Guest Ki: Chapter 16
Sub-letting
At Ucchan's, Barry met Konatsu head on. The young man had returned to the restaurant in their absence to find that Ukyo had not returned. If a person could be considered to be beside himself with worry, Konatsu would have fit the bill. He fluttered between the grill, sizzling with okonomiyaki waiting delivery to the customers, and the front door as they entered. He finally chose the door and took a brief moment to attempt to chastise Ranma for causing Ukyo to act this way.
Barry fended off this half-hearted attempt with three brief, almost casual, blocks to the blows that struck at head, knee and groin. In a way, it was a relief; he had wondered how he would fair on his own in Ranma's body. Apparently, the Nekoken quickened the available reaction time to the point where he could operate Ranma's training and reflexes at something near Ranma's normal speeds.
"Good ta see ya, too, Konatsu," he said, trying as best he could to match Ranma's speech patterns. "Nabiki just got hold of us."
"What are we going to do, Ranma-dono?" the ninja wailed.
"We're gonna look fer her, of course," Barry replied easily. Ranma would put aside everything to search for Ukyo, so Barry could do no less. Until Ranma returned or Barry got sent back home, he felt honor-bound to try to carry out Ranma's wishes to the best of his ability to perceive them. "How good are you at open country tracking, Konatsu?"
"Miserable," the slim man said, slumping on a stool, "which is why I came back here… Oh, no! The okono—!" He froze with horror as he noticed Akane flipping the oriental pancakes over to cook on the opposite side.
"Akane, stop that," Barry chided. "You're freakin' poor Konatsu out." She stiffened and her eyes narrowed, threateningly. "Let him make his own mistakes, okay?"
"Are you saying my cooking…" He cut her off.
"I'm not real worried 'bout that, Akane. After all, you didn't mix the batter or add the toppings." Her ire increased. He must be doing a good job imitating her fiancé to get this reaction. "You really shouldn't mangle the cutlery like that; it ain't yours, y'know."
"Oooh!" She stalked from behind the counter and grabbed him by the pigtail on her way to the door.
Departing, he shouted at Konatsu, "Just hold the fort, buddy. We'll find her if anybody can!" Shampoo dodged back with a scowl as they passed her. "Shampoo, meet us at the dojo. We have to re-supply, anywa-ay-y…" He experienced his first Akane-punt.
Good loft she got, too. After the initial shock and pain, he found it pretty up here. Barry tucked his legs and adjusted his trajectory. He didn't want to hit the wall or the buildings on the way down. Ah, the koi pond was coming up; his velocity was about a hundred kilometers an hour; time to use ki to shed the velocity to survivable levels. Better stiffen the personal shields as well… Here it came!
(SMA-PlooooOOSH!)
Barry briefly wondered how the fish managed to survive being traumatized all the time. Carp were tough, but this was asking a bit much, even for them. She rose, dripping and flinching, as one koi had the misfortune of winding up inside the sagging waistline of her now oversized pants. After extracting it, she looked up to find that Soun and Genma had been playing Go just a few yards away.
They were both dripping and Ranma's father was, of course, a panda. A sign came up. Welcome back, son!
Soun pushed wet locks of hair from in front of his eyes and glared at Barry. "Where is my daughter, your fiancée?" he demanded.
"On her way over from Ucchan's," Barry replied, ringing out her shirt. "She decided ta have me come ahead and announce her."
"So," Akane's father said glumly, "you're still fighting." His stiff, angry gaze suddenly dissolved into a flood of tears. "Ohhh… The families will never be united! Never! How cruel fate has been!"
"Can it, Tendo." Barry eyed him coldly. Ranma had seen more than enough of these emotional jags to form his opinion and Barry concurred. It was just another form of manipulation.
"Don't mess with us. If Akane or me want out of the engagement, we'll let you know, so save yer tears. As fer me…" she finally doffed the soaked shirt and snickered inside as Soun froze at the sight of the accusative breasts, "…I'm for a hot bath. Later!"
Genma's sign came up with a hastily scrawled, Have some decency, boy! Your mother's here!
Barry grimaced, drew back on the clinging fabric and hoped Nodoka hadn't seen the action out here. This was one area he dreaded. Ranma had no idea what constituted manly behavior in his mother's eyes and Barry had no experience with a traditional Japanese mother's values. This could get really dicey, really fast.
She paused outside the door, listening. It sounded like Nodoka was with Kasumi in the kitchen. Moving as quietly as she could, she glided toward the bath.
Once inside, she listened again, undressed rapidly and snatched a towel from the stack available. Her hand went to the door to slide it open and stopped. There was no sign on the door and no noise from inside to indicate anyone was present. Still, she hadn't heard from Nabiki, who might be home. Barry lifted a hand and rapped on the door. Then rapped again. No response.
She slid the door open and moved quickly inside, taking two steps toward the showerhead before stopping dead. Dammit! Nabiki had gotten home and forgot to put the sign up. She didn't respond because she had her ears plugged by the headphones of a CD player.
Barry groaned. She forgot to get clean clothes before coming in and was now stuck with the choice of retreating in the dirty, damp clothing she just discarded or… Then she heard a sound that chilled her. The outer door was sliding open. She had only a heartbeat to decide what to do.
"Ranma?" The voice of Nodoka came faintly through the door. As before, the girl in the tub didn't seem to hear. The inner door slid open and Nodoka stuck her head in. "Ranma? Oh, I'm sorry, Nabiki."
The middle Tendo rolled her head back and gazed at Nodoka. Her expression was fortunately well schooled, as it brought into her view exactly where the redhead was and in what condition; pressed stark naked against a corner of the ceiling almost directly over Nodoka's head. Nabiki blinked once, then asked, "What do you want, Auntie?"
