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yadda, hope you enjoy... yadda yadda All characters I create belong to
me... yadda yadda.... if you take them I will hunt you down and maim
you.... yadda...>
<C&C Is appreciated and hoped for... yadda yadda.>
Daisuke walked silently beside his friend, who had a glum look on
his face as per usual from recent events. Daisuke had been puzzling
about Hiroshi since the entire depression began.... it was very
confusing, but it began quite suddenly.... overnight, Daisuke would bet.
Hiroshi was staring at the sky, the wind playing through his dark
brownish red hair, and a lost look on his face.
*Sheesh.... give a man a heart and he'll flaunt it. Give him a
brain, and He'll find a woman to give his heart pain.....* Daisuke
smirked for a long moment at his mental comment.
Daisuke despaired Hiroshi's melancholy disposition, but what
could be done? There was little else to do but let Hiroshi muddle through
the depression by himself, or if there WAS a way out, Daisuke didn't have
the emotional experience to fathom it.
Dai shook his head sadly, and resolutely began to stare at the
shadows cast by the slowly sinking sun in the sky. He pondered for a
long moment as he stared at the dark shapes left by the light playing off
of indiscriminant objects.
He turned his gaze to Hiroshi's shadow, and rubbed his chin.
"You know, Hi, I've been thinking...."
Hiroshi groaned and shook his head. "Isn't it that 'Thinking'
thing that is always ending up with me listening to a somewhat endless
tirade of mentally obscure thought processes?" Hiroshi turned and looked
at Daisuke.
Dai grinned. "Yes, that would be it, and that sounded like
something I would say. As I was saying, I was thinking...."
"....Usually a sign of trouble brewing, I might add." Hiroshi
mentioned under his breath, looking back up at the blue sky.
Dai shot him a withering glance, and Hiroshi quickly stilled his
tongue. "If I could please get at least a word in before you discount my
observation as mere fanatical examination of the surrounding
environment?"
Hi had to think a moment about what Daisuke meant, but after that
moment he nodded his head slowly. "Uh.... Sure.... I think."
Dai chuckled, and Hiroshi had to smirk from the jovial tone of
his laugh. "As I was saying before you so rudely interjected on your own
behalf, I have been thinking about the constant duality of metaphysical
and spiritual existence. Redundant statement, I know, but then again,
Duality in itself is a constant redundancy composed of our non-linear
concept of reality and it's composition, right?"
Hiroshi nodded his head up and down, and then in a confused
circle as he stared at Daisuke. "Uh......what?" He got the general gist
of what Dai was trying to say, but other than the GENERAL Hiroshi was
completely lost.
Daisuke groaned, and decided to paraphrase for his friend. "What
I was saying is that Duality, the existance of equatorial opposites, is
made up from our abstract belief of reality, correct?"
Hiroshi nodded his head after a moment. "I guess so. You mean
like the sun and the moon?"
Daisuke rubbed his chin again. "Mmmm... no, actually I was
thinking more like the Light and the Darkness. I was pondering the
preternatural instinct of mankind to adversely react to the dark and
unknown," Daisuke saw the confused look on Hiroshi's face, and sighed.
Why was it that he had such a difficult time talking of the
things he liked without going over people's heads? Maybe he should stick
to his regular joking mood, and forget the philosophy of physics.
"So you're saying that you believe there is something more to
being afraid of the dark?" Hiroshi had learned over time to understand
the basic concept of Daisuke's comments, but some moments were harder
than others..... especially about subjects relating to his own field of
spiritual philosophy, which Daisuke rarely delved into.
"Yeah, that's what I'm saying." Daisuke looked up at the sky
as he walked by Hiroshi.
"Basically, I was wondering if in the pre-existant psyche there
wasn't some sort of malevolent entity that caused much of the
misconstrued thought of darkness and evil being related. In essence,
perhaps there is more to the dark than what we see," Daisuke grinned,
considering the implications of such a statement.
Hiroshi shrugged. "Good point. So you think that there might
actually be some great evil that, in the beginning, man knew was
associated with the darkness?"
"Hey, it's as good a theory as the Tree In the Forest suggestion.
Besides, it would make some logical sense, considering that there are
some genetic inheritances that insinuate the patterns of fear and
instinct into a being.
