[FFML] [Fanfiction][Ranma1/2] Trains, Towers, and Washing Windows (Cas of Blues #4)

Trains, Towers and Washing Windows
Ep. Four of Cas of Blues Series
by Thom Keehn
zinyadel@hotmail.com

Completed January 20th 2002
Needs much revision

Ranma 1/2 characters and places belong to Rumiko Takahashi. They are
used without permission throughout this work. This is written without
the intent of monetary gain and shall not be distributed under such
pretenses. This is meant for entertainment purposes only and shall
not be used in any way to harm animals. This is and shall ever be the
last time I write a disclaimer of my own. At least for this series.

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

This is written after the end of the manga series around the time
Ranma and company would be graduating. Words in '' are thoughts.
This is a slow building series that concentrates heavily on the
addition of a new character. You have been warned.

For previous episodes hop onto
http://www.geocities.com/violetdimall/fiction.html

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

Dark clouds rumbled ominously overhead. Unfortunately there had been no
such warning before it had started raining over the trio. Ryuu found
himself traveling with a blue-eyed, blond male and a little black pig
wearing a yellow bandana with spots. He thanked whatever celestial forces
were out there that he had not suffered a similar fate as his companions.

A jagged line of light flared into existence off to their right. Another
grumble of thunder followed shortly afterwards. The pair trod heavily on
the muddy path, Ryuu�s boots squelching noisily. Cas was faring even worse,
losing her footwear several times to the hungry mud.

Ryuu had been a little surprised at the sudden transformation of his
comrades when the storm broke out. However as he was already familiar with
Ranma�s curse, Ryuu took the revelation in stride. He hadn�t asked for an
explanation, figuring Cas would give one when she was ready. Besides, he
didn�t want to annoy the girl any more considering the situation with the
weather.

�Oh you camel licking, frog kissing, piece of moldy cheese!� Cas cried out
in frustration as the mud once again claimed her shoe. Though Cas was
obviously male presently, Ryuu still identified Cas as a girl. Her current
behavior suggested otherwise. He had never met a woman before that came up
with the most ridiculous of curses and wasn�t afraid to say them aloud. If
she didn�t sound so angry, he�d laugh.

Ryuu waited patiently for Cas to get her shoe back and continue. He was
holding both Ryouga�s pack and his own since the mishap. He also had the
privilege of holding the lead weight that was Ryouga�s umbrella. He could
see how Ryouga could stay so strong. Hefting this thing for a day�s walk
through Japan was probably the equivalent of a non-stop, four-day workout at
a gym.

Cas was digging in the mud for her shoe. Her face and clothes were caked in
mud after several of these incidents. The little pig she clutched with her
other arm wasn�t looking any better. They�d have a little pig statue if the
mud that covered the cursed boy suddenly hardened.

�Ah, there you are,� Cas said fishing out something that might have
resembled a shoe half an hour ago. She scooped out any mud that had slipped
into the shoe and put it back onto her foot with a bit of trouble. �I don�t
know how this thing keeps coming off. I can barely get the thing back on
considering my feet are bigger.�

�You have quite a wealth of words for a foreigner,� Ryuu remarked as she
finally got the shoe back on. �Study the language much?�

�Ryouga taught me most of what I know,� Cas explained. �I pick up languages
pretty quick.�

�He taught you how to swear too?� Ryuu asked with a devilish grin.

Cas shook her head. �No, I come up with my own from the words I do know,�
Cas said, walking past him. Ryuu followed, realizing the break was over.
�Ryouga never said anything vulgar so I haven�t picked up any real curses
yet.�

'Thank you, Ryouga,' Ryuu thought silently. He could only imagine what Cas
would say if she did know some swears. He was certain with her attitude
she�d give a man a good run for his money in a swearing bout. However there
was something in her actions that belied her true nature, despite how crass
she could be. He wasn�t sure what it was, but it was there.

After a quickly inhaled breakfast, Ryouga had forced his more polite eaters
to hurry on with their meals and get going. True to her word, Ryouga was a
slave driver. He might have been a good slave driver too if the boy didn�t
have to constantly ask which way they were headed. Despite this, they had
been making good time towards Fukuoka until the storm hit. They had at
least covered half the distance. Now the going was extremely slow. Ryuu
doubted there would be enough time left in the day to make it now, whenever
they got the chance to relieve Ryouga of his curse.

