Hi.
I finally got time enought to get this posted. :)
It's took be darn well long enough. I want to thank
all of my pre-readers for their support (and repeated
rapings of the beta version) I also want to thank all
of the people who kept me motivated enough to get it
done.Thank you.
As always: Ranma 1/2 is the copywrite of Takahashi
Rumiko. Clair Fontain is a copywrite of mine. I write
this for fun not profit.(and may God have mercy on my
soul)
Neil K.(author?)
Ranma 1/2: Forgive and Forget.
Episode 1: Here's Claire.
Dear Grandpa,
"Well I finally made it to Japan. The plane was
delayed for an hour but once we landed the fun really
began..."
Ranma stood at the terminal gate holding the sign
Kasumi had given him. Akane sat not to far away
reading a magazine. As he watched, a small flood of
people streamed their way out of the hallway. * I
wonder what she'll be like? * He thought to himself
for about the hundredth time since they arrived at the
airport. Before his mind could come up with yet
another answer to his musings he noticed a young lady
walk out of the crowd that fit the picture Akane had
shown him earlier.
She was tall for a girl, almost the same height as
he was. Dressed in a dark green, button down shirt and
blue jeans that clung to her in very flattering ways;
her skin was a dark honey brown with a faint red tint.
It was accented by long, raven black hair that flowed
down her back to her waistline. Her bangs where kept
from her eyes with a yellow, woven bandanna with red
and black triangles on it.
"Hey I think that's her" Ranma stated. Akane looked
up at the girl walking out of the gate. She looked
almost exactly like the photo she had been given by
Kasumi. She waved at the girl who began heading in
their direction. Ranma held up the sign and pointed to
it. Sure enough the girl nodded her head and smiled.
"Hello" Claire began.
Akane bowed. "<I'm Akane Tendo." She replied in
English. "Welcome to Japan. >"
Claire giggled as she returned the bow. "<Thanks.
You'll have to excuse my Japanese. It's not as good as
I'd like it to be. >"
"<Do not worry about it. >" Ranma replied. "<Has
been while since I used English but I think I remember
it well enough. >" He bowed to Claire. "<I'm Ranma
Saotome. >"
"I'm Claire, Claire Fontain." She replied. "It's nice
to meet you."
The trio made their way down the hallway to baggage
and waited for the conveyor to start. " Did Kasumi
tell you about us?" Akane asked. She watched Claire as
she eyed the passing luggage.
"Well, she told me that she had two younger
sisters and that your father runs a dojo." She reached
out and snagged a rather large green duffel bag. "And
that you were engaged to a guy who was living with you
along with his father."
Akane and Ranma exchanged nervous glances. * Oh man.
* Ranma thought. *What has she gotten us into? * His
mind ran through all the trouble it was going to be
keeping his secret from someone who was going to live
in the same house as him.
Kasumi first told them that she wanted to host the
girl she had been pen-pals with since grade school as
a foreign exchange student back at the beginning of
the summer. She explained that she had taken it up
with Soun and he had agreed. Since master Happosai had
disappeared six months earlier searching China for the
legendary Amazon undergarments of immortality things
were now calm enough for Kasumi's request. The family
decided it would be ok, after all Kasumi had suggested
it and nothing ill ever came from one of her
suggestions.
Now here they were preparing to head back to the
Tendo home with a young woman who in all likelihood
had no idea of what she was about to enter. Ranma's
brain began rehearsing all the apologies and
explanations he knew were going to come.
As they boarded the train Akane noticed Claire seemed
nervous. She didn't blame her. She'd be nervous to if
she was in her shoes. It had to be awful hard to
voluntarily pick up and come to another country.
"So exactly where is your home Claire?" She said
breaking the silence. " Kasumi said you were from
America but she didn't say where."
"I'm from Arizona." She replied. "I live on a
reservation with my grandfather. He's the one that
suggested that I sign up for the exchange program."
