Muyami Academy
What if they ALL went to the same school?
M A Davis / Miko
Previous chapters at: http://members.xoom.com/bellchan/
Thanks to my longsuffering prereaders, T.H. Tiger,
Bombadil Goh, and my friend Jeffrey Cornish. Thanks also to
my most vocal readers, Jed Hagen, Scott Pollert, and William
Morse, who have not given up on me and my story. ^_^
DISCLAIMER: Ranma 1/2 characters and stuff, and Inu-
Yasha characters and stuff, not to mention Ursei Yatsura
characters and stuff, copyright 1999 Rumiko Takehashi.
Tenchi Muyou characters and stuff, copyright 1999 Pioneer &
AIC. Mamono Hunter Yohko characters and stuff copyright
1999 AD Vision, NCS, Toho Company, LTD, Mad House, and
I don't know who else. Koko wa Greenwood characters
copyright Yuki Nasu. Mint na Bokura characters copyright
Wataru Yoshizume. Other characters and stuff also copyright
the creators and owners.
Chapter 8
A Festive Dinner
"So," Shinobu said, "it would seem that our plan has
backfired on us."
"A most lamentable turn of events," Mitsuru agreed. "In
the end, the joke is on us."
Shun ground his teeth. The three of them were sitting in
dorm commons room, trying to sort out their current
predicament.
"I'm not prepared to pretend to be a girl for a full year,"
Shun said, "let alone three. Especially when my roommate's a
girl, has no problem undressing in front of me, and expects me
to do the same in front of her. It'll never work!"
"I'm aware of that," Shinobu said. "We'll have to tell her
the truth. Still, there must be some way to save some face
here...."
He paused. A group of students marched into the
commons area and gathered around them. Seeing that they had
the attention of the dorm President and his roommate, one of
them -- apparently the leader of the group -- stepped forward.
"Sir! Permission to speak, sir!" the boy exclaimed.
Shinobu sighed heavily.
"What is it this time, Ataru?" Mitsuru asked.
"Sir!" Ataru bellowed out, still standing at attention. "We,
the students of Sakagawa Hall, respectfully request the dorm
President's approval and official sanction for the event which
we plan for this evening!"
Mitsuru eyed Ataru warily. "And this event would be?"
"Sir! We propose to visit Matsukata Hall at 7:00 p.m.,
and conduct an official panty raid, sir!"
Mitsuru placed a hand on his forehead.
"A panty raid?" he said. "Why am I not surprised?"
"Sir! It's an honorable tradition, sir!" Ataru exclaimed.
"How can we ignore the traditions passed down by our
forefathers?"
"Listen, Ataru," Mitsuru said, "I don't think we...."
Shinobu held up his hand, stopping Mitsuru in mid-
sentence.
"Yes," Shinobu said. "I believe Ataru is right. The panty
raid is a sacred tradition, passed on from one generation to the
next. We must continue it."
"We must?" Mitsuru asked.
"Indeed," Shinobu replied. "What's more, we must make
sure everyone participates... especially new students, like Ukyo
Kuonji."
A slow smile of understanding spread across Mitsuru's
face.
"Shinobu," he said, "you are very, very cruel."
"I'll take that as a compliment."
***
Sweat dripped down Ranma's face. She squirmed in her
seat, earning another round of penetrating stares from Yohko
and Akane, seated on either side of her. Her bare thighs stuck
to the metal of the folding chair. She'd already removed her
jacket, but packed in with hundreds of other students on a hot
summer day in an auditorium built without air conditioning,
there was little Ranma could do but suffer. It was enough to
make one claustrophobic.
The speaker droned on about the noble history of the
school, and the importance of applying oneself to study, and
many other things that Ranma didn't care about in the least.
But just as she came to the conclusion that her silk blouse
would be plastered to her skin for all eternity, the Opening
Ceremonies came to a close.
The auditorium erupted into applause, and students began
to move en masse for the exits. Ranma couldn't wait to get out
into the refreshingly cool summer air, but a slow-moving wall
of people blocked their path.
"Man," Ranma said, "this could take forever."
"Just hang on," Akane said. "We'll be out of here in
another minute or two."
"I can't wait that long," Ranma said. "Hang on, you two!"
Ranma wrapped one arm about Akane's waist, and the
other about Yohko's waist, and then leapt straight up into the
air. Yohko gasped. Akane screamed. They nearly collided
with the large beams that held the ceiling aloft, then the
descended, in an arc that landed them right at the exit.
As they descended, both Akane and Yohko struggled in
vain to keep their skirts from flying up. Students scrambled to
get out of the way. The trio landed, and Ranma dragged them
out the door and into the sunshine, laughing the whole way.
"Ranma!" Akane growled, "don't you ever do that to me
again!"
"What's wrong?" Ranma replied. "I got us out of that
nasty auditorium in a hurry!"
"What's wrong?" Akane repeated. "Everyone was staring
at our panties, that's what's wrong!"
Ranma paused. Her face flushed red.
"Oh," she said. "I.. um... I'm sorry."
"Baka," Akane muttered under her breath.
"Ranma," Yohko said, "sometimes you act like you've
been a girl for only a week, instead of your whole life."
Ranma raised an eyebrow, but said nothing. The three
followed the crowd up the sidewalk in silence.
"So where is this fair?" Ranma asked.
"They announced it at the end of Opening Ceremonies,"
Akane said. "Weren't you listening to anything in there?"
Ranma shrugged. "I was concentrating on not melting
into the floorboards," she said. "I don't know how you two
could stand it in there."
"I just pictured my darling Ukyo in my arms," Yohko said
dreamily.
"The fair is in Red Square," Akane said. "That's the only
place they could have it, really."
Red Square was a large, open courtyard near the center of
campus, lined entirely with red bricks. Red Square wasn't its
official name, of course... but it had been called that for so long
that nobody remembered the official name.
Currently, the square was filled with tables and booths, set
up by the various school clubs. There were food booths and
gaming booths as well -- it was a full-scale festival, designed to
not only allow the clubs to recruit members, but to also
celebrate the arrival of new and returning students to the
academy.
The smell of freshly grilled food, mixed with smoke and
spices, drifted out over the crowd. Above the constant roar of
crowd noise snatches of music could be heard, including a
marching band and some Taiko drummers... from a Taiko
Drumming Club, Ranma assumed. Colorful balloons, banners
and streamers flashed in the sunlight, and Ranma even caught a
glimpse of a dragon kite flying high overhead. They shoved
their way through the crowd, trampling discarded paper into
the red brick of the square, and looked for anything that caught
their eye, and when the crowd finally parted, Ranma could feel
a cool breeze against her bare thighs and against the silk blouse
still plastered to her back.
