**************************************
Twist in the tale 4.
**************************************
(Somewhere in Nerima)
It's a bright sunny day in this world. A few soft fluffy clouds dot the
light blue sky as the sun shines down on the green earth below. The occasional
car passes by a particular Dojo as Happosai goes flying off into the air. . .
Let's just leave it at that and get on with the story...
A mailman drives up the street on his daily rounds. It has been a good
day for him, he hasn't been caught up in any of the periodic fights that
plague the area and there is no mail for the Kuno mansion or any of the more
'dangerous' houses. He rounded the block on his mail van and stopped in front
of the Tendo Training hall before knocking on the door. A moment later he
leaves, having given a stack of mail to Kasumi. 'It was a good day indeed.'
he thought as he drove off.
Entering the house, Kasumi hummed a little tune to herself, lightening the
day with her presence. Sitting down at the living room table, she spread the
letters before her and paused, a little confused. "Kamaka Kohan?"
"I'll take that." Nabiki called as she came down the stairs.
"Who is this person?"
"It's a . . . friend." Nabiki evaded as she gathered up the letters.
"Oh. . Nabiki, please invite your boyfriend over sometime, I would like to
meet him."
"SIS! It's BUSINESS!" Nabiki blurted out as Kasumi just smiled.
"Is he a boy?"
"Yes?"
"Then since you said he is your friend, then he's your boy friend."
Nabiki assumed a thoughtful look for a second, caught by the twist of
words from her older sister before a chuckle escaped her lips. "All right. He is
a friend who is a boy, satisfied?" she said as she backed out the door. "I'm
going out now, I'll come back for lunch. Bye!"
"See you later Nabiki." Kasumi said as she turned back to the remaining
letters, a happy smile on her face.
**************************************
(Kuno mansion. )
Nabiki stood before the large wooden doors of the entrance. She looked up
at the thick wooden doors and pulled the thick rope by the door. A solid *bong*
resounded through the house as their doorbell sounded. A few moments later, the
door creaked open.
"Why hello Miss Tendo, why have you come today?"
"I have something for Guo Sasuki"
"I shall inform Master Guo right away." He said turning back in the house
"Thanks."
(a few minutes later later.)
"Oh hello Nabiki, do you have what I asked for?"
"I should think so, and here's the mail to prove it."
"Thanks." *rip*
"To Kohan. . .due to. .special case. . . . you are allowed to take the Juken in
five months to gain . . various universities. please inform the closest
examination center of your intention if you are going to take it. Yours
sincerely XXXX ministry of education. PS. you are overdue to renew your
Passport, please come to (. . . .) to rectify your situation."
*rip* "Enclosed in this letter is your IC. ." *rip* "the Kyoto drum
festival." *toss, rip* "You are requested to appear in school or suffer
expulsion for your truancy. I may relent if you let me cut your hair. Ps. you
also need to submit a current photograph for the school dossier."
" . . Principal Kuno I think. well that's that, police department,
passport and school?
"Uh huh. you really look too young to have finished university, so. .
You're stuck in school like the rest of us."
"I really shouldn't have left the project so open should I Nabiki?" I
said, looking at the smirking woman before me.
"You don't really need me to answer that do you? Now, you have 107 more
days before you need to pay the bond. Jia nei." She said as she slid out the
door.
"Don't worry I will. Jia nei. Hmmm hair. ." An evil grin lights up my face
as a thought passed through my mind. A chuckle escapes my lips. "Heh, I thought
this would be a challenge for me to figure out. Just a little bit of daring and
there's no problem."
************************************
(Furinken High school)
A man stands at the gate of the school. A knapsack on his back as he looked
into the deserted school grounds. "Kuno said that the principal was in school
supervising the cram classes. I might as well go in." He said as he entered the
gates.
A crash was heard coming in the upper levels of the school followed by an
explosion. Looking up, we see the 'Chem Club' as they collapse from their last
experiment. "Sheesh, and I thought America was strange." He said as he entered
the school.
A red blur with a little girl in pursuit dashes past him, nearly bowling
him over. Turning around, he notices the five yen coins between the little
girl's fingers.
"Your English Assignment is Due today, you delinquent!"
"I told you! Happosai burned it! I couldn't do nothin about that!" he
shouted, as he flipped over her and back towards Guo. Too bad the energy drain
caught him while he was still in mid air.
