A Noble Endeavor

AN: Wait, a Ranma story? Yep. Finally back from my year+ excursion into a new fandom. Not to say I won't write for those stories anymore, just that I' finally back to writing for Ranma 1/2, too. Before we start, though, an important note.

Disclaimer: All members of royalty portrayed in this story are entirely fictional, as are any events involving them. Any resemblance to real people or events, (past, present, or future,) is entirely coincidental.

Now that that is out of the way, any resemblance to fictional royalty is likely entirely intentional. But enough about that for now, as it won't be relevant until later chapters anyway.

Without further ado, enjoy!

Chapter 1: Silk and Secrets

It was a dark and stormy night. Well, more like a gray and drizzling midafternoon, and Saotome Ranma was having a bad day. Some might have thought it was because she had been caught in the rain. Those that knew Ranma might have thought it was because said rain had Ranma stuck as a girl, for the time being. Those that knew about Ranma's most recent fight might have thought that Ranma was annoyed at Mousse for the 'unprovoked' attack. Most, however, would have been surprised by the true source of the redhead's ire.

"I can't believe that jackass ruined my favorite shirt," Ranma grumbled as she traced her finger along the cut that nearly exposed her breasts. "This was my last silk one, too."

As she rounded a corner on her way back to the Tendo dojo, Ranma walked into a wall, or at least what felt like one until Ranma recognized the tough yellow shirt covering the solid muscles.

Stepping back and looking up at the equally surprised Lost Boy, Ranma crossed her arms with a scowl and said, "I ain't in the mood ta deal with ya today, pig brain."

"Saotome…" Hibiki Ryoga growled back. After a moment, however, he seemed to deflate, his anger shifting to an aura of depression that filled the area beneath his umbrella. "Whatever, I'm not in the mood to deal with you either."

That only peaked Ranma's curiosity, though, her own concerns temporarily forgotten in favor of discovering what could get her normally confrontational rival to turn away without a fight or even an insult. "Huh? No 'prepare to die'? You ain't been abusing the Shi Shi Hokoudan again, have ya? Ya know using that too much is bad for ya."

"How I use my techniques is none of your business, Saotome," Ryoga snapped back, his rival's comments succeeding in breaking out of his depression for a moment. The Lost Boy's face flushed as he glanced downward. "I don't know what you're playing at, Ranma, but don't think you can use your cursed form against me like you can Kuno!"

Glancing down herself, Ranma saw that crossing her arms had caused her breasts to nearly spill out of her damaged shirt. Scowling, Ranma fingered the sliced material as she replied, "Like I was talking about, ya ain't the only one who's had a bad day. Mousse went and ruined my favorite shirt over something that wasn't even my fault ta begin with."

"I doubt that. You probably were to blame," Ryoga said. "Besides, worrying about your clothes? Since when did you get so girly?"

"Hey, I'm being practical!" Ranma protested. "This shirt was perfect for martial arts! It was snug enough that it didn't offer a handhold for opponents like a gi does, plus it dries real fast, which is nice considering how often I get splashed." A sad expression crossed the redhead's face as she added, "Not ta mention it was a gift."

"A gift?" Ryoga asked in surprise.

"Yeah, from a shopkeeper in China," Ranma explained. "I stopped a thief from robbing him. Of course, the thief was my Pops, but the shopkeeper didn't know that. He gave me a few of these as thanks, but all the others were ruined already. This was the last one, and they were pure silk! I can't afford ta replace these! I mean, using my cursed form ta get a free snack here and there is one thing, but I ain't about ta steal something that expensive." Glancing at her rival, Ranma saw a thoughtful expression on Ryoga's face. "What is it?"

"What if I got you a new shirt?" Ryoga asked. "After the day I've had, all I want is to get to the Tendo's before dark, so how about I get you a new shirt and you take me back with you?"

Ranma thought about it for a moment, before nodding in agreement. "Sounds fair ta me. I'll lead the way ta the mall and-"

"Right here," Ryoga interrupted, pointing to the building next to them. "This is where I get my clothes. I just dropped off some to get mended, since I was passing by."

Ranma glanced at the small building, not seeing a sign or any indication that it was a shop at all. As she followed him in, she said, "This is a store? They really need ta work on their… advertisements…" Ranma trailed off as she got inside, seeing a beautifully furnished lobby with plush chairs and a comforting fire in the fireplace.

"Hibiki-sama?" Said an old man behind a counter, the only indication that the building was a business, rather than the home of someone rich or famous. "I'm afraid I have not yet had time to finish the repairs. My apologies, but I've grown accustomed to more time between your visits."

"It's not for me, Shitateya-san," Ryoga said. "My friend needs a new shirt."

The man quickly came out from behind the counter and sized up Ranma with a glance. "I see what you mean. Silk, excellent taste, young lady. Would you like same material or something else? As for the style, not the most flattering for one with your figure. Perhaps you would like something that would complement you better?"

