Introductory Note:
I wanted to thank people for the unexpected interest and feedback. I was expecting that writing for a series that ended 16 years ago would have meant I was writing to thin air. I'm hoping that this chapter will elucidate the incomplete information of the last chapter in order to flesh out the characterization. The comments received regarding the emotional states of characters was rather helpful.
That said, I apologize if I err too far outside of canon, or at least outside the ways in which I'm already stretching the story we know and love. I think one of the markers for fiction that lends itself to fanfiction writing is strong characters who can be written into various scenarios and have their actions be, at once, novel and understandable. I've spent some time seriously thinking about what (if anything) a year of maturity has added or changed to the core cast. Some of them may be opening up and finding new things about themselves while others may have begun building resentment over being stuck in a rut and eager to change things, consequences be damned. I'm still working out these finer points, though the main skeleton of the plot is mapped out. I also have lightly revised the 1st chapter (which was published on something of a whim) in order to reflect the continuity I'm planning on writing.
I'm also going to apologize if I seem to be taking my time to get to my plot points. I'm aiming to be reasonably prolific in my writing (I've actually been writing about 1000 words a day, though for drastically different sections of the story), but I definitely feel as though I have a lot of ground to cover to get to where I want to go. I'm new to , so I'm not sure how to approach beta readers. If you want to be a beta reader, please PM me. I could use some preliminary feedback.
I may write some small vignettes similar to "Friday Night at Ucchans" here and there to practice dialogue and get to thinking about how different characters interact (D-Scyther's "Melon Milk" was an inspiration in that regard). I'm also trying to introduce some comedic elements to this work, so expect a few one shot or non-serialized works that are comedic in nature, or at least attempts at comedy. I'm actually trying to write a contemporary slice of life comedy (in the vein of 男子高校生の日常/Ordinary Lives of Highschool Boys) with this setting.
Finally, on a technical/mechanical note. When it makes sense in context, I will translate terms from their Japanese usage to English, even if the term has cachet in the fan community. Major exceptions are the names of Martial Arts moves and certain place names which tend to translate awkwardly, such as the Nekohanten since "Cat Chinese Restaurant" doesn't really roll off the tongue. Other exceptions may apply, but hopefully they will be understandable to readers.
Thank you for reading. I hope I don't disappoint you all too much.
ー裏には裏がある
Balance Chapter 2: The Counterweight
Akane sat in the darkness after Ranma went to bed, what little tea that was left in her mug had gone cold and the sky was just beginning to lighten.
Akane thought back to yesterday, before she went home.
The rain didn't really get started until last period. The teacher for the class, was apparently absent as Ms. Hinako briefly entered the room, got on her tip toes, wrote "STUDY HALL" on the board and left.
Akane had begun the time by going over her science class notes. The term had just started, but the only way Akane stayed on track in the her science classes was by studying constantly.
She had sighed in relief since, this term, she and Ranma were in separate classes. In fact, aside from Ryouga, all of her friends had been in different classes. On the one hand, she actually missed him, but they also had begun to talk to one another casually rather than get work done during moments like these. They also had a tendency to draw a crowd. If it wasn't the usual suspects, it was a dwindling, but significant part of the student body who hadn't grown tired of the novelty of seeing the strongest girl in school have amicable conversation with the gender-changing martial artist weirdo.
Not that the collective student body of Furinkan High couldn't tolerate weirdness, but it was obvious they loved a good story. Akane wondered sometimes if the half the reason for the crowd was that they expected all hell to break loose at any time, with Ranma and her at the center of it all, as usual.
Thankfully, more and more people had gotten over the initial shock of the two of them having halfway normal conversation, usually about homework and upcoming tests. Recently, though, the two started talking about college and what exams they were preparing for. She had lost her temper about Ranma's general apathy toward schooling, but they seemed to have resolved it for now.
Unfortunately, Akane's reverie, not to mention her studying, was interrupted, not by Ranma, but by a group of girls, who had surrounded her desk. Akane didn't really know them that well. They were in a different class the year before and outside of Yuka and Sayuri, Akane didn't really know that many people from school personally. Akane had thought they were friendly though, and she was willing to forgo her studying to try and get to know them better.
"Hi Tendo. What are you up to?" A girl with semi-permed dark brown hair said.
"Oh, Hi Hayashi. Just, trying to stay ahead of class," Akane said sheepishly, demonstrating her note cards.