'Hmm, An energy vacuum is created, this draws the energy from the subject
by. . .' I thought as Ranma collapsed in my arms. "errr. Hello?" I said as the
little girl grew into *Ahem* 'greater proportions'. "Can you tell me where to
find the principal's office?"
"And who are you?" she said, drawing herself to her full height. Her clean
angular face framed by long black hair while her proportions stretched the tight
miniskirt and top over the sensuous curves of her now mature body. *Whoh,* don't
think about that right now.
[A prospective student at Furinken High.] I said switching to english, a
more familiar language.
[Your English is good.]
[Thank you. I have had a good grounding in the language, however, I have a
higher proficiency in the spoken language than the written.]
[That is good. You must study hard and learn the written because I am not
grading your performance on spoken.]
[Ah, I guess that's true. In any case, I vouch for Ranma over here.
Happosai actually did burn his homework... In any case, I really don't think
it's a good policy to drain your students.]
[Are you sure?] she said as her transformation suddenly wore off. Now, a
cute little girl of perhaps ten years old stood before me, what was once a
miniskirt and top combo became more like a little dress suit that looked
pretty cute on her smaller form.
'Hmm, she doesn't seem to be able to retain any aura for long. It also
seems like she has an extremely weak aura. [About what? Happosai burning
Ranma's homework or draining students?]
[Sure about the homework.]
[Oh. Yes I'm sure. The old man is pretty inconsiderate when it comes to
something like that. I'm sure Ranma could do another one for you if you give
him a little time.]
[*Hmmm.* Ok.] she said before running off towards the gates behind me.
"Ice cream!"
"OH." I said as I watched the small teacher exit the school to purchase
the treat.
"Ok, what in the world were you saying?" Ranma asked, a little lost over
the language barrier.
"It's ok Ranma, your teacher is going to let you have some time to do it
again. Write what you had originally written and pass it up."
"*Err* Guo, You know the language and all so, can you help me a little?"
(I'll just leave the rest to your imagination.)
************************************
(Kuno Basement, much later)
Focusing on the tips of my fingers, I moved it before me. Slowly, I drew it
forwards to touch the board as I focused on my aura. It flared in response and
slowly focused into a thin line of power along the edge of my finger. I slowly
traced a line from the top of the board to the bottom, merely touching the light
ridges of the grainy material. As my hand reached the bottom of the board, no
sound was heard as the board fell, cut cleanly in half.
"I see your skills have improved Guo. It is indeed of interest that such
tricks can be done when the power of you mind is harnessed to it's full
potential."
"It is not easy Kuno. Harnessing the destructive force of Ki and forming
it into a blade is a good idea but too tiring for me." Guo said as he picked up
the wooden pieces.
"As a scholar has said before me. It is not the size of the armies that
matters. It is how they are trained and deployed in times of war. The best
strategist learns the lie of the land and attacks using nature and the elements
at his disposal to his benefit. It is thus that Nobunaga attacked with but 1000
men at his disposal, attacking the 10,000 man army of. ."
"KUNO!" Silence fell between them as the shout reverberated in the air.
"Now, what was the main point to your story?" Guo continued, as he examined the
smooth surface of the cut.
"Practice makes perfect, and use what you have to your advantage"
"That has merit Kuno. Just give me your suggestions in one or two
sentences rather than vague references to generals and poetry."
"I apologize. I forget that you are not overly familiar with all the
intricacies of our language or culture."
*sigh. . * 'OK, if it stops him from rambling on about it.' "Yes, that's
one of the reasons that I wish simple conversation. I am relatively new to the
language and such things as Japanese history is pretty much new to me."
"Then I shall endeavor to teach you better. Is it not one of the subjects
that you have to learn for the Juken? You are of yet ignorant of the finer
points of Japanese history and poetry. I shall teach you these fine subjects of
my culture in partial compensation for calling you from your home plane."
"Err. . . Kuno, I'm fine, really. I just need to find a job and I'll be
fine."
"Oh. But I insist! It would not be seemly for a person such as myself not
to offer my services for the upcoming tests. You have but seven months to
prepare for something that we have four years to learn."
"Err. I really won't have that much of a problem. Math, physics and
chemistry are subjects I have taken before. English should be easier for me
while physical education I have the benefit of my powers and my stronger body to
help."
