Broken Hearts Combined
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I do not own Gold Digger and its associated characters. They belong to that marvelous fellow Fred Perry. I do not own Ranma ½ and its associated characters. They belong to the wonderful lady Rumiko Takahashi. This production is strictly for entertainment, and I am not making any money off of the writings. I am just a poor student, so please… Don't sue me… Please?
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Broken Hearts Combined Chapter 14: Welcome to Seer's Hamlet…
Ranma eyes twitch as the first rays of sunlight shine through the clouds early in the morning. Ranma awakens and is slightly blinded by the sunlight shining in his face. He groans. Why does he have to be awake now of all times in the morning?
Ranma sits up. He is in his boxers and t-shirt. He stands up and stretches a bit, to get the 'tired' feeling out of his system. He goes over to his backpack and takes out the uniform that Leep gave him. The gi is simple in its design, yet it holds a lot of weight in its authority. Having the Dao symbol on the back shows that he is the grandmaster of the 'true' Anything Goes style, having mastered both the Yin and Yang sects.
Ranma chuckles to himself. Yes… He did master the Anything Goes. And he does indeed see the differences between the sects of the styles…
The Yang sect of Anything Goes was what he grew up on, the sect that personifies masculinity and helps the trainee attain it. He had it ingrained into him, until it was literally a part of his soul, his very being. The Yang sect deals with fighting in the most extreme conditions possible. Be it in the air (which he has mastered), on a slant, in forested areas, on ice and snow, (which Ranma still isn't that good at) on sand, on mud, in dense fog, underwater (which Ranma's avoided because of the curse), on sticky surfaces, and anything else that could go wrong. Combat-wise, it deals with a lot of aerial techniques, a lot of sparring for training, balance, speed, defensive strategies of dodging, deception, reading an opponent's body movements and ki usage of emotional and environmental kind. And, to further one's goals, it talks about how stealing from others is the way to go…
Stealing… This reminds Ranma of how he was shocked, and enlightened, when he realized the true base of the Yang sect of the Anything Goes style… The school is literally immersed in negative emotions and darker aspects of life… Dealing with underhanded actions and the seven deadly sins. Just as the Yang represents the evil, or dark part of the Dao…
Ranma shakes his head. He wishes he realized this sooner… His father, Happosai, Mr. Tendo, Akane, Nabiki, and even himself were on that route… It definitely explains why his father taught him and acted towards him the way he did…
Happosai was the obvious one. Being the Grandmaster of the Yang sect of Anything Goes, Happosai has basically committed every crime, and sin possible. But first and foremost, Happosai has allowed his lust to give him his energies. And here Ranma always thought that Happosai was just another pervert…
Ranma's own father Genma, allowed himself to be immersed in many actions of evil and sin. Ignorance, cowardice, thievery, greed, sloth, and especially gluttony… That is why his father was actually more powerful than him for a while. Genma was unconsciously tapping into the evils of his actions to make himself stronger.
Mr. Tendo was also into the style. Using cowardice, ignorance and anger as his tools of power. The demon-head attack of his was based on his energies he mustered from his own reserves of his anger.
Akane. She was anger and envy through-and-through… He now understands why she was always like the way she was… He always thought that she was a brat, but he was wrong… She had ACTUALLY MASTERED the emotional part of the Yang sect of Anything Goes… She just never mastered the combat potentials of it…
Nabiki. Ranma shivers upon remembering the middle Tendo daughter. He now realizes why Nabiki was always the 'Ice Queen'. She had only trained in the Yang sect of Anything Goes for a bit, until her mother had died… But now it's obvious to Ranma that that was more than enough… Nabiki gets her confidence and power from her own negative actions. Her greed, and her vanity in her own false sense of security…
Ranma shakes. Then there's himself. He was actually on the road of going deep into the Yang sect of the Anything Goes as well. For him, it was a version of the deadly sin of vanity. His arrogance. His Mouko Takabisha is based on his confidence, which comes from his arrogance. All the crimes and such that Genma had Ranma commit when he was young, like the stealing, were not only ways for Genma to appease his greed, but they were actually intended to store his dark energies within him. And then there was Ranma's own version of gluttony, brought on by Genma's own gluttonous actions, which caused Ranma to be starved as a child. It was literally a miracle that he survived.
