Since this is my first creative writing effort in a very long time and my
first fanfic ever, I've opted for a relatively straightforward adventure
plot.
Not another cat-related and/or demon-possession fanfic, right? It's probably
not terribly innovative but I hope that people will at least find my
implementation enjoyable.
This is a rought draft so I'm still working on tone, atmosphere, etc.
I'd appreciate any C&C (public and/or private).
Is it interesting? Does it make sense? Did I make stupid mistakes?
Should I just go back to making life difficult for attorneys? ^_^
======================
TIGER CLAW
======================
A Ranma 1/2 fanfic
All rights and priveleges to Ranma 1/2 belong to Rumiko Takahashi or her
licensees. The characters of her series are used without her permission for
the purpose of entertainment only. This work of fiction is not meant for sale
or profit.
All original characters are the creation of the author. All copyright
privileges to these characters are reserved for the author.
* * represent thoughts
--------------
PROLOGUE
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In the underground chambers of an old stone temple, a meeting was taking
place between three people -- a man and two women, all apparently in their
early twenties.
"This is stupid!" One of the women slammed a thin report folder
down on the table. She was quite beautiful but her spoiled, petulant attitude
detracted considerably from her looks.
The other woman, a striking woman dressed in black, patiently replied,
"Lady Haru, the report clearly indicates the strong possibility...."
"Come on now! You want to use the Funada Clan's time and money to
investigate the existence of some obscure martial art form which hasn't been
practiced in hundreds of years and you're doing it based solely on the
eyewitness accounts of a bunch of high school students? And the main witness
being someone like this...." she grabbed up the folder and thumbed through
it. "...this...'Tatewaki Kuno' character .... what an idiot!"
The woman in black thought, *I DO feel sorry for him if someone like
_you_ considers him an idiot.*
Aloud, she said, "It's not just any 'obscure martial art form'...."
"It's just another weird kung fu cat ... thingie!"
The young man sneered behind Lady Haru's back. Then again, he always
looked like he was sneering.
"That 'cat thingie', my _dear_ sister, is supposed to be a rather
formidable fighting technique."
*Wrong. It's one of _the_ most formidable martial techniques ever to
exist in this world. Or in others.*
The man continued. "Naturally, it's no match for our own clan's style,
of course, but quite effective as the stories go." He stopped, then in a
voice laden with mock remorse, said, "Alas, forgive me, sister. I shouldn't
have
assumed that you knew that,... given your hopeless incompetence in the
martial arts!"
"I've got better things to do than run around some smelly building doing
strange poses and shouting funny noises, brother dear!"
"Foolish woman! You forget that the glorious history of our clan was
built on the martial prowess of our noble forefathers!"
"And see what that great fighting prowess has gotten us, Kakuji! From
a noble house of the land to a clan of common criminals. Lurkers in the
shadows! Nothing but...."
"I am NOT common!" shouted her brother.
Before the entire discussion could degenerate into one of their usual
infantile shouting matches, the woman in black coughed firmly. "If I may
continue?"
The siblings glared at each other but shut up.
"As to why I feel it's necessary to locate a master of this 'obscure
martial art form' or 'cat thingie' as you put it, you are both aware that
your esteemed father has approved of your sister's plans to use the demon
Ebon as a means to regain the power and status so rightfully due this clan."
She waited to get nods of agreement from both siblings.
"However, in its present disembodied state, the demon is of no use to
you. It needs a suitable host, namely a master of this long lost martial
art."
Lady Haru muttered, "I don't understand why it's being so picky about
the body. After being looked up for a couple of centuries, that demon
should be grateful for any mortal body it can get!"
The woman in black ran through a quick patience mantra. "Not just any
old body will do, my lady. Ebon is a very powerful entity and the host body
has to be able to handle that power. Otherwise, the body will burn out and
became totally useless in a very short period of time."
"Then we'll get Ebon a new one! If it has a taste for martial artists,
there are plenty of _those_ lying around." Lady Haru pointedly stared at her
brother.
"It's not like changing a pair of shoes, my lady. Possession, in Ebon's
case, is a very complicated process. It won't be able to do your bidding if
it has to waste all its time and energy constantly switching bodies."
"All right! All right! ALL RIGHT!!!" Lady Haru threw herself into a
chair and pouted. "So we have to have a master of this absolutely necessary,
supposedly undefeatable...."
"HA!"
Both women ignored Kakuji's interruption and Lady Haru continued on.
".... cat-style martial art. FINE. And you're telling me that a
seventeen-year-old boy is our man?"
Her brother interrupted again. "Seventeen! Are you joking?"
The woman in black murmured, "He might be young, but his abilities and
martial arts skills are quite extraordinary. He's just the type of person
who'd be able to learn the technique."
*More importantly, even as a child, he had the strength of soul to survive
the learning. He's perfect for Lord Ebon's needs.*
Lady Haru drummed her talon-like nails impatiently on the tabletop, then
stopped as an gleeful expression crossed her face.
"Little brother, think of it! If Yonoko here is right, we'll soon have
the power to rule the world! The infamous Ebon to carry out our slightest
wish and command!"
Haru silently added to herself, *And Father will be forced to acknowledge
me as his rightful heir. Or die!* She flung her head back and burst out
into wild, maniacal laughter.
"...." Yonoko bigsweated and looked away.
Finally, Haru ran out of air and stopped laughing. Gasping for breath,
she primly straightened her clothes and said, "Order our men to grab this
martial artist and bring him here."
Yonoko politely droned, "Excuse me, my lady. As you yourself so
intelligently pointed out, we only have rumors and the statements of a few
high school students as evidence. I would like to confirm the use of this
martial art technique before we commit the clan to more definite action."
There was no uncertainty in Yonoko's own mind, of course. She eyed the
very thin, highly edited report lying on the table and compared it to the
original report she had received from her operatives. It had consisted of
five boxes full of papers, photographs, and videotapes. The video of the
great white shark getting dragged up and chased on the beach was
particularly convincing.
Lady Haru grandly announced, "Very well. I give you official
permission to investigate the matter fully."
"Thank you, Lady Haru. Within a week, I will be able to determine
whether a true master of the Neko-ken walks the earth in Nerima."
"Naturally, we'll reward you greatly if we judge your efforts
worthy."
Yonoko bowed deeply. "I'm awestruck by your generosity. Rest assured
that I will spare no effort in this matter."
Kakuji frowned and said, "Perhaps I should accompany you. After all,
only a skilled martial artist would be able to properly test this boy's
skills, such as they are."
*HA! You won't last a minute against most of the martial artists in
Nerima, much less against someone like Ranma Saotome. And you want to
personally test the power of the Neko-ken? Sorry, but I need you intact
and alive for a _little_ while longer.*
Yonoko hurriedly said, "But Lord Kakuji, I wouldn't want you to
interrupt your intensive training schedule! And I do have _some_
skill in the martial arts."
*I've been a sorceress AND martial artist for nearly 200 years!*
"At least you appreciate the importance of constantly honing one'
fighting skills. Unlike some people I know who take refugee in believing
in all sorts of mystical rubbish...."
"WHAT DID YOU SAY, BROTHER DEAR!?"
As Yonoko left the arguing pair behind her, she idly wondered if the
Funada and the Kuno familys could possibly be related.
(to be continued)
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