Please send all comments to the authors of this, RyogaLost@aol.com and SMoonUsagi@aol.com. Enjoy! -- GK
Ranma 1/2 Naisen
Episode 5
I'M GONNA WASH THAT RANMA OUT OF MY HAIR
Another Saga of Ranma 1/2
by SMoonUsagi and RyougaLost
"There you go." Tucking in the end of the bandage he'd wound around Ryoga's torso, Tofu sat back and
sighed. "That's about all I can do for you. I'm not a miracle worker, you know."
"I understand." Ryoga Hibiki took an experimental deep breath, started to wince, suppressed the
reaction. "I'll be all right, Dr. Tofu. Thank you for coming out in the middle of the night to see me."
"I don't mind house-calls. But promise me one thing. If the pain gets any worse, even the tiniest bit,
you'll go to a hospital and have them treat you properly, all right?"
"I give you my word."
Tofu nodded once, smiled a bit. "You know, you're really very lucky. Few people can survive the
Serpent's Coil Arm Lock. It's supposed to be a very deadly technique."
"Aw, he's too tough to know what's good for him," Ranma said. Ryoga threw him a half-irritated,
half-surprised glance at the almost complementary statement, but didn't reply.
"Now, take a drink of this twice a day," continued Tofu, handing the boy a packet of herbal tea. "This will
ease the discomfort some and help stimulate healing. You'll need to take it easy for a while--two or three
days, I'd say."
Ryoga nodded. "I will, I promise."
With another smile Tofu clasped Ryoga's shoulder, nodded to everyone else, gathered his medical bag,
and departed. Ryoga immediately slid off the living room couch, eased back into his shirt, and picked
up his pack. "Thanks for your help in getting Neko back," he said, carefully avoiding looking at Ranma.
"Guess I'll be leaving now."
"Leaving?" Neko and Akane said almost at once.
"I..." Ryoga looked a bit uncomfortable. "I can't impose on your hospitality any longer. I mean, I
appreciate it, but--"
"Are you nuts?" Ranma shook his head. "C'mon, nobody's asking you to prove nothin'."
"This isn't about proving anything."
"So what IS it about?"
"I wouldn't expect you to understand."
"Oh yeah? Try me. I got a brain."
Ryoga smirked. "Really? Whose brain is it? It can't be yours; there isn't room in that thick head of
yours."
"Jeez! What's your problem, anyway? Who put vinegar in YOUR miso soup?"
"Ryoga, I really wish you'd listen to Dr. Tofu," Akane said, worried. "I mean, I KNOW you've been taking
care of yourself for a long time, but Prince Rhamalamarangdang hurt you pretty badly."
"I appreciate your concern, Akane, but really, I'll be fine," Ryoga said, moving to pick up his backpack.
"I... I just don't like owing anyone anything, that's all."
"Where are you going?" Neko asked anxiously.
"Oh, somewhere. It looks like a dry, warm night... I shouldn't have any trouble finding a place to sleep."
Turning, Ryoga gave Neko a smile. "Please trust me. I know what I'm doing."
"Yeah, but that doesn't stop it from being a REALLY dumb idea." Ranma walked over and deliberately
poked his on-and-off adversary in the ribcage. Ryoga promptly doubled up, wincing.
"RANMA!" Akane jumped to her feet as Neko gasped. "What are you DOING?!"
"Tryin' to prove to this thick-headed jerk that he ain't in any condition to be wanderin' around Japan like
he usually does." Ranma folded his arms, looked down at Ryoga. "Are you?"
"Keep... out of this, Saotome." With a visible effort Ryoga straightened up. "I was just fine before I ever
met you. Who died and made you my guardian angel, anyway?"
"For cryin' out loud, I'm just tryin' to keep you from KILLING yourself! Pop always says a martial artist
should know his limits. When are you gonna admit you've reached yours?"
"When I'm dead."
"Which ain't gonna be long--" Ranma broke off, stepped back as Neko stood up and moved over, eyes
fixed on Ryoga. She put one small hand on his arm. "Ryoga, please..." she said softly. "Couldn't you--
couldn't you at least stay at someone's house? Just in case?"
"Is... is that what you want me to do?"
"I'd feel better if you would."
"You could stay here," Akane volunteered. "We've got plenty of room-- you could sleep in the dojo." She
turned to her father. "Please, Dad? Couldn't he?"
Tendo nodded. "I don't see any reason why not. At least for a day or two."
(It's because of Ranma, isn't it?) Neko thought as she watched Ryoga's face. (You don't know how to
treat him any more. You thought you hated him; you think you might be starting to like him. First he
ruined your life; then he saved it. All you want now is time to figure things out.) She moved closer, one
hand curling over Ryoga's shoulder and rubbing it gently. He looked at her, a look of mingled gratitude
and adoration stealing into his expression. She slipped both arms around one of his and hugged it,
rubbing her cheek on his sleeve and purring quietly.
With a sigh Ryoga nodded. "I accept your hospitality, Mr. Tendo. I'll try not to overstay my welcome."
"THAT's a first," Ranma snorted, "Ryoga Hibiki actually did something SMART. Catch me, I think I'm
gonna faint."
"You shut up!" Akane swiped at Ranma, who danced back. "You're a fine one to talk about 'smart'. It's
not like YOU haven't done some dumb things before!"
"Come on, boy, let's get you settled." Genma picked up Ryoga's pack. The more rest you get, the
better."
"Yes sir." Ryoga looked at Neko. "I'll-- I'll see you again soon?"
"You won't be able to get rid of me."
"I won't try."
"I'm gonna be sick," muttered Ranma. "They're sappier than a soap opera."
"Being a little more sensitive wouldn't hurt you any, Ranma," Akane retorted. "Come on, Neko. Dad and
I will walk you home."
"Just a minute, Akane." Neko stepped over, nuzzled Ryoga's chest very carefully. "Good night..."
"Good night, Neko." Ryoga looked dreamily after the little cat-girl as she walked out. "She's so
beautiful... and sweet... and understanding..."
"D'oh." Ranma clapped a hand to his forehead. "Give a guy a little romance, he turns into a bowl of rice
pudding. Were you BORN like this, Ryoga, or did you hafta go to school somewhere and learn it?"
"I'm not going to dignify that with an answer, Ranma." Wearily Ryoga trailed Genma to the dojo, where
he set up his bedroll and crawled in. He was asleep almost from the second his head hit the pillow.
* * *
The next day was pretty normal; Akane and Ranma made their usual mad dash to school, arriving a few
minutes early. Unfortunately, as they were about to walk in, a rose darted in from one side and fell at
Akane's feet. She groaned. "Kuno."
"Indeed, fairest Akane." Kuno stepped out from behind a tree. "And today is the day I shall set you free
of that knave, Ranma Saotome." He lowered his bokken. "Have at you, enslaver of women!"
Ranma tossed his schoolbag to Akane and leapt up, letting the sword pass under him, and landed on
the blade, sprang off it to do a flip and kick the back of Kuno's head. The older boy pinwheeled forward,
pulled himself up, and came around, sword licking out and grazing Ranma's leg. Landing, Ranma
smiled grimly. "Not bad, Kuno," he said. "You're gettin' better."
