Ranma 1/2
'Tender Loving Care'
The panda walked into the main room, carrying a heavily chained, and proficiently gagged redhead. Akane stood in front of her family, ready to defend them as a martial artist would. Before anyone could make a second reaction, the large animal held up a sign.
"[I'm tired, I don't feel like putting up with this now]" ::flip:: "[Just show me to my damn room, and we'll all get along fine.]"
"Such rude language," Kasumi admonished with a slight frown, this was not the way a guest should behave, even a massive bipedal beast that usually resides in China.
"[Sorry, I'm just a bit...]" The panda's sign didn't finish past that, as it was instead used to quickly bash it's hostage back to unconsciousness, "[Look, everything will make sense once...]" ::flip:: "[...I explain things in the morning. Right now I just want...]" ::flip:: "[want to get some sleep, it's been a REALLY long day.]"
"Uh, didn't that side of the sign read something different before?" Nabiki enquired.
"A... trained panda?" Akane whispered curiously.
"Um, sure, you can stay in the dojo for the time being," Soun offered, genuinely confused at the intelligent though slightly irritated and rather rude panda.
"[And what's wrong with the guest room?]" ::flip:: "[Soun old *BUDDY*?]"
"Well, it's just that we were expecting other guests, and you see..."
"[GUEST ROOM, NOW!!!]" the panda's patience was already at an end, and bared its teeth to help get the point across; he really wasn't in the mood to have to sleep out in the cold.
Kasumi, being the perfect hostess who happened to be scared shitless, rose and started to lead the weary panda to the extra room. As it started towards the stairs, it turned around.
'[Sorry for being so short with you, it's just been a bad day]" ::flip:: "[By the way, you have any extra tent spikes laying around?]"
Synchronized blinking.
___________________________________________________
"I sure hope your panda friend's gonna pay for the holes in the floor," Nabiki grumbled to her father, as the panda hammered the spikes into the wood floor, chains that were holding the unconscious redhead secured looped around them. After checking to make sure the tent spikes were secure, the panda slumped to the ground, extremely weary.
"[Well, since you're all standing there, someone get me a glass of hot water?]" Kasumi complied, and in moments, came back with a glass of steaming water. The panda nodded in gratitude, then upended the glass over its head. Everyone's breath caught when the panda shrank, becoming a man wearing a gi and a bandanna over his bald head.
"Sao... Saotome... is that you?" Soun ventured, managing to gain a hold of his equilibrium before everyone else.
"Yeah, it's me Tendou, we have much to discuss."
"Apparently so..."
Genma looked towards the three shell-shocked girls, "Not to be rude, but may I have some privacy with your father?" The sisters mutely nodded, and left the room.
"Saotome, were you really...."
"Indeed Tendou," Genma interrupted, "It's the result of a Chinese curse that we picked up from the infamous Legendary Training Grounds of Jusenkyo."
"Hmm, Jusenkyo, I have heard of those grounds. Truly is the life of a martial artist fraught with peril." Soun paused for a bit, "Saotome... 'we'?"
"Yes, me and the boy here," Genma gestured to the redhead sleeping beauty behind him, who was contented and tucked in snuggly in her steel wrap blanket.
"So, that is your son, why haven't you changed him back?"
"And wake him?" Genma asked incredulously with wide-eyed fright.
"Why not?" Soun asked, curious towards the reaction his old training partner exhibited.
"Ranma... well..."
"Saotome, is there something WRONG with your son?" Soun inquired, his ire raising in case Genma was about to baulk at his end of the promise to unite the schools.
"I'm... rather tired, mind if we continue this tomorrow?" Genma said, his head drooping a bit.
"Sure, but I expect answers in the morning, I already took the liberty of getting Ranma started with enrollment into school, so he may begin attending tomorrow.
Genma went pale at the prospect of Ranma around other people; he was bad enough away from civilization as it was. The reaction went unnoticed by his host, as he left his old friend to retire for the night.
Not even bothering to roll out any bedding, Genma collapsed onto the floor. The trek to bring Ranma to the Tendous was trying to say the least. Even his training with the master hadn't ever left him so drained. Genma quickly allowed slumber to claim him.
________________________________________________________
Even after a full night of sleep, Genma still felt very little energy to get up. Nonetheless, he had things to explain to his old friend and family, and hopefully the boy should be calm enough to not cause any problems. Genma rolled over so he could wake up his son turned daughter, and was greeted by a few tent spikes and chains.
________________________________________________________
"TENDOUUUUUUUU!!!!!"
