Long before Ranma and his father Genma visited Jusenkyo and met with their cursed fate, many years before Ranma first met Akane, the Saotome males traveled through China seeking strength, honor, and adventure. This is their story.
Iron Ranma Episode Three!
-Sales Pitch-
Ranma stared at rows of skewered meats and vegetables as they turned on a spit over a fire. His mouth watered as he thought about what it would be like to hold one close to his nose and smell the delicious spices. And his eyes watered too while he died a little inside, because he knew that his pops would never buy one of those great shish kebabs. Ranma sighed dejectedly and slumped away from the vendor who had begun to look a little too protective of his skewered creations.
After traipsing across countless miles of wilderness the Saotome duo had stumbled across a middling trade town bustling with activity. It was nearing fall and there were plenty of farmers bartering prices for their early harvests with merchants. Genma was no doubt off somewhere trying to sucker someone into buying the furs he and Ranma had collected while lost in the forests of China. If they sold all of them, maybe they'd be able to get some real food for a change. Ranma kicked a rock dejectedly as he walked in search of his father.
'Who'm I kiddin' thought Ranma as he watched a group of children pass by in a running brawl. They were no older than he, but Ranma found himself envying their youthful play. He snorted in disgust and tried to push the kebabs out of his mind. 'Old codger's prolly feedin' his own face right now, then gonna feed me a line 'bout not findin' a buyer'.
As it happened, at that very moment Genma was finishing his trade with a down-and-out looking tailor. Genma walked away with a frown on his face that spoke volumes about what kind of deal he'd gotten. 'A few lousy Yuan, and barely enough to resupply. We aren't going to be able to afford rations for much longer if this keeps up. Better find the boy, maybe I can do something about our food without doing away with our cash.' Genma smirked and looked across the marketplace to where his son had been. Predictably the boy had wandered off. 'One day' huffed Genma, 'his curiosity is going to get him in over his head'. Genma sighed, unconsciously mirroring his son, and wandered off in search of the boy.
The town they had found themselves in was designed much like any other that had been built before the turn of the century. Thick clay walls surrounded the main marketplace, and branched out in large open cells that would allow the people to defend the town sector by sector if they had to. Bandit raids hadn't been a real concern for nearly fifty years, but the people were so used to the walls that they no longer noticed them. Buildings were built close together out of local clay or wood, and most were in good repair. In short, it was just the kind of place Ranma could get lost for a while and enjoy himself. He loved these types of places, where he could feel the history around him.
Genma hated these run down old villages. The walls always reminded him too much of a prison, especially when he had to get out of a place quickly. He looked for Ranma for a while then decided to give up. 'If I stay in one place, the boy will find me eventually. And look, a convenient bar is right here." Genma chuckled softly to himself and stepped into the cool darkness of the town's watering hole.
He intended to have only a couple of drinks, and he knew that if Ranma guessed wisely he'd find his father here. The best intentions pave the road to hell, or so the saying goes. After a few drinks Genma began to relax and forget exactly why he had entered the bar to begin with. Five or six drinks later Genma didn't really care. Ten drinks later and the middle aged martial artist decided that he'd had enough and stumbled out into the street. He blinked in confusion as he found that the sun had set while he'd be relaxing. Fumbling with his wallet found that he had misplaced his Yuan somewhere. Figuring to go back to the bar and find it he turned drunkenly, took a step, and the lights in his world went out.
Ranma sat glumly on the eaves of a two story building, staring out over the marketplace that had long since quieted down and closed up. The people had returned to their homes, the farmers to their land, and the merchants to their shops. He'd given up exploring after only an hour, and decided to wait for is pops where he'd be sure to spot Ranma. Getting up to the roof had been easy, and the patrons of the building didn't even seem to mind. Hour after hour passed, though, and the sun dipped past the horizon without seeing Genma.
'Old man prolly found tha only bar in this whole town an' got sloshed offa his rocker again.' Ranma rolled his eyes. 'Talks alla time 'bout disc'pline an' goes off an spends all our money on booze.' Pushing himself off the roof, Ranma landed with a puff of dust then set out to find where his father had passed out. He wandered down a side street where there was still some light pouring out into the road and stopped as he was passing an open window. Looking inside he saw a family just finishing their nighttime meal. A father who looked like he was a merchant, and a beautiful lady who had to be his wife, watched over two boys and their sister as they cleared the table and began to rinse the plat ware. Ranma shook his head and kept walking, wondering what it'd be like to have a family himself.
