Hello...Hello Again!
This is the fourth "part" (for the want of a better term) of my fanfic. I'm still doing the background for the main story, but there is not much left before I get to that. I'm looking for C&C, so feel free to e-mail me.
I don't own any of the characters (well, maybe shoki) and have no right to use them, but I hope that those that do find my story to be a creative attempt at honoring a cracking good manga/anime/storyline. Please don't sue.
The next morning, training went smoothly for Shoki and Soun. Of course, Ranma and his father each ended up in the Koi pond but that was relatively normal. By the time they broke for breakfast, everyone had worked up quite an appetite. Everyone but Akane was present as Kasumi started dishing out the food. However, the youngest Tendo sister came in before Ranma or Genma could claim her portion. When Shoki looked up and nodded acknowledgement he noticed that she was carrying a small black piglet.
³Aw, nuts, I thought you would be gone longer than that P-Chan!² Ranma complained as he rolled his eyes.
³Donıt start picking on P-Chan Ranma, or else!² Threatened Akane. Clearly this was not the first time for this argument. But then again, no argument seemed new to these two.
Shoki looked closely at the pig while he ate. It didnıt seem overly special at first. Then he noticed that whenever it looked in Ranmaıs direction it took on a very belligerent air, and when it looked at Akane it had sure adoration in itıs eyes. It seemed to be very intelligent looking for a pig. ³Uh, whatıs with the piglet Akane?² Shoki asked between bites.
Genma sensed rather than saw an opening at that moment. Quick as lightning a chopstick lanced out towards the sausage left on Shokiıs plate. Normally he didnıt steal food from anyone but Ranma, but this new kid was just asking for it by leaving such a tasty morsel unprotected. What he didnıt know was that Shoki had been hoping he would try something.
Just as the chopsticks were about to close on the link another pair streaked in and deflected them upwards. The sudden change in direction caused them to fly out of a startled Genmaıs hand and imbed themselves in the ceiling. As the bald man sat looking at his chopsticks, Shoki calmly leaned over and took the last sausage off of Genmaıs plate. He munched it down and grinned at his adversary. Nabiki snickered rudely. Reaching down to get the last of his own breakfast, he found it gone. Looking over he saw Ranma licking his lips as he finished up the last bite. Everyone began laughing at his surprised expression.
³Well, boy, it seems you didnıt take quite everything into account!² Chortled Genma.
A short time later Ranma, Akane and Nabiki left for school. Ranma and Akane were having another argument about the black piglet the girl was carrying. Due to the playing around during breakfast, Shoki had found out nothing about why Ranma hated the pig so much. He would just have to ask later.
Packing everything back into his hockey bag, Shoki thought about the fact that he was moving into Ranmaıs old house. Though Mrs. Saotome had offered cook for him if he bought some of the groceries, the thought of her cooking for him when Ranma so desperately wanted to be with her didnıt set well. He decided that he didnıt want to strain his budding friendship with the young martial artist. Thinking things through he came up with an idea and went in search of Mr. Tendo.
He found Soun and Genma playing shogi on the porch. Kasumi was at the table mending a shirt of Ranmaıs. Perfect. Everybody he needed to talk to was in one place.
³Mr. Tendo, Mr. Saotome, Kasumi,² he said looking at each one in turn. ³Iıd like to talk with you.²
The trio looked quite surprised, but Soun nodded for him to continue. ³Well, I donıt have a problem living over at the Saotomeıs house since Genma and Ranma canıt be there because of the promise Genma made. At least, I donıt have a problem just sleeping and storing my things there. I do have a problem with Mrs. Saotome offering to do the cooking at no extra charge. It wouldnıt feel right me spending time with her at their home in such a familyı setting, when they cannot do the same. Therefore Iıd like to make a proposition.² The three simply looked at him, waiting for him to finish. Kasumi, being Kasumi, smiled. ³I plan on spending as much time training here as you will let me. If I paid for part of the groceries, would it be alright if I take my meals here? Iım not asking for anybody to wait on me or anything, just if Iım here would it be alright to share meals with you?²
³I like your reasoning boy,² said a thoughtful Genma. ³At first I was worried when you told me Nodoka had rented you a room. Then I was a little jealous. Now, I am happy that it is you and not someone less...palatable lets say.²
³I have no problem with it myself. Kasumi, you will be the one doing the work, what do you have to say?²
³It wonıt be any trouble at all father. Iıd be quite happy to do it. Especially if Shoki wouldnıt mind telling me if some of the American dishes I want to try turn out correctly. Maybe Iıll even try some Scottish meals!² Kasumi nearly glowed at the idea of trying out some new cooking styles. I just hope she doesnıt try haagisı thought Shoki.
