Cat Fist Fury Insert disclaimer here. See previous chapters for the usual. <>: Thoughts Chapter 11 Sins of the Past Ranma stood with rigid stiffness the moment that Ukyo had called him Ran-chan. A mixture of sadness, panic, and utter shock gripped him as he tried to respond to his old friend's revelation. As the two looked at each other in silence, one could feel the tension in the air between them. After a long while, Ukyo took on a serious look and began speaking. "It took me a while to figure it out, but the clues were all there. You're Ranma Saotome aren't you?" At first, the instinctive denial came to his mind as he opened his mouth. However, when he looked into Ukyo's eyes, he didn't see anger or resentment in them. He could only see a sense of curiosity and wonderment. There was no trace of accusation or hint of revenge in those green depths and he sighed. The Neko Ken fighter just couldn't say anything to her except; "It's? been a long time Ucchan." Ukyo nodded as she gestured to a nearby table and said, "We need to talk." Ranma gave off another sigh of resignation as the two of them took a seat. Outside the restaurant, storm clouds began to form and a distant rumbling was heard, as if signaling that something ominous was approaching. A few minutes later, the two were sitting face to face as they began their little talk. Ranma took a sip of the tea that Ukyo had prepared and said, "So Ucchan, what was your first clue?" The okonomiyaki chef smirked a bit as she replied. "The tournament. You called me Ucchan." "I didn't think you heard me." "I heard you. Besides my father, you're the only one who's ever called me Ucchan." "I could have been referring to the name of your restaurant, not you." Ukyo cocked her head to one side for a moment, then said, "Maybe, but that first time was what caught my attention. What happened after that just got me more interested." "Like what?" "That hair-growing potion. You could have just gone to the school and gave everyone the stuff, but you went to me first. The only reason that you did was when you heard about my hair being cut, right?" Ranma nodded as he took another sip. "You were always pretty sharp." "The clincher was tonight though. After I told you about what happened ten years ago, you defended Ranma, and tried to convince me that he? you, didn't really abandon me all those years ago. If you were really a stranger, you would have just agreed with me. You knew way too much and had more insight than a total stranger would have. I also saw your scar." "My scar?" "The one on the back of your right hand. Remember?" Ranma nodded as he looked down at his right hand and focused on the tiny pink line that was near his wrist. Ranma had received it from his childhood friend during the time he won his tenth free okonomiyaki. It was the closest that Ukyo had ever come to actually hurting him. Ranma always considered it as a symbol of their friendship. "So Ranma? would you mind telling your fianc?e exactly why you're pretending to be someone else?" Ranma's head perked up at the word 'fianc?e' then realized its implication. "Fianc?e?! Ucchan? you're not meaning?" Ukyo shrugged as she said, "I don't know Ranma. You tell me! Our fathers arranged us to be engaged! My Dad put up his yattai as my dowry! You and your Dad took it! So what am I supposed to think?" "But we were only six! I didn't know anything about marriage! Heck, I didn't even know you were a boy at the time!" "Do you realize just what hell I've gone through in the last ten years?! All this time I had been thinking that you abandoned me! Now are you saying that it's true? You didn't really want me to go along with you?" Ukyo's temper began to go up a notch. "No Ucchan it's not true!" Ranma also began to get angry. "It was my old man's fault! He didn't even tell me about the deal! He told me that the cart was a gift!" "You expect me to believe that?" "It's the truth! And maybe you'd like to know that it was because of you, that I left my father!" Ukyo was taken aback by this new information. "W-What? You left your father? Because of? me?" Ranma nodded as he replied in a stern voice. "I've been on my own for over a year now, and I never want to see that fat bastard again! He can go rot in Hell for all I care!" "Ranma." Ukyo had never seen him so angry before. The hostility was very obvious. "What? happened?" Ranma took a cleansing breath to calm down. "Do you remember going to a place called Jusenkyo a year ago with your dad?" "Yes. How did you know?" "It's a long story but the short-version of it was that I was looking for Pop to? discuss a few things. I met up with one of the guides there and he told me all about the