And then he saw Hotaru, clutched in another tentacle, and apparently passed out -- he couldn't see her struggle, and he didn't hear her yelling. Tarou was out of Ranma's reach, and he didn't want to throw something -- he could hit Akane, or Hotaru. Aside from which, if he knocked Tarou out and the monster fell, the girls would, too.
Cracking the knuckles of one hand absently, Ranma said, "Happi, I've got an errand to run. We're gonna have a long talk afterwards about what you're allowed to get my daughter involved in."
The old man blinked, looking somewhat confused, and Ranma marked the direction that Tarou was heading mentally before throwing himself off the edge of the roof, bouncing off of his father's head, and landing in the living room. Kasumi was already trotting from the hall, looking at the table in alarm.
Soun was still sitting in the same place, head still buried in the newspaper. "Tokyo Giants are doing well," he remarked, as Ranma came to a halt.
"Tendo," Ranma said, nodding at Kasumi, "is it cool if I borrow your naganita?"
"Umbrella stand by the door," Soun said from behind the paper. "Help yourself."
"Thanks," he said. "Kasumi? I need a big--" He cut off, as she pressed the largest of the house's towels into his hands. "Er. Thanks," he said again. "I'm off to rescue Akane and Hotaru."
"Lunch should be ready soon," Kasumi offered. "I do hope everything turns out well."
"Ah, yes," Soun noted, lowering his paper. "What are we having?"
Rolling his eyes, Ranma took off before waiting for Kasumi's answer. After bouncing through the doorway, he collected the naganita and tossed the towel over his shoulder like a cape. He was in the Umisen-ken before he left the Tendo home, making his way to the power-lines as the most level, straight route across the city.
Actually, there were other routes, but none would let him watch Tarou as closely. He could still see the monster in the distance, but that made sense. Tarou wanted to hold them hostage, not keep them captive, and that meant he'd need a place to go that Ranma could also get to.
"Oh, lovely," he muttered, as Tarou chose Tokyo Tower. "With my luck it'll be gone by Wednesday."
He stopped about a quarter-mile from the base of the tower, on a level rooftop, and considered his options. The Umisen-ken was a sealed technique, but Ranma didn't feel the need to hesitate using it, especially not where his daughter's safety was concerned. He doubted he'd want to use the Yamasen-ken, at least, right away.
Tarou wouldn't hurt either of the girls, though he wouldn't treat them very well, if his memory served. He was likely going to wait for either Ranma or the old man to show up before making his demands ... though since he had chosen Tokyo Tower.... Ranma sighed, already seeing the news crews assemble like hungry wolves, flocking to the base of the tower and setting up their cameras.
"Okay," Ranma mumbled. "Sneak in, and steal them both away, then kick his ass? Or just kick his ass?"
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(Posted Tue, 19 Jul 2005 07:26)
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