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A Twist in the tale.
This portion's name is: light the way there is no path.
Chapter 3.
By Quek Kwang-Ee
<X94QUEK1@WMICH.EDU>
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If anyone has not figured it out, the first two stories that I wrote
were mainly introduction stories that basically explain the person's
presence in the story line. This is one of the stories that detail what
he does in this world he is in and perhaps the situations that he
encounters in this new world. I am planning to have at least four
stories after the introduction. As someone said a long time ago, 'A
great journey begins with a single step.' In Ryoga's case, Not going on
a great journey begins with knowing how to stay put.
As always: Crits and comments are appreciated but be prepared to back up
your claims. If you are just sending me fan mail, you need not tell me
why just send .^_^. Please keep reading my work and tell me of others
that you come across that you feel is interesting. I am always
interested in these kind of things.
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(Nerima Kuno Manor)
In the light of the predawn, two figures nearly identical in every
respect face each other in the glow of the dawn. Sticks in their hands,
they stand ready yet relaxed. A slight mist rises from the sweat on
their bodies as they stand motionlessly greeting the sun. The sun
finally cast the first ray of light over the horizon bringing with it
the hope of another day. They strike forwards in an arc of wood. Their
bokens never touching as they dance to the rhythm of the waking world
around them. Not once did either of them flinch as the wooden swords
sliced the air before them. As suddenly as they started, as suddenly
they stopped. Their bokens falling still as the sun came free of the
earth and rose up into the sky. As one, they bowed and turned towards
the Mansion behind them.
"I'm glad you could take the time to train me Kuno."
"Is it not the Duty of the Champion of the Kendo Club to teach all who
will bear the weight of training?"
"Anyway Kuno, what started you down the path of learning Kendo?"
"There was no start when there is no end. I started training of the
blade when I was but a babe in arms and the blade has been with me
since."
"Like I have been saying earlier, you really have to go out more. The
world is a vast and lonely place if there are no companions besides the
blade Kuno.
"I see. Thy words have credit but I have companions in The pig tailed
girl and Akane. So.."
"I hate to interrupt but. You have no chance of Gaining either of their
hands in marriage or even their interest if you no not change your
course of actions. It is true that you have as you would call it, a
Samurai spirit but you are overzealous in your pursuits to the exclusion
of everything else.
"Overzealous,? How dare you mock my dedication so? Love should.. '
"Kuno, Kuno, Kuno. Control your emotions and let not the prize elude
you by bringing too much to bear. Do you not hunt grouse with but a
single bow? You have been bringing a catapult to catch what you seek but
have only scared the quarry away."
". . I see the meaning of your words, However, I shall seek your advice
when you prove to me that you yourself have your own. . . quarry in
hand."
"Kuno, I have already told you. In love, you cannot catch the heart
unless it is willing to be caught. I have not had the chance to meet
anyone in the few days I have been here. But I have time enough to find
someone should I ever chose."
"You yourself do not understand Guo. The Harder the hunt, the sweeter
the fruit of thy labor."
" I understand it all too well Kuno but you do not understand that some
thing are just not worth the effort." Sees that they have reached the
Mansion. "Shall we change and eat out or shall we risk thy sister's
poison?"
"We shall eat out. It would be unseemly for guests to dislodge their
bowels after a meal."
"Good." *Nods.* 'interesting language.'
As always, thoughts are expressed in '' while spoken is "" different
languages is in <>. Others are in **
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(opening sequence.)
SD Ranma and Akane are walking by the Dojo. Suddenly a black hole
appears above them dumping rain on the couple.
SD Kuno runs up only to be knocked into the sky as the scene scrolls to
the Kuno mansion.
Gosunkugi is setting up an alter as Kuno falls flat on the ground
handing him a scroll.
Gos waves his arms in the air and the cloud appears. A flash of light
and Guo appears on the alter.
It scrolls back to Ranma and Akane with the imp holding a bucket looking
down on them from the hole in the sky.
In comes Guo holding a cat and gives chase to Ranma as they run out of
the screen.
They run again across the screen being chased by Kodatchi and Ryoga.
A few mechanical creatures follows them in addition to a few assorted
monsters chases the foursome as they make the next pass.
The entire cast + additions run from the front of the screen into the
distance behind.
Happosai turns and grabs a bomb from his shirt. He throw it into the
screen ending the sequence in a flash..
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(Along a street)
After our morning training, we changed to street clothes. Kuno however,
doesn't know what it means to dress well even after I showed him. I
dressed him into clothes that looked fit to kill. However he ignores the
appraising looks he elicits from the people around him. Probably
believing that he is more noble than everyone else and thus people
should look at him that way.
