6. THE CURSE
"You look better, Ran-Chan ! Even much better !" exclaimed a beaming Ukyo as she watched him eat her okonomiyaki with appetite.
He put a big peace of food into his mouth and closed his eyes plus smiled as he chewed, visibly on Cloud 9.
"You bet I do !" he replied after swallowing. "Dr Tofu gave me a remedy to boost my cardiac rhythm, and the following day, as Kasumi was dropping in to hand him back a book she had borrowed from him, he gave her an herbal tea that helps relaxing the body and favourably influences sleep."
Then he chuckled as he remembered something.
"Eh ?" wondered the chief, raising a brow as she very slightly cocked her head.
"No, I was just remembering what Kasumi told me : that he was so troubled that he handed her several kinds of tea before actually giving her the correct one. She told me that he picked a new packet without looking, gave it to her while laughing awkwardly, rubbing the back of his head, then she read the label aloud and found out that it was for something totally different than sleeping issues, and handed him back to him. And this same scene happened quite a few times until he eventually found – by chance ! – the herbal tea I needed. And he kept apologizing all the time, laughing stupidly. I wish I had been there to see that !"
Ukyo joined him in his chuckles, imagining the poor doctor being utterly awkward in Kasumi's presence… well, as always, right ?
"Can I have another one, please ?" he asked her. "One with shrimps. I think I should have enough cash to –"
She instantly goggled at him.
"What ?! Are you crazy ?! You're not paying me ?! I offer it to you with pleasure ! I mean, you've been weakening for days, sleeping and eating problems, mood down… it's normal I help you get better with my cooking ! No bill for you, Ran-chan !"
"Yeah, but you always invited me, not making me pay, and it's not normal that, after all this time –"
She put her hand up to stop him.
"Forget it. I always enjoyed pleasing you and…"
But then she saw him avert his gaze, face gaining a red hue.
"Uh… yeah… hum…"
She then recalled her last words… and got the unintentional double entendre. Her face then turned redder than Ranma's and she looked down, nervously fiddling with her fingers.
"P-Pleasing you… with my food, right ?"
He gulped and briefly met the gaze she quickly cast at him.
"Right…"
The awkward silence stretched in time, the only noise being the sound of the new okonomiyaki sizzling on the hot surface…
… until …
"Miam miam ! What a delicious smell !"
The two embarrassed, red-faced teenagers almost jumped out of their skin and turned to the newcomers, Soraya and Akane.
"I can't resist ! I just can't ! Can I have one, pleaaase ? Pleasepleaseplease ?"
"Soraya, come on ! Slow down on food ! You're always eating something ! I once knew a girl, in primary school, she was called… Sasha*, I think… or something like that… and she was often seen eating just any kind of snack. I think I'll nickname you 'Sasha' if you continue pigging out that way !"
*This is a little wink of mine to SNK / ATTACK ON TITAN, anime that my children are currently watching. It's the final season and popular character Sasha Braus just got killed… and indeed, that woman was famous for being very regularly on food (and being a good snipper too) ! So this little mention here is like some kind of modest posthumous tribute to that cool character.
Soraya started to frantically gesture as she tried to defend herself.
"Okay, okay, I'll try to make some efforts, buuuuut Ucchan's okonomiyaki are so… so… so…"
"Divine ?" proposed the chef.
"Yep, divine ! Absolutely DI-VINE !" concurred the redhead.
"Thanks for the compliment. And to reward you for the kind words, this one will be free for you."
"Oh J-O-Y !"
Soraya rushed to sit and seized chopsticks, her focus entirely on the hot food that Ukyo had just finished cooking, her tongue wetting her lips in anticipation. That okonomiyaki was intended for Ranma, but Ukyo served it to his "sister" instead, who immediately began picking food and blowing on it to cool it down before greedily taking it in.
"You're impossible…" sighed Akane, as she took a seat next to her fiancé, and turned her attention to the latter : "Are you feeling alright, Ranma ?"
"Yeah, better, actually. Less tired. Even my appetite returned, which is an encouraging sign."
Both then stared blankly, sweatdropping, at Soraya, who had begun wolfing okonomiyaki down, as if there was a food shortage (or if one was going to take place).
