Akane was the first to speak. Stepping forward, she hugged the both of them briefly before moving back. "Sorry for all the hassle." She said, her face turning pink in embarassment.
"Don't worry about it." Ranko smiled in return. "It wasn't your fault or nothin'."
"Anyway, here's some money to get you started." Akane finished, handing over a small bundle of bills to the redheaded girl. As soone as the other girl had the money in hand, she blushed and walked inside the main gate to the compound.
"I guess that it's my turn." Ukyo said, standing still with her arms crossed as she carefully eyed the young man. "I'm sorry too, Ranma. Thnking back on it, I certainly helped make your life a living hell, didn't I?" She chuckled wryly.
Ranma laughed out loud as he stepped forward and hugged his friend.
"I just don't get how I could love you as something more than the annoying little brother that I never had." She said wryly. At his embarrassed flush, she chuckled again. "Don't worry about it. Anyway, here's some cash to help tide you over. When you get finished with whatever you're doing, be sure to call me." She paused for a second to make sure she had his attention. "You need help or something, you let me know. Don't try and do something stupid like fight Gods and Demons and stuff all alone. You call out for help, you jackass!" The chef finished with a threat, waving her spatula towards the boy in question. When he nodded his understanding, she spun on her heel and walked away, her back straight and proud.
"Shampoo wish you luck." The proud Amazon told him next. "You do good things so Amazon no hunt you down, okay?" She told the boy as she gave him a hug, also. "This Amazon gift for you." She said, pulling a pair of swords out of weapons space. "Is Japanese Katana set. You treat good, yes?"
"Thanks, Shampoo." Ranma replied, taking the weapons from the purple haired girl. Sliding the weapon free of its sheath a few inches, he couldn't help but notice the fine quality of the weapon. "You be good." He said with a smile. "And I hope you get beaten up by a fine Amazon man." He grinned as the purple haired Amazon flushed and grinned back at him before moving down the street.
"Seems like this is goodbye." Nabiki said from behind them. Eyeing the large, wrapped bundle in her hands, she nodded her head before looking at the two humans. "Here." She said, shoving the bundle towards the pig-tailed pair. "There's copies of the Tendo branch of the Anything Goes school there, including my dads special techniques. Also, a few other techniques that I picked up from different martial artists during the past year. I figured that you could use it." She finished with a small smile.
"Thanks, Nabiki." Ranko responded while Ranma nodded and carefully placed the bundle within his pack.
"Don't spend all the money in one place either, Soatome." She finished her goodbye with her standard warning before walking inside the gates.
"I'm next, I believe." Mouse stepped forward. He eyed the pig-tailed youth for a moment before waving his arms and making wrapped, bundle appear out of thin air. "The secrets of the Hidden Weapons School." He announced solemnly. "And my apologies for my unhonorable attacks, Soatome. While I don't like you, you didn't deserve what I've tried to do to you."
"Thanks, Mouse." Ranma responded with a quiet voice. "Maybe now you can catch your Amazon maiden, huh?" He finished with his trade-mark smirk.
Mouse smiled back, and with a nod, turned around to walk away.
"It would seem that I am last, son-in-law." Cologne pogoed forward on her staff. "You would have made a wonderful Amazon." She sighed whistfully. "Now you're involved in a war with the Kami themselves." She shook her head sadly as she stared at the two youths. "I don't think that you can win, no matter how good you two are. But, I won't hinder your fight." She sighed before tossing a large bundle of tied scrolls at the boy. "These are all the techniques that I'm allowed to teach outsiders without punishment. I hope that they'll help you in your quest."
"Thanks, old ghoul." Ranma responded.
* WHACK *
"Yeah, I'm really gonna miss you too." The boy said, rubbing the knot on his head while grinning like an idiot.
The old woman laughed out loud and shook her head. "Only you, Ranma. I hope you never change." She became serious for a second. "I hope that you consider the Amazon village a peaceful rest stop on your journey. If you ever need safety and protection for a few days, look us up."
"You're not worried about a bunch of Kami showing up and trashing the place?" Ranko asked.
"Not for a few days, no." The old woman sighed and looked away. "Longer than that might be a problem, though. What help we can give is yours."
"I'll try to find new techniques and stuff." Ranma promised with a grin. "After all, I gotta show you up the next time we face off, ne?"
"You're on, boy." The old woman chuckled. "I'm looking forward to it."
"See all ya later!" Ranma waved and walked away, closely followed by Ranko and the panther demon. The old woman watched them walk down the street and turn the corner. She still stared after the two until another presense joined her.
"Grandmother think we see again?"
"No, I don't think so." The old woman sighed with true regret in her voice. "The boy's good, but I don't think he can fight constantly. All the Heaven's and Hell's are going to be after him. Sooner or later, he's going to need to rest and he's not going to get it."
"Aiyah." The young Amazon warrior said sadly.
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(Posted Tue, 03 Aug 2004 20:30)
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