Author's Note: Some of you were wondering what he should call the bicycle, and I hadn't thought of a proper name at the time of last chapter, but I think I've done well enough. I normally have trouble with such things. The defeat of the Gambling King and Ukyo having some time to shine was also well-received, and I thank you for the feedback.
This chapter is one which I've struggled with, writing three versions before finally posting this one. That was part of the reason for the delay.
Chapter 09: A Brief Reprieve
"HYA! KYA!" The sound of a child practicing martial arts echoed through the Tendo Dojo. The blue-haired girl in a yellow gi looked quite at home in the training hall, practicing her family art. Assisting her by wearing blue padded mitts on his hands to intercept her punches and kicks was a man in a brown gi with long, straight hair and a mustache. The eyes of the father regarded the girl's moves approvingly as she made them.
"Very good, Akane! Tuck in your elbow a bit more and you'll get more force behind that punch." The man praised his six-year-old daughter, though the sound of the front gate opening made them pause. Soun pondered on who could be coming as he glanced to the door. He had no meetings scheduled for the moment. "Akane, practice the newest kata for a bit. I need to tend to this."
"Okay, Daddy..." Akane responded in a somewhat saddened voice. Practicing katas were a bit boring to her, but she knew it was a necessary part of developing her skills further. She often needed her father to rein her in and keep her from overextending or neglecting portions of a move in her over-eagerness. This lead to katas being the only thing she was allowed to practice unless he was there to correct her form. It was frustrating, and she was disappointed at the end of the practical lesson.
The visitors didn't even make it to the house before Soun stepped out from the Dojo into the yard and took note of who they were. A female uniformed police officer and a man in a suit who he knew to be a police detective. Soun had a good relationship with the police in the city and tended to help with various aspects of the criminal element...with the exception of the old master Happosai, of course. That was a conflict of interest he was silently praying wouldn't bite him one day. There were people wanting him to run for the City Council, and the old master's mere existence was one of the worst skeletons he had in his closet. He approached the guests and smiled while banishing that thought.
"Detective Nakamura. Officer Nohara. Nice to see you again. Is there more trouble?" Soun inquired, not sure why they were here.
Detective Seiji Nakamura was a JSDF soldier-turned-cop after his tour of duty, the thirty-something man having also become a veteran of Furinkan's craziness. Officer Hayumi Nohara was fresh out of the Academy, however, and she was still acclimating to the oddness that was the city. She was making fine strides in doing so, though. "Not the usual fare, sorry. I was hoping we could speak with you regarding Genma and Ranma Saotome," the Detective clarified.
Soun's face showed surprise at hearing those names. "Genma and Ranma? Yes, Genma trained alongside me in martial arts, and his son Ranma has been engaged to marry one of my daughters since before his birth. Has something happened on their training journey?" Soun intentionally avoided any mention of Happosai, who was thankfully out training in the mountains.
Akane stopped what she was doing in confusion on hearing about marriage and started to peek from inside the dojo at the assembled group. The two police officers looked to each other before the Detective spoke, realizing that word hadn't reached Soun yet of recent events. "I'd prefer to only say this once rather than repeatedly. I'm sorry, but we need to inform Kimiko as well." Soun pondered the matter for a moment but gave a nod. He was about to go inside when Akane stepped out of the Dojo, curious.
"Daddy? What's engaged mean?" Akane asked. She was confused by the words and names being used and heard just enough to realize that this had to do with her or her sisters. Soun recoiled slightly at the question, having hoped to tell Akane when she was older and more able to understand it. In reality, he was procrastinating as long as he could.
"Well...I'll explain later, Akane. These police officers shouldn't be kept waiting." With that, Soun led the whole group inside the house and to the living room. They would find the Tendo matriarch seated in a chair and her eldest setting down a drink for her on the table. Nabiki was seated on the floor at the table and listening to some music from a small transistor radio clipped to her hip. Her drink had already been served. Nine-year-old Kasumi looked over with surprise as the police came in, and the mother and middle child soon followed Kasumi's gaze.
"Oh! Detective Nakamura. Is there a problem?" Kimiko Tendo inquired with concern on seeing the police, the woman trying to rise for their guests with effort. The officers could tell that the woman wasn't well, her loss of weight being notable. The police force worked with the Tendos to rein in Nerima's chaos fairly regularly and had known Kimiko Tendo when she was healthy. Her decline was quite apparent. Indeed, the chair did not match the rest of the room well and was clearly an addition of necessity due to her illness.
"It's okay, Kimiko, don't get up. You need your rest...the police are here regarding the Saotomes. I am under the impression that they're about to explain themselves," Soun said, hoping that the police would get to the point now that the family was assembled. Thankfully, Detective Nakamura gave a curt nod.
"These are the facts of the case. Early yesterday morning, Genma Saotome was arrested in Kyoto for the largest case of animal abuse which the city had seen since the war. He was trying to learn a technique called the Neko-ken, which seemed to have involved self-induced psychological trauma by being wrapped up in meat or fish and letting one's self be attacked by starving cats he had trapped in a pit. It was the most recent in his long rap sheet of petty crimes and offenses." This clearly surprised Soun. To think that Genma had done such things on the training journey with Ranma. It sounded like the master's training regimen. "We also learned that not only had he subjected his son to that madness, but his son was apparently kidnapped by the father of one of his many fiancées according to a note found at the scene. Yet another fiancée named Ukyo Kuonji, who Genma Saotome had ditched the night before, is also missing. She was seemingly abducted with Ranma when he left his father and tried to return the stolen dowry to Ukyo's father."
Soun's and Kimiko's eyes widened at the news of such an affair. "Kidnapped? That's horrible! We need to...wait...what do you mean...many fiancées? Ukyo?" Soun was more than a bit confused by this information.
