Chapter 11: Departures

"May I have everyone's attention," Daran requested. He had to repeat the phrase twice before it actually worked. Once it had, he continued: "Our Bride and Groom have a 9PM flight to Hawaii to catch, so it is time to bid them 'Adieu'." Tofu and Kasumi looked surprised. "Could we ask the Blessed couple to come to the center of the dance floor?" With much cheering and shoo'ing motions gestured at them, Tofu and Kasumi came forward. Waiters appeared with trays of champagne and quickly passed out glasses to everyone. "One last Toast to see them on their way," Daran announced. "I'm going to borrow this one from my Irish friends:

May the road rise up to meet you.

May the wind be always at your back.

May the sun shine warm upon your face;

the rains fall soft upon your fields

and until we meet again,

may the Kami hold you well in their thoughts.

To the Wedding Couple!" he finished.

"To the Wedding Couple," everyone cheered as they began to throw confetti at the couple. A veritable blizzard of little colored circles of paper fell from the ceiling on Tofu and Kasumi.

Tofu tried to say something, but paper flew into his mouth as he tried to speak and he had to spit it out. The same thing happened to Kasumi. The groom tried again, but the paper fell faster. He glanced down at his feet and realized that he was standing in a rapidly growing pile. He pulled Kasumi to the side, but the blizzard followed them and a new pile started accumulating quickly. The doctor glanced at his Master and Tofu's eyes widened as he realized Lord Jakaro was holding an ancient staff in one hand. Jakaro held his disciple's eye and tapped the staff on the floor causing more confetti to fall. Kasumi threw a confused look at her husband. Tofu ducked his head to keep his mouth clear. "We have to go - now!" he said. "The Master is putting his foot down."

"But we need to say our 'Goodbye's!" Kasumi protested.

"He's not going to let them happen anywhere but the limo! Those that need them will be there! Let's go!" he told her. He pulled her into a run as the confetti followed them. Their friends cheered, not noting anything amiss. The couple paused at the doorway, counting on the door overhang to give them a little respite. "Thank you all for coming. We really appreciate it!" Tofu called out.

"May the Kami Bless you all," Kasumi echoed. As soon as she said that, confetti began pouring from under the overhang.

"All right! All right!" Tofu cried. "We're going! We won't miss the plane! Farewell!" They turned and ran out. Ranma, Akane, and Nabiki ran after them. The confetti stopped before the trio passed under the overhang.


Jakaro was waiting in the bride's dressing room. He had a set of traveling clothes all set out for the couple. The mercenaries Banner and Wales were with him - so was the married couple's luggage. Jakaro pointed at the clothes and said sternly: "The bathroom awaits - Change. Your brother and sisters will see to your outfits. Michael and David…" Lord Jakaro indicated the two mercenaries. "Will see that you board the plane." He gave Tofu a short whack on the head with his staff. Jakaro's disciple winced a little. "You're on bread and water for the next three days. Be happy it's not a month for trying to mislead me like that, my son."

"You're lucky your heart was in the right place," Shiran drawled behind Ranma and the girls. "But you're being foolish. There's going to be enough firepower in Nerima for a little bit. And the people of Nerima are not exactly defenseless. Things will hold."

Kasumi opened her mouth to say something, but Jakaro tapped his staff again. Kasumi found herself dressed in her travel clothes between one instant and the next. "My Daughter, like the rest of your family, I find it hard to scold you. However, that bread and water curse is not exactly a scolding…" Jakaro warned her. Her mouth clicked shut.

"Definitely a Nine-Tailed," Nabiki murmured. Ranma and Akane elbowed her in the ribs, but Jakaro only gave a small smile.

Tofu sighed: "All right. No more tricks. I was hoping you'd be too distracted to check."

"That's why I hired Othan," Lord Jakaro smirked. "Now - Change!"

Tofu made a gesture and his tuxedo swapped places with his traveling clothes. "Better…" Jakaro noted.


The Onos, Tendos, and several friends saw the couple off. As they pulled away, Kasumi asked: "Bread and water curse?"

Tofu sighed and answered: "Anything I eat for the next few days will taste like bread. Anything I drink will taste like water. Basically, I just got my wrist slapped."

"Oh my…I'm sorry, Honey," she said contritely.

"Oh, don't worry about it, Love," he said with a small grin. "I knew the risks when I told him the wrong flight times - and I got off lighter that I planned even though I counted on him giving me some slack because of the wedding. I was planning on a couple of weeks."

