Ranma stared out the living room window, watching the tree�s sway gently in the breeze... some of the leaves that were still clinging to the branches slowly drifted down and joined their brothers on the ground.
Ranma had been asked to wait while the Akane and Yuka talked to the other girls about letting her stay... several of the girls didn�t even know who she was, but were asked to come along anyways.
Of course, Ami and Sayuri knew who he was, but the other two girls... Kiyomi and Shiyori were new to Tokyo, and hadn�t really heard that much about Ranma, seeing as how they had been gone several years in Kyoto, coupled with the fact that they were going to one of the schools just outside of the Nerima District.
Ranma looked up at the sky, seeing the splotchy grey clouds that covered half the azure canvas. It had been getting colder, lately, and winter seemed to be taking it�s time getting here. It had frosted the night before, but other than that, there was no sign of snow.
Ranma heard the soft pattering of some house slippers, and looked over her shoulder, up at the raven haired new girl, Shiyori.
She was dressed in pale blue pajamas with white chickens printed on them, her hair coming to just about shoulder length, cut in a style resembling Nabiki�s.
Unlike Nabiki, though, Shiyori was several inches shorter and had a innocent look to her face. her small nose and round face had more the look of a young girl than a teen on the brink of womanhood. Her body matched her faces youthful appearance, throgh the pajamas Ranma could tell that she had only a modest amount of development these past few years.
All this was seen in the span of half a second, Ranma returned her gaze back to the yard, and a pregnant silence ensued for quite a while in many people�s terms.
Ranma watching whatever it was she was watching, Shiyori watching Ranma, Ranma proceeding to watch that which she was, Shiyori looking out the back doors to check and see if she could determine what Ranma was watching.
After many moments of this, Shiyori finally decided to break the tense silence.
"Whatcha looking at?" She asked, smiling at Ranma in a patient manner. She sat down indian style right beside Ranma. While it frustrated her that Ranma seemed to desire no company, she did feel as if the girl needed some.
"I�m watching the leaves Fall...." Ranma found herself saying, in a calm level tone. Her hair was unbound and framing her shoulders, and she fingered it idly for a moment, rubbing a lock between her fingers to feel the silky, smooth texture of it.
Shiyori smiled brightly, she was a year younger than Ranma, and hadn�t known the hectic life that Nerima Ward was reknowned for. "Really?? Isn�t it kind of boring??" Shiyori joined Ranma in looking out the window, wondering at what could hold Ranma�s attention so Rapt.
A long moment passed, the creaking of the tree could barely be heard from where the two girls sat. The wind slowly swept it�s branches back and forth, in a lulling, almost dreamy motion. The light in the sky illuminated the yard, casting shadows where the small clouds passed overhead.
The sun seemed dull, as if even it was sleepy. Or perhaps the cold had only made the illusion more pronounced. It was a resilient moment in time, then Ranma spoke in answer to Shiyori�s soft inquiry.
"...�The seasons pass and change with glee, from springs young blooms to summer�s prosperity, into the death of autumn�s kiss, winter�s dream, and rebirth�s bliss.... yet as we wander down our paths, we rebel change and fear it�s wrath. With calm acceptance should we step, forward, onward, a promise kept.�..." Ranma recited, watching yet another leaf fall from the tree.
The leaf tumbed end over end... floating gentle down, torn from it�s safe home within the cradling branches of the tree, plumetting and falling... a gust of wind lifted it high up, and for half a frozen moment it seemed to hang in midair before once more it began it�s slow drifting back to the earth.
It swayed, back and forth, almost floating as it drifted closer and closer to the ground. It shifted it�s path slightly, and then gently touched the surface of the koi pond. The ripples extended out from it�s gentle touch, glimmering in the dull light of the frosty autumn morn.
Shiyori turned, looking at Ranma as she brushed a lock of hair from her face. There was an ageless feel to the moment, as if it could take place anywhere in the world and yet still hold the same simple awe, an awe that was wholely wasted on the young girl beside Ranma.
No, Shiyori had not traced the path of the leaf in quiet wonder, she had instead chosen to mull over the words Ranma had whispered in only half thought memory. "That�s very pretty, who wrote it???" She asked, giving forth a heartfelt smile. Her new inquiry slowly penetrated the haze enshrouding Ranma�s mind, lifted her up out of the calm void inside of her soul, much as the wind had lifted the falling leaf.
Ranma bit her lip, and looked away from the window, looking seemingly at the wall for a long moment as she drummed her fingers on the floor. "A friend of mine... He said it means instead of worrying about tomorrow, we should accept that time passes and try and live our lives without fear of what will come."
The wind was chill outside, causing Ranma to shiver just slightly from her close proximity to the door. it stirred her hair gently, a soft caress of unseen hands. Ranma looked up, seeing a small flock of birds drifting slowly with the wind, their wings beating gently to keep them afloat in the sky. They were flying south, to warmer parts of the world.
Shiyori�s smile brightened, once more absent of what Ranma was truly seeing with her deep blue eyes.
"He sounds very smart, your friend," Shiyori pursed her lips for a moment as she watched Ranma nod. "Urr... Yuka and Sayuri said that you could come up, and that they talked about it and thought that you could stay. I dunno why you wouldn�t be able to, though." The girl Blinked in startlement as Ranma looked at her.