Officer Nohara spoke up at this point, holding a clipboard. "We by no means know of all the people affected, but Genma Saotome has been entering into fraudulent marriage arrangements with families all over Japan for the past four years. The Kuonji family are just the latest victims. Someone seems to have finally gotten tired of Mr. Saotome's antics and simply taken the child, leaving a note incriminating a different victim to the fraudulent engagements."
Detective Nakamura continued before Soun's rage could consume him. "Genma Saotome broke out of Kyoto Prefectural Police Headquarters, stole gold from an evidence vault along with his own belongings, allowed a yakuza gunman to escape, and said gunman would have shot a detective at the scene were it not for one Nodoka Saotome who...deflected the bullet with a sword and assisted with the takedown of the perpetrator according to reports. The woman was previously unaware of her husband's activities and is also trying to find her child. We're communicating with her, but intentionally not communicating with the fugitive Genma Saotome. The more he follows these letters, the more chances we have of catching him. Last we knew of him, he evaded a police blockade around Mt. Sakurajima down at Kagoshima. We think he's bound for Sapporo next."
"Am I...to hunt him down?" Soun asked. He was conflicted but knew that this situation couldn't stand.
"No, Soun. We're not going to ask you to leave Kimiko's side to handle this," Detective Nakamura said with empathy and only picking up on one reason for Soun's hesitance. "We do, however, need to ask if we can search for Ranma around the property. Such a request is being made of all of the victims just in case. Genma Saotome's crimes have made a lot of families sensitive and they consider it an intrusion or accusation against them, but the fact is that we have very few leads on the kidnapping." Soun was worried. The old master had sometimes liked to place caches of his 'collections' around his commonly frequented places. Were there such stashes here? Could such places survive a police search? Of course, the decision was out of his hands before he could even reply.
"Of course you can search," Kimiko consented on behalf of the family. "We can't decline and then appear to be above suspicion due to favoritism. It might cause others to decline the search as well. Leave no stone unturned, Detective. Even if they are our stones." Soun's heart sank. If Kimiko or the police learned of the master's collection, his carefully crafted facade would crumble. For once, he silently prayed that his master's skills of deception and concealment would carry the day.
Learning to handle the strange vehicle had been an exercise in ki control, braking, restraint, and protecting Ukyo from a number of spills onto the ground. Ranma had found that suddenly stopping the Kinjakan while it was affixed to the bike risked the rear of the bike flipping over its front wheel if he didn't do it in just the right away in conjunction with the rear brake of the bike. It was hardly optimal and he'd face-vaulted a couple of times, but now he was cruising along with Ukyo behind him. He'd finally achieved a good balance between strength, speed, and control that didn't burn down the areas through which they traversed.
Ukyo had been quick to name the vehicle. The word for bicycle in Japanese, jitensha, could be broken into syllables which meant "self", "cycle", and "car". By replacing the syllable for the person-powered nature of the vehicle, "ji", with the syllable for fire, "hi", Ukyo renamed the vehicle Hitensha. This was both a nice pun on the original word and an apt description of the firecycle.
The kids had left the Kansai region behind and entered Gifu Prefecture in the Chubu region of Japan. Chubu was known as the "roof of Japan" for its high mountains, and Ranma had been through here before in his travels. As they moved around to the north of the town of Sekigahara, Ukyo tightened her grip around Ranma.
"R-Ran-chan, what is this place? It's a little angry and sad. I don't like being here..." Ukyo shuddered a bit before Ranma realized what the girl was saying. He hadn't realized that waking up Ukyo's ki would result in development so readily.
"Your ki practice is workin', Ucchan. We're near Sekigahara, where there was a huge battle that changed Japan hundreds of years back. Battlefields can have residual ki from the warriors there. You even get ghosts hauntin' a place sometimes. What you're feelin' are your ki senses actin' up." Ranma recalled his history classes well enough when they had interesting things in them like combat, and he was glad to be able to tell Ukyo something useful. He felt Ukyo shudder solidly against his back, his historical lesson taking a back seat to another of his statements.
"G-ghosts? You mean ghosts are real, Ran-chan?" Ukyo was stunned. Her father didn't put faith in such things, but the Saotomes seemed to know a lot more about the world.
"Yeah, but they ain't as common as ki pollution. We're in an area that ain't traveled as much, so nobody's been around to...well...balance it out by livin' or bein' here. There's been bloodshed just about any place people have ever been, Ucchan. Most people just ain't in tune with it. If a ghost does show up, it's usually up to higher-level martial artists and spiritualists to deal with stuff like that." Ranma wasn't too concerned until he felt a faint ki spike. Forced to slow down the bike, Ranma glared into a forming mist nearby.
Ukyo clung close as the visibility and temperature dropped. Suddenly, a figure in the mist rushed toward them while giving out a battle cry. "Western Army, I strike!" Ukyo flinched and screamed while Ranma couldn't help but feel something familiar from this entity.
The figure clad in blue and gray samurai armor rushed forward, holding a blade. Ranma noted the footwork of the figure, the voice, and the nature of the sword grip. Tripping on a rock that Ranma called from his ki-space and tossed at his feet, the samurai fell and tumbled before he crashed to the ground violently. Ukyo cautiously opened a single eye to look at the far less scary entity and the helmet that was wedged onto his head.
Forgetting what year he was in for a moment, Ranma blurted out instinctively. "...Kuno, what the heck are you doin' out here?"
The figure rose with some difficulty and looked closely at Ranma for several tense moments after popping the helmet back into its proper position. "The traitorous daimyo of the West hath recruited babes for their horrible deeds? Scandalous! Unforgivable! I hath been ordered by Lord Tokugawa to smite all who dare oppose his righteous will, but might I not be condemned for slaying mere children?"
