Ranma 1/2 is owned by Rumiko Takahashi.
A Tribe of One is owned by TSR


A Stained Glass Mind: REVISED EDITION
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By: Anand Rao

Chapter 4: A Tribe in School
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"Are you -sure- Ryoko said that you were her equal?  Come on boy!" Genma taunted.

"I'll wipe that smile off your face yet, Otosan!"  Ranma replied.

(This is boring!  Isn't breakfast ready yet?  When are we going to school?) Play wondered.

"HA!  You haven't touched me yet!"  Genma dodged three more of Ranma's swings.

The two men, father and son, were sparring in their small backyard.  Since Ranma was going to start school, Genma had planned early morning workouts and would let Ranma train on his own in the evenings.  Genma felt that this method of training worked best. Ranma was a very independent and creative student who could probably come up with all sorts of interesting techniques on his own.  Besides, the morning sparring sessions would inform Genma if Ranma was being lax in his training.

Nodoka smiled as she watched them from the kitchen window.  Her small family had a -lot- to work out, but at least they were together, and that was all that mattered. After watching them for a few minutes more, she walked out to the backyard.  "Come in you two, breakfast is ready."

"Coming, Dear!" Genma replied then turned back towards Ranma.  "Okay, boy, that's enough for today."

Ranma nodded and walked back inside the house.

(Otosan is a bit better than we gave him credit for.)

(A bit?  You didn't manage to hit him once!)  Guardian pointed out.

(He's still an idiot,) Bitter added.

(Well, that goes with out saying. . .)

(But I -can- learn something from him,) Ranma observed. (At least that's a start.)



            *****************************************

Akane glanced at her watch and scowled.  "We're going to be late."

"Relax, Akane.  There's still plenty of time."

"I still don't understand why we have to show him how to get to school."

Nabiki sighed.  "He's going to our school, and we're the only people he knows in Nerima.  It's a polite and friendly thing to do."  She glanced at her younger sister.  "What's your problem, anyway?  The two of you were getting along well enough yesterday."

Akane blushed and looked down.  "Well, I just don't-"

"Uh, good morning."

"Good morning, Ranma-kun!  Thank you for walking us to school!"

"Well, whatever." Akane stormed off down the street.

"Don't worry about her too much, Ranma-kun.  The beginning of the school day is kind of stressful for Akane," Nabiki explained.

Ranma nodded wordlessly as he and Nabiki followed after Akane.  After a few minutes Ranma let Guardian take control and she probed Nabiki.

(Wow.   Akane has to fight a bunch of guys at school every day.)

(Ranma, I guess the two of you have something in common after all,) Bitter observed.

(Every day?  Why?)

(Well, apparently someone named Kuno, who Nabiki thinks of as a cute, idiotic cash cow, told the entire student body of Furinkan that if anyone wants to date Akane, they have to defeat her in combat.)

(You can't be serious!)

(Well, obviously we haven't seen it yet, but this information is coming straight from Akane's and Nabiki's minds.)

(I guess that explains why Akane is so angry.  Does she still hate me?)

(Yes, Ranma, but is a more general kind of hate.)

Bitter snorted.  (What, exactly, is a general kind of hate?)

(Yesterday, she hated Ranma because of the engagement.  Today she hates Ranma because he is an adolescent male,) Guardian explained.

(But I thought she was already in love with someone?) Ranma asked.

(Yes, she is in love with their family doctor.  A Dr. Tofu, but she thinks that he loves Kasumi.)

(What a mess!) Ranma exclaimed.  (Dozens of guys from school like her, but she likes some doctor who likes her sister, right?)

(Something like that. . .)

(What's it to you anyway, Ranma?) Bitter asked.

(Hey!  I just want a friend, that's all. . . I've been kinda lonely since we left the village.)

(Lonely?  Why?  You still have us!) Ranma could hear Play's pout.

(It's not the same, Play.)

(Enough of this, Ranma.  Let me out, I want to talk to Nabiki.)

(Why?)

(Never mind why!  Just let me out!)

(Okay, Okay. . .  No need to be so touchy!)

