Ranko 2/2: Cascaded Universe
Episode 0 Akane's Wish: Wake of the Future
v 00
The second story in the "Ranma's Birthday Wish"
Continuum.
By Kevin D. Hammel
This tale follows Bryan Neef's Ranma's Birthday
and Kevin D. Hammel's Roses for Kunou...
Ranma 1/2 is property of Rumiko Takahashi. Publishing
rights are held by Viz in The US and Shogakukan in Japan.
My purpose is to honor the creator and her works. No
infringement intended.
------------------------------------------------------------
Ranko was home in much less time than she had expected. Her
mom greeted her. "So, dear, how did it go?"
"Really well, I think I convinced Kunou to leave his hands
off Akane AND myself. I need to change, I'll be back in a
down in a few moments."
Well, it was now or never. That Ranko was a girl was a fact
proven by the lack of change in hot water. The only question
which remained was, did the curse still exist? Did it EVER
exist? She hoped it had, and wished it hadn't. Ranko took
off her clothes, carefully sorting them as she always did,
then put on a robe. Now was the time to cross her Rubicon.
She ran the hot water tap for a minute, filling a glass with
hot water and set it on the floor. If she was cursed, she
should be able to reach the glass on the floor, no matter
what form she took. Ranko then ran the cold water tap until
she was sure it was cold. She splashed her face with cold
water, and, changed. Ranma saw a familiar face in the
mirror. But how could this happen? It appeared that a
cursed, female Ranma had been placed in this timestream.
Ranma sat down on the floor and knew that NOTHING had
improved from yesterday, unless he BECAME Ranko. Ranko was
happy, she had a loving mother, and loved her sisters. But
Ranma wanted to MARRY Akane, not have her as a sister. His
wish had been fulfilled, but not as he had desired.
What about his parents? His mother, who spent a decade
hoping to see him, his father, who taught him to love the
Art, lost forever. With conscious effort , he picked up the
glass on the floor, and used it to reverse the change. What
was she to do? Cry, Ranko buried her face in her hands.
Keiko heard the sobs coming from upstairs. It seemed her
daughter was still troubled by events of the day. She went
upstairs to comfort her.
-------
Ranko felt her mother's arms around her.
"Mother, who am I?" Ranko asked as she got up, ran the cold
water, and changed. "Yesterday was not a dream, " Ranma
concluded.
Keiko looked at the boy in shock. Here was evidence that the
dream HAD been reality yesterday. But Ranko had never
reacted this way to cold water before. "What have you done
to Ranko?"
Ranma looked at Mrs. Tendou. "What have YOU done to my
parents? There are no answers, only pain."
Keiko got up, and started down the stairs. "Try to find
something to wear in public. We need to talk."
-------
Ranma came down wearing a warm-up suit he had found in
Kasumi's closet. It was close enough to a fit that it looked
alright, actually. He didn't particularly like the pink
color, but it would have to do. "Why does Kasumi have to
have a pink warm-up suit? Because she's Kasumi!" He answered
himself.
"Oh my!, we're going to have to get you some clothes,
Ranko."
"Yeah, I guess you're right. My name used to be Ranma, but
my mom always called me Ranko. I had to be Ranko for her
because of pop's stupid promise. I guess I'm Ranko forever,
now."
"I cannot imagine how much it must hurt you, Ranma, but
let's TRY to make the best of it. Let's get you some
clothes, though I must say pink IS your color." She
couldn't help but giggle.
Ranma flushed. Guys didn't wear pink. He knew Ranko wasn't
a guy, but she wasn't a girl right now either...
"And I still owe you that Ice Cream I promised earlier," a
lifetime ago, Keiko concluded to herself.
The two left the house and headed downtown.
-------
"Excuse me!" Keiko asked a saleswoman who was staring at
Ranma. "My son is visiting me and the clothes he was wearing
were...soiled. He needs to find an inexpensive pair of pants
and a shirt, as he is somewhat embarrassed by his current
attire."
