Lost Soul – Part Eight
By Seed
Six years ago...
Ranma Saotome, ten-year old son of Genma Saotome was walking down the street of his current home town, looking down on his feet, being in a sullen mood, which was very unusual for the normally high-spirited and good- natured boy. The reason for this was the destination of his walk, his new school. Ranma hated school, hated it with a passion. Sitting around all day in a boring classroom, listening to dull stuff nobody was interested in and no fun at all. The only good thing that came out of school was the chance to meet new people his age. Wandering all around Japan with his father, his life devoted to training and learning new techniques so he would become a men among men someday, prevented him from making many acquaintances.
He thought of the last person, who had been a real friend. What Ukyo might be doing right now? Bet he's forgotten me long ago. But I still remember him. He was so funny and his father's okonomiaky was just so delicious. Wish I could have more friends like him. But I still wonder why he was yelling and crying so much when I left, oh well. Wish I could have one of those deluxe okonomiakys right now though. At the reminder of food Ranmas stomach twisted and made complaining, groining noises. Because of the fact that they were broke again he had have to leave without breakfast this morning.
Man I sure hope pops manages to find a job or at least can steal us some food. I feel like I'm starving. Ranmas scowl deepened as he scratched his neck, the itching from his new school uniform was driving him nuts. That damn uniform is so uncomfortable; I don't see why I have to wear one anyway. Stupid rules. This thing is just was too tight for me. I'm a martial artist not a bookworm damn It. His father had gotten the uniform from a pawn shop and Ranma thought he could still smell the mothballs in it.
Finally he arrived at the "Kurosawa Junior High School" and went inside looking for his assigned classroom. He found it not having to search very long. His father had called the school yesterday and they had given him all the information Ranma needed for his first day. He now stood in front of the door of room 203 and knocked. He wasn't nervous like you would aspect a boy his age to be on his first day. First of all he was used to this, because he hardly stayed at one place for more than six months and therefore frequently changed schools and secondly he was Ranma Saotome the heir of the Saotome School of Anything Goes Martial Arts, which meant he was afraid of nothing in this world. But why his father bothered with his formal education at all was beyond him. For Ranma life was all about martial arts not books, but since he still lost the sparring matches with his father there was not much that he could do about it.
Ranma finally entered the room and was greeted by the familiar sight of students looking at the newcomer with mild interest and a teacher slightly annoyed for being interrupted. "Ah yes you must be the new boy, Saotome Ranma. Take a seat besides Ryo there." Ranma did as he was told, glad he was saved the embarrassment of having to introduce himself. He hated this kind of stuff. But after the lesson was over the other kids would come at him anyway, asking a thousand questions. Ah nothing to do about it. I'll just flash them with the good old' Saotome charm The teacher returned to his explanations about the wonderful, logical ways of mathematics and Ranma soon lost any attention and stared out of the window instead. If the teacher noticed he didn't say anything probably just wanting to get over with the lesson without having a dispute with the new kid. After the bell rang and Mr. Fujikima had left the room all the kids rushed to Ranmas table asking him where he came from, how he liked it here and so on. Ranma gave his patented answers, smiling cockily while explaining that he was a martial artist trained by his father and that they were travelling around much. As usual the boys found that awful cool and envied Ranma for his free- spirit life-style. The girls Ranma had met so far were usually not very interested in martial arts but more in Ranmas handsome face and his "kawaii" smile, but since this was an all-boys school he at least had not to worry about that kind of problem. Thank heaven, the last thing I want is for some crazy girls to chase after me
The following hours passed filled with history, classical Japanese literature and geography and finally it was time for lunch-brake. Ranma and some of the boys from his class were sitting underneath a tree in the schoolyard. Ranma had showed them some martial arts moves before and he was already very liked by the group. His open personality usual allowed him to make friends very quickly, it was just that he couldn't keep them for long. But although Ranma could talk with the other boys about school and soccer and all this stuff it was always just on the surface. None of the others, neither here nor in the other schools he had attended, really understood what it meant to devote your life completely to martial arts, to become the best fighter in the world. Ukyo would understand, but they had been so young back there that it hadn't really been a topic in their conversations, if they had talked at all and not chased each other around laughing and yelling.
