Disclaimer: I do not own Ranma ½ use it merely for entertainment purposes.
Aishia stood outside the Tendo Dojo looking at the sign in front, 'Tendo Dojo of Anything Goes, Visitors use the front Challengers use the side'. She then remembered the little talk she had with Happosai yesterday and decided that while she was here she would take the opportunity to observe Happosai's chosen heir. After she left the little pervert she began to reconsider what he told her. She believed that the Grandmaster did find an heir but did not think he was the opposite of Happosai. If the little runt lied to her she made a vow to make do on her threat and hunt him down.
For now though she had to get the information she needed and would reserve judgment until she found evidence to use against Happosai. Knocking on the gate Aishia only had to wait a few seconds until a woman about her height with long brown hair in a ponytail answered the door. "Hello welcome to the Tendo Dojo. If you are one of Ramna's fiancés you will have to speak with his Mother. All claims have been decided to be judged by her if they have any merit."
Aishia blinked thinking, "Is it so common to have some girl come and claim this kid that this is a standard greeting to any woman that comes here?" Out loud she says, "I'm not here to see him actually, I am not a fiancé. I am here to see a Tendo Nabiki."
"Oh my," Kasumi replied. "We do not get many women visitors that are not here to see Ranma. Well please come in and I shall get my sister. Who may I ask is requesting to see her?"
"My name is Aishia," Aishia answers, "She does not know me but I was told by Cologne said that she might be able to provide some information that I need."
"Please come into the living room while I get my sister, Miss Aishia. And my name is Kasumi," Kasumi said stepping out of the way.
Aishia stepped in and briefly sniffed the air, "There are some strange scents in this house," she thought. "I smell the humans and a couple of animals, a panda and a pig. I know pigs are sometimes pets but what is a panda doing here?"
When they entered the living room Aishia noticed two middle aged men playing shogi and two teenagers, a boy and girl sitting around. The boy was trying not to look at the girl and the girl was glaring at the boy. "Father this is Miss Aishia she is here…" before Kasumi could finish everyone jumped to conclusions.
"The schools will never be joined!" Soun wailed.
"UNGRATEFUL BOY HOW DARE YOU CHEAT ON YOUR FIANCE!" Genma yelled. "You should marry her right now to make up for you disgraceful act."
"I don't even know her!" Ranma pleaded.
"YOU SLEPT WITH SOMEONE YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW!" Akane screamed with rage. "I HATE YOU! RANMA NO BAKA!" she then pulled out her mallet and smashed Ranma out the door and into the sky.
"I think Cologne was right," Aishia thought, "These people just jumped to conclusions before even getting any facts."
"Oh my. Actually Father, Miss Aishia is not here for Ranma she is here for Nabiki," Kasumi said. This caused everyone to stop for minute and look at Aishia. The fathers shrugged and went back to their game and Akane just glared at Aishia.
"She doesn't fool me!" Akane fumed silently. "She's here for that pervert I know it!"
"Please have a seat and I'll tell Nabiki you are here," Kasumi said walking up the stairs.
Aishia sat down across from Akane and asked, "Why did you hit him?"
"He deserved it for cheating on me!" Akane snapped.
"When did he cheat on you?" Aishia asked truly wondering how this girl came to that conclusion.
"Because he's a pervert!" Akane said totally missing the question.
"I didn't ask you if he was a pervert, I asked how he cheated on you," Aishia corrected.
"Are you calling my a liar?" Akane asked standing up in a threatening manner.
"Calm down Little Girl," Aishia said. "I'm not here to fight, I'm here to see your sister." Aishia was really starting to get annoyed with this girl. All she asked was a simple question and this brat went ballistic over it.
"Your just one of that Baka's cheap floozies and your trying to use my sister to get to him!" Akane accused.
"Damn this girl is delusional," Aishia thought. "If she doesn't' shut up soon I might just make her."
Up in her room Nabiki was reading one her mangas. She had finished all her book keeping for the day and was enjoying the rare quite in the house. It did not last long however as she heard the well used lines from her Father, Genma and Akane, followed shortly by Ranma flying into the air. "I guess another fiancé came by," she sighed. "I had better talk to Ranma about this later. If the past is any indication this will end up costing a lot of money. I'll have to sign him up for another fight outside Nerima." In the past Nabiki would just take some pictures of Ranma's girl form and sell them to Kuno. But with Ranma's rise in intelligence in the past couple of months she was not able to trick him into a compromising situation. So because of that she tried a different tactic, working with him. Turned out when they worked together they could make some pretty good profits from fights she set up where no one knew who he was.
