"Who's life is it, anyway?"
a
Beware of Falling Objects
production
in association with the creative genius who is
Andrew Stodden
Author's foreweird: I actually don't have much to say, text within [ and ]
denotes scene descriptions for the most part, but a lot of other stuff ends up
there as well, so they cannot be skipped when reading this story. Any text
within < and > denotes when we would, if this were an actual anime, hear
the character speaking his or her thoughts for the benefit of the viewing
audience. This is not a lemon fanfic, nor even a comedy. Any humorous
situations are purely the result of the reader's upbringing and are not my
responsibility, although they may be my intention. Punctuation is transient,
and balloons are evil, EVIL!
"Forged on the anvils of Hell. Metal, tempered by the burning of two souls."
-*CHAPTER ONE: The needs of the one, outweigh the needs of the many.*-
[scene: STILL: late evening, looking down over Ranma-chan's shoulder, she
is leaning against a tree, wearing her regular red top with wooden tie's and
dark colored pants, something seems wrong with her clothes but we can't
tell what. She is sitting with her legs loosely crossed at the ankles, her
hands laying on her knees, palms up, fingers curled like she is trying to
make fists and cannot. Her head is bowed down and to the right. ACTION: We
hear someone approaching and the rustle of leaves in the breeze. Ranma-chan's
pig-tail shifts slightly in the wind. We see Akane's right shoulder appear in
the shot.]
Akane: Ranma? Is that you?
[Ranma-chan shifts slightly, maybe in acknowledgment, we can't tell.]
Akane: It is you! What are you doing here?
[Ranma-chan shifts again, her fingers flexing, this time coming closer to
making fists but still not succeeding.]
Akane: Hmf! Well if you're just going to sit there I'm leaving!
[Akane's shoulder shifts as she turns to leave, it is almost out of the shot.]
Ranma-chan: There were only five of them, you know.
[Akane starts and turns back, it is not Ranma-chan's normal voice she
hears, this is distant, quiet, like the words are there only because they are
demanded, not because of any will to say them.]
Akane: What are you talking about only five of them? Why are you here?
Ranma-chan: I wasn't paying attention, because nothing could touch me,
nobody was better.
[Akane kneels down next to Ranma-chan, the camera pans a little bit left to
see her face, and zooms out to keep Ranma-chan centered in the shot. She
notices the odd look to Ranma-chan's clothes, and her eyes squint down a
bit in the post dusk light, but she cannot see what is exactly wrong.]
Ranma-chan: Two of them grabbed my arms, another two my legs. I tried to
break their grip, but this body isn't as strong as my male one.
[Akane's eyes narrow a bit further, more in confusion than trying to see
better.]
Ranma-chan: They were just common thugs, not even trained in any martial
arts, but they were strong enough to hold me.
[Akane's eyes widen a bit and the corners of her mouth pull down almost
imperceptibly.]
Ranma-chan: The fifth one stepped in closer. He grabbed my belt, and
ripped it, tearing my pants all the way down one leg.
[Akane's eyes have widened until they almost swallow her face, the only
other feature visible is her mouth, moving as though to form words, but she
makes no sound.]
Ranma-chan: When...
[Ranma-chan's hands tighten into fists, but are shaking so badly as to be
useless]
Ranma-chan: W-When......
[Akane begins to shake her head, slowly, almost without any motion at all,
from side to side.]
Ranma-chan: A...A-After, he went to take my leg from his friend. His
friend smiled at him, and loosened his hold a little bit, just enough. I swung
my leg free and kicked him, then kicked my other leg free. I brought my
knee up, smashing my right hand free. I twisted out off the hold on my left
hand.
[Akane manages a word but it is even quieter than Ranma-chan's voice.]
Akane: ...no...
[Ranma-chan turns to Akane, and for the first time we can see her face. Her
eyes are red rimmed, and almost as large as Akane's, but the fires which
burned there, full of pride, ego, and confidence, are gone. Her face looks
lifeless, and the tracks left by tears stand out as the only motion, glinting in
the light of the newly risen moon. We see her mouth open.]
Ranma-chan: When I fight someone, I'm mostly angry, with a tingling in
my fingers, a hint of nerves that helps keep me on edge. I was angry, they
had... hurt... me enough for that, but I ran.
[Ranma-chan shifts again, looking up at the moon, her torn shirt falls open,
revealing her right breast through the rip in the shirt. There is a large, hand
shaped bruise, like somebody had grabbed the flesh, and squeezed very
hard.]
Ranma-chan: There was no tingling in my fingers though, no hint of nerves.
There was fear.... it oozed out of my bones, crept up and stopped my heart.
It was all I could do to run, to make myself even move. I thought, if I ran
hard enough, maybe I would leave the fear behind. If I ran hard enough,
maybe nobody would see the shame. But the fear.. the... hurt.. was always
there, ahead of me at the next corner, behind the next sign, in the next
shadow. I was wrong, I couldn't do anything, I couldn't fight this, it wasn't
even a battle I could understand.
[Akane's face is a mask of shock, tears brimming in her eyes, but none have
fallen. Ranma-chan turns to face Akane, a quizzical look coming to her face.
When she speaks, it is the voice of a young girl, who has seen something she
knows is a very great injustice, but cannot figure out exactly what it is.]
Ranma-chan: Akane, can you help me..... I........hurt.
[scene: STILL: We see Ranma-chan in the left hand side of the shot, in
profile, her feet extending towards the right. Behind her we see Akane, a
look of terror, shock, and disbelief painted on her face. Enough of the are
can now be seen so that we know it is a park, with a winding path and
ornamental plants, like many scattered throughout Japan. ACTION: We see
Ranma-chan slump towards Akane, who catches her.]
Akane: I... I think I... I think Doctor Tofu could... help.
[Akane looks down, and realizes that she is going to have to carry Ranma-
chan. Leaning forward, she moves her arms under Ranma-chan's back and
around her legs. Ranma-chan wraps one arm over Akane's left shoulder, the
other passing under her right arm to link up across her back. She holds on
remarkably tightly, and Akane suddenly realizes this places Ranma-chan's
face right in her breast. Anger flaring she looks down and sees Ranma-
chan's face, so pale in the moonlight her hair seems to frame it in blood. Her
eyes are closed, but on the face is a look of peace, and as Akane feels the
trust that is being placed in her, the knowledge Ranma-chan has that she
can help, anger fades like sand through her fingers, carried away by a lonely
wind. She looks up again, and her first tear is shed, running down from the
corner of her right eye, along her cheek, to drop off her chin. The camera
zooms in, until the tear is as large as the frame. We see images begin to
form as the tear falls, pictures mapped onto the surface, distorted by the
shape. Scenes of Akane and Ranma-kun fighting, arguing, yelling, we can
see the hurt, the anger painted on their faces. Fights flash by, followed by
scenes of resentment, scenes of greed and jealousy. All the anger and fear,
compressed into one single drop of water. The camera pulls back a bit, and
we see the tear land on the right sleeve of Ranma-chan's shirt, we can see
the wet spot it creates spread and then dry out, leaving no trace on the
fabric. Akane begins talking, mostly to herself, but the voice is determined,
not indecisive.]
Akane: It will take too long to walk to Dr. Tofu's, so I'll have to run.
[We see Akane start running down out of the park. Despite the uneven
ground, her run is like nothing we have seen before. Smooth, controlled, and
even, there is no jarring or bouncing of her, now precious, cargo. We see
various scenes of Akane running down roads, turning corners, all with a
smoothness and efficiency of motion that belies any connection between the
upper and lower halves of her body. Eventually, we zoom in on her face, and
see another tear being shed. The camera follows it down until it, too, falls
from her chin. We zoom in on this tear as it falls, and again, images a
mapped onto the falling droplet of water. This time, though, they are
different scenes, happy times, tender moments between her and Ranma. In
many of these shots, we see Akane smiling where Ranma cannot see her,
and other shots begin to mix in, of warm moments with Nabiki and Kasumi,
and even Ranko and Nodoka appear a few times. The camera pulls back in
time to see the tear hit the edge of the sidewalk, shattering, and throwing up
thousands of fragments, each one sparkling briefly in the moonlight , never
lasting long. When they are gone, there is no trace of wetness on the
sidewalk, and the camera pulls back to reveal Akane's feet at rest. The scene
pulls up, but before we loose trace of them, we see the heels of one of her
shoes is darker than the other. The camera stops over Akane's right
shoulder, a little higher than her head, and we see she has arrived at Dr.
Tofu's clinic, a light is still on upstairs. She walks forward, knocking on the
door with her right hand while resting Ranma-chan on her wrist.]
Dr. Tofu: Who is it?
Akane: It's Akane, Dr. Tofu. I've brought Ranma, she needs your help.
Dr. Tofu: All right, if you will just wait a moment, I'll be right down.
[After a few seconds pause, during which Akane waits with surprising
patience, neither fidgeting nor, in fact, moving at all that we can see. Soon
there is some movement heard and the front light comes on. The door opens
to reveal Dr. Tofu, framed by the light of the doorway, who is wearing a
white housecoat, with striped pajama pants sticking out the bottom, and cute
looking pink slippers.]
Dr. Tofu: Come in, come in, I can't help someone out here in the dark.
[We see Dr. Tofu turn and start walking down the hallway toward the clinic
proper, Akane follows. The clinic proper unfolds at the end of the hall as Dr.
Tofu turns on the lights, he begins talking as he gathers his equipment
together from where he stored it for the night]
Dr. Tofu: It is very late, Akane. I hope you have a good reason for coming
here.
Akane: I do.
[Dr. Tofu turns to look at her]
Dr. Tofu: Well? What is it?
Akane: Ranma-chan was r....
[As Akane grinds to a halt, we see Ranma-chan shift uncomfortably,
convulsively tightening her grip. There is the muffled pop of someone's
back cracking, and Dr. Tofu blinks behind his glasses, but Akane doesn't
seem to notice, she is still working on getting the words out.]
Akane: rrr. was raped.
[Dr. Tofu blinks again, and looks hard at Akane, but finds no trace of mirth
or humor there, nor can he make himself believe she would lie about such a
thing. As he fully realizes what Akane has said, the blood drains from his
face. He is still for a few moments, before his professional demeanor takes
over, allowing him to regain control over himself, if not the situation he is
in.]
Dr. Tofu: Please, put her on the table.
[Akane walks smoothly over to the table, and gently deposits Ranma-chan,
laying her on her back. She turns and walks back over to the door, crouching
down when she gets there to take off her shoes. As she does so, we realize
that the discoloration on the back of one of the shoes is actually soaked
through blood. Akane realizes this too, and looks at her other shoe to find it
in similar condition, looking down at her feet, she sees both pairs of socks
sodden with blood at the heel, although it all seems to have dried. She puts
her shoes on the rack after a pause, during which she realizes that the dull
tingle in her feet, which she took to be an indication of tiredness, was in fact
the pain of the worn away skin. She stands at the sound of Dr. Tofu's voice]
Dr. Tofu: Akane, could you come here and help, please?
[Akane turns, and sees Ranma-chan shifting all over the table, it is amazing
she hasn't fallen off yet. Dr. Tofu seems unable, or unwilling, to use enough
force to hold her there, and can't get a good hold for a pressure point. She
heads over, and moves to grab Ranma-chan's shoulders. Despite the fact
that Ranma-chan's eyes are closed, and she seems more asleep than
anything else, the moment Akane touches her shoulders, before she can even
apply any force, Ranma-chan's movements still, and she settles back to lie
on the table. Dr. Tofu uses a basic paralyses pressure point to keep her there]
Dr. Tofu: Thank you, Akane. You can let her go now.
[As soon as Akane does so though, Ranma-chan's movements resume,
although with greatly reduced freedom under the influence of the induced
paralyses. Dr. Tofu seems confused, but has no trouble trying the pressure
point again. Unfortunately, this has no discernible effect. While Dr. Tofu is
trying to decide whether to try a more difficult technique, Akane
experimentally reaches forward, and as soon as she touches Ranma-chan's
shoulder again, the movements cease. Dr. Tofu looks at her, then down at
Ranma-chan, and then back at Akane]
Dr. Tofu: She seems to need you.
Akane: I know.
[Dr. Tofu moves down to the other end of the table, and with a look of
infinite compassion and reluctance tearing at his face, begins to remove the
remains of Ranma-chan's clothes. As he works, he begins to talk quietly to
himself, although it is loud enough for Akane to hear.]
Dr. Tofu: A few bruises, nothing that isn't already healing.
[He pokes a few pressure points.]
Dr. Tofu: No internal damage.
[He swallows, and gently probes closer to the damaged section, causing
Ranma-chan, even with Akane holding her, to shift uncomfortably. Dr. Tofu
sighs audibly.]
Dr. Tofu: She was lucky, there is some tearing, but no real damage. It didn't
help much that she was virginal, but I don't think that could have been
avoided, all things considered. Akane, I'm required to take a. sample.
Akane: I. understand.
[Dr. Tofu moves over to a cabinet. Opening it, he retrieves a slim glass tube
and a small sample jar. He returns to the table.]
Dr. Tofu: You do not have to look, if you don't want to.
[Akane doesn't reply, but shakes her head negatively. Dr. Tofu gently
positions the tube, and begins drawing a sample. Akane's head snaps to the
side, and she swallows hard, blinking a few times.]
Dr. Tofu: I'm done.
[Akane looks back, to see Dr. Tofu tightening the cap of the sample jar.
Keeping the jar hidden from Akane's sight, he makes few quick letters on
the side, and then slips the jar into a drawer. The tube goes into a bath of
alcohol. We see Akane swallow again.]
Akane: Is.is that all?
[Dr. Tofu nods.]
Dr. Tofu: Yes, there's nothing more I can now.
Akane: What should I do then?
Dr. Tofu: Physically, take her home, let her rest and heal. Mentally..... I'm
sorry, Akane, I cannot simply use a few pressure points, and say "Okay,
everything will be fine now". It is, I'm afraid, going to be long time, maybe
more so for her, before things even stop taking a lot of effort. I do not mean
to frighten you, but no one I have ever heard of recovered from being raped,
and was the same, be they women or men.
[Akane nods, and a sense of purpose sets itself in her features, giving her a
look of maturity she hasn't had before, and with it, her features come alive.
Dr. Tofu smiles sadly, and his heart melts, as he realizes he has just
witnessed, for the first time, someone growing up. Akane gathers up Ranma-
chan and, with Dr. Tofu's help, wraps the mostly limp form in a robe. She
turns to face Dr. Tofu.]
Akane: Thank you, Doctor. I think I will be headed home then.
Dr. Tofu: All right, let me gather up her clothes, sometimes the... victim..
wants to see them, sometimes not, but you can always throw them out later if
she doesn't.
[Dr. Tofu gathers up the clothing he has placed on one side, and puts them
in a bag, he also picks up Akane's shoes from the rack and, although he
notices the blood, makes no comment, placing them in the bag with the rest
of the articles.]
Dr. Tofu: Where did you find her?
Akane: In the park at the other end of the prefecture, I sometimes walk there
when I need to be alone... I wonder what Ranma was doing down there.
[Dr. Tofu shifts uncomfortably, moving his weight from foot to foot]
Dr. Tofu: Ah, he, um, sometimes follows you there. Kasumi mentioned it
once when we where having tea. I thought you knew.
Akane: No, I didn't.
[Akane looks down at the still form of Ranma-chan, and her eyes sadden
even more. Dr. Tofu clears his throat]
Dr. Tofu: Oh. How did you get here then?
Akane: I ran, I knew walking wouldn't be fast enough.
Dr. Tofu: Oh... um, Would you like a lift home then?
Akane: No, I, would..... It isn't that far, I'll be fine.
Dr. Tofu: Ah... Well then, at least let me escort you to the door.
[We see Akane turn and begin walking down the hall, followed by Dr. Tofu.
At the door, Akane, still in socks, hefts Ranma-chan, who has resumed her
grip. Akane is gentle, being careful not to disturb her. She begins to run, and
we see her fade off, eventually turning a corner... still with that smooth,
graceful stride. Dr. Tofu sighs, and his shoulders slump under the
impossible burden he suddenly feels. As he turns to go back inside, he
realizes that this is going to affect a lot of people, for a long time to come.
He closes the door, and after a few seconds, we see the light go out.]
-*END CHAPTER ONE*-
-*CHAPTER TWO: What was, what is, what will be. *-
[scene: STILL: The Tendo home and dojo. It is in a better than usual state of
repair, owing to a lack of recent fighting. There are no lights on. ACTION:
Akane, still carrying the sleeping Ranma-chan, opens the gate, and walks up
to the front door]
Akane: <Hmm.. no one awake. I guess I'm lucky in that, I don't think I
could answer all the questions at once.>
[Akane sighs, trying to form a plan of action to tackle everybody, but gives
up]
Akane: <I hope I can deal with everybody in the morning. Maybe if I can
just get them one at a time.>
[She opens the door, and walks in, closing the door behind her. We follow
her as she climbs the stairs, stopping at the top]
Akane: <My room, no way I'm leaving Ranma with Mr. Saotome, or
answering his questions!>
[We see Akane proceed to her room. Once inside she gently sets Ranma-
chan down on the bed, and, not bothering with the light, turns to her closet,
pulling out a sleeping bag and unrolling it on the floor. Once this is done,
she looks up, and sees Ranma-chan tossing on the bed, already twisted up in
the sheets. Akane sighs, and her face turns soft.]
Akane: <Miss me already?>
[Akane gets up, leans over the bed, gently untwists Ranma-chan, and lies
her back again.]
Akane: <Alright, one bed it is.... I'm going to regret this, I just know it.>
[She slips in beside Ranma-chan, pushing her gently to the other side of the
bed. Ranma-chan rolls to face away from Akane, and curls up slightly.
Akane lays her head on her pillow, but before she closes her eyes, reaches
out straightens Ranma-chan's tail, so it isn't twisted under her neck.]
Akane: <Goodnight Ranma. I swore to myself I would never sleep with you.
I guess that was a long time ago.>
[Akane falls asleep. We see Ranma-chan turn over again, reaching down to
hold one of Akane's hands. Her breathing slows, and she too, sleeps. We cut
to the hall, where it is morning, and we see Nabiki, still in her pajama's,
which are, of course, covered with gold colored yen symbols, walking down
the hall carrying a camera]
Nabiki: <I need some more photo's for Kuno, my petty cash supply is
getting pretty low.>
[We see her look into Ranma's room, but sees no one]
Nabiki:<Damn! Next batter up: Akane. Ah, dear sister, such profit to be
found in the home.>
[She proceeds down the hall to Akane's room, and gently opens the door.
