Cats Have No Tears
The characters of the Ranma 1/2 universe are the
creation and possession of the brilliant Rumiko
Takahashi. They belong to Rumiko Takahashi and her
licensees (Shogakukan Inc., Kitty-Fuji TV, Viz
Communications Inc.) No copyright infringement is
intended.
I do not want to [spam] the list with re-posts. Chapters 1-5
may be found at:
http://www.iguild.com/homes/kazama/
On advice of some pre-readers I am providing the following
warning. This fanfiction contains scenes of extreme violence
and may be considered DARK.
************************************************
Chapter 6
"Coward."
Hiroshi and Daisuke looked up in alarm.
"Coward." The appellation was repeated.
"Kuno . .." Hiroshi started.
" . . .Senpai." Daisuke finished.
"I don't think----"
"Don't interrupt your betters." Kuno cut Hiroshi off.
"Saotame, you coward. Tendou Akane is gone . . ."
Ranma flinched, but said nothing.
"Beautiful, noble Akane. . .Like Diana the
huntress----GONE!!!"
Hunching his shoulders as if warding off a blow
Ranma huddled against the tree. Sayuri placed a comforting
hand on his shoulder. Yuka turned on Kuno, savagely.
"KUNO! You unfeeling idiot! What do you think----"
Kuno pressed past the enraged girl to stand over
Ranma. "How dare you abandon Tendou Akane in her hour
of need. Only an unfeeling cad would leave her alone in a
foreign land. Alone, among barbarians."
There was a stunned silence. Even Ranma looked at
Kuno with concern. Finally Sayuri broke the silence.
"Kuno senpai,"she began gently. "Akane is . . .Akane
is dead." She choked a little on the word. "She's not coming
back, senpai."
"Nonsense." Kuno seemed to like that word. He
repeated it. "Nonsense. Dead? Tendou Akane . . .dead? Do
not be absurd. The sun may set, but will certainly rise again
come the morn. Dead?" Kuno laughed at the lunacy. "Can
the south wind die? Will the roots of Fujisama fade? NO! I
tell you these things will NEVER happen. Nor can it be that
Tendou Akane, beautiful, fierce warrior, is dead. Dead in a
foreign land, in an absurd accident."
"But, Kuno senpai," Hiroshi said helplessly. "We all
saw it . . .and the authorities----"
"Authorities?" Kuno snorted. "Foreigners,
barbarians. Their veracity is suspect. Saw? What did you see.
Pictures, phantasms, electronic ghosts." Kuno grabbed
Ranma by the shoulder. "Ever have I known you for a foul
sorcerer and coward. I go now to rescue Tendou Akane and
prove my worth to her."
Ranma stood slowly and brushed himself off.
"You really believe Akane is alive?"
"Of course." Kuno replied with such confidence that
it was hard to disbelieve.
"Why? Why do you believe Akane is alive?"
"God would allow no other outcome. Such a noble
and proud spirit could never leave this world in so absurd a
fashion."
Ranma looked at Kuno , awed by his logic. "Kuno
senpai . . ."
Daisuki felt a little chill, hearing Ranma use the
honorific with such sincerity.
"Kuno senpai . . .if you find . . .if you find her . . .
bring her back safe . . .I . . .," Ranma ducked his head,
unable to continue.
"Do you REALLY think Akane's alive, senpai?"
Kuno turned to Yuka. "Of course. My . . .father . . .
has many friends in Hawaii. As soon as I heard this absurd
story I called and had them make inquiries."
"AND!" Ranma wanted to pound the idiot for
dragging it out.
Kuno ignored the screaming tension from those
surrounding him.
"It was immediately obvious to one of my
superior uuuurrrrk"
Kuno dangled from Yuka's fist. Blushing, she bobbed
her head in apology to Ranma before turning sweetly back to
Kuno. "WHAT-DID-YOU-FIND-OUT!!!"
Gurgling, Kuno fumbled a fistful of fax-paper from
his pocket and thrust them into Ykua's free hand. Dropping
Kuno to the ground she rapidly scanned the flimsies.
"THIS! . . .this is IT?" She started as Ranma jerked
the papers from her hand and began reading.
"It is enough." Kuno said simply. "I would teach you
some manners," Kuno stepped back hastily as Ykua turned
on him. "but I have a plane to catch." Straightening his
clothes Kuno strode regally toward a waiting limousine.
