Guest Ki: Chapter 35
Signing Up
The train ride to the university was uneventful. Well, mostly uneventful. Some man took one look at Barry and ran off the train screaming something about ghosts. The teenagers shrugged and put it down to the work-related stress some salarymen had to endure. Then Kodachi demonstrated that she had a unique way to deal with perverts, despite her general unfamiliarity with public transportation. When accosted, a black rose appeared from nowhere and seconds later, that man ran out of the car yelling something about spiders and crabs. Other than that, it was perfectly peaceful and everyone gave them plenty of space. Nabiki met them at the station, a bit surprised by the crowd. Eyeing Kodachi, she pulled Barry aside at first opportunity.
"What's she doing here?" she hissed.
"She's planning to compete," Barry said.
"Are you crazy?" Nabiki asked. "She could ruin the whole thing. She's notorious for her antics and if even one person comes up injured before the competition, they might throw her and everyone associated with her, out on their ears!"
"Nabiki, she promised to behave. She's in." Nabiki looked ready to throw a fit. "Nabs, ya gotta admit she's good."
"How should I know? I've never seen her compete except against Ranma," she hissed. "Besides, there are other problems."
"She promised, Nabiki. Ryoga and I are training her."
"Wonderful! A more lethal version of Kodachi," Nabiki grumbled.
"At least her brother isn't here. He's a good kendoist, but…"
"Saotome." Tatewaki Kuno stood before him, once again in his familiar kendo garb, armed with his bokken. Barry felt a faint thrill run through him and wondered if Ranma's body missed the workouts with Kuno. "I heard my pigtailed goddess and Akane Tendo would be here; and so, interrupted my busy schedule." He looked Ranma up and down with disgust. "I should have known you would be here as well!"
"Well, speak of the devil…"
"Dare you mock me?" Kuno suddenly drew and thrust. Barry swayed aside. Kuno's form was smoother than before, more complete and less predictable. He dodged several strikes and disrupted Kuno's pressure wave attack before it got started. Predictably, a slash struck a water fountain and Barry went girl. Kuno froze, staring. "G-g-green hair," he stuttered. Almost hypnotized, he reached out and touched it. Barry allowed him that slight liberty before stepping away.
"Just a disguise, okay?" she said, moving out of range. "Dye went wrong," she added for about the millionth time.
"It is rather dry, my love," Kuno said thoughtfully. "Still, in your attempt to escape from that demon, Saotome, I can understand your sacrifice!"
"Moron," muttered Barry. She looked around for Nabiki. This had to be her work. "Nabiki!"
"Ummm, right here," came the almost timid reply. "Sorry I didn't warn you about Blue Blunder."
"That's Blue Thunder and you know it, Nabiki Tendo," Kuno grumbled. "When you called Sasuke about the competition, I was intrigued. I have not had sufficient challenge for some time. I must admit I almost enjoyed seeing Saotome for even this short time. He is more of a challenge than most, even though he flees before I can strike the finishing blow and hides behind the fairer sex such as my goddess." As he spoke, he clasped Barry's hands and drew her closer. He glomped. Kuno toppled as a foot shot up and drove under his chin, breaking his contact with the girl.
Barry glared at Nabiki. "Did it have to be him?"
"The only other decent kendoist I know is Kogara Daibunmasatsu. He's on Nikki's list, unfortunately." Neither noticed the two figures coming along the platform.
"Is that Ranma?"
Barry turned and boggled. "Nagasameru?"
The girl with the Godzilla-sword nodded and reached back to drag a huge young man forward. "This is my fiancé, Shinzoo." The big man bobbed a bow, looking nervous. "Are you here for the competition?"
"Yes, we are," admitted Barry. She eyed the pair and grinned. "Sumo, right?" she asked Shinzoo. "Pleased ta meetcha! Howdja hear about the competition?"
"Nabiki Tendo called us. She thought it might be nice to meet under more normal circumstances." She suddenly noticed Nabiki. "Oh, hi!"
Barry laughed. "Nothin's ever normal about this gang!"
Shinzoo stared at Barry and reached out a finger to almost prod her in the chest. "Excuse me, but are you really a boy?"
"Find me some hot water and I'll show ya," answered Barry, ignoring the near invasion of her space. "You competin', too?" she asked the tall girl.
"No, I only came to be with Shinzoo." Nagasameru glanced shyly at her fiancé. "I think you know all about parents who sometimes interfere too much."
Barry snorted. "Yer singin' to the choir, 'Sama."
"Where is the knave who felled me?" shouted Kuno sitting up suddenly. "Was it you who struck the cowardly blow?" He looked accusingly at the mountainous sumo wrestler.
"Don't mind him, he's nuts," Barry told them. "Ya hafta know how to talk ta him." She turned to Kuno and brought her hands up between her breasts. "Oh, Kuno, this friendly giant did see thy plight and, with thunderous steps, drew nigh affrighting the cretin who struck thee unaware. Thus, he is thy benefactor, not thy foe. Take heart! For many here are friends where thou thought none but enemies did lie and they, if thou but open thine inner eye, may yet aid thee in thy darkest battle."
"Ranma, why you talk like stick-boy?" Shampoo wandered over. "It not bad enough he here?" She suddenly recognized Nagasameru. "Aiya! Extra fiancée come back to take Ranma!"
