Archives
From: "Miller, Bert"
Date: Tue, 2 Apr 2002 07:00:55 -0500
"Mistress! Mistress! Let's finish some long-outstanding fanfiction story!" Alielle pleaded.
"Yes!" Fatora agreed, pumping her right arm and smirking. "Some fanfic with lonely female characters!"
"And maybe we can do a self-insertion!" Alielle added, clapping her hands in glee.
- - - - - - - -
Ranma's group continued to trudge north to Mongolia, traversing mountains and deserts, deserts and mountains, some of which reminded Ranma of Shampoo for some reason.
Meanwhile, back in the village of Joketsuzoku, two new characters appeared, walking in from the direction of Mt. Phoenix. The taller stood proudly, shoving out her attributes for the inspection of the Nujiezu warriors who happened to be around. The shorter rubbed her hands together in glee as she gazed at these selfsame warriors.
"Oh, my!" said Kasumi, putting one hand to her mouth. As she was looking at the two newcomers rather than where she was walking, she tripped over a small unevenness in the road. Fortunately, Fatora was there to catch her.
"Oh, dear, thank you so much for catching me," Kasumi said. "Oh... your skin is so soft... and you're so beautiful..."
"But of course!" Fatora replied, running her hands over Kasumi's back. "Catching you was my pleasure!"
"Mistress," Alielle pouted, "can't we share?"
"Go get your own!" Fatora answered with asperity. "Oh, and bring me another while you're at it."
Alielle giggled and skipped off, only to bump into Kodachi, coming around a corner. Before Kodachi knew what was happening, her clothes were missing. She put her hands to her cheeks in horror, her ponytail standing on end. "Ranma-sama will be able to defeat me now! Whatever shall I do?"
"I'll console you..." came a husky, sly voice, from the short girl Kodachi had collided with.
"Oh, all right. Let's do it!" replied Kodachi.
And they all lived lustfully ever after.
Date: Tue, 2 Apr 2002 07:00:55 -0500
"Mistress! Mistress! Let's finish some long-outstanding fanfiction story!" Alielle pleaded.
"Yes!" Fatora agreed, pumping her right arm and smirking. "Some fanfic with lonely female characters!"
"And maybe we can do a self-insertion!" Alielle added, clapping her hands in glee.
- - - - - - - -
Ranma's group continued to trudge north to Mongolia, traversing mountains and deserts, deserts and mountains, some of which reminded Ranma of Shampoo for some reason.
Meanwhile, back in the village of Joketsuzoku, two new characters appeared, walking in from the direction of Mt. Phoenix. The taller stood proudly, shoving out her attributes for the inspection of the Nujiezu warriors who happened to be around. The shorter rubbed her hands together in glee as she gazed at these selfsame warriors.
"Oh, my!" said Kasumi, putting one hand to her mouth. As she was looking at the two newcomers rather than where she was walking, she tripped over a small unevenness in the road. Fortunately, Fatora was there to catch her.
"Oh, dear, thank you so much for catching me," Kasumi said. "Oh... your skin is so soft... and you're so beautiful..."
"But of course!" Fatora replied, running her hands over Kasumi's back. "Catching you was my pleasure!"
"Mistress," Alielle pouted, "can't we share?"
"Go get your own!" Fatora answered with asperity. "Oh, and bring me another while you're at it."
Alielle giggled and skipped off, only to bump into Kodachi, coming around a corner. Before Kodachi knew what was happening, her clothes were missing. She put her hands to her cheeks in horror, her ponytail standing on end. "Ranma-sama will be able to defeat me now! Whatever shall I do?"
"I'll console you..." came a husky, sly voice, from the short girl Kodachi had collided with.
"Oh, all right. Let's do it!" replied Kodachi.
And they all lived lustfully ever after.
Thanks to the always mighty Yoiko for pre-reading.
HEARTS AND MINDS
PART EIGHT
Ranma 1/2 manga fanfiction
by Gary Kleppe
The characters of Ranma 1/2 are the creation of and rightful property of Rumiko Takahashi. They are used here without permission. This story may be freely redistributed, but it should not be altered substantially or used for profit in any way.
______
The mannequin looked like one you might see outside a restaurant. It sailed through the air at Jusenkyo, then landed, kicking up a cloud of dirt as it skidded along a weedy embankment. A voice called from inside it, "Charge!" It came to a stop with one of its drum sticks wedged into a rock and its floppy pointed hat smushed into a clump of weeds.
Pu Lanmu watched with mild curiosity, straining to see in the fading dusk light. "What's the big idea, Lord Sa Fulan?" she said.
A head popped out of the mannequin, followed by the body of what looked like a petite young woman. Definitely not who Pu Lanmu had thought it was. "You are good?" the person said in barely intelligible Mandarin. "My name is called Kurenai Tsubasa. I am Japan person."
"Japan, huh?" Pu Lanmu said, switching languages. "I speak pretty decent Japanese myself. That was a neat trick with the statue."
"Thanks," Tsubasa said. "I can get inside things, and make them move. I don't know how it works. Everyone needs a hobby, I guess. It's a good thing you speak my language. I took some Chinese in school, but I can't say I remember a lot of it."
"No problem." She offered a hand. "I'm Pu Lanmu. Pu Yichi, that's my dad, and I are sorta the caretakers for Jusenkyo here. We have some Japanese friends, the Saotomes, who send us DVDs and video games, so I've learned a lot of the language from them."
Tsubasa shook her hand. "I know the Saotomes. I came to China with them along with some other friends."
"I'm glad to hear that," Pu Lanmu said, "'cause that means I don't need to tell you how bad it would be for you if you fell into one of the springs. Right?"
"Actually, I came here looking for one particular spring. The spring of drowned girl."
Pu Lanmu peered closer at Tsubasa. "Um, aren't you already—"
"I'm all man." Tsubasa lifted up his frilly shirt to flash a glimpse of his scrawny, flat chest. "Don't let the way I look fool you. Deep down I'm dirty, rude, unpleasant, just like all guys. I want to change."
"You wanna become a woman?"
"Yeah. A woman." He smiled to himself at the thought. "Sugar and spice, all that is nice. And what's even better is that when I become a woman, I'll be a lesbian. Their relationships are always tender, loving—"
"Yeah." Pu Lanmu snorted. "I've seen the same animes you probably have. Okay, mister girly man, I'll show you where the spring of drowned girl is..."
"Hooray!" Tsubasa jumped up. "Let's go! No time to—"
"...in the morning."
Tsubasa frowned.
"Look, you can go creeping around the springs at night if you wanna," Pu Lanmu said. "But don't blame me if you slip and fall into the spring of drowned warthog instead. It's not a video game. If it doesn't happen the way you wanted, you can't just hit the reset button and try again."
Tsubasa paused to think for a moment, then slumped down. "Okay. I'll wait. It's only for one night."
"That's the spirit." She pointed in a direction away from the springs. "You can camp out for the night in that field over there. Don't do anything dumb, and in the morning you can get what you came for."
Tsubasa took off his backpack, rolled his sleeping bag out onto the ground, and settled inside it. Stars glistened overhead like lights on a Christmas tree as he lay his head back on his pillow. He could wait. One more day is all it would take. Finally.
HEARTS AND MINDS
PART EIGHT
Ranma 1/2 manga fanfiction
by Gary Kleppe
The characters of Ranma 1/2 are the creation of and rightful property of Rumiko Takahashi. They are used here without permission. This story may be freely redistributed, but it should not be altered substantially or used for profit in any way.
______
The mannequin looked like one you might see outside a restaurant. It sailed through the air at Jusenkyo, then landed, kicking up a cloud of dirt as it skidded along a weedy embankment. A voice called from inside it, "Charge!" It came to a stop with one of its drum sticks wedged into a rock and its floppy pointed hat smushed into a clump of weeds.
Pu Lanmu watched with mild curiosity, straining to see in the fading dusk light. "What's the big idea, Lord Sa Fulan?" she said.
A head popped out of the mannequin, followed by the body of what looked like a petite young woman. Definitely not who Pu Lanmu had thought it was. "You are good?" the person said in barely intelligible Mandarin. "My name is called Kurenai Tsubasa. I am Japan person."
"Japan, huh?" Pu Lanmu said, switching languages. "I speak pretty decent Japanese myself. That was a neat trick with the statue."
"Thanks," Tsubasa said. "I can get inside things, and make them move. I don't know how it works. Everyone needs a hobby, I guess. It's a good thing you speak my language. I took some Chinese in school, but I can't say I remember a lot of it."
"No problem." She offered a hand. "I'm Pu Lanmu. Pu Yichi, that's my dad, and I are sorta the caretakers for Jusenkyo here. We have some Japanese friends, the Saotomes, who send us DVDs and video games, so I've learned a lot of the language from them."
Tsubasa shook her hand. "I know the Saotomes. I came to China with them along with some other friends."
"I'm glad to hear that," Pu Lanmu said, "'cause that means I don't need to tell you how bad it would be for you if you fell into one of the springs. Right?"
"Actually, I came here looking for one particular spring. The spring of drowned girl."
Pu Lanmu peered closer at Tsubasa. "Um, aren't you already—"
"I'm all man." Tsubasa lifted up his frilly shirt to flash a glimpse of his scrawny, flat chest. "Don't let the way I look fool you. Deep down I'm dirty, rude, unpleasant, just like all guys. I want to change."
"You wanna become a woman?"
"Yeah. A woman." He smiled to himself at the thought. "Sugar and spice, all that is nice. And what's even better is that when I become a woman, I'll be a lesbian. Their relationships are always tender, loving—"
"Yeah." Pu Lanmu snorted. "I've seen the same animes you probably have. Okay, mister girly man, I'll show you where the spring of drowned girl is..."
"Hooray!" Tsubasa jumped up. "Let's go! No time to—"
"...in the morning."
Tsubasa frowned.
"Look, you can go creeping around the springs at night if you wanna," Pu Lanmu said. "But don't blame me if you slip and fall into the spring of drowned warthog instead. It's not a video game. If it doesn't happen the way you wanted, you can't just hit the reset button and try again."
Tsubasa paused to think for a moment, then slumped down. "Okay. I'll wait. It's only for one night."
"That's the spirit." She pointed in a direction away from the springs. "You can camp out for the night in that field over there. Don't do anything dumb, and in the morning you can get what you came for."
Tsubasa took off his backpack, rolled his sleeping bag out onto the ground, and settled inside it. Stars glistened overhead like lights on a Christmas tree as he lay his head back on his pillow. He could wait. One more day is all it would take. Finally.
HEARTS AND MINDS
PART SEVEN
Ranma 1/2 manga fanfiction
by Gary Kleppe
The characters of Ranma 1/2 are the creation of and rightful property of Rumiko Takahashi. They are used here without permission. This story may be freely redistributed, but it should not be altered substantially or used for profit in any way.
______
The blaring of the alarm bells abruptly cut off, as everything went dark.
Kasumi reached out tentatively. She pushed to the side, and the previously unmovable cell door slid right. Was this her chance to get away? Briefly she wondered whether it could be a trap. She'd seen movies where prisoners were deliberately given a way to escape so that the guards could justify shooting them. But somehow she didn't think that's what was happening here.
She stepped out into the hallway. The constant thrumming of exhaust fans had stopped when the lights had gone out. Kasumi could only hear footsteps and a few shouts in the distance. She relaxed her body and tried to tune into her surroundings. There was a mental trail, a spiritual wagon rut left by the guards who followed their patrol route day after day. All she had to do was to tune into that and she would find her way out.
Kasumi rounded a corner, and a flashlight blasted into her eyes. Its holder let out a surprised exclamation in a language she didn't understand.
"Good morning!" she said, beaming a smile at the guard, walking casually past him. The guard pointed his gun, barked out what was obviously a command to stop, but did not shoot. Kasumi hurriedly followed her path into the dark, resisting the urge to break into a run, as the guard sputtered helplessly, unable to understand why he couldn't make himself fire his weapon.
She slipped through a doorway, and a voice sounded. "Where is Kasumi?" It was Doctor Tofu, only about a meter in front of her.
"Doctor? Doctor, I'm here!"
"Kasumi?" Akane's voice.
"What have you done with her?" Tofu cried, apparently oblivious.
Reaching deep inside herself, Kasumi ramped up her aura, and projected its full force at the doctor.
"Ka— Ka... Kasumi? Is that you?"
A pale light shone down from above. A glowing figure leapt down, crashing feet-first into something else. It was Ranma. Akane pulled away from a still dazed Tofu and clobbered another man who had been standing behind her.
"Is everybody here?" Ranma asked, gasping for breath. Ryoga sat slumped against a wall, awake but unmoving. Nearby, Genma-panda, his fur badly singed, staggered to his feet. Two other unfamiliar men lay on the floor, one of them just knocked out by Ranma. "Where's Mu Si?"
Kasumi concentrated for a moment. "I think he's escaped," she said. "I directed spiritual power to him, like I did for everyone at the Jusenkyo battle. Those spirits are reporting that he's left the area. I think he might have been the one who knocked out the electricity."
"Lucky for me he did, or I might not've beat those soldiers up there," Ranma said. "Right, then, let's get the hell outta here. We probably only got a few minutes to spare."
PART SEVEN
Ranma 1/2 manga fanfiction
by Gary Kleppe
The characters of Ranma 1/2 are the creation of and rightful property of Rumiko Takahashi. They are used here without permission. This story may be freely redistributed, but it should not be altered substantially or used for profit in any way.
______
The blaring of the alarm bells abruptly cut off, as everything went dark.
Kasumi reached out tentatively. She pushed to the side, and the previously unmovable cell door slid right. Was this her chance to get away? Briefly she wondered whether it could be a trap. She'd seen movies where prisoners were deliberately given a way to escape so that the guards could justify shooting them. But somehow she didn't think that's what was happening here.
She stepped out into the hallway. The constant thrumming of exhaust fans had stopped when the lights had gone out. Kasumi could only hear footsteps and a few shouts in the distance. She relaxed her body and tried to tune into her surroundings. There was a mental trail, a spiritual wagon rut left by the guards who followed their patrol route day after day. All she had to do was to tune into that and she would find her way out.
Kasumi rounded a corner, and a flashlight blasted into her eyes. Its holder let out a surprised exclamation in a language she didn't understand.