Genma awoke to a piercing light and icy wetness. He coughed and spluttered as he attempted to regain his bearings and find out what was happening. Genma stood abruptly and cleared his eyes, then immediately regretted it. He ground his teeth as he held his head in his hands while it throbbed painfully.
"Ahhh, it hurts", he moaned painfully. Genma blinked a few more times to adjust himself to the light then looked around the alley he found himself in. Across from him sat his son atop an old crate, holding a bucket and looking supremely vindictive.
"Ohhh, it hurts does it pops? So I guess ya ain't ready fer someone ta attack ya!" With that Ranma leapt from his perch and rocketed towards Genma, who barely had time to put his hand down and block the incoming blow from his son.
Swinging his right hand, Ranma had tried to slip in a quick punch to his father's gut, but was surprised to find it blocked. Growling, he levered his body up and around Genma's arm to attempt a kick to the side of his head. Almost contemptuously Genma leaned to one side and allowed Ranma's momentum to carry him up into the wall behind him. Genma turned and smirked as his son rebounded off the wall and flipped, attempting another kick. Not bothering to dodge this time, Genma grabbed his son's ankle and redirected his momentum straight down. At the last minute Ranma, eyes wide with surprise, braced himself for impact. With a loud 'wuff' the air left Ranma's lungs and he lay on the ground, dazed.
"Yes son, hangovers hurt. Especially when uppity boys decide their father's gone soft." He chuckled and helped his son to his feet while cleaning him off. "When you grow older, and have some experience, you'll be able to fight in any condition my boy. But I make the suggestion now; never get drunk if you can help it."
"Hey, that's good advice from you, pops! Why doncha take it!"
Genma shook his head ruefully, "Sometimes and you might not understand it yet, but sometimes a man just needs to stop thinking about what's going on. Alcohol is a good way to make the old wheels stop turning for a while." He ruffled his son's hair, which annoyed the younger Saotome to no end.
Ranma stuck his tongue out as his father and pulled the lid of one eye down, then let it go and said, "Fine, yer right pops. I don't get it, but I do know I'm hungry. So how much cash ya got left, huh?"
Genma fingered his wallet and started to sweat a bit, "Ah, well boy, it looks like we're out for now." He forestalled his son's blow-up with a raised hand and said, "Don't worry son, I've got a plan. It'll get us a few Yuan so we can move on and fill your belly at the same time! So how's that sound?"
"I dunno pops, last time ya said that I wound up on a fishin' junk for a month as a cabin boy." He grimaced in distaste, "I thought I'd smell like fish forever!"
Genma chuckled, "I would have gotten you off that boat sooner, but once the captain saw the docks burst into flame he decided to set off for open seas early. This won't be too much like that, boy, so just play along with me" With that Genma walked out of the alley and turned towards the marketplace, straightening his clothes and pack as he went. Ranma followed behind, eager to see where this was going.
Genma scanned the crowded square for someone who looked like an easy mark. After only a few moments he spotted a likely looking merchant and strode towards him confidently. Ranma followed behind at a more leisurely pace, knowing he wasn't going to be important for this portion of his father's plan.
Genma walked up to the merchant, a tall and reedy man with a face that looked like it had gotten stretched in a taffy puller. The salesman turned his dour gaze towards Genma and smiled wanly.
"What can I do for you, sir?" He said in Chinese.
In broken dialect, Genma replied "Speak Japanese?"
The merchant smirked and nodded then began again. "Yes, I speak it. What would you like sir?"
"Ah, I am sorely in need of food supplies, for you see I have a long trip ahead of me."
"Well, as you can see I have many fine jerked cuts of beef, as well as fresh trail breads and cheeses. I even was lucky enough of obtain a few good leather packs that are perfect for holding large amounts of food. Why, you could easily fit three week's supplies into one of these!"
Genma nodded. It was a bit extravagant, but he needed to get as much as possible out of this man. He made a show of looking over the man's wares and made idle chatter as he went.
"It's a fine day for the time of year; tell me, do you pack all this in on your own?"
The merchant nodded, "Yes, though my warehouses are within the city."
"With all the help your sons give you, I'm sure you set up quickly."
The man grimaced slightly, "I have no sons, and sadly I've never had a wife either."
Genma had figured as much by looking at the man, but having confirmation of it made him smile inside. This one was as sure sold as his hands were still attached. It was time to set the hook.
"So it must be more difficult than I suspected to set up every day. Such a shame you've no helpers."
"I would have them, if I could afford them. Sadly many people are not in the market for traveling supplies. These days it's safer to remain in the villages."
