0Ranma and his twin sister Sakura, share in the curse that befalls Ranma and his father. The relationship between siblings is tested as Ranma and Sakura learn more about each other despite being twins. Can the schools be united under one banner when the Saotomes are in the equation?
I do not own Ranma ½, this is the sole property of Rumiko Takahashi
Reviews would be appreciated since they will give me ideas of how to proceed with the story. I am trying to make this different, yet funny. I have read too many where the characters are at each other's throats. This is just a different point of view.
The Saotome Twins by Jusenkyo (Manny Miller)
Chapter Ten: The Truth Can Possibly Cause Your Demise
Sakura and Ranma were sitting in the bath just soaking away. Each was lost in their own thoughts.
As time passed, Ranma looked toward his sister. She had her head back against the side of the tub and had a towel covering her eyes. "I wonder what she is thinking about?"
Realizing he had thought that he looked again toward Sakura. She removed her towel and thought back at him. "I am just wondering if Sayuri is infatuated with Teyo, or could she possibly be in love with him?
"I am not sure, what to say Sakura. You should be able to answer that since you are with her and can read her emotions when you two are together better than I can."
Sakura just looked at the wall as her thoughts wandered to Sayuri again.
"Do you want to test out what we talked about last week when you were with Sayuri?
Sakura stared at her brother and ran her thoughts through her mind and had no clue what Ranma was talking about.
Ranma smiled as he listened to her jumbled thoughts. He decided to let her off the hook.
Sakura still thinking watched as her brother stood and got out of the tub. Before moving away from the tub, he turned and tested the temperature of the water.
Sakura watched as he placed his hand into the water. "Ranma the water is hot like we usually have it when we bathe."
"I know, I just wanted to make sure of that before I used cold water on myself." Mentioned Ranma.
Sakura finally caught on to what her brother was about to do and leaned against the side of the tub with her body submerged as he filled a bucket. "Ready?" asked Ranma.
She nodded and waited for the change to overtake her. Ranma upended the bucket and felt the cold water splashing all over his body. Sakura watched as her brother shook his head, clearing the water from his eyes.
As he emptied the bucket, he noticed that he did not change. He was still a guy. He quickly looked at his sister and smiled as they both now knew that when one of them was in literal hot water the change could not happen. "Well, now we know the answer to that question, huh sis?" Ranma asked.
Sakura again nodded her head.
Standing in the tub, Sakura asked, "Ranma, does the water in your hair still feel cold?"
Ranma reached up and felt his hair and noticed that the water was still dripping from his head. "Yes, it is, why sis?" Asked Ranma.
"I was just wondering." Mentioned Sakura. Ranma watched as she exited the water, picked up a towel, and dried herself off.
As the water continued dripping from his head, a few of the drops touched his skin, he felt it as their genders changed. Mayuka looked up from her body and noticed that Teyo sighed loudly.
"I guess you have to be in hot water to control the change. It seems once you are no longer in hot water so to speak, we'll change," stated Mayuka.
Teyo nodded before walking to the tub and getting back in and submerging himself. Ranma and Sakura felt their bodies change back.
"We know that when one of us is in hot water the other can't change. Is it the same if one of us was in cold water? Let me get out of the tub again." Ranma watched as Sakura again exited the tub.
"Hand me the bucket please." Ranma passed the bucket to Sakura. She turned on the hot water and filled the bucket with water that would be hot enough for them to change back to their original genders. She placed the bucket outside of the tub and then filled it partway with cold water.
Sakura then entered the tub again and sat down in the water that barely covered her knees but was more than enough to cause her to change back into Teyo. "Okay Mayuka, try to change back."
Mayuka picked up the bucket and after nodding to Teyo upended the bucket and like before remained her current gender. "Okay, now we know that the temperature of the water one of us is already in takes precedence when it comes to our genders. That is actually some good information for us to know. Now we know how to possibly control our changes when around some people."
Both smiled as they both refilled the bucket and returned to their original genders again.
