Doing so made it easier to keep his father in the dark about those facts. All he had to do was let his old man lead him along, and he didn't have to stop for anything. That made his life much easier, and he was glad for that much, as he didn't have to worry about his father asking uncomfortable questions.
However, he was going to have to worry about something else. "D'ya even know where we're goin'?"
"Of course I do!" Genma declared. "This is the home of my closest friend we're going to!"
"Really. Coulda fooled me."
"Stupid boy! Why would I have reason to lie about anything?!"
"Ya don't want me ta answer that, d'ya?" the pigtailed boy asked his father.
"Humph. If you know so much, then why don't you lead us to the house?"
"Ummm. Sure. Why not?"
The elder Saotome snorted, and gave his son a flat glare. "You think that you know where my friend's dojo is?"
"I'm sure of it."
"And how could you know that?"
"'Cause it's right there," Ranma replied, jerking his thumb to the side.
"EH?!" his father blurted, and twirled to look. Standing behind a solid looking property wall was a house that seemed to have been built along traditional lines. To the side of the front gate was a simple wooden sign that read 'Tendo School of Anything Goes Martial Arts. To Challenge Master in mortal combat, use side door.'
"See?"
"But how...."
"Ya were too busy with thinkin' ta yourself ta pay attention ta where ya were goin', and when we got here, ya were doin' more yellin' than ya were lookin'."
Opening his mouth, Genma tried to come up with an excuse... and decided to simply bluster past it. "Ha ha! Can't you tell how great I am?"
"How's that?"
"Well, I got us here without really paying attention, right? It has to be the fact that I am so skilled in the Art that I can know where I am, and where I'm going on simple instinct!"
"I ain't sure that's what I'd call it...." the younger Saotome muttered under his breath.
Not that his father seemed to hear him, as he opened the front gate, knocking as he did so. "Hello? I've come.... eh?"
A tall young brunette that Ranma immediate recognized was standing in front of the door to the house. "Why hello there. You must be Father's friend."
"If you are talking about Soun Tendo, you are right about that. And you are?"
"I am Kasumi, his daughter. Welcome to our home."
At first Genma's eyes opened a bit wider with surprise, but as her words began to fully register, he started to smile. This girl was obviously attractive, dutiful, and a homemaker, all things that would make a good wife for his boy. If this was the girl that his son would marry, it would be just the right sort of match, and if she had sisters like her, this arrangement would be even better than he thought it would be.
There was just one issue that Genma could find problematic in this situation. "Where's your father?"
"Oh dear.... He did so want to come and meet you, but I suppose that he doesn't know about your arrival," Kasumi apologized, and opened the door to the house. "Father, your friend is here!"
"He is? Saotome! Brother!" Soun Tendo called out, barrelling down the doorway.
Genma charged right to him with his arms spread. "Tendo!"
Upon seeing his father and Mister Tendo crash into hugging each other, Ranma sighed. "And they're supposed ta be great martial arts sensei. Think that they've noticed anythin' other than each other?"
"Not at the moment," Kasumi reluctantly admitted, while:
(Posted Mon, 26 Jun 2006 10:25)
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