A Little Motherly Love Chapter Seven (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 Ranma: (yawning) Man, I'm beat! Ranma, Nabiki, Akane, and Ryouga are on their way to school. Ryouga had enrolled a few months earlier, but often had the trouble of finding it on his own. Ranma mentally decided after he heard this to help Ryouga find his way to school from then on. As of this moment, Ranma is taking his normal route, by the fence. Ryouga and Akane are walking side by side, and just behind them Nabiki is travelling at her usual pace. Akane: (looking up at Ranma) How can you be tired so early in the morning? Nabiki: Are you okay? Ranma: Other than the fact I raced around Tokyo against someone while shackled with at least a hundred and fifty kilos of metal weight, ate breakfast while being on the lookout for a stray table, experienced one of the most scariest laughs known to man, listened to a Kunou insult the cleanliness of the household, and found out I have to take care of a pet that belongs to someone I didn't expect to hear from ever again, I'm just fine. Akane: (annoyed) Nabiki just asked a question. Ranma: And I gave her an answer. Not a very nice one, I know, but when I'm tired, I get grouchy. Sorry, Nabiki. Akane: So? Don't get grouchy! Easy solution! Ranma: Oh right, very easy. Like oh no, my mental processes for the day have broken down considerably in the span of one hour, my backup processes can't compensate, and grouchiness happens to be a result. I'll just take Akane's advice by not getting grumpy because I can. Akane: How was I supposed to know?! Ranma: Well, I assumed because you get angry for such petty reasons, you could relate. Akane: You, you... Ranma: Geez, you'd think you could lighten up and enjoy life. I mean, who am I to say that you're so stubborn? For example, when I say or do something that seems to offend you, you take it and twist it around to suit your brain waves so it "looks" or "sounds" as if I did something horribly wrong that you have to either insult me or hit me. Another example is that you can't let go of something when you know it isn't true and all evidence points elsewhere. Ryouga: Stop talking about Akane like that! Akane: It's okay Ryouga. He's a pervert anyway. Ranma: See? I was talking about you being stubborn and the word "pervert" seemed to pop into your head. Reminds me of that Kodachi person since she doesn't seem to believe Ryouga here doesn't want anything to do with her. Ryouga: How dare you associate Akane with Kodachi! Ranma: (to Nabiki) Is it just me or do single tracks of thoughts fly around here like moths to lights? I mean, Ryouga here seems to have caught it too. (looking around in mock paranoia) It may not be long before they get me too... Akane: Don't pick on Ryouga! Ranma: I wasn't, but I'm sure that won't stop you from thinking I did. Seriously, and I thought things couldn't get any more unusual than they did in China. Now, while I'm still on the topic of obsessive insanity, why the hell is Kodachi after you, Ryouga? Ryouga: Shut up. It was an accident. Ranma: (half-interestedly) Care to elaborate on that? Nabiki: It was about two weeks before you came here, Ranma. Akane was going to compete against Kodachi in a martial arts rhythmic gymnastic competition. Of course, being the klutz that she is-- Akane: Hey! Nabiki: You know it's true, sis. Akane: Hmph. Nabiki: Anyway, Ryouga happened to drop by and offered to train her for the upcoming match. A few nights before the match however, Kodachi tried to ambush Akane in her bed. Ranma: That's pretty dishonourable, for a Kunou. Nabiki: When that proved unsuccessful, she was going to leave and try again another time. Unfortunately, she tripped on a loose rooftile and-- Ranma: (putting a hand up) Let me guess. Ryouga over here came along and rescued her. So now she thinks Ryouga has the hots for her. Ryouga: (surprised) How did you guess? Ranma: Sometimes these things can get really predictable. Nabiki: You catch on quick. Ranma: Yeah well, who'd have thought one of my best friends turns out to be a Casanova in disguise. Ryouga: (hotly) That's not-- Ranma: Just shut up and take it as a compliment. Ryouga: (scratching