Plans
The rest of the school day passed by uneventfully. Some students had stopped him to ask if it was true, others congratulated him for making fun of the school idiot, but he was for the most part left alone.
The trip home was quite. Akane and Shampoo pointed out places of interest and who the neighbors where. Mamoru observed the compound for the first time. It was old, but had a nice homey feel to it. After Akane, Shampoo, and Mamoru enter the Tendo compound Akane calls out.
Akane "Kasumi were home."
Mamoru basked in all the new friendships he achieved that day. "Shampoo do you want a snack before you go home?"
Shampoo did not want the peaceful day to end. "Aie"
Everyone gathered at the table, while Kasumi inquired about everyone's day.
Mamoru smiles and speaks first. "Just great, got A's in all the classes for the day and no homework."
Shampoo sighs. "I have lots of homework."
Akane looks to be on the verge of tears. First Ranma takes the title of Best Martial Artist, now Mamoru takes the title of best student in the class. "So do I."
Mamoru notices Akane is upset. "How about I help you at the end of the day, Shampoo I'll see what I can't do about talking your Grandmother into hiring another hand."
Mamoru is interrupted when the phone rings and Kasumi goes and answers it. They await Kasumi's return patiently.
Kasumi "That was your Grandmother Shampoo, she realized that you might have a lot of homework so she hired some additional hands today as not to interfere with your schooling. Akane, she was wondering if you could help her with it until she gets into the swing of thing."
The opportunity was to good to be true. Mamoru pounces on the idea like one of those things. 'Where did this sudden fear of cats come from?' "That would be a good chance for you two to finally become friends. Just do me a favor and live by two rules. No insulting each other and not talking about your favorite pastime.
Akane frowns, "Pass time?"
Shampoo grins, "You mean Ranma?"
Mamoru smiles. Despite Shampoo's speech pattern, and one-track mind, she really was a intelligent girl. "Correct Shampoo. As soon as Soun finishes with me and I talk to your Grandmother I'll look over your home work and help both of you with what your having trouble with."
________________________________________________________________________________
Mamoru looks at his new coach with anticipation. He darts his eyes across the dojo. 'This is going to be a lot more difficult than walking.'
Soun notices his discomfort. "Ok son, we will start with the basics and see how far we can go from there."
Mamoru relaxes at that announcement. "Aie!"
Soun "Lets start with this beginning Kata, as soon as you have it mastered we will move on to the next."
Two hours later Mamoru is working on his tenth kata, something that should have taken him months to master. Cologne had been watching secretly for the past fifteen minutes and Mamoru retrained Ranma's body and trained his mind. Finally, she decides to break up the training session.
Cologne "Very good Young Elder, you have your coordination down flat."
Mamoru blushes at the praise "Thank you Elder, but you should see how clumsy I am in my own body. No sense of natural balance what so ever. A few medical problems that were not corrected when I was a kid. Sempi Tendo, would you join me in a talk with Cologne about the future."
Soun blanches at this, as does Cologne.
Cologne "What do you have in mind?"
Mamoru "Sit everyone please? Cologne, Soun, let me refresh your minds about the events of this morning and we can go from there."
Mamoru slowly goes over the day's events and waits for comments.
Soun sits reflectively. "So Ranma considers us all his family?"
Mamoru "Yes, and covering that with Cologne got me to thinking. Without realizing Ranma has surrounded himself with a village."
Cologne perks up at this. "Now that you mention it Mamoru, you are right. So I take it you want to form a sort of village here in Japan for Ranma's sake?"
Mamoru "Not just his, but your village also Cologne. May I be honest with you Elder?"
Cologne "You have been so far, why do you ask?"
Mamoru frowns. "For what I have got to say I'm afraid will not be received well."
Cologne "I take it, its bad news on my part."
Mamoru "Aie."
Cologne "We won't get anywhere if I can't take bad news every once and a while."