Ranma looked Shiyori in the eye, a soft smile slowly etching it�s path into her demeanor. "I�m Ranma," She said, as if in some half waking dream. Ranma bowed her head quickly, her shoulders moving with it just a slight bit. A greeting of equals.
Shiyori smiled. "Matsuno Shiyori. It�s a pleasure to meat you, Ranma-san," She copied Ranma�s example, bowing ever so slightly.
Ranma looked at Shiyori for a long time, Ranma had this feeling of inner calm and relaxation that she had rarely ever reached before, as if everything is heard in sharp crystal clarity, yet muffled at the same time to a soft firmness. Everything had a sort of blur around it, as if in some sort of dream...
"It�s nice to meetcha, Shiyori-San.... maybe we could be friends, ne?" Ranma smiled, a dreamy, half awake smile. She had her full mind about her, but somehow she just couldn�t feel the inner turbidity she had so often been accustomed to.
No, it was still there.... her mind told her that, it was just so small and compressed that she could hardly feel it. Locked in a box.
"Oh, I would like that ever so much... You seem like a very nice girl," Shiyori smiled brightly, squinting her eyes a bit as she did so. It was a cute smile, the kind you might be forced to smile back to.
Ranma�s smile faltered for half a moment. *Girl..* She thought sadly, almost bitterly. Another half a moment later her smile returned.
The brief lapse was not unnoticed by Shiyori, "I�m sorry, would you... rather be alone??" She asked, making to stand up.
Ranma put a hand suddenly on her shoulder, startling her. "No, I am fine... I.. I�m Ranma, one of Akane�s friends. Uhm.... well, Sayuri and Yuka dunno if they should let me stay cuz I am.. well, they think I�m a pervert," Ranma blushed and looked away from Shiyori�s eyes carefully.
"Are you?" She asked calmly, without any hint of agression or accusation.
Ranma brought her eyes back up slowly to the new question, one she had never really heard before. Certainly one nobody had ever asked her. "Huh??"
Shiyori giggled softly, it was a girlish giggle that reminded Ranma of candy, red ribbons, and christmas presents. "You can be honest with me," She said, a questioning smile, an upturned brow, a sly inquiring look, "Are you a pervert??"
Ranma smiled gently back at Shiyori. "No, I guess I�m not. I suppose they just misunderstand some of the things that... happen to me," Ranma tilted her head slightly, raising a skeptical brow. "Uhm.. do you-?"
"Sure I do. You�ve got no reason to lie to me, right??" She giggled again, like Summer days and swimming, all rolled into one.
Ranma could only giggle unsurely in response. "No, I guess not," Ranma smiled at Shiyori. "It�s very nice meeting you, Shiyori-San. You seem like a very kind girl."
"Who, me?? Nawww.... I�m just always in the wrong place at the right time," She winked mischieviously, it reminded Ranma of secret girl-gossip behind closed doors.
It made Ranma giggle sincerely. "Suuure, and I bet that you just hate being burdened by all these people claiming to be your friends."
Shiyori feigned a weak, tired look. "I just don�t know what to do, all of them seem to rely upon me for some reason. Who am I to tell them I am not the goddess they think I am??" Her tone was Mocking, as if she were imitating someone she knew.
"Goddess, huh?? I can give you a run for your money, Honey," Ranma winked that secret, girlish wink, which started Shiyori into a giggling fit.
The two couldn�t stop laughing, and for several minutes they sat there, teasing eachother and mocking people they knew.
It was inevitable that a shadow fell over the two giggling girls. Ranma looked up at the face of Kitsuragi Sayuri, her shoulder length brown hair tied up into two VERY girlish pony tails on either side of her head.
Ranma pointed and snickered, which started Shiyori into a giggling fit again.
Sayuri narrowed her eyes in mock anger. "Are you two quite finished bonding???" Sayuri asked the two of them through clenched teeth.
"Hmm..," Shiyori scratched her head in a mock confused(Gourry-like) fashion. "Uhm... I dunno..."
Ranma had to giggle at the sillyness that was rubbing off on her.
Sayuri could only smile, "Okay, I�ll give you some time to think about it....," She turned around to go, then looked calmly over her shoulder. "I guess that means you don�t want any icecream after dinner?"
It was as if two bolts of lightning shot down and electrocuted Shiyori and Ranma, the expressions on their faces one of genuine offense. "NANI!?!?!"
Sayuri ran upstairs laughing, heading in a beeline for Akane�s door.
"Come back here!!!" Ranma yelled, chasing the pony-tailed brown haired girl up the stairs.
"Yeah! No fair scaring us like that!!!" Shiyori asked, hopping after Ranma in her own innocent, girlish fashion.
Ranma had to wonder, maybe the night WOULDN�T be all bad.
* * * * * *
Ranma watched Silently as the girl�s sobbed at the ending to the movie, was confused at the dabbing of eyes and the sniffles the girls were making. It was about a woman trapped within her role as geisha to the emperor, and of a young Samurai under the emperor�s rule falling in love with her.
It ended with the Samurai being brought back from war, near death... the Geisha woman was ordered to tend to him as he died. She could only admit her love to him on her deathbed, and soon after she took her own life in a very Romeo/Juliet type of manner.
Ranma, herself, found the ending a bit heart wrenching, but certainly nothing to cry over. Ami muttered something about Ranma being insensitive, which got her firm words from Ranma�s new friend Shiyori.
