Disclaimer: Ranma 1/2 is the property of Rumiko Takahashi and Viz Video. This story is for the free use and enjoyment of those who read it.
Schools United
Hint
By Michael Fetter
Snuggled up tightly with blankets that smelled like pine and a feather pillow, Okaasan rested her back against Ukyou's breasts, spooned with her love's arm over her waist. The newly cursed woman slept peacefully despite the great changes to her life, or more because of them.
Okaasan remained awake, trying to understand her emotions. She loved Ukyou and wanted to be with the okonomiyaki chef, but she felt other conflicts would develop because of these feelings. Was it her right to ignore the warnings she felt and attempt to claim this peace? She wanted it, wanted it bad, but not at the expense of making the same mistakes Ranma had.
She remembered the boy in his final days. The world had fallen apart for him, because of him, and he was left to suffer greater than before. With his parents in the Tendou house, Ranma had moved out to the dojo to sleep. The nights were cold and there was a hard silence that provoked his thoughts and kept him awake.
After Jusendo and the failed wedding, Ranma had kept more to himself to the point of being considered a recluse. Much of his time was spent in meditation on the roof or in the middle of his katas, once the movements had made him numb to reality. He thought about everything, his future, friends, enemies - the fiancees fell within those first three somewhere - Saffron, and himself.
Sometimes skipping meals, Ranma took long walks around Nerima by himself. Each time, when he returned to the dojo - not his home - he understood a little bit better about who he was. Sullenly, he spoke to anyone who chose to speak with him first, answering frankly in a detached tone.
For the few weeks after the wedding this was his routine; wake, practice, eat, walk, meditate, and sleep. From one end of the day to the other, Ranma was a ghost moving through the motions of living.
~
Staring up at the dojo ceiling, Ranma slowly became aware that it was morning again. She'd woken up hours ago and could not find her way back to sleep. The room smelt of a heavy musk with jasmine that gave her a headache, but she couldn't pull herself from bed. She continued to wonder what the point was to decide between her four fiancees now with things the way they were.
"It's too quiet."
Stretching out her body where she lay, Ranma-chan rolled over and spit the red pigtail out of her mouth. It was time to get up before she had visitors like always. Maybe thrashing Kuno was what she needed right now. Being the weekend, he and a score of other rivals were likely on their way.
"Another day, another bruise."
Dressed in black Kung Fu pants and a red Chinese shirt, Ranma-chan made her way into the house, brushing the red bangs from her eyes. "Hello?"
Kasumi looked out from the kitchen and smiled. "Morning, Ranma-chan."
"Morning, Kasumi. You seen my pops around?"
Shake of the head, Kasumi backed into the kitchen, her voice trailing after. "No, I think our fathers had a late night last night."
"How about breakfast then?" Ranma-chan asked.
"Breakfast will be ready in a minute, Ranma-chan." Kasumi called back.
Nodding, Ranma sat down at the table to wait. Nabiki had a piece of the newspaper spread out over the table. "You're up early, Nabiki."
"Things to do, Saotome." She replied easily.
Kasumi entered the dining room with two plates with breakfast. "Here we go." She set down one in front of Nabiki and the other for herself.
Ranma blinked and waited. Kasumi seemed not to notice as she began to eat. "Uh, Kasumi? What about-"
"Breakfast!" Akane called from within the kitchen.
". . ." The redhead paled.
Nabiki smirked at the frozen pigtailed martial artist. Sometimes she felt bad for Ranma, but not when she didn't have to share Ranma's fate. Misery and company.
Akane set the plate of . . . it crept about her plate with slow, languid movements, bits of black, like cracked paint, sprinkled about the borders that set the thing off if it got too close. Smells erupted in yellow pockets of gas like rotten eggs and made her eyelashes curl.
"Don't just sit there, boy! Tell Akane how much you appreciate it!" Genma suddenly bellowed.
Startled, Ranma nearly fell of her seat. She found her father and Tendou-san bearing over her with imperious gazes. Ranma went reflexively onto the defensive. "Where did you suddenly come from, old man?! And why would I do that?! Don't you know how toxic her cookin' is?!"
"Maybe so-," Soun nodded seriously.
Akane's eyes narrowed. "Daddy."
Soun continued as if he hadn't heard her ",-but don't you feel a need to say something to Akane, Ranma?"
Ranma stared at Akane, who stared back. She blinked a few times then frowned and looked back at their fathers. "No."
"NO!?!?" Both parents stared at her in mild anger and shock.