"Good morning!" she said, beaming a smile at the guard, walking casually past him. The guard pointed his gun, barked out what was obviously a command to stop, but did not shoot. Kasumi hurriedly followed her path into the dark, resisting the urge to break into a run, as the guard sputtered helplessly, unable to understand why he couldn't make himself fire his weapon.
She slipped through a doorway, and a voice sounded. "Where is Kasumi?" It was Doctor Tofu, only about a meter in front of her.
"Doctor? Doctor, I'm here!"
"Kasumi?" Akane's voice.
"What have you done with her?" Tofu cried, apparently oblivious.
Reaching deep inside herself, Kasumi ramped up her aura, and projected its full force at the doctor.
"Ka— Ka... Kasumi? Is that you?"
A pale light shone down from above. A glowing figure leapt down, crashing feet-first into something else. It was Ranma. Akane pulled away from a still dazed Tofu and clobbered another man who had been standing behind her.
"Is everybody here?" Ranma asked, gasping for breath. Ryoga sat slumped against a wall, awake but unmoving. Nearby, Genma-panda, his fur badly singed, staggered to his feet. Two other unfamiliar men lay on the floor, one of them just knocked out by Ranma. "Where's Mu Si?"
Kasumi concentrated for a moment. "I think he's escaped," she said. "I directed spiritual power to him, like I did for everyone at the Jusenkyo battle. Those spirits are reporting that he's left the area. I think he might have been the one who knocked out the electricity."
"Lucky for me he did, or I might not've beat those soldiers up there," Ranma said. "Right, then, let's get the hell outta here. We probably only got a few minutes to spare."
HEARTS AND MINDS
PART SIX
Ranma 1/2 manga fanfiction
by Gary Kleppe
The characters of Ranma 1/2 are the creation of and rightful property of Rumiko Takahashi. They are used here without permission. This story may be freely redistributed, but it should not be altered substantially or used for profit in any way.
I'd like to thank Yoiko for a somewhat belated but very useful pre-read, and also the good people of One Hour Challenge group 1, in which a good portion of this was written and previewed.
______
"Whoa, Akane. Slow down." Nabiki's voice was faint and distant; Akane had to press the phone against her ear to hear it. "What happened?"
"We— we don't know." She took a breath before continuing. "There was some sort of loud crash that woke all of us up." Well, most of us, she amended mentally, but now wasn't the time to discuss her husband's sleeping habits. "When we looked, there was nothing there. Mu Si — he was supposed to be on guard — was gone, and Kasumi was nowhere to be seen either."
"And that's it?" Nabiki said incredulously. "Two people disappeared overnight, without leaving a trace?"
"No, they did leave something." Akane held out her hand, and Ryoga passed her the piece of paper they had found. "A hand-drawn map. It shows a route going north along a river, ending up someplace called Noyan. It's signed with kanji that Dr. Tofu says spell 'Zhen Biaozi' in Mandarin. I think it's to lead us to the place where they took Kasumi and Mu Si."
"I think it's to lead you into a trap."
"I don't doubt it," Akane said. "But how else are we going to get Kasumi back? What I don't understand is how they found us. Mu Si swore up and down that no one would expect us to be using this route. Yet they must have known exactly where we were."
"Yeah, well— just a minute." Loud voices clamored at the other end of the line. "There's some sort of trouble here."
"Trouble? The soldiers are back?"
"No, I don't think it's that. Look, Akane... find Kasumi and rescue her. But keep your head down. They'll be expecting you. I won't tell Dad that she's missing. He'd blow a gasket if he found out."
"All right, Nabiki. We'll call again as soon as we can." She hung up the phone.
Ranma, Tofu, and Genma popped up from where they had been watching, crouched behind a rusty abandoned truck. No one had ambushed Akane during her telephone call. As far as they could tell, this village was as deserted as it looked.
"What do we do now?" Ryoga asked.
"Follow the map, I suppose." Ranma let out a loud breath. "They obviously know we're coming, and Kasumi and Mu Si might be someplace completely different for all we know, but what choice have we got?"
"It seems to be our only lead," Tofu agreed, his voice cracking slightly. Akane knew how he felt about Kasumi; he was obviously fighting back some pretty intense emotions to stay in control of himself.
And the doctor wasn't the only one. Damn it, she thought, hands tightening into fists, those people had better not do anything to hurt my sister, or I'll... I'll.... But she couldn't come up with a threat that was convincing, not even to herself. Ranma was right; Kasumi could be anywhere in Mongolia, or even out of it. The map was leading them into a trap, or maybe just on a wild goose chase.
She fell alongside Ranma as they walked away from the abandoned village back toward the river, feeling a large emptiness settle at the bottom of her stomach. This was all getting more and more out of control. They were trying to sneak into the dragon's lair; a task that seems so easy, until the dragon turns its head and breathes and suddenly two of your teammates are a pile of charred bones. And there was nothing to do except plunge head first straight into that gaping mouth.
PART SIX
Ranma 1/2 manga fanfiction
by Gary Kleppe
The characters of Ranma 1/2 are the creation of and rightful property of Rumiko Takahashi. They are used here without permission. This story may be freely redistributed, but it should not be altered substantially or used for profit in any way.
I'd like to thank Yoiko for a somewhat belated but very useful pre-read, and also the good people of One Hour Challenge group 1, in which a good portion of this was written and previewed.
______
"Whoa, Akane. Slow down." Nabiki's voice was faint and distant; Akane had to press the phone against her ear to hear it. "What happened?"
"We— we don't know." She took a breath before continuing. "There was some sort of loud crash that woke all of us up." Well, most of us, she amended mentally, but now wasn't the time to discuss her husband's sleeping habits. "When we looked, there was nothing there. Mu Si — he was supposed to be on guard — was gone, and Kasumi was nowhere to be seen either."
"And that's it?" Nabiki said incredulously. "Two people disappeared overnight, without leaving a trace?"
"No, they did leave something." Akane held out her hand, and Ryoga passed her the piece of paper they had found. "A hand-drawn map. It shows a route going north along a river, ending up someplace called Noyan. It's signed with kanji that Dr. Tofu says spell 'Zhen Biaozi' in Mandarin. I think it's to lead us to the place where they took Kasumi and Mu Si."
"I think it's to lead you into a trap."
"I don't doubt it," Akane said. "But how else are we going to get Kasumi back? What I don't understand is how they found us. Mu Si swore up and down that no one would expect us to be using this route. Yet they must have known exactly where we were."
"Yeah, well— just a minute." Loud voices clamored at the other end of the line. "There's some sort of trouble here."
"Trouble? The soldiers are back?"
"No, I don't think it's that. Look, Akane... find Kasumi and rescue her. But keep your head down. They'll be expecting you. I won't tell Dad that she's missing. He'd blow a gasket if he found out."
"All right, Nabiki. We'll call again as soon as we can." She hung up the phone.
Ranma, Tofu, and Genma popped up from where they had been watching, crouched behind a rusty abandoned truck. No one had ambushed Akane during her telephone call. As far as they could tell, this village was as deserted as it looked.
"What do we do now?" Ryoga asked.
"Follow the map, I suppose." Ranma let out a loud breath. "They obviously know we're coming, and Kasumi and Mu Si might be someplace completely different for all we know, but what choice have we got?"
"It seems to be our only lead," Tofu agreed, his voice cracking slightly. Akane knew how he felt about Kasumi; he was obviously fighting back some pretty intense emotions to stay in control of himself.
And the doctor wasn't the only one. Damn it, she thought, hands tightening into fists, those people had better not do anything to hurt my sister, or I'll... I'll.... But she couldn't come up with a threat that was convincing, not even to herself. Ranma was right; Kasumi could be anywhere in Mongolia, or even out of it. The map was leading them into a trap, or maybe just on a wild goose chase.
She fell alongside Ranma as they walked away from the abandoned village back toward the river, feeling a large emptiness settle at the bottom of her stomach. This was all getting more and more out of control. They were trying to sneak into the dragon's lair; a task that seems so easy, until the dragon turns its head and breathes and suddenly two of your teammates are a pile of charred bones. And there was nothing to do except plunge head first straight into that gaping mouth.
HEARTS AND MINDS
PART FIVE
Ranma 1/2 manga fanfiction
by Gary Kleppe
The characters of Ranma 1/2 are the creation of and rightful property of Rumiko Takahashi. They are used here without permission. This story may be freely redistributed, but it should not be altered substantially or used for profit in any way.
Thanks to Yoiko, Kara, and Krista for prereading this chapter.
Daylight rose slowly over the Amazon village, spilling past clouds of purple and dark orange. Ranma and Akane walked through the outskirts of the village, shoes scraping on loose dirt.
"Man, my back still hurts," Ranma said. "I dunno how all these Amazons can stand sleepin' on those bamboo mats."
Nodding, Akane grunted unintelligibly.
"I can't believe Shan Pu told us those things would be comfortable. Tonight I think we should go back to using our sleeping bags."
"Um, sure. Whatever."
The repeating clank of metal against stone attracted Ranma's attention. Two villagers stood nearby, chisels in hand, carving into a vaguely female-shaped blob of rock.
"Uh, hey." Ranma waved at the two women. "Whatcha makin'? Looks cool."
The sculptors smiled at him embarrassedly, then pointed down at a metal placard that lay against their toolbox. It was engraved with kanji, something about a great warrior defeating invading soldiers.
"Wow, this is great," Ranma said. "But why're you makin' it female? I mean, not that I don't appreciate it and all, but I am a guy, I mean normally I am, and...."
The women stared blankly at Ranma. Heaving a sigh, Akane pointed to the toolbox. Inside was a picture of Shan Pu, posed in the same way as the carving.
"Oh. It's Shan Pu's statue. Yeah, of course." Ranma felt his face redden. "Like I said, it's really cool." He nodded; the women smiled back at him, then went back to their work.
Ranma continued walking. Without a word, Akane fell alongside him, not even looking in his direction. Okay, he thought, I hate to state the obvious, even to myself, but something's going on here.
"Say, Akane," Ranma said. "I noticed that your subscription to Tomboy Magazine was about to run out, so I called them up and had them put you down for five more years. That okay?"
"Fine, fine," she mumbled.
"Is something bugging you, by any chance?" The answer was pretty obvious, but asking was the only way to get it out in the open.
"It's nothing," she answered. "I don't want to talk about it."
"Okay. Just askin'." Ranma knew from experience that I don't want to talk about it really meant I want you to drag it out of me. By backing off and refusing to play that game, he'd leave her with no choice but to spill it, whatever it was.
They walked along in silence for several minutes. "I didn't want her to die," Akane grumbled.
"Huh? You mean Kodachi?" Duhhh. Of course she did. Ranma still couldn't believe that Kodachi was dead. The whole thing seemed unreal; he half-expected her to come swooping out of nowhere, her insane laughter bursting in his eardrums. Just any moment now.
"I wished so hard for something to happen to her. Something to shut her up, to wipe that superior smirk right off her face. But not this."
"Look, Akane..." Ranma began. This was the part of being married that he dreaded more than anything else — having to say something to try to cheer her up. The worst part was, eight times out of ten it wouldn't work anyway. "Wishing doesn't mean anything. It's like... well, for a long time, you've wished to be a really good cook, right?"
"Yeah," Akane replied, looking back at him curiously. "So?"
"But after all that wishing, your food is mostly just barely tolerable. And how many times have you wished to be a decent swimmer? Yet every time you get in the water, you sink like a rock. And...."
"Okay!" she snapped back angrily. "I get the point already."
Ranma decided he'd better shut up. So I was wrong, he told himself. It's nine times out of ten. Or maybe some people just didn't want to be cheered up.
They strolled along the dirt path that circled the village. From above, hammers pounded with the rhythm of trotting horses as a trio of women made repairs to a house. Nearby, a group of men plucked cigarette butts from the grass, stuffing them into garbage sacks.
"Do you think it might've been suicide?" Akane asked.
It took Ranma a moment to realize that they were still talking about Kodachi. "Cut her own head off? And then hid the weapon?" He mentally filed this under Things To Tease The Wife About Later. Now, obviously, wasn't a good time.
"Of— of course not." Akane began to fluster. "I— I just thought maybe someone else picked it up later, or something like that."
"C'mon, Akane. We know what happened. One of them got her. Probably that Zhen Biaozhi, or whatever her name is."
Akane sighed. "I suppose that probably is what happened."
"Whaddaya mean 'probably?' Don't be an idiot, Akane. The only other people around with anything against Kodachi are...."
Ranma stopped talking as his last verbal salvo exploded on its launch pad. What he was thinking was just... wrong. Sure, his friends could be jerks. But they weren't killers. Or at least they wouldn't kill someone unless they had to. They wouldn't kill someone on their own team just because she was being an annoyance.
They walked onward. Ahead stood Elder Lan. She waved to them. "Hello, Akane. Ranma. Did you sleep all right?"
"Uh, okay, thanks," Ranma said. "How's it goin'? Getting the town defenses set up in case they send more troops out here?"
Lan nodded. "We're setting up new guard and sentry positions in places that we hope will be unexpected. Also, we're trying to ready as many magical and other special weapons as we can get our hands on." She smiled enigmatically at the two Japanese. "But defense is only part of what we need to do."
"It is?"
"What's the rest?" Akane asked, regarding Lan with the narrow-eyed skepiticism of someone waiting for the proverbial other shoe to drop.
"As martial artists, I'm sure that this is familiar to the two of you," Lan said. "Imagine that you're in combat and you've just managed to block your opponent's strike. What will you do next? Wait for her to attack a second time?"
"No," Ranma answered without missing a beat. "I'd attack. Now's probably the best time to get through the guy's defenses." He wondered why the old woman couldn't give him a simple answer without turning it into a guessing game.
"I see," Lan said neutrally. "Well, then. Let's consider the situation of our village. Our friend the 'General' wants to subjugate us, and isn't going to stop until we're defeated, or he is. What would you suggest as our next move?"
Ranma considered for a moment. "Send somebody over to attack them?" Yeah, that was where she was trying to get him to go. "Boy, I feel sorry for whoever gets stuck with that job...." He actually had a fair idea of who that was going to be, but he didn't mind playing dumb if it would help lighten things up.