Her eyes widen at the sight of both Akane and Ranma-chan in bed, together,
under the same covers. Visions of just what she can do with all the money
she will make dance through her head.]
Nabiki: <wow>
[We see a little bit of drool appear at the corner of her mouth, and she
hurriedly raises the camera to her eye.]
Akane: Don't even think it, Nabiki.
[Nabiki lowers the camera, but nothing in the room has moved. Shaking her
head, she once again raises the viewfinder to her eye.]
Akane: I warned you, sis.
[Akane rolls over, and smoothly rises out of the bed, walking over to the
door. Behind her on the bed, Ranma-chan's eyes open, but she does not
otherwise move. Akane's clothes are rumpled, just like they have been slept
in, but before Nabiki can puzzle this over, Akane begins talking, her voice is
calm, but with a determined edge.]
Akane: I don't want you taking pictures of me or Ranma-chan anymore,
Nabiki.
Nabiki: That is going to cost you more than you can probably afford.
Akane: I think not.
[Akane reaches out, and before Nabiki can react, has taken the camera from
her grasp.]
Akane: I am only asking you now, I do not want to have to tell you.
[Nabiki grins in humor, but catches sight of the look on Akane's face, and
the grin becomes strained.]
Nabiki: You wouldn't hurt your sister, would you?
[Nabiki forces her grin up a notch, but it looks even more false. Akane raises
the camera, intending to throw it out of the room, and close the door behind
her errant sister, but blinks as she realizes the camera is already a total
wreck, crushed in her grip beyond any hope of redemption. It is hard to tell
who's thoughts are more derailed by this turn of events. Nabiki is surprised,
she had bought the camera to take the hardships of photographing Ranma-
chan, especially if anything ever went wrong. Akane's thoughts drift
towards surprise too, but there is more than a little wonder there as well, she
didn't even notice what she had done until she held the camera up. She is
also the first to recover.]
Akane: Oh! Sorry about that.
[Nabiki's voice is strained, and she is staring at the, now destroyed, ex-
camera.]
Nabiki: My camera....
Akane: Here, I guess you can have it back. Ah, maybe you can sell it as an,
um, artistic paperweight?
[As Akane hands the camera back, we see that it looks like plasticine
squeezed in someone's hand, until in oozed out everywhere. It looks, in fact,
exactly like an artistic paperweight. Nabiki looks down at the ex-camera in
her hands and oddly, the lens, unbroken, picks this moment to fall. Both
girls watch it begin its decent, and the camera zooms in for a close up of the
lens, which seems to slow its spinning fall. Flickering in the light, images
begin to appear through the glass, we see shots of Nabiki, selling photos,
tickets, information, blackmailing people, but eventually, these images are
replaced by a younger Nabiki, playing with her sisters, watching Akane
train, or Kasumi make dinner. The lens hits the floor, but perversely, as if to
prove that it, at least, is durable, it does not shatter, and spins on its edge,
until it settles to the floor, and lies still. There is a long moment of silence,
during which the view pulls back to reestablish the shot of the two girls, who
are standing there, staring down at the now immobile lens. This time,
Nabiki is the first to recover, and she bends over to recover the lens. Holding
it up for a second, she is startled to notice how mature Akane looks.
Suddenly unsure, she shrinks back out of the room. Akane closes the door
behind her.]
Akane: Oh, drat.
[Looking down at herself, Akane realizes she is a rumpled mess, and looks
back at Ranma-chan, who now has her eyes closed, looking completely
asleep. She gathers up a change of clothes and heads for the washroom,
closing her door behind her. She walks cautiously but swiftly downstairs, to
her great relief she sees no one and the washroom is completely empty.
Closing the door behind her, she once more glances around, and then strips
off her clothes, dumping them in the hamper, and placing her new ones
carefully on the lid. She sits down, grabs a cloth and some soap and begins
to scrub.]
Akane: Ah! I needed this!
[After a few moments, she suddenly notices a swirl in the air of the room.
Anger flaring, she stands, whipping around to face... Ranma-chan? Shock
quickly vies with anger for dominant emotion, as she sees that Ranma-chan
is removing the robe she was wearing. Having finished with the article of
clothing, Ranma-chan looks up, and sees Akane watching her. Raising a
hand to wave uncertainly, she speaks, still in that little eight year old girl
voice.]
Ranma: Hi...
[Ranma-chan turns away, looking for a place to put her robe. Akane fumes.]
Akane: <That stupid pervert, following me in here! He isn't even looking!
Talk about...>
[Suddenly, Akane realizes that this is the first thing Ranma has said since
she collapsed in the park, and that it is still in that little girl voice.]
Akane: <What the....?>
[Akane mind leaps ahead, and she realizes what has happened. That in
order to deal with it all, Ranma-chan has simply pushed everything that
could hurt her away, suppressing it and making of herself, again, the
innocent that she was when she was young . Akane feels her heart swell
with compassion. Unable to fully deal with this emotion, this strongly, she
walks over to the still searching Ranma-chan, and hugs her fiercely. She
realizes what this must look like, but quashes her anger, knowing that now
is not the time.]
Akane: Come on, let's get you cleaned up.
[Taking Ranma-chan's robe, and tossing it unceremoniously in a corner,
Akane leads the girl over to the stool. As they pass the mirror, she stops, and
Ranma-chan stops with her, apparently content to do what Akane wishes.]
Akane: <This is the first time I've had to compare us this way, we really
aren't at all alike>
[As Akane ponders their images, she realizes that they have bodies
constructed for different purposes. Her own body is made for physical
movement, the rounds and curves provided mostly by the underlying muscle,
and that what little fat she has is deposited in her breasts, and isn't in great
supply even then. Comparatively, Ranma-chan's body, while healthy, is
mostly padding, meant to attract men, and hold them until it is too late. She
has to stifle a giggle at that thought, and realizes that she is proud of what
her body can do, of it's endurance, strength, and coordination. And while
she has always known that having smaller breasts didn't make her any less a
woman, or them any less functional, she finally, reluctantly gives up on the
hope that they will get larger.]
Akane: <I'd have a hard time fighting if they were much bigger, not to
mention how ridiculous it would look. I wonder how Shampoo manages!>
[It is all she can do to stifle the laughter at that point, and a smile breaks out
on her face, her reflection smiling back. She studies the image for a
moment.]
Akane: <Mmmm.. I wonder, am I really cute when I smile?>
[ Ranma-chan smiles at her in the mirror as well. Akane grabs her by the
shoulders.]
Akane: Sit! Sit!
[Akane presses Ranma-chan into the stool and picks up the soap and cloth,
rubbing them together to form a lather. She begins scrubbing Ranma-chan,
her motions competent and controlled, pressing hard enough to remove dirt
without hurting. She is still smiling as she does this and Ranma-chan is
smiling with her, not seeming to mind the cold water that is being used.
Akane avoids one area, as she notices Ranma-chan tense every time she is
near.]
Akane: <I guess you can't suppress everything, no matter how hard you
try.>
[Soon, Akane is done with Ranma-chan, and she turns to the bath. After
adjusting the water, she pushes in the stopper, preventing the water from
draining. The bathtub begins the fill]
Akane: Come on, you first.
[She nudges Ranma-chan towards the water. Ranma-chan takes a few steps,
and places a foot in the bottom of the tub. As soon as she does this, the
warm water hits her leg, and the transformation begins. As soon as it is
done, Ranma-kun's face twists in absolute horror.]
Ranma: Aaaaauuuugghhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
[Turning away blindly, Ranma-kun begins a stumbling run across the floor,
tripping over the wash bucket, splashing himself, causing the transformation
back into female form. As soon as it is done, she collapses to the floor,
curled up in agonized ball.]
Akane: OH!, Ranma....
[Akane hurries over to the prostrate form. As soon as she is close Ranma-
chan leaps up, throwing herself at a startled Akane. She thinks she is being
attacked, and assumes a defensive posture, but much too late to stop Ranma-
chan from enveloping her in a desperate grip.]
Akane: What...?
[Akane realizes that Ranma-chan has attached herself in a hug, and is now
sobbing furiously, shaking so much she is barely able to stand. Akane
immediately holds her back, instinctively smoothing her hair.]
Akane: I guess it is too much for you to face so soon.
[She hears the noise of footsteps outside the door. Remembering Ranma-
kun's scream, she is surprised that somebody hadn't shown up sooner.]
Kasumi: Ranma, what happened?
Akane: Everything's fine, Kasumi!
Kasumi: Akane!? What are you doing in there? I was sure I heard Ranma's
voice.
Akane: You did.... Um, Kasumi? Could you come in here for a few
seconds?
Kasumi: O.K.
[Kasumi enters, closing the door behind her. If she is surprised by the fact
that Akane is naked, with an equally naked Ranma-chan holding on to her,
she does not show it, but she does begin to look a little puzzled when she
realizes Ranma-chan is crying.]
Kasumi: What did you want Akane?
[Akane looks up from Ranma-chan, at her sister.]
Akane: I was wondering if you could get a set of clothes for Ranma, I have
some-
[She indicates the folded pile on top of the hamper.]
Akane: -but Ranma doesn't.
Kasumi: Alright, but what happened anyway?
[Akane sighs, realizing that it isn't going to be that easy.]
Akane: Ranma had a rather. traumatic experience last night, I took her to
Dr. Tofu's, and physically, she's fine, but her mental state is little bit.
strained.
[At the mention of Dr. Tofu, Kasumi begins to look really concerned.]
Kasumi: Why did you take her there? Did you two fight again?
Akane: No Kasumi, I found her in the park....
Akane: She was sitting against a tree..... At first she didn't respond, but
when I was about to leave, she began to talk.
[There is a few seconds pause, where Akane seems to be working herself up
for something]
Kasumi: Go on... please.
Akane: She told me she was.... raped.
[There is another pause, but before the now stunned Kasumi can speak,
Akane continues.]
Akane: Dr. Tofu said she was all right, but she seems to have regressed to
the state of a small girl, burying everything that has happened.... The
scream you heard was when she transformed over to her. other half. I
guess it is just to much for her to handle right now.
Kasumi: Oh......
Akane: Could you get those clothes now, please? I would rather not have a
naked Ranma-chan wandering around right now.
Kasumi: Of course..... Of course.
[Kasumi leaves, and Akane looks back down at Ranma-chan, who has
stopped sobbing, but tears still leak out of the corners of her squeezed shut
eyes. Kasumi returns rather quickly with a set of clothes.]
Kasumi: I borrowed one of Nabiki's bra's. Her and Ranma-chan are actually
quite close in that department.
[Kasumi holds up the bra to demonstrate. Akane is surprised to see that it
shear, and, when worn, will be quite transparent.]
Akane: Kasumi! Did you have to bring one like that?!
Kasumi: Actually, this is the best one, all her others are worse, some much
worse.
Akane: Nabiki???
Kasumi: I'm afraid so.
[Akane looks closer at her older sister, and sees the strain in her face. She
realizes that this has pushed even Kasumi to the breaking point, and she is
holding on to herself by will power alone.]
Akane: Kasumi, I don't know how I am going to explain this to Father or
Mr. Saotome, because Ranma is in no shape to do it.
[Kasumi nods in response, her face relaxing. Akane is relieved to see she
guessed right, something her sister can accomplish is all she needed.]
Kasumi: I think I can handle those two, at least with Dr. Tofu's help, but
I'm not so sure about Nabiki.
Akane: I don't think Nabiki will be a problem, not for a while, anyway.
[Kasumi throws an inquisitive look her way, but Akane does not elaborate.]
Akane: Thank you for your help, Kasumi. I really appreciate it, especially
now.
Kasumi: Please, it is the least I could do, the very least.
[Kasumi leaves, closing the door gently behind her. Akane watches her go,
seats Ranma-chan in the stool, wrapping her in a towel, and then picks up
the bra from the pile of clothes.]
Akane: <How could Nabiki wear something like this? And Kasumi said
some of them where worse! I wonder where she got them, anyway?>
[Akane envisions herself wearing the bra she is holding, but shakes her head
to clear the thought.]
Akane: <No.>
[Unfortunately, Akane's imagination seems to have taken to this notion, and
is parading hundreds of little Akane images across her mind, each wearing a
different style of undergarment. From Akane's expression, some of them are
quite shocking.]
Akane: <I wonder....... NO!>
[Akane shakes her head more firmly, but this just works loose a whole new
set of pictures.]
Akane: <Absolutely not!>
[Trying to concentrate on something else, she heads back over where
Ranma-chan is seated, and begins helping her into the bra. She soon finds
herself doing all the work, as her subject has no idea how to put one on. In
the end, Akane manages.]
Akane: Mmm... not bad.
[Ranma-chan shifts a bit, not used to the feeling, but the bra fits surprisingly
well, albeit on the tightest band setting. Akane sighs, and picks up the rest
of the clothes, helping Ranma-chan into them. As most of them are men's
style, Ranma-chan is a lot more helpful this time, and the whole job is done
in short order.]
Akane: <Okay, my turn now.>
[Akane heads over to the other pile of clothes, picks up her bra and panties,
and begins putting them on, twisting to fasten the bra in the back. As she
turns to get the next article of clothing, she sees that Ranma-chan has
already picked it up and is headed towards her, obviously determined to
help.]
Akane: Alright, you can help if you want.
[Unfortunately, Ranma-chan has never dressed anyone before, and she
succeeds mostly in wrapping Akane up in her own clothes. Akane struggles
a bit, and then begins to laugh. Gasping for a breath between the gales of
laughter, she tries to get Ranma-chan to stop, to no obvious effect. Ranma-
chan's smile widens mischievously.]
Akane: Hey... stop it!.... not like that.....
[The scene fades out to black, with the sounds of Akane's laughter and half
hearted protests remaining sharp and clear. As the screen turns completely
black another voice joins in, with a shy quiet laughter complementing
Akane's.]
-*END CHAPTER TWO*-
-*CHAPTER THREE: No, I'm sorry, there isn't time.*-
[scene: STILL: We see the Tendo kitchen, the camera is high in one of the
corners of the room. On the stove is a kettle, with steam lazily rising from
it's spout. Around the kitchen are bits of food in various states of
preparation, the start of a simple but elegant summer lunch. Kasumi is on
the telephone. ACTION: Kasumi begins nodding, relief evident on her face.]
Kasumi: Thank you, Dr. Tofu. I hate to ask this of you, but I don't think I
could do it alone.
[There is a series of noises from the handpiece, and Kasumi nods again.]
Kasumi: Of course. I'm also making lunch, I think it would be better if the
setting was as normal as possible.
[More noises from the handpiece.]
Kasumi: Yes, I'll expect you then. And thank you again.
[There is a short noise from the handpiece.]
Kasumi: Good-bye, Dr. Tofu.
[Kasumi hangs up, and sighs in evident relief. She turns back to her
preparations, approaching a cutting block with a fish lying on it. Picking up
a knife, she prepares to cut. As she brings the knife down, an image flashes
in the blade, of a younger Kasumi helping her sister's with their homework.
Kasumi stops, but the image has passed. She shakes her head and once
again brings the knife down. Another image flashes along the knife, this one
of her having tea with Nodoka, Kasumi freezes, staring at the blade. The
image fades, but as it does so, Kasumi begins to shake, causing more scenes
to dance along the knife, ones of her helping Akane chose new clothes, of
her serving dinner to the family, doing the laundry, sweeping the kitchen
floor, many images of her bringing up her sisters, of them getting farther
away as they gain independence, of Kasumi dedicating more of herself to the
house, and images of the relief she finds helping Dr. Tofu. Eventually,
Kasumi cannot take it anymore, and she screams, plunging the knife into the
cutting board.]
Kasumi: NOOOOO!!!
[She braces herself against the edge of the counter, as great sobs rack her
body, tears stream down her face.]
Kasumi: <NO! They need me still, I promised I would be there for them and
I will!>
[She visibly gathers herself together, forcing her hands to relax and
unclench from the counter. She shakes herself, dabbing away tears with her
apron, and cautiously picks up the knife again, working it loose from it's
stay in the cutting block, but no images appear. She begins making careful
cuts in the fish.]
Soun: Kasumi? What was that scream?
[Kasumi looks up from the fish, glancing around, sighing when she sees that
her father is still outside the kitchen.]
Kasumi: Nothing, Father, I just grabbed the kettle when it was still too hot.
Soun: If you sure you're all right.?
Kasumi: Yes, Father, I let go before I burned myself.
[Kasumi sighs again when her father makes no more attempts to continue
the conversation, and turns back to preparing her meal. The scene gently
fades out to the sound of Kasumi's cutting.]
[scene: STILL: We see a shot inside the Tendo home, looking down along
the hall towards the bathroom, the camera at head height. There is no one in
sight. ACTION: Akane's head pops into the hallway, seemingly attached to
the wall. She looks left, then right. Seeing nobody, the rest of her body
emerges from the door of the bathroom, tugging Ranma-chan after her. As
they begin to creep down the hall, we see that Akane has managed to get her
clothes on straight, despite Ranma-chan's help.]
Akane: <Good, no one about! My room, and we're safe.>
[The two climb up the stairs, not making a sound. They make it to Akane's
room without incident, and she pushes Ranma-chan ahead of her, taking one
last glance around the hallway before following. SCENE: It is the inside of
Akane's room, everything is as it normally appears, but we see Nabiki
calmly sitting on the bed. Ranma-chan has already noticed, and is watching
her with no real expression at all, which is puzzling Nabiki. Akane notices
her, and her face falls a bit, she opens her mouth to say something, but
Nabiki steamrollers that by talking over anything Akane might have been
about to say.]
Nabiki: Alright, Akane, just what is going on around here? First, I find you
sleeping with Ranma-chan, then you two proceed to take a bath together,
becoming all giggles as you do so! I kept expecting you to kick him into
space after that scream, but nothing happened, and then you two try to sneak
back to your room.
Akane: I.. um, I-
Nabiki: And one of my bra's is missing! The only person who is close
enough in size to wear it is Ranma-chan and he probably wouldn't wear it
even if it could cure him!
Akane: <Oh damn, trust her to notice everything!>
Akane: I'll tell you everything, Nabiki. I won't even ask you not to sell the
information.... somehow, I don't think even you could make a profit from
this.
[Akane turns to Ranma-chan.]
Akane: Could you wait in the hall for a minute? I promise this won't take
long.