"Hungry?" Yohko asked.
"You bet!" Ranma replied.
Yohko laughed. "Time to eat, have fun, and sign up for
whatever clubs you want," she said.
"You're going to join the Martial Arts Club, right,
Ranma?" Akane asked.
Ranma shrugged. "I haven't decided," she said. "I've
never been too impressed with school clubs, but Yohko's
grandmother said the instructor was good. I guess I should
check it out...."
"Well, don't eat too much," Akane said. "Remember, I'm
making dinner."
"How could I forget?" Ranma muttered, earning a
warning look from her fiancee.
"Akane!" a girl called out. "Ranma! Yohko! Over here!"
The three made their way to a crowded food booth.
Behind the booth, Nanami Jinnai was busy grilling squid and
other festival fare. She smiled brightly at them.
"Want anything?" she asked. "I'll give you a special
roommate-only discount!"
Ranma and Akane nodded, but Yohko was staring at
something else off in the distance.
"I'll meet you guys later," she said. "I already see what I
really want...."
As Yohko disappeared into the crowd, Ranma glanced at
Akane and raised an eyebrow.
"It's that boy she saw in class this morning," Akane said.
"Boy?" Ranma blinked.
"Where've you been?" Akane asked. "She's been going on
about him all day! Some cute boy named Ukyo, who just
transfered in."
"Oh?" Ranma took a grilled squid from Nanami's hands
and stuffed it into her mouth. "I used to know a boy named
Ukyo," she mumbled.
She grabbed two more squid, paid for them, and said, "I'm
going to find the Martial Arts booth."
Akane nodded. "I'll meet you there," she said. "I want to
find Nabiki. I haven't told her about dinner at my room
tonight...."
***
Ranma stared dubiously at the woman behind the table.
She was short -- barely two feet tall, in fact -- and had the most
wrinkled face he'd ever seen. Even her wrinkles had wrinkles.
She looked older than a lot of shrines and temples. She looked,
in fact, like a troll or hag. Considering recent events, Ranma
wouldn't be surprised if she were.
The sign said, "Martial Arts Club", and the woman wore a
Chinese robe, but... surely this wasn't the one Yohko's
grandmother had talked about in such glowing terms?
"Ah, man," Ranma said, "don't tell me you're the club's
instructor!"
The strange troll-woman -- she really didn't look human at
all -- glanced up.
"Naturally not," she said. "It's a student-run club after all.
I am the faculty advisor, and my grand-daughter, Shampoo,
will be the club instructor."
"Ah, man, and I thought this was going to be worth my
time...."
Like a flash of lightning, her staff whipped about, headed
straight for Ranma's head.
Ranma leaned back. The cane missed by several inches,
whistling through the air. It snapped back, and again Ranma
dodged it easily.
"Hmmm... not bad," the old crone said. "What styles do
you know?"
"My family style," Ranma replied. "The Saotome School
of Anything Goes Martial Arts. It incorporates a little of
everything, with mid-air combat a specialty."
"Anything Goes Martial Arts?" the woman repeated.
"Hmmm... could you possibly mean...? No, that would be
impossible. Unless...?"
Ranma watched her muse for a moment. "Ma'am?" he
asked, curious.
"It's probably just a coincidence," the old woman said,
"but my late husband developed a style of his own, which he
called "Anything Goes Martial Arts". And, yes, midair combat
was one of his specialties... but he never took on any students
that I know of, and he's been dead for a very long time." She
stroked her chin for a moment in thought. "Although, they
never did find the body...."
The woman focused again on Ranma. "Very well," she
said. "You're in the club."
"Maybe I don't wanna join," Ranma said.
The old woman's staff flashed out again, this time so
swiftly that even Ranma had no time to dodge. It connected
squarely with her forehead.
"You misunderstand," the woman said. "I choose who
will be in the club. You do not get a choice. We meet at 5:00
am sharp every morning in the gymnasium, and I don't mean
every weekday, I mean every single day. Is that clear,
student?"
Ranma gritted her teeth. "Are the students allowed to spar
with the teacher?" she asked.
"If you're that foolish," the woman replied, "then of
course."
"Fine," Ranma growled. "I'll be there, ya old hag!"
***
Elsewhere in the fair, Tenchi Masaki stood before another
booth, this one for the school's Kendo Club. Behind the booth
sat a familiar young girl with long blue pigtails and a constant
grin. An even more familiar older man sat beside her,
regarding the world through square glasses perched over a
graying moustache, while on the table, basking in the warm
sunlight, was a floppy-eared gray furball.
"Grandpa?" Tenchi asked.
"Ah, Tenchi, there you are!" the man replied. "I was
hoping you'd join our Kendo Club! Just sign your name on this
sign-up sheet...."
"Grandpa, what are you doing here? And why's Sasami
here with you?"
"Why, we're signing students up for the Muyami
Academy Kendo Club, of course. Sasami volunteered to be my
assistant, and anyway, it's nice to get away from the shrine
once in a while."
"But... you're not... how can you... that is..." Tenchi
sputtered.
"It's all very simple, Tenchi," his grandfather said. "The
Club needs an experienced trainer, as I learned when I spoke to
Principal Ikari about transferring you and the girls here. So I
volunteered my services as an advisor. It doesn't pay much --
actually, it's just volunteer work -- but it gives Sasami and I a
chance to see you and the girls. I'm sorry I didn't warn you, but
I knew you'd find out sooner or later." The old man smiled,
and then added, "Sasami and I will be staying at a nearby
apartment for the first couple of weeks, but as soon as Ryo-
Ohki's ready, we can return home, show up for an afternoon
class and still get back to the shrine in time to make dinner and
watch our favorite television shows. Not too bad, eh Tenchi?"
"As soon as Ryo-Ohki's ready?"
"Of course," Tenchi's grandfather said. "She's a
spaceship, you know."
Sasami laughed. "It's really great, Tenchi! I get to see
you and Ayeka and even Ryoko! I'm glad your grandfather
thought of it!"
"You know, Tenchi," his grandfather said, "the club needs
a student instructor as well. From what I hear, the post is wide
open...."
Tenchi sighed. "Great, that's just what I need," he said,
signing the sheet. "What's the point of going away to a
boarding school, if you don't really get away?"
***
Mitsuru, Shinobu, and Shun found Ukyo hard at work at
her okonomiyaki stand. A slender young girl with her hair in
braided hoops stood nearby, clearly trying to capture Ukyo's
attention, and failing miserably. Shinobu laughed to himself,
knowing the reason for her failure. He wondered how many
hearts Ukyo had broken so far.
