Well-- this isn't exactly my type of story (I like HAPPY ones...) but,
for some reason this guy isn't part on the ranma or fanifc list (I think?)
.. so I took it off RAAC and brought it to you.
Hope you find it interesting.
-Misa

Date: Sat, 20 Apr 1996 17:28:05 -0700 (PDT)
From: Marisa Dawn Price <marisa@gladstone.uoregon.edu>
X-Sender: marisa@gladstone
To: marisa@gladstone.uoregon.edu
Subject: [Fanfic]Taking things for granted[Ranma] (fwd)
X-Status: 



---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Sat, 20 APR 1996 08:00:30 GMT 
From: OneShot <mjs@ascensionet.com>
Newgroups: rec.arts.anime.creative
Subject: [Fanfic]Taking things for granted[Ranma] 

Jeffrey "OneShot" Wong


Ranma 1/2: Taking things for granted


(It is a beautiful late Saturday night. The moon is up in the star-filled
sky. We are in the Tendo's home, looking out towards the little pond in
the backyard. The house is quiet. Everyone is asleep. All of a sudden, 
a blue sphere appears in mid-air on top of the pond. We could see that 
there's something...or someone within it. The sphere stays like that for a 
few moments before is disappears, leaving whatever that was in it behind. 
It is a man. As figure falls into the pond and water splashes everywhere.
We then see the man, wearing a backpack, get up and step out of the pond. 
The camera takes a close-up of him. We realized that it's Ranma, soaking 
wet yet still in male form. But the looks different. He's actually several 
years older than the one we all know and love. He still looks exactly same 
except his body is a tad bit more muscular and honed. His eyes looked like 
they've seen too much. In his hand, he is holding the nanban mirror. We see 
him slip it into his shirt pocket and step out of the pond. He takes off 
his backpack and places it by the edge of the pond.)

Ranma:(Softly speaking to himself)Akane.....I love you.

(We see Ranma head into the house and head upstairs, still soaking wet. The
camera follows him as he walks down the hallway and stop in front of 
Akane's room. We see him hesitate for a minute, contemplating on knocking 
or not. After a few moments, he knocks.)

Akane:(Sleepily from behind the door)Who is it?

Ranma:(Softly)It's me, Ranma.

(Silence follows. After several minutes, we see the door open. Akane, 
dressed in her nightgown, which exposes too much shoulder, emerges. She 
looks at Ranma, but doesn't realize that he's an older one because it is 
dark out in the hallway. Besidez, this Ranma and the Ranma we know look
exactly the same.)

Akane:(Sleepy yet slightly angry)What do you want? Do you know what time it 
is?

(Ranma says nothing. All he does is look at Akane for several intense 
moments, regarding her intently, which seems to scare her.)

Akane:Are you okay? 

Ranma:(On the verge of crying)Can you please do me a favor?

Akane:What?

Ranma:(A tear fall from his eye)Can you please hug me?(Opens his arms 
up for an embrace)

(Akane notices how shaky Ranma's voice is. She then sees a tear flow from
his eye, glistening against the moonlite that shone through the hallway
window, falling to the floor. She realizes that Ranma was saying this with 
the utmost sincerity......and not joking around. She doesn't bother to ask 
any questions. Instead, she opens her arms and hugs him, not even bothered 
by the fact that he's soaking wet.)

Ranma:(Breaking down and crying)Akane, I've missed you. 

(Akane could feel Ranma's tears drop into her hair and delicate shoulders. 
He holds her tight, loving her embrace. Her head is pressed against his 
chest, where she could feel in steady heartbest.)

Akane:(Concerned)What's wrong? Are you alright?

Ranma:(Still crying as he held her)Please, let me hold you for just a 
little bit longer....please. It's all I ask for.

(Akane says nothing. Ranma and Akane stand there, in the middle of the 
night, holding each other. After a while, Ranma reluctantly releases his 
embrace with Akane.)

Ranma:(Softly in her ears)Akane, I love you. And I'll always love you. And 
don't you ever forget that. Please don't leave me.

Akane:I......uh......love....you....Ranma.

Ranma:I know that. I've always known that.

Akane:Ranma, are you okay?

Ranma:Yes.....I am now.

Akane:What happened to you? Why're you wet?

Ranma:(Softly)May I please come in? I would really like to talk to you. And
I've missed you so much.

Akane:(A little surprise)Uh....yes....sure. C'mon in.

(We see Akane and Ranma go into her room, closing the door behind them. 
Inside, we see Ranma getting out of his wet clothes, taking his shirt 
off so he wouldn't catch a cold.)

Akane:(Getting the wrong idea)Ranma, what're you doing?!?

Ranma:(Softly)I'm just taking my shirt off so I won't catch a cold. I hope
you don't mind.(Takes the shirt off and wraps it around the nanban mirror)

Akane:(Embarrassed)Oh.....

Ranma:(Sitting down in a chair)Akane, what I'm going to tell you is going 
to shock you. 

Akane:What is it, Ranma?

Ranma:(Takes a deep breath)I'm not the real Ranma you know.

Akane:What?!?

Ranma:Let me show you.(Gets up off the seat)

(Ranma gently takes hold of Akane's hand and proceeds towards the door. He
opens it and the two step out into the hallway. Ranma then takes her to
Ranma and Genma's room, stopping once they were outside the door.)

