"I still don't know why *I've* gotta show him around",
Ranma complained loudly to Kasumi.
Kasumi gave Ranma a little smile, "Because unless he gets
to the market, there will be no dinner tonight", she
explained.
"Hey.. slow down mate", Brett complained, as Ranma
dragged him from the Tendo Residence, towards Nerima's
shopping district.
"Hurry up", Ranma ordered, "The sooner I show you were to
go the sooner I can get back home".
Brett shook his arm loose, "Look I appreciate the help,
but I'd really like to keep my arm from being torn off", he
complained, massaging his shoulder.
Ranma shrugged and jumped onto the fence, "Just keep
moving then", he said.
"Why are you doing that?", Brett asked, watching Ranma
walk along the top of the thin fence.
"I just like to", Ranma replied, "It helps me keep my
balance".
Brett nodded, "I guess that would be important for a
Martial Artist", he observed, "But it sure makes it hard to
carry on a conversation".
Ranma gave Brett a glance, "What do you want to talk
about?", he asked.
Brett scratched the back of his head, "Well how about
what that Panda was doing in your room last night?", he asked.
Ranma shrugged, "He didn't want to sleep outside", he
replied shortly.
"Urrr.. ok", Brett began, "To put it another way.. What
are you doing with a Panda as a pet?".
Ranma shrugged, "He's not mine", he responded.
Brett and Ranma walked quickly to the market and spent
about half an hour shopping for things that Kasumi needed for
making dinner. Ranma basically stood around looking bored
while Brett picked out the food to bring back.
"That should do it", Brett said finally.
"Good", Ranma replied, "You can find your own way back,
I've got something important to do".
With that Ranma took off in a rush, obviously overjoyed
at being relieved of his 'babysitting' duties. Brett sighed
and continued back towards the Tendo Dojo. About five minutes
later he noticed a cloud of dust rising into the air behind
him and frowned, "What on earth??", he wondered, moving over
to the side of the road.
A few seconds Brett saw a rather small old man running up
the road, he was carrying a large sack of what appeared to be
women's undergarments. Across his face he wore a black mask
that covered only his eyes. But he was not the one making the
dustcloud, it was the thirty or so women chasing him that were
responsible for that.
"Ahhh my lovelies, I've liberated you all to be with me",
the old man cackled happily.
Brett watched the old man approach, the women were
shouting something about 'Thief, Pervert, Old letch!!", and
other generally unpleasant terms. The old man saw Brett
standing beside the road and noticed the bag full of food.
"Yum!", he shouted, "I tend to get hungry after such a
successful raid". And with that he headed straight towards
Brett.
Brett looked around nervously, trying to find some way to
escape. Seeing none he placed the bag on the ground and
raised his arms, "I don't think you want to do that", he
called to the old man.
"YOUNG WHELP!", the old pervert shouted, "You think *you*
can stand against the mighty Happosai?!?! Fool, prepare to be
trampled!!".
Brett completed the spell he was casting and calmly
picked up the bag. About 3 feet from Brett a shimmering wall
appeared, Happosai didn't have time to stop and hit it at full
speed.
A resounding *CLANG!* echoed across the city and Happosai
fell from the shiled, unconscious. Brett winced and dispelled
the shield, "You ok?", he asked.
"P... P.... panties", Happosai responded.
Brett shook his head at the old man and then noticed that
the mob of women were approaching quickly. He stepped back
quickly as they proceeded to pound Happosai into the ground
and retrieve their respective clothes.
"Are you with him?", one of the angry women asked Brett
suspiciously.
Brett nervously backed up a step, "No.. I'm just an
innocent bystander out doing the shopping", he replied.
The woman looked him up and down, "Alright then", she
said. A moment later the women left, trampling Happosai one
more time for good measure. Brett shook his head and
continued on his way home.
Happosai came into consciousness about an hour later, and
spat out the dirt he'd swallowed. He had one image in his
head, that young upstart who'd made a fool of him would pay...
