Based on the characters and situations so well created by Rumiko Takahashi and owned by Rumiko Takahashi, Viz Communications and others I have no doubt. Please don't sue me! Let me know what you think at john@compqna.com, and visit my webpage at http://www.compqna.com/fanfics ******** ******** ******** New Dealer, New Hand (Part 3) By John Morales ******** ******** ******** Chapter 7 Akane sat at her desk, quietly ignoring the homework sitting in front of her. The funny thing was, she was hoping the homework would get her mind off the deal they had made that morning and the disaster that awaited them the next morning. 'No one's going to believe that I'm interested in that idiot,' she thought to herself. Realizing what she was doing she spoke out loud, "So much for getting my mind off things," and slammed her books shut. "Akane?" It was a muffled call from outside the door. Akane opened the door, and found Ranma there, looking a little embarrassed. "You could have just knocked, you know. What is it?" "Ahh, actually, I did knock. I was about to walk away when I heard your voice," Ranma answered with a shrug. "Oh, I'm sorry. I guess I was a little... distracted." Now Akane was embarrassed. "So, what was it you needed?" "Well, if you're busy, I can...." "No, actually, I was looking for a better distraction. So please, what's up?" "I'm gonna go work out. I just thought maybe you'd want to...." "What? Be humiliated again?" There was no anger this time, just sadness. "No, I just thought we could start showing each other our styles, and maybe I could, you know, help you." 'I don't need your help!' was the obvious retort, but it died halfway to her lips. She needed someone's help. After hearing what Nabiki said about Kuno, Akane had lost a good portion of her confidence. She knew her skills could be better. She had trained for a few years, and learned a lot, but her dad had lost interest after the death of her mother. Since then, the only real improvements she had made were in strength and, more recently, speed. Now she knew, she was no longer the best around. Here was someone - a guy no less - offering to help her improve again. Could she afford to say no? "I'd like that, Ranma. Let me change and I'll be right there." **** "Okay, here's the thing," Ranma said, casually catching Akane's foot. It was almost straight up in the air, ready to come down in an axe kick, but Ranma just held it there. "Your form is fine, and your strength is very good, but you need more speed." Ranma let her foot drop slowly before continuing. "You'll do damage if you ever hit, but you won't hit if you keep attacking that slow." Akane was frustrated. This was all they had done for the past hour. She would attack like mad, and he would dodge around for a bit, then grind her to a halt to criticize her. She needed to hit something. Suddenly she got a gleam in her eyes. "Well, how about I practice against someone I can actually compete with. I'll bet I could do pretty well against your girl form, you've only had a few months to train in that body." "Well, my girl form-" "What's wrong, you afraid of losing for once?" she grinned. "No, actually..." he stopped. He wanted to explain how his girl form was actually faster, but she did not have to know that. He could see Akane getting frustrated, and he remembered Mousse's warnings about humiliating her. He usually adjusted his fighting style against a new opponent so as not to show too much of what he could do, just enough to win. Akane had already had the opportunity to see him fight, so if he adjusted too much she would just think he was going easy on her, and he did not want to upset her anymore than he had already. If she thought his girl form still needed training, though, he might be able to keep himself closer to her level. He could not just let her win, that would be dishonorable, but maybe he could turn things down a notch. Not too much or he would form some bad habits, but maybe enough to keep her confidence up. "Actually, that's not a bad idea. Since it's your challenge, you get the water." "Okay!" her face actually lit up. She turned and ran towards the doorway, calling over her shoulder "Be back in a sec!" A few minutes later, Ranma stood looking down on his female body. It was not that he disliked female bodies, he liked them very much. He just preferred to admire them from afar, or at least farther than this. He slumped a little and sighed. "What's wrong?" Akane asked. The change in him was obviously more than shape. "Hmmm? Oh, sorry, it's just this body," Ranma responded distractedly. Akane's eyes narrowed. "Something wrong with a girl's body?" Ranma was lost in thought and never noticed the danger signals. There was nothing wrong with the body to his way of thinking. It was in good shape. Not as strong as he would like, but even faster then his normal body. It just.... "It's