Chapter 17
 
[Nameless roof, Afternoon]
 
Ranma-chan: (Holding P-Ran-chan by her collar) Are you
 crazy?!
 
P-Ran-chan: (Shoving Ranma-chan off) No more than you!
 
Ranma-chan: If you aren't why were you acting like that back
 there?
 
P-Ran-chan: (Blinking) Like what?
 
Ranma-chan: You wanted to tell mom! I could tell! For mom's
 sake, please don't tell her!
 
P-Ran-chan: And for yours too, right?
 
Ranma-chan: ....
 
P-Ran-chan: Ranma, take my word for it. She won't make yo- us
 commit seppuku if she knows about (Motions to her chest) this.
 
Ranma-chan: How do you know that, smartypants?
 
P-Ran-chan: I told her in my timeline, when
 (Ranma-chan sighs, seeing she's in for another story.
 P-Ran-chan glares at her, but goes on anyway)
 
 
[Tendo Hallway, Morning]
 
 
(Kasumi is standing in front of Ranma's door, completely
 in black. Taking a deep breath, she opens the door to
 the room and enters it)
 
(The shades have been closed, and the lights turned on,
 giving the room a darker feeling. On one wall various
 weapons have been hung up, such as swords, spatulas
 and the like. On the futon is Ranma, who's sadly looking
 through a photo album)
 
Kasumi: Ranma, it's time to-
 
Ranma: (Pointing to a picture of Akane and he making
 faces at each other) Look at that, Kasumi.
 (Kasumi leans over, and bites her lip) Not even when
 posing for a picture could we get along. We fought nigh
t and day. Why?
 
Kasumi: Maybe it was the way you tried to show you cared
 about each other.
 
Ranma: (Sarcastic) Oh, right. I forgot that by throwing the
 lunch she made out the window and getting her mad all the
 time is a signal of love. Silly me.
 (Slams the photo album onto the floor, some of the pictures
 falling out) Stupid is more like it! Stupid, stupid, stu-
 
Kasumi: Ranma. Please. We're going to the funeral now.
 
Ranma: (Blinking) It's time for that all ready? (Slumps a little)
 I don't know if I can bear it, Kasumi.
 
Kasumi: (Trying to be gentle) You need to get out of the
 house, Ranma. It's not good to stay locked up all day.
 
Ranma: (Looking up) But I do go out; everyday, even.
 
Kasumi: For something other than to hunt down Shampoo.
 
Ranma: Oh. (Looks down again) Do I have to?
 
Kasumi: It's your own choice, Ranma. But it'll be the last
 time you can see her in person.
 
Ranma: (Still looking down, but nods his head silently. He
 walks out the door, leaving Kasumi in the room) Ok...
 
Kasumi: (Picking up one of the fallen pictures. Her eyes start
 tear up) Oh, Akane...
 (It's a picture of Akane proudly holding a tray of, erm,
 interesting food. Soun is in the background, looking extremely
 nervous) I never taught you to cook, did I?
 (She looks at it for another two seconds, drops it, and quickly
 walks out the doorway)
 
 
[Graveyard, Morning]
 
 
(There are many people waiting for the service to begin,
 mainly school friends and the like. Ranma is keeping to
 himself when a glass of water is splashed on him. Turning
 around angrily, she sees her father as a panda, and is about
 to complain when he points to behind her. She turns around
 again, and is greeted by her mother)
 
Nodoka: (Smiling very sadly) Hello, Ranko.
 
Ranma-chan: *Mom?* (An idea flashes in her head) Hi, Auntie.
 
Nodoka: It's good to see you again Ranko, even under such
 (Sniffles) upsetting times.
 (At this point Nodoka and Ranma-chan are all alone) I was
 looking so forward to having Akane as my daughter-in-law;
 and my son must be crushed, too.
 
Ranma-chan: ... (In a very small voice) Auntie? Would you
 like to see Ranma again?
 
Nodoka: Of course! (Bites her lip) But now, during Akane's
 funeral would-
 
Ranma-chan: Please, Auntie. He really wants to meet you.
 
Nodoka: (Smiling at the eager girl) Ranko, I really
 appreciate this.
 
Ranma-chan: I'll be right back. (Runs off, and returns a
 few seconds later, holding a cup of cold water and a kettle)
 
Nodoka: (Looking at the items Ranma-chan is carrying)
 Ranko, what are you going to do with those?...
 
Ranma-chan: Watch carefully, mom.
 
Nodoka: (Surprised) Mom? Ranko, I'm not your mo-
 (Her eyes widen as she watches Ranma-chan's breasts
 decrease, grows taller, hair turns black, and several other
 minor changes) Ra-Ranko! What happened? You're a-?!
 
Ranma: (Lowering his head) I'm Ranma. Your son. 
 
Nodoka: (Staring at him, confused out of her mind) What
 about Ranko?
 
Ranma: (Twiddling his fingers) Ranko doesn't exist; I used
 her name as to disguise myself from you.
 (Bows his head even lower) I'm sorry mom, I'm really sorry!
 
(Nodoka doesn't move, trying to digest the little yet awful
 piece of news she has just received)
 
Ranma: I'll know I'll have to commit seppuku, but could
 you wait un-
 
Nodoka: (Putting a hand on his shoulder) Ranma, how did
 this happen?
 
Ranma: (Blinking) My curse?
 (Gives the well-known explanation)
 
Nodoka: (Sadly) Ranma.... Give me some time to decide.
 
Ranma: (Surprised) Huh?
 
Nodoka: I've only seen you as a woman before... and even
 then, you've clung to your manly ways. And seeing that this
 was an accident, I'll have to see how you deal with it as a
 male.
 
Ranma: (Disappointed) You mean pop and I won't have to
 commit seppuku?
 
Nodoka: (Stunned) Ranma, don't tell me you want to kill
 yourself!
 
Ranma: (Blushing) Naw, I just wanted to be honorable,
 that's all.
 
Nodoka: Then why didn't you tell me sooner? 
 
Ranma: (Trying to act innocent) But I did try! Just that somebody
 or something would stop me.
 
Nodoka: If you say so. (Forcing another smile) Besides, I don't
 want to kill my only son.
 
Ranma: What bout pop?
 
Nodoka: (Pulling out her katana, and fingering it) Well, maybe
 not KILL him, but we do need to have a LONG talk.
 (Puts the katana away) Let's go back Ranma, I think the ceremony has
 started all ready.
 
Ranma: (Nodding, bracing himself) Hm. 
 
[The two start walking back to where everybody is gathered; Ranma is
 barely lifting his feet up as he goes, and Nodoka looks at her son,
 feeling badly for him. The scene fades]
 
 
 

	Hi! Ok, maybe this piece was a little exagerated, but I do think
if Ranma could do it honorably, he'd kill himself. (That is, if
Akane died) I don't know, the humor seemed to want to pop out here
and there. Hopefully it's not to noticible.
	And for anyone that could care less...

	Today (December 9) is my birthday! As you today I'm 14! :)


	Isabel Arantes