"Hey, Hey, you okay" a voice vibrates in the head of the red headed girl
lying in a crater. Raising herself onto her hands and knees and then into
a sitting position slowly and in obvious pain she asks, "What's going on? I
feel so weak." As she sits up her eyes alight on a small boy in a blueish
/ purple gi with a wild mane of black hair sticking in all directions and a
brown tail waging behind him.
"What did you say kid," asks the girl.
"I said you okay? Where did you come from anyway? You just popped outta nowhere. How did you do that? Hey what are you anyway? Why do you have a butt on your chest? I'm Goku, what's your name?" The boy babbles at a mile a minute.
Eyes wide the girl looks at the boy in confusion her eyes crossing in confusion at the multitude of questions, "what's that? Butt on my chest? Goku? What?"
Leaning into her face innocently the boy looks on questioningly, "so what's your name?" His close presence causes the girl to lean back "I ...I...don't know? . . . I can't remember . . . I can't remember anything!" Exclaims the girl in confusion eyes wide as she looks at the boy.
******************************
Big Sister
By Verse12
Verse12@hotmail.com
******************************
Disclaimer:
I do not own these characters nor do I claim too, this is a simple fan based homage. Their creators and the companies they work for and with own the characters and all that pertains to them. (I.E. Rumiko Takahashi, Viz, Shougakukan, Pioneer LDC, Hiroki Hayashi, Ryoe Tsukimura, Akira Toriyama) This is just fans of the shows expressing their love for it for fun, no profit is involved or expected thank you.
******************************
Chapter One
Beginnings Part Three
Or
Hi I'm Goku!
Note: also some people don't seem get the fact that I deliberately misspell some words when it is in dialogue for say, Ranma's slurring slang.
******************************
Stumbling along the path while being supported by the boy named Goku, is the currently female and amnesiac known to us as Ranma. Her weary gate and sweat soaked brow reflect her pain, while her eyes show the intense concentration going on in her mind.
'What's going on?' she thinks as she barely avoids tripping on a rock.
'Goku here says I just popped outta nowhere in front of him as he was heading to the river. But where did I come from? And how do I get back? I just don't have enough information to tell me anything. And Goku here isn't going to be any help seeing how he doesn't even know what's over the next mountain.'
'Took forever to get that from him' she muses reflecting on the conversation that took place a few minutes ago in the clearing she had popped into.
******************************
(Flashback)
"So you really don't know your name?" inquires the young boy to the petite red head sitting on the ground where she had first appeared only moments before.
Shaking her bleary head to try and clear it, she looks up as he leans into her face with a guileless expression.
"No I can't remember anything about my life," she says in a weak and confused tone. "Where are we any way?"
Smiling in a happy way the lad replies with the singularly vague comment, "near the river."
Confused is only the beginning of her stare at this statement, before she asks "what river?"
Confused himself at this question, "what do you mean, what river?"
"I mean what river is it?" She asks again.
Face lighting up in understanding the boy tells her, "Ooooohhhhh I get it, it's the one nearest the house."
Face faulting after that brilliant comment, she mutters about crazy boys. "Look forget about the river, what I meant was where are we in a broader sense, you know? Maybe it'll help me remember something. "
Even more confused the young monkey tailed boy looks at her before shaking his head "I don't think I can just forget about the river, and if I could where would I get fish to eat when I want some?"
Face faulting again the red head mutters about this getting to be a habit, "I didn't mean forget about the river for real, I just meant don't worry about what I was saying before."
"OOHHH I get it," the boy exclaims before asking in a sweet yet confused way, "how could you forget something like that any way?"
"AAAAAHHHHHH!!!!" resonates the cry of the exasperated girl thru the valley.
A short time later Goku takes his hands from his ears asking, "why did you scream like that anyway?"
Exhaling thru grit teeth Ranma holds her shaking hands up in a calming gesture, not trying to calm Goku because he was only confused, but to calm herself.
"Just, just, just give a hand okay?" she finally calms down enough to ask for the help in getting up.
Face falling into an expression of horror the powerhouse lad jumps back and gets into a defensive position "MY HAND, NO WAY you must be some kinda hand eating monster, but you aint getting me."
Looking at the boy across from her the pig tailed girl mutters "you've gotta be kidding me" while dropping her head in disbelief.
(End Flashback)
******************************
'Kids gotta be as smart as a box a rocks, seems to be nice enough in the end though.' Muses the girl being helped along by Goku. 'Took a forever to convince him I wasn't a "hand eating monster?" she thinks shaking her head in disbelief. 'Where did he come up with that one anyway?'
