'Mirthless'
Chapter 1
The young woman, no more than nineteen, smiled at the two visitors standing before the threshold to her home, "Mr. Saotome, Ranma, we received you postcard earlier today, I'm afraid our hospitality will be humble."
"Th-that's all right," the younger one, Ranma, replied. She kept her smile as pleasant as possible, even with the confusion she was suffering from. At the moment, all the young redhead could do was follow her father's wishes until she understood the situation.
"Quite alright!" Mr. Saotome agreed, "It was a bit of short notice, I guess. Come now, it's been ages since I've seen my ol' buddy Soun! Won't you invite us in?"
Kasumi's smile faded to a shade of it's original; a mask of clay that became worn with wear, "Father, he's..."
"This wouldn't be the best time to accept guests," another voice stated from behind Kasumi, "I'm afraid we won't be able to host you right now."
"Nabiki!" Kasumi admonished, shocked at her sister's sharp and hard turn away, and fearful of how she now appeared to the two visitors. She had nothing really prepared, other than some store bought snacks, and the rudeness displayed by her sister would probably not go ignored.
"Is Tendou not home at the moment?" Mr. Tendou enquired, "I'm pretty sure he would be eager to meet with his old training partner Genma."
"Pop, if they say it's a bad time-" Ranma began, having finally caught sight of the girl that had been in the hall. She was younger than the girl standing before them, with chin length hair and an expression that was a perpetual glare that Ranma couldn't fathom any other emotion being displayed upon it other than irritation and condensation. It was obvious that she definitely did not want them around.
"Nonsense!" Kasumi interjected, grabbing both by the hands, and pulling them inside, "I will not hear it; to turn away guests, especially friends of father's!"
The younger girl, Nabiki, snorted, turning away, and walking off. Seconds later, the sounds of feet ascending nearby stairs sounded. "Forgive her," Kasumi apologized, "Since we lost... we lost mother, she has had difficulty being sociable."
Genma blinked, before his expression became solemn, "Kimiko...?"
"She... passed away... six months ago," Kasumi answered, quietly, "It has been difficult for all of us."
"Pop, maybe it would be best if we came back at another time," Ranma suggested, looking at the girl worriedly.
"No... No," Kasumi quickly responded, forcing her composure, "It has been long enough. Please, the both of you follow me." Kasumi turned, as Ranma and her father removed their shoes. As they followed behind the girl, Ranma surveyed the hall they were being lead through. Just from the limited area she was seeing, she could tell the house had a great deal of age.
The tour was abrupt, as she lead them to the tea room, "Please, sit. I'll retrieve my father, before I make some tea. I'm sorry I didn't have it read-"
"He doesn't need to be disturbed right now, Kasumi."
The redhead and the balding older man looked up, hearing Nabiki's voice again from the top of the stairs. "Girl... er.. Young lady," Genma quickly corrected, not wishing to seem too familiar with his old friend's daughter. He was sure Soun would punish the girl for her impudence, once the situation was addressed later, "Show some respect for your guests! Perhaps you should learn well from your sister."
"Oh yes, I can learn to be a bumbling incompetent too, thanks for the advice old man, I doubt I'll need any more from you." A moment later, a door upstairs slammed, and nothing else was heard from Nabiki.
"That girl..." Genma almost growled, shocked by such audacity.
"I'm sorry, I'm terribly sorry!" Kasumi hastily apologized. Ranma could see the tears in the corner of her eyes the girl was trying fiercely to withhold. Whether it was because of her sister's antics, or the insult, Ranma wasn't able to say.
"Young lady, you haven't yet introduced yourself," Genma stated, still irritated from the younger's verbal abuse.
"Oh! I... I didn't mean, I..."
Ranma felt the need to interject, knowing the girl was already on the verge of tears, "Hey, Pop, can't you see she's upset, calm down a little!" The redhead turned to the bowing girl, "It's alright, I guess things haven't been the best for you guys."
Genma sighed, and silently agreed with his 'daughter's' advice. Ranma may be more agreeable to Genma's advice at the moment, even more respective towards him, but it galled him how much of a girl his child acted when in this 'state'.
"Yes, perhaps we should start from the beginning," Genma suggested, "As you know I am Genma Saotome and this is my so- er... 'Daughter', Ranma."
