some spelling fixes here, some added bits there.
if this clears through you guys, I'll send it over to RAAC.

-rodM
www.uh.edu/~rpm/fanfic.htm



                              ========================
                              The Pursuit of Happiness
                                        Act 1
                                        Part 4
                                  Circle of Friends
                                  =================

   "Class, we have a new student.  This is Akari Unryuu."

   A girl in the Furinkan High school uniform stepped into the room,
brushing her long black hair back nervously.  She gave a small smile to
the classroom and said a quiet "hi." 

   "Miss Unryuu... have a seat over there."

   The women glared at the men, who were looking at Akari like wolves
would look at a sheep.  She was new, rather innocent looking, and probably
unattached.  Usually, pretty new students in Furinkan were somehow linked
to martial artists in dangerous ways, and it'd be a blessing if this one
wasn't.

   Akari took a seat next to Ukyou, near Akane, and right in front of
Hiroshi and Daisuke

   "Hi there, I'm Hiroshi."

   "And I'm Daisuke."

   "Nice t'meet ya," they both said.

   "Um, hi," she replied, smiling.

   "You dating anyone?" asked Hiroshi bluntly.

   "Guys, I think you're getting a little too personal," said Ukyou.

   "Yeah, you PERVERT!" said Yuka, accentuating the point with a swift
book-whap to his head.

   "Hi, I'm Akane," said the Tendo girl, "if you need any help getting
used to this place, don't be afraid to ask any of us."

   "Thanks," she said, smiling demurely.  It wasn't bad so far, being
schooled here.  The boys were nice, although a little funny.

*

   The sight which Tatewaki Kuno beheld in this daylight time was one of
unspeakable horror.

   He had sent his manservant, the good Sasuke, on an errand to retrieve
for him a lunch worthy of someone of his high social status.  However,
today he had an appetite for... something exotic.  Something different.

   "Sasuke, get me something... foreign," spoketh Kuno.

   "Foreign?" wondered Sasuke.  The loyal servant merely shrugged and went
off to his task, to find something Foreign for his master.

   Fifteen minutes into lunch, The Noble Kuno was wondering whither his
Foreign Meal?  With that query in mind, he stomped around the grounds of
Furinkan until he stumbled upon the horror of horrors.

   It was an ogre.

   The frame it sported was incredibly massive, causing even the Great
Kuno to step back in trepidation.  It also wore the guise of a pig, but
Tatewaki Kuno was not fooled.  No, a true pig of this earth would not grow
to such a blasphemous size, would it?

   And it was sitting on Sasuke.

   "Maaaaster!" whimpered Sasuke.

   "Good Lord!" cried Kuno.  "My manservant hath been squatted upon by an
ogre!"

   Then he noticed something else.

   "And it chewith on my lunch as well!" roared Kuno.  "Have at thee,
fiend!"

   With a swing of his legendary blade, Kuno struck at the beast.

   And a most unpleasant thing happened.

   -CHOMP-

   "Aaargh!  Foul Daemon!  Cease thy feasting on my blade!"

   -GRUNT-

   "Dare you grunt at ME?!  Malevolant spawn of evil!  Prepare to DIE!" 
Bringing forth his backup legendary blade, he swung again, this time
smiting the creature on the snout.

   It was not amused.

*

   Lunchtime in Furinkan had social dynamics, just as any large grouping
of humans did.  Bullies patrolled the fringes, preying on the weak.  A
frenzied pack was around the food distribution points, searching for the
ever-so-elusive and legendary Perfect Sandwich.  Tables and shady spots
under trees were quickly claimed by varying factions and circles.

   One particular circle was welcoming a new member into its fold.

   "So, moved here from the countryside?" asked Yuka.

   "Yes, just recently," said Akari.

   "So, how do you like it 'round here?" asked Yuka.

   "It's great!  There's so much to see and do here," said Akari, bubbling
with enthusiasm.  "It's been fun so far!"

   Their talk was interrupted as everyone heard a loud yell from above. 
They looked up to see Tatewaki Kuno being hurled across the sky, landing
in the Furinkan pool. 

   "Um," said Akari, pointing towards Blue Thunder's general direction.

   "Oh, that?" said Ukyou.  "That's Tatewaki Kuno, local kendo champion.
Gets tossed around like that all the time."

   "All the time?" wondered Akari.

   "Yeah, but you get used to it," said Akane.