Of course, Sayuri, Yuka, an Ami all laughed at Shiyori�s stern attitude. Unfortunately, Shiyori hadn�t a clue about what they were laughing at, and was again wuite offended.
So with Shiyori sulking, and Ranma feeling embarassed at having spoken up, Yuka popped in a new tape for them all to watch.
Ranma continued watching in rapt attention as they watched some Anime that Sayuri had brought over, entitled "Key: The Metal Idol."
Ranma liked this one much better since there was some action and real violence in it, although she got some very odd looks from the two new girls when she got excited about those parts, so stopped commenting.
It was about some Robot Girl who wanted to be human because her grandfather was dead, that much Ranma had gathered.
"I just didn�t get the point of the entire thing... I mean.... She�s probably faster and stronger, so why be human??" Ranma asked after the 3rd tape ended.
Kiyomi sighed and rolled over, propping her head up with her hand, her elbow on the futon, "C�mon, Ranma... it�s not about strength or speed or how well she was made or what not.... it�s not even about the guys who are after her all the time, It�s really about how Key has wanted all her life just to fit in and be normal, alive like everyone else."
Ranma scratched her head in a confused expression. "Urr... but.. uhm, isn�t that kinda dumb? I mean, life can really suck at times for some people, why would she want to be human?"
Ami rolled her eyes and glared at Ranma. "Gimme a break, sure life might be hard sometimes, but at least we feel things like love and hope and happiness and at least we know what to cherish and protect. Key wants to feel because she wants to feel the good things as well as the bad, AND she doesn�t want to just stop working after so long."
Shiyori nodded at Ami, and looked over at Ranma with a calm and gentle expression. "Sakura, her best friend, loves her a lot, and doesn�t want to lose her after just finding her again. Key knows what friendship is all about, even though she�s never felt it so completely before. Kinda makes you think, maybe we can all become more than what we are, exceed our programming so to speak," Shiyori smiled and looked back at Ami.
Ami rolled her eyes and leveled her gaze on Ranma, folding her arms . "See, it�s not TOO hard to understand, Ranma... Everything doesn�t have to be martial arts, you know."
Ranma did her best to ignore Ami�s snide tone, cocking her head to one side. "Okay, I think I understand what you mean... uhm.. sorry??" Ranma offered, unsurely.
Akane sighed. "Okay... uhm.. maybe we should try a little something else for tonight, ne??? I think we�ve watched enough tapes for now," Akane stood up and slowly padded over to her closet, carefully picking up the old Ouiji board she had bought from the antique store in town.
"Okay girls, pull up some seats," Akane gently placed the stylized wooden box on the bed, as the girls got pillows and chairs and made a small circle around it.
Akane carefully opened it and placed the small cursor in the center of the board. Pulling her own chair up to the bed, she smiled supportively to Ranma.
Ranma looked down at the board apprehensively, she scratched her head with an uncomfortable expression on her face. She didn�t know exactly WHAT a ouiji board was, or what it was for. It looked like some sort of board game to her.
Kiyomi looked at Ranma, tilting her head gently to the side, her brown, short cropped hair making her look much younger than her actual age of 17. "What�s wrong, Ranma?? You look a bit uncomfortable," The nectar voiced teen chimed.
Ranma blushed, hanging her head. "Uhm.. I dunno what this game is, really," Ranma mumbled half under his breath.
Ami glared at Ranma with a accusatory gaze. "What was that, Ranma??" She asked, the care of controlling her voice plain on her face.
Akane looked worriedly at Ami. *What is wrong with her??? I didn�t know she hated Ranma this much...* Akane shook her head, wondering if she shouldn�t have invited Ami. *She seemed nice all the other times.*
"Urr.. I kinda... well, I dunno what this game is, ya know?? I don�t usually get t�play many girlish games, I guess," Ranma looked even more chagrined than before, without even looking up. She could feel the intense gaze of loathing on her from Ami�s eyes.
What had she done?? She didn�t do anything to Ami, that she could recall. Ranma could tell that she was barely controlling her anger out of respect for Akane and the other girls...
Ranma wished she knew what Ami was so angry with her about.
Kiyomi didn�t seem to notice the killer looks from Ami, smiling softly and explaining to Ranma in her velvety sweet voice, "You see, Ranma, this is called a Ouiji board... most people think it is but a harmless game of fun, but the main idea is that we all put our hands on the little cursor and ask a question, and the spirits are supposed to make the cursor move to spell something out, or to move to yes, no, possibly, or the answer is unsure," Kiyomi smiled brightly after finishing her small speech.
Ranma looked unsurely at Ami at first, then turned her gaze to Kiyomi, holding her left hand palm up about face level, in a questioning (And very feminine) Gesture, "Uhm, but how do we know for sure that none of the other girls are moving the thing on purpose???"
Yuka was idly munching on some potatoe chips, "We don�t Ranma... *Gulp* But usually you can trust everyone to not screw with the thing. Especially if the question is a serious one," Yuka sucked on her fingers in a slightly annoying fashion, then wiped her hands on a paper napkin, tossing it in the trash can.
Sayuri carefully looked at the board, putting her hands on it. "Okay, well.. I guess we should start. Uhm.. I guess we should all take turns in asking questions. Since it�s Akane�s party, how about she starts first and then we move counter clockwise?"