*******
I returned to the Tendo's place, still amazed that the
old man had survived such a vicious attack. Depositing the
food in the kitchen I noticed a note from Kasumi, it read:
'I've gone to return some books to Dr Tofu, be back soon'.
I nodded, wondering who 'Dr Tofu' was. The workmen had
finished their repairs on the dining room earlier that
morning. I was stunned at how quickly they'd repaired it.
When I asked one of the workmen, he'd just shrugged and
replied, "It's become a routine repair job", he said, "So we
know exactly what has to be done and what to bring along".
I walked outside and into the Dojo, where I heard someone
practising. I knocked on the door and got a 'come in' from
inside.
Inside I saw Akane crouched over a pile of cinder blocks,
she seemed to be concentrating very hard. A moment later she
brought her hand down, splitting three of the four down the
middle.
"Damn!", she swore, "I thought I had it that time".
I gaped at her, "That's incredible!", I said, "You're
splitting cinder blocks???".
She shrugged, "I'm trying to split all four of them", she
said, "But no such luck yet".
I noticed a small black pig, sitting watching her, "And
who's this?", I asked curiously.
Akane smiled and picked up the little piglet and hugged
him, "This is P-Chan", she said.
I nodded and scratched the pig behind the ears, "G'day P-
Chan, I'm Brett", I said, introducing myself.
The pig didn't seem to like me very much, because it
squirmed around nervously. Akane smiled and placed it back on
the floor near where she was practising, "I thought Ranma was
suppose to be showing you around", she said.
I shrugged, "Well he said he had something important to
do so I came back by myself", I explained.
Akane frowned, "Ranma doing something 'important'??", she
mused, "Nope, doesn't sound right.. there are only to
important things to Ranma; Marital Arts and his stomach".
I watched as she hurried from the room and back inside to
change. Glancing at the pig, who seemed to be watching her to
I shrugged, "Hey, what am I suppose to do?', I asked it
defensively, "I don't know Ranma well enough yet to judge if
he's telling the truth or not".
P-Chan grunted and made a 'bwee' sound. I smiled, "You
don't like Ranma much then I take it?", I asked.
The pig nodded and I looked at it in amazement, "You are
certainly an intelligent pig", I observed.
P-Chan grunted and walked outside and headed for the main
house, probably looking for Akane. I shrugged and continued
my inspection of the Dojo, it looked pretty nice, if a little
well-worn. A moment later P-Chan re-appeared from the back
entrance of the Dojo and grunted in disappointment.
I looked at him, "Lost?", I asked.
The pig nodded again, so I grabbed him by the collar,
"Your looking for Akane?", I asked.
It grunted affirmatively and I tucked it under my arm,
ignoring it's struggles, "Stop squirming or I won't take you
to Akane", I ordered.
P-Chan stopped struggling and I walked back inside the
main house, to find Kasumi had returned from her delivery and
was busy making dinner. She smiled as I entered the kitchen,
"I see you've met P-Chan", she observed.
I nodded and glanced at the little pig tucked under my
arm, "Yes, he seems to want to find Akane", I explained, "You
wouldn't know where she is would you??".
Kasumi nodded, "She said something about going to the
Nekohanten to find Ranma", she explained.
"Could you give me directions?", I asked, "It would do me
good to see more of the area".
Kasumi nodded and gave me precise instructions on how to
get to the Nekohanten. I left the Tendo home soon after,
having gone over the instructions with Kasumi twice. To cut a
long story short, I was lost in about five minutes. Have you
ever noticed how easy instructions seem until you have to
follow them? Anyway I was soon wondering the streets of
Nerima, with no idea where I was going.
I looked at the pig on my shoulder (I put him there early
into the trip), "You got any idea where we're we are suppose
to go?", I asked him.
The pig looked at me, "BWEE!!!!", it said, tapping on my
shoulder.
I followed the little fellow's suggestions for a while,
till I noticed we were getting further and further from Tokyo
itself, "Hold it a minute", I said to the pig, "It can't be
that way, that's the highway leading north!".