Ukyo smiled as she saw the three of them. "Ohayo!" she
called out cheerfully. "What can I get for you three?"
"You're the chef," Shinobu said. "We'll take whatever you
recommend."
"Three house specials then!" Ukyo said, and began
pouring the batter onto the griddle.
As she worked, the two boys took note of the giant spatula
strapped to her back. They exchanged glances. Shinobu raised
an eyebrow. Mitsuru only smiled.
"From what I hear, you're a very good cook, Ukyo-kun,"
Mitsuru said.
"Hai!" Ukyo replied. "Thank you for saying so, Mitsuru-
sempai! I was trained by my father."
Shinobu said, "The fair wraps up at 6:00 p.m., correct?"
Ukyo nodded. She carefully decorated the frying
okonomiyaki with sauce. When they were done, she slid each
onto a plate and set them in front of her three dorm mates.
After they ate, Shinobu said, "Actually, Ukyo, I was
hoping we could speak to you in private...."
"Oh?" Ukyo looked suddenly wary, but she led the three
of them behind the food stand and away from the crowd.
"What's up?" she asked.
"We have a confession to make," Mitsuru said. "The truth
is, your roommate, Shun Kisaragi, is not, in fact, a girl."
Ukyo's eyes grew wide, and she turned to stare at Shun.
"Is that true? You're really a boy?"
Shun nodded. "I'm sorry," he said, "I was just doing what
Mitsuru-sempai and Shinobu-sempai told me to do...."
There was a loud SMACK! Shun spun about and fell to
the ground from the force of Ukyo's slap.
"Ah," Shinobu said. "She's a girl after all."
"For future reference," Mitsuru added, "a good hard punch
to the jaw would be far more manly."
"You want a punch?" Ukyo growled. "I can give you a
punch!"
"What'd you do that for?" Shun yelled.
"You!" Ukyo growled. "You saw me naked, you little
lech!"
"Well it's not like I wanted to!" Shun replied, as he
struggled to get up. He was immediately knocked back to the
ground -- this time, by Ukyo's battle spatula.
"That will be enough of that," Shinobu said.
Mitsuru nodded. ""Although, I must say, the giant spatula
is much better. But if anyone's to blame for this situation, it's
the two of us."
Ukyo turned on the two seniors. "Well I hope you had
fun!" she growled. "What are you going to do now, report
me?" She glared at the two angrily.
Mitsuru smiled.
"Of course not," he said. "Just as Shun's 'secret' was safe
with us, yours will be also. As long as you can avoid giving
yourself away, we'll be happy to claim ignorance of the truth."
Ukyo lowered her gaze.
"Thank you," she said. "I -- I don't want to have to leave
Muyami Academy."
"However," Shinobu said. Ukyo glanced back up warily.
"You did ruin one of our best practical jokes. Normally I
would be a little miffed about it, but as it happens, there is
something that you can do to appease my anger."
Ukyo glowered at him. "That is?" she asked.
"A group of students from our dorm will be gathering on
the steps at 6:30 p.m. I'm hoping you can be there."
"What for?"
"Do not tell anyone," Mitsuru said, "but... they are
planning a panty raid on the girl's dorm."
Ukyo regarded him with half-lidded eyes.
"That doesn't seem like your style, Mitsuru-sempai."
Mitsuru shrugged. "To be honest, it really isn't," he said.
"But it's a tradition, and others in the dorm insisted on it.
There's little I can do to stop it."
"Well, count me out," Ukyo said. "I'm not interested."
"Now, Ukyo," Shinobu said, "I was counting on your
participation. After all, you want to at least appear to be one
of the boys, don't you? People might spread stories about you
otherwise."
Ukyo glanced sharply at Shinobu, but his face was a mask
of innocence.
"You're not giving me any choice in this, are you?"
Shinobu smiled. "You always have a choice," he said.
Ukyo growled low in her throat.
"Okay," she said, "I'll do it. But after this...."
"We'll be even," Shinobu said.
***
Akane glanced about. The banner over the booth before
her said "Martial Arts Club" in large black letters, but Ranma
was nowhere to be seen.
"Probably stuffing her face somewhere," Akane muttered,
stepping forward.
"Is this where I sign up?" Akane asked, flashing her
trademark cheerful smile at the old woman behind the booth.
A club whipped out. Surprised, Akane blocked it with her
forearm, and then again with her other forearm as it whipped
about.
"Hey!" she exclaimed, "what's the big idea?"
"Hmmm," the old woman said. "Your reflexes are okay.
What styles have you learned?"
"My father's style," Akane said, lowering her arms.
"Tendo Anything-Goes Martial Arts."
The old woman's eyes narrowed.
"What? You too?" She jumped up onto the table. "I
really must get to the bottom of this! Tell me, where did your
father learn this style? Who was his master?"
Akane frowned.
"Now that you mention it," she said, "I know he trained
with Mr. Saotome, but I've never heard either of them mention
anything about a master. I've always assumed that they
originated the style together...."
***
"Ah, my good man! Is this where one signs up for the
noble kendo club?"
Grandfather Masaki smiled, the sun flashing off of his
glasses. The boy who stood before him was tall and muscular,
with thick black hair and good looks. He was dressed in a
kendo outfit, with a bokken slung over his shoulder. His face
was a mask of seriousness.
"Yes," grandfather Masaki replied, "that's why we have
the sign up that says, "Muyami Academy Kendo Club. And I
see that you've even brought your own bokken."
"Excellent!" the boy exclaimed. "Am I to assume, then,
that you are the instructor?"
The elder Masaki nodded.
The boy swung his bokken around and stood ramrod
straight. "Then allow me to introduce myself: I am a rising star
in the kendo world, once known as the Blue Thunder of
Furinkan High. Now that I have transfered to this fine private
school, I will, of course, be known as the Blue Thunder of
Muyami Academy! Tatewaki Kuno, age 17, at your service!"
Grandfather Masaki continued to smile good-naturedly.
"An impressive name," he replied. "I'm afraid I don't quite
have one to match it, but you can call me Mr. Masaki. I know
many styles of swordsmanship, including the traditional kendo
styles, of course. I think we're going to have a lot of fun this
semester, and who knows? I might even surprise you."
Tatewaki Kuno arched his eyebrows. "Verily, I hope so.
The lack of competition at Furinkan was most tiresome, and it
would do my heart good to find things more challenging here
at this school. Already I find myself sharing a room with a
cackling madman, which is most vexing...." He paused, staring
off into the distance. "Although, I must admit, it is not so
different from my life at home...." He glanced back, and
added, "Well that is something to think on at another time. I
take it that this is the sheet upon which I am required to
inscribe my name?"