"The heavens themselves must weep when the moon is hidden within the
shadow of the earth."
"?!?"
"Promise me you will not demean yourself by taking unfair advantage over
others with your powers."
"I. . *sigh* OK. Kuno, I will not use my powers to benefit my schooling as
far as I am able. I'll suffer through it like the rest of the others."
"A noble promise indeed. The road to heaven will open to those with pure
hearts and noble deeds. Like me, you will surely reap the rewards of the just by
my side. Oh yes, how did the meeting with my accursed father go?"
"Oh that. I 'm going to be in the same class as you. Oh yes.. I also
shocked him somewhat."
". . May I be told as to how?'
"Oh. I don't know, Maybe telling him that I would get a haircut if he'd
let me cut his the same way would work."
"What way would that be?"
"Totally bald. ." Guo smiled, totally enjoying the shocked look on Kuno's
face before continuing. "It's not that bad. I went bald once before and would
have gotten something close to it at least once more in my home dimension."
". . Is it a custom to become bald in your dimension?"
"No, I just wanted to see how fast my hair grows."
"So. . How fast does it grow?"
"One cm in one and a half weeks. Or, in another measure, an inch in about
three." Guo stated, nonchalantly shaping the wood with his new technique.
*Hmmm.* "That's a little faster than me."
"Oh, how do you know?"
"I have been shaved many times in the course of my training.'
"Oh. . Well, I'm going off now."
"Where to?"
"To visit Tendo Nabiki."
*************************************
(Ukyou's Okinomiyaki)
Ukyou looked out into the street worried for some reason. Tsubasa hadn't
come by lately, and frankly, it worried her. Not that it wasn't nice not to have
that cross dressing guy around but she was used to having him pop by at least
once every few days.
"Oh well." she sighed. "Better get ready for the party, tonight." She said
pinning up the banner. "I can't believe that they
would pay me 25,000 Yen for a single party. I should be in the catering
business, instead of the restaurant industry she stated in amusement.
*************************************
(later)
"So what jobs are available for me Miss Tendo?"
"Well, you can always be my bodyguard."
"Nice try Nabiki, but I don't do collections."
"Oh? Who said anything about collections? I was thinking more about,
intimidation." Nabiki smirked.
"Come on, I want to get a job so I can first, pay you back and secondly,
get my own place to stay."
"Oh yes.. Stay some place where Kodatchi's interesting food can't get to
you."
*WHAM* A crater appeared where Guo was supposed to be. A huge inter-
dimensional mallet imbedded in the center. Guo peeped out from behind Nabiki and
stared daggers at Akane as she blinked in surprise.
"I did not say anything towards you Tendo Akane. So, _Put That Mallet
Away._ " He said, roughly pushing the mallet aside. Regaining his composure, he
regained his seat on the flattened pillow. "Did you have a reason for disturbing
us?" he asked, as he stared stoically ahead, past Nabiki's shoulder.
"Kasumi asked me to bring you some tea and cookies." Said the embarrassed
Akane, moving aside to reveal the tray by the side of the door.
Guo looked on, a bemused expression on his face. "I thank you for your
trouble, just stop trying to hit me." he smirked as Akane stared wide eyed at
him.
"I. . I'm sor."
"It's true." Guo cut in. "Violence makes you feel better for a little
while. However, it never solves anything. So, I would thank you not to attack
me." he finished as he took the tray aside and pushed Akane out the door.
"Now Nabiki, what other employment possibilities are there here?" He continued
as he closed the door behind him.
Akane looked bewildered at the wooden door for a moment, turned around
and made her way back down the stairs.
*************************************
(Somewhere)
Ryoga paused along the street, having no idea where he was, as usual. "Dam
it! why can't I seem to find where I'm going?" he asked the sky above him.
*WHAM!* came the sound of a crash close by.
"That sounded like Akane." he mused to himself before leaping onto the
wall. He looked around and saw a familiar scene before him. Kasumi in the
garden hanging out the laundry, Soun and a panda playing chess on the porch, Guo
scolding Akane in a room, the panda cheating as Soun looked in his direction. .
. 'Wait a minute!' he thought to himself. 'Guo scolding Akane?' he watched in
disbelief as Guo pushed Akane out of the room. He leapt into the garden, passing
by the panda as he made his way towards the stairs.