Personally I feel it has more to do with people seeing him out of his
Kendo costume although some of it is that he is genuinely handsome in
his new getup. *sigh* I literally scattered the birds across his path
but he has only eyes for the falcon and the eagle in the distance.
"Let us break our morning fast and partake of the vitals." Kuno said as
we took our seats in a cafe.
"Huh? Oh. Ok."
"Hello" the waitress said as she came before us. "Do you wish to order
anything?"
"Emm, eggs Benedict, French toast, hash browns and some milk for me
thanks." I reply as I looked out the window.
"Ok. and for you sir?"
" I shall have the cooked batter flavored with the blue fruit of the
Ganji lands swimming in a sauce of gold."
"..?!?"
"He wants blueberry pancakes. In maple syrup." I helpfully suggested.
"Oh." the waitress replied as she flashed the both of us a smile and
scribbled down our order. "Coffee with that Sir?" she said as she looked
at Kuno.
"I would partake in the dark beverage."
"That translates as yes." I said as I looked to the people outside.
'It's hard job making Kuno fit in to the real world but I try.'
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(Nerinma.)
It's been two days since the fight. But it is also the first week of
the golden month as it is called. It is the summer vacation of the
Japanese where some people who have had trouble getting grades have to
go to cram school while others who have done well can rest and spend
their vacation as they wish. Ranma for one is walking along the fence
with Akane in her uniform on the pavement besides him.
"Alkane, I still don't see why we need to go school."
"I need to cram on my English while you need to catch up in nearly
everything else you idiot."
"Tomboy."
"Pervert."
"Hey? Isn't that Kuno and Guang Ming?" Ranma asked as they passed a
shop.
"That, that _ Boy _!" Alkane retorted as she turned her head away.
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(The cafe)
"Eh?" 'Oh it's Ranma and Alkane' I thought as I saw the couple out of
the window.
"Ah! The lovely Akane Tendo has come to fill my life with her presence.
"Kuno,"
"I will defeat that Cur Souatome and. "
"_Kuno!" I practically shouted in his ear.
"I can hear just fine Guo Guang Ming. You do not need to raise your
voice in my presence."
"Remember what I said about the bow and the catapult?"
"I do recall having such discourse with you."
"Well then, shall we try to make acquaintance with the two or are you
going to let your emotions get the better of you?"
"I shall try your stratagem Guo, I shall try." he said as we stood and
made our way to the door.
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(Outside the cafe)
"Yeo.., Guo! What'ya doing?" called Ranma from the fence as he leapt
down to the road.
"Hi Ranma, Alkane. I've been staying at Kuno's and learning a bit more
about this place."
"Greetings Ranma Soutome, Greetings Akane Tendo, It is an honor to
stand in your.. "
"So what do you need to learn? I thought that our world was a manga in
yours."
"illustrious presence. I would dine with you Akane Tendo.." Kuno
continued as he bowed before Akane.
"It is, But how are you going to learn techniques and discipline from a
manga?"
"Ranma." Akane tensely interrupted.
"Tru.. What is it Akane?" Ranma asked the girl besides him.
"Let's go or we'll be late for Cram." she said edging nervously around
them.
"Kuno, it seems they have other engagements so let's not emm. delay
them any longer. It may be wiser to join them later in the day when they
have more time to spare."
"Your words have merit Guo." Kuno said as he bowed to Akane " I would
not dream of preventing Akane from her duty. Fair thee well my sweet for
until we meet again." he said as he turned and entered the cafe.
"Looks like Kuno has learned his lessons well." Guo remarked startling
the surprised pair.
"Di. . Did you see that?" Ranma asked his eyes wide in surprise.
"Yup! I convinced him to ease up on his err. Pursuits in romance. I
guess you two owe me one." he said with a wink and a smile. Akane just
stood there looking on in amazement as Ranma spoke.
"So what's it going to cost us?" Ranma remarked skeptically.
"For you, nothing much really. For Akane, it's to stop being so angry
at me."
"Thank, but no thanks." Akane icily replied as she strode past Guo.
"Man, she's mean." Guo said as he looked at the angry figure.
"You said it. Now what's it going to cost me?" Ranma asked Guo.
"I was thinking along the lines of helping me set up a meeting with
Nabiki."
"Why do you need her for?"
" I need to check if I have any records in this world."
"What do you need records for?"
"A job Ranma. I need to get a job and another pace to stay before I
have to eat Kodatchi's food."
"Anything like Akane's?"
