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All original Ranma1/2 Characters and Backstory Copyright
Rumiko Takahashi, and are used without permission.
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Coutuva.
Yue – Part 10
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Doctor Tofuu opened the door to the examining room, stepped
through and carefully closed it behind him. “Well, Kasumi, what is
it you wanted to speak to me about?” he asked, settling to a chair.
“I am sorry about insisting that we speak in here, but there
is something that has been bothering me, and I felt that I simply
could not wait any longer to address it,” she began, looking back at
him surprisingly seriously – for Kasumi.
“Bothering you?” he echoed, his eyebrows raising. He’d
never known Kasumi to have anything worse than a cold, but he also
knew she wasn’t one to complain about personal situations.
Now, he was concerned. “Please, go on,” he urged, and reached for
his clipboard.
She looked back at him for a moment, then folded her hands
in her lap. “I wanted to ask you… What the situation really is…
With Yue. I know you haven’t told my family everything, and given
the circumstances, I can respect that decision. But, I wanted to
know – so I can prepare for the reactions,” she explained, biting her
lip.
“I see,” he frowned, then sighed resignedly. Inwardly, he
was also relieved – it had nothing to do with her health. “Well, from
the way you worded that, it sounds like you’ve already figured it
out – and you’re correct, I’m afraid. Neither Cologne nor I could
find any way to reverse what’s happened. We both sensed Ranma’s
Ki within her, but it’s the same as Yue’s once was -- only the merest
hint of a presence. We were unable to reach it,” he indicated, his
frown deepening.
“Then… Ranma really is…” she began, only to stop as he
nodded solemnly. Drawing a long breath, he met her questioning gaze.
“For all intents and purposes, yes. We… Arrived at that
conclusion within a few days. Cologne was reading her every day,
looking for some sign, but there wasn’t any. We hoped, though, that
by researching some old books that Cologne knew of, we might still
have found a way, but…” he trailed off, noting the oddly relieved
expression on his guest’s face. “Kasumi?” he redirected, confused
by the look.
Kasumi jumped, then schooled her features. “Nothing,” she
stated, dismissively. “I was curious, particularly after a certain
incident with Akane in the Dojo. She didn’t make any connections,
but I had to wonder,” she continued, which prompted him to nod
knowingly.
“Yes, I heard about that right after it happened. We think
that it could have been some remnant of Ranma’s protective instinct,
but it could have just as easily been a symptom of their sharing the
body. You probably noticed that Ranma behaved differently when he
was in girl form -- and Genma has often lamented about how Ranma
changed once he became cursed,” he indicated, shrugging with his eyes.
“Unfortunately, it’s only conjecture either way,” he summed up, hoping
that would suffice.
Apparently, it did.
“Thank you, Doctor -- this confirms what I felt,” Kasumi
sighed, her face sobering as she appeared to be gathering herself.
For some reason, the sight made him nervous.
A moment later, she raised her gaze to his, her eyes showing
the look he had often seen her use on Akane.
“I don’t mean to seem presumptuous, but perhaps now, you
should share your findings with his family. They still feel, as I’m
certain everyone does, that he will somehow return. I am sure… That
they would rather know the truth,” she indicated, her tone pleasant,
but still serious.
He sighed again. “Yes, I’d been planning to tell them very
shortly. I haven’t heard from Cologne lately, which I assume means
she hasn’t found anything.”
“And neither have I. In fact, I don’t believe I’ve seen any
of them recently.”
“I see. Then I’ll contact the Saotomes -- as you say, there
doesn’t seem to be much point in prolonging the inevitable,” he
frowned, looking back at her once more.
“I agree. Thank you again, Doctor -- I must be going now, as
my family is waiting for their supper. Would you like to join us?”
she asked, gathering her bags, then rising and turning toward the
door.
His heart leapt to his throat. “Uhm… I… Would be delighted,
Kasumi,” he heard himself say, even as his mind began to swim. He
had been getting stronger in her presence of late, but even his
control had limits.
