Ch. 8 Endings and beginnings
Kasumi had outdone herself. All of Ranma's favorite foods had been prepared in abundance. The table had been set with the Tendo's second best set of China, and Kasumi had brewed her own special blend of tea. The whole house smelled wonderful as Ranma quietly stepped in the door and slipped his shoes off.
Taking a couple of calming breaths, Ranma walked down the hall, ready for battle. - Might as well do some reconnaissance first. -
Peeking into the living area, he could see his opponents lined up, ready to strike. Nabiki stood nearest the doorway, rubbing her hands together, no doubt some plot hatching and waiting to tumble from her lips. Akane was just beyond her, ready to brain him for back talking or just on general principles. Ryoga was on the opposite side of the door (all-be-it facing the wrong direction) looking like he would take great delight in helping whomever give Ranma some grief.
Crammed together down the side of the room were Mousse, Shampoo, Ukyo and the Kunos - each hefting various implements consistent with their martial arts styles. His mother was next to Akane, clutching several documents and a tanto blade while trying to look proper and demure. Crouched in the far corner, Soun and Genma (detectable only by their scent), lay ready to pounce at any opening. Lastly, Happosai sat in a corner, smoking his pipe and eyeing the group.
Ranma heard the outside door open and close behind him, causing the group to tense. He turned to look back only to find his father beside him, looking over his shoulder. With a snort and a wave, Sessho-maru walked past him and stepped into the room.
Nobody else moved. At a look from his father, Ranma reluctantly followed him in. Still nobody moved. Trying to act casual and not stare, Ranma looked at the others out of the corner of his eye. They had started to sweat.
Kasumi swept into the room and Sessho-maru gracefully greeted their hostess. After an initial puzzled glance around, she decide the ignore the rooms new statues and began setting down dish after dish of food, spooning out rice for the three of them.
Ranma sat, tense at first, and ate quickly. After a glance of disapproval from his father he slowed down. Kasumi seemed content to refill their bowels and make polite table conversation with his father. Slowly he began to relax and started to take his time eating. Languishing over each bite while his former friends and family strove to even manage an angry tremble through their current paralysis.
The front door chime rang and Kasumi excused herself to answer. She returned shortly with Cologne who gave them a formal bow and was joined by Happosai at the table. Ranma was now wondering if he should go back through the rabbit hole or click his heels together.
When the five of them had finished, Cologne rose to her feet. "Ranma West, in accordance with an oath given long ago, I hereby absolve you of both the kiss of death and the kiss of marriage," (waves of distress from Shampoo and happiness from Mousse) "however, as you have helped out our tribe during the Saffron incident, I name you an honorary amazon." Then in a less formal tone she added, "It's been wonderful teaching you child, and if I have your father's permission . . .", Sessho-maru inclined his head, "I will continue to do so in the future. Once, a long time ago, I was called Sango, and as Inu-Yasha I owe you a great dept."
The smurfs could have walked through at this point and it wouldn't have fazed Ranma.
Happosai then stood up. "I, formerly known as Miroku, offer my deepest apologies. I too took an oath, and if there is anything I can do for you or teach you, just say the word."
"Thank you." Ranma also stood and bowed. Happosai and Cologne returned it and then left the room. Sessho-maru stood and thanked Kasumi for the meal, "And thank you for the care and kindness you have given my son. If there is anything I can ever do for you, just ask."
Kasumi thanked him deeply with a curtsy of her own. Sessho-maru turned to Ranma and raised one eyebrow. Ranma ran up the stairs, grabbed his pack, and just as promptly came back down. Thanking Kasumi again, he then turned to the corner where Mr. Tendo lay crouched. "I thank you for allowing me to stay at your home and your generosity in offering me a place in your family."
Then they left. The bulk of the rooms inhabitants remained unmoving for another hour, then collapsed to the floor. By then Ranma was checking out his new 'home'.
* * * *
- Home again, home again, jiggity jig. - thought Kagome as she walked, dragging her feet on the ground. It just wasn't the same coming home if there was no insistent hanyo complaining about wasted time and grumbling over jewel shards. - Or with that cute puzzled look on his face whenever I tried to explain tests to him, or when he'd get jealous if I'd talked to Hojo, or . . .- Kagome shook her head, clearing her thoughts before she began to spiral down into a depression again.
After a lingering look at the well, Kagome trudged toward the house. Even her friends at school hadn't been able to alleviate the weight that rested on her heart. Just as she passed around the corner a young man in red and black came bounding up the steps to the shrine.
This is it! This is the right shrine, I know it! Looking around frantically, Ranma tried to see if anyone was around. Spotting an old priest, Kagome's grandfather!, he walked up to him an inquired about the shrine.