She giggled slightly. "He said I needed to get out and
see the world."
Ranma looked around as Akane and Claire chatted away
about this and that, not really paying attention to
what was being said. The car was empty except an
elderly lady sitting at the far end. He found his eyes
roaming with his thoughts. Eventually, as they had a
lot lately for some reason, both settled on Akane. He
watched her as she told Claire about Japan and Nerima
in particular. He watched as she smiled and joked.
Rare were the moments in which either could be like
this. He couldn't recall the last time he saw her
talking and acting like a normal teenage girl. Heck,
he couldn't recall the last time she'd had the chance.
Claire glanced over at Ranma. She saw him staring at
Akane. The look in his eye was unmistakable. She
looked away remembering what Kasumi had written her
about these two. * Kasumi was right. * Her smile
widened ever so slightly.
Kasumi was just setting dinner on the table when she
heard the door open.
"We're back." Came Akane's voice.
Kasumi hurried to the hallway. "Did everything go
okay?" she asked the three entered the home. She
smiled as Claire set her pack down and pulled off her
sneakers.
"Well the plane was delayed but other than that
everything's fine." Claire placed her shoes next to
the other shoes and stepped up into the house. " Hello
Kasumi." She bowed to Kasumi who smiled her usual
sweet smile.
"It's nice to finally meet you Claire. Come let me
show you your room." Akane watched as the two walked
up stairs talking as if they we're old friends. After
a moment she shrugged and went into the living room
with Ranma.
"So how's your Grandfather?" Kasumi asked.
"He's fine. He told me give you his regards." Claire
glanced back over her shoulder. "I noticed something
from your letters on the train though."
Kasumi smiled " Was he staring at Akane again?
Or was it the other way around?"
"You were right. He's not as indifferent as he
acts. No mistaking the look he was giving her."
The two walked along the hallway to Haposai's old
room. Kasumi slid the door open. "This is your room.
It's not much but..."
"It's fine Kasumi. Like I told you, I'm not a hard
girl to please." She set her bag down next to the
door. Kasumi noticed the writing along its side.
"Was that your fathers?" She asked.
Claire looked at the name and id number. "Yes. It was
his sea bag."
Kasumi remembered when Claire wrote her about her
father's passing. It had been when she was about seven
or so. She felt bad for having mentioned it now.
"Shall we go down to dinner?"
Claire smiled. "Hai Kasumi-san"
Kasumi's smile returned to its normal size. "Please,
just call me Kasumi."
Claire followed Kasumi back down to the table. She
saw Ranma, Akane and an older gentleman with shoulder
length hair and a mustache already seated.
"So this is our exchange student? " The man with a
mustache asked. "My name is Soun I'm Kasumi's father."
Claire smiled and bowed to him.
"I'm Claire. It's nice to meet you." She sat down at
the table as the rest of the family gathered.
Soun gestured to a girl with short brown hair who
had sat down next to him. "This is my Second daughter
Nabiki." The girl waved and smiled. Claire smiled and
nodded her head. " This is my dear friend Genma. He's
Ranma's father." A large bald man bowed politely to
her. Soun cleared his throat "Everyone this is Claire
Fontain the foreign exchange student from America that
will be staying with us for a while. Claire bowed her
head to the family.
"It's nice to meet you all. Thank you for having me."
"It's our pleasure, really." Soun replied.
With that Kasumi began serving dinner. Claire picked
up the chopsticks and gripped them as her Grandfather
had shown her. She wasn't quite sure where he had
learned to do it but she had stopped questioning the
old medicine man's wisdom when she was six. She
carefully pinched a piece of stir-fry and began to
eat.
It was extraordinary. Claire had never tasted food
this good before. She decided she could get used to
eating like this or at the very least, eating Kasumi's
cooking. Between bites she answered questions about
where she'd come from and what life in the states was
like.
"So what tribe are you?" Nabiki asked.