Ranma:Inside, you'll see me sleeping....the young me.

Akane:(Confused)Huh.

Ranma:Akane, I'm from the future. I traveled back in time to now.....where 
you're alive.

Akane:(Missing the second part)You're from the future? 

Ranma:(Silently opens the door)Take a look.

(Akane looks into the room. There she sees the Ranma she knows sleeping 
soundly on his back. Next to him, Genma's asleep also.)

Ranma:See.

Akane:(Totally confused)This is getting too weird.

Ranma:(Nudges at the sleeping Ranma)Here, I'll show you.

(Ranma wakes up)

Note:From here on, the Ranma who's from the future is going to be called 
OlderRanma. It will remain that way until mentioned of its change.

Ranma:(Waking up)What the?!?

(Ranma doesn't realize that he's talking to the older version of himself. 
The room was too dark for him to see how OlderRanma looked. He just assumed
that he's an intruder, a stranger in his room.)

OlderRanma:Ranma, let me explain before you jump to conclusions.

Ranma:(Notices the the intruder isn't wearing a shirt and is holding 
Akane's hand)What the hell were you doing with Akane?!?(Quickly gets out of 
his futon)

OlderRanma:(Trying to calm Ranma down before he wakes up the entire house)
Just calm down for a second. I'll explain everything.

Ranma:(Getting angry)Get your hands off her!(Slaps OlderRanma's hands off 
of Akane's)

(Ranma attacks OlderRanma with fierce intensity, sending hundreds of 
punches straight towards him. OlderRanma just stands there and lets every 
shot hit him. After several long moments, Ranma starts tiring out and stops
his attacks. After the attack, OlderRanma is still standing, almost 
unscathed, unhurt, not one bruise on his entire topless body or face.)

Ranma:(Shocked look on his face)How did you survive that? No one ever 
withstood so many of my punches and lived!

OlderRanma:(Getting angry)Ranma, you're still very arrogant you know. I 
can't believe I was this arrogant at your age.

(Ranma quickly releases a massive ki blast straight towards OlderRanma. 
OlderRanma raises a hand and swats the blast away like it was nothing. The
ki blasts gets deflected off of OlderRanma's arm and slams into the wall.
The wall collapses and a huge hole is left in the ki blast's path, 
overlooking the backyard. Genma is still sound asleep. Ranma has a look
of total disbelief as he looks at the hole. Akane is also looking out the
hole, not knowing what to say.)

OlderRanma:I'm sorry Akane, I'll pay for that.

Ranma:Hiyru shotenha.

(Ranma, seeing OlderRanma distracted, executes his whirlwind punch. The 
tornado totally envelops OlderRanma. The ceiling gets blown upward towards 
the sky, ripping a part of the roof off with it. Genma, who was still 
sleeping, gets caught in the punch and gets sent into orbit. He falls to
the earth and lands right in the pond. OlderRanma, who was totally 
enveloped, was still standing where he was before, totally unscathed after 
the massive blast subsided.)

Ranma:How did you survive that?!? That was the strongest blast I've ever 
thrown!

OlderRanma:(Starting to get annoyed)Are you through yet?!?

Ranma:No!(About to throw several hundred more punches)

(Before Ranma had a chance to attack again, OlderRanma lunges forward with 
one of his hands extended and grabs Ranma's arm at blinding speed, so fast 
that not even Ranma could react in time. With his other hand, OlderRanma 
grabs Ranma's neck and pushes him up against the wall, at least what's 
left of the wall.)

OlderRanma:(Holding Ranma)Look at me......I'm you.

(The moonlight that shone through the hole in the ceiling shines right on 
OlderRanma's face. Ranma's eyes immediately opens wide in disbelief. He
realizes he was looking right at himself. He looks into OlderRanma's eyes
and sees nothing but suffering and dispair.)

Ranma:I must be dreaming!

OlderRanma:Akane, can you please tell Ranma here that this is for real?

(Akane hestiates for a second, not believe all of this herself. She had 
seen a lot in her days, but this seemed to take the cake. After a few 
silent moments Akane speaks.)

Akane:Ranma,(Guestures to OlderRanma)....this is you.....from the future.

Ranma:What?!?

OlderRanma:(Releasing his hold of Ranma)I'm you......from the future. 

Ranma:(Fixing himself up)Why're you here?

OlderRanma:I just came here to stop something horrible before it happens.

(By now, Soun, Kasumi, and Nabiki enter the room, wondering what was all 
that racket that woke them up. When Soun enters the room first, he looks at
the two Ranmas in total disbelief, thinking that he was still dreaming.
The sight didn't seem to bother Kasumi one bit. Nabiki looked at the two
with keen fascination.)

OlderRanma:(Walks up to Kasumi and hugs her, tears in his eyes)Kasumi, it's
good to see you again after so many years....really good.

Soun:(Shocked)What happened here?!?

(Soun first looks through the hole in the wall towards the backyard and 
then looks up through the hole towards the sky)

OlderRanma:(Walks over an hugs Soun, glad to see him alive and well also)
Don't worry Mr. Tendo, I'll pay for it.

(Reaches into his pocket and pulls out a wadful of money, handing it all to 
Soun. Nabiki's eyes widen at the sight of so much money. There must've been
several hundred thousand yen in his hand.)

