Disclaimer: See Prologue.
A/N: A very big Thank you to all my reviewers! Setsuna_Darkheart, RilieDeAnnPotter5569, Lunaboh22, Gyre (yes, Genma will be in for a surprise indeed), trigun 1 girl, Maguswizard (yes, * evil laugh * die panda die!!), redbird, and mysao-werewolf. As to Darak, I hate to break it to you but Ranma won't be appearing in this fic anytime soon. Though what you mentioned may be a good idea for another story.
Chapter 3 - Road to becoming a Master
A small boy of about five or six crouched behind a large ornamental statue of a grinning Buddha.
Peering cautiously through the gap between the golden man's parted feet he spied his target.
It looked absolutely heavenly.
Big rounded apples, juicy pears and oranges lined the table. The shelf towards the left of the stall was stacked full of instant ramen and other delicious looking packages. On the right there was a cabinet filled with freshly baked bread and the smell wafted up his nose causing his stomach to grumble in complaint.
Eyes darting left and right he checked to make sure the coast was clear. Then keeping his eyes on the bulky man slouched lazily in his chair at the front of the stall he began advancing forward.
One step, two steps, three and with a bound he leapt behind the bushes just some feet away from his destination. Bright green eyes squinting out of the greenery he saw that the stall owner was still in his place completely ignorant of his surroundings.
Snorting silently to himself, he grabbed a few branches of leaves before edging his way forward again.
Just a little bit closer.. nearly there.. there was a sudden crunching sound as he accidentally trod on a chip packet that some spoiled little kid must have thrown away before finishing all of its contents.
Mentally swearing in some very colourful language that he'd picked up from his Sensei, he dropped to the ground throwing the few branches of leaves over him hoping desperately that they would cover him completely.
'See the ground. Feel the ground. Be the ground.' He chanted the mantra silently in his head. He felt the gaze of the owner sweep over him, once, twice then letting out a breathe of relief he peered up from his position to see the man dozing once more.
'Ignorant idiot.' He thought contemptuously. And began advancing on all fours.
If anyone had been watching closely, they would have thought themselves delirious from the heat to see a small bush slowly inching towards the food stall.
Finally there, the boy got out his already prepared knapsack and very discreetly, began to stuff it with every food item he could get his hands on. He was not satisfied until the bag was about to burst.
Inching backwards he began to make his getaway.
A shout filled with surprise and anger sounded behind him.
This time he swore out loud.
'Kuso!!'
Sprinting as fast as his legs could carry him he dashed from the scene. Pushing past random passerby's he ran on towards where the forest began.
The pounding of feet faded behind him signaling that the stall owner had given up on the chase, but he didn't stop until he was some distance into the forest and safely up an old tree with drooping branches.
Wiping his brow with relief he checked his prize and was extremely displease to see that several items had stumbled out of the pack while he had been busy escaping.
Pursing his lips he gave a nonchalant shrug.
'Ah well.' He thought. 'At least it ain't all gone.'
With that he began picking his way back to camp, doubling back several times just in case some nosy bastards decided to tail him.
* * *
'This all you got boy?' Genma Saotome looked up with a frown after inspecting the stolen goods.
'Hai, Sensei.'
He had greatly discouraged the boy from referring to him as father and had told him that only when he was a true master of the arts does he have the honour of doing so.
'I'm sorry Sensei, the big buffoon noticed me at the end and I barely got away.' The green-eyed boy gave a little sniff and hung his head in shame.
'Well, you know what this means dontcha?' Genma regarded the child calmly. 'No dinner for you tonight.'
The boy's head snapped up and he opened his mouth to protest.
'But I didn't get any last-'
'You failed. So you bear the consequences. It's as simple as that. But out of the kindness of my heart I'll give you the chance to earn some dinner.' At that the large man paused and grinned slyly. 'By beating me.'
The boy's shoulders slumped and he heaved a great sigh. There was not a snowball's chance in hell he was going to beat the older man and he knew it.
But that didn't mean he wouldn't try.
