Ok, before I begin this little story, I need to mention some stuff first.
1) Standard Disclaimer: Ranma 1/2 and similar characters, places, and
properties are copywrited by Rumiko Takahashi. This is done without
permission, but in the spirit of a fan. Please Don't Sue, etc.
2) First Fanfic Warning: This is my first attempt at a fanfic in the Ranma
1/2 or any universe for that matter. Please keep this in mind when
skewering my little fanfic to pieces. I also approach this with the spirit
of a first draft and recongize that it could use SOME improvement.
3) New Character Alert: I have read the thread on Evaluating Characters
that was recently on here. She may be annoying at first, but I promise I DO
have a reason for her being here besides self-gratification and ego
boosting. If I did my job right, it should be obvious what that is in the
second story I'm sending tommorow.
4) Contunity Notes: This story takes place after Episode 5 in the Dragon's
Dawning Stories by my cousin. That's why there's a DD in my subject title.
If you haven't read these and want to, you have two options. The first is
visit the webpage at http://members.xoom.com/Souldrake/ranmadrag.htm ; the
other option is to reply to me and I'll send them to you. If you choose
the second option, please specify whether you would like them in the email
or as a seperate attachment.
5) C+C me. These things don't improve unless I know where the holes are in
my stories. I promise I will email you back. I prefer it private, but if
you want to criticize publicy, I can deal with that too. The more detailed
an email you send me, the more detailed an email you get back.
6) I wrote this using Notepad, so I apologize for the short columns.
Now that I got that off my chest, on with the story:
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Ranma 1/2 Dragon's Dawning: A Simple Test of Skill
By Samuel Gonhue
Based on the characters by Rumiko Takahashi
A Ranma 1/2: The Dragon's Dawning Spinoff
Part 01: A Simple Test of Skill or Not Another Fiancee! Seesh!
Story Notes: This was originally The Entrance of Fujiko parts 1-3 on
the Dragon's Dawning Page.
It's Located at http://members.xoom.com/Souldrake/ranmadrag.htm
Continuty Notes: This story takes place after Dragon's Dawning
****Episode 5: Goodbye Pig-type? Anani's Secret Cure.****
That means this story may contain spoilers, I didn't plan
it that way, but one never knows so read at least episodes one and two
before reading this.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Scene 1: Ukyo's Okonomiyaki Shop in the Late Afternoon
It's another sunny day at the restaurant and Kipp is keeping
Ukyo company discussing various things like adventures they
both have had, Ranma, and life in general. In the middle of
their conversation, a ragged looking redheaded girl around
Ukyo's and Kipp's age walks slowly in, leaning on a wooden
staff and carrying a large and heavy hiker's backpack.
Dressed in a black body suit that's been ripped in several
places and an extremely dusty blue beret, one can see she
has had better days. As she inches her way to the counter,
amid all the mumurings of the other patrons, Kipp and Ukyo
could tell she was in a major fight and lost.
Ukyo: Are you going to be okay? Is there something I can get for you?
Redhead: (hoarsely) I'll be fine. Just give me a large combination
okonomiyaki and a pot of tea. All I need is substanence.
Kipp: Are you sure you're going to be okay? I'm Dr. Tofu's assistant
and I know some techinques that can ease your pain until you get
to visit him.
The redhead shoots Kipp a "I know what I need, don't bother me
now" look.
Kipp: Ok, but you really should have the doctor check you out.
Redhead: (to Kipp, still hoarse) Let me eat first.
Ukyo: (handing the redhead her order) Here you go. Enjoy.
The redhead quickly devours the okonomiyaki only pausing long
enough to guzzle the pot of tea. Soon the meal is eaten in
record time.
Ukyo: (amazed) Wow! You eat my okonomiyaki faster than even Ran-Chan.
So what do you think of my cooking.
Redhead: (now speaking normally) I usually don't do that. I just
needed nourishment because I was feeling weak and tired. As
far as taste goes, I'm sorry, I can't tell you because I ate
it too fast.
Kipp: Well, you certainly look better. Aren't you the new student in
our class? I'm sorry I didn't catch your name but Ranma got in a
fight this morning with Akane and I had to tend his wounds. By
time I got to school, I was late.
