meet the rest of us, anyway.
Thank you, Aya said. We'll get Yohji and Ken and come over.
I'm going with you, Ranma said. I'd like to know where you guys will be. He followed them to the shop and met Ken and Yohji. Ken he liked immediately, but he made a comment about how Yohji reminded him of someone named Mikado Sanzenin. From his tone of voice, it was not a compliment.
So who's this Sanzenin? Yohji asked.
He's a guy who's very well aware of his charms. To date, he has kissed over a thousand girls, including my female form. (Yuck.) He also tried to kiss Akane, my fiancée. But that's another story entirely and explains why he and Azusa Shiratori aren't the Golden Pair of Martial Arts Skating any more. And if you wanna hear it, you'd better come have dinner with us.
An odd invitation, but the four young men accepted.
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One dinner and much chaos later, they tried to sleep. None of them could. Ken missed Jiita, Omi missed Nagi, and Aya had to admit that even with Nerima's chaos, life seemed dull without Maki. Yohji, for his part, stared at the ceiling for half the night before coming to a decision.
**Schu?**
**What are you doing still awake, Yohji? I – oh. So that's what Maki was talking about.**
**Maki knew?**
**Yeah So did Mama, but neither would say anything.**
**Of course not,** Himitsu said, joining the conversation. **What good is a surprise if you spoil it?**
**Did I really have to fall in the Spring of Drowned Girl?**
**Drowned Girl?** Schuldich asked, suddenly very interested. **Bet you look sexy as hell as a girl.**
**As a matter of fact, he does,** Himitsu said. **Besides, it was getting boring. Ranma and his see that kind of chaos as normalcy, and were getting bored too. In any case, Schwartz needs to move to Nerima. I swear, distance doesn't just make the heart grow fonder, it also turns everybody into insomniacs!**
**Not everybody is awake, Mama,** Ilde said. Her sending was fuzzy, as if she'd just awoken. **Chris, go back to sleep. You're keeping me up.**
Schuldich agreed reluctantly and cut the connection. Reassured, Yohji was just dropping off when Himitsu whispered into his mind, **Don't worry, kid. You're safe.**
