Celeste Byrd (belldandy@studio-aesir.net) ======================================================================== Ranma 1/2 is copyrighted 1998 by Rumiko Takahashi/Shogakukan Inc. and anyone else who rightfully owns the copyrights. This fanfic is solely for entertainment purposes and NOT for monetary benefit. Please don't sue me. Any similarities with other fanfics are purely coincidental unless stated otherwise. This fanfic was inspired by Wade Tritschler's Altered Destinies series, and he has given me permission to use the title. Questions, comments, ideas, suggestions, and constructive criticism is always welcome. Please read the previous chapter(s) to understand the storyline. () Depicts character actions, emotions, sounds "" Denotes changes in the voice or quotes from other characters [] Translates thoughts <> Chinese dialogue R A N M A 1 / 2 A L I T T L E M O T H E R L Y L O V E An Altered Destiny %Chapter Six (08/24/98 last revised) SCENE: Tendou yard, late afternoon. Ranma and his mother are sitting near the koi pond, playing some music. Ranma has his eyes closed while chanting the melody, visibly relaxed. A shout and a threat later, Ranma is glaring at Ryouga. Ranma: What is it this time, Ryouga? Ryouga: You will die for making Akane miserable! Ranma: (surprised) Wha-? Ryouga: I will destroy your happiness! Ranma: (looking at his mother incrediously) Am I happy? Nodoka: Usually. Ranma: Well yes, but recently... (turning to Ryouga) So why exactly do you think I should be happy? Ryouga: Wrapping the Tendou girls around your little finger, being engaged to them! Ranma: Hey hey, it wasn't my idea! Besides, I ain't after them at all. The engagement is still up in the air! Ryouga: It doesn't matter! By the heavens, you shall meet justice! Ranma: Stop sounding like Kunou. You're freaking me out. Ryouga: And how would I know who he is?! Ranma: Drop by Furinkan in the morning sometime. Ryouga: ENOUGH!!! (cocking his fist back) We fight! SCENE: Ryouga charges blindly at Ranma, who throws the instruments he was carrying at his mother. She catches them and starts gathering the rest. Meanwhile, Ranma dives between Ryouga's legs and, using his momentum, pegs Ryouga on the back with his toes. Ryouga goes down and Ranma leaps onto the roof of the training hall. Ranma: (looking down at Ryouga) Seriously Ryouga, why are you getting so upset? Ryouga: (getting up furiously and taking off some bandannas from his head) FIGHT FIRST, TALK LATER!!! (tosses bandannas and picks up his umbrella) Ranma: (shrugging and dodging the projectiles) Have it your way. But this ain't no place to fight! Nodoka: (sternly) Ranma, your grammar! Ranma: Mom, I'd love to discuss the fallacies in my sentence structure, but (leading Ryouga away) I'm currently busy. Akane: (muttering) That jerk. I hope Ryouga gives him what he deserves. Kasumi: (coming out from the house, frying pan in hand) I heard a fight going on and... (noticing the two combatants disappearing in the distance) Oh dear. Do you think Ranma will be alright? Nodoka: Ranma will be fine, if what happened just now will be any indication. Akane: (feeling a little concerned) [I wonder who will win. I've only known Ryouga for a few months, and I've never seen him this angry before.] ===== Ranma: (springing from rooftop to rooftop) Last chance, any way to stop you from trying to kill me? Ryouga: (chasing after Ranma) Release your hold on Akane! Ranma: Is that all? Gladly! Ryouga: (slashing with his umbrella) You lie! Ranma: (evades blow and sighs, still running) Me Ranma. You Ryouga. You wrong. Ryouga: Enough with your stupid games! Ranma: (feels something unusual and stops) Hmm? Ryouga: (preparing to swing) Fight on! Ranma: Hold it! (listening for a moment) Ryouga, watch out! Ryouga: (looking up) Huh? SCENE: Ranma jumps back and lets a hail of shuriken converge on the spot he just was. Ryouga looks on stupidly as a heavily clothed