[Ranma][Fic] World Without A Ranma (Re-write)
For your delectation, and delight (or otherwise) all my recent fics
set with the same background storyline. These have undergone a
minor re-write. There is a new fic in here - this is also posted
separately for the convenience of those who aren't interested
in repeats.
Title Note
----- ----
The way out.............This kicked it all off - Ranma
Autumn Leaves : Part 1..Shortly afterwards - involves Shampoo and Ukyo
Genma's Decision........The same day - Genma (+ Nabiki & Kimiko)
Such things as Dreams...The night of Kimiko's arrival - involves Akane
are made of
Consultations : Part 1..[T + One day] - Akane, Tofu and Cologne (+others)
Family Business.........Nabiki's diary, days 1 to 8.
Autumn Leaves : Part 2..[To be written]
Consultations : Part 2..[T + One week] Akane, Tofu and Cologne (+others)
Night Encounters........[To be written] Approx. T + 1 week. To include the
spamfic 'Reasons to be careful'
A New Face [NEW]........[T + 1 week, ? days] First day of new school week.
Keeping Up Appearances..[T + 2 weeks] Kasumi & Kimiko
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[Ranma][Fic] The way out.
Ranma's vision blurred from the combination of drugs and pain and he
remembered.
---
"Hey, old ghoul! What's this ya gave me?"
"Think of it as a belated wedding gift, Son-in-law," Cologne replied,
her voice carrying a hint of mystery and perhaps regret.
---
Ranma forced his head up from the hospital bed and looked, she was so
young! He thought, but it was her. The six year old Akane looked back at
him while whatever Soun was saying was drowned out by Ranma's delirium.
It wasn't his body she was seeing, he realised blearily - something he
should have been all too used to - how had he got to this point?
---
"This?" Ranma said, indicating the dragon ring on his hand. "Cologne
said it's called Heart's Choice. S'posed to be used by those of mighty
warrior spirit to save someone on the edge of death - bit of 'n odd
choice for a wedding gift if you ask me."
"Wedding gift?" Akane inquired, her look hinting at future mallets if
he misstepped verbally.
---
Ranma sank back to the bed exhausted to the bone. It was true that a
strong spirit could keep the body it inhabited alive for longer
against grave injury or disease. Presumably Cologne's gift had been used
that way - as a stop gap to keep someone on the edge of life till a healer
could be found or the danger point passed. It was not to be, he decided,
he couldn't keep this body alive any longer. He half heard Soun Tendo
promising his daughters something he should not have done as the blackness
began to roll over him. Soun was right - Ranma only regretted that he
would not be there to see it. Still, at least he had found an honourable
way out.
---
There was a sharp crack as the ring 'Heart's Choice' gave under the
unnatural strain. The Chinese shirted figure dropped the hat that had
been held reverently over it's chest and staggered - recognising the name
on the gravestone.
"Ranma?" Akane asked, turning back to her fianc�.
"Is that really you Akane? What's happening?"
Akane didn't realise it but her father's promise had finally come true
- her mother was back.
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Excessively Long Author's Notes
-------------------------------
Whew! The idea for this came at about 5:30am from a dream and I decided
to get it written before I lost my inspiration.
The idea that Soun gathered his family by the hospital bed and promised
she would be all right just before she died was stolen from another fic.
[Title forgotten, as usual].
Just to make some things clear - the ring's magic was triggered by Ranma
and Akane's emotion on the anniversary of Akane's mother's death. Ranma
could have reversed the effect afterwards, but chose not to.
A few other points that aren't obvious from the above. Ranma switched
with Mrs. Tendo's body on her death bed - immediately before the fic above
starts. The ring is limited to switching with those close to death - that
being the main part of it's purpose.
Secondly, the title of the fic, and Ranma's final thought ("Still, at
least he had found an honourable way out.") are both significant. In
this storyline, IMO, Ranma is tired of hurting those who are chasing him
by not making a decision. However, he still doesn't want to hurt everyone
he _doesn't_ choose. By letting himself die, rather than switching Mrs.
Tendo back to her body on it's death bed he has 'a way out'. The fact
that this decision isn't necessarily the best may be because he is being
over altruistic and / or he is not thinking carefully about the
consequences.
I'll also note that he's probably not thinking at his most clearly due
to being doped up on painkillers and delirious from whatever illness is
killing Mrs. Tendo's body.
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[Ranma][Fic] Autumn Leaves : Part 1
Part of "World Without A Ranma."
The flashbacks take place just after Kimiko's arrival, Kimiko's bath is
set ~3 or so days later.
Note: The manga never names Mrs Tendo (AFAIK). She's called Kimiko in
several fanfiction works and I'm borrowing that name for consistency /
laziness.
What has gone before:
Ranma's better nature and a Chinese-Amazon artefact have combined to
return Akane's mother to life - in Ranma's body.
Autumn Leaves : Part 1
Kimiko tried to relax in the hot water - something that didn't come
easily. As cures go it was impressive - not only was she back from the
dead, she was about 13 years younger and almost supernaturally fit. The
side effects did take some getting used to, though, she thought as she
glanced down and saw something bobbing in the water that _definitely_
shouldn't have been there. Well, not unless it was part of Soun Tendo
anyway, she thought with a grin. The grin faded as she remembered - her
husband couldn't even touch her. No, being a boy part of the time was
nothing - the damage was being done inside of the hearts of those around
her.
She reflected on the casualties - first, and foremost someone she had
never met. Someone who she would be reminded of every time she looked
into a mirror. Someone who ... well perhaps the best way to think about
it was to remember the time she first began to understand what had
happened.
---
Akane had hustled her away from the rest of the family, Akane's face
expressed indignation at the disturbance to the solemn moment. "Ranma!"
She said in a stage whisper, "what do you think you're doing?"
It took a mother's eyesight to see it - but Kimiko could see her
daughter (Surely she _must_ be her daughter?) was worried. "Akane? It's
me, your mother - how have you all grown so? Was that my ... I mean, how
did I get here? What's happened to me?"
Akane's eyes were visibly watering but her face showed only anger as she
balled her fists. "If this is some kind of trick ..."
"Please! You've got to believe me, the last thing I remember was ... the
hospital bed. I heard you, your sisters and your father arrive - but I
was too weak to lift my eyelids and see you." Kimiko stifled a sob and
continued, "The last thing I heard was you asking Soun when I was coming
back home. And now, now ... I'm a _boy_ and you're all grown up!"
Akane was silent a moment, perhaps reflecting on that long ago day. She
contemplated the quietly weeping figure before her. "Come with me," she
said decisively, "I know someone who might be able to sort this out."
Before the door to the restaurant had finished opening a brightly
dressed buxom girl had wrapped herself around Kimiko's arm with a grip of
steel.
"Airen! Come visit Shampoo, yes? Ramen on house."
"Young lady!" Kimiko shouted, struggling to free herself. "What on Earth
do you think you're doing?" She asked in shock.
"Stow it Shampoo - we're here to see Cologne." Akane said with a frown,
her mallet fingers twitching.
"Leave him for the moment, girl. What does my son-in-law wa... No,
I see I was mistaken." Said a small gnarled being perched on top of an
oaken staff.
"Can you help me, Elder? Is this the wise woman you wanted me to see?"
Kimiko asked, eyes wide.
"Hmm, may I see your hand please?" Cologne asked, but didn't wait for a
response before hopping round and holding up Kimiko's left hand before her
face. "As I suspected - the dragon is broken. The ring 'Heart's Choice'
is no more. And you do not have Ranma's stance. Unless I'm very much
mistaken Ranma, son-in-law, has done something very careless."
"_Ranma_ has done!" Akane exclaimed - for once aiming her anger at a
different target. "That's the ring _you_ gave to him. What have you done
to Ranma?"
"Sit down. You too, Shampoo, and listen." Cologne said.
"Why should I listen to an old ..." Akane's growing battle aura suddenly
fizzled out and she slumped against her will to the floor.
Cologne had moved too fast for Kimiko to be sure that the strange figure
had done anything, she looked over her daughter - more concerned for Akane
than for her own predicament.
"Just a paralysis point - it'll wear off soon enough," Cologne reassured
her. "Still, to answer Akane's question - I haven't _done_ anything to
Ranma, be assured that his fate was his of his own choosing."
Cologne paused, and looked over to the figure next to Akane. "But
first, this must be very confusing for you - perhaps you should introduce
yourself." Cologne said, her rough voice moderated with kindliness.