"I'm Navaho." She replied. Claire looked at the brown
haired girl and noted that she held herself in tight
check. Her movements were controlled; her gaze was
calculating and piercing. She wasn't sure what to make
of Nabiki. She seemed to be hiding something. It made
Claire uneasy.
For her part, Nabiki was sizing up Claire as well.
She noted that Claire was very calm. This seemed out
of place, as most people would be extremely nervous if
in her shoes. She seemed nice enough overall, maybe a
bit to eager to please but she decided she'd live with
that well enough.
"What are you studying?" Nabiki continued.
"Business administration. I've always had a head for
figures. My Grandfather says I get it from my father."
"Really?" Nabiki's voice rose slightly. "Same here.
I'm looking more into the accounting side of the
house, how about you?"
"Upper level management mostly. I'm thinking about
going to work for the tribe's new casino after
collage. It's good money and it gives back to the
reservation."
Nabiki mulled over these new bits of data as she
continued eating. The girl was good with numbers and
had a strong loyalty to her people. She didn't know
how to think of the latter quality. It was a good
trait but could be trouble under different
circumstances. Nabiki chalked it up as an unknown
variable she'd have to monitor as the situation
warranted. At the very least she now had someone to
talk shop with. This made Nabiki smile to herself.
After dinner Nabiki and Claire headed upstairs to
their rooms wile Akane headed to the dojo to workout.
Soun sat down at the shogi board for his nightly match
with Genma. He was happy to see his house not just
quiet but peaceful. It was a welcome change to the
ordinary routine.
Ranma began his nightly stretching regime on the
verandah. He could hear Akane out in the dojo pounding
away at one of the training dummies as she had been
doing for a wile now. He wasn't sure what had sparked
it off but Akane was acting differently lately. He
continued to ponder this thought as he rolled over and
began doing push-ups on his fingertips. She no longer
just worked out now. She seemed to be trying to
develop her accuracy and balance. Ranma had to admit
she was getting better.
Finishing his push-ups Ranma walked back into the
living room. Nabiki was walking down the hall to the
bath and Claire had headed upstairs to unpack. The
house was quiet save for the sound of Kasumi doing the
dishes and the Occasional "Hmmmmm." From his dad or
Mr. Tendo as they battled it out on the shogi board.
He turned on the TV and began doing his crunches while
watching.
Akane leaped at the training dummy and let out a
furry of punches to its midriff. Landing back in
almost the exact same spot she smiled. All her punches
had landed where she had wanted them except for one
or two that were a little off but with a little more
practice...
As she debated another round of assaults on
the dummies she had placed out, a cold, wet nose at
her ankle interrupted her thoughts.
"P-Chan!" she gleefully scooped up the small piglet
and hugged him to her. "Where have you been? It's been
over a month." She chided as she held him up to see if
he was well. Seeing that he was a little weary but
otherwise none the worse for wear she resumed hugging
and cuddling the little pig " You've had me so
worried." She headed for the house. P-chan enjoyed
himself thoroughly as he snuggled deep into Akane's
loving embrace.
Ranma was setting in the living room watching TV when
Akane walked by touting P-Chan in her arms. He
exchanged glances with the little pig. P-chan stuck
out his tongue at Ranma and received a disgusted
"Humph" for his efforts. Unfortunately he wasn't the
only one to catch this reply.
"What was that for?" Akane asked. "Don't tell me your
still jealous of P-Chan?"
"Why would I be jealous of a breakfast side order?"
Ranma shot back.
Akane was shocked at the thought of poor, cute
little P-Chan served up sizzling next to a side of
eggs. "That's disgusting! Ranma you pervert how could
you think of eating cute little P-Chan."
"I'm a pervert? I'm not the one who sleeps with
livestock you sexless tomboy." Ranma watched as She
hugged her precious pet more protectively. His mouth
saw the opportunity and before his brain could remind
him of how BAD and idea it would be, he spoke. "Gee
Akane, If your gonna hold him THAT close why not just
stuff him in your shirt. I'm sure he wouldn't mind."
