Ryoutou

Disclaimer: I don't own Ranma½ or Sakura Taisen or Love Hina or Rurouni Kenshin (or a little bit of Sailor Moon or CCS or Vandread)! I wish I did so I could finally skip this part. 

Book of Water

Chapter 6: Futari no shinpu

--- Himura Clan, Kamiyaa Dojo---

Occupants of the dojo found themselves watching in silent anticipation. Ranma, heir of the Hiten Mitsurugi/Kamiyaa Kashin Ryuu, stood at the center of the room. Armed with two bokkens, he sheathed one at his belt on his left waist and proceeded into a single sword technique and held the single bokken into a neutral stance.

Sakura and Motoko, bridal candidates of the Shinguji and Aoyama respectively, stood to face the young Himura sword master. Each girl was armed with a single bokken as per their fighting styles and each held a guarded stance. Hotaru did note the difference in their stances in the match against her earlier as compared to now. Where as before they held a relatively lax standing, now both wore a serious, almost intense concentration that can be seen on their faces. Hotaru had surmised, before neither girl had cared if she was picked or not. Now though…

Motoko was gauging Ranma's stance and noted that his form, deceivingly lax but could easily shift to either offense or defense quite quickly. 'I don't usually make the first move without a gauge of an opponent's skill but considering I have Sakura-san to back me up….'

Sakura was also noting Ranma's stance and also came up with same conclusion as Motoko. She caught a small signal from the other girl and gave a small nod of acknowledgement and then….

"KIIIYAAAAAAA!!!"

Motoko gave a loud kiai as she made the first move. She launched towards Ranma and made several quick straight thrust to gauge his reflexes. Ranma moved to counter each strike and was quite impressed at Motoko's attack speed while making his own attempt to test out the girl's own reflexes while keeping his guard for the other.

Sakura maneuvered herself into a position in which she could make an attempt to attack without hampering her ally. Due to Motoko's tenacious assault, she found herself easily on Ranma's left side and moved in when Motoko jumped back to avoid being struck by a counter slash. "HIYAAA!"

Ranma masterfully spun his bokken to defend against the Shinguji girls' attack and had to deflect several more attempted strikes before he could manage to mount a counter. He managed to tag Sakura once on the left shoulder once he saw an opening but before he could capitalize, Motoko had moved in to defend Sakura and launch a counter offensive. And several exchanges of bokken strikes followed.

'From what I can tell…Sakura-chan is far lither than Motoko-chan. But Motoko-chan seemed stronger.' Ranma blocked another swipe from Motoko and sidestepped to the right to avoid Sakura's strike as both girls alternated to attack at him, keeping him guessing where the next strike would be. 'Just like when I fight against Ryouga and the others.' He grinned, oh is this going to be fun.

"The girls seemed much more coordinated than they were earlier, aren't they mother?" Nodoka asked without looking away from the match. She sees Ranma parry Motoko's vertical cut while he spun himself to the left to avoid Sakura's own attack. "It's as if they had been sparring like this for weeks."

Hotaru nodded, "They are indeed. They are fighting with much more tenacity than before." Hotaru watched as both Sakura and Motoko jumped back to avoid Ranma's advance as he broke through their assault. "And both are much more careful in how they approached Ranma, even providing cover for the other girl. They learn fast after our fight earlier." Hotaru then smiled inwardly, '…or perhaps maybe because of the incentive to win or to impress a certain young man.'

Tomoyo and Tsuruko were also watching intently at their respective charges, noticing the difference in their attitudes in this fight as compared to before. Kenji and Yahiko, having not seen the fight earlier, decided just to watch and gauge the respective candidates' skills, pointing out strengths and weaknesses as they see them.

Makoto and Minako where definitely squirming in their seats. Ranma was truly a paragon of the male of the species. It was truly quite a shame that he was taken…that was very much clear. But to whom, was still the big question. Though, they were heavily betting for their mistress.

Motoko had to jump back just as Ranma's bokken passed by where her head used to be. 'He's faster than his grandmother, not that I am surprised but his speed is uncanny. I wonder if I can attain the same level of skill as he. As far as I can tell…he might be able to match my oldest sister!' She stepped in as she spots Sakura receiving hits from Ranma's quick strikes. "Dragon's Claw!" She gritted her teeth as Ranma nimbly dodged her attack, 'Perhaps even much more so….'