"Well, not as much as appetite than a certain someone…" he said on a half-ironic half-embarrassed tone.
"I hear' 'at !" Soraya exclaimed, mouth half full.
"I know you heard that, but maybe you should actually show it in your actions… such as eating less, ya know…"
The redhead's speech got intermittent as she continued eating all the time she talked.
"Not my fault… if I'm hungry... and Ucchan's okonomiyaki... are so good… now eat your stuff… and quit bothering !"
He grumbled at her, while Akane shook her head and Ukyo awkwardly smiled, a drop of sweat rolling down her temple, before regaining her composure and addressing the siblings :
"At least, it's a good thing to see you two enjoy my cooking, eat with appetite and get along better, instead of arguing. I'm happy."
(…)
The following day, Soraya woke up with bellyache and all of them thought that this was the unwelcome consequence of her "eating spree"… and so did she, at first.
But then she noticed something during her morning shower and knew she had to run some urgent errand that very day.
Since this was Saturday, there was no schedule constraint – i.e. school – to make it more complicated for her : she had all the time needed and could directly go to the minimarket, a few streets away.
"Gotta go buy something. Later !" she screamed as she hurriedly exited the house.
Just as she quickly walked through the portico giving access to the Tendo residence, she came across the other Saotome family members.
"Oh, morning, Soraya ! Are you also going out for some exercise ?" asked a smiling Genma.
"Uh, no, I'm just going out to buy a few things…" she replied as casually as she could.
Ranma smirked.
"Food, maybe ?" he mischievously asked.
"Not necessarily !" she instantly retorted.
"Then what ?"
She hesitated.
"I have to check. I don't have a shopping list right here in my head." And she pointed a finger at her temple for emphasis.
He raised a brow, still smirking…
"Yeah yeah…"
…but didn't insist.
She vaguely grumbled under her breath yet didn't add anything, resuming her walk instead.
About twelve minutes later, Soraya was at the minimarket and went straight to the aisle where the necessary item she needed was stored. But once she had got it…
I can't go back with that only. If someone asks me what I bought and I have just this…
Yes, it could get bad. Or rather : embarrassing.
She therefore decided to purchase a few other things – apples, soy beans, milk – in order to cover it up. Not that she felt guilty (maybe slightly ashamed though…), but still…
As she walked back home, the redhead felt that the pain in her abdomen had increased, which made her wince and grit her teeth.
She actually wished that it had been due to excessive eating, coz perhaps it would be less painful then ?
And it would only get worse, unfortunately.
Tomorrow will be the worst…
Yes, based on what she knew, it would probably be.
(…)
"Oh, you ran errands, dear Soraya ?" Kasumi asked on a tone of pleased surprise, as she watched the girl put the items on the kitchen counter.
"Yes, I heard you say yesterday that you needed soybean, and perhaps milk too. So I remembered it…"
…when I had to go buy my stuff…
"How much do I owe you ?"
"Oh, nothing. Or maybe only a good dinner for the whole family. I'm already hungry about it ! Almost drooling in anticipation !"
"There's still something in the bag, no ?" inquired Nabiki, who had noticed that said bag wasn't completely empty, although the redhead was ready to take it away.
Soraya slightly jumped and turned to the bobcut girl.
"Yeah, I just… bought a little something that I needed…"
"Don't tell me it's snacks again !" the second sister exclaimed on a reproachful tone.
This made the Red Pigtail briefly grit her teeth before quickly sighing to defuse her anger.
"Ok, I've been nibbling between meals, granted, but this is not a snack. It's not even food. Only… only something for me… something I need…"
She bit the corner of her lip and lowered her gaze, clearly uneasy… then winced and moaned as the pain stabbed at her again.
"Kasumi, do you have a hot water bottle ?" the redhead asked in a pained voice.
"Yes, of course. I'll prepare you some hot water. But please sit down for a moment, I can see you feel bad…" immediately replied the family's "mother" as she went to open a kitchen cabinet.
"No, it's ok. I have to go upstairs right now to… do something. I'll be back in a few minutes."
Nabiki thoughtfully observed Soraya then smiled at her.
"I know what you need so badly and went to purchase. Your bellyache, slight uneasiness just before and hot water bottle request tell me everything I need to know. You should take some painkillers too. I have some, I'll give them to you."