   "Don't mean to get too personal, Akari, " said Yuka, "but are you
dating someone?"  She was quickly elbowed by Sayuri and Ukyou, who thought
it was a rather imappropriate thing to ask.

   "Well, no," said Akari.  "At least... not yet."

   "Looking for someone?" wondered Manami.

   "Well... sort of."

   "Oooh, really?" said Nabiki.  "For a small service fee, I might be able
to find someone that'll match your description."

   "Well, it'd be nice of he was a gentlemanly, kind, loyal man," said
Akari, sighing.

   "Heh, aren't we all wishing for that?" said Sayuri.

   "And of course, he has to be strong enough to beat Katsunishiki."

   "Who's that?  Your ex?  Big brother?" asked Ukyou.

   "My pet pig!" said Akari proudly.

   The girls blinked.

   "How hard could that be?" wondered Akane.

   From several meters away, they heard a deep, loud grunt.  They all
turned to see the very top of some _thing_ peeking over a brick section of
fence on the edge of the courtyard.

   "Katsunishiki!" yelled Akari, frowning.

   The thing grunted in reply.

   "I told you to wait at the front gates for me!  Now go back!"

   The large thing behind the fence slumped down and out of sight, then
could be heard slowly trotting away, shaking the earth as he trotted. Few
noticed an irate and soggy Blue Thunder chase after it with his backup
backup legendary blade.

   "THAT was Katsunishiki?" asked an alarmed Ukyou.

   "Mm-hm.  He's the best sumo pig the Unryuu ranch has ever produced,"
said Akari with a certain glint of pride in her eye.

   "Ah... sumo pig?" asked Manami.

   "Sumo pig," said Yuka.  "Now I've heard everything."

   "Why," asked Ukyou, "does your boyfriend have to be strong enough to
beat that... that... really big pig."

   "It's Grandfather's wish," said Akari.  "My husband and I will be the
heirs to the Unryuu estate, including the sumo pig ranch."

   A bit of a distance away, Ranma, Hiroshi, Daisuke, and Ryouga walked
past.

   "Hi Akari!" yelled Hiroshi and Daisuke.

   Akari smiled and waved back while Sayuri and Yuka stuck their tongues
out at the boys.

   "Saaay, we oughta let Hiroshi and Daisuke try to... 'date' Akari," said
Sayuri.  She had a particularly wicked gleam in her eye.

   "But then they'd have to," said Akane, just before realization dawned
on her.  "Oooh.  That's evil," she said, giggling.

   "I hope I'll catch up to things easily," said Akari.  "It'll be hard,
since I wasn't here for the start of the semester."

   "Hey, we'll help you out," said Akane.  "We're gonna have a study group
tonight at my house.  Wanna come?"

   "Who, me?" said Akari shyly.  "If... if it's okay with everyone else."

   "Hey, sure, no problem with me," said Yuka.

   "Wouldn't mind at all," said Ukyou.

*

   Meanwhile, at the sandwich counter, another round of sandwiches were
being readied to be tossed to the crowds.  The usual pool of sharks
circled around, waiting for that elusive Perfect Sandwich. 

   Off to the side, Hiroshi, Daisuke, Ranma and Ryouga watched.  Hiroshi
and Daisuke were great fans of rough contact sports, and sandwich grabbing
was included.  They looked at the crowd getting ready, and evaluated odds. 

   Fuji was on a hot streak this week, averaging a sandwich for every two
attempts made. 

   Right on his tail, Ryuuji was averaging one for every three, but he'd
been improving dramatically from one every ten at the start of the week to
the pont at which he was now.  Mathematical models suggested he'd take the
top spot today. 

   Of course, the new contender from the sumo club, Yojojimbo, a really
big fellow, was a bit of an X factor.

   The addition of Rodumanu, the leading rebounder for the Furinkan High
basketball team and a known user of dirty tactics, added to the
possibility of an upset.

   Ryouga wasn't thinking of much, just studying a map of Furinkan in
hopes that one day he'd be able to walk around without getting lost.

   Ranma's thoughts were going in other directions.

   <Man, I'm still a little hungry.>

   The first sandwich went out.  Fuji and Ryuuji jumped for it.  it
fumbled from their fingers and landed in the frenzied masses of students
below.

