Chinese Samurai
By Jack Ji
Part V: Training
"How are you three going to get to work from now on?" my
nanny asked as she parked the car. We got out, pondering her question.
Mike may have it easy but Hanny and I had quite a way to walk to
work.
"We could always take the bus," I said. "We did it all the time
back in Eugene. It's the only way for Freshmen and Sophomores to
travel. We might need to get bus passes though." We walked in the
house, very hungry.
"Welcome home," Ken greeted us. "Hope your training was
good. Did you guys find some jobs?" We took off our shoes and
walked to the kitchen while my nanny went to the living room to relax a
bit. To my surprise, there was already food on the table.
"Yeah, we found some," Hanny answered for me as I sat
down. "I'll be working at Ucchan's, Mike will help out Dr. Tofu and
Jack's going to work at Nekohanten. Did you cook this?" Hanny and
Mike sat down with me.
"Yes, I did," Ken grinned. "You think my mom does all the
cooking around here? Anyway, Tojo called me earlier today. He wanted
to know when you guys would be coming over to his place. We
planned it around the 20th of July. Sound OK to you three?"
"Sounds fine to me," Mike answered for us. "Can't wait to
compare what a Japanese college campus is like to an American one.
Maybe I could use it in an International High School project." I was
already digging in and Hanny was just a little behind me. For some
reason, today really wore me out. It must have been all the walking.
"That's the day right after a race," Ken said as he sat down to
eat also. "You'll be staying at NIT's best driver's home. It should be
enough room for you three since he lives in a temple even though there
are three other people he lives with."
"Temple?" I stopped eating for just a second to ask. That
should be a good place to live if I wanted to avoid that demon or any of
his friends.
"Who are these three other people he lives with?
Roommates?" Hanny paused from eating to take a short breath and ask
a question.
"They're his girlfriend and her two sisters," Ken said. "I don't
know too much about them other than the fact that the driver's name is
Keiichi Morisato and that his girlfriend's name is Belldandy."
"Belldandy?" I asked after gulping down a glass of milk.
"Sounds familiar."
"She's not native to Japan so maybe you've heard of a name
like that before," Ken said. Mike and Hanny finished eating, got up and
went to do the dishes. I was still inhaling my food. I soon finished and
helped Mike and Hanny dry the dishes.
"That was great, Ken," I said. I started yawning. "I think I'd
better go to bed. I got to get up before nine tomorrow morning if I'm
going to go to work at ten." I headed towards the bathroom.
"I claim the bathroom next!" Hanny declared. "I think I'll hit
the sack too. I have to get to Ucchan's around noon. I feel sorry for
you, Mike. You got to get to Dr. Tofu's before nine!"
"Yeah, I know, but I don't mind," Mike said, with a slight
frown. "I'm use to it. Just expect me at Ucchan's a little after you get
there."
We each did our things in the bathroom and went to bed. I was
more tired than hungry and feel asleep instantly.
******
I woke up at 8:30. Half an hour before I intended to. I felt fresh
and rosy fingered mainly because I went to bed around eight last night.
Mike already was probably up and had finished breakfast. Hanny was
still sound asleep.
I went to the bathroom after changing out of my pajamas. I
was brushing my teeth when I realized that my bruise was totally gone.
Dr. Tofu must be a great doctor after all.
"Hey, Mike," I said to him as he went past me when I opened
the bathroom door. "Ready for some medical training?"
"Yeah, I got to go if I don't want to be late," Mike said as he
ran out the door. He had his back pack on which probably had his gi,
towels and his sparring equipment. He probably also had some money
to eat at Ucchan's later. I followed him out the door. He was already
across the street.
"Good luck and don't forget that book!" I yelled to him. "Tell
him I need it because of my Health Occ. class next year!"
"You too!" he said, turning around. "I won't forget!"
I went back inside to eat some breakfast. I was a little shocked
to see that Ken was eating.
"Aren't you suppose to be at school?" I asked. He gave me
this strange look.
"Today is Sunday," he said. "No school on Sunday." He
continued to eat his breakfast. I went to sit down next to him.
"Right," I said. "I should have known since Ukyou is going to
train Hanny at noon today. Speaking of Ukyou, I think Mike might have
a crush on her."
"Really?" Ken paused for moment. "How could you tell?"
"Well, he was drooling when her ribbon fell off," I said. "He
was also staring at her strangely."
"I think he can forget it," he said. "Ukyou is very faithful to
Ranma. More than Shampoo is." That's good for me, I thought.
"That's too bad for him," I said. "Maybe I'll have a talk with
her later." I looked at my watch. I read 9:00. I finished my breakfast,
got some money, got my bag with my semi-dry gi with my sparring
equipment and towel in it and headed out the door. I had left Ukyou's
spatula under my pillow, for now.
"Leaving so soon?" Ken asked me right before I got out the
door. "I thought you didn't need to get there till ten."
"I don't," I said. "I want some time to talk to Shampoo. Don't
forget to tell your mom to pick us up tonight at Tendo Training Hall!" I
ran out the door to the nearest bus stop.
******
A little while later, Ken had to wake up Hanny.
"Hanny!" Ken shoved him. "Wake up! It's 11:00! You've got
to get something to eat and go to Ucchan's!"
"Huh?" Hanny said. "I want to sleep some more. Wake me up
in 15 minutes."
"Oh, no you don't," Ken said. "You've had over 15 hours of
sleep. You've got to get to work!" Ken practically had to drag Hanny
into the bathroom. "OK, if you don't wake up now, I have not other
choice." He splashed a glass of water right in Hanny's face.
"What?!" Hanny said. "I'm up! I'm up already!" Ken nodded
and walked out the bathroom. Hanny got out and dressed very quickly.
"There's some more breakfast on the table," Ken pointed out
to Hanny. "Better hurry up, you've only got about 40 minutes to get
there by bus."