Being afraid of the dark might be associated to what lived IN the
dark when there was something far more ominous and foreboading in the
world," Daisuke pondered exactly what that ominous thing might be, if
there were such a thing.
Hiroshi actually thought for a moment, and his melancholy
disposition vanished for a brief instant. "Perhaps that is why mankind
strives for what is right, what belongs in the light. Perhaps that is
why Love is associated with Light, and Hate with Darkness.... you are
saying dualities exist because.... because of things that caused us to
create them? Daisuke, that is a very spiritual statement," Hiroshi hadn't
known Daisuke to make many religious or spiritual references, but in some
ways what he said pointed to both.
Daisuke shrugged at the question. "I have never discounted such
a theory, and truly there might be more to the existence of emotional
representatives of different aspects in our Psyche. I simply have had no
proof to prove thus or otherwise, so I simply question," Daisuke grinned.
"Had to bring love up somewhere, didn't you moon-boy?"
Hiroshi glared at Daisuke a moment. "Shut up, Dai. It's not
nice picking on someone who's already having enough trouble with love as
it is....," Hiroshi sighed wistfully, looking back up at the sky. *Oh
Ranma..... how could I tell you how I feel without utterly destroying
you?*
Daisuke slapped his friend on the shoulder, and presented him
with a serious face. "Hi, It's me, Dai..... we grew up together. This
is tearin' you up inside, and it really ticks me off that I can't help
you through it. I don't like seeing you hurt, man, and you're in a world
of hurt because of this girl," Daisuke looked up at the sky.
"Why not give her to Ranma? He's got enough Fiancee's, I'm sure
he wouldn't mind. Besides, it would solve your problem! She'd be happy,
as I'm sure Ranma would make ANY woman happy.... otherwise he wouldn't
have all those women falling all over him! Eh?"
Hiroshi looked at Daisuke with a carefully neutral expression,
then spontaneously burst out into raucous laughter, trailing on for a
good minute and a half.
"Daisuke.... if only you knew.... if only you knew....." Hiroshi
wiped the tears of laughter from his eyes, strangely they did not touch
his soul.... the scar there was too deep for laughter to touch.
* * * * *
Ranma walked silently back to the Dojo... humming absently to
herself. She couldn't get the Dance out of her mind, as well as the
current problem she was facing. Although the sun was bright and the sky
was blue, her own demeanor was in a slightly grey and unsure mood.
"What am I gonna do??? The Dance is tomorrow, and I ain't got
nobody to go with...." Ranma calmed herself down, trying to think clearly
through her problem like Hiroshi would. Hiroshi had an uncanny knack for
analyzing these sort of things..... Which was one reason Ranma had come
to rely on his advice.
"Okay.... I've been challenged to a dual of dancing, problem....
I don't have a
partner." She couldn't believe she had been so self-deluded as to think
that she could go with Akane. She had expected things to be as usual,
without thinking things through.... something that had always gotten her
into trouble before.
"Problem two..... none of my usual suitors can go with me.
Including Ukyou, Akane, Shampoo, and never mind Kodachi....." Ranma
nodded. It was obvious that she would have to look elsewhere for a date,
but where?? She didn't know many people at School that she could ask...
And the people she COULD ask were not experienced in Martial Arts
anyways.
Which was THE Prime Requisite for entering the Contest she was
going to participate in.
Ranma stopped, and looked up at the door to the Tendo Household.
She took a deep breath, then slid the door slowly open, doffing her shoes
in the entryway. Shr dreaded to hear Ryouga's mocking when she had to
tell Akane he couldn't be at the dance....
*Maybe Ryouga'll get lost before the dance??* She thought
hopefully.... he had always reliably gotten lost before... then she shook
her head. This was his big chance... he wouldn't set foot outside the
house until the Dance.
She turned her mind back to the solution, not wanting to dwell on
Ryouga for a moment longer than she could.
Ranma sighed, shaking her head. *Solution.... Problem might
arise from looking in the wrong places. Find a date elsewhere... ask
Hiroshi if he has ideas.* She would do just that, right after dinner.
Sighing softly from the long day passed and the definitely long
day ahead, she walked silently into the living room, and stopped as three
feet and six inches of little girl tackled her.
"AUNTIE!!"
