Disclaimer: I must apologize to anybody that has taken offence to me using these characters of Rumiko Takahashi without permission, but it was just for fun and not profit. I also apologize to my readers, but I'll explain that after the chapter.
Ranma-chan: female Ranma
P-Genma: Genma in Panda form his signs
C-Shampoo: Shampoo cat form
D-Mousse: Mousse in duck form
'…': denotes thinking
(B-D) : Scene Change!
:-) Flashback (-:
LEO: Low Earth Orbit
Final Week
Oooo, pretty colors. Spiraling all over the place like some psychedelic LSD induced dream or something. That spiraling should make me dizzy, but I feel fine, if but a little tired. Hold on. Why are there so many colors around? Ok, that's weird, as soon as I notice the colors, everything just goes black. What's going on here? WHERE AM I? Weird, not even an echo. Ok, let's see, at least I'm standing on some ground…whoa, how'd I get to the school all of a sudden. Wait, there's a monster over there by the fence. Wait, I know him, that's Taro! Wait, those are my friends he's holding! NNNOOOO!!!!!
"NNNNOOOO!!!!"
He sat up sweating and gasping for air. He felt weak, much weaker than he should be after a good night's sleep. Then he noticed, this wasn't his room. There's an awful lot of beds here, and there's someone on each of them. He knew these people. They were his friends that he tried to save and he let his guard down completely when he saw Taro holding them up in victory.
"You're awake."
He snapped his head toward the strangely familiar voice and regretted it immediately as his neck seemed to hurt all over, causing him to close his eyes in pain for a few seconds. He opened them slowly and turned his head carefully to see who had spoken. Normally his fight or flight instincts would've kicked in and gotten him out of there as soon as he recognized her in her black and while dress, but the combination of the confusion of the moment and his body not working very well simply allowed him to stare for a moment as her name finally left his lips.
"Kodachi?"
"I'm…glad you've awakened," she said, obviously feeling awkward about the situation. "Um, I'll go let the doctor know…"
"No!" He caught himself before going further with what he was going to say. "Um, don't, I mean…not yet…"
"After all I've done, I don't deserve to even look at you, never mind be in your presence. I'll just go so you can recover…"
"Wait," Ranma hoarsely replied. He thought for a second before continuing. "You still got to watch over Kuno, right?" She nodded with a weak smile. "Then…don't go."
She nodded again and sat down in a chair between Kuno and Ranma.
"Thank you, good sir."
"Jeez, no need to be all formal and stuff," he tried to respond normally, but coming out a whole lot weaker than he wanted. "Just call me Ranma."
"You truly are a man among men, Ranma. I wish I could somehow repay you for this. I didn't mean for all of this to happen. This is all my fault…"
"Kodachi," he said, finally getting he voice to sound stronger than he felt, "you have repaid me. You helped Akane and Ukyo this weekend and saved them from the freak. Never mind what I heard from Nabiki at school this mourning…"
"Um, Ranma?"
"Huh?"
"It's not Monday."
"…huh?" he responded with all the quickness his mind could muster. "Ok, so I was out for a day then. Makes sense considering what Ms. Hinako used to drain us…"
"It's Thursday."
Ranma double-face-faulted into a full pratfall onto the bed as the words smacked him upside the head.
"Whatdoyoumean Thursday?!"
"You all have been unconscious for the past three days. We figured that you would be the first to wake up, but we weren't sure."
He looked at his hands unbelievably. "How could I have been knocked out for three days from a stupid mallet? Not even Akane could do that. I know it wasn't metal, or that heavy…"
"Do you have any idea what happened when your teacher used that attack with the fence?"
"Um…," he answered.
"The doctor and Cologne realized that the ki draining attack of that strength would start draining life force once the ki was gone. Considering that you were all weakened after your battle, you didn't have much ki left."
"So since we all fought all-out, our ki reserves for anything was already pretty dried up."
"So she drained your remaining ki and started to drain off your life force. If she didn't stop when she did…"
"We'd be toast."
"And I don't think I could've lived with myself knowing that I caused all of that."
"Kodachi?"