"My name is Kimiko Tendo," (Akane's eyes started wildly, although she
was unable to move anything else) "I don't know where I am, why I look
like this or what has happened. All I know is that I appeared before my
family in this form, in a graveyard and that ... to the best of medical
knowledge I should be dead."
"Is silly trick! This Ranma, Airen. Not fool Shampoo!" Shampoo said
with a desperate attempt to laugh.
"It's no trick, grand-daughter, the ring is broken - Ranma stayed too
long." Cologne explained wearily, "that ring is used to exchange spirits
so that a person of great heart can lend their strength to a gravely
injured friend. Someone of superior strength of soul, if you will, can
keep a body alive in circumstances where a normal human would swiftly
perish. Those precious seconds or minutes can be used to seek treatment.
Even I did not know the magic could extend across time - but if the aiding
spirit stays too long it would be trapped in the dying body ..."
"No! Is not true!"
"That baka can't get himself killed!" Akane gasped, regaining her
mobility.
"The Nekohanten is closed! Come child, we have some decisions to make."
Cologne led the weeping Shampoo out of the room, leaving Akane clenching
her fists - with no-one to strike.
---
Kimiko sighed, slipping deeper into the bath. She suspected she had not
yet seen the last of Shampoo. Ukyo ... Ukyo had taken it better, she
supposed. It had been a day later, she had taken out some money and
stormed out of the house - she didn't want to think about why, not again,
not yet*. She had just needed some time to be on her own. In the city
she had quickly found out just how little money was worth ...
[* - See 'Such things as Dreams are made of]
---
"700 yen for a small boxed lunch!?" She exclaimed.
"Sorry miss, if you think you can do better elsewhere ..." the man
paused, and looked not unkindly at the pretty teenager before him.
She was obviously deeply upset about something. "I shouldn't say this -
but you might try U-chan's, I hear the owner's quite nice - not like my
boss. Cute too, not that you need to worry about that, eh?" He said with
a smile.
It hadn't taken long to find, everyone knew where U-chan's was.
"Hey, Ran-chan - one sea-food okonomiyake coming ..." Ukyo paused, "are
you alright?"
"I'm sorry miss - I think I have some bad news for you." Kimiko
said, obviously the owner knew Ranma - new him very well by the intimate
nickname. Kimiko had a duty to tell her ...
Ukyo looked, hard, at Kimiko. "Why are you talking like that? You
haven't even changed your clothes! What sort of a disguise do you call
that?"
It was true, she hadn't had a chance to go shopping yet - all she had
was boys' clothes. Although she had borrowed some underwear from her
daughters. "Ah, perhaps we should talk in private." She said, dread
settling firmly into place.
Ukyo looked at her expression and assumed the worst. "It's the
engagement isn't it. You've finally decided to marry Akane. Well I've
had it with you - I've forgiven you, been your friend lived on hope and
now ..."
"NO! the engagement's broken." Kimiko said, feeling distinctly nauseous
at the idea. "You've seen some strange things living here?"
"Yes ..." Ukyo replied, seeming unsure at the direction things were
heading.
"Do you know what Ranma thought was the duty of martial artists?" Kimiko
asked feeling her way carefully towards the truth.
Ukyo shuddered, at the word 'THOUGHT' something was seriously wrong.
"To protect the weak. What are you trying to tell me?"
"Ranma ... Ranma protected me, at the cost of his life."
"But YOU'RE Ranma, you ..." Ukyo trailed off, perhaps she had sensed
something from the beginning. "You're not, are you? You're nothing but
some damn ghost walking in his skin!!" Ukyo reached out and brought her
combat spatula to the ready. "Just tell me why I shouldn't pound you
into the ground!"
Kimiko flinched, but said nothing - what could she say? Akane wanted
Ranma more than she wanted her. She hadn't asked for this, hadn't had a
choice - but that didn't lesson the wrong that had been done to Ranma's
friends.
Ukyo swung her weapon with great force towards the unmoving target,
just barely managing to divert the blow before it's fatal impact.
"Because he wouldn't want me to. Because his loss mustn't be in vain."
Ukyo answered herself in a quiet voice, bereft of hope.
"If there's anything I can do..." Kimiko offered in a voice that had no
hope.
"You can leave! I never want to see you here again!" Ukyo shouted.
"No, I'll leave - I couldn't bear seeing THAT walk around town." Her eye's
red and tears streaming down her face she said one final thing to the
departing figure. "You'd just better make DAMN sure your life is worth it.
You hear me? You're living on credit!"
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I suppose some of you may wonder why this was called 'Autumn Leaves' as it
had precious little to do with leaves - and isn't even set in Autumn.
Basically the title symbolises both the coming metaphorical 'Winter' and
the way much of Ranma's friends and associates fall away ...
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[Ranma][Fic] Genma's decision
Part of "World Without A Ranma."
This is set on the same day as Kimiko's return.
What has gone before:
Ranma's better nature and a Chinese-Amazon artefact have combined to
return Akane's mother to life - in Ranma's body.
Genma's decision.
Genma ran away. Oh, he hadn't called it that. He'd gone on a training
trip, he was looking for a 'cure', he needed some time to think things
over. Lies, all of them. Genma had run away.
Those nearby spared little attention for a panda walking aimlessly
through the rain - he was still on his way out of Nerima and people can
become accustomed to anything given time. He thought back to the moment
when he had realised just what he had lost.
...
"Formula 110?" Nabiki questioned.
'No, his hair hasn't been washed recently', the sign said.
"Demonic possession?" 'No horns.'
"Trained with electric shocks by a mad theatre director?" 'Now that's
just silly.'
"Mirror twin?" 'He wasn't out of my sight - besides that's manga 35 and
we're still in manga 22*'
[The author hurriedly pushes an old wardrobe in front of the gaping hole
in the fourth wall]
"I wish you wouldn't talk about me as if I wasn't here, Nabiki." Kimiko
told her daughter reproachfully. "You can't really be charging this nice
panda for advice, can you? I thought I brought you up better than that."
Nabiki glared at the offending speaker. "YOU didn't bring me up at all,
and when I find out just who is responsible for this cruel trick they WILL
pay. Literally, and figuratively."
Kimiko's face fell, her aura an almost perfect match for Kasumi's in the
rare moments when someone managed to upset her. "I'm sorry, dear," she
sniffed, "I didn't mean for this to happen - I just want to have my family
back."
Nabiki looked coldly at the crying figure. "If you're going to be that
girlish - you should have a body to match!" While saying this she produced
a convenient bucket of water and threw it over her target.
"What the? I'm female again!" Kimiko cried, patting herself down. "I
don't know how you did that, but THANK you."
Nabiki looked down at her notebook and crossed off all the entries that
didn't apply to what was obviously Ranma's Jusenkyo cursed body. Not
a doppelganger, not a disguise artist, not ...
"Excuse me," Nabiki said with a small smile. "Can you hold this for me
for a moment."
"Certainly." She replied in some confusion.
"And this. This, and this..." Nabiki continued.
"Just how many cat's do you have?" Came the muffled voice from under a
purring furry heap.
Nabiki looked at Genma, who stared back. 'No catfist training.' the sign
showed. Suddenly Nabiki sent the cats flying and wrapped herself around
her mother. "It's you - thank the Kami it really IS you!"
...
In the rain, Genma came to from the unsettling memories that had played
over, and over, in his head. He realised with a start just where he was.
This was the _last_ place he wanted to be.
No, he realised, this was exactly where he had to be - although it might
well also be the last place he would be. Genma wasn't going to run away
any more, he decided. He slowly approached the house to see if he could
get some hot water from Nodoka Saotome.
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[Ranma][Fic] Such things as Dreams are made of.
Part of "World Without A Ranma."
This is set on the night of Kimiko's return.
What has gone before:
Ranma's better nature and a Chinese-Amazon artefact have combined to
return Akane's mother to life - in Ranma's body.
Such things as Dreams are made of.
An air of unreality hung over the group. Genma had gone, who knows
where. Nabiki was clinging to her mother in full Shampoo glomp mode.
Soun had retired early after soaking the room. Elsewhere Kasumi was
cleaning the counter top, again. The ritual movements serving to bring
some measure of calm to her spirit.
Kimiko sighed, it had been a long day and it wasn't over yet. "Are you
sure you are OK Akane? I've heard how much Ranma meant to you."
"Just great mom. I've got rid of that girl chasing idiot and have you
back as well! I couldn't be happier," She said brightly.
