Polarity
A Ranma � fanfiction by Tangent
Pre-reading and editing assistance by:
Fire
Lord Talon;
Nevrmore;
And some guy named Steve
Originally derived from 'Hated' by Fire, who has
graciously consented to allow me to continue the story
in my own manner. Some minor editing exists, but
mostly in format and the occasional grammar error. I
also corrected what I viewed as continuity errors, such
as references to Miss Hinako and the Contrary Jewel,
which didn't occur until much later in cannon (manga or
anime). Otherwise this first chapter differs only a little
from the first chapter of 'Hated'.
DISCLAIMER: 'Ranma �' and all characters therein
belong to Rumiko Takahashi, Shogagukan, Kitty, and Viz
Video. The original version of 'Hated' was thought up and
written by Fire. This fanfic has been produced for my own
enjoyment and to pass on without profit. Other characters
that come into play in this fanfic may or may not be pulled
from other sources (including other fanficts, RPGs, manga,
anime, literature, or possibly even *GASP* American comic
books!).
A WORD FROM FIRE: This takes place shortly after
Ranma defeated Happosai with the Hiryuu Shoten Ha. At
this point, Ryoga is still under the illusion that Ranma
forced himself upon Akane. Ranma had claimed this to
infuriate Ryoga sufficiently that he would be able to do the
training needed for the Hiryuu Shoten Ha. A few days have
passed since the battle in the schoolyard. Happosai is still
really mad about the beating that Ranma gave him, and at
the loss of his "pretties" which Ranma destroyed in vengeance.
Meanwhile, no one remembered to clear up the little
misunderstanding with Ryoga since he wandered off, and
always wants to kill Ranma anyway...
* * *
"Happosai said you would come here. Four days I
have waited. Four days just to make sure that you would
be brought to justice."
Ranma grinned at the lost boy. "Well, if you think that
you're good enough to take me on, let's get to it." He
dropped into a battle stance and waited for Ryoga to attack.
Ryoga just stood there, one hand in his pocket, the other
brushing some of the windblown hair from his eyes. "Not this
time, Ranma. This time I really am going to punish you for your
crimes. Happosai gave me just what I needed too..."
Ryoga whipped his hand from his pocket and waved a
jeweled broach at Ranma. "For your crimes, I banish and bind
you. I send you to a world where those who know you detest
your presence. I send you to a world where your very name is
blight. I send you to a world where I do not exist so you cannot
torture me anymore. Saotome Ranma: be gone!"
Stunned by what his old rival was saying, Ranma did
not try to move. When he saw swirls of black coming out
of the broach, Ranma dodged, moving to the side. For a
few moments the blackness got larger, only to suddenly
vanish before it could do anything to touch him. Ranma looked
around startled. "Feh! That fool Happosai, always messing with
things he doesn't know. Now he's gone and disappeared Ryoga."
Ranma headed off to his favorite bridge. He'd had a really
big argument with Akane today, and did not need any more
trouble. Looking in to the water, Ranma sighed and wondered
what it was that he did this time to make the tomboy so angry.
When the sun started to go down, Ranma figured it
would be time for some food. Better not go back home
yet. Akane said she was going to be cooking. Maybe I
can sneak in late tonight. Figuring the Nekohanten would
be the best bet, Ranma headed off for his usual haunt. All
the way there something called at the back of his mind.
His senses screaming that something was not right.
Something was amiss. Whatever it was, he could not pin
it down, so when he saw the cafe he dismissed it.
He had just pushed open the door when he heard a
anguished scream and saw Mousse charging him. Ranma
leapt out the still open door and faced Mousse. When
Mousse ran out the door he stumbled to a halt. The fiend
Saotome was across the street? How did he move so fast?
Gripping several shurikens in each hand, Mousse began
to circle towards his foe. "How dare you come here! Again
you show you true cowardice. Instead of being in China
facing the Council, you would harass Shampoo now! I call
you a coward and a dog, Saotome!"
Ranma stumbled to a halt. He still watched Mousse, but
something in his words caught his attention. Mousse usually
hated him for trying to take away his beloved Shampoo, but he
had never called Ranma a coward before. He was just about
to retort, something witty and intelligent like 'well, at least I
can see, duck boy' when Shampoo came out of the restaurant.
She could sort this out.
"Shampoo never be wife to killer like you!" She leveled her
bonbori at him and spat at his feet. "No care what tricks you
try and use, Shampoo die before she be Saotome wife!"