Hanny gulped down his breakfast faster than Jack ate dinner
last night. He then grabbed his bag with his gi, towels and sparring
equipment in it. He grabbed some money and left to catch the bus at
11:33 sharp.
******
"Is the doctor in?" Mike knocked and stuck a head in the door,
looking around. He stepped in and took off his shoes.
"Welcome!" Dr. Tofu greeted him. "Glad you came a little
early. Ready for some basic training on how this place works?" He
smiled at him.
"Ready as I'll ever be!" Mike said, as enthusiastic as possible.
Dr. Tofu showed Mike around the clinic. He showed him where the
supplies where, what he needs help with and his schedule. The tour
stopped at the room where all the beds were.
"Some days, you'll be working just with me," Dr. Tofu said.
"On other's, you'll have Mr. Saotome to help you."
"I meant to ask you about him," Mike said, remembering
yesterday. "Isn't he Ranma's dad?"
"Yes, he is," Dr. Tofu said. He sat down with some tea and
gave some to Mike. "Is there something you want to talk to me about
him?"
"Thank you for the tea," Mike said. "If he's Ranma's dad,
why were you referring Mr. Panda as Mr. Saotome?"
"Why, Mr. Saotome is a panda," Dr. Tofu gave Mike a strange
look. Mike gave a stranger look back at him. "He's great when there are
kids in the waiting room. Why do you looked so surprised?"
"Uh, I met Mr. Saotome yesterday," Mike started. "But not
here. It was at Tendo Training Hall. Let me get this straight, you're
saying that Mr. Panda is Mr. Saotome. How can that be?"
"Why it's simple," Dr. Tofu said. He then started telling Mike
about the Jusenkyo Springs and the curse, but only about Mr.
Saotome's curse. Mike was too in shock and disbelief to ask any
questions about any other people's curses.
"I don't believe this," Mike said. "I have seen some strange
things happen around here, mostly to do with fighting skills, but now
this curse stuff? I don't believe this and I won't. Are you feeling alright,
doctor?" Mike was still in shock from listening to his bazaar story.
"Better get ready for my first patient," Dr. Tofu said to Mike,
as if what he just told him was totally believable. "You can just watch
and see how thing work around here for now. I think Mr. Saotome will
be here soon. He can help you get used to things."
The first patient came in a little before ten. It was an elderly
man with a slight back problem. Dr. Tofu simply pressed a few pressure
points in his back and popped a few vertebrae and the old man was
fully cured.
Saotome soon came in, as a panda. He was a little surprised to
see Mike but then remembered that he'll be helping out from now on.
He hoped that he could keep his curse from Mike. He tried to act
normal around Mike and started showing him some of his duties. Mike
was still absorbing the information Dr. Tofu told him and didn't say
much but did pay attention. He started thinking that Dr. Tofu was crazy,
but still a good doctor. He still didn't believe him, however.
Dr. Tofu had 4 more patients, mostly with joint or back
problems and muscle aches. Mike paid well attention to what Saotome
and Dr. Tofu were doing. Soon, it got to be lunch time.
"I think you can take a break from watching things around
here to get some lunch," Dr. Tofu said, smiling. He sat down and
Saotome brought out some sandwiches on a plate. "Want some?" he
offered Mike.
"No, thanks," Mike said. "I'm going to Ucchan's for lunch.
See you in about an hour, Dr. Tofu!" He left, heading for Ucchan's with
some money in his pocket. Mike left a little before noon.
******
Mike walked in to see the place nearly empty with Ukyou
teaching Hanny, who was wearing a blue apron, how to cook
okonomiyaki. He sighed upon seeing her and started to daydream about
Ukyou.
"Hey, Mike," Hanny looked up and greeted him. "Here for
lunch, eh?"
"Yeah," Mike said. He walked over to Hanny and Ukyou. "H-
hi, Ukyou. Nice seeing you again." His eyes were totally focused into
hers.
"So, you're here for lunch," Ukyou smiled at him. Mike
started feeling light headed after seeing her smile. "Have a seat and I'll
cook one up for you. OK, Hanny, now pay attention."
Mike sat down to the table nearest to the grill and stared at
Ukyou. She was just so warm and full of happiness to him. He sighed
again, knowing that he'd never have the guts to ask her out and that
most likely she'd say no to him because of Ranma. Damn Ranma! If
only his skills were better than Ranma's, he could challenge him for
Ukyou's heart. But, no, she wouldn't go out with him if he did do that.
He signed again.
"I'm watching again," Hanny said to Ukyou. She put some
batter on the grill and started working on making an okonomiyaki. She
started slowly, knowing that Hanny needed to watch but forgot about
him and started speeding up again just a little. She was adding
ingredients and spices all over the place. She was half way done when
she glanced at Hanny's look of confusion. It was still the same as when
she cooked the first customer's order before.
"All done," she said. She gave the pan to Hanny. "You can
bring this to Mike." Hanny was about to protest being a waiter but
decided to keep quiet.
"Here you go, Mike," Hanny said and sat down with him.
"How's your training going?"
"Fine," Mike answered, devouring his food. "You wouldn't
believe what Dr. Tofu told me today! He's a nice person and a good
doctor but a little on the crazy side. I'll tell you about it later during
practice. Anyway, how's job training with *sigh* Ukyou?" Mike
looked up and stared at her again. Ukyou was too busy cleaning the grill
to notice him.
"I really don't know," Hanny said. "I just got here. She seems
like a nice person and a good boss but she isn't teaching me too well.
She's cooking too fast for me to really see what she's doing. Got to get
back to job training." He smiled, got up and went back to the grill.
Mike finished up his food, paid Ukyou but didn't leave Hanny
a tip. It was about 12:45 and he had to get back to Dr. Tofu's clinic.
"Thanks, Hanny," Mike waved to him as he went out the door.