"I'm Kasumi Tendou, and you had met my sister, Nabiki. I'm truly sorry about her attitude, but ever since..." the girl shook the thoughts from her head, and was once again wearing a smile, "Well, I've kept you waiting long enough, please permit me to get my father." With that, she bowed once more, and exited the room.
Once she was gone, Ranma turned to her father, "Pop, maybe this isn't such a good idea. It doesn't sound like your friend is really up to meeting us today."
"Boy, we cannot put this off," Genma argued, before baulking slightly at the puzzled look Ranma was giving him, "Er... girl... daughter... girl..."
"It's not normal to keep making that mistake, Pop," Ranma admonished.
"It's best to get this over with now, so we can discuss your condition with Tendou before we get you... before we move onto other matters."
Ranma nodded, understanding what her father was referring to. Ever since the training accident several weeks ago, she hadn't been able to remember her life before that point. On top of that, she had been experiencing blackouts for frighteningly extensive periods of time. She had even suggested to her father that she needed to see a doctor, but he had countered, telling her that she would be fine over time. He even stated he had taken her to one during one of her 'spells', and the doctor said they would clear over time.
"I guess, but I still don't know about this, Pop."
"B-.. Girl, haven't I taught you better than to question your father?" Genma admonished, "Perhaps that Nabiki girl's proving a bad influence already!"
"Sorry, Pop," Ranma apologized, chiding herself for her lack of respect.
"Genma, after so long..."
"TENDOU OL PA-" the greeting died on Genma's breath, as he turned around to meet his fiend after so long. Before him, stood a man whose appearance was barely kept, with lines of great stress on his face that could even be seen though the stubble on his face. His posture lacked any pride or life, not even a flicker of the jovial countenance he long associated with his training partner and friend could be found on him. He swore to himself, having already forgotten that the man's wife had died. "Ah... Tendou."
Soun turned to his daughter Kasumi, who was lightly supporting him with her arm crooked within his, and nodded. She lead him to the other side of the tea table, "Here, father." The Tendou patriarch nodded in his appreciation for his daughter's assistance, before she left for the kitchen.
"Genma... even in this most... troubling of years, your presence is a welcome one."
"Ah... sorry to hear your loss, Tendou..." Genma offered his condolences, "She was a good woman." Before Soun could give his own reply, Genma perked up, "But all is not at and end, Tendou!"
Genma stood, startling the other three with his sudden spirit, "Fore even in this time of mourning, we may honor your wife's memory by realizing our pledge!"
"S-Saotome?" Soun almost whispered, appalled that his friend would find rejoice during his family's suffering.
"Tendou, had you forgotten?" Genma enquired incredulously, "Our dream of uniting the schools!"
Soun blinked, before turning to look towards Ranma. The redhead began to feel antsy at the sudden scrutiny, and shifted in her seat uncomfortably. She then turned to her father, awaiting an explanation, "What are you talking about, Pop?"
"Father?" Kasumi asked her own remaining parent, "'uniting the schools'? Does this have something to do with Akane?"
At the name Kasumi mentioned, Soun flinched, and wilted. He turned to his long time friend, and spoke again, "Saotome... perhaps this is something we might discuss in private..."
At the tone, Genma frowned, "Tendou, this is a pact of honor. Are you-"
"No, that isn't it," Soun interjected, before looking towards his curious eldest daughter, "But, it would be best if we discuss things before we announce this to my daughters."
"Hmmm," Genma mused, "If you say so." Soun nodded, before standing up, and motioning Genma to follow him down the hall. Ranma watched the two men, before turning to Kasumi.
"If you would like, I will show you to the guest room. You can use the bath once you're ready," Kasumi stated with a forced calm that Ranma could see through.
"I'm sorry we're intruding," Ranma finally responded.
"Oh, oh no!" Kasumi rebuked, "You're not intruding at all! We're happy to have you and you father here!"
"Your sister didn't seem to share that sentiment," Ranma mumbled, though it was clear enough for Kasumi to hear.
"She wasn't always like this, forgive her, Ranma." Kasumi walked into the hall, "Please, follow me."
"Tendou?" Genma asked, standing in the dojo, while Soun sat on his knees in the middle of it.
"I... I do not know how they'll react to this news right now, Saotome. My middle daughter... she may be most vocal about it."