"Weeks?"

"He once put Shiran on bread and water for a year," Tofu replied with a shrug. "Of course, Shiran was only a newly minted Journeyman then and had been messing about with some of the Master's High Magic," he added with a smirk.

"High Magic?"

"Picture something like Walt Disney's "Sorcerer's Apprentice", but with molasses instead of water - or so I was told - this was before Mom was born," he laughed.

"Oh my," she laughed with him.

Wales laughed too from the front seat. Then he added: "You're an idiot, Ono, if you thought you'd get away with it. Even I could have told you you'd get caught."

"Perhaps…" Tofu murmured. "By the way, we need to swing by the clinic so I can pick up the tickets?"

Wales held up two sets of tickets, passports, and other travel documents. "Nice try," he grinned. "By the way, I also have your travel money. Face it - you're going on your honeymoon. Horrors of horrors." Kasumi giggled at that. "While your dedication is noble, Nerima will survive without both of you for a few weeks."

"We've arranged for VIP treatment and to be with you up until the airplane door closes," Banner added from the driver's seat. "And there are others who will be watching - all with direct dials to Jakaro's phone. One missed cue and he's getting a call. You're getting on that plane."

"All right, all right… We surrender. We're going to Hawaii," Tofu said exasperatedly.

"Merc's Bargain?" Banner asked.

"Merc's Bargain," Tofu agreed as Kasumi nodded her head. As Tofu sat back, he grumbled: "Besides, he probably has agents watching us in Hawaii."

Banner grinned into the rear-view mirror.


Akane waved with the rest of the wedding party and other family members as the limousine pulled away. "And done," she said firmly to Ranma.

"Thanks be," he answered blowing out a breath. Akane linked her arm with Ranma. He looked at her and said: "I suppose we need to go back inside and try and sober your Dad up."

Nabiki snorted: "Good luck with that, but we need to go back and see the guests off anyway. I need to collect the gift envelopes too." Now Mousse gave a snort. "Yes?" Nabiki asked him with a raised eyebrow.

"Nothing that needs to be said - it's already understood," he answered. She just smirked in reply.

"Well, I think Akari and I will head off," Ryoga stated. He looked at Lord Jakaro. "You're sure we don't have to worry about the assassins?"

"Positive," Jakaro stated. "All the teams have been accounted for and the 'chatter' has gone quiet. Not to say you shouldn't be careful, but steps are being taken to limit this type of attack." He raised an eyebrow at Akari. "By the way, tell that 'mountain' of yours to leave the foxes alone on the farm for the next several months. Any fox there is on business and shouldn't be run off - especially me!"

Akari didn't quite suppress a smile. "Oh dear…Yes, sir," she replied. She obviously understood Jakaro was teasing her. "Just tell the ones on business not to raid the farm. If they want fed, they should knock on the front door."

"Fair enough," he chuckled with a quick smile.

"You're welcome to stay at the dojo," Nodoka told the farm couple. "You don't have to go to a hotel."

"Thanks Ms. Saotome, but we want to spend some time alone before we have to get back to the farm," Ryoga answered.

"Same with us," Maomolin replied before she could ask. He stood holding Chiyoko's hand. "Besides, I promised Tofu I'd keep a watch on the clinic. That starts now."

"You'll stop by this weekend?" Nodoka pushed.

"Of course," Chiyoko promised. "It's just down the street after all. We'll make sure to do that before I have to head back home."

"Well, let's wrap up this party then," Olaf said to get folks moving. "It's too cold out her for mere mortals after all."

"Which would be who?" Shizuka wondered aloud (and impishly) as they all started to move.


Lord Jakaro parted from the rest as soon as they walked in. He walked alone toward the bar for a glass of wine. He needed to shoo the innocents - or at least the unpowered mortals - home, but first he wanted to have a private toast to his Disciple and his Disciple's Beloved. The Kitsune behind the bar immediately handed him a glass of the correct vintage. Jakaro took the glass with a nod and then went into a small side room with a handful of chairs - all empty. He raised the glass and murmured: "My Blessings on you my Children: may you have a long a fruitful life. And may I continue to be a part of your life." He then drained the glass and stood there with his eyes closed for a few moments.

