***
Suteko reached Ucchan’s without further mishap and went inside. The dinner rush was just starting, so Ukyo just gestured behind her and Suteko eased behind the counter and up the stairs. The rooms at the top of the stairs were small but neatly furnished. One of the rooms was obviously Ukyo’s bedroom. She could see a photo of Ranma on the bedside table. She shut the door and went on to the spare room. It was half-filled with boxes. Stores for the restaurant below. There was a futon under the window with a small table next to it. Suteko sat down on the futon and went through her pack. She pulled out her bath kit and a clean set of jeans and a t-shirt. She hoped Ukyo wouldn’t mind her using the bath this early in the evening. She really needed one.
She tried the door across from Ukyo’s bedroom and found a typical Japanese bath. Spending time in Asia had gotten her used to the difference in the bathing customs. In America, you usually just took a hot shower and you were done. Taking a cold shower was definitely not her favorite change, but soaking in a large hot bath was one of her true pleasures. When she returned to America, she planned on taking some of her inheritance from Uncle Tanto and putting in a large tub for soaking in her private bathroom. After half an hour, she climbed back down the stairs dressed and sat at the counter. When Ukyo had a minute, she came over to speak with Suteko. “Got everything?”
“Yep.”
“You hungry?”
Suteko smiled. “Another one of your specials would hit the spot.” Ukyo nodded and poured out the batter. Suteko decided to tell Ukyo about her afternoon. “I ran into Ranma and Akane this afternoon.”
Ukyo stopped what she was doing for a moment. “And...?”
“We had a good talk on the bus ride. He seems to be a good kid.”
Ukyo let out the breath she didn’t realize she was holding. That could have been real awkward. Ranma had been with his father a long time. If he had decided that Suteko was a threat, he could have caused problems. No matter how good this girl was, Ukyo doubted that she was as good as Ran-chan. Though, she was an unknown. No one truly knew her fighting style. Ukyo liked her but, in a fight she, would still root for Ranma. “So, whatch’a talk about?” Ukyo asked as she turned back to the cooking batter in front of her. She quickly flipped in pancake over and waited a amount before sliding it onto a plate and placing it in front of Suteko.
“Mostly about family. Learning a little about each other.” She took a large bite and held up a thumb in the universal sign for approval. After she swallowed she added, “Plus, I got his side on the fiancée thing.” She looked at Ukyo with a sly smile.
“Oh, really?” Ukyo was curious. Ukyo, like the other girls, never really stopped to ask Ranma what he thought of the whole situation. They each knew instinctively that they had the story right, even when they didn’t. Out of curiosity, Ukyo asked Suteko to tell her what she learned.
“Much of what you told me with extra information thrown in by Akane. A very interesting story it was.” Ukyo thought of asking more but could tell by Suteko’s face that she wasn’t going to say anymore.
Ukyo decided to give up and asked something else. “What’s your plan for tonight?”
“Ranma told me of a place nearby where I could practice. Been too busy lately and I could really use the workout.”
“When you going?”
“Thought I’d clean some of your dishes and then go out around eight. Should still have about an hour of light.”
“You don’t have to...”
“That’s okay, Ukyo. I always pay my way and you look like you could use some help here.” As she said that, the rush started again. Ukyo turned away to deal with the customers. Suteko picked up her plate and went behind the counter and entered the kitchen. She grabbed up an apron and started in on the dishes.
****
An hour and a half later she put the final dish she had washed on the shelf and took off the apron. She walked out of the kitchen and saw that Ukyo was cleaning off the grill. She noticed that the place was empty and the sign had been changed to closed on the door. “Closing for the evening?” she asked, a little surprised.
Ukyo nodded. “I thought I’d join you. I haven’t had a chance to practice in a while, either. Thought you might like some company.”
Suteko smiled. “Sure, the more the merrier.”
“What?”
“Ranma and Akane are supposed to meet me at this open field by the bus stop.”
“I know the place.”
“Good.” Suteko eased around the counter. “Why don’t you finish up here and meet me later?” Ukyo nodded and kept up her work.