The mouth of Genma's "daughter" opened in a perfect 'O', and after a short moment, it turned into a smile, returning the gentle one the bobcut girl was offering her.
"Thank you, Nabiki."
"Don't mention it. Female solidarity." Followed by a wink.
Soraya followed the second sister to the stairs, but as she put her foot on the first step, pain briefly increased and she stopped, putting her hand on the banister.
The very hand that held the plastic bag containing the item… and which, under the effect of the pain, briefly opened, dropping the bag.
Ranma, who was coming from the living room, noticed this and swiftly picked up the bag.
"So, what new snack did you bring back, glutton sister ?" he mockingly said as he pulled a box out of the bag.
"GIMME THAT, DUMBASS !" shouted an incensed Soraya.
"Soraya ! What's going on ?" screamed Akane, who came running from the living room.
The boy's eyes lit up as he saw the picture on the box.
"Ah ah, sanitary pads, eh ?" Ranma laughingly said.
"GIVE IT BACK ! RIGHT NOW !" the redhead yelled, wincing a bit as she felt the pain return with more intensity, as she threw herself at him.
"Didn't I say you could be bloody annoying ?" he poorly joked, taking the box away from her incoming hand.
"You have to come get it, period !" he continued, his nasty puns piquing her badly and arousing her wrath.
"SHUT THE FUCK UP AND GIVE ME THAT ! NOW !"
He avoided her and kept the pads at bay, laughing stupidly at her distress.
Fury finally exploded inside of her, a long primal scream echoing inside the house as she suddenly moved very rapidly, catching him by surprise.
A powerful kick landed in his belly, throwing him backwards against a wall.
"SORAYA, NO !" shouted an alarmed Akane as she stretched out her arms, as if about to come between them.
But the livid pigtailed girl didn't cease her onslaught, blinded by her rightful rage.
Ranma didn't have the time to properly stand back up from the wall, as Soraya cast a terrible punch, in his belly again, which got him winded… and he let go of the private item.
Soraya picked up the box of sanitary pads and violently hit the top of his head, which made him collapse.
Nobody dared to intervene, for fear of becoming the new target of the fuming female.
The Red Pigtail gave a quick glance at the Black Pigtail, who was gasping for air, curled on the floor, and curtly told him :
"At least you know that I'm not pregnant, now, and you don't have to joke about it anymore."
Then she briskly kneeled in front of him and, grabbing him by his collar, she shook him violently for a moment as she half-screamed :
"But you'd better not joke about my periods again either, or I swear I'll beat the crap outta you, rude moron that you are !"
"Please stop !" exclaimed Akane as she kneeled by Ranma's side and protectively put a arm in front of her fiancé.
Only then did Soraya release her grasp on him, pushing him back roughly with a disgusted look, before getting up.
Turning to Nabiki :
"I'll come see you in a minute for those painkillers, just have to use one of these" – she lifted the pads box – "now that my clever brother spilled the beans !"
Turning to Kasumi :
"Thanks for the hot water bottle, I'll come get it after the painkillers !"
And with that, she went upstairs. Nabiki, after glancing one last time at Ranma, who was trying to get back up, followed her.
Akane crossed her arms, frowning, and without even looking at the black-haired boy, she scolded him :
"You got it coming, Ranma ! You were very disrespectful here ! Girls are very sensitive to anything relating to their… monthly burden, and you boys should never ever joke about it or lighten up about it ! It's very painful and unpleasant, far from funny, and you should on the contrary sympathize and comfort us ! Imagine if YOU had to go through all that each damn month ! But you guys are so insensitive, so rough and coarse… That will teach you a lesson !"
And turning on her heels, she stormed away, very disappointed, leaving him completely alone.
(…)
The next days, Ranma visibly regained energy. His vitality was close to its normal level, and although his mood wasn't always good – Soraya and him basically ignored each other, none of them willing to forgive… or even forget - , he still appeared much better than the past weeks. And even returned to school.
At the same time, Soraya weakened some, eating less and feeling grumpy, gloomy. She didn't exactly behave harshly to others but was simply far less talkative than before and endured her temporary condition the best she could, wincing, gritting teeth, cursing the female burden. The three sisters were particularly considerate to her and did their best to help her deal with her "ordeal", but one man also comforted her and tried to be as nice as possible.
