A/N I have decided. The Rogue use will be in this order: Count Vertigo, to bring out the hero; Onomatopoeia and Alias the Spider, to challenge the hero; and Drakon, to finish the hero. There will also be some intermission baddies (think Fastball, Red Dart, and, maybe, Captain Boomerang) just because. I also apologize for the lateness of this. I've been busy with other stuff and haven't had time to write.
"Ranma, where are we going?" Nabiki asked. Wanting to know where her pig-tailed guide was leading her and why she needed her bow.
"Just some… people… I know. The one should be able to rank how good you are. I think." Ranma said.
"Your complete and utter confidence is reassuring."
"Oh, hardy har har."
Several minutes later…
The Neko-Hanten wasn't something that Nabiki remembered, but, she was gone for several years, and Nerima could change. And it did. A lot.
"Why are we here? Are ya hungry, or sum'thin?" Nabiki asked. Ranma looked at her and started to speak but was quickly cut off.
"Airen!!" a purple-headed girl that attached herself to Ranma said. Nabiki had to admit, it was quite a feat to do so.
"Shampoo, nice to see you, too. Um, could you leggo?" Ranma said. The girl did, but was apprehensive about doing so.
"Airen here to see Shampoo, yes?" Shampoo said. Nabiki had to admit that was a silly name, but, then again Nabiki probably is to some other people.
"Sorry. I'm here to see the Ghoul. The girl with me has an interesting skill that I think she understands more then me." Ranma said pointing to Nabiki. Shampoo slumped her shoulders a bit morosely and muttered 'oh.' She then led them into the restaurant and asked for them to wait.
"Who's the Ghoul?" Nabiki asked. Ranma looked at her and thought for a moment.
"An extremely old woman who knows martial arts like you wouldn't believe." Ranma said.
"Ah. And she would know archery how?" Nabiki countered.
"She's a member of a matriarchal warrior society, so I guess that she would know archery." Ranma said.
"And that I do, Son-in-law."
"Gah! Don't do that to me. Give me an early heart attack, ya Old Ghoul." Ranma said. And ended up getting conked with the old woman's staff.
"I'm starting to consider if it is wisest to have Shampoo marry you. You're quite foolish at some times." The old woman said.
"Yeah, great. Nabiki, Cologne. Cologne, Nabiki." Ranma said.
"I prefer Nabs." Nabiki said.
"So, this young girl thinks she's an archer, huh? Well, we'll see if we can't stop that delusion." Cologne said, heading towards that back. Nabiki, Shampoo, and Ranma soon followed.
"Now, this test is simple. I want you to see if you can hit Shampoo with an arrow."
"Great-Grandmother!"
"What!?!"
"Come again?" The calmest of the three was Nabiki, who seemed to be looking around that yard during the silence.
"Yes, if she can hit an Amazon with her arrows, I would say that she is the most skilled archer I've ever seen that wasn't an Amazon." Cologne said. At this, Nabiki un-slung her bow and nocked an arrow.
"Ready when you are, Hotpants." Nabiki said. It was a jibe, and a cheap jibe at that, directed towards Shampoo's… dress.
"Go ahead, Bow-girl." Shampoo replied. She had taken up a stance that was common in her tribe. There was no way that this… newcomer would best her. No way. There! In a motion that ballet dancers, gymnasts, and acrobats would sell their grandmother for, she dodged the arrow.
SPTANG!
"What… it bounce!?!" Shampoo cried out, shocked out of her mind. The arrow had ricocheted off the fence.
SPTANG!
And now a tree limb, to head towards her! With another lightning fast movement, Shampoo dodged the arrow once more.
SPTANG!
It was odd that the arrow never seemed to loose speed with every ricochet as logic and common sense would dictate. Something was allowing that arrow to keep its speed and ricochet, but what, Shampoo couldn't begin to guess, as there was no way that this girl could have found a way to use her chi to guide the arrow, not without any training, at least.
SPTANG!
Shampoo almost didn't hear the sound of the arrow ricocheting, she was too lost in her thoughts. But, she could try something else, and hopefully it would work out. She spun around and grabbed the arrow. For a few moments, she dare not move nor breathe, as she could feel the tip longing to lodge itself into her left eye.
Cologne was astounded by this display of skill and talent, especially for one so young and self taught. She would have to look deeper into this, yes she would.
A/N Okay, there ya go. A new chapter and a sorta cliffhanger. If you're wondering about the arrow thing, when you read comic books (or any literature for that matter) you need to use 'suspension of disbelief.' Some examples would be: Superman can fly, Ranma Saotome can focus latent biological energy into usable kinetic energy, and Gandalf can cast spells. I might explain how that happened now, or I might wait until the sequel to do so, but remember, without any amount of 'suspension of disbelief' you really do hinder your enjoyment of any piece of fiction.