Of course, she had no proof that anyone had actually been after the girl at all. The only reason that she had to believe that there was anyone out to get her was her brother's word. But for some reason she couldn't disbelieve what he'd told her. He'd been someone who she'd been able to respect, unlike a lot of other boys, and he'd never wavered on his story. Something told her that he would not lie to her, and for whatever reason, she believed him.
"Ranma really sent you..," Ami murmured.
"Yes, he did," the Tendo girl confirmed. "He was looking for a school to help fight whatever was after you, but he did say that my school wouldn't do it."
"Oh? Then why were you willing to do this for him?"
"Well, it was a bit of a put down, but he did fight well, and he wasn't as big a jerk about it when we had our match. And he did say that it wouldn't be suitable for the sort of enemy that you're supposed to be facing."
The juku student gave off a sad sigh. "That's what he says in his letter... Oh Ranma..."
"You must care for him a lot."
"He's always been there for me. He's been my brother, my friend and my protector ever since I can remember."
"'Protector'?" Akane parroted.
"Yes. Ever since we were little kids, he'd try to help me. When a bully would try to hurt me, he was there to keep me safe. But now... He's trying to find a way to help me like he always has..."
"It sounds like he's a good brother."
"He's the best."
"I'll take your word for it. I have sisters."
"So you don't have an exact frame of reference," Ami told her, "I just wish that he could understand that he doesn't have to do this. My friends and I can handle the... problem. I just need him here with me..."
"Hey, boys tend to be pig headed."
"He isn't... usually. But my friends will be happy that he's okay..."
"Oh, where are they?"
"They... oh dear... I'm supposed to meet them soon..."
"No problem," the martial artist told her. "Let's go, and I can meet them too."
"You don't have to..."
"I don't mind. Come on."
Letting the rhythm of the train lull him into a bit of relaxation, Ranma tried to all his problems out of his mind. He was travelling to the next possibility in his search for a school that would help him fight the yoma. But he couldn't help but worry about his sister, and whatever might be waiting for her back home. That wasn't an easy thing to think about, but he knew that a serious danger was a possibility. After all, he couldn't expect the enemy to wait while he found a means to fight them.
Still, he had to do something. His sister's life could be on the line, and he had to believe that there was something out there that could help him. Schools like the 'Gods' Cry' one sounded like possibility, but if they wouldn't work out, then he'd just have to go out and find someone like Pai Mei to teach him. There was no way that he could go home empty handed, especially with the knowledge that Ami was going to fight them herself.
He just hoped that whatever he found would be enough.
"He's still looking?" Rei asked as the quartet of girls entered the store.
Usagi frowned in concern. "I hope that he's alright..."
"He's been better at taking care of himself than you have done for yourself."
"That's right... Hey!"
"It's just good that he sent word, even if it's through someone else. No offense."
"None taken," Akane told the raven haired girl.
"I just wonder why he has to take it this far."
"I don't know, but from what I've seen he's really dedicated to helping you guys out."
Ami's shoulders slumped. "He's always been holding himself responsible for protecting me, but now..."
"He can't."
"Exactly..."
"Well, you won't need protection any longer!" growled a voice that didn't belong to one of the quartet, and the girls turned to find something humanoid that was definately inhuman looming over them.
"A yoma!"
Akane stared at the creature that was coming at them and:
Read the comments on this episode
(Posted Tue, 19 Oct 2004 20:50)
Questions? Problems? Suggestions?
Send a mail to addventure@bast-enterprises.de
or use the contact form.
らんま1/2 © Rumiko Takahashi
All other series and their characters are © by their respective creators or owners. No claims of ownership of these characters are implied by the authors of this Addventure, or should be inferred.
The Anime Addventure is a non-profit site.