"In so many words, yes," grandfather Masaki said.
Kuno bent down and signed his name, then rose and
saluted with his bokken. "Good day, Masaki-sensei, and fare
thee well until the morrow!"
***
It was still bright out and very hot, but the sun was
hanging heavy in the sky, and the fair was slowly drawing to a
close. Cologne broke down her Martial Arts Club table and
then headed over to the ramen stand, where Mousse and
Shampoo were beginning to clean and pack everything up.
Cologne hopped up onto the counter. "And how was
business today, great-granddaughter?" she asked.
"Money-hungry girl and long-haired boy very strong
competition," Shampoo said. "But we still do very well!"
"The boys can't resist a beautiful girl, can they?" Cologne
said with a cackle. Mousse growled low in his throat, but the
old woman ignored him.
"Good, good," Cologne said. "I did fairly well myself. In
fact, if I'm any judge of talent and skill, I'd say that there are a
few students here at school who will give you quite a
challenge, Shampoo."
"Shampoo beat them all," the girl declared. "Is none of
them strong as Amazon warrior. They not even beat Mousse,
Shampoo think."
Cologne laughed. "That's the spirit, Shampoo!" she said.
The old woman prepared three bowls of ramen for the
three of them, then sat down to eat. A few minutes later, as she
was finishing off her own bowl, a tall man approached.
"Well, well," Cologne said, "if it isn't local Police Chief
Daisuke Ido! How are you doing this evening?"
"Fine, thank you very much," the Chief replied. "Is it too
late to get a ramen bowl?"
"Of course not!" Cologne said, leaping up. "It's never too
late for a paying customer!"
"So," Cologne said, as she prepared the Chief's meal.
"Have you found your demon yet?"
"Demon?" the Chief asked.
"Don't play dumb with me, officer Ido," the woman said.
"You've been questioning students all day about the incident
last night. A demon appeared and was killed, and some of our
students were involved. But you don't know what happened to
the demon, do you?"
Chief Ido smiled. "Not just yet, I don't," he said. "It may
have been killed for good, or it may not. If it appears again,
then I'll know it isn't dead just yet."
Cologne barked a laugh, and, with a quick maneuver,
filled a bowl with steaming ramen and slid it in front of the
officer.
Chief Ido took a bite. His eyes lit up.
"Very good!" he exclaimed.
Cologne smiled. "And who knows fast food better than a
cop?" she asked.
Ido laughed, and took another bite.
"You seem to be a woman of no little knowledge," he
said, after swallowing.
"Well," Cologne said with a laugh, "I haven't lived a
hundred years for nothing!"
The inspector raised an eyebrow, but made no comment.
Instead, he said, "Tell me, if you would, in your own words,
what you think is going on here."
"It's the end of the school fair," the old woman replied.
"People are packing up and going back to their rooms."
"Yes, I can see that," Chief Ido said, irritably. "I mean...
tell me about this school. All of these students with special
powers. Demons and demon-hunters, and aliens and
goddesses."
"Ah," Cologne said. "That. Well, all I can tell you is
what I know. Principal Ikari visited my village and offered me
an exceptionally handsome salary to come here and teach. So
here I am. I teach Chinese history and literature, and martial
arts."
"How do you explain all of these powers?"
"Magic," Cologne said. "Secret arts. Alien technology. It
depends on who you're talking about."
"Magic?" Chief Ido said. "I've never really believed in it,
but...." His voice trailed off.
"You don't believe in demons, do you?" Cologne said.
"You don't believe in angels or devils, in heaven or hell, in
gods, good and bad spirits, other realities or levels of
existence...."
"Well," the Chief said, "I don't believe in anything I can't
see."
Cologne laughed. "A reasonable answer," she said. "But
there are many things which you can't see or haven't seen
which are real."
Chief Ido looked thoughtful.
"The girl's dormitory President," he said. "Belldandy.
She says she's a goddess. What do you think of that?"
"I think it means exactly what it sounds like," Cologne
said.
"That being?"
"She works for the Almighty, of course."
Ido frowned. "You mean God?"
Cologne smiled slyly. "That's not what I said, officer
Ido...."
"I don't believe in God," Chief Ido said firmly.
"Suit yourself," the old woman replied with a laugh.
***
The sun was slowly sinking in the West, casting long
shadows that stretched out like the thin black fingers of the
night, reaching out to engulf the student dormitories. All of
Ukyo's equipment was packed away in her room, and she sat
on the dormitory steps, listening to the wind whistle through
the trees and waiting unenthusiastically for the other boys of
her dorm to show.
"This is so stupid," she muttered to herself. "Why would
anyone want to do this? It's just perverse. Sneaking into a
girl's room and taking her underwear...."
"Ukyo-sama?" a girl called out from the shadows.
Ukyo glanced up. A slender girl in a school uniform, with
brown hair tied up in two looped braids, stepped into the fading
sunlight.
"Yes?" Ukyo said. She'd seen the girl around earlier in
the day. "Um... Yohko, isn't it?"
Yohko nodded, then stood there quietly, eyes downcast.
Ukyo stood up. "Is there something I can do for you?"
she asked.
The girl sighed, and took a step closer.
"I was just wondering," the girl said, "why you never
seem to notice me."
"Notice you?"
Yohko looked up. In the fading light, Ukyo thought she
saw tears forming in the girl's eyes.
"I just have to know!" Yohko said. "Is it because you
already have a girlfriend?"
"What?" Ukyo said. She took a step back. "A girlfriend?
I don't... I mean I would never...."
"Then if you don't," Yohko said, "I'd really like to... I'd
really like it if I were your...."
"Wait!" Ukyo exclaimed, waving her hands in front of
her. "I can't! I... I'm already engaged!"
Yohko's face fell. "You are? Really?"
Ukyo nodded, and Yohko sighed heavily.
"I might have known," Yohko said softly. "I mean, a guy
as good-looking as you...
"Can I ask what her name is?"
"Ranma," Ukyo said, automatically. It wasn't actually the
first time she'd told the lie, and anyway it was more purposeful
misdirection that outright lying. She was engaged to a Ranma,
after all. Was it her fault if people just assumed that Ranma
was her female fiancee? As long as it kept girls from trying to
date her....
Yohko blinked.
"You mean Ranma Saotome?"
It was Ukyo's turn to look confused. "You... you know
him?"
"Him?" Yohko replied. "Don't you mean her? Ranma's a
girl. How could you be engaged to her if she weren't?"
"Oh, yeah," Ukyo said, laughing nervously. "Sorry. My
mistake!"
