Disclaimer: All anime characters portrayed in this series are owned by
their respective creators, as are any original characters that appear.
This is a work of fanfiction and is not to be taken literally.
------Introduction------
Ranma, in girl form, walked back to the front of the Tendo Household and noticed who was there. Of coarse her focus took a different turn, "So are you assisting the pig-headed fool?"
"I have no idea what you are talking about," I said with a slight shrug of my shoulders giving the indication that I really had no clue what Ranma was talking about.
Akane glared at Ranma, "What ARE you talking about? He just came here to return P-chan."
Ranma shrugged, "Whatever. He doesn't act like any other boys I know."
The role playing game storyline had just shifted and was no longer going the same way it had. Well there was no way for me to go along with something I didn't know so it was time for me to start being myself.
"You've got me Ranma, I'm not a boy and neither are you currently," I said revealing what should have been slightly obvious to those truly paying attention.
And then there was a piercing silence.
------Identity Crisis------
Ranma broke down laughing a split second later. If Ryoga/P-chan had been in human form he would have lost the potential ability to speak again, judging from the look on the little piglet's face. I couldn't figure out what was so funny about my revelation, but then again this is Ranma we're talking about. Considering all the strange stuff that goes on in Nerima on a regular basis, Akane didn't appear that surprised at all.
"You certainly have everyone fooled," noted Akane.
I shrugged, "I just let them believe what they wanted to and everyone mistook me for a boy."
Ranma stopped laughing and asked, "Would you like a list of reasons why everyone could possibly think that?"
I shrugged again, "I dunno, maybe it's because I look, act and dress like a boy on a regular basis because I'm a tomboy. Or maybe it's because some people just don't pay attention and just think based on first appearences. Of coarse whenever I was in a swimsuit they all thought I was someone else, aside from the faculty members who were totally aware of the fact that I was a girl the whole time."
Ranma blinked, "And that doesn't bother you?"
"Of coarse not," I said casting aside the odd looks I was being given by both Ranma and Akane, and not to mention a certain little black piglet.
"Woah, she's more of a tomboy than you are Akane," stated Ranma once again with a big smile plastered on her face. It seemed like nothing could actually surprise her enough to keep her mouth shut.
Akane's mallet flashed into existence at that statement. *CRACK!* Then Ranma was sent sailing into a small orbit, away from the Tendo Household. Just as suddenly as it had appeared, the mallet was gone. No wonder Ryoga hadn't bothered asking me about the little thing in the locker room when I had materialized his clothes [although by now both he and Ranma must have been wondering what the heck I had been doing in the boys locker room to begin with].
"Eh...I suppose I should get going...I don't want to cause any more trouble," I suggested beginning to turn around. I added quietly to myself, "My apartment could take the remainder of the afternoon to locate-"
"Are you lost?" asked Akane.
I shrugged, "I don't know if this could be defined as lost...I've been to exactly where my apartment was this morning and by all means it seems to have vanished. Don't worry, this happens every day, and I always manage to find it eventually."
"I guess we'll be seeing you again tomorrow then," said Akane.
I nodded, "Sounds about right to me."
With that I took off once again in search of a certain apartment. I didn't notice the fact that the strap that was holding my sword, currently sheathed, over my shoulder had come undone and that the object in question fell to the ground, as I ran off, without a sound [magic objects tend to do that].
*~*~*~*~*
I stopped off at Nerima District Park to take a short rest. I had been doing a lot of walking during the coarse of the afternoon and I was starting to get tired. I caught sight of Ranma, still in girl form, lodged in a tree. At the moment she was trying to get herself out of the hole she had made through the tree.
"She did not have to hit me that hard," muttered a very disoriented Ranma as she collapsed to the ground after getting out of the tree.
My conscience got the better of me, "Well this was my fault...I guess I should help him out."
By the time I got over to her, Ranma was on her feet again, but still looked like a complete mess from her earlier flight.