'Maybe this grandpa of his can help me, at least maybe he can tell me where I am, that might help me remember something. I also should say something over how he can justify Goku not even knowing anything about the world at large?' she thinks in something suspiciously resembling feminine outrage.
Looking over to Goku Ranma asks him, "How much further is it anyway."
Smiling in his sweet way the Boy replies, "Not far, in fact . . . there it is." He states in jubilation as they road a bend coming into sight of a small one room house that has Chinese style architecture sitting in a clearing.
"GRANPA!" shouts Goku at a deafening level causing Ranma to cringe at the noise.
An elderly man wearing Chinese style clothing including a little cap and a large mustache pokes his head out of the front door looking in their direction with a questioning, "Hum?"
Grinning and rubbing the back of his head in a sheepish yet happy way Goku calls out, "I met someone, they say they're a girl."
Looking confused at the boy Ranma asks, "what do you mean said I'm a girl, I am a Girl, can't you tell?"
"Uuuhhh, no?" replies the boy before dragging her over to the house where Gohan scolds him for being rude to a guest, and a beautiful young women at that.
This comment causes Ranma to blush slightly, as Gohan Apologizes to her for Goku's comments. Still blushing a bit Ranma replies that it's "no prob."
After sitting down on some cushions at the small low table on the floor Gohan asks their guest "so my dear why are you so far out in the middle of nowhere?"
To this Ranma can only sheepishly reply that she doesn't exactly know where she is, how she got there, or even who she is.
Before she can say anything more though Goku bursts in on the story of how she just popped out of no where when he was heading for the river and then he starts babbling again over how can someone forget about a river.
Looking confused at this Gohan just shakes his head muttering something about "falling off a cliff." Before he turns to Ranma and nods while saying, "that's a very interesting story and of course we will help you in any way we can. And I may have some ideas on your memory loss."
Surprised the pigtailed girl asks, "how? Are you a doctor or something?"
Shaking his head negatively Gohan smiles telling her, "no I'm not a doctor, I am a martial arts sensei and I may know some techniques that may help, I'll have to check some things. Also your peculiar mode of transport, I have heard of techniques that allow for things like that, I'll look into that as well it may give some clue as to where you're from."
"Really? That would be great," beams the red headed girl at him before yawning widely. Blushing in embarrassment Ranma bobs her head down before sheepishly saying "sorry."
Smiling Gohan indicates a futon on one side of the room "would you like to rest for a bit? When you get up I'll have some food ready, and I'll try to find you a new shirt. That one looks like it's seen better days."
Smiling back Ranma has revised her opinion of Gohan telling him, "Yes I do feel real weak and tired, thank you for your hospitality."
"Come now Goku lets let miss . . . miss? I'm sorry we really don't know what to call you do we?"
Embarrassed the pig tailed girl grimaces at that comment, "I'm sorry I don't know what my name is."
"Well," Gohan says as he stands up, "we can't call you miss forever. I know until we know what your name is we'll have to call you something. Do you have any ideas?"
Standing up slowly the red headed girl frowns for a second before responding "I really don't know."
Shaking his head in understanding Gohan says, "don't worry about it right now just relax, tell you what though since you're hair's red lets just call you . . . um . . . I know how about Aka . . . no that's not right its red alright but you don't seem the angry type. How about . . ."
On hearing the name though Ranma steps back in shock blurting out, "Akane? Is that what you were going to say?"
"You like it?" asks Gohan in confusion at the girl's reaction, "Does it remind you of anything?"
Frowning in thought for a minute Ranma eventually just shakes her head before responding "no it doesn't, for a second I thought I remembered something but then it was gone."
Smiling good-naturedly Gohan reassures her, "I'm sure your memory will return to you soon, your memory loss may just be the result of your unusual trip."
Smiling Ranma walks over to the futon while telling Gohan and Goku that the name Akane would be fine for now.
Nodding Gohan ushers the surprisingly quiet Goku out of the house to have a little talk but not before turning to the tired girl telling her "have a good rest Akane I'll have those things I talked about when you awaken."
Slipping under the blanket Ranma /Akane turns her head to the older man, "thank you Gohan Sensei."
Smiling he shakes his head "nonsense my girl it's a martial artist duty to help others when they can't help themselves and please call me grandpa, calling me Gohan Sensei makes me feel so old."
Giggling the pig tailed girl nods before saying "thank you grandpa Gohan."