Ranma begins to wonder if Genma actually knew that the Neko-Ken would cause his soul to be merged with a cat demon… Now knowing the truth about Genma's actions and reasoning, it could very well be possible… Merging him with a cat demon to ingrain a form of darkness to his soul would have been perfect for making him fall down the path of the Yang sect of Anything Goes…
However, after the longest while, Ranma has found his own 'redemption', by mastering both sects of Anything Goes, and reaching a balance, the Dao. The Yin sect of the Anything Goes School, which helps one grasp their femininity. It teaches the basic, and most thorough ways of attack, and going right to the point, no hesitation, and no worries. Clearing one's mind to make their attack aim true. Combat-wise, is basically whatever the Yang sect does not go over, the Ying sect covers. It goes over every single type of weapons usage, metal strategy, working up on endurance, learning to take hits and block them, and ki usage of raw and elemental kind. The Yang sect also depends more on katas, meditation, and menial exercises for training. The school also looks at wider range of the human body. Not using the hands and feet only as weapons, but using them as tools of craft. Using them to build, farm, (which Ranma found out when he realized why the place was so self-sufficient) and as Leep would put it, "pleasure your love…" Ranma would swear Leep just said that as to have excuse for when he glomp all the female students…
Ranma smiles. It may not seem like much, but the Yin sect is a way of redemption. It is immersed in making oneself useful to him or herself, and others. Becoming one with nature and their overall surroundings. Taking and giving energy to nature… For it is just like the Yin, to represent what is good or the light side of the Dao…
Yes… Ranma has immersed himself in both sides now… Taking this time to reflect has helped him understand why Leep gave him the gi of the Grandmaster of True Anything Goes… Though Leep and, though Ranma hates to admit it, Happosai are much more experienced than him, both Leep and Happosai still only have a mastery of the one specific sect of Anything Goes… Happosai dealing with evil and masculinity, and Leep dealing with good and femininity…
Ranma falls on his back and chuckles slightly.
Ranma: Heh heh! I guess Master Leep and me actually do have one thing in common… We are the most 'female' of all 'manly men'…
Ranma then continues to rummage through his pack to get some cooking utensils. He'll make some breakfast and then wake Britanny up.
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After a half-hour, Ranma has made himself and Britanny a decent breakfast. It is some rice, biscuits, and a few pieces of bacon. It may not be much, but it's good enough to start the day with. After all, they're traveling and can't really take convenience into account…
Ranma: Hey Britchan, breakfast is ready!
There's no answer. Ranma calls out again.
Ranma: Hey! Britchan.
Still no answer… Ranma grumbles to himself and gets up to find Britanny. He searches around the grove in the forested area they are staying. After a bit he finds that Britanny has made herself something of a makeshift tent, by using some of the larger leaves, and an indentation in one of the tree trunks.
Ranma: Clever girl…
Ranma pushes some of the leaves aside to see Britanny is still asleep. He smiles upon seeing her. He can see now what he usually doesn't get to see when she so 'active' and moving around. Asleep, Britanny looks so peaceful, angelic. Ranma brushes his hand through her hair, bringing his hand down to scratch the back of her neck. She lets off a slight purr and smiles in her sleep. Ranma decides to wake her up in a nice way. He goes back to where he was cooking, and brings a plate with Brit's breakfast over. Britanny begins to awaken with the smell.
Britanny: Mmm… Yummy…
Britanny opens her eyes and sees Ranma standing over here with a plate of food.
Britanny: Breakfast in bed? For me? Why thank you Ranchan!
Ranma hands Britanny her plate and she begins eating in earnest. Ranma walks back to the spot he was cooking to grab his plate. He then brings it over to Britanny so they are close enough to talk to each other while they eat.
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Ranma and Britanny finish eating. They begin to talk to each other about their experiences under Master Leep, while Britanny looks through her backpack.
Britanny: Hey Ranchan.
Ranma (Begins to clean dishes): Yeah Britchan?
Britanny: Are you going to start teaching me in more of the Yang sect? I mean, you've already started training me a bit in it. When are we going to do more, because I want to become as good as you in this?
