This is my first attempt at a fanfic so I could use all the criticizm I
could get. First of all, I'm not a very good speller, but I did go through
with a spellchecker, though it might have missed grammer mistakes other
than the ones I ment to put in. One of my bigest concers is any cultural
errors I might have made. Please inform me of anything that might make my
story more believeable. Wait. This is Ranma. More believeable as a Ranma
story then.
Please visit my fanfic site at http://www.tstonramp.com/~crissik/index.html
where you can get all my latest stories, preview future works, and see some
of the background for my stories.
Ranma OWF
Toma K/9
by Eric "Crissik" Gondolf
crissik@tstonramp.com
Episode 8: Moving day. Past occupants fight back.
[The guys return home just as the girls are finishing cleaning up the dojo.
Most of the girls left that night, but Ukyo stayed to help clean. She was
found just outside the gate where she had passed out from exhaustion. Toma
and Ranma carried her inside where they were met by a baggy-eyed Akane and
Kasumi. Chris almost questions what happened the other night, but decides
against it.]
Genma: Ah! Nothing like a trip to the outdoors to really make home look
good.
Soun: Are you saying you don't like my home, Saotome?
Genma: Eh?
Soun: You think my home only looks good compared to the woods?!
Genma: What? No, no, no...
[Soun and Genma walk off, with Genma trying to talk his way out of this
situation. Tazuki follows.]
Kasumi: [Yawn] Akane, isn't it time for you and Ranma to go to school?
Akane: [Half awake] Huh? Oh. OK. Let's go, Ranma.
[Akane begins dragging her feet out the door, not even noticing that she
hasn't picked up her school bag or even changed into her uniform. Ranma
drags her upstairs to her room. Chris suddenly notices something.]
Chris: Hey, where did Ryoga go?
Toma: Hm? Oh! Where did her go? I could have sworn he was with us when
we left camp.
[Ryoga is standing in the middle of the Red Square.]
Ryoga: [Yelling] Where am I?!?!?!
[Several men wearing heavy, green clothes and carrying rifles tap him on
the shoulder.]
Soldier: Dost nost do, Comrade?
Ryoga: Eh?
Kasumi: I'm sure Ryoga will show up again soon. He shouldn't be gone
more that a week.
Toma: Uh, yeah.
Chris: He is an odd fellow. Maybe he went home.
Toma: Home? Oh yeah! I was thinking about going home today and seeing my
parents. Care to come with me?
Chris: Sure. There's nothing else to do right now.
Kasumi: Mind if I get a little sleep first?
Toma: Huh?
Kasumi: Well, if I'm going to meet my In-laws, I should try and look my
best. [Weak smile]
Toma: Uh, sure.
[Kasumi heads off to her room.]
Toma: I'm not so sure if it's such a good idea that we take her.
Chris: Why not?
Toma: Well, for one thing, my parents don't know about her.
Chris: Well, few parents do until their children bring home a date.
Toma: Few children bring home a fiancee as a first date.
Chris: You mean you've never...
Toma: Nope. Never really had that much interest in girls when I was
younger. I always thought it would be best to wait until I returned from
China.
Chris: Ah, so you knew you were going to China for a long time.
Toma: Ever since I was five. What am I going to tell my parents? 'Mom.
Dad. This is Kasumi. I met her a week ago and got engaged to her a week
ago.' I don't think so. Although, I could use Amazon law in my favor.
Chris: Are there laws that cover this?
Toma: Well, there is always the old, 'marry to one the defeats you in
combat' one. But that mostly just applies to the females of the tribe.
For men, I believe there is a law that allows me to defeat a woman's suitor
in combat.
Chris: Well, there you go. You have two options to choose from.
Toma: What options? The first one my mother won't believe because Kasumi
is not strong enough to defeat me. The second... [Shrugs his shoulders] I
don't think there is anyone I know about that's interested in Kasumi.
Chris: Well, you could just try to avoid it.
Toma: Yeah right.
Chris: The best way might just be to tell the truth.
Toma: Yeah right.
Chris: Well, unless you want to go now and leave Kasumi behind.
Toma: Yeah right.
Chris: You know, you've become awfully repetitive lately.
Toma: Yeah right.
