This one has already been posted to rec.arts.anime.creative,
but I figured some people might not have seen it, so here
goes...
Disclaimer: RT owns Ranma 1/2 & all the characters. If she
wants to try and sue my butt for using them, go
right ahead, but don't expect to win any money
from me. (She can try....)
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Ranma 1/2: A Dearth In The Family
by Shunsuke - |||
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Act I
_____
|
|
__|__ love you, Mother," cried little Kasumi, snuggling next to
her mother in the hospital bed. Soun held Achika's hand, standing
in solemn silence as Kasumi said her final goodbyes. "I don't want
you to go. I did what the doctor said, I gave you what you needed,"
she said, gasping as tears tell from her eyes, "Why do you have to
die, mommy?"
Kasumi buried her head in her mother's bosom, clutching at the
hospital pyjamas her mother wore. Achika was used what little
strength she had to gently stroke and comfort her eldest child.
"Soun, dear," she asked with eyes blinded by her illness, "In years
to come, if Kasumi becomes ill in the same way, I would ask you..."
"I promise, Love, anything," Soun replied, lowering his head to be
cheek to cheek with his wife, allowing her to whisper to him.
"Promise me you will give of yourself to save Kasumi. She's young,
she shouldn't die without knowing motherhood." Her now rasping
voice was clearly that of someone near the end, her breathing so
shallow that Soun could not feel it against his neck, a fact that
made him jump when Achika kissed his throat.
She stiffened, feeling the rebuke, but forgave him his fears; it
was perfectly understandable to her, knowing how people view the
illness that was wasting her body. Though she could not see him
do it, she felt his apology in the form of a passionate kiss on
her lips.
After Soun withdrew, he quickly left the room to fetch Akane and
Nabiki from the hall; neither looked willing to enter the room
from their fear of death, but they hugged their mother tightly
when Soun and the doctor lifted them onto the bed, each aside of
Achika.
Mrs. Tendo let Kasumi lie against her as she used each arm to touch
her younger daughters, softly talking to them while Soun and the
family's doctor left the room. In the hall, Dr. Nakami knew what
Soun was about to ask.
"I have it all in a folder for you, my friend. Hopefully in time
you find a doctor with an open mind who will be able to treat
Kasumi until a donor is found, once the illness eventually strikes
her."
"Thank you, Doctor, I appreciate it, and everything you've done for
us. If there's anyway to repay you..."
"Think nothing of it, Soun." He paused to look at the door, then
back at his friend. "It pains me when a parent dies leaving such
young children. The old Buddhist blessing 'parent dies, child dies,
grandchild dies' may be what happened here, but it's still not fair."
Soun nodded his head in agreement, about to speak again when cries
emerged from the room. Both men hurried inside, but knew right
away what had happened.
"Mother, please wake up..."
*****
"RANMA! Those were not scraps of garbage to be thrown away! That
was your breakfast!"
"Oh, sure, Akane, like I could tell the difference!"
"<*WHAM*>" said the mallet, leaving a rounded impression in Ranma's
skull. He slowly extracted himself from the floorboards to seat
himself at the kitchen table.
He sat down to be greeted by the two fathers and Nabiki, while
Kasumi was quietly working in the kitchen. Breakfast was simple
fare that day, just some rice, fish and vegetables, not the usual
Kasumi effort.
"Why'd you have to go and do something stupid like cooking, Akane?
We all know you're hopeless."
"I was trying to help Kasumi, Ranma, she *asked* me."
Ranma's eyes opened in surprise, not expecting this.
"She _asked_ you?" he said, fighting his father with chopsticks
for Ranma's own piece of fish.
"At least somebody around here appreciates my ability to cook."
"Yeah, and we'd all appreciate it more if you stopped trying."
Ranma's statement was punctuated by a punch from Akane, whereupon
he stopped talking, and Genma finished off Ranma's fish.
Soun Tendo thought nothing of Akane's relating of events until
Kasumi came to the table and sat down with a cup of tea. Placing
her elbows on the table and her face in her hands, it was quite
evident something was wrong.
"Kasumi dear, what is the matter? Are you ill?"
"No, father," said Kasumi, pausing to lift her head. "I'm fine.
I'm just a little tired today," she said, rubbing her eyes.
Concerned, Soun tilted his head to try and look into her face, but
she lowered her head. He lifted it again with his fingers under
her chin, and asked what everyone else sat silently to hear.
