C&A Productions Presents

                      A work of Ranma � Fanfiction

	
                  	   The Ties That Bind


                     Part 3: School of Hard Knocks

                     	 Written by Chris McNeil

              Original Concept Provided by Robert Morrison



	"School?" repeated Ranma, his voice a mixture of surprise and disgust.  
Twisting in mid-air, he barely avoided a vicious dropkick and dropped to 
the edge of the pond, wobbling slightly as he regained his balance.
	"I suppose it was to be expected," Panma remarked, landing lightly a 
few feet away.  With a vicious kiai he rushed forward, throwing a flurry 
of jabs at his already overbalanced brother, but Ranma dove to the side 
just in time, coming up with a pivot kick that forced Panma back.  Then 
he charged in himself and launched a powerful snap kick.  Panma grabbed 
the foot and used it to fling himself over his brother's head, but Ranma 
had been expecting this counter and simply continued with the momentum, 
extending a backfist to clip him as he landed.  Panma staggered forward, 
but with a grimace dropped low and swung a foot out in a sweep which 
neatly cut Ranma's legs out from under him.  With a triumphant grin he 
pounced...but Ranma had not landed too heavily, and catching Panma in 
the stomach with a outstretched foot, he flung his brother away.  Ranma 
rose to his feet even as Panma twirled in mid-air and landed gracefully 
on the rocks that were on the other side of the pond.
	"Not bad at all," smirked Panma, flexing his fingers.  "I guess I can't 
go as easy on you this morning as usual."
	"Going easy on me?" Ranma scoffed.  "Is that what you call sloppiness 
today, bro?"
	"We'll see who's sloppy when three-two-eight-six is mine, Ranma!"
	And then they were at it again, the question of school entirely 
forgotten.  Akane stared in something between shock and fascination as 
the two brothers tore into each other like blood enemies.  Strike, 
parry, kick, elbow, leap...the battle see-sawed back and forth as each 
brother performed increasingly spectacular and risky manoeuvres in order 
to gain the advantage.  Unwillingly, she felt a twinge of admiration.  
They were VERY good...and just about evenly matched, too.  Panma 
appeared to hold the slight edge on speed, as when he charged in, ducked 
his brother's punch almost unbelievably quickly and slammed a punch into 
his gut, but Ranma made up for it with strength, as he countered by 
twisting with the blow and catching his brother's arm.  After a short 
struggle of balance and power, Ranma won and slammed his brother down, 
twisting his arm behind his back...but after a moment Panma wriggled out 
of the painful hold and the fast-paced battle was on again.
	"Ranma, Panma, it's time for breakfast!" Kasumi called presently...and 
Panma, his fist outstretched, was left balanced precariously on the 
rocks without a target.  He waved his arms frantically for a moment, 
before finally jerking back and leaping off the rocks, saving himself 
from a fall into the water and a temporary sex change.  He breathed a 
sigh, his face set in a relieved expression which switched to annoyance 
as he stalked into the house and sat down, whacking Ranma-who was 
already eating-on the head.
	"Don't you think of -anything- besides food?" he growled irritably.  
	"You should be...umm...grateful," Ranma said between mouthfuls.  "It 
saved you from losing...mmm...didn't it?"
	"Yeah, sure," snorted Panma.  "If you hadn't pulled the Saotome Secret 
Technique there, bro, you'd be all wet in more ways than...HEY!"  With a 
disgusted expression, he snatched a slab of tofu back from Genma's 
chopsticks.  "Get away from my breakfast, oyaji!"
	"Well, you seemed more interested in talking than eating, boy..." 
remarked Genma, calmly stealing some rice.  Panma growled and went for 
his father's rice, but was stopped by Genma moving the bowl. Then the 
older man tried to grab Panma's miso, but was halted by a pair of 
chopsticks.  The two began to duel, thrusting at each other with their 
chopsticks, trying to snatch the other's food away or blocking attempts 
on their own breakfast.  Akane found herself staring again.  This 
�battle', if somewhat odd-looking, seemed hardly less vicious than the 
one Ranma and Panma were in a few moments ago.
	"Don't they -ever- quit?" she exclaimed.
	"It seems not," replied Kasumi cheerfully.  Her father seemed content 
to bury himself in his newspaper and try to ignore everything, whereas 
Ranma was so involved in his food, and Panma and Genma their battle, 
that it was entirely possible they hadn't even heard her.
	With an exclamation of triumph, Panma knocked Genma's chopsticks from 
his hands, having distracted his father by feinting a head butt.  
Smirking, he turned back to his food...and gaped for a moment at the 
empty bowls.  Then he glared at Ranma, who rubbed the back of his head.
	"You didn't actually -want- that, didja bro?"
	Genma, laughed uproariously.  "That's the spirit, my boy!  Strike when 
your opponent is distracted!"  Taking up his chopsticks again, he poked 
down at his food...and blinked as he caught nothing.
	"Do tell," Panma murmured, draining the last of his father's miso.
	"Oh my," said Kasumi, looking in the pot.  "There's only enough for one 
more bowl.  Who wants seconds?"  Akane buried her head in her hands as 
Panma prudently moved back and Ranma and Genma locked gazes...

