Well, here's the latest on "Visits and Revelations".
More fights to follow...
C&C on this and upcoming sections eagerly sought. It'll be a week or
so until I get back to this, so you have that long to think about it.
:-)
Anyway.... here it is, the first bit should be familiar.
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Visits and Revelations, Part Va:
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Duels at the Dojo.
==================
Shampoo smiled at Nodoka and waved her hand to somehow indicate that
she wanted everyone to listen. The buzz of conversation died down for a
second as those gathered in the room puzzled over Shampoo's intent. Shampoo
spoke:
"Mother-in-Law, since Ranma is a martial artist above all else, would
you be interested in seeing us show our skill?"
Nodoka wondered at the offer a second, then let her curiosity guide her as
she hesitantly replied:
"Well.... I wouldn't mind a friendly demonstration..."
Nodoka watched the girls look each other over, taking note of Akane's
grim expression, Shampoo's bouyant confidence, Ukyou's calm control and the
perceptible malevolence radiating from Kodachi. Off to the side Soun was
sobbing to himself while Nabiki was muttering something about not being able
to arrange an audience and Ranko was lying flat on the floor, a beaten
expression on her face. Kasumi started clearing away the table:
"Has everyone had enough for now? Should I bring out some snacks?"
Everyone in the room started slightly and indicated to Kasumi that they were
alright at the moment, 'Panda-San' poked his head in again and showed Kasumi
a sign:
"I'd like some snacks!"
Nodoka thought about moving to help Kasumi, but as she started forward
Kodachi came over to her:
"Dearest Mother-in-Law, for our little... demonstration. Don't you agree
that a general melee would offer the widest scope for the displaying of our
skills, and that the winner is obviously the one best suited to be
Ranma-Sama's loving wife."
Nodoka stared at Kodachi in amazement, uncertain of how to respond to this.
Tendo Soun had no such uncertainty, microphone in hand he made his opinion
known:
"Yes! A general melee where Akane can show the greatness of the
Anything-Goes school of martial arts. And we can have Akane marry Ranma
right after she wins!"
Shampoo blinked at the statements by Kodachi and Soun, then turned to Nodoka,
a confident and deadly smile on her face:
"Not quite what Shampoo intended... but if mother-in-law willing, Shampoo
have no objections."
Ukyou shrugged her shoulders:
"It's a silly idea, but if Ran-Chan is the prize... I'm in."
Akane didn't say anything, being occupied with throwing her father back
into the pond.
Ranko remained seated and debated with herself, surely seppekku wasn't that
painful.
Nabiki leaned over to Kasumi and whispered:
"Father must be feeling really desperate. He's making a bigger fool of
himself than usual."
Kasumi smiled slightly and continued clearing away the remains of the meal.
Nodoka stared at the chaos that had erupted with Kodachi's...
challenge. Something had to be done. Drawing herself up Nodoka called for
quiet, on her third call the racket began to die down as the girls slowly
lowered their weapons and faced Nodoka. Nodoka sighed:
"Finally."
Looking over her audience Nodoka had doubts that they would listen to her
but felt compelled to speak her piece:
"Akane, Ukyou, Shampoo, Kodachi... I cannot make Ranma the prize of any
fight. He will marry whoever he chooses and while I can advise him, in the
end it's a decision that he has to make. Alone. My son is not a prize you
can win by fighting one another."
Nodoka tried to gauge how her speech was being received, Akane looked angry
but thoughtful while Ukyou was nodding in apparent agreement. Shampoo stood
impassively, no sign of her feelings on her face. Kodachi stood with a baton
in hand and seemed more interested in Akane's back than Nodoka's words.
Nodoka decided that they were listening to her as much as they ever listened
to anyone, as to whether or not they understood what she was saying... there
were things beyond anyone's power. Nodoka took a deep breath and continued:
"You all have a lot in common. You shouldn't let your rivalry for Ranma stop
you being friends."
All four girls started in surprise and, in varying ways, showed their disdain
for the idea, though Akane & Ukyou did exchange quick looks, and the
argument about the "skill demonstration" was soon back in full swing.
Nodoka leaned back against the wall and rubbed her head, things were
beyond her control and she had no idea of how to keep these girls in check.
