“Oh... my... my GOD!!!!” Akane cried out from her bedroom, disturbing half of Nerima, especially one concerned pig-tailed boy. Ranma came plowing up the stairs in worry, and shock, crashing into Akane's room. She was standing in the middle of her room, staring at a simple piece of white paper, with a few English words scrawled on it. Ranma noticed the consistency of her gaze and his curiosity drove him to look at the paper. He couldn’t read it, and cursed himself for not studying his English.
“W-well, what is it?” Ranma wheezed, catching his breath and gripping his knees. His temples thumped like drums, echoing Akane's’ scream over and over. He was craving an answer.
“Ranma, do you remember when.. oh wait!” Akane smirked, and continued to gaze at the words, “you weren’t here when I was in grammar school now were you?!” she recalled and grinned, walking towards the door. Ranma placed a hand on her shoulder, and tightened his grip slightly. Akane glanced back, and noticed the confused expression on Ranma's’ face. “Oh, I should explain, hm? Well, when I was twelve, in grammar school they gave us these forms for our English class. We had to fill out a whole bunch of information on ourselves in English, it was really hard.” Akane continued, as she walked with Ranma down the hall. “I finished, and the teacher stuck my paper into an envelope with the others, and mailed it to the United States of America. What they had done was given our papers to American students our age, and they would write back to us.”
Akane stepped ahead of Ranma, and opened the closet door, and tugged at a box, which was obviously stuck under the shelves. Ranma assisted her, and they managed to pull the box out of the closet, both fell back hard, and sat up, and dusted off. “What does this have to do with the letter?” Ranma questioned, while he picked a clump of dust off the soft blue silk shirt.
“Well, a few weeks later, I got a letter in the mail from the United States.” Akane started again. “It was from a young boy, in San Francisco, California. It took me hours to translate his letters, but I managed to pull out what he was saying.” Akane stalled, they slowly picking up a brown photo album from the box. She blew the dust off of it, and opened it slowly, listening to the leather in the binding crack from sitting so long. “This is the first letter I ever received from him.” Akane whispered softly, pointing to the smooth, plastic-covered letter placed neatly on the page of the album. Akane read it aloud:
“Dear Ms. Akane,
Hi, my name is Garet Washington, I am twelve years old and I love karate. My teacher picked you especially for me, because she said we were “two-peas in a pod” or something. I hope you like me, you sound really cool. In your form, you said you fight a lot? I do too, especially with my sister.
She can sure be a pest sometimes. We are both brown belts in Shotokan Karate right now, but don’t tell her I said she isn’t that good. Well, I hope you write back, I’d sure like to hear from you!
Yours Truly,
Garet Washington”
Akane paused for a moment and thought about how she felt, when she first opened the letter four years ago. She could remember her fingers trembling at the edges of the foreign paper, as she sat in her desk chair, translating every word and phrase. When she finally finished, she read her Japanese version, and laughed at what her new found friend had said to her.
“A-KA-NE!” Ranma called for the sixth time, watching Akane shake out of her stupor. “Geez, finish the story okay?” he complained, looking off.
“Oh, sorry, well, I wrote back to him, as best I could, and after that we were consistent with our letters for two years! He wrote me about all his girlfriends, and I wrote him about.. never mind.” Akane halted, and Ranma looked over at her disarrayed.
“Who did you write about, Akane?” he asked, and tried to see her hidden expression. Finally, she stammered it out.
“I.. I wrote to him about Tofu-sensei..” she spoke quietly, “But we lost contact after that... when I was fifteen, I received a letter from him, saying he was studying to be come a black belt in Kempo, his third black belt... that was the last letter I got from him.” Akane stared down at the floor. “Then, when you came along, Ranma, I wrote to him one night, and now, three months later, I get this...” she smiled, and held the paper to Ranma's’ face.
