--------------------------------------------------------------
< > - English
// // - emitted from a P.S. system, telephone, or other
electric medium.
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------------------------------
The Pursuit of Happiness
Act 2: The Kings of Nerima
Part 3: Major Arcana
------------------------------
[Furinkan High, Lunch Hour]
"Good days these are, my friend," said Hiroshi happily.
"Good days indeed."
Daisuke scowled and paused in mid-count of a handful of
yen. "Shut up, man, you'll make me lose count."
"Hi boys," said one voice, definitely female and somewhat
sultry.
"So, I heard you boys were really cleaning up in the
tournament, hm?" said the other female voice.
Daisuke froze, wide eyed, frozen in mid-yen-count, while
Hiroshi had enough presence of mind to stuff his fist full
of yen in his pockets.
"Um, ah, hey!" stumbled Hiroshi. "Sayuri! Yuka!
Ladies! Um, hey!"
Yuka settled down demurely by Hiroshi while Sayuri took
a seat next to Daisuke.
"So, what'cha gonna do with all that money?" asked
Sayuri, idly running a finger over the fistful of cash that
was still in Daisuke's hand.
"Oh, well, nothing much, really," stuttered Daisuke. "I
mean, we still have to gamble on today's matches."
"Yeah, what he said," added Hiroshi, definitely
uncomfortable with the way Yuka was suddenly so friendly
with him. There were warning bells going off in his mind,
but the heat generated by the nearby female contact was
short-circuting most of his suspicion functions.
"How DO you end up picking the winners all the time?"
asked Sayuri coyly.
"Um, well, gosh, it's nothing, really." stammered
Hiroshi.
"We just, well, we know these guys pretty well, so we
know what to expect," said Daisuke.
"I don't suppose, you'd, oh, tell us who your picks are
for the next round, Daisuke-chan?" Sayuri blinked cutely
and leaned against him ever-so-slightly.
"Um, sure, I guess," said Daisuke.
"Don't see why not," said Hiroshi, smiling nervously.
-*-
"... and Copycat Ken is the final pick." Sayuri flipped
her notebook closed and tucked it away in her pocket. "It
worked like a charm, just as you said it would, chief."
Nabiki smirked. "Of course it would. Like I told you,
men's minds are weak. With a wink and a smile, they become
putty in a woman's hand. Now... adjust our odds as
follows..."
-*-
Somewhere in the streets of Nerima, a young girl was
strolling about and humming happily. The long streams of
the headband she wore flowed with the wind. She took a deep
breath and enjoyed the moment.
These were good days indeed.
Her path towards repeating as the champion of the King of
Nerima tournament was free and clear so far.
And she was even getting...
"Excuse me... aren't you..."
She nodded.
"Kasugano-san! Can I have your autograph!"
"Sure, no problem."
It was a good time to be the reigning King of Nerima...
even if the title should've technically been Queen.
-*-
Currently sitting at the bar, staring out the window,
Ryoko Muhoshin was following a time-honored tradition
amongst bar folk.
Ryoko Muhoshin was mulling.
Normally, her older brother would be doing this sort of
thing, but she'd observed far too much in the past month to
ignore things.
She was, although she disliked the term, stalking Ryouga.
Whenever she had time off from the cafe, she'd spend her
time watching from afar as he made his way through school.
Her heart would reach out for him when he was lost and
frustrated, wandering aimlessly around the neighborhood.
Her heart would sing with passion as she watched through his
window and watched him sleep peacefully at night.
She fell into an absolute murderous rage when she thought
of what else she saw.
There were others. Other girls. Falling for Ryouga.
Her Ryouga.
The Kuno girl she despised easily. The arrogance,
haughtiness, and obscene manner in which she pursued Ryouga
infuriated her so.
There was that girl... the girl who often was seen with
her elder brother's weakling look-alike... Ryoko'd seen her
looking at Ryouga many times with the unmistakable look of
love unrequited. As long as it stayed that way, she didn't
mind.
The next two, however... she was wondering if she was
becoming as mad as her brother.