****
Suteko walked briskly, glad to be moving and a little glad to be alone. It was nice to have company, but she was used to being alone. When Ukyo volunteered to come along Suteko wasn’t sure how to respond. First Ranma and Akane and then Ukyo. In one day, she went from being totally alone to an abundance of attention. It wouldn’t do in her warm up. She always spent a few minutes mediating before beginning her exercises and new people would just throw off her attention.
She quickly reached the field and was pleased to see it was empty. At home, a field this size would have had a ton of kids with bats and balls out playing a pick up game. She walked across to a lone tree near the back fence and sat down in a lotus. Easing into a light trance, she let the images of the day slide across her mind and out. Within moments, she was grounded and centered. She stood up slowly and flowed into the first kata of her warm up. Though not traditionally taught at her home dojo, her Uncle Tanto had decided that Suteko should learn Tai Chi Chuang from an old friend of his, Master Wing. The gentle flowing motions of the art had at first seemed strange to her, but after years of study, she found that they were the best warm up she could have. The art was a defensive one, different from the attack staff work she had trained in. Uncle Tanto had realized that she had been training exclusively in a weapon system and had no skills for unarmed combat. Now, she could defend herself but she was a far cry from being able to master unarmed combat. If he had lived, this past year would have been used to train her in the unarmed style he had developed. She was lucky that she had learned the defensive work she had. Mother had been furious when she learned that Suteko was splitting her attention between the family’s art and that of a man from China. Her mother had become very predijuced after her father had died. That meeting Suteko told Ranma of had changed her mother in many ways. All bad. The thoughts of her mother was pulling her out of her focus, so she forced herself to let them drop.
With a clear mind, she finished her warm up and then started over again, this time bringing the speed up a notch. Her speed was a bit slow, in her way of thinking. She should have reacted faster when Ranma had walked up at the airport. She didn’t realize that her speed was the same as she had always had. Her brother was just that much faster than she was.
***
Ranma and Akane reached home just as Kasumi was laying the food on the table. They moved quickly to their places, making sure to get some food before Genma ate it all. There was just the sound of voracious eating for a few minutes as the family devoured the delicious food. Nabiki was the first to speak up and ask Ranma about their afternoon.
“So Ranma, what’s this about you spending the afternoon with that girl?”
Ranma swallowed quickly and responded. “She found us and wanted to talk.” He wasn’t sure what Nabiki was up to but he didn’t think there was any way she could make money off this.
“Well boy, what you learn? What are her plans?” Ranma reached over and bopped his father on the head. “I ain’t going to tell you that, old man. Wouldn’t be fair!”
“He’s right there, Tendo. The girl challenged you.” Akane’s father started to pontificate. The others just ignored him.
“But Ranma, my boy. The most important concept a martial artist should learn is to be prepared. How can I be prepared if I don’t know anything about my opponent.”
Ranma ignore
d him to steal the last pickle off his plate. Genma didn’t notice at first but when he did he roared and leapt up to attack Ranma. Ranma bounced back and they were off. Genma chased him around the back yard until one of them ended up in the pond. It was Genma, this time. Ranma laughed and bounced up to the wall. “Well, good-bye, old man. I got to meet Suteko now!”
Genma held up a sign that said, “Come back here, Ranma!”
Ranma just bounced off. Akane jumped up to follow but she felt Nabiki’s hand on her arm. “Time to spill, little sister.”
Akane looked at her older sister. “What do you mean, Nabiki?”
Nabiki pulled Akane away from the table and into the livingroom. “What’d you and Ranma learn about this sister of his? Is she going to be a problem? We don’t need another character coming in here at all hours, tearing down our walls.”
Akane sighed. She had planned on following Ranma but it looked like she wouldn’t get to. “We mostly talked about family, Nabiki. She wanted to know about our mothers and stuff like that. I don’t think she’ll be much of a problem. She really just wants to finish up her business with Genma and go home.”
Nabiki lifted a brow, “Really, little sister. Do you believe that?”
“She seemed to be very nice. Just tired of traveling.”