"Your admiration is long overdue." Kuno also smiled. "But it will scarcely save you, Ranma. You will
fall in defeat this day! Aaaaa TA TA TA TA TA TA TA!" The bokken flickered out, striking 5, 10, 15 times
in the space of a breath. Ducking, dodging, arching, flipping, Ranma pulled back, letting Kuno wear
himself down, then tumbled forward and stood up inside Kuno's arms, almost nose to nose with him.
"Jerk." One hand flashed up, connected to Kuno's jaw, and sent him in a long, graceful arc into the
nearby bushes.
Stepping back, Ranma eyed the upperclassman. "Man, Kuno, with all your money, can't you buy
yourself a clue?"
"*mmmph*"
"Oh, THAT was good. --Numbskull." Ranma turned on his heel and walked off. "Don't that guy have
anything better to do than bother me?"
"It's your innate charm," Nabiki supplied helpfully from an upper window. "It attracts all the right types."
"Right type of what? Nuts?"
"Never mind. You two get to class before you're late!"
"How's Ryoga?" Neko asked in a whisper as Akane and Ranma slid into their desks.
"Dunno." Ranma shrugged.
"He was still asleep when we left," Akane added.
"Yeah. How come HE gets to sleep in? Hey, if we have to go to school, why shouldn't he?"
Akane looked thoughtful. "Hm... Ah! Ranma, isn't Ryoga about your age? Sixteen?"
"Yeah, so, what difference does that make?"
"Silly!" She punched him (lightly) in the arm. "After you turn 16 you don't HAVE to go to school unless
you want to--or unless your folks make you go, like our dads. I guess... I guess maybe Ryoga felt he'd
learned everything he needed to, and there isn't anyone to tell him any different."
(Lucky stiff,) thought Ranma. (Wish I could just pick up and leave my troubles...) he glanced at Akane
out of the corner of one eye. (But that'd mean leaving Akane. Besides, I got enough travelin' when Pop
was dragging me all over the place.)
After school the three friends headed straight for the Tendo dojo. Ryoga was awake and in the yard,
punching at one of the practice posts. At the sight of Neko his face lit up. "Hi," he said softly.
"Hi," Neko answered shyly. "How are you?"
"I'm much better today."
"That's good. I was worried."
"R-Really?"
"Mm-hmm."
"That's wonderful. --I mean, I didn't want you worried about me, but it's nice to think... you know...
someone cares."
Neko smiled. "Yes!"
"I should be able to travel by this evening or tomorrow morning," Ryoga continued, studying the sky.
"Especially if the fair weather holds out."
"Why?" Akane cocked her head. "I mean, you're always going somewhere, Ryoga. Don't you ever stay
in one place for a while?"
The boy looked confused. "I-- well, I never-- I never had much reason to stay anywhere."
"You have one NOW, don't you?"
"I-I guess I do." Ryoga looked at Neko. "Do you want me to stay?"
For a moment the kitty-girl gaped at him; then she stamped a foot. "Ryoga Hibiki!" she snapped.
"Really! That's so silly of you! Of COURSE I want you to be around. How else are we supposed to--"
she stopped, blushed a little. "D-date, and things..."
"Date?!" Ryoga looked stunned. "You want to go out on a date with me? You want to be seen in public
with ME?"
"Aw man!" Ranma slapped his forehead. "Shampoo's right. You got cole slaw for brains, Ryoga."
"Can the smart remarks, Saotome," the other boy retorted. "I may be able to tolerate your existence, but
that doesn't mean I'm going to stand here and be insulted."
Ranma smirked. "Yeah, there's a whole big world out there waitin' to put YOU down."
"That's ENOUGH, you two. Honestly!" Akane shook her head. "I just don't understand why you pick
on each other. It's not as if you can't put it aside to work together, and don't you DARE tell me differently.
I've seen you do it too many times. So why can't you get along when you're NOT fighting something or
someone that's giving us trouble?"
"I'll be happy to explain it all to you someday, Akane," Ryoga said, reaching up and snatching Ranma
down into a headlock as he spoke. "Just as soon as I kick Ranma's butt."
"Dream on, Mr. P," Ranma muttered, trying to pull free.
"You'd better shut up, Ranma, before I pop that empty head of yours right off your neck."
"Oh yeah? You and what army?"
"OH!" Akane took Neko's arm. "Come on, Neko, let's go inside and leave these two dummies out here.
BOYS!" She hauled Neko off into the dojo.
Finally twisting free of Ryoga, Ranma took a stance, a cocky grin surfacing. "So, wanna see how good
you're doing? Come on, fight with me!"
"Feeling like getting a few new bruises, eh Ranma? All right! I accept your challenge!" Ryoga lashed
out with a sweep kick, which Ranma leapt over. Genma and Tendo actually paused their go game to
watch as the two circled, throwing kicks and punches.
"Hm, not bad," Genma said as Ryoga caught Ranma a blow that rocked him back several feet.
"That's a nice one," Tendo mused as Ranma charged, head-butting Ryoga in the upper chest (being
careful to avoid his ribs) and sending him sprawling. "Kind of reminds you of us in our younger days,
eh, Saotome?"
"Sure does, Tendo. Ah, for the carefree days when we roamed Japan, training and brawling to hone our
skills." Genma picked up his beer just as a bandanna sailed past that would've sliced the glass in half.
"Those were good times."
"Oh my," Kasumi said, pausing in the doorway to watch the two boys fighting. "It's so good to see friends
playing together. --Don't be too long, you two, dinner's almost ready," she called. "And I expect you to
have a bath before you eat, after all that exercise!"
"Kasumi, you have SUCH an unusual view of the world," Nabiki murmured, taking a seat at the dinner
table and leafing through a copy of MON MON. "Hmm. I wonder if I should color my hair. It says that
this season blondes are in."
"Who cares?" Akane also sat down, Neko sliding in beside her.
"You really should pay more attention to the way you look, Akane."
"What's THAT supposed to mean?!"
"I mean a little attention to the finer details couldn't hurt. You want to look like a girl, remember?"
"What difference does it make how I look?"
Nabiki sighed. "So much for 'blossoming' into a young lady."
Before the conversation could escalate, everyone heard the sound of the front door sliding open, followed
by a strange voice calling, "Hello? Anyone here?"
"I'll get it," Akane said, bouncing up, glad of the interruption. She hurried into the front of the house and
found herself staring at something that looked for all the world like one of the tiny brown 'mushroom
people' from FANTASIA, complete with a hat and a long staff at the end of which a bundle was knotted
up in a kerchief. "Uh, can I help you?"
The hat tipped up and back, revealling a wrinkled little man who peered up at Akane through half-lidded
eyes, then bowed. "Excuse me, please," he said in a voice roughened with age but carrying an
undertone of strength and determination. "Is this the Tendo dojo?"