Ranma staggered to a halt. There was something seriously
wrong here. Why did she suddenly hate him? "Hey, Shampoo,
if it's something I did, just tell me."
That only seemed to make them madder. Mousse flicked
out his six throwing stars and grabbed a pair of daggers.
Even though he was looking at Shampoo, Ranma caught four
of the stars and jumped over the other two. He wandered up to
her and tried to see if it was the same Shampoo he knew. This
was made a bit difficult by the fact that she was trying to brain
him with her weapons. He was beginning to feel fairly sure that
it was her when he realized it could not be. The Shampoo that
he knew always went as hard as possible in a fight, she never
gave any quarter. This girl seemed to be much worse than the
one that he was familiar with. Not only that, but she was having
a hard time moving the bonbori in the usual fluid grace that
Shampoo had. She made these ones looked like they were the
weighty weapons they should be rather than the light show pieces
that they never were.
He was just stepping back from trying to get a good look
at her face when Mouse threw both daggers at him. Catching
them, he did a couple of back flips to cover the distance between
his attackers. Standing nose to nose with Mousse, he span a
dagger on each index finger. "Come on, Mousse. You can do better
than that." Indeed, Mousse was much slower than he remembered,
actually taking the time to prepare his weapons for use, rather than
pull them out on a whim already ready to use.
He smiled when Mousse opened his robe and brought out a pair
of katanas. Why they did not just fall out his sleeves, Ranma was
not sure. [Better watch that, he must have something big planned].
Mousse began to do an intricate sword kata in front of him, creating
a wall of steel. If Ranma wanted to attack him, he would be sure to
suffer a hit. "Hey, Shampoo, does this mean no free Ramen?"
Shampoo snarled and lunged, trying to pin him between two
foes. Ranma shot up into the air, over Mousse and landed behind
him. With a kick to the seat of the pants he pushed the two together,
Mousse barely managing to spare Shampoo from his blades. "I can
see this probably is not the best time to talk. I'll drop by later."
Snarling, the two Chinese watched him jog down the road. "Don't
worry, Shampoo. When Cologne returns, she'll give us permission to
hunt him to the ends of the earth. To break a conclave while under
truce is punishable by death. You'll never have to marry him now."
Shampoo placed a hand on his shoulder and looked after the
departing form. "Good. Shampoo always think evil Saotome a tricky
killer. Never realized he this good. Might be hard to kill in proper combat."
Mousse laughed at that one. "I don't care how good he his.
With this many people wanting to kill him, he go down quickly enough."
As he headed back into the cafe, Shampoo snagged his arm.
"Mousse, how evil Saotome able to leap over you?"
* * *
Ranma was almost home when it struck him. No damage.
That was what was wrong. He looked around. Everything was
in perfect condition. Well, it was as worn as you would expect
a city to be, but there were no signs of recent repair. No
craters in the roads or walls. No fist or mallet (or head) marks
in the signs and walls.
Feeling a little bit more nervous, Ranma took a quick jog
to school. It was perfect. The walls weren't destroyed. Most of
the windows looked at least a week old. Some of them were
even dirty, and he never knew of a window in Furinkan which
lasted long enough to get dirty. Even those trees which Kuno
and Ryoga had chopped down while attacking him were there.
Ranma felt a chill up his spine. What was it Ryoga had said
when he waved that thing? ' I send you to a world where those
who know you detest your presence'. If people hated him here,
then he could have a real problem. In times like this, there was
one person who he could turn to. One person that would look
beyond something as superficial as personality or past actions.
Someone who did not mind what crimes he had committed if he
went to her for help. The one person who would treat him the
same in any world in any situation: Nabiki. If he had the yen,
she could help.
It was full dark when he arrived at the Tendo training hall.
Well, even if Ryoga had sent him away, everyone so far
seemed to be in the right place. Let's just hope that I'm not
in there too. He wandered in the gate and prepared to knock
on the door. Before he did, he checked his money. He had
been intending to get some new clothes, he needed a couple
of new outfits after the training with Cologne and the fight
against Happosai. Since that may be all he had in the world,
he though he ought to try and go easy on it.
He knocked, then waited till the door opened. It was Nabiki,
perfect. She looked at him intently. He looked at her. Eventually
he broke the deadlock and spoke. "Do you know who I am?"
"No. Should I?"
"I'm not sure about that at the moment. Are you still in the
business of selling information?"
Nabiki got a predatory grin. "You could say that. Who are you
and what do you want to know?"
