A TALK IN THE RAIN ….
You never know with life.
You really don't, no matter what.
Unexpected events… surprises (good or bad…) … twists of fate… they're always here to remind you of the complexity of your existence, that you should take nothing for granted, that things could go the other way, that there are stones in the path… But that's the rules of the game, right ?
And yet… yet…
You never can tell.
Ever.
On that cloudy Wednesday morning, Ranma couldn't guess either what life had in store for him, and what kind of surprise was hidden a little further on the way.
He was training hard in a vacant lot, by the canal, practising familiar moves as well as new moves, doing his best to launch his punches, kicks, jumps and whatnot in a non-stop sequence, not granting himself a break before quite some time, when exhaustion had finally claimed his body for a while. He'd then stop for a moment, but never very long, because he was too much into his smooth series of moves and hits to remain calm for long : he needed adrenaline, he needed action, and he liked how he felt in that moment, improving always more in martial arts, getting stronger, swifter, more and more skilled with each passing week.
Genma wasn't present, as his son felt he would train more efficiently if alone. It wasn't selfish, it was just… practical. Realistical. He needed to focus at best, and solitude was an asset for this.
Which was also the reason why he no longer trained at the back of the Tendo house, these days : too many potential distractions, too many occasions to lose focus.
It used to be because of the usual, daily bickering with Akane, but not so much any longer, because… both had matured, after a few years of sharing their existence, for the worst or for the best. Both had "cooled down" and, somewhat unexpectedly, become wiser.
Because even youth is not out of reach of wisdom. Difficult, yes, not impossible.
Somehow, they had learned to behave more respectfully to each other and have kind words for each other. Kind… or at least neutral, but no longer aggressive, mocking or "happily naughty", in Ranma's case. They had changed, for the best, and…
One drop.
The black-haired boy scrunched up his nose but didn't wipe off the tiny wet spot.
Two more drops.
A light sigh.
And here we go again…
But regardless, he didn't mind so much nowadays.
There weren't even three days in a row in which he wouldn't turn at least once into his female self. Call it destiny, eh…
But as well as he had changed with respect to Akane, he had also evolved in his attitude regarding his curse. He had to live with it, had been living with it for years now, and it wasn't so bad, all in all.
It wasn't bad, period.
Used to be kinda embarrassing, at times, but now, Ranma most of the enjoyed being a girl, and rarely ever complained anymore about switching gender.
Times changes, like it or not, and surprises come along.
After a few minutes, rain had started for good (but fortunately a light rain, for the moment), turning the black into red, the tall into small, the flat into busty, the short eyelashes into longer ones, the large hands into thinner, more graceful ones…
…and Ranma-girl – or Ranma-chan, in original version – found herself standing in the gradually wet grass.
She shrugged and resumed training, as if nothing. In fact, as a female, she moved faster and with more agility, which made the training more interesting and intense.
After a good 30 minutes of non-stop routine, the pigtailed girl came to a halt, and bending forward, she breathed heavily for long long seconds, temporarily exhausted yet pleased about her performance of the day.
Smiling, she stood back up, pushed away the wet hair that stuck to her forehead, let her gaze wander in direction of the canal… and froze !
A familiar figure was standing on the edge of the steel barrier that followed along the waterway…
…and that figure was clearly observing her !
I would recognize that umbrella and those crossed leg bands anywhere !
Noticing that he had been spotted, Ranma's long-time rival deftly jumped from his "perch" and slowly walked to the female version of his favourite adversary.
The redhead tensed and her body reflexively switched to a defensive posture, arms raised in front of her face, teeth clenched, eyebrows frowning.
The boy with the iconic speckled bandana stopped less than a meter's distance from the now very alert fighter.
And, to the latter's surprise, said boy was smiling !
Not exactly his typical attitude when both of them were facing each other, a short distance between them…
"Long time no see, Ranma… How many years has it been ? Three, maybe ? Or four ? Not that long, granted, but still, quite a while, eh ? So… how have you been, mmmh ?"
