My Apologies for taking a while to get this to the list,
but it was very difficult to write. I'll be releasing
all four parts over the next few days, so if you
happen to miss one, let me know and I'll mail it
direct. A lot happens in this series, so you need to
see it all. This is, as with the previous Series, based
heavily on events and situations from the preceeding
stories, which are available on my Web Site:
http://www.oocities.com/coutuva
As always, C&C is anticipated, accepted, and appreciated.
All original Ranma1/2 Characters and Backstory Copyright
Rumiko Takahashi, and are used without permission.
Please Enjoy.
Coutuva.
The Death of a Dream - Part 1
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Kikyo stood before the dining table, looking over the
array of handguns she had just neatly laid out. Each one shined
like the day it was made, even though some of them were
50 years old.
As she looked them over, her hand reached over and gently
touched the odd one, enjoying the feel of the polished, precision
machined steel. Sighing, she shook her head as she picked up her
pristine example of a wartime german Luger.
"Kiko-chan? What's the matter...?" Hitomi asked as she
walked over, noting her girlfriend's strange expression.
"I guess there's no way to avoid it, ne Anata?" she
responded, absently inspecting the weapon in her hand.
"Ano... Avoid what?"
"Letting these go," she sighed, starting to feild-strip
the Luger. "It won't do to have them in the house once the baby
is born, and it may take time to get good prices for them. Some
of these are pretty rare, and I wouldn't be just giving them away,"
she indicated, her voice quieting as she continued.
Hitomi bit her lip as she listened, while Kikyo finished
disassembling the weapon and placed the last part on the table.
The sight gave her an idea.
"Kiko-chan?"
"Hai?
"3, 2, 1... GO!" she exclaimed, using her watch as a timer.
Kikyo, reacting from habit, instantly grabbed at the parts
before her and began to reassemble the weapon. Shampoo, watching
from a few feet away, was impressed by how fast she could maneuver
the intricate parts.
"Done!" she announced, slapping the finished weapon on
the table and raising her hands.
"Yattai! Eight seconds! You're geting better, Kiko-chan!"
Hitomi clapped, throwing a hug around her.
"Well, still not fast enough. There was a girl in my Unit
that could do that in six, and I still... Wait a second!"
Hitomi grinned.
"You set me up, didn't you?" Kikyo complained, eyeing her.
"Sorta. I was confirming my suspicions. You don't really
want to part with those, do you?"
"Ano... Iya, Hitomi-chan. But I know how easy it is for
things to happen. And the best way to keep them from happening
is to get rid of the hardware," she responded, sighing again. "I'll
hate to do it -- I spent a lot of years building this collection,"
she added sadly, picking up and cocking the Luger, pointing it at
the window and pulling the trigger. "But, there are more important
things, ne?" she added, looking down at her tummy and placing her
free hand on it.
"You don't have to give up on them, Kikyo-san. I know a
way you can keep them locked up safe and still use them easy."
Shampoo announced, walking up.
"Huh? How would I do that?" she blinked, turning to regard
Shampoo questioningly. Hitomi widened her grin, but made no comment.
"Baka ne. Like this!" the Amazon quipped, pulling out
one of her swords. "These are not stuck to me -- they are actually
in a safe place back in China. 'Hammerspace' lets me get to them
from anywhere, remember?" she continued, regarding the sword in her
hand.
Kikyo's eyes widened slightly. "Do you think... I can?"
she asked, raising a hand to her gaping mouth.
"We can find out," the Amazon grinned, with wink at Hitomi.
An hour and a half later, Kikyo stood before the couch in
frustration, arms crossed in front of her.
"Don't *try* to make it happen. All you have to do is
think about what thing you are needing, and it will be in your
hand," Shampoo repeated earnestly, pulling one of her swords
from behind her again.
"Feh; I guess I'm just not supposed to be able to do
that, Lin-san," she puffed, bending slowly to pick up the gun at
her feet. "This 'hammerspace' thing must be unique to Nerima," she
added, crossing her arms again.
