Hello, Hello Again!
  Okay, here is chapter three.  Some more minor changes in this chapter,
primarily wording changes this time.

All forms of C&C are appreciated.  Public, Private, MST, I appreciate them all!

Insert Standard Ranma Disclaimer here.


The Shoki Saga
Chapter Three
The Perfect Apartment

	"Today, we begin to teach you how to kick.  We will start with the
sidekick and progress from there.  You will learn a new kick every third
day until you have a basic knowledge of each.   Then we will..."  Shoki
listened in rapt attention.  Soun Tendo was an excellent teacher of basic
skills.  Every morning the two would get up at the same time as the
Saotomes and train.  They would keep at it until lunch when they would
break for the day.  Afterwards Shoki would take care of whatever business
he had (such as looking at apartments Angus found for him) before returning
in the early afternoon to practice on alone.
	However good a teacher the elder Tendo was, Shoki most enjoyed the
evenings when he and Ranma would spar, and he would learn to apply his new
skills.  Though Ranma easily bested him, the young American was leaps and
bounds ahead of where he had been only a week ago.  His defense was already
excellent, and learning to strike back simply was incredible.  Slowly, he
was developing a unique style of fighting.  Staying mostly on the
defensive, he would bide his time until he could land a solid blow.  This
worked particularly well against Soun and Genma.  However, waiting for a
good opportunity against Ranma usually took too long.  The boy was simply
too fast.  Shoki adapted by striking at the merest glimpse of an
opportunity.  This stretched him and helped keep Ranma a little off balance.
	After going on at length on the mechanics of a sidekick, Soun
finally demonstrated the proper way to execute the blow.  Shoki tried it,
putting all he had into it.   Well toned muscles stretched in new
directions, and a warmth began to spread through his legs as he repeated
the excercise over and over.

*******

	After lunch Shoki checked his email on his laptop.  Besides his
bokken, cell phone, and clothes, it was all the physical property he owned
in the world.   It all fit into his hockey bag, which was excellent for
hiding the bokken.   He was delighted to see another message from Angus.
The message listed a address not far away, a monthly price for a room, and
the tag line:  "Check this one out son.  It looks real promising....Uncle
Angus"    The price was low, and the place was nearby....It really did
sound good.
	"Thanks for the lunch Kasumi."  Shoki said to the eldest Tendo
daughter.  "I'm running out to check on this room for rent.  I should be
back for dinner!"
	"Okay Shoki,   hope this is the one you are looking for!"  Replied
the every cheerful Kasumi with a smile.
	"Hope so, too.  See you soon!"

********

	The outside of the house was modest, but well looked after.  Shoki
spent a moment looking at the outside, then summoned up the courage to
knock on the door.  There was a faint "just a moment" and the sounds of
someone approaching.  The door slid back to reveal an attractive woman in
her mid to late thirties.  She smiled at Shoki and said "You must be Shoki.
You're here about the room right?"
	"Yes ma'am.  I am."
	"Well come on in and I will show you around."  With that she
stepped back and invited her guest in.  Remembering to take off his shoes
at the door,  Shoki followed her around the house as she pointed out
various things he would need to know.  She also told him of the rules he
would need to follow and why the room was available.
	"And lastly, this is the room that is actually for rent."  The room
was perhaps three meters by four.  It was already furnished with a small
bureau and futon.  Though spartan, it fit Shoki's needs perfectly and was
only twenty minutes walking time from the Tendo's, a bit less if he ran.
	"Well, this is exactly what I'm looking for ma'am.  If I'm
acceptable to you, I would like to take the room."
	"Certainly.  Why don't you come to the study and we will sign the
necessary paperwork."  Shoki followed her into the study.  As he entered he
noticed the Katana on the wall.  It was a gorgeous piece, and was evidently
crafted by a skilled swordsmith.
	"My, this is a nice weapon.  Excellent work.  How old is it?"
	"That is my family's sword.  It is over 900 years old.  I have
others that I  train with."
	"You train with a Katana?"  Shoki was dumbstruck.  He thought
nobody trained with a real sword anymore.  Even when Grandpa Donovan put on
the fairs at McLaren Castle, the swords were modern replicas with specially
dulled edges.
	"I use a bokken as well, but to really master the art, you must use
a real blade.  Do you have an interested in bladed weapons?"  The woman was
merely making conversation even though this was one of her favorite
subjects.  Her new renters' reply caught her a little off guard.
	"Yes, I've trained some in Kendo, and my Grandfather works with me
when I visit him in Scotland.  I've a bokken over at the place I'm staying
now.
	"Hmm, perhaps we can spar sometime if you wouldn't mind.  I  can
hardly ever find anyone willing to spar with a woman."
	"I'd like that.  Now what paperwork do I need to sign?"  The woman
thrust some papers at him, which he signed.  "By the way, what is your name
ma'am?"
	"Nodoka.  Nodoka Saotome."