"Why, yes, it is. I'm Akane Tendo. Did--did you need to see someone? My father, maybe?" (Or-- oh
no. Not someone ELSE looking for RANMA!)
The little man nodded. "I'm looking for someone," he replied. " I understand from the people in the
neighborhood that there's a boy who stays here sometimes."
"Oh sure," Akane said brightly, cringing inside. "He's out back. Please, follow me."
As she led him down the hall and out onto the porch, Akane noticed that she couldn't hear a sound from
her companion, not even the slightest footfall. (He MUST be a martial artist. Who else could move so
quietly?) "He's right--HEY!" she broke off as the wizened little man launched himself past her, arcing
up in the air and producing a boulder as big as he was from somewhere, which he sent whistling down--
At Ryoga.
"Huh? --BAKUSAI TENKETSU!" Instinctively Ryoga flung up his hand and struck the rock with one
finger, shattering it into a million million fragments that rocketed out in all directions. As they did, Ranma
darted over and plucked the fragments out of the air, shielding the people on the porch.
"Jeez, Ryoga, watch it with that stuff!" Ranma protested as he stopped and dropped a double handful
of gravel. "You could hurt somebody with that crazy trick!"
"Oh, and I suppose you'd've liked it better if that thing had crushed my skull in?" Whirling, Ryoga thrust
out the same index finger at the mysterious figure. "And as for YOU, whoever y--" In mid-sentence the
color drained out of his face, his eyes widened, and he fell to his knees, bowed. "MASTER!"
"M-Master?" Neko stuttered.
"Oh my," Kasmui said.
"How... interesting." Nabiki stood up and leaned on the door jamb. "So now it's mysterious visitors from
someone ELSE's past."
Meanwhile, the little man had reversed his staff in an eerily familar motion and was prodding Ryoga's
shoulder gently with it. "Get up, boyo," he said, not unkindly. "No need for all that fuss."
"Yes, sensei." Hastily Ryoga scrambled to his feet.
"Mm." The little man wandered around Ryoga in a slow circle, looking him up and down. "You've grown
a bit since I saw you last. How long's it been, a year? Two? Long lunch you went to, if you ask me."
"Y-yes-- I mean, no, Master; I mean-- ARRRGH!" Ryoga clenched a fist in frustration. "I, I sort of, you
know--"
"Lost your way?" Ranma supplied helpfully. The next minute he was recoiling as the little man hopped
up on his staff and got in Ranma's face. "And who's this?" he asked. "Friend of yours, Ryoga?"
"Huh. HIM?" Something changed in Ryoga's initial expression of scorn. "Uh, well, actually, Master
Soap, that's sort of true--"
"Soap?" Akane snapped her fingers. "Ah! THAT'S what it is! He reminds me of Cologne! You know,
Ranma, Shampoo's great-great-grandmother?"
"Hey, yeah!" Ranma peered at the old man. "Sure does! Yo, mushroom dude, you from China?"
Whatever might have been said next was lost as a second small figure leapt over the wall and streaked
down, staff flashing out. Ranma barely got out of the way as Soap calmly blocked the strike with his own
staff, then jumped up to meet the newcomer. For several seconds the two figures were a blur of motion,
impossible to follow.
Abruptly the wild whirl stopped. Cologne stepped back, rested her staff on her shoulder, and smiled.
"Not bad, kiddo," she said.
"Think I'd let you put one over on me?" Soap replied. "You're looking as beautiful as ever."
"Oh hush." Cologne waved a hand. "You'll give me airs."
"If you can't trust your own brother to tell you the truth, who can you trust?"
"BROTHER?!?" everyone else chorused.
"Why, yes." Cologne turned. "This is my baby brother, Tso Pu. Soap, you'd say." She chuckled dryly.
"He's only 175 years old-- barely out of the cradle." She turned. "So what are you doing here?"
"I could ask you the same thing."
"As long as you're here, won't you both join us for dinner?" Kasumi asked, hands clasped in front of her.
"We have plenty to go around."
* * *
Cologne took a long, long drink of soup, set the bowl down, and sighed. "Good as always." She turned
to Soap. "Now, about that explanation."
"Well, when I left the tribe--"
"Hold on." Genma leaned over the table. "You're one of the Chinese Amazons?"
"What do you think, young'un?" Soap laughed dryly. "Couldn't NOT be, if I'm Cologne's brother."
"So, why'd you leave?" Neko asked. "Oh-- is that too personal?"
"No, no. You see, in my younger days--"
"Here we go again," grumbled Ranma. "I HATE ancient history."
With an elegant motion Ryoga sent his plate spinning at Ranma's head, making Ranma duck to avoid
the flying china. "Shut up and give my sensei some respect, you."
"In my younger days," Soap continued, unperturbed, "I was in love with a lovely young girl named Liu
Fa-- Loofah--whom I defeated in combat as per our laws in order to marry her. But she was in love with
someone else, and when I learned how much he meant to her, I decided to do the right thing. Of course,
he challenged me to a fight, which I lost deliberately. After that, of course, as a defeated rival, I departed,
never to return."
"That's so romantic," gushed Kasumi. "Imagine, giving up the one you love so she can be happy."
"Yeah, right. So how's about Japan, huh? And how'd you get to know Ryoga?" Ranma propped an
elbow on the table and his chin in his hand.
"Are--are you really Ryoga's sensei?" Akane asked.
Soap nodded. "After leaving China, I came to Japan and wandered around for many years, improving
my martial arts skills--"
"Too bad he couldn't've met our master," whispered Genma to Tendo. "Maybe they would've taken each
other out. Imagine it-- Brother of the Beast that Came from China versus Japan's Greatest Lecher in a
fight to the finish."
The next second Genma was imbedded in the far wall and Soap was calmly putting his staff down. "I
hate interruptions," he explained. "Now, where was I? Oh yes. Finally settled down and started a small
dojo of my own. Not many students, but I didn't need a lot.
"One day I heard a fight outside and discovered three older boys picking on a boy who might've been,
oh, 5 or 6, and you can imagine my surprise when I saw he was holding his own. Barely, mind you, but
there he was, standing toe to toe with boys twice his age. I sent the ruffians packing and took the child
in to tend to his injuries. We started talking, and by the time he left, I had myself a new pupil, and the
best one I've trained so far." Soap levelled a hand. "Ryoga Hibiki."
"That's why Ryoga's style seemed familar..." Ranma said under his breath. "Like Shampoo and
Mousse's..."
"Hm?" Soap leaned in. "What's that?"
"Huh? Oh, nothin'!" Grinning, Ranma waved his hands frantically in front of him. "Forget I said
anything! What'd I know from martial arts, anyway?"
"Don't be so modest, sonny boy." Cologne tilted her head. "You've got yourself a great-great-grandniece
now, Soap. She's a good one... but my future son in law over there's better. He beat her hands down."
"Hey, I ain't your son in law, old ghoul!" Coming to his feet, Ranma scowled. "I don't want to marry
Shampoo, got it?!"
