Ranma 1/2, Fatal Fury fanfic

"Wolf in Nerima"

by Julian Soullard (e-mail: jnsoullard@hotmail.com)


	Warning: All characters from this fanfic are copyright from Rumiko 
Takahashi (Ranma 1/2) and Masami Obari (Fatal Fury), I never claim them to 
be my own personal creation, so don't sue me!

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	AND NOW ON WITH...

	Chapter 6: Take me out to the stadium... Take me out to the crowd...



Terry stepped into the shop. Much to his surprise, Mr. Mizuhara wasn't 
there.

"Hello? Boss? I'm here now." he said as he awaited for someone to answer.

"Dad went to fix someone's roof." spoke another voice.

Terry turned his sight to one of the rooms nearby, from where the voice 
had come. A young boy around sixteen years old with short brown hair 
walked out of there.

"Oh, hi Makoto." Terry declared "I didn't knew you were here."

Makoto Mizuhara, Mr. Mizuhara's only son and his pride. Makoto was a first 
class student from Shinanome high. Quite strange though, Shinanome high 
wasn't in the Nerima district but Makoto studied there. It was a real 
demanding school which only accepted students with very high scores. But 
in spite of the distance, Makoto came to visit almost twice a month and 
helped around in business.

"Any idea of when he's coming back?" asked Terry.

"Not really." he answered "But he asked me to tell you that you had a wall 
to fix in..." he then took out a piece of paper and consulted it "Hum... 
Furinkan high."

"Furinkan high?" Terry confirmed as Makoto gave him the piece of paper "Oh 
boy... Wish me luck..."

"Good luck, Terry." Makoto wished him "You're gonna need it."

Terry began to walk to his new destination. He really wasn't too fond of 
going to Furinkan. When he had to fix the Tendou dojo there was only Ranma 
and Akane that could cause some sort of chaos. Maybe even sometimes 
another visitor like Ryouga or Shampoo that made their own contribution to 
this chaos. But that was it.

In Furinkan there were several thing that annoyed Terry. 
First there was that crazy school principal who was obsessed in cutting 
Terry's pony tail. Last time he had to fix one of Furinkan's walls, he 
really had a hard time protecting his hair. His long pony tail sure made 
him one of principal Kuno's most wanted targets. 

Then there was the *Terry Bogard Fan Club* which consisted entirely of 
girls. It wasn't the fact that girls saw him attractive that bothered him. 
How could that bother him? It even felt nice being wanted. He couldn't 
deny the fact that he was getting to like the feeling. The problem was 
that ever since someone let out the word about his tragic girlfriend 
experiences, a lot of girls have been hitting on him. And all of them have 
told him how sorry they felt for him about his past. That of course didn't 
gave him any pleasant feeling. 

And then, there was the biggest thing to deal with. Furinkan had to be 
some sort of disaster magnet. Something *always* happened there. Things 
varied from a typical fight between Ranma and Kuno to some sort of big 
Hollywood production catastrophe. And he was usually there to witness or 
be in one of them. Things weren't easy.

The gates of Furinkan stood in front of him. Terry sighed and once he 
gathered enough courage, stepped inside. It was around 8:30, right when 
everyone was entering class. Up ahead, Terry saw Ranma kicking Kuno into 
orbit right after he made a short speech about "divine retribution" or 
something like that. The blond Gai-jin sure got used of seeing that show. 

"Hello, Terry." said Nabiki as she entered the gates after him "Here to fix 
another wall?"

"Oh hi, Nabiki." Terry said back at her "Yup."

"You don't look too happy about it." she pointed out "What's wrong?"

"Something always happens when I come to fix something." Terry explained 
"I don't know why, but I'm starting to get a strange felling about this."

"Well I might as well move on." Nabiki stated "I don't want to be late for 
class. See you around, Terry."

"Bye."

Nabiki left for class. She was also going to sell some of the new photos 
of Terry to the *Terry Bogard Fan Club*. Before the teacher came to class, 
a group of girls students were gathering around Nabiki as she displayed 
some of the fresh snapshots she'd taken so far. Most of the girls formed 
part of Terry's fan club, the others were just looking out of curiosity. 

