Disclaimer: Rumiko Takahashi owns Ranma ½.
After dinner Ranma stood up and made his way out of the room. When he was about to leave Kasumi asked, "Where are you heading off too Ranma?"
Her question got the attention of everyone in hearing distance, namely the fathers and Nabiki as Akane was in her room. "Well I wanted to check out the area," Ranma answered. "And I usually do an evening run, so I though I'd 'kill to birds with one stone' kind of thing." What he did not tell them was that his evening runs consisted of him in his animal form. He liked to let the animal part of him out every once and a while and the only way he could was at night.
"Well have a nice time," Kasumi replied.
While Kasumi saw Ranma off Genma leaned in a whispered to Soun, "Tendo, now's our chance to plan. The boy is often gone for several hours on his evening runs. We can decide which of the girls would be best for him and make plans for them to get together."
"Excellent idea Saotome," Soun agreed.
Unnoticed by the two, Nabiki watched them from the couch. She noticed the conspiratorial looks on the Martial Artists faces and decided this was something she needed to look into. "I'll be in my room if anyone needs me," Nabiki said getting up from the couch.
"Ok Nabiki," Kasumi replied. She was the only one as the fathers were busy trying to make plans for the engagement.
About a minute later Nabiki set up the receiver she had that picked up the listening devises in the living room. "Now let's see what Daddy's planning."
Back in the living room, totally unaware they were being spied upon, the two Masters of Anything Goes were plotting. "So which of you daughters would be best for the boy?" Genma asked.
Soun sat and thought out loud, "Kasumi would be the ideal wife for just about any man, Nabiki is would be good at handling the finances of Dojo, but Akane is the Martial Artist of the three."
Genma listened to his old friend with his mind focusing on what was said, in his own way. "The food Kasumi made was delicious, if she were to marry the boy I can eat it with every meal. Nabiki…NO! The only way I can secure my retirement is if I do the books. Akane, no girl can be a true Martial Artist but she could keep the boy occupied. Food or keeping the boy off my back, food or keeping the boy off my back, food or keeping the boy off my back." Genma mentally weighed his choices and absently rubbed one of the scars Ranma had given him the last time he was displeased with his father. "Well she can't that bad of a cook," Genma thought for once not thinking with his stomach. "Tendo I think the engagement should be given to Akane."
"You're right Saotome!" Soun instantly agreed. "They are both Martial Artists so they have so much in common! And they're already acting like their married. They'll make the perfect couple!"
"So now all we have to do is get them to go on a date or two and then we can plan the wedding," Genma added. "It will be Genma…" He stood up with his hand raised.
"And Soun's…" Soun joined.
"Operation: Match'em Up!" they coursed.
In her room Nabiki could not believe what she just heard. "That's what this was all about? An engagement?" She then began to think, "They're keeping it a secret for now so that means Ranma doesn't know about it and they don't want him to know either. That also means Ranma probably won't accept it. And why do they want Akane, it's rather clear they don't get along." She paused for a moment, "For now I'm the only one of us that knows besides Daddy and his friend. I could probably make some money off this information; Kuno-baby would pay a lot for news about anything to do with Akane. He would also want to fight Ranma; I know he's good from what I saw earlier today so I could make some money off the fights. Then on the other side Ranma doesn't seem to be the kind of person that likes to be manipulated, that could be a problem since I don't really know what he's capable of. Then again he is kind of cute, and it has been a while since I had a real date and offering the property as a dowry would circumvent a lot of the taxes. HHhhmmm, for now I'll sit and wait, I'll have watch and see what develops."
On Ranma's run he was currently in his animal form. It looked like a large blue wolf about the size of a small horse with black spots covering its fur. His eyes were yellow and cat like and his frame seemed to be a perfect balance between speed and stamina. Currently Ranma was running/hopping along the roofs of the Nerima to become familiar with the area. This was in fact only one reason why he was out on his run; the other reason was to decide if he should tell the Tendos what he truly was. "That is unless Pop lets it slip while I'm out." Ranma though about their reaction to Genma's transformation earlier in the day, "After the initial shock wore off they didn't even bat an eye to Pop's when he became a Panda during lunch. For that matter other than curious glances from the people we passed on the street they seemed rather placid. What kind of a place is this where a Panda walking down the street only draws mild curiosity?"
