So to address some things, I'm not entirely set on the pairings right now. Ranma/Usagi? Ranma/Harem? No pairings at all? Who knows cause I'm kinda big on letting the story make it's own way once I start writing. That said there's a large potential for insanity with Ranma/Usagi pairings, so we may just go with that. Well anyway here's the next chapter and leave a review if ya got the time.
- Story Start -
Ranma should have known better. In fact with the amount of chaos that he had been involved with in his life this kinda of thing should have been engrained into his very being. But here he was putting a crater into a light pole as a emerald haired goddess watched on with an owlish look. Why was he trying to give himself a labotomy through blunt force trauma? Simple. After a promise to his mother to call the realtor in the morning, he had done just that. He had assumed that he had talked to a pleasant receptionist about a time and place to meet up nearby one of the local shopping districts. He wasn't expecting a beauty of the realtor herself to show up smartly dressed in a pencil skirt, blouse and suit jacket and carrying a black with gold clasps briefcase. If he hadn't gotten an assurance from his mother that she wasn't setting him up, he'd assume this had Genma's hands written all over this meeting somehow.
"Um, Saotome-san, are you okay?" Ranma twinged, as even her voice was attractive.
Pulling away from the now heavily dented pole however Ranma smirked and nodded, "Yeah, just um. You don't happen to know a Genma Saotome do you Meioh-san?" At a quiet shake of her head in the negative Ranma sighed, "Sorry just, weird things always seem to follow me, and it's usually always involved with very attractive women." Shaking himself Ranma bowed slightly, "Ranma Saotome, nice to meet you."
Bowing in return Setsuna had to stifle a giggle, "No worries Saotome-san, Juban has it's own brand of weirdness. Now you mentioned looking for dojo space? I believe we have something available in a very good location nearby if you'd follow me?" Turning and walking down the sidewalk towards a busy intersection up ahead Sestuna led the way. Ranma followed behind the young woman trying his best to keep his posture relaxed. Fighting the feeling that any moment one of his more crazy rivals would come swinging from the rooftops with some weapon in hand, Ranma had to remind himself that not only was this several wards away from Nerima, but so too did he do the best he could to slip any followers. "So Saotome-san, what makes you believe you can run a martial arts dojo?"
Breaking out of his slowly spiraling thoughts of violence, Ranma's usual cocky grin began to form on his face. "First, just call me Ranma, I'm not into all that formal junk. And well, I've been training since I've been able to walk. My pops took me on a training journey all over Japan and mainland China and I've learned from masters and schools just about everywhere and I've gotten good enough that I can say almost without a doubt that I'm the best of my generation. Still working on being the best period, but I think I have a few years yet for that." Ranma would love to say he was the best martial artist alive, but after enough encounters with the likes of Happosai and Colonge, or monsters like Pantyhose or kami forbid Saffron. Ranma knew that there was always a chance there was someone better. Of course he did have no doubt that given some time he could best anyone who stood before him. "Plus, after my latest spar with the actual grandmaster of my school, he's given me the task of training others. If I can successfully train even just one student, I'll earn my own mastery."
Setsuna nodded, "Well I'm sure you have lots of amazing stories to tell. Well where we are going is just down the road from the local arcade center. The Crown. You'll have lots of traffic from the local high school and the nearby college campus. There used to be a small gym that closed up from all the youma attacks. Oh, but you should be fine, the youma's havn't been around as much recently." Unsaid was that the scouts had been doing a hell of a job the last couple years, not that Setsuna could bring that up just yet. Turning to watch the young man out of the corner of her eye she did have to appreciate the young man slightly behind her. While still growing with his age he was in very good shape, the likes of which that would have had Minako or Makoto drooling. Had she been a bit younger perhaps Sestuna would think the same, but duty came first after all. Shrugging as the crowd began to thicken up a bit she turned back to Ranma, "If you're as good as you say. I may have some clients for you right away."
