Chapter 43
Nabiki just looked at the young man in front of her with the same shocked expression. It wasn't every day that someone would just hit on her. What really kept her from answering and freezing her in place was the hungry look in his eyes. It was feral, like a wild animal. The guy was about to say something else when a loud smack broke their stare down. The young man was about to say something but was stopped by the hard look of a much shorter man.
The man was giving the young teen a hard look and his long arms was folded. The man's yellow eyes reminded her of a wild animal as well. His spiky, bluish-grey hair was nearly touching the ground if it wasn't in a ponytail. He was wearing a similar outfit as the young teen, a blue kung-fu uniform with his sleeves long instead of folded. The man looked at him hard, demanding an answer.
"H-Hey dad," the young teen greeted nervously. This only made his eyes narrow further.
"What did I tell you Tamashi?" he demanded. The young teen just sighed and faced his father.
"I'm sorry. I just got into the fight. I didn't mean to send the guy flying." Tamashi explained. The man sighed before lightly tapping his son on his forehead.
"You're too much like your mother." he said, making the teen chuckle. "Let's get back to the ring and you will apologize to the man that you nearly crippled."
"Hai sensei." the teen said. He then turned his attention back to Nabiki. He winked at her before leaving with his father. Nabiki watched the two walks away and followed them until they reached their ring, which turned out to be ring four. Nabiki decided to keep an eye on that ring. There was some money to be made there. Also, she wouldn't mind getting a good look at this Tamashi.
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Ranma dodged another lunge from his opponent. Ranma stood in his stance as his opponent got to his feet and into his stance as well. Ranma was carefully observing his opponent and was trying to come up with a plan. He could use his aerial assault but the man proved able to counter him. He was using a style that was a version of Jujitsu. Ranma was only able to keep away due to his Aikido training.
The man charged forward, launching a three-punch combo. Ranma blocked the punches but was tackled. The man thought he got Ranma until the young martial artist rolled with the tackle, ending up on top. The man also found his head trapped and his air way beginning to be restricted. Ranma held onto the submission as the man valiantly attempted to escape. Getting harder to breath with each attempt, the man had no choice but to tap out. The referee got in between the two and Ranma released him.
"The winner by submission, Ranma Saotome." he announced. The man laid on the ground for a while to catch his breath. After a minute, he sat up. Ranma held his hand out and the man took it. Pulling him to his feet. The two bowed to each other in respect.
"I can't believe I made such a mistake. You countered me perfectly." he said. Ranma chuckled at that.
"I wish I can take credit but I came up with it on the fly. One of the students showed me a video on MMA. I just imitated that." he explained. The man was shocked but suddenly laughed. He bowed again to the youngster.
"It was an honor to fight you." he said.
"It was an honor." Ranma replied and bowed as well. The crowd clapped and the two went back to their sides of the ring. Ranma sat down and released a sigh. He looked across the ring and saw someone looking at him. It was a man in a three-piece suit. He had auburn colored hair and brown eyes. Ranma thought his mind was playing tricks on him but he swore that man looked like his mom. The man smirked before walking off. Ranma was confused and wondered what was that about.
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Shampoo stood facing the blond with a critical eye. She did not miss the way how she looked at her boyfriend. Shampoo wondered if she was another fiancée. Either way, she was intrigued to fight this Stefani Priscila. Her style was very similar to Ranma's Tae Kwon Do, only more advanced. This fight was going to be interesting. Stefani looked at Shampoo in the same way.
"I've always wished to fight an Amazon of Joketsuzoku but I know your laws. I hope you aren't going to give me the 'Kiss of Death' should I win." she said with a smirk. Shampoo was surprised but settled for smirking as well.
"You don't need to worry about that. This is about competition, not grudges. In fact, I am excited for this new challenge." Shampoo said before slipping into her stance. Stefani smirked as well and got into a stance as well. The referee looked at the two before starting the match. Shampoo rushed in and engaged Stefani. She met the charge, blocking and parrying Shampoo's punches. She countered with punches and elbows while bouncing on the balls of her toes.
The two exchanged blows for a while before breaking off. Shampoo looked at her opponent with a critical eye. Stefani was really good. She had gotten tagged with some of her punches and elbows. Her style was different but somewhat similar to Ranma's Boxing. Shampoo refocused on the fight.
