A Soldier in Tokyo
Chapter 6: Ranma VS. Barsoum
At the Dojo…
Silence filled the area as everyone processed what happened. Finally, Goku asked, "Ahh…shouldn't we do something about him?" He pointed to the still imbedded Kuno.
That snapped everyone out of their thoughts as Akane and Ranma, along with Tanks friends went over and pulled the Broken Black and Blue Thunder of Furikan High out of the wall. Ranma turned to the guy, picking up that he was strong, and asked, "Who are you?"
The other man looked up from checking Kunos' injuries and stared blankly, as if remembering what he was there for, before replying, "I'm Barsoum. Who're you?"
"Ranma Saotome." Barsoums' face broke out in a grin.
"Oh yea? You're the guy who's been training Tank?" Barsoum finished checking Kuno over, while Cologne bounced over to poke and prod here and there.
Ranma nodded as he replied, "Yup. You're his sparring partner?" A nod.
Cologne finished up, saying, "This is all that we can do for him. He'll be fine in a few days, but for now he'll have to let his body rest."
The others nodded, when Goku walked up to them. Bending down, he gently picked up the beaten seventeen year old and brought him inside to lay him on the futon.
Outside Ranma and Barsoum were looking each other over, sizing their opponent up when a shadow leapt over the wall. They glanced up and saw Tank just before he landed, much calmer than before.
"Hey man…where'd you go?" Barsoum asked, while Ranma said, somewhat wryly, "What did you do?"
"Don't know, and nothing, on both counts." He answered as he walked up to them. He looked at Akane, noticing the still slightly blondish bangs and cocked his head. "What's with the hair?" He asked.
Akane sighed, "It's a long story."
"Only gets shorter by telling it." Tank retorted.
"The same could go for you you know." Ranma shot back.
"Whaddya mean?" Tank blinked, confused. Barsoum answered before Ranma could.
"I think he means whatcha just did dude." Ranma frowned a bit, but nodded.
Tank sighed himself, and stepped over to the porch to sit. "No long story there. I just don't know. It was like…instinct at work. Before I had thought to do something, I'd done it." He looked up, shrugging, genuenly at a loss. Cologne sat perched on her cane, staring down with her piercing stare while Ranma and Barsoum both probed.
While they were talking, Akane walked over to the nearly forgotten young woman, and asked, "And who're you? Are you a friend of his?"
The girl turned to Akane, thinking a moment. "Well…yes and no. I really don't know him that well, we just met a short while ago." Akane laughed a short laugh.
"Yea, me too. What's your name?"
"Ami Mizuno."
"Akane Tendo. Pleased to meet you."
"Likewise." They smiled at each other when Tank called to them.
"Hey Ami? You don't have to stay if you don't want to."
Before she could respond, Akane interjected, "Why not? This is our place, not yours after all." She really didn't get along too well with the man, but that was natural. She didn't get along with men in general, so he took it in stride, more-or-less.
Tank sighed, "I could be a real pain here, but I've done that already to Kuno. Not that he didn't deserve it, but still." Most of the Nerima residents couldn't find any argument to that. "Point is, you're correct, yet I was allowed to bring one other person with me. A little rude of me to bring more people when they weren't expected, don't you think?"
Akane pondered that, finding that he had a point of his own. She decided to ignore it though. "Well, she's here now isn't she?"
Ami, stuck on the sidelines, finally managed to jump in before a full-blown argument ensued. "That's ok. I only followed here to talk over some things with him." She turned to the still seated ex-soldier. "If you don't mind, I'd like to meet you in a couple days, at the usual place, if that's ok with you?"
Tank thought, and then nodded. "Works for me. I'll see you then."
"Right." Ami smiled amicably, bowed to everyone else, and made her exit.
Goku came out from inside, with Kasumi in tow, saying, "He'll be asleep for a good long time I think." To his surprise Tank stood and bowed slightly to him.
"Ahh…thanks, but you didn't have to bow to me." He said, chuckling a bit as he scratched his head.
"Actually, I was bowing to Kasumi. My apologies for earlier." Tank covered for his little lapse easily enough. Kasumi blushed a bit, saying, "That's quite alright."
Barsoum wrapped an arm around his companion, saying, "Would you excuse us a sec?" He yanked Tank away before anyone could answer.
*************************
"What was that about? I thought you said we couldn't hit on the Tendos?" Barsoum hissed. "You trying to keep them all for yourself or something?"
