Ranma ½

Love Note

Usual disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters, any resemblance to Ranma ½ or Death Note is purely intentional, and the rest of that jazz.

For the purposes of this story, any text within single quotes like 'this' is considered a thought.

A few quick notes notes on Death note:

For those not familiar with it, don't worry. You're not really missing much as far as this story goes and any concept I need from Death note will be explained within this story. For those who are familiar with it, time is a bit of an issue here. Ranma takes place in late 80s, early 90s. Death Note takes place in 2000+. This makes for some rather serious differences in technology availability. Right now, I'm not committing to anything time wise just yet, but any which way I'm very likely to take liberties with the time line of one or both of the sources to mesh the two together. I'm not likely to involve the actual Death Note in the main of this story (being that Death Note is rather serious), but if I do, Death Note would be in the 'future' even if I take a liberty or two and make that later than was originally intended.

Chapter 3


"Are all the preparations in place?"

"Yes L," Watari replied to the laptop computer he was holding as he oversaw several workers setting up a studio. "L, although it is not usually my place to question your motives..."

"You are wondering what my true propose here is?" the computer asked, but did not wait for an answer. "Oh, it is quite true that this... Cupid, has been making quite the mess internationally, but truthfully that has little do with it. This is my hobby. That often gets forgotten, but I solve cases not primarily to catch criminals, but because they are difficult puzzles to solve. Whether it be a murder, or shoplifting, it matters little to me. Only whether the case is interesting, and this Cupid affair is very interesting."

Watari nodded in understanding. "Yes, I see. But, that still leaves the matter of what we do when we do find Cupid."

The computer remained silent for a moment. "That all depends, I suppose, but let's not deal with that right now. We still have a ways to go before that becomes an issue."


It was early morning at Furinkan High and the various students were arriving for class. Akane Tendo and Ranma Saotome were two such students, arriving in their home room to find Ukyo with her head on her desk, using her arms as a makeshift pillow. As they passed by, Akane got a good look at the Okonomiyaki chef, and found she did not appear to have gotten much sleep at all.

"You look terrible," Akane commented as she took a seat.

"I feel terrible," Ukyo moaned out. "I can't get her out of my head."

"I can sympathize," Ranma said as he took his seat. "I still don't get what Kodachi suddenly sees in you."

"I wish I knew," Ukyo replied.

"Maybe it was Cupid," one of their female classmate suddenly suggested.

"Cupid?" the threesome all repeat in confusion.

"Yeah, haven't you heard?" another girl asked. "There has been a rash of people falling in love everywhere. Everybody is calling it the work of Cupid."

"Cupid, as in the baby with the bow and arrow?" Akane asked in doubt.

"Well, no one has actually seen him of course," the first girl answered. "It's just what they're calling him."

Tired, but with some of her vigor restored by anger, Ukyo sat up and glared at the two girls. "And what exactly does this Cupid have against me that he made Kodachi fall for me? We're both girls for pity sakes!"

The first girl shrugged. "You do have to admit, you do dress a lot like a guy most the time. Maybe it was a mistake."

"One hell of a mistake!" Ukyo growled out.

"Ah, that's just silly," Akane said after a moment. "I'm sure it is all just a big coincidence."

"Oh yeah, and what about you and Mousse? You've been trying to spend a awful lot of time with him lately," Ranma accused, initially causing Akane to cringe before going defensive.

"That's... nothing! It's none of your business, Ranma! And don't think I haven't noticed the way you're acting around Kasumi all of a sudden."

This time, it was Ranma's turn to cringe before he too took up a defensive approach. "You're imagining things!"

"Am I?" Akane counter accused. The two exchanged glares before both mutually huffing and looking away from each other. The others, particularly Ukyo, watched the momentary exchange with thoughtful looks.


A few hours later, Kasumi was finishing with the morning chores and preparing for what was becoming her regular daily routine, channel surfing for those love challenged people in need of a little help. To Trista, this is was all very reckless, particularly because Kasumi had no qualms about bringing the Love Note out in the open when her father and pseudo uncle were mere feet away playing Shougi. However, over all the days that Trista had so far watched, the two men had yet to show the slightest sign of suspicion in Kasumi's activity. However, Trista had quickly realized this was only obvious. This Kasumi had two big things going for her. First, she rarely attracted attention, and second she just exuded an aura of tranquility and innocence that would no doubt make anyone believe that any suspicions of her were merely the product of some out of control paranoia on their part.