"I'll see you later, U-Ukyou." Mike walked out the door into the fresh,
sunny air and headed back to the clinic.
******
"I think he has a crush on you," Hanny said to Ukyou. She
was just starting another order and accidentally put too much batter on
the grill after hearing that.
"What?!" Ukyou said, while trying to cut it down to size.
"Didn't you see the way he talked to you or the way he looks
at you?" Hanny asked, smiling. He started trying to help a little too.
"He probably just is nervous around me because he thinks I'm
mad at him from the day when he ate Ranchan's lunch while I was
arguing with Shampoo," she reasoned. "Tell him I've forgiven you
three for that, or I wouldn't have let you eat in my restaurant. Now your
friend, Jack, that's a different story. He cut off my ribbon. I haven't
forgiven him for doing that and bringing that cat in here. Lucky for him
that I'm just too nice a person." She ground her teeth.
"You're right about him being nervous," Hanny said. "But it's
not because he thinks you're mad at him. I think he knows that you've
forgiven him or you would have tossed each of us out like you did with
Tsubasa. I also think that you were more than just arguing with
Shampoo." Hanny smiled but Ukyou smacked him in the back of the
head with a spatula.
"Less talk, more paying attention," Ukyou said, a little read
with anger and embarrassment.
The lunch rush started and Ukyou was up to her head in
orders. Hanny helped out with serving the food as well as paying
attention on how to cook. The lunch rush died down around two with
only two tables left. Hanny and Ukyou were in deep sweat from
cooking and serving.
"Thanks for helping me today," Ukyou said, finishing up the
last order of okonomiyaki. "It isn't this busy most of the time. I hope all
this didn't scare you off."
"No, it's just fine with me," Hanny said. "I kind of like
learning to cook okonomiyaki and serving people. It's a lot like making
pancakes. I think I'll learn fast as long as you slow down when cooking
this."
"OK, I'll try to slow down," she said. "But not during the
lunch or dinner rush. Deal?"
"Deal," he replied and they shook hands. "I think I'm going to
like working here. Just too bad they don't leave tips in Japan like in the
U.S."
The rest of the afternoon was quiet with few orders. Hanny
actually got to cook an order all by himself with the observation of
Ukyou, of course. He did quite a good job on it, except for the shape. It
looked more like an oval than a circle.
Soon, it was time for him to go. Hanny got his bag and headed
for Tendo Training Hall to go to martial arts practice. He wondered
what they'll be doing today. He rubbed his shoulder, hoping not
sparring again.
******
I got off the bus just half a block from Nekohanten. I was
about half an hour early and the restaurant was closed. I had a few
things on my mind to ask Shampoo.
I walked around to the back of the building to go in through
the kitchen since the doors were locked. I was about to turn the corner
when I overheard a conversation between Shampoo and Cologne.
"You must not fail with Jack," Cologne said. "You have
already failed with Ranma. If you fail with Jack, you will no longer be
my great-granddaughter and will be banned from our village forever."
"Yes, Great-grandmother," she looked down at her feet,
ashamed. She started weeping a little. "Shampoo sorry for being failure.
Shampoo try harder with Jack."
"Crying is for the weak!" Cologne stated. Shampoo sniffed a
bit and stopped weeping. She looked so cute crying and made me want
to jump between them and stop this. Cologne was really starting to
lecture her now. "I did not raise you to be weak. Amazon's are strong.
You are lucky to have a second chance with Jack. Not only is he from
the mainland, but he's also an American citizen."
I started feeling like the second man. She didn't say anything
about me being a U.S. citizen when I asked her why she let Shampoo
have a relationship with me.
"Now, go back inside and get ready to open the restaurant,"
Cologne went back to her wise, calm voice. "Jack will be here soon for
my training." They walked inside the restaurant through the back door.
I started wondering if Shampoo really liked me or is she just
using me for a savior. I sat down and leaned against the wall, thinking
for a moment. I thought about just forgetting her, but that would mean
that she'd be disowned and banned from her village. I couldn't let that
happen. I decided to play along with them.
I got up and knocked on the back door. I heard the door being
unlocked and opened up. I saw Shampoo before me, eyes a little red
still from Cologne's lecture. She had a black apron over a blue work
uniform.
"Jack little bit early for training," she said. She grabbed my
hand and motioned for me to come in.
"Are you OK?" I asked her. "Your eyes look a little red." She
was still holding on to my hand as she showed me the way to where
Cologne was.
"Shampoo alright. Shampoo only cutting onions." she said. I
knew she was just making an excuse. I looked around and saw no
onions nor any cutting boards or knives. I also noticed that there was no
pet duck anywhere.
"Ah, you're early, young one," she said to me. "But I
expected that from you. Shampoo, you should go outside to open up."
Shampoo let go of my hand and went outside.
"Good morning, Great-grandmother," I greeted her. "I think
you should know that my parents used to own a restaurant in America.
I have some experience in the kitchen but most of it was outside with
the customers. It has been, however, a few years since I've been
working there so I might be a little rusty."
"I'm sure you'll remember everything quickly, young one,"
she said to me. "I do not, however, want you to be serving people too
often. I would like you to stay in the kitchen more to help me cook."
"Cook?" I said. I didn't have much knowledge of cooking but
this would be a good chance to learn. "Alright, I can learn how to
cook."
"You will also be training in marital arts with me as well as
cooking here," she said. "Also remember that today will be your last
day training at Tendo Training Hall."
"Yes, I remember, Great-grandmother," I said. "How should I
begin my restaurant training?"
"You will stay in here and watch me cook today," she
answered. "This way Shampoo and Mousse can serve food without
having to wait on tables and help me in here. You will be very useful,
young one." Somehow, I didn't like the way she said that last part.
