Ranma was running like crazy through the gloomy garden, not caring about in what direction she was going or that her new friend was running in a totally different direction than her. All she knew was that she wanted to get away from that horrifying creature as fast as possible.
"Ranma," shouted Shampoo who was running next to her. "What are you doing? Are you a martial artist or not? Did you not defeat me to become my loving husband?"
"Er, not really, but I get your point..." Ranma calmed down enough to focus her thoughts to her training and the Art. She skidded to a stop and turned around to face the beast. "All right, you ugly... thing! Time for you to face the Saotome School of... oooof!"
While the heavy beast ran into Ranma to knock her down, Shampoo hissed in panic and hid under the bushes.
Ranma groggily lifted her head...
...and stared directly into a face that came right out of a nightmare!
A big, slobbering mouth that was really as big as the head of the beast, with dozens of sharp teeth that looked like it could easily rip a small horse apart with it. It's drool dripped down on Ranma's shirt, and it's small, squinty eyes glared at him maliciously.
Ranma tried to remember what technique would best against such a horrible opponent, but for some reason she couldn't concentrate. The horrifying grimace of the monster made her feel afraid, so afraid that she didn't dare to move a muscle.
What's wrong with me, she thought. I'm Ranma Saotome, heir to the Saotome School of you-know-what! I fought Tarou! I took on Herb! I smashed Saffron! And here I am, shivering like a little schoolgirl! Come on, Ranma, stand up and finish this ugly mutt!
But her legs didn't respond to her brain.
The beast opened its jaw so Ranma could smell its disgusting breath...
I'm gonna die! Ranma thought.
But then...
"PHOBOS! DEIMOS! SIT!"
The beast turned its head for a while, then looked back at Ranma.
"PHOBOS! I SAID SIT! BACK OFF!"
This time, the 'monster' obeyed the owner of the booming voice and removed its heavy body from Ranma's lap.
With shaking shoulders, Ranma stood up. Next to the beast - now he could see that it was a dog, the most ugly one he has ever seen in his life - stood an old man, barely bigger than the animal itself, and looked at Ranma with grim eyes. His head was nearly bald and he wore some kind of robe. For a while, he only stood there and watched Ranma.
Then he spoke: "Who are you! What are you doing on my property at this time? You want me to call the police?"
Ranma recollected herself and stammered: "I-I'm... Amnar Emotoas and I... I'm searching for someone!"
"And just why are you searching here? Only I live here! Are you a boy or a girl?"
Ranma was taken by surprise by this question, but when she looked at herself, she could understand him. It was dark, she was wearing pants, and her skin was dirty from the ground, when the dog pushed her down.
"A... girl! Why?"
"Because I'm seriously considering pulling down your pants for a little spanking, young lady!"
Ranma fumed silently, but she didn't want to make the small man more angry than he already was. Besides, this ugly dog still gave her the creeps...
A loud splash could be heard, followed by an angry voice: "DAMMIT!"
Ranma shrugged, then pulled out the letter from Amnar's mother and gave it to the old man. "I was searching for this address. That's this house, isn't it?"
The man looked at the paper and finally nodded.
"I have this letter from my mother. She said that my grandfather, who I never knew about, would be living here. If that is correct, he must be you."
"I sure am someones grandfather, young lady, but that still doesn't mean I have to be yours. Where is your mother? Why didn't she come with you?"
It's really strange to think of Amnar's mother as my own, Ranma thought. But what was even more strange was that it was getting easier by the hour of thinking that way. "My mother is dead. This letter is her last wish. She wanted me to come here and meet you."
The old man, who might be Amnar's grandfather, looked at the letter with a frown.
Another splash echoed through the darkness, and the voice yelled: "You stupid mutt! When I'm gonna lay my hands on you. I... I'm gonna..."
Amnar's grandfather looked up from the letter. "And who is the young man with the astonishing vocabulary? Another grandson I'm unaware of?"
"No, he's just a friend of mine! He helped me getting here from the airport. That means, me and my cat, Shampoo!"
Shampoo slowly crawled out of the bushed, carefully staying away from the dog. When the old man heard the rustling of the leaves, he looked grimly at her feline form.
"Okay, you can stay! At least for one night. I'm going to check if your story is true... and then we'll see! But you really should take care of your little kitten... My dogs don't like cats! And now we should look after your young friend."
Ranma picked up Shampoo and her bag and followed Amnar's grandpa through the garden. The dog was following them, perhaps to prevent their escape.
Or because he's thinking that Shampoo is smelling pretty good...
After several steps they reached a small pond that was situated between two big trees. Mamoru was standing right in the middle of that pond, with the water going up to his knees. He looked like he'd love to get out of the cold water, but the reason why he couldn't was sitting at the edge of the pond and seemed to grin. Ranma looked back at the animal following them. If she didn't know any better, she'd think it was the same dog. They really looked identical, like twins.
Mamoru shuddered. "Well, did you finish your family meeting? Nice of you for thinking of me like that! While you two were chatting I had to fight against this ugly monster, but I'm fine, thank you very much! Hey, gramps! Do you know how dangerous these animals are?"
Again, the old man frowned. "First of all, you can call me Grandpa! Everyone in this neighborhood does that. But I don't think it's very nice to talk about Deimos in that way, young man. He can understand you pretty good. Besides, I didn't want to bother you. After all, it would be rude to disturb a man when he's taking a bath."
Ranma couldn't hold it anymore and laughed her head off.
Mamoru was staring at both of them. "But... but that's..."
"Enough for now!" Grandpa was back to his authorizing voice. "I think it's best for all of us to go into the house. There I will show you your rooms and perhaps I even have some dry clothes for the young man. Deimos, heel!"
The other dog returned to his master's side obediently so that Mamoru finally could step out of the icy water. He really was shivering. Ranma really felt sorry for him.
----
The old man led them to the front door and opened it. They stepped inside a large foyer with several wooden doors leading to other rooms. Below their feet was an old, but beautiful, thick carpet. Directly in front of them, a spiral stairway was leading up to the upper floor.
"Welcome in my House, kids!"
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(Posted Wed, 05 Jul 2006 15:57)
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