The rain was starting to let up but the clouds were adamant in remaining.
Ryuu regarded the little piglet and almost laughed. If he hadn�t seen it
himself, he�d never imagine this little pet was Ryouga. �I bet Ryouga is
enjoying that,� Ryuu commented playfully.

�Naw, he hates this,� Cas said without looking back. �Ranma kicked him into
the spring so he�s not too happy about anything. It�s not like Ranma�s or
my curse. At least we get to stay human.�

�Yea, well you don�t know everything about Ranma,� Ryuu stated grimly. �He
deserves his curse and a lot more.�

�Speaking of which,� Cas began and paused. �What did he do to you? I mean
other than defeating you and making you give up your technique.�

Ryuu darkened. �It�s none of your business,� he said gruffly.

Cas sniffed as if she wasn�t interested. It was a weird gesture coming from
a guy. �Suit yourself,� she declared. �If it�s not worth talking about,
it�s probably not important anyways.�

Ryuu scowled but didn�t bother to comment. After all, that�s what she
wanted. He wasn�t about to explain his feud with Ranma. It was personal.
It was between him and Ranma. Letting others know about it was to him a
sign of showing weakness. It was a sign of needing someone to understand
him. He didn�t need that. He knew what he was doing was right. He didn�t
need another�s opinion to confirm that. And the last thing he needed was
someone feeling sorry for him.

They continued on for the remainder of the day in silence. The clouds hung
heavily in the sky, forbidding the travelers another glimpse of the sun
before nightfall. Ryuu felt no need to talk further. She could have the
last words for all he cared.

The pair eventually made camp for the night. Cas threw together a fire for
boiling water to restore Ryouga and herself. Ryuu went to sleep before
either of his comrades could bother him further about himself. The last
thing he heard as darkness settled in was a heavy, feminine sigh.

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

Cas stepped lively through the streets of Fukuoka. Her right hand clutched
tightly to Ryouga�s arm to keep the lost boy with them. Ryuu walked
casually behind them, his demeanor as dark as it had been yesterday. Cas
supposed she looked quite uncommon, her being a foreigner traveling with a
pair that could almost be mistaken as brothers.

�Hey, Ryuu,� Cas called back. �Ever been here before?�

She could hear his pack move with his shrug. �Passed through,� he said
dismissively.

Cas didn�t bother asking Ryouga. Ryouga had probably passed through the
place plenty of times with no clue where he was so he wouldn�t be of any
help. She figured she�d have to stick to asking the locals about places of
interest. It wasn�t like passing off as a tourist would be hard with her
looks.

She ran her free hand through her bangs and spun on her companions. If
Ryouga had been a normal person, he probably would have whimpered from the
sudden wrench upon his arm. As was, Ryouga only looked curious as to what
she was going to say.

�Well, we need a plan of action,� Cas started. �First, we need a place to
stay for the night. I don�t know about you two, but after yesterday I want
a bath.�

�But you just had a bath at the last hotel,� Ryouga protested. �It�d be
much easier if we stayed on the road. Cheaper too.�

Cas grabbed Ryouga by the collar and made her best to look threatening.
�Look,� she spat, �just because you turn into a pig doesn�t mean you have to
keep the hygiene of one. Do you think a girl is going to be impressed with
a guy that reeks of the trail?�

Ryouga looked at a loss for words. Ryuu just shrugged. �I�m not here to
impress anyone,� he stated. �I�m here because of our agreement.�

Ryouga was emboldened by Ryuu�s nonchalance. �Yea, it�s not like there are
any girls here that I�m trying to impress either.�

Cas winced. There was no way she was letting that one go. Especially when
she saw the smirk on Ryuu�s face. �Ryouga,� she said gesturing for the lost
boy to lean down so she could whisper in his ear. He did so with a puzzled
look on his face.

She grinned staring into his brown eyes. His face became a mask of pain as
she whipped her knee into his groin with all her might. �Sucker,� she
gloated, pushing his shoulders down. She hopped up in an attempt to land
behind him. It didn�t quite work.

Her foot caught on his shoulder and Cas found herself thrown headfirst into
the pavement. She lay on the hot pavement a moment or two, piecing together
what had happened. �You weasel teasing speck of snail fungus,� she cursed,
slowly getting up. Tears stung her eyes as her face blazed with pain. When
her vision cleared, she saw Ryuu laughing so hard he could barely stand.

Ryouga still wasn�t recovered so Cas decided to continue with her original
plan. Cas reached around the lost boy�s waist and snapped her body back.
She knew Ryouga was taller than her so she didn�t bother tucking her head.
There was a thud somewhere above her head as Ryouga smashed into the
pavement in almost the same fashion as she had earlier. She straightened
out of her backbend, slipping between Ryouga�s legs.

