Ranma, A Soldier's Story a Ranma 1/2 fanfiction by Andrew Aelfwine ***** Insert Standard Disclaimer Here. ********** The train slid into the station, smooth as ever on the rails. I'd forgotten how well the trains ran at home, or maybe it was only that after horses, motorbikes, buses, Rail Nepal, Amtrak, and gods knew what else they merely seemed like luxury incarnate. I took my duffel from the rack, swung it to my shoulder, and jumped to the ground, ignoring the steps. Nobody raised an eyebrow-- apparently Nerima was just as full of martial artists as ever. Walking the road to the Tendous', I was surprised how little everything had changed. Mrs. Miyazaki's cherry trees were doing well, and the Hayashi had painted their house green, but the rest was the same. It was eerie... I told myself. Of course not much had changed; after all, it had only been a year and a half. My classmates had still another school year before their graduation. I'd have some stories to tell them, even if I had to wait another year in school as a result. Everyone would be green with envy. And Akane, she and I would have hours and hours' worth of things to talk about, all the stories to tell of what had happened in her time here and mine abroad. I picked up my pace a bit, the sound of my boots echoing in the quiet streets. Kasumi's eyes lit up when she saw me at the door. "Ranma-kun! How are you? What did you see? Did you find a cure?" "Well, marvelous things, and I found something better." "Better?" "I realised that I don't have a curse." She smiled even wider at that, and hugged me. I'd never realised how warm she was, or how nice she smelled... "How's Akane?" I asked her after we let each other go. Her expression changed subtly, and I couldn't quite think why. "Well enough, Ranma-kun. She..." "Ranma?" She stood behind Kasumi in the hall, and it was all I could do to keep breathing. She was marvelous. She'd begun letting her hair grow before I left, and it was past her shoulders now; perhaps in a couple of years it would be the glory I remembered from when we first met. She was wearing her workout clothes, and she positively glowed with health and energy. I spread my arms, and she embraced me willing enough. But there was something not quite right in her grip, and she didn't press herself against me as she had in that one last lovely parting clinch. I had to beat down the thought that Kasumi's hug was more lover-like than hers. "I'm sorry," she whispered in my ear, "but I told Sayuri I'd meet her fifteen minutes from now. I'll see you at dinner, OK?" I was a little puzzled by Akane's behaviour, but I quickly forgot about it as Kasumi brought out tea and cakes and began asking me about my travels. I was halfway through Europe when Nabiki showed up and started asking me about the casino in Monaco where I'd done a stint as a security guard. I was just through explaining how I'd managed to learn French in a month when Da and Mr. Tendou came back from the baths and wanted to know about the state of martial arts in gaijin-land. I was just through talking about the Berserker swordsmen I'd met on Gottland and how their style and weapons differed to those of the rapier masters I'd studied with in Leuven and the greatsword fighters I'd found in Alba when they proposed we should all repair to the doujou for a few demonstrations. Akane came back just before dinner. I tried to sit next to her, but she quietly maneuvered me across from her. There was an odd tension in the air; perhaps it was just the approaching start of the new school year. Da had apparently given up stealing food from people, and just as well; I was distracted to the point that I would never have had a grain of rice had he tried. The next day dawned warm and fair. I passed it lazy enough, here sparring a bit, there helping Kasumi with the wash, which pleased her no end once she'd got beyond the initial surprise. I considered going over to Ucchan's, but decided 'gainst it; I'd had a letter or two of her, and knew she'd be in Kansai with her family, rebuilding burnt bridges, as it were. Instead I took a walk, absently wondering where Ryouga'd taken himself to. Akane didn't make herself known, running off immediately after breakfast. Ryouga showed up ten minutes or so before dinner. I braced myself for another round of "Die, Ranma!" but he greeted me civil enough, even friendly. There was something odd about his demeanour, a little stiffness, perhaps. Akane came home barely before the start of dinner. She sat herself down beside Ryouga. It was another tense meal, and I barely remember the taste of it, though as usual it was Kasumi's excellent cooking. I don't remember most of what was said, but one thing; towards the end of the meal, I heard Akane quietly say to Ryouga "Thanks so much for that fish paste you brought--Kasumi's made good use of it, but I'm sure we could make a better." She giggled softly. "I'm sure you'd go quite lovely with it." he replied, and the gears inside my wooden head clicked into place at last. I didn't say a word, went through the rest of the meal in a vaguely courteous fog. They went away afterward, I didn't mark where. I was left with Kasumi alone in the kitchen. "Ranma-kun..." she said softly. "I know." "I'm sorry...we couldn't think how to tell you." "It's not your fault." "They didn't know how to tell you, either." There was a long silence. "Surely they might have found a better way than to discuss an obscene use for fish paste." Her face flared into anger, then sadness. "Stupid children. I'm very sorry, Ranma-kun." "It's not your fault, Kasumi-chan." She embraced me. I managed not to pull away. "What will you do?" she asked me. "I don't know. It's a big world out there, and there's more of them as well, and easy enough to get between them once one knows the way of it. I learned