[Ranma-chan looks reluctant, but nods, moving out into the hall. As she sits,
Akane closes the door behind her. Nabiki's eyes narrow at the fact that
Ranma went without protest. Akane turns back to face Nabiki, and takes a
deep breath.]
Akane: Alright, here. here goes....
[We see her begin talking, however we don't hear anything and the scene
fades to the front hall, and we see Kasumi opening the door, outside is a
nervous and tired looking Dr. Tofu.]
Kasumi: Hello, Dr. Tofu, it is good to see you.
Dr. Tofu. And to see you, Kasumi.
Kasumi: I'm sorry to ask this of you, but I can think of no other way to deal
with it.
Dr. Tofu: Please, I have been the family doctor for many years... If it is not
too bold to say so, sometimes they feel like my family as well.
[Kasumi smiles.]
Kasumi: Sometimes, they feel like my family too.
[Dr. Tofu looks at her, and realizes she is joking. They both start laughing.
Dr. Tofu reaches out, and gently squeezes Kasumi's hand.]
Dr. Tofu: It is indeed good to see you Kasumi, it has been to long since I last
visited.
Kasumi: You know you are welcome anytime, Dr. Tofu.
Dr. Tofu: I know that, Kasumi, but my practice is very demanding, I have
many people to care for.
[Kasumi nods in understanding and a look of sadness comes to her face.]
Kasumi: I don't think we should chat much longer. I'm afraid we have
much to do.
[Dr. Tofu looks tired, and sighs is resignation.]
Dr. Tofu: Yes, please, lead the way.
[Kasumi turns, and begins walking back down the hall towards the dining
room. Dr. Tofu speaks again, but it is under his breath and Kasumi does not
seem to hear.]
Dr. Tofu: Yes, I have many people to care for.
[The scene fades back to the shot of Akane's room, where Akane has
stopped talking. Akane is standing there looking uncomfortable. Nabiki
looks shocked, and her mouth is just hanging open, her eyes seem to want to
leap out of her face. Akane looks down at her in sympathy. The scene fades
to the Tendo dining room, where Kasumi, Dr. Tofu, Soun, and Genma are
kneeling around the table, some of Kasumi's meal being consumed. Dr.
Tofu shifts, looking briefly at Kasumi, who sets down her food.]
Dr. Tofu: Mr. Saotome, I am afraid this is more than just a social visit, I
must bring up recent events and their connection with your son.
[Genma looks at Dr. Tofu.]
Genma: What has he done now?
Dr. Tofu: It is nothing that he has done; it is more something that has been
done to him
[Dr. Tofu pauses, clearing his throat]
Genma: Well, go on man! There is nothing worse than what some people
have already done to him.
[As Dr. Tofu leans forward the scene fades back to Akane's room, where
everything is still in the same frozen state it was. Breaking the moment is a
thunderous scream.]
Genma: NOOO!!!!! I REFUSE to believe THAT!!!!!
[We hear the sounds of someone running, pounding along the wooden
flooring of the house. Akane moves to look out her window, and sees Mr.
Saotome running across the yard, leaping the fence and vanishing from
sight. A few birds settle back into the tree, they, at least, are not overly
disturbed by the recent goings on in the house. She sighs, and turns back to
Nabiki.]
Akane: Nabiki, I have to go thank Kasumi, she has just helped me a lot.
Think about what happened, and who you could hurt before you try selling
this, or blackmailing anyone with it, all right?
Nabiki: I.... all right... I'll think about it, but I'm coming with you
downstairs.
[Akane opens the door, to find herself suddenly being hugged be a relieved
looking Ranma-chan
Akane: Okay, come on Ranma.
[Akane gently disengages Ranma-chan's grip, and takes her arm, leading
her down the hall, Nabiki gets, up, and follows.]
Nabiki: There is still the matter of who's going to pay for my bra. I certainly
don't want it back now.
[As Nabiki watches, Akane shakes her head, as if to clear it of some errant
thought, and then replies.]
Akane: I'll pay for it, but I had better see a receipt stating the price.
[Nabiki sighs, and looks at Akane's back as she walks.]
Nabiki: You've changed, Akane, or maybe you've been changed.
[Akane looks back over her shoulder questioningly, but her sister is no
longer even looking at her, staring down at her own feet as they move.
Akane looks ahead again.]
Akane: <I wonder what she meant? I don't feel any different, this must have
upset her more than I thought.>
[We have, meanwhile, followed them downstairs, and they enter the dining
room. Within, are a sad looking Dr. Tofu and Kasumi. Kasumi is trying to
talk to Soun, but he is unresponsive, his eyes a thousand miles away. Akane
opens her mouth, and talks to no one in particular.]
Akane: I take it didn't go very well?
[Kasumi sighs, looking up at her sister.]
Kasumi: No, Mr. Saotome ran off. Father just, well, faded out.
[Nabiki moves forward, kneeling down at the table, and begins to snack on
the food which is still there.]
Akane: Nabiki! How can you eat at a time like this!
Nabiki: I'm thinking, and I need something to do with my hands, or I'm
afraid they'll start shaking so bad I'll never be able to stop them.
[Even though she says this calmly, her hands do indeed begin to shake, and
Nabiki forcibly stills them by reaching for another piece of fish.]
Akane: .sorry. We heard Mr. Saotome's yell upstairs. Kasumi, do you
think he will be okay?
Kasumi: I think he will. He will not stay away long in any case, to much is
holding him here.
[Kasumi stands, and walks over to Ranma-chan, who has been standing
patiently beside Akane. Talking her shoulders, Kasumi looks into her face.]
Kasumi: Mr. Saotome!...... Genma!.....Father!
[There is no response, as Ranma-chan just calmly looks back at Kasumi, a
lack of recognition on her face. Kasumi looks at Akane.]
Kasumi: I think she has forgotten a lot more than we realized.
[Akane turns to Ranma-chan, who looks at Akane with a little bit of
apprehension on her face]
Akane: Just what do you remember?
[Ranma-chan doesn't reply, but instead walks over to Akane, and holds her
in a hug, which Akane responds to, holding her back.]
Akane: Me? You only remember me?
Ranma: Yes.
Akane: But why? Why me?
Ranma: Because...
Akane: What? Why?
[Ranma-chan seems to struggle with the words for a second, and then her
face lights up as she finds what she wants to say.]
Ranma: Because... I love you.
[Ranma-chan puts her head on Akane's shoulder, smiling happily and
closing her eyes. Akane's face is a mask of shock, complete disbelief
showing through her features. Her mouth works for a second.]
Akane: I...
[She stops, closing her mouth, and then opening it again.]
Akane: I...
Akane: <Come on, she's just a little girl. What are you going to do, call her
a jerk?>
[She stops again, her mouth still open, and looks down at Ranma-chan's
head, settled on her shoulder. She feels a slight stab of guilt, and suddenly
the word are there for her to say, her voice calm but a little distant.]
Akane: I love you too, Ranma.
[Ranma-chan holds her tighter, and Akane reaches up a hand, running her
fingers through Ranma-chan's short, red hair. As she turns to her sisters,
she can feel the pressure of tears behind her eyes. Nabiki is frozen again, a
piece of fish held halfway to her mouth, Kasumi is standing there, with a
smile on her face.]
Akane: If you two tell anyone I said that, I'll kick you both into orbit.
[Kasumi's smile widens, Nabiki pops the piece of fish into her mouth and
smiles as well, looking at Akane mischievously. Dr. Tofu clears his throat,
bringing all three sets of eyes down on him. He shifts uncomfortably for a
second, and then speaks.]
Dr. Tofu: Thank you for the meal, Kasumi, but I'm afraid I must get back to
my clinic.
[Kasumi nods.]
Kasumi: Of course, let me show you to the door.
[She walks to the door, and Dr. Tofu rises, following her. As he is about to
leave, he turns back and looks at Akane.]
Dr. Tofu: Don't worry, Akane, your secret is safe with me, as well.
[He smiles, and turns back, following Kasumi out of the room before a
slightly shocked Akane can work out a reply. Akane shakes her head,
disengages Ranma-chan from her hold, guiding her over to the table, and
sitting down across from Nabiki.]
Akane: I'm serious, you know. If you tell anyone what I said, I will put you
on the moon.
[Nabiki looks at her sister, seeing Akane is smiling, and although Nabiki
can't make herself believe her sister would follow through on that threat, she
doesn't think she would tell anyone anyway.]
Nabiki: I don't think I could make anyone believe me anyway.
[Nabiki sighs, and takes another piece of fish. Ranma-chan watches her
eating with interest.]
Nabiki: I think you'd better feed her soon. You remember the appetite she
had before, don't you?
Akane: I was kind of hoping she would feed herself, but it doesn't look like
she will.
[There is a sudden shout from outside.]
Ryouga: Ranma, I have found you at last! Come out and be defeated,
miscreant!
[Both Akane and Nabiki look towards the back yard, the source of the noise.
Ranma-chan looks a little disturbed by the shouting.]
Akane: I'll take care of Ryouga; you feed Ranma. Deal?
[Nabiki looks at Ranma-chan, then towards the backyard, then back at
Ranma-chan.]
Nabiki: Deal!
[Akane gets up, sighs, and heads toward the back yard.]
-*END CHAPTER THREE*-
-*CHAPTER FOUR: I don't know! But, boy, is that bowl heavy!*-
[scene: STILL: We see the Tendo backyard, over near the fence stands
Ryouga, in mid-stride, facing away from the house. On his back is his
standard knapsack, and he his carrying his umbrella, folded, in his hand.
ACTION: We see Akane appear at the back door, look around, and then
spot Ryouga.]
Akane: Ryouga! Over here!
[Ryouga looks around at the sound of her voice, and she waves when he
spots her.]
Ryouga: A-Akane! How nice to see you!
[He smiles hopefully and Akane smiles back.]
Akane: I'm afraid Ranma's not really here right at the moment-
[Ryouga's expression flashes to anger again.]
Ryouga: Rogue! Running when he knows he would be defeated!
[We see Akane sigh, and then look back to Ryouga.]
Akane: I have a favor to ask of you Ryouga-
[Hope springs back onto Ryouga's face.]
Ryouga: Anything for you, Akane!
Akane: Would you spar with me? I need to work some tension off, and
normally Ranma would be available for that.
Ryouga: You want me to... fight... you?
Akane: No dummy! I said spar! You know, practice?
Ryouga: Oh... Okay
Akane: Come on, well use the dojo, it's empty right now.
[We see Akane grab the sleeve of Ryouga's shirt, and haul him along toward
the entrance to the dojo. scene: The inside of the dojo looks as it always
does, only in better repair than usual. the center of the floor is clear,
awaiting contestants. Akane enters from the back yard, towing Ryouga.]
Akane: I have to get into something a bit more appropriate for fighting, all
right?
Ryouga: Uh, sure.
Akane: Although I can do it, I don't have to like fighting in dresses, do I?
Ryouga: No... not at all!
[Akane looks around, and then spots what she wants. Grabbing Ryouga's
sleeve again, she hauls him over to the wall, where a pipe runs up along the
surface.]
Akane: Just sit here, and don't let go of that pipe.
Ryouga: W-Why?
Akane: I want you to be here when I get back, dope!
Ryouga: Oh...
[Akane sits Ryouga down, and he grabs the pipe firmly in both hands.
Akane turns, and leaves the dojo, heading back into the house. The camera
follows her, and as she passes through the dining room, she pauses, but
there is no one there.]
Akane: I wonder where they got to?
[She notices all the food is gone though, and some of the plates are missing
as well, obviously Kasumi is in the midst of clearing everything back the
kitchen. Akane heads upstairs, and meets Nabiki with Ranma-chan, just
about to head downstairs.]
Akane: Did you feed her?
Nabiki: No, not exactly..
Akane: What-?
Nabiki: I tried, but she wouldn't let me... eventually I got disgusted with
the whole affair and told her if she was going to be that way she could feed
herself... Which she promptly did... she ate EVERYTHING, apparently
her appetite is still the same at least.
Akane: Oh, but why are you up here then?
Nabiki: I had a thought about certain facilities which are available to those
who need them..
[Akane's eyes grow wider, and her hands whip up to cover her mouth.]
Akane: Mmmf!
Nabiki: Don't worry, I asked her and she nodded, so we headed upstairs.
She was able to manage with no problems.
[Akane visibly relaxes, but still looks a little guilty.]
Akane: Thanks Nabiki!, I completely forgot about that type of thing, I
thought she would have asked!
Nabiki: No matter now, how did the encounter with Ryouga go?
Akane: He's still downstairs in the dojo, I told him Ranma wasn't really
home, and then asked him if he would spar with me. I left him there so I
could get changed. You don't mind watching Ranma-chan do you?
Nabiki: No, not really. I think we'll go watch some television, it's a pretty
safe bet.
Akane: Alright, and thanks again Nabiki.
Nabiki: No problem, but you owe me.
[Akane sighs, then reaches out and catches Nabiki's sleeve as she starts to
walk past.]
Akane: What happened to Father?
Nabiki: He's still not very responsive. Kasumi took him to his room.
Akane: I think sometimes life has been a little cruel to him.
[Nabiki looks at her sister, speculation on her face.]
Nabiki: Sometimes, maybe. But he has also brought some things on himself.
[Nabiki turns and heads downstairs, pulling Ranma-chan along with her.
Akane shakes her head, and then heads into her own room. We cut back to
the dojo, where Ryouga has his eyes squeezed shut, and he is gripping the
pipe so hard his knuckles are white.]
Akane: Alright Ryouga, I'm back so you can let go now.
[Ryouga opens his eyes, and sees Akane standing before him. She has
changed into her yellow gi, and looks ready for anything.]
Akane: I'm all set. Are you ready to begin?
Ryouga: Just let me put down my pack.
[Ryouga does so, and turns to face Akane, who is standing at the other end
of the floor.]
Akane: Begin!
[Ryouga nods, and they begin advancing on each other. As they get closer,
Akane begins by throwing a few punches, which Ryouga blocks with ease.
Akane tries a few other attacks, mostly with her hands, and Ryouga blocks
them, or moves out of the way.]
Akane: Ryouga, the idea is to practice! We're not actually going to hurt each
other, but I expect you to at least try attacking me.
Ryouga: I guess...
Akane: Ryouga, I get enough of that I don't fight women stuff from Ranma.
We aren't fighting, just practicing, okay?
Ryouga: All right.
[Ryouga seems to accept this, and begins circling, trying a few experimental
punches, which are blocked by Akane with a fluid ease. He blocks her
counter attack, and tries a little harder, only to be blocked again. This goes
on for a while, with Ryouga steadily exerting himself more and more, as his
previous attacks do not get through Akane's defense. Eventually, he does get
through, and lands a blow on Akane's shoulder, she shifts, but does not give
up ground, landing two sharp jabs along the left side of his ribs, winding
him slightly. Ryouga grunts, and restores his guard, resuming the rhythm of
his attacks. Akane seems totally absorbed in what she is doing, blocking,
dodging, and returning blows with better than her average dexterity.]
Akane: <I wonder why he isn't using his full skill, he knows we aren't
going to hurt each other.>
Ryouga: <She is good, no wonder Ranma keeps getting beaten by her.>
[Still fighting, Akane notices that Ryouga is beginning to sweat, and it is
trickling out from under his bandanna.]
Akane: <His bandanna? I never noticed that before.>
[The two exchange a few more blows, blocking and shifting for position.]
Akane: <I know! It looks exactly like the bandanna worn by P-CHAN!>
[Ryouga stops, and Akane looks up, seeing a guilty look on his face. Her
eyes widen as she realizes she screamed that last word out loud.]
Akane: <But why would that...>
[Akane is suddenly very, Very, VERY ANGRY! She swings her fist forward
in an attempt to hit Ryouga in the chest, but even though her fist moves
forward at full speed, it feels like she is trying to push it through wet
cement. Ryouga moves instinctively to block the blow, and it looks like he is
going to do it to, but his arm fails to stop the moving fist, instead being
pushed back towards his chest. As Akane's fist pushes Ryouga's arm back
into his chest, he begins to fold over from the blow, but the fist hasn't
stopped moving yet, and as the blow reaches full extension, Ryouga is
physically picked up, and he sails through the air like he was kicked by an
elephant, crashing heavily into the wall next to the pipe, and sliding to the
floor, where he sits, dazed. Akane stands in the center of the floor, staring at
her fist.]
Akane: <What the...?>
[Akane looks up as she hears Ryouga begins to shift. He rises, obviously in
pain, and looks at Akane. Seeing the look on her face, he grabs his pack and
pushes through the already weakened dojo wall.]
Akane: Ryouga! Wait!
[Ryouga flinches at the sound of her voice, but doesn't look back. He begins
running, and is soon out of sight.]
Akane: <Oh damn... what the heck am I going to do now?>
[She turns, and heads over to the door to the house.]
Akane: <I'd better go take a shower, I can think about it then.>
[She looks down, expecting to see herself drenched in sweat, but to her
surprise, she doesn't appear to have sweated a drop. Her gi is pristine, and
shifts slightly in the newly created breeze, from the newly created hole in the
dojo wall.]
Akane: <Weird, I punch him through the wall, and don't even break a sweat
doing it! I need to think about this...>
[She heads back into the into the house, and spots Nabiki and Ranma-chan
watching television. Ranma-chan spots her approaching, and gets up, going
to Akane's side. Akane looks at what channel Nabiki is on.]
Akane <The CNN fn, it figures.>
[She turns to Ranma-chan.]
Akane: I don't think I could watch that for long, either.
[Ranma-chan nods in agreement, and Nabiki grunts, but doesn't get a
chance to say anything before she is interrupted by part of the wall caving
in.]
Shampoo: Hello!
[Shampoo sees Ranma-chan, and immediately lets her bike fall to one side,
and flings one arm wide, her other hand occupied by a Nekohantan delivery
box. Nabiki gets up, shaking her head as she leaves, obviously not wanting
to get involved.]
Shampoo: Ranma!
[Ranma-chan has edged behind Akane, and is staring out at this new
invader in her life with no little apprehension. Shampoo lunges forward,
trying to reach around Akane to make contact with Ranma-chan. She is
stopped when Akane's hand comes up and catches her arm, just back of her
hand. Shampoo is forced to stop, or else have her arm wrenched badly.
When Akane speaks, her voice is tight with controlled anger, and she
sounds like she is choosing her words carefully.]