She kept her head down, trying to hold back the tears from coming again.
"Look, I know what you did, and know how you've been, but after what you've done in the past couple of weeks, I can see that you're not the crazy psycho-stalker anymore. From what I understand, you've been trying to make right what you messed up. I respect that, and from your actions you've pretty much restored your honor to me. Like I said before, I ain't sayin' that I like ya' or nothin', but I do.um…" and Ranma's confidence in what he was trying to say got all tangled up in the net of awkwardness verses girls.
"Yes?" she asked, now looking Ranma in the eyes, causing him to look away nervously.
"I, um…want…to be…um, well, you know…like, um…buds…or…something."
Kodachi gasped slightly at this.
"You still want to be friends with me after all I did to you and your friends?"
"Well, kinda, yeah," his hand went to the back of his head. "I mean, I like this new you. You're actually…kinda normal. I just want you to do one thing for me, though."
She couldn't believe her ears. How could anybody want to befriend a wretched, wicked, dishonorable, twisted, crazy, scary-mad, psycho-gymnast who causes nothing but pain, suffering, and other evils to those she cares for the most, never mind those she didn't like.
"Stop beating yourself up over this, okay?" That caught her off guard. "I know you're sorry about what you did, and I forgive you. Sure, I was pretty ticked off at you when I found out what you did, and after the big fight I was even more angry, but you've completely turned yourself around. Making my life a little simpler with one less engagement to worry about and helping out my friends, heck, they'd still be just annoying fiancées if it weren't for you. I guess in a way, you helped a lot more than you realize. I just don't feel right when my friends are depressed. It really dampens my mood."
"I…I don't know what to say."
"Normally the best thing to say after making a new friend is to say 'Thank you.'"
Ranma and Kodachi looked to the door to find a smiling Dr. Tofu leaning on the frame. They glanced at each other and realized for the first time how close they were, their faces about seven inches apart and Kodachi standing, and jumped back to a "normal, uncompromising" distance. Only the good doctor noticed the blushing. He smiled.
"How long were you…?" Ranma started.
"Heh, actually I just got here to see a new friendship form. I'm glad that you guys have grown up so well all things considered. Now, as for you, Mr. Saotome, I believe a check up is in order."
"Ok, not a bad idea," he said as he slid off the bed and suddenly discovered that his legs weren't working. Kodachi caught him before he collapsed.
"Are you ok?" asked Kodachi.
"Yeah, I'm in good hands."
"I think your other friend should help you to the other room."
"Other friend?" they asked.
Tofu motioned for someone to come in.
"As much as I hate to admit it, we really must be good friends," said Ryoga as he entered the room and helped Kodachi carry Ranma out of the room.
"You're here, too, huh? So what makes us such good friends?"
"Heh, for one of the best martial artists I know, you sure don't notice much, do you? I spent this entire weekend searching for stuff just to help you out."
"That's nothin' special."
"With Nabiki."
"Whoa!" he responded. "Heck, now I'm almost sorry for all those insults I throw at you."
"You have no idea."
(B-D)
She hummed the song that had been past down to at least two generations of her family. She should know, she had taught it to them. She didn't have much occasion to hum it because Shampoo always did whenever she was happily doing something. As she hopped to the dojo, she gave the odd fishing rod a whirl. If anything, it should at least keep Happosai chasing her for the last few days of this month of hell. Although she had every intention of trying to get used to the fact that he was now her husband by their law, she had actually realized that she had finally fulfilled a life-long dream. Ever since they were sixteen, they were each other's equal. No other man had even come close to his level at his age until Ranma came along. She begrudgingly had to also admit that Ryoga and even Mousse were not far behind, especially after seeing him at full strength this month. She would also have to work on that pesky "age" issue concerning offspring, but she was confident that she and the council could think of something. She would've come by a lot sooner, but it was somewhat difficult to run the Cat Café by herself. It was only because Kasumi and Sasuke were filling in for her that she was able to get away for a while. Indeed, Kodachi turned out to be quite selfless when she's in her right mind. Who knew? She stopped her musings as she heard someone practicing in the dojo. What puzzled her was the fact that it was female battle shouts and cries. Being curious, she hopped down to the entrance to a sight that she had never thought she'd ever see in her entire life. So shocked and caught so completely off guard by the sight that she actually lost her balance on the staff, instinctively landing on her feet while making enough noise for the two people in the dojo to notice her.