Nodoka wrung her hands. "Dearest tells me Ranma came home a few minutes ago. Since he wound up in the koi pond, I assumed he'd be coming to get a bath before dinner. His wet clothes are even in the laundry, but I can't seem to find him!"
"Well," Nabiki answered carefully, "I didn't hear anything while I was in here, but I'm sure he'll turn up eventually."
Barry watched amused at how casually she misdirected the older woman without actually lying to her. It was masterful. She just hoped Nabiki would get rid of Ranma's mom before her grip gave out.
"I hope so," Nodoka looked down a moment. "I'd better see if Kasumi needs anything. When you see him, could you tell him to find me right away? I understand that he and Akane were together for some time and I wish to see if he has changed his mind about a new marriage ceremony. I'll see you at dinner."
She ducked out again and slid the door shut. Nabiki continued to observe Barry in her rather exposed position in the corner of the room. After hearing the outer door close, Nabiki turned in the tub and draped her arms over the sides. With a mischievous smile, she indicated Barry could get down.
"Ranma…"
Barry shushed her with a sudden waving gesture and a panicked look. The door to the bathroom slid open again suddenly and Nodoka stuck her head back in. She took in Nabiki who lounged with a surprised look and raised eyebrows, then turned and looked directly up at the corner where Barry had been hiding.
The corner of the ceiling seemed empty. Nabiki choked back an exclamation, drawing Nodoka's gaze again. From Nabiki's point of view, between the instant that Ranma's mother had come through the door and the moment she had looked up into the corner, Ranma had vanished.
Nodoka was nonplused. She glanced around the room and even edged over and looked into the water to see if Ranma was somewhere below. She returned to the doorway and dithered. "I'm terribly sorry, Nabiki! I, ah… I just realized that, well... I… I'm sorry to intrude on you again. My apologies." She bowed low and exited before Nabiki could say anything.
The middle Tendo heard the outer door close again, with some authority. She barely restrained a scream when Barry dropped, apparently out of empty space, to land softly on the tiles. Quickly, the redhead whipped a towel around herself and turned away.
"Whew! That was close," came a thankful whisper.
"Where did you go to?" Nabiki demanded in a hiss.
"Nowhere," came the smug reply. "If she looked down again, she'da seen my reflection on the tiles like she musta the first time."
"First time?" Nabiki suddenly remembered that she hadn't heard the outer door open before Nodoka had returned. "She was trying to catch us? But how did you…"
"I think so. You remember that business with Pop's sealed techniques?" When Nabiki nodded in understanding, she said, "I've made some improvements," then added, "I didn't think ya wanted ta be a fiancée again, now did ya?"
Nabiki seemed to consider the idea. "Somehow my taste doesn't run to cute, perky, female redheads," she answered finally. Then as Ranma seemed relieved, she added, "Of course a tall, dark, handsome, male martial artist might change my mind. Want to join me?" She lightly slapped the water beside her.
Barry's eyes narrowed as she regarded the woman in the tub. Akane's sister was as devious as they got. She had managed to turn the tables nicely and was attempting, yet again, to force money or a favor out of Ranma. As Ranma's unofficial guardian and caretaker, Barry was not amused by the attempt. Steeliing herself, she turned and sauntered over beside Nabiki and hunkered down.
"All ya need ta do is yell 'Hi, Ranma!' or 'Ranma, couldn't you wait till tonight?' an' yer in the harem again, like it or not. Of course, Akane would kill me, so it won't be fer too long…" She looked at the steam rising from the water. "Tell ya what, Nabs… I'll rinse off out here and ya can finish yer soak. When I'm done, I'll crawl in. If yer still there… Well, ya can claim anythin' ya want. Deal?"
"You expect me to believe you'll just…" Nabiki's voice was amused.
"Believe what ya like, Nabiki," Barry said as she dropped the towel and began lathering her body. "I'll be in there in three minutes." Nabiki didn't move, but watched with apparent disinterest as Ranma washed thoroughly. Her lips pursed and her eyebrows creased as the redhead rinsed.
When Barry swung Ranma's clean, shapely legs over the edge of the tub, Nabiki erupted from the bath and hurtled into the outer room in a flash. Laughing softly to himself as the change finished, Barry let himself sink entirely under the water for a moment. He hoped Akane would give him time to explain if she ever heard of the incident. He thought she would appreciate the humor of her sister's predicament. As for what Nodoka might think? Well, nothing had happened and in the end, Ranma, not Barry, would make the final choice. He hoped the young man would have the good sense not to put it off too long. As he leaned back in the soaking warmth of the tub, a frown creased his forehead. "Damn! I still don't have any clean clothes ta put on."
Akane walked the streets fuming. Damn Barry! They had intended him to play out Ranma's role as best he could. He apparently decided that pushing every button that ever infuriated her was the best way to do it! It had been a relief to her when he had fended off Konatsu so effortlessly. Barry seemed to have retained access to Ranma's training, though to what degree she couldn't say yet. Still, he had done it with pure Ranma flair as if the effort weren't even worth mentioning.
But to insult her cooking…! She fumed. She hadn't even done the cooking. Just flipped the okonomiyaki over when the edge turned brown. She hadn't broken them or plastered them to the ceiling like she had the last time. Oooh! Barry better watch just how well he played Ranma or she'd kill him. How could a thirty-something man act so immaturely?
In light of that statement, she paused. He was acting immaturely, something her few conversations with Barry had not indicated. His coaching had helped her maintain her poise when Shampoo stripped her of her suit in front of all those people at the ramen fight and she had won. Damn that Barry! He was acting. She had a feeling she'd have to watch him more closely than she ever had Ranma or his improvisations could wind them all in real trouble. Where was Ranma when she needed him?