Mamoru "Ok I'm putting my cards on the table then. Ranma has told me he has no marital interest in Shampoo. He wants to be an individual of his own free will, and he is not willing to compromise that free will. He has done some research on Amazon society on his own without anyone knowing and he believes he could never be happy being the husband to an Amazon. He wants a more equal marriage partnership where both parties have input and neither is afraid to put the other in his or her place. He does look upon your Grand Daughter as a potential friend and ally in the future and is not sure how he could keep that aspect of the relationship going without causing great pain or bringing shame to Shampoo. He is not blind to the stakes to her."
Cologne thinks for several minutes before speaking. "You are right, that is bad news, but it is nice to here that he is trying to be considerate. It's been my theory that he would not be happy in the village without killing his sprit anyway, and that would also be bad. I like that spirit in the young lad, it could reawaken our village. The other Elders would more than likely crush it. The two biggest problems are losing out on the genetics and the potential of adding Anything Goes Martial Arts to our village."
Mamoru smiles "I was hopping you would say that. The Tendos and Saotomes want Ranma to continue the school and pass on what he knows. Would it be acceptable to start an independent village here? A village that will render aid to your village in times of need, as yours would do for this new village. Ranma could take on your best warriors, train them here in a foreign environment, and send them to school here. As for the genetics, It would have to be discussed with his future wife and him. I could bring up the idea of artificial insemination with him to make it more palatable."
Soun smiles at this. "If it brings a end to the nightmare then I support the village idea. I know Nodoka wants lots of grand children so the genetics issue would not even be a issue with his parents."
Mamoru waits for several minutes before prodding the elder for a comment. "Well Cologne?"
Cologne sighs. "Well right now, there is no issue as to who his future wife will be if it's left up to him. An outside village training our warriors would be a good thing, so many of our young people want to travel to the outside for a little while and this is as good a place as any to gain that experience. I can only see it as a positive. Having such a treaty would save face for Shampoo. How would it be determined who would be members of this new tribe."
Mamoru thinks for several minutes. "Members must prove that they can contribute or show some sort of skill in martial arts. Those who show the most potential could be given the opportunity to train in your village. Both males and females. The kiss of Death would be forbidden between the two villages, and the Kiss of marriage will only be valid if that is the accepted goal of both parties."
Cologne keeps a neutral face. "That would also be acceptable. The question is will Ranma except it?"
Mamoru "He should once I talk to him and tell him what's going on." Mamoru pauses for a few seconds and puts his fingers on his temples rubbing them. "Wait a minute I hear a taping in my conscience, mind if I dive out or a second."
Cologne and Soun look at each other and then back at him. "Go right ahead."
Mamoru enters a meditation state.
Mamoru "Ranma?"
Ranma "About time you heard me calling you, I've been working with this link all day. I can now tap into your thoughts as the day goes by. It's so strange. I heard what you were discussing with Cologne and believe you took an unnecessary risk. I do however like the plan and agree with it. I just wish I had thought of it."
Mamoru "Sorry about that, did you catch this mornings events?"
Ranma "No?.."
Mamoru "Then let me think them to you."
Ranma "Ok."
Mamoru goes into a trance and Ranma can't believe what he sees.
Ranma "You got Nabiki good. You have my support."
Mamoru "Thank you."
Ranma "I do wish you had not open my heart up for the whole world to see."
Mamoru "I'm sorry, but I felt that I did not have a choice. Besides, it makes you seem more human. You don't have to overcompensate to prove that you're a man among men. It is ok to let go with your emotions. They can very well eat you alive if you let them."
Ranma "I understand. Just one question? What is artificial insemination?"
Mamoru "Has anyone ever explained the birds and the bees to you Ranma?"
Ranma "Not really."
Mamoru goes into another meditive state. In the real world, both bodies produce nosebleeds.
Ranma "O my. Yes artificial insemination would be the way to go for me. I could not live with my self cheating on the one I like, like that."
Mamoru "I understand. Being you understand this link, do you want to try and talk to Cologne and Soun?"
Ranma "Sure, why not."
Mamoru goes into another trance trying to make his mind as blank as possible.
Mamoru opens his eyes with the whites exposed. "Old Goul?"
Cologne "Yes Mamoru?"