But Ranma could not blame them. It wasn't their fault. It was just the fact that he had lead a life-style that was so unusual and so different from the life of a normal boy his age, that he always felt a bit isolated even if surrounded by other people like now. Suddenly one of the boys elbowed Ranma and pointed at the school gate.
"Hah, look he's back." The other boys started to talk as well, all attention concentrated to the arrival of the new kid. Some were laughing, others just rolled their eyes and a few looked downright malicious, some others also a bit frightened. Ranma even noticed that some of the boys were passing yen bills from one to another, obviously related to some kind of bet regarding the kid's arrival.
"Huh?" Ranma didn't understand what this was all about. It was just a boy, wearing dark blue pants and a matching sleeveless, blue shirt and in serious need for dental surgery. Ranma could clearly see a set of fangs poking out from the boy's lips, giving him a feral appearance. The boy had a deep scowl on his face when he passed the group around Ranma. The Saotome boy also noticed the yellow bandanna, which kept the newcomers dark black and somewhat unruly hair from falling into his face. The whole boy seemed to have a wild aura around him, his ragged looking clothes and shaggy haircut surely made him stick out of the crowd. Ranma thought he could also feel a very strong chi in his movements, a raw kind of power. Hey maybe he is a martial artist too. He sure looks tough and the muscles on his arms aren't bad either. It would be great to have someone else besides pops to spar with for once.
He watched the boy walking towards the school building, or at least in its general direction. He seemed to be very exhausted, clutching to a large stick for support. As Ranma watched him more closely he noticed that the boy was moving in an odd pattern. He would turn left, then right again, then left and back to the direction where he had originally came from. Finally the strange boy grabbed one of the other students by the collar shouting something in his ear. The bandanna clad boy was obviously not in a good mood and the other boy who was held by him with one arm off the ground didn't look very happily either. When he finally pointed hesitantly to the big school building he was released from the firm grip of his beholder. Ranma watched this with growing discontent. He hated bullies, who picked on people who were weaker than themselves. He turned to Ryo, the boy he sat next to in their classroom.
"Hey, who is this guy?"
"Who, that? That's Ryoga Hibiki. The biggest idiot you have ever seen, but strong as an ox. I wouldn't get on his bad side if I were you. He put three boys in the hospital for teasing him some time ago."
"Him." Ranma thought about this. Maybe this boy wasn't a worthy opponent after all. But on the other side it was probably a chance to put a bully in his place. It was a martial artist duty to protect the weak. "Why is he walking in circles, does he have a bad eyesight?"
"Nah, like I said he's just an idiot. He claims to have a directional problem running in his family. If ya ask me, that's just a cheap excuse for skipping school. Wish I hade thought of something like this though. I mean he practically never comes in time. Usually he is between two and three hours late. But sometimes it's up to a whole week. I think the most was three months so far. Guess what we call him? "Eternally Lost Boy". Really fits him. I think he also lost a few brain cells along the way. I mean I'm surprised they haven't thrown him out already. How on earth can you get lost on your way to the school you go to every day? Can you believe this guy?"
The focus of their attention had finally sat down in front of the doors to the main entrance and was rummaging trough his large backpack.
Ranma didn't really know what to make of the boy called Ryoga Hibiki, but it was certainly the most interesting topic he had come across at this school so far, so he decided to investigate it further.
"Does he practice martial arts? He kinda looks the way to me."
"Yeah I think he does. Like I said he is really strong. Fighting and getting lost is probably the only thing this meathead is good for. Well, we better get back inside. Break's almost over."
Ranma followed Ryo and the other boys, staying slightly behind to have a chance to meet with the Hibiki boy. But unfortunately Ryoga had already gone inside when Ranma reached the doors. All through the afternoon Ranmas mind was occupied with the topic. Why do I bother anyway he is just a bully who claims to get lost so he can skip school. Probably dumb as a brick too. But still something about him irks me. I think I will wait at the gates after school and follow him home. Maybe I can find out more about him. Ranma didn't really know why he was so interested in the boy. Maybe it was the prospect to meet with another martial artist. Someone he could talk to and who would understand him by instinct. Someone, who shared his passion for the art. Maybe I'm just looking for a new friend who is also a martial artist like Ukyo was. Man, does that sound desperate? Well at least I don't have any troubles with girls, thank kami.
