Disclaimer: I do not own Ranma ½ or Kingdom Hearts. Thank you for your cooperation.
Author's Note: The final chapter has arrived and I am ready to answer a few questions left over from the last chapter. Thank you all for sticking with me to the end. This story has been fun to write and I'm glad I didn't give up. Oh well, enough from me and enjoy the show!
A Different Side: Wild Half
Epilogue: Descent into Dreams and Rise from Nightmares
(or That's All Folks!)
Nerima Ward, Tokyo
The day didn't quite begin as it usually did. For one thing, Ranma had woken up by himself. The other thing, he was up at around 5 o'clock in the morning. He knew that Kasumi would be just waking up to get the house ready for the normal morning rush. The thought of Kasumi gave him a warm feeling inside that he had a hard time understanding. The pigtailed boy had just awakened from a strange dream. The faces were familiar, but one face stood out. In the dream, a boy named Ryo wandered into Nerima and almost single-handedly curbed all the chaos in his life. He half wished that it was true, but was also glad it wasn't. If it were, Nerima would quickly become a boring place. Since sleep was no longer an option, the young martial artist got up to help the eldest girl with her morning routine. In the dream, she loved him and he loved her. He could pinpoint the warmth now and he knew he loved her in the waking world. How would he tell her? This wasn't a battle to be won, not by conventional definitions anyway. With his head full of questions, he got up and got dressed, intent on helping Kasumi-chan.
She slapped the shut off on the alarm a full five minutes before it began to ring. Kasumi had been training herself to wake up without that annoying racket. She squirmed under her comforters for a blissful few minutes more. A soft smile crossed her face at the wonderful dream she had that night. It made her wonder if any of that was really possible. She had indeed kept up with her training, but couldn't picture herself wielding a staff and defeating Amazons. The dream made her smile grow wider at one memory, Ranma and her in love. Free to pursue it without difficulty. Their chaotic life finally made peaceful, but somehow that idea made her frown. It just wouldn't be home without the chaos. The eldest girl sighed as she dragged herself from bed, dreams like that were nice, but some things were impossible. She wanted to tell him, the Kami knew she should tell him, but she was afraid of rejection. Therefore, she simply got dressed and left the room to begin her day.
As she stepped into the hall, she almost ran into the boy she was dreaming about. He stopped dead just before slamming into her, but she tripped on the hem of her dress. Before she could fall, Ranma reacted instantly and caught her. The startled girl had to force herself not to hyperventilate. The two teens blushed at their proximity. He had a whole speech worked out to declare his feelings. Her thoughts were a confusing jumble, she reflexively tightened her hold on him. Ranma was not only a student of Anything Goes, but also of the school of Actions Speak Louder Than Words. Without hesitating, he kissed her. She momentarily froze before seeming to almost melt against him, returning the kiss with a deep need that mirrored his own. When the two finally broke apart for air, their minds also mirrored the same thought. "Wow." Kasumi looked into Ranma's eyes a little flushed. This was so much better then the dream because it was really happening! Would she have to fight Akane? She thought she might, but maybe she wouldn't. Hopefully she wouldn't.
"I figured ya would want some company." He said shyly. The elder girl smiled warmly at him.
"I'd be happy for the help." She replied. The two hugged a little while longer before pulling apart, somewhat reluctantly. The two had a lot to do and it wasn't all to do with this morning.
Breakfast that morning was a strangely tense affair. Akane seemed to be deep in thought about something. Even Nabiki looked a little rattled. The fathers were pretty much normal. Soun crying over the delicious rice and Genma trying to steal his offspring's food. The Tendo heir looked to her fiancée and noticed how close he and Kasumi were sitting. Her face was screwed up with an unfathomable pain. She was about to do something she knew was right, but that didn't ease the ache in her heart. Ranma always protected her and cared about her. What she also knew was that she just didn't deserve him. Sure, his foot in mouth disease was a problem, but not punishable by being smacked in the head with whatever is available. She looked at Ranma unconsciously sitting close to Kasumi and knew she was right. It was best to make it as painless as possible.
"I have an announcement." She said. The family looked to her. The look on her face was somber. "I know I'm a terrible fiancée. No one can say different. If we'd had a chance to be friends… Scratch that. It was my fault we couldn't be friends despite Ranma trying. I hereby wish to break my engagement to him." Her head was bowed and a gentle trickle of tears could faintly be seen. Nabiki, in an uncharacteristic display, held her little sister comfortingly. Ranma and Kasumi were both shell shocked at the announcement. Soun was taking it like he always did with his "The schools will never be joined!" and Genma's rant about an ungrateful son. Kasumi set her cup down gently and cleared her throat.