a few tricks when I was out wandering; there's always employment for a man or woman with my skills." "You could stay here. Your father and mother are finally back together; someone told her about Jusenkyou half a year ago. She beat him senseless, then told him when he woke up that she'd not care a whit did her son become a hermaphroditic alien reptile when wet, so long as his behaviour were manlike." "No, Kasumi-chan, I can't do that. Your father and mine'll force me to wed you or Nabiki, and I can't wreck your lives that way. You both deserve something better than a wanderer with no trade but the Art." She looked as if to frame a protest, but said nothing. We sat together a long time, not saying a word. At least we stood up and set about setting the kitchen to rights, all without speaking. I couldn't sleep that night, tossing and turning about on my futon. At about midnight, I heard a rhythmic creaking from above. I thought, putting my head beneath my pillow. But it continued, and continued, and at last I heard an all-too-familiar voice give a high cry. There was a brief mutter of voices, and then two breaths eased into slumber. I got up and threw on my clothes. From my duffel I took brush and ink and paper, and the small box of spices I'd put together as I travelled, saffron and cinnamon and cumin, all direct from their sources and of the highest grades. I wrote a short note, thanking Kasumi for everything, and offering this token of my regard. From the bag I took one more item, the sword I'd picked up in a small shop in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Someone's war souvenir, probably, and never recognised for its lovely self beneath the plain scabbard and hilt. It had felt like an old friend the instant I closed my hand around the grip, and perhaps it was. I paid much less for it than it was worth, and the fat fool who ran the shop practically wet himself at the good money he'd got out of the stupid Nip for the old piece of junk. A Kunou would have taken his head; I merely gave him a short bow and left. I slept rough and lived on squirrels and wild roots for a month after, but that was no great matter. A good sword deserves company that knows its worth. I took it up and slipped it through my belt, from now on the tool of my trade; there was always war somewhere, and swordsmen in demand. At the last minute my hand lit on a green and blue silk scarf, a token I'd picked up for another Tendou. No reason to give it her, now. I added it to Kasumi's gift, left them both with my note on the kitchen counter, and slipped out into the night. More than a few folk had passed from dimension to dimension in the old temple on the hill; a simple spell and I was on my way. Later: "Ranma-kun! How are you!" She flung herself against me, and I was slightly startled at the intensity of her greeting. Perhaps in my memory she'd grown milder than she was. I dropped my bag, 'braced her back, held her as tightly as she me. After a few moments, we let each other loose a bit, or more accurately I tried to let her go entirely and she refused to allow me. She rapped her knuckles against my chest. "What is this, then?" I was surprised to feel myself flush. "I'm sorry, Kasumi- chan, I wasn't thinking, should have taken it off before I came by. It's armour, common wear for me these past few years." To be precise, I'd been issued it as an officer in the Emperor's Own Heavy Horse, and had taken it with me when I left; his Most Puissant Majesty Napoleon VII Bonaparte had, in his usual paranoid fashion, chosen to retract my commission through an attempted assassination. It was a marvelous good harness, mage- work of metal and a plastic-analogue, stronger than steel and lighter than leather. "Well, you'll not need it here, I think. Things have settled down remarkably; we hardly see one fight a year." "That's good. I've had enough of fighting, since I left." She looked up into my eyes; I was in male form, and a last small growth spurt seven years back had left me five centimeters taller than she. "How long has it been, for you? You look... older." "About nine years. Has it been less here?" "Only five." "I'm not surprised, really. Time does funny things when one hops around, and I've been in a dozen different Earths, and twice in space." She smiled up at me, and I was nearly dazzled. I forcibly reined myself in. "Such a life you've led, Ranma-kun. You shall have to tell me all about it. I'm afraid I've been here all the time, and don't really have any stories to tell." "That's not true, Kasumi-chan. I've been gone from Nerima for ages, it feels like. I want to know everything." "Come inside, sit down, and I'll make tea." she said, and we did. The Tendou house hadn't changed much. A glance round suggested that Kasumi was the only one home. "Where is everyone, then?" "Well, Nabiki has her career, and Daddy's on holiday with Hinako-san, and your father's living with your mother again, but I'd suppose you knew that..." She paused, and I could tell she was trying to think of some way to tell me something. "It's all right, Kasumi-chan. Ryouga and Akane got married, didn't they?" "Yes. How did...?" "I know? I ran into them on my way here." Ryouga looked good, older and wiser, but without any of the wear that I saw everytime I looked in the mirror. He'd grown his hair out, was wearing it in a ponytail now. I couldn't decide if that made me happy or not. Akane, of course, had been radiant, and I'd been not quite surprised to find I still cared. Her hair was down to her thighs, now, and she'd pulled it back in a thick braid. They'd been very friendly to me, and were obviously still delighted with each other. "I'm sorry." she said gently, and laid her hand on mine. "It's all right. I'd rather assumed they would be. Have you ever congratulated two people whom you