"Iya -- there are others who can use it, too. Akane
started when she was very young -- soon after her mother passed.
I started after I became cursed, and I'm from China."
"Maybe it has to do with something big happening in a
person's life. You know, some kind of trauma," Hitomi mused
from her seat on the couch, skritching her head thoughtfully.
"I can't use it either, so that might be it," she added,
regarding Shampoo expectantly.
"Hitomi-chan, if anyone qualified, it would be you,"
Kikyo smirked, nodding. "Well, in either case, I'm still no
further ahead," she observed, settling to the couch.
"Don't worry, Kikyo-san. I'm sure we can get it to work
for you. Maybe after you have the baby," Shampoo smiled, despite
being very surprised that Kikyo didn't have it already.
"And that won't be much longer, will it?" Hitomi smiled,
sliding across the couch. "The suspense is killing me," she
added, placing her hands gently on Kikyo's large tummy.
Kikyo smiled in response, reaching up and touching Hitomi's
cheek. "Just a few more weeks, Anata. Then I can really start
calling you 'tousan'," she quipped, winking.
"Have you picked names yet?"
"Iya. We haven't really even talked about it," Hitomi
indicated, with a brief look into Kikyo's eyes. "Kiko-chan
hasn't let the Doc tell her what she's having, so we don't know
where to start."
"Is that a hint?" Kikyo responded, raising an eyebrow.
"Ano -- I told you the suspense is killing me," she
confirmed, flashing a pixie-grin.
"Baka ne. You'll just have to wait. I hate knowing what
a present is before I unwrap it, so I don't want to know what the
baby is. I think it's more fun this way, too."
"Hai. It's exciting all right. Especially when it's so
close."
"You two sound like newlyweds..." Shampoo observed, shaking
her head. "Well, it's getting late, and I am going to bed. Oyasumi,
minna," she added, smiling and waving as she departed.
"Newlyweds...?" the girls echoed in stereo as they looked
at each other. Within a heartbeat however, they clutched at each
other's arms and broke out laughing.
The next morning, Shampoo arose with the sun as per usual,
and noted with a grin that her friends were still sleeping. She
knew they would not be rising for quite some time, which meant
she had the bathroom to herself and could enjoy a long, lazy soak.
As she stripped for her bath, she found herself absently
wondering about the events of the night previous, particularly why
Kikyo couldn't make Hammerspace work. Everyone she knew could use
it, right from Akane on down to Ukyou, the only common denominator
seeming to be contact with Ranma.
As she stepped into the bath, Hitomi's words came back to
her as well, making her think about the possible connection. She
smirked as she wondered just how much of a trauma was required,
especially given what had happened to Kikyo since she met Hitomi.
Sighing luxuriously at the bathwater's warm caress, she
smiled as she felt her muscles loosen and her head clear.
Suddenly, she had the distinct feeling that it was going
to be a good day.
Two hours later, she strode aimlessly down the beach,
soaking up the radiant warmth of the midmorning sun. Having seen
the beauty of the day when she opened the shades, she decided to
forgo her Saturday practice in favor of a nice long walk. Even
so, she found herself changing stride to some of the forms in her
routine, and would occasionally stop walking to finish the move she
had inadvertantly started.
She found it amusing how old habits did indeed die hard.
As she continued down the shoreline, her attention was
caught by a familiar but unusual sight a short distance up the beach.
Squinting to see it better, she noticed it was someone working
through a kata. Continuing toward the individual at a quickened
pace, she watched the moves with great interest.
Soon, she was close enough to tell that it was a man she
had been watching. He was dressed only in the bottom half of a
black gi, and working out intensely with a bokken. She felt her
face get warm as she noted how his well muscled chest, damp with
perspiration, seemed to shine in the mid-morning sun.
Upon studying him intently for a few minutes, a wry grin
spread across her face as she thought of the perfect ice-breaker.