Barry snorted. 'Extra fiancée?' Suddenly, all the gang was present, preparing for action. "Hold it! Hold everything." She jumped between and refereed the potential melee. "I think you girls should meet Shinzoo..."
She turned to him and he stammered, "Tamanaki."
"Shinzoo Tamanaki, who is Nagasameru's fiancé. Congratulations, by the way," Barry added, grinning up at the huge man.
"Um, thanks." Shinzoo was obviously in trouble. "You're really..."
Akane returned with a cup of hot water and dumped it on Barry. He grew twenty centimeters and forty kilos, and Shinzoo looked like he had grown faint. He did poke Ranma in the chest then, cringed and looked at his finger.
"Don't worry, it's not catchin'," Barry informed him. "If ya get an invite to Jusenkyo in China, don't go, unless ya want yer life to get real interestin'."
"I'll try to remember that."
"Ranma, what's with the green hair?" Nagasameru asked.
Barry hung his head. "Man! Nabiki, we really hafta do somethin' about this. If I get wet while we're signin' up..."
"Only thing we can do is try dying it back," said Nabiki. "Otherwise the hair will just have to grow out. Why not try nice conventional black?"
"But I like..." Akane began to object. She went silent, her mouth open as everyone turned toward her. Shampoo's mouth twitched, Nabiki's brow rose and Kodachi covered her mouth with a fan. Ukyo shook her head in disgust. "I am not a pervert. I'm… I'm just used to the red hair," Akane muttered sourly, hanging her head.
Barry punched her fondly in the arm. "It'll grow back, tomboy, but the last thing we need is for Nikki to get wise to us." Akane looked up, curious. Barry hadn't said anything to her beyond a few graphic details of Nikki's punishment, which included, as a final insult, a Shampoo-style wedgie. She felt he was about to say something significant.
"Spit it out," she said. "What haven't you told us about Nikki?"
"Oh, I must have forgotten to mention the body tattoos he seemed so fond of." Barry said it nonchalantly, but the tension was obvious. "Whoa, Akane, calm down. The only one at risk here is your sister, and we talked about that, after I showed Nikki and his local muscle that Nabiki had protection of her own. We're not even sure the kid is really yakuza. He's a pretentious bastard and might be playing a role himself."
"With our luck, he is, though," Akane muttered.
"The money involved is not a yakuza-sized bankroll, Akane," Barry retorted. "He's got cash, but not that much. If he is Yakuza, he's small fry working his way through a degree. Yakuza don't like publicity. If he makes too much stink, they may go after him. They certainly won't consider him enough of an asset to defend if he can't handle one little girl!"
"How do you know so much about the Yakuza?" snapped Akane.
He jerked his thumb at the university buildings visible in the distance. "They operate much like the Triad but more polite, normally. I read up on them after I dealt those kidnappers, remember? Kwan and Miki? I mean Pops and I have run into them before, but I thought I'd get a little more info—urk!"
Akane heaved Ranma's weight clear of the floor and let her aura flare briefly. "This is so damn like you!" Those who knew of Barry knew she was referring to a complaint common to herself and Ukyo — don't act like Ranma unless you absolutely have to. To Nagasameru and Shinzoo, it was all new and fairly alarming.
"Uh... You weren't planning on entering sumo wrestling, were you, Tendo-san?" Shinzoo attempted to jest while he observed how easily this girl held her fiancé at arm's length.
"Nah," Barry answered grinning. "We didn't think that'd be fair to you guys!" (POW! Wheeee!) "That was so un-cute!"
"Don't worry," Nabiki said, patting Nagasameru and Shinzoo encouragingly on the shoulders as they cringed from a glowing Akane. "This happens all the time. You'll get used to it."
"Well struck, Akane." Tatewaki Kuno rose from where Barry had earlier knocked him cold and brushed himself off. "I always feel my heart lift when you deal with that obnoxious clod in the manner he deserves."
"Eeep!" Akane had forgotten about him. "What are you doing here, Kuno?"
"Seeking to challenge myself. When Sasuke brought me the announcement, I almost refused. Then I heard that my two beloved beauties would be there as well. How could I resist such a sword challenge?" He preened in the annoying way he had. "Besides, we were interrupted in our previous discussion. Perhaps Sasuke was less than polite?" He glanced down at her, ignoring her anger.
"Tell me, Kuno," Akane said smoldering. "What's polite about being propositioned like a common whore?" (POW! Wheeee!)
"Nice placement, Akane," Shampoo complimented her. "He should land right next to Ranma."
"Should we wait for him?" asked Ukyo, shading her eyes to see where he landed. "If our baka found water as usual, Kuno should be coming back in short order."
"I wonder..." began Nagasameru, sweating.
"Here he comes," said Kodachi with satisfaction. "I wonder what he said to gain such a speedy return trip." Everyone stood aside as Kuno crashed down and skidded into a planter. The girls fished out signs reading '6.0', '5.7', '6.0', and Kodachi's '4.2'. "Well, someone has to be the Romanian judge," she commented.
Moments later Barry, male and smelling of tea, stomped back. He looked around, marched over to the groggy Tatewaki and grabbed him by the throat.
"Don't you ever grab a girl like that," he snarled at the bruised kendoist. He shook him a few times. "Do it again and you won't have a hand ta pull back! Understand?"
"No," replied the confused young man.