�That�ll teach you two to respect me some,� she declared. 'Though it would
have been more intimidating had you done it right,' a voice chided her.
People around the trio had stopped, many gaping openmouthed at the unusual
display.

Ryuu looked at her with a mixture of mirth and respect. �Impressive,� he
admitted, �though I doubt in a real fight he�d let you do that.�

Cas had one hand holding her head that was now raging with a headache. Her
other hand held her side that was aching from the maneuver she had done.
Ryouga wasn�t light by any means. Her brothers were much easier to pick on.

Ryouga groaned from the street, having curled up into a fetal position. Cas
regarded him, not sure if she should laugh or kick him some more.
Compassion was the farthest thing from her mind. �Oh get up, you oaf,� she
growled, giving him a kick to the shin. Ryouga had moved at just that
instant allowing her shin to connect with his. His was much harder.

�Ow, you horse whipping, tongue beating, red eyed beast worshipper!� she
howled out, hopping about on one leg. Cas couldn�t remember a week of hell
like this in her entire life.

When she finally could walk decently, she noted Ryouga was finally making
his way to his feet and Ryuu was regarding her with a bored expression.
�Well, if you two are done goofing off,� he began, �I�ll search around town
for lodging or a means to make some quick money. I suggest you two do the
same.�

�Yea,� Cas agreed, moving with a slight limp over to Ryouga. �Also see if
you can find any information regarding possible public means of
transportation. If I have to walk another day through Japan, I�ll scream.�

Ryuu looked aside, contemplative. �You could try Hakata Eki,� Ryuu said
locking eyes with hers. �Get a price quote or something. If we find
something that gets a lot of money, we could be in Nerima before the week is
over.�

Cas nodded, not quite sure what an eki was. The word wasn�t familiar to
her. �Sounds good to me,� she conceded. �We should meet up somewhere near
day�s end. Have any ideas of a place we could do that?�

Ryuu thumbed towards a tall building somewhere off in the depths of the
city. �We could try meeting there,� Ryuu supposed. �That thing is probably
visible from most points of the city.�

Cas gazed at the structure, wondering briefly what it would look like up
close. She was certain it could be seen from most parts of the city. It
almost looked like the structure had been made solely for that purpose.
�Sure that�ll do,� she agreed. �Make sure to catch the name of that place.
I�ll have you know I�m quite interested in buildings like that so if you can
snatch me a brochure or some facts about it, please do. I�d hate to get
there and find it closed.�

Ryuu nodded. �I�ll do that,� he said. He turned to the right and started
off. �I�ll see you two later. Be nice.�

�Yea, whatever,� Cas snorted at him. �Come on, Ryouga. Let�s go check out
this Hakata Station.� Ryouga only gave her a puzzled look. She rolled her
eyes and seized his arm. �Come on!�

�Hey, I�m coming,� he protested as Cas led him through the crowd in the
opposite direction.

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

Ryouga stood silently besides Cas as the pair gazed up at the Hakata
Station. There were in the middle of a business district, though Ryouga was
certain there�d be a shopping area inside the station for tourists. As he
watched, a plane flew by overhead. Judging by its altitude, Ryouga supposed
the airport was nearby as well.

It had been a long walk to get here. Many people had given them directions
including taking certain buses or subways. Cas politely took all
suggestions with a smile and promptly walked about the city to find someone
else to give another set of directions. Ryouga was slightly amused at how
she never bothered to inform the benefactor that they were broke.

They had also been quite unsuccessful at finding any contests or
recommendations of places to make some quick money. For Ryouga, that was
quite unusual. There always seemed to be something going on, though now
that he thought about it, most of the time that was when he wasn�t looking
for it. He wondered if Ryuu was having any luck.

�Come on, Ryouga,� Cas said, tugging on him. He followed quietly, his arm
in a vice-like grip. He watched people mill around busily as they passed
through the doors. Vendors of souvenirs called out to passersby, trying to
convince foreigners of the value of their wares. �Ryouga, is this �station�
a transportation center of sorts?�

�Yea, I think a railroad runs out from here,� Ryouga said uncertainly. She
looked puzzled. �You know, for trains.� Again there was no recognition.
�You�ll see.�

��Scuse me miss, would you like to try karashi mentai?� cried out a hawker.

