Disclaimer: This is a fan-fiction and not an official Ranma 1/2 Storyline. All rights to the official name and official characters are reserved for their proper owners.
Before you Read: As the Chapter title suggest, I am starting this story at the same point as the Ranma 1/2 Anime.
Another thing: ++++ Represent any setting change or time-skip.
Episode 5: You'll Understand Soon enough/Episode 6: The Headhunter
Episode 5: You'll Understand Soon Enough
As the Family awoken to a bright and shining morning, it was anything but pleasant. As members woke up, they almost went into their daily routines, but were reminded of the events of the previous day.
The groups went on to do continue the previous days work, except for Ranma and Ryoga. These two were tasked with getting supplies for the house, including a generator and a crank powered radio they could use in case the television went out. They each had large duffel bags slung over their shoulders, ready to embark.
-You just about ready Ryoga?
-Yeah, yeah, give me a minute.
The family said their goodbyes and the two were off, jumping over lifeless neighborhoods, seeing abandoned homes, cars, suitcases and personal belongings.
-This is just sad, how could one broadcast make the entire city evacuate? In such short time no less.
They landed on a building to overlook Nerima, the town they called home, now abandoned.
Ranma stayed silent, not only could he not answer Ryoga's questions, nut he couldn't stand the sight, something Ryoga failed to notice. There were people, but they were standing perfectly still, infected.
They silently went into town, just avoiding the lines of sight of the infected. The infected weren't people they had known, they must've moved during the night.
They retrieved all of the necessary items and a few personally requested items and were heading back when they saw something strange. A pair of figures were going around, slashing infected before they could react.
As the pair returned, they spoke of their ordeal in the city.
Everyone was speechless, but they were now aware that they were surrounded and needed to be quieter than usual.
Training sessions now had to be strictly training and now physical fighting and the television would only be at highest, a low volume.
This made the ever so present silence, even more deafening than before. Something else was also created, a night watch, to make sure nothing got into the property.
During the night, sure enough, the infected were moving, the sound of footsteps drowned out by the downpour of rain. This was all seen by Ranma and Akane, who "volunteered" after they both picked the shortest straws.
They bid everyone a good night and went to the new makeshift watch tower to watch the neighborhood. At first it was a few, then, it looked like the streets and side alleys were veins and the infected were the slow moving blood.
-Where do you think they're going Ranma?
-I don't know Akane. They don't look like they know either.
-Do you think that we can survive this hell if we try?
-With all our strength combined, we can totally beat this.
Although he said this, his smile quickly faded. Although they might survive, who will be standing with them when it's all over? Ranma knew loneliness with pops, but all of them together? Who would greet them at the end?
The two sat in that small, makeshift watchtower, watching a sea of former human being walk by them en mass. As the night went on, Akane eventually fell asleep in Ranma's shoulder. Ranma stayed completely still until sunrise, after the infected masses had left Nerima. Akane was awoken by the sound of early morning birdsong, seeing the position she was in, quickly sat upright and tried to hide her reddened face from Ranma.
-How'd you sleep?
-I slept fine thanks!
Ranma chuckled at her expense, but before she could, she saw that there were no more infected masses in the streets, not even stragglers.
-Where'd they go?
-They left Nerima finally, probably goin to the next poor abandoned city they can find.
The two went down for breakfast, the rest of the family had just started to wake, except for Kasumi, already hard at work cooking for everyone.
Ranma was the first to notice her a started:
-Mornin Kasumi, how'd ya sleep?
-Oh hello Ranma, Akane. How was last night? Did anything happen?
-Akane, thinking of how she slept on Ranma's shoulder just last night, being too close to him for many hours:
-"Nope, nothing at all!"
Was all she said before sprinting to her room, still embarrassed of the memory.
Kasumi just look at her young sister and thought, "With that reaction . . ." She stared at Ranma for a second. "Something DEFINITELY happened!"
Ranma was confused, why was Kasumi of all people giving him a nervous look, whatever it was, he didn't like it.
The thought was all he could get out before he was kicked so hard, he fell into the courtyard pond.
-Pops, you JUST woke up, can we at least eat breakfast first?
-Sorry boy, training waits for no man!
This really pissed the tire Ranma off, he had just spent the night awake to ensure the house would stay safe! Could't he at least get a thanks, but then he remembered something. The day earlier, he had seen the two figures, but he also saw them at night, just after Akane fell asleep.