Ami raised an eyebrow in a questioning manner, her arms crossed beneath her breasts, "Oh, so after Akane.. that would be... You, wouldn�t it??"
Yuka rolled her eyes and pushed slightly on Ami�s shoulder, "Give it a rest, girl, we�ll ALL get our turns...," Yuka shook her head. Ami didn�t usually have this much of an attitude... she didn�t know why she was acting so flippish, it just wasn�t like the Ami she knew.
Ami looked directly at Ranma with a self appreciative smile on her face, "Even the freak??"
Shiyori got wide eyes and actually stood up, looking angry at Ami.
Akane gave Ami a firm look. "Ami, Ranma is not a freak.. she is my FRIEND. Do you got that???"
"I can�t BELIEVE you would be so-" Shiyori was cut off by Akane giving her a look that told her now would not be a good time to start this.
Shiyori had to force herself to sit back down, she looked at Ranma with an apologetic look on her face. She hadn�t known Ranma very long, but she could tell there was an immense sadness that permeated the redhead�s essence, a ephemereal ghost that seemed to cling to the air around her.
Indecision.... uncertainty.... Shiyori could tell that Ranma was a very shy girl who didn�t relate well with other women, and found herself wondering what kind of childhood Ranma might have been subject to.
"Hands everyone!!!!" Sayuri said firmly, putting her hands on the small cursor... Akane following suit.... then Ranma, Ami, Kiyomi, and finally Shiyori as she winked at Ranma, causing the redhead to giggle a little.
Everyone turned their gaze upon the hostess of the party... Waiting patiently in the still moment for her to speak, to say something, to ask a question of the small, inanimate cursor which all their hands shared.
Akane smiled, and then said in a prompt and commanding tone, "Okay... well, let�s start by asking the spirits a couple questions to get a feel for this whole thing," Akane gently closed her eyes. "Everyone relax," She said calmly.
Her eyes drifted closed a moment, and for a brief part of a single second she saw images flashing through her mind. A wedding dress. A Mask. Long stemmed roses, still thorned, lying on the ground amidst shattered glass. Tears running down Ranma�s face. Ryouga holding what looked like her in his arms, weeping over her still form. Then the images stopped.
All took but 1/2 a second to sear through Akane�s mind, and left her senses reeling for a moment. She wavered a bit back and forth, blinking away the spots dancing before her eyes, wondering what just happened, since every image zipped by so fast that she couldn�t recognize any one.
She clamped her eyes shut for a moment and took a deep breath, her head feeling a bit better afterwards.
She opened her eyes a moment later, the muscles in her arms as relaxed as she could get them while maintaining her hold on the cursor. "Spirits...," She intoned solemnly, "When is my Birthday???" She asked, looking carefully at the cursor.
Shiyori giggled a little then got quiet as the thing started moving. It felt as if someone around the board was pushing it one way or another... She looked carefully at everyone else, but everyone else was equally as confused, looking at eachother with critical eyes.
A chill wind seemed to stir their clothes and hair, causing all of them to shiver as the Cursor began spelling out a word. Strangely the window was firmly shut and fastened.
Akane was firmly focused on the board, her body relaxed as she watched the board spell out "MAY" Then move to the Number 9.
"Wow, Akane... that�s pretty neat," Sayuri said, looking around unsurely, wondering if someone had moved the cursor... the only problem is, she and Yuka were the only two who really knew Akane�s birthday who were in the room other than Ami, but Ami didn�t really seem to care much about the little game.
She was sure Ranma had no idea, because of the look she got on her face... as if she were making a mental note and telling her not to forget the date. Shiyori and Kiyomi both were new to Akane�s friendship, and didn�t know that much about her yet to really hazard a guess.
And Sayuri was she she had not moved the cursor, she was completely relaxed.... she didn�t think Yuka would do so, since her friend was into some of that spiritual stuff, which left Akane, But why would Akane move the cursor??
Akane smiled at everyone, "I think it works... Okay.. hmmm..," Akane sat in thought for a moment, looking at the small cursor as it returned to the center of the board.
*What should I ask it... hmmm... Something personal, but not too.... urm.. too personal...* Akane looked over at Ranma, who promptly blushed and looked down at the cursor. *I know..*
"Spirits..." Akane intoned once more, drawing everyone�s attention back to her. "When will I get married??" She asked in a mostly level voice. She hoped she didn�t sound too excited.
Everyone smiled except Ami, who shot a burning glare at Ranma. This time she would move the cursor herself, instead of letting Akane do it.
She looked down and tried pushing, but her arms wouldn�t respond.. it were as if she had no control of them!!! She turned a bit pale as the realization hit her... the board was actually working!
The Cursor Moved around the board several times, it started spelling out a word, then stopped, then started again. It looked like May to most watching, but the date was unclear... then the cursor stopped on the word "UNCLEAR" that sat in the optional choices at the bottom of the board.
Akane frowned, unsure of what to make of the board�s answer. It had not given the year or the day, but it might possibly have given the month. May?? On her Birthday???
*How romantic.* She thought to herself, she wondered when Ranma would propose to her. She knew that her recent efforts at improving their relationship would pay off. She caught herself looking at the redhead with a wistful gaze, and immediately struck it from her features, hoping nobody noticed.
"Congratulations, Akane!" Shiyori Said brightly, causing Ranma to blush from head to toe. "I sure hope whoever he is is as much of a good person as you are to all of your friends," She smiled, looking at Ranma, and suddenly noticing how deep the red that colored her cheeks really ran. "Did I say something wrong, Ranma??"