Sakura was relieved a little when Motoko took off some of the pressure from Ranma's assault. 'He's really good and quite strong. And he hasn't even used his other bokken. From what I heard from Akane and Ukyou, he's usual fighting stance involved two swords…yet Motoko and I are having a hard time just defending against one.' She spun as she avoided a shallow strike Ranma gave her way. 'Feels like I'm taking on the captain and Sumire at the same time…with a little bit of Kanna at the side….' Dodging a chi strike from Ranma she had to rethink that thought, 'Alright, a whole lot of Kanna at the side!'

Motoko had to backup a bit as Ranma was beginning to press his advantage in both speed and strength. Sakura followed suite and both girls went into a defensive stance. Ranma halted his attack but kept his posture in an open attack stance, bokken pointing towards the two girls.

"So…what do we do now?" Sakura asked in somewhat ragged breathing as she rubs her sore shoulder but keeping her guard in case Ranma decided to attack again. 'Ranma seems to hit as strong as a wakiji!'

"We can probably try and do a pincer chi-attack on him. I'll launch one attack slightly to the right and top, you try and do the lower left." Motoko suggested.

"Fine by me. Right now, we don't have much of a choice. Let's do it." Sakura sprinted towards the left while Motoko jumped up toward the right.

Ranma noticed both girls began their approach on different attack angles and prepared to counter whatever they have in store for him. 'Who do I attack first, Sakura-chan or Motoko-chan?' Ranma was gauging the girl that was the greatest threat to him, 'Well, I guess I can use that technique.'

At the peek of her jumped, Motoko unleashed one of her strongest attacks, "Zanmanken ni no tachi!"

At the same time Sakura unleashed her own, "God of the cherry blossoms strike!"

Ranma jumped up as he avoided Sakura's chi attack then twisted in the air as he dodged Motoko's. Though this is relatively mundane compared to his sparring with Ryouga and the others, he finds the unique skills these two are displaying quite refreshing. He could probably place them a little behind Kasumi or Natsume. But he did saw the potential of the two to go beyond that.

Sakura and Motoko charged in together attempting to tag Ranma before he could regain his footing. He then drew his other bokken from his waist as he deflected the simultaneous strikes from the two girls. He took several steps back away from the two before going into a two sword stance. "I must say you two fought well, but I'm afraid that I have to end this match now."

Motoko held her bokken ready for another strike, "One or two swords won't make us fall that easy." She said confidently though she was already breathing hard. 'Alright…here comes the real deal…let's see if he's as good with two swords as Akane-san have said him to be.'

Sakura nodded as she also prepared to attack again. "Come and try, Ranma-kun. Let's see what you got!" Inwardly she had the same thoughts as Motoko. 'He's now going to his favorite attack stance. I'll finally see firsthand how strong you really are!'

Kenji idly stroke his chin, "I guess this is the end game eh, old friend?"

Yahiko nodded sagely, "Indeed it seems, Kenji-sama. A true master of the two-sword technique does not double his prowess when wielding two swords but in fact would have an eight-fold increase." Kenji nodded in affirmation.

With two swords in hand, Ranma launched towards the two girls who also launched towards him in an effort to counter his assault but was caught off guard as Ranma decided to used one of the techniques he developed based on his great grandfather's sword fighting style. "Double Nine-Headed Dragon Slash!"

Motoko couldn't believed what she was seeing, apparently Ranma's right bokken were aimed at all her vitals at the same time. She didn't know how to block all of them and dodging was out of the question since her momentum was carrying her forward. Sakura faced the same scenario with Ranma's left bokken and before the girls knew it they had already slammed their backs at the dojo walls, pain shot through their entire body.

"That will be enough, thank you Ranma." Kenji said as motioned to Ranma that the match is over. Hotaru and Ami immediately went towards the two downed girls as did Tsuruko and Tomoyo.

Tsuruko was bewildered, she had heard of such a technique before from her father but to see it in actuality was something else entirely. It was simply amazing!

Tomoyo was equally in awe. She had watched their fight and had seen that the Himura heir wasn't even showing his real skills in the match. Perhaps the legends about the Himura aren't farfetched as she first thought it was.

Ranma hastily approached the two down females, "Sorry about that…I must have put too much power in my strike, I was merely hoping to tag your vitals…" He said apologetically while nervously rubbing the back of his head.

Sakura, though in pain, managed to get a smile. "No need for apologies Ranma-kun. I had worse bruising than this after all…" She then felt Ami began healing her bruises with her chi. "Thanks…that feels a lot better Ami-san." The short-haired girl just smiled at her.

