Ok like I've said, I've totally rewritten this fic, and I think it has a
potential to be long, very long. Anyhow, considering the summer, my brain
has partially degenerated. Therefore... (1) I'd like you to be very very
picky on this rough draft. (2) I'd like someone to rewrite Ranma's
insanity scene... I'm just not sick enough to write a convincing one.
Nuf said, previous versions/chapters etc. may be found on my webpage.
http://pantheon.yale.edu/~mhc8/fanfics/fanfiction.htm
Chapter 12
'Great, another train ride.' Ranma sat uneasily as he could feel the
almost imperceptible vibrations of the train as he tried as best as he could
to find a comfortable spot in his seat. Ranma looked over at Nabiki who had
fallen asleep next to him, and he couldn't help but think. 'It was worth it.'
Of course, his cat had a different say. Ranma could almost feel that his
cat get tense in his lap whenever he looked over at Nabiki. Ranma lifted up
his cat. "Don't worry. I won't forget about you. Besides, Nabiki is going
to be my sister, the way things are going." His cat seemed to blush, which
was amazing as Ranma could feel the cat's skin begin to warm up slightly.
* * *
"You're back!" Ranma stepped of the train with his backpack on and cat
in his arms. As soon as Ranma was on the platform, he felt his mother give
him a rather enthusiastic hug. "And I'm glad to see that all of you seemed
to have a good time." Nodoka then turned her attention to Ranko who, like
Ranma, had a backpack on.
Ranko appeared to be more joyful as she hugged her Mother. "Mother, it
was such a perfect week!"
Soun was there as well, and he greeted Nabiki as she stepped off the
train. "So how was your first time at the beach?" Nabiki had to smile
somewhat as she related the various details, the clear water, the hot sand,
and the hospitality of Natsuko. Nabiki however was more laden with luggage.
"So, I must send my regards to my little sister." Nodoka said quite
happily as she seemed quite impressed that Ranma actually smiled at her once.
"By the way, where is Ryoga?"
And as if to answer her question, the sounds of a violent struggle could
be heard behind them and poor Ryoga staggered out the door laden with Ranko's
and Ranma's luggage. He gasped as he dropped everything on the platform.
"I think I got everything, Ranko."
* * *
"So, how was the beach?" Akane laid back on her sister's bed as
Nabiki was writing something at the desk. For some reason, Nabiki didn't
answer immediately as she was working out some details in a book on her
desk. In fact a lot of stuff was going through her mind, so her
concentration was elsewhere.
"It was fine." Nabiki answered curtly as she looked at the data that
she had transcribed into her book.
"Nabiki, seriously, can you just put down your work and tell me?"
Akane sat up with an annoyed look on her face. She just hated it when
Nabiki seemed to be too engrossed in her work to give a real response to a
question. With a grumble, Akane reach ed over and shut the book.
"Seriously, how was the beach?"
Some what annoyed, Nabiki shrugged her shoulders. "It was really
nice. The water was great, and the weather was nicely warm. What more
could I tell you?" Nabiki was going to turn back to her work, when Akane
asked something else.
"Yeah, and?" Akane sat there as if expecting something.
"And?"
"And how was the others? I mean, Ranko and Ranma? Anything weird
about them? Pretty soon we have to live with them." Akane leaned
forwards and looked at her sister.
"There wasn't much different about them. Ranko's really friendly, and
Ranma isn't as bad as he seems." Almost immediately, Akane laughed.
"Not as bad? Ranma? Nabiki, you have to admit, Ranma is one cold
person." Akane turned over in bed. "He never smiles, never even bothers
to show any emotions because he probably doesn't have any."
Nabiki felt her skin turn slightly clammy as she listened. "And what
is that supposed to mean?"
Akane shrugged her shoulders. "That's what most people say in school.
At least in my class." Nabiki shrugged her shoulders.
"Like I'm supposed to know. He's pretty nice." Nabiki opened her
book, and turned away from Akane. Akane could almost detect a tone of
impatience.
"Hey, no need to get so worked up." Akane looked at Nabiki with the
slightest amount of surprise.
* * *
Ranko yawned as she stared at the clock. It was 11 PM, which meant it
soon was her bedtime. Getting off her bed as soon as he heard her brother
shut his door, Ranko slowly walked down the hall to the bathroom.
She was surprised when there were still noises coming from the
bathroom. She gently knocked on the door, before opening the door slowly.
As she opened the door, she could hear the sounds of someone lounging
around in the tub. Without making the sli ghtest noise, Ranko carefully
opened the door that separated the dressing room from the bathroom and
peeked inside.
In the tub was a girl, no a woman. She had long luxuriant purple hair
with cute ornaments tied on the end. The steam from the tub was obscuring
the woman's face. Those ornaments seemed quite familiar to Ranko.
Anyhow, Ranko remained as silent as e ver as the girl washed. With a
sigh, the girl stood up, grabbed the shower head, and blasted herself with
water. Ranko almost screamed.
Ranko quickly walked out of the bathroom, and she walked quickly to
her brother's room. Banging hard on the door, Ranko was impatient as it
took about a minute for Ranma to open the door. Ranma finally opened the
door. "Ranko, you'd better have a g ood reason for banging on the door
like that."
"Ranma, your cat really is a girl. You've got to believe me." Ranko
said rather loudly. Ranko could feel something run past her, giving her a
small bite on her leg. It was the cat. The cat rubbed itself against
Ranma's leg, and then leaped onto h is bed.
Ranma rubbed his face as if having a nightmare or something. "First
Tadashi and now you Ranko. Whatever, next time, bother me when there is
something important. I'm dead tired right now." Ranma carefully closed
the door.
The next morning, Ryoga looked at Ranko quite incredulously. "What do
you mean? Are you crazy? Ranma's cat is a girl?" Ryoga sat warily on
Ranko's bed, looking at his girlfriend a little strangely. His voice
became filled with concern. "Ranko, y ou haven't been under a lot of
stress lately? Or you haven't had any problems with your friends?"
Ranko grabbed Ryoga by his collar. "Ryoga, you'd better believe me.
I am not going insane." Having Ranko breath fire down his neck wasn't a
good thing so Ryoga nodded his head like a smart boy. "Very good, I think
we must now tell Ranma the truth. "
Ryoga rolled his eyes. "I have a feeling that Ranma won't believe us.
It's not worth the effort." Ryoga's prediction couldn't have been more
true.