Eyes narrowing, she pulled out her swords, and while she was
still able to use the element of surprise, launched herself at
him.
The man, sensing the impending attack, dove aside just as
Shampoo's blades bit sand. Recovering, the Amazon went at him
again, her swords flashing in the sun as they tested his defenses.
With only a bokken and his skill, he managed to defend
himself admirably, never once uttering a word. She smiled to
herself, not only enjoying the contest, but pleased that her
opponent had risen to the challenge.
Abruptly, she leapt back out of the battle and eyed her
fellow combatant, chest heaving from the exertion. After a moment,
she flipped one sword into the air and caught it by the blade.
Aiming it like a dart, she let it fly toward the man, who, as she
anticipated, caught it easily.
With a battle cry that startled several nearby seagulls,
she leapt again into the fray, sword raised to deliver a death-blow.
The man's parry raised a shower of sparks as metal struck metal,
While she rolled off the block, landing neatly behind him.
Immediately, she attacked again with a flurry of strikes, the air
coming alive with the ring of clashing steel.
Finally, the two stood facing each other, both gasping for
breath, prespiring heavily, and smiling. She lowered her sword,
set it at her feet, and then bowed to her opponent.
"I am Lin Shan Pu. You fought well, for a westerner,"
she stated, not realizing that she had done so in Mandarin.
"I am Phillip Johnston," he replied, returning the bow and
lowering his sword. "And I was raised in China," he added, smiling.
"You also fought well, Amazon... I thank you for the excellent
workout. I've been spoiled living in this country -- nobody says
'hello' like that here."
Shampoo's jaw dropped. "How did you know I was an Amazon?"
"Your fighting style -- your hair ornaments... And now,
your accent. It's definitely Northern," he replied, casually.
"I'm surprised. I wasn't expecting someone so
western-looking to be familiar with such things. And you speak
well. This is also unexpected," she indicated, becoming more and
more impressed.
"And I never expected to be treated to this," he smiled,
tossing her sword back to her. "I'm very glad we met, Lin Shan Pu.
May I ask if you live here?" he continued, his deep blue eyes
suddenly capturing hers.
"I do. With friends down the beach. Do you live here,
too?"
"Yes. I own this house, and work in Metro," he stated,
pointing to the unit behind him.
"A very nice house... And large," she commented,
unconsciously looking for signs of 'other family'.
"Thank you. Would you like a drink? Or a tea, perhaps?
You must be thirsty after giving me a workout like that."
"Actually, yes. I am a bit dry," she replied, trying to
conceal her delight at the offer.
"Good. I will bring it out as soon as I shower. Would you
like to come in and sit?" he asked, regarding her expectantly.
She flustered, not quite sure what to say.
As if sensing he had been a bit too forward, the man
immediately modified his invitation. "If you would rather stay
outside, there are some very comfortable chairs on the patio," he
indicated, gesturing toward them.
"That... Would be fine. Thank you," she responded,
relieved. Inwardly, however, she was actually a bit disappointed.
"Great!" he smiled, turning and heading for the house,
gesturing for her to join him. "I'll be right back out. Please,
make yourself at home."
She smiled and nodded, the full impact of what had just
occurred beginning to sink in. She had just met a fine example of a
man, and so far, he was perfect. Almost as perfect as Ailen.
As she watched him enter his house, she had to pause a
moment and collect her thoughts. The last thing she'd expected
was to find herself interested in another man. Especially a
western one. The laws of her tribe didn't quite cover this
scenario.
Inside the house, Phil headed down the main hallway toward
the bathroom, towelling his dripping forehead. He counted himself
lucky that the Amazon was just playing with him, as she had easily
pushed the upper limits of his ability.
As he passed a large, ornate mirror on the hallway wall,
it suddenly distorted the image it bore, and the glass turned a
menacing shade of black. From within the blackness, two yellow
spots appeared, and took on the shape of angry eyes.