Chris: [Sigh] Let's go watch TV or something until Kasumi wakes up.
Toma: All right.
[A couple of hours later, Kasumi wakes just in time to make lunch. After a
quick meal, the three head off for the Dachi mansion. Along the way, Toma
explains a few things about his family.]
Toma: First of all, there are my parents, Hito and Floss. My mother is
from Joketsuzoku, the same village I just returned from. Her brother is
Shampoo's father. Be careful what y you say and do around her because she
is very set in the old ways of the village. Father, on the other hand, is
very free with his emotions, and his money. He'll usually tip you a few
yen for every little thing you do.
Chris: Well, money is always good.
Toma: Yeah, but his frivolous nature is going to bankrupt our family some
day. Expect to walk out with a few hundred yen. I have two siblings: Aiko
and Bachi. Aiko is my ten year old sister. She has a little habit of
adopting cute things. What ever you do: Do not try and take whatever she
has currently adopted as her own. Best you can do is try to find something
cuter for trade.
Kasumi: That sounds like Azusa.
Toma: Who? Anyway, Bachi is my younger brother. I'm afraid he sees me as
his hero and is always copying everything I do. My family also currently
employs an old servant that served my grandfather. His name in Monban. He
is a bit senile, but he tries hard.
Chris: How long has he been senile?
Toma: Oh, since about the time he served my grandfather. Oh, we're here.
[All three look at the massive gate before them. Toma knocks and the gate
opens. An old man is on the other side.]
Man: May I help you?
Toma: Monban! How are you?
Monban: Do I know you?
Toma: [Sweat] Eh? [Firmly] It's me. Toma.
Monban: Master Toma? Master Toma, where have you been? I've kept dinner
warming for you.
Toma: For three years? Don't you remember? I went to China to train with
my mother's family.
Monban: You did? That must have been some walk to China. Well, if
that's the reason I guess I'll feed your dinner to Koneko.
Toma: Koneko?
Monban: You remember, don't you, Master Toma? It's the family pet we got
a couple of years ago.
Toma: But I wasn't here a couple of years ago.
Monban: That's nice. You'll find your parents in the main study.
Toma: Thanks, Monban.
Monban: For what, Master Toma?
[Toma sighs and leads everyone to the house.]
[The three entered the huge study. It was more like a small library.
Books lined all four walls; even the back of the doors they just entered
through. A balcony surrounds the middle of the walls, forming a second
floor. A fireplace sits burning in the center of the far wall. In the
center of the room sits a couple of leather chairs and a couple of tables.
In the two chairs closest to the fireplace sits two people. On of them
notices the visitors.]
Floss: [Calmly] Toma. You're back.
[Toma's mother stands up. She is a little short and only comes up to
Toma's neck. She has a rich blue hair, similar to Toma's, tied into a
pony-tail. A dark-green, silk dress surrounds her body. Suddenly the
other person jumps up.]
Hito: Toma?!
Toma: Hello mother. Hello fath--
[Hito rushes forward and grabs his son in a hug. Despite Toma's strength
and martial arts training, he is unable to break free of his father's grip
and is finding it hard to breath. Just when he thinks he is about to pass
out, Hito lets go.]
Hito: It's so good to see you, son.
Toma: [Wheeze] You too.
Hito: When did you come back to Japan?
Toma: Uh... About a week ago.
Hito: A week?! Why didn't you come see us?
Toma: Uh... I just wasn't ready yet.
Hito: Not ready?
Toma: I've been gone so long. I just needed a little time to remember
Japan.
Hito: I see. And who are your friends? Did you two bring my boy here?
My thanks. Here's a little something for the both of you.
[Hito shakes he hands of Chris and Kasumi. Both find a fifty yen coin in
their hands.]
Chris: Mister Dachi, we...
Hito: Posh. Don't bother with that Mister Dachi nonsense. Please, call
me Hito.
Toma: Father, this is Chris Tazuki, an American.
Hito: American, eh? I thought you didn't quite look Japanese.
Chris: I don't look any Japanese.
Toma: And this is Kasumi Tendo. She's... Uh...
Kasumi: Greeting, Father Hito.