I snapped the fingers of my right hand and materialized a tea kettle, complete with hot water. I asked, "Would you like to return to normal Ranma?"
Ranma nodded and accepted the kettle, pouring the contents on her head and thus returning to boy form. Then he asked, "Do you always go making things appear out of thin air?"
"It beats carrying everything..." I said. "Perhaps I owe everyone an explanation about what is going on with me, but currently I'm not even sure what is going on. I guess the only thing for me to do now is look for my apartment..."
Ranma blinked, "Are you lost?"
"Not exactly," I muttered, growing quite annoyed with what I had originally designed as a role playing joke. When it came right down to it, I liked being able to find my place of residence and just kick back and relax. I continued, "I can find any other place in Nerima, except for my apartment. You'd think it could sprout wings and fly away..."
"Most normal people would find that weird, but considering the things I've seen, that doesn't sound all that unusual," said Ranma.
I just realized that something was missing, "Ack! I must have dropped it when I took off before..."
"What are you talking about?" asked Ranma.
"I must have dropped my sword when I took off to make another round of looking for my apartment," I answered. "Leave it to me not to notice something like that..."
Ranma said, "So I suppose that means you dropped it on your way here...which means you'll have to go back to the Tendo House again."
"I certainly can't be leaving my sword behind," I sighed.
We began walking back to the Tendo House.
"So you don't take being called a tomboy as an insult?" asked Ranma.
"If I haven't taken being refered to as a boy as an insult, what would make me feel insulted by being called a tomboy?" I asked.
"Good point," said Ranma.
"Besides, I am the one who admitted to being a tomboy in the first place," I added with a laugh.
*~*~*~*~*
When we arrived back at the Tendo House, I easily located and recovered my sword. I strapped the sword over my shoulder again and made certain it was secure.
"I'll be on my way now," I said, "see ya."
"Uh...sure," said Ranma.
With that I began walking in the direction of my apartment again. I was certain that I would find it sooner or later, so I might as well just keep on looking.
*~*~*~*~*
I was approaching Nerima district park for the umpteenth time that day when suddenly I felt something heavy hit me over the head. I could have sworn I saw stars swirling in front of my eyes before I lost consciousness.
*~*~*~*~*
When I opened my eyes I was in a large room, that was dimly lit, laying on what appeared to be a hospital bed. I blinked several times adjusting my vision to the dim lighting and took a look around. The room looked familiar, but in my half-conscious state I couldn't quite place where I had seen it before.
"So you're awake," said a voice much to cheerful to be coming from a being deemed a mad scientist.
"Eh...did someone get the number of that bus?" I asked dumbly.
Washu stated, "You really haven't been yourself since that energy disturbance I traced to your apartment this morning Crystal. Then again, you already knew that, and of coarse I already figured out why."
At this point I was fully away and sitting up. I could help asking, "Why did you have me hit over the head before I got here?"
"Well I couldn't very well transport you awake...my new transporter device doesn't work like that," answered Washu. "Of coarse you aren't really Crystal, at least not mentally. You are Rachel, but what does that matter when in reality you and Crystal and very much the same person."
I yawned, "I dunno what you're talking about. Crystal is a character I designed."
Washu persued her statement, "Ah, but where did the primary basis for your character come from?"
"Myself I guess," I answered, "but how could she and I be one and the same?"
"You and she are more alike than you want to admit. She shares your feelings of being alone and scared. She has your determination and spirit. She also has the confidence and courage that you believe you have lost. Sure she has a bunch of cool special powers, but those are what you imagine you would have in a world like the one your dream about," said Washu. "Maybe when you figure out who you really are you will be able to go home if you want to."
I let the idea sink in, "Well for now I plan to keep being Crystal. After all, the people around here expect to see Crystal, not Rachel."
"Suit yourself," said Washu.
With that I was rendered unconscious again.
*~*~*~*~*
I was myself again when I openned my eyes. I was looking at Crystal in front of me, but I could feel that I was back to myself, even if I was still quite animated.
