Time grows short.

I suppose I am far too set in my ways, but steering that magnifigant boy along
the path I desire him to take is more engrossing than almost any game of
strategy and politics I have let myself be drawn into.

But I don't have decades this time.  The currents of power stirring just beyond
my reach as I peer beyond this world means I have a few years at most; and this
time the stakes are more than the machenations of mayfly , or even the fate of
the village and people to whom I have sworn the highest of oaths, but far more
than even I would risk facing unaided.

The Little One (amusing of me to think of her as that considering the woman she
has become, but whenever I see her I think of a girl-child with scarcely five
years marching up to the fearsome ancient... that could cow any adult in the
tribe with a look... and demanding instruction), in our more private
discussions, curses me for a fool to my face because of my arrogant refusal to
take Ranma into my confidence and train him as I sought to train her over the
years.  In all honesty she is probably right; for the instant I saw him move,
even with indifferent training and encumbered with an unfamiliar body, I knew
full well that this idiotic boy had more raw talent than my chosen heir could
have ever hoped for.  Even now, after discreetly slipping him a few minor
skills and techniques through various sources, I would be hard pressed to
defeat him in direct combat without maiming him or resorting to techniques I
never imagined using against one born of mortal woman.

Perhaps she is right, perhaps I am a sexist and senile imbicle who is too fond
of schemes within schemes to face a problem or it's solution head-on.  Instead
I reside in a measly restaurant with a brave young girl and an ignorant blind
whelp, treating my most valuble possible ally in the coming battle like a toy
for my amusement.  I wish I could have more time to contemplate this, but the
stirring above means that I must deal with the petty matters of a mundane day.

I meditate for a moment, pushing matters arcane into the back of my mind so I
can pay attention to the petty annoyances of the younger ones' waking hours.

"<Shan Pu!  Are you down there?  It's time to to open up!>"

"<Coming Great-Grandmother!>"

After all, one must keep up appearances.

HTG

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