A Little Motherly Love Chapter Eight (10/22/1998 finished, 04/06/1999 last revised) by Celeste Byrd ===== Ranma 1/2 is copyrighted 1999 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 is 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 Kunou: Akane! I will go out with you now! SCENE: The mass of high school girls opens up to reveal a heavily-trodden on Kunou. Through some remarkable feat of strength, he stands up and rushes towards Akane, arms out in attempt to embrace her. His efforts are foiled however, as Akane's foot manages to intercept his face. Unfortunately for both of them, the velocity Kunou was travelling at leaves its mark as he takes out Akane's balancing leg and ends up having her fall on top of him. Kunou: (instantly sitting up and hugging her) Oh Akane! I knew you cared for me! Akane: (shoving Kunou's head into the ground) Don't touch me! Kunou: (getting up instantly and embracing her again) But how else can I pledge my love to thee?! Ryouga: (picking Kunou up and throwing him a few metres away) Didn't you hear Akane? Leave her alone! Kunou: (too much in pain to move a joint) I will rest here for now. Ryouga: C'mon Akane, let's go. Random Girl: Just a second there! SCENE: Ryouga gets pushed out of the way as the horde of girls crowd around Akane. Random Girl 2: Tell us it isn't so! Akane: Huh? R. Girl 3: At first we thought it was a joke, you and Nabiki being engaged to Saotome Ranma, but we just heard from Nabiki that she "is" engaged to him! You being her sister, we demand you tell us if it's really true!!! Crowd: Yeah!!! Akane: M-my sister? Like a pervert like him?! [No way! I mean, Nabiki wouldn't want anything to do with him, right? The incident in the morning was just a joke on Nabiki's part, right? So what the heck are they talking about?] Sayuri: (hopefully) So it isn't true? Akane: (incrediously) Not you, Sayuri?! Yuka: Why not? He "is" the greatest guy at this school. Akane: My friends, liking that macho jerk?! You two must be kidding! Yuka: So Nabiki is "not" engaged to him, right? Akane: Of course not! Sayuri: (turning around to face the crowd) You hear that, girls? HE'S FREE!!! Crowd: YEAH!!! Akane: (facefaults) .... SCENE: The girls all leave the school grounds, intent on thinking of a plan to stake Ranma for their own. Once Akane recovers, she checks the condition of Ryouga who was unfortunate enough to be in the way of the trampling mob. Akane: (slapping Ryouga a few times) Ryouga-kun, wake up! (Ryouga moans) Are you okay? Ryouga: (weakly) I'm fine. Thank you, Akane. Akane: (angry at the entire female body of Furinkan) I can't believe them! Wanting a piece of that pervert! Ryouga: [Aheh. Ranma's not "that" bad. It's not like he likes this happening to him.] Anyway Akane... Akane: Yes? Ryouga: I was going... I was going to ask... I was... won... wond... wondering... Akane: Spill it out, Ryouga-kun. Ryouga: Er, ah, um, I... Akane: Hmm? Ryouga: (microphone out for no reason at all) That is, er, um, w-w-... AAAARRRRGGGGHHHH!!! I CAN'T SAY IT!!! I!!! AM!!! SUCH!!! AN!!! IDIOT!!! Akane: (sweatdrop forming) Huh? (grabbing Ryouga's shirt before he can run away screaming) Not so fast, Ryouga-kun. Tell me what's on your mind. Ryouga: [I guess I have no choice. Face it like a man, Ryouga. You have nothing to fear.] Will, um, g-g-, w-will y-y-... Akane: C'mon Ryouga. It can't be that hard. Ryouga: Will-will... y-you... Akane: (encouragingly) That's it... Ryouga: (mumbling) Wherougoutwetmorw. Akane: What? Ryouga: Willyougooutwithmetomorrow. Akane: Will I what? Ryouga: [Oh no!] Willyougooutwithmetomorrow. Akane: Will I go--? (realization dawning and smiling) Why Ryouga-kun, I'd like that. Ryouga: [I can never fa--what?] R-really?! [She accepted! She accepted?! YES!!! NOW I CAN DIE HAPPY!!!!!] (closing his eyes, clenching his fists and sighing) .... Akane: (slightly amused) Ryouga...? Ryouga: (opening his eyes and staring determinedly at her) Where would you'd like to go, Akane-san?! Kyoto?! Hokkaido?! Kyushu?! Nagasaki?! Akane: (startled by his sudden rush of words) Uh? Ryouga: Osaka?! Fukuoka?! Nagoya?! Shikoku?! Akane: Um, could we go somewhere a little bit closer...? ===== Kunou: [Damn that Saotome. I'll get him for humiliating the great Kunou Takewaki!] SCENE: Kunou is lying on the ground, his bokken imbedded in the hard concrete. Few students are still on the school grounds, minding their own business. Having been hit twice by Akane, Kunou's sight had been impaired momentarily--enough to mistaken Ryouga for Ranma. Of course, no one would have been able to tell him of his mistake, now that his mind had been set. Kunou: [He will pay for hounding Akane and the pigtailed girl! He shall be punished for his demonic