people who had come looking for him. It seemed that he had cheated several other families as well and used me for collateral. He even told me that you and your father had come by. It was at that time that I learned about the deal Pop mad with your family ten years ago. That was when I also realized that my old buddy Ucchan wasn't a boy. When I found out that Pop had sold me to Kami-sama knows how many families, I decided that I have had my fill of him! Losing the best friend I ever had because of my father's stupidity was the final straw! He can go EAT SHIT AND DIE! I want nothing to do with him any more!" "So? that's the reason why you're going by the name of Cojiro Shinkara?" Ranma nodded. "I made up the name through the connections I made while traveling through China. I wanted to make a fresh start and as long as I didn't use the name of Ranma Saotome, I wasn't bothered by any of the problems connected to that name. I'll admit that it hasn't been easy, but at least the problems I have are my own and I can deal with them. As far as I'm concerned, all the promises that Pop made don't mean squat to me." Ranma immediately noticed Ukyo's saddened expression and realized what it meant. "Ukyo, please? I know that you think you're my fianc?e and all, but I need you to understand. I can't? well, I can't deal with that right now. My new life means so much to me and? I'm just not ready for marriage." He became very silent as he regarded his old friend. He looked into the green depths of her eyes then decided. "Ucchan?" "What?" "I said I wasn't ready for marriage, but? I never said I wasn't against getting to know my best friend all over again. I think the best way is to take her out for dinner and a movie." "W-What?" Ukyo stuttered. Ranma smiled and said, "I want to make a fresh start. Why don't we let bygones be bygones Ucchan?" He then held out a hand. "Hi. My name is Cojiro Shinkara and it would be my pleasure to take you out on a date someday." Ukyo's heart began a rapid beat as this unexpected development sank in. "Y-Y-You're asking me to go on a d-d-date?!" Ranma's expression became serious and happy at the same time as he said, "I won't promise you that we'll get married some day, but I feel that we should get to know each other better. You deserve at least that much. Besides? I've missed you Ucchan. You were my best friend ten years ago and I want us to be best friends now. And I meant it when I said you were cute. So how about it?" Ukyo still couldn't believe that this was happening. She looked down at the offered hand, then slowly reached out and clasped it in her own. She could feel the strength within him as she looked into the blue depths of his eyes. It wasn't any guarantee that they would someday marry, but it was a good start. She could settle for that. She saw him give her another one of his smiles as she said, "I'm free on Sunday afternoons." Ranma nodded as he then said, "Oh and by the way Ucchan?" "Don't worry about it, Co-chan." Ranma's smile became even wider. At the Tendo home, Nabiki was getting more and more intrigued by a certain martial artist. For the past week or so, she had been trying to find any leads that pertained to Cojiro Shinkara. Many of the girls at school had expressed their interest in him, ever since he showed up and solved their hair problems and drove away the Hawaiian nut of a principal. They were willing to shell out huge amounts of yen for any information, photos or souvenirs. Nabiki was not one to ignore a potential income generator. However, the middle daughter of the Tendo clan had been running into a lot of dead ends lately. As she tapped away at her computer's keyboard, Nabiki could find no substantial information about Cojiro or his past. Hacking her way into the school records of Himoto High had been easy, but the files that she needed were not listed and any relevant data was sealed away. Nabiki thought as she stared at her monitor. Nabiki then thought back to when she came to the Cat Caf?. She had questioned the Amazons who had been chasing the martial artist all week. They were just as much in the dark as she was. Interviews with Cojiro's friends and acquaintances had also turned up very little data. Her contacts had also been unable to get her the scoop on him. They had been trailing him, but with Amazons getting in the way and Cojiro always taking those unbelievable runs across the rooftops, they just couldn't keep up with him. Nabiki shook her head. Cojiro was a mystery. She didn't like mysteries. Mysteries were unknown and what she didn't know, she couldn't control. That was considered unprofitable. Near the coast of Japan, a small ship was making its way