Yasha blinked twice, then cringed, seeming to curl up into herself. She seemed to shrink to half her own size, eyes squeezed shut, shoulders hunched as much as she could without doing something painful to her neck, and her hands curled before her in a half-hearted defensive position.
Kasumi, the only person in this world (with the exception of Ranma, who was more of a brother) that she considered a friend, had just figured out that Yasha wasn't actually just a female Ranma in a demon body with different knowledge. Yasha could feel it coming. She was toast. Kasumi would tell the others, and they'd all hate her, and she'd be back to just her and Ranma, and there would never be another chance to have a friend around here.
But what would come first, that was the worst part. Because every time something had blown up in her face, she had always recieved a verbal thrashing, and those hurt worst of all. She'd endured them from her father, from her teachers, from her "friends"... even, towards the time she'd left her old world behind, she'd even been getting them from her mother, the kindest, most understanding person she'd ever known. And every time someone yelled at her, she got mad at them. She didn't want to be angry at Kasumi. It was bad enough when she was angry at someone she didn't like, but Kasumi was nice, and kind, and gentle, and.. and... and she didn't think she could live with herself if she got angry at Kasumi.
Something was wrong, though.
Noone was yelling.
Noone was telling her how stupid she was for trying this.
She opened her eyes, trembling in fear, expecting Kasumi to do like her old father had once, and wait until she looked to start yelling, from mere inches away.
Here it came. Kasumi was under a foot away. Kasumi was....
...smiling? Was hugging her? Was comforting her?
Yasha's world had just flipped over, filled with laughing dwarves named Stumpy, and handed her a flaming wombat. She broke down and cried into Kasumi's shoulder, lucky that Kasumi was strong enough to support both of their weights. Because she couldn't have stood on her own right then.
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Passenger
Chapter 8: Drowning in the Past
A Ranma 1/2 fanfiction by S. Starblade
Dedicated to those who help others at any cost.
Warning: I have borrowed things from other peoples' fanfiction, and will continue to do so. I intend no disrespect, in fact, if I borrowed from you, that means I really liked your idea. I try not to exactly copy anything, but it may still happen. Oops.
Disclaimer: Stop whining, boy! I know they aren't mine! But I'm using them anyways, so get used to it! It's good training to run away from lawsuits! splash [I'm just a cute little panda bear who can't be sued.]
Key, Ki, Kei, Chi, Tsi, Fi, Fie, Fo, Fum:
= English
" " = Japanese
[ ] = Jusenkyou Cursed Signs
{ } = Chinese
= Internal Ranma/Yasha conversation
& & = Oh, no, not this joke again....
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Kasumi was amazed at the small girl sobbing into her shoulder. The girl had obviously expected some sort of drastic punishment for trying to hide herself from everyone. She'd even looked almost like she was expecting to be struck.
There had been no room in the girl's eyes for remorse; there was too much fear there, too much self-disgust. It had been frightening to see that in a person.
One hand wrapped around Yasha's shoulders, Kasumi reached out with the other one, snagging the kitchen stool. Pulling it close enough, she sat down slowly, making sure not to drop the small girl. Kasumi laid the crutch down in such a way as to be easily picked back up as she rubbed Yasha's shoulder soothingly with the other hand.
In a bar near the other end of Nerima-cho, Souun Tendou and Genma Saotome sat at a table, brainstorming for ways to get Ranma and Akane together, and slowly, but with gradually increasing speed, getting drunk. At the rate they were going, it would be a few hours before it got to serious drinking, and by mid-afternoon, the two men would likely be either totally soused and meandering home, or completely unconscious in their seats.
They were grateful to Kasumi for thinking of this place to go so they could plan without Ranma overhearing.
If there was one thing Kasumi could do, it was think ahead.
Kasumi noticed that Yasha seemed almost done crying. She had long since sat the smaller girl in her own lap, so she wouldn't have to support Yasha's weight with her arms. It had been a little difficult to manage, with the smaller girl clinging to her like an opposed magnet. The simile held in more than one way, too.
"Are you feeling better now?" She asked, tentatively.
Without taking her face out of Kasumi's shoulder, Yasha nodded slightly. She sniffled, and mumbled something.
"Nani?" Kasumi asked softly.