Barry purpled, then sighed and dropped him. "Ya ain't worth it," he growled. "Come on, Akane." He stalked away.
"Whew!" Akane walked quickly and meekly beside the man she had, moments before, sent over the horizon. "What happened?"
"I got outa the fountain ya landed me in and was squeezin' out my shirt. I never heard the bastard coming. Then, bang! Kuno's wrapped around me like a human octopus, with one hand on my tits and the other down my—!" Barry went white, then red and made a negating slash with one hand. "Maybe the idiot didn't know what he was doing, but I sure as hell wasn't waiting around to find out." He grinned slightly as the immediate shock of the incident gave way to humor. "Sent him back by return air express. Hope he missed everything feminine on the way in."
"We moved," Akane replied absently. She hesitated and almost turned back to beat on Kuno. The nerve of that pervert!
The next stop was Nabiki's apartment. Akane was expecting a closet. Barry was half-expecting a mansion. It wasn't a mansion, but it was very spacious compared to normal housing in Tokyo.
"I got a good deal."
"Nabiki," Akane growled.
"No, really! The guy who owns this place owes me. I live here in lieu of repayment. My only expense is electricity and water." She smiled. "And my half of the groceries of course. My present roommate does the cooking and cleaning."
"What kind of reduction on her rent does that get her?" asked Ukyo, looking around. The place was easily the size of the cottage she repaired in the mountains and far better furnished.
"You wound me, Kuonji," Nabiki said. "I hate cooking and housework. She takes care of all that and I'm happy to pay the bills. She's quiet, studious, undemanding and, if she has boyfriends, doesn't bother me with them. She's an engineering student at the university. You'll meet her later, I'm sure."
"Probably as close as she could find to a Kasumi-clone," muttered Barry to Akane. Akane smiled, thinking fondly of her big sister.
"There's enough space for everyone to sleep here, if you folks stay the weekend. And if you decide to go with Ranma's idea of opening a branch of Ucchan's on campus, Konatsu could use the room over there." Nabiki pointed to a narrow door which, when opened, revealed a room four tatami in area. Ukyo nodded. It was double the size of Konatsu's room at Ucchan's.
"Now, let's do something about that hair of yours."
Minutes later Barry, girl again, was bent backwards over the sink in the apartment's spacious bathroom. Her hair was unbraided in preparation for the new dye that Nabiki brandished in one hand. With an exclamation of disgust, Shampoo snatched the bottle from Nabiki's hand.
"This very bad for hair," she admonished. "No wonder dye go wrong. See this chemical, here… and here?" She pointed to two multi-syllabic roman-ji words that made Nabiki's eyes hurt. "These cause bad hair, if water chemicals not perfect," she added with authority. She looked around and grabbed a notepad from the counter and wrote several words in roman-ji and one in Chinese. "You get these. This strip old dye without hurting hair more. This one new dye, work good; help make hair nice again. This one," she pointed to the Chinese name, "it strip out new dye, finish job to make hair nice, like before."
"Since when are you an expert?" Nabiki began outraged, but stopped when Akane shook her head and pointed to her own hair. Suddenly Nabiki recalled the hair-styling technique Shampoo used on Akane back when she first arrived. "Okay, I forgot. You are an expert."
"Better than Chinese chef," Shampoo declaimed proudly.
"Then why didn't you open a hair salon instead of a restaurant?" Ukyo asked. "Some of those places just roll in yen."
"Who ever see man come to hair salon?" Shampoo asked disdainfully. Her audience laughed. That was certainly true! "Only one good thing old training say to me, 'way to man's heart through stomach'." She slapped Ranma's hard abdominals, causing her to sit upright in reflex. "True in martial arts, too," she added thoughtfully.
Barry gagged. She knew Shampoo was referring to a particularly devastating blow that directed force up into the body cavity to rupture the heart. "Did you have to say that, Amazon," he growled, running his hand through the hot water in the sink. Shampoo made an odd gesture with both hands, open fingers covering the eyes. Barry hadn't seen it before and couldn't find it in Ranma's memories.
"I'll get them, I'll get them," grumbled Nabiki. She walked over to the door of the apartment and yanked it open, startling the girl who stood, key in hand, to enter. "Whoops! Sorry, Sakurida. Why don't you come in and meet my guests?" Nabiki said. The slender girl with long, dark hair peered around Nabiki and smiled. "Sakurida Kamiko..."
"We've met," offered Akane with a hint of shock. Mrs. Morisato's sister was Nabiki's roommate?
"Hi, everybody," Sakurida said, lighting up the place with her smile. She froze as Tatewaki thrust himself forward and bowed taking her hand.
"Lo, it is as if a star of heaven were sent to earth to dwell among the strident masses, shining joy upon their simple lives! Yet, let not your scintillating presence neither fade nor be diminished by the shadows herein. Nay; let my light join with yours, for together we may shine so brightly..." He sank to his knees.
"Is this guy for real?" Sakurida asked plaintively, trying to retrieve her hand.
"He said, 'You're pretty; I'm pretty, too. We make a good couple'," Nabiki interpreted.
"...An example to all, that heaven and earth may together reflect and enlighten creation! Still thy fragrant, beating heart, for I wouldst nurture it and make it grow..."
Nabiki continued her interpretation of Kuno's monologue. "Ummm... 'You're a sweet smelling flower', I think, 'and he's a pile of—!'"