Redhead: Yeah. Today was my first day at Furinkan High School. The name's
Fujiko Tamamiru. What are your guys names?
Ukyo: Ukyo Kuonji.
Kipp: Kipp Hoshiryuu.
Fujiko: Ukyo, could you please fix me another combination okonomiyaki,
but this time I only need one cup of tea. Is there also a
washroom by any chance where a girl could freshen up?
Ukyo: Sure thing. There's a ladies room down the hallway to the right.
Fujiko: Thank you.
As Fujiko heads to the bathroom, Ukyo starts preparing Fujiko's
second okonomiyaki when she discovers she's out of a few
key ingredients.
Ukyo: Dammit! Hey Kipp-Chan, do you think you can keep an eye on things
up front while I go to the back and get some more soy sauce?
Kipp: Sure. No trouble at all.
Kipp may have maintained a calm composure outside, but inside
his mind was racing. Fujiko had inadvertly reminded him that
things did not go smoothly with Ranma and Akane this afternoon.
Kipp: (thinking) Hmm...it appears our classmate is try to hide something
or at least is worried about something. I don't know of any martial
artists who can take a defeat without showing SOME signs of desire
for revenge against the victor in a combat like that. Yet, Fujiko
seems pleasant and chatty. I know Ranma and Akane were arguing over
a new fiancee of Ranma. Could this be her? If it is Ukyo's going
to over react...I'd better stick around, to hear Fujiko's side of
the story at least. After all, she didn't react when I mentioned
Ranma's name. That could be an act...still he doesn't look like
someone's who has discovered a long lost fiancee.
Fujiko returns from the bathroom with a new body suit. This
one is blue with yin-yang symbols all over it. She also has
ditched her blue beret in exchange for a green one. Her staff
is now placed between her backpack and her back.
Fujiko: (thinking) Looking Sharp, Ko-chan, you even have the sparkle
in your emerald eyes back. Now to sample Ukyo's cooking.
Fujiko sits down at the counter and looks around quizzically.
Kipp: She's just in the back, grabbing some ingredients, Ukyo will be
back soon.
Fujiko: Ok. Hope her cooking's good. I could use a lucky break after
what happened to me.
Kipp: Allright, I'll bite. What happened?
Fujiko: The short of it is I'm now avoiding fiancees.
Kipp: (a little surprised) Oh. Are you engaged? Anyone that you would think
we would know?
Fujiko: Nope. Not Me. I'm free to date anyone I choose. Like you
for instance.
Kipp: (blushing)Ummm.... I'm not the type who leaps into dating
on the first meeting.
Fujiko: Pity. You're kind of cute, but the fiancees I'm avoiding belong
to Ranma Saotome.
Kipp: Ahhhh...(thinking) Boy, Fujiko, You're in the wrong place.
Fujiko: It all started today at lunchtime. Ranma was challenged to a
fight by a guy in a blue samurai suit. The fight didn't last
long and Ranma Saotome was the clear winner. I knew then if
I wanted to truly test my skills as a martial artist, I had to
spar with Ranma. So I sent a challenge note.
Kipp: I remember Ranma and Akane talking about that note! It had red
hearts all over it.
Fujiko: Ranma must have recieved two challenge notes today. I don't
draw hearts on challenge letters. That's tacky.
Kipp: No, he only got one challenge letter today.
Fujiko: Hmmm.....
Fujiko takes off her backpack and rifles through it in a frantic
search. Inside there are painting supplies, make-up kits, change
of clothing and various paintings. Finally, Fujiko looks up at
Kipp feeling very embarassed.
Fujiko: Oops. I was in such a hurry, I wrote the note on the wrong piece
of artwork. Dammit, it was going to be such a nice painting
for my aunt and uncle who live in Kobe. They were married near the
Golden Temple. At least, Ranma was a gentleman about it and didn't
remind me. Not like the note was a death threat, it just asked for a
simple test of skill with straight martial arts, no special
maneuvers. Now to come to think about it, he was rather defensive...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Scene 2: Outside Furinkan High School earlier that day.
Fujiko: Glad you can make it, Ranma Saotome.
Ranma: I haven't done anything to do you, have I? Some Secret thing in your
past I don't know about or things of that nature?
