[FFML] [Fanfic][Ranma]High Flight Chapter 2

Okay, the second chapter of this fic. It's planned
for 8 chapters, though subsequent ones will most
likely be about double the size of the first two. No
promises on that though. I don't think I'll be
posting the next for a week or two either. The real
fun starts in the next chapter, so I'm sure it's gonna
take longer to write. This one finishes the set up
for the rest of the story.

I'm striving to raise the bar of my writing with this
fic, so any C & C is greatly appreciated--oh, and I do
like MSTs if anyone is bored. C&C to the list or
privately is fine. Thanks!

Disclaimer:
I do not own any of the characters except for new
characters not indeginous (sp?) to Ranma 1/2. This
work is not for profit, since that would violate the
first law of anime fanfiction. If any one at Kitty,
Viz, or Rumiko Takahashi herself reads this, please
understand that imitation is the sincerest form of
flattery, so please be flattered, and maybe laugh a
little and where I and others have taken these
characters!

High Flight
Chapter 2
Thoughts and Actions

Akane watched as Ranma scored another light hit on
his guest. Shoki wasn�t bad exactly, he just wasn�t
anywhere near Ranma�s skill level. Several days of
sparring after they got home from school simply
confirmed it. She noticed that her father and Mr.
Saotome were also watching, and occasionally shaking
their heads. The hit was light, since Ranma was
pulling his punches considerably, but Shoki was
definitely showing a few bruises. A moment later she
saw Shoki hold up his hands and concede the practice
match.
�Thanks Ranma, but I think I�ve been beaten enough
for one day,� he commented wryly.
Ranma relaxed, though it was more felt than seen in
his loose stance. �Not bad, you�ve got some nice
moves, and you have the forms down cold. A few more
years of constant work and ya might actually be a real
challenge!�
Akane winced a bit at her fiancee�s remark. �Ranma,
remember he hasn�t spent his whole life training like
you have. Try to be nice!�
�It�s okay Akane, I didn�t take offense. Ranma is
very good, if this had been a real fight, and I had to
fight on these terms, I�d been done for a long time
ago.�
�These terms?� Asked Ranma. �How do ya mean?�
�Well, if I were forced to only use my Aikido to
stave off an attack with someone of your skill, it
would be over quickly.�
That brought Genma into the conversation from where
he sat lounging against the porch. �Oh, and how else
would you defend against such an attack? I don�t
think your Kendo or other sword training would help if
you don�t have them with you.�
Shoki had quickly decided over the last couple of
days that Genma Saotome was something of a bully. He
used his parenthood to bully his son, family honor to
bully his son�s fiancee, and his skills and sheer bulk
to bully anyone who didn�t know him. Shoki didn�t
like bullies, and he felt this one got away with far
too much. Moving quickly, he snapped a hand toward
Genma, who didn�t have time to react before a 5�
sliver of steel imbedded itself in the porch beam
scant inches above his head.
�Oh, I�ve got a trick or two,� smirked Shoki. Ranma
flat out snickered while Akane giggled at the sight of
Genma�s eyes crossing as he looked straight up. Even
Soun cracked a smile that he was careful to hide from
his friend.
�How did you do that?� Asked Ranma.
Shoki pulled his long sleeves back to reveal a brace
of four small throwing knives on each arm. Well, four
minus one on the left arm. �I picked this up when I
was younger. Grandpa wouldn�t let me spar with a
sword until I was older, so when I started going to
the SCA tournaments(1) I was costumed as a thief at
first. And thieves had to protect themselves, right?�
He walked over and pulled the knife out of the beam
above the elder Saotome and slid it back into it�s arm
sheath. �Besides it was a way to tweak my grandpa�s
nose a bit. I hardly wear them anymore, but with the
crowd you run with, I just feel a little better having
them with me when I�m over.�
Akane looked thoughtful for a moment, then spoke.
�You mentioned you do Kendo as well. I haven�t done
Kendo at all since Kuno�s idiocy forced me out of the
girls Kendo club.�
�Kuno?� Asked Shoki.
�Tatewaki Kuno,� answered Ranma. �Local idiot at our
high school. Has a thing for both Akane and my girl
form. Mainly a pain in the neck, but trust me, unless
you are far better at Kendo than you are at Aikido,
stay away from him.�
�Well, I�m not here to get caught up in your troubles
Ranma!� Grinned Shoki. He�d seen and heard enough
about the craziness that was Ranma�s life to enjoy
just watching from the sidelines. It was far better
entertainment than he�d expected to find when he moved
to Nerima. �Anyhow, Akane, I�d be happy to spar with
you, but under two conditions. First, not tonight,
after that workout with Ranma, I�m just too wore out
and bruised. Second, full gear, match rules. I
don�t want to wake up in your guest room again!�
Akane blushed crimson as everyone laughed, but she
nodded anyway. Wouldn�t everybody just let her live
that down? Just then Kasumi came out into the yard.
�Shoki-san, will you be able to stay for dinner
again?� She asked sweetly.
�I�d love to Kasumi, but I�ve eaten here the last
several nights. I�d like to offer a counter
proposal,� Shoki declared, looking around at everyone.
He noticed Kasumi looked like she might be pouting
slightly as if he had insulted her food. �Since I�ve
been at your table so much recently, how about all of
you come over to my place about six and I�ll fix
dinner.�
All the Tendo�s looked rather startled, though the
Saotomes merely looked hungry at the thought of free
food. �I don�t know,� started Soun. �Cooking isn�t
exactly a man�s game.� This drew a tentative nod from
Genma--cooking might not be manly, but free food was
FREE FOOD!
Shoki grinned easily at the elder Tendo. �Sorry, but
I don�t play that game. You two can use that on
Ranma, but I got nothing to prove. Besides, I�m not
going to cook some fancy dinner. I�m going to have
some fun with the barbecue out back. One of the few
American ideas that my father got my grandfather
hooked on. So, what say--anybody up for hot dogs and
hamburgers?�

Kasumi was slightly confused. Shoki was certainly an
attractive young man, and well built enough to
definitely rate a second look (2). However, cooking
wasn�t manly was it? Though not as hung up on the
concept as her father and the Saotomes, she simply
thought there was something wrong with an effeminate
man. She watched as he flipped burgers and hot dogs
at the big gas barbecue he had in his backyard. He
seemed at home in front of the grill, and appeared to
be genuinely having fun. She herself enjoyed cooking,
but it was something of an Art to her, making dinner a
kata. At least that�s how she once explained it to
Ranma when he asked if she needed help. She couldn�t
remember the last time she just cooked for fun or
truly had fun just cooking. She noticed that Shoki
had bought enough food for a small army, or a few
Saotomes. She also watched as her sister Nabiki kept
trying to flirt with him. For some reason that
bothered her obscurely.
Dutifully though, she lined up with everyone else to
get something from the grill. It felt distinctly odd
to not be the one cooking and dishing up everyone
else. She demurely asked for a hamburger, and was
rewarded with large bun that had been caramelized on
the grill, and a thick patty of meat. Being the last
in line, Shoki followed her over to the table that he
had the condiments set up on. She looked bewildered
at the array for a moment, not entirely sure what one
was supposed to put on a hamburger.
�Having trouble deciding what to try, Kasumi?� Asked
Shoki.
�Well, yes,� she replied. �I�ve never had a
hamburger like this. I had one once at a McDonald�s,
but it didn�t look like this at all.� It tasted like
shoe leather as well, but she didn�t want to insult
her host. Besides, this one at least looked more
appetizing.
�McDonald�s doesn�t make hamburgers, � dismissed
Shoki. �They make fast food in a vaguely hamburger
shape. Tell you what, do you trust me?� He asked
with a boyish grin, holding out his hand for her
plate.
Kasumi hesitated a moment, then smiled and handed him
her plate with a nod. She watched as he slathered the
bun with mayonnaise, added mustard, ketchup, slices of
pickle and onion and set some chips to the side. He
handed it back to her and set about constructing a
similar sandwich for himself. It was identical to
hers, though a touch heavier on the ketchup she
noticed. She then let him lead the way over to the
only two unoccupied spots at the large picnic table.
Taking a bite of her hamburger, Kasumi was
surprised. It was different that what she was used
to, but quite good! In fact it was good enough that
she forgot some of her manners and nearly wolfed it
down. (3) She was licking some ketchup off her
fingers when she felt a sudden silence around her.
Looking up with her thumb in her mouth she saw
everyone staring at her like she had grown another
head. �Um, why is everyone looking at me?�
Shoki grinned lopsidedly. �Well, I think it might be
the excellent impression of Ranma at the dinner table.
Would you like me to make you another?�
Kasumi considered it for a moment, but declined.
�Not a problem, I made extra for snacks later.�
Shoki watched as the ebb and flow of conversation
started back up. The focus around him seemed to be
most of the Tendo�s teasing Ranma and Akane. He
looked back over at Kasumi. �Kasumi, do you mind if I
ask you a question?�
�Not at all, Shoki-san. What is it?�
�Well, it looks to me like you take care of your
family for the most part. Do you have time to do
anything fun, or just for yourself?� He asked quite
curious. �You are out of school yourself now, but not
in college. Do you have plans for the future?�
Just then Akane knocked over her iced tea and spilled
it on Ranma. To his credit, Ranma didn�t explode in
anger at Akane, but merely sighed in resignation.
�Shoki, can I use your bathroom for a moment?�
Ranma-chan asked.
�Certainly, down the hall on the other side of the
kitchen and it�s the second door on the left.�
Directed Shoki. Ranma-chan disappeared inside the
house in the search for hot water. Looking back to
Kasumi, he waited for an answer to his question.
Kasumi for her part had been trying to decide how to
answer Shoki�s question. It took a moment to come up
with anything at all. She just wasn�t sure herself of
the answer. �Well, keeping the house up and looking
after father takes a lot of time. I do get out a
couple times a week.�
�Shopping doesn�t count,� scolded Shoki lightly.
Kasumi felt herself blush slightly from being caught
in the misdirection. �As for plans for my future, I
haven�t thought much about it. I thought I wanted to
be a nurse or doctor for a while, but now I don�t
know. I guess I�m waiting to see what happens with
Akane and Ranma before I decide what I�m going to do.�
Shoki thought about that for a moment before
answering. Just as he was opening his mouth to answer
Ranma came out of the house and interrupted him with a
question.
�Shoki, man, what is with all the pictures of
airplanes all over the place? There must be a hundred
of them in the hallway, kitchen and bathroom!�
Looking sheepish, Shoki answered honestly. �It�s my
hobby, though my grandfather calls it an obsession. I
love airplanes. I love to fly airplanes. Being in
the air makes things feel like all is right with the
world....� He trailed off as his eyes got a dreamy
look. Suddenly he snapped out of it. �That�s it!�
He shouted.
�What�s it?� Asked Ranma.
�I�m going to an air show next weekend. Do you all
want to go?�
Soun glanced at Nabiki who was shaking her head
minutely. �I�m afraid it would be a little expensive
for us....�
�Oh, my treat� interjected Shoki. �If you all would
like a little mini vacation, I�ll arrange for the
tickets and train fare. You just have to show up at
the train station on time.�
It looked for just a moment like Soun was going to
still say no as a matter of principle when Nabiki
nudged him in the ribs, hard. �We�d be delighted to
go to the air show with you Shoki-kun,� enthused
Nabiki. Her father sighed and nodded.
�Great! I�ll make the arrangements and let you know
when to be at the train station. There will be a
courtesy van to the air show at the other end, so it
will be a snap.� Shoki stopped and patted his stomach
briefly. �Hmmm.....I think I�m ready for another
burger. Anybody else?� He was surprised that
everyone raised their had....actually what was really
surprising was that Kasumi raised BOTH of her hands!

