Disclaimer: Soo not mine.
Chapter 9: Home sweet hell
The townspeople stared briefly at the group stumbled toward the dojo. Briefly because this was after all Nermia. Three resembled casualties of war, with their ripped clothes and many bruises, not to mention the limp. The fourth whistled cheerfully as she skipped ahead. Sighing she looked back.
"Some on guys, you're slower then a turtle." Kari said.
Softly you could hear Taki muttering to himself. "She is family. Must not kill. She is family. Must not kill."
Mika was bracing Si Cwan as he limped and glared at the chipper girl. "Okay friend or not you sooo gotta die."
Si Cwan nodded grimly. "I concur. On three?"
The other two nodded. Then in perfect unison the three yelled and tackled Kari. "Eep!"
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Akane tilted her head. "Ranma, did you hear something?"
Ranma looked up from wrestling with Yui on the floor. "Hmm?"
"Never mind I'm sure it was nothing. Do you think the twins will be back soon? I mean it's been a week. They do have school."
"Depends on whether they let Ryoga lead." Ranma said grinning.
Akane glared at him. "Ranma, that's mean. True, but mean."
"AHHHHHHHHH!" Splash!
"Now I heard that." Ranma said getting up. He moved toward the back yard where he found Kari floating in the pool. "Hey Akane! I think they're back!"
"Kari!" Akane cried rushing out. "What in heaven's name happened? And where is Taki?"
"Ju-justice is s-served!" Taki said as he stumbled into the yard and collapsed. Mika poked her head in holding up a semiconscious Si Cwan.
"Um, hi! We're back. Si Cwan's going to walk me home ok?" Mika said shifting Si Cwan.
"Okay." Akane said stunned. "Shampoo's moved out anyway."
Ranma tried hard not to laugh at the look of the kids. "Kari went mental didn't she?"
Mika's eyes narrowed. "Oh yeah. Thanks to her, I've seen hell." A muffled snort was heard. "Tell her I'll see her on Monday." With that the two limped toward town.
Akane glanced back and forth not sure which child to help first. Ranma snickered quietly. "Yui! Make sure those to actually GET home?"
"Sure Dad! Are Kari and Taki dead?"
"Nope." Ranma said still laughing. "Least not yet. Looks like I still have some work to do on Kari's control. Knew it was a bad thing to mix Akane's temper with my skill."
"What did you say!?" Akane cried glowing faintly blue.
"Eep."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ukyo rolled her eyes. "Ryoga, I'm sure they're fine."
"But my poor baby! Let alone in the woods with a depraved Saotome!" Ryoga said sniffling.
"And Kari and Si Cwan. Though I'm still upset that you lost the kids AND got chased by that french-naming brown haired twit."
"Don't remind me." Ryoga said shuddering.
"Hello! Hey anybody home!"
"Back here, Yui!" Ukyo called back. "What's up?"
"Got something for you! But it's really getting heavy."
"Ryoga go help the poor kid." Ukyo said shoving him up. "No not that way! Oh never
mind." Ukyo stood up and grabbed his collar dragging him behind her. "Mika! What the hell
happened to her?"
Yui smiled sheepishly. "Don't know. But it probably has something to do with my sister, it generally does. Um, would either of you know where Aunt Shampoo moved too? I need to drop off Si Cwan." Yui said pointing to the lump outside.
"Keiichi knows I'll get him." Ukyo said sighing. "I knew leaving them alone was a bad Idea."
"My Poor Baby!" Ryoga cried, hugging his semiconscious daughter. "Who did this to you? They will pay!"
"Sa-o-to-me." Mika whispered. "Stupid, Saotome."
"RANMA!" Yui sighed as Ryoga charged out of the resturaunt screaming. 'Won't be seeing him for another week.'
"Mika do you need help standing?"
Mika glared at him. "Not too happy with your family right now."
Yui smiled. "Yeah kinda figured that. Was it food? Nah, never mind, if it was food you wouldn't be standing."
Ukyo came back down followed by a curious Keiichi. "Mika?!? What in the hel-uh, heck happened to you?" Keiichi asked correcting himself at Ukyo's glare. Feeling a bit stronger Mika sat up.
"Stupid Saotome."