Lan's smile widened. Akane's eyes rolled as she heaved a very audible sigh; it was her patented "my husband's being an idiot" look.
"Take some time to think it over and discuss among yourselves," Lan said. "I realize that this is asking a lot of you. Rest assured we wouldn't ask you to undertake such a desperate mission if our need weren't absolutely dire. Should you decide that you are unable to help us, we will understand."
"I don't need to think about it," Ranma said. "I'm in. This is what being a martial artist is about. Pop didn't train me just so I could fight in tournaments."
"I don't think there's much choice in the matter, ma'am." Akane stared forcefully at the Elder. "We'll go. At least Ranma and I will. But we do have family and other responsibilities to get back to. I for one would like to know when this is going to end."
"As would I." Lan smiled in resignation. "And I think you can believe me when I say that like you, I would like to see our troubles over as soon as possible."
One of the repair workers called to Elder Lan, and she hopped over to investigate. Akane was shaking like a volcano about to blow.
"C'mon, Akane, you can't expect us to just leave, do ya? Our friends are in trouble. They need us." Ranma put a hand on her shoulder hoping she would relax; she didn't.
"Yeah, they need us. And what happens next time someone needs us?" she asked. "And what about Hikaru and Ririko? Don't they need us too?"
"Oh, don't worry. My mom and your dad'll take care of 'em until we get back."
"It's not their responsibility, Ranma! It's ours! Don't you understand that? Our children are our responsibility! And what if one of us doesn't make it back? What if I get killed like Kodachi? Do you think you can be both mother and father to those children?"
"Are you kidding?" Ranma said. "Don't forget who you're talking to, Akane." Her face began to turn red. Ranma knew he had better say something to calm her down, now. "Anyway, that's not gonna happen. Look, we'll get back to Japan in a few weeks. It's not like it's gonna hurt the kids to be away from your cooking."
"Damn it, Ranma!"
Okay, so that wasn't it. "Hey, I—"
"You just don't get it! We're adults now! Stop acting like you're still a... a teen-ager!!" She opened her mouth as if searching for more words, then stomped away.
A sickened feeling gripped Ranma's stomach, as if he'd eaten food and later found out that it had been contaminated. Oh, I don't measure up to your standards of maturity, huh? Well, excuse me. If I'm such a jerk then why'd you marry me? For maybe the first time, he had a good idea of why his pop had gone on all of those training trips. Who wants to stay where he's not wanted?
I don't need to take this crap, he thought. I've been a good husband and a good parent. I'm as grown-up as the next guy.
Except...
Except that someone he knew had just died. One of his friends whom he'd known since high school was murdered, and he was never going to see her again, and he still had nothing to say, still didn't feel anything that he should feel, whatever that was, and all he could think to do was make the usual stupid jokes.
Damn it, he thought, shouting silently as if at some unknown deity that was responsible for all his troubles. Akane and he shouldn't have to go through all of this. Not now, while they were still young. They ought to be home, teaching the kids how to add and multiply, not trying to come to grips with the fact that one of their friends had died trying to save some of their other friends from a bunch of gun-happy bozos who'd invaded a peaceful village, and he still had no idea why they'd done it — what they wanted to gain or were trying to prove. All he knew was one thing, and that was who to blame.
Ha Bu... "Herb"... I'm coming for you. And for what you did, you're going to answer to me.
PART FIVE
Ranma 1/2 manga fanfiction
by Gary Kleppe
The characters of Ranma 1/2 are the creation of and rightful property of Rumiko Takahashi. They are used here without permission. This story may be freely redistributed, but it should not be altered substantially or used for profit in any way.
Thanks to Yoiko, Kara, and Krista for prereading this chapter.
Daylight rose slowly over the Amazon village, spilling past clouds of purple and dark orange. Ranma and Akane walked through the outskirts of the village, shoes scraping on loose dirt.
"Man, my back still hurts," Ranma said. "I dunno how all these Amazons can stand sleepin' on those bamboo mats."
Nodding, Akane grunted unintelligibly.
"I can't believe Shan Pu told us those things would be comfortable. Tonight I think we should go back to using our sleeping bags."
"Um, sure. Whatever."
The repeating clank of metal against stone attracted Ranma's attention. Two villagers stood nearby, chisels in hand, carving into a vaguely female-shaped blob of rock.
"Uh, hey." Ranma waved at the two women. "Whatcha makin'? Looks cool."
The sculptors smiled at him embarrassedly, then pointed down at a metal placard that lay against their toolbox. It was engraved with kanji, something about a great warrior defeating invading soldiers.
"Wow, this is great," Ranma said. "But why're you makin' it female? I mean, not that I don't appreciate it and all, but I am a guy, I mean normally I am, and...."
The women stared blankly at Ranma. Heaving a sigh, Akane pointed to the toolbox. Inside was a picture of Shan Pu, posed in the same way as the carving.
"Oh. It's Shan Pu's statue. Yeah, of course." Ranma felt his face redden. "Like I said, it's really cool." He nodded; the women smiled back at him, then went back to their work.
Ranma continued walking. Without a word, Akane fell alongside him, not even looking in his direction. Okay, he thought, I hate to state the obvious, even to myself, but something's going on here.
"Say, Akane," Ranma said. "I noticed that your subscription to Tomboy Magazine was about to run out, so I called them up and had them put you down for five more years. That okay?"
"Fine, fine," she mumbled.
"Is something bugging you, by any chance?" The answer was pretty obvious, but asking was the only way to get it out in the open.
"It's nothing," she answered. "I don't want to talk about it."
"Okay. Just askin'." Ranma knew from experience that I don't want to talk about it really meant I want you to drag it out of me. By backing off and refusing to play that game, he'd leave her with no choice but to spill it, whatever it was.
They walked along in silence for several minutes. "I didn't want her to die," Akane grumbled.
"Huh? You mean Kodachi?" Duhhh. Of course she did. Ranma still couldn't believe that Kodachi was dead. The whole thing seemed unreal; he half-expected her to come swooping out of nowhere, her insane laughter bursting in his eardrums. Just any moment now.
"I wished so hard for something to happen to her. Something to shut her up, to wipe that superior smirk right off her face. But not this."
"Look, Akane..." Ranma began. This was the part of being married that he dreaded more than anything else — having to say something to try to cheer her up. The worst part was, eight times out of ten it wouldn't work anyway. "Wishing doesn't mean anything. It's like... well, for a long time, you've wished to be a really good cook, right?"
"Yeah," Akane replied, looking back at him curiously. "So?"
"But after all that wishing, your food is mostly just barely tolerable. And how many times have you wished to be a decent swimmer? Yet every time you get in the water, you sink like a rock. And...."
"Okay!" she snapped back angrily. "I get the point already."
Ranma decided he'd better shut up. So I was wrong, he told himself. It's nine times out of ten. Or maybe some people just didn't want to be cheered up.
They strolled along the dirt path that circled the village. From above, hammers pounded with the rhythm of trotting horses as a trio of women made repairs to a house. Nearby, a group of men plucked cigarette butts from the grass, stuffing them into garbage sacks.
"Do you think it might've been suicide?" Akane asked.
It took Ranma a moment to realize that they were still talking about Kodachi. "Cut her own head off? And then hid the weapon?" He mentally filed this under Things To Tease The Wife About Later. Now, obviously, wasn't a good time.
"Of— of course not." Akane began to fluster. "I— I just thought maybe someone else picked it up later, or something like that."
"C'mon, Akane. We know what happened. One of them got her. Probably that Zhen Biaozhi, or whatever her name is."
Akane sighed. "I suppose that probably is what happened."
"Whaddaya mean 'probably?' Don't be an idiot, Akane. The only other people around with anything against Kodachi are...."
Ranma stopped talking as his last verbal salvo exploded on its launch pad. What he was thinking was just... wrong. Sure, his friends could be jerks. But they weren't killers. Or at least they wouldn't kill someone unless they had to. They wouldn't kill someone on their own team just because she was being an annoyance.
They walked onward. Ahead stood Elder Lan. She waved to them. "Hello, Akane. Ranma. Did you sleep all right?"
"Uh, okay, thanks," Ranma said. "How's it goin'? Getting the town defenses set up in case they send more troops out here?"
Lan nodded. "We're setting up new guard and sentry positions in places that we hope will be unexpected. Also, we're trying to ready as many magical and other special weapons as we can get our hands on." She smiled enigmatically at the two Japanese. "But defense is only part of what we need to do."
"It is?"
"What's the rest?" Akane asked, regarding Lan with the narrow-eyed skepiticism of someone waiting for the proverbial other shoe to drop.
"As martial artists, I'm sure that this is familiar to the two of you," Lan said. "Imagine that you're in combat and you've just managed to block your opponent's strike. What will you do next? Wait for her to attack a second time?"
"No," Ranma answered without missing a beat. "I'd attack. Now's probably the best time to get through the guy's defenses." He wondered why the old woman couldn't give him a simple answer without turning it into a guessing game.
"I see," Lan said neutrally. "Well, then. Let's consider the situation of our village. Our friend the 'General' wants to subjugate us, and isn't going to stop until we're defeated, or he is. What would you suggest as our next move?"
Ranma considered for a moment. "Send somebody over to attack them?" Yeah, that was where she was trying to get him to go. "Boy, I feel sorry for whoever gets stuck with that job...." He actually had a fair idea of who that was going to be, but he didn't mind playing dumb if it would help lighten things up.
Lan's smile widened. Akane's eyes rolled as she heaved a very audible sigh; it was her patented "my husband's being an idiot" look.
"Take some time to think it over and discuss among yourselves," Lan said. "I realize that this is asking a lot of you. Rest assured we wouldn't ask you to undertake such a desperate mission if our need weren't absolutely dire. Should you decide that you are unable to help us, we will understand."
"I don't need to think about it," Ranma said. "I'm in. This is what being a martial artist is about. Pop didn't train me just so I could fight in tournaments."
"I don't think there's much choice in the matter, ma'am." Akane stared forcefully at the Elder. "We'll go. At least Ranma and I will. But we do have family and other responsibilities to get back to. I for one would like to know when this is going to end."
"As would I." Lan smiled in resignation. "And I think you can believe me when I say that like you, I would like to see our troubles over as soon as possible."
One of the repair workers called to Elder Lan, and she hopped over to investigate. Akane was shaking like a volcano about to blow.
"C'mon, Akane, you can't expect us to just leave, do ya? Our friends are in trouble. They need us." Ranma put a hand on her shoulder hoping she would relax; she didn't.
"Yeah, they need us. And what happens next time someone needs us?" she asked. "And what about Hikaru and Ririko? Don't they need us too?"
"Oh, don't worry. My mom and your dad'll take care of 'em until we get back."
"It's not their responsibility, Ranma! It's ours! Don't you understand that? Our children are our responsibility! And what if one of us doesn't make it back? What if I get killed like Kodachi? Do you think you can be both mother and father to those children?"
"Are you kidding?" Ranma said. "Don't forget who you're talking to, Akane." Her face began to turn red. Ranma knew he had better say something to calm her down, now. "Anyway, that's not gonna happen. Look, we'll get back to Japan in a few weeks. It's not like it's gonna hurt the kids to be away from your cooking."
"Damn it, Ranma!"
Okay, so that wasn't it. "Hey, I—"
"You just don't get it! We're adults now! Stop acting like you're still a... a teen-ager!!" She opened her mouth as if searching for more words, then stomped away.
A sickened feeling gripped Ranma's stomach, as if he'd eaten food and later found out that it had been contaminated. Oh, I don't measure up to your standards of maturity, huh? Well, excuse me. If I'm such a jerk then why'd you marry me? For maybe the first time, he had a good idea of why his pop had gone on all of those training trips. Who wants to stay where he's not wanted?
I don't need to take this crap, he thought. I've been a good husband and a good parent. I'm as grown-up as the next guy.
Except...
Except that someone he knew had just died. One of his friends whom he'd known since high school was murdered, and he was never going to see her again, and he still had nothing to say, still didn't feel anything that he should feel, whatever that was, and all he could think to do was make the usual stupid jokes.
Damn it, he thought, shouting silently as if at some unknown deity that was responsible for all his troubles. Akane and he shouldn't have to go through all of this. Not now, while they were still young. They ought to be home, teaching the kids how to add and multiply, not trying to come to grips with the fact that one of their friends had died trying to save some of their other friends from a bunch of gun-happy bozos who'd invaded a peaceful village, and he still had no idea why they'd done it — what they wanted to gain or were trying to prove. All he knew was one thing, and that was who to blame.
Ha Bu... "Herb"... I'm coming for you. And for what you did, you're going to answer to me.
HEARTS AND MINDS
PART FOUR
Ranma 1/2 manga fanfiction
by Gary Kleppe
The characters of Ranma 1/2 are the creation of and rightful property of Rumiko Takahashi. They are used here without permission. This story may be freely redistributed, but it should not be altered substantially or used for profit in any way.
"Greetings, 'General.' Or should I call you...."
"General will suffice, Zhen Biaozi. I do not fully trust this mode of communication."
"Don't worry, no one else will be able to pick up our little chat. I have learned a thing or two in my ninety years, you know."
"Let us attend to business. What is your assessment of the current situation?"
"The situation is rather precarious for your troops. I'm afraid that major of yours might be in a little over his head."
"Yes, he's reported a number of incidents of sabotage by the villagers. As yet, he is unable to determine which of them are responsible."
"Trust me, it'd be quicker for him to find the ones who aren't responsible. What did you expect, 'General?' You must know the Amazons quite well. Did you really think that they would lay down and surrender themselves to you simply because you've killed a few of them?"
"What of the group that recently arrived from Japan? Will the major be able to deal with their interference?"
"I don't know. They're a clever bunch, as children go. On the other hand, there are only a handful of them. Your major does have the advantage of vastly superior force, which might compensate for his ignorance."
"What plans do you have to assist the major, should he be unable to cope?"
"I? I agreed to rule the Amazons on your behalf. Nowhere was it said that it was my job to nursemaid incompetent male underlings."
"Your insolence does not amuse me in the least, Zhen Biaozi. If you refuse to be of use to me, I see no reason to continue with our arrangement."