powers on women!] That whelp will pay for messing with the Blue Thunder! Gosunkugi: The most powerful of the gods were known to fall. It was only a matter of finding their weakness. If you find it, you can control them, and if you can control them, they can be destroyed. Kunou: Hmm? SCENE: A faint wind picks up as Kunou realizes there is someone next to him. He looks up to see a hunched figure with a camera in his hand. Kunou: Who are you? Gosunkugi: I am Gosunkugi Hikaru, freshman group F. You wouldn't know me. No one does. SCENE: As Kunou is contemplating this (and can he contemplate, moron boy!), Gosunkugi speaks again. Gosunkugi: But I know Saotome. Shall I tell you his weak spot? Kunou: (getting up) What?! Gosunkugi: I said I know-- Kunou: (grabbing him by the shirt) HOW DARE YOU! YOU WISH TO MAKE A MOCKERY OF THE LEGENDARY KUNOU TAKEWAKI?! Gosunkugi: What? Kunou: (letting go and turning his back to Gosunkugi) Do you think I've fallen SO LOW as to STRIKE, to savagely tear at the VERY FABRIC of my honourable self just to SECRETLY ATTACK an opponent's WEAK SPOT?! Gosunkugi: Well... Kunou: THE ANSWER IS NO!!! I, THE GREAT BLUE THUNDER WILL NOT STRIKE SECRETLY AT SAOTOME'S WEAK SPOT!!! Gosunkugi: (noticing the small crowd Kunou had drawn) I-I'm sorry. (turns to leave) Kunou: (grabbing him by the back of his uniform) Well? Gosunkugi: "Well" what? Kunou: What is Saotome's weak spot? Gosunkugi: Huh? But you said-- Kunou: There is nothing cowardly about striking a weak spot openly! What is his weakness?! Gosunkugi: But I don't know what it is yet! Kunou: (blasting Gosunkugi into the air with his bokken) Then find out, idiot! ===== Ranma: (soaring through the air) Just great. A few more of these and I think I'm gonna apply for an aeromiles plan. SCENE: Ranma passes by some startled geese and spreads his arms, trying to cut down on altitude. Ranma: Sure beats walking, I guess. (rubs his bottom) The takeoff could use a little work though. SCENE: He stares at the houses below, looking as if they were pieces of a model for a school project. To the potential relief of anyone below him, Ranma was not the sort to throw up from incredibly high heights. Ranma: [I seriously think Akane should learn to control her temper. It's not as if I "want" those girls all over me! I mean, I suppose any normal guy would die to have that many women after him, but I mean... I'm hardly normal...] SCENE: Ranma feels the air of his passage change, and adjusts his limbs accordingly. To avoid getting any more depressed about his predicament, Ranma decides to mentally calculate the trajectory and velocity of his flight. Ranma: [Let's see. Judging by my height, arc and current wind speeds, and assuming the angle Akane shot me up was around 50 or 60 degrees, I should fall right...] (stabs a finger at a rooftop) [Right there. Hey, that looks like...] (breaking into a slow grin) [Ha. Jackpot in twenty, nineteen, eighteen...] Voice: Excuse me... Ranma: (turning to see a horned, green-haired, scantily clad girl) Huh? (noticing she is not falling in the usual sense, but descending at a quick and constant rate) [She can fly. And to think "China" had been weird.] What can I do for you? Girl: Could you move slightly to your left, please? Ranma: (blinking) Sure, I guess. (scooting over) Do you mind if I ask why I needed to move? I mean, I'm sure you can fly, so couldn't you just maneuver around me? Girl: I could do that, but-- SCENE: Ranma crashes through the roof of Doctor Tofu's clinic. Dr. Tofu, who had about an hour of spare time and just finished repairing the earlier hole, stares in surprise at the fallen Ranma. Ranma: (getting up and dusting himself off) I was right! (looking up at the girl) I heard a but there. But? Girl: I didn't think you'd want to land on a steam pipe. Ranma: (wincing) Thanks. I owe you a debt, miss--? Girl: Lum. Ranma: Saotome Ranma. (bowing slightly) Thank you again, Lum-san. Lum: I'd better be going now. (flying away) Bye bye! Ranma: Remember you can collect it anytime! (turning to a startled Dr. Tofu and bowing deeply) Tofu-sensei, I'm here to start learning. (noticing Dr. Tofu is still gaping at him) What, do I have something in my hair? ===== Nodoka: Kasumi, can I speak to you? SCENE: Tendou residence, upper floor. Nodoka is knocking on Kasumi's door. Shampoo-neko is at her feet, tail twitching lazily. The door opens, and Kasumi steps out. Kasumi: (curious) Yes, Auntie? Nodoka: Do you know where the box Ranma's new pet had been in is? Kasumi: I threw it out this morning. I didn't think Ranma would want to keep the box. Was there something I missed? Nodoka: What about the dress? Kasumi: Dress? Nodoka: There was a dress in there. A silk Chinese one. Not very