Unfortunately, even Kasumi couldn't risk being caught openly talking to thin air, so Trista, at these times, was generally forced to amuse herself. This usually involved watching over the two men's shougi game, while occasionally messing with the pieces when they were distracted. Fortunately, this was quite common as the two tended to cheat a lot, which involved distracting the other. Little did they realize a third party was also taking advantage of those moments to get into the action. However, that was only amusing for so long.

"Bah, this is boring," Trista complained as she left the two men with Soun in a certain win position, and floated over to Kasumi to watch. Kasumi, however, did not react to this, and merely kept up with her activity.

"Ah-ha! You lose Saotome!" Soun proudly proclaimed.

"Wait, do over!" Genma begged.

"You already had five do overs," Soun replied. "No getting out of it this time. Besides, it's time to get to doing a little cleaning up."

As Genma pondered the game board, seeing no avenue to escape, he was force to concede. "Yes, I suppose so. Hey Kasumi, could you make us some tea?"

"Of course, Mr. Saotome," Kasumi replied with a smile and headed off to the kitchen to put on the kettle, with Trista following.

Looking back over her shoulder, Trista asked, " You do know you just left the Love Note out in the open, right?"

"Oh, you're such a worry-wort, Trista," Kasumi calmly replied as she fetched the kettle and began filling it.

"You of all people should know how dangerous that thing can be," Trista replied with a frown.

After finishing setting a tray with all the normal amenities, Kasumi headed back to the common room to wait for the kettle to whistle. Her father and Genma were already off in the yard, dealing with various minor chores, so Kasumi went about her task without fear of being overheard. "I think you're worrying over nothing. Sure, it has it's slight draw backs, but all in all the Love Note seems to be generally a good thing."

"Yeah, is that so? I'm sure that guy who's girlfriend now hates him would think different."

Kasumi shook her head. "Really, that was for the best. You said it yourself, they're incompatible. Sure, it was a bit of a surprise, but now we know that and can move on. After all my testing I think I just might be ready to make some improvements."

"Testing?"

Kasumi nodded. "Yes. Like, did you know that if you try to make two people fall in love that don't know each other, it fails and defaults?"

"Well, no, but I generally don't attempt that," Trista was forced to concede and decided to lay down next to Kasumi.

"However, if you use the third rule where you can specify the conditions, if you have them meet, or learn of the other person, it does work, even if they didn't originally know each other."

Trista looked up thoughtfully. "You know, I always wondered why they had that third rule. Seemed kinda pointless to me. Guess that's why it's there."

"Yes, the third rule is quite powerful really. You can do so much-" Kasumi started to explain just as the television program she was watching was suddenly cut off with static.

"We interrupt your programming to bring you an important message from the ICPO," an announcer said as the picture changed to display what looked like a conference podium in a non-nondescript room. Behind the podium stood an American woman in a business outfit, and to her right and behind stood a man likewise dressed, both looking quite serious. "This is being broadcast over the whole world. Japanese is translation is provided by translator Tora Hiso."

"What's this?" Kasumi wondered aloud as Trista sat up to take notice as well.

After clearing her throat, the woman spoke. "My name is Linda Marsel, widely known as 'L'. And this is my associate, Wallace Vance, better known simply as 'Watari'."


Off at one of the local police headquarters, those gathered watched this same program in interest and shock.

"L is a woman?!" one of the officers couldn't help but exclaim.

"We've never actually seen him, or heard his real voice, so I suppose it is possible. But, what's she up to showing herself like this so publicly?" another commented.

"She must be taking this case very seriously to appear out in the open like this," a third officer suggested.


Off at Furikan high school, the event was also gathering attention as a crowd was gathered around one of the student's locker, one who happened to have a portable television. Taking note of this as they passed during the lunch break, Ranma and Akane walked over to see.

"What happening?" Akane asked as she tried to get a look through the crowd.

"Some woman working for the police I think is on TV. It's a world wide broadcast. Must be important," one of the students gathered explained, peaking both Akane and Ranma's interest.


"I am here today to address the recent surge in strange behavior of public figures. Many have dubbed this the acts of one 'Cupid'," Linda continued on as Kasumi and Trista watched.

"Ooo, I think she's talking about you," Trista said and Kasumi was now fixated on the television.

Looking suddenly very serious, the woman gripped the podium and spoke forcefully. "Regardless of the cause, the disruptive behavior of those affected is becoming a wide spread public nuisance. This will not be tolerated!"

"Won't be tolerated?" Kasumi echoed in confusion.

"Individuals involved will be treated like any other deviant, and protests to such things as 'love' will no longer be accepted as an excuse for these actions," the woman continued on, saying love with such disdain that it caused even Kasumi's normally cheerful face to frown.

