All Ranma characters are property of Rumiko Takahashi, first published
by Shogakugan in Japan and brought over to North America by Viz Communications.
Sailor Moon was created by Naoko Taeuchi.
A Different Viewpoint: American Vacation: Chapter 16
The next morning, Mamoru called Makoto. "I'm going to work in a few minutes. He's still here, but I think he's planing on going out soon."
Makoto answered. "Sure, I'll be right over."
Several minutes later, Mamoru met her at the door. "Great, he's still getting ready to go out. Look, I have to go to work, good luck." She nodded, and walked across the street to watch the front door from an inconspicuous vantage point.
Mike soon exited the apartment building. He had a map in his hand, and didn't look up as he turned down the street. A hours walk later, Makoto, (quite tired by now of his long stride.), realized that his destination was Furinkan High School. She waited outside as he entered the main building. She noted that summer classes were in session. < I wonder what his intentions are? Is he here to ask about Johnathon, or the Tendos?> Makoto got bored after almost an hour passed with no sign of him, and headed inside. She searched the building completely, but there was no sign of him. < Short of inquiring at the vice principal's office, what can I do? He's gone.> She sighed, and went to the pay phone.
Usagi raced for the telephone when it rang, and managed to wrest it out of her bratty younger brother's hands. "Yes?"
Makoto sighed on the other end. "I lost him."
Usagi was unworried. "Really? How, did he see you?"
Makoto wasn't sure. "I don't think so, but he went to Furinkan. He must have went out the back, because I watched the front doors, and he didn't come back out that way."
Usagi didn't seem to care. "That's alright, Mako-chan, I'm sure you did your best. I'm sure he'll turn up. Hey, why don't you check at the Tendo Dojo? Maybe he went there?"
Makoto brightened at that suggestion. 'That's a good idea, Usagi-chan, I'll try that, thanks." Walking towards the Tendo place, she almost stumbled over him outside, walking back and forth indecisively. She paused as he looked up and saw her. < Now what? Walk past and hide? Go inside?> She hesitated.
Mike looked questioningly at the young girl who had walked up. She was very tall for a Japanese girl her age, and she looked like she was wondering what he was doing. < Does she train at the dojo?> Mike wondered. < She looks like she's in very good shape.> He gave her a disarmingly bright smile and said, "Oh, good morning, Miss."
She bowed slightly to respond. "Ah... Yes, good morning."
Conversation of a sort started. She felt bold enough to ask. "Can I help you? You look lost."
Mike smiled at her again, rather weakly this time. "Oh no... I'm not lost... I'm...." He floundered. < What do I say?> "Ah, well, this must look a bit strange, but I'm trying to...." He shook his head. < I haven't decided yet how to approach them.> "Anyway, I'm not lost, thank you."
Makoto stared at him. < What is he doing here?> "Oh..." She attempted. "Are you here for lessons?"
Mike cocked his head at her. "Ah, yes, sort of. Do you take lessons here?"
She nodded. "Oh yes, it's a very good dojo."
He smiled. "I'm sure it is." < Maybe she can help... make introductions or something.> He frowned slightly. "It's just... that I feel kind of silly being here...."
She blinked. "What do you mean?"
Mike sighed. "Are you here for a lesson today? Maybe you can introduce me, or... no that wouldn't be any better." < Now that I'm here, I'm afraid I've gone to all this trouble for nothing. What can I say to them? I should have waited for John to come back... but then it would have been too late. I'm here now, I need to find out what he's been hiding from me, and this might be my only chance to see the Tendos without him present.>
Makoto frowned as Mike lapsed into thought. < He looks so lost and confused. Somehow, I don't think he's up to any mischief.> She shrugged and said. "If you're not sure that you want a lesson?"
He laughed then. "No, that's not the problem. It's just that I'm... well, related to someone... and he's not here today, and I'm not sure if I should have come, no matter what I thought was going on...." He looked up and grinned wryly at her. "I'm sorry, I'm rambling at you. Shows how mixed up I'm feeling. I am sorry."
She shook her head. "Oh no, that's alright, I understand...." She paused and whirled, something telling her of the imminent attack.
She leapt back as the large brutish figure grabbed at her. He swore violently. "Damn, get lost then!" He turned to face Mike. "This don't concern you none." He had a strong Chinese accent. "I'll beat you this time, Tendo."
Mike looked uncomprehending at him. "Who are you?"