   <Maybe Ucchan can cook something up?  Naah, that'd get Akane jealous,
even if she knows Ucchan ain't chasing me any more.>

   The second sandwich flung out in the air.  It was seaweed.  Nobody
jumped, and it landed with a sad little *thwap* on the floor.

   <Times like this I miss the free ramen Shampoo brought around.  Wonder
how she's doing, her and Mousse.>

   Another sandwich flew out.  Fuji and Ryuuji jumped, but they were
elbowed aside by Rodumanu, who managed to snag the sandwich after tipping
it up in the air several times.

   Ryouga seemed a little uncomfortable, as if something was bothering
him.  Ranma continued mulling.

   <Wish Akane didn't make lunch today.  Oh well... at least she's getting
a little better.>

   A curry bread sandwich flew in the air.  Rodumanu jumped for it, but
didn't see Yojojimbo's bulk, which he immediately ran into.  Ryuuji
springboarded off of Rodumanu's head and snared the sandwich.

   As the next sandwich was held up, the crowd gasped.

   It was the right shape... the right form... the right fold on the
paper... it was the Perfect Sandwich.  Everyone jumped as best as they
could as it took flight.  Ryuuji and Fuji elevated above the others, while
Rodumanu and Yojojimbo cleared a path using their own natural talents.

   <Hrm.  Maybe a sandwich will settle my stomach down.>

   As quick as a blink, Ranma sprang high above everyone and grabbed the
sandwich.  He felt his foot bonk on something, but ignored the sensation.
After all, it was crowded.  Lots of body contact was bound to happen.  He
landed, pleased that he hadn't lost his touch, and began happily munching
on the sandwich.

   <Hrm... good sandwich... lotsa pork and beef.>

   "RANMAAAAA!"

   Saotome blinked.  "wrff fvu fnmt, vmga?" he asked with his mouth full.
Then he turned around to see an irate Ryouga.

   With a footprint in his face.

   "You... you... YOU DID IT AGAIN!!!" bellowed the irate Hibiki.

   *Gulp*  "Oops.  Sorry, man.  Um... want the rest of it?"

   Hiroshi sighed.  "So this is how it started for those two, huh?"

   "DIE, RANMA!!!"

   "Amazing, isn't it?" said Daisuke.

   "Aw, c'mon, man!  It's just a sandwich!" yelled Ranma as he dodged
Ryouga's onslaught.

   "Feels like a time warp, doesn't it?" asked Daisuke.

   "How much property damage you figure we'll get today?" asked Hiroshi.

   "SHUT UP AND FIGHT!!!" bellowed Ryouga, chasing after Ranma.

   "Oh... let's see," said Daisuke, "a few walls, at least six windows,
one parked car... aaaaaand maybe a tree."

*

   [The Tendo Dojo, nightfall]

   For three solid hours, Akane, Ukyou, Sayuri, Manami, Yuka, and Akari
were doing what could honestly be called a study session, sitting around
various parts of the Tendo Dojo.

   After the third hour, boredom overcame determination.

   "Need a break!" yelled Sayuri.

   "Definitely a good idea," said Ukyou, stretching.

   "I'm a little hungry," said Akane.  "Any of you guys want something to
eat?"

   "Soda'd be nice."

   "Got any chips?"

   "How about cookies?"

   "So that's... everything but dinner," said Akane with a joking grin.
"Okay, I'll be back in a sec."

   A minute later the girls were in full relaxation mode, talking, eating,
and even getting a poker game started.

   It would have been a nice, relaxing sort of atmosphere.

   It almost was.

   "DIE, RANMA!"

   *WHAM*

   "C'mon, Ryouga, that the best you can do?  Ha!"

   Akane and Ukyou frowned.  Sayuri and Yuka rolled their eyes up.  Manami
smiled.  Akari was rather puzzled.

   "Ah... I think there's a fight going on outside," said Akari with much
concern.

   "I know, believe me I know," said Ukyou, grabbing her battle spatula.
"C'mon, Akane, let's cool the boys down."

   The other girls followed as Akane and Ukyou out to the backyard, where
two boys were swinging at each other and managing to miss, making it all
look rather skillfull.

   "Ranma!  Stop picking on Ryouga!" yelled Akane.

   "Ryouga!  Cut that out NOW!" shouted Ukyou.

   Both boys froze, very much like the sun didn't.

   "Aw, c'mon Akane!  We were just having fun!" protested Ranma.

   "What'd you interrupt for?" Ryouga asked Ukyou.  "I almost had him!"