Trista was not so reserved, and apparently found the insinuation quite insulting. "Hey, who does this woman think she is?!" she yelled at the television. "Making out like love is some kind of evil sin!"

"She seems like the kind of person who hasn't experienced much love in her life... hmm.." Kasumi replied before looking thoughtful and grabbing up the Love Note. Trista glanced back to see this and, for probably the first time since seeing Kasumi use the note, smiled and rushed over behind her.

"Use the guy that's with her, and make sure to make it mutual," Trista encouraged.

"Yes, yes, I know," Kasumi responded as wrote the two names. As she did the whistle of the kettle in the kitchen began to blow.


Back at Furinkan, the reaction from many of the students wasn't much better.

"What a stick in the mud she is!" one girl complained. "All Cupid is doing is making people happy, and she wants to toss them in jail for it?! That's outrageous!"

By this time, Ukyo had joined them, frowning. "I'm all for locking Kodachi up," she commented idly, gaining several unexpected dirty looks. "But, it does seem a little harsh in general," she quickly amended.

"Shh," another girl said. "I can't hear."

"...As for Cupid himself, if such a person or persons does in fact exist, we will be moving to arrest him and... and... umm..." The woman quickly became nervous and glanced behind her at the man. Likewise, his stoic appearance also quickly changed to a rather confused and nervous one.

"What's going on?" Akane asked in puzzlement.

"Alright! Cupid got them!" several of the girls cheered. Several more seconds passed before the transmission suddenly went to static, causing several more cheers from those gathered. However, the static only lasted a moment before it was replaced with a white background with a single giant scripted letter L. This was puzzling enough to everyone to quiet them all in time to hear an electronically distorted voice begin to speak.

"Unbelievable!" the voice said. "I did this on the off chance that you would exercise your power... and now I see you can make people fall in love without even being present. So, it is true after all. To be honest I had my doubts, but the evidence is now clear."

"Now what?" Ukyo puzzled openly only to be quickly quieted by the others.

"Cupid, listen to me, the people you made fall in love were in fact actors and volunteers. I arranged for this whole program to be staged for your benefit. If they felt any sudden attraction or love for each other they were instructed to press hidden panic buttons, which both did almost simultaneously. That could perhaps happen to one, but both at the same time... no, there is no coincidence here. This is definitely your work, Cupid.

"But, of course, I'm being rude not introducing myself. I am L, the real L. And, I am the one who will stop you. Of course, you could try your power on me, so please do! Come on now, I don't care. Pick anyone you like for me. Come on, do it!" Almost a minute passed as L continue to call for Cupid to act, but nothing seemed to happen. Nonetheless, all those watching were now riveted to the screen. "What's wrong, can't do it? I don't feel any different... no, I don't think you can affect me. Very interesting. That's a very helpful hint. Let me tell you something in return. Although the program was said to be aired world wide, in fact it is only airing in the Kanto region of Japan. I was planning to repeat this for other regions but that has proven unnecessary. I now know you are in Kanto."

"The reason I chose Kanto is quite simple. Firstly, it is the most populous region in Japan and although your powers have been felt world wide, most your victims have been Japanese celebrities and public figures, but of course you didn't seem to be hiding this. However, a bit of fall out, if you will, from your power is that requests for marriage licenses, facilities and other related matters tend to increase greatly. This has been seen most evident in Tokyo itself. Now that I have confirmed you are indeed in this region, I can further isolate your location. Of course, you could have done this deliberately to attempt to mislead, but my little play seems to have proven that is not that case. To be perfectly honest, this has turned out better than I anticipated.

"Well, Cupid, I will figure out how you use your power and I look forward to the day I can catch you. I'm sure we will be speaking again." With those final words, the screen turned back to static momentarily before resuming normal programming.

"Wow," is all Akane could think to say, breaking the silence among the students.


"Father, Mr. Saotome, I have your tea!" Kasumi called out as she re-entered the common room carrying a tray with several cups and related apparel. She cast a quick glance to the television to see the special announcement was over. "Oh bother, I missed the whole thing... Oh well, I hope they are happy together."


End Chapter 3

As I noted in chapter one, all input is welcome here. My ideas on this story are pretty sketchy right now meaning most my time is actually spent figuring out what to write rather than actually writing it, which is not the usual hold up for me.

Quick geographic note. Since the original death note program only had L limit to Kanto, not specific cities for the broadcast, I chose that here too. It may be untrue but I suspect it would be impractical to limit a broadcast any further probably due to transmission strength.