Tank frowned, but didn't struggle out of the grip. "No man! I goofed, and bowed to Goku when I wasn't thinking. You think I'm crazy?"
"Yes. Especially after what you did earlier. And when are you ever thinking?"
Tank grimaced, "Look, I really don't know what happened there!"
"Why didn't you tell me that was a God da-.." Tank interrupted with a harsh, "Not now man! Right now we have a match and some training to do! And with DBZ folks here, we better get what we can!"
Barsoum sighed, letting go in acceptance. "Alright. But don't pull that again alright? Kinda scared me a bit."
Tank looked at him in surprise. "You? Scared? Yea right. You're the one who was chasing a squirrel after all."
Barsoum grinned slightly, "Ok, so I wasn't. But the squirrel thing was just crazy, not scary anyways."
Tank pondered, and then conceded the point as they went back to the others.
****************************
"So who's that guy?" Goku asked as the two were speaking in hushed tones.
"He's a foreign exchange student from America. He comes here to train every couple days. I'd forgotten that today was the day we'd train." Ranma answered.
"Oh, that's great. He's not bad. Still a little rough, but he's got potential!" Goku said. Goten and Trunks could only nod, while Cologne kept her comments to herself, although they were along the same lines as Gokus'.
Ranma took that moment to point out, "He's only been training a few months. He didn't have much experience before he came to me." The Saiyans looked at him, somewhat surprised.
"You mean that he's that good after only a few months?"
Ranma nodded. "Yup. Although what he did today was…"
"Different." Ryoga spoke up. They looked at him as he continued. "I've fought with him before, and while he was decent, he wasn't a match then. But…that was only about a week ago."
He turned away from looking at the subject of the conversation and at them. "If he'd fought then like he did now against Kuno, I'm not sure who'd have won."
"Oh common Ryoga. You'd have taken him, I'm sure of it." Ranma said, positive about it.
The Lost Boy turned to him. "Tell me Saotome, do you think you'd have beaten him if he could do that before?" Ranma opened his mouth to speak, then stopped.
"He's right Son-in-Law. His rage was so great, it's hard to say just what he would have done in battle." Cologne said wisely.
At that moment the other two returned, and the conversation was dropped for the time being.
From the pond Genma just bubbled, still out cold.
A rather large amount of that going around lately it seemed.
*****************
"So, we ready to fight?" Barsoum cracked his knuckles, stretching out and basically warming up.
Ranma, having been fighting most of the day, was already stretched out and warmed up, so he simply nodded, taking up his trademark stance opposite the American-Egyptian. From the porch sat Goku, Tank, Cologne, Ryoga and Akane. Soun had dragged Genma inside, still out cold, while Kasumi made drinks. Nabiki left not long after Kuno had been knocked out, mumbling something about 'pictures' and 'fortune' or some-such-or-other. Goten and Trunks had decided to take a nap for awhile, at least until it was time to eat.
Cologne watched with some interest at Ranmas' opponent. He was someone she'd never seen before, but he was just as confident as Ranma was. His stance showed great skill and practice as he went into it with ease, twisting his head this way and that to loosen up his neck.
Akane turned to Goku, asking, "Who do you think will win?" Goku pursed his lips, contemplating for a moment before he made his decision.
"It's too close to call." He said. "Ranma has more energy, but this guy doesn't look like a pushover. There's also something strange about his energy…but I can't place it." He glanced at Tank. "It's not like yours either. It's something…different."
Tank turned to look at the Saiyan, asking, "What about my energy?"
Goku scratched the back of his head, "Well…it's nothing I've ever felt before really. You're pretty strong for being new to the martial arts, but what I felt earlier…it's something completely different."
Tank cocked an eyebrow, and then shrugged, deciding to file the comment away for later thought, as Barsoum and Ranma took a few jabs at each other, testing.
"He's not half-bad." Ranma surmised. "This could be quite fun." He smiled slightly in anticipation.
"Let's see how you smile when we really get into it kid." Barsoum thought, looking forward to a much higher class of competition than Tank had been able to give.
"Ready?" Barsoum asked, eyes narrowing.
Ranma nodded, saying simply, "Go."
Ranma charged quickly, going in for a crescent kick, but faking it and hitting Barsoum with a snap instead. It connected with his right forearm, short of Ranma's target. Barsoum then pivoted and fired a hard punch with his left, which was blocked, to be countered by shuto strike. Barsoum ducked it, going for a foot sweep, tripping the pig-tailed fighter down to the ground. Barsoum followed it up with a strike at Ranma's temple, but it missed at the last second as the cursed martial artist rolled away and rose, snapping off a quick roundhouse kick, forcing his opponent to back away for just a moment. The older man bounced around on the balls of his feet as Ranma came in with a flying kick, but was caught in mid-air and thrown to the ground. Ranma rolled onto his back, launching himself backwards onto his feet, once again in stance, now openly smiling.
