Disclaimer: I do not own Ranma ½ use it merely for entertainment purposes.
The two male heirs of the Anything Goes School of Marital Arts were having a casual spar on their way back to the Tendo Dojo. It had only been two days since Eugene arrived and he had already worked his way into the daily routines of the residence of Nerima. For now because he was not attending class he spent most of his time at the Neko Haten helping out around the restaurant. At noon he would go with Shampoo back Furikan High, the first day was because he wanted to familiarize himself with the area today because he found it amusing to watch Kuno try and attack Ranma every five minutes and get beaten into the ground. After lunch he would return to the Neko Haten work for a few hours making deliveries, again to get familiar with the area. Then he would return to the Tendo Dojo for the night. Eugene was staying there because after he and Ranma fended off Genma's attempts at stealing all the food, thus cutting down on the consumption, combined with the rent he promised to pay it made paying the other bills much easier. Eugene did not really care were he slept with working at the restaurant he was able to see his Cousin and Great Grandmother enough in the day.
"Thanks for stoppin Shampoo at lunch," Ranma said blocking a three hit combination Eugene threw, "It saved me a huge headache today." Today at lunch Eugene arrived with Shampoo and with him there she did not glomp onto him, Eugene kept her distracted with questions about her training recently knowing how excitable she was. And because Shampoo did not latch onto him Ukyou did not do the same to get her off, thus keeping Akane from hitting him with her mallet at lunch.
"Believe me I know how passionate Amazons can be," Eugene replied dodging a sidekick from Ranma. "Amazons that don't get out of the Village much are about as subtle as a train wreck. When Cousin and her friend Liner visited us back in the US a couple of years ago she caused me a lot of headaches."
"Like what?" Ranma asked flipping to another fence.
"Well I was going out with a girl at the time," Eugene said quickly following. "She wasn't a fighter and Shampoo did not like that much. She kept asking why I would like 'weak girl' when Amazons would be much better. Factor that with her English is rather poor and how she and Liner greeted me," he paused because Ranma through a jab at and he countered with a spinning elbow. "It was easy to see that my girlfriend broke up with me."
"Weren't ya pissed?" Ranma inquired flipping over Eugene to avoid the elbow.
"Yeah," Eugene answered. "And I yelled at Shampoo for it. And even though I tried to stay mad at her I quickly forgave her. It's just impossible to stay mad at her." Ranma could actually nod in agreement at this. Even after the attempts at killing him, potions, and other tricks Shampoo's bubbly personality caused him to forgive her rather quickly.
"So I take it you're single then?" Nabiki asked down from the sidewalk. She and Akane were walking with the two. Nabiki was here to gleam as much information about Eugene as possible. From what she could tell he was as good as Ranma but a lot smarter in the ways of the world. That meant she had to tread carefully when dealing with him.
"Well that's a matter of opinion," Eugene said cryptically. "Mom's been pushing Li Ner on me for the last year," Eugene thought. Because of that just about everyone in the Amazon Village considered them a couple. When he asked his Dad about helping him out he just said he knew better than to argue with Mei Lynn about Amazon dating.
"Would you two stop showing off already?" Akane yelled. Her jealousy had been steadily rising for the last couple of days after seeing yet another person better than her even though she still thought of herself as the best in Nerima. After all the other members of the Nerima Wrecking Crew were not from Nerima so they did not count.
"If you wish I could teach you how to walk on fences," Eugene offered. Akane was taken back by that because no one had offered that to her before. "Of course I will need to stay close until you gain the right balance."
Akane's mind only registered two things after the last statement, boy and near her body. That only left one conclusion in her mind, "Like I'm going to let some pervert like you touch me!"
Shaking his head at the statement Eugene replied, "Suit your self," and let the matter drop.
Ranma on the other hand let his foot in mouth take over, "Like anyone would wanna touch an uncute tomboy like you."
"YOU JERK!" Akane whipped out her mallet and slammed it into Ranma sending him into the ditch then stomped off back to the Tendo Dojo.
"No control at all," Eugene commented. He then turned to Nabiki and asked, "What is that the third time she hit him today?"
"Fourth actually," Nabiki answered. "Care to make a wager on how many times she'll hit him by the end of the week?"
Eugene considered it for a moment, "Why not? Put me down for," he thought for a minute, "three thousand yen for twelve times."
"A bit conservative," Nabiki commented, "But it's down."
"Stupid Tomboy now I gotta change back," Ranma-chan grumbled coming out of the ditch.
"Let's finish sparring first," Eugene suggested.
"You still wanna spar when I'm like this?" Ranma-chan asked bewildered.
"You're faster like that," Eugene shrugged. "Grandma said I need to work on my speed so it'll be a good chance." Ranma shrugged and the two went back to sparring on their trip back to the Dojo.
Not five minutes later Kuno came down the street. He was looking for the Eugene because of what happened yesterday…
It was lunchtime and Ranma was sitting under his usual tree when he heard the bell from Shampoo's bicycle just before it crashed into him, "Nihou Arrin, Shampoo bring too too delicious ramen for you."