Ukyo was confused by this turn of events. Still frightened by the things he was saying, she spoke in a timid voice. "R-Ran-chan, who is this? You seem to know him..."
Before Ranma could respond, the figure spoke. "Ah, is it not proper to introduce one's self before they ask questions? Fine, I shall! I am the patriarch of the Kuno family and a humble servant to Daimyo Ieyasu Tokugawa. Kentaro Kuno, age twenty-seven. And you are?"
Ukyo shuddered for a moment in fear that this person was possibly a ghost, but they were somewhat polite at least. Ranma was more than a little confused, but Ukyo spoke first. "I-I'm Ukyo Kuonji, heiress to the Kuonji School of Okonomiyaki Martial Arts, age six...and this is Ranma Saotome, heir to the Saotome School of Anything Goes Martial Arts, age six. We're just on a training journey to Tokyo, Kuno-san! We're not soldiers for any Army!"
"To-kyo?" The man was a bit confused as he tilted his head. "...where, pray tell, is this To-kyo? Perhaps I should escort you there. T'is not a safe place, this battlefield."
Ranma gave a sigh. "Yeah, you're just like your descendant alright. Listen, Kuno...san," Ranma added the clumsy-feeling honorific to the man's name. "The Battle of Sekigahara? It ended over 375 years ago. Tokugawa's forces won, went back to Edo, and lived out their lives a long time ago."
"Hah! You seek to deceive me into lowering my guard! Well, I shan't condemn mere children who cannot understand why men of standing wage war. Surely you've been told to act in this manner by those who would consign Japan's unity to the flames! I shall escort you to this 'To-kyo' and show you the leniency I know the Daimyo would expect, but shall then return to my post post-haste!" Ranma struggled not to groan. While this guy actually felt more or less harmless at the moment, he constantly felt a strange and familiar urge to protect his neck. Perhaps he should take care to watch the samurai's sword.
As they followed the armor-clad samurai out of the forest, they soon entered a section of Sekigahara with a few buildings and people in modern dress. Pointing out some buildings of modern design to the samurai earned a response of, "I perceive but a row of humble shacks. With the coming onslaught, I doubt them to see the morn." Pointing out people in modern dress only resulted in, "Such garish fashion they possess in the western lands. Once under the influence of Edo, civility will quickly be restored." Gesturing to a car which drove by only earned, "It seems that a wagon hath rolled away without its horse."
It was the sort of willful ignorance Ranma would expect from a member of the Kuno family.
They eventually arrived at the Sekigahara Battlefield and the six-year-olds' eyes widened. Across the fields, people dressed as samurai, ashigaru, and simple farmers of the era were all standing in formation as if ready to battle. Banners were present representing the assorted feudal lords and daimyo. It appeared as if the Battle of Sekigahara had come straight out of the year 1600 to the modern day. There was an audience of normal people and tourists observing the group, and it was here where the samurai led the two children. Professional cameras were also carefully placed in assorted locations where they would see the action without capturing any modern people or buildings that didn't fit the subject matter.
"My children, come." Kuno called out, surprising Ranma and Ukyo. What surprised them more was when two kids emerged to respond, a boy in a blue kendogi with a shaved head and a black-haired girl in a purple kimono that was nearly black. Ranma's eyes lit up with recognition as the samurai spoke. "These two were in the wilds to the North. I worry that they were sent as spies from the enemy. I would rather such children not get involved in the battle. Watch them."
"Understood, father." The boy said with a nod.
"Yes, Daddy." The girl said, smiling at the samurai.
With that, the man gave a nod and went back toward his original position. The girl looked to Ranma and Ukyo, wrinkling her nose a bit at the state of Ranma's gi. "You are certainly dressed for the part, but our dear father does not believe you to be part of the historical re-enactment. I am Kodachi Kuno, and this is my elder brother, Tatewaki. You've already met our dear father Kocho Kuno, who is playing the role of our esteemed ancestor, the samurai Kentaro Kuno." Ranma was stunned. That 'samurai' was the haircut-loving Principal of Furinkan High? No wonder he had an urge to protect his neck. That guy was always trying to cut off his pigtail in the past—err, future.
"Ah, I'm Ukyo Kuonji. This is Ranma Saotome. We're on a training journey to Tokyo. Ran-chan's improving my Martial Arts skills!" Ranma gave a nod on being introduced. Kodachi blinked in surprise, suddenly understanding the reason for the sorry state of the boy's gi.
"A training journey? You aren't by yourselves, are you?" Kodachi asked, more than a bit curious. Tatewaki, meanwhile, was more than a bit envious. His father never took him on a training journey. However, he wouldn't know if he could stand his father long enough to do so. Their father was on his best behavior as it was, medicated more soundly explicitly for this day. Ranma noted the look of envy and smirked.
"That's right! Pop had me on a trainin' journey from the time I was two until a little while ago. We went all over Japan. Now it's time to give Ucchan here one. It's not as long of one, but Pop was always a little crazy about how tough trainin' should be." Ranma couldn't actually help but be proud of being ahead of Tatewaki, even if it was actually an eighteen-year-old boasting to a seven-year-old. It was effective at least, the boy crossing his arms. The child's bald and waxed head shining in the morning sun detracted from the seriousness of the gesture.
"I am certain you think your skills noteworthy, but the training of a noble is more refined than that of the common ilk. If you truly wish to compare your strength...Saotome, Kuonji, then let us have a battle between men!" Tatewaki was reaching for his wooden training sword when Ukyo stepped over and smacked him in the face before he even knew what was happening.