The pig gave a derisive, "BWEE BWEE!!" and sat grumpily
on my shoulder.
I looked around to see if there were any people around,
noticing no one I pulled out an old watch I carried around.
Placing the watch on the ground I gave the pig a quick glance,
"I wouldn't tell anyone about this if I were you", I advised
it.
Chanting the words to the transport spell, I quickly
teleported to my own room back in the temple. "That's
better", I observed, "I needed to talk to the Goddesses
anyway".
Prying the pig from my shoulder proved impossible, it had
an iron grip and seemed a little shocked. Deciding not to
bother removing it I walked into the hallway, looking for the
Goddesses.
Belldandy was humming happily in the kitchen as she made
dinner, "Brett-san!", she said in greeting, "Dinner is almost
ready, will you be staying??".
I nodded, "It might be better to discuss this over
dinner, now that you mention it", I mused.
"Oh good, I'll set another place for you then", she said,
bustling around the room.
I nodded and decided that I definitely needed a bath,
nodding to Belldandy I made my way to the bathroom. Taking
off my clothes normally proved impossible (due to the little
'clinger' I had acquired) so I simply made the clothes vanish
with a wave of my hand and a muttered spellword.
The pig was startled by the sudden disappearance of his
grip on my shoulder and fell face first into the water. I
muttered a curse and fished around in the water for him, my
hand closed on his collar and I gave a heave. To my utter
shock, a full grown guy rose to the surface, my hand had
caught not the piglet's collar, by the guy's headband.
"What the hell??", I muttered. Examining the guy's
features I noticed that he had the same bemused expression on
his face as the piglet and also the headband looked
suspiciously like the collar the piglet had been wearing.
I slapped the guy across the face a few times, trying to
shake him out of his stunned state. He shook out of it
alright and launched a right-cross at my head. Ducking it I
retreated across the room, "P-Chan?", I asked.
"I AM NOT P-CHAN!!!!!!", the guy shouted angrily and
began advancing on me.
I frowned, "Well if you're not him, where did he go when
he fell in the hot water and why are you in *my* bathroom
wearing nothing but a headband?", I observed.
Ryouga stopped for a moment and then realised where he
was, "Uhhh.. my apologies", he stuttered, "I *err* appear to
have *umm* misplace my clothing".
I nodded and looked at his face more closely, "Aren't you
that guy named Ryouga?", I asked, recognising him for the
first time.
He nodded, "And you're Kasumi's boyfriend", he replied.
I shook my head, "it's not like that at all", I began,
"You see...".
A knocking at the door made me stop for a moment,
"Brett?? are you alright??", It was Urd's voice.
I shuddered at how this would look and quickly muttered a
spell. Ryouga suddenly found himself clothed in his usually
attire, complete with umbrella and backpack. I straightened
out my shimmering-blue uniform, "Damn, I knew I should have
washed this", I muttered.
I opened the door quickly, "G'day Urd", I said, in my
cheeriest voice.
Urd smiled and looked me up and down, "Looks like you
survived your first mission alright", she observed.
"Err... well there were a *few* complications, but I'll
tell you about them later", I explained.
She nodded absently and looked past me at Ryouga, "Who's
this??", she asked.
I shrugged, "Oh, this is a friend of mine that has
'dropped in' for a while, his name's Ryouga", I said,
introducing him.
Urd smiled, "And why is he in the bathroom with you?",
she asked curiously.
I gave her a stern glance, "Because he needed to get
cleaned up", I explained.
She nodded, "Well I'll let Belldandy know we've got a
guest for dinner", she said, "You can tell me all about what
happened at dinner".
I nodded and blushed slightly when she gave me a quick
kiss, "Good to have you back", she whispered to me.
Watching her leave I suddenly realised that Ryouga had
been watching all this. I turned to him, "You want to explain
how you did that?", I said, motioning to the bath.
Ryouga was still picking at his clothes, "These are the
same clothes I left at my campsite", he muttered.
I tapped him on the shoulder, "Hey!", I said, "I asked
you a question!".