OlderRanma:(Takes out even more money and hands it to Nabiki)Here Nabiki, 
this money won't matter to me after a short time.(He gently hugs her like 
he hugged Soun)

Nabiki:(Gives OlderRanma a suspicious look as she gently returns the 
embrace)Why won't it matter anymore?

OlderRanma:(Fighting back tears)Because.............I'm dying.

(We are looking towards the Tendo's home. It's Sunday morning now. The 
camera pans upward and shows us that the upper corner of the house is still
in need of some repair. The walls and roof had been repaired but need 
resurfacing. The camera zooms forward and is lifted to the sky for an
overhead view of the house. It then zooms in and moves into the diningroom,
where everyone is eating breatfast. OlderRanma is sitting at the head of 
the table, being barraged with a series of questions. But that doesn't 
bother him, not as long as he's near Akane.)

OlderRanma:Okay, its a long story. I'm from five years in the future...

Nabiki:That's starange, you don't look any older than Ranma from this 
time.

OlderRanma:Please, let me continue.

Nabiki:Sorry.

OlderRanma:Anyway, I'm from five years in the future and I traveled back in
time to now, through the use of this nanban mirror(Takes mirror out of
pocket), which I easily beat out of Happousei. The reason why I came to 
this time is beacuse Akane and all of you are going to die of a horrible 
fate not too long from now. I'm here to stop that from happening.

Ranma:Well, because you're here telling this to us, doesn't that already 
change the outcome of what's going on?

OlderRanma:Yes, it should.....but I'm going to stay here to make sure it 
doesn't happen. Akane will die by the hands of a god-like entity, named 
Kythen. Now, as to your wondering on why I'm so skilled in martial 
arts........after Akane died(His face saddens)I focused on nothing else 
but my training to avenge Akane's death. And it took me five years before I
managed to become strong enough to defeat him. I had trained in the 
mountains around China the entire time, living a life of pure solitude. I 
trained with no one else but myself, training every day, honing my skills 
and techniques. After five years, when I was finally satisfied that I was 
strong enough to defeat Kythen, I left the mountains and headed for Nerima, 
where he resides and was born. He was born here beacause of Happousei's
confounded meddling with the unknown.(Turns to Ranma)You know what I'm 
talking about Ranma......Well, as I headed for Japan, I accidentally
stumbled upon the Jysenkyo. There, I found the Nannichuan.

Ranma:You did?!?

OlderRanma:Yes.

Ranma:You didn't happen to bring any of it with you?

OlderRanma:(Takes out two flasks from his backpack)Yes, I figured you would 
ask for this. Here you go.(Hands one to Ranma and another to Genma)

(Genma and Ranma both open the flasks and quickly pour the water on top of 
their heads. Once the flasks emptied out, Genma and Ranma both ran up to 
the pond and zealously jumped in. They resurfaced in their original male 
forms. The two of them jump around in glee before they ran back up to
the diningroom to listen in on the rest of the story.)

OlderRanma:Anyway, after a found the Nannichuan, and turned myself into a 
permanent male of course, I continued on towards Nerima. On my way here,
I met Ryoga and finally befriended him, I gave him the Nannichuan so..

Akane:Why would Ryoga need the Nannichuan, he doen't have a curse?

OlderRanma:....Uh...he told me he needed it for a friend.(Winks at Ranma 
when Akane or anybody else wasn't looking)From there, Ryoga and I 
traveled down to Nerima where we both fought Kythen. The two of us worked 
together and managed to overcome him....but at a cost. Ryoga died saving 
my life.

Kasumi:Oh my! How horrible!

OlderRanma:(Tears slowly starting to form)Ryoga had died in vain because
during the battle, Kythen injected a extremely toxic poison into my body
right before he died. In his last dying words, he told me I had two weeks 
to live before I died. The first day I spend mourning Ryoga's death. And 
after that I went to every hospital in Japan, hoping they could find the 
cure. I spent three days doing that, all coming out with the same 
results, an "unknown toxin" that surged through my blood.

Soun:Did they give you a blood transfusion?

OlderRanma:Yes they did....and I almost died because of that. I spent 
another day in recovery before I was strong enough to move. By now, I only
had nine days left before I die. I felt it was useless trying to prevent 
the inevitable so I decided to go out looking for Happousei. It took me
three days before I managed to find that little hentai. I literally beat 
him into giving me the nanban mirror so I can travel back to this time.
But before I can back to this time, I killed him.....because everything was 
his fault.

Genma:What happened to the future us while you were in the mountains 
training?

OlderRanma:(Fighting back tears)You.....you all died! Every one of you!
I found this house leveled to the ground. Shampoo's Nekohanten was 
destroyed, burned to the ground. Ukyou's store was just gone....totally 
wiped out.

Ranma:Maybe they survived and fled?

OlderRanma:No.....they didn't. I later on found all of your graves in a 
nearby graveyard....Mousse...Shampoo.....Ukyou....Soun....Dad.....
Nabiki.....Kasumi.....Kuno....everyone. Maybe it was just a coincidence, 
but I noticed that all of those graves were centered around Akane's grave, 
who was the first one to have died.

Akane:We were all killed by Kythen?

OlderRanma:Yes.

Akane:Who is he?

OlderRanma:It's not 'who' but 'what' is he? All I know was that he an 
entity.....like a spirit that took on a human form. If I'm not mistaken, 
I'd say he was the devil.