"I won't forgive anyone who hurts Her!" he shouted. The panda and
Soun looked at him quizzically for a moment."
"Do you remember this boy, Genma?"
[Ryoga] The panda shrugged it's shoulders as he lifted up the sign.
The two of them looked on as Ryoga passed the staircase and made his way out
the front door. Soun hurriedly rearranging the pieces behind the other's back.
A moment later, Ryoga returned and walked past them and down the hall into the
bathroom. Soun and Genma looked a each other for a moment before shrugging and
returning to their game, confident that they had the advantage.
**************************************
(upstairs)
"I'm glad I actually heard the door opening that time." Guo smirked as he
turned his attention back to the girl before him.
"Sorry about my sister Guo but you really have to admit it's amusing."
"It's amusing if, you are not the one getting hit."
"Rr.r.right." Said the smirking Nabiki.
"You do remember that a bond is a deferred payment with no interest on it
past the claim date?" Guo countered.
"Ah, Rr.r.right, but only if it isn't a renewable bond or something to that
effect. ."
"Which I am not issuing, and you can't hold in any court of law since I
have no material wealth worth suing for.
". . . If you're up to it I might have something that could interest you."
"Something interesting?"
"Maybe. You said you had a higher education and you're a native English
speaker, Right?"
"Tutoring?"
"No, translator."
"Oh, so what will I be doing specifically?"
"You will be a tour guide or more specifically the driver of the bus."
"I can deal with that. But, I only know how to drive a car."
"Don't worry, it's not that different just bigger. Of course, I'll expect
some changes in what you will owe me."
"Well, . . what changes."
"First, I'll get two thirds of your earnings for the rest of the time
period. During this time, I'll provide you with food and lodging as well as
arrange your work schedule. After the time period, I'll be open to negotiations
as to the room and board. . of course, the Bond will then be considered null
and void in exchange."
"I guess that's acceptable..." he said, shivering at the thought of
Kodachi's... spices. "Now, when do I start?"
"Hmm, The job starts in one week. The driver's test can be done in two or
three days. So, tomorrow we'll have to set the date."
"Ok. Oh yes, where will I have my apartment?" he asked as Nabiki smiled.
"Here." she said as his eyes widened in disbelief.
(For those of you who don't remember. Fugu: A poisonous fish considered a
delicacy in Japan)
******
Akane walked down the stairs as Ryoga passed by below her. Akane moved
towards the patio and towards the kitchen as Ryoga realized that he had passed
the Stairs for the third time. He turned, and walked towards the staircase yet
again as Akane came into view behind him, going into the kitchen.
Finally reaching the stairs, he leapt upwards and looked around, sounds
came from the room besides him.
"No, I really would not like to stay here Nabiki. It's just not safe."
"What? You are staying with some of the best martial artists in the world
and it's not safe?"
"One of whom is a self proclaimed pervert remember?" Ryoga listened to the
voice as he nodded his head in agreement.
"Too late, you already agreed and _I_ have the conversation on tape."
"Ouch. OK then, when can I move in?" Ryoga's eyes widened as he considered
the implications of these actions. 'Guo living under the same roof as Akane?
Would he hurt her more? Would he turn into another Ranma?' he thought as the
conversation continued behind him.
"Today if you like. You stay in the Dojo unless you want to sleep with
Ranma."
"I'll take the Dojo. I don't want Ryoga or. . ."
"Don't want me what" came the voice from the doorway. "Huh. Here I thought
you were a nice guy defeating Ranma and all but then I find you hurting Akane."
he said as he pulled out his combat umbrella.
"Huh?" Guo mouthed, blinking in confusion.
"Ryoga, fight outside unless you want to owe me for my room." Nabiki said
as she pulled open the window.
Looking at the stupefied Guo, Ryoga smiled, picked him up, and threw him
out the window. Looking out the window, Guo sailed through the air, somersaulting
to land feet first. . . in the pond. Ryoga landed on the grass in front of the house,
and looked forwards. Suddenly, he froze and gaped in surprise at the clothes
floating in the pond. By the side of the pond, a creature crawled out. Slightly
smaller than a dog, a rich red color marked it's fur. However, that was not what
caused Ryouga to gape. It was the deep black aura that red creature generated as
it made it's way out of the pond. Behind Ryoura, Shou and Genma stared in
amazement at the intensity of the energy emanating from the silent beast.