from China. On board the vessel, a fat panda was brooding near one side of the deck. As various passengers and crewmembers passed the panda by, they wondered what such an animal was doing on board and why it wasn't being kept in a cage. However, whenever they approached it, the panda would hold up a sign, telling them to mind their own business. Genma Saotome was deep in thought. He had spent a year in China, searching in vain for any sign of his missing offspring. With that in mind, Genma looked over the horizon in the direction of Japan. He estimated that it would be another week before he got there. Ranma smiled as he walked home. Ukyo would keep his secret. Of course, that meant that he would have to go out with her, but in retrospect, that didn't really sound so bad. He had always liked Ucchan and this was a good chance to get to know her again. He had never liked deceiving his old friend and was glad that he could now talk freely with her. They could catch up on old times and perhaps something more would develop. Ranma shrugged. He'd just have to take it one day at a time. Now if he could only solve his problems with the Amazons that easily. At the Nekohanten, Cologne and Mascara were deep in discussion as their prot?g?es were tending to the customers. The Amazons had told the matriarches what they had seen during Ranma's fight with Brittany Diggers. "So Cojiro is really the long-toothed tiger that we had been hunting previously." Mascara stated. "Yes. This would mean one of two things." Cologne added. "Either the boy is a lycanthrope or?" "Or he has been to Jusenkyo." Mascara finished. "I don't think he's a werebeast." "What makes you think that?" "As you recall, Cojiro had touched Conditioner's sword before with no ill effects. Her sword happens to be inlaid with silver." Mascara thought back to that first battle and nodded. "Then, we must assume that he has been to Jusenkyo. That may explain several things. As I recall, there was a spring of drowned tiger or some such thing there." "This may also explain why Cojiro is the only person who has mastered the dreaded Neko Ken. There may be a connection." "If he truly has access to such power, then that makes him an even more valuable prize, doesn't it?" "It does indeed." As Ranma headed home, he saw a gentle-looking girl in her late teens struggling with some grocery bags. When it was apparent that some of the items were about to fall out, he rushed over and caught each and every of them before they could hit the pavement. His hands blurred for a moment as each item was saved from being splattered all over the ground. "Oh my! Thank you very much." She then got a good look at her savior and blushed slightly at the figure standing before her. He was tall and handsome. He had a well built frame and moved with a fluid, catlike grace. No doubt in Kasumi's mind. He may look younger, but he was definitely no mere boy. Ranma looked up as he cradled the packages in his arms. The girl was very pleasant looking and had long, brown hair tied up in a loose ponytail. She was dressed in a simple, conservative housedress and radiated a sense of serenity and calmness that made him smile. "No problem. Looks like you could use some help here. Would you mind if I carried these things to your home?" "Oh I don't want you to through any trouble, kind sir. I can manage." "No problem at all miss??" "Kasumi Tendo." "Tendo? You wouldn't happen to be from the Tendo dojo of the Anything Goes Martial Arts, would you?" "Why yes. How did you know?" "I met with Nabiki and Akane. Would they happen to related to you?" "They're my younger sisters. You really don't have to carry those things for me you know." "Oh it's no trouble at all. I insist." "Oh very well. Follow me mister??" "Cojiro Shinkara." A little while, Ranma and Kasumi made it to the front door of the Tendo home. Nabiki smiled as she saw who was coming inside the house with her older sister. She covered up her mercenary look as she approached the two. "Why hello Kasumi. I see you've met up with Cojiro." Kasumi nodded as she gestured to the kitchen. "Yes, he was kind enough to help me bring in the groceries." "Hey Nabiki. Like what you've done with the hair." The middle daughter smiled as she ran her hand through the long tresses of her newly restored hair. She had decided to keep it long and tied in a loose ponytail. After helping the eldest daughter put the groceries away, Ranma then bowed to the two sisters and said, "Well, I guess I ought to get going now." "Please, won't you stay for dinner? It's the least we can do to thank you for your help." "Well?" Ranma began, then looked into those brown eyes of the eldest Tendo