                          	********

	Akane quickly stuffed books and papers into her bag.  Maybe if she 
could slip out before anyone saw her...
	"Akane-chan," said Kasumi sweetly, poking her head inside the door, 
"Ranma and Panma are almost ready to go.  You'll show them the way to 
the school, right?"
	Biting back a few extremely unladylike comments, Akane allowed herself 
to be led out of her room.  "I don't see why -I- have to take them," she 
grumbled.  "If they even get to school before they kill each other, I'll 
be surprised..."
	"Well, he is your fiancee..." Kasumi began.
	"She's not -my- fiancee," came a cool voice, cutting off Kasumi's 
statement and Akane's hot retort.  Looking up, she saw Panma leaning 
against the wall, a bag casually slung over his shoulder.  His face 
expressionless, he continued, "But then, I didn't notice my lovely 
bride-to-be around here this morning, either."
	"Umm...she said she had to go in early for...because she had to do some 
work," Akane said, then immediately fought the urge to blush.  That 
wasn't exactly the agreed-on story, but she had been caught somewhat 
off-guard by finding him there.  
	"Indeed," Panma said, seeming to dismiss it.  "Well, we'd better go if 
we're going to be there on time."  He began to walk down the hall, then 
turned and looked back at her, smiling the first genuine smile he had at 
any of them.  "Since you asked so nicely, I won't hurt Ranma too badly.  
I'm sure he'll be touched by your concern."
	Chuckling to himself, he turned again and headed towards the door.  
Akane fought the urge to stick out her tongue at his back.  "Oneesan, 
you owe me for this," she muttered.

                         	********

	By the time they were halfway to school, Akane was vowing to never let 
Nabiki wriggle out of walking with them again.  It wasn't just that 
Ranma and Panma were involved in another-literally-running battle.  That 
was bad enough, but they were doing it on top of the canal fence, 
running, leaping, and apparently trying with all their might to knock 
each other into the water.  If she was one of the spectators-and there 
were more than a few people watching-it might have been enjoyable, even 
astonishing.  As it was, she felt torn between throwing them both in and 
dying of shame.  After some deliberation she had settled with resolutely 
not looking at either of them and muttering "I don't know them, I don't 
know them..." under her breath.
	After a few moments, though, even this wasn't enough.  Red- faced, she 
turned to them and bellowed, "Would you two please KNOCK IT OFF!?"  
Ranma jerked to a halt, looking over at her...and then immediately 
regretted it as Panma's fist slammed into him.  He toppled off the 
fence, but desperately grabbed the bar on the top, halting his fall.  
Panma walked over and smirked down at him for a moment.  Ranma, 
virtually helpless in his precarious position, grimaced, but then 
blinked as Panma reached down and roughly jerked him up.  There were a 
few scattered jeers from the crowd, which began to disperse.
	"I'll let you get away with that one, bro," Panma grinned, "but 
three-two-eight-six'll be mine in no time if you keep getting distracted 
by cute girls sweetly calling you."
	"Well, if any girls were -interested- in callin' you, you might have 
the same problem," retorted Ranma as they both jumped down.
	Slightly curious despite herself, Akane let Panma's comments pass and 
asked, "What's this �three-two-eight-six' you guys keep talking about?"
	"It's our scores," explained Ranma.
	Panma nodded, and added, "On Ranma's tenth birthday, we had a fight.  I 
let him win..."
	"Sure you did," sneered Ranma.
	Nonplussed, Panma continued, "...and he got a bit of a swelled head 
over it.  So, just to keep him from floating away with his ego, we 
started keeping score of our fights.  Thus, every year on Ranma's 
birthday, whoever's ahead is the winner for that year.  Anyway, right 
now both of us are at 3285, though that won't last long."
	"Yeah, only about as long as it takes until someone doesn't interrupt 
the fight and save you."
	"In your dreams."
	"Wait a minute," interrupted Akane.  "You guys had THAT many fights?  
Like the one this morning and right now?"
	"Yep," Ranma said.  "There wasn't really that much else to do...except 
fight with Pop, of course, but nobody bothered to keep score with him."
	"And it won't matter once I turn him into a fur coat anyway," growled 
Panma.
	Akane shook her head.  It was too much.  These two were even nuttier 
than the boys at...she looked reflexively at the giant school clock.  
"Oh no!  We're going to be late!"  She took off at a dead run for the 
school; after a moment of startlement, Ranma and Panma followed too.