Akane: Shampoo, I would like for you to stop assaulting Ranma until I have
had a chance to explain a few things.
[Shampoo, despite the tone of Akane's voice, is not really listening to her,
trying to work her arm free, but it isn't even budging. She drops the delivery
box and draws back her hand.]
Shampoo: What you do, stupid girl? No fight you!
[Shampoo aims a blow at Akane, trying to get her to let go. This is less
successful than Shampoo had hoped, as Akane's other hand comes up, and
with fleshy thwack, catches Shampoo's fist, closing around it. Shampoo
struggles, trying alternately to tug her right, then her left, arm free. But
besides being unable to free either item, she also completely unable to even
move them. Akane tries reasoning with her.]
Akane: Now that you have stopped attacking people, Shampoo, maybe you
will listen to what I have to say. It won't take long, and I'm sure you will
find it absolutely fascinating.
Shampoo: What you want say? Let Shampoo go!
Akane: Not until you promise to stop grabbing at Ranma until after you have
listened to everything I have to say to you.
Shampoo: First let Shampoo go, then talk.
Akane: Not good enough, promise or I hold you here until you do.
Shampoo: Hah! Cannot hold Shampoo forever!
Cologne: If my suspicions are correct, I think she is quite capable of doing
just that, great-granddaughter. Just agree to listen to her. I too, am interested
in hearing what she has to say.
[As she speaks, both Akane and Shampoo turn to in surprise to look at
Cologne, who is sitting on the stairs, next to Ranma-chan. There is a
moment of silence.]
Cologne: Well granddaughter? I am interested in hearing what happened to
Ranma-
[Cologne nods toward Ranma-chan, who is still sitting on the stairs next to
the elderly woman.]
Cologne: -who appears not to act like Ranma at all. Except that their aura's
are almost exactly the same, I would have said they are two different people.
The only difference being that something seems to have been torn away or
suppressed, leaving a. hole, if you will.
[Shampoo grunts.]
Shampoo: Alright, no do anything until she finished talking.
[Akane nods, and lets Shampoo go. Shampoo steps back, flexing her hand.]
Cologne: Alright, Akane, talk. I want this mystery solved.
Akane: I. think it would be better if we moved somewhere private. Ranma
seems upset whenever I mention the subject in her presence.
Cologne: I think I can take of that, at least for a little while.
[Having said that she turns to Ranma-chan, extending a hand to poke her
gently behind an ear. Ranma-chan yawns hugely, and settles back, her eyes
shutting. Cologne grunts in satisfaction, and turns back to the two girls. As
she opens her mouth to speak, Ranma-chan snores loudly, putting her off
her stride. She turns back to the sleeping girl, and pokes her gently in her
cheek. The snores cut off.]
Cologne: Ah! Much better! Now you-
[She points her staff at Akane.]
Cologne: Talk!
Akane: Well, I...
[Akane looks flustered for a second, then takes a deep breath, and begins
again.]
Akane: It all started when I found Ranma-chan in the park.....
[The scene fades out to black. It fades back in to a shot of the Tendo garden,
we hear voices, mostly one talking with what sound like questions being
interjected by another, but we cannot here what is being said. We fade to
inside the house. Akane has stopped speaking, and looks sad, Cologne is
sitting on the steps, looking old, even more so than she usually does.
Shampoo is still standing, the delivery box forgotten on the floor next to her.
She speaks next.]
Shampoo: Great-Grandmother, Shampoo confused, Girl-Ranma not fight
these men for marriage?
[Cologne sighs, and looks at Akane.]
Cologne: I think we have passed beyond my great-granddaughters
knowledge of Japanese. I think I can make her understand, if you will permit
me?
Akane: Please! I would appreciate any help I can get!
[Cologne nods, and turns to Shampoo. A conversation in Chinese follows,
with Akane watching the dialogue pass back and forth. Shampoo's
confusion fades, to replaced by shock, then anger, and then sadness.
Cologne stops speaking, and looks even older. Shampoo gets up and walks
over to the sleeping Ranma-chan.]
Shampoo: Once want kill Girl-Ranma, but never wish that on her! Shampoo
need to think!
[Shampoo sits where she is, at the base of the stairs. Cologne sighs, and
turns to Akane.]
Cologne: No matter how old you get, some things are still unexpected, and
very upsetting.
[Akane nods, but doesn't look like she totally understands.]
Akane: Cologne, I have a favor to ask of you.
[Cologne looks at her.]
Cologne: One can always ask favors, whether they will be granted or not is
in the future, and I cannot say what will happen then.
[Akane blinks, her thoughts scattered by this statement.]
Cologne: Ask girl! Never mind the ramblings of an old woman.
Akane: Earlier you said that if what you suspect is true, that I could hold
Shampoo forever. What did you mean?
[Cologne nods.]
Cologne: I didn't think you missed that. Here, allow me to demonstrate,
hold the end of my staff.
[Cologne holds out her staff, and Akane grabs the end. Cologne promptly
twists the staff out of the younger girls grip.]
Cologne: No girl! I said HOLD the staff.
[Cologne brings the staff down, in an attempt to rap Akane on the head with
it, but Akane's hand reflexively flashes up and catches the staff with an
audible thwump, and the staff vibrates from the impact. Cologne
immediately grabs her end with both hands, and braces herself, trying to pry
the staff from Akane's hand, but the staff only bends, and Akane's hand
doesn't move. After a couple of seconds, Akane begins to smile. Seeing this,
Cologne reaches one hand up and taps her staff. There is spark from the
staff near Akane's hand, and with a slight jump, Akane lets go.]
Cologne: Don't get overconfident girl!
Akane: But... what did I do? It didn't feel like you were even trying to
move the staff at all, but it was bending like crazy.
Cologne: I suppose congratulations are in order girl, you have begun to learn
something very useful and very rare.
Akane: But, what...?
Cologne: I suppose it might best be called 'fundamental grip'. It is a ki
focusing technique, giving the user unstoppable strength.
Akane: I don't understand... I focus my ki to make me strong?
[Cologne sighs.]
Cologne: In simple terms yes. From what I have read, you are actually
aligning your ki with the a fundamental force of the universe, and using that
to lock whatever you hold in position. You can also start the force moving,
creating a wave that will impact with your hand or foot when you land a
blow. Right now you seem to do it only when you are angry, but as you get
more used to it, you will find you can control it at any time. Be careful, a
single blow landed with that technique could easily kill!
Akane: Does it feel like pushing your hand through wet cement?
Cologne: How would I know?
Akane: You mean you don't know the technique?!
Cologne: No, from what I understand, one either discovers it or does not. I
have never heard of it being taught or learned.
Akane: How many people have you met who can do this?
Cologne: You ask a lot of questions girl!
[Cologne holds up her hand to forestall Akane's response.]
Cologne: I will tell you what I know. You deserve that I think, for your own
benefit. The scroll I had treated the technique as a rumor, recording it
merely as an oddity worth noting. I have met no one who could do this, nor
have I ever heard of the technique from anyone else or any other source
besides that one scroll.
Akane: Oh... Thank you, Cologne, I am grateful for what you have told
me.
Cologne: Be grateful when it proves to be of some use girl! But you asked if
it felt like pushing your hand through 'wet cement', I take it this means you
have already hit something with it?
Akane: Well... someone actually. I hit Ryouga while we were fighting.
Cologne: Is he still alive?
[Akane looks a little surprised at this question.]
Akane: Yes, he flew across the dojo, left a hole in the wall, and then got up
and ran away.
[Cologne boggles at her.]
Cologne: He got up and ran away!?
Akane: Well... yes.
Cologne: That boy is strong to be able do that. I will make you deal, you let
me study you as you use this technique, I will find Ryouga and make sure he
is not injured. O.K.?
[Akane looks unsure.]
Akane: What do mean by study?
Cologne: I'll help you learn control of the technique, I am sure I can manage
that, and you will demonstrate it for me whenever you can, so I might be
able to learn it, or at least see how to counter it.
[We see Akane ponder for a few seconds, and then come to a decision.]
Akane: Alright, Cologne, I agree.
Cologne: Good, you can have your first lesson right here.
[She swings her staff again. Akane's hand comes up to catch it, but she
misses the suddenly wobbling staff, and it comes down on her head with
slight crack.]
Cologne: You will show respect, and address me as Great-Grandmother, as
my granddaughter does.
[Akane rubs the top of her head, but feels no real damage, other than her
bruised pride.]
Akane: Yes, Great-Grandmother.
[Cologne grunts at this and turns to Shampoo.]
Cologne: Granddaughter, I am off to hunt for this lost boy, are you coming?
Shampoo: No Great-Grandmother, I stay and talk to violent girl.
[Cologne proceeds to rap Shampoo on the head with her staff.]
Cologne: As she is my student, she also deserves some respect, and you will
call her by name unless I say otherwise, great-granddaughter.
[Shampoo winces, more at the tone of Colognes voice than at the blow, but
is used to this, and knows her Great-Grandmother doesn't intend lasting
damage to anyone, just to remind them of their place.]
Shampoo: Yes, Great-Grandmother.
[This produces another grunt from Cologne, and she turns to leave.]
Akane: Great-Grandmother, what about Ranma-chan?
Cologne: She will wake in about half an hour, if that is what you mean,
other than that, I don't know. Now, no more questions, I must start soon or
it will take me longer than I want to find him.
[She hops up on her staff, and bounds off through the hole left in the wall by
Shampoo.]
Akane: I wonder when she wants to begin the next lesson?
[Akane isn't expecting a response, and turns in surprise when she hears
Shampoo's voice.]
Shampoo: Ha! First lesson not over. Always student on first lesson with
Great-Grandmother!
Akane: Oh... What did you want to say to me anyway, Shampoo?
Shampoo: Two things. First, you defeat Shampoo in fight...
[Akane looks nervous at this, and tries to protest.]
Akane: But... I just stopped you! I didn't fight you...
Shampoo: Great-Grandmother already take care of problem by making you
student.
Akane: What?
Shampoo: As student, you honorary member of village, so fight Shampoo,
no problem.
Akane: Oh! Okay.... I guess.
Shampoo: Second is about Ranma. Great-Grandmother say he not really
same person, so Shampoo wait until he is same person before wedding.
[Akane frowns at this, but can't think of a better solution at the moment,
and decides to let it rest, at least, for the moment.]
Akane: Thank you, Shampoo. I think that will help a lot.
[Shampoo looks away, hiding her expression. He voice comes out sounding
gruff, like she is trying to hide her emotions.]
Shampoo: Doesn't matter. Would not be real marriage now anyway.
[She turns back, her face smoothed.]
Shampoo: I go back to Nekohantan, tell Mousse. Convince him no fight
Ranma anymore!
[As she says this, Shampoo pats the mace tucked through her belt. Akane
sighs.]
Akane: Maybe if you tried talking to him first?
[Shampoo shakes her head, picking up her bicycle.]
Shampoo: Mousse no listen, just declare love for Shampoo. Mousse repeat
himself many times!
[Akane shakes her head this time.]
Akane: <Maybe if someone heard him the first time?>
Akane: Good-bye, Shampoo.
Shampoo: Good-bye...
[Shampoo stops, and then swings herself onto her bike. As she peddles
away, Akane hears her voice again.]
Shampoo: Good-bye, A-kan-e.
[The scene fades with Akane staring out the hole in the house wall, after a
quickly retreating Shampoo.]
-*END CHAPTER FOUR*-
-*CHAPTER FIVE: It slices, it dices....*-
[Scene: It is later in the day, the sun is beginning to set. We pull back to see
the shot is from the Tendo roof. Two figures are silhouetted against the sun,
sitting on the roof.]
Akane: I come up here sometimes, to sit and watch the world go by. It is
sometimes very beautiful, sometimes very tragic.
Ranma-chan: It is very pretty.
[One of the figures looks at the other, as we get a profile of the face, we see
it is Akane. She just watches Ranma-chan, who is absorbed in watching the
sunset.]
Akane: <You used to come up here a lot too, Ranma. I thought it was just to
bug me, but you found the world a beautiful place to be as well, didn't you?>
[Akane turns back to watching the sunset, with no answer to her own
thoughts.]
Ranma-chan: Akane?
Akane: Mmm?
Ranma-chan: Why don't I remember anybody but you?
Akane: You seemed to remember Kasumi and Nabiki...
Ranma-chan: When I saw them, I didn't know who they were, but you
weren't frightened of them, so I wasn't. Then you talked to them, and I
know their names now, but I don't know who they are.
Akane: Oh, I see.
Ranma-chan: But I still don't know why I only remember you. I know I
remember you because I love you, but why?
[Akane is visibly disturbed by the direction of the conversation, and shifts
her seating a bit.]
Akane: I... don't know.
Ranma-chan: Oh.
[Akane looks over at the disappointment she hears in Ranma-chan's voice.]
Akane: <You really want to know, don't you?>
[Akane's eyes start to glimmer slightly.]
Akane: <You love me. You say it so easily now.>
[Tears begin to run down Akane's face.]
Akane: <Why couldn't you have said it before? Sometimes it hurt so much
Ranma...>
[Ranma-chan turns to Akane, and sees her crying.]
Ranma-chan: Don't cry!
[Ranma-chan leans over to hold Akane's hand, and tears well up in her own
eyes.]
Ranma-chan: I'll try harder to remember, really I will!
[Akane stops crying, shaking her head and squeezing Ranma-chan's hand.]
Akane: It's not that, it's just a lot has happened, and some of it is a little
overwhelming. I have to think about it all, and haven't had much time to
sort everything out.
Ranma-chan: There is time now. It is nice to watch the sunset and just
think.
Akane: Oh? What do you think about?
Ranma-chan: I think about the clouds.
Akane: The clouds?!
[Ranma-chan nods, turning to look back at the sunset, which is almost
gone.]
Ranma-chan: I think about where they have been, where they are going, how
they survive when it is windy.
[The sunset is now completely gone, and Ranma-chan turns back to Akane.]
Ranma-chan: They look awfully weak, I always wonder why they do not get
blown apart.
Akane: Oh, Ranma...
[Akane looks thoughtful for a second.]
Akane: I don't know, but I bet it would be fun to fly up there and ask them.
Ranma-chan: Silly! We can't fly, even I know that!
Akane: I said it would be fun, I didn't say we could do it!
[She looks down at the back yard, where night is settling in for the birds.]
Akane: Are you hungry?
[Ranma-chan nods vigorously. Akane laughs.]
Akane: Alright, lets go see if we can convince Kasumi to give us something
to eat.
[We see Akane rise, and the scene fades to one of the kitchen. We see Akane
walk through the door, looking around the kitchen, she is followed by
Ranma-chan, who also looks around the kitchen.]
Ranma-chan: She's not here.
Akane: I know, but maybe we can manage on our own.
Ranma-chan: Won't she mind?
[Akane, who had been reaching towards one of the cupboards, stops.]
Akane: Maybe...
[Akane wavers indecisively for a few moments, hand frozen in mid-air.]
Akane: Alright, we ask.
[We follow Akane and Ranma-chan out of the kitchen. The camera stops
abruptly, as Ranma-chan's back suddenly blocks out everything else. Pulling
back, the camera reestablishes it's shot, and we see Akane, with Ranma-
chan slightly behind and to the left. Also in the shot is Kasumi, who is
leaning against a wall, her look surprisingly Nabiki-like.]
Kasumi: Thank you for asking before using my kitchen.
Akane: Oh!...um.... that is...
[Kasumi stands up straight, and begins to walk around Akane to the
kitchen.]
Kasumi: Come on, how you two can eat so much without exploding is
beyond me.
Akane: I don't eat that much!
[Ranma-chan pokes Akane in the side, just under the ribs.]
Ranma-chan: Sure! I believe you!
[Akane turns, and looks oddly at Ranma-chan, who is walking by her into
the kitchen.]
Akane: <The sounds exactly like what Ranma used to say, only he would say
it to be cruel... wouldn't he?>
[Akane slowly follows Ranma-chan into the kitchen, caught up in her own
thoughts. The scene fades out to black. We see Akane's bedroom, Ranma-
chan is sitting on the bed, Akane at her desk. Akane is idly running a brush
through her hair. We have apparently arrived in the middle of a
conversation.]
Akane: Um... What about Kuno?
[Ranma-chan shakes her head, obviously frustrated.]
Ranma-chan: No! I don't remember anyone until you've talked to them in
front of me.
Akane: I'm just trying to help!
Ranma-chan: I know... Maybe if you told me why I'd forgotten all this.
[Akane stops brushing her hair.]
Akane I... don't think that will help.
Ranma-chan: Why don't you want to tell me? Nabiki said something about
me being cured.. Am I dying, Akane?
[Akane grips the edge of her desk.]
Akane: No, not that. Some... thing... hurt you, with you forgetting, it
can't hurt you anymore. I don't think telling you will bring your memory
back, and it will mean you start getting hurt again.
[By the end of this, Akane has squeezed her eyes shut, and her desk is
creaking ominously.]
Ranma-chan: I d-don't want to be hurt, Akane. I'm scared!
[Akane relaxes, and opens her eyes again. She turns to Ranma-chan.]
Akane: I guess I'm scared too, but I think if we stick together, we can help
each other.
Ranma-chan: I would never leave you Akane, I remember that.
Akane: What do mean, you remember that?
Ranma-chan: I remember being with you, and wanting to be with you when
I wasn't. It's all mixed up, but I know that if I did leave, I couldn't stay
away for long before I would have to come back.
Akane: All mixed up? How?
Ranma-chan: It's all mixed in with loving you. You're like a sister now,
only before you weren't, it's all mixed up because sometimes things aren't
really right at all, like thinking of how different you looked in different
clothes. It sometimes feels like there is two of me, one having all these
memories, and one trying to deal with them.
Akane: Oh... I think I understand, but do you mean you always loved me?
Ranma-chan: Yes, it's always there, that I can make sense of.
[Ranma-chan looks confused for a second.]
Ranma-chan: You mean you didn't know? But... but I remember deciding
to tell you, many times.
[Akane looks hurt be this, as if someone had punched her in the stomach,
and she is straining not to show the effects of it.]
Akane: You never did you know.
[Ranma-chan shrinks at the hurt in Akane's voice.]
Ranma-chan: I'm sorry... maybe I shouldn't have told you.
Akane: No... I.... I think it's better that I know...
Ranma-chan: If you're sure...
Akane: Yes, I'm sure.... I think it will help a lot.
[Ranma-chan still looks uncomfortable, Akane moves over to sit next to her
one the bed.]