The day went by quickly. It was busy mostly all day but very
busy between 1:00 and 2:00. I ate my lunch, consisting of noodles, stir
fry and a Coke, around 12:30. A few things she cooked, I already knew
how to make, like noodles or simple stir fry. However, some things
were just way beyond me. I helped Cologne cook a few things and cut
a few vegetables but not much other than that.
Mostly what I did was watching her cook and giving the food
to Shampoo and Mousse over the counter. Shampoo always thanked
me and smiled when I sent something to her but Mousse kept growling
and frowning at me whenever he picked up something from me.
Overall, it was just like working at my parents' restaurant but
busier. Towards the end of the lunch rush at 2:00, Cologne told
Shampoo to cook some noodles for an order and told me to come
outside with her. I followed her.
"What is it that you need me for out here, Great-
grandmother?" I asked her. She walked to something that was totally
covered up by a sheet over it. It was about half the size of the
Nekohanten. I wonder how it got here since I didn't see it earlier that
morning. I thought it was a big statue.
"I wanted you to do something for me," she answered. "Just a
small challenge for you, young one." She tugged off the cloth and,
behold, a HUGE electric fan was under it.
"What do you want me to do with that monster?" I asked in
shock. It was so big. I almost had to bend over backwards to see the
top.
"This is the beginning of your training. I want you to turn it
off," she said, frankly. My eyes went wide in shock. "You may not run
out of the path of the wind." She tapped the "low" setting and turned it
on.
"What kind of training is this?" I shouted. I couldn't think of
anything to do other than running straight to the fan. I knew that it
would take a few seconds before it would get to full force. I was too
slow, however. I was about 2 meters away from the off button when the
full force of the wind hit me. I dived for it but it blew me back. I was
flying backwards. I could hardly breathe against the powerful wind. It
messed up my hair. My back hit the wall of the Nekohanten HARD.
The last thing I remembered was Cologne hovering over me. Then,
everything went back.
******
"Aiyah! He awake!" I heard a familiar voice cry out. I was on a
couch somewhere in the restaurant. I tried to get up but my back
prevented me from doing so. It was very, very sore. I hoped I didn't
crack any vertebrae.
"I did not expect you to dive for it, young one," Cologne said.
She handed me some pills. "Take these right before you have dinner. It
will help your back." I put them in my pocket and thanked her.
"You deserved it for being dumb enough to dive at it," Mousse
said. He was talking to the door.
"I was just being creative," I argued. "At least I would have
seen where the off button was. You'd probably would have ran into the
wall!" A sharp pain came from my back. Mousse put on his glasses.
"Jack take easy," Shampoo looked over my face and smiled.
"Shampoo no want you hurt."
"More like being desperate than creative!" Mousse yelled and
picked up a desk to throw on me but Cologne bashed him in the back
of the head with her staff instead. The desk fell on top of him.
"I'd better get up to give him something to lie on," I said.
Shampoo helped me get up. "Thank you, Shampoo. What time is it?"
"It's about 3:30, young one," Cologne told me as she threw
the unconscious Mousse on the couch.
"Why did you want me to turn off that huge fan?" I asked her.
I put an arm over Shampoo's shoulder and Shampoo put an arm
around my waist. "I had no idea you wanted me to train like that. We
never trained like that in the U.S."
"I wanted to have you see how powerful air is," she told me. I
gave her a confused look. "I will explain tomorrow. That is, if you dare
to come again, young one."
"I will be here tomorrow for more," I said, proudly. "Bad
back, sore back or no back, I will be here. I need to talk to you,
Shampoo. Is there someplace we could talk privately?"
"I know you will, young one," Cologne smiled at me and went
back into the kitchen.
"Shampoo know perfect place," Shampoo said. We walked
outside.
******
Hanny was walking towards Tendo Training Hall. He passed
by Nekohanten and decided to go in to see what Jack was doing. The
place was empty. He decided to go into the kitchen to see if anyone was
there. It was empty also.
He walked around trying to find someone. He didn't find
anyone but he did spot a slightly opened chest peeking out of an
opened cabinet. He looked around to check that no one was watching
and went over to take a peek at the chest.
He went through it finding jewelry, powders, spices and other
junk. He was about to stop and close the lid on it but found a pair of
black wrist bands with three small yellow gems on each of them. He
picked them up and examined them. It was a beautiful work of art.
The glare of the gems compelled him to put them on. The
gems started glowing yellow and expanded into bracers covering up to
his forearm. He started panicking because he couldn't get them off.
"Do you like those?" a calm, wise voice came behind him.
Hanny jumped up in surprise. A bead of sweat dropped from Hanny's
forehead.
"I was just admiring your things," he turned around to see
Cologne one her staff before him. "Is Jack around?"
"He's up doing things," she answered. "You still have not
answered my question."
"Uh, yeah, these are pretty cool gems you got here," he said,
still trying to get them off.
"It is alright, friend of young one," she said. "Those gems
came from the crashed ship of a pirate hundreds of years ago. It was
originally from Japan. How it got to my village in China, I do not know.
You may keep them, if you want to."
"Oh, I really can't," I argued.
"You will accept my gift," she said, rather strictly. "You will
need it later on."
"Yes, ma'am!" Hanny said, a little startled from her tone of
voice. "I'll be going now, ma'am."
"You may leave, friend of young one," she gestured him the
way out. Hanny left quickly out the back door.
"Man, that Cologne can be scary at times," he mumbled to
himself. He took another look at his newly acquired bracers. They
shrank back to wrist bands and the gems were now blue. Could it be
magical, he wondered. He decided to stop by the Nekohanten after
work tomorrow to ask her about them.
******
Shampoo picked me up, ever so carefully and hopped up on
the roof of the Nekohanten.
"Uh, this is a good and private place," I said. I took a look
down. "A little high though, but this is OK." We sat down and
Shampoo cuddled up to me. I hardly noticed due to a headache from
slamming into the wall.