Excited at the prospect of maybe not having to hunt for students right away, Ranma kept eye contact with the purple eyed woman, "That'd be great. I'd like a day to get things set up as I like and maybe explore the area a bit, but once I'm settle feel free to refer me." Ranma's biggest concern was people potentially getting over his age. But if he had someone or even better multiple people who could vouch for him that'd definitely help him out. To bad he couldn't count on the Nerima crew being able to help him, but that was a past best left alone for now. Weaving past a pair of giggling blonde teenagers Ranma adopted a thinking pose, "Just what kind of rent will I be looking at?"
Pausing as they came up to the building she was looking for, Setsuna motioned to a line of clear windows, "We can actually discuss that inside since we are here." She waved to the busy street which as she said, was very close to the local arcade and was indeed very busy. "As you can see, it's usually always very busy here and you're right on the street. So finding your dojo and advertising shouldn't be a problem at all." Rifling through her purse for a moment she produced a set of keys, "Ready to head inside?"
Looking around momentarily Ranma noticed the odd pavement patches and building repairs. They were well concealed, but after living in Nerima and causing plenty of damage himself, it was easier to spot for him. Guess she wasn't kidding about youma attacks, and that probably meant he should brush up and demon hunting while he was here. Nodding to her Ranma watched her unlock the high door before following her inside. Because of the line of windows there was plenty of sunlight coming in from the front. And above him natural skylights did the same, though they were mixed with normal florescent lights which Setsuna switched on before moving further into the main space. "Looks like a yoga gym." Ranma commented offhandedly as he paced about the open space.
Setsuna nodded as she waved a hand at a line of mirrors along the back wall. "I think at one point it was a dance hall before it became a dojo combo gym by the previous renters." She motioned to a door directly opposite of the main door, "Behind here is a break room and an office. These mirrors are all one way, so you can watch the main hall while working on paperwork. In the break room is also a small kitchenette and a bathroom for those late nights." Setsuna put a pleased smile on her face, "All in all, it's a great starter space for someone like you. Since this is your first business venture."
Ranma nodded and looked around again, "You aren't wrong." Nodding to himself while looking around the space again he finally brought his gaze to the woman walking up to him, "So, about that rent."
Setsuna handed Ranma the keys with a smile, "Our office has a deal we normally work out with our younger clients. If you're happy with the space, we defer your rental payments for 6 months while you get acclimated and build a client base. After 6 months rent for a space like this would be just under 200000 yen."
Ranma looked at the keys now in his hand while he considered that. He'd have time to not only find students, but also learn about what to charge for classes and all about proper paperwork and licenses. As his gaze looked around the mirrored space again and out the windows to the busy street, he almost couldn't see a negative to this at the moment. Though he probably should talk this over with his mom first. "Would I be able to talk with someone before signing anything first? I want to get another opinion."
Sestuna nodded at the thoughtful look on the young mans face. At least he was trying to make a good decision here, "Of course. I wouldn't want you to feel like I've unfairly pressured you into something. I have a cell phone, would you like to call them?"
Ranma almost nodded in instinct before pausing again. He had to remind himself that this was something he wanted to do on his own. That also meant taking the fall for making a bad call as well, so maybe he shouldn't rely on his mom for this one. Plus 6 months was a long time, surely he could figure everything out by then if he took it as a challenge. It had saved him in the past after all. Shaking his head to clear his thoughts he closed his fist around the keys, "On second thought, let's go ahead and fill out that paperwork. I should start figuring this out on my own anyway."
Genuinely surprised, Setsuna had to take note of the determined look of the man before her. Deciding that this may just work out after all, she smiled and began pulling paperwork from her briefcase. Motioning to the back room she pulled a pen from somewhere Ranma couldn't see, "Well, let's get started, and if you have questions don't hesitate to ask. I'm here to help after all." Ranma wouldn't know for a while yet just how much she was willing to help him, since it also helped her, but he'd know soon enough.
