Disclaimer: Nothing here really belongs to me, I'm just borrowing the characters to tell a story right quick. If someone wants to borrow from me, for whatever reason, feel free. I can hardly complain, since I'm borrowing from Ranma, Sailor Moon, and likely other anime and fan fictions for that matter :)
Authors Notes: This is my first story to put on the net, so let me have it! I'll admit I'm covering old ground in many ways, but I had to get this idea off my chest first. I have nothing like a pre-reader, just me, myself, and a spell checker. I will appreciate any commentary, useful, or flame-like :)
After many reviews and many suggestions, this newly formatted version of chapter one is the result. Thanks to all who pointed out the mess I had originally posted, as well as offered ideas for how to fix said mess! With any luck, this new formatting style will make chapter one and the following chapters clearer.
Ranma Slips His Leash
Heaving a sigh as he slowly settled down to sit straddled on the central ridge of the Tendo dojo, Ranma finally took the time to consider his situation. It was usually an impossible task to get even a moments peace in his life, much less time for introspection...
Seems like everyone is in a huge hurry to get nothing done, as fast as they can. Just like every day before this, and most likely the way every day from now on is likely to go.
Another sigh sounds.
Wonder how long it'll take before they all get set for another big blow up like that moronic wedding Pops and mister Tendo planned? Hope I have at least a little breathing room left. This kinda crap just gets worse every go round. You think you've seen the limit of the weirdness and the ridiculously strong wackos in this world, then wham! Here's a new one for ya! It's getting a bit old, though I doubt anyone would care what I think of it all.
Laying back against the ridge and relaxing a bit, he takes a moment to gaze up at the only peaceful thing that seems to stay with him.
Glad I can still count on something, even if it is just stars in a night sky. Heh, and that tomorrow will be at least as frustrating and painful as today was.
He pulls his eyes shut for a moment and grimaces at the string of memories tied to the words "frustrating and painful".
I still don't understand what those two thought they were going to accomplish with marrying me and the Tomboy with all this crap still hanging over my head. It's not like the honor debts my Pops put our family into are just going to disappear. Best case, I end up with a wife I can't stand and three or four personal enemies for life. Worst case... worst case is a whole lot of dying and outright blood feuds between strong martial artist families that last for more than a generation.
His hands briefly run across his face, trying to scrub away some of the tension these thoughts are creating.
There just isn't an honorable way for me to marry any of them. Pops guaranteed that whether he knows it or not. Damn idiot... I've spent the last two years or so trying to either beat down or out last the problems I'm stuck with, and I'm getting nowhere. I guess my last two options are all I really have left. I keep hoping something else will come along, but that's turned out to be a really useless thing... hope.
He lets his eyes close for a bit while he falls back to thoughts of those two options.
Seems like either sepuku, or going ronin are the only two things I can do to fix this mess. That's gotta be the gods pissing on their favorite target. I manage to avoid spilling my guts for my momma's little manliness obsession... only to head right back to a shiny little tanto blade. Damn, this is just nuts.
Rocking back to a seated position, he stares out at the neighborhood itself for a bit.
Then there's becoming ronin. It would fix things up for everyone else except maybe the Amazons... Seeing as they aren't tied to me by family honor. The rest of them, including all the others that Pops got for me and haven't popped up yet, would have nothing to bind them to the dishonor of the Saotome name.
His fists curl up and he tensed for a moment then relaxed again with a final sigh.
That, of course, leaves me basically screwed. Ronin aren't welcome much of anywhere in Japan, even in this day and age. Jobs are gonna be scarce, and places to live hard to find. Not that those things will keep me from surviving. Just make it a little more obvious that I ain't welcome. Nothing really new there though... Living here in Nerima is an exercise in survival anyway. No doubts that there are a ton of folks that would love to see me go away. A few of them being my so called friends and even some of my fiancés. The last part of this thought echoed with mockery and resignation.
I doubt any of em will really miss me anyway.. sepuku or ronin, either way.
He slowly grinds one of his clenched hands into the tiles of the roof as he broods over the idea. Suddenly he stops and snatches something from his pocket and stares at it for a moment. With a deft motion he starts slowly spinning the coin across the fingers of his right hand, still staring at it intently.
Guess this is as good a way to decide as any eh? I'm sure good ole Nabiki would approve, seeing as money makes the world go round!
Somewhat unsteady laughter slowly bubbles up from his chest as the coin spins to a stop on the back of his hand. Let's see then. Ahh that'll do, heads for the loss of mine when sepuku is done, or tails for turning mine and running away. Saotome Final Technique for the last time as it were.
A brief tensing of the muscles of his forearm, and then the coin is popped neatly into the air. Gently spinning, it arcs over to his waiting left hand, and he slowly raises it into the view of the little light available.
"What do you know, the gods must not be done pissin on me yet."
The shiny back of a 10 yen piece glinted up at the night sky from his open left hand.