"Ah, Cologne. I'm glad to see you well," greeting Soun.
The girl in a too big yellow gi next to Soun walked up to him and playfully punched him in the side.
"You're wide open, daddy."
"Nabiki? I thought you had some training in the art, but I had thought that you had lost interest?"
She studied the older woman and was amused.
"Well, yeah, but this past weekend kinda sparked things a little for me."
"I see. Mr. Tendo, you have a fine set of daughters."
"Thank you, Cologne. Would you be here for the master?"
"Indeed. I'm interested to see if this little trinket can work on my husband. If it does, then your daughter's training journey would be even more fruitful."
"I'd like to see that, myself. Nabiki, I'd like to you go through those first three katas that we reviewed today until I come back."
"Geez, daddy, have mercy," smirked Nabiki.
Father and daughter shared a laugh at a presumed-dead running gag as the two adults left the dojo.
"I must say, it is good to see you teaching again. I almost feared that you were going to let your potential go to such a tragic waste."
"I must admit, I was surprised when she asked me to practice with her. Perhaps Ryoga will be a better fiancé for her than I thought."
Cologne berated herself mentally for being caught off guard twice on the same day.
"You engaged her to him?"
"No, actually he asked me. Needless to say, I was quite shocked, but very happy. And here I thought he going to ask for Akane's hand. Heh heh heh…"
Cologne shook her head as she imagined how that conversation could've gone. Nevertheless, if he managed to resurrect her passion for the art, there had to be something there, as unbelievable as that sounded. Finally they arrived at the guest room with Genma keeping guard with a shogi board next to him.
"It's your move, Tendo."
"Heh, so you finally made your move. I'll go after Cologne here has done to the master as she pleases."
"Please tell me that you're going to take him away so we can have our lives back," pleaded Genma.
"We'll see what I can do. I'm also interested in seeing this thing work, also."
Genma opened the door to the now dark room with some kind on incense.
"Very clever, boys. If I remember correctly this incense allows for natural healing while maintaining an unconscious state."
"You'd be surprised what you come up with while training an energetic young boy who doesn't sit still long enough to heal."
"So, there is a method to your madness…where is he?"
"What?" the men exclaimed.
"It is as I feared. Happi has recovered enough to escape." She counted the bodies in the room. "And he seems to have taken his favorite disciple with him."
"Oh no," said Soun.
"You're right, Tendo. Even in their weakened state, Taro and the master won't be easy to fight."
Cologne began to sweat as she checked their bedding.
"It's cool and dry to the touch. They've been gone for a while now. Let us pray that he doesn't find any young girls to attach himself to before finding Ranma."
"I did get a call from Dr. Tofu that Ranma was awake," said Genma.
"Then I suggest that Genma and I hurry to the clinic while you stay here."
"We'll be here if you need us."
They nodded and Cologne and Genma left for the clinic.
(B-D)
"Man, it's great to finally have some fresh air again!" Ranma said as he stretched his arms wide while walking on top of the fence thanks to a boost from Ryoga. He figured that he was only at about one-quarter strength, not enough to leap onto fences or anything, but his balance wasn't hurt too much.
"Yeah, just don't walk too fast," said Ryoga. "Last thing we need is somebody attacking you while you're weak again."
Ranma slipped at that and nearly fell off into the canal, but was snagged and rescued by a purple ribbon from behind.
"Are you sure you should be up here?" asked Kodachi who was walking a few feet behind Ranma on the fence.
"Um, yeah. I'll be fine," he said. "Just do me a favor and don't mention anything about my condition, ok?"
Ryoga smirked. "No problem, Ranma. We'll protect you."
Kodachi once again rescued Ranma from the hungry canal.
"Ryoga…" he growled.
