Weights, jogging, and the daily battle against the Horde in the morning - all building up her skills.
Her father still went into crying fits. Nabiki was smirking about something. Kasumi didn't seem affected at all.
The Horde still was a daily workout, especially Kuno. Or no - make that more of an annoyance than a workout.
That was one thing about this battle she was looking forward to. She'd be facing REAL martial artists. People who would take her on for real and fight without any holding back. When she beat them, it would count for something.
It was her father's fault anyway. HE had made those "risky" investments. HE had then bought those "lucky charms" and furthered it. HE had put them so far into debt that they'd end up homeless or he'd have to do one further thing. Sell his daughters off. At least one, possibly two, and potentially all three.
Winning was the only thing that mattered. If she won, not only did they get the prize money - the reputation of her father's school of martial arts would be increased. Students would sign up, and there would be money coming into the household once again.
Akane settled down in front of a stack of roofing tiles and prepared to see how many she could punch through with a single blow. Only two days to go.
Tatewaki Kuno went through the forms, each motion perfect within its flow from one to the next.
He had to be beyond good. If he defeated Akane Tendo at the tournament, he would then go on to victory over all of the peasants who had gathered. Eventually the fair and tidy Akane would become his own.
Only one such as he could tame that fierce heart, so it was destiny itself lending encouragement to his cause.
Kuno frowned as he slipped two centimeters out of alignment. Clearly this would not do. Nothing less than perfection would avail him in the battle to come.
Haruka hmmphed as she looked over the names of the fighters.
Lots of private martial arts schools were represented - each trying for a measure of fame in order to get the boost in business they'd bring their dojo if they won.
The bulk were slaves fighting for their freedom. Only the top contenders would go on against real fighters.
The bulk of the real fighters were freemen, martial artists and the like who were trying mainly for reputation or some personal goal. Haruka picked out a few vengeance quests out of the names she recognized and a few personal rivalries.
Add to that were a few other names that she recognized as being either professional mamluk or having some sort of rep.
An eyebrow went up on seeing two names.
#247 - Ranma Saotome - Anything Goes School Of Indiscriminate Grappling
#141 - Akane Tendo - Anything Goes School Of Martial Arts.
She'd heard of Ranma, he'd won a few tournaments and had a fairly good rep. In the Juuban "Fighter's Challenge" last year he'd gone up against a local favorite and had allowed the other guy some dignity and had made it look like a close thing. It hadn't been, it had been obvious to Haruka and at least two mamluk that Ranma had been holding back. The local favorite had retired afterwards, saying that it had proven he was going into his reclining years and had a mountain cabin that he was finally going to retire to and enjoy. The local boy had his last moment of glory and dignity, Ranma had won, and the crowd which might have been hostile to Saotome had been fooled into thinking it was just time catching up with their hero. The pro types knew better, and Haruka had listened in on their conversation though she'd already figured out that Saotome had held back.
The only reason she noted Akane Tendo was because the names of the schools were damn similar. Tendo had a lower number, so she'd signed up first. So it might be a coincidence, but more likely it was one of those rival school grudge match things. THAT happened a lot more often.
Haruka smirked. THERE would be an adequate measure of her skill. This impulse of joining the tournament was now looking better all the time.
Ranma's training was fierce and heavy under Genma's close supervision. Everything had to be perfect for his performance in the Tournament.
Ranma performed well enough. At least until he noticed his father signing some extra paperwork and some guys from the Service in their camp.
Genma was grinning almost manically. If only Nodoka could see Ranma now! VERY manly indeed. Now this. Oh, he would have preferred that the Tendo and Saotome families had been joined, but with Ranma's mother-in-law being a doctor and the definite possibility that his wife would become a doctor as well - his retirement and future would be assured!
"So this means that Ami-chan can see us again?" Usagi asked one of the agents.
That worthy nodded, his expression unchanging.
"Pops? What gives?" asked Ranma, taking a break from training but this was a bit concerning.
"Arranging a fiancee for you," said Genma, applying his hanko to the appropriate paper.
"Oh good, I was afraid you were..." Ranma stopped. "A what?"
"A fiancee," said Genma as the agent put away the papers.
"We'll send copies to you as soon as we get back to the office," said the agent, leaving with the papers.
"A what?" asked Ranma.
"A bride eventually," explained Genma.
"WHAT?!" exclaimed Ranma.
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(Posted Wed, 10 Nov 2004 08:28)
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らんま1/2 © Rumiko Takahashi
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