"Huh," he mumbled. "That's a kind of a Kuno-like thought." At around that point, Ranma realized that he'd just returned from two months of hard training. He'd fought Ryouga -- nearly to the death. He'd formed some sort of chi and force-based mystical bond with Ukyou. He'd not eaten all day. He'd not slept at all. He'd fled from Ukyou's, and then created another bond with Kodachi.
Perhaps as a side-effect of the force fine-tuning his awareness of how much strain his body could take, and his father's, "Ignore all the pain, just work through it," attitude, he'd managed to drag himself to the breaking point without showing any signs of real fatigue. But now it was catching up to him, and quickly.
He'd better hope nothing bad happened, like....
Uh-oh.
"I swear," he coughed, still hugging Kodachi to him. "It's not what it looks like, Kuno!"
"Oh, no, I think I know quite well what this is," he said, smirking. "But have no fear! My noble personage has no cause to strike you down this eve, Saotome, so long as you retain your wandering hands to my sister, and thusly, away from the beauteous Tendo Akane." Tatewaki took a deep breath, and sighed forlornly. "I am sure she suffers from the lack of my presence. I tarry here only to inquire as to why you perform your dalliances here in the street instead of in the house proper."
"Wanted to ask you a favor," Ranma said doggedly, fighting off the crashing waves of exhaustion. "I need some training ... in sword techniques. I wanted ... to ask you."
"Me?" Tatewaki asked, surprised. He brightened immediately. "Indeed! Today is truly a day when heaven smiles upon me! I do not think it can improve further!"
"Gah," Ranma coughed out, as he faded into unconsciousness.
***
Kodachi's tears ended as soon as she felt Ranma go limp, and suddenly found herself holding him upright.
"Hmm," Tatewaki mused, raising an eyebrow. "I suppose the heavens have seen fit to prove me wrong."
"Ranma-sama?" Kodachi asked tremulously. She frowned. This was bad. Her Ranma-sama had injured himself somehow, all while making her feel so much better. He couldn't suffer on her account! That just wouldn't be right. "Kuonji-san?" she asked, looking around. She'd heard the girl earlier, ordering (of all things!) Ranma to hug her.
Ukyou slowly straightened up from behind a newsstand, tearstains streaking her cheeks. "Ranchan!" she gasped, seeing him hanging in Kodachi's arms. In a flash she was at his side. "What are we gonna do? Is he gonna be okay?"
Yoda nodded to the girl, keeping out of sight of Kodachi and Tatewaki for the moment. At that encouragement, Ukyou bit her lip, and turned to Kodachi for guidance. "I don't know," Kodachi admitted. "We should get him into a bed."
"Agreed," Tatewaki said, nodding. "I suggest yours." He turned to Ukyou. "And you, Kuonji, if you can, please, join my sister, and ensure that Saotome's health is tended to."
"Eh?" Ukyou managed, somewhat stunned by this behavior from Tatewaki.
"As well," he continued, turning a stern gaze on Kodachi, "I expect you to keep him from leaving your bed any time before, say ... hmmm ... ever."
"Why ... I'm so glad to see you getting along with Ranma-sama," Kodachi said, dazed.
"Of course!" Tatewaki said, grinning. "Especially, keep him away from the Tendo dojo. Now, I must be off! True love calls me!" With that, he moved to dash away, but not before Kodachi tripped him with her ribbon.
"Is something the matter, sister dearest?" he asked, looking back over his shoulder.
"If you must go to that harridan's hovel, have the decency not to let anyone know where Ranma-sama is convalescing," she warned.
Tatewaki snorted. "Why would I have a reason to hide anything from my beloved Akane?" he demanded.
"Because if you do let anyone know where Ranma-sama is," Kodachi said in a very stern tone, "I shall allow a certain photograph of a six year old 'Blue Thunder' standing next to the futon he'd jus--"
"Forsooth! I have no idea where that varlet Saotome has gone to!" Tatewaki protested with loud suddeness. "Wither has the sorcerer vanished to? I must go to Akane and tell her now that I confronted the villain, but even as his doom approached, his foul magics have allowed him to flee beyond our mortal spheres. Surely she will aid my quest for vengeance." And with that, he fled.
"Um," Ukyou mumbled. "Ranchan," she began hesitantly. "I.... We--"
"Time for such concerns in the future," Kodachi said, shaking her head. "We must get him into that bed. If you can manage Ranma-sama for a moment, I'll fetch his bag."
From his spot behind the newsstand, Yoda smiled, and nodded.
And now....
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(Posted Mon, 18 Jul 2005 08:37)
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