"What does that matter, Tendou?" Genma asked, "They're your daughters, they're supposed to obey you. If you tell them they are to marry my son, one of them has to uphold the honor of your family."
"Saotome... Genma... I lost my beloved wife all too quickly," Soun spoke, closing his eyes and allowing a lone tear to escape, "If... if not for them, I wouldn't be able to go on..."
Genma stood back, awaiting his friend's notorious waterworks to begin. If there was one thing he remembered about Soun, were his extreme emotions.
"My wife... she left me a broken man," the man kneeling continued, barely able to hold in the grief that overwhelmed him every night, as he laid in the bed he and his wife had shared for over twenty years.
Finally, Soun willed himself to open his eyes and face his once-time training partner, "I couldn't bear to have them angry at me, Saotome... I wouldn't know what to do..."
Genma baulked at the intensity of the pain he saw in his friend's eyes, and realized this would be tough to sell. "Soun, I know you all miss her, but you're gonna have to move on sometime."
"It's... it's far from easy, Saotome."
Internally groaning, Genma thought of a new tactic, "Do you really think Kimiko would want you or your daughters to grieve over her forever? Look on the bright side, Tendou, she would be smiling from the heavens, if she knew at least one of her daughters would have a secure future! With this marriage, that would all be certain!" Genma let out a chuckle, sounding impressed with his own reasoning.
"She... she did express her interest... when she found out about our pact," Soun admitted, "Perhaps, perhaps my daughters might see the wisdom in your words as much as I do..."
Ranma drenched herself with the cool water, and idly began to scrub herself as she had been shown in the bathhouse by those women a week ago. Even if she later found out she had suffered another one of her spells, she still recalled their lessons on thorough hygiene.
Wincing, Ranma also recalled the bruises from several implements that she had apparently suffered while she had blacked out. She rationalized that it was from falling, but she knew from experience most of the marks were from various staff-like weapons.
Dismissing the unpleasant memory of pain, Ranma considered her predicament. She wasn't sure what her father was up to, but she trusted his judgment. He was always trying to do what was best for her, he told her, and she hadn't seen any evidence to suggest otherwise. Whenever she suffered a spell, he made sure to carry her to wherever distance they needed, and she knew he did his best with raising her.
Ranma continued to lather herself up, wondering how she would have been if she had known her mother. She felt sorry for Kasumi, and even Nabiki, but at least they had gotten to live with the woman who gave birth to them and loved them unconditionally.
It had never come up between her and her father, what her mother was like. Raising a second bucket of cold water over her head, the redhead decided she would have to ask her father.
Satisfied she was clean, Ranma then made her way to the tub. Kasumi said she had already run the water not too long ago, so she would have the benefit of the first bath. Almost giddily anticipating the touch of the delicious hot water, Ranma positioned herself to enter the tub. Right before her foot sunk into the water, she had realized that she couldn't remember the last time she had a nice hot bath...
??????????????????????????
Ranma blinked, disorientated, before he realized he was overbalanced, and slipped into the water. The ink-haired pigtailed boy quickly recovered, spitting out some of the water he almost swallowed in his panicked yelp.
"Alright, WHERE THE HELL AM I NOW?" Ranma shouted, taking in his surroundings. It was a tub, from the looks of it, a tub in someone's house. Getting out of the water, he moved towards the only window he saw and looked out best he could. The barely opaque window didn't offer the best visual, but he was pretty sure he wouldn't recognize what he saw out of it anyhow.
This was really getting to be a pain in the ass, waking up at different places like this. His Pops was going to get the worst beating of his life, once he figured out what was going on. Damn him, ever since Jusenkyo, he'd been suffering these 'spells' all to frequently. He swore he was going to get to a doctor to find out what type of damage nearly drowning in that spring did to him, and then he would make sure his Pop suffered to the same extent. Be best not to overdo it, though, killing one's father was still looked down upon, no matter how much it was warranted.
"Well, may as well enjoy the bath while I'm here," Ranma resigned himself. He set his foot back in the tub, just as he heard the inner door open.
All Ranma could do was stand there frozen, as a girl he had never seen before with short hair stared blankly back at him. After several long moments, she merely closed the door.
Ranma listened as he heard the rustling of cloths from the other side of the door, and the outer door shut. "Great, Pops is really gonna get it now!" Ranma growled.
