Fan Fiction / Ranma 1/2 Fan Fiction ❯ Herbie's Drive Through Nerma ❯ The Truth Comes Out! Genma Vs. Hyato! ( Chapter 13 )

After a Kotaro apologized, Herbie drove at a normal speed and most of his passengers were amazed at how fast they were going.

(Uh… guys, which way?) Herbie beeped trying to snap them out of their trance.

`Three more miles and then a left Herbie.' Genma signed.

(If Mr. Panda's the only one who isn't amazed, I can't read signs from inside.) Herbie beeped.

“Oh, right.” Kanna said snapping out of it. “Just three more miles and to the left.”

“Uh… How do I turn?” Kotaro asked.

(Ever ridden a horse?) Herbie beeped.

“Yes. Why?” Kotaro asked.

(Pretend my steering wheel, the thing in front of you, is the reigns, and the vertical rectangle at your right foot makes me go faster, and the horizontal one on your left slows me down and even makes me stop.) Herbie beeped. (I'll teach you guys how to drive when we get back to the village.)

Three miles later, Kotaro took Herbie's advice and turned like a pro, but something was bugging Herbie.

(Hey, how did you know where to turn? We got here in 2 hours going faster than a horse.) Herbie beeped.

“Oh, well you see, Kanna and I made a mark on a tree that had the first letters of our names.” Kanna said. “I saw it and knew where we were.”

(Oh really?) Herbie mischievously beeped.

“HEY! DON'T GET ANY IDEAS!” Kanna and Kotaro said together, but then blushed.

“Sorry, we're still a bit new to being married.” Kanna said.

(Hey, don't worry. I have friends that are just like you two.) Herbie beeped.

`No kidding.' Genma signed while sweat dropping.

“What's with you?” Kotaro asked. Genma then got real nervous.

`Uh… nothing! Nothing!' Genma signed.

***************************************************************** *******

A short time later, Herbie and the others are in the village of Hyato and was wondering something while the villagers were wondering what was in their quant little spot in Japan.

(Hey, isn't Hyato the name of the guy Mr. Panda beat up?) Herbie beeped.

“Yeah, he is.” Kanna said. “My dad told me Hyato's parents were from this village and left while his mom was pregnant with him. When he was born, they named him after the village so they all can remember where he came from.”

(That explains it.) Herbie beeped. (Ok guys, where do we have to go?)

“See that woman up in the booth selling apples and other fruits?” Kanna asked.

(Yep. That's where?) Herbie asked.

“Yeah, that's Kotaro's mom. Let's get going.” Kanna said, but Herbie wouldn't move.

“What the?!” Kotaro pushed as hard on the gas he could, but Herbie still wouldn't go.

(Uh… you don't have any contracts about being a man amongst men or you'll kill yourself with her, do you?) Herbie asked Kotaro, causing Genma to freak out at what he mentioned.

“WHAT?! You gotta be kiddin' me.” Kotaro said. “Who in their right minds would do that?!”

(Believe it or not, I know somebody who did, but regrets it.) Herbie beeped, causing bewildered looks from the married couple and a curious look from Genma. As they pulled up closer, Herbie got a good look at Kotaro's mom and sure enough, she looked just like Nodoka. Once Herbie stopped, Kotaro and Kanna got out of him followed by Genma.

“Oh, hello son, daughter.” The woman said.

“Hey mom.” Kotaro said.

“Hello.” Kanna said.

“What's that behind Mr. Panda?” The woman asked.

“Oh, this is our new friend Herbie.” Kanna said.

(Pleased to meet you.) Herbie happily beeped.

“It… It talked!” The woman said.

“Uh… he's not a demon mom.” Kotaro said.

“Yes, Herbie got us here in just hours.” Kanna said.

“HOURS?!” One of the villagers said surprised, causing a stir amongst them.

`Oh boy, talk about déjà vu.' Herbie thought. `I better just play it cool and not scare these guys.'

“Uh… well, my name is Chihiro Matsena.” The mother said. “Uh… it's nice to meet you too.”

“We're going to catch up with mom guys.” Kanna told Herbie and Genma. “We'll be done in a minute.”