Kang Lui spat contemptuously. "You'll remember me better in a moment." He squared off and attacked Mike with a forward jump kick. Mike dodged to one side frantically. Kang laughed. "Not so brave here in the real world, huh. No ring, and no rules. I'm gonna kill you!" He advanced after his retreating foe, a hard kick followed by punches. Mike continued to retreat, dodging backwards almost into the wall of the Tendo compound.
He shook his head rapidly. "I really don't know you. I'm not a Tendo... can't you see that?"
Kang spat again. "You coward, denying your name to protect yourself? Johnathon Tendo... prepare to die!"
Mike blinked. < Huh? a 'friend' of John's? No way I'm going to convince him otherwise.> Mike backed up again as the man's attack continued, and his back hit the wall. "We don't have to do this!" He shouted.
Kang grinned. "Coward. No where to run for you now."
Meanwhile, Makoto watched a few meters away, confused. She was too far away to hear what they were saying, besides, 'Prepare to die!' and 'We don't have to do this!' She was considering if she should interfere. < I don't really know what's going on. Perhaps this is Mike's doing?>
Kang didn't hesitate, as Mike put his back against the wall, he charged him, fists flying. Expecting a block in Johnathon's style, Mike's grab and assist came as a total shock, as his hand bashed a small hole in the brick wall. Mike accepted the other hit, and rolled to the left, completing the turn with an elbow raised to strike, extending Kang's held arm to aid the damage. Kang went down spitting teeth.
Kang rose again, shaking his head to clear it. < What's going on? Is that Tai Chi? I expected a hard style. He's totally changed his form, and in such a short time.> Kang backed up a bit to observe his opponent. < Same stupid grin, same stance... He won't fool me twice.> Kang leapt forward, kicking out in a rapid series of straight attacks, following Mike's dodges. Mike again grabbed the offending limb after several attacks, and spun inside, but this time, Kang was ready, dropping back and kneeing Mike with the other leg, hard in the chest. He broke free of the grab and rained punches into the Gajin, who tried to pull away again. Kang pressed forward, not giving Mike an inch. He slammed Mike with his shoulder against the wall and leapt back. He grinned, as the smile had left his opponents face. "Not smiling now, huh?"
Mike straightened, his eyes glaring. "You seem
to know how to deal pain. Do you know how to take it?": He
charged in, a total change of styles, he took the blows it took to gain
Kang's side, spun around him with an arm extended around his throat, and
began to tighten his grip around the larger man's windpipe. As he
pulled back, he fell back as well, and used the momentum to slam Kang onto
his knee, driving the air from his lungs. Kang elbowed his opponent
fiercely, striking again and
again, but wasn't able to force him off. He clawed at Mike's
hands, digging lines into them, but Mike's grip never lessened. He
started to black out.
"Stop it, you'll kill him!" Makoto started forward.
Mike looked at her. "Huh?" He shook his head and released Kang abruptly. Kang staggered to his feet, reaching inside his jacket. As Makoto crossed in front of him, he grabbed her, putting the knife he had grabbed to her throat. "Back off, or I cut her...:" He said, before realizing Mike was no longer in front of him. "Where?" He said, his knife wavering.
Makoto wasted no time, but bent and flipped Kang into the Tendo's wall. He landed hard, but stood again shakily. "Bitch, I said stay out...." Mike stepped out of the Tendo gate and slammed his open palms over the other man's ears. Kang fell, tried to rise and fell again, stabbing himself messily in the leg with his knife.
Mike shook his head. "Drop the knife, buddy. You'll just hurt yourself."
Kang again tried to stand. He staggered wildly before again falling. < What's wrong with me?>
Makoto seemed to agree. "What's wrong with him?"
Mike glanced at her. "Nothing, except his sense of balance... it's a bit off."
Kang dropped the knife and tried to stand again. "You... bastard, what did you do?!"
Mike walked over to him slowly. "Just teased your inner ear. You'll be fine in a few minutes." He shook his head and picked up the knife. "I don't know how you are, buddy, but if I see you again I'll call the cops." He looked at Makoto, and turned to enter the Tendo Dojo. "Coming?"
Inside, Nabiki and Nodoka had come out at the sounds of fighting. "Ranma's not home yet, so who...?" Nabiki was saying before she spotted Mike. "You?!" < This has to be Michael Dwire. He's come here after all. I wonder how he found the place. Is that Makoto with him?>
Nodoka was speaking. "Johnathon-san? Why didn't you tell us you were in town today? We would have picked you up from the airport." She looked behind him and frowned slightly. "Where are Ranma and the others?"
Mike sighed deeply. "I'm sorry, I really should have called first." < If John had given me your number, I would have!> He bowed then from the waist. "A pleasure to meet you. My name is Michael Alan Dwire... I am Johnathon's twin brother."