Just after he opened his eyes, he heard someone clear their throat. "Excuse me, Lord Jakaro?" a voice said. The Kitsune Lord turned to see Chief Inspector Ojima standing in the entryway to the room with his own glass of wine. "May we talk?"

"Of course, Chief Inspector," Jakaro answered smoothly. "What can I do for you?"

Ojima seemed to wince just a little at the title, but entered the little alcove and continued: "Look, forgive me - I know they invaded, but you can't keep them here indefinitely. Release them to me and I'll arrest them for trespassing."

"Oh dear," Jakaro said quietly to the inspector. "I knew your Sight was powerful, but I didn't expect it to be able to see throughout the wedding hall."

"You mean the Spirit House," Ojima corrected just as quietly.

"You can see all the Guests?" Jakaro asked.

"Including the tenants and the landlords," Ojima confirmed.

Jakaro sat down and motioned for the inspector to do the same. Ojima obliged him and said: "Please."

The Kitsune Lord smiled briefly. "You must really be worried - you really can see too much," he noted. "But I promise you - no one died for those meals." Then he leaned forward and stated seriously: "Rest assured, Inspector: every remaining wedding guest, every ninja - male and female, every mercenary, and every ward of Japan will be released shortly. I will not go Home until they are free."

"Thank you," Ojima responded gravely.

Jakaro made a face. "You may want to hold off on that 'thanks'," he drawled. "There will be consequences. They are all spoiling for a fight - and they are going to find each other." He made a gesture at their surroundings. "All this is due to a spell powered by Nerima's focus on Tofu and Kasumi. Since the couple has left, the power is ending and so is the spell. As the spell breaks down, the barriers holding everyone apart will break down too. The ballroom will become quite busy."

"Well, I knew the peace was too good to last," Ojima replied. "I'll deal with it."

Jakaro looked at him with a slightly amused expression. "You may want to let them fight it out - there's a lot of them to stop and there's not enough room in your jails to arrest them all. Technically, none of this is in Nerima anyway - no offense, but you're outside your jurisdiction."

"I work in Nerima; I should have two levels of bosses above me. Instead, I'm it. I'm always outside my jurisdiction," Ojima said while making his own face. He stood up to pace and took a sip of wine. "But it's bad precedent to let them have their way unopposed," he finished.

"I have a feeling you're not talking about the trapped miscreants," Jakaro observed. "Still, you can't fix the world by yourself, Chief Inspector."

Ojima gave Jakaro a very direct look. "You're not one to talk."

"Ah, but I'm not alone. I have my Disciples, my Children, my Friends, and my Mercenaries. I even have you," Jakaro said standing up. "And I have enough trust in you to say that you may do as you please without danger of offending me," he stated. "Please be forewarned that any constraints I have on the invaders applies to you too - no gun powder, no explosions, and no blades." He nodded to Ojima who bowed back. Then he left the room.


Ojima sat down again with his glass. "Amazing," he thought. "He's imperial without being a jackass; still imperial though." The inspector took another sip, noting that Jakaro had somehow re-filled it. "But he's right. There are too many to arrest. There are nearly two hundred of them. I can get a few squads together, but there's no way I can match their numbers." He thought about that for a few minutes until his phone rang. He glanced at the caller ID and answered quickly: "Sergeant Imia? Is everything all right?"

"Yes, Sir," Imia answered snappily. "I've done what Judge Sanu asked. I have seventy men ready to go. He said to call you when I had them assembled."

"Seventy?" Ojima asked. "Where did you find seventy men?"

"I asked for volunteers across the Ward, Sir," Imia replied. "The men were anxious to help. Did I do something wrong?"

It then dawned on Ojima that he wasn't alone either. "No. no," Ojima responded quickly. "That's perfect. I expected half that number. Give me a second to re-think my plans," he lied. A glimmer of an idea began to form. "I have to get their attention though. They have to see us," he thought to himself. To Imia he said: "I want you to bring the men to the wedding hall. But before that, get everyone into riot gear. Bring at least five prisoner wagons as big as you can find."

"Who are we arresting?" Imia asked.

Ojima told him.

"Are you serious?" Imia burst out.

"Only sort of. Just trust me, OK?" Ojima replied.

"Yes sir. Anything else?" Imia prompted.

An idea struck Ojima and a crazy smile crossed his face. "Yes, send two men to my apartment and grab the flag hanging behind the couch. Have them attach it to a flagpole properly, and bring it to me."