Ranma: Well Britchan… (Thinks for a moment before speaking). Well, Britchan I'll say this. I promise to teach you, to help you learn the Yang sect along with the Yin, but we got to take this slowly.
Britanny: "Slowly"? Sorry, but that word is NOT in my vocabulary.
Ranma: Britchan…
Britanny: Yeah?
Ranma: Believe me when I say this. The Yang sect is actually not good at all. True that you need it to attain the balance of 'true' Anything Goes… But it is much, MUCH safer to do it slowly… Believe me, you've seen and heard of the effects it can do to people. Like my father, Happosai, Soun, and Akane to name a few…
Britanny nods her head in understanding.
Britanny: Okay… I'll do this slowly… But you owe me Ranma…
Ranma: Oh and what would I 'owe' you for taking this slowly?
Britanny doesn't say anything. Instead she walks up to Ranma and kisses him on the lips. She pulls away after a minute.
Britanny (Smiles): That'll do.
Ranma (Stares dumbly): …
Britanny: Ranma?
Ranma falls on his back.
Britanny (Shakes her head): Sigh… Ranma, Ranma, Ranma… So innocent… So naïve… Yet oh so cute!
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After Britanny got dressed into her clothes and got Ranma up. The two clean their campsite and make their way to town, naturally, heading towards Seer's Hamlet in order for Ranma to face off against the two Weaponsmasters Karia and Brod…
After walking a bit, they finally make it to Seer's Hamlet. Britanny is not surprised at all, since she's been here before and traveled through a lot of it. Ranma on the other hand is in total shock. The place is like a village right out of medieval times, and the trees around the place are HUGE, reaching up to heights that could easily overshadow Tokyo Tower and the Empire State building. Ranma also notices that halfway up the trees, there seems to be a ring of aura around it… Past that ring of aura in the trees, there seems to be wood and stone bridges, wooden platforms, and wood, stone, and glass disc-shaped structures connected to the trees and connecting them together, almost as if it's another whole city up there. This place is truly exciting.
Britanny: So Ranchan, what do you think?
Ranma (Wide-eyed): …
Britanny: Ranchan?
Ranma: …
Britanny: Oh, not this again…
Ranma (Shakes his head): Oh… Sorry Britchan. It's just this place is so… It's… Wow… It's incredible…
Britanny: Yep… This is Seer's Hamlet. One of the Four Major cities of Jade…
Ranma: Hey Britchan. What's with that ring of energy up there?
Britanny (Looks up): That?
Ranma: Yeah.
Britanny: Well… From what mom told me about it, I guess you could call that ring a gateway to a pocket dimension.
Ranma (Wide-eyed): WHAT!?
Britanny: Yeah. Up there, one could see it as an alternate spacing of reality. For up there is 'The Retreat'. Going through that ring is literally like entering another Jade. Except that Jade is home of the more 'magical' beings. Like mermaids, fairies, bird-people, werecats, as well as larger groupings of elves and dragons than you'd find on the 'main' part of Jade. Up there is also home to one of the Edge Guard groups.
Ranma: … Wow…
Brittany: … You could say that.
Ranma: Hey Britchan. What's the "Edge Guard"?
Britanny: Hmm… I guess you could think of the Edge Guard like police. They keep the peace in both parts of Jade. So there are many groups of Edge Guard all around Jade.
Ranma (Nods his head): Okay… Hey Britchan. Are any of the Weaponsmasters in that 'other' Jade?
Britanny: No. I don't think so. They tend to stay in the part of Jade with the Coliseum. Anyway, I know where we can stay in the meantime while we're here.
Ranma: You do?
Britanny: Yeah. There's an herbalist that lives here in Seer's Hamlet. She goes by the name of Nali. She is a member of the Conclave of Mages of Jade like my daddy, so she happens to be an old friend of his.
Ranma: Okay. Well, if it's okay, while you do that Britchan, I'll go looking around for these Weaponsmasters, okay?
Britanny: Sure. No problem. But you make sure to take care of yourself, okay?
Ranma: Hey, you know I will…
Okay. You can find Nali's place in the Retreat when you're done.
Ranma: Will do.
And so Ranma begins to walk off, further into Seer's Hamlet, while Britanny begins to climb one of the ladders connected to the trees and begins to climb her way up to the Retreat.