There was a look, that _look_ in her eyes, when she was
looking at Ryouga sometimes. And the few times they talked
together, they seemed to be uncannily comfortable with each
other. And yet... it didn't make sense. Why, she wondered,
why did it seem that Akari and Ryouga were a little too
close? Paranoia? Her own anxieties?
There WAS something between Ryouga and Ukyou, though.
The way they looked at each other when the other wasn't
looking. The way she fussed over him. The way he blushed
sometimes when he was around her.
She denied it. He denied it. But Ryoko saw it.
This situation was a multi-faceted time bomb waiting to
happen.
The only question now was what to do about it.
-*-
Kurumi and Natsumi stood on the street corner, looking
with longing at the Tendo home. They'd always been treated
well there, even when it was revealed Soun Tendo wasn't
really their father. It was the only place they ever knew
that felt like a normal home.
But it wasn't their home, and they knew it. They weren't
worthy of it. Not yet.
"Do we really have to leave?" asked Kurumi.
"You know we do," said Natsumi sternly. "We must
continue training."
"I know, I know." Kurumi sighed. "I wish we could at
least say goodbye to Prince Toma."
Natsumi rolled her eyes. "You shouldn't be distracted
from the art by boys, Kurumi."
"Oh? Is that so? What about you and Ryuu? Hmm?" asked
Kurumi, poking Natsumi on the side.
Natsumi blushed. "I-I don't know what you're talking
about," she said quickly.
-*-
------- Round Five ------
This was it.
This was the matchup of the day.
In the center of Nerima Stadium, Ranma Saotome warily
eyed his opponent.
This was not going to be easy.
Not because the odds were against him. He honestly
thought that if he went all-out, he'd win.
Not because of his fading endurance. Despite being worn
down by the constant and daily matches, he felt he had
plenty enough left to make it to the end.
Not because his opponent was the defending champion. It
didn't really count in his mind. After all, he was stuck on
Toma's Island when the tourney was held last year.
It was, however, going to be a bit tricky winning.
You see, Ranma Saotome didn't hit girls.
And the defending champion was a girl.
"Hi! I'm Sakura Kasugano," said the girl. "Nice to meet
you!"
"Hi. Ranma Saotome. You the reigning champion?"
She nodded cheerfully. "That's me!"
There was something awfully familiar about the girl.
Short dark hair, hand guards, white headband, and that
stance, definitely Shotokan karate.
There was something definitely familiar.
-*-
The first words out of Ryouga's mouth when he saw his
opponent was this:
"Oh no."
The man was... well... big.
He defined the phrase 'big man'.
Sumo wrestlers looked like infants compared to him.
The Dojo Destroyer was a size medium next to him.
This man was just _big_.
//RYOUGA HIBIKI VS. MUU!//
Ryouga just boggled at the hulk. "Muu?"
Muu replied in an odd, slow sort of animalistic "Muu" of
his own.
This, thought Ryouga, was not good. From the stands,
Ukyou cheered him on, which, in Murphy's Law, was sure to
mean he was going to make an utter fool of himself. He
really hoped this match would be much less... embarrassing
than his previous ones.
-*-
This was embarrassing.
"Hadouken!"
Ranma ducked as another blast of ki flew past. A small
strand of hair smoked, singed by it.
Akane always told him this would get him in trouble one
day. He just didn't think it would happen. She sighed and
shook her head as she watched the match continue.
"Sempuukyaku!" Sakura spun in the air, leg extended, and
struck at Ranma multiple times. He blocked easily, but
still felt the power behind those kicks.
He _really_ was reluctant to hit her.
There was an unexpected pause in the match. Ranma
blinked, frozen in a defensive stance as Sakura stood there,
frowning, her arms crossed and foot tapping the ground.
"Just WHAT are you doing?" she demanded to know.
"Huh?"
"You're not attacking! We're," she looked at a nearby
clock, "THREE MINUTES into the fight and you haven't thrown
ONE punch at me! What's the deal?"
Somewhere in the crowd, Akane was burying her face in her
hands.
"I... I don't like to hit girls, okay?" he answered,
irritated.
"Well that's a chauvinistic viewpoint, you jerk."