"But... that doesn't make sense!" Yohko said, crossing her
arms. "Ranma's my best friend, and she's never said anything
about being engaged!"
"Are you sure this Ranma Saotome's a girl?" Ukyo asked.
Yohko glared back at her. "Are you certain you're
engaged to her?" she demanded.
Ukyo sat down on the stone steps with a thud. She stared
off into the distance.
"Well," she said, "I was certain, until a moment ago...."
She glanced back up. "Maybe it's not the same Ranma
Saotome?"
***
Tenchi headed to the girl's dorm at 6:20 p.m. As per
visitation rules, he signed in with dorm President Belldandy
before heading to Akane's room. The school liked to know
when boys were visiting girls, and vice versa... although Lum
and Ryoko dropped in on him and Ataru whenever they felt
like it.
Belldandy smiled sweetly. "It's so wonderful for Akane to
cook for her friends," she said. "I hope you have a wonderful
time, Tenchi!"
Tenchi laughed nervously. He was actually resigned to
an evening of stomach cramps, at the very least. It didn't help
that the delicious smell of hot miso soup was wafting from
Belldandy's room. Inside, he could see two boys, Keichi
Morasato and Kyosuke Kasuga, and Belldandy's roommate,
Madoka Ayukawa, seated around a table eating.
"You're doing the same thing," he noted. "It smells very
good, Miss Belldandy."
Belldandy's face glowed. "I'm sure Akane's meal will be
just as good," she said. "She's a very sweet girl, and if she
loves her friends, then she can't help but do her best. In
cooking, or anything else, love is the most important
ingredient."
Belldandy smiled again as the door closed. Tenchi sighed
and headed up the hall.
"If only that were true," he murmured.
***
And now the shadows slip beneath the tangled ivy and out
across the lawn behind Madoka Mano's house. Over the grass
they flow, like water seen on a moonless night, sliding along
until they reach the street. They roll down the street like a
launched torpedo, moving swiftly and unerringly towards their
target: Muyami Academy.
This time, it would be different. This time, punishment
was assured.
***
As seven o'clock approached, the boys gathered on the
steps of Sakagawa Hall. Mitsuru-sempai and Shinobu-sempai
were not among them, of course, nor did Ukyo spy Shun or
Tenchi or Keichi or Makato in the crowd. None of the boys
that she actually respected were present, although she did
recognize a few faces. Ataru Moroboshi, who seemed to be the
leader. Hiroshi and Daisuke. Hatta and Komatsu. They were,
in her mind, geeks, jocks, lechers, and losers, one and all.
And at the moment, she was one of them. Her skin itched.
She wanted to crawl under a rock and die.
But she knew that, if she didn't go through with this,
Shinobu-sensei might expose her. Even if he didn't, there
would be worse torture ahead. This was, in a perverted sort of
way, a rite of passage for her.
"Okay!" Ataru barked. "Does everyone know what to do?
We are to sneak in as quietly as we can, and then make our
move! Everyone must steal a pair of panties from the girl you
like the best. Then we meet back here when it's over! And I
warn you: do not return without a pair of panties in your
hands!"
Ukyo frowned.
"And this somehow gets the girl you like to go on a date
with you?" she asked sarcastically.
The other boys stared at Ukyo blankly.
"What do you mean?" one said. "It's not...."
"What I mean," Ukyo said, "is what girl in her right mind
would want to date a pervert?"
"What would you know about it?" Hatta asked. "I don't
see girls hanging all over you!"
Ukyo started to say something, but thought better of it.
Instead, she said, "Well, it doesn't matter to me, because there
aren't any particular girls that I'm interested in."
Ataru Moroboshi cleared his throat.
"I'm glad to hear you say that," he said. "However, I seem
to recall that I saw you talking with Yohko-chan earlier...."
Ukyo's face flushed red. "She... she's not my type."
"She's not?" one boy asked in astonishment. "But she's a
babe!"
"No kidding," another said. "What is your type, then?"
"Don't worry," Ataru said, taking her hand. "Your secret
is safe with me."
Ukyo yanked her hand away. "I don't know what you're
talking about!" she said.
"Secret?" Hatta asked.
"What secret?" Daisuke asked.
"Ukyo," Komatsu said, "don't tell me that you... you're
gay."
The front doors of the boy's dorm opened up. Two figures
stepped out and stood at the top of the steps. The other boys
grew quiet as they realized that Dorm President Mitsuru Ikeda
and his roommate, Shinobu Tezuka, were watching them.
"Come, Ukyo," Shinobu said in a voice as smooth as
satin. "Why not admit the truth? Tell them your secret."
Ukyo glared at the two furiously. A bright blue battle
aura formed around her, and the other boys took several steps
back.
"'What are you talking about, Shinobu-sempai?" she
growled.
Shinobu smiled. "Well, isn't it true," he said, "that you are
already engaged... to Ranma Saotome?"
The other boys' eyes grew wide.
"Is that true?"
"Ah, man! Ranma's a babe!"
"You lucky dog!"
Ukyo's face flushed red. "That's not... I mean I don't... it
isn't...."
"Now, now," Shinobu said, "you just hurry along, and
don't forget to bring back a pair of your darling Ranma's
panties...."
***
Ranma sneezed.
"Someone's talking about you," Akane teased. She stirred
the pot in front of her, then checked the rice cooker. "Almost
ready," she said. "Just a minute more."
Ranma and Tenchi shifted nervously, awaiting the
inevitable. It didn't help Ranma that the feeling of immanent
danger that had plagued her all day had suddenly returned with
a vengeance. Her skin felt clammy, and her stomach was tying
itself into knots. She could see the inky black tentacles
reaching out for her, and felt them wrapping around her legs,
her waist, her arms, her neck....
"Akane," Ranma said, "I don't know how to say this, but...
something terrible is about to happen."
Akane's face flushed with anger. "Ranma," she growled,
"why can't you say something nice, instead of...."
"I'm not talking about your cooking," Ranma said. "This
is something worse...."
Akane frowned.
"I'd rather talk about something else," she said. "At least
while we're eating dinner."
Ranma nodded.
"So," Tenchi said, "you're attending school as a girl?"
"Looks like it," Ranma replied. She glanced down at her
top and shorts -- the same ones that Yohko had lent her a week
ago. Thanks to her mother, most of her wardrobe was dresses
and skirts, but Akane had agreed to lend her some less overtly
feminine things.
"It's either that," Ranma said, "or not at all. Mom would
be upset either way, but I'd rather be here with my friends, so...
at least I get an education this way, which is what mother really
wanted."
"Don't worry, Ranma," Tenchi said, "we can keep your
secret. Anyway, I think you make a very nice girl."