"Oh, I'll be of use, all right. I just intend to let your major try first, to see what he can do. If he fails, we'll try things my way. Never fear, I'll capture both the village and Shan Pu's group for you,
if it comes to that."
"A bold promise. Are you certain you have the necessary power to fulfill it?"
"Don't underestimate me, 'General.' I may be one mere human being, but I'm an elder Amazon warrior. And unlike your major, I know my opponents. He might fail, but I won't."
HEARTS AND MINDS
PART THREE
Ranma 1/2 manga fanfiction
by Gary Kleppe
The characters of Ranma 1/2 are the creation of and rightful property of Rumiko Takahashi. They are used here without permission. This story may be freely redistributed, but it should not be altered substantially or used for profit in any way.
Kodachi reached in with a hand to test the water. Finding the temperature adequate, she stepped inside and slid the frosted glass door closed. Water gushed from the shower head, pouring over her body, caressing her in its delicious warmth.
And she laughed.
She laughed thinking of 'darling' Ranma, and the reaction she'd already provoked in him after only a day and a half. It was so delightful watching him attack her again and again, only to be defeated easily each time. Yet he always came back for one more chance, each time more eager and determined than the last, not unlike a compulsive gambler. And he was afraid of her. She could see it in his eyes. Every defeat made him fear her more, by demonstrating yet again how helpless he was against her. She could have her way with him at any time — whatever way she wished — and he would have no way of stopping her. None of them would.
Except for Tendo Kasumi. She alone had the necessary training and skill with which to discern Kodachi's secret. It was possible that she already knew. Perhaps her sweet and innocent demeanor was a facade — a mask from behind which she mocked Kodachi, secure in her ability to deal with anything the gymnast might attempt.
Or not. In any case, it might be worthwhile to do something to divert Kasumi's attention to elsewhere. But what? Kodachi would have to ruminate on that question.
A dull thump from outside attracted Kodachi's attention. Quickly spinning the water control to off position, she peered through frosted glass to locate the source of the noise. The bathroom door was now open, and something — or someone — which she couldn't make out had entered.
Kodachi's pulse quickened. For the first time since she had embarked on the journey, she was in danger. How very like her enemies, to attack when she was defenseless. Perhaps she could bluff whomever it was into leaving or not attacking. It was the best chance she had.
"It's bad manners to enter a room without knocking, you know," she said in her confident, semi-mocking voice. She pulled the largest of the white towels from the rack and wrapped it around her body.
Nothing answered her. She pushed the shower door open a crack, wide enough for her to see out.
"Oh, it's you." She let out a relieved breath. "Wait where you are until I am finished."
How sweet, she thought. The pets were lonely for their owner. She threw the towel back onto its rack, then rotated the dial to turn the water back on.
And she laughed, this time more loudly than before.
PART THREE
Ranma 1/2 manga fanfiction
by Gary Kleppe
The characters of Ranma 1/2 are the creation of and rightful property of Rumiko Takahashi. They are used here without permission. This story may be freely redistributed, but it should not be altered substantially or used for profit in any way.
Kodachi reached in with a hand to test the water. Finding the temperature adequate, she stepped inside and slid the frosted glass door closed. Water gushed from the shower head, pouring over her body, caressing her in its delicious warmth.
And she laughed.
She laughed thinking of 'darling' Ranma, and the reaction she'd already provoked in him after only a day and a half. It was so delightful watching him attack her again and again, only to be defeated easily each time. Yet he always came back for one more chance, each time more eager and determined than the last, not unlike a compulsive gambler. And he was afraid of her. She could see it in his eyes. Every defeat made him fear her more, by demonstrating yet again how helpless he was against her. She could have her way with him at any time — whatever way she wished — and he would have no way of stopping her. None of them would.
Except for Tendo Kasumi. She alone had the necessary training and skill with which to discern Kodachi's secret. It was possible that she already knew. Perhaps her sweet and innocent demeanor was a facade — a mask from behind which she mocked Kodachi, secure in her ability to deal with anything the gymnast might attempt.
Or not. In any case, it might be worthwhile to do something to divert Kasumi's attention to elsewhere. But what? Kodachi would have to ruminate on that question.
A dull thump from outside attracted Kodachi's attention. Quickly spinning the water control to off position, she peered through frosted glass to locate the source of the noise. The bathroom door was now open, and something — or someone — which she couldn't make out had entered.
Kodachi's pulse quickened. For the first time since she had embarked on the journey, she was in danger. How very like her enemies, to attack when she was defenseless. Perhaps she could bluff whomever it was into leaving or not attacking. It was the best chance she had.
"It's bad manners to enter a room without knocking, you know," she said in her confident, semi-mocking voice. She pulled the largest of the white towels from the rack and wrapped it around her body.
Nothing answered her. She pushed the shower door open a crack, wide enough for her to see out.
"Oh, it's you." She let out a relieved breath. "Wait where you are until I am finished."
How sweet, she thought. The pets were lonely for their owner. She threw the towel back onto its rack, then rotated the dial to turn the water back on.
And she laughed, this time more loudly than before.
HEARTS AND MINDS
PART TWO
Ranma 1/2 manga fanfiction
by Gary Kleppe
The characters of Ranma 1/2 are the creation of and rightful property of Rumiko Takahashi. They are used here without permission. This story may be freely redistributed, but it should not be altered substantially or used for profit in any way.
______
"Base to patrol four. Patrol four, report. Over."
Corporal Sauchuk spoke into his radio unit. "Patrol four. Entering area C. Everything appears to be clear. Over."
"Roger, four. Stay alert. Base out."
Sauchuk stepped tentatively ahead. With slightly sweaty hands, he held his AK-47 forward, ready to fire at a moment's notice. There probably wasn't any danger; the gas would have taken out anyone the bombs hadn't, and the other patrols had already been through and cleared away the locals. Still, you couldn't be too careful, especially in a village of fanatical warrior women. The place definitely gave him the creeps. He'd be glad when his unit shipped out to somewhere, anywhere else.
He motioned with an arm, and Corporal Rou moved up to stand next to him. Dead silence hung over the area as the two of them advanced. Most of the buildings stood largely undamaged by the bombardment; obviously, these Amazons knew a thing or two about construction.
Overhead, a few clouds floated in a sea of idyllic blue. Another day. There were only four hundred and ninety-six to go before Sauchuk's tour of duty would be finished. Though he'd signed on voluntarily to serve his country, he still couldn't wait for the day when he'd be able to go back home, marry Jambyn and start a family.
"Hey, check it out," Rou said, pointing at a young woman lying on the ground. "It's one of the locals."
Sauchuk peered closer, eyeing the girl cautiously. Badly bruised flesh showed through the many rips in her clothes. "Is she alive?"
"Yeah," Rou replied, his hand on her wrist. "She's got a pulse. But she's out cold."
"Good." Sauchuk had heard stories about these so-called Amazons. Supposedly, they were taught to fight with swords and clubs before they even learned to read and write. They held combat tournaments where even the kids participated. The whole point of it was to make them into complete maniacs by the time they were grown up -- so that even with a shot-off arm and facing a dozen armed men, they'd attack, just to be able to kill one more person before they got blown away. Sauchuk didn't want to take any chances with people that crazy.
"She looks pretty young," Rou said. "What do you suppose she is... twenty?"
Sauchuk nodded in vague assent. "Let's get her over to holding with the others."
"I bet she's not married yet." Rou pulled on her long hair to make her face him. "How about it, girl? Looking for a couple of husbands?"
Sauchuk was confused for a moment, then understood. "Not me. I've got a girl back home."
Rou grinned up at him. "She won't know."
"Maybe not. But I will," Sauchuk replied, unamused.
"Your loss." Rou hefted her limp form over his shoulder. "C'mon, honey. Let's get to know each other."
Sauchuk silently grumbled some choice curse-words at the idiocy of his partner. The two of them were supposed to be on watch. The village itself was under control, but the surrounding area was bound to be full of unfriendlies who'd love to catch Rou with his pants down, so to speak.
By proper military procedure, Sauchuk was supposed to report Rou to an officer. He certainly deserved whatever they'd do to him, the crazy, stupid bastard; he was jeopardizing the safety of everyone in the unit just to have his jollies with this girl. But squealing was something you just didn't do to a buddy -- not when you might be depending on him to watch your back in the next campaign. Especially when the back he was watching made a great target.
"I'm not gonna pull your ass out of the fire if you get caught by an officer," Sauchuk said. "As far as I know, you just went off to use the latrine."
"Won't be lying much." Rou grinned. "Just taking care of life's little basic necessities."
Crazy, stupid bastard.
PART TWO
Ranma 1/2 manga fanfiction
by Gary Kleppe
The characters of Ranma 1/2 are the creation of and rightful property of Rumiko Takahashi. They are used here without permission. This story may be freely redistributed, but it should not be altered substantially or used for profit in any way.
______
"Base to patrol four. Patrol four, report. Over."
Corporal Sauchuk spoke into his radio unit. "Patrol four. Entering area C. Everything appears to be clear. Over."
"Roger, four. Stay alert. Base out."
Sauchuk stepped tentatively ahead. With slightly sweaty hands, he held his AK-47 forward, ready to fire at a moment's notice. There probably wasn't any danger; the gas would have taken out anyone the bombs hadn't, and the other patrols had already been through and cleared away the locals. Still, you couldn't be too careful, especially in a village of fanatical warrior women. The place definitely gave him the creeps. He'd be glad when his unit shipped out to somewhere, anywhere else.
He motioned with an arm, and Corporal Rou moved up to stand next to him. Dead silence hung over the area as the two of them advanced. Most of the buildings stood largely undamaged by the bombardment; obviously, these Amazons knew a thing or two about construction.
Overhead, a few clouds floated in a sea of idyllic blue. Another day. There were only four hundred and ninety-six to go before Sauchuk's tour of duty would be finished. Though he'd signed on voluntarily to serve his country, he still couldn't wait for the day when he'd be able to go back home, marry Jambyn and start a family.
"Hey, check it out," Rou said, pointing at a young woman lying on the ground. "It's one of the locals."
Sauchuk peered closer, eyeing the girl cautiously. Badly bruised flesh showed through the many rips in her clothes. "Is she alive?"
"Yeah," Rou replied, his hand on her wrist. "She's got a pulse. But she's out cold."
"Good." Sauchuk had heard stories about these so-called Amazons. Supposedly, they were taught to fight with swords and clubs before they even learned to read and write. They held combat tournaments where even the kids participated. The whole point of it was to make them into complete maniacs by the time they were grown up -- so that even with a shot-off arm and facing a dozen armed men, they'd attack, just to be able to kill one more person before they got blown away. Sauchuk didn't want to take any chances with people that crazy.
"She looks pretty young," Rou said. "What do you suppose she is... twenty?"
Sauchuk nodded in vague assent. "Let's get her over to holding with the others."
"I bet she's not married yet." Rou pulled on her long hair to make her face him. "How about it, girl? Looking for a couple of husbands?"
Sauchuk was confused for a moment, then understood. "Not me. I've got a girl back home."
Rou grinned up at him. "She won't know."
"Maybe not. But I will," Sauchuk replied, unamused.
"Your loss." Rou hefted her limp form over his shoulder. "C'mon, honey. Let's get to know each other."
Sauchuk silently grumbled some choice curse-words at the idiocy of his partner. The two of them were supposed to be on watch. The village itself was under control, but the surrounding area was bound to be full of unfriendlies who'd love to catch Rou with his pants down, so to speak.
By proper military procedure, Sauchuk was supposed to report Rou to an officer. He certainly deserved whatever they'd do to him, the crazy, stupid bastard; he was jeopardizing the safety of everyone in the unit just to have his jollies with this girl. But squealing was something you just didn't do to a buddy -- not when you might be depending on him to watch your back in the next campaign. Especially when the back he was watching made a great target.
"I'm not gonna pull your ass out of the fire if you get caught by an officer," Sauchuk said. "As far as I know, you just went off to use the latrine."
"Won't be lying much." Rou grinned. "Just taking care of life's little basic necessities."
Crazy, stupid bastard.
HEARTS AND MINDS
PART ONE
Ranma 1/2 manga fanfiction
by Gary Kleppe
The characters of Ranma 1/2 are the creation of and rightful property of Rumiko Takahashi. They are used here without permission. This story may be freely redistributed, but it should not be altered substantially or used for profit in any way.
The HaM Preludes detail the changes in the characters over the seven years between the end of the manga and this story. They can be read here. I've added extra scenes with background information to this chapter in the latest revision so you should be able to jump in even if you haven't read the preludes.
______
Please, goddesses. Let me get home safely; that's all I ask. I just want to be home.
Ti Pi repeated the mantra to herself as she trudged forward along the dirt road. She didn't know whether anyone or anything would be listening, but it couldn't hurt. If nothing else, maybe it would help control her fear, though it wasn't doing that very well so far.
The last vestiges of evening sunlight were quickly dying. Soon only the pale glow of the full moon would remain, and the road would be blanketed in darkness. Home lay somewhere ahead, but how far? It was impossible to know what distance she'd already walked, and the blackness ahead seemed to stretch on forever.
She remembered how happy she'd been when the Chief Elder had assigned her this task. It had sounded so simple. Visit one of their cities, and find out everything you can about them. Telling Ti Pi to gather information was like telling fish to swim. What she hadn't counted on was how difficult the journey there and back again would be.
Her stomach rumbled, demanding to be fed. When she'd left Yinchuan, the food and water in her pack had seemed like a terrible burden. Now she wished she'd carried more. She needed food, and sleep. Her eyelids sagged, begging to be closed. It would be so easy to give in, to drift away like a log floating serenely down a stream....
Somewhere ahead, an animal howled. Ti Pi knew that rabid dogs hunted in this part of the country. With her Amazon strength and training, fighting the beasts off wouldn't be a problem -- if she heard them coming. As she continued to walk, she stretched her senses to the utmost, trying to take in everything she could. A cool breeze blew across her face. Insects chirped in an endless, monotonous rhythm. There was no sign of anything remotely human.
Earlier, Ti Pi had passed through a village called Yaocaicun. She'd been there before, and the place seemed to be just as she remembered it. Buildings of brick and wood lay strewn haphazardly about a gently rolling landscape. Lush gardens stood fenced off from the roads. Large signs stretched overhead, identifying various shops; most of them seemed to be selling herbal medicines.