"Genma, I think it's best if we were to play our game somewhere else."
"Um, hm." The panda nodded as the two Masters practiced the Souatome
school of anything goes martial arts secret technique. Disappearing from the
battlefield.
From upstairs, Nabiki looked on in Amazement at the raccoon-like creature.
'A red panda?'
A ball of KI energy formed in front of the creature. Intensely black to
the point that it absorbed all light it touched. Hastily, Ryoga leapt backwards,
putting as much distance between the creature and him as he possibly could. All
rational thought fleeing from his mind in terror. Suddenly, the energy
dissipated revealing the creature smirking, cold knowledge in its eyes.
"I wish not to kill, but do not do that again." came a voice in their
minds. The creature stretched, making some cracking sounds as the spine loosened
and then bunched up in a ball. Suddenly, his ki flared into a globe of
blackness, obscuring sight as the water in the water heated and fled. The black
globe popped out of existence, leaving behind an unconscious, naked human
behind.
"Oh, hi Ryoga. We haven't seen . . ." Akane said as she saw the naked
person on the grass. "I don't want to know." She said as she walked past the
startled Ryoga. She made her way up the stairs, her face a hot shade of red.
****************************************
(I die a fierily death, as your voice rips me asunder. )
(Tell me it's not true, that you have not found another.)
"Woah! Did you.." the words died on The imp's lips as she saw the grim
expression on his face.
"I'll get to it later." He said, not taking his attention from the
computer before him.
"But, but.. *sigh* " she went as she turned her attention back to the
screen before her. "I just had to become a familiar to a computer nerd."
Behind her, the Demon only smirked as a screen was summoned forth besides
him and watched the last 10 minutes on the screen. His brow furrowed in
concentration as he felt all he could about the change. Suddenly his expression
cleared. Understanding lit his eyes as he contemplated the person before him.
"Psionic nature. That's what the cold water does, it frees a dormant
personality. The spell warped his powers, so a persona was formed to act in the
place of his rational mind. I guess he needs that until he learns to control his
powers." He smirked as he returned his attention to the screen before him. 'MUDs
are so interesting.' he thought as he defeated a mage two levels higher than
him.
**************************************
(Ukyou's Okinomiyaki.)
"Compleano falice, Sen Reh Quai Leh, Happy birthday!" everyone shouted as
the guest of honor entered the room, escorted by none other than Souatome Ranma.
"Did somebody call me?" called an old hentai master as he peeked into the
room. "Oh! Happy Birthday!" he shouted as he launched himself at Christine.
"Oh no you don't." Ranma shouted as he punted the master back out the
room. "At least leave her alone on her birthday you old fossil!" He shouted as
he ran out after him.
"Ranma." Christine called
"What?" he said sticking his head back in the room.
"Thanks for helping out."
"Hey, no problem, that's what I'm here for isn't it?" he said as he caught
sight of Happosai coming back. "Hey you old fool! Leave her alone!"
"But I just want to give her a birthday Kiss,"
"I said leave her alone you pervert!" Ranma called as he slid back
outside.
'That Ranma, what a character.' She thought as they brought out the
birthday cake.
(Italian, Chinese, English)
*********************************
(Tendo Dojo)
It's a room we had seen earlier. It is a bedroom of sorts, lit by the
light of the evening sun. The light stretched its shadows across the room,
lighting the pale shadow where a crater had been only a couple of hours before.
The bed with a number of simple shirts and jeans scattered over it. by the door,
the wardrobe was open, revealing the school uniforms and other clothes that
decorated the interior. On the opposite side of the room, a table stood before
the single window. A person was seated over it, filling an empty page with the
actions of her life.
Dear diary,
It's been a while since I've written about anything that's not money or school
related. Maybe it's because there's not that much else that I could do with the
finances being so tight. The good thing is, the finances of this dojo are going
to be secure for a while. I was worried that we would never have a steady source
of income when the last student left so many years ago. Now, I don't need to do
these things to keep the roof over our heads.
Guo entered our lives only one week ago and will soon contribute to the
Tendo accounts. Maybe I shouldn't make him pay that much to stay here. Just
maybe, I don't feel I should have to justify the things that I have been doing
these years to anyone. Especially since I have done these things to put the food
on the table and keep the roof over our head. Today however, I'll justify it to
you. After this, I'll hide you and let no one have any proof that I have a
conscience until I wish it so. I have seen everyone as opportunities for money
and will have to see them as that until I need not earn anything for myself, or
my family.