"Are you sure, Kasumi? Your eyes, they're..."
"Yes, Father, they are quite red, but I can see fine."
It wasn't seeing that concerned Soun, it was the obvious symptoms,
the feel of her skin. He said nothing more as everyone finished
their meal, and soon after three teens were off to school. While
Kasumi stepped into the kitchen, Soun asked Genma to watch the
house for a few hours.
"Anything wrong, Tendo? Something I can do?"
"No, old friend, just stay here, Kasumi and I will be going out
soon." Soun excused himself, then entered the kitchen to find
Kasumi leaning against the counter.
"Kasumi, I think we should go for a walk after together," he said
softly to her.
"No thank you, father, I'm not up to it."
He knew how her gentle ways could make people want to agree with
her, but Soun resisted the temptation to comply; this was something
that needed to be said.
"Kasumi dear, now is not the time. I would normally concede to you,
but this is too important." He spoke in a firm tone, one normally
reserved for Ranma, indicating to her the importance of what he was
saying.
"Did you feel sore when you woke up? Eyes dry and 'sleepy'? Feel
weak, nauseous at the sight of blood?" Despite her wish to resist,
Kasumi nodded to her father. "I think, dear, we should go see Dr.
Tofu. You may just have a simple infection or flu, but I won't
risk it if you are developing the same condition that took your
mother."
Kasumi looked up into his eyes, her facial expression a weak one.
She shivered at the thought of her mother's death and threw herself
into her father's arms, crying.
*****
"Now, let me see your feet," Tofu said, removing the clinic's guest
slippers. He touched Kasumi's feet and calves, sensing her cold
and clammy skin, and marking down her reaction to his tests.
"Ok, that's enough, Kasumi. You can get up now."
"Thank you, Dr. Tofu. Am I going to be alright?"
"It doesn't look like anything more than a virus, so I'll give you
an antibiotics prescription and suggest you eat well, you'll feel
better if you take care of yourself," he smiled to her as he helped
her from his examination table, waving to her as she left the room.
"Be sure to send your father in, ok, Kasumi?"
Despite his usual reaction to her presence, Tofu somehow maintained
control this morning, likely due to his concern for her, or perhaps
he found some inner strength he didn't know he had. After she had
gone and he began to clean up, Soun entered and sat on a chair.
"How is she doctor? Will she be alright?"
Soun's concern unnerved Tofu, seeming to be out of line with what
the doctor thought appropriate for Kasumi's state of health. Tofu
sat on another chair near him, curious at his reaction.
"Is something wrong, Mr. Tendo?"
"Please, Doctor, describe her symptoms to me. Tell me everything."
The doctor began to describe everything he had noted during the
exam, Soun doing no more than nodding at various points. Despite
Soun's demeanour, Tofu felt very confident about her well being,
only one thing possibly bothering him.
"If you're worried that I missed something, Mr. Tendo, I could
recommend somebody else," he said, unoffended had that been Soun's
concern.
"No, Doctor, I think this might be something else." He paused
before speaking again, afraid of the Doctor's reaction. "She's
showing many of the symptoms my wife developed in last few months
of her life." Soun hung his head as he said this.
Tofu sat up, a look of dread on his face.
"I didn't know; I'll have to get your wife's medical records from
the hospital, see if there's a family history of this."
"I have them, Doctor, I could bring them tomorrow."
"I would appreciate it, Mr. Tendo, but...how would *you* have them?
All the records should have been passed on to me when Dr. Nakami
died, not just yours and your daughters."
"He gave them to me in case this happened. I was unsure if I
could find a family doctor as understanding as he was. I meant
no disrespect by not telling you this before."
"It's alright, Mr. Tendo, there are some diseases that just aren't
talked about publicly."
"If only you knew," thought Soun. He bowed to Tofu saying "Thank
you for your discretion."
As Soun left, Tofu began to worry about the missing records and
what they contained, but was sure he could treat her.
He knew if it came down to it, he would give his life to save her.
------------------------------------------------------------
Act II
__
/ \
\__
\
\__/oun's concern for Kasumi's health weighed heavily on his mind.
Everything about it brought back vivid images of his wife's death
ten years previously. He sat in his room going through old papers
for diaries and letters his wife wrote before her death, seeking
solace and hoping to find the strength to save Kasumi.
He did not want to be the one to offer her the cure; he was a
devout coward, further proven by his inability to admit it to
himself. Yet for all his fear of contracting the illness by
saving Kasumi, knew he had to do *something* to help her.