"What Jack need to ask Shampoo?" she asked.
"It's about the curse," I said. She looked up at me and had a
worried look on her face. "No, I told you I don't care about your curse
so don't worry. I want to know who else has a curse around here."
"Hmm... Shampoo know Mousse turn into duck," she
answered. I started laughing but my back caused me to stop.
"I'm alright, I'm alright," I assured her. Either Amazons really
care about their significant other or she just didn't want to be banned
from her village. "So, he was that duck we saw the first time we were in
here. Speaking of Mousse, what's up with him?" Shampoo looked
upward.
"Shampoo no see Mousse up," Shampoo said. I smiled at her.
Maybe I should switch to speaking Chinese.
"I meant what does he act not nice to me?" I asked.
"Mousse in love with Shampoo," she said. "Mousse get
jealous if other men get near Shampoo. Mousse not like you very
much." I nodded in agreement with her.
"Shampoo can make Mousse forget Shampoo using formula
411 to wash Mousse's hair," she said, looking at me for approval.
"No, Shampoo," I said. "Don't do that. It wouldn't be nice."
"Jack want Shampoo be nice?" she said. "Shampoo be nice
for Jack." Shampoo cuddled a little closer to me. Not used to all this
affection, I was starting to get uncomfortable.
"Why don't you start a relationship with him then?" I asked.
"He seems like a nice guy, even if he gets jealous. He loves you."
"Great-grandmother say Mousse weakling," she said, looking
down. "She say Shampoo need strong husband. Mousse not strong
enough. No man in village strong enough for Shampoo."
"Then why me?" I asked. "He can beat me up."
"Great-grandmother wise," she answered. "She say she train
you to be stronger than Mousse. Even stronger than Ranma."
"I don't know," I said, shaking my head. "I'd have to train for
a long time and vigorously. Ranma and Mousse have been studying all
their lives. I've only had a year of martial arts training."
"Shampoo sure Great-grandmother think of something," she
assured me. I sighed.
"Does Ranma's dad also have a curse?" I asked her, going
back to the original subject.
"Yes, he turn into panda," she said.
"I knew it!" I shouted and almost stood up but my back didn't
allow it. "Anyone else you know also have a curse??"
"Shampoo know Ranma has Jusenkyo curse also," she said. I
started thinking what animal he turned into. Maybe that pig? No, Akane
said that they didn't get along which means that they can't be the same
person.
"What does he turn into?" I asked.
"Ranma turn into girl," she said, bluntly. I started laughing
again but the pain in my back told me to stop.
"Don't tell me, he turns into a red headed girl, right?" I asked.
"OK, Shampoo no tell Jack," she said. I put my head in my
hands.
"No, Shampoo," I started. "That was a figure of speech. I
meant does Ranma turn into a red headed girl?"
"Yes, Ranma turn into girl with red hair," she answered.
"Interesting," I stated. "And you didn't mind all this time?"
"Shampoo at first mind," she replied. "Shampoo lost to girl
Ranma and by Amazon law, Shampoo had to kill girl Ranma. Shampoo
lost to boy Ranma later and now have to marry boy Ranma. Boy
Ranma trick Shampoo. Shampoo thought boy Ranma was really girl.
Shampoo left back to village. Then Great-grandmother retrain Shampoo
and Shampoo fall into cursed spring." She looked a little sad.
"That's what you meant by Ranma tricking you when we were
in the, uh, bathtub together," I said. I laid down and Shampoo laid
down next to me. We looked at the beautiful sky. There were some dark
clouds coming from the west. It looked like it might rain tonight.
"So are you going to still go after Ranma?" I asked her,
knowing the answer. She paused for a moment.
"Great-grandmother tell Shampoo to give up Ranma," she
said, a little sad. "Shampoo listen to Great-grandmother. Shampoo
happy to have Jack now."
"That's because I'm the only thing to save you from being
banned," I mumbled in English. She looked at me and blinked.
"What you say?" she asked me.
"Oh, I just forgot you don't speak English," I lied. "I said that
I'm happy to be with you also." She smiled upon hearing that.
"Does just about everyone know about everyone's curses?" I
asked her.
"Shampoo not sure," she answered. "But Shampoo think most
people know."
"OK, Shampoo," I said, trying to sit up, but failing. "Don't tell
anyone that you told me about these curses, alright?" She helped me sit
up.
"Shampoo.listen to Jack," she nodded. "Shampoo want Jack
to call Shampoo Shampoo-chan"
"OK, I will, Shampoo-chan, as long as you don't call me
Jackie-chan," I smiled. She blinked, not understanding my joke. "Why
do you always refer yourself in third person?" She looked around again.
"Shampoo no see third person," she answered. "Shampoo
only see two people." I put my head in my hands again. Practice
Japanese or not, I got to start talking to her in Chinese from now on.
"One more thing, who are Lin Lin and Ran Ran?" I asked.
"Lin Lin and Ran Ran are Shampoo's little sisters," she
answered. "They come here little while ago to help Shampoo kill girl
Ranma. Is long story."
"OK, you don't need to tell me it now," I said. "Let's go back
inside."
She picked me up again and hopped down. We walked into
the kitchen from the back door. I picked up my bag and went over to
Cologne, who was bring a half conscious Mousse to the kitchen, to say
my farewell.
"I'm leaving now, Great-grandmother," I said to her.
"I must remind you that you are to stop training at Tendo
Training Hall today, young one," she said again. She let Mousse, who
mumbled something about Shampoo, drop to the floor. "You also must
not fight Ranma yet. He will crush you easily right now. You must train
more before you are able to challenge him. I want you to take this and
wear it on you at all times." She handed me a jade ring with something
in Chinese engraved on it..
"Thank you, Great-grandmother," I said. "Do not worry, I
won't be sparring with anyone for quite a while with this sore back.
