A Little Motherly Love Chapter Five (08/24/98 last revised) by Celeste Byrd ===== Ranma 1/2 is copyrighted 1998 by Rumiko Takahashi/Shogakukan Inc. and anyone else who rightfully owns the copyrights. This fanfic is solely for entertainment purposes and NOT for monetary benefit. Please don't sue me. Any similarities with other fanfics are purely coincidental unless stated otherwise. This fanfic was inspired by Wade Tritschler's Altered Destinies series, and he has given me permission to use the title. Questions, comments, ideas, suggestions, and constructive criticism are always welcome. Please read the previous chapter(s) to understand the storyline. () Depicts character actions, emotions, sounds "" Denotes changes in the voice or quotes from other characters [] Translates thoughts <> Chinese dialogue ===== R A N M A 1 / 2 A L I T T L E M O T H E R L Y L O V E An Altered Destiny SCENE: Ranma is clutching his side on the ground. Nabiki is standing a few metres away, uncertain of what to do. Kunou is hovering over Ranma menacingly, bokken ready to strike. Kunou: YOU WILL DIE! SCENE: Kunou slashes down at Ranma, his bokken whistling its song of pain and death. Unfortunately for Kunou the song was not meant for Ranma as he rolls out of the danger zone. Still clutching the scrap of paper, Ranma springs onto his feet. He balances precariously on one foot, still recovering from Kunou's lucky shot. Too distracted to focus on him, but not too distracted to ignore his opponent completely, Ranma is busy reading the love note while evading Kunou's wild lashes. Ranma: "My dear Akane, how I long to capture your heart and be by your side forever," what in the name of-- Kunou: You look elsewhere in the midst of battle. (thrusting out at Ranma) YOU DO NOT TAKE ME SERIOUSLY!!! Nabiki: Watch out! SCENE: Kunou's sword strike was aimed at Ranma's heart. The Chinese-clothed martial artist leans back to elude it, but manages to lose his equilibrium. In order to avoid any sucker shots from the kendoist, Ranma curls his body into a ball and barrels into a statue about twenty metres away from the fight. When he comes to a stop on his head, he notices Akane watching him from behind the statue. She gives him a look of open contempt. Akane: I think you should know, when Kunou-sempai fights a male opponent, he is very skilled! Ranma: (still on his head with his arms crossed) And I think you should know that it doesn't take a university degree to figure that out! Akane: Oh? (punts him back towards Kunou) Then go ahead and get yourself killed! SCENE: Ranma arcs his body to perform several somersaults in the air. Kunou readies his wooden sword, waiting for Ranma to get closer to him. Kunou: The game ends! Ranma: (flying towards the kendoist) Huh? Kunou: STRIKESTRIKESTRIKESTRIKESTRIKESTRIKE--!!! SCENE: Ranma frantically twists his body around to dodge the many sword thrusts executed by Kunou. He falls down as Kunou continues to press his attack, trying to maintain the advantage. A few manage to tag him, the strikes ripping Ranma's shirt. Ranma: YOW! Nabiki: (noticing the statue starting to crumble underneath the currents of air from Kunou's assault) Whoa. Just the air pressure... Akane: (stepping back to avoid the falling mortar) Ahh! Ranma: (getting pissed) That's it! (pulls out his wooden sword out of nowhere) How do you like this, Kunou-"sempai"! SCENE: Ranma uses his own sword to parry Kunou's constant stabbing with a terrible effiency. With each cut, each thrust Kunou made, it would be blocked perfectly by Ranma's weapon. If Kunou increased the speed, Ranma would adapt to it without pause. Kunou: (getting fustrated) [It seems that the whelp is resorting to trickery to win this. I cannot allow it in the name of the Kunou clan! I must win! Even if it means to resort to my own unorthodox methods!] Ranma: [Ha. I guess mom was right after all. When fighting against a guy with a weapon, match him with your own.] (noticing Kunou's change in attitude) [Good, he's tiring down. Either that or he's planning something.] Kunou: [Now to use the ultimate technique of distraction!] Foul knave, look over there! Ranma: (looking away) What? Kunou: HA! (slashes at Ranma) I