Near the bottom of the box he held, Soun found the letter he had
been searching for.
Dear Husband,
You know in my last days I am growing weaker and am
beyond hope; sadly, I wanted to avoid the cure, knowing
you couldn't stand its cost to yourself and the family,
but in you not making the sacrifice, and my foolish act
of letting Kasumi try to save me, we've needlessly
condemned her too.
She gave the cure to me out of love, yet it hasn't
helped. As I lie here, waiting to die, I regret ever
allowing her to try. She must now someday suffer the
same fate as I unless someone loves her enough to offer
her a cure.
Do not blame yourself, husband, I know you loved me.
Your fear of contracting what is taking me is more than
understandable; I only ask you to be stronger come the
day when Kasumi needs your help.
This may be my last letter, so I must tell you, while
I have the chance, that I love you, and I only ask that
you please honor my wishes and remember me.
Your loving wife,
Achika
It _had_ been her last letter, written the day before she died;
well worn and dog-eared from much handling and tears, in Soun's
mind it became his marching orders. He had not done right by his
wife, and would have no honour left if he could not find a way to
save Kasumi.
He took the letter and a grey envelope from the box, putting the
remaining papers back in before closing it and putting it away.
*****
The next evening found everyone gathered together as a family.
They sat in the living room, Kasumi playing cards with Ranma,
Nabiki and Akane, (Ranma losing badly, as per usual), while Soun
and Genma played shogi nearby. Occasionally the children would
stop to watch the men cheat (without interfering), laughing silently
at a joke they kept amongst themselves.
Knowing everyone was there for Kasumi made Soun happy, but he had
to steel himself and perform an important task that evening, one
he couldn't complete here.
"Saotome, old friend, perhaps we should leave the children alone
for the evening," he said, surreptitiously signaling to Genma for
a drink.
"Great idea, Tendo! They're doing just fine without us."
"Dad, where are you going?" Nabiki was not just puzzled, but a
little angry at the thought of her father leaving while Kasumi
was ill. "I'd figure Mr. Saotome to sneak out for a drink, but
not you."
"I'm sorry, Nabiki, I just thought allowing Kasumi and the rest
of you some space would be a good idea. Forgive me." Soun sat
down, whereupon Nabiki spoke again.
"I'm sorry Daddy," she said, her head bowed, "It's okay; have
fun, alright?"
Soun smiled at his daughter, thankful she had relented in her
chastisement of them. He and Genma quickly left before anyone
else could speak up, including Nabiki; she wore a look of
puzzlement, wondering what had made her apologize.
The two men quickly got their coats and left, Genma surprised at
the ease with which they got out of the house. It was only when
they had walked some distance down the street that Genma noticed
Soun's expression; he'd never seen his friend with a look of such
distress. Realizing Soun did not want to talk, he kept silent
until his friend was ready to say what was wrong.
"Genma, old friend, I needed to get out of the house because there
is something I must do." Soun turned to face Genma, the look his
face one that frightened the corpulent coward.
"Is it anything I can help with? Something I can do? A demon
that holds a cure for Kasumi?" he asked hoping violence was the
answer, unwilling and unable to deal with emotion.
"No, Saotome," smiled Soun, "If only it were that easy; please, go
enjoy yourself, I'll meet you at the bar later." Genma's eyes
widened in shock as Soun handed him 2000 yen; he was still stunned
as he looked up to see his friend walk away. Partly due to fear,
partly to respect his friend's wishes, and partly his own avarice,
Genma did not follow.
*****
Dr. Tofu was preparing to sit with a cup of tea and review some
new medical journals when he heard a knock on the door. He did
not normally receive patients at this time of the night except in
emergencies, usually preceded by a call when one was on the way;
he knew his patients were not a frivolous lot. Tofu quickly
stepped to the door to see who was there.
"I have the records you require, Dr. Tofu."
"Thanks, Mr. Tendo. But couldn't you have brought them here in
the day?" Tofu gestured, welcoming Soun inside the clinic.
"I did not want to be interrupted by your other patients. This
is something I wish to be kept between the two of us."
Tofu nodded agreement, understanding the tone Soun used. Despite
his temptation to flood his guest with questions, he kept silent,
merely pouring Soun a cup of tea.
"I know quite well you love her, Doctor, as does all of my family,
which is why I have come here to ask you to cure her."