When school was over Ranma quickly left, not wanting to get distracted by some of the other boys asking him to go to an arcade or something like this and thereby interrupting his surveillance mission. Ranma waited in the branches of a tree standing a small park opposite to the school ground for about thirty minutes, when he finally spotted Ryoga Hibiki coming out of the building, going through the gates and walking down a street heading downtown. He looked exactly like, when Ranma had first seen him. Scowling, his jaw firmly set and all in all giving the impression of a pissed off boy you don't want to mess with. His huge brown backpack was sitting on hi shoulders, but he didn't have to carry his stick anymore.
Wonder if this tough guy routine of his is just acting. Sure doesn't seem to smile a lot, if at all. Oh well I got myself into this and now I'm going through with it. Besides pops wouldn't notice that I'm not at home anyway. But I sure hope the old man has found something to eat for us until I return Ranma quit his contemplation about the dinner situation and commenced to stealthily follow Ryoga, which proved to be quiet a task since you could never predict in which direction his target would turn next. About thirty blocks away from the school although it was hard to tell for Ranma who now was completely lost himself, they reached a vacant lot located between two houses in a narrow alley.
Suddenly Ryoga made a 90 degrees turn and Ranma almost bumped into him, completely unprepared for this event. He had gotten in closer than he had attended to get, but when following someone as unpredictable as Ryoga you had to stick as close as you could. But this had obviously been too much. Ranma cursed himself for getting spotted so easily. Ryoga scowled at him his fangs clearly showing, fury blazing in his eyes and hands balled into fists. He took a fighting stance and shouted: "Who the hell are you and what do you want from me. Why are you following me?"
Ranma completely taken off guard by this could just grin smugly raising his hands in a peaceful manner not wanting to provoke a fight with the enraged boy in front of him. "Woah easy there hot-shot. I'm just passing through the neighbourhood no reason to get all fired up here."
Ryoga ignored the comment and lunged forward...
To be continued...
PS: Thanks again for the reviews.
By Seed
Six years ago...
Ranma Saotome, ten-year old son of Genma Saotome was walking down the street of his current home town, looking down on his feet, being in a sullen mood, which was very unusual for the normally high-spirited and good- natured boy. The reason for this was the destination of his walk, his new school. Ranma hated school, hated it with a passion. Sitting around all day in a boring classroom, listening to dull stuff nobody was interested in and no fun at all. The only good thing that came out of school was the chance to meet new people his age. Wandering all around Japan with his father, his life devoted to training and learning new techniques so he would become a men among men someday, prevented him from making many acquaintances.
He thought of the last person, who had been a real friend. What Ukyo might be doing right now? Bet he's forgotten me long ago. But I still remember him. He was so funny and his father's okonomiaky was just so delicious. Wish I could have more friends like him. But I still wonder why he was yelling and crying so much when I left, oh well. Wish I could have one of those deluxe okonomiakys right now though. At the reminder of food Ranmas stomach twisted and made complaining, groining noises. Because of the fact that they were broke again he had have to leave without breakfast this morning.
Man I sure hope pops manages to find a job or at least can steal us some food. I feel like I'm starving. Ranmas scowl deepened as he scratched his neck, the itching from his new school uniform was driving him nuts. That damn uniform is so uncomfortable; I don't see why I have to wear one anyway. Stupid rules. This thing is just was too tight for me. I'm a martial artist not a bookworm damn It. His father had gotten the uniform from a pawn shop and Ranma thought he could still smell the mothballs in it.
Finally he arrived at the "Kurosawa Junior High School" and went inside looking for his assigned classroom. He found it not having to search very long. His father had called the school yesterday and they had given him all the information Ranma needed for his first day. He now stood in front of the door of room 203 and knocked. He wasn't nervous like you would aspect a boy his age to be on his first day. First of all he was used to this, because he hardly stayed at one place for more than six months and therefore frequently changed schools and secondly he was Ranma Saotome the heir of the Saotome School of Anything Goes Martial Arts, which meant he was afraid of nothing in this world. But why his father bothered with his formal education at all was beyond him. For Ranma life was all about martial arts not books, but since he still lost the sparring matches with his father there was not much that he could do about it.
