"Appachi got so excited. He must have missed that I said starting tomorrow." Akisame smoothed this mustache as he observed the Muy Tai master burst thru solid objects carrying his young pupil.
"Don't worry about it, this is an excellent way for him to observe without being killed." Kensei adjusted his hat as he mulled over something that bothered him. Lowering his head slightly he prepared to ask about his concern. "Say Akisame..."
"Yes Kensei, I noticed as well. The foundations of your style are definitely there." The Jujitsu master didn't look at his Chinese friend as he spoke.
The Kenpo teacher tried to maintain a neutral expression. While his fellow instructor spoke his own thoughts aloud. Sometimes it was annoying to have that happen. "Right I hope to refine that." Privately to himself he hoped his troubles from across the sea hadn't caught up to him.
Shirahama residence later that night...
Renka had just finished setting the table as Kenichi arrived. His little sister had made a slight nuisance of herself before he got there. She kept putting tacks and other things where she was about to sit. Though she admitted the garlic and onion chip attack was clever. However, she was able to quickly catch the thrown food in a clean snack bowl. Perhaps with some training she might become a skilled shot like her dad. She made sure the smelly item was right in front of her hopefully future father-in-law who gladly devoured it all. She did not envy the lady of the house.
"Hi guys, I'm back." When he entered his home every thing looked normal. However, the scent of Sashimi with his favorite cheese made him smile. Renka was true to her word, but the real surprise was her outfit. It was a rather formal chinese dress that showed far less skin than her usual clothes. It was white with an elaborate embroidered tiger going around her left side from heart to lower back. The way it hugged her amazing curves made his mouth dry. However, a strange musical laughter echoed in his minds eye as he viewed it. The Shirahama family plus one soon enjoyed the girls culinary power.
After the special appetizer. The black haired beauty was overjoyed to be invited for dinner. The meal was delicious as expected from her future mother-in-law to be. She bowed formally to her hosts. "Thank you all for allowing me to eat with you. Now if you'll indulge me further. I wish to spend some time with your son before I go."
Saori smiled at her usual mannerly way. "Why of course dear, your always welcome here. Isn't that right honey?"
Mr. Shirahama nodded happily. "Certainly, you're practically one of the family Renka." As he spoke. A brown haired bullet in the shape of his daughter struck him repeatedly. To little effect, so he ignored her for now. "Have fun kids, we'll check on you both soon." He waved as the teenager's headed to his son's room. "Ah young love, our boys a real catch Saori."
The mother smiled while trying not to show her discomfort. 'They grow up so fast, she sighed.' "Someday dear, I really must show him your love letters to me." Her husband went silent as he feared exposing his less manly side.
Elsewhere, in the house Kenichi was sweating nervously.'When had he last cleaned his room? Were the picture albums he bought from Kensei safely hidden?' These and other worries passed thru his mind as he reached his door. "Come on in Renka."
"Calm down Kenichi, your fear sweat is obvious. You don't need to worry so much. I know what kind of stuff boys hide." She peered around the room quickly to find what kind of 'treasures' he liked. She frowned as she discovered everything was clean and neat. "Darn how boring, no dirty books anywhere. Oh well, it's still nice to see your space." She smiled proactively at him and noticed he had a lot of books. She would bet some of those covers hid something naughty. She did pause at a worn stuffed cat. It had a bell on it's collar. Loose threads around the ears showed two more were missing. She picked it up and hugged it to her chest. "Tell me Kenichi, where did you get this toy?" The bells in her hair rang as she deliberately moved her head slightly.
"Oh that, I got it from a crane game when I was a kid. I think I meant to give it to Honoka." He got a thoughtful look for a moment. "For some reason, I didn't though. I wonder why?" Suddenly, his friend did a twirl making the bells in her hair ring pleasantly. He lost his balance and fell on his bed. As once distant memories flooded his mind.
Flashback:Kenichi's childhood...
The boy lazily swung his legs in the chair. Mom was quietly holding his little sister as she napped. He had wanted to play with Ryuto today. They were going to go to their favorite shop and hang out. However, dad was coming home. The airport was busy as he scanned the area. He looked at the cat he won his sister. He tried not to mess with the three bells as he waited.
While he looked around again he spotted a little girl in a white chinese dress. It had a cool tiger on it, but he couldn't see the whole thing. She seemed sad so he decided to check on her. He thought about asking mom, but she was having a hushed talk with another lady.
"Hi, you alright?" He noticed her black hair was done kind of like cat ears as he asked. She looked up at him.
"Daddy and Uncle are fighting again." She felt fear whenever the two men fought. Her mom said she was sensing their KI.
"I'm sorry, I should cheer you up." He noticed her purple eyes lit up when she saw the stuffed cat he was holding. Girls liked this kind of stuff he guessed. "Here, you can have it."
She smiled cutely, but stopped herself from reaching for it. "I can't, it's yours. It would be selfish if I take it." Her heavy chinese accent became apparent as she spoke.
He thought carefully for a moment. Then an idea came to him. Without hesitation he took the bells off the ears. Some loose thread was used to attach them. To the two bands holding her hair. "There, now you can make a little happy music."
She hopped up and did a little twirl making them ring. While she moved her mother was approaching with a worried look. She stopped and looked at the boy. "Thanks." She smiled her best. Then on impulse she kissed his cheek gratefully. A few quick words in Chinese followed. "For Luck!" Then as he touched the warm spot on his face she fled.
Shirahama residence currently...
"Renka, your her the one I gave the missing bells." His heart started racing as she swayed up to him.
"I recognized you immediately. When we met over the summer." Then she leaned close and spoke in a sultry tone. "I'm Renka Ma." She gave him a full deep kiss on the lips before he could respond. "I'm glad to have met you again Kenichi."
As he regained his breath he went from excited to terrified. 'Her father is Kensei Ma, and he is going to kill him!'
