The future king of earth and his future daughter stared at each other. "That girl will be the death of both of us." Mamoru sighed, shaking his head. All Chibi Usa could do was stare after Usagi with her crimson eyes.
You're right Mamo-chan, in one way or the other...
__________________________
Hi me again. Like I said, this is the *gives a blank look, then counts on fingers* one... two... FOURTH! This is the fourth installment of Heros! *laughs* Me and my memory, what a killer team. I still need help with Be Still My Heart, because I'm leaving town soon (FINALLY! I've only been home all friggin' summer!) and I went to get the last part out before then. Okay doekay hoekay poekay?
All right, down to business: This chapter/part/installment/whatever involves the cast of Ranma 1/2. As much as I would like to, I can't post season summaries here, and I'm too lazy to write out character descriptions. BUT, help is here, and not all hope is lost! I HIGHLY recommend you go here:
http://ranmainfo.simplenet.com/index.html
For all Ranma information, that's the place. Trust me. I will, though, will explain a lot about the Ranma characters in the storyline, so I don't confuse the Sailor Moon fans ^.^
------------------------------H---E---R---O---S ----------------------------
In this Friendly, Friendly World....
________________
"RANMA! Hurry up or we'll be late! C'mon! C'mon! I'm not holding buckets in the hallway again because of YOUR tardiness!" Akane Tendo yelled at her fiancee (again) and yanking him to the door by the collar of his red silk chinese shirt.
"But... Akane... need... food!" the young martial artist gasped from Akane's death grip around his neck.
"You're lunches are by the door, have a nice day!" called Akane's oldest sister Kasumi from the kitchen. "Ja Onee-chan!" Akane called, handing Ranma his lunch before the two sped towards Furinkan High.
This, my friends, is the same old sad song that goes on everyday. Ranma and his father rise early every morning (it's actually more like Genma-Ranma's father- dumping water on him, angering his son by turning him into a girl) to "train." It usually made Ranma and his fiancee late, having to make the mad dash, avoiding all the loonies that resided in Nerima, Tokyo. Akane and Ranma's engagment had be set up before both of them were even born by their fathers, who would do everything (and anything) to keep them together.
Akane glanced up towards the still running figure of Ranma, running next to her onto of the fence. "What? Do I have food on my face or something? Oh wait... nevermind... an uncute tomboy kept me from eating my breakfast..." his voice trailed off realizing his mistake. He prepared himself for Akane's blow up, being hit by that mallet she always seemed to pull out of thin air, or anything that would imply some pain to him.
He waited.
And waited.
And waited.
He opened his previously squeezed shut eyes gingerly, expecting to see Akane's battle aura flaring. Instead, much to his delight and pleasure, there she was laughing silently... and *smiling*! Akane had the cutest smile. She was just so pretty when she's happy- WOAH! Ranma, get a grip! It's not like you don't have fifty other girls smiling at you on a daily basis! "What's so funny?" he asked, stopping to put a hand on his hip. Akane was still shaking with laughter before replying, "You're not wearing any pants!" she collapsed to the ground in laughter.
Ranma glanced down at his appearance. Chinese shirt? Check. Chinese pants? "GAAAAAAAAAAH!" He covered the boxers that he always slept in, drawing more attention to himself. Nabiki, the second eldest of the Tendo girls walked up to the couple, Ranma still on top of the fence, trying to cover himself. "My, my, my... Ranma, we know you don't have any female modesty, but male modesty? Honestly!" she replied sarcastically. "Here Akane, you better give these to your fiancee before the Chinese bimbo shows up." she threw Akane a pair of Ranma's black pants before waving and continuing in the direction of their school.
The world stood still for a moment.
"Akane, please..." he hopped down from the fence. She continued to back away from him, "Oh I don't know Ranma, what was that you called me? An 'uncute tomboy'?" she began to wave his pants back and forth. "That doesn't count! I always call you that!" Ranma cried despertally. "Gimme three reasons, why I should give them to you..." she was jogging backwards now, with Ranma dodging behind various bushes and carts. "Because... Because..." he stuttered. Because I love you. "Because I'm such a manly man..." he grinned. "Oh Ranma, I would hardly call a guy who turns into a girl everytime someone dumps cold water on him a 'manly man'... keep going!" Ranma looked hurt by her comment, but continued after her.
Because I love you. "Because I've saved you lot's of times." Akane paused for a moment, knowing that with each step, they were getting closer to Furinkan. "All right, that was one. Next" Ranma grinned, and found himself saying, "Because you look so kawaii when you smile."
