RANMA 1/2 V
A fanfic written by Force Vector based on the
characters and situations created by Rumiko Takahashi.
-------------------------------------------------------
CHAPTER 1: REUNION
With winter fast approaching, it had been quite
chilly earlier in the day. By the time afternoon
rolled by, it had warmed up considerably. Ranma
didn't even have to bundle up to go to the dojo, as he
had planned to earlier.
Whistling to himself, he headed towards the dojo,
thinking. *It's a good thing Akane managed to find
some more students for the dojo, what with winter
being so close. After this group finishes, we'll
finally be able to have that vacation. Maybe even
that reunion we planned.... What IS that racket?*
Nearing the dojo, it became evident where the noise
was coming from. *Well. We'll soon fix that.*
He slid the door partway open with all the stealth
he could muster. Halfway in, he paused in shock.
*GIRLS!?!*
He then remembered that he and Akane had come to an
agreement that an all-male dojo was sexist, but he
didn't quite expect her to fill ALL the slots with
girls!
Unfreezing himself from his stunned pose, he closed
the door behind him. No one paid him any attention.
The enrollees were either clumped together in
conversation, or doing energetic warm-up routines -
incorrectly, he winced - and some were even changing
into training clothes!
*If Happousai were here, he'd have thought he was
in heaven. And heaven help those poor girls.* With
that cheerful thought, he cleared his throat.
"EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK!!! P E R V E R T!!!"
"Hey! Wait a minute!"
He managed to dodge the first barrage of shoes.
"It's not what you think!!"
Then came the towels, the bags, the dumbbells...
"I can explain..."
The table did not miss.
~*~*~*~*~*~
Ranma stifled a moan as he gained consciousness.
Voices whirled around him.
"... didn't know he was your husband,
Saotome-Sensei."
A murmured reply.
"We thought you would be the one teaching us, Mrs.
Saotome." A chorus of assents.
*Mrs. Saotome? Mom?*
Someone giggled. He felt soft arms cradling him.
A cool, moist towel was pressed gently on his
forehead. Firmly, but gently.
Then a whispered, "Idiot."
*Akane?*
*Not a bad way to wake up.* Ranma mused, smelling
the delicate scent of her perfume.
"You can wake up now, Mr. Saotome," Akane scolded
tenderly, removing the towel. "Ranma..."
"Girls?" Ranma groaned. "You put together an
all-girl class?"
Akane smiled impishly, and giggled, "Well, I wanted
to see what your reaction would be..."
Ranma goggled, "MY Reaction!?! Did you see how
THEY reacted?" He gingerly touched the swelling bump
on his forehead.
"All your fault," she teased. "If you hadn't
sneaked up on them..." She then added, in a joking
murmur, "...like the true pervert you are..."
"My fault!?! Pervert!?!" Ranma groaned
theatrically and shut his eyes, snuggling deeper in
Akane's arms.
Unabashed, Akane tilted her head downward and
kissed him deeply. "Oh, grow up," she said
afterwards, her small grin belying her words, "You
aren't exactly impressing your charges by lying down
on the job, you know."
Ranma glanced at his new students; they seemed to
be a bit dumbfounded. *Apparently not used to open
displays of affection.*
Ranma slid out from under her embrace, and, in one
smooth motion, gathered his legs to his chest, kicked
outward, letting momentum carry him away from Akane
and upright to a squatting position. From that
stance, he straightened while pirouetting to face her.
Executing a deep bow, Ranma offered his hand, "My
Lady..." His twinkling eyes a counterpoint to his
grave tone.
Akane accepted his aid and gracefully stood up.
"Oh, my. Why, thank you, kind sir."
She turned to face the class, "Now, girls, be nice
to THIS Saotome-Sensei, now." With a parting wink,
Akane went out.
"Er, right." Scratching the back of his head, Ranma
wondered where to start. One of the students stepped
forward and bowed.
"Sensei, we humbly ask for your forgiveness. We
took you for someone else, and caused you harm." The
entire class bowed respectfully to Ranma.
Ranma bowed back. "Um..."
He felt the anxiety radiating from the girls.
"Apologies accepted."
The tension in the air drained away.
Rubbing the bump on his head, Ranma was struck by
an idea. "Since we both were caught oblivious, in a
manner of speaking, our first lesson then would be
learning to focus one's senses."
Ranma raised his hand in anticipation to his
student's reaction. "I know, I know. You expected to
learn how to be able to kick or punch better or
something like that. Just like my wife, right?"
The look on their faces was answer enough.
Starting to pace, Ranma gathered his thoughts. "In
any form of martial arts, be they the Anything-Goes
school or the more ACCEPTABLE forms, the ability to
utilize what you sense is much more important than
various techniques or styles. The basics are still
needed of course, but a person with a focused sense
and the basics is better off than one with innumerable
number of offensive and defensive skills but hardly
any sense."
The image of Mousse crossed Ranma's mind. He
smiled inwardly. Those closest to him wondered what
caused him to look smug all of a sudden.
"Ladies, by focusing on your senses, one can..."
Abruptly stopping in mid-sentence, a frown tugged at
the corner of Ranma's mouth.
In a blur, Ranma backflipped to the front of the
class and went into a defensive stance the moment he
landed.
The girls up front started backing away. "Sensei,
what..."
"Sssh!" He interrupted, his eyes closed, "Don't
move." The girls stood as still as statues.
Ranma started to walk slowly among them, still in
the defensive stance. "An example of extended and
focused senses is something combat pilots call
'situational awareness'. Once the enemy has been
engaged, pilots are trained to not only keep track of
how many have been encountered, but how many have been
eliminated and their position relative to the enemy
and his companions. Furthermore, they must determine
what the enemy is capable of doing, and ways to
counter it."
Pausing as he reached the center of the dojo, Ranma
relaxed his stance a bit. "As I continue to walk
among you, try to impede my progress."
Taking a step, his arm flashed out, blocking a
punch. "Good, that's the spirit."
Whirling, bobbing, ducking, and occasionally
blocking, Ranma resumed his lecture. "While extended
senses gives you the ability to effortlessly be one
step of the others, by being able to pick up details
that can be relevant to your situation..."
"...your focused senses can help you process the
data received and perceive things as they really are.
And not what THEY - whoever they are - want you to
'see'."
Stopping in front of a raven-haired Chinese beauty,
Ranma opened his eyes and bowed respectfully to her,
"Isn't that right, Cologne?"
"Very impressive Ranma-kun, you were able to sense
my aura, even though I was doing my best to cover it."
The girl gave a small, satisfied smile, "Happy didn't
think you could."
"And where is that son-of-a..." Spinning around, he
smashed his fist into the floorboards. Several of the
students shrieked in alarm.