the back of his head) .... Ranma: I'd really liked to have seen that match. (pause) So who won, anyway? Nabiki: (half-smirking) Who do you think? My sister the klutz, or someone who's trained in gymnastics her entire life? Akane: (turning around) Nabiki! Nabiki: Just cool it, sis. Akane: Why are you giving away information for free? I thought you always charged for it! SCENE: Akane doesn't notice, but Nabiki's eye twitches slightly. She is wondering that herself. Why was she giving away free stuff? Was she "that" comfortable with Ranma that she'd tell everything that came to her mind? Nabiki: ... What, a girl can't do what she wants when she feels like it? [Think of something!] Akane: It's just so unlike you, sis! Nabiki: So? It's not like it's a one-sided information exchange. For example, Ranma over here is going to tell us who the heck Cologne is and what she wants from him. Right, Ranma-chan? [Nice way to change the subject, Nabiki.] Ranma: (almost losing his balance on the fence) W-what did you call me? Nabiki: Ranma-chan. After all, we might get married and I thought... (realizing what she is saying and promptly shuts her mouth) Akane: (looking at Nabiki with a small degree of shock) [She "likes" the pervert?! And I thought she had better standards than that!] Ryouga: (shaking his head) [Another one?] Ranma: [Uh oh. And I thought it would stop after I got my curse.] Whatever. SCENE: The four walk in silence for a moment. Nabiki: You haven't answered my question yet. Ranma: (still a little shaken) What was it again? Nabiki: Who is Cologne? Akane: Yeah, who is she? Ranma: ... I'd rather not say. Nabiki: (mock pouting) Aww Ranma, why can't you tell us about your love life? Ranma: My love--? (looking very sick and clutching his stomach) ARGH! (making gagging gestures and falling onto the sidewalk) THAT'S UTTERLY DISGUSTING!!! Nabiki, Akane & Ryouga: Huh?! Ranma: (repulsed beyond belief) Cologne is a shrunken 300 year old mummy! Before I'd even consider thinking about the ghoul that way, I'd have my gums scraped, my body cut up with a razor and then the rest dunked into a vat of hydrochloric acid! Akane: (looking green) Ugh. Ryouga: Ranma, that's really disgusting. Don't go into details. Ranma: I wasn't going to. Cologne's the only one of her size in the entire amazon village, and admittedly the most powerful person I have ever met. Ryouga: (genuinely surprised) The great Ranma admitting inferiority?! Ranma: Well, I can't exactly compete against someone with about 284 more years of experience in the arts, and has about a hundred amazons who could wipe the floor with me if they ever decided to gang up. Akane: I bet you hit on every single one of them. I bet most of them even have "huge" assets, right Ranma? Ranma: Huge assets? What the heck are you talking abo--? (realization dawning) What kind of guy to you think I am?! Wait, don't answer that. I know what you're thinking. Akane: That's still sick. Gums scraped? Nabiki: (looking at Akane) Hey, you look like you just ate your own cooking! Akane: Shut up, Nabiki! I'm not that bad! Ranma: (curious) What? What about her cooking? Nabiki: Well, my sister over here thinks she can cook a decent no, edible meal that could save her life. Ranma: (disbelievingly) C'mon, it can't be "that" bad. Nabiki: You obviously haven't tried it yet. Ranma: When I get a chance to, maybe. Akane: (brightly) Really? (pulling out a bento box from her schoolbag) I made some this morning! Ranma: (taking the proffered container and noticing Nabiki and Ryouga stepping back) Thanks. (opens the container and peeks inside) This curry or something? Akane: It's soba. Ranma: Right-o. [Doesn't look very appetizing.] (pulls out a pair of chopsticks) [Now how do I get rid of it without upsetting Akane? Think, man!] Not too bad looking. [Well, it has to be at least safe to eat.] Wonder how it tastes... (Ryouga grabs the bento from him) Hey! Ryouga: (dumping the contents into his mouth and swallowing) A-Akane, that was most delicious. Akane: Thank you Ryouga, but I was hoping Ranma could taste it... Ranma: (inwardly relieved) [Ryouga, I owe you one, but you're turning blue.] Any good, Ryouga? Ryouga: (sweating