What is this for?"
"It is a lucky charm to protect you from any demon that seeks
you," she said. "Never take it off, understand, young one?"
"I understand, Great-grandmother," I said and tried to bow to
her but failed. I headed out the back door, with Shampoo's help.
"Remember to be here at ten again," she shouted to me.
"Then, I will tell you the reason for today's training session."
"I think I can make it on my own Shampoo," I said to her. She
was reluctant to let go but eventually did. She went back into the
Nekohanten.
I saw a familiar figure walking a little ahead of me. It looked a
lot like Hanny. "Hanny!" I shouted. The figure turned around and
walked towards me.
"You don't look so good, Jack," he greeted me. I noticed he
had a pair of black wrist bands on. "Did you get thrown into a wall or
something?"
"Not exactly," I said. I looked at the place where the fan used
to be. It was gone now. I wondered how they got it out of here so fast.
"Mind helping get to the dojo? Nice wrist bands."
"Of course," he said. He looked at his wrists. "Yeah, nice ring
you got there. You're lucky I passed by here after work."
"Who gave it to you?" we asked each other in unison.
"Cologne gave it to me," we said in unison again.
"Stop doing that!" we said in unison again.
"Let's get going to Tendo Training Hall," we stated
simultaneously.
"I said to stop doing that!" we did it again. We just kept quiet
and started walking.
******
Mike got back a little late. He found out regular okonomiyaki
tends to sit in his stomach for a while. He arrived to see two patients in
the waiting room. Saotome and Dr. Tofu were helping another patient.
He took off his shoes, placed them neatly on the rack and walked in.
"Sorry I'm late, Dr. Tofu," he said, holding his stomach. "I
liked my lunch a lot but I don't think my lunch liked me too much." He
sat down on a bed.
"You don't look too well, Mike," he said as he pressed a few
pressure points here and there on his patient's back. "There, all better."
"Thank you, Dr. Tofu," the elderly woman said. "I feel much
better now." She walked outside.
"Mr. Saotome, will you get Mike some herbal tea?" he asked
of him. He motioned for Mike to lie down on his back. Mr. Saotome
brought a cup of tea.
"Thank you," he said. "Now drink this. It should make you
feel better in about an hour. What did you have for lunch today?"
"I had okonomiyaki at Ucchan's," he answered, taking a sip of
the tea. "I think I should have walked a little slower here."
"It might have been some spices you're not used to eating,"
Dr. Tofu stated. "I don't think it was how fast you walked here that
caused your stomach ache. He went back and brought out a bottle of
pills. "Take two of these right before you eat any okonomiyaki that isn't
Ucchan's special from now on. It should help you digest it better."
"Thank, Dr. Tofu," Mike said, sipping the tea again.
"Lie here for a few minutes for now," Dr. Tofu ordered. "Mr.
Saotome, you can bring in the next patient."
"Can I take a look at that book I was reading yesterday while
I'm lying down?" Mike asked. "I think it was on human pressure points
and the nervous system."
Saotome grabbed the book and handed it to Mike. He held a
sign that said "There you go" on it.
"Thanks, this is an interesting book," he said.
"You're welcome," Saotome flipped the sign.
Mike, feeling better, sat up and sipped his tea some more while
reading the book. He was examining diagrams on how to paralyze
someone with one touch and how to unparalyze them. How to cure
back pain and even how to stop balding and gray hair from pressure
points. Mike finished his tea and put the book in his bag.
"Is it OK if I borrow that book?" Mike asked Dr. Tofu, who
was finishing up with another patient. This time it was a twisted ankle of
a soccer player. "Jack wanted to take a look at it since he'll be working
at a hospital for a class when school starts again."
"Of course you can," he said. "I have other books that you can
borrow also." *Snap* *Crackle* *Pop* "There, all better. Be more
careful when kicking that ball from now on, OK?"
"It's her! Run!" someone yelled from outside. Mike could
hear the sound of running from outside.
"Thanks, Dr. Tofu," the soccer player got up and ran out the
door. He ran right by Kasumi in the waiting room.
"Hello, Dr. Tofu," she greeted him. "I've come to return this
book on herbs and I've brought you some soup." Dr. Tofu's glasses
fogged up.
"Why Kasumi, what a coincidence that you're here!" he said,
turning to Betty. Kasumi giggled.
"You're so silly, Dr. Tofu," she smiled and gave him the soup.
"What a nice hat you've given me," he said. He put the soup bowl on his head, making a mess. "My, it is awfully humid in here. Oh, do you need some help, young man?"
"Uh, Dr. Tofu, are you al-" he was stopped short because
Saotome pulled him away.
"Keep away from Dr. Tofu until she leaves," he wrote on a
sign. Mike started to think that Dr. Tofu's story might be true. Mr.
Panda was acting quite human. They went back to watching Dr. Tofu.
Mike soon got the idea that Dr. Tofu was in love with Kasumi.
"This hat is a little small for me," he said, taking it off. "Oh
my, who made this mess on the floor? I'd better clean it up." He took
Betty and started to use her like a sponge.
"Dr. Tofu, you're such a funny man," she giggled. She put the
book on a table. "I must be going now, good bye." She left.
"Glad she only came here for a short visit," Saotome wrote on
a sign. He flipped it. "Better help me clean up this mess."
"Sure thing, I'll get the mop," Mike said. He went to the closet
and got a bucket and a mop. Dr. Tofu was coming back to this senses.
"Huh? Why is there vegetables on the floor?" he asked,
scratching his head.
"We'll clean it up," Mike said. "You better get ready for your
next patient." Mike and Saotome cleaned everything up quickly. The
clinic floor was now spotless.
It soon was around 3:30 and Mike felt much better. He had
observed Dr. Tofu and Saotome very carefully. He had a good idea of
how things went around here. He took a good look around before
getting ready to leave and knew that working here would be good.