Bitter walked up to Nabiki and smirked in anticipation. "So, Nabiki," he began casually, "what was with the pictures yesterday?  Wanted something for your scrap-book?  Or maybe your hope chest?"

Nabiki glanced at Ranma and shook her head.  "Nothing like that, I just thought that some of the more popular men's magazines would be interested in a cute girl like you.  Don't be surprised if you get a call or two."

(Bitter!  What the hell are you doing?)

"I'm sure you'll be first in line to buy those magazines, eh Nabiki?"

"Hmph.  You wish.  By the way, I get a 40% cut on whatever you make off those pictures."

"Do you two -have- to act so perverted?"  Akane asked plaintively from up ahead.

"You have to learn to relax and laugh a little Akane.  Life isn't as bad as you seem to think it is," Bitter said.

Akane whirled towards Ranma.  "Don't you start with me!  You no nothing about what my life is like!"

(You'd be surprised. . .)

"Can it be any worse than changing genders when getting hit with water?"  Bitter asked.

"Never mind... You wouldn't understand.  You're just a... just a... BOY!"  Akane replied as she ran on ahead towards school.

"Come on, if we hurry, you can see what it is that bothers her so much."  Nabiki hurried after Akane.

(I hate running.  You can come back, Ranma.)

(I wanna come out!  It's MY turn!) Play exclaimed.

(Play, there's going to be a fight, are you sure you want to be around for it?)  Guardian asked.

(Well. . .)

(Play, I'll let you out during lunch, okay?)  Ranma said.

(Promise?)

(Yeah, I promise.)

Bitter ducked under and Ranma ran after Nabiki. As soon as they got to the front of the school, Ranma jumped up on the gate and watched as dozens upon dozens of boys attacked Akane.  Nabiki weaved in and out through the crowd and was able to make it the school building in ease.  Ranma smiled as he saw Akane defeat boy after boy who attacked her.

(She has -this- many guys after her and she's upset?  What a waste!)

(She wants to be loved, like most people.  She doesn't want this.  Those morons who are trying to defeat her is the reason why she hates boys.)

(She -could- try being a bit less violent herself,) Bitter countered. (She seems to be something of a tomboy.)

(Actually, she reminds of some of the women from the village; strong and confident.)

"Ranma-kun!  Get into the building right now! You don't want to be late on your first day!"

Ranma looked up to a third-floor window and saw Nabiki waving towards him.

(How did she get through the crowd?)

(Maybe she's not such a bad martial artist herself.)

"Don't worry Nabiki, I won't be late!  I just want to watch this," Ranma replied.

(It's going to rain soon,) Watcher warned.

Ranma looked up at the sky and noticed it was getting cloudy.  He looked back towards Akane and was happy to see that the fight was over.

(Good, I can get back inside before it rains.)

(It's not over yet,) Guardian replied.

Ranma watched as Akane caught a rose that whizzed by her head.  Her face took on a resigned look as a young man wearing a purple kimono and carrying a bokken walked out in front of her.  He started speaking to Akane in formal manner that was somewhat unfamiliar to Ranma.

(What is that gibberish he's spouting?)

(That's Shakespeare, Ranma.  What he's basically saying is that the boys who fought Akane were not good enough for her, and that -he- is the only man truly worthy of her.)

(Ah!  This must be Kuno.  Guardian?)

Ranma ducked under and Guardian took control and probed the man with the bokken.

(Yep, that's Kuno all right. . . A legend in his own mind.  He is rather delusional as well.  He is madly in love with Akane and believes that she loves him as well.  He can not imagine why she would not.)

(The guy's a fruitcake!) Bitter exclaimed.

(Power without perception is fundamentally useless,) Master quoted.

(. . .)

(. . .)

Bitter sighed.  (So the Fortune Cookie speaks.)

Ranma kept his thoughts on Kuno.  (I think I'd better step in here.)

(That might not be a good idea Ranma,) Guardian objected, (besides he would never hurt her. He always holds back when he fights her.)

(Still. . .)

(Go ahead, Ranma!  Introduce us!  He's kinda cute!)

With one last, long look at the increasingly darkening sky, Ranma jumped off the gate and walked up to Akane.

"Your technique's not half bad, Akane. I'll remember that the next time we spar."