"Eh?" the man in question answered with his toothbrush still in his mouth, just before he was almost bowled over by his old training buddy.
"Answer me this carefully, have you seen the boy?" Genma asked, panic stricken.
"Well, now that you mention it.... no."
"DON'T TOY WITH ME TENDOU!" Genma shook Soun by the collar, causing toothpaste foam to be flung from his mouth.
"Get... a hold of yourself, Saotome, I haven't anyone other than you or my daughters all morning!"
Genma let go of Soun, and looked around nervously, "We... have a BIG... problem..."
"I assumed as much from last night," Soun replied casually, "Mind explaining what is going on now?"
"Not now, we HAVE to find the boy!!!!"
"I ask again, is there something WRONG with your son? Other than the curse I mean."
"I'll tell you after we find him. If you see him or her, do not make any sudden moves, and if he's holding anything sharp, unsealed, combustible, plushy, or just plain unidentifiable, RUN!"
Soun stared hard and long at his friend, as he bolted out the house in search of his missing child, "Um, what about the sudden moves part..."
____________________________________________
The redhead girl that the panda had carried into the Tendou household sat upon the wall surrounding the yard. In the distance came a long raven-haired girl jogging home.
"Hello."
"Oh..." Akane stopped at the entrance, and looked up at the girl, "You're that girl from last night."
"Yup, name's Ranma Saotome," the redhead introduced herself with a smile.
"I'm Akane Tendou," Akane returned with a friendly smile, "I thought you were supposed to be a... boy."
"What makes you think I ain't?" Ranma asked curiously.
"Well, there are two rather blaring reasons right in front of you," Akane answered with a half lidded stare.
Ranma blinked, and then looked down at her chest, "Oh, so there is, good for you to notice!"
Akane chuckled, "Come on, I have to bathe before breakfast, we can get to know each other in the bath."
"How forward of you," the pigtailed girl replied with a smirk.
"Wha? Oh, OH! Not like that! I mean, well... haven't you bathed with other girls before?"
"Well, Pop's careful about keeping me away from others." Ranma replied casually.
"I don't understand.... About your dad, how did he change from a panda?" Akane asked, walking through the gates and up the path to the front door.
"Magic," Ranma replied cheerfully, earning another smile from Akane.
"You sure are cheerful."
"There's a lot to laugh at."
"Optimistic, too, I see."
"Always."
They both removed their shoes and walked by the kitchen on there as Akane walked up the stairs to get her clothes for school before she bathed.
"Oh, hello again, Ranma, breakfast will be ready in a half hour."
"I see you met Kasumi already," Akane stated, continuing up the stairs.
"Yeah, us early risers gotta stick together."
"Oh, Ranma, I assume," Soun looked up from reading his paper, "Your father went looking for you. He seemed rather agitated that you were gone."
Ranma shrugged, "He probably forgot to take his medication."
"Hmm? Medication, you say?"
"Yup, Pop is just a bundle of nerves, he has medicine to help him calm down."
"I... see."
Akane came back down stairs and headed for the bathroom, "Well, you coming or not?"
"Er, that's okay, I'll just wait till you're done," Ranma replied a bit nervously.
"Oh, your father already told us about your curse, why are you still a girl?" Soun asked, a bit puzzled.
"I just haven't taken the time to change. Besides I stay dryer as a girl than a guy, so I'll just change later."
"Huh? Change?" Akane asked curiously.
"Don't worry your cute little head," Ranma told Akane, "It'll all be explained later."
"If you say so..." Akane went into the bathroom.
"So... how was your training trip?" the Tendou Patriarch enquired, not looking up from his paper.
"Eventful, got to meet a lot of interesting people too," Ranma chirped cheerfully.
"That's good, I hope you had progressed substantially in the art because of it."
"Don't like to brag, but I think I'm pretty good," the girl stated casually.
"Really now, I'll be interested in seeing your skill later on, then."
"I hope I don't disappoint you then." Ranma replied. The pigtailed girl found herself something to occupy herself with for the remainder of the time until Akane got out of the bathroom and breakfast was ready.
"Now, about you changing," Akane asked, sitting down to the dining table. Before she got a response, the front door slammed open.
"Has... Ranma returned... yet?" Genma asked between gulping breaths.
"Don't think I went anywhere, old man,"
"Ranma...."
Ranma walked up to her dad, and patted him on the back. Genma quickly flinched away from his son's touch. Everyone present noticed the reaction.
"Saotome, are you okay?"