`We'll be here.' Genma signed.

(Have fun.) Herbie beeped as they went inside. Genma then thought of something.

`Hey, what did you mean earlier by knowing `Somebody who did, but regrets it?'' Genma signed.

(Boy, do I have a story to tell you.) Herbie beeped as he started going over the past days with the Tendos and Mousse.

***************************************************************** *******

When Ukyo came back from her vacation visiting her aunt, she didn't expect Ranma to pretty much be out of his mind, or the rest of the family for that matter.

*FLASHBACK 1 HOUR AGO*

When Uchan's reopened, as expected Ranma came in, but with Nabiki and Mousse and they were looking for something.

“Hey, Ranma-honey.” Ukyo said. “What can I do for the first customer since I got back?”

“Actually, we were wondering if you saw a friend of ours.” Ranma asked.
”Oh? Who?” Ukyo asked.

“This is going to sound a bit insane…” Ranma started, but got interrupted by Ukyo.

“Sugar, this is Nermia.” She replied. “What isn't insane around here?”

“Trust us; this is even crazy for around here.” Nabiki said. “We're looking for our friend, his name is Herbie and he's a 60's VW bug with the number 53 on him.” This caused Ukyo to look bewildered for a moment.

“Uh… maybe we should start from the beginning.” Mousse suggested and then they told the story from Herbie's arrival to his kidnapping.

“Are you sure you haven't seen him?” Ranma asked a stunned Ukyo.

“Uh… no, but if I do I'll… um… call you guys.” Ukyo said.

“Thanks Ukyo.” Ranma said. “Glad to have you back.”

*END FLASHBACK*

`Poor Ranma-Honey.' Ukyo thought. `All those mallets to the head must have gotten to him and the others are playing along for his sake. But if that really is a missing car and I find it… HE'LL MAKE ME HIS WIFE!' Ukyo thought. `I'm going to try to look for it now!'

***************************************************************** *******

`She… she accepted him?!' Genma signed surprised.

(Yep. Girl form and all. You on the other hand I think she's still mad at.) Herbie beeped. `Judging by the fact she loaded darts, a dart board, and a picture of a panda into my trunk a few days before Mousse got stuck as a duck.' He then thought to himself.

`To be honest… I don't blame her.' Genma said. `I was always thinking I was doing the best for the boy but I wound up making him afraid of his own mother, and intern, his own mother believe a false piece of paper be true. I got him cursed and engaged him to at least three women. I even made him afraid of his own mother. Maybe he's better off without…'

(I'm sure he misses you.) Herbie beeped when he remembered when Ranma talked to Akane before he took them to the hill.

`Misses me or not, I have to get home as soon as possible and make amends.' Genma signed. `But I can't leave as long as Kanna keeps getting threatened.'

(Why not take her with us?) Herbie beeped.

`NANI?!' Genma signed.

(Yeah, she can learn from Ranma and Akane how to defend herself against that guy.) Herbie beeped. (And since he, according to you, looks like Kuno, I know the perfect practice dummy.) Herbie half joked.

`That might not be such a bad idea.' Genma signed. `I'll talk to her father about it… er, that is sign.'

(Are you ever going to tell them?) Herbie beeped.

`Would you trust a guy who acted like a panda for several days and earned the village's trust to take your daughter to a strange new world?' Genma signed.

(Good point.) Herbie beeped. Just then, Kotaro, Kanna, and Chihiro came out of the house with watermelons, tomatoes, apples, oranges, and a lot of bananas.

`Um… I think we have one too many bananas.'

“Oh, I'm sure there's enough space in the ba…” Chihiro said as she open Herbie's back hood, but found his engine instead. “Oh my, it seems there's something in here already.”

“Oh, we'll just take it out.” Kanna said.

(Uh… guys, that's my engine.) Herbie beeped.

“This piece of junk is yours?” Kotaro asked.

(Yeah. To put it simply, it's my heart and mind.) Herbie beeped. (Can't live or go without it.)

“Oh, I didn't know. I'm sorry.” Kanna said.

