Ranma belongs to Rumiko Takahashi
Some information on Ubume and ghosts has been taken from AEG's Legend of the Five Rings RPG
Ranma continuity may be altered
~~~
It is a cold, winter's night.
A wisp upon the wind, a gasp, no more.
"Please...she is freezing to death, please, hold my child...."
She haunts the travelers along the road, but they can recognize the truth. A forsaken one, denied the comfort of the afterlife. Such punishment speaks of a grave error, one to be pitied, but certainly not replicated, and definitely not to be associated with.
"Please...my child....."
Faltering, stumbling, but still approaching, two hands reached out to grasp the ghostly infant.
The person paused, as if to regain lost bearings, "I...I w-will hold your child."
Deep blue pools gazed into the pale, white orbs of the Ubume.
~~~
Ranma had been depressed as of late. They were only a few days inland on one of Japan's islands. He was raised to be a man amongst men.....but how could that be now? Half the time he was a girl, a GIRL for god's sakes! Everything he has known, worked for, strived for, all gone because of a dip in that stupid little pool. Life sucked.
The road they traveled was abandoned, devoid of all populace. Dusk was just beginning to break, the sun sinking below the crest of trees and forest in the distance. They made camp, nothing more than two tents and a cold fire that would soon die. Ranma didn't like this, did not like his existence, but it was all he knew.
Night. Ranma woke with a shock, but stifled his voice. His mind was in a haze and yet clear at the same time. There was something there...out there, calling to his senses, barely on the edge of his sensory and extra sensory perceptions.
Shivering and clothed only in his thin silk wear, Ranma wandered outside and looked around. The dark road they followed remained empty down both ways. As he began to dismiss the sensations, he heard a moan of sorrow, muffled and quiet but still audible,
"Please...she is freezing to death, please, hold my child...."
Ranma froze as a wisp, a shade of a pale woman faded into view, seemingly shivering just as he did, carrying a small bundle. A palpable aura of fear and regret surrounded her, permeating the air. Still, was it not the martial artist's duty to aid and protect? Was he going to just let them die in the cold? Steeling himself, he took one shaky step forward. Then another.
Trembling and quivering, whether from the temperature or the aura, Ranma advanced towards the weeping ghost. Slowly, he reached out to embrace the bundle, the child, and in a fearful voice, spoke.
"I...I w-will hold your child."
Gently, he took the infant into his arms, holding it close, keeping it warm. The weight he supported grew heavy, but Ranma did not yield.
A soft cry. Ranma looked downwards at the bundle he held. No longer a ghost child, but an infant that he cradled in his arms. Clear brown eyes and sparse black hair.
Raising his head, he again saw the mother, appearing to be relieved of her burden.
"Please take care of her....her name is Hitomi.." she said in quiet tone, pressing a small object into Ranma's hand. A soft touch, a feeling of warmth ran through Ranma, originating from his cheek. The spirit slowly withdrew from her kiss, and she looked serene, at peace.
"Thank you."
Ranma knelt there for a moment, cradling the child, watching as the mother's spirit faded away.
Some information on Ubume and ghosts has been taken from AEG's Legend of the Five Rings RPG
Ranma continuity may be altered
~~~
It is a cold, winter's night.
A wisp upon the wind, a gasp, no more.
"Please...she is freezing to death, please, hold my child...."
She haunts the travelers along the road, but they can recognize the truth. A forsaken one, denied the comfort of the afterlife. Such punishment speaks of a grave error, one to be pitied, but certainly not replicated, and definitely not to be associated with.
"Please...my child....."
Faltering, stumbling, but still approaching, two hands reached out to grasp the ghostly infant.
The person paused, as if to regain lost bearings, "I...I w-will hold your child."
Deep blue pools gazed into the pale, white orbs of the Ubume.
~~~
Ranma had been depressed as of late. They were only a few days inland on one of Japan's islands. He was raised to be a man amongst men.....but how could that be now? Half the time he was a girl, a GIRL for god's sakes! Everything he has known, worked for, strived for, all gone because of a dip in that stupid little pool. Life sucked.
The road they traveled was abandoned, devoid of all populace. Dusk was just beginning to break, the sun sinking below the crest of trees and forest in the distance. They made camp, nothing more than two tents and a cold fire that would soon die. Ranma didn't like this, did not like his existence, but it was all he knew.
Night. Ranma woke with a shock, but stifled his voice. His mind was in a haze and yet clear at the same time. There was something there...out there, calling to his senses, barely on the edge of his sensory and extra sensory perceptions.
Shivering and clothed only in his thin silk wear, Ranma wandered outside and looked around. The dark road they followed remained empty down both ways. As he began to dismiss the sensations, he heard a moan of sorrow, muffled and quiet but still audible,
"Please...she is freezing to death, please, hold my child...."
Ranma froze as a wisp, a shade of a pale woman faded into view, seemingly shivering just as he did, carrying a small bundle. A palpable aura of fear and regret surrounded her, permeating the air. Still, was it not the martial artist's duty to aid and protect? Was he going to just let them die in the cold? Steeling himself, he took one shaky step forward. Then another.
Trembling and quivering, whether from the temperature or the aura, Ranma advanced towards the weeping ghost. Slowly, he reached out to embrace the bundle, the child, and in a fearful voice, spoke.
"I...I w-will hold your child."
Gently, he took the infant into his arms, holding it close, keeping it warm. The weight he supported grew heavy, but Ranma did not yield.
A soft cry. Ranma looked downwards at the bundle he held. No longer a ghost child, but an infant that he cradled in his arms. Clear brown eyes and sparse black hair.
Raising his head, he again saw the mother, appearing to be relieved of her burden.
"Please take care of her....her name is Hitomi.." she said in quiet tone, pressing a small object into Ranma's hand. A soft touch, a feeling of warmth ran through Ranma, originating from his cheek. The spirit slowly withdrew from her kiss, and she looked serene, at peace.
"Thank you."
Ranma knelt there for a moment, cradling the child, watching as the mother's spirit faded away.