bloodsong1 | *flees from ravaging hordes* (Reply)

Furikan High School is a school of many traditions. Their kendo and swim teams were top notch, the teachers prefered the 'water bucket' punishment and the morning fight never lasted more then five minutes.

Yes, every morning, just inside the front gates, there was a fight. It started two years ago, when one Tatewaki Kuno, kendo captain and leader of the Blue Thunders, announced that anyone wishing to date one Akane Tendo must first defeat her in honorable combat. The idea was to get all of his competition out of the way so he could date her himself. Sadly, his great idea backfired, as every schoolday morning for two years, Akane defeated every single challenger, including Tatewaki. The spectacle had devolved from twenty guys screaming romantic poetry to two incredibly stubborn, and some said incredibly stupid, potential Romeos, Tatewaki and Ryoga Hibiki, leader of the Lost Boys crew. Akane was reported to say those two were as bad as the twenty, for both were very good fighters and simply refused to give up already.

Ranma leaned against one of the support posts near the front door, arms folded over his chest, one eye cocked to the gates and one studying the restlessly pacing swains. Having dueled these two many times, both on and off the streets, Ranma found a sadistic pleasure in watching Hibiki and Kuno getting beat down by Akane. Ranma also crushed on the beautiful martial artist, but refused to swallow his pride and join the hordes fighting for her hand. The strategy worked, as Akane treated him with casual respect instead of contempt.

"She's coming!" A voice cried from the school wall, one of the many lookouts assigned by various betting pools. Hibiki and Kuno rushed to the gates, shoving and yelling insults at each other. As Akane came into view, both turned and began shouting undying professions of love. Akane's face darkened and she picked up speed. Ryoga got in front by tripping Kuno and threw a bandana like a lethal frisbee. Akane caught it in one hand and threw it back, not breaking stride. Ryoga ducked and the bandana caught Kuno dead in the forehead, knocking him back a good five feet. Akane jumped as Kuno hit the dirt, planting her foot firmly in Ryoga's face and using him as a springboard to clear Kuno's body. She missed, landing squarely on Kuno's chest and driving what little breath he had left clean out of his lungs.

"Serves you right!" Akane declared, jumping off and dashing to the doors. As she passed Ranma, he flashed her a victory sign under his arm. She returned it against the handle of her bookbag. Ranma smirked as he pushed off the post and strolled into school.

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There is one more tradition notworthy about this school. It happens at lunch time and has been dubbed "The Great Hair/Hare Chase". It also started about two years ago, when Ranma moved into town and caught the eye and obsession of one Xian Pu. Xian Pu's family owned a ramen shop and the beautiful Chinese ex-patriot took it upon herself to make sure Ranma had a delicious lunch, even though she didn't attend Furikan High. Xian Pu went to the all girl private school across town. She was also a member of high standing in the Black Roses, which explained how she managed to ride from her school to the ramen shop to Ranma's school, chase him around the courtyard for fifteen minutes and still get back before her next class.

The fact that she was repeatedly beaten by Kijuuki was a taboo subject, liable to get one pummeled by a deluxe combo 3 or bori-bori, whichever was handiest.

This particular day was no different. Ranma had learned to keep one ear out for Xian Pu's nitrous-kicked Yamaha R1 and when he heard it come around the corner, he would find someplace to hide. Not that he didn't enjoy the free lunches, it was better then curry bread! No, he hid because Xian Pu had the annoying habit of jumping him like an octopus and clinging to him until he finished her offering. It was embarrassing, ESPECIALLY when she did it around Akane.

Sure enough, right as the noon bell rang, Ranma dashed to the roof. Various couples and a few delinquents liked to use the roof as a meeting place. Ranma used it as a sentry tower. He hopped onto the roof of the stair access and studied the roads around school. Quickly spotting a black and blue blur heading his way, he jumped down and dashed down the stairs, nearly knocking over a couple looking for a quiet place to sneak a few kisses. They exchanged shrugs and continued on their way. Ranma skipped the stairs in favor of running down the wide handrails and bolted outside via a second story window. Students calmly got out of his way and various wagers were made as he dashed towards a large oak tree. It was spring, the leaves had come in enough to hide him. With a finger to his lips at the various students sitting under said tree, he shimmied up the trunk and scrambled into the branches. Not a second too soon, for just as he found a good place to sit, Xian Pu rode into the courtyard.

"RAAAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNNMMMMMMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!! I HERE WITH YUMMY LUNCH!!!" She caroled at the top of her lungs. Various students winced at her tone and broken Japanese. Despite the fact that she had moved here as a child, Xian Pu and her grandmother insisted on speaking broken Japanese when working in the ramen shop. The crews knew better, Ranma knew better. On the streets, she was not only fluent, she tended to rhapsodize. Stick a ramen pail in her hand and she turned into a silly girl fresh off the boat. Go figure. Xian Pu began cruising slowly around, peering at every boy closely and checking in every likely hiding spot, occassionally calling "RAAAANNMMAAAAA!" As she passed the tree where he was hiding, she stopped.

"See Ranma, violent girl?" She asked. Ranma blinked in surprise. Violent girl?

"Oh, yeah, Xian Pu, I have," Akane's voice responded. Ranma nearly fell out of the tree. "He was heading for the pool, muttering something about scuba gear."

"Violent girl no lie?" Xian Pu sounded suspicious. Ranma scooted to a slightly better view and peered between the leaves.

"Why would I lie? I hate boys, everyone knows that."

"Hmm. Truth. Xian Pu check." She drove off, calling his name. Ranma sat back, arms folded again and drummed his fingers against his bicep. Why HAD Akane lied?