Dead silence.
oh no ohnoohnoohno.... she gonna hit me! he mentally cried. "Really?" Akane asked hopefully. Ranma nodded enthusiastically, That and when you don't hit me. "Can I have my pants now?" he begged. "That's only two, baka! Catch me and I'll give 'em to you!" Before Ranma realized what she was doing, Akane had made it halfway down the street. Why me?
________w_h_y__a_r_e__y_o_u__g_o_n_e_?________
By the time Ranma had caught up with Akane, which wasn't long, they were nearly to Furinkan. Ranma had to grab Akane, lifting her over his head and tickling her until she reluctantly gave up the pants. "Thank you." Ranma said, pulling his pants on. "Anytime." Akane laughed, "You know, I don't think I've laughed that hard in a long time."
"I still don't see what's so friggin' funny about it!" Ranma snapped. Akane shook her head, "The all mighty martial artist Ranma Saotome: De-pants." "Oh har, har, har! Imagine- hey, what's going on?" his thoughts trailed off, "And where the heck is Kunou?! I really need to pound someone's face in today!" Akane followed his gaze to the school, "That's right, where is Kunou? Usually he's glomping on me by now, or trying to kill you with his bokken." Ranma shrugged, "The bell rings in three minutes , and everyone is still outside... HEY! Maybe Principal Kunou croaked or went back to Hawaii with his wacked out kids." He suggested. They both looked at each other before sweatdropping, "No, we'd be too lucky." the both grumbled at the same time.
"Ran-chan! Ran-chan! RAN-CHAN!" Ukyou yelled from the crowd. "It's like she didn't think I heard her the first time..." Ranma mumbled. Kounji Ukyo was another one of his fiancees, though not by choice. Well, actually, none of them were by choice, but that was besides the point. During Ranma's decade long training trip, in which he traveled to countless places, he befriended Ukyo, an okonomiyaki vendor with her father. They play-fought everyday, and if Ranma one, he got free okonomiyaki (*Author's note: Think Japanese pizza*) and needless to say, Ranma one everyday. Ranma, at the time, had thought that Ukyo was a boy, because of the way she dressed.
Ukyo's father proposed to engage Ukyo to Ranma, and to throw his okonomiyaki cart in as sort of a dowry. Genma, always mindful of where his next meal was coming from, agreed.
Unbeknowest to Ukyo's father, though, Genma plotted to get the cart without having to take Ukyo. To do this, he decided to let the naive and unaware young Ranma make the decision to keep Ukyo, so that he could say Ranma made the decision when trouble arose. Genma asked the unsuspecting Ranma a question - "Who do you like better, Ukyo or okonomiyaki?" The innocent Ranma, eating an okonomiyaki at the time, said, "Okonomiyaki".
So, Genma felt that he could justify taking the cart and leaving Ukyo. So on the day the exchange was to be made, Genma took off with the cart and Ranma, leaving a devastated and deserted Ukyo behind.
Ukyo refused to act feminine in anyway from that moment forward, the humiliation of what had happened was too great. She began dressing in boys' clothes, and training in the art of making okonomiyaki.
Ukyo finally caught up with Genma and Ranma 10 years later, at Furinkan High school. Ukyo beat up Genma, and then tranferred into Ranma's school (posing as a boy) to finish him off as well. Ranma, not quite understanding the nature of Ukyo's hatred, had to keep on his toes to keep from being killed by Ukyo.
Finally, Ranma and Ukyo squared off in a duel to settle the score. It was during the course of this fight that Ranma finally found out that Ukyo was indeed a girl and also, about the grudge she held against him. As the fight was about to continue though, Ranma totally stopped Ukyo in her tracks by calling her "cute". When Ukyo heard this from her "Ran-chan", she totally forgave Ranma, and on top of that, tried to re-establish her engagement with Ranma, citing that she was promised to Ran-chan way before Akane was. Ukyo has opened her own restaurant, called "Ucchan's" (Ranma's pet name for her), and continues to pursue Ranma in order to try and engage herself to him again.
The good thing was, she always gave Ranma free okonomiyaki. And to him, that was a definate plus. Out of all his fiancees, Akane was the only one with toxic cooking. Shampoo, his fiancee by amazon law, her grandmother Colonge, and the always desperate for Shampoo, Mousse owned the Neko Hanten, offering some of the best ramen in Nerima.