profusely) .... Ranma: (patting him on the back) Man, you got guts. Akane: Is that supposed to mean anything?! Ranma: (waving his arms) Nothing, nothing! Ryouga: .... (stomach rumbles unnaturally while his face turns a shade of purple) Nabiki: Another great one, Akane! Akane: (turning to Nabiki) Ryouga said it was good! That's all that counts! Ranma: (flicking a spoon at the remains in the bento and noticing the force of ricochet) You know, do you ever taste your own cooking? I mean, do you ever try it before you serve it? Akane: No, why should I? Ranma: I suggest in the future you do so, please? Akane: ARE YOU SAYING MY COOKING'S BAD?! Ranma: Well, I never really did pay attention to wordings when the face seemed to convey the appropriate answer. Akane: Say what? Ranma: Ryouga says your meal was good. His face however, and his body, is saying quite the opposite. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to take him to see Doctor Tofu. Akane: (hefting her book bag) I can point you in the right direction... ===== Nodoka: SCENE: Nodoka is in the bathroom, cat in tow. The cat is struggling to get free, but Nodoka maintains a firm grip. She fills the tub with the hot water tap on, then unceremoniously drops the cat in. A few seconds later, the surface breaks as a curvaceous girl with rich lavender hair catches her breath. She gives Nodoka an apologetic look. Nodoka: Shampoo: Nodoka: Shampoo: (blushing) Nodoka: <"Mother-in-law"? Am I right in thinking that...?> Shampoo: (looking down) Nodoka: Shampoo: Nodoka: Shampoo: (almost shouting) (more quietly) Nodoka: Shampoo: Nodoka: Shampoo: Nodoka: Shampoo: (sad) Nodoka: Shampoo: (sighing happily) Nodoka: Shampoo: Nodoka: Shampoo: Nodoka: Shampoo: Nodoka: Shampoo: Nodoka: [Ah, my son is such a manly man. Genma would have been proud. Now, if only the Japanese government wasn't down on polygamy...] Shampoo: Nodoka: Shampoo: (eyes twinkling) Nodoka: (chuckling for a bit) Shampoo: Nodoka: Shampoo: (shaking her head) Nodoka: Shampoo: Nodoka: Shampoo: No so good. Shampoo have no time to practice since mother-in-law left. Can understand some, though. Nodoka: That's good. Did you bring any clothes with you? Shampoo: Brought one dress, it in box Shampoo come from. Nodoka: Dress? FLASHBACK: Ranma {{It's... empty. Except for some food, a blanket and...}} Nodoka: My son must have mistakened your dress for a sheet! [Although the amount of cloth in one of your dresses "is" barely enough to cover a tea tray.] (opening the door to the hallway) Make sure you change before you leave. Shampoo: Yes, Mother-in-law. Nodoka: And Shampoo? Shampoo: Yes? Nodoka: I give you permission. ===== Ranma: You'd think she'd accept criticism with more grace. SCENE: Ranma and Ryouga are at Dr. Tofu's clinic. Ranma is rubbing the bumps he received from Akane on the head, and gazing up at the hole in the roof from his landing. Ryouga had come in a few minutes later (via the door) and is barely conscious from Akane's cooking. Akane and Nabiki have left for school, not wanting to be late again. Dr. Tofu: (coming in) Hello, Ranma. New injuries today? Ranma: Yes sir, and a new hole in your roof. Dr. Tofu: Don't worry about it. What can I do for you? Ranma: Not for me, for my friend here. Dr. Tofu: (adjusting glasses) Is that Ryouga? Haven't seen him in a while, not after the toxin he said he accidentally swallowed. Ranma: [That was probably Akane's cooking.] Guess he did it again. Can you fix him, doc? Dr. Tofu: Certainly Ranma, I'll be right back. SCENE: Ten minutes later, Ranma and Ryouga are out of the clinic and on their way to school. Ranma then remembers something. Ranma: Ryouga, wait here. I gotta ask Doctor Tofu something. Ryouga: Hurry up. Ranma: Yeah, yeah. SCENE: Two seconds later, Ranma is back in Doctor Tofu's clinic. Ranma: Can I ask you something, doc? Dr. Tofu: (turning around) Yes? Ranma: (scratching the back of his head) Um, I just remembered yesterday when you locked up my legs... Dr. Tofu: (smiling slightly) And...? Ranma: And I wanted to know how you did that. I want to learn some of it. Dr. Tofu: Some of what? Ranma: Pressure points, shiatsu, stuff like that. I'm assuming you hit a shiatsu point to