(continued from part 4)
------------------------------------
"This is highly unusual, Ms. Tendo," Mr. Tokuyama said. "But I am
willing to listen to whatever you have to say."
Thursday was dawning in the office of Tokuyama, with Nabiki and the
rest crowded inside, Shampoo still holding Gosunkugi.
"I'd like to present to you one of the conspirators," Nabiki
announced, "one who's made a full confession and implicated foul play on
part of the band Old Cabbage."
"Rubbish!" someone shouted, bursting into the office unannounced. It
was the leader of Old Cabbage. "We've done nothing wrong, and I've never
seen him in my life!"
Gosunkugi looked elated. "Did you come to save me?"
The Cabbage leader returned a dirty look.
"I see you accepted my invitation," Nabiki commented to the Cabbage.
To Gosunkugi she said, "Spill it."
"I won't talk," Gosunkugi said defiantly.
"Oh too bad," Nabiki said, "I guess I'll have to go for plan 'B.'"
>From a pocket Nabiki produced a tape recorder, the meaning of which
Gosunkugi knew. "Be prepared, I say."
After listening to the tape, Tokuyama concluded, "Perhaps my desire to
find true talent has lead some on the road of corruption." To the
Cabbage he said, "You're out."
"I'll get you for this!" vowed the Cabbage as he left.
"In any case," continued Tokuyama, "I'll allow the previously-dropped
bands to return. So if you don't mind spread the word. The game's still
on."
It was not long, later that morning, before the authorities found and
detained the rest of the conspirators, except for Pantyhose Taro and
Tsubasa, who somehow eluded capture. To the Doco band it was no
surprise. The entire Cabbage band, Mikado Sanzenin, Gosunkugi, the
Gambling King, and Principal Kuno were being escorted to a waiting van
just outside the Tokuyama building.
The band stood by as Mikado was carted by. When asked why, this was
his reply: "I've vowed vengeance against Ranma; what more do I need?"
The Gambling King said, "I've not played my cards right! Someone deal
me another hand or I'll fold!" To his escort he said, "So, how about
five card stud, nothing wild, hmmm? Winner goes free...."
Ukyo smashed his head in with her combat spatula.
The principal said, "None of my students should enjoy their summer! I
WILL make it a living hell for you all, especially for you, Saotome!
Ahahahahahahaha!"
Kuno stuffed a wad of yen into the van driver's hands. "Make sure THAT
one is taken far, far away. I hear Abu Dhabi is good this time of year,
my good man."
Then Kodachi added, "The cargo plane need not land."
The van driver nodded, accepting the money.
Nabiki stood backstage in her costume, waiting as the band set up
their instruments on stage for the final competition. It was Saturday
afternoon. The past two days were spent in frantic practice as
adjustments were made in the song arrangements, despite being exhausted
on Thursday. It was all for the better, Nabiki thought. She was glad
Shampoo convinced her the other morning.
"Nabiki Tendo?"
Nabiki turned, and saw Athena Asamiya. "Heya, pal."
"I wanted to thank you, for helping me out," Athena said.
"Don't mention it," Nabiki said, "Just don't tell the others I do
favors for free. I did it for myself."
"You're a strange one," Athena concluded. "Why do you like to hide
your real self?"
"Nabiki Tendo is a businesswoman," Nabiki said. "It wouldn't help any
of my work if I had such a reputation. Everybody in Nerima knows, if you
want something done, and done right, you come to Nabiki Tendo. With
plenty of cash, of course." The sound of yen, lots and lots of yen,
might have something to do with it....
Athena checked her watch, and said, "You'd better get on stage. Best
band wins."
"Thanks," Nabiki said as she stepped on stage. She surveyed the band
in the back, looking from one person to another, and back to when it all
started a month ago.
Mousse, in center, sat behind his drum set, beating drumsticks
together in anticipation. Well, he'd come far since forming the failed
band, DUCK, so long ago. And yet he still sang off-key.
Ling-ling and Lung-lung stood to his left, with xylophones, triangles,
and cymbals at their disposal. And after a whole month of practice, they
still couldn't do two things at once. Ah well, such is the nature of the
beast, Nabiki thought. It'll have to do.
