I will wait for him. I will not give up. I will trust in him, and he shall return to me in time.
He promised.
Chapter 1:
"I don't know why I even bother sometimes, you know we aren't going to find a cure here Ranma."
The martial artist in question shot Nabiki a dirty look before glancing up and down the street and answering, "You're the one that found this supposed magic shop."
Nabiki held up a finger, "It's the shopkeeper that's supposed to be magic, not the shop."
Akane sighed and poked at a spot on the map, "Either way, Nabiki's 'guide' says it's right up the street."
Ranma looked over her shoulder and nodded, "Yeah, makes sense to me."
Akane shot an elbow back to his gut, "Are you doubting my ability to read a map Ranma?"
He coughed a couple of times and shot her a dirty glare, "Geez Akane, that ain't what I said! Let me go ggrab Pops and Mr. Tendo so we can get outta here!"
Nabiki laid a hand on his shoulder and motioned for him to stay put, "I'll get them to make sure they pay the bill this time."
Ranma sighed and laced his fingers behind his head as he leaned against the wall. Akane studied the shop window they were standing in front of, smiling at the beautiful pieces of embroidered silk. Ranma didn't bother, this street had too high a price range for him. It was only a couple of minutes before Nabiki stomped out of the restaurant they'd all eaten at a few moments before the three teens had stepped outside to discuss their location.
"Well, the bill's paid this time at least." Soun at least had the grace to appear embarrased at his daughter's statement. Genma just strived to look innocent.
"In any case, we're almost there, then we can leave Shanghai and head home." Akane rolled her eyes, "We do have a History test coming up you know, and I haven't even started studying."
Ranma rolled his eyes and gestured down the street, "Well, it should just be a couple blocks this way." He gestured and shoved his Pop down the street. There were other people about of course, but it wasn't too terribly crowded. The five of them set off down the street, following the directions they'd been given with Nabiki making good use of her Japanese/Chinese dictionary. A few minutes later, they were standing by a storefront, a large awning reading 'TIME' in English, oddly enough.
"Well," Ranma muttered, "this has got to be it."
He reached out and grabbed the handle, then paused to glare down at it.
"What's wrong Ranma, can't the high and mighty martial artist open a door?"
He looked up at her sharply before curtly gesturing to the door, "For your information, it's locked."
Akane frowned and stepped forward to try it herself, when the door once more didn't open, Ranma muttered, "What's wrong Akane, are you doubting y ability to open a door?"
She opened her mouth to retort, then paused as she seemed to change her mind. "In any case, why would a store be closed in the middle of the day?"
"Because people need to eat."They turned to see a girl smiling at them wryly as she lifted a bag of take-out. "Even me."
She stepped forward and switched the large bag to her hip and pulled out the key. As she juggled with it, Ranma narrowed his gaze to study her more closely. Her hair was a bright red, like his female form, and she was speaking fluent japanese without even a trace of an accent he could recognize. Odd to say the least.
She was pulling the door open with her foot when Ranma grabbed it and pulled it open. The girl shot him a thankful smile, and Ranma glanced quickly at Akane just in time to see her glare at him and glance quickly away. As Ranma's party filed past him after the girl, he avoided Akane's eyes. Mumbling to himself, he stepped inside and let the door close behind him.
Nabiki was apparently drooling over some particularly valuable clock amidst the dozens scattered about the dimly lit room. With a shrug, Ranma made his way further into the room where the girl was setting out her dinner, apparently trying very hard to ignore Genma as he drooled over the food.
Ranma whacked his father upside the head, "Lay off, Pop. You just ate! Jeez." Muttering to himself for a moment, he turned from his half-conscious father on the floor to the girl. "So you're the shopkeeper here?"
She looked up at him with a sad smile and Ranma once more felt as if he were looking at his female form in the mirror. "Yes, I am."
She sat down at the single chair beside the table and laced her fingers together to turn her sad smile up at him. "I don't get very many tourists here. How may I help you?"
Ranma felt his cheeks grow a little pink as he scratched the base of his pigtail, "Uh, you're probably gonna laugh and think we're all fruitcakes or somethin', but here goes." He took a deep breath and launched into a summary of his training trip, fiancees, curse, and the quest for a cure. "And so Nabiki thought maybe China would be a good place to look for a cure, since that's where the curse was from, and heard about you."