disable me. Dr. Tofu: Hmm... You want to become my apprentice, is that it? Ranma: I guess so. Dr. Tofu: I see. I can't afford to pay you... Ranma: It's okay. This is more of a hobby than anything. Dr. Tofu: Can I ask why you want to learn? Ranma: Well, knowledge is power, isn't it? Dr. Tofu: I suppose it couldn't hurt to take you on. Of course, I have no idea how to teach you... Ranma: Just teach me the way you were taught, sir. Dr. Tofu: Okay. Come here after school and you can start. Ranma: Yes sir, and thank you sir. ===== SCENE: As Ranma and Ryouga race to get to school before the bell rings, a figure watches them from a nearby rooftop. The hood has been removed, and the figure turns out to be a gorgeous young woman, looking to be in her early twenties. Long tresses of golden hair seem to spill out of her head, and her crystal green eyes are trained on the young Saotome. Woman: Saotome Ranma. Champion of the fighting arts. Potential master of the mystic craft. Unintentional wooer of young women. Follower of a code that only existed in the minds of nostalgic samurai. I can see why my sister fell in love with a mortal like you. Ryouga: I can't believe you insulted Akane's cooking! Ranma: I didn't insult it! I merely told her the facts! Ryouga: Minor technicality! Ranma: What, you actually "like" it?! Ryouga: No, but I don't want her to get angry! Ranma: Look, why don't you encourage her next time she cooks to taste what she makes before giving it to others, okay? Ryouga: Why? Ranma: (rolling his eyes) So next time she doesn't accidentally kill you! Duh! Ryouga: Why you-! Woman: (watching Ranma and Ryouga get into a small brawl) Your father engaged you to her in trade for concealment from his pursuers at our village twelve years ago. Of course, your father had no idea the implications of marriage to a spirit, and ran off with you in the middle of the night. My sister, foolish enough to take a liking to a mortal, was ordered to kill you and your father for backing out of the marriage and to appease the Nine Dragons of the Pillar of Light. Being a spirit of the Dragon of Time, she knew of your importance in the time streams and what you would become. Ranma: Forget it Ryouga. You know I'm right. Ryouga: So? That doesn't give you the right to make fun of her! Ranma: True, but I wasn't making fun of her. Woman: She sacrificed herself in order to prevent your death. It is rare for a mortal to capture the heart of a spirit of the Nine Dragons, Saotome Ranma, especially at such a young age. Ryouga: I can't believe you've got another girl after you! I mean, wasn't junior high enough?! Ranma: You know I did nothing to encourage them, Ryouga. Besides, they had more of a crush than anything else. Strange how they wouldn't take a hint that it was a boys' school, though. Woman: My sister's tradeoff leaves me in a perilous situation, Saotome Ranma. As a spirit of the Dragon of Duty, I must fulfill her wishes and see if you were worthy of her love. However, I cannot kill you if you prove inadequate. You have great potential, young master, and for your sake I hope the Dragon of Fate takes pity on you. ===== Ranma: Huh? Ryouga: What is it? Ranma: Dunno, just felt a sudden chill. Ah! Made it in time! We have less than a minute. C'mon Ryouga, let's get you to class! Ryouga: Okay, but I-- Ranma: What the hell? SCENE: Ranma finds the school yard empty. Ryouga: What's wrong? Ranma: Where's the results from Hurricane Akane? Ryouga: Hurricane Akane? Ranma: You know, mob of delusional guys that get trashed by her? Ryouga: Hey yeah! I forgot! Ranma: Oh, come on! She faces them every morning! Ryouga: I haven't been here for at least a month! She can take care of herself, so it's not something I worry about! Ranma: Okay, okay. Let's go-- SCENE: Suddenly, a giant snowman pops out of nowhere and attacks Ranma. He stares stupidly at the snowman for an instant, then backflips out of its landing zone. Ranma & Ryouga: What the hell--? Snowman: One demerit fo' de bad hair, brudda! Ranma: Who the hell are you, and what do you want with me?! [Now I have big snowmen after me. What next?!] Aren't you a few months ahead of the winter season? Snowman: 'Ey, hang