The clerk took a few measurements of Ranma, then left. Five
minutes later, she returned with a pair of pants and a plain
white shirt.
"May I try them on?"
"Certainly."
Ranma when to the changing room and emerged wearing the much
more comfortable clothes.
Keiko asked the saleslady, "Can you ring us up?"
"Sure, and you can wear the clothes, let me take the tags
off."
Keiko paid for the clothes, the left the store with Ranko.
"Would you like the ice cream now?" Keiko asked.
"Could we go home first? I think the shop is near our
home isn't it? I'd like to change into something more
appropriate."
"But you are wearing the only clothes you have...I see!
Yes, it is, alright Ranko, I mean Ranma."
"Mrs. Tendou, Ranko is fine with me." Ranko said,
looking over at his mother.
Keiko smiled. "Thank you. Ranko is fine with me, too."
-------
A quick change and a short walk later, Ranko and her mom
finally made it to the ice cream shop. Ranko was wearing
the same pair of overalls and pink shirt she had worn
earlier. Neither woman spoke until the sundaes were
delivered. Ranko broke the silence. "Mrs. Tendou, I have
to ask you two questions. They are very important to me,
and will decide what I chose to do in the future."
"Go ahead, Ranko, but PLEASE call me mom, OK?"
"The answer to the first question will DETERMINE whether I
call you mom or not. Neither my parents nor Akane ever
really accepted me as a boy and girl. Will you accept me as
your daughter AND son?"
Keiko thought for a few moments, looking at her daughter.
"Yes, I will, Ranko."
Ranko's face filled with joy. She got up and hugged her
mother. "Thanks mom, I'll need your help to let go of my
old parents, but now I know I'm home." She hugged Keiko
for a few more moments, then let go and sat back down.
Her expression became more serious. "As I told you before,
Akane and I WERE engaged and, even though I broke the
engagement in my depression yesterday, I now have a
second chance. Before I do anything, I will ask Akane,
but do you think I would be able to go out with her?"
Keiko looked like she had taken a blow. "Could I think
about it please, Ranko. I don't want to make a mistake."
"But I'm the one who made the mistake, I never let Akane
know how I really felt until it was too late, please
don't take her away, too!"
"Ranko, I said let me think about it. You, Akane, and I
need to sit down and discuss it. But I promise you, if
it looks like it will be a good thing for you AND Akane,
I will not stand in your way."
"Thank you, Akane is lucky to have such a fine mother."
"Don't forget, I'm your mom too."
"Yeah!" Ranko said, resuming her enjoyment of the ice cream
in earnest.
-------
Ranko waited patiently for her sister to return from school.
Her mother had brought down a blanket so she could rest on
the couch and forget some of the strains of the day. The
door burst open, and Akane ran in. Ranko jumped up and
grabbed her sister. "Akane, you'll never guess what happened!"
"What, Ranko?"
Keiko looked with concern at Ranko. She was about to say
something when her faith in her daughter told her not to.
"I visited Kunou in the Hospital, and told him you and I don't
love him, and he accepted it!"
"That's great news, Ranko!" Akane said with joy.
"I told him you'd visit. I'd suggest bringing him a
dark-blue rose in a vase. When he sees you, he should start
right in with the apology. I'll go with you and wait in the
lobby, if you'd like, Akane."
"Let's go, Ranko!"
The two raced out the still open door, dodged Nabiki, and
ran down the street.
-------
Akane entered Kunou's room holding the single dark-blue
flower in a vase. Kunou cast a glance her direction. "Good
Evening, fair Akane."
"Good Evening, upperclassman."
"You must have met Ranko. As I did her, I offer you a full
apology for my actions. I acknowledge that you do not love
me."
"I accept your apologies, thank you." Akane bent down and
gave Kunou a peck on the cheek. She got up and left her
vase next to Ranko's.
"Good day to you. Know that my broken heart will be quickly
mended when Lady Ukyou responds to my attentions."
