Hiya!
Here's Part Two of 'A Normal Life.' Feedback appreciated. I'm
not on the ML, so please send comments to s669330@aix2.uottawa.ca.
Thanks!
-Mike
***
"A Normal Life..."
A Fanfic by
Michael Noakes.
(March 4, 1996)
(June 19, 1996)
'A Normal Life' continues... remember, 'An Exciting Life'
gives you the flip side of this little story. Enjoy!
***
LEGAL BABBLE:
Ranma and co. owned by Rumiko Takahashi.
Story mine.
Anything else is someone else's stuff.
***
A Normal Life
Chapter Two
Reality
"INSERT NIFTY QUOTE HERE."
(Ranma is standing out front of the Tendo Dojo. A strong wind
is lashing his red shirt and pulling at his pants.)
(Night is falling and the heavy clouds overhead portend rain.
An electric feeling permeates the air, as the occasional grumble of
thunder rolls ominously in the distance.)
(Ranma is standing, unmoving, inconspicuously. He's been here
for a while, as dusk slowly settles over Nerima, watching the
slight signs of activity in the house.)
Ranma :(thinking) Why'd I come here? Why the dojo? (A light
blinks on in Akane's room. Ranma perks up.) Could that be it?
Did I come for... Akane? (He frowns.) Nahhh... Why'd I want to
see that tomboy for? (He gives a small smile.) Still, she'd
probably be happy to hear my curse is gone...
(He takes a hesitant step forward, then stops.)
Ranma :(thinking) Oh yeah, she doesn't know anything 'bout my
curse... she doesn't even know who I am! We've never met. (He
grins.) Well, we can meet now! Without pop and Mr.Tendo shoving
us at each other! Maybe we'll actually have a chance to get to
know each other all over again!
(He takes another step, but stops again.)
Ranma :(thinking) But... we never really _did_ get to know
each other. It's not like I introduced myself to her, or asked her
out on a date... Come to think of it, I've never had to, with
_any_ girl. Not Akane, not Ukyou, especially not Shampoo! I've...
I've never done this before!
Maybe having pop and Mr.Tendo force us on each other actually
helped! (He grimaces.) Of course, they could've backed off after
that. (He looks up, and can see Akane's silhouette. Another
figure joins her, sits down on the bed, and begins doing leg
raises. Nabiki, he assumes.) I wonder what they're talking about?
At one time, I'd say it was me, but now...
(He takes a deep breath, tucking in his shirt, smoothing out
his pants. His face takes on a look of grim determination, and he
begins to take long strides towards the Dojo.)
Ranma :(under his breath.) Heck, at this rate, I'll never even
meet her! I'm just saying 'hello', after all; what do I have to
worry about? I've lived with her for almost a year now... why
should I be nervous? (He's passes through the front gate of the
household, and approaches the front door. He's still talking to
himself.) Hello? I'm Ranma Saotome! Is Akane home? Hmmm...
Hiya! Ranma here! Nahhh... Yo! Akane! Nice ta see ya! Nope.
(He's at the front door, and unconsciously starts to open it. He
freezes, and silently closes it.) Whoa... I don't live here any
longer... (He knocks.)
(He fidgets nervously, waiting for an answer. It's mere
moments before the door is opened. It's Kasumi.)
Kasumi :(smiling) Hello? Can I help you?
Ranma :(smiling awkwardly) Hi Kasumi! It's me, Ranma.
Kasumi :(looking slightly confused) Ranma? I'm sorry, I don't
recognise you. Have we met?
Ranma :(thinking) Argh! Of course she doesn't know me...
(Outloud.) Ahhh, sorry... I was talking to... a doctor who works
nearby. He mentioned you... (Thinking.) Heh. Even if she asks
him, I doubt Dr.Tofu will be in any shape to tell her we havn't met
yet! (Worry suddenly creases his face.) Of course, that's
assuming the doctor is still in love with Kasumi... gee, I hope I
didn't screw that up!
Kasumi :(flashing a brief, knowing smile) Oh! So you've met
Dr.Tofu!
Ranma :(letting out a sigh of relief) Errr, yes. Nice man.
Kasumi :He is... and he's such a good doctor, too. (She focuses
back on Ranma.) So then, how can I help you?
