Disclaimer : Ranma1/2 belongs to Rumiko Takahashi.
'Italics Thoughts'
":Chinese-Amazon dialect:"
"Normal Speech"
(Sound Effects)
The Way Things Are ?
Chapter 2:
The morning sun was already creeping over the horizon and the emerald grass was swaying lazily in the warm breeze. Slowly the Nerima ward started to wake as the power of the sun's rays grew in intensity. One of the offending rays made it's way through a small gap between curtains and shone brightly on a young man's face, gently stirring him from his slumber. Usually this wouldn't bother Ranma from his sleep. But today was different, especially with the big decision he had to make today. He yawned and gracefully stretched out his limbs with a little shudder at the end.
'Well, today is the day...never thought it would come to this.'
Ranma got up from his futon, and looked at his worthless father.
'Maybe not completely useless...he makes a good punching bag.'
Chuckling at the thought, Ranma left the room and made his way to the furo. Akane was out jogging, Nabiki was still asleep, and Kasumi was busy getting breakfast ready. Finally reaching the bathing area, Ranma got a handful of hot water and splashed his face. Washing off the sleep and fully waking up. Now he was ready to do his morning exercises. Looking in the mirror he took his pigtail and examined it closely.
'I wonder if I should change this, I've had it for so long that it seems to have become a part of me. Nah...I like the braided effect..'
Rubbing his chin.
'Maybe I could keep the braided effect, but lose the pigtail.
Slowly loosening his pigtail and placed the thin cord on the sink. Unbraiding his pigtail and letting his silky dark hair fall to about just above his waist. Running his fingers through his hair, Ranma finally decided to put it into a full braid. So that it reached just past his shoulder blades. Tying the cord hard and fast, he nodded at himself in the mirror.
'Wow !That looks pretty good and the change feels kinda feels really refreshing. Ok time for training...I feel like doing that new balance technique again.'
Giving himself one more look in the mirror, he left the room and went downstairs. Walking down the stairs, he heard noises coming from the kitchen. Getting to the bottom of the stairs he made a quick turn towards the kitchen. Ranma stood right outside the door and was staring at how Kasumi went about making breakfast. Her movements were so graceful and the pleasant smell coming from the room put a smile on his face. Kasumi never ceased to amaze him. She was so beautiful and comforting to be around.
'If only she didn't...'
Shaking his head to clear his thoughts.
'She loves Tofu and could never see me that way. Dr.Tofu, you stupid jerk where are you. Kasumi needs you. Especially with what's going to happen today.'
Sighing, he turned around and went outside to train.
Kasumi was busy with making the final touches to breakfast and slowly humming a song she heard recently, when she heard someone sigh softly. She turned her head in the direction of the sound and saw Ranma back, as he left through the doorway. Her head gently tilted to one side.
'Ara ara, what was Ranma doing? He's been acting strangely after the failed wedding. Oh, Father can't you see how you and Mister Saotome have driven a wedge between him and Akane.
A small frown appeared on Kasumi's face.
'Akane can't you see how he's tried to make up with you lately. How he's not insulted you or even done a single thing to warrant your anger.'
Sighing softly to herself and shaking her head. She decided that she would talk to Akane today. But first breakfast, then she would have time to do what she wanted. Just as she was about to continue with making the meal.
"Ara ara, did Ranma have a different hair style? Can't be...I must be seeing things. But then again...'
When she woke up today something felt different, like a tiger waiting to strike. It didn't feel wrong, it felt more like life was going to change drastically.
'Feels exactly like the day Ranma showed up at our doorstep.'
This left Kasumi with a slight sense of dread. She could handle most things thrown her way, but like with Ranma showing up. It took her a while to get use to it. With a quick nod she decided to not only talk to Akane but also to Ranma. Now she really needed to get back to finishing breakfast. So with that she started humming again.
Ranma was standing on the wooden floor outside looking at the grass. Concentration showed upon his face and a spark of energy leapt between his feet.
'Ok, this makes the grass more slippery than oil. Falling on my face is not something I want to happen again.'
He slowly put one of his feet on the grass and seemed to find his balance. Firmly placing his other foot and seemingly almost slipped.
'Concentrate, Concentrate...All I have to do is keep my balance and control the flow of my ki. Otherwise it's a grass sandwich for me.'
Remembering the first time he did this technique and the taste of grass that stayed in his mouth the an entire day.
'Ok no more fooling around!'