"Nabiki Tendo," shouted Kuno, jumping to his feet, "must you denigrate the poet's soul?"
"A poet, no. A pervert, well..."
"A pervert?" There was a sudden 'crinkle-pop!' and a hammer seemed to appear, imbedded in Kuno's cranium. Sakurida stepped back as he crumbled, twitching. She stopped and stared as Akane, Ukyo, Kodachi, Shampoo and Nabiki held up signs listing '6.0', '5.9', '5.5', '5.8', and '6.0' respectively. "What!" she sweated.
"Just business as usual with this crowd, Sakurida. Don't let it worry you," Barry said, leaning against the wall. "Let's just say, we're all proud of your discerning judgment and incisive action."
They met up with Ryoga and Akari outside the registrar's office to complete their group. As planned, Nabiki was not with them, since she hoped to avoid a direct connection between herself and the martial artists from Nerima. Barry, having been here before, led them in.
"Uh-oh," he said slowing. "Akane, ya see the guy with the arm in a cast?"
"That's Nikki?" The man she saw was tall and athletic-looking, with an unpleasant, self-indulged appearance to him, almost as if his looks and health came out of a bottle or from a surgeon, rather than effort and self-discipline. She instinctively disliked him. "You didn't hurt him enough," she growled.
"Easy, tomboy! Think 'big picture'," Barry cautioned. "If he comes over, make him think yer less skilled than you are. Nabiki's plan has us beat him in the pocketbook... and from the looks of him, that'll hurt him more than poundin' on him ever would."
"Didn't you tell Cologne off about using the 'big picture' scenario?" she asked suspiciously.
"Sure, but that was hers and this is ours!" He grinned impudently. His features froze. "Oh, hell! He's going after Shampoo."
Nikki moved in what was intended to be a casual glide, but was hampered by a limp. He sidled over and trapped Shampoo against a wall. He didn't touch her yet. She glanced up, wide-eyed at this intrusion of her space and frowned. Apparently, she didn't like him any better than Akane.
"Hi there, cutie," he smirked. "Are you visiting, or will we be ships that pass in the night? I've the experience to pilot you to a good port."
"This ship want steer clear of you," she answered him. "Not interested in junk with high mileage and…" She glanced over him with distaste. "...low performance!"
He flushed in rage and began to reach out with his good hand.
"Nikki!" The voice held the implacable ring of authority. The creep hesitated and turned. A short man in an impeccable suit stood in the doorway. "You do not belong here."
"I belong where I want, Daikansatsu-sensei."
"This office is open today only for martial artists who plan to compete in the upcoming exhibition, Nikki." Daikansatsu glared at the injured yakuza wannabe. "Did you ever consider that even an indifferent martial artist could severely injure you in your condition? And before you say 'this is only a girl', must I speak of what happened last weekend?"
Nikki flushed and moved away from Shampoo. "Maybe we'll hook up later," he suggested.
"Rather hook up with high-voltage line! Shampoo think much more fun," she snipped, "and last longer."
"Why, you purple-haired..."
"Nikki, out!" roared Daikansatsu. The young man glared sourly and left. "Young idiot," the older man snorted. "No respect for anything or anyone."
He turned his attention to the new arrivals. "I apologize for Nikki's interference. Unfortunately, the days are past when someone like myself possessed the authority to cane the delinquent as deserved, on general principles." He bowed slightly. "Please, come into my office, all of you." Inside, he sat down in a plain swivel office chair and introduced himself. "My name is Toronaga Daikansatsu. I have the honor to chair the Philosophy Department. I am in charge of the registration for the martial arts competition."
Something clicked in Ranma's memories. It itched for a moment and became clear. "You are Grand Master Daikansatsu?" He used the title that inferred the man's expertise and his acknowledged training of several masters of his Art. He felt the stillness in the others behind him. "I am honored," he said bowing. "I am Ranma Saotome of the Mutsabetsu Kakuto Ryu."
"Huh!" the Grand Master snorted. "I know of Happosai and I have your application on my desk. Why should I permit a troublemaker who never competed or contributed to the Art into our tournament?"
Barry gulped.
"Just when were you going to tell me you had already applied?" hissed Akane crossly.
Behind him, the others were silent, awed perhaps by the status of the man before them. Barry considered and smiled slightly. Better give it the old BS try… "Grand Master, if you have heard of me, then you should know I defend the weak and seek to help those in need. If I have a reputation, all I can say is that any stone cast in a lake will make ripples. The larger the stone, the further away the ripples are seen. Yet the ripples are not the stone. Whether the stone is slag or granite or diamond, the ripples are the same. Disturbing serenity in some places, adding beauty in others. Whether you seek the stone, Grand Master, or remark on the ripples, the stone remains the same. Will you seek the stone?"
"Hmmm." The Grand Master gave him a long look before turning his focus to the others. "You," he said, inclining his head to Shampoo, "would be the Joketsuzoku, Xian Pu." She nodded. "Ryoga Hibiki; I met your father for lunch last week, by the way. He's looking well. Ukyo Kuonji, I stopped at Ucchan's for dinner when I was in Nerima last year. My compliments!" He smiled slightly as he turned elsewhere."With that sword, you must be Nagasameru Mirotomanya. Will you be competing in kendo, my dear?"
"My fiancé competes in sumo, honored Grand Master. I am a junior only, this year."