The next morning dawned on a remarkably quiet morning at the Tendo residence. The usual sounds of mayhem that started the day missing. Not many noticed this so early in the morning. Only Kasumi and the Saotome's were normally awake and active at this time, after all. Kasumi had been awake for almost an hour at this point, working through her morning rituals and readying the home for another day.
Quietly, she went about her chores while keeping an ear open for any potential disturbances to the flow of the morning. Most of the neighborhood's odder residents tended to visit after the early hours of the morning had passed. Still, it never hurt to keep an eye out for them anyway. Her pondering eventually brought her around to wondering about her family's personal source of unusual events.
The Saotome's had yet to make the usual exuberant noises that the morning brought by this point in her routine. Perhaps Genma had snuck out again with Father? They did tend to sleep in a bit more on such occasions... Well, it probably would become clear shortly. Breakfast would be ready in less than fifteen minutes. That woke both Saotome's without fail.
Kasumi had to suppress a small giggling fit at the thought of the pair's usual scrambling, leaping arrival in her dining room each time a meal was served. As the preparations for breakfast wound to a close, she gathered up the first few trays of food and entered the dining room. Humming quietly to herself, she knelt down and began to place the trays down on the dining table.
Ranma's voice came from close behind Kasumi just as she began to set down the trays, "Heya Kasumi, let me help ya with those."
She let out a startled, "eep!", and almost fumbled the food as she jerked in surprise. Ranma swiftly placed a hand on each tray and helped guide them down to the table smoothly.
"Sorry bout that Kasumi.. I didn't mean to scare you!", a somewhat contrite looking Ranma said.
"It's alright Ranma, I just didn't notice you until you spoke up. If you want, you can help me set the table and gather up the last of the food."
Ranma nodded and followed Kasumi into the kitchen and they quickly finished the morning routine together.
"Not that I mind, but... why are you down here instead of sparing with your father, or still sleeping for that matter?"
Kasumi turned a curious gaze to Ranma as they sat down to wait for the others. Ranma began to fidget slightly, his hands twisting small handfuls of cloth in his loose pants as he failed to meet Kasumi's eyes.
"I... I have something important to say this mornin, once everyone is done eating..", came from his obviously reluctant lips.
"Oh.. well, I suppose I shouldn't press if you think everyone needs to hear it. It won't be long till they all arrive anyway."
Kasumi's gaze went from curious to somewhat worried as she watched Ranma become even more outwardly agitated when she mentioned the time till everyone would arrive. His eyes had hardened and his body had tensed up even as he tried to contain whatever was bothering him. She suddenly had a very bad feeling about this morning. It had felt slightly "off" starting with the unnatural silence, and continuing with this strange nervousness in Ranma.
Shortly before Kasumi and Ranma had their conversation, Genma Saotome had indeed awoken from a little extra sleep induced by a night out. After slowly bringing himself to full consciousness, he turned his eyes to his son's bedroll. His hopes for a brisk morning spar were dashed though, as Ranma's bedroll was nowhere to be seen.
Boy must have already gotten up.. Kasumi must be cleaning the bedding too.. oh well.
The elder Saotome decided he'd just have to catch the boy unawares later in the day.
After breakfast, that'll do. Got to keep the boy on his toes, but not without a bit of food first!
Genma heaved himself up and pulled on his gi, heading down the stairs for breakfast. His bleary brain failed to notice the other oddities in the room, the absence of Ranma's personal objects, pack, and clothes for example...
Elsewhere in the home, the rest of the residents began to wake up and prepare for the morning. Akane, Nabiki and Soun all made their way downstairs for a bite to eat. The weekend was upon them, so no one was in a vast hurry to get anywhere. So a leisurely breakfast, followed by a bath was about the furthest into the day anyone had really thought. As everyone entered the dining room, those awake enough to notice such things were a bit surprised.
"Ranma? Why aren't you still sparing outside?" said Akane as she raised an eyebrow at him with a mildly puzzled expression on her face.
"You have to have a panda to pound if you plan to practice in the morning.. No panda.. No practice.." he said then shrugged at her.
"Right.. whatever Ranma. As long as neither of you mess up breakfast, I don't care what you two do.", she huffed in return, then settled down at the table.
Oddly enough, Ranma failed to reply to her comment. He simply sighed and started filling his plate. Shortly after Akane's comment, Genma filed into the room along with Nabiki and Soun.
"There you are boy! You dodged this morning's practice, a bad habit for martial artists like ourselves!" Genma rumbled as he took his seat.
"Pfft, whatever.. I'm just glad to wake up without you two pretending to be my very own personal alarm clock this morning.", Nabiki stated as she slowly sat down with a short lived, if pointed, stare at the two Saotome's.
In an overly enthusiastic voice, Soun spouted out, "Now, now Nabiki. There's no reason to begrudge a martial artist his morning exercises! Genma is just looking out for the boy's training!"
Soun clapped Genma on the shoulder as he sat down in his own place at the table. A little more grumbling was heard, up until breakfast was begun. Without the usual lightning quick clashing of Ranma's and Genma's chopsticks over this or that morsel of food, breakfast came to an end quickly. Ranma had simply ignored any effort on Genma's part, and ate what little was left.