"He's fine, not enough zinc in his diet," Ranma replied, sitting herself next to Akane at the breakfast table. Genma took a seat across from his son, and proceeded to watch him like a hawk.
"Hmm, Pop? You seem more nervous than usual."
"Yes, perhaps you should take whatever medication was prescribed to you, old friend?"
"Medication?" Genma asked, puzzled.
Nabiki walked downstairs in her school uniform, still looking weary, and sat down for breakfast as Kasumi walked in and set the prepared plates out.
Genma held back, waiting for Ranma to take a bite, ignoring everyone else starting.
Soun nearly bit through his chopsticks, Nabiki woke RIGHT up, Kasumi paused with her usual smile on her face, but with a suddenly newly developed twitch of her left eyebrow, Akane started to tear up. In unison, every Tendou's eyes turned to the youngest, Akane slowly shook her head in the negative; she had nothing to do with this.
"Um, well, I guess I put in a little too much... of..." Kasumi couldn't even identify what it was that there was an excess of.
"What did you do... boy?" Genma growled; Ranma looked back with a puzzled expression.
"Well, I guess the rice and miso soup will be fine," Soun managed to say with a straight face. Again, Genma kept his eyes on his son, and only started eating when Ranma did, and ate what Ranma did while taking careful bites.
"I worry about you, Pop, you don't seem to have an appetite anymore."
"I'm fine, boy."
"Well, I need to get going if I want to be early for school, ciao!" Nabiki stated, ignoring her miso soup and heading for the front door.
"Hmm, I guess I'll be following Akane to school then," Ranma stated casually, finishing his rice.
Genma jerked up at Ranma's announcement, "How'd you...?" The eldest Saotome realized that the boy was playing possum, meaning he had knowledge, which meant he was even more dangerous than the norm.
"Yes indeed, you have a pack by the door, don't forget it on your way out."
"Kay," Ranma replied with gratitude in her voice. The pigtailed girl got up when Akane did, and picked up her bag as she walked out the door.
"Hmm, seems like a pleasant young man, er, young lady, er, something," Soun commented about Ranma.
Genma didn't pay much attention to what Soun was saying, but to his friend's mouth. Genma turned to Ranma's left overs, and noted that his son never touched his soup, "Um, Tendou, your mouth is..."
'Tender Loving Care'
The panda walked into the main room, carrying a heavily chained, and proficiently gagged redhead. Akane stood in front of her family, ready to defend them as a martial artist would. Before anyone could make a second reaction, the large animal held up a sign.
"[I'm tired, I don't feel like putting up with this now]" ::flip:: "[Just show me to my damn room, and we'll all get along fine.]"
"Such rude language," Kasumi admonished with a slight frown, this was not the way a guest should behave, even a massive bipedal beast that usually resides in China.
"[Sorry, I'm just a bit...]" The panda's sign didn't finish past that, as it was instead used to quickly bash it's hostage back to unconsciousness, "[Look, everything will make sense once...]" ::flip:: "[...I explain things in the morning. Right now I just want...]" ::flip:: "[want to get some sleep, it's been a REALLY long day.]"
"Uh, didn't that side of the sign read something different before?" Nabiki enquired.
"A... trained panda?" Akane whispered curiously.
"Um, sure, you can stay in the dojo for the time being," Soun offered, genuinely confused at the intelligent though slightly irritated and rather rude panda.
"[And what's wrong with the guest room?]" ::flip:: "[Soun old *BUDDY*?]"
"Well, it's just that we were expecting other guests, and you see..."
"[GUEST ROOM, NOW!!!]" the panda's patience was already at an end, and bared its teeth to help get the point across; he really wasn't in the mood to have to sleep out in the cold.
Kasumi, being the perfect hostess who happened to be scared shitless, rose and started to lead the weary panda to the extra room. As it started towards the stairs, it turned around.
'[Sorry for being so short with you, it's just been a bad day]" ::flip:: "[By the way, you have any extra tent spikes laying around?]"
Synchronized blinking.
___________________________________________________
"I sure hope your panda friend's gonna pay for the holes in the floor," Nabiki grumbled to her father, as the panda hammered the spikes into the wood floor, chains that were holding the unconscious redhead secured looped around them. After checking to make sure the tent spikes were secure, the panda slumped to the ground, extremely weary.
"[Well, since you're all standing there, someone get me a glass of hot water?]" Kasumi complied, and in moments, came back with a glass of steaming water. The panda nodded in gratitude, then upended the glass over its head. Everyone's breath caught when the panda shrank, becoming a man wearing a gi and a bandanna over his bald head.