Ryouga looked straight at me, "What are you?", he asked
bluntly, "You step into and out of clocks, create impenetrable
shields and produce clothing with a single motion of your
hand...".
I sighed, "It's a long story mate", I replied.
He shrugged, "I'm not going anywhere", he replied,
sitting on the floor.
Seeing that he wasn't going to be moved without some kind
of explanation I leant against a wall, "I'm a God", I said.
He gave me a sceptical look, "*sure* you are", he
replied.
I nodded, "I'm telling the truth", I said, "I'm the God
of Destiny and I came to the Tendo Household to grant Kasumi
Tendo a wish". I opened up my wallet and passed him my ID
card, "Here that should prove it".
Ryouga looked at the licence and frowned, "The 'Goddess'
Relief Office?", he asked, reading from the card.
I winced, "Hey, it's just the department I work for", I
replied defensively, "I'm trying to get them to introduce non-
sexist terms... but you know a bureaucracy...".
He gave the card back, "That really doesn't prove
anything", he said, "I could get something like that made up
at any gift shop".
I nodded, "But will it do this?", I asked, tearing the
card up into small pieces and throwing them into the air.
Ryouga frowned as the small pieces that landed scattered
on the floor began to move together and reassemble themselves.
The card once reformed jumped back up into my hand. Ryouga
nodded, "that was a good trick", he observed.
I led the way back to my own room, "Come on we'll be more
comfortable talking in my room", I said.
Ryouga nodded and followed me cautiously, "What is this
place?", he asked.
"I don't know the actual name", I admitted, "But it's a
temple".
Ryouga smiled slightly, "Where else would a god live?",
he asked rhetorically.
I sat down at my worktable and gestured for Ryouga to
take a seat as well. "So what's this thing with the pig?", I
asked bluntly.
Ryouga seemed to loose his calm manner and clenched his
fists, "I'm angered whenever I think about it", he said
savagely. The bit by bit he explained that he'd fallen into a
'cursed spring' called Jhusenkyo and changed shape when doused
in hot and cold water.
"That's awful", I replied after he finished his
explanation, "How long have you had to put up with it?".
He shrugged, "It's been a little more than two years", he
said sadly.
I had flicked on my computer and logged into my account
during his explanation and done a search on magical springs.
The heavenly database returned it's explanation on the cursed
springs and I sighed as I read it. "Well", I said examining
the files, "It might take a bit of effort, but I think I can
cure you".
Ryouga looked at me blankly, "You WHAT?!?!!", he asked in
amazement.
I frowned again at the screen, "I can even give you a
temporary block against it while I try to work out the
permanent cure", I continued.
Ryouga was still in shock, "You mean I wouldn't have to
be a pig ever again?", he asked hopefully.
I nodded and smiled, "It will take a while for me to
research the total cure, but I can give you the temporary one
right away", I explained.
He dropped to one knee, "You do this for me and I'll
serve you forever", he declared.
I looked at him uncomfortably, "Don't say that", I
replied, "I don't want a servant".
He stood, "Then what would you have me do for you in
return?", he asked.
I frowned, "What makes you think I want *anything*...", I
asked. Then seeing that he wouldn't be satisfied without some
kind of payment I held out my hand, "Let's just say you can
owe me a favour", I said.
He looked at my hand for a moment and then shook it, "Of
course", he replied.
I took him outside into the courtyard, "This won't take
long", I said, "Just sit there and close your eyes".
He nodded, "I'll sit here all week if I have to", he said
with conviction.
Carefully I drew a pentagram around him, making sure that
the lines of power were exact and I hadn't left anything out.
I raised my arms, repeating gestures and words I'd memorised
from the computer files. I felt the power building and
suddenly release all in one burst, energy flowed into the
circle, charging it and completing the spell. Ryouga opened
his eyes and looked at his body as it began to glow with a
soft blue light. Then it was over, the circle I'd draw was
blackened and it's ashes blew away in a swirl of wind.
I also felt totally drained and sat down heavily on the
steps, "How's that?", I asked Ryouga.