Ranko sighed as she walked next to Ryoga. "I can't believe it! Ranma
didn't believe us." She grumbled as they walked briskly to the market to
buy some groceries for dinner.
"Well, let's see. Not many people would readily believe that a cat
can turn into a woman, you know." Ryoga stretched his arms as he walked.
"Including me. How did you ever see what you've seen? It clearly defies
everything I've ever experienced."
"And how are you supposed to know?" Ranko retorted. "Besides, I'm
going my best to get rid of that perverted cat." Ranko would have added
more but a sound from behind her cut her off.
"Ranko Saotome, we meet again." Ranko's head whirled around, and she
found Mousse standing behind her. Mousse grinned strangely as he pointed
at Ranko. "By the end of this day, you will surely be in my arms!"
Ranko was less than unenthusiastic. In fact on closer inspection, it
seemed that Ranko seemed rather repulsed by the idea. "Sure Mousse, and
while you are on your little dream trip, why don't you bug someone else!"
Without any warning, Ranko charge d Mousse, who was completely surprised,
and gave him a strong kick that launched him airborne.
Ryoga seemed to be staring at Ranko with a little trepidation. If he
had ever seriously pissed Ranko off.... Ranko turned to Ryoga and gave a
smile as she straightened out her hair. "I guess we'd better hurry up."
* * *
Cologne looked up from her studying as Mousse managed to crawl into
their small apartment. "Well, Mousse, what happened?" Cologne easier
picked up Mousse and placed him on a bed.
"I got trashed by Ranko." Mousse groaned as felt the bruises that
were over his body from the rough landing. "Man, is she too strong. And
she seems to be hanging out with this guy named Ryoga Hibiki or
something." Mousse winced as Cologne touched a nasty scratch.
"Great grandson, I already told you, it is not wise to go after Ranko.
At least not yet. Perhaps we shouldn't be so hasty, and plan this out
more thoroughly." Cologne sat down, and rested her chin in her hands.
"Perhaps... maybe you really want t o formally challenge Ranma to a
duel?"
Mousse shook his head. "Ranma probably wouldn't accept, and his
sister cares too much for him that she'll butt in." Mousse hung his head.
He knew he could easily handle Ranma, and if he was really prepared he
could probably handle Ranko as well. B ut the two of them was a definite
no no.
Cologne shrugged her shoulders, as she dug through a chest. "Anyhow,
Mousse, I guess our financial troubles are over. I've already arranged
the purchase of a small restaurant, and I guess we should prepare to stay
in Japan for a while, that is until
you finally get your future wife to agree."
* * *
Ranko kicked the gate open, and walked in with Ryoga only to find her
house strangely loud. There were sounds coming from the Dojo in the back,
and Ranko carefully sneaked to the back and looked into the building. She
saw Ranma by himself trying to practice against a dummy.
Ranma stared at the target with grim determination, and with all of
his energy he launched an all out attack at the dummy. His fists lashed
at the target as fast as he could and he finished the attack with a
roundhouse kick that sliced the dummy clea nly into two. Ranma stood
wobbily, and then fainted onto the ground.
Out of the shadows leaped Happosai, and he bent somewhat to look at
Ranma. "Impressive, all we have to do is improve your endurance..."
"Grandfather, what are you trying to do!" Ranko couldn't contain her
anger as it seemed that Happosai had forced Ranma into that rigorous
exercise. But then again, Ranko had to admit, her brother certainly was
talented, and would be more of a threat
had he had better stamina.
Happosai waved his hands at Ranko, as if to shoo her off. "Let's see
here, we can maybe entrap a spirit within Ranma... But that would be
dangerous." Happosai seemed thoughtful for a moment. "I could teach
Ranma one of my techniques, but if he was
insane enough he'd abuse it like the last person I taught."
"GRANDFATHER!" screamed Ranko into the old man's frail ear. "If you
are thinking of playing with Ranma, you are wrong!"
Happosai stood there with a smile on his face. "Well, I know how much
Ranma hates his condition, and I'm sure that he would appreciate anything
that would make him stronger. Besides, it would be shame to let this
talent go to waste." Happosai indic ated the remains of the dummy.
Happosai looked somewhat reluctant. "Don't worry, I won't do anything
without Nodoka's and his permission."
Ranko grumbled and left the dojo. "You'd better not push him that
hard."
Ranma seemed more detached than usually at dinner time. Perhaps it
was related to how hard Happosai had been pushing Ranma. That day, Ranma
had fainted some 4 times, as he tried to spar with Happosai, but was
easily beaten by Happosai and his vast k nowledge of pressure points as
well as combat. But then again, Ranma did succeed in knocking Happosai
down, once.
Without a word, Ranma slowly stood up, and made his way to his room,
surprised that his legs felt as soft as melting jello. Minimizing the
amount of energy wasted, Ranma collapsed into bed and laid there
motionless as he fell asleep.
* * *
Mousse looked at the restaurant that Cologne had just bought, and he
had to be impressed. He had to wonder how his great grandmother had been
lucky enough to buy the place for such a low price. Well, he did have an
idea how she managed it, but some details were best left alone.
Cologne smiled as she looked at the furniture and equipment that was
still left in place. "Perfect, isn't it? We can practically start the
business. All we need is a waitress." Cologne seemed thoughtful. "And I
think I know the person right for t he job."
"Ranko?" asked Mousse as he dusted off some tables and chairs.
"No, Ranko would never agree. I was referring to Shampoo. Since she
is jealous that Ranko and you are going to get married, I'm sure she would
work hard in an attempt to get your attention." Cologne smiled a bit as
she realized that there actually might be a use for that shapechanging
girl.
"But I haven't seen Shampoo for a while! She could be back in China
for all I know!"
"Mousse, she is at the Saotome home, posing as a pet to Ranma."
* * *
Ranma sighed as he walked alone in Nerima with his cat perched on his
shoulder. Immediately something caught his eye, and he looked skywards.
An old woman could be seen running across rooftops throwing leaflets
everywhere. Ranma paused to snatch on e from the sky, and carefully, he
read it.
"Hmm, a new restaurant, and it's opening tomorrow. That's nice, I
guess. And what's with the Chinese characters underneath?" Ranma stared
befuddled at the nicely decorated characters underneath. The cat on his
shoulder immediately leaped off. "He y! Where are you going!" The cat
paused, gave Ranma a look, and then rushed off.
Ranma stood there for a second, and he sighed. "I guess it found it's
real owner or something."