"Sao... Saotome... is that you?" Soun ventured, managing to gain a hold of his equilibrium before everyone else.
"Yeah, it's me Tendou, we have much to discuss."
"Apparently so..."
Genma looked towards the three shell-shocked girls, "Not to be rude, but may I have some privacy with your father?" The sisters mutely nodded, and left the room.
"Saotome, were you really...."
"Indeed Tendou," Genma interrupted, "It's the result of a Chinese curse that we picked up from the infamous Legendary Training Grounds of Jusenkyo."
"Hmm, Jusenkyo, I have heard of those grounds. Truly is the life of a martial artist fraught with peril." Soun paused for a bit, "Saotome... 'we'?"
"Yes, me and the boy here," Genma gestured to the redhead sleeping beauty behind him, who was contented and tucked in snuggly in her steel wrap blanket.
"So, that is your son, why haven't you changed him back?"
"And wake him?" Genma asked incredulously with wide-eyed fright.
"Why not?" Soun asked, curious towards the reaction his old training partner exhibited.
"Ranma... well..."
"Saotome, is there something WRONG with your son?" Soun inquired, his ire raising in case Genma was about to baulk at his end of the promise to unite the schools.
"I'm... rather tired, mind if we continue this tomorrow?" Genma said, his head drooping a bit.
"Sure, but I expect answers in the morning, I already took the liberty of getting Ranma started with enrollment into school, so he may begin attending tomorrow.
Genma went pale at the prospect of Ranma around other people; he was bad enough away from civilization as it was. The reaction went unnoticed by his host, as he left his old friend to retire for the night.
Not even bothering to roll out any bedding, Genma collapsed onto the floor. The trek to bring Ranma to the Tendous was trying to say the least. Even his training with the master hadn't ever left him so drained. Genma quickly allowed slumber to claim him.
________________________________________________________
Even after a full night of sleep, Genma still felt very little energy to get up. Nonetheless, he had things to explain to his old friend and family, and hopefully the boy should be calm enough to not cause any problems. Genma rolled over so he could wake up his son turned daughter, and was greeted by a few tent spikes and chains.
________________________________________________________
"TENDOUUUUUUUU!!!!!"
"Eh?" the man in question answered with his toothbrush still in his mouth, just before he was almost bowled over by his old training buddy.
"Answer me this carefully, have you seen the boy?" Genma asked, panic stricken.
"Well, now that you mention it.... no."
"DON'T TOY WITH ME TENDOU!" Genma shook Soun by the collar, causing toothpaste foam to be flung from his mouth.
"Get... a hold of yourself, Saotome, I haven't anyone other than you or my daughters all morning!"
Genma let go of Soun, and looked around nervously, "We... have a BIG... problem..."
"I assumed as much from last night," Soun replied casually, "Mind explaining what is going on now?"
"Not now, we HAVE to find the boy!!!!"
"I ask again, is there something WRONG with your son? Other than the curse I mean."
"I'll tell you after we find him. If you see him or her, do not make any sudden moves, and if he's holding anything sharp, unsealed, combustible, plushy, or just plain unidentifiable, RUN!"
Soun stared hard and long at his friend, as he bolted out the house in search of his missing child, "Um, what about the sudden moves part..."
____________________________________________
The redhead girl that the panda had carried into the Tendou household sat upon the wall surrounding the yard. In the distance came a long raven-haired girl jogging home.
"Hello."
"Oh..." Akane stopped at the entrance, and looked up at the girl, "You're that girl from last night."
"Yup, name's Ranma Saotome," the redhead introduced herself with a smile.
"I'm Akane Tendou," Akane returned with a friendly smile, "I thought you were supposed to be a... boy."
"What makes you think I ain't?" Ranma asked curiously.
"Well, there are two rather blaring reasons right in front of you," Akane answered with a half lidded stare.
Ranma blinked, and then looked down at her chest, "Oh, so there is, good for you to notice!"
Akane chuckled, "Come on, I have to bathe before breakfast, we can get to know each other in the bath."
"How forward of you," the pigtailed girl replied with a smirk.
"Wha? Oh, OH! Not like that! I mean, well... haven't you bathed with other girls before?"
"Well, Pop's careful about keeping me away from others." Ranma replied casually.
"I don't understand.... About your dad, how did he change from a panda?" Akane asked, walking through the gates and up the path to the front door.
"Magic," Ranma replied cheerfully, earning another smile from Akane.