Squaring his shoulders and straightening his back he marched forward to stop in front of the balding martial artist. Then shooting the larger man a cocky grin he said:
'Well? Lets get on with it then.'
* * *
The small boy with startling green eyes didn't get any dinner that night.
Their fight had ended like so many others in the past - with the child pinned helplessly under the weight of Genma Saotome while the other ate his dinner slowly and cruelly in front of the starving boy.
Once finished, Genma had patted the boy roughly on the head.
'The road to becoming a master ain't a easy one, m'boy.' He shook his head in sympathy that was clearly insincere.
'Now you're gonna go back to that food stall tomorrow and you aren't going to get caught, understand?'
The boy had agreed miserably for he knew the bulky stall owner would be on the look out for him this time and there promised a lot of pain and humiliation if he were caught.
He felt tears prickling his eyes.
'You're not CRYING are you?' His Sensei asked incredulously.
'How many times must I tell you that real men don't cry? Only weakling girls and sissies cry. Are you a sissy?'
Angrily the child had wiped away his tears and shook his head no.
'Well off with you. Two hundred sit-ups, Two hundred push-ups and the kata I taught you.' With that the older man turned, sauntering into the tent. A moment later he called:
'And you can sleep outside tonight. It'll do you a world of good.'
Shivering in the chill October night air the boy dragged his tired and famished body to the clearing in the middle of camp and began his exercises.
* * *
It's been exactly two weeks since they arrived unceremoniously in China - washed up on the sandy shores of the northeast region and the child known only as 'Boy' hadn't stopped cursing his Sensei since.
'Stupid old man' He muttered under his breathe for what seemed like the millionth time. 'Making me swim all the way to stupid China.. '
The seven year old shot daggers at the back of the older martial artist while trudging in knee-high mud.
After being deemed worthy to go on a training trip into the perilous mountains of China he had nearly drowned thirty-seven times, on the verge of being bitten by sharks thirteen times, run over by blind idiots seventy two times, gone on without food for four days and now - trudging in circles in muck around that ridiculous looking stone - fourteen times. All in all, he was NOT having a good time.
'Um..Sensei?' He called hesitantly to the larger man. No matter what he thought of him, he still had to put on a mask of obedience lest the man decided to teach him yet another lesson on respect, the bruises he had gathered last time were still visible.
'Haven't we passed that rock before?' The child pointed up at a grotesquely shaped rock that looked like it would topple at any moment and crush them into itty-bitty pieces.
The boy grinned upon hearing a loud slap that resulted from Genma slamming his beefy hand into his own forehead.
'God damn it all!' The man roared and fell straight as a board backwards to land with a splat in the mud.
'Boy. We're sleeping here tonight.' He said and promptly began to snore.
The boy sent the man a reproachful look and scrambled up onto some rocks where it was not as muddy. He began gathering splinters of wood to start a fire, for surely the stupid ol'man would demand food as soon as he awakens.
* * *
The next morning saw the two, martial artist and martial artist in training, in better moods. They had finally stopped going around in circles and had actually found a stream to wash in. (The white gi's they wore were so completely covered in mud they looked to be dyed a mucky brown.)
After fighting over who got the last potato for breakfast (courtesy to an unfortunate farmer they met two days ago), the green-eyed boy watched fuming while Genma stuffed his face from his spot strung upside down in a pine tree.
Once finished the large man fished a small book out of the front of his gi and the child blinked with surprise - he didn't think the old man knew how to read.
Calling up to the boy Genma beamed.
'Today is the day that I teach you the most feared and revered technique, it is thought to be undefeatable and you are in much luck that I am one who possesses the knowledge and skills to instruct you.' The man then proceeded to rant on for some time about his self-importance before the child interrupted.
'Are you going to tell me what it is or not old man?'
This comment rewarded him with a pinecone chucked with some force at his head.
'Don't be impudent, boy. I'm getting to it.' Genma growled. Then puffing up his chest he crowed.
'Today is the day that I, Genma Saotome master of the Saotome School of Anything Goes Martial Arts, begin your training in the Neko-ken.'