   Ukyou snorted.  "Yeah, right."

   "Who are these people?" asked Akari quietly.

   "The one in the pigtail is Ranma Saotome," whispered Yuka, "and the one
with the bandanna is Ryouga Hibiki."

   "Hibiki?  I've heard about him," said Akari.

   This caused Sayuri, Manami, and Yuka's eyebrows to raise a bit.  They
were distracted enough not to notice Akane giving the boys the Ultimate
Chastisement Attack.

   "Oh?  What'd you hear?" asked Sayuri

   "He's the boyfriend of one of my co-workers," said Akari.

   "I didn't know he was dating someone, did you?" asked Sayuri.

   "Not me," said Yuka.

   Manami quietly looked away.

   Nobody noticed as a glass of water nearby began to ripple with
movement.  There was a low sort of rumble, kind of like distant thunder,
but it was too low to be heard by them.

   "So, you hear anything else?" asked Yuka.

   In the distance, people screamed and car horns honked.

   "Um, that's all, really," said Akari.

   There was a grunt.

   It was a really loud, low, beastial sort of grunt.

   It was menacing enough to make Ranma and Akane stop bickering.

   "What... what was that?" asked Ranma.

   "I don't know," said Akane, looking around carefully.

   The hair in the back of Ryouga's neck began to stand.  There was a
menace nearby, he could feel it.

   Suddenly, a part of the brick fence shattered.  In the moonlight, only
a dark massive form could be seen, rushing towards them at a speed
remarkable for something of its massive girth.

   What happened next said a lot about the people who were there.
Unfortunately, nobody appreciated the irony.

   Manami, Sayuri, and Yuka immediately retreated to the dojo.

   Akari yelled, "Katsunishiki, NO!"

   Ranma immediately took Akane into his arms and leapt for the roof.

   Ryouga, in several quick and smooth motions, stepped in front of Ukyou,
pulled out his umbrella, and nailed the creature right on its skull,
causing it to collapse immediately.

   After a tense moment where nobody moved, Ryouga slowly stepped forward
to examine the beast.

   "It... it's a pig," said an astonished Ukyou.  "A really big pig."

   "He... he beat Katsunishiki," said Akari in a hushed tone.  All the
girls jaws dropped.  The equation she layed out before was, after all,
very simple.  Beat the pig, win her love.  It all seemed so... so... so
Ranma-esque to them. 

   Manami in particular seemed rather distressed, frowning and biting her
lip.  Meanwhile, Ukyou had an 'uh oh' sort of look on her face.

   "Ah... this doesn't mean what I think it means, does it?" asked Yuka.

   Akari smiled, with just a little melancholy.  "He's... cute.  But he's
already with someone."  She tsked and tended to the large pig, stroking
its head tenderly.  "Oh Katsunishiki, why can't you behave yourself?"

   Amazingly, nobody noticed as Ukyou and Manami sighed in relief.

   "Um, what's everyone looking so weird about?" wondered Ryouga.  Nobody
answered him.

   Meanwhile, up in the tree, still with Akane in his arms, Ranma was
puzzled about things. "Hey, Akane, what was everyone looking so tense
about?" 

   She told him.

   "Beat the pig, win her hand in marriage?  Man, I've heard it all now,"
said Ranma.  "Good thing she isn't as obsessed as Shampoo, huh?"

   Ranma dropped to the ground gracefully with Akane in his arms, landing
as well as any martial artist with a fiancee in his arms could hope to
land.

   "Hi there," said Ranma.  "Don't think we introduced ourselves.  I'm
Ranma Saotome and this," he said, nudging a still somewhat confused
Ryouga, "is Ryogua Hibiki."

   "Um, hi," said Ryouga.  "Sorry about your... ah... pig."

   "It's alright," said Akari, still tending to her pig, "he just likes to
fight all the time."

   Without much further disturbance, the boys went off to clean up after a
full day's worth of fighting while the girls resumed their talk, snacking,
and general gossip.

*

   Akari strolled home happily, humming a little tune.  The day went well.
School was fun, especially since she managed to make so many friends so
quickly.  Things in general were looking up for the last Unryuu.

   "Ah HAH!" someone bellowed.

   Akari blinked.

   Katsunishiki grunted.

