Disclaimer: Ranma ½ belongs to Rumiko Takahashi and Viz Video and Winx Club belongs to Iginio Straffi and Rai S.p.A (NOT 4Kids!!!). Songs 'Zettai! Part 2' and 'Friends' belongs to Ranma 1/2.
Note: this follows the Rai version of Winx as the 4Kids version butchered it too much, like with every anime it dubs.
Chapter 28: Freedom! The Servants' Vacation!
Saotome complex…
Ranma was lying on his bed, exhausted from a training session.
"Mmmm… man, I'm starving…"
He then gets up and heads down towards the kitchen for a snack, then suddenly smelled something.
'Huh? Who's cooking?'
Approaching the kitchen doorway, Ranma sees the Winx girls. Flora, Musa, Tecna, and Layla were at the table eating omelets. Bloom and Stella were at the oven.
"Oh! Hello, Ranma!" Flora greeted as she turned towards his direction. The others soon followed her lead.
"Hey, girls. What's going on?" asked Ranma.
"We were hungry, so we whipped up some omelets for ourselves." Replied Layla.
"Smells pretty good." Said Ranma.
"Oh it is!" said Stella as she prepared to flip her omelet on the pan. Jerking the pan, the omelet was tossed up, and barely caught it. "Whoops… almost dropped it…"
"Guess I'll have some, too."
"In a minute, Ranma. I'm almost done here." Said Bloom. "Just got to cook the other side now." She prepares to flip it with the pan. Unfortunately, she put a little too much force into it and caused the omelet to fly up over her head. "Oh!"
SPLAT!
There stood Ranma, with the omelet splattered on his head. The girls looked in his direction in shock.
Bloom had a feeling of déjà vu. (1) "Oh Ranma! I'm so sorry!"
"That's quite all right, Bloom. It was an accident…" said Ranma as he licked off bits of the omelet from his face. "At least it tastes good."
The other girls laughed at this as Bloom blushed horribly. "I'll fix us some."
"Cool, but this time, better use a spatula." Ranma reached for said kitchen utensil and hands it to Bloom before going to the sink to wash off.
"That puts whole new meaning to the phrase, 'egg on your face'." Said Tecna.
The girls giggled at the joke as Bloom prepared to make another omelet.
Opening (Ranma ½ style, 'Zettai! Part 2')
Music starts. Several paint lines of different colors trail along a canvas background. They converge to the center and mix up with each other. From the pile of paint, the 'Ranma Club' title forms.
Zettai! Zettai! Nani wa nakute mo (No way! No way! Even if it's all up to me)
Ranma runs by, trailing paint. He runs into Bloom, panics, and runs into Stella. Panics, he runs into Flora.
Zettai! Zettai! o-teage nashi yo (No way! No way! Will I ever give up)
Ranma runs into Musa, panics, runs into Tecna, panics, and into Layla.
Kono yo de hitori no kimi da mono (In this whole wide world, you're the only "you")
Ranma runs into Shampoo, panics, runs into Ukyou, panics, and Nodoka. He drops off the screen.
Sky, Brandon, Helia, Riven, Timmy, and Nabu drop from above, then converge, forming into Ranma. He lands on his feet in a squat, but gets up in a hurry to run.
Hizashi to tsurunde aruku sunahama (Walking along the beach in the sunshine)
Kimi ga sashi-dashita yume no para - para - parasoru (Beneath the extended para para prarasol)
Ranma runs from some unseen pursuers. The paint lines follow him, which cause him to panic and run more.
Mune no naka kaze ga fuita mitai ni (It's like there's a cleansing wind in my heart)
Suddenly, Ranma shifts to faerie mode and starts to fly in favor of running.
Kusunda omoi ga ikki ni souji sarete yuku no (Blowing those gloomy thoughts right out)
Faerie Ranma lands and reverts male again once he thinks he's safe. The Pixies suddenly fly in a circle around his face. The Winx appear on either side of him and snuggle up to him, much to his embarrassment.
Ha~han Yubi ga furuete (Whoa-ho! My fingers tremble)
Shots of Bloom, Stella, and Flora surround Ranma.
Ha~han Hoho ga atsukute (Whoa-ho! My face grows warm)
Shots of Musa, Tecna, and Layla surround Ranma.
Hajime no ippo yo (It's the first step)
Zubari koi desu (No doubt about it; it's love)
Ranma walks slowly to the right. He breaks off into a fast run towards the camera, then gets doused with water.
Dare ga monku aru!? (You got a problem with that!?)
Ranma-chan looks embarrassed as the souls of the Specialists surround her.
Zettai! Zettai! Don to kamaete (No way! No way! I'm taking up my stance)
Zettai! Zettai! Kimi mo tokoton (No way! No way! Make sure that you land)
Ranma, trailing paint, runs about, zig-zagging as he runs into the rest of the cast.
Sono ai watashi ni kimenasai (That loving blow smack dab on me)
He eventually gets boxed in and gets a panicked expression. Ranma is then seen running to the left, chased by the Winx girls.
The paint lines converge and draw out a heart. Coming from the bottom was Ranma, who stops and hunches over in exhaustion from all his running.
End opening
The Kuno estate…
In Kodachi's private kitchen, a familiar fight was taking place.
"How dare you, Brother-dear! You've once again eaten what you shouldn't have!" screeched Kodachi.
"Just what ails you, woman!?" demanded Kuno. "I was merely eating the cookies made for me from Akane Tendo, or the Pig-tailed girl! Or perhaps from one of my gaijin goddesses!"
"You dare compare me to those harridans!? I SHALL MAKE YOU PAY DEARLY!!!" Kodachi whips out her ribbon and lashed out at Kuno.
"Dare you to strike out at your own brother!?" Kuno takes out his bokuto in defense to parry the ribbon.
"I do! Because you're an idiot!"
"Have at thee, woman!"
Kuno and Kodachi were going at it with each other, destroying much of the kitchen.
Out on the Kuno front yard, Sasuke, the Kuno ninja manservant, was busy raking the leaves when he heard the commotion within the mansion.
"Huh? Something must be wrong!" Sasuke immediately dropped what he was doing and hopped the rooftops of the mansion towards the source. "Never fear! Sasuke is here!" It was then that part of the roof over the kitchen exploded. "WHOA! What is going on!?"
He jumps down through the hole and sees…
"Wicked twisted sister!" Kuno pulls a bazooka out of nowhere and fires at Kodachi. She dodged the shot, causing an explosion behind her.
"Stubborn fool!" Kodachi, armed with an anti-tank rifle, fires at Kuno, the massive shells ripping apart the area behind him.
"Aaaaagggh!!! Master Kuno! Mistress Kodachi! Stop this madness and be reasonable!" Sasuke pleaded to the two siblings.
"If my 'dear brother' had been reasonable to begin with, this never would've happened!" said Kodachi as she fired off another volley of shots.
"You're the one not reasonable, twisted sister of mine!" said Kuno as he shot another bazooka blast.
Sasuke was at his wit's end as he felt a sense of déjà vu. He panicked as the two warring siblings continued to shoot at each other in the now destroyed kitchen.
"Behave yourselves! Both of you!" shouted Sasuke.