Kimiko was worried about her daughter; Kasumi seemed to be doing well -
even if she was taking things too calmly, Nabiki's sudden change of
character was odd but she seemed to be genuinely happy, Akane ...
Well, she would worry about it in the morning.
She tucked Nabiki into bed, remembering how cute she had looked when she
had last been able to do that. She wasn't cute now, she was beautiful.
When she looked in on her husband he was still fast asleep - she decided
to leave Soun in peace. He must have been very tired after being so
emotionally overwrought.
There was an unused room, of course. An eerie feeling crept over her as
she looked around, there wasn't much in there. Some black and white hair
shed on one of the beds, men�s clothing - Chinese shirts, gi's etc. She
picked up a school textbook from the floor and dropped it with a shiver -
It felt like she was grave robbing. Only for one night, she told herself
and undressed for bed.
Akane turned restlessly in her sleep. "mmmphhmmm," she mumbled, "mmMmm
Nmmmph!" An pillow took the force of her nocturnal frustrations and she
slipped deeper into sleep as feathers gently fell across the room cloaking
it in innocent white ...
Kimiko couldn't sleep the quiet sounds of the house sounded strange to
her ears. Had it always creaked like that? The wind gusted, and a tree
brushed it's twigs on the house wall. It hadn't been large enough to
touch, she realised, when she was last sleeping here. The building
sounded old, she thought, battle-worn and weary. Enough! She thought,
I'm just getting twitchy thinking like this. She took a deep breath and
exhaled slowly, letting her tension lea- *Bump*
Akane stepped back from her closed bedroom door, then walked
determinedly forwards again *Bump*
What was that?! Kimiko worried, fully awake once again. The noise came
again. It must be a window left off the hook, banging in the wind ...
"mmph mumble must tell mmm..." Akane's hand came out and fumbled the
door open, she walked out into the corridor. The signals from her glassy,
half-open eyes being re-interpreted into her dreaming mind.
Someone else had woken up, Kimiko realised, recent events didn't make
for peaceful sleep. She started a little as the bedroom door opened, but
recognised the moonlit figure as her baby daughter - all grown up. "Did
you have a nightmare? Come to mommy."
"I love you." Akane said quietly.
"Mommy loves you too dear."
"...ove you Ranma." the silhouetted figure repeated, clumsily starting to
pull her nightie off over her head.
"AKANE! What do you think you are doing?"
Like a puppet with it's strings cut she collapsed to the floor. "Oh! I
guess I must have been sleep walking, I'm sorry if I woke you up."
"That's alright dear, try to get back to sleep Akane." Kimiko managed,
deeply concerned over what her daughter's actions had revealed - but
trying to hide that worry for her sake. "Good night."
"Good night, Ranma."
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Author's Note
Just to say that, IMO, the catfist is the ultimate Ranma detection
method. As far as I know there's _no_ way of removing it and it is linked
directly to the mind and spirit of the person affected.
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[Ranma][Fic] Consultations: Part 1
Part of "World Without A Ranma."
What has gone before:
Ranma's better nature and a Chinese-Amazon artefact have combined to
return Akane's mother to life - in Ranma's body. To say Akane has not
taken this well is rather like saying Ryoga doesn't have a very good sense
of direction ...
Consultations Part 1.
"I don't know why we have to go now." Akane complained.
"You trust Dr. Tofu don't you? I'll come with you if you want." Kasumi
offered.
"No! No thank you," Akane replied, making Kimiko wonder just why she was
so forceful about it.
"I think I'll tag along," Nabiki said with some of her usual acerbity,
"someone has got to keep an eye on the young lovebirds."
"Nabiki!" Kimiko exclaimed shocked at Nabiki's attitude, "that's _not_
something to joke about."
"You're so cute when you're embarrassed," Akane said, grabbing Kimiko's
arm as they set off to the clinic.
The journey was short, and quiet, giving Kimiko a chance to think about
Akane's condition. At least she seemed content to hold hands - She hadn't
dared say anything to Akane last night after her mis-directed farewell.
She had just hoped that her daughter was just confused by sleepiness and
wouldn't remember the following day. Breakfast had been ... painful was
the only word. She stopped, they had arrived.
Dr. Tofu opened the door to his latest visitors. "Ranma, Akane and
Nabiki! What brings you here?" Dr. Tofu asked. They hadn't moved as if
they were injured. Akane was cheerful - more so than usual, Ranma looked
very concerned about something and both Nabiki and Ranma had flinched when
he called his name ...
Nabiki was the first to break the silence that followed. "Dr Tofu. I'd
like you to meet Kimiko Tendo."
Kimiko explained, as best she could, while Akane smiled beside her.
"I see." Tofu stated, although if it had been any other family ...
"How are you coping with Ranma's loss? he asked Akane.
"What are you talking about? He's right here," Akane stated, looking
puzzled.
"That's why we've come to you - Akane doesn't seem to accept what has
happened. I don't know what to do, doctor - she wasn't like this
yesterday!" Kimiko's eyes pleaded with Dr. Tofu to be able to do
something, anything, for her daughter.
"That's right," Akane said brightly, "we should have a general check-up
if we're going to be married soon."
Tofu looked from one patient to the other. "If I could see Mrs. Tendo
first."
"Oh, I'm not 'Mrs.' yet, doctor." Akane said with a blushing smile.
"He means me." Kimiko said, much to Akane's apparent confusion -
although she didn't object when Kimiko left her.
Tofu put down the light he had been flashing in her eyes. Normal pupil
response, he noted finishing his examination. "I can't find anything
wrong with you. I suppose I'll have to accept your story - I'll miss
Ranma. You don't think he's inside, suppressed underneath your memories
do you?"
Kimiko frowned sadly as she shook her head. "That doesn't fit with the
way Cologne told me this worked," she said - indicating the broken ring
that had been responsible for Ranma's loss. "It was a full exchange, and
the ring broke when he ... died with my body."
"I'd like to test something, if you would." Tofu said, continuing on
Kimiko's assent. "Could you take a strike at my hand?" He asked.
Tofu winced slightly as he absorbed the impact, but he had learned what
he wanted to know. "You've had some martial arts training?" he asked,
rhetorically. "Ranma was a great martial artist - as he would have been
first to admit. I expect this body is stronger, and faster than you
realise. You should begin training again as soon as possible so that you
don't hurt anyone accidentally."
"Why would I need to do that? Can't I just stay out of fights?" Kimiko
queried.
Tofu smiled, a little, and said, "You'd think so, wouldn't you? You
will also need to improve your skills. I'm afraid Ranma had enemies, and
friends, who might not wait for your life story before attacking."
"I don't know whether I'll be able to train," Kimiko said sadly, "My
husband, Soun, he isn't the man he was before ..." Kimiko trailed off as
she broke into quiet sobs.
"I'm sure something can be worked out, I could probably give you some
instruction..." Dr. Tofu said, but was interrupted before he could finish.
"I don't know that I can afford that," Kimiko admitted.
"Nonsense, it would do me good - I need to keep in shape myself," Tofu
explained, as he guided Kimiko out of the room.
Nabiki nearly fell over when the door opened suddenly. She blithely
ignored the looks of disapproval she received. "What? Girl's gotta stay
in the know," she said shamelessly.
Dr. Tofu ushered Akane into the room. "Sit down, please, Akane." He said.
"How are you feeling?" He asked as he examined her head for signs of injury.
"Wonderful! I'm getting married, you know. I suppose it will take a
while to get things properly organised - I just can't wait!" Akane said.
"Ah-hah," Tofu said noncommittally, as he continued his examination.
"When did you decide to do that?"
"I finally told him I loved him last night - we stayed up all night
talking," Akane said cheerfully.
"Have you noticed anything different about him recently?" Tofu asked
as he checked for signs of stress and measured her blood pressure.
"No ... well just that he's been so well behaved since last night - I
suppose all his insults were just frustration at not having admitted his
feelings for me. 'I Love You.' Isn't it amazing how much difference those
three small words can make?" Akane said, and smiled at Tofu.
"Well you seem to be in good health - but I'd like to see you both again
soon. If you stay here a moment I just want a quick word with Nabiki and
..." he trailed off - not wanting to lie with 'Ranma' or confuse with
'Kimiko'.
"I think you should consider taking her to a specialist," Tofu said
quietly, in the far end of the main room. "I can't find any physical
symptoms to treat - and this is too delicate for shiatsu points and
acupuncture."
"We can't take my daughter to a shrink!" Kimiko exclaimed, then looked
guiltily through to the examination room where Akane was waiting - but she
showed no reaction.