There were no people.
Yaocaicun was normally a lively place. There should have been children running in the street, farmers gabbing noisily as they tended to the day's crop. But today, no one at all could be seen or heard.
Ti Pi spent over an hour searching through Yaocaicun, looking for any clue as to what had happened to the population. She found none. Had the General already sent his armies in this direction, and decided to wipe out this village simply because it had been in the way? Or had the people here simply fled? She didn't know.
And now, as she marched through the endless darkness, she was afraid, not only for herself but for all of her people. She pictured her Amazon sisters being imprisoned and eventually sold into slavery. Or perhaps they would be simply slaughtered. That would have been the easiest way to deal with them. Obstacles are for killing.
Please, goddesses. Let me get home safely. And let home still be there when I arrive.
PART ONE
Ranma 1/2 manga fanfiction
by Gary Kleppe
The characters of Ranma 1/2 are the creation of and rightful property of Rumiko Takahashi. They are used here without permission. This story may be freely redistributed, but it should not be altered substantially or used for profit in any way.
The HaM Preludes detail the changes in the characters over the seven years between the end of the manga and this story. They can be read here. I've added extra scenes with background information to this chapter in the latest revision so you should be able to jump in even if you haven't read the preludes.
______
Please, goddesses. Let me get home safely; that's all I ask. I just want to be home.
Ti Pi repeated the mantra to herself as she trudged forward along the dirt road. She didn't know whether anyone or anything would be listening, but it couldn't hurt. If nothing else, maybe it would help control her fear, though it wasn't doing that very well so far.
The last vestiges of evening sunlight were quickly dying. Soon only the pale glow of the full moon would remain, and the road would be blanketed in darkness. Home lay somewhere ahead, but how far? It was impossible to know what distance she'd already walked, and the blackness ahead seemed to stretch on forever.
She remembered how happy she'd been when the Chief Elder had assigned her this task. It had sounded so simple. Visit one of their cities, and find out everything you can about them. Telling Ti Pi to gather information was like telling fish to swim. What she hadn't counted on was how difficult the journey there and back again would be.
Her stomach rumbled, demanding to be fed. When she'd left Yinchuan, the food and water in her pack had seemed like a terrible burden. Now she wished she'd carried more. She needed food, and sleep. Her eyelids sagged, begging to be closed. It would be so easy to give in, to drift away like a log floating serenely down a stream....
Somewhere ahead, an animal howled. Ti Pi knew that rabid dogs hunted in this part of the country. With her Amazon strength and training, fighting the beasts off wouldn't be a problem -- if she heard them coming. As she continued to walk, she stretched her senses to the utmost, trying to take in everything she could. A cool breeze blew across her face. Insects chirped in an endless, monotonous rhythm. There was no sign of anything remotely human.
Earlier, Ti Pi had passed through a village called Yaocaicun. She'd been there before, and the place seemed to be just as she remembered it. Buildings of brick and wood lay strewn haphazardly about a gently rolling landscape. Lush gardens stood fenced off from the roads. Large signs stretched overhead, identifying various shops; most of them seemed to be selling herbal medicines.
There were no people.
Yaocaicun was normally a lively place. There should have been children running in the street, farmers gabbing noisily as they tended to the day's crop. But today, no one at all could be seen or heard.
Ti Pi spent over an hour searching through Yaocaicun, looking for any clue as to what had happened to the population. She found none. Had the General already sent his armies in this direction, and decided to wipe out this village simply because it had been in the way? Or had the people here simply fled? She didn't know.
And now, as she marched through the endless darkness, she was afraid, not only for herself but for all of her people. She pictured her Amazon sisters being imprisoned and eventually sold into slavery. Or perhaps they would be simply slaughtered. That would have been the easiest way to deal with them. Obstacles are for killing.
Please, goddesses. Let me get home safely. And let home still be there when I arrive.
A DIFFERENT FAITH
NOTES: This was written for a multi-author collaboration known as The Ranma Preludes. It also serves as a HaM side story and introduces plot elements that will be important in the main story.
Dialog in this story should be understood as translated from the Chinese. For names or untranslated words, I use the Mandarin dialect and the Pinyin system of romanization. The word "Xiao," means "young" or "little." "Xiao" (e.g. "Xiao Shan" for Shan Pu) is a common informal way for peers to refer to each other, and is used in this story.
I sat in the small wooden chair and waited. The council of elders would be finished with their deliberations soon. There was nothing more for me to do until they came out to tell me what my fate was to be. Though I tried not to, I couldn't help feeling fear. It wasn't just that the elders had the power to sentence me to death if they wished. What was more frightening was that my friends, even my family, would stand aside and allow my execution — perhaps even help carry it out — if the elders told them to.
My husband was seated next to me. The normally bubbly man stared off blankly into space. "What will you do when my punishment is announced?" I asked him.
"It'll be all right." He looked back at me. "Don't worry."
"Oh? The council might order my death, or might have me sent to Zhouquanshan." The so-called cursed spring mountain was the greatest fear of most of the Amazons. Not that they had any more idea of what was at the place than I did; they believed that it was horrible only because the elders had told them so. "If that happened, would you simply stand by and let them take me? Or would you fight to defend your wife?"
"Everything will be all right." He smiled feebly, then quickly returned to staring straight ahead. Not surprising, really; dealing with conflict was not one of my husband's skills. It was a bad habit of mine -- asking people questions that I knew they couldn't answer.
I looked out to the chamber, at the assemblage of those who I had called sisters, many of whom had been my friends. Some of them turned their eyes downward so they wouldn't have to meet my gaze. Others stared back at me, their expressions mixtures of sympathy and disapproval. They didn't want anything bad to happen to me, but the law said that they had to accept the elders' judgement. One couldn't question the law, could one?
My daughter, Shan Pu, sat in the first row. Her eyes gazed directly at me with fire in them. Her mouth curved upward in a half-smile. "You broke the law, Mother. If you are punished, it is the fault of no one other that yourself."
"And if my punishment is decreed to be an arrow through the heart, will you then miss me?"
"No, Mother." She stared coldly into my eyes for a moment before turning away. "My aim will be quite accurate."
My daughter hated me. Not surprising, really; I had tried to keep her from what she wanted most. But it was interesting that she had avoided answering me. If they did order me put to death, would she regret it afterwards? Would she cry over the loss of her mother?
I wanted to think so. I liked to think that her heart was as torn as mine. But in truth, I didn't really know.
NOTES: This was written for a multi-author collaboration known as The Ranma Preludes. It also serves as a HaM side story and introduces plot elements that will be important in the main story.
Dialog in this story should be understood as translated from the Chinese. For names or untranslated words, I use the Mandarin dialect and the Pinyin system of romanization. The word "Xiao," means "young" or "little." "Xiao
I sat in the small wooden chair and waited. The council of elders would be finished with their deliberations soon. There was nothing more for me to do until they came out to tell me what my fate was to be. Though I tried not to, I couldn't help feeling fear. It wasn't just that the elders had the power to sentence me to death if they wished. What was more frightening was that my friends, even my family, would stand aside and allow my execution — perhaps even help carry it out — if the elders told them to.
My husband was seated next to me. The normally bubbly man stared off blankly into space. "What will you do when my punishment is announced?" I asked him.
"It'll be all right." He looked back at me. "Don't worry."
"Oh? The council might order my death, or might have me sent to Zhouquanshan." The so-called cursed spring mountain was the greatest fear of most of the Amazons. Not that they had any more idea of what was at the place than I did; they believed that it was horrible only because the elders had told them so. "If that happened, would you simply stand by and let them take me? Or would you fight to defend your wife?"
"Everything will be all right." He smiled feebly, then quickly returned to staring straight ahead. Not surprising, really; dealing with conflict was not one of my husband's skills. It was a bad habit of mine -- asking people questions that I knew they couldn't answer.
I looked out to the chamber, at the assemblage of those who I had called sisters, many of whom had been my friends. Some of them turned their eyes downward so they wouldn't have to meet my gaze. Others stared back at me, their expressions mixtures of sympathy and disapproval. They didn't want anything bad to happen to me, but the law said that they had to accept the elders' judgement. One couldn't question the law, could one?
My daughter, Shan Pu, sat in the first row. Her eyes gazed directly at me with fire in them. Her mouth curved upward in a half-smile. "You broke the law, Mother. If you are punished, it is the fault of no one other that yourself."
"And if my punishment is decreed to be an arrow through the heart, will you then miss me?"
"No, Mother." She stared coldly into my eyes for a moment before turning away. "My aim will be quite accurate."
My daughter hated me. Not surprising, really; I had tried to keep her from what she wanted most. But it was interesting that she had avoided answering me. If they did order me put to death, would she regret it afterwards? Would she cry over the loss of her mother?
I wanted to think so. I liked to think that her heart was as torn as mine. But in truth, I didn't really know.
| Poll Ranking | Title | Votes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Saotome Ranma: Lili's Child | 107 |
| 2 | Tendo Kasumi and Nabiki: Someday | 59 |
| 3 | Mu Si: Reflections | 55 |
| 4 | Gosunkugi Hikaru: Courage | 48 |
| 5 | Tendo Akane: Something Old | 34 |
Votes were counted by giving three points for a first place ranking, two points for a second, and one for a third. The fifth place slot was highly contested, with Akane pulling ahead of three other competitors in the last month of voting; any symbolic significance of this is left for the reader to decide. :)
Thanks to everyone who voted.
"I won't use the obvious quote here, and neither should you."
HEARTS AND MINDS PRELUDE TEN
SAOTOME RANMA: LILI'S CHILD
Ranma 1/2 manga fanfiction
by Gary Kleppe
The characters of Ranma 1/2 are the creation of and rightful property of Rumiko Takahashi. They are used here without permission. This story may be freely redistributed, but it should not be altered substantially or used for profit in any way.
Note: This story, while not a lemon, is what one might call a lime; it deals with some "adult" situations, but doesn't go into explicit sexual detail. There is also some use of language that some might find offensive. You have been warned.
Note also: Because he thinks of himself as a man, I use male pronouns for Ranma, regardless of his current gender.
"Thanks for takin' the kids on such short notice, Mrs. Komori. We usually depend on their grandparents, but we've got a big family meeting goin' on tonight."
"Oh, it's no trouble at all, Mr. Saotome," the chubby, middle-aged woman said. "You have such nice children!"
The older of the two ran into Mrs. Komori's living room. "I, Saotome Hikaru, will defeat all fighters in this dojo!" His sister followed behind him.
Ranma grinned. It was every daddy's dream for Junior to want to follow in his footsteps. Of course, by the time Hikaru was old enough to actually study martial arts, he'd probably want to be a train engineer or a fire chief instead.
Mrs. Komori bent down and smiled. "I'm afraid we don't have any fighters here, dear. I do have some cookies in the oven, though. I'm sure you'll be able to defeat them when they're ready."
"Okay." Hikaru looked around. "But first I'll fight Ririko!"
The little girl backed away from her brother. "Daaadddy!"
"Hold it, big fella." Ranma stepped between the children. "You can't fight your sister unless she challenged you."
Hikaru peered between his father's legs. "Gonna challenge me, Sis? I'm pretty tough!"
"No." She laughed as she grabbed Ranma's leg. "I challenge Daddy!"
"Oh, you do, eh? In that case, we'll compete in... Martial Arts Hair Mussing!" Ranma pulled the girl toward him with one arm, and ran his other hand back and forth across her scraggly mop-top as she giggled uncontrollably.
Ranma always loved playing with his kids. They were so free; so full of life -- life that had begun as part of his, but had grown into something unique and wonderful, with unlimited possibilities ahead. They could become martial artists and save the world, or become scientists and figure out what causes cancer, or maybe just grow up to be really nice people.
He thought back, remembering how his daughter had been born. Biologically, she was his child alone. Akane had helped tremendously, of course -- just not in the usual way.
He wouldn't blame anyone for not wanting to endure what he had had to go through. Still, if he could go back in time and redo his life, knowing what would happen, he'd gladly do the same thing over again. He'd put up with the aches and pains and the idiots making fun of him, just so he could see that little girl's face when it was all over.
Nobody could have convinced him of that at the time, though....
HEARTS AND MINDS PRELUDE TEN
SAOTOME RANMA: LILI'S CHILD
Ranma 1/2 manga fanfiction
by Gary Kleppe
The characters of Ranma 1/2 are the creation of and rightful property of Rumiko Takahashi. They are used here without permission. This story may be freely redistributed, but it should not be altered substantially or used for profit in any way.
Note: This story, while not a lemon, is what one might call a lime; it deals with some "adult" situations, but doesn't go into explicit sexual detail. There is also some use of language that some might find offensive. You have been warned.
Note also: Because he thinks of himself as a man, I use male pronouns for Ranma, regardless of his current gender.
"Thanks for takin' the kids on such short notice, Mrs. Komori. We usually depend on their grandparents, but we've got a big family meeting goin' on tonight."
"Oh, it's no trouble at all, Mr. Saotome," the chubby, middle-aged woman said. "You have such nice children!"
The older of the two ran into Mrs. Komori's living room. "I, Saotome Hikaru, will defeat all fighters in this dojo!" His sister followed behind him.
Ranma grinned. It was every daddy's dream for Junior to want to follow in his footsteps. Of course, by the time Hikaru was old enough to actually study martial arts, he'd probably want to be a train engineer or a fire chief instead.
Mrs. Komori bent down and smiled. "I'm afraid we don't have any fighters here, dear. I do have some cookies in the oven, though. I'm sure you'll be able to defeat them when they're ready."
"Okay." Hikaru looked around. "But first I'll fight Ririko!"
The little girl backed away from her brother. "Daaadddy!"
"Hold it, big fella." Ranma stepped between the children. "You can't fight your sister unless she challenged you."
Hikaru peered between his father's legs. "Gonna challenge me, Sis? I'm pretty tough!"
"No." She laughed as she grabbed Ranma's leg. "I challenge Daddy!"
"Oh, you do, eh? In that case, we'll compete in... Martial Arts Hair Mussing!" Ranma pulled the girl toward him with one arm, and ran his other hand back and forth across her scraggly mop-top as she giggled uncontrollably.