Jerking his arm upward, he forced a ninja to burst
out of his hiding place from below the floor.
"Got you!" A shout of triumph.
Then a double take, his hold relaxing. "You're not
Happousai," he accused the tall ninja.
Cologne brushed past Ranma and removed the ninja's
headgear, revealing a gorgeously handsome blond-haired
young man with girlish-delicate eyes. Ranma could
hear several of his students swooning.
"Give me a break!" ...Somewhere above the dojo,
pterodactyls flew in lazy circles...
"And why is that, my boy?" The ninja was amused at
Ranma's disbelief.
Squeezing his eyes shut again, Ranma stretched his
arms in front of him as a faint, visible, blue energy
slowly coruscated around him. As one, the students
that were still conscious moved as far away as
possible from the three.
With a rattle, the dojo's door opened, "Ranma, I
heard a commotion. Oh my."
Rushing to the dojo after the sound of floorboards
breaking reached her, Akane hoped that Ranma hadn't
lost his temper on the poor girls. She was quite
unprepared for what that greeted her. *What is Ranma
doing? Why is he standing near a hole in the floor
with his eyes closed?*
She then noticed the visible aura he was emitting.
*Uh-oh.*
Cautiously she entered the dojo; careful to face
whatever was confronting Ranma.
Spotting the tall handsome ninja and a breathtaking
Chinese girl scrutinizing Ranma keenly, a sense of
familiarity struck her. *Hmm, that's funny, I swear
I've seen these two before. They don't appear to be
dangerous.*
When the ninja looked her way and beamed, Akane was
positive she knew them, yet she couldn't place the
names.
"Why Kasumi!" The ninja greeted warmly, "How are
you!"
*Kasumi?* Akane became wary, "Do I know you?"
"Happy. I'm Happy."
Perplexed, she glanced briefly at Ranma but focused
her attention at the ninja. "I'm glad that you are."
It was the ninja's turn to look puzzled.
Taking the time to look around, she noticed that
several of the girls were unconscious. Anger took the
place of bafflement, "I don't know who you are pal,
but if you were the one responsible for what happened
to Ranma and the girls, I'll have your balls."
Shifting into a defensive posture similar to
Ranma's, Akane couldn't help but wonder why the
Chinese girl was giggling.
Ignoring the giggling girl, the ninja raised his
arms in front of him in a placating manner, "Kasumi, I
meant no harm. Ranma started it all."
"How dare you accuse Ranma, you coward!" A deep
reddish glow started to emanate around Akane.
Stifling her laughter, the Chinese girl tried to
compose herself. "And how dare you make fun of me and
my sister."
The ninja was well and truly bewildered as the
Chinese girl went into a fit of uncontrollable
laughter. "You're not Tendou Kasumi?"
"I AM SAOTOME AKANE!" With a yell, she hurled
herself at the ninja, launching a barrage of a hundred
fists.
With a start, Ranma broke out of his trance.
In time to see the ninja and the Chinese girl
disappear a fraction before Akane's assault had
connected.
"AKANE!" Ranma shouted in concern. If those two
ARE Happousai and Cologne, she doesn't have a chance.
"Ranma?" Akane's scowl turned into a worried look
when she noticed that Ranma was swaying. Rushing to
him, she hugged him fiercely, "Are you okay?"
Reaching under Akane's chin, Ranma tilted her head
up and smiled, "I'm fine... Now."
Seeing that the unconscious girls were being taken
care of by the others, Ranma hugged Akane again, "The
girls are OK, although some did swoon when they saw
Happousai."
"Happousai?" Akane exclaimed. "That horrible
ninja was Happousai?" Even with Ranma's slow nod of
confirmation, Akane couldn't believe it.
"But how come he's..." Ranma shushed her by placing
his finger on her lips.
Tilting his head towards his students, Ranma slipped
his hand into hers. "I think the girls are more
important right now than him."
~*~*~*~*~*~
Together, Akane and Ranma helped the girls revive
those who had fainted and to calm those who were still
showing signs of shock.
Knowing that a distraction was needed, Akane
invited the whole class to have tea with them near the
pond.
While Akane and several of the girls prepared tea,
Ranma completed his interrupted lecture and did
several demonstrations.
Tea was consumed with an impromptu question and
answer session, and not all of it regarded martial
arts. At one point - to Akane's amusement - Ranma
jumped into the pond to turn into his girl-form, the
question posed concerned boys. Surprisingly none of
the students were disturbed by the transformation.
Akane on the other hand, was surprised that Ranma's
girl form hadn't seemed to age. She made a mental
note to ask Ranma about it.
Afterwards, another group of girls helped Akane
clean the cups, while Ranma - back in his male form -
recounted the lesson for the benefit of the girls who
had helped Akane make tea.
Thankful that the girls have gotten over what
happened earlier in the dojo, Ranma believed that they
have had enough excitement for the day and decided to
quit early.
As the girls were about to go home and see if they
can apply the lesson just taught, one of them - the
same one earlier, Ranma noticed - again spoke for the
group.
"Sensei, will we be able to continue our training?"
Ranma rubbed the small bump on his head, "I don't
see why not, if you are willing to?" The girls
unanimously agreed to meet again in three days time.
~*~*~*~*~*~
Having seen the students off and securing the dojo,
the two walked leisurely back to the house, arms at
each other's waist.
Ranma started to softly chuckle.
Akane fished a coin from out of her apron and held
it in front of Ranma. "A yen for your thoughts."
"Isn't that suppose to be 'A penny for your
thoughts.'"
"We're not in America, you know."
"Makes my thoughts kinda cheap then, don't you
think?"
"Is it?"
"Is it what?" Ranma shot back, intentionally dense.
Akane rolled her eyes heavenward, "Is what you are
thinking, cheap. Dummy."
Ranma made a silent 'oh' with his mouth. "You
know, you haven't called me a 'pervert' in a long
time."
Akane smiled impishly, "It seemed the appropriate
thing to say at the time."
"Do you want to see a pervert in action?"
Akane batted her eyelashes in mock-fright at
Ranma's leering.
Suddenly serious, Akane stopped walking and faced
Ranma. "Ranma, when I re-entered the dojo, you were
standing there like a statue. Why was that?"
Ranma scratched his head. "Uh, I sort of freaked
out. Considering my focused senses were telling me
Cologne and Happousai was in front of me, yet
everything else told me they were two teenagers."
She nodded in understanding, then shuddered
slightly. "Those two scared me Ranma. They didn't
appear to be taking me seriously."
It was Ranma's turn to nod. "Did it ever occur to
you just how powerful those two would be, possessing
younger bodies."
Akane looked thoughtful. "At the time, no. All I
knew then was that they somehow stopped you, and I
feared the worst."