Akane: I'm not angry with you, it wasn't your fault. You may be a piece of
who you were, but you are not the same person, and I don't blame you for
anything that you once did, although it may seem like it sometimes.
Ranma-chan: I'll try to remember...
Akane: I don't think we should talk about it anymore, at least not tonight.
I'm tired, it's been a very long day, and I'm still a bit tense from everything
that has happened.
Ranma-chan: If you say so...
Akane: Please, let's just get some sleep.
[Akane smiles wanly.]
Akane: This time in pajamas, I hate sleeping in my clothes.
[Akane gets up and starts rummaging through her drawers, looking for a
pair that will fit Ranma-chan. Eventually, she finds something that will do,
and tosses it over to the bed. Grabbing her own, she turns to find Ranma-
chan hopelessly trying to get out of her bra.]
Akane: <Wow! That thing really does look sexy, no wonder Nabiki wears
them.>
[She stares for a few more seconds, then blinks, heading over to help.]
Akane: Try folding your arms behind your back...
[Ranma-chan tries this, but it is just as hopeless.]
Akane: Maybe if you took the shoulders off first, and twisted it around?
Ranma-chan: Couldn't you just help?
Akane: Just try it! It's something you should know anyway. Besides, it's fun
watching you struggle!
[Ranma-chan looks up, and then sticks out her tongue at Akane. This
accomplished, she goes back to struggling with the bra, trying to slide the
shoulders off first. This is not a good idea, and Ranma-chan nearly in rips
the bra in two. Akane sighs.]
Akane: Oh well, I guess you won't get the hang of it...
[She reaches behind Ranma-chan and with a deft, single handed maneuver,
undoes the clasp.]
Ranma-chan: What? How did you do that?
Akane: Hmf! It's really easy once you've put one on and taken it off enough
times, it just takes practice.
Ranma-chan: If it's that easy, you show me. Maybe I can see how it's done.
[Akane pauses, suddenly unsure.]
Akane: <Come on, she doesn't even care about herself, and she just saw you
this morning anyway.>
[Gritting her teeth, she pulls off her T-shirt, and turns her back to Ranma-
chan. Reaching behind her, she unclasps her bra.]
Akane: See? That's how easy it is.
Ranma-chan: Well, what about the other way you said to try?
[Akane does up the clasp again, and turns around. She sees the anxious look
on Ranma-chan's face, and stops suddenly.]
Akane: <Am I that ashamed? That I can't even show a girl with the mind of
a child how to put on a bra?>
[She sets herself, and reaches up, sliding first one shoulder, and then the
other, free. She lets the bra collapse, and pulls her arms out of the loops.
Twisting the bra around, she undoes the clasp, holding the bra free in her
hand.]
Akane: You... see now? How it's done, I mean.
Ranma-chan: Ya, I think I could do that, but I don't think I could do it
behind my back.
Akane: O.K. Just stick with that then.
[Ranma-chan nods, and Akane takes the chance to slip into her pajama top,
turning around to do so. When she turns back, she see Ranma-chan has
stripped off her pants and boxers all in one maneuver, and is hoping around
one foot, having got the assemblage caught on the other. This gives Akane a
clear view of everything, and she stares for a few seconds before whipping
away again, face flushing red.]
Akane: <What am I doing? She's a girl like me, albeit in the body of the
man I... wait, that's not right...>
[Akane shakes her head, feeling her frustration mounting.]
Ranma-chan: Akane, are you alright?
[Akane turns back to face her, and sees she has finished putting on her
pajamas, and is looking at Akane, obviously concerned.]
Ranma-chan Are you mad I made you show me?
[Akane's face flushes even deeper at these words, and she can't work out a
reply.]
Ranma-chan: You are angry! I'm sorry I made you do that, I didn't know
you'd. please don't be angry with me.
[Akane forces herself to start breathing again, not realizing she had been
holding her breath.]
Akane: It's not that, I said earlier I had a lot to think about, and I still do...
Please, give me some time?
[Ranma-chan nods, walking over to Akane.]
Ranma-chan: I understand. If someone I cared about was hurt, I'd be hurt
too.
[Having said this, she enfolds Akane in a hug, trying to comfort her as she
was comforted by her. Akane relaxes, accepting that Ranma-chan means
well, and squeezes her back. She feels Ranma-chan begin to shift.]
Ranma-chan: Uh-oh...
Akane: What?
Ranma-chan: Bathroom...
[Akane hurriedly lets go, freeing the squirming girl.]
Akane: Oh, sorry...
[Ranma-chan turns, hurrying out the door. Akane sighs, and then giggles.]
Akane: <Oh well, I guess were all just human in the end. I might have
squeezed a little too hard though...>
[Akane pulls off her shorts, then her underwear, and slips into her pajama
pants. She is surprised to find herself feeling a little guilty about hiding this
from Ranma-chan.]
Akane: <She trusts me with so much, I've should be able to trust her back.>
[She sighs, lying down on the bed, and pulling herself back to make room
for Ranma-chan.]
Akane: <I hope I can trust as easily as she does... she is so innocent
now... so open...>
[Akane yawns, her jaw creaking.]
Ranma-chan: Wow! For a second there I thought I'd be able to see what you
had for dinner.
[Akane's eyes pop open again to see Ranma-chan looking down at her.]
Akane: <..and so mischievous! Was she always like this? Or am I just
noticing now?>
Akane: Stop complaining and get in, or I'll keep the whole bed for myself.
[Ranma-chan hops in, nearly crushing Akane under her.]
Akane: Hey, don't take all the sheets!
Ranma-chan: Ya... well... who's taking up the all the room.
Akane: I am not, and you're just trying to change the subject.
Ranma-chan: Well you are!
Akane: It's my bed anyway. Never mind all this, just turn out the light,
okay?
Ranma-chan: Alright, alright... bed hogger.
Akane: Sheet thief!
[The scene snaps to black with the shutting off of the light.]
Ranma-chan: Goodnight, Akane.
Akane: Goodnight, Ranma.
[There are a few seconds of black, and then the sun races across the sky, it's
beams arcing through the room. The moment they land on Akane's face, she
opens her eyes. She throws back the covers, and gets up, we catch a glimpse
of her clock, which shows it is just after ten. She turns and looks at the still
sleeping Ranma-chan.]
Akane: <I hope I don't look like that when I'm sleeping.>
[Ranma-chan indeed looks odd, with one leg sticking out from under the
covers, which are pushed down to her waist. Her arm is also
unceremoniously thrown over her head, draping off the top of the bed and
pulling her shirt up a bit, exposing her waist and a wedge of flesh down to
her stomach. Temptation overwhelms Akane and her hand comes up,
approaching the exposed flesh.]
Ranma-chan: Aaahhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!
[Following through, Akane jumps onto the bed, pinning Ranma-chan and
tickling her unmercifully. Ranma-chan struggles, laughing hysterically,
trying to get Akane to stop.]
Ranma-chan: No...... stop......... please...... I'll... have.. an ac-
accident.
[Akane leaps up, and heads for the door.]
Akane: Me first!
Ranma-chan: Hey!
[We see Ranma-chan jump up and follow Akane out of the room. The scene
fades to one of the bathroom. Ranma-chan is washing Akane's back, while
she sits on the stool, holding the soap. Ranma-chan has already been
scrubbed, her skin a bit pink.]
Akane: Hey! Not so hard.
Ranma-chan: Well, you shouldn't have tickled me this morning, that was
mean!
[Despite her words, Ranma-chan relents, scrubbing softer, if no less
diligently. She is soon done, and hands Akane the cloth. As Akane puts
them away, Ranma-chan heads over to the shower, turning on the water.
Akane turns at the sound, and remembers what happened yesterday.]
Akane: Wait!...
[But Ranma-chan has already stepped under the shower, shivering in the
cold water.]
Ranma-chan: What?
Akane: Oh, nothing....
Ranma-chan: Well then don't just stand there, get in!
[Akane walks over to the shower and hops in. Ranma-chan moves to let
Akane get wet, and shivers again.]
Akane: It's not that cold.
Ranma-chan: Are you kidding? It's freezing!
Akane: Then why not use the hot water?
Ranma-chan: On a day like today? It must be a thousand degree's out there!
[Akane glances towards the window, and sees the sun beating against it.]
Akane: Well, maybe... We'll see when we get downstairs.
[Ranma-chan shakes her head at this, spraying drops of water everywhere.]
Ranma-chan: Well, I know I'm going to be wearing little as possible!
[At this comment, Akane looks at her.]
Akane: It seems you already are!
[Ranma-chan doesn't reply to this, instead cupping her hands together, and
beginning a futile campaign to throw water in Akane's face. Akane just
sticks out her tongue at this and leans back, rinsing her hair.]
Ranma-chan: Hey, you're blocking the water!
Akane: Well, if you weren't trying to throw it at me anyway...
Ranma-chan: Alright, I'm sorry. Besides, we can't stay much longer, I can
smell Kasumi cooking lunch.
Akane: It'll be breakfast for us, because we slept in.
Ranma-chan: Ha! I'd still be asleep if it weren't for you.
Akane: But then you'd have missed lunch.
[Ranma-chan opens her mouth at this, but can't come up with a good reply.
She begins coughing when her mouth fills with water from the shower.]
Ranma-chan: You know... it's time to get out... when even the...
water... turns against you.
[Akane blinks at the choice of words, but Ranma-chan has already put her
statement into action, and is grabbing a towel to dry off. Akane turns off the
water and follows her. Ranma-chan tosses her another towel.]
Ranma-chan: Come on, if were late, somebody might have eaten everything!
Akane: Is food all you ever think about?
Ranma-chan: When I'm hungry, yes!
[Akane shakes her head, giving up. Ranma-chan smiles, wrapping her towel
around her waist and walking towards the door. She stops at the sound of
Akane clearing her throat.]
Akane: Aren't you forgetting something.
[Akane points at Ranma-chan's chest, which has finished drying nicely,
exposed to the air. Ranma-chan looks down.]
Ranma-chan: Oh! I wonder why I did that?
Akane: Latent voyeuristic tendencies. Nabiki's bra must have warped your
mind.
[Ranma-chan re-wraps the towel but is unable to get it to stay closed,
eventually tucking it under on arm to hold it shut.]
Ranma-chan: Let's just go, so I can get dressed and then eat something.
[Ranma-chan's stomach rumbles loudly to back up her statement. Akane
finishes drying her hair and heads over to the door.]
Akane: You don't have to wait for me you know... besides, you're closer to
the door.
Ranma-chan: I know that! But half the fun of doing something is doing it
with someone.
[Ranma-chan heads out of the room. Akane follows, but with her brows
drawn together, studying Ranma-chan from behind.]
Akane: <I wonder if that's true? It doesn't sound like something Ranma
would normally say.>
[We follow the girls into Akane's room where, to Akane's great relief, two
piles of clothes sit on the bed.]
Akane: <I'd completely forgotten about that! Thank you, Kasumi!>
[We cut to the Tendo kitchen, where Kasumi is making lunch. We see her
pause, look up, and smile. She goes back to her cooking and the scene cuts
back to Akane's room, where both girls have now doffed the towels. Ranma-
chan has already pulled on the boxers from her pile of clothes, and is rifling
through the pile. Akane has pulled on a pair of panties, and is twisting
around to do up the clasp on her bra.]
Ranma-chan: There's no bra in my pile.
Akane: You... didn't wear one much... before.
[Ranma-chan stops rifling for a second and then picks up a shirt.]
Ranma-chan: Fine by me. It's to hot to bother with it anyway.
[We see Akane smile, and she pulls on her own shirt.]
Akane: <You will learn, sometimes it is cooler to wear more rather than
less.>
[Her head popping out the top, she sees Ranma-chan has already finished
dressing, and is holding out Akane's shorts for her. She takes them.]
Akane: Thanks
[Akane begins pulling them on, and notices Ranma-chan isn't wearing any
socks.]
Akane: <I guess some things were so much a habit, she doesn't even realize
what she is doing.>
Akane: Come on, lets go.
[The scene cuts to one of the Tendo dining room. Ranma-chan is kneeling,
consuming vast quantities of food. Kasumi, Nabiki, and Akane are also
kneeling, but are eating, more than ravaging, the food.]
Akane: Thanks for lunch Kasumi.
Kasumi: Breakfast for you two, I think.
Nabiki: Never mind the small talk! How did it go with you and Shampoo
yesterday?
Kasumi: Oh? Shampoo dropped by?
[Akane looks over at her oldest sister.]
Akane: You didn't notice the new hole in our wall?
[Kasumi blinks, somehow managing to look very pretty doing it.]
Kasumi: I did, but those sort of things are usually so common around here I
didn't think anymore of it.
[Both Nabiki and Akane facefault, Kasumi blinks again.]
Akane: Well, Great-Grandmother showed up as well, and that put a crimp in
Shampoo's plan. I talked to both of them, the end result being I'm now a
student of Great-Grandmother's
Nabiki: Great-Grandmother? You mean Cologne?
[Akane shifts a bit where she is kneeling.]
Akane: Well, yes. But she said I had to show respect if I was going to be her
student, and said I must call her Great-Grandmother.
Nabiki: How did she get you to do that?
[Akane reaches for a her glass, and takes a sip nervously.]
Akane: She... hit me over the head with her staff.
[Akane turns a bit red at this, and takes another sip from her glass. Nabiki
begins giggling. Akane turns to look at her.]
Akane: You had to have been there, okay?
Nabiki: Alright, so what happens now?
Akane: I don't know, and that also brings up a favor I had to ask of you two.
Kasumi: What is it, Akane?
Akane: I would like you to keep an eye on Ranma while I go down to
Ukyou's and then by the Nekohanten. I shouldn't be gone long.
Ranma-chan: Hey! I want to go with you!
Akane: I knew you would, but I think this is something I have to do on my
own.
Akane: <I also want to drop by Dr. Tofu's and see if something's wrong
with me. It is a hot day today, and I can barely even feel it, even Kasumi
looks uncomfortable in the heat.>
Ranma-chan: If you say so. But what am I supposed to do for the rest of
the day?
Kasumi: I think you can help me in the kitchen, I'm going to make some
cool snacks, and was planning to make enough for the rest of the week. We
might try a few other things, if you want.
[Ranma-chan brightens a bit at this.]
Ranma-chan: Alright.
Akane: Thank you, I shouldn't be gone long.
[We see Akane begin to rise, and the scene fades to the front hall. We see
Akane crouched there, putting on a pair of running shoes.]
Akane: <There, that should be better than dress shoes for running. I still feel
a little tense, and running should help me relax.>
[Akane walks out the front door, and begins to run. We see various shots of
Akane running down streets and around corners. People on the streets turn
to stare at her, obviously thinking her crazed to be running in the heat.]
Bystander1: She's crazy to be running in this heat!
Bystander2: Yes!
Bystander3: What an odd girl.
[We see Akane arrive at Dr. Tofu's clinic, running up through the doorway
and coming to halt, crouching to take off her shoes. She is breathing heavily,
but is otherwise unchanged.]
Akane: <Nothing! Something must really be wrong, I should be sweating
like crazy after a run like that.>
[Akane proceeds to the waiting room. There is an young woman waiting
there, obviously not taking the heat well. She groans, and slumps even more
when she sees a cool looking Akane walk in.]
Akane: <Oh well, I guess I can wait a little while.>
[Some time passes, and we see Akane reading a manga, with a be-horned
girl on the cover.]
Dr. Tofu: Alright, who's next?
[Akane looks up, and sees that she is the only one there. She gets up and
follows Dr. Tofu.]
Akane: I'm sorry to come again so soon, but I think I have a problem.
Dr. Tofu: Is it about Ranma?
Akane: No, although she is doing much better, she seems to be talking a lot
more, although she doesn't seem to remember anybody but me until I have
introduced her to them again.
[Dr. Tofu nods, understanding.]
Dr. Tofu: That is the best we could hope for, although she may begin to
remember things on her own. Now, what was your problem?
Akane: Well, you see, I'm not sweating.
[Dr. Tofu laughs at this.]
Dr. Tofu: In this heat, that is a blessing, I think.
[Akane shakes her head.]
Akane: No, I fought a practice round with Ryouga yesterday, and didn't
sweat then...
[Akane grimaces a bit at the memory of the fight, and what she realized
during it.]
Akane: And then I ran all the way here and nothing happened, I can't really
even feel the heat. I know it's hot, but it seems like just the right
temperature to me.
[Dr. Tofu looks thoughtfully at Akane.]
Dr. Tofu: You might have a fever of some kind. Please, take a seat on the
table.
[We see Akane hop up on the table, perching on the edge. Dr. Tofu begins to
examine her. Some of what he does is quite familiar, feeling her forehead for
a fever, checking her pulse. Others are quite bizarre, and defy any rational
explanation.]
Dr. Tofu: I haven't found anything wrong yet, but I would like to take blood
sample in case.
Akane: Of course.
[We see Dr. Tofu prepare a needle, and begin to take a sample of blood from
Akane's arm. Akane watches what he does, but is otherwise unconcerned.]
Akane: Do you think it might be anything serious?
Dr. Tofu: No, anything really serious would have affected you in other ways
as well, and I can find no evidence of that.
Akane: So it's fine for me to go over to Ukyou's then?
Dr. Tofu: I don't see why not. But if anything changes, call me or come here
immediately.
Akane: Alright, I will.
Dr. Tofu: Why are you going to Ukyou's? I thought you two women were in
disagreement over a few. things.
Akane: Maybe, but she has a right to know what happened, and I think it's
better that I go over to see her rather than have her show up suddenly.
Dr. Tofu: Ah, yes. I remember the Tendo households propensity for
unexpected visitors.
[Akane smiles at this, and hops down off the table.]
Akane: Thank you for your help, Dr. Tofu.
Dr. Tofu: I am your doctor, I think I could do no less.
Akane: I meant about more than just this visit.
Dr. Tofu: So did I.
[Akane smiles at Dr. Tofu.]
Akane: Good-bye, Dr. Tofu. I'll call if there is any change.
Dr. Tofu: Good-bye Akane.
[The scene is of the front of the clinic, the sun still beating down. We see
Akane walk out of the clinic, and turn, walking down the sidewalk.]
Akane: <It is a nice day. I think I'll walk to Ukyou's, it isn't that far.>
[We see her walk off, and the scene fades to one of Ucchan's. A small group
of people leave, and we see Akane appear once they are out of sight. She
heads up to the door, only to have it open again before she gets there. We see
Ukyou standing in the doorway.]
