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 for the non-profit enjoyment of fans. No copyright
infringement is intended.
WARNING: I DO NOT PROMISE I WILL EVERY CONTINUE THIS STORY. THIS IS
STRICTLY FOR THOSE WHO WHICH TO SEE WHAT I MIGHT WRITE NEXT.
Ranma's Sister
Part 1
Very rough draft
================
[Ms. Hinoko is glaring at a student peeking through the door of her
classroom. She is in her adult form. The students in the class are also
staring at the student, including Akane. Ranma is not around.]
Student: "I-I'm sorry." The student said. "I was told to get Akane Tendo,
someone is here to see her."
Ms. Hinoko: "Very well. Ms Tendo?"
Akane: "Yes Mame."
[Akane got up and gathered her books. Then follows the student out the
door.]
Akane:
* * * *
[Akane follows the student into the main office. The aid gestures to an
old woman standing in the room]
Old Woman: Akane Tendo?
Akane: Yes. Can I help you?
Old Woman: Oh! Thank goodness I found you! I'm Mrs Saigusa. We must get
going right away.
Akane: Huh? Go Where? What's going on?
Old Woman (Mrs. Saigusa): Oh dear. I'm not exactly sure. I was just baby
sitting and... Well, you were the only one she could think of you see...
And we have to go see her now.
Akane: See who?. Is someone sick?
Mrs. Saigusa: Yes, very sick. It's Mrs Saotome you see, she lives next
door and...
Akane: Ranma's mother?
Mrs Saigusa: Yes! Why I haven't seen that child since he was tiny!
Akane: Ummm, he's on a trip with his father right now.
Mrs Saigusa: But she wanted you, so we have to go now.
Akane: (thinking) (aloud) Right. Let's go.
* * * *
[Mrs. Saigusa and Akane are in the corridor outside of a door with the
name 'Saotome' on it.]
Mrs Saigusa: Go in Akane. I have to run off and get someone.
Akane: ...
[Akane peeks into the room. There is a single woman in a bed with an IV
and a considerable amount of monitoring equipment around the head of the
bed. The woman has an oxogen tube attached under her nose, and is very
pale.]
[Akane walks into the room. As she nears the bed the woman turns toward
her and gives her a weak smile. Any doubt that this is Ranma's mother is
swept away by the strong resemblance to Ranma's girl form.]
Woman: Akane, I hope.
[The womans voice is very low, and Akane moves closer to the bed so she
can hear her better.]
Akane: Yes.
Woman: Nice to see you again, though I doubt you remember the last time.
I'm Nodoka Saotome.
Akane: H-How are you feeling.
Woman (Nodoka): Not the best, but the doctors say I'll recover eventually.
[Akane looks releived.]
Akane: Mrs. Saotome, the nurse said I could only have a few minutes. Is
there something you wanted?
Nodoka: (weakly) Yes, Akane. I have a very large favor to ask. With my
husband and son missing yet again, you're the closest to family that I
have nearby. I need you to take care of something for me.
Akane: (thinking)
(aloud) I'll do my best Mrs. Saotome.
Nodoka: (small smile). Akane, if you can't make yourself call me
'mother', at least call me 'auntie'.
Akane: Of course Auntie Saotome. Now what can I take care of for you?"
[There is a sound of footsteps and the cry of an infant. Akane turns
around to see Mrs. Saigusa standing at the door holding a very small
baby.]
Nadoka: "I would like you to take care of my daughter Kyoko."
* * * *
Akane was in shock. She was still trying to remember the huge list of
instructions that Mrs Saigusa had rattled off. None of it was really
clear except for her final comment. 'At this age they're easy dear. If
they cry they're either wet, hungry, have gas, or just want to be held.
Kyoko is a bit particular about who holds her, but she's taken to you
just fine. You should have no trouble at all.'
No trouble. Right. As soon as she got on the bus Kyoko had started
screaming bloody murder. With a little help from two mothers on the bus
she had gotten her calmed down and changed her diaper. She had also
missed her stop and had to rush to get the next one. And then, to make
matters worse, one of the mothers who had been helping her had urged her
to breast feed the baby as soon as she got home. By the time she realized
they thought the baby was hers the bus had pulled away. She sighed. At
least it was too early for school to be letting out, so she wouldn't have
to deal with the comments her friends would make.
She walked into the house, carefully closing the door so Kyoko wouldn't
wake up. "I'm home." she cried out quietly.