"I'm so sorry Ranma," Yuka apologized. "Kuno is
being more of a jack----"
Ranma grabbed Yuka in his arms and twirled her
around. "YES!!!"
Ranma and Akane's friends watched in amazement as
a newly energized Ranma bounded across roof tops toward
the Tendou doujou.
"What was IN that fax?"
"Nothing Hiroshi," Yuka said sadly. "nothing at all."
************************************************
"It's _nothing_, Ranma." Nabiki repeated wearily.
"LOOK, I don' care WHAT you think. Just gimmie
the money for a ticket an' I'm outta here."
"I don't have that much money."
"It's aint' gotta be fancy, just enough to get me
there."
"Not even if we mailed you fourth class." Nabiki
snapped, pressing her hands to aching temples.
"Dammit, don't ya CARE about Akane----"
Shan P'u stepped between the two. "Not good fight.
Ranma, Nabiki love sister. Nabiki, Ranma upset by stupid
Kuno."
"It's NOT stupid. Just look at this!" He thrust the
papers at Shan P'u.
"Shan P'u not read Japanese." She grinned at Nabiki.
"Tell what say."
"Quite and shy," Ranma read, running his finger
down the center of the page. "Kept to herself . . .and here,"
he flipped to another page. "Almost didn't know she was
around." Ranma looked up at the two girls. "Quiet an' SHY?
AKANE!?
"She was in another country." Nabiki replied
patiently. "And her English wasn't the greatest. That would
make anyone a little . . ."
"NOT AKANE!" Ranma shouted, overwhelming
logic with sheer volume. "Akane was never QUIET! Or
SHY! Not when she was turned into a doll, or KIDNAPED
or . . ." Ranma was stuttering with his inability to express
himself.
"An' I think it's weird that the first time _Akane_
goes out much . . .it's to fly that stupid glider thing." He
turned to Shan P'u. "Don't you think that's weird? That all
these people talk about how quiet she was. An' that the only
thing they remember her doin' is tryin' those gilder things."
"That strange." Shan P'u agreed reluctantly. "But no
prove . . ." Shan P'u trailed off.
"I didn't want to mention this,"Nabiki pulled out a
much folded newspaper. "There's been some . . .stuff going
on." She handed the paper to Ranma.
"What? . . .UKYOU!!!" He whirled on Nabiki. "Why
didn' you tell me 'bout this?"
"Nabiki no want upset Ranma. Not until----"
"Upset!" Ranma's voice was a dangerous growl.
"Why'd I be upset. Ukyou's in the hospital an' somone's
goin' around writin' stuff----writin' Akane's name all over
the town." Methodically he shredded the paper and dropped
it on the floor. "That's it. I'm goin' to Hawaii. Somethin's
going on and I'm gonna' find out what."
Nabiki grabbed him by the arm as he started for the
door. She was dragged several feet before he slowed to a
stop.
"What about US?"
"What about you?" Ranma frowned at Nabiki.
"There's a crazy person on the loose. What about
US, your mother, Kasumi, Shan P'u . . .me too I guess."
"Nabiki right. Something happen HERE,_ Japan_.
Ranma go Hawaii, maybe what someone want. Better
Ranma stay here for now. Kuno stupid, but rich. He no need
brain when can buy brain. Better Ranma stay here, find out
what happen. Maybe answer here."
Ranma took a deep breath and pinned Nabiki with a
hard look. "Alright . . .I'll stay. For now. But I wanna' know
what Kuno's up to."
"I'll keep track of him . . .I'll try to, anyway." Nabiki
added. "It's not like I've got spies all over the world." She
appeared lost in thought for a moment. "OK, I think I can
get what we need from Sasuki. He always liked Akane."
"Where Kodachi? Maybe we looking for wrong crazy
Kuno."
"What'r you talkin' about?" Ranma looked
impatiently at the two girls.
"We think maybe Kuno go crazy . . .crazier." Shan
P'u amended. "But maybe we look _wrong_ crazy Kuno.
Maybe sister do bad things."
"She's in Australia." Nabiki answered. "A world
gymnastic meet. I checked first thing. She was in front of ten
thousand people when Ukyou was attacked."