Just like before, Sasuke pulled on a hidden cord that dumped pots of water on the Kuno siblings. Both brother and sister started to breathe heavily after the impromptu shower.
"Have you both gone mad!?"
The audience room…
Sasuke sat between Kuno and Kodachi, a scene all too familiar.
"Again!? You two were fighting over COOKIES!?" said Sasuke incredulously.
"How dare you trivialize!" shouted Kodachi.
"Er… I never would dream about it, Mistress…" said Sasuke.
"As Kodachi says…" said Kuno.
"Err… well…"
"It's your own fault for interfering!" said Kodachi.
"That's right! It's your own fault!" added Kuno.
"But I was just…"
"So who's the one at fault here?" demanded Kuno.
"Well… I…"
"Speak up, Sasuke!" demanded Kodachi.
"Err…"
"Do not forget who you swear fealty to!" said Kuno.
"He's my servant, too, you know!" argued Kodachi.
"Stay out of this, woman!"
"How dare you! This concerns me as well!"
"Please, you two! Calm down!" Sasuke pleaded.
"SO WHOSE FAULT IS IT!?" the two siblings blew up in the hapless ninja's face.
"I… I… I do not wish to take sides in this matter…" replied Sasuke.
In front of two immature delusional idiots, this was not the right thing to say. At that moment, the two Kuno siblings blew up at him.
"YOU TRAITOR!!! GET OUT OF THIS HOUSE IMMEDIATELY!!!"
A playground…
The ousted ninja servant was sadly sitting on the swing by himself with his few belongings tucked in a green sack sitting by him. Once again, he was thrown out of the Kuno mansion over a petty sibling rivalry.
"I've spent the better part of my life in service to the Kuno family." Sasuke said to himself. "I may not have been the best retainer they ever had, but I've always been loyal… oh what matters to a ninja servant without a master to serve? Is there no place I can go?"
Sasuke looked up at the sky as if searching for an answer. Drooping his head, he gets up, grabs his bag, and prepares to go despite not having a clear destination in mind.
Fortunately, life decided to cut him a break. It was then that a certain Faerie of Nature passed by.
Flora was walking with a bag of groceries. Nodoka had asked her to pick up some food items for tonight's dinner. As she was heading back home, she saw Sasuke at the swing about to leave. She could sense the despair in him.
'Huh? Isn't that the servant of the Kuno family? What's he doing out here? He looks sad…'
Before Sasuke left the playground area, Flora called out to him. "Sasuke?"
Sasuke turned at the call of his name and saw Flora standing a few feet away. "Huh? Is that you, Miss Linphea?" He knew of the Winx girls due to a reconnaissance mission as ordered by Kuno.
"What are you doing out here by yourself?" asked Flora as she approached him.
"Uh… well… I… uh…" Sasuke stuttered.
"You were being mistreated by the Kunos, weren't you?" said Flora.
"G'huh?" gasped Sasuke. 'Now how did she know about that?'
"Well, if you've got nowhere to go, how about coming home with me?" asked Flora.
"Huh? Uhh… who… me?"
"Yes, you! I'd like the company."
"But but but I… I couldn't! I just couldn't…"
Flora had a confused look on her face. Nevertheless, she knew he needed help and insisted him to follow her.
Saotome complex…
"I'm back!" Flora called out. She takes off her fuchsia wedge sandals before coming into the main hall, then turns to Sasuke. "Please, won't you come on in?"
Sasuke nervously walks through the door while observing his surroundings. 'A little over eight feet from the front gate to the inside door, no defenses to speak of- oh! Oh dear, there I go again…'
"Welcome back, Flora!" Nodoka called out before coming to greet her. "Were you able to get the- oh! We have a guest, I see!"
"Mrs. Saotome, you know Sasuke of the Kuno Estate, right?" asked Flora.
"I certainly do, Flora." Said Nodoka. She turns to the little ninja and bows to him.
Sasuke's head perked up at the name. 'Mrs. Saotome!? Does that mean…?'
"We're happy to have a friend of my students' here." Said Nodoka.
"F-f-f-f-friend…? But I, uh, that is… she's not… uh…" Sasuke stuttered before running back out the front door and took a groveling position before them. "OH I'M NOT WORTHY!!!"
Nodoka and Flora gave odd looks to the groveling ninja.
The Saotome matriarch just giggled. "Oh my, what a sweet, polite fellow you are!"
"Sweet?" Sasuke repeated. He looked on the verge of tears. 'Aside from that Kasumi woman, no one had ever called me sweet in my whole miserable lowly life…'
"Come now, enough with the politeness. Come inside, won't you?" said Flora as she came and offered a hand to him.
He took a look at her and at her hand. After a while, he slowly took Flora's hand and was brought to his feet. Sasuke comes inside and looks around. He recalled something like this back at the Tendo Dojo. The Saotome residence was a lot bigger in comparison.
"Oh, Sasuke. I'm going to be cooking dinner. Why don't you stay and make yourself at home?" said Nodoka.
Sasuke just nods.
"Oh, let me help, too!" said Flora.
"All right then, Flora. Follow me." Said Nodoka as she led them into the kitchen.
As they left, Sasuke went towards where the living room should be. As a force of habit, he was slowly tip-toeing his way through the house. He catches himself in the habit.
'Oh there I go again, sneaking around! I've got to stop thinking like a ninja!'
He heads for the doorway leading into the living room, and sees a strange sight. Tecna was before a holographic screen playing a sort of shooter video game. That in itself wasn't strange. What was strange is that she was playing against someone who wasn't even there. The other controller was on the floor, its buttons somehow being pressed by some invisible force.
"Come on, Digit! Help me out here!" said Tecna, who looked to be talking to no one. As if to respond to her voice, the controller started to work itself. "Yeah! That's right!"
'What is she doing?' Sasuke thought.
"All right! Stage cleared! Great job, Digit!" said Tecna. She turned to see Sasuke at the door. "Oh! Sorry, I didn't see you come in."
Sasuke gulped and shuffled behind the door frame. "Uh… I… I didn't mean to…"
"Hmm? What're you so nervous about?" asked Tecna.
"Nothing!" Sasuke said hurriedly before heading to another part of the living room, leaving Tecna and Digit in confusion.
"What was that about, Tecna?" asked Digit.
"Beats me, Digit."
The two resumed their game.
Separate section of the living room…
Sasuke was leaning against the door he entered from, trying to figure out what he had seen.
'Just what was that just now?'
He then heard a soothing sound coming from the area. Looking ahead, he sees Musa playing a saxophone in an upbeat jazzy tone. With her was Layla, who was dancing to the beat. Her movements were graceful and well-coordinated. Sasuke couldn't help but be mesmerized at the sight.
"That was a great session, Musa!" said Layla.
"Thanks! It was something I just wrote." Said Musa.
Layla turns and finally notices Sasuke in the room. "Oh! Seems we had an audience!"
"Ack!" Sasuke gasped as he fell on his rear. He quickly got on his knees and started to grovel. "Forgive me! I did not mean to intrude on you!"
This certainly took Musa and Layla by surprise.
"Huh? What brought this on?" asked Layla.
"C'mon, man, pull your head up!" said Musa.