Akane turned towards Ranma, a scathing reply on her lips, but was interrupted.

"You there!  You are being very familiar with Akane!  Who are you!"  Kuno demanded.

"Well, I'm-"

"Is it not customary to give one's own name first?"

"Well, sure, if-"

"Very well.  Mine I shall give.  I am the rising star of the High School Fencing World! The guilty tremble at the mere sound of my name!  I am the Blue Thunder of Furinkan High!"

Kuno paused as a flash of lightening struck the dark sky.

(His timing isn't half bad.)

"Tatawaki Kuno. Age 17," he continued.

(Ranma, I think it's your turn now,) Bitter prodded.

"Uh. . . Nice to meet you, Kuno.  My name is Ranma Saotome."

(Go Ranma!) Play cheered.

Lyric giggled.  (Ranma, Ranma, he's our man!  If he can't do it, Bitter can!)

"Oh, I'm a student of the Saotome School of Anything Goes Martial Arts," he added as an after-thought.

"Once again knave, why are you being so familiar with Akane Tendo?"

"What business is that of yours?"  Ranma countered, his tone deliberately belligerent.

(Ranmaaaaaa. . . We -don't- have time for this now!) Ranma could feel Guardian's glare. (Unless you want to become a girl in front of all these students.)

(Relax guys!  This won't take long.)

(One of these days your over-confidence is going to get us killed!) Bitter yelled.

(Bitter is a fraidy-cat!  Bitter is a fraidy-cat!)

(Quiet you!)

"If you wish to date the glorious Akane Tendo, you -must- defeat her in battle!  But you, you are hardly worth mentioning!  Stand aside scullion, lest you feel my wrath!"

"I don't want to date anyone, Kuno.  I just want to be Akane's friend, that's all. However, if you want a fight, I'd be more that happy to kick your arrogant ass!"

Kuno started charging towards Ranma, his bokken held high.

(It's going to rain, now!) Watcher warned.

(Ranma!  Let Shade loose!) Guardian suggested. (We need to end this quick!)

(I don't want to kill him!)

(Shade's main priority is to protect the tribe.  He'll get us out of this rain, and quick! Do it!)

Ranma reluctantly let the Shade take over just as Kuno was in striking distance.  Shade crouched down and launched an upper-cut right as Kuno was bringing the bokken down on Ranma's head.

Shade's fist went through the bokken and continued on until it met with Kuno's chin. The blow picked Kuno up off his feet and he landed on his back. Shade ran past Kuno's prone form and was able to get into the school building just before the first drops of rain hit the ground.

Ranma winced in pain as he took control and looked at his bloodied fist.  The wooden blade had managed to cut him as it struck his fist.  Akane ran out of the rain and joined Ranma in the school building.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine.  Just cut myself a little.  Kuno ain't bad.  It takes a lot of skill to make a clean cut with a blunt, wooden sword."

"You were lucky that the bokken broke.  If it hadn't he might have slit your hand in half."

"Maybe. . ," Ranma replied, cradling his injured hand.

(Well, I for one do -not- want to be out for a while.  That looks painful!)  Bitter observed.

"Here, let me take a look at that." Akane took a handkerchief out of her school bag and tied it around Ranma's hand.  "There, that should stop the bleeding until we go to the clinic after school."

(That was so sweet of her!)  Play gushed.

(I suppose. . .)

"Thanks, Akane." Ranma followed Akane to their classroom.

As it turned out, Ranma and Akane -were- late to class and the teacher made them stand in the hall, holding a bucket of water in each hand.  Akane became angry again.  In fact, it seemed to Ranma, that being angry was Akane's favorite pastime.  Of course, she was angry at him.

"Idiot," she whispered angrily.

"It wasn't my fault!"  Ranma whispered back.

"Then whose fault was it?" Akane demanded.  "I'm -never- late to class, in spite of the morning fights. Then, you come along, butt in where you're not wanted or needed and all of a sudden, I'm late!"

"Well, what was I supposed to do?  He insulted me and all but challenged me and just because I was talking to you!"

"I don't need -you- to defend me!"  Akane yelled.

"I wasn't defending you!"  Ranma yelled back.