have you, you fool! Nabiki & Akane: WATCH OUT!!! Akane: ...IDIOT!!! SCENE: There is a blur of motion, and Ranma stands in a one-legged relaxed posture. Kunou grins for a moment, then collapses to the ground face-first, his bokken sliding out from his hands. Nabiki: How... how did you... SCENE: Ranma walks casually towards Nabiki, while Akane hesitantly walks over to the unconscious kendoist. She turns him over and gasps. Akane: Kunou was kicked repeatedly, and each blow has hit a vulnerable spot! Nabiki: You "kicked" him?! But I never saw your feet move! Ranma: (removing the kinks in his neck, still clutching the note) Well, Kunou-"sempai" didn't have much, did he? Akane: What do you mean? You took a hit too, didn't you? Ranma: Oh, that! Nabiki: Sure you're alright? Ranma: It doesn't even itch! SCENE: Nabiki pokes it, causing Ranma to double over in pain. Nabiki: So Kunou didn't have much, huh? Akane: (remembering something) Hey, what distracted you in that fight? (noticing the crumpled paper in Ranma's hands) What's this? Ranma: Nothing, really! Akane: (grabbing the paper from Ranma's hands and reading it) Why, you pervert--! ===== Akane: Dr. Tofu, a patient for you. Dr. Tofu: (examining Akane's handiwork) This is astounding! This sword wound is not really serious, it seems to be healing fine. How long ago was this? Nabiki: Half an hour ago. Dr. Tofu: Amazing! (turning serious) But the wound is "nothing" compared to these dislocations and contusions... Akane: .... Nabiki: (whispering) You think you overdid it a little, Akane? Dr. Tofu: (looking up at the Tendou sisters) This is brutal! What kind of thug did this to him? Akane: Well, er... Ranma: A... A... Dr. Tofu: Hmm? Ranma: A violent tomboy... did this to me. Akane: (lifting the patient bed Ranma was laying on, sending him to the floor) Say that one more time Ranma, and I'll-- Dr. Tofu: .... Akane: (blushing) Oop. Dr. Tofu: Did you do this, Akane? Akane: Um... Well... That is... Uh... Ranma: [What's with the sweet and innocent act, huh?] SCENE: A few minutes pass in the clinic, no one saying anything. Suddenly, Doctor Tofu slaps his leg and starts to chuckle. Dr. Tofu: I thought so! HAHAHA! Nabiki: Huh? Dr. Tofu: For instance, (lifting Ranma onto the bed) the way this joint has been moved... (crack!) that's Akane's touch, all right! HAHA! Ranma: OW! ACK! Dr. Tofu: (punching Ranma's spine) You're Ranma, aren't you? (twisting Ranma's neck around) I hear you're to wed one of the Tendou girls. Ranma: (In obvious pain) Th-- Akane: That's what our father decided-- Nabiki: Not us! Dr. Tofu: Well, it "is" still too early to decide yet, huh? You're just children, after all. Akane: Yes, Doctor. [To him I'm just a child. (sigh)] Ranma: THAT HURTS YOU KNOW!!! Dr. Tofu: What? Someplace still hurts? Show me. Ranma: Right-- (noticing all the pain gone) Hey, I'm okay! Akane: Isn't he a great doctor? Ranma: [He must of had enough practice from you.] ===== Dr. Tofu: I'll write a note to excuse you all from being late. Nabiki: Thank you, Doctor Tofu. Akane: C'mon, everyone! Dr. Tofu: Just a minute, Ranma. I'd like to have a talk with you for a moment. Ranma: Sure. You guys go on ahead. Dr. Tofu: Well Ranma, fiance or not, try and get along with them. Ranma: Hey, I try to! Kasumi's not a problem, (notices Doctor Tofu twitch slightly) I help her around the house everyday. Nabiki, well... I don't think I've done anything to tick her off yet. From what I hear at school, she's a real mercenary when it comes to money. As for Akane, well... (looks up into the sky) She reacts to the slightest thing! It's not like I try to pick a fight with her or anything... Dr. Tofu: Ah, but they're all very sweet girls. Ranma: What?! Dr. Tofu: Don't act so suprised. You'll find out soon enough. (pats Ranma on the back) Now, better get to school. Ranma: See ya, Doc. [Sweet? Kasumi, probably. Nabiki, maybe. Akane, like hell!] SCENE: As he turns around the corner to get to school, he is met by the Tendou girls. Nabiki: What were you taking about? Ranma: Nothing, really. He was just sympathizing with me. Akane: For what? Ranma: Never you mind. I don't want to go see him again. Akane: .... Ranma: [Hah. Sweet