It's sad but even daddy has been living off me for the last couple of
years. He contributes somewhat with the interest in the bank, but that is only a
part of what we need every day. I only needed a little money to improve the
meals sis cooks for us every day. But the repair cost, food costs and the hot
water costs have increased when Ranma and his dad came. Others see me as
mercenary and manipulative since they came, and only two people have stood by
me.
The threat of Kuno not buying pictures from me made me realize the
reliance that I have developed in that aspect of our lives. However, Guo moving
in here with us will more than make up for any loss in that aspect, even though
he created that threat himself.
The good thing about Guo is, he is willing to do the repairs on the house
for us. With his job, he'll be busy for the rest of this month and when school
starts, he'll be busy on the weekends and part of the weekday. When he has the
time, he agreed to fix any damages to the dojo and house, so long as we pay for
the materials and his schooling. Heh. With his job, he would have been able to
pay for the bond by the end of the month. . . He should know that shouldn't he?
***********************************************
(Kuno manor.)
It is a dim and cavernous room. A room that is familiar to us with the
wooden practice targets and rack of wooden swords. In a single corner sits a
person sorting through his few possessions before packing them into a single
bag. He stands and puts a straw bed back into the closet before going to a low
table and penning something in the long sweeping strokes of calligraphy.
Dear Kuno Tatawaki,
I tried to talk to you but you were out when I returned. I was going to
talk to you about this. I have found a job and lodging outside the manor. It was
at Nabiki's suggestion that I stay in their Dojo like a student of the arts. She
agreed to provide me with food and lodging in exchange for some concessions on
my part. The first is that I gain a job with a tour agency as a translator/bus
driver. Mainly, it's to help their tour guides when they have English or Chinese
guests.
I thank you for your hospitality in putting me up in your place for the
week but I must spread my wings and fly for my own. I have no inheritance in
this world, but such trivial knowledge does me no good if I do not make my life
my own. I thank thee for the help you have given me these days and I will see
you when school starts. Maybe then I shall have something of note to tell you
then.
Ps. Treat Sasuki better will you? A leader can only stand if his followers are
behind him, while A structure will fall if the supports are not taken care of
properly.
Jai nei. Guo.
**
With that written, he left the room, the drying paper secured by the
inkstone. Making his way silently down the hall, he pauses. A delightful smell
assailed his senses, that of roasted almonds and light, golden dough. A hint of
honey and a touch of egg, tossed in to create a confection worthy of any table.
'Almond cookies?' he thought as he made his way to the room. At the
outside of the door, he paused, a little bit of wariness on his mind. 'Could
this be one of Sasuki's confections or someone else's?' he thought as he knocked
on the door.
"Come in!" came the reply from the opposite side. Opening the door, I
looked in and saw a young girl sitting at a table. Her long hair tied to the
side in a ponytail, her pink dress adorned with but a single white apron. Her
lips are adorned with a deep red gloss while blue eyeliner accented the shape of
her eyes. A little flour smudged her cheek as she looked up, her intelligent
eyes narrowed in annoyance. "Who are you, and why are you here?" she demanded in
her dulcet voice.
'She seems suspicious of my nature but the smell of those cookies made my
mouth water. If only for a taste of the confection am I drawn into this kitchen.
Come, stride forth and let the words entice the mind.' "I am but a stranger
drawn by the delightful smell of almonds, honey and flour. I have come here with
a simple quest of perhaps. . sampling a corner of your recipe. Perhaps learning
myself how to make such a lovely confection."
Her eyes widened in surprise as her cheeks turned the color of a light
rose. "I thank you for your compliments. The confection that I am creating will
be ready in but, a little while." She said as she turned away, shy and demure. I
took a deep breath, filling my lungs with the sweet smell of the confection.
"No more than three minutes will pass before it should be taken from the
oven." I said as I noted the lightest tinge of moist dough in the fragrance of
the room. A surprised look came over her face before she moved to the table in a
graceful gait. She looked over a book that lay open on the table for a second
before she looked back up.
"My recipe says it should be taken out in eight. To let the almonds turn dark
brown and make it more fragrant."
