With a groan, I sat up, slipping from under Makoto's arm and glaring at the door. Said
door was currently being knocked upon, and I intended to give whoever had woken me a
piece of my mind, just as soon as I found a pair of pants that fit. Finally slipping into
some, I opened the door, quirking my brow at the person standing before me.
"Shampoo?"
"Great-Grandmother send me give you this. She say is scroll on memory technique."
"Ahh… Thanks?" I said, taking it. Shampoo nodded, and turned to leave me staring at the
rolled parchment. Opening it, I grabbed a piece of paper inside that was rolled up inside
with it, and grinned, seeing that it was written in English.
'Kyle,
Due to your somewhat indisputable proof that you are from somewhere else, I've
decided to believe your claim, for the time being. A week is what you asked, and so in a
week we shall see. The fact that you've returned with Nabiki Tendo also adds weight to
your claim.
The scroll included details the spell and procedure I employed to retain my true
memories. I'm sorry to say that, as untrained as you three are, the methods described are
a bit too advanced for you all. Still, if you feel the need to try, I wish you luck. It's been
interesting watching a town so changed by the loss of one person.
On closing, the only payment I ask of you for this is your assurance to maintain a
neutral stance, insofar as my future son-in-law's fiancés go. An alliance between yourself
and one of his suitors, backed with your 'special skills' would be a most unwise choice,
and the ire of the Joketsuzoku is not something your in any shape to handle.
Matriarch Cologne of the Joketsuzoku'
"What's that?" someone asked from right beside me. I jumped in surprise, before turning
to frown at Makoto.
"Don't sneak up on me like that." I said, flatly. She grinned, and shrugged, before taking
the paper from my hand. While she read it over, I turned my attention to the scroll itself.
A moment later, I realized what she had meant by an inability to duplicate it. As it was,
I'd need years of intense training to be capable of performing the chi-dependant
techniques listed.
"Well this is-"
"There goes that-"
We both grinned, before I motioned for Makoto to go first.
"Interesting note. I suppose I'll have to rely upon my powers as a Senshi again?"
"Maybe. I don't know. I... hmm… I guess we'll just have to see when the time comes."
Makoto nodded at that, and I sighed, remembering how strained she'd looked last time
she had tried to protect us.
"What were you going to say?" she asked, interrupting my musing.
"Ahh… I was just commenting on that."
"On what?"
"That, unless something pops up, we'll have to rely on you again." I sighed and sat
down, while Makoto stared off into space.
"Something wrong?" I asked, as she suddenly began digging through the clothes pile.
"My wand! I…" Finding it, she held it up in a rather ridiculous pose for a moment, before
walking over to me. "I totally forgot about it when we arrived in Nerima. I thought I was
home, and when I found out I wasn't, I just… and then you were awake, and it just…"
She looked at the floor, sadly, "I feel like Usagi." I stood and wrapped an arm around her,
guiding her over to sit down on the bed.
"Don't say that. She'd probably have to be reminded… at least you remembered on your
own" Makoto looked at me, then grinned slightly. I returned the grin, and then looked at
the stick. "So… are you going to use it?"
"Yeah, let me just…" she moved over to the desk, and snatched up her communicator.
Pressing buttons seemingly at random, she frowned in thought, before finally finishing.
The green beam once again shot from her to power the communicator, and finally, her
communicator beeped to indicate she'd connected.
"Mako-chan? What happened? Ami was worried you'd gotten lost and
weallthoughtoyumighthavediedandtherewasnoresponceandI-"
"Usagi, it's all right. I'm okay… is Ami there?"
"Sniff She is… here. I'm glad you're okay, Mako-chan!" Usagi chirped.
"Did she just chirp?" Someone asked from behind me. I jumped, and spun, seeing Nabiki
peering over my shoulder at Makoto. At least, she had been, till my reaction had caused
her to bite her tongue when my shoulder hit her chin. I winced, and she glared at me,
before moving around to listen to Makoto's conversation. I shrugged, and was about to
walk away, before I realized Makoto was wavering slightly. Moving over to stead her, I
heard Ami talking, before Makoto interrupted her.
"Ami-chan... I'm… feeling weak. Why is this draining me so much? It wasn't this bad
before." Makoto asked, as I moved her over to the chair. Makoto collapsed into it, as Ami
spoke quickly.