figure lands with its back to him. The figure is carrying a jitte with a sharp blade on the top, and is currently pointing it at Ranma. Figure: You will die, Saotome! Ranma: Hey, you look familiar... Figure: (obviously surprised, and voice muffled by the clothes) You know who I am?! Ranma: Give me a second here. Figure: Enough stalling, you're not going to stop your fate! Ryouga: Who the hell are you?! Figure: Ah, but I think Ranma knows. Let "him" tell you! Ryouga: Well?! Ranma: (gasping) I-it's... Ryouga: Who? Figure: Yes, Ranma. Tell us who you think I am. Ranma: Y... yo-you're... Ryouga: Yes?! Ranma: ...that weirdo who attacked me on Sunday! Figure & Ryouga: (facefaults) .... Ranma: Why now, of all times? [Why at all? This person knows my curse, if Sunday was any indication, so that narrows the field quite a bit. I can't tell about the voice, but it does seem to ring a bell. Hmm...] I come back from China two weeks ago and I almost never get any peace. Ryouga: .... Ranma: (continuing) Why can't we ever drink tea together or something when we meet instead of going for the stupid "Ranma, I will kill you" that seems to be going around lately?! I must of had at least-- SCENE: Ranma doesn't get to finish as the figure rises again and charges with his/her jitte. However, Ryouga manages to punch the surprised figure away. Ryouga: DON'T BUTT IN ON OUR MAN-TO-MAN FIGHT!!! Ranma: (shielding his eyes to look into the horizon) Nice shot. Ryouga: Thanks. (remembering he was supposed to be angry) Now, to do the same to you! Ranma: (sighs) [I've had it!] Ryouga, THAT'S ENOUGH!!! Ryouga: (steps back) Huh? Ranma: (angry) Look, I have absolutely NO INTEREST in Akane! Do you hear me?! Ryouga: [Ranma rarely gets mad... I guess I'm a little too rash.] Um... yeah? Ranma: I know how much she means to you, okay?! Strange as it may seem to you, I ain't clueless, or heartless. If you want a macho violent tomboy who'd hit you for such stupid reasons, you can have her! Ryouga: How dare you call her those names! Ranma: That's how I feel about her, okay?! If you were hit with a table because you came up with a valid point the first time you met her, what would you think?! (calming down) Look, I never wanted any stupid "compatibility factor" or engagement thing, and if anything I'd rather be engaged to Kasumi or Nabiki than Akane, alright? Ryouga: ...alright. [Whatever happened to him during those two weeks must of finally got to him. I really shouldn't contribute to that.] Sorry, I guess. Ranma: That's okay, pig boy. Just give me a better reason next time before getting into a fight with you! Ryouga: Fine, jerkweed. Ranma: Dog. Ryouga: Girlie. Ranma: Let's not start "that" up again, huh? ===== SCENE: Akane is in the dojo breaking cement blocks when Ryouga comes in. He has a thoughtful look on his face, and almost doesn't notice Akane's destruction. He is about accidentally walk into her when she punches him in the gut, not looking at him. Akane: That's for hurting Ryouga! Ryouga: .... Akane: (turning around and noticing her error) Oh! I'm so sorry Ryouga, I thought you were Ranma for a moment... Ryouga: (laughing weakly) That's okay, we all make mistakes. Besides, it didn't hurt that much. Akane: He didn't hurt you, did he? Ryouga: No, he didn't even lay a finger on me. Akane: That's good. Ryouga: T-thank you Akane, for caring. [Though I don't think Ranma deserves a broken jaw if Akane needed a reason to hit him.] Akane: How did you meet a jerk like him, anyway? Ryouga: [Akane asked a question about me! Gosh!] Um, you see... ===== %FLASHBACK... Lunch Attendant: Okay, last curry bread of the day! HYAH! (tosses the bread into the mass of adolesent boys) Ryouga: (leaping into the air) It's mine! SCENE: Just as his hand is about to touch it, another boy bounces off his head and snags the bread in his mouth. This boy makes a one-point landing in front of him. Ryouga: (angry) You! Who