daughter. "All right, I guess I can stay for a while." Kasumi smiled as she began the preparations for the evening meal. Ranma and Nabiki took their places in the sitting room and were soon engaged in conversation. That is, Nabiki was drilling him for information about his past. Ranma became very wary of the sly looks she was giving him and was careful not to say much about his origins. A short time later, the two heard the sounds of someone else entering the house and a familiar voice was heard. "I'm home!" Ranma noted Akane's appearance with a nod as she entered the room. The youngest Tendo took one look at Ranma, then scowled. "What are you doing here?" Kasumi entered the room and said, "Welcome home Akane. I see that you've already met Cojiro." "What's HE doing here?" "Cojiro was so kind in helping me with the groceries that I invited him for dinner. I hope you don't mind?" "Hmpf!" Akane turned her nose up as she headed up the stairs to change. The two Tendo sisters and Ranma watched the girl walk up the stairs for a moment. When she disappeared behind her bedroom door, Kasumi regarded their guest with a bit of puzzlement. "Please forgive my sister's lack of manners. I'm not sure why Akane is acting like that." "That's all right Kasumi. Your sister and I didn't get off on the right foot when we first met." "That's right sis." Nabiki added. "She's STILL sore at the fact that Cojiro beat her so easily at the tournament and proved that she wasn't the best martial artist in Nerima." "Errrr? let's not dwell over that, all right? I don't want any trouble starting." "If you want. But I have to tell you, I've never seen anyone fight the way you did. You even beat up Ryoga and he's a monster!" It was just then that the father of the three girls entered the room. "Kasumi? When will dinner be?" He then noticed Ranma. "Oh! I see we have a guest!" "Hello sir. I'm Cojiro Shinkara." Ranma stood up and bowed to the Tendo patriarch. "Pleased to meet you. I'm Soun Tendo, proprietor of the Tendo dojo of the Anything Goes School of Martial Arts. What brings you here?" "Well, Kasumi here was kind enough to invite me for dinner after I helped her with the groceries." "We're glad to have you here son. Please, make yourself at home." Dinner was a relatively quite affair, except for the constant questions that Nabiki threw at Ranma. Akane totally ignored him throughout the meal. She only spoke when she finished her dinner and asked to be excused to go practice in the dojo. A while later, Ranma finished and decided to check out the dojo. Ranma leaned against the door of the training hall and watched as Akane went through a series of katas. She was dressed in a yellow gi and a headband wrapped around her head. Off to one side he observed that she had set up a few stacks of bricks that she would shatter later on. As he watched her go through the motions, he began assessing her fighting style. "Hiyah!" Ranma then saw Akane chop through a stack of bricks with the side of her hand. Then another stack was split and then another. Soon there was a sizable pile of rubble near one end of the dojo. After the last stack was reduced to shattered fragments, she then took a defensive stance and looked toward the door with a smug look. "So, did you enjoy the show?" Ranma shrugged as he was already aware that she had noticed him. "That wasn't half bad. Of course, bricks aren't much of an opponent since they don't hit back." "Oh, and I suppose YOU could do better?" "I don't THINK I can do better. I KNOW I can do better." "Please! Spare me your ego!" "I'm not bragging. It's just a fact." "Well then, why don't we have a little match? I promise that I'll go easy on you." "I don't really think that's a good idea." "Why? You scared I'll beat you?" "No. I'm more concerned about hurting you. After what happened at the tournament, I really don't think it would be much of a match." "Hmpf! Pretty full of yourself aren't you?" "Bwee!" Akane and Ranma both looked over to an adjacent door and saw a little black pig crawl into the room. It was wearing a gold and black bandanna and it looked like it had just completed a very long, and tiring journey. "P-chan! Where have you been? It's been weeks!" Akane rushed over to pick up her pet and held it close to her chest. The tired little porker blushed a bit as it snuggled close. "P-chan?" Ranma walked up to her. Akane looked at Ranma and replied, "P as in pig and chan as in cute!" Ranma's eyes furrowed as he put two and two together. "Akane. Your pet is pretty dirty. Maybe a nice HOT bath is just what it needs." P-chan's eyes suddenly became as wide as saucers at the mention of hot water. He then began to struggle as if he