The crowd 'ooh'ed. Personal insults. This was good.
"You're probably not man enough to take me on anyway!"
Sakura taunted.
"What?! Why you..."
She stuck her tongue out and taunted. "Nyaaaaaah!"
Right. That was it. He knew of an alternative to
winning, a Anything Goes Pressure Hold Knockdown technique.
It was designed to knock out an opponent using pressure
points.
There was a big drawback.
It was created by Happosai.
Needless to say, the points to be pressed were going to
make him look like a real pervert.
But hey, he figured, he was already looking like a real
jerk, and his reputation was damaged anyway from the Hinako
incident.
"Ah, what the hell."
*GLOMP*
"EEEEEK!"
*
-THWAP-
"Muu."
-THWAP-THWAP-THWAP-
"Muu?"
"DAMMIT! FALL DOWN ALREADY! HYAH!"
-THWAP-
"Muu."
Ryouga retreated a safe distance, getting his breath back
back, and stared at the monolithic Muu. It was aggravating
that Muu didn't seem to be affected at all, but it was
baffling that Muu had gotten this far in the tournament.
After all, he was spectacularly slow.
He looked, briefly, into the stands. It seemed Ukyou was
yelling something. Ryouga strained to listen through the
roar of the crowds what Ukyou was trying to say.
Finally, he heard.
No... that couldn't be right, could it?
Ryouga looked at the massive Muu one more time, and
thought it over. Muu, and the plan, were both just stupid
enough to work.
Ryouga walked up to Muu solemnly and held his fist out.
Muu looked confused for a moment, then a spark of
recognition hit him. He held his fist out in a likewise
manner.
The crowd held its breath.
"JAN-KEN-POW!"
Ryouga had a rock. Muu had scissors.
//WINNER: RYOUGA HIBIKI!!!//
The crowed nearly facefaulted.
"Wow," said Ukyou, "it really worked."
***
---------INTERMISSION---------
***
Once again, at King's Cafe...
"So, what's with the big slap mark on the face, Ranchan?"
Akane gave Ranma a slight glare as he winced. "I don't
wanna talk about it."
"Hey hey, here's the man that beat last year's champion!"
cheered Hiroshi as he and Daisuke made their way to the
table. "Congratulations, man! And may I say you did it in
fine style!"
"That he did," said Nabiki wryly as she joined them.
"Shut up, you guys!" snarled Ranma.
Akane whapped him on the back of the head. "Pervert!"
"Hey! What'd ya do that for?!"
"For being a jerk, that's what!"
"Hey, I don't hit girls!"
"Wait... so if he didn't hit girls," asked Ukyou, "how'd
he win."
"I don't wanna ta-"
"I'll tell ya!" said Daisuke. "Pressure points!"
Ukyou and Ryouga gave blank stares. Akane continued to
glare at Ranma, who was at this point looking terribly
embarrassed.
"Pressure points?" asked Ryouga.
"What's so bad about..." asked Ukyou, thinking it over.
"Oh. The pressure points... exactly where were they?"
Ranma grumbled.
"Didn't hear ya, Ranchan," said Ukyou. "What was that?"
"He won't tell you," said Nabiki, pulling out a
camcorder. "But you can see for yourself here."
"Oh hey, thanks."
Ranma's eyes widened and he lunged for the camera. "Give
me that!"
-CLANG-
_thud_
"Just hit <play>, Ukyou. It's already at the good bit."
Ukyou put her spatula away then looked into the eyepiece
of the camera and hit the <play> button.
Her eye widened and she blushed.
"Oh my."
Ryouga nudged Ukyou. "Hey, lemme see." She rewound back
a bit then handed him the camera. As he watched, his eyes
grew wide.
"Jeez. He really is a pervert... oh, that explains the
slap on the face... and down she goes."
"They got the results of this round on line yet?" asked
Ukyou.
Nabiki opened her laptop. "Good question. Let me
check."