Akane:How many more days do you have left to live?

OlderRanma:(Thinks for a second)I only have five more days left.

Kasumi:Oh my! That's it?

OlderRanma:Yes, that's it.

Ranma:And when will this Kythen come about?

OlderRanma:Happousei will call him forth tonight.

(Just as OlderRanma finshes his story, Happousei drops into the backyard 
carrying a bagful of panties that he collected from his overnight panty 
raids. OlderRanma quickly spots him and proceeds towards the little hentai,
rage in his eyes.)

OlderRanma:It was all your fault! I'm going to kill you before it all 
happens!

Happousei:(Innocently)What did I do?(Throws a bomb right into OlderRanma's
hands)

(A massive explosion occurs, shaking the very foundation of the house. The
explosion totally engulfs OlderRanma. Happousei happily hops towards the 
house until he sees Ranma in the diningroom.)

Happousei:(Comfused)How did you do that?

(The smoke behind Happousei clears off, to reveal a glowing red OlderRanma. 
In one swift move, OlderRanma runs forward and grabs Happousei by his back 
collar and lifts him up off the ground. He turns the little pervert towards 
him and reachs into his pockets, taking out another bomb and holding it out 
in front of Happousei.)

OlderRanma:(Holding Happopusei in one hand and the bomb in the other)C'mon
....I dare you.........light this.

(Happousei happily complies and lights the bomb, expecting his opponent
to freak out and run away. But he didn't. OlderRanma continued on holding
the bomb.)

Happousei:(Sweating)Ranma! What're you doing!?! You're gonna get both of us 
killed!

OlderRanma:No.....you're the one whose going to die!

(Happousei kicks OlderRanma in the face, expecting him to drop him from the 
pain. But the attack has no effect. It didn't even faze him.)

Happousei:(Crying out)Let go of me!!!(Drops his panty bags and starts 
clawing at Ranma for his life)

OlderRanma:(Smiling)No! You're going to die right now!

Akane:(Starting to get nervous)Uh....I think you scared the little hentai 
enough.

OlderRanma:(Smiling wryly)Who says I'm trying to scare him?

(The fuse is almost finished. The bomb is going to explode at any second)

Akane:Ranma, let him go! He's learned his lesson!

Ranma:I think he should kill the little lech!

Akane:Ranma! Please let him go!

(OlderRanma gives in to Akane's pleads. Instead of letting him die by his 
own bomb, OlderRanma threw happousei with all his might into the outer wall
of the house. Happousei crashed up against the wall with such intensity 
that the wall collapsed in on Happousei, burying him under a pile of 
rubble. OlderRanma then turns his attention to the lit bomb. In one swift
motion, he launches it high into the sky where it explodes. After a few 
moments, OlderRanma walks up to Happousei and picks him back up.)

OlderRanma:I suggest you not try anything funny tonight.....otherwise your
going to seriously regret it!

(Everybody watches from the diningroom as OlderRanma places his hand over
Happousei's face and then slam the back of his head into the ground, 
leaving him partially implanted, and totally unconscious.)

OlderRanma:(Turns to everyone)I hope that's enough to stop Kythen from 
coming about.

Ranma:(Looking at OlderRanma in awe)Wow, I can't believe you took a blast 

>from the old lech's bomb and didn't even flinch. I always get hurt when 

that happens to me

OlderRanma:(Almost disdainful)You have no clue just how strong I am, do 
you?

Ranma:I guess you're very strong considering you withstood three of my most
powerful forms of attacks.

OlderRanma:Let me show you,(Guestures for Ranma to come out into the 
backyard)

Ranma:What do you want to show me?

OlderRanma:You see those clouds up there?(Points to some clouds way up in 
the sky)How high would you say they are up there...a mile....two miles?

Ranma:(Looking up)At least a two miles. Why?

OlderRanma:Hiyru Shotenha!

(OlderRanma releases a massive tornado towards the heavens. Ranma watches 
as the whilrwind extends all the way up into the sky and strike the clouds.
The clouds shutter for a second and then explodes into millions of 
particles of gas.)

OlderRanma:(Smiles)How's that? 

(It is now noontime. The sun is at it highest point in the sky and is
slowly starting its descent. We are in front of the Tendo's home where 
everyone finishing their lunch. Genma and Soun go off to play their
usual game of shogi. Nabiki head off to the livingroom to watch some TV,
while Kasumi is busy cleaning the dishes in the kitchen. OlderRanma, Ranma,
and Akane were the only ones left still in the diningroom. Its seems that 
OlderRanma is slowly eating his meal, enjoying one of Kasumi's meals after
so many years. Ranma and Akane both watch, thinking of more questions to 
ask him, coming up with nothing interesting.)

Ranma:How come you eat so slow?

OlderRanma:(Savoring the taste)I'm just trying to enjoy a nice meal cooked
by Kasumi. Remember, I haven't eaten one of her meals for more than five 
years.(Slowly continues on eating)

(After about a half an hour, OlderRanma finally finishes his meal.)

OlderRanma:(Calling out to Kasumi in the kitchen)Kasumi! I love your 
cooking!

Kasumi:(Calling back)Thank you.

(Once finished with his meal, OlderRanma collects the plates and heads 
into the kitchen to hand them to Kasumi, and maybe help her out while he 
was at it.)