Ranko could feel something was wrong when Ranma walked home, with a
heavy look on his face. Without much a thought, Ranko was out the window,
and next to Ranma in a flash. "Hey, what's eating you?" Ranko bent
forwards to get a better look at Ranma.
"I think my cat ran away." Ranma sighed yet again as his shoulders
slowly sank downwards. It took Ranko all her effort to express her relief
that the cat had gone, instead she tried to comfort Ranma somewhat.
"That's bad. I'm sure your cat will return."
* * *
Cologne heard the door to the restaurant slide open, and just as she
predicted, Shampoo was standing in the doorway. The old woman waved to
Shampoo. "It certainly took you awhile to get here. What was wrong? Got
stuck with a pigtailed boy?" Colog ne watched Shampoo squirm slightly
under the scrutiny.
"I'm here for the job." Shampoo thought about the message that had
been scribed onto the flyer. There was no question, the message on the
flyer had been directed towards her.
"Very well, I guess. You can start now. Sweep the floors and clean
the tables, and you have to wait on the customers." Cologne grabbed a
broom and shoved it into Shampoo's hands. With a sigh, Shampoo began to
sweep.
* * *
Ranko looked at the flyer and was practically drooling. "Real Chinese
food." Ranma looked at his little sister and practically shook his head.
Just mention food, and her attention would be lost.
"Ranko, stop thinking with your stomach." Ranma groaned as he stared
at the ceiling. Definitely he wished his sister could better control
herself in that aspect.
"I'm not thinking with my stomach at all. I'm looking at all these
descriptions, and they sound great." Ranko quickly closed the pamphlet
and tossed it behind her into the trash can. "You know what, Ranma?"
"What? You want to go there tomorrow?" Ranma asked while reading
something for his English class. He really hated trying to learn English
as all of the exceptions and
Ranko laughed. "How did you know?"
* * *
Ranma, Ranko, and Ryoga were surprised with the rather long lines that
were in front of the Nekohanten. It seemed that everyone in town had
decided to visit the new restaurant. Well, more accurately, it seemed
that most of the town's guys were there
to visit that "hot waitress."
"Ranko! Ranma!" Ranko looked around, and found Nabiki and Akane,
with Tatewaki no doubt, in line slightly ahead of them. Akane waved to
the two. "Why don't you join us?" Ranko looked at the people in front of
her, and she grabbed Ranma and Ryoga.
"Come on, let's join them." Ranko tugged Ranma and Ryoga.
"Isn't it unfair to the people before us?" Ranma asked as he felt his
strong willed and hungry sister tug him forwards.
"Ah, if it isn't the beautiful Ranko Saotome and her cunning brother.
I'm enchanted to meet you yet again." Tatewaki offered his hand, but on
second thought he withdrew it quickly as he looked Ranko's eyes. It
seemed that Ranko's venomous look had suggested that it was best that he
kept to himself.
Anyhow, after half an hour, the entire group was finally seated in the
Nekohanten. A cheerful waitress with long purple hair greeted them at the
door. She led the group to a table and made sure that they were seated.
Ranko gave the waitress a stran ge look as she was too familiar. She sat
silent for a moment. 'Where have I seen that girl before...'
"So may I take your order?" Shampoo immediately locked up as Ranma
gave her a passive stare. Ranma finally looked away, and Shampoo found
that she could move again. Fortunately, for Shampoo, it seemed that Ranma
did not recognize her at all. In fa ct, Ranma behaved as if he didn't
know that Shampoo existed. However, Ranko was giving Shampoo some
uncomfortable stares.
Ranma looked at the menu, and to him nothing seemed appetizing. With a
sigh, he stood up. "You know what, Ranko. I don't feel hungry at all. I
think I'll go out, and try to find my cat." Without waiting for a reply,
he left the restaurant.
Ranko could sense that Shampoo had tensed up slightly.
* * *
"Where could that cat gone off to?" Ranma asked himself as he left
the restaurant. Ranko watched Shampoo raise her hand at Ranma as if to
restrain him, but she stopped and with a sigh, she took everyone else's
order.
'She definitely must be the one!' Ranko sat back with a grin on her
face. 'But it's definitely interesting to see this.' However, her
thoughts were interrupted by a surprised cry.
"Oh Ranko!" It was Mousse. "Ranko! You're even more stunning than I
thought!" Mousse tried to land next to Ranko, but two things prevented
him from accomplishing his mission. One, Ranko's foot was imbedded in his
face. Two, Ryoga had pulled his umbrella out and shoved it into the other
side of Mousse's face.
"Get off me you perv!" Ranko picked up Mousse's limp body and threw
him at the wall. There was a blur as something rushed past and snatched
Mousse's body. It was the waitress, who was staring angrily at Ranko.
"And this gets interesting..." mutte red Ranko, who was amazed that the
waitress rescued the idiot.
"You will not harm Mousse," grumbled the amazon. But Mousse quickly
regained his consciousness, and he pushed Shampoo away as he walked to
back to Ranko.
Taking a bow, Mousse spoke. "You are a formidable martial artist, and
what you have done only deepens my respect for you." Mousse turned
around, and swiftly walked away. The sound of Shampoo destroying a table
could be heard. With a growl, Shampoo
tore off her apron and stormed out of the restaurant.
"Mousse, she is truly talented. She will be a worthy wife." Cologne
spoke as she was rapidly cooking a bowl of ramen. "I'm sure with some
training she can be quite a dangerous Amazon." Cologne seemed to pause
for a moment as she seemed to be lost in thought. Suddenly, she snapped
her head upwards. "Now why didn't I think of that!"
Mousse grabbed a box of vegetables and placed them on the counter next
to Cologne. "What?"
"Ranko dearly loves her brother. I'm sure we can get her agree by
using her brother."
Chapter 13
Ranma sighed as he sat alone on the bench. He was pretty sure that he
had checked the surrounding area for the cat, but it hadn't turned up
anywhere. 'Just great...' Ranma muttered to himself as he thought about
how comforting the cat had been. It
represented the only means which he could relieve some of his anger and
hatred, his hate of himself.
He suddenly got the feeling that something was about to happen, and
with a sudden burst of energy he rolled forwards. Moments later a giant
spiked ball crashed into the bench where he was just sitting. There was
surprised gasp. "How could you have heard me!"
Ranma, breathing heavily, slowly stood up. "Mousse. I would think it
best that you leave me alone." Ranma's voice was even, concealing all
emotion. There was laughter from Mousse.