"You have succeeded," a deep, powerful voice stated.
"Yes, I have. She seems interested."
"Proceed then. You know what you must do," the voice
instructed, curtly.
"Does this really have to be done? There must be
another..." he began, but was interrupted by the voice.
"You have your instructions. They will be carried out,
or the penalty will be exacted. There is no option," the voice
ordered, at which the mirror returned to normal.
"Bastards," he spat, regarding the mirror angrily.
Cursing under his breath, he stomped off to the bathroom
and slammed the door behind him, ending up facing the vanity
mirror. "You stupid son of a bitch..." he snarled, at the face
looking back at him. Suddenly feeling totally disgusted, he draped
his towel over the mirror, not wanting to see that face any longer.
It only reminded him of his pact -- and the price he was about to
pay for it.
When Hitomi and Kikyo arrived home from their shopping
trip, she met them at the foyer, barely able to keep still. As
soon as they looked at her, however, they both broke out in
surprised smiles.
"Nee, Lin-san... What gives with you? You look like you
just won the lottery," Kikyo opened, nudging Hitomi.
"Iie. Something much better happened," she replied,
smiling.
Hitomi shook her head. "It must be something *really*
good. I don't think I've ever seen you this excited!"
"I think she's found a man," Kikyo abruptly suggested,
nodding. "Yep, uh-huh. There's love in those eyes, for sure."
She giggled and nodded emphatically. "I did find a man.
A strong, handsome one. He lives down the beach from us, and is a
fair Martial Artist, too," she noted, sighing.
The others simply looked at each other for a moment,
then broke out laughing.
Thinking somehow that she was the joke, stepped forward
and eyed them.
"What is so funny about that?" she asked, setting her
hands on her hips.
"Gomen, Lin-san. We were just talking about you on the
way home. We thought that you might be interested in a little
male company, and then we find out that you already found some,"
Hitomi explained, wiping her eyes.
"Hai! We were going to take you out on the town tonight,
and see if you could find someone interesting," Kikyo seconded,
shaking her head. "So, tell us all about him! He must really be
something for you to be this excited!" she urged, walking up and
taking her hand.
"We have to see if he's up to snuff," Hitomi added,
shooting over a knowing wink.
"Hai. I will. But I have to make supper first, then I
will tell," she replied, feeling her cheeks flush.
"Hitomi-chan! Did you see that? Did you see those
cheeks?" Kikyo pointed out, grinning.
"Hai! That's it, Lin-san. Forget cooking. We're going
out tonight so you can fill us in," Hitomi decreed, walking
toward the phone.
She smiled happily to herself, actually anxious to tell
her friends all. Still, she couldn't resist teasing them a bit
first. It made the moment last longer, and she was all for that.
Over the rest of the week, she made it a point to meet Phil
on the beach right after work, for what had become their ritual
sparring session. Hitomi and Kikyo couldn't believe the change in
her, and to her ongoing delight, were both extremely happy that
she seemed to have finally found someone.
She, meantime, made no secret about how she felt. She
talked about him constantly, proud of his ability as a warrior and
his dashing good looks. He was the only thing on her mind it
seemed, especially once he finally asked her out on a real date.
"Hitomi-san! You have to help me! Phil asked me on a real
date, and I don't know what to wear for it!!" she cried, upon
bursting through the door and rushing right up to the stunned
redhead.
"Ay, Lin-san! Of course I'll help you!" she recovered,
through a delighted smile. "Go have your bath, and I'll set out a
dress for you. Where are you going?"
"He wants to take me to dinner and to a Phantom," she gasped,
flabbergasted. "But I don't know what a 'Phantom' is..."
Hitomi had to bite her lip.
"Lin-san, that's a play. You know, Theatre. It's called
'The Phantom of the Opera', and it's incredible. I took Kikyo
to it a while back," she explained, smiling. "I think it's a great
idea. You'll really like it."