"Thank you so much, Ryoga. But… why are you that sweet with me ? I mean… I've not always been that gentle with others, I admit it, so what makes you feel sympathy for me ?" Soraya asked him one day.
"You haven't been that tough to others. With Ranma, yes, and you two are "stormy siblings", but not with the rest of the family. Hum, you've also been rough with Ranma's suitors, alright. And Cologne too, that evening she came to our place. But that's because you meant to protect Akane and Ranma's couple, and that was generous of you. But you've been nice to our family… and to me. And even took my defence. I'll never forget that, and that's my way to thank you : by supporting you."
She gently smiled, despite the pain, and he returned her smile.
But after a week's time –a long time for the redhead, who was impatient to end that unpleasant yet unavoidable experience – things got reversed and took the same turn as before…
Soraya, as if willing to get back the strength / energy she had lost during those past days, restarted her eating spree, shovelling food in her mouth at mealtimes, buying additional stuff at school after she had finished her bento box, getting some snacks between meals and even imitating her "brother" regarding his bad habits of getting free food from boys interested in her… which attracted her critics from both Ranma and Akane, but that she nevertheless dismissed.
Ranma, on his side, suddenly experienced rough nights again, tossing and turning, and his appetite significantly decreased once more, inducing a new weight loss and, soon enough, drowsiness that got him punished again at school, after several naps on his desk… everything just like before.
Akane had well noticed the two changes – first, Ranma regaining energy while Soraya lost some, and now the reverse effect –and this comforted in her conviction.
There is clearly a connection between their energies : when one strengthens, the other weakens, and vice-versa. But how come this happens ? Why are they not fully independent from each other ?
Nabiki once voiced Akane's deduction in her own terms :
"Soraya got stronger while Ranma got weaker, then things got reverse during her "monthly burden" : she lost energy while he regained some. And now that her intimate ordeal is over, she's regaining her strength and appetite while he's losing his again. It's the principle of communicating vessels.
"The what ?!" asked a puzzled Ryoga, an eyebrow raised, as he listened to their conversation.
"It's a principle that relates to interconnected elements…" She stopped as his expression got even more confused, if that was possible. "Okay, okay, put simply : the energies of Ranma and Soraya seem to be connected with each other, and when one of them increases, the other decreases… or the other way around. When Ranma loses energy, Soraya gains some, and when she loses energy, he gains some. Got it ?"
"Now yes. But how come their energies are connected ?" he insisted.
"Well, they are both parts of the same individual, so… that makes sense !" Akane pointed out, before looking at Nabiki : "Right ?"
The most clever Tendo thoughtfully caressed her chin.
"It seems so. But I'm not sure… It's still strange. There might be another explanation, yet I can't figure out which one…"
(…)
The condition of Ranma worsened enough that, one morning, he simply wasn't even able to get up, feeling terribly…
"…weak. But weaker than I've ever been, you know…" he told them all in a languid voice.
"You should eat more. It's vital to eat, and you don't do that enough !" remarked Soraya.
He ignored her.
Soun closed his eyes and sighed.
"That's not wrong… but there's more in life than just eating."
Genma nodded solemnly.
"But what will we do then ? My poor boy cannot even stand up !"
Akane's expression changed, a determined look replacing her worry.
"I think Ranma must get examined by someone who has the best medical knowledge there is. Dr Tofu is experienced, but I don't think he's the person who can help at best. We need someone who knows more and has more solutions to offer."
She got up, left the room, went downstairs and made a phone call.
But when asked who she had been calling…
"You'll see…" she enigmatically replied, before returning to Ranma.
About 40 minutes later, a certain elder presented herself at the front door.
"Cologne ?" Genma asked.
"Good morning, dear Cologne, and welcome to you !" greeted Soun.
"Good morning to all of you !" replied the centenary. "Akane told me that Ranma was doing pretty bad, so I came as quickly as I was able to, after a few recommendations to Shampoo and Mousse."
Soraya, who was eating another of her chocolate bars, couldn't help smirking.
"How did you manage to make her stay over there, when it was all about Ranma's health ? She must have insisted to rush here, no ? And be very disappointed that she couldn't ?"