are you?! Boy: (turning around and taking the bread out of his mouth) Saotome Ranma. Ryouga: Saotome, I will never forget the offense of the curry bread! Ranma: Sheesh, if you want some so badly... (tears the bread in half and throwing Ryouga the half untouched by his mouth) There you go. Ryouga: .... %End flashback ===== Ryouga: Lunchtime was always a war. It was a boys' school, afterall. Akane: (surprised) A boys' school?! And I always thought... Anyway, was there anything else? Ryouga: Well... ===== %FLASHBACK... Lunch Attendant: Last chow mein bread of the day! SCENE: Ryouga is kicked in the face the bread lands in Ranma's mouth. ===== L.A.: Last melon bread of the day! SCENE: Ranma crescent-kicks Ryouga and catches the bread (guess where). ===== L.A.: Meat bread! SCENE: Ryouga collides into Ranma's back as the bread sails into need I say more? ===== L.A.: Last croquette bread! ===== L.A: Last cutlet sandwich! ===== L.A.: Seaweed bread! ===== L.A.: Bean bread! %End flashback ===== Ryouga: There was plenty of more bread after that, but he usually split it with me. He usually got the bigger portion, though. Akane: What a hog! I can't believe you became friends with him! Ryouga: He always helped me find my way home, and he'd do the same thing the next day, helping me get to school. We became good friends, I think. Akane: Weren't you mad about the whole thing?! I'd have beat him senseless if he did that to me! The bread, I mean! Ryouga: We did have a fight in the end. He waited four days at the spot, and we had our duel. But he ended up winning and ran off to China with his mother. Akane: Ryouga, I'm glad you're not an insensitive moron. Ryouga: I "was" mad at him, but I'm glad I didn't follow. I-I'd... I'd never... (blushing) I'dprobablyhavenevermetyou. Akane: Ryouga, that's so sweet. Voice: OHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHO!!!! Ryouga: (paling) Oh no... Akane: Not "her" again! Ryouga: Hide me, please! Akane: (indicating storage room) In here! SCENE: Ryouga manages to head in the right direction and dives into the room. Akane quickly shuts it as a dark-haired girl in a black leotard prances into the training hall, ribbon twirling. Akane: Kodachi, what do you want? You've got a lot of gall, coming here! Kodachi: Silence harlot, I am looking for my Ryouga-sama. I had news that he showed up around here. Where is he? Akane: How would I know?! Now go before I clean your clock! Kodachi: Oh my. Still angry that you lost the martial rhythmic gymnastics competition? Akane: YOU were the one who ambushed Furinkan's real gymnastics team! Kodachi: Ambushed? I did no such thing. I believe in fighting with all fairness... before the match! It's too bad Ryouga-sama couldn't teach you properly the ways of the martial arts rhythmic gymnastics! Akane: If it weren't for Ryouga-kun's helping me, I wouldn't have learned to fight using rhythmic gymnastics in the first place! Kodachi: Ohoho! A mere technicality at best. It is such misfortune you are not very adept to the arts. Very well, since Ryouga-sama isn't here... (raises the ribbon above her head and twirls it, covering the room in black rose petals) I shall be off! Akane: (yelling at Kodachi's retreating form) Just who do you think is going to clean this mess?! [RRRRR. I'll get you someday. Just you wait!] ===== SCENE: The next morning. The Tendous are seated in the dining room waiting for breakfast. Ryouga had been invited to stay the night, but got lost while trying to find the stairs to the bathroom. Ranma and Nodoka are outside, supposedly training. A few minutes pass before Nodoka comes in followed by Ranma-chan. Her arms and legs are covered in chains, and the chains are attached to some really heavy looking ball bearings. Ranma-chan: No fair mom! Nodoka: Son, not many things in life are fair. Ranma-chan: But I wasn't the one who got a headstart! Nodoka: That's too bad. SCENE: Ranma