Hito: Oh ho. Father Hito? What a charming young lady. If you were smart
Toma, you'd get to know this girl better. You might learn a thing or two
from her. Maybe even marry her.
[Toma's face goes pale.]
Hito: Well, you're home now. Let's celebrate. We'll have a party.
There'll be hundreds of people... A huge cake... Maybe even a stripper.
Toma: Father!
Hito: He-he-he. Sorry. I tend to rattle to myself in my old age. Come,
let us join your mother. Let's get your siblings in here too.
[They walk over to Floss and sit down.]
Hito: Monban!!!
[A little while later, Monban enters the study.]
Monban: What did I come here for?
Hito: Monban. Would you fetch...
[Hito stops as he notices Monban is holding a struggling Aiko and Bachi in
each hand.]
Bachi: Let us go. Why did you bring us here?
Monban: I'm not sure what you mean, Master Bachi.
Hito: Thank you, Monban. That will be all.
Monban: What will be all?
[The two kids straighten themselves out and join the others. Monban
quietly leaves.]
Aiko: Toma!
[Aiko rushes into Toma's arms. They hug and Toma sets Aiko back onto the
ground. He then looks over at Bachi.]
Toma: Hey there, Bachi. How's your swimming classes going?
Bachi: [Coldly with a nod] Brother.
[Toma is taken aback by Bachi cold tone. He soon shakes it off and turns
back to his parents.]
Toma: I see the house hasn't changed much since I've been gone.
Hito: Not really. I've been busy with the business. It's become quite
popular lately and is brining in more money than ever. Aiko has been
folloing in your footsteps and is doing very well in school.
Toma: [To Aiko] Have you, now?
Aiko: [Nods] I've been learning a lot.
Toma: I'd like to see what you've learned later.
[Aiko smiles and nods again.]
Hito: I'm sure you'll have plenty of time now that you're back home.
Toma: Uh, yeah. Home. I've been meaning to talk about that.
Hito: You don't want to move back home with us?
Toma: I'm not sure if it would be right. After all, I'm almost twenty and
will be going to college soon. I already sent in some applications before
leaving China.
Hito: I see. Very well. I thought this might happen.
[Hito gets up and walks to a desk in the corner of the room.]
Toma: Mother, father. Please don't be upset. I just think I've been on
my own to long lately to just move back in.
[Hito pulls something out of a drawer and returns.]
Hito: We're not upset. Like I said, I thought this might happen. Here.
[Hito passes Toma a large manila envelope. Toma looks confused, but opens
the envelope. Inside is a lot of papers.]
Toma: What is this?
Hito: The deed to your very own house.
Toma: My own house?
Hito: Yes. I knew that sooner or later you'd move out, so I bought this
place for you while you were gone. It has everything you need, including a
dojo. I know how important the martial arts is for you.
Toma: I can't believe it.
Hito: Try to. Also in the envelope is half of my stocks in the Shimaru
Corporation.
Toma: What?!
Hito: You now own 25% of the company. I still own 26%, but the yearly
dividends from that stock should keep you living comfortably until I retire
the entire corporation over to you.
Toma: I... I...
Hito: Happy Return To Japan, son.
[Toma is practically crying as he reaches forward and hugs his father.
Hito laughs and pats his son.]
Hito: Yes, yes. Why don't you take your two friends there after lunch.
Toma: Are you sure? I've only just returned.
Hito: I've known you all your life. I think we can delay the short
portion of that which has passed for a few more days.
[Toma hugs his father again. Soon, Monban comes in. After a few minutes
he remembers that lunch is ready.]
[Lunch is a huge meal. As everyone is eating, Toma notices that his mother
has barely said a word.]
Toma: Mother? Is something wrong? You have been so quiet.
Floss: What is there to be said?
Toma: Eh...!
Floss: I only have one question for one of your companions. You, girl.
What is your relation to my son?
[Toma nearly gags on his food.]
Kasumi: Well, I'm Toma's fi--
Toma: Friend! Kasumi, ixnay on the gagementenay.
[Kasumi gives Toma a confused look.]
Toma: She's a friend I've made since my return. I'll tell you all about
it on one of my next trips.
[Floss gives Toma a cold stare and then resumes eating. The meal remains
quiet after that.]