"Himm. . I think you have it worse with Akane. At least Kodatchi's just
poisoned."
*WHAM!* came the sound as ^IDM-1 introduced itself to Guo's skull.
Akane just turned away from the prone figure on the street before
stomping off towards school. "Come on Ranma," she angrily shouted back.
"We'll be late for school."
"Ouch!" Guo belatedly said from beneath the mallet.
^Inter dimensional mallet-1 (100 kg./Approx 220 pounds)
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(Hell-o?)
'Giggle he heh heheh. Haha ahahha."*bonk!* came the sound as an eraser
knocked the imp from her perch..
"Can you keep it down?" the demon admonished.
"Sorry!" The imp sheepishly said before returning to her seat.
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(Cafe).
"What did you talk with them about Guo?" Kuno asked as his companion
returned to his seat.
"I needed a little help to set me up my stay in this world."
"And why do you need that?"
"You and Gosinkugi brought me to this world and I have been staying
with you for the past few days as a result. However I must find my own
way in life and not intrude on your hospitality more than necessary."
Kuno stared silently at Guo for a moment "I understand your honorable
intentions and wish you the best. For is it not the path of all man born
under the heavens above to carve out his own path on the rock of
destiny? It is not your a man's job to create a life he may call his
own? I Tatiwaki Kuno shall stand by you in your decision and help you as
I may. Let us seek out the new. . "
"Er Kuno,"
"By what reason do you wish to interrupt my discourse?"
"Breakfast is here." Guo said as he pointed to the wide eyed waitress
besides them.
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(Nerima.)
'Himmmm. How can Nabiki get the information he wanted?' Ranma wondered
as he followed the angry Akane to school.
"How could he!?."
'Maybe she could get some of the information from the library." Ranma
thought
"To insult my cooking! Saying that Kodatchi's poison is better. HAH!"
'Nah. Maybe some government agency can provide the information.'
"I can't believe that, that, BOY!"
'I think he has to give her more information about himself or better
yet get the information himself.'
"I'm going to make him eat his words you'll see. ?!?!" Akane said as
she looked at her companion.
'Now, what information would he need?'
"Hey! Are you listening to me Ranma? " she shouted at him stopping in
her tracks.
".? Emm, what Akane? Didn't you like having Kuno off your back?"
"... . . I . I ."
"Geese Akane, you really have to face it. He helped us get Kuno off our
backs and you're thinking about clobbering him again no doubt."
"But he insulted my cooking!"
" Isn't what he said true?" Raman asked before a large shadow loomed
above him.
"Ranma No baka!" Akane cried as she swung IDM-1 through the air.
"Unfeminine!" Ranma called back as he dodged the swing and fled in the
direction of school..
"Pervert " Akane shouted.. Banishing her mallet above her head as ran
of after him into the distance.
"Ranma Soutome! I shall crush you for insulting Akane!" Cried a voice a
few moments later as explosions and crashes filled the air.
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(Tendo Dojo later that day.)
Ranma is walking into the dojo and is unhappily carrying his school
bag.
'Dam Ryoga, couldn't he have gotten lost or something? Aukaya-Sensei
gave me extra work because of him (image of him carrying by a stack of
books)Then I had more of the same from the other teachers too. (The
stack of books doubles then triples and finally buries him.) It's a
stupid way to start the first month of vacation no less. *sigh* oh
there's Nabiki!'
"Hi Nabiki, Guang Ming gave me a message to pass to you."
"A message for me?"
"Yup.! He wants you to meet him"
"So, did Light say why he wanted me to meet him?"
"Yup! He wants you to help him check for his records in this world."
"Himmmm. I could stand to earn some extra yen." she said. "I'll meet
him later, just where is he staying?"
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(Kuno mansion.)
"Thank you Nabiki for meeting with me." Guo said as Nabiki strode into
room
"Light-San. I am a businesswoman. Just what do you need me for anyway?"
"As I have told Ranma, I need to find if I have any records of my
existence in this realm."
"Come off it. Light. You know as well as I that you could probably do a
better job of finding out by yourself." she said as she seated herself
across the table.
"Come now, It is not as easy as it seems. The only thing that I myself
have been able to find is that Someone else possesses my Id number and
that I really don't exist in this world.
"So why seek me to find what doesn't exist " Nabiki said as she looked
at the black hared individual.
"No, I need you to create for me an identity. Something that I can use
to settle myself in and live as while I find a way back to my own
world." he said as Nabiki contemplated the problem before her.
"And what do you have in exchange?"
