Chapter 7: Becoming grandmaster Part one: Saotome Vs. Saotome.
As she sat down Kasumi Tendo bought out her diary. Opening it up, she started to write about the days events like she always does.
Dear friend.
Today was pretty good if you call that if you want to call it that. The day started out pretty normal. As I got up to start my regular routine, I notice that Ranma was already up. I tell you he is so helpful. I asked him if he would like some help. He said "yeah I could use a little help."
As we was cooking, Akane came down for her usual morning jog. She saw that Ranma and I was cooking.
I swear, were did I go wrong with her? Anyways poor Ranma never saw what happen as Akane malted him to the floor for being I quote "Stop being a pervert." I'm going to have a talk with her. Just because He was helping make a healthy breakfast doesn't mean she has a right to call Ranma that.
Breakfast was healthy. Everyone seems to have like it, even Akane. After cleaning and getting ready for school we headed out. As we neared the school we saw Ryu waiting for us. Kami why can't he just leave me alone? He left us alone none the less though he just a glare at Ranma and that was it.
As we made our way home Ranma said that he and Ryoga had to do some sparring for his up coming match with his father. I don't know what happen but when they got home for dinner they were almost a bloody mess, when asked all Ranma said was "Father no amateur when it comes to the art." and then he went do bed.
After dinner I Went out to do my evening katas, only to get caught by a surprise, Ryoga and Akane were sitting close to each other, I hide in the shadows and just watch and wondered when this happen, Then I saw Nabiki in the brush near by. I just glared at her and she left. Then night end and the new couple got up they never saw me but I smiled as Akane gave Ryoga a kiss on the cheek, I just smiled it was about time Akane grew out of her "I Hate Boys." Stage.
Well that's about it. Until tomorrow.
Kasumi signed the days date and closed the book up As she sat there she thoughts turn back to the pigtail teen that seem to have capture her heart. Ranma was everything she dreamed of but was it right? Ranma was her best if not dearest friend. Not wanting to thing about it anymore Kasumi got up and pulled the covers of her bed back. Tomorrow was going to be busy.
In the Guess room Nodoka watched as her son slept. She didn't want to wake him just yet. Nodoka never did except the plage Ganma asked for and she wanted to make sure nothing else happen to her son, But the trouble was can her son ever truly forgive her?
After checking her watch Nodoka got up and make her way to Kasumi's bedroom, it wasn't hard to seeing as how all the Tendo girls had name plates. She then did something not expecting of her, she turned off Kasumi's alarm clock.
Morning soon come and as the six teens made there way down stairs they found that breakfast was already prepared.
Ranma looked at Kasumi, who in turn shrugged. Then they saw who came out of the Kitchen. It was Nodoka.
"Mom? You made this?" Ranma asked.
"But of course dear. Kasumi works too hard and I thought it maybe a nice change if she got some rest." Nodoka said. With a smile The teens sat at the table. Soun and Nodoka also sat down too. Soon everyone was eating the meal. "Ranma do you have plans for today?" Nodoka asked. "No, not really just more training." Ranma said back.
"Then would you join me in the dojo? I know that you do not have school today, and I would like to get to know my son better."
Ranma nodded. He would love to get to know his mom better also. So after breakfast the two made there way to the dojo. They both sat on the mats facing each other. "Ranma I'm Sorry that it took me so long to find you." Nokoda started. "You see, I had forbidden your father to take you away and to train. He even offered a plage. And I refused him." Nodoka took a deep sigh. "Ranma, Im glade you turned out to be honorable. As you know I have been looking for you. I too have gotten stronger," Nodoka looked down.
"Mother? Are you saying That I must fight you as well?" Ranma asked. Nodoka looked down and then softly nodded. Standing up Ranma went inside, without saying any thing. Nodoka just sat there, what kind of mother was she if she too had to Fight for the Honor of the Saotome dojo? But after while Ranma came back dressed in a white Gi and carrying what look claws. "I don't like to fight women or with weapons. But seeing as how you fight with a kitana I have no choice. I accept your challenge Nodoka Saotome."
Nodoka looked up. Standing up she to went to change into her gi. Coming back after ten minutes Nodoka gi was blue. Ranma just finished strapping the claws to the back of his hand. Then his set up the other pair on his right.
The claws had a slight curve to them. Nodoka saw that the weapons were dull. They both made there way to the center of the Dojo.
Soun Tendo walked in at this point followed by Kasumi, Akane, and the rest. They took there sit around the two combatants. "This challenge for the Saotome Dojo will being, Nodoka would you please tell Ranma of your kitana?"
Soun asked. "The sword I hold is a satabato, or a reverse blade sword, this sword was past down to my father by a very good friend or his who in return got it from his father." Ranma Nodded. "I am fighting with the ninja weapon called Neko claws. At one point they were use to calm. I let the blade go dull so that if I need to I can fight with them."
Soun Nodded. " The fight will go on until either Ranma or Nodoka is unconscious. You may being when your ready." That was when Nodoka attacked. Without moving Ranma stepped to the side and block with his weapon.