Ranma studied her intently. "Yet you still
attacked."
This time Akane visibly shuddered, Ranma took her
in his arms. "I had to. Even though I'm not as good
a martial artist as you are, I had to protect those I
love."
Touched by his wife's admission of weakness and
strength, Ranma held her tightly. "Akane," his tender
whisper full of emotions.
Akane hugged him back just as fiercely.
A stiff breeze blew by, but both ignored it, warmed
by each other.
"One other thing bothers me Ranma."
"Hmmm?"
"If that ninja really was Happousai, how could he
have mistaken me for Kasumi?"
Ranma held her out at arms length and grinned, "Can
you really blame him."
"Oh?" Her raised eyebrow skeptical.
Still smiling, Ranma eyed her frankly, "Look at
you. Long hair held by a bow and occasionally draped
over one shoulder. An apron over a sensible woman's
dress. Even Kasumi's habit of saying 'Oh my.' You
hardly fit the bill as the violent uncute tomboy chick
Happousai remembers."
"Gee, thanks." Fists on her hips, Akane's tone was
heavy in sarcasm, "And how SHOULD this twenty-seven
year old violent uncute tomboy chick look like?"
Taking her hands in his, Ranma leaned forward and
whispered, "I wouldn't know. I'm glad that you turned
out to be the way you are." He then kissed her.
When they finally broke the kiss, Akane
breathlessly replied, "Oh Ranma, you fool." Grabbing
Ranma's shirt lapels, she stood on tiptoe and kissed
him back.
"I see that growing up has mellowed you two
lovebirds." The ninja's voice snickered.
Ranma's only reply was an upright middle finger
towards the voice's general direction.
"Here, have a late wedding present." Not even the
threat of a flying bottle deterred the two; Ranma just
nonchalantly grabbed it out of the air, seconds before
it hit them.
Only after their lengthy kiss did Ranma bother to
look at what he caught. It looked like a large
unmarked sake bottle. Akane took it out of Ranma's
hand and uncorking it, smelled the neck. "It doesn't
smell like any sake I am familiar with."
"Some wedding present, Happousai." Ranma sneered,
"Or is this another bizarre joke of yours?"
Cologne - still in the young Chinese girl form -
appeared in front of them. "Hardly a joke,
Ranma-kun."
Before Ranma could retort, Happousai - also in his
youthful form - appeared behind her, a serious look on
his face. "Can't we talk about things in a more
civilized manner, like over dinner?"
At the mention of 'dinner', Akane gasped, "Oh my.
I forgot to start."
Leaving the three, Akane rushed ahead to the
kitchen. Soon the faint sound of chopping,
accompanied by humming, was heard.
The three hadn't gotten any closer to the porch
when Happousai stopped in his tracks and glared at
Ranma. "All right, what do you want?"
"Huh?"
"Idiot. I'm talking to you."
"Hey, don't call me an idiot. Besides I didn't say
anything."
"Your surreptitious glances were enough."
"Oh?" Happousai glare didn't waver. "Oh."
"Out with it boy. I don't have all day, you know."
Happousai resumed walking.
"Oh-kay. How come you weren't able to recognize
Akane?" Ranma innocently queried. An embarrassed
looked came over Happousai as Cologne started to
giggle. "I mean, you of all people..."
Happousai scratched the back of his head. "It
never occurred to me that any of you would change so
much. In Akane's case I saw someone who looked like
Kasumi and assumed..."
He shifted his glare to Cologne, who was now trying
to stop the giggles. "Not that Cologne helped, she
knew but didn't bother telling."
"I couldn't help it. The whole situation was just
so... so hilarious." Her counter was punctuated by
another fit of giggling.
A slight smile tugged at Happousai's feature. "Heh,
I guess I can't blame you. I did look the fool."
Ranma found their exchange intriguing. *Hardly the
Cologne and Happousai I remember.*
Settling down at the porch, Ranma scrutinize the
sake bottle with suspicion. "So what kind of sake is
this?"
"It's not sake, Ranma, my boy. It's much more
precious." Happousai voice drifted off as he started
looking for the shogi board.
Cologne placed her hand on Ranma's arm to catch his
attention. "It's water from a nannichuan."
Ranma nearly dropped the bottle.
"You've got to be kidding." His voice hoarse.
Compassion was in Cologne's eyes, "As I told you
earlier. It's hardly a joke, Ranma-kun."
"How..." A pause, addled by Cologne and Happousai's
'gift'. Visibly gathering himself, he placed the
'gift' gingerly and with exaggerated care, far from
the edge of the porch. "How did you find one?"
Happousai appeared beside Ranma, the shogi board in
his hands. His gaze earnest at it. "If Cologne and I
can track down and partake from the 'elixir of life',
an untapped nannichuan is no big deal."
"To think, all this time, I had given up and
finally got used to..." Cutting his muttering short,
Ranma stared first at Happousai, "Did you say 'elixir
of life'?" then at Cologne, "As in the fountain of
youth?"
Cologne flashed him a dimpled smile. Ranma looked
back at Happousai. He had a bemused look, "More than
just a fountain of youth, my boy. It can grant you
whatever you have desired of your body. It can cure
you of your curse." A quick chuckle, "Or make
yourself a woman permanently. The possibilities are
limitless."
Ranma alternately looked back and forth between the
young couple. "Then, these are really you and not
some kind of sophisticated spell?"
"That's right!" Happousai's voice was now coming
from Cologne's direction.
He was kneeling behind her and had his arms around
her body, hefting her breasts. "These are the genuine
articles."
Cologne snapped out of her shock and tried to
backfist Happousai.
Deftly avoiding the strike, he countered by parting
open her shirt. Freed from their constraints, her
breasts bounced enticingly.
"Happy!" Indignation, not anger in Cologne's voice.
"That I definitely am. As you can see, just like
that other Amazon, she doesn't believe in wearing a
brassiere."
A soft but demanding cough saved Ranma from
commenting. He had the grace to look embarrassed,
Happousai merely looked at the source. Cologne took
the opportunity to secure her shirt and gave Happousai
a whack at the head.
"Students of yours, Ranma?" Nodoka's arched
eyebrow neither condemning nor approving.
The two "students" looked at each other and nodded,
confirming what they sensed. Mrs. Saotome was putting
up a brave face; inward she was despondent. Something
was definitely wrong.
Ranma thought the two would burst out laughing,
especially when they shared a look. Gratefully they
didn't. "They hardly fall in that category, Mom."
"Mom, this is Cologne and Happousai." Their names
emphasized.
"Those names sound familiar..."