Chapter 1
The young woman, no more than nineteen, smiled at the two visitors standing before the threshold to her home, "Mr. Saotome, Ranma, we received you postcard earlier today, I'm afraid our hospitality will be humble."
"Th-that's all right," the younger one, Ranma, replied. She kept her smile as pleasant as possible, even with the confusion she was suffering from. At the moment, all the young redhead could do was follow her father's wishes until she understood the situation.
"Quite alright!" Mr. Saotome agreed, "It was a bit of short notice, I guess. Come now, it's been ages since I've seen my ol' buddy Soun! Won't you invite us in?"
Kasumi's smile faded to a shade of it's original; a mask of clay that became worn with wear, "Father, he's..."
"This wouldn't be the best time to accept guests," another voice stated from behind Kasumi, "I'm afraid we won't be able to host you right now."
"Nabiki!" Kasumi admonished, shocked at her sister's sharp and hard turn away, and fearful of how she now appeared to the two visitors. She had nothing really prepared, other than some store bought snacks, and the rudeness displayed by her sister would probably not go ignored.
"Is Tendou not home at the moment?" Mr. Tendou enquired, "I'm pretty sure he would be eager to meet with his old training partner Genma."
"Pop, if they say it's a bad time-" Ranma began, having finally caught sight of the girl that had been in the hall. She was younger than the girl standing before them, with chin length hair and an expression that was a perpetual glare that Ranma couldn't fathom any other emotion being displayed upon it other than irritation and condensation. It was obvious that she definitely did not want them around.
"Nonsense!" Kasumi interjected, grabbing both by the hands, and pulling them inside, "I will not hear it; to turn away guests, especially friends of father's!"
The younger girl, Nabiki, snorted, turning away, and walking off. Seconds later, the sounds of feet ascending nearby stairs sounded. "Forgive her," Kasumi apologized, "Since we lost... we lost mother, she has had difficulty being sociable."
Genma blinked, before his expression became solemn, "Kimiko...?"
"She... passed away... six months ago," Kasumi answered, quietly, "It has been difficult for all of us."
"Pop, maybe it would be best if we came back at another time," Ranma suggested, looking at the girl worriedly.
"No... No," Kasumi quickly responded, forcing her composure, "It has been long enough. Please, the both of you follow me." Kasumi turned, as Ranma and her father removed their shoes. As they followed behind the girl, Ranma surveyed the hall they were being lead through. Just from the limited area she was seeing, she could tell the house had a great deal of age.
The tour was abrupt, as she lead them to the tea room, "Please, sit. I'll retrieve my father, before I make some tea. I'm sorry I didn't have it read-"
"He doesn't need to be disturbed right now, Kasumi."
The redhead and the balding older man looked up, hearing Nabiki's voice again from the top of the stairs. "Girl... er.. Young lady," Genma quickly corrected, not wishing to seem too familiar with his old friend's daughter. He was sure Soun would punish the girl for her impudence, once the situation was addressed later, "Show some respect for your guests! Perhaps you should learn well from your sister."
"Oh yes, I can learn to be a bumbling incompetent too, thanks for the advice old man, I doubt I'll need any more from you." A moment later, a door upstairs slammed, and nothing else was heard from Nabiki.
"That girl..." Genma almost growled, shocked by such audacity.
"I'm sorry, I'm terribly sorry!" Kasumi hastily apologized. Ranma could see the tears in the corner of her eyes the girl was trying fiercely to withhold. Whether it was because of her sister's antics, or the insult, Ranma wasn't able to say.
"Young lady, you haven't yet introduced yourself," Genma stated, still irritated from the younger's verbal abuse.
"Oh! I... I didn't mean, I..."
Ranma felt the need to interject, knowing the girl was already on the verge of tears, "Hey, Pop, can't you see she's upset, calm down a little!" The redhead turned to the bowing girl, "It's alright, I guess things haven't been the best for you guys."
Genma sighed, and silently agreed with his 'daughter's' advice. Ranma may be more agreeable to Genma's advice at the moment, even more respective towards him, but it galled him how much of a girl his child acted when in this 'state'.
"Yes, perhaps we should start from the beginning," Genma suggested, "As you know I am Genma Saotome and this is my so- er... 'Daughter', Ranma."
