[R1/2] Ranma . . . in Love!? Part Two

Ranma . . . in love!?
by Christopher Bair

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This work is a piece of fan fiction, and is only copyright able by concept, not by characters,
depictions of such, or the trademarks, copyrights or other ownerships designated by others.
Copyright (C) 1996 Christopher Bair for the work, and other copyrights, trademarks and
ownerships owned by their respective owners. This work may be distributed freely by electronic
means, or downloaded onto one machine with access to the work, or made into a single hard
copy. Distribution by other means is restricted without the permission of the author or the owners
of the trademarks, copyrights and ownerships here within. All rights reserved.
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Part Two--"Parting Waters"

Ranma and his semi-familiar female friend stayed locked for nearly a minute, the hot sun baking
everything in sight with its ardent heat. Ukyo and Akane stood, watching this new person in
horror. Akane humphed and turned. She grabbed Ukyo by the wrist and stalked away. Ukyo
checked Akane, then glanced at Ranma.

"It's me," the girl said, ignoring those around the two, "Izumi Kiyooka. Don't you remember?"

"I--I--Izumi . . . ?"

People had crowded, most listening attentively, while others were discussing among themselves
the situation before them. Ranma looked her once more, snapped his fingers as though he had the
answer, then scratched his chin.

"You . . . don't remember?"

"Izumi, right?" he said, trying hard to remember.

"You mean you don't even know her?" one of the guys standing by hollered. "Boy," said another,
"girls fling themselves at Ranma and he can't even remember their names." Still another spoke out,
"Ranma doesn't deserve to have Akane . . ."

"She's--she's--well, she's . . . ," Ranma tried to defend himself, without prevail. The crowd
dispersed, some looking for Akane to finish the game, the others heading home.

"You--don't recall?" she cried. "Don't you remember, back in China? Your father was doing some
training missions with you through the mainland. Both of you stopped by our village for a night's
rest, and stayed at my mother's hostel.

"You and your father ate ravenously that evening, and slept like wildebeests in my bedroom, while
I spent the night out in the foyer." She paused for a moment, then clenched her fists. "You
promised me the next morning to help train me in my martial arts, so that my mother's only child
can protect the hostel for as long as needed."

She looked deep into Ranma's eyes. "None of this is familiar?" she demanded.

"Um," Ranma began, grabbing the back of his head. He then laughed a bit. "Uh, yeah, I think
so."

"You should remember it," Genma said, appearing as though he were a ghost, from behind
Ranma. "You were the one who promised to take good care of Izumi, here."

"What?" Ranma demanded. "What are you talking about?"

"I can remember it as though it were yesterday . . .

"You said, `Hey, Pop, let's help these two for what they've done for us,' or something along
those lines."

"Yes," Izumi said, nearing Ranma, "you promised that you would train me during your trek
through China. When you left in the morning, I followed you, not wishing to fail my mother or
my village. I wasn't going to allow an outsider to disgrace me by going back on his word!"

Ranma checked both his father and Izumi. "How come," he started, suspiciously, "I don't
remember none of this?"

"Because, you were probably in love."

Ranma and Izumi's feet planted firmly into Genma, sailing him into the atmosphere. "I ain't in
love with nobody!" Ranma shouted, then started off from the field.

"Ranma?"

He stopped, and glanced back.

"At least," Izumi began, "train me now . . ."
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Continued soon in

Part Three--"Izumi's Past"

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