However, neither Ranma nor Britanny notice a slightly over-weight man watching them from the shadows. The man wears a Hawaiian grass-skirt, a pair of traditional Japanese raised sandals, and a Mystic's mask. His grasp on his pair of pineapples tightens when he focuses on the symbol of the 'true' Anything Goes on Ranma's back.
Masked Man: And so it has begin…
The man walks into the shadows and disappears.
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The Retreat… An area where the most magic-inclined of beings inhabits Jade. In the part of Jade connected to Seer's Hamlet the people walk through the many rope bridges, living their daily lives almost without care. It is literally a whole civilization that is suspended hundreds of feet off of the ground. Sure, one can go on land, by taking slanted bridges and going past the gate, and touching the soil of the Retreat, but still, the city of Seer's hamlet that is connected to the retreat is the busiest of areas. It is also home to one Edge Guard group that consists of werecats. Right now, they are all currently in one of the disc-shaped buildings connected to one of the trees. This specific structure serves as their base of operation.
Onoli. The leader of this group and a werelion. He is currently in his hybrid form, which is about 7.8 ft tall, muscular, yellowish tanned fur, and a wild blonde mane of hair. He sits in a chair of his room, reading over the scrolls about the Jasper of Leadership that his teacher Gaja is teaching him to use. He is wearing a simple brown cotton shirt and brown leather pants combination with a pair of brown wooden sandals.
Onoli (Reads): "…And by accessing the deepest recesses of one's soul, the Jasper can shine a light of healing that matches the inner strength of its wielder…" … This is very fascinating indeed…
Thropan. The strategist and a werepanther. He is also in his hybrid form, which is about 6.9 ft tall, and covered in a layer of black fur, with a patch of almost dark violet-colored fur on his face. He is currently sitting in the main entrance hall as he starts to tighten the strings of his guitar. Yes, he can play it. Some would even say he missed his calling by not becoming a musician… He wears a more elaborate outfit. An open dark green overcoat with gold trimming, a light green tunic and dark blue pantaloons, with a light brown leather belt strapped across his waist, with a few different tools of all sorts connected to the belt.
Thropan (Tightens strings): Come on, come on and tighten you cheap little…
One of the strings breaks, and snaps him in the nose.
Thropan (Drops instrument, clutches his nose): OW! Dat hurse…
The two werejaguar or 'jagwere' siblings Garfield, aka 'Gar' and Sheila are currently sparring in hand-to-hand combat with each other in the open 'arena' they have on the top floor of the place. Both are currently in their hybrid forms, which are similar to a werecheetah's in styling, but with some notable differences. Where a werecheetah's fur is white a jagwere's is tanned. Where a werecheetah has dark brown spots all over their yellowish orange coating of fur, a jagwere has light brown rings, that basically stay near the main part of the body (torso), only reaching out to the limbs about a third of the way. Where a werecheetah has stripes of black fur over the eyes, the jagwere has the stripes of black fur that start at the bottom sides of the cheeks, and reach towards the bottom of the eyes. And for the oddest reason, as a werecheetah has spots all over the hair, the rings in a jagwere's hair stops at the bangs.
Gar is about 6.11 wears a dark green cloth shirt, dark brown leather pants, and a green bandana that was given to him by his former master Julia Brigand-Diggers…
Sheila on the other hand, is a bit… 'Different'… Due to a birth defect, she has all her height, and strength in her human form, while her hybrid form… Is more like what a normal werecats human form should be. She is rather petite in stature, only 5.5 ft. tall, she wears a green cloth one piece, a green cotton shirt over it, and a pair of green lycra bands on her legs. They go all the way up to above her knees, however, she has cut holes in the knee area, the toes, the heels, and the back of the leg where it bends, to allow for more flexibility and traction while fighting.
And finally, we have Tirga. He is a weretiger and current playboy of the Edge Guard. He sits off to the side watching his 'girlfriend'/soon-to-be-conquest Sheila spar with her older brother. He is also in his hybrid form, which is orange fur, with white fun on his face down to his abdomen, and the white fur is patterned on his hands and feet as if they were gloves and boots. He has black stripes of fur all over his orange fur, as well as two black stripes of fur on each cheek that start at the bottom and reach towards his eyes.
