Magical Interludes: December's End
Fanfic by J.K. Hayashi
Chapter 6: Negotiations - Part II
Inspector: "Its common courtesy not to interfere in a private fight.
If I was on duty I'd arrest you for obstruction of justice."
Cologne: "Come, come, young man. It should be easy for a man of
talent to track down that girl and place her in custody."
Inspector: "Speak for yourself. This is to be my first case here and I
could have solved it before I reported into my station
tomorrow. Do you realize what you've cost me in terms of
reputation?"
Cologne: "Your talents will speak for themselves."
Inspector: "Surely you realize that the perception of talent is even
more important than actually; this might have deflected a
situation before it reached a critical point. I have no
intention of discussing this further."
The inspector jumps to the ground. Cologne follows him.
Inspector: "Leave me alone!"
The inspector takes off his backpack and takes out some plastic
bags. He wraps up the ribbon and the three pins (after removing his
shuriken), places the bundle in his bag, and takes out a notebook
and starts sketching the fight scene. He also takes out a small tape
recorder and starts speaking.
Inspector: "Inspector Kentaro Muramoto report, December 28, 2030
hours. While conducting a pre-investigation area
reconnaissance for the complaints by Nerima residents of a
potential burglar, I encountered a japanese female, roughly
16-18 years old, who fit the rough description of the suspect
(female, practically naked, ponytail, high-pitched laugh). I
attempted to arrest the suspect but she resisted. She
escaped after an outsider threw a small man at her that
started to fondle her; she ran off in hysteria. Five items of
evidence; three pins, a ribbon, and a bouquet of black roses,
which leads me to suspect someone who fights using
Martial Arts Gymnastics under a cheesy nickname. Note:
Investigate all known local practitioners. Suspect also
mentioned" [Winds back tape recorder to check] "a Ranma
and Akane. Check on this fact also. Suspect wears a black
leotard and the ponytail hangs off one side of the head."
[Turns off recorder]
Cologne: "Perhaps I can help you, young man."
Inspector: "Are you still here, you old goat?"
Cologne: "Who are you calling a goat?"
Cologne whacks him in the head with her staff.
Inspector: "Hey!"
Cologne: "Young brat. You should never refuse help."
Inspector: "OK, OK. What is it?"
Cologne: "A Ranma and Akane live in the Tendo Dojo. The
entrance is right over there."
Inspector: "Hmph. Thank you for your assistance." [Turns
recorder back on] "Outsider (mentioned previously)
directed me to the Tendo Dojo, where I hope to interview
this 'Ranma' and 'Akane' to provide a identification. Note:
Plan of attack - will conduct preliminary interview, file
report at the Nerima Station, then go home."
Inspector Muramoto turns the recorder off, finishes organizing the
evidence in his backpack, then heads into the Dojo. Cologne hops
along behind him.
Inspector: "Stop following me!"
**********************
Mousse was startled by a quiet knock at his door. He hears his name
whispered out and he rushes to the door.
Mousse: <Shampoo...>
Shampoo: <Mousse, Great-grandmother has given her permission
for us to date. Or even marry. She asks only that I be
honest with her.>
Mousse: <Oh, Shampoo!>
Mousse rushes to hug Shampoo but is stopped by a fist to the face.
Shampoo: <Great-grandmother says that our village will be moving
here and the law will be revoked. They will all know that I
failed.>
Mousse: <Shampoo, it is no failure to marry a man who doesn't
love you and that you do not love.>
Mousse falls silent for a moment, then continues.
Mousse: [quietly] <Or did you love Ranma?>
Shampoo: <I... I grew to love him.>
Tears start to fall from Shampoo's eyes. She turns away from
Mousse.
Shampoo: <Just let me be for awhile, Mousse.>
Mousse: <I'll always be here, Shampoo.>
Shampoo runs to her room. Mousse watches her run down the hall,
then closes the door and gets back into bed. He places his glasses on
his bedstand and stares up at a blurry ceiling.
**********************
Kasumi answers a knock at the door.
Inspector: "Hello. I'm with the police. May I come in?"
Kasumi's eyes go wide, but she invites him in. She calls out for
Soun, who invites the man into the living room where he has been
talking to (or lecturing) Ryoga about his activities as a pig. Cologne
hops in behind them.