Ranma looked around. "Do you mind if we take a quick walk?
I'd rather not stand in the doorway all night."
Nabiki smiled at him then yelled out to her sisters that she
was going for a walk around the dojo. Taking the good-looking
young man by the arm she moved around to the back of the house.
Inside, Akane peered though a crack in the door. Wow, Nabiki had
a boyfriend. She hoped he visited again, Nabiki had a hard time
getting new friends.
When they were in the back yard, Ranma leapt onto a rock
around the Koi pond and looked at Nabiki. "OK, Nabiki. I need some
information, but I'm not sure what questions I can ask until I get some
of the answers. How do you want to do this?"
Nabiki shook her head and tried to get a grip on herself. This hunk
of a man had just done a standing leap across five meters of Koi pond
only to land seated on a precarious rock. Now he spoke to her again.
Shaking her head, she asked him to repeat himself. "All right, how
about you ask a question, then I offer a price. We can negotiate on
that basis. If I can see your money first."
Ranma showed his money. It was not a fortune, but if he did not
want family secrets, it would do for a while. "OK, Nabiki. What can
you tell me about the Saotomes?"
Nabiki grimaced. "Business or pleasure? If you're trying to hire
them, get out now. If you want revenge, come inside and have some
tea."
Ranma was stunned. People really did not like him. "Definitely
not business. I don't even know what they do. It's more of a... family
problem."
Nabiki chewed on that for a moment. "I suppose that will do.
Come on in. Being a decent hostess is the least I can do for anyone
who isn't a friend of theirs."
Nabiki headed into the house, but pull up short when she saw the
boy had not moved. "Nabiki, is there anyone else in there which
knows them?"
"No. Dads off in China settling a debt with them. Kasumi saw
them once, but that was years ago. Now come on."
Ranma decided to chance it. If everyone hated him, perhaps he
would be able to fool Kasumi; people can change appearance in a
few years. Again he leaped over to Nabiki's side. "I've just got to warn
you about one thing. My name's Ranma."
Nabiki sharply inhaled her breath. Backing away she began
to dig into her blouse for something, eventually pulling out a knife.
She started to call for him to stay back when he realised his
mistake. "No, no, it's not like that. I really don't think that I'm
related to the Saotomes that caused you these problems. And
I sure ain't gunna hurt you. So calm down. I just thought I better
warn you before we got inside."
Nabiki did calm. It made sense really. She knew that Ranma
Saotome liked to play with his victims, especially the girls, but few
people would be game to try anything at the Tendo residence.
Especially with Kasumi and Akane there. Putting the knife back
inside her shirt, she led him inside and sat him at the table while
she gathered her sisters and some tea.
When they all arrived, Ranma was glad to see Akane looking
so well. She even gave him a small smile then blushed. Ranma was
shocked. He had never seen her blush before. For that matter, it was
nice to see her smile and not be on the receiving end of a mallet.
What came as a really shock was when Kasumi came in carrying
the tea set while wearing a blindfold.
"Hey, Kasumi, let me help you with that. Is there something
wrong with you eyes? Should I get Dr. Tofu?"
Kasumi nodded in his direction. How did he know her name?
"That's very kind of you, but no thank you. I have been blind for
several years."
Immediately realizing that his ability to put his foot in his
mouth was reaching new heights, Ranma sat silently was the tea
was poured and they began to drink. When everyone was ready
for conversation, Nabiki braced her sisters for the similarity in
names, and then introduced Ranma. Akane looked a bit angry,
but Kasumi smiled sweetly. Ranma marveled: even with a piece
of cloth tied around her blind eyes, she was still the beautiful,
composed and caring mother-substitute he had come to love.
"I realize it couldn't be him, Nabiki. His voice is similar to Saotome's,
but this Ranma has a nice voice. It's full of friendship and compassion.
Trust me, I'll never forget the way he laughed when he did this to me."
Ranma coughed into his tea. He did that to Kasumi?! He kill that
bastard version of himself when he saw him. No one did that to
Kasumi and got away with it. Not even him!
Nabiki saw her guests enraged reaction. "Sorry, Ranma. I guess
you didn't know about our history with the Saotomes. Since you
seem to like them as much as I do, this ones on the house. Where
should I start? Let's see. Sixteen years ago, Genma and Nodoka
Saotome have a child Ranma. When Ranma is five his mother dies
under mysterious circumstances. His father takes the family training
in the Arts of Ninjitsu. Since the age of twelve, Ranma and Genma
have been assassins par excellence. Six months ago they returned
from a mission to China. Since then we have had a Chinese family
move here to follow them. I kind of gather that Ranma and Genma
moved here to avoid some legal problem where they were."