"L-love her? Wh-what makes you say that?" he asked nervously,
steepling his fingers with an 'eek' sound as he did so.
"It's been quite obvious for some time now, even to me. I thought
you would speak to her in your own time, but her illness requires
me to be direct." Soun paused to draw a deep breath, knowing what
he was about to reveal might frighten away the doctor.
"Not being our family doctor when my dear wife died, you did not
know the true cause of her death. It was listed as cancer, only
because we were able to have our then doctor write the death
certificate."
Tofu winced. He was grateful to hear Kasumi did not have cancer,
but was still bothered by Soun's mention of the word; it just
wasn't something normally done in Japan.
"The disease requires a...donor, usually from the family to be
compatible though the donor need not be blood related, to save an
afflicted person's life." Soun took another deep breath, preparing
himself to admit what he never wanted to say of himself.
"Unfortunately, I am a coward. I was unwilling to offer my wife
the cure; Kasumi, the loving girl she is, did so in my stead. My
wife and I realized only too late Kasumi's gift was in vain; she
contracted the illness, and my wife died anyway." Soun looked down
at his cooling cup of tea, ashamed of himself and his selfishness.
"I am still a coward to this day, Dr. Tofu, for although I am a
capable donor, I cannot bring myself to offer the cure to her. I
am afraid." He looked up into Tofu's eyes.
"I ask you to save my child's life, Doctor. Please cure her."
Tofu understood the implication of Soun's words: he wanted the
doctor to give up his own life, possibly contract a deadly illness,
to save Kasumi. Were it not for the Tofu's own feelings towards
the girl, his anger would have made him send Soun away. But now
Soun had forced Tofu to admit his love for Kasumi. He would
rather himself die than see Kasumi's death, so despite his disgust
at Soun's cowardice, he relented.
"Alright, Mr. Tendo," he sighed, a heaviness in his voice, "I will
do it. But I set two conditions on it."
"Anything, Doctor, on my honor."
Tofu debated with himself over what that was worth, but accepted.
"First, you will not interfere with Kasumi and I in any way. I
will treat her as I see fit, and she and I will decide on any and
all matters of engagement and marriage, without any interference
by yourself or anyone you have influence over."
"Agreed."
"Second, I want to know *everything* about this illness and its
cure. I need all of your wife's medical records and anything you
know of the condition to aid me in curing her, and if there are
any alternatives I could offer. If you leave me unable to treat
her or hide something from me, do not darken my door again."
"That is more than reasonable, Doctor, though you will come to
understand that there is only way to cure her." Soun drew an
envelope from his gi and handed it to Tofu.
Tofu opened the seal and began to read; page by page, his eyes
opened, his face incredulous at what the words meant. Closing
the file, his scowl cut a hole in Soun's soul.
"Damn you," he said in near whisper, "You've risked Kasumi's life
over THIS?" Tofu flung the papers back at Soun, furious at the
prospect of what he would have to do. "Only because of what I
have seen in Nerima, and your former doctor's reputation, can I
believe this is even true."
"Doctor, I could have been the donor, but I...I didn't want to die
a young man," Soun said through tears. "In...in time, I could
offer _you_ the cure..."
Eyebrows lowered, Tofu's voice was a growl as he spoke.
"I will never to touch _you_, Soun Tendo; I'd rather take the
illness to my grave."
Soun buckled as he sat in the chair, thinking of something to
offer Tofu.
"There is...another way, Doctor. Once you've wed, by having a
child you could-"
"NEVER!"
"Please, Tofu!" Soun said pleadingly, "I would be in my sixties,
and could be a donor to my grandchild, saving the child's life. I
could accept my own death then."
Tofu stopped his tirade to consider this; it was feasible, but was
it realistic?
"How could you guarantee me your surviving that long? I would
neither risk my child's life nor make any child I have grow up
fatherless if I knew you would die prematurely."
"In your capable hands, I would survive; I would resume the art,
even study under Happosai, to stay alive that long." Soun put
his head in his hands and said softly, "Please...anything, just
save my daughter. If you love her, save her."
Love. That was enough, Tofu decided, enough for him to do what
was needed.
"Tomorrow evening at 8pm, at your home," said Tofu as he left the
room. "Ensure there is no one else present."