Standing up, Ranma gripped his mother's shoulders
lightly. "Cologne is Shampoo's grand-mother." He
could sense his mother's perplexity growing. "And
Happousai is Uncle Soun and Dad's Sensei."
With a start, Nodoka looked intently at the two
then squarely at Ranma.
"Soun and Genma's Sensei?" Her voice dying to a
whisper. At Ranma's nod, she fainted in his arms.
"Uh, can you excuse me for a while?" Without
awaiting their response, Ranma carried his mother
upstairs.
Short of the sound of cooking from the kitchen, it
was eerily quiet. Stepping out of the kitchen, Akane
saw that Happousai was busy setting up the shogi board
while Cologne was deep in thought, staring out at the
setting sun. There was quite a distance between the
two. "Where's Ranma?"
Happousai looked up guiltily from the board. "He
brought his mother upstairs."
Akane was alarmed. "Why was that?"
"She fainted."
"Oh my." She started wringing her apron, noticed
the action and stopped herself.
Cologne broke her reverie with a sigh, stood and
herded Akane to the stairs. "Go to him, child," her
years as matriarch giving steel to her order. "I'll
keep an eye on your cooking."
With a grateful nod Akane headed upstairs.
Barely reaching the kitchen, Cologne heard the
front door open. "Happy! Somebody is at the door,
see who it is."
Rounding the corner, Happousai was quite surprised
at who he encountered. Pleased that the newcomer was
Hinako-chan, looking radiant as ever - fully grown -
it was her companion that intrigued him. Almost
overwhelmed by the grocery bag she carried was
Ranma-onna, or rather an eerily uncanny adolescent
version.
Bowing to the ladies, Happousai greeted them
warmly, "Welcome to the Tendou-Saotome household. May
I help you with your groceries?"
Handing her bags to Happousai, Hinako looked at him
askance, "Do I know you?" Comprehension followed suit,
"You're one of Ranma's students, right?"
Remembering the scene earlier, Happousai didn't
correct her.
Entering the kitchen, Hinako and her companion saw
that Cologne - not Akane - was preparing dinner.
"Hello. Are you also Ranma's student?"
Glancing over their shoulders, Cologne saw
Happousai's imperceptible nod. "Yes I am,
Hinako-sensei. Akane is upstairs with Ranma."
"Oh?" A mischievous twinkle in Hinako's eyes.
"Seeing to Mrs. Saotome." Happousai coughed.
"Oh." Concern immediately replaced her mischief.
She turned to the adolescent Ranma-onna. "Lanko,
please help these nice people put away the groceries."
"Okay, Auntie." Lanko piped up merrily.
"And no impulsive training attacks, okay?" Hinako
added, as she headed for the stairs.
"O-kay." Lanko had her fingers crossed behind her
back, Cologne shook her head. *Ah, youth.*
After storing the groceries away, Lanko spotted the
set-up shogi board on the porch. "Is Papa and Uncle
Soun back?" Her eager looks aimed at Happousai.
Happousai squatted down to face Lanko evenly. "I'm
sorry, uh, Lanko. I was the one who set that up.
Genma and Soun are not around."
Crestfallen, Lanko quietly walked to the board and
sat down, her back to the two. Exhaling a long-drawn
out sigh, she slumped her shoulders and bowed her
head.
Happousai headed to Lanko when he felt Cologne
glowering at him.
"Lanko?" Happousai waited till she looked at him.
"Lanko. What happened to Soun and Genma."
"I think I should answer that." Ranma stepped into
the dining area, the faint sound of a phone ringing in
the background. He picked up Lanko. "C'mon, squirt.
Mama's looking for you."
Ranma returned a few minutes later to see that
Happousai had moved the pieces on the board. Sitting
down with a sigh sounding similar to Lanko's, Ranma
joined him in a game of shogi.
Several minutes passed before Happousai spoke, "She
looks so much like your girl form."
"Yeah." A hint of a smile on Ranma's face, "When
Mom and Dad saw that Akane and I were serious about
getting hitched, they had a celebration of sorts."
"Mom decided to name her Lanko, to tease me and the
old man about our deception. Heck, she calls him Papa
Panda almost all the time now, although I haven't seen
him in that form for quite a while now." Happousai
could see that Ranma was gathering himself to answer
the question he had posed to Lanko.
"Around four weeks ago, Dad and Soun announced that
they were going on a training/meditation expedition,
something to do with cleansing their spirit. I wanted
to go with them, but they reminded me of my
responsibilities, to Akane... to the dojo."
With a pained expression, Ranma let out the rest in
a rush, "That was the last we heard of them. Pop
hasn't changed too much, but enough so that he
wouldn't intentionally forget to send a postcard, at
least to mom. Soun-sama would have kept in touch with
his daughters. Neither Kasumi nor Nabiki has received
anything. Mom and Miss Hinako have been actively
scouring all over ever since. The rest of us has made
general inquiries and kept our ears open. So far all
we've turned up is a big fat zero."
Happousai patiently waited as Ranma composed
himself. "Akane and I can lose ourselves once in a
while with our obligation to the dojo, and I'm sure
the others can do the same with their family. It's
been very hard on mom, and I guess more so for Miss
Hinako. Mom's used to Dad being gone for extended
periods, though not recently. Miss Hinako was hoping
to spend more time with Soun-sama."
Ranma gave a weak smile, "We've been encouraging
their relationship and it seemed to have reached the
point that uncle Soun might be proposing to Miss
Hinako. You can just imagine what's going on in poor
Miss Hinako's mind right now."
Happousai tilted his head slightly, looking a bit
lost, a mannerism that Ranma had never seen before.
"Uh, actually I can't say if I can. I met Hinako-chan
earlier, she was, ah, fully grown."
"Sorry. I forgot you did disappear at the same
time that Shampoo returned to China."
Happousai gestured dismissively with his hand.
"Next time. Tell me, have you kept a record of the
places searched?"
Happousai noted relief and another expression,
gratitude?, ply Ranma's face. "It's in the computer.
You'll have to ask Lanko to show you though. I'm not
to good with computers, sorry," Ranma smiled
sheepishly. "I'll go tell her." Ranma ran upstairs.
It was only when Cologne sat across Happousai that
he was finally aware of the outcome of the game.
"Scary isn't it, that he could defeat you without
paying attention to the game."
"Did you hear?"
"Enough." A frown marred her face. "Can you help
them Happy? They were your pupils."
"How about you? You're the one with all the
magical items."
"I gave them all to the matriarch when I was... you
know..." A long period of silence followed the
incomplete statement.
"Maybe we can combine what we know..."
Closing his eyes, Happousai sighed, "I have an
idea... but I have to see what Ranma's family has
accomplished first."
Ranma again entered from beyond the dining area,
manhandling a table into the room. Happousai helped
him arrange the tables so both would fit. "Expecting
company?"