"Cousin," Eugene said coming up behind her, "You might want to let him up before asking him."
Before anything else could happen Kuno came out of the building looking to challenge Ranma for Akane and 'his pig-tailed girl'. When he came out he immediately spotted a far greater threat, to him at least then, Ranma. "How dare a mongrel Gaijin set foot on Furikan High School grounds?"
Hearing the proclamation everyone turned to Kuno and then to the Eugene standing next to Shampoo. "You talking about me?" Eugene asked. He was well aware that even now some people of Japan did not like foreigners here, especially Americans. But for the most part they were old men and women that were stuck in the past. So he was surprised to see a fellow teenager address him like Kuno did, he had never met Kuno before and the story from yesterday could not accurately describe Kuno's delusions.
"That I am!" Kuno yelled. "I shall dispense with you and then deal with the foul sorrow Saotome and free my loves from his enslavement."
"And who are you to 'dispense' me?" Eugene asked.
"You do not dissever the honor of knowing my name Gaijin!" Kuno replied. "For the noble blood of the Blue Thunder of Furikan High, Kuno Tatewaki am above such acts!"
Everyone around school sweat dropped, even Principle Kuno, at that. Ranma turned to Eugene, "You want me to take care of him?"
"No he made the challenge to me," Eugene answered. "Not that he'll be much of a challenge if what you told me about him is true." Turning to Kuno he said, "I'm ready whenever you are."
"Then I shall now dispense with you and then…" Kuno began to rant again but Eugene cut him off.
"Will you just shut up and fight already? No one wants to hear you talk to yourself!"
"You dare interrupt me. The Blue Thunder of…ugggg!" Eugene cut him off again by planting his fist into Kuno's stomach causing Kuno to pass out for the rest of lunch.
When Kuno woke up he was told what happened. After that he ponder how he could have lost and quickly came to the conclusion that Ranma cast some kind of spell of him to make him weaker than Eugene. He ranted for several minutes at lunch earlier today about spells and black magic until Ranma punted him into the pool. Now he was on the warpath for both the 'Vile Gaijin' and 'Foul Sorcerer.' And by luck he found Eugene 'assaulting' Ranma-chan, and so without pause he ran towards them at full speed shouting, "I STRIKE!"
Not missing a beat the two practitioners of Anything Goes pulled a dual side kick and launched Kuno into a near by wall knocking him out. "God what a weakling," Eugene said.
"And a moron," Ranma-chan agreed.
"At least he's good for a profit," Nabiki added. "Come on you two Kasumi will be getting worried." They stopped trading blows and the three casually walked back to the Tendo Dojo.
Just as they left Ryouga came around the corner looking a map in Russian with a bewildered look, "This doesn't look like Moscow. ARRGG! RANMA THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT!"
As Nabiki, Ranma, now male because Nabiki sold him some hot water, and Eugene entered the Tendo home the two Fathers immediately jumped at Ranma, "Boy where have you been?"
"My Baby came home almost in tears because of you!" Soun joined in. "You should go apologize to her right now and marry her!"
"Right Tendo!" Genma said, "Boy go apologize and we'll get the priest!"
"I ain't marrying that uncute Tomboy!" Ranma yelled back.
"Boy! You need to be taught a lesson about respecting your elders!" Genma yelled and attacked Ranma.
"Respect is earned old man!" Ranma meeting the attack and the two Saotome men went into the back yard.
After a brief fight in the back yard and a couple of splashes later Ranma-chan came back into the house and Kasumi came out with the kettle of hot water, "Thanks Kasumi." Ranma-chan took the kettle and changed back into a guy.
"Your welcome Ranma," Kasumi returned, "I guess I should start dinner now."
"Do you mind if I help?" Eugene asked. "I would like to learn how to make some Japanese food and with what you served the last couple of meals I could learn a lot from you."
"Oh my I do not mind Eugene," Kasumi replied.
Genma, still as a panda, held up a sign saying, "Why are you cooking's like a weak girl?"
"A statement like that would get you shot back home," Eugene said casually following Kasumi into the kitchen.
Going on gut reaction Genma flipped the sign, "Why would they shoot me I'm just a panda?"
While dinner was being prepared Ranma went out to the dojo to practice. The moment he stepped out of the house a shout of, "PREPARE TO DIE RANMA!" announced the arrival of Ryouga.
"Yo Pig Boy you're early this time," Ranma greeted as he began to dodge around Ryouga's umbrella.
"Danmit Ranma, stop calling me that!" Ryouga yelled back. "And stand so you can take your punishment!" The commotion outside only drew the attention of two people. Akane because she heard Ryouga's name and Eugene because he had not met the Lost Boy yet.
The moment Akane came into the back yard she saw Ranma and Ryouga fighting. Her response was typical, "STOP PICKING ON RYOUGA!" She was about to charge and hit Ranma again but the grip of someone's hand on her wrist stopped her in her tracks. Looking behind her Akane was surprised to see Eugene holding her at bay, "What do you think you're doing?" she growled at him.