It wasn't much later that saw a happy Ranma waving to a departing Setsuna. Keys in hand and a books worth of paperwork in his very spartan office, he was officially a business owner. Sure it was just his martial arts dojo with no official tile as of yet. But given some students and a visit from Happosai would change that in no time. Bursting with new energy and having the perfect space to let loose a bit, Ranma paced to the center of the room while stashing the keys in his personal stuff space. Taking a stance and taking a deep breath, he began the first series of a long and difficulty building kata to start clearing his mind.
While to Ranma the kata started out at what he considered basics and worked up from there, to onlookers on the street they all had very different thoughts on the matter. A few appreciative glances as Ranma moved about the room performing ground based maneuvers and techniques, slowly turned into awe inspired jaws on the ground as he began leaping about the room and off the walls. And more muttering and a crowd began to form as the application of chi manipulation and aerial theatrics came into play. For half an hour Ranma worked through a set of drills many had never thought even physically possible, before lightly he landed where he started in the middle of the room with a last deep breath. Grinning to himself and wiping the sweat from his brow he turned to the windows to see how much daylight he had left, only to see several faces pressed to the glass while some others were giving appreciative claps and waves. Chuckling lightly and waving back Ranma had the feeling those windows might end up being a cause for issues in the future. Though as a small group came rushing inside, questions flying faster than he could keep up, at least he could say that business clients shouldn't be an issue from here out.
Down the street at the Crown Arcade, Setsuna let a smile grace her lips as she looked at the time. By now the inner scouts should be just sitting down for lunch, and the outers shouldn't be to far away. Figuring her day had gone near perfect she decided to indulge in her other guilty pleasure of scaring the moon princess. She had a message for them all anyway, as well as some plans to modify, and as always there was no time like the present. As she made it to the top of the escalator and spotted the group seated together not to far away, already with food in hand, she nodded as Usagi had her back to her.
"So, like I was saying, there's this new guy at the ice cream shop that looks just like my senpai that I think I might take a spin at soon." Makoto, was all conspiratorial grins with her other teammate Minako as they gushed together over their latest finds and some juicy gossip. Unsaid was that either one might snipe said cute boy, but all was fair in the war of love.
"Mmmm, ice cream sounds good right now, maybe we can go after this?" Usagi ever the glutton latched on to the part that mattered most to her at the moment. While things weren't going that great right now between her and her Mamo-chan, ice made everything better.
"Don't you think about anything else besides food dumpling head?" Next to her their resident shrine maiden Rei sniped a french fry from Usagi's plate. "Besides, after this we're supposed to meet up with the outers for something Setsuna says is important."
"That would be correct miss Hino." Setsuna spoke up directly behind Usagi who prompty squeaked and jumped in her seat.
"Why do you do that Setsuna!" Pounding her chest and coughing as her food tried to detour into her lungs, Usagi pointed an angry finger at their resident time mistress, "And you said we were meeting up later!"
Shrugging and taking an open seat next to Ami who was secretly studying some book under the table, Setsuna held up her hands in surrender, "I finished what I needed sooner than I thought and I figured I could fill you in now." She nodded politely as Makoto handed her a strawberry milkshake, "So I have some info for you all."
Rei snorted as she leaned back in her seat, deftly defending her plate of frys from the wandering hands of her leader, "Please don't tell me we have some new agent of darkness coming to end the world. We've been mopping up youma and negaverse remnants for the last month. I need a break."
Minako nodded quickly, "Exactly! It's summer, it's time for cute clothes and boy hunting! And like they say, the early bird get's the rod after all!"
Deadpanning Ami sighed and patted Minako's hand, "You were so close."
"Actually this is a call to defeat anything. More like training." As she could see all eyes on her Setsuna nodded, "How much do you all remember of any of your training from the silver millennium?"
Makoto held a finger to her temple while she thought before shrugging, "I don't know about everyone else, but not much. Everything kinda just comes instinctual. But it's not like anyone here could even begin to start training us, unless you're going to do it?"