Nodoka reacted smoothly after a slight delay. "I... I see! It is certainly a pleasure to meet you, Michael-san. My name is Saotome Nodoka, and this is Nabiki Tendo. Whatever brings you here today?"
Mike's eyes flashed in recogintion. < Nabiki.... so! That's where I heard her name before!> He nodded to Nabiki, keeping his eyes on hers. "I know it's a bit early, but I wanted to... get to know my brother's new family. I thought perhaps... now would be a good time, without everyone here...." He ended abruptly. < That didn't sound too stupid, did it?>
Nodoka smiled at him politely and said. "I understand." (Though she plainly didn't.)
Nabiki took the break in conversation to say, "Well, well, you're the splitting image of your brother, you know that, Michael-chan? Can I call you Michael-chan?" She said in a sweet tone that would have instantly put any of Furinkan students into a worried state. < I won't let you find out whatever you're here to dig up.>
Mike smiled brightly. "Why of course you can, Nabiki... I feel as if I already know you." He looked at her even more closely, his smile widening a bit, his teeth showing. "After all, we're practically family."
Nodoka turned to Makoto, who was staring at the two intently, with a funny look on her face. "You're early, Makoto-san. Did you want to help me in the kitchen again today?"
Makoto grabbed onto the suggestion like a life preserver. "Yes! I mean, I would like that, thank you, Mrs. Saotome." She shivered slightly as she walked between Nabiki and Mike. < Wow, now those are some hostile vibes!>
Nabiki's smile left her face as the two women left
the front yard. She studied the man facing her with a cautious eye.
< So this is Michael Alan Dwire... or should I say MAD. To think,
this is the guy who's business sense I was admiring. What is he doing
here? No... it's obvious now. He's here spying on his brother.
Whatever happened in the states, it made him suspicious, and now he's here
to get some answers.> She paused in thought, gauging the individual before
her. < Could it be that simple? Is he just... curious?>
She almost laughed. < Yeah right. If this guy doesn't have
an ulterior motive, I'll eat my shoes.
Someone that good with money has to be up to something.>
Michael's thoughts were simpler. < This explains a lot. Nabiki Tendo is Ice Queen. No wonder why she dried up all of a sudden. It's obvious now, she knows what I'm here to find out about, even if I don't. And she has no intention of telling me.>
The two stared at each other for over a minute before Mike broke the silence. "I want to know what's going on with my brother. I think you can tell me."
Nabiki looked sharply at him. < Let's just see how serious he is about this.> "Well, I might consider talking to you... for a small fee."
Mike grimaced. < Here it comes.> "And that would be?"
She smirked. "Oh... 2 million yen." < If I'm not mistaken, that's about how much your stocks are worth, Mr. Dwire.> She watched her opponent carefully for his reaction. < He'll never go for it.>
Mike blinked. His eyes went wide, then narrowed. He glared tightly at her. His face strained with surpressed emotion. Finally, he seemed to bring himself together. "All right." He said. "That will take me a day or two. Will you take my IOU, and start explaining now? Or will I have to wait for answers?"
Nabiki only barely kept herself from gaping at him. < Huh? Wha? Either this he's a heck of a lot richer than I thought, or he knows something already. Does he plan on selling the story? Or maybe a curse victim or two to a lab?> She frowned angrily and turned away slightly so he wouldn't read her expression. "I've changed my mind." She said slowly. "The information's gone off the market."
Mike nodded. "Ah." He sighed. < Damn, that would have just about broken me, but it would have been worth it. She was just probing me though. I guess I'll have to see if her father is so hard boiled.> He glanced at her shortly. "Is Mr. Tendo in?"
Nabiki scowled too herself. < Oh no you don't, buddy, you're not getting your claws into Daddy. He'd give their secrets away in no time.> "He's busy." She said curtly. "He's got a class to prepare for today. Why don't you come back... oh, say the day after tomorrow?"
Mike noticed Nabiki's hesitation. < Ah, a weakness.> "That's fine." He said. "I'd like to see him about that as a matter of fact. Johnathon said so much about the training he received here... I thought I should get some training in as well. It's good to hear your father's training today, I'm sure he won't mind one more?" Mike said the last part louder, as he had noticed a pair of older gentlemen passing in the hallway.
Soun paused in the hallway upon hearing the familiar voice. "Eh? Johnathon-san?"
Nabiki was quick to correct him. "No, Daddy, this is his twin brother, Michael. He's here to ask you for some training."