-Actually Pops, trainins gonna have to wait, I need to tell you something that I saw last night.
Genma and Kasumi were intrigued, what new information did he have?
An hour later, everyone was now awake and waiting to what Ranma had to say.
-C'mon boy, spit it out already, I'm tired of waitin.
-Sorry Pops, I needed everyone to hear this.
The house was really curious now, what was so big he had to sit everyone to tell them.
-Now that everyone is here, I can finally ask. Was anyone out after dark last night over than me and Akane?
The house was really confused, who the hell would want to be out among a horde of infected?
-Okay then, that confirms it. There are other people, martial artists, that are still in Nerima.
The house was shocked, they haven't had contact with anyone from the area yet, but why martial artists? Then Nebiki spoke up.
-Ranma, why did you specifically say they were martial artist? They could have been anybody couldn't they?
-Well I was getting to that. When I saw them, they were killing infected in the middle of the horde.
This widened everyone's eyes, "Who was stupid enough or brave enough to do that?"
Ryoga was the first to say then next question on everyone's mind:
-Ranma, did you get a good look at them, maybe even know who they might be?
-Nope, it was waaay too dark to see that far away with minimal light. Whoever it was, they were even able to get away and take shelter somewhere far away. But there also another possibility, they could be walking infected, able to beat us with enhanced strength and martial arts, so stay on you guard everyone, they might just pay us a visit.
The house then divided and enjoyed their now daily leisurely activities, but as Akane walked away, Ranma quickly walked up to her and whispered closely to her:
-Hey, can I talk to ya for a second in private.
Akane was still annoyed from this morning, but Ranma looked almost . . . embarrassed?
-(Akane internally) Huhhh this is new, I haven't seen him this embarassed since he had that nightmare. I wonder what this'll be about?
As Nebiki was about to go upstairs, she saw Akane being led outside by Ranma.
-Akane letting Ranma take her somewhere? I gotta see where this goes.
She silently followed a few steps behind them trying not to let them see her. It seemed pretty serious the way they were looking at each other. They sat on the roof for a moment, Nebiki sitting under them, able to hear them loud and clear.
-Okay Ranma, what is it? You seem pretty worked up about it.
-Alright Akane, but ya gotta promise me that ya won't laugh and tell anyone else, especially my parents okay?
-Nebiki (internally): Not even his parents!? This is getting pretty interesting, its a good thing I saw them before they vanished.
-O-okay Ranma, this must be pretty serious I you can't tell your own parents, not even your father.
Ranma splashed cold water on himself, turning into the red-head.
-Alright, *Breathes deeply* is it normal for there to be . . .
Ranma starting turning as red as his hair, unable to finish his sentence.
-For there to be what? (What is he trying to say!? Is he messing with me or something?) C'mon, tell me!
-Is it normal for blood come out of, well you know where?
Akane and Nebiki blanked at the same time...
They simultaneously thought at the same time:
(DID HE JUST SAY... WHAT I THINK HE JUST SAID? OH NO FUCKING WAY!)
Akane composed herself, maybe he was talking about another part of the body right?
-Ummm, Ranma, where do you mean by "you know where"?
Akane couldn't contain her anxiety.
-Please don't ,make me say it, the private part.
-What the hell? But I thought you were biologically male?!
-SHHH! Not so loud, I don't want anybody knowin this. And I dunno, but after this morning, whenever I change into a girl, I feel cramps from hell in that area. Is that what I think it is?
-(Oh how do I tell him calmly) Well that sounds about right. So this is your first . . . period?
-Yeah, that. So how do I deal with these and make it go away as a female? I'm hopin these last only a day or two right?
Akane was silent from shock, still taking in what she just heard.
-I'm sorry Ranma what did you just say?
-Is there a way to make them go away? Also, how long do they last?
-(Akane internally: Oh you poor, poor dude.) Unfortunately, there isn't a way to shorten them, all you can do is try to make it less painful, maybe wait it out as a girl? We don't know how it affects your male body so this is probably best for now. Of all the things you could get from a female body, this is something you would rather not have.
Nebiki sat there wondering what the fuck just happened. She got up quietly and left for her room, still trying to process what she just heard. One things for sure, if she pisses off female Ranma in this state, she'll have something more important to worry about, a concussion!
The stayed on the roof for a few minutes longer, planning for their next steps.
