Well here is part 4 of Neko Can't. Send C&C, etc. to JLee100441@aol.com.
James
Neko Can't
By: James Lee
Story idea by: Gregg Sharp
Part 4:
Note: This story starts a few weeks before the start of Ranma 1/2. It
also starts just after the Gold Diggers prolgue (i.e. Britanny hasn't
met Strip yet.)
Somewhere in China:
Genma sat down to catch his breath. It was only a little food
from their village storage. He never thought that those Amazons would
take it so seriously. He had been so close to finding his son. Genma
had been exploring a potential training site called Jusenkyo. The cursed
place had just turned him into a panda, when he had overheard that
a boy named Ranma was staying at a nearby village. In an instant he
had rushed to the place for what was sure to be a happy father/son
reunion. Genma had gotten there however, only to find that Ranma
had already left.
At least now he had an idea of where his son was. Before
they chased him out, Genma had found out that Ranma was currently
living in a city called Atlanta. He knew his son was in America, but it
was a very big country. During the two times he had managed to get
there, he had only been able to search most of California and Oregon.
It didn't help that living on the road was a lot harder in America. For
one thing, he couldn't believe Americans didn't go for arranged marriages.
It also didn't help that American police were a lot more hostile and
competent than those in Japan. Now he just had to figure out how
to get to the United States again.
*Maybe I can get Soun to help me...* Yes, he would go to
his friend's dojo. Once he explained things to Soun, Genma was sure
he would help out. They would get Ranma back, and then his son
would marry a Tendo daughter and he would be set for life.
Of course he would also have to retrain Ranma. No doubt
being raised by gaijin, probably living with an adopted sister even,
would have made the boy soft and weak. Genma sighed *I'll have to
retrain him from the beginning, starting with the Nekoken. Well maybe
not the Nekoken.*
Getting up, Genma started heading for Japan. *At least Nodoka
doesn't know.* thought Genma as he walked. He would hate to think
about what would happen is she ever found out that he had lost their
son. Fortunately he had made sure that she never would. By continually
sending letters to her, there was no way that his wife would ever
suspect that something was wrong. *You're so clever Genma.*
Suddenly Genma sneezed. Continuing towards the coast, he
smiled. *Someone must be thinking of me.*
*****
Meanwhile in Japan:
"GENMA NO BAKA!" Nodoka screamed at the top of
her lungs. She had just found out what had happen to her son. At first
Nodoka couldn't believe that Genma would do such a thing. But then
Reika had shown her some of the police photographs. One photo, a
very bloody one taken just after the incident, had caused Nodoka to
lose almost all her color and had nearly made her sick. Needless to
say she was a little upset. After calming down a little, but still planning
on ways to kill her husband, she turned to Reika. "Why wasn't I notified?"
Reika took a deep breath, her friend wasn't going to like this.
"Well Ranma couldn't remember where you lived and the police couldn't
find his records. Finding no records, they decided to mark him as an
orphan."
"They couldn't find his records?"
Reika nodded. "After doing some investigating, I found that
both your records and Ranma's had been misfiled."
"MISFILED!? Are you saying that I've been separated from
my son for ten years because of a CLERICAL error?"
"Ah yes." said Reika as she backed away from the seething
Nodoka. "I-It happens, there have been worse cases."
Nodoka took a deep breath to calm herself. Sitting down she
asked. "So do you know where my son is now?"
Reika nodded again. "After I explained about how Genma had
tricked you, the Nagoya police agreed to tell me where your son is.
Apparently he was adopted by one of the doctors that were treating
him. An American by the name of Theodore Diggers. Ranma is now
living in Decatur, Georgia in the United States. There's also a restraining
order on Genma there."
"D-Decatur?"
"It's a suburb of the city of Atlanta."
"Well, let's get over there get my son."
"Nodoka, we just can't rush over there and get Ranma. For
one thing I don't know the full details on the laws regarding the US
restraining order. It could extend to you too."
Nodoka gulped. "To me!?"
Reika continued. "Also we don't know how Ranma will react
to seeing you. He might not believe you're his mother or he might actually
hate you for letting Genma take him on that training trip."
Nodoka jumped up from the table. "H-Hate me!?"
