Magical Interludes: December's End
Fanfic by J.K. Hayashi
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The story so far:
Magic has come into the world based on scientific principles. Minor
and low-level abilities appeared first world-wide, causing unrest in
major metropolitan areas as people, groups, corporations, and
governments sought to take advantage of the new power base. The
unlocking of major talents seemed to be linked to the appearance of
'Vortices', people who were at the center of energy/magic storms. A
'vortex' gained access to power and insights of lives that they might
have led. The fifth vortex, Ranma Saotome, differed in that he
managed to draw three 'daughters' into his reality. The three sixteen
year-olds (Ayuki, Keiko, and Midori born to Shampoo, Nabiki, and
Ukyou respectively) came under the care of Nodoka Saotome.
Kodachi and Kuno have been arrested by the police. Its New Year's
Eve...
It is December 31st of Ranma and Akane's sophomore year...
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Chapter 9: Reflections - Part I
Nodoka drags a sleepy Genma to the front counter of the hotel.
Clerk: "Did the two of you enjoy your stay?"
Nodoka takes out a bank credit card and hands it to the clerk.
Nodoka: "It was very... hmm... satisfying."
Genma's head falls onto the counter as he starts snoring. The clerk
finishes the paperwork and hands the card back to Nodoka.
Nodoka: "I gave him all last night to rest, too. I can't understand
why he's so tired."
The clerk watches as the pair leave, transfixed by the curves shown
off by the evening dress and wondering how such a woman ended
up with a man like that.
***************
Kasumi woke up first as always. Keiko, Nabiki, Akane, Midori,
Ukyou, and Ayuki lay sleeping in the room the three girls shared;
Kasumi moves quietly so as not to disturb anyone. When they
arrived home they kicked Ranma and Ryoga to their room and had a
combination pajama and bachelorette party for her. They had talked
about a lot of things the night before; memories, school, and boys,
especially Tofu, and Ranma, and Ryoga.
She had laughed just as hard as any of them when she heard about
Keiko grabbing the inspector's butt. Ranma's daughters certainly
were forward, which was a surprise when she thought about how
Ranma tended to act around girls. The dojo would become very
quiet once both she and the Saotomes moved out (but mostly the
Saotomes).
Kasumi smiles at her sisters, not quite believing what could happen
in one week. Akane happy, happier than she'd remember ever
seeing her and so openly in love. Nabiki changing, not quite so
obsessed with money and discovering parts of herself that Kasumi
had known existed. And herself...
Kasumi leaves the room as the others continue to sleep, wishing
only that her mother was still alive.
***************
Keiko and Midori both awaken at the sound of Kasumi closing the
door behind her. They sleepily get up and change into their gis. It
has been a week since they had a morning workout and it was time
to get started again. They shake Ayuki, but are waved off as the
purple-haired girl tries to snuggle deeper into the warmth of the
futon.
Midori taps her finger onto Ayuki's head.
Midori: "You're it!"
Ayuki's eyes snap open as her 'sisters' jump through the door and
into the hallway. She quickly puts on her own gi and follows them,
waking everyone else up.
***************
Kasumi hums softly to herself as she starts to prepare breakfast.
Midori and Keiko bounce by the doorway, laughing; they see her
and come back into the kitchen.
Keiko: "Do you need help, Kasumi?"
Kasumi: "I'm fine, Keiko. You go on playing."
Ayuki bounces into the kitchen and taps Midori.
Ayuki: "Ha! Easy tag!"
Midori: "Doesn't count! Doesn't count!"
Keiko: "That's right."
Ayuki: "Why not?"
Midori: "Auntie Kasumi's kitchen is a safe zone."
Keiko: [nodding] "Always has been."
Ayuki: [pouting] "That's not fair! I never had a Auntie Kasumi."
Ranma sleepily enters the kitchen to spy on breakfast. Midori
throws a glass of water on him, changing him into his female form.
Ayuki taps him on the head as she leaves, followed by Keiko and
Midori.
Ayuki: "Tag!"
Ranma: "What? Hey!"
Midori, Keiko, and Ayuki: [laughing] "No safe zones for daddy!"
Kasumi goes back to humming to herself.
***************
Ukyou enters Akane's room after a quiet knock at the door. Akane
is laying out some warm clothes for later on her bed.
Ukyou: "Thank you, Akane."
Akane: "For what, Ukyou?"
Ukyou: "For making me feel a part of your family."
>From outside the sounds of fighting can be heard.
***************
Ranma faces the three girls at cardinal points around the carp pond
as snow lightly falls around them. All four jump into the air at the
same time, blocking each other's punches and kicks as they grapple
in midair. They all land around the pond's edge and jump back
toward each other.
Keiko: "Daddy's still it!"
Ayuki: "He's soft from all that kissing with Akane."
Ranma: "And have you kissed Ryoga, yet?"
Ayuki blushes and Ranma manages to kick her into the pond.
Keiko and Midori fall to the ground laughing. When Ayuki
surfaces they both yell at her.
Midori and Keiko: "Sucker!"
Ayuki: "You're just jealous!"
***************
Ukyou: "Maybe I was wrong about me and Ranma not being Ran-
chan and Uk-chan any more. But I want to tell you
something, Akane."
Akane: "What is it?"
Ukyou: "If you and Ran-chan ever break up, I'm not going to wait."
Akane looks shocked, then slowly nods.
Akane: "I understand."
***************
Ryoga sleepily wanders through the house to go to the bathroom.
He opens the door and reaches for the faucet to wash his face. It
isn't there. Ryoga rubs his eyes and looks around, only to find
himself in a hotel lobby. He thought it was a little cold this
morning.
***************
Nodoka: "Hello, Kasumi. We're back."
Kasumi: "Just in time for breakfast, too. What's wrong with Mr.
Saotome?"
Nodoka: "Hunger, probably. We haven't eaten for days."
Kasumi: [giggling] "Auntie, you're terrible."
Nodoka: "Just let us get changed and we'll be right back. When are
we leaving?"
Kasumi: "We're supposed to leave at nine, but daddy hasn't come
back yet."
Nodoka: "Where did he go?"
Kasumi: "He got hit by a tranquilizer dart last night. Tofu said he'd
probably just sleep it off."
Nodoka calmly accepts the fact as something not out of the ordinary
for the dojo.
***************
Dr. Tofu: "Hello, everyone."
Dr. Tofu enters the living room carrying an unconscious Soun
piggyback and lays him on the floor. Kasumi stands from the
breakfast table and goes to kiss him.
Dr. Tofu: "He should be out until lunch."
Kasumi: "Good. That'll give us a chance for a walk in the park."
Dr. Tofu: "Right now? It's snowing. In Tokyo."
Kasumi: "We'll just dress warmer then. The falling snow will make
it so beautiful."
Kasumi takes Dr. Tofu by the arm and they leave the room.
Nodoka: "And what have the rest of you been doing since we've
been gone?"
***************
****************************finish Chapter 9, Part I