He realized what he'd said about a second too late.
As Claire walked down the stairs she heard Akane and
Ranma's voices coming from the living room. As she
rounded the steps and headed for the Bath she picked
up two words.
"DIE RANMA!"
Claire walked into the living room to a scene of
unimaginable violence.
Nabiki walked up beside the terrified girl,
seemingly oblivious to the carnage. "Don't worry." She
said in a casual if somewhat annoyed voice. "They do
that all the time."
Nabiki continued to head upstairs while Claire nodded
nervously and headed to the bathroom. As she closed
the door she heard the sounds of a man's shout cut off
by a loud splash.
Having successfully defended sweet, innocent P-Chan's
honor, Akane picked up the slightly horrified piglet
and headed up to her room. Once in her room Akane set
P-Chan down on her bed and began to get ready for her
bath. P-Chan wisely wrapped his ears down over his
eyes and tried not to imagine any visuals of what he
was hearing. "Stupid...BAKA!" She said as she slipped
out of her gi. "He can't just leave you alone can he
sweetie?" She turned and smiled at her pet. "Oh, isn't
that so cute." She slipped on her robe and walked over
to the bed. "You covered your little eyes for mommy's
modesty." She scooped him up and gave him a little
kiss on his forehead. "Ooh you're so sweet. Not like
Ranma!" Her voice tightened over Ranma's name like a
noose. She set the pig back down and headed down
stairs.
As Akane entered the changing area she noticed
Claire's headband on top of a pair of jeans and the
dark green button up shirt the girl had worn earlier.
*Hmm. I guess we can both take our baths* she
undressed and slid the door open.
There was a gasp. Akane immediately looked
up. Claire was standing under the shower at the far
end of the room, a look of surprise on her face.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you" Akane
began. Somewhere in the back of her mind a little
voice whispered *deja vue *.
"It's ok. You just caught me by surprise." Claire
said nervously. She smiled through a deep blush and
resumed her shower. Akane sat down not far away and
began to lather herself.
Claire looked over at her still feeling a
little uncomfortable. She was not used to people
walking into the bathroom and bathing right beside
her. At school, in gym it was different. This was a
house.
" After being on that plane for so long this has to
be just what the doctor ordered." Akane said. Claire
tried not to act too uncomfortable but her mind would
not leave her alone.
"Yeah." She replied. * Ok, This isn't so bad. A
little friendlier than I'm used to but... * She wasn't
sure what to say to Akane. She was, to be frank, a
little nervous after witnessing the earlier carnage.
"What's wrong Claire?" Akane asked. She noticed that
Claire had stopped washing her hair and was starring
at her with a mix of thoughtfulness and something not
unlike fear.
"Huh?!? Uh I uh...was just thinking." Claire
stammered. "Akane? Is Ranma...uh is he going to be, uh
ok?" She wasn't sure if it was out of place to ask but
it was the only thing that she could think of to say.
Akane's face looked upset for a moment, then
embarrassed. "Yea..." she said blushing slightly.
"He's ok. We, tend to fight like that sometimes."
"Oh. I was on my way in here and kind of walked in on
you. I didn't mean to but..."
"It's ok Claire."
Claire turned the shower off and started to leave.
She watched Akane pick up a small bowl of water and
rinse herself off. "Hey Akane? Why didn't you use the
tub?"
Akane looked at Claire " It's called a furo. We use
that for soaking after we bathe. It's really relaxing,
want to join me? We can talk some more." Akane watched
Claire mull it over. She seemed nervous but something
else seemed behind that. Something Akane couldn't
quite figure out.
"Sure." Claire said. * What the heck. It's not like
it'll kill me...* a little voice in the back of her
mind began to whisper to her. She shushed it up
quickly and swept it deeper into the recesses of her
mind. Why did it have to wait for the worst time to
bother her? Couldn't it wait till she needed it?
