The Ties that Bind
Chapter Three
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"Ceres we can't wait for him any longer. It's been three days since the date of the challenge. Pop's getting pissed off."
"I don't understand. All he had to do was walk in a straight line. Even Kuduo can do that."
"Was that a compliment?" Eriol wanted to know.
"No."
"Ceres just forget it. Knowing him we'll probably bump into him," Ranma waved his hand to indicate the world, "Ya know…out….there…Oh forget it let's just go," Eriol touched the girl's sleeve.
"He's right, come on Ceres," she scanned the horizon one last time then coldly shook off Eriol's hand. I can't count on anyone it seems…only myself. Is that what I'm to learn from this trip? That we're all better off alone? So be it. I've been alone ever since Mother and Father died. She thought bitterly then sighed and hurried to catch up to Ranma.
"You've shattered her Ryoga," Eriol murmured, "She placed all of her faith on this and you let her down…." Eriol shook his head and chased after Ceres.
Saotome Genma really wasn't sure about this Ceres girl. Oh, he knew that women could be tough fighters, but, this girl was too thin. There didn't appear to be any muscle to her. She really didn't look able to pull her weight in a fight. She was pretty though, I give it a copula years before the boys start fightin' over her. Reminds me of someone…can't think who though… she approached with a dancer's grace, and a schoolgirl's shyness, wide violet eyes taking him in briefly before dropping into a bow.
"Konnichiwa Sensei," Genma returned the bow, grinning in spite of himself.
"This one's more polite than the two of ya put together," he commented. He circled the girl who was standing very still. Too stiff…she must think I'm about to attack her or somethin', "You're a fighter?"
"Yes sensei."
"Ya don' look like one. Ya know that? Ya really don't appear to be able ta hold your own in a fight."
"That's the point sensei," he looked at her, she didn't appear to be kidding.
"What's your name again?"
"Misuka Ceres."
"Misu- Kesuke's kid? Holy fuck. Now I see it. Ya look just like your mother, ya know that?" Ceres nodded, "Hm… that means you got her thing with fire don'tcha?"
"Yes. I use it to find my cousin."
"Cousin?"
"Hibiki Ryoga," Genma turned to Ranma.
"Wasn't that the kid you were supposed to fight?"
"Never showed up. He's got the crappiest sense of direction."
"Hm. I hope you got a better sense of direction," he told Ceres.
"Pop whaddya doin' to her?"
"Just wondering is she'll be able to keep up, boy."
"I wouldn't worry," Eriol said, "Ceres is much tougher than she looks," Genma grunted.
"Alright then. Don' think I'll be treating you any differently. And I'm defiantly not takin' it easy on ya just 'cause you're a girl, got it?"
"I don't expect you to go easy on me. I'd be insulted if you did and then I'd have to kill you," Genma nodded approvingly, she would be alright, Kesuke's daughter. Ranma made a face and hopped onto a near by fence.
"Can we go?" Genma shot his son a look then shoved Eriol onto the fence.
"Ya won't learn to fence walk on the ground boy."
"Why do I have to learn at all?"
"What's the matter Eriol," Ranma taunted, "Afraid of heights?"
"Yeah," Ranma almost fell off.
"Seriously?"
"Uh-huh."
"Oh," Genma rolled his eyes and turned to Ceres.
"I wouldn't really expect you to go up there since you're wearin' a skir-" he was cut off when Ceres leapt lightly onto the fence, just in front of Ranma who almost fell off again.
"What the Hell?!?"
"You said that you wouldn't treat me different. If the boys can fence walk then so can I."
"Aren't you worried about people looking up your skirt?" Eriol asked. Ceres turned around and flipped up her skirt. Instead of underwear, the only things the boys could see were the shorts she had sewn the skirt onto.
"Hibiki rule number 17," she recited, "Be prepared of all events no matter how improbable they appear."
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"We'll stop here for the night," the two boys sighed, Eriol with relief, Ranma with hunger. Ceres, who was used to long periods of foodless walking could've gone on for another few hours, "Now, who can cook?" the boys looked at Ceres who shook her head.
"Sorry. I was always to busy to learn."
"Busy with what?" Ranma asked, not sure if he really wanted to know.
"Training mostly."
"Figures."
"I can cook a little," Eriol admitted, "Mom sorta wanted a girl. If dad hadn't stepped in I'd probably be in dresses by now," he grinned sheepishly, "Mom's a bit…."
"Is your mother Asuka Sakura?" Genma asked.
"Yeah."
"'Nuff said," Ceres laughed.
"Anyway, I'm a decent cook."
"Good at least one of is," Ranma commented. Ceres stiffened.
"I never said I was a bad cook."
"Good," Genma told them, "You can help Eriol then. Come on, boy go get firewood."
"What do you plan on doing sensei?" Ranma's 'sensei' sounded very sarcastic.
"Uh… that's not important," Ceres raised an eyebrow, but said nothing.
"Good meal you two," Genma said later after they had all finished eating.
"It was all Eriol I swear," Ceres said, "He's a better cook than I could ever dream to be."
"I'm not sure if that's something to be proud of," Eriol admitted, blushing.
"It is," Genma reassured him, " Isn't that right, boy?"
"Huh?" Ranma hadn't been paying attention. He was too busy writing something.
"Hey Ranma, what's that?" Ceres asked.
"Letter."
"Ooo! To a girl?"
"Yeah."
"Really?" Ranma looked up, he had missed the underlining tone in Ceres's voice.
"Yeah. I'm writing to my cousin, Okashi."
"Ohhhh…"
"Who did you think I was writing to?"
"Girlfriend."
"A what?!?"
"A girlfriend. You're thirteen you could have one, how would I know?"
"Yeah I guess…"
"How is Okashi?" Eriol asked.
"Dunno haven't heard from her in a while. That's why I'm writing."
"How old is she?"
"'Round our age," he replied vaguely.
"Thanks…I think. I guess I should write to my uncle…"
"You talk about your aunt and uncle a lot have you noticed?" Eriol said.
"Yeah," Ranma finally looked up from his letter, "What about your parents? You mad at them or somethin'?" Ceres looked at her hands. Don't cry. It's ok. You can tell them…Remember tears are weakness…emotion is weakness. Be strong Ceres.
"They died. Three years ago."
"Oh Ceres," Eriol said moving closer, ready for the onslaught of tears, "I'm so sorry."
"Kesuke and Nadeshiko? How did they die?" Genma asked, displaying a rare streak of compassion.
"Car accident… Dad had just been back from Ryoga's house. His parents had been shopping and they got lost. So had Ryoga and Kuduo. They had gotten hungry so they went looking for my family. My fire reading skills pretty much center around Ryoga. I can find him every time I look. I couldn't find Kuduo and Dad was still out there so mom went to help him look. I guess they had just found him when they were hit by…" Eriol made a move to touch her arm then drew back his hand, "They got nailed by a truck. Kuduo didn't see it coming so mom dove in to save him and dad dove in to save her. They died instantly."
"Well, yeah, I guess getting hit by a truck would do that," Eriol glared at Ranma but Ceres showed no emotion whatsoever.
"That's…Oh Ceres…" Genma said then cleared his throat, "Ya know girlie, most females would be bawling right now," he said gruffly, "Why ain't you?" Ceres looked at him coldly.
"Crying would be showing emotion which would be showing weakness. I must be serene as a lake on a placid day. Hiding all beneath a smooth exterior. This is my heart. This is what I strive to be."
"Any other useful warrior stoics?" Ranma asked dryly, Ceres opened her mouth to give an angry reply then shut it and grinned instead.