Yeah, right. Akane thought. "Good day, upperclassman," Akane said.
"Good day Akane."
She left the room.
-------
Ranko was waiting for her. "So, how did it go?"
Akane smiled, "it seems that he realizes we don't love him!"
Her expression darkened a little.
"Akane, what's wrong?"
"He now awaits Lady Ukyou to respond to his attentions."
"Oh...well, he graduates this year, so Ucchan won't have to
put up with the idiot nearly as long as we did!"
"Yeah, let's go home." Akane was smiling again.
-------
After dinner, Ranko gave her mother a pleading glance.
Keiko was proud of how Ranko had handled herself since Akane
had returned, but knew any further delays would only hurt
her...son. "Akane, Ranko, could you come to my room after
dinner?"
Ranko tried hard to suppress a smile, responding "yes."
Akane wanted to be let in on the secret too, saying "sure".
"Kasumi, could you put your homework aside long
enough to clean up tonight?"
"Certainly, mother."
"Thank you, Kasumi. I know it's Akane's night, but Ranko
and I need to talk to her."
-------
Ranko was the last to arrive in her mother's room, probably
because she had changed into a boy's shirt and pants which
didn't fit her, and brought a couple of glasses of water,
which she set down on the dresser. Before she sat down,
she shut the door.
Keiko spoke first. "Akane, Ranko got up this morning
depressed, though she had a wonderful time at the party
last night."
"Yes, I noticed, mom." Akane looked at Ranko with concern.
"It seems that her depression was due to what I called at
the time a 'vivid dream'. When she awoke she didn't even
remember...me." Keiko choked back tears, knowing full well
why Ranko had not recognized her. "When she returned home
from the hospital, she, then I discovered it was not a
dream. Could you repeat the story of your 'dream', Ranko."
"Yes, mother" Ranko recounted the whole story, sparing no
details. When she was done, Akane was in shock. Her mother
dead eleven years? Ranko's parents alive along with her
father? Akane and Ranko, who had been born male with the
name Ranma, stuck in an arranged marriage? Ranko loved
her? Ranko changing gender using water? Her glance went
to the glasses, she inhaled sharply, her eyes alight with
realization.
Ranko looked at Akane. "I asked mother if I could go out
with you, to give me a chance to show you how much I love
you." Ranko's face was awash with tears.
Akane looked at her sister, feeling some of the pain she
knew the girl was experiencing. But could she do this? This
was her sister, not Kunou Tatewaki, But yesterday, this
'sister' had been in love with her, and had not expressed
it very well, as usual. It was obvious that there were
misunderstandings on both sides, but she and Ranma had
loved each other. His wish had given back Akane her
mother, but cost him everything. She knew what she had to
say. "Yes, Ranko, but please don't take it too fast, OK?"
Ranko beamed. "OK, Akane." she got up and poured the glass
of water over herself, changing. He cast a glance at his
mother. "Could we go out for a few minutes?"
"Certainly." Keiko was a little concerned, but had seen
nothing in this boy which gave here concerns any
justification.
Ranko turned to Akane. "Would you go out to the dojo with
me?"
"Sure."
The two left the room. Keiko took the glasses back
downstairs, filling Nabiki and Kasumi in. The two
elder daughters had been shocked to see a slightly
soggy boy escort Akane out the door, and were
greatful for an explanation.
-------
Ranko grasped Akane's waist, and jumped to the top of the
roof, like he always did.
Akane looked at Ranko "There's a better way!" She jumped
down, waiting for Ranko. This time it was Akane who did the
jumping for both. "You forget, THIS Akane is every bit as
accomplished in the Art as you, Ranko!" She smiled.
Ranko was pleased with the way things were turning out. He
turned to Akane. "I always called you an 'uncute tomboy'
perhaps I should call you a cute tomboy." He looked at her
expectantly.