"What is going on Ukyo?" Akane asked her, watching Ukyo latch herself onto Ranma, with a red face. Ukyo let go of Ranma, picking up a discarded newspaper off the ground, "They found out Sailor Moon's identity last night... I guess acording to this, she almost died by being buried alive and crushed under a stone youma..." She struck a dramatic pose, "Oh, the agony of being a super heroine!" She paused, "Well anyway, I have no idea what's going on with the teachers or Principal Kunou for that matter. His son Tatewaki Kunou isn't around either... but Hinako-sensei told us to wait out here until the bell rings. So this is the current topic we've been using to amuse ourselves." She finished, turning and snatching a quick glance at the school. Akane snatched the newspaper away, reading it for herself before handing it to Ranma. "Poor girl, don't you think Ranma? Ranma? Yoo-hoo, earth to Ranma!" Akane waved a hand infront of his pale face. "Masaka..." he whispered, "Uso..." Akane and Ukyo stared at him. "Ranma... doushita no?" Akane asked worried, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Usa-chan..." he breathed dropping the newspaper.
"C'mon, I gotta tell you guys something." He grabbed Akane's hand, making her blush, and angering Ukyo who followed closely behind. The made their way to the back of the building. "All right Ranma, spill." Ukyo commanded, "This better not be ANOTHER fiancee or love intrest..." she warned. Akane nodded. Ranma shook his head, "No, it's about Sailor Moon..."
"What did she save you or something?" Akane cut in. Ranma shot a silencing look in her direction.
"She's my cousin." He said finally.
"Nani? Who?" Ukyo questioned.
Ranma sighed, she was a good cook, an excellent fighter, but was lacking something upstairs. "Tsukino Usagi, Sailor Moon... she's my cousin." he clarified.
The girls stared at him for a minute, "Oh Ranma..." Akane began. "You know, I don't even remember her very well... I only met her once or twice, both times when we were young..." He coughed.
"Ranma, I'm so sorry..." Akane atempted to put a hand on his shoulder, but he brushed it away. She felt a sting in her heart, but swallowed it before it created an expression on her face. "I don't feel so well, I think I... I think I need some rest and time to think, ya know?" He looked up at the two girls, his expression unreadable.
"We still have class-"
"It's okay Akane, I'm sure you'll be fine walking home alone."
"Baka! Of course I will you macho jerk!" Akane fumed.
Ranma waved her off, "Bye Akane, bye Ucchan." Then he proceeded to walk home towards the Tendo dojo, alone, shoulders slumped.
The two girls looked at each other, and Akane brushed a stray hand of her short blueish, blackish hair behind her ear. Oh Ranma...
"C'mon sugar, the bell's gonna ring any second, I'm sure Ran-chan will be fine." Ukyo pulled the shorter girl after her, Akane's eyes still scanning where Ranma had been.
_________________________
Akane felt akward not walking home with Ranma, and quite uncomfortable. He was like her safe-guard from whatever demon, oni, or past rivals. But would she ever admit that?
Pfet! And boost his macho ego? Not a chance!
All right, so she was stubborn about Ranma. It was practically a reflex now, their fighting. Always bicker, bicker, bicker. To tell the truth, Akane rather enjoyed Ranma company in the sense that she wasn't alone. Before Ranma came into her life, she had to fight off the boys every morning before entering school, compliments of Upper classman Tatewaki Kuno, or just Kuno to them. Now, the guys at school had given up, excepting her engagment to Ranma. All but Kuno. It was a routinue now, Kuno would start sprouting his bad poetry, glomping on Ranma-chan (Ranma's female form) if he was unfortunate enough to be splashed by cold water, or Akane. Either way, he recieved a fist or foot to the face, sending him flying into the sky.
Why was Ranma acting so weird though? Ashamed that his cousin was out living him in the Hero pool? That maybe she got the better genes then he? Nah, from what she read, it almost seemed like Tsukino Usagi and Saotome Ranma were two peas in a pod. Akane sighed, hugging her book bag to her chest. Ranma, if only I could figure you out...
"Hey there pretty girl!" a voice hissed from the alleyway she was standing in front of. "HAPPOSAI! Go away you perverted leech!" she shrieked. A rough hand reached out and grabbed her, pulling her into the darkness of the alley. "Yes... yes... she is ice! Ice Child!" The creature grabbed her neck, lifting her up in the air. And Akane did what she always did when she realized she couldn't possibly win.
She froze up.
So typically her.
Okay don't panick... PANICK?! I'm only being choked TO DEATH! she mentally screamed, sending a kick towards the creature. Her foot made contact with a bone, and she heard a snapping noise. That ought to hold him! She collapsed to the ground, gasping for air when the youma dropped her. "Damn you!" it hissed.
RANMA! Where are you? Aren't you going to save me?! Please help me!