"Fool, you didn't properly beat me last time, so I want to finish our
little fight." Mousse was satisfied when Ranma turned around slowly.
"Ah, prepare to be defeated!" Mousse leaped at Ranma, and from the
sleeves of his billowing robes sprung fort h chains.
Ranma tried to dodge, but he couldn't reach Mousse to make a pressure
point attack. 'Mousse! I can't reach him!' Ranma ducked and wove back
and forth as best as he could, but Mousse doubled his efforts and sent
forth a cloud of chains so thick that
it resembled a wall of metal.
Ranma felt the chains strike him, and the force of the blow was such
that Ranma was thrown backwards. Mousse snickered as he walked towards
Ranma. "Ranma Saotome, you are completely helpless." Mousse whirled
around, and a giant spiked ball appeared
in his hands. Effortlessly he threw it at Ranma.
* * *
Angrily, Shampoo ran blindly through the streets, only bothering to
dodge obstacles and people. Her mind burned with anger over how much
attention Mousse gave to Ranko. 'And she isn't even an Amazon.' She heard
a scream of pain which seemed to wake
her from her thoughts.
Looking upwards, her eyes immediately locked onto Ranma who was
sprawled on the floor, trying hard to get up, but it seemed that he
completely lacked the strength. Standing no more than a few paces from
Ranma was Mousse who seemed to be saying someth ing. He suddenly summoned
a giant spiked ball into his hand, and Shampoo felt herself shout
something.
* * *
Ranma was paralyzed in fear as he stared at the ball slowly arcing in
the air towards him. Suddenly he heard a loud scream which unfroze his
muscles. Shielding his head with his arms, Ranma shouted out loud. "No!"
In that brief moment, he felt some thing in his mind. To his surprise, he
watched the ball quiver as it approached him and it splintered into
harmless dust.
"What on earth!" Mousse shouted as Ranma slowly stood up. Shampoo
stopped still to take a look at Ranma. Without wasting time, Mousse's
hands became a flash as he launched a barrage of metal balls and chain at
Ranma. This time Ranma cringed as he felt all of the objects smash into
his bruised body.
Ranma laid on the ground motionless. "Mousse, you idiot!" Something
in Shampoo snapped, and with a growl she leaped at Mousse.
Mousse quickly scooped up Ranma, and he leaped from the ground and
disappeared behind the fence. As soon as Shampoo landed, she launched
herself upwards after Mousse. He was already gone, but Shampoo had a good
idea where Mousse would be going.
* * *
"So, Ranma was able to stop your most powerful attack?" Cologne
stared at Ranma's limp body on tied up in the room. Mousse immediately
nodded.
"I summoned a giant projectile, but it never even reached him. It
just flew up to his face, and then poof, it disintegrated." Mousse
gestured wildly with his hands as his eyes slowly grew larger as he
relived the event.
A smile surfaced on Cologne's face. "Is that so? I'd never think
that this boy would turn out to be a great asset, especially considering
what happened to him when he was a little boy." A smile surfaced on
Cologne's face. "Perhaps with a little fo rmula 110, we can put this boy
to good use."
Mousse looked a little troubled. "But Great-grandmother, isn't it
wrong to play around with his memories like that?"
Cologne knocked Mousse's head. "Listen, if it's done right, nothing
will happen."
* * *
Ranko sighed as she sat down at her desk. "Where has Ranma been? I
haven't seen him at all since this afternoon... Maybe he's just hanging
out with his friends." Somehow, something deep within Ranko was screaming
that Ranma was in trouble. Unwill ing to rest easily, Ranko grabbed the
telephone and dialed up a few of Ranma's friends.
Hiroshi offered a blank answer. He didn't know where Ranma was.
Ranko trusted him since, he was quite possibly Ranma's most trust worthy
friend. Daisuke said he was busy and hadn't seen Ranma at all. Ranko
believed his account when she heard a gir l purring in the background and
begging Daisuke to return to bed.
'Great, that means Ranma's not with his friends... Well, perhaps I'm
worrying over nothing, may be he'll return before evening.' However, Ranma
never returned, and with every passing hour, Ranko grew more and more
worried.
"And salutations to you this evening." Ranko turned around to see her
brother, dressed as a Chinese amazon. Ranko didn't know which was more
shocking, the fact that her brother seemingly appeared out of thin air, or
the fact that he looked rather di fferent.
"Ranma?" Ranko reached out to touch her brother. He seemed so
detached, so unlike himself that Ranko found herself doubting what was
really standing in front of her.
"I do not recognize that name. All I know is that you have dishonored
my brother Mousse." Ranma lashed out, grabbed Ranko's hand, and before
she knew what was happening, the world whirled around as she landed on the
floor. She was immediately up in
an instant, staring at her brother warily. "And it is my obligation to
bring you to him."
"Please Ranma, wake up!" Ranko launched a barrage of attacks, and was
surprised to find her kicks and punches warded off and Ranma's fists
crashing into her chest. Ranko fell back winded, however, not all hope
was lost. She realized that Ranma was breathing rather heavily. It
seemed that this new personality didn't quite know the weaknesses of his
body.
Ranko leaped to her feet and started with rapid punches, more like
feints to get Ranma overreacting. Not to long, Ranma's body couldn't keep
up with her at all, and she landed a couple hard blows onto her brother,
knocking him down.
"You are much more skilled than I. I'll meet you again tomorrow. Be
prepared." A twisted smile wormed it's way across Ranma's face, and
standing up, he ran towards the open window and leaped out. Ranko
practically screamed, and ran to the window h erself. Panicked, she
scanned the entire yard. He wasn't anywhere to be found.
* * *
Ryoga seemed rather surprised. "You had to be there last night. It
seemed as if Ranma was a completely different person." Ranko jammed her
hands into her pockets as if trying to dispel last night's events.
"You wouldn't say. I'll bet it's that old ghoul's and Mousse's scheme
to get you to marry Mousse." Ryoga idly balanced his umbrella on one
finger while he walked. Ranko jabbed Ryoga in the stomach.
"Hey, can't you see this is going to be a major problem?" Ranko bared
her teeth in front of Ryoga's face.
"You are right." Both Ryoga and Ranko stopped in midstep to look at
the newcomer. "Shampoo has seen Cologne wash Ranma's hair with formula
110. The formula washed his mind clean and Cologne feed him fake
memories. You need formula 119 to restore m emory." Shampoo was leaning
against the wall, with her bonbori next to her. She seemed as if she was
waiting for a short while.