He walked across to me, "I don't feel any different", he
replied.
I picked up a glass of cold water, "Ready?", I asked.
He closed his eyes and steeled himself for
disappointment, "Do it", he replied.
I tossed the cold water onto him and waited for something
to happen. After a few seconds Ryouga opened his eyes and
looked down at his hands, "I'm still human!", he said
victoriously.
I nodded, "It should last until I can work out the
permanent cure", I explained, "With luck it should only be a
few weeks or so".
Ryouga grinned, "Thank you Brett-san", he said formally,
bowing slightly, "You'll never know how much this means to
me".
I smiled, "That's ok Ryouga", I said, "I'm happy to
help".
He stood and shouldered his pack, "Now I must go", he
said.
I frowned, "But I was going to take you back after
dinner", I said.
"No time, I must find Ranma immediately", he explained.
"Why?", I asked, "You think he'll enjoy the good news?".
Ryouga gave me a savage grin, "No, I'm gonna beat the
hell out of him", he replied laughing.
At that stage I began to have second thoughts, but before
they I could protest he was out the temple gate. I sighed and
stretched a little before going back inside to face the music.
******
I walked into the dining room to an excited welcome by
Keiichi and the Goddesses. "Welcome back Brett!!", Keiichi
said, happily slapping me on the shoulder, "How did everything
go??".
Skuld gave me a big grin, "How did you like granting
someone's wish?", she asked.
Urd led me to the table and sat me down, "Now come on and
tell us all about it", she encouraged.
I screwed up my courage and told them everything (with
the exception of the engagement thing). I explained Kasumi
and her wish as well as making mention of all the people I had
encountered. By the time I'd finished no one seemed to be
overly happy anymore, "I really couldn't figure out what to do
so I came back here", I finished.
Belldandy gave me a sad smile, "It looks like you'll be
staying there for a while then?", she asked.
I nodded, "I'm afraid so", I replied, "Otherwise it'll be
in violation of the wish".
Keiichi sighed, "I can't believe you're being forced into
helping her", he said, "It just seems like you've become a
servant".
Skuld nudged Urd, "You said the same thing to Belldandy
when *Keiichi* made his wish", she observed.
"I *am* a servant in some ways Keiichi", I replied,
"Besides I kind of feel that she needs some help, living with
*that* family".
Urd looked at me sourly, "You're too nice for your own
good", she said angrily, "I thought we were going to go out to
dinner on Wednesday?".
I nodded, "We can still do that", I said quickly, "I'm
sure it'll be alright".
Urd refused to speak to me for the rest of the meal.
After the meal I found Urd outside sitting under a tree, I
walked up quietly and sat down close beside her, "What's
wrong?", I asked.
Urd played with a small branch nervously, "You realise
that if you can't get out of this you're going to be with this
girl forever don't you?", she asked.
I shook my head, "If I wanted to get out of it I could
simply state that she didn't put any time limit on how long
she wanted my support....", I replied.
Urd looked hopefuly, "So you could get out of this
whenever you want?", she asked. At my nod she gave me a
strange look, "Well... why haven't you?".
I thought about it for a moment and nodded, "I admire the
fact that she's cares about her family enough to put the rest
of her life on hold to care for them", I said, "She deserves
to get something for her wish".
"That's what I thought...", she said sadly.
"Hey?", I asked, placing a hand on her shoulder, "What's
wrong Urd?".
"It's nothing", she replied shortly, "I'll be fine in a
minute".
I placed an arm around her shoulder, "Come on", I
encouraged, "You can tell me".
Urd leaned against me for a moment before whispering,
"I'm just afraid you won't want to come back", she admitted.
I burst out laughing and she looked at me angrily, "Oh
great", she said, "If all you can do is laugh....".
Shaking my head I grinned at her, "Urd you have know idea
how bad it is... poor Kasumi.. she seems like the only normal
person in that family...", I explained.
Urd gave me a chilly glare, "You *like* her.. don't
you?", she demanded.
