Konnichi wa, mina!

    What follows is a new fanfic I've been tooling with on the side, while working on the Kuei Hunter Gojira, which, for those of you who follow it, I'm NOT putting aside.  In an act of pure masochism, I'm going to try and carry both series.  I'm writing this one for two reasons: One I'm a Ranma fan, and I wanted to do a Ranma fic (like the list needs another, ne? 6^-^), and B because this one is more upbeat, and less serious than KHG.  I like to keep my perspectives wide, so I don't end up writing the 'same ol' thing' over and over.

    That said, Sukyandaru Productions now presents the following Teaser... C&C is welcome (okay so this is only the teaser, and there won't be much for C&C 6^-^ but later on, as the series progresses), especially if any of the characters seem to be OOC.  I try to be true to the orginal vision, but I know I sometimes slip, and would be grateful if ths is pointed out to me.

     Finally, Ranma Nibunoichi is the creation of Takahashi-sensei, and all characters (except the new one! ^-^) are her property.  'Sides, I don't make enough to be worth suing... Hrm... funny how must of seem to be in that boat... oh well.  ^-^  You know the rest of the drill.

It was almost a perfect day.

    The rains of the past few days had moved on, leaving the sky clear, and the air smelling clean. Fresh flowers bloomed, while birds flitted from building to building collecting materials for their nests, their cheerful song echoing from the walls. Below them, mother's led chattering children as they wended through the market, and in the distance the last peals of the end of school bells were fading. Soon, the streets were crowded with people of all ages, as recently freed students either made their way home, or hurried off to other apointments, or entertainments.

    It was a perfect day.

    Almost.

    "AAAAARRRRGGGHH!"

    I stared at the map that had betrayed me, then surveyed the area around me quickly to see if anything looked even remotely familiar. Since I'd never been here before, the chance of that was remote, but I was hoping I'd spot something that would tell where on the map I was.

    Nothing stood out.
    I growled again, crumpling the map, and tossing it into a nearby wastebasket. The map certainly wasn't helping... no wonder the strange old man was so eager to get rid of it. He'd practically given it to me, and even still I ended up cheated. It was probably stolen, judging from the scribble on the back that read: Property of Hibiki Ryouga. I sighed, and wandered dejectedly over to a bench, and sat down, to rest my feet. I'd been on the road since sun-up, every day since...

    Well, I couldn't recall exactly when this little journey had started, but it was a long time. And I was so close to being finished... I shrugged my shoulders out of the straps of my pack, and dropped it at my feet. I rumaged around in it, then pulled out a small scroll. It was a record of my progress over the past ten years, towards my life goal. Okay, so I was six when I started, but either way, it was almost within reach. I unfurled it with a happy sigh, reading the various names on it, each with a thin line drawn through them.

    Except for the two at the bottom.

    The last two.

    "Tendo Soun, and Saotome Genma," I intoned, refurling the scroll. "I will find you, and when I do"-  My hand clenched around the scroll, and I had to repress an urge to laugh maniacally. I did note a far off peal of thunder, but ignored it. I was too close now, to let little things like mysterious weather distract me. If only, if only I...

    If only I could find where I was going...

    Dejection slammed into me, and my shoulders slumped. This was starting to get frustrating. I knew I was in the right disctrict, Nerima, but I didn't know where to find the-

    "-Tendo training hall?"

    I  blinked, and turned towards the voice, an elderly woman carrying a large package on her back. She was looking at me curiously, and I suddenly felt selfconscious.

    "Uh, pardon?"

    "I asked, are you looking for the Tendo training hall?"

    I blinked. "Uh, why yes... how did you-?"

    The old woman chuckled. "Anyone comes into Nerima, dressed like you are, eventually seem to end up at the Tendos'."

    I looked down at my clothes, puzzled. Granted, they were rather worn around the edges, and chinese in style, which would stand out somewhat, and the kasa I was wearing didn't help me blend in, but-

    "You'll find the Tendo training hall down that street, dear," the old woman said, smiling and pointing towards a corner about half a block away. "Just go south until you see the gate. Good luck." Then she was gone, continuing down the street, her package shifting back and forth on her back as she walked.

    Good luck? What does that mean? 

    I shrugged the thought off. No time for that now! I hefted my pack back onto my shoulders, and dashed down the street, and around the corner, doing my best to avoid pedestrians, but I think I may have clipped one young fellow, 'cause I heard him yell as I passed. I yelled "Gomen!" over my shoulder, as I turned the corner.

    I'd travelled maybe another block, before I saw my destination. A stone wall surrounded a large, two-story older building with a peaked wooden roof. I skidded to a halt in front of the main gate, a slightly ostentacious structure that looked somewhat like the entrance to a temple. A wooden sign hung on the right hand side, reading: Tendo's School of Anything Goes Martial Arts. Next to the left door, was another handpainted sign, that read: To defeat owner in savage combat, use rear door.

    I shrugged, and went around to the rear door...