Just as Nodoka was going to follow up Ranma counted her attack with a foot sweep. Nodoka jumped up the attack and being her knee up as she lands only to miss Ranma.
Ranma came back and jumped in the air and doing an air spin behind his mother Then land trying again to foot sweep her. Nodoka just blocked and countered with a spin kick. Ranma caught her kick, twist her ankle and throw her to the side making Nodoka drop her sword in surprise. Now weaponless Nodoka stood up and got in a defensive stance. Ranma ran at her again but without his weapons, throwing punches and kicks at a fast rite.
To Ranma surprise his mother seem to block throw for throw. 'She's good, but I am holding back I really don't want to hurt my mom.' Ranma thought. 'I have no choice if I want to win I have to fight back.' Nodoka knew he was holding. While she was traveling she heard stories of a great martial artist. How he would break borders with his bare hands. She laughed, she later found out that it was Ryoga that did all that, but what Ranma did was better.
With he's mind made up Ranma pressed out that attack, throwing more powerful punches and kicks. Nodoka had no choice his tighten her defensive more but the up coming attack was just to strong. Nodoka decided to fight back Grabs Ranmas' hand and spin kick into Ranmas' back.
Ranma couldn't believe it, She hit him. Ryoga was grinning this was getting fun, seeing as how he wasn't able to land a hit in himself. Ranma looked at his mother. 'She's not playing around, I must win and restore the honor to the Saotome name and dojo.' With his mind made up Ranma decided to attack. Nodoka was shocked to see Ranmas' real speed, and knew she wasn't playing around anymore. She could see it in his eyes. Nodoka Smiled. "Hold Ranma, I give." Ranma Stopped in his tracks and dropped to the floor. "I was merely testing you. I could see in your eyes that you want something." Ranma nodded.
"During the training, Genma made me to lot of dishonorable things. He would always say that a martial artist must do the unexpected, Then he would have me steal. I want to take control of the dojo and fix the Dishonor that man have put on both the family name and the dojo." Nodoka smiled, he son was indeed very honorable. Nodoka grabbed her son and hugged him. Then the years of loneliness set in and she started crying. Ranma Just held her as he set her to the ground.
At this point everyone left the dojo to give the two some privacy. Akane looked at her father. "How could you be friends with a man like that?" Soun looked back at her, and smiled. "He wasn't always like that. We where once training partners under the master, We became friends. Now that I look back on it the master took a liking more to Genma then anything." Akane looked at her father sad figure, Genma was once his best friend, and yet somehow she knew that friendship was over. "Dad I'm sorry that I asked, its just that there's no similarities between father and son."
Soun smiled at his youngest. "Yes the two are compliantly diffract. Im glade that Genma stupidity did not rub off."
Kasumi went into the kitchen and made some tea for the Tendos and the Saotomes. "What about the plage for the Saotome and Tendos joining dojos?" Kasumi asked. Soun laughed. "That, that was made while I was drunk. It was stupid too. Ranma doesn't have to up hold the plage." Kasumi smiled.
Not long after Nodoka and Ranma walked in. "I'm sorry about my break down its just that I been so alone since Genma left with Ranma." She started. Then she looked down. "That's not rue there has been someone. I meet her while I followed Genma's trail. She too was looking for Ranma, just as skilled as me."
Ranma looked at his mother. "Is she still with you mom?" Ranma asked.
"Sadly no she said she had things to do before she meets back up with me in a few days." Ranma looked thoughtful for a second as if he was trying to remember something, then he shook his head. "Ryoga in a few minutes we're leaving to go and practice, I still have a lot to do before the match."
After awhile Everyone went and did there own things, Nodoka and Soun decided that they wanted to be alone for while also so they went to the park. If one would look they could see an old flame that is long past. "How long has it been now?" Soun asked. "Not long enough Soun, Still its nice to see the old park again." Soun looked at Nodoka.
"You never did tell me why you left me for Genma."
Nodoka looked down. "We both made a mistake after I graduate from high school, he's mistake was getting drunk, mine was for..." She stopped talking. "I never meant to hurt you. Soun I was pregnant when Genma and I was married. Genma was so honorable back then. What changed him?" Soun sighed.
"I got a letter from the prison that the Master was in. He escaped a few days ago. I fear he maybe after me and Genma." Soun said trying to change the subject.
"No Genma is safe, he was after all Happosai best student. I will never understand what got into you and genma training under that mad man."
"At the time he seem like the best master in Japan. If I knew what he would make us do, well lets just say things would have been diffract." Nodoka Look at Soun. " Did you love her?" She asked out of the blue.
"Kimako? Yes very, she was a great mother and wife." Soun sighed. "I miss her sometime, but looking at my daughters I know that she is not truly gone." Nodoka Nodded. "We could never get back together Soun." Soun looked at her.
"I know. Besides Ranma and Kasumi are falling in love." Nodoka smiled. "You saw that too?" She asked.
"Its not hard to see, every time Kasumi looks at Ranma you can see she longs for more, The same with Ranma."