Akane attempted to make a break for the entrance of the alley. She caught a glimpse of the light before something grabbed her foot, sending her sprawling, and pulling her back through the path. She fought against it's hold as it dragged her face down into the end of the alley. "Stupid, stupid child. Think you can get away? Think you can kill me?" Akane coughed at it's horrible breath.
"After you kill me, could you at least chew some gum... or maybe opt for some sort of breath freshener... 'cause if you don't kill me soon... your breath will." she spat. The youma made a sound that must have been a laugh, but sounded more like a grinder to her. "I'm not going to kill you my dear, but eating raw flesh can do that to a dead man's breath." He pushed her up against the wall, knocking her head against it. A dizzy Akane saw the sun catch it's face and she nearly screamed.
It was dead. Deader then dead. It's skin was slick and gray, and transparent... it didn't have a heart... didn't have any organs.... As if the youma was reading her mind it responded, "Giving up the living parts of you if hardly a sacrifice for imortality." "You're just a bag of bones! We'll stop you, even if you take me Ranma will save me!" she threatened hoarsely. The grinding laugh filled her ears again, "You're so innocent, ice child, but soon... soon your soul will be given to a higher power!" "Oh yeah? RANMAAAAAAAAAAAA! HELP! RANM-" her screams for help were cut off by the youma slamming her in the chest, slamming her into the brick wall. The force of the impact rattled every bone in her body, and she shook with pain. I can't go to sleep... have... to ... fight.... stay... awake... Unfortunatly, her body did give in. "Ranma..." was the last word she mumbled before falling into darkness. The youma watched as Akane slipped into unconciousness with a satisfied smirk.
All too easy.
___________s_i_l_e_n_c_e__a_s_w_e_r_e_d__m_y__c_a_l_l___________
RANMAAAAAAAAAA! HELP! RANM-! Ranma shot up from his futon, shaking. What that Akane? Where was she? He practially flew down the stairs, "Kasumi? Nabiki? Pops? Tendo-san?" He called, running from room to room. "Oh, good Ranma! You're awake!" a unmistakably cheerful voice cried from behind him in the kitchen.
"Kasumi! Has Akane made it home yet?" he asked despertally. Kasumi frowned, "No, father and Mr. Saotome went out looking for her an hour ago but still haven't found anything. She's four hours late!" She placed both hands on his shoulders, "Oh Ranma, you'll help find my Imouto... won't you?" she pleaded. He nodded, "Don't worry Kasumi, we'll find her before nightfall... I'm sure that tomboy is just out... doing what tomboys do..." he finished lamely. Even the usually dense Kasumi could see through Ranma and Akane's illusional 'hate'. "Be careful Ranma!" she called to his figure, already heading towards the streets of Nerima.
And please find Akane... for both of our sakes...
_____________________
For someone not knowing where he was going, Ranma was just running like a bat out of hell. Jumping from roof top to roof top, didn't ease the situation either. "Baka! You shouldn't have let her walk home alone..." he was well aware of the fact that he was talking to himself now. "Where could she be?"
Akane had the knack for getting kidnapped. They had grown acustomed to it. But this... this was different... some how, he knew it. In his heart he heard her cry out for him.
For *him*
The same him that wasn't there to protect her in the first place. "GAAAAAHHHHH!" The normal extremely balanced Ranma would have seen that broken roof tile. Had he not been so deep in thoughts mind you. His fingers searched for purchase, only bringing down every tile in his path with him. In the end, he fell in the alley, pinching his ego. "Aw man, that figures..." he brushed off his pants, scanning what he could of the dark alley, the setting sun barely gave him any light, but he reconised the street that flowed out from it. It was the same one he and Akane always passed, to and from school. A familiar scent filled his nose.
Akane...
It smelled like her shampoo...
He gave the air a good sniffing, following the trail like a dog. Horror reached out and crushed his heart when he lost the scent.
Until he saw them.
It was Akane's bookbag. The same one she had nailed him with so many times. A piece of her green uniform was imprisioned underneath it, and Ranma pulled it out, inspecting it. That one little drop of blood on it nearly made him break down, mentally and physically. He traced the little droplets near it on the ground, they became bigger until they stopped at the wall. Whatever it was, it had taken her by force. Taken her away from him.
That did not make Ranma a very happy man.
No, not in the least.
()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()
All right, so I'm stinky at writing Ranma 1/2 fics... maybe it's because I have less experience with them... *shrugs* Who knows... I promise that the only reason this one sucked was because I had to go through and try to explain some of the key characters. I didn't do too well...
*Next Time* Bow to Death
Usagi is attacked en route to picking up the crystal, who will come to her rescue when she can't transform? Next time in Heros, Usagi loses four people very, very dear to her.
