Disclaimer:
I do not own Rumiko Takahashi's places, characters, or the manga Ranma ½. I did created Kanna amongst other characters which you haven't seen the name before in Ranma's manga (Kanna is a name used in the episode 109 (Shiawase no panda densetsu (Legend of the Lucky Panda) but it's not the same character, I just love that name).
Notes:
Kempo (system of martial arts characterized by the use of quick moves in rapid-fire succession intended to overwhelm an opponent), Joketsuzoku (Chinese Amazon), kata (a Japanese word describing detailed choreographed patterns of movements practiced either solo or in pairs), Gomen (I'm sorry, it's stronger and more polite if you use nasai), chigau (that's wrong, I differ, no, that's not true), Nekohanten (Cat Café- Shampoo's and Cologne's café that is), Irashamase (Welcome in a less formal way, usually is said in anime), Muko-dono (this is how Cologne calls Ranma, son-in-law or bridegroom), Obaasan (elder lady, grandma)
Shishi Hōkōdan (Lion's Roar Blast. By concentrating his depression and anger into his chi, unleashing a massive blast of energy from his palms. Perfect Shishi Hōkōdan As chi generated by depression and anger is 'heavy,' by projecting it into the air, Ryōga creates a massive, 10m-12m diameter, sphere of chi that has been shown capable of instantly creating a roughly 10 meters wide (with an estimated volume of 300-450 cubic meters), smoking crater, in what appeared to be a stone foundation, and later crack the earth around it, reaching the onlookers up to 20 meters away from the epicenter. Reference: Wikipedia-Character fighting techniques (Ranma ½)).
Note about the story content: I'm extremely picky when in concern chapters' and stories' titles. I'm a faithful believer that it give an extremely important hint to know whether a creation is good or not. I do apologize that in this story there are no chapter name. Sadly this is a continuing story. Yet 'Masaka' was carefully selected. Thus, don't mind the chapter number. They just don't exist.
Another excellent note: for those that are not quite satisfied with my grammar. I was offered by darkangel29 a proofreading edition. I accepted gladly. She will help me to correct the story's syntax. Remember that English is not my first language, and to be honest I haven't been in a English since middle school (that is 8 years ago), in Mexico! So please, be patient. There is still hope.
(Now to the story:)
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"I was running away from you…"
That phrase echoed in his mind a thousand times.
How is that possible that she is…? Ranma felt horrified. He left the room and his lover; he was the one that was running away now. Ranma stumbled due to his thoughts. But finally saw his savior's door, that person that would make all his trouble disappear: Kanna's bedroom. Ranma opened the door slowly, and observed her carefully. Yet, his presence was so heavy, they were so connected; that Kanna woke up instantly by the time Ranma was near her bed. It always happened.
"Otōsan?"
"I woke you up. Gomen. Please, go to sleep."
"Otōsan, I love you." Kanna said half-sleep.
"I love you too." Ranma said sitting beside her bed waiting for a new day.
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Common area, Saotome Residence, Nerima. Saotome Ranma, age 27, was sitting in front of Tendō Akane. The teacup that he was holding in his hands was about to break.
"You lied to me." Ranma stated 'calmly' staring at the steaming tea.
"Gomen nasai." Akane whispered slightly bowing. "I needed to inquire about my family with a low profile. After all, you were a stranger at that moment."
There was a long silence. Sunrise finally finished its daily performance.
"So, you are the youngest of the Tendō's. What is your name?" Ranma asked.
"Akane." Akane answered softly.
"Akane, that's right." Ranma added with a sarcastic tone "That was the name that I've blocked in my memory for so many years. That was the name that Tendō-san cried every night. It was because of that name, my life was a nightmare," Ranma said clearly to himself, irate by his memories. Akane flinched at this statement.
"Ranma, it wasn't my intention to make your life so difficult, I ran away to…" Akane was interrupted.
"To get as far away from me as possible" Ranma answered on her behalf "and to avoid being slaved in marriage."
Akane lowered her head slightly.
"Don't worry. I understand. I had 5 engagements like that, including yours. Yet I believe that you could have at least told your family that you were safe and alive. That would've saved a lot of headaches." Said Ranma enraged.
Suddenly, Kanna appeared in the common area asking her father "Otōsan. Good morning. May I have some tea?" she was wearing something like the usual kempo outfit, but it was more colorful, and made of Chinese raw silk.
Ranma looked at her, and started serving her tea "Good morning, Kanna," he said emotionless. Kanna was surprised of not seeing her father's smile. The only times that she saw this was when she needed to be punished.
Kanna glanced at their guest, and smiled at her. And Akane smiled at her back, sadly. Kanna glanced at her father again with a question mark posted on her forehead.