(Oh, don't worry about it. You guys didn't know.) Herbie beeped. (Why do you guys need the extra space anyway?)

“Mom over did it with the bananas.” Kotaro said slightly embarrassed.

“Well, you're a growing boy.” Chihiro said. “And every mom knows growing boys need their vitamins.”

`It's true.' Genma signed.

(Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm… I have an idea.) Herbie beeped. (It's an old trick, but it just might work.)

***************************************************************** *******

A couple of hours later, Herbie, Kotaro, Kanna, and Genma, with Herbie covered in bananas all over, were near the village.

“A couple of hours in a `Karr' covered in bananas.” Kotaro said. “Nobody will ever believe this.”

(Hey, it was thought up by a good friend of mine.) Herbie beeped. (Besides, it's working, isn't it?)

“Yeah, but how do we know if we're almost there?” Kanna asked.

(Oh, my head lights are eyes and we're almost there.) Herbie beeped. Sure enough, a few minutes later, Herbie and the others arrived in the village. (Nice ripe bananas, get them while their cheep. Nice ripe bananas, lets make a deal on a peel.) He beeped to get the villager's attention.

“'Deal on a peel?'” Kotaro said, unimpressed.

(It was thought up by a good friend of mine.) Herbie beeped. (Right now, let's give some of these bananas to the villagers and save some for you guys, ok?)

“Sounds good to me.” Kanna said. Everybody was getting their bananas, but they left more than enough on Herbie for his new friends to eat.

(Here we are guys.) Herbie beeped. (Home sweet home.)

“Thanks Herbie.” Kanna said.

(Don't forget your bananas.) Herbie beeped.

“Don't you want any?” Kotaro asked.

(Cars don't eat food.) Herbie beeped. After shrugging their shoulders, the family took in the rest of the bananas. However…

“HALT!” They suddenly heard. They looked and standing right there was Hyato, dressed in his bright yellow gi and dark purple pants. “You shall release Kanna NOW!”

(THAT'S Hyato?!) Herbie beeped, amazed that this guy looked like Kuno.

“I am the great Hyato Haiashi demonic scum, I am…” Hyato got out, but was stopped because…

(HA! HA! HA! HA!) Herbie couldn't stop laughing.

“YOU DARE LAUGH AT THE HEAD OF THE HAISHI HOUSE?!” Hyato beeped.

(I'm sorry, but… HA, HA, HA, the last time I saw something that ugly was 1987!) Herbie beeped.

“UGLY?!” Hyato said angrily. “YOU DARE CALL MY HONORABLE GARB UGLY?!”

(Actually, I had another word, but I was taught not to swear in front of a woman.) Herbie jokingly beeped.

“I shall deal with you later.” Hyato said.

“HEY!” Kotaro said. “Threatin' us is one thing, but no body goes threatens our friends.”

“Yeah!” Kanna said, looking like she's ready to fight.

“Kanna, you can't fight right now.” Kotaro said.

“WHAT?!” Kanna said getting angry. “And why?! Just because I'm a girl?!”

`That's Akane's twin alright.' Both Herbie and Genma thought at the same time.

“NO YOU STUPID…” Kotaro said, but then regained his composure. “What I mean to say is you're not done training under me.”

“Oh.” Kanna said. “Well, I'm still going to help my husband fight this looser.”

“Very well.” Hyato said. “Since you won't go with me by choice, I shall take you by force.” When he finished, a smoke bomb was launched and when it landed, it blinded Kanna and Kotaro. When Kotaro fought his way through it, it was too late as Hyato had Kanna. “Away with me my… OOF!” But to Hyato's disadvantage, Mr. Panda was in his way. “Out of the way you oaf.” He said.

`Now you've gone too far.' Genma signed. `You know she's not as much of a martial artist as Kotaro. This is dishonorable.'

“The time for honor has come and gone, this woman is mine.” Hyato said. “Then again, if you marry me and make me head of the village, I can see fit to let you out of my home once a while.”

