New In Town: Another Crisis on the Horizon
Chapter 1: Hell on Earth (Okay, Japan)
(AN): Hello everybody. This is my first ever Ranma fanfic, so let me know how I'm doing. Be warned, I rate things mature for a very good reason. Adult content can be expected in later chapters. This story runs a bit on the dark side, but will get better with time. And please, no flames: I'm making this up as I go.
Be warned, I do use a bit of religious taboos. My belief is that if there is something ultimately divine, there is also the unholy counterpart that must be acknowledged. I do not push these beliefs on anybody, they are mine and mine alone.
I do not own Ranma ½ in any way, shape, or form. Only my thoughts.
Normal font is Japanese, bold print is said in English, and Italics are thoughts. {#}=Chinese when applicable.
On with the story!
Let's see here, where do I begin? I guess with my name right? Anyway, my name is Tristan Cavalan. Age: 17. I'm an Irish-American, living alone. My parents thought it would be a good idea to send me to Japan for school. I don't know what gave them that idea, but then they flat out refused to come with, only giving me my allowance once a month for all living expenses. Like that would be considered acceptable parenting for their son. Fun fact #1: I hardly know any Japanese. Fun fact #2: I have a slight fear of women. Fun fact #3: I Hate Fights.
It only got worse before it could even start getting better.
After having spent a week in the Tokyo district of Nerima, alone, I was enrolled in the most notorious school in the city: Furinkan High. With all the legends and rumors surrounding the place about shape-shifters and maniacs, I didn't know what to expect. All I knew was that when I got the uniform, there was no way in hell it was going to fit.
I forgot to mention it, but I'm relatively athletic. Not bulky, but hardened muscle instead. By American standards, I'm considered short. When I got to Japan, I felt like a giant. I have dirty blond hair that's short and wild. I am by no means a looker. My eyes are really the only interesting thing about me: I see abnormal things all the time and remember everything I've ever witnessed. But weirdest of all about them, is that nobody can ever tell what color they are. One person tells me they're blue, but the person next to them says they're brown, while a third says they're grey or green. Even after looking in a mirror for hour, I couldn't tell what color my eyes are.
But anyway, I decided to forego the uniform until I could get one that fit properly. I figured I could just explain that I couldn't even get the damn thing on. I had no clue what I was getting myself into.
I left my "home", essentially a spot on the sidewalk, early; seeing no point in prolonging the inevitable. I slowly walked through the front gates, unsure of what could happen. Needless to say, I was utterly shocked at what I saw. A guy my age dressed in Chinese clothing was being attacked by what looked to be a kendo practitioner. I looked at the two for a second, then thought better of saying anything and just moved on. I saw from the looks on other people's faces that this was a common occurrence, as nobody really gave them a second look. So, with only one more glance at them, I hurried on to my class.
I got some curious glances as I walked calmly to the room, (1-F is what I was told), and after occasionally glancing down at the schedule I held for reference, I found it with little trouble.
As I stepped inside, I saw the teacher at his desk. He looked up at me and said, "Ah, you must be Tristan. Welcome, welcome."
I gave him a pained look and said, "I'm sorry, but could you repeat that in English please?"
He looked at me for a second before saying in near perfect English, "Sorry, about that. I thought you might know more Japanese. Anyway, welcome to Furinkan High. Follow me to the vice principal's office, and we'll get you squared away. "
I followed him out and didn't really pay attention to anything that was said when we arrived. When he motioned for me to follow, we went back to the class as the bell rang. I followed him in and stopped when he said, "Just stand next to the desk, I'll take care of introductions, okay?" After I nodded he addressed the class. "Well class, as you can see, we have a new student. Since he doesn't speak very much Japanese, I will be translating." As I told him what was required he translated. "His name is Tristan Cavalan. He asks if you could please not draw attention to his eyes. They are a matter of great sensitivity for him, and he would rather not go through another incident." At that moment, I saw the boy who was fighting earlier sitting in the front row. Resisting the temptation to make any sign of recognition or shock, I looked out over the sea of curious faces. What were they expecting, a lunatic? Then again, I can't really blame them with all the rumors floating around.
"Tristan, I'll put you in the front row for now. You will be sitting next to Akane Tendo. Don't worry too much about the language barrier, okay?" the teacher said. "Akane, could you raise your hand please." A short-haired bluenette raised her hand in response. "The empty seat next to her is yours."
A shiver of fear went down my spine. Oh gods above, why!? With measured steps and a mask of calm indifference, I sat down next to the one named Akane Tendo. With every passing second, my instincts screamed at me to run. Oh gods please have mercy on me! I'm going to die. I'm really going to die. I dared not look in her direction, for fear I might call upon some divine punishment in doing so. Lunch could not come soon enough. When we were finally released, I took slow steps out of the class room and a ways down the hall, before my fear overcame me and I ran.