Ukyo stood to the far right, alone with her keyboard, dressed in plain
clothes. She wore her good-luck pair of (imitation) jade dragon
earrings, once belonging to her mother. One couldn't help but notice her
bandoleer and combat spatula on her, which then drew attention to her
face, and then mens' hearts melted... everything about her was so
perfect.... Dammit, Nabiki, stop thinking like that! You'll get jealous
this way!
Then there was Kuno, Kodachi, Akari, Ryoga, and Konatsu, down one tier
below the others, holding various instruments Nabiki didn't care to
distinguish. Akari, Konatsu, and Kodachi toyed with violins, Kuno
twirled a wood-instrument (probably a clarinet) in his hands, with other
instruments lying at his feet, his trusty bokken resting against his
right shoulder, as usual. Ryoga sat unmoving with his own flute. Or was
it a whistle? Oh well, Nabiki thought, they knew more about their
instruments than she did.
Beside Nabiki, on the left and right, were onna-Ranma, Akane, Kasumi,
and Shampoo, all dressed and ready to go. Kasumi took a sip of water
from a paper cup, then set it down on a nearby stool.
All gathered were ready. Nabiki looked over off-stage, where her
father, her in-laws, and Cologne waited and watched, proudly.
"Okay everybody," Nabiki started, "no matter what happens, just
remember that you've all come very far in the past month. From a
barely-stable band to a tightly-knit group, I must say watching the
transformation and being a part of it was fun. And it's a pleasure to
save the best for last."
Kuno voiced, "I must admit, since day one I've had my doubts of your
ability to pull such a feat off, Nabiki Tendo. Remind me, when we make
it to Hawaii, to thank you properly." And it won't be a date, he
reminded himself.
"I just want to say how we've all changed," Ukyo called from her
position on the stage. "For the better, I suppose."
"Hah, there's potential in some of you commoners yet!" Kodachi
exclaimed, followed by her trademark, wicked laugh.
"If any of you still have any doubts," Nabiki said in conclusion,
"just remember one thing: no matter what, we're number one!"
"We're number one!" all shouted in unison. The curtains were drawn.
The crowd went wild with anticipation as the song began....
* * * * *
Equal ROMANSU (Equal Romance)
Note: think X-mas OAV and from Karuta CD
[(Akane) With just empty kindness,
(All) my heart is in pain.
Love is always loneliness
into your arms, ah.]
(All) Darlin'
Just For Me I'll be waiting.
(Shampoo) I want to make your heart thrill. (glance at Ranma, then
Mousse)
(All) Your fingertips lead to romance.
Our destiny is surely Fallin' Love
(Kasumi) Tonight, it's strange
in a stopped car at the coast,
(Nabiki) the two of us, even being this close,
(Akane) why do unseen barriers get in the way? (glance at Ranma)
(All) Tears are about to overflow.
[Fallin' Love]
Darlin'
Just For You I won't stray.
(Ranma) Please make my heart throb strongly.
(All) From your eyes, romance begins.
More than anyone, I love you.
Catch my love
(Ling-ling and Lung-lung) Tonight, look at the
lipstick I put on for the first time,
(Ukyo) but you, your love quietly turns away. (glance at Ranma)
(Kodachi) Now if you care for me, [eh-heee...] (fall black rose petals)
(All) I want you to hold me.
[Catch My Love]
Darlin'
Just For Me I'll be waiting.
I want to make your heart thrill.
Your fingertips lead to romance.
Our destiny is surely Fallin' Love
(Kuno and Ryoga kick in for about 20 seconds)
(Akari) With just empty kindness,
my heart is in pain.
(All) Love is always loneliness
into your arms, ah.
Darlin'
Just For Me I'll be waiting.
I want to make your heart thrill.
Your fingertips lead to romance.
Our destiny is surely Fallin' Love
(Mousse throws confetti and firecrackers into the air. Crowd cheers)
* * * * *
After moving their instruments off-stage, the band gathered in the
back room.
"Everybody," Nabiki started, "you all did great."
Mousse said, "After the other bands finish we'll finally know the
truth."
"And Hawaii will be ours!" proclaimed onna-Ranma.