Fujiko: No. The first time I've heard you name was today. I only challenged
you because you're good. I saw you take out the Samurai in less than
90 seconds.
Ranma: Yeah. Kuno's prettty much a joke when it comes to fighting. Do I now
have this straight that this is just a sparring match and you don't
want to kill me?
Fujiko: Don't you know how to read? The note says I don't want to kill you.
I just want to see where the holes in my training are. One fall
should do it.
Ranma: Should do it?
Fujiko: Ok. One fall will do it.
Ranma: No tricks or secret agendas?
Fujiko: For the last time. No. You must be used to dealing with less than
honorable people.
Ranma: (sheepishly grinning) Let's just say this will be a pleasant change
of pace.
Fujiko: One more thing, Ranma, don't underestimate me because I'm a girl.
I've broken the backs of a few boys who have made that mistake.
Ranma: (muttering under his breath) Maybe this isn't a nice change of pace.
Fujiko: I HEARD THAT! RANMA SAOTOME! DEFEND YOURSELF!
Ranma and Fujiko begin to spar. At the beginning both sides
are evenly match as each blocks the other. Fujiko eventually
gets the first shot in with an open karate chop to the spot
in the body where the neck meets the right shoulder.
Ranma: (thinking) She's good. I better get serious.
Fujiko: I told you not to underestimate me.
The fight continues as neither opponent can hit the other.
Finally, Ranma gets three rapid punches into Fujiko's stomach.
As Fujiko reacts to this, Ranma trips Fujiko. Fujiko then
trips Ranma and both fall to the ground. Ranma reacts first
and pins Fujiko.
Ranma: Okay, Fujiko, that was one fall. Do you admit defeat?
Fujiko: (smiling) I concede the match to you. You're good. I didn't
even see that coming. I'm gonna have to practice against that
for our next match.
Ranma: Next match?
Fujiko: I would have given you an oppurtunity for a rematch, 'sides, I'll
give you proper warning and it won't be for at least a week.
This isn't a grudge match. I don't want to kill or severly hurt you.
Fujiko: (narrating) And even if I did wanted Ranma dead, I couldn't have
done it after seeing those gorgeous pools of ice that he has for
eyes. I think those eyes could calm any female.
Kipp: (thinking) Just great. She is the one Ranma and Akane were arguing
about. Ukyo's gonna be so upset when she finds out....
Fujiko: You know what, Ranma, You're a cutie and I'm surprised that no one
has claimed you as a boyfriend yet.
Ranma starts to get up off of Fujiko.
Ranma: Well,ummm, It's like this,umm...
Kipp: (voice over) Fujiko, Ranma actually has...
Fujiko: (narrating and sharply interrupting Kipp) I know that now, but I
didn't at the time. However, that would change once I met Shampoo.
As Fujiko tries to get up off the ground, she is ran over by
Shampoo on her bike. Shampoo is on her way delivering ramen.
She noticed Ranma and decided to say hello. She appears to
unaware of Fujiko.
Shampoo: (gleefully) Nihao! Ranma!
Ranma: uhh...Hi Shampoo.
Fujiko: (groaning) Your bicycle is in the middle of my chest. Please
get off me.
Shampoo: Finally, Shampoo all alone with Ranma and no stupid girl to
interrupt us.
Fujiko: (thinking) that's because the stupid girl is on me. (groaning to
Shampoo) Please get your bike off me.
Shampoo: Ranma go on date with Shampoo after Shampoo is done with work?
Ranma: Well...umm...I...
Fujiko: (lifting and throwing Shampoo and her bike) GET OFF ME, YOU STUPID
BIMBO!!!!
Shampoo gets off her bike in mid air and safely lands on her feet
on a nearby tree branch. She then catches the ramen she was
delivering. The bike crashes at the bottom of the tree, it's
paint chipped, but still in riding condition. Shampoo drops to
the ground and glares at Fujiko.
Shampoo: You very rude girl. You almost knock over ramen.
Fujiko: (sarcastically) Now that would have been a tragedy. Maim whoever
you want but don't damage the noodles whatever you do. You aren't
the most brightly lit latern in Tokyo Bay are you? (muttering
under her breath) You Stupid Bimbo.
Shampoo: You have no right to interfere with Shampoo and her future husband.