From the ceiling, Happousai dropped to the ground and tapped out some of the ash in his pipe. He looked disheartedly at Ranma-chan. "I see."
"Are you here again, old lech?" Ranma scowled and got ready to stand up.
Akane picked up the chopsticks and grabbed a piece of food off the plate that wouldn't fight back. "Don't worry, Ranma. I'm sure this came out good this time."
"This truly is sad." Happousai shook his head and sat down calmly at the table, staring at his cup of tea.
Confused, Ranma stared at the old pervert then at the gunk being shoved in his face.
"Well?! Eat it, Ranma!" Akane yelled, her face turning red with anger.
Revolted by the idea, Ranma-chan once again snapped at her uncute fiancee. "I'd rather suck on the end of a tailpipe! At least that tastes better, you stupid tomboy!"
Behind them the two father's cried in each other's arms dramatically; no one paid attention even when Soun's tears affected Genma's curse.
There was no stopping Akane from bashing Ranma in the face with the kitchen table and knocking the redhead through the roof. "RANMA NO BAKA!!!"
"KAWAkuneeii . . ."
~
Ranma-chan sat up in the Furinkan soccer field after her landing. She knew there were more comfortable ways to travel; too bad she never really got to experience any of them. Her back cracked as she stood and stretched out the rest of her body. She left the field unmindful of the drooling boys who'd been watching her a moment ago.
With Akane's cooking at home, Ranma decided now was a good time for a walk. She wasn't the only one as it turned out. Shampoo was running over rooftops in a mad sprint, completely missing seeing the redhead, which rather suited Ranma fine.
Okonomiyaki sounded pretty good just then, but Ranma frowned as she tried to deal with the memories of the ruined wedding. Ukyou had appeared with some kind of pastry bombs that did quite a number on her. Maybe she'd find someone else who cooked up yaki.
Only a block from the Ucchan, Ranma-chan saw Nabiki nearly skipping out of the restaurant with a small wad of cash. Well, best leave Ukyou to herself; actually Ranma was just thinking she'd like to avoid Nabiki on general principles.
She turned back down the street only to hear a mob of women around the corner chasing after her perverted old master. "Hey, old lech!" Ranma called out as was traditional when she was out to help the mob stop Happousai's escapades.
"Ranma, my boy! So good to see you! How about a hug or maybe posing in these silky darlings for me?" He held up a pair of lacy black things that looked more like dental floss than underwear.
"Fat chance, old man." Ranma spat, elbowing the perverted master on the head before he had a chance to grope her.
Rubbing his head. "Now why would you be so cruel to your poor master after all I've done?" He quirked a lecherous smile. "All you need is a little love so allow met to rest in your bosom!"
Ranma-chan had to pound him into the ground once again, the crows wasn't far now. "What did you ever do for me, letch?"
"What I could, you see." Happousai nodded to himself.
Ranma-chan waved it off and started to walk away, jabbing a thumb over her shoulder. "Feh, whatever. See that, old man."
"Huh?" Happousai looked over his shoulder. "Ack!"
Ranma-chan smiled as she heard the sound of flesh being pounded into the ground.
~
Ranma-chan made it home before Nabiki did and missed her mother leaving for a few days to a friend's in Kyoto. She found a quick bath and then secluded herself in the dojo once again. Her stomach grumbled because of the missed breakfast, but Ranma-chan ignored it. Thank god she hadn't gotten too much of Akane's cooking in her mouth or she might be spending another day in the hospital.
Still, she was hungry.
"Airen! Shampoo bring too too good ramen for Ranma!" Came the twittering sounds of the Nekohaten's delivery girl.
She wasn't on her bike and Ranma had no fear of being trampled onto the ground beneath a tire. Instead the cursed boy had watched the Amazon bounce over the Tendou's wall, tight clothing accentuating her figure and the prolific expression on her face beaming like the sun. Ranma grimaced slightly, but her growling stomach received more the attention.
"Hey, Shampoo, what's up?" Her voice was vaguely monotone to express her exhaustion with the event.
Setting the delivery box to one side, Shampoo launched herself into a glomp on Ranma's arm. The lavender-haired girl may not like the Ranma-chan as much as Ranma-kun, but she had been getting more desperate than usual to gain Ranma's affection.
Spitting the purple hair from her mouth, Ranma-chan struggled a moment to escape her predicament. "Let go of me, will ya?!"
"Husband eat Shampoo's ramen, yes?" Shampoo asked, already holding up a few strands of the noodles with her chopsticks.