Shampoo rushed in but had to block a kick. Stefani's foot came at her from several angles that had Shampoo on the defensive. A hook kick caught Shampoo, which was quickly followed up with a thrust kick to her chest. Shampoo stumbled back but quickly corrected herself. Stefani was on her again, throwing her kicks from ridiculous angles and speed. Shampoo would block some kicks but a few made it through. She was sent tumbling as a spinning hook kick caught her in the jaw. Stefani shuffled her feet before getting into the stance.
Shampoo got to her feet and rubbed her jaw. Getting back into her stance, the Amazon kept her focus on Stefani's feet. Stefani attacked, throwing more kicks. Shampoo dodged each kick, flipping over her last kick and striking Stefani in the chest with a punch. Stefani was stunned for a bit and Shampoo capitalized. Shampoo launched the Kachu Tenshin Amaguriken, hitting Stefani with several punches. Shampoo went for the finishing blow but Stefani slipped under her blow. Shampoo turned only to be punched hard. The attack didn't stop as Shampoo got hit with another punch, a low kick, three more punches and an elbow.
Shampoo dropped to a knee and her vision was blurring. She tried to get up but Stefani landed a punch to her temple. Shampoo crumbled and did not rise again. The match was over.
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Nodoka watched as her son's girlfriend was carried off. She was seated high above the tournament grounds with Saisyu and his family. The clan leader noticed her concern.
"Do you know the young lady?" Saisyu asked.
"Not personally. She is currently dating my son, along with a second, possibly a third." Nodoka explained, whispered the last part.
"Ah, well no need to be concerned. Our medical staff is quite good. If anything, she'll probably have a small headache. Stefani is the heir to the Priscila family and is a well-traveled fighter." Saisyu explained.
"That she is." a voice said. Everyone in the viewing box turned to see who it was. Nodoka was stunned and a little afraid at who she saw. Saisyu stood to greet the person that he knew.
"Daichi-sensei, you honor my home with your presence." Saisyu greet and clasped his hand.
"As do you honor me Saisyu-dono (lord)." Daichi said. He then looked at Nodoka. "It has been a long time, sister." Nodoka nervously stood and bowed her head.
"Daichi-neesama (big brother), I... I..." Nodoka just couldn't find the words. She was then surprised when Daichi embraced her. Nodoka began to tear up and returned the hug. After a while, the two siblings separated. Daichi wiped away a tear before tapping her in the forehead lightly.
"Baka (idiot), you have always been headstrong. I've never held it against you and neither has our parents." Daichi said.
"Thank you, brother." Nodoka said with a smile. "So, are you here because you have students competing?"
"Well, single student as of now. One of the school's star pupil has just won in ring nine. Should Ranma win his ring, they will fight." he explained.
"Have you met my Ranma?" she asked confused.
"Watched him as he fought one of our school's students. He was impressive. Kept his cool during the match, something I was not expecting considering who his father was." That's when Daichi get serious. "I heard that you have been speaking with Hamza?"
"He's helping me with tracking Ranma's and Genma's training journey. I have learned a little, which I am not happy about. I am currently looking for Genma to explain his actions." Nodoka explained.
"Good luck with that. If Genma doesn't want to be found, he'll hide in his rat hole until he's smoked out." Daichi said with a tone. He then sighed and gave his sister a sad look. "Hamza brought something to our families' attention Nodoka. He was going to tell you but the information was just too important to just let you know. Father and mother are enraged as is the clan. It took everything to stay father's decision to take Ranma and put him under our protection, away from Genma. They also want you to return home to explain your actions."
"W-What did Genma do?" Nodoka asked in shock. The look Daichi gave her made her heart just drop.
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Ranma walked out with Shampoo on his back. She was resting and happily purring from her spot. Waiting for him were his father, in panda form, the Tendo family and the Amazons.
"Is she okay?" Cologne asked with some amusement.
"Yeah, she's fine. That Stefani person sure knows how to hit someone. How did she do after Shampoo?"
"Stefani won ring five easily while Soap won ring sixteen and Geo won ring two. Then there is that Tamashi guy I was keeping an eye out for who won ring four with ease. I don't know Ranma. You have some stiff competition. The others aren't slouches and a few have some really top pedigrees. You're in for a fight." Nabiki said.