Akane had never been on a date where she was given the lead,
that's why she hated boys...perhaps this wasn't a boy. She
hugged Ranko, who embraced her as well. They embraced for
several minutes, just enjoying each other's company. Akane
finally let go, and found that Ranko responded instantly to
her change in mood.
"Thanks, Akane. I think that's enough for tonight." He
jumped down, waiting for her to follow.
Akane jumped down, then gave Ranko a little peck on the
cheek before running back inside.
Ranko followed at a slower pace, savoring the moment.
-------
Ranko sat that night on the edge of her bed, and tears came
unbidden. She still really couldn't deal with losing her
parents. She knew she already loved Keiko, that Keiko was
very much like what Nodoka would have been if she had known,
but now she would NEVER know. Ranko was now shaking with
sobs. Ranko felt her mothers arms embracing her. "Let go,
Ranko, tears will not bring them back. I'm your mother, I
love you." The tears still would not stop. "Ranko, lets
sleep in my bed tonight, OK?" The tears slowed a little.
Ranko was NOT going to sleep in her mother's bed, "OK mom,
thanks!" Ranko sniffled a little as she followed her mother
to the bedroom.
The first few hours were horrible, full of pain for Ranko,
but whenever she cried out or screamed, her mother was
there, stroking her back, or embracing her. Eventually,
Ranko drifted off to a peaceful sleep. Mom was there to
protect her, everything would be OK.
-------
Ranko awoke to see her mother's smiling face. Keiko spoke
first "Good morning! See, the morning always comes, no
matter how long the night seems."
"Good morning, mom, thanks!" Ranko gave her mom a quick
hug, then raced back to her room. She had to get ready for
morning workout.
Keiko watched her daughter as she raced out of her room,
youthful energy restored by the peaceful sleep which came
after the pain. She didn't expect her daughter would need
her company tonight, but was always ready regardless.
-------
On the way to school, Akane couldn't help but notice Ranko
looking wistfully at the fence. "You know, Akane, I used to
run to school on top of that fence while you walked."
"Why not try it now?"
"You showed me last night that almost anything I can do, you
can too. Would you like to run on the fence?"
"Well, I haven't practiced, perhaps if we practice this
weekend, we can start next week." Akane decided that she
wanted to do anything she could to make Ranko happy, besides
she thought this sounded like FUN.
-------
That night, Akane and Ranko visited Dr. Tofu. "Hello Akane
and Ranko, what brings you by tonight?"
Ranko spoke first, "it's a long story..." She told him
everything.
"I see, let me call a friend, then I need to take some
readings, Ranko." The doctor made his phone call, then began
to systematically trigger Ranko's transformations. He was
able to pinpoint the temperature within a tenth of a degree.
He concluded his testing with "Oh dear."
"What, doctor?" Ranko asked.
"It seems that your transformation temperature is a degree
below normal. I would expect it to be normal or about half
normal. I hope the guest I have invited can solve the
problem." A new person had entered the room. She was a
middle-aged woman wearing a silk robe. She reminded Ranko
of Cologne.
"Hello, my name is Par'foo-mu, I an a scholar on Mystical
lore, Jusenkyo, and Chinese Amazons. Dr Tofu has told
me of your troubles. Which of you is Ranko?"
Ranko raised her hand "Guilty, Madam."
Parfum smiled.
Dr Tofu showed the curse activation temperature he had
measured. Parfum looked concerned, then spoke "it seems
you are the victim of the wake of a wish further up the
timestream. It is not normal for a curse or memories to
persist for long after a wish, as they cause a contradiction
in the altered reality. I would have expected your curse to
activate at a much lower temperature. The one thing which does
not surprise me is that the curse has become reversed, since
your birth gender, and core identity is now female, the curse
was reversed in this reality."
"Could you explain?"