------------------------------------------------------------------
- The King of Nerima Tournament -
Day 3 Results
Saotome Ranma d. Kasugano, Sakura
(recap) (statistics) (highlights)
Happosai d. Monron
(recap) (statistics) (highlights)
Muhoshin Ryo d. Magical Girl Kuruma
(recap) (statistics) (highlights)
Copycat Ken d. Won Ton
(recap) (statistics) (highlights)
Hibiki Ryouga d. Muu
(recap) (statistics) (highlights)
Konjou Mariko d. Kaede
(recap) (statistics) (highlights)
Kumon Ryuu d. Shingo
(recap) (statistics) (highlights)
Rodumanu d. Yojojimbo
(recap) (statistics) (highlights)
-more- -previous results- -main- -statistics- -odds-
-next round-
------------------------------------------------------------------
Nabiki blinked. "That's surprising. They have the next
round lineup ready?"
Ukyou shrugged. "Hey, don't look a gift horse in the
mouth."
At this point, Ranma groaned as he made his way back to
consciousness, but nobody noticed.
------------------------------------------------------------------
- The King of Nerima Tournament -
Day 3 round 2 lineup
Saotome Ranma vs. Happosai
[statistics] [insider]
Muhoshin Ryo vs. Copycat Ken
[statistics] [insider]
Hibiki Ryouga vs. Mariko
[statistics] [insider]
Kumon Ryuu vs. Yojojimbo
[statistics] [insider]
-more- -previous results- -main- -statistics- -odds-
------------------------------------------------------------------
Ranma peered over Nabiki's shoulder and into the screen.
"Aw man! Not the old freak!"
Nabiki was pleased. Everything was going according to
plan so far. The people who were supposed to be winning
were winning, and at the rate things were going, there was a
great potential for an upset.
It seemed almost too well arranged, and according to some
of her sources it _was_ well arranged.
Things were coming to a close soon. Now was the time to
make sure certain variables were going to behave in the
manner they should.
***
"Did you really have to be so violent today?" asked
Akari, leaning on his shoulder.
Ryo gave a good imitation of a warm smile and patted
Akari's arm. "It's part of being a martial artist. Didn't
we have this discussion?"
"I know," said Akari, "but seeing you like that scares
me."
Ryo hmmed for a moment, then shrugged and reached for his
drink. He lifted it for a moment, then shook it slightly.
"I'll be right back, darling. Drink's empty."
He strolled over to the bar, twirling his umbrella, and
took a seat. The bartender seemed to be busy with other
customers at the moment. He hated waiting, but there seemed
to be no other choice.
"Mr. Muhoshin, I presume?"
He turned around. "Nabiki Tendo, yes?"
She nodded and took a seat next to him.
"You know," said Nabiki, looking at the drink list, "I've
heard there's someone behind the scenes fixing the
arrangements on the fights."
"Is that so?" he replied cooly. "I wouldn't know."
"If it was true, then I'd be curious as to the motive,"
said Nabiki. "Like, say, money?"
Ryo stood perfectly still and silent.
"Or perhaps a personal vendetta..."
Ryo coughed.
"Against one of the fighters..."
Ryo blinked twice.
"And I wonder if... any of the fights were fixed?"
Ryo remained still. Nabiki smiled.
"Mm-hm. It certainly does seem that Ranma and Ryouga
have had a tougher set of opponents than the rest of the
field. Ranma especially."
Ryo scratched his chin.
"At the rate they're going, they might not have much left
if they make it to the final round."
Ryo whistled innocently and looked off into the distance.
Nabiki paused a moment, then shrugged. As long as none of
the fights were going to be fixed (without her knowing about
it), then she didn't have a problem with it.
"See you 'round, Muhoshin."
"Adieu."
***
------- Round Six ------
***
[Furinkan High Soccer Field]
It was, to those in the know, a possibly great fight in
the making. One was the founder of Anything Goes Martial
Arts and an infamous man whose reputation was known from
Japan to China and probably quite a bit beyond. He was
quite possibly the most perverted old martial arts expert in
Japan. He was the Master.
//FROM THE ANYTHING GOES SCHOOL OF MARTIAL ARTS,
HAPPOSSAI!//
"Hello, Ranma."