"Ucchan! I gotta' see how Ucchan's doin' "
"They won't let you in." Nabiki called after the
rapidly departing figure.
************************************************
Ranma stood looking down at the still form
surrounded by wires, tubes and strange machines that
whirred and beeped.
"Sir!"
Ranma turned slightly toward the angry whisper.
"How's she doin'?"
"What are you doing here? This is off limits to
everyone except doctors."
"Is she hurtin'?" Ranma ignored the angry nurse.
"Does she need anything?"
"I'm going to call security."
"Yeah, OK." Ranma said absently, not taking his eyes
from Ukyou's still form. "I wanna' see who's in charge
here."
Moments later the small room was suddenly filled with
figures in white followed closely by other's in blue, with
night-sticks. Ranma removed the batons, gently folded the
security guards into neat packages and placed them outside
the door.
"Are you the doc?"
"I am doctor Arishima. I demand you leave here
immediately."
"Is Ucchan gonna be alright?"
"Are you a family member?"
"Uhhh, no I'm . . ."
Then," Arishima interrupted prissily. "I can not help
you. That information can only be given out to uuuulp."
Arishima stumbled back from the crackling fire-ball that
suddenly lit the darkened room.
"I wanna' know if Ucchan's gonna' be alright." The
fireball pulsed angrily.
"I . . .I . . .I . . ." Arishima bolted from the room.
"Her prognosis is good."
The fireball winked out and Ranma turned to face a
tiny white coated figure.
"Hello. I'm doctor Na."
Ranma automatically took the proffered hand.
"She looks very bad, but most of the lacerations
weren't very deep." Dr. Na. talked quietly as she walked
over to the sleeping Ukyou. "Whatever she was attacked
with left a great deal of dirt in the wounds. One of our
interns thinks it looks like claw marks from a cat. But I can't
imagine a cat doing this kind of damage. And I don't know
of any cats that can write kanji."
Dr. Na gave a twisted smile at the thought, not
noticing Ranma's sudden start of surprise. "There was a
great deal of blood loss of course, as well as trauma induced
shock. Right now infection is our biggest worry." She
pointed to angry red lines that streaked Ukyou's arms and
legs. "We're treating her aggressively with antibiotics. So
far she's responding very well to treatment."
"Is she gonna be OK?"
"If she continues to respond favorably to treatment,"
Dr. Na answered cautiously. "there is every reason to believe
she will make a complete recovery. Of course she will need
extensive re-constructive surgery."
Ukyou moved weakly on the bed as the voices
penetrated her drugged sleep.
"Noooo . . ." Dr. Na looked in alarm as Ukyou began
to thrash about, threatening to tear the IV out of her arm.
"Didn' mean . . .'kane, no . . .no."
"Ucchan" Ranma grabbed her wrist in a gentle hold
before she could tear the needle free. "Ucchan, it's alright.
I'm here. It's OK."
"No, no . . .sorry . . .forgive me . . .forgive . . ." Her
voice trailed off into a drugged muttering as Dr. Na
increased her morphine drip.
"She's been like that ever since she got here." Na
looked at the heart monitor, then checked the IV. "As soon
as she begins to wake up, she starts fighting; her attacker I
suppose. And she keeps saying she's sorry."
Ranma held Ukuyou's hand, feeling her relax under
the influence of the drugs. "Does she say who attacked her?"
"With as much of this stuff as we're pumping into
her?" The doctor gave Ranma a twisted grin. "It's going to
be a long while before she makes much sense."
"Look, whoever did this to her," Ranma swept a
hand to indicate the patchwork that had once been his friend.
"is still out there. I gotta know who did this."
"I wish I could help. maybe in a few days----"
"I ain't got a few days!"
Dr. Na rubbed her aching eyes as she thought. "I
doubt it means much, but I'll tell you what I can. She acts
like she fighting something off . . .probably her attacker. And
she's said some things that sound like names. Ummmm.
Razan . . .Ryobun----"
"Ranma?"
"Yessss. That could be it."
"That's me. What else."
"OK . . .ummmmm, Colin . . . Colon? That mean
anything?
"Cu Lon," Ranma answered grimly. "Anymore?"