"You're a lot better than I thought." He said.
Barsoum smiled slightly back. "So are you." Round two began following that quick break.
For nearly thirty minutes the two fought, neither really gaining an edge over the other as they used all the normal techniques they knew. Every so often, they'd score a hit on each other, but neither one had more hits than the other.
"This has been fun and all, but it's time I pulled out some of the more advanced techniques." Ranma backed away, avoiding a side-kick at just the last moment. "This had been one of the better workouts I've had in a long while. But it's time to end it."
"My thoughts exactly. Let's go!" Barsoum hopped around , changing his feet position several times, as well as where his arms hung.
"Alright, here I come! Kachu Tenshien Amaguriken!" Ranma launched his Chestnut Fist attack, fully expecting to drill the foreigner and end the fight.
Much to his surprise, his punches didn't seem to even touch his opponent! "What!?" He cried out in surprise, then flew backwards from a direct hit to his solar plexus.
He held the spot for a moment, slightly winded as Barsoum asked, "Surprised? You're not the only one with special tricks you know." Ranma chuckled.
"Ok…guess I underestimated you. But I'll get you this time!" He came in again, throwing his punches even faster than before, yet as before, none connected. Barsoum just looked at him with a smile.
"You can do that all day man. Won't faze me." This time Ranma flew backwards from a hard kick to his gut, knocking all the wind from him.
"Man! Why isn't the Chestnut Fist working? Why can't I touch him." He grunted with some effort, and then jumped back up onto his feet, closing in the blink of an eye and acted as if he was going to punch again, but kicked instead. He felt the leg touch Barsoum's blocking arm, and he instantly pulled out the Chestnut Fist attack as a follow-up.
This time, he felt a couple of his hits actually touch Barsoum, before once again passing through his form as if he wasn't there. They pulled apart, panting slightly.
"Nice one." The older man said, bowing slightly in respect. Ranma bowed in return.
"Pretty good trick you have there, phasing in and out. Never seen that technique before."
Barsoum shrugged. "Something I created on my own. But you haven't seen my best tricks."
Before Ranma could respond in kind, Tank called out, "Maybe later man. We still have other training to do." He walked over towards the two fighters, and said wryly towards his friend. "Still think he'd be a pushover?"
Barsoum shrugged. "Ok, you didn't lie. He's pretty good." He turned back towards Ranma, and held out a hand. "That was really fun. You moves are pretty polished. I can see why Tank has been improving."
Ranma took it, saying, "So are yours. We'll have to finish this when we have more time." Barsoum nodded as Goku, Ryoga and Akane walked up.
"Great match you guys!" Goku said. "Those were some really good moves. I couldn't tell who would win the whole time!" Barsoum did a little "Awww, shucks," in a very poorly done hillbilly accent, causing everyone to break out in laughter a bit.
Akane turned to her fiancé, and said, somewhat crossly, "I hope you saved some for tonight."
"Tonight?" Both Barsoum and Tank asked, glancing at each other.
"Yea, tonight we're going to a Martial Arts Techno Rave Competition." At this both men scratched their heads.
"How the hell do you have a martial arts contest as part of a rave?" Tank asked aloud. Barsoum shook his head, at a loss.
Akane and Ranma asked together, "You know what it is?"
The two men shrugged, as Tank replied, "Well…I know what a Rave is. It's where they play computerized music at a dance club for hundreds of folks to dance too. There are hundreds of different types of Techno music, but for a Rave I think they play the really fast-paced stuff. Hardcore, Jungle, things like that."
Everyone around him, except Barsoum, was lost. This fact wasn't misplaced on Tank, so he pulled out a necklace with some tags on it. He slowly swung it back and forth as he explained.
"See, regular music goes at a steady beat. The stuff you hear on the radio might have a beat that goes about this fast, like maybe thirty to at most sixty beats per minute. Now Hardcore or Jungle…it goes as fast if not faster than this." His hand almost against the tags, he swung the chain back and forth as quickly as he could. "Hardcore and Jungle goes as fast as one-hundred and forty beats per minute, and sometimes faster. Excellent dance music if you're a fast paced dancer."