The other was the most promising student of Anything Goes
Martial Arts, a student that had often fought the Master to
a standstill. On the occasions in which he had triumphed
over the Master, it was not due to his tremendous skill, but
his master's terrible weakness to women's undergarments.
//ALSO FROM THE ANYTHING GOES SCHOOL OF MARTIAL ARTS,
RANMA SAOTOME!//
"Hey, old freak."
The Student really didn't like the Master.
//FIGHT!//
For a while, the two just looked at each other. Ranma
examined Happosai warily, while the old man looked at Ranma
with amusement. Any words they'd say at this point would be
redundant. They'd fought that much and knew each other that
well.
From those that knew them, a fierce and prolonged battle
was expected. Ranma had other plans.
Suddenly, Ranma gasped and pointed behind Happosai.
"What a babe!"
Ranma readied himself for the opening. Happosai
twitched, but he otherwise didn't move. To everyone, this
was a great shock. Happosai, the greatest pervert martial
artist in the world, not even peeking?
"Heheh, it'll take more than that this time, boy. I've
been training."
"Oh?" Suddenly, Ranma whipped out a bra.
Happosai just laughed.
"Why would I want that when I've got this?" he asked,
pulling out a bra of his own. "Take a gander at this! Top
quality all silk, with just the right amount of cushioning,
AND the latest from from the spring line of Megami's
Secret!"
The crowed 'ooh'ed and 'aah'ed in appreciation. Even
Ranma was impressed.
"And the previous owner had a WONDERFUL body perfume!"
Somewhere out there, in the city, Kodachi shuddered.
"This baby'll give me enough energy to last for a month!"
It looked to Ranma like there was only one option left.
Hit'em while they're talking. After that, he'd just have to
work it out as it happened like he usually did.
"Why, with this bra I can take on th-ACK!" *WHAM*
The crowed cheered as Happosai was flung back from
Ranma's lightning quick rushing punch. Ranma followed his
initial attack with a flying kick, but Happosai dodged
easily.
"So, that's the way it's gonna be, eh?" asked Happossai.
"Happo-fire-burst!" The old master tossed out dozens of
small bombs, far too many for Ranma to toss back at him.
With nothing better to do, he dodged and ran. The audience
covered their ears and closed their eyes as the explosions
rocked the field of battle.
In the stands, Hiroshi and Daisuke 'tsk'ed.
"He went for the bombs this early?" Hiroshi crossed out
something on a notepad. "I knew I shouldn't have bet on
that."
***
Ryouga was at a disadvantage.
He didn't like to fight girls. The fact that he was
fighting on her territory wasn't good either.
"Two four six eight! Who do you appreciate!"
The field of battle was the Seisyun Gakuen High Soccer
Field. His opponent was their champion and heroine, known
as...
"M - A - R - I - K - O! MARIKO!"
...Mariko Konjou, the champion martial arts cheerleader
in the district. The crowd cheered wildly as Mariko emerged
into view, leaping over the top of a human pyramid formation
of cheerleaders, a blond, short-haired, overly happy looking
girl
From what he'd heard, Mariko was fast, agile, and very
tricky. Like fighting Kodachi, he thought, except without
the fear factor.
She landed on the ground perfectly on both feet, then
waved to the crowd with her pom-poms while jumping around.
The crowd responded with more cheers.
The chant of "MA-RI-KO!" could be heard echoing through
the field.
//MARIKO KONJOU VS. RYOUGA HIBIKI! FIGHT!//
Mariko opened the round with a volley of batons which
Ryouga deflected by quickly opening his umbrella. He
returned fire with a couple of tossed bandannas, but missed
as the cheerleader easily dodged.
"BATON CRUSH!" yelled the cheerleader, whipping a baton
outward. With lightning speed, it extended ten feet and
nailed Ryouga on the jaw. It was a strong enough hit to
send him staggering back a few steps.
Needless to say, the crowd went wild.
***
"Aaaaaagh!" -THUD-
"Try again, boy!" cackled Happosai. He was feeling good
at the moment, with the match being even thus far but with a
little momentum now going his way. The little momentum came
in the form of two pipe throws in a row, both sending Ranma
skidding face-first across the field.
