Snake in the Horse's Shadow By Lord Raa Disclaim-me-do: No Nathaniel, no! Part 6 There was a flash of light outside the main entrance to Cheyenne Mountain complex and four figures standing inside five stone rings appeared from nowhere in the brilliant sunshine. "You know, just appearing like that in broad daylight is kinda a bad idea," O'Neill said with his usual sarcastic tone. "Isn't materialising between floors a worse idea?" Genma shrugged. "Besides, we brought a gift." Ranma lifted the crate up to draw attention to the gifts in question. "Shall we go inside?" "What did you bring us?" the Colonel asked hesitantly. "General Hammond doesn't like surprises that go boom." "Oh, this doesn't go boom, not unless you start fiddling with it," Ranma said. "Shall I tell them, Pops?" "Go ahead, son," the elder Saotome nodded. "It's a portable naquadah reactor." "W-what?" Carter asked. "Are you serious? A portable naquadah reactor?" The martial artists turned to each other and smirked knowingly. "Carter, how about you take a look at that inside?" Colonel O'Neill suggested. "Yes, of course, Sir," the blonde nodded. She turned to the Saotomes. "Please follow me." Genma held back to walk with O'Neill. "She's not normally like this, is she?" "Only when there are major scientific advances to be had." Walking into the briefing room, Ranma gently placed the crate on the table. "We meet again, Hammond of Texas." "We do, Ranma. You must be Genma Saotome," the bald man said extending his hand towards Genma. "I'm General Hammond, I run the SGC." "Greetings," Genma replied, shaking the General's hand. "So, this is the base of the famous Tau'Ri, eh?" "It is indeed, Mr. Saotome," Hammond smiled politely. "Now, please take a seat, we've got some questions for you." "Ask away." "What are your plans for the future, other than catching up with friends and family, of course?" "You know," Genma leaned back in his chair, "I've not given it much thought. I suppose that I'd retire to the quiet life of enjoying good food with good company." "That sounds like a wonderful idea," Hammond smiled. "In fact it was just the kind of life I had been enjoying before this programme was established and I was called back on active duty." Then he became serious. "Now, we've got a few questions about your travels." "And we'd gladly answer them," Genma said, "but first, we were promised some lunch." Ranma snorted. "That just figures. You always were more concerned about your fat stomach than anything else, pops." "Oh why was I cursed with such an ungrateful and ill-mannered son?" the balding martial artist asked with a theatrical tone. "Hey, you're the one who decided food was the deal clincher! At least you're not selling me off for food this time." "I'll have you know that I haven't done that for over ten years!" Genma protested. The members of the SGC were stunned. "Y-you sold your son for food?" Carter asked, her right eye twitching. "You kidding? You should hear some of the offers I get for him," Genma said, completely missing the blonde's point. "Ships, jewellery, Hell, even entire planets! All for the chance to be his bride. We could have retired a long time ago if it hadn't been for you." "You're the one who wanted to come home, Pops. Or is your memory failing you in your old age?" Ranma taunted. "I can still teach you a lesson, you insolent boy!" "Calm down, there's no need to be unreasonable," General Hammond insisted. "I'll have the mess bring something down for us." "Don't bother, we're leaving for Japan," Ranma said standing up from his seat. "Yes, we've got some important business to attend to in Tokyo," Genma said. "Do try not to blow yourselves up when you reverse engineer the naquadah reactor." "Yeah, not only would we feel bad if you vaporised the mountain by accident, but you'd prove those Tollan jerks right," the pigtailed man said. "Wait, is this Tollan technology?" Carter asked. "Nope. They're funny about what they give other people. I remember what they said about you guys," Ranma said. "Come on, Pops, let's go back home." Five rings descended over the martial artist and they waved goodbye as they disappeared back aboard their ship. "I think that's just proven the problem with trying to keep them here," O'Neill sighed. "Do you want us to track down where they're going in Japan, General?" "Please do, Colonel. I'll explain the situation to the President. Captain Carter, please examine the reactor." "Yes Sir," the scientist said, grabbing the crate and trying to rush off to her lab. "Ungh, just how did he carry this thing so easily? Teal'c, could you help me?" "Of Course, Captain Carter," the Jaffa inclined his head. He lifted one end of the crate. "It is indeed heavier than it first looks. Ranma Saotome is a strong individual." "Pops, you know that they do kinda have a point about just appearing in front of people," Ranma said as the shuttle manoeuvred towards Japan. "Most of the people here don't know about aliens or the Stargate." "You're right, Son," Genma nodded. "I suppose we should at least respect their wishes on that. We should ring down on the outskirts of Tokyo." "Ok, but do you actually know where we'll be landing? Tokyo wasn't a small place when we left the last time. I doubt it's gotten smaller." "It'll be fine," the balding man insisted. A few minutes later, the martial artists were standing in the middle of five stone rings on the outskirts of Tokyo. Lieutenant General Jeffery Ellis looked thoughtful for a moment as pondered who would be phoning him up so late in the evening. He picked up the phone in his study. "General Ellis speaking." "¬I'm sorry to bother you, Sir, but I have General George Hammond is on the line. He says it's urgent.