Hi...
Since I was posting the OMGod Fic.. I figured I'd post this as well
A Flaw in the Blade
by
Brett Handy
Looking at it objectively this is a typical Ranma FanFic, the only
great difference is it's going to concentrate more on the Kuno family
than the rest of the cast..
What follows is a small portion of the Fic.. let me know what you
think of it...
-----Brett (14/7/96)
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A figure crept across the roof of the Nekoanten, it moved
silently, never missing a footstep on the slippery tiles. Avoiding
areas of brightness it hugged the shadows, ducking the occasional
light thrown up by passing cars. The figure reached the edge of
the roof, quietly it hung over the side of the roof, looking in an
slightly open window. Noticing the room was empty, it flipped
inside expertly, landing without a sound.
Once inside it moved through the Nekoanten, slipping into the
room of the still sleeping Shampoo. Pausing for a moment it ran a
small object across her throat before leaving the room. Again it
left Shampoo's room and continued down the corridor to where Mousse
slept. Crouching down, it also ran the same object across his
throat, before replacing the object in it's clothing.
Suddenly movement attracted it's attention and it jumped to
the ceiling quickly to avoid the slash of Cologne's staff. Bobbing
and weaving the figure was finally cornered by the old crone.
Pulling it's Katana from the sheath across it's back the figure
furiously parried Cologne's attacks.
"Great Grandmother!", came Shampoo's voice from the doorway,
she flicked on a light quickly revealing the strange figure. It
was a man in a tight fitting black jumpsuit, only his eye's were
visible and the rest of his face was covered by a mask. Shampoo
gasped, it was a Ninja and from the way he was avoiding Cologne's
attacks he was a *very* skilled one.
"Ki-yah!", Shampoo shouted, jumping forward wielding a large
knife that she'd pulled from the counter.
Cologne glanced over her shoulder, "NO!", she said harshly to
Shampoo.
Unfortunately Shampoo was to involved in the fight to stop
when she heard her great grandmother's command. She dodged and
ducked the swings of the ninja's sword, while all the time
attempting to land a good swipe with the knife. Unfortunately the
ninja ducked her swinging knife, grabbing the arm hold it and
swinging her around into a choke hold. Cologne stopped as she saw
Shampoo's own knife held against Shampoo's throat.
"SHAMPOO!!!!!", cried Mousse (who'd finally woken up).
Cologne gave him a glance that said 'don't get in my way' and
he swallowed the urge to try and rescue Shampoo. Cologne nodded in
the ninja's direction and uttered a word in a language that Shampoo
and Mousse couldn't understand.
The ninja nodded and released Shampoo (without the knife) then
he bowed deeply to Cologne, before crouching on his knees. He
looked straight at Cologne, "You should instruct your pupils not to
interfere once they are already dead", he said, indicating the red
slashes across both Mousse and Shampoo's necks.
Cologne nodded, "They were not informed of out little test",
she replied, "But I will inform them in the future to be more
careful and sleep a little lighter".
The ninja looked squarely at Cologne, "That is as it should
be", he replied evenly, "Now what of the contract?".
Cologne nodded, "You are to gather as much information as
possible on the activities of Akane Tendo, Ukyou Kuonji and Kodachi
Kuno - for this I will pay your standard fee", she said.
The ninja nodded, "Is that all?", he asked without a change in
his voice.
Cologne thought for a moment before replying, "For now", she
said, "Just gather the information, I will inform you as to what
you are to do with them later".
The ninja nodded, "Very well", he said simply. A moment later
a flash and smoke appeared where the Ninja stood, then he was gone.
Shampoo coughed at the smoke, "Great Grandmother? What is
going on?", she asked.
Cologne shrugged, "It's always a good idea to know your
enemies", she said, "And besides *his* master owes me a favour".
Mousse felt his neck and shuddered at the red dye that marked
his upper throat, "I didn't hear or feel a thing", he whispered.
Shampoo nodded, rubbing her own neck reflexively, "Great
Grandmother, how we suppose to protect ourselves from him", she
asked.
Cologne shrugged, "You couldn't", she replied, "even if you
had been awake, he still would have been able to carry out the job.
According to his master, he is the natural successor to his clan,
raised from almost birth to do only one thing.. become a master
Ninja".
Shampoo and Mousse exchanged a glance, "But we can't *kill*
all the other girls!", Mousse protested.
Cologne sighed, "I know", she said, "But we can organise it so
that they have some 'accidents' that put them out of contention for
my future son-in-law".
Shampoo frowned, "But *I* should be one to defeat other girls,
and make Ranma my husband", she protested.
Mousse looked at her sadly, but held his tounge, "So what are
we going to do know?", he asked.
Cologne looked outside into the night, "Well *I'm* going back
to sleep", she replied, "Try and get some yourselves before the
night is out".