                            	********

	With a savage kick, Akane sent the last boy-some hapless member of the 
dance club-sailing gracefully through the air, whereupon he made a 
less-than-graceful landing on his head and lay prone.  Breathing 
heavily, she flipped her hair back over her shoulder with a grimace. The 
sky was grey, and low, threatening rumbles of thunder echoed throughout 
the heavens, suiting her mood perfectly. "Honestly," she muttered.  
"Every single morning..."
	Meanwhile, her two companions had held back and were watching her; 
Ranma in astonishment and Panma with eyes narrowed speculatively.
	"She's pretty good against multiple opponents like that," commented 
Ranma as she demolished the final boy.  
	Panma snorted.  "Of course she is," he said in a low voice, "she does 
Kyokushinkai.  Didn't you see the way her movements went?  I was pretty 
sure yesterday, but this settled it."
	Ranma shrugged.  "You know that kind of stuff better than I do, bro."
	"Well, you -should- know.  Being able to identify an opponent's style 
is the first step towards victory."
	"To you, maybe," Ranma replied with another shrug.  "I prefer to just 
go with the flow and figure out weaknesses during the match."
	"Yeah, well, what happens when you're overmatched too quickly to 
improvise, huh?  But with a good plan..."
	"Truly, such a boorish lot," came a deep, cultured voice, causing the 
brothers and Akane to look at its source.  He was a tall boy, obviously 
an upperclassman, with handsome features and carefully styled brown 
hair.  Oddly, he wore a blue and white kendo outfit and gripped a bokken 
lightly in one hand, while in the other, he carried a single red rose.  
"Evidently," the boy continued, "each of them intend to ask you out on 
the dawn that one finally defeats you."  He smiled faintly, indicating 
his contempt for such wasted efforts.  
	Akane sighed.  "Oh, sempai.  Good morning."
	"And now, Akane Tendo," continued the boy, flipping the rose to her and 
bringing his bokken to bear, "might you fight with me?"
	Akane scowled.  A few steps behind, Ranma slapped his fist into his 
palm.  "I know!" he whispered excitedly to his brother.   "I'm almost 
positive that guy does Kendo!"
	"What -ever- gave you that idea?" Panma replied flatly, rolling his 
eyes.  But Ranma was already walking forward, even as Akane tossed the 
rose away and assumed a battle stance.  "Pretty popular, aren't you?" he 
commented.  "What's all this about, anyway?"
	"Mind your own business!" she growled, but it was too late.  The boy, 
observing the exchange with a raised eyebrow, casually shifted his aim 
slightly so that the tip of the wooden sword was pointing at Ranma.  
	"You there!" he said sternly.
	"What?" asked Ranma blinking.
	"You are being quite familiar with Akane.  What gives you the right to 
speak to her so?"
	Instead of answering, Ranma threw a questioning glance at Akane, but 
she merely sniffed and moved a step away.  Noting this inattention, the 
boy's scowl deepened.
	"Ignore me, boor?  And whom might you be?"  Ranma looked over and 
opened his mouth, but before any sound could emerge the boy continued, 
"But then, is it not the custom to give one's own name first?  Very 
well; if you wish mine, you shall have it."  As Ranma blinked, the boy 
took up a straighter stance, his voice swelling with pride.  "My name is 
Tatewaki Kunou, age seventeen.  I am the undisputed captain of this 
school's kendo club, and have been hailed by hundreds as the rising new 
star of the high school fencing world.  But my peers call me...the BLUE 
THUNDER OF FURINKAN HIGH!"  A coincidental bolt of lightning split the 
skies at his last statement, emphasizing it even more than Kunou himself 
did.  Ranma, somewhat overcome by this, could only stare in 
astonishment.  Panma snickered loudly, but Kunou, intent on his foe, did 
not appear to notice.
	Meanwhile, small crowds was gathering at the windows of the school as 
people noticed the upcoming confrontation.
	"Hey, it looks like somebody's gonna fight Kunou-sempai!"
	"Poor guy.  He's kind of cute, too..."
	"Have you seen him before?"
	"Hey, since when has Kunou been calling himself Blue Thunder?"
	"Didn't you know?  He announced it the other day..."
	Back down below, Ranma finally found his voice.  "Well...uh...I'm kinda 
staying at the Tendo training hall, but that's �cause..."
	Kunou had heard enough.  "Staying with the -Tendo's-?" he demanded, 
charging forward.  "Under the same roof as AKANE!?"  He swung his bokken 
in a mighty arc which probably would have split the unfortunate Ranma in 
half, if it weren't for the small fact that the boy rather easily leaped 
out of the way.  While still in mid-air, he pulled off his schoolbag and 
tossed it back.  Panma caught it easily, but looked up at the looming 
sky with a frown.
	"Alright, pal," said Ranma as he landed, casually flexing his fingers.  
"I'm Ranma Saotome, of the school of Anything-Goes martial arts...and if 
you want a fight, you've got it!"