¬" "Put him through, Lieutenant," the grey-haired man asked, taking a sip of his scotch. "George, how's it going? The last I heard you were getting ready for retirement." "¬Something came up that made me put my plans on hold,¬" Hammond replied with good humour. "Oh? Care to share?" "¬No," the Texan replied. There was a pause and his tone turned more serious. "Jeffery, I need to ask a favour. "I know that you're running an Air Force base and not a Missing Persons bureau, but I need to find two Japanese men in particular and I don't speak Japanese.¬" "This isn't an official request, is it?" "¬No, Jeffery, it's not. Their names are Ranma and Genma Saotome. But it's been a while since they were in Japan,¬" Hammond explained. "¬I just need to know where they are. Do not, repeat do not bother them.¬" "It's not like you to track people down and keep eyes on them," Ellis commented as he scribbled down the names of the people his friend wanted finding. "Since when were you in the cloak and dagger game, George? You're normally pretty straight forward with people." "¬It's a long story, Jeffery. Maybe one day I'll be able to tell you, but at the moment, the details are classified Above Top Secret.¬" Soun Tendo was an influential member of the Nerima town council. He had a reputation for being passionate about doing the right thing and doing the best he could to make sure that the streets were safe at night. Plus, his eldest daughter's cooking had always made his home a popular location for certain meetings that needed to remain unofficial. The moustachioed man had assumed that when his eldest daughter informed that that there were two men to see him that two of his colleagues were enjoying his hospitality under the guise of helping to resolve some non-issue that would, could and should normally be dealt in one of the council sessions. He looked up and blinked in surprise at the two unfamiliar figures that Kasumi had led into the reception room. "Oh, hello, I'm sorry, was expecting someone else. Can I help you?" "I believe so, Tendo-kun," the stockier man smiled. "Don't you recognise your old training partner, Genma Saotome?" "S-Saotome-kun? Is it really you?" Soun asked. "Indeed it is, Tendo-kun." "I-it's been over twenty years! Where have you been?" "It's a long and unbelievable tale, Tendo-kun. Allow me to introduce my son, Ranma. Ranma, this is my old training partner, Soun Tendo," Genma said with a gesture. "Pleased to meet you, Tendo-san," Ranma said, bowing politely. "Likewise, Ranma-kun," Soun bowed back. "Take a seat and tell me about your travels, Saotome-kun." "I wish I could, Tendo-kun, but I promised that I keep the last ten years a secret," the balding man sighed. "But we've been out of the country for some time. It's hard to believe that Japan could change so much while we were gone." "Indeed, the world changes at a pace that surprises all who live on it," Soun said in a tone that he hoped conveyed his wisdom. 'And those that have been off it,' Ranma thought. He scanned the room, noting that it was nothing like the architecture that he'd seen over the last decade. "Excuse me, Father, would you like some refreshments?" a soft female voice asked. "Yes please, Kasumi." "I'll help," the pigtailed martial artist offered, forgetting the etiquette for guests in Japan. "No, please stay here, it's not right for a guest to help out with such things," Kasumi insisted. "Don't worry about it. Besides, it'll allow our fathers to catch up," Ranma said, flashing the brunette a winning smile. "He hasn't seen his friend for long time." Kasumi looked to her father for guidance. He nodded once. "All right, but it's most improper." After Ranma left the room, Soun turned to Genma. "Saotome-kun, I notice that Ranma-kun has grown into a fine young man." "Indeed he has, Tendo-kun," the balding man nodded, wearing a look of pride. "If it wasn't for Ranma, we wouldn't be here today, Tendo-kun." "Oh? It sounds like you've got some tales to tell." "Yes, but I promised that I wouldn't tell anyone about them," Genma said with a sigh. He adjusted his glasses and looked at his old friend. "There are some things that it's best you don't know. They make our time under The Master seem like blissful childhood days." Soun blinked as he processed his friend's words. "It seems that you have indeed experienced a great deal of hardship." There was a pause before the moustachioed man followed up. "Do you not think that it's time for