Author note: And another chapter added. Dryad will be update after a final check, performed to the best of my abilities.
Chapter 3 – Living is learning and often very painful at that
Sighing, Ranma sipped some tea as she shivered slightly in Andre's large shirt. Towel still wrapped around her neck and hair still damp, Ranma looked like a washed kitten after being dried. Desponded, Ranma continued to ignore the ongoing affairs around her as she felt sorry for herself. Blinking, Ranma was brought out of her pity as she looked at the two children hugging her.
"You need a hug." Natasha said to the unspoken question.
"Yep, a hug." Kitsune agreed, nodding his head.
"Thanks, guys." Ranma replied as she returned the hug.
"I'm a girl." Natasha replied indignantly.
"Yeah, that too." Ranma mumbled as the children exchange a look that just said 'adults'.
Chuckling, Hans placed his tea on the table, before turning his attention to his calculations again. Smiling, Samus considered Ranma as she sipped her tea.
"Guess you want to know what I'm doing back here so soon." Ranma stated as she fidgeted.
"The though did cross my mind. I would suspect that you attempted to practice my advice in a relevant situation without the added help given by tact." Samus replied.
"Yeah. Could you keep the big words to a minimum? I'm getting the hang of translating Kuno's flowery speech, but if you use to many big words at once you'll lose me." Ranma complained.
"I am sorry if I have caused you any discomfort. I usually strive to speak in formal sentences, because of my position in the clan. Several members of the clan also feel that proper speech shows our attention to detail, such as the use of contractions. Using contractions suggest a sloppy mind and disrespect towards others." Samus explained.
"It is a preference within this clan. We realise that others do not share our sentiments, our opinions." Hans added for Ranma's benefit.
"Okay. So you want to hear my story?" Ranma sweat dropped.
"Aff." Samus nodded.
Ranma told about the confrontation at the Tendo's and his subsequent banishment from the dojo. Samus asked a few questions to gain more background information about the promise and accusations.
"I would say that using tact would not have made a difference." Samus finally stated as Hans nodded his agreement.
"So all you did was use my advice against pervert-based accusations. Granted, the accusation is about cheating, but the premise is the same. They said you were cheating, you ask for proof. They declined to provide evidence and you request an apology. They denied any responsibility and claimed to be the offended party. You defended yourself by placing your word against Akane's word. They challenged your word and you demanded proof again. Unfounded accusations were said and you countered with a promise broken by Akane. When confronted with this fact, they tried to change the subject and failing that banished you from the only home you knew. Have I left anything out?" Samus summarized.
"Nope, that's about it." Ranma replied.
"Hypocrites." Hans interjected.
"Aff. You can stay here as long as you want, young one. If you want we can work to improve your debating skills. You seem to find weak spots easily, but fail to properly make use of these weak spots." Samus said, refilling her cup.
"You mean improve my talking? I'm all for that. People been twisting my word long enough." Ranma replied eagerly.
Andre ended the conversation by bringing dinner to the table. Some small talks was exchanged during dinner. Samus questioned Ranma about his homework and the time he had to use he finished it. Samus also explained a few basic rules to Ranma, that she was to follow during her stay. Ranma easily agreed to share the household chores with the others and to look after the children. It took some arguing before Ranma agreed to finish her homework before practising her kata's.
With some pride Ranma walked towards school. With help from Hans, Ranma had been able to finish his assignments for a pleasant change. Ranma understood most of the explanations of Hans and felt confident about using what he had learned to help with the current subjects in his classes. Samus had proposed to test Ranma's knowledge and developed a study plan to bring Ranma up to speed in school. Noting a similarity with the testing and placing of martial artists, Ranma readily agreed.
Sitting down at his desk, Ranma pulled out his first book and a notepad gifted by Hans. Patiently waited for the class to begin, Ranma ignored Akane as she entered the classroom and started glaring at him. The other students started whispering at this behaviour as Ranma noted down the first rule of learning, 'Each lesson is a piece of a greater whole. Remember them all.', in his notepad.
"Hi, Ran-chan. Did you have another argument with Akane?" Ukyo asked as she stood beside Ranma's desk.
"Kinda, Uc-chan. The Tendo's threw me out of their home, cause I wouldn't bow to the princess." Ranma said, pointing with a thumb at Akane.
"You were cheating on me with another woman, you pervert." Akane yelled back.