The girl blinked and slowly nodded once, "What about me?"
She still seemed a little dazed to Ranma, "Er, this is the funny part. See, she heard about a storeclerk that was a sorceress or something, and thought you might be able to cure the curses."
The sad smile returned once more and she shook her head in amusement, "I'm sorry, Mr. Soatome, but I'm no sorceress. I simply . . . know a lot about time. I wish I could help you, but--"
She froze, and a look of dissatisfied enlightenment spread over her features as she stared blankly ahead. After several minutes, Ranma waved a hand in front of her face. With a jerk, she shook her head and blinked at him to clear her expression for a moment before she spoke in a hesitant voice.
"Ranma, there's only one thing I could tell you, assuming you aren't flat out lying, and even that is a vain hope." She leaned forward, her every being focused on his eyes, "Ranma, how badly do you want this cure? I could tell you one way, but even I don't even have a clue if it would work, and that's assuming you could even find it!!"
He leaned forward now, there noses mere inches apart as he too appeared entirely focused and dedicated, "This is a life or death situation, literally! I would go to the ends of the world for a cure!"
She sat back limply, her eyes seeming almost as if they were about to tear up as she muttered, "You would have to."
Even Nabiki's attention was now riveted on the girl as she sat still as stone at the table, her long forgotten dinner now cold and pushed to the side. Now she was studying her hands, apparently fighting back tears. After a long pause broken only be the repetitive ticking of the clocks, she spoke without looking up.
"When I was a very young child, I envied my grandmother and how youthful and beautiful she looked for her age. I asked her how she remained so beautiful, and she told me it was through the power of the O-part. I vowed then and there to find the O-part, and give myself immortality before I grew old and ugly."
She bit her lip and smiled sadly at her interlaced fingers as she hunched forward, "Grandmother gave me an earring that was made from a piece of the O-part and, using that and a few tidbits of information, I did eventually find the O-part."
Her head jerked up and her eyes instantly went to Ranma's, "I was seventeen years old, and it was in the 1920's. Mosquiton, the single most important factor in reaching my goals, is now trapped away from me with the O-part where I have no chance of reaching him. I have lived through the decades, eternally young, and eternally alone."
She just didn't know what to say. Akane had heard of stories where people live very long lives, growing very wise or perhaps exceptionallly strong, it was a pretty common thing in movies and manga. Inaho Hitomebore however, didn't seem to be either. It appeared she had no friends, and merely continued to run the store as she waited patiently for Mosquiton to return to her. She only left the store for food and necessities, and only spoke to customers of the few people who initiated conversation.
In short, she had remained a hermit for decades in the middle of Shanghai.
The oddest part of all was that everyone simply believed her odd tale. After fighting Gods and on rulers of floating islands, were Vampires really that unbelievable? She, in turn, did not question them. Of course, a quick demonstation of Ranma and Genma's curses proved that point moot.
"So you're saying we have to go to the moon to get something that may or may not still exist, which may or may not cure them?" Nabiki pointed a thumb at Ranma and Genma where they sat silently and thoughtfully.
Inaho nodded sadly, "I'm afraid that's all the help I can offer. The fact that you believe me so readily is amazing."
Ranma waved a hand, "Aw, being immortal's no big thing compared to some of the stuff we've seen. Trust me." He sighed, "And I was really hoping we'd found something."
Inaho felt so sorry for the poor boy, "Look, why don't you leave your number or something. If I ever hear of anything helpful, I'll contact you."
Nabiki pulled out a small business card immediately and handed it over, "You can contact us here."
Ranma craned his neck to study the little bit of white cardstock, "Hey Nabiki, I didn't know you carried business cards."
She simply turned a blank stare to him before looking back to Inaho. "Perhaps we could return the favor?"
Inaho nodded, "Of course. My address hasn't changed since before Mosqui left. I'll be here for however long it takes." She looked up and smiled sadly at them all, "He knows where I am as long as I stay here."
They stayed a little while longer, but within the hour the store was empty once more. Inaho sighed and locked the door, going back to reheat her dinner.
All the while she thought to herself, I will wait for him. He will return.