"Mom's right," Nabiki said, hugging her comfortingly, "how would we
persuade her to go? Besides they'd never believe what had happened - we'd
just end up with everyone in the sanatorium."
"What about that nice old lady?" Kimiko asked, remembering what she had
been told about her.
Nabiki looked blank for a while then came up with a rather unlikely
match for that description. "Cologne? You might have something there - if
she can work with Dr. Tofu at another appointment." And if she was still
in Japan, she thought to herself.
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Author's Notes
Take a deep breath and relax before continuing. I've tried to lighten
the tension a little in the start of the next part, set later on the same
day.
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Consultations : Part 1 (Continuation)
The restaurant was empty, the usual 'Closed - for repairs' sign was up,
but someone had crossed out 'for repairs' and written in 'indefinitely'.
Nabiki looked nervously around then composed herself and knocked on the
door.
A short way down the street Kimiko waited, having been persuaded by
Nabiki to come for reasons that seemed logical at the time ... Beside her
stood Kasumi who had invited herself along. Kasumi had the impression
that sometimes rather boisterous and energetic things happened around
Ranma, and she wanted to be with Kimiko to defuse the situation if they
started happening to her.
'Hidden' further back still was Soun Tendo, in full Samurai warrior
armour. He wasn't sure what to make of what was happening to his family,
but he was going to protect them - even if it meant sneaking like some
dishonourable ninja (forgetting for the moment that the sound and look of
his costume wasn't exactly suited for sneaking).
Akane didn't know why everyone had left - but she wasn't going to be
kept completely out of things involving her husband to be. She followed
resolutely some way behind her archaically dressed father.
Back at the other end of the line, the door opened. A man with long
black hair and glasses pushed up on his forehead stood there. "What have
you done to hurt Shampoo?!" He screamed, "Ranma - prepare to die!"
"You're too late, Mousse," Nabiki replied - the 'ice queen' putting new
levels of cold into her voice.
Hearing a female voice from his blurry target he went to lower his
glasses into place - but was interrupted by being punched through the wall
by a short tempered Chinese-Amazon elder.
Mouse landed, his glasses firmly on his nose, and looked up to see his
enemy. Standing up he struck a dramatic pose, incidentally pushing his
glasses back up. "For making Shampoo cry, RANMA! Prepare!"
Kimiko pushed Kasumi out of the way barely in time. Kitchen knives of all
size and types flew at her tearing her clothing and scratching her skin as
Kimiko was left in the place Kasumi had just left. "How dare you try to
hurt _my_ daughter!" She cried, delivering a blow to Mousse that is
recorded in no martial arts scroll - the 'Mother's Rage Attack'.
Mousse ploughed through the paving stones after a short, flat, trajectory
and stood up shakily. "Ranma?" he asked uncertainly.
"R-R-Ranmaaaa!!" The figure before him cried - rapidly becoming obscured
by a 12' high demonic visage that even Mousse could see. "DO NOT CALL
BACK THE DEPARTED - LEST YOU JOIN THEM ON THE OTHER SIDE!"
Mousse made a tactical withdrawal - ended abruptly by a mallet to the
head.
"And _that_ is for upsetting my father," Akane said, apparently grateful
- on some level - to have someone to take out her frustrations on.
...
Cologne passed Nabiki a cup of tea. "I'll say this for Ranma, he
certainly knows how to make an impact," Cologne said sombrely. "His was
the first case where a Jusenkyo cursed person had received _both_ kisses.
Now the elders will have to rule what happens when the body is left - but
the spirit departed."
"You'll be going back to China then?" Nabiki asked, eyeing her tea
dubiously before taking a long sip. After all, if Cologne wanted to do
something to her _she_ couldn't stop it.
"Not right away," Cologne said with what might have been a smile. "First
I've got to decide what the elders are going to decide, and Shampoo will
have to calm down before I can discuss this with her."
"So what are the options?" Nabiki wondered out loud - before answering
herself. "1. It applies to the person and not the body, something that
the attitude to the Jusenkyo curse would support. 2. It applies to the
physical form, something supported by genetics and your willingness to use
personality altering drugs."
"Not bad, youngster. You forgot one variation - if the kiss of death
and the kiss of marriage still apply, which takes precedence now that the
person in question believes herself to be female," Cologne stated.
Nabiki frowned at the turn the conversation had taken, surely if it was
the body that took precedence then the nature of the personality would be
irrelevant.
"Hah!" Cologne laughed bitterly, guessing the line Nabiki's thoughts
were taking. "You forget most important point. The ruling will be that
believed to most favour the tribe, logic takes a poor second place to
that."
"In any case, no decision yet means no action - right?" Nabiki asked.
"Yes, you can tell her it's safe to come in." Cologne answered, "On my
honour."
Nabiki sighed as she headed out through the door - some people were a
little too hard to keep things from.
Meanwhile, down the end of the street, an interesting meeting had just
been taking place.
"My pigtailed goddess!" Kuno exclaimed, handing a bunch of red roses to
the startled young woman.
"My name is Kimiko Tendo," she stated - looking at Kasumi for guidance.
"This is Tatewaki Kuno," Kasumi said in a stage whisper, "he's a
friendly sort, but a little bit intense*."
[* - Translation: 'obsessive to the point of madness']
"The pigtailled goddess has graced me with her true name! Now we must
surely date!" Kuno shouted.
"Date?!" Kimiko said, flustered, "We can't date - I'm a married woman."
"Nooo!" Kuno cried - the air darkening around him with the force of his
despair. "The foul sorcerer Saotome will die for this offence. This the
Blue Thunder of Furinkan High swears!" *Kra-kraka-THOOM* Kuno said,
accompanied by his usual 'celestial chorus line'. "But this means the fair
Akane is free from her engagement..." Kuno wavered visibly - his
expression changing quicker than a politician's promises. "Akane!"
(Smiling to the heavens) "Kimiko." (Despairing at the injustice) "I must
have them _BOTH_!"
Nabiki arrived just in time to see Kuno slink off, his tail between his
legs.
"Oh, my!" Kasumi said, "You don't think I was too harsh - do you?"
Back at the Nekohanten, again, tea was handed round to the new arrivals.
"So, what brings you all here?" Cologne asked.
"It's my daughter, Akane." Kimiko explained - her eyes glittering with
unshed tears, "She can't accept Ranma has gone. First she was too
cheerful about it, and now she reacts as if nothing has changed. As if
I'm still the boy she was engaged to."
"That's not quite right," Nabiki interrupted, "she's reacting completely
differently to 'Ranma' now than she was before. She admits her love
without the slightest hesitation, shows no signs of losing her temper and
hasn't smashed him over the head with anything all day!"
"What? Were things really so bad?" Kimiko asked, looking to Kasumi for
confirmation.
"Oh - I'm sure Akane and Ranma would have settled down eventually,"
Kasumi said with a slightly sad smile.
Cologne nodded abruptly in understanding. "And what do you want me to
do?" Cologne asked. "I must admit to bearing some responsibility for the
way things have turned out," she said, her face unreadable behind the mass
of wrinkles.
"We thought perhaps you could assist Dr. Tofu ..." Kasumi said.
"Very well, it will take time to prepare. Say one week - I will not
make any decision on Shampoo's relation to 'Ranma' before then," Cologne
said, "In the meantime - I suggest you do nothing to upset the situation.
Don't play up to her delusion, but don't try to force her to see the truth
either."
After the others had left, Cologne spoke quietly to herself - a bad
habit she had picked up from those decades when there was nobody around
worth speaking to. "So, it comes to this - Helping Shampoo's biggest rival
to face reality, while persuading Shampoo to see what isn't there. A
challenge, and a risky method but perhaps the only way ..." Cologne let
out a bitter cackle as she left the room. She hadn't actually decided yet
whether to take the final steps, she consoled herself, so her promise
hadn't exactly been a lie.
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[Ranma][Fic] Family Business
Part of "World Without A Ranma."
This is a Nabiki centred fic. The title was chosen for the literal
meaning, and to indicate the business of being part of a family -
Something Nabiki hasn't been too hot at.
What has gone before:
Ranma's better nature and a Chinese-Amazon artefact have combined to
return Akane's mother to life - in Ranma's body.
Family Business
Day 1.
I have decided to start a new journal today, it's like some wonderful
dream and I want to write it all down in case it fades with the coming
dawn.
My mother is back.
Who would have thought I could ever write that line? Daddy took it
about as I would have expected - tears of joy instead of sorrow for once.