Gar throws a right cross at Sheila. Sheila ducks only to receive a quick knee to her stomach. Sheila falls on her face.
Sheila (On floor): Ouchies…
Gar: Had enough?
Sheila: No. One of these days Gar, I'll give you such a kapowie! Right Tirga? … Tirga?
Tirga (Sleeping): ZZZZZZzzzzzZZZZZZZzzz…
Sheila & Gar (Stare): …
Suddenly, there is a loud clacking sound. Tirga snaps awake and falls out of his seat with a thud. They all turn towards where the sound came. They see the masked man that was watching Ranma and Britanny before. Sheila and Tirga blink, Gar sweat-drops.
Gar: Oh crap… Not you again… Can't you just leave me alone?
Sheila: Hey Gar, you know this weirdo?
Gar: Remember how I told you when I was training under master Julia there was this weird guy that kept following master Julia and me?
Sheila: So… This is that weirdo?
Gar: Yep…
Masked man: You are forgiven this time for your ignorance of me my loyal subjects…
Sheila, Gar, and Tirga get many sweat-drops on their heads.
Masked man: Only a select few have ever had the right to be in my presence. I am the one who rules all of Jade from the shadows… I, Jade's eternal and almighty emperor… SABBO!
Sheila (Turns to Gar): When you told us your stories about him, I think you were being too kind.
Gar: No… I was probably just trying to block out the stupidity of this guy.
Tirga: Why is he carrying pineapples?
Sabbo: GAR!
Gar: Sigh… What is it you want now freak?
Sabbo: It is time… (Dramatic pause). The time for your chance to find love!
Gar, Sheila, and Tirga stare at Sabbo.
Sheila: Should we lock him up?
Gar: Technically, he isn't breaking the law.
Sheila: Damn…
Sabbo: Listen young jagwere, I am sure that you know what has become of Britanny Elin Diggers?
Gar (Lowers his head): Yeah… She's probably now married to Stripe… I missed my chance with her…
Sabbo: NOT SO!
Gar: Huh?
Sabbo: The wedding o Britanny and Stripe was, put simply, a 'flop'. Stripe had shown his 'true' colors, or a darker side to himself. Britanny never married him.
Gar: You mean that I still have a chance?
Sabbo: It is possible. I suggest you go over to Nali's clinic. She was heading that way when I last saw here.
Gar (Eyes widen): SHE'S HERE!?
Sabbo: Yes.
Gar: … Sappo…
Sabbo: It's SABBO!
Gar: Er, right… Sabbo…
Sabbo: Yes?
Gar: Thank you!
Gar then leaves. He starts running to Nali's clinic. Tirga and Sheila look to where Gar went then back to where Sabbo was… But… He's now gone.
Sheila: … Why do I suddenly have the urge to give a kapowie to someone?
Tirga starts to move away from Sheila.
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Nali is currently working in her home. Her home also serves as a Healing Clinic in Seer's Hamlet and the Retreat. Nali is a woman, about 5.8. She is of African descent, she wears a tan-colored dress, gold rings around her neck, ruby earrings, and she has her hair ties into a bun at the base of her neck. She hears a knock at her door.
Nali: I'm coming.
When Nali opens the door, she gets an unexpected surprise. She sees a female werecheetah of all things. The werecheetah is wearing Earth Realm styled clothes; light blue jeans, white sneakers, and a white t-shirt. The werecheetah walk into her home/Healer's Clinic.
Nali: … Do I know you?
Werecheetah: Heh… Sorry… I guess you don't remember me. I'm Britanny Diggers, Dr. Theodore Diggers' daughter.
Nali (Eyes widen): Theo's daughter? (Smiles). Of course! Now I remember… I haven't seen you since you were 10-years-old. What brings you here Britanny? No, wait. Come into my kitchen, I'll make us some tea, and we can have ourselves a bit of a talk. Catch up on old times.