“Wonderful. I will expect you at about six, then. Ja!” she
sang, then stepped out of the room.
All he could do was stare at the closing door.
Kasumi, meantime, waited until she was a few paces up the
street before puffing out the breath she’d been holding.
Things were going better than she’d dared hope.
Yue gasped quietly as she stepped into the spring, and
settled carefully on a ledge in the rocky wall. The water was deeper
than she’d expected, and as it rose to her chin, the sensation raised
the demon of her last such visit. But, within moments, the soothing,
penetrating heat sank into her weary bones, chasing away her nascent
fears.
“You spoke truthfully of this spring, Lin. It is indeed a
delight,” she sighed, looking over at her equally content friend.
“It almost makes me forget that I have not seen my betrothed since
we arrived,” she added, affecting a pout.
Lin started to chuckle. “You know you can’t see him now until
the ceremony, and men are not allowed here anyway – which must
disappoint you,” she jibed, her eyes teasing.
Yue turned and looked back at her, then rolled her eyes. “You
bring that up again. I swear you have but one thing on your mind,”
she countered, her tone deliberately disdainful.
“You put it there -- and you still haven’t answered my
question.”
“And I will not. As I have said before, you need not know of
everything I do – or do not do,” she taunted, savoring the expression
on her friend’s face.
Lin pouted. “I’d tell you…”
Yue shot her a smirk. “Mayhap -- but I would not wish to know.
Your private matters are yours alone,” she returned, fighting down a
truly strong urge to laugh. “And as to mine, I will take them to my
grave.”
Lin huffed, then brightened. “Then I’ll just beat it out of
your husband to be. That should be easy enough.”
Yue smiled. “I am fully confident that such will avail you not.”
“What makes you so sure? I can make him tell me anything.”
“I am certain. I have told him he will deal with me should he
ever speak of it,” she winked, at which they locked gazes – and both
started to laugh.
Once the joke had passed, Yue closed her eyes and settled back,
a smile still gracing her visage. She sighed as the warmth of the
gently moving water sank into her once more, and before long, caught
herself in a doze. The event came not as any surprise, as she had
endured a full and exciting day.
After she had recovered from her initial welcome, Lin had taken
her by the hand and made good the promise of a thorough tour. As she
had suspected, the village itself had changed considerably in the ages
since she had last trod upon its roads, and it bore great evidence of
the current age.
In fact, she had found the sight of girls toiling in the
gardens, yet sporting what Lin called ‘CD players’ somewhat odd, the
contrast yet again reminding her of her situation. It was, however,
still a far more easeful place than the one called ‘Tokyo’.
As the tour had continued, it seemed she had met every member
of the village, and to a one, they had been delighted to welcome her.
And as that welcome often entailed being invited to dine, she
had eaten enough to stock a market. Even now, as the waning sun
painted the mountains a deep violet, her stomach felt near to bursting.
But it had not stopped there.
Many gave her gifts of food, clothing, linens and weapons, a
custom similar to the traditional wedding gifts. Somehow, though, she
was of the mind that the gifts were better than would be usual. And,
as she and Lin had arrived to partake of the spring, the women already
bathing had all moved to leave, gathering their daughters and effects.
To convince them to remain took a formal invitation to share
her bath.
That occurrence, more so than all the others, had left her
disquieted.
She did not expect, nor did she desire to be treated any
differently than her peers. She was by birth a Princess, but of a
Dynasty long past. And as such, felt she no longer had claim to the
privilege of the station.
In fact, she still bore the notion that she must prove her
worthiness to be called Amazon.
Before she could prevent it, a sigh escaped her, rippling the
still water below her face.
“Yue? Is something troubling you?”