"You're closer now than you were before, but your going… wherever you are seems to
have compressed two realities. You brought a bit of your reality with you, and it has to
push through one compressed sub-reality and a reality with magical interference… I'll let
you go, your strength is steadily dropping. Now that I've had the Mercury Computer
working on it, and know where you are… somewhat… I'll try to contact you when I get
something safer set up. Take care, Makoto. We're all thinking about you!"
I blinked as the screen died, and Makoto collapsed in the chair as the green glow
surrounding her dissipated. Pulling her up into my arms, I carried her back over to the
bed, annoyed that I hadn't guided her here when she was wavering, and laid her down
gently. I turned to go, but she reached out and grabbed my arm, cracking her eyes to look
up at me.
"Just… lie here with me, for a bit. Please?" She asked, looking up at me in exhaustion. I
shrugged, and sat beside her, taking her hand in mine, and waited for her to fall
completely asleep.
"Right. I'm going to bed. There's some Ramen from the Nekohanten in the bag by the
door." Nabiki said, crawling into her little bed. Pulling free of Makoto, I grabbed the bag
of food and pulled out a box, staring at the noodles I exposed when I opened it.
"I'm supposed to drain the fluid?"
The next afternoon, Makoto and I were interrupted by a knock on the door. Glancing at
the clock, I rolled my eyes and paused the game of You Don't Know Jack, before
opening the door for Ranma and Akane.
"Ukyo decide against this?" I asked.
"No, she said she'd try to drop by, but she wanted to be behind the grill for the afternoon
rush," Akane explained. I nodded, then reset the futon, making a couch once again. After
re-arranging my apartment, and everyone had a drink in hand, I started the lesson.
"I'm first going to teach you how to speak English… Japan's school systems primarily
teach English for reading purposes, so I'm hoping you already have the gist of that down.
What will set you apart from the average Japanese citizen, hopefully, will be your ability
to speak and understand English."
The both nodded, looking somewhat thoughtful, and I grinned.
"So! What," I started, speaking in English, "do you know so far?" The blank stares I got
back answered my question, and Makoto's smug grin told me how much work I had
ahead of me.
"Oh joy." I muttered, before starting.
Later that evening, I called a halt to their practices, and smiled. "Keep working on that.
Getting used to vowels that have more than one sound, and words that end with
consonants is an overlooked but fundamental part of English. Practice with each other
this evening and tomorrow, and I'll see you two later, alright?"
Akane smiled, and nodded, and Ranma blinked, quietly mumbling the few words I'd
taught him.
"Oh, and if you could, stop by Ukyo's, and try to tell her some of what we went over
today." Akane frowned a little, but quickly hid it behind an enthusiastic nod, before
turning away. Ranma, still muttering, nodded absently, before joining Akane.
"That was... interesting." Makoto said, beside me.
"Well, now that I know both languages, I figured I'd start at the roots of the bigger
problems, and get those basic skills set before actually going about teaching. After all,
they know, somewhat, how to read English. It's not totally foreign, just… different."
"True. I'm kind of jealous, now. If I had a teacher like you back… well, I'd certainly
have done better in school than I did."
"Feh. You're just saying that because we're married. I wasn't that good."
"Seriously! You have a knack with kids… even if they aren't all that much younger than
you. Too bad you can't teach Usagi, she'd have benefited greatly from your guidance."
"Hah. I'm a self-proclaimed tutor, not a miracle worker." I got a light smack on the arm
for that, and grinned "So, back to our game?"
"No thanks. I was thinking a System Shock time trial or something… you know?"
"Ahh, what I wouldn't give for a SHODAN of my own…" I said, wistfully.
"Heh. She'd use you, abuse you, and turn you into some ugly cyborg." Makoto said, still
smiling.
"Nah. I'd restrict her from having arms."
"You moron. Lets just play." Makoto said, pulling out the CD. I shrugged to myself, and
joined her.
An hour or so later, my second run through a part of the game was interrupted by a knock
on the door. Pausing the game, I looked at Makoto, who shrugged, before moving to open
the door. Knowing Nabiki had a key, I wasn't sure who to expect, but seeing a nervous
Ukyo standing there in the dark wasn't all that unpleasant a surprise.