just not me." For a moment, and for the first time, Akane looked at Ranma with some empathy, and thought about what he was going through. The curse was something that must be difficult to live with. In the last few months he had gone from spending all his time with his dad, to having no dad, and not knowing where to find his mother. He was practically an orphan. Now he was here, trying to be patient about finding his mother, and putting up with her and her problems to boot. Yet he was still fairly nice to her, trying to work with her. She wanted to make him feel a little better, but without knowing much about him, how could she? "So," she started, "are we gonna spar... Sensei?" "Sensei?" he responded with a start. "I may need to show you a few things about my family's style, but I think we both know who has more work to do. Come on, let's get started." He smiled. "Okay, but I don't really want to be the teacher." "Well," she returned the smile, "how about friends?" "That works." **** **** **** **** Chapter 8 "All right. But if we're gonna cover half the cash costs, I'm not using those resources until you actually start helping out around here. I'll start on the non-cash resources tomorrow, after Ranma starts helping with the guys at school. Not that I don't think he'll go through with it, but I just want to make sure it really helps." Nabiki crossed her arms. She was in her room with Mousse, trying to iron out the last details of the deal she had suggested in the dojo. She wanted this deal, but this was her final offer. "That sounds fair, " Mousse responded. He didn't really want to put off any efforts at finding Ranma's mother, but this was the best he could do. He decided not to tell Ranma of the delay, and just encourage Ranma to get a job as soon as possible. That reminded him.... "So, what's this other family business you talked about?" "Other family business?" she asked, with an air of complete ignorance. "Yes, when I talked about my paperwork, you said you might be able to help with that, or it may not be necessary, since there's a family business aside from the dojo." Mousse knew he had it right. One of the offshoots of his poor eyesight was a very good memory. Nabiki eyed Mousse up and down. She was fairly impressed with the young man, though she was loath to show it. On the other hand, she did like the idea of working with him, so she did not want to alienate him. "Well, I have my own business of sorts at school. I sell some information and act as an occasional bookie, if there's anything worth betting on. Depending on the person, I've been known to issue a... ah, a signature loan, now and again." "What kind of info do you sell?" Mousse asked, his curiosity piqued. "Oh, it depends on the price. I have a deal with the administration not to sell test information. I'd rather not, anyway, but as long as they think I'm cooperating, they look the other way on some of my activities." "So you do have some scruples?" Mousse noted with a raised eyebrow. "From your description, I'd have thought you were just one step short of connections to organized crime." She held back a proud grin. "What makes you think I have scruples?" "Just that you'd rather not sell test questions. Doesn't that show some level of ethics?" "Hardly. It's just too hard to guarantee the accuracy. A teacher uses more than one version of a test, and suddenly people start wondering about my credibility." "Oh, I see," he chuckled. Then his eyes became serious. "So you don't play by any rules, then?" She returned his look. "I just gave you my only rule. I guarantee my information. That's all. Everything else is up for grabs. If you hire me to do something, I will do my utmost until your money runs out or until someone else offers me more." Suddenly she felt as though she had said too much. This guy was nice, but too easy to talk to. "What about you? Do you make any guarantees or restrictions on what you'll do?" "Many restrictions, few guarantees. I used to think I knew exactly what I would and wouldn't do. But sometimes you find out your friends are capable of things you never imagined, and your enemies are not as bad as you expected." Mousse felt his own introspection was going too far and decided to change the subject. "So, I guess we have a deal. Ranma and I will start looking for jobs tomorrow." "Do you want to work for me? You sounded like you did, and I could use another person." Was that too obvious? "Especially a guy, some of the guys at school don't like going to a girl for information." She felt that was a good enough reason to offer. "Hmmm, I don't think that would be a good idea. As I said, I have a lot of... restrictions on what I would do. I may not fit into your organization very well." He thought he saw her expression change for a moment, but her mask slid back into place too quickly for him to identify it. "Still