"Certainly. Normally, when reality is modified by a wish, any
curses or memories foreign to the new reality are adjusted to
the new reality, then quickly removed, as the new reality
'heals itself' of foreign elements. In the case of memories,
they fade to nothing, in the case of a Jusenkyo curse, the
activation temperature will decrease until it reaches zero,
at which time the curse is lifted, as liquid water cannot
exist at 0 C. As you are a strong practitioner of the Art,
and are strong in spirit, Ranko, you would normally retain
yours for a few days, then you and everyone else would forget
they ever existed."
"No!" Ranko shouted. "That's not fair!"
"It is perfectly 'fair' it plays no favorites, everyone is
treated equally. Back to your problem. Under normal
circumstances, the activation temperature of your curse would be
one half of normal, if it was to decay in three days, but it has
gone down only a bit more that 1 degree in a little over a day.
I speculate it must be a "wake effect" from a wish further up
the timestream, another wish will occur in the future which is
modifying this reality as part of its effect. Who knows about
your curse?"
"Akane, her mother, sisters, and you two."
"One of these people will make a wish in about a month. If
you return in a week, we might be able to pinpoint the
day."
Akane looked very excited. "My birthday is in a month!"
"It may very well be your wish which is affecting our
reality, Akane. I will return in one week's time. Thank
you."
"Well, girls, I guess that explains the situation." Tofu
looked at Ranko "after hearing your story, I feel really
sorry for you, but you have a wonderful mother and sisters
who love you. You'll be fine, Ranko."
Ranko thought, in horror, of herself as a happy housewife,
then thought of her mother. She might be married someday,
but she would always have the Art, she would always be
something more. Besides, Akane had her wish...
-------
Things progressed well in the week before Akane and Ranko
returned to Dr. Tofu's...until the last night.
Ranko taught Akane how to run on the fence to school, which
Akane soon learned to enjoy. Each day the two girls tried to
outdo each other on their dismount, with Ukyou and other
friends providing scores on a one to ten scale. Ranko
always let Akane lead, of course.
Their dates became a thing each of them anticipated. Both of
them became fairly passionate at kissing until, the day
before the appointment...
Ranko broke off the kiss in tears. "I'm sorry Akane, I can't
kiss another girl like that."
"But you're a boy right now, Ranko!"
"That amazon quack was right, I'm losing myself to Ranko. I
wonder how long before I'll want to kiss boys?"
Akane looked at her friend through tears. "Don't say that,
I still love you, Ranko! Please don't leave me!"
"I'm sorry Akane! Please don't forget me! By your birthday
I'll be gone, please bring me back." Ranko could talk no
more. he leapt down from the roof and went inside.
-------
Ranko and Akane were at Tofu's office again, and the doctor
had measured the activation temperature again. He plotted
temperature versus time, and connected the two points with
a line. "Now this crosses zero at..."
"My birthday," Akane said with joy. It WAS her wish, what
would it be? "Parfum?"
"Yes, child."
"I was wondering. Ranko and myself went out on several
dates, with our kissing becoming quite passionate. Last
night, she said she doesn't like kissing girls. Can you
explain?"
"Of course, dear. The two wishes interact with each other
because they are so close in the timestream. This
interaction causes a constantly shifting reality which
affects all save you, as you will make the second wish. To
use a metaphor, you surf the rapids cascading between the
two wishes, unaffected. On your birthday, you alone will
remember what has happened, and your sister's curse will
be lifted."
"So, Ranko's memories of life as Ranma will gradually
fade away?"
"Yes, child. At some time on your birthday, your sister
will have lost all memories of her previous existance.
She will be a girl with no memories of ever being a
boy, except in her 'dream'."
Thank you," Akane said sadly, turning to leave.
"Let's go Ranko."
"Yeah, sis." Ranko wasn't sure what was going on anymore.
She KNEW she wasn't a guy, and didn't like becoming one.
She did know that, on Akane's birthday, that water would
have to be near freezing to change her. She did intend
to change on that day, but not before. She owed Ranma and
Akane one last moment together.
-------
Akane felt like a prisoner, marking off days until release.