us to retire?" "I've been ready to retire for the last ten years, Tendo-kun," the portly man laughed. "Have you given any thought to our pledge to unite the Schools of Anything Goes?" the long haired man asked. Genma looked thoughtful. "Well there were times where it kept me going, but for the last ten years, there were many, many times when I thought we'd never get back to... home." Soun missed his friend's slip as he nodded in understanding. Not that he had any idea about the suffering the Saotomes had gone through at the hands of the Goa'uld or the various other aliens they'd encountered. "I must confess, Saotome-kun, that I expected you to return to Tokyo when Ranma-kun was 16." "That was the plan, Tendo-kun. Alas, fate often changes our plans for us." "Indeed, Saotome-kun, indeed. Still, had you arrived ten years ago, Ranma would have had more choice for his fiancée." "What?" Genma asked. "I have three daughters, Saotome-kun, but two of them have lives of their own now. In fact, Akane, my youngest is trying to start a family," Soun explained. "The only unattached daughter I have is Kasumi." Genma frowned for a moment. "Tendo-kun, I'm not sure I understand what you're saying. It sounds an awful lot like we should force Ranma and Kasumi to marry." "Not force, Saotome-kun, we're not ogres," the long-haired man insisted. "But it would secure the future of the dojo." "What would?" Ranma asked as he entered the room with Kasumi. Kasumi frowned at Ranma's apparent lack of manners, but said nothing as she poured the tea. "An arranged marriage between you and my daughter, Kasumi," Soun explained. "Your father and I have planned for this for many years." "That's fair enough." The pigtailed man nodded. "Is there anything you'd like to say about this, Father?" "We've been through too much for me to force you to marry someone you've just met, Ranma," Genma replied. "Kasumi-san here is a very attractive woman, but this is not my decision." "What are you saying, Saotome-kun?" the long-haired man asked, not believing his ears. "Mr. Tendo, my father and I have spent the last ten years fighting against tyrants, slavers and other monsters. To force someone into an unwanted marriage would make me just as bad as them," Ranma said. "I cannot and will not abandon my principles." "Oh my," Kasumi murmured. She turned to look over Ranma again. As she noticed his strong looking arms, she idly wondered if she would ever be carried off by a handsome, strong man. "Are you saying that you're too good for my daughter?" Soun demanded, clearly not expecting Ranma to act in such a rebellious manner. "Mr. Tendo," the younger Saotome said calmly, "I don't think you realise what sort of things I've been through. How many people do you think would like to see me dead?" The moustachioed man shrugged. "It was a rhetorical question, Mr. Tendo, I don't know the exact number because I lost count after 100," Ranma said reaching for his cup of tea. "There are people who would burn all of Japan to a cinder to kill me. Are you sure that you want me to marry your daughter." Soun looked at Genma, who only nodded solemnly to back his son up. "Oh..." "Yes, it's not that I want to remain alone, it's just that I tend to find people who want to skin me alive," the pigtailed martial artist smiled. "And most of those people are willing to hurt those close to me." There was a prolonged silence as Ranma's words were processed by the Tendos. The doorbell rang, causing Kasumi to announce that she would see who it was. Ranma sipped his tea, reminding Soun that he had left his own drink untouched. Kasumi returned with two people who looked to be around Ranma's age. "Akane's here, father," the brunette smiled. The Saotomes quickly picked up on the fact that Kasumi didn't hold the man in very high regard and shared a questioning look. "Akane-chan, Ryoga-kun," Soun smiled happily. "How is married life treating you?" "Very well, Mr. Tendo," Ryoga smiled as he took a place next to his father-in-law. "We get by, Daddy," Akane smiled. "Who are your guests?" "This is my old training partner, Genma Saotome and his son, Ranma," the moustachioed man said. "Wait, Saotome? Didn't you want one of us to marry him?" Akane asked, finally taking her own seat. Ryoga turned to glare at Ranma, instantly feeling threatened by the pigtailed man's presence. Ranma ignored the menacing looks he was getting and gave Akane his full attention. 'She's pretty cute...' "Yes, but we had a little detour," Genma smiled. "We've spent the last ten years out of the country." "Apparently fighting tyrants and other bad men," Kasumi added. 'Though if that's true, it could make for some interesting stories...' Akane looked at the younger Saotome and nodded, noticing that he was on a par, if not better looking than her husband. 'Damn, I could have had someone who wasn't a good for nothing idiot who can't find his way to the bathroom without ending up in some girl's bedroom.' The female martial artist sighed softly before recomposing herself and smiling at her father. "So, have you eaten yet?" 