"And why the hell do you care?" Ranko seemed rather amazed that
Shampoo wanted to interfere at all.
"Shampoo has personal reasons that need to be kept secret."
* * *
"Hey Ranma, wait up!" Nabiki watched with minor amazement as Ranma
continued walking without paying attention to her. Gritting her teeth,
she forgot about her desires to walk away, and setting a brisk pace she
ended up walking next to Ranma. "Hey, did you hear me?" Nabiki tapped
Ranma's shoulder.
Almost immediately, Ranma locked Nabiki's hand in an iron grasp. He
blinked. "I'm so sorry, I thought you were someone else." Slowly he
released her wrist. Nabiki stood there for a bit as Ranma walked off.
Shaking her head as if she were in some twisted dream, she marched quite
displeased after Ranma.
"Hey, you! What's with the cold shoulder?" Nabiki grabbed Ranma's
shoulder and pulled him around so she could see his face. Almost too
easily, a smile surfaced on Ranma's face.
"I'm so sorry, but have we met before?" Ranma stood there with a
blank look on his face. "I just came from China, and I've really hadn't
had the opportunity to meet anyone my age. I'm pretty sure you've seen my
brother, Mousse?" Ranma looked at Na biki intently. Nabiki looked at
Ranma as if something rather fishy was happening.
* * *
"What!?" Ranko and Ryoga stared at Shampoo in disbelief. Ranko
sputtered. "You said that old witch took over Ranma's mind!" Shampoo
nodded earnestly. "Why, when I find her, I'm going to rip her stinking
head off." Ranko slammed her hands togethe r.
"Oh no need to find me, I'm right here!" Ranko whirled around to find
herself face to face with an old woman. "You shouldn't talk that way
about your elders!" Cologne tapped Ranko with a finger. Ranko was
surprised to find herself thrown against t he wall. "Ah, I seriously
doubt that you would pose a threat."
Ranko gritted her teeth as she stood up. A low growl surfaced from
her throat. Without a single thought, she launched herself at Cologne,
with a formidable combination of feints, jabs, punches, kicks. Cologne
dodged with slight difficulty. "Well, when pressed, you do fight a lot
better." The old woman seemed to be mocking Ranko.
"I haven't finished yet! I've just begun!" Ranko leaped into the air
and dived at Cologne. That was a big mistake. Cologne calmly sidestepped
Ranko's attack, and slammed her cane into Ranko, helping the girl crash
into the ground. Ranko unsteadil y struggled to her feet. "No fair, old
witch! How could you mess with my brother's head like that!" Ranko took
a step, but she knew that she couldn't take the punishment any longer.
Despite Cologne's frail appearance, she was a lot more powerful than
anything Ranko had ever seen.
Cologne chuckled. "Well, Ranko, if you want to see your brother, come
by the Nekohanten in an hour. And try to be on time, I don't like tardy
people." Cologne leaped over the fence, and could be seen retreating on
the rooftops.
Ryoga muttered. "I don't like the sound of that, Ranko."
"Me neither, but do you think I have a choice?"
* * *
'There is obviously something wrong about him,' Nabiki thought as she
walked home. 'He seemed like a totally different person. His
personality, his cheerfulness, that's all wrong.' Staring at the sky as if
looking for a clue, she walked for a bloc k completely lost in thought.
Then, whether by some quirk of fate, she bumped straight into Ranko.
"Hey! Why don't you watch... Hey Nabiki, what are you doing walking
this way. I thought your house was that way." Ranko pointed in the
direction opposite to the direction Nabiki had been walking.
Nabiki seemed rather confused for a moment. For some reason, while
she had been thinking, she had unconsciously been walking towards the
Saotome Dojo! "Well, I wouldn't really know. Actually, I bumped into
Ranma today, and it just seemed as if I we re talking to a completely new
person." Nabiki leaned forwards as if to whisper into Ranko's ear. "Say,
is Ranma feeling better or something?"
Ranko gritted her teeth, but looking at Nabiki, she decided to tell
what really had happened. "You see, that old witch is using Ranma to
force me to marry that jerk Mousse. So washed his head with some formula,
and now I've got to rescue my brother. "
Nabiki looked at Ranko surprised. "You mean the Chinese woman who
opened that new Chinese restaurant? Why would she take advantage of
Ranma?" Ranko noted with limited surprise as Nabiki's face slightly
turned flush.
"Say, why are you so interested in my brother?" Ranko gave Nabiki an
all-knowing look.
"And what are you implying?" Nabiki's voice raised slightly.
"Never mind. I've got to get to the Nekohanten on time!" Ranko took
off, leaping onto the fence and running like crazy.
* * *
The door to the Nekohanten slammed open with a crash. "Old ghoul!
Where are you?" Cologne, who was cleaning up in the kitchen, sighed
inwardly. 'In my day, I never dared to call my elders "old ghoul." Kids
these days.' Cracking her knuckles, the
matriarch stood up and hopped into the other room to greet Ranko.
"Greetings Ranko." Cologne smiled slightly as she watched Ranko. The
young girl was obviously nervous. It was apparent in her eyes. Despite
her steady stance, her eyes were rapidly searching back and forth, but
never landing on Cologne.
"Hey, where's my brother? Where's Ranma?" Ranko tried her best to
sound forceful, but her throat was sort of dry. For some reason, she just
felt that Cologne would be more than she had bargained, as an opponent.
"Ah, I like a girl who has purpose." Cologne smiled in such an
discomforting way, her wrinkles becoming more pronounced and obvious on
her face. "Soap, Mousse, do come in." The door creaked, and in walked
Ranma followed by Mousse, who seemed a litt le uncomfortable.
"Well, it's so nice to see everyone here. Well, Soap, why don't you
challenge this girl?" Cologne gestured towards Ranko with her head.
Ranma immediately assumed a battle stance. Mousse did likewise.
'Great! They're going to double team me! Damn it!' Ranko slowly
backed into another person. "Feeling the odds against you?" A girl with
long purple hair walked past her. "I'll take very good care of your
brother. Get ready to beat Mousse."
Cologne seemed quite displeased. "Shampoo, do you wish to displease
your matriarch!"
Shampoo stood ready with her bonbori. "Oh no, I always strive to aid
the Amazons. And since when did the Amazons needed to use an unfair
advantage to win?" Almost immediately, Ranma nodded.
