Ranma and Michiru were in the gate of the Slave Kellen, he has already pay her stay and now they were waiting for the arrival of Ranma's father that has left to send a telegram to some friend of his. Genma told Ranma that they will be staying in his house for a while, he didn't understand his father sometimes, they already had enough money to rent or buy a house for all three thanks to Michiru and her abilities with finances, but he always try to pay the less possible or in some case not do it.
'I just hope this isn't other of his stupid schemes of his.' Though the Myrmidon.
"Ma-Master?"
"Huh?" Ranma turned his attention to his pregnant slave, noticing that she looks a little nervous and didn't take long for him to notice why.
In front of then was a 'Hollow', he was wearing a long black coat that covered all his body with a some kind of of skeleton mask that covered his face. They were feared by many, specially the slaves, they worked for the coliseum and the slave kellen, collecting debts one way or another. Nobody knew who where they, but everybody knew their purpose, usually they were called when someone didn't want to pay to the regular authoryties to the point of using violence to avoid it, and once they were called the 'Hollows' could use all the means necessary to make you pay.
Quickly Ranma stood between the 'Hollow' and Michiru, he didn't know why he was aproaching them, but he could only assume the worst, the thought of his father being involved cross his mind but he dismissed, he was a fool but he wasn't fool enough to involve himself with them, at least he hope so.
"Ranma Saotome?" Ask the man in black ropes, his voice sounded harsh but polite.
"Yes, I am." Answered him. "What is this all about? Did my father do something stupid again?"
"Oh, no, mr. Saotome." The 'Hollow' told him while waved his gloved hand. "I assure you that any problems that we have with your father will be resolved with hin directly. I'm just here to pay a debt."
"Pay a debt?" Asked Ranma a little confused. "I didn't know that your kind did things like that."
"Oh, yes, we do it ocassionally when the circunstances required so."
Ranma didn't know what to think of the polite tone of the 'Hollow', certainly this was the first time that he talked with one of them, and he wasn't very sure how they ussually behave but decided to stay in guard just in case.
"So, what debt is this that you have come to pay? Asked Michiru that know stood besides Ranma, her voice sounded with more confidence now.
The Hollow looked at her for a moment before continuing "It's about Saionji Kyouichi?
That Jackass?" Ranma was getting angry just remembering the guy. He dared to insulted Michiru because he didn't understand how someone of noble blood as her could be the slaves of someone like him. A few insult and punchs later they agreed to a fight and to make it 'interesting' as he told him, they bet a huge amount of money, Ranma was not fool he knew that what he really wanted was Michiru, but Ranma would never bet her under any circunstances, and he would also refuse to do the bet but Michiru convince him to do so. Her reason? She knew that he would never lose to someone like him. After that, it only take 30 seconds for him to defeat that bastard in the Arena. Now that he was thinking about it, he really should have take his time to make him pay for all the thinks that he said to her.
"But I don't understand, why you got involved? As I recall, he and his family are very rich and wouldn't have trouble paying that debt." Asked Michiru.
"Yes." The 'Hollow' continues. "You see, Mr. Saionji not only make bet with you, but other people as well, including other debts that he already owed to the coliseum and his father has refused to pay any of them, aparently he is ashamed of his son 'shameful' defeat and want to teach him a lesson. The coliseum send us to collect the debts before mr. Saionji decided to find another place to live far away. He was a little...'reluctant' at first but we make him see reason. Now all his propertys has been confiscated and he has 'agreed' to spend some time as slave to pay for the rest of the money that he owes to the colliseum
"Serves him right." Ranma commented
"And what will happen with the money that he owes to my master" Asked Michiru.
"Well, I'm afraid that all the money that mr. Saionji had is now property of the Coliseum, and that takes priority."
Michiru nodded, she wasn't surprised at all for that.
"But don't worry" Continued the 'Hollow'. "The Coliseum will take care that all debts will be pay, and since you were the first involved, Mr. Saotome will have the honor to be the first."
"The First?"
"Yes, Mr Saionji was the owner of many slaves, and they will be used to pay the debts that are left." Explained the Hollow. "Mr. Saotome can choose anyone he likes between then, or if he prefer he can wait for the auctioning to see how much money we can make from them and collect what is his. Honestly I would choose the first since I see that you would need someone to help your Slave."
Ranma took a quick glance to Michiru and her belly, he knew that he was right but he couldn't help getting a little angry for the tone he use with her.
"Master, he is right." Michiru told him while she took his hand. "Yo would need someone who replace me to help you in the fight and I don't want to be a bother."
"You will be never that." Ranma told her while he touch her face whit his hand. "And anyone ever would replace you."
Michiru smiled to him and nodded.
"So, if you follow me please?"
Ranma and Michiru nodded and followed the 'Hollow' in the street to the Coliseum.
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(Posted Tue, 31 Mar 2009 17:47)
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