"I won't think about it and neither should you."
-Takahashi Rumiko
*******************
O Nannichuan!
--by Neko-chan
*******************
"Flight 722, incoming from Qinghai Province, China, is now unloding at gate 24.
Flight 722, incoming from Qinghai Province, China.."
Ranma blinked as the droning voice pulled his attention away from the airport
magazine he had been distracting himself with. He looked over at his father and
Mr. Tendo, who were also returning to attention. "Flight 722? That's her flight,
isn't it?" he asked.
Even as Soun nodded confirmation, the three of them were off their chairs and
pelting at top speed towards the aforementioned gate. The airport was always
busy, even more so today than usually, and while Ranma and Ryoga were perfectly
willing to shove past or even jump over people in their way, the Tendos lagged
steadily behind.
After a few hectic minutes that left a wake of surprised and angry travellers
behind them, Ranma and Ryoga skidded to a halt outside gate 24. The crowd was
even thicker here, as people flowing off the plane congealed into little knots
with friends or relatives who had been waiting for them. The boys of Jusenkyo
plunged into the mass, searching for the one woman they both most wanted to see.
Ryoga spotted her first, emerging from the gate with a duffel over her shoulder;
she was wearing a dark Chinese uniform instead of a dress, but she was still so
beautiful. "Akane-san!" he called over the hubbub, waving both hands wildly,
drawing Ranma's attention to her. "Akane!" Ranma yelled, joining Ryoga's efforts.
"Over here!"
Akane looked, and saw them. A wide smile broke over her face, leaving both boys
dry-mouthed in reaction, as she waved back. "Ranma! Ryoga!" she shouted. She
reached into the duffel and pulled out a small cask that sloshed as she held it
triumphantly over her head. "Nannichuan water, Ranma! No trick, it's the real
thing this time. Yatta!"
It happened just as Soun, Genma, and Akane's sisters came panting up to the gate.
A young man just now emerging from the plane was spotted by his wife, who shouted
joyfully to him as she raised his new child up for him to see. In his eagerness
to join his family, the young man shoved his way through the crowd to reach her.
A burly man took offense at being jostled and shoved back, knocking the man
sideways. Into Akane.
The two staggered, and Akane was propelled backwards into the wall. The cask of
water tipped precariously over her head for a moment, and then fell.
Ranma just stood, his mouth hanging open. Beside him, Ryoga staggered and
clutched at Ranma's arm to remain upright. Behind them, they heard a dull thump
as Soun Tendo hit the floor. Kasumi just said, "Oh my..."
Akane stood frozen in place for a long moment, completely frozen in shock -- not
even hearing the young man's frantic apologies -- and just stared.
Stared down at himself.
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