modest in the least. Kasumi: Oh, I'm sorry. I must have thrown it out with the box. And I burnt all the trash too... Nodoka: (noticing a small twitch in Kasumi's cheerful demeanor) Okay, nevermind. I'm sure there was nothing important in there. [I do hope Kasumi doesn't wear that thing outside.] SCENE: Nodoka picks up Shampoo-neko and walks down the hall. Kasumi breathes a small sigh of relief, and closes the door. She then picks up the garmet from her bed and hides it in her closet. Downstairs, Nodoka starts whispering in Chinese to Shampoo-neko. Nodoka: ===== SCENE: A mountainous region somewhere in Japan. One of the many natural caves is blocked by a large boulder, a spirit rope tied around it. Suddenly the rock vibrates with the force of an army of pickaxes and, succumbing to the violent pressure, explodes into a shower of pebbles. A rumbling is heard as a dimunitive figure emerges from the cave entrance. Thing: F-fr-free a-at l-last!!! SCENE: A particularly large piece of boulder fragment finally decides to recognize gravity, arcs gracefully down and beans the creature on the head, knocking it unconscious. This doesn't have anything to do with the story just yet, but we all love plot devices, right? ===== SCENE: Tendou living room, dinnertime. Ryouga is sitting to the left of Akane, Nabiki to his left and Ranma (who came in a few minutes ago) is sitting between Kasumi and Nabiki. Nodoka is sitting opposite to Akane with Soun beside her, on her right. Shampoo-neko is lying in Ranma's lap. The television, on the only side of the table without people, is being watched by Nabiki. Get that? Pretty easy to grasp, huh? I'll be quiet now. Nodoka: Where were you, Ranma-chan? You missed your usual practice. Ranma: Tofu-san has taken me as an apprentice. He's teaching me some medical and shiatsu stuff. Nodoka: Who's Tofu-san? Ranma: He's the local chiropractor, family doctor and martial arts master. Nodoka: Martial arts master? Ranma: I think he is. Anyway, I'm supposed to help him around the clinic in exchange for some knowledge about three times a week. Ryouga: (shaking his head) Same old Ranma. Always focused completely on learning all there is to know about martial arts. Ranma: So? It's not like I focus so much I lose sight of everything else. Besides, I don't have very much in the way of healing techniques. Ryouga: Whatever. Akane: Anyway, have you thought of a name for your cat? Ranma: (shrugging his shoulders) No, not really. Akane: How about C-chan? Ranma: (thinking for a moment) No, vaguely remember someone who had a cat with the same name. Starts with a Ra, I remember that. Ryouga: Nguyen Raiko? Ranma: (slapping his palm) Oh yeah, Nguyen "I have C-chan to protect me" Raiko! Brought his cat everyday to school. Have you seen him recently? Ryouga: No. Last I heard, he moved to Vietnam so his parents could educate him on half of his heritage. Ranma: Whatever. No, C-chan is out. (picking up Shampoo-neko) You wouldn't like the name C-chan, would you? Kasumi: How about Hanachiyo? Ranma: (tilting his head back and forth) Nice name, but she doesn't seem to be the Hanachiyo type. Nabiki: How about Neko-chan? Ranma: Maybe. (scratching behind Shampoo-neko's ears) Don't know any cats with that name. Nodoka: How about Xian-chan? Ranma: (pauses in mid-scratch) Eh? Did you say something mom? Nodoka: Yes. How about if we call her Xian-chan? Ranma: (turning the idea around in his head) Hmm... She does remind me of Xian Pu, and I "am" taking care of her for the Elder... (nodding his head) Yeah, that's a good one! Thanks mom! I'll call her Xian-chan! Kasumi: Why does your cat remind you of shampoo? She doesn't look like she could lather very well... Ranma: (blinking) Well, I... Nodoka: What my son means to say is the cat reminds him of Xian Pu, a girl he met in the amazon village. SCENE: Ranma seems to be the only one who notices the temperature drop in the immediate area. Akane: Shampoo. What kind of a name is that? Ranma: There is nothing wrong with her name. Just because it sounds remarkably similar to a hair product doesn't mean you should make fun of her. Nabiki: (quietly, almost threateningly) So Ranma-chan, what was this girl like? Kasumi: Oh my. I'm sure this is just a mild misunderstanding. I mean, Ranma wouldn't do anything before marriage, would he? Akane: (muttering) I don't know... Nabiki: Did you do anything with her, Ranma...? Ranma: I didn't do nothing! Nodoka: That's "I didn't do anything" or "I did nothing", son. Ranma: Whatever! Nodoka: Not to worry, Nabiki. Ranma just made friends with her when we visited, nothing more. Ranma: (relieved to be rescued) Thanks mom. Nodoka: Of course, I wasn't with him the entire time we visited, and my son is "quite" manly, and she was pretty cute... Ranma: (mentally groaning) [I should have known mom would add something like that.] Soun: (demon-head) HOW COULD YOU, SAOTOME?! Ranma: Wak! SCENE: Similar to this morning, Ranma jumps up in surprise. This time however, he lands in "Kasumi's" lap (c'mon, you knew this was inevitable from the time it happened with Nabiki!), and embraces her as if she is the only thing between him and the monster (which was true). Xian-chan, landing on the table, hisses as Kasumi blushes a deep crimson. It is Nabiki's turn to look envious, and Akane looks at her sisters with a small twinge of disbelief. Nodoka looks calm despite the manifestation next to her. Ryouga is not as surprised as Ranma, but has managed to make a ninety degree change in position, bowl on his face. Ranma: (unnerved) [It's a monster!] Kasumi: (feeling her body react to Ranma's touch) [Oh my.] Nabiki: (pouting) [No fair! He's MI--not handling my sister without doing-- I mean--] Akane: (narrowing her eyes) [That jerk! Taking advantage of Kasumi like that!] Nodoka: (shaking her head) [Didn't Shampoo say she wouldn't mind sharing him? I'll have to have a chat with her again.] Ryouga: (confused) [Where am I? It's so dark...] Soun: (angry) HOW DARE YOU CHASE OTHER WOMEN WHEN YOU HAVE TO MARRY ONE OF MY DAUGHTERS!!! Ranma: (gathering his wits) Now wait just a darned minute! Soun: WHAT?! Ranma: I did nothing with Xian Pu, okay?! I may be "uncultured", I may be "simple", but a playboy I ain't! Ryouga: [Ranma, Ranma, Ranma. He's right, but he should have figured out by now these things never look the way they really are. Now, if I could find my way out...] Kasumi: [Of course Ranma-kun wouldn't have done anything before being committed.] Nabiki: [Why didn't I trust him? I know he's too honest to lie convincingly to anyone. Why didn't I notice the signs? What's happening to me?] Nodoka: [He shouldn't be speaking back to his elders, but this time I'll make an exception...] Akane: [Liar. Even Kasumi isn't safe from him.] Soun: NO DAUGHTER OF MINE IS GOING TO MARRY A WOMANIZER! Ranma: Did you hear a word I said? Soun: HOW CAN GENMA INSTALL SUCH LOOSE MORALS ON HIS SON?! Ranma: Didn't think so. Soun: IF YOU WEREN'T GENMA'S SON, I'D HAVE-- Kasumi: (shocked) Father! SCENE: The tone in Kasumi's voice is enough to shake Soun out of his demonic phase. She isn't finished, though. Kasumi: (disapproving) How dare you treat Ranma-kun as if you own him! Nabiki: (joining in) Yeah! Besides, he doesn't have to m--marry one of us if he doesn't want to! Soun: (bursting into tears) OH, MY DAUGHTERS HAVE TURNED AGAINST ME! NOW THE TWO SCHOOLS WILL NEVER BE UNITED!!! Kasumi: Calm down, father. Everything will be alright. Ranma: .... [Is this the Tendou residence? I might have missed the right house when I was running...] Akane: (calm bordering on anger) You might want to let go of Kasumi, Ranma. I don't think she'd like being touched by a pervert like you. SCENE: Ranma notices his position and immediately lets go of Kasumi. It's hard to read Kasumi's feelings, but her glare in Akane's direction when no one was looking was indication enough. Ranma: (finishing) Well, that's it for me. Thank you Kasumi-chan, for such a delicious meal. Kasumi: (blushing again) Thank you, Ranma-kun. Ranma: (getting up) C'mon Ryouga. Once you find your way out of your rice bowl, I'll take you home. Ryouga: (taking bowl off his face) I knew that! I was just, just-- Ranma: It doesn't matter what you were doing. When ya wanna go home, just get me. (walks out into the yard, Xian-chan following) Nodoka: Where are you going? Ranma: To the dojo, after I take a walk. (picks up Xian-chan, then vaults over the wall) SCENE: A few minutes after Ranma leaves, Nodoka excuses herself and takes some plates into the kitchen. Kasumi also excuses herself so she can help Nodoka with the cleaning. Soun gets up soon after and decides to take a walk himself. Ryouga gets up and immediately gets lost looking for the door. Akane and Nabiki are the only ones left. Nabiki: That wasn't very nice, Akane. Akane: What wasn't? Nabiki: Calling Ranma a pervert. You know it's not true. Akane: Then what do you call what he just did to Kasumi? What about his curse? Don't you find it perverted? Nabiki: (rolling her eyes) To answer your questions in order, an accident, what about it, and to whom are you asking. Akane: (eyes widening) You like his curse?! Nabiki: (exasperated) Akane, no I don't. It's a CURSE. Curses aren't supposed to make someone happy. No one's supposed to like one. It's not perverted just because Ranma... (looks around to make sure Ryouga is really lost) ...turns into a girl with the temperature of the water. Akane: Well, "I" think