Cas made a face but no other reply. Ryouga followed after her as they made
their way to a crowded area. Several people were waiting in lines. Ryouga
could tell from the signs that this was where they needed to be to purchase
tickets.

�Hey Ryouga,� Cas said over the din. �What do those signs say?�

Ryouga looked at her bewildered. �Um, that one says ticket and those
monitors over there display the status of the trains that are coming and
going from here,� Ryouga explained.

�Ah sort of like an airport,� Cas said, having just picked up that word
earlier from him when asking about the planes overhead. She tilted her head
aside at him. �What? It�s not like you taught me how to read that scribble
during the trip.�

�Oh,� Ryouga let out, his eyes sparking in understanding. He had been
teaching her words but hadn�t been writing them down for her. He recalled
an earlier incident of her handing him a flyer in Nagasaki and not realizing
it was for food, and later when he handed her the flyer about the contest
that she similarly didn�t understand.

Cas smiled. �Yea, oh,� she agreed.

The line moved rather quickly. Soon Cas was in front of the ticket booth
exchanging questions and comments with the worker. Ryouga pointed to a
picture of a train and spoke the word to her. Cas nodded, apparently
already having figured out what a train station was.

�Will you be purchasing a ticket, miss?� the worker said pleasantly.

�I hope to,� Cas disclosed. �Walking around the countryside is killing me.�

The worker smiled politely. �You will need a passport and, of course, money
for the trip.�

�How much would it cost to get to Tokyo station?�

�26,000 yen.�

Cas smiled. �Thank you.� She tugged on his arm and led him off to the side
of the crowd. Ryouga was sputtering, wondering several things as to how
she�d pull together so much money. She glared at him with her blue eyes,
demanding to know what was wrong.

�How are we going to get so much money?� he blurted out.

Cas rolled her eyes. �Look, Ryouga,� she began. �Nobody said we�d go all
the way to Tokyo on one ride. We�ll see what we have and take it from
there. And I still have my passport. Thankfully that hasn�t gotten lost in
all the chaos that seems to follow you.�

�But it�s still a lot of money,� he protested. �There�s no way we�ll be
able to come up with enough to have both a hotel and a trip anywhere.
Especially now since you�ve decided to bring this Ryuu guy along with us.�

�Is that what�s bothering you?� Cas snapped at him. �Well, excuse me for
showing interest in somebody else. I�m just trying to help him since he�s
another rival of Ranma. I�d think you�d be more willing to help out with
that in mind.�

�I prefer to work alone,� he said gruffly. �Working with others often
proves disastrous.� 'Yea, like that last incident with Happousai,' he noted
to himself.

�Well, I suppose you don�t want my help anymore,� Cas ventured. �Hell, I�m
not even worth impressing. Considering you already have two girls you
daydream over, you should be thankful that I�m even helping you out.�

�What are you talking about?� Ryouga asked, confused. �Of course I want
your help. I want you to teach me something so I can defeat Ranma.�

Cas held a palm out to him. �Look, I�m through with this,� she declared.
�I�m not teaching you magic. If you haven�t noticed, my patience isn�t my
best trait. I�ll help you defeat Ranma, but on my terms. Understand?�

�I guess so,� Ryouga said glumly, not having the slightest idea what she was
intending.

�I want no more complaints about Ryuu either,� she demanded. �He will be an
asset to us, I�m sure. I don�t think he�s the type that works with others
either so you don�t have to worry about a straightforward alliance. So,
truce?�

Ryouga sighed heavily. He then nodded. �Truce.�

�Ok then,� Cas said, yanking his arm again. �Let�s find Ryuu. Hopefully
he�s found something to get us someplace to stay tonight.� Ryouga followed
behind, again embarrassed at how he probably looked to other people.

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

Ryuu leaned against the bass of the Fukuoka Tower, pondering over what he
would tell his companions when they arrived. So far he had found nothing
promising, though he had found something relatively inexpensive if they
could get the money for it. Cas�s worries about the place being closed by
the time she arrived were unfounded. The Tower would be open well past
nightfall.

He was certain Cas would love this structure. It was made with over 8000
mirrors according to the brochure. It also said exactly what he had guessed
earlier about it being visible from anywhere in Fukuoka. Then there was the
usual blabber about how great this structure was in comparison to other
monuments in other cities.