Even though anyone could take pictures of Terry, Nabiki's skills in 
photography were hardly matched. All those years of taking incriminating 
pictures sure built up her craft. Still...

"5000 yens for two pictures??" one of them asked shocked "That's robbery!"

"Now now, girls..." Nabiki started "You know that they're worth it. 
Besides, I took special risks in taking these."

"But 5000 yens??" repeated yet another girl "And only for two pictures?? 
Don't take this personally Nabiki, but that's way too much too ask. Even 
for you."

"You must consider that once Terry leaves, the prices will go higher." 
Nabiki pointed out "I'd buy them now while they're cheap if I were you."

"When he leaves? What do you mean by that?" asked one of the girls.

"Terry isn't planning on staying in Nerima forever, you know?" she 
explained "If he leaves, these pictures will become very rare. The prices 
are bound to raise."

"You're joking!"

"Am I the joking type?" she asked "But don't worry. I'm felling quite 
generous today. I'll make you girls a deal. I'll throw in a third picture 
of Terry *without* his shirt, for free. How's that for a change?"

Once the girls were convinced, the transaction went on. Nabiki took the 
money and gave the girls what they wanted. It was a good thing everyone 
was still willing to buy pictures. Once Terry leaves, the girls'll lose 
interest on him quickly. He'll become just another memory. 

Terry was now outside the gym. After taking a closer look and examining 
the hole, he came to the conclusion that Shampoo made this one with her 
bike. He was beginning to surprise himself for being able to identify the 
creator of the hole. He began to notice that everyone had his or her own 
style for braking walls. This was going to be a long job to fix.

Moments later, during gym class, Ranma's classroom was having baseball 
practice. Outside of the field, principal Kuno was having a word with the 
gym teacher.

"Sir, you've got to understand that it ain't possible to do that!" the 
teacher said. 

"Your duty as Furinkan's baseball coach is that it becomes possible." 
Principal Kuno stated "The game is in a little more than a month, and you 
haven't even set up a decent team yet."

"But I've told you everyone left the team after that stupid rule you made 
about having all the players get their heads shaved." the teacher declared 
"No one is willing to enter now."

"Rules are rules." Principal Kuno told him as he took out his scissors 
"And you're not an exception of it." he immediately cut the teachers hair 
without letting him even respond "There. Now you can set the example for 
the rest of the team."

"That's it!!" the teacher yelled as he ran his fingers through what was 
left of his hair "I quit!! I don't have to go through with this!! If you 
want a baseball team so bad, do it yourself!!" he then walked away with 
what was left of his pride.

Principal Kuno looked as the former gym teacher walked out of the court. 
Maybe he went a little overboard this time..... Naaaaa. But still, now he 
had to find a new replacement. The problem was who would be willing to do 
that. He began to search in his mind as he tried to find possible vic... 
er... candidates for the job.

In the meantime, in gym class, Ranma was holding his bat with both hands 
as the pitcher prepared to throw the ball. The ball went flying to the 
other side of the court after Ranma hit it. Principal Kuno followed the 
ball's trajectory with his eyes. Baseball was really a great game as he 
put it. Before he went to America, he hardly even knew that the game 
existed. But then he began to get more familiar with it. He even began 
to like it. That's why he enlisted Furinkan in this baseball match in the 
first place. It was all just so... American.

The ball began to approach the ground near to where Terry was fixing the 
gym's wall. Terry noticed it as it hit the wall and then calmly took it 
with one hand.

"Terry!!" shouted Akane from the other side of the court as she waved 
with her baseball glove "Throw it back quickly!!"

Terry stood up and held the ball between his thumb, index and middle 
finger. He then pulled his arm backwards and raised his left knee. Instead 
of throwing it to Akane, he sent the ball towards home.

[Of course!!] principal Kuno thought [Terry is an american. He has to know 
something about baseball! All americans do!! He'll be perfect for the 
job!]

Terry returned to work after that small interruption. He suddenly stopped 
the hammering as he heard someone approaching. He immediately got to his 
feet and turned around to face the man now in front of him. It was the 
school's principal.

"I already told you that I'm not cutting my hair!" Terry began as he took 
a fighting stance "So why don't you just give it a rest and..."

"Uno momento por favor, my blond friend!" he interrupted "I'm not here to 
discuss about that matter. I merely want to make you an offer."