"I'm tired of everyone thinking I'm a boy! I'm a girl, ya jackass!" Ukyo was livid and yelled. Tatewaki was forced to recoil, his cheek red and his eyes wide in surprise. Kodachi took note and sighed.
"You deserved that one, brother. Though the ferocity of her reaction gives me pause..." Apparently, such haughty speech patterns were something they were raised to use from their earliest words.
"Ah...s-sorry. Daddy makes me dress like a boy. He wanted one more than me, so I'm angry about it. Daddy's the most stupid Daddy in the world. Ran-chan's the only one who said it was okay for me to be a girl. I don't mind a match to test my skills, just...yeah. Sorry about that, Tatewaki..." Ukyo bashfully bowed and apologized to Tatewaki, who blinked before straightening himself out.
Ranma smirked. "Hey now, your pop ain't the best in the world, but remember what mine did to train me? I think all his crimes and tossin' me into a pit of starvin' cats for trainin' makes yours look a lot better."
Tatewaki and Kodachi blanched. While Kodachi looked sympathetic to Ukyo's plight, her brother looked around himself with urgency before leaning in for a conspiratorial whisper. "U-understood, Kuonji. So long as your friend speaks of such madness nevermore." The young kendoist was worried that his father would overhear and attempt such training on him. It seemed that all of their fathers were mad.
Ranma stretched and put his arms behind his head. The strange bike they'd been pulling alongside them had vanished without explanation as far as the two siblings were concerned. "So, why'd your pop act like he was from ancient times instead of talkin' to us normally? It ain't like he's gotta go that far for a historical re-enactment, right?"
Tatewaki crossed his arms again in preparation to explain. "Well, that is one of the tenants of Martial Arts Acting. To accept the character's role and parse experiences through their eyes rather than your own."
Ukyo raised an eyebrow, finding this quite strange. "Martial Arts Acting? That's a thing?"
Kodachi spoke up this time. "To live what you are acting out and make the battle look as real as possible without actually harming the opponent. Often while using real weapons. That is Martial Arts Acting."
Tatewaki nodded sagely. "Various drama clubs across the country practice these arts. They use historical re-enactments to practice them in the absence of large productions. This battle is re-enacted once in October, matching the time of the actual battle and after the crops are harvested in the fields, and once in late March before the fields are plowed and planted. Father brought the Furinkan High School Drama Club here to participate as a prelude project to their coming school year."
Indeed, Ranma could see students here and there who looked a little too scared to be doing this sort of thing willingly. The carnage of the fight certainly looked real to the audience, only Ranma's keen eye and knowledge of the body's movement allowing him to see the reduction or redirection of force in the blows. The idea of a Martial Art where you were meant not to damage your opponent at all was a strange one to him, but he'd seen stranger. It might be good for movie stars or feints at least. He started to analyze how the art worked, noting it to be an evolution built upon various existing arts.
Pamphlets describing the Battle of Sekigahara were passed down the rows of observers, including a map of the battlefield. Ranma and Ukyo had unwittingly wandered earlier into a wooded area which would have been part of the reenactment and had thus been ushered to a more appropriate location by the patriarch of the Kuno family without his breaking character. Soon, the surprise faded and the children simply watched the re-enactment with the rest of the audience.
It was quite honestly a good time. It was very different from Ranma's usual luck when encountering a new Martial Art.
Detective Nakamura and Officer Nohara finished the search efficiently enough. Luckily for Soun, it was not thorough enough to find any of Happoasi's possible hiding places. It was not that they were lacking as police officers. It merely meant that their police training and experience paled in comparison to the skills of the Pervert Master.
"My apologies for the intrusion," Officer Nohara stated as she bowed, "but we have to be thorough. Even if we didn't expect to find anything here." Detective Nakamura also gave a bow, mirroring the sentiment.
Soun raised his hands before him in a placating gesture. "Now, now. It's not a problem. We understand the situation. It's a shame to hear about Genma's...decline and the missing children." With that, the doorbell chimed once more. This got the attention of the family and the police. Detective Nakamura looked to Soun, wondering what was going on.
"Expecting company, Soun?" The detective asked, and Soun shook his head to the negative. With some thought, Nakamura prepared himself for an altercation. "It could be Genma if you two were that close. If you don't mind, could you answer the door? If it's him, lure him to talk privately in the Dojo while we get in position. There's no reason for your wife and kids to be involved in the takedown."
"A-ah, of course. Good call, Nakamura." Soun went to the door, silently praying that it wasn't Genma or Happosai. He opened the door and was surprised to find a Nodoka Saotome. She had an overnight bag, a bundle in her arms, and a nice looking kimono. Soun wasn't sure if he should be relieved or alarmed.
"I'm sorry for the intrusion, but I just flew in from Kagoshima and decided that I should check here before heading off to Sapporo. Have you heard what happened with Genma and Ranma?" Nodoka attempted to be polite, but the poor woman was strained. This was something Soun could certainly understand. The police in the living room calmed down a bit from their tense stance.
"Oh, yes. The police came here and informed us. They also searched the site just to make doubly sure. Not that it was in any way offensive. We understand the need not to leave any lead unexplored." Soun gave a bow to Nodoka to express his regret over the circumstances. "You have my condolences in this matter. Not only for Saotome, but for Ranma as well. If you need anything, don't hesitate to let us know."
Nodoka gave a slight sigh of relief. "Thank you, Soun. I regret that we must meet again under such circumstances. I wasn't quite sure how to parse it to you had the police not informed you yet, but you needed to be told. Please inform the police if you hear anything. Genma may try to get in contact with you."
Soun understood this. It seemed like the police suspected the same, given their response when hearing Nodoka at the door. It might well have been true. Only time would tell, though. "Can I invite you in for some tea?" Soun asked, and the woman complied. She supposed a moment's rest would be helpful.