Akane: Ukyou, I was wondering if we might be able to talk?
[Ukyou looks at Akane, looking surprised that she would come here alone.]
Ukyou: About what?
Akane: About Ranma...
Ukyou: If you think you are going to talk me into giving him up, you can
forget it right now!
[Ukyou begins to pull the door shut, but Akane is now close enough and she
reaches out, grabbing it by the edge. The door stops closing.]
Ukyou: I don't have anything to say to you, Akane.
[Ukyou tries to back up this statement by pulling the door from Akane's
grasp, but has no luck.]
Akane: Ukyou, I don't care if you want to run to the ends of the earth after
Ranma, but what I want to say to you is important and I will tell it to you, in
private, before I leave.
Ukyou: There is no one around here, you can tell me now!
[Ukyou tries a few more experimental tugs at the door, but it doesn't move.
Akane shakes her head.]
Akane: No, Ukyou. Inside.
Ukyou: I let you in when you're with Ranchan, but I don't have to when
you're alone.
[Ukyou gives the door a furious pull, and we hear an ominous creaking
sound before the handle comes off in Ukyou's hand. Ukyou, surprised, falls
back and lands rather heavily on the floor inside the restaurant. Akane walks
in and the door swings shut behind her.]
Akane: Now that we have proven you can destroy your own door, maybe we
can talk?
[Ukyou stares at the handle for a few seconds, and then scrambles to her
feet, gripping the handle uncertainly in one hand.]
Ukyou: Me?! You're the muscle headed tomboy!
[Akane fumes at this, her hands balling into fists at her sides.]
Akane: I come her to try to talk with you, and all you can do is insult me!
Ukyou: Somebody's got to tell you the truth about your femininity, before
you hurt someone!
Akane: Femininity! You ignorant cross-dresser, you don't know half as
much about being a woman as Ranma-chan does!
Ukyou: At least he makes a decent woman, you chestless freak!
Akane: That's IT! I come here to tell you Ranma-chan's been raped, and
you can't.... even......
[Akane slows to a stop, realizing what she has just said. She looks around
the restaurant, but it is empty, the lunch rush just over. She turns back at the
sound of something dropping to the floor. She sees Ukyou retreating from
the fallen door handle, shaking her head, staring at it.]
Ukyou: No.... he can't lose.... he never loses...
[Akane can't make herself move, and just stares at the still retreating
Ukyou.]
Akane: <Is that all she sees in him? Someone who can't be beaten? Some
superhuman man who is her friend, that she should worship him in return?>
Akane: Ukyou, I'm... sorry...
[Ukyou looks up at the sound of her voice.]
Ukyou: No... this is all your fault.... you drove him to this... you did
something to him, and now you can't admit it... lies, all lies...
[As Ukyou says this she stops backing away, pointing an accusing finger at
Akane. She seems to gain purpose in ranting at Akane, and begins
advancing on her. Accusation paints her features, and she draws her
spatula.]
Ukyou: You bitch! You can't face what you did, and now you want to spread
your lies...
[Ukyou raises her spatula over her head, drawing back for a swing.]
Ukyou: I'm going to make you pay, hurt you like you've always hurt
Ranchan...
[Akane, standing shocked through her ranting, finally finds movement
again, raising her hand. Before Ukyou can react, her head is snapped to the
side by the force of the slap. She looks back at Akane, shock on her face, her
mouth frozen open in mid yell. An angry red hand print begins to form on
her check. Akane speaks, her voice tired and full of pain.]
Akane: I'm sorry, Ukyou. I don't care what you believe, but I would never
do something like that.
[Ukyou's voice is small, far away from what she has heard, who she is
talking to.]
Ukyou: It couldn't happen, not to him...
Akane: Ukyou, listen to me. I can't make it go away. It's what happened,
and it's over. Now I need your help to deal with it. I want you to come by for
dinner, so I can introduce you to Ranma.
Ukyou: Introduce me!?
Akane: She isn't the same person anymore, she forgot everything.
Ukyou: She? What do you mean she?
[Akane sighs.]
Akane: Ranma will not accept her male body, changing caused her to
scream and collapse. It's because she is only a little girl. She was hurt by
what happened, and simply pushed it away, everything went.
Ukyou: She... forgot... everything?
Akane: Ukyou, you aren't listening to me! She doesn't remember anything!
I wanted to ask you to drop by tonight, maybe she will remember you
because you knew her when she was young.
Ukyou: What about his father? What does Mr. Saotome have to say?
Akane: Please, just come over for dinner. I'll explain what I can then, and
you can meet her yourself.
[Ukyou doesn't reply, turning away and bracing herself on her spatula.]
Ukyou: Just go away, Akane.
Akane: Ukyou, I-
[Ukyou hunches over her spatula.]
Ukyou: Just GO!!
[Akane opens her mouth say something else, and then turns and leaves.]
Akane: <Great, just great! That really went well.>
[Akane stalks away from Ucchan's. The camera follows her and we see her
walk past Furinkan High, which Akane glares at.]
Akane: <Another great thing, school starts in a week!>
[She stumps off again, and soon arrives at the Nekohantan. She opens the
door and walks in. The restaurant is empty, also just after the lunch rush.
The only person in sight is Mousse, who is facing one of the plants.]
Mousse: I'm afraid that if you don't pay for your ramen, sir, I must take
action.
[Akane storms by, not even bothering to glance at Mousse. She opens the
door to the kitchen, and sees Shampoo washing her hands.]
Akane: Shampoo, do you know where Great-Grandmother is?
[Shampoo indicates another door, leading out of the kitchen towards the
back.]
Shampoo: She in back. Find lost boy, but he get lost again. Great-
Grandmother frustrated.
Akane: Thank you.
[Akane moves through the kitchen towards the door, and pushes it open
forcefully. In doing so, she totally misses the look Shampoo gives her. We
see the back room, in which Cologne is sitting cross-legged on the floor with
her eyes closed. It is obviously a room for physical activity, as the floor is
bare and various martial arts implements line the walls. Akane pounds up to
Cologne, and begins talking.]
Akane: Well? I'm here, you said you want to study me, so let's get to it.
[Cologne opens her eyes and looks up at Akane, who is looming over her.]
Cologne: I want to study the technique you can sometimes use, I am not
particularly interested in you.
Akane: Fine then! I seem to be only able to do it while I'm angry, so this
seems like the most appropriate time.
Cologne: Alright, let's see a demonstration of the technique in motion. I
have already seen it at rest, so to speak.
Akane: Perfect! What do you want me to destroy? It's already been a great
day for that!
Cologne: What about that block over by the wall?
[Akane pounds over to indicated block, and draws back her fist. As before, it
feels like she is pushing her fist through something, only this time it feels
heavier, more resistance trying to hold her arm back. Her fist still moves
forward at full speed, and as it comes contact with the block, there is a
bright blue flash. Akane feels suddenly light headed, and she blinks away
the spots before her eyes. After a few moments, her vision returns, and she
sees that the block has completely disappeared, and behind where it was is a
square hole in the wall. She turns to Cologne.]
Akane: It didn't do that before.
[Akane suddenly finds her knees buckling.]
Akane: I feel most... odd.
[With this she collapses to the floor, landing in an undignified heap.
Darkness descends.]
-*END CHAPTER FIVE*-
-*CHAPTER SIX: You can have any color you want.*-
[We see the darkness fade into a blurry image of Cologne, who is standing
above the camera. Someone groans.]
Cologne: Ah! You're awake. Good!
[The image clears, and then cuts to a shot of Cologne looking down at
Akane, who is lying on the floor. Akane groans again, and begins to sit up.]
Akane: What happened? I feel really weird, like I haven't eaten for days.
Cologne: You were quite angry when you arrived, I could feel it even before
you entered the room. I knew trying to begin teaching you would be a wasted
effort, so I thought if I could channel your anger into something else, you
might calm down a bit.
Akane: But why did I collapse?
Cologne: You fainted, girl. There is no denying that, but as to why? Well, I
thought you would lose most of your anger in the blow, but I didn't realize
that half your ki would go with it. Much more and you could have seriously
hurt yourself, as it is you will feel weak for at least a day or so.
Akane: But where did it all go? What happened to the block?
[Cologne sighs, exasperated.]
Cologne: You put your ki into the blow. As to the block, well there are holes
for a quite a few walls behind that one. Fortunately they angle up, and get
progressively smaller, so your block will not be hurting anyone.
Akane: Oh. I wonder where it will land?
Cologne: Ha! I doubt it will. It will either leave the atmosphere, or be burned
away by air friction. That block of yours is probably the fastest thing ever to
originate from this planet!
Akane: My block?
Cologne: Well, I certainly didn't make it go that fast!
Akane: Oh... um... Well, what happens now?
Cologne: Ah! Just the question I have been waiting for! First, I tell you that
if you ever yell at me again, I'll have to beat some sense into you until you
don't. Second, we begin some simple physical activity, as I want to see just
how fit you are. Some good hard work will help you recover your ki, and
build up stamina.
Akane: I was afraid of that...
Cologne: No complaining! You agreed to this, now get up!
Akane: Yes, Great-Grandmother.
[Akane rises, apparently recovered enough for this. She walks out to the
center of the floor, and turns to Cologne.]
Akane: Where do you want me to begin?
Cologne: Simple forms will do. I would like to see what your style is, so I
know what will be the most effective way to begin your teaching.
[Akane nods, and we see her fade into the first of a series of forms, simple at
first, but getting more complex as time progresses. Cologne watches at first,
wandering around as Akane moves in the center of the room.]
Cologne: Come on, girl! You can push yourself harder then that.
[Akane picks up a little speed in the center of the room, and begins some
harder techniques.]
Cologne: Much better! Now we will see you sweat.
[Akane doesn't break her routine, but begins talking. She sounds a little
winded, but not overly tired.]
Akane: I don't think you'll see that happen.
Cologne: Oh? And why is that?
Akane: I haven't been sweating recently. I noticed that after I had my.
match with Ryouga, that I had not perspired from the exertion at all. I
resolved to go see Dr. Tofu, and ran from my house to his clinic, without
sweating a drop. He wasn't able to tell what was wrong, but took a blood
sample to try to find out. He said it wasn't likely to be serious, because I was
fine in every other way, but to call him if there was any change.
Cologne: Interesting. I would like to try something, so if you could come
over here for a second.
[Akane finishes the form she was on, and walks over to Cologne.]
Cologne: Lie down on your back.
[Akane does so, and Cologne starts poking pressure points with her staff.]
Akane: <How odd, she's hitting some of the ones Dr. Tofu tried, and others
I haven't seen used before.>
[Akane looks at Cologne, questions in her eyes, but Cologne is concentrating
on what she is doing, and doesn't take any notice.]
Akane: <Oh well, maybe I can find a chance to ask her later.>
[Cologne doesn't seem to be happy with the results she is getting, and pokes
Akane a few more times.]
Cologne: Hmf! Alright, on your stomach, girl. This is proving more of a
mystery than I would have thought.
[Akane rolls over, lying face down. Cologne starts poking with her staff
again, but gives up and starts using her fingers instead. Akane, unable to see
what is going on, gets a little bored with the whole affair.]
Akane: <This floor is really hard, I wonder how long this is going to take?>
[Cologne pokes a few more times, and then stops.]
Cologne: Drat! You are producing heat, but it simply disappears before your
body can react and shed it normally. When did this first happen?
Akane: I... hmm... It must have been when I was fighting Ryouga, I
noticed after he had left.
Cologne: It may have something to do with your ki focusing then, but I
wonder how they tie together. Anyway, it is of no importance right now.
Your Dr. Tofu was correct, you are in no danger from this, so back to your
forms.
[Akane gets up, and begins to work up to where she left off. She is soon
breathing heavily from the exertion.]
Akane: Great-... grandmother... What... happened... to... Ryouga...
anyway?
Cologne: Ah, yes. I found him and he is fine, if a little sore. Unfortunately,
before I could learn anything from him about what happened, he had
disappeared again. Next time, I will not let him go to the bathroom alone.
[We see Akane smile at Cologne's response. The smile fades, and she
returns to concentrating on her forms. The scene fades out to black.]
Akane: I feel like I'm dead.
[The scene fades back in to the practice room. Cologne is seated cross
legged, leaning against one wall. She is watching the center of the room,
where Akane was practicing. Akane, meanwhile, has stopped practicing and
is kneeling in the center of the room.]
Cologne: Nonsense girl, when you do a real workout, then you can feel like
you're dead. A light warm-up like this shouldn't tire you out.
[Akane groans at this, and falls over onto her back.]
Cologne: Do sit up, you aren't that tired. Besides, women don't flop, we
might allow ourselves to sit and rest, but we do not flop.
[Akane sighs, sits up, folding herself into a cross legged position, matching
Cologne.]
Cologne: Much better! Now then, just showing up at random like you did
today is not going to work, I want to start out a schedule for you to be here. I
think starting around ten o'clock each morning should work, and then
finishing around six in the evening.
Akane: I have a question, Great-Grandmother.
Cologne: Go ahead, I do not care how many questions you ask, but they
better be worth my time to answer. I do not like worthless questions.
Akane: Well, today I left Ranma with Kasumi, but I do not want to impose
on my sisters every day-?
Cologne: Bring her along, she and I can talk, and she may be interested in
practicing with you. She has forgotten who she was, but her body remembers
what it knows, so she has no small skill.
Akane: Thank you, Great-Grandmother. Also, I have school starting in a
week, and it will use up most of the time you have already allotted.
Cologne: I take it from your attitude you will not be willing to give up
school?
[Akane looks uncomfortable, and hunts for a reply.]
Akane: I don't mean to be disobedient, but I have already dedicated much of
my time to school, and I do not wish to see that wasted.
Cologne: Alright, we will reschedule your training when you begin school.
Akane: I believe if we moved to the dojo at the house, we would have the
evening undisturbed, as the dojo is not in use during those hours.
Cologne: Alright, your dojo it is then, from after you are finished school
until around ten in the evening.
[Akane nods.]
Akane: I'll be here at ten tomorrow morning with Ranma then.
[Cologne nods, rising to walk around the room.]
Cologne: I'll expect you, so don't be late. For now, today has been a busy
day, and I'm hungry. So you can make something to eat for the both of us.
[Akane's eyes grow wide, and she sits there, frozen by this latest task.]
Cologne: Well? Get going.
[Akane still doesn't move, and she opens her mouth, forcing out a single
word.]
Akane: B-but...
Cologne: But? BUT? No buts girl, you agreed to be my student, and what I
choose for you to do is mine to decide, not yours!
[Akane shrinks back with every word, and her lower lip begins to tremble.]
Akane: I... but I-
Cologne: Still you are sitting there?! I have never had a student so
disobedient!
Akane: I c-c-can't c-c-cook...
[With this statement, Akane bursts into tears, holding her face in her
hands.]
Akane: I n-never c-could. He always said I c-couldn't. It h-hurt when he
said it, and I g-got angry at him for it. B-but it was t-true, I n-nearly p-
poisoned him every time I m-made something.
[Akane sobs hopelessly in the middle of the room.]
Cologne: <I thought she was too calm, and now it comes out. Enough stress,
in the right places, and anything can break.>
[Cologne sits down, waiting for Akane's crying to subside.]
Akane: I d-didn't want to b-believe her, b-but she was so open, so honest. I
knew it b-before, but I d-didn't want t-to b-b-believe.
[Akane looks up, we see her eyes are red, and tears are running down her
face.]
Akane: It's t-too late... He's gone and it's t-t-too l-l-l-late....
[Cologne sits patiently through Akane's crying. Akane buries her head in
her hands again. After a while her sobs fade out, and she sits still,
occasionally sniffling.]
Akane: I'm sorry, Great-Grandmother. I... I think I should go now...
[Cologne looks at Akane, and then grunts.]
Cologne: For not being able to cook? Just because you do not know
something does not mean you cannot know. If you mean about your
breakdown...
[Cologne sighs.]
Cologne: You cannot bottle everything up within you, girl. It may, while
contained, provide a great deal of power, but sooner or later it will either
burst out or burn you away from the inside. When I lost my first husband, I
thought I understood, and I didn't feel anything. It took two weeks before
my daughter finally got frustrated enough to call me an uncaring old
woman. I cried in her arms for two hours, unable to stop. I hated her for it,
and hated myself even more, but by the end I realized that I really did care,
and that understanding the loss of my husband didn't make it any less
painful. Some things easy to understand, but hard to deal with. It is the
simple things which make life hard, sometimes.
[Akane looks at Cologne, understanding more about the old woman.
Cologne notices her watching.]
Cologne: Go get cleaned up, you can use the washroom off the kitchen.
[Akane nods, rising. She turns and begins walking towards the door.]
Cologne: And send my granddaughter in on your way.
[Akane nods again, and disappears through the door. The scene fades to one
of Akane coming through a door, looking much better. We see her walk
through the kitchen of the Nekohantan, and head for the door to the back
room. She enters and sees Cologne waiting patiently, with Shampoo
standing to one side, a bit bored.]
Cologne: Ah! You're back!
[Cologne turns to Shampoo.]
Cologne: Now granddaughter, I want you to teach Akane how to cook,
apparently her skills in that area are lacking.
[Shampoo looks startled at this.]
Shampoo: Shampoo teach Akane how to cook?
[Cologne pokes Shampoo with her staff.]
Cologne: If you understand, then do it, don't repeat it back to me. My
memory is not that bad!
[Cologne walks out of the room heading through the kitchen. Shampoo
watches her go, and then turns to Akane.]
Shampoo: Come on, Great-Grandmother says teach you to cook, so
Shampoo teach you to cook.
Akane: I didn't mean to get you involved, Shampoo...
Shampoo: Shampoo get involved sooner or later. Now is sooner, so
Shampoo involved.
[Shampoo walks out of the room, surreptitiously rubbing the area where
Cologne poked her. Akane follows, and notices what Shampoo is doing.
Trying to change the subject, she says the first thing which crosses her
mind.]
Akane: How do you fight with those anyway? Don't they get in the way?
[Shampoo turns and stares at Akane, her lips pressing together. Akane turns
pink, and Shampoo's face contorts even more. Akane takes a step back.]
Akane: I'm sorry, I. I shouldn't have asked...
[At this Shampoo bursts, peals of laughter echoing across the room, and out
of the kitchen. Shampoo looks up at Akane, still giggling.]
Shampoo: Ancient Joketsuzoku village secret, handed down from mother to
daughter for generations...