In the past couple of months Nabiki was one of the first people to notice the change in Ranma. When she began talking with him and she soon realized she was enjoying his company. She had always thought he was good looking but never really thought of him as more than a dumb jock. Ranma's recent changes had Nabiki reevaluating that idea and she admitted she rather liked it.
As she was thinking about Ranma's changes a knock came from her door and she called out, "Come in." Kasumi entered her room and Nabiki said, "Let me guess another fiancé came by and they reacted as usual."
"They did act the same but the woman that came by wanted to see you Nabiki not Ranma," Kasumi answered.
"Me?" Nabiki asked, not many people came to see her, "What did this woman want?"
"She said Cologne sent her because you had some information she could use," Kasumi replied.
"I don't remember Cologne making a mention of anything," Nabiki muttered. She, however, had to admit she was curious, "Go ahead and send her up, I'll talk to her."
Kasumi nodded and exited the room. When she came down stairs she found Akane standing up and making threatening gestures to their guest. Kasumi could also tell that Aishia was quickly loosing patience with her youngest sister and decided to interrupt before someone got hurt, "Miss Aishia, Nabiki said she would see you."
Aishia looked toward the stairs, "Thank you Kasumi." As she stood up she could feel the burning gaze from Akane and thought, "Good thing I'm getting away from that brat, otherwise I'd put her in the hospital for a very long time."
When she approached the door with Nabiki's name on it Aishia knocked and waited for a reply. The reply to come in was instant and Aishia walked into the room. When Aishia entered Nabiki had a neutral mask on her face and asked in a calm voice, "My sister says you wished to speak with me?"
"Correct," Aishia said taking a seat. "My friend Cologne says you have information of the Martial Artists in the area. Now I really don't have time for games so I'll get straight to the point. I'm looking for a male Marital Artist around your age, I don't know his name but I'll know he is whom I'm looking for when I find him. He has certain personal habits that could narrow down the search. I need information and you have it. I know you charge for information so I'm asking how much?"
"Depends on how much you want to know," Nabiki answered.
"As much as you got but only for those that meet the personal habits I'm looking for," Aishia replied. "More information the better, I'm on a time table."
"What kind of personal habits?" Nabiki asked.
"Large appetite, somewhat more aggressive than a normal person when provoked, often times seems territorial and often becomes restless when confined in someway," Aishia answers.
"You just described all of the top male Martial Artists in Nerima," Nabiki smirked.
"So how much?" Aishia asked coming back to the beginning.
"Six thousand Yen per person," Nabiki answered.
"How many people?" Aishia asked.
"Four," Nabiki answered.
"Twenty-four thousand?" Aishia thought for a minute then reached into her purse and pulled out a large wad of cash, "Deal."
Nabiki received the wad and after a quick count nodded and went to her closet and pulled out four files. "This is all the information I have on them. The first file is Kuno Tatawaki, he uses Kendo and is a bit of a moron, the second file is Mousse…"
"I already know about Mousse and he is not the one I'm looking for," Aishia replied. Nabiki looked at her for a minute and was about to give back six thousand as per their deal of six thousand per person when Aishia held up her hand, "Keep it as a down payment incase I need more information.
Nabiki shrugged and continued, "The next is Hibiki Ryouga, he's probably the second best in Nerima, you'll have to rely on luck to find him he gets lost very easily and disappears for days to weeks on end. The last is Saotome Ranma, the best in Nerima. Since you know Cologne I'm going to assume you know about Jusenkyo."
Aishia nodded, "Yes I'm aware. I take it he has a curse," Nabiki nodded, "Well that explains the strange scents." Nabiki raised an eyebrow at that statement but did not comment, "Are there any others?"
"A couple show up every now and then," Nabiki answers. "Would you like information on them?"
"No," Aishia answers, "The boy I'm looking for is in the area regularly so if they are here only occasionally they don't concern me."
"Very well," Nabiki said. "Out of curiosity just what is your business with this mystery guy."