**
Disclaimer: No own, no money, no sue 'kay?
**
www.earthandmoon.homestead.com/Crescent.html
You're right Mamo-chan, in one way or the other...
__________________________
Hi me again. Like I said, this is the *gives a blank look, then counts on fingers* one... two... FOURTH! This is the fourth installment of Heros! *laughs* Me and my memory, what a killer team. I still need help with Be Still My Heart, because I'm leaving town soon (FINALLY! I've only been home all friggin' summer!) and I went to get the last part out before then. Okay doekay hoekay poekay?
All right, down to business: This chapter/part/installment/whatever involves the cast of Ranma 1/2. As much as I would like to, I can't post season summaries here, and I'm too lazy to write out character descriptions. BUT, help is here, and not all hope is lost! I HIGHLY recommend you go here:
http://ranmainfo.simplenet.com/index.html
For all Ranma information, that's the place. Trust me. I will, though, will explain a lot about the Ranma characters in the storyline, so I don't confuse the Sailor Moon fans ^.^
------------------------------H---E---R---O---S ----------------------------
In this Friendly, Friendly World....
________________
"RANMA! Hurry up or we'll be late! C'mon! C'mon! I'm not holding buckets in the hallway again because of YOUR tardiness!" Akane Tendo yelled at her fiancee (again) and yanking him to the door by the collar of his red silk chinese shirt.
"But... Akane... need... food!" the young martial artist gasped from Akane's death grip around his neck.
"You're lunches are by the door, have a nice day!" called Akane's oldest sister Kasumi from the kitchen. "Ja Onee-chan!" Akane called, handing Ranma his lunch before the two sped towards Furinkan High.
This, my friends, is the same old sad song that goes on everyday. Ranma and his father rise early every morning (it's actually more like Genma-Ranma's father- dumping water on him, angering his son by turning him into a girl) to "train." It usually made Ranma and his fiancee late, having to make the mad dash, avoiding all the loonies that resided in Nerima, Tokyo. Akane and Ranma's engagment had be set up before both of them were even born by their fathers, who would do everything (and anything) to keep them together.
Akane glanced up towards the still running figure of Ranma, running next to her onto of the fence. "What? Do I have food on my face or something? Oh wait... nevermind... an uncute tomboy kept me from eating my breakfast..." his voice trailed off realizing his mistake. He prepared himself for Akane's blow up, being hit by that mallet she always seemed to pull out of thin air, or anything that would imply some pain to him.
He waited.
And waited.
And waited.
He opened his previously squeezed shut eyes gingerly, expecting to see Akane's battle aura flaring. Instead, much to his delight and pleasure, there she was laughing silently... and *smiling*! Akane had the cutest smile. She was just so pretty when she's happy- WOAH! Ranma, get a grip! It's not like you don't have fifty other girls smiling at you on a daily basis! "What's so funny?" he asked, stopping to put a hand on his hip. Akane was still shaking with laughter before replying, "You're not wearing any pants!" she collapsed to the ground in laughter.
Ranma glanced down at his appearance. Chinese shirt? Check. Chinese pants? "GAAAAAAAAAAH!" He covered the boxers that he always slept in, drawing more attention to himself. Nabiki, the second eldest of the Tendo girls walked up to the couple, Ranma still on top of the fence, trying to cover himself. "My, my, my... Ranma, we know you don't have any female modesty, but male modesty? Honestly!" she replied sarcastically. "Here Akane, you better give these to your fiancee before the Chinese bimbo shows up." she threw Akane a pair of Ranma's black pants before waving and continuing in the direction of their school.
The world stood still for a moment.
"Akane, please..." he hopped down from the fence. She continued to back away from him, "Oh I don't know Ranma, what was that you called me? An 'uncute tomboy'?" she began to wave his pants back and forth. "That doesn't count! I always call you that!" Ranma cried despertally. "Gimme three reasons, why I should give them to you..." she was jogging backwards now, with Ranma dodging behind various bushes and carts. "Because... Because..." he stuttered. Because I love you. "Because I'm such a manly man..." he grinned. "Oh Ranma, I would hardly call a guy who turns into a girl everytime someone dumps cold water on him a 'manly man'... keep going!" Ranma looked hurt by her comment, but continued after her.
Because I love you. "Because I've saved you lot's of times." Akane paused for a moment, knowing that with each step, they were getting closer to Furinkan. "All right, that was one. Next" Ranma grinned, and found himself saying, "Because you look so kawaii when you smile."