³As a first offer, how about I pick up the tab for...say a quarter of the monthly grocersı bill.² Shoki said, fearing that he would insult them with such a low offer.
Soun was dumbfounded. ³Shoki! There is no way you could afford such an amount every month!²
³How much would that be?² Instinctively he looked at Kasumi since she did the shopping. She wrote a number on a piece of paper and handed it to him. He looked at it and spoke. ³Done. ³
³I thought you said you werenıt rich?² Genma asked as Soun tried to get his mouth working again.
³The room combined with this is still less than I would pay to go to college in the US. Iım not exactly rich, but I have a few large investments that let me live off the interest. Itıs money from the settlement with the airline company that I got when my parents were killed. If Iım careful, I wonıt ever have to get a job unless it is something I want to do. Right now, Iım trying to find myselfı as my father might have said. Anyways thanks! I gotta get over to Mrs. Saotomes and get settled in. See you later tonight!² With that Shoki shouldered his hockey bag and left.
The two men ignored their game of shogi and looked at each other for a few minutes. Genma broke the silence first. ³You know Tendo, I am glad that it is that gaijin and not somebody else.²
³Right you are Saotome.²
³You neednıt knock anymore Shoki,² scolded Nodoka when she answered the door. ³You live here now.²
³Well, I just didnıt want to walk straight in the first time.² Shoki did his best to smile disarmingly. ³If itıs okay, Iıd like to put away my things, then perhaps Iıll take you up on your offer to spar a little?²
³Iıd be delighted! I have a couple things to do then Iıll come up and get you. Alright?²
Shoki nodded an affirmative and walked to his new room. Inside he quickly put his clothes in the small bureau. The laptop and cell phone went on top after having their chargers plugged into the wall. Last he stood his Katana and Bokken in an empty corner. Not sure if he would need his Kendo gear, he left that and his throwing knives in the hockey bag.
When he was finished getting squared away, Nodoka had still not showed up. He decided to checkout his Katana in the off chance something had happened to it while he was at the Tendoıs. Sitting on the Futon, he pulled the ancient blade from itıs scabbard. The deadly sharp steel glared in the light from the window. The grip was a blood red color, as was the scabbard. The tsuba, or guard was of a particularly intricate design. Reflecting on the weaponıs history, Shoki was disappointed that he knew so little. It belonged to his motherıs family, but they had had no sons, so the Katana went to the daughter when she married. They were disappointed that her husband was American. Except that his mother had told him the sword was very old, and that it had definitely had taken human lives before, he knew nothing. Perhaps his host would know someth-
A sharp intake of breath from the door startled the young man. Nodoka was looking at the blade with her hand to her mouth. ³Is that your familyıs sword Shoki?² She asked in a fascinated voice.
³Um, er...that is, yes it is.² He didnıt know how to take her current actions. ³Would you care to look at it?²
The woman carefully took the weapon from his hands. She spent several minutes looking it over...and over...and over again. Finally she sighed and handed it back to him. He re-sheathed the blade and carefully set it in the corner.
³Do you know anything about that Katana Shoki?²
³Not really, just that it was handed down by direct male line descent until my mother came along. She was an only child, so she got it by default. When she died, my sister didnıt want it, so I inherited it. I donıt even know how old it is.²
³Oh, Shoki it is very old. If I am reading the indications correctly, that sword once belonged to Miyamoto Mushiashi. He was the greatest swordsman of all time. If everything you just said is true, you have a very interesting ancestor.²
³Hmmm, that is pretty cool. One of these days Iıll have to find out more about the Japanese side of my family. For right now, would you care to spar?² asked Shoki as he reached for his bokken.
Somewhat deflated by his lack of enthusiasm at her discovery, Nodoka nodded. Perhaps it was due to his american upbringing. ³Where are you studying martial arts at Shoki?²
³The Tendo Dojo.² He answered as they walked out of the room.