They were all so, so stubborn and inflexible. Off to one side Nabiki
stretched and noted the increasingly angry exchanges between the iinazuke,
and the threatening moves that came closer and closer to becoming real
attacks. Nabiki shook her head, if this fight broke out in the dining room
it would be a nuisance to repair the damage and they might damage the TV,
which would stop her watching the financial News for a while. As Kodachi
started spinning around her ribbon, generating a strong wind and
forcing the others to step back a fraction, Nabiki stood up and shouted:
"ENOUGH! I'll organise your 'exhibition'! For FREE! Now save your energy
for the 'exhibitions'!"
Silence descended on the dining room as all faces turned towards
Nabiki. Nabiki gave everyone in the room one of her best no nonsense glares
and then struck a dramatic pose:
"The demonstrations will be a series of 1 on 1 fights, each of you will face
your rivals once each in single combat. You will have 3 fights each and
will have a chance to show your skill against each of your opponents. The
fights will be until the Umpire declares a winner. Any questions?"
Akane stepped forward:
"How are you going to handle... disagreements, Umpire Nabiki Oneesan?"
Nabiki stared at her little sister:
"Me? Get near you lot when you're fighting? Don't be silly Akane-chan.",
Nabiki points at Ranko (who still has her head in her hands and doesn't
appear to be paying any attention to what is going on):
"Ranko-Chan is going to be the Umpire."
Hearing her name mentioned Ranko looks up from her "meditations":
"What's going on.... Why is everyone looking at me?"
Akane groans and goes over to Ranko and starts explaining matters to her,
Nabiki intercepts the other 3 girls before they can follow Akane and takes
them a short distance away:
"OK you 3, I'm setting out the order of the fights now, would any of you be
interested in having a say in this... the more Yen you offer me the more
clearly I'll hear you."
Nabiki smiles as Ukyou, Kodachi and Shampoo start bidding against one
another.
Ranko stared at Akane in dismay as Akane ran through Nabiki's plan
for the demonstrations.
"You're Joking! You fight one another? And you want me to be in the
middle!?"
Akane glared at Ranko and stood over the still seated girl:
"Why not? No one will be *TRYING* to hit you."
Ranko shakes her head:
"That's supposed to reassure me?"
Nodoka comes over to stand besides Akane:
"Akane-Chan, while I'm sure Ranko would do a good job, isn't it your father's
place to supervise this contest?"
Akane and Ranko look up at Nodoka, then switch their gazes to Tendo Soun.
Soun puffs out his chest and strikes a noble pose, an image of a rising sun
appearing behind him:
"As the head of the Tendo Dojo I would be remiss in my duties if I did not
take this opportunity to supervise the demonstration of skill that these
girls have generously agreed to stage for us."
Akane and Ranko have shocked expressions on their face, Nodoka beams at
Soun:
"So wonderfully put Tendo-San. I am sure that you'll do a wonderful job and
keep the girls from getting carried away."
Soun smiles, then he thinks. Ranma's iinazuke, carried away. Pictures begin
to flash through his mind, we see Shampoo come through a wall sword and mace
in hand, we see Ukyou leaping over Genma her spatula sweeping down to crush
him, we see Kodachi fighting Ranko batons blurring in front of her and
finally we see Akane glowing blue with anger as Soun heads for the pond.
Soun stands and walks around behind Ranko:
"But alas Saotome-san, it is also my duty to see that Ranko-Chan here is not
denied opportunities to practice HER skills. She shall be the umpire, while
I observe and stand ready to aid her."
Akane looks from her father to Ranko and shakes her head, muttering to
herself:
"Good. Ranma should be part of this."
Nodoka focusses on Soun and misses Akane's mutterings (Ranko didn't, she went
white when Akane mentioned her real name):
"But Tendo-San, Ranko-Chan is..."
Ranko breathes in deeply and stands up between Nodoka and Soun, interrupting
them:
"I'll umpire.", looks at Soun with a dark expression, "I'm sure I'll learn
a lot."
Soun nods at Ranko, unable to hide his relief at her words. Nodoka stares at
Ranko:
"Are you sure about this?"
Ranko hesitates, then looks Nodoka in the eye:
"I'm sure. I at least have to try and stop my... friends from hurting one
another."
Nodoka and Ranko exchange a long look, then Nodoka turns away:
"Very well then. I'll take some cushions to the dojo for those of us who
wish to watch."