Fujiko: So you're his fiancee, huh? hmmm...
Fujiko leans over to Ranma and kisses him on the lips.
Ranma: (with fear in his eyes) MMMMMPH!
Fujiko: (putting her finger to her lips) Shhh! It's Okay, you and I will
discuss your fiancee later. (winking at Ranma) lover. (glaring at
Shampoo) ALRIGHT!!!!! IF YOU WANT RANMA SAOTOME YOU ARE GOING
TO HAVE TO GO THROUGH ME!!!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A Simple Test of Skill Part 2: A Lesson in Angering Fiancees 101.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Scene 1: Ukyo's Okinomiyaki Shop in the Late Afternoon
While Ukyo is in the back grabbing ingredients for Fujiko's
order, Fujiko is telling Kipp how her day went. Items of
note include her sparring match with Ranma (which she lost)
and her first encounter with Shampoo. As Ukyo is returning
to the front, we begin our story.
Fujiko: So there I was, having just gotten Shampoo and her bike off
my chest. When she tells me that I have no right to deal
with Ranma. Screw her! Since she got the look that I'm
going to fight her, I decided I'd apply a little
psychology so I went up to Ranma and kissed him.
Kipp: (thinking) Just my luck, NOW Ukyo shows up. This could get ugly.
Fujiko: and then said "that I will dicuss his fiancee later", winked at
him and called him "lover." Then I turned to Shampoo and shouted
"IF YOU WANT RANMA SAOTOME, YOU HAVE TO GO THROUGH ME!!!!"
Ukyo: (dropping her ingredients)YOU SOME NERVE COMING IN HERE!
JACK ASS! BUT IF IT'S A FIGHT YOU WANT, I'LL GIVE YOU ONE!!!!
Ukyo grabed her giant spatula, and planed on knocking Fujiko in
to next Tuesday. Kipp, fully prepared for this moment, takes
out his sword blocking Ukyo's spatula just inches away from
Fujiko's head.
Fujiko: (backing away in surprise and reaching for her staff) WHADDA I DO
TO YOU????
Ukyo: (growling at Kipp) Well, what'd you do THAT for?!
Kipp: I've been listening to her story, and there doesn't seem to be
anything to get excited about. You came in at a bad time in the
story. Besides, if it makes you feel better she was flirting
with me, too.
Ukyo: SO! THAT JUST MAKES HER A TWO-TIMER!!!!
Kipp: (thinking) Whoops!
Fujiko: I'm no two-timer. I may flirt but I take my relationships very
seriously.
Ukyo: THAT WAS NOT A SIMPLE FLIRT WITH RANMA!!! THAT WAS SERIOUS!!!
Kipp: (to Fujiko) Ukyo is another fiancee of Ranma.
Ukyo: YEAH!! I'M THE CUTE ONE!
Fujiko: This isn't cute at all from where I stand. I'm sick of angry
fiancees. I've met three and I've managed to piss them all off.
Kipp: If you count Kodachi, he has four. If you're serious, he has five.
Fujiko: (in utter disbelief) FOUR FIANCEES?!?!? RANMA HAS FOUR FIANCEES?!?
WHAT'S HE TRYING TO DO? START A HAREM?!?!?!
As Fujiko regains her composure, she says a still very irate
Ukyo and Kipp whose eyes are saying "if you're not serious,
you'd better apologize soon because I'm not gonna be able
and will not hold back this spatula forever."
Fujiko: (dropping her staff) I don't want to fight you unless I have to.
Ukyo: I WANNA FIGHT YOU!!!!
Fujiko: I'm aware of that. Please be aware that when I did what I did I
only knew of one fiancee, Shampoo. I didn't realize I kissed and
pretended to be another girlfriend to the Cassanova of Nermia Ward.
Ukyo: THAT'S STILL A STUPID THING YOU DID.
Fujiko: Yes, it was, and I apologize profusely to you and to Ranma. Had
I met you out in the field today instead of Shampoo, this wouldn't
of happened. I realize now that I hit a major nerve. I don't love
Ranma enough in that way to marry him. If you want to be a part of
this, be my guest. If you want to marry him, I won't stop you.
Ukyo: AND IN JUST WHAT WAY DO YOU LOVE RANMA?
