Disclaimer: These characters are not mine. They belong to the wonderful Romiko Takahashi and her licensees (Viz Communications in North America). This work is strictly intended for
non-profit distribution to fans. No copyright infringement is intended.
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Ranma Saves Kimiko (working title)
Prelude
A Ranma 1/2 Fanfic by TeW
Last Update: 2002-04-28
Status: Draft
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Ranma jogged toward the faint sound of sobbing, his deep worry plainly visible on his face. He'd never seen Akane like this before.
It had started when Shampoo had attempted to use that stupid memory-erasing technique on Akane again. He'd dragged a confused Akane to Cologne and demanded she fix it. To his surprise the old woman had immediately dug out the necessary shampoo and taken care of the problem. Then gave her great-grandaughter a serious dressing-down for trying something so stupid.
The problem started that night with a series of nightmares. It turned out that Cologne's treatment had woken more memories than just those Shampoo had locked away. Akane had remembered the time when she was six years old that her mother had saved her from being run over by a car, only to be killed herself.
Now she thought she'd caused her mother's death by running out into the street. She ignored everyone when they tried to explain that it wasn't her fault. Kasumi had gone so far as to lock up the knives and swords, even those just used for cooking..
Then after dinner she'd run off. Ranma had been looking for hours, and finally had caught the faint sound of crying coming from the graveyard where her mother's ashes were kept. He'd just gotten close enough to see her in the dim light when he was interrupted.
"What a haul!" Happosai cried as he landed in front of Ranma.
"Long time no see Ranma." The old pervert said. "How about you join me on one of my rounds tongight?"
Not being in a mood for the old freak, Ranma simple booted him into the sky without warning. He watched the freak disapear into the sky with satisfaction. Since he was looking up he caught sight of the small shape that separated from him and arched toward the ground. Instinctively he stepped forward and grabbed it.
Not a bomb at least. A small hand mirror of some kind. Actually it looked like the Nanban mirror. He shrugged and put it in his shirt pocket, then headed over to Akane.
She didn't react to his presence until he kneeled down and put his hand on her shoulder.
"Akane?" He said quietly.
She turned and burried her face in his chest, her crying intensified to almost Soun levels, wetting his shirt.
Despite his discomfort with the situation Ranma managed to not say or do anything stupid. He just put his arm around her and made soothing sounds.
A half hour later, Akane's crying fadded out and she looked up at him.
"Thank you Ranma, I feel better now."
"Okay. You had us worried."
"I'm sorry, I just needed some time alone. Actually, I would still like some time here with Mom. Why don't you go back."
"You wont do anything stupid?"
"I wont. I just...need to appoligize to her."
"I'll go, but if you're not back in an hour, I'm coming to get you."
"That's fine."
Ranma stood and walked away. He winced when he heard her start to sob again. He wished there was some way he could help her, some way he could make it better.
"I just..." He muttered. "I just wish I had been there."
There was a brief flash of light as the Nanban mirror, sensitized by a huge quantity of tears, responded to his words.
=== End Prelude ===
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