Nodding the older man leaves to have a talk to Goku about women leaving "Akane" to rest.
******************************
Outside the cottage Gohan approaches the quiet boy sitting on a stump across the clearing watching as he used a stick to stir in the dirt. Concerned over this uncharacteristic display Gohan walks over to him and asks him "are you okay Goku?"
Looking up at his grandpa as he sits on the log next to the stump Goku shrugs and answers "I don't know exactly, theirs just so much goin on that I don't understand."
Frowning Gohan gently prods the boy for more information by asking him, "What do you mean my boy?"
"Well I just don't understand . . . how you can make yourself forget about something like the river?"
Goku continues though oblivious to Gohan's face fault "I mean I've been tryin to make my self forget it just to see if I can but I can't you know? I mean,"
"Goku?" Gohan interrupts.
Of course Goku hasn't heard him as he continues, "I've forgot things before but I can't seem to get it so I can't remember something on purpose, I"
"Goku?" Gohan interrupts a little more emphatically.
"The more I try the more I keep rememberin it, ya know?"
"GOKU!" Gohan shouts in exasperation then cringing hoping he didn't wake the girl sleeping inside the house.
"Huh?" asks the boy eloquently.
Sighing once again the white haired man tells the boy that that statement is just an expression. "But surely boy that isn't only what bothering you is it?"
"Nah, and the girl, I mean Akane told me that it was just a saying and not to worry but I just couldn't get it outta my head. But what really got me thinkin is Akane? You know I think I made her mad, an I don't know why. I think she seems like a real nice lady an I don't want to make her mad."
Sighing once again Gohan begins to explain "Listen Goku I know you don't mean to speak badly of someone, but at times when you don't understand you can say something that makes people upset."
"But grandpa how do I make her my friend, I don't want to have people not like me, you know."
Calmly the older man tries to help the boy, "Goku you have a big heart and that will always show through I believe. And though I've only known Akane for a short time I think I can say that she seems to be a nice person and if she gets to know you, she will like you. As for not making her mad, well . . . you're young yet, but you're learning, I think you need to just relax and try to think before you say something. And if they still get mad just say your sorry and try to see if they will help you understand what you did wrong, okay?"
Thinking for a second Goku then nods "Un, I think I get it, grandpa."
Smiling at the sweet lad his grandpa reaches over and gives him a big hug, "well my boy I think you do at that, but one more thing, always be extra nice to women okay. You need to treat them kindly and help them if they need it okay?"
Sitting back the boy nods in understanding "Okay Grandpa, always be real nice to girls, I got it."
Smiling Gohan stands up pulling Goku up with him, then patting him on the back the older man tells him, "I believe you do Goku, now go get us some meat to eat, I think Akane is going to be very hungry when she wakes up."
Laughing Goku runs for the woods yelling out "okay grandpa I'll be right back."
Smiling the white haired sensei shakes his head before heading over to the outdoor kitchen behind the house to get the fire started for lunch.
******************************
A couple hours later in the cottage.
Lying on the futon "Akane" stares at the ceiling having awaked a few moments earlier. The thoughts that race thru her mind are troubling to her, 'Akane huh? That name does seem familiar maybe that was my name for real. And based on the cloths I'm wearing I guess I'm some kinda tomboy. I'm pretty sure I'm wearing boxers and even with amnesia I'm convinced that a regular girl wouldn't do that. Of course Goku has a tail and I think that that isn't right as well. But he said it is so maybe I'm more out of sorts than I think.'
'Uh this is so confusing, why do I also get the feeling that I'm kinda ust ta craziness. Gohan he seems to be a nice old man, he probably tries his best to keep track of Goku but the boy seems to be a handful and he doesn't seem to smart to boot that makes it harder on Gohan.'
'Lets see I need to get this figured out in my head.
'1- I'm lost somewhere so I need to get information on exactly where this is. Gohan should be able to help with that I hope. Of course thinkin about this again I don't even know where I'm from so how will learnin about the area help. He could tell me my home is over the next hill and I wouldn't even no it.'
'Ah, cant hurt I guess, so lets see what's next.'
2- My memory, that might actually be number one for real, cause unless I get my memory back any family I may have will have to find me cause I wont even know where to look. And maybe Gohan can help that too like he said.
3- My health, I guess that might should be number one to, ah who cares, a little rest and food should take care of this weakness I feel. (A.N. hah she wishes.)