"Oh, I understand completely." Genma scooped up enough meat and bread to fit into two of the man's food satchels, and then tied them closed. Turning to him Genma ask, "How much for these, full as they are?"
The merchant raised an eyebrow and said, "For you I will make a special deal, only $300 Yuan!"
Making a show of himself for the merchant, Genma blanched and looked rather sickly. He turned to look at Ranma then turned back to the merchant. "Ah, well, it comes to this sir. You see I haven't got that kind of money but I sorely need the supplies, so how about a deal?"
The merchant eyed Genma with open suspicion. "What kind of deal?"
"Do you se that boy standing there with the pack on his shoulders? That is my son. I was forced to flee my native land with him in tow, and I fear that a life on the road is no way for him. Unfortunately I am not yet ready to settle and can barely support him. So, because you have no son, I will trade him to you for these rations and your assurances that you will care for him and raise him properly."
The merchant looked at Genma as though the martial artist had suddenly sprouted another head. He was visibly thinking on it though, and glanced over to see Ranma pumping his oversized backpack in his left hand while he stood on one foot and yawned. The merchant turned back to Genma.
"You would sell your own son to a stranger? Maybe you are not as good to him as you would have me believe. Even so, how can I tell he will accept this? He seems to be a little old to accept a different man as his father."
"I will talk to him; tell him I am apprenticing him to you. It will amount to the same thing in the end. So what do you say?"
"Is he honorable to not run off?"
"Of course!"
The merchant looked at the boy skeptically then nodded to himself. He did need the help, and even at the boy's age he could be convinced to say goodbye to his father.
"I'll do it, bring him over here."
Genma waved his son over and draped an arm around his shoulders.
"What's up pops?" Ranma smelled something funny about the situation and was beginning to think it was a bad idea to 'just play along'.
"Son, I want you to meet this man..."
"Mau Chin"
"Meet Mau Chin. He'll be looking after you for a few days while I go hunt. I want you to stay with him and do exactly as he says, on your honor."
"Errr, sure thing pops. Just a couple of days?"
"Absolutely"
Ranma eyed the two grown men skeptically, then said, "Awright old man, if ya say so"
With that his father Laughed heartily, bowed deeply to the merchant, and grabbed two bulging leather satchels. Then he was off, moving swiftly through the crowds towards the town gates. Ranma raised an eyebrow at his father's hurry, and then shook his head ruefully.
"So, I'm Saotome Ranma. Whatcha wan' me ta do?"
The merchant's lips turned down in disapproval. "First thing you'll do, boy, is speak in Chinese. If you can't, you'll learn. I'll hear no more of that pig's tongue out of you!"
Ranma eyebrow's climbed his forehead. This guy was something else. Luckily he'd picked up enough Chinese to get by.
"Ok, if merchant guy says, Ranma do."
In Chinese the merchant replied, "Well, at least you aren't as dumb as you look, to have picked up some language skills. First thing you'll do is rearrange the stall. Re-hook the meats to the other side and stack the barrels of water where the meats were hanging, and stack the wine next to those!"
For the rest of that day Ranma ran back and for to do the merchant's bidding. He never was allowed to rest, but luckily he was used to the kind of treatment he received from the merchant. The man's tone and belligerence were starting to get on the boy's nerves, however, and as the sun went down Ranma was looking forward to finding a place to sleep. The merchant wasn't having any of that, though. He gave Ranma directions to his home and told him that he'd be staying in the stable with the mule, and to go there straight away. Right after he finished closing the stall and hauling the remaining wares back to the store houses, of course. Ranma groaned and began to do as he'd been asked. By the time he finished his muscles were humming from the continuous work, and his eyes drooped uncontrollably. He slumped to the merchant's house, found the stable, and climbed the loft and was asleep almost before his head hit the straw.
For three days after Genma sold his son the tortuous pace continued. Each day started the same, with the merchant splashing Ranma awake every morning well before dawn, and ending with Ranma practically crawling to the loft well after sunset. On the fourth night, however, Ranma found someone in his loft when he arrived. Large and strong, Genma sat unconcernedly smoking a pipe.
"Pops! I oughta kill ya! This guy's been runnin' me ragged!"
"Stop your bellyaching, boy, it's good for you. Childhood trauma builds character."
Ranma stared balefully at his father, "So that's why yer such a jackass."
Genma bopped his son on the head and said; "Don't talk to your father that way" then stood and climbed down the loft. He turned back towards his son and raised an eyebrow.
"Well, aren't you coming boy?"
