I got disconnected so i don't know if this got out the first time. Sorry if 
it did but not if it didn't. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: The characters and situations belong to their respective owners. 
Please note that at the time of writing, no original characters were 
intended to be used. Meaning that previously unknown characters may have 
originated either from an obscure source or that the names may have been 
changed.

SCHOOL DAYS

Ranma spat out the blood in his mouth as he got himself to his feet. This 
'Daigo' character was a lot tougher than he had thought. After the first 
fight, Ranma figured he had the big guy pegged, but boy, was he wrong. 
Rushing at his opponent, Ranma was greeted by a flurry of punches that ended 
with a vicious straight that sent him sailing. Game, set, match: Daigo.

Cologne shook her head as she looked between the prone form of her 
son-in-law and the departing figure of the one who so easily defeated him. 
"Ranma, what am I going to do with you?" she thought to herself as she 
hefted him onto her shoulder. It's not that he couldn't have met up to this 
new challenger, it was his own laxity that resulted in his defeat. This 
Daigo had a solid defense, yes. An aspect of the Art that seemed largely 
ignored by the rest of the martial artists here in Nerima. He excelled in 
all physical aspects but was not exceptional in anything in particular. Not 
like Ryouga with his strength or Ranma with his speed. "No son-in-law, you 
were bested in a test of skills."

*******

Ranma regained consciousness to the gentle ministrations of Dr. Tofu. "How'd 
I'd get into these things. Why'd every martial artist in town gotta take 
something offa my hide?" As he thought about it, he knew how he got himself 
into this particular altercation.

It started about three weeks ago. A couple of thugs were picking on some guy 
with glasses. He went in and shoved them off, which got this guy dressed all 
in black and wearing a motorcycle helmet to pick a fight with him. He had to 
admit, the guy had potential, but beating him wasn't too tough. About a week 
later, the guy showed up with his 'big brother', who took Ranma out pretty 
easily with a firewall technique. For the rematch, Ranma figured he would 
goad the guy into using it again and then hit him with the Hiryu Shoten Ha, 
but things didn't go that way. The firewall Daigo used this time was much 
weaker than the previous one and the Hiryu Shoten Ha couldn't take him out. 
After that, the beating started.

*******

Cologne did something that could send shivers down a demon's spine and make 
the most virile of men to go impotent. She smiled. Rereading the parchment 
once again, she set out and wrote a reply. "What a stroke of luck! This is 
just what son-in-law needs."

<Great-grandmother, why are you smiling? Have you thought of a new way for 
husband and I to come together? > Shampoo asked as her curiosity got the 
better of her when she saw her elder smiling.

<Why yes Xian Pu, but that is not the only reason I'm smiling. > she 
answered disturbingly cheerfully. <And do I need a reason to smile 
great-granddaughter? Go practice your forms till its time for bed. There 
will be no supper for you tonight. >

<Yes, great-grandmother. > Shampoo replied. "Wow, she MUST be in good mood 
to give out such light punishment." She thought as she went to carry out her 
matriarch's commands.

<What a nice little girl. > Cologne said to herself before continuing her 
work.

*******

Two weeks later
"Excuse me, is this the Tendo residence? I was told I could find Ranma 
Saotome here. My name is Retsu Toriyama."

"Why yes, it is. But Ranma's at school right now. He should be back anytime 
though. Would you like to come in for some tea, Mr. Toriyama? I'm Kasumi 
Tendo."

"Why thank you young lady. Yes, I would enjoy a spot of tea right about 
now." the short bald-headed man said in reply. "And please, call me Retsu."

Retsu was greeted to the sight of two middle-aged men playing a game of 
shogi as he went in the Tendo household. Assuming they were the proprietors 
of the establishment, he waited patiently for them to finish. Marveling at 
how blatantly they were each trying to cheat the other. "Tadaima!" Retsu 
turned around to see a young fellow with a pigtail. "Well" he thought, "I 
guess it's straight to the fire." Clearing his throat to get the attention 
of the elders and the youth, Retsu waited for a response. And waited.

"Hey pop. Who's the bald guy?"

"Forgive me. I am Mr. Retsu Toriyama. I have come at the suggestion of an 
old acquaintance of mine, are any of you familiar with a Mistress Khu Lon?"

"So the old ghoul sent ya huh? Whadaya want?" Ranma eyed the man 
suspiciously. Anybody Cologne sent couldn't be out to do him any favors. And 
they're likely to be some fairly tough competition. The guy didn't look all 
that much. Just a short middle-aged man with a follicle problem. But then, 
you never know.

"I think I should be discussing this with your elders as well." That got the 
attention of the elder Saotome and Tendo. "You see, I represent a new school 
that's being formed. We cater to those who take an interest in the Art." Now 
THAT got everyone's full attention. "Let me explain. In the past ten years 
of so, they have been a rise in the number of 'exceptional' martial artist. 
Various scientific organizations have begun to take an interest in the 
matter and are sponsoring an international study program in the matter. 
Those who have an aptitude to Art or matters relating to it are invited to 
join a sponsored school for a semester. Perhaps you already heard of us in 
the news?"