"Ryoga… I see you're back once more. Honestly, I had come to think you might not come back, after all this time. And yet, there you are again. I assume those three or four years represent the time it took you to find your way back here, uh ?"
That last remark made him gently snort.
"Now that's just like you, Ranma. I politely ask you how you've been and, in return, I get a low blow, right below the belt." He sniggered lightly. "But nevermind, I'll answer you : no, it didn't take me that long. In fact, I've greatly improved in my sense of direction, and it took me only 2 months to get here. Not so bad, eh ?"
She eyed him suspiciously, although she was surprised indeed.
"No more than that ?!"
"No more. About time I made progress, don't you think ? Better late than never, I guess."
Ranma's left eyebrow slightly rose.
Is it me or is he kinda making fun of himself ? That's not like Ryoga…
"Well, nice feat indeed…" she replied, on a somewhat scoffing tone. "And now, you're here to challenge me once more, isn't it ?"
But he shook his head slowly.
"Even on the contrary, Ranma. I'm not here to fight, not at all, but to do the opposite : to bury the hatchet."
The eyes of the blue-eyed female widened, but she was lost of words, leaving it to him to explain himself.
"Quite unexpected indeed, I know. But… Ranma… seriously… How much time did we spend feuding these past years ? How many fights and quarrels did we have ? How often did we call each other names ? And seriously, Ranma, it was a waste of time. And a waste of energy too. A waste of happiness, to put it in more general terms. And I can't stand it anymore, honestly. I want stability in my life, peace, harmony. I know I sound like a dreamer or stuff, saying this, but I really want and need a good balance in my relationships with others. And that includes you, Ranma. I'm offering you my hand here. It's up to you to take it."
And walking the walk as well as talking the talk, he held out his hand.
The pigtailed girl was flabbergasted.
No way ! That's not Ryoga ! It can't be him !
"Who are you ?" she coldly questioned.
He clearly was affected by the question, his mouth opening a bit and his eyes even more, and lowered his extended hand… but it didn't make him speechless for all that !
"It's me, Ryoga ! I swear ! I know I'm different, but that's because I've been spending most of my time in China with a wise elder who helped me change my perspective on life, on relationships, on personal objectives. He made me realize that I had been wrong in my nature and behaviour, and that my existence would be a failure if I didn't modify my habits, my thoughts and deeds. He taught me several things, among which meditation and "sense of modesty", if I could put it that way, and I had to do some work on myself, in order to improve. I needed to become a better man, and I think that I'm on the right track, but I must do more. And making peace with you is one of the efforts that are on my "list". That's it, really."
There was a lull in the conversation as she stared at him, the frown she had sported since she asked him who he was now toned down yet still visible, as she obviously had difficulty taking it all in.
"Really ?" she said, as an echo of his last word.
"Really" he merely echoed as well.
Another silence.
Just the sound of the rain, and the distant noises of the traffic, on the bridge far behind.
They observed each other, him with a sympathetic, encouraging smile, her with that slight frown.
Then the red-haired martial artist sighed.
"OK, I believe you. But it's so incredible, honestly…"
"Tell me about it, Ranma…" he replied after snorting lightly.
And, again, he held out his hand, asking : "Bury that hatchet, China Girl ?" (1)
She couldn't help chuckling and decided to take and shake his hand.
"OK, let's wave the white flags, then." A pause. "So you've been getting sensible while staying with a wise elder, eh ?"
"Yes, indeed. And it's also him who helped me improve my sense of direction. Oh, And I forgot to tell you some big news : before I reached his house, I stopped by the Jusenkyo springs, and the guardian –
"JUSENKYO ?!" half-screamed Ranma.
There were few places that had a crucial importance in her life… but one of them definitely was Jusenkyo springs !