“In a manner,” she confirmed, deciding that if she could share
her thoughts with any, Lin was the one. “This… Has been the most
wondrous of days – I have never known such kindness, or such
generosity. But it troubles me, even so,” she began, choosing her
words carefully as she met her friend’s expectant gaze. Noting the
concern in the girl’s features, she smiled gently, then reached over
and took her hand under the water. “Lin… It is just that I do not
wish to be treated as a Member of Court -- I am that no longer. My
only desire is that I be held as a friend, and if I am worthy, a
sister. I have already received far more than my due, and I cannot
in peace continue to do so,” she indicated, giving Lin’s hand a gentle
squeeze.
Lin blinked, then smiled indulgently. “You had me worried
there. I thought you had a serious problem,” she countered, lifting
the union of their hands to add her other one. “My sisters know all
about what happened to you, and as far as they are concerned, you are,
and always will be, Princess Liang Ju Yue. You are also blood Amazon --
together, those two things by themselves mean the world to us,” she
began, her visage compelling. “The sisterhood… Needs you, Liang Yue.
You’ve given us back our reason to be proud, and no matter how well we
treat you, it will never be good enough,” she indicated, the emotion
in her large eyes bringing a lump to Yue’s throat.
“I… Had no inkling…” she breathed, overwhelmed at the
revelation. Suddenly, the manner of her treatment held new
significance – and irony. The descendants of the race she had long
admired were now looking to her – a resident of a long-past age – to
give them new pride for their future.
It was, to say the least, a shock. Lin seemed to notice,
and turned full to face her.
“I didn’t want to say anything about this until after your
wedding, but when you said that, I had to tell you. You’re not…
Upset, are you?” she asked, biting her lip.
Yue had to shake her head numbly. “I am… Too honoured to
be upset,” she whispered, barely able to do that. “I only hope… I
prove worthy of your faith.”
Lin smiled. “You already have.”
Kasumi bore a thoughtful frown as she changed for bed, her
thoughts drifting back over the events of the evening. After the
supper meal, Tofuu had taken the floor and told of his honest
findings, as hopeless as they were.
The reactions, she had been surprised by. Akane hadn’t
attended, and in fact had not been out of her room all day.
Everyone else reacted relatively calmly to the news, she
assumed because they had already resigned themselves to it.
Everyone except the Saotomes.
Genma again had not shown up, still preoccupied in dealing
with the deepening mystery of his wife’s affliction. Tofuu had
mentioned that a specialist had been unable to determine the cause
of her state, and recommended she be admitted for observation.
Genma had consented, and was at the hospital at her side.
That news had affected her father deeply, as from the look
in his eyes, it had raised the spectre of his own very personal loss.
Afterwards, everyone had drifted out of the room, she assumed
to spend the rest of the evening with their respective thoughts.
Upon seeing her guest off and cleaning up, she had gone up to
speak to Akane, only to be rebuffed by silence from behind an
unmoving door. Despite the concern that caused her, she opted to try
again in the morning, a little voice telling her that her younger
sister was dealing with things in her own way.
Tying in her ribbon, she settled on the edge of her bed and
looked toward a certain picture on her nightstand. She picked up the
smiling image and sighed, then met the gaze of the soft brown eyes
she had inherited.
“I only wish you could tell me if I’ve made the right choice,”
she whispered, her fingers moving to grace the image.
The light of the new sun breaking over the mountain’s frosted
peaks was a breathtaking sight, and even as Yue lowered her head in
prayer, she felt the energy of that sun fill her soul.
Finishing her prayer, she took her stance and drew a cleansing
breath, trying to calm herself. She had been so anticipating her
practice this day that becoming centered was difficult, and that in
turn only added to her distraction.
Finally, she stepped out of her stance and began a Taiji, in
an effort to regain her inner calm. Unfortunately, her excitement
very nearly negated any good effect, forcing her to repeat the routine
several times over.
Not that she truly minded.
The longer she exercised in such a manner, the longer she
could partake of the beauty that surrounded her -- the beauty of her
homeland.