He promised.
He promised.
Chapter 1:
"I don't know why I even bother sometimes, you know we aren't going to find a cure here Ranma."
The martial artist in question shot Nabiki a dirty look before glancing up and down the street and answering, "You're the one that found this supposed magic shop."
Nabiki held up a finger, "It's the shopkeeper that's supposed to be magic, not the shop."
Akane sighed and poked at a spot on the map, "Either way, Nabiki's 'guide' says it's right up the street."
Ranma looked over her shoulder and nodded, "Yeah, makes sense to me."
Akane shot an elbow back to his gut, "Are you doubting my ability to read a map Ranma?"
He coughed a couple of times and shot her a dirty glare, "Geez Akane, that ain't what I said! Let me go ggrab Pops and Mr. Tendo so we can get outta here!"
Nabiki laid a hand on his shoulder and motioned for him to stay put, "I'll get them to make sure they pay the bill this time."
Ranma sighed and laced his fingers behind his head as he leaned against the wall. Akane studied the shop window they were standing in front of, smiling at the beautiful pieces of embroidered silk. Ranma didn't bother, this street had too high a price range for him. It was only a couple of minutes before Nabiki stomped out of the restaurant they'd all eaten at a few moments before the three teens had stepped outside to discuss their location.
"Well, the bill's paid this time at least." Soun at least had the grace to appear embarrased at his daughter's statement. Genma just strived to look innocent.
"In any case, we're almost there, then we can leave Shanghai and head home." Akane rolled her eyes, "We do have a History test coming up you know, and I haven't even started studying."
Ranma rolled his eyes and gestured down the street, "Well, it should just be a couple blocks this way." He gestured and shoved his Pop down the street. There were other people about of course, but it wasn't too terribly crowded. The five of them set off down the street, following the directions they'd been given with Nabiki making good use of her Japanese/Chinese dictionary. A few minutes later, they were standing by a storefront, a large awning reading 'TIME' in English, oddly enough.
"Well," Ranma muttered, "this has got to be it."
He reached out and grabbed the handle, then paused to glare down at it.
"What's wrong Ranma, can't the high and mighty martial artist open a door?"
He looked up at her sharply before curtly gesturing to the door, "For your information, it's locked."
Akane frowned and stepped forward to try it herself, when the door once more didn't open, Ranma muttered, "What's wrong Akane, are you doubting y ability to open a door?"
She opened her mouth to retort, then paused as she seemed to change her mind. "In any case, why would a store be closed in the middle of the day?"
"Because people need to eat."They turned to see a girl smiling at them wryly as she lifted a bag of take-out. "Even me."
She stepped forward and switched the large bag to her hip and pulled out the key. As she juggled with it, Ranma narrowed his gaze to study her more closely. Her hair was a bright red, like his female form, and she was speaking fluent japanese without even a trace of an accent he could recognize. Odd to say the least.
She was pulling the door open with her foot when Ranma grabbed it and pulled it open. The girl shot him a thankful smile, and Ranma glanced quickly at Akane just in time to see her glare at him and glance quickly away. As Ranma's party filed past him after the girl, he avoided Akane's eyes. Mumbling to himself, he stepped inside and let the door close behind him.
Nabiki was apparently drooling over some particularly valuable clock amidst the dozens scattered about the dimly lit room. With a shrug, Ranma made his way further into the room where the girl was setting out her dinner, apparently trying very hard to ignore Genma as he drooled over the food.
Ranma whacked his father upside the head, "Lay off, Pop. You just ate! Jeez." Muttering to himself for a moment, he turned from his half-conscious father on the floor to the girl. "So you're the shopkeeper here?"
She looked up at him with a sad smile and Ranma once more felt as if he were looking at his female form in the mirror. "Yes, I am."
She sat down at the single chair beside the table and laced her fingers together to turn her sad smile up at him. "I don't get very many tourists here. How may I help you?"
Ranma felt his cheeks grow a little pink as he scratched the base of his pigtail, "Uh, you're probably gonna laugh and think we're all fruitcakes or somethin', but here goes." He took a deep breath and launched into a summary of his training trip, fiancees, curse, and the quest for a cure. "And so Nabiki thought maybe China would be a good place to look for a cure, since that's where the curse was from, and heard about you."