After getting some tea ready, Nali begins to have her talk with Britanny. Britanny explains to Nali that her mom Julia sent her friend Ranma on a quest to become a better fighter. And since he was training her (Britanny), Julia sent her along so she could continue her training as well. Nali is silent for a few moments. She always thought when Julia was 'ready'; then Julia would choose one of her daughters to train. Nali asks what specifically about the quest brings them to Seer's Hamlet. Britanny tells Nali that for the quest that Ranma's on, he has to defeat all ten Weaponsmasters in combat and then enter the Tournament of Arms. And since there are currently two of the Weaponsmasters here, that's why they're here in Seer's Hamlet. Nali is surprised. That is quite an undertaking for one person. But Britanny says she has faith in her Ranchan, after all, he already defeated Master Leep. This surprises Nali quite a bit; to the point where she chokes on the tea she was drinking. Leep is one of the BEST fighters in all of Jade, only surpassed by a few select fighters. This Ranma must be an incredible fighter to have taken Master Leep down. With that, Britanny also asks Nali for a favor. Britanny asks Nali if she'll let them stay here in her home while they stay in Seer's Hamlet. Nali tells Britanny that she and her friend Ranma can spend as much time as needed here. After all… It could take a long while for Ranma to defeat the Weaponsmasters here…
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It is now afternoon, or about four hours since Ranma and Britanny's arrival in Seer's Hamlet. Ranma has been searching on his own a bit to find either Brod or Karia. He's stopped to ask people if they knew anything about either of the Weaponsmasters. It was quite interesting. Brod he had no problem with. The people tell him that Brod usually spends his time in the public library. However… When Ranma would ask about Karia, the people would pale, run, or faint on the spot. Ranma takes this as a bad sign…
After awhile of trying to find information of Karia, Ranma eventually gives up on it for the moment, and decides to go find Brod. After walking a bit he does indeed find Brod in the library… However… He wasn't expecting Brod to be working as the establishment's librarian…
Ranma: Oh man… If there was one thing I wasn't expecting, it was seeing a troll-giant wearing a small pair of eyeglasses and looking through a card-catalogue… Ranma does take notice of Brod. He is HUGE! About 12 ft tall and 6 ft wide, a very muscular frame, with arms the width of tree trunks, and long enough so that his hands reach the floor when he stands up straight.
Ranma then walks up to Brod.
Ranma: Hello? Are you Weaponsmaster Brod?
Brod doesn't take notice of Ranma at first, as he is too busy looking up the location of books in the library. He doesn't even notice Ranma is standing right next to him until Ranma screams in his ear.
Ranma: HELLO!
Brod's eyes widen, and he falls over onto the card catalogue, making it crush into pieces of wood under his weight. Brod looks at the destruction.
Brod: Oh man… And I was almost finished filing the cards correctly, and finding the book I wanted…
Ranma: Hey!
Brod (Looks at Ranma): YOU! I demand to know what you want, because he bothered me, and making me destroy a morning's work.
Ranma: Are you Brod, one of the Weaponsmasters of Jade?
Brod: Yes, I am Brod.
Ranma (Smiles): GREAT! I challenge you.
Brod just stands there and blinks for a few moments then laughs. He'll give this upstart a lesson he won't forget. Brod leads Ranma outside, as to not cause further damage to the library.
Brod: Go on boy, I insist that you take the first shot. After all, what can one little human like you do to a troll-giant like me?
Brod soon learns the error of his ways as Ranma knocks Brod out with one ki-enhanced punch to the chin making Brod go flying for a bit and then landing in the white marble fountain outside the library.
Ranma smiles. He is pleased with this victory. A bit easy, but he's shown this troll-giant a reason not to underestimate his opponent again. Ranma then gets Brod out of the fountain. Luckily, the water is lukewarm, and doesn't trigger his transformation. Ranma decides to takes the unconscious troll-giant to Nali's place. After all, she is one of the healer of Seer's Hamlet… Ranma tries to lift Brod.
Ranma ('Lifting' Brod): OOF! Man, you're heavy… You need to go on a diet when you wake up.
And so Ranma walks in a wobbly fashion to one of the ladders… Ranma looks up at how high he has to climb while carrying a troll-giant…
Ranma (Looking up): … Oh hell…
(-)
Back at the Healer's Clinic, Britanny continues to talk with Nali.
Nali: So Britanny, what was training under master Leep like? I can only imagine what that little pervert would…
Britanny: Believe me, you don't want to know… At least I 'graduated' from that place…
Nali: Oh?