Reika grabbed hold of Nodoka's hand and got her to sit down
again. "Nodoka, that's a worst case scenario. Ranma probably barely
remembers you."
"What am I going to do?"
"Well how about this? We'll write him a letter and see if we
can arrange some sort of meeting." said Reika taking out pen and
paper. "How's your English?"
"I can speak it fairly well."
"What about writing?"
"Um, I can write some. Why English?"
"I guess I better write the note then. Ranma has been living in
the United States since he was six. He might not remember how to
speak Japanese, let alone read and write it."
"Do you think Ranma will be manly?" asked Nodoka.
"Without Genma, probably. Now just tell me what you want
written down."
"all right... Dear Son..."
*****
Atlanta, GA, Several days later:
Ranma quietly crept to the door. All he had to do was get out
of the house without anyone noticing. He was almost there. Ranma
slowly opened the door, only to have it slammed shut by a spotted arm.
"Where you going, Ranma?" Ranma turned to find his sister
Britanny standing over him. He could also see, his father's assistant
Mesha entering the room.
"Ah I'm just going out."
"Uh huh, in you're best clothes. So who are you trying to impress,
Ranma?"
"H-Hey it ain't like that!"
"Oh, sure Ranma." Britanny placed her hand on a nearby intercom.
"Hey, Gina! Guess..."
Britanny stopped as her hand was slapped away from the intercom
by Ranma. Narrowing her eyes, she smiled. "I'm right! You are going
on a date."
"And it's someone he doesn't want Gina to know about." added
Mesha smiling.
[What do you want, Britanny?] said Gina over the intercom.
"Well Ranma?" asked Britanny.
Ranma looked at the intercom then at Britanny. He then sighed.
"Monique, her names Monique."
"Nothing Gina, go back to work." said Britanny. "O_o Monique.
Say, does she know about you condition?"
Ranma nodded his head. "She sort of saw me transform."
Britanny smiled. "Well Ranma I'm glad. You know I was
beginning to worry about you. So what's her last name?"
Ranma gulped. "Her last name?"
"Yes, her last name. She does have one doesn't she?" "Of course it's
umm...it's ah...ah...Pcr."
Mesha blinked her elven ears not being able to pick up what
Ranma had mumbled. "Umm Ranma, both me and Britanny have
enhanced hearing, but that came out garbled."
Ranma took a deep breath. "Pincer, Monique Pincer."
"Monique Pincer huh?" Britanny thought for a moment. Her
eyes then widen. "Wait a minute, you don't mean as in PENNY Pincer!?"
Ranma nodded. "She's Penny's younger cousin. Would you
mind not telling Gina? I don't think she'll take it very well."
"You got that right," said the were-cheetah. Long as she could
remember, Gina and Penny had been at each other's throats. Ever
since that stupid wedgie war. "You know Ranma, sooner or later one
of them is going to find out. Then they're both going to go bananas."
"Yeah, that's why I really don't want you to tell Gina about this
yet."
"Well all I can say is more power to you." said the Britanny
as she opened the door. "Good Luck and don't do anything Gina
would do."
"I'm not that desperate Sis." replied Ranma exiting.
Britanny gave a lighthearted laugh as she closed the door. She
then went to the kitchen. As Britanny entered the kitchen, she heard
the phone ringing. Before she could answer it however, it stopped.
Figuring Gina got it, Britanny went back to her mission of making
herself some lunch. Shortly later however,...
"RRANNMMMA!" Britanny looked up from her half finished
tuna sandwich as an angry looking Gina entered the kitchen.
"What's wrong Gina?"
"Where's Ranma?"
"Umm. He went out for a bit."
"Tell me Cheetah. Does the name Monique Pincer mean anything
to you!?"
"Uh-oh."
*****
"So how's the meal Monique?" asked Ranma as he ate at a
slower pace than usual. Monique sat across from him nibbling on her
food. When Ranma had found out that she was Penny's cousin he
realized why she had look so familiar that first day. Monique almost
looked exactly like Penny, to the point were Ranma wondered if they
weren't really sisters.
"Umm it's good." said Monique looking up from her meal.
Ranma then held up his glass of tea.
"Well here's to making it to the program."