His muscles seemed to tense and a light glow came off of him. Then it happened, he moved faster than lighting across the yard. Performing katas flawlessly, and making no sound other than the soft swirl of wind left by his movement. All that could be seen where after images of red, black, and a foggy white light. He was moving faster than the tenshin amaguriken could ever go. He took a chopped log from the pile and threw it into the air. Ranma disappeared again, the log exploded into thousands of pieces in mid-air. He appeared again at the other side of the yard. Just as the pieces where to touch the floor, he moved again. A sound of a loud rushing wind was heard and Ranma was on top of the roof suddenly with a wooden ball. He had a huge smile on his face and was genuinely looking pleased with himself.
'WOW! I didn't slip once, and forming a ball of ki to change the wood splinters into a ball was a great idea. Much easier than trying to hold them all in my hands.'
Ranma had a slight sheen of sweat. He jumped down from the roof and landed onto the wooden floor still not making any noise.
'Well, time for a nice long soak in the furo is in order.'
He went back into the house and closed the door.
Ryouga was currently in Akane's room in his pig form looking out of the window. His jaw was on the floor and his eyes were bulging out. He couldn't believe what he had just seen, Ranma fought hard against him. But nothing like this, it was on a completely new level. Even with what he had seen, truly he only knew half of it. The balance technique was invisible. Ryouga had no idea it was only the tip of the iceberg of what Ranma was able of doing. He hadn't really challenged Ranma after the Phoenix mountain event.
'I have to become stronger than Ranma! I have to show Akane than I'm better then him. So she'll choose me and then I can show her how much I love her.'
Ryouga had no idea that he would get part of his wish in the most unexpected way possible.
Ranma was currently sitting in the furo in a meditative position, seemingly concentrating on something. A faint green glow was coming off of him like steam. He couldn't really believe how much damage Genma's training had really done to him. Ranma had only discovered this when he got his hands on those scrolls Genma had been hiding. The scroll that explained healing and calming techniques was truly amazing. Never did he think something like that could be possible. He knew that he already had great healing abilities, but nothing like this. It could repair current or past damage. But past damage took much longer to repair and today was the day that all the damage Genma had done to him would be set right. Amazingly there were also scrolls that explained how ki and chi could be used to suppress certain magical effects. He hadn't really got it just right yet, but the water magnet part of his curse seemed to be under control so far. It was really hard to do at first but he was getting better at it. Mastering this technique would not only make his reserves sky-rocket but also he might not change when cold water hit him. Ranma was absolutely glowing with joy inside with that thought.
'That would be the greatest thing ever, now only for the neko-ken.'
Another one of Genma's multiple ideas that caused only pain to him.
'Stupid Panda!'
The neko-ken wasn't so bad now with some of those calming techniques, but he couldn't really stay near a cat for too long. He could pet them now, and they seemed to really like him for some odd reason. Still staying around them for too long made him run away in fear. He still didn't have any idea of how he would completely cure that problem. But one thing that really surprised him was when he saw Shampoo in her cursed form one day. He didn't feel any fear from looking at her, strangely enough he had to force himself from trying to pet her. That really confused him. What was so different about Shampoo's cat form. Maybe it was because she still had her human mind when she was a cat. But truly he had no idea. Somehow he felt the cat in him stir at the thought of Shampoo, he felt like purring.
'I doubt I'll ever be truly rid of the neko-ken. But hopefully I can find a way in which cats won't scare me any more.'
Slowly exhaling Ranma relaxed from his cross-legged position as the green aura around him disappeared.
'Finally it's done! I wonder what exactly was wrong with me. I know it had something with how my brain interacts with my body, but I'm not certain what was wrong though?'
He fully relaxed into the hot water, enjoying the warmth of the water over his skin. With his arms hanging over the side of the furo, he made up his mind that a few more minutes in here wouldn't be such a bad idea. Ranma only hoped Akane wouldn't barge in again and accuse him of being the pervert. He really wondered about that for the longest time, every time she accused him of something perverted she actually had been the cause. Well most of the time any way. It was really strange to him. But now it really didn't matter that much any more.
Akane had just finished her morning jog that she had always enjoyed. It felt so refreshing to work her muscles and feel the crisp morning air in her face. All her problems seemed to melt away while she was running. All she had to concentrate on was herself, nothing to bother her. It was one of the few times she could really just relax and feel secure. But that all changed as she entered her home, there Ranma and all the problems that came with him where. Just thinking about Ranma made her mad, why was he such a jerk.