"You can stay with me, Ran-chan. Can't have you frolicking with other women, now can I." Ukyo smiled.
"So you're taking Akane's word over mine." Ranma softly commented, before turning away from Ukyo.
"What?! No, not at all. It's just that you attract enough woman as it is." Ukyo explained, frowning as Ranma didn't respond.
"So, Ranma. Was she hot?" Hiroshi interjected.
"Strange, each time Akane accuses me of something, everyone believes her. Despite how many times these accusations turn out as little more than the over active imagination of a spoiled brat." Ranma dryly noted.
"One would think that people would stop listening to someone whose credibility is highly questionable." Ranma added in the silence.
"Are you saying I'm a liar?" Akane growled.
"You accused me to be the father of the unborn child of the Masaki fiancée. Turns out that the Masaki fiancée visited to ensure that I would not enforce my claim as she wanted to marry the real father of her child. I give directions to a girl and immediately you start yelling at me to stop flirting. Personally I can't recall an instance where any of your ramblings had any truth." Ranma counter in a clear voice as he addressed the entire class.
"I spend a little to much time with Himura-san. I'm beginning to sound like her." Ranma muttered as the class discussed the argument.
The teacher quickly restored order as he walked in, denying Akane and Ukyo the chance to continue the argument with Ranma. Notes started to pile on his desk as class progressed. Ranma continued to ignore the notes, until the teacher caught the latest note being placed on Ranma's desk.
"Saotome, would you like to share with the class what is so important to disregard the subject?" The teacher questioned.
"Sensei, because of the latest fallout between me and Akane, several students have taken advantage of the opportunity to make several proposals to me." Ranma answered with a quick glance on the note.
"Oh?" The teacher said, silently asking Ranma to explain himself.
"Yes. This note is from Aki. Apparently she want to start a relation with me and suggest that we celebrate by covering me with chocolate syrup, which she will lick of my unclothed body. Several other suggestions are also mentioned, but are a bit graphic to say out loud." Ranma replied as he read parts of the note out loud, much to the embarrassment of Aki.
"And you feel this is a good enough reason to disrupt my class?" The teacher pressed as he ignored the snickering and red-faced Aki.
"I have ignored the notes after the first one. Just look at the pile on my desk and look if any other student has a note in my handwriting." Ranma countered with a wave to his fellow students.
"I have been making notes of your lecture and have completed my homework." Ranma added as he showed his notepad and homework.
"This is a surprise. Did you really do this yourself?" The teacher commented.
"Yeah, I did have some help in understanding the theory as Lidstrom-san refused to give any real answers I could just write down." Ranma explained.
"I hope you keep this up, Saotome. The next person who writes a note will be getting an extra assignment. I will not have anymore disruptions in my class." The teacher dictated as he dismissed Ranma back to his desk.
Lunch time saw a envelopment of Ranma's desk. An angry flare of Ranma's aura scattered the questioning classmates and left Ranma to eat his bento in peace. Deliberately turning his back to Ukyo as she approached, showed Ranma's opinion about Ukyo's earlier words. Akane received a similar treatment as Ranma simply walked away as Akane stormed up to his desk, yelling at Ranma for embarrassing her. Not used to being dismissed like that Akane's mood soured rapidly as she went to find her friends to whine about her 'unfair' treatment.
Sitting down under a tree, Ranma finished his bento. Sighing, Ranma rubbed his forehead to ease his headache. Snorting, Ranma considered the perils of learning as his head felt stuffed. Glancing up, he noted Nabiki looming over him with a smirk present on her face.
"What?" Ranma grouched.
"1000 yen." Nabiki replied, hand outstretched.
"Why bother?" Ranma shrugged as he closed his eyes, dismissing Nabiki's presence.
"Oh, you will want to know this." Nabiki said.
"Nihao, airen." A bubbly voice shouted as a bicycle bell sounded from behind the tree.
"Big whoopee." Ranma drawled as Shampoo attached herself to Ranma.
"Shampoo bring airen too too delicious ramen. Airen take on date tonight, yes?" Shampoo asked in her cutesy voice.
"Not hungry and no." Ranma deadpanned as he pried himself loose.
"Airen sick?" Shampoo asked, perplexed as Ranma stood.
"Just not hungry." Ranma responded.