Toma: I still don't feel right about leaving so soon.
Hito: Forget about it already. Just go on. We'll see you again soon
enough.
Toma: Alright. I'll see you later.
[Toma, Chris, and Kasumi wave goodbye to the Dachi family. Only Floss and
Bachi do not wave back. Unseen by anyone, a dark form watches Toma with
intensity from a tree. As soon as they're outside the gates, Kasumi speaks
up.]
Kasumi: Why didn't you tell your parents about us?
Toma: Eh... I'm just not sure what they'll do. After all, we've only
know each other for a week and been engaged just as long. It's just too
awkward a situation to bring up now.
Kasumi: Well, it's not right. You shouldn't conceal such things from
your family.
Toma: I know. I'll tell them soon. Just not now.
Chris: How far is it to this new place of yours?
Toma: According to the map dad gave me, it should be between here and the
Tendo home. Actually, I think we may have passed it along the way.
[After a few minutes, Toma stops.]
Chris: What's wrong. Are we lost?
Toma: No. I think this is it.
[The three look at the gate in front of them.]
Toma: Yes. This is the address on te deed. Let's see.
[Toma and Chris push the gate open. Before them sits a large house. It's
only one story high, but it stretches far across the yard. In all, it is
about equal in size to the Tendo home. One thought comes to mind to
describe the place.]
Chris: What a dump.
Toma: You said it.
[The entire place is run down from disrepair. Cobwebs form sturdier walls
than the wood and stone do. Hole are visible in the roof. The entire yard
is half dead.]
Kasumi: It just needs to be cleaned a little.
Chris: Can't wait to see what the bathrooms look like.
Toma: Huh?
Chris: It's something they always say in American movies about places like
this.
Toma: Oh. Let's see if this key fits. Maybe this might be the wrong
place.
[Toma walks to the door. His foot goes through the first step. He puts
the key in the lock and slowly turns it. Rust makes the lock hard to turn,
but it does turn and the door falls open, literally. The door lands with a
crash on the floor inside the house.]
Toma: I guess this is the right place.
[They slowly enter. Toma finds a light switch, but when he turns it on,
the bulb explodes is a shower of sparks.]
Toma: I don't suppose either of you has a flashlight?
Chris: Oh, of course. Flashlights are standard when going out to someone's
house in broad daylight.
Toma: No need to be sarcastic. Let's split up and look for a flashlight
or candles or something.
Chris: I'm not so sure about that. That's how all those slasher movies
start back home.
[Chris realizes he's alone and he begins looking around. To comfort
himself he begins talking out loud.]
Chris: Let me see. How does those movies go? There's always a group of
teenagers. One idiot will elect himself leader. Then they will all split
up so the killer can finish them off one by one. Oh, this is going real
well so far. Of course in the movies, the teenagers always pick the
weakest weapon available to them. Let's see: Uzi, Machete, flashlight!
What I wouldn't give for a flashlight right now. Now all I need to do is
start walking backwards until I bump into the killer.
[Chris does bump into something, but it's a door. Following the movies,
Chris opens it and pokes his head in.]
Chris: This is stupid, but... Hello? Is anyone there?
Voice: No!
Chris: Oh. That's go-- Huh?!
[Something taps Chris on the shoulder. Slowly Chris turns and sees a
glowing, ghost of an old man.]
Man: Boo.
Chris: AAAA!
[Chris runs about a foot before running into the door frame and knocking
himself out.]
Toma: Boy, this place is creepy. What was dad thinking? I know. He set
this up on purpose. Just one of his little jokes. Ha-ha, dad. You can
come out now. Kasumi, can you... Kasumi?
[Toma looks around but can see no trace of Kasumi. Naturally, he can see
no trace of anything. Not even the small table he just tripped over.]
Toma: [A little upset] Ha-ha, dad. It's over. Turn on the lights. Dad?
[Toma sees a light approaching.]
Toma: Kasumi? Is that you? Chris? Dad? Hello?
[The light is now close enough for Toma to see that it appears to be a
glowing person.]
Toma: That's it. I've lost my mind.
Person: Really? Do you need help finding it?