'Why couldn't he just sort out this huge fiancée mess and then they could be happy together?'
She sighed at that, that would never happen. Ranma was just too much of a coward.
"I should stop thinking about this before I get really angry and start pounding stuff...well that stupid jerk deserves it though.'
With that thought done she made her way to her room to get her towel and head to the furo.
Ranma was currently drying himself off in the changing room, when he heard Akane about to open the door.
"AKANE! I'm in here can't you see the sign on the door?"
He heard Akane eep and fall back from the door and sighed his relief.
"Well hurry up you jerk! I don't want to be late for school again because of you," Akane said angrily
Ranma shook his head at that.
'What did I do this time. Jeez everything I say and do is wrong with her. Can't she ever just be nice to me?'
"I'll be out soon Akane," Ranma sighed through the door, "I just have to change into my clothes and then I'll be finished."
With that Akane leaned against the wall and waited for him to finish, while tapping her fingers against the wall. Ranma quickly got dressed and opened the door for Akane.
"There all yours."
"About time you self-centered jerk," she said as she shoved past him and slammed the door in his face.
Ranma had a hurt expression on his face after she closed the door.
'Why can't you see how much you hurt me Akane...'
"I use to love you Akane," Ranma said softly to himself, "why do you hurt me so much?"
He walked away with his head down and trying to hold in his tears. It still hurt to hear Akane say those things to him, even with his mind made up about their relationship. So she really doesn't pay attention to me. She didn't even notice what I did to my hair. Sighing Ranma decided that waiting at the breakfast table would be the wisest decision right now. He sat down at the table with a flop and stared up at the roof. Mister Tendo was reading the newspaper and having a smoke. He really didn't like that habit, but he wouldn't have to put up with it for too long any more. Genma was probably still asleep and only waiting for the food to be served. Then he would be there in an instant. His mother hadn't shown up yet. She'd probably only come by later after school. He heard a noise from behind and saw Nabiki trying to keep her balance as she came to sit at the table.
"Man am I glad that I'm a morning person...She needs a few good cups of tea or coffee for her to properly wake up.'
Ranma smiled at that, it was the only time Nabiki was off guard. But he'd never took advantage of that, she was the one who paid the bills. Even if the money was gained in a tasteless manner. But Ranma understood that family came first for Nabiki and Kasumi, that's why they sacrificed so much. He didn't even mind the photos Nabiki took of him, if he could help pay the bills then he didn't really care that much. But she could have asked him. He shrugged his shoulders. Kasumi had just come out from the kitchen with breakfast. It was amazing how she could balance all of those plates. Just like clock work when the food touched the table Genma was there ready to eat.
'Stupid Panda!'
Akane finally made her appearance as the food was being served. She looked at Ranma and frowned at him and turned her head to the side with a 'hmmpff'. His face didn't show the pain he felt but his eyes could hide it. Even though Kasumi was busy serving out the food, she still saw the pain in Ranma's eyes from what Akane did. She really needed to talk to that girl. But it would have to wait for after school. What she didn't know is that it was already to late for that. The damage to Ranma's heart was already to great and no amount of talking would help. Ranma got his portion from Kasumi and eyed Genma, his eyes screaming touch my food and you'll be very sorry. His dad saw this and decided pressing his son today wouldn't be a very good idea. For once Genma's brain had seen some reason. Breakfast there on was very peaceful for once and Nabiki was finally awake. Nabiki was the first one to finish and leave for school. Ranma was close behind as he didn't want to walk with Akane to school.
"Wait up Nabiki. I'll go with you today since I'm already finished," he said quickly.
"Ah Ranma, I thought you wanted to come with me so you could give me a kiss," she said with a smirk on her face.
Ranma could feel Akane's aura of anger.
"Come on Nabiki, stop fooling around ok," he said while looking between Nabiki and Akane nervously.
Nabiki laughed, "Ok Ranma, I'll wait outside for you. If you don't show up in 2 minutes, I'm leaving ok."
"Ok Nabiki, let me just get our bentoos," he said smiling.
Nabiki nodded and left to go and wait for Ranma to show up. She really didn't think he would make it though. Especially with Akane, Her father, and uncle Saotome looking quite angry at Ranma. She almost felt sorry for him, well almost. As soon as she left the room, the fathers exploded.