`THAT'S IT!' Genma signed and Herbie had a feeling he knew what he was up to. `If you won't fight Kotaro man to man…' Herbie got the message and sprayed some hot water Genma's way. “…Then fight me.” Genma said after transforming back into a bald man with a gi, shocking the village.

(And me!) Herbie beeped ready to fight for his new friends.

“L… Lucky Panda?” Kanna said shocked and sadden at the deceit of her friend.

“I'm sorry about this.” Genma said. “I'll explain later, but right now, I'm going to get you away from Hyato.”

“HA!” Hyato said. “A metallic demon and a man who pretended to be a panda best me?” Hyato then got out his spear like weapon, ready to fight. But so were Genma and Herbie. “And don't think I forgot about you, you metallic beast.”

(You harm one hair on my friend's head and I'll show you how much of a metallic beast I can be!) Herbie beeped.

“NINJAS!” Hyato said as a hoard of ninjas, lead by someone who looks like Sasuki, surrounded everybody. “ATTACK THE DEMON!”

“HERBIE!” Kanna yelled as one of the ninjas went for the front…

*WHAM*

…but was met with a hood to the jaw.

(I maybe a car, but I got a few moves of my own!) Herbie beeped. Two ninjas then tried to capture him from his sides, but Herbie…

*SLAM*

…opened his doors for them. Another ninja tried for the side, but Herbie them popped a wheelie and the ninja collided with the ninja that looked like Sasuki.

“Humph!” Hyato said not impressed. “I shall deal with you later.” He then shoved Kanna out of the way.

“You son of a…” Genma started to say, but was interrupted by Hyato.

“NOW I STRIKE!” Hyato said as he tried to run Genma through, but Genma jumped into the air and avoided the weapon.

“Why you…” Hyato said as Genma landed. He tried another attack, but Genma dodged it.

“Is that all you can do, just slash me?” Genma said. “This is why weapons are useless in a fight!” He said while dodging. “All you do is one stupid slash motion. Yes, there are variables, but when all you can do is slash, its not that hard to predict where and when to dodge!” Unbeknownst to the spear welding warrior, Genma is luring him to the woods, while the village is following him. Just then, Genma jumped and into a tree. As soon as Genma disappeared, Hyato realizes he's in the forest.

“Where are you?! Come out you coward!” Hyato said.

“A coward am I?” Genma said. “I'm not the one who tried to rape a married woman weeks ago. I'm not the one to just attempted to kidnap the same woman just to get power. No, the coward here is you!” Genma said. “And remember what I said about weapon bearers having one move?”

“What about it?” Hyato said angry.

“I have the perfect counter.” Genma said as he leapt out of a tree behind Hyato, ready to use the…

“CRADLE FROM HELL!” Genma then grabbed Hyato and put him in the submission hold. For Ranma, it creeped him out, for Hyato, it was painful and restrained him.

“RELEASE ME THIS ISTANT!” He said. It also creeped him out a bit.

“Not until you go to sleep.” Genma said as he tightened the hold until Hyato passed out. “Good night baka.” Genma said. He then walked back through the crowds of villagers that watched him to Kanna, Hyato, and Kensuke. “Perhaps I should explain.”

“Perhaps you should.” Kensuke said.

(Good luck Genma.) Herbie beeped.

“Thanks Herbie.” Genma said as he went in. But Kanna and Kotaro looked at Herbie with shock.

“YOU KNEW?!” They said at the same time.

(It was his choice.) Herbie beeped. (And believe you me; from what I heard about this guy, it seems that the man talking to your dad is very different.)

“How so?” Kanna asked, still peeved.

(Remember that contract I asked your husband about?) Herbie beeped.

“You don't mean…” Kotaro said.

(Let's just say smarts wasn't one of his strong suits.) Herbie beeped.

“How do you know all this?” Kanna asked.

(Oh, I'm best friends with his wife and son.) Herbie beeped.

“Children,” Kensuke said, “can you come inside for a moment? It seems our friend has some explaining to do.”

“Very well, but if we don't like what we hear…” Kotaro said.

(Let him explain before you kill him.) Herbie beeped.

“Oh, we will, but so far, he's not high on the trust list.” Kanna said sadly.