"Oh yes. This one I'm sure of. Akane. She said this
one very clearly. Akane. Does that help . . .you?" Dr. Na
looked around to find the room empty, except for the
sleeping Ukyou and the curtains fluttering in the breeze from
an open window.
************************************************
Cu Lon replaced the receiver carefully in its cradle.
"We are about to have a very distinguished visitor." She
turned to Mu Tsu who was busily wiping tables. "Do you
know anything about this, Mr. Part Time?"
"I, Elder?" Mu Tsu looked directly at a potted plant
as he spoke. "How would I know any 'distinguished'
visitors?"
Shan P'u didn't like the undercurrents of emotion she
felt. Great grand mother had been increasingly tense for the
past few days. It wasn't something an outsider could tell;
only years of familiarity allowed Shan P'u to sense even this
much. And Mu Tsu---- increasingly insolent, in a sneaky sort
of way. As if he knew something no one else knew. Plus he
was always watching her, finding excuses to touch her.
Always by accident. And he just smiled when she pounded
him.
"Child."
"Great grandmother?"
"We are going to have a visitor in a moment. Zhu
Liji, deputy minister of . . .education. From the Peoples
Republic. I must ask you to be polite to him."
"Shan P'u always nice, polite." Shan P'u absently
elbowed Mu Tsu in the ribs, sending him to the floor.
Cu Lon grinned faintly at this, then turned serious
again. "Listen to me child. No matter what this man says . . .
or does. No matter what----you will smile. No matter what I
may do or say, you will remain quiet and polite. Do you
understand?"
"Shan P'u understand." She replied quietly. "No
understand WHY; understand DO what great grandmother
say."
"I'll help too." Mu Tsu answered from the floor. "I'll
do ANYTHING for my darling Shan P'u."
Shan P'u shuddered from an unexpected chill. She
was slightly warmed when Cu Lon smashed Mu Tsu in the
belly with her staff. Before she could speak the outside door
opened and a heavyset man in an expensive imported suit
came through the door. He had a round smiling face, like
someone's favorite uncle. Cu Lon greeted him warmly and
the stranger laughed at something she said. Shan P'u
wondered why great grandmother had seemed so worried.
For worry was the only word for it. Until the laughing, jovial
man turned to her, and she saw his eyes. Cold, dead eyes.
Eyes like a snake . . .or an executioner. Involuntarily she
stepped back half a pace.
"Ahhhh, little Shan P'u." He moved swiftly for such a
big man. The hug and kiss were avuncular but left Shan P'u
feeling unclean. "You have grown." He turned to Cu Lon.
"You must be very proud. I am quite pleased with how she
has turned out."
Shan P'u stiffened. What right did this MAN have
approving or dis-approving of HER or anything else. She
waited for great grandmother to destroy his insolence. She
felt uneasy when the man continued to breath.
"You are very kind to say so. These are difficult
times to raise children.
Shan P'u's unease turned almost to fright at Cu
Lon's diffident tone. Then Zhu Liji's arm squeezed her
around the waist, and the angel-of-death brushed him with
it's wings. As Shan P'u started to remove Zhu Liji's arm at
the ankle she noticed Mu Tsu's expression. He looked . . .
pleased. Shan P'u froze. If Mu Tsu was pleased at the
thought of Shan P'u crippling Zhu Liji, it must be a BAD
idea.
"Ah. But Shan P'u is obviously no child." Another
squeeze.
Shan P'u thought longingly of skinning knives and
salt.
"She is a beautiful young woman." For the first time
there was an expression in his eyes. Shan P'u immediately
wanted a hot bath and plenty of soap.
"I can hardly wait for the ceremony."
Ceremony? What ceremony? Remembering great
grandmothers warning Shan P'u only smiled, vacuously.
"I'm tempted not to wait . . .but I know how young
girls are. They like pretty things on their wedding day."
WEDDING!!! A life of martial training couldn't
prevent a sudden start. Again there was a look of
anticipation of Mu Tsu's face. Shan P'u schooled her
expression.
"Shan P'u like pretty things."
"I'm sure you do, my dear. And you shall have
them."
"I am desolated to tell you this, honored deputy
minister, but Shan P'u is already married." There was
nothing but honest contrition to be seen on Cu Lon's face.
"What?" Zhu Liji laughed. "Are you speaking of her
marriage-by-combat? A quaint old custom to be sure, but
hardly relevant in these modern times."