"You don't like it when some one interferes with your fights," Eugene countered. "So why should you interfere in someone else's?"
"Ranma's always picking on poor Ryouga!" Akane jerked her hand free. "I don't want to see him get hurt."
"Kachü Tenshin Amaguriken," Ranma called out drawing Eugene and Akane's attention once again. The rapid punches all connected but life often many times before Ryouga just brushed them off and continued his assault.
"I don't think you have to worry about that," Eugene commented.
"He has a point Sis," Nabiki joined in. "Ryouga isn't hurt so easily."
"Bakusai Tenketsu!" Ryouga yelled creating a large crater in the yard.
"But the yard on the other hand," Nabiki commented. "Hey take it outside the yard! I don't want to have to called the repair crews so soon!"
Whether it was because Nabiki yelled or because the two combatants needed more room they jumped over the Dojo wall and started taking their fight to the street. After they left Eugene asked, "Should we follow?"
"They'll be done in about a half an hour or so, Ranma will be back by then Ryouga I'm not too sure," Nabiki said. "No one's around to bet so I got no reason to follow."
"I've got to stop that jerk from hurting Ryouga!" Akane went off to charge once again.
"She does know that the only reason Ranma gets hit by that thing is because he lets her?" Eugene asked.
"I hardly doubt that," Nabiki answered. "When it comes to Martial Arts Akane is a bit…umm"
"Overconfident?" Eugene guessed.
"Yeah," Nabiki smirked.
"And let me guess because she does hit him she never improves," Eugene stated. Nabiki nodded in answering. "Maybe I can break him of that, it would be better for both of them."
"Speaking of them," Nabiki decided to change the subject. "What do you think about the fiancé situation?"
"Ranma is in a real bind," Eugene answered. "In terms of honor he's damned if he does damned if he doesn't."
"How can you say that?" Soun said starting to cry. "All he has to do is marry Akane and everything will be fine."
"What about the others?" Eugene asked.
"They don't matter," Soun said "The School's of Anything Goes must be joined!"
"And which School's would that be Mr. Tendo?" Eugene asked. "My Father's, the Tendo or the Saotome Branches?"
This caught everyone's attention, "What do you mean?" Soun asked.
"Which Schools should be joined?" Eugene repeated. "If we're going on the premises of making a Dojo successful then Ranma should marry Shampoo."
"WHAT?" Genma and Soun shout at the same time.
"Shampoo is an official member of my Father's School," Eugene clarified. "If Ranma were to marry her the Saotome and Roberts School would be joined, though I doubt Dad would let Mr. Saotome within two hundred kilometers. And from a business stand point it would be better to join with a School that has students."
The lightly veiled insult was missed on the Fathers. "This isn't about business this is about honor," Genma spoke up.
"Then neither of you have any basis for an argument," Eugene countered and before anyone could object he pressed on. "Even before your other promises came into light Mr. Saotome, when Ranma was given the choice of whom his fiancé among the Tendo girls he had the right to actually not choose any of them. You yourself gave all the decision making power to him in that matter, so even before everything started with the multiple fiancé mess Ranma could have ended the agreement with Mr. Tendo's daughters without loosing face or honor." Genma's jaw dropped at the news and reasoning from Eugene froze him in shock at the idea of loosing any chance at a life of luxury and easy retirement.
Nabiki leaned over to Eugene and whispered, "You know what you said was not technically true, right?"
"Yes, but it did shut those two up, didn't it? And besides it might make your Dad think twice about this idiotic plan," Eugene answered back. Nabiki had to agree to that she knew the marriage between Ranma and just about anyone was doomed to fail at this point, everyone was just too young.
The silence from the two Fathers was broken by Soun, "You know Saotome he has a point." This time everyone's jaw dropped, even Kasumi's. Unknown to them Soun was not listing to the explanation Eugene offered about Ranma having all the power. His mind latched onto another idea, "When Roberts gets here I'll talk with him and get Nabiki or Kasumi engaged to Eugene and then all three Branches will be joined!" Nabiki and Eugene face faulted and Kasumi frowned.
"Yes of course!" Genma joined in. "With the future of Anything Goes at stake Roberts will surely agree to that Tendo, good idea! As soon as he arrives we'll tell him and then have two weddings that very day. It'll be Genma…"
"And Soun's," Soun jumped up.
The two posed saying in unison, "Operation Double Wedding Date!"
"Come Tendo let's go celebrate the soon to be joining of all three Schools!"
"Right behind you my old friend!" Soun said following Genma out for a night on the town.
Recovering from her face fault first Nabiki asked, "Are you going to try and stop them?"
"Nope," Eugene said standing up. "Mom wants me to marry an Amazon and Dad's an American and doesn't believe in arranged marriages. Any ideas they come up with will just fall flat. So I don't have to do anything." Nabiki smirked at that she liked how Eugene was handling the Fathers as even she had trouble at times controlling their stupidity at times. With each time she sees him Nabiki gains more respect for the Third Heir of Anything Goes.