That was the crux of the problem. At the moment, only she knew that Barry was alone in the body of her fiancé. What if he was more than he seemed? Had Ranma been forced out accidentally? Ranma seemed to trust Barry, but Barry offered Ranma the one thing her fiancé had a distinct weakness for — powerful, new techniques. Ranma was just too trusting. If they'd gone straight to Cologne, maybe he'd still be in there. Maybe he'd also be in China as part of the deal.
Barry might be arranging for their wedding even as she walked back. All he'd have to do is walk up to her father saying, 'Hi, Mr. Tendo. I'm ready to marry Akane now.' She'd be wearing a wedding dress in front of a priest before she got two words out. Yes! This was just another convoluted plot to force her into marriage and she had even helped it along. Dummy that she was, she had kicked him right at the dojo.
Alternatively, what if he used the fact she punted him as proof she was unfit to be Ranma's bride? He might have broken the engagement in Ranma's name. He could be anywhere by now. He could even be at the Nekohanten! Shampoo had been cuddling and rubbing in a truly disgusting manner on the bus; Barry seemed merely polite and reserved… But, he was… acting.
If he had Ranma's memories, he knew that Shampoo was quite willing to 'do it' in public, if it would bind Ranma to her. Cologne wouldn't care who was in Ranma's body, as long as the skills were there and the body could breed strong children for the Amazons. Oh, kami! She could be losing Ranma to that bimbo right now. She gasped as another thought occurred to her. What if Barry were some demon or spirit sent by Cologne to set up just these results?
Tears dripped down her face in reaction to her fears. She'd lost Ranma! Right as she thought she would get her first kiss from him, right as she'd felt her heart and his beat so close… So close! Damn Happosai! Damn Barry! Damn Cologne and Shampoo! When she got home there'd be hell to pay. Damn Ranma! Once she got him back, no one was ever going to take him from her again!
She took to the rooftops using the training Ranma had given her in the forest to move swiftly on her way. Like an avenging angel, she descended on the Tendo home and slid like a ghost into the main room, all senses alert.
Barry sat as Ranma sat, cross-legged with one hand supporting his head. He seemed relaxed, dressed comfortably in clean clothes, with damp hair and a cup of hot tea before him courtesy of Kasumi. On one side, Nabiki sat glumly listening to something Nodoka was saying across him. There was a space for her between Nabiki and Barry. As Akane slid into view, he looked up, smiled and slapped the table to get the others' attention.
"Told ya she'd get home before dinner hit the table, Nabs!" he said aside to her sister. "Now what were those odds ya gave me?" Nabiki looked as if she had been sucking on a lemon.
Akane grabbed Barry and threw him in the pond. The redhead came up spluttering. It didn't take much acting at all to shriek, "Wadja do that for!"
Akane turned and ran sobbing to her room.
Barry picked herself out of the koi pond and stomped, swearing, back to the open shoji. Nabiki regained her composure first.
"And what was that all about?"
"It's been a tough month," Barry replied cryptically.
Nodoka shifted on her heels, glanced toward the steps, then at her son/daughter. "Perhaps you should go see how she is?"
Barry pretended to consider the idea and waved it aside. "I think I'll get another bath instead. If she's still all weepy an' stuff then, I'll see how she is." Gathering the shreds of her dignity, Barry started to stamp into the house.
"Ranma." Kasumi's voice held promise of… disappointment. Barry looked at the eldest Tendo, then down at her feet where a puddle was accumulating. Kasumi was reminding Ranma not to get the floors all wet and slippery again.
"Sorry, Kasumi," she said, retreating and heading around the back of the house. She'd go in through the entrance from the dojo walkway, sparing herself the suffering looks Kasumi would otherwise be offering. No one crossed Oneechan.
After a quick bath, Barry slipped into Ranma's room for another clean outfit, black silk shirt and black pants to fit his black mood. Akane didn't have to act so damn typical, did she? He was only trying to hold down the fort, as it were, and keep Ranma's options open. Maybe that was the problem. Maybe she thought she could manipulate him into canceling the other engagements for her, leaving her a clear field when Ranma returned…
If Ranma returned.
That was the hell of it, not knowing. Not knowing if he would ever get back to his Gwen. Not knowing if they were safe, or if they were crying over his grave, or standing silent beside some wasting body in a hospital bed. He groaned in sudden understanding. That was it, probably. Akane was in the same agony of doubt.
God above, what were they going to do if this were… permanent? He was twice her age, for crying out loud! Well, his mind was, anyway. The thought of going through life as a sham-Ranma with Akane pretending to love him, hoping each moment that her Ranma would come back, was too grotesque for words. As tough, smart and loyal as Akane was, she wasn't his. 'Ranma, where the hell are you?'
As he finished dressing, he heard Kasumi call for dinner. That would have to wait… but not too long. He walked down the hall and rapped on Akane's door. "Akane?" There was silence. He rapped again. "Akane!" He tried the knob gently. It was locked. Sweating, he considered his options.
There was only one, really. He had to get in there and see if Akane was all right. She was under tremendous stress. While he didn't think she had done anything stupid, he couldn't be sure. As he had with Nodoka earlier, he used his ki perception to locate her in her room. She was slumped boneless on the floor beside her bed. At this point, Ranma would have broken down the door. Barry firmly gripped the doorknob and used the flat of his hand to warp the door between hinges and knob. After a second, the latch slipped free. He was beside her in a moment, checking her pulse and rolling her head back so he could check if her pupils were dilated. He almost hugged her in relief when her eyes flickered open on their own.