A few moments later they were in the changing room getting dressed. "Since you had seen Sayuri last week when will be the next time you'll see her?" Asked Ranma.
Sakura thought a moment, "I have no idea, I am not sure she should see him again for a little while. She may feel more strongly the longer it is between visits." Added Sakura.
"I will say one thing about her that I like, she is not your typical Japanese girl. She definitely doesn't act demure or anything like that." Thought Sakura.
Ranma hearing her thoughts just watched her as she finished dressing and just stood there looking at nothing in particular.
He had come to understand that he should never tell her that he had heard her thoughts. He learns more about things that way. Besides, he noticed she was so wrapped up in her thoughts to realize she had thought them instead of saying them.
Sakura absentmindedly walked from the changing room back to the room she shared with her father and brother. Ranma just watched as his sister walked away lost in her thoughts again. Before she could get too far away from him, Ranma had something on his mind that was bothering him.
"Sakura?" Hearing him speaking out loud to her, she turned around. "I am puzzled about something concerning your and Sayuri's relationship as it is developing." Sakura waited for Ranma to continue.
"I really feel you should tell her about your curse, and at the same time, my curse." Sakura arched her eyebrows.
"I am mentioning this because she is going to find out eventually and I would rather get it over with sooner. Also, if she really cares about you, she might understand, and accept it and in essence you. I mean us since she'll also find out about me too." Finished Ranma.
A few tense moments passed as Sakura continued staring off into space. Ranma knew she was thinking about it since he could hear her mumbling and thinking about what he mentioned.
"Ranma, Now that you have mentioned it, I am actually leaning more towards telling her as well. I would love for this to progress but not based on a lie, or in this case lack of information which I feel is also a lie." Sakura softly stated.
"When do you think you should tell her?" asked Ranma.
"I think I'll tell her tomorrow at school, I'll do it during one of our shared classes or at lunch." Sighed Sakura.
"Do you want me there for moral support?" Offered Ranma.
"No, not for moral support, protection for when or if she goes off on me since I don't want to do anything to hurt her."
"Sakura, what could she possibly do that could hurt you? When we spar we go all out and you nor I ever get hurt." Ranma stated with a grin.
"That is very true, but she is a martial artist and a member of the rhythmic gymnastics team, so she can unleash some pain if she is pissed off enough."
Ranma opened his mouth to say something but immediately closed it again. A moment later he had an idea. "You remember when I won the competition for the school?" Ranma asked watching his sister.
"Yes, I do, why?"
"She asked if there was anything she could do to pay me back. Maybe this can work out since you can tell her and I make her promise not to go postal on your ass."
"Okay brother dear, but what if she goes postal on your ass instead of mine."
"If she does, you can have all of my clothes and other worldly possessions." Sakura laughed. Hearing her he joined her in laughing at the potential situation they had been talking about.
Ranma was so caught up in laughing that he did not notice that Sakura abruptly stopped laughing and looked at him. "Seriously, I can have everything." Ranma quit laughing and just stared slack-jawed at his sister as she started laughing again but this time at his expense.
********** Elsewhere in Nerima **********
"They have got to be around here somewhere, that guy said Nerima was just over the hill. Well, here I am over the freaking hill, and now I'm down in this stupid valley. If it takes me the rest of my life, I am going to find you Saotome, and make you pay for pushing me into that fucking spring." Stated the teenager in the yellow-striped bandana.
Ryoga Hibiki thought back and remembered the day his life changed for the worst. He had been traveling all across China following his lifelong enemy Ranma Saotome.
********** Jusenkyo Training Grounds, Qinghai Province, China **********
"I am looking for a young man and an older man." Began Ryoga.
"I understand sir, I saw a young man, a young girl, and an old man earlier. I also saw a giant Panda, a black-haired guy, and a red-haired girl."
"Why do you keep telling me about a red-haired girl and a panda? I am looking for different people. Aren't you listening to me or are you simply crazy?" Barked Ryoga watching the man backing up from him.