Cologne frowned at the girl, who obviously relished about Shampoo's absence.
"Wipe that smug smile off your face, child. And Shampoo had to stay to help Mousse : there is a lot of work at the Neko Hanten and the lad is not the deftest waiter I have seen around, so there is no way he could make it alone. Now keep quiet and let us get to the heart of the matter : we do not have time to waste here. I need to check Son-in-law."
"Stop calling him that, will ya : he's n-"
"Soraya, please…"
Surprised by the intervention, the pigtailed female turned to face… Nabiki, who was slowly shaking her head at her, and as the redhead questioningly raised a brow, the brunette replied by a finger over her mouth that left no room for doubt.
The vivacious teen opened her mouth to protest, but the stern look she received from the second Tendo managed to convince her.
Okay, okay, I'll keep it shut… for now !
Cologne gave a look to that fiery redhead before proceeding to examine Ranma, and as she did so, she listened to the summaries given by the various family members, mainly Akane and Nabiki actually, but with interventions from Soun, Ryoga and Genma. Kasumi, as for her, didn't speak at all, appearing troubled, saddened by the current situation, her worried eyes set on the weak boy lying not far from her.
The elderly woman then raised and stretched her arms, with her left hand directed at the Red Pigtail while the right one was turned to the Black Pigtail.
Her eyes closed and all could feel her intense focus on both "siblings".
A yellow aura faintly glowed around her as she deepened her analysis, a frown creasing her wrinkled forehead.
There was neither movement nor sound of any kind for long, long seconds, as all held their breath and didn't even dare to change position, their eyes literally glued to the tiny yet powerful lady who stood motionless in the centre of the room.
Finally, after what seemed like forever, she slowly lowered her arms and reopened her eyes.
"Akane, you told me over the phone that Ranma had been affected by a decrease in energy while Soraya had experienced an increase of her own energy, and told me there probably was a connection between both. You are right : while my eyes were closed, I could inwardly feel both their energy sources before me… and most interestingly, the movement of the flux between them. And that flux travels from Ranma to Soraya !"
At that point, she ceased talking to let the info sink into their brains… with the deduction that would ensue, at least for those who had got it correctly.
"Are you… are you saying…" started Ryoga, unable to pursue though.
"Soraya is absorbing Ranma's energy. That's what it means, right ?" Nabiki asked, but not so much to get an answer : she already knew she was right, and the purpose of her question was only for the others to be informed as well, to get aware of the same thing as her.
"I'm afraid so…" Cologne confirmed on a mixed tone of sadness and worry.
All looks converged to the same person and lingered on her.
Soraya gulped, her nervous glance shifting from one to the other, a single thought screaming inside her brain :
They're condemning me !
"So she's… like some kind of vampire ? But a vampire sucking out energy instead of blood ?" ventured Soun, his stare shared between horror and disgust.
The venerable elder spoke up to explain what she had understood :
"I think I now realize the nature of the curse that those malevolent siblings cast on Ranma after he fought them in the park : whatever he swallowed did unlock his female part from his body and allowed it to exit said body to gain a life of her own… but it also granted that female part with a power of… of energy absorption, we could say. She is draining his energy, and if nothing is done to reverse it or cancel it… Ranma will be totally voided of any energy. You easily guess what that implies."
Genma could no longer keep it inside of him, and before anyone could react to Cologne's explanation, he burst out :
"YOU'RE KILLING MY BOY ! THOSE BLOODY SIBLINGS SENT YOU TO KILL HIM !"
His mad stare "nailed" Soraya right where she was, and for a moment, that girl who clearly had the gift of the gab – being part of Ranma, who himself had it in the first place – was left speechless, her blue eyes filled with sheer incomprehension… and maybe even what appeared to be terror, or at least a deep fear.
Then her indignation surged up inside her brain and, rising from the depths of her mind, it broke the calm surface of the "lake" that symbolized her temporarily paralyzed thoughts.
"NO, I WASN'T SENT BY THEM !" she yelled back. "I'M NOT STEALING HIS ENERGY ! I… I DON'T KNOW WHY HE GOT SO WEAK LATELY, BUT I SWEAR I'M NOT DOING ANYTHING TO HIM !"