[Akane looks at Shampoo, interest sparked on her face.]
Akane: Really?!
[Shampoo bursts into new gales of laughter, bracing her self against a
counter as tears roll down her face. Realizing she's been duped, Akane's
face burns even redder. A voice floats in from out of the room.]
Cologne: Granddaughter, what is so funny?
[Shampoo struggles to force the words out between laughs.]
Shampoo: Ancient Joketsuzoku village secret...
Cologne: The bust joke?
[Shampoo nods, and then shakes her head in frustration when she
remembers her grandmother isn't in the room.]
Shampoo: Yes.
Cologne: How does she look?
Shampoo: Red!
[Akane is indeed red, listening to this conversation. Cologne's chuckles float
in from outside the room.]
Cologne: I'm sorry I missed that!
[After this exchange, Akane realizes she is not the first to be duped, and
feels better.]
Akane: <Actually, it is kind of funny.>
[Shampoo finally regains control of herself, and turns to Akane.]
Shampoo: Come on, Shampoo teach you how to cook.
[We see Shampoo begin to assemble the ingredients for a basic ramen,
giggling a bit every time she glances at Akane. The scene fades out as
Akane begins to be instructed in how to make ramen by Shampoo.]
-*END CHAPTER SIX*-
-*CHAPTER SEVEN: Ua luhi loa au...*-
[The Tendo home fades into view. Akane walks up, entering through the
front door. Cut to the living room, where Nabiki is watching television.
Akane walks up, and flops onto the couch next to her. She leans back with
her eyes closed.]
Nabiki: I take it today didn't go well?
[Akane opens her eyes, and looks at her sister.]
Akane: Actually, towards the end it went a bit better, but I think it is going
to be difficult to make Ukyou understand completely.
Nabiki: You talked to her?
Akane: No, we ended up yelling at each other. It went really badly, and she
told me to get out of her restaurant. I left, and went down to the Nekohantan
to talk with Great-Grandmother. Unfortunately, by this time I was really
mad, and I yelled at her as well. Needless to say she didn't take that well,
and I spent the rest of the afternoon doing forms. At least, until she found
out I couldn't cook. Then I spent the rest of the time learning how to make
ramen.
Nabiki: How many people did you poison?
[Akane throws Nabiki a hurt look, but she is unaffected. Akane sighs.]
Akane: Only me... Shampoo said that if I made it I'd have to eat it. It took
me four tries before I could finally eat it.
Nabiki: Oh? What type of ramen was it anyway?
Akane: Just ramen.
Nabiki: No flavor?
Akane: Nope.
Nabiki: It took you four tries to make plain, unflavored ramen?
Akane: Five, the first one simply ceased to exist. I made three more after
that, Shampoo wanted to make sure I had it right. I hope I can make it
again, as Shampoo said we have to continue tomorrow.
Nabiki: Why Shampoo? I thought you were Cologne's student.
Akane: Great-Grandmother assigned Shampoo to teach me, and told me to
learn. So we're stuck with the arrangement.
Nabiki: Oh.
[There is a pause in the conversation, Akane runs a hand through her hair.]
Akane: How did things go around here?
Nabiki: Not bad, I spent most of the day doing finances, Kasumi and Ranma
spent most of the day in the kitchen, except when they went shopping for
some more food.
Akane: And Father?
[Nabiki sighs.]
Nabiki: He came down to eat, but wouldn't look at Ranma-chan. He didn't
say anything, and went back to his room.
Akane: Oh.
Nabiki: Kasumi and Ranma are still in the kitchen, they won't let anyone
else in.
Akane: I have to talk with Ranma anyway, I'll go see what they're up to.
[Nabiki nods, and Akane rises, walking toward the kitchen. As she get
closer she can hear voices from the room. She sticks her head in the door,
and sees a flood of food creation. Every style of cold food is there: western,
japanese, and a few chinese dishes as well. She is startled by the amount of
food, and it is a moment before she speaks.]
Akane: You guys really have been busy.
[Kasumi and Ranma-chan look up from where they are mixing some
ingredients in a bowl. Ranma-chan smiles and runs over to Akane.]
Ranma-chan: Akane!
[She latches on to Akane in a hug. Akane sighs, and hugs back. Kasumi just
smiles.]
Ranma-chan: I missed you. You were gone longer than you said you would
be.
Akane: I know, but I got caught up at the Nekohantan. Speaking of which,
how would you like to come with me tomorrow? I have to go back, and
Great-Grandmother said to invite you along.
Ranma-chan: Alright, but who is Great-Grandmother?
Akane: You met her yesterday, after Shampoo arrived.
Ranma-chan: Oh! The nice old woman. I wouldn't mind seeing her again.
[We see Akane mouth the word 'nice' at Kasumi, who just shrugs.]
Akane: Alright, I-
[Ranma-chan steps back, and her glance strays down.]
Ranma-chan: Akane, what happened to your hand?
[The camera pans down, to show Akane's right hand is wrapped in some
gauze bandages. Ranma-chan reaches out take the hand in her own, and
begins to gently turn it over. Akane looks puzzled, but lets her continue.]
Akane: Great-Grandmother was nice enough to wrap it-
Ranma-chan: Who did this to you?
[Akane is startled to hear a hard edge in Ranma-chan's voice, and looks up,
to see an odd intensity to her eyes.]
Akane: No one, I hurt it punching a cinder block.
Ranma-chan: Oh.
[Akane watches as Ranma-chan almost seems to draw back into herself,
nothing physical occurs, but Akane is sure something is different.]
Akane: Are you alright?
Ranma-chan: Of course, I was just worried about you.
[Ranma-chan looks completely innocent, and Akane finds herself backing
down.]
Akane: Well, it's set then, I said I would be at the Nekohanten at ten
tomorrow, and you'll be coming with me.
Kasumi: That's a good idea, I think if we prepared any more food, I would
have trouble storing it all.
[Akane pulls her hand free from Ranma-chan, who, in response, pokes
Akane.]
Ranma-chan: We won't have any trouble eating it all.
[Akane turns to Ranma-chan, shocked.]
Akane: I do not eat that much! Unlike some people I know...
Ranma-chan: Hey! At least I admit it!
Akane: Hmf! I don't have anything to admit...
Kasumi: Girls!
[Both Akane and Ranma-chan turn to look at Kasumi.]
Kasumi: Thank you. Now then, it is immaterial to argue over who eats
more, but speaking of admitting things, Ranma?
[Ranma-chan suddenly looks uncomfortable, turning a little red, and staring
at her feet.]
Ranma-chan: Do I have to?
Kasumi: Yes, you do.
[Ranma-chan turns to face Akane, but still looks down at her feet.]
Ranma-chan: I... I broke the heater...
Akane: Heater?
Ranma-chan: The hot water heater. Kasumi went to fill a bowl with some,
but there wasn't anymore. I said I'd fix it, and went to look at the heater. I
was just looking, but suddenly it was broken. I didn't mean to do anything.
Please don't be angry, I'm sorry I touched it... I already promised I
wouldn't touch it again...
[Akane reaches out and takes Ranma-chan by the shoulders, looking into her
eyes.]
Akane: It's all right Ranma. You shouldn't have touched the hot water
heater, but I'm not angry with you. You wanted to help, and your ambition
exceeded your skill, that's all. But if you ever do it again, I will be angry,
because you will have broken a promise.
[Ranma-chan nods, and Akane hugs her briefly, Kasumi looking on
thoughtfully.]
Kasumi: Nabiki called the repairman, but it will be a week before he can
make it.
Akane: I guess it's cold showers then.
[Ranma-chan shivers, despite the heat of the day. Akane turns towards her
and smiles.]
Akane: I hate to say it, but you only have yourself to blame...
[Ranma-chan nods miserably, and shivers again at the thought. Kasumi
smiles broadly at Akane]
Kasumi: Well, now that we have dealt with the matter of the heater. Would
you care for something to eat, Akane?
[Akane looks at all the food in the kitchen, and turns a little pale.]
Akane: No, thank you. I think I'll go watch some television.
Ranma-chan: You're not hungry?
Akane: No I... already ate.
[Ranma-chan looks a little hurt by this.]
Akane: Don't worry, knowing this family, I'm sure it will all get eaten.
[Ranma-chan accepts this, but still looks at little disappointed.]
Ranma-chan: Alright, I guess...
[Akane puts her arm around Ranma-chan's shoulders.]
Akane: Come on, I'll help you and Kasumi clean up.
[Akane walks over to the counter, pulling a reluctant Ranma-chan with her.
Kasumi pulls a neat stack of storage containers from a cupboard, and the trio
begin to store the food, with Ranma-chan occasionally snacking on some of
it.]
Kasumi: Good, now we only have the washing up to do. Akane, if you could
get a saucepan out of the cupboard above the stove, please?
[Akane nods.]
Akane: Okay.
[Kasumi bends down, retrieving some soap, scrubbing brushes and drying
towels from underneath the sink. Rising, she sees Akane reaching towards
the cupboard, bracing herself with one hand on the stove.]
Kasumi: AKANE!
[Startled by the vehemence of her shout, both Akane and Ranma-chan all
but leap back from where they were standing. Akane's face is shocked, she
has only rarely heard Kasumi raise her voice, and it was never directed
towards her before. Ranma-chan doesn't look upset, but is throwing
inquisitive glances at both women, trying to find out what is going on.
Kasumi looks concerned though, and rushes over to Akane, grabbing her
hand and looking at it.]
Akane: Ka- Kasumi, what's wrong?
Kasumi: I was using that burner to boil water not fifteen minutes ago, you
should have noticed it was still hot!
[Akane's eyes widen and, almost as one, her and Ranma-chan look down.
Akane's hand is unmarked, and she flexes it experimentally.]
Akane: I was sure it wasn't hot. Anyway, my hand's fine.
[Kasumi looks unsure, and cautiously holds her own hand over the burner,
then taps it briefly.]
Kasumi: It's cold now, but I was sure it would still be hot.
Akane: Well, it wasn't. So, do want me to get you a saucepan or not?
[Kasumi, still a little distracted, nods and goes back to the sink, giving the
stove one last glance. Akane looks at Ranma-chan, shrugs, gets a shrug in
return, and then goes back to getting the pot down from the cupboard.
Kasumi, meanwhile, has finished retrieving everything from under the sink,
and hands Ranma-chan a drying towel.]
Kasumi: Akane, if you could fill the saucepan, and place it on the stove to
boil, please? And maybe if you use one of the back burners as well?
[Akane nods, filling the pot, and placing it on the stove to boil. While they
wait, Akane begins talking to Ranma-chan.]
Akane: Ranma, do you remember anything about Kempo?
[Ranma-chan gives her a blank look.]
Ranma-chan: Kempo? Why would I remember that?
Akane: Well, I. It used to be a major part of your life. In fact, you used to
be very good at it. I just thought you might remember.
[Ranma-chan shakes her head.]
Ranma-chan: No, I don't. Maybe if you tried showing me?
[Akane thinks for a second, and then nods.]
Akane: Alright, after we're done the washing up, I'll show you the dojo.
[Akane stops talking to accept a scrubbing brush from Kasumi, who smiles.
Akane looks at the brush with a resigned expression. She looks up to see
Ranma-chan, who is holding her towel and smiling at her. Akane sighs and
smiles back.]
Ranma-chan: Don't worry, with all three of us it won't take long.
Akane: I know, I know.
[Akane leans against the counter, waiting for the water to boil. In a few
minutes, all is in readiness, warm wash water, rinse water, and the drying
rack awaiting use. Kasumi smiles again.]
Kasumi: Shall we begin?
[Soon, everything is proceeding well. Akane is putting her strength to good
use, scrubbing each item with a vengeance and then handing it to Ranma-
chan, who dries it and places it in the rack. Kasumi drifts around the
kitchen, putting items away. Although Akane and Ranma-chan are working
as fast as they can, Kasumi never seems to fall behind.]
Akane: Almost done!
[Ranma-chan twirls a plate briefly before slipping it into the drying rack
with near precision, and smiles at Akane.]
Akane: Show off!
[Ranma-chan just grins, and continues to dry as fast as Akane can wash.
Kasumi stops putting things away, dries her hands on a towel, and moves
towards the kitchen door. Akane opens her mouth to ask where she is going,
when she hears somebody start knocking quietly at the front door. It is a few
seconds before Akane closes her mouth, deciding not to ask.]
Ranma-chan: What's up?
Akane: Nothing, It's just that.
[Akane trails off, shaking her head and handing a final tray to Ranma-chan,
who dries it and places it in the rack.]
Akane: That's it!
[Akane pulls the plug on the sink, and tosses the brush in it's holder.]
Akane: I wonder who's at the door?
Ranma-chan: How should I know?
[Akane grabs the towel from Ranma-chan and hangs it below the sink. She
then grabs Ranma-chan herself, and pushes her out of the kitchen.]
Akane: Let's find out then.
Ranma-chan: Hey! I can walk on my own, you know!
[The scene cuts as Akane and Ranma-chan disappear from the kitchen.
scene: STILL: The front hall, where Ukyou is taking off her shoes while
Kasumi waits. Ukyou is dressed in a pair of slacks and a blue shirt, her hair
held by a tie behind her head. She is without her usual large spatula and
bandoleer of smaller throwing spatulas, although one does poke out of a rear
pocket. ACTION: Akane walks into the hall, stopping when she sees Ukyou.
There is a muffled "Erp" from behind her, and Akane stumbles forward
another step. Ranma-chan steps out from behind her, about to ask why she
stopped, but says nothing when she sees they have a guest. Ukyou looks at
Ranma-chan hopefully, but Ranma-chan shows no signs of having
recognized her. Ukyou's face collapses, but it is masked so quickly no one
catches sight of it. Akane looks a bit nervous as well, unsure how to proceed.
She is saved, however, by Kasumi.]
Kasumi: Akane, Ukyou said that you invited her for dinner?
Akane: Yes, I did. I didn't. I forgot.
Kasumi: Why don't you three move to the dining room. It's more
comfortable than standing in the hall, and I will bring some tea out.
Akane: Thank you.
[Kasumi moves off, leaving the three girls standing nervously. Akane is the
first to break the silence.]
Akane: Ranma, this is Kuonji Ukyou, she was an. old friend of yours.
[Ranma-chan smiles brightly.]
Ranma-chan: Hello.
[Ukyou is visibly nervous, but replies as best she can manage.]
Ukyou: Hello, Ran-c.ma
[Akane looks at Ukyou with sympathy, but Ukyou refuses to meet her gaze.]
Akane: Let's move into the dining room, where we can sit down.
[Ukyou nods, and the trio walk out of the hall. scene: STILL: The Tendo
dining room, Akane and Ranma-chan are kneeling at one side of the table,
Ukyou on the other side. ACTION: Ukyou isn't looking at anyone, except to
shoot glances at Ranma-chan when she thinks she won't be noticed. Akane
is nervous, fidgeting slightly. Ranma-chan has picked up that something is
wrong, and looks a little uncomfortable.]
Akane: I'm glad you came, Ukyou.
Ukyou: I. had too.
[Akane nods and turns to look at Ranma-chan.]
Akane: Ranma, you knew Ukyou when you were young, she is one of your
oldest friends. I was hoping you would remember her as well, but. I also
think she can help
[Ranma-chan looks depressed.]
Ranma-chan: I hope you can help too, Ukyou.
[Akane looks at Ukyou, who still will not meet her gaze. After a few seconds
Ukyou nods.]
Ukyou: I'll help. I would always help you, Ranma.
[Ukyou smiles tentatively at Ranma-chan, who smiles back. Kasumi walks
in with a tray, and places it on the table. As Kasumi leaves, Akane picks up
the teapot, and serves. They sip their tea in silence, until Akane speaks
again.]
Akane: I promised I would demonstrate some kempo for Ranma. Do you
mind if we do that after tea?
[Ukyou looks startled, eyes flickering towards Ranma-chan before snapping
away again. She is still for few seconds, before relaxing a bit and replying.]
Ukyou: No.no, I don't mind.
[Ukyou takes another sip of her tea, and places the cup back on the table.
Akane reaches for the teapot, but Ukyou makes a negative gesture with her
hand, and Akane sits back.]
Akane: Ranma, would you like some more?
[Ranma-chan starts, realizing Akane is talking to her. She pulls her eyes
away from Ukyou, and turns to Akane.]
Ranma-chan: Mm?. No, I. no, thank you.
[Akane suddenly realizes that sitting here is not doing any good, and rises.
Ranma-chan and Ukyou rise with her.]
Akane: Alright, lets go to the dojo then.
-*END CHAPTER SEVEN*-
-*CHAPTER EIGHT: Come again, once more, to fair Meadows Down.*-
[scene: It is the Tendo dojo again, but the hole in the wall has been repaired.
Akane enters on one side of Ranma-chan, Ukyou on the other.]
Akane: . and while Ukyou's style of fighting isn't as well known as mine,
it does have an advantage in that it uses both hand held and throwing
weapons, which adds to her range and power.
[Ranma-chan turns her head to look at Ukyou.]
Ranma-chan: You fight with a giant spatula?
Ukyou: Yes. I usually have some smaller throwing spatulas as well, but I
only brought one with me.
[Ukyou reaches behind her, and pulls the spatula out of her pocket.]
Ukyou: You see? It has a sharp edge, and I can use it as a hand to hand
weapon if I need to.
[Ranma-chan cautiously extends her hand forwards, towards the spatula.]
Ranma-chan: May I?
[Ukyou nods, and hands her the spatula.]
Ukyou: Of course.
[Ranma-chan holds the spatula in her fist, and makes a slow vertical
slashing motion with it. Ukyou shakes her head.]
Ukyou: They really are meant for throwing. I'll show you.
[Ukyou takes the spatula back from Ranma-chan, and in one quick motion,
flicks the spatula across the room, imbedding it in the wall. Ranma-chan
blinks, and glances from Ukyou to the spatula and back again.]
Ranma-chan: How did you do that?
[Ukyou walks over to the wall, and retrieves the spatula. Turning back to
Ranma-chan, she sighs.]
Ukyou: I've been doing it all my life, Ranma, I couldn't explain how, all I
could do is show you. But I think it would be better if you started from the
beginning.
Akane: Yes, I thought if I showed you the basic stances, along with the
simpler kicks and punches, it would be a good start, and it would also allow
us all to warm up.
Ranma-chan: Well. what do you want me to do then?
Akane: Just copy the way I place my feet.
