“Keep focused, boy,” his pop whispered from beside him. “We’re here to get Soun’s daughter, and that’s it.”
“I know, I know,” Ranma whispered from the corner of his mouth, “but I can look.”
“Move aside, churl! You block the entrance. This is not some back country peepshow. Do your gawking inside, for I am sure that is all one of your obvious poverty can afford.” A voice from behind said. At the same time Ranma felt something hard pressing between his shoulder blades, urging him to move. He took a hop and a skip into the building and stepped to the side to allow the impatient wind bag behind him through.
Ranma narrowed his eyes as the tall boy with the boken over his shoulder stepped past him without even bothering to glance at him. Then he let his face fall into an expression of delirious pleasure.
“Oh my god, I don’t believe it!” he cried out, lunging forward and catching the sleeve of the tall boy. He quickly released his hold when the other boy spun around and glared at him. “Oh, god, I’m so sorry. I just got so excited. I mean I knew you lived here, but I never expected . . .” Ranma fluttered his hands at the boy. “Well to actually see you.”
The boy’s glower shifted to condescension. He preened, and said. “Indeed, I can well understand what an honor it would be for one such as you to meet the Blue Thunder of Nerima Ward. My small skill with the sword has won me many accolades.”
“Oh, yes! Why, everywhere I go, they talk of you.” Ranma’s voice dropped and he assumed the pose of one passing on juicy gossip. “Frankly, I think a lot of them are worried that you might come and challenge them.”
The Blue Thunder’s chest expanded. “And well they might, but now it is my turn to apologize. I fear I misjudged you grievously. You are obviously a person of higher sensibility, if of low birth. It would please me if you would accompany me and allow me to show you the quality of female that our fair district supplies.
“Oh,’ Ranma’s hand went to his mouth, his eyes widening. “Such an honor! I . . .I don’t know if I am worthy.”
“Rest assured that you are. I Kuno Tatewalki do say so, and none may question my taste or judgement.”
“Then, if you say so, I must accept your word,” Ranma said, his voice trembling with emotion. Behind his back, he held out the heavy purse he’d taken from Kuno’s sleeve for his father to take.
The two boys strolled into the main section of the market, while Genma, whistling casually, left the building. He’d be back as soon as he found a secure place to stash the heavy purse.
“Ah, we are just in time,” Kuno announced as they stepped into a large open room. A small platform contained a podium and auctioneer, and an attractive slave girl who was wearing a broad smile and flashing her wares at the crowd. She caught the eyes of several different bidders, in different parts of the room making sure to seem to be interested only in them. And old trick Ranma knew to drive up her bid price. She’d likely been on the block a dozen times, and left a string of exhausted owners behind. And each sale had left a percentage in her personal trust account, for when she was retired, or married her current owner.
When her eyes fell on him, he put a disconsolate look on his face and shook his head. She pouted, and looked instead at Kuno, flashing him a look that had sweat beading on his forehead.
“Such a fiery temptress,” he said. But, then he gave his head a shake, and said to Ranma. “But, reluctantly, I must pass on her charms this day. For I have not come looking for dalliance, but to instigate the first step in a plan that will see me gain my true and only love.” Kuno held up his hand. “Please, do not attempt to learn more, for I must keep my plans close to my chest if I am to ever gain the hand of the fair Akane, my tigress of the night.” Kuno sighed, his eyes staring into the unseeing distance. “Fair will she look upon me when I rescue her sister from the clutches of the uncouth rabble. And impressed unto love will she be with the care and attention I bestow on her un-worthy sibling.”
“I understand completely. I would never dream of trying to make you divulge your plans,” Ranma said quickly, before Kuno started pulling out pictures and diagrams. “Oh, look, it’s starting,” he said, pointing toward the podium where the auctioneer had started the sale.
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(Posted Tue, 10 Aug 2004 06:22)
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