Akane:(Looks at Ranma)I can't believe how much the future you is so much 
different from what you are now.

Ranma:He's kind of cute, isn't he?

Akane:Yeah....(Sees Ranma grinning)Wait a minute! I was talking about him,
not you!

Ranma:(Grins)But he is me....in the future. So that means you think I'm 
cute.

Akane:...............

OlderRanma:(Coming back out of the kitchen)Do you happen to know where 
Ryoga is?

Ranma:No....he's probably lost somewhere.

OlderRanma:Can we go visit Shampoo and Ukyou? I really miss them....(Sees
Akane getting angry)...uh...not as much as I missed you of course!

Ranma:We can go see them now if you'd like.

OlderRanma:Good, lets get going then.

(OlderRanma, Ranma, and Akane leave the house, all headed towads town, 
their first stop, Ukyou's. As they continue down the street, OlderRanma 
seems to be enjoying the sights of cars as they go whizzing by and the 
buliding they pass. Both Ranma and Akane notice this.)

Akane:What do you find so fascinating about those cars?

OlderRanma:If you'd really like to know.....in my future, the entire 
country was destroyed. All the buildings were either burned to the ground 
or destroyed completely. Every here and there, you would see bonfires
of what remains of those buildings. But here, everything is so......
soothing and relaxing.

Ranma:What's so soothing about this city? It's busy, crowded, and it's
noisy.

OlderRanma:It's the fact that there is a city to walk through is soothing 
to me.

Ranma:..................

Akane:..................

(As the two continue down the street, Kuno pops out of nowhere, his bokken
raised.)

Kuno:Alas, I have found you Ranma(Notices two Ranmas instead of one)What 
is this, some kind of illusion?!?

OlderRanma:Kuno-sempei, it's been a long time.(Walks up to Kuno and pats 
him on the shoulder)How about a handshake?

Kuno:(Bokken raised and ready for attack)I will not fall for your 
trickery! Prepare to be pummeled!(Lunges at OlderRanma and slashes downward 
at him)

(Before the bokken had a chance to hit him, OlderRanma extends one of his
arms forward and catches the blade between his index finger and middle 
finger. OlderRanma stands there for a second, smiling as Kuno tries to pull 
his booken away. OlderRanma then closes the two fingers completely, causing
the bokken to break into two to pieces, Kuno holding the hilt while 
OlderRanma held the blade.)

OlderRanma:All I want is a handshake.(Extends one of his hands forward 
non-threateningly)

Ranma:(Step forward, rasing one of his sleeves)If you don't hit him, then I
will!

Akane:(Grabs Ranma by the arm)Stop that, leave him and Kuno alone!

OlderRanma:Well, Kuno-sempei, how about that handshake?(His hands still 
extended)

(Kuno hesitates for a second, figuring it was another one of Ranma's 
tricks. But as he looks into OlderRanma's eyes, he sees sincerity and 
utmost respect. Since he was a warrior, Kuno had no problems expressing
respect to the one who respected him.....even if it was Ranma. The two 
shake hands.)

Kuno:You have changed, Ranma.

OlderRanma:(Smiles)I know.....all for the better.

(The two release handshakes and bow to each other.)

OlderRanma:It's been nice seeing you Kuno-sempei.(Hands him his blade)

Kuno:.................

(OlderRanma continues on down the street, leaving a very baffled Kuno 
behind. Ranma and Akane, who all watched this happened, sprinted forward 
and ran past Kuno without him even noticing. We then see Ranma turn back 
around and walk up to Kuno....and punt him into orbit.)

(We are now in front of Ukyou's. We see the three walk up to the store and 
stop just short of entering. OlderRanma seems very hesitant about 
entering.)

Ranma:What's wrong?

OlderRanma:I don't know if I can go in there. I was devestated when I saw 
her grave. If that ever happened to you, you'll know what I mean.(Notices
Akane's visage sadden)Don't worry Akane, if your Ranma saw your grave like 
I have, he would be devestated also.....I know I was.

(At the sound of that, Akane brightened up slightly, but her visage 
saddened again when she realized she was being selfish. She never realized
how Ranma would feel if she ever......died. She knew she would be 
devestated if she found out one of her old friends had died.)

Ranma:You seem sad, Akane. Are you all right?

Akane:(About to cry)Ranma, please don't die on me!

Ranma:(Embraces her)Don't worry, I won't.

OlderRanma:(Takes in a deep breath)Well, I guess I should go in now. I 
really want to see Ukyou again. I've missed her terribly. Lets go.

(The three enter Ukyou's. The inside was busy at the time. We see Ukyou
busy cooking a okonomiyaki for one of her customers. She looks up a see 
Ranma first, and doesn't realize that the other Ranma stood right 
behind him.)

Ranma:Hi Ucchan, how's everything going?

Ukyou:Hi Ran-chan. Everything's going great!(Guestures to an open seat)
Please, have a seat.(Notices Akane)Hi Akane.

(Ranma and Akane walk on over to a nearby table and get seated, leaving 
OlderRanma standing there, regarding Ukyou)

OlderRanma:Hi Ucchan.

Ukyou:Ranma?!?(Looks at OlderRanma, then at Ranma, and then back at 
OlderRanma)What's going on here?!?

OlderRanma:Before I explain this to you, can I please have a hug?(Extends
arms forward invitingly)

(Ukyou looks over towards the Ranma sitting at the table and sees him nod 
towards her, telling her to go on and hug him. She does so.)

