By: Aleta Thuvis
Disclamer posted on first chapter.
Version 2- corrected my wording.
Springs
Getting out a map, Ukyou stopped briefly. She didn't understand how Ranma was able to lead them unerringly to the springs in the past. Must be some radar or a bond the cursed have with the springs.
She regretted so much. She didn't ask anyone in Nerima for directions. Ryoga was out of the question. Usually, he didn't know where he was, much less how to get somewhere. The amazons likely had a law about not telling outsiders where the springs were at. Tell any Tendo, they would tell Ranma. Then things would escalate to a fight. If they even made it into China, the fighting would distract them from the springs again. Even so, she didn't have the money to get them all to China.
It was almost a relief to get away from Ranma. Away from the habit of offering him her heart at any time, almost receiving his. Enough self pity. It was time to move on, figuratively and literately.
Days later, Ukyou found it. Jusenkyo Springs. A new contempt for Genma arose. Chinese signs where Everywhere. Not that she could read them, being in chinese and all. One would think to do research into a training ground before using it.
Numerous springs stretched beyond the signs. Bamboo poles sticking up randomly throughout the spring system.
Ukyou skirted the area, trying to spot the Chinese Guide living there.
A twig rolled from under her foot, which made her discover the unstable rock underneath it. She drew her spatula for balance, but it wasn't enough.
"Oh, watch out miss!" a hand pulled her away from a spring. "This is spring of drowned rat. Very tragic story 1550 years ago." The guide said helpfully in chinese.
Maybe not so helpfully, since Ukyou only picked up rudimentary Chinese. "My thanks." She managed in rough chinese. "Where is spring of man?"
"You are from Japan?" the guide asked in better Japanese then her Chinese.
"Yes, but I thought." Ukyou trailed off in surprise.
"We are getting more visitors from Japan. I thought it wise to practice it more. This is a very dangerous area."
Ukyou blushed. "Yes, I have friends that have been here. Did you say spring of rat, earlier? I was looking for spring of drowned man."
"Yes, you almost fall into spring of drowned rat. You know about the curse already?" Ukyou nodded. "You are good friend to risk the curse yourself."
Ukyou fidgeted. "Right." She did not want to tell a total stranger the whole story.
"Spring of Drowned Boy is over here. If you follow me." The guide led her carefully through the springs. "This one."
Ukyou pulled 4 thermos from her pack and filled them with water. One was for each Ramna, Genma, and Mouse. One was extra in case of stupidity or accident. She secured the thermos and stood.
"Thank you" Ukyou tried once more in Chinese.
He smiled. "Your welcome."
They parted, both heading different ways.
The guide walked away thinking, that encounter was different. Perhaps the springs will be content with almost getting her.
SPLASH!
Disclamer posted on first chapter.
Version 2- corrected my wording.
Springs
Getting out a map, Ukyou stopped briefly. She didn't understand how Ranma was able to lead them unerringly to the springs in the past. Must be some radar or a bond the cursed have with the springs.
She regretted so much. She didn't ask anyone in Nerima for directions. Ryoga was out of the question. Usually, he didn't know where he was, much less how to get somewhere. The amazons likely had a law about not telling outsiders where the springs were at. Tell any Tendo, they would tell Ranma. Then things would escalate to a fight. If they even made it into China, the fighting would distract them from the springs again. Even so, she didn't have the money to get them all to China.
It was almost a relief to get away from Ranma. Away from the habit of offering him her heart at any time, almost receiving his. Enough self pity. It was time to move on, figuratively and literately.
Days later, Ukyou found it. Jusenkyo Springs. A new contempt for Genma arose. Chinese signs where Everywhere. Not that she could read them, being in chinese and all. One would think to do research into a training ground before using it.
Numerous springs stretched beyond the signs. Bamboo poles sticking up randomly throughout the spring system.
Ukyou skirted the area, trying to spot the Chinese Guide living there.
A twig rolled from under her foot, which made her discover the unstable rock underneath it. She drew her spatula for balance, but it wasn't enough.
"Oh, watch out miss!" a hand pulled her away from a spring. "This is spring of drowned rat. Very tragic story 1550 years ago." The guide said helpfully in chinese.
Maybe not so helpfully, since Ukyou only picked up rudimentary Chinese. "My thanks." She managed in rough chinese. "Where is spring of man?"
"You are from Japan?" the guide asked in better Japanese then her Chinese.
"Yes, but I thought." Ukyou trailed off in surprise.
"We are getting more visitors from Japan. I thought it wise to practice it more. This is a very dangerous area."
Ukyou blushed. "Yes, I have friends that have been here. Did you say spring of rat, earlier? I was looking for spring of drowned man."
"Yes, you almost fall into spring of drowned rat. You know about the curse already?" Ukyou nodded. "You are good friend to risk the curse yourself."
Ukyou fidgeted. "Right." She did not want to tell a total stranger the whole story.
"Spring of Drowned Boy is over here. If you follow me." The guide led her carefully through the springs. "This one."
Ukyou pulled 4 thermos from her pack and filled them with water. One was for each Ramna, Genma, and Mouse. One was extra in case of stupidity or accident. She secured the thermos and stood.
"Thank you" Ukyou tried once more in Chinese.
He smiled. "Your welcome."
They parted, both heading different ways.
The guide walked away thinking, that encounter was different. Perhaps the springs will be content with almost getting her.
SPLASH!