girls? Not very likely.] ===== SCENE: It is after school. Most of the students have already left the premises. Those who still on the grounds are either in detention or attending club meetings. Ranma is not one of them, but he had decided he needed to work off some stress. Earlier in the morning his legs gave away, and Ranma was forced to stay in the classroom the entire lunch hour, then carried by either Akane and Nabiki or a bunch of girls to his gym class and back. The feeling in his legs came back during the last period, but he felt he had suffered enough punishment and vowed to learn how to do what Doctor Tofu did himself. Just to make sure his legs were in working order, Ranma wanted to run around the school track. After about thirty laps, Ranma feels a lot better. He picks up his pack and is about jump over the fence when he notices a bandanna-clad boy standing by the school gates. Ranma: [He looks kinda familiar. That bandanna... Hibiki Ryouga? What the hell is he doing here?] SCENE: Ranma is about to approach the boy when he notices him. Ryouga: Ranma?! You will die! Ranma: [Aw man. Why is it that everyone wants to kill me? First Akane, then Kunou, then some weird person, and now Ryouga! What next?] (breaks into a run) Ryouga: Come back here, coward! (chasing after him) Ranma: What the hell do you want, Ryouga?! Ryouga: So you "do" remember me! Ranma: How could I forget?! I waited four days to fight with you! Talk about worse sense of direction! Ryouga: You think I didn't try to get to the lot in time?! Ranma: It's right behind your house! Ryouga: Well "excuse" me, momma's boy! Ranma: Pig! Ryouga: Coward! Ranma: Chicken! Ryouga: IDIOT!! Ranma: PORKER!! Ryouga: NITWIT!!! Ranma: IMBECILE--!!! SCENE: Ranma has to stop running, Ryouga plowing behind him as a bicycle rushes by. Riding the bicycle is a rather cute looking girl with pinkish hair and green eyes. Chasing the bike is what looks to be another girl with a rocketpack. This girl is holding an M-16 and is trying to mow the girl on the bike down. No one on this street seems to pay attention to the unusual pair. As they disappear into the distance, Ranma and Ryouga blink a few times, drops of sweat coarsing down the sides of their heads. Ranma: (shrugging) Oh well, I guess it happens a lot here. Ryouga: Maybe. Anyway PREPARE TO... Waitasec. I forgot what we were insulting each other about. Ranma: I think it had to do with you not getting to the assigned place at the agreed time. Ryouga: Oh yeah. Well, I'd demand a rematch, but I'm in hurry to get somewhere. Ranma: Really? Then why did'ya chase after me? (offers his hand) Ryouga: Hey, all in good fun. (takes Ranma's hand and shakes it) It's great seeing you again. Ranma: What, you're not going to try to kill me for the bread and the duel? Ryouga: Heck no. We had our man-to-man fight. If you had skipped out on it, I'd have trailed you to the depths of Hell! Ranma: (shuddering) Well, I'm glad you "didn't" try to follow me. Heck, I'm glad I waited the four days. I was gonna leave but mom told me to wait a little longer. I swear you'd be after my blood if you traveled to China... Ryouga: (curious) Why? Ranma: Trust me, man. It's something you don't want to know. Ryouga: Whatever, Ranma. Always trying to dodge the bullet. Ranma: And with good reason. Anyway, where did you plan on going? With your sense of direction, you'd be lucky to get there next week! Ryouga: Hey, shut up! Ranma: Okay, okay. So, where...? Ryouga: Ever hear of the Tendou dojo? Ranma: (surprised) Actually, I'm currently living there. Ryouga: What?! Ranma: Apparently my folks and their folks were good friends. I'm just gonna stay for a while. Ryouga: (breathing a sigh of relief) Thank god. Ranma: Why are you thanking me? Ryouga: Not you, idiot! [If he's only staying a while, then my dear Akane won't be interested in him!] Ranma: (snickering) Sorry. Old habits die hard. (pause) Do you want me to help you get there? Ryouga: Sure. And then maybe I might take you up on that rematch. Ranma: Hah! You're a million kilometres far behind to catch up to me! Ryouga: Braggart! Ranma: Baconboy! Ryouga: Girlie! Ranma: Hey, SHUT UP! Ryouga: Looks like I hit a nerve. Ranma: And I'm gonna hit more than a nerve if you call me that again! ===== Ranma: I'm home! Kasumi: (sweetly) Hello Ranma-kun! (noticing Ranma's companion) Oh, hello Ryouga! Do you two know each other? Ranma: Yeah. We used to go to school together. Kasumi: That's nice. Ryouga, if you're looking for Akane, she's in the practice hall. Ryouga: Thank you, Kasumi. Ranma: [So... Ryouga's interested in Akane. Not that I'm questioning his bad taste or anything.] (turning to Ryouga as Kasumi re-enters the house) I take it you've come here a few times before, huh? Ryouga: Yeah. Ranma: Any particular reason? How did you come to meet them, anyway? Ryouga: Well... I kinda got lost looking for the bathroom to my house... Ranma: Lemme guess. (puts a hand to his head) You ended up asking for directions and ended up meeting Akane. She was nice enough to tell you, and soon after you fell for her. Ryouga: H-how did you guess? Ranma: I get these amazing flashes from time to time. (pause) So, how did you get Akane not to hit you? Ryouga: I d-don't know. But don't you "dare" tell anyone I like her! Ranma: Kasumi seemed to know. Ryouga: R-really? Ranma: Stop being so nervous, Ryouga! It's not like she's going to tell anybody. Ryouga: A-are you sure? Ranma: Trust me. [I can't tell him about the engagement. It'd break his already fragile heart. I'm not going to stoop so low as to do that to him.] Anyway, you should go and see her now. (watches as Ryouga actually ends up at the right door and shaking his head) [Akane sure has this ability to attract the wrong sort of guys. Whatever happens, I hope ol' Ryouga'll be strong enough to handle it.] SCENE: Ranma is about to enter the house when his mother quietly sneaks up behind him, sword at the ready. Ranma pauses for a moment, then blocks the sword thrust aimed at him with a deft flick of his wrist, and a convenient wooden folding-chair. He puts the chair back down and faces his mother. Ranma: (tiredly) Mom, can we do this later? I've had a long day. Nodoka: Really? (puts down her sword) Do you want to talk about it? Ranma: I guess... SCENE: Both Saotomes sit on the patio, overlooking the koi pond. Ranma copies his mother by sitting on his head, and takes the time to gather his thoughts. After a few minutes, he talks about his day, the fight with Kunou, the misunderstanding of the love note which led to him being sent to Doctor Tofu's, the numbing of his legs, the embarrassment of having some girls carry him to some classes, the meeting with Ryouga, his infatuation with Akane, and the headache that was threatening to kill him at the moment. Nodoka listened thoughtfully throughout Ranma's conversation, not saying a word. Once Ranma finished did she speak. Nodoka: Well, I'd say today must have been horrible for you. Ranma: Really? I figured that one out already. Nodoka: I suppose I could forget the training for tonight. Hmm... actually, instead I'm going to give you some music practice. Ranma: Oh no! Not that! Music's fine and all, but not when I've embarrassed myself already today! Nodoka: It won't hurt you. Ranma: Well, if it were just you and me, I'd be fine! But there's Ryouga and Akane to worry about! I don't want to look like a sissy! Nodoka: Better now than later. Ranma: Actually-- (noticing the look his mother is giving him) Oh alright! (tiredly) Any piece you want me to play? Nodoka: Hmm... How about... (pause) "Pray"? Ranma: (waving his arms wildly) The one where I end up looking like an idiot playing three instruments at once and singing at the top of my voice? Nodoka: Well, you need more instruments, but I'll help you. Ranma: But I just memorized it yesterday! Nodoka: Good time as any to practice. Ranma: (sighing) You win, mom. ===== SCENE: Ryouga opens the door to find Akane doing her usual after school workout. He watches quietly as Akane goes through her forms and kata, stopping after every one to wipe the sweat off her forehead. Having watched her many times before, Ryouga claps for once she finishes her workout. Akane: (whirling on Ryouga in surprise) Oh, hello Ryouga! I haven't seen you in a week! Ryouga: (scratching the back of his head) Yeah well, you know I have a hard time finding