Ranma 1/2: Geisha
CHAPTER 1: The Life of a Wanderer
By Kiwi Noriega
*STANDARD DISCLAIMER*
All rights are of Rumiko Takahashi and Viz Video and whoever owns the characters of Ranma 1/2.
NOTE: This piece of fiction is set in ancient Japan in the time where the Geisha were seen as idols.
This is also in draft form and has room for revisions. ^_^
Ranma 1/2: Geisha
CHAPTER 1: The Life of a Wanderer
Soun Tendo sat on top of a rock overlooking a deep valley, his lips turned down, sadness evident in his aged eyes. Today was the day his wife, Kimiko, had died and still his heart ached for her. *It's been almost 13 years now...Oh how I long to see my two daughters again...* a stab of guilt lanced through his heart at the thought of his girls. His chest tightened as he thought back on his actions. "I'm so damn selfish...how could I have ever done that..."
"Daaaadddy!!! Where are you?!" a young voice called in the near distance.
"I'm here, Akane!" he yelled back.
After a few seconds, a slight rustling came from the bushes and out emerged a young girl around thirteen years old, her short bluish black hair held back from her eyes by a white bandanna. "There you are, dad, I've been looking all over for you! When are we gonna start our sparring matches for the day?"
"Now, now, Akane, I told you should always be patient and--" He briefly coughed, putting a fist to his chest as he heaved. For the past few days he'd been experiencing such bouts of weakness and fits of coughing that never stopped and sometimes entailed blood.
"A-are you ok, daddy?" Akane asked, then quickly added, "Um, I'll just go find some stupid arrogant farmer boy to challenge, 'kay, dad?
Soun nodded, still not fully recovered. "I love you, Akane," he whispered, earning a weird look from his daughter. With a last gentle smile, she dashed through the trees. As soon as Akane disappeared into the woods, he let out a long breath and took out a piece of cloth and bringing it to his mouth. Setting it down, he saw blood stains on the handkerchief and closed his eyes in pain and fear. *Soon...* he thought. *Oh my dear Akane...I'm sorry...* A tear slid down his face as he took out a pen and a piece of paper and started writing. He started: 'Dear Akane...'
* * *
Akane leapt through the tree branches, her concentration never wavering as she though of her father. He would never admit that he was sick and she couldn't get him to go to a town doctor even if she lead him right to the door. He was stubborn, especially when things were forced upon him. So she learned to just let him do what he wants and sorta nudge him this way and that. Well, her tactics didn't work very well, and the only reason she got her way was because he spoiled her. Not in the sense where he trained her dawn 'til dusk everyday in Kempo and other sorts of martial arts, but in little things like what she wanted to eat and where she wanted to go. She smiled as she thought of her father, yet she knew he was hiding something from her by the way he answered to her question about her mother and lost siblings. All she knew was that her mother died when Akane was only a baby and that she and her father were separated from her sisters in some sailing accident. *Poor father...* Akane sighed, stopping briefly on one of the branches. Now where would she find the next stupid boy she could beat to a pulp? "Hmmm...where--?" she only had a moment's notice when the branch under her snapped and she was sent hollering down to the forest floor. She fell with a loud grunt and was thankful that something broke her fall. Glancing under her, she was surprised to see a young boy with a pigtail groaning loudly under her. Before she could voice her apology, the boy spoke,
"Geez, will ya get offa me? You weigh like a cow!"
Pure red engulfed Akane's eyes at the comment as she stood up and glared at the boy who was rubbing his head.
Target confirmed.
"Who are you calling a cow, you stupid boy!" she yelled.
The boy glared back at her indignantly and answered, "Ha! You're not only a cow; you're a tomboy too! Nyeh!!"
"Shut up, you!" And with that, she lashed out with a mean kick aimed at his head and was surprised when he blocked it. Akane smiled though, seeing a flash of pain in his eyes. Their fight ensued, neither one gaining the upper hand. Punch. Kick. Dodge. Kick. Jump. Punch. Finally, Akane's speed overwhelmed the boy's strength and she sent him flying into the bushes. Breathing heavily, she loudly said, "You're pretty good."
Jumping from the bushes, the boy tried to straighten his white gi and said in a pouting voice, "I woulda beaten you if you if I wasn't so tired."
"What?!" she exclaimed. "Here I was trying to compliment you and you insult me! You _are_ as stupid as you look!!! Nyeh!"
"Hey! You take that back!" the boy slowly approached her, his blue-gray eyes boring deep into hers.
"Why would I?" she answered back.
"Becau--" before he could add anything, he suddenly tripped on a root and fell forward, bringing a startled Akane down to the dirt with him.
"Hey! What are you doing, pervert!"