"Uh…"
"You're not intruding on anything. In fact, I kind of find it flattering that you listened in on us. So what did you think of it?"
"Y-you really want to know what I think?" asked Sasuke. 'No one's ever wanted to ask for my opinion on anything…'
"Yeah, we do." Replied Layla. "Musa wrote this song herself and she would like an honest outside opinion."
"W-w-well…" said Sasuke. "Since you insist. I thought it was very hip and upbeat. Made me want to dance along if I knew how. Oh, and forgive me for saying, but I thought the tone sounded a bit off near the end…" He immediately clapped his hands over his mouth. 'Oh no! I shouldn't have criticized! They'll throw me out for sure!'
It had always been Sasuke's rule of thumb to always kiss up to people when he was serving the Kunos if he wanted to have a roof over his head. As he braced himself for a yelling, Musa stood up before him.
She tilted her head in thought. "Hmmm, really? Then again, I did feel like I've made a mistake in it…" Sasuke looked up at her in surprise. "I was kinda hoping you wouldn't notice it, but if you could, then I'd better improve on it. Thanks, Sasuke! Your input was pretty helpful!" She walks over to Layla and picks up her sax. "Shall we try this again, Layla?"
"Sure thing!"
Sasuke was surprised at Musa's reaction. "Uh... oh, well then… I'll leave you to practice…" Before they could speak, Sasuke disappeared.
The ninja servant found himself near the patio area. 'I don't believe it! She actually listened to what I had to say! Normally, back at the estate, Master Kuno or Mistress Kodachi never considered my opinions on anything since I'm only a servant…'
He sees Bloom sitting on the patio porch with a sketchbook in her hands. She was currently trying to sketch the view from the porch. Some distance next to her was Stella. The luminescent faerie was currently reclining on a sun chair, clad in a skimpy yellow bikini and shades. She was trying to catch in the rays.
"Mmmm… the sun feels so good today…" said Stella.
"Ahh… it's done!" said Bloom as she looked at her drawing. It was a fine likeness to the subject matter.
"Achoo!"
The redhead and the blonde turned to the source of the sneeze.
"Huh? Oh! When did you come in?" asked Bloom.
"Ack!" Again, Sasuke fell on his rear. 'For a ninja such as myself to give away my position so soon! I'm such a disgrace!'
"Are you all right?" asked Bloom.
"Uh… I… uh…"
"Come now, speak up! We can't understand what you're saying!" said Stella.
"Well… it's just that… uh…"
Stella smiled and looked at the little ninja. "Sorry about that, but you really shouldn't be so nervous around us."
Sasuke nodded and finally blurts out, "SorryIdon'tmeantointrudeinfactIwasinvitedbyyourfriendMissLinpheaandhereIam!"
Bloom and Stella blinked at Sasuke's response, trying to decipher what he just said. They did manage to catch the 'Miss Linphea' part.
"So Flora brought you in? That explains it." Said Bloom.
"That's Nature Girl for you." Said Stella. "Her kindness knows no bounds."
"Well, if Flora invited you here, then go ahead and enjoy your stay!"
"While you're here, why don't you come and join us?"
Suddenly, a bowl of fruit materialized between the two girls. Bloom took an apple while Stella helped herself to an orange. Sasuke looked surprised at what had just happened, but reluctantly went over to the porch where Bloom and Stella were at. Just as he sits down, he was beaned in the head with a baseball.
"OW! Who dares!?" shouted Sasuke.
Looking out into the backyard, he sees a certain someone sitting in a tree.
"Oh, sorry about that, man." Said Ranma as he was juggling another ball one-handedly.
"Ranma Saotome! You threw that ball on purpose! Have at you!" Sasuke jumps towards Ranma. However, just like before, he slams face-first into the branch Ranma was just sitting on. He collapses unceremoniously to the ground.
"Hey, man, you all right?" asked Ranma as he looked over Sasuke.
Sasuke woke up and immediately started to lash out at Ranma with punches and kicks in rapid succession. However, Ranma effortlessly dodged each and every strike. They were fighting in a circle around the yard. Sasuke paused after all the missed attacks, panting. On the other side, Ranma didn't look at all winded. In fact, he was smiling. This only angered Sasuke, causing him to attack with more gusto. He threw punches and kicks even faster. This made little difference as Ranma merely adjusted his speed and dodged the attacks again. They were literally running laps around the yard.
At that moment, Tecna, Musa, and Layla came out to join Stella and Bloom on the porch. They watched the 'fight' in fascination.
"Is this a duel or a race?" asked Musa.
"Wow, they're really fast…" said Layla.
"Ranma's just toying with him, though." Said Stella.
After dodging for the umpteenth time, Sasuke leapt back. "Why you!" Blurring his hand, he lets loose three shurikens. Ranma simply tilts his head to avoid the ninja throwing stars, which impacted harmlessly into the back wall.
Before Sasuke could continue his attack, two more figures entered the fray.
"Hey Ranma! Let us join in, too!"
"No good if Ranma keep fun all to self!!"
"Sure! Go ahead!" said Ranma to his two adopted sisters before jumping out of the way.
Sasuke gasped when he saw Ukyou and Shampoo charging at him. "Hey! No fair, three against one!"
Producing her bonbori, Shampoo swung down at Sasuke, who managed to dodge in time, the weapon crushing the rock he was just standing on. Just as he lands, he leaps backwards to avoid the throwing spatulas, courtesy of Ukyou. Unfortunately, he leaps right back into the tree and slides down. He looks up in horror as Shampoo and Ukyou were about to dish out the finishing blow. The ninja servant shuts his eyes for the end. However, after some time, nothing happened. Daring to peek, he sees Ranma holding Ukyou and Shampoo by their wrists, effectively stopping them.
"That's enough, girls. We don't want to look like bullies here, do we?" said Ranma. He releases his grip on the two.
"So sorry, Ranma. Shampoo not know how to hold back much in fight." Said Shampoo.
"Same here. Just got caught in the moment, I guess." Said Ukyou.
After the two girls hid their weapons away into subspace, the Winx applauded the show.
"That was cool!" said Layla.
Ranma approaches Sasuke. "Sorry about the ball earlier. My aim must've been off again."
Palming another ball, Ranma throws it towards a pear tree grown by Flora. The ball slices off a pear from the branch, which lands in Stella's outstretched hand.
"Nice throw there, Ranma!" said Stella.
"Nice catch, Stella!" He looked to Sasuke. "Thanks, it was pretty fun."
"Err… but I…" stuttered Sasuke.
Flora then comes out to the porch. "Alright, everyone! Dinner is now served!"
"Right on time! I was just starting to get hungry!" said Tecna as she and the others got up.
"Hey! Wait for us!" said Ukyou.
"A meal is what I need after a workout!" said Ranma. As he was about to enter, he nearly gets a nosebleed at seeing Stella.
"Uh, Stella… maybe you should get dressed first…" said Bloom as they were walking.
The blonde faerie looked over to Ranma's flushed expression, then back at Bloom. "Oops…"
The others went into the house, leaving Sasuke standing in the yard. Flora notices this and called out to him. "Come on, Sasuke! Your meal will get cold!"
He looked up. "Huh? You mean… I'm… invited?"
"Of course! You're a guest after all!"