"Otōsan. Are you mad at me?" Kanna said slightly sad. Ranma startled realizing the expression that he was giving Kanna. The treatment that Ranma gave to his daughter was usually a strict one, perhaps slightly cold; but Ranma would never mistreat her because of his problems. Ranma extended his hand and gently caressed her hair.
"Why would I be mad at you? You are the only girl makes my heart bliss." As he smiled widely to his daughter. His eyes were enlightened once more. Akane was surprised how that brightness disappeared after he looked at her. Ranma said "Now, that I see things in another perspective; all that I went through was quite worth it after all. I am, in fact, grateful that we didn't meet that time. I forgive you, but…"
"But" No Ranma… please cried Akane's mind…
His daughter's presence weren't helping him at all. There was a long silence. To stain his daughter's innocence. Akane understood well this.
After 6 minutes and 51 seconds of pure nervousness, the third teacup was emptied "Otōsan, Thank you. I'll be at the dōjō practicing the kata that my great great-grandmother taught me this week." Kanna said excited.
Ranma snickered. "You don't have Joketsuzoku blood for nothing. Go practice, I would like to see it when you master it."
Joketsuzoku?? Akane's eyes widened. Her surprise was unnoticed by either father or daughter.
Kanna ran towards the dōjō.
Akane said softly, yet with determination "I want to be with you."
"I WANTED TO BE WITH YOU TOO. But, I don't even know who you are! I'm certain that you made up all that we've talked about. You're hobbies, your profession, and your interests. Tell me, how many times have you gotten married? Where did you leave your kids when you came to Nerima? Well, because the only thing I'm certain about you, is that you don't live here. Not even your name was true. If you would've trusted me and told me your situation and your mission, I would've loved to help you."
"Is that so? You've hated me since the moment you knew that I'm Tendō Akane."
"Chigau! I hate you because you were not sincere with me. I hate you because you betrayed my trust. And mostly, I HATE you because…" Ranma interrupted himself. Ranma's eyes widened due to his thoughts. Akane flinched at his words. Her eyes were watery but her pride was too strong. Akane endured that much hatred. Ranma stopped to think for a couple of seconds. Suddenly, his aura was flaming blue to the maximum power. The teacup finally broke in Ranma's hands. No major damage: just a few cuts bleeding on his right hand.
His aura instantly was calmed. "Feh! You know what? I don't care. Leave. Go back to where you came from because you are not welcome here anymore. This house, this dojo, are not yours anymore."
"But Kanna?" Akane blurted out. Instantly Akane regretted naming her. That was the thing that ignited Ranma's rage.
Now, Ranma was screamed "What about Kanna? You have no business with Kanna either you or any other woman that enters into this house. I'm her father and it's certain that she does not need anyone else. I've kept myself single for that reason: because I'm certain that there's no woman worth it enough to be a substitute mother."
"I know what is like to grow up without a mother, the lack of a female figure." Akane spoke.
"Please do not tell me that it would be you. Sorry but no. I just regret that I thought for a moment that you could be the one that…." Ranma said clinching his left hand.
Akane felt dizzy with his words.
"As for the female figure…" Ranma stood up, took her hand as gently as Ranma could and led her to the door. "Believe me, Kanna has one already"
"Ranma…."
"Sayonara, Tendō-san."
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I can't let Kanna see me like this Ranma thought trying not to scream, or destroy the whole entrance area with one Shishi Hōkōdan. Even though his friend Ryōga never perfected it. Ranma sensed he had enough misery and despair to beyond what he experienced 8 years ago, that he would make a Perfect Shishi Hokodan with or without the scroll. Ranma's mind was blank, but his heart was bombarded with a thousand of contrasting emotions in a matter of seconds.
What should I do?
Ranma ran towards his room to choke a loud scream with his pillow. When Ranma finished he was panting. Then Ranma noticed something that didn't help him in the bed sheets: her perfume. That was the remote control for the Atomic Bomb in his heart.
Rebuilding it from the scraps.
Starting from zero.
After all…Ranma was a survivor.
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Akane with her eyes slightly swollen was looking for something to eat nearby. Every food shop was closed, it was another hour until all the stores in Japan, or at least, in Nerima would open.
Her stomach growled loudly. I guess the tea made me hungrier, Akane snickered with her thoughts. Akane was smiling after all the early morning events. Akane was used to not taking drama seriously. Walking through Nerima district, Akane finally an open restaurant.
"NE-KO-HAN-TEN" Akane could barely read with her blurry vision.
"Irashamase. How may I help you?" said a handsome man with long hair and a extra-large Chinese shirt.