"Oh there's plenty of time for that," Hayashi said with a smile, "Call me Shoko. This is Etsuko, and Chie." Shoko pointed out a tall girl with long flowing black hair and a girl with short, almost auburn-colored hair, respectively.
Akane put away her note cards. "Oh. Nice to meet you. I'm Akane,"
"Oh we know," Shoko said wryly.
"Oh. Yeah... I can imagine," Akane looked down embarassed.
"Oh no. Don't be shy," Shoko smirked and the other girls followed suit. "It's just you all are so... 'interesting'," Shoko punctuated that word.
"Well, We've been trying since last year to be less interesting... I know Ranma and our friends can be... rambunctious?" Akane struggled to find the right description.
"Well, I can see why you like him. He is handsome..." Etsuko said, leading the conversation further.
"When he's not wearing your things," Chie deadpanned.
"What? That's all his stuff. Not like it'd fit-" Akane had stopped realizing she had stumbled in her words. She was so used to Ranma that discussion of clothing or behavior was more matter of fact. It had taken a while, but she had gotten over Ranma's problem. To Akane, saying that the love of her life was sometimes a woman was like saying that he sometimes liked to dress like a cowboy and square dance or that he liked to build giant rube goldberg machines. It was weird, but it also didn't really change who he was.
"Oh! So he *is* a perv, huh?" Shoko countered
"No! It's just practical. I mean-"
"Not only is he a crossdresser, he's also a womanizer! Doesn't that take the cake, Tendo?" Estuko had added.
"Huh? Now wait a minute, he-" Akane had stopped. True, it wasn't as if the engagements were called off, but it hadn't been an issue in months. Akane felt an unsteadiness she hadn't felt in longer than she could recall.
"My friend Aoi-chan said she saw your boyfriend practically make out with Kuonji and that Chinese exchange student during lunch." Etsuko said, twirling her hair.
"Oh that. Well, I saw him when I had to grab lunch from him since I had morning duty. I was mad, but... but I'm sure it wasn't his fault," Akane faltered. She was trying hard not to jump to conclusions. "I just glared at them, got my lunch, and left. I'm sure they got the message," she explained, her nervousness palpable.
At this point the three girls merely stared Akane down with an air of haughtiness. Chie touched her shoulder.
"Of course they did. Of course. Of course. After all, that's why he's going to meet Shampoo after school."
"Huh? Why?"
"Well I heard from Yuko that she overheard them talking and that Shampoo was going to give him 'an extra special treat' after school," Shoko explained.
Caught up in the conversation, Akane had noticed that Ryouga had slipped out of the room, but didn't think much of it at the time. Ranma's explanation over tea put the piece together as to where he had gone.
At the moment though, Akane had visibly darkened, and spent the rest of the last period fuming as the sky outside darkened. As soon as the bell rang, Akane was grateful she didn't have after-school duty and bolted from Furinkan High to head to the Nekohanten, stopping only to open her umbrella as the rain began to fall.
As Akane neared the Chinese restaurant, she was thankful she had remembered the umbrella and was wondering if Ranma was already there. She then saw a figure exit the restaurant. The person was wearing an unflattering, if protective, poncho and hat about to get on her bicycle to make a delivery. A familiar length of long dark hair with purple highlights jutted out from under the hat, in a simple ponytail,
"Shampoo!" Akane yelled, half to get her attention and half out of exasperation.
"Huh? It's Akane. What are you doing here, Akane?" Shampoo initially smiled, but then stopped as Akane approached.
"Oh. You look like you did back when you were violent girl. What happen, um, happened?" Shampoo corrected herself.
"You know perfectly well what you did! I was almost willing to forgive what I saw, but then inviting Ranma here for a "special treat"? I thought you were backing off!"
Shampoo snapped back, slightly annoyed, "*I* never said that. Ranma is still my... beloved? betrothed? Whatever, he's still my airen!" She changed her expression from annoyance to mischievousness.
"Besides, I did tell Ranma I have a "special gift" for him. But he asked me for it the other day. He's not here yet so I'm making first a delivery, I mean, making a delivery first. I just have to do what my airen wants, right?" Shampoo winked and kicked her foot up in an exaggerated manner.
Akane widened her eyes at the explanation "oh... I get it now! Just when I thought he was growing up, he's back to his old stupid tricks!"