"The first is a bond in faith or in writing that I will pay you $1,000
in U.S. currency or the equivalent in four months. The second is that
it will lessen my effect on Kuno."
"Your effect on Kuno?" Nabiki asked mildly curious.
"Yes, if you might not have know, I have shall we say, lowered the
intensity by which Kuno is seeking Akane and the pig tailed Girl as he
calls her."
"And why does this concern me?"
"Come off it Nabiki. I know that Kuno is one of your main sources of
income. If I was to completely neutralize Kuno, you would be getting
less for the pictures of Ranma and Akane you already have." he said as
Nabiki looked mildly uncomfortable.
"I do not react well to threats _Light_." she icily replied.
"It is not a threat Nabiki. I have merely been reforming Kuno wile I am
here and the effect that I will have on him will be less when I can get
some records for myself and am able to move out."
"*sigh* alright. But why should I trust you?"
"I have nothing but my word in this realm but I _will_ keep my
promises. In any case, I wish to find a job and get out of this place
before Kodatchi poisons me."
"Kodatchi is a bad cook?"
"Not at all, she is a good cook. She just has. . interesting
ingredients."
"Oh. . now let's get back to the terms of the deal."
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(Cat Cafe <Nekohiten>.)
'Shampoo no understand Great-grandmother.' Shampoo thought as she wiped
the table. 'She stop Shampoo from helping Airen. Send Moose instead.
'she thought as she sat down on a chair and looked morosely out the
door. 'But Shampoo hurt summoned man? Great grandmother said that Summon
Man is powerful opponent.' she thought as she watched the four O'clock
shadows. 'Last time, entire village can not defeat. Now what Shampoo
do?' *sigh*
"Shampoo! Shampoo come here." called a voice from the kitchen.
"Hai! Great grandmother." she said as she stood and walked into the
kitchen.
Colonge stood there looking at her granddaughter as she strode into the
kitchen. 'The frown on her young face, her troubled eyes. It would be a
long time before she accepted that Light would always be better than
her.' she thought as she drew herself up to her full height. "
Granddaughter, I know you are thinking about light." she said as
Shampoo's expression cleared.
"You let Shampoo go kill him?"
"No granddaughter." Colonge sighed. "I must tell you to avoid him
unless you want to be beaten." she said as Shampoo's face clouded over.
"Why Shampoo not fight?" she cried in desperation.
"Because the last time a summoned came to the village, he defeated
everyone who could fight."
"We stronger now!" Shampoo cried.
"He defeated all of them at the same time Shampoo. You alone will never
have the power to defeat him." Colonge quietly said.
"But.. But.. Wahhhhhh.' Shampoo sobbed as she collapsed to the ground
crying.
'Shampoo..., Light distresses you. I shall earn your love by defeating
this person for you.' a figure thought from the shadows. 'May you find
happiness my love.. ' he thought as he adjusted his spectacles. 'for I
may never come back from this fight.' he thought as he made his way
upstairs.
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(Ucchan's Okinomyaki)
A lone form stands over a table mopping the surface clean with a bucket
and cloth. 'I wonder about that light. He seemed like a nice person
helping Kuno set up that date with me.' she thought as she moved to the
next one. 'But, I found the real reason soon enough. That rat was using
my disappearance as bait for Ranchan.' she thought as she vigorously
wiped the stains. 'But I wonder. Who is he really? Is he really from
another universe and how much can I trust him?' she though as she looked
out into the street outside.
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(Somewhere out there.)
'Why do I keep getting lost?' he thought to himself as he looked around
at the lush countryside around him. Entering a small town, he came upon
a person who seemed oddly familiar.
"Hi there. Haven't seen you here for quite a while now. Are you still
looking for Furinken High school?" the brown hared stranger asked.
"Ermmm, where am I"
"Shikoku". The stranger replies as a large brown boar trotted by
pulling a wagon ful of rocks behind it.
"Oh.. thanks" Ryoga said as he walked away in confusion. "Now how do I
go from here?"
"Isn't that the boy that came here looking for Tokyo a while back?" a
Villager asked.
"Un huh. We thought he could become our first tourist attraction but he
doesn't come often enough for us to advertise." said villager one.
"Himmm. I wonder if he's even found Tokyo yet?" he wondered as the boar
trotted by him pulling an empty wagon the way it came.
"With him, you never know."
Why yes, we are talking about the same Shikoku that was seen when they
introduced Ryoga in the Tv episodes.
'Blatant Heathens! Ryoga has said his first lines in this Fanfic! Bua,
HahaHAhaha.' :an activist from the Shrine of Ryoga.
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