"That's what makes this tournament so fun." Ranma said with a cocky grin. That's when he noticed that Akane looked ready to explode. Soun and his father also did not look happy. Ranma looked at Kasumi who just shook her head. Ranma handed Shampoo over to Cologne, who released a disappointed sigh, making the elder chuckle. That's when Ranma was looking up at the balcony but saw no one.
"Something wrong?" Soap asked.
"No, I was just looking for mom. She was sitting up there with Saisyu-dono. I wanted to ask her if she had any siblings. I saw a guy watching me after my fight. I swear, he looked just like her." Ranma explained. The panda heard this and stiffen. Any more talking ended when Akane suddenly spoke.
"Can we go already?!" she demanded.
"No one is stopping you Akane. I, personally, don't want to hear you complain about how insulted you felt when you were clearly in the wrong." Kasumi answered her evenly. Akane bristled at the tone and stormed off. Ranma just looked at her and wondered what was going on. It was Nabiki who answered his question.
"Akane kept annoying the crowd with her words. Someone finally had enough and told her to shut up. Akane did not take that well and got in the guy's face. That's when security came and told Akane to stop. Akane decided to throw a punch and got put to the ground for her troubles. You father and Mr. Panda tried to interfere but were taken down as well. They were all thrown into a jail and warned to stay quiet." Nabiki explained.
"I cannot believe that Saisyu-dono would allow such a thing to happen. I also cannot believe that you left us to be carted off like criminals Kasumi. Why did you not come to the aid of your father and sister." Soun demanded.
"I did nothing because you were wrong father. Akane was constantly complaining about not being in the tournament and you did nothing to stop it. Did you really think that no one was going to say something to her? Just because we are family does not mean I will ignore when you act like children." Kasumi said.
"Young lady, you will not speak to me like that. I know how to handle Akane and she did nothing wrong but voice her opinion. Now, you will apologize to her when we get back to the hotel." Soun said sternly.
"I will not do that." Kasumi said.
"Excuse me?" Soun asked with surprise."
"I am not going to apologize to Akane when she did something wrong. It will only enable her to continue acting the way she has. I will stand by my decision. If you do not like it father, that is too bad." Kasumi said and began to walk off. Nabiki just looked at her sister with surprise as did Ranma, Soap and a conscious Shampoo. Cologne and Happosai just smiled at the young woman.
"Good for her. It's about time she stood up like that." Cologne said.
"I know." Happosai said. Soun could only stare at his eldest before bursting into tears. The group just rolled their eyes before walking away. Genma just stayed there to watch over his friend. The panda just waited until he felt someone looking at him. When he turned, he was looking into eyes of Stefani. The panda was confused as to why she was looking at him when someone walked up to her.
"Miss Priscila, your mother is on the phone." he said. Hearing the name, Genma was frozen in fear. Stefani smirked at the panda before taking the phone and walking off. The panda bolted, leaving his crying friend. It looked like all of his bad deals were coming back to get their pound of flesh. He had to go and Ranma with him.
XXX
Ranma was searching for his mother. He went toward the private booth only for the guards to point him in a different direction. Ranma made his way over to find her. He found her but she was not alone. She was with that guy that he saw. As Ranma got closer, he noticed that his mother looked distressed. Ranma made his way over, alerting the two. Daichi didn't even flinch when Ranma stood in front of his mother. It only amused him.
"You don't have to worry nephew. I wouldn't hurt my own sister." Daichi said.
"Sister?" Ranma asked confused.
"Ranma, allow me to introduce my brother and your uncle, Koizumi Daichi." Nodoka introduced.
"Second master to Koizumi Daisuke who is one of the first masters of the Katabami school." Ranma added. The two looked at him with some surprise, making him nervous. "Nabiki and Happosai gave me a brief overview of my extended family."
"Well, father will be pleased to know that you are learning about us, despite his anger." Daichi said. Ranma looked confused by that. Nodoka looked sad about it before turning to her son.
"Ranma, exactly how many times did your father engage you?" Nodoka asked. Ranma looked nervous by the question. Nodoka just sighed. "Your father made a very critical mistake and it may cost you everything."
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Authors' Notes
Finally got this chapter out. I changed up the reason of Nodoka's displeasure because I wanted to make Stefani a bigger issue than she was before. She may become a recuring character, like Tamashi. Anyway, enjoy the new chapter.