Akane pointed accusingly at Shampoo "I'm not through yet with you Shampoo, but when I find Ranma..." Akane quickly ran off, water splashing from her feet. Shampoo had yelled something, but it wasn't audible to Akane over the rain, the sound of her steps, and her anger.
After Ranma had excused herself from dinner, Akane was still angry, but more confused at Ranma's expression. The room was eerily silent after the exchange of words between the two. Just when dinner was ending, a knock came at the door. Kasumi walked over and answered it. Her voice could be heard in the living room as she said "Oh Hi Mousse, how are you this evening."
"Hi Kasumi. I came to deliver these fresh scallions and ginger. The old lady was supposed to give em to Ranma to give to you, but he never showed up."
Upon hearing this, Akane stood up and walked to the door as Kasumi spoke.
"Oh, I'm terribly sorry. Ranma seems to have gotten soaked in the rain and is ill. I'm sorry to inconvenience you."
"Oh, no trouble at all, I had a delivery on the way. I suppose this delivery is well timed. Ginger and raw scallions are said to be good cures for illness. I grew them myself in the garden we have on the roof of the restaurant." Mousse looked around, somewhat uncomfortable as he saw a figure moving close to Kasumi.
"I should probably get going, Have a good night Kasumi."
"You too Mousse," Kasumi said as the figure Mousse saw came into his view and became recognizable.
Mousse suddenly changed, animated by Akane's presence, "Oh, Akane, I didn't see you there for a second. I almost forgot, " Mousse sheepishly put a hand behind his head, before adusting his glasses.
"Shampoo says 'hi' and says she hopes she wasn't too much of a tease to you earlier when she was kidding around. You know how her mouth gets away from her sometimes. Or her fists..." Mousse said, grabbing his jaw to demonstrate.
"Oh my, I see. I meant to ask how you got that mark on your face..." Kasumi said, a concerned look on her face.
Mousse looked a bit embarrassed and chuckled, "Nothing I can't live with as an amazon male. Anyway, have a good night Kasumi. Akane." Mousse waved and ran off towards the Nekohanten.
As the sun came up, she let out a sigh of exasperation and place a hand on her forehead. She thought to herself, " Why did I let those girls get the better of me? I got led around in the rain like an idiot." Akane sighed and thought about her fiance and his behavior.
She noted Ranma seemed more distant recently. It wasn't as if he was a ghost, but the normally loud, brash, confident, and seemingly extroverted boy had withdrawn in the last few months. Not enough that it was immediately obvious, but Akane had sensed it as well as Kasumi, the older sister advising Akane to keep an eye out if anything really changes in Ranma's behavior.
Akane compiled the events in her head: Ranma avoided social contact beyond simple pleasantries, he seemed distracted a times, he even avoided conflict if he thought he could get away with it without his father berating him. She had initially welcomed what she thought was a maturing Ranma, but maybe she was confusing maturity for depression? He seemed quieter at home, acting only as his regular self when he was fighting or scamming food in his girl form. Now that they were in different classes, it was harder to get a full picture. Akane figured that the only person who could ease her fears was Ukyo, the only one of the martial artists to have class with Ranma this semester. Akane resolved to talk to Ukyo after class.
As Akane sat up to get dressed for school, she saw her eldest sister approach her.
"Oh, you're up early Akane. We're you going to go out for a jog?"
"Actually," Akane hesitated, looking down for a brief moment, "I couldn't sleep last night. I think something is really wrong, but I don't know what. I think I did something stupid, but there's-"
"Why don't you get dressed and come downstairs?" Kasumi smiled as she cut off Akane, "Then we can have some tea and talk about it before you have to head in to school, okay?"
Akane slowly nodded, "Okay. Thank you sis," she said as she quietly walked up the stairs.
Ranma had decided to forego the half day of school, thankful that it was Saturday so he'd have two days to recover fully. Ranma wasn't eager to get back to school because of any nascent pride in his academics, but she knew her extended absence would only unbalance things. After all a balance doesn't work if its fulcrum is missing.
After lying down for a while, sleeping erratically, Ranma sat up in her futon, messily brushing her mussed hair while coughing slightly. She stood up and walked over to the mirror she had placed at the back of the door to her room. After some throat clearing and nose blowing, Ranma realized she felt mostly better, if a little weak. Ranma was thankful that her youth and athleticism made her immune system work that much faster. However, upon inspection, it was pretty apparent to Ranma that she needed a bath. As she started to undo her hair she muttered, "sheesh. I'm ripe."