"What kind of offer?" he asked him distrustfully and still with his guard 
up.

"I want to hire you for our next school baseball match." he responded.

"What are you talking about? I'm not even a student here." Terry pointed 
out. 

"No, but you could be the baseball coach." he explained "I suppose you do 
know about baseball. You're an American after all, aren't you?"

"Yes, I know about baseball, but what's the catch in all of this?" Terry 
asked again still not sure if he wasn't joking.

"Oh there's no catch!" he assured him "You would be paid for your work of 
course."

"Well... I don't know..." he began. 

"You'd be free to build a team of your liking for next month's games." he 
added "It's going to be just some plain old baseball, that's all."

"Okay then. If it's going to be *just* baseball, I'm willing to be a part 
of this." Terry stated "I'll just have to see how's my time distributed 
and I'll tell you my decision later."

Principal Kuno departed rather joyfully, leaving Terry behind. All of his 
problems were fixed.




				***




The man that stood in front of him smiled after running his fingers 
through his thick brown mustache. He then readjusted his baseball glove by 
punching on his palm. Behind him, a couple of yards away, a boy around 
eight years old with lank blond hair that reached his shoulders stood 
while using another glove. He was looking very excited. He was the perfect 
example of a young boy with too much energy.

"Come on Terry." said the man "You're the next batter up."

Another boy around the same age as the first one entered the court. This 
one had short blond hair and was wearing a very familiar red baseball cap 
on top of his head, he was also wearing a jacket of the same color with a 
white star printed on the back. 
Terry was dragging along a baseball bat that was obviously too big for him 
to use. Once he reached his destination, the boy tried to lift the bat. 
He began to twiddle as the enormous piece of wood made him lose his 
balance. His father still smiled at him though. Even with that imposing 
presence he always gave, his warm smile made him look different.

"Why don't you try to use a smaller bat, Terry?" he proposed "It'll make 
things easier."

"I'm okay!" said the boy "I can handle it. It's not so big."

"Hurry up, Terry!!" declared the other boy "I wanna be next!"

"Don't bug me, Andy!" Terry stated "I'll be done in a minute."

"Are you sure you can handle it, son?" his father asked. 

"Don't worry!" he said as he still tried to maintain his balance "I'll 
show you both I can do it!"

"Okay, here it comes." 

Terry's father threw the ball slowly so his son would be able to hit it. 
Unfortunately, being only a kid, and using a bat that was way too big for 
him, Terry fell on his butt after trying to swing the bat and therefore, 
he missed the throw.

"Strike one." his father stated.

Terry stood up and dust the seat of his jeans while giving everyone the 
typical disappointed look a little boy gives when things don't go as 
expected. He determinedly picked up the bat and tried to raise it once 
again.

"Terry! This is going to take forever!" Andy declared "Use a smaller bat!"

"Shut up, Andy!" he told him "I can use this bat!"

"Okay, Terry." his father said as he prepared to throw the ball again 
"Here it goes again."

Terry swung the bat once more. He ended up on the ground again just like 
the previous throw. He began to kick the dirt underneath him in a sign of 
frustration until his father approached him.

"Why don't you try to use a smaller bat?" he proposed once again.

"I have to use this bat!" Terry explained "All the baseball players in the 
national league use this kind of bat. I want to be able to use it too so 
I can be as good as them."

"You know, Terry." his father started "All of the baseball stars began 
using the small bats at first. So why not try to use a smaller one. I'm 
sure you'll be able to use bigger bats later, but for now try something 
more for your size. I'm sure you'll do better."

Terry nodded after some hesitation. He then went for another bat for 
someone more of his size. Unlike the last one, he began to swing this one 
around with great ease.

"Okay, let's try it one more time!" his father said "Are you ready 
Terry?.......... Terry???...... Terry???........."

"Terry?" Shampoo asked him as she waved her hand in front of his eyes. 

"Hun??" 

"You awake, Terry?" she confirmed "Ramen getting cold."

"Oh... right." Terry stated "Sorry, I was just lost in thought."