Some things were changed, and each reminded her of what they
had for that fleeting time. They still ran on the fences to
school, having a great time twice a day. For a while, Ranko
still liked to jump on the roof and talk, but then became a
bit boy-crazy and stopped their rooftop rendezvous. It pained
Akane to see Ranko going out with boys, but she looked so
happy. At last, it was Akane's seventeenth birthday.
-------
The clock read five, and it was Akane's birthday. Ranko
had been dreading and anticipating this day for weeks. In
preparation of what she was to do this morning, she had
borrowed Kasumi's warm-up suit, and was now wearing the
pink warm-up. One last duty had to be performed for a boy
she never met, except in a mirror.
---
Ranko went downstairs to the freezer and removed several ice
cubes, putting them in a bowl, with a little water. She
waited for a few minutes, hoping the water was zero degrees
or close to it. She upended the bowl over her head, pleased
the water was cold enough to effect one last change. He went
up to Akane's bedroom.
-------
Akane woke up to see Ranma, the male aspect of Ranko she had
grown to love. "Don't forget Ranma, Akane. I had to do this
for him, and for you. If he were here he would propose to
you, I know it! And Akane, I will speak as Ranko now,
don't forget me, either. I love you, too!" A tear rolled
down Ranko's cheek. It seemed that the curse's time had
expired. To Akane's shock, Ranma melted back to Ranko. Akane
was in tears again.
"C'mon, sis it's your birthday, cheer up! Why so sad today?"
"Thank you for everything, Ranko!" Ranma had now joined his
parents in oblivion, but he lived on in her mind. She WOULD
bring him back.
-------
Finally, what she had waited for. The tension was almost
unbearable. She blew out all seventeen candles, then made
her wish.
Akane enjoyed the cake, her mom had outdone herself this
time. As she finished, something crept into her
mind. She had mentioned 'Ranko' and 'her' not 'Ranma' and
'his' in her wish. Would he come back? She didn't know.
Akane began to cry. Ignoring concerned questions and
comments from her family and friends, she ran upstairs in
tears.
-------
After crying herself out, Akane prepared herself for bed,
and was soon asleep.
-------
Akane's alarm clock went off. Funny, she didn't feel any
different. She DID notice that she was wearing a beautiful
ring on a gold chain around her neck. Perhaps Ranko had
proposed last night here, like Ranko had said Ranma
would...
Her room looked the same as it always had. She opened her
closet, and saw a few changes. There was a boy's uniform
next to her girl's jumper. Boys clothes also took up
nearly one half of the closet, though the girls clothes
which remained were all favorites. Uncertain what to do,
she put on a robe, and went to the bathroom.
-------
She wasn't in the tub too long when a male Ranko came into
the bathroom, soaking wet, wearing a gi. "Sorry, Akane,
my mom knocked me into the pond today." He went to the
sink and ran some warm water then splashed his face to
allow him to change. She joined Akane in the tub. Akane
noticed that Ranko also was wearing a ring on a chain.
"Akane, Ukyou landed a REALLY solid blow on you last night,
are you OK?"
"Well, my memory seems a little jumbled right now. Why do
you change like you do."
"You do too, you know, Akane. It all started when we were
five years old..."
-------
Jusenkyo, China, 12 years ago
SD Guide "Welcome sirs and children to cursed training
ground Jusenkyo."
SD Genma and SD Soun argue "My daughter will be the son."
"No, MY daughter!"
"NO, MY DAUGHTER!"
They both shout at each other "OK, BE THAT WAY!" Genma
throws SD chibi Ranko-chan and Soun throws
SD chibi Akane-chan into a pool. SD chibi Ranko-kun and
SD chibi Akane-kun emerge from the pool, and both begin to
cry.
"Sirs, your daughters have fallen into spring of drowned
young man. Very tragic story of young man drown there.
Whoever fall in spring become young man.
SD Genma and SD Soun give each other a victory sign. Each
comforts his son. Soon the two boys are smiling and walk out
with their fathers.