"It's a shame the other girls are still unconscious," interrupted Kodachi. "I'm sure you're famished after being out for three days straight."
"Aww, I'll be fine. I just need to work the…"
GRUMBLE! GROWL! FEED ME FOOD!
Ryoga and Kodachi stared at the embarrassed Ranma for several seconds. "Well, maybe just a bite." The two burst out laughing as they headed toward the Cat Café.
(B-D)
Ranma and Ryoga stood dumbstruck at the entrance of the Cat Café. Even Kodachi was impressed at what she saw, and reminded herself of how right she was not to underestimate the elder Tendo sister. Kasumi was in the kitchen cooking up a storm while Sasuke served the orders in his own special way. What shocked them was the show they were putting on, as it was almost as good a show as Ranma and Cologne usually put on. Kasumi, while cooking large amounts of Raman, called the order and shot bowls at Sasuke, who was standing in the middle of the restaurant, and he deftly redirected them to the appropriate table and in front of the correct person, all the while maybe spilling up to two drops per order (not per bowl, mind you).
"Whoa!" awed the two boys at the door.
Kasumi and Sasuke just now noticed the three at the entrance and simultaneously "Uh, oh"ed.
CRASH!
Unfortunately for Sasuke, a bowl was incoming at the time, crashing into his head at about twenty mph, splashing him with pork and seafood Raman and flipping him over several times before finally settling down to the ground with a hard thud. The customers, of course, gave a standing ovation for the great surprise twist ending to the show. Kasumi rushed out of the kitchen and met Kodachi at the downed form of the Raman Ninja.
"Oh, I'm so sorry, Sasuke," pleaded Kasumi. "I got distracted…"
"It's ok…Kasumi-chan," replied Sasuke. "It wasn't…your fault…ouch."
"He's a lot more resilient than I thought," said Kodachi as she checked out the welt on his head. "And you, Ms. Tendo, are far more skilled that I expected."
"No kidding," chimed in Ranma, finally discovering where his voice was hiding, which was stuck between his jaw and the floor.
Kasumi gave her best humble blush, trying not to give too much away.
"Well, I am a part of a martial arts clan. I'm surprised that you haven't caught on that I have my own style yet."
Kodachi gasped slightly as she understood completely while the boys remained in their natural state, which was highly confused concerning women.
"Ms. Tendo, you are much more than you appear. The boys are hungry. Would you mind if I helped a little while Sasuke recovers?"
"In the words…of Master…Kuno…'I…fight on'…uhnn."
"Um, we'll take him to our table," said Ryoga.
"Thank you, Ryoga," said Kasumi. "And yes, I'd love for you to help for a while."
Kodachi donned an apron while the boys dragged Sasuke to the corner booth.
"So, since when the heck did you get so good?" questioned Ranma.
"The horn and the unicorn…" he answered waveringly.
"Sheesh, that bowl must've hit him pretty hard," commented Ryoga.
"Which begs the question, how could Kasumi be so good and neither of us notice for over a year?"
"You got me. She hides it well, though."
"No kidding…"
At this point four bowls of varying flavors are deposited onto the table with a purple ribbon one-by-one, each landing with a whipping sound. The boys did a double take as a ball hit the inner edges of two of the bowls, throwing two small portions of the broth at each of them. Their mouths opened in reflex shock and the broth hit them both exactly there. They swallowed instinctively, and after giving a light gasp from the hot broth, both gave a thumbs-up and the crowd roared, who then promptly went back to eating.
"Wow, she seems happier," said Ryoga between gulps.
"I'm glad, too. I hated seeing her so depressed."
"Even after everything she did to not only you but the others as well you're still willing to forgive her just like that?"
"You know, if you'd asked me that last month I would've laughed in your face, but now…now I don't see the crazy stalker that we both despised. Now I see a girl who kinda reminders me of me a little bit before we moved here. Just realizing that you have no friends and so desperately wanted to have one that you'd accept just about anything."
"Sounds familiar."