Nodding, Ranma-chan grabbed the chopsticks and bowl. "Oh yeah. I had to skip breakfast since Akane's cookin. I'm starved." She claimed around the food she'd already begun to stuff into her mouth.
Shampoo smiled and leaned closer as they sat down against the wall of the dojo. A nice breeze cooled Ranma's skin and dried the sweat from her brow. She was still a she, Ranma noticed as her body reacted to the wind. Shampoo watched with a broader grin while Ranma-chan ate faster. "Is good yes?"
"The best." Ranma-chan nodded around her chopsticks, already near the end of the bowl.
Biting her lip Shampoo drew closer. "Ranma love Shampoo, yes?"
That had been it. Sighing, Ranma-chan set the bowl down and closed her eyes for a moment. She never held grudges for very long, except for Saffron maybe, and she was well on the road to forgetting the wedding ceremony disaster. Until now, that was.
"No, Shampoo." She stared at the Amazon hard, the cold finality settling in her eyes. "You an I might be friends, but we ain't gonna be any closer. Not ever."
"W-What airen talking about?" Shampoo smiled weakly. "Is true love, yes. Shampoo strong, good fighter. Take care of husband."
"It ain't gonna be me, Shampoo." Ranma held the bowl out for the Amazon and tried to ignore the tears that were rolling down the girl's cheeks at this moment.
"Ranma! You enemy of women!" Mousse roared as he jumped out from behind the Tendou's wall. He tossed a few throwing knives that Ranma only had to tilt his head over a bit to avoid.
Shampoo cried and grabbed Mousse about the shoulders.
Shaken and thrilled, Mousse looked to Shampoo and then Ranma with a curious glance. Hoping for the best, he let out a small smile and ran off with Shampoo in his arms.
"Psychos deserve each other." Ranma muttered. After a moment's pause she considered what she had just said and shrugged. What did it matter anyway?
~
Ranma-chan was working through another round of her kata when she was rudely interrupted by the warm splash of water. Ranma-kun stared at his body and then the bucket in Nabiki's hands. She shrugged and said it was no charge this time since he got her out of eating Akane's cooking. Ranma shrugged and returned to his workout.
"Ranma-sama! I've come to save you from those awful Tendou harlots that would attempt to come between us!" Kodachi called in her haughty sing-song voice that sent shivers down everybody's spine.
"Three feet thick steel wall wouldn't be enough between us." Ranma muttered, not realizing Kodachi could hear. He started to apologize when she spoke again.
"Yes, our love knows no bounds, hohohoho!"
Sighing, Ranma frowned and watched the loony gymnast in her purple leotard. "What do ya want, Kodachi. I'm busy."
Kodachi smile mischeiviously and sauntered closer with her hands behind her back. "I have something special for you today, Ranma-sama! Here!"
Ranma quickly cut away the flowers that had been thrust into his face and sent them spiraling into the house. "Cut that out, you psycho! I don't want your damn flowers!"
Draping a hand over Ranma's neck, Kodachi leaned closer. "I have other ways to show my affection, my dear."
Ranma blinked a few times. He felt a little funny. "Uh . ."
Kodachi ran her hands down Ranma's arms and grasping his muscular arms. "You won't resist me for long, my sweet Ranma-sama. When we are wed-"
"PERVERT!"
Ranma watched as a blue-white blur shot out of the house and flew over the wall, further likely, taking Kodachi with it. He could almost swear he'd seen a boken somewhere in the mix. Shaking his head of the cobwebs, Ranma looked over to the house and found Akane smiling, her fingers drumming over the pink table beside her.
A deep breath, Ranma headed back for the dojo. "'Bout time she did somethin' useful."
"Hello, Ranma."
He turned back again, immediately on the defensive when he heard Cologne's voice. "Whatcha want, old ghoul? If it's about Shampoo just tell her to deal with it."
The old woman shook her head. "No, I came to say goodbye."
"Goodbye?"
"Yes, we will be leaving for the village tomorrow."
Smirking, Ranma sent her a quick, jocular wave from his forehead. "Well, not like it's been fun havin' ya around, cause it hasn't, but have a nice trip."
"Not so fast, Ranma." Cologne tapped his back to get his attention. "I also come bearing a warning."
"Oh, I thought you were gonna give up." He slowly dropped into a fighting stance again. He'd taken on Saffron, Cologne was going to get a run for her money if she really wanted a fight.
Cologne shook her head again. "We are, but I thought you should know since I won't be around to watch this develop."
"What?"
She stared at him seriously, looking around the area to be certain they were alone. "Something with a twisted and evil spirit has been growing in Nerima."
"What?"