“Akane...” Ranma spoke softly. “ I can’t read English, will YOU PLEASE TELL ME WHAT IT SAYS!?!” he yelled, annoyed with the dramatic build up. Ranma began to flick through the album at all the letters in the book. He couldn’t read much of it, only basic phrases, but the hand writing and drawings puzzled him. he poked up as Akane began to speak once more.
“Geez!” Akane shouted, shocked, but she read on. “It says,”
“Dear Akane,
I’m very sorry I’ve not written, I’ve been busy getting ready for my trip. I didn’t have the guts to tell you, I couldn’t find the words, but I’ll be staying in Japan for two months, to study Japanese language and culture! Can you believe it? This means I’ll finally be able to meet you, after all this time. I’ve saved all your letters, I’ll bring them along. I will be arriving in Japan on May 20th, can you meet me at your high school I guess in the late-morning or early-afternoon? Thank you, hopefully I’ll see you there!
Yours,
Garet Washington”
Akane finished, and then it struck her. What day was it? She turned to Ranma, who had already stared at the calendar.
“Akane, that would be tomorrow.” Ranma replied to her look. She walked down the staircase.
“Where are you going?” Ranma questioned, confused. He set the album back into the box and shoved it under the shelve, and closed the closet door, running to catch up with Ranma.
“Isn’t it obvious?”Akane declared, as she ran her fingers through her shiny amber hair. “I’m going to tell Dad that we are going to have a new guest.” she finished, and giggled, running down the remainder of stairs. Ranma slid down the bannister and caught up to her. He could already tell, that it was going to be a busy day.
“Well, I’m sure we can squeeze in one more, besides,” Soun began to laugh, “I’ve seen you reading those letters, Akane. How can I refuse my little girl?” Akane squealed in delight. Ranma was bewildered by her behavior. What the hell... he thought.
“Father, I’ll prepare the extra room, okay?” Kasumi smiled and began up the stairs with a bucket of hot, soapy water and a stiff scrub brush. Akane smiled and bowed to Kasumi.
“Thanks Kasumi, you’re a life saver!” she smiled, and ran up to her room. There was so much to be done! Ranma watched Akane as she ran around her room, and cleaned it from top to bottom. She put some fresh cut flowers in a vase to finish it off, and flopped down onto her bed, clutching the letter once more, and squeezing it to her chest. She was so content, finally she gets to see her pen pal! It’d been so long, and she’d sent him a picture as did he, but that was years ago.
“How am I going to know it’s him?” Akane thought to herself. She reached into her desk, and pulled out a small photo album, and under the last pocket, was a small classroom-style photo. It was a young man, with brown-orange hair, cut just above his ear. He had a slight tail growing in the back of his hair, not thick like Ranma's, but thin, and about four-inches long. His deep-blue eyes had caught the light just right, forming a sparkle at the edge. He looked so handsome, for a thirteen-year-old... She wondered how he looked now, if he was this nice looking now... Akane rolled onto her stomach, and grasped her pillow, taking in the scent of fresh linen. It was late, and her eyes shut, exhausted from excitement. Ranma knocked on the door, slowly cracking it open, he saw her, fully clothed sleeping on top of her covers. He picked her up, and threw the covers down, the softly, Ranma set her atop the first sheet, and covered her with the comforter. For a minute, he was lost in her beauty. When she wasn’t so mad, she could be so.. so cute. He could smell her soft scent from where he stood, like violets in the sun... he noticed the picture... Ranma got a cold shiver, and goose bumps formed on his arms. He turned away, and shut the light off in her room, and closed the door.
“AAAAAKKAKAAAAANNEEEE!!!” Kasumi called out from the base of the stairs, “Time to wake up!” Akane pulled out of her dreams, and slowly opened her eyes. Her body felt like lead weights were tied to her arms and legs, and she yearned for another hour of sleep. Something hit her inside, and told her to wake up. She dragged to her feet, and realized she’d fallen asleep before undressing. Akane felt gross, and went straight to the bathroom.
