Legal Note: N/A *************************************************************************************

Chapter Eight: Ranma

I didn't want to see Akane's disappointed face last night so I slept on the beach in a tent. I woke up to a cop at six in the morning and now I hafta pay some ticket. Apparently you can't camp on this beach, especially under the lifeguard's chair.

At nine I came back to the beach house to find that Akane left to be taught by that guy named after that dance. Tonight I would fight that guy so I better figure out how marine martial art matches work. My mom told me she knew so I went to her to find out. I found her on the porch looking out at the beach drinking tea.

"Okay son listen well. Basically it's a competition to fight, but in the water. As you know attacks are ineffective in the water. Right?"

"Yep." I nodded only to be hit on the head.

"Wrong. Normal attacks are, but if you can punch at the right angle your attack will carry." She is smart and knows better skills than pops. His attacks he teaches me are for cowards. Like the Crouch of the Wild Tiger one. I only used it once against Akane.

"You didn't have to hit me. Okay so that's all?"

"No. I know of two Saotome techniques that were designed just for this kind of combat. The Clear Body and the Water Dragon Blast." There's special Saotome attacks made for marine martial arts?! Probably from her side of the family and they really ain't Saotome techniques.

"So what are these two attacks about?" I was interested in this now. It seemed fun.

"Clear Body allows you to become one with the water. It is the perfect counter to the other technique, Water Dragon Blast. An attack where you hit your enemy with a burst of water."

"You turn to water by using the Clear Body?" That made no sense. She hit me once more on the head.

"You can't become water Ranma. You just become intangible."

"Intangible? What's that?" She's using pretty big and fancy words.

"It's as if the water passes through you. It gives you more speed in the water."

"That sounds pretty cool. You better show me these moves." I usually need to see the move once to get it. That's how I passed the finals, by committing them to memory and copying it.

"I knew that so I came prepared." She was suddenly out of her shirt and skirt and in an one piece bathing suit that was light blue with a floral design. How'd she do that without ripping her shirt? "C'mon Ranma. I'll show you how to fight." She stepped off the porch for the ocean. I stood up and followed in great anticipation.

Is Akane still being taught by that ballet guy? I wanted to teach her how to swim. She may be in love with that guy. Then tonight's match isn't about us two guys, but over her. If so I intend not to lose the match.

*************************************************************************************

Thanks to:

Maria

Arcia

I know! How could Akane. She's a bastard. Argh! *Flailing arms about* The little bitch. *Raising my right hand clenching it* And what about the guy who wrote this. He's an even bigger bastard. Lynch mob formation. Setting: Sack.

At least I got the reaction I hoped for from you two.