Chapter 4: A Different Bad Cut
The two first years found themselves walking to school alone. Tsubame, being rather upset over the bra incident from breakfast, had left early while Ranma was made to wait for Hibari. As they walked Hibari kept sliding closer and closer to Ranma, pushing into the pig-tailed boy's personal space.
"Seriously, can ya back off a bit?" Ranma grumbled. "People might get the wrong idea or somethin'."
"What sort of wrong idea?" Hibari giggled and stuck a tongue out. "That we're engaged?"
Ranma was readying a 'witty' response when he noticed a dog watching them a little too intently. Something about it seemed almost human. He was trying to remember if there was a cursed spring of a drowned dog when a familiar voice cut into his train of thought.
"So, seriously, what is with the whole 'going to school as a guy' thing anyway?" the lanky Shiina asked, tossing a cigarette butt aside.
"I. AM. A. Guy," Ranma hissed.
"Riiight," Shiina shrugged, "I didn't mean to grab what I grabbed, but... guys don't exactly have chests like that."
Ranma just shot him a look that tried it's best to injure the taller teen. Of course Ranma knew of no technique that could actually wound with just a look, but he was very interested in learning if any such style existed.
"Listen, I told Hibari I'd keep your secret," the boxer replied in a only mildly slimy manner, "I just want to know a little bit more, so I can play along properly. And to make sure you don't drag the lovely Hibari-chan into anything perverted."
Ranma couldn't help himself and burst out laughing, "Me? Drag 'her' into something perverted? Bwahaha!"
Hibari glared at him, before giving a (totally not made up on the spot, no sir) reply, "Mr. Saotome, Ranma's father, was so determined to have a son to carry on his legacy that when he had a daughter he decided to raise her as a boy anyway. Since her dad is living with us training some of my dad's men I was just trying to give more evidence to her identity with the 'engagement' thing. It's important to her honour that no one finds out she's a girl."
"Right... and tomorrow we'll meet an alien princess in a tiger stripe bikini," Ranma grumbled.
"Well, isn't it true you don't want the school to find out you're a girl?" Hibari replied with a stuck out tongue.
"I ain't a girl!"
Shiina meanwhile was left standing and shaking his head in confusion, and wondering what scantily clad alien princesses had to do with cross dressing martial artists. As his classmates walked around a corner suddenly the dog that had been following them stood up on its back legs and removed what turned out to just be a highly realistic dog mask. Underneath was a man's face with slicked back hair, a pencil mustache, and sharp sunglasses.
"Hmm... Trying to maintain the illusion, even at school. This'll be a challenge," Sparta muttered, glad to breathe easier with the dog mask removed.
"Wahh!" Shiina shouted, even more confused.
"Grawrf!" Sparta barked at the lad, sending him fleeing in confusion.
Once the lanky boxer had fled Sparta continued to bring his thoughts into words, "Over ten years on the job, training Yakuza to follow the manly path they must follow. I'd thought I'd seen it all, but Hibari... this should be a true challenge to lead him to the path of manhood. Good to have a second student in that Ranma boy though, competition is a good driver for students. Though if the curse is really what his father said, it may be a challenge. I'd never believe a man could become a panda without seeing it myself... Let's see how well the two preform at school."
The results of the first midterms were up. Ranma was a bit embarrassed to have his sitting up there, near the bottom of the list, but he was honestly proud to have almost passed in most of his classes. Having been out of school since the start of grade seven, and only arriving a few days before the midterms started, high 50s in everything but English (which he'd still managed a not terrible 48 in) and Gym (the one class he was doing well in) was a good start. He only had to aim for the high 60s in future to pass, that was doable. He was still bitter know that some schools counted 50% as a pass, but not Wakaba.
Everyone else's eyes however were on the top of the list.
"Hibari got first place!
"I knew she was smart, but wow, top in our year!"
"When does she find time to study?"
A couple of guys who Ranma recognised from his class slid over to him.
"I bet you'll be having some nice intimate study sessions with Hibari-chan, eh Saotome-kun?" asked the boy with fluffier brown hair.
"Man, I'd like to have her as a tutor," the one with medium-length black hair replied.
"I'd prefer to spend as little time as possible with hi...Hibari," Ranma grumbled. He was still shocked though, Hibari seemed so care free, not the studious nerdy type.