**********

	When he arrived home that evening, Ranma found Shoki practicing
sidekicks out by the Koi pond.  "Yo, Shoki!  Looks like Mr. Tendo started
teaching you kicks today.  Care to try some?"
	"Sure thing!"  Just then he noticed that Ranma was alone.  Usually
he came home with Akane and more often than not, Nabiki.  Since they
weren't with him, Shoki figured Ranma and Akane were fighting again.  A
mischevouis idea  entered his head.  Shoki grinned  evilly.  Maybe he could
psych Ranma out a little.   Regaining a straight face he asked "Um, where's
Akane?  She usually comes home with you."  As he said this he sauntered
towards his target.
	"Why should I care where that uncute tomboy is!"  Yep, they
definitely had a fight, again.  "You know what she did?  She hit me with
that hammer of her's again!   And for what!  Just for-"  Shoki was only an
arm's length away now.  He decided the time was right as Ranma was in the
middle of his favorite rant.  Jumping straight into the air he kicked out
hard with his right foot.  Fast as he was, Ranma was too preoccupied
insulting his fiancee to counter the blow.  The foot connected with a solid
"thunk" to his chest.  Suddenly he was flying backwards....right into the
pond.
	"Hey!"  yelled the very wet red haired girl.  "No Fair!"
	"A martial artist must be ready for anything at anytime...Boy."
	"Aw, nuts!  What have you been doing?  Practicing with Pops?"
Demanded Ranma as she drug herself out of the pond.
	"Mr. Saotome has been helping a little in the morning.  Actually he
is easier to understand when he is a panda.  Besides, maybe I  just wanted
to see one of the prettiest girls I know!"    Ranma took a swing at Shoki
at that remark.  However, she launched the attack from a bad angle and
Shoki avoided it easily.  He also grabbed Ranma's wrist and added a little
more momentum.  A very surprised Ranma-chan flew face first towards the
house.  The impact shook the house slightly, but it was used to much worse.

	"Thanks Shoki!  You just saved me the trouble of doing that
myself!"  Shoki looked away from his handiwork to see Akane and Nabiki.  He
just grinned in reply.  He figured any second now Ranma was going to pick
herself up  and  attack somebody.  It was even money that it would be a
physical attack at him, or a verbal one at Akane.  This time it was Akane
that took the assualt.
	"Hey, you're the one who hit me today!  All I said was-"  Shoki
didn't get to learn what Ranma had said to Akane, because at that moment
she was hammered to the floor by a large, wooden mallet.  Akane then walked
up and kicked the fallen Ranma through the open door and into the house.
She followed her fiancee in and the sounds of an argument flowed back
outside.
	In a good mood, Shoki winked at Nabiki and returned to his
practice.  He turned quickly enough that he didn't see the effect his wink
had on Nabiki. For that she was seriously glad.

*********

	"Kasumi said you found a place to rent today Shoki.  Is it nearby?"
For some reason Nabiki's question seemed a little loaded.  However, since
Ranma and his father were making a lot of noise as they slurped up dinner,
he couldn't be sure of her tone.
	Swallowing quickly, he replied.  "Actually it is.  Only about a
twenty minute walk.  It's a real nice place.  A very nice woman owns it.
Her husband and son are martial artists and have gone on an extended
training mission."  Shoki didn't notice that both Genma and Ranma slowed
down eating a little at this.  "She said she didn't really need the money,
but that she hated to see the space go to waste.  It was really cool.  She
studies Kendo and has a really nice Katana on her wall. "   Both Saotomes
quit eating at this.  Genma started to sweat.  "She even has a couple
practice Katanas.  She offered to spar with me sometime.  I'll be moving
over there tommorow after morning practice."  Just then he noticed that
Genma is very nervous.  "What's the matter Mr. Saotome?"
	Genma visibly fought with himself for a moment then asked what he
had to.  "Uh, what is your new landlady's name?"
	"Funny you should ask.  It is Nodoka Saotome.  Is she a relative of
yours?"  Genma screamed, jumped up and ran outside.  A large splash could
be heard.  Moments later the wet panda came in and waved a sign.  "Say it
isn't so!!?!"
	"Um, Ranma, is there a problem with this?  Is this lady after you
guys for some reason?  Who is she?"
	"Yeah, she is kinda after us.  You see, that's my mom!"