"Don't count your eggs before they hatch, Ranchan," warned Ukyo. "Take
it from me, it's never over until its over."
"Ever the pessimist," Kodachi noted dryly.
"Hey, I'm NOT a pessimist!" protested Ukyo.
Shampoo walked to Mousse, then dragged him away from the others.
"Shampoo need to talk to Mousse... alone."
For a brief instant, Mousse's glasses fogged up with steam. "Yes, my
darling Shampoo?"
"Shampoo had long talk with crazy-girl and Spatula-girl other night,"
she began. "They try to tell me I refuse to admit I like you. They were
right."
"Shampoo...." Mousse said, waiting in anticipation for the answer.
"Shampoo know she can't have Ranma. But Shampoo's heart is still with
Ranma. Perhaps small part of Shampoo like Mousse, but not in same way as
for Ranma."
Mousse's heart sank. "Don't you love me?"
"As friend, that I grant you," Shampoo said. "You always there for
Shampoo and others, even though you were male. You always defend Shampoo
even when she don't need to be defended. Selfless, brave, and silly.
That is Mousse I love, not Mousse that shower Shampoo with attention."
"If it's your space you want, then... I'll give it to you," Mousse
said, starting to walk away.
Shampoo grabbed his arm. "Don't go, Mousse. Shampoo miss Mousse if he
leave again. Stay with Shampoo for now, won't you?"
Mousse turned around, and met Shampoo's eyes. "I'd like that." Well,
it's a start, he thought. He wished he could repay the favor back to
Ukyo, but knew it wouldn't be possible. Love is a complicated thing.
Mr. Tokuyama appeared on stage after all bands finished their songs.
"The judges have convened and have selected three finalists for your
voting pleasure. In no particular order is: Samurai Blood, Psycho
Soldier, and Doco."
The members of the respective bands shouted with joy. Tokuyama
continued, "Now, audience, please submit your votes for the winner in
the Battle of the Bands."
Backstage Ukyo congratulated Athena.
"Ukyo... my offer still stands," Athena said.
"Well," Ukyo started, "I guess that all depends on which one of us
gets what prize, you know. But afterward, maybe. I need to continue my
own martial arts training too, you know. I am the master of my own art."
"I see," Athena said. "Still, I'm interested in the way which you use
your chi, it must be evident in your fighting style. May I ask for a
demonstration?" Without waiting for an answer, Athena spread her arms
apart, then threw them together, yelling "Psycho ball!" The projectile
slammed into a nearby vending machine, causing it to spill its contents.
Tsubasa was among them.
"Tsubasa!" Ukyo cried. Producing an okonomiyaki out of nowhere, Ukyo
threw it at Tsubasa. The Japanese dish landed with a loud *PLOP* on the
downed Tsubasa.
Athena turned to Ukyo. "That's hardly what I'd call an art...."
"You haven't seen anything yet," assured Ukyo, unstrapping her combat
spatula. Ominously, slowly, Ukyo walked to and stood over Tsubasa.
"Ukyo-sama!" cried Tsubasa, trying to reach for a leg, but the sauce
on the okonomiyaki prevented him from moving. "What is this?!"
"A family secret," explained Ukyo, "to eliminate the enemies of the
Kuonji family!" She brought her spatula down on Tsubasa's head, hard.
"It's called 'super glue!'" she cried, punting the little man like a
golf ball, sending him flying through the wall.
Athena walked beside Ukyo, who was breathing heavily. Faintly, Athena
could detect a hint of darkness in Ukyo's battle aura, something she'd
never encountered before in her for the short time they've known each
other.
Ukyo turned back to Athena. "That was only half of it. Just wait until
you sample my specialty okonomiyaki...."
"Now the results of the votes from our glorious audience," announced
Mr. Tokuyama. "Third place goes to Samurai Blood!"
"And finally, for the grand prize winner is... Doco."
Each and every one of the fourteen band members shouted in triumph,
some jumping into each others' arms, some patting each other on the
back. Black rose petals rained on the audience from above, courtesy of
Kodachi's work. Mr. Tokuyama approached Nabiki. "If you don't mind,
perhaps another number? Your songs are so soothing."