'So that's why you arrived unannounced,' Kasumi deduced. "I was about start making dinner when the Father's guests arrived. Would you like me to set you a place, Akane?" "Please," the younger sister smiled before turning to glare at her husband. "Ryoga wanted to come over for dinner." "I just thought that it would be nice to have a change from ramen," Ryoga said. "That's all. It's got nothing to do with cooking skills..." Ranma shook his head at the way Akane's face was turning red with rage at her husband's inconsiderate words. 'Anger doesn't make her cuter,' he decided. "So, what do you do for a living then, Akane-san?" the pigtailed Saotome asked, hoping to defuse the situation by distracting the angry woman. "What? Oh, I'm a voice actress," Akane answered. "It was a minor role, but I was in the latest Gundam series." "The last Gundam I saw was..." Ranma paused as he tried to recall what he'd seen. "It may have been a few episodes of Zeta Gundam. It's been a while since I watched any Japanese TV. Well, any TV, really." "Oh? That sounds like you've got some interesting stories to tell us," Akane smiled. "Care to share them with us, Ranma-san?" "I'd like to, but some of them are a little weird and some have me and my father not looking too clever, but pretty much all of them revolve around a secret that we promised not to talk about," Ranma said apologetically. A smile broke out on his face. "Plus anything over 10 years ago is a bit hazy." Akane laughed softly, much to Ryoga's annoyance. 'That jerk! How dare he flirt with my wife like that?' the directionally-challenged man thought with a snarl on his face. Ryoga's memory became conveniently patchy when it came to his own behaviour with the opposite sex. For example, there had been numerous occasions when he had found himself in Nabiki's and Kasumi's bedrooms. One of which was the day after his wedding. It had cost him a great deal to buy Nabiki Tendo's silence on that matter. "So, what do you do, Rumba?" Ryoga asked, deliberately trying to provoke the pigtailed man. "I don't actually have a job right now but then again, I did just return to Japan from several years out of the country," Ranma countered. He gave Ryoga a steely glare. "And my name is Ranma Saotome." The fanged man looked confused for a moment then met the younger Saotome's glare with one of his own. "I know that name. We went to the same school together. You humiliated me at lunchtimes. Do you remember how we fought for the last bread of the day in the cafeteria?" "You don't need my help to be humiliated," the pigtailed martial artist said before draining his teacup. "And no, I don't remember fighting over bread at school." "Well, we did! We arranged a duel and you ran off!" "If you say so," Ranma shrugged, seemingly oblivious to the increasing redness of Ryoga's face. "But if it makes you feel better, I guess you can blame me for everything else that went wrong in your life since then. You know, like every time you stubbed your toe or someone failed to replace the toilet paper after using the last sheet." "You're mocking me aren't you?" Hibiki said, his eyes narrowing. "You're mocking-" "Oh, do shut up," Genma interrupted loudly, attracting everyone's attention. "It's clear that you feel that you're the victim of some great injustice, but do you really think that it's worth fighting my son over some bread from when you were children?" "It's not the bread, it's the fact that your son ran away from our duel!" Ranma waved his finger at Ryoga as he wracked his memory for details. "I think I remember what happened. I'm pretty sure that I waited three days for you to show up." "And when I arrived on the fourth day, you were long gone!" the fanged man insisted. "Weren't we supposed to fight in an empty lot behind your house?" Genma laughed out loud. "Hahahahahahah! Are you seriously telling me that it took you FOUR DAYS to get to the empty lot behind your house? You are either a fool or a liar." "And my father should know," Ranma sniped good-naturedly. "He's both lied and been a fool on many occasions." "Quiet, you," the balding man snapped, though there was a small smile on his face. "So which is it, Ryoga? Are you a fool or a liar?" "I get lost easily!" Ryoga insisted. "It's true," Akane sighed. "Ryoga-kun does find it hard to get to where he needs to be." "But still, you can't expect someone to wait more than three days for a duel," Kasumi said. "Some people would argue that since Ryoga-kun wasn't there at the right time, he forfeited the duel." "That is a valid point," Soun nodded. He'd used similar tactics to see off rival suitors for his late wife, Reiko. "But I'm sure that Ranma-kun would agree to give you a quick sparring match to satisfy your honour, wouldn't you, Ranma-kun?" "Sure," Ranma nodded. "Hey, Akane-san, do you mind leading us both to somewhere where we can fight?" "Please follow me to the dojo," Akane smiled. To be continued... Pre-read by Chi Vayne, previewed on various intertubes.
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Snake in the Horse's Shadow
Chapter 06: Chapter 6
By: Lord Raa