Nightelf (nwl9354@tam2000.tamu.edu) presents...
The Circe Project
Part 5
A work of anime fanfiction by Nicholas Leifker, aka "Nightelf"
Ranma 1/2 characters created by Rumiko Takahashi
Bubblegum Crisis characters created by Kenichi Sonoda
Nodoka Hibiki created by me, with serious Ranma 1/2 influences.
All rights reserved. Please do not do anything with this work without
the author's permission.
Oh my...
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mackie Stingray looked out at the city streets through the dojo's
broad panoramic window, sweat dripping off of her smaller frame, her hand
resting on the glass separating her from the afternoon shoppers, the
working stiffs, the playing children - all the _normal_ people of the
city. Normal people never had to worry about Genom shock-trooper
boomers, or three-dimensional melee tactics, or the warping effects of
a rainstorm. All they had to do was sell their souls to one master or
another to put food on the table. Not her...she still had her own soul,
even if her original body had a way of coming and going. In a strange
way, she had everything: perfect body (in either form, thank you very
much), well-trained mind, and a soulmate in Nodoka Hibiki. Now all she
had to do was ensure their survival - not the easiest of tasks for a
relatively inexperienced Knight Saber. Toni-
"Mackie!"
"Huh?" Nodoka's sharp command snapped her back to the practice
session.
"Come here. There's one last thing I want to demonstrate to you
before we're done." Walking over to a punching bag in the corner, the
young martial artist grasped a stopwatch around her neck, making a few
experimental test runs on it as she did so. Mackie, weary from the
intensity of the session, shuffled over, a slightly glazed expression in
her eyes.
A graceful hand gestured over to the bag. "Punch the bag one
hundred times as fast as you can, using only one fist."
"hai..." Mackie wiped the sweat from her brow, moving into a
fighting stance as she fixed her gaze on the bag. Then, with a hearty
battle cry, she started firing away, as fast as her fist could move.
"Kiyaaaa!!!"
Her fists seemed almost to disappear as they blurred from the speed,
beads of sweat reappearing on her forehead as she approached her goal.
Nodoka just stood there, dispassionately moving her eyes from Mackie to
her stopwatch and back. After a few seconds, Mackie stopped, her goal
satisfied. She smiled broadly, then turned to her love, a smug look on
her face.
"How long was it? Ten seconds? Eight?"
Nodoka stared down at the stopwatch. "Eight-point-seven-four
seconds. Not bad, for a beginner."
Mackie's eyes bulged out of their sockets, indignant at the
classification. "For a beginner? Excuse me, Nodoka-chan, but that was
good enough for anyone."
Not quite used to Mackie's arrogant side, Nodoka just shook her head
and groaned. She let go of the stopwatch, pulled out a marker, and
assumed a fighting stance. "En garde, Mackie-chan..."
"What did you cal me? Nodoka-chan, you know -"
"Kashuu Tenshin Amaguriken!!"
Something strange - a short, intense, almost tickling breeze -
passed over Mackie's sweat-dotted forehead, cooling her off. All the
time, Nodoka held her ground, seeming to stand perfectly still. Still
refusing to move, a small, harsh whisper escaped from Nodoka's clenched
teeth. "Look in a mirror."
"Huh?"
A tinge of disappointment entered Nodoka's mind as she relaxed from
her position. Frustrated by the cluelessness of her boyfriend, she
huffed, placing her hands on her hips. "I said, look in a mirror, baka!"
Mackie walked over to the far wall, where a small mirror was hung.
"What the..." Her attention focused on the small black dots on her
forehead, never openly felt, yet there nonetheless, spelling out perhaps
the most accurate description of herself.
Ba-ka.
A small chuckle came from behind. She turned to face Nodoka's grin,
as smug as her own had been. "Zero-point-two-two seconds. Not bad,
huh?"
Mackie was dumbstruck. "You mean to tell me that you got in a
hundred hits - in that time? How?"
The heir to the Anything-goes school shook her head happily, her
sable pigtail bouncing all the while. "Practice. Lots and lots of
practice. I could teach it to you quickly, but I have a feeling you
wouldn't like it."