"Sure, why not?" answered Nabiki. The band retreated back to their
positions as the others retreated from the stage.
Mousse tapped his drumsticks together in rhythm. "One, two, three,
go!"
* * * * *
Lambada Ranma ('97 stage-call version; NEW--lyrics modified by me)
[Akane:] In our Tendo dojo,
[chorus:] our tenant
[Akane:] Ranma had harsh training at,
[chorus:] Jusenkyo.
[Genma:] Quite a tragedy!
[Ranma:] When I pour water on myself,
[Ranma-chan:] I turn female,
with my idiotic constitution.
[chorus:] Akane's fiancee!
Ranma: Hah-hah! You thought we'd lose, didn't ya?
Akane: Hmph! You said that, you idiot!
Genma: Wait a minute, you two are married!! The song's wrong....
Marry me, Ranma! Shampoo.
Soun: Ranma! Stop fooling around with other girls!
O-baba: I'll see Shampoo married to you yet, Son-in-law.
Mousse: Over my dead body she will!
Some things just never change! Ling-ling, Lung-lung
Nabiki: I didn't help any of you for free, you know.
Kasumi: Oh my, Sister, show your true feelings.
Akari: Ryoga, let's get married!
Akari, I love you!! Ryoga
Kuno: I did it all for you, little sister!
Kodachi: Me?! I thought you wanted to go!
Konatsu: Perhaps now we have time for luxury Ukyo-sama?
Not if my business goes under after a month! Ukyo
[Akane:] In our Tendo dojo,
[chorus:] our tenant
[Akane:] Ranma had harsh training at,
[chorus:] Jusenkyo.
[Genma:] Quite a tragedy!
[Ranma:] When I pour water on myself,
[Ranma-chan:] I turn female,
with my idiotic constitution.
[chorus:] Akane's fiancee!
[Guide:] "Honorable guest, here!
Legendary training grounds, Jusenkyo.
Honorable guest, you're crazy.
It's so dangerous, no one uses these grounds!
Ah, honorable guest, what are you doing?!
If you fall in, something terrible will happen.
Aiyaa, you fell in Spring of Drowned Girl.
In Spring of Drowned Girl 1500 year ago, a young girl
drowned,
that is its tragic legend!
Ever since, anyone who drown there...
that cursed spring transforms into a young girl!
See, you turned into a girl."
Ranma: I'm Ranma Saotome of the Anything-Goes School of Martial Arts.
Kuno: I am called the Blue Thunder of Furinkan High.
Mousse: I am the Master of Hidden Weapons and All-Things Avian.
I am the Black Rose of St. Hebereke! Ahahahahaha.... Kodachi
Soun: Your mother would be so proud of you....
Kasumi: Father, you promised not to get emotional....
Genma: Behold, my true nature! Growf, growf, growf....
That'll be 500 yen, please. Nabiki
O-baba: Three-thousand years of Chinese Amazon tradition....
Akari: I trained my family's fourteenth-generation sumo pig!
Akane: Ranma, you idiot...!
Well, where the hell am I this time?! Ryoga
Ukyo: I'm the greatest okonomiyaki chef in the world!
Konatsu: I won't let harm come to you, Ukyo-sama.
Shampoo: I give you Kiss of Death, now you die!
Eeee, hehehehehehehe... Ling-ling, Lung-lung
[Akane:] In our Tendo dojo,
[chorus:] our tenant
[Akane:] Ranma had harsh training at,
[chorus:] Jusenkyo.
[Genma:] Quite a tragedy!
[Ranma:] When I pour water on myself,
[Ranma-chan:] I turn female,
with my idiotic constitution.
[chorus:] Akane's fiancee!
[Ranma:] "Someone needs to rewrite this song...."
[chorus:] Akane's fiancee!
[Akane:] "Somebody get the writer for this...."
[chorus:] Akane's fiancee!
[Ranma:] "Hawaii, here we come!"
* * * * *
"Flight 2332, now boarding. Nonstop flight to Hawaii."
"Well, that's our flight," Akane said. She hugged her father, along
with Kasumi and Nabiki.