Sasuke looked like he was going to cry. 'This is so different to when I was working in the Kuno Estate. Master Kuno and Mistress Kodachi never did feed me, let alone thank me, not if they could help it…'
It was true. Even though Sasuke prepares all the meals, he was given barely table scraps. (2)
"Sasuke? What's wrong?" asked Flora.
Sasuke was snapped out of his daze. "Oh! Nothing! Coming!" He follows Flora into the house.
Dining room…
The house tenants were helping themselves to a dinner of chicken yakitori and pork tonkatsu. Considering that the Saotome complex housed eight, occasionally ten, Nodoka tended to cook a lot of food. This was no problem for her, however, as she welcomed the company, since she had spent nearly a decade alone.
Sasuke looked at his portion of food before him. To him, it was a thousand times larger portion than what he usually got at the Kuno Estate (which was almost nil). 'It is like a grand feast! Oh, I feel so unworthy! Still, it would be rude to refuse the hospitality of others…'
With that thought in mind, he started eating.
"Feel free to have seconds! I've made enough for everyone!" said Nodoka.
"Oh, I intend to, Mom!" said Ranma. Her cooking was very delicious, after all.
"Uh… even me, Mrs. Saotome?" asked Sasuke.
"Of course, Sasuke. Eat as much as you like." Replied Nodoka.
Sasuke had finally started to feel happy.
Later that night…
Flora had explained to Nodoka about Sasuke's situation. Afterwards, the Saotome matriarch spelled an extra room into the house, complete with bed and other fixtures. Sasuke laid covered up in the comforter on the bed.
'It's been so long since I've slept in a soft, warm bed…' He takes a sniff at the sheets and comforter. '… and I do believe that these sheets might even have been washed recently!'
He flashbacked to his sleeping conditions with the Kunos. Rather than being given his own sleeping quarters, he was reduced to sleeping under the house foundations or in the roof rafters, with naught but a ragged straw mat. Even in the rain and snow he had to sleep under these conditions. With those despairing thoughts, Sasuke pulls the covers over himself, feeling confused.
'I know I shouldn't expect Master Kuno and Mistress Kodachi to reciprocate my feelings, but there's got to be more to a loyal ninja servant's life than this! There's got to be!'
Next day…
Once Ranma and the girls were at Furinkan, Sasuke thought he ought to make himself useful while staying at the Saotomes'. As a house servant, he's got plenty of experience. He was currently cleaning the bathrooms. Nodoka comes to him from behind, surprising him.
"Oh! Sasuke? What are you doing?" she asked.
"Mrs. Saotome! Forgive me, but I figured I should help around her during my stay." Replied Sasuke.
"That's very considerate, but it's not really necessary for you to…"
"Please! I insist!"
Nodoka looks at the little ninja, then nods. "Alright then. I suppose I could use a hand while the kids are out."
"It's an honor to serve you, Mistress Saotome!" said Sasuke.
"Please, Sasuke! No need for the 'mistress' part. You're not my slave."
Later that same day…
School was uneventful, at least for one such as Furinkan High. Kuno had arrived late to school due to lack of sleep since he depended on Sasuke's shadow puppet shows. That still didn't stop him from trying to get fresh with the Winx girls and Akane. Him winding up in the nurse's office seemed to be a common thing now.
Bloom was currently sitting at a booth in a coffee shop, sipping a frappuccino. She went out to buy herself some pencils for sketching, and never thought the shopping district would be so busy. Afterwards, she took a rest stop at the coffee shop before heading home.
"This is exactly what I need right now." Said Bloom. The establishment was quite full at this time. She then heard the front door open. Looking up, Bloom sees Kasumi walk in. She looked pretty depressed as she ordered a cup of tea from the counter. Taking her order, she turned around to find a seat, but all were taken.
"Kasumi?"
Hearing her name, she turned to see Bloom. "Oh! You're Bloom Domino, aren't you?"
"That's right. Since there's nowhere for you to sit, care to join me?"
"I thank you for your generosity, Bloom." Said Kasumi as she took a seat opposite of Bloom. "Fancy meeting you here."
"Likewise. So how are you?"
"I've been better."
"Ranma's told me and my friends a lot about you." Said Bloom before taking a sip of her frappuccino.
"Is that so?"
"Yes. He said you were like the older sister he never had. He highly respects you, you know. You're one of the few people in his life who has ever treated him like a human being…"
Kasumi nods. "I understand that Ranma has had a very rough life, especially after he and his father moved in with us. How is he?"
"Ranma's doing great, now that he's living with his mother and us." Replied Bloom. "It's the best thing that's ever happened to him, and he gets to learn more of his heritage."
"I still find it hard to believe that Ranma's a faerie." Said Kasumi.
"Half-faerie, actually." Bloom corrected.
"Half, but even so. Then again, I've always thought there was more to him than anyone would've guessed."
"Believe me, the girls and I were quite shocked as well. We also couldn't believe how much he had suffered. Anyone else would've probably given up on life! It's amazing he lasted this long!"
"Ranma's pretty resilient, I'll give him that." Said Kasumi. "You and your friends must really care about Ranma."
"With all our beings." said Bloom. "He's very dear to us."
"It's nice to see some people care about him so fondly." Said Kasumi. She recalled hearing one night of Nabiki ranting about how the six gaijins were actually sharing Ranma amongst them. Kasumi also found it odd that Ranma would willing give his love to a girl, let alone six of them. "At least you're not fighting amongst yourselves."
"We've no reason to. It's kind of complicated, really."
"I've got time. I'd also like to know what Ranma had been doing this whole time. I actually worry about him, too."
Bloom looked at Kasumi. Although the sister of Akane and Nabiki, the eldest Tendo sister was very different from them. Bloom's power allowed her to read into Kasumi's emotions. While she detected deviousness from Nabiki, and nothing but anger and jealousy from Akane, Kasumi reflected calm and serenity. Bloom thought she had sensed something else, but was quickly squelched, as if trying to suppress something. Still, it was enough for Bloom to trust in her.
"All right, then. As you know, my friends and I come from Magix, and we studied at Alfea, college of Faeries. Before Ranma came along, there was this dangerous wizard wanted throughout the realm named Valtor…"
Some time later…
"… and then here we are, staying in Nerima, if only temporarily." Bloom finished.
Needless to say, Kasumi was speechless. She had been on the edge of her seat listening to Bloom's story. She and her friends had gone through a lot of physical and emotional hardships from their three years attending Alfea, the hardest being their boyfriends' self-sacrifice against Valtor. Despite the present situation, Bloom still had a tough time trying to keep a straight face discussing that matter, as it is still a hurtful subject. The eldest Tendo also couldn't believe that Ranma is in fact the combined reincarnation of said boyfriends thanks to the efforts of their headmaster. Kasumi was now able to understand why Ranma had feelings for the Winx girls and was acting on them, albeit hesitantly, due to his past experiences in the Tendo home. This would also explain why Ranma couldn't choose a fiancée, as his heart yearned for others whom were not even from this world. Speaking of which, Kasumi was also surprised to learn that Nodoka had adopted Shampoo and Ukyou as daughters.