[The glowing person is now close enough for Toma to see it is a little
girl, about the same age as Aiko.]
Toma: Who... Who are you?
Girl: Hi. I'm Mieko. Who are you?
Toma: I'm Toma. What are you doing here. It's dangerous to be alone in
this dark place.
Mieko: Then why are you here alone?
Toma: Well I... Good point. My father bought this place and gave it to
me. I'm trying to find some light. Speaking of which, why are you
glowing?
Mieko: You mean, you've never seen a ghost before?
Toma: [Disbelieving] Ghost. Pfft. There's no such thing.
Mieko: Really? This how can I do this?
[Mieko reaches forward and puts her hand through Toma's chest. At first
Toma is scared out of his wits, but soon he grins a chuckles a bit.]
Toma: I know what this is. You're just an image from some new hologram
creation. That's why this place is so dirty. The machine needs something
to reflect off of in the air. Alright now. I've discovered your secret.
Come out.
Mieko: [Sigh] You're going to be a tough one. Your girlfriend had no
trouble believing in Tenmiko.
Toma: Who's Tenmiko?
Mieko: She's another ghost here.
Toma: Right... OK. I'll play alone. How many ghosts are here?
Mieko: I believe there's eight. I'm not sure because I'm one of the newest
ones here and some of them even hide from us other ghosts.
Toma: Right... Why are you all here?
Mieko: I believe Doctor Kirichi thinks that this place has strong
paranormal power. All of us died somewhere near this building and were
drawn to it afterward. Now we can't leave.
Toma: Doctor Kirichi?
Mieko: Another ghost.
Toma: Ah. Well, can you help me find a light?
Mieko: A light? Oh! The fuse box is this way. None of us can touch
physical things so we've never been able to change the fuses when they
blew.
Toma: If you can't touch things, how did you turn the lights on anyway?
Mieko: Well... Some of us have learned how to push some things, such as
light switches, but that's simple compared to changing a fuse.
[They reach the fuse box. Toma quickly changes them with some spare fuses
inside the box. Many of the lights come on as Toma turns on the master
switch. Mieko becomes a little more transparent under the light. Toma
finds that he is in the kitchen.]
Toma: Odd place for a fuse box. Lets find Kasumi and Chris.
Mieko: I believe your friend, Chris, is this way.
[Mieko leads Toma down the hall, around the corner, and down that hall.
They round another corner and find Chris lying in a doorway. Toma shakes
Chris awake.]
Chris: Unngh. I'll never watch another horror movie as long as I live.
Toma? What happened?
Toma: I got the power back on and found you here. What happened to you?
Chris: I'm not sure. I could have sworn I saw the ghost of some old man.
I think he tried to attack me and knocked me out.
Mieko: That was Akuta. Don't worry. He does like to play the occasionally
joke on the living, but he wouldn't hurt anyone.
Chris: W-Who is that?
Toma: Oh, that's Mieko. She says she's a ghost.
Chris: A g-g-g-g-gh-gh--
Toma: Ghost. I think she's just a hologram, and I intend to find the
source.
Mieko: Why can't you just believe?
Toma: Not until you show me proof.
Mieko: And what proof would you believe?
Toma: I.... don't know.
Mieko: Well, maybe your girlfriend can change your mind. She's over here.
[Mieko leads both men to the living room. There they find Kasumi in a
conversation with another ghost. This one is an attractive, young woman.
Both notice the others enter.]
Kasumi: Oh, Toma. Tenmiko here was just telling me about this place.
Toma: Yeah, yeah. I know. It's haunted.
[Toma wiggles his fingers in the air. Chris does a couple of experimental
pokes though Mieko. Mieko giggles and pokes through Chris a few times.
Chris shakes his head a few times as if trying to clear it and shake some
sense into himself. Chris and Toma sit at the table Kasumi and Tenmiko are
at.]
Toma: Kasumi. Don't tell me you believe in this ghost business.
Kasumi: Of course. I've met many ghosts before, but none have been able
to carry a conversation like the ones here.
Toma: Alright. Fine. I believe in ghosts. Now, get out of my house.
Mieko: But I told you, we can't leave.
Kasumi: Toma. They were here long before your father bought this house.
You should show some respect.
