Ranma Saotome was lost. Not that this was an unusual occurrence for him, but usually if he was lost it was in the warrens under a moldy tomb or after having been stranded in the middle of the desert by his so-called partners. This time he wasn't looking for some ancient treasure or mythological artifact, he was looking for the Tendo training hall to honor his father's last request.
'Dammit Pop, we could of both made it away from the Cannibal Poison Pygmy Martial Arts Village. Why'd you have to sacrifice yourself like that?' Ranma's eyes got suspiciously wet as he remembered the last time he saw his father.
They had successfully retrieved the Amulet of Anubis. Purported to have been used in sacred ceremonies by the High Priest Tefnacht, it was said to have been lost around the time of the Exodus. Rumors of it surfaced now and then, mostly false, but he had tracked it to this remote village in the jungles of Africa. The only problem was that the natives didn't appreciate it's immense historical value to the outside world.
"C'mon Pop, they've found us again. We have to get going." Ranma kicked his father awake. They took turns snatching what little sleep they could get.
"Already? They've been following us for five days now, I would have thought they would have given up after we cut through that snake infested swamp." Genma pulled himself up, a haggard look on his face.
"Apparently not Pops. I figure we got an half-hour before they swarm this location." Ranma's voice shook with weariness.
Genma drew himself up, looking stern and forbidding, "Son, one of us has to draw them off to let the other escape. It'll be easier to shake them with one person instead of two."
Ranma sighed, "Alright Pops, I'll give you a headstart and then draw them off to the south."
Genma started to nod and then caught himself, "That's not what I meant! I'll draw them off, to the EAST, while you take the amulet and get to safety. If all goes well we'll meet back at the airport within a month."
Ranma looked unsure, "Pop, are you sure you want to do this?" Genma looked proud and heroic. "You're not getting any younger you know," Genma sweatdropped as his son went on. "And you're kinda fat as well. They'd probably chase you harder because you'd make a better meal."
"Boy! You're father isn't on his deathbed yet. I haven't taught you all my tricks. Trust your father."
Ranma's face grew even more dubious but he said, "If you say so Pop."
"Son, If anything should happen, I want you to go to the Tendo Dojo in Nerima. An old friend of mine lives there. It is a matter of honor that you visit him. Tell him what happened."
Ranma grew concerned, "Pops, what are you talking like that for. You go ahead, let me draw them off."
"NO! Just promise me," Genma stared hard into his son's eyes.
"I.. I promise, Pops."
Ranma quickly gathered up his stuff and headed out. Behind him he could hear the pounding of the hunting drums. After a while the tempo changed, he guessed that they had found their campsite. It was only 15 minutes after that that he heard an agonized scream while the drums pounded out their victory. Tears flowed from his eyes as he ran on, 'Father, I'll keep my last promise to you.'
Ranma had made it back to civilization, and even though he waited an extra month, he finally had to admit that his father was gone. Once he had returned it had taken him a while to come to grips with his grief and to handle all the paperwork involved with the recovery of the amulet, but he finally pulled himself together enough to come to Nerima
Ranma rubbed his eyes as he came out of his memories and looked around. There in front of him, like a sign from the gods, was the Tendo Dojo. 'Father, I'll fulfill your last request.' He walked up to the door and knocked.
A young woman with long brown hair answered the door, "Yes may I help you?"
"I'm Ranma Saotome, I was told to come here to visit a friend of my fathers."
"Oh my, please come in Ranma. We've been waiting for your arrival. My name is Kasumi. Uncle Genma has told us so much about you."
'Uncle Genma? Just how close was Pop with these people? This is gonna be harder than I thought.' Ranma entered the house. "Umm.. About my father.."
"Oh yes, I'm sure you'll want to pay your respects to Uncle Genma as soon as possible."
"Huh?"
"Please follow me." Kasumi turned to lead Ranma into the house, "Father, Ranma is here," she called out.
Ranma could hear someone yell "At last. Nabiki, go get your sister. Ranma has finally arrived. Oh Saotome old friend, what a happy day this is."
Ranma's heart sank at these words. They were so happy to see him, and were apparently very close with his father. Now he had to tell them that his father was dead. This wasn't going to be a fun meeting. Ranma followed Kasumi into the dining room and raised his eyes from the floor to behold..
"Boy! What took you so long? I've been waiting for months for you to show up. Is this how you keep your word to your father? Oh, what a disgraceful son I have," Genma Saotome wailed to the heavens.
"Pop? Pop! You're alive!" Ranma let the sheer joy of seeing his father alive flow through him. "Why didn't you get in touch with me? I'm going to kill you old man!" Ranma lunged for his father, knocking them both out into the backyard.
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(Posted Wed, 05 May 2004 03:50)
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