Dead silence.
oh no ohnoohnoohno.... she gonna hit me! he mentally cried. "Really?" Akane asked hopefully. Ranma nodded enthusiastically, That and when you don't hit me. "Can I have my pants now?" he begged. "That's only two, baka! Catch me and I'll give 'em to you!" Before Ranma realized what she was doing, Akane had made it halfway down the street. Why me?
________w_h_y__a_r_e__y_o_u__g_o_n_e_?________
By the time Ranma had caught up with Akane, which wasn't long, they were nearly to Furinkan. Ranma had to grab Akane, lifting her over his head and tickling her until she reluctantly gave up the pants. "Thank you." Ranma said, pulling his pants on. "Anytime." Akane laughed, "You know, I don't think I've laughed that hard in a long time."
"I still don't see what's so friggin' funny about it!" Ranma snapped. Akane shook her head, "The all mighty martial artist Ranma Saotome: De-pants." "Oh har, har, har! Imagine- hey, what's going on?" his thoughts trailed off, "And where the heck is Kunou?! I really need to pound someone's face in today!" Akane followed his gaze to the school, "That's right, where is Kunou? Usually he's glomping on me by now, or trying to kill you with his bokken." Ranma shrugged, "The bell rings in three minutes , and everyone is still outside... HEY! Maybe Principal Kunou croaked or went back to Hawaii with his wacked out kids." He suggested. They both looked at each other before sweatdropping, "No, we'd be too lucky." the both grumbled at the same time.
"Ran-chan! Ran-chan! RAN-CHAN!" Ukyou yelled from the crowd. "It's like she didn't think I heard her the first time..." Ranma mumbled. Kounji Ukyo was another one of his fiancees, though not by choice. Well, actually, none of them were by choice, but that was besides the point. During Ranma's decade long training trip, in which he traveled to countless places, he befriended Ukyo, an okonomiyaki vendor with her father. They play-fought everyday, and if Ranma one, he got free okonomiyaki (*Author's note: Think Japanese pizza*) and needless to say, Ranma one everyday. Ranma, at the time, had thought that Ukyo was a boy, because of the way she dressed.
Ukyo's father proposed to engage Ukyo to Ranma, and to throw his okonomiyaki cart in as sort of a dowry. Genma, always mindful of where his next meal was coming from, agreed.
Unbeknowest to Ukyo's father, though, Genma plotted to get the cart without having to take Ukyo. To do this, he decided to let the naive and unaware young Ranma make the decision to keep Ukyo, so that he could say Ranma made the decision when trouble arose. Genma asked the unsuspecting Ranma a question - "Who do you like better, Ukyo or okonomiyaki?" The innocent Ranma, eating an okonomiyaki at the time, said, "Okonomiyaki".
So, Genma felt that he could justify taking the cart and leaving Ukyo. So on the day the exchange was to be made, Genma took off with the cart and Ranma, leaving a devastated and deserted Ukyo behind.
Ukyo refused to act feminine in anyway from that moment forward, the humiliation of what had happened was too great. She began dressing in boys' clothes, and training in the art of making okonomiyaki.
Ukyo finally caught up with Genma and Ranma 10 years later, at Furinkan High school. Ukyo beat up Genma, and then tranferred into Ranma's school (posing as a boy) to finish him off as well. Ranma, not quite understanding the nature of Ukyo's hatred, had to keep on his toes to keep from being killed by Ukyo.
Finally, Ranma and Ukyo squared off in a duel to settle the score. It was during the course of this fight that Ranma finally found out that Ukyo was indeed a girl and also, about the grudge she held against him. As the fight was about to continue though, Ranma totally stopped Ukyo in her tracks by calling her "cute". When Ukyo heard this from her "Ran-chan", she totally forgave Ranma, and on top of that, tried to re-establish her engagement with Ranma, citing that she was promised to Ran-chan way before Akane was. Ukyo has opened her own restaurant, called "Ucchan's" (Ranma's pet name for her), and continues to pursue Ranma in order to try and engage herself to him again.
The good thing was, she always gave Ranma free okonomiyaki. And to him, that was a definate plus. Out of all his fiancees, Akane was the only one with toxic cooking. Shampoo, his fiancee by amazon law, her grandmother Colonge, and the always desperate for Shampoo, Mousse owned the Neko Hanten, offering some of the best ramen in Nerima.