�Sir, please don�t lean against the surface,� a voice said sweetly to him.
Ryuu turned to see a girl with a pair of braids that hung past her
shoulders. She was black haired and had brown eyes. She looked like a
local and probably worked in the tower. �You�ll smudge the surface.�

�Oh sorry, miss� Ryuu apologized. �I meant no harm.�

She smiled again, clasping her hands behind her back. She was wearing a
long sleeved brown shirt that had a thin, white shirt underneath. Her skirt
was of a similar drab color. Ryuu regarded her inquisitively. She didn�t
look like a worker here.

�Hi, my name is Aratteko Karen,� Karen said. �Pleased to meet you.�

�Kumon Ryuu,� Ryuu returned. �How old are you?�

�I�m fourteen, Kumon-san,� Karen answered with a smile.

�Oh,� Ryuu said with a little laugh. �I thought you worked here.�

�I do, Kumon-san,� she replied.

Ryuu scratched his head, confused. It wasn�t uncommon for girls her age to
work but this wasn�t exactly a family business here. �Really?� he started.
�What do you do?�

�I wash the mirrors every weekend, Kumon-san,� Karen answered.

Ryuu cast a look up the tall expanse of mirrors. �That�s a big job,� Ryuu
said appreciatively.

�My family has done it for years,� Karen explained.

Ryuu was thankful that she hadn�t bothered with the formality. It was
getting annoying. He noted that his companions were coming from behind the
girl. He tried to keep the smile from his lips as he saw the pleading look
on Ryouga�s face.

�It looks like my comrades have arrived,� Ryuu said.

�It was nice meeting you, Kumon-san,� she said with a slight bow.

�Hey Ryuu, flirting with kids now,� Cas jeered at him. She relinquished her
hold on Ryouga, much to the lost boy�s delight. Ryouga took the chance to
quickly sidle up against the building out of Cas�s attention. He moved too
fast for Ryuu to get off a warning.

�Please don�t lean against the surface,� Karen politely said to the new
offender.

�Yea, get your hide off it, Ryouga,� Cas chimed in. The blond gazed up at
the building admiringly. �Isn�t it amazing that this can stand so tall
before us. All that glass up there is defying gravity due to meticulous
human intervention.�

�Um, yea,� Ryouga agreed, stepping away.

Cas turned away from the guys to regard the girl. �So, how do you know
Ryuu?�

Ryuu held a hand up to his face, embarrassed at Cas�s rudeness. �Oh, I�ve
just met Kumon-san,� the girl stated, the cheerfulness in her voice a bit
unsteady.

�Cas, this is Aratteko Karen,� Ryuu offered, hoping to preserve some
dignity. �Karen, this is Keating Cas.�

�Pleased to meet you,� Karen said with a polite bow.

Cas threw him a questioning glare. �You said my name backwards.�

�It�s tradition,� Ryuu explained.

Cas nodded turning her attention back on the girl. �If you haven�t figured
out already, I�m kind of new to Japan and all. Don�t mind me if I butcher
formalities and stuff. Blame my teacher.� She threw a look at Ryouga.
Ryouga looked up. It showed that he was aware that he was being talked
about, but had no clue what for.

�It�s alright, Keating-san,� Karen returned.

Cas held up both hands to her. �Oh please don�t say that,� Cas said with a
grin. �Just call me Cas. It�s not like either of these two bother with
such formality. I�m not used to it.�

�Ok, Kea � Cas,� Karen said with a sweet smile.

�My friend over there is Ryo � um Hibiki Ryouga,� Cas said correcting
herself. �Don�t bother with formalities on him either. He�d probably
wouldn�t know you�re talking to him if you did.�

Both girls shared a laugh, Ryuu noting that Karen�s was more polite. He
figured it was time to get a word in himself. �Yes, you may also call me
Ryuu,� he added.

Karen looked at him shyly. �Ok.�

Cas shot her eyes back and forth between the two. �Well, Ryuu,� she
drawled. �Do we have a place to stay for the night?�

Ryuu was thankful for the distraction. Now that the formality was gone, he
wasn�t so comfortable with Karen looking at him. �Only if we have the
money,� he declared.

�Struck out too, huh,� Cas supposed.

�Um, yea,� he returned, uncertain of the phrase�s meaning. �There�s nothing
going on that will get us some cash quickly.�

�I could arrange something if you want,� Karen cut in.

�Really?� Cas quipped in hope.

�It�d be short notice but I could arrange it for tomorrow,� Karen said
helpfully. �As heir to the art I�m allowed to host these competitions
whenever I want.�

�Art?� Ryouga queried, getting to his feet.

