Ranma lay awake on his bedroll, staring at the ceiling, the events of the past few days playing repeatedly in his mind.
I'm glad Akane and I finally got things worked out, for the most part. Why've I been so tired lately? That letter who could have sent it? Ryoga'd kill me if he found out, just like Kuno tried to. I wonder if Akane's serious about getting married?
Of course she is, baka!
Huh?
I said, Of course she is!'
Who are you?
I'm you, of course.
Ha-ha so that means I'm a textbook schizo, eh?
Nah, I think it's normal. People talk to themselves all the time.
Uh right.
Fine, don't believe me. See if I care.
Yeah, I'm kind of leaning toward th—
Wake up, boy! Time to get that blood flowing! Startled by Genma's unexpected shout, Ranma forgot about his little introspection in an instant. Rolling out of the way, he dodged his dad's grab at his shirt collar and used his momentum to send the man flying into the koi pond himself. There was no way he was going to start off today's spar as a girl, if he had anything to say about it.
Start off or no, he—or rather, she—ended up as such. It figures, Ranma groaned to herself. It just figures. And here I was hoping this would be a good day. As she walked into the kitchen to ask Kasumi for the kettle, she lost her balance and nearly fell on her face; nearly' because Akane chose that moment to try to walk out of the kitchen. Ranma found her head in a somewhat compromising position when she landed, and one could almost make out a muffled before a blunt wooden implement made quite an impression on her.
Fortunately for the family budget, Ranma didn't show up for breakfast that morning.
Damn, I'm hungry. As if to underline his words, his stomach gave a very audible growl. A few nearby students glanced up to the sky, searching for storm clouds.
Tell me about it, the voice in his head replied.
You again?
Who else? Ranma could envision the sly smirk on this mysterious voice's face.
Where's your lunch, Ranma?
Once again wakened from his internal debate, Ranma looked up to see Akane standing over him. Giving her a glare, he looked downward and rested his head in his hands. She flopped down on the grass beside him, and set an extra-large bentou in front of him. I'm, uh I'm sorry. I guess I was a little hasty this morning.
Jus' a little. He didn't look up.
She began to fume a bit—why can't he just accept a simple apology?—but did her best to take it in stride. It was a new sensation for her, to be forgiving like this. look, Ranma, I just wanted to make it up to you, okay? You're right, I probably should have thought about it before I hit you, but please, can't you accept my apology?
He found it hard to resist the temptation to point out that she never accepted any of his apologies, but found it in him to give a diplomatic answer. okay. Raising his head at last, he spied the unopened bentou before him. He cast a wary glance at it.
Akane noticed his hesitation, and tried to dispel some of his fear. Don't worry, I didn't make it this time. But I thought that since you've been really hungry lately, I'd ask Kasumi to give you double helpings of everything. She smiled warmly at him.
Ranma smiled back at her, rather meekly, trying to ignore the beat of the Cardiac Polka in his ears. thanks.
RANMA SAOTOME! TODAY YOU DIE!
Their moment interrupted, Akane and Ranma looked up at the source of the familiar voice, who was now descending rapidly toward them, umbrella in hand.
Hiya, Ryoga. Hey, don'tcha mean prepare ta die'? he asked casually.
This seemed to puzzle the lost boy for a moment, before he responded, No, Ranma, I've decided you've had enough preparation especially since you're using your leisure time to cheat on Akane!
Ranma and Akane looked at each other, shrugged, and shook their heads in unison.
Ah, jeez why's ev'rybody gotta take stuff th' wrong way?
What wrong way is there to take it? I've seen hell because of you!
So you've said. What's it like? S it as warm s they say?
Even if she is your fiancée, she deserves better!
Ranma was quickly tiring of Ryoga's seemingly one-track mind. Ryoga, get it through yer skull. There ain't nothin' like that goin' on! It's just some sick joke somebody's playin' on us. Can'tcha just leave us alone? We got enough troubles as it is!
You think you have troubles? Let me tell you, Ranma, I've seen—
Hell because of you,' yeah, I know. Ya only tol' me about a million times! Dammit, already, I'm starvin'. So gimme some peace, fore I decide to ta take a chunk outta you!