"Apparently our families have had a grudge going back twenty
years or so... something to do with daddy's Martial Arts master.
Whatever it was, ten years ago, Genma killed.... killed... killed our
mother." Nabiki broke down and sobbed for a few moments, causing
Kasumi to move closer and comfort her.
Akane continued the story. "Three years ago, Ranma, err,
Saotome Ranma came back to help his father continue to repay
their 'debt'. He drugged everyone, then tied up daddy and made him
watch. The three of us were blindfolded, but Kasumi's came loose.
So he blinded Kasumi, and Nabiki, well..." Nabiki waved at him. A
thumb and three fingers were on each hand, with only faded scars
showing where her pinkies once were. Ranma paled. Slowly he
looked at Akane and counted her fingers. She had all of them.
"Did... did he do anything to... to you?" Ranma asked, dreading
whatever answer he might get in return.
Akane dropped her head and looked at the table. She was saved
from answering by the sound of the phone. Akane dashed off to
answer it. Nabiki favored Ranma with a hard look. "That's not for sale.
Don't ask."
Incredibly Ranma went even paler. He wouldn't. He couldn't. Not
Akane. He couldn't do that. Somehow he might return to where he
came from, he would have to see Happosai about that, but until then,
he'd be damned if he let that other Ranma live a moment longer than
necessary. NO-ONE did that to Akane and got away with it. "I'm
gunna kill that bastard. I've never wanted to kill anyone before, but
for him, I'll make an exception."
Nabiki stared at him. She could almost swear that there was a
blue glow coming off him. But that was impossible, it must be a trick
of the light. Akane returned and placed a sheathed sword on the table
in front of Kasumi. "That was Shampoo. She says that Ra... Saotome
is back in Nerima. Apparently he's came over there to force her into
marriage again."
Ranma banged his fist on the table. "When I catch that sorry...
Err, if he's this hotshot ninja, will you girls be OK?"
Nabiki smiled. "Thanks for asking, Ranma, you really are a
gentleman. We should be fine."
"Should be. That's not good enough. Listen, I know we've just
met, but... would you mind if I stayed in the dojo? I'd like to be
near in case he does try anything."
The girls looked at each other. Having a strange boy on their
property did not really appeal. Having Ranma Saotome back in
Nerima when everyone thought he was in China was even worse.
Looking to Akane for the final approval, they finally nodded OK.
Akane made the offer. "All right. But no coming into the house
during the night unless you hear us screaming. And if you do come
in, I expect you to yell enough to wake everyone up. I have an
aversion to people sneaking around."
That settled, Ranma wandered up to the guest-room with Nabiki
and Akane to get some blankets. "So, Akane. I see the sign out
the front still says Anything Goes School of Martial Arts. Has
Mr. Tendo been teaching you?"
Akane smiled, making his heart leap. "Yes. Currently I'm
the women's free-style Martial Arts Champion in Nerima. Next
year I'm going to be competing for the Tokyo title. Why, do
you train?"
"You could say that."
"Well, would you like a match?"
"Feh! So long as you don't mind loosing to a guy."
Akane laughed and nodded. Ranma grabbed the blankets
and jumped out the window. The girls dashed over and saw him
sprinting for the dojo, jumping rocks in the dark as though this
was his own home. "I always thought the stairs were a good way
to get down. Hey, Akane. I think this guy is good to have around.
I haven't seen you smile or laugh so much in years."
Akane winced a bit. "I still don't like men, but... I guess he
could grow on you."
The three sisters went out to the dojo. Nabiki was just there
to watch. Hopefully he would take off his shirt when he fought.
She could see he was well built, and he would definitely look
better without a shirt. Probably look better without pants too...
Kasumi was there as moral support. She might not be able to
watch, but her training let her track fighters easily with sound.
After Akane warmed up, they fought. Kasumi could tell there
was something wrong immediately. She could he Akane's
footsteps, and she could hear her moving, but from Ranma there
was scarcely a sound. When she concentrated, she could hear his
regular breathing, but that was all. Whatever he was doing, it was
not fighting.
Nabiki was as concerned as Kasumi, but for different reasons.
She knew Akane was good. She had watched her fight in many
tournaments. Akane could flatten most girls with one punch, and
she was fast enough to be able to carry the fight to the best of
them. Ranma on the other hand, hardly seemed to pay her attention.
