Disclaimer: Nope, still don't own Ranma, still not gonna make any money off this.
I'd like to thank everyone for all the great reviews! Now that I've finally begun to write a story instead of voraciously consume them, I have new respect for the authors of all the great Ranma fanfics I've read in the past.
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Chapter 2
Ranma awoke with a start. For the first time ever, he had slept through the entire night on the Tendo's roof. He looked at the sun rising over the Nerima rooftops and decided that there was only one person who he could trust to give him advice on how to start his new journey.
He hopped off of the roof and wandered inside. At this time on Saturday morning, the only person up was Kasumi, who was just starting breakfast.
"Morning Kasumi!"
"Oh! Ranma-kun! Why are you up so early? Don't you usually try to sleep in until your fathers wakes you up?"
"Yeah, but I had a rough night last night. I did a lot of thinking, and wanted to ask you a question...if that's alright.. It's kind of personal so I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't talk to anybody else about it."
"Of course Ranma" Kasumi smiled and pointed to the chairs at the table. "Have a seat."
"Thanks Kasumi. See, somebody said something yesterday, something that got me thinking. And what I finally realized, is that I don't know much about anything except my martial arts. And...I wanted to know...if you could give me some advice as to what I should really do with my life?"
Kasumi kept her smile to herself. When Ranma first got here, her first impressions of Ranma and his father were not the best, and she had quickly side stepped the engagement and placed the responsibility on the one person that she know would postpone the commitment, Akane. Over the months, Kasumi had quickly changed her mind about the young man seated in front of her. She hoped that he would be able to break free of the narrow path his father had set him on and to use his sharp mind to start thinking for himself. Today seemed like Ranma had finally made a turn for the better.
Kasumi had often thought about how she could fix some of the problems that Ranma was having. Over the months she had come up with several ideas, yet none had ever seemed to work, because of the chaos and indecision in Ranma's life. His simple question this morning gave her the inspiration to guide him in his new effort to improve himself.
"Ranma", she began, "nobody can tell somebody else what they should or shouldn't do with their life. It's true, many will give you suggestions or directions, but the bottom line is that if you don't want it or believe it, then it really doesn't mean anything."
"OK...but then what do I do?" he sighed.
"Well, when you want to improve yourself in Martial Arts, how do you learn new things? How do you broaden your skills" she asked.
"Oh, that's easy! Find somebody that is doing something you want to do and learn from them. Watch what they do, see if you can incorporate it into your style, and if it makes sense, start practicing the new technique until you get it right." Ranma stated smugly.
"So you don't just sit around and make things up in your mind?"
"Well, once you get good enough at stuff you can" Ranma continued, "but usually it's best to learn from people that have already figured out how to do the technique already."
Kasumi smiled, "So, if that works so well for you in Martial Arts, why can't you use the same techniques when it comes to figuring out what you want to do with your life?"
"What do you mean?" Ranma asked.
"Well, it seems to me that if you don't know what you want to do, you should find somebody who seems happy and content with their life and see what they are doing or planning on doing. Maybe that will give you ideas on how to choose for yourself" she finished.
Ranma sat for a moment and thought about what Kasumi had said. It made sense, all he had to do was apply the same way of learning that worked so well with the Art to his other problems. He was so used to Genma telling him to "forget anything else" that he never thought to use what worked so well for him in one part of his life on his other problems.
Ranma's face brightened with a smile Kasumi hadn't seen in a while. "Thanks Kasumi! That sounds like a great idea!"
"You're welcome Ranma" beamed Kasumi. "I'm sure you'll come up with some excellent ideas if you really try."
"I will! Thanks again" he said as he stood up. "I think I'll start with my oldest friend, and work my way from there".
"That sounds like an excellent idea Ranma. I hope you find some good ideas" finished Kasumi as Ranma walked out of the room.
A short time later, Ranma entered Ucchan's. At this time of morning, Ukyo would be preparing for the day's customers, but would still be by herself.
"Morning Ukyo" beamed Ranma as he sat down at the counter.
"Ran-chan! What are you doing here so early in the morning?" asked Ukyo.
"Well..." Ranma grinned sheepishly, "something came up yesterday that got me thinking about my future in a different way."
Ukyo's hopes shot up immediately, she sat down giving Ranma her full attention. "Go on..."
"See, I always wanted to be the best Martial Artist ever. Yeah, I guess pops beat that into my head well enough over the years. Well, somebody made a comment yesterday about how that would be all I could ever do...and they put it in a way that somehow got me to consider the real implications of being the 'best there is.' I realized that I really didn't have any plans for my future, or even what I really wanted later in life."
Ukyo was impressed. Even she had wondered what Ranma really wanted in life. Not that she didn't have plans of her own for the two of them...