essentially like on the one thing about them which you truly detest?" She squeezed my hand, but didn't say anything. We sat there some time, sipping tea and looking at each other. I'd noticed she wasn't wearing a ring, wasn't sure what to say. "So," I said at last, "what happens with you? Is there..." "Anyone?" she replied. "No." "But I always thought Toufuu-sensei..." "He's a fool, Ranma-kun. A good doctor, but otherwise useless as a man. I'm sure eventually some woman will be found to keep him in line, but she'll not be me." I could hear bitterness in her voice; apparently something had been tried and not succeeded. Now it was my hand that squeezed hers. "What of you, Ranma-kun?" she said softly. "What warrior woman, what alien princess, what pirate queen has found your heart?" "None." I replied. She smiled softly, sadly, but didn't say anything. We sat for some time. Then she said "I'm sorry, I've not offered you anything to eat. Would you like dinner? I'd be happy to put something together." "Would you like to go out? I'm quite flush these days. Is that nice French place still open?" "Ranma-kun... are you sure?" "Of course. If nothing else, think about all my Da and I used to eat, and all the wear and tear on the house. It's the least I can do." "Well, if you insist..." "I do, Kasumi-chan." "Mind if I change clothes?" "Not in the least. Is there somewhere I could do the same?" "The guest room is yours if you want it." My suitcase had the distinct advantage of being larger on the inside than the outside. I took out a civilian suit I'd bought a few dimensions away; the long suede jacket, loose trousers, knee- high boots, and soft cravat would look a bit eccentric, but not ugly or inelegant, I hoped. The outfit also had the distinct advantage of flattering both my figures. I rebound my queue with a burgandy ribbon, matching my shirt. Kasumi knocked just as I finished. "You look handsome." she said. I was for a moment at a loss for words. At last I managed to say "You look stunning." Her blue dress was plain, yet elegant, and perfectly fitted. Her hair was up in a simple chignon. She wore a blue and green silk scarf which looked somehow familiar. I gave her my arm, and out we went. Dinner was delightful. The maitre d' sniffed a bit when he saw my suit, but we still wound up with quite a nice table. We ate slowly, leisurely. Midway through our meal, the drunken lawyer at the next table overturned his water glass. The splash would not have reached any normal person, but as fate would have it I am not a normal person. Less than a second later I was fifteen centimeters shorter and very glad of the loose fit of my shirt and jacket. I suspect Kasumi's expression resembled the one I had worn when I first saw her outfit. At last she said "Are you all right? Would you like some hot water?" Her smile when I replied "No, thank you, I'm fine as I am" was one of the most utterly joyous expressions I'd ever seen. Leaving, I offered her my arm once more. "Do you mind?" she said. "I don't if you don't, Kasumi-chan." "I'd be delighted, Ranma-chan." We wandered happily home. "How long do you intend to be here, Ranma-chan?" she asked me. I smiled a bit at the diminutive; she'd never used it on me before, and it was a pleasant, warm feeling. "A long time, I think. Nine years is enough wandering. I'll probably get an apartment, see if I can find something useful to do with myself. I could always teach the Art, if nothing else." "You could stay with m... with us. Nabiki and Akane are out of the house, and Daddy's over at Hinako-san's quite often. It gets very lonely, sometimes." "Would you mind?" "Not at all." When we got home, she asked if I'd like a nightcap. "I've quite a good sake here, aged fifteen years in cedar. Would you be interested?" "Very much." She gathered the bottle and the little ceramic cups, and we sat down in the living room. She turned on the CD player, and soft lute music filled the room: one of the Bach suites, I think. She refilled my cup rather often; at least twice as many times as hers. We talked quietly of this and that, until at last I took pity on her. "Kasumi-chan, you've been reading one of those love advice columnists, haven't you?" "And why do you say I have, Ranma-kun?" she said, giggling a little bit. Perhaps she'd more drink taken than quite she'd intended. "Because I think I read the same column. And there's something you should know--I have a weird metabolism." "And?" "Alcohol has almost no effect on me to speak of. Besides, it's completely unnecessary." The look on her face was something between desperate hope and near-panic. "Kasumi-chan," I continued, "all you have to do is ask." "But I can't." "Why not?" "It's embarassing. And so hard..." "You don't have to use words, you know." She very deliberately set down her cup and knee-walked over to me. Taking my head in her two hands, she kissed me firmly on the lips. I put my arms around her back and did my best to make full and equal return. When we paused, she whispered "Do you want hot water?" "Not unless you do." She gave a sigh of relief. "I hope you don't mind, Ranma- chan. It's not that I don't like your male form, it's just that..." "You're nervous around men anyhow, and you're probably sixty-forty the other way. I don't mind in the least, Kasumi-chan." What happened next is no one else's business. ***** I wrote this story after a few weeks in Scandinavia, with a couple of Patrick O'Brien's Aubrey-Maturin novels and E.R. Eddison's _The Worm Ourobouros_ as my primary English- language reading material. Any oddities of useage probably have something to do with this fact. I've never been sure what I thought of this-- I might use it for something someday. I like aspects of it, others seem a bit hard to swallow. Please tell me what you think of it-- I'd like to know.