"Odyssey"
by Angus MacSpon

Inevitable disclaimer: I didn't create the characters; Rumiko Takahashi
did.  The story, such as it is, is all mine.


"Hey, Doc," said Ranma.  "I know you're a martial artist, so how come we
never see you workin' out or nothin'?"

Tofu raised his eyebrows.  "I don't really practise the Art a lot any
more," he said.  His face took on a reminiscent look.  "It's been quite
a few years since I was really serious about it --"

Ranma snorted.  "Can't be that many years," he said.  "You ain't that
old."

"Well, I'm older than I look."  The doctor gave a faint smile.

"Oh?" said Akane, surprised.

"Well, let's see."  Tofu adjusted his glasses, lost in thought for a
moment.  "I was born in Greece, about three thousand years ago.  My
master was the official chiropractor to the Seven Against Thebes.  I --"

Ranma coughed.  "Umm, Doc," he said.  "Three thousand years ...?"

Tofu blinked, then smiled.  "Oh, of course," he said.  "I forgot to say.
You see --"  He reached into his clothing and brought out a small piece
of intricately-shaped polished metal.  "I carry this with me at all
times.  It's an amulet which extends my --"

"Oh, let me see," said Akane, pulling it from his fingers.

There was a slight hissing sound.  Ranma and Akane looked around, but
the doctor seemed to have vanished.

They looked down.  There was a small pile of dust on the floor where
Tofu had been standing.  Even his clothes were gone.

"Oops," said Akane.

"Dang," grumbled Ranma.  "Now we're never going to hear the end of the
story."