The sergeant was silent for a moment on the other end. Then he responded: "Oh, there's no way I'm missing this one…"


Sasuke appeared at his Master's elbow. "Sir," the little ninja hissed. "It's time to go."

Toshio Kuno looked puzzled at his servant. "What's wrong?"

"There's a riot heading towards us. The Kitsunes are no longer keeping feuding parties apart on the several floors above us."

"Several floors? What are you talking about, man?" Kuno asked urgently.

"This place is not what it seems - it's much bigger than it looks on the outside. There are four armies - including our people - hunting three assassins hunting Akari and Ranma," Sasuke insisted. "The Kitsunes kept everyone separated, but the wedding's over - their power's fading I think."

"Where's Akari and Ranma now?" Kuno asked.

"Akari's gone. She and Ryoga said their 'Farewells' and left - cloaked. We can't follow them and neither can the assassins."

"What about Ranma?"

"He's with Akane and Nabiki bidding the guests 'Goodbye'," Sasuke answered. "Tofu's mercenaries are slowly drifting over to them."

"I can't just vanish. Things are going too well with Nodoka!" Kuno insisted.

"Well, take her with you! Sir, it's going to be hard enough to keep the assassins from Ranma! Don't make us guard you too! Take her out for coffee or something!" Sasuke pleaded.

Kuno's brain quickly shifted along that track. The evening had gone very well. It would be natural to ask her out for coffee. The thing was, Nodoka would want to insist on helping close out the wedding. She viewed herself as a mother-figure to the Tendo girls whether she admitted it or not. "Come on think! How do I convince her to set that aside?" he asked himself. He glanced about the ballroom until his eyes fell on a small figure also saying 'Goodbye' to guests. "Perfect," he purred aloud.

"Sorry, sir?" Sasuke prompted.

"I just found an ally," Kuno told his servant. "Vanish and follow." Sasuke nodded and stepped into the shadows. Toshio carefully composed himself and watched for Nodoka. She reappeared shortly thereafter. As luck would have it, she sought out Kuno's ally. He got up quickly and moved into action.

The two women were deep in conversation when the shorter one noticed Kuno approaching. Her eyes sparkled - as they had whenever she looked at Kuno and Nodoka dancing. "Why Mister Kuno," Kin Ono said aloud. "Surely you're not leaving us so soon! The night is still young!"

"Yes, Mrs. Ono, it is," Kuno replied smoothly. He turned to look at Nodoka. "Actually, I was hoping if I could convince Ms. Saotome to join me for coffee. Maybe you could join us, Mrs. Ono?"

Before Nodoka could say anything, Tofu's mother quickly said: "No, no. I have much to do here. But there's no reason my Daughter shouldn't go and enjoy herself."

"But I need to stay and help…" Nodoka started.

"No you don't!" Kin insisted, cutting Nodoka off. "The extra food is going to my house to help feed the Ono clan staying there. The wedding hall is responsible for the clean-up. Most of the Nerima residents have left." Kin seem to pause as she looked around. Kuno saw her eyes narrow momentarily, but the look she gave Nodoka was purely innocent. "The rest will not notice. You should go."

"But won't the kids need help with Soun?" Nodoka asked. Kuno worked to keep his expression neutral. Kin answered Nodoka: "Honey? You can't carry Soun. Only one of the kids can. Besides, do you really want to be seen as Soun's nursemaid?"

Nodoka gave a little start at that. Then her eyes firmed as she murmured to herself: "Or worse…" She turned to Kuno and said aloud: "I'd love to go for coffee, Toshio. Let me tell Ranma and get my coat."

"Oh, I'll tell Ranma, Honey," Kin said quickly (almost hurriedly). "You should go." She started to push firmly at Nodoka's back.

Nodoka looked slightly puzzled, but gave in. "All right, let go," she said with a nod to Toshio.

Kuno took her arm and led her away. He looked back and mouthed to Kin "Thank you!" Kin nodded and made a shoo'ing motion in response.


Kin dropped the "old woman's gait" and walked hurriedly to Lord Jakaro. As he turned at her approach, she demanded in a low voice: "My lord! What the hell is going on?"

"Minor spot of trouble," he told her smoothly. "But you may want to encourage the mortal side of your family to move along."

"How long do we have?"

"In all honesty?"

"Yes!" she hissed.

"I have no idea."


Next up: The Battle Royale