Mike was surprised at Nabiki's words, but didn't show it. "It is indeed a pleasure to meet the man who fathered three such lovely daughters, and trained my brother so well in the martial arts." He bowed sharply. "It would be an honor to train in your school, sir."
Soun nodded and bowed back to a lesser degree. "You honor me as well by your kind words. I would be happy to teach you, son." He laughed. "After all, we are family!"
Nabiki was mildly impressed. < Michael's got something of a way with words. When daddy's got him working, I'll warn him about Michael.>
Soun had grabbed Michael's hand and was shaking it
firmly. "Well, come in, come in! Let me show you around!
Would you like to start training right away?" Mike was led inside
unprotesting, and Nabiki followed the two slowly, thinking how best to
approach her father. She watched as Soun gave Mike a nickel tour
of the house and grounds, introducing the young man to Genma and reintroducing
him to Nodoka and Makoto, who were in the kitchen, preparing for the imminent
arrival of the class. Nabiki heard the first car pulling up and took
the opportunity to fetch Ryoga out of his room, where he'd been staying
all
morning since breakfast, in an attempt to not get lost.
"Ryoga-kun, your students are here." Nabiki informed him.
Ryoga looked around confused. "Huh? Where?"
Nabiki sighed slightly. "Not here, dummy, in the dojo. Come on." She held out her hand impatiently.
Ryoga took it reluctantly, whether he was more uncomfortable with either the fact of his inability to find point B from point A, or holding a girls hand, he wasn't sure.
Nabiki led him out to the dojo. There she released his hand and faced him. "Look, Ryoga, I want you to help me keep an eye on someone today, alright?"
Ryoga blinked. "Me? Who is it?"
Nabiki pointed out at the yard, where a very enthusiastic Soun was standing on the back of his new student. "Him." Nabiki pointed. "Michael Dwire."
Ryoga watched the new student do a few more push ups with Soun on his back. "Huh? Isn't that...?"
"John-san's brother." Nabiki filled in. "He's here ahead of his brother's return, snooping around." She glanced at the young man, struggling to complete another push up. "I don't trust him."
In the yard, Michael was wondering, < Was this such a bright idea?> He gasped in a lung full of air and pushed again. < Soun-sensei is really... enthusiastic.> Mike's muscles were already burning, and he'd hardly begun training with the man. < Am I sure this is how I want to go about this? I need to discover John's secret, not kill myself.>
As if reading his student's mind, Soun stepped off his back and gave him a hand up. "Good enough for now, Michael. Why don't you take a break from that?" He gestured to the back yard. "If you would just go fetch the bricks here from behind the shed, you can rest for a little while."
Mike stood slowly and nodded. "Hai." He walked back to the shed he saw near the wall. "Fetch the bricks?" He glanced at the huge pile of bricks behind the shed, as high as his chin. < Oh boy.> He sighed. < Am I that out of shape?> He glanced back at the house. < Or is this a test?>
Nabiki meanwhile, approached her father. "Daddy, how's your new student doing?" She watched as Mike came out with a load of bricks in his arms. She probed her father carefully. "Why do you think... he's here today?"
Soun looked at his daughter, fooled by her innocent tone. "Why, I have no idea?"
Nabiki frowned slightly. "Oh I hope he's not here for some reason other than what he said! But no, that's impossible."
Soun frowned. "Daughter, do you suspect your brother-in-law's twin of having ulterior motives?"
Nabiki shrugged, as if she had no such thought in mind. "Why, Daddy, what ever do you mean? Do you think Mike-san might want to spy out his brother's secrets for his own purposes? What an idea!"
Soun frowned at his daughter, but was distracted from her by the sounds of people coming to the gate. "Ah... certainly not... I think I'll... just see if Ryoga needs any help with his students today."
Nabiki smiled to herself. < Daddy will watch him now. I'd best get to the dojo before Ryoga wanders off.>
As Soun walked off, his eyebrows twitched in confusion.
< What does this mean? My daughter may be on to something!
Perhaps... Mike-kun is an alien clone from outer space! Or could
he be John-kun possessed by a ghost? Maybe the people of Phoenix
mountain have a spring of drowned Johnathon Dwire? Or maybe...>
As Soun's thoughts played over ever
increasingly bizarre possibilities he sat down next to Genma.
< Maybe a game of Go will help me think.>
***************************************
Makoto met her friends at the door. "Hey guys, he's here. Usagi, you were right!"
Usagi smirked at Rei. "Told you he'd be here!"
Rei shrugged. "Any fool can be right once."
Everyone sighed as Usagi yelled. "You're so mean! How could you, Rei!"