"Oh my…" said Kasumi. "All this must've been really painful for you…"
"It was, but some good came out of it." Said Bloom. "We've met the Saotomes and became part of the family."
Kasumi nodded. Family… that was something Ranma never really experienced in a positive way. Families are supposed to support each other, but her and Ranma's are always trying to force things on him regardless of how he feels. "I have to admit, you're very strong to have gone through all of that."
"It wasn't easy. I thought that being a faerie would be all great, but it came with a lot of hardships. It was to be expected, though. Nothing is easy in life. It's nothing compared to what I've seen Ranma go through."
"It seems to me that he's at home in Magix. His fighting prowess allows him to adapt to that environment." Kasumi could just imagine Ranma fighting off monsters and evil witches, which wasn't hard to do. He had a tendency to fight against unusual opponents. "In fact, I don't think I've seen him happier."
"That's true. Ranma thrives on bettering himself as a fighter, and as a faerie." Said Bloom. "He may not be rid of his curse, but he's learned to tolerate it."
"I'm glad for him." Said Kasumi. 'She's nothing like how Akane described her.' The eldest Tendo recalled how her youngest sister was badmouthing Bloom and the Winx almost every day when she came home from school; calling them shameless sluts, or arrogant bimbos, or prissy wimpy broads. It goes to show that hearing about a person and actually interacting with said person are two different things.
"Well you've learned about me, but I don't know anything about you, other than what Ranma's told me."
"Oh! Forgive me. I suppose it's only fair."
Later…
"Things had gone downhill for my family ever since Ranma moved out." Said Kasumi. "I had hoped that Akane would finally be honest about her feelings for Ranma, but that's no longer an option."
"Oh Kasumi, you're so kind to try to see the good in everything." Said Bloom. "You even go as far as to try and support your whole family."
"Ever since my mother died, it fell to me to care for the home." Said Kasumi.
"Didn't you get any help?" asked Bloom.
"No, but it was understandable. Nabiki and Akane had school, and Father had his dream about joining the schools. Nabiki said she takes care of the financial problems, though."
Bloom's expression lowered. 'Yeah, at other peoples' expenses…' She remembered how the Pixies procured Nabiki's incriminating dirt on numerous people and how they destroyed said dirt to free those under the mercenary girl's thumb.
"I tried to teach Akane domestic skills, but she just could never do them. She just never had the patience." Kasumi cringed as she remembered the Steel Chef Tournament a few days ago. Things had gotten disastrous in the final round. From that point on, she prevented Akane from ever working in the kitchen again. It would have been a stain on her mother's memory.
"But isn't it tiring doing all the work yourself?" asked Bloom. "You're a family member, not a servant."
"I don't mind. I feel it is my obligation to my family." Said Kasumi.
"You don't seem so happy, though."
"I got used to it, I suppose."
"Maybe, but is this how you want to live your life? You can't always be taking care of your family, you know."
"I… I know… I am content, nonetheless."
Bloom observed Kasumi's aura. She could tell that the Tendo girl was lying. From Bloom's viewpoint, she could see a cloud over Kasumi taking her shape. Although Kasumi was smiling on the outside, the Aura-Kasumi looked like she was on the verge of tears. "I'm sorry, but I don't believe you."
"Huh?"
"I know that you're hurting inside. You've sacrificed so much to take care of your family and hardly get anything in return for your efforts. I imagine it only got worse after Ranma left. In a sense, this feels like a Cinderella scenario."
"But… it's not like that…"
"You are kind, Kasumi, always thinking of others before yourself. Ranma did describe that virtue of you perfectly. Forgive me for saying, but from what I've seen from Ranma's memory, your father is pretty lazy. I cannot imagine a parent leaving children to fend for themselves at a time they need him the most. And why is Nabiki the one in charge of finances? Doesn't your father have a regular source of income? He runs a dojo, doesn't he? I would think a martial arts dojo would have students attending."
"Well… no… he had no desire to work since Mother died. He tends to be a bit emotional to be an instructor. The only thing that kept him going was the engagement."
"But you know now that's no longer possible since Mrs. Saotome dissolved it."
"Yes… Father was devastated about it. He did nothing but drown his sorrows in sake' afterwards. It was rather depressing."
Bloom gives Kasumi a sympathetic look. "Kasumi, I understand that you feel you have an obligation to your family, but don't you also have an obligation to yourself as well? I mean, you weren't born to look after your father and sisters, were you?"
"Well… no…" was all Kasumi could say.
"Don't you have any dreams? Any plans for your future?" asked Bloom. "And don't you think your father is being selfish? He's a grown man." 'And I use the term very loosely…' Bloom mentally added. "He should be able to take care of himself. What exactly has he done as a parent, since your mother passed away?"
"Well, I…" Kasumi's next words died in her mouth as she tried to think of any moment where Soun acted like a responsible parent, but for the life of her, she couldn't think of anything.
Bloom noticed the Tendo girl's lack of response to her simple question. The redheaded faerie takes Kasumi's hands in her own and gives her a reassuring smile. "Please, I won't pass any judgment on you or your family right now, but I would like to understand your situation better. Be honest with me."
It was at that point that Kasumi Tendo began to realize her present situation…
The Tendo Dojo, later that night…
Kasumi was in the kitchen preparing tonight's dinner. She was in deep thought about her encounter with Bloom and their chat.
'Is it true…? Am I really just living the life of a servant?'
When she thought of how she did mostly everything in the home, the cooking, cleaning, washing, laundry, shopping, Kasumi realized that Bloom had called it right. Soun did nothing but mope around, Nabiki engaged in questionable business actions, and Akane just spends most of her time breaking inanimate objects or destroying the kitchen due to her 'experimental cooking'. Since when was the last time she went out and enjoyed herself on her own? The concept felt foreign to her since she never really had free time. She was always too busy. Kasumi never even entered college due to the responsibility of caring for her family being dropped on her. It never really bothered her in the past, since she saw it as a way to fill her late mother's shoes.
So why did it bother her now?
Since Ranma left those months ago, the situation in the Tendo Dojo had worsened. Without the pigtailed martial artist around to defend the household and keep things in order (for that place, anyway), it had become more chaotic. Frequent visits from members of the NWC, Soun and Genma not being any help whatsoever, Akane practically destroying everything in the fights or the kitchen, and all of them whining about how 'dishonorable' Ranma was being for supposedly running out on them. No one knew where Happosai was at this time, nor did they care (and hoping he never comes back from where he is). It just wasn't fair to Ranma that everyone in the house lays blame on him, simply because it was easy to do so, and Kasumi saw that. Unlike the other residents, she didn't shift the blame on him for her family's current situation. She had also recalled what Bloom said to her at the coffee shop.
Flashback…
"You're right, Bloom… I've given up everything for my family…" said Kasumi, who looked on the verge of tears. "My dreams, my future… I never thought it would go this far!"
"Oh Kasumi…" said a sympathetic Bloom as she tried to console the older girl. "You only did what you thought was best for everyone. You are very selfless."
"Sometimes I wondered how different things would've been if Mother was still alive…" said Kasumi. There would've been drastic changes. Soun wouldn't be such an emotional wreck, Nabiki wouldn't be the mercenary she is, Akane would've been disciplined, and Kasumi could've followed her lost dreams of attending college.
