It's been a while since I've been on, and I have a bunch of fics to
clean up and post over the next week.  Here's just one to warm up
again...
PM Productions Presents
A Phillip Masters Fanfic
Life

     "You never could defeat me!"
     "Shut up!  I could take you down with my legs tied to my arms!"
     "In your dreams!  Bring it on!"
     "You've got it!"
     And so, with a kick, the fight began...

     I look up from the television set.  Something about martial arts
films make me uneasy.  I get the feeling that somewhere, somehow, it was
what I was meant to do.  Most likely, it has to do with the fact that my
father was a martial artist of the highest caliber.
     I stare at the golden framed picture set atop my dresser.  Inside
is a young couple, very happy looking.  Between them is a small bundle.
I am that bundle.  I can see my own eyes looking up to my parent's faces
with glee.  The carefree joyous expression of youth.  It would be the
last time I used it.  For it was the last time I would see them.
     Ten minutes after the photo was taken I was put in the arms of the
photographer, a friend of my parents.  Then, they headed off together in
their new car for a local convention.  Not knowing the car was a recall.
Not knowing the brakes were defective.  Not knowing they would never see
their child again.  
     I can't remember when it was announced.  When the cop came to the
door of the friend who was watching me and told him what happened.  I
don't remember his reaction, though I'm pretty sure it was negative.  I
don't even remember the social worker who came to take me from him.  I
was too young, innocent in all things.  
     I may not remember any of this, but I do recollect the feeling of
my mother.  She was very warm and soft, and beautiful.  Even without the
picture I can remember that.  I will never forget her, no matter how
much time threatens to bury the memories.  It makes me want to cry
sometimes.
     However, I need only look into my father's face and I stop.  He
looked so proud of his boy.  He looked like he wanted his son to be a
strong man someday, like he was.  Even though I never knew him, I don't
want to disappoint him.  So, I steady my chin and look back with the
same pride as he.  My parents were good people, and I will always
cherish their memory.
     I turn from the picture, my eyes strong but moist.  I turn off the
television and throw on a windbreaker.  It's not too chilly out, but
it's better not to take any chances.  The last thing I need to do is
miss school.  My drama teacher already berated me for being late so many
times.  If I actually wasn't there at all, I would be subject to a very
hammed up tragedy having nothing to do with acting.  I mean, some kid
talked back to her once, and she insisted he commit sepuku.  We all
think there is something seriously wrong with him.  Yet, he is a great
drama teacher, so we put up with him.  
     I head out the back door, noticing the lack of shoes there.
Everyone seems to be out.  Odd, considering it's only noon.  Usually
everyone hangs about till at least two before heading their seperate
ways.  I just shrug and continue on my way.  None of my business what
everyone does, after all.
     I head down the familiar streets of Nerima, the crisp Autumn air
whistling through the leaveless trees.  Though this is by far not the
best looking time of the year, it is still a beautiful sight to behold.
The layers of multi-hued leaves cover the ground in nature's chaotically
knit quilt.  Soon to be replaced by snow, hopefully, as Winter is just
around the corner.  Even if it's not exceptionally cold, one can still
feel it in the air.
     I am surprised to see one of my friends walking down the street
toward me.  He is usually seclusive until four or even five in the
afternoon.  This was definately worth looking into.  I quicken my pace,
eager to see what's up.
     "Hey, Takashi!"  I yell to him, as he seems to be intently studying
something in his hands.
     He looks up at me curiously.  Then, his face becomes a mixture of
excitement and annoyance.  "Saotome!"  He calls back, "Come take a look
at this!"
     I walk up next to him and glance over his shoulder.  Ah, that
explains it.  A new video game.  Takashi loves his electronic games.  It
seems to be the newest in a long line of virtual reality role playing
conquests.  Takashi wasn't alone by any means, the game was a top
seller.  Over two million in the first weekend.  
     "You know I'm not into that kind of thing, Ryu.  Why'd you think
I'd be that interested?"  While we are good friends, I doubt he would
waste this much time on me when he has the gold of the video gaming
world resting in the palm of his hand.  Even now I can see the urge to
bolt home shaking his limbs.  However, he just thrusts the game in my
face.
     "Look at this you moron!"  He cries, as though I'm missing
something so glaringly obvious I should have noticed from a block away
and saved him the trouble of pointing it out to me.
     I scrutinized the box, trying to find anything out of the ordinary.
I'm vaguely impressed by the graphics, it isn't a top seller for the
story that's for sure.  Otherwise, it seems like your normal "my life's
boring, maybe I'll go save a kingdom" kind of ordeal.  Just as I'm about
to ask what in the hell I'm looking for, my eyes hit it.  A name.  A
simple name, but one that means everything to me.  It's so profound, I
have to say it out loud.  "Saotome Ranma."  I whisper, my voice shaking
a bit near the end.
     "Yeah man!  Who thought your old man was so popular!  I mean, in a
video game!  And as the head ninja character yet!"  Takashi is so
excited I think he'll wet himself at any moment.
     All I can do is weakly answer, "My father wasn't a ninja."
     My friend hits me on the shoulder and laughs.  I'm not sure how to
take that.  "Aw, come on man!  He's immortalized!  Be happy!"
     I know he means well, but I seriously want to hurt my best pal
right now.  Immortalized?  In a video game!?  He's not even accurately
portayed for crying out loud!  However, what use is it to make a fuss?
Who am I going to complain to?  No one, that's who.  I am a foster child
living with the family of my mother's sister.  Aunt Kasumi is one of the
nicest people I'd ever met, so I really can't even start to complain
about that.  I'll just swallow this and move on, like with so many
things in my life.  Someday, I hope I'll be rewarded for all the crap
fate's dealt me, but I doubt it.
     You ever think or say something that illicits a shiver up your
spine?  Well, at this moment, I have that feeling.  A feeling that
something big is about to happen.  The thing is, I don't know whether to
be happy, be couragious, or just run as fast and as far as I can.
However, I know that my life will never be the same again.
END PART ONE
Okay, I didn't realize this would turn into a series.  *shrug*  Oh
well... no I just have to find another fic to stick on the backburners
for a little while so I can work on this.  Comments greatly appreciated,
and due to fic overload, necessary for the continuation of this story.
Thanks for reading...
PMasters      

"I'm only holding back the rain.  So many raindrops, so many pains.  I
want to find my train someday.  As seasons go past the station." - Tokyo
Babylon OVA 1
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