Luna spoke up. "So, what is he doing here, Makoto?"
Makoto shrugged. "Looks like he's just training with Tendo-sensei. Nabiki-san doesn't seem to trust him much though."
Minako spoke up, looking at Makoto seriously. "I just want to know one thing." She said, pulling Makoto close, and looking her in the eyes.
Makoto swallowed nervously. "What?"
Minako looked around carefully then looked her in the eyes again. "Is he cute?" Everyone groaned.
Artemis strode inside. "Sheesh! We should be training right? Lets get inside."
Mamoru shrugged. "Let's go then. Usa-chan? You coming?"
Usagi paused from her tongue war with Rei to smile at her prince. "I'm coming!" She said brightly. "I want to see this guy for myself."
The group came inside as the outer senshi pulled up outside. Haruka was the first one out of Setsuna's car. "The others are here, Setsuna... are you sure?"
The Senshi of Time nodded. "Yes. Go on ahead you three. I will be back in two hours."
Hotaru looked at the older woman confusion evident on her face. "But class is three hours long."
Setsuna laughed. "I'll see you then. Have a nice class you three."
The three outer senshi looked at each other confused as Setsuna drove away. "What was that all about?" Michiru inquired.
"Who knows what's going on in her mind." Was Haruka's reply. "Besides, I want to get inside. Ryoga-sensei said we could spar today, and I want to see how I do against him."
Michiru shook her head slightly at her lover's enthusiasm. Hotaru looked concerned. "Pappa, you should be careful. Ryoga-sensei's really, really good."
Haruka nodded. "Right, that's the idea. If he wasn't so good, what would be the point of sparring?" She headed quickly inside. The other two senshi shook their heads but followed after her.
Inside, the class was just settling in. Nabiki gathered everyone inside and brought them to the dojo where Ryoga was waiting. He was looking out the side door to the backyard, and Nabiki had to cough once to get his attention. "Ahem."
Ryoga turned around quickly. "Oh. Well good morning then."
The girls said together. "Good morning, Ryoga-sensei!"
He nodded slightly, blushing ever so slightly, and the class bowed back. "Ah, yes. Today we're going to focus on developing a weapon kata for each of you...."
As Ryoga talked, Luna let her eyes wander across the backyard. Soun and Genma were engaged in another board game on the porch, Go this time. A small pile of bricks was sitting nearby, just outside the house. She glanced back to the class as Ryoga called her name again. "Diana? I want you to practice this kata with Atlanta, so pay close attention." He waited until she was standing like him and Artemis. "Ok, now take it slowly, but keep the tension in your arms, this is the essence of Tiger style kung fu."
As she moved through the forms following Ryoga, she wondered how anyone could know so much about the martial arts at his young age. < He's what, 16? Yet he seems to know a kata for every weapon we picked out.>
Soon Ryoga was satisfied that they were doing the kata properly. "OK, 40 more times through that, and let me know when you're finished." He walked over to Hotaru and Makoto next, picking up a staff as he walked. Luna kept working through the movements. As she did so, she looked back across the yard. Soun and Genma were still playing Go, the koi were jumping in the pond, and the pile of bricks had grown to three times it's original size. < Huh? Where are the bricks coming from?> More curious than startled, Luna kept glancing occasionally at the yard. Each time she looked, more bricks were in the pile. She finished her repetitions and moved towards the dojo doorway to get a better look at the yard. As she started to exit, something brushed into her roughly. "Hey?" She said, looking to her right as a dozen bricks started to fall toward her.
Luna tripped as she tried to get out of the way. She flinched and closed her eyes as she felt someone stumble over her legs. "Woah!" It was Michael Dwire's voice. Several hard thumps followed, but no bricks struck her. "Careful there, Miss." He said in a tired voice.
She blinked and opened her eyes. Indeed, it was Mamoru's new roommate. He was leaning over her, concerned. "Are you all right? I'm sorry, I didn't see you there." He reached out a hand to help her up. She grasped his palm, noticing the sweat running off it, and the slight calluses of his fingers. He lifted her easily as he stood up, pulling her to her feet with the one hand, while he balanced 6 bricks in the other. "Guess I shouldn't carry so many at once." He said sheepishly.
She gaped at him for a second. "Oh no, I'm fine though, really. I really should have heard you coming." < My hearing as human is pretty bad I guess, He was right on top of me, practically.>
He looked at his feet almost guiltily. "Ah, sorry." He muttered something under his breath.
Luna strained to hear it. < Something about, 'remember to make noise?'> He was backing up, a slightly nervous expression on his face.