"But then, why did Cologne say that she saw some energy flux travelling from Ranma to you ?" wondered Akane.
That was a tough blow to the redhead. It wasn't willingly hurtful, of course… and yet it did hurt.
"I DON'T KNOW, I DON'T… I…"
"Please calm down, Soraya." Cologne gently told her. "You should not –"
"I should not what ?" hissed the female half, who still had lowered her voice a bit. "I should not WHAT ?! Ah, you must be happy now, seeing the red-haired brat who angered you be entangled in such a mess, with everybody casting her a foul look…!"
"Soraya, we're not accusing you or blaming you !" Nabiki quickly pleaded.
"Ah no ?! And what did your looks mean when they all turned to me at the same time, uh ?! You weren't angry at me then ?!" she vehemently added, pointing her finger right at the second sister.
"Soraya, please, don't be offended ! We're only trying to und-"
But Ryoga couldn't finish his sentence, because in the look she gave him, he could not only see a frustrated rage, but also… fear.
Hidden underneath the layer of thorns of her wrath was the dark, restless current of a deep fear meandering through her.
Fear of being rejected, of becoming an outcast.
And perhaps even, possibly unconsciously, the fear that Cologne was right… and that, although she did nothing to hurt her "brother", she was still the cause of his growing weakness. Totally unwillingly, of course, but still…
And what Ryoga also saw, as her distressed stare locked with his pleading eyes, was… a trouble inside her eyes.
A change in them.
They had got shiny…
Oh my God, she's on the verge of crying…
But time for him to think this and her voice completely changed as she fought to explain herself, tears now overflowing and rolling down, emotion breaking her speech apart.
"I… I don't get it… I don't want to hurt Ranma… we've had tough times, but… but I would never… do that to him… I don't… I don't want him to… to die… I'm not like this… I'm… I'm not a vampire… sucking out his energy… I swear… I would never…"
Her voice broke and she furiously wiped away her eyes.
"I'm sure you are not doing it on purpose, Soraya…" Cologne gently told her as she moved forward. "You don't want to do it. But those siblings cursed you and are somewhat using you to get to Ranma. The substance he swallowed certainly had a property that relates to energy absorption, but of course you could not be aware of that and have no control over it. That substance has altered your body and turned it into an energy magnet… or more accurately : a magnet for Ranma's energy only, since he is the only one affected by the curse. No one else got any weaker here, only him… because they want to exert their revenge on him only. You are not doing anything on purpose, Soraya, but your body contains the curse induced by that mysterious substance and is acting independently from your own will. You cannot change it, and we must find an external cure to this. But once again, that energy absorption is none of your doing, and definitely not your fault."
The long-haired elder was looking reassuringly at the red-haired teenager, all tension forgotten… at least on Cologne's side.
Things could have turned out better, and maybe they would have, but…
A faint mutter could be heard.
All heads turned to Ranma who had opened his eyes and was now trying to prop himself up on one elbow.
"No, don't try to move, Ranma ! Just lie down and get some rest ! You're too weak !" Akane immediately "instructed" him, putting her hand on his chest.
But he didn't obey and managed to rest on one elbow, before repeating, a little louder this time, what he had muttered the first time.
"Leech…"
"What did you say, Son ?" asked Genma.
"Leech… that's what you are… "Sister"… a leech… draining me from… my life… Kay and Os got… their revenge…through you…" Ranma weakly said with effort.
Soraya was goggling at him, her heart and mind torn between rage… and panic.
She nervously looked all around her, very quickly, barely stopping a second on each face, and although none of these faces showed any sign of accusation… that's still what she saw on them !
"NO ! I'M NOT A FUCKING LEECH ! I'M NOT WITH KAY AND OS ! AND THEY'RE NOT USING ME ! THAT'S NOT TRUE ! I'M… I'M NOT AN ENEMY… I'M… I…"
"We know you are not an en-"
"SHUT UP !" yelled Soraya, cutting Cologne and giving her a death glare. "ALL OF THIS IS YOUR FAULT ! YOU TOLD THEM THAT I ABSORB HIS ENERGY, AND NOW THEY HATE ME ! IT'S ALL YOUR DAMN FAULT !"
"They don't ha-"
"SHUT UUUUP !"