"I'm sorry. If I had the power, I would revive your mother, but even a faerie's powers have limits." Said Bloom.
"It's quite all right, Bloom. Honestly, I don't think it would be best for mother to see our family right now. She would probably die again in shame…"
Kasumi lowered her head to her now empty tea mug. She then felt Bloom's hand squeeze on hers.
"Kasumi, if you ever feel like wanting a break, you can come over to the Saotome house." Said Bloom. "We would all gladly welcome you there." The redhead takes out a slip of paper and a pen. She scribbles down her number and hands it to Kasumi. "Feel free to call me."
Kasumi looks at the slip, then finally takes it. "… arigato…"
End flashback…
That practically was an invitation to a calmer environment. Still, where would that leave her family? She was still in conflict between her obligation and her personal feelings.
'Mother… what must I do?'
She proceeded to set the table.
Dining room…
Dinner had been a little tense. Soun and Genma continued to scheme, along with Nabiki, and Akane was fuming to herself about anything.
"This cannot go on, Saotome! We need Ranma back!" said Soun.
"I agree, Tendo, but my hands are tied!" said Genma as he was eating. "I can't really do anything while Nodoka is here…" He recalled how his wife had systematically beaten him during the Steel Chef Tournament when he tried to sabotage Shampoo and Ukyou a second time.
"We've got to get him away from those girls somehow!" said Soun. "They've obviously enchanted him to shun his feelings for my dear Akane!"
"I told you, I'M NOT MARRYING THAT SEX-CHANGING PERVERT!" shouted Akane.
"You'll have to forget it, Daddy. Ranma's pretty much taken." Nabiki drawled. "From what I've discovered, he loves all of them, and they him."
"WHAT!? That's impossible!" shouted Soun. "He loves only Akane and she loves him! Oh why oh why did I ever get such a dishonorable future son-in-law!?"
"I DON'T LOVE THAT JERK!" shouted again. "LET HIM HAVE FUN WITH HIS STUPID WHORE HAREM! IF I EVER SEE ANY OF THEM AGAIN, I'LL POUND THEM INTO THE DIRT!"
"Oh, you really showed them last time, Akane." Said Nabiki sarcastically. "You had Layla right where you wanted her when she blasted you into the school pool yesterday."
"SHUT UP, NABIKI!"
"Girls! Don't fight amongst yourselves!" ordered Soun.
"It's all those sluts' fault! Things were just fine until they showed up!"
"The future of the schools is in jeopardy!" said Genma. "Must I be cursed with a weak son who shirks his honor and hides behind his mother!? That ungrateful boy!"
"I still need to get more information on those girls." Said Nabiki. "They've got to be hiding something…"
"Without Ranma, the future of the Anything Goes School is done for!" Soun wailed. "Waaah! Now he's being enchanted by a group of girls, and gaijins, no less!"
"I thought I taught the boy better than that." Said Genma between bites. "Some disciplinary re-education will be in order."
"I WILL get what Ranma owes me…" muttered Nabiki.
"THOSE SKANKS SHOULD JUST GO BACK TO WHERE THEY CAME FROM!"
THUMP!
All talking ceased at the sound of a bowl being slammed down on the table. The family was surprised as to whom the source of the sound was from.
"Please. Just. Stop." Said Kasumi in a slightly forceful tone.
"Kasumi?" said Nabiki.
"I do not wish to hear any more negativity against Ranma and his friends."
"What do you mean, Kasumi? We're only stating the facts here." Said Genma.
"I'm trying to look out for our futures, daughter!" said Soun. "For that, we need Ranma back here!"
"That's right! That's why we have to get him away from those evil gaijins!" added Genma.
"You don't know the whole story on them." Said Kasumi. "Ranma seems perfectly happy with his life. You shouldn't make such snap judgments and just leave them alone."
"Please, Kasumi. He is obviously being controlled." Said Soun. "You shouldn't meddle in things you don't understand."
"Yeah. No offense, Sis, but you're not very good at interacting with people." Said Nabiki.
"I have to agree, Kasumi." Said Akane. "You don't get out very much, so you wouldn't know anything about those sluts."
"Just leave this matter to us, Kasumi dear." Said Soun. "Your place is in the home. All you have to do is take care of the household like you usually do."
Kasumi's eyes narrowed at the comments uttered by her own family. She just couldn't believe how narrow-minded they could be. Sure, the Winx girls were magical in nature, but that didn't mean they were using their powers to control Ranma (that was more of a witch's style rather than a faerie's). Rather than trying to understand the Faeries, they instead go by their own assumptions of them simply because they were close to Ranma. Basically, any girl that's not Akane who's close to Ranma is considered a threat to Genma and the Tendos.
Another thing was that her family assumed she knew nothing. They figured Kasumi to be a completely oblivious person, ignorant to everything. They didn't know it, but that hurt Kasumi very much. She was starting to feel a rare emotion well up inside of her: anger.
WHAM!
Everyone became startled at the sound of Kasumi slamming her hands on the table with enough force to rattle the dishes.
"Is that what you all think of me? Just a mindless housemaid? I'm a person, too, you know!" said Kasumi.
"K-Kasumi?" said Akane.
"Ranma is also a person, not a piece of property! Is that all he is to you!? You claim to have his best interests in mind, but all you do is try to control him! If you really cared about him, you'd be happy for him instead of scheming to steal him away! And you don't know anything about those girls he's with! You only judge them simply because they're close to Ranma! I thought the engagement was supposed to be for Ranma and Akane's futures, but now I see it was just for your own personal benefits!"
"Don't you take that tone with me, young lady!" said Soun. "I'm trying to support the family here!"
"And what exactly did you do to support the family, Father? Ever since Mother died, all you ever did was mope around, leaving your own daughters to fend for themselves! Then you go and pin all hopes on Ranma marrying into the family, putting all your eggs in one basket, so to speak! Ranma didn't want this, yet you all try to force him! Are you saying that to ensure our futures, Ranma has to forsake his? That's just incredibly selfish! Is this how far we've all fallen? What would Mother think if she saw us now?"
"How dare you talk to me that way!" said Soun. "You're excused to your room!"
Kasumi stood up and walked towards the door. "That's just fine with me…" She stopped at the doorframe before adding in, "… and you can wash the dishes yourselves."
Soon after she left the dining room towards the stairs, Soun had realized his mistake in sending her away so soon. He looked at the table where all the dishes were, which were a lot. "Oh… just great…"
Kasumi's room…
Kasumi sits at her desk, still feeling angry about what had transpired.
'I cannot believe this! How can my own family be like this? Oh Mother, if you hadn't passed away, maybe things might've been different…'
For so long, Kasumi had been ignoring the bad things in everything, even if they were overbearing. She realized the imbalance in that now.
'Maybe Bloom is right. I've been caring for this family for too long I've forgotten to care for myself, and that's all they've been doing.'
She looked towards the slip of paper containing Bloom's cell number on her desk. Picking it up, she goes to her phone and started dialing. After a few rings, the other side picked up.
"Hello?"
"Hello… Bloom?"
"Kasumi? Oh, hey there! I didn't think you'd call me so soon."
"Listen, Bloom… is that invitation still open?"
"Why yes it is."