Ranma blinked for a moment, slightly confused at the unfamiliar
child.... as it took several moments for the information to process in
her currently occupied mind. After that moment had passed, she grinned,
and tickled Kaehmi furiously. "Heya... do I know you?"
"I'm Kaehmi!!!" The little girl whispered through giggles as she
struggled against Ranma's hands.
"Wow! Really? The one and only Kaehmi????" Ranma grinned, and
lifted the girl up to her feet. Kaehmi giggled and nodded her head
emphatically. Ranma touched the girl's nose gently in an affectionate
manner. "Well, I guess I should ask for an autograph, shouldn't I?"
Kaehmi made a mock serious face and waved a finger at Ranma,
putting her other hand on her hip. "I don't have lotsa time for
playin'... you c'mere and gimme hug...." And then the little girl opened
her arms, and embraced Ranma.
The Saotome child laughed lightly, then hugged Kaehmi back
lovingly. The little girl was too sweet for words.... and Ranma loved
her for it. "Well, I guess I have no choice, your worship...."
Nodoka watched the exchange with a smile... Ranma would make a
wonderful father some day.... he identified with Kaehmi so easily... and
the little girl loved him dearly. The child seemed to take well to
Ranma...
Of course, Kaehmi didn't know that "Auntie Ranma" Was actually a
boy... which might have been better. It would confuse Kaehmi if she were
to know about Jusenkyou....
Ranma, to his own credit, had a certain maternal care that he
took with Kaehmi... which was very odd for his usually brash and cocky
attitude towards Others. When Kaehmi was involved, Kaehmi was first.
The elder Miramoto sibling smiled and looked at Nodoka. "She
always gets overly excited with Ranma around.... I'll have trouble
settling her down at home."
Ranma picked Kaehmi up and flung her over his
shoulder....carrying her like a little sack he walked over to Memeko. "I
think you misplaced this little energy ball...." Ranma smiles softly and
tickled Kaehmi's feet, laughing as the little girl squeeled and tried
squirming free.
Memeko shook her head. "You must be mistaken, Ma'am, that's not
MY Little bundle of energy..... Why, I don't even recognize that little
girl!" She replied in joke. It was a game that Ranma had often played
with Memeko and Hiroshi, and Kaehmi always got worked up about it.
"Momma! Momma! It's me, Kaehmi!!!" She cried through a fit of
giggling as Ranma tickled the souls of her feet again.
"Kaehmi??? Why, whoever would that be????" Nodoka asked, playing
along with the game. The child was so Endearing it was almost impossible
not to play along with her and her "Auntie".
"Huh! The little bundle of energy seems to think it has a name!"
Ranma grinned, and put Kaehmi back on the ground.
The little girl giggled slightly for a second, then put her hands
on her hips. "Now, you listen to me Miss Satomee... you're gonna behave,
or I'll beat you up with Kampu!"
Nodoka laughed lightly. "That's Kempo, Little one....." She
added, recognizing the Ranma impersonation. The little girl was a
darling child..... Nodoka could see a little bit of spark in her
demeanor, reminding her a little of Ranma in a way.
Ranma mockingly put up her arms. "Oh No! I wouldn't want
that..... to get my pretty face all messed up! Please don't hurt me,
Master Martial Artist Kaehmi!" Ranma giggled girlishly, getting into the
act... then turned around, and squeeled, Running up the stairs with
Kaehmi hot on her heals, a laugh escaping her lips.
"Mwahahahaha! This is all your fault, Ranma!!! Baksa
Ten-Pests!!!" Kaehmi Ran after Ranma thrusting a finger and poking the
walls in mock imitation of the Ryouga stories her Auntie had been telling
her.
Akane opened her door after several minutes of the chase and
watched as Ranma tackled Kaehmi, tickling her furiously, then running
away giggling like..... well, like a schoolgirl.
Akane was confused for several moments, not used to seeing this
childlike happiness in Ranma, but then began to laugh as she watched
Kaehmi chase Ranma around the House. She smiled Softly when Ranma looked
up at her, and she almost felt the love that reflected in her eyes.
*Oh Ranma.... why can't you be happy like this all the time???