Although there may have been some of the latter for Ranma's loss. As for
Ranma, well, I suppose it's the way he would have wanted to go -
sacrificing one's life for an innocent is practically mandatory for great
warriors.
Akane's taking it well. I used to worry sometimes that she really was
falling for him, something that could only have caused her pain, but it
was 'Ranma you idiot.' to the last.
Kasumi is, ... Kasumi. I don't think she'll ever change.
As for my mother she's obviously dazed from what's happened but I think
she's strong enough to cope. It's surprising how well she matches my
memories, although I suppose Kasumi knows her better. Actually she's a lot
like Kasumi (Hmm, I suppose that should be the other way around) but she's
more worldly wise.
Day 2.
Looks like I spoke too soon, Akane's in denial. In fact given her
behaviour now I suppose it's fair to guess that she's been in denial ever
since she first walked in on that idiot. Only before she was denying she
liked - then loved - Ranma, and now she's denying she's lost him. Life's
full of these little surprises. Dr. Tofu didn't make much impact - but
I'm sure that Cologne knows a trick or two they can use for next time.
She said it would take a week to prepare - I can only hope Akane doesn't
get any worse in that time.
I don't entirely trust Cologne, but I can't see what she has to gain
from Akane remaining as she is. As I always say, 'If you're not sure
what's going on, or who to trust, look for the profit.'
Day 3.
Back to school. Well, for a while. I heard mom didn't make it through
the first period - I suppose I should have expected that. I made my
excuses when I found out in the first break and left early. My trusted
'lieutenant' can take care of the collection today.
Day 4.
Visitors today - Dr. Tofu came with Cologne in the morning, seems he
wanted to make sure mom would get the training he recommended. He's
taking and hour and a half out of work each morning, and Cologne the same
in the afternoon. I decide to take the afternoon off school - my grades
are good enough and I have 'connections' in the right places to make sure
I don't get into trouble.
I watched Cologne like a hawk throughout the training session. Mom
seems to be making excellent progress, although she's nowhere near as good
as Ranma was, of course. I rang my subordinates and set them to watching
the 'likely suspects' I won't let mom get into a fight she can't handle.
If they can't get in contact with me they're to warn 'Ranma' directly.
Miko was quite uppity with me - wanted to know why I wasn't setting up
bets and arranging fights as usual. I soon put her in her place, everyone
has something they need to hide.
Mom's getting a tutor! Looks like she'll be re-taking high school exams
after all. I guess it would be difficult to persuade people that the
qualifications of a 10-year-dead woman apply to you.
Day 5.
I'm starting to get strange looks at school - not that I care what
_they_ think. If I want to leave early that's my business. Mom told me
that Dr. Tofu is teaching her about pressure points and it looks like
Cologne is already teaching her the 'Chestnuts Roasting on An Open Fire'
technique! Still, if the body's done it before it can't be as hard to
manage the second time.
Kuno cornered me and demanded pictures of the 'pigtailed goddess'
although to give him his (very slight) due he actually remembered her
name 'Kimiko Tendo'. I told him he'd had the last photo he was ever
getting from me. The idea of giving him dirty pictures of my Mom to ...
It just make's me sick. When I think of all the pictures I've already
given him I wonder just what sort of person I've become. Then, of
_course_, he asks for photo's of Akane - I decide there and then that he's
not getting any. I want my mother to be proud of me ... I can't let her
find out about me, about my past. From now on this journal is being kept
in a hidden, locked box. Under the pillow just doesn't cut it anymore.
Day 6
Still no sign of Genma*.
[* - Look someone actually noticed he was gone ^_^ ]
I dreamt last night. I dreamt I saw my mom sitting on the canal-side
fence, staring into the water. When I walked up to her I saw she was
crying. I asked what was wrong and she pointed at her reflection, when
her tear drop hit the water the ripples left behind a different image -
That of Ranma's half skeletal decaying head looking up at me. No more
late night pizza for me, _that's_ for sure.
I can't believe the day I've had! I was presented with 10,000 Yen by
Miko, when I queried what it was for she told me I was being bought out.
Bought out of my own organisation! She said I'd 'Lost my edge.',
naturally I didn't stand for it, but she had some twisted version of the
relationship between my mother and father - she allegedly had proof that
Soun was making out with a young girl - Ranma's female form. I had
something on her, but that just made it a stalemate. In the end I had to
accept it. I suppose it might be for the best, I'd like to see how long
_she_ can keep it going anyway - hasn't got half the business savvy that I
have. What I can't get over is how she looked down at me, who does she
think _she_ is to pity me?
This still leaves the question of how I'm going to make ends meet, my
'golden parachute' wouldn't last a typical week. Luckily things had been
atypically quiet recently... I had a chat with mom, we both had a talk to
dad, and I set a few wheels in motion. I still know who the best gossips
are in Furinkan High - We'll soon see who's got the 'edge' and who hasn't.
Day 7
Today was rather a mix, but good on the whole I think.
On the one hand mom mastered the 'Tenshin Amaguriken' and Cologne said
she'd prepared the things she need to treat Akane - although she isn't
making any promises. The big day is tomorrow, at Tofu's.
On the other hand this morning my father received a letter from the
school about my absences and warning him that my performance was slipping.
Luckily I managed to 'lose' the letter and he didn't think to tell mom,
she might have kept me from watching Cologne training her and I can't
leave her alone and vulnerable like that.
I had another dream last night ... I don't think I'll record it here.
When I see Dr. Tofu tomorrow I'll have to see if he has something to make
me sleep more soundly.
Talking about sleep, I found out that mom's got a separate bed made up
in dad's room. I'm not sure what to think about that, I mean nobody
thinks of their parents 'doing the nasty' but is that really normal? I
suppose part of it is that she looks completely different - AND - like a
'boy' who's been living with us for most of a year. Coming to think of
it's surprising Akane hasn't said something about mom's sleeping
arrangements - she seems to ignore most things that don't fit into her
world picture. I don't know how far it could be pushed though ...
I'm missing Ranma more than I would have thought possible... Akane never
did show much signs of listening to him, now she only hears 'Ranma' when
something is said that she want's to hear. Before - half the time - she
only heard him when he said the _wrong_ things. I think I was, sometimes,
maybe, almost as blind as Akane when it came to trusting Ranma.
I saved the best news till last! I persuaded daddy (with mom's help) to
re-open the Dojo. So many boys turned up for the first evening he had to
teach in three shifts! The advance deposits alone are enough to pay for a
typical week's repair bill. Of course the success may have something to do
with my implying that daddy could teach the school of fighting that Ranma
used to defeat Kuno, and that if _they_ could defeat Kuno they should have
a chance to try to date Akane again. The printing job was a bit sloppy,
but I had welcome leaflets with the Dojo rules available for everyone.
Rule 1. Don't mention Ranma.
Rule 2. Don't mention Akane.
Rule 3. DON'T FORGET RULES 1 AND 2.
Dad was tired, but I do believe it's actually going to be good for him.
In fact I've every hope that given a week or two to settle down he might
be able to spar with mom. At the moment he's treating her like an
exceptionally fragile glass ornament.
Day 8
Just a quick note now - more to follow. The details of another private
tutor arrived in the post today - now the Tendo Dojo is making money again
mom can afford the best. I've never seen such glowing references!
[Written in margin] Hi, day 10 here. I should have realised there would
be a catch - no wonder the references were so good, everyone must have just
wanted to get rid of her!
[Main entry] Time to for Akane to visit Dr. Tofu and Cologne, they're not
going to leave me and mom behind!
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Author's Notes
Well, there you go. My first attempt to write in diary style.
Some of you probably think Nabiki is OOC, well Duh! [only kidding].
I've just taken her world, turned it upside down and shaken it. This is
what fell out ^_^
You may also think the 'Dojo turnaround' is too abrupt and complete,
well you are right. After the initial boom numbers will drop sharply as
they realise just how tough it is. Things will probably settle back down
to one lesson an evening and making just a tad more than the Tendo
household needs to make ends meet. There will also probably, eventually,
be a class for (a few) adults once it is clearly a going concern again.
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[Ranma][Fic] Autumn Leaves : Part 2
To be written, set on the first school day after Kimiko's arrival.
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[Ranma][Fic] Consultations: Part 2
Part of "World Without A Ranma."
What has gone before:
Ranma's better nature and a Chinese-Amazon artefact have combined to
return Akane's mother to life - in Ranma's body. To say Akane has not
taken this well is rather like saying Ryoga doesn't have a very good sense
of direction. Now the moment of truth arrives - will Akane face reality
again?