removes the chains and tosses them into the yard, still grumbling. Kasumi walks into the room with some trays and a steaming kettle. Kasumi: (putting the trays onto the table) I thought this might come in handy... (hands the kettle to Ranma-chan) Ranma-chan: (smiling) Thanks Kasumi. (pours contents over her head, triggering the change, then sits down and starts to eat) Nabiki: I heard what happened yesterday. Ranma-kun: (swallowing first) Hmm? Nabiki: Why did Ryouga want to fight you? Ranma: Oh. [Can't tell them yet.] Uh... Akane: Because he's such a womanizer. Ranma: W-what did you say? Akane: You're a womanizer. Ranma: Wow, I'm a ventriloquist. The way I managed to imitate Akane's voice "so" well, you think it was her talking! SCENE: Everyone but Akane chuckles at Ranma's lighthearted banter. Ranma: Anyway, I-- Akane: Am a pervert. Ranma: Look, is your name Ranma? Really? I guess you spoke for yourself then. Akane: Why you-- SCENE: Akane picks up one of the trays. The other Tendous hastily pick up some of the dishes from the tray before Akane has a chance to use it to bean Ranma on the head. Of course, Ranma saw it coming and had quickly scooted out of the way. Ranma: I'm sorry for that crack, but you "did" bring it upon yourself. Akane: Apology not excepted! (raises the tray again) Nodoka: (mildly disapproving) Now Akane, that wasn't very nice of you. Ranma did apologize. Ranma: (glances at Akane's expression) I don't think she got it yet. Akane: .... Ranma: (getting up and sitting between Kasumi and Nabiki) I think I'll sit over here for today. Do you two mind? Nabiki: (face flushing slightly) ...Sure, why not. Kasumi: (also blushes, but is more controlled than Nabiki) ...Go right ahead. Ranma: (noticing their expressions) Well, maybe I shouldn't-- (starts to get up) Kasumi: (pushing Ranma gently, but firmly down) Oh no, Ranma-kun-- Nabiki: You shouldn't have to face my sister over there. Not right now, at least. Nodoka: (quietly smiling to herself) .... Ranma: Er really, this might not-- Kasumi: (putting a hand on his shoulder) Please Ranma, you're not supposed to get up until after you've finished eating. Ranma: .... SCENE: Ranma is eating as quickly as he can without ignoring his manners. Soun is wondering what is going on, and Akane settles down temporarily. A minute passes by in silence before Nabiki decides to break it. Nabiki: Well, Ranma? You haven't answered my question. Ranma: I can't. I'm afraid my standup double will answer for me. Akane: (really furious) RRRAAAANNNNN-- Ryouga: HELP!!! SCENE: He rushes into the room and crawls under the low table, pulling some cushions behind him. Akane silently moves in front of the cushions while the Saotomes look on, unsure of the situation. Ranma: Hey, Ry-- Akane: Shh! Ranma: What's the big idea? Kodachi: OHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHO!!!!! Ranma: Gah! SCENE: Ranma jumps into Nabiki's lap, much to Nodoka's amusement and Kasumi's unusual jealousy. Ranma of course is completely unaware of his predicament, being too occupied with fear. Right on cue, Kodachi bounces into the house. This time, she is wearing a St. Bacchus school uniform. Akane: What are you doing in our house?! Kodachi: Tsk, tsk! I come here not for you, but for my Ryouga-sama! He came in here a few moments ago! Ranma: .... [I'm assuming Ryouga doesn't want anything to do with her. A good thing too; that laugh scares the hell out of me!] Akane: I know why you're here! He's not here, okay?! Nabiki: Actually, he just left through the back way. Ranma: Yeah, said something about girls with strange laughs scaring the piss out of him. Kodachi: And who are you to know what my darling Ryouga said?! (noticing Ranma's position) So Nabiki, finally found a man for yourself? Ranma: (finally noticing his position) Oop. (gets off very quickly) Nabiki: (blushing again, but inwardly) That is none of your concern, Kunou