As he washed his hair, Ranma thought back to last night and felt his cheeks go hot with shame.
"What the hell is wrong with me? I'm losing it over something so...stupid." He felt his eyes begin to tear up. He punched herself in the face slightly, and huffed. "You can beat this. Just another challenge. Like shadow boxing or something." After drying his hair and tying the whisker back on, Ranma bathed in earnest, turning the water temperature up until it was practically boiling. He seethed under the pressure, his skin turning dark red.
"This is good... You can live like this. Life is good." Ranma kept repeating that like a mantra to himself. It was early enough that the tub had not been filled yet, so Ranma just went back to his room to change clothes and come downstairs. He was just thinking how eerily quiet it was when, at the bottom of the stairs, he saw the eldest Tendo sister standing there, seemingly waiting for him.
"Good morning Ranma, how are you feeling?"
"Hey Kasumi. I think I'm almost 100%, I think the sleep did me good."
"Is that all? Are you sure you're all right."
"What're ya talking about Kasumi? Course I'm all right. I mean my nose is still kinda stuffy, but-" the boy was quieted by Kasumi, whose expression turned into a frown as she place a finger placed in front of his face, as though she were scolding a 6 year-old
"Ranma Saotome. Don't you lie to me. I know you're not the kind to just lie unless there was something really wrong."
Ranma started looking around warily, as though multitudes of invisible eyes were watching him.
"Don't worry. I got Father and Mr. Saotome out of the house. I asked them to find Russian bananas for dinner."
"...Do those even exist?"
"Of course not, Ranma, but it should give us a little bit of time to talk." Kasumi grabbed the suddenly awkward boy's hand and led him to her room.
"All right. This should be quiet enough. Ranma. I noticed something was troubling you, but I couldn't be sure and this morning I spoke to Akane-"
"She blabbed? I begged her not to tell anyone! I told her I was gonna be okay." Ranma started to shift uncontrollably where he stood.
"Ranma. You know you're worrying my sister as well. She didn't sleep at all last night because of it." Ranma looked down again as Kasumi sat down on her bed and continued. "I know you don't like to talk about these things, but when my sister is also troubled, I need to make sure I've done all I can do help you two."
Ranma kneeled in front of Kasumi, his hands balled up into fists. "Dammit... I told her not to worry about me... I'll be okay... I think." He could feel his eyes getting watery.
"Well, what's going on Ranma? I've noticed something's changed for a while now."
Ranma changed his position, sitting cross legged on the floor, putting his head into his hands, breathing slowly a few times. After a moment, he spoke.
"That's the thing Kasumi... I dunno if it's my life that's wrong or if it's me that's wrong, yaknow?"
Kasumi nodded, "Well, I usually don't say much, but we all know that your life isn't the same as an average teenager's. Still, you've met every obstacle and handled it to the best of your ability. Are you worried that people find you dishonorable?"
"Nah. I did what I needed to. Even if it was a stupid idea, at least it was my stupid idea."
Ranma leaned back, sitting against the small desk Kasumi had in her room for her schoolwork. He head turned upwards, and the room was quiet for a long while.
"You... you ever feel like you're like... um... uh... like a rock by the sea? or like a dam? and that the sea washes over you day after day after day... and it's like 'it's okay' cause you can take it and you help protect the town by holding the sea back so like it's good cause you're strong, but... but one day, you know something's gonna give and you're gonna break?"
Kasumi, nodded.
"It's just that I'm surrounded by these people who at one time tried to kill me or who try to marry me or try to marry me, then accidentally almost get me killed. Unless somethin real horrible comes to town, it's like we can't even talk to each other." Ranma winced, paranoid suddenly that someone else had heard this disclosure.
"It, it's like yesterday Kasumi, you called 'em my friends, and in some sick twisted way, yeah, they are. Good ones too, but it's like 'is that normal?' 'Is that right?' especially cause..."
"Because what?"
Ranma sighed and quickly finished, "cause it feels like they're only my friends cause I'm who I am."
"Well our friends tend to be based on compatibility and personal chemistry."
"That's the thing. Doesn't matter if it's them, or my parents, or you guys here. It's like no ones cares about *who* I am as a person, it's like all that matters is *what* I am," he punctuated the words distinctly, "I'm this figure: Ranma Saotome, Anything Goes Martial Artist, potential husband, continuation of the family line, heir to the School, and..."