Genma gave his son a puzzled stare, but shrugged it off. It was extra food for him after all. The others noted the oddity, but simply thanked the gods for the break in the danger usually involved in reaching across the table for food. Once everyone had finished, Ranma cleared his throat to get their attention.
"I have something I need to say to everyone here this morning."
Ranma's odd, strained voice and somewhat unusual expression began to register in the minds of those at the table.
Nabiki began to pay close attention, as it dawned on her just how odd Ranma's behavior was. Shaking off the last of the morning grogginess, she spoke up, "You have our attention Ranma. Just what do you need to say that all of us should hear together?"
She had gotten used to seeing a fairly small range of expressions on his face. Resignation, depression and determination had never been displayed together on his face. Resignation and depression were totally foreign to the boy, she had been almost certain...
"It's about family honor, the fiancées and most of my enemies too." He heaved a breathe then continued.
"I've been spending time tryin to fix all the messes that pops made for me. As well as the problems I picked up for myself... I've done everything I can to clean up our families honor. But it isn't working. Nothing I've done has really even put a dent in the huge mess. I don't think anything really will."
Ranma paused a second and seemed to brace himself.
"Well... go on boy! Quit wasting time and just say it!" said Genma.
"Spit it out already Ranma, why do I need to hear about those bimbo's?" growled Akane. She really didn't want to hear about this sort of thing so early in the morning.
Nabiki just pursed her lips and peered at Ranma, still a little puzzled by his behavior and a bit more alarmed at the choice of topic that was coming with it.
Ranma sighed, then said in a low flat toned voice, "Fine.. I got two ways to fix this mess. Nothing else will satisfy everyones honor. I can either gut myself, or I can become ronin."
Everyone gawked at him for a moment then started yelling all at once. Ranma couldn't make out what anyone was saying with everyone trying to speak at the same time.
Akane gasped out., "What?"
Genma slowly rumbled out, "Are you out of your -"
Nabiki jumped in sarcastically, "You have got to be joking Saotome! This is the stupidest-"
Soun began to spout out as well, "Now son, don't be rash-"
It all blurred together into a jumble of argumentative noise in his ears...
"Shut up! It's my damn guts ta spill, and my honor to wreck... not yours! Despite what you all think, none of you can make me do anything I don't let you!" he growled out through clenched teeth. "I'm done bowing to what everyone else thinks I should be doin, seeing that it hasn't made one damn thing better for anyone."
A stunned silence followed this short tirade.
"Unless you suddenly want to take up the duty of fixing the problems you've made for the Saotome clan, father, I have to pick one of those two solutions." he ground out in a flat and angry tone.
Ranma bore his gaze into his father's eyes for a few moments. Genma's eyes began darting around the room, looking for a way out of this suddenly uncomfortable situation.
"Now see here boy, its your duty to uphold the honor of the clan. All this whining is just a sign of how weak you've let yourself become. Be a man about this!" Genma growled in response to his son's steady stare.
"Right... be a man about it? Be a man... Ok, then. I'll do just what you've taught me a grown man does Genma! All this crap is your problem now! I'm not your son! You aren't my father! My name is Ranma, of no clan! Good luck old man, when the angry fathers, pissed off daughters, challengers, demons, ghosts, and gods come calling for the blood of a Saotome!" Ranma screamed out in a voice full of rage, his chi finally slipping out of his control into a visible, towering red flame around his now standing body.
He looked around the room with burning eyes, daring anyone to try and push any more crap his way. His eyes passed over his father and Soun with little more than contempt showing. The dual flinches in response did not surprise him. Turning his eyes towards the Tendo daughters, he barely acknowledged Nabiki's stunned face. He did pause at Kasumi's wide eyed stare and pale face, a slight look of regret showing as he looked at her.
His chi began to draw in closer to his body as he spoke briefly.
"I'm sorry Kasumi... You never deserved to be mixed up in this mess. I hope things will calm down, and you can stop worrying about all the crazy people I kept bringing here wrecking things and scaring your neighbors off... You have been about the only kind person I've known since this whole circus started. Thank you for puttin up with me for so long Kasumi."
He bowed briefly to her, then turned his eyes to Akane.
They stared at one another for a moment, Akane with shock and confusion, and he with a wistful, sad gaze. "I don't know why we never got along.. I guess I never will. I wish you the best Akane. I wish we could have been friends instead of angry, insulting fiancés."
He sighed and the chi around his body faded from red to white... to a faint green even as he pulled it back within his body.
"Goodbye. I'm fairly sure rumor monger over there can handle spreading the word around... heh.. last bit of profit you'll be able to make from me.. Better make it count Nabiki."
He pasted a sickly grin on his face, and then simply bounded into the yard, then completely out of sight along the roof tops. A scorch mark on the floor and table, and a room full of stunned, angry, or sad faces were all that remained to mark his leaving.