Kodachi. Ranma: "Kunou"?! As in related to Kunou Takewaki?! Kodachi: The same. Since Ryouga-sama is apparently not here, I shall leave this poor excuse for an establishment. Ranma: (angrily standing up) Hey, how dare you call this place a poor excuse! I happen to know a lot of work and care had been put into this place! I also happen to know Kasumi here puts out a lot of her time to maintain the care it needs! If you badmouth this, you badmouth her! And if you badmouth her, (gets into an open stance) you deal with me! Kasumi: (blushing deeper) [Oh my.] Kodachi: OHOHOHOHOHOHO!!! He is your type, Nabiki! Such ferocious barbarism! Nabiki: .... Ranma: (trying to restrain himself) .... Kodachi: I shall return! SCENE: She is about to shower the place with her rose petals when there is a blur. Kodachi finds her ribbon currently tangled in a length of string, being held tightly between two fingers by Ranma. Ranma: I don't think so. I saw what happened to the dojo last night. (yanks the ribbon out of Kodachi's hands) I'm keeping this for now. Kodachi: Ohoho! The brute strikes! No matter, I shall find a way to deal with you later! Farewell! SCENE: Once Kodachi leaves the house, Ranma relaxes, heaves a sigh of relief and hangs his head shamefully. Ryouga crawls out of his hiding place and takes a seat next to Akane. Nodoka notices the expression on Ranma's face. Nodoka: (concerned) Is something wrong? Ranma: Yeah. I almost lost control and hit a girl. Akane: (slightly miffed) What's so wrong about that?! Ranma: I don't hit usually girls, even if they deserve it. But that Kodachi person gives me the creeps, and I can't stand her laugh. Nabiki: You're telling me, Ranma. What was with that jump, anyway? Ranma: Sorry, but I was facing your direction at the time. It could have easily been Kasumi or my mother. Kasumi: [I wish it was me. Oh my, what am I thinking?] Ranma: Anyway, the only other time I lost my control against a girl was against Cologne, and she doesn't count. Tendous & Ryouga: Who's Cologne? Ranma: An acquaintance in China. Nabiki: [Acquaintance he says. If Kodachi is the only other one he lost control against...] (shudders) Akane: [I thought so! He "is" a womanizing pervert!] Kasumi: ["Cologne"? Well good, since Ranma doesn't seem to like her...] Ryouga: [Gee, a lot has changed since I met Ranma. I wonder what happened in China?] SCENE: There is a knock at the door. Everyone turns in surprise. Ranma: (thinking wryly) [That's a first for today. Someone polite enough not to barge in. At least Kodachi had the decency to close the door behind her.] Kasumi: I'll get it! (walks off) Soun: I wonder who it can be? Nodoka: Such a breakfast. Nabiki: It gets more entertaining everyday. SCENE: Kasumi comes back in with a cardboard box with an address taped to the side. Everyone looks interestedly at the box and are surprised as Kasumi hands it to Ranma. Kasumi: It's for you, Ranma-kun. Ranma: Who could have known I was living here so quickly? Nodoka: (peering at the side) The return address is from the amazon village in China. Akane: Amazons? Ranma: The Jyoketsuzoku. Mom and I stopped there for a while. Don't know why they'd send me anything. How did they get this address anyway? Nodoka: I did leave the address with the elder. Ranma: Oh. (noticing the air holes on the top) Whatever it is, it's live. Ryouga: Open it up! Ranma: Okay okay. (everyone huddles in) Give me some room here. There we go. (uses his nail to cut the tape covering the flaps and opens the box) Akane: What is it? Ranma: It's... empty. Except for some food, a blanket and a hole at the bottom, whatever used to be in it is gone. Waitasec, there's a note. Akane: What does it say? Ranma: (pulling out the note) Let me see... hmm... Akane: (yanking it out of Ranma's hand) Let me see that! Ranma: Hey! It's for me, you know! Akane: So? (reading the paper) Eh... it's in Chinese. Ranma: I told you it was for