"I have to leave for martial arts practice now, Dr. Tofu," he
said. "Thanks for training me today. Mr. Saotome was a really good
help."
"No problem, Michael," Dr. Tofu smiled. "See you tomorrow
around nine again!"
"Nice working with you, Michael," Saotome wrote on a sign.
He flipped it again. "See you tomorrow!" Mike walked out the door,
heading for Tendo Training Hall.
******
I walked up to the dojo with Hanny's help. My back was really
starting to bother me now. I couldn't wait till dinner to take these pills. I
saw the back porch empty this time. There was no Tendo-san or
Saotome-san playing go.
The door was open, probably from the heat, and we walked in.
Kasumi came out of the kitchen to greet us.
"Oh my, are you alright?" she asked me.
"I'm fine," I said, wincing at the pain at my back. "Well, OK,
not so fine. I hurt my back earlier today so I don't think I'll be doing
much today."
"Would you like something for your back?" she asked, leading
us to the changing room.
"No, I already got something," I answered. Kasumi went back
into the kitchen. "You go change, Hanny. I'll go and talk to Tendo-
san."
"OK, take care of yourself getting there," he said, going in to
change. I tossed my bag in there with him.
"I think I can handle a few steps," I said, heading for the
training area. I was surprised to see Mike already there.
"Whoa, what happened to you?"he asked, coming over to
look over me.
"I hurt my back," I said. Tendo-san walked in.
"Tendo-san," I said, trying to bow again. "I must inform you
that I hurt my back and cannot train today." He started weeping.
"Oh, you hurt yourself, how horrible," he wept. I couldn't tell
whether it was tears of joy or sadness. "And I had big plans for you
today."
"Yeah, he was going to have you spar with me," Ranma said
walking in. He was wearing his usual read Chinese clothes and black
pants.
"Hi, Ranma," I said. "It's been a while since I've last seen
you. In fact, I don't think we've formally met. I'm Jack Ji. I don't think
we'll be sparring today, however."
"I'm Hanny Lee," Hanny said, coming in. "Why is our sensei
crying?"
"And I'm Michael Lyon," Mike said, bowing. Hanny went
over to check on our sensei.
"I am Ranma Saotome. Looks like you hurt yourself there,
Jack," he said, leaning against the wall and grinning. I frowned and
ground my teeth.
"Don't be mean, Ranma," Akane came in and bashed Ranma
with a big mallet that she grabbed out of nowhere. Even P-Chan was
biting him.
"Ow! Stop it, you violent maniac!" Ranma shouted.
"Ranma no BAKA!" she said, kicking him into the
stratosphere. Ranma went flying with his thumb, index and little finger
sticking out on both hands. There was a big hole in the roof. Tendo-san
was weeping a lake now.
"Well, I guess this really means we won't be sparring," I said. I
winced again at the pain in my back.
"Hmm... I think I can help you, Jack," Mike said. I looked
puzzled at him. "Remember? You wanted me to borrow a book on
human pressure points."
"Oh, yeah," I said. "I totally forgot about that."
"I'll go and get it," he said and left to get the book from the
changing room. He came back very quickly.
"Here it is," he said. "Back pain from high impact activity.
Now, just what did happen to your back?"
"I, um, slammed into a wall," I said, blushing. Mike flipped the
page and told me to lie down on my stomach. He poked me in several
places on my back and spine. *POP* *POP* *SNAP*
"Hey, that hurts!" I shouted, jumping up. There was no more
pain in my back. "Hey, that actually worked!"
"Of course it did," he said, matter-of-factly. He went back to
put the book away. I followed him back into the changing room to
change into my gi. I got back to find that Tendo-san had stopped
crying. Someone had also boarded up the hole in the roof. I walked
over to Akane, who was holding P-Chan.
"You went easy on me, didn't you?" I asked her. Mike and
Hanny were stretching out and warming up.
"What?" she looked a little confused.
"Our sparring match, I mean," I said. "You didn't go full out
on me, did you? I've seen what you can do. Don't try to lie to me."
"Well, no, I didn't," she said. "Daddy told me to be careful on
you. He didn't want to lose any students."
"Don't ever go easy on me again, understand?" I said. I
walked up to Tendo-san, not waiting for her reply.
"Tendo-san," I said to get his attention and bowed. "I must
inform you that I cannot train here anymore. Today will be my last day.
I am sorry."
"Oh, no, I've lost another student," he started weeping again.
"Is it because I'm a bad teacher? Please tell me?"
"No, it's not your teaching," I replied, looking over at Akane.
"It's a personal matter." I said that to give him the wrong impression.
Hopefully, he'll think Akane letting me win was the reason.
I sat down next to Hanny and Mike to stretch out a little and
warm up. I was amazed at how Mike helped my back with that book.
Maybe it was because he had been near a doctor all day.
"How was your first day at work today?" I asked.
"Great!" Hanny replied first. "Ukyou taught me how to cook
okonomiyaki. She even let me cook one. She said I'm a fast learner and
was glad I'm was there to help her out."
"My day was rather strange," Mike started. "Dr. Tofu is a nice
guy and a great doctor but he's a little weird. I think he's in love with
Kasumi because his glasses fog up every time she comes to visit him
and he does all these strange things when she's around. What's even
stranger is that he told me about this curse Mr. Saotome has and that he
turns into a panda. He told me that before Kasumi came in also."
"I totally believe it," I said while doing sit ups.
"What?!" Hanny said. "Well, I don't."
"I don't know," Mike said. "That panda did act quite human.
He can write a lot of things on that sign he carries."
"Just trust me, guys," I said, doing a few push ups. "Believe
the good doctor." I smiled at them and got up. Tendo-san stopped
weeping and told us to line up. Akane was still here, feeding her pet pig.