³Really, they are friends of mine. Iıll have to visit you there sometime!²
When Ranma got home he found that Shoki was not practicing Anything Goes. Instead he had set up a board next to the tree by the Koi pond and was throwing knives at it. As he watched another deadly projectile thumped into the board.
³Whoa! Thatıs pretty neat. Could you teach me to do that?²
Shoki turned and smiled at Ranma. He also noticed that Nabiki had already come home. She was sitting on the porch in the same spot she sat every night when Ranma and Shoki practiced seeming to be doing homework. ³Sure, itıs easy. Do you want to start now?²
³Well, yes, but letıs wait until you have gotten a little better at Anything Goes first. Iım supposed to be helping you, not the other way around. Besides you need to work on your speed. Youıre as slow as an ox cart!² There was a flash of silver and Ranma jumped. He looked down to see a knife buried in the school bag he held dangling from his left hand.
³Iım sorry Ranma, I couldnıt hear that.² The bag was left dangling in the air for a moment more as Ranma launched himself at the smiling American. Though he knew Shoki was obviously good enough that he was in no danger, he decided that he needed to be taught a little lesson about being so cocky. Holding back next to none of his speed, he began a blinding flurry of jabs, punches and kicks.
Though amazed at the speed Ranma exhibited, Shoki managed to mount an effective defense. Only a few of the blows landed and Shoki managed to return a few of his own. The fight began to move around the yard a bit as the two combatants tried to gain the upper hand. Ranma was frustrated that so few of his punches were landing. It was time to show this newcomer who the boss was. ³Tenshin Amaguriken!!²
Nabiki looked up as Ranma started the special technique with a battle cry. Ohmigod!ı she thought. Ranmaıs gonna kill him!ı She drew her breath to yell for her father or Mr. Saotome when she saw something unbelievable happen.
Shoki took the first few punches and realized that there was no way to stop this attack it was simply too fast. Obviously Ranma was demonstrating something at full power. The punches didnıt hurt too much, so he had to be pulling them, but the unfairness of using such a technique on a beginning student made him angry. Ignoring the pain he let his knees drop out from under him, taking him below the level of Ranmaıs attack. Before he could adjust, Shoki rolled in close and underneath the blurring arms. Bringing his hand up like an undercut, Shoki grabbed Ranma by the shirt front. Continuing to come up like that, he used his left hand to grab the back of Ranmaıs head. Some of the chestnut fist punches were still landing, but not in anyplace critical. Bunching his legs he leapt up, reversing in midair, intending to slam Ranmaıs head into the ground with the force of both of their masses. However, he misjudged and sent them both into the Koi pond.
Nabiki watched in horrid fascination as the the soaked pair surfaced sputtering. The two looked at each other and started laughing.
³What was that anyways? I couldnıt even see your fists!² Asked Shoki as he drug himself out of the pond. ³You must have hit me a hundred times!²
³A hundred and twelve.² Replied Ranma-chan, gratefully accepting the hand out of the water. ³Itıs called the Chestnut Fist. Iıll teach you after you master the next kata.² Both combatants are still grinning and standing nearly side by side next to the pond. They look up to see Nabiki walk straight at them.
How dare they get me concerned that he, I mean they might get hurt!ı Nabiki thought. Smiling sweetly she walked up in front of them. Then she slapped them both with one sweeping blow. Hard.
Getting back out of the pool a moment later, Shoki turned to Ranma with a questioning glance. Ranma looked as bewildered as he. ³I donıt know. Iıd expect that from Akane, but not Nabiki!²
³I heard that!² Came Akaneıs voice from the porch. ³You two quit horsing around and get ready for dinner. Itıll be ready in a few minutes.²
³Okay Akane! Hey Ranma, what do you think Kasumi made tonight?²
Akaneıs voice is heard from inside the house: ³Kasumi let me make dinner tonight. Weıre having-² Shoki couldnıt hear anything else as Ranma had grabbed him by the arm and leapt up on top of the house. Without bothering to let her passenger gain his feet, Ranma began to run very, very fast.
After a moment, Shokiıs fear of the speed they were traveling was replaced by the fear that Ranma would drop him during one of the leaps from rooftop to rooftop. ³Uh, Ranma, I can walk myself you know!²
Taking a terrified glance back to make sure there was no pursuit, Ranma jumped to the ground behind a building. ³Whew! That was a close one!² she said wiping off some sweat.
³What was close?² Shoki was genuinely puzzled by their sudden departure.