------------------------------------------------------------
Act III
_____
|
|
|he next day, Kasumi took a turn for the worse, the chill of the
morning air obviously taking its toll. The hours of the day wore
heavily upon her, along with her distress at not being able to look
after the home as she usually did. With only Soun and Genma to
tend to her all day while the others were at school, Kasumi was
grateful to see the clock reach 3pm.
It was a hastily arranged dinner that evening, Ranma doing most of
the cooking, Nabiki bringing home some take-out. Kasumi ate very
little, and out of respect for her condition, Ranma and Genma did
not go through their usual dinnertime antics. Little was said
during the meal, which was fine by Soun; hopefully it would mean
less arguments later over his plans for the family's evening.
*****
"Yeah! A martial arts movie!" shouted Ranma. "That'd be great!"
"Typical violent junk for a dummy," said Akane. "What's wrong
with a comedy?"
"Why? So you can learn to be funny instead of funny looking?"
Mr. Mallet, meet Mr. Skull.
"How about a good romantic film, everyone?" called Genma. "Ranma
could use some suggestions," he thought to himself.
"Get real, old man! I'm not givin' that tomboy any ideas!"
Nabiki walked downstairs putting on her coat, looking as sharp as
usual.
"So, Daddy are we going to call the cab or is Ranma going to
carry Kasumi?"
"Neither, Nabiki, Kasumi's not coming."
"Daddy, why not? I thought this was going to be a treat for her,
not us!" Nabiki jogged back up to Kasumi's room while everyone
else waited at the bottom, with only Soun looking relaxed. In
short order, a paler and sadder Nabiki slowly walked down to join
them.
"Kasumi...says she doesn't want to go...." She looked surprised
as she spoke to Akane, "Maybe one of us should stay with her."
"It's alright, daughter," Soun said in a soft voice, his hand on
Nabiki's back while guiding her to the door, "Tofu will be coming
by later to treat her. She'll be fine."
There was general concern among the group, but hearing Soun's tone
of the past two days, everyone knew this was not open for debate,
so they didn't push any further. With everyone dressed and ready
to go, they left, two of them still arguing over what film to see.
"COMEDY!"
"MARTIAL ARTS!..."
*****
Tofu trudged wearily toward the Tendo home slowly, scared of what
he was about to do. Knowing he was stepping into uncharted waters
frightened him, but knew if he couldn't find the strength to help
her, Kasumi's illness would take her from him.
He now regretted the harsh terms he had spoken to Mr. Tendo, but
when thinking of the reasons for Kasumi's illness, that Soun could
have prevented this, it still angered him greatly. Yet if Mr.
Tendo was serious in offering his own life to save any child he
and Kasumi would have, then he, Tofu, should be willing to pay
whatever price to save Kasumi.
Entering the yard, he walked around the house to the dojo and
opened the door. There, in the middle, knelt Kasumi dressed in a
formal kimono; he was happy to see she was not bedridden. With
bated breath and difficulty swallowing, Tofu knelt as he entered,
crossing the threshhold and bowing to the shrine at the door, then
standing to walk to the table.
He knelt before it to watch Kasumi prepare the tea ceremony, seeing
the beauty and grace he had been entranced by so often. To be with
her alone was nervewracking enough, but being forced to save her
life at the risk of his own required all the inner strength he had.
Somehow, he kept his calm as she served him. After drinking his
tea and paying the proper respects to the kami, home, and family,
he and Kasumi relaxed, sitting on the stools used when kneeling.
"Kasumi, I...." He paused, nervous at what he was about to say to
her. "I...have loved you from afar, never able to say what I've
felt. I've been unable to tell you for fear of making a fool of
myself; now that your very life is at stake, the fear of losing
you has washed away any hesitation I may have had." Kasumi sat
silently while the doctor gathered his courage to speak again.
"Soun told me of your condition, what claimed your mother; it was
difficult to believe at first, but I do accept it as true. Had I
been the family doctor then, I might have better appreciated the
sacrifice you made to try and save her."
"It was too late for you to help your mother, but Mr. Tendo has
told me that you are only now in the first stages of the illness,
that if I submit to you now, I can save you."
"It's not a matter of submission, Dr. Tofu, merely a matter of...
willingness."
"But to save you," he spoke again, "I must put my own life at
risk, and those of any possible children we might have."
"Hush, dear," said Kasumi, "Don't say anything more." She glided
across the floor to sit behind him, and began to massage and
soften his shoulders, allowing him to relax.
"I do love you, Kasumi. I would be happy to marry you. I can
accept the illness, if it will keep you alive." Kasumi wore a
joyful smile as she slid the kimono from Tofu's shoulders.