it's disgusting. Nabiki: [Akane, for some reason I think someday you'll learn the hard way why people run on more than one track.] ===== SCENE: At a port near Matsue, three people are getting off a cargo ship. After careful inspection, it is determined that all three are female, and are all Chinese. At least by the clothing. Two of them are definitely, "unmistakably" female. One has waist-length brown hair, both sideburns tied into little ponytails, and is sporting a very low-cut, very short silk dress. The other has equally-long black hair tied back in a swirling ponytail, and is wearing a much more modest (in comparison to brown-haired girl) form of dress. The reason for the careful inspection is the third figure. It is "this" figure that causes one to pause for thought; she looks barely human, if the term "barely" can be applied to small gnarled-looking trolls. The only clue that the thing is female is it's long white hair, and even that was stretching it. This... person is hopping on what appears to be a wooden staff, while the obviously female figures are walking alongside. Men passing by pause to gawk at the pretty girls, but then turn away in disgust at the possibly human form. Brown-hair: Old Woman(?): Black-hair: Old Woman(?): Black-hair: Old Woman(?): (clubbing her on the head) Black-hair: (feeling the bump on her head) Brown-hair: (laughing) Old Woman(?): Black & Brown-hair: Old Woman(?): Conditioner: Old Woman(?): Brown-hair: (obviously excited) Conditioner: Perfume: Conditioner: Perfume: Conditioner: Perfume: Conditioner: Perfume: Conditioner: Old Woman(?): Per. & Cond.: .... Old Woman(?): (disapprovingly) Per. & Cond.: Conditioner: (whispering to Perfume as the Elder hops ahead) Perfume: Conditioner: Perfume: Conditioner: (smirking) ===== "Under heaven all can see beauty as beauty only because there is ulginess. All can know good as good only because there is evil." SCENE: Ranma is standing in the practice hall, legs spread apart. His eyes are closed and he is breathing steadily. In his mind, Ranma is reciting a Tao poem his mother taught him in China. He is doing this as well as practicing the "Xi Sui Jing" to help relax his muscles before he starts on his kata. Heck, he needed to do "anything" to relax his body and his mind. He already had his share of trouble in China, but now the past few weeks were beginning to disturb his "inner spirit". "Therefore having and not having arise together. Difficult and easy complement each other." Not that his spiritual self had ever really been balanced. It was one of the many challenges his mother inflicted upon him: to find his centre of nature, to achieve tranquility in his soul, to balance his yin and yang. Unfortunately, no matter how hard he tried, Ranma could never seem to maintain perfect harmony. Slowly, Ranma's hands reach out, left hand over right, as if he is holding a ball. He exhales in this position and continues with the poem. "Long and short contrast each other; High and low rest upon each other; Voice and sound harmonize each other; Front and back follow one another." It was strange. All the other challenges his mother offered seemed trivial compared to this; learning to play music, martial arts, watching his language, learning math and history, martial arts, and learning more languages. And martial arts. Always martial arts. He twists to the left, his arms still parallel to the floor. Exhaling, he makes two giant circles with his arms extended, bending at the waist. At the end of the second circle, Ranma twists to the right, his arms still horizontal. "Therefore the sage goes about doing nothing, teaching no-talking. The ten thousand things rise and fall without cease, Creating, yet not possessing." Ranma twists again to the left and inhales. "Working, yet not taking credit." If only maintaining his inner balance was the same as martial arts! He would have it down pat in the same amount of time it took to take a bath--probably even shorter. It was a gift his mother found surprising; to be able to learn a style of martial art simply by looking at it in practice. There were techniques Ranma knew that had taken the masters years to perfect--of course, he still had put them in practice to have the basics down. Ranma half-circles and twists once more to the right, this time exhaling and resting his head against his right knee. His right arm is stretched upward, straight, palm turned forward, and perpendicular to the ground, while his left hand is holding his waist on his right side. "Work is done, then forgotten." Spiritual or elemental attacks were out of the question, though. Until he achieved perfect harmony of his spirit, he would never be able to perform some of the