"No, no, young sir, you no understand. I saw who you looking for, I have also seen the panda, a guy, and a girl. They left the training grounds and went west into the Amazon village that is near here." Said the groundskeeper pointing towards the nearby mountains.
Ryoga looked towards the mountains and sighed. "I will find you Saotome. You will pay for having me chase you all over the place."
Resigned to his fate he hefted his backpack higher on his back and taking one last look at the groundskeeper, started walking away from the training grounds. "Sir, I said they went over the mountain, you are going in the wrong direction."
Ryoga stopped and quickly turned around and headed toward the mountains the groundskeeper originally told him about. Sighing again he quickened his pace to try to make up for the few steps he had taken in the wrong direction.
"This is all your fault Saotome. If you hadn't run out of our fight I would not have had to chase you from Japan to freaking China." Grumbled Ryoga as he walked up the mountain.
Not really paying attention to what he was doing he began climbing the side of the mountain. The groundskeeper watched as he climbed the side despite the fact that there was a trail about 100 feet from where he was climbing that would have made going up the mountain much easier. He just shrugged his shoulders. He then turned around and started walking back to his shack that was by the entrance to the training grounds.
He abruptly turned around when he heard a scream coming from the mountain. He saw the teenager he had just directed to the mountain falling off of the mountain and into a spring that was nearby. He quickly ran to the side of the spring and watched as a little pig climbed out of the spring.
He then held up his sign "You have fallen into Spring of Drowned Pig. A lowly little pig drowned this spring about 40 years ago. Now you turn into a pig when splashed with water." The groundskeeper stated in a sing-song fashion.
The pig nearly burst a vein and could only manage to jump at the guy and bite him on the ass. The guy quickly turned and ran back to his shack with a pig attached to his butt.
********** Nerima Japan, Present time **********
As he thought back to that day, he barely noticed that the skies had opened up and had begun to sprinkle. After the rain had been falling for a few seconds, he looked up and quickly opened his umbrella.
He then made sure all of his skin was covered so he would not get wet as the rain started to fall in earnest. As he stood there in the rain he looked to the horizon and saw that the eastern sky was starting to lighten up signaling the beginning of a new day in Japan.
"Ranma, I will find you. I just have to find Furinken High School and then I shall have my revenge on you." Intoned Ryoga as he walked further into the heart of Nerima.
********** Tendo Training Hall, Nerima **********
Akane and Sakura were both tapping their feet impatiently as they were waiting for Ranma. "Ranma, we're freaking going to be late if we don't leave in the next few minutes." Thought Sakura as Akane looked from the clock on the wall to the kitchen where Ranma had disappeared a few moments before.
"I'll only be a few more seconds, you can both leave, I'll catch up, you know I can." Thought Ranma.
Sakura thought a moment and motioned to Akane. "Ranma said to get going and he'd catch up."
Akane nodded and they both exited the house and started walking in the direction of the school.
"I wonder what Ranma is doing?" Thought Sakura.
"I am preparing for your revelation later. Just like when you visited Sayuri, I'll have both hot and cold water with me, so we can demonstrate our changes if needed." Concluded Ranma.
"Good thinking, I had only brought enough water to change and then to change back. I never thought we'd have to do this more than once. Thanks for thinking ahead."
Akane watched as Sakura was smiling while they were walking towards the high school. "Is Ranma on his way?" asked Akane turning back and looking at the fence that ran along the street.
"Not yet, he should be here in about a minute," Sakura stated.
A few moments later Ranma walked out of the house and leaped onto the fence he and Sakura usually walked on when going to school. He broke out into a run and caught up to Akane, and Sakura just outside of the grounds of the school.
Looking into the courtyard of the school, they all noticed that the kids were huddled together looking at something in the center of their group. Just as they entered the ground, Sayuri who had been a part of the group turned and stated, "Ranma, Sakura, and Akane are just now getting here. There they are." Pointing towards them.