�Why the art of window washing of course,� Karen said happily. �But don�t
expect to be the only contestants. When word hits the streets that I�m
hosting one of these, I�m certain we�ll have plenty of competitors.�

Cas cupped her chin thoughtfully. �Ryuu�s the only one here that compete
for us,� she said thumbing at him.

Ryuu looked puzzled. �What do you mean?�

�I assume there will be water in this,� Cas ventured, turning to Karen.
Karen nodded. Ryuu understood what Cas was getting at now. Ryouga would be
useless as a pig and a public transformation would not be something Cas
would look forward to. �And Ryuu is probably the most fearless out of our
little group. I can�t speak for Ryouga, but I for one don�t think being
outside of a tall building like that would be something I�d call fun.�

Karen smiled pleasantly. �I understand.�

�What is the prize?�

�Traditionally we offer a trophy if someone other than the heir wins, but
seeing as you need money I think I could arrange for a prize of 50,000 yen,�
Karen told them.

�That would be more than enough,� Cas said holding her hands out low. �I�m
sure Ryuu will show you his best.�

�He�ll need to,� Karen said with her first less than sweet smile. �Since
I�ve become the heir four years ago, we haven�t lost a contest.� She
trotted off down the road, waving goodbye to them.

Cas came over to him, punching him softly on the shoulder. �I think she
likes you.�

�Gee, thanks,� Ryuu said, clutching his head again in embarrassment.

�What is going on?� Ryouga asked. The thuds of two heads hitting the ground
sounded as both Cas and Ryuu face-faulted.

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

Cas stared down from the exhilarating height. She looked over to Ryuu to
see if he was any braver at what they were about to do. One look was enough
to convince her that him and most of their fellow competitors were having
serious second thoughts about this contest. Very few people looked
unnerved, most of those probably hiding their anxiety.

Cas breathed deeply. She was male currently. She doubted there would be
any hot water to change her back during the contest, so she had entered
despite Ryouga�s protests. She knew she still looked very alike to her true
form but decided to deal with that issue when it came up.

The winds tore madly about the roof. The wind was also very cold. Cas�s
attire was aiding her little. For that matter, neither was Ryuu�s. Both
were shivering pretty badly. She hoped the person in charge of the rules in
judging would get on with whatever needed to be said so they could get
started. If this lasted any longer she�d be a Casicle.

Cas looked over to Karen, who seemed so focused on something, that the young
girl was oblivious to her surroundings. Karen still wore her hair in twin
braids but her apparel was quite different. She wore a blue shirt, the
color of denim, which was long sleeved and high collared. Her pants were of
the same material and were tucked into sturdy black boots. Her shirt was
tucked into her pants, which sported a tool belt laden with rags and
squeegees. Cas was vaguely reminded of window washers back in her hometown
of London. It looked very similar.

�Please may I have your attention,� a voice called out from the center of
the roof. Cas turned about thanking all that was holy that the judge had
decided it was time to start. �It is now time to discuss the rules of the
contest.� The judge was a short, balding man with a well-trimmed beard and
mustache. He wore a heavy brown overcoat and dark blue sweats. He spoke to
the gathering through a megaphone.

�Bout time,� Ryuu chattered. Cas could only nod in agreement; afraid she�d
bite her tongue if she tried to say anything.

�Rules are simple,� the judge said, his voice chattering as badly as Ryuu�s.
�The last contestant washing windows is the winner. Players are
eliminated when their line is cut or they fall to the ground. Any
questions?�

Cas raised her hand and quickly realized that was unnecessary. �What do you
mean by their line being cut?�

�Each contesting will be able to cut opponents� lines with the special
squeegees provided for the event,� the judge explained.

�Yeah, but isn�t that a long fall?� Cas said incredulously.

�Oh not to worry,� the judge said quickly. �There is an inflated cushion
around the base of the tower. Casualties are very low in our contests.�

�How reassuring,� she muttered to Ryuu. He nodded in agreement, though he
didn�t seem nearly as concerned as she felt. The judge was making his way
around the roof, securing the lines of each contestant. This did take some
time, as there were many contestants as Karen had promised there would be.
Once finished the judge hurried back away from the edge.

�Take positions,� the judge called out. Cas slowly neared the edge.
�Begin!�

Cas hopped over the edge, her heart hammering madly she could swear anybody
nearby could hear it. Ryuu was next to her. Somewhere on the ground below,
Ryouga was safely watching all of this. Cas spared a look down and
immediately regretted it. It wasn�t that she wasn�t used to heights. She
just never had seen them beneath her feet. At least she had glimpsed their
safety airbag.

