Ranma . . . in love!? by Christopher Bair ------------------------------------------ This work is a piece of fan fiction, and is only copyright able by concept, not by characters, depictions of such, or the trademarks, copyrights or other ownerships designated by others. Copyright (C) 1996 Christopher Bair for the work, and other copyrights, trademarks and ownerships owned by their respective owners. This work may be distributed freely by electronic means, or downloaded onto one machine with access to the work, or made into a single hard copy. Distribution by other means is restricted without the permission of the author or the owners of the trademarks, copyrights and ownerships here within. All rights reserved. ------------------------------------------ Part Two--"Parting Waters" Ranma and his semi-familiar female friend stayed locked for nearly a minute, the hot sun baking everything in sight with its ardent heat. Ukyo and Akane stood, watching this new person in horror. Akane humphed and turned. She grabbed Ukyo by the wrist and stalked away. Ukyo checked Akane, then glanced at Ranma. "It's me," the girl said, ignoring those around the two, "Izumi Kiyooka. Don't you remember?" "I--I--Izumi . . . ?" People had crowded, most listening attentively, while others were discussing among themselves the situation before them. Ranma looked her once more, snapped his fingers as though he had the answer, then scratched his chin. "You . . . don't remember?" "Izumi, right?" he said, trying hard to remember. "You mean you don't even know her?" one of the guys standing by hollered. "Boy," said another, "girls fling themselves at Ranma and he can't even remember their names." Still another spoke out, "Ranma doesn't deserve to have Akane . . ." "She's--she's--well, she's . . . ," Ranma tried to defend himself, without prevail. The crowd dispersed, some looking for Akane to finish the game, the others heading home. "You--don't recall?" she cried. "Don't you remember, back in China? Your father was doing some training missions with you through the mainland. Both of you stopped by our village for a night's rest, and stayed at my mother's hostel. "You and your father ate ravenously that evening, and slept like wildebeests in my bedroom, while I spent the night out in the foyer." She paused for a moment, then clenched her fists. "You promised me the next morning to help train me in my martial arts, so that my mother's only child can protect the hostel for as long as needed." She looked deep into Ranma's eyes. "None of this is familiar?" she demanded. "Um," Ranma began, grabbing the back of his head. He then laughed a bit. "Uh, yeah, I think so." "You should remember it," Genma said, appearing as though he were a ghost, from behind Ranma. "You were the one who promised to take good care of Izumi, here." "What?" Ranma demanded. "What are you talking about?" "I can remember it as though it were yesterday . . . "You said, `Hey, Pop, let's help these two for what they've done for us,' or something along those lines." "Yes," Izumi said, nearing Ranma, "you promised that you would train me during your trek through China. When you left in the morning, I followed you, not wishing to fail my mother or my village. I wasn't going to allow an outsider to disgrace me by going back on his word!" Ranma checked both his father and Izumi. "How come," he started, suspiciously, "I don't remember none of this?" "Because, you were probably in love." Ranma and Izumi's feet planted firmly into Genma, sailing him into the atmosphere. "I ain't in love with nobody!" Ranma shouted, then started off from the field. "Ranma?" He stopped, and glanced back. "At least," Izumi began, "train me now . . ." ------------------------------------------ Continued soon in Part Three--"Izumi's Past" Or, check my page at: http://www.concentric.net/~caern3/ for fan fics before they make it to the FFML!