neater tricks of the Saotome school of martial arts. "Blood" attacks were also not going to be at full potential until he shapened up. He relaxes, inhales and carefully straightens himself. "Therefore it lasts forever." He then reaches out again, this time right over left, and repeats the movements as a mirror image. With balanced precision, Ranma flowed through the other forms as naturally as he did breathing. The exercises dispelled a lot of frustration even as he prepared for the ordeal to follow. After at least thirty minutes of stretching with different sets of movements, Ranma launches into many kata, several of distinct styles. From Aikido to Ninjitsu, Kenpo to Tai Chi, Ranma went through all the ones he knew. Because of his ability to learn styles of martial arts simply by looking at them practiced, this was no mean feat, especially at the speed he had taken them in. He wanted to release all his stress of the month, and practicing variations of Kung Fu from the Angler Fist to the Zen Fist he felt would be a good idea. After what seems like hours (close to three, in actuality), Ranma finally props himself on a mat, toweling himself off. Ranma: (exhausted) Damn, that felt good! SCENE: Throwing the towel into a corner and removing the top of his gi, Ranma breathes a long sigh of contentment. He still does not find peace with himself, but at least he was much closer than when he started. Folding his hands behind his head, Ranma lies back and closes his eyes. A few seconds later, he opens them to find Xian-chan nuzzling his face. Ranma: (smiling) Hey, that tickles. (picking up Xian-chan and stroking her fur) I'm glad the amazons sent you to me. I've never really had a pet before, but I think it's kinda neat. You're just the thing I need to discuss my problems without feeling embarrassed. After what's been happening lately, I really need to let some of it out. SCENE: Not wanting to think "too" much about his troubles, Ranma's mind starts to wander. Unfortunately, Ranma's mind had a nasty habit of trying to resolve things without his actual consent. His mouth practically opened of its own accord. Ranma: I can't believe Nabiki openly said we were engaged. I mean, first of all that ain't true, and second of all she was the one who said to wait before anyone should even "consider" being betrothed! Third, but not the least, I thought "I" got some say in this. Wasn't it going to be a joint decision between two of us? What happened to my say in the entire thing? Mr. Tendou'll throw a fit if I try and say anything remotely related to his daughters, Mom is waiting for a decision, and I can't give her one. I mean, how the heck am I going to pull a solution where everyone is happy? I get betrothed, one of the girl's ain't happy. I run out, Mr. Tendou ain't happy. I stay, "I" ain't happy. Especially since it AIN'T MY CHOICE! I seriously think I'm too young for this. I want to improve my martial arts, but how can I do it if I stay in one place? SCENE: Ranma shakes his head and puts Xian-chan down, lying on the boards himself. She gives him a look of mild disappointment, then decides to curl up next to his head. Unconsciously, he reaches up to stroke her. Ranma: Dumb situation to put anyone in. Kasumi is as nice a person as anybody I've ever met. But she's not much of a fighter and she's too kind to put her thoughts above anyone else's. If I get outta line I don't know if she'd ever tell me, unlike my mom. Plus, if I'm ever gonna be the best martial artist in the world it kinda helps to have a wife who at least knows what's going on. I don't know if Kasumi would understand. I don't think I've ever seen her mad, which is a big plus over Akane. But then I don't know much about how she feels at all, except that she's always nice to everyone else. SCENE: Ranma nods his head as if sympathizing with Kasumi. Slowly, his mental picture of Kasumi's face shifts to that of Nabiki. Ranma: Despite what people say, I think Nabiki is a nice girl, if a little on the cold side. I was a little put off by her "profitizing" on the entire engagement deal, but she's been okay ever since. I know a lot of kids fear her 'cause she's done blackmail and stuff, and that isn't right, but at least she's working hard to support the family. Mr. Tendou sure ain't making any money, but I think there're better ways to make money than to stomp on people's toes. (rolls over on side) Still, she's been pretty nice to me, and I can see how bad she needs someone to care for her. That loneliness of hers can strike ya really quick, you know? She's not a bad person. Her situation just sucks, but her solution isn't that much better. SCENE: Ranma frowns as Nabiki's face is replaced by Akane's. Ranma: Akane, she started out mad at me because she could have had her life thrown away with a silly engagement. She has every right to be angry, but she's going "wwaaayyy" too far with it. I mean, it's up to us now, right? She's not going to be forced into anything she doesn't want to be in. Akane ain't in any danger. The least she could do is be a little like Kasumi or Nabiki, and take things more in stride. She doesn't have to be mad all the time. It's inhuman, keeping all that anger inside her. SCENE: Ranma stares up at the rafters. Xian-chan listens intently. Ranma: You know, I've only been here for about a few weeks, and already I feel a small attachment to the Tendou family. Mr. Tendou is okay, Kasumi is really nice, Nabiki's okay, and Akane is... ah... um... SCENE: He spends a moment trying to complete his thought. Ranma: Akane is... well... hmm... eh... a strong-willed girl... who will often back her points with violence! Yeah, that's it. SCENE: Ranma feels proud to have come up with a euphemism, then snorts. Ranma: Okay, so maybe that wasn't a good description. But I've never really ever seen her happy... probably be doing her a favour by leaving. I'd be doing "everyone" in Nerima a favour by going. All the insanity that seems to occur when I'm around would disappear, at least. And then maybe everyone would be able to continue their normal lives. SCENE: Ranma yawns. Ranma: Sometimes I wonder if I could ever have a normal life. Not being challenged by unusual fighters, never learning about Jhusenkyou, having friends I could rely on when I need help, and having a dad to teach me things. Mind you, Ryouga is a great friend, the same with Xian Pu, and I remember Ucchan from a long time ago, but that's about it. If mom had "half" the troubles I have... SCENE: He rubs his eyes tiredly, then turns to sleepily smile at the cat. Ranma: Thanks for listening to me Xian-chan. (scratches her under her chin) Not like you'd understand or anything, but it sure is nice to have someone who'll listen. SCENE: Had Ranma stayed awake for a second longer, he would have noticed the look of guilt that passed across Shampoo-neko's face. Feeling a little sleepy herself, Shampoo-neko stretches and trots over to her makeshift bed. Minutes later, she is fast asleep. Half an hour later, Nabiki walks into the dojo, bucket and bath supplies in hand. Nabiki: Ranma, Kasumi fixed a... oh. SCENE: Nabiki notices Ranma fast asleep in the middle of the room. Putting down the supplies by the door, she proceeds into the room to wake Ranma up. Nabiki: (quietly) Ranma... SCENE: Just as Nabiki touches Ranma's arm, she immediately pulls back. It was as if 5 milliamperes of electrical current flowed through when she made contact with him. Nabiki: [Calm down girl. He's just a stupid jock who's only interested in martial arts.] SCENE: Despite trying to convince herself of this, Nabiki couldn't help but giggle like a little schoolgirl. She is about to try again when Kasumi pokes her head through the doorway. Kasumi: Nabiki? There is someone on the phone asking for you. Nabiki: Really? (glancing back at Ranma before walking out) Thanks, Kasumi. SCENE: Once Nabiki leaves, Kasumi walks into the practice hall and shakes her head. Kasumi: Why didn't Nabiki wake Ranma up? The bath will get cold soon. SCENE: Kasumi crosses the dojo floor and gently shakes Ranma. Kasumi: Ranma-kun... SCENE: Ranma doesn't respond. Kasumi notices this and tries again. Kasumi: Ranma-kun! SCENE: When it is clear Ranma wouldn't wake up if the world was going to end, Kasumi kneels down further to yell in Ranma's ear. Before she can do that, Ranma rolls over in his sleep. His arm came up and wrapped around Kasumi's waist, bringing her closer to him. Still fast asleep, Ranma paid no heed to Kasumi's rising blush. Kasumi: (realizing the impromptu of her position) Oh my! (struggling to get out of Ranma's grasp, but not too hard) Ranma-kun! This is improper! You should wait at least until we're m-- SCENE: Kasumi has turned enough to gaze at Ranma's peacefully sleeping face. Still blissfully unaware of his surroundings, Ranma snuggles closer to the new heat source. This of course, is too much for Kasumi to handle in one day, who faints. ===== Nabiki: Hello? Voice: Tendou Nabiki? Nabiki: (not recognizing the voice) Who are you? Voice: My name is Gosunkugi Hikaru. I am from your school Tendou-sempai, in room 1-F. I called you because people said you were very good at finding things. Nabiki: (suspiciously) What sort of things? Gosunkugi: Just some information, sempai. Nabiki: I need specifics before I can quote prices. Gosunkugi: Er, well, I need information on someone's weakness. Things they're scared of. Can you do it? Nabiki: That