"Ranma…"
"Barry," he corrected automatically. He saw the sudden flinch and the hurt in her eyes, but could find no way around it. "You okay? Kasumi's called us down for dinner."
"I'm not hungry."
"I understand. Ya still up to lookin' for Ukyo tomorrow?"
Akane stared at him. "What about Ranma?"
Barry shrugged helplessly. "I'm doing what I can, Akane. But if we let on that something's happened…"
"What are you doing?" she demanded.
Barry sat down on the floor. "I'm hunting for him, Akane." He scratched his head vigorously, as if to restore blood-flow in that little used area. "In here. I feel like he's looking over my shoulder – but when I turn around, he's not there." He met her eyes. "I know what yer thinkin', tomboy, but Ranma really didn't want to get the old ghoul involved."
"But if it would get him back…" Akane's eyes teared up.
"Ranma would rather be beholden to a dragon," Barry muttered looking away from the painful sight of her tears. His fist clenched. "And what if she just uses my presence as a weakness to get her way?" he snarled softly. "Ya know Ranma was worried about that."
"I know," the blue-black bangs bobbed as she nodded. "I am, too."
Barry sighed. "I'm sorry, Akane. Ranma was so… adamant… We gotta follow his lead for now."
Akane stifled a sob, but nodded. "And Ukyo?" she asked.
"Ukyo?" Barry blinked before recovering. "She's Ranma's friend. He would drop everything and look for her."
"Yes. She's my friend, too, even if I'm angry with her." Akane looked over at him and grimaced. "Do you… Do you have to sound so much like Ranma, all the time?" She looked at him with a pained expression.
"When yer in the costume, play the role," he answered sadly. "That way ya don't make embarrassin' mistakes."
Faintly from downstairs, came Kasumi's voice, interrupting. "Ranma, Akane? Are you coming down for dinner?"
"Comin', Kasumi," Barry bellowed. "What shall I tell them, Akane?"
She sighed and took his offered hand to rise to her feet. "Let's go down."
It was strange how alien yet familiar it was to be squeezed in cheek by jowl with the family around the table. Barry had noticed something similar, once before, on a trip to Eastern Europe, that Americans demanded a much wider personal space than other peoples. Conversations were conducted practically at nose point and he was wedged between Nodoka, who fussed about his appearance and manners, and Akane, who ate solidly, mechanically and emotionlessly, staring into space and rewarding conversation directed at her with surly monosyllables.
"So, Ranma," Nodoka asked pleasantly. "Were you and Akane alone much of the time?"
"Not at all, Momma. Ryoga arrived the end of the first week and after Akane showed up, we all trained the entire time." He omitted the fact that Akane had crawled in the sleeping bag with Ranma that first night. "By the way, we gotta be off again. Ukyo's missing; she's been seen up north. Akane, Shampoo and I are gonna track her down."
Nodoka smiled warmly. "My manly son! You'll be alone with three beautiful girls…"
"Mom!" Barry tried to hide his amusement in the outburst as Akane's head snapped in their direction. Ranma's mother was weird! "We're lookin' for Ucchan; not a place ta hold an orgy!"
"But think of the possibilities, boy." Genma whispered across the table. His eyes bugged as Soun smacked him with a rolled newspaper. Barry gave a discrete nod of thanks to Soun.
"Ukyo's been missin' almost since I left," he explained to Nodoka. "I do not consider her a bride or a concubine, so forget that!"
"But what about the dowry…"
"Pop's problem, not mine." Suddenly he glared at Genma. "Don't even think of offerin' to make her your concubine, old man!" Barry caught Nodoka's flare of anger as they both drilled Genma with their gazes. Apparently she was as reluctant to share Genma as she was quick to push all sorts of idiocies on her son. Interesting... "When we find her, and if she's willin', I have a different idea," he said, leaning back. "I always thought of her as a friend. Maybe, she wouldn't mind bein' my sister…"
"Adoption?" queried Nodoka. The table fell silent as they considered. "Do you think the Kuonji family would accept that?"
"Not a clue. I guess we need ta find out what Ucchan wants first." He chewed his lip, thoughtfully. Ranma's mother brightened, drawing Barry's attention. What was the woman up to? He riffled through Ranma's memories to find those of the night following the failed wedding. Something about families adopting concubines to carry on family…
"Oh, no. Momma, don't even think it!"
"But it would ensure…"
"No!"
"But…"
"The day you add concubines and mistresses to Pop's life is the day I'll maybe consider discussin' doin' the same. Not one second before!"
She pouted. Barry almost choked as he saw an older version of Ranma's girl-type sitting beside him. He looked at Genma who was looking at the ceiling and whistling tunelessly. He glanced briefly at Akane and saw, even without using the ki-vision, her aura flaring dully. He turned back to Nodoka.
"No way, Mom! I'd lose any hope of harmony in my home. If I offered that to Ukyo, I'd hafta offer it ta the other two as well, and any other girls Pops hooked me up with. I'm not goin' there." He heard a snicker. "Shut up, Nabiki!"
Finally, Nodoka sighed and changed the subject. She had not conceded, merely retreated for the moment. Akane seemed calmer and actually ate Kasumi's dinner with some enthusiasm.
It was after dinner that their guest arrived.
"Hel-lo-o!" A girl's voice caroled in from the direction of the gate. "Anyone home?"
Barry was in the dojo with Akane and both families, discussing the training Akane received on the trip. They sparred under the watchful gazes of Soun and Genma building to the high speed and mobility Akane acquired. To Akane's intense surprise and glee, she caught Barry with a good solid strike and sent him crashing through the wall ten meters away. As he rolled to a halt in the yard, he heard the call and recognized the voice of Akari Unryu.