Ranma charged again and Happosai easily hooked him with
his pipe, heaving Ranma over his shoulder.
"Heh, aga-WHOOOOAAAA!"
This time, Ranma managed to hold on to the pipe, yanking
Happosai upwards with him. In mid-air, they spun around
trying to establish control. Ranma gained the upper hand
and flung Happosai down to the ground, hard, then followed
up with a diving double kick that had the audience
'oooooh'ing in appreciation.
The women in the audience cheered.
Ranma dusted off his hands with a smug grin on his face.
"Heh, that was easy."
***BLAM***
***
With a wave of her hand, Mariko yelled "Ai no Toriko Kumo
no Ito Flying Tape!" and sent a rain of tape threads
Ryouga's way. He blocked with his umbrella, only to have it
yanked away as Mariko pulled back on the tape.
Ryouga was taken by surprise by the loss of his weapon,
leaving him open as Mariko took advantage and tagged him
hard with two quick baton crush strikes. Ryouga staggered
back a moment, then rushed forward with several kicks and
punches which Mariko seemed to easily dance around before
she flipped safely away again.
In an amazing demonstration of tactical thinking which he
would have lacked several years ago, Ryouga noted that her
agility was definitely a problem.
He wondered if she'd be so agile on shaky ground.
"BAKUSAI-TEN-KETSU!" With all ten fingers he stabbed
into the ground, setting off a chain reaction of explosions
around him, until most of the battlefield was turned into
uneven clumps of rock and dirt.
Mariko, taken by surprise from the force and range of the
blast, stumbled and fell as the ground under her feet turned
to rubble.
Ryouga grinned.
***
It was, the audience agreed, a grueling match. Master
and Student clashed at lightning speeds on the ground and in
the air. The match had more ki attacks than any previous
one, making for an incredible fireworks display.
Hiroshi and Daisuke were ready. They had their shades
on.
"MOKOU-TAKABISHA!" A burst of energy shot from Ranma's
hands.
The crowed 'ooh'ed.
Happosai's battle aura flared and manifested itself into
a forty foot tall image of the diminutive demon, taking the
impact of the ki blast easily.
The crowed 'aah'ed.
Ranma and Happosai both took to the air, meeting at the
peak of their jump with a flurry of punches and kicks. After
an amazingly long moment of hangtime, one fell flat on his
face to the ground. The other landed gracefully.
The crowd gasped.
Happosai smirked.
"Bwahaha! Had enough, boy?"
Ranma stood up slowly. He was also smiling, which also
confused Happosai. Then the old man saw why.
In Ranma's hand was the top quality, all silk, cushioned,
and latest in design bra from Megami's Secret.
Ranma grinned. "Heheh."
"Oh no! My precious!"
Happosai sprang forward desperately and recklessly,
trying to regain the source of his power. Unfortunately for
him, he also left himself wide open.
"TENSHIN-AMAGURIKEN!"
"Awk!"
Several hundred punches later....
//AND THE WINNER, RANMA SAOTOME!//
The crowd cheered, the women definitely louder than the
men.
***
The audience was surprised at how the match between Ryo
Muhoshin and Copycat Ken was progressing.
Ken and Ryo were both impressive in their victories, but
Ryo was currently the leader in absolute domination with an
average match time of a minute and twelve seconds. This
match had gone well beyond ten minutes, and it wasn't
because both fighters were battling to a standstill.
Ryo was, for the first time in the tournament, being
trounced. The frequent change in tactics was clearly
throwing him off his stride, and by the end of fifteen
grueling minutes Ryo was a battered wreck on the floor while
Copycat Ken only looked a slightly worn down.
To add insult to injury, he was currently imitatting Ryo.
"So, had enough?" asked Ryo/Ken.
Ryo got up on one knee, looking very unsteady, and glared
at his imitattor with narrow eyes.