"Do...do you really mean that, Tofu? You love me that much?"
"Yes," he said as she massaged his neck. Tofu closed his eyes,
feeling her touch sending him into an almost hypnotic state.
"You would sacrifice your own health to save me? To let me live?"
"Yes," he said again as Kasumi wrapped her arms around him and
hugged him, her breasts gently pressed into his back; she then
loosened the belt of his kimono, the material falling around him.
"You give of yourself freely, knowing what I need to survive?" At
this, Tofu hesistated, but he again gathered his courage and spoke.
"Yes," he said once more as Kasumi looked at his bare back. Tofu
closed his eyes and leaned his head to his left, trying to release
any tension as he bared the better part of his neck.
Tears came to Kasumi's eyes as she opened her mouth, and with a
smile, slowly, but ever so gently, sunk her teeth into his flesh.
Tears trickled from her cheeks onto his skin, mixing with his blood
as it dripped down his right breast, finally dropping into his lap.
Tofu felt the wound, the sensations and changes which gradually
overtook him. The first thing he sensed was the smell his own
blood, then Kasumi's, eventually that of the residents in nearby
homes. He could hear the animals in the distance, the howl of
dogs as they acknowledged one more joining the ranks of predatory
breeds. He could also feel something else in his mind, though he
couldn't put a mental finger on it.
As Kasumi withdrew, Tofu put his fingers to his neck, shocked at
how quickly the wounds were closing; within seconds, though he
could not see them, he knew they were healed and he bore no scars.
He turned to see Kasumi smiling, her lips a ruby colour in the
moonlit night, chin damp with blood, eyes black as night, and inch
long canines glistening as a drop of blood hung sensuously from the
tip of each. He was unsure of what he sensed as her gaze bore into
him, the only word he could use to describe it was...a presence.
He no longer felt any fear, only wincing at the moon's light from
outside shining through the door into his eyes.
"Be careful not to look at the light, Doctor, at least until your
eyes become used to it. Daylight is the worst in the beginning, so
be sure to get yourself some sunglasses."
"How did she...?" he thought to himself, Kasumi putting a finger
to his lips, silencing him.
"It's something we gain by being what we are, Tofu," he heard from
her, curious as to something odd happening. She wiped the blood
from her face, her teeth slowly receding to their normal length.
Taking his hands in hers, Tofu was still in shock, unable to speak
or think.
"You gave yourself to me freely, saving my life. Now I will give
of myself to you, and save yours." Kasumi looked at the door and
it slammed shut, Tofu nearly jumping in surprise.
"If you wish to avoid the 'illness' Tofu, we must do something about
it." Kasumi's tone was frightening to him, a lusty tone in it he
had never heard before. He again swallowed with great difficulty
as he realised Kasumi was now doing with her own kimono what she had
before done to his.
He could not resist as her arms encircled him, yet somehow he knew,
even if she were not making him do this, he would have done so
willingly.
"And I'll share with you some of the other secrets, too," she smiled
as she kissed him on the cheek, the floor cold against his back,
"like 'bloodlust' not meaning what you think it does...."
------------------------------------------------------------
Act IV
|\ /|
| \/ |
| |orning at the Tendo dojo held much surprise for everyone,
except perhaps Soun Tendo.
Kasumi's sisters and the Saotomes came down to find a guest at the
breakfast table, Dr. Tofu wearing a pair of sunglasses. He sat
comfortably dressed and behaving calmly, eating graciously while
the Tendos and Saotomes gathered around the table.
Through the dark lenses, Tofu saw Soun meet his gaze, silently
acknowledging Tofu's gift to the family. Tofu smiled in return,
now with the understanding of what he had become, and regret for
his words of two nights ago. Clearing his throat, Tofu began to
speak.
"Everyone, I have something to say," he began. "Could you sit
with me while I tell it, Kasumi?" Akane and Nabiki heard this
and leaned in with great anticipation, hoping they would hear of
their sister's cure, while Ranma continued eating, but only
because of his gluttonous father.