"This is trivial, Ranma-san. After all as practitioners of martial arts, such things are to be expected." Motoko said in a grimace as Hotaru was also tending her aches. "Thank you very much, Himura-sama." Hotaru nodded in reply.

Tsuruko approached Ranma, "That was a spectacular display Ranma-san. I have heard tales from father about such a technique…I never thought I'd actually see it with my own eyes. It was simply amazing, not that we don't have special techniques of our own, but that was quite surreal!"

Kenji was now standing besides Ranma, "The technique you saw Ranma execute was his own version of my father's nine-head dragon slash. He managed to revise the technique to be suitable for his two sword stance, although using the said skill in two swords did diminish the overall power of the strike. But nonetheless his version remains quite formidable."

'That technique of his was a weaker version than the original?' Tsuruko thought in shock and just as bit as intrigue, "I must agree, though I am curious as to how powerful the technique really is if Ranma-san was to execute it with one sword?"

Yahiko answered her, "If Ranma-dono was to fully utilize his strength into it, then employing the nine-head dragon slash would certainly kill any opponent outright."

Sakura gasped at that, "But…the way that technique hits…I mean, it's impossible to block all nine strikes simultaneously!"

"Yes, I must agree with Sakura-san. We have our own sword techniques that can kill an opponent outright but can be blocked or deflected with a proper counter. The only way I could think off surviving yours is to avoid the strike but dodging would almost seem unlikely too!" Motoko said. "Not to mention unfathomable speed just to block simultaneous nine strikes."

Hotaru smiled, "Actually there is one other technique in the Himura fighting style that can defeat the nine-head dragon slash but that is for family only to know. Right now, Sakura-san, Motoko-san. Off to the baths with you two. The warm waters will help soothe your aching muscles. Akane-chan, please direct them to the baths."

"As you wish milady." Akane acknowledge, "If you two would follow me. Don't worry about bathing utensils. We have everything at the baths...now this way."

Ranma watched as his two prospective fiancées shakily stood up and followed were Akane led.

"So, what do you think of their skills with the blade, Ranma-dono?" Yahiko asked as he stepped behind the pigtailed samurai.

"They're quite skilled and I'm certain they can achieve much more. I can see a great deal of potential waiting to be unleashed by those two given more training."

Hotaru nodded, "So true, my grandchild. And we will see to it how far those two can go." 'Perhaps there is wisdom in what Nodoka-chan said. But I better discuss this first with my husband and Yahiko-dono.' A chill went down Ranma's spine as the young man excused himself and was immediately accompanied by Ukyou and Ryouga.

Tsuruko was quite pleased to know that Motoko's potential was acknowledged by the Himuras. It was one thing for her to compliment Motoko and another for a very prominent family. It makes her heart soar. "It's good to hear that my sister has earned your praise, Himura-sama."

"Yes, indeed. I am glad my daughter has caught your attention as well." Tomoyo was all smiles as too. Sakura had always shown the greatest skill in the family art but to be praised by the Himuras, who where second only to the imperial family, was exhilarating.

"We only speak the truth Aoyama-san, Shinguji-san. Those two do bear incredible potential." Kenji stated while rubbing his chin. 'Both girls do possess considerable talents. Either one would make a very suitable wife to Ranma-kun. But the decision will be his alone on who he chooses.' He took a glance at his wife and noted she and Nodoka were conversing in hush tones. 'Somehow I get the feeling that a third option will be presenting itself soon….'

---

"Is the water's temperature to your liking? Aoyama-san? Shinguji-san?" Akane inquired from the changing room. She was twisting several temperature control valves. A little wonder created by her cousin, Ami.

"Yes it is. Thanks for the trouble in showing us Akane-san." Sakura said as she slipped in deeper into the baths. "This really feels good." The hot water was soothing her aching muscles.

Motoko nodded, "Feels just like a natural hot spring."

"That's good to hear. I'll be outside if you need anything else." Akane went to guard the door…who knows when a pervert might enter the baths even with a sign saying occupied might not be enough.

Sakura glanced over to her companion, "I guess we can agree to say that Ranma-kun is quite skilled, isn't he Motoko-san?"

"Yes, far more so than what I anticipated." Motoko leaned back to the bath's wall. "I think he might be a match for my eldest sister…probably even more…." Motoko then heard the Shinguji girl lightly chuckling and turned a curious look at her way.