"I-I didn't, I-who you calling a pervert?!" In the moment of both panic and confusion, the boy tried to get up, but with Akane's flailing arms and the loose dirt on his palms, he fell down at least an inch from her face. Both teenagers froze in shock, blushes rising to their cheeks. Their eyes met and locked, their beating hearts sounding together.
Then a deep, baritone voice sounded a few feet away, "Hey boy, there you are! We've got some training to--! Eh?!?!" Catching a full eyesight of his son on top of a girl, he croaked, "Uh...son...um...attaboy?"
"Aaaaarggh!!" Akane shrieked as she hurled the boy away from her and leapt into the trees, crimson on her face as she raced back to her father, screaming behind her, "I'll get you for that!!!"
A thoughtful look crossed the boy's face as soon as he got up and stared at her retreating figure.
* * *
Reaching the cliff her father loved to gaze over, she looked around in confusion. Her father was nowhere to be seen and in his former place was a letter addressed to her. Picking it up, she slowly read it. As she read, tears slowly formed in her eyes, each one falling down the piece of paper. So many emotions raged within her, pain, confusion, anger for the most part, and of course sorrow. "How could you, father...?" Her fist shook with anger, yet it disappeared in an instant. Gathering her things, she left the only place she had been accustomed to calling home, saying, "Goodbye, father..."
* * *
Sakura blossoms blew softly through the courtyard, the brilliant sun shedding its light across the hilltop, Japanese house in Nerima. Soft waterfalls could be heard along the exquisite fountains and streams that were scattered throughout the garden. Rising above nature's voices were the gentle giggles of young women, echoing in the air.
"Master Tofu is so sweet, Na-chan! You should've seen him last night when his father came for his weekly visit and brought him along. His spectacles were all fogged up and he was so silly!" a young voice said, excitement evident in her tone.
"Neechan, I can't believe you're being so worked up about the town doctor's son! If Grandmother heard about your unladylike behaviour, she'd send you to Igarashi-san for lessons on etiquette." Nabiki answered, her grin wide as ever as she teased her older sister.
"Don't tease!" Kasumi answered, then continued as she brought her hands together and stared up at the Sakura blossoms, "Oh, I know I'm only 16 now and still in training, but oh I just can't wait to become Geisha! Oh how I'll charm Tofu-san and--" Kasumi abruptly stopped, suddenly hearing their grandmother's voice calling for them.
"Kasumi, Nabiki, where are you granddaughters?"
Both girls caught each other's gazes and their composure instantly changed, their backs straightening and their chins tilting up as they both rested their hands on their paper umbrellas. Gracefully walking across the garden, they made their way to their grandmother, their faces masks of pure femininity.
"You called for us, honored Elder?" Kasumi stated, her head slightly bowing.
Cologne smiled at their behaviour and said, "Excellent, Kasumi, you're improving vastly; you as well, Nabiki. Anyway, Kasumi dear, the kind doctor Tofu has called an audience requesting you to join them in celebrating his son's 18th birthday. This will be good training for you, child. And Nabiki, Nagisa has also told me of your talents in your studies, very admirable work, I am pleased with both you ladies."
"Thank you, grandmother." Both girls answered in sync.
*CRASH*
"I said, let me through!!" a voice yelled from the gates.
Turning their attention towards the commotion, they saw a young girl of about 13 standing by the gates, her aura flaring a dark red as her long blue-black hair blew around her.
"My name is Akane Tendo and I have to see the elder, damnit!"
Nabiki and Kasumi both gasped at the young girl's choice of words, their reactions similar to the other women present. Both girls though, didn't notice the thoughtful look on Cologne's face.
*Hmmm...such a strong aura. Soun has actually trained her well. Well, well, I think young Akane will be a perfect addition to the special training program. Indeed a worthy sparring partner for Shampoo. * Rousing herself from her thoughts, she loudly interrupted the young girl's argument with the guards. "Let her through!"
The guards instantly froze, turning their heads towards the elder. Then in unison, they bowed their heads and murmured, "Yes, elder."
Akane, confused at the situation and approached the old woman, her chest heaving with both nervousness and anger as she loudly said, "Are you Khu Lon?"
Cologne's eyes slightly narrowed as she thought, *Is she going to challenge me? * For lack of an answer, she said, "Yes, I am. What is it that you want, child?" Of all the possibilities, what happened next was one of the least ones she expected to occur.
Grudgingly, Akane went down on her knees, her voice rigid and forced, "I humbly beg you to accept me into your home, Elder."