"Tenchi's right," Akane nodded. "I really like you better
as a girl, Ranma."
Ranma grimaced. "That's because, this way, the whole
engagement thing doesn't get in the way."
"Ranma," Akane growled, but then stopped, as Princess
Ayeka entered the room. Chigako Ogawa followed her in and
then Shinobu Miyake, Shampoo's roommate. They gathered in
a circle on the floor, and Akane, beaming with pride, set a large
bowl of curried rice in the center.
Ranma had not known Akane long, but in that time she'd
learned one important fact: Akane couldn't cook. She'd already
sampled Akane's cooking twice and had nearly died -- first
from the food, and secondly from the pounding Akane gave her
when she commented on the food.
However, Nabiki had assured her that Akane had spent a
great deal of time learning to make a simple curry dish, and
that it was actually edible. Mind you, Nabiki had been too
busy to come tonight.
So it was with grave reservations that Ranma placed the
first spoonful into her mouth. When she didn't immediately
gag, turn green, and collapse on the floor, she took it as a good
sign and swallowed.
Ranma's eyes began to water. She quickly grabbed the
pitcher of water and downed it.
"You don't like it?" Akane asked. Her voice held a
warning of imminent violence if Ranma answered wrong.
"No, it's not that!" Ranma exclaimed. "It's just... very
spicy. VERY spicy. But good! The best meal I've eaten of
yours, in fact!"
Tenchi sampled the dish, then also went for the water.
"Wow! That's... spicy," he said. "Just like Indian curry! Well,
not really like it, but...."
"Quit while you're ahead," Ranma whispered.
Akane took a spoonful and her eyes got big. "Wow, it
really is a bit spicy," she said, then grabbed her own glass of
water.
"Maybe I should get some more water," Shinobu said,
getting up.
"Yes," Ranma said. "That would be a good idea."
"Wouldn't tea be better?" Tenchi asked. "Or bread, if you
have any... I've hear that helps."
"Where's Yohko?" Akane asked. "She said she'd be here."
"She had something to do, I think," Chigako said. "She'll
be along soon."
***
A large oak grew in the space between Matsukata and
Sakagawa Halls. High up in the branches, all but invisible in
the deepening gloom, a girl with spiky sea-green hair stretched
comfortably on one of the limbs.
Beside her was a bag of peanuts. Every so often, she
would pull one out, toss it into the air, and zap it into
nothingness. Below, students who saw the sudden spark of
light would pause and stare up into the shadowy foliage, before
finally shrugging their shoulders and going on about their
business.
Eventually there were no more peanuts. The girl sat up
and stared at the three-story brick building that was Sakagawa
Hall.
"So," she growled, "little Miss Kung Fu is holding a party,
and everyone's invited but me?"
Slowly she rose, until she was hovering two feet above the
branch. She growled low in her throat. There was a flash of
bright orange light, and her energy sword appeared in right
hand.
"We'll just see about that," she said, with finality.
***
The boys of Sakagawa Hall approached Matsukata Hall
warily. They were afraid that their plan might have been
leaked, that the girls might be expecting them. But so far, they
saw nothing that indicated an advanced warning.
Ataru shrugged, headed up the steps, and opened the door.
"Let's do it," he said.
"Wait!" a voice called out. The boys froze.
From out of the shadows of the nearby rose bushes a very
short figure emerged. He had a bald head, a wrinkled face,
wore a janitor's uniform, and held a pipe in his hand.
"Don't you boys know what you're doing is wrong?" he
said severely.
"What are you going to do old man?" Hatta exclaimed.
"Try and stop us?"
The old man screwed up his face. He seemed to wrestle
with his inner conscience for just a moment.
"Actually," he said, "I was hoping you'd let me join
you...."
"Not so fast," another voice commanded. There was a
hopping sound, and a large stick walked out of the shadows,
with a white-haired ghoul clinging to the top.
"Cologne!" Happosai exclaimed.
"Good evening, husband," Cologne replied.
Taking this as their cue, the boys melted away, disappearing
into the girl's dorm.
Happosai began backing up. "I... I can explain
everything!"
Cologne glared balefully at her long-lost mate.
"Oh, you will," she said. "And it had better be very, very
good."
***
Back in Akane's room, Tenchi and the girls finished their
surprisingly edible meal, along with multiple glasses of water.
As they ate, Tenchi told the story of how he'd met Ryoko and
Ayeka.
"So the mummy came to life, and attacked you?" Shinobu
asked.
"That's right," Tenchi said. "She'd been trapped inside
that cave for ages, but she's not really a demon, just an alien.
She has a spaceship and everything... well, she had a
spaceship, anyway. It's crashed now."
Ayeka knew the story of course. Akane and Ranma knew
part of the story, but they hadn't heard the full thing until now.
For the others, the whole story was new. Tenchi managed to
leave out the parts that involved Ryoko burning his school
down and destroying Seito Bridge.
"Wow," Shinobu said. "So you're a Juraian Princess,
Ayeka?"
Ayeka blushed. "Well," she said, "I don't want to make a
big deal of it...."
"You're just like Lum!" Chigako exclaimed. "She's an
alien Princess too!"
"I most certainly am not like that green-haired, bubble-
brained oni!" Ayeka said haughtily.
"Oh man," Tenchi said, "and Ataru's my roommate, so I
have to put up with the two of them arguing all night... can we
talk about something else?"
"So what's the deal with people who get attacked by
demons and then become friends with them?" Ranma suddenly
exclaimed.
"Who else are you thinking of?"
"Well," Ranma said, "there's Lum and Ataru, and Tenchi
and Ryoko...."
"Lord Tenchi and Ryoko are not friends!" Ayeka said
forcefully.
"Then there's... well, a girl I know. I can't really talk
about it, I guess."
"Yohko?" Akane asked.
"No..." Ranma said, "I don't think Yohko will be
befriending any demons any time soon...."
"Anyway," Ayeka said, "it seems that Tenchi and I are
related. Akane, you're his cousin too, am I right? But, unlike
on Jurai, it's against custom for Terrans to marry their own
relatives, isn't it?"
"Ayeka!" Tenchi exclaimed.
"It's just a question!" Ayeka said.
Akane looked from Ayeka to Tenchi, and something
clicked. Both she and Tenchi turned red. "I... I'm not
interested in Tenchi, if that's what you mean."
Ranma smiled. "Your cousin's a popular guy."
"Apparently."
"Just like you at Furinkan, eh?"
Akane blushed. "That... that was different. Anyway," she
added, "one fiancee's enough trouble for me."