"Yeah, I know. I'm amazed at how much more I see thanks to this month. Instead of a fiancée problem I see three friends that I need to have a serious discussion with someday real soon. Instead of a couple of really annoying rivals I see a couple of friends to improve our skills with. Heck, instead of a seemingly oblivious housedaughter with a smile able to calm even Akane's temper I see a highly skilled martial artist with a smile able to calm even Akane's temper."
Ryoga tried and failed to laugh as he choked on his Raman. A couple of balls to the back from Kodachi helped a lot to calm him down. He waved in thanks.
Cough "Not while I'm eating, you idiot!"
Ranma laughed out loud.
"Sorry, man. I couldn't help it. I saw an opening that seemed to scream attack, so I did."
"You need to stop watching that stupid show, Ranma. You're starting to quote it."
"And how would you know where that came from?" he asked with a sly grin.
"I've seen your little collection." Ranma froze. "Don't worry, you're secret's safe with me. Who would've guessed that besides the Art that there'd be something we actually had in common?"
Ranma finally exhaled.
"Thanks, man. I don't know what anybody would say if they found out that I still watch cartoons."
"It's animé. Even respectable adults watch it, but if you feel that way, that's no problem. You'll get over it."
"Wow, you really are a good friend."
"Don't remind me."
(B-D)
"That really hit the spot!" exclaimed a happy Ranma.
"I know," said Ryoga. "Kasumi's cooking always does it for me."
"Yeah!"
Kodachi followed a little behind the happy boys as she thought to herself. How much had changed? How did this all happen so quickly? So many questions, so many sins, and he still forgave. She knew that she wouldn't have lived very long without him, but now she didn't have to. Things were working out so much better than she had dared hope, and she found that she was happier now than ever before.
"Why don't we go to that park over there?" suggested Kodachi. "There's plenty of open space."
"Yeah, good idea. I need to work out a least a little bit to get my strength up."
"Excuse me," said a voice behind them. They stopped and turned around to find a police officer.
"Um," said Ranma.
"How can we help you, officer?" bowed Kodachi.
"Have any of you seen this baby?" He showed them a picture of a cute baby boy. They could tell it was a boy because of the blue bib and pants.
"No sir," answered Ryoga. "What happened?"
"This baby was kidnapped about an hour ago in this area. If you see or hear anything…"
"We'll help you look for it," said Ranma. "Whoever took that baby is gonna pay. It's a martial artist's duty to protect the weak."
"I'm glad to hear that. If you find anything, just call the local precinct."
"No problem."
They waved goodbye to the officer.
"So much for practice," quipped Ryoga.
"Yeah, but that baby comes first," said Ranma.
"That man over there," pointed Kodachi. "He looks awfully familiar."
"He should," growled Ryoga. "That's Pantyhose Taro. Let's see what he's doing here."
"Yeah," Ranma growled in reply as he cracked his knuckles, "let's."
As the three walked toward him, he waved to them to follow as he turned around and calmly walked into the wooded part of the park. They glanced at one another in agreement on two things. Firstly, this was an obvious trap. Secondly, regardless of who was there, they should be at about Ranma's current strength, which means that Ryoga and Kodachi should be more than a match for Team Happi. They came to a small clearing to find Taro standing in wait for them. They took particular note of the bundle he had in his left arm, ready for whatever surprise he had waiting for them.
"Where's the freak?" growled Ranma.
"Huh-huh-huh-huh, he's here, cross-dresser. He wants you to go with him quietly."
"Or else what?" he demanded.
Enter Happosai.
"You've been a major nuisance this month, boy, and it's time we rectified that. I didn't want to do this, but you've left me no choice."
"I ain't going, no matter what you do or say."
"Ranma," gasped Kodachi. "Look at the bundle."
Their eyes went to Taro's hand on the bundle and realized the true horror of the depth of Happosai's perversion.
"My god," gasped Kodachi, "You're the one that kidnapped the baby?!"
"Yes, my dear. Now Ranma, if you don't come quietly, I'll give the word and his blood will be on your head."
"Taro!" exclaimed Ranma. "I know you're a better person than this! How could you…?"
"I don't like this any more than you do, Ranma, but he promised to guarantee that he'll change my name to something of MY choosing after this, so don't think that I won't do it."
