Ranma, however, did not feel at all in the mood for something as trivial as a beautiful land, or in this case, skyscape. His throat was dry, feeling cracked like the dirt becomes when it rains slightly, only to have the sun come out and dry out the land.
He didn’t know how long he had been wandering this desert, minutes, hours; time just didn’t seem to matter at the moment. All that mattered to him was the desire, the need to find some source of water with which to quench the overwhelming thirst he felt.
As he topped a dune, Ranma took a moment to examine his surroundings. Everything seemed the same as it did when he first started this trip, though the wind had died down and the presence of a rock face wasn’t anywhere near his location.
‘Water.. water.. where’s an oasis when you need one?’
He was never meant to find an Oasis, it seemed. However, when his eyes came upon a cacti sticking out of the sand nearby, as if defying the laws of nature and refusing to die in this barren desolate region, he shouted in joy, “YATTA!” before sliding down the steep dune and making a beeline towards the plant.
The cacti stood taller than even he, coming to about seven feet in height and nearly three feet in diameter. All across it’s surface, from it’s base to its very top, needle thin thorns stuck from it’s lime green surface, the tiny blades gleaming menacingly off the moonlight above, as if daring him to try and take the bountiful cool water within it’s body.
Any normal person might have been bothered, Ranma, on the other hand, wasn’t. He reached back, cupping his hands together in preparation for a Chi blast when a prickling sensation stabbed at the very edge of his senses.
Stopping in his soon to be murder of the local plant life, Ranma turned in the direction he had been walking from, curious as to what would cause his senses to go off like that. He stood there for a minute, waiting for some kind of signal… when none came; he shrugged, turning back to the plant with a cruel smirk, “Asta La Vista, Planty!”
Shimmering tendrils appeared in the air as he drew in Chi from his surroundings, slower this time than in previous attempts. He threw his will against the energy, focusing it all into his hands as he prepared to blow the top off this smug arrogant plant.
“MOKO TAKABISHA!”
***
Rook stopped, his head snapping towards western horizon as he once again felt the worlds energy shift and flow towards that direction. “There it goes again.”
He continued to watch, ignoring the wart troll cronies he had under his wing, and down wind especially.
‘To investigate, or not to investigate. That is the question.’
***
“Are we there yet?”
“No!”
…
“Are we there yet?”
“No!!”
…
“Are we there yet?”
“NO!” Theo screeched full annoyance!
“Now Bobby!” Gneiss began. Theo looked to interrupted, but just sagged in acceptance. “I’m you’re master! Speak to me with respect! You understand?!”
Theo took a deep breath, then sighed, “Yes master.” He turned back towards the path, and the two continued walking towards the source of the monumental magic flares.
***
Gaja shuddered, the wave of magic he felt being stronger this time. ‘Must be getting close.’ He assumed, casting a glance to their tracker.
At the weretiger nod, Gaja smiled briefly in relief, thankful he wasn’t the only one in their rag tag group to feel the ominous surges.
Marcus leaned over to his wife as he watched the other two strangely “Dear, you don’t think Gaja and… well.. you don’t think there.. crooked?”
Aeila blinked, whispering in return, “You mean.. gay?” Pantha twitched, having overheard their conversation.
Marcus nodded dumbly, though he blushed in slight embarrassment, “They have been giving each other those looks..”
Aeila hmmed some, “You might be right deary, we’ll ask Gaja if he takes it from behind next time we rest.” She knew Gaja, being a part jagwere, could hear their discussion. Her husband may have lacked brains at times, but he was so much fun to be around when it came to teasing others.
Gaja twitched, lots.
***
Theo stopped abruptly, a look of shocked wonder coming over his features as something sprang to mind. “Master?”
“What is it Clarence?”
“Couldn’t we just… teleport there?”
Gneiss hemmed for a moment, then nodded, “Quite, would save a lot of time. Glad I thought of it.”
Theodore groaned, bringing his hands up to his face as he cursed the gods for giving him such an eccentric master.
“Oh damn! Lost the signal. Ah well, keep walking then Teddy!” Gneiss grumbled in dismay, before pushing the young apprentice with the end of his staff.
Theo grumbled some more as he was forced to continue the march. ‘Hopefully whatever it is will flair again..’
***
Ranma was his father’s son in many regards. Were Genma valued nothing but the art, food, his life, and Joining of the two schools, Ranma himself also valued the art, his food, and of course his life. Moderation, however, was not in his vocabulary, so it came to no surprise for the young martial artist when he drank a wee bit to greedily of the water held within the cacti.
It didn’t help matters when his Moko Takabisha blew most of said water all over the place.
“I’m such an idiot.” Ranma grumbled as he slurped up the last few drops held within. When it was all said and done, Ranma began his trek anew in hopes of finding some kind of civilization, or maybe a fast food restaurant. He sure was hungry.
See other episodes by Matdeception
(Posted Mon, 17 Nov 2003 20:25)
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