Sitting up in the futon "Akane" sighs then with a determined nod she says to herself "okay that's what I've got to do, and until I figure out some a this stuff may maybe I can help out a little bit keep track a Goku for him. Maybe teach the kid some things, I still know how to read and stuff it seems" she says to herself reading the labels off some jars on a shelf. So maybe I can kinda teach him some stuff to pay him back for all of his help."
"Yah that's it," Knock, Knock resounds in the little room causing her to look up at the door spying little Goku peaking in.
"Um Akane?" he asks in uncommon timidity "can I come in?"
Smiling over at the boy she questions, "yes Goku of course this is your house."
Suddenly beaming the boy bounds in "Great, grandpa said ta ask before I came in causin girls need their privacy. But I needed to say I'm sorry if I got you mad before you know." Then babbling on he continues, "oh and grandpa said that food was ready if you want to come eat out side, oh and here is an old shirt of his he said to give you. You need any help grandpa said to ask you that?"
"Akane" is kind of stunned at the barrage of questions and just sits there for a second before she smiles and tells the exuberant boy, "thank you for thinkin, I mean thinking of my privacy" she corrects her diction trying to set a good example for the boy. "You don't need to say your sorry I understand you didn't mean to upset me I was just kind of stressed from all that had happened."
(A. N. okay that's the last time I put her name in quotes, just realize that is the name Ranma is going by for now and leave it at that kay, thanks.)
"Also thank you for the shirt," she says as she picks up the green Chinese shirt of a similar cut to her current one though it will almost to her knees. Goku had placed it on the futon after he had taken it from the storage bin Gohan had told him to get it from.
Looking over at the boy as she slowly swings her legs off the futon that is placed on a raised alcove off to the side of the one room house, her feet bump the doors of the storage area underneath. "Goku I'll be out to eat in a second you can head on okay?"
Smiling back the lad nods. "Un, see you in a minute aneki."
Akane can only blush slightly as those words cause all kinds of unfamiliar emotions to flood her system. Finally she can only smile at the sight of the excitable boy before she decides to just to go with the flow and try to be happy not worrying about it she will just help the boy in any way he needs.
Taking off her old shirt she places it on the futon before putting on the baggy new one then using an accompanying golden sash to cinch it tight. Slowly pulling herself up she smiles and looks at the little house so obviously inhabited by only men.
Looking about the room as she slowly walks to the door and the wonderful scents she smells outside she examines all of the little things in the house. She sees the little table on the floor with the cushions about it, the chest of drawers on the far wall with a trunk beside it. Plus the shelves over a water basin that sits on a little counter filled with jars and tins full of all manner of things make her realize that even though it is very small these people she has landed in with have made it a home and she would like to help them if she can, for all the good they have done for her and will do for her. And even though she has only known them a short time she feels she can trust that they will do everything they can to help her.
"Yeah," she thinks filled with knowledge that everything will be fine for some odd reason. "I'll figure this out, because one thing I think I can defiantly remember for some reason is that whoever I am I don't lose."
And so with a determined gaze she walks out and around the house to see if Gohan can help her with anything or not. But unnoticed her old shirt falls into the open storage bin Goku had left cracked open, the embroidered name tag on the collar saying Ranma Saotome stitched in Nodaka's elegant sewing hand unseen, and the burn mark in a peculiar pattern also unnoticed.
But for now the newly christened Akane trudges weakly to the outdoor kitchen for some desperately needed food. Other things will have to wait.
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To be continued in:
Chapter Two of Big Sister
or
Building a life
A Scene from Chapter Two:
"I wish I had listened to him," Akane sighs looking at Goku across the way. "Its all my fault, why didn't I just listen to Gohan about the full moon."
"Why," she whispers as a tear rolls down one of her cheeks.
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Endnotes:
A little explanation on Ranma's behavior.
Several factors have influenced his behavior from this point on. His amnesia combined with his recent exposure to his antics while under the influence of the koi-rod and the pretty womanhood incident and the fact that he has been dwelling on them since then have put this femaleness into the forefront of his mind.
Plus the fact that he is in female form and is feeling weak as well, this chauvinistic attitude about women being weak being something so ingrained in him by Genma that this point of view about women is practically instinctual in him, though with Gohan's help he will learn that this doesn't hold true. And last but not least are the mental manipulations that the future Ifurita did on him has caused the definite female OOC'ness that has become evident.
Oh I need Pre-readers if you would like to be one please Email at Verse12@hotmail.com, also make sure to make the subject about pre-readers.
But anyway how did you like it please review. Thank you for all of your kind words. I hope that this chapter is a little more to your liking.