Monique like wise, held up her glass. "Cheers. You know, I'd
never would have made it without your help Ranma...Ranma?"
"Oh umm sorry." said Ranma as he turned his attention back
to his date. Looking around the restraint, he noticed a girl with spotted
hair and there was only one girl that he knew with spots in her hair.
The fact that her blond companion kept hiding her face behind a
menu, only confirmed who it was. Ranma sighed.
"Is something wrong?" asked Monique.
"My sisters are here. Looks like we're going to be spied on."
said Ranma as he pointed at the table were his sisters sat.
"Oh, well that's OK. I think I see my cousin and her boyfriend
on the other side." Ranma looked to were Monique pointed and sure
enough there was Ace sitting with Penny. Like Gina, Penny was trying
to hide her face with a menu.
Penny glared as she peeked over the menu. "Look at him! I
bet he can't wait to get in her pants!"
"Penny,..." said Ace over a plate of ribs. "I've known Ranma
for four years. He's a good kid."
Penny turned her glare to Ace. "He's Gina's brother, Kiven!
That can only mean trouble."
Meanwhile across the way at another table:
"Ohhh look at her. She looks just like a little Penny!"
"Geez Gina, I don't see why you're getting so upset.."
said Brittany. "Maybe you should just let Ranma be. He's finally found
himself a girl."
"Are you kidding!?"
"Maybe we should start making out?" suggested Monique
with a smirk. Ranma shook his head.
Ranma gulped. "I don't think the restuarant would survive the
ensuing battle...Uh-oh!"
Monique blinked. "What?"
"I think they just noticed each other."
Gina glared at Penny from across the room. A hidden
message seemed to get through as she then got up.
"Where are you going Sis?" asked Britanny.
"To the bathroom."
"What's up?" asked Ace as Penny get up from her seat.
"I need to go to the lady's room." she said simply, before
heading over to the rest rooms. Entering the women's bathroom, Penny
saw Gina with her back turned. She was just about to give the standard
wedgie greeting, when Gina suddenly whirled to face her.
"Just what are you doing here, Miss Penny PINCHER!?"
"I should be asking the same thing of you, Miss GOLD DIGGER!"
"I'm looking out for my little brother!"
"Oh yeah!? Well I'm here to make sure that transvestite you
call a brother keeps his claws off MY younger cousin!"
"Well fine, as long as you see things that way." Gina then turned
and left the room. Enter the main dining room, she was stopped short
when she saw that Ranma's table was now empty.
"Where's Ranma!?" she asked Britanny as she arrived at her
table.
"Oh he and his date left shortly after you and Penny went to
the bathroom." said Britanny matter of factly.
"AND YOU DIDN'T STOP THEM!?"
"Umm nooo?" Gina growled for a moment then pulled out a
small device.
"It's a good thing I put a bug on his motorcycle."
"You bugged Ranma's motorcycle?"
"He's headed towards the 131 Movies. Let's go."
Penny, noticing the device, figured that Gina knew something
and followed her out the door.
*****
Ranma got his change from the clerk and grabbed the popcorn.
He hoped that he lost his 'chaperons' at the restaurant, but just as he
was about to rejoin Monique he heard a voice behind him.
"Nice try Bro." Ranma turned to see Britanny standing in the
concession line. "You know, Gina's not to happy with you choosing the
movie 'Bats!".
"Don't tell me she's actually in there!" Ranma had pick the
movie because of Gina's incredible fear of Bats. Usually when he wanted
to get ride of her, Dracula movies were a sure bet. He sometimes
wondered if his step father had tried something like his real father had
done and thrown his sister into a cave of starving bats.
Britanny nodded. "Yeah she's in there all right. Peeking
between her hands and threatening to try that Neko-what-ever on
you."
Ranma shook his head. "Ah jeez, so much for a peaceful
evening. I'll just bet Penny's in there too."
"Don't worry Ranma, just enjoy yourself. I'm keep an eye on
Gina and you've got Ace running damage control with Penny. If ether
of them get out of line, I'll step in."
Ranma smiled a little and turned to go back to the theater.
"Thanks Sis."
Britanny smiled and nodded her head as she paid for her
food. Grabbing her purchases, she too returned to the theater.
