PM Productions Presents
A Phillip Masters Fanfic
Life:  Part 4

     "Mianaiya..."
     The name is whispered in the breeze, caressing my skin as it
travels across my naked body.  I am floating in some sort of thick
liquid, supported easily on it's surface.  A gentle wind passes through
the area, which seems to have no horizon, nor end.  Vast, but weak,
ripples cross the reddish gel, pushed by that same soft air current.
That carries that name... that name...
--------------------------------------------
     Waking up is a real bitch when a dream is about to reveal one of
your life's great secrets I'll tell you.  I smack my lips slightly,
trying to get some moisture back into them.  I meet with mixed success.
Now, I just have this funky gunk all over my mouth.  It strangely
reminds me of the dream, but that stuff in it was much more pleasant.
It was so calm and serene in that dream, I just feel like going back to
sleep and pray that I return to it.
     However, Kasumi was not one for slackers.  "Up with the sun, makes
the day fun!"  She always says, in english even just so the cute rhyme
works.  Her husband, Dr. Tofu, always laughs at her when she quotes it.
It is a laugh of pure loving.  It seems Kasumi was Ono's first love, and
he was so happy when he could finally ask her out.  I've heard the story
a billion times before.  It was a really profound event in their lives,
especially with the circumstances surrounding it.  That's part of the
story I've not heard, though I hear my parents were involved.
     I drag myself from bed, stretching to the ceiling.  Various joints
pop, and I groan loudly.  Yesterday left me pretty worn out.  A good
nights sleep was the best medicine.  Throwing on some random clothes, I
am not a fashion monger, I run out the door.  
     Of course, the bathroom is occupied.  It's what I get for staying
in a house with four females.  I can't even count the number of times
I've had to do bucket duty thanks to my sisters' primpings.  None of
them are really my sister, but I think of them that way regardless.
Just like I consider Kasumi and Ono my mother and father.  Once, Uncle
Tatewaki commented on how startlingly much like my father I looked when
standing in the hall, buckets in hand.  Needless to say, at the time, I
was unimpressed.  For one, I thought he might have just said that to
chide me.  For another, I was also being taunted by my sister, who was
the reason for me being late.
     I lean against the door, expelling a great sigh.  Sometimes I wish
for the old days of communal bathing.  Then, I think of all four of my
teenage sisters nude, with me also in that condition, and I scratch that
one.  Mother doesn't count because her and father have their own bath
now, and... well... she's my mother.  
     I glance left, and do a double take.  My lord... don't tell me I
actually beat one of my sisters to the bath?  Will wonders ever cease?
Michiru looks none to chipper, as she runs a hand through her disheavled
chestnut hair.  She looks up at me, shocked.
     "No."  She states simply.
     I nod a bit.  "Yeah, looks like I actually beat ya here, Mi-chan."
     She shakes her head solomnly.  "I must be loosing my edge."  She
mutters, obviously too tired to attempt to protect her record by
forcefully removing me from the area.  
     Now, she is right next to me, and I poke her in the stomach.  It's
like a washboard, she works out a lot.  All of the family does.  We must
be the healthiest group of people in Japan.  "Nah, you just stayed out
too late last night."  I joke, knowing she is always in by seven to
study.
     She shoots me a look and shoves me playfully.  I catch my balance
and stick my tongue out at her.  Then, the wall behind me disappears.  I
fall into the bathroom, and right into a startled Akane.  Of course, she
was named for my lost mother, having been born shortly after her death.  
     Akane shrieks and shoves me to the side, unceremoniously tossing my
body into the wall.  I grunt as I hit it, not really enjoying this
morning anymore.  I rub my head, which still hurts from yesterday, and
stare crossly at my sister.  She isn't looking any happier at having
been surprised.  Her brow is furrowed cutely, as she tries to banish me
from this realm with a glare.  Take the fact that her waist length hair
is wet, and sticking to her anywhere there is no towel, add to that the
fact that said towel is also pretty wet, and I couldn't help but laugh
at her.  I mean, she is ridiculous looking.  Sort of like a pittiful
kitten.
     I had the punch coming, of course.  It was still worth the raise in
spirits.  I rub my cheek as Akane storms from the bathroom.  Michiru,
who was watching the whole exchange, began to chuckle.  I can't help but
join her, being thankful that I have siblings that can cheer me up.
Yesterday left me feeling a bit depressed.
     Michiru starts to close the door.  Then, she stops.  "Onii-chan?"
She asks timidly.
     I turn my head to her, a questioning look on my face, and a
toothbrush sticking out of my mouth.  
     "I'm glad you became my brother... in some ways."  With that, she
blushes and closes the door completely.
     The toothbrush falls from my mouth.  I scramble to pick it up.
What in the hell did she mean by that?!  I stand up again and look at
the mirror, restarting my cleaning.  I squint my eyes at my own
reflection.  I really do look a lot like Ranma did.  Except my eyes are
darker, and I'm not quite as cut as he was.  Close, but I don't have the
kind of training he did.  I finish scrubbing and head into the bathing
area.
     After a long, most satisfying, bath, I finally drag my wrinkled
body out.  I can almost hear Michiru's teeth grinding on the other side
of the door.  Well, it's not often I get my chance for revenge.
     "Oh, brother dear!"  She says, most sarcastically I might add.
"Are you done yet?"  
     "Not quite!  In a minute."  I can't help but let a healthy serving
of laughter into my voice.  It's exactly the same thing she yells at me
when I knock and ask when she'll be done.
     You'll never imagine my surprise as the door opens.  "All right!
That's it!"  Michiru cries as she stomps into the room.
     Time stops.  Well, not literally, this time.  There she is, my
seventeen year old sister, standing before me in her robe.  Here I am,
her eighteen year old brother, in nothing, dripping on the floor.
Needless to say, neither of us could really think of anything to say or
do.
     We'd both seen each other naked before mind you, just not in about
ten years.  I finally gather the wits to cover myself with my hands.
The thought of someone else coming along and seeing this lovely scene
snaps me out of it.  I rush over to the wall and grap a towel, wrapping
it hastily around my midsection.  "Do you mind!?"  I ask, embarrased
beyond all belief.
     My sister, for her part, is looking just as embarrased, if not
traumatized.  She is most definately as red as a ripened tomato.  She
blinks a few times, then backs slowly out of the room.
     "Mi-chan?  You okay?"  I ask, as she slips around the corner.  I
toy with the idea of following her, but figure she may not want to see
me right now.  Geez, it wasn't that big a deal!  Was it?
     I finish getting ready, thinking what an absolutely wonderful day
this was turning out to be.  Not as interesting as the last one... but,
it was only the beginning.
END PART FOUR
Sorry I seem incapable of writing much at one time.  However, this is
all being done as is (in other words, you're reading it typed straight
out, in one sitting).  Oh, for those interested, the main character's
name is Nozomu, so I have decreed.  Saotome Nozomu, has a ring to it.
Anyway, thanks for reading, and send comments!
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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