* * *
A/N: A very big Thank you to all my reviewers! Setsuna_Darkheart, RilieDeAnnPotter5569, Lunaboh22, Gyre (yes, Genma will be in for a surprise indeed), trigun 1 girl, Maguswizard (yes, * evil laugh * die panda die!!), redbird, and mysao-werewolf. As to Darak, I hate to break it to you but Ranma won't be appearing in this fic anytime soon. Though what you mentioned may be a good idea for another story.
Chapter 3 - Road to becoming a Master
A small boy of about five or six crouched behind a large ornamental statue of a grinning Buddha.
Peering cautiously through the gap between the golden man's parted feet he spied his target.
It looked absolutely heavenly.
Big rounded apples, juicy pears and oranges lined the table. The shelf towards the left of the stall was stacked full of instant ramen and other delicious looking packages. On the right there was a cabinet filled with freshly baked bread and the smell wafted up his nose causing his stomach to grumble in complaint.
Eyes darting left and right he checked to make sure the coast was clear. Then keeping his eyes on the bulky man slouched lazily in his chair at the front of the stall he began advancing forward.
One step, two steps, three and with a bound he leapt behind the bushes just some feet away from his destination. Bright green eyes squinting out of the greenery he saw that the stall owner was still in his place completely ignorant of his surroundings.
Snorting silently to himself, he grabbed a few branches of leaves before edging his way forward again.
Just a little bit closer.. nearly there.. there was a sudden crunching sound as he accidentally trod on a chip packet that some spoiled little kid must have thrown away before finishing all of its contents.
Mentally swearing in some very colourful language that he'd picked up from his Sensei, he dropped to the ground throwing the few branches of leaves over him hoping desperately that they would cover him completely.
'See the ground. Feel the ground. Be the ground.' He chanted the mantra silently in his head. He felt the gaze of the owner sweep over him, once, twice then letting out a breathe of relief he peered up from his position to see the man dozing once more.
'Ignorant idiot.' He thought contemptuously. And began advancing on all fours.
If anyone had been watching closely, they would have thought themselves delirious from the heat to see a small bush slowly inching towards the food stall.
Finally there, the boy got out his already prepared knapsack and very discreetly, began to stuff it with every food item he could get his hands on. He was not satisfied until the bag was about to burst.
Inching backwards he began to make his getaway.
A shout filled with surprise and anger sounded behind him.
This time he swore out loud.
'Kuso!!'
Sprinting as fast as his legs could carry him he dashed from the scene. Pushing past random passerby's he ran on towards where the forest began.
The pounding of feet faded behind him signaling that the stall owner had given up on the chase, but he didn't stop until he was some distance into the forest and safely up an old tree with drooping branches.
Wiping his brow with relief he checked his prize and was extremely displease to see that several items had stumbled out of the pack while he had been busy escaping.
Pursing his lips he gave a nonchalant shrug.
'Ah well.' He thought. 'At least it ain't all gone.'
With that he began picking his way back to camp, doubling back several times just in case some nosy bastards decided to tail him.
* * *
'This all you got boy?' Genma Saotome looked up with a frown after inspecting the stolen goods.
'Hai, Sensei.'
He had greatly discouraged the boy from referring to him as father and had told him that only when he was a true master of the arts does he have the honour of doing so.
'I'm sorry Sensei, the big buffoon noticed me at the end and I barely got away.' The green-eyed boy gave a little sniff and hung his head in shame.
'Well, you know what this means dontcha?' Genma regarded the child calmly. 'No dinner for you tonight.'
The boy's head snapped up and he opened his mouth to protest.
'But I didn't get any last-'
'You failed. So you bear the consequences. It's as simple as that. But out of the kindness of my heart I'll give you the chance to earn some dinner.' At that the large man paused and grinned slyly. 'By beating me.'
The boy's shoulders slumped and he heaved a great sigh. There was not a snowball's chance in hell he was going to beat the older man and he knew it.
But that didn't mean he wouldn't try.