"A family matter and not your concern," Aishia said standing up, "It was a pleasure doing business with you." As she was about to leave the room she turned back and said, "Oh and if Happosai ever tries anything just remind him I'll be in the area. That should stop him most of the time."
When Ranma landed from his flight because of Akane he noticed he was on the outer edge of Nerima. Noticing that it was getting late in the day he decided not to return to the Tendo Dojo tonight and looked around for a place a stay. After about a half an hour of wandering Ranma realized that he was near his Mother's house and decided that would be the best place to stay. When he first met his Mother as a girl and the following times he ran into her Ranma was always a bit fearful about her forcing him to honor the seppuku contract. But once his curse was revealed and he had an opportunity to talk to her he discovered the only reason she was so obsessed with it was because that was the only thing she had of him for such a long time. After that the two got to know each other and Ranma now enjoyed every minute he spent time with her without the fear of death.
Coming upon his Mother's home he knocked on the front door. After a few moments Nodoka answered the door very surprised to see her Son there waiting for her, "Ranma what a pleasant surprise."
"Hi Mom," Ranma greeted. "I was in the area and decided to stay the night. If that's alright I mean?"
"Of course it's all right," Nodoka replied gesturing for her Son to enter. As Ranma entered she noticed a slightly depressed look in his eyes and figured he came to the area by air. For sometime now she decided that Akane was not the girl for Ranma. At first she liked the idea of having Akane for a Daughter-in-Law and supported the Fathers in trying to get them together. But as time went on Nodoka noticed that no matter what Ranma did Akane never showed any trust or faith in him and would react violently to anything she perceived as cheating. Her behavior started to become worse when everyone started to notice Ranma's change in attitude and intelligence. To Nodoka it seemed Akane only wanted Ranma around because she could control him, but with his change it was a threat to her control and reacted with more violence. It was because of that Nodoka began considering Ranma's other prospective wives. Unfortunately she had not taken the time to get to know then so for now she just kept quite.
As Nodoka led Ranma into the living room she asked, "May I ask why Akane hit you this time?"
Ranma stopped mid-step when his Mother asked that. "How did you know she hit me?"
Nodoka gave Ranma a gentle smile, "I've known for a while now." She then sat down on the couch and Ranma soon followed, "What I am curious about is why you never told me she hit you so much?"
"Well I saw you like her so I didn't want to mention anything. I didn't want you to think badly of her," Ranma admitted. "And to your first question another woman showed up at the Dojo today."
"Another fiancé," Nodoka sighed, "I guess I'll be expecting another visitor within the next few days."
"I don't think so Mom," Ranma said. "I didn't recognize her and lately I've been remembering more of my past. I've remembered a lot of the people Pops sold me to at least the ones that have shown up."
"The more I hear about my Husband the less I like," Nodoka shook her head.
"No offense Mom but why did you even marry that Fat Panda?" Ranma asked.
For a moment a brief flicker of pain crossed Nodoka's eyes, "That's a very long story Ranma. One I don't really wish to talk about." Ranma was confused by the answer but understood not wanting to talk about the past. He often did not want to talk about his past so he let the subject drop.
"So Mom have you had dinner yet?" Ranma asked hoping to change the subject.
Nodoka smiled at the change in subject and answered, "I was just about to fix some, you go get cleaned up and I will have dinner ready by the time you're done." Ranma nodded and made his way to the furo. As he left Nodoka's face became thoughtful trying to decide if Ranma would be willing to move back in with her. She missed him every night but did not ask him to come live with her because she figured Ranma considered the Tendo Dojo his home. Now it seemed that thought was beginning to waiver. The more Nodoka thought about it the more she felt it was the right time. She resolved to ask her Son to move back to her home tonight after dinner.
In a completely random location a boy in his late teens looks around trying to find out where he is. In his hands is a city map but this confuses him because he is currently in a forest with the tallest trees he has ever scene. "NOW WHERE AM I?"
Surprising he receives an answer, "You're in the Giant Red Wood National Forest, Ranger Station Twenty-three. So tell me who you are and how did this far out last I heard the Japanese tour group left the area for San Francisco a few days ago."
"I'm Hibiki Ryouga," Ryouga replied. "I'm not part of any tour group I tend to get lost." He then thinks for a minute and asks, "Just how do you understand Japanese?"