Cologne sighed, as she thought that Shampoo would barely be an
obstacle for Ranma. 'Ranma, he'll take Shampoo out, and then he can help
Mousse with Ranko. But then again, what is on her mind?' She gave Shampoo
a critical stare. "Very well."
Ranko smiled, and she pointed over her shoulder with her thumb. "Why
don't we take this outside?"
* * *
Things were not looking good for Ranma and Mousse. Ranko turned out
to be more than what Mousse could handle. Ranma seemed to be pushing his
body beyond it's limits. Ranko noted with slight displeasure that Ranma's
new personality wasn't quite able
to grasp the fact that his body lacked stamina.
Shampoo landed a mighty blow on Ranma, and went sprawling. Ranko gave
Mousse a vicious uppercut. "Hey! I thought you were going to take good
care of Ranma!" Shampoo shrugged her shoulders. Her attacks were made to
stun and take out Ranma, rather than kill him.
Ranma struggled to his feet. "I will win!" He growled, and launched
himself at Shampoo. Shampoo uselessly raised her bonbori, as Ranma
collapsed halfway. But determination was a rather strong factor. Ranma
tried his best to get to his feet. 'Why
won't he concede defeat!' Shampoo's respect for Ranma deepened.
Shampoo knew that she needed to knock out Ranma, before he struggled
anymore or risked hurting himself by trying to do something his body
couldn't handle. Shampoo cocked her bonbori back and charged. 'Just one
hit, one hit, and that's it for me. Ra nko can take care of Mousse.'
Ranma stared at Shampoo as she approached, but he knew that he would
rather face her when she delivered her final blow. He didn't try to
dodge. However, deep from within Ranma, even with his new personality, he
felt intense anger. Anger at his own weakness, his inability. He felt
something build up within him. 'Why, if I were stronger, I'd be able to
stop her charge...'
At that instant, Shampoo screamed as she felt a brick wall crash into
her. Unconscious as she went air borne, she crashed into the ground a
respectable distance away and slid to a stop.
Meanwhile, Ranko was giving Mousse the drubbing of his life. Mousse
felt his body covered with aches and bruises from Ranko. On the other
hand, he wasn't really able to land a decisive hit on Ranko, she being way
too fast for him.
As soon as the battle had started, it had ended. Ranko was standing,
but everyone else was down. Shampoo defeated by Ranma. Ranma defeated by
his foolishness. Mousse completely vanquished by Ranko. "You see old
ghoul. I'll win. Now where is the
formula to cure Ranma?"
Cologne sighed as if defeated. "Very well, but remember this, we
haven't given up yet. Not by a long shot." Cologne grabbed a tiny vial
which was hanging around her neck and threw it at Ranko. "I'm sure you
know how to use the cure." Without anot her word, Cologne grabbed Mousse
and disappeared into the Nekohanten.
Crossing her fingers, Ranko grabbed the vial and emptied it onto
Ranma's head. Before Ranma could react, Ranko massaged the shampoo into
his scalp, and then rinsed it with a pail of cold water.
"Cold! Sis! What are you trying to do!" Ranma looked rather angrily
at his sister, but was surprised with his sister immediately hugged him.
"My god, what did I do to her?" Ranma kneeled next to Shampoo.
Chapter 14
Mousse groaned as he felt the bruises over his body. "So, Ranma and
Ranko won? You didn't give her the cure that easily?" Mousse looked at
his great grandmother, knowing deep down inside that she would never ever
concede defeat without a good reaso n.
"Of course not, all Ranko got was formula 120."
Mousse seemed rather surprised. "Formula 120! Why that formula? Why
didn't you give back the cure?" Mousse for once found himself actually
yelling at his elder. Perhaps it was the fact that formula 120 was a
rather inhumane thing to use on a pers on. "Don't you know that it will
induce depression in Ranma?" Suddenly Mousse stopped. "Then how did
Ranma regain his personality?"
"Depression is a part of Ranma's life. By intensifying it, we merely
indirectly neutralized the formula 110. Quite simple, really." Cologne
sat down with the look of a cat that had already caught it's prey and was
toying with it. "Let's say that R anma fascinates me, and I wonder how
this will affect him."
* * *
"Meow?" Ranma looked at his cat, which was carefully grooming itself
on his bed. For some reason, a smile didn't come to his face as usual.
Instead, Ranma felt that his entire world was coming apart. He didn't
have the usual focus that he normally
had in school. Everyone seemed to make a comment directed at his
weaknesses. He could even feel his mother and sister exasperated with
him.
Ranma stared at his homework in vain, and after a few minutes, he
grabbed his textbooks and flung them into the corner. 'Damn it all!'
Snapping the pencil in his hand, Ranma almost shouted out loud. "Why
won't people just accept me the way I am!" With a growl, Ranma punched
the wall as hard as he could, over and over again until red was painted
against the wall.
'I could punch through the wall when I was six...' Ranma threw himself
on his bed. 'Why do I feel so useless?' The cat tried to comfort him by
brushing its body next to him, but even its affection wasn't enough.
Ranma laid still, as if trying not to acknowledge the world around him.
* * *
Hiroshi and Daisuke were at the corner, waiting for Ranma, as usual.
But unlike the other days, Ranma did not show up at all. It simply seemed
that Ranma was skipping out on his friends. "Hey, Daisuke, where's
Ranma?" Hiroshi leafed through his in completely homework.
"I wouldn't know. He hasn't been keeping in touch with me at all."
Daisuke handed Hiroshi some hastily scrawled homework. "Here, you lazy
bum. Didn't do your homework like last time?"
Hiroshi scowled as he grabbed Daisuke's papers. "It's not my fault
that I have to work for 6 hours after school. I didn't have time to
finish the math." Spending a little time to skim Daisuke's work, Hiroshi
grumbled a bit, and handed the work back
to Daisuke. "Hey, at least when I copy homework, I'd like to copy work
that is correct. I'd rather finish the problems on the way to school."
"Yeah, we'd better go, or we are going to be late as well. Maybe
Ranma's already in school. He's never been this late." Hiroshi shrugged
his shoulders, and he slowly got up. Both boys departed from the corner.
* * *
Ryoga watched helplessly as Ranko chewed her pen to bits in class. He
couldn't help but feel sorry for her, as her brother hadn't showed up at
all. Ryoga knew how close Ranko was to her brother, and as soon as
classed was dismissed he was right next
to her on the way out the door.