Nabiki looked thoughtful for a moment. It seemed strange to have someone come here who wasn’t after Ranma or Akane. “Well,....” she continue to ponder and talk to Akane for the rest of the evening. There had to be some way of making a little money out of the situation.
***
Ranma ran lightly along the fence toward the field he had told Suteko about. His father’s need to have inside information really ticked him off. Even if Ranma knew what Suteko had planned for Pop, he wouldn’t tell him. Suteko had impressed him with her honorable outlook on life, her sense of humor and, as he thought about it, her ability to stop an argument. She had stopped the usual bickering between himself and Akane at least three times he could think of. “Could use her around more often. Save wear and tear on my skull.”
He slowed down as he neared the field. He could just see Suteko’s head and shoulders as she moved slowly through some exercises. He quietly hopped off the fence and leaned against it. She was doing Katas at slow speed and as he watched she sped them up. Her speed was good but nothing like his. Her form was stiff at first but quickly relaxed and flowed. He hadn’t trained in Tai Chi but he recognized it when he saw it. He wondered just how far she had trained in it.
After a few minutes, she brought her hands together and took a deep breath. Ranma drew in his to greet her but before he could she smiled and said, “Evening, brother.” She opened her eyes. “I heard you arrive.” She looked around. “Akane decide to stay home?”
“Yeah, looks like Nabiki wanted to talk to her.”
“Nabiki?”
“Her next oldest sister.”
“Oh.” She reached and pulled out her staff. Twirling it she moved a few steps away from Ranma before starting her katas. “How many sisters does she have?”
Ranma watched as Suteko spun the large staff around like it was a small baton. “She has two. Nabiki, the middle sister and Kasumi.”
Suteko closed her eyes for a minute. “Kasumi would be the girl I talked to this morning. Pretty, with long brown hair tied with a bow?”
“That’s her. She’s really nice and a great cook.” Suteko stepped to the side and brought the staff sweeping down toward Ranma’s feet. He prepared to jump but didn’t when he saw that it would miss him by a couple of inches. Suteko spun about, working the staff up and over her shoulders, then down to the ground. It was like watching a dance. She would spin and tumble, leap and vault. It looked easy, but Ranma realized that the movements were a series of parries and attacks. She was one with her weapon. Too bad they couldn’t spar. It looked like it would be invigorating to try and dodge the thrusts and sweeps. After a few minutes she brought the staff to a halt and smiled. She had loosened up finally and felt really good.
It was time to talk seriously to her brother. “Ranma?”
“Hmmm?”
“Do you have any problem with me fighting your father?”
“Nope.” He smiled. “It’ll be good to have someone else beat on him a little.”
“And if I win?” She was uncertain here. Ranma seemed really relaxed but he had lived with Genma his whole life. She didn’t want to be challenged by her new found brother when she beat him.
Ranma looked serious for a moment and then smiled. “No problem there. You aren’t goin to kill him, right?”
“I would never do that!”
“No problem then.” Ranma smiled. “But that isn’t all, is it?”
“No,” she looked close at his face. “I have to give out his punishment when I finish. It won’t hurt him physically but...”
“But?”
“He’s going to have to admit his crime in front of those he cares about and take responsibility.”
“How? Admit that he’s your father, something like that?”
Suteko looked down. “I’m not sure. Mother wouldn’t tell me.”
“Your mother plans on being there, tomorrow?”
Suteko walked over to the tree she had started at and sat down. She patted the ground next to her. Ranma came over and sat down. “Mother is here in Japan, right now. She told me she would be at the Tendo Dojo tomorrow at dawn.”
Ranma just nodded. When Suteko didn’t add anything else he looked closely at her. “What’s the matter?”
“I think she’s going to bring great-grandfather with her and that could mean trouble.”
“How?”
“I’m not sure and that’s what got me worried. Grandfather has plans that don’t take into account what others want or need. Uncle Tanto always told me to stay out of his plans, they weren’t always honorable. I’m afraid he’ll want to do something more to your father.”
“Why should he care about Pop, more than to get him to admit he’s your father?”
Suteko played with her staff nervously. It was obvious that Ranma didn’t know. “Ranma, you’re related to great-grandfather Ito, too. Through your mother.”
