“Uh huh,” Said Ranma as he stretched. His next decision was a no-brainer. “Looks like I’ve got to pay a visit to Hiroshi and Daisuke.” He was pretty sure they’d give him what he needed with little hassle... or else he was going to have to get it back the hard why by showing them just how he felt about knowing they tried to turn his curse into a pokégirl NUMEROUS times... after all, what could-no NO! He would not jinx himself by saying what could go wrong!
...
......
...Oh, damn it!
“Not good. I better get something to sweeten the deal,” Ranma decided that yes, such was exactly what he’d do to try and ease off any oncoming bad luck. He’d visit those two but he’d bring some money; bribe them so they could get themselves a couple of dirty magazines or manga or whatever. He puts his hand into his pocket, hopeful he had enough.
Sadly, it wasn’t much. Nabiki had been filching him lately. However, he smirked as another idea came to mind. Who better to pay up than his old man?
With the thoughts of ‘what’s good for the goose is good for the gander’ in mind, Ranma slid into a window to get to the room he and his father were using while staying at the Tendos...
Only it wasn’t the guest room anymore.
“What happened?” Ranma gasped The room was the same size as before only... well, it seemed designed more for a guy, for someone like him! A big four-post bed with nicely polished wood and the mattress covered in simple tan sheets. There was training equipment all over the room too; a treadmill, an exercise bicycle, punching bag and loads of training weights. The center of the large bedroom was open space, enough for katas.
This, the Great Will replied. Is your room. Pokégirls are more apt to share rooms as they like to develop and enforce the hierarchy they set-up amongst themselves. So despite the increased number of household members, the daughters share quarters. Kasumi, Akane and Mokoto share the larger of the two girls’ bedrooms while Nabiki and Ami share the smaller room. Your room is actually the square-footage of what had been the Guest room and Nabiki’s room before the changes.
“So, I share this place with my old man?” Ranma asked curiously as he took in the space of the entire room.
Negative, the Great Will answered. Like Soun, who shares his quarters with his pokéwomen and pokégirl, Genma actually resides as the Saotome Estate with his Wives, Nodoka Saotome (Denmother), Sayoko Mano (Taverngirl) and Honey Kisaragi (Titto).
His pigtail standing up, the heir of the Saotome School of Anything Goes Martial Arts twitched... lots. “Dad’s got... pokégirls?” That seemed rather wrong to the pigtailed martial artist. After all, who the hell could fall for his ugly-ass father? “So what does this mean? I have any siblings?”
Yes. Yohko Mano (Slicer) and Ranko Kisaragi (Vulvixx). It should be noted that these two pokégirls and your father’s pokéwomen in Retcon are the only pokégirl females that you seem to show any outwards affection to, being as close to them in a familial manner as you are.
The pigtailed martial artist blinked his eyes once, twice as he considered that. “So I have a family and they’re the one’s I’m comfortable with... but instead of living with them, I’m living at the Tendo Dojo without my father around?”
Correct. Both Soun and Genma theorized that being forced to get along with new scenery and circumstances without any of your old ‘comfort zones’ to give you reassurance would cause you to either finally warm up to pokégirls in general or at least latch onto the Tendo family to allow you some semblance of a home-life. Such would also be sign they could finally start pushing you to choose a pokégirl to start your career as a Battle Tamer.
Ranma just stared off into nothing, eyes unseeing for a moment as he considered what he heard. “...Wow...” he finally managed to whisper. “They actually thought up a sensible plan!” Such seemed so... insane to him! When did Pops or old man Tendo ever do anything half-way thought-out let alone right!?
Mostly: Genma and Soun Tendo are still lacking a certain level of intelligence and common sense but nowhere near the degree you know of. Besides, it should he noted that the idea was suggested by your Step-Mother, Honey. However, she did with your best interests in mind, NOT what her husband was after.
Shoulders slumping, the male youth sighed. “I should’ve known that Pops couldn’t have been able to come up with a decent plan on his own if his life depended on it. I hope he’s having problems too.”