Sakura noted Motoko's curious expression, "It's nothing. I was just thinking a while back that I was hoping you'd be selected to be Ranma-kun's bride but now I think I might not be backing out after all." She sank a little deeper into the water, "Do you find it weird that we fell for him faster than a stone falling in a pond?"

Motoko couldn't help but smile. "That's funny…I was having the same thoughts as well." And both girls laughed. "Not really though, I guess it's natural for us to be attracted to men good with swords. But I must confess that little spar was the best one I had in years."

"So true, since my father died, I haven't sparred against anyone with superior skills than me with the sword. My friends back at the capital are good, but only the captain would wield a sword. And to note, he also uses the two sword stance but Ranma-kun's skills clearly outclasses him."

"I think the Himuras clearly outclasses most swordsmen in the country." Motoko pointed out.

Sakura agreed, "I guess we will learn tomorrow who Ranma-kun chooses ne?"

"Yeah…."

---

Motoko was wide awake for her usual early morning routine. Swordsmanship has been her life, and will always be. She noted her sisters are also wide awake, Rei and Tsuruko doing their usual meditations. She grabbed her sword, and proceeded outside where she was greeted by Ukyou.

"Good morning, Motoko-san. I hoped you had a good night's sleep."

"That I did, thank you for your hospitality." Both women headed outside where Motoko could practice her sword strikes. Apparently, Ukyou would stand in as a bodyguard for her until one from the Aoyama family would select a permanent guard. They passed by artificial lake where they both noticed Sakura practicing her swordsmanship in cutting leaves gently falling from the trees. Akane sat nearby the said girl, cleaning her sword as per her usual habit in the morning.

Sakura, after slicing a leaf into two perfectly even halves, noted Motoko and Ukyou approaching them. "Good morning, you two. Out for a little practice?"

Motoko nodded, "Yes. I guess us swordsmen have a knack for early morning training." A small giggle was shared amongst the girls. "Say, has Ranma-san begun his morning training as well?"

"Yup, Ranma-sama is with Ryouga and they usually do their training up in the mountain footpaths for added challenge. Or so they say." Akane answered while examining the rising sun's light reflect on her blade. "Usually, Kenji-sama and Yahiko-sama would occasionally train with them before heading out to meet the Kyoto governor."

"Say, Ranma-kun has a bodyguard with him always…how come I've never seen Himura-sama and Yahiko-sama with any guards?" Sakura asked, noting since last night she hasn't seen a single yojimbo following their tracks.

Ukyou gave a small chuckle, as did Akane. "Yahiko-sama IS Kenji-sama's bodyguard, aside from our fathers that is." Ukyou pointed to Akane, "The heads of the extended family are all bodyguards to Kenji-sama but most often, it is Yahiko-sama who keeps him company while the others concentrate on estate security."

"Oh! I had thought…never mind." Sakura sat beside Akane as they both looked on as Motoko went into her morning routine. "Say Motoko-san…" Sakura began after a few minutes of watching.

The addressed girl stopped in mid-stroke, "What is it Sakura-san?"

"After your exercise, how about we train together? A little, one-on-one sparring? Or if you would like a tag-team between Akane-san and me against Ukyou-san and yourself?"

Motoko considered it, "Sure, why not. Nothing improves swordsmanship better than a little competition." She mentally added, '…or a little rivalry.'

The rest of Sakura and Motoko's early morning were spent sparring against the other. Akane and Ukyou joined the battle to add a bit of spice. It was mid-morning when Ami called the four of them, when the Himuras were requesting their presence.

---

Kenji sat at the head of the low table. Sitting to his sides are his family and long time friend. "Aoyama-san. Shinguji-san. I had a discussion with my wife last night, and she had brought up an interesting…suggestion." Kenji coughed a little, whilst looking at his grandson. "Of course, in the end it will be up to Ranma-kun's decision."

"What suggestion would that be, Himura-sama?" Tsuruko asked. Though she already had an inclination, after all she and Nodoka had a small talk before.

Tomoyo as well had an inclination. Nodoka didn't even bother hide that fact from her when they talked.

Ranma looked puzzled, as were Sakura and Motoko.

Kenji spoke again, "After our clan's dedicated service to the imperial family, the Emperor Taisho was kind enough to grant our family a favor to be granted anytime we ask for it." He again looked at the slightly confused Ranma. "What we're suggesting is another option to our arrangement. The first of course is for Ranma to choose among Sakura and Motoko."