                           	********

	"All right," Nabiki Tendo said to the small group before her, "all of 
you are here because you owe me something, be it money or favours.  Now 
it's time to collect.  If you follow my instructions properly, your 
debts will be paid off...at least, part of them will." The group 
listened in stoic silence.  Although they knew the tasks would most 
likely be dangerous or at least unpleasant, they also knew it would 
almost certainly be more unpleasant to cross her.  
	Nabiki handed out typewritten sheets to each one, explaining as she did 
so, "These contain your assigned tasks, -and- the names of several other 
people who you are supposed to find and recruit.  Don't worry, they all 
owe me as well, so simply mention why.  Do NOT show these sheets to 
anyone besides your group, and don't tell anyone else either."  She 
waited a moment as her audience read their instructions, and then added, 
"Is there any questions or problems with that?"  There was dead silence, 
and Nabiki smiled.  Panma was as good as gone. 
	As she left, one of the boys looked at another.  "What do you think 
this poor sap did to get her so mad, anyway?"
	"Got me," said the other with a shrug.  "I'm not even sure what she's 
trying to do.  My instructions are kinda weird..."
	"Well, I'm just glad it's not me," added a girl, carefully folding the 
note.  "And I'm not going to chance messing up by keeping her waiting."  
She walked out.  After a moment, the other students exchanged glances 
and left as well...there was, indeed, no use in taking chances.

                          	********

	"Blast!" cried Kunou as the tree toppled over.  Ranma landed a few 
metres away, in a casual stance.  His eyes narrowed.  Whoever he was, 
this kid was certainly slippery.
	On the other side of the lot, the other boy looked up at the even 
darker sky and grimaced.  Looking over at Kunou's foe, he called, 
"Ranma, it's going to rain!  Finish off this clown already!"
	Ranma looked up at the sky as well, eyes widening slightly.  Kunou was 
incensed.  How dare this...this -pup- ignore the great Tatewaki Kunou?  
With a growl, he lunged forward to teach the insolent cur some manners.