"I studied abroad when I was your age," the Ranger answers. "Though technically this area is not off limits to people it is rather isolated, you must have gotten real lost to get out here. Where was the last trail marker you saw?"
"I didn't see any trail markers but I dif see a street sigh that said Broadway with a lot of theaters on along the road," Ryouga replies.
The Ranger looks at him for a minute then thinks, "This kid's high on something, he thinks he's in New York." To Ryouga the Ranger says, "Come on Kid I'll take you inside and we can get you back to civilization in no time."
Smiling sheepishly Ryouga said, "Thanks I'd appreciate."
Turning to the Station the Ranger begins to walk and says, "Don't worry about it. We'll get you cleaned up and out of here in no time." Hearing no response the Ranger turns around and sees that Ryouga has disappeared. "Where the hell did he go? Damn junkies!"
Ryouga had taken three steps and found himself in another location. As he looked around he found himself in a city by a concrete ditch. Seeing he was lost again Ryouga looked to the sky and shouted, "RANMA THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT!" Taking his frustration out on the closest object, which happens to be a large boulder, he walked as he shouted and got lost again, he punches the boulder completely smashing it into dust. Ryouga looked at the pile of dust in surprise, even with the Bakusai Tenketsu training Ryouga had never broken a boulder that big so efficiently before. "My strength just keeps going up," he thought. For the past couple of weeks Ryouga found his strength increasing nearly everyday. He at first thought it was just his imagination but after three weeks he found his already incredible strength had at least doubled. "If this keeps up I'll be able crush Ranma and be able to tell Akane how I feel. Now if only I knew where I was?"
"Lost Boy in Shampoo's way," came Shampoo's voice as a reply.
Ryouga turned around and found Shampoo standing right in front of him with her bicycle and a delivery box. "Shampoo what are you doing here?" He then realized what this could mean, "Does this mean I'm in Nerima?"
"Yes Stupid Lost Boy!" Shampoo answered, "You still in Shampoo's way. Shampoo need deliver too too good ramen to friend of Great Grandmother."
"Oh sorry," Ryouga stepped to the side keeping his eyes on Shampoo so he doesn't get lost again. As soon as he was out of her way Shampoo rode off out of sight. "Now that I'm back in Nerima I'll make that Honorless Coward pay for what he's done to me!"
After he delay caused by Ryouga Shampoo had to hurry to get the order on time. Unfortunately along the way she got splashed and turned into a cat. After finding a warm water source she was about to complete the delivery but was way late. As she handed Aishia the ramen Aishia asked, "What took so long?"
"Shampoo get stopped by Lost Boy then turn to cat," Shampoo answered rather ashamed of being late.
"Well be thankful I like you and understand your cursed," Aishia said. "You had better get back so you're not too late."
"Shampoo thank you," Shampoo bowed and rode off without hesitation.
Aishia looked at the ramen and noted that it was still hot so it was not too bad. She went back into her room and looked over the files Nabiki handed her earlier that day. "Hmm that Hibiki kid will be a problem just showing up at random like that all the time. It says here that Kuno is rather predictable so he won't be too hard to track down. Honestly I hope it's not him, according to this he's too stupid to realize that Saotome and his 'pig-tailed girl' are the same person even though Saotome changed right in front of him numerous times. Then there's Saotome, I only got a brief look before that brat sent him flying so I couldn't tell if he's the one. So I'll have to go back there to meet him, not to hard. I just wonder what that brat's problem is. She called him a pervert but according to all this Happosai was right, he's just the opposite of that troll. Maybe she's not just a brat but also really stupid, oh well not my concern really." Aishia took a bite of the ramen and set the files down, "Tomorrow I'll look into that Kuno kid and then Saotome, then maybe if I'm lucky I can find that Hibiki kid. Hopefully this will all get resolved soon and it is one of these guys I don't want to risk just looking at random. Chances would not be in my favor and I probably wouldn't find him until the injuries start occurring. But for now all I can do is look." She then looked at the clock, "It's early so I can at least wander around to get an idea of the area." As she stood up to leave she noted the calendar on the wall and sighed, "Just under two weeks until the full moon. Hopefully I can find the one I'm looking for and convince him to come with me."