Nodoka picks up some cushions and heads for the dojo with Soun. Akane moves
to stand beside Ranko:
"You have to stop us hurting one another?"
Ranko stiffens a fraction and then faces Akane, a depressed look on her face:
"Since Mother came... I.. I...", Ranko pauses for a second and swallows,
"You, Ukyou and Shampoo are all my friends... but I... I.."
With that Ranko suddenly spins around and walks slowly away from Akane.
Akane watches Ranko's back move away and finds her eyes suddenly watering:
"Baka", she whispers, "We all know the cost... ".
Nabiki smiled inwardly as she pocketed the latest bribe from Kodachi,
Shampoo and Ukyou were glaring at Kodachi, but had given up trying to
outbid her. Nabiki thought it wise of them, the order of the fights was
unlikely to be worth the price Kodachi was paying, although Nabiki was happy
that Kodachi hadn't realised that.
"Ahem."
Nabiki barely restrained herself from jumping as the voice spoke directly
in her ear. Spinning around Nabiki focussed an angry glare on the red-head
who had somehow materialised behind her:
"Ranko! Don't do that!"
Ranko ignored Nabiki's outburst and leaned forward to peer at the large wad
of notes in Nabiki's hands.
"Why is Kodachi giving you so much money?"
Nabiki made a production of putting the wad of Yen into her purse and putting
it away.
"None of your business Ranko-chan."
Ranko snorted:
"Fine.", Ranko turns to face the other three, "I'm the umpire and the fights
*WILL* be judged *FAIRLY*!"
All three girls look at Ranko with angry expressions, Nabiki holds back a
laugh and taps Ranko on the shoulder.
"Be serious Ran... ko. There isn't enough Yen in Japan to pay what it would
take to make these 3 rig the fight. It was something else."
Ranko looks from Ukyou to Shampoo to Kodachi to Nabiki:
"Really now? What was it then?"
Ukyou opens her mouth, but stops when Nabiki states quietly:
"You bid too Ukyou-san."
Ranko looks angry and draws herself up. Shampoo shakes her head and steps
forward:
"Leave it Ranko.", Shampoo throws a grim smile towards Ukyou, "It not matter.
Let us go to Dojo."
Ukyou nods slowly and returns Shampoo's smile, then grabs Ranko:
"Come on. Lets get started."
Ukyou starts leading Ranko towards the dojo with Shampoo at her side. Nabiki
follows behind them leaving Kodachi to bring up the rear. Nabiki notes the
sneering expression on Kodachi's face as she passes her and finds herself
hoping that the other girls beat it off her.
Ranko entered the dojo with her entourage and looked around. Nodoka
had laid out some cushions along one wall for those watching the fights and
Kasumi had brought in some platters of food which now sat alongside the
cushions. Ranko took a deep breath:
"Well, we're all here. Are we ready to start?"
Nodoka looked up with a smile that slowly faded into a frown.
"Ranko-chan, Akane-chan, Ukyou-san, Shampoo-san, Kodachi-san. Are you going
to fight in your good clothes?"
Ranko looked at her friends, they were all wearing clothes much neater and
better than their usual wear, Ukyou even seemed to be without a bandolier
of small spatula's, although her big spatula was in plain sight. Nabiki
stood up and clapped her hands for attention:
"There will be a small delay while our eager combatants go and change into
more appropriate clothing.", Nabiki sends a sharp look at Ranko and Akane,
"Gi's will be loaned to those who need them. Now... Hurry up and change."
Some 10 minutes later Ranko got back to the dojo in her gi. Akane
and Shampoo were also in gi's, Shampoo holding a pair of Bon-Bori and
looking over the dojo's selection of weapons. Kodachi was in her battle
leotard with a few batons and her ribbon while Ukyou had managed to get
hold of her own combat gear, including a full bandolier of small spatula's.
Ranko wondered how she had managed that one, then decided not to ask.
Nabiki smiled as she looked over the "contestants" and their
clothes, then she walked out into the middle of the dojo.
"Attention please."
Nabiki looked around and was pleased to note that everyone was watching her,
even "Panda-san", who had crept into one corner of the dojo. She continued:
"The Rules for this demonstration of skills are simple. You will each
fight 3 times, once against each of your, ah..., 'fellow' iinazuke, while
the fight is underway, the umpire's decisions are final.", Nabiki walked
over to Ranko and raised her to her feet.