"Take care my daughters," Soun said, on the verge of tears.
"I'm sorry you can't come Father," Kasumi said. "If Mrs. Saotome
wasn't around, I wouldn't dare leave you alone."
"Nonsense!" Nabiki said. "Now lets get going, before something goes
wrong."
Ranma hugged his mother, both saying their good-byes. As Ranma passed
Genma, all he could say was, "Catch you later, Pop."
Akane asked her husband, "So, Ranma, when we get to Hawaii, what
first?"
Ranma looked over his shoulder, checking to make sure nobody else was
listening in. "Hopefully we can spend time by ourselves. Especially away
from Shampoo."
After Ranma came the Kunos.
Tatewaki said, "Perhaps it was about time to spend a long vacation."
Kodachi said, "Just so long as you don't come back like Father."
He shuddered at the thought. Both boarded the plane.
Next came Ukyo, Mousse, and Konatsu.
"You know, I really hope my business survives all the time I've spent
away from it," Ukyo said.
"Don't worry, Nabiki has it covered," Mousse assured her. "She says
its in gratitude for winning the contest."
"Ukyo-sama need not worry about a thing," agreed Konatsu. For a moment
his thoughts wandered to his little white cat, Snowball, left in care of
the Tendos and Saotomes for the duration of the trip. Right now the
little rascal must be lonely, being at the Tendo home all alone.
"Yeah, I suppose," Ukyo agreed. "She does know about business, after
all."To Mousse she asked, "So what was it that Shampoo talked to you
about?"
Mousse sighed. "A beginning. Something which, I hope, will grow over
time." Oh, how I'm sorry I brought you into this, Ukyo....
Ukyo nodded. So this was how it was going to be, eh? Dammit, Ukyo,
what was with you? You'd be better off without such crutches as emotion!
Look at where it got you! You devoted yourself to Mousse, and he rejects
you. You devoted yourself to Ranma, twice, to boot! and both times he
rejected you. You try to be cheery and friendly, even helpful to your
old enemies! and look at where it got you: nowhere.
Silently, kept all to herself, Ukyo fermented the anger within
herself. So far she'd kept her dark feelings in check, at least to the
best of her abilities, considering how she blew up at Pantyhose Taro and
Tsubasa. It wasn't fair, her lot in life. Ukyo debated to herself the
choices that lay ahead... should she go on as if nothing happen, or go
back to the old days before she became reacquainted with Ranma. Stop
thinking like that! Ukyo thought. How can you bear to hurt Ranchan, and
by extension, Akane, your friends? Were they REALLY her friends?
Next Akari lead Ryoga through the crowd to the loading ramp. If it
were any other way Ryoga wouldn't have made it even to the airport.
"Ryoga, hurry!" Akari said.
"Just so long as you know which way to go...." Ryoga replied as the
couple boarded.
Ling-ling and Lung-lung rushed ahead of Shampoo, who walked slowly
with her great-grandmother.
"Listen, Child," Cologne started, "if there were any chance to get
Son-in law, now is the best time."
"Yes Great-grandmother!" Shampoo started to turn, but stopped, and
faced her matriarch again. "Great-grandmother...."
"Yes, Child?"
"Shampoo like Mousse. Don't know what to do with Ranma."
Cologne nodded. She'd seen the signs in Shampoo for a long time,
especially when she attacked Mousse while under the effects of the
Reversal Jewel. And only now they'd surfaced in actual words? "Since the
law of marriage was broken, use your best judgment, Child. Mousse or
Son-in-law, I'm sure you'll make the right choice." For the tribe, that
is.
Cologne watched Shampoo leave. Soon all the teens boarded the plane.
A woman passed in front of the Saotomes, Mr. Tendo, and Cologne,
calling, "Ryoga!"
Soun got her attention, "Take it easy! He's on the plane leaving for
Hawaii with his fiancee and friends."
"That's my son!" the woman cried. "I recognize him anywhere!"
Soun and Genma looked at each other. Swell.
Nodoka said, "You can stay with us until he gets back in two weeks."
"That'll be nice!" Mrs. Hibiki said. Especially since her own home was
empty a good deal of the time. Then previous words spoken finally hit
her. "FIANCEE?!" Mrs. Hibiki fainted, Genma catching her in his arms.
