New story - Divergence from after the Nabiki/Ranma engagement.

Prologue:  You can keep him


Disclaimer:  The characters are the property of others.  I'm using them
because I'm to lazy to think up some of my own.  I need to thank Rumiko
Takahashi for creating the wonderful world of Ranma1/2.


I walked to school early.  Today would be a huge day and I wanted a front
row seat.  I was probably the only person outside the Tendo Dojo that knew
their would be two of Furinkan's most popular students not showing up today.
They weren't popular in the conventional way, very few actually liked them
or wanted to be their friends, and even fewer had any knowledge of who they
really were, except through that strange one dimensional glass that we see
our acquaintances through.  We have small restricted interactions with
people, add on to that rumor and innuendo, and our need to fill in the
pieces as we see fit.  Never knowing the true depth and complexity of a
person while believing we do.  No, their popularity was more of an infamous
nature, their mutual exploits and public persona's were well known.
Everyone wanted to watch their actions and exploits, but were in general
fear of becoming the object of either's attention.  They aren't mean or
cruel people, but through circumstance those who did have dealings with them
came away injured in some way, scaring others off, while the majority
watched in amusement or sympathy for those who had to endure the shared
spotlight.  Everyone wanted to know of their exploits, the morbid curiosity
of a society where sameness is lauded and any difference is secretly
thrilling.  Even the injury of someone else appeals to our guilty hearts.

I was curious and anxious as I approached the gates. No, curious doesn't
adequately describe the excitement coursing through my veins as I
anticipated witnessing the reactions of all the other students.  I was
wondering when and in what manner the news would hit and also how fast it
would travel.  The bemused looks on most students faces would be memorable
and I couldn't wait to hear all the gossip as it circulated through the
rumor mill.  I knew the truth and anxiously awaited how distorted it would
become, as some students would blindly accept the innuendo's and partial
truth's as fact.  The half remembered facts would be altered and missing
pieces added to suit the tellers fancy, while the listener, in return, would
only remember those facts that fascinated her.  I wondered how outrageous it
would become and silently went through a list of all my acquaintances and
wondered who would be the first to declare that they had seen this coming.
I will hear all the rumors, that was one of the bright spots about my unique
social standing.  I supposed their is someone like me at every school.  I'm
friendly with all, but friends with no-one, now that she's gone.  It isn't
so bad, because I do get along with everyone, I just don't really connect
with the other students, so our interactions while friendly are extremely
superficial.  I'm neither short nor tall, pretty nor ugly, neither athletic
nor clumsy, I am the typical Japanese schoolgirl all the way, at least
that's how everyone perceives me.  The only real thing I have going for me
is I am extremely bright.  I've never been a heavy studier, which has helped
me avoid being tagged as a nerd or a geek, while allowing me to associate
with those who are as close to equals.  The advantage of my anonymity is
gossip.  I probably find out more information and of a slightly more
accurate variety than Nabiki.  What she learns through deception and those
idiot girls she keeps around I learn first hand.  Who am I going to tell?
The girl who even the guys are friendly with, but not friends, and a secret
must be shared.  A secret is worthless is nobody knows you have it.  Who do
I tell?  My best friend, and she tells no one anything I tell her that could
be traced back to me.  Few if any even know were friends.  Why is this
important?  If you truly want the truth you should listen to me.  I almost
never tell, so people go to Nabiki for a price, never knowing that she comes
to me for a large amount of her information.

In all honesty I didn't really believe they'd go through with it, at least
until last Saturday night when she canceled our plans so she could
brainstorm and make last minute arrangements. This was the first time she
had canceled our Saturday night plans since we had become friends and had
agreed to set aside that time for ourselves and our mischief.

The students were starting to trickle in,  I'm earlier than normal, but few
will really notice, since this time at school is usually reserved for the
really nerdy students or those with some kind of morning sports or club
meeting.

How do I know about the missing students you ask?  My best friend had called
from the train station saying good-bye and that she would keep in touch.
She was with her love and living in the Dojo was too complicated right now.
They needed peace and the chance to spend some time alone together.  They
had been hiding their true feelings for one another from prying eyes for too
long and they needed to explore that love together without having to hide
it.  Her idiot of a father would would force them to marry instantly if he
suspected they loved each other and got along so well.  Who wants to be
married before they graduate high school?  Sex yes.  Marriage no.  Their was
also the complication of his other suitors, or fiancee baggage as she had
taken to refer to them, and don't forget her sister, I can't imagine the
strain that must be, both loving the same guy living under the same roof.
One has his heart while the other has their parents pledge.  Their was no
doubt in either of our minds that if the 'baggage' or her sister knew the
true extend of their feelings, I would be minus one best friend.  Maybe we
we're being a little too severe in our speculations, but discretion is the
better part of valor.

Have I mentioned how happy I am for her, and him, and a little jealous.  One
day, one day I'll have a chance to be with someone that means as much to me
as he means to her.