Squaring his shoulders and straightening his back he marched forward to stop in front of the balding martial artist. Then shooting the larger man a cocky grin he said:
'Well? Lets get on with it then.'
* * *
The small boy with startling green eyes didn't get any dinner that night.
Their fight had ended like so many others in the past - with the child pinned helplessly under the weight of Genma Saotome while the other ate his dinner slowly and cruelly in front of the starving boy.
Once finished, Genma had patted the boy roughly on the head.
'The road to becoming a master ain't a easy one, m'boy.' He shook his head in sympathy that was clearly insincere.
'Now you're gonna go back to that food stall tomorrow and you aren't going to get caught, understand?'
The boy had agreed miserably for he knew the bulky stall owner would be on the look out for him this time and there promised a lot of pain and humiliation if he were caught.
He felt tears prickling his eyes.
'You're not CRYING are you?' His Sensei asked incredulously.
'How many times must I tell you that real men don't cry? Only weakling girls and sissies cry. Are you a sissy?'
Angrily the child had wiped away his tears and shook his head no.
'Well off with you. Two hundred sit-ups, Two hundred push-ups and the kata I taught you.' With that the older man turned, sauntering into the tent. A moment later he called:
'And you can sleep outside tonight. It'll do you a world of good.'
Shivering in the chill October night air the boy dragged his tired and famished body to the clearing in the middle of camp and began his exercises.
* * *
It's been exactly two weeks since they arrived unceremoniously in China - washed up on the sandy shores of the northeast region and the child known only as 'Boy' hadn't stopped cursing his Sensei since.
'Stupid old man' He muttered under his breathe for what seemed like the millionth time. 'Making me swim all the way to stupid China.. '
The seven year old shot daggers at the back of the older martial artist while trudging in knee-high mud.
After being deemed worthy to go on a training trip into the perilous mountains of China he had nearly drowned thirty-seven times, on the verge of being bitten by sharks thirteen times, run over by blind idiots seventy two times, gone on without food for four days and now - trudging in circles in muck around that ridiculous looking stone - fourteen times. All in all, he was NOT having a good time.
'Um..Sensei?' He called hesitantly to the larger man. No matter what he thought of him, he still had to put on a mask of obedience lest the man decided to teach him yet another lesson on respect, the bruises he had gathered last time were still visible.
'Haven't we passed that rock before?' The child pointed up at a grotesquely shaped rock that looked like it would topple at any moment and crush them into itty-bitty pieces.
The boy grinned upon hearing a loud slap that resulted from Genma slamming his beefy hand into his own forehead.
'God damn it all!' The man roared and fell straight as a board backwards to land with a splat in the mud.
'Boy. We're sleeping here tonight.' He said and promptly began to snore.
The boy sent the man a reproachful look and scrambled up onto some rocks where it was not as muddy. He began gathering splinters of wood to start a fire, for surely the stupid ol'man would demand food as soon as he awakens.
* * *
The next morning saw the two, martial artist and martial artist in training, in better moods. They had finally stopped going around in circles and had actually found a stream to wash in. (The white gi's they wore were so completely covered in mud they looked to be dyed a mucky brown.)
After fighting over who got the last potato for breakfast (courtesy to an unfortunate farmer they met two days ago), the green-eyed boy watched fuming while Genma stuffed his face from his spot strung upside down in a pine tree.
Once finished the large man fished a small book out of the front of his gi and the child blinked with surprise - he didn't think the old man knew how to read.
Calling up to the boy Genma beamed.
'Today is the day that I teach you the most feared and revered technique, it is thought to be undefeatable and you are in much luck that I am one who possesses the knowledge and skills to instruct you.' The man then proceeded to rant on for some time about his self-importance before the child interrupted.
'Are you going to tell me what it is or not old man?'
This comment rewarded him with a pinecone chucked with some force at his head.
'Don't be impudent, boy. I'm getting to it.' Genma growled. Then puffing up his chest he crowed.
'Today is the day that I, Genma Saotome master of the Saotome School of Anything Goes Martial Arts, begin your training in the Neko-ken.'
* * *