Cologne shrugged. "I'm not sure. It is too chaotic to pinpoint, but since we have arrived, it has been getting stronger."
Ranma pondered over this for a moment. He mainly didn't trust Cologne any further than she could run, but that still left some moments when the old ghoul had been of real help. Her warnings were very often important. "Yeah, well . . thanks for the warning, but whatever it is, I can take care of it."
"Goodbye, Ranma!" The old woman hopped away on her cane.
Ranma waved after her. "Seeya, Cologne!"
Loathe to admit it, he might actually miss the Amazons. The feeling passed though and Ranma stepped lightly towards the house with a grin. "Not such a bad day after all."
Inside, he caught Kasumi walking down the stairs with a smile. "Hey, Kasumi, how's dinner comin'? I'm starvin'." His stomach growled for affect, the ramen Shampoo had fed him already forgotten.
"It should be done soon, Ranma-kun." Kasumi hummed. "Now, Ranma, Akane is going through a lot of trouble for you tonight. I want you to try and be encouraging, okay?"
Ranma nodded absently as he sat at the table for the dinner he would enjoy. "Sure, I gu-Wait a minute. She's not-"
Kasumi nodded. "Making you dinner. Isn't that nice?"
Groaning, Ranma slumped lower in his seat. "She keeps cookin' like this an I'm gonna die of starvation or food poisoning."
Kasumi clucked at him, but smiled and headed into the kitchen to finish the dinner for the rest of the family.
~
The rest of the family gathered around the table about five minutes later. Nabiki finally made her way home, the wad of money in her hands larger than Ranma had seen before. He wondered for a moment who she had squeezed for the dough. His spine tingled and Ranma quickly pushed the thought aside. Some things were best not questioned.
Again, Kasumi laid down a number of dishes, skipping over Ranma and sat down to eat. A moment later, Akane stepped out of the kitchen with a proud smile on her face. Without fanfare, she scooped something out of the frying pan in her hand and into his dish that looked oddly a lot like what she'd cooked this morning. Maybe it was dead this time.
Ranma poked at it with his chopsticks. "So, uh, what is it?"
"It's tempura of course." Akane beamed
Ranma began to sweat. "Of course."
There was a moment of silence, out of respect for those on death row, as the table watched Ranma pick something fairly normal looking off of the plate. He stared at it for a moment, the green ball of gunk almost slipping through the chopstick's grasp. He swallowed and brought the bit closer to his mouth.
Everyone watched in morbid fascination as he placed it in his mouth and closed his eyes. Akane seemed to watch in wonder until she started hearing sounds of gagging and Ranma's skin turned white. She lifted the frying pan high and screamed, "Ranma no baka!"
Clang!
Nabiki winced as she watched Akane stomp back into the kitchen. Ranma had been struck face down into the pink replacement table with his face on his plate. "That must've hurt."
"The frying pan?" Kasumi asked.
Nabiki shook her head. "No, the food."
The family nodded then looked back to Ranma. "Oh my, he's turning green." Kasumi pointed out.
"Akane must be improving." Nabiki threw some of her ice water on the slowly recovering boy in some rare moment of concern.
"Are you alright, Ranma?" Kasumi asked, standing behind the boy in case she had to use the Heimlich maneuver again.
Ranma-chan looked up dazedly and found Tenodu-san leaning in closely to examine her highly dilated eyes. "Yes, I agree with Kasumi. You're not looking very well at all."
Shaking her head of the fuzziness, Ranma looked back at the man. "I'm fine Mr. Ten . . do . ."
Soun began to sweat as Ranma-chan continued to stare at him. "Uhm, well, if you're . . uh, certain."
Ranma-chan's grin spread across her face and she licked her lips slowly. In a sensuous voice like a purring cat, "Very good."
End Hint
* * *
Remember this hint chapter is highly influenced by Ranma's perceptions. As much as everyone would like to say they know what happened, we are all influenced by our preconceptions, priorities, and true awareness.
One more time for those of you who didn't see the author note at the end of Chapter 10,
Submissions: Submit to me at the email below your guess as to who, how, when, and why Ranma's life was suddenly turned upside down. You can send it in the from of an essay or short story. There is no page limit. All of this for the great distinction of having your name put up on my website and I will send out a personalized picture drawn by yours truly as a prize. Please, please, no fighting. All will be seen in turn. Please . . . hey, don't make me get the stick!
The due date for this big shindig is March 22.
Thanks for reading and your support.
Send C&C to jehtek@hotmail.com
Or visit my website at: www.geocities.com/jehtek/
Ja ne.