Ranma always loved playing with his kids. They were so free; so full of life -- life that had begun as part of his, but had grown into something unique and wonderful, with unlimited possibilities ahead. They could become martial artists and save the world, or become scientists and figure out what causes cancer, or maybe just grow up to be really nice people.
He thought back, remembering how his daughter had been born. Biologically, she was his child alone. Akane had helped tremendously, of course -- just not in the usual way.
He wouldn't blame anyone for not wanting to endure what he had had to go through. Still, if he could go back in time and redo his life, knowing what would happen, he'd gladly do the same thing over again. He'd put up with the aches and pains and the idiots making fun of him, just so he could see that little girl's face when it was all over.
Nobody could have convinced him of that at the time, though....
HEARTS AND MINDS PRELUDE NINE
TENDO KASUMI AND NABIKI: SOMEDAY
Ranma 1/2 manga fanfiction
by Gary Kleppe
The characters of Ranma 1/2 are the creation of and rightful property of Rumiko Takahashi. They are used here without permission. This story may be freely redistributed, but it should not be altered substantially or used for profit in any way.
As always, all feedback will be greatly appreciated.
______
The UCF building towered high above downtown Philadelphia. Tourists stood outside in the early morning summer heat, queued up like snacks in a vending machine, waiting patiently for their chance to ride to the top of the tallest structure in the world -- surpassing even Chicago's Sears Tower. Built only four years ago, the building was the brainchild of Joseph R. Kane, the well-known country music aficionado and CEO of the UCF corporation. Kane had persuaded the city council to help finance his company's headquarters, on the grounds that it would add prestige to the city's reputation.
Tendo Nabiki walked past the line of people, paying little attention to the noisy hubbub of their conversation as she pulled open one of the doors reserved for employees only. She moved steadily across the brightly-colored tile floor, towards the special elevator at the far side of the building that allowed access to the upper floors.
The usual guard sat at the security desk in front of the elevator. "Mornin', Ms. Tendo," he said. Nabiki scrawled her signature into the daily log. UCF's money-making activities included, in addition to anything else one might care to name, the design and manufacture of military weapons systems. Consequently, the company had to constantly keep track of who entered and left.
"Morning," Nabiki replied as she touched the pad to call the elevator.
"Hope you have a good day upstairs, ma'am." The guards that worked down here actually had no idea what went on up in the executive offices, nor did they ever really seem to care. Nabiki sometimes joked to herself that she could be plotting the domination of the world upstairs, and all they would want to know would be whether they'd still get paid.
The elevator doors swooshed open, and Nabiki entered, touching the button for her floor. The doors slid closed, and the car rapidly rose to the top. Much like she herself had done. She knew that a lot of people on the in-between floors resented the fact that she -- an Asian woman in her twenties who had only a few years experience with the company -- was in a job superior to theirs.
There was no question that she had earned her position; the company had the profits to prove it. Still, many of them constantly kept their eyes on her, just waiting for her to slip up. That wasn't going to happen. She couldn't let it. There was a dream at stake, her vision of a time when things would be better.
She exited the elevator and walked down the paneled corridor toward her office, all the while going over in her mind the various projects that would be needing her attention, thinking of every different contingency that might arise. It was rare that anything could happen around UCF without Nabiki having planned for it.
"Why, hello, Nabiki!"
Nabiki's briefcase clattered to the ground as she gaped in disbelief at who was in her office. She rushed forward to hug her sister. "Kasumi? How-- how did you get here?"
"I came to visit my sister, silly!" She smiled warmly as she embraced Nabiki.
"This is great! We haven't seen each other since... how long? Ke Lun's funeral, wasn't it? Tell me what you've been doing!"
"I've been studying under Kaede-sensei. I'm sorry I haven't had much time to write."
"Oh yeah." Nabiki stepped back and looked at her older sister. Her hair was a bit longer than before, but in the same style, passing neatly through a bow and spreading out over her back like a cloak. She wore a light summer dress with a flower pattern. She still had the same radiant smile. But something seemed different. Maybe it was her eyes. They had a depth to them, as if the Kasumi that Nabiki was seeing was only the tip of a very deep iceberg.
"I suppose you've learned all sorts of arcane secrets and magical powers?" Nabiki's tone was flip, but inwardly she had to wonder. Kasumi had somehow gotten into her office, apparently without anyone noticing her. Nabiki did believe in magic, but had always thought of it as something unreliable that usually just ended up creating annoying problems for those stupid enough to meddle in it. That was what had always happened with people like Ranma and Shan Pu. It was a little frightening to think that someone might actually be able to use it effectively.
Kasumi giggled slightly. "Oh my, no." Nabiki felt strangely reassured to hear her sister use her old familiar expression; it was the same old Kasumi. "Not really."
Nabiki motioned Kasumi to a chair. "Then what do you do?" she asked curiously.
"Everything in the world around us is inhabited by spirits; this chair, your desk, this building -- all of them are, in a sense, alive. We can communicate with spirits, and channel their energies if they're willing. The spirits have power. We don't."
Nabiki stared blankly, not knowing whether to believe or not.
"Maybe someday you'll understand. It was certainly strange to me at first! Anyway, look at you. Vice President already! How wonderful!"
"Thanks! They had to promote me when another company started making me offers."
"Goodness, you must really be valuable to them! What is it that you do here, if it's all right for me to ask?"
"Basically, I'm the company's 'designated problem solver.' When any of our division heads has a situation he can't handle by himself, it gets dumped in my lap. Fortunately, I've been able to assemble some pretty good staff." She leaned back in her chair. "How long can you stay in town? There's a lot of sights to see."
"Not long, I'm afraid. Back home, Ranma and his old friends are meeting to go to China. I need to join them, but I decided to visit you first!"
"Oh yeah, Akane called yesterday and told me a little about it." A new military dictatorship controlled parts of China. The Amazons expected to be attacked. "I've got some time off saved up. I'll see what I can do about joining you over there. Nothing I like better than vacationing in a war zone!" Nabiki grinned. "Besides, Ranma and friends are going to need a cooler head to keep them out of trouble." Though she was loath to admit it, the thought of losing any of the old gang made her sad. They were a link to a time when things were, if not better, at least a lot simpler.
"I'm sure they'll benefit a lot from your strategies!"
Nabiki glanced at the appointment screen on her computer. "Um, Kasumi... I hate to do this, but if I'm going to be able to go to China, there's a lot of things I need to finish first."
"That's all right. I haven't been to the United States before. I'd like to take a look around!"
"Be careful, Kasumi. You don't speak English, and some of the neighborhoods around here are pretty rough."
"Oh, don't worry. Why don't we meet for lunch at noon. I saw a nice little park a few blocks down the street from here. I'll bring some food and we can have a picnic!"
"Kasumi, you don't have to cook here. You're a guest. I know some really great restaurants...."
"Oh, come on, it'll be fun! Remember when you were a little girl? You always wanted to do something like this!"
TENDO KASUMI AND NABIKI: SOMEDAY
Ranma 1/2 manga fanfiction
by Gary Kleppe
The characters of Ranma 1/2 are the creation of and rightful property of Rumiko Takahashi. They are used here without permission. This story may be freely redistributed, but it should not be altered substantially or used for profit in any way.
As always, all feedback will be greatly appreciated.
______
The UCF building towered high above downtown Philadelphia. Tourists stood outside in the early morning summer heat, queued up like snacks in a vending machine, waiting patiently for their chance to ride to the top of the tallest structure in the world -- surpassing even Chicago's Sears Tower. Built only four years ago, the building was the brainchild of Joseph R. Kane, the well-known country music aficionado and CEO of the UCF corporation. Kane had persuaded the city council to help finance his company's headquarters, on the grounds that it would add prestige to the city's reputation.
Tendo Nabiki walked past the line of people, paying little attention to the noisy hubbub of their conversation as she pulled open one of the doors reserved for employees only. She moved steadily across the brightly-colored tile floor, towards the special elevator at the far side of the building that allowed access to the upper floors.
The usual guard sat at the security desk in front of the elevator. "Mornin', Ms. Tendo," he said. Nabiki scrawled her signature into the daily log. UCF's money-making activities included, in addition to anything else one might care to name, the design and manufacture of military weapons systems. Consequently, the company had to constantly keep track of who entered and left.
"Morning," Nabiki replied as she touched the pad to call the elevator.
"Hope you have a good day upstairs, ma'am." The guards that worked down here actually had no idea what went on up in the executive offices, nor did they ever really seem to care. Nabiki sometimes joked to herself that she could be plotting the domination of the world upstairs, and all they would want to know would be whether they'd still get paid.
The elevator doors swooshed open, and Nabiki entered, touching the button for her floor. The doors slid closed, and the car rapidly rose to the top. Much like she herself had done. She knew that a lot of people on the in-between floors resented the fact that she -- an Asian woman in her twenties who had only a few years experience with the company -- was in a job superior to theirs.
There was no question that she had earned her position; the company had the profits to prove it. Still, many of them constantly kept their eyes on her, just waiting for her to slip up. That wasn't going to happen. She couldn't let it. There was a dream at stake, her vision of a time when things would be better.
She exited the elevator and walked down the paneled corridor toward her office, all the while going over in her mind the various projects that would be needing her attention, thinking of every different contingency that might arise. It was rare that anything could happen around UCF without Nabiki having planned for it.
"Why, hello, Nabiki!"
Nabiki's briefcase clattered to the ground as she gaped in disbelief at who was in her office. She rushed forward to hug her sister. "Kasumi? How-- how did you get here?"
"I came to visit my sister, silly!" She smiled warmly as she embraced Nabiki.
"This is great! We haven't seen each other since... how long? Ke Lun's funeral, wasn't it? Tell me what you've been doing!"
"I've been studying under Kaede-sensei. I'm sorry I haven't had much time to write."
"Oh yeah." Nabiki stepped back and looked at her older sister. Her hair was a bit longer than before, but in the same style, passing neatly through a bow and spreading out over her back like a cloak. She wore a light summer dress with a flower pattern. She still had the same radiant smile. But something seemed different. Maybe it was her eyes. They had a depth to them, as if the Kasumi that Nabiki was seeing was only the tip of a very deep iceberg.
"I suppose you've learned all sorts of arcane secrets and magical powers?" Nabiki's tone was flip, but inwardly she had to wonder. Kasumi had somehow gotten into her office, apparently without anyone noticing her. Nabiki did believe in magic, but had always thought of it as something unreliable that usually just ended up creating annoying problems for those stupid enough to meddle in it. That was what had always happened with people like Ranma and Shan Pu. It was a little frightening to think that someone might actually be able to use it effectively.
Kasumi giggled slightly. "Oh my, no." Nabiki felt strangely reassured to hear her sister use her old familiar expression; it was the same old Kasumi. "Not really."
Nabiki motioned Kasumi to a chair. "Then what do you do?" she asked curiously.
"Everything in the world around us is inhabited by spirits; this chair, your desk, this building -- all of them are, in a sense, alive. We can communicate with spirits, and channel their energies if they're willing. The spirits have power. We don't."
Nabiki stared blankly, not knowing whether to believe or not.
"Maybe someday you'll understand. It was certainly strange to me at first! Anyway, look at you. Vice President already! How wonderful!"
"Thanks! They had to promote me when another company started making me offers."
"Goodness, you must really be valuable to them! What is it that you do here, if it's all right for me to ask?"
"Basically, I'm the company's 'designated problem solver.' When any of our division heads has a situation he can't handle by himself, it gets dumped in my lap. Fortunately, I've been able to assemble some pretty good staff." She leaned back in her chair. "How long can you stay in town? There's a lot of sights to see."
"Not long, I'm afraid. Back home, Ranma and his old friends are meeting to go to China. I need to join them, but I decided to visit you first!"
"Oh yeah, Akane called yesterday and told me a little about it." A new military dictatorship controlled parts of China. The Amazons expected to be attacked. "I've got some time off saved up. I'll see what I can do about joining you over there. Nothing I like better than vacationing in a war zone!" Nabiki grinned. "Besides, Ranma and friends are going to need a cooler head to keep them out of trouble." Though she was loath to admit it, the thought of losing any of the old gang made her sad. They were a link to a time when things were, if not better, at least a lot simpler.
"I'm sure they'll benefit a lot from your strategies!"
Nabiki glanced at the appointment screen on her computer. "Um, Kasumi... I hate to do this, but if I'm going to be able to go to China, there's a lot of things I need to finish first."
"That's all right. I haven't been to the United States before. I'd like to take a look around!"
"Be careful, Kasumi. You don't speak English, and some of the neighborhoods around here are pretty rough."
"Oh, don't worry. Why don't we meet for lunch at noon. I saw a nice little park a few blocks down the street from here. I'll bring some food and we can have a picnic!"
"Kasumi, you don't have to cook here. You're a guest. I know some really great restaurants...."
"Oh, come on, it'll be fun! Remember when you were a little girl? You always wanted to do something like this!"
HEARTS AND MINDS PRELUDE EIGHT
GOSUNKUGI HIKARU: COURAGE
Ranma 1/2 manga fanfiction
by Gary Kleppe
The characters of Ranma 1/2 are the creation of and rightful property of Rumiko Takahashi. They are used here without permission. This story may be freely redistributed, but it should not be altered substantially or used for profit in any way.
______
To: Gosunkugi Hikaru
From: Personnel Dept.
Dear Mr. Gosunkugi:
We have reviewed your application for employment with the Korogashi corporation. We are pleased to extend to you an invitation for an interview. Please call or E-mail at your earliest convenience to schedule an appointment. We look forward to meeting with you.
Gosunkugi Hikaru saved the message on his computer with the others. The hard drive on his computer was nearly full; he made a note to clear out some old messages before checking mail again.
Being good at computers was paying off. He already had interview requests from Inchiki and Choromakasu, with Kapparau yet to be heard from. After years of being mostly ignored everywhere, these companies were actively pursuing him to work for them. He could still barely believe it.
True, his parents always seemed happy to see him every time he went home for break. But somehow that didn't count. People who were related to you had a built-in obligation to put up with you.
The steady hum of the microwave ended with the ring of the bell. Hikaru stepped across the cramped one-room apartment and removed the TV dinner from the oven, cautiously inspecting the steaming food items. The potatoes felt a bit rubbery and the corn was brownish-colored, but all in all it would be okay with some salt and pepper for flavor. It was a change from instant ramen, anyway.