OlderRanma:(Embracing Ukyou all the while breaking down and crying)How I've 
missed you so much, Ucchan!

(The two hold each other for a moment, Ukyou not knowing what to do except
hug back. After several moments, she feels a tear drop on her shoulder,
right where OlderRanma buried his head. She looks at him as he lifts his 
head and sees tears flowing down his cheeks. Although he was crying, he was
shedding tears of joy, joy for being able to see Ukyou after many years.)

OlderRanma:(Fighting back his tears)Before you say anything, let me tell 
you that I am indeed Ranma.....just not the Ranma you know. I came from the
future, a future where you died (Breaks don't crying again)

(Ukyou looks into OlderRanma's eyes and sees his sincerity. She then 
kindly returns the embrace. After several long minutes, OlderRanma releases
his embrace.)

OlderRanma:(Wiping the tears from his eyes)I'll explain everything......do
you think you could take a little break?

Ukyou:(Softly)Of course.

(Time passes by as we see Ranma, OlderRanma, Akane, and Ukyou all sitting 
in the same table. We see OlderRanma exlaining to Ukyou about his life and 
how he had to go on living alone, without anybody around to be with him. He 
explained of what had happened to his world and the mass destruction Kythen 
had cause all over Japan. The one part he had trouble with was telling her 
on how he found her grave and realized that she had died. He explained on
his reasons for being back, to stop everything before it happens. The one
thing he never told her was that he was slowly dying. He didn't have the
heart to tell her.)

Ukyou:So now that you stopped Happousei from calling forth this Kythen 
thing, what're you going to do?

OlderRanma:I'm just going to visit all the people I've lost because of
him.(Thinking)And afterwards.....I can die happy.

Ranma:Ukyou, you didn't happen to have seen Ryoga around, have you?

Ukyou:Yes, he stopped by here looking for you, Ranma.......I mean the one
who's from this time. I think he was headed towards the Nekohanten.

OlderRanma:(Getting out of his seat)I must go find him!(Turns to Ukyou and
hugs her one last time)Ukyou, it's been great seeing after so many years.

Ranma:I guess we better get going now. I'll see you later, Ukyou.

Akane:Bye Ukyou. It's been nice seeing you.

(The three leave Ukyou's and head off in the direction of the Nekohanten.
It is now getting close to dark. The sun is just about to set and is very
low in the sky. The sky above the sun glows in a beautiful hue of orange,
which is quite an excellent sight to behold. We see the three walking down
the street towards the Nekohanten. As they continue to walk, a begger walks
up to them. Akane and Ranma watch as OlderRanma reacts.)

Begger:(Holds out a cup)Can you please spare money for the poor?

OlderRanma:Here(Reaches into his pocket and pulls out a huge wad of money)I
hope that's enough.(Places it in the cup)

Begger:(Eyes widening)Thank you, sir! Thank you!(Heads off down the street)

Ranma:(Walking alongside OlderRanma)You sure don't mind giving all your 
money away, do you?

OlderRanma:The money's going to be useless to me a few days from now.

Akane:How come?

OlderRanma:Remember.......I only have several days to live.

(It is now dusk. The stars are slowly starting to pop up in the clear sky.
We are in front of the Nekohanten, where we see OlderRanma, Ranma, and
Akane. OlderRanma is looking up at the sky, enjoying its scenery. After
having lived in a future that was destroyed, OlderRanma had finally taken
everything for granted. Now that he has a second chance, he was enjoying 
everything around him.)

OlderRanma:(Looking up towards the sky)Isn't it just beautiful out 
tonight? 

Ranma:Yeah, so what about it? 

OlderRanma:Ranma, if you ever came with me to my future Japan, I promise 
you, you'll learn to appreciate the finer things in life. For many years,
I couldn't see the stars because they were covered behind a dark cloud that 
always loomed over Japan. The sky is always dark, and I sometimes never see 
the sun.(Takes a deep breath)You smell that air. In my future, if you 
inhale it in too much, you will become horribly sick and may even die.

Akane:We never realized just how many things we take for granted.

OlderRanma:Neither do you two realize how many people you take for granted
also.......especially each other.

(Akane and Ranma both look at each other for a moment, letting OlderRanma's
words of wisdom sink in. Ranma slowly started realizing just how his life
might be without Akane.)

OlderRanma:Ranma, you must be wondering on just how you're life will turn
out without Akane, right?

(Ranma nods)

OlderRanma:Well, look at me...(Points to himself)...I'm what's left of you
five years after Akane dies. I may be extremely powerful and strong, but
I'll give everything up just to be able to be with you, Akane.

(A tear forms around Akane's eyes. His words were so sincere that it tore 
at her beacuse she knew that OlderRanma was the by-product of her death. 
She didn't want Ranma going through what OlderRanma went through, living 
a life full of regret, regret of having taken her for granted.)

OlderRanma:Don't worry, you already have a head start in realizing how much
you take each other for granted. Look at yourselves, you no longer fight 
and argue against one another.

Ranma:I guess you're right.(Smiles at Akane, who smiles back)

OlderRanma:Lets go in, I want to see Shampoo again. Ranma, can Akane and I 
go in first and you wait out here for a minute?

Ranma:Okay, if you insist.