Ranma sat down and handed a bag of popcorn to Monique.
"I-I'm sorry about the movie. I was hoping to at least lose my sister,
but it looks like I failed."
"Don't worry Ranma. This has actually been one of the more
interesting dates I've been on. I am however a little mad at my cousin."
"Well I talked to Cheetah; she said she'd stop them if they
started something. Tell you what next time I'll let you pick the movie."
Monique smiled. "OK, I'll make sure it's an action picture."
"Thanks. Hey, I've got a question."
"Oh What?"
"You don't seem to have a problem with my condition. You've
never asked me about it. I mean don't you find it odd that I turn into
a girl?"
Monique placed her hand under her chin. "Welll, I definitely
find it odd, but I think it makes you interesting. I also know that under
that red head exterior is a brave, nice guy. Besides, when you have
Penny Pincer for a cousin, you get used to the weirdness."
"What do you mean?"
"Penny visits us a lot and she always has stories about her
adventures. I didn't believe half of them, until one day when she brought
her work with her. It was a small box with a lot of strange writing on
it. She hadn't figured out what it was yet, when I accidentally opened
it. It turned out to be an interdimensional holding pen for an animal. I
couldn't go to school for eight days because I had a 400 pound warhound
following me everywhere I went."
Ranma nodded his head. "So how did you get rid of it?"
"Oh we didn't. We just got it to stop following me. My family
keeps him in the back yard."
"Heh, bet he keeps the burglars away." Ranma snickered.
"Umm...Well there was that one time when he coughed up a
flashlight."
Walking up to her seat, Britanny could see Gina was almost
to the point of hiding under her chair. "O-o come on Gina! It's only a
movie."
"Oh sure, how would you like to be thrown into a room full of
silverware?"
Britanny shuddered at the mention of silver. "Well you're the
one who want's to follow Ranma everywhere. Here's your candy bar."
Gina took the Snickers bar. "Well someone has to keep an
eye on them. By the way what took you so long?"
Britanny smirked. "Oh nothing really, just talked to Ranma a
bit..."
"Cheetah! We're supposed to be keeping a low profile. I
don't want Ranma knowing that I'm here."
"O-o Please Gina, you and Penny are being about as low
profile as Godzella and King Kong on stilts." Britanny then frowned
slightly. "Sis, maybe you shouldn't be involving Ranma in your and
Penny's stupid little feud."
"I'll be the judge of that, thank you. Besides don't you find it
odd?"
Britanny blinked "Huh? What do you mean?"
"Since when did Ranma get so interested in the opposite sex?
I mean the last I remember the only things he was interested in was
Martial Arts and Motorcycles."
Britanny looked down at the couple a few seats in front of
them. "Maybe it's the curse."
It was Gina's turn to blink. "W-What?"
"Maybe this is Ranma's way of reassuring himself that he's
still a guy."
Gina just looked at her sister.
*****
Monique got off Ranma's Harley in front of her house. Taking
off her helmet, she handed it to Ranma.
"Thanks Ranma. Despite the added company, I really did enjoy
myself."
"I'm glad."
Noticing two cars parking nearby, Monique rushed up and
pressed her lips into Ranma's. For a moment Ranma, was completely
caught off guard when Monique started darting her tongue in-between
his lips. Finally however, he decided the heck with it and started returning
the kiss with vigor.
"LET ME GO KEVIN!!"
"Now now Penny,..." said Ace as struggled to keep her in the
car. "she kissed him FIRST."
"Grrrr, me and her are going to have a LONG TALK!"
"LET ME GO BRITANNY!! Can't you see, she's raping him!?"
"Ugh! Honestly Gina, You're such a nerd it's embarrassing!
Huh? What the...?"
Ranma and Monique quickly broke off their kiss, as another
Gina-mobile screeched to a halt next to the motorcycle. Ranma just
stared as Mesha jumped out. *Has she been following me too?*
"Ranma, you've got to get home!" said Mesha panting.
"W-What!?"
"A letter come for you in the mail. It's from your mother...
your REAL mother."
"M-My real mother?"
To be continued.
Next time:
-Ranma finally meets his real mom. How will Ranma react? How will
Nodoka?