The girl blinked and slowly nodded once, "What about me?"
She still seemed a little dazed to Ranma, "Er, this is the funny part. See, she heard about a storeclerk that was a sorceress or something, and thought you might be able to cure the curses."
The sad smile returned once more and she shook her head in amusement, "I'm sorry, Mr. Soatome, but I'm no sorceress. I simply . . . know a lot about time. I wish I could help you, but--"
She froze, and a look of dissatisfied enlightenment spread over her features as she stared blankly ahead. After several minutes, Ranma waved a hand in front of her face. With a jerk, she shook her head and blinked at him to clear her expression for a moment before she spoke in a hesitant voice.
"Ranma, there's only one thing I could tell you, assuming you aren't flat out lying, and even that is a vain hope." She leaned forward, her every being focused on his eyes, "Ranma, how badly do you want this cure? I could tell you one way, but even I don't even have a clue if it would work, and that's assuming you could even find it!!"
He leaned forward now, there noses mere inches apart as he too appeared entirely focused and dedicated, "This is a life or death situation, literally! I would go to the ends of the world for a cure!"
She sat back limply, her eyes seeming almost as if they were about to tear up as she muttered, "You would have to."
Even Nabiki's attention was now riveted on the girl as she sat still as stone at the table, her long forgotten dinner now cold and pushed to the side. Now she was studying her hands, apparently fighting back tears. After a long pause broken only be the repetitive ticking of the clocks, she spoke without looking up.
"When I was a very young child, I envied my grandmother and how youthful and beautiful she looked for her age. I asked her how she remained so beautiful, and she told me it was through the power of the O-part. I vowed then and there to find the O-part, and give myself immortality before I grew old and ugly."
She bit her lip and smiled sadly at her interlaced fingers as she hunched forward, "Grandmother gave me an earring that was made from a piece of the O-part and, using that and a few tidbits of information, I did eventually find the O-part."
Her head jerked up and her eyes instantly went to Ranma's, "I was seventeen years old, and it was in the 1920's. Mosquiton, the single most important factor in reaching my goals, is now trapped away from me with the O-part where I have no chance of reaching him. I have lived through the decades, eternally young, and eternally alone."
She just didn't know what to say. Akane had heard of stories where people live very long lives, growing very wise or perhaps exceptionallly strong, it was a pretty common thing in movies and manga. Inaho Hitomebore however, didn't seem to be either. It appeared she had no friends, and merely continued to run the store as she waited patiently for Mosquiton to return to her. She only left the store for food and necessities, and only spoke to customers of the few people who initiated conversation.
In short, she had remained a hermit for decades in the middle of Shanghai.
The oddest part of all was that everyone simply believed her odd tale. After fighting Gods and on rulers of floating islands, were Vampires really that unbelievable? She, in turn, did not question them. Of course, a quick demonstation of Ranma and Genma's curses proved that point moot.
"So you're saying we have to go to the moon to get something that may or may not still exist, which may or may not cure them?" Nabiki pointed a thumb at Ranma and Genma where they sat silently and thoughtfully.
Inaho nodded sadly, "I'm afraid that's all the help I can offer. The fact that you believe me so readily is amazing."
Ranma waved a hand, "Aw, being immortal's no big thing compared to some of the stuff we've seen. Trust me." He sighed, "And I was really hoping we'd found something."
Inaho felt so sorry for the poor boy, "Look, why don't you leave your number or something. If I ever hear of anything helpful, I'll contact you."
Nabiki pulled out a small business card immediately and handed it over, "You can contact us here."
Ranma craned his neck to study the little bit of white cardstock, "Hey Nabiki, I didn't know you carried business cards."
She simply turned a blank stare to him before looking back to Inaho. "Perhaps we could return the favor?"
Inaho nodded, "Of course. My address hasn't changed since before Mosqui left. I'll be here for however long it takes." She looked up and smiled sadly at them all, "He knows where I am as long as I stay here."
They stayed a little while longer, but within the hour the store was empty once more. Inaho sighed and locked the door, going back to reheat her dinner.
All the while she thought to herself, I will wait for him. He will return.
He promised.