"I should get back to training now...." He bent over and started stacking up the bricks he had dropped. Luna walked back inside as he did.
Artemis was standing at the doorway. "Wow, he really does look like John-san." She whispered to Luna. "Fast hands too, he knocked all the bricks away from you." Artemis looked mildly impressed. "Wonder why he didn't just catch em though."
Luna shook her head. "I don't know. And don't stare, 'Atlanta'" She said, stressing Artemis's cover name. "We don't want to make him nervous."
The two went turned back to the class. Most everyone had finished their assigned katas and Ryoga was gathering them together again. "Now for a little sparring." He said. Nabiki looked surprised at his announcement, and she looked like she wanted to object, but shook her head a bit and said nothing. Ryoga motioned to Haruka and Mamoru. "Can you two be judges? I think we have room for three matches, if you don't mind."
Mamoru shrugged, but Haruka spoke up. "Only if I get to spar with you later, sensei."
Ryoga nodded. "I said I would, right? Now everyone find the padded weapons I prepared for you in the closet, then come back."
Nabiki didn't go with the others, but stayed and glared at Ryoga. "What are you thinking? If they get hurt this soon, they probably won't come back, and some of them will get hurt sparring this soon, you know that."
Ryoga shrugged. "That's what Ranma told me to do. He told me they'd stick at it, and I believe him...." He trailed of, looking confused. < Trust Ranma? What am I saying?> He shook his head and looked back at Nabiki. "They'll learn it faster this way, you should know that."
Nabiki frowned. "It's not the way Daddy did it, that's for sure. Still, I guess it's Ranma's class...." She left Ryoga and went to the closet to pick out a padded staff. < This is getting weirder everyday. When Ranma gets back, I'll ask him what he was thinking, treating paying students like dedicated martial artists. He's got to learn that not everybody cares about the art like he does.>
************************************
Out in the backyard, Mike sweated in the hot sun, carrying yet another load of bricks. Every time he walked silently past the open dojo door, he glanced inside. < She was pretty cute. I wonder how old she is?> He shook his head. < Idiot, keep your mind on why you're here.> He set the bricks down and started back again. His back was bowed a bit with exhaustion.
Soun looked up. "That's good enough for now, Michael. Take a break till lunch." Mike nodded and walked over to the dojo. He sat down just outside the doorway to watch the matches that were going on inside.
On the right, a fierce clash between Makoto and a
young woman with dark green hair. < Green?> He wondered,
< What an odd shade for someone her age.> She wielded Shani with
some skill, and Makoto's staff work reminded Mike of himself several years
previous. A golden haired, slightly effeminate young man was judging.
It looked nearly even as the blows flew in, but the judge awarded Makoto
the match as they separated. Near the middle of the dojo, Mamoru
was judging. An unarmed
girl with long, dark hair was facing off against a pretty blond.
< Is that a gymnastic ribbon?> He could see she was easily the
match and more of the other girl, but they were taking it easy, so it was
hard to compare. To the left, a reddish brown haired girl was sparing
with the dark-haired beauty Mike had run into earlier.
He approved of her weapon choice. < Very neat, wrist claws.> And admired her graceful movements. The other girl was swinging her shani wildly, with little skill, but some enthusiasm, but the dark haired girl parried and stepped out of the other's attacks with some ease. Mike was very conscious of the young man watching the two. He was built almost like a weight lifter, his chiseled form reminded Mike of Ranma. < Only more so, and his Chi is dark, like a storm.> A cute girl with her golden hair done up in a fairly odd bun and paired ponytail combination was wincing, and trying to cheer both girls on.
"Good swing Naru-chan! Oh nuts... good counter Lu... Diana-chan!" She seemed quite relieved when the young man with the bandana halted the match.
When the latest bouts where finished, Nodoka came in. "Ready for lunch, everyone?" Those assembled apparently were, as a rousing "Hai!" came from the group.
Haruka sighed, and looked over at Ryoga. "After lunch then?"
He nodded. "Fine with me." they both followed the others inside.
The eaters assembled into several groups. Usagi
hesitated and decided to sit with Naru and Umino. Luna sat next to
her, near the end of the third table. Across from them, Mamoru and
Ryoga sat, eating heartily. Last, Mike was encouraged to join them
by Nodoka, who insisted he was no extra trouble at all. The other
four inner senshi sat together with Atlanta, and the
outers made up their own group, joined by Nabiki. The three table
were spread from the kitchen to the living room, and the conversations
covered many subjects, from boys to the stock market. (That topic
had come up between Nabiki and Setsuna.) Mike sat quietly and ate
as Naru and Usagi tried to find something to talk about. Fortunately,
a subject or two were
immediately available.