I shrugged, "Sure I like her... she's a really sweet
girl.. caring, helpful, kind..", I broke off my description
when Urd stood up angrily.
Urd tossed her hair back, "Well.. then you're a very
lucky guy.. getting stuck in a contract with such a wonderful
person", she said tightly, "Don't let me delay you from
returning to her!". Urd turned and stomped off into the
Temple, leaving me wondering what I'd done wrong.
******
I popped back into the room that I was sharing with Ranma
and the Panda, it was empty and I breathed a sigh of relief.
I placed my bag on the floor and walked downstairs, into the
kitchen. Kasumi was washing some dishes and smiled in
greeting, "Did you get lost?", she asked.
"I'm afraid so", I replied sheepishly, "I made the
mistake of following P-Chan's directions and ended up on the
outskirts of Tokyo".
Kasumi nodded, "Yes, that pig's sense of direction is
*almost* as bad as Ryouga's", she noted.
I bit my tongue to stop myself from saying something
damaging and began drying the massive pile of dishes sitting
beside the sink. In no time we'd finished cleaning up after
dinner and I looked at her seriously, "I think we need to have
a talk", I said.
Kasumi nodded, and we went to sit down in the dining
room, "I'm afraid I can't really blame you", she said after I
finished my explanation of why I had to find some way to
satisfy her wish without staying here.
I frowned, "I don't understand?", I admitted, "Blame
me?".
She smiled understandingly, "This place tends to drive
off most normal people", she explained.
I shook my head, "That's not the reason why...", I said,
"I'm not exactly a normal person myself". Then seeing her
blank expression I twiddled my fingers at her, "Remember?", I
said.
She nodded, "But You've got to admit that this family
would tend to scare off most people", she insisted.
"I suppose...", I said.
Kasumi stood almost angrily and put her hands on her
hips, "Do you have any idea what it's like to walk down the
street and have people refer to you as Akane's sister or
Soun's daughter?", she asked tersely.
I shook my head, "It's really that bad?", I mused.
She nodded and sat down again, her anger running away,
"And the worst part is that no one values my opinion", she
finished.
I frowned, "But do you express your opinion very much?",
I asked.
Kasumi shook her head, "No often, because when I tried
everyone ignored me", she admitted.
I sighed, "Well changing people's opinions of yourself
can take time", I said gently, "and you've really got to work
at it".
Kasumi nodded, "I understand", she said sadly.
I gave her a quick clap on the shoulder, "Come on", I
said, "Cheer up, at least it's something that *can* be
changed".
She nodded and stood, "It's getting late", she said, "I
think I'd better get ready for bed".
I smiled, "Pleasant dreams", I said as she left.
Making my way out to the garden, I sat down against a
tree and closed my eyes, relaxing in the cool air of evening.
I looked out over the pond and watched the stars reflected on
it's slowly shifting surface. And then I drifted into a
troubled sleep.
******
"But you can't do that", came a whiny voice.
"Don't anger me mortal", was the chillingly cold
response.
I looked around at what appeared to be a large cave,
torches burned along the walls and the whole place had a scary
feeling about it. I tried to focus on the voices and finally
recognised one of the people speaking, it was that old pervert
from my shopping trip. He was talking to something that
looked like it had stepped from the very depths of hell.
"These shall make excellent sacrifices", the Devil
pronounced grandly, indicating the struggling captives at his
feet.
I was shocked to see Ranko and Ryouga lying unconscious
on the ground. There was also a duck in a wooden cage, a cat
that was tied up tightly and a panda. The Devil licked its
lips at the offerings before it, "Yes, they shall do nicely",
it said.
"But.. but..", the old man began, "*you* are suppose do
be doing what *I* tell you".
The Devil laughed chillingly, "And I *am*", it said, "You
wanted revenge on Brett, now you're getting it".
"I didn't mean like this!!", he insisted, "I just wanted
that upstart taught a lesson".
"He is being taught a lesson", the Devil said, "It's just
not the same lesson as *you* wanted to teach him, it's one of
my own design". The Devil stood and walked from it's throne-
like chair, it's cloven feet struck sparks from the ground.