He carried the dinner over to the computer and began forcing it down. If he took a job with Korogashi, or one of the other companies, he'd be able to afford better food. He'd have a decent-sized apartment in a good neighborhood, a state-of-the-art computer to replace his old, obsolete 99 GHz Quintuple Pentium, and maybe even his own car.
So why was he thinking of throwing it all away?
He'd recently heard that Shan Pu was on her way back from China. She and Kuno were asking Akane, Ranma, and the others to go to her village to protect them from some threat. Hikaru hadn't been able to find out what they were worried about, only that it was something dangerous enough that they might not all survive.
Hikaru knew that his parents didn't want him to have anything to do with Ranma, though they had never said so directly. People get hurt, even killed, in martial arts battles, his mother had told him when he was in high school. Be careful around these sorts of people. After all, you only have one life.
It was a different world that Ranma and the others lived in, where a different set of rules applied. Hikaru had some small tastes of that world back in high school, but he had never really been a part of it.
Until....
GOSUNKUGI HIKARU: COURAGE
Ranma 1/2 manga fanfiction
by Gary Kleppe
The characters of Ranma 1/2 are the creation of and rightful property of Rumiko Takahashi. They are used here without permission. This story may be freely redistributed, but it should not be altered substantially or used for profit in any way.
______
To: Gosunkugi Hikaru
From: Personnel Dept.
Dear Mr. Gosunkugi:
We have reviewed your application for employment with the Korogashi corporation. We are pleased to extend to you an invitation for an interview. Please call or E-mail at your earliest convenience to schedule an appointment. We look forward to meeting with you.
Gosunkugi Hikaru saved the message on his computer with the others. The hard drive on his computer was nearly full; he made a note to clear out some old messages before checking mail again.
Being good at computers was paying off. He already had interview requests from Inchiki and Choromakasu, with Kapparau yet to be heard from. After years of being mostly ignored everywhere, these companies were actively pursuing him to work for them. He could still barely believe it.
True, his parents always seemed happy to see him every time he went home for break. But somehow that didn't count. People who were related to you had a built-in obligation to put up with you.
The steady hum of the microwave ended with the ring of the bell. Hikaru stepped across the cramped one-room apartment and removed the TV dinner from the oven, cautiously inspecting the steaming food items. The potatoes felt a bit rubbery and the corn was brownish-colored, but all in all it would be okay with some salt and pepper for flavor. It was a change from instant ramen, anyway.
He carried the dinner over to the computer and began forcing it down. If he took a job with Korogashi, or one of the other companies, he'd be able to afford better food. He'd have a decent-sized apartment in a good neighborhood, a state-of-the-art computer to replace his old, obsolete 99 GHz Quintuple Pentium, and maybe even his own car.
So why was he thinking of throwing it all away?
He'd recently heard that Shan Pu was on her way back from China. She and Kuno were asking Akane, Ranma, and the others to go to her village to protect them from some threat. Hikaru hadn't been able to find out what they were worried about, only that it was something dangerous enough that they might not all survive.
Hikaru knew that his parents didn't want him to have anything to do with Ranma, though they had never said so directly. People get hurt, even killed, in martial arts battles, his mother had told him when he was in high school. Be careful around these sorts of people. After all, you only have one life.
It was a different world that Ranma and the others lived in, where a different set of rules applied. Hikaru had some small tastes of that world back in high school, but he had never really been a part of it.
Until....
HEARTS AND MINDS PRELUDE SEVEN
MU SI: REFLECTIONS
Ranma 1/2 manga fanfiction
by Gary Kleppe
The characters of Ranma 1/2 are the creation of and rightful property of Rumiko Takahashi. They are used here without permission. This story may be freely redistributed, but it should not be altered substantially or used for profit in any way.
______
"I want to thank you for coming to little Yaku's birthday party, Mr. Mu," the woman said as she handed over several bills.
Mu Si took the money in hand and bowed. "Mrs. Tatazu most generous."
"Thank you." Mrs. Tatazu returned the bow, then righted herself. "I must say, I really don't know how you did some of those tricks."
"Mr. Mu come from hidden village in remotest China. Study for many years secret techniques there."
"Ancient Chinese secret, huh?" nine-year-old Yaku said. "Well, anyway, that stuff was neat." He held out a hand. "Got a souvenir, Mr. Mu?"
"Ah, yes." Giving out something on request had become a standard part of the act.
Mu Si reached inside. To anyone watching, it would have seemed as if he were going to pull something out of his robes. There was much more to it than that, something that he did unconsciously. His teachers had taught him not to think about how it worked, that trying too hard to understand what "inside" was might make him unable to use it. So "inside" was simply somewhere that he could take weapons and other things from.
Yaku looked at the gift that Mu Si was offering, and backed away. "Um... thanks anyway, Mr. Mu." It was a mismatched pair of socks.
"So sorry, Mr. Mu never know what he going to get." It was true. Mu Si's martial arts master had taught him he could never be aware of what was inside; for if one knew what one could get, then one also knew what one could not get, and that might include something important. So he often brought out something unexpected when he reached inside. Once he'd even found a driver's license from some westerner named Hoffa.
Mu Si made his goodbyes to Yaku's parents, then went out through the front door. He counted the money he'd just earned. It would keep the bills paid, for a while at least.
He picked up the bicycle lying on the sidewalk and got on. It, along with the pidgin-speech he used in his act, was the only thing left to him from Shan Pu.
Making sure his glasses were on, he prepared to pedal away. He stopped when he saw the image reflected in the bicycle's rear-view mirror. It was someone he had seen before, a long time ago.
HEARTS AND MINDS PRELUDE SIX
SHAN PU: BIE LIAO
Ranma 1/2 manga fanfiction
by Gary Kleppe
The characters of Ranma 1/2 are the creation of and rightful property of Rumiko Takahashi. They are used here without permission. This story may be freely redistributed, but it should not be altered substantially or used for profit in any way. This story is solely the property of its author, and any copying or distribution of this story constitutes acceptance of this.
______
"Air China flight 6969 for Tokyo is currently circling overhead, unable to land due to inclement weather. We expect to be able to board in approximately one hour. Until then, we appreciate your patience."
"What did he say?" An elderly woman perked up in her seat, looking worriedly about the room. "The plane was shot down?"
"No, ma'am." Shan Pu smiled calmingly. "Just late because of the weather."
"Oh, what a relief. I thought...." The woman trembled a bit. "With this dreadful war going on... I might not be able to visit my son."
"Don't worry. From what I hear, the war is moving to the west. And in any case, neither side is going to shoot down a civilian plane carrying Japanese nationals." At least not on purpose. There was always the chance of being targeted by mistake.
"You're right, young lady." The woman seemed to calm down, flashing a mostly toothless grin. "Are you going to Japan to see family? A boyfriend, maybe?"
"No, ma'am." Shan Pu knew that Tatewaki was attracted to her, but still couldn't count him as a boyfriend. Whether she wanted to pursue a future with him, she could not say. Perhaps she needed to know him better -- though after already being with him for four years, that thought was rather unconvincing. Perhaps she could no longer trust her own heart, after the pain that loving Ranma had brought. "I'm travelling for... business reasons."
"I see." The woman nodded as she stared at Shan Pu. "Do you live here in Beijing?"
"No. I'm from... a village a long way west of here." Shan Pu felt a little self-conscious in her old-style clothes. It would have been easier to follow Elder Lan's suggestion to wear something inconspicuous. But she was proud to be an Amazon, and she would hold on to that as long as she could.
She couldn't help feeling a twinge of resentment towards the old woman. Her village, her people -- who had asked only to be left alone for so many years -- were in terrible danger. Like so many others, the woman seemed content to ignore what was happening as long as it didn't affect her. As far as she was concerned, the Amazons didn't exist; and soon, they might not.
Shan Pu wondered what it would be like to meet up with Ranma and Akane after so many years. She had exchanged a few letters with them, but mail always came slow to the Amazons -- when it came at all. According to what she knew, Ranma and Akane now had two children, Hikaru and Ririko. Someone had said that Ririko wasn't really Akane's child, only Ranma's; Shan Pu was curious as to whether there was any truth to that.
Life in the old days was so much simpler. Shampoo wanted Ranma to be her husband. Amazon law and Great-grandmother were on her side, and she carried out whatever plan seemed like it would help her reach her goal. It seemed like things would stay the same forever. Her life was like the plane overhead, circling its destination, never able to land.
Until the day it ran out of fuel and came crashing down....
HEARTS AND MINDS PRELUDE FIVE
TENDO AKANE: SOMETHING
OLD, SOMETHING NEW
Ranma 1/2 manga fanfiction
by Gary Kleppe
The characters of Ranma 1/2 are the creation of and rightful property of Rumiko Takahashi. They are used here without permission. This story may be freely redistributed, but it should not be altered substantially or used for profit in any way.
______
"I shall be at your abode in half an hour. I look forward to meeting with you and Saotome Ranma again after these many years."
"I'll be happy to see you too, Upperclassman Kuno. Goodbye. See you soon."
Akane hung up the phone, amazed at what she had just said and even more amazed that she had meant it. In the old days, she would have looked forward to a visit from Kuno about as much as a root canal. But he'd sounded quite reasonable on the phone, not at all like the dolt who used to pledge his love to her three times a week.
The guests would be arriving shortly. Akane began one last check through the house to see if anything needed to be cleaned. Magazines, normally scattered, stood in neatly arranged piles on the freshly-swept floor. With both of her sisters moved away, Akane was the woman of the house, and though she was far from the perfect housekeeper that Kasumi had been, she did her best to keep the place reasonably tidy.
The life Kasumi had chosen had surprised everyone. Akane had expected her to be married with a family of six by now. Nabiki, on the other hand, was doing what everyone had thought she would be: making money, working for a company in the United States.
Satisfied that everything was presentable, Akane sat in the living room to relax. She was alone in the house at the moment. Ranma was taking the children over to Mrs. Komori's place for babysitting so that they wouldn't get in the way.
Dad was at the grocery store. Akane's food didn't usually inspire the immediate bad reactions it once had, but it still left a lot to be desired in terms of taste. She worked on it when she could, but improvement was slow and difficult. So her father did most of the cooking, and he had become pretty good at it.
Soon Akane would join a group of old friends and acquaintances to help defend Shampoo's village. Shampoo was the one who had wiped her memory, had fed her a hypnotic mushroom that made her hug Ryoga and Kuno, and launched lots of other schemes in hopes of taking Ranma for herself. If the Amazon had asked for help at that time, Akane might very well have told her to go to hell. Even now, she felt a touch of resentment. Her life was about as close to predictable and comfortable as it had ever been, and now here were Kuno and Shampoo returning to drag her and Ranma into something that either or both of them might not even survive.
But the Amazons were in real trouble, and Akane couldn't just ignore it. What would be the point in keeping the school going if they did that? Besides, at least she and Ranma had a choice. At least they would be able to go back to their relatively predictable and comfortable existence after it was over. That was something that Shampoo might never be able to do.
HEARTS AND MINDS PRELUDE FOUR
HIBIKI RYOGA AND UNRYU AKARI: THE GIFT
Ranma 1/2 manga fanfiction
by Gary Kleppe
The characters of Ranma 1/2 are the creation of and rightful property of Rumiko Takahashi. They are used here without permission. This story may be freely redistributed, but it should not be altered substantially or used for profit in any way.
______
"You want more, Yoiko?"
"Uh huh!" The four year old nodded eagerly. Her father, Hibiki Ryoga, scooped another spoonful of rice onto her plate. She moved forward in her chair as she started to shape the rice into the form of a pyramid.
"Sit back in your chair, Yoiko-chan," Ryoga said. "You don't want to fall and hurt yourself." Though Yoiko seemed like the world's most durable child, her parents weren't about to put her to the test if they could avoid it.
Ryoga's wife came over with a fresh pot of tea and poured it. "Did you see the picture Yoiko drew today, honey?" She showed him a piece of paper with mostly illegible crayon scribble. "She's going to be a great artist someday. Just look at this cute little piggy!"
"Not a piggy, Mommy! A kitty!" Yoiko continued to form her rice into some unidentifiable shape.
Ryoga finished his food and set his empty plate on the table. "There was another call from Kuno Tatewaki today, Akari-chan." He wiped his face with his napkin. "He's asking everyone to meet tomorrow evening at the Tendo dojo."
"Are you planning on going?" Akari asked.
"I think so... though I hate to leave you two here all by yourselves."
"Don't worry about it, honey. I've been handling farm animals for a long time." She smiled playfully at little Yoiko as the rice structure she had built collapsed onto her plate, part of it spilling onto the table. "Though *some* animals are more trouble than others."
Yoiko looked up at her father. "Daddy going away?"
"It looks that way, kiddo," Ryoga said. "Some friends of mine are in trouble and I need to go help them."
"Aunt Akane? And Aunt Ranma?"
"Ranma's an uncle, honey." Ryoga resisted the urge to chuckle. "No, it's not them. They're going with Daddy to help our other friends. Mommy will have to take care of everything here until I get back. You'll need to be a good girl for her. 'Kay?"
"'Kay, Daddy. Can we watch Barney dubs now?"
"Nope." Akari picked Yoiko up in her arms. "Five times a day is the limit, remember? It's bath time for you, while your Daddy cleans up here."
The little girl giggled as Ryoga playfully mussed her hair. Her mother carried her out of the room.
Ryoga started cleaning off the dining table. He hoped his wife and daughter would be all right while he was gone.
He and Akari had built their farm up into a pretty good business over the last several years. They bred pigs, both for food and as sumo wrestlers. Their pork couldn't compete pricewise with the big agribusiness companies, but it was much better in terms of quality and taste. They sold a lot to upscale restaurants and gourmet food stores.
Ryoga never imagined that he'd be living this kind of life. He thought back to those old days. Most of the time he had wandered the countryside aimlessly, only occasionally seeing a familiar face...
HIBIKI RYOGA AND UNRYU AKARI: THE GIFT
Ranma 1/2 manga fanfiction
by Gary Kleppe
The characters of Ranma 1/2 are the creation of and rightful property of Rumiko Takahashi. They are used here without permission. This story may be freely redistributed, but it should not be altered substantially or used for profit in any way.