"Hi, Akari," he rambled, rising unsteadily to his feet. "Good to see you made it here this fine morning or whatever. Please excuse my inhospitable appearance but Akane just kicked me in the head." He proceeded to stretch his full length at her feet in the manner of a felled tree.
"Ranma?"
"Akari!" cried Akane in excitement. "Did you see that? I beat him! I really beat him!" She jumped over the boy's recumbent form and whirled Akari around in an excess of enthusiasm.
"Ummm…" Akari kept glancing down at the unconscious form of Ranma. "Is he all right?"
"Oh, he has a hard head," Akane replied. "He'll be fine in a minute. Where's Ryoga?"
Akari looked both amused and disgusted. "Would you believe I lost him only two blocks from here?" She shook her head. "Can Katsunishiki come in? People get upset if he waits out in the street."
"Of course."
The enormous sumo pig squeezed through the gate to the yard. Noticing the recumbent Ranma, he lumbered over and nudged him with his snout.
"Rully 'kane, 'm okay. Don worry! Din hurdadall."
After some minutes and several slobbery pig nuzzles, Barry regained consciousness. It was quite a start to look up into the huge visage of the pig above him. His mind raced, made associations. "Oh! Akari is here. Hi, Katsunishiki."
Barry reached up and scratched under the huge jaw and the pig grunted his surprise and pleasure. It arched its head up, closed its eyes and submitted to a thorough scratching under the chin and neck. Barry liked animals and while he had never dealt with a pig this size before, felt confident making a proper acquaintance. He finally smacked the pig on its broad shoulder affectionately and went to find out where everyone had gone. Katsunishiki peered after him, snuffling softly. He could smell water somewhere and wouldn't mind a drink and maybe a good muddy roll.
The koi were going to be especially traumatized today.
Barry walked into the main room and stopped dead. There was a little black pig in Akari's arms. P-chan? Or was this the pig Nabiki had acquired to replace him? He looked enquiringly at Nabiki who held up two fingers where Nodoka wouldn't see them. The latter, then.
"Hi, Akari. Where's Ryoga?"
"Oh, Ranma. I lost him only two blocks from here," she explained, distressed. "We were passing the fountain in the park and I sat down to get a stone out of my shoe. When I looked up, he was gone." She sighed. "I feel so stupid."
"Didja look in the fountain?"
"Now I feel really stupid!" she cried, springing to her feet.
"I'll go." Barry was out the door and over the wall as fast as his feet could carry him. Maybe Akane would feel more comfortable if there was someone else to share the burden of knowledge. If so, Ryoga would be perfect for the job. Nabiki might be another choice.
Barry marveled how easily Ranma's memories flowed at his wish. Ranma's memories pinpointed precisely where the fountain was and what it looked like. As he rushed onward, he tried to recall the water's depth. The sound of splashing water carried to his ears even now. As he skidded to a stop, he searched the fountain. It was getting too dark for normal vision, but Barry had become accustomed to using the ki senses developed while sharing space with Ranma.
That was one thing he wouldn't mind taking back with him. In the world of ki, everything was a source, rocks, trees, dust in the air, the ground, even the worms and small animals coursing like fish in the earth beneath his feet. The statuary of the fountain gleamed like silver, the artwork holding a different quality than the cut stone of the verge. Barry decided that the skills of the artist somehow endowed his works with power. It gave a whole new meaning to the legend of Pygmalion. It glowed like a living thing and effectively blocked his ki-sense. He shook his head. He was letting himself get distracted.
"Ry-O-GA!" he bellowed. He had trouble hearing himself over the sound of the fountain. If Ryoga had fallen in, Akari would not have heard his squeals. He reached in and felt for the bottom. He barely touched it before the change hit and shortened his/her reach by ten centimeters.
She doubted Ryoga could have gotten out, no leverage to push against. Barry had no idea if Ryoga could manage any of his special techniques or would even think to use them before he drowned. Jumping in, she waded through waist-deep water to the sculpted centerpiece.
"Ry-O-GA! Damn! The w-water's c-cold!" She investigated the nooks and crannies of the sculpture as she felt with her toes along the bottom for a body, just in case. He might have gotten out of the pool itself if he had gone to the sculpture. "Eeuw!" She hit something on the bottom.
"He fell in all right." Her toes dragged up Ranma's spare clothes, loaned to Ryoga weeks before. She found shirt, pants, boxers and after a moment one of the slippers. Squeezing the water out, she bellowed a few more times as she finished her circuit of the fountain. Wherever he was now, he wasn't here.
Barry climbed out of the pool and thought a long moment. There was one more thing she might try. Getting to her feet, she pointed to the Tendo dojo. Then she turned in exactly the opposite direction and ran as fast as she could. Any place where a side street offered a change of direction, she took it. She did as best she could to pay absolutely no attention whatsoever to where she was going. In minutes, she was lost.
It never occurred to Barry that Ranma, with his speed and curiosity, had not explored the entire Tokyo region extensively. The truth was that Ranma was actually fairly cautious since his curse and unwilling to travel far from his home territory without a need. It was not something Ranma admitted to himself. Tokyo was larger than most cities in the world, magnitudes larger than Barry's hometown.
"Can you say 'stupid'?" Barry mocked herself. "Can you say 'provincial'? I knew you could!"
The buildings created a maze she couldn't surmount, too tall for even Ranma's trained and augmented strength to leap atop. The character of her surroundings was not reassuring. Unlike most streets she had seen in Tokyo, this one was not clean and crowded and it was not in good repair. A woman wandering streets like this at night, especially one as unusual and striking as Ranma, was asking for trouble.