One final note: do to recent weather issues on the east cost I do not know when I will be able to update again. Hopefully it will be soon. Prayers are appreciated for all in the path of Isabel, myself included thank you.
"What did you say kid," asks the girl.
"I said you okay? Where did you come from anyway? You just popped outta nowhere. How did you do that? Hey what are you anyway? Why do you have a butt on your chest? I'm Goku, what's your name?" The boy babbles at a mile a minute.
Eyes wide the girl looks at the boy in confusion her eyes crossing in confusion at the multitude of questions, "what's that? Butt on my chest? Goku? What?"
Leaning into her face innocently the boy looks on questioningly, "so what's your name?" His close presence causes the girl to lean back "I ...I...don't know? . . . I can't remember . . . I can't remember anything!" Exclaims the girl in confusion eyes wide as she looks at the boy.
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Big Sister
By Verse12
Verse12@hotmail.com
******************************
Disclaimer:
I do not own these characters nor do I claim too, this is a simple fan based homage. Their creators and the companies they work for and with own the characters and all that pertains to them. (I.E. Rumiko Takahashi, Viz, Shougakukan, Pioneer LDC, Hiroki Hayashi, Ryoe Tsukimura, Akira Toriyama) This is just fans of the shows expressing their love for it for fun, no profit is involved or expected thank you.
******************************
Chapter One
Beginnings Part Three
Or
Hi I'm Goku!
Note: also some people don't seem get the fact that I deliberately misspell some words when it is in dialogue for say, Ranma's slurring slang.
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Stumbling along the path while being supported by the boy named Goku, is the currently female and amnesiac known to us as Ranma. Her weary gate and sweat soaked brow reflect her pain, while her eyes show the intense concentration going on in her mind.
'What's going on?' she thinks as she barely avoids tripping on a rock.
'Goku here says I just popped outta nowhere in front of him as he was heading to the river. But where did I come from? And how do I get back? I just don't have enough information to tell me anything. And Goku here isn't going to be any help seeing how he doesn't even know what's over the next mountain.'
'Took forever to get that from him' she muses reflecting on the conversation that took place a few minutes ago in the clearing she had popped into.
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(Flashback)
"So you really don't know your name?" inquires the young boy to the petite red head sitting on the ground where she had first appeared only moments before.
Shaking her bleary head to try and clear it, she looks up as he leans into her face with a guileless expression.
"No I can't remember anything about my life," she says in a weak and confused tone. "Where are we any way?"
Smiling in a happy way the lad replies with the singularly vague comment, "near the river."
Confused is only the beginning of her stare at this statement, before she asks "what river?"
Confused himself at this question, "what do you mean, what river?"
"I mean what river is it?" She asks again.
Face lighting up in understanding the boy tells her, "Ooooohhhhh I get it, it's the one nearest the house."
Face faulting after that brilliant comment, she mutters about crazy boys. "Look forget about the river, what I meant was where are we in a broader sense, you know? Maybe it'll help me remember something. "
Even more confused the young monkey tailed boy looks at her before shaking his head "I don't think I can just forget about the river, and if I could where would I get fish to eat when I want some?"
Face faulting again the red head mutters about this getting to be a habit, "I didn't mean forget about the river for real, I just meant don't worry about what I was saying before."
"OOHHH I get it," the boy exclaims before asking in a sweet yet confused way, "how could you forget something like that any way?"
"AAAAAHHHHHH!!!!" resonates the cry of the exasperated girl thru the valley.
A short time later Goku takes his hands from his ears asking, "why did you scream like that anyway?"
Exhaling thru grit teeth Ranma holds her shaking hands up in a calming gesture, not trying to calm Goku because he was only confused, but to calm herself.
"Just, just, just give a hand okay?" she finally calms down enough to ask for the help in getting up.
Face falling into an expression of horror the powerhouse lad jumps back and gets into a defensive position "MY HAND, NO WAY you must be some kinda hand eating monster, but you aint getting me."
Looking at the boy across from her the pig tailed girl mutters "you've gotta be kidding me" while dropping her head in disbelief.
(End Flashback)
******************************
'Kids gotta be as smart as a box a rocks, seems to be nice enough in the end though.' Muses the girl being helped along by Goku. 'Took a forever to convince him I wasn't a "hand eating monster?" she thinks shaking her head in disbelief. 'Where did he come up with that one anyway?'