"What is your specialty?" Akane asked looking through the menu.
"Ramen" Said the man with a smile.
"I'll have one of those. With chicken, please."
While Akane was waiting, she took out a small notebook from her purse. Akane quickly wrote something in it, closed it, and went directly to the restroom. Akane observed the place; it wasn't as ordered and clean as a Japanese restaurant. Akane heard a tired female voice. "A ramen for table five".
Suddenly the telephone rang.
"Nekohanten. Muko-dono, Are you all right? A favor? Okay, Ill pick up Kanna after school. At what time are you coming for her? Midnight. Okay. Have a good day."
Akane walked quickly to her table. Suddenly she saw an old picture hung on the wall where she was eating. Before sitting at the table, Akane admired it. It was a picture of a beautiful girl with purple hair and the lady that was behind the kitchen. The girl had her belly grown. She was obviously pregnant.
"May I ask you who she is?" Akane asked with curiosity.
The waiter instantly started crying. "That was my beloved Shampoo, the owner's great-granddaughter. She died because she gave birth to that little brat." Mousse remembered bitterly.
Is that Kanna's mother?
"By the way. Are you people? Joketsuzoku?"
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"How can I help you, lady? The rush hour will start soon."
"Don't worry, I won't take much of your time. I'm a Martial Artist Historian. I study theory and technique in a practical level. I know that you, Joketsuzoku, have various secret techniques."
"Yes, we do. They usually don't get out of my village"
"Well, I have a vivid collection of those techniques. I believe I know them all. BUT ONE. That is the one that I'm mostly interested in, it's been an slight obsession."
Cologne's eyes widened.
"Hiryū Shōten Haa" Akane said calmly.
Cologne gasped in disbelief.
"How in heavens do you know about that?"
"So… it is not just a myth?" Akane smiled widely.
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Ranma was walking this her daughter to the pre-school building; he went the wrong way due to his bizarre karma. The lady splashed him with water, for the 5,248th time. Kanna was always amused when his father changed form, they laughed and kept walking.
"Otōsan, I like when you have those" Kanna pointed to her father's chest, and she laughed; obviously Kanna was mocking her father.
"It's not funny! I have to talk to your sensei about your training trip last week." Ranma smiled.
Perhaps it isn't necessary to leave her with babaa after all. Ranma thought. He was calm. His heart was being repaired quicker then he thought. I'll talk to her afterwards… and get some water.
They arrived at the school. Kanna's sensei was at the entrance. As she saw her, she narrowed her eyes.
"Kanna-Chan. You are back? What happened to you?" Said Naoi Eriko-Sensei worryingly. She hugged Kanna. Kanna's little body reacted with pain.
"What's wrong, Kanna-Chan?" asked the Sensei enraged.
Kanna lifted her blouse. She had a small dark purple bruise on her lower ribs. "I fell."
Naoi looked at the drenched female Ranma. "Are you, Saotome-san?"
"Yes." Ranma said surprised. She was not the same principal that Ranma knew.
"I'm the new principal of this pre-school. Naoi Eriko. I would like to have a serious talk with you about Kanna-Chan's behavior and situation. Please, follow me." The teacher pointed inside the school.
Kanna's behavior? … Situation? Weird!
"Kanna. I'll come for you after school." Ranma said smiling, as she squatted to look in her daughter's eyes.
"Okay. Bye, Otōsan!" Kanna yelled going to her classroom.
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"What I know about 'Hiryū Shōten Haa' consists in the clash of temperatures. That is the ultimate technique for anyone; even a 6 year-old to counter attack a 40-year-old body builder effectively."
Cologne dropped her jaw as she listened to Akane with disbelief. Akane continued, "Since, it uses the enemy's ki to function properly. The more powerful the enemy is, the more powerful the Hiryū Shōten Haa will be. What I do not know is: who uses the cold ki and who uses the hot one. Then again, I believe that the hot ki must be those of the enemy. Usually ki is heated by rage or hatred. Thus, I believe that what must be learned is how to fulfill the cold ki and the form or movement to clash those temperatures."
Cologne fell off her staff. She sighed. "I can't believe my ears. So, you created these hypotheses? But how? Where did you hear about this secret technique."?
"I spend most of my time investigating this kind of techniques. I recovered scrolls thousands of years old. And as I said, Hiryū Shōten Haa has become my obsession. I want to learn it. I was planning to fly to China, but fortunately I found you. Obaasan, would you teach me Hiryū Shōten Haa?"
"I cannot teach it you. Yet…"
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"How can I help you, Sensei?" Ranma took the seat that she was assigned in the Principal's office.