"What wouldn't I like about it?"
Her smile turned mischievous. "What, do you like your girl-body
that much? I hope not. I'm not that kind of girl..."
Mackie stammered, not fully understanding. "G-girl-body?"
"Grandfather was stuck as a girl for over a month while he learned
it. Linna spent three weeks as a guy when Shampoo taught her. How long
would it take you? A girl could get lonely waiting..."
Mackie just rolled her eyes. "Okay, enough of the wisecracks.
What was it you wanted to show me earlier?"
The young teacher softened, then took one of Mackie's hands. "Come
with me. There's...someone...I want you to meet."
************************************************************************
Nodoka Hibiki took a long moment to steal a glance at Mackie as she
led her to a back room of the dojo. Thoughts of her family - past,
present, and future - floated through her mind as she watched history
repeating itself in this half-man's eyes. Spirited Grandmother Akane,
hiding her love for a "hentai" behind her stubborn anger. Gentle,
patient Grandmother Akari, waiting for her man to come and stop
wandering. Mother, passionate, strong, refusing to give up on her
beloved even after a year's absence. Finally, herself. She knew
instinctively, as she lost herself in those cool eyes, that she _loved_
him - and was ready to admit him into the family. A tear wiped down her
face, only to be wiped away by a gentle hand.
"Please don't cry." Mackie stared back at her, trying to read
the cause of the young lady's tears, the concern and worry fully
expressed on her face. The tears worsened, pushed on by the joy within
her.
"It's okay, Mackie. It's just...come. You'll understand."
Taking in a long, deep breath to compose herself, Nodoka wiped the
tears from her eyes, and led her love into a dark back room, largely
devoid of furnishing. She opened a closet door, to reveal...
A small shrine. Two pictures stood on top of a small cabinet,
surrounded by candles and other objects. One was of a woman, about
thirty years of age. She seemed more inferno than human, with fiery
red hair flowing around intense, passionate eyes and Nodoka-like
facial features. The second was of a strong, handsome gentleman, of
similar age, with long, slightly disheveled black hair and haunted dark
eyes. A yellow-and-black bandanna adorned the man's head, and
presently rested unworn on the shrine. The young pigtailed girl
knelt in front of the shrine, invited Mackie to join her, then
rang the chime, clasping her hands together.
"Mother, Father, I want to introduce you to someone." She
grasped Mackie's hands into her own, in an intimate way reserved
only for one. "This...this is Mackie. He is...Mother...I...I
love him."
Mackie gulped, her senses tingling from the confession.
"Nodoka-chan..." Nodoka nodded solemnly, then turned back to the
shrine.
"Mother, he - yes, he's a he, like Grandfather - he's kind,
and sweet, and intelligent. He cares for me, and I care for him.
I wanted...I wanted you to meet him."
The tears started to flow again, the worry of the coming
night's events making its way to the surface. "Mom, tonight we're
going...into battle. Watch over us - both of us - tonight." Pursing
her lips, hardening her features in an effort to hold back the tide, she
picked up the bandanna, wrapping it neatly around her head. Mackie
grabbed her shoulders, bringing her close, whispering soft assurances to
comfort her.
"Don't worry, love. Nothing will happen to either of us. I swear
it."
************************************************************************
Priss slept the afternoon away on the couch of her apartment, her
snores echoing loudly throughout the small place, her mind drifting away
in fantasies as much peace as passion. The concert last night had taken
more out of her than she dared admit. Not that she didn't enjoy it, of
course - she blew the roof off the place, as usual, and left the crowd
aching for more.
*BRRRINNGGG...BRRRINNGGG*
"Mmmh..." Not fully stirring, the young musician reached a clumsy
hand out to her alarm, fingertips searching valiantly for the snooze
button. That proving unproductive, she sat up, tried to rub the sleep
from her eyes, and picked up the still-ringing telephone. "Hullo?"