Ranma's thoughts were cut off when his sensitive nose picked up a distinctive scent near by, "What the heck? A Henge-oki? Here?" Taking several sniffs confirmed it was a Henge-oki, "Smells like a cat variety, tiger to be exact." Wondering what another Henge-oki was doing in the area Ranma followed the scent to a small walled off house about three quaeters the size of the Tendos'. After checking to see if any one was around Ranma changed from this animal form to his human form, his clothes reappearing from his personal stoarage space, and approached the front gate.
Just as he was about to knock the gate opened revealing a Korean man appearing to be in his mid thirties. "I thought I detected a new comer in the area," the man said. "I am Qui Leen."
"I am Saotome Ranma," Ranma replied.
"Ah! Yes I have heard about you," Leen said. "Please come in."
"You heard about me?" Ranma asked. "How?"
"It is not every day a human survives the Neko-ken and Kailindo training," Leen answered. "News like that travels fast." Ranma nodded accepting the answer. News of his unique origin and nature would be spread among other Henge-oki rather quickly.
After entering the house and the two were settled, Keen began the conversation. "So Saotome what brings you to Nerima?"
"I'm staying at a friend of my Pop," Ranma answered. "I returned to Japan to find my mom. So, Qui, what are you doing here?"
"I've lived in Nerima for almost ten years now," Leen. "I and a few others of our kind have found Nerima to be a rather nice place to live, well other than a few annoyances that live here as well. If you are going to be staying here you'll run into them soon enough."
"You mean there are other Henge-oki living here?" Ranma asked clearly not believing his host.
"Yes, six to be exact," Qui answered. "Nerima's an apparent focus for odd occurrences. People changing into animals seems to fit in rather well around here. So you don't have to hide all that much. You'd surprised how relaxing it is to be able to shop in hybrid form in the open."
"You mean you go out in public in hybrid form?" Ranma asked.
"Not often but we do sometimes," Leen answered. "Like I said before there are some annoyances in the area that…"
As if summoned a shout from outside interrupted Leen. "FOUL DEMON COME OUT AND FACE THE JUDGEMENT OF HEAVEN. FOR I KUNO TATAWAKI THE UNDFIEATED CHAMPION AND RAISING STAR OF THE KENDO WORLD OTHER WISE KNOW AS THE SHOOTING STAR OF FURINKAN HIGH HAVE COME TO END YOUR BLIGHT ON THIS EARTH. FEEL THE WRATH….
The two shape shifters stopped listening to the ranting, "That would be one of the annoyances in the area. The moron believes he's some kind of samurai or something. He comes by every week or so to try and…"
"I SHALL VAQUISH YOU…:
"Like he said," Keen said. "If you'll excuse me. I have to deal with him otherwise he'll be out there all night and I don't want him to disturb my neighbors."
"Um yeah go ahead," Ranma said. Keen gave a grateful smile as he walked out the front door.
A few seconds later the speech changed, "SO THE DEMON FROM ACROSS THE SEA HAS COME TO FACE…." The rest was cut off by a loud crash. Another few seconds passed and Keen walked back inside.
"Only way to shut that kid up is to knock him out," Keen shook his head. "Watch out for anyone named Kuno. Insanity and stupidity tend to run in their family, they can be a bit of a nuisance. It's best to just knock them out then deal with the headache their voices and speeches cause."
"Thanks for the advice," Ranma said. He then noticed the time, "Well it's getting late and I need to get back. The longer I'm away the greater the chances are my pop will do something stupid."
"Yes it is getting rather late," Keen agreed. "I'll let the others know you are in the area so don't be surprised if some others come looking for you. You're rather famous among our people." Ranma gave a nod and left the house feeling a bit more comfortable then earlier that day.
The next day Ranma caught a backpack flung at him by his father. "What's this about?"
"Boy you'll be going to school," Genma said.
"Since when do you care about my education?" Ranma asked.
"Well we'll be staying here a while so I registered you for school," Genma answered. "So stopping being a girl and go to school!"
"Your insults stopped working on me years ago, so you could at least try and come up with better ones," Ranma said shouldering the backpack. "So which school will I going to?"
"Ours," Nabiki answered dressed ready for school. "Come on Akane and I will show you the way."
"Hey don't drag me into this!" Akane objected. "I don't want anything to do with the pervert!"
"I wonder if she's considered one of the annoyances Qui warned me about?" Ranma thought.
Along the way to school both Nabiki and Akane were staring at Ranma as he walked along the fence beside them. "Why are you up there?" Nabiki asked.
"I like the view," Ranma answered casually. "Besides it's good for balance."
"I think you're just showing off," Akane scowled.