"Wow Usagi, you guys must have been doing this for a while. You're all so good! I'm amazed, this really seems to be a great dojo." Naru started with what seemed a safe enough subject.
Usagi blushed a bit. "Oh no! I just think it's... fun really! No really, I love the exercise.... I need to look good for my Mamo-chan, right?" She directed this at her boyfriend across the table with a hopeful expression.
Mamoru blinked. < How am I supposed to answer that?> "You look great!" Seemed a safe enough reply.
Naru nodded. "You do, Usagi, really great. I'm glad I came today." She leaned over and whispered conspiratorially in Usagi's ear. "So, how are you two doing?"
Usagi sighed slightly. "Oh, well I'm not seeing as much of him as I'd like right now, since I'm grounded and all."
Naru shook her head in commiseration. "Oh, that's too bad." She looked at Usagi carefully, as if judging how her words would affect her friend. "Usagi-chan... why DID your parents ground you then? I mean... why did they think... that?"
Usagi blinked. < Doh!> "Ah, heh, yeah... um...."
Luna leapt into the breach. "So, Naru-san, how are you and Gurio-san getting along these days?"
Naru looked at the other girl startled. "Ah? Pretty good really, right, Umino? She peered over at the dark haired girl. "I'm sorry... Diana, right? Have we met somewhere before? I don't quite remember...."
Usagi put out a loud laugh to cover her nervousness. "Oh, Diana's a new friend of mine! I told her about you guys!"
Naru blinked. "Oh?" < How good a friend? No! I won't think that way... no matter what, Usagi's my friend too, even if... if... she is like that.>
Umino watched, curious. < Who is this new girl, and does she have anything to do with the rumors going around about Usagi's new group of friends?>
Usagi was trying to explain. "I... I just missed you guys, so I talked about you, right? Cause I was missing you and all." < That made sense right?>
Mamoru was eating silently, listening to the conversation with some trepidation. < Poor Usagi. She really has been missing Naru-san, but she's no good at explanations. It's too bad she just can't explain the truth of the matter, that she's been avoiding Naru so the monsters wouldn't attack the poor girl again.>
Mike watched quietly as well, tuning in the conversations around him one at a time, judging the individuals around him. He was so focused on that, he almost missed hearing Diana ask him a question. "So, Michael-san, how do you like Japan so far?"
Mike looked at her, she was looking at him curiously. "It's been very... interesting so far. More strenuous than I would have thought though." He rubbed his sore arms for emphasis. She chuckled politely.
Usagi leaned over to join the conversation. "Has it been a long time since you last saw your brother? I mean..." She was interrupted by Luna's glare.
"You must have missed your brother while he was here, in Japan." Diana said as she turned back to face him.
Mike nodded. "You could say that. We used to be so close before, now...." He stopped, thinking. < Now it's strange. I still felt close to him, but he was holding a part of himself back. I wish I knew what that part was.>
Diana was nodding. "It's hard to see a loved one leave, isn't it Michael-san?"
Mike nodded back, bemused at her tone. < She looks really young, but she seems a lot more mature than the other girls. I wonder how old she is?> "I agree, but it's something we all have to deal with at some point or another, right?"
Luna nodded back in agreement. She studied his face as he turned back to his food. < And how well are you dealing with it, Mr. Dwire?>
Over at the middle table, Makoto was telling the others about Mike's fight outside. "I was worried for a while, but Mike handled him."
"What did this big guy look like?" Rei asked.
As Makoto described the attacker, Minako looked thoughtful. "Hmm sounds like a pro... Triad or Tong... sloppy though, that."
Everyone but Artemis stared at her in astonishment.
Artemis was nodding. Maybe... but how is Michael connected to a person like that?
Back at the end table, Umino and Naru were telling Usagi about their last few dates, and Mamoru was still talking to Ryoga about something, Luna heard 'Breaking point' mentioned. Mike had finished eating, and he stood to stretch.
He then walked over to where Nodoka, Soun and Genma were sitting, just outside on the porch. "That was a marvelous meal, Mrs. Saotome, thank you." She simply nodded and smiled.
Soun looked up at him. "So son, are you ready to show me a little of what you know?"
Mike looked puzzled. "I guess so, Sensei."
Soun nodded and rose. "Come with me to the dojo then."
As Mike followed Soun to the dojo, Ryoga glanced up. "Hmm, Tendo-san's going to spar with him?"
