Notes: Alright, just as a prewarning: this is mainly just a pointless little snippet, written as a mere afterthought. If I had any sense, I would have written it first and made it a mysterious and foreshadowing prelude, and have the main chapter be a "the next day…" type fic. But alas, I don't have that kind of thinking capacity! So here it is.

An 'Epilogue': The Morning After

A solitary fish jumped through the diaphanous water and back again in one smooth motion. The Koi pond was surrounded by vaguely shimmering white snow, with all the unreal fluffy appearance as to make it appearant that it had recently fallen. The sun was burning only dimly, distantly, and the air was languid and carefree. It was a perfect atmosphere to fit the circumstances of that day.

The calmness in the Tendo household was irregular and unusual. It could be traced back to the absence of the two occupants who most usually collided and caused commotion – Ranma and Akane. The clock ticked down until it was very near to midday, and they both still appeared to be asleep, having not emerged from their rooms. The other inhibitants were somewhat perplexed, as it was very rare for either of them to ever sleep in. They went about their regular activies, however – a normal day.

Kasumi was humming as she glided a hot iron over crumpled fabric, making it look like an easy task. Nabiki lied on the floor tummy-down, bored expression plastered to her face as her eyes skimmed through the magazine open in front of her. Soun Tendo and Genma Saotome, in his human form, sat opposite each other with a shogi board between them, heads down, each concocting their own strategy to cheat their victory. It was a peaceful day.

Kasumi asked the others if it was alright to order ramen for lunch, and they all agreed. She walked her way to the phone to call the Nekohanten, and after about five minutes emerged into the room with a very slight frown and a quiet, "How odd…"

Nabiki looked up, "What is it, sis?"

Kasumi then explained that Cologne had answered the phone at the Nekohanten. She regretfully informed Kasumi that it would not be taking orders today, being closed. When asked why, Cologne explained with a tone of part bemusement, part annoyance, that her only two workers were dozing in what seemed like comatose-slumbers, and she had been mercifull with them, (since it was recently Christmas), and was allowing them to remain sleeping for that day.

After this recount, everyone blinked in thoughtful silence.

"How odd…" repeated Kasumi.

"I'll try for Okanomiyaki then," said Nabiki as she stood and idly walked to the phone.

After a short absence, she too returned with a frown, explaining simply, "No answer at Ukyo's."

They all glanced at each other. Kasumi shrugged and announced that she would cook something instead, and pattered her way to the kitchen. The others went back to their respective activities.

Genma appeared to be losing the shogi game. All avenues of cheating attempted and failed, he crinkled his forehead, giving the impression of being deep in thought. Partly because he wanted to bring the attention from the shogi game, and partly because the whole issue was slightly ominous, he eventually broke the serene silence.

"Now that I recall…" he began with a grave and serious air, staring into the sky and folding his arms. The others looked up at him. "This morning as I was going for my daily exercise," he missed their sceptic looks, "I reached the park…" Ah, they figured. He had probably been scavenging for yen or food.

"And I remember seeing a rather peculiar figure hunched against a tree and half-emerged in snow. As I got closer, I noticed it was Ryoga, asleep against the tree."

Soun replied, "Rather peculiar that so many of the martial artists seem to be in a deep sleep. I wonder if there's anything significant behind it all."

Nabiki remained silent, though she was also thinking. She already had her suspicions concerning Ranma and Akane; it was highly uncharacteristic for them to sleep late. She had been happy enough to put on a façade for the rest of the family and let them have their fun for one morning, but now it was well past midday and she figured they had had quite enough time. Standing once more, she promptly went to her room and picked up her camera. Holding it in one hand, she went back down to where Soun and Genma sat, now emerged in reminiscing about every sleep-inducing Oni they'd ever run away from (their words, however, made it sound much more heroic and noble). Changing her mind, she made her way to the guest room where Ranma and his father slept every night. Bracing herself for the worst (thought she hoped Ranma and Akane would have the decency to engage in those activities in Akane's room, at least that had a door and a lock), she opened the door swiftly, camera poised just in case.

She gasped and gaped wide-eyed. Ranma was fast asleep. There was nothing out-of-the-ordinary except from the rather happy expression on his face, but that could be attributed to whatever dream he was living out at that moment. Nabiki slid the door closed and walked, this must mean that… (She opened the door to Akane's room) Yes, Akane was peacefully sleeping also. She was wrong in thinking that they were busy with certain other activities. How strange – they were actually quite innocently snoring the whole time. She closed the door to Akane's room quietly and returned the camera to her room, slightly disappointed. It would have been photographic gold if her suspicions had proved true. Now that she had no other preoccupations, she went back to her magazine and lay idly on the floor.

The pleasant smell wafted slowly in from the kitchen. A solitary fish broke water as it flipped in and out of the Koi pond once more. The post-Christmas serenity continued. Scattered around Nermia, mirrored adolescents remained blissfully in undisturbed slumber, each exhausted from the events of the previous day (and extending into early morning).

More notes: Incidentally, a huge shoutout to Hououza, Celestartial Blossoms, Vaniah and panda-tiney, for being kind enough to review the first chapter, I appreciate your comments!

So anyone else out there reading this, please spare a second to type a few bits about what you thought of this story. It makes a difference, really!

Alright, so a proper story coming soon. Happy Holidays everyone.