"Umm, well." Ranma mumbled with his hand behind his head. "I been kinda busy 
lately ya know."

"Quite boy!" said Genma while hitting him over the head. "It's a very well 
known program. You should feel honored, not standing around, scratching your 
head. The boy would gladly join."

"Oh, that's good. But we really should get the boy's opinion on the matter. 
Ranma, since I already know you're a martial artist, how about we go for a 
little friendly spar? I'll promise to take it easy on you."

"What!? Alright, alright. Let's go get it on." Ranma almost shouted. He was 
livid, but not because of the way Retsu almost put him down because he knew 
he would fall for it the moment the challenge left the guy's mouth.

Retsu couldn't help but smile to himself. It was the same thing over and 
over. "Why can't any of us just back down." he thought. Taking a ready 
stance when he met up with Ranma at the dojo, he noticed Ranma smirking a 
little. "A bit full of himself isn't he?"

Ranma decided long ago that he was going to take the old guy down quick. 
He'd have to be careful though. Cologne did send him after all. He noted 
that Retsu was taking a karate stance and was already coming up with a game 
plan. "You ready?"

Retsu nodded and the fight began. Ranma went in close and intended to throw 
a few kicks and jabs to feel his opponent out. "Shoryuken!" Retsu performed 
a jumping uppercut that sent Ranma flying to the other side of the dojo with 
his breath out of his lungs the moment he threw the first punch. "Hadoken" A 
sphere of energy almost slammed into Ranma. Luckily, he twisted his body and 
was able to escape the brunt of the attack. But it still sent him down on 
the mat. Retsu moved in close and was about to jump kick Ranma but got a 
Kachuu Tenshin Amaguriken attack for his troubles. Ranma recovered a lot 
faster than he thought he would. Taking the full brunt of the assault, Retsu 
collapsed onto the floor gasping. Tapping the mat to show his submission.

"The old guy's got some tricks." Ranma thought. Meanwhile, Both Soun and 
Genma were trying to pick their jaws off the ground. Their upper lips may 
never have made contact if it weren't for old Happi falling on top of them. 
The old pervert was so shocked he fell off the rafters he was on to watch 
the fight.

"Not bad Ranma. You were pretty good. I guess you pass the entrance. So, you 
interested in joining our school?" Retsu asked while picking up his old 
carcass off the mat.

Ranma was surprised at how quickly this Retsu recovered. "Sorry. But like I 
said, I'm kinda busy right now. Maybe after."

"Oh, you mean after you beat Daigo Kazama? Good luck. With your skills, you 
should be able to beat him but I doubt you'll be able to though." Retsu 
began to turn and leave. Knowing full well what he's just got Ranma into. He 
reached into his coat pocket and took out a pen and a piece of document that 
he offered to the first young pigtailed martial artist who would jump in 
front of him. Surprise surprise, it was Ranma. "Sign here please." Snatching 
the document away, Nabiki began running it through while Ranma asked the 
questions. When she got there, nobody knew. But then, they were all kind of 
distracted.

"How'd you know about that? What did the old ghoul tell you?" It was all 
ineffectual though; Retsu just stood there looking smug. It's not often he 
got to be the center of attention. Being the forgotten student of Master 
Gokuen from the Shotokan School of Karate has that effect. For god's sake, 
even that nitwit Dan was more well known than he was! Not that he minded it 
all that much, but it's nice to be noticed once in a while.

Ranma never got to finish his line of questioning though. As he was shoved 
away by his father and Mr. Tendo who were alternating between genuflecting 
before Happosai and the new guy. "Oh great master of the Shotokan art, 
forgive my son's brashness. And we would be glad to send him to your 
school." "Waah! My future son-in-laws going away to learn one of the 
strongest of the art! Waah!"

That snapped Retsu out of his reverie. "No, no, no Mr. Tendo. Ranma's not 
going to study Shotokan. He's just going to a school with plenty of other 
martial artist. I'm hardly qualified to teach the art, much lest be a master 
at it." Retsu said while trying to get the two men to their feet without 
much success.

"So what's this about my Ranma-chan going off to a new school? And if you're 
not teaching him Gokuen's art, why should he go?" asked Happosai.

"You know about Master Gokuen!?" Retsu was astounded. Not many people were 
aware of his dearly departed teacher.

"Why yes, I would have given him a little payback for a stunt he pulled but 
why speak ill of the dead." Happosai nodded solemnly. Gokuen might have been 
a stick in the mud, but he knew his stuff.

"Damn!" Retsu thought. "Look at the time, I have to get going." Addressing 
the old pervert with more respect than was due, Retsu bowed and said, "I'm 
sorry. But I'm on a very tight schedule. We'll have to talk more on the 
matter next time. Well Ranma? Are you ready to join up?"

"Well�"

To be continued

Notes: Not much of a cliffhanger but we take what we can get. Retsu is the 
monk from the original Street Fighter and Daigo (big brother) is from Rival 
Schools. Daigo's moves include a firewall technique that surrounds him in 
flame. I'm calling it 'Firewall' for the sake of this fic.

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