"I'm Kasumi Tendou, and you had met my sister, Nabiki. I'm truly sorry about her attitude, but ever since..." the girl shook the thoughts from her head, and was once again wearing a smile, "Well, I've kept you waiting long enough, please permit me to get my father." With that, she bowed once more, and exited the room.
Once she was gone, Ranma turned to her father, "Pop, maybe this isn't such a good idea. It doesn't sound like your friend is really up to meeting us today."
"Boy, we cannot put this off," Genma argued, before baulking slightly at the puzzled look Ranma was giving him, "Er... girl... daughter... girl..."
"It's not normal to keep making that mistake, Pop," Ranma admonished.
"It's best to get this over with now, so we can discuss your condition with Tendou before we get you... before we move onto other matters."
Ranma nodded, understanding what her father was referring to. Ever since the training accident several weeks ago, she hadn't been able to remember her life before that point. On top of that, she had been experiencing blackouts for frighteningly extensive periods of time. She had even suggested to her father that she needed to see a doctor, but he had countered, telling her that she would be fine over time. He even stated he had taken her to one during one of her 'spells', and the doctor said they would clear over time.
"I guess, but I still don't know about this, Pop."
"B-.. Girl, haven't I taught you better than to question your father?" Genma admonished, "Perhaps that Nabiki girl's proving a bad influence already!"
"Sorry, Pop," Ranma apologized, chiding herself for her lack of respect.
"Genma, after so long..."
"TENDOU OL PA-" the greeting died on Genma's breath, as he turned around to meet his fiend after so long. Before him, stood a man whose appearance was barely kept, with lines of great stress on his face that could even be seen though the stubble on his face. His posture lacked any pride or life, not even a flicker of the jovial countenance he long associated with his training partner and friend could be found on him. He swore to himself, having already forgotten that the man's wife had died. "Ah... Tendou."
Soun turned to his daughter Kasumi, who was lightly supporting him with her arm crooked within his, and nodded. She lead him to the other side of the tea table, "Here, father." The Tendou patriarch nodded in his appreciation for his daughter's assistance, before she left for the kitchen.
"Genma... even in this most... troubling of years, your presence is a welcome one."
"Ah... sorry to hear your loss, Tendou..." Genma offered his condolences, "She was a good woman." Before Soun could give his own reply, Genma perked up, "But all is not at and end, Tendou!"
Genma stood, startling the other three with his sudden spirit, "Fore even in this time of mourning, we may honor your wife's memory by realizing our pledge!"
"S-Saotome?" Soun almost whispered, appalled that his friend would find rejoice during his family's suffering.
"Tendou, had you forgotten?" Genma enquired incredulously, "Our dream of uniting the schools!"
Soun blinked, before turning to look towards Ranma. The redhead began to feel antsy at the sudden scrutiny, and shifted in her seat uncomfortably. She then turned to her father, awaiting an explanation, "What are you talking about, Pop?"
"Father?" Kasumi asked her own remaining parent, "'uniting the schools'? Does this have something to do with Akane?"
At the name Kasumi mentioned, Soun flinched, and wilted. He turned to his long time friend, and spoke again, "Saotome... perhaps this is something we might discuss in private..."
At the tone, Genma frowned, "Tendou, this is a pact of honor. Are you-"
"No, that isn't it," Soun interjected, before looking towards his curious eldest daughter, "But, it would be best if we discuss things before we announce this to my daughters."
"Hmmm," Genma mused, "If you say so." Soun nodded, before standing up, and motioning Genma to follow him down the hall. Ranma watched the two men, before turning to Kasumi.
"If you would like, I will show you to the guest room. You can use the bath once you're ready," Kasumi stated with a forced calm that Ranma could see through.
"I'm sorry we're intruding," Ranma finally responded.
"Oh, oh no!" Kasumi rebuked, "You're not intruding at all! We're happy to have you and you father here!"
"Your sister didn't seem to share that sentiment," Ranma mumbled, though it was clear enough for Kasumi to hear.
"She wasn't always like this, forgive her, Ranma." Kasumi walked into the hall, "Please, follow me."
"Tendou?" Genma asked, standing in the dojo, while Soun sat on his knees in the middle of it.
"I... I do not know how they'll react to this news right now, Saotome. My middle daughter... she may be most vocal about it."