Across from her Usagi nodded, "That's right, we've always pulled through with hard work and believing in each other."
"And how many times has one or more of you died in all of your conflicts?" At the groups sudden silence, Setsuna looked at each of them in turn before sighing, "You've done well up to now. But the matter is you could be much stronger. Remember, your transformations amplify your physical abilities. It's part of why out of all of you, Makoto is physically stronger than all of you especially when as Jupiter." Giving a pointed look to Usagi Setsuna hardened her gaze, "You all could stand to improve, even if you have enough magical power to level the planet, it does you no good if you can't control it."
Wanting to deny it but realizing she couldn't, Ami was the first to speak up, "So we need to work harder at gym class or?"
Now a more sinister smile reached her face, "I had something a little more involved than that in mind." Setsuna placed a business card on the table. Sure he didn't officially have any yet, but he would eventually. She just happened to pilfer one from then. They didn't need to know that, and he didn't need to know that either. "There's a young man opening a martial arts dojo just down the road. I recommend taking lessons there. And don't worry, the outers will be joining you eventually too."
Rei took the card before Usagi could spill some of her burger onto it, "Martial arts, really? Couldn't we learn that from Makoto instead, and we wouldn't risk someone learning our secret."
"Maybe, except this martial artist has dedicated his life to the art. And I can say from experience, we would wipe the floor with any of you." Taking a moment to savour the looks of incrudelity on their faces, she dropped the metaphorical hammer, "That is taking into account you being transformed at the same time as well." Hair being blown back by shouting and denials Sestuna nodded through it all. "Don't believe me? Go challenge him in a few days. He'll more than prove he's as good as he says."
Ignoring a weepy Usagi complaining about extra gym time and no more ice cream, Minako leaned closer to Setsuna, "I just have one question." Seeing Setsuna nod Minako powered on, "Is he cute?"
Ignoring the chaos that ensued, further devolving as the rest of the outers showed up, Setsuna had to smile at a job well done for the day. She had the inners hooked at least enough to go at least once. Which for Ranma would be more than enough to get them hooked, and the outers were at least curious enough to see for themselves what all the excitement was about. That might take an accident involving water to get them to continue, but who knew what the future held. She did, mostly, but introducing Ranma into the mix made things unpredictable in certain places which was good enough for her right now. As the future she saw was something that kept her up recently.
After all, building a kingdom on the ashes of 7 billion dead was not how she envisioned their return to power. So as the two resident boy hungry inners made plans and Ami went back to studying, Setsuna had to smile and hope that these small happy times wouldn't be going anywhere any time soon. At least not if she could help it.
It was coming on even after the night life surrounding Tokyo was just starting its swing. For Ranma however a different sort of battle was being waged that could shake the very foundation of his world, maybe even kill him. This battle tonight? He's mother's intuition.
"You know Ranma dear, I can give you some advise if you'd like. It's not every day a young man is so sought after in the community." Sure to Ranma it was about training and teaching, but Nodoka knew that just the right girl could put him on the path to supplying his dear mother with the one thing every sucessful mother dreamed of.
Grandbabies, lots of grandbabies.
Fiddling with a rough draft of a plan on a paper in front of himself Ranma did his best to ignore the shudder working up and down his spine. He just knew his mom was thinking something wrong again, "I should have closed the shutters before practicing. But what's done is done. Now I have to build up a schedule. I'm thinking in the morning and early afternoon I can do more yoga and calisthenics, and then in the afternoon proper we can be focused on martial arts completely with more intense classes I guess." He already figured out just what he'd price out memberships and individual classes. So it looked like if things stayed this way he wouldn't have to worry about rent in 6 months. So all they left was class lists and paperwork. If only he could split himself in order to take care of this all at once.