******
Kenneth Greevs sighed at the location of his new school, it
was ridiculous to be coming to Japan to learn. He grimaced at his
companion, who was huddled over his portable computer. Here they
were in a foreign country, without a friend except one another and
all Bob could do is play that damned game, Quake.
"Aren't you gonna give up on that?", he asked sarcastically,
knowing the answer.
Bob hit pause and looked over at him, "Huh??", he replied.
Kenneth tapped the computer's screen, "I mean can't you think
of anything better to do?", he complained.
Bob shrugged, "Not really, you know how much I want to get
past level fifteen", he stated, the same response that he'd been
giving for the last six months.
Kenneth shook his head, "I can't believe you", he said,
"You've been stuck there for longer than anyone I know.. can't you
just face the fact that your *bad* at the game?".
Bob hunched away from his friend, "You go enjoy your silly
'martial arts' stuff and leave me alone", he replied sulkily,
turning to the screen again.
Kenneth, or Ken as he preferred to be called by his friends
just sighed and looked out the window. They were travelling
through downtown Tokyo, heading for somewhere called the 'Nerima'
district. He pulled the letter that he'd received from his penpal,
a guy named Tatewaki Kuno - seemed like a nice enough fellow. But
he did seem a little verbose when it came to letter writing.
When Ken's father had decided to take a position in Tokyo, Ken
had ben resigned to the fact of staying in a strange place with no
friends at all. But then as luck would have it Tatewaki had
written him and offered to let him (and his friend Bob) stay at
what he called the 'Kuno Mansion". Ken gaped as the taxi pulled up
in front of what could only be described as a 'mansion' and he
nudged Bob, "Hey, we're here", he announced.
Bob nodded and closed the computer regretfully, "And I was so
close", he muttered, saving the game quickly.
The two friends unpacked the taxi and paid the driver, all the
time wondering how their stay would work out. Bob looked around
carefully, "I hope they've got a decent phone line", he muttered,
"An old place like that is sure to have poor phone lines".
Ken sighed and then smiled at his friend. Ever since their
first day of high school the two of them had been inseparable. Bob
had decided to come along on a whim, there was really no one else
that he could call a 'friend' at school and he would have been
alone for his final year. Bob was always walked over at school,
never sticking up for himself and always loosing fights. Now Ken
on the other hand prided himself on his fighting ability and it
made for a good match. Ken thought Bob would make a good Martial
Artist, but he had never been able, to pry his friend away from his
computer.
Struggling with their suitcases the two walked up to the front
gate and knocked. The door made a deep hollow sound echoing
through the large house. Bob and Ken exchanged an uneasy glance
before the door opened to reveal a small guy in a black suit.
Ken bowed and spoke in broken Japanese, "Hello... we are
Kenneth Greevs and Robert Conrad... Tatewaki Kuno is expecting us".
The little man looked them up and down and replied, "Wait here
please I will check", he said.
Ken gave Bob a questioning glance and Bob translated for him,
it was awkward, but Bob knew the language better. Ken grimaced, "I
guess I should have watched more of those 'Anime' movies you keep
try to force on me", he said.
Bob nodded, "Well it just so happens I brought along a
few...", he began.
Their conversation stopped as the door opened again to reveal
a young lady. She was quite pretty and dressed all in black, Bob's
eye's bugged out slightly and he then got a dreamy look on his
face. Ken gave him a quick nudge to bring him back to reality and
he quickly began translating.
"Good afternoon", I am Kodachi Kuno, "My *dear* brother is not
here at the moment, but instructed me that you where arriving,
please follow Sasuke and he will show you to your rooms".
With that she turned and walked back into the house, leaving
them with the little fellow. Ken had to nudge Bob into movement
before they proceeded inside, he nodded to Sasuke, "So your the
family Ninja?", he asked.
Sasuke nodded, "I hold that great honour", he said, "My family
has been serving the Kuno's for three centuries....". He then
launched into a detailed description of each of his ancestors and
their accomplishments. Ken lost the explanation after the first
two sentences, but he decided to check back with Bob later, his
friend would fill him in if anything important was said.
They walked slowly through the grounds of the home, marvelling
at the hot springs and gardens. Moving into the house they were
astounded at the size of their rooms, Bob in particular was lost in
a vision of the computer system he could assemble to fill up all
the vacant space. "The master will be back soon", he said, "He is
at Kendo class".
Ken nodded, "Great!", he enthused, "I'll have to give that a
go!".
Sasuke looked interested, "Are you a student of the Martial
Arts?", he asked curiously.
Ken smiled, "I've picked up a few things here and there", he
replied.
Bob looked up sourly from the computer, "Oh yeah!", he said
sarcastically, "Like you 'pick up' dan rankings 'here and
there'..."
Sasuke smiled, "You are a teacher?", he asked.