Barsoum broke everyone attention away from the tags as he said, "Bet that's what they'll play then for the competition." Tank nodded, and the others could see the logic in that.
Well…all except Goku. "You mean we have to dance? Or fight?"
Tank shrugged. "Guess both."
Goku groaned, "Man…this is confusing." He chuckled a bit, his hand on the back of his head.
Ranma turned back to Tank, asking, "How about it? There's cash prizes for the winners."
Both men perked up, a cash register ringing almost audibly. "How much?" They asked simultaneously.
Nabiki called out, almost as if reciting a poem. "It's an American held competition, so they're paying in dollars. About $100,000 for first place, and $50,000 dollars for second, and $10,000 for third."
When the figures were bouncing around in their heads for but a second, they both exclaimed, "I'm in!"
"Great! This should be fun!" Goku exclaimed.
The rest nodded, and then Ryoga asked, "Goku, how about we do some more training?"
Goku smiled broadly. "You bet!" And with two new students, they all began doing more work on energy usage.
From the porch Cologne just looked at Barsoum and Tank with sharp eyes. "Those two are hiding more than they let on. There is no such technique that lets an opponents attack to pass through you. If there is, then I shall have to acquire it for the tribe." She nodded her head sagely, and then thought, "It'll have to be done after I return from sealing Goku's world from Toltir. Then, with my stronger Shampoo, it should be no problem to get the technique from the young man." She smiled slightly while watching the group train.
Later on the day…..
Tank and Barsoum were off to the side of the dojo seeming to stare off into space, but were in reality working hard to play catch-up with Akane and Ranma to get the basics of energy usage down. Ryoga had picked up on it quickly, so it was just the two foreigners who were left. Goku stood nearby, waiting paitently with his arms crossed.
Slowly, bit by bit, Barsoum started to levitate. His greater experience in the marital arts was helping him greatly. Tank continued to try to find his energy center, but for some reason wasn't quite able to get it.
Barsoum finally reached about three feet off the ground when he relaxed completely, dropping back to the dirt hard. He panted a bit, having exerted more strength than he expected.
"Hmmm...you did good, but that shouldn't have worn you out so much." Goku rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Maybe more practice."
Barsoum nodded. "This is some hard shit. Hell of a challenge."
Tank let out a sigh of frustration, seemingly unable to get it. "I don't know what the deal is man. I should be getting this."
"You're trying too hard man." His friend told him. "Just give it time. I've got more experience and it took me awhile to even go three feet."
Goku added, "Once you've got some more martial arts experience under your belt and become stronger you should do alright."
Tank thought it over, then nodded. Still, he couldn't help but feel as if there was something he was missing. He dismissed the thought for the time being. "I'll figure it out later. I'll have plenty of time I'm sure to think about it."
Kasumi came around the corner, smiling cheerfully. "Dinner will be ready shortly."
"Alright!" Goku exclaimed, zipping by Kasumi with a flourish, sending her skirt flying high behind her. In embarresment she held it down, flushing profusely. Both soldiers wisely looked away for a moment before turning back.
"Thank you Kasumi. We'll be in shortly." Tank smiled. Kasumi nodded then went back inside. Tank's smile then turned slightly evil.
Barsoum noticed it too. "What are you plotting dude?" He asked warily.
"Nothin much. I just need some rope, and a phone." Tank replied innocently. Much too innocently.
His friend just stared for several minutes, then decided it was best not to ask.
****************
Not long after the group had taken off for the nightclub a group of zookeepers decended on the Tendo home, quickly surprising and trapping Genma who was still in Panda form. They had moved so quickly he didn't even have time to raise a sign in his defense.
Course he was heavily tied up with some very good rope, so that could be the problem there.
"Good thing we got that call. Almost thought we'd lost you." One of the keepers said, helping to shove Genma into the animal wagon.
The driver of the truck went up to the stunned Kasumi, filling something out in a checkbook of sorts. "Sorry that this happened Miss. I'm glad it was called in though before something horrible could have happened. Here you go." He pulled the slip of paper out and handed it to her.
She gazed at it for a moment before asking, "What's this for?"
"It's the reward for the capture of the panda. Again, we're sorry for this." He bowed quickly, then went back to the truck, driving off with a very distraught Genma.
Kasumi looked at the figures, and had to blink a couple times. "Oh wow...this will help us out a lot." She started to smile cheerfully, and then went back into the house, making sure to put the check in a good place where she wouldn't lose it.
"What an interesting day it's been." She mused.
To be continued…