Toma: Whatever. Hey, all you ghosts, this is my place now. Either get
out or I'll force you out.
[Just then, Tenmiko speaks up in a pouting voice.]
Tenmiko: Oh please, Mister Toma. Don't throw us out. We have no place to
go.
[Tenmiko floats over to Toma and brushes a hand against Toma's cheek. He
could almost swear he could feel her touch.]
Tenmiko: Now, you wouldn't want to get rid of us, would you?
Toma: I... I... I have to go!
[Toma runs out of the room. He stops when he notices a phone.]
Toma: I've got it. I'll disprove these ghosts.
[Tome picks up the phone and calls the operator.]
Chris: S-so. How- How did you all c-come to be here?
Mieko: Well, I died a few years ago when I was exploring this place with a
few friends of mine. One of the ceiling beams came down on top of me.
Kasumi: How sad.
Mieko: It's OK. I've gotten over my death. I just wish I could see my
family again, but they're gone.
Tenmiko: I was hit by a truck.
Kasumi: How awful.
Tenmiko: I know it was my fault. I was to busy checking myself in a
mirror to notice the truck. I don't do that anymore though.
Chris: Reminds you to much of your death?
Tenmiko: The fact I'm a ghost reminds me of my death.
Chris: [Embarrassed] Uh, yeah.
Tenmiko: I don't look at mirrors anymore because I can't. Ghosts don't
have reflections.
Akuta: I died from a heart attack many years ago. You know, back in my
day, ghosts were much younger. I remember when I first moved into this
house all those years ago and met my first ghost. Come to think of it,
that's why I had the heart attack.
Kirichi: I died in a lab fire just a block away from here.
[Kirichi looks like the stereotypical Mad Scientist; complete with white
lab coat and hair. A crazed look is constantly in his eyes.]
Mieko: The Doc here was the one that first discovered how to move physical
things.
Kirichi: Someday, I hope to discover a way to perfect this. Actually, I
already know a way, but am unable to test it. I need someone with strong
physic powers to help channel my energy.
[The last ghost in the room, Katsuma sits quietly. She is the oldest ghost
there, but only appears to be in her thirties. She is dressed in an
ancient kimono and carries a Katana on her back.]
Chris: Ms. Katsuma. How did you come to be here?
Katsuma: Many centuries ago, I lived on the original house at this
location. My husband left a few years earlier. He said he would be back,
but he never came. I died later from some disease brought by these
strangers called Spaniards. How I long to find my husband's ghost and give
him what he deserves.
[Katsuma draws her sword and slashes the table with it. To Chris and
Kasumi's surprise, the table splits in half.]
Mieko: [Sigh] Katsuma, you have got to stop doing that.
Chris: What was that?
Kirichi: I believe that Katsuma's anger is somehow focused into her sword.
She can therefor cut through matter. We're not sure if this works on
living things or not. After all, you three are the first living souls to
enter here in a long time. Maybe later, you could--
[All the ghosts look around.]
Chris: What is it? What's wrong?
Kirichi: Strong psychic energy.
[All five ghosts fade out of view. Just then, Toma enters the room with
another young man. The man is rather handsome, and knows it. He walks
into the room and begins looking around, stopping to check his hair in
every reflective surface.]
Chris: Toma? Who is that?
Man: Kaoru Tazaki, at your service. [Bows] I eliminate ghosts.
Chris: You what?
Kaoru: [Looking at the table] Yes. Strong powers are at work here. We
must start at once.
[Kaoru kicks the table and anything else out of the way and makes a large
clear spot on the floor. With some black powder, he creates a circle on
the floor. Inside the circle he makes a square.]
Chris: Shouldn't that be a star?
Kaoru: Excuse me, how long have you been exercising ghosts?
Chris: Well, I've never ex--
Kaoru: Then let me work. Now, everyone sit at one of the corners created
by the square. Good. Now, to begin chanting.
[Everyone sits and Kaoru chants at a volume just below hearing level. Toma
tries to read Kaoru's lips and chant along. Chris sits, disbelieving
Kaoru. Kasumi brushes off some of the powder that has gotten onto her
dress. After a minute, Kaoru stands up.]