Luna raised an eyebrow. "Really?"
Ryoga got up. "Looks like it. Think I'll go see what he can do."
Luna nodded. "I'm finished here, I'll come with you." At Usagi's curious look, she waved her hand slightly. "Tell you about it later." She said in a low tone, before following Ryoga towards the dojo.
Halfway there, Ryoga took a right turn and started heading off towards the kitchen, but Luna straightened him out. They arrived to see Mike finishing his warm up.
"I'm ready." He said simply, and walked over to the center of the dojo where Soun was waiting.
He stood in a non threatening posture, his arms at his sides, his legs slightly spread. Soun took a moment to gage his new student, then stepped forward into a beginning punch. Mike moved just slightly to one side and back, avoiding the blow. His hands raised to about the level of his waist, and he stopped, waiting again patiently.
Soun nodded. "Right then." He attacked
again, a simple series of punches, followed by a snap kick. Mike
moved quickly to avoid the attacks, only blocking the last one, and jumping
a bit back to avoid the kick. Soun followed up with a thrust lunge
kick, and Mike grabbed his opponent's ankle in response, kicking out powerfully
himself. Soun blocked as he wrenched
his leg free, but found himself flung back by the force of the blow
regardless. He managed to land on his feet however.
Soun nodded again to his student, and took it up another notch. This time he surged forward so fast, Mike barely blocked in time. The second attack, a palm strike to Mike chest, wasn't avoided, and it was Mike's turn to fly backwards. He fell as he landed, but rolled to his feet backwards before Soun could press his advantage. The two circled each other again and this time, Mike charged first.
Ryoga started describing the scene to Diana.
"Hmm, Mike-san's not holding back anymore, and Mr. Tendo's on the defensive.
He's got a tricky style, kind of sneaky, not like his brother at all.
Look at that, see?" Diana watched as Mike made a punch at Soun's
chest. Soun blocked it upwards, but the punch seemed to slow down
as he did. As Mike's hand passed
Soun's throat, his fingers flicked out to strike the older man there.
Soun backed up, coughing.
Ryoga nodded. "It wasn't a punch at all, see? He used Mr. Tendo's block against him." Soun surged forward again quickly, and Mike was overwhelmed by the fierceness of the attack. Suddenly though, Mike grabbed his teacher's right wrist, and punched the arm with his knuckles. As he let go and backed up, Soun's arm fell limp at his side.
Ryoga looked startled at the turn of events. Soun did as well, but ignoring the limp arm for a moment, he punched forward with his left arm, and as Mike tried to block, swept the younger man's feet from underneath him. Mike landed hard, and Soun followed him down, bringing his fist before his face.
Mike blinked. "Ah... you win, Sensei." Soun stood back up and studied him. Mike rose himself slowly. "Good match... you went easy on me though."
Ryoga said softly to Diana. "Nerve strike... not a Shiatsu technique. Looked more like a Tong style or Ninja."
Soun looked at his new student sternly. "Now son, You obviously haven't told me all your training. You didn't learn that technique in some YMCA jujitsu class. Now tell me, who did you learn that from. It's all right to tell me, I will keep your old instructors from harming you."
Mike looked confused. Ryoga nodded. "Mr. Tendo thinks it's a Tong technique as well." He whispered to Luna. "They don't teach just anyone nerve strikes."
Mike was shaking his head. "I learned that myself, Mr. Tendo."
Soun looked even more stern. "Yourself?
Come now, you expect me to believe you came up with that on your own?
Come now, you know that's impossible." He turned away from Mike and
sighed. "I tell you son, I can understand how someone can get involved
with people like that, but you can trust me, you'd be safe here.
You are practically family, we
would protect you."
Mike looked even more confused. "I don't understand, Sensei. I learned all that stuff on my own."
Soun sighed dramatically. "Son, if you can't trust me, then I cannot be your Sensei. I must ask you to leave for now."
Mike's confusion turned to shock. "But...!" He shook himself and walked out of the Dojo.
Diana turned to Ryoga. "What did Tendo-san mean, it was impossible to learn by himself?"
Ryoga shrugged. "It's a nerve strike. To do it right, you have to actually hit someone to see if you did it right... and it hurts like hell if you do it wrong."
Luna frowned. "Oh." She walked away towards the kitchen. Down at the doorway, she could see Mike putting his shoes on. < I should follow him.> She walked quickly into the living room and whispered to Ami, who was nearest the doorway. "Michael is leaving. I'm going to follow him."
Ami looked up, but Luna was already heading towards the hallway. "Be careful."
End Chapter 16
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