-So Ranma, how are we gonna teach you feminine hygiene if we don't have much privacy?
-I got an idea Akane, we'll take guard duty again and do it then. I tell ya, this is probably the weirdest thing to happen since the infected flooded town.
Akane looked down at Ranma's clothes
-So Ranma, you're not bleeding right now are you?
-I'm not cramping too hard right now, so I think I'm in the clear, right?
-Just let me see.
-Uh maybe later.
-Ranma!
-Fine!
Ranma embarrassingly lowered his lower half for Akane to examine, a small blood stain, nothing to worry about for now.
-So you haven't had one before? Not even in China?
-Nope, I didn't even know this would happen.
-Well, hopefully nothing else happens while you're in this state, and remember, stay a girl for now. It may go slower if you go in between guy and girl too often.
End of Episode 5: You'll Understand Soon enough
Episode 6: The Headhunter Returns
It has been two weeks since Ranma's period and it's in the end of "that time of the month" for him. Akane was right, it passed faster for his body because he stayed a girl for 95% of the time, nobody noticed and he was happy. The shorter time duration might've been due to the magic of his curse. He was just happy the sickness, cramps and blood all went away, for now.
Although, if anyone even dared to fight him that wasn't one of the Tendos, Saotomes or Ryoga, he might accidentally kill them out of stress and rage.
Unbeknownst to her though, two people were about to take her up on that dare.
End of Episode 5: You'll Understand Soon enough
Episode 6: The Headhunter
As the night dawned, Ranma was taught the in's and out's of female hygiene from a male's perspective.
But as the morning dew hit their faces, they noticed three shadows walking up to their home and stopping in front of the now re-enforced doors and collapsing.
-Oh shit, Pops, we might have survivors! Help me get them over the wall. Akane was about to protest, but she wanted to believe that there were others out there who were able to survive the hordes of flesh.
The whole house awoke in a panic, rushing to the front gate to hear Ranma out. Soun was the first to speak.
-Okay now Ranma, what is it? The sun's just barely rising.
-Mr. Tendo, three survivors just collapsed on the other side of the door! We need to get them somewhere safe!
-No hold on now Ranma, we have to make sure that they aren't infected. Check their backs for the scarlet thread, very carefully.
-Ranma first checked the old woman, no thread. Then he checked the teenage girl with purple hair, no sigh of the thread. The last was a taller boy with black hair and thick glasses. K.
Right before Ranma's eyes were the very thing he saw on the news. It was a bright red thread, pulsating with life as it slowly took over the host.
Ranma leapt onto the wall to whisper to his father, and then Genma to Soun.
-Two clean, BUT ONE INFECTED.
The two had chills of fear run up their spines, they hadn't encountered this yet, but they knew the only way to get rid on the infected, without the host turning. Death.
Akane was about to speak, but thought for a second, what was about to happen?
She didn't have to worry about that though as his own father and hers went up to the wall to explain. Soun looked down before giving the order.
-Ranma, I know it isn't fair to ask this of you. . .But you know what needs to be done. Please, quickly end this person's suffering and let him keep his honor while he is still human.
-Ranma couldn't believe what he was hearing, take another person's life? It was something that he knew he could do but never wanted to do. He looked at his father, hoping he would protest against it. But to his horror, his own father looked at him with a cold stare, as if telling him there was no other way.
Ranma now understood, but still allowed a stifled cry as he snapped the boy's neck with little difficulty. He then carried the two inside, sitting on the roof for the rest of the day, not making a single sound or movement.
As the silent day went on, it began to rain again, this time, it took place during the unknown man's funeral in the yard next door.
Ranma watched in the downpour, as both fathers shared the duty of burying the now deceased young man in a makeshift funeral process, finishing with a silent prayer.
Akane, Genma, Nadoka and even Ryoga went up there to try and console the poor girl, but to no avail. during the night, the girl left quietly into the night to allow her emotions to flow from such a tragedy.
Genma, Nadoka and Ryoga pretended to be asleep when she returned, still silently sobbing to herself.
The next day, there was still heavy downpour, but one of the survivors awakened and screamed:
-Grandmotha? Grandmotha?! Where are you?
She spoke with a broken Japanese, accent, probably native to another country.
All in the house, even the now emotionless Ranma, not caring that he was still a girl, went to see the condition of their awakened guests.