(The two enter into the Nekohanten. Inside, we see that the shop is busy.
It is filled with people. There are few open seats. Shampoo in waiting on 
tables, taking orders, while Mousse is in the kitchen cooking the food. 
Shampoo quickly notices OlderRanma and Akane, and run up to them. Just as 
she was about to lunge forward and hug OlderRanma, who she thinks is Ranma, 
she expected Ranma to try and resist. Either that, or Akane stepping out in 
between her and Ranma. But that never happened. OlderRanma lunges forward, 
arms extended and picks Shampoo up in a tight embrace, her legs leaving the 
ground. At this point, Shampoo was expecting Akane to try and knock her 
lights out. But that never happened either. Akane watches Shampoo's facial 
expression change from delight to surprise to suspicion. Akane is busy 
trying to surpress a giggle.)

OlderRanma:Shampoo, it's good to see you.(Hugs her tighter)

Shampoo:Shampoo happy that you happy to see Shampoo.(Hugs back)

OlderRanma:Good, let's keep it that way.(Continues to hold her)

Shampoo:(Glaring at Akane)What about Akane?

OlderRanma:(Softly in her ear)Please don't speak. Let me enjoy this for one 
more moment.

(After several moments, OlderRanma releases his hold on Shampoo.)

OlderRanma:Shampoo, I have something to explain to you. But you must listen 
first.

Shampoo:Shampoo listening.

OlderRanma:I'm not the Ranma you know.

Shampoo:(Confused)Huh?

OlderRanma:I figured you'd be confused.(Turns around)Ranma, can you please
come in?

(Ranma enters the Nekohanten. Shampoo's eyes widen as her gaze moves from 
OlderRanma to Ranma, and back to OlderRanma.)

Shampoo:What going on here?

OlderRanma:(Places a hand on Ranma's shoulder and the other on Akane's)
Ranma and Akane here will explain to you about who I am. But first, may I
please see Mousse?

Shampoo:(Slightly confused)Uh....okay?

(OlderRanma proceeds towards the kitchen as Ranma and Akane start 
explaining to Shampoo about who OlderRanma really was and where he came 
from. After few moments, we see Shampoo feeling very confused. Ranma and 
Akane both take Shampoo to one of the few open seat, where they sit down 
and start explaining everything over again.)

(Inside the kitchen, we see Mousse busy cooking a meal. Cologne is nowhere
around, having gone off to make a delivery. We see OlderRanma enter the 
room and walk right up to Mousse.)

OlderRanma:Mousse.

Mousse:(Pulls down his glasses)Ranma, what are you doing here?!?

OlderRanma:Mousse, it's great seeing you again.

Mousse:What's going on here?

OlderRanma:Do you have a minute?

Mousse:(Continues cooking)Not really. I have a lot of orders to prepare.

OlderRanma:Okay, I'll help you out. 

(We see OlderRanma take a apron off of a nearby hook and place it on. 
Mousse watches as he opens a few cabinet draws looking for some pots. After 
a few moments, OlderRanma finds the right draw and takes out a large pot.
He walks over to the sink with the pot and places it in it and turns the
water on. As the water slowly starts filling the pot up, OlderRanma turns
his attention to Mousse, who was regarding him with slight amusement.)

OlderRanma:First off, I want to tell you that I'm not the Ranma you know.

Mousse:(Returning to his cooking)I could see that! The real Ranma would 
never help me out!

OlderRanma:Well, that should've given it away also. Anyway, I'm from the 
future....a future where you and everybody else are dead.

Mousse:(Stopping whatever he was doing and now totally confused)What? 

OlderRanma:(Turning the water off and picking the pot of water up)To put it
in simple terms....in the future, you and everybody else are dead. I just 
came back here to stop that from happening(Places pot on stove and turns 
on the fire)And now that I did....I'm here to meet you guys one last time.

Mousse:What do you mean one last time?

OlderRanma:In a few days from now, I'm going to die. I just wanted to see 
some people I haven't seen for many years before that happens. Can you 
please take a break?

Mousse:I guess I can. Besides, that old goul isn't here to tell me what to 
do.

(The two exit the kitchen. Outside, they spot Shampoo, Ranma, and Akane.)

OlderRanma:(Noticing the shocked look on Mousse's face)Oh yeah......
there's also two of me.

(It is now night time. It's pretty much closing time for the Nekohanten.
All the customers are gone and the store is empty except for Ranma, Mousse,
OlderRanma, and Akane. The five are seated in a table.)

OlderRanma:So that was why I came back.......to stop everything before it 
happened.

Mousse:But now that you stopped it, what're you going to do? Are you going 
back to the future again or are you staying here?

OlderRanma:Me. I'm going to stay here....so I can spend my last few days 
with friends.

Shampoo:What about your friends back in fututre?

OlderRanma:(Sad)Friends? I have no friends in my future.....they all died..
....all of them.

Shampoo:(Sympathetic)Shampoo so sorry.

Mousse:(Also sympathetic)I'm sorry to here that Ranma.

OlderRanma:Don't worry about me....I'll be with them very soon.

(The door opens and in walks Ryoga)

Ryoga:Hah!...I finally found you Ranma! Did you actually think you could 
have ever escape me!(Notices two Ranmas)What the?

OlderRanma:(Barely recognizing him)Ryoga, is that really you?