"Akane?" Shinobu asked. "Do you mean you're
engaged?"
"Huh?" Akane asked. "Well, yes, actually, but it wasn't
my idea. I mean," she added, "it's all our fathers' fault...."
Her voice trailed off, as she realized what she was saying.
Unfortunately, Ranma, always slower on the uptake, chose that
point to jump in.
"Yeah!" she said. "It's their fault we're engaged! We
didn't have a say in the matter!"
Chigako's eyes went wide. "Ranma? You're engaged
too?" she asked. "Oh, how wonderful for you two! What's his
name? You have to tell me!"
"His name?" Ranma squeaked.
"Yes, please!" Shinobu said. "Tell us who it is!"
"Um," Ranma said. Her mind went in circles. She
glanced at Akane, who shook her head violently.
"Um," Ranma said. "Um... his name is... um... R-Ryoga?"
"Ryoga Hibiki?" Chigako asked.
Ranma's eyes got wide. "You know him?"
"Well of course, silly! I mean, he's right here at school,
isn't he?"
"He is?"
"Dope," Akane said under her breath.
There was a knock at the door.
"I'll get that!" Akane jumped up, eager to divert the
conversation to practically any other topic. "It's probably
Yohko," she added, as she grasped the doorknob.
The door swung open to reveal a muscular boy with thick
black hair, held back by a black and yellow bandana, and with
a rough-woven tunic of mustard yellow. In his hands he
carried flowers that were more than a little wilted.
The boy laughed nervously and scratched the back of his
head. "Excuse me, Miss," he said, "but my name is Ryoga
Hibiki, and I'm looking for Yohko Mano's room...."
Everyone in the room stared at Ryoga, then turned to stare
at Ranma.
"Your fiancee, I assume?" Shinobu asked.
Ranma's face flushed red. She leaped up, pulled Ryoga
into the hallway, and slammed the door behind her.
Ranma shoved Ryoga up against a wall. "Ryoga!" she
said, "I'm in a bind. You've got to help me out, okay?"
Ryoga blinked back at her in confusion. "Excuse me,
Miss? Do I know you?"
"It's me! Your old pal! Ranma Saotome!"
Ryoga looked even more confused.
"I'm sure I'd remember you if we'd met," he said. "I've
never known any girls with red hair...."
"You lunkhead!" Ranma growled. "Don't you remember
our feud? The bread? Don't you remember how you
challenged me, and I had to wait four days before you showed
up? Remember how we fought to a draw, and settled our
differences?"
Ryoga's eyes got very large. "Ranma? Is that really
you?"
"Who else?"
"But your hair...."
"Maybe I dyed it, okay? What does it matter what color
my hair is?"
"And what are you doing in girl's clothes, you pervert?"
Ranma slapped his hand over Ryoga's mouth. "Keep it
down, you idiot! I can't let people know...."
"Okay," Ryoga whispered. "But I would never have
guessed you were a crossdresser, Ranma...."
"Look, idiot," Ranma said, unbuttoning her top. "These
are real, got it?"
Ryoga took one look, then flushed crimson. Blood began
to seep from his nose.
"Oh, for heaven's sake! Who's the pervert now? Geez,
with all your travelling, I would've thought you were
experienced... then again, you've never been too good around
women, have you?"
"Ranma?" Ryoga said. "You're a girl? I never knew!
How could I have fought you all of those times and never have
known?"
Ranma paused, about to explain her curse to the boy, then
thought better of it. As Ranma was beginning to remember,
explaining something to Ryoga was often like the Pope trying
to convert the Dali Lama. Ryoga was someone who could be
out of his depth on wet pavement.
*Best if he thinks I'm really a girl,* Ranma decided.
*Less trouble all around, that way.*
"Look," Ranma said, "I need you to do me a favor, okay?"
"Well," Ryoga said, "I guess I owe you one, after our last
fight...."
"You better believe it! Pop and I delayed our trip to
China four days, just so we could settle things!"
"I can't believe I didn't beat you, either... especially now
that I know you're a girl!"
"Look, Ryoga, it's like this. I've got a fiancee, but I don't
want to tell anyone who sh... I mean, who he is. It's a secret,
right? So I need someone else to pose as my fiancee. Can you
do it?"
"You want me to lie?" Ryoga said. "But Yohko...."
"Yohko?" Ranma said. "What about her?"
"We were supposed to go on a date," Ryoga said. "Only,
it took me a day to find the girl's dorm, and...."
Ranma rolled her eyes. "Spare me," she said, "I can guess
the rest. Look, I think Yohko likes some guy named Ukyo
anyway, but it doesn't matter either way. I'm not asking you to
date me, I'm just asking you to say you're my fiancee. That's it.
It's just to protect my honor, okay?"
"Well," Ryoga said, "since you put it that way... I guess I
can't refuse...."
Moments later, Ranma had rejoined the group in Akane's
room, with her new fiancee in tow. She introduced him to
everyone, and the two sat down together.
"Wow, Ranma," Shinobu said, "what a handsome
fiancee!"
Ryoga laughed, blushing in embarassment. He held
Ranma's hand in his.
"Yeah," Ranma said with a laugh. "He's not half bad."
She withdrew her hand, and then, seeing the others watching,
sighed inwardly and took Ryoga's hand again.
"And you, Ryoga," Shinobu continued. "You must be
thrilled to have such a pretty fiancee!"
"Heh heh..." Ryoga said nervously, "surprised is more like
it... oof!" he added, as Ranma planted an elbow into his side.
"Do you like chicken curry?" Akane asked, as she
prepared a plate for Ryoga. "We were just having a dinner to
celebrate the first day of school. It's a little spicy...."
"A home-cooked meal?" Ryoga asked. He accepted the
plate and took a bite. Tears ran down his face. "Oh! It's
wonderful! I haven't had home-cooked food in so long...."
Akane beamed. "I'm glad you like it!" she exclaimed.
"So when will you two get married?" Chigako asked.
"We haven't set a date," Ranma said. "Not until after we
graduate, at least."
"Life is so good!" Ryoga exclaimed. "Wonderful food,
good friends, a warm place to sleep, and a fiancee that loves
me...."
Ranma blinked. "Um," she said, "let's not get too carried
away...."
Ryoga suddenly gathered Ranma into a fierce hug... so
fierce, in fact, that Ranma couldn't breathe. "It's like I've just
fallen in love with her all over again!" Ryoga exclaimed.
"Urk!" Ranma said, struggling to free herself. "Gahk!"
"Ranma?" Akane asked. "Are you okay?"
Ranma managed to free an arm. She grabbed a nearby
iron skillet and pounded on Ryoga until he let go.