"Why, yes. Kasumi and Nabiki are coming over.
Once a week they come over for dinner."
Cologne joined them in preparing the tables for
dinner. "How are Akane's lovely sisters?"
In response, Ranma stepped out of the room and came
back a few minutes later with an armload of photo
albums.
"When Akane and I graduated from high school and
got married, Kasumi was freed from the house chores
and went to college. She took up nursing, in order to
be with Dr. Toufu. After graduating, which was two
years ago, they got married. She gave birth last year
to Katsumi." He pointed to a section full of cute
baby pictures. She resembled Kasumi.
"She's far different from the Kasumi you would
remember. For one thing she no longer acts oblivious,
although hardly anything fazes her. For another,
she's a surprisingly competent martial artist." He
held up a picture of Kasumi wearing the traditional
Karate Gi and brandishing a huge trophy that
proclaimed 'Amateur College Champion'. She had a
satisfied look.
"Nabiki is another manner all together. Although
when it comes to money matters, Nabiki is Nabiki."
"Finishing college, she joined forces with Kunou
Tatewaki and started or invested in various companies
and has been quite successful... naturally. During
that time she had been living-in with Kunou. You can
imagine the dismay that uncle Soun felt, until the
birth of Mamuro, which was three years ago, I believe.
They got married only recently, after Soun-sama
discovered the one threat that would work," he
grinned, "Seppuku."
"In my opinion Uncle Soun shouldn't have bothered,
those two were quite inseparable, even before they had
a son. I guess it was just a matter of honor for the
two to be officially married, but then considering
Kunou's family..."
"So Kunou has gotten over his obsession."
Happousai interrupted.
Ranma grimaced, "Over Akane, definitely. As for
my girl form, he still doesn't get the connection,
unless he's playing dumb." A mischievous grin
appeared. "And I thought Akane was dense."
From the direction of the kitchen, they heard Akane
voice out sweetly. "Keep it up Ranma and you're not
getting dessert."
"It was a joke!"
"Her cooking has gotten better?" Happousai was
astonished.
"Nah. It's just that after eating her slop for
nine years, one develops calluses in certain areas of
the tongue."
"RANMA!" The hard-edged tone promised violence.
Ranma scratched the back of his head, grinning.
"Actually her cooking has improved to the point that
you can hardly tell the difference between her
preparations and Kasumi's."
"Oh my. Teasing Akane again, Ranma?" Kasumi
greeted cheerfully. She was carrying baby Katsumi.
Dr. Toufu, Nabiki and Tatewaki - talking in whispers -
were right behind her. Happousai noticed that the
Kunous both wore a delicate smelling blue rose in
their lapels. Tatewaki carried a box that contained
several long stemmed red and white roses.
Kasumi went into the kitchen with the sleeping baby
before Ranma could reply. The rest sat down around
the table.
"Hmm. Ranma, I suggest closing your mouth before
you put your foot in it," Kunou stated dryly. "Or is
it too late?"
Toufu was surreptitiously studying Cologne and
Happousai, far more intently than the two would have
liked. "Ranma, at first I thought your companions
were students, but know they seem more like peers of
yours."
"Toufu-san's right, Ranma," Nabiki amended, "They
seem familiar somehow."
Cologne and Happousai looked at Ranma to see how he
would respond. "Uh, I'll explain later, during
dinner, it gets tiring explaining it too many times."
His reasoning accepted, none forced the issue.
"Auntie Kasumi! Auntie Nabiki! Uncle Toufu!
Uncle Kunou!" Lanko's shout heralded her arrival at
the dining area.
"Ah! Little pig-tailed girl!" Tatewaki exclaimed
as he scooped her and swung her around, joining Lanko
in laughter. The others smiled at their antic.
With Lanko sitting at the crook of his arm, Kunou
greeted Mrs. Saotome and Miss Hinako formally as they
entered. He also handed the boxed roses to Mrs.
Saotome. Nabiki helped Nodoka to the head of the
table and kissed her on the cheek before returning to
her place.
"You should have told us there were visitors,
Ranma," Nodoka ribbed, she then faced Nabiki, "How's
Mamuro?"
Tatewaki answered. "Our little bundle of joy has
done his father proud by starting on the honorable
path of the true Kendoist..."
"In other words, Mamu-chan has found out that he
can hit his father with a stick and get away with it."
Nabiki interpreted dryly. Tatewaki's expression
caused several to snicker.
Nabiki answered the next obvious question,
"Sasuke's and his gang are keeping their beady ninja
eyes on Mamu-chan right now. He'll call me if
anything arises."
Tatewaki muttered, "More likely summon our help
when my son has proven to be too much for him to
handle." This also made them laugh some more.
Peeking out of the kitchen, Akane saw they were all
seated, "I see most have arrived. Might as well start
dinner." Kasumi handed Katsumi to Nodoka, then
returned to the kitchen to help Akane, Lanko trailing
her.
As Lanko, Akane and Kasumi brought out the food,
Ranma wondered who else was coming.
Akane replied when she returned carrying the soup,
"Why Ryouga and Akari, silly. Of course with Ryouga's
'unique' sense of direction there's no point in
starving while awaiting their arrival."
"I may have a lousy direction sense but Akari
doesn't." Ryouga proudly uttered as he strode into
the dining area carrying their seven year old daughter
Akeni in one arm. Akari was holding on to his other
hand.
As Ryouga, Akeni and Akari sat down, he looked
questioningly at Cologne and Happousai. "Do I know
those two?" He whispered to Ranma.
"Later Ryouga," Ranma whispered back. "Let's eat
first."
Ryouga agreed, "Good idea."
Seeing that everyone unhesitatingly dug into the
food, Happousai took a small portion and tentatively
took a bite. His face lit up in rapture.
"Akane, this is the most delicious food I have ever
eaten in a long time." He exclaimed and bowed in her
direction. From the corner of his eye he saw that
Cologne was laughing silently at him. *She must have
known all along and allowed me to act like an idiot.
Again.* He thought indignantly.
Akane returned the bow. "Thank you Happousai... Oh
my."
"Happousai!?!" Hinako, Nabiki, Tatewaki, Ryouga &
Akari shouted in unison. Kasumi and Toufu shot a
quick look of confirmation between themselves. Lanko
and Akeni wondered what the big deal was.
Their shouting woke up Katsumi. Unabashed, Kasumi
opened her blouse and nursed the baby. After a while
the baby slept again.
"How can he be Happousai?" Ryouga accused, sotto
voce. "Happousai, is a short... dirty... old... man."
His stabbing chopsticks punctuated each word.
"Oh my. Does that mean the lovely lady beside
Happousai is Cologne?" Kasumi queried.