There was a silence. Kasumi nodded to the boy asking him to continue, but a loud noise emanated from the entrance of the house as the door slammed shut.
"Kasumi! We're back! We couldn't find any Russian bananas, but we got some from Iceland," Soun's voice declared
"That's close enough, right?" Genma's voice added.
Ranma sighed "...It ain't too important anyhow. I can't do nothin' about it, given where I am in life. Maybe in a few years, but... anyway, Thanks for listening Kasumi. I, I don't wanna trouble you guys anymore. I'm... I'm gonna go practice my forms in the Dojo." Ranma slowly stood up, brushing off his pant legs.
"Ranma..." Kasumi uttered in a low voice, "anytime you want to talk, just ask. Don't worry, I have ways of ensuring your privacy, okay?"
"Yeah, sure... thanks Kasumi," Ranma said quickly as he began to walk away. Before he could leave the room, Kasumi grabbed him by the shoulder and whispered, "I also want you to know Ranma, not matter what you become, I will think of you as a friend."
Kasumi smiled as she let go of Ranma's shoulder and watched him quietly walked downstairs and outside towards the Dojo.
Kasumi, still in her room, took out a small yellow pad and took down some notes. She sighed a bit and said, "I need to speak to Ono... I hope that number he gave me still works."
In the Dojo, Ranma began his forms, moving slowly and deliberately. While he felt mostly better, he could feel a slight lightness in his body as well as a small buzzing in his head. He felt weak, but at the same time, formless like water. It felt almost good. As he was contorting around the dojo, he could overhear the two men chatting loudly.
"Good to hear Kasumi! I knew my son would be better soon! He's a Saotome after all!"
"Yes, Saotome. I have to say I'm not terribly happy with his behavior yesterday!"
"Hahahahaha! Oh, he's just a boy, Tendo. You know how it is at that age, among all of those pretty girls. He's just acting the way a man does when he's that young! It's rather nostalgic, isn't it Tendo! "
Ranma growled slightly, feeling dragged down to earth. He began putting more force to his movements and muttered "I like Pop better when's a panda... At least then I don't have to hear him flap his gums like an idiot."
As though he had summoned a demon, the Dojo door opened and Genma Saotome stepped inside.
"I see you're doing better, boy."
"Not 100%, but I can get around. Just trying to take it easy. I should be back into sparring form tomorrow."
"Tomorrow is too late!" Genma said as he launched into a flying kick at Ranma.
"What the hell!" Ranma said, diving back, "I ain't all the way better, Pop!" Ranma took a defensive posture as Genma stood up stright.
"You can't expect the enemy to wait for you to get better, boy? Now fight!" Genma began charging Ranma once more.
Ranma blocked the attack, and followed up with two short jabs, which Genma blocked, but as a result, left him unguarded when Ranma quickly came around with a roundhouse kick to the face. Genma just barely dodged the kick, leaving him wide open for Ranma to get one solid body blow on his father's solar plexus. Genma fell back, slightly winded.
"You damn idiot! Just lay off, Pops! I'm not in the mood for this crap!" Ranma held his hands up, anticipating a strike that came when Genma jumped at him once more.
Ranma flipped backwards a few times, avoiding Genma's strike. In mid-air, he felt suddenly lightheaded and disoriented, his field of vision fuzzy. That feeling cost Ranma the split second needed to turn around in mid-air and block Genma's follow-up kick, which sent Ranma flying out of the dojo, bouncing once on the ground outside, and landing in the koi pond.
"You can't expect me to go easy on you, just because of a little illness. You're my son, after all!"
The pond was eerily still for a minute, almost long enough for Genma to start being concerned. He walked outside toward the pond when, suddenly, the red-haired girl stood up, a similarly red energy pouring from her body.
"Seriously, Pops?" The soaked martial artist's voice dripped with vitriol as she stared at her father. She walked out of the pond, wringing out her shirt and, walking back into the Tendo living room muttered. "I'm going out."
"Where are you going!" Genma yelled as he began to follow Ranma inside as well until she put a hand behind her up towards his face.
"Somewhere, anywhere, just...get the hell out of my sight for a while," Ranma utteres in a gutteral voice as she marched up the stairs and, in a few minutes, came back down wearing jeans and a red t-shirt. She quietly left the Tendo Dojo.