-------
Nerima, Tokyo, a few days less than 12 years ago
SD Genma and SD Soun lead their sons to the Tendou home.
SD Nodoka, brandishing a katana, and SD Keiko chase the
fathers down street, generating dust clouds.
Meanwhile, on the porch, SD chibi Kasumi-chan says
"Oh my!", and SD chibi Nabiki-chan takes the two
SD boys' pictures with a toy camera.
-------
Bathtub, Nerima, Tokyo, present
"So, that's why we are cursed. Shortly thereafter, our
fathers went on a training trip and never returned. We don't
know what happened to them, but they were declared legally
dead five years ago," Ranko told Akane.
She continued: "We attend school in the morning as boys,
then change for PE, and return as girls. Since we have been
this way almost as long as we can remember, I don't really
think it is a curse, do you?"
"No," Akane replied. "Why do you want to marry me?"
"Well, you are the only guy who will have anything to do
with me, and I am the only guy will have anything to do with
you. All the guys at school think we're perverts, but the
girls accept us. But who wants to marry a girl?"
"I know what you mean." It did feel right, she had been
changing daily for as long as she could remember.
"Well, we'd better get ready for school."
"Yeah!"
-------
The two boys hurried to their places at the table. Nabiki
looked at them with a smile. "So, how is the two by foursome
today?"
"Fine!" Ranko and Akane answered as one. They then, very
politely, ate their food as fast as they could. Using their
martial arts housekeeping skills they cleaned all the pans
and utensils used in preparing breakfast in thirty seconds.
"Bye!" They both shouted and, grabbing their books, ran out
the door to school.
Kasumi smiled, and shook her head. It was like this every
day, but it still never ceased to amaze her.
Nodoka looked at Keiko with an odd smile on her face.
"It's strange that our husbands' bizarre plan to unite our
families will actually come to fruition."
"Yes, but I can't help but love those two wonderful
children. I'm proud of how well Akane has turned out, as I
know you are of Ranko. They have had to put up with so much
horror due to their father's plan."
"But is it horror anymore, Keiko-san? It might have been
twelve years ago, but they have grown so much. You know
that they love each other, and how much they need each
other. I cannot think of a more wonderful person for Ranko
to marry than Akane."
-------
"You lead, Ranko!" Akane shouted as the black-haired boy
vaulted to the top of the fence, with Akane running
behind. "We should be early enough to watch Ukyou run
the gauntlet."
-------
Sure enough, they got there in plenty of time to watch their
friend Ukyou fight her way into school, with her final
opponent being Kunou.
"Fair Ukyou, I bid thee good morning, and challenge thee to
combat for the honor"
CLANG!
Kunou did not get a chance to conclude his stanza, as his
face met with a giant spatula. He sat down and looked
dumbly, a feat EXCEEDINGLY easy for Kunou Tatewaki, at the
swiftly retreating Ukyou. He regained his senses in time to
shout at Akane and Ranko. "So the sorcerous knaves, Saotome
Ranko and Tendou Akane, return for another day of
subjecting the fair maidens who share their names to abject
slavery! I know they do not love me but, yea verily, I am
concerned for them." By the time Kunou had finished his
speech, both Ranko and Akane had entered the school
building.
-------
That evening, Akane took the lead running on the fence. There
was more on the line in the evening, as a dunking in the canal
would almost surely ruin the girl's uniform they wore on the
way home. Their mothers had made it clear that if a
daughters' antics resulted in a damaged uniform, that the
offending daughter would have to pay for it. So far this
year, no uniforms had been damaged. Akane performed her dismount
from the fence as a double somersault, and landed perfectly, while
Ranko had a perfect landing after her somersault-twist combo.
"Ranko, you are a modest showoff!"
"Akane, you are a sensitive jerk!"
"You cute tomboy!" Both said to each other, then laughed.
They held hands as they returned home to the
Tendou-Saotome Family Center.
Akane looked at Ranko, and smiled. Her wish turned out a LOT
better than Ranma's!
(END)
(
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