"I would like to invite you to demonstrate that sword of yours. The nodachi is an esteemed part of our heritage and few wield it competently these days."
"I...I would be honored."
"Shinzoo Tamanaki, we received your application for the coming semester. May I assume you will be part of our student body regardless of the outcome of the tournament?"
"Yes, Grand Master," Shinzoo bowed as he spoke.
"Ah, there you are; Akane Tendo of the Tendo Dojo. Is your father, Soun, well?" Akane gulped. The Grand Master seemed to know everything and everyone!
"Y-yes, Grand Master."
"He was very close to becoming Grand Master in kempo himself, just prior to your mother's death. Dare I hope you might aspire to his dream?"
Akane felt faint. "At one time I would not have presumed. But now, perhaps." He smiled faintly.
"Tatewaki and Kodachi Kuno." The Grand Master looked them over sternly. "I cannot, despite appearances to the contrary, forbid your entries into the competition. But you two trouble me greatly."
"Honored Grand Master?" Barry bowed, appalled at his temerity considering he might already be on thin ice. He was becomingconcerned by the roiling he saw in Kodachi's ki. For a long moment, he thought he would be totally ignored, a pointed and biting criticism of his impudence.
"Speak!"
"I have personally fought with both of the Kunos, as allies and, more often, as enemies. Tatewaki, in combat, is honorable and formidable. My problem with him and his with me, stem from matters outside the Art. Kodachi has... a different perspective. It is my belief, however, that she plans to approach this competition in good faith and honor. I support her in this."
Daikansatsu sat impassive; giving no sign that what Barry said meant anything. Finally he rose and nodded to them. "Compete in honor. If you will speak with my secretary, she will supply you with the forms," he said. It was a warning as well as a dismissal.
Barry nodded. He'd put his foot in it again, and with a Grand Master, no less!
"Saotome, stay a moment."
Barry stopped immediately and closed the door behind Akane who was the last to exit. He turned and faced the Grand Master, mind racing to determine how his intelligence network could have... Suddenly, at least part of it clicked into place.
"Ah, I see you understand how I found out about all of you," Daikansatsu said smugly.
"I'mimpressed, Grand Master. It was my entry into the competition, then?" He watched the other's face carefully. There was something familiar about him.
"In part. You might say I've been waiting for you to show up." The short, neat man steepled his fingers and looked amused. "My older brother's daughter wasonce calledNodoka Daikansatsu."
That went off like a bomb. "My mother?"
"Is my niece; yes. I am your great-uncle."
Barry wished for a chair to sit down on, though he still didn't know whether this was good luck or bad. "I am sorry, Grand Master," he said finally. "But, for whatever reason, my mother has not spoken of you."
"Good answer. Much better than that ripples on water nonsense," the older man said coarsely. "Nodoka's son. You look like her, boy; thank kami." He moved a tea set from a shelf and wordlessly they performed a simple tea ceremony. Daikansatsu nodded at a particular movement Barry made. "Martial Arts Tea Ceremony," he said softly. After they sipped their tea, Daikansatsu continued their discussion. "Your mother's branch of the family split with mine over your mother's marriage. Genma had already gained a reputation as both a brilliant martial artist and an accomplished pervert. Happosai was a bad influence."
"He still is," Barry murmured.
"Still alive? Incredible!" Daikansatsu frowned, "You do not owe him mastery, do you?"
"No, Grand Master," Barry answered. "My father taught me and after him, Ku Lon of the Joketsuzoku; but Happosai has little or nothing to do with my skills and has never been my Master."
"And you're just as happy he is not?"
"You have no idea!" Barry shuddered, remembering, through Ranma, gropes from the little pervert.
"Ranma Saotome, I have heard some truly disturbing things about you. At first, I ascribed them as products of Happosai's influence on your father and through him, on you. Yet everything I feel says otherwise. You seem much more mature than your age would indicate. Can you explain to me this dichotomy?"
Barry was thoughtful for long moments. This was really Ranma's tale. Yet here was a man of great respect, who seemed honestly to want to know about a nephew. "My... mother. What is she to you?" he asked finally. "I do not mean to insult you and I would be proud to call you 'Uncle'. Are you willing to call my mother, 'Niece'?"
"I always have. I know about your ten-year training trip and your fiancée problem. I would have trouble deciding, considering what I saw in here a few minutes ago, aside from matters of honor." He sighed lustily. "I kept track of your mother during those years. She is a strong woman of great beauty. Genma was a fool to go off like that."
"There was a time when I would have agreed with you completely," Barry replied. "But even some of the stupidest things he taught me on that trip have ended up saving the lives of those I sought to protect. If I had not known them, we would not be having this conversation." He nodded. Tell the man now what he would find out eventually if Ranma, or God forbid, Barry, ended up at this university. "I'll tell you if honor allows."
The old martial artist looked pained. "You don't really cross-dress, do you?" he asked plaintively. "Your mother seemed a bit defensive."
"No. You know of the Joketsuzoku. Have you ever heard of Jusenkyo?" Barry asked.
"The waters of the springs are supposed to be a key ingredient for sorcerers to turn people into frogs and whatnot." Daikansatsu boggled, then composed himself. "You aren't serious!"