"Yes, I went there to try to find a cure, of course, and the guardian of the springs mentioned an old legend he had heard about, regarding an ancient sanctuary that might possibly held a cure to the Jusenkyo curse. So I decided to give it a try, and after finally reaching the place… it turned out that th-
But he stopped halfway, noticing that the light rain had gradually turned into a rainfall, drops now falling quickly and heavily all around and on them.
Ryoga extended the arm that held his red umbrella.
"Here, take this or you'll be drenched, Ranma."
"Come on, you know that I can't do that ! For if I did, you'd become P-Chan in seconds !"
"Trust me, I won't. Take it, please !"
"Are you saying –"
"Grab my umbrella and I'll explain you."
The redhead hesitated a few seconds more… and finally accepted the "present".
And remained there, speechless, goggling at the young man…
… who now stood in the rain, receiving the shower yet NOT turning into the infamous black piglet !
NO WAY ! He remains human ! He's cured !
"Ryoga ! You… you…"
"Yes. And if you go there, you might be cured as well, Ranma. The old Buddhist monks of that ancient sanctuary did have some special water that indeed preserves the original body and blocks any further physical change. You stay as you are, once and for all ! Here is your great chance, Ranma !"
The pigtailed girl remained with her mouth agape for a while, then closed it and intensely stared at the once "piglet-cursed" boy.
"If I was mean, I might say that you came here to see me just to boast that you're cured and not me, just to provoke me. But I'm no longer the mean boy… or girl that I used to be. I've matured as well, you know."
A brief pause.
"Anyway, that's cool for you. Congrats, sincerely ! It seems the tide is turning, and that you got lucky after all."
"You can get lucky as well, Ranma. If you travel with me to China, we could go the sanctuary together and you could bathe in that water to be cured too !" explained Ryoga.
His long-time rival pondered this.
But ended up shaking her head.
"I've not only got accustomed to my female body, but actually got comfortable in it. I no longer feel the urge to change back into a boy, as soon as possible, and don't mind staying as a girl for quite some time."
Ryoga raised a brow.
"So… had I proposed you to change you back to a boy, a kettle of hot water in my hand, you'd have refused ?"
She smiled.
"I definitely would have thanked you, but replied that it wasn't necessary, and that it was quite fine with me to remain in my female form. I've accepted it, and to be honest, there's another reason behind all this : I was a real brat as a boy, and although I could also be pretty temperamental as a girl, it seemed to me that I was even worse as a boy. So as I've been striving to make efforts, in order to behave better and treat others with more respect, I've decided to live as often as possible as a "she" rather than as a "he". That way, I will stay away from that male body and nature which have caused so much suffering, anger and disappointment around me, and made others like me much less than they could have, in a normal situation. I was the one to blame, but even more to blame as a male, so I prefer to live as a female most of the time, only occasionally turning back into a boy. I had chosen to train as a boy today, because I hadn't reverted to my male self in quite some time and thought I could do it today, just for the training session."
Ryoga had a hard time taking all this in.
"Waow… you've really changed a lot, Ranma…"
She shrugged.
"I've matured. Understood things. Realized my wrongs. And decided to make the necessary efforts to redeem myself. I hope I'm not doing too bad there."
The once "piglet-cursed" young man felt great satisfaction surge inside of him.
"Your father can be proud of you ! He may not have been in the past, because of your being temperamental and somewhat "unruly", if you allow me these critics, but you've changed for the best and I'm sure he's proud of you. And although we've had some pretty rough times in our past, I can say I'm also proud about your efforts and change."
The red-haired young woman gave him a bright smile.
"Thanks, Ryoga ! It means a lot ! I'm glad my father can finally be proud of me, but given how much you've changed and matured, I know your parents would be proud of y-"
But then she froze.
His smile had vanished and he had hung his head.
"My parents…" he whispered.
Ranma saw drops slowly flow down his cheeks, but she knew they weren't raindrops…
She put a hand over her mouth, then quickly said : "Gosh… I'm sorry, Ryoga… I didn't mean to –"
He quickly shook his head.