"That's right!" Tendo appeared at Ranma's side, clasping his shoulders from behind. "Ranma is going
to marry my Akane and together they'll in herit the Tendo dojo. It's all been arranged."
"Jury's still out on that one," Cologne answered.
"So why are you here now?" Akane asked Soap.
"To find him." Soap gestured in Ryoga's direction. "I figured it'd take the boyo a few weeks to find his
way back for his next lesson, but when weeks turned into months I started worrying. So I went in search
of him--found out he'd been wandering all over the place. Finally tracked him here." He glanced over
at Cologne. "I kind of wondered where he might've learned the Breaking Point."
"Oh, that old thing." Cologne snickered. "Let's just say I was trying to help the boy win--"
"Win a fight!" Ryoga hastily interjected. "A man to man challenge that was never finished! That's the
reason I never came back, Master Soap. You see, I challenged Ranma to a fight, which he didn't show
up for--"
"What'd'you MEAN, 'didn't show up for'?" Ranma clenched his fists. "I waited three whole days for you,
you idiot!"
"Oh, sure! But when I got there on the FOURTH day, you were already on your way to a vacation in
China!"
"Huh! Some vacation! Not only did I get dragged all over the stupid place, I wound up with this stupid
curse because my Pop couldn't be bothered to ask about Jusenkyo! You call that a VACATION?"
"A challenge fight, hm?..." Soap looked thoughtful. ""Never finished, you say?"
"No." Ryoga folded his arms, turned away. "Not to MY satisfaction, anyway."
"Well, then." Soap abruptly cracked his staff down on the table loudly, making everyone jump, then
pointed it at Ranma. "On behalf of my disciple and for the honor of Joketsuzoku, ancient home of the
Chinese Amazons, I, Soap, challenge you, Ranma Saotome, to appear one week from now and take up
the duel of honor between you and Ryoga Hibiki."
"H-huh?" stuttered Ranma.
"W-what?" stammered Ryoga.
"Oh, this ought to be fun. Excuse me..." Nabiki stood up and vanished into the hall, where a few
seconds later they could hear her on the phone: "Yes, I'ld like to order... let's see... about 5,000 blank
admission tickets. Oh, and can you tell me how much it is to rent the bandstand at the park for a day?
Hm? Oh, a martial arts duel..."
"Oh for crying out loud! You CAN'T be serious!" Akane planted her hands on her hips and stared at
Soap. "They were just starting to get along!"
"Well?" Soap said, looking at Ranma. "Do you accept, or are you afraid?"
"I ain't afraid of nothin'!" Ranma levelled a hand at Ryoga. "I can beat Mr. P over there any day of the
week with both eyes shut and one hand tied behind my back. I accept the challenge!"
"What?! What did you call me?!!" Ryoga took a half-step forward, hands knotting into fists, to be
stopped by Soap's staff thrust between him and Ranma.
"Not yet, boyo." Soap said calmly. "One week to be sure you're in fighting trim. I can hear the rustle of
gauze under that shirt of yours. Got yourself hurt in battle, did you?"
"I--yes, a little, Master. But it's nothing--"
With one smooth move Soap curled up his hand. A deep azure glow appeared around it and he lunged,
slapping his palm against his pupil's chest. The glow enveloped Ryoga, then seemed to sink into his
body. He caught his breath, stepped back, then wonderingly touched his sides. "It... it's not hurting any
more," he murmured.
Colonge nodded. "Chingte Shih Tsu Hsieh," she said. "Baby brother there's a master of it. It's an
ancient Chinese medical art preserved through 2,000 years of Chinese Amazon history. By
concentrating one's ki, you can actually pass life energy from one person to another, healing them with
a touch."
"Ah! Chingte Shih Tsu Hiseh!" Tendo's eyes welled up. "To think I should live to see it demonstrated
in my own home! It's said a true master of the craft can bring a person back from death itself."
"Chingte Shih Tsu Hiseh," Neko repeated. "What's that mean?"
"Blue Cross," Soap answered.
"Yeah, whatever," Ranma said, unimpressed. "One week, Ryoga. Then I'm gonna kick you from here
to Osaka."
"Don't be too sure of that. Come on, boyo. Time to start training." Soap hopped across the table and
out the door. Ryoga picked up his pack, paused long enough to look back longingly at Neko, then
followed.
"I've a feeling you just made the biggest mistake of your life, Ranma," Genma said in the silence that fell
afterwards.
"Aw, that guy probably won't even be able to find his way to the challenge area." Ranma flapped a hand.
"Don't worry. I got it all under control."
"Famous last words," Akane stage-whispered to Neko, who nodded agreement.
* * *
That evening Genma cornered his son in the yard. "Ranma, we need to talk."
"What about?" Ranma whipped a hard punch into the practice post, followed by a quick sequence of
kicks.
"About Ryoga."
"Are you STILL thinkin' about that? Jeez, Pop, you sure don't have a lot of faith in me, do you? His track
record's a flat zero where me'n him are concerned. He ain't beaten me yet, and he ain't GONNA beat
me."
Genma shrugged. "If that's the way you feel, boy, how many priests do you want at your funeral?"
"C'mon, Pop, not that again."
"Ranma!" Abruptly Genma grabbed the front of Ranma's shirt and hauled him up till they were nose to
nose. "The last time you had a serious fight with Ryoga, you only barely beat him. Remember? And
that was right after he finished training with who? Cologne, that's who. So what does that tell you?"
"You've been eating pickles again."
"NO! --Well, yes, actually, we just got another jar from Prince Kirin. *ahem* But that's beside the point!
What I meant was that if Cologne's brother is even half as good as she is, then no doubt he'll be training
Ryoga in secret Chinese techniques that you'll have no idea how to counter. Face it, son; this time you
might NOT win, unless you use your head and not your fists. Know thy enemy and know thyself.'"
"In other words," Ranma said, getting loose of Genma and brushing himself off, "you want to go find him
and spy on him again like last time."
"If it works..." Genma shrugged.
Ranma threw him a dirty look. "It's CHEATING."
"How can a tactical survellance mission be cheating?"
"Anything you suggest is underhanded."
"Well, then, you'd better practice the moko rakuchi-sei technique I showed you."
"Oh yeah. Sure. Right. I'm gonna fall down on my knees in front of Ryoga and start yelling, I'm sorry,
I'm sorry, I'm sorry'? Grow up, Pop! No way!" Ranma flexed one hand, cracking the joints. "I'm gonna
beat him once and for all, in front of everyone, and HE's gonna be the one who admits he's sorry! Then
maybe this whole mess will be over with!" Turning, the boy stomped off, jumping up to the rooftop and
vanishing.
"Well, I tried," Genma sighed to no one in particular.
Reaching his favorite place on the roof, Ranma sat down and stared out over Nerima district. (Maybe
the old man's right,) he mused. (That Breaking Point might not've been effective against the human
body, but it still made Ryoga hard to beat. And it ain't helped any that Cologne also showed him the
Chestnut Fist. Yeah, he doesn't use it near as well as I do, but it still makes him fast enough to keep
up with me. So if this Soap dude shows him a few MORE of those kind of things, I might be in trouble.