The voice that resounded from the other end clearly belonged to
someone far more conscious than she was: A baritone, professional,
somewhat dark, with just the slightest touch of nasal tone. "Good
afternoon. Is Priss there?"
"Speaking."
The voice brightened a bit. "Yes. This is Sean Hannah, tour
manager for Vision and the Revengers."
"Yes, I remember you. We met at Vision's last stop at the Tokyo
Dome."
"Of course", the voice said politely. "Anyway, having heard a few
things here and there, I decided to see your show. Needless to say, I
was suitably impressed - as was Vision when I showed her the tape."
"I see..." Priss said evenly, her anger at being taped balanced by
hope that this was...
"Priss, we were wondering if you and your band would be interested
in opening for Vision and the Revengers when they perform at the Tokyo
Dome this December 21st."
Oh my...
"Well..." Priss purred, trying to dampen the excitement within her,
"I'll have to ask the rest of the band, but I think we would probably be
willing to do it."
"Excellent. I will be at your performance tonight at Hot Legs,
where we can discuss it in more detail."
"Very well. I'll see you tonight, then, after the first session."
"Goodbye." "Goodbye." *CLICK.*
After hanging up the phone, Priss sat there numbly, blinking her
eyes, bewildered at the recent turn of events. The broad, silly grin
crept slowly onto her face, swiftly followed by an unnaturally ecstatic
glow to the eyes.
***********************************************************************
"That's all for today, everyone."
Ranma sighed quietly as the last class of the day slowly filed out
into the night, his body slowly absorbing the annoying warm aches of
age. Once the small commotion was done, thetask of cleaning up the dojo
was begun in silence - first, by neatly putting away the tatami mats,
then patiently sweeping the dust and other particles from the floor. An
old tune, its title lost to time, found its way to his lips, his soft
humming bringing a small, contented comfort.
*..Ring....Ring..*
"Must be Shampoo. She's early."
The master of the Anything-Goes School looked up at the opening
door, expecting an old friend. Rather, it was a much younger one that
came to visit. Nene walked in sheepishly, as though she were unsure of
her welcome. She looked down at the floor, unable to meet his calm,
steady gaze.
"Nene? Are you okay?"
The voice that responded was a far cry from the boisterous one Ranma
had grown accustomed to. "Sir...may I ask a favor?"
"Sure, anything."
"After tonight, would you train me? To fight, I mean. I'm willing
to pay..."
"Of course, Nene. Pardon me for asking, but do you mind if I ask
you a question?"
"Go ahead."
Ranma's wizened brow furrowed, wondering at the youth's agitation.
"Why me? Doesn't Sylia train you?"
She nodded. "Sure, a little bit. I've had a habit
of...discouraging her efforts."
Ranma's eyes widened as nene raised her head, ferocity beginning to
creep up into her features. "Ever since I joined the Knight Sabers, I've
always been the field technical expert, needed more for my radio and
computer help than my fighting ability. 'My good looks and amazing
brain', I always told them."
She locked eyes with the old master, her frustrations reaching a
crescendo. "Now Mackie's a Saber. He can do everything I can, and fight
well, too. Sir...I don't want to be a fifth wheel."
Ranma nodded thoughtfully. "I see. Would Tuesdays and Thursdays at
7 be fine? Nodoka-chan's usually out with Mackie then."
"Sure." Cheered up somewhat, Nene walked over to the old man,
giving him a playful kiss on the cheek. "Thanks."
*..Ring....Ring..*
"Hey! I Ranma's date for night!" Shampoo wailed jokingly, walking
into the dojo.
Passing Shampoo, Nene skipped to the door, a little more confident
than she had been. She bowed deeply to her new sensei, then gave a
knowing wink before leaving. "Have fun, sir."
Oblivious to the innuendo of Nene's words, Ranma smiled. "I will."
He then turned his attentions to Shampoo, her form in mock indignation
from Nene's kiss. "So...are you ready?"
The glow that appeared on Shampoo's face left little doubt.
**************************************************************************
"Thanks for letting me come early, Sylia." Linna smiled warmly as
she sipped her tea, then cleared her throat.