It stopped and brushed some hair from Ranko's face, "This one
will be even more interesting", it said evilly.
I realised that this was a dream, but still found myself
rushing forward trying to stop the evil thing. I punched it
in the face, hard. Then I found myself on the ground behind
it, having passed right through it. I got to my feet shakily,
have you ever wanted to know what passing though things like a
ghost feels like?? I'd advise you not to ask.
The Devil finished it's examination of Ranko and stepped
back to it's throne and sat down, "This will give me the power
to bring more of my kind into this world", it said, "That will
bring me unlimited power".
I chilled at the though of more of these types of
creatures in the world. Nilthar and Marller are dangerous,
but they do have a code of conduct (even if it was a bit
warped). This Devil on the other hand was just a destructive,
sadistic killer.
I was running over options when I suddenly got the fright
of my life, the Devil turned to look right *at* me, "Have you
finished spying??" it asked.
I looked around nervously, "Who me?", I blurted.
It smirked, "You don't really think it's going to make a
difference do you?", it asked, "Even if you know, there's
nothing you can do about it till events occur".
I started backing up nervously and it gave me a sour
look, "Oh do be serious", it said, "How can I reach out into
the past for you? I'll just wait till you come for your
friends then you'll be mine". Then it raised it's arms and
gestured at me.
******
Waking up screaming has never been one of my favourite
ways to greet the morning and I drew a shuddering breath.
Pulling the blanket tighter around me I tried to shake off the
chill that seemed to fill me. Looking around I realised that
I was still under the tree (someone had obviously decided to
cover me with a blanket during the night).
I yawned and winced at the condition of my muscles,
sleeping on the ground has never been one of my favourite
pastimes. Getting groggily to my feet I folded up the blanket
and started walking towards the house.
"GROWF!!!", came a sudden shout to my left.
I ducked quickly as a black and white blur passed over my
head. A second later Ranma ran up beside me, "Did you see
where that lazy father of mine went?", he asked.
I frowned "I haven't seen your father this morning, but
your panda just about took my head off", I replied.
Ranma nodded, "Which way did he go?", he asked.
I pointed towards the Dojo and Ranma sped off in that
direction. Still rubbing the sleep from my eyes I stumbled
into the dining room and sat at the table. Kasumi came
bustling out from the kitchen and placed a hot cup of tea in
front of me, "Here you go Brett", she said.
I nodded, "Thanks Kasumi", I replied. Looking at the
folded blanket sitting beside me I smiled at her, "I take it I
have you to thank for the blanket?", I asked.
Kasumi smiled, "You looked too tired to wake, so I though
it best to leave you where you were", she said.
I sipped the tea, savouring the warmth, "That was very
kind of you", I said, "thanks".
Kasumi nodded again and stood, "I'd better go and make
breakfast", she said.
I began to rise as well, but she waved off my assistance,
"I can handle it", she said.
I sighed and relaxed for a little while and began to feel
a bit brighter. A few minutes later Nabiki arrived for
breakfast, rumpled and disorganised.
"Morning!", I said in a deliberately cheerful voice.
She grunted and sat down opposite me, feeling a little
awkward I tried to strike up a conversation, "So how's school
going?', I asked.
Nabiki gave me a shrug, "Not bad", she said, "I made 7600
Yen yesterday".
I looked at her curiously, "How'd you manage that?", I
asked.
She gave me an arch look, "Now that kind of information
will cost you", she said.
I sighed, "I'm afraid that I left my wallet in my other
pants", I said.
She shrugged, "Well ask me again when you've got some
cash", she said.
"You're actually serious?", I asked amazed.
"Money makes the world go round", Nabiki replied in a
profound voice.
I gave her a smile, "I'm afraid that money doesn't really
me much to me", I said.
Nabiki looked shocked, "How can you say that?", she asked
in an insulted voice.
Luckily for me Soun arrived at the table before I could
respond, "Good Morning", he said.