Guess I better check into Ryoga's training sessions after all. But I gotta be careful. I don't want him
recognizing me.) A smug smile spread over Ranma's features. (All I need's a really dumb disguise.)
* * *
A restless wind stirred the grasses of the vacant lot, rippled around the two figures limmed in the early
morning light.
"Ready, boyo?"
Ryoga nodded.
Soap lifted his staff, began to twirl it more and more rapidly until it was a blurring roar in his hands. He
circled Ryoga, forcing the boy to turn to keep him in sight. After a few seconds, he leapt up and inwards,
stick snapping around to shoot in at Ryoga's arms, head, legs, chest. Ryoga managed to block all of
the blows--but missed the punch from Soap's free hand. He shot backwards and hit a young sapling
hard enough to crack the trunk.
Soap shook his head. "Boyo, are you getting old, or did you eat too much for breakfast this morning?
You're slower than a turtle!"
Standing, Ryoga glared, but said nothing, taking up his stance again.
Five seconds later he finished shattering the tree.
"Pitiful. What have you been practicing, needlework?"
"Oh no! I've been working out! Don't you tell me I'm not dedicated to my art!"
"Working out, but not paying attention, obviously. Watch closely." Soap moved over to a second tree
and putting down his staff, closing his eyes in deep concentration. An eerie blue-white light began to
flicker and dance around him. "Torayama Denko Dageki!" he shouted, thrusting out one hand in a
thowing/clawing motion.
>From his hand a ball of energy shot out, trailing tendrils of electricity around and behind it, and hit the
tree square on. For a second it was limmed in electric fire; then it exploded, charred bits raining down
around the vacant lot.
Ryoga caught his breath. "Ah...."
"That," Soap said, calmly picking up his staff, "is a new technique I've developed. No one else in the
entire world knows it. I call it the Tiger Mountain Lightning Strike." He waved a hand. "Everything in
Nature carries an electric field. This technique allows you to draw on the energies within and around you
and condense it into a ball of lightning, which you can throw at an opponent with devastating effect."
"Will-- will you teach it to me, Master? Please will you?" Ryoga fell to his knees, bowing.
"Get up, you twit." Soap whacked Ryoga over the back. "Why do you think I'm here? Not that I'm
planning to pop off anytime real soon, but I want my star pupil to have this attack." The old man's face
twisted in what passed for a fond smile and his voice gentled. "It's not like I don't know what it is to
wander the world alone, with only my skill and my honor for company. You should've been an Amazon."
Then his voice grew severe again. "Now. Get back to work, lazybones."
"Hai, sensei--" Ryoga broke off, cocking his head and glowering at a clump of bushes to one side of the
training area. With a sudden burst of speed he pulled free a handful of bandannas and sent them slicing
through the foliage. "Who's there?!"
"AAAA!" Ran-chan (in a curly black wig and dress borrowed' from Akane) fell out. "Owieee....."
"Oh no!" Ryoga ran over and helped her up. "I'm so sorry, miss, I thought you were--someone else.
Are, are you all right?"
"I-I think so, " Ran-chan said, playing up her faint and fluttery' voice for all it was worth. Clasping her
hands, she looked up into Ryoga's eyes. "You're that boy who's always fighting with Ranma Saotome,
aren't you? Ryoga Hibiki?"
"Uh, well, yes, I am."
"You're such a good martial artist. Please forgive me for spying on you. I heard you practicing and I just
had to sneak close to watch. I don't know much about fighting myself, but you make it look so easy."
Ran-chan put on a shy little smile. "And, I--oh, please forgive me if I'm being too forward-- you're...
you're really sort of cute." (Think Usagi Tsukino, Ran-ko. Hey, you've watched enough SAILOR
MOON, you oughta be able to fake airhead really good by now.)
"Cute? Me? Well. Huh. Gee. Thanks." Ryoga half-smiled. "Would you like to stay and watch?
Maybe I could even teach you a few things after I'm finished with my lessons. I bet you'd be good at
Rhythmic Gymnastics Martial Arts."
"Oh, you really think so? Wow, I'd love that!" Ran-chan flounced over and sat down. "I'll just sit right
down over here, I won't be a bit of bother, I promise." She posed prettily, fluttering her eyes at Soap, who
had watched the entire encounter with curious eyes and was now staring at her, brows knit together a
little in concentration. (Jeez, you'd think the little mushroom dude-- naaah, how COULD he recognize
me? He's never seen me as a girl-type before. As long as he doesn't remember that crack I made
about Jusenkyo, I got it made.)
Dismissing Ran-chan, Soap turned. "Now, boyo. Concentrate. The Lightning Strike begins much the
same as the Breaking Point. Feel the world around you. Put yourself in harmony with it. Sense the
energies flowing in everything. The wind. The earth. The grass. Your own body. Imagine standing
in a storm, feeling the air tingle as the electricity builds, until it seems like you're in the very heart of the
thunder's fury..." he trailed off. "And NOW!"
Ryoga thrust out one hand.
A weak spark jumped between his outstretched fingers, accompanied by a tiny phut' sound.
"Oh good grief." Soap shook his head. "What was that, a battery farting?"
Ran-chan giggled as Ryoga whirled on her. "What are you laughing at?!?!" he demanded.
"You-- y-you YELLED at me!" Biting her lip, Ran-chan began to sniffle.
"AGH! Okay! All right! I'm sorry!" Ryoga waved his hands frantically in front of him.
"*sniffle* No you're not!"
"Oh yes I am!"
"Oh no you're not!"
"Oh yes I am!"
"Oh no you're not!"
"Oh yes I am!"
"Oh yes you are!"
"Oh no! I'm not sorry and that's the end of it!" Folding his arm, the boy scowled. "Absolutely not sorry
in the least!" Then he realized what he'd said. "Huh? --I, I mean, I AM sorry! I am! Please forgive me!!"
(Sucker.) Ran-chan burst into (extremely) fake tears. "You, you meanie butt! You h-huh-HATE ME!"
She bawled louder. (By the time I get finished with you, you'll be so embarassed and flustered you
couldn't focus well enough to swat a flea! And if I can keep distractin' you all week, you won't have a
chance to learn nothin' new, and I'll be able to beat you no sweat.)
Soap looked from Ryoga (who was turning redder and redder with embarrassment and shame) to Ran-chan suspiciously.
"Hmmmmm..." In one quick move he reached out, tugged off the wig. "Aha!"
"What the..." Ryoga blinked. Gradually recognition, realization (and rage) spread over his features.
"Rrrrranmaaaa......"
"Oopsie!" Ran-chan clasped her hands, cranked the cute factor by 2000%.
It didn't work.
"DIE, RANMA!" Snatching up his umbrella, Ryoga charged at his rival.
"YYYEEEEOW! Wait! Ryoga! It was a joke! Can't you take a joke?" Frantically Ran-chan dodged as
the metal point rammed into the ground beside her.
"Do I look like I'm laughing?!?"