                          	********

	Akane, meanwhile, had been watching the fight with some chagrin.  She 
had been almost hoping a fight with Kunou-which had been almost sure to 
happen-would bring her fiancee down a notch or two, but instead, he had 
dodged everything the kendoist had thrown with apparent ease.  He hadn't 
landed any attacks of his own, either, but Akane had a sinking feeling 
he hadn't really been trying.  It was an effort to keep from growling.  
What gave this...this BOY the right to be so good?
	Like Ranma, she reflexively looked up at Panma's warning shout.  It did 
certainly look like rain, especially with the periodic rumbles of 
thunder and flashes of lightning.  Picking up her schoolbag, she was 
about to head in-they'd be late if they didn't get in soon anyway-when 
she was distracted by a cry of anger.
	Looking over, she saw Kunou raise his bokken and charge forward.  He 
was definitely serious this time...she could tell by the determination 
in his face.  And from his angle, he could stab at whatever direction 
Ranma went in almost instantly.  Ranma seemed to realize this too.  His 
mouth tightened and he leaned back...and suddenly swung around as Kunou 
brought the heavy wooden sword down with thundering force, swinging his 
leg in a lightning-fast kick.  His foot snapped against the side of 
Kunou's bokken, seemed to hold there for a moment...and then continued 
on, sending the top half of the wooden sword flying away.  
	There were a few gasps from the windows and balcony of the school as 
Ranma swiftly pulled into a defensive stance.  However, Kunou didn't 
seem about to renew his attack...in fact, he merely stared, his eyes 
bulging unnaturally, at the splintered remains of the bokken he still 
held, as if the mere force of his gaze could undo the damage.  Ranma, 
after a moment, relaxed his stance and waved a hand in front of Kunou's 
eyes, but got no reaction.  He shrugged, and opened his mouth to say 
something...just as the first drops of rain began to fall.  
	With a yelp, he dashed inside, meeting his brother-who had walked in 
after his earlier statement-and apparently receiving some sort of 
sarcastic comment.  Akane, feeling herself beginning to get soaked, 
snapped out of her shock and hurried in as well.  Just as she reached 
the door, she glanced back; Kunou, quickly becoming drenched in the 
now-pouring rain, was still staring at his broken weapon.  Akane 
wondered if he'd still be there when they left this afternoon.  With a 
sigh, she walked after the two boys, who were loudly arguing and 
appeared to be on the verge of another impromptu contest.  Maybe Nabiki 
could do better.


Author's Notes: First, I thank my pre-readers for being patient for this 
chapter...my computer was gone, and I haven't been able to do any major 
Net-work or writing for some time.  Now, as to the nitty-gritty: several 
pre-readers have mentioned their disbelief of the name "Panma"; however, 
I'm afraid it can't be changed.  There IS a story- based reason, which 
will be revealed in due time.  Also, because it literally means 
"horse-bread", there will be opportunity for some truly atrocious puns 
later...and don't we all love those? >:) Finally, as Scott Jamison so 
kindly pointed out to me, the name has a certain appropriateness.  Read 
properly in Mandarin, "Panma" means "Rebellious Horse", which, I think 
you may agree, seems to fit with his character. As an aside, I thank 
everyone for their C&C and commentary over the last few chapters...the 
considerable positive response I've gotten has surprised and delighted 
me, not to mention helping give me the inspiration to continue.  A few 
comments about the first two chapters, either intentionally or 
otherwise, have been quite funny, so in the spirit of Dave Harper, who I 
preread for awhile ago, I've quoted a few of them here:



                          	********

   "Pantyhose, how DARE you attack your godfather so!"  

Lurker: (in Happousai-imitating-Brando voice) You come into my home, 
fondle my silky treasures, which I so generously let you touch, and now 
you betray me in this manner. This I cannot allow. 

-Robert Morrison (yes, the same guy who originally inspired this, for 
which we should all give great thanks, ne? :)

                            	********

Happousai cared as little for his pupil's rage as he did for 
his godson's.  After all, there were panties on the line.

Robert: And also some in the dryer.


                          	********

I guess what bothers me about that fight scene, and about Tarou in 
general, is that he is so single-mindedly cold and vicious while pulping 
an obviously weaker opponent.  I realize he's had a hard life of shame 
and public ridicule, and I do know that there *is* a good, noble side to 
him, although he seems to bury it most of the time.  Which is why I'm 
excited to read more of your fic, where it appears we'll get a chance to 
see more of that good side, having not been poisoned by a lifetime of 
torment.

Well... at least not the kind of torment he was used to in his other 
life. ^_^

-Krista Perry

                           	********

    "Look on the bright side, brother mine," said Panma, 
looking serious. "If they push the fiancee thing, at least now 
you know that one is well-built!"
    Ranma's flush returned, in spades.  "She's average..." he 
mumbled.