She undressed, and washed/rinsed herself off with the cold water, before allowing herself to sink into the heat of the tub. she lowered her shoulders to the water, and sighed in relief, relaxing and shutting her eyes. She let the water control her body. It felt good on her back and shoulders. She thought about the previous day, and soaked in the water for fifteen minutes, then walked out of the tub, and toweled off. Akane walked up to her room, and changed into a soft-white summer dress, and combed her hair at her desk. She put on her sandals, and wondered what time she should go to the school. Glancing at the letter again, she searched for a time. “late-morning or early-afternoon.” hmm... Akane glanced at the clock. It was 12:30 p.m.
“uh oh..” she thought, and realized she’d slept in. Ranma knocked on her door, and peered in, watching Akane frantically pull on shoes, and stood motionless as she ran out the door. “Back soon with Garet!” she smiled, and trotted out the door. Ranma couldn’t help but follow. Curiosity had taken over the previous night, when he saw the picture. He looked cunning.. and strong... By the time Ranma had caught up to Akane, she was panting, and had slowed her pace slightly.
“Geez, Akane, what’s your hurry, I mean, he DID say “early-afternoon” didn’t he?” Ranma asked, annoyed at the pace. Akane slowed to a walk, and wiped the sweat from her brow. Ranma also adjusted to her pace, while he ran along the fence. “So, uh, what kind of guy is he?” Ranma started, beginning the small talk.
“Well, I know he is a really good martial artist, at least I’ve been told such things, and he is pretty famous in the U.S.A. He’s won a lot of tournaments, and street fights.. I heard that he is as good as you, Ranma...” She lowered, and Ranma stood within her words. He’d not been beaten in a while, or even sparred. Ranma wondered if he was up to the standards, after all, he’d gotten lazy...
Ranma didn’t even see it coming. As the school approached in view, so did the end of the fence. Ranma took one step over the edge, and just as he realized what was happening, a hand grasped his leg, and threw him high into the air. Ranma flipped several times gracefully in the air, and landed softly, staring at the new enemy. His face was shadowed by the wall, although it was clearly light out.
“Hey! You’re not Garet!” the stranger said, lowering his gaze to Ranma. Ranma stood in pose, his stance strong, and Akane admired his posture, for the brief moment he was standing.
“What the hell did you do that for?!?” Ranma demanded, shocked by the suddenness of the throw. The stranger stepped out of the shadows. At first, Ranma had thought it was Garet, but now he was sure it wasn’t. He looked nothing like that photo. The stranger had short, bronze hair, tied back with a green bandanna. His face was twisted in an evil grin, and as he approached, knife scars tinted in the dirt on his face. “He’d definitely had his moment..” Ranma thought. The boy was dressed in a sweaty, dirty, wind-torn, tattered, brown shirt, and mud-stained cotton-white pants.
“Do YOU know Garet?” The stranger demanded, and replied to his own question. “Of course you do, after all, he IS staying with your family, right?” the boy finished, and glared at Akane. “So, this must be the little woman, hm?” The boy smiled evilly, and pointed to her. “It must be, because Garet never seems to shut up about her. Not even in the tournament.” he muttered. Akane thought for a moment, and angrily replied.
“Who are you calling a little woman!? What is your business with Garet?” Akane stipulated, getting into the strangers face. He was visually annoyed, and snapped his fingers. Another shadowy figure grabbed Akane, and held her in a full-nelson. “LET ME GO YOU CREEP!” she cried out, but couldn’t break the mans grip.
“Akane!” Ranma called, and turned his eyes to the stranger. “Give me Akane or pay!” he declared, glaring at the boy.
“no.” he simply said, and laughed. Ranma, letting his anger take over, launched a suicide attack, flying at the boy with a jump kick. He laughed, and stepped aside, as the Ranma crashed into the cement wall. He felt the blackness consume his mind, as he passed out. “A-akane...” he mumbled, closing his eyes.