Ken looked a little embarrassed, "Well I don't actually teach
much... but I do enjoy learning new things...".
Sasuke bowed to him deeply, "I would be honoured if you would
show me some techniques", he said.
Ken smiled, "Alright", he said, "Just give me a little time to
settle in".
Sasuke excused himself saying that he needed to go and fix
dinner. The two friends looked around and staked out a room each,
Bob scouting around for a phone line and power point for his
computer.
******
Kuno picked himself up from the dust and looked around the
deserted sports ground. Dusting himself off, he winced at the
particularly large bruise covering his right cheek.
"Who would have thought that one so lovely could also be so
strong", he wondered for the thousandth time. Then he paused and
reflected on this afternoon's events.
He had arrived at the field of battle several minutes early
for his customary fight with the evil Saotome and to his surprise
not only the pig tailed girl, but Akane Tendo had decided to watch
the fight. Surprisingly however Akane seemed to be chasing the pig
tailed one, obviously jealous over the fact that he was fighting to
free the Pig tailed girl from Ranma's clutches rather than her.
"Please my lovelies!", he said spreading his arms to them, "I
fight not just for one of you, but for both!".
Unfortunately the Pig Tailed Girl must not have seen him in
her haste and accidentally smashed her foot into his face. It was
hard to say after that point what happened, since he had been
taking a nice nap.. but obviously the cowardly Saotome had decided
not to appear. Satisfied that he had won by default, Kuno turned
and walked towards home.
"SASUKE!!", he bellowed upon entering the mansion, "Where are
you???".
Like magic the little ninja appeared out of nowhere, right in
time to catch Kuno's stained and rumpled gi, on the head.
"Master.. your guests have arrived", Sasuke managed to mumble
from under the garment.
Kuno frowned and then remember his friend from the United
States of America was suppose to be arriving this afternoon, "Very
well, I shall greet them once I have shed the dust of battle from
my body", he said.
Sasuke nodded and vanished as quickly as he arrived. Kuno
lounged in the hot springs for several minutes before bellowing for
a new set of clothes. Sasuke appeared and helped him dress before
meeting his guests.
Kuno walked into the guest area of the house (that's the one
*without* all the traps and stuff) and knocked on the door
politely, "It is I Tatewaki Kuno", he announced.
"Come on in Takki!", came a loud voice in halting Japanese.
It amazed Kuno that he could feel so at ease with the butchering of
his name, but according to Kenneth it was common practice in the
United States. Kuno smiled slightly before entering, it would be
good to see a friend that he had only met through correspondence.
Kuno entered the room and bowed in greeting, "I am very happy
to meet you in person", he said.
Looking into the room he saw a tall gentleman wearing a
practice gi and a smaller man hunched over a computer. He assumed
that his friend was the one in the gi and Kuno smiled at him, "It
is good to see you... Ken...", he said, remembering to shorten the
name as was customary.
Ken grinned, "You're looking good Takki!", he said, shaking
hands with him, "Although I'd get someone to take a look at that
shiner you've got".
Kuno nodded, "It is of no consequence", he replied, "I will
bear it with pride, since it was given to me by one I love".
Ken gave him a curious glance, "Was it the 'pigtailed one' or
'Akane Tendo'??", he asked teasingly.
Kuno gave him a wry glace, "I'm afraid it was the Pigtailed
Girl", he said, rubbing his sore cheek, "But alas, the evil Saotome
failed to appear for our contest, so I will have to hunt him on the
morrow".
Ken looked a little lost till the smaller man with glasses,
translated Kuno's speech. Kuno glanced at the other person, "And
who is this?", he asked, "Would this be your servant?".
Ken burst out laughing and the other fellow gave Kuno a
strange look and then replied in nearly perfect Japanese, "I'm his
friend, not a servant", he said shortly.
Ken grinned a little nervously, "I'm sure that I mentioned Bob
to you in my letters", he said, "This is my best friend".
Kuno looked appraisingly at Bob, "He doesn't look like one
able to best gate wardens single handedly", he said critically.
Bob gave Ken a strange stare and Ken haltingly explained to
Kuno that he was referring to the overcoming of security systems
with computers. Kuno nodded in agreement, "I understand now", he
said. Bob looked at him dubiously but refrained from commenting.
Ken talked to Kuno for a few more minutes before Sasuke
interrupted them with news that dinner was prepared.
******
The three hiked across to the dining room, where Kuno's sister
was waiting for them. Bob following slightly behind the other two,
he had taken an instant dislike to Kuno (and he was sure that the
feeling was mutual). "Why did we have to get stuck living here?",
he thought to himself, it had been bad enough putting up with guys
like Kuno at school, now he was going to have to live with one.