"And now the umpire will say a few words on how the fights will be run."
Ranko shot an angry glare at Nabiki, then walked slowly into the middle of
the dojo. Once there, Ranko looked each of the four iinazuke in the eye,
then began to speak:
"This is supposed to be a friendly demonstration... so the fights will be
timed. No more than 5 minutes per fight.", Ranko looks at Nabiki, "Tendo
Nabiki will be the official timekeeper."
Nabiki started, then shrugged and held up her watch. Ranko gave a relieved
sigh as Nabiki indicated her agreement, then continued:
"As the fights are meant as demonstrations, I will stop the fight and
declare a winner if I think an incapacitating blow is about to be struck.
The idea is not to hurt yourselves or the others, but to show Saotome
Nodoka-San some of what you can do. If any fight lasts the full 5 minutes
I will stop it and declare the result."
Ranko stopped to draw a breath and look over her audience. Everyone appeared
to be listening.
"Remember, this is supposed to be a set of FRIENDLY demonstrations, don't
go all out and wreck things. Try and restrain yourselves."
Ranko noticed that she was sweating and wiped her forehead, then looked at
Nabiki once more.
"The Timekeeper will call out the contestants for each fight and announce
when the fight begins, and when the time limit is reached."
Nabiki nodded and stood up:
"The first fight is between Shampoo and Ukyou. Would everyone else like to
come and sit down."
As Nabiki finished speaking Ukyou rose and walked towards the center
of the dojo, Shampoo moved to follow her, then paused, a nasty smile flitting
across her face. Shampoo turned to face the watchers, causing Ranko and
Ukyou to look and wonder at the delay. Shampoo cleared her throat:
"Ah... Since this is to be a *FRIENDLY* set of demonstrations... would it
not be best to do without weapons?"
Nodoka smiled at Shampoo:
"What a good idea, that should greatly lessen the chance that anyone will be
hurt."
Kodachi lept to her feet and glared at Shampoo:
"What treachery is this! Fight without our weapons!"
Nodoka leaned back, startled by Kodachi's outburst. Akane put her arm out
and stopped Nodoka falling backwards. Nodoka looked gratefully at Akane:
"Thank you Akane-chan", Nodoka looks at the staring match between Shampoo
and Kodachi, "Isn't Shampoo-chan's idea a good one?"
Akane coughed:
"Well... I like it, but I don't use weapons. Kodachi and Ukyou have styles
that are totally dependent on their weapons. Shampoo and I will beat them
easily if they don't have them."
Ukyou looks at Akane angrily:
"Beat me easily you think! Hah! When we're up against each other I'll show
you what I can do without my weapons! Easily.... I'll show her..."
Nodoka coughed and looked around, uncertain of how to handle the situation.
Ranko shook her head and stepped between Kodachi and Shampoo:
"Enough! Weapons are allowed.", looks at all the girls, "Whether you use
them or not is up to you."
Kodachi smirked victoriously and gave Ranko a nod:
"I am glad to see that reason has prevailed."
Ranko shrugged:
"Whatever.", looks at Ukyou and Shampoo, "Will you two be using weapons?"
Shampoo looks at Ukyou, who nods. Shampoo sighs:
"Yes, we will."
Nodoka looks from one combatant to the other and then turns to Soun, a
frown on her face:
"Are you sure this is alright Tendo-San? I don't want anyone hurt."
Soun smiles at Nodoka and pats her on the back:
"It's alright Saotome-San. The purpose of the Dojo is to promote martial
arts. And Ranko-Chan will make sure no-one gets seriously hurt. There will
be a few bruises, but the girls heal quickly."
Nodoka, still looking unconvinced, opens her mouth, but closes it again when
she notices Ranko looking at her.
Shampoo walks out to the center of the dojo a Bon-bori in either
hand, as she reaches the center Ukyou unslings her large spatula. Shampoo
eyes Ukyou for a second then starts spinning her Bon-bori at a speed that
blurs the vision, then, as the Bon-bori appear as solid disks, whipping them
through a series of strikes that culminate in a ready stance opposite Ukyou.