"Ayah, Shampoo almost forget. Ranma sleep at Nekohaten, yes? No need to sleep outside." Shampoo enthusiast, giggling at the prospect of having Ranma sleep in her room.
Shampoo waited several moment for a response, before noticing Ranma entering the school without giving an answer. Blinking, Shampoo stood staring at the school doors for a minute or two, before leaving on her bike with a frown. Nabiki shared the frown as she considered the information available to her.
Ranma had returned to his classroom and had rested his head for the remainder of the lunch on his desk as he waited for the next class to start. The notes had stopped appearing on his desk as the day had progressed, preventing Ranma from getting into anymore problems with the teachers. The only problems Ranma had was staying awake and the glares from his fiancées. Ranma let out a big breath as the last class ended.
"You know, Ranma. All you have to do is give my sister an apology and you'll have a roof over you head again." Nabiki smirked as she halted Ranma outside of school.
"She's the one who has to apologies." Ranma returned evenly.
"My offer still stands, Ran-chan." Ukyo interjected.
"Not interested. Especially after what you said this morning." Ranma stated with a frown.
"Pervert is probably staying with that hussy Shampoo." Akane snorted.
"Shampoo?" Ranma questioned and started laughing.
"Funny, how nobody is asking me where I'm staying." Ranma said as he got his laughter under control.
"And where might that be?" Nabiki asked.
"Wouldn't you like to know." Ranma answered with a big smile as he turned and left.
"Where do you think you're going, pervert?" Akane yelled.
"That is no business of yours, Tendo-san." Ranma shouted back as he disappeared out of their sight.
"It is a pleasure finally getting to know you ladies." Samus said to her guests.
"We're thankful for the invitation, Himura-san." Kaoto Suki politely replied as she sipped some tea.
"I felt it was important to introduce myself to the neighborhood. Especially after hearing some wild rumors about three man and one lady." Samus dryly noted.
"Ah, yes. It is somewhat improper for an unwedded woman to associate with men of questionable stature." Sato Umi replied with an polite cough.
"Chapman Andre is respectful of me as his superior and has served my clan without question for a long time. Lidstrom Hans is a respected elder within my clan. I consider both as family and to suggest that I would have an improper relation with either, is something I find insulting and a slight to my honor." Samus declared with a stern face.
"What of the young man, whom was spotted in this house?" The elderly Hayawaki Miyuki bluntly asked.
"Saotome Ranma. An future pupil should he decide to accept my offer. In my eyes he is still a child and certainly unsuitable as a mate." Samus honestly answered.
"I've heard some bad things about this Ranma. He has done some perverted things and his honor is questionable." Suki mused.
"And where did you hear this gossip?" Samus asked in a dismissing tone.
"Tendo Kasumi told me this and she is living with him in the same house. I don't think a sweet soul like Kasumi would lie about a thing like that." Suki answered.
"I see. So you have no real knowledge of whom Ranma is. Only second-hand information." Samus stated.
"I have met and talked to Ranma myself and have formed my own opinion about this grossly misunderstood youth. I have also met Tendo Akane and find her the questionable factor in this story." Samus continued.
"Akane is the one whom has started these rumors about Ranma's supposed perverseness. Yesterday she accused Ranma of going on a date with me, while he only escorted me to my waiting family. When I confronted Akane about her false statement, she ignored me and continued to blame Ranma for a none existing fault. She completely disregarded the facts and pretended to be the offended victim." Samus concluded with a sip of her tea.
"As for Tendo Kasumi. I have heard she has sacrificed a lot to protect her family, such as a promising future in medicine. If Akane would be exposed as a dishonorable person, this would affect Akane's future as people would question her integrity. I believe Kasumi is so used to protecting and sheltering her family, that she could very well be diverting attention from Akane's flaws by placing the blame on Ranma. It could also mean she honestly believes Akane's accusations. I have not spoken to her and have no real opinion about her, either way." Samus added after a moment of silence as the ladies considered her argument.
"All I ask is that you withhold your opinion about Ranma, until you have spoken with him. Give him a chance to prove himself as the honorable person I believe he is." Samus requested.
"It would be fair to give him that chance." Miyuki mused.
"My thanks. As for the rumor in regard to improper behavior of myself. I simply wish for you to spread a warning. I do not take to slander against my honor or the honor of my clan kindly. Should I uncover someone doing such an action without just cause, then that person will find themselves and their family on the road to poverty. No business will hire any member of the offending family and their reputation will be tarnished with the public knowledge that the family attempted to discredit an honorable family for their personal pleasure." Samus declared in a frosty voice.