Consultations: Part 2
Tofu stepped carefully out of the university bookshop, his eyes just
showed above the pile of reference books he was carrying. 'Practical
Psychology', 'Impractical Psychiatry', 'Brains for Dummies' - just a few
of the titles showing. Going to be a _long_ week ahead of me, he thought,
still - in Nerima - he was bound to need this sort of knowledge again.
In the Nekohanten, Cologne dusted off another label and consulted an
ancient scroll. There were potions to be tested for potency, herbs to be
considered and references to read. This was all frippery besides the most
important task - straining through 300 years of memories for relevant
information. Truly, she thought, this was going to be a _long_ week.
...
Akane was reluctant to leave. This had been the best week of her life,
although she knew the best was still ahead. Somehow she had the feeling
that going to see Dr. Tofu today would threaten that. "Come on Ranma!
Wouldn't you rather look through the catalogues again? We still haven't
decided on a wedding dress."
Kimiko replied with quiet sadness, "We're not getting married, dear."
But what Akane heard was, "That's girl stuff - Why doncha decide
yourself?"
Akane was beginning to think Ranma would have to choose a wedding dress
for himself as well, he'd been in female form so much over the last week.
Not that she minded, really, it was who was inside that counted, Akane
told herself.
"Now then Akane, you know it's for the best," Nabiki said. "Or if you
would rather stay behind - I could always use a couple of models for a
calendar photoshoot," she bluffed.
"Take care!" Kasumi said with an optimistic smile. "Oh! I forgot that
book I borrowed, maybe I should come along, too."
"No need for that!" Akane promised with great haste, "I'll take it to
him." She grabbed the book and set off with Kimiko and Nabiki before
Kasumi had a chance to respond.
Akane was surprised to see Cologne there with Dr. Tofu. There were two
sets of empty tea bowls on the table next to them, it appeared they had
been chatting for quite some time.
"Hello Dr. Tofu, Cologne. Are you one of his patients now?" Akane
asked.
"Not exactly," Tofu said, while Cologne cackled gleefully at the idea of
needing any medical help.
"Akane! It's not very polite to ask questions like that," Kimiko
admonished.
"We'll need to talk to Akane on her own," Dr. Tofu stated, "I'm afraid
you will have to wait here."
"We?"
"Don't worry child. This won't take long." Cologne said, leading the
confused girl into the other room.
"Ranma? What's going on?" She asked, looking at Kimiko with a hint of
panic in her eyes.
"I'll be waiting for you," Kimiko reassured her. "Remember, I'll
always love you." Kimiko finished, with a flushed face - unable to meet
her daughter's eyes directly.
Cologne deftly hit a shiatsu point that functioned much like a dose of
tranquillisers. Akane relaxed, against her better instincts.
Akane sat down, as Tofu shut the door and put matches to a number of
candles around the room. The blinds drawn, the room had a dusky half lit
look.
"I doubt that it makes much difference, doctor," Cologne said, "but I
find the old, candle-lit, look comforting and every little helps."
"What is this all about?" Akane asked, feeling unnaturally calm.
"Tofu? If you would..." Cologne said, indicating a thick stick of
incense.
"Just relax Akane," Tofu said, lighting the incense, "this won't hurt at
all."
Akane breathed in the bitter smoke, somehow unable work up the energy to
resist even though she knew the doctor was lying - not physical pain maybe,
but that had always been the least important.
"Akane?" Tofu asked, watching her eyelids droop, "Akane do you hear me?"
"Yes doctor," she replied dreamily.
Cologne hopped over and gently lifted Akane's eyelid. "She's ready,
remove the incense."
Dr. Tofu carefully placed the incense in the far corner of the room next
to a half open window.
"I've countered the relaxation pressure point," Cologne said, "it
shouldn't interfere with the hypnotism - but better safe than sorry."
"Akane, I'd like you to remember ... go back two weeks into the past.
What do you see?" Tofu asked.
"Ranma's fighting with that cheerleader, Mariko." Akane answers with in
a flat voice.
"Good, now come a further forwards. It's just over one week ago and you
are at your mother's graveside. What happens?" Tofu asked.
Akane feels something stirring weakly inside her, but answered with the
truth. "Ranma asked about my mother. We talked a while then stopped at
the Nekohanten on the way back home."
"It's not working!" Tofu whispered urgently to Cologne.
"Patience doctor, try a little subtlety," Cologne answered.
"Err... did you notice anything strange at the restaurant?" He asked.
"No... Wait, yes." Akane answered.
"Well? What was it?" Dr. Tofu asked.
Cologne motioned at him, "Gently, doctor, keep calm."
"Shampoo left Ranma before I had to mallet him," Akane replied,
eventually.
Cologne retrieved the incense. "Watch her pulse, doctor! Let me know
the instant it starts weakening."
Akane breathed the bitter fumes again, once, twice...
"Stop!" Tofu cried... "Good, it's holding steady again," he said,
shortly after the smoking incense stick was removed again.
"Akane?" (Akane remained still, only the faint rise and fall of her
chest showing) "Akane, do you hear me?"
The words passed over and through Akane without effect, like dappled
sunlight through a forest stream.
"Akane! This is very important - Do You Hear Me?" Dr. Tofu asked,
desperation showing in his voice.
"Yeeesss ... Doctor," Akane breathed.
"She's at a much deeper level now, young doctor, be careful what you
say," Cologne warned.
"Do you remember when you told Ranma that you loved him?" Tofu asked.
Akane frowned slightly. "It was the night of the anniversary of my
mother's death. I told her I ... I told him ... I _had_ to have told
him," Akane finished firmly.
Cologne and Dr. Tofu shared a glance, then Tofu continued. "Why do you
say you had to have told him?" The doctor asked, with a gentle voice.
Despite the level of hypnosis she was under Akane's heart started to beat
wildly and her eyes opened wide. "Don't you SEE?" She cried, "If I hadn't
told him I loved him he might have ... might have DIED before I'd admitted
it. He might have thrown his life away on some stupid, heroic act of
altruism!" Akane slumped back, her energy spent and her eyes dulled
again.
"I'm sorry, Akane, you di*GACK*" Tofu stopped abruptly, choking for
breath. He looked accusingly at Cologne as he found the proper points to
reverse the strangulation point she had pressed.
"Doctor, you young fool! Don't you have any idea what forces you are
dealing with?" Cologne asked. "No," she sighed, answering herself, "I
don't suppose you do. One wrong step here and you'll have a perfectly
sane - and completely suicidal - young lady on your hands."
"What can we do then?" He asked.
"Nothing... yet," was the dispiriting answer Cologne gave. "I have a
herbal tea used for battle shock that she should take once a day, it will
lessen the damage when she does realise what has happened. I suggest you
leave a post hypnotic suggestion to return twice a week or so and you can
- very carefully - work on returning her to the real world. Done
gradually enough there's a good chance she will find the truth in a month
or so and be merely very upset."
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Author's Notes
Aren't I a stinker?
(Don't answer that)
I'm sorry if you were expecting a happy result by this point - but I
don't think there's any magic cure to what affects Akane. Time heals all
wounds, some say, but the scars remain.
While I'm here, I suspect that the following paragraph could destine me
for a particularly brutal fate in a revenge fic one day. o_O;;
"Akane was beginning to think Ranma would have to choose a wedding dress
for himself as well, he'd been in female form so much over the last week.
Not that she minded, really, it was who was inside that counted, Akane
told herself."
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[Ranma][Fic] Night Encounters [To be finished]
Part of "World Without A Ranma."
Including [Spamfic] Reasons to be Careful
Itsy-bitsy-LIME warning: This spamfic may be unsuitable for children.
Reasons to be Careful
Soun rolled over in his bed and bumped into something soft. "Are you
asleep yet, dear?" He asked quietly.
"No. We _did_ go to bed a little early tonight," Kimiko replied with a
mischievous grin. "Maybe you can think of something to do while we're
waiting to feel sleepy?"
"A nice game of Go?" Soun asked.
"We don't seem to have a board, dear," she replied.
"How about a game of strip poker?" He asked with an exaggerated leer.
Kimiko shook her head. "Sorry - that just won't do at all!" She informed
him, with a hint of regret.
"Why not? I've got a pack of cards here, somewhere."
"Maybe," Kimiko replied with mock disappointment in her voice, "but I
don't have any clothes." Kimiko pulled off the duvet to drive her point
home leaving Soun momentarily lost for words.
