Suggested changes: {before : after}
On Tue, 25 Mar 2003 21:13:20 +0000 R E <ranma_e@hotmail.com> wrote:
Rumours of my death are greatly exaggerated. I'm still around, and still
writing. If anyone was waiting, I apologise for the lengthy delay in this
chapter. It's had a long and protracted birth, but now I have a first draft
that I'm reasonably happy with. As always, comments are welcome, and
previous chapters are available at http://ten.waxwolf.com as usual.
Does that mean I can't have your manga collection?
Ukyo turned and glanced at the Amazon as she unloaded a mountainous pile of
fish, their bodies still moist from the nearby river's water. Ranma, for
her part, smiled gratefully and gestured for Shampoo to sit alongside her.
The pair began a muted conversation, their words unclear to Ukyo, and
before long, Shampoo was leaning into Ranma's side, letting her head rest
upon her {Master's : master's} shoulder.
Ukyo turned away, leaving the pair to themselves, and surveyed the horizon.
Ranma had picked a good spot to rest. They were sitting atop a cliff that
overlooked a nearby valley{, :} which gave them both a panoramic view of the
land ahead and one less front to defend during the long stretch of night.
She had, during her time with the two others, come to respect Ranma, both
for Ranma's keen survival senses and the kindness she had been shown during
their shared journey. Rescuing her from those soldiers was more selfless
a deed than many would have undertaken; to escort her afterwards, to share
food and company was extremely generous. She had nothing with which to
repay the kindness of her companions, so she vowed to herself that one day
she would return their favour.
By hunting them down and killing them? Repeatedly?
It was an odd arrangement. Ukyo herself did not rest; she had seen others
sleep, but could not remember ever doing so herself. She had always
thought that a little odd, but in Ranma she had found someone else who
shared her habit. Ranma did not sleep at all either, which meant for
strangely haunting evenings as the pair of them would lie awake with the
sleeping Shampoo between them, curled up against her {Master : master}.
So Ukyo is already unusual.
The Amazon was still waiting obediently at the trunk of the old oak tree
that held her {Master : master}, looking upwards with a hopeful look upon her face as
Ukyo emerged from the foliage. Ukyo shook her head. Shampoo was obviously
strong, capable, and intelligent in her own right, and yet she continued to
serve as Ranma's lackey, seemingly gratefully.
Somehow, I've gotten the idea that Ukyo is hunting for Saotomes.
Ranma's disguise is even better than Ukyo's though.
The village was quiet, save for the endless chirping of insects. Other
than the occasional villager, the streets were empty. Invariably, the
people who caught sight of them eyed them with apprehension and quickly
{shuffle : shuffled} off in another direction from the strange new visitors.
"Shampoo think this is nice place, Master," Shampoo offered, trying to lift
her {Master's : master's} spirits. "Is nice home."
The trio stood for a time, Ranma growing increasingly morose and Shampoo
increasingly worried about her {Master : master}. Ukyo sighed; she did not have time
for this. At least Ranma -had- a home, that was better than nothing. Ukyo
had never known what it was like to have a comfortable home - for as long
as she could remember she had been on the road.
Shampoo gave Ukyo a plaintive glance; it was obvious the Amazon wanted to
lift her {Master's : master's} spirits, but did not know how. With a roll of her eyes,
Ukyo set about changing the subject. She did not empathise with Ranma in
any real sense, but the sooner the girl stopped sulking the sooner they
could continue their journey.
I've held you before, she decided, nodding her head as she brought the tip
to the scabbard and slowly slid the weapon home. It fell into place easily
and she held up the scabbard, resting it across both hands. A flash of
recollection illuminated her mind; she did not come here merely to kill
him. She had come for the sword, as well.
So her memory is already spotty.
It was all so long ago, buried beneath an age of hardship and sacrifice;
she felt as though she should barely remember it but each memory remained
in her mind as clear as the day she had experienced it. The Tendo's home
was little more than a large hut, but to her youthful eyes it was a palace,
a captivating mansion full of secrets to be explored, its occupants the
{closet : closest thing} she had to a real family.
"Then perhaps you can help me," Ukyo said, eyeing the man carefully. "I'm
looking for Genma Saotome."
I figured that or Ranma. Apparently, she's so detached that she
didn't get Ranma's full name while traveling with him.
How could she not have seen it? How could she have been so blind?
Hard work and strenuous training.