"Two nights ago Mr. Tendo called on me, asking me to find a cure
for Kasumi's illness, the same illness which claimed Achika Tendo
more than ten years ago. It's a deadly, but rare affliction, one
that I was, luckily, able to treat." He turned his gaze toward
the two younger Tendo sisters and spoke again, "Akane and Nabiki,
it is not hereditary, and I promise you there is absolutely no
chance of either of you ever contracting it." Tears gathered in
the younger sisters' eyes, and even in Genma's, though his were
largely due to thoughts of the meals he might have missed had
Kasumi died. Ranma wore a big grin, happy to know Kasumi would
be alright, but was still wary of a discussion he thought was
coming.
"Was it...cancer, Kasumi?" both Akane and Nabiki asked, both
looking ashamed at saying the word.
"Err..." Kasumi took a glance at Tofu, smirking. "No, just a...
blood infection." Soun winced.
"Using an age-old method of treating it, I provided her with a...
rare concoction which will stop it. It is not really a cure, but
it means the illness will never take Kasumi's life. Now she can
live and have a family of her own." Everyone collectively held
their breath as they waited for Tofu to say something else,
something they all hoped he had the courage to say.
Tofu turned his kneeling form to face Kasumi and took her hands.
She blushed as she lowered her face, trying but failing to hide
a smile.
"Kasumi Tendo, in front of witnesses, I ask you to marry me."
With no hesitation, Kasumi said yes.
Pandemonium reigned as Akane and Nabiki fell into each other's arms
crying at the news, and Genma in his exuberance slapping Ranma on
the back. Because of the slap, however, Ranma began to choke on
the piece of fish he was eating, and tried non-chalantly to cough
it up as his face turned red. Akane quickly jumped behind Ranma
to give him the Heimlich maneouvre, dislodging the offending piece
of food, whereupon he showed his usual amount of gratitude.
"Whatcha do that for? You trying to break my ribs, you hairless
gorilla?" Akane fumed upon hearing this, retrieving her favorite
mallet to punish the offending baka; she was stopped in midswing,
however, by what happened next.
A softness entered Ranma's eyes as he looked at Akane, a look of
sorrow on his face. He dropped his chopsticks and reached out to
Akane.
"Aww, who am I trying to kid? I'm sorry, thank you ever so much,
Akane." He pulled her into a passionate embrace, kissing her lips
and stroking her hair.
Kasumi was furious inside her mind, quickly letting Tofu know what
she thought of his actions.
"TOFU! They're not to be together until they're eighteen!" He
fell back under the weight of her thoughts, but he couldn't resist
a smile. Nor could Kasumi, as she saw Ranma and Akane react once
Tofu stopped. Ranma and Akane quickly pushed each other away,
turning and blushing furiously, as both tried to explain away what
they had just done.
"I...I was just thankin' her!"
"Pervert! I would have been happy enough with a 'thank you'!"
Everyone gathered laughed loudly at their red faces, though there
was some regret over the kiss: Nabiki, for not having a camera to
capture the moment; Genma, that Nodoka didn't see it and save his
own hide; Ranma and Akane, that it ever happened...or at least,
it didn't happen somewhere more private.
Soun just looked in Kasumi's eyes to thank her, but she shook her
head 'no', tilting it toward Tofu. Soun began smiling to Tofu,
who returned it in kind.
*****
"You know, Tendo, I think we've turned the corner with those two,"
said Genma, finishing off the breakfast Ranma wouldn't eat. The
fathers, next to Kasumi and Tofu hand in hand, stood at the gate
watching Nabiki, Ranma and Akane head off to school, the latter two
uttering threats to the former not to talk about the morning's
events to their classmates or to Kunou.
"I think so, Saotome," replied Soun, a look of relief on his face,
a release of the tension he wore for the past few days. "Perhaps
we could prepare a wedding for this coming Sunday..." he thought
aloud.
"Is that wise, Father? Don't you think the children would resist
it?" Kasumi asked him.
"May...maybe you're right, Kasumi, it was just an idea," he said,
laughing it off. In a few seconds, Kasumi's influence wore off,
Soun deciding not to test her again; she would cease interfering
with his plans when it was the right time for Ranma and Akane to
wed. He had to admit that Kasumi knew best.
"I think we'll be going inside, Kasumi. Good to see you again,
Dr. Tofu, and congratulations." said Soun as he and Genma went back
to their shogi board. Tofu and Kasumi watched the men enter the
house, then they turned to face each other.
"I'm sorry for what I did earlier," Tofu thought, Kasumi hearing
every word. "I didn't know you were the reason they weren't wed
yet."
"It's alright, dear," she thought in reply, "I should have told
you. Anyway, mother approves of you and what you did."