What is haunting you so much???* Akane walked out, and avoided the
Chasing contest as she slipped downstairs, the sound of Kaehmi's laughter
echoing down the halls and adding a strange sense of familiarity that
Akane seemed to find puzzling.
She blinked at Kasumi, Memeko, and Nodoka sitting around the
table, Soun and Genma absent on one of their regular Drinking Binges. Not
that Genma had said much to anyone other than Soun since the fight with
Ranma the previous week.
Akane shook her head at the thought of Genma... who cared about
that Idiot
anyways?? He'd caused more than his share of trouble since he'd come to
the dojo, and however much the argument between Ranma and his father had
disturbed her, she felt that Genma was deserving of some harsh words for
once.
Akane banished the thoughts of the Elder Saotome from her mind,
and concentrated on Kasumi, Memeko, and her Auntie Saotome.
"Really?? Natsume is working in Kyoto nowadays?? I had always
wondered what happened to her... do you two still talk?" Kasumi asked
Memeko, the Miramoto girl smiling as she took notice of the silent
watcher and gesturing for Akane to sit. After the momentary glance,
Akane did just that.
"Actually, Kasumi, we only went out together for a day.....
there's still a tense feeling between her and I about Connor....." Her
smile faded into a slightly uncertain frown. "I wish she could have
forgiven me.... I did not do anything wrong back then."
Kasumi put a hand on Memeko's. "I know, Memeko..... but Natsume
was always the fickle sort. We all knew you didn't do anything to gain
Connor's attention, everyone but Natsume was happy for you." Kasumi
smiled, squeezing Kasumi's hand softly.
Nodoka looked between the two girl's as they began talking once
more about the old day's in High School. She then turned her gaze to
Akane, and put on a supportive, matronly smile that warmed Akane's heart.
"So, Akane Dear.... it's your Prom tomorrow, isn't it??" Nodoka
smiled gently as she sipped her tea, noting the faint mint flavor that
Kasumi had added for Memeko's sake.
"Hai, Auntie...." Akane said, smiling as well, then getting a
stern look as she remembered WHY she was going to the Prom. "But it's
also my one shot-"
"At Ranma, yes I know..... you and he need to relieve this
tension. I think this might be the best way, even though I dread
fighting of any sort.... even Martial Arts Dancing." Nodoka frowned for a
long moment, seeming to look at something that was not truly there.
"Then.... why did you marry a Martial Artist, Auntie??" Akane
asked, looking over at Memeko and Kasumi and smiling at the two old
friends. She hoped that she would be like that with her friends some
day, reliving old memories and ties of friendship.
Nodoka thought for a moment, staring into her tea. "Why do you
plan to, Akane?? Genma, for all his fault's, does his best for what is
right. He doesn't always understand, and some of his opinions are
skewed, but he is a gentle man with a kind soul..... if not a little
greedy and ignorant sometimes..." She had to deliberately loosen her grip
on her tea cup and set it down before she cracked the fine porcelain.
Whenever she thought about the way Genma usually acted, it got her blood
boiling all the more about Genma's brash arrogance in Jusenkyou.
Akane looked at the tense state of Nodoka for a long moment, a
sense of deja vu flooding into her mind. "I...." She looked at the cup
of Tea that Nodoka had placed before her when she sat down, lifting it
and sipping as she scrambled for some explanation why she
planned.....to..........wed......
"Hey, Hang on here....." Nodoka smirked at Akane's tone of Voice.
"Who said I wanted to marry that Baka???" Akane said, in a half
defensive tone... some of her iron having left her will since Ranma began
to change for the better. It was hard to stay mad at a complete idiot
when he was acting like a gentleman.
"You were about to say SOMETHING about that Baka, Akane. I don't
think it was an insult, either....." Nodoka smiled as she lifted her tea
cup again..... taking a small sip and looking down into the tea as she
placed it back. It really was good tea.... Kasumi had a talent, then
again given the fact that she'd had much more practice than most girls
nowadays, it didn't surprise Nodoka much.
Nabiki sighed, shaking her head sadly for a moment as she closed
her book. "Admit it Akane.... you love the Simple minded fool....."
There was a weary quality in her voice, as if she was debating a heavy
price that she didn't like, but had to endure.
"WHAT?!" Akane said in a mock angry, but mostly frightened tone.