Fujiko: If he didn't have the fiancee circus, I'd date him in a heartbeat.
Make no mistake on that. But he does, and I refuse to be just
5 of 5, or even 2 of 5. What he really needs, Ukyo, is a female
friend his age who's not gonna try to seduce him. It isn't going
to be you and I'm certain as hell it's not going to be Shampoo.
This leaves me. You have my promise that I will not even consider
dating Ranma Saotome while you are alive. This will not go for
Shampoo, however, I still have unfinished business with her.
Ukyo: (a little calmer) I'm not saying I forgive you; I'm not saying that
I don't, but if I find out you've been dating Ran-Chan, I'LL MAKE YOU
SORRY YOU WERE EVER BORN!!!
Fujiko: You have my word. Now may I please have my second okonomiyaki?
Ukyo pauses then lets down her spatula and picks up the bottles
of ingredients on the floor. Kipp hesitates, breaths a sigh of
relief then puts down his sword.
Ukyo (coldly): Just remember I'm keeping my eye out on you.
Fujiko (smiling and waving her hands defensively): Alright, Alright,
I'll behave. Just don't poison my okinomiyaki, ok?
Ukyo gives a mischievous smile then prepares Fujiko's order.
Kipp: Well, it could have been worse.
Fujiko: I'll say. Thank goodness Ukyo's the smart fiancee as well as the
cute one.
Kipp: True, but I was thinking more along the lines of Shampoo kissing you.
Ukyo snickers as she's trying not to laugh out loud as she
sees Fujiko's reaction. Fujiko, not finding this so amusing,
looks at Kipp with a mixture of surprise and disgust.
Fujiko: That's sick, Kipp, really sick. Don't tell me she's a bisexual as
well.
Kipp: Get your head out of the gutter, Fujiko, Shampoo's an Amazon. If you
humilate and defeat an Amazon in combat, she has to give you the kiss
of death. If you're male, she has to marry you. if you're female, she'll
hunt you to the ends of the Earth and then she'll kill you.
Fujiko: I'm fimilar with that law. I trained with the Chinese Amazons for a
while last year.
Kipp: Small World. I was trained by one as well.
Fujiko: I was made an honorary one when the Amazon tribe and I had a common
enemy. I ended up giving that enemy the kiss of death, boy was he surprised.
Kipp: I thought you said you didn't have a fiancee. That act would give
you one.
Fujiko: Not if you kiss him on the other cheek, it don't, on that cheek the
kiss of death still applies, but that's nothing I want to talk about.
Anyway, this is what happened with me and Shampoo....
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Scene 2: Earlier That Day at Furikan High School
Fujiko: You might wanna run, Ranma, Shampoo and I are gonna have a little
girl talk.
Shampoo: Shampoo gonna make you sorry you do that. Stupid Girl.
Fujiko: (under her breath) Look who's talking sister. (To Shampoo in a
sing song voice) Not today and not by you...
Fujiko takes out her battle staff while Shampoo takes out her
lollipops and the two rush together like two dragons
clashing. Ranma tries to intervene and he gets sent flying
early in the fight. At first both sides are even, then Shampoo
gets several good hits on Fujiko and Fujiko is sent flying into a tree.
Fujiko: (narrating) At the time, I had forgotten how dangerous a lover's
rage could be.
Ukyo: (voice over) You're learning that in spades, aren't ya, jack ass?
Fujiko: (narrating and trying to ignore Ukyo) Anyway, it's okay as long as
you know what you are doing.
Kipp: (voice over) Which you haven't yet today.
Fujiko: (to Kipp in a less than sincere voice) Yeah-Yeah-Yeah! (narrating)
Anyway, I was jumping down from the tree...
Shampoo: Shampoo made you reconsider your stance on Ranma, Hi-Yah!
Fujiko: Not on your life, sister. I now know your combat style, you're toast.
The battle commences. First more blocks from each opponent and
then Fujiko turns the staff and hit's one of Shampoo's balls,
causing it to break. In the process, part of the wood is broken
off revealing the metal interior of Fujiko's staff.
Shampoo:(surprised) Hi-Yah! That staff is made of metal.
Fujiko: (grinning a "you're gonna die" smile) Very good. You observant girl.