"Since Akane releases her claim on Ranma, I will take her place." The elder girl said solemnly. The fathers instantly perked up. Kasumi went over to help comfort her sister as the pigtailed boy sighed. It hurt hearing Akane say it, but it also released him from a future in a loveless marriage. There was only one problem, ending the other engagements honorably. In society, combat was a generally honorable way to relinquish claim, but Kasumi can't fight. Even if the dream said different. Nabiki picked her head up.
"The other fiancées won't give up. They'll just assume Kasumi will be an easier target." The mercenary said. Kasumi actually bristled.
"If I can defeat them then they will have to release their claims on my Ranma-chan." She said, unusually aggressive. Everyone seemed taken aback by her fire except Ranma. He stared in wonder as the dream seemed to be becoming reality. "The first one is Ukyou. I am sorry, but she will be relatively easy to convince." Nabiki could only stare as Kasumi schemed. She knew this wouldn't be easy, but at least it was a start.
"No. I'll handle Ucchan. I guess you should talk to Shampoo then." Ranma said. Everyone blinked as he suggested that she walk right into the Chinese Amazon's clutches. The girl nodded and ran upstairs, leaving Ranma to clean up. Her only excuse was she needed to get ready.
They had to wait a little while before Kasumi came bouncing down the stairs, taking them two at a time. She was wearing a lead grey t-shirt and back shorts with black high-tops. Her hair was pulled back in a tight braid and she wielded a metal staff that seemed to be segmented. She smiled at the stunned reactions before looping her arm through Ranma's. "Don't wait up, guys." She said as she dragged the uncomplaining boy out the door.
Ranma was nervous about how to deal with his best friend and the currently toppled "Cute Fiancée" because nobody was cuter then her in his opinion. As he entered the shop, he saw something unexpected. Ukyou sitting on the floor of her restaurant, holding a tanto to her throat. This situation needed correcting fast. The girl was understandably startled when her knife disappeared and Ranma appeared, twirling it idly. "What d'ya think yer doin'?" he demanded.
"M-my father…after failing so many times to get you… has disowned me. I am following the only path left to an honorless woman. Just let me die. I know I can never have you." She wept bitterly. Ranma experienced anger he had never known before, somehow this even eclipsed the anger at Saffron. How could anyone do this to their own child? Even Genma wouldn't do that and he had no sense of honor to speak of. The knife in his hand began warping under the intense pressure of his grip. The chef girl stared in shock at the rapidly folding weapon.
"I won't stand by and watch my best friend die. Understand?" he said with determination before tossing the ruined weapon aside and kneeling beside her. Taking her shoulder, he turned her towards him. "I'm sorry that I could never return your feelings for me. It's not like I don't l-l-love ya, but you're like a sister to me. Please don't do this." He pleaded. The chef girl looked at him with pain in her eyes. With a despairing wail, she threw her arms around his neck and cried. Ranma didn't even freeze up, he just held her as she cried. The friendship they'd had all those years ago had returned as they sat there on the floor. They talked as they hadn't talked in years, Ukyou finally realizing what she had been missing. It took being disowned to realize that. The pigtailed boy finally said, thoughtfully "Well, maybe our family could take ya in. I mean. We're already as good as brother and sister. I don't see why my folks would have a problem with it." The chef girl smiled slightly at the sentiment. The two teens decided to go to Ranma's family, but first they needed to stop at the Nekohanten to check on Kasumi. The spatula girl was understandably horrified and had to see what Ranma meant when he said she could take care of herself, even though inside he was worried as well.
As she walked, Kasumi mentally went through what she would say when she got there. She was worried about challenging Shampoo, but not as much as she should have been. The dream from the night before came back to her and she smiled. If it was as true about her fighting ability as it was about Ranma's love, then even Shampoo would be easy. As the Nekohanten hovered into view, she paced herself. She needed focus and calm before her inevitable battle. The Chinese Amazon girl would actually be easy to convince, it was Cologne that would be difficult. She entered the restaurant, her staff resting easily on her back. Shampoo was cleaning tables, Mousse was declaring undying love for a table, and Cologne was balancing the books. This couldn't have been more perfect, the eldest Tendo girl thought. All of them in one convenient location.