[Akane assumes a basic L stance, right foot back, left foot forward.]
Ranma-chan: Okay.
[Ranma-chan copies Akane's foot placements, easily falling into the form.]
Akane: Now move your hands up, left to block high, right back to block low.
[Akane demonstrates, and Ranma-chan copies her. Ukyou nods.]
Ukyou: Good.
Akane: See? It's not so hard. Why don't we try some of basic punches.
[Akane does a simple snap punch with her right hand, Ranma-chan imitates
her, and then falls unconsciously back into a more natural L stance. Akane
notices, but doesn't comment.]
Akane: Want to try a kick?
Ranma-chan: .Sure.
Akane: Okay, just watch then.
[Akane does a short roundhouse kick. Ranma-chan watches her, and then
imitates her again. She does it well, flowing naturally through the kick, and
coming back to her original stance.]
Ukyou: As easy as standing up. I knew you'ld be able to do it, Ranma.
Akane: Even if you've forgotten, you trained your body for a long time and
it remembers.
[Ranma-chan looks a little doubtful.]
Ranma-chan: I guess.
Ukyou: Come on, together it'll be fun.
[Akane suddenly feels left out, as if Ukyou was not including her. She is
about to dismiss it as just an odd sensation, when Ranma-chan turns to her
questioningly. Akane smiles at her, a long forgotten worry fading from the
back of her mind.]
Akane: Yes, together.
[Ukyou shifts, suddenly aware of having missed something, but unable to
pin down the feeling.]
Ranma-chan: So. what's next?
[Akane suppresses another grin.]
Akane: Next? Well.
[Akane moves forward and begins to show Ranma-chan some different
punches, with Ukyou sometimes demonstrating or commenting.
scene: The three girls are sitting cross legged in a circle, Akane is the most
visibly tired, having already spent most of the day working out. Ranma-chan
is better, but having been trying everything both girls were showing her, is a
little worn out as well. Ukyou looks fresh, with her small spatula tucked into
her back pocket again.]
Akane: You see, Ranma, it isn't so hard.
Ranma: No, actually it was kind of fun.
Ukyou: I'm glad you enjoyed it. We'll have to do this again some time.
[Akane nods.]
Ukyou: Anyway, I should get back home. I've got to open early tomorrow.
[They all stand, and begin walking towards the front door. Ranma-chan
reaches out and catches Akane's sleeve. Leaning over a little she whispers a
question to Akane.]
Ranma-chan: What does she mean 'open early tomorrow' ?
[Akane blinks, coming back to the present.]
Akane: She runs a restaurant nearby. She's. not close to her parents.
Ranma-chan: Oh.
[Akane glances at Ukyou, but she doesn't appear to have heard. They are
soon at the front door. Ukyou picks up her shoes, and then seems to
hesitate.]
Ukyou: Akane, I... Would you walk back to the restaurant with me?
[Akane starts a little, and flashes a quick glance at Ranma-chan.]
Akane: Sure, I guess.
[Akane grabs her shoes and begins to tug them onto her feet, and soon
follows Ukyou out the door.]
Ranma-chan: Don't be long, Akane.
[Akane pokes her head around the door.]
Akane: I won't.
[Akane pulls back, closing the door. Ukyou is already down by the gate, and
Akane quickens her pace to catch up. Together, they head towards
Ucchan's.]
Akane: Ukyou, I-
[Ukyou bows her head, looking at the sidewalk, and effectively cutting
Akane off. They continue in silence, while frustration shows plain on
Akane's face.]
Ukyou: Take me there, Akane.
[Akane is surprised by the pleading in Ukyou's voice, and turns to see it
mirrored in her face.]
Akane: Wha-?
Ukyou: Take me to where it. it happened, Akane. please?
Akane: I. I don't.
Ukyou: Hmm?
Akane: I was walking in the park, and I found him there.
[Akane feels a pull from this last thought, and begins to follow it, swirling
through the maelstrom of her mind.]
Akane: <Tofu said he knew I walked there. was it just coincidence. or
did he. find me.>
[Akane can feel her mind twist and lurch, like a physical sensation,
scrambling to avoid following further. She is both oddly terrified and
frighteningly calm. Trapped between two opposites, she mentally writhes
until she finds a lifeline in Ukyou's next sentence.]
Ukyou: Show me. please..?
[Akane can only nod, just the concept of opening her mouth is enough to
send shivers up her spine, fearing the words that might come out.]
[SCENE: A winding path, with a small tree. Two figures approach, a sense
of quiet pervades. One figure stops, and half a step later, so does the other.
The first figure raises a hand in indication, and a moment later speaks.]
Akane: There.
[After so long with her jaw clenched shut, her voice is hoarse and tight.
Even so, relief is evident in her stance.]
Akane: She was sitting by the tree.
[In the hazy red of the setting sun, the tree seems to be streaked in blood,
and each blade of grass bears a fiery corona, like a flame captured in still
life. Akane can feel her heart clench as the scene hammers into her mind,
and she is sure that this image will remain with her forever, no matter what
else happens in her life.]
Akane: I-
[She has to pause, and work some moisture back into her mouth before she
talk.]
Akane: I'd like to go, please.
[Ukyou turns to Akane, and blinks, her eyes going wide. Gently, she reaches
up, and brushes her hand along Akane's cheek. Ukyou pulls her hand away,
and Akane notices the dampness along Ukyou's fingers. Raising her own
hand, she wipes along the other check, feeling the wet streaks left be tears.]
Akane: Please..?
[Ukyou gently gathers Akane's arm, and pulls her away. Akane walks only
as she is lead, and is surprised to find Ukyou gently urging a cup of tea into
her hands. Blinking, she realizes she is seated at Ucchan's, and the setting
sun begins to fade from her vision.]
Akane: Tha. Thank you.
[She sips the cup, only to find the tea bitter and cold. Startled, she looks up,
only to see Ukyou sipping a steaming cup, while vapors gently climb out of
the teapots spout. A small puzzles fits itself together with remarkable clarity
in the back of her mind, seeming to float in a swirling gray haze.]
Akane: Ukyou, I.
Ukyou: Yes?
Akane: Could. could I have another cup please? I seem to have.
spoiled. this one.
[Ukyou blinks.]
Ukyou: Wha. what's wrong?
[Akane realizes she should explain, and wonders what happened to her
manners, only to realize, she has no idea where to begin.]
Akane: I. that is.
[Finding herself at a loss for words, she simply reaches out and places a
hand on the bottom of Ukyou's cup. Ukyou's eyes bulge as she feels the heat
being drawn out of the teacup. She stares at Akane for a few moments until
she suddenly feels a numbness creeping up her hands, and with a start, lets
go of the teacup, which teeters precariously in Akane's hand, until she
manages to set it down.]
Ukyou: What?. What did you do?
[Akane frowns, and Ukyou frowns with her.]
Akane: I'm not sure.
Ukyou: You're. not. sure.. Well, that helps a lot.
[Akane gives Ukyou a sour look, and gathers her thoughts for another try.]
Akane: Well, it all started-
Ukyou: Not one of those.
[Akane starts to look insulted, but Ukyou fixes her with a stern glare.]
Ukyou: Akane, what did you do. No life stories, okay?
[Akane withers under Ukyou's scrutiny.]
Akane: I pulled the heat out of it.
[Ukyou makes an encouraging gesture, indicated that Akane should
continue, but also looks a little puzzled.]
Akane: I'm pretty sure I can do that to things now, it. well it fits.
[Ukyou shakes her head in frustration.]
Ukyou: Alright Akane, maybe you should start at the beginning.
[This time, Akane shoots at withering glare at Ukyou, who just smiles a
little nervously.]
Akane: Ukyou!.
[Akane wills her hands to unclench, and presses them flat against the
tabletop. She take a breath and begins again.]
Akane: When I punch or kick things, I can make a. um, a wave of force,
that travels with my hand or foot, hitting at the same time I do. It's, well, I
guess it's like dragging your hand through water, it builds up a crest and
follows my movement.
[Akane stops, struck suddenly by just how good that metaphor is. Ukyou
stares at Akane like she is crazy.]
Ukyou: So, you throw ki balls around when you hit things?
[Akane starts, pulled from her thoughts suddenly.]
Akane: No, it's not a ki ball,a lthough it does have something to do with ki,
anyway, let me finish-
[Ukyou blinks.]
Ukyou: There's more?
Akane: Ah. well yes. I can also hold things in place, lock them into
position. Cologne said I was aligned with the universe, and I think a side
effect is that I'm not bothered by heat anymore.
[Akane bows her head, resting it in her hands.]
Akane: So much change.
[Ukyou reaches out out, laying a hand on Akane's shoulder. Akane looks up
at Ukyou.]
Akane: Ukyou, I want to apolo-
Ukyou: Akane, I want to apolo-
[Both girls stop, and Ukyou slowly smiles, only to find her expression
mirrored by Akane. Akane holds out her hand.]
Akane: Friends.?
[Ukyou takes her hand, gripping firmly.]
Ukyou: I. I would like to hope so.
[Akane squeezes back.]
Akane: I should get going.
[Ukyou blinks, and she suddenly looks surprised.]
Ukyou: You'll have to walk home alone. I never thought of that.
Akane: I'll be fine, don't worry.
Ukyou: Are you sure?
[Akane nods.]
Akane: Yes, I'm sure.
[Akane stands, and begins to walk towards the door. Without looking back,
she begins to speak.]
Akane: I'll. I'll need your help Ukyou. Already, I can't manage alone.
[Ukyou smiles sadly, but her voice is full of commitment.]
Ukyou: I will be there, Akane. I promise.
[Ukyou pauses, her eyes turning mischevious.]
Ukyou: But! I want a demonstration of this so called wave punch, alright?
[Akane turns at the door, and sketches a bow.]
Akane: Of course. Anything for a friend.
[Akane exits the restaurant, followed by the sound of Ukyou chuckling.]
Akane: <Home.>
[Akane begins to walk swiftly home, her stride relaxed, but her eyes betray a
trace of nervousness, scanning the street relentlessly.]
-*END CHAPTER EIGHT*-
-*CHAPTER NINE:
Ukyou: You want some Okonomiyaki?
Akane: No, I. just heat it please? I'll explain, I promise.
[Ukyou clearly doesn't understand, but complies with Akane's request,
igniting the burners under the grill. Ukyou turns to Akane, but Akane's
attention is focused on the flat steel surface. Ukyou shrugs, and a few
minutes later, flicks a run of water onto the grill with her spatula. The water
sizzles and steams off immediately.]
Ukyou: All right, it's hot. What now?
[Ukyou isn't sure what to expect, but her jaw drops when Akane calmly
reaches out and places her hand firmly on the grill. Even as Ukyou reaches
her hand out, she knows it's too late, that at best Akane's hand will be mass
of burns that could take months to heal, at worst. Even as her hand closes
around Akane's wrist she realizes something is wrong. Ukyou has been
cooking on a grill like this for as long as she can remember, she knows
exactly how it works, she could, and has, built one. Standing there, holding
Akane's wrist, she realizes that the heat she should be feeling with her arm
over the grill is not there. She looks at Akane's face, only to see relief, and
no small trace of nervousness.]
Akane: I. I wasn't sure, even, if I was right.
[Ukyou blinks, and flicks another run of water onto the grill. It obstinately
sits there in a small puddle. She can here the rush of the jets under the grill,
the hiss that means they're burning, but the grill is almost perversely cold.
She focuses on the source of her dilemma.]
Ukyou: All right Akane, what are you doing?
Akane: I'm not sure.
Ukyou: You're. Not. Sure. Well, that helps.
Akane: After
*Commercial break*
[NOISE: Guitar rif from MMPR intro. SCENE: We see a kid sitting down at
a table, looking at his food with boredom. He is taping the side of his glass
of water with a spoon. Suddenly, with a fake electronic sound, the Mighty
Morphin Power Rangers appear behind him. The kid turns around staring
up with the kind of awe only an overpaid child actor can manage.]
White Ranger: Bored with your ordinary glass of water?
[The kid has already answered the question in the last nine takes, but the
script calls for it, so he nods again.]
Yellow Ranger: Now you, too, can take part in the adventures of.
<Chorus of all Rangers>: The Mighty Morphin Powdered Rangers!
White Ranger: Yes! Available in White Ranger Coconut.
[He holds up a packet, with a White Ranger printing on the front. He is
trying not to hide the picture with his fingers and still maintain enough of a
grip to hold the packet upright, but is having difficulty.]
Yellow Ranger: .Yellow Ranger Lemon.
[She holds up a packet as well, with a Yellow Ranger on the front. She is
having no difficulty holding the packet upright, but one of her fingers is
covering a foot of the image. The director decides to electronically retouch
the footage later.]
Red Ranger: .Red Ranger Raspberry.
[He holds up his packet, with a Red Ranger emblazoned on it. He is trying
something new, and is holding the top and bottom edge of the packet with
his fingers and thumb respectively. This is much more successful and he is
quite proud of himself.]
Pink Ranger: .Pink Ranger Cherry.
[She holds up her packet, obviously caught trying to imitate Red Rangers
grip. Unfortunately, she didn't have enough time, and she is only holding
the packet in her fist by it upper edge. It swings a little, but is visible, and
has a Pink Ranger on the front.]
Blue Ranger: .Blue Ranger Grape.
[He holds up his packet, having chosen to keep the original hold. It is
slightly crooked, but he doesn't seem to notice. His packet has a Blue
Ranger on it.]
Black Ranger: .Black Ranger Licorice.
[He holds up his packet. He has the new grip right, but his packet has a
White Ranger on it. The director decides to let it ride, and retouch it later, as
this is the best take they've had yet.]
White Ranger: Alright, simply tear the head off your favorite Ranger.
[The kid, with a little more force than is usually healthy, rips the head off of
his seventh packet of Mighty Morphin Powdered Rangers.]
White Ranger: Then, pour the powdered crystals into your ordinary glass of
water.
[Again, the kid puts actions to somebody else's words, and pours the packet
into his glass. Oddly enough, his packet is now a different color.]
White Ranger: And agitate gently.
[This garners him an odd, furtive look from the kid, who then proceeds to
stick his spoon in the glass and stir vigorously. Secretly, the kid is trying to
make as much noise with his spoon against the glass as possible, in the
hopes that the sound techs won't be able to edit it out completely. The water
changes to a sickly blue shade. The kid tries to make his eyes bug out, and
paints a happy grin on his face, but it looks somehow not right, and makes
one of the grips retch noisily in the background.]
Kid: Morphenomenal!
[The words come out of his mouth with a strange chorus effect, the sole
reason he is doing this commercial.]
White Ranger: Alright!
[The kid glances at him again, and then begins to drink, twitching slightly
with every swallow. The camera pans, centering on the five Rangers.]
White Ranger: Alright!
[The other Rangers glance at him, but he doesn't seem to notice.]
Blue Ranger: There's even an Alpha & Zordon aluminum-oxide flavor, so
your parents can get into the adventure as well!
White Ranger: Yes! Check your local supermarket now, and pickup you
packet's of
<Chorus of all Rangers>: Mighty Morphin Powdered Rangers!
White Ranger: Alright!
[The guitar rif picks up again, and we cut to a product shot of all the packets
sitting scattered just so among some largish stones.]
Narrator: Children under twelve should not attempt to mix powder without
adult supervision.
White Ranger: [off camera] Alright!
*Commercial ends*
*Commercial*
[The scene opens with a small group of five kids sitting in a group under a
tree. It is lunch time, and the kids have the tail ends of their meals in front
of them.]
John: So Billy, what do you have for desert?
Billy: Just these stupid balls of rice that my mom stuck together. they even
have beans in them.
[Billy shudders, as does the rest of the group.]
Jane: All I got was some leftover cake from my brother's party.
[She holds up the piece to prove her words, and we see that it is chocolate
cake, with distinct creamy white frosting. The uncut edge is oddly curved,
almost suggestive of an hourglass.]
Amy: Bummer.
[The four notice that the fifth member of their group is trying to hide a
smile, is hand in his lunch box.]
John: Howard, what do you have?
Amy: Yeah, Howard.. show us.
[Slowly, Howard pulls his hand from inside the box. In his fist is a lollipop,
with a dark brown wooden handle, and a large bulbous wrapper, which is
purple in color. The rest of the group slumps.]
Jane: Ah, man. Crone-on-a-stick T, you lucky devil.
John: Yeah, my mom won't buy'em. She says their bad for me.
[Amy nods in agreement. With carefully practiced skill, most of it created on
the spot, Howard unwraps the lollipop. Once revealed, we see it is shaped
like Cologne, the stick being a longer version of her staff, which she is
clutching in front of her. She is apparently formed out of hardened glucose,
but the coloring is remarkably accurate. Howard puts the tasty treat in his
mouth, and begins sucking on it.]
Howard: Mmmmmmm!!!
[The rest of the kids stare dejectedly at their own lunches. Howard puts a
hand to the stick, and attempts to remove the sucker from his mouth.]
Howard: Mmf!
[Howard makes a few more tugs at the lollipop.]
Howard: Imf's smuk!
[The rest of the kids look up, watching Howard with interest. Howard is now
using two hands, tugging at the stick.]
Howard: MmmMM! Hmlp m..!
[Howard gets up, and begins running around in a circle, the rest of the kids
watching, their heads turning to follow his position.]
Howard: MMM!. mmMMm MmmmMM MmMmm!
[Howard seems to convulse, and falls over, the kids heads pivoting down to
follow. He thrashes on the ground, tugging away with both hands. His eyes
are bulging.]
Howard: MMMMMM! MMMMMM!!
[Foam begins to froth out of his mouth around the stick, and some blood
begins to trickle out of his nose. His eyes bulge out even more.]
Howard: MMMmmmm...
[Howard thrashes briefly, before his eyes roll back and he is still. The kids
watch for a few seconds, before John speaks.]
John: Gee, I guess my mom was right.
Jane: Shouldn't we tell someone?
[John glances at his watch.]
John: Nah, it'd just make us late for our next class.
[Jane starts, glancing at her own watch.]
Jane: Omigosh! Your right.
[The group stands, all except for Amy.]
Billy: Come on, let's go Amy, he was just a fifth wheel around here
anyway.
[Amy looks up, and then stands to follow Billy. She seems a little
distracted.]
Amy: I know, I was just wondering if I could get my kid brother to eat one.
[The scene fades out to black as the kids walk off screen.]
*end commercial*
"Look! Actual code!" "_cool_"