"Coming? Why would I be leaving? I talked ta tha guy an he said ya wasn't comin' back, that ya'd sold me. If I was anyone else's kid I'da thought he was lyin', but I know how you are. So I think ya owe him some money if I run away witcha now. Wouldn't be honorable to stiff 'im"
"Listen boy, I figure he's worked it out of you by now, so let's get going"
Ranma huffed and then jumped down from the loft with his pack. Unfortunately he'd forgotten how sore he was, and his knees buckled as he landed. Luckily his father was there and caught him before he could hit the ground.
Genma chuckle and hefted his son up across his back, and held his son's pack in one arm.
"What did I tell you, you're as bad as if you'd had a little morning workout with me just now."
Ranma murmured sleepily, "ain't nothin' little 'bout yer workouts, pops" and then went silent, little snores coming from him as he dropped off into dreamland.
Genma shook his head then stepped out of the stable, only to come face to face with the merchant, holding a lantern and a crude looking pistol.
"So, where do you think you're going with my 'helper', drifter? I knew you'd be back! You can't go anywhere now, though, not unless you want to get shot. And the local police are on there way right now! Kidnapping is a very serious crime, don't you think?"
Genma sweated a bit as he considered that he might have miscalculated. Knowing that he couldn't dodge the bullet at this range with all the weight he was carrying, Genma decided to do the next best thing. Assuring himself that Ranma was secure and completely asleep, Genma pointed and affected a shocked and horrified look, gazing just over the merchant's shoulders.
"Gods above! Is that what I think it is?"
Unfortunately, though he was a shrewd man, the merchant was none too bright. He turned and looked over his shoulder, and only after seeing nothing but an empty street did he realize he'd been fooled. He whipped back around quickly, expecting to see Genma's retreating form, but the man had completely disappeared. The merchant cursed loudly then took off in the direction that would take him out of town the fastest, thinking to catch Genma before he got to the gate.
Chuckling softly, Genma seemed to flow out of a nearby shadow, and then sauntered off in a different direction. He'd double back after the merchant gave up and head out of town at a walk instead of a run. Hearing the stomp of multiple booted feet, he reconsidered his options and made haste towards the town exit.
The next morning dawned clear and cool on the Saotome's camp, just a few miles outside the town. Genma was using some of the jerked beef to make a stew while he watched his son run basic katas. Every so often Genma would toss a pebble at Ranma's head when the boy made a mistake, but those were becoming fewer every day.
Ranma paused in between two katas and faced his father, a question obviously in his head.
"What is it, boy?"
"Dya think it was right, sellin' me ta that guy then stealin' me back like that?"
"A martial artist's life is fraught with peril boy, besides what he put you through was good exercise."
"I dun mean that pops, I mean, it seams pretty underhanded, ya kno? Like almost no honorable."
Genma snorted, "Dishonorable would be selling your son, I just loaned you to him in exchange for the goods. If I had just asked him to let you work for the goods, he'd have never accepted. Either that or he'd have kept you for longer than he needed to. Either way we'd have had to wait for day to get our supplies, which we couldn't do."
Ranma shrugged and went back to his katas, "Just seems wrong, somehow."
Genma sighed and nodded. It seemed his boy was growing up altogether too quickly. Soon he wouldn't be a valuable barter chip any longer. Although that gave Genma another idea.
"Son, how would you like to see how your skills have improved, eh?"
Not slowing down, Ranma asked his father, "What do you mean?"
"I mean, that if we continue down this road we'll run into a major trade port, and there I can find some good pit fighting. I might even be able to find a fight for you."
Ranma stopped and beamed at his father. If his dad thought he could do it, he wouldn't be let down. "Right, let's get goin' then pops!"
"Of course this means you're going to have to step up your training. Let's start with doing those katas again, only you'll do them while we walk. And if you don't keep up with me, no lunch today! Start packing!"
Ranma groaned and began to tear down the camp. It was going to be a long trip.
-AUTHOR'S NOTES!-
Hi everyone, Paeot here. I want to thank everyone who's been reading my story so far, and let you know how happy I am to bring you my very first fan fiction ever! This last chapter was a little slow, but it's a bridge so don't worry, I promise more action, adventure, and comedy in the next installment.
Special thanks to Nemo Blank, ChaosRune, and avis de rapina for giving me reviews on chapters one and two. I'll try too keep up the good work! I hope some of you will feel compelled to give me some good C&C in the future. I don't know how long this series will be, but I've got lots of great ideas so stay tuned for Iron Ranma Chapter Four: Yellow River, Green City! See you there!