Ranma shook her head. "Naah, you�re fine. Just.. sorta shocked Akane�ll be getting married," Ranma said, looking down at the board. It had to be some sort of trick, one of the other girls was moving the cursor. Ranma figured she would just not worry about it, after all, it was only a game.
Yuka and Sayuri giggled as quietly as possible, looking at eachother. "It�s about time," Sayuri whispered to her friend.
"It�s your turn, Yuka!" Kiyomi Said brightly.
The Questions went around, most of them typical, about boys, or grades, or when THEY would get married. Yuka and Sayuri found out they were to be married on the same day.
Ami asked several taunting questions about Ranma, asking if Akane�s Fiancee was a pervert.. which was a no, or if he even cared about Akane, which gave her a shocking yes. *But then, it�s only a game, right?* She tried to convince herself. She still couldn�t take her hands off the cursor.
It was about 30 minutes into the game, and Ranma had as of yet to ask a question... she was nervous, and unsure about this so called game. She had that creepy feeling she got around the Old Ghoul or Happosai.
"Come on, Ranma.. what�s there to be afraid about?? It�s only a game," Shiyori said, giggling that bright, sunshine giggle of hers.
Ranma looked at the board, staring at the cursor unsurely. "I dunno.. I think it�s kinda creepy... ya know??" Ranma said in a bit of a wary voice.
Akane cast her gaze towards Ranma, "C�mon.. ask, it�ll be fun Ranma!" She said, smiling gently, a supportive glimmer in her eyes.
Ranma looked a bit unsure but opened her mouth after a long moment of thinking, "Urr... will.. uhm.. will Akane be happy in her marriage?" She asked a bit unsurely, as soon as the last words left her mouth the cursor slowly started to move.
Ranma�s heart was thumping as the cursor slowly moved towards one side of the board. A shiver ran through her as it stopped on the yes. She breathed a sigh of relief before she noticed it moving again, it hovered on the ampersand.
Akane�s breath caught in her throat as the cursor jumped from ampersand to the two letters on the opposite side of the board. N-O. That same cold shiver ran up her spine, disconcerting and utterly eerie.
Ranma and Akane stared at the cursor in mute shock. Ami smiled a secret smile inside, Yuka and Sayuri gave eachother worried glances. Shiyori looked puzzled at the expressions on everyone�s faces. Kiyomi was equally as confused.
Akane laughed a bit to break the tension. "It�s.. only a game, bahh!!! Who cares what the board says?? We�re here to have fun," She said, not sounding entirely too sure of herself. Luckily, Ranma was shaken enough to take the words seriously.
*Akane�s right.. it�s only a dumb game, nothing to be worried about,* She told herself in an all too uncertain manner, *I hope* She amended. That shiver ran up her spine again.
"Will Ranma be happy in.. her Marriage?" Shiyori asked, Following suite. The cursor once more began it�s gentle trek across the board. YES M-O-S-T-L-Y.
"Yes Mostly?? What is that supposed to mean???" Ranma asked looking offended. "Yes Mostly? Sheesh, stupid board..."
Akane was feeling uncomfortable, staring at the cursor that seemed to silently taunt her. *It�s a game.* She told herself, forcing the disturbing feeling out of her system with sheer will.
"Is Cologne still alive?" Akane asked, as if in challenge to the cursor. There was a long pause, the cursor sitting immobile, as if considering whether it should answer the question.
Shiyori exchanged a questioning look with Ranma, "Who is Cologne?" Shiyori asked before everyone hushed her, the cursor had begun to move. Gliding carefully and slowly over the board, it rested finally on YES.
"Will her curse come true??" Yuka asked, looking intently at the cursor as it began slowly gliding across the board once more. YES was the response.
"Guys.. urr..." Ranma stared uncertainly at the board, the eerie feeling only getting worse as moments passed. "Mebbe we should cut this out, I mean, this game is starting to give me the creeps."
Sayuri nodded in understanding, "Okay, okay... I�ll change the tone, Ranma," She smiled mischieviously, light dancing in her eyes as she looked at the cursor. Several questions floated through her head, and she plucked one of the many and brought it to the forefront of her mind.
"Will Tatewaki Kuno EVER catch a clue about his Pig Tailed Goddess�s True nature??" She asked, inwardly chuckling.
"Fat chance, the pig," Yuka noted, sounding half amused at the question. Ranma was forced to smile at the thought of Kuno actually figuring it out.
*That would be the day* The redhead laughed inside at the thought, she could imagine smoke coming out of Kuno�s ears as he tried to figure a way out of the truth.
YES. Was the answer from the board, summoning shocked stares from everyone around. Kuno�s reputation preceded him, so even Shiyori and Kiyomi were shocked.
Sayuri blinked at the board�s answer, completely confused. "Kuno... using a braincell? Since when???" She asked, meaning it rhetorically.. unbeknownst to the board.
The cursor shifted again and began it�s answer to the question provided. 2 D-A-Y-S. Everyone laughed at the ridiculous answer. There was no possible way that the "True Blunder" of Furenkin High would ever cast off his delusional fantasy world and actually consider reality for even a moment.
"Now I *KNOW* This Board is BSing us..." Sayuri wiped tears of laughter from her face, sighing. She had needed a good laugh from the tone that the board had started to take... she had actually believed for a moment that it might�ve been serious.