Barry's ki-vision was obscured to an alarming degree by the miasma of chaotic aura that drifted in the air of the place. She wondered if the character of the inhabitants was reflected in the ki, or if the ki slowly warped those living there as it blanketed the vicinity in a thick, viscous fog. But even through that fog, Barry could sense the approach of several local denizens who might have been alerted to the presence of the stranger among them. It would not be surprising if they came seeking whatever advantage they could find.
Defensively, Barry utilized the technique she had used on Ranma's mother. Looking for P-chan would have to wait. Fighting her way out of this part of town was a last choice. First she'd try run and hide.
The first local was not awe-inspiring at a glance. He was little taller than she, and as skinny as Gosunkugi. His eyes though, his eyes told another story. They were curiously dead in Barry's ki-sight, yet flamed angrily in a very knowing manner. Minute changes in stance and his silent, stealthy glide spoke of one used to fighting for his life and expecting to do so at a moment's notice. He was armed, though not visibly. Barry suspected a chain and at least one knife.
He avoided the illumination of the few street lamps and pressed against the wall, not far from her. She was deeply affected that this dangerous character, observed close range, couldn't be much more than ten or twelve years old. He felt ancient. She now sensed what he had earlier, as two more individuals passed by, large men this time.
"You see her?" muttered one.
"No, and we don't have much more time. We ship in…" The other looked at a watch, "…an hour and a half. If we want to add to this shipment, we have to wrap by quarter of."
"Maybe we can keep one out, in that case, for the trip over."
"Maybe we could," said the second with a nasty laugh. They moved out of hearing.
Beside her, she heard teeth grind. A glance showed tears streaming down the face of the curiously old boy. He came off the wall a centimeter or two and glided after the men. A moment later, Barry followed. She had nothing better to do and maybe she'd see something she recognized. She also had a feeling the kid was going to do something dangerous and, possibly, stupid. 'Besides,' she told herself, 'there's something I don't like about all this and I want to know what it is.'
After searching up and down several blocks, the two large men gave up in disgust and headed east. Barry could now smell brine and oil and hear the heavy thud that large maritime engines produce. They were near one of Tokyo's many docks. She followed the men and the boy to a midsize steamship.
"You're late." A man, whose business suit did not quite fit somehow, looked up from the clipboard he perused. He looked a no-nonsense type of character. The other two seemed somewhat intimidated by him.
"We thought we saw another for the meat locker shipment. Would have been pricey with that red hair. Heh-heh."
The suit grabbed the laughing man by the throat and shook him.
"We operate because we're careful and keep a low profile. Don't get creative. You don't have the brains for it." He threw the object of his displeasure aside like a doll. "Get aboard and stow the rest of the cargo. Mr. Yan says we cast off at eight."
Barry turned her attention back to the kid, but he was gone. She grimaced. It sounded like these people were dealing in kidnapping and slavery. The question was how to stop them. The concept of butting out never occurred to her. Then she saw a form move up one of the hawsers toward the ship. She drifted over. The boy went hand over hand up the arm-thick rope. He stopped at the huge disc which, theoretically, kept rats from boarding.
This little rat unwrapped the chain she had suspected he carried and swung it around the disk to wrap around the hawser on the other side. She waited till he gained the ship's side and walked up the rope. Trained balance and reflexes have some advantages after all. Like a ghost, she followed where he led. He entered a door, shutting it softly behind him.
Barry closed on the door rapidly and sought within. The boy was moving quickly now; she'd have to hurry to keep up. Deep in the holds of the ship they traveled, till he came to a series of metal-sided refrigeration containers designed for meat. There he slowed and examined the huge boxes one by one. Barry could see far better than the boy now and canvassed the area quicker. In one box, the glow of life was evident. Outside stood the two men she had followed earlier.
"Think we should check on them?" one laughed.
"We should make sure everyone is all right," said the other with false piety as he produced a ring of keys and sought for the lock on the door.
Barry cursed silently. She could take them but there were at least twenty forms in the heavy locker. Most were not moving and their ki signatures indicated some form of chemical inhibition. She'd need help and perhaps help was close at hand.
Kwan Li So moved between the cargo containers, desperately holding on to his temper. Miki-Oni was somewhere aboard. He heard she'd been taken by the damn Triad earlier that evening. He was determined to get her out. She had been the only good thing in his young life.
But there were so many boxes. The ship was not large as such went, but there were acres of space that they could hide their precious human cargo in, bound for the flesh pits of the continent. It was only a matter of time before he ran into one of the crew.
"Hey, kid!"
He whirled at the whisper, knife and chain coming out, a snarl forming on his lips. 'Discovered!' Before him stood… a girl?
"If yer lookin' fer someone, we hafta move fast," she said glancing over her shoulder. "Those two goons we were followin' wanna make whoopee, I think."
Kwan crouched frozen for a moment then moved forward aggressively. "Who are you?" he whispered. "Do you belong to one of the crew?" The edge of his twenty-centimeter blade glittered in the dim light. He gasped as the petite redhead seemed to twitch and the knife was in her hands.
"We don't got time fer chit-chat!" she snarled, handing the knife back to him. "If ya have someone ya care for in this place, follow me." She turned and threaded rapidly through the aisles. After an instant he followed, weaving between the containers as silently as she.
They came to the open container quickly. From inside, they could hear the two men discussing the quality of the 'meat'.
"She's got big ones. I like big ones."
"I don't know. I always worry what girls like her have been up to, you know? I don't trust them."
"You were with me when we looked for that redhead earlier."