* * *
Shampoo took a deep long breath as she adjusted her special kimono, its barely visible slits blending into the cloth. Grinning, she wiped the sweat on her forehead and hid her weapons back into the many folds of her kimono. Looking around the dojo, she noticed a strip of yellow cloth at the corner of the room. She smiled as she said, "You know, Grandmother have new training technique ready," delaying, she grins as the corner starts to somewhat shiver, "I hear it somewhere along lines of pig-slaughtering, or something," again the corner's shadows shifted, "all grandmother need is little push from Shampoo and..."
"Ok, ok!!" a voice sounded from the corner. Then slowly, the shadows shifted, revealing a young man, around 13 or 14 wearing a black ninja suit and a black-yellow bandanna, his face red and full of disbelief, "You wouldn't! Shampoo! I'm sorry, okay?! I was just trying out this new blending technique sensei was teaching me!" Earning only a satisfied and devious grin from his friend, he continued, "I promise to never do that again, 'kay? I'll tell you first!!"
With that ever-present smile on her face, Shampoo said, "You silly, Ryouga, hahaha!"
*CRASH*
"What the?!" both said in unison.
"Let's go check it out, Shampoo," Ryouga said, darting out the door, Shampoo right on his heels.
* * *
In a mansion somewhere in Nerima, a young man ran across the garden, a box gripped tightly in his hand.
"Master Kunou! I need those inkbottles now! I can't believe you're actually gonna be a samurai in the future! Your father will hear of this!" a voice followed loudly, then from the bushes emerged a middle-aged man, his chest heaving for air as he finally stopped running and shouted once again, "Oh Master Kunou!! When will you grow up!?"
The young man turned suddenly, his wavy brown hair moist with sweat as he stuck his tongue out, shouting back, "Nyeh, nyeh, nyeh, nyeh!!" He turned around, but instantly stopped, his path blocked by a girl, her red robes flowing around her.
"Honestly, brother dear, when will you grow out of that immature little world of yours? You're 14 years old! I cannot believe mother and father would actually leave the dojo to you!"
"Yeah, yeah. Now get outta my way, 'Dachi, Kanzaki-san's starting to catch his breath."
"I wouldn't go through here, if I were you, otosan." Kodachi said, almost sweetly.
"Yeah, sure, I'll see you later." Glancing back at the heaving man, he brushed past his sister, whistling, and then froze. He suddenly couldn't move. *He felt--*
"Paralyzed? Sorry, I warned you, brother, but you never seem to listen to me for some reason."
"Grrggrghhhhh!!"
"Hahahaha!" Kodachi laughed, seeing her brother's vain attempt at moving.
Then a voice from a distance silenced both teenagers, "Kodachi, Tatewaki, what are you two up to?"
>From the cobble bridge, a couple languidly walked down, the man carefully holding an umbrella over his wife. "Now, now, Kodachi, give your brother the antidote," the woman said, her long beautiful black hair flowing over her dark robes, her arm resting sweetly on the man's arm. "Those herbs are only used for emergencies, dear."
Screaming, Kodachi ran to the woman, hugging her as she said, "Oh mother! I love you so much! We missed you! So what did you get in Kyoto? Huh? Oh. Right. Kunou." Taking out a small packet from within her kimono, she carelessly threw it at her brother's face, earning a soft warning from her father.
"Achoo!! A-a-achooo! I'll get you for that, 'Dachi!!!!!" Kunou screamed as both he and his sister chased each other across the peaceful garden, their parents laughing softly at the sight.
- end chap 1
Author's Notes:
Hey! I know I haven't written for a long long time, mainly because of school and volleyball, which by the way, my team reach ed 6th in the province, pretty good, I guess, but we had such a big chance to take 1st, but we blew it. Yep, I'm pretty bitter 'bout that still, especially when I get tendonitis on my shoulder. ^_^ ^_^ hehe ^_^ Aaaaaanywaaay, I hope everyone liked this, it's been an idea that's been drifting in my head lately since watching the A & E special 'Memoirs of a Geisha', which is a bestseller right now. I guess the geisha life intrigued me and I decided to splice it (sorta) with Ranma. As you'll expect, I'm not an expert in Geisha, but I am reading up on it, so if you have any suggestions and information, I'd love to hear from you! ^_^ Also, I didn't want this to be too serious, so I'm making the story a little more interesting by adding a couple of things here and there. Well, again, hope you enjoyed reading this. ^_^ C&Cs are welcome at becknkal@addax.bc.ca and for more of my works, please visit my page, the Anything Goes Ranma 1/2 Fanfic Page at http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Temple/9371
Thanks again and ja!!
Oh yeah, I haven't abandoned my other fics, they'll be finished someday ^_^ BTW, my brother also says he's working on his fics and drawings, so check back at the page for updates! ^_^ ^_^
Kiwi Noriega
Anything Goes Ranma 1/2 Fanfic Page
http://www.geocities.com/soul_fate