The old woman also woke to her now known to be grand daughter.
-Do not fret Shampoo, these fine people saved us an took us in. Now, where is that fool, Mousse, he's probably still outside somewhere, I can't believe he had the nerve to fight Jiāngshī with such recklessness.
The elder spoke with a much raspier but much less broken accent.
They then proceeded to speak in their native, amazonian tongue.
-(Grandmother, should we run now, we don't know if they're friendly or enemy.)
-(Oh Shampoo, they risked letting us into their home in THIS state of the world, they mean us no harm. There's also locating Mousse and checking his condition, here, let us ask our new friends.)
The grandmother then returned to using Japanese.
-Hello, my name is Cologne we came from China to get away from the Jiāngshī but, it seems it was no use. We came here in a group of three, could you tell us where our other member, Mousse is?
As she mentioned their third member, Ranma ran out of the common room as fast as she could, she couldn't bear to tell them that she killed their companion only hours earlier.
As this happened, the two looked at her scarlet red hair and thought:
(IT'S HER, THE GIRL WHO DISRESPECTED OUR VILLAGE! WHY THE HELL IS SHE HERE?)
-But that was besides the point, something was wrong, a pair of their new "friends" stopped making eye contact with her, Genma Saotome and Soun Tendo.
-Whats wrong? Where is he? WHAT DID SHE DO TO HIM!?
The family was confused and looked at the pair
Soun finally mustered up the courage to tell her what happened.
-Cologne, were you aware that this Mousse person was infected and was on the road to becoming what you know as Jiāngshī. We had no other choice, please understand.
At first Cologne was confused but her Grand Daughter, Shampoo, was already running out the house to find the red haired woman, filled with rage and anger. But then Cologne pieced together what they were telling her.
They killed Mousse, only because he infected himself by fighting the Jiāngshī. But, he hadn't even given them the slightest idea that he was infected, even after he fought them off alongside Shampoo and herself. Why hadn't he said something before he collapsed? She could've cured him! But she knew this was only hopeful thinking, she didn't even know what could hurt the infection.
Akane and Ryoga to followed after Shampoo for Ranma's safety.
-So I take it he is gone. May I see where he now rests, for myself?
Soun and Genma began to leave with Cologne for the grave sight. As they arrived, the sign was changed to say "In Loving Memory of Mousse" "A friend to most but family to few"
As Ranma was silently sobbing to herself in the back of an abandoned cafe, she heard loud blast coming from nearby, and the shrieking of a young woman.
-RED HAIRED GIRL, YOU FIGHT ME NOW! YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO TAKE LIFE OF MOUSSE!
The shriek could be heard from a mile away, even as the tears flowed freely from an enraged Shampoo, she was ready to kill Ranma where she stood, ripping her limb from limb using the force of her heavily bloodied Chinese Saber.
As Shampoo charged Ranma, he simply walked into her path, ready to let Shampoo take her vengeance against her. But as she was mere feet from where Ranma stood, a flash of yellow, kicked Shampoo and sent her flying into an abandoned house, the wall slowly crumbling after she landed. It was Ryoga, furious that Ranma would just accept death so easily. Akane was also there, she rushed to Ranma, checking if he had sustained any injuries. But it was too late, Shampoo was already standing again, if Ryoga's eyes deceived him, he could've swore that there was a red aura emanating from her as she charged the three of them. Akane and Ryoga ran to defend the unresponsive Ranma, standing in his same position he had taken to accept Shampoo's attack. Ryoga wasn't gonna let his friend stay like this forever, he shouted at her with force.
-Ranma, snap out of it and help us! Do you WANT her to kill you?
-Yeah, just like Ryoga said, get your ass in gear and help us fight this weirdo!
The two were interrupted by the enraged Amazon.
-Do you two not know what happened?! Why your fathers couldn't look at my Grandmother!? She killed Shampoo childhood friend in cold blood! Y. E.
The two were stunned. Ryoga went to try and comfort Ranma because his parents couldn't even talk to her for some reason and Akane didn't even know the whole ordeal happened. Akane dared to ask first.
-R-Ranma? Is this true? Did you really kill their companion?
Although she heard the order, she wasn't sure if had gone through with it, even with his current state.
-What're you talking about? Ranma could hurt someone pretty badly, but to kill? It's not in his nature, right Ranma? Ranma?
End of Episode 6: The Headhunter