Meanwhile a slick Yakuza trainer's head popped out from a trash-can, and muttered, "Surprising. Top of his school. The other lad is a slacker though."
A juice box bopped off his head as a student tried to be responsible and dispose of their trash. Clearly trash cans weren't always the best disguise.
The other guys still gave Ranma lots of space while he changed for gym. Not that he minded. The previous Friday had seen a few guys get into a water fight with their water bottles, and hoping to avoid any issues with that in future he'd taken to changing discreetly in a corner. He did however mind why they avoided him. Rumours he was gay, or Shiina's conviction he was actually a girl, were not things he was comfortable with (his father would definitely disapprove of either). Luckily changing didn't take long, and he was soon out able to show off with the high jump, leaping over with a graceful back flip, before landing on his feet on the other side. There was a bit of applause from both the guys around and the girls waiting for their turn.
As the guys finished Ranma flopped onto the grass, and found the two guys from before sitting to either side of him. They watched as the girls went through the high jump practice as well. When Hibari's turn finally came up the bare was raised as high as it had been for Ranma, and the graceful blonde vaulted over easily (if not quite with quite as much show as Ranma).
"She's so cute," the raven haired guy said. (Ranma was pretty sure his name was Ken.)
"Is not," Ranma grumbled, trying to convince himself that was his opinion.
"Great grades, one of the best athletes in our year, and she never brags or nothing," the brown haired one replied. (Thinking for a moment Ranma remembered his name was Haruki.)
"What I'd give to be in your position Ranma," Ken added.
"Trust me, you don't want to be," Ranma grumbled.
"Yeah, she's wait out of our league," Haruki added. "She'd probably just ignore us. Not like you, you lucky dog. Swooping in to be her fiancé, and winning her with those kung-fu skills."
"It's more karate than kung-fu," Ranma grumbled. "Though I did pick up a bit of kung-fu in China."
Across the field Sparta's head popped out from a sand pit, and he muttered further observations to himself. Both students had impressive physical abilities. If Ranma was as good a fighter as his father claimed the boy might also prove a good sparring partner for Sparta's son.
Walking home from school Ranma was annoyed by a sudden rain shower. As his clothes became looser (apart for around the chest) he heard Hibari giggle. He turned to see the blonde holding an umbrella and offering for Ranma to squeeze under it.
"You'd think with that curse of yours you'd learn to pay more attention to the weather."
"I gave up after a couple weeks in China. If I have an umbrella then I slip into a puddle, or the wind'll blow the umbrella inside out, or somethin'" the redhead shrugged. "The curse makes me a water magnet. 'Sides, a brave man likes to feel a little weather on his face."
Sparta meanwhile shivered from his vantage point. Genma had told him of the curse, and shown him the panda curse, but seeing the sex changing curse in action was quite another thing entirely. No wonder the balding martial artist had wanted his son to study under Sparta. With a curse like that the boy needed to be kept on the narrow path of manhood. It also unsettled Sparta deeply. The Saotome's effort to keep up a masculine demeanor was admirable though, and Sparta focused on that.
"Hibari has the potential to be a cut above most men," Sparta told Ibari, having returned to the household for the evening, "His grades and athletic abilities are exceptional."
"Of course," the Yakuza father beamed. "He is my son."
"He is also... a total deviant," Sparta continued.
The Oozora father slipped from his seated position, face on the floor and legs in the air. It was only a moment before he righted himself and grumbled, "Well, yes. That is why he needs training."
Sparta nodded, "I think I shall have to resort to severe methods. Is that acceptable?"
"Of course," the yakuza boss replied.
"Ranma will prove a useful foil for the boy," Sparta added, his body becoming stiff as he remembered what he'd seen. "Apart from his... embarrassing curse, he is reasonably manly. Could use a bit of polishing though."
Genma nodded, "Any improvement helps."
"I'll meet them both in the dojo then."
Ranma was freshly showered and headed towards the dojo when he overheard voices in one of the large building's sitting rooms.
"I wouldn't like a manly Hibari-chan," Suzume was saying. "I like him how he is."
"We've just been spoiling him too much, that's the problem!" Tsubame replied. "Especially you two!"
Ranma popped his head in to see Tsugumi give a fairly apathetic shrug. "He's our brother. I just want him to be happy."