`The more things change…' Herbie thought when he remembered that Nodoka said something similar weeks ago.

***************************************************************** *******

“I am positive that gymnast had something to do with Herbie's disappearance.” Nodoka said. At the Tendo Dojo, Nodoka, Nabiki, and Mousse met together to talk about their efforts while the others were still looking. “It's almost night fall, and Herbie still hasn't come back.”

“I'm sure we'll find him Auntie.” Nabiki said.

“Nabs is right.” Mousse said. “After all, how many racing bugs are there in Japan, let alone one that's its own driver?”

“Look, I'll investigate on my end if Kodachi did have something to do with Herbie being missing.” Nabiki said. “This might be a plot by ether her or her brother or even another fiancée to get somebody that supports Ranma and Akane out of the way and she's just taking advantage by coming up with some stupid story and insisting on joining the party to find him.”

“I wouldn't put that idea past her.” Mousse said. “She's tried to use her potions on more than one occasion on both Ranma and Akane.”

“Alright, investigate on your end Nabiki.” Nodoka said. “And if you run into their dad, tell him that if the Kuno's do anything to prevent my son's happiness, then I will step in and they don't want that.” She said with a look that nearly fazed the Tendo girl.

***************************************************************** ******

An hour later, Genma, who just got done explaining everything, stepped out of the dojo and looked to be in one piece. He looked at the villagers, who had mixed emotions right now about what was going on. Sure, he saved Kanna and helped others, but he lied to them.

“I want to apologize to everyone.” Genma said. “When I came here, I was a coward and a liar. When I was here the first time, it was the first time in years that I turned back to help others after I ran. This place did something to me; it awakened the true martial artist within me. But in order to be welcomed back, I felt like I had to be the panda again. Now if anybody is wondering if I took advantage of this family, I did not this time. I would gladly protect my friends again in any form, but I can see right now you have mixed emotions of me, so I must return home. I trust Kotaro to protect his wife better than I can.” Genma finished his statement with a bit of guilt for deceiving everybody.

(Ready to go?) Herbie asked.

“Yes. Yes I am.” Genma said as Herbie opened his door, but he was stopped by a hand. Kanna's hand.

“Look, I'm still hurt by you deceiving everybody… but you protected me from Hyato and in turn stopped him from taking over the village.” Kanna said. “You may have been a liar, but you're a hero.”

“I hate to admit it old man,” Kotaro interjected, “But if it wasn't for you helping me, Kanna might be in Hyato's house right now, or worse. Just as long as you don't deceive this village again, you're ok in my book.”

“Here, here!” A villager said.

“We forgive you!” Another said.

“We thank you too!” Another shouted.

(Looks like you got a lot of friends here Genma.) Herbie beeped.

“Yes… but my home is with my family.” Genma said. “I'm sorry, but I have to make amends for the man I was. I have to go home.”

“About that.” Kanna said. “We talked to my father and me and Kotaro are going with you.”

“What?!” Genma said. “Why?”

“We're curious about the world Herbie comes from.” Kanna said.

“I also would like to see if there's any new moves I can learn.” Kotaro said.

“In all honesty though, we've always wondered what is beyond the villages we always go to.” Kanna said. “New foods, people, places, we want to see it all.”

(I got room for two more.) Herbie happily beeped.

“Alright, but you guys better hurry. It'll take a couple of hours to get there.” Genma said. 30 minutes later, Kanna and Kotaro had packed up and were ready to go after saying their good byes.

“Hey, we don't have any room in our bags for snacks.” Kotaro said.

“Oop. I guess we forgot.” Kanna said.

(Not a problem.) Herbie beeped. A few minutes later, they put some of the bananas they got on various places of Herbie. Namely his hood, rear hood, and doors. (Everybody ready?) He beeped.

“Ready when you are.” Kotaro said. Kotaro was sitting in the driver's seat, Kanna in the passenger's side, and Genma was in the back.

(Hang on everybody!) Herbie beeped.

“Hang on?” Kanna asked. “What do you…?”

*SKREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEECH*

“AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!”

Herbie then did a standing start wheelie and left the village.