Grrrr... when I posted it, my e-mail was acting funny, and I guess it just forgot to attach the text (Cuz I sure didn't). grr... anyhow, it should work this time, as I'm not taking any chances with attaching.
Did I mention Grrrr....?
[I had a few ideas running around, such as young Soun and Genma, and older Ranma and Akane, but they didn't really do anything. Then I remembered the Othertime. Othertime is a setting I came up with (based on dream), but never used. Well, finally, I can use it. Tell me what you think (mailto: Big_Joe@n2.com!), and if you have any ideas where this can head, please tell me! As of yet, this is little more than a setting idea, and the plot is kind of "Otherwhere."]
Ranma 1/2
The Othertime
by Forrest "DUNOTS" Walker
* * * *
Above the present.
Parallel to the future.
Aside from the past.
This is the Othertime.
* * * *
Prologue
In one Nerima, Ranma and Akane fought with one another. In one Nerima, Shampoo, Ukyou, and Kodachi fought for Ranma's affections. In one Nerima, Soun and Genma hope for their children's future. In one Nerima, sophomore year is full of excitement.
This is not that Nerima.
This is not even that world. This is the Othertime, a place beside reality. Time is meaningless here, yet it is what defines existence. It is not before. It is not after. It is not even during. It is apart, and it is different. It is connected to our Nerima by a thread of silky time, a steel reality clad in a billowing thought.
True Nerima and Othertime Nerima are indeed connected. The denizens coexist, though only in dreams. Thus is the relationship of Ourtime to the Othertime. Explanations fail perfectly. Understanding slips in and out. All is confusingly clear. The brightest age is forever.
Such is the Othertime.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Soun Tendo was tired of Happosai.
Genma Saotome was tired of Happosai.
Kimiko and Nodoka were tired of their husbands being missing.
Something had to be done.
"Master, we would like to introduce you to our wives," Soun announced, bowing to Happosai.
Their master smiled, as did Cologne, who was hanging on his arm. He had been with her ever since the Amazon village. When that happened, not to mention whether it had happened yet or not, was unimportant. He had found a tall, beautiful, golden-haired maiden to accompany him.
Now he would meet two more lovely ladies. Nodoka was a vision to behold, even carrying that katana. Her reddish hair shone in the moonlight, accentuating her noble features. He felt strength beneath her light demeanor. She commanded respect.
Kimiko was beautiful as well, though she was not so confident as Nodoka. A look of worry almost passed her pale, delicate face as she fiddled with the edge of her kimono. He smiled at her, seeing innocence within her slight frame. Surprisingly, she smiled, too. Something about this raven-haired woman defied Happosai's understanding, and it intrigued him.
"It's very nice to meet you, Happosai-san," Kimiko greeted as she bowed.
"Indeed," Nodoka smiled, "It is good to finally see the man keeping our husbands from us."
Happosai bowed in return, slightly irked at Nodoka's comment. As he stood, he became aware of Cologne's presence yet again.
"Care to introduce me, Happy?" she asked in her dulcet voice, reprimanding him subtly.
"Of course, of course," he replied quickly, rubbing the back of his head through his long black hair, "This is Cologne, whom I may one day call wife."
Akane was tired from sparring.
Ranma was tired from sparring.
Ranko and Kento were tired, but still ready to go.
The match was done.
"C'mon, you two, that's enough for today," Ranma called to his children, ushering them out of the dojo.
Akane made her way to the kitchen, ready to prepare tonight's dinner. Since she and Ranma had been married, her cooking skills had improved to the point of actually being good. This was fortunate, as her family relied on her for food. Of course, she enjoyed it.
"OW!" She heard Ranko cry from the dining room, "Why'd ya do that?"
It was uncanny how much Ranko sounded like onna-Ranma. Of course, this was hardly surprising, but it was still uncanny. In fact, she even looked like her namesake, but not nearly as much as she sounded like her.
"Do what? You ran into my shinai!"
Kento, on the other hand, resembled his grandfather Soun, if anyone. Though he was two years younger than Ranko, the dark-haired ninth-grader was more than her match in most things.
The art, however, was not one of them. No matter how much he trained in his Kendo, Ranko was far more skilled, and always won easily. In fact, Ranko's skill was almost on par with Akane's, and increasing constantly.
A splash broke Akane's concentration. "Hey, watch where you swing that thing, Ranko!" A female voice broke in, chastising his daughter.
Ranko had a habit of using a mallet when angered, which although annoying to the males, Akane was quite proud of. In fact, Akane and Ranma were proud of their children in general, having tried to avoid the mistakes their fathers would make with them.
Ryoga was tired of traveling.
Ukyo was tired of traveling.
Both of them were tired when they ran into one another.
Their problems were anything but done.
Ukyo had just left her last class when she ran into something. By the feel of it, she knew exactly who it was. Ukyo looked at Ryoga, who was looking worse for wear than ever before. She had seen him come out of some ugly messes, but this was ridiculous.
"Why weren't you at school, Ryoga?" Ukyo asked, glad to be done with a whole week of Furinkan.
"Because I was lost in some stupid place called Detroit, that's why!" he growled, putting an ugly emphasis on the word "Detroit."
Lately, Ryoga had been worse with directions than ever before, and only showed up in Nerima three or four times a month. Ukyo decided that she was the only one likely to help him get around, and didn't really object. It gave her someone to talk to as she walked home.
Ryoga paused and looked wistfully as they passed the Tendo dojo, remembering a time and a person. Ukyo also felt a pang, but simply grabbed his wrist and pulled him along. She accepted the order of things, and Ryoga needed to as well. Perhaps eventually things would truly change.
Ukyo saw a tear on Ryoga's cheek glint in the moonlight.
Change was rare and precious, and didn't show any sign of appearing anytime near.
What are you N2? Choose from 150 free e-mail addresses.
http://www.n2mail.com