"Ah, so your interested in our shrine, young man?"
"Yeah, actually, I was wondering if you could tell me some of its history."
Kagome froze. That voice!
"That is a very interesting tale young man," the old priest preened, "this shrine is steeped in history. One of its most famous stories is that of a shrine maiden who guarded a sacred jewel."
As her grandfather droned on, Kagome crept back around the corner of the house and peeked at their guest. He was leaning forward intently, listening to her grandfather. Now and again the young man would ask questions and she'd start at the sound of his voice.
"So, is their a current miko living here now?" The young man seemed to become agitated at this point, looking down at his shoes and tracing through the dirt with one toe.
Inu-Yasha always did that when he was really nervous. Shaking slightly, she stepped up to them, interrupting her grandfather before he could respond. "Yes, that's me."
Ranma whipped around. He'd been so overwhelmed that he'd actually found the place that he hadn't noticed her walk up. As his gaze rested on her, a tingling sensation seemed to pass through his body and his blood seemed to fluctuate between fire and ice.
The old priest cleared his throat, trying to regain Ranma's attention. "Yes, well, our family has carried on the tradition . . ."
Neither teenager was paying the old man any heed as he continued. Kagome stared at the boy's face. He seemed frozen in place. Then those startled eyes turned warm, and he smirked at her, folding his arms. Kagome felt her heart beating in her ears as she walked up to him, reached out, and placed both her hands on the sides of his face.
Ranma melted into those hands. Gone was the smirk, and closing his eyes, he suddenly found himself fighting off tears.
Kagome heard somebody choke, and didn't know whether it had come from her or him. Then she carefully stepped back from him, and he opened his eyes, giving her a searching look. Kagome thrust out one hand. "Hi, my name is Kagome Higurashi, what's yours?"
"Ranma, Ranma West."
They stood there looking at each other. By now Kagome's grandfather had clued into the fact that his audience was now less than receptive and was giving them his patented "you should pay attention to your elders" glare.
"Won't you come inside for some tea?" Kagome offered.
Ranma, in a rare social insight (the gods must have intervened), realized Kagome's dilemma. She had never wanted herself associated with her previous incarnation. Although she did acknowledge the similarities, she had professed that she was herself, not Kikyo. So, maybe she wants to get to know Ranma, even if he was Inu-Yasha. With a soft smile he replied, "I'd like that," and followed her into the house.
Kasumi had outdone herself. All of Ranma's favorite foods had been prepared in abundance. The table had been set with the Tendo's second best set of China, and Kasumi had brewed her own special blend of tea. The whole house smelled wonderful as Ranma quietly stepped in the door and slipped his shoes off.
Taking a couple of calming breaths, Ranma walked down the hall, ready for battle. - Might as well do some reconnaissance first. -
Peeking into the living area, he could see his opponents lined up, ready to strike. Nabiki stood nearest the doorway, rubbing her hands together, no doubt some plot hatching and waiting to tumble from her lips. Akane was just beyond her, ready to brain him for back talking or just on general principles. Ryoga was on the opposite side of the door (all-be-it facing the wrong direction) looking like he would take great delight in helping whomever give Ranma some grief.
Crammed together down the side of the room were Mousse, Shampoo, Ukyo and the Kunos - each hefting various implements consistent with their martial arts styles. His mother was next to Akane, clutching several documents and a tanto blade while trying to look proper and demure. Crouched in the far corner, Soun and Genma (detectable only by their scent), lay ready to pounce at any opening. Lastly, Happosai sat in a corner, smoking his pipe and eyeing the group.
Ranma heard the outside door open and close behind him, causing the group to tense. He turned to look back only to find his father beside him, looking over his shoulder. With a snort and a wave, Sessho-maru walked past him and stepped into the room.
Nobody else moved. At a look from his father, Ranma reluctantly followed him in. Still nobody moved. Trying to act casual and not stare, Ranma looked at the others out of the corner of his eye. They had started to sweat.
Kasumi swept into the room and Sessho-maru gracefully greeted their hostess. After an initial puzzled glance around, she decide the ignore the rooms new statues and began setting down dish after dish of food, spooning out rice for the three of them.
Ranma sat, tense at first, and ate quickly. After a glance of disapproval from his father he slowed down. Kasumi seemed content to refill their bowels and make polite table conversation with his father. Slowly he began to relax and started to take his time eating. Languishing over each bite while his former friends and family strove to even manage an angry tremble through their current paralysis.
The front door chime rang and Kasumi excused herself to answer. She returned shortly with Cologne who gave them a formal bow and was joined by Happosai at the table. Ranma was now wondering if he should go back through the rabbit hole or click his heels together.
