Blind 2

"speech"

'thought'

panda sign

distant noise

letter / postcard

side notes from the Author

ISDH

The Tendo House was caught between the old ways and the new influences from the West. The Furo had both the traditional benches and buckets, and a shower 'stall'. The Whole place was tiled with a nonslip-grooved tile.

Ranma showered quickly, the hot water washing the grim away, then he padded lightly to the tub and slipped into the hot water. The heat allowed the knots to unkink, the tendons to loosen, the mind to wander.

The Panda had returned to the house. Having bummed a few rice beers from Soun, Panda-Genma was drunkenly waving signs at Akane and Soun, My no-good Son and Disrespectful Spawn of mine as he grwffed and grunted out his story. Panda cannot hold his liquor, unless it is 'brewed' from bamboo.

Akane and Soun exchanged a look, then watched the antics of the panda. It was more entertaining then that show from America about the Black talk-show host who has on the same Black Woman who is seeking the father to her baby.

Nabiki cursed under her breath. She had one of the Worst habits to have. A sense of Curiosity that will get her killed as it did so many cats. She also had a mind so sharp, that she often called herself Mycroft's little sister. So why was she sneaking into the Changing Room? She had already plundered Ranma's pack, under the heading of putting away his clothes. There was nothing there.

The cane drew her eye, and then her hand . . .

Kasumi hummed as she stirred the large pot. In went the carrots, potatoes, and a handful of rock salt. She then started on a pot of rice.

A frown danced over her face. The House was out of Balance. She closed her eyes and focused. Akane and Father were in the Other room, watching the Panda complain about his 'ungrateful son' and their adventures. A show she herself would have enjoyed.

Ranma, a Nexus of disorder in her House, was in the Furo. The House was both fighting his presence, and trying to welcome him at the same time. He was strong in the ways of the Arts. He has expressed an interest in learning the Art she had mastered, but had she mastered an Art?

And where was Nabiki? She focused harder . . . "Oh my."

What was she doing there? If she got caught, it could be scandal, or Worse . . .

The Soup needed to be stirred again . . .

Rising from the water, Ranma grunted. Now to get dressed, find Nabiki, and to talk about needs of all parties involved in this plight.

Finding the towel was easy. Drying off was quick. Finding the door was a bit off issue. but once he was past that problem, he stepped into the changing Room. Silk boxers slid on, followed by his silk drawstring pants. He debated if he should wear the shirt, but decided water could/would find him anywhere, so on with the shirt. He skipped the slippers as he was trying to get in deeper touch with the house, and walking barefoot would improve that.

He reached for his Cane. It was not there. He paused. "Damn it Pops. We 'Talked' about what would happen if you tried to take my Cane again."

Down stairs the drunken dancing panda stopped miming running from angry Amazon warriors, and shivered. Something BAD was about to happen to him. Most likely involving pain . . .

The Cane was heavy to her hand, but it fit like a glove. Standing 4'6" with a 'hook' at the 'top', it was a perfectly straight. Under the 'hook' there was a leather warped section, ten inches long, worn smooth by a hand that loved the staff, as it 'needed' it. Spiraling from the bottom of the grip to within three inches of the 'Butt end', gylph-runes, the likes of Nabiki had never seen before, told a story of some sort.

So enraptured with the Cane, She failed to notice what was happening in the next room. When the Door slid open revealing a nude, male Ranma just for her, her breath caught. As he dressed she thanked the Kami for their gift to her. He was perfect. A body from the pages of the PLAYGIRL Kasumi kept under her mattress, a master of the Arts, and he will never even look at another female...

When she heard him speak, she shivered with fear for herself and for the panda...

She gentle reached out and set the cane infront of him as if it had fallen across the doorway. He should find it before he left the changing room.

The Cane was more then just a length of Wood. It was His. It was awarded to him for learning the Blind Art. It was crafted from English Oak, turned and shaped by druids of a lost order. It was worn smooth as silk, stronger then stone or steel, and had saved his life more then once.

The last time the old man had tried to steal it, Ranma had broken his right hand. Then Ranma had calmly explained what to the balding bastard the next time he tried. It involved pain. A great deal of pain.

Ranma took a half step towards the door, when his toe rubbed carved shaft of the Cane. Squatting to pick it up, Ranma sigh in relief. He open the Door into the Hall...

Sniff- sniff...

"Coming Nabiki. We have sooo much too talk about.