loose! (patting Ranma on the back) Le's fix dat pigtail! (pulls out extra large garden shears) Ranma: (kicking the snowman into a soccer post) I like my hair the way it is, thank you very much! Snowman: (head imprinted with post, and melting with fury) So... you wan' mess wit' da principal, 'uh?! Ranma: (traditional calm-yet-surprised expression) Principal? Snowman: (pulls out a second set of shears and charges Ranma) Ranma: One thing I really hate... (aims a jump kick at the snowman) Is a lying early-season snowman!!! SCENE: The kicks knocks the head cleanly off. A few moments pass as the body teeters slowly, then falls. A real head pops up, this time with a palm tree growing on top of it. The head belongs to a man... wearing a ridiculous Hawaiian shirt, sporting square-rimmed sunglasses and playing a ukulele. Man: AAALLLLLLLOOOOOOHHHAAAAA, keiki!!!! Da big kahuna's back!!! Ranma: You're... Ryouga: ...the principal? SCENE: The bell rings, and suddenly the principal is holding a huge pocketwatch. Principal: Da bell has RUNG, keiki! (points a finger at the martial artists) Dat means you bruddas 're tardy! Ranma: You must be kidding. You, the principal? (kicks the principal in the face) I don't have time for this. ===== SCENE: From the windows, the students are craning their necks to see their principal. Hiroshi: That guy... Daisuke: He... He... Can't really be... Guy 1: What the heck--? Guy 2: I-is he serious? Guy 3: That guy's the p-principal?! Girl 1: H-he's gotta be... Girl 2: Wasn't he supposed to be back during the winter break? Nabiki: Yeah. Why's he back so early? Girl 3: Who's the hunk that beat up the principal? Nabiki: Saotome Ranma. Why? Girl 3: THAT'S RANMA?! (pointing to the pigtailed boy rushing indoors) Girl 4: Yeah, I "told" you ya should have been there for the fight against Kunou! Girl 3: And he's the same one who stopped the morning mob from coming after Akane after beating Kunou a second time?! Girl 4: The same! Girl 5: He's so dreamy... Nabiki: Knock it off. Girl 4: But why? He's... Nabiki: My fiance. Girls: WHAT?! SCENE: The girls crowd around a stunned Nabiki, who couldn't believe she said that herself. After all, she couldn't sell information that was already free and quite fictional. Well, free at least. Right? The girls meanwhile began to gossip amongst themselves. Nabiki: [Why did you say that? It's not as if you're interested in a macho jerk like him. Are you?] Girls: "...yeah right..." "...a man like that deserves more..." "...no way he could do this to us..." "...get him before he goes to his juku and ask..." "...not fair..." "...doesn't take any juku..." ===== Kasumi: Oh my, what's this? SCENE: Kasumi, feeling rather lightheaded from the comment Ranma had said in the morning, felt it was her duty to make a nice bed for his new pet. After she finished the household chores, she decided first to take a look at the condition of the blanket that came in the box, then determine if the cat needed a better one. Kasumi had pulled out the bedspread intent on checking its condition when she noticed the article in question was in fact not a blanket, but rather a very short Chinese dress. Kasumi: (examining the dress) I wonder why this was in here. (noticing the slit along the side of it and blushing) Oh my. It doesn't seem to cover very much, does it? SCENE: Kasumi looks guiltily around her. To her relief, her father must have gone out, and Mrs. Saotome is nowhere to be seen. Clutching the dress to her chest, Kasumi quickly runs upstairs to her room. ===== SCENE: Back in room 1-F, while the majority of the students are returning to their desks, a lone male student at the back of the room is tending to a camera. No one seems to notice him as he takes a few pictures. Boy: [Tendou Akane...] (eyes follow her to her desk) [I love you. At first, I was simply content to worship you from afar. Just like this... I was content, until that fool Saotome...] (quietly) That fool Saotome. That fool Saotome. (loudly) THAT FOOL SAOTOME!!! Ranma: You called? Boy: (looking up at Ranma) Oh, h-hello Saotome. Hiroshi: Hey, Gosunkugi! Daisuke: Shooting pics of Akane again? Make me some copies! Hiroshi: Me too! Ranma: [Huh, get a load