At 06:44 PM 6/18/98 -0700, Anand Rao wrote:

Ranma 1/2 is owned by Rumiko Takahashi

Onna-ken
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By: Anand Rao and Ed Becerra

________________________

"Saotome, my friend! You've come at last!  Oh, how I've waited for this
day!" Soun exclaimed, tears flowing down his face.

"It- It's good to see you to, Tendo.  Really good," Genma said somberly as
he walked into the Tendo home.

"When I received your postcard from China, I was so excited!  Finally, our
families can be joined!  Speaking of which, where is your son?  Where is
Ranma?" Soun asked eagerly.

"I need to talk to you about that, Tendo.  There are. . . some
complications," Genma replied uncomfortably.

"Complications?  What sort of complications, Saotome?" Soun asked, his
voice growing hard.

"Soun, we've always believed that the Art can teach us anything, haven't
we?" Genma asked.

"Of course, Saotome.  The path of a martial artist is difficult and fraught
with peril, but it is a path that can lead to many things.  You taught your
son in this manner, haven't you?" 

"Yes I have; and you do not know how right you are. . . the path is
perilous indeed," Genma replied eerily.  

Soun swallowed hard, his throat dry. "H-Has something happened to your son,
Saotome?"  he asked.

"Last year, I told Ranma about our agreement, and that he was engaged to
one of your daughters," Genma replied.

"And?  What was the boy's reaction?" 

"He was against it, the foolish boy!  He wouldn't admit it, but I think he
was scared.  After all, it's just been the two of us for so long, the boy
wasn't used to being around women, you understand," Genma explained.

"Sounds reasonable, but surely after staying here awhile and getting to
know my daughters he-"

"It's too late for that now," Genma said, interrupting Soun.  "I'm afraid I
took some drastic measures.  I was so desperate to see our families joined.
I attacked this problem like any other; I used the Art.  Tell me, Tendo,
have you ever heard of the technique called, Onna-ken?" Genma asked.

"Onna-ken?  No, I can't say that I have," Soun replied, a bit confused.

"It's a terrible technique, Tendo.  You take the trainee, and wrap him up

>from head to toe with various. . . items, and-"

"What items, exactly?" Soun interrupted.

"Oh, you know, things like diamond rings, stocks, bonds, life insurance
policies, deeds to homes; that sort of thing," Genma explained.

"I. . . see," Soun replied, more confused than ever. 

"You then toss the trainee into a room full of husband-crazed women.  In
this manner I hoped that Ranma would become accustomed to the members of
the opposite sex," Genma continued.

"That sounds. . .horrible," Soun shuddered.

"Indeed.  After five minutes, the boy ran out of the room screaming. He was
truly scared of women!  I could not let such a fear grow unchallenged of
course, so I repeated the technique again.  Only this time, I locked the
door."  

"You didn't!" Soun gasped.

"Indeed I did, Tendo.  Indeed I did.  Several hours later, when the, um,
noises had subsided, I opened the door and looked inside.  Tendo, I will

not describe the horror I witnessed on that day, but suffice it to say, my
son is scarred for life," Genma said, weeping quietly.  "Ranma's fear of
women goes beyond all rationality," he sobbed. 

"So, is there nothing we can do?  Perhaps Kasumi, my eldest daughter, can
help.  No one can be afraid of her!" Soun said confidently.

"You don't understand, Tendo!  When Ranma's fear becomes too much for him,
is swept away by the power of the Onna-ken!" Genma cried.

"What do you mean?" Soun asked.

"Well, you should see for yourself.  On our way here, a girls track team
jogged by us in a large group.  Ranma couldn't handle it," Genma said,
opening the front door.  

"He's been outside all this time?"  Soun demanded.

"Yes, I told him to wait for me.  He should have, considering what I told
him.  Brace yourself my friend," Genma warned.  "Ranma!  Come here, boy.
I'd like you to meet someone," he called out.

Soun stepped back fearfully as a young man eagerly entered the house.  He
was wearing a red, Chinese-style shirt with black pants.  His was hair tied
back loosely in a ponytail.  He smiled easily as he walked up to Soun.
"So, are you married?" He asked bluntly.

"Uh. . . no, my wife died many years ago,"  Soun replied quietly.

"You poor, dear man.  You must be so lonely," Ranma said coyly.

"O-On occasion, yes," Soun agreed somewhat unsteadily. 

"Have you ever considered getting re-married?" Ranma then asked, in the
same demure voice.

"The thought has occurred to me. . . on occasion,  Soun confessed.

"Really?" Ranma squealed in delight, "Then, will you marry me?" he demanded.

Soun's eyes started to roll upward.  "Well, you -did- want our families to
be joined," he 
heard Genma say, just as the darkness took him.

You know this is something that I'd expect Ryucillo to write, not you...