The Great Will assured Ranma, He is. Genma’s Primary Wife Nodoka is a little miffed about being kept away from her son and so she has the rest of the harem helping her keep Genma in what they call ‘Taming Hell’.
“...Taming Hell?” The raven-haired martial artist asked, his curiosity piqued.
Yes. They are using a number of techniques on him that they’re being taught by their house-guest, Happosai.
“WAIT!” Ranma shouted. “The old freak isn’t staying here!?”
No. There isn’t enough room. The room that Happosai took up while living in the Tendo Dojo before the Retcon instated by the force of the Great Will is currently a storage room; all available bedrooms of the Tendo estate are currently occupied with other residents.
That made the heir of the Saotome School of Martial Arts grin. That... that was pretty cool. “So no old man on my back or old lech to give me hell?”
No. Instead, Ranma Saotome finds himself popular with various members of the neighborhood’s pokégirls, even though he hasn’t shown any interest in them.
Accepting that trade-off was probably as good as he was going to get in turn for losing the old freak’s attention, Ranma replied, “Okay... so what pokégirls?”
The neighborhood has a large number. Please list a specific area.
“Um...” Ranma stalled, trying to figure out where to start. Realizing it was best to know WHAT he was dealing with without his memories, he asked, “Is just the immediate block the Dojo’s in acceptable?”
It apparently was the Great Will interface began to answer, In immediate vicinity of the Tendo Dogo, five: Mokoto Aoyama, Tsuruko Aoyama, Ami Mizuno, Akane Tendo and Kasumi Tendo.
Ranma blinked. “Tsuruko has interest in me!?”
She has felt out of place with Soun but duty demands that she be beside him and she would not betray him or the trust her new family has in her. That doesn’t mean she wouldn't have a, for lack of better terms, “One Night Stand” with you. The Great Will then continued, Your nearest neighbors consist of foreign exchange students who live in the boarding house at the end of the block: Kaolla Su (Tymazon) and Ku Fei (Amazonchan) from China. Neither of which are associated with the Amazons you knew.
As Ranma let of a breath of relief, the Great Will informed him, Also living there is a pokékit who hit threshold early but hasn’t fully ripened into legal pokégirl status by the name of Shinobu Miahara. Being very-near human her breed is indeterminate at this time and will be until she goes into her first puberty. However, despite not being fully developed, she also has a level of affection for you.
Blinking his eyes, Ranma asked, “A pokékit? I thought that was just the term for pokégirl children?”
It can also be used for preteen jailbait. The Great Will warned seriously.
“Ah,” the Saotome male replied, not sure how to feel about a young girl having the hots for him. At least the law protected pokékits and frowned on people having ‘relations’ with them. Looking around the room once more, the pigtailed teenager inquired, “So do I have any money stashed anywhere?”
In a lockbox under the dresser by the bed. The Great Will interface helpfully supplied.
“Thanks,” Ranma replied as he went over to where the Great Will had suggested, getting on the floor and reaching under the furniture. Sure enough, there was a lock-box under the dresser, with a key still in the lock. “...Boy, I must be an idiot, leaving this in here where someone could steal.”
Actually you have had no problem with theft so have been lax.
Grumbling as he turned the key, Ranma replied, “I’d hate to think of myself... like... that...” he trailed off as he stared at the contents of the open box, simply STARED. Deciding to take a page from Kasumi’s book, he whispered, “...Oh my...”
What's wrong?
“This...” Ranma said as he continued to stare. “This is quite a bit.” He’d NEVER had this much cash in his life. It was a concept so... so... ALIEN to him! He could begrudgingly accept that women were now into more exotic, more powerful versions of themselves but... him with CASH!?
He slowly looked out the window to make sure the Four Horsemen weren’t riding across the sky to signal the start of the Rapture.