"Today, I will teach you each two kata," he said. "I believe
you may already know one, Jack." Ranma walked in, bruised and cut.
He had a bandage on his cheek and was scratching his head.
"Violent chick..." he was mumbling. Akane went right over
and bashed him with a big mallet that she grabbed out of nowhere
again.
"I heard that," she said, leaving Ranma flattened and semi-
conscious.
"Looks like you hurt yourself, Ranma," I said back at him. He
started getting up.
"I can still beat you. How did your back get...," he said and
dropped back down to the floor again, unconscious.
"I don't think your in any shape to spar with me, Ranma," I
smiled at him. That was a load off my shoulders. I couldn't think of any
excuse to not fight him after Mike fixed up my back.
"Kiotsuke!" Tendo-san shouted. We went into attention. "Rei.
Akane could you get Ranma out of our way, please." We bowed.
Akane pulled Ranma's body out of our way. She sat down quietly with
P-Chan in her arms. I started wondering how much spit it would take
before Ranma would turn into a girl. I dismissed the thought.
Lightning flashed outside the windows. A few seconds later,
we heard a loud roar of thunder. I was surprised P-Chan didn't get
afraid of hearing that. It started to pour outside. I heard the raindrops on
the ceiling. It reminded me of home.
"Jumbi!" he shouted again. We went into ready stance. "You
will start with Heiyan Shodan. Do you know this, Jack?"
"Yes, I do, Tendo-san." I said.
"Good," he said. He started teaching Mike and Hanny the kata
and made me be the model. He then went to teach us Heiyan Nidan, the
second kata in the Heiyan series. That one, I didn't know. Ranma came
back to consciousness, sat down and started observing us.
"You have good form, Jack," Ranma commented on me. "But
you lack power."
"Where's Ranko?" I asked, trying to get him off my back.
"Ranko? Uh, she's out," he answered. He sat there quietly
watching us now.
The rest of practice was mostly doing the two kata and a few
simple drills. Akane and Ranma were there only to observe, even
though, I don't know why. Practice finally ended.
"You two can go ahead and shower first," I told Hanny and
Mike. They left immediately to go change. It was really starting to pour
now.
I went over to Ranma and Akane. I sat down and started
stretching. I decided to play a trick on Ranma.
"Say, Ranma," I started. "I notice that Ranko and you wear
the same clothes sometimes. Does she admire you or something?"
"Uh, yeah, you could say that," he replied, a little nervously.
Akane just sat quietly, wanting to see how Ranma talked himself out of
this.
"Are you and her pretty close friends?" I asked, knowing the
answer.
"Really close," Akane answered. P-Chan gave a small "Bwee."
"Well, um, could you set up a time I could talk to her?" I
asked Ranma.
"What for?" he asked back.
"I don't think it's any of your business," I shot back.
"Fine then," he got up and proceeded to leave. "Your kata
sucked!" He walked out the training area.
"What's his problem?" I asked.
"He's just a jerk sometimes," Akane answered. "If your really
need to talk to Ranko, I can get her for you. Just tell me why you are
leaving."
"I'm leaving to train elsewhere," I said, looking outside the
window. "Looks like this storm is pretty big. It's not because you let
me win our sparring match. It's because Cologne told me to stop if I
was to work at Nekohanten." The phone rang.
"Hello?" Kasumi picked it up. "Oh, hello. Yes. Yes. Oh my,
I'll tell them that. Thank you." Kasumi hung up and walked over to us.
"That's strange," she replied. "Be careful, she usually has an
alternate agenda. I'll go and get Ranko now."
"That was your nanny, Jack," Kasumi started. "She called to
tell us that there is a big tree blocking the road from her house to here.
I'm afraid you'll have to stay here overnight."
"Great," I said, throwing my hands in the air. "Well, I guess
this means we'll have to eat here tonight." I got up to go change. I heard
a splash of water from another room.
"Why'd you do that?" Ranma-chan said in her high girl voice.
"Someone wants to talk to Ranko," Akane answered. She
walked in holding on to Ranma-chan's hand.
"Let go," she argued. She was soaking wet.
"Hey, Ranko," I said, taking her hand. "I was wondering
where you were. I had something on my mind to ask you."
"What's that?" she asked, one eye brow raised.
"Why are you wearing Ranma's clothes?" I asked. Akane and
Ranma-chan's eyes both went wide.
"I, uh, there's a good explanation," she tried to explain. I tried
to hold back my laughter.
"No need to explain right now," I told her. "You were
probably in the shower and forgot to bring a towel or robe so Ranma,
being the gentlemen that he is, gave you his clothes. I was just
wondering if you would join me tomorrow night for dinner at
Nekohanten." P-Chan gave a small "Bwee?"
"She would love to," Akane answered for her, giggling.
"Right, Ranko?"
"What?" she protested. "Why do you al-" Akane elbowed her
in the mouth.
"Good, then it's settled," I said and headed back to change. I
started laughing on the ground when I got in there. I fooled him! I'm
getting a date with Ranma-chan. I can't wait to humiliate that loud
mouth. He's so cocky, he isn't a true martial artist. Cologne said I
couldn't fight him, but she didn't say I couldn't humiliate him. I
grabbed a towel and headed to the bathroom.
End part V.
Finished 5/6
Author's notes: Geez, each part is getting longer and longer. By the
time I finish this FanFic, it'll be a 1 meg part! Anyway, I hope you can
see that I'm getting to the fiction part of fan fiction here. I think this part
explains a lot of questions from previous parts. I hope I cut down on
my useless descriptions a bit.
Kiotsuke- Attention!
Rei- Bow
Jumbi- Ready position
Next part: A date with Ranma-chan and a special ceremony...
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Member of the #ShAS#: Shampoo Appreciation Society - Our favorite femaline!
jackji@efn.org - Jack Ji - http://www.efn.org/~jackji