   "Foul beast that consumed my legendary blade, thou shalt be sent back
to the very pits of hell that thou hadst emerged from by mine OTHER
legendary blade, which shall avenge its brother lost in battle and smite
thee with a force guided by the vengence of heaven!"

   The pig grunted, impressed.  That was an awfully long sentance.

   Tatewaki Kuno appeared, high in the air with one of his many legendary
blades, bearing down on Katsunishiki's head.

   Akari stepped aside, waiting to see the result.

   Katsunishiki looked up at the rapidly descending Kuno... and swallowed
him.

   Not entirely, but almost.

   The legendary legs of the Blue Thunder flailed around furiously, still
protruding from Katsunishiki's massive maw.  Akari shrieked in alarm. 
He'd bitten people before, but _swallowed_? 

   "Katsunishiki!  Don't!" she cried.  "Bad boy!  Spit him out!  SPIT!"

   The pig didn't seem to notice her as it tried its first experimental
chew. Then suddenly, there were a multitude of muffled 'dadadada's
accompanied by Katsunishiki's eyes bulging in discomfort.  It quickly
spat Kuno out, sending him flying into a wall, impacting with a thunderous
boom.

   "*HACK*COUGH* Vile eater of man!  Now thou knowest better than to feast
upon one such as I, Tatewaki Kuno, Blue Thunder of Furinkan High!" proudly
proclaimed Kuno, managing to strike a bold pose even though he was
covered, head to toe, in pig slobber. 

   "Katsunishiki!  Apologize right now!" demanded Akari.

   The pig gave her a look of disbelief, then seemed to sigh as it saw she
was serious.  It gave a polite bow to Kuno, although it still seemed
irritated.

   "Ah HA!  The creature doth submit to the forces of virtue!" said Kuno
proudly.  "And you," he asked Akari, "who might you be, fair damsel that
bringeth a gentle demeanor to even this, the most violent of creatures?"

   "I'm Akari Unryuu," she said.  "Are you okay?"

   "Am I well?  Ha!  I have never been better!  Did you fear that this
fierce creature actually had managed to do true bodily harm to I, Tatewaki
Kuno, heir to the great and noble house of Kuno? Worry not, fair maiden,
it taketh more than such a creature to injure Blue Thunder."

   Akari giggled.  This guy was funny.

   Katsunishiki just couldn't take it anymore.  After all, even pigs had
their pride.  With a quick grunt he headbutted Kuno into a nearby canal.

   "Oh Katsunishiki, that was rude!" chided Akari.  "He was a nice boy...
although a little weird."

*

   They walked further, through crowded streets and empty passages,
realizing just now exactly how long of a walk it was from the Furinkan
area to her apartment.

   As they walked across a badly lit street, disturbingly quiet and with
no people in sight, Akari began to feel a chill run down her spine.

   Someone was there.  Watching her.

   Katsunishiki grunted angrily, stepping in front of his mistress to
protect her.

   In the dark there was a hint of movement.

   The pig charged, disappearing into the night.

   "Katsunishiki don't leave me!" cried Akari.  She stepped back in fright
as she saw a brief flicker of light, heard the sound of flesh and bone
being struck, and felt the ground shudder as Katsunishiki fell to the
ground.

   "Who... who's there?" she asked fearfully.  From the edge of the
shadows a figure stepped forward.  She couldn't see any of his features
clearly at all, only that he had a briefcase.

   "Madame," said a refined voice, "you shouldn't walk around here alone
at night.  You never know who you'll meet here."

   "W-who..."

   "Good night," said the figure.  He stepped back and disappeared into
the night.

   Akari quickly rushed to Katsunishiki's side and roused the unconscious
pig to its feet.

   "Come on," said Akari urgently, "let's go home."

*

   From high above the streets, peering down from a rooftop, Ryo Muhoshin
sighed with a cat-like grin.

   "Oh, look at her run," he said quietly.  "I do think I scared her."  He
turned away, briefly opening his briefcase to check on the contents
within, then resumed hopping from rooftop to rooftop.

   "Must be getting soft," he muttered.  "Didn't even threaten to rob the
girl.  Shame on you, Ryo."

   He rectified that error a few blocks later, robbing and bludgeoning a
helpless street mime.

   Ryo felt much better after that.

-end part 4-


writer's note:  and in case you're wondering... Katsunishiki is
	a rather _large_ pig.  Have a look at the manga scans.
	Him swallowing Kuno up to the legs is entirely concieveable.