“RANMA!!” Akane cried, and threw the guard off of her. She ran to him, and propped up his head. Changing her gaze, she glared at the boy, who was laughing, and rolling on the floor. Akane socked him hard in the face, and he immediately stopped his chuckling. A numbness spread from his cheek to his upper lip and nose, and he felt a warm stream of liquid run down his chin, and dribble onto his cheek. Anger fused in his arms, and he backhanded Akane hard.
“YOU IMPUDENT BITCH!” he screamed, as she fell to the floor. She noticed two feet on the fence, blurry but she knew what they were. They were running at a high speed towards her. The boy turned, hearing a rustling noise, and caught a fist to the jaw, and two kicks to the stomach. He fell instantly. Akane used the wall as a support as she stood and paced to Ranma, who was just now coming out of his fall. She placed her hand under his head, and looked up at the two boys.
“Jonah you little bastard.” The new boy spoke in a semi-deep voice, with a tremble of anger in the depths. “How dare you, hitting a woman...”
“Ah, well if it isn’t Garet, my good friend indeed.” Jonah smiled, wiping the blood from his lips. Akane’s vision was dazed. She nearly dropped Ranma, but looking up at the new boy was the true shock. She didn’t have time to elaborate on his looks, because they had already started to fight. It was almost instantly ended though. Garet immediately slammed Jonahs head into his fist, and then into the brick wall. He fell motionless to the floor, and Garet made sure he was out cold. His companions ran off, fearing his prowess. Garet directed his attention to the couple lying injured on the floor.
“A-are you okay?” he questioned, and looked at Akane. Ranma was too dazed to move. Akane couldn’t find the right words, she was too stunned. She’d dreamed of this day for so long, and now that it was happening, although twisted, she was at a loss for words. Ranma saw the next thing coming, but he couldn’t yell, no air left his lungs. Jonah pulled a switch blade out and crept up on Garet, and then, without warning, jabbed it into his back shouldlerblade as he turned, missing his mid-chest just barely. Garet was in shock, the pain didn’t hit him at first. Only his mind went numb, and then, thinking of the hollow noise, he cringed, and collapsed to the floor, grasping the floor. He was almost as helpless as a trapped mouse, the cat hovering above his prey.
“Bitch...” Jonah smiled at Akane, and raised his knife to bring it down on Akane. She was pinned under Ranma, and couldn’t move.
“Noooooo!” Garet cried, and used his last bit of strength to bear grab Jonah. The knife reinserted into his shoulder, opening another wound. A stream of blood traveled through the air, as Garet gripped Jonah's head and slammed it onto the concrete. It stunned Jonah, giving Garet enough time to crawl off him. He stared at the knife that was buried into his shoulder. Very carefully, he pulled it out, and retracted the blade. He realized how the floor around the couple and Jonah was covered with blood, but none of them were bleeding. He felt his back getting wet, and realized where the red fluid was coming from. He closed his eyes, and fainted.
“Garet! Hey Garet!” A female voice called, annoyed from a distance away. As she approached, the girl dropped down from the fence, and looked around. She adjusted her glasses, and let the scene focus in. Her brother, a boy and a girl, and Jonah. She already knew what had happened... “Garet, I hope you appreciate this...” she thought, and powered up her ki. At first, it was barely a whisper in the breeze, but very slowly, a blue haze formed around the girl, and she felt the ki kindle under her skin, and then explode, as she released it onto Jonah.
“YOU......ASSHOLE!!!” she cried, letting the ki combust from her hands and flood Jonah. Akane shielded herself, and Ranma covered her. It burned Jonahs clothing off, and threw him completely into the wall. The girl fell to her knees, sweat pouring down her face, and dripping onto her shirt. “better be grateful, dweeb.” she muttered and fell atop Garet. Akane picked up the girl, and Ranma struggled to his feet, and picked up the boy. They were light, and easy to carry. As they ran back to the house, Ranma knew that today was much more then it seemed, much more.