"Anyways, I talked to somebody about it this morning, and they said that maybe if I talked to some other people about their plans and hopes, maybe I'd get some ideas about my own future."
"So who else have you talked to?" Ukyo was afraid to ask, but she might as well find out where she stood.
"Actually, you're the first. I figured I've known you longer than anybody else, and you always seem to be doing good for yourself. Heck, you got your own place already!" he smiled.
Ukyo was beside herself! This was an opportunity she'd always hoped for, but never had the chance to take advantage of! Of course she had plans, why else did she set up shop in Nerima after deciding she might have a future with Ranma. Ukyo calmed herself and decided to lay it all out for Ranma, if there were any time to set the hook, this was it!
"Actually, I'm already living what I want to do...well almost that is" she started. "You know okonomiyaki is my life. I'm just like you, I want to be the best there is at my art. I've got this small place here, but one day I'd like to have a nice place in Tokyo...be a well-known chef..and of course have a family." she blushed. "The only thing missing is you Ran-chan! If we were together, I'd have it all!"
Ranma sat there silent. Ukyo figured that at least he hadn't run off right away. We'll just have to see what he does next she thought to herself.
"Now don't get all excited about what I have to ask you, but where would I fit in to this plan of yours" Ranma asked. "Seems I don't have anything really to offer to the situation..."
"What!" Ukyo exclaimed. She couldn't believe how well this was going. Ranma walks in one morning, and asks how their life could be together. "Why, you could practice Martial Arts! We could get a dojo in the area and you could teach. You could enter tournaments and go for the prize money." she blurted. "And of course you can take care of the kids as well."
"Take care of the Kids?"
"Sure! I'll be able to support us with the restaurant. And you know the hours I have to spend keeping things going. I know you'll be a great Dad, and it makes sense for you to do that will I support the family. It should be no problem to enter a few tournaments and teach some classes here and there. It'll get easier as the kids grow up. I'll take care of you Ranma, I've always told you I'd be there for you!" Ukyo finished.
Ranma grew quiet. If there was one thing that he knew of besides Martial Arts, is that he didn't want to be a freeloader like his pop. He realized as he listened to Ukyo that she as obsessed about her Art as he was his. I guess this must how I must seem to be to other people he thought to himself. It was obvious that to Ukyo, okonomiyaki was her first love, and Ranma was her second. Yes, she wanted him in her life, but Ranma wasn't sure if he wanted that life or not.
He put a smile on his face, she didn't need to know how he felt about this yet. "Thanks Ukyo, I'll think about what you said. It sounds nice, but I'm going to talk to some other people still to see what they have to say"
Ukyo's face fell...he wasn't going for it. "What's wrong with my idea?" she asked.
"Oh nothing is wrong with it" he quickly added. Time to do a little thinking on my feet for once instead of placing them in my mouth. "I just promised myself that I would talk to everyone before I tried to sort things out".
Ukyo perked up...a bit. "OK. Come talk to me when you are done".
"Thanks Ukyo, I will" he said as he stood to leave. "And thanks for caring about me. I have a feeling not too many people do around here when it really comes down to it."
Ranma turned and walked out the door, trying to decide who he would talk to next. He decided there was no reason he had to talk to everybody in one day, so he went back to the Dojo to practice. At least there he could lose himself in the one thing that didn't give him a hard time.
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It was two days after Ranma had finished talking with Ukyo, and he was wondering who to talk to next. He decided he'd might as well talk to the one person he really didn't want to talk to, but felt obligated to get her side of the story.
As Ranma walked into the Nekohaten, Shampoo immediately charged across the dining area "Airen finally here to take Shampoo on date?"
"Hello Shampoo" Ranma gasped through the Amazon glomp.
"Son-in-law, what a pleasant surprise! What brings you by on such a beautiful day?"
"Actually, I...uh...wanted to talk to Shampoo for a few minutes."
"Really?" Shampoo couldn't believe it. "We go now, is okay Great-Grandmother?"
"Certainly" replied Cologne. "You two enjoy yourselves, we can take care of matters here"
Ranma nervously escorted Shampoo out the front door and over to a low wall near the restaurant. Shampoo quickly sat down next to him "What Airen want to talk about?"
"Shampoo" Ranma started "Please listen to all of what I have to say before coming to conclusions. I'm just trying to get information from several people I know, and you are one of the people I felt I should talk to."
"Ok" Shampoo was already on alert, this definitely wasn't a date she thought. "I try".
"I've been asking several people what they want out of life...what makes them happy. I've never asked you before, but what kind of life do you see yourself living?"
"Oh, this easy question" Shampoo quickly replied. "We go back to village, raise big family, since I only great-granddaughter of Cologne, good chance I be village elder one day. After all, I best warrior in tribe!"