Ranma:Yup, that's Ryoga.

(OlderRanma gets up out of his seat and walks over to Ryoga, regarding him
intently, not believing how different he looked now. In the future, Ryoga
looked totally different. He no longer sported that yellow/black bandana of 
his and his hair had grown long, all the way down to his shoulders.)

OlderRanma:It's good to see you again, my friend.

Ryoga:What's going on here?!?

(OlderRanma lunges forward and grabs hold of Ryoga, hugging him tightly,
glad to see his best and only friend from the future. Ryoga tries to push
OlderRanma away with all his strength, but couldn't. For some reason, 
OlderRanma didn't want to let go of him. Ryoga was about out attempt to 
knock OlderRanma's lights out, if that was possible, but stopped when he 
heard a small sobbing noise come from OlderRanma's lips. Ryoga then felt
his yellow sleeveless shirt get wet and realized that OlderRanma was 
crying. Ryoga was overwhelmed with a sense of guilt. Was he the one who 
made Ranma cry? Why was he crying? Ryoga noticed that something about 
OlderRanma changed but couldn't quite put a finger on it. Not until he 
looked into his eyes. Ryoga realized that this Ranma wasn't the Ranma he
knew. He saw sadness and regret in those eyes of his.)

OlderRanma:(Smiling slightly as he released his hold of Ryoga)You may not 
believe this, Ryoga, but you are the soul reason why I am still alive right 
now.

Ryoga:(Sees the sincerity in OlderRanma's words)I do believe you....I do.

OlderRanma:Do you want to know why?

Ryoga:Yes.

OlderRanma:Lets have a seat first(Guestures towards the table)

(The time passes as OlderRanma explains to Ryoga on how he befriended him 
on his way to Nerima, and on how they fought together against Kythen. He
spoke to him of how heroic he was in saving him, something OlderRanma will 
always remember. But when OlderRanma started telling of how he died trying 
to save him, he started to slowly break down. Akane gently palced a hand 
over OlderRanma's shoulder, comforting him. Ryoga that night, lost all of 
his hatred towards Ranma. Those words he heard coming from OlderRanma's 
lips, he believed with all his heart.....not beacuse he wanted to, but 
because he knew they were true, simply by the way OlderRanma spoke those 
few words to him.)

OlderRanma:(Standing up and giving Ryoga one last hug)Ryoga, it's been 
nice seeing you again....even if you don't really know who I am. But keep 
in mind that I'll always remeber what you did for me.

Ryoga:Thanks(Returns the embrace)

OlderRanma:(Turns to Shampoo)Shampoo, please take care of yourself. I don't
want the younger me suffering through the same thing I suffered through.
(Extendes his arms forward for a hug)

Shampoo:Shampoo promise(Returns the hug)

OlderRanma:(Turns to Mousse)Mousse, please take care of Shampoo.(Extends 
his arms forward for a hug also)And don't you die on me.

Mousse:(Smiles as he hugs back)Don't worry Ranma-kun, I won't.

Ranma:Bye Mousse. Bye Ryoga. By Shampoo.

Akane:Bye everyone, we'll see you soon.

(The three leave the Nekohanten and start heading towards home. After 
several minutes of walking, we see OlderRanma realize something and turn 
around and head back towards the Nekohanten, leaving Ranma and Akane 
alone.)

Ranma:What do you think he went back for?

Akane:I don't know.

(Inside the Nekohanten, we see Ryoga packing his backpack up, readying 
himself to go off on another journey. Shampoo and Mousse are busy sweeping 
up the floors. We see OlderRanma enter the store.)

OlderRanma:Mousse, Ryoga, I have something to give you.

Ryoga:(Stops what he's doing and walks up to OlderRanma)What is it?

OlderRanma:(Reaches into his pocket and produces two flasks)This is for 
you.(Hand Ryoga and Mousse each a flask)

Mousse:What is it?

OlderRanma:It's the Nannichuan. Think of it as my last gift to you...
(Thinking)....before I die.

(With that said, OlderRanma turns around and leaves the Nekohanten once 
again. He walks down the street alone, silently crying to himself. He 
realized just how much he missed everyone. His tears glistened against 
the moonlight as they fell from his chin onto the concrete ground. As he
walks, he looks up ahead and sees Ranma and Akane waiting up for him.)

OlderRanma:Ranma, Akane, lets go home.

(That night, as OlderRanma, Akane, and Ranma headed home, Happousei was 
busy meddling with the unknown, seeking revenge on Ranma. It seems that 
the little pervert didn't heed OlderRanma's warnings.)

(It's a beautiful Monday morning, just two days after OlderRanma appeared.
The sun is still low in the sky. We are in front of the Tendo home looking
towards the pond in the backyard. There, we see OlderRanma looking into the 
pond with a sad inpression on his face. Everyone else is eating breakfast,
Nabiki, Akane, and Ranma are eating faster becauase they are getting ready 
for school. We watch OlderRanma stand there for several long moments, not
saying a word. We then see him turn around and head into to house, sitting
down in the diningroom where he begins eating.)

Akane:Are you all right?

OlderRanma:(Slowly eating)I'm fine. It's just that I've been thinking.

Marisa Price
marisa@gladstone.uoregon.edu
http://gladstone.uoregon.edu/~marisa/
Member of COR and UDIC.
Anime otaku forever, Medieval Studies and English major.