"No," Ranma responded, "This would be showing off." He immediately flipped and started walking along the fence on his hands while holding his backpack by his feet, he had tossed it in the air while he flipped. Akane's scowl became more pronounced and she stomped off ahead of the other two.
"Not bad," Nabiki said with a smirk she thought it was rather funny to see her sister be shown up so much. Ranma jumped off the fence and landed on his feet catching his backpack next to Nabiki. "Ever think of joining the Gymnastics Club?"
"Not really," Ranma answered. "Haven't had much use for joining any kind of Clubs. We never staying in an area long enough."
"Well I could set up some appointments for you with some of the Clubs…" Nabiki said.
"For a fee?" Ranma said with a smirk. "What are you trying to be, some kind of agent?" Nabiki gave a small shrug.
Further discussion ended when Akane started to chant, "I hate boys! I Hate Boys! I HATE BOYS!" she threw her backpack to Nabiki and started to run all out towards the school not far ahead of them.
"What was that?" Ranma asked clearly confused.
"Come on I'll show you," Nabiki said guiding Ranma to school.
As they approached Ranma began to hear various and rather puzzling shouts. "AKANE I LOVE YOU!" "LET'S GO OUT!" "I'M YOURS FOREVER!" When he came into view of what was happening he was stunned to see nearly thirty boys charging Akane declaring their love all the while trying to hit her with various objects from bats to clubs to hockey sticks.
"This is just strange," Ranma commented. Nabiki gave no reply as she moved off to her lieutenants that collected the bets. Ranma watched the display of stupidity and criticized the fighting abilities of the students, "The boys are holding back and not working as a group, they are more getting in the way of each other then anything else. Akane is rather sloppy in her execution and not watching her back at all." Ranma watched as one of the boys in a baseball uniform came up behind Akane and was about to hit her with the bat but stopped and then moved around front only get pounded by Akane.
About a minute later the brawl was finished and Ranma approached the panting Akane. Akane saw him walking up, "So what do you think of me now?" Pride in her accomplishment was clear in her voice.
"Even less than before," Ranma answered bluntly causing Akane to bristle. "Your form was sloppy and you defense was zero. Anyone of them could have snuck up behind you with ease."
Before Akane could respond Ranma's hand reached up catching a rose. "Who dares interrupt my courting of the tigress Tendo Akane?"
"I know that voice," Ranma thought as a tall boy stepped out from behind a tree wearing a Kendo uniform and holding a bokken.
"Kuno," Akane said with annoyance clear in her voice.
"Who are you to speak with Tendo Akane so casually?" Kuno asked. Ranma did not even respond before Kuno continued, "Aw but is it not customary to give one's name first. Very well then I shall give mine. I am the rising star of the Kendo World the undefeated Captain of the Furinkan Kendo Club, Upper Classmen Kuno Tatawaki age seventeen. But to my peers I am known as Blue Thunder!" a crack of thunder sounded at the end of the introduction almost as if it was planned.
"I thought you were calling yourself the Shooting Star," Ranma said after remembering Kuno's speech from last night.
"Aw so the peasant has heard of my greatness!" Kuno blustered.
"No I just heard about some fool making an ass of himself that's all," Ranma replied. His statement caused several students to laugh, even Akane and Nabiki.
"YOU DARE INSULT THE BLUE THUNDER!" Kuno yelled. "WHO ARE YOU?"
"I only give out my name to friends and opponents that are worth a challenged," Ranma answered. "You don't even come close to either." By know Kuno was practically boiling with rage, "Now please get out of my way so I can get to class, I don't want to be
late because of a blowhard like you."
"I STRIKE!" Kuno attempted to slash at Ranma only to fall flat on his face when Ranma side stepped him and tripped him with foot.
"I don't have time for you," Ranma said as walked into the school building.
Kuno stood up and tried to attack Ranma again but as soon as he moved his bokken it fell into four evenly cut pieces. While Kuno stared dumbly at the useless piece of wood in his hands Akane thought, "He dodged Kuno without even trying, he might be better than me. No there's no way could he be better than me!"
Later in Nabiki's class Kuno was fuming about his humiliation. Not because he was so easily brushed aside but because of what was written on his forehead. "Loser" was written in English, Chinese, and Japanese on Kuno's forehead in black marker.
"He did this and cut up you bokken at the same time without you even noticing?" Nabiki asked. "He's better than I thought."
Kuno pulled out several thousand yen and slammed it onto Nabiki's desk, "Tendo Nabiki, who is this peasant?"