"Say Ranko, have you seen your brother at all?" Ryoga was surprised
when Ranko gripped his shirt.
"I haven't seen him since last night! Have you seen him?" Ranko's
face had the slightest glimmer of hope, but it was mostly a deception that
Ranko played on herself. Ryoga shook his head. He hadn't seen Ranma at
all. Ranko's face seemed to grey s lightly as she was clearly very
worried about her brother.
"This was the first time that Ranma ever skipped school. What could
he possibly be doing?" Ranko bit furiously on the end of her pen, as she
walked briskly leaving Ryoga behind.
"Hey, Ranko wait up for me!"
School had not been comfortable for Ranko at all. As the school day
continued on and on, her hopes at seeing Ranma gradually decreased to nil.
As soon as she barged in the front door, she practically grabbed her
mother. "Mom! Have you seen Ranma a nywhere?" Nodoka shrugged her
shoulders, as Ranma didn't like to advertise when he left of entered the
house.
Ranko grumbled a bit, and she hurried up the stairs, taking two steps
at a time, and she pushed open the door to Ranma's room. Sure enough,
Ranma hadn't even bothered to get out of bed. He was just lying there,
with his eyes locked on the ceiling. "Hey you! You weren't in school! I
was worried sick about you!"
"Yeah, so?" Ranma's eyes briefly looked at Ranko for a moment, and
then focused themselves at the ceiling. But in that brief moment, Ranko
could read a multitude of emotions. This was not the Ranma that she knew.
Instead of being brotherly, she co uld feel that they was a certain envy,
a jealousy in his glare. It made her uncomfortable. "Could you leave me
alone?"
Ranma turned over so that he was facing the cat next to him and his
back was to Ranko. For about a minute, Ranko stood there, quite amazed
with the turn of events. Although Ranma had not hit her or verbally
berated her, she felt tears form in her ey e. However, the tears were not
for her, they were for her brother.
* * *
Nodoka heard Ranko running upstairs following by the sound of her door
slamming shut. Pausing in her chores, Nodoka slowly walked upstairs and
knocked on Ranko's door. "Ranko, may I come in?" Moment's later, the
door slide open revealing a teary ey ed Ranko.
Nodoka walked into the room, and sat Ranko next to her on the bed.
"Ranko, what's wrong?" Nodoka wiped away the tears with her hand.
"It's just Ranma. He's not himself." Ranko paused to wipe her eyes
clear with her sleeve. "I mean, he didn't go to school today. I think he
just spent the entire day in bed. I'm worried." Nodoka nodded knowingly.
Ranko hugged her mother. "Do y ou think you could talk to Ranma?"
Nodoka smiled, and she stood up. Ranko sat on the edge of her bed,
stretching her hearing to its limits as she tried to listen in on her
mother and brother talking. Unfortunately, she couldn't hear anything at
all, but from the little bit that she c ould hear, her mother wasn't
having an easy time. Ranma seemed to be shouting back at Nodoka, which
was practically unheard of.
Ranko heard someone walk briskly past her door, and down the stairs.
She could hear the front door slam open. Curious as to what happened,
Ranko walked to her door and yanked it open swiftly. She saw her mother
standing in the hall, somewhat confus ed, and saddened. Ranko knew what
happened, and she was out the front door in seconds.
* * *
Ranma walked down the street with a particularly nasty scowl on his
face. Everywhere he walked, there were happy people. People perpetually
happy, smiling, joking, enjoying their life. All of these, Ranma felt he
could not do. He could not genuine ly be happy, and he sure didn't enjoy
his life.
With each passing moment, Ranma felt his depression get lower and
lower. He was wallowing in his own emotions, that he didn't quite notice
it when Mousse hammered him with a mace.
Ranma flew uncontrollably into the wall, and settled into a heap.
"Well, isn't it Saotome? It looks as if I have the upper hand." Ranma
felt something warm run down over his lips, and looking at the ground, he
realized his nose was bleeding. Looki ng to his side, he realized that
Mousse was standing confident some 10 feet away.
Mousse remembered in his mind, the words of Cologne. "Great-grandson,
you need not worry the next time you face Ranma. He should be so
depressed by then that he would accept defeat." For the most part, Ranma
did accept defeat. He felt that there w as no need to resist, to fight
back, and he laid still on the ground. Mousse thought to himself. 'All I
need to do is knock him out, then I may have the right to marry Ranko.'
Mousse picked up Ranma and held him up. "Well, Ranma, I'd never knew
that it would be this easy beating the crap out of you. You're pretty
much a weakling." Mousse raised his mace for a blow.
Ranma seemed at a lost, but as soon as he heard the word weakling, an
anger so apparent ignited. His eyes seemed to ooze hatred as he glared at
Mousse. "I am not a weakling." Ranma spoke through clenched teeth. At
that moment, Mousse felt somethin g crash into his stomach and push him
into the wall across the street.
Groaning as his body slumped to the ground, Mousse watched dazed as a
whirlwind of rocks and glass crashed into him, cutting into him. Under
the constant assault, his stamina gradually withered away and he fell
down.
Ranma laughed as he realized what he had just done. Somehow by
focusing on his depression, he had been able to open some gate from within
allowing a flood of pure energy to knock Mousse into submission. However
by now, Ranma had lost all rationality , and he would have continued until
Mousse's flesh was worn off his bones, if it were not for a terrible
headache that seized him followed by vomiting. Disorientated, Ranma
walked away.
* * *
Nabiki walked home basking in her triumph. She had easily pasted her
opponent at the debate club. Since she was alone, she allowed herself to
actually smile and loosen up slightly. Turning around the corner, she
felt someone run into her and knock her to the ground.
Ranko turned flush at her current run of luck. "I'm so sorry Nabiki!
You're the third person I nearly ran over today!" Ranko hastily gathered
together Nabiki's textbooks and shoved them into her satchel. "Have you
seen Ranma at all? I'm a little worried, about him."
Nabiki shook her head. "No. I was in school all day, and I just got
out from the debate club."
"Great, just great. I have to find him." Ranko scanned the street
and intersection, trying to pick a direction to turn. "Hey Nabiki, would
you mind helping me find him? I'm worried he'd do something stupid."
Nabiki nodded. "Ok, you go that way, I cover this part of town." The two
girls split up in their search of Ranma.