Barry explained Jusenkyo and demonstrated the curse. Sitting on the corner of Daikansatsu's desk, she did not speak of the ki techniques or the Nekoken. Unless dire circumstances occurred, they would easily remain secret. She explained how he had acquired all the fiancées, and made it quite clear that honor kept him from taking advantage of the situation.
Suddenly, Daikansatsu sat up straight in his chair and stared intently at Barry. "You're the girl who beat up Nikkoo Darikamosu!"
"Ah, yes, I was, if you mean the Nikki who was here."
"If this was instigated by Nabiki Tendo, I am disappointed in you," he said sternly, all amiability gone like smoke. "I thought you said you defended the weak. He is no martial artist."
"No, but he sureactsYakuza! Nabiki ain't a martial artist either, and he hurt her, first. I wanted him to understand that I don't approve," Barry snapped. "Those two can battle all they want financially, but itwill stay that way!" Barry stared flatly at the small man, who regarded him with hooded eyes. "Or else."
Finally, he sighed and nodded. "I was afraid it was something like that." He sighed again, looking out the window. "Nikki has a great weight on his shoulders — the heritage of his father. He seems to need to impress people, unfortunately."
"It sure took a long time to impress him with the idea that he shouldn't hurt Nabiki anymore," Barry grumbled, shifting uncomfortably.
"Yes, that is like him." Ranma's uncle drummed his fingers against the desktop. "Ranma, Nikki is Yakuza, and stupid enough not to learn from his lesson, cunning enough to be a bad enemy. Tell Nabiki Tendo to be careful."
"Is there something you haven't told me?" Barry asked quietly. She sensed the turmoil Daikansatsu carried within, though her ki-vision was oddly out of focus with respect to this 'uncle'. She reached for the pot of tea to transform back to male.
"He is my sister's daughter's son," the old man said simply.
"He's my cousin?" Barry said, voice changing in mid-sentence. "Oh, shit!"
The others had long since completed their admission forms and were waiting impatiently in the lobby. Nikki, thankfully, was nowhere in sight. Before they left the building, Barry gave them a quick synopsis of the information pertaining to Nikki. He found them totally undisturbed by the confirmation of Nikki's connections and eager to go with Nabiki's plan. Nikki had apparently impressed them all.
Ukyo had been casing the campus with an eye to her business opportunities and had come to a decision. "Ranma," she said, finally. "I'm taking you up on the offer of financial help. I want a yatai, preferably motorized to help move it, with gas grills and room to serve at least six customers." Barry nodded. He had his own ideas and planned to surprise her. "I'm pretty sure we can make it fly," she continued, "and if it takes off, we can shift to a permanent site when we know our customer base better."
"Sounds good. Nabiki?" He turned to the middle Tendo.
"Already on top of it, Ranma," she said dryly. "The grounds-keeping department has an older garden tractor with a broken axle. My contact has agreed to sell cheap. You said you could fix the axle?"
Can a fish swim? Barry grinned and replied. Shampoo grinned, recognizing the beginnings of a word game Shampoo had introduced them to, to help them with English called 'Questions Only'.
Nabiki eyes flickered between them as Shampoo offered, Are we speaking of water, or on land?
Which one is wetter? he asked. (Whack!) "Ow!"
"Stop flirting with Shampoo!" growled Ukyo, pulling back her spatula.
"I'm not flirting," Barry growled, rubbing his head.
"Point!" Shampoo broke in smugly.
"That's not a valid point! I'm being attacked!" Barry complained. Aren't I, Akane?
Is that anything new? Akane quipped. Ukyo's jaw dropped.
"It's a learning game, Ukyo. You try to answer every question with a question. You can't wait all day to work out your answer, either."
Do you get it now? Shampoo said to Ukyo smugly.
Do I care? Ukyo hazarded a possible result.
"Yeah, like that!" Barry said smiling. "Anything-Goes linguistics!"
"You're all crazy," Ukyo complained as they set off down the avenue to the Maintenance Department.
"Listen to that motor purr!"
Shampoo glanced nervously at Ranma because of the cat-related phrase but the pigtailed martial artist was oblivious. He listened, revved the throttle a few times and adjusted the choke. The engine seemed to run smoothly and little smoke was evident. Apparently, it burned its fuel efficiently.
"This isn't under load, though." Barry noted that the engine was clean, but didn't have that clean-as-a-whistle look that usually indicated inconclusive repairs and leaky seals being hidden. He had the additional advantage of being able to see faults in the metal through the faculty of ki-vision.
The older model tractor sat on blocks and its front tires. The drive axle, in two pieces, with its large back wheels, rested a short distance away. Ryoga was checking for faults in the tires and tracing the electronics. Finally, he stood straight and nodded to Barry. It looked like a good deal. Barry nodded in turn to Nabiki.
Nabiki went to work. She inquired after the mower deck, noting its absence and asked for a price break because the tractor had been broken down for parts. She decried the scuffing on the left tires caused by the drivers tending always to mow in one direction, and suggested that perhaps the tires were inadequate. They weren't, but without ki-vision, who could tell? The steering was loose, the wiring old… Nabiki was master of her own Art, and it was enthralling to watch, because she won and left her opponent feeling she did him a favor. She got the price reduced from 30,000 yen to 12,000 yen, and the man was smiling as they hauled the tractor and a sturdy old garden cart away.
