Genma regarded the people sitting across from him on the dojo floor, his arms crossed in front of his chest as he chewed on the mouthpiece of his pipe.
They were all Ranma's friends. They had all helped him become stronger, had a part in shaping him into the person he was today. When there had been danger and Ranma had needed their help, they had been there for him.
Without them, Ranma never would have become such a strong martial artist in such a short amount of time. They had shown him the value of friendship, that there were things in life beside being the best martial artist. Genma liked and respected them for that.
And yet they had betrayed Ranma. Had gone behind his back. Had used him.
For that, they were going to pay.
Genma wouldn't hurt them physically. At least not too much. He wouldn't uncover their secret and destroy their reputation either. No, he would do something much worse. He would strike them where it hurt people like them – martial artists, fighters – the most: he would destroy their pride.
He felt his wife shift slightly at his side as he let his eyes slide over the assembled group once more.
To the left sat Ukyo. With her head held high and her shoulders spread she was the perfect picture of the modern successful young woman.
Directly opposite him sat Akane, with his old friend Soun sitting behind her. Her two sisters were sitting to Soun's left and right. Akane was scowling, her expression dark. “I don't get why I have to be here,” she muttered. “It's clearly something to do with Ranma, and I don't care what that pervert does.”
“Akane, please,” Soun said. “Genma asked us all to come here for a reason. The least we can do is listen to him.”
Akane just scoffed, then continued muttering darkly to herself.
Across and to the right of Genma sat Shampoo, flanked by her great-grandmother. The bubbly girl was smiling happily and bouncing slightly in place.
The Kunos sat in a corner at the back because neither of them had any claim towards Ranma. Kodachi had only been invited because she was also involved in the girls' secret affairs. Nobody had any idea why her brother was here, but once Kodachi had him tied up with her ribbon and gagged him, nobody cared either.
Genma looked at them all one last time. When this was over, they were all going to hate him.
“Husband, it is time,” Nodoka murmured into Genma's ear as people started growing restless.
He briefly relished in the sensation of his wife's warm breath rolling down his neck before giving a curt nod.
Taking his pipe out of his mouth, he looked up to address the assembled group.
“I have called you all here because I have an important announcement to make. As you may have guessed, the purpose of this meeting is to address the status of Ranma's multiple relationships.”
The dojo was abuzz with excited muttering immediately after Genma finished speaking. The older martial artist let it go on, calmly taking a drag from his pipe as he waited for the excitement to die down a little.
“Ranchan's finally going to be mine!”
“Aiyah! Ranma accept marriage to Shampoo!”
“Hmpf! As if I care.”
“Please, Akane! The schools will finally be joined!”
“We'll see about that, daddy.”
“Oh my!”
“OHOHOHOHOHO!!! I knew it. Today is the day that I, Kodachi Kuno, the Black Rose, will finally take my rightful place by my darling Ranma-sama's side!”
“Mmpf, mmpf, mmpf!”
Once things had calmed down a little, Genma blew out a cloud of smoke and spoke again.
“I have spent the last seventeen years of my life raising my son, doing my best to shape him into the strongest fighter and turn him into the best person I could. Despite some setbacks and bad decisions, I believe I have succeeded.” He paused briefly to take another drag from his pipe, and there were mostly murmurs of agreements.
“Tch! As if! He's a pervert.”
“Please, Akane, try to behave yourself!”
Genma pinned Akane with a sharp look, instantly silencing her, then continued.
“Ranma is not only strong and skilled, he is also compassionate and strives to do the right thing. When he loses a fight, he trains himself to win the re-match. When a friend needs his help, he does not hesitate to give it.”
Genma paused again, but this time there was a rapt silence as everyone waited for him to finish.
“I have always believed that my son is an extraordinary person, and that he deserves an extraordinary girl as his wife. A girl that is not only a strong martial artist, but a strong person. One who can support him both in a fight and in life.”
The anticipation rose until it was almost tangible as every girl waited for Genma to proclaim that she was this extraordinary girl.
“Sadly, none of you fit that description.”
The uproar following that proclamation was almost deafening as every girl cried out her indignation at Genma's words.
“Saotome! How could you? What of our dream?!”
“I'm that girl! I'll give my Ranma-honey everything he needs!”
“Stupid panda man lie! Shampoo perfect wife for airen!”
“That's preposterous! Ranma-sama will have everything he could wish for!”
“Are you out of your mind?! Ranma's a perverted freak! I'm way too god for him!”
Genma set his jaw, listening to the girls alternate between singing their own praises and insulting their rivals. And his son.
Finally, he couldn't take it anymore.
“Silence!”
His bellow rattled the framework and instantly froze the girls in their tracks as his chi-enforced shout echoed through the dojo. Everybody was left staring with wide eyes at Genma as he glared at them.
A raspy chuckle floated through the shocked silence. “It doesn't matter what you think. Son-in-law is married to Shampoo by Amazon law. There is nothing you can do about that.”
“Aiyah! Great-grandmother right!”
Genma shot the two Amazons a scowl. “That's where you're wrong, honoured elder. Your laws are meaningless. They are old-fashioned and they are outdated. There is one reason, and one reason only, why I haven't put a stop to Shampoo's pursuit earlier.”
“And what might that be?”
“My son likes her.” Genma forestalled any further remarks by quickly adding, “Or should I say: he liked her.
Ranma has grown fed up with all the girls chasing after him. And I have to agree with him. Neither of you are deserving of him. You are all too prideful and egoistical. You all think of yourselves first before you consider what my son wants or needs. If you consider it at all.”
Cologne narrowed her eyes as the girls just sat there with their mouths agape. “You don't want to challenge over three thousand years of Amazon tradition.”
Genma smirked at her. “You're wrong about that too.” He let his gaze roam across the room, meeting the eyes of every single one of his son's suitors. “I hereby issue a challenge:
If you wish to remain engaged to my son, you will have to beat me in combat. If you lose, or if you do not accept this challenge, then your engagement is forfeit.”
The dojo was once more filled with stunned silence.
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(Posted Sun, 11 Oct 2009 00:32)
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