"They let Taki beat you up?" Ukyo asked appalled.
Mika scowled. "Not Taki, Kari, the little brat. Like it was my fault Si Cwan saw her naked. But we fixed her."
Ukyo pictured the scene then started laughing. "God, you guys are soo screwed! Man you all act just like we did at your age." She stopped laughing. "Which isn't a good thing. I'd have thought Ranma had taught Kari a bit more control, along with technique. It's not like him."
Yui looked over concerned. "Hey it's not like that. Kari's usually really selective on who she releases her temper on. She'd never attack someone she thought couldn't handle it. She knows that's she's really dangerous."
"That may be, but she still has a long way to go." Keiichi said frowning. "Martial arts is for defense, not for vengeance." Ukyo nodded approvingly. "That's very good Kei, glad to know someone listens. Which reminds me where did Ryoga go?"
Yui grinned. "To kill Dad."
Ukyo rolled her eyes. "Great. Now I have to go looking for that numbskull. Kei, help Yui get Si Cwan home? The poor kid looks beat. Even Shampoo's kid doesn't deserve that."
"Sure mom. Come on Yui, the Cat Café is this way." Keiichi said as he lifted one of Si Cwan's arms.
"Cool. I haven't been by yet, think Shampoo'll give us some food for this?" Yui asked as they made their way out.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Kia sighed lightly as he arranged the pillows around his brother. "Taki you know she's going to be very upset when she wakes up."
Taki scowled at his bandaged arms, legs and head. "Yeah well she deserved it. I hope Dad's giving her a good long lecture. OW! Kia that hurt!"
Kia smiled. "I know. You were being mean. Now I think that's all of them, you'll be fine in a couple of days. When Dad's done I'll go see Kari. Mom's hopeless at bandages."
Taki gave him a ghost of a smile, rubbing his arm. "Yeah, but she means well. She's gonna yell at me isn't she?"
"Probably. She was counting on you to keep her in line. Now if you behave, I'll make some nice sukiyaki tonight."
Taki's eyes light up. "Really? That's great you make the best sukiyaki, well next to Aunt Kasumi's."
Kia smiled happily. "Thank you. Now no picking."
"Yes Kia."
"All done Mom, he's all yours."
"Thank you dear, are you sure you feel up to making dinner?"
Kia looked shocked. "Of course!"
"Alright." Akane said wearily moving into Taki's room where she glared at her oldest son. Shutting the door behind her, she moved toward the bed. "Okay, now explain, exactly what happened out there. Where was Ryoga?"
"Well, Ryoga got lost the first day, well technically the first three hours. Then we got lost
because Mika insisted on leading. Mika was uh, a little upset that Si Cwan and I ended up
going. Things were going okay till..."
"Keep going."
"Well Kari was taking a bath in the river and I was talking to Mika, she hit me, got lost and Si Cwan unknowing walked in on Kari." Knowing her daughter, Akane winced. "Ah, well you can guess the rest."
"Baka." She hissed. "Well she's my daughter after all. Now I want to know why you didn't do something."
Taki shot her a 'what-are-you kidding-me' look. "YOU try stopping her. I took the brunt of it, or tried to. But we're too evenly a match to make much of a difference. Plus, the other two INSISTED on sparring with her. She went a little easy on Mika, but pounded on Si Cwan. I gotta say the guy can take hits."
"He gets that from Mousse." Akane said absently. "Well looks like your father and I need to have yet another talk with her about this." Akane frowned. "I thought she learned her lesson after the thing with the hair dye and that stupid lord from Mongolia."
"Hey, it wasn't that bad. They're both really strong, and none of us we really hurt."
"But you could have been." Akane said softly. "Neither Mika nor Si Cwan have trained as intensely like you two have, and Kari has to remember that. Now you rest up. You have school tomorrow." Akane said ruffling his hair.
"Aww, crap I forgot."
"Language!"
"Yes, ma'am."
Meanwhile, Kari was getting a stern lecture. "You can't keep doing this, it's getting dangerous." Ranma pointed out. "You could really hurt someone."
Kari sighed. "Dad, I'M hurt." Pointing out big bruises.
"Yeah, well I figure you deserved it."