"Sorry… I was wondering if we could talk for a few minutes?" I nodded, and stepped
aside, waving her in, and she did so, looking over her shoulder before turning to look at
us.
"Umm… Ran-chan and Akane stopped by earlier, and told me what you told them… So,
thanks for the lesson… even if it was secondhand." I blinked, then shrugged.
"No problem. Sorry you couldn't make it. But, what with running a business and all, I
understand that you aren't going to be able to stop by as much as those two."
"Oh. Well… I just had a couple questions, and I didn't want to ask them in front of
Akane or Ran-chan."
"Oh? Well, have a seat. Make yourself at home. Want a drink?" I asked. When she shook
her head, I shrugged, and pulled up my chair, while she sat down on the couch across
from me. "What're your questions?"
"First, I wanted to discuss payment. I don't feel right taking up your time without
compensating you in some way."
"Oh. Actually, Ranma asked about that, as well. Honestly, A bite to eat at a discount
price or something when I feel like eating out would be good."
"That's it?" Ukyo asked, incredulously.
"Well, yeah. It's not every day you get to teach rather famous characters something.
That's reward enough in and of itself, you know?"
"Oh. Well, actually, that's the other thing. If this world is some sort of entertainment to
you, then do you…" she trailed off.
"Do I…"
"Do you have a… favorite?" Ukyo finally said, blushing a little. I frowned, then started
laughing. Ukyo started sinking in the couch (something hard to do with such thin
cushions) and I let up, a few chuckles escaping as I tried to settle down.
"A favorite Fiancé? Yes, yes I do. Most Ranma fans do, I'd imagine."
"Most?" She asked.
"Well, girls might want Ranma for themselves, and not like any of you. That's just
speculation, but there's always someone, so…" I shrugged.
"So... who is it?" Ukyo asked, finally. I'd been expecting this, fortunately, so I gave her a
somewhat rehearsed answer.
"Truth be told, I'd rather not say. Some people," I said, glancing at Makoto, and winking
when I was out of Ukyo's sight, "might get offended by that. And Cologne expressly
forbade me from interfering in that way."
"Cologne? Shampoo's Great Grandmother?"
"Yeah." I saw her frown, and decided to give her a token hint, "I'll tell you one thing. It's
not Kodachi, or any of the single-episode fiancés."
"Single… oh. Well, if you won't tell me who, could you at least give me a hint?"
"Not really. However, I can give you some advice, if you want." She nodded, and I
frowned, trying to think of something to say, quickly.
"Umm… Well, Your biggest advantage over your competition, as well as your biggest
hinderance, is your friendship with Ranma." I said, hoping she wouldn't question the
vagueness of that statement. No such luck, however.
"What do you mean it's a hinderance?"
"Well, He thinks of you as his old buddy Uuchan, who, up until your arrival and battle,
was, in his mind, a guy. He likes you, and trusts you, and values that friendship, but he's
not going to take any steps to take it further. And… Well… some of your attempts to take
it farther have done more damage than good." I shut up, then, realizing I'd said a lot more
than I'd intended. Ukyo just nodded, her brow creased in thought, and I stood, stretching.
"Anything else?" I asked, quirking a brow at her. She shook her head, and I moved to
open the door for her, hoping I hadn't said anything wrong. Or too much, for that matter.
Before I could shut the Door, Makoto excused herself, and slipped out the door. I
frowned, then shrugged, closing it softly, so they could have their privacy.
"What was that about?" I asked when she came back in a minute later.
"Just a little more help. I think you scared her with what you said, so I had to give her a
little hope."
"Well, for our sake, I hope you didn't do anything that would bring Cologne's ire down
upon us."
"Nope. It's nothing she wouldn't have thought of herself, given time. I just pointed her in
the right direction."
"Oh?" I asked, quirking a brow as I moved the couch back to it's original position.
Makoto just smiled at me, and I sighed, knowing that was the end of that conversation.
Glancing at the clock, I realized it was getting late, and flipped the futon back into a bed.
"I'm going to sleep. I have some things I want to do tomorrow, and want to be able to get
it all done before my… students drop by." Makoto yawned and nodded, before looking at
the computer.