"What does that matter, Tendou?" Genma asked, "They're your daughters, they're supposed to obey you. If you tell them they are to marry my son, one of them has to uphold the honor of your family."
"Saotome... Genma... I lost my beloved wife all too quickly," Soun spoke, closing his eyes and allowing a lone tear to escape, "If... if not for them, I wouldn't be able to go on..."
Genma stood back, awaiting his friend's notorious waterworks to begin. If there was one thing he remembered about Soun, were his extreme emotions.
"My wife... she left me a broken man," the man kneeling continued, barely able to hold in the grief that overwhelmed him every night, as he laid in the bed he and his wife had shared for over twenty years.
Finally, Soun willed himself to open his eyes and face his once-time training partner, "I couldn't bear to have them angry at me, Saotome... I wouldn't know what to do..."
Genma baulked at the intensity of the pain he saw in his friend's eyes, and realized this would be tough to sell. "Soun, I know you all miss her, but you're gonna have to move on sometime."
"It's... it's far from easy, Saotome."
Internally groaning, Genma thought of a new tactic, "Do you really think Kimiko would want you or your daughters to grieve over her forever? Look on the bright side, Tendou, she would be smiling from the heavens, if she knew at least one of her daughters would have a secure future! With this marriage, that would all be certain!" Genma let out a chuckle, sounding impressed with his own reasoning.
"She... she did express her interest... when she found out about our pact," Soun admitted, "Perhaps, perhaps my daughters might see the wisdom in your words as much as I do..."
Ranma drenched herself with the cool water, and idly began to scrub herself as she had been shown in the bathhouse by those women a week ago. Even if she later found out she had suffered another one of her spells, she still recalled their lessons on thorough hygiene.
Wincing, Ranma also recalled the bruises from several implements that she had apparently suffered while she had blacked out. She rationalized that it was from falling, but she knew from experience most of the marks were from various staff-like weapons.
Dismissing the unpleasant memory of pain, Ranma considered her predicament. She wasn't sure what her father was up to, but she trusted his judgment. He was always trying to do what was best for her, he told her, and she hadn't seen any evidence to suggest otherwise. Whenever she suffered a spell, he made sure to carry her to wherever distance they needed, and she knew he did his best with raising her.
Ranma continued to lather herself up, wondering how she would have been if she had known her mother. She felt sorry for Kasumi, and even Nabiki, but at least they had gotten to live with the woman who gave birth to them and loved them unconditionally.
It had never come up between her and her father, what her mother was like. Raising a second bucket of cold water over her head, the redhead decided she would have to ask her father.
Satisfied she was clean, Ranma then made her way to the tub. Kasumi said she had already run the water not too long ago, so she would have the benefit of the first bath. Almost giddily anticipating the touch of the delicious hot water, Ranma positioned herself to enter the tub. Right before her foot sunk into the water, she had realized that she couldn't remember the last time she had a nice hot bath...
??????????????????????????
Ranma blinked, disorientated, before he realized he was overbalanced, and slipped into the water. The ink-haired pigtailed boy quickly recovered, spitting out some of the water he almost swallowed in his panicked yelp.
"Alright, WHERE THE HELL AM I NOW?" Ranma shouted, taking in his surroundings. It was a tub, from the looks of it, a tub in someone's house. Getting out of the water, he moved towards the only window he saw and looked out best he could. The barely opaque window didn't offer the best visual, but he was pretty sure he wouldn't recognize what he saw out of it anyhow.
This was really getting to be a pain in the ass, waking up at different places like this. His Pops was going to get the worst beating of his life, once he figured out what was going on. Damn him, ever since Jusenkyo, he'd been suffering these 'spells' all to frequently. He swore he was going to get to a doctor to find out what type of damage nearly drowning in that spring did to him, and then he would make sure his Pop suffered to the same extent. Be best not to overdo it, though, killing one's father was still looked down upon, no matter how much it was warranted.
"Well, may as well enjoy the bath while I'm here," Ranma resigned himself. He set his foot back in the tub, just as he heard the inner door open.
All Ranma could do was stand there frozen, as a girl he had never seen before with short hair stared blankly back at him. After several long moments, she merely closed the door.
Ranma listened as he heard the rustling of cloths from the other side of the door, and the outer door shut. "Great, Pops is really gonna get it now!" Ranma growled.