"So you are enjoying this new life of yours?" asked Crystal.
I nodded, "There are still a few bugs to workout, but I can handle it."
"Good luck," said Crystal before disappearing.
"Thanks...I think," I said to myself.
*~*~*~*~*
I woke up on my futon, back in my apartment with my school bag next to me. I was Crystal again. It was extremely early, even by my standards, but I figured the reason my brain had woken my up was cause I still had homework to do.
I sighed, "One of the problems is that I still have school in this world..."
I walked over to the calander I had checked before and noticed that a date was marked. At least summer in this world was only a week away in this world.
I wondered to myself, "What will summer be like for me as Crystal?"
*~*~*~*~*
As sunrise finally came I was finished the homework I had been awake so early to complete. Now was the time for making breakfast of some kind and getting ready for a new day. I was quite against the idea of wearing the same outfit two days in a row. With that in mind I decided the first thing for someone like me to do was to take a shower.
While I took my shower I thought a little about what Washu had told me. I came to the conclusion that until I was comfortable with this new world I would keep up the Crystal act. It was true that Crystal did hold the confidence and courage that I believed I had lost and it was much easier to pretend I still had it than to believe I still had it.
*~*~*~*~*
Once I was out of the shower and dry I snapped my fingers to materialize myself a new outfit. I settled on a pair of black Gi-like pants and a sleeveless green Chinese-style top with a dragon and phoenix pattern on it. I smirked at myself in the mirror thinking how nice it was that I could at least use my wardrobe from my world.
I left the bathroom and went back to the main room of the apartment. I looked to the sword that was resting against the coathanger and decided that I could do without it. I went to the kitchen and started on my breakfast.
*~*~*~*~*
Once I was finished with breakfast and everything else that needed doing in the morning, I decided I was ready to go. It was still pretty early, but I decided that an early start would probably give me some time to think. I lifed my school bag off of the couch and walked out the door.
"I've got a long day ahead of me..." I muttered to myself.
*~*~*~*~*
To Be Continued...
------Introduction------
Ranma, in girl form, walked back to the front of the Tendo Household and noticed who was there. Of coarse her focus took a different turn, "So are you assisting the pig-headed fool?"
"I have no idea what you are talking about," I said with a slight shrug of my shoulders giving the indication that I really had no clue what Ranma was talking about.
Akane glared at Ranma, "What ARE you talking about? He just came here to return P-chan."
Ranma shrugged, "Whatever. He doesn't act like any other boys I know."
The role playing game storyline had just shifted and was no longer going the same way it had. Well there was no way for me to go along with something I didn't know so it was time for me to start being myself.
"You've got me Ranma, I'm not a boy and neither are you currently," I said revealing what should have been slightly obvious to those truly paying attention.
And then there was a piercing silence.
------Identity Crisis------
Ranma broke down laughing a split second later. If Ryoga/P-chan had been in human form he would have lost the potential ability to speak again, judging from the look on the little piglet's face. I couldn't figure out what was so funny about my revelation, but then again this is Ranma we're talking about. Considering all the strange stuff that goes on in Nerima on a regular basis, Akane didn't appear that surprised at all.
"You certainly have everyone fooled," noted Akane.
I shrugged, "I just let them believe what they wanted to and everyone mistook me for a boy."
Ranma stopped laughing and asked, "Would you like a list of reasons why everyone could possibly think that?"
I shrugged again, "I dunno, maybe it's because I look, act and dress like a boy on a regular basis because I'm a tomboy. Or maybe it's because some people just don't pay attention and just think based on first appearences. Of coarse whenever I was in a swimsuit they all thought I was someone else, aside from the faculty members who were totally aware of the fact that I was a girl the whole time."
Ranma blinked, "And that doesn't bother you?"
"Of coarse not," I said casting aside the odd looks I was being given by both Ranma and Akane, and not to mention a certain little black piglet.