"You would ruin a family for mere gossip?" Suki questioned.
"My clan takes honor very serious. Honesty and openness are fundamental concepts within our clan." Samus answered in an even voice.
"Given your credentials I don't doubt your capability to carry out your threat." Umi noted softly.
"I take it you can arrange a meeting between some of us and Ranma?" Miyuki asked as she changed the subject.
"At the moment he is staying here after he was thrown out of the Tendo dojo." Samus smirked.
"Figures." Miyuki snorted with a faint smile.
"There has got to be a 'Martial Arts Sidewalk Washing'." Ranma grumbled as she walked up to the house.
"Hi, auntie Ranma." The children chord.
"Hi, kids." Ranma returned with a wave.
Knocking on the door, Ranma watched the children play as she waited. Smiling, Samus opened the door and led Ranma to the living room. Suspicious, Ranma casually greeted the four ladies already present. Telling Ranma to wait for a moment, Samus quickly left for the kitchen and returned with a towel, hot and cold water.
"I suggest that you demonstrate your condition. That should prevent any critics from saying that you lied about yourself." Samus gently prodded.
"Do I have to ?" Ranma whined.
"Only if you want." Samus stated kindly.
"Alright." Ranma said after considering his first meeting with the Tendo's.
The four ladies had been watching with interest as Samus and Ranma talked, patiently waiting. They gasped as they saw the young girl change into a boy. Ranma explained the curse with a second demonstration and waited for a response.
"How complete is the change?" Miyuki asked as spokeswomen.
"Complete I guess." Ranma shrugged.
"Because his father has repeatedly stated to Ranma as he grew up that woman are weak, Ranma has little incentive to either explore or gain more understanding about his female form. Any attempt would have earned him a lecture about how women are weak and that he should not waste his time with nonsense." Samus added.
"More like a beating and lecture." Ranma grumbled.
"Beating?" Miyuki frowned.
"Well, not like that. Pops and me spar all the time. If I did something he didn't approve off, he would stop holding back his punches. Just to get his point across." Ranma explained as he fidgeted.
"Why don't you tell them about your training trip? That should allow them to get to know you a little better." Samus suggested.
Shrugging, Ranma told the highlights about the trip, ending with Jusenkyo. The ladies asked several questions about the trip and expressed their disbelief of Genma' s behavior.
"Where was your mother during this?" Miyuki questioned with narrowed eyes.
"Mom? Home, I guess. I didn't see her until she showed up at the Tendo's place looking for us." Ranma answered.
"At least she tried to search for you. It must've been a happy reunion when she found you." Umi said.
"Not really. I had to use my curse to hide for a few months." Ranma admitted with a blush.
"Why?" Umi asked.
"Pops and me signed this contract before we left. If I didn't become a man among men, we would commit seppuku." Ranma answered, earning himself several disbelieving stares.
"What mother would agree to such a contract?" Suki whispered as the others nodded their agreement.
"I believe that this is enough of such depressing talk. How about we close this get together with more entertaining tales? Would you like to hear the story how Kitsune and Natasha cheered Hiro up after his girlfriend broke up with him?" Samus interjected.
The group traded stories and laughed the depressed mood away, until the guests had to leave for their own home.
"Ranma, you are welcome in my home." Miyuki formally stated before she left, giving him a grandmotherly hug.
"Young one. Today, you used words to change other people perspective about yourself." Samus complimented as she headed to the kitchen to start dinner.
Ranma began to smile as he realized his unexpected achievement. "I wasn't even trying to change their opinion." Ranma mused.
Over the next week, Ranma developed a new routine as he adjusted to life with the Himura's. Getting up and practicing before breakfast, followed by school. Upon returning yo the Himura home, Ranma made his homework with the help from Hans. He practiced his Martial Arts after finishing his homework, followed by a lesson from Samus. Enjoying a sunny Sunday, Ranma walked in a random path as he enjoyed some peace and quiet.
"RANMA, PREPARE TO DIE." A familiar roar sounded as Ranma jumped to the side to avoid the attack.
"Hé, watch it pigboy." Ranma cautioned Ryouga.
"For your crimes, you die today." Ryouga hissed as he threw several bandanna's.