"You sure are cheerful."
"There's a lot to laugh at."
"Optimistic, too, I see."
"Always."
They both removed their shoes and walked by the kitchen on there as Akane walked up the stairs to get her clothes for school before she bathed.
"Oh, hello again, Ranma, breakfast will be ready in a half hour."
"I see you met Kasumi already," Akane stated, continuing up the stairs.
"Yeah, us early risers gotta stick together."
"Oh, Ranma, I assume," Soun looked up from reading his paper, "Your father went looking for you. He seemed rather agitated that you were gone."
Ranma shrugged, "He probably forgot to take his medication."
"Hmm? Medication, you say?"
"Yup, Pop is just a bundle of nerves, he has medicine to help him calm down."
"I... see."
Akane came back down stairs and headed for the bathroom, "Well, you coming or not?"
"Er, that's okay, I'll just wait till you're done," Ranma replied a bit nervously.
"Oh, your father already told us about your curse, why are you still a girl?" Soun asked, a bit puzzled.
"I just haven't taken the time to change. Besides I stay dryer as a girl than a guy, so I'll just change later."
"Huh? Change?" Akane asked curiously.
"Don't worry your cute little head," Ranma told Akane, "It'll all be explained later."
"If you say so..." Akane went into the bathroom.
"So... how was your training trip?" the Tendou Patriarch enquired, not looking up from his paper.
"Eventful, got to meet a lot of interesting people too," Ranma chirped cheerfully.
"That's good, I hope you had progressed substantially in the art because of it."
"Don't like to brag, but I think I'm pretty good," the girl stated casually.
"Really now, I'll be interested in seeing your skill later on, then."
"I hope I don't disappoint you then." Ranma replied. The pigtailed girl found herself something to occupy herself with for the remainder of the time until Akane got out of the bathroom and breakfast was ready.
"Now, about you changing," Akane asked, sitting down to the dining table. Before she got a response, the front door slammed open.
"Has... Ranma returned... yet?" Genma asked between gulping breaths.
"Don't think I went anywhere, old man,"
"Ranma...."
Ranma walked up to her dad, and patted him on the back. Genma quickly flinched away from his son's touch. Everyone present noticed the reaction.
"Saotome, are you okay?"
"He's fine, not enough zinc in his diet," Ranma replied, sitting herself next to Akane at the breakfast table. Genma took a seat across from his son, and proceeded to watch him like a hawk.
"Hmm, Pop? You seem more nervous than usual."
"Yes, perhaps you should take whatever medication was prescribed to you, old friend?"
"Medication?" Genma asked, puzzled.
Nabiki walked downstairs in her school uniform, still looking weary, and sat down for breakfast as Kasumi walked in and set the prepared plates out.
Genma held back, waiting for Ranma to take a bite, ignoring everyone else starting.
Soun nearly bit through his chopsticks, Nabiki woke RIGHT up, Kasumi paused with her usual smile on her face, but with a suddenly newly developed twitch of her left eyebrow, Akane started to tear up. In unison, every Tendou's eyes turned to the youngest, Akane slowly shook her head in the negative; she had nothing to do with this.
"Um, well, I guess I put in a little too much... of..." Kasumi couldn't even identify what it was that there was an excess of.
"What did you do... boy?" Genma growled; Ranma looked back with a puzzled expression.
"Well, I guess the rice and miso soup will be fine," Soun managed to say with a straight face. Again, Genma kept his eyes on his son, and only started eating when Ranma did, and ate what Ranma did while taking careful bites.
"I worry about you, Pop, you don't seem to have an appetite anymore."
"I'm fine, boy."
"Well, I need to get going if I want to be early for school, ciao!" Nabiki stated, ignoring her miso soup and heading for the front door.
"Hmm, I guess I'll be following Akane to school then," Ranma stated casually, finishing his rice.
Genma jerked up at Ranma's announcement, "How'd you...?" The eldest Saotome realized that the boy was playing possum, meaning he had knowledge, which meant he was even more dangerous than the norm.
"Yes indeed, you have a pack by the door, don't forget it on your way out."
"Kay," Ranma replied with gratitude in her voice. The pigtailed girl got up when Akane did, and picked up her bag as she walked out the door.
"Hmm, seems like a pleasant young man, er, young lady, er, something," Soun commented about Ranma.
Genma didn't pay much attention to what Soun was saying, but to his friend's mouth. Genma turned to Ranma's left overs, and noted that his son never touched his soup, "Um, Tendou, your mouth is..."