She had never said as much to Nabiki.... but she supposed Nabiki was sly
enough to weasel out any information there could have been, and formed an
opinion on that.
Nabiki smirked slightly, the joy not touching her somehow sad
eyes. "Come on, Akane, we all know you are only delaying this because
you want to prove Daddy wrong.... you and I both know how you feel....."
Akane wondered why Nabiki seemed so upset about having to say
something she would normally jump at the chance to tease her about.
"Oh my...." Kasumi and Memeko said simultaneously, then both
smiled.
"Akane.... I've heard how Ranma talks about you, he definitely
feels something for you." Memeko said, looking in concern at Akane, the
memory of her brother's confession echoing through her mind as her words
tore her soul in two..... two duties, what could she do but choose a path
and take it?
"Are you saying you don't feel anything for him, Akane???" Kasumi
asked, looking directly at Akane's turned face. She had a bad feeling
that things needed to be resolved..... very soon, or something terrible
could happen. Kasumi usually didn't fret over such matters, but
something told her there was an important turning point where a decision
had to be made... and it was coming towards them faster than they could
prepare for.
Akane's face softened for a long moment. "N...No... I'm not
saying that I don't care..... for him a little....." Her heart pounded,
the world turned grey and seemed to slow down.... It was one of those
moments in time where everything froze for an instant, as if the entire
world were hinged on your next words.
It made Akane's heart jump.... surreal and frightening, a single
picture of tense calm clouding her vision. Stopped, and waiting, the
world seemed to LISTEN.
Could she say it, with half her family present?? And Ranma's
Mother as well?
Kasumi smiled, Memeko did the same, although it looked more
unsure than Kasumi's. Nabiki didn't smile.... she stared Coldly at
Akane, as if demanding some Answer. All frozen in those poses..... as if
some mad work of art by some insane artist.
Nodoka's hand still rested on hers, as if beckoning her to make a
choice. The soft motherly smile still touched Akane's heart.... possibly
the only redeeming piece of this abstract moment.
"....but...." And everything began again. "...We can't..... not
yet." She murmured softly.
"I see." Nabiki said, turning back to her magazine with an
uncaring grace..... hiding her eyes behind the pages so that the sadness
and fear couldn't be seen. She hoped it hadn't been witnessed or noted
by her younger sister.
"All right Akane...." Kasumi turned back to Memeko, who took a
second to respond to the question her old friend posed to her, thoughts
of her own haunting her mind with the words of a Brother in anguish.
"It's all right, Dear.... give it time. You both need time,
unlike my foolish husband's plans.... Love takes time. Just be sure when
that time does come.... all right???" Nodoka's constant Motherly grace
was a blessing on the Tendo household.... one that often stirred cheer in
Akane's breast.
"WAAAAAA!!!" Ranma rolled down the stairs, standing back up and
looking
around. "Hehehe... I lost her." The red-head stood up, dusting herself
off from her tumble down the stairs and running a hand through her
unbound hair.
Akane blinked and looked up at Ranma. "You look a little tired,
Ranma.... can't keep up with a little girl??" She had a dead-pan
expression on her face, as if she was serious.
"Hey, She's pretty fast Akane!!! Cute too... when she's not
trying to tickle you to death." Ranma rubbed the back of her head,
blushing. She usually didn't admit that her female body had a
hypersensitivity to tickling, unlike her male body......
Memeko looked up and smiled. "I take it you are enjoying
Kaehmi's company, Ranma.... even though she's running you down?" Memeko
wondered why Ranma had decided to put her hair down..... it was oddly
disturbing.
Ranma laughed, winking at Memeko. "Always.... she's a cute girl.
Like the little sister I never had...." She instantly regretted the
words as Nodoka frowned, a sad, tense expression crossing her usually
bright cheery smile. "Awww, geeze... Mom, I'm sorry, I wasn't
thinking...."
Nodoka held up a hand to Ranma. "Don't. Just don't
apologize.... it was none your fault. I made a choice, as did Genma. I
would also have liked more children.... the Kami judged it not to be, so
do not punish yourself for your own words in haste." They had hurt her,
true, but Ranma had not meant to hurt her. *Yet.... another child, one
that I could have had if only Genma had waited....*
Ranma shuffled her feet uncertainly. She felt suddenly
embarrassed, regardless of her Mother's words..... There was a long
silence, broken by a knock at the door. Everyone blinked, and looked at
the hallway where the entrance was.