"That was different. She looked fresh…"
Kwan took out a mirror and glanced around the corner of the door. Strapped down on two rows of shelves six high and five deep were about two dozen girls from ten to sixteen years of age. Some moaned in nightmares. Others drooled. How was he going to take on two street-smart and dangerous big men? He glanced around for his guide and discovered the redhead had moved. She was now posing seductively, just inside the door. He opened his mouth in protest, and shut it again when she drawled, "Looking for me, boys?"
Two heads snapped around, two jaws dropped, two throats worked convulsively. She moved closer, hips swaying, fingers playing with the fasteners of the shirt slowly revealing white skin, the firm mounds of her breasts as her dancing fingers moved lower and lower…
There was a sudden series of heavy blows. Kwan gasped. Both men were down, unmoving. The redhead glanced back and beckoned him in, even as she fastened the shirt again. He moved into the container edging nervously past the girl to search for Miki, and quickly found her on the second shelf from the rear. "If the one you seek is here, take her and let's go," Kwan hissed. "We can't bring them all!"
"Not so fast, kid." The redhead's eyes were dangerous. "I go for all or nothin'."
"Are you crazy? We'll…"
"You look bright. Know how to operate the controls on a crane?"
"Well, yes, but…"
"Good, we'll close and lock the door on this place and I'll blow the hatch of this hold. We'll have to work fast to get them onto the dock, 'cause this ship'll be sinking."
"Sinking? But…"
"How long to make it to the crane an' do ya need any help?"
"About ten minutes, but…" He paused, expecting an interruption. "How will you get the hatch open?"
"Same way I'll sink the ship; I have an explosive personality. I'll wait ten, then blow the bow off." Barry paused. Making this up on the run was hair-raising business. "Everybody should rush to get off the boat and the harbor patrol will come. By that time, we'll have the box outa the hold and on the dock. I'll be on the box to fight off anyone who feels this cargo shouldn't be recovered." Barry snarled silently. "Let them try! Now, git!"
Kwan got.
As the minutes ticked by Barry amused herself by tying the two kidnappers to the top of the box. If anything went wrong, they'd pay the price of their evil. She went silent as she heard footsteps.
"Zo! Kinuke! If you're messing with my cargo, I'll skin you."
Barry grinned. It was going to be a full house.
Akane woke up that morning and roused Akari who was sleeping in her room. They went downstairs to find Genma and Soun engrossed in a news program on TV.
"A tramp steamer was rocked by an explosion early this morning, sinking in minutes beside its mooring." The TV announcer disappeared to show grainy footage of the vessel with only its superstructure above the water. "While the cause of the explosion is still in question, police have linked the owners of the ship to the Triad and the white slave trade." Footage of policemen and ambulances next to a shiny metal box, four by four by ten meters, flashed on the screen and medics moved unconscious forms from the box to the waiting emergency vehicles. "Girls, some as young as ten years of age, are believed to have been kidnapped from various parts of Tokyo over the past two weeks. Three individuals are presently in custody in connection with this case, including a senior port official." Three battered-looking men in handcuffs were shown being led to police cars.
"Wow!" said Akane, eyes wide. "To think that happened right near here." She shuddered. Akari shuddered with her.
"I hope they get what's coming to them," she said fiercely.
Loud squealing started outside. It sounded like it was in stereo. In front of the koi pond, P-chan faced off against P-chan II. They didn't seem to agree with one another. Akari ran forward.
"Ryoga!"
One pig slipped the rush of the other and bounded up into Akari's arms. It turned, stuck its tongue out and stretched down a lower eyelid. Akane laughed. Having two P-chans around could definitely make life interesting.
"Nabiki put Ryoga's pack in the hall closet, Akari," called out Kasumi.
"It's great that Ryoga's back," said Akane. "Where's Ranma? Didn't he come home last night?"
"His futon wasn't slept on this morning, Akane," said Genma yawning. "I am quite… (yawn) …concerned." He scratched himself and sipped some tea.
Akane felt her stomach sink. Ranma she wouldn't worry about. He was tough, savvy, smart and able to take care of himself. (Ranma would have face-faulted had he been aware of her thoughts.) Barry was an unknown. She feared what Barry might be doing with Ranma's body. "Ummm… He said he'd look for Ryoga. I guess he's still looking. Ha-ha!" 'Bar-ry!' she growled silently.
She heard the 'ching' of Shampoo's bicycle bell just outside the gate, followed by a cheery 'Nihau!' Then all three Chinese walked in, trailed by two strangers and Ranma — she meant Barry — in girl-type. Akane went white, then red.
"I ran into some trouble while I was lookin' for pig-boy—urk!"
"Where have you been?" Akane had her by the throat and shook her. "You never came home last night!" Barry choked as she was flung back and forth by each shake. The strange boy and girl had been shocked and the boy's brows pulled down as he slid a chain from around his waist.
"Ack! Wait, Akane! I can explain! Kwan, don't do anything stupid! This is Akane!" The boy stopped and put away the chain with a wry smile.
"Stupid? You mean, stupid like rescuing a bunch of strangers from Triad slavers?" the boy said blandly. Akane's shaking screeched to an abrupt halt. She stared into the redhead's eyes.
Barry shrugged. "What can I say? I wound up in a bad part of town and got distracted." As she spoke, Ryoga, restored to human form, and Akari returned, looking curiously at the visitors. "Hi, Ryoga. Glad ya made it back."
Ryoga's reply was delayed as he dodged a furious P-chan II, who was not fooled at all by the change of form. Ryoga jumped about trying to dislodge the pig from his ankle. His pack, which had been slung over his shoulder, went flying. Shampoo shimmied up beside Akane and looked her over coolly.