______
"You want more, Yoiko?"
"Uh huh!" The four year old nodded eagerly. Her father, Hibiki Ryoga, scooped another spoonful of rice onto her plate. She moved forward in her chair as she started to shape the rice into the form of a pyramid.
"Sit back in your chair, Yoiko-chan," Ryoga said. "You don't want to fall and hurt yourself." Though Yoiko seemed like the world's most durable child, her parents weren't about to put her to the test if they could avoid it.
Ryoga's wife came over with a fresh pot of tea and poured it. "Did you see the picture Yoiko drew today, honey?" She showed him a piece of paper with mostly illegible crayon scribble. "She's going to be a great artist someday. Just look at this cute little piggy!"
"Not a piggy, Mommy! A kitty!" Yoiko continued to form her rice into some unidentifiable shape.
Ryoga finished his food and set his empty plate on the table. "There was another call from Kuno Tatewaki today, Akari-chan." He wiped his face with his napkin. "He's asking everyone to meet tomorrow evening at the Tendo dojo."
"Are you planning on going?" Akari asked.
"I think so... though I hate to leave you two here all by yourselves."
"Don't worry about it, honey. I've been handling farm animals for a long time." She smiled playfully at little Yoiko as the rice structure she had built collapsed onto her plate, part of it spilling onto the table. "Though *some* animals are more trouble than others."
Yoiko looked up at her father. "Daddy going away?"
"It looks that way, kiddo," Ryoga said. "Some friends of mine are in trouble and I need to go help them."
"Aunt Akane? And Aunt Ranma?"
"Ranma's an uncle, honey." Ryoga resisted the urge to chuckle. "No, it's not them. They're going with Daddy to help our other friends. Mommy will have to take care of everything here until I get back. You'll need to be a good girl for her. 'Kay?"
"'Kay, Daddy. Can we watch Barney dubs now?"
"Nope." Akari picked Yoiko up in her arms. "Five times a day is the limit, remember? It's bath time for you, while your Daddy cleans up here."
The little girl giggled as Ryoga playfully mussed her hair. Her mother carried her out of the room.
Ryoga started cleaning off the dining table. He hoped his wife and daughter would be all right while he was gone.
He and Akari had built their farm up into a pretty good business over the last several years. They bred pigs, both for food and as sumo wrestlers. Their pork couldn't compete pricewise with the big agribusiness companies, but it was much better in terms of quality and taste. They sold a lot to upscale restaurants and gourmet food stores.
Ryoga never imagined that he'd be living this kind of life. He thought back to those old days. Most of the time he had wandered the countryside aimlessly, only occasionally seeing a familiar face...
HEARTS AND MINDS PRELUDE THREE
KUNO KODACHI: THE CONTEST
Ranma 1/2 manga fanfiction
by Gary Kleppe
The characters of Ranma 1/2 are the creation of and rightful property of Rumiko Takahashi. They are used here without permission. This story may be freely redistributed, but it should not be altered substantially or used for profit in any way.
______
The Kuno mansion stood on the outskirts of Nerima, as it had for many generations. Building sections of widely varying size and shape framed a lushly wooded central courtyard. The mansion was a tribute to the wealth and prestige of the Kuno family; or, perhaps, merely a gluttonous waste of space and resources.
Tatewaki Kuno had returned to this place that had once been his home. There was no one here who he wanted to see; it was only his memories of the place that had called him to visit.
He walked through the grounds, under cover of the darkness. As a youth, he had loved his home. It was his connection to the great and noble samurai history of the Kuno clan. Now, as he looked at it in the dim evening light, it was a reminder of what he had been and the mistakes that he had made.
Perhaps he should not have come here, he thought. Being in the place posed the kind of danger that a drink did to a reformed alcoholic. For a moment, he imagined demons lying in the shadows of the darkened estate, ready to leap out at him during a careless moment and drag him back to being what he once was. He dismissed the thought as the effects of insufficient sleep, and walked toward the exit.
Something from out of the darkness struck Tatewaki, knocking him down.
He rolled over, pulling out a bokken as his eyes searched for the source of the blow. A shadowy figure was barely visible, illuminated from the side by one of the mansion's lamps. Focusing his gaze, he identified his attacker.
"Sister."
"Brother, dear! I mistook you for an intruder. How careless of me." Kodachi's voice carried a touch of mockery. "Perhaps you ought to have announced yourself. Have you only now returned from China?"
Tatewaki eyed his sister suspiciously, her black leotard making her nearly invisible in the darkness. "Yes. I cannot stay here, as I have urgent business at the Tendo dojo."
"Oh, do allow me to accompany you there. I've only recently returned here myself. I'd so like to hear what fascinating things you and the others have been up to during these last few years."
"What of Father?"
"He has returned to his beloved Hawaii. He mentioned something about working to aid some native people's movement there. What about you, Brother? Are you still pursuing Tendo Akane and that girl with the pig-tail?"
"No, for I have pledged my love to Shan Pu of the Amazons."
"Why, Brother!" she said with a slight smile. "Not only a mere waitress, but one from a savage culture? What would Mother say?"
Some raw impulse took control of Tatewaki. He charged with his bokken, swinging it at his sister.
Kodachi moved effortlessly out of the way of the blow, and was instantly behind her brother. Her insane laugh echoed through the yard as she paused to allow him to turn around. Her ribbon flashed out and snaked itself around his bokken, pulling it out of his hands and sending it to the ground.
"You ought to learn to control your temper, Brother," she said condescendingly. "Shall we go now?"
Tatewaki led his sister off the estate. Something felt different about her, something that he could not pin down. He wondered what events had led to her departure those years ago...
HEARTS AND MINDS PRELUDE TWO
UKYO KUONJI: NAME AND LIKENESS
Ranma 1/2 manga fanfiction
by Gary Kleppe
The characters of Ranma 1/2 are the creation of and rightful property of Rumiko Takahashi. They are used here without permission. This story may be freely redistributed, but it should not be altered substantially or used for profit in any way.
______
It was a Saturday night in Nerima. Ucchan's was empty except for its owner and two customers: a man, and a young boy who was evidently his son.
Kuonji Ukyo leaned back in her chair behind the grill. The diners had been served, and there was nothing left for her to do but wait for them to finish so she could clean up after them.
Not the most fun a girl could have on a Saturday night. But it was what she did. It was who she was. At least it would be, as long as she could keep the business going.
The customer finished eating and handed over his payment. "It was delicious, ma'am. Much better than... that other place." Most of the customers had learned long ago that mentioning the name of the other place around Ukyo was a bad idea. "I wish we could afford to eat here more often, but... damn recession..."
"That's all right, sir." Ukyo gave the man his change with a smile. "I wish I could keep my prices lower, but the cost of supplies keeps going up. Y'all have a good evening!"
"Hey!" The boy pointed at Ukyo. "You're that lady on TV. Ok—"
"Sorry, ma'am." The man interrupted his son with a hand across the mouth. "Son, this isn't her. Just someone who's dressed to look like her."
Ukyo's face suddenly twisted with rage. "I do not look like her. She looks like me. Understand?"
"Yes, ma'am. Goodbye, now." The two customers departed in a hurry.
Ukyo, now quite alone, began cleaning the restaurant as she did every day at this time. She would keep her business going as long as she could, but how long would that be?
To think that she once dreamed that her food would one day be world famous, that people from all over the world would be coming here to taste her cooking. There was no way that that was going to happen now.
"Greetings, Kuonji Ukyo. I have traveled all the way from China to reach this place."
Ukyo turned in the direction of the voice. He was older than before, of course, with features that were a bit rougher. He now had long hair, tied into a narrow ponytail that was barely noticeable. Despite the differences in his appearance, he was immediately recognizable as Kuno Tatewaki.
Ukyo was happy to see a familiar face. "Kuno! Is it really you?"
"Indeed it is, and it gives me great pleasure to meet an old friend."
"Same here. Long time no see! Pull up a chair. I'll do you an okonomiyaki special on the house, while you tell me what you've been up to for the last five years."
UKYO KUONJI: NAME AND LIKENESS
Ranma 1/2 manga fanfiction
by Gary Kleppe
The characters of Ranma 1/2 are the creation of and rightful property of Rumiko Takahashi. They are used here without permission. This story may be freely redistributed, but it should not be altered substantially or used for profit in any way.
______
It was a Saturday night in Nerima. Ucchan's was empty except for its owner and two customers: a man, and a young boy who was evidently his son.
Kuonji Ukyo leaned back in her chair behind the grill. The diners had been served, and there was nothing left for her to do but wait for them to finish so she could clean up after them.
Not the most fun a girl could have on a Saturday night. But it was what she did. It was who she was. At least it would be, as long as she could keep the business going.
The customer finished eating and handed over his payment. "It was delicious, ma'am. Much better than... that other place." Most of the customers had learned long ago that mentioning the name of the other place around Ukyo was a bad idea. "I wish we could afford to eat here more often, but... damn recession..."
"That's all right, sir." Ukyo gave the man his change with a smile. "I wish I could keep my prices lower, but the cost of supplies keeps going up. Y'all have a good evening!"
"Hey!" The boy pointed at Ukyo. "You're that lady on TV. Ok—"
"Sorry, ma'am." The man interrupted his son with a hand across the mouth. "Son, this isn't her. Just someone who's dressed to look like her."
Ukyo's face suddenly twisted with rage. "I do not look like her. She looks like me. Understand?"
"Yes, ma'am. Goodbye, now." The two customers departed in a hurry.
Ukyo, now quite alone, began cleaning the restaurant as she did every day at this time. She would keep her business going as long as she could, but how long would that be?
To think that she once dreamed that her food would one day be world famous, that people from all over the world would be coming here to taste her cooking. There was no way that that was going to happen now.
"Greetings, Kuonji Ukyo. I have traveled all the way from China to reach this place."
Ukyo turned in the direction of the voice. He was older than before, of course, with features that were a bit rougher. He now had long hair, tied into a narrow ponytail that was barely noticeable. Despite the differences in his appearance, he was immediately recognizable as Kuno Tatewaki.
Ukyo was happy to see a familiar face. "Kuno! Is it really you?"
"Indeed it is, and it gives me great pleasure to meet an old friend."
"Same here. Long time no see! Pull up a chair. I'll do you an okonomiyaki special on the house, while you tell me what you've been up to for the last five years."
Who gives Ryoga a bandanna as a present?
Who is Mousse's new girlfriend? (It's not Shampoo.)
Who dies midway through the Preludes?
Who learns to throw Happodaikarin (Happo-fire-bursts)?
Who is the referee of a competition between Akane and Kodachi?
Who becomes an apprentice to a shinto priestess?
Who is the other biological parent of Ranma's daughter Ririko?
Who calls Kuno Tatewaki "Darling" (and isn't pretending)?
Who suggests that Ranma get a dog?
Who is Mousse's new girlfriend? (It's not Shampoo.)
Who dies midway through the Preludes?
Who learns to throw Happodaikarin (Happo-fire-bursts)?
Who is the referee of a competition between Akane and Kodachi?
Who becomes an apprentice to a shinto priestess?
Who is the other biological parent of Ranma's daughter Ririko?
Who calls Kuno Tatewaki "Darling" (and isn't pretending)?
Who suggests that Ranma get a dog?
PROLOGUE
The path he walked along led into a valley, framed on one side by craggy-peaked mountains and by trees on the other. Irregularly-sized pools of water, dotted with occasional patches of weeds, covered most of the ground ahead. Two or three bamboo poles jutted out from each of them, standing as bolt upright as the most finely disciplined army, pointing upward toward the heavens. The early evening sun hung low in the sky, its light reflecting from the pools in a brilliant glare.
The Japanese name for the place was Jusenkyo, its Chinese name Zhouquanshan. The cursed springs. It was exactly as the young Amazon who had led him here had described. She had refused to travel the last few kilometers with him, being understandably fearful of the dangers that lay therein. She had known nothing as to what sort of perils he might face here, and had given him only one piece of advice: Don't fall in the springs. Even that was only something which she had heard from her Amazon elders, and she had had no idea as to the reason behind it.
No matter. His quest was clear. The woman he loved had to be freed from the evil influence of this place. As a true warrior, he would carry out that mission, or perish in the attempt. With stance firm, he raised his weapon high and called out in the loudest voice he could muster.
"Hear me, guardians of this malignant wasteland! I, Kuno Tatewaki, demand that you face me!"
Tatewaki stepped a single pace forward as his shout echoed through the valley. He could hear the steady, monotonous chirpings of birds and insects behind him, and, from ahead, the barely audible burbling of the water in the springs.
"I come to free the Pig-Tailed Girl from your foul bewitchment! Release her without delay from whatever maledictions you have imprecated upon her, or you shall suffer my wrath! So swears the Blue Thunder, erstwhile of Furinkan!"
There was no answer. He stepped forward again, looking around cautiously in all directions. It would not do to be ambushed. Whoever, whatever the power that controlled this place was, it was obviously too cowardly to fight him in an honorable battle. That was not surprising, considering that it was evil enough to have used an innocent like the Pig-Tailed Girl for its own twisted ends.
Closer, ever closer he inched, until he stood at the edge of one of the springs. He looked down; a reflection stared back up at him. He dipped his bokken into the water, causing ripples to spread outward, distorting the image of himself. He could feel the bottom of the pool, but nothing else seemed to be contained within. Perhaps he had to check each pool to find the one beneath which the guardian of the place lay hidden.
Leaves rustled from the trees behind him. He whirled around, jerking his weapon back into his hands. Some small animal darted out of the foliage, quickly scampering out of sight. For long minutes Tatewaki peered towards the location from which it had come, all the while keeping himself alert for attacks from any other direction, until he had satisfied himself that there was nothing else there.
Tatewaki felt a tightness in his throat and chest. He noticed the intensity with which his heart pounded. It was not fear he felt. Such cowardice would mark him as unworthy of his noble samurai heritage. No, it was a feeling of... destiny. It felt as though he were approaching a critical moment in history, upon which depended not only his fate, not only that of the Pig-Tailed Girl, but much, much more that he was yet to be aware of.
He turned and stepped up to another pool. The guardians had to be hiding somewhere nearby. He would find them.