"My mother does? How could she know?"
"No, silly, _my_ mother. You can communicate with the person who
changed you. Were I to die before you, you could still talk to me."
"Die, Kasumi?" thought a flustered Tofu, surprise to think of
talking to the dead. "Who would want to kill you? Don't we live
forever?"
"Old age would kill us, Tofu dear. We're still human, growing old,
having children. The Christian myths are just exaggerations. We
just have a dearth for human blood once in our lifetime," she said
looking deeply into his eyes to make sure he understood. "But
_only_ once, and only with someone willing."
"What if they're unwilling?"
"They would die, as would you." Tofu's surprise and horror at her
sternness ended their silent conversation.
Tofu smiled and looked at his feet, wanting to do more, to hold and
to kiss her, but he did not want to risk her honour by doing so in
public. She did have an image of innocence to protect; if anyone
knew of last night, their enabling Soun to keep his promise, it
would certainly ruin her reputation.
She waved goodbye until Tofu was out of sight on his way to the
clinic, then she went inside to find her father and Mr. Saotome at
the shogi board, the remnants of breakfast still sitting on the
table. She stood looking at the two men for a second, then walked
into the kitchen to put on the kettle.
"Well, why not? Just this once," she thought. For all the time
she had had the ability, she had never used it for her own benefit,
not ever. Maybe she could allow herself a little luxury, now and
then....
Genma sat up from the game and looked at the kitchen entrance. He
wore a look of concern, and some pangs of regret in his voice when
he spoke.
"You know, Tendo, I think we take Kasumi for granted. Let's help
her clean up." Soun sat up, looked at his friend and nodded.
"You're right, Saotome." Both men stood and began to clear the
table, bringing the dishes to the sink and Soun preparing to wash,
Genma drying, while Kasumi finished making herself a cup of tea.
As they cleaned the breakfast dishes, she took the time to walk
out to the engawa and watch the sun clear the skyscrapers on the
horizon, looking at the view with no pain.
She stood in the soft morning breeze, sipping from the cup, just
enjoying the moment.
"What's that? Yes, mother, I know it was slightly selfish, but
they *should* help out once in a while." Her thoughts passed out
to the air as she heard the sound of a panda growling and a dish
breaking.
"No, I couldn't do that, mother, they're too young," she said in
her mind before a few seconds later replying, "But I am trying to
help them! Their relationship should be built on love!"
Kasumi listened intently, then nearly dropped her cup in shock at
her mother's next statement.
"What?! Not Ryouga, too?!?"
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"Happy Hallowe'en, ladies!"
- The Kurgan, _Highlander_
"Why do axe murderers only attack when you're skinny dipping or
taking a shower?"
- Camper Van Beethoven
A good hallowe'en story doesn't need blood and guts all over the
ground, or a cannibalistic psychopath with a chainsaw attacking
naked teenagers; it just needs...something a little bit different.
So to be different, I decided to write an unusual vampire story; a
little bit of humour, some sadness, a large dose of romance, a just
a hint of sexuality. It was fun to do, and I liked the idea of
Kasumi as a vampire. (Ok, good may not be the right word for my
tale, but what the hey?)
Kasumi and Tofu as vampires? Soun as a courageous man? (Despite
what _he_ thinks....) Nabiki having her will bent? Ranma and
Akane kissing? Not unreasonable ideas, considering the plot.
(And guess what I'm suggesting about Ryouga.... ^_^ )
As for credits and who to thank...uhh, nobody really, aside from
RT. The idea came to me without any outside influences, something
original for once. (Well...*maybe* a little to Richard Lawson for
the tea ceremony scene, borrowed from "Thy Inward Love". ^_^ )
In regards to cancer: I believe I read correctly from a media
source that contracting cancer is considered shameful in Japanese
society, that people and doctors do not mention it. In most
encyclopaedias I've seen, they do not mention cancer being the
cause of death of former Japanese Emporer Hirohito in 1989; very
few Western media sources mentioned it either, yet it *was* what
killed him.
Lastly, why did I choose Achika as the late Mrs. Tendo's name?
Using the right three kanji, their pronounciations could be thus:
a sub, or near (used as a prefix)
chi blood, lifeblood
ka a family
Thus, my rough translation would be "part of the family's lifeblood".
(Sort of appropriate, don't you think? ^_^ )
Enjoy, and have a HELL of an October 31st!
Shunsuke O O ^oo^ <*flap*>
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