me! Akane: Oh, like "you" can read Chinese! Ranma: Not as much as Mom, but enough to get by. Akane: .... Ranma: (taking the paper back and starting to read to himself) Um... "To Saotome Ranma, Because of your antics, one amazon you know has lost her status. She was unworthy to begin with, so there was no real loss. I should be after you for slighting her to begin with, but because I am feeling in a good mood, I have entrusted this animal into your care. When the time is right, I will come to Japan and ask for it back. Do keep it in good health, as a promise between warriors. -Cologne, Matriarch of Jyoketsuzoku P.S. I hope you've been keeping up on your Chinese. You don't need your mother to read this to you." Ranma: [Why that old ghoul! I did no slighting at all! It's those damn laws!] Nabiki: What did it say? Ranma: (crumpling the letter) Nothing. Now if you excuse me, I have to find a lost animal. Akane: C'mon! How are you going to find the animal you're looking for? Do you even know what kind of animal it is? Ranma: (sighing) No, it didn't say. Ryouga: So what gives? Ranma: I'm supposed to take care of whatever it is on my honour. Ryouga: Ouch, one of those things huh? Ranma: Yeah. Damn it all! Nodoka: Your language! Ranma: Sorry mom, but I'm kind of pissed at the moment. SCENE: There is a meow in the hall leading to the doorway. Everyone turns to the sound, and Kasumi decides to investigate. A few moments later, Kasumi returns with a struggling bundle in her arms. Kasumi: Oh, you're so cute! Ranma, I think I found what was in the box! Ranma: What was it? Kasumi: A kitten. Ranma: K-kitten?! Nabiki: (peering at it) Oh Kasumi, can I hold it? Please? Ranma: I thought Cologne would send me a bat or something. Nodoka: I'm sure she has her motives, son. Ranma: Anyway, can I see it please? SCENE: The kitten finally pulls free from Kasumi and lands on the floor. Everyone can get a good look at it now. Its fur is tinted a sort of pinkish purple, and its eyes large and well, cute. Two sets of small crystal hair ornaments are set near the cat's face, giving it an even more cuter complexion. Ranma for some reason knew it was female. Then, to Ranma's surprise, she jumps towards him and nuzzles his leg. Ranma: Hey, that tickles! (scooping the cat up) Mom, can I keep her? Nodoka: Well, it "is" on your honour, right? Ranma: Thanks mom! (placing the kitten on his shoulder) Well, I better get ready for school! (bounds up the stairs) Akane: (envious) [Lucky. He gets such a nice pet.] Kasumi: I'd better buy some cat food and make a bed! Nodoka: [Hmm, that cat reminds me a lot of... Shampoo?! What is she doing here?!] %End Chapter Six ======================================================================== %Afterword I don't think I spent very much thought on this chapter. Oh dear, now I have to work my ideas around it. That's not too bad, I guess. I mean, I always manage to make it work for me in the end. Kasumi?! This author is really warped! Not really, but send in your comments, questions, etc. to nshampoo@interlog.com (some people tried e-mailing me with the square brackets in, so I removed them. How do I know? Don't ask.) and I'll get back to you as quickly as I can. [07/17/2000: belldandy@studio-aesir.net is my new e-mail address] NOTE: In the manga, Ranma was trained in the Nekoken when he was ten years old. Since Genma died before that, no stupid mistake = no secret weapon. Too bad, huh? NOTE: A jitte is a long steel rod with a hook at the end. It was used to disarm rowdy samurai in the Tokugawa era of 1601-1868 by police officers. The one in this chapter with the blade on the end is simply a modification, and a more dangerous one at that. Thanks to Jared Ornstead (Skysaber, White Pheonix), Jim Robert Bader (Shadowmane), Wade Tritschler, and the High Council for their support. I appreciate it! The mark of the insane is the use of more than one exclaimation mark!!!!