"C'mon, you big silly! I was just kidding around!" Snatching off the dress and tossing it aside, Ran-chan
skipped out of the way and silently congratulated herself for having the forethought to wear a tank-top
and shorts under the dress, in case of sudden drenchings.
"How many times does this make that you've played on my gentle nature and sympathies, Ranma?
Have you no shame?!"
"Gentle nature? WHAT gentle nature?!?! You're about as gentle' as an EARTHQUAKE!"
"Oh, you want an earthquake, do you? Glad to oblige, Ranma! BAKUSAI TENKETSU!" Ramming his
fist into the ground, the enraged young man sent a shock wave of energy streaking straight at Ran-chan,
exploding the earth under her feet without so much as disturbing a blade of grass a foot away from the
blast radius.
"AAAAAAAH!" Tossed upwards, Ran-chan sailed over the wall of the vacant lot and landed in the back
of the ever-present bamboo vendor's truck. Stunned, she lay there as the vehicle trundled on its way
down the hill, made a right-hand turn, and drove off for parts unknown.
"Nice control there, boyo," Soap commented as Ryoga turned, steam still pouring from his ears. "Don't
think I've ever seen the Breaking Point that well refined."
"I use it a lot."
"Shows." Soap jerked a thumb in the direction of the by-now-vanished Ran-chan. "So that was Ranma
Saotome, eh? Fell in Nyanniichuan, did he?"
Ryoga nodded and sat down. "Master... there's something I think you need to know about, speaking
of Jusenkyo."
"What's that?"
With a pained look Ryoga said, "Heituenniichuan."
* * *
"That jerk..." Ran-chan stomped through the dojo gate and up the flagstone path (pausing at the porch
long enough to take off her shoes) and then stomped into the house.
"Oh! Welcome home, Ranma!" Kasumi dried her hands on her aprom and smiled. "Did you have a nice
visit with Ryoga?"
"Yeah. About as much fun as having measles and mumps at the same time." Ran-chan headed
upstairs.
"Oh, Ranma, there's something I need to tell you," Kasumi started to call up after the other girl, but
stopped when she heard the mingled shrieks from the bathroom. "Oh my. I guess Akane IS still in the
bath."
"Hey! Wait! It ain't like that--*OW*!" Ran-chan beat a hasty retreat from the bathroom, dodging the
various inplements Akane was flinging after her, and ducked around the nearest wall. "All I wanted was
a little hot water!" she yelled back.
"Just because we're finally getting along a little better DOESN'T give you the right to barge in on me like
that!" Akane, towel wrapped around her, stalked down the hallway breathing fire. "Ranma, you--you--"
With an effort she reined in her temper a little. "All right, I'm out, you can HAVE the bathroom now,
OKAY?!?"
"Man, why does she have to be such a tomboy?" Ran-chan grumbled as she drew a bucket of hot water
and spiled it over herself. "It's not like I was gonna DO anything..."
Toweling his hair dry, Ranma walked out.
"Learn anything, boy?"
"AAAA! --Jeez, Pop! Don't sneak up on a guy like that, will ya?!"
"You should be prepared for anything, boy. A true martial artist--"
"--Is ready for an attack anytime, anywhere. Yeah yeah, I know that already." Walking into the dojo,
Ranma sat down on a practice mat. "Okay, so... you were..." he half choked on the word, finally forced
it out-- "right."
Genma smiled smugly. "Ah, then your rival IS learning new disciplines."
"Well, he ain't exactly any good at it yet." Briefly Ranma described the training session he'd interrupted.
Genma listened intently.
"This is not good, Ranma," Genma said when his son had finished. "Remember: Ryoga is almost as
good a martial artist as you are, and sometimes he's considerably more dedicated. This Lightning
Strike' puts him on a par with you as far as numbers of attacks are concerned. Before now, he only had
the Bakusai Tenketsu and the Shi Shi Hokudan to your Tenshin Amaguriken, Hiryu Shoten, and Moko
Takabishi. The balance of power's changed, and it may prove your downfall."
"Whose side are you on, anyway?!"
"Yours, my boy, yours. So what do you intend to do about it, hmmm?"
Ranma grimaced. "I got an idea," he said, voice less than enthusiastic. "Here's what we're gonna do
just in case Ryoga DOES figure out what the heck he's doing with that new attack..."
* * *
The day of the contest dawned cool, clear and windy, though clouds soon appeared and began to chase
across the skies. Ranma looked up at them and found himself hoping for a sudden cloudburst that
would put an end to the match. Although he hadn't admitted it to anyone, he almost wished there was
some other way than fighting Ryoga to settle the score.
( I used to think I'd never be content with anything less than beating you utterly. Maybe... maybe that
isn't quite true any more.')
( I wouldn't mind. Heck, we make a pretty good team.')
Ranma shook his head as if to drive the memory out. He couldn't afford it. He had to beat Ryoga once
and for all. Then maybe all of this WOULD be behind them for good. Sitting down on the edge of the
fighting ring, he glanced around at the gathering crowds. Looks like Nabiki got her big ticket sales.
Figures. I'm a big entertainment draw. Hey, maybe I oughta start bugging Nabiki for a cut of the
take--aw, NO! Now I'm startin' to sound like Pop! Jeez, I hate this. He turned and glanced at the clock set
on a pillar in the middle of the park. Almost time. Guess it's too much to hope for that he's gotten lost.
All at once the crowd fell to murmuring. Ranma turned to see Ryoga looking up at him from the ground.
The sunlight filtering through the ever-thickening clouds made him seem almost a stranger, something
out of an old legend. This is it, Ranma thought. This is the final battle. After this nothing will ever be
the same between Ryoga and me. For a moment Ranma looked out across tthe masses of people,
picking out faces in the gathering: his father. Tendo. Kasumi and Nabiki. Neko. Shampoo, Mousse,
and Cologne. Kuno. Dr. Tofu. Akane. There was something, something in the air, something more
than just the fight to come. Ranma had the sensation he was balanced on a rope hung high above some
vast darkness, with no way of knowing what lay beneath, his only choice to go on to... what?
Standing, Ranma jumped down and stood in front of Ryoga. Slowly the other boy nodded. "I feel it too,"
he said very very softly. "Some... great CHANGE. More than just our quarrel."
"Man, this sucks," Ranma muttered. "I didn't ask for this."
"We never ask for our destiny. It comes and takes us as it will." Shrugging off his backpack, Ryoga slid
his umbrella into the back of his shirt. "I'm ready."
Ranma leapt upward, landing gracefully in the middle of the ring. Ryoga was only a second behind him.
Soap was already there, awaiting them. As the crowd grew completely silent he held up his hands.
"This is a fight to settle a score of honor," he said, thin voice somehow carrying clearly. "There can be
no draws, no ties, no surrender. Nothing short of a complete knockout. Fighters, to your positions."
"Okay, Bandanna Boy, this is it." Ranma clenched his fists. "I ain't walkin' away until there's a winner,
got it?"
"That suits me just fine." Ryoga drew his umbrella and took a modified crane stance, weapon held high
over his head and angled diagonally forward to point at Ranma. "Today is the day I beat you, Ranma
Saotome!"