Everyone turned and noticed them as well. As they turned an opening in the circle appeared. Ryoga looked in the direction that everyone had been looking towards. "You!" was all he thought to himself, hefting his umbrella, he lunged at Ranma as he entered the school courtyard.
The moment Ryoga noticed Ranma, he turned toward Sakura and asked, "What is everyone looking at sis?"
Sakura surveyed the scene and mentioned, "I have no idea Ran— jump Ranma!"
Ranma looking at his sister instantly leaped into the air as an umbrella landed in the very spot he was no longer occupying. Inwardly Ryoga cursed for having missed when he had the element of surprise.
"Ryoga, what the hell are you doing?" yelled Sakura.
Ryoga still holding his umbrella where he had missed Ranma, turned and looked at Sakura. "Oh, hey, Sakura. I was saying hi to Ranma." He laughed sheepishly.
"Really? Are you sure? It looks like you were trying to crush his skull, from where I am standing." Remarked Sakura tapping her foot.
Ryoga hesitated a few seconds, as he tried to answer Sakura. "Well, I,—" was all he was able to say before Ranma landed on his head and pushed him to the ground.
"Since we're greeting each other, how's it hanging Ryoga? Based on where you are now, I would say really low."
Everyone watching started to laugh. Ryoga, hearing them quickly stood and Ranma quickly jumped off as Ryoga swatted at him like a fly. Ryoga not paying attention hit himself upside the head with his umbrella.
Sakura stifled her reaction and managed to keep her face neutral, however, Ranma had no such control. He visibly laughed in Ryoga's face, angering him. "Ranma, I am going to kill you!" Screamed Ryoga.
"Now it sounds like you are trying to make me an only child," Sakura stated sarcastically.
"I. Um. I was just—," started Ryoga.
"What were you trying to say now, Ryoga?" Sakura stated through gritted teeth.
Ryoga just stared at Sakura while Ranma walked up beside Ryoga, and watched as he squirmed trying to answer his sister.
"He always seemed to have trouble talking to you Sakura." Thought Ranma.
"I know, but how long do you want me to keep him distracted?"
"I guess until we can get into the school, the bell will be ringing in a few mo-," Everyone jumped as the bell rang and everyone openly groaned since all of them were now late for school.
"Do you see what you did Ryoga, now we're late for school. I hope you are happy." Sakura said staring directly at Ryoga.
Sheepishly he backed away moving his mouth but not saying anything. Sakura reached down and picked up their schoolbooks and turned and walked into the school followed closely by Ranma, Akane, and all of the other students.
After everyone that attended the school entered Ryoga snapped out of his confusion. "This is not over Saotome I will have my revenge at lunch or after school, I will find you, I swear it Ranma!" Screamed Ryoga.
********** Furinken High School Courtyard Lunch Time **********
"You do realize since he doesn't attend this school, he would probably wander off?" mentioned Sakura.
Ranma and Akane, both looked around as the rest of the students gathered around. "I thought there was going to be a fight since that guy challenged you Ranma." Said Sayuri.
"Even though Ryoga is not here, that still might happen." Stated Ranma.
Sakura glared at Ranma. "That wasn't necessary Ranma."
"I know, I couldn't think of any other way to break the ice at what we're about to do." Stated Ranma, reaching into the backpack and removing the thermos he had packed earlier.
"Sayuri, can I have a word with you?" Asked Sakura.
"Sayuri looked around the courtyard for the strange guy from earlier, before walking away with Sakura. Ranma followed close behind as they headed for the school building.
Sakura led the way into the school and walked into the girls' locker room. Sayuri wondered what Sakura wanted to talk to her about. As she was thinking about it, she noticed Ranma about to enter the locker room. "Ranma, this is the girls' locker, and Sakura and I have to talk. It's a girl thing." Added Sayuri.
Sakura turning as Sayuri was talking to Ranma mentioned, "Actually Sayuri, this also concerns Ranma."