The airplane flew high above the clouds that evening toward the rising
sun in the east. After a short fight over who got window seat and who
got isle seat, the fourteen were set in.
Nabiki and Kasumi sat in the same row, Kasumi in the window seat. From
what they could tell, Ranma and Akane, in the seats before them, were
asleep. Behind them Akari and Ryoga kept quiet; neither sister bothered
to look in on the couple. Immediately across the isle were the two
Kunos, listening to whatever they were listening to in their headphones.
In front of the Kunos were Konatsu and Ukyo, playing cards and making
idle conversation. Behind the Kunos were Mousse and Shampoo, neither
speaking to one another. Behind them were the twin sisters, Ling-ling
and Lung-lung, fast asleep from exhaustion. Certainly wasn't quite
first-class, but the next best thing, considering how many of them there
were.
Nabiki couldn't help but listen in on Ukyo and Konatsu; after all,
they were the only ones in the cabin making any sort of noise. From what
she could tell Ukyo won just about every hand.
"Nabiki?" Kasumi said, breaking all silence.
"Hmmm?" Nabiki said, broken from her half-sleep state.
"It was very nice of you to organize our friends into the band. I
don't know how to thank you, it's one of the most selfless things I've
seen you do in years."
"Yeah, well, don't get used to it," countered Nabiki coldly.
Kasumi smiled. "I knew it, you really do care."
"I really wish people would stop bugging me about it."
"Come on, Nabiki, you know that's the side people like in you."
"If I did act that way, then people would wish for the cold-hearted
old Nabiki back."
"I understand. Perhaps it would be the same if I were to behave other
than the way I do now."
Nabiki leaned over to her elder sister. "And I wouldn't have it any
other way, Kasumi. Neither would you. Let's just leave it at that,
okay?"
For a long while neither sister spoke. Then Nabiki said, "I still miss
Mother."
"So do I," agreed Kasumi. "Father's right, she would be proud of us,
wouldn't she?"
"Hey, if you are, then I'd say 'yes.'"
"Nabiki, I'm not Mother."
"No, but the next best thing. I mean it."
"Thank you." Kasumi smiled again. Nabiki couldn't help but smile, too.
For the first time in a long while, it was as if the two sisters came
to know each other again. True understanding is a rare thing indeed.
In another set of seats, Ukyo and Konatsu continued playing cards. And
for the umpteenth time, Ukyo won.
"Ukyo-sama is very skilled in many areas," praised Konatsu.
"Naw, it's just you don't have the face for cards, sweetie," Ukyo
said. "I'm glad you're okay. Back in the fight against Taro, I was so
worried. I went so far as to swear revenge if something happened to
you."
"Thank you for thinking of your humble servant," Konatsu bowed, but
was stopped fast by the seat's tray table. "Perhaps there is hope for my
forbidden love after all."
"Don't push it, kiddo," Ukyo said. Well, what was the world coming to?
Here I am, no hope for love, and here's Konatsu, hoping for love. Well,
tough luck, kid, it's not going to happen. Konatsu, you're such a sweet
guy, but I can't stop seeing your girl-side.
Ukyo spared a glance at Ranma and Akane. That same nagging thought
held her thoughts: were they REALLY your friends? Did friends leave you
hanging on a thread of a relationship for months before throwing the
book at you, as Ranma did? You should've said it out straight, Ukyo
thought, and spared me the trouble and humiliation.... If you had, maybe
things would've been different. Ukyo couldn't admit it to herself it was
over before it started, but had Ranma said something before it might've
been a lot easier....
She shook the thoughts from her head. Who cares, you're a member of
the band; that should make up for everything.
Silently, as Ukyo shuffled the cards, she hummed, "Worrying about the
starting bell, a classmate comes...."
* * * * *
Closing: Equal Romance (Doco)
[(Akane) With just empty kindness,
(All) my heart is in pain.
Love is always loneliness
into your arms, ah.]
(All) Darlin'
Just For Me I'll be waiting.
(Shampoo) I want to make your heart thrill.