"Aiyah! So sorry, we not open right now. Please come later…" the purple-haired girl said as she turned to the door and froze in shock. There was Kasumi, pulling on a pair of black, fingerless gloves with metal studs on the knuckles. That was what had stopped Shampoo. The obviously combat ready Kasumi standing at the door. The Amazon Matriarch looked up from her counting and actually paled visibly. The dream she had was so vivid in her mind. The blatantly obvious accusations in that dream made her squirm with discomfort. She knew that was what she could become if she wasn't careful and always remember that she loves her grandchild. The battle ready girl at the door brought the dream back with instant clarity. Even Mousse was so surprised he actually pulled his glasses down to see.
"I'm not coming back later. There is something that I am here to correct. Ranma and I are engaged." The normally quiet girl dropped the bomb on the already startled Amazon. The purple-haired one glared daggers at her, but it lacked force. Somehow, she knew that this was going to happen. The Matriarch chuckled.
"Amazon laws hold more weight than that." She said, smugly.
"They do not hold more weight then my heart or his. Anyone who says otherwise is a deluded fool. I challenge Shampoo right now to a contest of honor. If I win, Shampoo must stop pursuing Ranma. If she wins, I'll stop pursuing him as well. I will even help you get him." The agitated girl said heatedly. The agitation was all a ruse, however, it was a ploy to make them think she had lost it. Her changed outfit also threw them off balance. It worked just as she had planned.
"Fine. Shampoo accept fight right now." The girl said through gritted teeth. Cologne tried vainly to stop her impetuous granddaughter, but it was too late. The challenge was given and accepted. The Chinese girl whipped out her bonborri and got into a ready stance. Kasumi merely gripped her staff for an over-the-shoulder draw. The thing that disturbed the spectators the most was the smile on the quiet girl's face. At an unseen signal, Shampoo exploded into motion, swinging her weapons with full intent of caving in Kasumi's skull. The challenger merely stood there until the last possible second before drawing the staff and vaulting out the way, rapping Shampoo smartly in the back of the head.
"Who needs strength when you have brains." Her mother used to say. That old saying still holds true today. Every time the bonborri wielding maniac attacked, she found herself redirected and struck from behind. If the purple haired girl had remained calm, she would have seen what was being done, but rage had claimed her. A berserker was actually easier to deal with then people thought. As she continued to rampage like a bull in a china shop or an Amazon girl in a ramen shop, Kasumi kept her off balance with a combination of dodges and strikes. The elder groaned in obvious disappointment as she watched Shampoo get jabbed for the hundredth time and Kasumi seemed barely winded at all. Ranma and Ukyou actually entered the shop just in time to catch the tail end of the fight. Shampoo was facing Kasumi, her rage burning so hotly it actually was warping the floor beneath her feet. Kasumi just smiled.
"It's over." Was all she said before stabbing her staff, lightning quick, at a hidden pressure point on the left breast and watched with satisfaction as Shampoo stiffened up. Her limbs freezing painfully as she tumbled towards the ground, fingers curled into claws from the agony as she writhed on the ground. "Submit." Was the cold demand. Inside she was wilting with sympathy, but she had to do it. Later she would cry, but Shampoo needed to see only resolve.
"Sh-Shampoo y-yield…" the girl gasped out painfully. Kasumi nodded and jabbed another pressure point to release the pain lock. The girl curled into a ball, sobbing uncontrollably. Not just from the pain, but from losing Ranma as well. There was nothing the eldest Tendo girl could say to alleviate her pain. She merely nodded to Cologne and walked out with Ranma and Ukyou. After she had left, Mousse walked over to her and gently scooped her up. The Matriarch motioned for Mousse to follow her and had him lay her down in her room. The girl cried into his robes, not letting go. Perhaps the she had been wrong after all, the elder mused. One could never tell what could happen if someone was determined enough and Kasumi was case in point. As good an example as Son-in… Ranma. Perhaps this was for the best, she thought as she walked out of the room and left the blind boy to comfort her granddaughter.