Five stunned looks were directed at Kasumi, then to
Ranma.
"Well, Ranma. We're waiting." Ryouga demanded
softly, for the baby's sake.
"Ranma, my boy, she's sharp alright." Happousai
stated while industriously stuffing his face with
food.
Ranma released a long sigh, "It all started this
afternoon..."
While the others were eating, in between bites
Ranma told them about what happened earlier in the
day, with Cologne and Happousai filling in on certain
details.
~*~*~*~*~*~
The narrative ended with the appearance of the sake
bottle. "They were even able to find an untapped
nannichuan and filled this bottle with it."
Akane gasped. Akari clutched Ryouga tightly.
"It's the least I could do for drinking the one at
your marriage attempt eleven years ago." Happousai
commented. A thought - more or less identical -
occurred on the minds of those who knew him. *Now
when did Happousai start feeling guilty about his
actions?*
Without taking his eyes off Akane, Ranma handed
Ryouga the bottle. "Do you want it Ryouga? We've
gotten attached to my other form." Akane's eyes were
brimming with tears.
Ryouga accepted the bottle with shaking hands. He
stared hard at it then at Akari, his mouth opening and
closing at a loss for words.
"I can't imagine life without P-chan." Akari
admitted. Akeni glanced at her father at the mention
of P-chan, comprehension dawning in her eyes.
With a sigh, Ryouga handed the bottle back. "I
guess I too am used to being P-chan." He smirked.
Akeni hugged him fiercely. Akari released the breath
she wasn't aware she was holding and leaned on his
shoulder.
Ranma then handed the bottle to his mother. "Mom,
you think Pop would want it?"
Nodoka also looked thoughtfully at the bottle.
"He's vowed not to let the 'animal side' control his
life and to that end has become a far better man for
it." She handed it back to Ranma. "Besides, it is
not my decision to make, we must await your father and
father-in-law."
The others paused at her mention of Genma and
Soun's lacking presence. In that brief pause, Cologne
and Happousai saw the underlying fear that they all
shared.
"Perhaps Shampoo could use it." He hesitated when
Cologne also shook her head. "Mousse?"
"No," Cologne sighed, "They have been cured through
other means."
"Oh my. Now that you mention it, how are they?
Did they get married? Why aren't they here with you?"
Akane asked in a rush.
Cologne and Happousai glanced at each other. "It's
a long story. Far too long to be told over dinner."
Happousai answered evasively, his eyes daring anyone
to make an issue of it.
Ranma decided that a change of subject was at hand.
"Earlier in the day I was wondering if we should have
some sort of reunion. To think, one happened
unplanned, although it's hardly what I expected."
Ranma looked at the people seated at the table, "It's
been an emotional roller-coaster ride for me since
this afternoon."
Cologne interrupted softly, "And to end a perfectly
beautiful day you have something joyous to celebrate."
She cast a knowing look at Kasumi and Akane.
Kasumi and Akane gasped "Oh my!" simultaneously.
"How could you know?" Akane asked, wide eyed.
Cologne smiled enigmatically, "I have my ways,
child."
"What?" Nodoka enjoined, "What is it you know about
Akane, Cologne?"
"You should ask her that."
All heads were turned to Akane, various emotions on
their faces. Nodoka, Akari and Kunou looked worried,
Ranma distressed, Nabiki and Hinako were puzzled,
Ryouga grim, Akeni and Lanko seemed to be holding
their breath. Only Toufu showed no emotion, his face
neutral, but Ranma could have sworn there was a
twinkle in his eyes.
Akane glanced at Kasumi, who flashed an encouraging
smile. "I just got the word from Kasumi, Ranma.
She's confirmed my suspicions. The test shows I'm
positive." She closed her eyes, took a deep breath.
There was a shine in her eyes when she opened them.
"I'm going to have your baby."
Exclamations of delight and heartfelt
congratulations were uttered. Surprisingly Katsumi
did not wake up.
Ranma was at a daze, although his face beaming with
joy, said it all.
"Will it be a boy or a girl, Akane?" Nabiki
inquired, ever practical.
"I think I want it to be a surprise." Akane
responded happily. Ranma nodded in agreement.
From the corner of his eye, Ranma saw that Nodoka
was weeping silently.
"Mom, what's the matter? Are you alright?" Ranma
whispered in concern.
"I'm fine, Ranma. I'm happy for you. All we need
now is your father and father-in-law coming home."
She whispered back, putting on a brave smile.
"Perhaps... I... can be of assistance."
The authoritative voice emanated from the darkness
nearby.
"Who's there?" Ranma challenged, leaping towards
the general direction of the voice, putting himself
between Akane and the unknown. "Show yourself!"
Stepping out of the shadows were three persons; two
women, one in a patched red ninja's outfit, the other
carrying a large spatula, and a skeleton of a man
behind the two which held everyone's attention.
A dark somber greatcoat hung loosely on his frame,
from what could be seen his clothing underneath was
equally gloomy. His eyebagged eyes shone with an
inner fire that offset his sallow complexion.
"Gosunkugi Hikaru! Ucchan! Konatsu!" Ranma was
astounded, Gosunkugi towered over him.
Walking with an odd gait, Gosunkugi sidestepped
Ranma and knelt in front of Akane. "With your
permission, sweet Akane, I would like to perform a
magical rite that might reveal your father's
whereabouts." He paused, "I cannot guarantee success,
but please allow me to try."
Happousai looked suspicious. "What rite is this,
boy?"
"I believe you know what I'm talking about, Sensei
Happousai." Gosunkugi never took his eyes off Akane.
Happousai sighed, "Yes, I do... don't I?"
He pointed a finger at Ranma. "Listen Ranma,
you're lucky that Gosunkugi is here. I had planned to
perform that rite, though I admit I haven't tried it
in a long time. Instructions might have been cached
somewhere, but you know that there's no surety I'll be
able to read it once found."
"Hikaru," Akane called softly, "Do you know what
you are offering?"
Gosunkugi's face lit up at being addressed by Akane
and bowed. "More than anything. As long as it brings
you joy."
"Oh my." Akane stood up. "What will you require?"
Reaching into his greatcoat, Gosunkugi brought out
a rolled sheet of paper and handed it to Akane. "It's
all in there. I will be in the dojo preparing."
"I guess dinner's over." Akane announced. She
handed Ranma the list and with the help of the other
ladies gathered the dishes. Ukyo was with Nodoka
seeing to Katsumi. Konatsu had vanished.
The children stared in awe at Gosunkugi's form
shuffling towards the dojo.
Ranma was all over the house collecting the items
on the list and bringing them to the dojo. Watching
Ranma, Happousai remembered the computer. "Lanko, do
you have a list of areas searched for your father and
father-in-law?"