"I would be thankful. I still have a bit of time before my flight to Sapporo. I stopped off here only to inform you of the matter and pack up some essentials. A clue at Kagoshima makes it likely that Genma will be headed there next." Nodoka spoke as she entered the home and switched from her sandals to house slippers. Once inside, she took note of a police officer and detective.
"These are Detective Seiji Nakamura and Officer Hayumi Nohara. They're the ones who actually informed us of the situation," Soun said, the two people present giving a bow as they were introduced to the young wife.
"Ah, thank you for your promptness. Kyoto, Kagoshima, and Tokyo Police all seem to be doing their best in this matter. I hope to find the same in Sapporo." The woman bowed back before Kasumi poured Nodoka some tea. Nodoka, meanwhile, gave the Tendos one of the sakurajima radishes that the Yamamuras had given her in Kagoshima. "Ah, thank you, Kasumi-chan. My, you've grown since I last saw you! You're nine now, aren't you? And your sisters have certainly grown as well!"
Kasumi smiled and gave a nod. "Yes, we're all growing, Auntie Nodoka! Thank you for giving Nabiki her new kimono last year!" Kasumi engaged the visitor in small talk much like the woman of the house, which Nodoka noticed. She could tell that Kimiko was in ill health and seemed to be tired from the activity thus far with the police. It was certainly regrettable for a woman so full of life to be dealt such a hand.
"You're welcome. A seven-year-old girl must have a kimono for shichi go san. I'm already considering the design of one for Akane-chan. I think a light dull yellow or a dark blue might suit her, but I've not fully decided yet. We have until November to have it ready for her, though." Nodoka pondered something for a moment and gave a smile. "Of course, we don't have to wait until we decide on that to meet again. Once this matter is settled, I wouldn't mind babysitting you girls sometimes. It's been lonely at my house, and it could stand to be more lively!" Making it sound like she was asking a favor was intentional, but it was really an offer of assistance to the Tendos. She truly meant to offer the Tendos an option should they need a break from their trio of children or have to find a babysitter in a hurry due to a medical emergency. She could tell from subtle expressions on the faces of the parents that this was understood.
"We'll certainly keep that in mind, Nodoka. It's inexcusable what you've had to endure. You're welcome to visit any time, as well." Kimiko said this in spite of how ill she was, unwilling to let Nodoka go through that loneliness again. If Genma was arrested and Ranma not found, the Tendos would certainly have to be extra good friends to the lonely woman. After all, she was a good influence on the girls. Far better than Genma would have been as a father-in-law.
"Auntie Nodoka, is it true that you saved a policeman from getting shot with just a sword?" Nodoka blushed slightly as she looked to Nabiki and Akane. Akane was the one who inquired with a tone of fascinated admiration while the former watched with a solid interest in the topic. Akane had always been a girl who loved martial arts and her father's use of it in defense of the weak.
"Ah, well...that did happen, but my husband was responsible for causing that situation in the first place. It's not truly praise-worthy. I just did what was necessary." Nodoka was bashful about the matter and quite surprised that the police had included that detail when talking to the Tendos. Truth be told, Nodoka had obtained a rather solid reputation with the police for her actions and demeanor in Kyoto. That and the fact that the hitherto patient woman was chasing clues relentlessly across Japan for so much as a clue to her child's location were incentives for the police to take the case even more seriously.
Kimiko watched her daughters interact with Nodoka and smiled gently. In spite of her husband's refusal to accept the truth, she knew she wasn't long for this world. Naturally, she wondered what would happen to her family. Seeing everyone like this made her think that perhaps things would be alright.
"Daddy, I still don't know what engaged means..." Akane said, making Soun sit ramrod straight. This was a sensitive topic right now and he knew it, especially with Nodoka sitting right there and Genma being a criminal. Soun knew he couldn't evade the topic after seeing all the eyes upon him in the room.
"W-well, Akane. It means that there's a promise to be married to someone. Genma and I agreed before you were born that our respective schools of Anything Goes should be joined through marriage. One of my daughters would marry his son Ranma. It was the first and oldest engagement to Ranma." This last comment was, in part, to remind Nodoka that this engagement existed before Genma started his rampage of dishonor and shouldn't be readily discarded.
"Were you and Mommy engaged?" Nabiki asked, tilting her head. It seemed strange.
"Of course we were! Your father and I were engaged to be married two years before we did so," Kimiko answered for Soun with a smile. Soun didn't want to give too many details, lest the kids ask why the parents were marrying them off. Nodoka gave a nearly imperceptible sigh and Soun noted her displeasure with the topic.
He couldn't let Nodoka be displeased with his family and school. If Genma lost custody of Ranma and the decisions of his future were left to a displeased Nodoka...it was best to establish more connections with her and not just Genma. "You're a killed kendoist, as I recall. Perhaps we should have a match at some point. We too include the basics of the katana in our skillset, though I suspect a specialist may have recommendations to contribute to the school."
"Perhaps we can schedule something along those lines further in the future, Soun. I do not know what the immediate future will hold. I must dedicate all of my energies to finding Ranma. I do appreciate the opportunity to rest among familiar faces though. I do not expect to have that opportunity again for some time." Nodoka responded politely and tactfully to Soun's query. Kimiko gave Soun a slightly irritated look, and he flinched at the realization that he was seen through. Soun would press no further on the matter and from there on simply allowed the interactions with his children to heal Nodoka's heart, even if only a little.
