I am not the author or copyright holder for Ranma 1/2 or New Cutey Honey. This is a work of fiction purely for enjoyment and no financial gain is earned or desired.
Author's Note: This is a mash-up of Ranma 1/2 and New Cutey Honey solely inspired by the resemblance of certain characters in both series. I am not trying to say one series infringed on the other but rather "what if" the two series were to have merged in some alternate anime universe.
Tanoshinde kudasai! (Please enjoy)
Chapter 2: They Call Her... Ranma ?!
Ranma held the case in his hands. It seemed so familiar yet he swore this was the first time he had ever seen it. He sat back, crossing his legs and placed it his left hand, holding just out in front of him. A tornado of undergarments swirled around him.
"Ranma!! Don't just sit there! Happosai is going to be back any minute now!"
Ranma, oblivious to the storm and cries, slowly open the case with his right hand. The light from the window bathed the silvery case. Ranma's heart beat faster as the lid rose from the base. There was a brief glint of metal and then plush fabric began to appear in the opening.
"Ranma!! What are you doing?! Get up off your..."
Akane's demands went unvoiced as the window shattered. A compact man with large eyes and a toothy grimace stood amongst the shards of glass and woods. His shoulders rose and fell as he breathed heavily.
"Put... It... Down... NOW!!"
Akane slowly crouched down, tentatively reached her hand forward and gently placed a baby blue demi-bra on the floor. She rose just as slowly and carefully backed way from the undergarment.
"It's okay. Nothing has been hurt or taken. Everything is here, just as you... well... almost just as you left it."
"I... Will... Not... Say... It... Again!! Put... It... Down... OR ELSE!!"
"Ranma. Give him the case. I think he is really serious!"
Ranma stared at the thin box. It sang to him. His mind screamed "Close it, baka!" but his body refused to listen. His hands moved unconsciously, opening the case further. With a snap, the lid sprung open. A crack of lighting split the night sky and illuminated the room. In the brief flash, Ranma saw the box's content and suddenly collapsed.
Meanwhile, Akane was staring at the old man. As the lighting flash revealed his face, she screamed at the sight. The old man sprang towards the stunned boy, catching him as the box clattered to the floor.
"Bring the case!" He ordered as they left the room.
"Who... who... are you?"
Akane stammered as she watched the old man gently lay Ranma on her bed.
"I can't believe they did this to you. I am so sorry," he said as he gently caressed Ranma's forehead.
Akane stared at the man. He looked like Happosai but there were startlingly differences, such as the metal plate in his head and gloved arms. His voice and manner were also different; softer, caring. This couldn't be Happosai. Absolutely no way possible!
Ranma's head throbbed with pain. Images of battles, burning cities and a cackling Happosai swirled within his brain. His body felt leaden and sluggish and, with great effort, he slowly raised his right arm to swat at the sneering ojii-san.
"Go... a... way..."
Akane raised her head, buried in her arms on the bed at Ranma's side, at the sound.
"Ranma? Can you hear me?"
"uuugh... Akane? Is that you?"
"Ranma! Thank God! Ranma's awake! Hey everybody, Ranma's awake..."
Akane's voice receded as she ran off. Ranma struggled and managed to lift the incredibly heavy blankets off of him. He swung his legs to the floor, began to stand and promptly collapsed in a heap.
"What's wrong with me?"
He held his hands out in front of him. They seemed to dance and waver; stretching, changing size and color. Ranma shook his head and squeezed his eyes tightly shut. He took a deep breath and focused on clearing his mind. He felt his body settle and his mind clear. Slowly, he reopened his eyes and looked at his hands.
"Normal. No color changing. No wavering. Good."
Ranma then rose up. He focused on his body and felt the familiar control and finesse return. With a few more deep breaths and a quick stretch, Ranma headed towards the bedroom door.
With a comforting burble, the hot water filled the small pot. Kasumi placed the lid back on and added the tea server to the tray she was preparing. She started towards the living room just as Akane entered.
"Kasumi! Ranma's awake!"
"Oh my. Is he all right? Does he need anything?"
"I don't know. I came right down as soon as I heard him wake. I'll go back."
"Perhaps you should tell..."
Akane dashed out the room, her pounding footsteps indicating her path back towards the bedroom. Kasumi slid the door to the living room open with her foot and carried the tray in. She placed on the low table and began pouring a cup of tea.
"Ranma has awaken," she said as she passed the cup across the table.
"Good. She must not have suffered as much of a shock as I feared."
Kasumi noted that the old man used the female pronoun as he spoke of Ranma but she said nothing. Suddenly, a thud came from the room above. They heard Akane's pace quicken as she continued towards the room.
Akane reached her bedroom door. Just as she reached to grasp the knob, the door swung open.
"Ranma! Do you need anything? Do you feel okay? What are you out of bed? What was that noise? Did you fall?"
"Whoa. Slow down Akane! Geez, can ya let me get a word in edgewise?"
"RaananMAA!!..."
"Akane, dear. Can you ask Ranma to join us in the living room?"
"Yes, Kasumi. We'll be right down."
"Look here, Ranma. You go and faint and scare the daylights out of me and then you have the gall to tell me to calm down?!"
"Okay, okay. I get your point. Look, my head is still a little fuzzy, so could you cut me some slack?"
Ranma walked into the living room followed by a miffed Akane. Seated at the table was a man with a striking resemblance to Happosai. He had the same compact body, large eyes, broad mouth and air of knowledge. But he also had a metal plate visible in his scalp, cat-like whiskers and long gloves that disappeared somewhere within his hakuma. He sipped his tea as Akane and Ranma sat down.
"How do you feel, Ranma?"
"Okay, I guess. Who are you?"
"Straight to the point. At least that hasn't changed."
"Whadda ya mean by that?"
"Hmmm... grammar and diction are a bit off though."
"Look here. I don't know who you are and I don't like it when people I don't know start actin' like they know me better than I do. Do you understand? Or do we need to settle this in a different way?"
"I think I follow what you are saying. But the truth is that I do know you better than you do because I know who you really are and you do not."
"That's it! I'm gonna... wait a minute... you know me better than I do because I don't know me better than you know me because I don't know me the way you know me which means that the me I know is not the me that I know and so... arggh! Stop confusing me!"
"Hmm... Is this normal? Simple statements cause Ranma to have terrible problems understanding them?"
"See. He does know you better than you do," Akane commented.
"Enough. I'm outta here. I don't need to take this from anyone. If you have some sort of beef with me, like my good-for-nothing dad stole your business or I'm suppose to marry your granddaughter, let's go to the dojo, throw a few punches, kicks or whatever and get over with it. I'm not in the mood for long explanations tonight."
"Fascinating. Is this typical? Responding with violence? Refusing to discuss? And what is this about a disreputable father?"
"Okay. I get it. You must be from some 'Anything Goes Psychotherapy School of Martial Arts'. Attack the mind and the body is left open to attack. Pretty clever but it ain't gonna work."
"Ranma. I assure you that I am not here to attack or deceive you. You do not realize it now but you are the victim of a truly hideous man and his utterly selfish, fiendish actions. I have come to help you. My name is..."
Okay, second chapter in the can. Don't worry - I hate dangling (i.e. incomplete) stories. I would not post if I did not have the next chapter already complete. Look for new chapters each Sunday. Thank you to everyone for their opinions and reviews. And, as always, comments are grateful accepted.