Delighted to be of help, Lanko grabbed Akeni and
rushed upstairs.
Cologne stepped out of the kitchen carrying tea and
sake. She poured tea for Nodoka, Ukyo and Toufu,
their conversation in whispers. *I wonder what
they're talking about,* she thought. *Most likely
about Happousai and me,* she added when Ukyo stared at
her, an unreadable expression on her face.
She then poured sake for Ryouga and Tatewaki, at
the moment playing shogi and exchanging business news.
The two nodded their thanks.
A bowl of sake was left near Happousai, who was
staring out at the stars, smoking a pipe and lost in
thought. She poured some for herself and sat down
beside him, trying to discern what Happy was thinking.
After cleaning the dishes, the other ladies brought
out more tea and clumped around Nodoka, exchanging
news with Ukyo. At one point, Ukyo hugged Akane.
Toufu had put away the spare table, on his return
he watched Ryouga and Kunou do battle on the shogi
board. Happousai and Cologne were studying the
printout, which Lanko had just handed over. The two
kids were off somewhere, their giggling heard once in
a while.
A peaceful scene... full of warmth and contentment.
Before long Gosunkugi returned from the dojo, Ranma
in tow. Gosunkugi looked even grimmer.
They all looked at him in anticipation. "I will
require your assistance Sensei Happousai, Sensei
Cologne."
Without a word, Happousai and Cologne left for the
dojo. Gosunkugi faced the family, "Once we have
started, we must not be disturbed at any cost. I
charge you two, Ranma and Ryouga, to see that there
will be no interference."
Starting for the dojo, he stopped when he was
partially in shadows and faced the family again. "I
repeat, no interruptions. No matter what you might
hear, please, do not attempt to enter the dojo." He
looked at each person to see that they obeyed his
command, his gazed lingering at Akane. He bowed
deeply then was swallowed by the night.
"And I thought he was creepy back in high school."
Ranma mumbled, staring at the dojo even after
Gosunkugi had entered it.
"No kidding." Ryouga agreed, standing up from the
shogi board as Toufu took his place. He turned to
look at Ukyo and tilted his head in the dojo's
direction. "So, how did you to get to be with him?"
"Actually, he just appeared at my restaurant a
while back and asked my help in getting here. He was
most insistent." Ukyo shuddered at a thought that
crossed her mind. "Ah wonder what woulda happened if
I'd attacked first and asked questions later?"
Ranma was still staring at the dojo. "Why to your
restaurant, Ucchan? He could have just gone here
straight. He's been here several times before,
granted not recently."
A shrug, "Ah believe he needed me and Konatsu as
escorts, to make sure ya wouldn't clobber him at first
sight. Considering ya nearly did, it was a pretty
wise move on his part." She yawned, "Pardon me, but
ah have ta return to the restaurant. We've hadda busy
day." Ranma nodded sympathetically.
"I'll be by in the mornin' with some special
okonomiyaki." Ukyo hugged Akane one more time, said
goodnight to the rest and bounded away.
Nabiki headed towards Kunou, "We might as well do
the same Tate-kun. Business never stops."
Kunou looked up from the shogi board. "I would
like to stay and keep vigil, Nabiki-chan." Smiling in
entreaty.
A tender look crossed Nabiki's face. She bent down
and kissed him lightly on the lips. Glancing at Ranma
and Ryouga who were conversing in low voices, Nabiki
smiled. "Take care of them, Tate-kun."
Kunou stood up and hugged her, "Although I am ready
to lay my life in the protection of my compatriots, I
would rather not be tested of my resolve. For it
would truly be a loss not to be able to see your sweet
visage again or to see our son grow to be a force to
be reckoned with."
Nabiki whispered back. "Don't do anything stupid,
you hear?"
Tatewaki hugged tighter. He waited for her to
leave before resuming his game.
Nabiki headed inside and said goodnight. "How
about you Onesan? Miss Hinako? Akari? Coming
along?"
"Thank you for the offer Nabiki, but I think I'll
stay awhile. It's hard to find time alone with your
man when you have three kids to take care of." Akari
excused herself, went to Ryouga and leaned on his
side. Ryouga automatically draped a protective arm on
her shoulder. The ladies sighed as one, touched by
the tender display.
Ranma had disappeared.
Kasumi glanced at Toufu. As if sensing her, Toufu
looked up from the board and beamed back. "We have no
patients scheduled for the morning and Toufu's mother
can call us if an emergency crops up in the clinic."
She smiled at Nabiki, "Thank you for the offer
Nabiki-chan, but Toufu, Katsumi and I will be staying
here for the duration."
"Oh my. Is what Gosunkugi doing that dangerous?"
Akane was full of concern seeing that the trained
healers were staying. Nodoka and Hinako looked
alarmed.
Kasumi smiled comfortingly, "We cannot be sure, but
it is better to be safe than sorry."
Hinako yawned. She closed it with a guilty look.
"I would love to stay but I have morning classes."
Nodoka, Akane, and Kasumi understood. "Shall we,
Nabiki?"
The two ladies said their good-nights and left the
house, the sound of a car starting up and leaving was
heard a while later.
"I hate to be an inconvenience..." Nodoka looked
very tired.
Akane interrupted her. "Nonsense, mother. You
have all the right to be here." She reached out to
take Nodoka and Kasumi's arm. "Shall we prepare the
rooms?"
"Of course, Akane." Arm in arm, the three ladies
headed upstairs.
~*~*~*~*~*~
Ranma was on the roof, his head cradled in his
hands, one leg crossed over the other. He was staring
at the lights coming from the dojo.
Even with the soft sound of sloshing water and
giggling in the air - portents of things to come -
Ranma did not budge from his position. "I wouldn't do
that if I were you, squirt!"
"Aw, you're no fun." Lanko and Akeni popped up
from the other side of the roof, disappointed.
Between the two was a wooden bucket.
"This is not the time to play games, Lanko." Ranma
turned his head slightly to show how serious he was.
"Put the bucket away."
"Okay, big brother."
What happened next, Ranma will never be sure if it
was accidental or not. As Lanko stood up, she seemed
to have slipped on a wet shingle, which caused her to
throw the bucket in order to grab the top of the roof.
The bucket flew clear of Ranma and disappeared over
the roof's edge.
"Hey!" "Bu-kiiiiiii."
"P-chan!" Akeni was down in a flash.
Lanko had the 'Did I do that?' look on her face.
Ranma tried to control the grin threatening to break
out. He failed, naturally.
Composing himself, Ranma again looked sternly at
Lanko. "You had better apologize to Ryouga, Lanko."
"But it was an accident." She batted innocent eyes.