I nodded to him and ignored the questioning glance from
Nabiki. It wasn't long before everyone else arrived for
breakfast and I ravenously ate all that Kasumi offered.
After breakfast I noticed that Soun and Genma seemed
nervous and I sat down beside their Shogi board, "What's
bothering the two of you this morning?", I asked.
Genma gave me a serious look, "You don't know how close
you sit to the ultimate evil...", he intoned.
Soun nodded, "Saotome speaks the truth... the master
should be returning soon", he almost wailed.
I looked at them blankly, "The master?", I asked.
The conversation was interrupted as Ryouga suddenly
entered from the kitchen, "How did you get to Mexico City?",
he asked us curiously.
"You're in Tokyo, Ryouga", came Nabiki's disinterested
voice.
Ryouga seemed to think hard for a moment, absorbing that
little piece of data and then dropped his backpack and swung
his umbrella a few times, "Then where's Ranma?", he asked
angrily.
"500 Yen", Nabiki demanded.
I looked at her in shock, "You'd sell Ranma out so
easily?", I asked.
Nabiki looked at me and then nodded, "You're right", she
said, before turning back to Ryouga. "1000 Yen", she demanded
of him.
Ryouga grabbed a wad of bills from his shirt and stuffed
them into Nabiki's outstretched hand, "Here, take what you
need", he said.
Nabiki gestured with her thumb, "He's in the Dojo", she
said.
Ryouga jumped up and left, racing towards the indicated
Dojo, not even bothering to retrieve his change. Nabiki
pocketed the money with a smile and gave me a wink, "I won't
charge you for that demonstration", she said.
I looked around, noticing that no one else had taken this
as unusual, Soun and Genma were still playing their game and
Kasumi as cleaning up. I stood and followed Ryouga, hoping to
prevent any violence (silly me!).
"RANMA!! DIE!!!", came Ryouga's battle-cry. A moment
later, Ranma jumped out of the Dojo, dodging a rain of what
looked like bandannas. He hopped across the pond and stood
waiting for Ryouga.
"Here I am Ryouga", he said, "But be careful... this
water looks awfully cold...".
Ryouga roared and charged out of the Dojo, jumping across
the pond and landing with a crash where Ranma had been
standing taunting him. I winced as his impact destroyed
several large rocks, "What... getting slow P-Chan?", Ranma
taunted again as he hung from the low branch of a tree.
Ryouga picked up a rock (a rather *large* rock) and threw
it at the branch Ranma was holding onto. Ranma went into the
water with a sharp cry and a wet 'Sploosh!'. A moment later
the red-headed girl that I'd met earlier surfaced and leapt at
Ryouga.
It took several seconds for events to register and I
think it was only a tap on my shoulder that brought me out of
the daze I was in, "Don't mind them.. this always happens",
said Akane.
I nodded slowly and watched as Ranma... Ranko...
(whatever) kicked Ryouga towards the pool with a laugh. Then
Ranma appeared to noticed Akane looking on and jumped to save
Ryouga from falling.
Unfortunately Ranma missed and Ryouga landed in the
middle of the pond. "Akane!", Ranma shouted running towards
us, "Don't look, turn away...".
A bandanna clipped Ranma's shoulder as he ran towards us
and he turned around sharply, "Ryouga... how the hell?!?!?",
Ranma muttered, seeing Ryouga standing unchanged in the middle
of the pond.
Ryouga laughed grimly, "I bet you wish to know?", he
taunted.
Ranma nodded and Ryouga smiled, "A blessing from the
Gods", he replied, hurling his umbrella at Ranma.
Ranma dodged the umbrella and came down on Ryouga's head,
knocking him backwards out of the pool. Ryouga stumbled and
fell on his back, Ranma landed on top of him, pinning him to
the ground.
"WHERE DID YOU GET THE CURE!?!?!?!?!?", Ranma shouted
angrily.
******
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E-Mail: darkwnd@sv.net.au
Web Page: http://www.ozanime.com/darkwind
"Imagination is more important than knowledge"
-Albert Einstein
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