Oh she was gathering firewood, clearing the space for the fire, getting ready to throw a few kunai and get some fish too. One of the advantages to the Shadow Clone technique.
Mainly though, she was amused.
Konoka was teasing Setsuna about Ranma. Setsuna was declaring that she had absolutely no interest in Ranma. Konoka was then stating her own interest in Ranma, causing Setsuna to get flustered.
As amusing as the little play between them was, hearing it caused Kaede to consider the conversation back at the village.
Eishun Konoe, head priest and one of the legendary Red Wing group, sat down with a sigh. "Okay. How many of you remember how Ranma became a lord of our village?"Kaede nodded, she remembered well. There were a few other nods among those assembled.
Eishun apparently noted that there were many, including some of the critics of Lord Ranma, who were not indicating their rememberance. "Nodoka Saotome, who had lost her husband and son to a demon, had been in contact with us because of that incident. She was rather shocked when the father and son whom she had had to identify for the police, showed up. These were not HER husband and son though, apparently having come from a parallel universe."
Eishun turned a baleful look at one girl who had made a scoffing noise, quieting her. "When he was nine, he and his father came here to be examined. Examination from some of the more discerning magic-wielders confirmed this story. More - there were strong magical energies present in both, either caused by their journey or something they encountered there.
"Also while here, Ranma was apparently avoiding his father to keep him from stealing his lunch when he encountered someone moving around while under a Veil."
The previous scoffer made a gesture to indicate disagreement. "Impossible. He is not magically trained and I have seen this Ranma. He is not capable of subtelty."
Kaede felt she could make a contribution. "Lord Ranma's father has a ninjitsu technique that he sealed and then unsealed at some point, and uses this to take his son's meals if Lord Ranma cannot detect his presence. Therefore Lord Ranma can detect Veils of various sorts. This one has noted that a Veil will actually draw Lord Ranma's attention more than not using one as a result of this training."
"Whatever I may think of Genma Saotome personally," admitted Eishun, "I will allow that he is an excellent martial artist in his own right and that not all of his training methods are completely insane."
Kaede's usual faint smile briefly increased and she nodded slightly, understanding both meanings in that statement.
"I'll believe it when I see it," scoffed the critic.
"In any case, it is documented what occurred that day," continued Eishun. "Ranma spotted someone who was Veiled. Ranma then followed out of curiosity and attacked when it was obvious that this was someone up to no good. That alerted others and we were able to respond before the intruder could achieve all their objectives."
"I don't understand," said Konoka. "What exactly were those objectives?"
"She was trying to steal several village treasures, artifacts made in ancient times and refined over generations, and had some of these in her possession," said Eishun. "However their main target was you, my daughter."
"ME?!" understandably exclaimed Konoka.
"From evidence we acquired later, if the thief had succeeded, they would have then triggered a petrification attack on the entire village - a curse that might have taken years to unravel if ever," said Eishun. "Ranma, despite being only two years older than most of you, was able to keep the sorceress busy until more magically adept individuals could respond."
Kaede nodded at that. She wasn't exactly a slouch herself but Lord Ranma was quite formidable."
"What treasures were they taking that were so important?" asked another of the girls, Kaede recognizing Fuma.
"The materia," said Eishun, waiting for the gasps to end. "During that battle, not only did Ranma manage to keep his opponent busy, but he managed to steal one of the containers and ended up with the materia sinking into him. I believe you've seen the symbol, Kaede?"
Kaede inclined her head slightly. "Yes, he usually covers it with a bracer."
"Setsuna, Konoka, I believe that you can be kept safe at Mahora Academy with my father-in-law in charge," said Eishun. "Since there recently came up an indication that the thief's allies may have infiltrated the area, getting you to safety while we deal with this serpent in our midst is a priority."
Kaede remembered more details, of course. She'd only become Lord Ranma's ninja a week prior to his latest little trip, then she'd been sent back to the village while Ranma was to deal with some training in a men-only priestly enclave. Which was when she'd had that meeting and the plan to have Ranma help with Konoka's security.
Ranma got special manuevers and training in magic out of it, both things that he was known to desire. Genma got time with his wife and occasional visits to continue Ranma's martial arts training.
Of course, Genma had his little schemes but that was something they were all going to have to deal with.
Mahora Academy was all girl. There WAS a boy's school nearby, and one building of dormitories was co-ed. Inevitable really, as some boys had slavegirls and some girls had slaveboys. Not that they shared rooms, it was a school after all. You were there to learn, and not simply fight.
Well, that was the case normally at least.
"This'll be so much fun, Secchan!"
"Remember, Saotome," warned Setsuna.
"Oh, Secchan, he's not going to ravish us in the middle of the night," chided Konoka, before some impish impulse made her add "unless we ask REALLY nicely."
"Erk," managed Ranma and Setsuna.
Konoka was blushing, embarassed but smiling at Setsuna's reaction.
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(Posted Thu, 22 Mar 2007 18:52)
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