Nabiki counted the money before answering. "His name is Saotome Ranma. He's the son of an friend of my father's and will be staying with us…"
"Staying under the same roof as the fierce tigress Akane!" Kuno yelled. "I SHALL NOT ALLOW IT!" He ran out of the room trying to find Ranma's location.
In the Vice Principle's Office Ranma was waiting for him to finish grading his placement test when he heard Kuno yelling from the floor above him. "Sensei, I think Kuno is coming this way. Could I leave so your office isn't damaged?"
"Please do," the Vice Principle said. "The last time he was in here it took a week for me to get my desk replaced." Ranma bowed and left the office just as Kuno came barreling down the hall.
"So this is where you hide yourself Saotome!" Kuno exclaimed thrusting out his bokken.
"Oh you learned my name," Ranma commented. "What do you want?
"I will not allow you to reside under the same roof as my love!" Kuno answered. "Have at thee!" He rushed Ranma as fast as he could, only to have Ranma dodge his slash, get inside his guard and throw him out an open window.
Ranma quickly followed to finish Kuno off, he remembered Keen telling him last night that the only way to stop a Kuno was to knock him or her out. When he landed outside the window, Ranma took notice that just about all of the students were at various windows watching the event. He also saw Nabiki moving around taking bets on the fight that was about to occur. Shrugging that off he dropped into a cat stance and waited for Kuno to attack. He did not have to wait long for Kuno charged yelling, "Feel my strongest technique! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE!" Kuno's sword blurred stabbing at Ranma.
Ranma was somewhat impressed at the power and speed Kuno displayed, "He's using his Ki to increased the power and speed of his attack." However the attack was still not much for Ranma to counter. For every single stab from Kuno Ranma used a Ki enhanced palm to block thus negating the attack completely.
Surprised Kuno stopped his attack, "What black sorcery is this?" Further comment was cut off as Ranma blurred from sight and implanted his elbow in Kuno's chest causing him to drop to the ground. Ranma did not even give the unconscious fool another glance before he went back inside to find out where he was to be placed.
At lunch Ranma sat under a tree alone eating the lunch Kasumi made him. He had learned that he would be placed in the eleventh grade after the Vice Principal finished grading his test. The only real down side Ranma could see was that he would be in the same class as Kuno, "I'll have to knock that idiot out everyday just to listen to teacher."
"Mind if I join you?" Nabiki asked. Ranma shrugged and Nabiki sat down. "Have to admit I'm impressed with how you handled Kuno."
"Thanks, though he wasn't much of a challenge," Ranma replied.
"Of course now you'll have to deal with him everyday," Nabiki added. Ranma nodded indicating he already knew.
"So how much did you make off the fight?" Ranma asked.
"A lot," Nabiki answered. "No one bet on you would win." After a few minutes of silence Nabiki spoke again. "I think you should know what your father and Daddy are planning."
Ranma gave a sigh at that, "What is he planning this time?"
"Apparently it's an engagement," Nabiki answered.
"Not again," Ranma growled. "I thought he learned his lesson the last time he tried this. I guess I'll have to remind him that I don't like him messing with my life again. That ought to stop this nonsense before it starts."
"Your father has done this before?" Nabiki asked. Ranma nodded to answer. "Well I don't think it will work this time," Nabiki responded. "Daddy can be very obsessive once he sets his mind to something. And I think he's set for this engagement, something about family honor. Just beating up your father won't stop it, only delay it."
"Pop wouldn't know what honor was if it bit him in the face," Ranma replied bitterly. "So which one of you is he trying to hook me up with?" Ranma asked.
"Akane," Nabiki answered.
"Figures it'd be the crazy one," Ranma thought. "Since I'm assuming you know how to deal with your father, what do you suggest?"
"For now we go along with it," Nabiki answered. Ranma was about to protest but Nabiki cut him off, "On our terms. Best way to stop Daddy is to give him a little but know real say. So for that I purpose we confront them tonight and tell them that we know what they're planning. Then we make the engagement between the two of us."
"Why the two of us?" Ranma asked.
"I'm best at dealing with Daddy and you're best at dealing with your father," Nabiki answered. "Daddy will be happy that we're engaged and less likely to listen to your father. After a little bit of time, say a month or so, we break off the engagement saying it wouldn't work out."
"Not a bad idea, I can keep Pop from doing anything to stupid and your father'll be satisfied," Ranma said. "Alright we'll do it as soon as we get back after school then."
Nabiki nodded glad she decided to inform Ranma of what she knew. "He's smart, good looking, and willing to pull his weight around the house. Not a bad catch even if it is just acting. Who knows might even be able to go on a couple of real dates."