1 Interlude
Silence, a moment in the vast emptiness of space created when sound itself is destroyed. In the silence and the dark void many things appear and fade images of the past and illusions of the present. Who's to say if these images are real and who's to say that they're not, but in this distorted view people change and grow. Expanding in way's even they never dreamed of or thought possible. Yet what if one person out of the billions that exist was given a gift, one that could alter the universe and rip holes in different dimensions? What if this gift was passed down through mindless generations, building on itself until one day the pressure became too much and it let its power loose on the universe? Silence, silence is the only answer to these questions.
Shadows of people were circled around an elongated table the anticipation growing on their faces. The light from the candles was the only source of light in the entire room. Flickering lightly the candlelight let the shadows play with the features of their faces, exposing and hiding pieces of skin so randomly and smoothly it looked as if the shadows were playing with each other. Repeating an ancient dance with secrets so long forgotten that the beauty of it was all that was left. Sitting directly in front of these glowing spectacles was the gleaming face of a now seventeen-year-old girl. Closing her brown eyes she thought hard about what she was to do, concentration showing clearly on her face. Then taking in a deep breath blew out the small flames in one whoosh of released energy. "Happy birthday Akane!" The voices of friends and family rang out in union. The glowing neon light that sat directly above the group flickered for a moment than showered the room with its unnatural glow. Clapping and shouting rose from the center of the room as the small group celebrated the birth of one Akane Tendo.
"Shampoo never get to do stuff like this on own birthday." Shampoo said with a little envy lining her sentence as she reached for her slice of cake.
"What did you do on your birthday Shampoo?" Ranma asked as he raised his head from his second helping of cake.
"Hum…Shampoo spent half day trying perfect new Raman. Then spent other half chasing you around to try it." She looked at the table remembering the hours she'd spent on it, fixing every little detail. Then remembering how he had avoided her all day, running away from her and even hiding from her. A small frown crossed her face as sat viewing the picture that was now playing in her mind. She had ended up feeding Moose her Special Deluxe Ranma Raman; he had spent hours savoring every noodle and flavor. ::Why can't Ranma be more like Moose?:: She quietly asked herself. Not noticing the red of embarrassment that crossed Ranma's face she proceeded to nibble through the cake mindlessly noticing the ingredients and texture.
"Ahem…" Ranma coughed a little than went on to devouring his third piece of cake.
The talk continued well on into the night, each member recalling their last birthdays and how they spent them. All except one. Soun Tendo had left his daughter's birthday party early now sitting cross-legged in his room he stared at a binder like book in front of him. The binder looked as if it had seen better days, the cover was worn and torn in places. Its binding was beginning to come loose and frayed at the edges while dust that had been collecting for over two decades covered the book like a second skin. The writing that had once stood proudly against the green cover now was only a memory of its former self it read: Tendo Family Photographs 1889.
Soun had completely avoided its presence for as long as he dared. Keeping it under a loose bored beneath his floor he guarded its secrets. Now reaching one unsteady hand out toward the seemingly harmless photo-album he held his breath unsure of what to do and what to tell his youngest daughter. Flipping through the black and white pictures he glanced at ancestors long since gone, each moment captured and each moment a pause in time.
*** Author's Notes *** Okay I know I'm a slacker but I'm trying oh and for future ref. I have no idea how they celebrate birthdays in Japan…so bear with me on some of that kinda stuff…thanks! As always flames or praise doesn't matter which I'll read them both! ::bows slightly:: Arigatou for the feedback so far!