"In your dreams!" Ranma lunged, one fist jabbing out. Ryoga blocked and retaliated with a knee strike,
which Ranma dodged.
"The boy's gotten better," Soun observed, glancing up from his go board to watch as the combatants
went back and forth.
Genma took the opportunity to turn a few pieces over from Tendo's color to his own before looking up
to study the match as well. "Looks that way," he agreed. "He's still not as fast as Ranma, though."
"Endurance might compensate," Tendo argued, holding up one finger. "If Ranma pushes too hard at
first, trying to make a quick match of it, he won't have any reserves left later on. Ryoga's best bet is a
waiting game."
"Let Ranma wear himself down in the first of the match, then use his superior strength and stamina to
overpower Ranma?...Hm. Sound strategy, Tendo old friend."
"Hey! Whose side are you on, anyway?!?" Akane clenched her fists and glared at the two men.
"Honestly!"
Tendo laughed nervously. "We're on Ranma's side, of course, Akane! But surely that shouldn't stop
us from making a few harmless observations?"
"For once those two lunkheads have it right," Colonge said as the boys exchanged blows, the only real
sound the scuffling of their feet and grunts/gasps of effort. "Due to their personal talents and
preferences, Ranma and Ryoga focus on different aspects of martial arts. Ranma relies on speed and
manuverability, trying to finish his opponents off by delivering a powerful assault early in the fight.
Ryoga is slower, but has more overall physical staying power, not to mention the fact that he is much
stronger than any of his opponents to date. Ranma favors bare-handed combat, which means he has
to be within reach of his adversary for the most part, unless he uses the Hiryu Shoten Ha. Ryoga has
incorporated weaponry into his style that extends his fighting capability beyond the reach of his fists.
If Ryoga uses his head, he can keep Ranma at a distance and let him wear himself down. Once
Ranma's first burst of energy is past, Ryoga can close the combat and pressure Ranma to the defensive.
Once that happens, my future son-in-law may find it difficult to regain the upper hand."
"That's 'if', of course," muttered Soap. "Ryoga is a fine martial artist, but headstrong and deeply
emotional. Ranma might choose to play on that. If he can goad Ryoga to a full battle fury, Ryoga will
start making mistakes and leaving openings. It's his greatest flaw. He doesn't tend to think ahead to the
outcome of his actions very frequently. Assuming Ranma knows Ryoga's mercurial nature, he'd be
foolish not to turn it to his advantage, even though it increases the chances he'll get hurt."
"Aiyah!" Shampoo clasped her hands, looking worried. "What you mean, great-uncle?"
"When Ryoga completely loses his temper, he becomes almost unstoppable. The gaijin call it 'berserker
rage'. He feels nothing, hears nothing, sees nothing but the one he's fighting." Soap sighed. "That's
partly why I took him in and trained him to begin with. The discipline of martial arts helps him control and
rechannel his emotions in less chaotic ways."
"That sounds familiar," Nabiki commented. "I think he had one of those little fits when he and Ranma
first fought."
"Thanks to YOU," Akane retorted. "Giving him vitamin pills and telling him they were steroids that would
increase his strength, just so he wouldn't lose the match and YOU wouldn't lose all the money the other
kids wagered on Ranma. Nabiki, how COULD you?"
"Can't blame a girl for trying to make a little extra cash," the middle Tendo daughter replied, smiling.
"Ryoga?!?" Neko shook her head. "I can't believe it! He's always been such a gentle, sensitive,
kindhearted person..."
"Oh, he is. But there's something wild inside of him. His spirit animal's the tiger, you know." Soap gave
Neko a little wink. "No doubt part of what he likes in you."
Neko blushed.
"Okay, so, he's a tiger. What's Ranma?" Akane asked.
The little Chinese man looked at her, then chuckled. "You haven't guessed? The dragon, of course."
"Tiger and dragon..." Mousse mused. "Ancestral enemies."
"Exactly. Whatever happens today, we'll see a battle of epic proportions."
"Oh goodie." Nabiki hefted a camcorder to her shoulder. "I should get a wonderful price for this tape,
then."
"NA-BI-KI!" Akane gasped. "You're unbelievable!!"
"Oh, come on, Akane. At very least it'll pay for any hospital costs."
"I hope there aren't any hospital costs," Kasumi said anxiously. Raising her voice, she called, "You two
play nice, now!" to the fighters.
Play nice, she says. What PLANET are you on, Kasumi? This is a FIGHT! Ranma circled Ryoga
warily. Okay. Gotta get in fast and low, get that umbrella of his away from him. Then I can hit him with
the Chestnut Fist. Feinting, Ranma threw a strike at Ryoga's throat, twisted midway to wind up standing
beside Ryoga, and slammed the heel of his hand upwards against the bottom edge of the other boy's
elbow, where the funny bone' was located. Ryoga gasped as the blow jangled the nerves in his arm and
weakened his grasp.
Dropping to his knees, Ranma grabbed the handle of the umbrella with both hands and yanked, hard,
tearing it away from Ryoga and throwing it out of the ring, then immediately went into a forward tumble,
but not quite quickly enough to avoid a savage kick from Ryoga that sent him skidding across the mat
to slam shoulder-first into a ringpost. "Owww! Kuso!" Nursing his shoulder, Ranma stood back up and
gingerly moved his arm, gritting his teeth at the pain that engendered. This ain't going real well.
"Getting cold feet, Saotome?" Ryoga taunted. "Maybe you want to give up now?"
Ranma's eyes narrowed. "You know me better'n that." Charging, he leapt up in the air, coming down
in a flying jump kick. Ryoga threw up his arms in a crossblock, but still hit the mat hard enough to make
the metal posts rattle in their housings. "I NEVER give up!"
"Neither do I!" Rolling, Ryoga scrambled to his feet and began whipping a series of kicks and punches
at Ranma, who dodged them all and shot out a foot, trying to sweep Ryoga's legs out from under him.
Ryoga danced backward and took another crane stance, the first two fingers of his hand forming a
dagger' position.
"Aw, c'mon, Ryoga, can't you do better than that?" Ranma grinned mockingly. "Heeeeere piggy piggy
piggy... heeeere piggy, soooooweeee! P-P-P-P-chan, the little piggy...."
"AH!" Ryoga's eyes flared red. "How DARE you-- RRRRRAAAAANMAAAAA!" One fist cocked back,
Ryoga threw himself forward, battle aura flaring up with his rage at the jeering.
"Yes! --HIRYU SHOTEN HA!" Ranma shouted, a blast of ki energy leaping out and sending Ryoga
spiralling up in a mini-tornado that promptly slammed him back onto the mat--and clear through it, the
metal supports underneath it, and halfway into the ground under the ring. "Gotcha!" Straightening, he
smirked. "Dense as a box of hammers there, Ryoga. Pulled THAT one over your eyes."
"Oh-!" Neko half-stood, took a step forward. "Ryoga!"