As luck (or perhaps a deity with a warped sense of humor) would have it, that very moment it began to rain. Though it only drizzled slowly at first, the drizzle quickly grew into a downpour. Ryoga, umbrella at the ready, managed to keep dry—a near-miraculous feat, unless you take into account his favorite waterproof soap. Dry as he was, though, he hardly wanted to stay around long in the pouring rain; taking a leap backward, Ryoga fled the scene, parting with a cry of, You'll pay, Ranma!
From the first clap of thunder, Ranma had simply stood in the rain, her shoulders slumped forward, staring into the ground, wondering what else could go wrong today.
Th-th-thanks, A-k-kane, Ranma stuttered as Akane poured a kettle of not-quite-boiling water over her head.
Anytime, Ranma, she winked at him. And you know it.
I s-sw-swear, I m-must be c-c-cursed. His shivers were subsiding a little, but he was still trying to rub some life into his arms.
She gave him an odd, amused look. What on earth gave you that idea?
N-no, I mean b-besides th' one f-from Jyusenkyo; I must be c-cursed to attract cold w-water, he explained with a smirk.
That's nonsense. You don't need a curse for that, Akane shot back, grinning.
Amidst their banter, something caught Akane's eye. A tiny lock of red hair peeked out from beneath Ranma's right ear. Ranma, what's that? She pointed at the anomaly, but it was just out of his field of vision. Taking her compact from her book bag, Akane held the mirror up so Ranma could see it.
That's—but how— His face paled; somehow he knew—and this event only confirmed the thought in his mind—that with everything strange that had been happening recently, things were only getting started.
My, my Ranma, this curse of yours is certainly taking a strange turn, Doctor Tofu announced, having finished his brief examination. I really don't have enough expertise in this area to be of much help. You might consider making a visit to Ms. er
Th' old ghoul?
Akane rebuked him. Turning to Tofu, she explained, He means Cologne, Shampoo's great-grandmother.
Um, yes, that's the one. She does hail from the same area as the Cursed Springs, after all.
yeah, I guess that ain't such a bad idea. It's just Ranma broke off. He wasn't sure that voicing his worry was such a great idea. Who knew what higher power might be looking for ideas?
Oh, never mind it's nothing. Akane frowned at him, looking worried once more.
A tiny frown curled Tofu's lip as well. There's obviously something he's worried about but if he doesn't want to share, I can't very well force him to. Very well, then. I'll see you again, I'm sure. With a light wave to Ranma, he retired to his office.
sure. See ya later, doc, Ranma said as he waved back.
As the pair left the clinic, they walked in silence, but for the ambient mid-afternoon sounds of the chirping of birds, and whistling of the wind. Ranma was deep in thought—Akane was deeply anxious. Something's wrong, I just know it. Something's wrong so wrong. She wrung her hands together, at the same time slightly curious about why she was this worried about him. He—no, they—had made it through all sorts of crises before why did this one seem so very different?
Ranma broke the silence.
She kept her head down for a few moments, and Ranma wasn't sure whether she had heard him. Akane?
She looked up at him, trying her hardest to keep the shaking out of her voice. Y-yes, Ranma?
Jus' wond'rin if if yer okay. Ya been awfully quiet th' whole time.
She nodded, but said nothing.
Ya sure? I mean, y'know cause ya look real tired, maybe ya wanna take a rest somewhere?
No, Ranma, I'm I'm just fine. Don't worry about me, you're the one having complications with your curse.
B-but, Akane—
No but's, Ranma. I'm okay. We've got a couple of hours until we need to go home, so why don't we stop by the Nekohanten now?
Um, al'right if yer sure, he agreed warily.
As they stepped through the door, ringing the small bell overhead, an all-too-familiar voice rang out as well.
Welcome to Nekohanten! I take order? Shampoo exclaimed with bubbly fervor. On seeing her beloved Airen, her first reaction was to jump right into Glomp Mode,' but seeing the downcast Akane beside him, she refrained, instead pulling up a chair at a nearby table.
Kitchen-wrecker is okay? She not ever so, so sad; what happen? Shampoo looked warily at Akane; indeed, she looked as if her best friend had died, but at the same time, she was on edge, jumpy.
The Chinese girl's broken speech grated a bit on Ranma's already thinning nerves, but he quelled the impulse to reply nastily. Instead, he asked, in as pleasant a tone as he could muster, Where's th' old er, Cologne?
Great-grandmother in kitchen. You need talk to her? She too, too busy; not wanting be interrupted.
Yeah, I do. Gotta see her about well, this. He pushed up the dark hair over his ears to reveal the errant bit of red.