In the lot behind Maintenance, Barry and Ryoga examined the broken axle. It was jagged at the broken ends and one half had a bow in it. Barry passed the curved section to Ryoga and set about trimming the spur from the broken end of the other half with Nekoken. Ryoga eyed the curved section of steel, then clasped it in his hands and bent it slightly. He eyed it again and made further minor adjustments.
"What Ryoga's doin'," Barry began, "isn't simply re-bending the bar."
"No," agreed Ryoga. "Steel develops a memory when it's bent this way, so I'm going to use a variations of Ba... uh, Ranma's shield technique and my own Bakusai Tenketsu to realign the little bits and pieces."
"Why can't he do that?" asked Ukyo of Ryoga.
"He cuts the steel; I make it straight," Ryoga said with a shrug.
"We figured out the Bakusai Tenketsu pinpoints the places where a rock's resonant frequency will shake it apart, " Barry said, trimming a little more off the end of his bar. He reached down and picked up a caliper to measure the axle's cross-section. "Forty millimeters," he commented and Akane wrote down the information. "With the chemistry and physics books from the school library, Ryoga finally made it flexible enough to use on wood, steel, glass, plastics..."
"Hard plastics, not soft ones," Ryoga corrected.
"Anyway, if ya make something vibrate enough at the right speed, it gets soft, without losing its characteristics, and a magnetic field can realign the bits and pieces."
"And tell it to remember to stay straight," Ryoga finished. He held the glowing bar out on his open palms. If you looked closely, you could see it floated in the air above his hands.
"You do all this with the Breaking Point?" Shampoo asked, sliding over. "Aiya! Grandmother really want know about this one." She watched in awe. "If do all that, can use as weapon against living thing!"
Ryoga looked uncomfortable. "It wouldn't be very effective, Shampoo. The harder something is, the easier it is to manipulate its breaking point. Living things have such a low resonant frequency that you'd have to use a lot of power."
"Or a lot of time," broke in Barry. "Somehow, I don't think an opponent is gonna stand there while ya say 'Excuse me, this may take a while'!" Barry gathered up most of the flakes of steel he had just trimmed off. "I got some short scraps of steel tubing I'm gonna weld over the break to strengthen it."
"How are you going to do that?" Ukyo asked. "You don't have any welding equipment."
Barry paused held up one finger and concentrated. Beads of sweat began to form and roll off his face. He seemed to relax slightly then and smile. Beyond his finger, the air danced and rippled. "It's a modification of the Nekoken, and not an easy one," he said tightly. "No practical application to martial arts, really." He slowly moved his finger down toward one of the flakes of steel on the ground, which hissed and puddled suddenly. "Yowtch," Barry suddenly yelped and shook his finger.
"What happened now?" Ukyo exclaimed. Akane and Shampoo leaned forward, concern on their faces.
Barry looked pained and shamefaced. "I forgot heat rises, okay?" He showed some blisters forming along the upper edge of his finger. "I'll just have to shield or something."
Akane looked aggrieved and Ukyo rubbed her temples in a way that made Barry wonder if she was developing a migraine. Shampoo thought it was funny.
Ryoga smirked and tossed the bar back to Barry. "All straight..."
"Thanks, Ryo-ga! Owie!" Barry juggled the bar before laying it down on the ground. "That's hot, too!"
"Yeah," Ryoga commented. "If you'd read your chemistry, Ranma, you'd know that work like this, on a molecular scale, releases a significant amount of heat."
"I did read that," Barry retorted. "I just forgot it."
"Are you sure you want someone whose brain is going to mush, Shampoo?" Akane attempted a jibe at her rival.
"Akane," growled Barry.
"Shampoo not mind... if he stay stiff elsewhere."
"Shampoo!" Barry complained. (Whang!) Ukyo's spatula vibrated against the palm of his hand.
"Ukyo, you are not the 'thought police'. That's enough for today," he warned.
"Why spatula-girl so angry with airen?" Shampoo asked arms crossed. "She acting like pervert-girl lately."
"I'm not happy with him, okay?" growled Ukyo, wresting her spatula back.
Barry shook his head and turned back to fitting the pieces together.
Half an hour later, Ukyo drove the tractor, in low gear, to the market square near the university where Konatsu would buy supplies for the yatai. She was sweating and breathed a sigh of relief when Barry pointed to the key and told her she could shut it off.
"Relax, Ukyo. You leap tall buildings in a single bound, you shouldn't worry about a little tractor puttering along at five kilometers an hour."
"Baka! I leap tall buildings because I don't want to step on people's toes. If you can teach this tractor to use the rooftops..."
"Sheesh! You don't want much," Barry grinned. "That would be somethin' for a manga writer." He crouched and spread out his hands as if delineating a movie marquee. "I can see it now, 'The Magical Flying Yatai'! Coming soon to a theater near you!"
"Really, Saotome, could you be serious?" Kuno demanded. "I'm still trying to understand why I'm following you on this plebian expedition."
"Really, brother dear, must you be so tiring," Kodachi said slightingly.
"I can give ya two reasons, ronin," Barry said.
"I told you not to call me that," Tatewaki said, grasping his bokken firmly. After a moment he released it again. "In truth, your reasons must be the beautiful Akane and the pigtailed girl. Would that they were free of your ensorcellment."
"Well, that's one reason," Barry admitted. Amazing, Kuno got one right! "The other has to do with the competition."
"Indeed?" Kuno gave the 'hated Saotome' a long look. "I was puzzled why you attempted to intercede for me. Not that I needed it."