'Maybe this grandpa of his can help me, at least maybe he can tell me where I am, that might help me remember something. I also should say something over how he can justify Goku not even knowing anything about the world at large?' she thinks in something suspiciously resembling feminine outrage.
Looking over to Goku Ranma asks him, "How much further is it anyway."
Smiling in his sweet way the Boy replies, "Not far, in fact . . . there it is." He states in jubilation as they road a bend coming into sight of a small one room house that has Chinese style architecture sitting in a clearing.
"GRANPA!" shouts Goku at a deafening level causing Ranma to cringe at the noise.
An elderly man wearing Chinese style clothing including a little cap and a large mustache pokes his head out of the front door looking in their direction with a questioning, "Hum?"
Grinning and rubbing the back of his head in a sheepish yet happy way Goku calls out, "I met someone, they say they're a girl."
Looking confused at the boy Ranma asks, "what do you mean said I'm a girl, I am a Girl, can't you tell?"
"Uuuhhh, no?" replies the boy before dragging her over to the house where Gohan scolds him for being rude to a guest, and a beautiful young women at that.
This comment causes Ranma to blush slightly, as Gohan Apologizes to her for Goku's comments. Still blushing a bit Ranma replies that it's "no prob."
After sitting down on some cushions at the small low table on the floor Gohan asks their guest "so my dear why are you so far out in the middle of nowhere?"
To this Ranma can only sheepishly reply that she doesn't exactly know where she is, how she got there, or even who she is.
Before she can say anything more though Goku bursts in on the story of how she just popped out of no where when he was heading for the river and then he starts babbling again over how can someone forget about a river.
Looking confused at this Gohan just shakes his head muttering something about "falling off a cliff." Before he turns to Ranma and nods while saying, "that's a very interesting story and of course we will help you in any way we can. And I may have some ideas on your memory loss."
Surprised the pigtailed girl asks, "how? Are you a doctor or something?"
Shaking his head negatively Gohan smiles telling her, "no I'm not a doctor, I am a martial arts sensei and I may know some techniques that may help, I'll have to check some things. Also your peculiar mode of transport, I have heard of techniques that allow for things like that, I'll look into that as well it may give some clue as to where you're from."
"Really? That would be great," beams the red headed girl at him before yawning widely. Blushing in embarrassment Ranma bobs her head down before sheepishly saying "sorry."
Smiling Gohan indicates a futon on one side of the room "would you like to rest for a bit? When you get up I'll have some food ready, and I'll try to find you a new shirt. That one looks like it's seen better days."
Smiling back Ranma has revised her opinion of Gohan telling him, "Yes I do feel real weak and tired, thank you for your hospitality."
"Come now Goku lets let miss . . . miss? I'm sorry we really don't know what to call you do we?"
Embarrassed the pig tailed girl grimaces at that comment, "I'm sorry I don't know what my name is."
"Well," Gohan says as he stands up, "we can't call you miss forever. I know until we know what your name is we'll have to call you something. Do you have any ideas?"
Standing up slowly the red headed girl frowns for a second before responding "I really don't know."
Shaking his head in understanding Gohan says, "don't worry about it right now just relax, tell you what though since you're hair's red lets just call you . . . um . . . I know how about Aka . . . no that's not right its red alright but you don't seem the angry type. How about . . ."
On hearing the name though Ranma steps back in shock blurting out, "Akane? Is that what you were going to say?"
"You like it?" asks Gohan in confusion at the girl's reaction, "Does it remind you of anything?"
Frowning in thought for a minute Ranma eventually just shakes her head before responding "no it doesn't, for a second I thought I remembered something but then it was gone."
Smiling good-naturedly Gohan reassures her, "I'm sure your memory will return to you soon, your memory loss may just be the result of your unusual trip."
Smiling Ranma walks over to the futon while telling Gohan and Goku that the name Akane would be fine for now.
Nodding Gohan ushers the surprisingly quiet Goku out of the house to have a little talk but not before turning to the tired girl telling her "have a good rest Akane I'll have those things I talked about when you awaken."
Slipping under the blanket Ranma /Akane turns her head to the older man, "thank you Gohan Sensei."
Smiling he shakes his head "nonsense my girl it's a martial artist duty to help others when they can't help themselves and please call me grandpa, calling me Gohan Sensei makes me feel so old."
Giggling the pig tailed girl nods before saying "thank you grandpa Gohan."
Nodding the older man leaves to have a talk to Goku about women leaving "Akane" to rest.