"DAD!" Kari cried shocked. "I'm your daughter!"
Ranma grinned. "Yeah, but I'm not blind to your faults' kid. Besides if you didn't earn those then Taki would've done something, or I'd have HIS hide."
Kari pouted. "I didn't hurt them," At her dad's look added. "Much. Look, their fine right? No broken bones, no concussions, alive and somewhat well? So they're bruised a little, okay a lot and need new clothes."
Ranma sighed and shook his head. "That's not the point. I didn't teach you martial arts so you could beat on people when you get upset. I taught you so you could defend yourself, your family and friends. Which became quite apparent when you two were kidnaped from your cradle that you'd need. Also because I love it and wanted to share that love with my children, which is the selfish part of it. These outbursts are getting more frequent. You have to learn to pick your battles."
Kari looked up hurt. "Dad, I've never fought with anyone who couldn't defend themselves. I know I have a bit of a temper but I thought I was doing okay. If it was too much for them they should have said something."
Ranma looked thoughtful at that. "Yeah, probably. But these are prideful people we're talking about. I can't image any of their parents calling for a time out, in any circumstance."
Kari scowled. "Why not? We're not rivals, well most of us aren't rivals." She amended. "What's wrong with admitting you need a break?"
Ranma shot her a look. "Would you?"
Kari snorted. "Of course not, but that's completely different. I'm better then them."
Ranma raised an eyebrow at that. "Oh you are so my kid, so here's some advice from your old man: There's always someone better than you, so don't get too cocky. I can still kick your butt, brat and don't you forget it."
"Daddy? I'm finished with Taki, is it alright if I do Kari now?" Kia asked.
"Yeah go ahead. I'm through." Ranma said standing. Smiling at Kari's bent head he patted it lightly before leaving. "It's good to have you back. I missed my girl."
Kari smiled at that. "Missed you too, Daddy."
"See you bright and early tomorrow. We're going to have a little training session before school." Kari just groaned.
Kia lifted her arm and smoothed some salve on it. "This doesn't look too bad. Taki looked worse."
Kari winced. "Really?"
Kia sighed. "Yes. You do have quite the temper."
"Sorry." Kari said shifting uncomfortably.
"I'm not the one you really should be apologizing to, from what I can tell Si Cwan was in bad shape."
Kari glared. "I'm not apologizing to that, that Amazon! He saw me naked!"
Kia raised an eyebrow. "On purpose?"
"Yes! Maybe."
"Kari, given our, uh, unique heritage I believe you should have asked before pummeling. From what Taki said, Mika knocked him out before he could tell Si Cwan."
"Oh. Well he...uh, should have mentioned that."
Kia giggled. "Yeah, like you'd give anyone the chance to explain. So if you were just mad at Si Cwan why attack Mika and Taki?"
"Taki was supposed to cover for me!" Kari said crossly.
"And Mika?"
"Um, we were training?"
"Kari." Kia said sighing.
"How do you do that?" Kari asked. "You always make me feel more guilty with a simple talk then Mom and Dad do with all their lectures."
Kia grinned. "It's a gift. Now rest up and I'll bring you some pork buns later."
"Are you sure your ten?"
"Yup." Kia said picking up the remains of the training clothes. "These grass stains will never come out. I wonder if Yui's going to be home for dinner."
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"This is the Cat Café? Neat sign, Dad'll hate it though." Yui said skipping alongside Keiichi.
Keiichi looked up, shifted Si Cwan's weight. "Why?"
"He has this thing against cats. Beats me why, but he goes freaky. It's kind of funny actually, unless he doesn't like you." Yui bounding inside.
"Niaho! Welcome to Cat Café. I, Mei-Lin, be your server AIYAH! Si Cwan!" Mei-Lin squealed as Keiichi came in. "Poppa! Poppa! Come quickly! SI Cwan's hurt! Poppa!
Mousse came rushing out form the kitchen adjusting his glasses. "Mei-Lin what is all this? SI Cwan! Shampoo! Si Cwan's Back!" Mousse quickly came forward and eased his son into a chair, relieving Keiichi of his burden. "Thank you for helping him home, Keiichi."
"Kei, what happen?" Mei-Lin asked, wide-eyed.