"He interceded for me as well, brother dear," Kodachi reminded him archly.
Tatewaki regarded her with distaste. "Somehow," drawled Kuno, "That does not surprise me."
"I have some wonderful new concoctions..."
"Kodachi, you promised," Barry warned.
"But this is my brother," Kodachi said, disingenuously.
As the two continued to snipe, Barry began to glower. In his experience, a brother and sister should have bonds that were only surpassed by parent-child and husband-wife relationships. His glower dissipated when he considered Kuchidashi Kuno's treatment of his children. They had no example. No wonder they acted like this. "Okay, hold it!" He broke between them, well aware that both might lash out at him. "Kodachi, you wanna have me and Ryoga train ya for the competition?"
"Yes."
"Don't drug, poison or annoy yer brother. As yer sensei, I want ya to discipline yerself and treat him with respect."
"Very well. If he treats me with respect."
"Ha!" snorted Tatewaki. "Why should I respect a woman who refuses treatment for her obvious lack of sanityand has poisoned me for years!"
"Me!" Barry jerked his thumb at his chest.
"You imagine you can force me?" the kendoist sneered. Then his eyes narrowed. "Or do you plan to exchange places with the pigtailed girl?" he asked. "You do, somehow, I know." He trembled with agitation. "To imagine her trials, bound to one such as thou!"
Barry almost let him have it. He unclenched his fists and smiled impudently at Kuno. "No, me. You'll need ta train ta be at your best for the competition. Howdja like ta take me on in kendo?"
Eyes snapped around focusing on them as Kuno's jaw threatened to hit the street. "Would you?" Kuno breathed.
"Tournament rules," Barry replied. "Give me your best shot."
"The gods are kind!" Tatewaki grabbed him and embraced him in joy. "Never had I thought you of all people would turn to a path of honor and meet your fate with such face!" Suddenly Barry, almost at the end of his patience, found himself pushed out to arm's length again, seeing tears pour down Kuno's face.
"In return, I want two things. Treat your sister with respect. And I want ya ta have a long, polite talk with Akane and the pigtailed girl concernin' that psychologist of yours."
"Agreed! I had planned to speak to them myself since Sasuke so obviously failed me."
"Kuno, Sasuke didn't fail you. The proposed plan failed you." Barry managed to break his hold on his shoulders. "I don't know whose idea it was, but it was a tremendous insult."
"No doubt a misunderstanding. When shall we meet?"
"How about every night this coming week? The gang practices at the Tendo dojo. It's as good a time and place as any."
"Done!"
Kuno's presence for the rest of the expedition was something of a trial. It was very disconcerting to have the tall, solemn martial artist skipping along, smiling and singing battle hymns.
"Are you sure you know what you're doing?" asked Akane quietly.
"Hey! You know kendo and the other basic forms — bojuitsu, kyudo, naginata..."
"Yes."
"Why do you think I don't know them?"
"But Ranma never... He knows all the counters, though."
"It's all there. A lot of the show-off stuff Ranma does is as much practice for the other forms, as it is exercise and practice in general. Genma taught him early to always be busy training in some form or another."
"I don't like this," Akane complained.
"Life is like that, tomboy, or we wouldn't be in the situation we're in."
Nabiki, speaking with Ukyo, turned and waved to get everyone's attention. "We're going to split up now. Everyone have fun shopping. Ranma and Ukyo are coming with me and…"
"You wait, Ranma! Not going without Shampoo."
"But..."
"Surely, I am welcome as well, Ranma-darling," Kodachi said snagging him by an arm.
"Listen," Ukyo snarled, biting her words off. "We're trying to buy stuff here."
"Your point is?" Kodachi drawled, looking down her nose at Ukyo.
Nabiki tried to get the point across. "Kuno-san, any merchant who sees you will double or triple their prices."
"Why would they do that?" Kodachi looked mystified.
(SPLOOSH!)
"Eeek!"
"Aiya!"
"My goddess has returned!" (BANG! Whap! Thud!)
"Akane, why did you do that?" Ukyo snapped. Akane grinned as Barry backed away from Kuno, who was rubbing his jaw.
"This is not a date with Ukyo, this is business," she said in small words. "I am not going. You do not need to go and may cause Ranma trouble if you do." She shifted her weight and, almost, took a ready stance. "As Ranma is a girl..."
"Aw, crap! Ya mean I gotta stay this way?"
"...there is no need to fear that Ukyo will pull him into an alley and have her way with him."
"Akane!" Ukyo and Barry bellowed in unison.
"Besides, you catch more bees with honey than with vinegar."
Nabiki, catching on, snickered. She elbowed Barry. "You can pick up some ice cream on the way, too."
"Where is Akane going, if not with Ranma?" Shampoo demanded suspiciously.
"I am going to help Akari keep track of Ryoga."
Kodachi sniffed. "I guess we're not wanted here, Shampoo." She tilted her head toward the Amazon. "Shall we shop?"
Tatewaki looked after Akane, then his pigtailed goddess. Accustomed to his indecision and lack of focus on this matter, both turned and pointed at him. "Go with your sister," Akane ordered.
"Practice being nice like, uh... Ranma said," Barry reminded the kendoist. "And try to stay out of trouble."
"As you wish, my loves," he said, bowing and hurrying off after the Black Rose and the Amazon.