***********

	Sparing in the dojo later, Shoki coaxed most of Ranma's life
history out of him.  Seeing some of the weird things that had happened in
the last week made him decide that he would need the information in order
to keep out of too much trouble.  "Okay, let me get this straight,"  Shoki
said as he kicked at where Ranma's head had been only a moment before.
"Your father engaged you to Akane before you were even born.  Then when you
were very young he engaged you to this Ukyou girl, whom you thought was a
boy at the time.  That was over an Okanomiyaki cart.  During your training
trip, you were dunked in the spring of drown girl, and now you can't see
your mother because you'd have to commit sepplaku because of a promise your
father made that he'd raise you to be a man among men.  After that you beat
that amazon girl Soap-"  He is cut off as he ducks a punch of Ranma's.
	"Actually, her name is Shampoo."  Ranma jumps up and does a spin
kick that connects with Shoki's ribs, causing him to fly into the wall.
Fortunately the wall is not hurt.
	"OOOOF-"  Shoki comes off the wall with a flurry of jabs, two of
which get through.  "Shampoo then.  She decides that you are perfect
husband and father material.  After you get here, this Black Rose girl
decides that she wants your bod.  Have I missed anyone?"  Suddenly,  he is
on the defensive again as Ranma tries to land an uppercut.
	"Well, there are a couple guys after my girl form.  One is Mikado
Sanzenien.  He's a real nothin' off the ice rink."  Ranma sees an opening
and throws a jab.  However, this was a planned opening and Shoki attempts
to grab his arm and execute a "tenchi" (heaven and earth) move.  Ranma's
speed is too great though, and the move fails.  "The other one is a guy at
school.  He is also after Akane.  He's rich, arrogant and spouts bad poetry
all the time.  His name is Tatewake Kuno.  HEY!!!!"
	 Ranma was suddenly lifted off his feet by his opponent and slammed
against the wall.  He was held there-his feet half a meter off the floor-by
Shoki's fists balled up in his shirtfront.  He looked down the arms into a
pair of burning blue eyes.
	"Did you just say Tatewake Kuno?"  The voice was soft, but with
steel in it.  It was also completely unlike the voice Shoki normally used.
	"Whoa man!  Put me down before I  knock you into the next time
zone!"  Shoki suddenly realized what he was doing and gently set Ranma back
on the floor.
	"Sorry Ranma.  I  kind of lost it there for a second."
	"Yeah, no joke.  You are a lot faster and stronger when you are
really ticked.   Got a figure a way to channel that without you having to
be ready to blow your top!   Anyway,  I did say Tatewake Kuno.  Why do you
know him?"  Shoki didn't answer immediately and Ranma decided to sit down.
He motioned his friend to sit also.
	"Yes, I do know him.  Quite a lot better than I care to if the
truth be known."  For once, Ranma didn't shoot his mouth off,  and simply
waited for the story to come out.  "Remember that I said I trained for a
year in Kendo?  I started that right after I left Master Yamata's.  The guy
that hurt me the worst when I was put in the hospital was the guy with the
bokken.  I decided that I had to learn it both for defense and for offense.
I went to a reputable Kendo instructer and started training.  After a few
weeks there was a small exhibition.  Though I was new to the art I was
chosen over more advanced students to represent our instructer in a
stylized demonstration.  I have...something of a talent...when it comes to
any kind of bladed weapons."  Shoki paused and shifted to lean against the
wall.
	"Kuno was at the exhibition watching.  Evidently he was impressed
by me and asked the instructer to introduce us.  My sensei introduced Kuno
as 'the greatest Kendoist of our time'.  He was quite personable at first
and after some small talk he asked if I would like to be his student.  My
old teacher told me it would be a good idea and I agreed."  Pausing to
grimace, the young man continued his story.  "I moved in at the Kuno
residence and began to train.  At first I learned a lot and actually liked
Kuno.  He had a sister, but I never did meet her-what's so funny?"
	Ranma stopped laughing just long enough to blurt  "Kodachi the
Black Rose is Kuno's sister!"
	Momentarily shocked, Shoki started laughing too.  "You have them
both after you?  How funny!"
	"Better than that, Kodachi hates me as a girl and Kuno hates me as
a guy.  To top it off, I can't convince either one of them of my curse even
when I change right in front of them!"  Both boys collapsed laughing at
that.
	"Well,"  Shoki said, reigning in his laughter, "to finish my story,
I learned fast and got quite good.  Though it was difficult, I even managed
to tolerate Kuno's bad poetry.  Then one day I beat Kuno in a practice
match.  It was a technical win only, not a decisive one, but I was very
proud.  Kuno flew into a rage and attacked me even though I had taken off
my protective gear.  If Sasuke hadn't intervened a few minutes later I
think he might have killed me.   The little ninja got me to the compound
entrance with my bag and called a ambulance.  I  later filed a charge
against Kuno, but it never stuck.  It was called a training accident."
Shoki finished bitterly.
	"How long ago was this Shoki?"  Asked a voice from the doorway.
Both young men looked up to see Nabiki  leaning against the doorframe
watching them.  Her arms were crossed in front of her chest and she didn't
seem as neutral as usual.
	"Almost a  year ago now.  After I got out of the hospital again, I
went to Scotland to visit my family there.  Grandpa Donovan decided that I
needed to learn 'real swordsmanship' as he put it.  He didn't teach me with
a bokken either.  We used replica broadswords and claymores.  Grandpa
Donovan is the head of the local Society for Creative Anachronism, to make
it easier to put on yearly fairs at the castle.  We dueled in full chain
and plate mail with these immensely heavy swords.  We also jousted a bit,
but I never could get the hang of that.  Don't really like horses I guess.
I stayed at the castle until two months ago.  I  came back to Japan and
looked up Master Yamata.   He recommended the Tendo Training Hall.  That is
how I found you,"  Nabiki started blushing and Shoki realized what he had
said.  "Uh, I mean all of you....Um, I mean..."
	Ranma grinned at his friend and said "Don't worry about it.  I
stick my foot in my mouth all the time!"

*********

	Moments later a wet Ranma-chan climbs out of the pond.  "Now what
did I say?"

Comments?  Critisicsm?  Let me know what you think!

Thanks!

Until next time!

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