Britanny reaches into her pack, and pulls out the uniform she got at 'graduation'. Nali blushes.
Nali: … Oh my…
Britanny: You could say that…
Suddenly there is a knocking on the door. Nali tells Britanny she'll be right back, and she goes to answer it. When she opens the door, she finds Gar, the jagwere of the Edge Guard standing outside. He is out of breath and is slightly sweating.
Nali: Hello Gar. What brings you here?
Gar: May… HUFF… May I come in?
Nali: Sure Gar.
Gar walks in, taking a few moments to catch his breath.
Nali: What happened Gar? Why are you out of breath?
Gar: I ran all the way here. Now let me ask this… Have you seen Britanny Diggers around?
Nali points behind her towards the kitchen.
Gar: Thank you.
Gar then runs past her and towards the kitchen. Indeed, Britanny is there, sitting down at the table, with her back to Gar.
Gar: Hey Britanny!
Britanny jumps in her seat slightly, startled. She turns around to see who was calling her. Her eyes widen in shock when she sees Gar.
Britanny: Gar!
Gar runs up to Britanny and nearly crushes her in a bear-hug
Britanny: OOF! Easy on the merchandise Gar… It's good to see you again too…
Gar: Britanny, I just want to say that I am incredibly sorry for what that bastard Stripe did to you.
Britanny: You knew about it?
Gar: Not in detail, but I was told what happened. And I want to say this to you Britanny. Something I've been meaning to tell you for a long time.
Nali makes it back into the kitchen, she sees Gar kneeling before Britanny.
Gar: I'm not really good with words, so I'll just say how I feel. Britanny… I love you. I always have. Please… Would you marry me?
Britanny just looks at Gar in a mixture of shock and awe… She knew that Gar had feelings for her, but she didn't realize that his feelings for her were this strong. And to be honest, Brit does love him too, but not in the sense he wants. She loves him as a good friend, or even a brother. Not as a husband. She takes Gar to the side, and tells him this.
Britanny: Look Gar… It's really nice to know that you care for me so. But, I can't say the same. I do care for you. But I can't help but see you as a friend. Heck, you're like a brother to me, or the boy next door. I'm sorry… But I can't love you in the way you want me to.
Gar's eyes widen in shock. He can't believe it. Gar just 'knows' she must have met someone if she's over Stripe THIS quickly… And he's going to kick the guy's ass when he meets him.
Soon Ranma comes to the Healer's Clinic with the unconscious Brod in tow. All three are shocked to see Brod beaten so thoroughly.
Ranma (Out of breath): HUFF, PUFF… Will someone pleeeeeeaze help me… HE'S HEAVY!
Nali (Blinks): Britanny…
Britanny: Yes Nali?
Nali: Is the boy carrying Brod Ranma?
Britanny nods her head with a wide-smile on her face.
Britanny: Ranma, that's so mean of you. You didn't let me watch how you kicked Brod's ass.
Ranma just puts Brod down on a nearby table and scratches the back of his head. The best thing he can think to say is "Sorry." With this Gar starts making some connections… He studies how Ranma acts with Britanny, and soon, acts on instincts.
Gar: I CHALLENGE YOU!
Ranma (Surprised): Huh? What's with this guy?
With that, Gar lunges at Ranma…
(-)
End Chapter 14
Next Time: Ranma fights with Gar. Ranma gets introduced to the rest of the Edge Guard… And Karia shows up to check on the latest from Nali…
Author's note: Because so many of you asked, I took the time to explain the differences of the Yin and Yang sect through Ranma's POV. And, in case some of you are still wondering why Leep can only teach women and why Happosai can only teach men… I'll say this… Yin sect is a feminine style… Which women can pick up easily on. Yang sect is the masculine style, which men can pick up easily on. Both Happosai and Leep would need to know the other sect as well, to use that as the steppingstone for the students of the other sex.
Example is for a man to learn the Yin sect. He needs to know the Yang sect first, since it is his own style… However, once he knows that, he can then learn the Yin sect to help him balance himself out. He cannot just start learning the Yin sect first. And the same goes visa-versa. Look at Akane. She has learned the emotional part of the Yang sect, but without the Yin sect as her stepping stone, she'll never gain the true combat potential she has.
-This is RedPriest17, signing off.
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