"Nonsense. You're always welcome here, you know that." The leader
of the Knight Sabers sat across from Linna, quietly eyeing the young
dancer. "Besides, I should be the one thanking you. This tea is
delicious! Where did you get it?"
"Well, Shampoo gets it from someplace. She calls it 'Darling' for
some reason."
Sylia had to fight to keep from spewing the tea in surprise.
"Darjeeling tea? This is Darjeeling? Oh my...do you know how rare - or
how expensive - this is?" Seeing Linna's negative, Sylia continued. "A
kilogram of this stuff could buy a car."
Linna's eyes widened. "Hmmm. I may have to talk with her..." She
took another, far more cautious sip of her tea.
"So, why aren't you out having fun? Priss is performing tonight."
Linna put down her cup of tea with a small clash. Her face turned
wistful as she thought of her younger days, then sank. A small sigh
escaped her lips.
"I...I can't."
"Why not?"
"Well, let's see. I can't go guy-chasing anymore because I _am_ a
guy - sometimes. I can't hang out with Priss, Leon, Mackie, or Nodoka,
because they're hanging all over each other. And Nene..." She started
chewing away on a thumbnail.
Sylia took another sip of her tea. "What about Nene?"
"When I first showed up, in my guy-body, Nene was...attracted to
me. When she found out who I really was, it kinda spooked her. She's
been avoiding me ever since."
"Well, you two need to settle it - soon. The two of you have to
depend on each other for your very lives."
"I know, I know...but how?"
A small glimmer appeared in Sylia's eye as a bit of humor formed
behind them. Laughter came out in small bursts as she desperately tried
to rein in her hilarity. Pulling herself together, she turned back to
her Jusenkyo-cursed drinking partner.
"Take her for a walk - in the rain. Tell her how you feel. If that
doesn't work, threaten to take her to the vet."
"Sylia!" Linna's eyes popped out of their sockets. "I want to make
up with her, not make an enemy of her!"
"I'm only kidding! Loosen up!" She glanced at her watch, then
savored the last of her tea. "The others will be here soon. Come on.
It's time to get ready."
************************************************************************
"Thank you for taking me on date, Ranma." Shampoo's eyes help a
long-vanished enthusiasm as she stared at her ex-fiance.
Ranma sighed patiently, tired of explaining. "It's not a date,
Shampoo. It's just two old friends getting together for dinner and
conversation."
A quizzical, yet somehow mischievous, look appeared on Shampoo's
face. "If that true, then why we not at Ucchan's? She old friend,
right, Ranma?"
"grrr..." Ranma hated being outwitted. It didn't happen as often
as it used to, but when it did...
"Aiyaah, it is date! I so happy!"
"Okay, okay, it's a date! Are you satisfied?" Grumbling, wondering
how he'd ever explain this to Ucchan or the Sabers, Ranma looked around
at the decor. The place was nicer than he was used to, with dim,
intimate lighting, tastefully subdued wall hangings, and soft classical
music in the background. A nice place for good conversation, he thought
as he looked back at his "date". The years had been kind to her: her
face was still relatively smooth, with only a few wrinkles here and
there. The fire of youth still glowed in her dark eyes, if not quite as
brightly as he remembered. Also, this woman had something the girl
didn't: patience.
"So. How Nodoka?"
Shampoo's question snapped him out of his reverie. "Uh...she's
fine. She and Mackie are dating now."
"Oh. It arranged?"
A small chuckle echoed deep from Ranma's chest. "No, not this
time. They got together on their own. Before you ask, no, I don't know
if the curse has anything to do with it. By the way, what's going on
between you and Linna?"
"Linna?" Shampoo's voice lowered, haunted. "Linna I love like
daughter. When Genom...kill...I was only one left. No other survivor.
I get so lonely, but I stay. I not know why, until she come."
"When I find Linna, she hurt, and changed. I saw fight, saw her
skill, and heal her. I have no heir anymore, so I ask her. She have
nobody but me, so she accept."