"That's good. I don't think I can stay with my family right now."
Bloom could sense where this was going. "I see. Just hold on. I'll be over soon."
"Thank you, Bloom." A few seconds after she hung up, Kasumi was surprised when a flash of light appeared behind her. When the light died down, there stood Bloom and Stella. "Oh my! That was fast!"
"You can thank Stella for that." Said Bloom. "She's quite good with portals."
"Got here in a blink, too!" said Stella.
"I thank you for coming. Now is probably a good time for me to leave home." Said Kasumi.
"Don't worry, Kasumi. We can have you situated at the Saotome home." Said Bloom.
"But first, you'll have to pack everything." Said Stella. "I suggest bringing your whole room."
"Huh? Bu that's impossible…" said Kasumi.
"Not for a faerie!" said Stella. She produces a small suitcase out of nowhere and places it on the floor. Placing her hands together, Stella creates a ball of light, which gradually grows bigger. "Dimensional Storage!"
The light orb flies upwards and bathes the whole room in light. Suddenly, all the objects in Kasumi's room started to levitate and orbit around the suitcase: her desk, chair, bed, nightstand, closet, clothes, and anything else that wasn't nailed down.
"Oh my… what a sight…" said Kasumi.
"It was the first time I saw it." Said Bloom. This sort of thing was considered trivial to her now.
All of Kasumi's things whirled around the suitcase before spinning into it. After the last object entered the suitcase, it closed up, with no change in its size. It seemed impossible for the little suitcase to have packed in an entire room's worth of belongings in itself.
"All packed!" said Stella.
Kasumi walked over to the suitcase and picked it up. Surprisingly, it didn't feel at all heavy. She looked around to see that her entire room was left bare as if no one had moved in just yet. "That was incredible…"
"That was nothing." Said Stella.
"All that's left is to go." Said Bloom.
"Hold on. Before that, I'd like to leave a note." Said Kasumi. "Wouldn't be right of me to leave without warning."
"Good point." Said Bloom.
Stella produces an envelope, paper and pen for Kasumi to use. She also creates a floating board of light for her to write on. Thanking her, Kasumi takes the paper and starts writing down her message to her family. Once she was finished, she placed it in the envelope and addressed it to the house tenants. Picking up her suitcase, Kasumi places the envelope in the middle of the now empty room.
"I'm ready." Said Kasumi.
"Then let's go." Said Stella. She opens up another light portal which envelopes the three girls. They vanished once the light died down. The only thing left in the room was Kasumi's letter.
Saotome Complex…
"We're back!" Bloom called out as she, Stella, and Kasumi entered the living room via light portal.
"Welcome back, girls!" greeted Nodoka. "Oh! Kasumi? It's nice to see you again."
"It is an honor to see you again, Auntie Saotome." Said Kasumi.
"Kasumi? This is quite a surprise!" said Ranma as he walked up to her.
"Hello again, Ranma." Said Kasumi. "It's nice to see you again, too."
"So what brings you here?" asked Musa.
"Troubles at home…"
"Oh Kasumi, I'm so sorry…"
"Would it be all right if Kasumi stayed with us, Nodoka-sensei?" asked Bloom.
"Of course it will be all right, dear." Said Nodoka. She looked over to Kasumi. Of all the Tendos, Nodoka thought the eldest daughter had the most sense. "Come with me, Kasumi. I'll help you get situated here."
Kasumi nodded and followed Nodoka up the stairs. It wasn't any problem for Nodoka to spell in an additional guestroom. She also had to help unpack her suitcase since it was magic that packed Kasumi's belongings in the first place. In a few minutes, her room has been created.
"I hope you have a pleasant stay." Said Nodoka.
"I don't know how to thank you enough…" said Kasumi.
"It is quite all right, dearie. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to prepare dinner."
"Um… would it be all right if I helped?"
"Oh, of course!"
They head downstairs towards the kitchen. They'll have to cook a lot more now. The Saotome Complex has gained yet another member.
Tendo Dojo, next morning…
Genma and Soun sat at the dinner table reading the newspaper.
"Hmmm… odd… Kasumi usually wakes us up for breakfast." Said Soun.
"Maybe you've gone too far in sending her to her room, Tendo." Said Genma. "She's probably still angry."
"Nonsense, Saotome!" said Soun. "Kasumi isn't the type of person to stay angry for too long. She'll get over it."
"Morning!" Akane called out as she came downstairs. She sat down at the table with Genma and Soun. She became confused at the sight of the empty table. "Huh? Where's Kasumi? Is she fixing breakfast?"
"I don't know. She usually has breakfast ready at around this time. " said Soun. "Just what is she doing?"
It was then that Nabiki ran into the dining room in a panic. "Everyone! Kasumi is gone!"
"WHAAAAAAAAT!?!?!?"
"When I went to check on her in her room, it was completely empty, and I mean EMPTY! Everything is gone! All that was in it was this letter!"
She takes out said letter and reads it.
'To my family and Mr. Saotome,
By the time you read this, I will be long gone. Past and recent events have opened my eyes to my life. I seem to have been nothing but a housemaid to you. I cannot live like that the rest of my life, especially when you're being so narrow-minded. Mother would've wanted me to pursue my own happiness. Therefore, I've decided to move out of the home. It's time for you all to grow up and take care of yourselves. If you wish to restore the family honor, you can do so without me. Like Ranma, I will not be forced into something I don't want. Do not try to get me.
Kasumi'
They couldn't believe what they had just read.
"WAAAAAAHHH!!! MY LITTLE GIRL'S RUN AWAY FROM HOME!!!" Soun wailed, tears gushing out everywhere.
"I told you that you went too far, Tendo!" said Genma.
"How could Kasumi leave us like this?" said Nabiki.
"I'm sure those sluts have something to do with this!" said Akane in her usual logic. Ironically, she was actually correct in her assumptions.
"WHERE HAS MY LITTLE GIRL GONE!? WAAAAAAHH!!!"
Saotome complex…
"ACHOO!"
"Ghesunheit."
"Thank you, Ukyou. Someone must be talking about me."
Currently, Kasumi was having breakfast with the complex residents, which consisted of the Saotomes, the Winx, Shampoo, Ukyou, and Sasuke. The eldest Tendo daughter could've sworn she heard her name being called from a long distance, but she brushed it off as just being her imagination. She needed to look forward and not back. Starting now, Kasumi will be living a different life. She's not sure what it'll bring, but it made her a bit excited.
To be continued…
Ending (Ranma ½ style, 'Friends')
Night falls over Nerima. Bloom, Stella, Flora, Musa, Tecna, and Layla are in their Enchantix modes, flying through the sky, then fly off into the distance. Two vertical spaces appear on either side of the city view.
Taoretekisou na biru no mori no sumi (On the edges of a building, forest, skyscrapers leaning as though to fall)
In the left space, Ranma walks in and stands in his kung fu outfit.
Hazumu koukyuu wo nomikonde kakureta (I hid from view, holding back my excited breath)
In the right space, Ranma-chan walks in and stands in her casuals.
Himitsu no roji wo surinuke (Threading a secret alleyway)
Yubisaki kasumenigeru furenzu (Friends fleeing, within fingertip-reach)
At each side, a magnifying box slowly scans Ranma and Ranma-chan from the feet up and go off-camera.