******************************
Outside the cottage Gohan approaches the quiet boy sitting on a stump across the clearing watching as he used a stick to stir in the dirt. Concerned over this uncharacteristic display Gohan walks over to him and asks him "are you okay Goku?"
Looking up at his grandpa as he sits on the log next to the stump Goku shrugs and answers "I don't know exactly, theirs just so much goin on that I don't understand."
Frowning Gohan gently prods the boy for more information by asking him, "What do you mean my boy?"
"Well I just don't understand . . . how you can make yourself forget about something like the river?"
Goku continues though oblivious to Gohan's face fault "I mean I've been tryin to make my self forget it just to see if I can but I can't you know? I mean,"
"Goku?" Gohan interrupts.
Of course Goku hasn't heard him as he continues, "I've forgot things before but I can't seem to get it so I can't remember something on purpose, I"
"Goku?" Gohan interrupts a little more emphatically.
"The more I try the more I keep rememberin it, ya know?"
"GOKU!" Gohan shouts in exasperation then cringing hoping he didn't wake the girl sleeping inside the house.
"Huh?" asks the boy eloquently.
Sighing once again the white haired man tells the boy that that statement is just an expression. "But surely boy that isn't only what bothering you is it?"
"Nah, and the girl, I mean Akane told me that it was just a saying and not to worry but I just couldn't get it outta my head. But what really got me thinkin is Akane? You know I think I made her mad, an I don't know why. I think she seems like a real nice lady an I don't want to make her mad."
Sighing once again Gohan begins to explain "Listen Goku I know you don't mean to speak badly of someone, but at times when you don't understand you can say something that makes people upset."
"But grandpa how do I make her my friend, I don't want to have people not like me, you know."
Calmly the older man tries to help the boy, "Goku you have a big heart and that will always show through I believe. And though I've only known Akane for a short time I think I can say that she seems to be a nice person and if she gets to know you, she will like you. As for not making her mad, well . . . you're young yet, but you're learning, I think you need to just relax and try to think before you say something. And if they still get mad just say your sorry and try to see if they will help you understand what you did wrong, okay?"
Thinking for a second Goku then nods "Un, I think I get it, grandpa."
Smiling at the sweet lad his grandpa reaches over and gives him a big hug, "well my boy I think you do at that, but one more thing, always be extra nice to women okay. You need to treat them kindly and help them if they need it okay?"
Sitting back the boy nods in understanding "Okay Grandpa, always be real nice to girls, I got it."
Smiling Gohan stands up pulling Goku up with him, then patting him on the back the older man tells him, "I believe you do Goku, now go get us some meat to eat, I think Akane is going to be very hungry when she wakes up."
Laughing Goku runs for the woods yelling out "okay grandpa I'll be right back."
Smiling the white haired sensei shakes his head before heading over to the outdoor kitchen behind the house to get the fire started for lunch.
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A couple hours later in the cottage.
Lying on the futon "Akane" stares at the ceiling having awaked a few moments earlier. The thoughts that race thru her mind are troubling to her, 'Akane huh? That name does seem familiar maybe that was my name for real. And based on the cloths I'm wearing I guess I'm some kinda tomboy. I'm pretty sure I'm wearing boxers and even with amnesia I'm convinced that a regular girl wouldn't do that. Of course Goku has a tail and I think that that isn't right as well. But he said it is so maybe I'm more out of sorts than I think.'
'Uh this is so confusing, why do I also get the feeling that I'm kinda ust ta craziness. Gohan he seems to be a nice old man, he probably tries his best to keep track of Goku but the boy seems to be a handful and he doesn't seem to smart to boot that makes it harder on Gohan.'
'Lets see I need to get this figured out in my head.
'1- I'm lost somewhere so I need to get information on exactly where this is. Gohan should be able to help with that I hope. Of course thinkin about this again I don't even know where I'm from so how will learnin about the area help. He could tell me my home is over the next hill and I wouldn't even no it.'
'Ah, cant hurt I guess, so lets see what's next.'
2- My memory, that might actually be number one for real, cause unless I get my memory back any family I may have will have to find me cause I wont even know where to look. And maybe Gohan can help that too like he said.
3- My health, I guess that might should be number one to, ah who cares, a little rest and food should take care of this weakness I feel. (A.N. hah she wishes.)
Sitting up in the futon "Akane" sighs then with a determined nod she says to herself "okay that's what I've got to do, and until I figure out some a this stuff may maybe I can help out a little bit keep track a Goku for him. Maybe teach the kid some things, I still know how to read and stuff it seems" she says to herself reading the labels off some jars on a shelf. So maybe I can kinda teach him some stuff to pay him back for all of his help."