Instantly Cologne put a wizened hand on the kitty-girl's arm. "Don't," she cautioned. "It's not over yet."
"How can you say that?" Akane pointed. "Nobody human could get up again after that!"
"Who said anything about Ryoga being human'?" Cologne chuckled. "Remember the last time you
said that, child. That boy's nearly as stubborn as my future son-in-law."
For the space of a heartbeat nothing moved. Abruptly the entire ring trembled, then cracked in half as
Ryoga exploded upward, blue-white tendrils of electricity arcing across his body. "Eat this, Ranma!
TORAYAMA DENKO DAGEKI!" A ball of lightning crackled to life in the palm of his hand, and with a
shriek of rage Ryoga threw it at Ranma, who dove aside barely in time to avoid it as it detonated,
tearing/melting a huge hole where he'd been standing only seconds before.
"Way to go, boyo!" Soap crowed. "That's the stuff! You've got the idea. Feel the heart of the storm!"
Getting to his feet, Ranma stared at the smoking hole. He's not playing around. A frown knit the
younger Saotome's features. Well, I ain't playing around either. Not any more. "I didn't want to do this,
Ryoga, but you don't leave me a whole lot of choice." Turning, Ranma jumped up on top of one of the
two remaining posts that were still intact. "Pop! Now!"
Moving more swiftly than someone of his size might be expected to, Genma darted over to a huge trash
dumpster located near the ring, tipped up the lid. As soon as it was open, Ranma dove in and Genma
slammed the door down, slid a padlock on it, and clicked it shut.
"Huh?" Startled, Ryoga stared. "What the--"
"What does he think he's--" started Akane at about the same time that a horrible yowling arose from the
dumpster.
Neko's ears twitched. "CATS?" she said incredulously.
"Oh no! Oh, Ranma! You can't be--" Akane stopped as the steel top of the dumpster tore open and
Ranma, accompanied by a starburst of cats, shot up into the sky. Howling and hissing, the boy landed
on all fours in the ring and turned to face Ryoga. "Not the Cat Fist!"
"Cat Fist?" Neko echoed, confused.
"It's a terrible special technique! Ranma only uses it in the worst emergencies! In order to make it work,
he has to--has to--" Akane choked.
Ryoga's eyes widened, then narrowed. "All right then," he said softly. He cupped both hands in front
of him. Between his palms a spark of light appeared, grew into a glowing golden orb. "Let's see how
unstoppable' you are, Ranma."
Growling, back arched, eyes slitted, Ranma pounced.
At the same instant Ryoga flug his hands up and open. "SHI SHI HOKUDAN!"
A bright explosion of light; a shrill feline shriek; a scream of pain; and a great gust of wind that half-blinded everyone. When the air stilled, all eyes turned to the ring.
The ring had at some point ceased to exist as anything remotely resembling a fighting venue. In its
shattered ruins two forms lay unmoving. Slowly, feebly, one of them, clad in the tatters of a red shirt,
pulled itself up, began to crawl towards the other.
Every nerve in Ranma's body was screaming at him to lie down and pass out, but he ignored them.
Slowly, painfully, he fisted his one good hand in Ryoga's hair and hauled the other young man's face
up. "Wake up, stupid," he rasped. "This fight ain't over yet."
"Oh yes it is." Ryoga laughed a little, weakly, and opened one eye (the other was rapidly swelling shut).
"And you look like crap, my friend."
For a second Ranma blinked, not sure he was hearing what he was hearing. "What did you say?
What'd you call me?"
"You don't get it, do you, son in law." Cologne, perched on her stick, looked around the wreckage.
"Good Lord, what a mess. You two really have to find a better way to settle your differences."
"What're you talking about, old ghoul?"
"Ryoga! Ryoga!" Leaping over the debris on all fours, Neko landed beside Ryoga and gently cradled
him to her. "Please, say something!"
"Hi, Ne-chan..." The boy essayed a weak smile. "That was a great fight, huh?"
"Never mind the fight! What'd'you mean, don't get it'?!?!" Ranma got almost nose to nose with Cologne
as the others--Tendo, Genma, Shampoo, Akane, and Mousse--made their way to the battle site.
The Chinese woman laughed dryly. "Why don't you ask him?" She waved a hand at Ryoga.
Ranma turned and knelt slowly by Ryoga. "What's she talkin' about?" he said quietly.
Ryoga laughed feebly. "Ranma. You considered me enough of a threat to cat out'. The only other
person you've ever had to use that to beat was Cologne. So you considered me as much of a threat as
she is, ne?"
"Uh...."
"So... in my eyes... I won. Finally. Because it wasn't really you that beat me; it was your cat' side. That
means the debt of honor's satisfied. I... can finally accept your friendship with a whole heart."
"So... what you're sayin' is...." Ranma took a deep breath. "It's over? No more of this Ranma, prepare
to die' stuff?"
"Oh, I'll probably still beat you up every now and again for old times' sake..."
"Dream on, Ryoga." Very gently Ranma punched Ryoga in the chin.
The other boy nodded and closed his eyes. "I think I'll just take a little nap now, if nobody minds," he
whispered.
Bending, Neko nuzzled his forehead. "You do that."
"Hai, Ne-chan..."
Soap moved over and laid a hand on his pupil's shoulder. "Chingte Shih Tsu--ah, never mind. Blue
Cross." The familiar deep azure glow appeared around Ryoga and sank in; he immediately relaxed,
color returning to his face. "Whoever made up the damn name ought to have been made to say it a
hundred times fast." He then turned and did the same to Ranma.
"Will he be all right?" Neko asked anxiously.
"A couple hours' nap and he'll be fine, kitten. Only thing wrong with him right now is his ki's depleted
from that last strike."
Ranma stood, felt a small arm steal around his waist. A little surprised, he looked sideways at Akane.
"A-Akane?"
She smiled up at him, blinking away tears. "It's over," she said. "Now I don't have to worry about one
of my best friends and... and the man I..." She blushed. "You won't be trying to kill each other every
other week any more. I'm glad!"
"Yeah, well..." Putting a hand behind his head, Ranma laughed. "Me too!"
"Oh, good, everything turned out fine," Kasumi said brightly. "Let's all go home now. I'll fix a special
double victory dinner!"
"YEAH!" a chorus of voices replied.
* * *
The bus pulled into the station and stopped, doors swinging wide open. One by one the passengers
disembarked.
"Watch your step, ma'am," the bus driver said as the last passenger stepped down. "This your first time
in Tokyo?"
"No, but it's been a while. Almost 18 years."
"Whew! Long time. Any particular reason?"
"Oh yes." The woman turned, looking out over the city streets. "Justice."
"Huh?"
The woman laughed. "Don't mind me. I can be a little overdramatic at times." Picking up the huge
suitcase at her feet with no visible effort, she started walking.
"Uh, ma'am? The, uh, terminal's that way."
"Oh. How silly of me. Thank you."
As she walked towards the building, the smile fell off the traveller's face. "Soon, Genma Saotome," she
murmured. "I'll find you soon..."
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TO BE CONTINUED
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