Ukyo was raking in the money. The okonomiyaki cart was out and in full use, tending to the students who had been brought in for the re-enactment as well as the viewers and families. The reenactment had resulted in an outdoor festival being held which, while not at famous as its October equivalent, was quite well-attended. The cherry blossom viewing season had also just started, so the business-minded Ukyo had taken full advantage by setting up near a line of blooming cherry trees.
"A little more heat, Ran-chan," Ukyo said to Ranma, who was holding the Kinjakan in the area normally dedicated to the propane-powered flame. Ever industrious, she'd quickly enlisted Ranma's aid in using the legendary magical weapon first as a bike wheel and now as a heat source for cooking. It would certainly save them money but required Ranma's constant, albeit partial, attention. "There we go! Remember that and try not to drift too much."
The boy didn't particularly enjoy being used as a fuel regulator but tried to see it as training his control with the weapon. The alternative was to use Martial Arts Waitressing to help out. Once he had the 'feeling' of the temperature Ukyo wanted, it was easy enough to maintain one-handed. His other hand, however, was used to accept money and give change while Ukyo used both hands to cook and serve. "You seem excited, Ucchan," Ranma noticed, seeing shades of her older self's self-employed competence.
"Yeah, Daddy always had me manage the gas flow and the money while he cooked for customers. Now, it's my turn to be the head cook! I'm excited!" It helped that her cooking skills were already quite good, given how successful she was. Ukyo was in her element, tending to crowds of hungry patrons and improving her skills.
The Kunos in particular were hovering around the venue, finding Ucchan's offerings to be better than others. They sat at a picnic table nearby, which had a high-class tablecloth placed upon it along with proper plates which they had brought with them. Ranma felt that the candlesticks were a bit much. The armor-clad father and the bald son ate with chopsticks at least, but Kodachi went full-European and seemed to favor employing a knife and fork. "I've not had such food often. Its simplicity allows for any ingredients we want to try and it seems to be healthy as well. It is much like a crepe, but has its own nuances." Kodachi pointed out with some pleasant surprise. Of course, she was concealing her excitement through her refinement and might otherwise be wolfing it down. The young noblewoman pondered if she should hire the cook if she was staying in Tokyo.
Ukyo beamed. "That's right! Okonomiyaki is an anytime food! Not just for festivals, but variants exist for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Of course, Ran-chan here would eat it for every meal if he could." This was said as a critique of the boy, but the tone of voice implied that there was pride there.
Ranma gave a grin. "I've had all kinds of food from all over Japan. When you find something this good, you stick with it!" This praise made Ukyo blush, and she stammered slightly. The girl paused for a moment before she eventually settled for making an Okonomiyaki and setting it down in front of Ranma wordlessly. She wasn't sure that she trusted herself to effectively give a verbal response. Praise wasn't something the girl was accustomed to, and hearing it come from Ranma meant even more to her than hearing it from others for some reason.
Kocho Kuno simply gave a laugh, though the Kuno siblings were surprised with how efficiently Ranma consumed his meal. "Okonomiyaki can be considered part of the soul of Japan. It would certainly be fine when done well." He then looked around the table and grill. "Speaking of arts that speak to the soul of Japan, what did thou think of the reenactment?" Ranma was surprised at this more formal Principal Kuno. Perhaps it was because he'd not entered his fully detached 'Hawaiian' phase yet.
Kodachi gave her dear father a kind smile that had none of the lunacy Ranma was accustomed to seeing in her expressions. "It was wonderful, Father. A display of skill and accuracy immortalized in our memories and on camera. I'll be sure to watch it again in our private theater!" Kodachi had dropped subtle hints about how wealthy the Kunos were, impressing Ukyo. Ranma knew, however, that impressing them was the explicit intent and he didn't really bite. Well, he bit his okonomiyaki, at least.
"Gotta say, never knew there was an art dedicated to not hurtin' your opponents while lookin' flashy. But it seems pretty useful now that I've seen it. If these guys go to Hollywood, they can prob'ly get a lot of money. Hard to call it a true Martial Art of its own though." Ranma didn't usually praise other people, but it seemed to be okay to acknowledge these things sometimes. Ukyo's responses thus far had proven that. He suspected that he should consider doing it more often when credit was due.
"Oh, it is certainly a Martial Art. It was originally intended for covert assassination." Tatewaki looked surprised at his father's words and the children all listened in closely as the elder Kuno explained. "In the feudal era of Japan, there were many situations where it would be better for a high-standing enemy or rival to die of a natural cause like a heart attack instead of a wound. One of the ways to accomplish such without the employment of poison was simply to ambush and attack them without striking. The intent was to make it appear viscous and startle one's foe to the point where they felt incredible panic. All to either to make them flee toward a deadly situation to cause accidental death or to cause a heart attack. The latter was even more effective if they were old, if they had eaten something very cold in very hot weather, or if they had exerted themselves tremendously. It was commonly employed within a few hours of an unrelated battle or during periods of travel in the summer."
The attention of the kids assured, though Ukyo kept grilling, the man kept going."One of the ways martial artists trained for such missions was by performing their skills against each other in reenactments of battle in plays for their lords and eventually posing as wandering performers that went to the target's domain. They needed to perform as actors and pretend to be such instead of assassins, and all that evolved into the acting part of the art. Even as the need for traditional means of assassination faded, the need to preserve and reenact history grew and allowed the art to survive. Cinema has also given it a new niche to fill. Many combat and dance choreographers partake from the art."
"Huh...that makes sense, I guess." Ranma absentmindedly looked around the outdoor festival, noting some fights on raised platforms which he recognized as Lei Tai. No ropes or barriers prevented the participants from falling off, which counted in conventional combat as a loss. In most cases, the Lei Tai was meant as the site of martial arts combat that welcomed all challengers. He noticed, however, that the combatants weren't intentionally trying to harm each other. Just the opposite in fact. It was puzzling to Ranma to see displays of what was clearly real-time choreography designed to be as riveting as possible without actually inflicting damage. "How do you decide who wins in a fight though?"