If you thought it breaking one of your weapons was impressive, wait
until you see what it does to YOUR BONES!!!
All of a sudden, Fujiko is attacked from the right by daggers, chains
and swan shaped port-a-potties. Shampoo looks back at her ramen and
remembers she's going to be late, gets on her bike and leaves
Fujiko to deal with Mousse.
Mousse: How dare you hurt my Shampoo.
Fujiko: Your Shampoo? Who are you? her boyfriend?
Mousse: I'm not adverse to that title.
Fujiko: You attacked me. Are you going to give me your name, geek, or
do I remove your ID card from your carcass after I'm done with you?
Mousse: My name is Mousse and my whole body is an armory.
Fujiko: (slightly amused but mostly annoyed) Ok, look I don't have time for
your parlor tricks, I have an appointment to join the drama club in
less than 15 minutes.
Mousse: You call my attacks simple parlor tricks. You'll eat those words.
Mousse then leads out with a barrage of knives and chains. Fujiko
blocks and dodges the knives and jumps the chains. As Mousse pulls
back the chains, Fujiko wraps the chains around her staff and pulls
Mousse towards her.
Mousse: That tactic will backfire. I weigh more than you and your little
frame won't handle the impact.
Fujiko: You may have a point.
As Mousse keeps moving towards her, Fujiko begins to kick. Mousse
and her foot arrive at the same time, causing Mousse's body to
move back as he feels the impact of the kick. Fujiko, grabbing her
staff, unwraps the chains and throws Mousse into a nearby tree.
Once her staff is chain free, she runs to the tree where Mousse's
body makes a sizable impression.
Fujiko: Then again, maybe you don't.
Fujiko stands near the tree, waiting for Mousse to get up.
She holds her staff like a baseball battle metal end up.
Finally, Mousse is no longer stunned and he begins to get up.
Fujiko: I'm sorry, Mousse, but I don't have time for this.
As Mousse begins to get up, Fujiko swings and hits Mousse with the
bare metal end right in his face. As he falls back and hits his
head on the tree, his glasses break and he falls unconscious.
Fujiko then uses his still extended chains and ties him up to the tree.
Ukyo: (voice over) That's a little too brutal, even for Mousse. Here's
your okonomiyaki.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Scene 3: Back at Ukyo's
Fujiko: I agree with you and on the way to the drama club meeting, I felt
sorry for Mousse and if it wasn't my first meeting, I woud have
finished it properly.
Kipp: Still, tying Mousse up with his own chains is a nice touch. He'll
remember, you Fujiko, no doubt about it.
Fujiko takes a few bites of okonomiyaki, ponders for a minute,
stares at Kipp, then Ukyo, then takes a drink of tea.
Fujiko: This is great, Ukyo, I'm glad I ordered another one.
Ukyo: (smiling) I'm the best okonomiyaki chef in Japan and possibly the
world.
Fujiko: No arguements there. It's just a shame that the person who saw
me fight Mousse and Shampoo didn't see it the way you guys did.
If I knew she was there, I would have taken care of her and been
late for the meeting instead of having me being ambushed as I
was walking home...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A Simple Test of Skill Part 3: Black Roses on Canvas
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Scene 1: Still at Ukyo's place in the late afternoon.
In the last two episodes, Fujiko Tamamiru was recounting
to both Kipp and Ukyo her fast day at Furinkan High School.
A day which included a planned fight with Ranma Saotome
(which she lost), and two unplanned fights, one with
Shampoo (which was a draw) and one with Mousse (where
she clearly won). Not to mention the rumors that she's
Ranma Saotome's latest fiancee, rumors that were fueled
when she kissed him and then challenged Shampoo. But,
as Fujiko is about to tell Kipp and Ukyo, her most
treacherous adversary was still to come...
Fujiko: On my way to the drama club meeting, I felt bad for Ranma, having
a fiancee like Shampoo and even worse for Mousse. I mean if a guy
comes in to defend a girl, the very least a girl can do is watch.
She should do more of course, like tend wounds or fight along his
side, but she ran. That's mean.
Kipp: Something you should know, Fujiko, Shampoo only barely tolerates
Mousse. Mousse may love her but it's a love not returned.