That, the interface started to explain. Is thanks to a stipend your uncle Jim sends you. He looks out for his daughter Nodoka and sends money her way every week. At the end of the month, she sends you a portion for your own uses to make sure her husband and is buddy Soun don’t spend it on beer or other alcoholic beverages.
Blinking his eyes once, twice, Ranma chuckled. “Damn, this uncle Jim is a helpful guy. First this PokéDex thing and now all this money?”
Dr. James Sukotto looks out for his own.
“Yeah, I guess he-SUKOTTO!?” Ranma yelped, remembering that name all to well. “You mean the same guy who created the pokégirls is...” he trailed off, not sure he wanted to ask.
Does not compute; Is something wrong?
Taking a deep breath, the Saotome youth steeled himself. “I’m...” he gulped. “I’m related to Sukotto?”
Correct, the interface answered. Hiroshi and Daisuke wanted to be able to gleam off some benefits from the man without any of the danger associated with him that would be likely to follow. They figured you would do well as a stand-in. After all, you’re tough enough to handle most dangers and being their ‘good buddy’, you’d be likely to throw them a bone now and then. Retcon has it that you even went as far as giving them both Yuka and Sayuri as Christmas gifts during the first year of your stay in Nerima.
His eyes widening to the side of dinner plates, Ranma shrieked, “I GAVE them-” he stopped suddenly, grabbing the sides of his head with his hands. “Oh, my head hurts!”
In Retcon, you say that quite often, actually. Something had to replace the ‘Unctue Tomboy’ phrase are prone to use as Akane Tendo is no longer ‘uncute’ nor of the Tomboy breed.
Lowering his hands, Ranma raised an eyebrow as he considered that statement. “She’s not?”
No, she’s-
There was suddenly a knocking on the door. A demure voice called out, “Hello? Ranma? Are you in there? I need to ask you something.”
“Huh? Oh sure!” He called out as he walked over to the bedroom door. Upon opening it, he winced at the sight. There she was, a feminine frame, a very cute face, and her hair a beautiful shade of blue; a pair of feline ears peaking out and a tail waving behind her. “Hey, Akane... what is it?” He asked slowly, as if bracing himself for the mallet. Not that he was expecting his fiancée to use his skull as a golf ball at the moment, it was the minor feline additions to her that threw him off.
The girl stood there, blinking her eyes once, twice. “Akane?” The girl asked curiously. “Ranma, I’m Ami.”
“Ami?” Ranma questioned as he looked her up and down. “But you’re... so much like Akane!”
“Well, of course we are. I mean, we are half sisters...” she looked at him with a curious gaze. “Honestly, you think I look like Akane? No offense but I doubt she’s got the Kitten ears and tail like I do...” she said in a small voice, her blue eyes with slitted irises looking unsure of herself.
“Uh, sorry! I meant that as a compliment!” He stammered. Even if she was somewhat feline, there was one thing that was still true about Ranma. He couldn’t bear to make a girl cry and would do anything to rectify that.
Smooth.
Ranma placed both his hands on her shoulders. “Ah-anyway, what can I do for you? After all helping cute girls is what I do!”
Smooth plus.
She blushed, not having caught his second statement. “You... you think I’m as good looking as Akane?” She sounded hopeful...
However, she caught his last wore. "You... you really think I’m cute! Oh, oh my!” She stammered, placing her hands on her cheeks. “This is so, so... sudden! You’ve never said anything like that to me before!”
Blinking his eyes once, twice, the pigtailed martial artist asked, “I haven’t?” Realizing he should probably try and cover up not know, he added, “Well... shame on me!”
Smiling a little, Ami was almost head over heels with what he was saying... until her memory started nagging her with WHY she needed to talk to him. “Oh, Ranma!” She spoke up suddenly, rational though breaking through the haze of giddiness. “I was wondering; I’m running a little late for band practice. Mom called and told me she’s not going to be home in time, having been asked to stay for a double-shift. Rather than make my friends wait even more by taking the bus, would you be kind enough to drive me over to the Hikawa Shrine over in Juuban? Please?”