She thought it over for a moment, then grinned. "Maybe...
But I don't think I will be paying much attention," she quipped,
winking at her friend.
"Baka ne. Go have your bath, I know what to set out for
you now," she responded, smirking back at her.
"Hai! Arigato, Hitomi-san!" she bowed, then made a beeline
for the bath.
"Eto -- she's just like a highschool girl, ne, Hitomi-chan?"
Kikyo observed, laughing.
"Well, you know what it's like when you get asked out on
your first date," she winked, with a wistful sigh.
"Huhn. I thought I knew, but then you came along and
changed all that real fast. And now look at me," she indicated,
holding her ever-expanding tummy. "Well, they say true love
changes your life, ne?" she added, stepping up and resting her
head on her girlfriend's shoulder.
"It does. Just look at Lin-san. She's a like a teenaged
girl again," she observed, wrapping an arm over Kikyo's shoulder.
"C'mon. Help me pick out something for her. She wants to look
perfect."
"Hitomi-chan -- if I go in that room with you, we *won't* be
picking a dress," she countered, with a smoky glance.
"Ay -- what's got into you?"
"Seeing Lin-san like that. It reminds me of how I felt
when you took me out for the first time. Actually, you still make
me feel that way," she explained, her arms finding their way onto
Hitomi's shoulders.
"Baka ne," she breathed, pulling her into an affectionate
embrace.
Two hours later, Shampoo stood before the mirrors in the
master bedroom, checking herself over yet again.
Hitomi had selected a brilliant, multi-hued long Chinese
satin dress for her, with matching heels and clutch. The fabric
clung to every smooth curve of her body, the ornately embroidered
bodice showcasing her best features without revealing too much.
Kikyo had to shake her head to keep from staring, and
Hitomi stood back smiling proudly, feeling almost like she was
sending her daughter off.
Snapping open the coordinated fan she held, Shampoo
finally turned to face them, and smiled.
"I think I am ready," she announced, waving the fan before
her and flashing her eyes over top of it.
Kikyo nodded slowly. "Hai. You're ready, all right. If
he's able to concentrate on the show, he's got to be inhuman."
"You look gorgeous, Lin-san. Thank the Fates that dress
fit you. I wasn't sure it would," Hitomi noted, fussing with the
sleeve.
"It's a bit snug, but it's okay," she replied, adjusting
the waist. "Thank you for loaning it to me, Hitomi-san," she
smiled, bowing.
"Careful, Lin-san. Don't want that dress coming off *too*
soon," Kikyo smirked, glancing at Hitomi as she noticed the
increasing stress on the bodice.
"Ano..." she sputtered, face flushing instantly.
Kikyo and Hitomi both broke out laughing, which only
deepened her flush.
Before anyone could recover, the sound of the doorbell
interrupted them, and Kikyo, wiping her eyes to see where she was
going, dutifully headed off to answer it.
Shampoo gasped aloud, quickly turning to the mirror and
checking herself again.
'You're perfect, Lin-san. Get going," Hitomi urged,
smiling at her antics.
"Arigato, Hitomi-san. You're a blessing," she smiled,
then huffed and headed out the door.
Hitomi went to follow her out, but stopped short as she
noticed a toppled bottle of nail polish leaking onto the dresser.
Cursing under her breath, she grabbed a wad of tissues to clean
up the mess.
At the door, Kikyo stepped back as the tall, solid man in
the entry smiled back at her. He stood proudly, dressed in a
neat black casual suit over a white, high-neck shirt. In his hand,
he held a single rose.
"Hello. You must be Kikyo. Hajimemashite," he greeted,
bowing.
"Hello. You must be Phil. Lin-san has said much about
you. Please to come in," she replied in English, returning his
bow and gesturing him in.
"Thank you. I..." he began, only to lose his voice as
Shampoo made her entrance.
"Nihao, Phillip," she purred, eyeing him liquidly.