* * *
The concussion combined with the vast mental drain that Ranma had
suffered was making Ranma delusional. As he walked down the street, he
didn't quite see the street. Sure enough, he was able to sort of make his
way around obstacles, but what his bra in was doing was imaging different
events in the past.
Stuff he did as a kid flashed before him. His years spent training,
his time with his father, baby sister, and mother. Gradually, the
memories started to pass by more slowly until they focused on the
accident. Ranma's memories were so vivid that he
seemed to be reliving the events.
* * *
Genma finally pushed the boulder back enough that he could get a hold
of Ranma. Ranma was a complete mess. Essentially, Ranma's back was a
mess of clotted blood. "Don't worry, boy, I'll get you out of this."
Genma carefully lifted up Ranma, but t o his dismay he saw how limp
Ranma's legs were, as compared to his arms which were tense.
"Father." The boy moaned. His eyes were somewhat glazed over as it
was evident that his body was in shock. Genma could feel his son's body
slowly cooling off. He knew that his son needed attention quick.
Genma ran quickly towards the mouth of the cave, when an after shock
struck, and the tunnel began to collapse even more. Genma successfully
dodged various rocks, but just before reaching the mouth, he felt a
looming shape above him. Instinctively, h e threw Ranma forwards.
Ranma shouted in pain as he landed on the ground. Ranma rolled
haplessly on the ground, and he seemed to see in slow motion, a huge
boulder breaking free from the ceiling and falling to his father.
Stopping himself from rolling any further, Ranma fo cused as hard as he
could on the boulder, and amazingly enough it came to a halt.
However, by stopping his body from going any further, Ranma stared at
the ceiling with amazement as extra rocks falling from the ceiling crashed
onto him with a sickening crunch, followed by the sound of the boulder
falling on his father.
Ranma screamed, and at that moment, the memory rewound itself.
Genma finally pushed the boulder back enough that he could get a hold
of Ranma. Ranma was a complete mess. Essentially, Ranma's back was a
mess of clotted blood. "Don't worry, boy, I'll get you out of this."
Genma carefully lifted up Ranma, but t o his dismay he saw how limp
Ranma's legs were, as compared to his arms which were tense.
"Father." The boy moaned. His eyes were somewhat glazed over as it
was evident that his body was in shock. Genma could feel his son's body
slowly cooling off. He knew that his son needed attention quick.
Genma ran quickly towards the mouth of the cave, when an after shock
struck, and the tunnel began to collapse even more. Genma successfully
dodged various rocks, but just before reaching the mouth, he felt a
looming shape above him. Instinctively, h e threw Ranma forwards.
Ranma shouted in pain as he landed on the ground. Opening his arms to
stop his rolling, Ranma screamed as he unleashed an invisible wave of
energy at the rocks falling onto him and his father. The boulders
exploded in a magnificent blast, but Ranma had seriously miscalculated and
his father was caught in the blast as well.
Ranma screamed again, and the memory rewound itself. Countless times,
Ranma reviewed the memory over and over again, playing different scenarios
over and over again, each time ending with his father dead in one way or
another.
"Why can't I save my father?" Ranma pleaded to no one in particular.
It just seemed that he wasn't good enough to save his father. All of his
training, his effort, useless.
* * *
Nabiki found Ranma kneeling in the middle of the road, completely
oblivious of the cars carefully avoiding him. Waiting for a break in
traffic, Nabiki rushed to the middle of the road, and grabbed Ranma's arm.
Struggling hard, she tried to pull Ranm a, but he refused to move.
"You idiot! Get out of the street! What the hell do you think you're
doing?" Ranma didn't respond. His eyes were glazed over as he constantly
stared and muttered something.
Nabiki shook Ranma hard, but he refused to move. Instead, he mumbled
something about not good enough to save his father. Nabiki cocked her arm
back and slapped Ranma across the face. Surprisingly, that got quick
results. Ranma immediately looked a t her. "Ranma! Get out of the
street now! It's dangerous."
Ranma looked at Nabiki, and then at the cars that were speeding past
them. Then without a word, he stood up and threw himself into the path of
a passing car. Nabiki gasped, and closed her eyes, but she was greeted
with the sounds of screeching brake s followed by one very angry motorist.
Nabiki walked briskly over to Ranma, grabbed his collar, and
physically dragged him to the sidewalk. She slapped him across the face
again, angry with the fact that Ranma wasn't acting rationally at all.
"Ranma! What is going through your mind?"
Ranma laughed as he settled on the curb, but his false laughter soon
melting into crying. "Even now, I couldn't save my father. Even what I
did to Mousse, I couldn't save my father." Ranma muttered as he cried.
Nabiki immediately softened up, and she kneeled next to Ranma.
"Ranma, look. If what your mother told me was true, then there was
nothing that you could have done, barring a miracle from God." Nabiki
shook Ranma to get his attention. "Believe me Ranma, trying to live in a
fantasy that you were capable of rescu ing your father is not a good
idea."
"But if I was good enough, then I'm sure I could have saved my father's
life!"
"Ranma, your father had a reason for saving you. Just don't do
anything to make his sacrifice in vain." Ranma looked up at Nabiki, and
he was surprised that she had said that. It just didn't seem fitting of
her, as Ranma did have this impression th at Nabiki was the ultimate
business woman. "Just remember that he loved you, and he wouldn't like
you to have any guilt at all."
"And how am I supposed to trust you?" Ranma eyed Nabiki critically.
"Hey, my mother died when I was young. Don't think that I accepted
her death easily, but my father told me that it was the nature of things
and that mother wouldn't like to have me spend my entire life sad."
Nabiki hugged Ranma. "I'm pretty sure th at your father would feel the
same way."
"But?" Ranma seemed confused.
"Just shut up." Nabiki hugged Ranma. "Don't go wasting your life
blaming yourself for something that wasn't your fault. Promise me."
There was an uncomfortable silence, and to Nabiki's relief she felt Ranma
reluctantly nod. "Anyhow, this week is supposed to be special anyhow.
You wouldn't want to disappoint your mother," Ranma nodded again, "or
me."
=======
Detached detached detached... That's my impression of my writing.
Anyhow, I already have chapter 15 completed, and no second thought, I'm
not posting it yet. Too many mistakes to begin even mentioning. But
right now, I'm quite concerned with chapter 14, it just didn't feel right,
and after two weeks of doing no writing, I can't make a change that seems
to work...
Anyhow, great summer to all of you, and I can't wait for school to resume,
that's the time when I seem to write the best.