It was a beautiful body, Soun had no doubt about that, but it wasn't
the one he had married. Putting his doubts firmly behind him, and trying
to forget all the times Ranma had accidentally exposed himself in front of
him, Soun leaned over the bed.
Kimiko moaned under him as they kissed, then the door opened with a
slam.
"Daddy! What are you doing with my RANMA!?" Akane cried, a large wooden
mallet appearing in her hand. Soun was too shocked to react as -
"Pervert!" *Crash* "Hentai!!" *Smash* "BETRAYER!!" *Crunch*.
The last thing Soun saw was Akane shrouded in her battle aura, red mist
rising off her mallet as she left him for dead.
The last thing Soun heard was his wife's terrified scream and ...
"RANMA NO BAKA!"
...
*Ga-AAH!* Soun gasped as he sat up abruptly in his bed, sweat pouring
from his body. Across the room, in a separate bed, Kimiko woke up.
"It's alright, dearest. It's just a nightmare." Kimiko reassured her
husband. "Do you want me to come over to keep you company?"
"N-No!" Soun exclaimed. Separate beds, he decided, were definitely in
order for now.
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Author's Notes
A number of people have suggested that Mrs. Tendo needs to get back to
'full relations' with her husband. The above spells out one reason I feel
this would be a bad idea at the moment. ^_^
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[Ranma][Fic] A New Face
Part of "World Without A Ranma."
What has gone before:
Ranma's better nature and a Chinese-Amazon artefact have combined to
return Akane's mother to life - in Ranma's body. Nabiki has turned
a new leaf, Soun has re-opened the dojo and Akane ... isn't doing so
well.
A New Face
Kuno strode majestically towards Furinkan high school. His heart
soared when he saw Akane was also walking down the street ahead of him.
Now that she was free of the untrustworthy Saotome* she would, at last,
agree to date him!
[* - Consultations part 1, Kimiko Tendo protests that she's a married
woman and Kuno leaps to all the wrong conclusions.]
He overhears part of her conversation as he approaches.
"Three, no four tiers on the wedding cake," Akane said beaming at her
friend.
"A Western style wedding then?" Sayuri asked.
"Yes, don't you think it's romantic? I've narrowed down the dress
to three possibilities but I can't get Ranma to choose yet," Akane stated.
"Akane! What wedding are you talking of?" Kuno asked in shocked
confusion. If Ranma had married Kimiko (his beloved pigtailed goddess
who he _would_ free) then who else was getting married. It sounded almost
as if ... couldn't be.
"Upperclassman Kuno, haven't you heard yet? I'm marrying Ranma," Akane
said in a matter of fact tone of voice.
Kuno froze, unable to contemplate the horror. Ranma was going to marry
AGAIN? What sort of unspeakable deviate would seek to marry two women?
Kuno's heart pounded within him, sounding like the thunder of shoes on
tarmac with cries of "For Akane!" and "Kuno - Prepare!".
Akane watched, smirking, as the male population of Furinkan High piled
into Kuno.
A couple of minutes later the shock of Akane's news was beaten out of
him - mostly by hocky sticks and baseball bats. "I fight on!" Kuno cried
and soon the bruises were being dealt in the other direction.
Kuno puffed out his chest and stood proudly amidst the scene of
devastation, as Akane looked on.
"You idiot, Kuno!" Akane shouted. "You've made me late to school
_again_!"
"Go on - weren't you impressed at all?" Sayuri asked.
"Hah! I used to do that in half the time," Akane boasted, "Still I must
admit it makes me a little nostalgic..."
Kuno was left behind, swaying slightly as the initial beating he had
taken took it's effect. The last thing he heard was the fading comments
of the girls as the entered the school building.
"So, why did you stay to watch then?" Sayuri queried.
"Are you kidding? I couldn't bear it if he lost to the horde o' hentai
and I wasn't there to see it." Akane replied.
...
Nabiki fretted as she set off to school - late.
Mom had just finished a kindly, but firm, chat with Nabiki on the
subject of truancy. The parting comments still rankled. "Cologne has been
very kind to me over this last week," she had said, "and you know how well
Dr. Tofu spoke of her aid with Akane. I'm sure if she was going to try
something she would have done it by now. Really, Nabiki! You're just
going to have to learn to trust people a little more."
Maybe she was right, but Nabiki didn't like it - didn't like it at all.
...
Kimiko waited anxiously in the dojo for her afternoon training session
with Cologne. From what Nabiki had said the going had been unusually easy
this last week, at least in terms of 'explosive martial arts mayhem'. In
emotional terms it had more ups and downs than a trip through 'Space
Mountain'. Cologne was one of the first new people she had met since her
arrival - and she was also the first new friend she had made. Oh, she
could be abrupt. She had a face that only a head hunter could like - it
looked like it had already been pickled and shrunk. But she and Dr. Tofu
had introduced her to something amazing.
She wasn't a total novice, of course. In fact martial arts had been one
of the first things that attracted her to Soun, but she had always known
she wasn't on the same level as him and his rough friend Genma. Now
though, the art flowed through her with an ease it had never done before.
While she was practising the whole world fell away, while perversely
coming into sharper focus.
Akane, Soun, the whole unfamiliarity of what should have been a familiar
place - it all faded into the background. At the same time her mind
focussed more clearly than it ever had, her surroundings presented her
with tactical possibilities - the slightest uneven footing was as obvious
as a brick on the path. The best part though, the best part was sparring
with her opponent - Cologne was a tough teacher and Tofu a gentle one but
they both brought out an exhilaration second to none. Well, to be honest,
she thought - blushing a little - it came a long way second to one
activity. One she hadn't been able to indulge in for several months, or
about 10 years, depending on how you counted.
At last the door opened and a small figure walked in, supported in her
extreme age by a gnarled oak staff.
"Welcome, sensei," Kimiko greeted her, hiding her amusement at Cologne's
show of 'infirmity'.
"Child." Cologne inclined her head towards Kimiko in acknowledgement.
"Have you thought more on what I said before the weekend?"
"Yes, I have not yet come to a conclusion," Kimiko stated.
"The source of all raw ki attacks is the spirit - driven by a powerful
emotion. Not just any emotion will do, and the techniques required to use
them are individual, tricky to find and difficult to learn," Cologne
re-stated.
"I understand, sensei," Kimiko said, "the emotion must be an expressive
one. Confidence, depression, something that comes from within but is
spills out - apparent to everyone around ... I'm sorry, I don't know that
I feel anything strongly enough."
"No matter. Tofu's training in shiatsu points will compensate, to some
extent, and not every technique relies on the brute force application of
ki," Cologne consoled her student, "but I see we are one short today."
"Yes, sensei. Nabiki's school work was suffering, so she will not be
able to watch our training sessions," Kimiko explained, feeling a little
embarrassed that she had not seen through Nabiki's excuses before.
"Oh, my!" Cologne exclaimed, "That reminds me, there is someone who
might prove a useful sparring partner for you. How silly of me, I must be
going senile* in my old age."
[* - Hand's up who believes that - I've got a nice bridge in London I
can let you have cheap.]
"Don't be silly, you're good for another hundred years at least," Kimiko
joked.
"I'll be back before you know it," Cologne promised.
It would be nice to have someone she could actually beat, Kimiko thought.
Dr. Tofu (and to a lesser extent Cologne) held back when they took a break
from katas and drills for freeform sparring - but Kimiko always knew they
were still far better than she was.
She spent the time running through some of the basic forms of the Tendo
School of Anything Goes Martial Arts. It was a pity her husband wasn't up
to teaching her, she thought, but he did seem to be getting a little more
self-assured.
The minutes flew by, she had just started to work up a healthy sweat
when her teacher returned.
"Kimiko Tendo?" The young man asked hesitantly, looking to Cologne for
confirmation. "Ch-" (Cologne nudged him and glared) "I'm know as 'Chan'."
Kimiko looked at her new sparring partner, he was quiet tall in a
Chinese style robe and had long blonde hair. Well built, and he had
moved with smooth grace as he entered the dojo. Kimiko's gaze reached his
face and she blushed, realising that she was the focus of an equally
intense look.
"Hah, I apologise for the youngster. He doesn't mean to offend by using
a nickname - but he would be upset to have his real name known," Cologne
explained. "Well, 'Chan', bow to the mat and show Kimiko what you know -
fight the air for now."
...
Somewhat over ten minutes ago.
Cologne stopped at a public phone - Not that she thought Nabiki had the
Tendo's phone tapped, but she hadn't got to her age by taking unnecessary
chances.