Ranma :(thinking) Gah! Why _am_ I here? I don't know! Is it
to see Akane? I can't just say that! They'll think I'm some kind
of weirdo! (Outloud.) Well, I'm new to town, and I was just
wandering around, and I saw the dojo, and, uh, I...
Kasumi :(happily) Oh! You're into martial arts, aren't you?
Were you looking for a place to train?
Ranma :Ahhh... yes! Yes, that's it exactly! I saw the dojo,
and thought I'd see if the sensei was still taking on students.
Kasumi :(opening the door fully. A gust of wind tugs at her
dress and flaps her apron.) Oh my, it _is_ getting nasty out
there, isn't it? Why don't you come it, and I'll get father.
(Kasumi steps back, calling for Mr.Tendo. Ranma steps into
the house, not exhibiting any of the discomfort associated with
entering a stranger's home. Everything seems... normal. Very
little has changed.)
(He follows Kasumi into the main room, and stands there
nervously, constantly glancing towards Akane's room. The sliding
doors are shut, but he knows that the pond his father and he fought
over every morning is out there. He smiles. Sparring with his
father would be different, now; the curse always added that extra
incentive to win. His smile grew. But that was a trade off he was
more then willing to make. No curse!)
(He hears steps approaching and suppresses the grin that comes
every time he thought of his curse. Gone! Mr. Tendo was
approaching, looking pretty much the same as always. Maybe a
little older, maybe a little more relaxed then he remembered.)
Soun :So, Ranma, is it? (Kasumi nods an affirmative, and
disappears into the kitchen. He mumbles under his breath.) Why
does that name sound familiar? (Speaking up.) I'm told you're new
to Nerima.
Ranma :That's right, Mr.Te... ah, sir.
Soun :And you're interested in studying the martial arts?
Ranma :Yes.
Soun :Well, I'm sorry to say I don't take any students any
more. I only teach my daughter.
Ranma :(He grins at the thought of Akane training.) Well, I
was looking more for a place where I could just practise. Maybe
even find a sparring partner.
Soun :(looking thoughtful) Hmmm... my daughter doesn't get to
practise that much anymore... her usual training partner isn't
around often enough... a regular opponent could do her some good...
(He turns back to Ranma.) Are you any good?
Ranma :(giving a slight smile.) I'm... ok. I study Kempo.
Soun :Really? (He turns towards the stairs and calls out.)
Akane! Akane, come here! (He turns back.) Akane is my daughter.
I've trained her in Kempo as well. Why don't we head out to the
dojo and see how well you do?
Ranma :(his smile increasing.) I'd like that.
(They hear a door slam shut on the second floor, and steps
pounding down the stairs. It's Akane.)
Akane :(loudly, looking hopeful.) Father? Is he here? Is...
(She catches sight of Ranma and her face becomes one of
disappointment, quickly replaced with annoyance.)
Ranma :(thinking.) I wonder who she was expecting?
Akane :Father, who is this?
Soun :Akane, this is Ranma. He's new to Nerima, and was
looking for a place to practise Kempo, and maybe someone to
practise with. I thought you might like to test his skills.
Akane :But dad... I've already got a sparring partner!
Soun :Yes, and he's almost never here. A more regular
opponent might do you good.
Akane :Hmph. Like I need another guy to beat up!
Soun :Akane!
(During this, Ranma's been standing to the side. He sees that
stubborn look entering Akane's eyes. Mr.Tendo might be able to
force her to practise with him, but then she'd be upset. Maybe he
could get her to fight him willingly.)
Ranma :(half turning away.) That's ok, sir. I don't think
she'd be much of a challenge, anyways... (His back is turned to
them, hiding his grin.)
Soun :What?
Akane (angrily.) Excuse me? What did you say? Would you care
to repeat that?
(Ranma, who was silently mouthing the words as she spoke them,
turns around.)
Ranma :I said...
Soun :I've heard enough. I won't have you insulting my
daughter, or my teaching, like that, young man. Now, if you don't
mind...
Akane :(Her eyes narrowing.) No, that's ok, father. I want to
see how good this..., this... _boy_, really is!
(Ranma gives a small nod. Soun leads the way to the dojo.