Yuka was in the same boat, and was quite relieved that she had been reminded that it was only a silly game.
"Does Akane�s Fiancee like dressing up like a girl and pretending he is a girl all the time like some pervert??" Ami asked, looking straight at Ranma as she spoke.
Akane glared at Ami. *I am not inviting her again...* The girl had done nothing but taunt Ranma all night, which was getting to Ranma... Akane noticed.
Shiyori narrowed her eyes at Ami, "If... *IF* this were not Akane�s house, and if I were not a guest here... I would.. I would-"
"It�s okay, Shiyori-chan," Ranma said in a meak tone, which in itself was odd. Ranma�s eyes were downcast, looking at the cursor moving from YES to the ampersand. There was an abashed look on her face.
"No it�s NOT okay, Ranma! She has been bothering you.. and Akane all night," Yuka said firmly, making sure to add that last part.
"Ami, what is your problem with Ranma?? She is a guest tonight, just like you. You have no right to treat her like you are," Yuka was upset. Ami was one of her own friends, and she had NEVER seen her so snippish and snotty towards anyone.
Ami was usually a bright, cheerful, caring person as far as Sayuri knew. This was a sharp contrast to her usual self, and it caused Sayuri to wonder if there was anything wrong with Ami.
Nobody other than Ranma noticed the YES or the ampersand, since they were too busy bickering over Ami�s... everyone caught the NO.
"Ami, I don�t want to hear another comment about... about my Fiancee or Ranma, do you understand?" Akane said, her temper barely in check as she glared at the girl she knew from school.
Ami looked at Akane, suddenly seeming to notice how inappropriate her actions had been during the night. She sighed and nodded slowly, "..Look.. I.. I�m sorry, I just.. I�ve had.. well.. I�m sorry," She finished, sounding inadequate to her own ears.
Ranma nodded, still looking down at the board in a very depressed manner. "..I.. I�d like.. to ask it a question, Akane," Ranma said quietly, almost so hushed that Akane hardly heard her.
Akane turned her attention to Ranma, noticing the mood her love was in her own heart fell. She nodded slowly, "..you can ask it anything you want, Ranma... you�re my friend, and you don�t have to be afraid of anything," Akane smiled softly, trying to comfort Ranma in her depression.
Ranma looked up at Akane with those beautiful blue eyes, "..thanks, Akane-chan," She said in a very soft, low tone. She whispered a question silently.. it was hard to hear.
"..is..there... a... a cure... for... for... the problem.. I�m asking about?" She asked, her eyes closed softly.
She held her breath, her heart thundering in her ears. *Please..* She asked as she felt the cursor lurch and begin movement.
*PLEASE* She begged, her eyes clenched tightly shut as she felt it drift slowly across the board.
There was a FLASH of a Masked figure with empty, bottomless eyes that flickered in Ranma�s mind for a moment.
She shivered. *Please.. Kami Please*
Another Flash, A pool rushing up at her. *No.. please, no... Please Kami...*
FLASH, a clay statue gently caressing her face.
*Why.. why kami...*
FLASH, two children laughing, cut violently short by a scream.
*A cure, let there be a cure...*
FLASH, Her tears mingling with the rain, the ache of pain in her heart.
Ranma slowly began to open her eyes...
FLASH, Holding roses in her hand, glass cutting her fingers as she held them.
NO.
Ranma stared.
* * * * * *
"It was only a game, Ranma," Shiyori was sitting by Ranma, who was still staring at where the board had been, her mind locked on the word it had stopped on.
She stared at the Red head. Ranma was a very beautiful girl, marked with a very unique and beautiful gift of bright red hair... something which Shiyori had never seen before.
A smooth, flawless, unscarred face that seemed almost porcelain in it�s perfect complexion... and such fair skin as to seem almost pale, but a beautiful pale, not sickly.
Her eyes were a shining, brilliant blue that seemed to flicker with passionate emotions, which was a very deep sadness or depression at the moment.
Akane had taken Ami to another room with the other girls, who were having it out with the girl for being such a rude guest. Kiyomi was downstairs whipping up some munchies and icecream.
Shiyori looked from the door back to Ranma, who was staring down at her hands. She reached over and gently took one of the girl�s hands, holding it in her own and looking it over, running her fingers over it.
It was smooth, and delicate.. with long fingers and beautiful fingernails... hands that were so very soft and gentle, but which looked strong enough in their own right. Shiyori could tell Ranma practiced martial arts, like Akane did, the soft hand was firm and somewhat rough on the palms and fingers, but not so much so as to seem unfeminine.
"Hai... I.. I hope you are right," Ranma turned those bright blue eyes on Shiyori, and brought a half hearted smile to her face. She squeezed Shiyori�s hand to let her know that she was okay, if a bit shaken.
Shiyori smiled a bit at getting a response from Ranma, "Seriously, sometimes people take Ouiji too seriously, I hope it didn�t bother you?"
Ranma sighed and shook her head, turning and looking at Shiyori, "Look, Shiyori-chan.. there�s a lot of stuff that you don�t know about me. Secret stuff, personal stuff, and.. well.. it�s just that the answers to those questions, even if they were fake, kinda upset me a little."
Shiyori nodded slowly. "You seem like a.. well, a weird girl. Not like most girls I know," Shiyori received a smile for her comment.