wanted to get out of Akane's embrace and run for his life. "Well, it looks like P-chan here doesn't like the idea of hot water now does he?" "Don't pick on him!" Akane said angrily. "He's just a little? shy, that's all." "Well in any case Akane. Are you sure that you still want to spar against me?" "You bet I do!" Akane set down her pet to one side and took a stance. Ranma calmly walked over to the other end and faced off against her. "You ready?" Akane nodded. However, as soon as she tensed up, she felt a wind rush by her and before she knew it, her right wrist was grabbed and she found herself flying though the air. She landed painfully on her rear as Ranma took a relaxed stance. Akane rubbed her backside as she slowly sat up. Ranma shook his head and called out to her. "You left yourself wide open for that one Akane!" "Bwee!" P-chan cried out angrily as he saw Akane get flipped over like a flapjack. "I wasn't ready!" Akane protested as she got up. She couldn't believe that anyone could move that fast. "I asked you if you were ready and you nodded." Ranma simply stated as he stood there with his hands behind his back. Akane growled a little as she tried to size up her opponent. She let out a yell and charged at him, throwing a hard straight right. Ranma however, sidestepped to dodge it. The blow missed him with millimeters to spare. She then tried a roundhouse kick, followed by a triple punch combination. Those were dodged with ease. Akane's temper began to rise as she continued to increase the rate of her attacks. However, not one of her punches and kicks could connect as her opponent moved with uncanny speed and skill. His evasion tactics were barely flickers of movement as he casually dodged each of Akane's attacks. "Stop dodging me all the time! Make a move!" As soon as she shouted out that demand, Ranma did make a move. Akane found herself driven back when something struck her stomach. She was on her knees and doubled over as the pain in her abdomen flared up. She then looked up and saw Ranma standing with his right arm extended and palm spread out. "T-T-That was a cheap shot!" Akane staggered as P-chan went to her side. The little piglet gave Ranma an angry look. "You said for me to make a move, so I did." Ranma stated calmly as he lowered his arm. "That hurt!" Akane protested. "I only used enough force to do the job. Besides, martial arts isn't just being able to throw punches and kicks. You've got to able to take as much you dish out, sometimes even more than you dish out. If you can't take a little pain, then there's no reason you should even call yourself a martial artist. A true martial artist must endure hardship and some pain if he or she is to attain true mastery of the Art. You really need to work on your defense Akane. The openings you leave are just screaming for your opponent to attack them. Count yourself lucky that I used my open hand instead of a fist." "I don't need your help! Come on P-chan!" She angrily got to her feet and left the dojo, followed by her pet pig. Ranma considered going after her, but then sighed in resignation. He really didn't like hitting girls but this wasn't the tournament. He couldn't knock her out of the ring as before, so he had to end the match with as little force as possible. Throwing her or dodging until she exhausted herself would have been humiliating to her and would have insulted her skills. The open-palm strike he used didn't have much strength behind it, but even with him holding back, he still hurt her. He shook his head. Before Jusenkyo, he wouldn't have even considered hitting a girl unless his life depended on it. The transformation and the trip though China on his own had changed all that. He was acting more like the tiger, which reacted to threats to its survival accordingly, never mind what gender the threat happened to be. He decided that he would have to work on getting more control over that. A short time later, Ranma bid the Tendo family farewell as he headed home. A while later, Soun called his daughters together for a family meeting. It seemed that he had received a postcard in the mail some time ago from his old friend Genma Saotome, who was coming to visit in a week. To be continued? Author's Notes Well, the stage is now set for the inevitable confrontation between Genma and Ranma. There will be certainly going to be some major fireworks when Genma discovers that his son is alive and human! Will the pact between the Tendos and the Saotomes be fulfilled? Not if Ranma could help it! We all know that any promise that Genma had made under his son's name doesn't mean squat to Ranma. Get ready, because the situation is going to get even messier.