The winds are still picking up, lashing them with leaves and small
droplets of water. Akane enters, then Ranma. Soun enters last,
closing the door behind them.)
(Akane heads off to one end of the dojo, and begins stretching
and loosening up. Ranma stands by Mr.Tendo, gazing about the
dojo.)
Ranma :(beneath his breath) Same old dojo... well, minus the
patches from my fights... never realised how rough I was on the
place...
(Soun stands next to him, but keeps his eyes on his daughter.
He speaks so only Ranma can hear him.)
Soun :I don't know if you meant what you said back there, but
you really made Akane angry. I hope you're not just boasting, or
you might get hurt. (Raising his voice.) You almost ready yet,
Akane?
Akane :(calling out, frowning at Ranma) Almost...
Ranma :(answering Soun) I didn't mean to insult you, sir. I
didn't mean what I said. I just thought if I angered her, she
might be willing to fight me...
Soun :(giving a slight smile) Well, you pushed the right
button... or the wrong one, maybe.
(Akane stands up and walks to the middle of the dojo floor,
taking up an aggressive stance. Ranma looks up at Soun, who nods,
and goes to stand opposite her. Ranma just looks relaxed.)
Soun :Go!
(Akane lunges forward. Ranma sidesteps. She continues to
attack, and Ranma dodges each one, easily, scarcely paying
attention.)
Ranma :Hmmm... she's better then I remember her being when we
first met... same aggressive style, but less sloppy... of course,
she thought she was fighting a girl, then... (He smiles at the
memory.)
Akane :(turning red as he sees him smile.)(Thinking.) How is
he... is he reading my moves? Why doesn't he attack back?
(Outloud, growling.) Fine then! This time for real!
(Akane charges. Ranma, hearing her words, is struck by a
sudden feeling of deja-vu. He senses the attack at the last moment
and tries to hop over her, like the first time they fought. His
finger's already extended for the poke to the back of the head.)
Ranma :(thinking) Of course it feels like deja-vu, stupid!
I've done this before! (He suddenly feels Akane's hand grab hold
of his ankle, and his eyes widen in surprise.)(Outloud.) What?
Akane :(triumphant) Gotcha!
(She swings him down. He slams into the ground, hard. The
blow doesn't really hurt or daze him; instead, the fact that Akane
actually touched him in a fight stuns him.)
Ranma :(thinking.) She hit me! She... she beat me! I must of
been really distracted! Or... her other teacher's damn good!
(Akane backs off a few steps, relaxed, grinning. Soun walks
over to the stunned Ranma, who hasn't moved from the floor.)
Soun :(concerned) Are you ok?
Ranma :(snapping out of it) Huh? Oh, yeah... (He flips up
easily. Akane's smile slips a little when she sees that he isn't
hurt at all. He faces Akane.) That was a good one.
Akane :(grudgingly) You... you were ok yourself. Good
dodging. But why didn't you strike back?
Ranma :Hmmm? Oh, because I don't hit girls.
Akane :(getting annoyed.) What?
Ranma :(cringes slightly, expecting her to splash him with
water, then remembers she can't. He grins at the thought.) It's
just a rule of mine. I don't hit girls.
(Akane looks like she going to say something else, but Soun
cuts her off.)
Soun :(with an appraising look to his eye) Ranma? What did
you say your family name was?
Ranma :(still watching Akane.) Hmmm? Oh, Saotome.
Soun :(eyes widening) What? Saotome? You're father wouldn't
be... Genma, would it?
Ranma :(suddenly realising that maybe he shouldn't have given
his name just yet, but knowing he can't lie.) Errr, yes. Genma
Saotome is my father; Nodoka Saotome is my mother.
Soun :I thought I recognised some of the Anything-Goes style
in your fighting! Well, so you've finally returned! How is Genma?
How is your mother? How was the trip? Oh, this is such a happy
day! (He looks like he's on the verge of tears.)
Akane :(walking up to her dad.) What is it, dad? What are you
talking about?
Soun :(Grabbing Akane by the shoulders.) Akane! Remember the
stories I told you about my old training partner, my old friend
Genma? Well, this is Ranma, his son! What a happy coincidence,
that he'd come here, of all places!