Sayuri, not understanding watched as Ranma walked past her and placed his backpack on the bench between the lockers next to the one Sakura had put down herself.
"Sakura what is going on? What did you want to talk to me about? What does this have to do with Ranma?" asked Sayuri getting more confused with each question.
"Do you like Teyo?" asked Sakura.
Sayuri blushed instantly and then glanced back at Ranma and quietly said, "Yes, I like your cousin Sakura. Can we talk about this without Ranma here?" Sayuri asked with an embarrassed look on her face, but she was smiling as she spoke.
"Would you be able to talk about this to Mayuka?" asked Sakura. Sayuri glanced at Ranma again and quickly nodded her head.
Sakura smiled, "She will be here in a few moments."
Sayuri quickly looked around, "Did she say if Teyo was coming over too? I would like to see him again." Said Sayuri with a big grin on her face.
As she thought back to the good times she had had recently with Teyo. She watched as Ranma handed a blue thermos to Sakura.
"I Thought we were going to have lunch outside. Can we eat out there instead of in here?" asked Sayuri.
"Oh, you mean this, this is not food. The thermos is full of cold water." Mentioned Sakura.
Looking from Sakura to Ranma, she saw Ranma pull another thermos from his bag, a red one. "I am confused Sakura. What did you want to talk to me about? I am so lost here." Added Sayuri.
"I can explain, but I have to do this first before I can tell you what I wanted to talk to you about." Sakura filled the cup with cold water and Ranma filled a cup with hot water.
He then placed the cup onto the bench. Sayuri then looked up at Sakura.
The confusion deepened as she watched Sakura take the cup of water and pour it over her head. Sayuri noticed that her friend Sakura changed into her love interest Teyo. Her heart skipped a beat.
********** Elsewhere in Nerima **********
"He freaking said the store was around the corner once I left the school grounds. Why the hell can't I freaking find the store." Thought Ryoga walking around in the heart of Nerima. "Is this the store?" asked Ryoga looking at a sign in front of him. He rolled his eyes as he read "Zoo"
Turning around he returned in the direction that he had been traveling. "I hope there's one in this direction. When's lunch? How come I haven't heard the bell at the school?" Thought Ryoga.
Great now thinking about school I am freaking hun-," Ryoga started when he was splashed by a water hose someone was using to clean the front of their storefront.
The owner of the flower shop stared when he saw a young boy turn into a small black pig when he accidentally splashed him with water. "I could have sworn I saw a young guy walking towards me a few moments ago. I must be seeing things. Tanika said I need to cut down on the top shelf Sake. I think, in the interest of my sanity, I should get a better brand of sake." Thought the store owner as he moved the backpack, umbrella, and clothes to the side of the store as he finished cleaning the front sidewalk.
A little black pig fumed as his stuff was moved to the side of the store and the owner started spraying the sidewalk again. "How the hell am I supposed to change back? Ranma this is all your fault; I will exact my revenge once I get my hands on you." Thought the little black pig.
Before he could formulate a plan for changing back into a human again Ryoga stopped short when he heard a sound near him. "Isn't that a cute little piggy? I really like his tiger-striped bandana, it is so cute."
Looking up he saw a heavy-set lady reaching down and lifting him and hugging him close to her ample cleavage. Despite her cleavage being really close to him, he had other concerns at that moment. Ryoga realized that he could not breathe. He desperately tried for a few seconds to escape her grip and find some air since she was hugging him really tight to her chest.
"He must be really cold since he is shaking and wet. I know just the place to keep him warm." Mentioned the woman.
She then lifted up the little pig and opened her shirt and placed him inside. From where Ryoga had been placed he could see that she didn't place him inside her shirt. He was actually inside her bra. Seeing her breast this closeup, he nearly busted a blood vessel as he slowly passed out.
"He must have really needed to get warm, once I placed him inside he snuggled up and went to sleep, the little cutie." The woman mentioned as she smiled. She then continued on her way to the shopping center where she wanted to get something to eat.