At length, she regained her center, and deemed herself ready
to begin her practice in earnest. Taking her stance once more, she
handed her sword, closed her eyes and evened her breath, waiting for
the moment.
As always, the world seemed to wait with her.
Her powerful strike cry tore the morning stillness as she
exploded into her routine, the steel of her weapon seeming to flash
sparks in the nascent sunlight.
It felt wonderful to be again working in the clean, crisp air
of the mountains, and just as a smile started to form on her face,
her eye caught a flash of movement. Adjusting her form, she brought
her blade to parry and snaked under the block, dropping to her ready
stance.
Her face fell as she noted her opponent.
“Majesty!?” she blurted, although still holding her ready.
The older woman smiled, a certain familiar glint flashing in
her eyes. “Forgive my interruption, Liang Yue, but when I saw who it
was that shared my passion for morning practice, I could not sit by
and simply watch.”
“I… Welcome your company, Majesty. How may I please you?”
she smiled as she rose from her stance, although quite certain she
already knew.
The woman spun her sword to ready and took a stance. “On a
field of battle, be it for practice or war, there are no titles. You
may please me only by giving me a good fight.”
Yue’s smile widened. This was a woman she could respect.
Without any further word, she moved forward and stepped into
her ready, locking her gaze on that of the Matriarch.
The battle of wills was met.
Within moments of the first clash of steel fading into the
trees, the sward began to fill with onlookers, all of whom stood and
watched in stoic, intent silence.
Their presence would not have been noticed in any case.
The only sound to reach Yue’s ears, between the ringing of
steel and the shouts of battle, was the tempo of her opponent’s
breathing. The Matriarch was a skilled swordswoman, and her technique
spoke of experience. It was apparent also that she believed in the
strength disciplines, as her choice of attacks bore out.
Yue chose at first to simply measure her opponent, guarding,
blocking and dodging more than attacking. It was a stimulating
contest, and moved at a speed that she found worked her to sustain.
By the time she had fended the sixth full attack, however, she came
to her decision.
It was time to make the contest hers.
She began a gradual push back against her opponent, and
increased the speed of her strikes. As the dominance moved toward
equal, she began her setup, looking to force an opportunity.
A heartbeat later, it appeared, and with the precision of
a jeweler, she struck.
Within a few more sets, the contest concluded with Yue
stepping out, her chest heaving and brow dripping. As she watched
her opponent second the end, she was reminded of why she did not
allow such contests to last long. She was very nearly exhausted,
while the Matriarch seemed only winded.
“A fine contest, Liang Yue. You have earned my respect as
a warrior,” the Matriarch announced, then bowed as she scabbarded
her weapon.
“I thank you, Majesty. You are truly formidable,” she
bowed back, smiling despite her weariness. The Matriarch, meantime,
had walked toward her, a strange look in her eye.
“It would seem that Shan Lon in fact understated your
ability,” the woman smiled, opening her arms for a celebratory hug.
As Yue accepted it, however, the woman surprised her by whispering
in her ear. “I thank you for allowing me to save face, young
Princess. Come to my home later… I would like to speak to you
privately,” she stated, as the crowd came to life around them.
Kasumi was becoming concerned. She had not seen or heard
anything from Akane, as the girl had not even come down for a bath.
Knowing how her younger sister felt about such things, she was
convinced something was wrong.
Walking up to her younger sister’s door, she knocked
insistently.
“Akane-chan? Are you feeling all right?” she asked,
listening for a response. When none came, she tried again.
The result was the same.
Frowning, she opened the door and stepped in.
“Oh, my…”
Her startled exclamation brought Nabiki and her father
running.
“What happened?” Nabiki blurted, appearing in the doorway.
Kasumi looked back at her wide-eyed. “Akane is… Gone.”