I ran, dodging everything in my path. I bobbed and weaved, never touching a soul, and finally made it outside. I continued to run, and found a nice secluded area with absolutely nobody around. Nothing but grass and trees we're there. I walked up to the largest one and crouched back against it. I held the scream back as hard as I could, shaking in fear. I prayed to every god I had ever heard of to not let anyone find me like this. The fear was so strong, I was sure that I wouldn't be able to eat for a few days. I was already about to lose what little breakfast I had. That Akane was scary as hell, and to think that I would be sitting next to someone with such a massive killing intent… No! Stop! Don't start thinking like that! I grabbed my head and shook away those thoughts of terror.
Calm down, Tristan. Think rationally here. What would happen if you flew off the handle during class? Probably some sort of bodily harm would be guaranteed. Get a grip and don't let this happen again.
Okay. Let's just get this over with. Lunch is almost over, anyway. I walked back to class slowly, still trying to calm down a bit more. As I took deliberate steps toward my assigned seat, a hand stopped grabbed my shoulder from behind. I turned and saw that it was the kendo practitioner who had grabbed me. I gave him a questioning look.
"Who dares sit next to the dearest Akane Tendo? What devilry are you working upon her? I shall smite thee!" the crazy kendo captain boomed.
"I'm sorry. I don't understand," I said apologetically. I saw him raise his wooden sword to strike, and instincts took over. I drifted to my side to avoid the strike. As the blade passed, I spun and disarmed my attacker, keeping the blade away from him. Everyone looked at me in shock. I made a placating gesture with my hands, trying to show that I don't want to fight.
"KUNO!" Akane yelled.
"Oh, Akane my love." The crazy person, apparently named Kuno, said.
"Leave him alone! He hasn't done anything! He was told to sit there by the teacher, so that's where he's sitting. That's no reason to attack him. And if you say that it must be the work of the devil that he took your sword, just remember that he wouldn't have had to do that if you hadn't attacked him without warning," Akane said, obviously pissed.
I looked at the sword in my hands, and back to Kuno. I couldn't completely understand what they were saying, but I think I caught the gist of it. So before Kuno got a chance to respond to Akane, I walked up to him.
"What on earth do you want, peasant?" Kuno asked with a scowl.
I simply held out the sword for him to take, and with the little understanding of Japanese I knew, I said, "I'm sorry."
Kuno looked at me with shock written all over his face. Evidently, he was not expecting that. After he took the sword, he left without a word. I sat down and put my head on the desk, trying and failing to forget what just happened. Great, I slipped up again. Gods above, and demons below, give me something to counter this woe. Now people will start asking questions I can't answer. Isn't that just fun when they also want to ridicule you at the same time? Man, I must be either a masochist or take some sick pleasure from my sadistic thoughts of self-torment.
Blessed be the being who chose that moment to answer my prayers and ring the school bell, signaling the end of lunch. Wait, my prayers were answered? A rising fear rose in my chest. Why were they answered? This can't be good. Nothing good ever happens after my prayers are answered. Dammit, whoever answered that one is going to get it. Why couldn't you have answered the one about me being able to fluently speak Japanese, huh? What have I done to deserve this torture?
As I was wallowing in my self-pity, I ignored the whispers around me. I just wanted to leave and go home, and forget about this whole fiasco. They continued until the end of the day.
As we were leaving, I steeled myself for what I had to acknowledge. I turned to Akane and mumbled, "Thank you, for earlier," before I left.
As I walked to the downtrodden shack I called a home, I caught a glimpse of a floating fox. When is saw me looking at it, it gave a grin and passed through several people before floating up to my face. Now I knew something bad was going to happen. The only times I've ever seen the fox were always followed by moments of sheer terror, usually at my expense.
"Why me?" I asked the fox quietly. The only response was a silent snigger. I hung my head as I watched the fox disappear from sight. I continued walking, bracing myself for whatever hell had been prepared for me.
I didn't have to wait long.
"Aiya! No! Look out!" A young woman yelled at me. Sensing fear in her voice, but not understanding, I turned to see that the woman in question had long purple hair. She was watching me with a look of horror in her eyes. When she looked up above me, I followed suit. And that's when the form of my hell took the shape of a glass bottle of water, with a large crack running its length, a foot away from my face. I closed my eyes, and inclined my head to let my forehead take the brunt of the impact.
I should have dodged.
The woman who yelled the warning ran over to me, a look of fear in her eyes. I checked if anything was broken, and that's when it hit me like a bomb. I looked down at my sopping wet clothes clinging to my now feminine…assets. I checked the one place I feared for the most, and found nothing where it had been only moments before. I felt something hanging off my head behind me. I looked behind me frantically, only to be hit in the face with blond hair. I looked up at the woman, and realized that I was now in fact shorter than her. After that, I blacked out.
(AN): So, what did you guys think? Is it oaky, or do I need to add something to it? R&R!
Until next time!