"Almonds should be left only lightly golden to retain more of the flavor
while the honey you put into the recipe will darken the dough earlier than the
almonds."
"I see. . . I did not realize this. Someone either than the person whom I
intended had. . . purloined the cookies that I have made before. I have not had
the chance to sample the ware as I had left to let them cool. Might you not
sample them with me when they are done?"
"I would be honored to my dear. Shall we stand guard to prevent the
purloining of the pastries together?"
"We shall." She said with a titter. "Let me go forth to my toilet if you
would take them out as you see fit."
"I will and I shall stand guard until you return madam." I said as I bowed
deeply. The smell of the cookies drew my mind aflame with desire. God, did I
want a taste!
(later)
"I do so enjoy this encounter with you."
"Likewise madam." I replied as I dipped the warm cookie into the milk,
taking care that I did not let it absorb too much and crumble before I took it
out. "I did not inquire before but, what is your name My dear?" I said as I took
out the cookie and broke the soft half onto my tongue. *Mmm*
"Oh! I did not mean to be rude. I am sometimes called the black rose." She
said as I froze stiff. The honey and almond taste forgotten on my tongue.
"Oorf. _You_ are Kodatchi?" I asked around the cookie.
"Why yes, That is my name." She said demurely, her hands on her lap as she
looked at the heart shaped cookie in her hand.
My mind was in turmoil. Kuno had said that most of the cooking was done by
her and warned me that some of her food was poisoned or drugged. I had already
eaten one cookie so now what? Better stick with the program first.
"Oh. I was lost in the taste of your confection for a moment there. I am
called Guo Guang Ming in the language of my birth." I said as I savored the
remnants of the taste. 'It's really a very tasty cookie.' I thought to myself.
'Not too sweet yet with the full and deep flavor of the almond.'
"How did you get this recipe?" I asked, interrupting her as she said
something about being pleased to meet me. "The delicate flavor of the honey is
sweet without overpowering you, while the cookie retains the full, deep flavor
of the Almond."
She blinked for a second, a little lost before the question made it's
presence in her mind. "It is a recipe of my late mother's that I had found a
while back. It's called heavenly almond. Using water from granite bowls gives
the cookies a solid base. The honey is dissolved in the water before adding the
flour to give it a more even taste while a touch of almond oil with the butter
brings the flavor to the fullest.
'Granite bowls?' I thought. 'Where do people keep water in granite bowls?
Oh well not important.' I thought as I searched within myself. 'No poison has
been found, so it's safe?' I thought as I sighed in enjoyment. *Mmmm* "I would
say that I have not enjoyed a cookie this much for a long time."
"Would you like some more of these over here? I could easily make more of
them later."
"I would enjoy it very much." I said bowing my head to her. "But I fear
that I must be leaving soon for I am expected somewhere else by dinner."
"Ah.. I will not stop you then, I but ask that you come back tomorrow for
I shall have a batch ready for you to. . purloin." She said smiling at me.
"Then I shall be the thief and steal this star before I go." I said
picking up a star shaped cookie and drinking up the rest of my milk. "I shall
see you my dear, tomorrow at the same time?" I asked as she demurely chuckled. I
blinked, for that was not the reaction I expected. I blinked some more when she
reached forwards with her napkin and daubed away the milk mustache I had on.
************************************
(along a road.)
I entered U-chan's a while later. Blinking as I sought to figure out the
events that had transpired. I met Kodatchi and the worst thing happened. I was
seduced by her cookies and I think she is going to come after me as a side
interest from Ranma. 'Maybe her reputation was overstated.' I thought trying to
reassure myself. 'Or maybe not.' I thought as I remembered the sleeping Mousse.
'Oh well, I'll deal with it tomorrow.' I took a deep breath and slowly let it
out. 'Today I have a moving in dinner at U-chan's with the Tendo's, and tonight,
I move into my new life there.'
************************************
Authour's digression.
*Sigh* Some people have asked me what was the main point of this story.
Mainly because i do not regress to the character of Kodatchi. It's simple.
Granite bowls means holey water. The water that you find in every church. It
might not make much sense to you now and it might never will but that was my
thought when I wrote it. I might not find that I can tie this point back into
the story in an obvious manner but I'll try.
(
geocities.com/tokyo/temple) (
geocities.com/tokyo)