His mother nodded at the idea, "Lighter activities in the mornings would make sense. Once school starts back up your clients will probably be stay home mothers and maybe some evening shift workers looking for lighter excercise." Motioning to the back wall of their living room where the Saotome honor blade now rests she brought up a new topic, "Have you given thought on taking up the family blade? I know your fathers stance on weapons. But you have plenty of reason to rethink some of those teachings." Most of them really, she thought to herself. But one step at a time.
Ranma shrugged while pushing the small pile of papers away, "I've thought about it since confirming that demons really are running loose in Juban. And while I'm sure I could fight em off, at least with pops sealed techniques, having a weapon would be more efficient." Staring at the blade Ranma had to nod slowly, "I'll think about it, maybe you could train me in the evening once I settle into a routine?" At his moms shining smile Ranma had to conclude he said something right for once.
"That'd be grand, I've wanted to pass my families teaching down to you." Unsaid was what barrier kept that from happening. "But talk of training and work can wait. I've had a question since you called me explaining that you were going to be staying with me for a while." As Ranma tilted his head cutely, Nodoka pushed on, "Something has changed with you recently. Would you mind, talking to me about it?"
Oh. Ranma's eyes dimmed slightly before he could stop himself, his thoughts turning inward to the last few weeks. Nodding however he decided his mom definitely deserved to know how he felt. "Well, do you remember the Saffron incident, and then the failed wedding that everyone crashed?" At his mother's nod he pressed on, knowing that if he paused he wouldn't be able to restart, "Well, my creed has been from the beginning thanks to pops was that a martial artists duty was to protect the weak. And I've always thought that's what I was doing. But then with Saffron turning Akane into a puppet, and the chance of her not turning back, and all the chaos of that battle, I ended up killing." At his moms quiet gasp he nodded, "I didn't know at the time Saffron was actually more demi-god that human, so I didn't think he'd reform into an egg and eventually come back later on, but in that moment, the thought of losing Akane and failing at protecting her…..I was fully committing to killing him. And I did. I won. All for her." Another pause as he had to focus on unclenching his fists. "And then the wedding, and all of the rivals interfering, and pops scheming, and the destruction. You know what Akane did? She blamed me. I killed a demi-god for her, but she couldn't look past everyone else's schemes and plots and see that I was doing my best for her. And I realized then and there that she didn't trust me. And probably never would. So I decided that it just wouldn't work. No real relationship can work without at least some trust, and Akane couldn't even trust me to spend time alone, let alone with my friends. I can't marry someone like that. And Akane shouldn't have to put up with the crazy in my life either."
Before her was a side of her son she wished she could show the rest of Nerima. This was a young man stretched beyond his limits and put back together again. Someone who tried and tried again without fail, because he could not be allowed to fail. Someone who broke their code for the one they loved. Nodoka understand that feeling completely. "Well, son, would you like to hear what I have to say?" Ranma gave a glassy eyed nod and Nodoka sighed, "You've done well, all things considered. You know the handicaps your father put before you and you've smashed every one you've encountered. And here you are, now, coming from that shadow to start making something of your life, for your self. I understand if you don't believe me, but I am immensely proud of you. No matter what decisions you make from here on, I can know in my heart I will always be proud of you, and love you as my strong son because I know you will always do your best. A Saotome does not give up, after all."
Nodding Ranma gave a large grin, "Thanks mom. Angst aside, I do need to settle things with everyone in Nerima eventually. I can't hide out here forever."
Waving those thoughts away with a free hand, Nodoka pointed to his discarded paperwork, "Don't you worry about them right now. You have 3 months for the summer break to relax and settle into your new life. And we'll work together to untangle that mess. Okay?" At her sons nod she once against smiled brightly, "Now, tell me, how many cuties signed up right away this afternoon?"
- AN
I honestly didn't think I'd have another update already so soon. But like a brain worm this story has stuck with me pretty good. Bear with me ya'll, the set up is gonna take maybe another chapter, but we're gonna start getting into the meat of the story from here on. Uncle Wolf out.