think you can do anything about my paperwork?" "Well, I can get you a student visa within a few days. A work visa could take a bit longer." She was all business now. "Okay. I'm sure we'll be contributing enough to satisfy you very soon," he tried to end on a positive note, but instead she seemed to get more distant. "Good enough," she replied simply, and ushered him out the door. **** Ranma was relaxing on his futon when Mousse came in, still dripping from the furo. "In bed already?" Mousse asked, interpreting the blur in front of his as best he could. "Yeah, well... it's been a long day. Akane may be slow, but she is persistent and strong." Ranma was rubbing a spot on his left side below the ribs. "So she actually hit you?" Mousse replied in shock. "She wouldn't let up until she did. Finally she suggested she try against my girl body and see what she could do that way. She thinks I still need to get it up to speed, training-wise." "Isn't that rather...?" "I didn't say I told her that, I said she thinks that. I'm just adjusting to her, teaching her stuff without messing up her confidence. It's a normal part of training. Besides, it's just like any other opponent, I'm lettin' her underestimate me." Ranma thought it sounded much better when he only had to explain it to himself. 'Nice rationalizing. Too bad it wasn't part of the training you gave me,' Mouse thought, but kept it to himself. "So, any idea what kind of a job you're looking for?" "Actually, yeah. I was talking to Kasumi about who's hiring - I figured she might have seen some help wanted signs around the market. Found out the family doctor is looking for someone to help out at his office. Cleaning, sweeping, that sort of thing. Apparently he's a martial artist himself, and big into shiatsu points, so I thought I might be able to pick up some things, too." "Pretty convenient that he's looking for someone just now," Mousse replied with a smile. "Actually, it's kinda weird. Apparently he first hired someone about a month or so ago, and they keep leaving. No one lasts more than a week, but Kasumi didn't know why. I asked Akane, and she just glanced at Kasumi and mumbled something into her tea," he frowned. "I hope he's not a jerk to work for or something, but they both thought he was nice." "Well, you never know until you try. Going to see him tomorrow?" "Yeah, probably after school, but it depends. Nabiki's pretty sure Kuno will want to challenge me a couple of times tomorrow. What about you? Decide what kind of job you're looking for?" "Not yet. Nabiki hinted that she's running some business around here, but when I asked about it, it sounded kind of shady." "How bad?" Ranma asked, with increased interest. "Amateur bookie, some loans, and 'information,' whatever that means. She wouldn't get real specific," Mousse shrugged. "Should we be worried? If the police start sniffing around they'll have you talking to immigration pretty quick." "Nabiki says she can get me some papers in a few days. I should have asked the price, but we don't really know anyone else around here who can do that, and I do need them, so I guess we're in debt for whatever the costs are." **** **** **** **** Chapter 9 Mousse and Ranma got together in the yard early the next morning to start warming up. After Akane returned from her jogging, the three gathered in the dojo to go through some kata together. Ranma was hoping to get Akane to spar with Mousse so he could see how they compared, but Akane was very excited about today, and more than a little nervous, so he decided not to bring it up. Ranma and Akane did fight one short challenge so they could say Ranma had formally defeated her. It ended with Ranma lightly tapping her on the back of the head from behind. After breakfast, the three students said their goodbyes to Soun and Kasumi, and to Mousse who could not attend school until Nabiki completed at least some of his paperwork. On the way to school, Akane and Nabiki tried to describe exactly what Ranma could expect, but the reality was still something to behold. Ranma had harbored some belief that Nabiki had exaggerated on the numbers, but by his best guess she may have actually underestimated it - there could have easily been more than forty guys waiting, many outfitted with pads and other protective gear. "You fight all these guys every morning?" he had to ask. "Yeah," she answered grimly. "You ready?" "Let's do it." Nabiki had decided it would send a stronger message if the two fought the first group together, before Ranma took on Kuno. So side- by-side, the two waded into the waiting crowd. While not sparing a lot of time to watch, Ranma was impressed by what he was able to see of Akane. Fighting a mob like this was very different than one-on- one, though the fact that she beat them all every day did prepare him somewhat. Nabiki looked on for the several seconds it