Ryoga concentrated, trying to think of any way to save the baby. Even in their weakened state, that baby still was at their complete mercy. He wasn't fast enough, and Ranma was also weak and relatively slow. Kodachi might be able to get it, but a jerk that hard with a ribbon would injure the baby. That's when he noticed. He couldn't sense Ranma anymore. He also noticed that the other's couldn't find him, either.
"Ah, Genma's technique!" exclaimed Happosai as realization hit him. "Oh no you don't." Happosai jumped onto Taro's left shoulder and placed his hand about half an inch from the baby's head. Ranma suddenly appeared, a mere three inches from the baby, shocking the others. "Nice try, my boy. Very nice indeed. And here I thought you had sealed the Umi-ken technique." Ranma was sweating as he remained where he was, hoping against all hope for an opening. "Now, step away from Taro." Ranma's arms dropped to his side in defeat as he stepped away.
"Alright," growled Ranma as his aura flared an angry red with a slight green tint, "you win. I'll go.
"Ranma, no," whispered Kodachi.
"I'll go willingly with you if you promise to release the baby."
"You'll go and stay willingly until the end of the month and I'll consider it."
They all flinched.
"You…" started Ryoga.
"No, Ryoga. It's the only way."
"But you can't," wept Kodachi.
"I know you don't break your word as a martial artist. Do I have that word that you'll release free the baby without any harm if I go?"
"You have my word."
"Then I'll go." Everybody looked at Kodachi as she spoke. "You will take me instead and I shall go willing and without a fight. I shall also resist any attempt of rescue and do whatever you wish with minimal resistance."
"Kodachi, no," said Ranma.
"All I ask is that you free the baby and release the others from their pledge. Do that, and not only shall I stay with you until the end of the month, but also until the end of the weekend."
"So instead of having Ranma till Saturday, I'll have you till Sunday. All I get is an extra day…"
"And a willing participant."
"No, Kodachi. This is my burden, not yours. You don't even have the right to make such an offer!"
"I'm the one that started this whole thing, Ranma. It is up to me to finish it."
"I won't let you…not after everything you've done to make things right. You don't have to do this."
"A-hem."
Everyone finally noticed Happosai again.
"I've always wanted to have Ranma all to my self, but you, my dear, are new territory. Such is a difficult decision that is only mine to make," as he stressed that point. "Considering the stakes, I'll do this fairly…anybody have five yen I can borrow?"
The goodguys pratfell.
"What the heck are you talking about!" yelled Ranma and Ryoga.
"Here," spat Kodachi as she threw the coin at him, who caught it easily. "And how is that supposed to help you…choose…"
"Ranma, you're heads. Kodachi's tails. Which ever side it lands on, that person comes with me."
"And the others will be released from their pledge as well?" asked Ranma.
"Since I won't have to hunt you down anymore, I'll accept that with one more condition."
"What?" scowled Ranma.
"The loser has to keep Cologne from bothering us until the end. Deal?"
"Man, he's thought of everything," said Ryoga.
Ranma and Kodachi glanced at each other, each silently pleading the other not to go through with this, only to see that neither would back down.
"Deal," said Ranma, signing their fate to the coin.
"Ok, Taro, regardless of the result, you'll keep the baby until I enter the dojo with the winner," Ranma and Kodachi flinched. "After I close the doors behind me, you'll hand the baby over to Ryoga and start thinking of your new name. I'll honor my word to you on Monday."
"So this take precedence over my previous orders, then?"
"A better offer came up."
"Good. I didn't want to do that anyway."
"Do what?" asked Ryoga.
"Don't worry about it."
"Well, I think this will be interesting," said Happosai as he flipped the coin.
Again time went into slow motion as all eyes followed the coin's eternal journey into the sky, despite only having gone up about three feet above Happosai's head. Finally, it began its descent. Ranma's heart pounded deafeningly as Kodachi found that she could no longer breathe. Ryoga silently began to pray as the coin finally hit the ground. They looked at the result.
"NNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!"
(B-D)
Merry Christmas. :)