Tsubame looked up to see Ranma and pointed a finger at him. "What about you? Do you want him manly? Or do you like having another weirdo around you?"
"I ain't a weirdo!" Ranma shot back. "I'm a man, an' I don't have any interest in weird girly things. Girls are soft an' cry a lot, an'... ya know."
Tsubame's eye twitched for a few moments at the sexism, before she realised something and gave a reply: "You didn't actually answer the question about Hibari."
"Oh, uh," Ranma stuttered, and began to wonder why he felt some uncertainty. Ranma had to shrug. "If he can manage it. Bein' manly takes strength and grit. It's gonna take a bit to build up someone as soft as him."
With that Ranma wandered off to the Oozora Dojo, wondering why he felt so apprehensive about Hibari's training (not that Ranma was looking forward to having someone other than he father demand impossible standards of manliness for himself either). He found Sparta waiting patiently in a gi, looking stern with his sharp sunglasses. Hibari showed up soon after Ranma, in a baggy sweater and skinny jeans. Ranma snorted at the outfit.
"You're going to train in that?" Ranma asked pointedly.
"It's comfy," Hibari countered.
"We shall begin," Sparta began calmly, removing his sunglasses to reveal his beady uncannily wide set eyes. He didn't need bickering students.
"Flatfish," Hibari giggled. Ranma gave quick chuckle too.
An outraged Sparta lunged across the room and slapped them both across the face.
"SHOW RESPECT!" he bellowed.
Ranma glared, used to this sort of discipline from his father. As well as some other sensei's they'd encountered. Hibari however gave a feminine whine, a hand caressing the slapped cheek.
"That was mean," the blonde said. Ranma was about to roll his eyes, but something about Hibari's tone made him realise the blonde was playing things up.
"ACT LIKE A MAN!" Sparta shouted at the blonde, "Those clothes! They're encouraging weakness and femininity! When you look so girly how can you act manly?!"
He leaped towards Hibari, and began pulling the baggy sweater off, despite the Oozora heir's protesting. Ranma however seethed at the statement that appearance was so decisive to manliness, some things couldn't be controlled. As Sparta ripped the sweater away, Hibari was left standing there in a bra, backed nervously into a corner.
"How can you be a man wearing a bra?!" the yakuza trainer roared, yanking the bra from Hibari, while Ranma nodded, agreeing for once (but finding himself looking away with a confused blush). Once the garment was firmly removed the man then glanced around nervously and tucked it into a pocket, before whispering: "I'll hold onto that."
Ranma and Hibari were both more than a little unsettled by that, making nervous eye contact.
"The hair needs to go too!" Sparta roared once more, pulling out a pair of scissors, "Men should not have such long hair! Crew cuts or slicked back only!"
"Hey!" Ranma objected. His own hair was probably about as long as Hibari's, just styled less femininely. Unfortunately he was under strict instructions not to interfere with Hibari's training, and so was left just grumbling, though he swore Sparta would pay if the scissors went anywhere near Ranma's own pigtail.
Sparta ignored him, and charged Hibari. The blonde resisted, arms moving up to hold off the yakuza trainer's own arms, and especially the scissors, leaving Hibari's chest fully exposed. Ranma looked away nervously and blushed, before remembering that it was a male chest, and besides, he'd seen his own female chest plenty of times, so why get nervous either way?
The struggle between Sparta and Hibari continued, unaffected by Ranma's internal confusion (which kept him seated out of the way). Hibari put up a valiant effort, but Sparta was both taller and stronger, the two things that decided a direct battle of strength like that. Finally his arm broke free, and the scissors slide to Hibari's bangs, chopping a few strands a good bit shorter than the rest. Hibari watched wide eyed as the strands of hair fell. Then those bright blue eyes grew cold and narrowed.
"You threw the first blow," Hibari stated flatly.
Ranma and Sparta could both feel a steely aura of cold rage sliding off the blonde, and Sparta stumbled back nervously.
"W-where's this determination coming from?" the stunned yakuza trainer muttered.
Hibari's was behind Sparta before the average person could blink, grabbing him by the collar and tossing him into a wall. Before the man could get back to his feet the blonde was upon him again, an uppercut throwing him into the ceiling. As he crashed down he landed on another fist and slammed into a different wall. A final blow saw him scream as he crashed into the floor, where Sparta was implanted firmly into the floorboards. Hibari then ran over and grabbed the sweater for modesty.