my way anywhere. Akane: That's okay. Everyone has their little quirks. Ryouga: Y-you really think so? Akane: Sure! Take that jerk Ranma, for example... Ryouga: Him? He used to go to school with me. I guess we were friends back then, and I guess we still are. Akane: Really? Anyway, the jerk is such an arrogant pervert! Ryouga: Huh? Ranma?! [Perverted?!] He's arrogant alright, but why is he a pervert? Akane: Well, er, um... that's not the point! [I can't him about the curse Ranma has yet!] Ryouga: ...Okay, I believe you. Akane: You do?! Ryouga: [As much as I want to believe her, I've known Ranma long enough to know he would never give a girl a second glance. Like when all those guys decided to skip class just to watch a swimsuit competition made by some club at another school. Ranma didn't even think about going!] Akane: Anyway, another problem with him is that he's engaged to one of us! Ryouga: WHAT?! [Pervert or not, he's not laying a finger on Akane!] I'LL KILL HIM!!! (starts for the door) Akane: (trying to stop him) Ryouga, wait! [I shouldn't have said that. But Ranma has it coming to him, so I shouldn't really interfere.] ===== "From far and silent starry skies, A song full of life echoes. Crossing a darkness of thousands of light years, It reaches one earth. Gently close your eyes... (Close your eyes in the silent night) As in deep prayer... (Pray your dream with your honest heart) So that one day Our dreams will come true." Ranma: (eyes closed) [I guess this is good for me afterall. Really relaxing.] "These tiny hands Can barely hold the length of time. At the end of a million mile voyage, We can run across many smiling faces. Now tears wet your face.... (Cross your palm in the holy night) As in deep prayer... (Pray your dream with your honest love) So that one day Sadness, too, will end. From far and silent starry skies, A song full of life can be heard." Ranma: [Mom was right. If only all my problems could be solved with a simple song.] Ryouga: PREPARE TO DIE, RANMA!!! Ranma: (sighing and opening his eyes) Damn, I knew it was too good to last. What is it this time, Ryouga? Ryouga: You will die for making Akane miserable! Ranma: Wha-? Ryouga: I will destroy your happiness! Ranma: (looking at his mother incrediously) Am I happy? %End Chapter Five ======================================================================== %Afterword I think Ryouga's thoughts are a little OOC. Hey wait, this is an alternate timeline, so he could've learned to use some insight and think before acting! Yeah, that's a good excuse! Ryouga and Ranma, chums?! This author must be crazy! All comments, criticism and notes requesting I be put into asylum should be e-mailed to [belldandy@studio-aesir.net] and I'll reply as soon as I can. Think the meeting between them was too neatly done? It looks like it to me... Whoa! I managed to make two chapters in one week! Gotta be a record for me... too bad I'm leaving for Florida tomorrow (being the 24th of July). I'll try to continue my pace once I get back. Hell, I'll try and beat that record... try and get up to Shadowmane's 40KB-chapter-a-day speed. I'm basing Ranma's eating habits on the manga. He doesn't seem to inhale everything in sight, and actually eats with proper grace. What eating habits in the chapter, do you ask? Absolutely nothing. I was planning to have an irrelevant breakfast scene, but since I wanted this out before I went to Florida, I decided to save it for the next chapter. The song "Pray" was translated from Japanese (except for the lines in brackets, which for some reason were sung in the background in English). I don't know the artist, I'm sorry. I'm not trying to tread on any copyrights, but if you actually heard the song before, you'd think it's cool too. The translation was not done by me, so I don't know how accurate it is. Ach, putting songs in the middle of fics is more along Jared's line, not mine. Oh yeah, do not assume I'm trying to force religion on people. The lyrics happened to be like that. The "currently unedited" bit is because I have two prereaders for it. One is really busy at the moment and the other hasn't replied to my e-mail yet. I'm assuming he's on vacation.