 Robert: <singing> "She's actual size but she seems much 
 bigger to me..."

                          	********

     "These are my daughters.  Kasumi, nineteen; Nabiki, 
seventeen, and Akane, sixteen.  Pick the one you want, and 
she'll be your new fiancee."

Straight to the point, isn't he? Why bother with a little thing such as 
a gender-shifting son-in-law?

-Jorge Pratt

                           	********

     "So all we have to do is...arrange a few things to make 
sure they _really_ aren't enthusiastic about staying around.  >Nothing 

that can be traced to us directly, of course, but if we 

pull strings to make their lives hell for a week or two, I bet 
they go back to China no matter what ran them out or what the >parents 

say."

Sorry to disappoint you, Nabiki, but that's pretty much what most of the 
series' characters have been through... and if *that* didn't make them 
leave, nothing will.

-Jorge

                           	********

     Genma cleared his throat.  "Well...where to begin?"  Panma 
rolled his eyes and opened his mouth to say something, but 
swallowed it in surprise as Genma seized his arm and hurled him 
over his shoulder...straight towards the ornamental pond in the 
back yard.  

Yay!  Can Panma also be the one to get bonked on the head and think he's 
really a girl?  And stay that way?

-Scott Jamison, who is NOT Tarou's biggest fan, believe it or not...

                             	********

     Akane suddenly smiled, the first smile anyone had seen on 
her since she had found out that the two new guests weren't 
girls after all. "Well, oneechan," she said sweetly to Nabiki, 
"I guess that means you're the only one left."  

Nabiki:  I suppose I should tell you now, I'm not really your sister. I 
just wandered in one day and pretended I was always there, and being the 
gullible saps you are, you all bought it.

-Scott

                            	********

     "Then he'll probably toss Pop and us out, and we'll be on 
our way again like nothing ever happened?"

         Doomed lost souls forever wandering the Earth, never knowing 
love or comfort...no wait, Ryouga already has a lock on that ecological 
niche.

-Scott


Glossary:

Miso: a spicy soup, with vegetables and tofu, generally served with 
rice.  Very common Japanese breakfast.  Very good, too. ^_^

Oneesan: a way of referring to one's older sister; Nabiki, in this case.  
It's not the most friendly way to do so, but Akane's hardly feeling 
friendly at the moment. ^_^

Kyokushinkai Karate: In the manga, the school of martial arts Akane 
follows almost exactly (no surprise...Takahashi is a martial arts buff).  
The style is very strength-oriented, and a lot of the training revolves 
around smashing things (like cement blocks and training dummies) with 
your hands and feet.  This style, which uses many circular motions and 
blocks, is excellent against multiple attackers, but not really suited 
for one-on-one confrontation.  Hence Ranma, even though he had easily 
beaten Akane in the first episode/issue, was still impressed by her 
performance against the boys the next day.

Sempai: An honorific denoting respect towards one of higher status than 
you; Kunou expects (rightfully) to be called this by the other teens, 
but Nabiki ("Kunou-chan!") and Ranma generally don't, or are sarcastic 
about it.  Usually translated as �upperclassman' in the Viz 
translations, which has a fairly similar connotation IF one is familiar 
with the term.

Kendo: Japanese fencing, so to speak.  Usually practised with a 
bokken/bokutou (wooden sword) or shinai (bamboo sword); in actual 
competition, contestants wear armour (a good thing, bokkens are heavy 
and you can easily kill someone with a powerful strike); Kunou's outfit 
is the underclothes of that, and is sometimes worn when practicing with 
a shinai.  Although it is a martial art, it is not really intended for 
combat, and at any rate swords are poor weapons to use against martial 
artists.  This is part of the reason why Kunou, who IS a superb 
swordsman, still performs poorly against most of the Ranma cast.  

As always, any comments and criticism (via e-mail or the list_ are VERY 
much appreciated!  Jya ne...

Blade
*********
High Priest of the Goddess Ukyou 
Official Fanboy of Pantyhose Tarou
Founding member of the Viz-basher-bashing Club
Author of unbelieveable talent
Debater beyond compare
Really humble guy  

"I never hold a grudge...as soon as I get even with the 
S.O.B., I forget it."-W.C. Fields

"Reality is for those who can't handle fantasy."-me


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