Shampoo went to attend the other customers. Terry took his chopsticks 
and began to eat his order. He then started thinking once again. 
It's been some time since he last played baseball. Ever since Geese killed 
his father, Andy and him left on a long journey to improve their martial 
arts. There weren't any other baseball family games after that tragic 
event. But some how, Terry always remembered baseball. It was like 
learning to ride a bike for him. He always liked the sport, ever since he 
was just a kid. Sometimes he asked himself what might of happened if his 
father hadn't been murdered. Maybe he would've lived a normal life. Maybe 
even start a career as a baseball player instead of a martial artist (not 
that he hated his actual occupation). Andy might have turned out a martial 
artist either way. He always had that fighting instinct with him. 

Maybe the opportunity principal Kuno gave him could tell him if he'd be a 
decent baseball player in a different life. It was practically only to 
prove something to himself. He couldn't deny he felt a little curious to 
know if he might have made it to the national league if his fate was 
different.

Although there was a problem. It's been two days since he's been employed 
as Furinkan's baseball coach but for some reason, there weren't many 
students willing to join the team. So far, only Ranma, Akane, Kuno and 
Ukyou were in the team. 
Ranma did it for the sport, which is quite normal for him. 
Akane did it also for the mere pleasure of sport. On top of that, she 
wanted to prove Ranma she wasn't a klutz like he always says. 
Kuno wanted to prove his-greatness-and-prowess-in-the-field-of-combat-
upon-his-opponents-and-Akane-Tendou as he put it. 
And then there was Ukyou who was playing mostly to be near Ranma and to 
keep an eye on Akane. 
But baseball is a nine players game, and he still had to find five other 
players. 

"Terry?" Shampoo began.

"Yes, what is it?" Terry asked her.

"You train Furinkan baseball team, yes?" she said.

"That's right." he affirmed "Why do you ask?"

"Ranma play in team, right?" she continued.

"Yeah, the same as Ukyou, Akane and Kuno." he pointed out.

"They play too??" Shampoo asked rather disturbed "[Stupid spatula girl and 
violent tomboy want to have Ranma all to themselves] Then Shampoo play 
too!"

"Hun? [Was she reading my thoughts earlier?] You want to enter the team?" 
he questioned her, she nodded in response "Well... er... sure, if you feel 
like it. As a matter of fact, I'm looking for more players for the team."

"Haiya! Great! [Now Shampoo can prove to Ranma she better than other 
fiancees in sports too!]"

"Shampoo..." interrupted Mousse "Are you going to enter Furinkan's 
baseball team?"

"Yes." she said rather indifferently.

"Then I'd like to join the team too!" he told Terry (although he was 
addressing to another customer nearby! ^_^;;;) "Terry, would you allow me 
to be part of your team as well?"

"Er... Mousse, I'm over here." Terry pointed out "Well I don't have 
anything against you playing, but baseball requires a good sight. I'm not 
sure if you're up to it."

"I would really appreciate if you'd give me a chance to prove myself in 
the field." Mousse insisted "You even said you needed more players for 
your team, right? I think I might be of some help."

"Stupid Mousse can't play." Shampoo declared "You only be in way [in 
Shampoo's way]."

"I think he deserves a chance, Shampoo." Terry stated, he then turned 
towards Mousse "Okay, you're in Mousse. Practice starts this Saturday 
morning at Furinkan high. I'll be expecting to see both of you."

"I'm grateful that you considered in accepting me in." Mousse thanked him 
[Now I can prove Shampoo that I'm worthy of her love by playing in this 
game. I must make sure to impress her.]

Shampoo wasn't looking too convinced of Terry's decision, but she decided 
not to make a big deal out of it. Having Mousse around wasn't going to 
make things easy on her to be next to Ranma, on top of all that, Akane and 
Ukyou were in the team as well. She had to keep an eye on them as well in 
case they'd try something funny. 

Terry stepped out of the Nekohanten after finishing his food. Now there 
were six players in his team. With only three more players, the team would 
be completed. Accepting Mousse and Shampoo wasn't exactly *the best of 
ideas*. Especially with all the problems they all had with one another 
(Ukyou with Shampoo, Akane with Kuno, and Ranma with... well... everyone!). 
But somehow, Terry was feeling very optimistic about all of this. This 
wasn't some sort of duel. It was only a sport. Maybe, if thing went well, 
they'd even end up tolerating/liking each other (Boy how wrong Terry was!).