Mamoru/R "Its Ranma, I've had time to understand this link, I don't know how long I've got. I support both of Mamoru's ideas. I give him authorization to sign whatever treaty paper work that needs to be done. I am sorry I could not bring myself to love Shampoo like y'all wanted."
Cologne "It is alright Son-In-Law, Mamoru has brought some things into prospective. He is a true blessing to use. Go, rest, and heal Mamoru's body."
Mamoru/R "But I'm so board, at least I have Mamoru radio to listen to now. Tell Mamoru when he wakes to expect more knocking."
Cologne "I will."
Mamoru's eyes close and he collapses, five minutes later he wakes up.
Mamoru groans and holds his head in his hands. "I really need some pain killer, I have a head ace."
Soun "Let us get you out of the Dojo and into the house."
With a lot of effort, Soun manages to get Mamoru back into the house. After a short talk with Kasumi she goes and retrieves some pain killer.
Mamoru excepts the pills with real gratitude. "Thank you Kasumi, you are a real sweet lady."
Kasumi blushes at the rare praise. "Your welcome Mamoru."
Mamoru considers her for a moment. "Akane and I will take care of dinner tonight, why don't you go ask that nice Dr. of yours out to a date."
Kasumi power blushes at this suggestion and starts to protest. "But I must not, it's not proper, it's just not done."
Mamoru smiles. "Kasumi, if one of you does not make a move, you will never move forward or backwards. Now go find a nice dress to wear and go to him" wiggling his finger to emphasize the point. "Or do I need to get your sisters involved?"
Cologne "He is right my dear, go to him, just small steps right now, they do not need to be to large right now. Pick up something at a restaurant and have a simple meal. In fact stop by mine, I'll cover it this time."
Soun still in serious mode. "Go."
Mamoru "Bye Kasumi, and no tickling contest."
Cologne "???"
Mamoru "Ah! I did not tell you, Akane woke me up rather badly yesterday afternoon and I got my revenge by aggressively tickling her. Nabiki walked in on us and unspoken between us we both got her. Then she got me, then we got in trouble with Mr. Tendo."
Soun "Now that I look back on it Mamoru, that was the best thing you could have done to them. Thank you; there has not been laughter in the house like that in a long time. That does not mean however that you can touch them like that again."
Cologne "You do however have permission to lead an assault against my Grand Daughter. It is about time she was humbled by a none martial artist."
Mamoru "No kiss of marriage? Or any other Amazon laws I don't know about?"
Cologne frowns at being caught. "You are immune to that."
Mamoru yawns, "Good, not tonight however. That merger I did with Ranma was draining."
Cologne looks at him with concern. "That I can believe. Well I should be going. If Shampoo stays to late could you let her stay here tonight Soun?"
Soun "Yes Cologne, I have no problem with that. Mamoru can sleep in Nabiki's room."
Cologne looking at Mamoru with a raised eyebrow. "Nabiki?"
Mamoru "I like a challenge and she is strong, self reliant, and independent. I like that in a woman. I do not want to take things to far until I have my own body and Mr. Tendo's approval however. So I won't be sleeping in her room. Mr. Tendo how could you suggest such a thing."
Cologne smirks at the banter. "I think it would be a good thing to allow Akane and Shampoo to become good friends before we break the news to her."
Mamoru "That I agree with, I don't look forward to breaking anyone's heart, except for maybe Kadochi." Mamoru shudders at the mere thought of being one hundred yards away from her.
Cologne puts on a very serious face. "I think it would be a good idea if we bring some warriors over here and put their mansion under siege for a little while, attacking when they leave."
Mamoru "Ranma would enjoy that, but we don't want to cause trouble with the local authorities. I think Nabiki might be able to arrange for them to have psychological evaluations. I can counter any bribe that may come up."
Cologne "You can?"
Mamoru "You would be surprised at what I can do."
Well, that's it for this chapter. Just got back results from the dreaded Regents test. I passed, I passed, I passed, I passed!!!!!!!!!! Yippe. I welcome any constructive criticism.