"You ungrateful boy, why don't you want to walk with Akane," Genma said with food in his mouth and starting acting hurt, "Why has the Kami cursed me with(SPLASH)...ggrrr..grrr."
"Shut up pops! I only wanted to leave early today ,"he said as he punched his dad in the gut hard.
Genma toppled over in his Panda form while holding his gut.
"Stupid Panda," Ranma said as he left with the two bentoos in his hand.
Soun's demon head had deflated when he hit his father in the gut. He had seen Ranma pound his father before but somehow this was different. It was meant to take his father down.
"Ara ara," was all that Kasumi said as usual.
Kasumi had noticed that Ranma had indeed changed his hair style, this new fact with the feeling she got this morning put her on edge. Akane blink blinked twice, Ranma usually acted grumpy with his dad but never hit him like that. Something wasn't right, but she just put it down to Ranma being a jerk as always. If she only knew what would happen today. But the only person that knew what would exactly happen today had just left.
Surprisingly Nabiki had waited for Ranma and they left together. Nothing really interesting happened between them as they made their way to school. Strangely enough the silence between them wasn't uncomfortable. The only thing different was the Ranma wasn't getting splashed by any cold water. Now Nabiki knew something wasn't right, things like this only happened when something big was on the horizon. Ranma always had the annoying ability to rake in trouble. She just sighed and hoped it wasn't as bad as the phoenix mountain adventure. Looking at Ranma's face and saw something she didn't like, he knew what was going to happen. She could just see it on his face.
"Ok Ranma what are you hiding and what's with the hair style?" she asked with a annoyed sigh.
Ranma started sweating he didn't want anyone to find out about his plans before he could pull it off. And Nabiki was the only one other than his mother that could get that information out of him. But just before she could get more out of him, they heard a distinct bicycle bell. Ranma just barely dodged the bike of death and Shampoo came to a halt a few feet from him with a surprised look on her face. But before he could do anything Shampoo was off her bike and glomped onto him. Rubbing herself all over him. His face seemed to go blue. Nabiki had better things to do than to stay and watch him try and get out of Shampoo's embrace.
"Saotome we're not finished, but I'll get the info I want later," with that she left.
"What mercenary-girl talking about Airen?" Shampoo looked at her Airen with her head tilted to the one side.
Ranma sighed and looked deep into Shampoo eyes," There is something big that is going to happen," he put his finger on her lips before she could reply.
"I have to have you full attention, please listen to what I have to say," he said softly into Shampoo's ear.
Her heart fluttered and started to shudder against her chest.
' Is my husband finally coming to his senses? '
Shampoo let go of him reluctantly. Took one step back from him and nodded her head, telling Ranma to continue.
"I have something very important to talk to your great-grandmother about," he said softly
She wanted to faint and cry with joy right there. Had Ranma chosen her. He could see that her smile was now covering most of her face now. He sighed at that.
"It's really important that I talk to her Shampoo, but it's not a marriage request." he said quickly
Shampoo's smile dropped right there and then. Tears where slowly forming in her eyes, she gave Ranma a really pained expression.
"Hey hey! Stop that it isn't a denial either ok," he started to sweat when he saw her tears.
Ranma didn't know why, but he was always weak against a woman's tears. Shampoo inhaled air in shuddering gasps and wiping her face clean of any tears.
"Wha What Ranma mean?" she asked with sniffles
"Well, it's about me," he said with a smile and then frowned," but it's gonna effect a lot of people, including you."
"Stop stupid talking and tell Shampoo truth," she said with a little anger.
"You'll find out soon enough Shampoo, but I need to talk to the old-ghoul before any one else hears about this," Ranma said looking into Shampoo's moist eyes.
Damn the cat part of him was doing it again. He was silently purring and had a hell of a time from keeping himself from petting her head. Her moist eyes were drawing him in and making him want to hold and comfort her.
'Stop it you stupid cat, I can't deal with this now!'
"Shampoo I really need to see the old ghoul now before any one makes a real bad mess of this," he asked her pleadingly.
But before he said anything Shampoo could swear see saw him look at her with loving eyes. I felt absolutely great, especially when his eyes slipped and looked at her breasts. She couldn't believe it and NC-17 thoughts started forming in her mind. She shook her head to clear it.
"Ok Shampoo take," she said finally and motioned for him to follow her with her hand.