"Now to finish you off," said Ryo/Ken, pacing around Ryo
steadily. "Maybe... with speed?" he asked, suddenly
morphing into Ranma. "Maybe I'll cut you to pieces," he
pondered, turning into Mousse, blades dangling from his
sleeves. "Nah, I'll just do it the old fashioned way." Ken
morphed into Ryouga and cracked his knuckles. "I'll beat
the crap outta... huh?"
Suddenly, Ryo was looking very angry. And the dark fiery
aura around him was somewhat disturbing too.
***
He had to admit it. He was feeling guilty.
//AND THE WINNER...//
Ryouga never did like hitting girls, and this match made
him feel like he'd been dishonorable. The boos and jeers
from the crowd certainly didn't help.
//RYOUGA HIBIKI!//
He sighed and looked at Mariko, who just beginning to
get back on her feet. Guilt being the wonderful motivator
that it is, it motivated him to help her to her feet.
"Hey, are you okay?" he asked.
Mariko looked up at the boy who had beaten him. Was that
genuine concern she heard in his voice? Was that worry she
saw in his eyes? Did he care? She blushed slightly. He
was really worried about her.
She wondered how it'd feel to be in his arms.
"I..." she managed to say, then closed her eyes. Mariko
fell into his arms. Ryouga looked panic-stricken.
Somewhere out there, he knew Ukyou was watching.
"YOU CASANOVA!"
Yes, she was definitely watching.
What to now? He couldn't leave Mariko out here. He'd
have to carry her off to the sidelines, at the very least.
Unseen by Ryouga, Mariko's lips formed a slight smile.
It felt good to be in his arms.
***
Ryouga/Ken was slammed face first into the ground for the
tenth time in a row. Ryo, surrounded by a flaming dark
aura, pulled him up by the neck like a rag doll, then
marched towards one of the nearby cameramen.
"Stay RIGHT there," he snarled. A second later, he
smashed Ryouga/Ken's face into the camera.
//AND THE WINNER...//
"KIND OF OBVIOUS, ISN'T IT?! roared Ryo. He glared at
Copycat Ken once more, then strode off the field seething
with anger.
***
[4th floor, Furinkan High]
"Saotome's in, boss. Just like everyone expected."
Nabiki nodded.
Sayuri checked further on her notebook. "Also in are...
Ryo and Ryouga. Still waiting on Ryuu vs. Yojojimbo."
"Any footage highlights of note?" asked Nabiki.
"The Ranma vs. Happosai match was a real light show,"
replied Yuka. "We're sure to sell lots of copies of those.
Oh yeah, there's an interesting new rumor floating
around..."
***
"You big womanizing pervert," sneered Ukyou.
"I didn't do anything!" protested Ryouga loudly, drawing
looks from the other pedestrians as they walked down the
street.
"Yeah, right. So what's that lipstick mark on your face,
huh?"
Ryouga stopped. "Lipstick? What lipstick?"
She swung out her spatula and held the flat end out in
front of Ryouga's face. He winced.
"Look in the reflection, idiot."
Ryouga blinked, looked up, then quickly tore off a
bandanna and wiped off a lipstick mark on his cheek.
"I-it didn't mean anything!" he stuttered.
"Whatever. C'mon, the guys are waiting for us." She
took him firmly by the hand and and started them moving
through the crowds once more.
"The cafe again?"
Ukyou nodded.
A few minutes later, they made their way through King's
cafe, where it seemed all of Nerima's martial artists were
hanging out lately. Ranma, Akane, and quite a few others
were seated at one of the long tables. Hiroshi and Daisuke
were tallying their gambling hits and misses for the day.
Sayuri and Yuka were there as well, accompanying the boys.
Prince Toma and Ryuu Kumon were there as well.
"Hey guys!" greeted Ranma.
Everyone else gave them a wave, except Prince Toma and
Ryuu Kumon. Both were in shock at the moment.
"I don't believe she left," murmured Prince Toma.
"Just like that," sighed Ryuu.
"Oh, cheer up! I'm sure you'll run into them again,"
said Akane. In reply, both Ryuu and Toma sighed and stared
silently into their drinks.
"H-i-b-i-k-i-sama!"
Ryouga paled then dove under the table. "I'm not here!"
he hissed.