The said girls blushed and frantically hoped they would be chosen and looked up expectantly to a slightly fidgeting Ranma who was yet to decide on whom to choose. "And what's my other option, grandfather?" He knew better than to ask that question but it was necessary to let it out of his system.

Hotaru then spoke, "Your mother actually brought it up and we found…sound insight from it. We will ask for the Emperor to grant you the boon of having two wives."

"Oh, I thought it was…WHAT? TWO WIVES?"

Nodoka cleared her ears as she received the full blunt of Ranma's outburst, "Keep you voice down Ranma."

"Sorry mother…but what's this about two wives? Besides, even if I did agree, I doubt Sakura and Motoko would both agree to go with it?!"

Sakura and Motoko glanced at one another when Ranma said those words and both thought the same thing: 'A fifty-fifty chance of being chosen, or a guaranteed marriage albeit, they have to share?' It wasn't too much of a choice, besides both girls liked the other girl as well. It might turn out to be better than an ordinary married life. But both were keen on getting the…first shot.

Tsuruko had thought about this scenario for a while now. Ever since she learned the Shingujis were also a bridal candidate. It wasn't really so bad, besides the Aoyamas in the past had more than one wife at certain times in their history. Tsuruko wrinkled her nose, 'Alright, most often than not.' It was only recently that the clan heads settled for a single spouse. She looked at her youngest sister, 'I really don't mind, but it's all up to her is she wants to go down that path.'

Tomoyo was also recalling the Shinguji clan histories. If she remembered correctly, only her father-in-law was the one in the clan that only had one spouse. But she rescinded that the decision is for Sakura to make. She then noted that Sakura had bowed towards Ranma before speaking.

"I wouldn't mind at all, Himura Ranma-sama if you would have Aoyama-san aside from me."

Motoko took that as her cue and bowed as she spoke, "As do I."

Tsuruko was happy that it was Motoko who took the initiative to speak. It will indeed be very interesting to see all three families unite.

Nodoka would have danced for joy, had her father and mother not been present. Formalities must be kept after all when in the presence of the clan heads.

Kenji and Yahiko looked on with mild amusement. Ranma will be the first in the Himura clan records to have two wives…should he accept.

"But…"

"It's not unprecedented, Ranma-kun." Kenji stated. "There have been instances in the past where other clan heads and heirs that have had…more than one wife. That's also true for the imperial family."

Ranma continued to stare at the two girls. He had thought both would have never agreed to it. Then blushed when he noted both girls were still looking at him, eagerly waiting for his decision. "I guess…that would be…alright. So long as it is the desire of both girls, then…then I don't mind as well."

Nodoka nodded triumphantly, as did Hotaru.

"Good, now that's settled, I will personally seek an audience with the Emperor. Tomorrow I will leave for the imperial capital immediately." Kenji said as he stood up and excused himself, Yahiko trailing just behind him.

Nodoka, Hotaru, Tsuruko and Tomoyo soon all left together to talk about what ceremonies the officially engaged trio would undertake. And what preparations were needed to be done. That left Ranma, Sakura and Motoko in the room.

"Umm…are you two sure about this? I mean, I know what grandfather said but…."

Motoko leaned on him. She found it strange that she was so open in her affection when just a few weeks before such actions would have caused instant revulsion from her. She also noted that she felt rather content. Maybe this was what Naru feels for Keitaro. "Don't worry about it too much, Ranma-san. I somehow felt…it wouldn't be complete if…if both Sakura-san and I were not by your side."

Sakura, not to be outdone, also leaned on Ranma's other shoulder. "What she said, Ranma-kun. I guess we quickly grown fond of one another by yesterday's events." Sakura was also in thought on how she could act so forward when just yesterday she would be to shy to do anything. Well, she knew that she still blushing just as bad.

Ranma, sighed, but with a little bit of relief. If the two did not mind then he wouldn't mind as well. He was quite worried that the two might end up in a cat fight or something. "I guess we're…say, what do we call three people together? Two's a couple…."

Sakura smiled, "I guess it's what you call a crowd."

The three young couple…err, crowd, all gave a small laugh. It was only later they 'eeped' when they learned that the girls' belongings have all been moved to Ranma's room, courtesy of Nodoka.

AN: The title translates into two brides.

AN: Now to try and finish that second chapter for Into the Void…