Nabiki gasped as she scanned the undisturbed futon, gaping
dresser drawers and open window. Her surprised gape became a
scowl as she stepped into the room, walked first to Akane’s desk,
looked it over, and then walked to the partially open closet. As she
pulled open the door, she huffed, then glanced over at the nearby
dresser.
“She’s gone to China.”
“Are you… Sure, Nabiki?” Soun asked weakly, his eyes
already tearing up.
“Of course I am. The phonebook on her desk is open on
‘Travel Agents’, her ‘stash’ is gone from her underwear drawer, and
her backpack, tent and hiking boots are gone, too,” she retorted,
setting her hands on her hips. “It don’t take no genius to figure
it out,” she droned, rolling her eyes.
“Chikusho…” Kasumi hissed, the hand in her apron pocket
closing to a fist.
“She said that?”
“She did. I fear I may have angered her,” Yue frowned,
her friend’s reaction making her feel even more nervous.
“I don’t think so,” Lin countered, separating another lock
of red hair and starting to brush it out. “If the Matriarch was mad
at you, you wouldn’t be in this spring right now. I think she just
wants to congratulate you on your wedding – that’s nothing unusual.”
“I hope it is but that,” she sighed, draping her arms over
Lin’s legs and letting her hands dangle in the water. Inwardly, she
worried that removing the Matriarch’s earrings had affronted the
woman, and she was going to indicate her displeasure. Her frown
deepened as she regretted her arrogance.
“Hand me those, now,” Lin stated, interrupting her
worried thoughts.
“Which?”
“The long ones,” Lin gestured, opening her hand. “And the
hook beside them.”
“These are complex… I am glad that yours are less tedious,”
she noted, leaning from between Lin’s legs to gather the items in
question.
“That’s true, but this is great for girl-talk,” Lin grinned,
taking the ornaments et al and sifting through them. “Hrmph. There’s
a couple missing -- we must have left them at the house. You stay
here and relax, I’ll go get them,” she frowned, then rose from her
seat on the bank behind Yue and walked toward her wrap.
“You need not, Lin -- we could more easily both return, and
complete the task there,” she protested, and rose to step from the
water.
As she did, a large fly appeared from nowhere and began to
circle about her. Without a thought, she snatched it from the air
and held it up by its wings. “Begone, foul pest,” she sneered, and
flicked it away.
When she returned her gaze to her friend, the girl was
shaking her head.
“How…?” she began, only to stop as Yue smiled back at her.
“That was my father’s chosen means to condition speed and
accuracy,” she explained, unable to hide the pride in her voice.
“He would release counted groups of such pests, and command me to
catch them all – unscathed -- using but one try for each,” she
added, the memory widening her smile.
“Aiyah – it worked,” Lin breathed, then composed herself.
"Anyway, you just stay here and relax -- while you can. You will be
busy today, so you need to save your energy,” she redirected, her
tone becoming slightly teasing.
She lowered an eyebrow. “Oh? And what machinations have
you afoot?”
Lin looked aghast. “I have nothing afoot – it’s the day
before your wedding, and as the bride, you have a lot to do. And I,
as your second, have to make sure it all gets done,” the girl then
smiled, looking quite proud.
“As you say, then,” she puffed, making a show of her
resignation.
“Enjoy the break, Yue. It’s your last until tonight, at
least,” Lin teased, then flashed her grin and departed.
Yue simply watched her go, smirking and shaking her head.
As she settled back into the water, she tied her hair up
to keep it dry, then sank to her chin and leaned back against the
wall. A wistful smile came to her as she watched a small group of
mothers, accompanied by daughters of varying ages. Before long,
she imagined herself in their place -- knee deep in the warm, clear
water, overseeing the rambunctious play of her own precious
daughters.
It was an image her soul ached to see realized.
“Soon, my beloved,” she breathed, her hand settling on
her lower stomach. “But not soon enough.”
==================================================================
END - Yue - Part 10 A Ranma1/2 Fanfic By Coutuva
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