Yasha turned her head to face Kasumi's other (dry) shoulder. "Domo arigatou gozaimasu, Kasumi-san..." she mumbled, tears still flowing down her face, although much slower than they had. She still couldn't believe this. She was afraid that if she let go, the older girl would dissipate, or she would wake up, or, or... or something.
"Please," asked Kasumi, "Not so formal. You do know me, don't you? Even if you aren't who I first thought you were." Her smile edged on a little bit, matched by her eyes.
Yasha smiled slightly, if moistly. "Not sure. I know you? You face look familiar." She sniffled, and looked up at Kasumi a bit.
Kasumi smiled warmly in return. "Of course you do. You talked with me all of yesterday, didn't you?" A joke was good. Needed something to lighten the mood a little.
The smaller girl blinked, rubbing her eyes clear with one hand, the other still latched onto Kasumi's dress. "Maybe.... But I remember face if you speak that much. You sure I know?" Then she looked at Kasumi's shoulder. "Oh, sorry. I ruin shoulder of clothes."
Kasumi eyed the wet spot on her shoulder. "No, that's all right. It's just water, and you needed to do that."
Yasha nodded. "Is okay then. May I stand now, Kasumi?"
Kasumi smiled, nodded, and let go of the smaller girl, who managed to stand on her own without the crutch until Kasumi handed it to her.
"We go back-yard and talk now, Kasumi, ne?"
Kasumi nodded. "Ne, onna no chibi."
At Furinkan High, Akane and Nabiki considered Kuno.
The deranged Kendoist was standing in full Samurai armor, with a pair of bokken in sheaths across his back like katana, wrapped about with anti-demon wards. On his back was a banner loudly proclaiming:
MIDORI (green) TSUNAMI OF FURINKAN HIGH %DEFINITELY NOT THE "SCREAMING GAY EARTH OAR"%
Everyone avoided Kuno that day.
The only people who had to change their habits to do so were Akane, Nabiki, and the Kendo club.
The other remarkable thing was that Kuno was late to every class that day. It is very difficult to go through doorways normally wearing full Nobori-Nin (Banner Bearer) armor.
PE was also interesting, as Kuno tried to swim in his armor.
Fortunately, he had been absent the previous day, and so Akane and Nabiki had cooled down a little.
"Akane Tendo! I would date with URK"
"That'll be fifty thousand yen for talking to my sister, Kuno-chan. Or I tell her about your 'photo room'."
"'Photo room'?!?!? KUNO NO HENTAI!!!"
KURRRRRRUNCH!!!
"Fifty thousand yen, please. Plus thirty for getting her to touch you."
But not much.
Yasha smiled as she sat on the back porch near Kasumi, a plate of cracker-stack snacks and two cups of cold green tea between them. Where Kasumi had found Saltines in Japan was beyond the smaller girl, but she wasn't about to complain. She looked up from the plate, and scanned her eyes across the perimeter wall, thoughtfully.
"Arigatou, Kasumi."
"That's quite alright, ah..." Kasumi paused. "...What should I call you, anyways? I guess I shouldn't call you 'Ranma', since you're not him..."
Yasha sipped her tea. "Ranma just call me Yasha. Is okay you call me too. Sound nice enough to me." Hmmm, perfect. Just the right amount of honey. Cold green tea was GOOD, with just a bit of sweetening. Not too much, though, or she'd feel like checking for cavities after every sip.
Kasumi shook her head. "But it's not a good name to have if you look like you do. You do know what 'Yasha' means, don't you?"
The smaller girl barely remembered not to shake her head. "Iie, Kasumi. Am only learning Japanese still, anyways. Why? What 'Yasha' mean?" She popped a cracker-stack in her mouth and chewed while listening to the answer.
"'Yasha' means a demon who is female. With a name like that, people will think you really are a demon."
Swallowing, Yasha grinned ruefully, tail lashing slowly. "And you not think I am? Is very how say... right name. I look I am demon."
Kasumi took a sip from her own tea. "Yes, but you aren't one. Unless you can do some magical or otherworldly thing you haven't shown anyone here yet?"
"No, I no have magic ability. Not I know, anyways." Yasha paused. "Ranma suggest 'Mizuko'."
Kasumi paused, a snack halfway from the plate to her mouth, and blinked. "Ranma? You mean, you can talk to him right now?"