When the five of them had finished, Cologne rose to her feet. "Ranma West, in accordance with an oath given long ago, I hereby absolve you of both the kiss of death and the kiss of marriage," (waves of distress from Shampoo and happiness from Mousse) "however, as you have helped out our tribe during the Saffron incident, I name you an honorary amazon." Then in a less formal tone she added, "It's been wonderful teaching you child, and if I have your father's permission . . .", Sessho-maru inclined his head, "I will continue to do so in the future. Once, a long time ago, I was called Sango, and as Inu-Yasha I owe you a great dept."
The smurfs could have walked through at this point and it wouldn't have fazed Ranma.
Happosai then stood up. "I, formerly known as Miroku, offer my deepest apologies. I too took an oath, and if there is anything I can do for you or teach you, just say the word."
"Thank you." Ranma also stood and bowed. Happosai and Cologne returned it and then left the room. Sessho-maru stood and thanked Kasumi for the meal, "And thank you for the care and kindness you have given my son. If there is anything I can ever do for you, just ask."
Kasumi thanked him deeply with a curtsy of her own. Sessho-maru turned to Ranma and raised one eyebrow. Ranma ran up the stairs, grabbed his pack, and just as promptly came back down. Thanking Kasumi again, he then turned to the corner where Mr. Tendo lay crouched. "I thank you for allowing me to stay at your home and your generosity in offering me a place in your family."
Then they left. The bulk of the rooms inhabitants remained unmoving for another hour, then collapsed to the floor. By then Ranma was checking out his new 'home'.
* * * *
- Home again, home again, jiggity jig. - thought Kagome as she walked, dragging her feet on the ground. It just wasn't the same coming home if there was no insistent hanyo complaining about wasted time and grumbling over jewel shards. - Or with that cute puzzled look on his face whenever I tried to explain tests to him, or when he'd get jealous if I'd talked to Hojo, or . . .- Kagome shook her head, clearing her thoughts before she began to spiral down into a depression again.
After a lingering look at the well, Kagome trudged toward the house. Even her friends at school hadn't been able to alleviate the weight that rested on her heart. Just as she passed around the corner a young man in red and black came bounding up the steps to the shrine.
This is it! This is the right shrine, I know it! Looking around frantically, Ranma tried to see if anyone was around. Spotting an old priest, Kagome's grandfather!, he walked up to him an inquired about the shrine.
"Ah, so your interested in our shrine, young man?"
"Yeah, actually, I was wondering if you could tell me some of its history."
Kagome froze. That voice!
"That is a very interesting tale young man," the old priest preened, "this shrine is steeped in history. One of its most famous stories is that of a shrine maiden who guarded a sacred jewel."
As her grandfather droned on, Kagome crept back around the corner of the house and peeked at their guest. He was leaning forward intently, listening to her grandfather. Now and again the young man would ask questions and she'd start at the sound of his voice.
"So, is their a current miko living here now?" The young man seemed to become agitated at this point, looking down at his shoes and tracing through the dirt with one toe.
Inu-Yasha always did that when he was really nervous. Shaking slightly, she stepped up to them, interrupting her grandfather before he could respond. "Yes, that's me."
Ranma whipped around. He'd been so overwhelmed that he'd actually found the place that he hadn't noticed her walk up. As his gaze rested on her, a tingling sensation seemed to pass through his body and his blood seemed to fluctuate between fire and ice.
The old priest cleared his throat, trying to regain Ranma's attention. "Yes, well, our family has carried on the tradition . . ."
Neither teenager was paying the old man any heed as he continued. Kagome stared at the boy's face. He seemed frozen in place. Then those startled eyes turned warm, and he smirked at her, folding his arms. Kagome felt her heart beating in her ears as she walked up to him, reached out, and placed both her hands on the sides of his face.
Ranma melted into those hands. Gone was the smirk, and closing his eyes, he suddenly found himself fighting off tears.
Kagome heard somebody choke, and didn't know whether it had come from her or him. Then she carefully stepped back from him, and he opened his eyes, giving her a searching look. Kagome thrust out one hand. "Hi, my name is Kagome Higurashi, what's yours?"
"Ranma, Ranma West."
They stood there looking at each other. By now Kagome's grandfather had clued into the fact that his audience was now less than receptive and was giving them his patented "you should pay attention to your elders" glare.
"Won't you come inside for some tea?" Kagome offered.
Ranma, in a rare social insight (the gods must have intervened), realized Kagome's dilemma. She had never wanted herself associated with her previous incarnation. Although she did acknowledge the similarities, she had professed that she was herself, not Kikyo. So, maybe she wants to get to know Ranma, even if he was Inu-Yasha. With a soft smile he replied, "I'd like that," and followed her into the house.