"Shampoo ready go when pervert-girl is," she said, looking from Akane to her grip on Barry. "Have nice-nice rest after airen come Nekohanten," she added stretching luxuriously.
"Now ya see what I hafta put up with, Mousse?" choked Barry, as Akane's grip tightened again. "I didn't get there till an hour ago and…" Mousse nodded in reply, only to be bopped by Cologne. She chuckled in appreciation to jibe and counter.
"While you children have fun with your search, I'll be escorting these two to their new home." She looked pointedly at Barry. "You never said how you found out about that Amazon law, son-in-law."
"What can I say, Granny," Barry replied. "I guessed. Yer people took in Jani-san when she was an orphan. You'd expect a tribe of women warriors, that got started because of abusive men, to have a law somewhere to protect girls on the run from somethin' similar."
"You're good, son-in-law," Cologne said with a grin. Akane released Barry who held out a hand to Kwan and Miki.
"You two watch yerselves. Kwan, I'll warn ya; yer not gonna fit in over there, but if ya can tough it out, no jackass Triad goonwill ever threaten Miki again. You'll also be outa reach of those bozos, if they ever learn yer part in this." She grinned and released their grips. "That keeps us safe, 'cause you're the only link between the docks and Ranma Saotome."
"We will be forever in your debt, beauteous one," Kwan said gallantly. Barry could tell he remembered the little act she'd put on before taking out the goons.
"Oh, jeez! You better watch it and get ready ta clear out, Kwan," Barry said embarrassed, "or Miki'll start takin' lessons from Akane." Kwan grinned nervously at the girl who was eyeing him critically.
"Come on, you two," grated Cologne. "We have to get your visas and the plane tickets."
"Yes, grandmother," Miki said. She grabbed Kwan by an ear. "Come along, you!"
Cologne chuckled. "You'll do just fine, dear."
Mousse looked sourly after the departing Elder and turned to Barry. "If I didn't have to look after the restaurant with Cologne out of town…" he grated, fist raised in threat to Soun. Barry patted him on the shoulder, gaining his attention.
"I got the best chaperones in the world, Mousse. Neither will let the other have me and I won't let them kill each other." Barry grinned wickedly. "Ya gotta learn how ta use yer environment, Mousse. It's one of the principle keys to battle." Mousse looked blank. "Ya know…'all's fair in love and war'!"
"That's what I'm afraid of, Saotome," he protested. Barry just laughed. He could remember a time when the girl he loved seemed to be drifting away and sympathized with the half-blind young man. If he got the chance later, he just might offer some advice. They jumped aside as Ryoga leaped past, cursing his namesake flapping from his trouser leg.
Nabiki came out finally and retrieved P-chan II. Still dressed in pajamas, she scratched her head and peered around at the family and assembled search party. She yawned. "Did I miss anything?" She was quite offended at the laughter.
Minutes later they were on their way.
Akari would see Ryoga got registered at Furinkan and start the rounds of the temple libraries that he and Barry had determined should be their first targets. They did have to take a side trip to the Unryu farm; a concept that even Soun could tell was not sitting well with Ryoga. Still, Ryoga shouldered his pack and followed Katsunishiki out the gate without complaint, followed by Ranma, Akane and Shampoo. Mousse trailed along accompanied by numerous complaints and soon combat could be heard in the street.
"Well, Kasumi, Nabiki; that went better than usual." Soun looked around the courtyard then peeked over the fence at the dojo. "Yes, everything spic-and-span and harmonious. It's not often we have Ranma, Shampoo, Mousse, Cologne, Ryoga and their friends over that it isn't a major disaster." He laughed almost maniacally. "I had forgotten what it was like to have peace and quiet. Why, I haven't known what to do with myself. Perhaps I should work up some projects…"
"You play Shogi or Go every day with Uncle Saotome," Nabiki pointed out. "When do you have time for work?"
"They were quite well behaved this time," Kasumi agreed. She had a frown on her face though. "Something is troubling Akane though."
"I wouldn't worry too much," drawled Nabiki. "She probably missed thumping Ranma last night. With Shampoo on the trip, she'll make up for it and be her usual chipper, maniac self."
"Nabiki," Kasumi disapproved.
"Sorry," the middle Tendo grinned. "Oh, well, I've got to get packed for the university. Tell our maniac sister when she gets back, to give me a call if she runs into trouble with the books."
"It will be good practice for her when she's running a household on her own," agreed Kasumi straightening her skirt and turning toward the house. "I hope you remember to call me sister, should you need advice on laundry or cooking." Nabiki smiled and grimaced.
"Not if I can help it." Nabiki retorted as they filed into the main room to finish breakfast. Kasumi opened the shoji to the garden.
"Oh, my!" Nabiki and Soun glanced at Kasumi then out toward the garden.
"Oooh!" groaned Soun. He began to weep.
"You spoke too soon, Daddy." Nabiki got up and left the table to pack. She had no intention of being sucked into this.
A Japanese ornamental garden is, if properly done, a balm to the soul and an aid to meditation and inner peace, quite simply, a joy to behold. Soun had worked many years perfecting his garden with its quiet little pond. While not perfect, it was very good; and even Ranma and Genma's frequent combats and dunkings had not disturbed it much. Soun and his family members and guests had enjoyed his little garden over the years.
Last night, Katsunishiki had enjoyed it as well.
"I think you've found your project, Father," Kasumi said shrugging. She followed Nabiki out of the room. She had far too much to do around the house to add this to her list. That work was going to get heavier anyway, when father started on the pond. She hoped the koi were all right, though.
Soun's garden and pond now more closely resembled a pig wallow. Soun sank to his knees in dejection.