As the kids were becoming kids mentally as well as physically, they were getting along a lot better.
Akane didn't seem to be angry much at all. Nabiki was angry periodically, but seemed to be forgetting a lot of things as she went. Kodachi didn't seem so crazy anymore. Shampoo was certainly less pushy. Ukyo seemed to be a happy little girl most of the time. Kasumi just shrugged and went about her business.
Some things you'd expect. Some things you would not.
"You want to WHAT?!"
Cologne gave him that "lizard look" - that flat gaze that somehow indicated she was tired of this conversation and was just barely tolerating his ignorance at the moment. "You heard me."
"You want to train my little girl to be an Amazon?!" Soun demanded, looking angry.
"She requested it," said Cologne.
"W-w-w-what?" asked Soun.
"Think about it, you ninnies," said Cologne, taking a teacup from Kasumi with a nod. "Thank you dear. Akane is seeing this as an opportunity. So is Ukyo. To even my surprise, Kodachi is considering it as well. They are forgetting much of what they knew and finding themselves reverting to six year old girls. Miss Kuonji sees this as an opportunity she has to have a happy childhood. Akane sees this as a way for everyone - including herself - to be happy and friends. Also as a way to move beyond what she had in the Art."
"B-b-b-but the School..." began Soun.
"You never trained her beyond the basics," said Cologne. "I am considering it. Akane would make an excellent fighter and could go beyond the levels she trained in here, perhaps not the best of the best, but still a considerable warrior beyond what she had been. With her and her friends trained for years in the Art, there is also the possibility of Shampoo learning some concepts she never quite grasped when she was going through childhood the first time."
"What do you get out of it, Old Ghoul?" asked Ranma, suspicious.
"What do I get? Other than potential new blood for the tribe, a chance to undo old mistakes, train some superior fighters to reach their full potential, and several years of watching my soap operas in peace?" Cologne seemed to think about it briefly. "Perhaps - someone who can take over the tribe eventually."
"Why would you need that?" asked Ranma, confused.
"I am OLD, Ranma," said Cologne, dropping the 'son in law' deliberately. "There comes a time when you've seen it all, seen too much, and dealing with the idiocy of the young becomes increasingly wearying. There are times when even I feel Death watching me from a distance, and when the accumulated years hang heavy on me. Things around you haven't been boring, but you tend to repeat things even so. Besides, you'll need help from time to time just dealing with new menaces come to call."
"I can handle anything," scoffed Ranma.
"Hmmmm, ominous thunder," noted Genma.
RUMBLE-KRAK
"I thought I heard plates breaking," said Soun nervously.
"Besides, I at least want to be here when Happi finds out that some of his favorite targets are no longer appropriate," pointed out Cologne, smiling an evil smile.
"Oh," said Ranma as he realized that. The old lech didn't bother little kids after all.
"Ah," said Soun, realizing his little girls weren't targets of the Master's lecheries anymore.
"Hmmmm," said Genma, wondering what was for dinner tonight. Well, if Tendo's daughters weren't available - he'd just have to move on to Group B.
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(Posted Wed, 06 Apr 2005 10:14)
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