Tada no geemu ja nakatta (It was more than just a game: it was…)
Unmei sae kimeta n' da (Something decided by destiny)
The magnifying boxes come back down and focused on their heads, in which showed them on the wrong bodies. The misplaced heads look at the other in confusion. Sky comes in from the bottom and quickly grabs the boxes, then tosses them, reverting Ranma and Ranma-chan to normal. Sky quickly leaves.
Kaerimichi ni otoshita pan (Even if my trail of breadcrumbs)
Asufaruto de kudakete mo (Should be ground into the sidewalk asphalt)
At each beat, it shows Ranma and Ranma-chan taking different poses. At the last beat, Ranma was surrounded by the Specialist weapons while Ranma-chan was in faerie mode.
Senaka tataku kaze ga hakobu yo (The wind, which pushes me forward carries back to me)
Natsukashii ashioto soshite kimi no koe (The familiar sound of your footsteps as well as the sound of your voice)
Ranma takes a few swipes with the swords while Faerie-Ranma-chan fires a few spells. They then go behind the middle city view. In Ranma's space, glowing slash marks criss-cross. In Ranma-chan's space, flashes of explosions occur. Once they were clear, Ranma jumps up from below his space while Ranma-chan floated down from above her space. They both take a pose to the camera.
End ending
Preview…
Bloom: Our household seems to be getting even bigger now.
Tecna: With Kasumi and Sasuke, it makes twelve!
Stella: But on to important matters… the wheel!
Flora: The new weekend! What will happen this time?
Stella: Shampoo? I'd like to borrow something…
Ranma: What? This thing? Where do you plan to go?
Stella: You'll just have to wait and see!
Bloom: Next time, on Ranma Club, 'Splash! Stella's Time to Shine!'
Stella: Do you like what you see, Ranma?
Ranma: A gagagagaga…
Author's notes:
FINALLY! I'm done! This was a doozy to do. Sorry for being so late, but like I said before, my net time is now limited. Who knows when I'll get the next chapter out, hopefully by next month. Only two dates are left!
(1)Bloom accidentally flipped her omelet onto the kitchen ceiling fan and splattered on the school chef in the fifth episode of first season.
(2)One can assume that Sasuke tends to all the labor in the Kuno Estate, considering that no other servants are present there (smart people).
Dumbledork: I admit, this took me a while to do and think of.
Jerry Unipeg: Hmmm… not sure about that… a second villa, huh? Still, they'd rather stick around with their bonded Faeries. After all, they're on a world not their own.
7 Winds: Something I came up with after watching the 5th Pokemon movie.
TheLordOfPages1692: Oh man, I hope that doesn't happen. That'd be pretty cruel. Yeah, I know I'm the author, but still. ^_^
Kidcrud: Most likely. Remember that Ranma and the rest did go to Melody, Musa's world, during that Omake chapter.
Andrew9000: $6,000,000 Man? Please emphasize on it.
Bloomforever: Just trying to spread the word that the American fanbase got screwed. Plus, Domino sounds like a kingdom that fell (which did).
God of all: I'm trying. I'm far from finished! ^_^
OBSERVER01: Why thank you!
PEJP Bengtzone: That's a lot of info for me to take in. In any case, Akane's too hard-headed, and Kuno's too much of an idiot (Ranma-chan turned into Ranma while he was holding her and assumed Ranma used black magic. LOL). True, Musa looks Chinese and Japanese, and she also wore clothing of both kinds in the series (silk dress, kimono top, and getas).
Darkforce222: There's no shame in enjoying this story. It means I'm doing something right. Glad you like it!
Fmwave: The time will eventually come when I introduce Roxy and the Believix, but technically, I'm running season 3.5. Valtor and the Trix are still at large, and Mandragora hasn't been dealt with yet. Plus, without further information on the backstory of Roxy, or how the Believix came into being, and the origins of the Faerie Hunters and the current season 4 situation, there's not much I can do about it. That, and I can't understand a single word of Italian.
Rai vs. 4Kids Rant!
A stupid line change in Season 2 episode 8, Party Crasher (US: Party Monster).
Scene: Stella flirts with random Specialists.
4Kids:
Specialist: *Walks by* "Hey Stella!"
Stella: "Hiiii! You know, peeps, he was my fifth grade boyfriend!"
Brandon: "Sure! He was the one who told me all about your middle school nickname. Your hair was so frizzy, they called you Frizztella!" (Stupid… real stupid...)
Stella: "Ah!"
Rai:
Specialist: *Walks by* "Hi Stella!"
Stella: "Hi!"
Brandon: "Hmmm…"
Stella: "And that makes twenty-six Specialists!"
Brandon: "Well I scored twelve witches plus seventeen faeries for a grand total of twenty-nine. I win, Sunshine!"
Stella: "Ah! Hmph!"
Rai version's a lot funnier and not corny like 4Kids. It emphasized on Stella and Brandon's player natures, which make them perfect for each other. ^_^ Good thing Ranma didn't inherit that bit from him or he'd be in trouble
Scene: Digit chats with Tecna.
4Kids:
Digit gets Tecna to open up about her feelings for Timmy. Tecna said she had a dream about it and Digit wants to see using a program. Tecna's in a virtual world and sees Timmy. This was supposed to be a more romantic moment, but was ruined due to Tecna's narrating the "dream" and cutting it off soon.
Rai:
Tecna is a bit peeved that Digit managed to complete her side of the program code they were making. To get her mind off the loss, Tecna opts to try out the new software they developed (the virtual glasses). Tecna finds herself in the virtual world with Timmy. Notice that there is absolutely NO dialogue during this whole thing. When they jumped off the virtual building, they kiss in freefall (4Kids cut this part out for some idiotic reason).
Scene: Sky vs. Riven
4Kids:
Bloom: (wondering about Riven's tactics) "Can he do that!?"
Musa: "Sure! This isn't the foil fencing competition, it's the extreme fighting event!"
Stella: "So when did that become a sport?"
Digit: "Exactly three years ago."
Bloom: (after Sky kicks Riven's ass) "Great job, Sky!"
Tecna: "When is Timmy up?"
Digit: "Take a deep breath."
Sky: "Good fight!"
Riven: "Man, you always win! Everything comes easy for you! It's like everything just falls into your lap!"
Sky: "That is not true, Riven, and you know it!"
Riven: "Grrr…" (forced tone) "…sorry… good fight."
Sky: (surprised) "Huh?"
Rai:
Bloom: (wondering about Riven's tactics) "Oh! Was that legal!?"
Musa: "Barely, but yes. As long as the gas is intoxic, they can use bubble bombs."
Stella: "Then what was that green stuff?"
Digit: "Most likely sleeping smoke."
Bloom: (after Sky kicks Riven's ass) "Sky won!"
Tecna: "Those are the rules."
Digit: "You fall, you lose."
Sky: "Come on." (offers hand)
Riven: "I don't need your help! Must be nice being a prince, you spend your whole life learning from the best…"
Sky: "I couldn't have beaten you if I hadn't put in the work."
(Riven grunts and walks off in anger. Sky sighs.)
See you all next chapter!