Ranma blinked in surprise, the man already taking measurements as he spoke. Before she could speak up, however, Ryoga answered, "Ranma is my martial arts rival. Keep it practical, I don't want to beat him only to have the shirt used as an excuse."

"Pfft, like I'd need it," Ranma scoffed.

The old man just chuckled and said, "Same material and style, as you wish, Hibiki-sama. Any special requirements?"

"Hot water," Ryoga said shortly. "He has a Jusenkyo curse like mine."

"Just one moment," the man replied, heading to another room.

Looking at Ryoga, Ranma asked, "Okay, what's up with ya now? You're acting strange around that guy."

"He owes my dad a favor," Ryoga explained, "because of that, he always treats me differently and it gets a little awkward."

Before Ranma could inquire further, the old man returned with a cup of warm water. Already drenched from the rain, Ranma took the water and dumped it over her head, returning to his male form. Without batting an eye, the man began taking measurements once more. In a matter of moments, he was finished and said, "Please make yourselves comfortable. I shall bring refreshments in a moment, and the first shirt should be done within a half hour."

"The first?" Ranma said in surprise.

The man caught himself and said, "My apologies, Hibiki-sama always gets three shirts whenever he stops by, so I assumed this would be the same."

"Three?" Ranma turned to his rival, "There ain't no way, ya got enough on ya for three silk shirts."

The old man chuckled and said, "As if I would make Hibiki-sama pay out of his own pocket. Please give the kōshaku my best regards, Hibiki-sama."

Ryoga frowned as he said, "You know my father is no longer called that."

"Perhaps not officially, but those who matter have long memories," the old man replied as he left the room once more.

As the pair of rivals sat down, an awkward silence settled over them. A few minutes later, the man returned with a platter holding a pot of tea, two cups, and a spread of delicious looking sashimi, shrimp, and other seafood.

Ranma looked at the 'refreshments' in surprise as the man left the room once more and muttered, "What kinda place serves seafood while ya get a shirt?" Despite his words, Ranma already had a pair of chopsticks in his hand and began eating the moment he finished speaking.

"Shitateya-san is one of the most skilled tailors in all of Japan," Ryoga explained, "so he often caters to the rich and famous, and has even made outfits for the imperial family. If it weren't for my father, I'd never be able to afford his services. I hate having to rely on that but, with my lifestyle, it's not like I can afford to pass up free clothes."

"Why would ya pass that up?" Ranma asked, thinking about his own childhood on the road, living off of nature and what his father would steal.

Scowling, Ryoga said, "I'm not like Kuno. I don't plan to live my life off a family name and my parents' money. I want people to recognize me for what I can do, not who I'm related to." Pointing firmly at Ranma, he went on. "That's why I refuse to be second best to anyone, especially you!"

Ranma gave that a moment of thought before replying. "Huh, I never realized we had that in common."

Ryoga blinked in surprise. "What do you mean by that?" He asked.

"Have you met my old man?" Ranma asked rhetorically. "I ain't got any desire ta be known as the kid of a thief and a coward. So, I gotta make sure people think of me first, no matter what ridiculous stuff I have ta do ta make it happen."

"What about your mom?" Ryoga asked, unable to help his curiosity. "Isn't she from a samurai clan?"

"Yeah, 'cause reminding people I'm one slip away from committing seppuku is so much better," Ranma grumbled. "I mean, she's from the Himura clan or something like that, but that doesn't mean much nowadays." Looking back at Ryoga, he asked, "Speaking of, ain't kōshaku some old title or something?"

Ryoga frowned, saying, "I don't like to talk about it. Like I said, I don't want people treating different because of my family."

Ranma frowned for a second until a mischievous grin replaced it. "Aw well, I can just ask Nabiki about it later," he commented casually. "Although, I suppose she'll want ta know where I heard it from."

"Don't you dare," Ryoga snarled at his rival.

"Well, if ya ain't gonna tell me…" Ranma replied with a smirk.

Ryoga glared at him for a moment before leaning back in his seat with a scowl. "Fine," he said, "but only if you swear on your honor not to say a word about this to anyone."

"Sure, ya got my word," Ranma said readily. "Now, why's it such a big deal?"

"The term kōshaku refers to nobles; famous samurai clans, Daimyos and their descendants, and members of the imperial family, although each is written differently," Ryoga explained. "However, the Japanese Constitution put an end to the official nobility decades ago and ended the use of all titles of nobility or rank outside the immediate imperial family."

Silence reigned in the waiting room for a moment, before Ranma pointed at him in shock, and yelled, "You're a NOBLE!?"

Ryoga just groaned at his rival's reaction as he muttered, "This is why I don't tell people about it."

AN: And there we go! Hope you enjoyed it so far, and looking forward to your thoughts!

...

...What? Matchmaking? The story a made an April Fool's Day Joke about abandoning and then didn't update for over a year? Oh yeah, that's a thing...

...I should probably get to work on that...