He set aside this month's copy of "Inu-yasha" with a sigh. Why were all samurai usually depicted as morons by this woman?
"Master, there has been a development," said a familiar voice.
"Sasuke, this had better be good to interrupt my bathing," said Tatewaki. "The events of the past week do weigh heavily upon me."
"The reason for Akane Tendo's absence and distant bearing this week has been uncovered. Akane Tendo has been contracted as a slave by her father," said Sasuke.
"WHAT?! HOW CAN THIS BE?!" roared Kuno, standing up and sending water splashing everywhere.
"I just heard from your kunoichi, who asked me to relay this while she investigated further," said Sasuke.
"Hmph," said Tatewaki, well aware that his kunoichi retainer might be a loyal ninja retainer - but she was loyal to his clan and didn't seem to care for him terribly much. So hard to get good help nowadays. Competent but cold and rarely on hand, off doing things for his clan and away from the mansion most of the time. Still, she was competent in her fashion. "Will her father sell her contract then?"
"It has already been transferred, she is now the personal slave of one Ranma Saotome, who is to inherit the dojo and carry on their school of martial arts," Sasuke informed his master.
"WHAT?! HOW CAN THE HEAVENS NOT SMITE THIS INFIDEL DOWN?!" shouted Tatewaki Kuno.
"The paperwork has already been filed with the government," said Sasuke.
Tatewaki Kuno slowly sat back down. "What of this contract? How may I fight this and reclaim the fair Akane?"
"If this 'Saotome' is judged incompetent to own slaves or he cannot meet the needs of his slaves, a judgement board may be able to release one or more of his slaves," pointed out Sasuke. "The problem is that if that occurs, she likely would not be available for you thereafter. Such cases usually end with the slave moved to a distant area to start anew."
"Hmmmm," said Tatewaki, pondering. "What else?"
"The other usual way for a Master to lose a slave is by direct purchase from the current owner," pointed out Sasuke. "There are also cases where a slave is simply incompetent or something and the Bureau itself reclaims her."
"I see," said Tatewaki Kuno, a plan beginning to form.
Genma and Soun returned to the house and knew immediate disappointment.
Kasumi almost had dinner ready. Nabiki was watching television while doing stretches. Akane was, in answer to Soun's inquiry to Kasumi, doing her homework.
Ranma, it appeared, had not done anything expected.
"I guess it was too much to expect that we'd have come by and the plaster would be shaking off the ceiling," said Genma.
"Well, it's only a matter of time," said Soun philosophically. After all, it was all legal and signed off. It wasn't like anyone could challenge it at this time, without clear evidence of wrongdoing to take to the governing board. Since it was a done deal, he could take a somewhat longer view of such things. Hopefully within a month, maybe even two, they'd be in a proper relationship.
"True, Tendo, true." Genma tried to nod sagely but a large yawn derailed that plan.
Kasumi entered the room, to announce in a voice slightly raised enough to be heard throughout the house. "Dinner's ready!"
"It has been a long day for you, eh Saotome?" noted Soun. "Tell you what, we'll move your boy into one of the girl's rooms and then you've got that room of yours to yourself."
"Now there's an idea," agreed Genma. "A room all to myself - a spot of luxury after the past ten years."
Kasumi stopped in midstride. Akane nearly fell down the stairs. Nabiki got a thoughtful/mischievious expression.
Ranma stopped stretching and got this awful chill.
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(Posted Sat, 23 Apr 2005 11:25)
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らんま1/2 © Rumiko Takahashi
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