Akane :You mean, this is the boy you almost...
Soun :Yes! Yes! You two were almost engaged! Well, one of
my daughters was almost engaged to him, that is!
Ranma :(Turning to Akane, smiling.) My father told me the
story too... to think, we were almost engaged! What a crazy idea,
huh?
(Akane isn't too sure how to take this, so she frowns and
turns to her dad. He's almost incoherent, though, babbling about
how great it will be to see his old friend again, and of the luck
of Genma's son and Akane meeting like this, and how it's too bad
that his wife isn't there, and...)
(They ignore him.)
Akane :Hmph. Well, it's getting late, and I've got school
tomorrow.
Ranma :Yeah, at Furinkan High, right? That's where I'm
starting, tomorrow.
Akane :Well, I guess I'll see you there, then. But I think you
should leave now; it's dark out, and you might have trouble finding
your way home.
(They leave the dojo - and Mr.Tendo - behind, and walk towards
the house. The storm is picking up. Rain is imminent.)
Ranma :(entering the house) Ah, no worry about that. I'll
find my way, easily. After all, I'm not Ryo... (he stops,
realising she won't know who he's talking about.)
Akane :(looking at him curiously) Who?
Ranma :Huh? Oh, nobody, just an old... friend of mine.
Akane :Oh.
(They head towards the entrance.)
Ranma :(thinking) Well, that really went better then I
expected! At least... it could've gone a lot worse! Heck, it went
better then the first time we met! (Outloud, to Akane.) So, would
you like to practise again? Tomorrow, maybe?
Akane :I don't know. Maybe.
Ranma :Well, ok. I train everyday, so I'm always available.
(He suddenly grins.) Of course, I don't expect you to keep up with
me...
Akane :Excuse me? (She reaches threateningly towards him.)
Ranma :(throwing up his hands) Just joking! Just...
(Kasumi rounds the corner and interrupts him.)
Kasumi :Akane! You have a visitor!
Akane :(Her face lights up. She answers with a hopeful voice.)
Is it...?
Kasumi :(grinning) Yes!
(Akane, suddenly forgetting all about Ranma, runs ahead and
zips around the corner. Ranma glances quizzically at Kasumi, but
only gets a smile in return. He shrugs.)
Ranma :(thinking) Well, I'll find out who it is anyways. Must
be her sparring partner. This should be interesting. His
training's done her some good.
(Ranma waits patiently. He can hear voices by the entrance,
but can't make out what they're saying. He's tempted to go steal
a peak, but realises that spying in a household where he's barely
known would be rude. Akane and the visitor round the corner.)
Ranma :Ah, hello. I'm...
(Ranma suddenly clues in to who he's seeing.)
(It's Ryoga.)
Ryoga :(loudly) Ranma!
Ranma :Ah, uh, aha...
Ryoga :How I've waited for this day...
Ranma :(backing off, thinking) Ah no, not again... (To
Ryoga.) Hey man... how's it, ah, waitasec...
Ryoga :(dropping his umbrella and backpack, lunging forward,
fist extended.) NOW YOU GET WHAT YOU DESERVE, RANMA SAOTOME!
(Ranma staggers back, sidestepping to avoid the blow, caught
off guard. The fist comes in, swings down... and grabs his hand in
a fierce handshake. Ryoga pumps his hand hard and pulls him into
a strong embrace.)
Ryoga :(happily, slapping him on the back) Ranma! How's I've
waited to thank you!
Ranma :(totally confused.) Uh. Yeah. Heh. No prob.
*** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***
(Ranma, Ryoga, Akane, and Nabiki are sitting in Akane's room.
Introductions have been made, and they're all listening as Ryoga
tells the story of how he and Ranma met.)
(Except for Ranma. Instead of listening, he's watching Akane.
A bad feeling is growing in the pit of his stomach. She's watching
Ryoga with those large eyes of hers, hanging on his every word.)
Ryoga :... so, since I got lost, I wasn't able to make it to
our fight. By then, Ranma and his father had moved on, supposedly
heading to China to continue their training trip. Well, I blamed
him for not showing up...
Akane :(surprised) You what? But your were the one...