"Woah, she's more of a tomboy than you are Akane," stated Ranma once again with a big smile plastered on her face. It seemed like nothing could actually surprise her enough to keep her mouth shut.
Akane's mallet flashed into existence at that statement. *CRACK!* Then Ranma was sent sailing into a small orbit, away from the Tendo Household. Just as suddenly as it had appeared, the mallet was gone. No wonder Ryoga hadn't bothered asking me about the little thing in the locker room when I had materialized his clothes [although by now both he and Ranma must have been wondering what the heck I had been doing in the boys locker room to begin with].
"Eh...I suppose I should get going...I don't want to cause any more trouble," I suggested beginning to turn around. I added quietly to myself, "My apartment could take the remainder of the afternoon to locate-"
"Are you lost?" asked Akane.
I shrugged, "I don't know if this could be defined as lost...I've been to exactly where my apartment was this morning and by all means it seems to have vanished. Don't worry, this happens every day, and I always manage to find it eventually."
"I guess we'll be seeing you again tomorrow then," said Akane.
I nodded, "Sounds about right to me."
With that I took off once again in search of a certain apartment. I didn't notice the fact that the strap that was holding my sword, currently sheathed, over my shoulder had come undone and that the object in question fell to the ground, as I ran off, without a sound [magic objects tend to do that].
*~*~*~*~*
I stopped off at Nerima District Park to take a short rest. I had been doing a lot of walking during the coarse of the afternoon and I was starting to get tired. I caught sight of Ranma, still in girl form, lodged in a tree. At the moment she was trying to get herself out of the hole she had made through the tree.
"She did not have to hit me that hard," muttered a very disoriented Ranma as she collapsed to the ground after getting out of the tree.
My conscience got the better of me, "Well this was my fault...I guess I should help him out."
By the time I got over to her, Ranma was on her feet again, but still looked like a complete mess from her earlier flight.
I snapped the fingers of my right hand and materialized a tea kettle, complete with hot water. I asked, "Would you like to return to normal Ranma?"
Ranma nodded and accepted the kettle, pouring the contents on her head and thus returning to boy form. Then he asked, "Do you always go making things appear out of thin air?"
"It beats carrying everything..." I said. "Perhaps I owe everyone an explanation about what is going on with me, but currently I'm not even sure what is going on. I guess the only thing for me to do now is look for my apartment..."
Ranma blinked, "Are you lost?"
"Not exactly," I muttered, growing quite annoyed with what I had originally designed as a role playing joke. When it came right down to it, I liked being able to find my place of residence and just kick back and relax. I continued, "I can find any other place in Nerima, except for my apartment. You'd think it could sprout wings and fly away..."
"Most normal people would find that weird, but considering the things I've seen, that doesn't sound all that unusual," said Ranma.
I just realized that something was missing, "Ack! I must have dropped it when I took off before..."
"What are you talking about?" asked Ranma.
"I must have dropped my sword when I took off to make another round of looking for my apartment," I answered. "Leave it to me not to notice something like that..."
Ranma said, "So I suppose that means you dropped it on your way here...which means you'll have to go back to the Tendo House again."
"I certainly can't be leaving my sword behind," I sighed.
We began walking back to the Tendo House.
"So you don't take being called a tomboy as an insult?" asked Ranma.
"If I haven't taken being refered to as a boy as an insult, what would make me feel insulted by being called a tomboy?" I asked.
"Good point," said Ranma.
"Besides, I am the one who admitted to being a tomboy in the first place," I added with a laugh.
*~*~*~*~*
When we arrived back at the Tendo House, I easily located and recovered my sword. I strapped the sword over my shoulder again and made certain it was secure.
"I'll be on my way now," I said, "see ya."
"Uh...sure," said Ranma.
With that I began walking in the direction of my apartment again. I was certain that I would find it sooner or later, so I might as well just keep on looking.