"Ah, but I am also old," Cu Lon leaned heavily on
her staff. "and it is the old ways that comfort me. They have
served The People well for many years."
Zhu Liji's face went cold and hard. "There are many
people, not myself of course, who see the Amazons as a
troublesome minority . . . perhaps even counter-
revolutionary. If this thought should take hold in the central
committee even I would not be able to stop events. The
party takes a dim view of rebellion."
"As well they should." Cu Lon nodded her head
approvingly. "Many times The Chairman would discuss such
things with us during the war."
Artlessly her eyes strayed to a picture in the corner.
One showing a younger Cu Lon, carrying a rifle standing
next to a stocky figure in a quilted jacket. "The Amazon
nation has always been grateful for his many kindnesses. The
People were glad to help such a great man during the war;
we fought common enemies after all. But it was gratifying
indeed to have him recognize our ancient claims and laws.
Indeed he often said that the lives of The People showed
him what would result from the revolution."
Cu Lon smiled mistily at her memories .
Zhu Liji's lips tightened, but he could say nothing.
What could he say to someone who had been there at the
founding of his nation; had fought and suffered with the
father of his country.
"Yes, the old ways are a great comfort in my last
years. And it is gratifying indeed when on old woman like
myself can use the old ways to benefit an old friend and ally."
"Benefit?" Zhu Liji asked cautiously.
"Indeed. I am sure that it is a great trial to your
government, doing business in this country. Without a
'friend' it can be frustrating trying to understand these
people.
Unconsciously Zhu Liji nodded. It wasn't frustrating
----it was maddening. Weeks, months even _years_ could be
spent on a project, only to have it all disappear at the last
instant. "Yes" meant "No", "right away" was "maybe
tomorrow" and these people NEVER said what they meant.
Oriental inscrutability was all very well. The Chinese had
invented it after all. But the Japanese had taken it to new
levels. And their arrogance . . . Zhu Liji felt his jaw clench.
" . . .People have no use for such things of course.
But we would be greatly honored if you would allow us to
give you whatever small help we can."
Zhu Liji pulled himself back to reality, furious at
having let his attention wander.
"Shan P'u's husband will be able to open many doors
for your government."
"It was my understanding that . . .this person was a
vagabond, a wanderer of no particular family or wealth."
"Who could have told you that?" Cu Lon wondered
out loud, carefully not looking at Mu Tsu. "In fact he is the
son by adoption to a very old, very well connected family."
"Adoption? His parents are dead then?" Zhu Liji
asked, hoping to catch Cu Lon in a lie.
"By no means. This is another case of a family more
comfortable with an older, less fast paced time. The
Tendou's have no male heir. Many years ago they made
Saotome Ranma their son by adoption. He was also to
become their son-by-marriage."
Cu Lon gave Zhu Liji a second to absorb that, then
continued before he could interrupt. "Unfortunately that
daughter, Tendou Akane, died recently. In that case I
arranged for Shan P'u's claim to be upheld, with the
provision that Shan P'u and Ranma remain in Japan to care
for both families parents in their old age. Also they will see
that the other two Tendou daughters are cared for until they
also are married."
There was a strangled exclamation from Mu Tsu,
who wisely kept quiet after a look from Cu Lon.
"I . . .see." Before Zhu Liji could comment further
the door burst open and a familiar pig-tailed figure slammed
into the room.
"Old ghoul----"
"Son-in-law!" Cu Lon said with every evidence of
greeting a well loved child.
"I AIN'T----"
"Yes, yes. You're not waiting anymore." She turned
to Zhu Liji. "Young bridegrooms are SO impatient." She
chuckled a bit and Shan P'u blushed with every appearance
of maidenly confusion.
"Ranmakun," Cu Lon went on, interrupting Ranma
as he attempted to speak. "This is Deputy Minister of
Education Zhu Liji of the Peoples Republic, He's here to
honor an old arrangement of marriage, to Shan P'u."
Shan P'u paled and Ranma's head jerked around in
surprise to look first at Shan P'u, then at Zhu Liji.
"What . . .married to THIS old owwww." Ranma
hopped, rubbing his foot where Cu Lon's staff had impacted.