"Nekohanten *sniff* closed. Customer to please go away."
"Pull yourself together girl. We've got stuff to do," Cologne stated.
"What point? R-Ranma D-Dead," Shampoo sobbed - her Japanese slipping
further under stress.
"Come now, child. Do you really think I'd give Ranma something that
could kill him?" Cologne asked, grateful at that moment for the poor
quality phone line.
"Ranma's alive?!"
"Get cleaned up and wait for me - make sure Mousse isn't still hanging
round the restaurant," Cologne ordered.
A short while later, Cologne placed four items on the table in front of
Shampoo. Two large silver flasks, a small packet of some powder, and a
bottle of shampoo with the number '58' written on the side.
"What are you going to do with those?!" Shampoo asked in some shock.
"Think about it girl, what has changed since Ranma 'died'?" Cologne
asked.
"Spatula girl gone, Violent girl gone crazy, Kodachi not want female
side Ranma and male Ranma not seen often... This _planned_?" She asked
incredulously.
"Let's just say that I can see an opportunity. Akane will have to give
up when she's sane again - and nobody else seriously wants a 'girl'
Ranma." Cologne explained.
"Great-Grandmother forget Tatewaki Kuno," Shampoo said - and withered
under Cologne's look, "No, _nobody_ want him."
"So what do you _think_ I'm going to do with these?" Cologne asked.
Shampoo gulped nervously and indicated the packet and said, "Temporary
boy curse form for Shampoo." Touched the flash with a ladle etched into
it's surface. "Lock cursed form," she said looking at Cologne desperately.
Cologne knew Shampoo was hoping to be told she was wrong, but she simply
motioned her to continue.
Shampoo's voice quavered - but she pointed at the other flask, the one
with a kettle etched on to the surface, and spoke on, "Un-lock curse after
Shampoo and Ranma move to China when personality back normal."
"Something like that, I'm glad to see this last week's education on
Amazon tradition hasn't been lost on you," Cologne said, "but what of the
shampoo?"
"Shampoo '58'? Ermm... Is berserk shampoo." (Cologne shakes her head)
"love shampoo?" (shakes head) "shampoo for pets?" (shakes)
"It's a secret, ancient, Amazon, fast acting, bleach for blonde hair."
Cologne stated.
"Hey!" Shampoo protested, "Shampoo not want thought stupid blonde
bimbo!"
After the preparations had been made, and some of Mousse's clothes
borrowed Cologne sent Shampoo off first.
Cologne waited awhile, alone in the room, her heart was probably as old
and withered as her outward form - she thought. She looked at the flask
containing just enough water from the kiifuiton to unlock one curse. Her
heart had taken many blows in its time, from acts prompted by love, honour
and pride - but the greatest damage had always come from cursed necessity.
She uncorked the flask and poured the contents down the sink - a single
tear flowing similarly down her cheek. The temptation, she had decided,
would be just too much.
-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
Author's notes.
What can I say? Except all hate mail from Shampoo fans can be sent
to saotome_genma@hotmail.com
Oh, on the technical side. It's well established that you can't use the
kiifuiton to _cure_ a curse, but I don't see why a temporary curse can't
be locked by the Chiisuiton. This _can't_ be used as a true cure because
it's always the cursed side that is locked by the magic ladle. All you
can do is swap one curse for another one. Admittedly it's got PLOT DEVICE
written all over it ...
Why didn't I use real water from the 'spring of drowned man' ?
a) I don't think Cologne has any to hand (she would have almost certainly
tried to bribe Ranma with it if she had)
b) Normal cursed water may have 'mixed' effect (Tarou's octopus tentacles)
[In which case having instant curses, _not_ mix with true curses is
also a plot device, but not totally implausible - I think]
c) I'm deliberately leaving it open for Shampoo to return to 'normal' -
and 'true' curses are notoriously difficult to get rid of.
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[Ranma][Fic] Keeping Up Appearances
Part of "World Without A Ranma."
gone before:??Ranma'
better nature and a Chinese-Amazon artefact have combined to ??return
kane's mother to life - in Ranma's body.????A co
A couple of weeks have passed and on the surface things have settled down.
Keeping Up Appearances
Kasumi wiped a finger across the windowsill - no dust. She checked
the tatami* but the dirt had obviously been recently shaken out of them.
Ranma had been so helpful around the house recently, she thought - then
stopped herself. She mustn't think of him - no her - that way anymore it
had become obvious that this wasn't some strange joke. Ranma was gone,
and the person who had been cleaning the house was her mother.
[* - Floor mats]
Kasumi checked the kitchen cupboards and confirmed that they were
running low on some of the essentials, but the noise of the front door
opening distracted her from her thoughts.
"I'm back!" Came a cheerful voice from the entrance hall.
"Welcome home." Kasumi greeted her.
"My, aren't things expensive nowadays! Nabiki's helped, of course, but
I haven't got used to the prices. Inflation I suppose," she said,
bringing in a huge pile of shopping.
"Here, let me help you with that." Kasumi offered.
"Don't worry, I'm so fit - I feel like I could carry a horse!" Kimiko
said, although a shadow had passed across her face as if she had
remembered something best forgotten.
"I don't mind shopping you know, I know all the market places around
here." Kasumi mentioned.
"Thanks dear," Kimiko said, standing up on her tiptoes to kiss Kasumi
who stiffened involuntarily at the attention. "Oh, I'm sorry - I
suppose I look too much like him. Even if I am a 'her' at the moment."
Kasumi managed a smile. "It will be all right, I'm sure."
"I'd better keep doing the shopping myself - I need to get used to it,"
Kimiko explained, as she opened up the storage cupboards and fridge and
began stacking and placing things away at an incredible rate. "Wow, looks
like my martial arts training really will come in useful for something.
It seems so easy since ... well, since recently."
Kasumi watched her kitchen being filled with activity and foodstuffs.
"We usually keep the rice over ..."
"I'm not so tall now, dear - I'd better keep the things I'll need most
nearer the floor." Kimiko explained.
"Did you get a melon? I thought a little extravagance might brighten
things up." Kasumi asked.
"Oh, I'm afraid not - I was going to try some Western style puddings
tonight. There are so much more variety in cook books now, it's
wonderful." Kasumi's mother explained. "You can help, of course. I
can't tell you how grateful I am for all you've done." Kimiko continued,
on seeing Kasumi's face fall slightly.
Kasumi turned on the young figure in front of her - her eyes flat and
her voice held too calm. "Help? What is there to do? For 10 years I've
done my best to hold this family together. I've fed them, cleaned up
after them given up my life for them." Unable to face the pain she saw in
her mother's face Kasumi turned away and continued in a low voice, "Don't
get me wrong - I love them. But ... But ..."
Kimiko hugged Kasumi from behind to comfort her as best as she could
with her borrowed body. "But ?"
Kasumi forced Kimiko away from her and glared angrily at her. "But
you've taken it all away from me. Everything I've done - YOU can do
better. You l-left me, d- died and now you're back and nobody needs ME
anymore!"
"Oh Kasumi dearest! I'll always need you." Kimiko promised, wrapping
herself around her daughter as she crouched, crying - the emotions
released uncontrollably in the aftermath of her anger. "I understand,
really."
They sat on the floor, calmer now, looking more like older and younger
sister than daughter and mother. "I think I need to give everyone some
more space - maybe I should move out, even get a job." Kimiko said calmly,
although with some regret.
"No!" Kasumi cried, "You don't have to do that - we've only just got you
back."
"It might be for the best. Soun doesn't really know what to make of me.
He won't treat me as his wife." Kimiko explained.
"He does believe who you are doesn't he?" Kasumi asked.
"Yes, he knows who I am. But we're not like man and wife." (Kasumi
looks blankly) "I mean he won't sleep with me." Kimiko manages with a
blush.
"Oh is that all!" Kasumi said, "I'm sure Dr. Tofu can find some herbs to
help with that."
Kimiko's blush deepened, "That nice Dr. Tofu? Selling things like
that?"
"Well he is a herbalist, I'm sure he knows what to do for insomnia."
Kimiko looked at her smiling daughter and opened her mouth to speak.
Then closed it again, there were some things that she just couldn't do.
"Let's just say I think it would do us both good if we left each other for
a while - he obviously knew Ranma well and he's not comfortable with my
looking like him," she said. "Besides he was so set on Ranma marrying
Akane ..." they both stared at the wall in silence as they contemplated
her youngest daughter neither wanting to go further in that direction.
There were limits to their ability to remain calm in the face of tragedy.
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