"I'll get it...." Kasumi said quickly, standing and shuffling to
the door. Memeko's eyes were fixed on Ranma, as if they were studying
the Girl before her for something. It unnerved Nabiki, who was still
silently watching the exchange.
The back door slid open, and Ryouga... somewhat Worn from
practice in the back yard emerged, taking a seat across from Akane.
Ryouga had become so familiar with the Tendo Dojo that he hadn't
gotten lost over the day, as Ranma had hoped he would.... Ryouga's
entrance stirred people back into a social mood.
That started conversation again, as Akane coughed, and looked
from Ryouga to Ranma. "So.... Ranma.... did you find your date today??"
Akane asked, slightly unsure of her words, but eager to know if Ranma had
succeeded on his macho boast.
Ranma sighed..... looking abashed for a moment.
Ryouga chuckled lightly. "So, the Mighty Ranma Saotome can't
even find a date when he needs one, And here I thought you were some
Cassanova. You must've lost your charm, Ranma."
Ranma growled, looking at Ryouga. "Ain't bein' embarrassed
enough for you, Ryouga, you gotta rub my face in it too?!" She yearned
to whipe the floor with Ryouga's flippant attitude.
Ryouga smirked, looking down his nose at Ranma. It wasn't often
that the Hibiki child had the tables turned in his favor. "Naturally,
Ranma.... it wouldn't be fun unless I taunted you." Taunt him he would,
he'd had far too much of Ranma's attitude, it was HIS turn for a change.
"Both of you, Stop it!!!" Akane said angrily. She honestly
wished she knew what the quarrel between Ranma and Ryouga was.
*Seriously, if they weren't fighting all the time, they might find out
they are great friends.* Akane looked at Ranma. "I guess you concede
defeat then, if you aren't going to participate??"
Ranma growled, her eyes locked on Akane's. She couldn't give
up..... she'd never walked out on a challenge in her life.... barring
Ryouga.... she wouldn't do it now. She needed time, so much more
time..... all wasted with her brash arrogance and cocky confidence.
*Dammit, why couldn't I just stop and THINK for once in my life?!*
"Never..... I'm goin' to that contest, Akane..... and there ain't
NOTHIN' gonna stop me from participating!!!" Ranma said, slamming her
fist on the table.
Akane's eyes flashed. "You don't have a date, Ranma. How do you
even expect to enter the contest when you require a partner???" She began
to get the feeling that Ranma wasn't going to give up, through hell or
high water. It made her heart jump a little, knowing Ranma wouldn't back
down from any serious fight. It reminded her of all the times the odds
had been stacked against Ranma, and he had still won..... for her.
Ranma's eye twitched.... she would enter that contest if it
killed her..... she would do ANYTHING to whipe that confident smirk of
Ryouga's face, to Show Akane what she was made of.
"Oh my, Hello Hiroshi-San!" Kasumi said from the door in a cheery
tone. Hiroshi asked a question which Ranma couldn't make out.
Nabiki looked up, her eyes slightly large not only from the
conversation, but from the last words uttered from her Elder Sister.
Ranma's mind snapped to attention..... *Of Course.....* A plan
began to form in her mind. What did it matter if she was guy or girl
when she participated??? She WOULD win that contest.... and Hiroshi had
some moves that could help, she noted, as she recalled the fight with
Aquarius.
Hiroshi walked in, smiling a bit as he looked at his sister....
He opened his mouth to speak. "Hey, Everybody-"
That was the moment Ranma decided to blow up, the rising
excitement within her mind and heart unable to be kept still a moment
longer. She rose from her seat like some grim reaper, the words moving
to her lips even before she could think them through. "FINE, AKANE!!
HIROSHI WILL BE MY DATE THEN!!"
Memeko Nearly choked as she spit out her tea.
Nabiki's eyes turned the size of Watermelons... <Figuratively>
Nodoka blinked in shock.
Ryouga looked at Ranma as if she were Crazy.
Akane laughed as if the idea was stupid.....
Hiroshi????
Hiroshi looked like a dear caught in Headlights.
* * * * *
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