took them to level Akane's admirers, casually awaiting her cue. She decided to lean more towards formal than she usually did, just to make sure she got the attention of a certain upperclassman. Finally, clearing her throat, she projected her voice across the schoolyard. "Many of you are wondering why Akane has help this morning. Kuno's challenge has been completed. Since last we met, my sister has been defeated by the young man who now fights at her side - Ranma Saotome!" A shock wave of gasps and whispered exclamations rippled across the yard, but was drowned out by a single voice. "This cannot be!" Kuno proclaimed as he ran towards the couple. Even at a full run, the young man looked resplendent, if somewhat out of place, in authentic samurai's garb. In shock, he allowed a single rose to fall from his hand, totally forgotten. "It's true," Akane confirmed. Kuno focused on Ranma with a murderous look in his eyes. "Ranma Saotome. So you are the one who has physically abused the beauteous Akane Tendo until she finally submitted to your will?" Ranma paused for a moment, deciphering Kuno's words before responding. "Isn't that what you challenged someone to do?" "Quiet knave! I will not have this. I challenge you, Ranma Saotome. But wait, we are not yet formally introduced. I am Upperclassman Kuno, Captain of..." As Ranma listened to Kuno drone on in his introduction, he leaned over to Akane. "Gees, you warned me about his skills in Kendo, but you forgot to mention his dreaded boredom attack." Akane could not help but laugh. The tension she felt all morning seemed to release in that small moment. Kuno stopped in his rant to glare. "You are terribly familiar with Akane for someone who does not seem to be from around here." "Well, I am new in town, but thanks to your challenge, I will be dating Akane now, so it's no big deal," Ranma replied with a smug grin. "Never! I will not allow this! I challenge you, Ranma Saotome; I challenge you for the right to date Akane Tendo." "Just name the time and place," came the calm reply. A silence surrounded them. Ranma had made a good showing against the crowd, but this was Kuno. "Here and NOW!" Kuno called out, charging forward with his bokken. Around them the crowd erupted with cheers, and people calling bets to Nabiki. Ranma would have preferred to toy with the kendoist a bit, maybe tire him out by dodging his attacks for an hour or so. Nabiki had argued for a fast, convincing fight, one that might shake Kuno to his very core, and maybe shake him off Akane. Ranma dodged two very fast thrusts before attempting to catch the third in a karate clap. His hands were knocked wide before they even touched the weapon, shocking Ranma so badly he was barely able to dodge the tip. The back flip he executed kept him out of harm's way, but gave more ground than he intended. 'This Kuno guy is better than I expected. He used that bokken so forcefully, and so quickly, the air around it was almost an extension of the weapon itself.' As he landed, he was already considering his next move. Ranma had to stop himself. He was enjoying the fight, and he had already started planning out a nice long fight to really see what this guy could do. 'Remember the plan,' he scolded himself, 'fast and convincing. So hold back on strength, but not speed.' Ranma watched as Kuno stepped forward again, the look in his eyes showing a sudden increase in his already towering self-confidence. Again the bokken thrust forward quickly. Again Ranma dodged with a flip, but this one took him forward, in an arc over Kuno's head. With careful timing, Ranma reached towards the ground as he passed over the extended weapon, and with simultaneous ridge-hand attacks, broke it into three separate pieces. He landed behind his opponent, but facing the wrong direction. As he spun back, he saw Kuno turning towards him with what was left of the bokken, which was little more than the handle. Ranma also noticed an expression that could no longer be called confident. Before Kuno could even decide what to do with the short piece of bamboo he still held, Ranma's right leg snapped out, and the bamboo went flying. A second snap and the upperclassman's slackened jaw slammed shut. Around them, everyone stared as the new boy in the odd clothing slid into a low forward stance, attacking with a simple, if very fast, punch. A feeble attempt at a block was far too slow, and the punch landed perfectly on the solar plexus, paralyzing the diaphragm. Air exploded from the victim's lungs as he doubled over. Ranma stood back, watching his opponent trying to breathe. He suddenly realized how silent it was, and took a moment to look around at the crowd. The only face that was not full of shock or surprise was Nabiki. Her expression was quiet smugness. Even Akane had a strange look on her face. Just then, the bell rang, and the students scattered.