Shampoo took her bike and jumped back onto the wall riding back to the neko hanten at full speed with Ranma following right next to her. He didn't even seem to have any problem in following her at this speed. She took a quick peek at Ranma's face and caught him looking at her rear. Either this was a really really good day or one of her naughty dreams of Ranma again. She blushed at that and giggled at the same time. As they continued on, she kept on seeing her Airen sneaking peaks at her body. Her smile just got brighter every time she caught him, but as all good things it had to end. They suddenly appeared in front on the neko hanten and she started to pout.
' Stupid Nerima! Everything is so damn close to each other. I swear if I had another few minutes and then I would have gotten him to kiss me. '
She let out a small huff of air.
"Ok Airen wait at table. Shampoo be back soon," she said giving him a hungry smile.
Ranma sat down with a healthy blush on his face. Shampoo could only giggle.
' Oh please great-grandmother please be somewhere else today. I just need a minute or so alone with Ranma and then he is mine. Oh I love you so much Ranma, why can't you just say those wonderful words to me '
With a wink at Ranma, which made his blush more pronounced, she left in order to find Cologne. Ranma was trying to distract himself and not look at how Shampoo swayed her hips. The cat was going over drive now and it wanted out now. But he wasn't that weak, using a calming technique on himself. With that done he felt his cat part settle down a little.
'Why is Shampoo looking so beautiful today. I've always found her attractive, but never to this degree.'
Hitting himself on the head to clear it, he settled down and waited for Cologne and Shampoo. Meanwhile Shampoo was watching him from the other side of the door. Her smile and giggles where going into over drive. Looking at Ranma again she remembered why they were here. She walked into the kitchen and opened a wooden basement door. There was a faint glow of a candle at the bottom of the basements steps. With a shrugs she walked down and saw her great-grandmother looking over at some papers in front of her.
"Hello Shampoo, is there anything you want?" Cologne asked with a raised eyebrow.
Shaking her head she said, "No Shampoo no want. Ranma here to talk to great-grandmother."
"Oh? Is that so?" she asked.
"Is true. But Ranma act very strange today, it good strange though," she said with a smile and blush on her face.
"Oh, and why is that Shampoo?" she smiled herself.
"Well, Airen look at Shampoo body and Shampoo think he like what he see very much," with that she giggled excitedly.
"Oh my, that definitely is strange for your Airen. I wonder what he wants to talk about?" she said with quite a bit of interest.
Shampoo just shrugged at that.
"Ranma at table waiting for great-grandmother," she said pointing up stairs.
"Oh well, only one way of finding out now is there," with that she went upstairs to talk to Ranma and Shampoo followed close behind.
Ranma was getting anxious waiting for Cologne to show up. He didn't have to wait long as he heard the tapping of her staff coming from the kitchen. Cologne appeared through the door leading to the kitchen with a smile on her face.
"So you finally came to your senses and came to ask for Shampoo's hand in marriage," she said with her cackled chuckle.
"NO WAY YOU OLD GHOUL," he shouted out
Cologne just raised an eyebrow at this. Ranma's glare quickly changed into a sheepish smile.
"Sorry old habit," he said while rubbing the back of his head.
"Ok son-in-law what did you want to talk about?" she asked in a serious tone.
Ranma lost his smile and said, "I'm trapped in this repetitive cycle and it's driving me nuts. The old man basically dug both his and my grave with his selfishness. And the only person I could think of that could or would really help me is you. Even though I haven't said this...I really respect what you have done for me Cologne."
She nearly fell off her staff with that last sentence. Shampoo's eyes almost popped out of her skull, she just couldn't believe it. Ranma said he respected someone.
"So you finally figured it out huh," she said with a smile, "ok son-in-law I'm game. What did you want to ask me?"
"I need out Elder, I just can't stand it any more. I need your help getting out of this mess," Ranma held up his hand before Cologne could interrupt," I know you won't do this for free, but I'm willing to come to a mutual agreement if you are?"
"I'm willing to listen Ranma." she said while rubbing her chin, "we'll discuss this over some food. I've always found that food helps in smoothing out agreements."
Almost immediately Shampoo appeared with three bowls of ramen and placed them on the table .As they started eating Ranma wondered how the negotiations would go between himself and the old ghoul. There was a comfortable silence as everyone finished with their own ramen.
...to be continued:
Author's Notes:
Well its done and hopefully you'll enjoy it. I'm working on one of me new stories atm and it should be coming out about the same time as chap3 of Full Moons United. As to waht the new story is, well you'll just have to wait and see now won't you :P. Any way that all from my side for now.
OokamiShiroi out.