Inspector: "Leave me alone!"
Soun starts crying at the outburst.
Inspector: "Oh, not you sir. Let me introduce myself. I am
Inspector Kentaro Muramoto of the Nerima Police Station.
I was investigating reports of a lurker and came upon (and
fought) a girl who mentioned a 'Ranma' and 'Akane'. Do
such individuals live here? I'd like to question them to see
if they know the identity of the suspect."
Soun: "Of course, of course. I'll call them right now."
Soun calls for Ranma and Akane and they both come down while
Kasumi serves tea. Inspector Muramoto has used the time to bring
out the ribbon and bowling pins. They are soon joined by Midori
and Ayuki. Inspector Muramoto is a little disconcerted by the
audience. Soun points out Ranma and Akane. Inspector Muramoto
asks them if they can identify the objects and they tell him that they
belong to Kodachi Kuno, he then explains the situation and asks if
they want to press charges against her. They decline.
Inspector: "Is there a reason for this?"
Ranma: [looks at Akane] "We don't want to cause trouble. Her
father is the principal of our high school."
Inspector: "I see..." [takes out tape recorder] "Auxiliary report 12-
28, 2045 hours. Suspect tentatively identified as Kodachi
Kuno by individuals at Tendo Dojo. Reported to be
daughter of local high school principal, see if can resolve
conflict low-profile tomorrow. Will visit principal and get
positive ID on girl." [puts away tape recorder]
Inspector Muramoto then starts to pack away the evidence.
Inspector: "Well, thank you for your assistance. Hopefully we can
meet again under better conditions."
Soun: "How old are you, Inspector?"
Inspector: "Twenty. Why do you ask?"
Soun: "Are you married? It just so happens I have an unattached..."
Inspector Muramoto gets up to leave.
Inspector: "Er... thank you for the offer, sir. But I must regretfully
decline."
Inspector Muramoto starts to leave. Cologne starts to follow him on
her staff.
Inspector: [murmuring] "I can't believe he's only met me once and
he's already trying..." [to Cologne] "Go away!"
Cologne: "Why do you fight with that western weapon? I just want
to see how good you really are."
Inspector: "Argh!"
The Inspector jumps to the roof in an attempt to get away and
simultaneously throws a miniature bola at Cologne. Cologne easily
dodges (directing the bolas to Soun, who becomes entrapped and
knocked unconscious by them) then follows him. Everyone looks at
the retreating pair and are slightly surprised when Cologne suddenly
comes back (letting the Inspector get away).
Cologne: "Oh, by the way. Tomorrow afternoon I'll be coming
around to rate all of your martial abilities."
**********************
Kasumi closes the door to her room with a slightly bemused
expression at the unusually busy nature of the day. Not martially
busy, but busy none the less. She turns when she hears a soft knock
at the window. She opens it and Nabiki steps inside, her eyes red.
Kasumi: "Nabiki? What's wrong?"
Kasumi sits down on her desk chair and motions for Nabiki to sit
down on her bed. Nabiki instead kneels down and rests her head in
Kasumi's lap, reminiscent of Keiko earlier.
Nabiki: "Oh, Kasumi... Keiko came to me for help earlier and I
didn't know... I never felt so inadequate before."
Nabiki started to cry in Kasumi's lap while Kasumi just stroked
Nabiki's hair. She hadn't seen Nabiki like this for a long while. She
seemed to have dropped the shell she had worn for years.
Nabiki: "I wish mom was here so I could ask her what to do."
Kasumi: "I know..."
**********************
The lights to the Tendo Dojo had been out an hour. A lone small
figure creeps along the roof. It mutters to itself, chuckling insanely.
Happosai: "Revenge!"
The figure bounces silently down to the house and enters quickly.
The house is suddenly awakened by the screams of the three young
girls.
Happosai: "What a haul! What a haul! And such sweet bosoms,
too!"
Happosai quickly bounces to his room, his hands full of panties.
Ayuki, Keiko, and Midori come running out of their room in a very
angry state. They hear the door to Happosai's room slide shut and
rush in. The rest of the house and neighborhood, used to sounds of
violence (especially in regards to Happosai) continues to sleep
unperturbed.
**********************
*****************************End Chapter 6, Part II