“Drive you over?” Ranma questioned before quickly replying, “Uh... sure!” “Wait... I can drive?” He thought curiously.
Fortunately, the Great Will had the answer for him. Yes, the Ranma Saotome of this ret-conned world can drive. You currently however, the interface started to sound serious. Are still based on the previous universe.
Ranma winced. “Oh, c’mon,” he thought to the Great Will. “There’s gotta be something I can do.”
You can tell her you’re busy.
Frowning, the pigtailed martial artist mentally replied, “Look, I’m not the best at reading people but even I can tell she must normally be quiet. Being pleased might be good for her. Can’t you just... well... give me the knowledge of driving?”
No.
“Pretty please?” Ranma thought hopefully.
No. Such powers are currently locked until all portions of the Great Will Interface are given back to Ranma Saotome by Hiroshi and Daisuke.
“Come on. I’m going to drive anyway,” Ranma mentally told the Great Will. “And if I, say, DIE in a car crash, won’t you be stuck in some sort of stand-by mode from now to eternity since without me, since Daisuke and Hiroshi can’t control you either?”
Silence answered him for awhile.
Fidgeting in place, Ami asked again, “Ranma? Is it okay to get a ride?”
Fine. One exception shall be granted. Ranma Saotome will be given the driving skills he would have attained naturally as part of the ret-con.
Grinning, the pigtailed martial artist closed the cash tin and locked it before placing it down atop his bed. He then walked over to the dresser and opened the top drawer. “Ami... let’s ride!”
“HOORAY!” The Kitten pokégirl shouted, jumping up in glee. She couldn’t remember Ranma EVER taking interest in her like this before. Maybe, just maybe... he’d choose her to be his Alpha Pokégirl!?
Ranma chuckled at the blue-tressed pokégirl’s exuberance, feeling good about himself despite the fact she had feline characteristics. “Just let me grab my keys and we’ll get you to your band practice.” With the skills and memories in mind, Ranma retrieved the keys which he now knew were in a small change plate in the drawer.
“Thank you, Ranma!” The Kitten squeaked happily. “I’ll go get my electric keyboard!” So saying, she rushed out of the room, her feet slamming along the floorboards.
You BETTER appreciate this.
“Oh, I do!” The teenager thought, smiling as he exited the room, walking down the stairs. Exiting out the front door, he made his way to the garage which was now on the side of the house; a vehicle parked in front. “Now let’s get the car started and... whoa...” he whispered, staring at the automobile.
Ah yes, your ride, the Great Will told him. A Nissan GTR, one of the most famous brands of the Nissan sports cars. It was a sixteenth birthday present from your uncle Jim. He even paid to have the PokéBall paint job put on the engine’s hood.
Ranma stared back and forth between the automobile and the car-keys, making sure that was HIS car as he listened to what the Great Will told him. “Really?”
Yes. Hiroshi wanted you to have a, and I quote, "bitching-sweet ride" to drive him and Daisuke around in.
Rolling his eyes, Ranma could only grumbled, “Oh brother.”
However, he didn’t have much time to dwell on the selfishness of his two male friends as he heard a melodic female call of, “I’m ready, Ranma!” As she said that, Ami raced out of the house with a keyboard guitar strapped to her back and a duffel bag.
Clicking a button on his cay key to unlock the doors, the heir of the Saotome School of Anything Goes Martial Arts told the Kitten pokégirl, “All right! Hop in.”
“Okay!” Ami replied as she opened the passenger door. She placed her keyboard and bag into the backseat before she climbed into the front passenger’s seat as Ranma went around and got into the driver’s seat.
“Buckle up," Ranma told her as he started to get his own seat-belt clicked into place. Foot on the break, he stuck the key into the ignition and turned, the motor roaring to life with almost a literal purr. “Oh yeah, now THIS is a ride...”
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(Posted Tue, 21 Jul 2009 04:38)
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