The three teens walked into the house. The chef girl was amazed at what she had seen. Kasumi defeating Shampoo and making it look easy. Though after the battle, she cried into Ranma's shoulder the whole way back. Her legs could barely support her. That was how Ukyou knew that Kasumi hadn't really changed at all, she was still gentle, but willing to do anything to help her family. Perhaps being a Saotome wouldn't be so bad after all. The "lovebirds" called out that they were home. What a lucky break, his mother was there as well as his Pops! Though the idiot was in panda form. This would make it that much easier. Everyone say the weakly limping Kasumi and assumed the worst until they saw the satisfied smile on her face. It was obvious she had won. She was settled on the couch while Akane went to get tea for everyone. The pigtailed boy smirked at the role reversal, but shuddered involuntarily when the violent girl brought out home made tea biscuits. Kasumi knew that there was no horror like her baby sister's cooking, but was pleasantly surprised when the food turned out not only edible, but good! Akane had won her battle with the kitchen apparently.
"How is my manly son today?" Nodoka asked her son with a smile. Somehow, that question always scared him for reasons this author will not get into.
"Pretty good, actually." The boy said. His mother smiled.
"Is that your friend Ukyou?" she asked. The chef girl smiled tentatively, unsure what to do. Ranma already had a plan.
"Yeah mom. She uh.. has a problem." When his mother motioned for him to continue he said sadly. "Because she couldn't get me as her fiancée, her dad disowned her." He said with proper gravity. His mother's eyes went flint hard. Good. "Please, since she was always like a sister to me… Maybe she could be adopted into our family?" he asked tentatively. His mother's turned warm again as she regarded her son-sometimes-daughter and gestured for Ukyou to come over. The girl shyly stepped forward before the older woman embraced her warmly.
"The family would be happy to have you." She said. The chef girl looked at her new mother.
"M-mom…" the word sounded dry and unused, but felt good to hear. The girl clung to her new mother sobbing happily. The Baka Panda held up a sign that said "Don't I get a say in this?"
Mom glared daggers at the fat fool, but the Panda's sign changed almost instantly as soon as the girl clung to him. Everyone knew she disliked Genma, but decided to get off to a good start with her new family. The sign now read "Well, it can't hurt." As he enfolded her in a gentle panda hug. There wasn't a dry eye in the house as the new Saotome girl sat with her family at the table. Eating and enjoying the company. Ranma smiled up at the stars just visible outside the window and thanked Ryo. Even if he was just a dream.
Chaos sat back on his dark cloud with a smirk on his face. "That's how it's done." He said contentedly. The acceleration of the emotions wasn't really directed at Ryo, but it was to convince him to leave sooner. Nice and gradual is the way to go, but Ukyou joining the Saotome's surprised even him. Oh well, Chaos breeds more chaos, he reasoned. Ryo had the right idea, but nowhere near as good as him. He knew eventually he would grow rather bored, so he began to plot a new course for the NWC. Peace was good, but chaos was much better.
Elsewhere…
Ryo sighed in resignation. There, sitting across from him, was Ryoga. The Lost Boy was obviously confused, but somewhat reassured by a friendly face. Even if that face was supposed to be a dream. They sat around a huge bonfire. Kasumi, Ukyou, Shampoo, and surprisingly Nabiki were all cooking something. Ranko was sitting close to Ryo with her head on his shoulder. The boy couldn't believe that he was actually a salad made by Akane that was edible. Ryo was grinning, trying to put him at ease.
"Come on, relax. Wait a couple weeks for when Lombardia comes to visit and she'll give ya a ride home." He reassured him. Choko was striding up to them, a smile on her lips. Ryoga was actually happy she was technically "his sister" because it made him immune to the nosebleed. Only good thing to happen so far.
"You try relaxin' when everything ya know is in another world! Ranma this is all your…fault?" he squeaked out the last part as he suddenly found himself face to face with Ryo.
"Don't you dare blame him for your own poor sense of direction! Why you…!" and a fight broke out between the Lost Boy and the, tentatively titled, King of the Beach. As Ranma appeared, the Lost Boy locked onto him and launched at him with a cry of "Prepare to die!" Ranko just sat back against Choko, her someday sister-in-law and sighed.
"And the beat goes on…" The redhead said, causing Choko to laugh. The music, laughing, feasting and fighting lasted well into the night. When they woke up, Ryoga was gone again.
End Epilogue
Author's Note: I hope you enjoyed this last chapter. I tried incorporating some things from previous chapters. My explanation for the heightened emotions may have been short, but at least I hope it made sense. Thank you all for reading and please review! Thanks a lot and see you soon! Ja ne!