“Oh.” Ranma looked a bit stunned. Through his mother. “That’s right, Pop said something about your mom being related to mine, cousins or something.”
“That’s right and Grandfather will want you for the clan, being as you are one of the best martial artist of our generation.”
Ranma puffed up a little at the praise but the words she said sunk in. The man would want him for the clan but he was already heir to the Anything Goes School. “He wouldn’t want me for an heir, would he?” The look on his face was a bit sick. He was tired of being pulled to be the heir for different schools.
“I don’t know. You were born into a legal marriage, so it could be but I don’t trust Grandfather. He doesn’t ever do what you expect. Besides, if I remember correctly, your mother’s father was disowned by great-grandfather over something, like Uncle Tanto. Grandfather was very picky about his heirs back then and disinherited half the family for one reason or another. I just don’t know.”
“Well, don’t worry about it. We’ll take care of it tomorrow.” Ranma sounded very confident to Suteko and she sighed. It was good to see someone who was that confident.
***
Ukyo finished up her cleaning and left the restaurant, locking the door behind her. She didn’t want to be too far behind Suteko. It would be interesting to see the girl in action. She knew little of the way the girl fought and Ukyo wanted to make sure she had a chance of defeating Genma. That old fool needed to be taken down a peg or two.
She sprinted lightly down the still damp streets to the field where Suteko said she was to meet Ranma. Seeing Ran-chan was always a treat for the chef. Even if Akane was nearby she always felt good near him. She slowed as she rounded the corner near the field. She didn’t see Suteko at first but spotted Ranma and Sut
eko sitting under a tree in the back of the field. They seemed to be talking quietly so she slowed and walked over to them.
The two looked up when they heard her light step. “Hey, Ucchan. How’s it going?” Ranma smiled up at his friend.
Ukyo’s heart skipped a beat at the smile and she smiled back. “Great. What you two talking about?”
Suteko looked up quickly and put a hand on Ranma’s arm. He looked down at her and she shook her head. He nodded. “Just stuff, Ucchan.” The two stood up.
“Well, have you already finished Suteko?” Ukyo was amazed. The resemblance was more pronounced when the two were together. No one could think them other than siblings when they stood together.
“I’ve done my warm up and some of the exercises, why?”
“Oh, I missed it! I wanted to see what you could do.”
Suteko smiled. “Really. Well, if you’re up to it, we could spar.”
Ukyo looked over at Ranma. He just shrugged. It would be interesting to see a staff up against the battle spatula. “Why not. She’s pretty good.”
“Okay, why not?”
The two separated and got ready. Suteko stood easily with her feet apart, twirling her staff. Ukyo pulled her spatula from her back and got into her ready stance. She waited a moment for Suteko to attack but when she didn’t, she charged. Suteko sidestepped and brought the staff down in a cutting motion. Ukyo avoided the first swing easily but didn’t see the return swing from behind. She felt the staff tap her behind the knees and flipped backward. This was going to be interesting.
Ranma stood off to the side and watched the two girls spar. He knew just what Ukyo could do but not what Suteko could. They seemed pretty well matched at first, but Suteko didn’t seem to be serious in the attacks she made. More like she was testing Ucchan’s reflexes. After a few minutes, she changed from the relaxed, easy thrusts and parries to the fancier stuff he had seen her do during her warm up. Ukyo was pressed to stay ahead of the staff and not let it touch her.
Suteko smiled. This was fun. She wasn’t sure how to respond when she saw Ukyo’s odd choice of weapon. A giant kitchen utensil was a new one for her. The chef certainly knew how to use it though. She had to stretch to stay ahead of the swings of the bladed weapon. She hopped up and over Ukyo’s latest swing and shortening her grip on the staff she swung from her waist. The blow was parried with just a little more force than truly necessary. Suteko took a quick look at Ukyo’s face. Was that look of determination turning into something else? She hoped not. Sparring was one thing, a true fight was another. She continued the thrusts and parries for a few minutes more and then stepped back, bringing her staff to the ground with a thud. “Well, that was fun. Thank you for the exercise, Ukyo.”