Akane leaned back and let out a long sigh. All of he
cares blew out with it. She could feel the hot water
slowly begin to unknot her muscles as it rose up to
the base of her shoulders.
Claire too was beginning to relax as the water worked
it's therapeutic magic on her flight weary body.
"Pretty good huh? Somedays I wish I could stay in
here forever." Akane stretched her legs out and leaned
her head against the wall of the furo.
" I'll say. This is...nice." Claire shifted a little.
Akane glanced over at her. She seemed to be holding
something back.
"Is everything ok Claire? You seem upset?"
Claire looked at Akane. She was silent for a moment.
"It's nothing, really." She replied.
Akane thought for a moment. "If it's about the fight
don't worry. Ranma and I, we" She paused. "We fight
like that all the time. Don't worry, in a couple of
hours it'll all be fine."
"Why?"
Akane was taken aback. She stammered for a moment
trying to come up with something to say. She fell
silent again as Claire began to speak.
"Why do you fight like that? Kasumi said in her
letters that you two made a very nice couple. That he
was very sweet to you even if you both got on each
other's bad sides every now and then. On the train
ride from the airport I saw how he was looking at you,
so tender and gentle."
Akane was stunned. She couldn't come up with an
answer. This was somewhere she'd never gone, not even
with her best friends. Not even with Kasumi.
"I...I don't know." Akane looked down to her feet.
"We just see each other sometimes and that's all it
takes." She paused unsure if she should explain
anything too deeply. * She is going to be here
awhile...*
"I guess it's because of the way we met. I mean it's
not everyday that you get told that a man you've never
met is on his way to live with you and that you're
going to marry him."
"That would be understandable." Claire agreed.
"Kasumi said you're first meeting was a little tense."
Akane caught herself. "I'll say."
"What happened?" Claire asked. "If you don't mind me
asking."
Akane blushed. "It's kind of embarrassing."
"Really?"
"Yeah...I, you see uh, we uh well we, uh kind of..."
Akane closed her eyes and turned the deepest shade or
red humanly possible. "I walked in on him in the
bath."
It was Claire's turn to be stunned. After a long
silence she muttered quietly. "Yeah...that'll
definitely do it." She took a deep breath. "I'm sorry.
I shouldn't have asked about it."
Akane smiled. "It's ok Claire." She stood up and sat
back down on the edge of the tub wall. "It's not
something I talk about everyday but you didn't mean
anything." She paused for a moment " It's kind of
funny in a way."
Claire tried to recover herself from her blushing.
She smiled and climbed out of the furo and began to
dry off. Akane looked over at her. Her skin was very
soft and a beautiful bronze red. She caught herself
being slightly jealous.
"So, he was really looking at me?" She asked. Claire
smiled.
"Are you kidding? He was burning holes in you." She
sighed. "It was really sweet. He looked like on of
those romance novel covers."
Akane secretly allowed herself an inward smile. He
could be so sweet, when he wanted to be.
The two girls walked into the changing room. Akane
was still smiling to herself. Claire was still a light
shade of red. Akane tossed her towel into the hamper.
"So do you have a boyfriend?" she asked Claire.
"No." She replied quickly. "I, I haven't thought
about anyone in a long time." Claire set her towel
down and reached for her clothes. Akane pulled on her
underwear and reached for her bra.
"Really. I'm surprised the boys don't follow you
everywhere. I'd love to have skin like yours."
Claire turned a deep shade of red. She pulled her
jeans up and buttoned them. "I've never found one
who's, my type. Most of the guys I've met want one
thing or less." Her voice wavered for a moment then
returned to normal. Akane couldn't place why but it
bothered her.
Claire reached down and grabbed her shirt. " I mean
it's not like I don't like boys but..." She began to
button up her shirt...
