August 19th, 1986

     "Ranma came today for his first lessons with Father, which 
in turn included a sparring match with Akane.  I fear, however, 
that that match will forever haunt my little sister's memory, as 
well as my own..."

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

                    Diary of a Mature Child
                       Journal Entry #02


     This story was not written for profit and all characters of 
note are owned by Rumiko Takahashi.  As usual, any C&C would be 
gladly accepted.  Please forward flames to C-Rat (bouncer@tabyk.net),
and the usual behind-the-back grumbling to CyMage (editor@tabyk.net).
*smile*  Just trying to be accomodating for everyone.

     P.S.: Might end up rewriting this one, since I think I fell
into the "give Akane a serious anger issue" trap...

     --- Tabyk     (tabyk@tabyk.net)     (www.tabyk.net)

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

     When I heard the knock at the door this time, I was prepared 
to meet the visiting Saotome family, though they were just as 
painfully formal as last time.  After greeting them, I led them 
through the house and out to the dojo, where Father waited.

     And Akane.

     She had thrown a screaming fit when Father had announced to 
both her and Nabiki that he had decided to take on another 
student, especially in light of the fact that he had neglected 
her own training as of late.  It had taken agreeing to teach them 
both that had finally quieted her down.  Of course, it was then 
that he'd also come up with... the idea.

     Stopping at the threshold, I watched as Ranma slowly entered 
while his mother stayed back at my side.  With a quick glance at 
Akane, wearing her favorite gi and an insufferable smirk, he came
to a stop before Father.

     Clearing his throat - a habit, I noticed, that had suddenly 
appeared since the Saotome's arrival - Father said, "In order to 
place your skill level, I have decided that a sparring match will 
be used.  My daughter, Akane, shall be your opponent."  Then 
stepping back to the sidelines, and without further warning, he 
simply said, "Begin."

     From the way Akane launched herself at him, it was obvious 
it had been planned that way.

     With a slight growl from her lips she bore down on him,
jumping right in with several powerful punches and kicks, and it
became apparent, to me at least, that she fully intended to take
out her recent frustrations with the whole situation on him.  I
opened my mouth to say something, but... she never touched him.

     Moving with an almost casual ease, Ranma stepped and ducked 
around her, constantly moving just fast enough, just far enough, 
that she kept missing him.  It was the most amazing thing I'd 
ever seen.  And after nearly of minute of it, Akane practically 
screamed in frustration before grabbing a small hand weight from 
the dojo wall and throwing it at him.

     It also missed.

     Shocked at the display, I couldn't help but watch as she 
grabbed weight after weight and threw them at him.  And every 
single one she threw, he somehow just managed to dodge.  Fearing 
how things might escalate further, I turned towards Father to 
stop it when I caught the almost solemn look on his face...

     ...like he had expected this.

     But how?

     And then...

     "Ranma!  Stop playing around!"

     With those sharp words from Mrs. Saotome's mouth, everything 
suddenly changed.

     No longer dodging Ranma turned and bore down on my sister, 
his arms weaving a furious offensive against her, and for a split 
second I saw a moment of pure panic in her eyes.  A few seconds 
after that, it was over.

     Sidestepping a desperate forward lunge, the boy lashed out 
with a powerful side kick that hit her right above the kidney, 
literally picking her up and tossing her a couple feet through 
the air, where she then hit, face first, into one of surrounding 
walls.  After a moment of her whole body being held there as the 
kinetic energy was bled off of her, she slowly crumpled to the 
floor.

     I was so shocked at the brutal display it took Father's 
voice to snap me out of it.

     "Kasumi, please take Akane inside and attend to her."

     Glancing at him, that stony expression still on his face, I 
rushed forward and grabbed her just as her eyes began to blink 
with consciousness. Helping her to her feet, I led her, still 
dazed, back to the kitchen before sitting her down on a stool.  
Quickly stripping her of her gi, I surveyed the damage.

     Her face had several minor cuts, though the quick 
application of a wet cloth confirmed that they were minor at 
best.  Her arms and left side, however, were going to be heavily 
bruised for several days.  At least.  I began to wonder if a trip 
to Doctor Tofu might be necessary.  It was then that I noticed 
the look on Akane's face, and pulling her against me I let her 
cry, her sobs shaking her as the shock and adrenalin raked her 
body.

     And through it all I kept wonder, 'Why hadn't Father stopped 
it?  What had he been thinking?'

     It took me most of the next hour to finally move her to her 
bedroom, where she eventually fell into an emotionally exhausted 
sleep.  It was coming down the stairs that I finally ran into 
Nabiki, who'd just now home from after school activities.

     All it took was a glance between us before she quietly 
asked, "What happened?"

     I glanced towards the dojo and said, "You had to have seen 
it, Nabiki."  Then shaking my head, "She didn't stand a chance.  
Ten seconds... it took less then 10 seconds before he'd beaten 
her unconscious."

     And then in a whisper I added, "And Father hadn't even 
looked surprised."

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