Suddenly, Kuno came barging around the corning, carrying his bokken over his shoulders with a water-filled bucket hanging on either end.  "I shall never forgive such insolence, Saotome!"

(Kuno-chan's back!)

(What does -he- want?) Bitter wondered

"What's wrong now, Kuno?"  Ranma asked.

"Nabiki Tendo told me how you must choose a Tendo to be your betrothed!  I can not let such a crime go unpunished!"

(Let me guess,) Bitter sighed.  (He thinks we're going to choose Akane, right?)

(Yes, but people like him will use any excuse to fight. . ,) Guardian replied, (not too unlike Ranma here.)

(Hey! I'm not -that- bad!)

Kuno twirled both buckets over his head and then launched them forward.  Ranma jumped up in the air and landed on one of the buckets as it hit the floor.  He managed to avoid all the water.

"This is no place to fight Kuno. Follow me!"  Ranma ran down the hall.

Kuno ran after him, swinging his bokken in all directions. All the students from Akane and Ranma's class suddenly burst out into the hall. Apparently, they had over heard the whole conversation and wanted to know about the Tendo engagement.  Akane tried to catch up with Kuno and Ranma, but first had to get past all her classmates.

"We're not engaged!"  She finally managed to pursue Ranma and Kuno.

The rest of the class followed her as she rounded the corner, just in time to see Ranma jump out the window.  Akane just stood there with an incredulous look on her face.  (Idiot!  This is the third floor!)  To her continued amazement, Kuno jumped out after Ranma.  "Ranma, you idiot!"

"Hey don't worry, Akane!  No problem!"  Ranma yelled back.

(There's a pool under us,) Watcher advised.

(Cool!  We haven't been swimming in a long time!  Lucky!)

The tribe let out a collective groan and Play's excitement.  "Lucky she says!" Ranma looked down in dismay.

He started to panic as the pool got closer.  The last thing he wanted to do was change into a girl while his whole class was watching on.  Shade, sensing Ranma's fear, immediately took control.  Shade straightened his body and fell into the pool, Kuno following soon after.

As soon as he entered the pool, Shade felt the transformation, but ignored it. Kuno appeared right in front of Shade and had a shocked look on his face.  He remembered Ranma falling into the pool, but the person he was staring at was definitely not Ranma.  For one thing, the person in question had red hair, not black.  The person in question also appeared to have a smaller build and a much cuter face.  In fact, the person in question seemed to be a female.  Kuno, forgetting that he was underwater, decided to open his mouth and ask the lovely young lady who she was, but never got the chance.

Shade knew that Kuno was the immediate threat, so he pulled his fist back and clocked him squarely under the chin with an uppercut.  Fortunately for Kuno, the water slowed down the punch, or he probably would have died.  As it was, the blow was powerful enough to send Kuno flying out of the water.  He landed on his head on the cement floor right at the edge of the pool.  The last thing he remembered before blacking out was that the girl had a faint, black aura around her body.

The threat gone, Shade pulled back and Play took control.  She jumped out of the pool, gave all the students staring at her the victory sign, and ran off into the school grounds.

Ranma sighed.  (Oh man. . . Guess they all know now.)

(What on earth possessed you to jump out of the -third- floor?!) Bitter demanded.

(It seemed like a good idea at the time.  Besides, I woulda landed okay.  I'm a great martial artist.)

Bitter did the mental equivalent of rolling his eyes.  (So we've heard.  Often.)

(This was inevitable,) Guardian interjected, (they would have found out about the curse eventually.)

Play started picking at her shirt and pants.  "I hate wet clothes!"  She jumped up into a tree and quickly removed her pants.

(Play, what -are- you doing?)

(Oh relax, Guardian! I just want to get rid of the excess water, that's all.)

(Akane's here,) Watcher warned.

(Let me out, Play!)

(No, not yet!  You never let me out, Ranma!  It's not fair!  I haven't been out since we were at Jusenkyo!)

Akane walked up to the tree Ranma was in and looked up.  "That was a really stupid move, Ranma."

"Well. . . I- I won, didn't I?"  Play replied rather lamely.