Underneath her cool exterior however, she was fighting to stay
standing, her knees feeling like pudding.
"Shan Pu... You are a vision. You put me to shame," he
finally replied, speaking Mandarin. Smiling, he handed her the
rose, which she took happily.
Kikyo's brow furrowed momentarily, as she was dying to
know what he had said.
"You flatter me, Phil. I think you look very handsome.
Shall we go?"
"Yes, by all means. Our reservations are for eight
o'clock, and we have just enough time. My car is out front,"
he indicated, offering her his arm.
"Thank you," she smiled again, taking the proffered
lead. Shifting to Japanese, she turned quickly to Kikyo and
flashed a mischeivous grin. "Don't wait up!" she quipped,
and sauntered out the door.
"Have fun, Lin-san!" she whispered back, with a wink.
As the door closed behind them, she turned back into the
room just in time for Hitomi to finally make her appearance.
Immediately, the redhead's face fell.
"You mean I missed him? Kuso, I wanted to see who this
pagan god was," she pouted, with a grumble.
"He was pretty nice, for a man," she began, looking
thoughtful. "He knows Chinese all right, and he also speaks
English. Quite the charmer, too."
"I wish I could have seen him. Was Lin-san upset that I
didn't get here?"
"Lin-san barely noticed *me*. She's so smitten with him
that her face flushed when he said hello," she expressed,
wide-eyed. "And by the way -- on her way out, she said 'Don't
wait up'," she added, crossing her arms with knowing smirk.
Hitomi grinned. "Oh ho. She's got it bad, all right.
Well, I really hope it goes well for her. Seeing how she
reacted after we told her about the baby, I was worried about
her. She had a big hole in her life -- up until she met
this 'Phil'," she continued, her tone becoming more serious.
"Judging by what I saw, there's no need for concern.
I'll be surprised if she comes home tonight."
Hitomi gasped. "Kiko-chan -- on their first date?"
"Hai. Lin-san is a passionate girl, Hitomi-chan. It's
that 'warrior' mentality. Mark my words."
"Masaka... If she's that 'passionate', then I hope she's
careful," Hitomi fretted, shaking her head.
"Anata; you sound like her mother," she teased, tsking.
"She's my friend, Kiko-chan. I want her to have some
real happiness in her life. I get the feeling somehow that she
hasn't had that, and she's way overdue. She could screw up a
good thing if she's not careful."
Kikyo could only sigh and smile, her eyes misting up.
"Anata, I love you," she stated, walking up and hugging the
fretting redhead. "I think it's wonderful how you care about
everyone so much," she added, kissing her cheek.
"Ano -- I can't help it, Kiko-chan. I just... Do,"
she smiled back, sheepishly.
Long into the small hours, the sound of the front door
closing, followed by the echoing thud of heels dropped on the
hardwood entry woke the girls from their fitful sleep. Just
as Hitomi was getting up to investigate, a quiet knock at their
bedroom door surprised them both.
"Hai!" they chorussed, and the door drifted open to
admit a surprisingly upset Shampoo. As the girls looked at her
in confusion, she sighed and walked in the room slowly, coming
to a heavy seat on the bed beside Kikyo.
"Lin-san? What happened?" Hitomi asked, shifting up
onto her kees behind Kikyo. "Date didn't go well?"
"Iie -- It was wonderful. The show was beautiful, the
dinner before was excellent, and the drinks afterward were
perfect," she responded, puffing out a breath. "He only did one
thing wrong all night," she added, shaking her head slowly.
Hitomi sucked in a breath. "He did? What?"
"He brought me home," the Amazon replied, dejectedly.
Kikyo lost it. Hitomi jolted at her girlfriend's
reaction, but when she looked back at Shampoo, the Amazon
flashed her a wry grin, then started to laugh herself.
====================================================================
END - The Death of a Dream Part One A Ranma1/2 Fanfic By Coutuva
Comments Welcomed, Flames Extinguished!
coutuva@gmail.com
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