Michael Gutin
Disclaimer: I'll say it, but I won't like it: Characters belong to Rumiko Takahashi, not me.
"…" means speech
(…) signifies thoughts
If it's in italics it must be a sound effect
>… > shall be the lovable panda signs
And…here's a new one,
#...# means it's writing.
Sick of It
Chapter 4
An End In Sight
Akane really had no idea where Ranma could be, but she had gone looking for him anyway. It was late now, she was about to give up and go home when she saw Tofu outside his clinic.
He noticed Akane, "Hi there, what are you doing here so late?
"I was just looking for Ranma."
"Oh, well he isn't here right now, but you can wait for in his room until he comes back."
(His...his room…he lives here? Well at least he didn't go to Ucchan's or the Nekohanten…maybe he really doesn't…)
"Well?" Tofu asked
"Uh, no thanks, it's getting late, I'll just talk to him some time tomorrow."
Ranma had finally returned. (All that time I spent trying to get Ryoga, and that idiot's nowhere to be found…)
He unrolled the scroll he had been holding. He had read all of it. He had it pretty much memorized by now, but he still couldn't help reading parts of it from time to time. He glanced at the middle and read from there.
#...rather, it is a manifestation of your already present fears. Unfortunately it also amplifies you fears to the necessary levels. The result being that only one who is completely rid of fear and at peace with himself on all levels will be able to…#
Ranma yawned, and glanced at his clock, it was later than he had thought. He set the scroll down as sleep quickly overtook him.
Kuno was reflecting on the strange behavior of both Akane Tendo and the pig-tailed girl. (Something doth trouble the innocent minds of both my loves…I am certain that this be the fault of that vile sorcerer. But what course of action do I take to free my poor maidens? They both love me so well…and I am unable rescue them from the clutches of that vile cur. What is a noble samurai to do?)
Kuno realizes what time it is. (Oh no! I must with all haste proceed to Furinkan. Surely I may at least offer my usual kisses to my beauties, it is all they have left!)
Ranma had taken a different route school today. Not only had he not been splashed, he was also early for school.
(Hmm, this being early is pretty nice. I got time to just relax…)
At this point he spotted Kuno running at him. He sighed. (Or not…)
He was about to dispatch Kuno in the regular way, when he remembered the scroll and what he had read.
#...to first thing you must do is put everything in the open. If you have something you keep secret, there is always fear it will be discovered. Though this may be a small fear, it is exactly what IT feeds on…#
(Lunch…I'll do it at lunch.)
Akane had just gotten to school. She saw that Kuno was yelling something at Ranma. (That's expected…)
Ranma merely tossed Kuno a note, and went inside.
(That wasn't…)
Kuno read it, then called back "My thanks Saotome!"
(And that must mean this is all a strange dream…)
Class was boring, as it always was for Ranma. However, it gave him time to think about how he would show Kuno. (Nothing fancy, he needs to just shown it, right in front of his face, perhaps repeatedly, and I'll probably need people to confirm it...well, at least after that he'll finally leave me alone…)
As if on cue, as soon as Ranma finished his planning, the bell rang to signal lunch.
He ran to the bathroom and quickly turned himself into onna-Ranma. He went outside and there sat Kuno, exactly where the note had told him to be.
"Did you get what I asked for Kuno?" onna-Ranma asked in the sweetest voice she could muster without gagging.
Kuno held up a kettle full of hot water and a bucket full of cold water. "Yes my beautiful pig-tailed girl, but I must inquire as to the purpose of these objects."
Onna-Ranma told Kuno all about the Cursed Springs of Jusenkyo.
Akane had intended to talk to Ranma at lunch, she had finally found him, or, more accurately, her. She watched as Onna-Ranma talked about Jusenkyo and finally got to the point.
"Kuno, I fell into one of these springs."
"What a tragedy! Pray tell what spring's curse did you succumb to?"
Akane watched as Ranma poured the hot water on himself. He began to talk slowly, after every word he would douse himself with water that activated his curse, making sure that Kuno was watching every single time.
"I"
splash
"Fell"
splash
"Into"
splash
"The"
splash
"Spring"
splash
"Of Drowned Woman."
Kuno stuttered "You...h-her…"
"That's right Kuno, your beloved pig-tailed girl…is me."
With that he ran off.
Akane sighed. She had lost another chance to talk to Ranma. (Is he trying to avoid me? I just need to talk to him. These past few days without him have been horrible…Why can't things just go back to normal?)
She tried to hold back the tears. (Ranma…I won't take you for granted anymore…If you'd just come back…)
She realized she was sobbing now, and she really didn't care. (Please…just come back…)
Ranma left the school, there was nothing there for him. There was however something he needed to do. (Ryoga…)
(But how will I get Akane there as well…)
Ukyo had been watching Ranma and Kuno as well. She noticed that after Ranma left he dropped a scroll. (Better give it back to him) she decided. She went and picked it up.
(I wonder what it says.) she thought (I know I shouldn't be reading this without his permission…but…) She began to open it, when the bell to signal the end of lunch rang. She put the scroll away and walked back to class. (Maybe after school…)
Tofu couldn't help but worry about Ranma. (If he pulls this off, he'll win for sure…but can he, in such a short amount of time? It's a good thing I taught him how to undo most Cologne's pressure points, after all, even if he does master it, it would be useless if he was paralyzed.)
School had finally ended. Akane was going to go over to Tofu's clinic. (I'll wait all day to talk to Ranma, if I have to.) She noticed Ukyo was staring at something in her hand.
"What's wrong Ukyo?" Akane asked.
"Ranma dropped this…"
(Not Ranchan?) Akane thought. "What is it?"
Ukyo shrugged. "I haven't opened it yet, it is his after all, do you think we should?"
"Um…"
Ukyo smiled mischievously. "Ranma shouldn't be keeping secrets from us, and besides, one little peak won't hurt."
Slowly Ukyo unrolled the scroll.
Authors Notes: Yes, I know, this chapter took me a while to post AND it's the shortest one yet. I have two things to say to that: First one is, screw you, I'll right as slow/fast as I want. The second thing is, as this story nears it's end gasp I'm actually having to think ahead more and more, instead just typing whatever garbage my brain thinks up. So there.
Oh yeah, thanks again for pre-reading DerekTheRogue, if anyone else would like the honor, no, the privilege, of pre-reading my wonderful stupendous and, dare I say, godly fan fiction, made by and equally wonderful stupendous and godly person (and did I mention humble?) you should e-mail me and tell me…right now…you know…as in...stop reading this and e-mail me dammit!
And yet again, don't forget to send me your C&C, or I will cry (I'll do it, you'll see.) And could anyone tell me if I got Kuno down well or not? He was always a tough one.