Akane shook her head.  "You are very lucky that the rest of the class was so far up, they didn't really notice your change.  Plus, you managed to knock out Kuno.  He's still back at the pool, just staring off into space."

"It wasn't luck!  It was skill.  I'm a great marital artist!"

(That's -martial- artist!  Martial!)  Ranma snapped.

"Right. . ."  Akane shook her head.  "Anyway, I brought you some hot water, I figured you would want it."  She held out a steaming kettle.

"Uh. . . No thanks, I think I'll stay like this for a while," Play replied.

(Play!  You take that water right now!)

Akane blinked.  "You -want- to stay a girl?"

"Well, sure! It's-"

(Kuno is coming,) Watcher warned.

"Isn't that Kuno over there?"  Play asked.

Akane quickly turned around and saw Kuno.  She tossed the kettle up to Ranma. "Hurry up and change back into a boy while I buy you some time."

Play caught the kettle and put it on the branch next to her, while Akane ran off.

(Hurry up and change!) Ranma demanded. (We can't let Akane fight Kuno!)

(Relax, Ranma.  Kuno would never hurt Akane. She doesn't need -your- help.)

Play leaned back against the tree and just looked out at the sky.  "It's a beautiful day.  I'm glad we get to see it."

(This is fine way to spend our first day of school!  We're missing class!)  Bitter protested.

(What are you whining about?) Play asked.  (Math and history don't change; they'll still be there tomorrow.)

(Watch out!)  Watcher screamed.

Kuno fell from the sky and landed head first on the kettle that Akane had given Ranma. "So we meet again, pig-tailed girl," he observed.

Play giggled.  "Hiya Kuno-chan!"

"Why are you still like that?"  Akane asked from down below.

"Oh, Akane, were you the one who sent Kuno flying up here?"

"Tell me, pig-tailed one, have you by any chance seen that -cur- Ranma Saotome?" Kuno asked.

(Okay, that's it!  Play!  Let me up!)

(No!  I wanna talk to Kuno-chan!)

Ranma placed his will against Play and forced her down.  (Remember what I told you at Jusenkyo, Play!  Don't you dare start hittin' on Kuno.)

(Aw, I was just having fun!  I'll do it with Akane, next time, if you want!)

(Play!)

"Look, Kuno, I don't plan on sittin' here all day listening to this!"  Ranma shouted as she knocked Kuno off the branch.  He landed on the ground hard and glared at Ranma as she jumped off the tree.

"That hurt, you know."

Ranma ignored Kuno and turned towards Akane.  "Let's get outta here."

"Hold!  Dost thou thinkst that you can insult me and walk away?"  Kuno demanded.

(Oh man, not the Shakespeare junk again!)

(Actually, that's just archaic Japanese,) Bitter observed.

(Whatever. . .)

"What do you want, Kuno?"

"Thou art brave as thou art lovely!  If you can defeat me, I will allow you to date with me!"

A rush of excitement flowed from Play.  (Kuno-chan wants a date?!)

Ranma's face turned livid with anger.  She ran up to Kuno, dodged a swipe he made with his bokken, and kicked him in the face.  Kuno lost his grip on the wooden sword and tumbled to the ground.  Ranma caught the bokken in mid-air and twirled it around in her hand.

"Oh, by the way, Kuno, Ranma Saotome is even better than I am!"

She turned around and walked away from the school grounds.  Akane ran up after her.  "Hey!  School isn't over yet! "

"Yeah, yeah. . . Just let me change back," Ranma replied.

"Are you a pervert or something?  Why were you flirting with Kuno?"  Akane demanded.

The tribe laughed while Ranma spluttered.  "I was -not- flirting with Kuno!"

"That's what it looked like to me," Akane shot back.

Ranma stuck her hand in her pockets and sulkily continued walking in silence.

(Perfect.  Just perfect.)

(Oh cheer up!  Kuno-chan isn't that bad,) Play offered.  (Hmmm. . .  Either is Akane, come to think of it!)

(Shut up, Play.)


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Chapter 4: The End



Anand Rao
jouve25@hotmail.com
http://www.gsm.uci.edu/~arao02/
ICQ# 10869014

"Sure, a woman can fake an orgasm, but it takes a man to fake a whole relationship."

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