"Even so." His tone brooked no refusal.
Lanko jumped down from the roof. Ignoring the
murmuring downstairs, Ranma turned his concentration
back to the dojo.
A while later Ranma heard someone climbing the
roof. *From the sound of the tread, it's gotta be
Ryouga.*
"If it wasn't for the fact that Akeni and Lanko
swear it was an accident, I wouldn't be surprised that
you were behind that little 'dunking'." Ryouga sat
down on the apex of the roof.
"What did Ranma do this time?" Akane was carrying a
bundle of thick blankets.
"Hey! You shouldn't be up here." Ranma's
exclaimed in concern, relieving her of her burden.
"Why not?"
"The baby..."
Akane's face softened, "Oh Ranma. Just because I'm
pregnant doesn't mean you have to treat me like china.
I can handle myself. Besides at this stage you can
hardly notice." She gently patted her still firm
belly.
Ryouga cleared his throat. "Expect more of that
kind of attitude, Akane." Ryouga reminisced, "I
nearly drove Akari crazy when she was pregnant with
the kids. I've already three, yet I'm sure to act the
same way on my next kid."
"It's a feeling of helplessness that makes us react
in that manner." Ryouga concluded, a tender look on
his face. "So try not to bite Ranma's head off,
Akane, when he acts over-protective." Ranma was
nodding his head rapidly in agreement.
Ranma had spread the thickest blanket out on the
roof and settled down in his usual pose, Akane lay
down beside him and placed her head on his shoulder.
Ryouga draped another blanket over both of them and
returned to sit at the apex of the roof.
"Thanks Ryouga." Akane smiled up at him.
They spent a few minutes in companionable silence,
staring at the dojo; it's shifting lights creating
hypnotic patterns.
Akane noticed that Ryouga was still on the roof's
apex. "Ryouga, shouldn't you be with Akari?"
"She took Akeni home." Ryouga sighed, "Nabiki's
right after all, business never stops." Ryouga
glanced around in concern. "Where's Lanko? I don't
think I want to be P-chan again tonight, I only
brought one spare set of clothing."
"Don't worry, Ryouga." Akane murmured, barely
awake. "She's in bed with Mother."
"Shouldn't you be in bed too, Akane?" Ranma
whispered. His only answer was her soft steady
breathing.
Ranma tenderly picked her up in his arms. "Can you
keep an eye on things for awhile? I'll just tuck her
in for the night." Ryouga nodded, a ghost of a smile
on his face.
Jumping down from the roof, he landed - with
exaggerated care - softly in front of Toufu and Kunou.
The two looked up from their game and smiled at the
sight. Ranma smiled back and went upstairs.
Ryouga handed him some hot tea as he came down the
stairs. "How long do you think we have to wait?"
Ranma shrugged as the two walked to the porch. "I
dunno, Gosunkugi was pretty tight-lipped about what he
was going to perform. Better him than Happousai
though."
"Speaking of Happousai. He and Cologne sure don't
act like the Happousai and Cologne we knew back then."
"Hey, a lot of things can happen in eleven years.
Take you for instance."
"What about me, Ranma?" Ryouga eyed Ranma
suspiciously.
"Ever since you married Akari, do you think you can
still pull off a Depression Attack..."
Ryouga chuckled, "Point. Must have been something
as major to change those two. You think they tied the
knot?"
Ranma raised an eyebrow in doubt, he could see that
Ryouga was trying to picture the two married in his
mind.
"Naaah!" They both concluded.
When they reached the porch, Ryouga leaned on one
of the doors while Ranma decided to watch Toufu and
Kunou play. Nothing can happen to them this early.
Ranma thought.
Settling down near Toufu and Kunou, Ranma
recognized the Katana on Kunou's lap. "Isn't
that...?"
Toufu answered before Ranma could finish. "Kasumi
came down earlier carrying the Katana. She said that
your mother would feel better if Kunou-san had the
Katana at hand. Kunou-san told Kasumi to tell your
mother that he was deeply honored your mother
entrusted him with such a fine blade."
Kunou picked up the sword and unsheathed it
partway; there was a gleam in his eyes. "'Tis a truly
beautifully crafted blade." He closed it with a snap,
and placed it on his lap again. "It would be a shame
to sully it."
Ryouga snorted, "Only a fool would attempt to
disturb Gosunkugi tonight with us as his protectors."
He raised his bowl in salute and drank his tea.
The others joined his silent toast to Gosunkugi.
They settled down for a long vigil.
-------------------------------------------------------
POST SCRIPT:
- After perusing the Ranma 1/2 Memorial Book, I was
quite surprised to see that in the gatefold mural
listing of characters, Dr. Tofu Ono's first name was
spelled T - O - U - F - U! Happosai is actually
HappoUsai and Kuno does have a U after the O.
To make doubly sure, I not only checked the Furigana
of the above mentioned characters, but also Ranma's,
Akane's and Ryoga's name (Furigana are the little
Hiragana text above or to the right of the Kanji
symbol, depending on which direction it is written).
Ranma's last name is pronounced SA OTO ME, Akane's is
TEN DOU, and Hibiki's controversial first name is
indeed pronounced RYOU GA.
Since the Memorial Book has the same Japanese
publisher of Rumiko Takahashi's other works, I assumed
that they would make sure that the English equivalent
of their names were corrected by Takahashi-sama.
- When full names are uttered, I follow the Japanese
system of mentioning the family name first then the
given name. If it is part of the narrative I switch
to the western system of given name first then family
name.
- Please remember that this story takes place eleven
(!) years after the final episode.
- This Chapter was written more or less on the last
week of December 96. The first few paragraphs were
re-written by a good friend who is a better writer
than I am but has less time on his hands. If you
noticed the difference in style at least you now know
why.
-�For the Ukyo fans out there, I apologize if I made
her sound a bit like a country hick. A friend told me
that another fan-fic author used the same technique to
give Ukyo a noticeable speech pattern. I liked the
idea and incorporated it, although it isn�t as heavily
accentuated as the one my friend mentioned.
- Running updates and modifications were done from
time to time.
- This story (should it ever get finished) was
originally written in order to get rid of my extreme
depression after reading Richard Lawson's excellent
dark-fic Storm's End.
- Succeeding chapters will be uploaded to the ML once
a day, to give those in the list the opportunity to
read my work at their leisure.
- For those who are quick readers or can't wait for
the next installment. You can access the story at
http://fvector.virtualave.net/level1rv.htm or use
http://fvector.virtualave.net/rv-2.htm for Chapter 2
(replacing the number will access the appropriate
chapter, ex: rv-3.htm is Chapter 3)
- Like the last time, please send C&C to either
fvector@yahoo.com or fvector@usa.net
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