"What is going on Ukyo?" Akane asked her, watching Ukyo latch herself onto Ranma, with a red face. Ukyo let go of Ranma, picking up a discarded newspaper off the ground, "They found out Sailor Moon's identity last night... I guess acording to this, she almost died by being buried alive and crushed under a stone youma..." She struck a dramatic pose, "Oh, the agony of being a super heroine!" She paused, "Well anyway, I have no idea what's going on with the teachers or Principal Kunou for that matter. His son Tatewaki Kunou isn't around either... but Hinako-sensei told us to wait out here until the bell rings. So this is the current topic we've been using to amuse ourselves." She finished, turning and snatching a quick glance at the school. Akane snatched the newspaper away, reading it for herself before handing it to Ranma. "Poor girl, don't you think Ranma? Ranma? Yoo-hoo, earth to Ranma!" Akane waved a hand infront of his pale face. "Masaka..." he whispered, "Uso..." Akane and Ukyo stared at him. "Ranma... doushita no?" Akane asked worried, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Usa-chan..." he breathed dropping the newspaper.
"C'mon, I gotta tell you guys something." He grabbed Akane's hand, making her blush, and angering Ukyo who followed closely behind. The made their way to the back of the building. "All right Ranma, spill." Ukyo commanded, "This better not be ANOTHER fiancee or love intrest..." she warned. Akane nodded. Ranma shook his head, "No, it's about Sailor Moon..."
"What did she save you or something?" Akane cut in. Ranma shot a silencing look in her direction.
"She's my cousin." He said finally.
"Nani? Who?" Ukyo questioned.
Ranma sighed, she was a good cook, an excellent fighter, but was lacking something upstairs. "Tsukino Usagi, Sailor Moon... she's my cousin." he clarified.
The girls stared at him for a minute, "Oh Ranma..." Akane began. "You know, I don't even remember her very well... I only met her once or twice, both times when we were young..." He coughed.
"Ranma, I'm so sorry..." Akane atempted to put a hand on his shoulder, but he brushed it away. She felt a sting in her heart, but swallowed it before it created an expression on her face. "I don't feel so well, I think I... I think I need some rest and time to think, ya know?" He looked up at the two girls, his expression unreadable.
"We still have class-"
"It's okay Akane, I'm sure you'll be fine walking home alone."
"Baka! Of course I will you macho jerk!" Akane fumed.
Ranma waved her off, "Bye Akane, bye Ucchan." Then he proceeded to walk home towards the Tendo dojo, alone, shoulders slumped.
The two girls looked at each other, and Akane brushed a stray hand of her short blueish, blackish hair behind her ear. Oh Ranma...
"C'mon sugar, the bell's gonna ring any second, I'm sure Ran-chan will be fine." Ukyo pulled the shorter girl after her, Akane's eyes still scanning where Ranma had been.
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Akane felt akward not walking home with Ranma, and quite uncomfortable. He was like her safe-guard from whatever demon, oni, or past rivals. But would she ever admit that?
Pfet! And boost his macho ego? Not a chance!
All right, so she was stubborn about Ranma. It was practically a reflex now, their fighting. Always bicker, bicker, bicker. To tell the truth, Akane rather enjoyed Ranma company in the sense that she wasn't alone. Before Ranma came into her life, she had to fight off the boys every morning before entering school, compliments of Upper classman Tatewaki Kuno, or just Kuno to them. Now, the guys at school had given up, excepting her engagment to Ranma. All but Kuno. It was a routinue now, Kuno would start sprouting his bad poetry, glomping on Ranma-chan (Ranma's female form) if he was unfortunate enough to be splashed by cold water, or Akane. Either way, he recieved a fist or foot to the face, sending him flying into the sky.
Why was Ranma acting so weird though? Ashamed that his cousin was out living him in the Hero pool? That maybe she got the better genes then he? Nah, from what she read, it almost seemed like Tsukino Usagi and Saotome Ranma were two peas in a pod. Akane sighed, hugging her book bag to her chest. Ranma, if only I could figure you out...
"Hey there pretty girl!" a voice hissed from the alleyway she was standing in front of. "HAPPOSAI! Go away you perverted leech!" she shrieked. A rough hand reached out and grabbed her, pulling her into the darkness of the alley. "Yes... yes... she is ice! Ice Child!" The creature grabbed her neck, lifting her up in the air. And Akane did what she always did when she realized she couldn't possibly win.
She froze up.
So typically her.
Okay don't panick... PANICK?! I'm only being choked TO DEATH! she mentally screamed, sending a kick towards the creature. Her foot made contact with a bone, and she heard a snapping noise. That ought to hold him! She collapsed to the ground, gasping for air when the youma dropped her. "Damn you!" it hissed.
RANMA! Where are you? Aren't you going to save me?! Please help me!