"I'll be there in a bit. I want to see what's in the mall." I chuckled at her, then crawled
into bed, idly hoping Nabiki'd be quiet when she came in from wherever she spent the
evening. A few minutes later, I fell asleep.
door was currently being knocked upon, and I intended to give whoever had woken me a
piece of my mind, just as soon as I found a pair of pants that fit. Finally slipping into
some, I opened the door, quirking my brow at the person standing before me.
"Shampoo?"
"Great-Grandmother send me give you this. She say is scroll on memory technique."
"Ahh… Thanks?" I said, taking it. Shampoo nodded, and turned to leave me staring at the
rolled parchment. Opening it, I grabbed a piece of paper inside that was rolled up inside
with it, and grinned, seeing that it was written in English.
'Kyle,
Due to your somewhat indisputable proof that you are from somewhere else, I've
decided to believe your claim, for the time being. A week is what you asked, and so in a
week we shall see. The fact that you've returned with Nabiki Tendo also adds weight to
your claim.
The scroll included details the spell and procedure I employed to retain my true
memories. I'm sorry to say that, as untrained as you three are, the methods described are
a bit too advanced for you all. Still, if you feel the need to try, I wish you luck. It's been
interesting watching a town so changed by the loss of one person.
On closing, the only payment I ask of you for this is your assurance to maintain a
neutral stance, insofar as my future son-in-law's fiancés go. An alliance between yourself
and one of his suitors, backed with your 'special skills' would be a most unwise choice,
and the ire of the Joketsuzoku is not something your in any shape to handle.
Matriarch Cologne of the Joketsuzoku'
"What's that?" someone asked from right beside me. I jumped in surprise, before turning
to frown at Makoto.
"Don't sneak up on me like that." I said, flatly. She grinned, and shrugged, before taking
the paper from my hand. While she read it over, I turned my attention to the scroll itself.
A moment later, I realized what she had meant by an inability to duplicate it. As it was,
I'd need years of intense training to be capable of performing the chi-dependant
techniques listed.
"Well this is-"
"There goes that-"
We both grinned, before I motioned for Makoto to go first.
"Interesting note. I suppose I'll have to rely upon my powers as a Senshi again?"
"Maybe. I don't know. I... hmm… I guess we'll just have to see when the time comes."
Makoto nodded at that, and I sighed, remembering how strained she'd looked last time
she had tried to protect us.
"What were you going to say?" she asked, interrupting my musing.
"Ahh… I was just commenting on that."
"On what?"
"That, unless something pops up, we'll have to rely on you again." I sighed and sat
down, while Makoto stared off into space.
"Something wrong?" I asked, as she suddenly began digging through the clothes pile.
"My wand! I…" Finding it, she held it up in a rather ridiculous pose for a moment, before
walking over to me. "I totally forgot about it when we arrived in Nerima. I thought I was
home, and when I found out I wasn't, I just… and then you were awake, and it just…"
She looked at the floor, sadly, "I feel like Usagi." I stood and wrapped an arm around her,
guiding her over to sit down on the bed.
"Don't say that. She'd probably have to be reminded… at least you remembered on your
own" Makoto looked at me, then grinned slightly. I returned the grin, and then looked at
the stick. "So… are you going to use it?"
"Yeah, let me just…" she moved over to the desk, and snatched up her communicator.
Pressing buttons seemingly at random, she frowned in thought, before finally finishing.
The green beam once again shot from her to power the communicator, and finally, her
communicator beeped to indicate she'd connected.
"Mako-chan? What happened? Ami was worried you'd gotten lost and
weallthoughtoyumighthavediedandtherewasnoresponceandI-"
"Usagi, it's all right. I'm okay… is Ami there?"
"Sniff She is… here. I'm glad you're okay, Mako-chan!" Usagi chirped.
"Did she just chirp?" Someone asked from behind me. I jumped, and spun, seeing Nabiki
peering over my shoulder at Makoto. At least, she had been, till my reaction had caused
her to bite her tongue when my shoulder hit her chin. I winced, and she glared at me,
before moving around to listen to Makoto's conversation. I shrugged, and was about to
walk away, before I realized Makoto was wavering slightly. Moving over to stead her, I
heard Ami talking, before Makoto interrupted her.
"Ami-chan... I'm… feeling weak. Why is this draining me so much? It wasn't this bad
before." Makoto asked, as I moved her over to the chair. Makoto collapsed into it, as Ami
spoke quickly.