*~*~*~*~*
I was approaching Nerima district park for the umpteenth time that day when suddenly I felt something heavy hit me over the head. I could have sworn I saw stars swirling in front of my eyes before I lost consciousness.
*~*~*~*~*
When I opened my eyes I was in a large room, that was dimly lit, laying on what appeared to be a hospital bed. I blinked several times adjusting my vision to the dim lighting and took a look around. The room looked familiar, but in my half-conscious state I couldn't quite place where I had seen it before.
"So you're awake," said a voice much to cheerful to be coming from a being deemed a mad scientist.
"Eh...did someone get the number of that bus?" I asked dumbly.
Washu stated, "You really haven't been yourself since that energy disturbance I traced to your apartment this morning Crystal. Then again, you already knew that, and of coarse I already figured out why."
At this point I was fully away and sitting up. I could help asking, "Why did you have me hit over the head before I got here?"
"Well I couldn't very well transport you awake...my new transporter device doesn't work like that," answered Washu. "Of coarse you aren't really Crystal, at least not mentally. You are Rachel, but what does that matter when in reality you and Crystal and very much the same person."
I yawned, "I dunno what you're talking about. Crystal is a character I designed."
Washu persued her statement, "Ah, but where did the primary basis for your character come from?"
"Myself I guess," I answered, "but how could she and I be one and the same?"
"You and she are more alike than you want to admit. She shares your feelings of being alone and scared. She has your determination and spirit. She also has the confidence and courage that you believe you have lost. Sure she has a bunch of cool special powers, but those are what you imagine you would have in a world like the one your dream about," said Washu. "Maybe when you figure out who you really are you will be able to go home if you want to."
I let the idea sink in, "Well for now I plan to keep being Crystal. After all, the people around here expect to see Crystal, not Rachel."
"Suit yourself," said Washu.
With that I was rendered unconscious again.
*~*~*~*~*
I was myself again when I openned my eyes. I was looking at Crystal in front of me, but I could feel that I was back to myself, even if I was still quite animated.
"So you are enjoying this new life of yours?" asked Crystal.
I nodded, "There are still a few bugs to workout, but I can handle it."
"Good luck," said Crystal before disappearing.
"Thanks...I think," I said to myself.
*~*~*~*~*
I woke up on my futon, back in my apartment with my school bag next to me. I was Crystal again. It was extremely early, even by my standards, but I figured the reason my brain had woken my up was cause I still had homework to do.
I sighed, "One of the problems is that I still have school in this world..."
I walked over to the calander I had checked before and noticed that a date was marked. At least summer in this world was only a week away in this world.
I wondered to myself, "What will summer be like for me as Crystal?"
*~*~*~*~*
As sunrise finally came I was finished the homework I had been awake so early to complete. Now was the time for making breakfast of some kind and getting ready for a new day. I was quite against the idea of wearing the same outfit two days in a row. With that in mind I decided the first thing for someone like me to do was to take a shower.
While I took my shower I thought a little about what Washu had told me. I came to the conclusion that until I was comfortable with this new world I would keep up the Crystal act. It was true that Crystal did hold the confidence and courage that I believed I had lost and it was much easier to pretend I still had it than to believe I still had it.
*~*~*~*~*
Once I was out of the shower and dry I snapped my fingers to materialize myself a new outfit. I settled on a pair of black Gi-like pants and a sleeveless green Chinese-style top with a dragon and phoenix pattern on it. I smirked at myself in the mirror thinking how nice it was that I could at least use my wardrobe from my world.
I left the bathroom and went back to the main room of the apartment. I looked to the sword that was resting against the coathanger and decided that I could do without it. I went to the kitchen and started on my breakfast.
*~*~*~*~*
Once I was finished with breakfast and everything else that needed doing in the morning, I decided I was ready to go. It was still pretty early, but I decided that an early start would probably give me some time to think. I lifed my school bag off of the couch and walked out the door.
"I've got a long day ahead of me..." I muttered to myself.
*~*~*~*~*
To Be Continued...