Kaoru: Well, that's it. The ghosts are gone. 50,000 yen please.
Toma: What?! That's it?
Kaoru: Do you want me to charge you more?
Toma: No! It's just, that didn't seem like a lot of work for 50,000 yen.
How do I know they're all gone?
Kaoru: Do you see any?
Toma: Well, no. But--
Kaoru: My work is done. Please pay--
[Kaoru's head jerks back. His eyes roll back even father that his head.
He soon begins making strange gurgling sounds.]
Chris: Either the ghosts aren't gone, or our friend there has some major
indigestion.
Toma: Kaoru? Are you alright? You're not going to get paid if you die on
me.
Kaoru: Kaoru doesn't live here anymore.
Toma: What?
Kaoru: There is only Kirichi now...
[Kaoru's head begins rolling around his neck. Suddenly his whole body
begins to convulse.]
Chris: Somebody call and exorcist!
Toma: What do you think he is?
[Kaoru's body begins to shrink and bulge in places and it looks like his
whole bone structure is collapsing. Mieko, Akuta, and Tenmiko reappear.]
Tenmiko: Wow. It looks like the Doc's plan works.
Toma: What's happening?
Mieko: Doctor Kirichi had a theory about how to possess people with strong
spiritual powers.
Toma: Woah! Back the soul train up. Possess?
Mieko: Yes. We could physically take over a person's body, if they had the
psychic capabilities. But it looks like your friend there has enough power
that not only can we take over his body, we can change it.
Toma: Change it?
Kaoru: Yes. I can change this body to my original.
[Everyone watches as Kaoru's body continues to change until Kaoru is
Kirichi. Even Kaoru's clothes have changed.]
Kirichi: Amazing. It worked.
Toma: Wait. What happened to Kaoru?
Kirichi: Oh, he's over there.
[Kirichi points to a new ghost at the side of the room. It's Kaoru. He's
looking at his new ghostly form.]
Kaoru: What happened? [Looks at Kirichi] Who are you?
Toma: What have you done?
Kirichi: I pushed Kaoru's soul out of his body and inserted my own. Due
to the strong powers of this body, it has changed to mold itself to match.
Kaoru: No!
[Kaoru jumps through his former body.]
Kaoru: No! Why me?
Kirichi: You should be honored. This is a major step to returning life,
in a way, to the dead.
Tenmiko: Cool, Doc. Let me try.
[Tenmiko steps into the body as Kirichi steps out. Once again, the body
changes to that of Tenmiko. The change is faster this time.]
Kirichi: Interesting. The body seems to becoming used to the change and
is working faster.
[Tenmiko looks at her body.]
Tenmiko: I don't believe it.
[She runs to the window and stares at her reflection in it.]
Tenmiko: [Excited] I can see myself! I can see--that my hair is a mess!
[Tenmiko begins grooming herself. Kaoru walks over to Toma.]
Kaoru: This is all your fault. I demand you do something about this.
Toma: My fault? You're the one that said the ghosts were gone.
Kaoru: You didn't tell me there were real ghosts. I work with people that
think they see ghosts.
Toma: I didn't know they were real. I thought my father was plaing a joke
on me.
Kaoru: Some joke.
Toma: I'm sorry. I'll make it up to you.
Kaoru: Good, because I'm going to stay here with you until you find a way
to fix this.
Toma: Well, I guess I do have plenty of room...
Kaoru: Good.
Toma: Uh, yeah. Anyway, enough fun for tonight. Give Kaoru back his
body.
[Tenmiko walks over to Toma. She brushes a real hand across his cheek.]
Tenmiko: Are you sure you want me to do that? There's so much I can do
you. You wouldn't be disappointed.
Toma: Uh... I... [Looks over at Kasumi] No. Give him back his body now.
Tenmiko: [Pout] Alright.
[Tenmiko steps out and Kaoru rushes in before anyone else can invade his
body. Kaoru checks himself to make sure nothing is changed on his body.]
Kaoru: Phew...
Chris: What now?
[Toma looks around at the ghosts and the building.]
Toma: Guess we go back to the Tendo's and get some sleep, because this
place needs a lot of work.
Eric "Toma/Crissik" Gondolf
crissik@tstonramp.com