Shouting a warning, Ranma evaded the weapons. Bystanders behind him scramble to avoid the bandanna's as they struck a wall. Attracted by the commotion Samus and Andre noted the attack and result. Directing Andre to clear one side of the street, Samus started herding people down the other side of the street away from the fight.
Ignoring his surroundings as usual, Ryouga pressed his attack and Ranma responded by taunting and luring Ryouga away from the crowd. Having established a decent perimeter, Samus observed the fight and noticed a police officer.
"Are you not going to intervene?" Samus questioned.
"They don't pay me enough to step between two fighting martial artists. Besides it's legal to hold duels." The police officer replied.
"Even when bystander are endangered?" Samus pressed.
"I don't see any bystanders involved." The police officer noted as Ryouga used the breakpoint technique.
"They may have a different opinion. And I would not call attacking someone in an ambush, a duel." Samus deadpanned as she pointed out a man, whom had been nicked by one of the bandanna's.
"This happens to Saotome all the time. He practically invites it." The police officer stated, ending the conversation.
Shaking her head, Samus continued to observe the fight as both fighters started to use their more destructive techniques. Samus stared as Ranma unleashed his ki attack, followed by the Amaguriken to the head. Ranma swiftly jumped to higher ground to catch his breath.
"Ki." Samus whispered reverently.
Ryouga lost sight of Ranma as he shook the dizziness away. Cursing his foe, Ryouga bulldozed through a wall as he tried to find Ranma and promptly got lost. Sighing in relief, Ranma jumped down and looked in the direction Ryouga took off in.
"You can expect the bill in the mail." A shopkeeper shouted at Ranma as he check out the damage to his shop.
"And why would he pay for the damages caused by others?" Samus sharply questioned.
"He, lady. He's the only one still here. The other one would never pay." The shopkeeper stated indignantly.
"If you employ a 'you break, you buy' policy, then you must blame the breaker and not someone else." Samus retorted.
"Should you insist on blaming him, then you better be prepared to contact a lawyer. Do not expect us to blatantly accept blame for something we did not do." Samus added in a huff.
"He was fighting that demolisher. He has shared responsibility for the destruction." The shopkeeper said.
"Look, buddy. If you think it's easy to fight Ryouga, then why don't you fight him yourself? Lets see what you can do or is whining all you can do." Ranma heatedly replied.
"He doesn't have a problem with me." The shopkeeper returned.
"But you do with me. If you think you could've done better, I say prove it." Ranma stated.
"I doubt this shopkeeper has the courage or honor to even challenge this Ryouga. All he is capable of is complaining about the efforts of those who are willing to stand up to bullies like Ryouga." Samus declared to the crowd that was gathering.
"That isn't important here. Who will be paying for the damage is." The shopkeeper sputtered.
"The moment you declare that someone, whom was attacked from an ambush, is to pay for the damages caused by the ambusher, then I say it is important to ask questions. The ambusher should be made to pay for the damage as his efforts are the cause of them. By forcing the ambushed to pay for damages, you are questioning his or her ability to prevent the damage caused. Question that and you must be willing to prove that you could have done better." Samus lectured, electing several nods from the crowd.
"She's right. Few could've stopped Hibiki from a rampage as quickly as Saotome." A man shouted.
"So basically I have to pay for the damages myself." The shopkeeper said dejected.
"You could file a complained with the police and demand they prosecute him." Samus replied.
"The police won't do anything against the Hibiki boy." The shopkeeper lamented.
"Strange that the police would stand by and do nothing when a crime is committed. Makes one wonder if the police can be trusted." Samus stated. Waving Ranma to follow, Samus linked up with Andre and continued her way home.
"How long have you been able to use your ki in such a fashion?" Samus asked as they walked.
"Some time now." Ranma shrugged.
"Could you teach us how?" Samus asked.
"Sure, but don't you know how already? You handle Kuno pretty easily and he uses his ki to increase his speed." Ranma answered.
"My Martial Arts style depend on precise and focused movement. I predict the strike of my opponent and counter it, attempting to throw my opponent off the desired rhythm. I am the Grand Mistress of my style, but that is because I passed the modified test as ki manipulation was lost to us a few generations ago. The special techniques which use ki are described, but not how to access ki and manipulate it." Samus explained.
"Mind teaching me your style in return?" Ranma requested.
"Of course." Samus agreed as they walked to their home.