Ranma was left blinking as the rest of the household burst in. Hibari blushed and ran out, while the others then turned their eyes to a half conscious Sparta.
"He's fast," the man was muttering.
"Ranma? What did you do?" Genma shouted angrily.
"It wasn't me pops!" Ranma answered, "I waited my turn like you asked... Hibari is a much better fighter than I'd a ever guessed."
As the others all looked stunned Ranma decided to hurry after the 2nd youngest Oozora, wanting to discuss martial arts. Sure, the blonde wasn't on his level, but could prove a decent sparring partner with a bit of training. He found Hibari in her room, placing a headband over the lopsided haircut. Ranma slid into the room nervously.
"You're actually pretty good."
"You think so?" Hibari asked a bit shyly, looking at him via the reflection in the mirror.
"Good and fast. Decent technique. Definitely not much going on defense-wise and could use strength training," Ranma added, not wanting to be too generous, "But strong potential. I'd like to spar you a bit. Train you some. Toughen ya up."
Hibari beamed, which honestly surprised Ranma. "I'd love that!"
"R-really?" Ranma stuttered. "I was thinkin' you'd object. Wantin' to be all soft an' girly an' stuff."
"I've got to know how to defend myself," Hibari said as she shrugged. "Plus I've seen you sparring with the panda. All sweaty and ragged. It'll be fun to see you looking like that, very attractive."
Ranma slipped from his feet in shock.
"That-that's not the right mindset!"
Hibari just giggled and winked at him.
"So, you're really movin' ta Tokyo?" the freckled boy with dark hair just short of his shoulders and a strong Kyushu accent asked.
"Yeah, the train's in a week," Kosaku replied.
"Too bad we never settled that bet," the other boy laughed, "Guess I win?"
"What?" Kosaku gasped, "What makes ya think that?"
"Kimoya Nimura, from class 2."
"She's your girlfriend already?" Kosaku gasped.
"Not quite, but I'm on the attack. She'll be my girlfriend before ya make it ta Tokyo though. I can promise you that. I'll be makin' third base within a month."
"You're a pervert sometimes Dai," Kosaku grumbled.
"Don't change that I'm winnin'," his friend Daisuke laughed.
"Yeah... well, I'll find a girlfriend quick in Tokyo. I can promise ya that," Kosaku nodded. "She'll be pretty too. It's the big city, so the girls are prettier and more fashionable."
"Six months," Daisuke replied. "I'll give ya six months to find a girl."
Kosaku began to sweat, having been hoping for more time, but couldn't back down. "Alright, sounds good."
"An what'll ya do if ya lose?"
"I-I'll shave my head!"
"Right, it's a bet," Daisuke laughed. "I'll be in to check, don't you worry. And since you think big city girls are so pretty, if she's prettier as Setsu I'll shave my head."
As the two boys shook on it a third lad about their age appeared. He was clearly travel weary, with a large backpack and distinctive bandanna.
"Do you know the way to Nerima from here?" Ryoga asked.
"Nerima, what's that?" Daisuke asked.
"That's on the other end of Japan, in Tokyo," Kosaku replied, "It's actually where I'm goin' next week."
"Other end of Japan?" Ryoga asked. "Where am I then... Chiba?"
The two other teens were blown off their feet by the absurdity, face planting in the dirt.
"You're in Kyushu," Kosaku replied as he dusted himself off. "Tokyo is a thousand kilometres east a' here."
Ryoga nodded, and began walking to the south.
Author's notes on fighting ability:
Trying to balance out abilities between the two stories is a little tricky, but the Sparta's provide the best metric available. The elder Sparta is labelled as the top Yakuza drill master in Japan, and is clearly a top end martial artist. Hibari knocks him about pretty effectively. Kotatsu Sparta, the younger Sparta, meanwhile is probably better than his father. As Hibari wasn't intimidated by him, I think it would be safe to put those two on roughly the same level. Kotatsu also seems to have a similar vagabond martial artist feel akin to many of Ranma's challengers (Kumon for instance). Overall that leads me to guess at Hibari being somewhere a bit below Shampoo or Ukyo in canon.