"Yes but what do you see yourself doing every day?"
"Shampoo best Amazon warrior in tribe!" she began. "I lead training of new warriors, in charge of patrols for village. Take good care of Airen each day!"
"So what would I be doing while you are on patrols?" He had a good idea where this was going...no surprises here.
"Airen take care of family and house. Train children in Martial Arts! We have strongest children in Village!" Shampoo was beside herself, she finally was able to talk about her dream with her Airen, with no Kitchen Destroyer or other obstacles to interfere.
"Would I be able to go on patrols as well?" Ranma knew what the answer would be before he even asked.
"Of course not! Patrols is for Amazon warriors only!" she quickly stated.
"Hmmm, that is what I thought" he murmured. Ranma quickly stood up "Thanks a lot Shampoo. I'm...ah...really glad we had this talk. I'll see ya!" he blurted as he leaped away.
Shampoo was confused. Why did Airen run off so quickly. Why didn't he want to talk more about their wonderful life in the village back home.
"Shampoo!" hissed Cologne. Shampoo had not noticed her standing back in the shadows.
"Yes great-grandmother?"
"I have a bad feeling about son-in-law. I fear he is about to make a big decision, and we must ensure that it is the correct one. We need to keep a close eye on son-in-law for the next few days to see what he is really up to."
After the brief, and unsurprising, conversation with Shampoo, Ranma went to work out in the dojo for a while, and think about what Ukyo and Shampoo had to say. When he entered the Tendo's he noticed that only his father and Soun were home. Kasumi must be shopping, and I don't even want to think what Nabiki may be doing thought Ranma. He avoided the two playing their game of Shogi and went to the dojo.
Once in the room, Ranma quickly lost himself to his Art. He blurred through several katas, becoming one with the motions and techniques he had so long practiced. As he worked through each set, he thought more about his problem. It wasn't that he really wanted to give up Martial Arts, as much as not be a slave to them. He was tired of performing for everyone else, and wanted a little more control of his own life. He definitely wanted more than the Art, but not a replacement for it.
He continued to practice for over an hour, and then decided to acknowledge his loudly growling stomach. He wandered into the kitchen to find Nabiki sitting at the table finishing her lunch.
"Yo Ranma" she mumbled between bites.
"Hey Nabiki." he replied as he snagged some food from the fridge.
Nabiki finished her lunch, and turned her attention to Ranma. "So what are you doing on this fine day."
"Nuthin...just having some lunch."
Nabiki eyed Ranma "Come on Ranma, I can tell when you are up to something. You may think you can keep it from me, but I'll find out eventually."
Ranma sighed. She was right, and besides, she was on his list of people he wanted to talk to. He was lucky that Akane was out with her friends today. "Well, thanks to you, I've been thinking..." he started.
"Whoa, I'm concerned already...you've been thinking!"
"Alright, let it be. You asked me what was up, remember?"
"OK, OK, continue" she said.
"As I said, I've been thinking, and talking to a few people" he continued. "I was curious about what other people were looking for in life. Thought I might get some ideas, maybe some things I might want to do...you know, in addition to being a One Trick Pony."
Hmmm, thought Nabiki, looks like that name really got to him yesterday, I would have never thought he would be considering options already.
"So, anyways, I was wondering what you are planning on doing with your life?" he finally asked.
"Ranma, Ranma, Ranma." she started. "Nothing I can tell you can be any use to you. I plan on making it big in business. I'm headed off to college soon and plan on never looking back. I have no interest in Martial Arts, or event family life. If I have my way I'll be the most powerful single woman in Japan. Family is just a liability. Look how much of my money I have to use to take care of this family. What do I get out of it? Nothing. I do it because I have to...because I have to live here too...for now."
"I don't know what got you turned on to this 'fix my life' thing, but frankly I'm not impressed. By tomorrow you'll be fighting with Ryoga, being chased by Shampoo, and being clobbered by my sister. You don't have it in you to change yourself" she finished.
"You really don't think family matters?" he asked.
"What, you think it does? Look at your own family. You're a tool for your father and a gene pool for your mother. Tell me how your family makes your life better" she smirked.
"Look, you don't have to take after your parents" he admitted, "you can also use them as examples what NOT to do".
"Maybe, maybe not" she replied. "But you asked me what I wanted, and I know what will work for me, what you do is your problem."
"You're right Nabiki" he said. "It is my problem"
She sat and looked at him for a few minutes more, and then stood and proceeded up to her room. Ranma just sat there, trying to decide if Kasumi had given him good or bad advice. So far, he was beginning to realize that he was surrounded by people just as obsessed as he was. Not much help there he thought. Of course, I just said that you don't always have to use people as examples of what to do, you can just as easily use them as what not to do.