Fujiko: Now I really feel bad for him....It still doesn't excuse her
breach of martial arts ettiquite. You can be sure that when I
see her I'm going to let her know that. Ranma defenitely
deserves a better fiance than that.
Ukyo: No arguements there. I'm not normally the type to defend Shampoo, but
she was delivering ramen and her great-grandma is not somebody
anybody
here would want to upset. Shampoo being late on deliveries is one
of the few ways I know that her great-grandmother gets upset.
Kipp: (smirking) Yeah, Ranma calls her the old ghoul.
Fujiko: (cringing) Ooooh! That doesn't sound pleasant, at all. Ok, I'll let
that one slide, but she still treats people like dirt and I don't
like that. Yeah, Shampoo and that other fiancee has to learn to
treat people better.
Kipp: Who, Akane?
Fujiko: No, that doesn't sound right. What was the other name you gave?
Kipp: Kodachi?
Fujiko: Yeah! That's the one! Kodachi! Kodachi and her miserable flowers...
Ukyo: Kodachi beat you up?
Fujiko: (defensively) HEY! I was ambushed! If I saw her coming, it would
have ended differently. I'm used to guys only having one fiancee, not
thirty.
Kipp: Now, Now, Ranma only has four.
Fujiko: And that's three too many. Not that Kodachi ended the fight
smelling like a rose...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Scene 2: Earlier that Day, Fujiko is walking back to her house after her
drama club meeting.
Fujiko: (narrating) The drama club meeting was less productive than I hope
it would be. They had just finished casting for Seven Samurai
last week and thus there were no parts left. They did, however,
need a set designer and they were throughly impressed with my
drawings and make-up abilities. So I'm now officially a member
of the drama club. I also fixed my staff.
Kipp: (voice over, smirking) Too bad they didn't see the picture with the
lovely red hearts.
Fujiko: (voice over) I thought we discussed that already, Kipp.
Ukyo: (voice over) discussed what?
Fujiko: (voice over) Oh, I accidently sent Ranma Saotome a challenge note
on a painting I was doing for my aunt and uncle who got married
near the Golden Temple. It was a true airhead moment.
Fujiko: (narrating) but as I was walking home, I heard this strange
cackling. I turned around and there was this fairly tall girl
with black curly hair, black roses, and a green gymnast outfit.
Kodachi: ahahahahahahahahaha So your the little tramp who's been kissing my
Ranma-darling.
Fujiko: I'm not a tramp and what do you mean, your Ranma-darling? I thought
he belonged to Shampoo.
Kodachi: Do you think he would really love someone like her when he can
have someone like me? Surely you jest.
Fujiko: To be honest, I can't imagine him with Shampoo, or with you either.
That's a pretty sissy outfit even for a girl. He doesn't strike me
as one who loves gymnastics. I always figured he would be
happier with someone who shares his interests....
Kodachi: An uncultured young girl like you couldn't even possibly begin to
understand Ranma's true love for me.
Fujiko: Uncultured?!?! I've been to the Louvre in Paris. I bet you wouldn't
know a Rembrandt if it bit you in the ass.
Kodachi: He paints all those disgustly fat naked women.
Fujiko: That's Rueben, not Rembrandt.
Kodachi squeezes the stems on her roses, releasing a yellow powder
that hits Fujiko dead on. As Fujiko coughes and wheezes, Kodachi
pulls out her ribbon.
Fujiko: (coughing) What is that?
Kodachi: Its a little parylazation gas. I can't have you going around
kissing Ranma Saotome and ambushing his fiancees. You have to be
taught a lesson...
Fujiko: (coughing and wheezing) AMBUSHING?!?! SHAMPOO WAS AN ANNOUNCED
COMBAT AND MOUSSE BLINDSIDED ME!!!
Kodachi starts cackling and whipping Fujiko several times
repeatedly.Each time, Fujiko yelps in pain, almost powerless
to move. Slowly, but surely, Fujiko applies herculean effort
and pulls her staff.
Kodachi: You'll never beat me. In a fair fight, I'm the superior one.
Fujiko: You-don't-kn-know-the-the-mean-meaning-of-the-word-f-f-fair.
you-you-argh!-waah-wannabe-SNOB!