"You're closer now than you were before, but your going… wherever you are seems to
have compressed two realities. You brought a bit of your reality with you, and it has to
push through one compressed sub-reality and a reality with magical interference… I'll let
you go, your strength is steadily dropping. Now that I've had the Mercury Computer
working on it, and know where you are… somewhat… I'll try to contact you when I get
something safer set up. Take care, Makoto. We're all thinking about you!"
I blinked as the screen died, and Makoto collapsed in the chair as the green glow
surrounding her dissipated. Pulling her up into my arms, I carried her back over to the
bed, annoyed that I hadn't guided her here when she was wavering, and laid her down
gently. I turned to go, but she reached out and grabbed my arm, cracking her eyes to look
up at me.
"Just… lie here with me, for a bit. Please?" She asked, looking up at me in exhaustion. I
shrugged, and sat beside her, taking her hand in mine, and waited for her to fall
completely asleep.
"Right. I'm going to bed. There's some Ramen from the Nekohanten in the bag by the
door." Nabiki said, crawling into her little bed. Pulling free of Makoto, I grabbed the bag
of food and pulled out a box, staring at the noodles I exposed when I opened it.
"I'm supposed to drain the fluid?"
The next afternoon, Makoto and I were interrupted by a knock on the door. Glancing at
the clock, I rolled my eyes and paused the game of You Don't Know Jack, before
opening the door for Ranma and Akane.
"Ukyo decide against this?" I asked.
"No, she said she'd try to drop by, but she wanted to be behind the grill for the afternoon
rush," Akane explained. I nodded, then reset the futon, making a couch once again. After
re-arranging my apartment, and everyone had a drink in hand, I started the lesson.
"I'm first going to teach you how to speak English… Japan's school systems primarily
teach English for reading purposes, so I'm hoping you already have the gist of that down.
What will set you apart from the average Japanese citizen, hopefully, will be your ability
to speak and understand English."
The both nodded, looking somewhat thoughtful, and I grinned.
"So! What," I started, speaking in English, "do you know so far?" The blank stares I got
back answered my question, and Makoto's smug grin told me how much work I had
ahead of me.
"Oh joy." I muttered, before starting.
Later that evening, I called a halt to their practices, and smiled. "Keep working on that.
Getting used to vowels that have more than one sound, and words that end with
consonants is an overlooked but fundamental part of English. Practice with each other
this evening and tomorrow, and I'll see you two later, alright?"
Akane smiled, and nodded, and Ranma blinked, quietly mumbling the few words I'd
taught him.
"Oh, and if you could, stop by Ukyo's, and try to tell her some of what we went over
today." Akane frowned a little, but quickly hid it behind an enthusiastic nod, before
turning away. Ranma, still muttering, nodded absently, before joining Akane.
"That was... interesting." Makoto said, beside me.
"Well, now that I know both languages, I figured I'd start at the roots of the bigger
problems, and get those basic skills set before actually going about teaching. After all,
they know, somewhat, how to read English. It's not totally foreign, just… different."
"True. I'm kind of jealous, now. If I had a teacher like you back… well, I'd certainly
have done better in school than I did."
"Feh. You're just saying that because we're married. I wasn't that good."
"Seriously! You have a knack with kids… even if they aren't all that much younger than
you. Too bad you can't teach Usagi, she'd have benefited greatly from your guidance."
"Hah. I'm a self-proclaimed tutor, not a miracle worker." I got a light smack on the arm
for that, and grinned "So, back to our game?"
"No thanks. I was thinking a System Shock time trial or something… you know?"
"Ahh, what I wouldn't give for a SHODAN of my own…" I said, wistfully.
"Heh. She'd use you, abuse you, and turn you into some ugly cyborg." Makoto said, still
smiling.
"Nah. I'd restrict her from having arms."
"You moron. Lets just play." Makoto said, pulling out the CD. I shrugged to myself, and
joined her.
An hour or so later, my second run through a part of the game was interrupted by a knock
on the door. Pausing the game, I looked at Makoto, who shrugged, before moving to open
the door. Knowing Nabiki had a key, I wasn't sure who to expect, but seeing a nervous
Ukyo standing there in the dark wasn't all that unpleasant a surprise.
"Sorry… I was wondering if we could talk for a few minutes?" I nodded, and stepped
aside, waving her in, and she did so, looking over her shoulder before turning to look at
us.