Kocho Kuno responded to explain how that aspect worked. "In a battle of Martial Arts Acting, the rules are vastly different from those typically employed. It is quite possible for one to portray a loss, such as if it is ordained in script or historical tome, and still win the actual battle. One needs to show the best balance of realism or style demanded by the subject material without hurting one's opponent. Sometimes the need is for realism with a bit of style, such as in the reenactment. Sometimes style is more important, such as in some parts of movies. Sometimes one is allowed to damage clothes or leave superficial marks on the opponent. Sometimes there is a time limit or a rough script involved while other times it is defined by the combatants and their hold on the audience. The nuances vary by application and agreement, but the general goal is the same. To provide a better show than one's opponent and avoid losing the attention of the audience."
Ranma and Tatewaki understood enough to know that they wanted to give it a try. Even as the latter scrambled toward one of the Lei Tai, Ranma looked to Ukyo with big, pleading eyes. The girl was wondering what he wanted for only a brief moment before she gave a sigh. "Alright, Ran-chan, alright. You've worked hard. Just let me turn on the propane and you can go play." Ranma beamed as Ukyo turned on the propane heat, freeing him from Kinjakan control duty.
"Thanks, Ucchan! Try to join us if you get some time! We're on a trainin' journey, you know!" He smirked as he headed to another platform, independent of that which Tatewaki had climbed onto. Ukyo gave a wave as Kodachi approached and stood next to Ukyo.
"People do not usually expect it of me," Kodachi led with, "but I do like to cook. I was wondering if you might teach me how to make okonomiyaki. I understand if you have special family secrets, but might I be able to learn at least how to begin? I could even exchange some western recipes with you if you like." Ukyo was surprised at the request from the wealthy girl but gave an earnest smile.
"Okay! I need to make some more batter, so it's a good time to teach you! Maybe you can point out differences between eastern and western cooking as you see them, too!" As the children tended to their interests, Kocho smiled. Even his own increasingly troubled mind couldn't help but be pleased with his children's progress in broadening their horizons today. He elected to watch his son and their new acquaintance in their first showing in Martial Arts Acting.
"I am Tatewaki Kuno, the Blue Tempest of Lumiere Elementary! Prepare yourself, for I strike!" Tatewaki called out his self-appointed title before lunging forward at an actor cast and clad as an ashigaru, the young kendoist finding his inner ham. Wooden blade met steel without cutting due to the lack of force behind the blows. Rather than simply look down on the kid or overpower him in strength, the ashigaru rolled with it and worked to give as good a show as possible. He'd play off blows and strikes as if they were stronger than the kid should have been able to call forth.
As self-important as Kuno was, he acknowledged the rules of the bout and responded to his opponent's blows in kind. Instead of playing as some invincible juggernaut, he drew from the knowledge of movies he enjoyed where martial artists overcame adversity and improved to win. Resolving to play a 'come back from behind' victory angle, Kuno gave an admirable first attempt.
"What's wrong? Scared you'll lose to a kid?" Ranma taunted his samurai armor-clad opponent. The heavily armored foe gave a roar in response, playing the role of a merciless enemy as he charged Ranma. The boy, however, had no issues evading the heavy and slowed-down form of his enemy. He dodged the blows of the sword with skill and even leapt up onto the Samurai's helmet, pushing the headgear down firmly on the man's head. The audience laughed at his antics and the man animatedly stumbling and playing up trying to get his head free of the pressure. "Too slow, man! All that bulky armor just hurts you against me!" Ranma taunted, easily avoiding blows...including one where the man's sword struck his own armor helmet in an apparent effort to hit Ranma. A nice style point for the samurai actor.
His bout went on for a good while in part because of the sheer versatility of his art and the flashiness of the moves he could chain together. Karate, Capoeira, Judo, Muay Thai, Wushu, and many other arts flowed together seamlessly from the young boy. The aerial combat style of the Saotome School lent itself well to flash and unusual angles, and Ranma's years of experience in combat showed.
He was confident that he'd win this easily.
"I thank you for your hospitality. I'll take note of the requests for Akane's kimono as well." Nodoka smiled, bowing on the front step of the Tendo home. Soun laughed at the memory of Akane's request.
"Oh, I don't think a dedicated place to put a training sword is necessary if it is more work for you. It's more that your Saotome Honor Blade and what you used it for have left Akane impressed. As for the hospitality, you're most welcome." Soun noticed that Nodoka was silent for a moment, and started to read the situation. After a moment, he spoke further. "...Nodoka. In spite of Saotome's actions, you and that blade have acted honorably. There is no reason for Akane or the rest of us to feel any other way." This made the woman breathe a sigh of relief. She'd not just come here to inform the Tendos. She'd come expecting to face judgment for her husband's sins. She'd not been blamed for them as of yet, but the odds of someone doing so grew the further she went. But she couldn't stop. Not until Ranma was safely in her arms.
"Thank you, Soun. I'm grateful. I'll keep you informed of the situation. For now, though, I have a flight to Sapporo to catch and a drunken master to speak with. Good afternoon." Nodoka gave a bow and departed. The police officers had agreed to drive her to the airport themselves rather than leave her to take the bus. Soun looked on while desperately wanting to reaffirm the engagement to Ranma, but it wasn't the proper time.
He'd wait until Ranma was safe and the situation less dire. Anything else would do more harm than good.