P-Chan had hopped off of Akane's bed and headed for
the door. The little pig was furious. *Ranma how dare
you hurt Akane like that! In front of me no less! *
He roamed the hallway for what seemed like an eternity
looking for the stairs. Finally discovering them he
decided he would take care of Ranma once and for all.
He charged down the stairs with an enraged gleam in
his eye. It was only a moment too late that he
remembered he was still a pig. He hovered in mid air
looking down at the step as it began to race towards
him. Mentally he winced. This was really going to
hurt, a lot.
Kasumi was laying in her bed reading when from
outside she heard a strange "Bwee..*" like noise,
followed by a rapid thumping and a meaty "thud". It
sounded like someone was playing basketball with a
meat product of some kind. She placed the copy of
"Dante's Inferno" down and went to the door. Looking
out into the hall she saw nothing. Shrugging she
closed the door and resumed reading.
P-Chan drug himself out of the world of hurt he had
landed in and staggered down the hall * The kishen yea
dach tha tiget.gez um hod water * He thought. As he
used his hoof to slide the door open. Had his brain
not been jarred repeatedly in his excursion down the
stairway he might have realized that the kitchen never
had a door before. * Hey? Why does the kitchen smell
like laundry?"
Claire buttoned the last button in her paints as she
and akane chatted. "I mean it's not like I don't like
boys. It's jus..."
Akane looked up at Claire. She noticed immediately
that the girls' eyes had gone wide with shock. Her
left breast seemed to be a lot larger than a moment
before and was in fact, moving. Akane jumped as Claire
let out a blood-curdling scream. With a twisting
motion almost too fast for Akane to follow Claire sent
her shirt flying into the hall. Akane thought she
heard it hit the wall with a "thud."
No one moved for several moments. Finally
Akane walked slowly over to Claire. She was crouched
down with her left arm crossed across her chest. Her
right arm was extended forward with the fingers placed
together. Her eyes had glassed over as Akane bent down
and tried to bring the girl back to the real world.
Slowly Claire began to come around as Kasumi and
Nabiki entered the doorway. Out in the hall Soun and
Genma had also gathered.
"Claire? Are you alright?" Akane asked. The young
Native American girl could only shake and point to her
shirt.
"Something...Groped me..." She whispered. Nabiki
quickly put two and two together and came up with the
old freak. She went to the shirt. It was stuck to the
wall and appeared to have a round, bulky object inside
it. She lifted the fabric and was rewarded with the
sight of a petrified black piglet relieving itself
onto Claire's shirt. Holding the horrified P-Chan to
the wall by his bandanna collar was a long single
edged hunting knife. It wasn't an exotic throwing
knife like one Mousse would use rather it was very
plain and functional in it's design. The blade seemed
to be fairly long. Nabiki guessed it was about five
inches. She didn't need to touch it to see it was as
sharp as any razor. The handle was at least another
five and was made out of what appeared to be an
antler.
"Well so much for the Happosai theory." She lifted
the fabric over the pigs' head allowing Akane and the
others access to the poor animals' plight.
"Oh dear, Where did that come from?" Kasumi asked.
Nabiki reached down and removed the knife from the
wall. P-Chan, now free of his restraint fell to the
floor along with the shirt with a solid "thump."
Claire sat back against the wall and let out a sigh.
"It, it was my older brother Scott's. He gave it to me
years ago. I carry it everywhere, just for protection.
Akane. I'm,I." She hesitated." I'm sorry."
Akane picked up P-Chan. He still hadn't moved a
muscle. She looked him over and noticed that he wasn't
bleeding but the crease parted along his neck hair
told her how close he had came.
"I... I felt something squeezing on me." Claire
continued. She seemed to still be pretty shook up. "
I, I hate for anyone to touch me like that." She
huddled up placing her head on her knees.