"You have no idea how weird..." Ranma smiled a bit brighter at Shiyori, temporarily forgetting what had so upset her only minutes before.
Shiyori didn�t know Ranma that well, but she liked the redhead. It was one of those times where a person meets someone completely new, but they cannot seem to dislike them, as if there was something about Ranma that was inherently charismatic.
"What is your life like, Shiyori-chan?" Ranma asked suddenly, catching the black haired girl off guard.
Shiyori had to think a moment, to gather her own memories and words. "Well... I go to Gakudai High School, I�m on the swimming team, my Boyfriend�s a big fan of the internet, plans on going to programming college after school. What�s scary is he�s actually good at that kind of stuff."
Ranma tilted her head carefully to one side, "Why would that be scary?? I mean, I�m a good martial artist, it�s what I do best," She blinked as Shiyori giggled lightly.
"It�s scary because I don�t know ANYTHING about computers... and when he gets to talking about those things, I just nod my head and smile, not really understanding a thing," Shiyori smiled at Ranma. She definitely liked the girl.. Ranma was.. shy was the best word for it. Around women, it appeared to her.
"You think THAT is bad, Tasuki listens to real loud american music that I just can�t STAND... and he snores," Sayuri said in a mildly annoyed manner as she walked back into the room.
Shiyori grinned, looking up at Sayuri, "And how do you know he snores, Sayuri-chan?" Sayuri threw a pillow in response to that suggestion.
"I have done no such thing!! He falls asleep on the couch all the time, especially when we�re in the middle of a movie I like," Sayuri wore a pouty look on her face as she remembered her boyfriend snoring loudly as he leaned on her shoulder, ruining the movie for her.
Yuka leaned in the doorway as Sayuri finished talking, "You think THAT is bad... Nobuo makes lewd jokes with his male friends all the time, so much so that I just can�t STAND being with him when he is at school..."
"So dump him," Shiyori thought it was common sense, if a guy did THAT to HER, she would drop him in short order, no questions asked.
Yuka rolled her eyes, walking in and plopping herself down on Akane�s bed. "It isn�t that easy, I mean.. I care about him, it�s just I don�t care for his social habits," Yuka looked at Ranma, smiling a bit supportively.
Ami strode back in with a very sullen and angry expression on her face, "Sure it�s that easy, Yuka... if a guy is a jerk, I would tell him off... in public, if possible, to really get his goat," Ami cast a very venomous, murderous glare at Ranma.... but said nothing at all.
Akane and Kiyomi followed Ami into the room, Akane sat down beside Yuka, "Actually, Ami, you don�t have a boyfriend, so you don�t know what it�s like loving someone... even for their flaws," Ami grumbled in response to Akane�s statement.
"I personally don�t WANT a boy friend... all of them are the same, they all want one thing or another... usually more than you�re willing to give, and if there was EVER a man who I would date, he would have to be nigh perfect," She almost spat the last part of her statement, a vindictive defense edging into her voice.
Kiyomi frowned, gently putting a hand on Ami�s shoulder, "Honey.. that�s the whole reason that you love someone, knowing that someone you love is less than perfect helps you feel better about the person that you are, knowing that YOUR imperfections are acceptable to them," Kiyomi attempted a smile of encouragement, but dropped the gesture when Ami just glared at her in return.
Ranma looked down at her hands in her lap, "Not.. all men are like that.. There are some very nice men, who are just a little confused as to what to do with themselves," Ranma smiled brightly, looking up at Akane, who smiled back in return.
Shiyori and the other girls took on a dreamy, wistful look, "If I had a man, he would be brave, with courage and honor that shines through his rough male exterior," Several of the other girls sighed, Akane smiled at Ranma gently, which caused the redhead to blush slightly.
"My man would be honest, and he would never be afraid to share anything with me... He wouldn�t be afraid to tell me what he is feeling, and we would never keep ANYTHING from eachother!" Kiyome looked around shyly, blushing as everyone looked at her with silly, girlish grins on their faces.
"I�d like a man that is never afraid to help out, no matter how unmanly some of the things might be... someone who isn�t afraid to take risks for me, because they love me so much," Sayuri smiled and leaned on Yuka, who sighed, wrapping her arm around her friend.
"A man who cares more for others than himself... selfless to a fault, always keeping others more important than himself," Yuka nodded solemnly, her own vision of some knight in shining armor coming to her rescue.
"You are all fools.. men are pigs. I�ve known enough in my life to tell you that for SURE, There is no perfect man, there is no wonderful messiah of your heart that is going to come along and make your life dance on cloud nine... And you�re ALL idiots to think so," Ami looked at Ranma for a brief moment, an accusatory look that said �I was talking about you, pig�.
Ranma glared back in defiance.. a fire flickering in her heart. "I know a man like that.... and more, who is more than deserving of ANY girl in this room."
Yuka blinked, then smiled... "Oh really, Ranma?? How about you tell us about this dream man then..."
"Hai! Hai!! What kind of guy is he like???" Shiyori asked, her eyes dancing with that inherent merriment that seemed to permeate her being.
Kiyomi giggled, "Is he handsome???"
"Is he Compassionate?" Sayuri inquired.
"Or gentle?" Yuka amended.
Ranma blushed, looking down at her hands... Ami narrowed her eyes at the redhead.