"Akane, you're home early. Did something... Oh my." Kasumi, who had once
calmly offered tea to a man who declared himself an assasin out for her
blood (it had been a case of mistaken identity) was speachless before the
sight of her younger sister holding a tiny baby.
Kyoko choose that moment to wake up and announce to the world that she
was hungry.
"Kasumi," Akane said with a sigh, "May I introduce Kyoko Saotome, Ranma's
little sister. She will be staying with us for a while."
"Oh my."
* * * *
Kasumi: "Akane, wake up."
Akane: Huh? Oh hi Kasumi. Is it morning already?"
Kasumi: "Akane, you were about to fall asleep in your breakfast."
Akane: (Looking around. She was already up and dressed and ready for
school.)
Kasumi: "Akane!"
Akane: (jumping up) "Huh?"
Kasumi: "Here, drink this tea. Then you better leave for school."
Akane: "Umm... Okay." (Gulping tea) "I'll see you after school. Good luck
with Kyoko."
Kasumi: "I'm sure we'll manage just fine!"
Akane starts walking to school, taking the usual route. Ranma is still
absent.
Akane: (mumbling to herself) "Why did I ever insist on talking care of
her myself? The little she-demon didn't sleep for more than a half-hour
at a time! At least she's Kasumi and Daddy's problem for now. Maybe I can
get some rest at school."
Akane jumps as a bicycle lands on the fence next to her.
Shampoo: Nihou! Husband still training with father-in-law?
Akane: Go 'way Shampoo. I'm too tired to deal with you.
Shampoo: (Jumps down next to Akane and peers into her face). Violent girl
look like she not sleep last night. You *sure* husband not back?
Akane: I told you.... Hey! Just what are you implying?
Shampoo: Shampoo no worry. Akane blush much more if she with Husband last
night.
Akane: I was up all night taking care of the baby.
[Shampoo does that 'big eye' thing and just stares at Akane.]
Akane: Ranma's baby *sister* is staying with us while his mother is sick.
Shampoo: Whew! That closest to fear Shampoo feel in long time! Hey, why
violent girl go to school when baby to care for?
Akane: Kasumi's watching her.
Shampoo: Shampoo go and help. Show husband what good wife she make!
Akane: Fine with me. Good luck.
[Akane stomps off to school while Shampoo rides her bike off to the Tendo
Dojo.]
* * * *
[It's the end of the school day and Akane is walking out of the school
building with some of her freinds].
Yuka: Wow Akane, your lucky to get to take care of a baby! It's such a
good experience.
Sakura: I don't know Yuka. My little brother was a real pain when he was
tiny.
Akane: Well... I was pretty upset this morning, but Kyoko is pretty cute.
She sure kept me up last night!
Yuka: Say, Akane, isn't that your sister and Dad at the gate?
Sakura: And Shampoo is there too! Hey, your sister's holding a baby!
Great, now we can get a chance to see her!
[As the three freinds walk to the school gate, they can see that Shampoo,
Kasumi, and Soun look exaused. Kasumi is actually being held up by
Shampoo. Kyoko is crying in Kasumi's arms]
Kasumi: Here Akane. She's your responsibility.
Soun: She hasn't stopped crying since you left!
Shampoo: She nasty little girl! Make tough Amazon if she live long enough.
[Akane takes the baby who instantly quites and goes to sleep in her arms.]
Yuka: Oh! Akane? Can I hold her for just a minute?
Akane: Sure.
[As soon as Yuka is holding Kyoko she wakes up and starts to scream].
Yuka: Ahhh, maybe you better take her back.
[As soon as Akane is holding her Kyoko goes back to sleep.]
Akane: Well, Mrs Saigusa said she was picky about who held her. I guess
she just likes me.
Shampoo: Shampoo feel sorry for Akane. Now Shampoo go home and get some
rest.
Soun: Come on Kasumi, I'll help you home.
Kasumi: Can we order takeout tonight father? I don't feel up to making
dinner.
Soun: Of course.
[Everyone walks off, leaving Akane holding the baby at the school gates.]
Akane: Hey! What am I supposed to do now!
=== END PART 1 ===
C&C *very* welcome, flames ignored. Please send comments to
twrensch@geocities.com. My completed stories and relatively complete
drafts are posted at http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Dojo/5201/.
(
geocities.com/twrensch)