Akane wasn't mad. She thought she should be as her
pet had almost become a shishkabob but looking at
Claire she noticed that she was seriously shaken. She
was scarred, almost in shock. "Hey. It's ok" Akane
began. She sat down next to Claire and put a hand on
her shoulder. Claire leaned over and began to cry a
little.
"I really...hate being grabbed." She sobbed. "Ever
since I was little. It just... makes me feel bad,
dirty..." Akane shifted her arm across Claire's'
shoulders and hugged her. "I'm sorry I almost killed
your pig."
Nabiki intervened. "Well no one got hurt and there's
no harm done, except P-Chan's blood pressure. Don't
worry about it." With that she turned and left making
many mental notes on Claire's "accessory" and its
potential impact on her operations. Kasumi stayed a
moment longer to make absolutely sure while Soun and
Genma went back to their shogi match. Akane handed the
knife back to Claire who put it back in the denim,
covered sheath on her pants. It matched the pant leg
so well Akane barely noticed it was there, even though
she was looking straight at it.
" Are you going to be ok Claire?" Kasumi asked. She
was still very concerned for Claire. Her reaction
bothered her.
"Yeah. I'm fine" Her voice was just above a whisper.
"Just shaken, that's all."
Kasumi decided that everything was going to be fine
and returned upstairs. Akane helped Claire to her
feet. She seemed to be regaining her color as well as
her composure.
"Where'd you learn to throw like that?" Akane handed
Claire her robe so she could cover herself. They
walked along the hallway towards the stairs. "I never
even saw you draw the knife."
"My brother taught me. He said I should know how to
carry and use a knife in case I was ever attacked or
stranded out in the middle of nowhere." She turned to
Akane with pleading eyes but Akane cut her off.
"It's ok Claire. Nobody got hurt. Don't worry about
it. Really."
Claire smiled and the two went upstairs.
Claire was lying on her futon writing when she heard
a knock at her door. "Come in." She called. Akane
walked in with P-Chan bundled in her arms.
" I guess you two need to be re-introduced." She sat
down on the floor next to Claire and placed the little
pig in front of her. Claire reached out hesitantly to
touch him. P-Chan flinched but allowed her to pet him.
If Akane had seen fit to forgive her then he would as
well.
When she lightly began to scratch behind his
ears and P-Chan began to loosen up. When she began to
rub and scratch along his back, his ears went flat and
a contented grunt escaped from him. When she started
to rub with both hands and he melted onto the floor
and rolled over so she could scratch his belly. Both
Claire and Akane laughed.
"Yeah, I'd says he's forgiven me." She gave Akane a
hug. "Thank you."
"For what?" She replied.
"For not hating me after all this." She pointed to
the cut in P-Chan's collar.
"Hey like I said, it's okay. It was an accident. It's
not like when Ranma hurts him." Akane's voice wavered.
"Yeah, well." Claire paused. "Thanks anyway." She
smiled.
"...and that's pretty much how today went. It's been,
unique to say the least. But you were right Grandpa.
They are nice people. I think I will like it here.
Well I have to go. It's getting late. Tell everyone I
said hello and that I miss them. Oh and thank the
elders for helping out in getting me here.
You're loving Granddaughter,
CloudChaser.
Claire folded up the letter and placed it in the
envelope on her desk. She turned out the lamp and had
just crawled into her futon when she heard someone in
the hallway. Walking over the door she peeked out into
the hallway. She saw Akane standing half out of her
bedroom door with a small glass of water talking to a
short, busty redheaded girl. Claire thought for a
moment. The redhead looked familiar but from where?
She was looking rather sad; her eyes where aimed at
Akane's feet and looked on the verge of crying. Akane
was looking at the girl with a mix up annoyance and
sadness. Claire watched as Akane put her hand on the
redhead's shoulder and said something witch made the
girl raise her eyes. She put her hand behind her head
and giggled nervously before heading down the hall
away from Akane.
Claire closed her door quietly and went back to bed.
She'd have to ask about this in the morning...nah it
was probably nothing anyway.
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