Keiichi shrugged. "No idea. Mika came back tonight too. Also beat up."
"It was probably Kari." Yui said. "She gets like that."
"AIYAH! Si Cwan, what you do to self? Stupid boy!" Shampoo scolded coming done the stairs. "If great-grandmother see, she be disappointed. You is needing much training."
"Momma!" Mei-Lin gasped. "Si Cwan is really hurt! Why can't you just act like a normal mother for once?"
"Shampoo is acting like normal mother. Normal Amazon mother. Stupid boy let guard down. Kari is strong girl, he probably deserve it."
"Momma!"
"Mei-Lin, is our way. Ranma good teacher. No let students have power and little control. So Si Cwan fault. Must learn female is right." Shampoo patted Mei-Lin's head. "He have too easy at home. No girl strong enough to defeat him."
Mei-Lin rolled her eyes. "I liked it better when we still lived in America." She grumbled. "You weren't as strict then."
Shampoo glared at her daughter. "When here, speak language."
"Fine."
"Shampoo? Where is the peroxide?" Mousse asked examining Si Cwan.
"Upstairs cabinet. Bandaids there too."
"Good. He's coming around."
"Si Cwan!" Mei-Lin said rushing over.
"Auntie Shampoo? Think I could have some ramen?" Yui asked smiling angelically.
"You so cute! Sit here. Shampoo go make too too delicious ramen for you." Shampoo said hugging the boy. "Is Si Cwan hungry?"
"Hello mother." Si Cwan said wearily, wincing as he moved. "We did make it back then." He opened one eye. "Did you know if we got her?"
Yui grinned. "Yeah, sent her right over the wall. Then you all collapsed."
Si Cwan smiled. "Good. I am a tad hungry."
"Good. Then Shampoo make more food. It nice to have you home. You tell me later what you do to get hit."
Keiichi sighed and patted SI Cwan in sympathy. "That is one strange woman."
"Try having her for a mother."
"Si Cwan!" Mei-Lin said crossly. "That not nice. Momma is..."
"Yes?"
"Well she's Momma, but she doesn't mean it really."
"I know."
Mousse came back down with the bandages. "Well looks like you put your foot in it this time."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence Dad." Si Cwan said frowning.
Mousse grinned. "Well this is Akane Tendo's daughter."
Mei-Lin shook her head. "Stupid family. Thank you for bringing Brother home, Kei."
"No problem. I better be getting back, Dad ran off and Mika's hurt."
"See you at school."
"See ya!"
"Cool food! Hey can I call home? I wanna tell them I'll be back later." Yui said.
"No problem! Shampoo show Ranma son where it is. Mei-Lin watch shop."
Mei-Lin sighed. "Yes momma. Si Cwan next time you run off, take me with you,
okay?"
Mousse frowned at her while Si Cwan laughed. "OW! That hurt!"
Authors' notes: Well the training trip's over and everyone's home safe and sou-well safe. Not much action here, but nice family interactions. Next chapter will have an abduction! And yes Tacchi. He's still annoyed, but Nabiki reminded him that by detaining my muse he was only hurting himself. Thanks Nabiki! I'll have the rest of that payment soon! Since the muse is now free I'll be starting on the next chapter soon, and I hope to have it up by next week. And then maybe another interlude, this one on their names. Now here comes something I should have done a while ago, thank yous! I want to thank everyone who's been reading this and everyone who's reviewed. Also to those who wanted to know why Yui was so obsessed with Gosunkugi, well he's an active kid with a big imagination and, well look at Gosunkugi. I thought it was fun. While I would love to say I thought of the Tsubasa/Azusa pairing alas I can not I read it in fanfic and thought it was hysterical, so I expanded on it.
To: jade, may, Mysticat, Lipana, SaturnAngel, CCWhiskers, SumDUmGuy, taxzombie, Zoe, Pepsibeth, Steve-0, Jubei Potter, telosphilos, Meeka-chan no da!, rika, me, SakuraAyanami, Eu, Leefta, and especially The Spatula Chick, EJ, and Ghost in the Machine.
Thank you so much for reading and enjoying my story. I love all your comments and reviews. They encouraged me to continue this onward. Thank you!