"Yah that's it," Knock, Knock resounds in the little room causing her to look up at the door spying little Goku peaking in.
"Um Akane?" he asks in uncommon timidity "can I come in?"
Smiling over at the boy she questions, "yes Goku of course this is your house."
Suddenly beaming the boy bounds in "Great, grandpa said ta ask before I came in causin girls need their privacy. But I needed to say I'm sorry if I got you mad before you know." Then babbling on he continues, "oh and grandpa said that food was ready if you want to come eat out side, oh and here is an old shirt of his he said to give you. You need any help grandpa said to ask you that?"
"Akane" is kind of stunned at the barrage of questions and just sits there for a second before she smiles and tells the exuberant boy, "thank you for thinkin, I mean thinking of my privacy" she corrects her diction trying to set a good example for the boy. "You don't need to say your sorry I understand you didn't mean to upset me I was just kind of stressed from all that had happened."
(A. N. okay that's the last time I put her name in quotes, just realize that is the name Ranma is going by for now and leave it at that kay, thanks.)
"Also thank you for the shirt," she says as she picks up the green Chinese shirt of a similar cut to her current one though it will almost to her knees. Goku had placed it on the futon after he had taken it from the storage bin Gohan had told him to get it from.
Looking over at the boy as she slowly swings her legs off the futon that is placed on a raised alcove off to the side of the one room house, her feet bump the doors of the storage area underneath. "Goku I'll be out to eat in a second you can head on okay?"
Smiling back the lad nods. "Un, see you in a minute aneki."
Akane can only blush slightly as those words cause all kinds of unfamiliar emotions to flood her system. Finally she can only smile at the sight of the excitable boy before she decides to just to go with the flow and try to be happy not worrying about it she will just help the boy in any way he needs.
Taking off her old shirt she places it on the futon before putting on the baggy new one then using an accompanying golden sash to cinch it tight. Slowly pulling herself up she smiles and looks at the little house so obviously inhabited by only men.
Looking about the room as she slowly walks to the door and the wonderful scents she smells outside she examines all of the little things in the house. She sees the little table on the floor with the cushions about it, the chest of drawers on the far wall with a trunk beside it. Plus the shelves over a water basin that sits on a little counter filled with jars and tins full of all manner of things make her realize that even though it is very small these people she has landed in with have made it a home and she would like to help them if she can, for all the good they have done for her and will do for her. And even though she has only known them a short time she feels she can trust that they will do everything they can to help her.
"Yeah," she thinks filled with knowledge that everything will be fine for some odd reason. "I'll figure this out, because one thing I think I can defiantly remember for some reason is that whoever I am I don't lose."
And so with a determined gaze she walks out and around the house to see if Gohan can help her with anything or not. But unnoticed her old shirt falls into the open storage bin Goku had left cracked open, the embroidered name tag on the collar saying Ranma Saotome stitched in Nodaka's elegant sewing hand unseen, and the burn mark in a peculiar pattern also unnoticed.
But for now the newly christened Akane trudges weakly to the outdoor kitchen for some desperately needed food. Other things will have to wait.
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To be continued in:
Chapter Two of Big Sister
or
Building a life
A Scene from Chapter Two:
"I wish I had listened to him," Akane sighs looking at Goku across the way. "Its all my fault, why didn't I just listen to Gohan about the full moon."
"Why," she whispers as a tear rolls down one of her cheeks.
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Endnotes:
A little explanation on Ranma's behavior.
Several factors have influenced his behavior from this point on. His amnesia combined with his recent exposure to his antics while under the influence of the koi-rod and the pretty womanhood incident and the fact that he has been dwelling on them since then have put this femaleness into the forefront of his mind.
Plus the fact that he is in female form and is feeling weak as well, this chauvinistic attitude about women being weak being something so ingrained in him by Genma that this point of view about women is practically instinctual in him, though with Gohan's help he will learn that this doesn't hold true. And last but not least are the mental manipulations that the future Ifurita did on him has caused the definite female OOC'ness that has become evident.
Oh I need Pre-readers if you would like to be one please Email at Verse12@hotmail.com, also make sure to make the subject about pre-readers.
But anyway how did you like it please review. Thank you for all of your kind words. I hope that this chapter is a little more to your liking.
One final note: do to recent weather issues on the east cost I do not know when I will be able to update again. Hopefully it will be soon. Prayers are appreciated for all in the path of Isabel, myself included thank you.