Ryoga :(smiling wryly) Well, I had trouble admitting I had a
bad sense of direction back then. Anyways, thinking that he'd
skipped out on a man-to-man fight, I started to follow him...
Nabiki :And let me guess... you got lost, right?
Ryoga :(blushing slightly) Yup. I made it to China, mind you.
(He looks at Ranma, a glimmer of the old anger appearing.) You
have no idea how _big_ China can be... when you're lost... and on
foot!
Ranma :Ah, sorry.
Ryoga :(The anger fades, and he smiles.) No need. In fact, I
owe you one.
Ranma :What do ya mean, you owe me one? What for? (Thinking)
Why's he so nice to me? The old Ryoga wanted to kill me... well,
maybe not kill, not _really_, but he _was_ my rival. Now, he likes
me?
Ryoga :I'm getting to that. Well, I eventually gave up. I
mean, the whole thing was over bread, after all! So I returned to
Japan.
Nabiki :And let me guess... you got lost, right?
Ryoga :(Baring his fangs at her.) Yes. I got lost, alright?
(Turns back to Akane, and smiles.) Well, I wandered a bunch, from
one end of Japan to the other, and eventually ended up here.
Ranma :Here? In Nerima?
Ryoga :(His smile widening.) No. Here. As in the Tendo
Residence. I collapsed on their front doorstep.
Akane :(Smiling as well.) And we pulled him in. And nursed
him back to health. And then...
Ranma :(The bad feeling in his stomach has grown. He knows
what's coming next, knows what all the smiles, and glances, and
little signs mean, but can't accept it, doesn't want to accept it,
doesn't want to hear it... but needs to know.) And then...
Ryoga :We... we fell in love! (He throws his arm around Akane,
and she snuggles into his embrace. Nabiki snorts.) So you see,
Ranma, I owe you in a big way! If you hadn't run from our fight,
I'd never have... hey, Ranma! You ok?
Ranma :I... I didn't run... from our fight... (He suddenly
feels sick, his head woozy. Cold. He staggers to his feet,
towards the door, his thought in turmoil.) She... loves Ryoga!
Ryoga, not me! Not ME!
(Akane's looking at him with concern. Nabiki is watching
through half-lidded eyes. Ryoga stands and grabs him by the
shoulder, as Ranma starts to open the door.)
Ryoga :Hey man, you don't look so hot...
Ranma :(Shrugging off Ryoga's hand.) I... I gotta go...
s'late...
(Ryoga begins to say something, but Ranma doesn't hear. He
flees down the stairs, passing a shocked Kasumi and Mr.Tendo,
ignoring their questions. He throws open the door and steps
outside.)
(He begins to run again, like during the afternoon, this time
not with joy, but in pain, in disbelief, in confusion. The winds
tear at him, buffet him, but he doesn't notice. He feels empty.
Something is missing. Akane. A few heavy drops of water slap his
face. He ignores them. He just runs.)
Ranma :(Screaming into the winds.) NO! AKANE! YOU'RE MY
FIANCEE! MINE! (He stumbles to a stop in a park, collapses to his
knees, breathing heavily.) You're mine... mine... my fiancee...
not... not Ryoga's... mine...
(A final crack of thunder roars above him. The heavens open
wide, and the rain pours down, torrential, hard and cold. Sheets
of rain pound on Ranma. He doesn't notice.)
Ranma :(whispering, agonized) You're mine...mine... (yelling
at the sky, pounding the ground.) MINE! (His head drops, his
whole body convulses, and he lets out a deep, shuddering sob.)
(The tears drop, mingle with the rain and mud, stream away in
dirty little rivulets. No one sees him, no one hears him. The
rain continues to fall.)
*** To be continued... ***
AUTHOR'S BABBLE
Alrighty,
Well, the revision of 'A Normal Life' continues, as I change
it ever so slightly - correcting a coupla minor typos, and making
it complement 'An Exciting Life' a little better. Can't help but
feel that the ending's a bit melodramatic, but what the hell.
Well, hope you still like it. I'm finding the pseudo-script
style kinda tough, but I'm learning (I hope.) I definately prefer
nomal prose. Oh well.
Anyways, as always, praise, criticisms, or odd desires to give
me expensive stuff, is welcome.
- Mike
s669330@aix2.uottawa.ca