�Hey Cas,� Ryuu called from beside her, looking green. �Don�t look down.�

�A little late for that,� Cas commented. She freed a squeegee from her
belt. �Well, let�s work together to thin out the competition. I�m sure the
others are feeling just as bad about this as we are.�

�Sure but let�s drop down some first,� Ryuu suggested. �I�d hate to drop
any of our competitors from this height.�

Cas shook her head. �No if we drop below our competitors, we won�t be able
to protect our lines,� she reasoned. �It�s best we stay on level or above
them.�

Ryuu nodded in agreement. He freed a weapon of his own and slowly the pair
began their descent. It seemed all the competitors nearby were doing the
same. The going was slow, as nobody trusted each other to be too much lower
than a rival.

The wind tore around the building, causing more than one competitor to be
buffeted away and then smashed into the mirror. Cas didn�t know if she
should feel sorry for the victim or Karen. After all, this was her building
that was getting busted up from this contest. She wondered how much it�d
cost in repairs after the event was over.

The shards sliced through one of the lines sending one of the hapless
victims tumbling down. Cas could only hope the poor guy didn�t hit the
building several times on the way down. He wouldn�t survive if he did. Cas
thanked all that was holy again that her position was far enough from the
corner to avoid the heavy gusts.

Once the contestants got about halfway down, things became more competitive.
Ryuu faced off to the left while she faced off to the right. There was
nobody between them, so they didn�t have to worry about their backs being
unprotected. A man came at her as quickly as he could, considering he was
no better at maneuvering alongside the building than most of the other
competitors.

Cas thought quickly. She doubted she could figure out how to use the
squeegee any better than her foe. The wind gave her an idea. She focused
on the wind, going through the steps to ask it what she wanted it to do.
She felt a surge of energy rush around her, as it came to her call. She
found the presence and spoke with it of her wishes. It agreed.

�Ichijun,� she whispered, her habit of naming things still dominant. The
wind rushed out, knocking her closing opponent aside. She pushed off from
the wall and slashed primitively at the man�s support. Her luck was with
her, as the rope snapped on her first attempt. The man plummeted downwards.

Cas waited for the next assailant, calling the wind to her aid. He dove
upwards at her line, slashing wickedly. She repeated the spell, blasting her
foe into the mirror. Glass rained down from the wreckage, as the man hung
limply above her. Certain he was no longer a threat, Cas checked for
danger.

Her last foe, as there were only so many contestants on each side of the
building, came charging at her more skillfully than the previous two. Cas
cast her spell once again, buffeting her last victim towards the oncoming
threat. It was to no avail as the charging man managed to dodge aside the
human missile and deliver a perfect swipe to the supporting rope.

Seeing that this man was more skilled, Cas decided to change tactics. She
held up her squeegee and focused, shutting out the cries of her adversary.
�Feza-nagasu,� she shouted, sending her weapon unerringly towards the man.
The man twisted, allowing the missile to sail past harmlessly. His face
broke out into a confident grin.

Cas willed the squeegee back. �Your mine!� the man declared with a lunge
towards the weaponless Cas. �Ahhhhh!� His line severed cleanly as the
squeegee returned to her hand. Cas saluted the man, as he quickly became a
speck on the tarp below.

Cas turned around, everyone to the right having been eliminated. She noted
as Ryuu severed the line of another competitor that they were the only
remaining contestants on this side of the building. �Hey!� she shouted over
the wind. �What do we do now?�

Ryuu glanced up and pointed. �I think we should climb back up and switch
sides,� he suggested.

�Isn�t that against the rules?�

�I don�t know,� Ryuu said. His eyes widened. �Look out!�

Cas looked up to see Karen swinging towards them. The girl�s line had been
cut but apparently it was falling that determined elimination. Karen was
easily swinging from line to line of their recently eliminated foes. �What
the �?�

�She�s going to cut our lines!� Ryuu shouted. He quickly started to climb
up to intercept the fast approaching girl. Cas caught on and quickly
attempted to do the same. Unfortunately Karen was coming from her side.

Cas realized she didn�t have the time. She recast the float spell with only
a slight variance as her line snapped overhead. Cas let herself drop enough
to let Karen think she was out before invoking the spell. Her body stopped
its descent. She glanced below, hoping nobody had a clear view of what she
was doing. Then with a force of will she sped towards the nearest line.