"I'm so sorry, son-in-law. Did I hurt you? Sometimes
old women are clumsy. As I was saying, there was a very old
arrangement. Made years ago while I was away on business
or I would have seen that the matter was concluded properly.
Sadly, however, the customs and laws of The People must
take precedence over matters of the heart. Even the hearts of
deputy ministers."
Turning to Shan P'u she made a little shooing
motion. "Now that Ranmu-kun is here, he can walk you
home with him. After that awful attack on poor Ukyousan I
don't like Shan P'u to be out alone. She may be an Amazon,
but she will always be a baby to me."
"I wanna talk to you old-woman." Ranma hissed as
Shan P'u was practically shoved in his arms.
"Of course, Ranma-kun. I will come to see you
later."
Ranma wanted to protest, but could see the pleading
in Cu Lon's eyes. That shocked him. He'd never imagined
the old ghoul needing help of any kind. Maybe if he helped
her, she'd be more reasonable talkin' to him. He glanced at
Zhu Liji. And no way was he leavin' Shan P'u anywhere near
that creep.
"OK. But I'll be seein' you latter."
Cu Lon nodded as Ranma left with Shan P'u. After a
few strained pleasantries Zhu Liji also took his leave and Cu
Lon almost slumped in relief. She'd bought a little time, that
was all. But perhaps that would be enough. If she could
convince son-in-law to support her story . . .and there had
been enough truth in it to be supportable.
Ranma was the key----the Tendou's and the
Saotomes would support whatever he did. And her proposal
had merit. It would work. As long as they never found out
about----a tiny flash of light caught her eye. She bent to pick
up a fleck of gold from the floor. Looking she could see a
scattering of gold dust. And, in one corner, a piece the size
of her thumb-nail. Her head pivoted to look at the calender.
Almost eight days left until the transformation was
stable. The bracelet shouldn't have started to break down
this soon. The fact that it had could be good or bad. Perhaps
she had done better than she knew and Shan P'u was
stabilizing sooner than expected. Or perhaps Tendou Akane
was stronger than Cu Lon had thought, was fighting the
transformation----Cu Lon almost hoped it was the latter. She
admired strength. But her priority was to protect Shan P'u.
She seethed inwardly, thinking about her precious
great grand daughter married to that monster. She knew
what Zhu Liji was like, what he did to young women. There
were stories about what he did, trying to regain his youth and
virility bedding young women. Bedding them and worse.
Perhaps he thought Shan P'u would last longer than the
others. She carefully unclenched her jaw.
Cu Lon had lived in horror of the day Zhu Liji would
demand that old contract be honored. And she could have
done nothing. The very laws that supported that marriage
contract ALSO supported the independence of the Amazon
nation. Defeating the marriage contract would mean
attacking the very laws that protected The Peoples
sovereignty.
She'd bought some time by using Ranma. She'd had
Shan P'u's pack ready before she hit the ground after the
challenge in the village. After all, Shan P'u couldn't marry
while chasing a stranger all over China. And when Ranma's
unique 'condition' was revealed Cu Lon thought to muddy
the waters for a few more years. Long enough for a more
permanent solution to present itself. She'd often thought of
killing Zhu Liji----but that presented it's own problems. Not
the least of which was his ability to counter Mu Tsu's family,
who were as much a danger to The People, in their own way,
as any outsider.
"Mu Tsu!" She called, suddenly noticing his absence.
"MU TSU!"
She hadn't felt him leave. Cu Lon suddenly felt the
weight of her three hundred years pressing down on her.
************************************************
End Chapter 6
I would like to thank my pre-readers, B. Na and Angel de la
Hoya. I would also like to thank the many other readers who
offered C&C. Thank you. Your efforts have made this story
immeasurably better. As always, any errors or omissions are
mine.
C&C is both appreciated and encouraged.
Please sign the guest book. ^_^
http://www.iguild.com/homes/kazama/
I apologize for the lateness of this post. Due to computer
problems {many and repeated computer problems) it's taken
me a while to get this posted. :(
As soon as we can get the web-page (the new web-page)
updated I will also post the conclusion of
"With friends like these . . ."
For those who are interested "Sukeban Senshi chapter 7 is
finished. I am waiting to hear from all of my pre-readers
before posting. I hope to have it to the FFML by the end of
this week. (April 15?).