Ukyou smiles a fraction and nods to Shampoo, then puts her large spatula in
motion and does a series of spinning exercises to match Shampoo's efforts
with the Bon-bori, ending with a flourish that leaves a rock-steady spatula
in a guard position. Ranko steps between them and looks from one to the
other:
"Are you ready now?"
Both girls nod, and Ranko steps back:
"Will the timekeeper call the start then."
Nabiki stands up and looks at the two motionless girls, then presses a
button on her watch and cries out:
"BEGIN!"
Shampoo moves smoothly to one side, seeking to circle around Ukyou
and find a gap in her defence. Ukyou pivots in place, keeping her guard
facing Shampoo, who smiles and continues circling. Ukyou notes the smile
and acts before Shampoo can do anything, leaping backwards and pulling a
handful of small spatulas from her bandolier. Shampoo lunges after Ukyou,
but is forced to dodge the barrage of thrown spatula's that comes her way,
and then has to parry the powerful blows from the large spatula as Ukyou
follows up behind her strike. For a few seconds the girls trade blows,
then Ukyou jumps back and launches another barrage of small spatulas. In
the audience Akane and Kodachi intently watch the moves and counter-moves
of their soon-to-be adversaries.
Shampoo and Ukyou move in a rapid, whirling, dance punctuated by
the loud crashes of Bon-bori meeting spatula and the 'ka-thunk' of small
spatulas hitting and sticking in the wooden floor and walls of the dojo.
This continues for some time, then Shampoo, moving faster than usual, gets
past Ukyou's guard and lands a nasty blow into Ukyou's leg, but is a fraction
slow breaking off and takes a solid hit in her left arm in return, a hit
that leaves blood trickling down her arm and her left Bon-bori lying on the
ground. On the sidelines Nodoka suppresses a gasp and finds herself
squeezing Akane's hand quite tightly, seeking reassurance in the touch of
another person. Akane squeezes back and shoots a smile at Nodoka to say
that it's alright, Nodoka releases a sigh, then notices Kodachi, who is
chuckling and smiling as she watches Ukyou and Shampoo square off for
another exchange.
Ukyou keeps her eyes fixed on Shampoo and pivots in place now,
favouring the leg Shampoo hit, while Shampoo cautiously closes in, swinging
her remaining Bon-bori in a slowly speeding up pattern as her left arm
hangs unmoving at her side. Ukyou breaks the tableau with a sudden lunge at
Shampoo, her large spatula smashing aside the remaining Bon-bori and tearing
a hole in Shampoo's borrowed gi even as Shampoo herself just barely spins
out of the way. The watchers gasp as Ukyou slams herself to a stop,
seemingly setting herself up for Shampoo who completes her spin and drives
her Bon-bori for the back of Ukyou's head. Before the blow can connect
Ranko dives in, parrying Shampoo's Bon-bori with one arm while the other
slams down between Shampoo and Ukyou. Nodoka blinks in surprise as she
finds herself on her feet, standing alongside Akane and Nabiki staring at
the three girls locked together in the centre of the dojo. As they watch
Ranko looks at them and manages to smile nervously as she announces:
"The fight is over. I declare it to be a draw."
Nodoka looks at the Bon-bori still held over over Ukyou's head and blinks,
Akane looks equally puzzled and moves forward and too one side to see what
Ukyou is doing, seeking a clear line of vision to see the whole situation.
As Akane comes around the side she notes that Ukyou is looking up at the
Bon-bori blocked by Ranko's arm, Ukyou gives a wan smile:
"Shampoo is just too fast. I couldn't stop her move."
Akane tears her vision away from the Bon-bori and looks at Shampoo, who is
staring fixedly at the large spatula handle that Ranko had grabbed just
before Ukyou could drive it into her stomach. Shampoo shakes her head in
dismay:
"... and I had to go and forget that a spatula has two ends."
Both girls sigh and relax, slowly pulling themselves out of their situation,
Ranko steps away as they do so and turns to look at them both:
"We're done for now.", turns to Kasumi, "Kasumi-san, could you check out
their bruises, please?"
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David M. Bateson |
| "Funny Games, Strange Cartoons, Confusing
| Computers and too many Books! No
major@yoyo.cc.monash.edu.au | wonder you're weird."
| - My Sister.
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