The redhead raised her arm, fist balled, ready to strike.
"SORAYA ! NO !"
The pigtailed girl jerked her head to the side… and her wet eyes met the wet eyes of Akane.
Both girls felt tears slowly trail down their cheeks as they looked at each other.
Time seemed to have stopped.
Then Soraya turned back to the front and took off, hurrying into the hallway.
"NO, WAIT ! SORAYA !" Cologne screamed, but the sound of the front door being opened was the only answer.
"I'll get her !" quickly said Ryoga as he left the living room just as fast.
"She must not go anywhere ! We might need her to reverse the curse !" explained the old Amazon, but before she could say any more, a female scream could be heard, almost immediately followed by two male screams : Ryoga calling out Soraya's name !
Nabiki wasted no time and rushed to the outside, ready to help.
Genma and Soun followed, but Akane didn't move : she had collapsed by Ranma's side and was weeping, as she held her beloved's hand in her own, and Kasumi had gone to her side to comfort her. The boy, as for him, was now lying with his eyes closed.
There was a moment of silence, Cologne and Kasumi pricking up their ears, Akane still too shaken to do so and trying in vain to stop crying…but no sound came from the outside.
Cologne was about to join the others…
…when Nabiki came back in, followed by both fathers, and as she stopped in the living room, she briefly glanced at her sisters before settling her gaze on the elder :
"Soraya left, hopping away on the rooftops, and Ryoga followed her. I hope he doesn't lose track of her, or else he will get lost and won't be able to even come back here, with is sense of direction… and we'll have two problems instead of one !"
Cologne sighed deeply.
"The main concern remains Soraya. We absolutely have to find her, because I'm not sure I can cure Ranma without her. I have to check in my books for a magic formula to control energy flows, and a way to reverse an energy transfer if need be, but should I find it, I need to verify is the spell can be performed only on one of the persons involved, or if all have to be present."
She looked at the seemingly unconscious Ranma, then at Akane.
"If the presence of all affected by the energy transfer is required for the spell, then we will have no choice : Soraya will need to be there as well, which is why we must find her !"
Her eyes narrowed.
"And if she cannot be found, and we are then unable to perform the magical spell before his energy runs completely out, then…"
Cold sweat and shivers abruptly invaded their paralyzed bodies, their minds equally frozen by the dark perspective…
(…)
(…)
Finally finished, Folxxxx !
There was more waiting this time, due to my holiday week in Malta (a more than welcome break, all in all) and my lack of time the past week. But it's completed at last. Thanxxxx for your patience !
So we finally find out about the nature of the evil siblings' hex : "energy vampirism", if I can put it that way. Kay and Os did not just split Ranma's halves, but actually cursed the female half so that she would unconsciously kill her "brother" by voiding him of all his energy. A long agony for him in perspective… unless a cure or counter-spell can be found.
Which brings us back to Cologne, who will have an important role in the current course of events. Oh, and she was right regarding Soraya : the latter isn't aware that she carries inside of her the curse of the siblings, and that these two are using her to get to Ranma. Pretty ironic, by the way : our hero being killed by… a part of him ! That's somewhere between manslaughter and suicide, somehow, don't you think ? Pretty twisted indeed, I admit. ^^'
Another point to mention : the scolding paragraph of Akane to Ranma (regarding boys' lack of respect and sympathy to girls during their "monthly burden") does reflect my opinion on the matter, and while I despise those rude males who dare joking about female trouble, I do offer ladies all my support and sympathy for that terrible (and unfortunately recurring) moment of their lives.
Oh, and sorry for profanity (dumbass, STFU, fucking), but while I dislike using it, it can alas be necessary – or considered so - when trying to reflect the utter rage of a character.
I would like to thank the usual people – readers, followers, "favoriters", reviewers – as usual, but a special thanxxxx goes out to Arianne Luna for her unfaltering interest and support, much appreciated indeed. Kudos also to Ethane982 for favoriting, and to James for the encouraging words.
I still have a few days of vacation left, and hopefully I can at least start next chappy, which I will try to write as regularly as I'm able to, and here's my gratitude to you for your patience and good vibes. You rock, guys !
Be happy, happy, as happy as you can possibly be !
) Léo (