Akane attempted to make a break for the entrance of the alley. She caught a glimpse of the light before something grabbed her foot, sending her sprawling, and pulling her back through the path. She fought against it's hold as it dragged her face down into the end of the alley. "Stupid, stupid child. Think you can get away? Think you can kill me?" Akane coughed at it's horrible breath.
"After you kill me, could you at least chew some gum... or maybe opt for some sort of breath freshener... 'cause if you don't kill me soon... your breath will." she spat. The youma made a sound that must have been a laugh, but sounded more like a grinder to her. "I'm not going to kill you my dear, but eating raw flesh can do that to a dead man's breath." He pushed her up against the wall, knocking her head against it. A dizzy Akane saw the sun catch it's face and she nearly screamed.
It was dead. Deader then dead. It's skin was slick and gray, and transparent... it didn't have a heart... didn't have any organs.... As if the youma was reading her mind it responded, "Giving up the living parts of you if hardly a sacrifice for imortality." "You're just a bag of bones! We'll stop you, even if you take me Ranma will save me!" she threatened hoarsely. The grinding laugh filled her ears again, "You're so innocent, ice child, but soon... soon your soul will be given to a higher power!" "Oh yeah? RANMAAAAAAAAAAAA! HELP! RANM-" her screams for help were cut off by the youma slamming her in the chest, slamming her into the brick wall. The force of the impact rattled every bone in her body, and she shook with pain. I can't go to sleep... have... to ... fight.... stay... awake... Unfortunatly, her body did give in. "Ranma..." was the last word she mumbled before falling into darkness. The youma watched as Akane slipped into unconciousness with a satisfied smirk.
All too easy.
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RANMAAAAAAAAAA! HELP! RANM-! Ranma shot up from his futon, shaking. What that Akane? Where was she? He practially flew down the stairs, "Kasumi? Nabiki? Pops? Tendo-san?" He called, running from room to room. "Oh, good Ranma! You're awake!" a unmistakably cheerful voice cried from behind him in the kitchen.
"Kasumi! Has Akane made it home yet?" he asked despertally. Kasumi frowned, "No, father and Mr. Saotome went out looking for her an hour ago but still haven't found anything. She's four hours late!" She placed both hands on his shoulders, "Oh Ranma, you'll help find my Imouto... won't you?" she pleaded. He nodded, "Don't worry Kasumi, we'll find her before nightfall... I'm sure that tomboy is just out... doing what tomboys do..." he finished lamely. Even the usually dense Kasumi could see through Ranma and Akane's illusional 'hate'. "Be careful Ranma!" she called to his figure, already heading towards the streets of Nerima.
And please find Akane... for both of our sakes...
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For someone not knowing where he was going, Ranma was just running like a bat out of hell. Jumping from roof top to roof top, didn't ease the situation either. "Baka! You shouldn't have let her walk home alone..." he was well aware of the fact that he was talking to himself now. "Where could she be?"
Akane had the knack for getting kidnapped. They had grown acustomed to it. But this... this was different... some how, he knew it. In his heart he heard her cry out for him.
For *him*
The same him that wasn't there to protect her in the first place. "GAAAAAHHHHH!" The normal extremely balanced Ranma would have seen that broken roof tile. Had he not been so deep in thoughts mind you. His fingers searched for purchase, only bringing down every tile in his path with him. In the end, he fell in the alley, pinching his ego. "Aw man, that figures..." he brushed off his pants, scanning what he could of the dark alley, the setting sun barely gave him any light, but he reconised the street that flowed out from it. It was the same one he and Akane always passed, to and from school. A familiar scent filled his nose.
Akane...
It smelled like her shampoo...
He gave the air a good sniffing, following the trail like a dog. Horror reached out and crushed his heart when he lost the scent.
Until he saw them.
It was Akane's bookbag. The same one she had nailed him with so many times. A piece of her green uniform was imprisioned underneath it, and Ranma pulled it out, inspecting it. That one little drop of blood on it nearly made him break down, mentally and physically. He traced the little droplets near it on the ground, they became bigger until they stopped at the wall. Whatever it was, it had taken her by force. Taken her away from him.
That did not make Ranma a very happy man.
No, not in the least.
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All right, so I'm stinky at writing Ranma 1/2 fics... maybe it's because I have less experience with them... *shrugs* Who knows... I promise that the only reason this one sucked was because I had to go through and try to explain some of the key characters. I didn't do too well...
*Next Time* Bow to Death
Usagi is attacked en route to picking up the crystal, who will come to her rescue when she can't transform? Next time in Heros, Usagi loses four people very, very dear to her.
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Disclaimer: No own, no money, no sue 'kay?
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