The week passed quickly and typically for the Tendo
Dojo. Shoki came over most nights to spar, and ended
up meeting Shampoo, Ukyou and Mousse at different
times. Actually Mousse mistook him for Ranma and
attacked him, but Akane was quick to boot him out of
the yard. He then made Ranma sit down and explain all
his different problems in detail. Ranma was curious
why Shoki wanted to know, but Shoki simply said
�Forewarned is forearmed.� By the end Shoki wondered
how Ranma was still alive with all the women after
him.
Finally, sunday morning arrived. Shoki wandered over
to the Tendo�s to find that everybody but Kasumi was
ready to go. He found the eldest Tendo daughter in
the kitchen with stuff spread all over. Soun followed
him into the room.
�Kasumi,� he started, �what are you doing? We have
to leave in a few minutes if we are going to catch the
train.�
�Oh, my. It�s going to take me more than a few
minutes to finish up these snacks. Maybe you should
all leave without me, and I can take a later train?�
She didn�t want to admit that she was trying to pack
such an extravagant variety of snacks trying to
impress him. Or more accurately to outdo his cooking
at the barbecue the week before.
Soun didn�t like the idea of Kasumi traveling that
far alone. �Kasumi, it would be unsafe for you to
travel by yourself. We�ll all wait for you.�
�Oh father, I don�t want to make everyone else wait
for me, I�ll be all right.�
Soun looked unconvinced, so Shoki thought up a
compromise. �Tell you what Mr. Tendo. You take
everybody and head on to the train station. They�ve
got your tickets all ready. I�ll drive Kasumi to the
air show myself. We�ll probably get there about the
same time since we don�t have to go from the train to
the courtesy van.�
Considering this for a moment Soun decided it was a
good idea, but had reservations about trusting his
eldest daughter to a man they had only known a couple
weeks. The fact that he�d engaged Akane to a boy on
the same day he met him never entered into his
thinking. �That would be acceptable, but how about
taking Kasumi and Nabiki?� That would give him and
Genma more time alone to work on Ranma and Akane
without interference as well.
�Certainly Mr. Tendo, that won�t be a problem.�
�Good, I�ll go let Nabiki know, and the rest of us
will be on our way.�

Nabiki wasn�t overly happy to get bumped from the
train ride. Annoying Ranma and Akane was one of her
major forms of entertainment. However, a chance to
get to ride nearly alone with this rather rich young
man in what was sure to be a private automobile
sounded good. She could hear cash registers ringing
in the back of her mind every time she looked at him.
Granted, she wasn�t totally obsessed with money like
everyone thought, but she wouldn�t turn down a
marriage that resulted in her becoming heiress to an
oil company either. Well, that and he was sorta cute,
and definitely more mature than most of the guys at
school.
She walked into the kitchen find out what the hold up
was. The sight that greeted her was amusing and
shocking at the same time. Shoki and Kasumi were
chatting amicably, but what startled her was that
Kasumi was letting a man help her in her own kitchen.
She simply stood there with her jaw open until Shoki
turned around with one of two picnic baskets in his
arm.
Shoki reached out and closed Nabiki�s mouth. He
wasn�t sure what she was so shocked about but a little
drool was leaking out of her mouth from being open so
long. �Come on Nabiki. Let�s get next door and we
can get going to the show.�
Nabiki followed along behind Shoki and Kasumi.
Leaving the Dojo by the front door, they walked down
the street to Shoki�s house. Hitting a button on his
key ring, Shoki opened the garage door. Seeing what
was in the garage startled Nabiki again. She�d been
expecting a big sedan, or maybe a sports car of some
sort. Instead it was-
�How cute!� Exclaimed Kasumi. �A Jeep!�
A jeep it was Nabiki decided. A golden tan color
with impressive looking tires and a roll bar. The
word �Rubicon� was on the side of the hood and
�Wrangler� near the back. She also noticed a Suzuki
motorbike behind the jeep. Curiouser and curiouser.
As they got ready to get in, she realized either she
or Kasumi would have to sit in back, while the other
got to sit next to their host. Just as she thought of
it Shoki took her hand and helped her up into the
jeep. Drat! She�d have to ride in back.
Shoki then handed her the picnic baskets, and Nabiki
was dismayed to find that she could only put one
alongside her and the other had to go in her lap after
she buckled into her seat. She watched as Shoki
handed Kasumi into the passenger seat. Just then she
realized the steering wheel was on the left.
�An American Jeep!� Nabiki breathed.
Shoki looked up at her as he was getting into the
driver�s seat. �All Jeeps are American!�
Nabiki shook her head. �No, I mean that this one was
built for the American Market. Vehicles imported to
Japan have steering wheels on the right.� She�d read
that in a financial magazine about import
restrictions once.
�You�re right. This model is only available in the
USA. So far I�ve had it in Scotland, America and
Japan. Getting it out of customs is a pain each time,
but I like it. It�s such a pretty day, let�s leave
the top down.� With that, Shoki pulled out into the
street and they were off to the air show. Wind
blowing in their hair. It was exhilarating! Now if
she could just get rid of this picnic basket in her
lap!

Author�s notes
1. Society for Creative Anachronism. See Chapter 1
for details.
2. What, don�t you think that Kasumi checks the guys
out? Doesn�t mean she has to comment on them!
3. Everybody knows a properly made hamburger on an
outdoor grill is TRUE gourmet cooking!

Thanks for reading!

Papa 51

=====
Papa 51 Productions
Creator of Anime Music Videos and Anime Fanfics
http://www.angelfire.com/anime5/papa51/

The average pilot, despite the sometimes swaggering exterior, is very much capable of such feelings as love, affection, intimacy and caring. These feelings just don't involve anyone else.

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