depends, Gosunkugi. Gosunkugi: H-how much, Tendou-sempai? Nabiki: Hmm... (pretending to calculate) 8000-10000 yen, with a 2000 yen down payment for anyone I know. 14000-16000 yen with a 4000 yen down payment otherwise. Down payment is not refundable. Gosunkugi: T-that's a lot of money!!! Nabiki: I'm not the one trying to exploit someone's weakness here. Besides, it's my flat rate. You don't know the amount of time I spend on research, and I usually charge by the hour. Gosunkugi: But that's extortion! Nabiki: Not my problem. (feeling slightly generous) Tell you what, if you tell me who you're after, I'll let you know how easy or hard it's going to be and I'll give you a specific price range. Gosunkugi: O-okay sempai. Nabiki: So? Who's the lucky person? Gosunkugi: S-Saotome Ranma. SCENE: There is a long pause. Gosunkugi: Tendou-sempai? Nabiki: Did you say Ranma? Gosunkugi: Yes. Nabiki: Why do you want to know Ranma's weakness? [Does he even have one?] Gosunkugi: T-that's confidental Sempai. Nabiki: (debating for a moment if she should pry any further, and giving up) Very well. Gosunkugi: Sempai? Nabiki: I'll give you a quote tomorrow. Meet me at my usual hangout before school. Gosunkugi: Y-yes, Tendou-sempai. Nabiki: (hanging up) [He wants to know Ranma's weakspot? Why would he want--?] SCENE: As much as Ranma might have affected her, Nabiki is not one to forget habits and situation angles. Nabiki: [Kunou, probably. He's the only moron I know who would want to know what Ranma's afraid of and exploit it.] SCENE: Nabiki blinks, chasing after a fleeting thought. Nabiki: [What "is" Ranma afraid of?] ===== Ryouga: Funny, this doesn't look like the dojo... Kunou: Um, what are you doing in my house? Ryouga: Huh? Kodachi: Oh brother-dear, I invited him! Ryouga: (shocked) No... Kodachi: Ryouga-sama!!! Ryouga: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!! ===== Ranma: Huh? A hot spring? Voice: Ranma... Ranma: (turning around) Who called...? Voice: (seductively) It's me, honey. Ranma: Who the heck are you? SCENE: Across from him is a girl, about the same age. She looks like a copy of Ranma's cursed form, and is partially submerged in the warm waters. Girl: (pouting) You don't recognize me? Ranma: Other than the fact you look like my female form... Girl: (giggling) Silly, I "am" your female form! Ranma: What? Girl: (embracing Ranma) Who else would I be, lover boy? Ranma: (removing her arms from his body and closing his eyes) This is all just a dream, I can wake up anytime I like... Girl: (moving away from him and laughing) Ha! You can't escape me! We were meant to be together, you and I. Afterall, I was the one who called you to Jhusenkyou! Ranma: (opening his eyes to stare at her) You were what...? %End Chapter Eight ======================================================================== %Afterword Sorry for the delay, but it's hard to concentrate when your parents just divorced and you have schoolwork piling up on your desk. A big Thank You goes to Jared for helping me with Ranma's mouth problem, especially with my current state of depression. The "Xi Sui Jing" is an actual set of Taoist exercises. Xi Sui Jing literally translates from Chinese as "Marrow Washing Classic". Of course, what I described Ranma doing (the Cloud Hands) is only one part of the many movements involved in this set. The poem was taken from chapter two of the Tao Te Ching, a book that has contained the essence of Taoism for over 2500 years and has influenced Chinese culture and folklore. Revision NOTE: I was off a little bit with the Romaji script for Conditioner and Perfume. It was too much of a pain anyway, so I've removed their Romaji spellings. NOTE: I deliberately left many kata as kata. Like all oriental words (or the ones I know, at least), you do not add an 's' to indicate it is plural. There is no such single letter in the Japanese (or Chinese) language, and there is no point in westernizing eastern words and phrases. And like all (or almost all) oriental words, you don't change anything to pluralize it. You don't go around saying 'animes', 'samurais' or anything unusual like that. At least, I hope you don't. C'mon, of course Ranma can learn a style or a martial art technique by simply watching it in practice! He figured the steps of the Hiryu Shoten Ha when he only saw it once. Of course, he needed some more coaching from Cologne, but knowing Ranma, once ya see it, ya gotta learn it. Don't worry if you think Ranma is too perfect just because he was raised by his mom. He was trained by Genma until he was seven, and a lot has happened in China... Hopefully, the next chapter won't take as long to write. Heh, like my word means anything when it comes to scheduling...