Fujiko, weak from the continual beating by Kodachi, waits for
an opening. Finally, Kodachi gets cockier and cockier until Fujiko
sees an opening and hits Kodachi on the side of the face. Kodachi,
in surprise, stops her attack and puts her hand to her face.
Fujiko then starts swinging and hits Kodachi five more times in
various spots around the body.
Kodachi: You ruined my make-up, you uncultured WRETCH!
Fujiko: (in lots of pain and being sarcastic) What a crying shame, I may
weep openly.
Kodachi: Well, that's enough for this lesson. Just remember that even though
you cheat, I can still beat you gracefully, and that's what happens
when you kiss my Ranma-Darling. Of course, this may be my fault
for not loving him enough, but you can expect me to correct that.
Kodachi jaunts off and leaves Fujiko a black rose to remember her
by. Fujiko starts to lose her balance and quickly grabs on to her
staff, holding it tighter and tighter as she starts losing
consciousness. One thought resonates strong in her mind.
Fujiko: (thinking) Come a little bit closer, bitch, and I'll give you the
kiss of death. This ain't over, not by a long shot, and when we
meet again...You will know what it means to be truly ambushed by me.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Scene 3: Back at Ukyo's.
Fujiko: and that's all I remember. When I came to, I was underneath a tree
wrapped in a blanet that doesn't belong to me. Also had two warm
cups of tea waiting for me. My staff was laying on my chest and
in my hands. A quick double-check of my backpack insured that
nothing was stolen. But there was nobody around.
Kipp: Whoever it was probably went to fetch Dr. Tofu. Anything on the
blanket or teacups?
Fujiko: Not a design in the bunch. I end my day with a mystery. Whoever
my rescuer was, I give thanks. All I could do was drink the tea.
It wasn't as good as the tea here so I think my rescuer made it.
I looked up and saw your shop and hoped that individual would
recongize me or I could get some idea who it was. Did anyone just
order straight tea?
Ukyo: Nope. Sorry Fujiko, All the orders today have had food attached.
Fujiko: Damn. Still this day wasn't a total loss. I got to eat good
okonomiyaki which I haven't done in a while. Got in the drama
club and found a worthy opponent to spar with. Not to mention
enough drama in my life to make things interesting.
Kipp: You know, Fujiko, I could take you to Dr. Tofu's and see if he knows
your mystery person.
Fujiko: Thanks, Kipp, but right now the only two things I want to do are
find Ranma and find the other fiancee, what's her name again?
Ukyo and Kipp: Akane.
Fujiko: Yeah. I need to apologize to poor Ranma and I need to striaghten
things out with Akane before I get into another fight. I've had
enough of fighting and angry fiancees for one day.
Ukyo:Well...Kipp could take you to the Tendo Training Hall where Akane lives
and Ranma is staying. Kipp trains there a lot.
Kipp flashes Ukyo a look of "I wish you hadn't said that."
Fujiko: (excited) You could?! That's wonderful! I need to get this off
my chest as soon as possible. I don't want Ranma going to bed
thinking he has another fiancee to avoid.
Ukyo: (mischieviously grinning) That way Akane can take her wrath out
on you instead of Ran-Chan.
Fujiko: (looking at Ukyo) I thought I got over that hurdle with you.
Ukyo: (grinning) Maybe. Maybe Not. But going into the lion's den would
prove your sincerity. Besides, Akane could use a sparring partner
now that Kipp works out with Ran-Chan.
Fujiko: (with big eyes, hands folded and leaning to her right shoulder)
Pleeeeeeeeeease, Kipp! I promise I'll behave and stay just long
enough to apologize and will never bug Ranma again unless he wants my
friendship, honest.
Kipp: Are you sure you wouldn't rather go to Dr. Tofu's?
Fujiko: I want to go there tommorow, but I need to apologize now.
Kipp: Understand that if I do this, you put me in trouble to.
Fujiko: I wouldn't of asked if I wasn't super sincere. I just hope
Akane is as reasonable as Ukyo.
Kipp: Ok, I'll take you there, but you are to apologize and go unless they
ask you to stay. Got it?
Fujiko: Got it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
To be continued in Dragon's Dawning: The Date of Infamy!
Thank you for your time.
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