Ranma finally entered the room and was greeted by the familiar sight of students looking at the newcomer with mild interest and a teacher slightly annoyed for being interrupted. "Ah yes you must be the new boy, Saotome Ranma. Take a seat besides Ryo there." Ranma did as he was told, glad he was saved the embarrassment of having to introduce himself. He hated this kind of stuff. But after the lesson was over the other kids would come at him anyway, asking a thousand questions. Ah nothing to do about it. I'll just flash them with the good old' Saotome charm The teacher returned to his explanations about the wonderful, logical ways of mathematics and Ranma soon lost any attention and stared out of the window instead. If the teacher noticed he didn't say anything probably just wanting to get over with the lesson without having a dispute with the new kid. After the bell rang and Mr. Fujikima had left the room all the kids rushed to Ranmas table asking him where he came from, how he liked it here and so on. Ranma gave his patented answers, smiling cockily while explaining that he was a martial artist trained by his father and that they were travelling around much. As usual the boys found that awful cool and envied Ranma for his free- spirit life-style. The girls Ranma had met so far were usually not very interested in martial arts but more in Ranmas handsome face and his "kawaii" smile, but since this was an all-boys school he at least had not to worry about that kind of problem. Thank heaven, the last thing I want is for some crazy girls to chase after me
The following hours passed filled with history, classical Japanese literature and geography and finally it was time for lunch-brake. Ranma and some of the boys from his class were sitting underneath a tree in the schoolyard. Ranma had showed them some martial arts moves before and he was already very liked by the group. His open personality usual allowed him to make friends very quickly, it was just that he couldn't keep them for long. But although Ranma could talk with the other boys about school and soccer and all this stuff it was always just on the surface. None of the others, neither here nor in the other schools he had attended, really understood what it meant to devote your life completely to martial arts, to become the best fighter in the world. Ukyo would understand, but they had been so young back there that it hadn't really been a topic in their conversations, if they had talked at all and not chased each other around laughing and yelling.
But Ranma could not blame them. It wasn't their fault. It was just the fact that he had lead a life-style that was so unusual and so different from the life of a normal boy his age, that he always felt a bit isolated even if surrounded by other people like now. Suddenly one of the boys elbowed Ranma and pointed at the school gate.
"Hah, look he's back." The other boys started to talk as well, all attention concentrated to the arrival of the new kid. Some were laughing, others just rolled their eyes and a few looked downright malicious, some others also a bit frightened. Ranma even noticed that some of the boys were passing yen bills from one to another, obviously related to some kind of bet regarding the kid's arrival.
"Huh?" Ranma didn't understand what this was all about. It was just a boy, wearing dark blue pants and a matching sleeveless, blue shirt and in serious need for dental surgery. Ranma could clearly see a set of fangs poking out from the boy's lips, giving him a feral appearance. The boy had a deep scowl on his face when he passed the group around Ranma. The Saotome boy also noticed the yellow bandanna, which kept the newcomers dark black and somewhat unruly hair from falling into his face. The whole boy seemed to have a wild aura around him, his ragged looking clothes and shaggy haircut surely made him stick out of the crowd. Ranma thought he could also feel a very strong chi in his movements, a raw kind of power. Hey maybe he is a martial artist too. He sure looks tough and the muscles on his arms aren't bad either. It would be great to have someone else besides pops to spar with for once.
He watched the boy walking towards the school building, or at least in its general direction. He seemed to be very exhausted, clutching to a large stick for support. As Ranma watched him more closely he noticed that the boy was moving in an odd pattern. He would turn left, then right again, then left and back to the direction where he had originally came from. Finally the strange boy grabbed one of the other students by the collar shouting something in his ear. The bandanna clad boy was obviously not in a good mood and the other boy who was held by him with one arm off the ground didn't look very happily either. When he finally pointed hesitantly to the big school building he was released from the firm grip of his beholder. Ranma watched this with growing discontent. He hated bullies, who picked on people who were weaker than themselves. He turned to Ryo, the boy he sat next to in their classroom.
"Hey, who is this guy?"