"I...I worry for Linna. She like me, after Genom. Lonely. She
fear no man love her, because of curse."
Ranma nodded. "I know how she feels. A few years after Akane's
death, Ukyou arranged a date for me. It was nice and all, but I felt I
couldn't get close, even after all this time."
"Well, Ranma, I here..." Shampoo spoke softly, seriously, without
any trace of mischief.
"I...thanks, Shampoo." He blushed slightly. "I really appreciate
it, but I dunno..."
An angry blue corona formed around the Niichieju warrior. "Wake up,
Ranma! Look at us. We not getting any younger. Also, we alone."
Shampoo's eyes darkened, seeing some invisible enemy. "I not want to
grow old alone, Ranma."
He grabbed her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "I know.
Nodoka-chan will be grown up and married soon. Let me think about it,
okay?" A small part of him winced, expecting the flying-tackle style
embrace of old.
The small kiss on the lips came as a pleasant surprise.
"Okay, Ranma. I wait. Come on. We running late."
Ranma opened his eyes, finding Shampoo inches away, watching,
hopeful. He coughed nervously. "Huh? Is it ten already?"
"Hai. Sylia waiting, yes?"
Ranma left enough money for the bill and tip, then walked out into
the night with Shampoo, her hand in his. It was a short distance to the
garage, so they walked, foregoing any other form of transportation.
Shampoo leaned against his shoulder as they traveled, finding warmth in
his body heat.
"Ranma..."
"Yes?" His voice was unnaturally calm, subdued by the moment.
"I...I have confession."
They stopped. Ranma turned to face her, noticing for the first time
the tears rolling down her cheeks. As he moved to wipe them away, she
turned from him, her eyes viewing another time and place.
"When Boomers attack village, all village go out to fight. Young,
old, woman, man, all go out, including family."
"Great-grandmother lead fight. She destroy many boomers, but not
all. One boomer see her skill, open fire on her. Her body land at feet."
"When I look into Great-grandmother's eye...lifeless...dark...I...
I..." Her tears were running in torrents, threatening to overwhelm her.
Ranma wrapped his arms around her, resting her head onto his chest,
silently listening as she concluded her story.
"I get so scared, Ranma...I run...I run..." Sobs took away any more
words she had to say.
Ranma looked up at the moon, his mind digesting the warrior's
confession that Shampoo had given. She had run from battle - a disgrace
for any Amazon - and had received a most agonizing punishment: survival.
Not knowing what else to do, he simply kept her wrapped in his arms,
shielding her from the night's demons until she was strong enough to face
them herself.
*************************************************************************
Hello.
I did some thinking and writing over the summer, producing four more
chapters of Circe, as well as the plotline for the rest of the story.
To summarize, while trying to avoid any spoilers:
Part 5: See above.
Part 6: The Sabers return to the Jusenkyo labs, where Sylia encounters an
old friend - and the results of a frightening experiment. Ranma
contemplates the possibility of a relationship with Shampoo. Disturbing
events occur at Genom.
Part 7: Christmastime, a couple of months after the Jusenkyo raid. Linna
goes on a date. The Knight Sabers hold a Christmas party. Priss
performs at the Tokyo Dome. And, strange disappearances occur.
Part 8: The Knight Sabers start to make preparations for an assault of
Genom. Tragedy strikes. I apologize to anyone out there who didn't
want this dark, because after this episode, it's going to get very dark.
Part 9: The Sabers try to deal with the loss, each in their own way.
Also, the plans to assault Genom Tower begin in earnest, now that the
stakes are spelled out to them.
Parts 10-11: The final battle.
Thanks
To Rumiko Takahashi and Kenichi Sonoda
To all those on the ML, primarily John Biles, Chris Willmore, and
Stormwalker, for their help and support.
Thanks to all those who have sent in their comments.
For anyone interested, I am starting an early mailing list, which should
hopefully be up in time for my next 'fic.
Look for another 'fic within a couple of weeks, starring Kodachi.
Ja ne!
Nicholas Leifker
"Nightelf"
September 4, 1996