"Well, I'm mostly worried about Kanna's behavior. First of all, and I personally recriminate, is the way that she addresses to you: Otōsan." Said the Sensei with a serious tone.
Ranma snickered deeply. He was tired of explaining about 'his condition'. She said clearly "Why would you recriminate that? I'm the one that Kanna calls 'father', not you."
"Because you come here to pay for her education, and by calling you this. You will think we are not worthy of your daughter." Eriko-Sensei said worryingly.
"So you are worried mostly about your reputation?" Ranma asked. Eriko-Sensei nodded. "Sensei, I assure you that I would never recriminate your school about this matter. If she doesn't call me 'okaasan', is because I asked her to." Ranma said sarcastically.
Eriko-Sensei was astonished at Ranma's words. This family is crazy. "Well, and the second thing I would like to talk about is about that bruise" Naoi cleared her throat "I will be direct with you. Do you physically abuse Kanna-Chan?" Naoi finished with a serious, dramatic tone.
Ranma laughed this time. "Are you serious? "
Eriko-Sensei's eyes widened, and she nodded in concern.
"Sensei. It's obvious that you don't know anything whatsoever about Kanna and I. We are Martial Artists. She trained since she was 5-years-old with me and her great great-grandmother. And her mother died giving labor to her. So please, inquire more about myself and my daughter and then you can call me." Ranma stood up. "And well I wanted to talk to you too. I wanted to excuse Kanna for being absent all week. She was training nearby Kyoto. Now if you excuse myself. I must change my gender."
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Quickly hopping from rooftop to rooftop, Ranma landed nearby the Nekohanten. It's been a long time since the curse gave me that much trouble. And for the first time, Ranma wanted to change gender as fast as possible.
Ranma opened the door relieved, but saw someone that Ranma was sure she didn't want to see in a long time: Akane. Then she remembered. Akane doesn't know my female form. Sat on the table behind her and started eavesdropping the conversation. What does Akane have to do with babaa? Ranma was clinching her fist. Suddenly, Mousse appeared in front of him.
"Ran." Mousse was interrupted by Ranma's hand on his mouth. Ranma whispered, "Silence. Put your glasses on" Mousse did as ordered while Ranma was writing a note on a napkin, which said:
"Please, Don't say my name. It's a matter of life or death. Right now, I'm not Saotome Ranma".
Mousse was confused. He knows that one of Ranma's biggest prides was his name and reputation. Mousse thought what is Ranma up to? "Fine. But, you owe me a favor"
Ranma sighed. I guess I won't ask for water, after all.
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"So you think that this person will help me to learn this technique?" Akane asked excitedly. "Do you think that he or she would come with me to Tokyo to my research facilities?"
"It's a man. Saotome Ranma is his name," mentioned Cologne with pride.
Akane's smile instantly turned into a frown. Akane lowered her head in disappointment. "Oh! Well then, at least I tried" Her disappointment was too much, much more than Akane expected.
Cologne was curious, Akane obviously knew Ranma. "Akane-san. Do you know Ranma?"
"Yes. But let's say that we are not on good terms. If Ranma is the only one that can teach me Hiryū Shōten Haa, then I guess I will search elsewhere," Akane said resigned.
Hiryū Shōten Haa? Ranma's eyes widened. How does Akane know…? Is Akane whom she says she is? Ranma shook her head wildly in confusion but spouted, "I can help you!" and turned around to face Akane.
"Ran…" Ranma's eyes stopped Cologne from completing his name. Her sixth sense still worked quite well after all.
"Who are you?" Akane asked insulted. She did not like to be interrupted when she was talking about business.
"I'm sorry I was eavesdropping. But Hiryū Shōten Haa is a matter that not everyone talks about. I'm…" Ranma stopped.
"She's Shampoo's sister" Mousse added. Cologne was quite confused. Ranma could easily pretend to be a Chinese Amazon. His female physique was that of a goddess. She was slightly taller than Akane, red flaming hair, and the same power and control Ranma had in his original form.
"Would you really help, Ran-Chan?" Akane asked her. Her hope was coming back.
"You say that I have to go with you to Tokyo suburbs?" inquired 'Ran-Chan' "For how long? I need to come back to Nerima in less than a week."
"Give me at least 5; no, 6 days. Counting full analysis, writing scroll and learning the technique. Of course, I will pay for all the expenses, food, and lodging. If you don't mind to stay at my apartment" Akane said excitedly. Ranma agreed without much effort and finished the meeting by replying "I must say bye to… my family. I'll meet you here at midnight."
Ranma was nervous. The only thing Ranma could think about is 'How did I get myself in this?' 'What is going to happen?' 'Why the hell can't I hate you?
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Enjoy….
äynömaÿac