"Who, that? That's Ryoga Hibiki. The biggest idiot you have ever seen, but strong as an ox. I wouldn't get on his bad side if I were you. He put three boys in the hospital for teasing him some time ago."
"Him." Ranma thought about this. Maybe this boy wasn't a worthy opponent after all. But on the other side it was probably a chance to put a bully in his place. It was a martial artist duty to protect the weak. "Why is he walking in circles, does he have a bad eyesight?"
"Nah, like I said he's just an idiot. He claims to have a directional problem running in his family. If ya ask me, that's just a cheap excuse for skipping school. Wish I hade thought of something like this though. I mean he practically never comes in time. Usually he is between two and three hours late. But sometimes it's up to a whole week. I think the most was three months so far. Guess what we call him? "Eternally Lost Boy". Really fits him. I think he also lost a few brain cells along the way. I mean I'm surprised they haven't thrown him out already. How on earth can you get lost on your way to the school you go to every day? Can you believe this guy?"
The focus of their attention had finally sat down in front of the doors to the main entrance and was rummaging trough his large backpack.
Ranma didn't really know what to make of the boy called Ryoga Hibiki, but it was certainly the most interesting topic he had come across at this school so far, so he decided to investigate it further.
"Does he practice martial arts? He kinda looks the way to me."
"Yeah I think he does. Like I said he is really strong. Fighting and getting lost is probably the only thing this meathead is good for. Well, we better get back inside. Break's almost over."
Ranma followed Ryo and the other boys, staying slightly behind to have a chance to meet with the Hibiki boy. But unfortunately Ryoga had already gone inside when Ranma reached the doors. All through the afternoon Ranmas mind was occupied with the topic. Why do I bother anyway he is just a bully who claims to get lost so he can skip school. Probably dumb as a brick too. But still something about him irks me. I think I will wait at the gates after school and follow him home. Maybe I can find out more about him. Ranma didn't really know why he was so interested in the boy. Maybe it was the prospect to meet with another martial artist. Someone he could talk to and who would understand him by instinct. Someone, who shared his passion for the art. Maybe I'm just looking for a new friend who is also a martial artist like Ukyo was. Man, does that sound desperate? Well at least I don't have any troubles with girls, thank kami.
When school was over Ranma quickly left, not wanting to get distracted by some of the other boys asking him to go to an arcade or something like this and thereby interrupting his surveillance mission. Ranma waited in the branches of a tree standing a small park opposite to the school ground for about thirty minutes, when he finally spotted Ryoga Hibiki coming out of the building, going through the gates and walking down a street heading downtown. He looked exactly like, when Ranma had first seen him. Scowling, his jaw firmly set and all in all giving the impression of a pissed off boy you don't want to mess with. His huge brown backpack was sitting on hi shoulders, but he didn't have to carry his stick anymore.
Wonder if this tough guy routine of his is just acting. Sure doesn't seem to smile a lot, if at all. Oh well I got myself into this and now I'm going through with it. Besides pops wouldn't notice that I'm not at home anyway. But I sure hope the old man has found something to eat for us until I return Ranma quit his contemplation about the dinner situation and commenced to stealthily follow Ryoga, which proved to be quiet a task since you could never predict in which direction his target would turn next. About thirty blocks away from the school although it was hard to tell for Ranma who now was completely lost himself, they reached a vacant lot located between two houses in a narrow alley.
Suddenly Ryoga made a 90 degrees turn and Ranma almost bumped into him, completely unprepared for this event. He had gotten in closer than he had attended to get, but when following someone as unpredictable as Ryoga you had to stick as close as you could. But this had obviously been too much. Ranma cursed himself for getting spotted so easily. Ryoga scowled at him his fangs clearly showing, fury blazing in his eyes and hands balled into fists. He took a fighting stance and shouted: "Who the hell are you and what do you want from me. Why are you following me?"
Ranma completely taken off guard by this could just grin smugly raising his hands in a peaceful manner not wanting to provoke a fight with the enraged boy in front of him. "Woah easy there hot-shot. I'm just passing through the neighbourhood no reason to get all fired up here."
Ryoga ignored the comment and lunged forward...
To be continued...
PS: Thanks again for the reviews.