"Hai. Is same when he control. Whoever body not, still feel and sense all other feel and sense, just not have control anymore. It feel very strange, until... ah... get used. Like ride at carnival, only is body."
Kasumi nodded, then resumed her motion. After a few moments, she washed the snack down with another sip of tea. "Can you ask Ranma what he thinks of this engagement thing?"
Yasha giggled, the first time Kasumi had heard that sound from the girl. "I not need ask Ranma that now. Already know. He hate arrangement, but is willing to go through with if have to. Is matter of honor to him now, even Oyaji have much honor as dirty sock have good perfume. He agree, so he will live with agree. He not sure it be so bad, if choice right. I think not understand idea total, though."
Kasumi looked up at the sky, everpresent smile slightly wider, as Yasha seemed to zone out for a moment.
Hey, Ranma, why have you been so quiet all morning, anyways? She asked. Since about the time of the shogi game, Ranma had given her a total of about seven sentences, mostly consisting of just a word or two each. It's not like you- usually you have to comment on everything.
Well, I mean, it's kinda your morning right now. Not 'cuz yer in control, but 'cuz it kinda looked like you needed the breathin' space, ta deal with it on yer own. I don' think I coulda helped anyways. Ranma explained.
Oh.... Thank you, Ani.
Mental blink. Yasha could almost swear her eyelids twitched slightly.
But, I'm not your brother! Ranma returned, sounding sorely confused.
You're close enough for me, and that's what matters in our head, right?
...I guess so, Imoutochan. I guess so.
Yasha giggled, and Kasumi looked over at her. "Is something funny?" It was the first time Kasumi had heard the girl actually giggle, and it was odd to see someone who looked so much a demon give off that kind of a high-pitched laugh.
"No, is just that Ranma like brother to me... He just call me 'little sister'. He remind me of brother I have before brought here." Yasha looked a little sad now. "Is probably only person from before I miss, really."
Kasumi nodded, and silence reigned for a while, as the number of snacks slowly diminished.
"What does Ranma think of us?"
"Nani?"
"What does Ranma think of me and my sisters?" Kasumi clarified.
"Is good question. Wait moment.....
Ranma say Akane very angry girl, but nice when not mad. He say want to be friend, maybe sensei. He think she have more.... More potot... petu... potential in martial arts than using. Also she need work on self-control, and much more on skill than power.
Nabiki, Ranma not know what to think. He say she very cold, like close self off from everyone. Is not sure, though, he not talk to her enough to know for sure. Also, he not see much at school, but some people say she be very... temperature? Wind chill? Icy. She be icy."
Kasumi nodded. "That's about what I would expect."
"Ranma not sure what think about you. You is very nice, and kind, but maybe too much. He think you maybe give too much to family, not get enough return from father, from sisters. He notice all day, sisters thank you for thing you do maybe once. He say they need appreciate more. He also want teach you martial arts, you move like martial artist, only not with learn. Is also..."
"Also what?" Kasumi asked, trying not to sound too eager.
Yasha blinked and shook her head. Ranma had left off mid-sentence, then told her he was done. Odd. "He say that is all."
More time passed, and Kasumi went inside for a while to set up some stuff for dinner.
The snack tray was replaced with a lunch tray just after Yasha finished the last cracker-stack.
Kasumi sat down, putting down the glasses of lemonade, and a small pitcher, then seating herself. "I was wondering, does Ranma have any hobbies or anything?" She asked.
Yasha nodded. "Ranma like to carve wood. Is very good at too." Then she laughed. "Ranma is saying he not that good, is really easy. Ranma too modest. Is hard thing."
Aw, c'mon, Yasha! It's just a hobby. I'm not that good. I only do a little in m' spare time.
Don't depreciate yourself, Ranma! It's very difficult for some people. I only ever tried once. Nearly sliced my arm open. And I'm really good with my hands usually. Well, at keeping track of where they are. You know, dexterity and stuff.
"What about you? Do you have anything you do for fun?"
Yasha smiled wistfully, looking up into the sun. "Hai. I like hike, and also I play flute. Was pretty good at that, though I usually out of practice. I wish still have flute. And recorders. I play soprano and alto, not at same time, but indiviv.... indidi.... separate."