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As Ranma sat brooding about his own problems, Hikaru Gosunkugi was about to make the find of a lifetime. He had found this small shop several weeks ago, and every few days had been coming back to dig through their massive inventory of potions, scrolls, an magical items searching for just the thing to make Akane his. So far he had come up empty.
"Still can't find anything you like?" asked the old man behind the counter.
"Not yet. I can't believe you don't have any items to make somebody fall in love with you." he said.
"Ah...I've told you already. Love is a tricky thing. Most magics can do anything but that. Oh they may tell you they'll make somebody fall in love with you, but there is always a hidden price that ruins it in the end."
Hikaru continued to look through the items. He was so absorbed with finding a love-potion that he almost missed the small scroll behind the blue jar to his left.
As he unrolled the scroll, his mind started to see the possibilities.
"Be careful young man" the shopkeeper warned. "That is a very powerful scroll. It was said to be used by the Amazons to banish their most hated criminals to an un-escapable prison."
"Really?" asked Gosunkugi. He could already see the use of this scroll. He may not be able to make Akane fall in love with him, but he could at least get Ranma out of the way with this. "How much?"
As the two argued over the final cost. Gosunkugi knew that he had finally found something that could give him a fighting chance against the great Ranma Saotome.
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Nabiki had ruined the good mood Ranma had built up during the workout in the dojo. He tried to shake it off, but it still bothered him the next day. After school, rather than return home to the Tendo's, he decided to walk to one of the local parks that he often went to when trying to find a little peace in the day.
As he walked to the park, he realized that it wouldn't do much good to talk to the other people he was thinking of talking to. Ryoga would say he just wanted Akane. Shampoo just wanted him for genetic material. Akane...he wasn't sure about Akane yet, but he didn't have that warm fuzzy feeling that talking to her would produce any positive results. Kasumi had a good idea, the problem is, Ranma didn't know anybody who seemed happy with their lives. The more he thought of it, the more he realized he was surrounded by people as obsessed as he was about achieving their single minded goals.
Once he got to the park, he sat down and watched the people around him. He was often amazed at the huge difference between the people he saw at this park, and the people that he usually ran into.
Everybody looks so happy he thought.
To his left sat a young couple on another bench with two small children. The oldest, a boy of about 6, was playing with his younger sister, who was maybe 3 years old.
"Come on Ami, lets go play on the swings" shouted the boy.
"Yayyy! Swings!" cried his little sister. As she ran with her brother to the swings.
Ranma watched the two happy parents, talking to each other on the bench and watching their two children play on the playground. Off to his right on yet another was an elderly couple, also with smiles on their faces. They didn't seem to be doing anything in particular, just watching the world go by. Ranma had a feeling deep in his gut that there was a clue to his dilemma here. These people were happy, relaxed, and yet obviously weren't anything special.
As he continued watching the people in the park, part of the answer came to him. They weren't constantly competing or battling each other! It shocked Ranma to realize that he was so immersed in a competitive world, that one thing he rarely got to do was just enjoy his friends company. Granted, many of the escapades he was involved with weren't his fault. But when he thought back over the last year, it was one chaotic problem after another. Either with him looking for a cure for his curse, or unlocking his curse, or defending Akane, or defending himself... Even his own parents were after him one way or another. His father thought any moments rest was a sign of weakness, and his mother...well, let's just say that Ranma was really nervous around his mother and her ideas of what was manly or not.
So, here was a set of people who actually seemed happy. Didn't Kasumi say to ask people what made them happy?
Ranma wasn't looking forward to walking up to some strangers, and asking them such a personal question. Most people would think he was some strange guy with bizarre ulterior motives. Ranma picked out a drinking fountain over by some bushes and decided to gamble that strangers would be more likely to talk to a young girl about emotional things than a young man.
A few moments later, Ranma wiped her wet hands on her pants and proceeded to walk over the the older couple still on the bench. "Good afternoon" she greeted them.
"Ah hello Miss. Can we help you?" said the woman. She glanced up at the young red-head and could tell something was bothering the young lady.
"Ma'am, would you mind if I asked you about something personal?" she started. "Not that personal! It's just that I don't really have anybody else that I could talk to, and you two seemed so happy, that I thought I could get some advice from you".
"Certainly!" the old man beamed. "What can we do for you?"
"I've been talking with a friend, who gave me some good advice. I told her that I was frustrated that my life was so focused on being the best about something, that I realized that I might be missing out on something by being so focused. She suggested that I talk to some people that seemed happy with their lives, and to see if they could give me some ideas. I just thought you too seemed to look so happy together that..."
"We might be able to tell you why we were so happy?" said the woman with a smile.
"Yes ma'am" Ranma mumbled, her face going red with embarrassment.
"Have a seat young lady" said her husband. "We'd be glad to talk to you for a while"