The rest of the school day passed by uneventfully. Some students had stopped him to ask if it was true, others congratulated him for making fun of the school idiot, but he was for the most part left alone.
The trip home was quite. Akane and Shampoo pointed out places of interest and who the neighbors where. Mamoru observed the compound for the first time. It was old, but had a nice homey feel to it. After Akane, Shampoo, and Mamoru enter the Tendo compound Akane calls out.
Akane "Kasumi were home."
Mamoru basked in all the new friendships he achieved that day. "Shampoo do you want a snack before you go home?"
Shampoo did not want the peaceful day to end. "Aie"
Everyone gathered at the table, while Kasumi inquired about everyone's day.
Mamoru smiles and speaks first. "Just great, got A's in all the classes for the day and no homework."
Shampoo sighs. "I have lots of homework."
Akane looks to be on the verge of tears. First Ranma takes the title of Best Martial Artist, now Mamoru takes the title of best student in the class. "So do I."
Mamoru notices Akane is upset. "How about I help you at the end of the day, Shampoo I'll see what I can't do about talking your Grandmother into hiring another hand."
Mamoru is interrupted when the phone rings and Kasumi goes and answers it. They await Kasumi's return patiently.
Kasumi "That was your Grandmother Shampoo, she realized that you might have a lot of homework so she hired some additional hands today as not to interfere with your schooling. Akane, she was wondering if you could help her with it until she gets into the swing of thing."
The opportunity was to good to be true. Mamoru pounces on the idea like one of those things. 'Where did this sudden fear of cats come from?' "That would be a good chance for you two to finally become friends. Just do me a favor and live by two rules. No insulting each other and not talking about your favorite pastime.
Akane frowns, "Pass time?"
Shampoo grins, "You mean Ranma?"
Mamoru smiles. Despite Shampoo's speech pattern, and one-track mind, she really was a intelligent girl. "Correct Shampoo. As soon as Soun finishes with me and I talk to your Grandmother I'll look over your home work and help both of you with what your having trouble with."
________________________________________________________________________________
Mamoru looks at his new coach with anticipation. He darts his eyes across the dojo. 'This is going to be a lot more difficult than walking.'
Soun notices his discomfort. "Ok son, we will start with the basics and see how far we can go from there."
Mamoru relaxes at that announcement. "Aie!"
Soun "Lets start with this beginning Kata, as soon as you have it mastered we will move on to the next."
Two hours later Mamoru is working on his tenth kata, something that should have taken him months to master. Cologne had been watching secretly for the past fifteen minutes and Mamoru retrained Ranma's body and trained his mind. Finally, she decides to break up the training session.
Cologne "Very good Young Elder, you have your coordination down flat."
Mamoru blushes at the praise "Thank you Elder, but you should see how clumsy I am in my own body. No sense of natural balance what so ever. A few medical problems that were not corrected when I was a kid. Sempi Tendo, would you join me in a talk with Cologne about the future."
Soun blanches at this, as does Cologne.
Cologne "What do you have in mind?"
Mamoru "Sit everyone please? Cologne, Soun, let me refresh your minds about the events of this morning and we can go from there."
Mamoru slowly goes over the day's events and waits for comments.
Soun sits reflectively. "So Ranma considers us all his family?"
Mamoru "Yes, and covering that with Cologne got me to thinking. Without realizing Ranma has surrounded himself with a village."
Cologne perks up at this. "Now that you mention it Mamoru, you are right. So I take it you want to form a sort of village here in Japan for Ranma's sake?"
Mamoru "Not just his, but your village also Cologne. May I be honest with you Elder?"
Cologne "You have been so far, why do you ask?"
Mamoru frowns. "For what I have got to say I'm afraid will not be received well."
Cologne "I take it, its bad news on my part."
Mamoru "Aie."
Cologne "We won't get anywhere if I can't take bad news every once and a while."