of those guys. I can't believe they won't take a hint.] ===== SCENE: After school. Ranma and his friends are walking out of the school building. Daisuke: You know, I haven't seen the principal since I enrolled! Hiroshi: He was supposedly in the U.S. learning their teaching methods or something. Ranma: Stupid teaching methods, if you ask me. The teachers here were talking about how he loves to annoy us students. I wonder what kind of torture he's planned? Ryouga: Who cares? Beat him up if we don't like it. Ranma: Good plan, lacks drive. By the way, who was the guy with the camera this morning? I never noticed him in our class. Hiroshi: What, Gosunkugi Hikaru? He's the type no one notices. Ranma: And why wasn't there the usual litter of guys around this morning? Daisuke: You didn't know?! After you beat Kunou again, all the guys admitted fighting Akane for a date wasn't a good idea, and are now leaving her alone. Ranma: Explains why Akane was giving me the evil eye all day. You'd think she'd be happy the guys are no longer after her. Kunou: Saotome, prepare yourself! Ranma: Hey Kunou! (noticing all the bandages) Need something from me? SCENE: Kunou charges Ranma, who grabs onto his bokken. Using it for support, Ranma lashes out with his foot and sideswipes Kunou. Ranma then lets go and lets Kunou fall to the ground. Ranma: Something I can do for you, Sempai? Kunou: (handing Ranma a letter of challenge) It's after the fact now, but... SCENE: From the sidelines, Gosunkugi watches as Ranma is suddenly stormed by a large group of girls, most of them from older forms. He continues to watch as Akane makes her way through the mob trying to give Ranma their phone numbers and promptly kicks him into the sky. Gosunkugi: [No matter how strong he is, every man has a weak spot. Find it, and he's done for.] Ryouga: Why did you do that, Akane? Akane: He was being a pervert! Gosunkugi: [Saotome, I will find your weak spot and finish you! Mark my words!] %End Chapter Seven ======================================================================== %Afterword What, you think I'm gonna let Ranma off without a few weaknesses? What fun is that? Just because he's more mature doesn't mean he can't be afraid or weak against something. What are his weaknesses, do you ask? Take a few guesses, or just wait for future chapters. I had been incredibly busy this last week, so that's why this one took so long. Sorry about that! How many girls can be after the same guy? I'd like to see Ranma get out of this alive. Waitasecond, I'm the writer! I can do whatever the hell I want! BWAHAHAHAHAHA!!! NOTE: Japanese students start a new school year after the spring break, which lasts one week (no homework). Other breaks (summer and winter, for example) have long term assignments to finish. By the way, you can't redo a grade unless you failed pitifully in almost every subject, and you can enter university regardless of your high school record (as long as you graduated) if you can pass the entrance exams (which are "very" hard). Some high schools also require entrance exams, but I highly doubt Furinkan does. Also, you need to devote an hour a day to an independent study in order to attend competitive schools, as well as "juku"--lessons you take after school such as Language Arts, Mathematics, or English--in order to to enter famous schools. This is according to the School Board of Tokyo during the late 80's/early 90's, so I don't know if anything's changed drastically. For example, I was told now sometimes Saturdays the students are let off as well instead of just Sundays. What was the point of this? I have no idea myself. [07/18/2000: a brief cultural lesson, perhaps?] I'm not exaggerating (much) about the weight Ranma was chained down with. In case you're wondering, 150 kg is about 330 lb. Gotta remember the Japanese use the metric system. Insert standard thank you section here. Thanks to Skysaber, Shadowmane, and Wade Tritschler for blah blah, blah blah and supporting me. I think you guys should go without saying, but then no one will know who the heck I'm talking about. Do not believe anything is foolproof. People tend to underestimate the ingenuity of a complete fool.