A moment later, a somewhat bruised but happy Mariko
Konjou pranced happily past, looking around. "Aw, I thought
I saw him here!" She looked around once more, then bounded
away to another part of the cafe.
Ukyou frowned and gave Ryouga a swift kick.
"OW!"
"She's gone now. Get up, jackass."
Ryouga cautiously rose back up to his seat. Ranma,
meanwhile, was grinning. "So, what was that all about?"
"It wasn't my fault," he said firmly.
"Ryouga's picked up a new girlfriend," said Ukyou.
"Why that sly dog," said Ranma smugly. "Ryouga, I didn't
think you had it in ya."
"Shut up, Ranma!"
Thus began another round of pointless Ranma-Ryouga
squabbling. By this time, everyone had learned to tune it
out like the background noise that it was.
"So, how'd your match go?" Sayuri asked Ryuu.
"Never thought a sumo guy could be so fast," said Ryuu.
"Yojojimbo wasn't easy."
"Yeah, he's the current leading rebounder in the
cafeteria," said Hiroshi, not looking away from his
notepad.
"Er, what?"
"Cafeteria. Rebounding," added Daisuke, although he too
was distracted with penciling in figures on his notepad.
Ryuu still looked confused. "Ah, right."
Daisuke looked up for a moment to stretch his neck, then
his eyes locked on to the nearby television, currently on
the King of Nerima Pay Per View channel. He tapped Ryouga
on the shoulder, effectively derailing the Ranma/Ryouga
squabbling.
"Hey, Ryouga. I think you oughta look on the tv man."
"IF YOU HADN'T- huh? What?"
"The television. You. Look."
Everyone at the table looked to the screen, where a
bruised, beaten, and bloodied Ryouga was smashed face-first
into the camera's point of view.
//...and that was the end of the Ryo Muhoshin/Copycat Ken
battle...//
"Yow. That was surreal," said Ukyou.
***
In a park on Tokyo Bay, Ryo Muhoshin sat moodily on a
bench, alone. The night sky was rather beautiful. The
breeze was refreshing.
He didn't notice that. He was reading a note.
Muhoshin-san.
We regret to inform you that we've found employment
elsewhere. Good luck on the Unryuu scam, though
we really advise against it.
- Oritatami & Shoberu
-p.s. No hard feelings, right?
Ryo crushed the note in his fist and flung the paper away
angrily. He stood up, took a deep breath, and walked away.
A moment later, Tanya Noori emerged from the shadows.
She idly tossed around a crumpled note and grinned. The
pursuit of a goal, she felt, was always easier when there
wasn't competition around. If she played her cards right,
things were going to become easier.
She read the note one more time and shook her head. By
way of covert surveillance, she knew who the major players in
Nerima were. Akari looked nice enough. Rotten bastard,
victimizing a girl like that.
***
The people in 'Ranma's table' greeted Nabiki as she took
her seat. "Hi guys, sorry I'm late."
"Did they list the next round matchups yet?" asked Akane.
Nabiki nodded. "Ranma's going up against Ryo Muhoshin,
and Ryouga's matched up against Ryuu Kumon."
Everyone at the table took a look at Ryuu, with his
sleeveless shirt, bandanna, and spotted leggings, then at
Ryouga with his sleeveless shirt, spotted bandanna, and
leggings. A few snickers followed.
"Hey, what's so funny?" asked Ryouga.
Ryuu shrugged.
***
Ryo looked at the roster list and frowned.
Decisions, decisions, decisions.
There were only four fighters left: himself, Ryouga,
Ranma, and Ryuu.
He could take Ryouga on now. But that wouldn't make for
a proper climactic moment. No, his glorious battle against
Ryouga MUST be the last match of the tournament.
Then what of the alternatives?
Ranma vs. Ryouga?
No, certainly not. From what he'd heard, Ranma knew
Ryouga too well. He would surely win that match, and thus
deny Ryo the glorious ending he deserved.
Ryouga vs. Ryuu then.
But this left Ryo to face Ranma.
Not an easy task.
Damn.
-end part 3?-