Mamoru "Ok I'm putting my cards on the table then. Ranma has told me he has no marital interest in Shampoo. He wants to be an individual of his own free will, and he is not willing to compromise that free will. He has done some research on Amazon society on his own without anyone knowing and he believes he could never be happy being the husband to an Amazon. He wants a more equal marriage partnership where both parties have input and neither is afraid to put the other in his or her place. He does look upon your Grand Daughter as a potential friend and ally in the future and is not sure how he could keep that aspect of the relationship going without causing great pain or bringing shame to Shampoo. He is not blind to the stakes to her."
Cologne thinks for several minutes before speaking. "You are right, that is bad news, but it is nice to here that he is trying to be considerate. It's been my theory that he would not be happy in the village without killing his sprit anyway, and that would also be bad. I like that spirit in the young lad, it could reawaken our village. The other Elders would more than likely crush it. The two biggest problems are losing out on the genetics and the potential of adding Anything Goes Martial Arts to our village."
Mamoru smiles "I was hopping you would say that. The Tendos and Saotomes want Ranma to continue the school and pass on what he knows. Would it be acceptable to start an independent village here? A village that will render aid to your village in times of need, as yours would do for this new village. Ranma could take on your best warriors, train them here in a foreign environment, and send them to school here. As for the genetics, It would have to be discussed with his future wife and him. I could bring up the idea of artificial insemination with him to make it more palatable."
Soun smiles at this. "If it brings a end to the nightmare then I support the village idea. I know Nodoka wants lots of grand children so the genetics issue would not even be a issue with his parents."
Mamoru waits for several minutes before prodding the elder for a comment. "Well Cologne?"
Cologne sighs. "Well right now, there is no issue as to who his future wife will be if it's left up to him. An outside village training our warriors would be a good thing, so many of our young people want to travel to the outside for a little while and this is as good a place as any to gain that experience. I can only see it as a positive. Having such a treaty would save face for Shampoo. How would it be determined who would be members of this new tribe."
Mamoru thinks for several minutes. "Members must prove that they can contribute or show some sort of skill in martial arts. Those who show the most potential could be given the opportunity to train in your village. Both males and females. The kiss of Death would be forbidden between the two villages, and the Kiss of marriage will only be valid if that is the accepted goal of both parties."
Cologne keeps a neutral face. "That would also be acceptable. The question is will Ranma except it?"
Mamoru "He should once I talk to him and tell him what's going on." Mamoru pauses for a few seconds and puts his fingers on his temples rubbing them. "Wait a minute I hear a taping in my conscience, mind if I dive out or a second."
Cologne and Soun look at each other and then back at him. "Go right ahead."
Mamoru enters a meditation state.
Mamoru "Ranma?"
Ranma "About time you heard me calling you, I've been working with this link all day. I can now tap into your thoughts as the day goes by. It's so strange. I heard what you were discussing with Cologne and believe you took an unnecessary risk. I do however like the plan and agree with it. I just wish I had thought of it."
Mamoru "Sorry about that, did you catch this mornings events?"
Ranma "No?.."
Mamoru "Then let me think them to you."
Ranma "Ok."
Mamoru goes into a trance and Ranma can't believe what he sees.
Ranma "You got Nabiki good. You have my support."
Mamoru "Thank you."
Ranma "I do wish you had not open my heart up for the whole world to see."
Mamoru "I'm sorry, but I felt that I did not have a choice. Besides, it makes you seem more human. You don't have to overcompensate to prove that you're a man among men. It is ok to let go with your emotions. They can very well eat you alive if you let them."
Ranma "I understand. Just one question? What is artificial insemination?"
Mamoru "Has anyone ever explained the birds and the bees to you Ranma?"
Ranma "Not really."
Mamoru goes into another meditive state. In the real world, both bodies produce nosebleeds.
Ranma "O my. Yes artificial insemination would be the way to go for me. I could not live with my self cheating on the one I like, like that."
Mamoru "I understand. Being you understand this link, do you want to try and talk to Cologne and Soun?"
Ranma "Sure, why not."
Mamoru goes into another trance trying to make his mind as blank as possible.
Mamoru opens his eyes with the whites exposed. "Old Goul?"
Cologne "Yes Mamoru?"
