Neko-can
Prologue
Ranma frowned as he looked at the wood covering the pit. Even though he was only six years old, he knew something was wrong. “Yo Oyagi, what’s up with the pit?”
“Today I will be training you in the ultimate martial arts technique, the Neko-ken,” Genma said with a hint of pride in his voice.
“The Neko-ken?”
“Yes boy. After you master this technique I will have little left to teach you.” Genma inspected the fish sausages in his hand. (“These should do.”) He nodded.
“It’s that strong?” Ranma asked. He didn’t see what was so great about the technique. All he knew was there was a bunch of cats down in the hole, and his father was eyeing some fish sausages. (“Maybe there’s more to it?”)
“Yes it is.” Genma turned to his son. “Ranma, prepare yourself!”
Nine and a half years later
“Oyagi, I don’t like this place.” Ranma looked around the valley trying to figure out what was making him edgy. (“I don’t get it. There’s just a bunch a pools an’ bamboo poles sticking in da middle of ‘em. Why do I feel this way?”)
Saotome Genma had learned long ago to trust his son’s feelings on things like this. But today he decided to ignore the boy. (“This is the last stop before heading to Tendo’s. The boy’s not goin’ get out of this.”) Genma hopped on the nearest bamboo pole and asked his son to join him in a way that only he could. “What’s the matter boy? You turning into a girl?” The small tremble was the only warning the old fool got.
“Shut up Oyagi.” The bamboo had proven to be less than effective against his talents, and his moron of a father was falling towards one of the pools.
It was at that moment that the guide decided to show up. “Ah! Is very bad if you fall in spring!” He yelled.
“Define bad?” Ranma asked as his father fell into the spring.
“Ah, sir fell into spring of panda,” The guide explained as the panda crawled out of the pool. It tried to speak, but when it couldn’t it decided to look itself over. After noting that it was no longer human it took up a fighting stance and targeted Ranma.
Ranma sniffed the air and sign. (“It might look like a panda, but it’s still Oyagi.”) He fell into a fight stance and waited for the panda to attack.
“Ah, waited sirs!” The guide yelled as the two martial artists tensed for battle. “Curse can be reversed!” The statement caused the panda to calm and turn to the guide. “Wait here.” He turned and ran to a hut of sorts.
Ranma dropped out of his stance and looked the panda over. The panda looked at Ranma in turn and snarled. “You should’ve listened to me.”
The guide returned and poured something over the panda’s head. “Hot water returns sir to normal but is only temporary. Sir turn back into panda with cold water.”
Genma looked at his hands and body before signing. “Is there a cure?”
The guide shook his head. “No, no cure.”
Genma cast his head ground ward in sadness then snapped back up. He looked at Ranma in anger. “Ranma! This is your fault!”
Genma frowned as he and the guide sat in the hut and ate some rice. It was too bad that pig turned out to be a person. Now all they had was a little rice. After finishing his bowl Genma moved to devour the other bowl. “Ah, sir, that bowl is for young customer.”
Genma shoved some of the rice into his mouth and shrugged. “If the boy isn’t here he doesn’t get ta eat.”
The guide shook his head as he watched Genma eat. (“I hope the young man leaves this fool.”)
Ranma stirred and woke in pain. He sat up and looked around. (“Still in Jusenkyo.”) He noted. After making sure he knew where he was, Ranma took stock of his condition. (“A broken rib or two, dislocated shoulder, and a bunch a cuts and bruises.”) All this led him to one conclusion. (“Oyagi was really pissed off this time.”) Using his good arm Ranma gingering rose. Ever since his fool of a father taught him the Neko-ken, Ranma’s patience has been dwindling. And now it was gone. Ranma came to one conclusion after looking back on the last six years. (“Oyagi’s got nothin’ left ta teach me.”) After the Forbidden Techniques Genma had been relying on others to teach Ranma. He had even let Ranma learn from weapon users, something that Genma had originally taught was a weakness. Ignoring the pain, Ranma shoved his shoulder back into the socket. Taking care not to use his injured arm, he picked up his bag. Sparing one finally look back in the direction he felt his father was in, Ranma left Jusenkyo. “Sayonara Oyagi.”