Shampoo simply stared. So? Get haircut, no?
How dare she! Akane fumed. She's always hanging all over Ranma; you'd think she'd at least care about something like this! Don't you get it? His curse is doing something weird! We've got to talk to Cologne, to find out what's happening!
Ranma was dumbstruck; sure, Akane had exploded at Shampoo before, but this was different—she was defending him, rather than heaping equal blame. Although, he admitted, she's just as angry as all those times. I'd better be careful.
What's this I hear? Cologne's voice sounded from the kitchen doorway. Son-in-law is having more trouble with his curse? Can't say it surprises me, after all you've already been through. In fact, I've been almost expecting it.
E-expectin' it? Ranma exclaimed.
Certainly, child, certainly. It is a lesser known fact about the Cursed Springs. Or, you might say, an extremely rare case. But I recognized your case from nearly the beginning—in fact, it's why I encouraged my great-granddaughter to pursue you, and I still do. Yes, she cut Ranma off, as he was about to interrupt. I understand that you have no desire nor motive to wed Xian Pu. However, until the possibility is eliminated, I shall continue to encourage it. Now, as for the cause of this occurrence: your strength. Physical strength you have in abundance, to be sure. But it is your spiritual strength that is forcing your body to bifurcate—
Bif'rcate!? Ya mean, it's—
Splitting, yes. Your spiritual strength is rejecting the curse, and quite literally forcing the effects of the curse out of your body. Actually, I had suspected it to take quite a bit longer for this to happen but no matter. What you will feel in the next few days, the only people who know are in no condition to tell you. She chuckled at his shocked expression before continuing, No, child, that's not what I meant. I only mean that this is such a rare happening, the last person that experienced it has been long dead—longer than I have been alive.
The three teenagers stared at her, jaws agape. Quickly shutting hers, Akane spoke what they all were thinking. So he'll be—there're gonna be—two Ranmas!?
In a sense. There will be two physical bodies, but, as I told you, no one living can say whether or not they are two distinct persons. I suppose we should record your experience for posterity, Ranma, ne?
two of me th'n that means The mere thought sent a shiver of something akin to joy down his spine.
We're doomed, Akane interjected. Ranma turned slowly to face her.
But—but I'll be cured! he yelled, leaping to his feet, and upsetting the table and chair in the process.
Calm down, Ranma, I'm only joking—
Son-in-law, this is hardly a cure. Yes, you will no longer be cursed, but the results may be much worse than a simple curse—
So!? I won't be a half-girl any more! I c'n be a full-time guy ag'in! Akane, we c'n finally—
H-hold up. Worse? What do you m-mean?
Just as I said, Tendou-san. Conversely, it could be much better. No one knows for certain, not even myself. This is one area in which my expertise as elder of the Amazons falls short. To be honest with you, the only truly certain fact about the waters of Jyusenkyo is that falling in will curse you to a lifetime of transformation. Beyond that is open to speculation.
Inside the dojo proper, Ranma executed kata after kata, trying to take his mind off of what Cologne had told him was going to happen. Unfortunately, it wasn't working; it only gave him more of an opportunity to brood on it.
I'm gonna split. I'm gonna split in half. That's just freaky. Is there any way to stop it? I don't want to get split in half if it's gonna do something bad but the old—Cologne said it might turn out better, too I wish there was some way to tell.
A loud crash brought him back to the present. What the— He turned to look. Nabiki was standing in the doorway holding—well, had been holding—a glass of water. Said glass was now in shattered fragments on the ground, the hand that held it now over her gasping mouth.
Uh, what's up, Nabiki?
Y-your— your h-hair She pointed at his head, where could be seen not his usual black hair, but a wild mix that was nearly half composed of bright red tufts. Then, in a most un-Nabiki-like manner, she swooned backwards, losing consciousness before her own head even reached the hard earth.
Oh, jeez.
You've got that right
Kami-sama, not you again! Wait a sec you must be the—the other me?
Didn't I tell you earlier?
Oh.
Author's Notes:
Okay, I've finally finished Chapter 3, taking a little over the two weeks I was hoping for. I confess, I was reading Douglas Adams during most of the second half—does it show? (I hope not.) My main concern is that I've given away too much at one time—on the other hand, some of it I feel is necessary to move the story along. What do you think? As always, comments and critique are welcome and encouraged.