Nodoka, meanwhile, departed in the police car. Detective Nakamura and Officer Nohara were kind enough but it seemed that they were not used to having conversations with people in the back of the police car. A couple of minutes passed before the detective elected to speak to break the ice. "Mrs. Saotome, I couldn't convince you to go home and rest, could I? I'm not so arrogant to say that the police could handle your husband, but the search for your son...you're not alone in that. Exhausting yourself isn't a good idea."
"I appreciate your concern, Detective Nakamura," Nodoka responded, "but I can't sit idly by and wait. My waiting for four years is what lead us to this point. I couldn't forgive myself if I sat at home and did nothing, and I know I would not be able to distract myself from the worry. That empty house would be anything but restful. I thank you for driving me to the airport. It allowed me much more time to rest and visit with the Tendos."
Detective Nakamura knew martial artists enough not to push the matter further. A warning of courtesy was all he gave. Her determination and polite refusal were enough for him to know she would not be dissuaded. "You're welcome, Mrs. Saotome. The Tendos have assisted us a great deal in the past, maintaining order in Nerima when more...unconventional threats need to be resolved. Your assistance in Kyoto is also something we're grateful for. Aside from our investigation, we can do at least this much."
Nodoka recalled the gunman's attack on Detective Ito again, and how it would not have been possible without Genma breaking the gunman out of jail. "I corrected one of my husband's many errors. I'm just fortunate I did so before it cost someone their life."
"You're not responsible for his actions, Mrs. Saotome. Neither is your son. You chose to intercede and for that, we're grateful. Even if we can't always condone civilians stepping in officially." Nodoka hesitated to believe that and contemplated matters in silence. Of course, Ranma was innocent of his father's conduct. If anything, the boy seemed determined to resolve it when he realized just what Genma was doing. She, however, was the daughter of the matriarch of the Saotome clan. The head of her household. She bore responsibility in that light.
Within the hour, Nodoka was on a plane from Haneda Airport to Sapporo. The woman hoped to find more answers there, amongst the snows of Hokkaido.
Ukyo and Kodachi looked to the boys with differing expressions. Ukyo's face wore an impatient look of irritation, while Kodachi's was one of puzzlement. Both boys were ignoring the food served to them, faceplanted into the tablecloth-clad picnic table at which they were seated.
"Fifteenth place...I can't believe it. Ranma Saotome doesn't lose at anythin'!" Ranma half-growled out from his position while the prize for sixteenth to ninth places, a fake dagger that retracted its blade and broke a disposable pack of fake blood when used to 'stab' someone, lay next to him on the table.
"Thy shame cannot exceed mine," Kuno said while mirroring his sentiment. "A year older, yet I stand at thirty-fourth with but a replica bullet from a tanegashima for my troubles. The Blue Tempest hath washed out splendidly." Kuno said, sighing.
Kocho tried to interject. "So concerned were you both with the technique that acting escaped you. Ranma addled his quarry with taunts and nothing more, while Tatewaki's range hath begun and ended as a come-from-behind victor in all his permutations. Experience and diversity. That is what you both require to improve your standing."
Ranma and Tatewaki both grumbled as they raised their heads and stared at Ukyo's crepes and Kodachi's okonomiyaki. After a moment of no response or further change, Ukyo gently smacked both boys upside their heads. "Quit your moping already! You both did great for first-timers! Ko-chan and I need you to tell us how our food is, and we don't need you grumps making us think we messed up if we didn't! We're training too, you know!"
Ranma and Tatewaki snapped out of their funk and straightened up with the strike and the critique. "Ah! S-sorry about that, Ucchan!" Ranma apologized, both boys embarrassed regarding their conduct now rather than merely their loss. The boys started to sample the food, and Ranma blinked in surprise. "Wow, not bad at all! Ucchan's okonomiyaki is the best, but this is better than most I've had. Is it really your first try?" Kodachi smiled and gave a demure nod.
"Indeed. My sister favors French cuisine and hath experience with such, but this is an admirable accomplishment. 'Tis better than I can manage in the kitchen, I must confess." Kuno added, sampling Ukyo's effort and finding it pleasing. Both girls were happy that they did well, though they noted that there was room to improve.
Ukyo smiled, considering the prospect of making more things regularly. "Okonomiyaki is my specialty, but branching out isn't bad. Especially if Ranma winds up liking my other stuff too! I can't have him cooking everything but the okonomiyaki!" Ukyo knew her father would look down on diversifying beyond okonomiyaki, but it was hard to care about what he wanted at this point. She was still hurting, but the newfound freedom to explore what she wanted was liberating. Besides, Ranma's martial art was about learning everything one could and making it into one's own style. By comparison, she felt quite limited...both in the diversity of her menu and in her skills. Thankfully, that was what she was training to change. Another question filled Ukyo's mind as well. Did Ranma like her cooking specifically, or did he just like her okonomiyaki because it was okonomiyaki? Something deep in her soul hoped that it was the former and compelled her to find out. This early result was promising though. She looked to Kodachi and gave a smile. "I'll get to where I can cook far more than okonomiyaki."
Kodachi gave a smirk, her own competitive flames fanned. "And I'll learn more than French cuisine. Perhaps one day we will see whose repertoire and skills have further developed~"
Tatewaki noted the two girls' friendly rivalry and looked to his pathetic prize...and Ranma's as well. "Saotome." Ranma glanced over to the boy who was thinking deeply. "I will be trying again in October. Return to this place then and, if you can, prove to me that 'Ranma Saotome doesn't lose'."
The pony-tailed martial artist couldn't help but grin at the challenge. "I'll prove it to you, alright! You'd best be a challenge for me though!" Tatewaki smiled smugly, liking the response he had received, while Ranma felt this to be a welcome change from the first meetings he had with the Kunos before. They might go crazy, but maybe that craziness wouldn't be aimed at him so hard this time around?
One could hope.
