Genma Saotome was many things. He was foolish, a petty thief, lazy, cowardly, and a terrible father. Indeed, a list of his flaws could go on for quite some length without even touching the things he had done before this training trip.
However, there was one thing he was not. There were many who would have called him this, and it often amused Genma to play to their image of him. But it would be a terrible mistake to take this as his true self. For, if there was anything Genma was not, he was not stupid.
It had not been through luck alone that he and his old friend Soun had been able to seal away one of the most dangerous martial arts masters in the world. It was not through sheer chance that he had managed to train his young son into a warrior capable of taking on martial artists twice his age on equal grounds. His aims were often dubious at best, but when he truly set himself to a task, he brought with him an intelligence and cunning that would have surprised many who thought they knew Genma Saotome.
It was this part of him that was now considering the problem this young girl posed. He might have had many... less than correct ideas about women, some his own and some inherited from his master, but he was still perfectly capable of acknowledging when a girl showed talent. He would never have survived a month with Nodoka otherwise.
And he had seen that right hook.
He quickly ran through his options. Abandoning the girl was out of the question. He had seen enough to know better than to try and go against that wish. The results would be unpredictable, but almost certainly not good for him. Better by far to work with the wish.
A smile came to his face. He had sometimes wished that he could set Ranma against a martial artist of similar skill, but also the same age. Too much of Ranma's learning was in battles against foes larger than him, and it would be difficult to make him unlearn those reflexes once he was fully grown. This girl presented a golden opportunity.
It wouldn't threaten the Tendo arrangement, he thought. By that time, Ranma ought to see the girl as a sister if anything. And the wish did say "friend". He would only have to ensure that meant "just friends". No, she would be no competition for Soun's girls.
Besides, she could serve as useful... motivation for the boy. After all, Ranma Saotome wouldn't want to be second-best to a girl...
Resisting the urge to laugh, Genma knelt down to look the girl in eyes, smiling broadly. "So... Ami, right? How would you like to join Ranma and I on our training trip?"
Ranma's eyes brightened. "Really, Pops? She can?"
Genma nodded. "If she wants to."
Some hesitation and maybe suspicion showed in the blue-haired girl's eyes, but it soon vanished. "Of course," she said.
Genma smiled again and rose. "Then let's get moving. We still have a while to go before nightfall."
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(Posted Sun, 28 Mar 2004 22:50)
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