³DIDNıT YOU HEAR! AKANE IS MAKING DINNER!ı
³Yes I did. I thought it was sweet that she took the time to do that and then tried to make sure you would be there. Whatıs wrong with your fiancee making you dinner?²
Ranma grabbed Shoki by the shirt front and pinned him against the wall. She didnıt seem angry, just determined to give the young american a lesson that could save his life. ³Akane canıt cook. I donıt mean she hasnıt learned yet, I mean flat out impossible, no-way, can she make any food taste like something edible. Her cooking is lethal! Iıd rather let Ryoga use me for bandana practice than eat something she made! Heed my warning...donıt eat anything Akane has prepared.² Ranma was obviously sincere so Shoki nodded and was let down. ³Well then, what shall we do for dinner?²
³We will just stop in at Uchans. Weıre right behind her place right now!²
³Okay then, for saving me from imminent doom, itıll be my treat.²
The restaurant was very crowded. Obviously it enjoyed a good clientele. The girl behind the counter was very busy whipping up some batter and pouring it on a hot griddle. Looking up she spotted Ranma and Shoki. Instantly her face brightened. ³Hi Ranma-honey!²
³Hi Uchhan!² Said Ranma brightly as she led Shoki over to the girl. ³This is Shoki. He is a new student over at the Tendoıs. Shoki, this is Ukyou, the best okanomiyaki chef in Japan.² The girl blushed at the compliment.
³Flattery will get you everywhere Ran-chan. Very pleased to meet you Shoki. Iıd shake your hand, but I kinda have them full right now.² That much was obvious. If the stack of papers next to her were unfilled orders, she could be at this for a while.
³Could we help?² asked Shoki, despite a startled ³ULP² from Ranma.
³Sure Iıd love some help. Ran-chan, you know where everything is. Why donıt you help me out back here after you show Shoki where to wash up, and he can deliver the orders.²
Ranma nodded his acceptance and scowled at Shoki. As they walked back to the sink to scrub she asked ³Why did you do that! We came to eat, not work!²
³Well, if I remember correctly she is one of your myriad of fiancees. You should have no problem helping one of them out. Besides, sheıs a real dish and I m a sucker for nice girls in distress....must be the Scott in me.²
³Yeah, well at least Iım getting some hot water out of the deal.² Grumbled Ranma.
³I donıt know, youıd probably get bigger tips as a girl, besides, you look sooooo cute right now.² Shoki instantly jumped back to avoid the kick.
³Now look here-²
³I was just kidding Ranma, now hurry up, we need to start helping if we want to eat sometime tonight ourselves!²
An hour later the evening dinner rush had faded and Ukyou joined the two boys at a table. They had finished their okanomiyaki, and it had been every bit as good as Ranma had promised. The three talked for a while over the remains of their meal. Ranma wanted all the details of Shokiıs time with his mother.
³...anyways, after I finished sparring with Nodoka, I decided to practice with my throwing knives. Funny thing though, your mother was able to tell me something about my sword. Evidently it once belonged to a warrior named Miyomoto Mushiashi.² Both Ukyou and Ranma looked stunned at this. ³Since the sword came straight down the family line, evidently Iım related to him. Your mother joked that that must be where I got my ...talent...for bladed weapons. Anyways, I better be heading back. I need to get up a little earlier to get over to the Tendoıs in time for my morning training.²
³And I better get back and let Akane pound me for missing dinner. You better watch out too Shoki. You skipped out too.²
³Hey, you drug me out of there!²
³Ram-chanıs right Shoki. Akane is not big on listening before she mallets you. You know Ranma, you could just always stay with me and you wouldnıt have to go through that anymore.²
³Well, thanks for dinner, see you later Ukyou. Bye Shoki!² Faster than the a blink Ranma ran out of the the door in a swirl of curtains.
Shoki couldnıt believe how Ranma could let women practically throw themselves at him and still be able to run off like that. None of his business though. ³Well, thanks for the dinner Ukyou. Iıd feel better if you let me pay for it though.²
³Thatıs okay sugar. You were a big help tonight when I really needed it. That was really sweet of the two of you. This oneıs on the house.²
³Well good night!²
³You can come on back anytime!² For some reason, it seemed like a little more than a stock farewell.
Out in the darkness, Shoki headed back to his room, unaware that someone was watching him.
Big Bore and the Nitro Express!
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