They squared away some money and are going to go to school in another part
of Japan, hopefully they'll find out what they want in life and in each
other.  He was sick of having the Dojo and martial arts rammed down his
throat.  After finally hearing his story, or at least a good chunk of it, I
had to agree.  I'm pretty sure he'll end up doing something involving the
art, it's in his blood and he does love it.  I think he just finally
realized that his application of it, or at least the application his father
forced upon him was too narrow, and that he was potentially cutting himself
short by focussing solely on one thing to the exclusion of all else.

My friend needs to find herself also, she realizes that she'll always be in
his shadow, but that doesn't mean she can't cast her own light.  She doesn't
want to be Mrs. Saotome, his wife, his subordinate, the cook, housekeeper,
and baby maker.  She wants her own identity.  She wants to be his support
and biggest supporter, but she wants him to be hers as well.  They hope a
fresh start will give them time to see if that can happen, if they can put
their ego's aside for one another's benefit and be a team, not jealous of
the success the other will receive in the future, and they will be
successful.  Talent is one thing, but they both have talent and drive,  I
think she may even outdo him in the success department.

I think they also want to make sure that the feelings are as pure as they
believe them to be, not artificially enhanced by the situation.  As wrong as
that sounds their is a certain allure, an excitement to sneaking around.
Are they extra nice and courteous to each other because their time together
is limited?  Will they be as forgiving and tolerant of each other when some
of the external pressures are gone and the time spent together isn't as
precious because it's so abundant?  I think they'll manage, but the really
do have a lot of questions that can't be answered in the Dojo, or anywhere
near the mentally unstable cast of characters that currently populate their
lives.

Kuno has arrived, it's still fifteen minutes till class and he seems to been
mumbling to himself, either to psyche himself up or practicing his morning
speech.  I can't wait till Ranma and Akane don't arrive together today.
That will be the catalyst, as was his appearance marked with a showdown with
the long winded kendoist his departure will be marked by the lack of one.  I
wonder if this no-fight will register on anyone's mind until the news hit's
that he didn't leave alone, he has missed school before and it's always been
met with wild and rampant speculation.  I wonder when the closest version of
the truth will hit.  I have been cleared to tell the whole story. I imagine
that will be my lunchtime activity.  Few if any know I'm friends with her
and that will hurt the credibility of my story.  Maybe I'll give my story to
Nabiki's lackeys, they can sell it with the other rumor's, actually maybe
I'll sell it to them and then declare to all that will listen I know the
whole truth.

Her sister arrives, cutting off Kuno's ranting with a short statement
informing all concerned that her sister has "run-off" with Ranma.  I can
here the contempt in her voice and the momentary sympathy I had for her
vanishes as she makes a few exclamations defaming my friends before running
off to her homeroom to avoid a very excited and Hyper Kuno.  Her quick
departure is noted by all present, so is Kuno's, who chases after her while
extolling his own virtues that caused the demon Saotome to flee from his
righteous wrath.  I can hear the rumors flying as I head to my homeroom.
This is going to be such a fun day.

You can feel the electricity in the room.  Some version's of the truth are
already circulating.   I say "of the truth" because all the stories include
him leaving.  The students are all talking, was she kidnapped, did they
really run away together, did he run away and she's off chasing him, did he
kidnap her!  I almost laughed aloud when I got that note.  No it was
consensual, if anything she talked him into leaving, him and his damned
honor.  I could just image the chaos at the Dojo when they left, he wouldn't
allow them to sneak away in the night and have everyone worry.  They were
supposed to make an attempt at explaining, especially to his mother. When I
spoke with her last night she said Mr. Saotome was on his way to the
hospital, nothing overly serious, a few broken ribs,  much less than he
deserves.  I kind of wish I could go with.  She was/is the best friend I
ever had, and I had grown found of the old man.  He hated it when I called
him that, which enticed me all the more.  Maybe a visit over next break,
assuming they tell me where they end up.

How did this all happen.  Well about six months ago, Ranma had been engaged
to Nabiki after Nabiki and Akane had been in a fight.  Akane had assumed
Ranma had sided with Nabiki and in one of her fits she gave Ranma to Nabiki.
Ranma had acted like it didn't matter, business as usual to him.  Nabiki had
treated Ranma like dirt throughout the first week, trying to get him to go
back to Akane, and Akane had sulked in wounded pride.  Nabiki had a plan to
get the two back together as she noticed Akane's anger finally subsiding at
the end of the week.  Something happened though, Ranma had actually asked
Nabiki out on a date.

Damn the bell,  come back after homeroom and I'll tell you more.

JA

6/1/2001
please C&C not sure why I wrote the prologue this way but I'm curious for
everyone's reactions, and also if it's obvious or not who Ranma ran away
with.

my email: kpjam@worldnet.att.net
My home:  http://home.att.net/~kpjam/index.html
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