Voices carried down to her as she neared. �� just you and me.� It was
Karen. �� took care of the rest.�

�� assume you � defeat you � right?� It was Ryuu�s voice. She could now
see them as she climbed up the line. She figured flying up would be too
blatant, but she kept the spell up. If falling was the only means of
elimination, she�d prove to Karen how hard eliminating her would be.

�� can�t � win � the heir � honor at stake.� Apparently Karen wasn�t going
to let him win.

Karen clearly had the advantage, the girl not being restrained by a line.
Karen hung from one arm while the other brandished a squeegee at Ryuu. The
pair exchanged blows with the weapons, sometimes the strikes sounding
clearly over the drowning roar of the wind. Cas watched, allowing the
outcome of this battle to determine her next move.

�Enough play!� shouted Karen. The girl flipped up, her legs pinching the
line to prevent her from failing. She struck out at the line, Ryuu glancing
the blow aside but not completely. His line began to tear. Karen pressed
her advantage, trying to sever the line completely but Ryuu didn�t allow her
another shot in. He glanced behind him and then tossed his squeegee in that
direction.

�Now I have you!� the girl cried, cutting the line completely. But Ryuu
didn�t fall. Instead he kicked out backwards from the building. His
momentum carried him over to the next line, while catching the squeegee on
the way. Ryuu now mimicked Karen�s earlier pose, holding his weapon out to
her.

�A challenge at last!� Karen declared gleefully. She then swung out and
caught Ryuu�s original line to resume the fight. The pair dove from line to
line, exchanging blows. Still Karen was apparently the better, as Ryuu
never succeeded in severing a line that she was on. Karen had forced him
off several lines, severing at least one out of every three Ryuu used. Cas
watched them, careful to stay out of sight, as the battle made circles
around the tower.

Karen was currently supporting herself on her legs when she declared, �Time
for the secret technique, the Sting Clean!�

Cas could swear she heard the judge above gasp. �Ladies and gentlemen,
Karen is invoking the Sting Clean!� the judge shouted with excitement.
�This deadly of techniques leaves the opponent blinded.�

Karen produced a small bucked and splashed it in Ryuu�s face. 'Good thing
I�m already changed,' Cas thought. Ryuu cried out, losing his squeegee in
the attempt to rub his eyes. His cry quickly faded off into the distance,
as Karen lashed out to sever his line and send him down.

�And it looks like Aratteko-san has done it again,� the judge declared.
�What�s this?�

Cas raced towards the celebrating champion, careful to make it look like she
was only jumping from line to line. Karen never saw her coming as she
slashed through the line. The girl screamed as she fell out of sight. �Bon
voyage, Karen.�

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

Ryouga stood on the balcony of the hotel room they had acquired for the
evening. Cas had already been to the station to purchase their tickets for
tomorrow. They had enough to get them to Osaka with some left over to buy
food and hopefully another hotel stay in Osaka.

Ryouga sighed. This train ride tomorrow would halve the distance left on
their journey. He wasn�t sure what they would do once it was over. Cas
would help him defeat Ranma. That he was sure of. Other than that, he
didn�t know of any further plans Cas had for being in Nerima.

He shook his head, not wanting to think too much in the future. He wasn�t
sure how many days had passed. He wondered if graduation had happened yet.
Graduation had only been a couple months in the future at the time he left
Nerima. Knowing his luck Akane would already be off to college by the time
they arrive in Nerima.

Ryouga glared back into the room with mixed feelings. He wasn�t sure what
he felt towards Cas anymore. He liked her company despite how rude and mean
she was to him. She always made him feel stupid, but he could tell she was
trying to keep her patience with him.

His other companion was even more vague. He knew very little about Ryuu.
Ryuu wasn�t one to share whatever troubles Ranma had caused him. And
considering the tension that passed between Ryuu and Cas two days ago,
Ryouga was convinced that Ryuu was only along because of the arrangement.

Ryouga shook his head and looked out to the tower of mirrors. He was
relieved that none of the contestants had suffered anything more than a
concussion. He knew it was Cas�s magic that had ensured their victory
today. He hoped her magic would continue to be beneficial towards their
journey and safety.

Content that nothing he could do now would change anything, Ryouga decided
it was time to turn in. His thoughts wandered to a single face, one that he
longed to see. �Akari,� he whispered. �I�m coming home soon.�

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

Well that's a wrap. Please email any comments to zinyadel@hotmail.com
I don't mind flames. Sometimes good ideas come from them.

Ciaow

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