"Yeah," she gasped. "I'm doing just great. Just a few
cracked ribs, that's all."
"What about you, Akane?" Shinobu said. "What's your
fiancee's name?"
"My fiancee?" Akane looked very uncomfortable. "I was
hoping you'd forgotten about that. Well, his name is..." she
glanced desperately at Ranma. "...um... it'll come to me in a
minute...."
"Ukyo," Ranma said. "His name is Ukyo Kuonji.
Akane's eye widened slightly, but then she nodded an
assent. She pulled Ranma aside.
"Who is that?" she whispered fiercely.
"Just some guy I used to know," Ranma whispered back.
"Oh. Okay then. Thanks, I guess. But what if he shows
up?"
"Don't worry," Ranma said, "I haven't seen Ukyo in
forever."
"Ukyo Kuonji?" Chigako said. "Isn't that the name of...."
The door flew open. Yohko Mano stood on the other side,
framed by the hallway lights. Tears were running down her
face.
"Ranma," Yohko yelled, "how could you?"
Ranma blinked. She stood up. "How could I what?" she
asked.
"How could you let me fall for Ukyo Kuonji, and never
tell me that he was you fiancee!"
Confusion crawled across Ranma's face.
"Ukyo's here? At Muyami Academy?" she asked.
"You mean you don't know?" Yohko exclaimed. "Give
me a break! What kind of a girl doesn't know that her own
fiancee is attending the same school as her?"
"Now wait a second," Chigako said. "I thought Ukyo was
Akane's fiancee, and Ryoga was Ranma's fiancee."
Ranma gulped. "Is that what we said?"
Chigako nodded. She crossed her arms. "That's exactly
what you said."
Ryoga jumped up and gathered Ranma's hands in his.
"Beautiful Ranchan!" he exclaimed. "Please don't tell me that
you're engaged to someone else!"
Ranma glared at him, and whispered under her breath, "I
told you, you moron...."
Yohko blinked. "Ryoga?" She glared at Ranma. "You're
engaged to Ryoga, too?"
"Well," Ranma said, "it's... um... kind of complicated."
"Care to explain it to us?" Shinobu asked.
"I only wish I could," Ranma said, truthfully.
And then, the wall exploded, sending brick and glass and
mortar flying across the room. Ranma and Ryoga were
knocked into Yohko, and the three tumbled into the hallway,
knocking down a fourth person in the process.
Ranma struggled to sit up, but strong hand lifted her to her
feet. "Ranchan," Ryoga said, "are you hurt?"
Ranma stared past Ryoga and into Akane's room.
Hovering before the fresh hole in the wall was Ryoko, her eyes
glowing bright.
"Ranma, Ryoga, are you okay?" Yohko asked, standing
up.
She glanced at her wrist, and gasped. The eyes on her
yoma ring were flashing.
"Yeah, I'm fine," Ranma said. She turned to help the
fourth person up....
"Uchan?" Ranma asked.
Yohko turned. "Ukyo-sama!" she exclaimed.
"Ranchan?" Ukyo asked.
"Ukyo?" Ryoga asked.
"Ryoga?" Ukyo asked.
Ranma's eyes narrowed.
"Uchan," she said, "are those my panties in your hand?"
***
In an office set high on the hill, Principal Ikari sipped his
tea and stared out over the school grounds. From here he could
see nearly the entire campus, although, as darkness fell, thing
grew increasingly indistinct.
He touched a couple of buttons under his desk. The lights
in the office winked out, and the view through the window
shifted. Now, using the latest in night-vision technology, the
Principal continued to relax and stare out his window.
On his desk lay a small device about the size of a watch.
On it, a small red light began to blink.
"It's begun," Principal Ikari said.
"What's begun?" Chief Ido asked. The lanky Chief of
Police was once again seated across the desk from Ikari.
"Demons," Ikari said, "if you call them that. This device
is sensitive to paranormal activity. I'd say our demon is about
to pay us another visit."
Ido sat up. "Then we should...."
"Relax," Ikari said. "Wait. Allow things to develop first."
He tapped another button. The small video screen sitting
on his desk lit up.
"Natsume," he said, "are you receiving the signal?"
On the screen, a man in a lab coat with hair that
completely covered his eyes nodded. "Yes, sir," he said. "My
cameras and sensory equipment are all in place. Whatever it is,
we should get some good readings of it, and some video
footage."
"Very good," Principal Ikari said. He took another long
sip of his tea, then set the cup on the table. "This should prove
to be a very interesting night indeed...."
*to be continued*
-------------------
One of my prereaders thought that blowing a hole in the wall right off
was not Ryoko's style, that she would instead hang all over Tenchi and
get Ayeka (or someone else) to start the fight, and THEN blow holes in
walls and claim it wasn't her fault. ^_^ After thinking about it I
tend to agree... but I haven't thought of a better way to rework the 2nd
to last scene yet, so I'm just sending it out as is. If anyone has any
ideas on this, drop me a line (private, not to the FFML).
Chapter 9 is about half done. I've worked a little on Both Halves,
Seven Fiancees, and I Can See Clearly Now in the past 2 months, nothing
to post just yet. ^_^
Miko!
Ranma sighed. Her whole life she'd planned on becoming a martial arts
Sensei. It had seemed like such a noble calling. She just hadn't
realized how much it resembled babysitting.
"It's a joke," Ranma said, sitting up. "All I meant was, what hit me?"
"Um... I did, Sensei."
Ah, thought Ranma. It begins to make some sense...
"Hmm? Nice try, Tamakaji, but we both know you can't lay a finger on me.
I may not remember what happened, but for you to get through my
defenses...."
"But I did, Sensei. You were distracted."
"A martial artist is never distracted, Tamakaji. Remember that."
"As you say, Sensei."
"Good. Next question. Why am I a girl?"
"Your niece threw water on you," the student said.
"Ah. This would be just before you didn't hit me when I wasn't
distracted?"
"Hai!"
Ranma put her hand to her head. "It's all coming back to me now. We were
all celebrating the opening of the new dojo, and the dormitory on the
third floor. All my family was here -- mom, pop, Kasumi and Tofu-Sensei,
even Nabiki. We were giving a short demonstration in the dojo, after
showing off your award for first-place in the all-Tokyo competition..."
Ranma stopped, glancing up at her student. "I didn't just dream that
part, did I? You really won, didn't you?"
"Hai, Sensei! Just last Saturday!" Kazayuki produced the blue ribbon and
beamed with pride. "You said I was the luckiest S.O.B. you ever saw!"
(Seven Fianc�es)
Nausicaa@sprynet.com Belldandy@angelic.com
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