"No… It's not your fault, Ranma… don't worry…"
"Yes it is !"
His tears poured down, but he did his best to dry them up.
"I haven't told you something about my parents, so you couldn't know. I shared that secret with Akane but not you, so you had no way to know…"
The mention of a secret got Ranma wondering.
Ryoga closed his eyes and sighed… a long, painful sigh.
"I should go. I'll see you later at the Tendo's."
The redhead's blue eyes opened wide.
"No, wait !"
But he had already turned away and started walking.
"Ryoga, please don't go !"
"I wish you a good training, Ranma. I'm glad we could make peace. See you later."
He started running.
She briskly raised her arm and stretched it out in his direction, as if she wanted to stop him and make him come back to her with that almost desperate gesture.
"RYOGA !"
Yet he was gone, leaving her under his umbrella, in that wet wasteland.
Ranma felt bad. Their conversation had started cautiously, but had continued more confidently, comfortably. It had little by little become pleasant to talk and listen to each other, and that turned out so different from their old bickering, screaming at each other, calling the other "baka", knocking the other's head, fighting all too often… yes, so different…
And she realized that this talk in the rain was the most peculiar – and also most pleasant – moment she had ever had with him since they had got to know each other…
Author's Notes :
China Girl : this is of course a nod to David Bowie, one of my top fav' artists, and one of the rare people I would call a genius (an often overused, exaggerated word). His protean talent, his chameleon nature – both musically and physically – are fascinating, and he has after all been active during no less than SIX decades ! Some kind of feat, right ? And "China Girl" seems also relevant for RANMA ½, since the part-girl protagonist comes from… China in the first place ! ;)
So there it was ! First chappy done ! I hope it's good enough and that you enjoyed it. So yeah, Ranma and Ryoga may seem OoC, but think about it for a moment : as they grow up, people do evolve, they change, mature, improve to a certain extent, and you can tell that they're different than they used to be. That's part of growing up, of becoming adult and realizing (the importance of) things.
In light of this, is it really OoC… or is it rather characters evolving, maturing, becoming better persons ? Is it that unlikely that they would understand their past "faux pas", their former mistakes ? Why wouldn't they see that they behaved bad with others, and that they made them suffer, or disappointed them ? And as a result, wouldn't that make them behave better, make efforts to redeem themselves and thus have others love them again ? Eh, it doesn't seem so improbable, all things considered.
And, honestly, the constant bickering between Ranma and Akane/Ryoga honestly got somewhat boring, to some extent : their being so often angry at each other, and so temperamental or touchy in many situations, could indeed be funny for a while, but could also be "getting old" after that while, making part of the fans wish that these characters would evolve and drop the "angry/aggressive act". That's why I decided to pacify these three characters and make them get along with each other.
About Ryoga's parents… you might think that they're dead and that's the reason why he's crying. But it's more complicated than that. More terrible as well, in a sense. You'll find out soon enough.
Not much else to say about this "first stone of the building" (the latter referring to the story), so I guess I'll just "hand you the mike" – did I already mention my love of metaphors, uh ? ;P – and let you post your comments…
…BUT please, remember : I'm open to constructive criticism, remarks and suggestions, no problem, but not to very negative critics or flaming. As always : "don't like, don't read", but we could add : "don't like, don't comment". Because flames are a waste of time for both you and me : you have better to do with your time than write about what you dislike/hate, and I have better to do with my time than read about what makes me sad, disappointed or angry. That doesn't fuel a man's inspiration and will to write… while positive feedback and constructive remarks do ! By trying to be objective, but also to encourage someone whose work you appreciate, you're making everybody happy : yourselves and me ! Then I'll be willing to write more for you, and you'll enjoy reading more from me ! And that way, we'll all be winners ! Much better, no ? :D
Take care and thanxxxx beforehand for all the support you may offer me by reading, liking and commenting this fic !
Toodles ! ^.^
- Léo -