Kasumi nodded. "'Individual' is how you say it in Japanese."
"In-di-vi-du-al" Yasha carefully pronounced, each character-sound separate.
Kasumi smiled. "That's what we can do while you heal, I can teach you Japanese! Is that alright with you?"
Yasha's grin could have lit asbestos on fire. "Is WONDERFUL! I hate not speak language nice. Arigatou, Kasumi"
Kasumi nodded again. "By the by, how old were you before you 'joined', so to speak, with Ranma?"
The smaller girl's grin hardly faded as she answered. "Was eighteen, almost nineteen. Three months from nineteen, actually."
Eventually....
"So," Began Kasumi, "We still need a name for you. After all, we can't just call you Ranma, and I refuse to let you name yourself 'Yasha'. It's just not right. What was your name Before?"
Yasha frowned. "I not want use name from Before. Was not very good life, was not very good person. I not want same as was before. I very unhappy that way. I need new name, one not relate to old life. Or think maybe just be same again."
"Hmmmm..." Kasumi said, gently biting her lip in thought. "What are your favorite things?"
Yasha blinked. She had thought they were talking about naming her... "Colors are purple and green, best together. I like calamari, music, and drawing. Very much I like singing and dancing."
"Okay, what about... Kangakkiko?"
The small girl made a face. "Is big mouthful. Sound like weapon or spiky thing."
"Maybe... Megara?"
"Maybe, maybe. Other ideas?"
"Well, there's always Ranko, the female version of Ranma, but that's a little... corny."
" I agree. Other idea maybe?"
"Kikuko? Maybe Reiko? Or, how about Ryoko?"
"No, are just not feel right. And last one is like cartoon character, make me look silly. Hair and fangs like her enough for me."
"Ahhh... Yoiko? Maybe Kodora?"
"What was last one? 'Little Tiger'? That sound nice."
"Yes, but it's a little... tomboyish. Maybe Dorako?"
"'Tiger child'? Sound just as man as Kodora, to me."
WHAM!!!
Both girls jumped at the manner in which Souun and Genma announced their return.
"Awful rrrrude of th' chillern t' move th' fron' gate like that, Tenno!"
Souun began to bawl. Again. (# 73: Someone Moved My Front Gate While I Was Out Drinking With My Best Friend)
"WAAAAH! It'sh nhot my ffffallt! WAAAAAH! I bringededed upp my chillren right! They juss' not respect me! Nabi... abki... kibaba... nababa... kibanabanabanikiki... kini...ki don' evn' lemme know nothin' no more!!!!"
The two girls exchanged a look before Kasumi went to help the fathers to their rooms, hopefully before Akane and Nabiki got back.
The currently-nameless girl sat thinking about what to call herself, absently noting the feeling of the fur falling out all down her back and across her abdomen. This was the third time that had happened. Almost as though her body hadn't decided what it was going to be yet.
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Been checking my reviews, and all I can say is 'Wow.' I never thought enough people would like something I wrote. But, for you all, I will keep it up. Besides, it's fun sometimes. The rest of the time it's very fun. Well, GTG! Jaa, mata!
"Curse you, Saotome!" Kuno growled, achieving surprising results though he was using a bokken instead of a shovel to dig, "None has the right to defeat you but Kuno Tatewaki! I shall not permit you to be defeated by a mere building full of debris! The Blue Thunder will have his revenge only after I have freed you!"
-Tatewaki Kuno, "The Fifth Fiancee"
Further Notes, 8/6/04:
So, more than anything else, I fixed the Japanese error with Kuno's back-banner (Boy was my face red when I had that pointed out to me), but I also meddled a bit with the conversation. But not too much. On the whole, this is one of the more satisfactory chapters of this work, being as it came out more or less as intended. Especially in starting and ending point. There will probably be much more alteration in the next few chapters. Once things start to get going again, in fact, there will be major changes, and a heavy departure from the original in some aspects. A few very major things will actually not even happen- I think.
On the other hand, since I generally let the story run where it will, only really controlling the introduction of new elements and letting the rest just interact... it's hard to say for sure.
Anyways, plodding along with this, step by step... inch by inch... and then... um... something. Eesh, I don't even remember how that goes anymore.
Ah, well. Ja ne.
-Selene Starblade