Mamoru/R "Its Ranma, I've had time to understand this link, I don't know how long I've got. I support both of Mamoru's ideas. I give him authorization to sign whatever treaty paper work that needs to be done. I am sorry I could not bring myself to love Shampoo like y'all wanted."
Cologne "It is alright Son-In-Law, Mamoru has brought some things into prospective. He is a true blessing to use. Go, rest, and heal Mamoru's body."
Mamoru/R "But I'm so board, at least I have Mamoru radio to listen to now. Tell Mamoru when he wakes to expect more knocking."
Cologne "I will."
Mamoru's eyes close and he collapses, five minutes later he wakes up.
Mamoru groans and holds his head in his hands. "I really need some pain killer, I have a head ace."
Soun "Let us get you out of the Dojo and into the house."
With a lot of effort, Soun manages to get Mamoru back into the house. After a short talk with Kasumi she goes and retrieves some pain killer.
Mamoru excepts the pills with real gratitude. "Thank you Kasumi, you are a real sweet lady."
Kasumi blushes at the rare praise. "Your welcome Mamoru."
Mamoru considers her for a moment. "Akane and I will take care of dinner tonight, why don't you go ask that nice Dr. of yours out to a date."
Kasumi power blushes at this suggestion and starts to protest. "But I must not, it's not proper, it's just not done."
Mamoru smiles. "Kasumi, if one of you does not make a move, you will never move forward or backwards. Now go find a nice dress to wear and go to him" wiggling his finger to emphasize the point. "Or do I need to get your sisters involved?"
Cologne "He is right my dear, go to him, just small steps right now, they do not need to be to large right now. Pick up something at a restaurant and have a simple meal. In fact stop by mine, I'll cover it this time."
Soun still in serious mode. "Go."
Mamoru "Bye Kasumi, and no tickling contest."
Cologne "???"
Mamoru "Ah! I did not tell you, Akane woke me up rather badly yesterday afternoon and I got my revenge by aggressively tickling her. Nabiki walked in on us and unspoken between us we both got her. Then she got me, then we got in trouble with Mr. Tendo."
Soun "Now that I look back on it Mamoru, that was the best thing you could have done to them. Thank you; there has not been laughter in the house like that in a long time. That does not mean however that you can touch them like that again."
Cologne "You do however have permission to lead an assault against my Grand Daughter. It is about time she was humbled by a none martial artist."
Mamoru "No kiss of marriage? Or any other Amazon laws I don't know about?"
Cologne frowns at being caught. "You are immune to that."
Mamoru yawns, "Good, not tonight however. That merger I did with Ranma was draining."
Cologne looks at him with concern. "That I can believe. Well I should be going. If Shampoo stays to late could you let her stay here tonight Soun?"
Soun "Yes Cologne, I have no problem with that. Mamoru can sleep in Nabiki's room."
Cologne looking at Mamoru with a raised eyebrow. "Nabiki?"
Mamoru "I like a challenge and she is strong, self reliant, and independent. I like that in a woman. I do not want to take things to far until I have my own body and Mr. Tendo's approval however. So I won't be sleeping in her room. Mr. Tendo how could you suggest such a thing."
Cologne smirks at the banter. "I think it would be a good thing to allow Akane and Shampoo to become good friends before we break the news to her."
Mamoru "That I agree with, I don't look forward to breaking anyone's heart, except for maybe Kadochi." Mamoru shudders at the mere thought of being one hundred yards away from her.
Cologne puts on a very serious face. "I think it would be a good idea if we bring some warriors over here and put their mansion under siege for a little while, attacking when they leave."
Mamoru "Ranma would enjoy that, but we don't want to cause trouble with the local authorities. I think Nabiki might be able to arrange for them to have psychological evaluations. I can counter any bribe that may come up."
Cologne "You can?"
Mamoru "You would be surprised at what I can do."
Well, that's it for this chapter. Just got back results from the dreaded Regents test. I passed, I passed, I passed, I passed!!!!!!!!!! Yippe. I welcome any constructive criticism.