Soun looked up at the sky. "Kimako was a big help during the earlier days of Ranma's training. She would teach him about life, but soon after she taught him about death. Sometime in between that Ranma and Kasumi became the best of friends."
It was getting late and Nodoka told him that they should get back so they don't worry. On their way home they bump Into Kasumi who had a several bagfuls of groceries, both Soun and Nodoka each took a bag and helped her.
When they Got to the Tendos, Ranma and Ryoga was in the dojo still working out endlessly. Inside the House Kasumi looked out the window to the Dojo, lowering her head as if in thought. She knew why he was doing this, Genma made him do a lot of things the were more or less dishonorable. Still she feels like she going to lose her best friend. Both Kasumi and Ranma knows that Genma will go all out, the fat panda hasn't been seen in days and it was close in on the deadline fast.
Saturday Come fast and it was the day that the fate of the Saotome School of Anything Goes Martial arts Dojo rest in two people. For Ranma if he wins he will work hard in restoring honor on his name. If Genma wins will Ranma would comment seppuku to being honor to the family name, or marry Kasumi and have both their lives be run by his duty to the dojo. The former didn't sound all that bad since he and Kasumi had strong feeling for each other.
Pushing the thoughts of Kasumi aside Ranma finished up his warm ups and waiting for his old man to finish he's as well.
When Genma was finished he looked at Ranma angrily. Ranma didn't back down he couldn't. Soun stepped up and looked at his friend, the at the young man. "The fight of the Saotome school of anything Goes martial Dojo will being. The challenger Ranma Saotome has a agreed that if he loses he is to marry Kasumi Tendo. If Genma Saotome Loses he hands over the Soatome Dojo title of master to Ranma." Bot Nodded. "I Ranma Saotome will keep my word." Ranma said. "I Genma Soatome will keep mine." Soun Nodded to the witness. Who was, Nodoka, Akane, Ryoga, Nabiki and Kasumi. As one they all said. "We well hold you to you word."
Ranma and Genma Bowed to each other. Then they both went into an offences stance. Genma upon hearing being he made a mad rush for Ranma, catching him off guard. Blocking Genma punches was easy. The fat Panda was slow or that's what he thought as Genma side kicked him in the chest.
Ranma swore he could hear some quacking from that kick, then he felt the pain and know that his father want holing back. Meaning if he wasn't holding back Ranma wouldn't either. Decided that blocking want good enough
Ranma decided to attack, and attack he did, Throwing every single move he know, kicking in a combo first kick hit his head, then his chest then he kicked out Genma knees and kicks his head again. Genma was in a world of pain, he grabbed Ranma next kick and then he smashed his elbow behind Ranmas knees the moves had the desire effect, cause Ranma to fall to the floor.
They both stayed of the floor but it was Ranma who got up followed by Genma, he or his son would not give up.
Ranma decided he had enough of playing around his honor was on the line and he would be master of his family dojo. Ranma stood up only to fall back down with a cry. Soun looked at him" Ranma are you able to fight?" Soun feared the answer, but as he was about to call Genma the winner a roar stopped him. Genma eyes widen Ranma was in his curse form, The Neko warrior stood up. "We ain't finished old man." This was the first time Nodoka has seen her sone like this. From what she could tell Ranma stood about the same size, his hair was out of his braid, but his eyes stayed the same color. The markings that Ryu gave him have turned black, matching his fur perfectly. Wait fur?
Yes indeed he had white tiger fur.
Genma back up against the wall. He can't fight Ranma in his curse from no matter how much he tried. He was dangerous. Still he had technics that he has never taught Ranma. Sadly Genma never had a chance to use them as Ranma gave Genma a world of hurt. Each punch kick and throw bought back memories of what he himself has been though. Each punch ranma gave to Genma was ten times worst then what his father gave him. Just before ranma gave one last blow to Genma a gentle hand stopped him. "Ranma, Genma is not wroth killing." Nodoka said. "Despite what he has done his is still your father, son you won, but please let your father live." Nodoka pealed.
Ranma paled he lost control. Ranma changed back into his normal from.
His mother held her son. She saw the fear in his eyes, as he looks at his father. Nodoka helped her son up and helped him into the house. Kasumi followed. Xian Pu, came just as he enter the house with a young Doctor. "In the Dojo its bad." Kasumi said. "I'll see what I can do." The Doctor said.
Kasumi came back in just as she saw the doctor's back walk out the door, she then walked up to Ranma and wrapped a blanket around his shoulders, she then hugged him from behind. They stayed like that for the rest of the Night.
TBC.
Next time. It's a time for healing and Ranma is taken to a shrine that might be able to help him. However When The Girls boyfriend shows up it gets ugly.
Author notes: Well There you have it. Um I like to say something In not too good with fight seen I never am. What I do is what I do when I role play with my girl friend. I do see the moves but I really don't know names. Also I decided to have small cross overs.
Also Ukyo Will so up soon, I'm not making her a Fiancé I don't like her much. But anyways a certain White hair dog ear, half demon will show up in Next chapter.