Wild Stallion and The Mist

A Ranma Fanfiction

By Layabout Thomas

Based on the works of Rumiko Takahashi


Epilogue


A few days prior to the Culinary Combat Event…


A lone traveler, a boy in his mid-teens, walked on the streets of Nerima in the late afternoon. With two hands on the straps of his back-pack, the boy brooded, deep in thought. Many years ago, he had started this training journey and felt that with each passing day, he had gotten stronger and stronger. He could feel the strength he had acquired coursing through his body. But his journey was a lonely one and he often wondered about the family he had left behind and wondered if they even missed him or if they would recognize him even if they ever saw him again. But this boy, this black haired boy in a worn tan shirt, black pants and yellow bandana with black stripes, had a clear mission in mind and he didn't want to stop for anything.

The boy heard his stomach growling and blushed. Maybe his mission could wait for a bit.

Taking out his wallet, the boy opened it and saw that he only had a few small denominations, so he couldn't afford much. As he looked around, he spotted a nearby cart selling kaarage and other fried foods, plus it had a small table with some chairs. After inspecting the prices, the boy found that he could afford it and ordered some kaarage from the cook with a side of boiled beans and a lemon wedge. He sat down at the table and ate. For the boy, it had been a while since he had eaten kaarage this tasty, but kept himself from wolfing it down and savored the taste. As he leaned down on chair, he stared up at the afternoon sky and sighed.

"I wonder…where am I now?" the boy asked himself out loud.

"I'll have a order kaararge, double fried," a voice said.

"Same with me," another voice said.

"Coming up," the cook said as he began to prepare the food.

Two more customers had come in, this time two teen boys about the same age as the wanderer, though these two were wearing school uniforms. One boy had light brown hair and the other had dark brown hair. The two carried their school bags over their shoulders and seemed like they were friends for a while.

"Hiroshi, did you ever get that girl's phone number?" asked the dark brown haired boy.

"Naw, I struck out, Daisuke," Hiroshi answered, pouting. "Not my first rejection and it won't be the last."

"Man, you got to pull yourself together," said Daisuke, trying to cheer his friend up. "Listen, I'll pay for this snack. How about that?"

"I got the money, man," responded Hiroshi, shaking his head. "Besides, it's not like I'm going to spend it on a hot date."

"Can we talk about something else, Hiro? There's more to life than just girls."

"You only say that because you're like me, man. Face it, we always strike out."

"Order up!" the cook announced, handing the two teens their orders.

"Thanks," Hiroshi and Daisuke said gratefully as they took their food.

Though he didn't like to eavesdrop, the wandering boy listened to the two high school boys converse. It sounded like normal chatter about girls, school grades and what they wanted to do the next day or some such. The wanderer shook his head and tried to pay it no mind. This is what normal kids his age did and had fun doing it. As for him, the wanderer's life was just full of training, fighting and surviving. He didn't see himself as normal and hadn't felt like a normal person for quite some time.

"By the way, did you see the fight that happened?" asked Daisuke.

"How could I not?" Hiroshi replied with a smile. "It seemed like it took place all over the school! Kuno was really giving it all he got, but the new kid really gave it to him!"

"He really was something," said Daisuke, though he immediately frowned. "Shame I was on the losing side of the bet."

"Well, just remember to never bet against Ranma Saotome," Hiroshi laughed.

The wanderer stopped eating and stiffened. He immediately got up from the chair and went towards Hiroshi and Daisuke with a stare that frightened the two boys. The wanderer then grabbed Hiroshi by the collar, his face inches away from his.

"Hey, I don't want any trouble!" Hiroshi said nervously.

"Did you say Ranma Saotome!?" shouted the wanderer.

"Don't hurt me!" pleaded Hiroshi.

"Where is he!?" questioned the wanderer. " Where did the fight take place!? Answer me, damn it!"

"Furinkan High!" Hiroshi answered without hesitation. "He and Kuno fought all over the schoolyard! That's all I know!"

"Where's Furinkan High!?" the wanderer questioned with more intensity.

"Just a few blocks from here!" Hiroshi responded, sweating in fear as he pointed towards a direction behind him.

"Thank you!" Ryoga said as he let go of Hiroshi and ran towards the direction he was directed to…until he changed direction that took him nowhere near Furinkan High.

"Who was that guy!?" Daisuke asked as he saw the wanderer go.

"Whoever he is, he's going the wrong way," Hiroshi answered, adjusting his school uniform.

The wanderer kept on running with purpose. It had been a long time since he had heard someone utter the name Ranma Saotome with praise and it made his blood boil. For the wanderer, it had been many years since he had seen him and wanted to settle the score with him and now he felt close to his goal. He trained for many years and felt that now was as good a time as any for him to face Ranma again. He scowled and thought back to when he first met him and how over the years he suffered during his training journey. His hate for Ranma grew over time and now it was time to pay him back.

'I'll get you, Ranma Saotome,' the wanderer thought with vengeful purpose. 'I, Ryoga Hibiki, will make sure you don't run out like the coward that you are!'


Final Notes

And so ends this story. Anyway, many thanks to rewind gone nuts for helping edit this story over the years and I will forever be thankful for it. Finally, thank you to those who followed this story and my apologies for the many delays.

On another note, I've been thinking of turning this story into a fan light novel, complete with pictures. I already have two pieces of art by Celine Chapus.

Anyway, Ranma and Kasumi will return with many more adventures in...Old Acquaintances and Bitter Rivalries!

Be there!