He looked up to see Kodachi sitting primly at the table and
was amazed at how delicate she appeared to be. Bob carefully sat
down, taking care not to knock anything over and just stared at her
for a while. He got a quick nudge from Ken and turned to look at
his friend with impatience, "What?", he asked.
Ken motioned to his dinner, "Are you gonna eat that or stare
at her all day?", Ken asked lightly (in English).
Bob blushed slightly before turning to his soup. Carefully
checking it on his tounge, Bob noticed a strange flavour that he
thought he'd noticed before. Quickly he spat the soup back into
the bowl and grabbed Ken's arm before he could eat any more.
"What the hell are you doing?", Ken demanded angrily.
Kuno and Sasuke were looking at him strangely and Kodachi
seemed slightly annoyed, "Don't eat any more of that", Bob
insisted, "I think there is something unusual in the spice".
Kuno and Sasuke quickly pushed their bowls away and Kuno
looked angrily at his sister, "Alright, what did you put in it this
time!", he demanded.
Kodachi gave Bob a withering glance before shrugging, "Just a
little something to spice it up a bit", she said.
Ken freaked out, washing his mouth out with his drink. Bob
placed a hand on his shoulder, "It's alright", he said, "It
wouldn't be enough to kill you, just make you a little sick".
Ken grimaced, "Is there anything you can do?", he asked.
Bob thought about it for a moment before walking into the
kitchen, a moment later he returned with a large glass of
something, "Drink this", he ordered.
Ken gulped down the glass quickly and Bob nodded, before
turning to Kuno, "Where is your bathroom?", he asked politely.
Sasuke answered, "Two door's down that way", he said pointing
down a corridor.
Bob looked at Ken, "Did you get that?", he asked.
Ken nodded, "Why?", he asked.
Bob looked at his watch and counted down, "Three... Two...
One", on the zero he pointed at Ken's stomach.
Ken quickly placed a hand over his mouth and clutched at his
stomach. A moment later he raced in the direction that Sasuke had
indicated.
Kuno looked at Bob curiously, but he shrugged, "Better out
than in", he said.
Kodachi gave Bob a narrow glance, "How did you recognise that
particular poison?", she asked professionally.
Bob shrugged, "I got poisoned once", he replied, "That tends
to leave an impression".
Kuno stood and bowed to him, "I thank you for the warning, my
sister tends to like these practical jokes", he said, "I am
grateful that you were able to inform us of her mischief".
Bob bowed in return, "I'm happy to help", he replied simply.
A few minutes later Ken came walking shakily down the
corridor, he gave Bob a weak punch, "Next time tell me what I'm
drinking", he said.
Bob nodded and began to eat his main course, everyone looked
at him in shock until they noticed that Kodachi was also eating
without apparent reluctance. Kuno looked curiously at Bob, "How
did you know of a formula to purge the poison from Ken's system?",
he asked.
"Oh that's one of his hobbies!", Ken laughed, "Getting first-
aid certificates".
Bob nodded, "I'm still trying to decide between medicine and
computers.. not an easy choice", he added.
The rest of the meal passed quickly enough, Kodachi left
quickly, leaving the four men to talk. Ken noticed that Bob had a
kind of sad expression on his face as he watched her leave and when
they returned to their rooms for the night he decided to ask him
about it.
"Bob, why are you so interested in that Kodachi?", he asked
curiously.
Bob blushed, "What makes you think I am?", he returned.
Ken gave him a innocent glance, "I know you well enough by now
to tell when your interested in someone", he replied.
Bob smiled, "Well I dunno, I guess that I feel a little sorry
for her", he said.
Ken frowned so Bob continued, "According to Sasuke, Tatewaki
and Kodachi have been living here with only occasional visits from
their father, for a number of years", he explained, "He said that
Kodachi hasn't really stopped mourning for her mother in all that
time, although she doesn't really show it".
Ken shuddered, "Well her poisoning our food must have given
you something to think about", he said.
Bob nodded, "Yeah, she's really in need of some help", he
said.
"Your kidding!", Ken exclaimed, "You think that putting
hemlock in the soup is a cry for help?".
Bob smiled, "Well it got our attention didn't it?", he asked.
Ken shrugged, "It's your funeral", he said laughing.
The two friends continued talking late into the night, both a
little nervous at the prospect of sleeping in such a strange place.
But eventually they settled down for their first night in Nerima.
Just outside the newcomer's room a shape huddled unmoving,
till the two fell asleep. Jumping across the lawn, avoiding the
traps set there, the intruder quickly exited to the street.
******
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Address: darkwnd@sv.net.au WWW page: http://www.sv.net.au/~darkwnd
Spock: Sir, what these people are saying is logical; If we use up a
finite resource, logic dictates that eventually all
resources will be exhausted and the resulting calamity
will expunge all life forms...
Kirk: Meaning???
Spock: We're rooted....
-----Fast Forward (1989)
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