(All) Your fingertips lead to romance.
Our destiny is surely Fallin' Love
(Kasumi) Tonight, it's strange
in a stopped car at the coast,
(Nabiki) the two of us, even being this close,
(Akane) why do unseen barriers get in the way?
(All) Tears are about to overflow.
[Fallin' Love]
Darlin'
Just For You I won't stray.
(Ranma) Please make my heart throb strongly.
(All) From your eyes, romance begins.
More than anyone, I love you.
Catch my love
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Author's Rant
I couldn't help but write something about... this. Man, you HAVE to go
and buy the Doco CDs. :) To the various guys who translated the lyrics,
a big and hearty thank-you, otherwise I'd have no idea what I'd been
listening to ;) The Karuta CD is pretty good for a few laughs too, go
get that!
Quite a bit of this was written listening to the Ranma songs,
particularly 'Don't Cry Anymore' on piano (from the Game Music CD). This
song in particular was what made me put Ukyo on a keyboard, as I've come
to associate the vocal song with Ukyo (if you've read the lyrics, that's
one reason why).
Heh, Ranma and Akane are already married, yet I don't know how to
handle the name thing.... Kuno in any case would continue to call Akane
'Tendo' no matter what, however, so that's the only case when I'll deal
with it. I believe Akane would take Ranma's name, however, but I
hesitate to call her 'Akane Saotome.'
If you bother me about the use of 'chi' instead of 'ki,' go away,
because they're the same thing, and 'chi' just looks better to me. ('ki'
somehow seems wrong, it might have something to do with one of the
characters from Gameboy's Final Fantasy Legend 2 :P)
Well, this story turned out WAY longer than I expected; I just
couldn't resist telling the tales of the band members throughout the
story. Of course some tales might be better off untold, but what the
hey.... I wanted to write about the three rejected fiancees, for one
thing, as well as the lingering darkness in Ukyo (must've been at least
three rewrites of those instances, just to get it right).
Just to let you know, I AM an Ukyo fan, and to show that I'm not
completely biased I am exploring her 'dark' side (people like me want to
believe she's so perfect, but after a talk with a friend (you know who
you are) pointed out that, just like all the other characters, she has a
major character flaw; while she's not obsessive or overly violent, she
is a very vengeful person, someone you really don't want to piss off).
As for what she'll do, we'll just have to see. The seeds have been
planted in more than one place... see if you can find them all.
As a side note, Ukyo STILL has yet to MEET Pantyhose Taro. :)
To those of you concerned about Nabiki's portrayal in the story: no,
she doesn't have the money or the power to do whatever she wants, but
she certainly is persuasive enough to get her way (such as getting money
from Kuno). After all, it is an all-expenses-paid trip to Hawaii....
Final lesson: don't make Nabiki Tendo angry.
I've decided to place the time in 1995, so all the characters should
be about one year older now (Kuno and Nabiki 18, Kasumi 20, the others
are pretty much 17). I base this off 1993-4 as the series as a whole,
reason being is that's when the X-mas OAV took place (1993), then extend
time to accommodate for the wedding fiasco. And I thought it would've
been silly if Ranma were 16 in 1989 (when the series started) and put
them in the early 1990's.
I hope you noted the cameo appearance of Athena Asamiya (Psycho
Soldier, King of Fighters). Chronologically this appearance would be
after the defeat of Omega Rugal in KOF'95, for continuity buffs.
As a bonus: the lyrics to the songs appearing in this story, gathered.
I loved Equal Romance so much I wanted to include it here (it's sung by
Coco, btw, the name in which Doco was derived from; how appropriate. Not
to mention they did sing that song in the X-mas OAV, too. The vocal
track is also available on the Karuta CD).
(lyrics omitted from this post)
--------------------------------
And there you have it. Other than the extra 10K that makes up all my
source lyrics, a whole 160K. Now that you've gotten this far, you should
feel proud of yourself ;)
"That's my story and I'm sticking to it."--JMS, creator of Babylon 5.
"If you go to Z'ha'dum, you will die."--Kosh, Babylon 5.
"Jump. Jump now!"--Kosh, Babylon 5, making some sense.
--Razorclaw X
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