"Umm… Ran-chan and Akane stopped by earlier, and told me what you told them… So,
thanks for the lesson… even if it was secondhand." I blinked, then shrugged.
"No problem. Sorry you couldn't make it. But, what with running a business and all, I
understand that you aren't going to be able to stop by as much as those two."
"Oh. Well… I just had a couple questions, and I didn't want to ask them in front of
Akane or Ran-chan."
"Oh? Well, have a seat. Make yourself at home. Want a drink?" I asked. When she shook
her head, I shrugged, and pulled up my chair, while she sat down on the couch across
from me. "What're your questions?"
"First, I wanted to discuss payment. I don't feel right taking up your time without
compensating you in some way."
"Oh. Actually, Ranma asked about that, as well. Honestly, A bite to eat at a discount
price or something when I feel like eating out would be good."
"That's it?" Ukyo asked, incredulously.
"Well, yeah. It's not every day you get to teach rather famous characters something.
That's reward enough in and of itself, you know?"
"Oh. Well, actually, that's the other thing. If this world is some sort of entertainment to
you, then do you…" she trailed off.
"Do I…"
"Do you have a… favorite?" Ukyo finally said, blushing a little. I frowned, then started
laughing. Ukyo started sinking in the couch (something hard to do with such thin
cushions) and I let up, a few chuckles escaping as I tried to settle down.
"A favorite Fiancé? Yes, yes I do. Most Ranma fans do, I'd imagine."
"Most?" She asked.
"Well, girls might want Ranma for themselves, and not like any of you. That's just
speculation, but there's always someone, so…" I shrugged.
"So... who is it?" Ukyo asked, finally. I'd been expecting this, fortunately, so I gave her a
somewhat rehearsed answer.
"Truth be told, I'd rather not say. Some people," I said, glancing at Makoto, and winking
when I was out of Ukyo's sight, "might get offended by that. And Cologne expressly
forbade me from interfering in that way."
"Cologne? Shampoo's Great Grandmother?"
"Yeah." I saw her frown, and decided to give her a token hint, "I'll tell you one thing. It's
not Kodachi, or any of the single-episode fiancés."
"Single… oh. Well, if you won't tell me who, could you at least give me a hint?"
"Not really. However, I can give you some advice, if you want." She nodded, and I
frowned, trying to think of something to say, quickly.
"Umm… Well, Your biggest advantage over your competition, as well as your biggest
hinderance, is your friendship with Ranma." I said, hoping she wouldn't question the
vagueness of that statement. No such luck, however.
"What do you mean it's a hinderance?"
"Well, He thinks of you as his old buddy Uuchan, who, up until your arrival and battle,
was, in his mind, a guy. He likes you, and trusts you, and values that friendship, but he's
not going to take any steps to take it further. And… Well… some of your attempts to take
it farther have done more damage than good." I shut up, then, realizing I'd said a lot more
than I'd intended. Ukyo just nodded, her brow creased in thought, and I stood, stretching.
"Anything else?" I asked, quirking a brow at her. She shook her head, and I moved to
open the door for her, hoping I hadn't said anything wrong. Or too much, for that matter.
Before I could shut the Door, Makoto excused herself, and slipped out the door. I
frowned, then shrugged, closing it softly, so they could have their privacy.
"What was that about?" I asked when she came back in a minute later.
"Just a little more help. I think you scared her with what you said, so I had to give her a
little hope."
"Well, for our sake, I hope you didn't do anything that would bring Cologne's ire down
upon us."
"Nope. It's nothing she wouldn't have thought of herself, given time. I just pointed her in
the right direction."
"Oh?" I asked, quirking a brow as I moved the couch back to it's original position.
Makoto just smiled at me, and I sighed, knowing that was the end of that conversation.
Glancing at the clock, I realized it was getting late, and flipped the futon back into a bed.
"I'm going to sleep. I have some things I want to do tomorrow, and want to be able to get
it all done before my… students drop by." Makoto yawned and nodded, before looking at
the computer.
"I'll be there in a bit. I want to see what's in the mall." I chuckled at her, then crawled
into bed, idly hoping Nabiki'd be quiet when she came in from wherever she spent the
evening. A few minutes later, I fell asleep.