Ami crossed her arms, glaring at Ranma in mild irritation, "Well, go ahead, tell us about this godly perfect man, Ranma... we�re ALL listening..." She sounded slightly upset... but she kept it carefully under control.
Ranma stared at her hands for a long moment, all of the girls watching her in silent wait for this revelation of some perfect man that all of them dreamed of, but seemed to glance over.
Ranma continued staring as she looked up, as if looking somewhere distant, a straight and serious look on her face. Her mouth opened, and for the next several minutes the other girls fell silent as they listened to Ranma slowly tell them about a man that they had all known, or seen... that they had simply ignored.
"It is like drowning.... where you feel like your whole world is being flooded by water, and all the control and self empowerment you have had for so long is washed away in a panic.
Then, it is like coming up from that moment, and breathing air for the first time... this man, he is like that. He makes you value the world in a whole new way, as if before you were dying a slow and painful death, and now your eyes are wide open and you have life thrust under your nose on a silver platter.
He can take a moment in time.." Ranma snapped her fingers, looking at them for a long moment. "And freeze it, make it pure and wholesome and 100% wonderful, undiluted without additives... He can take the simplest thing in your life, and fill it with purified sunlight.
He sacrifices his own safety, his own welfare, his own fate for those he cares about, for his friends nothing is ever too much to ask. His arms are always open, welcoming whatever fate brings him, and his gentle heart isn�t just confined to his friends..
He helps them with their problems too. He talks to people he doesn�t even HAVE to bother meeting, just to make his friends feel better." Ranma looked at each of the girls, as if for a first time as she continued. Each of the girls was held in rapt attention, Ami in mute shock.
Ranma lifted her hands, as if she were holding a fragile rose in her gentle hands, "He is like a blossoming rose... so plain, so dull looking in it�s winter, but when you look closer.. and when you are patient, it opens slowly, revealing beauty that you never really knew existed....
He makes your heart ache because even though he is so wonderful, so brave, and so selfless, he sometimes worries about others accepting him for who he is. His heart is an open book, if only others would look at it and see the truth about him, that there is more than they see every day.
They see a bright boy, who daydreams in class, and who seems not to have a worry in the world, but what I have seen.. what I have witnessed is a fragile soul of clay, which a hard touch could break too easily, where a soft touch is needed to show that you care as well," Ranma looked at her hands, as if realizing for the first time that they were horribly empty.
Ranma blushed, looking down. Everyone stared for a long moment at Ranma, blinking and then gazing at eachother.
"Wow.. you�ve got it bad, Ranma hon," Shiyori smiled brightly, whoever Ranma had fallen for sounded simply WONDERFUL to her ears!!!
"Yeah, who is the lucky guy, Ranma?" Kiyomi giggled, like sugar coated candy, she was almost envious of Ranma.
"Huh?" Ranma inquired with as much intelligence as could be mustered.
Ami rolled her eyes, "Are you purposely dense, or just stupid?? They�re asking what lucky GUY you FELL IN LOVE WITH," Ami grinned as she saw Ranma look very pale and then shake her head and wave her hands.
"Nonononono!!! We�re just friends!!! I just want to see him happy, and he moons after this girl all the time!!" Ranma couldn�t understand where they had connected HER to HIROSHI from, but she didn�t like the direction that this conversation was going.
Akane blinked, looking at Ranma, then at the other girls. What were they TALKING about??? Sure, Hiroshi and Ranma hung out all the time... but that�s because they were friends, and no better friends had she met.
Sure, Ranma acted a little funny around Hiroshi... but then Ranma didn�t have a lot of friends, so who was she to be suspicious of such a close relationship? In fact, Ranma had trouble KEEPING friends.
"Suuuuure, Ranma.. that�s why you were talking all dreamy about him, right???" Shiyori giggled and nudged her new friend in the side. Ranma gave her a scowl, which startled her.
"Hey, we�re just friends, Okay??? Hiroshi and I.. we ain�t like that... He and I are honest with eachother, and we talk a lot to eachother, but we ain�t like that," Ranma said in a sharp and level tone.
Ami smiled a mischievious smile, "Hmm... you deny it so strongly Ranma, that I think you really like him as more than a friend!!!"
Ranma glared at Ami, her eyes burning with anger. "That ain�t funny, Ami... and I would please you not to talk about Hi like that, seeing as you are friends with.. with.. Mihoko," Ranma tightened her fingers, the knuckles popping.
Yuka looked between the two... "Okay, that is enough Ami... I think you�ve prodded enough for tonight," Yuka spoke in a level and commanding tone, always the leader.
Shiyori looked at Ranma uncertainly... perhaps she had misjudged Ranma�s reaction when telling about this Hiroshi??
Ranma looked down, her body quivering in anger, shaking as her muscles tightened. "...I ain�t like that..." She said under her breath.
Shiyori put a hand on Ranma�s shoulder, ina comforting gesture, Ranma shrugged it off and stood up quickly.
"I�m sorry Akane.. but.. I just.. I just am a little tired. I hope you�ll forgive me if I turn in early," Ranma said in a barely level tone.. her eyes shimmered slightly, she clenched them closed a moment later and visibly controlled her breathing.
Akane blinked and watched as Ranma walked out with a very tense look to her body.
"I always knew she was a pervert," Ami said in a matter of fact tone.
Akane�s slap could be heard outside.
* * * * * *