He just stood there, bending, bobbing and weaving. When Akane
started using more sweeping attacks, he hopped over them, or
stepped back, all with perfect grace and poise.
"Your better that I was expecting, Akane."
"Will you stand still and let me hit you!?"
"Oh, come on, a slow-poke like you couldn't even catch a bus.
Keep trying."
This went on for a while, until Ranma hopped over one of her
attacks and reached over gently poked a finger to her forehead. "An
opening!"
Akane stopped and stood puffing. Ranma bowed to her.
"Well done Akane. You really have improved."
"What do you mean improved?"
"I... err.... Just that you must be a lot better for having
studied with your father."
Nabiki eyed Ranma. Something seemed a bit wrong, but
she could not place it. "So Ranma, do you have a last name?"
Ranma started to reply then hesitated. "No. Not now. I did
a while ago, but... but I can no longer be a part of the family I
once had. And yes, there was someone I lo- umm... liked a lot,
but... but I think she might be gone too."
Everyone was silent for a while at that one. When thunder
rumbled in the distance, Kasumi stood up. "Thank you for offering
to stay and protect us. I am sure father will appreciate it. We will
see you in the morning."
After they left, Ranma lay down to sleep. Apparently
Ryoga was successful. He was somewhere that everyone
hated his name. Hated his face even. However, they did not
hate him. He did not do the things the other Ranma had.
Someday he would reclaim Akane. Someday he would make
that bastard copy of himself pay for what he did to her, to the
Tendos, to his mother, to Shampoo, to everyone. The sound
of rain falling helped him drift off to sleep.
The sound of Akane screaming dragged him from his bed.
While he sprinted for her window, his internal clock said it was
about three in the morning. Remembering what Nabiki had
cautioned him about during the evening, he began to shout.
"Nabiki! Kasumi! Wake up! Wake up!"
In a single hop he was on her window-sill, opening it wide
enough to enter. Still calling for the girls he looked around her
room. No one there, and Akane was just starting to sit up.
Damn, he had woken everyone for a nightmare. Well, better
safe than sorry.
Nabiki entered behind the sword wielding Kasumi and flicked
on the light. Kasumi might be able to function in the dark, but she
couldn't. Everyone had woken to the sounds of Akane's screams,
only to here other yells only a second later. Looking at the
redheaded girl who held her sobbing sister, Nabiki was glad she
brought her knife. Then again, why was the redhead rocking her
and trying to comfort her? "Who are you? What are you doing here?"
"I'm Ranma, remember? I heard Akane screaming, but there
was no-one here."
Kasumi could instantly spot the girls voice, and placed her s
word towards her. "Ranma is a boy. Answer if you value your life."
Ranma looked down at himself - or herself - and groaned. "Sorry
about this. I forgot you didn't know. I'm cursed. I change sex in cold
water."
Nabiki crossed to the bed and prized Akane from the strange girl's
arms. "Bullshit. Kasumi, take this girl downstairs. I be there as soon
as I calm down Akane."
At sword point, Ranma descended. When she reached the bottom,
he turned to Kasumi. "Do you want some tea while we're waiting?"
Kasumi held her feelings of hospitality in check. This girl was an
invader and had probably attacked her sister. She could wait without
tea. "I'm not taking my hands off this sword until you're out of here."
A few minutes later a composed Akane accompanied her sister
down to the living room. When she got there, she admired the girl.
She was very cute, even if a trifle damp from the rain still. "Kasumi,
it was just a nightmare. After I started screaming, I... I felt her holding
me. I... I just kept seeing Saotome again. Thank you for your help,
but who are you?"
Ranma sighed again. "I told you, I'm Ranma, the guy that was in
the dojo. I've got a curse that changes me into a girl. Look, Nabiki,
could you get me some hot water please?"
Nabiki poked the girl in the chest. "She certainly seems like a girl
to me. I really don't think they're fakes. Could be Ranma was a girl in
disguise, but I don't see why."
"ARRRG! Will someone get me some hot water, or will I get it
myself?"
Kasumi: "Move and you lose your head."
Nabiki: "What do you need hot water for?"
Akane: "How did you get in my window?"
"IT'S TO REVERSE MY CURSE! Forget it, I'll serve myself!"
Rolling backwards, Ranma sprang to her feet, moving under
Kasumi's sword strike. In a moment she was headed for the
kitchen, and Akane and Kasumi were following. Even as Kasumi
swung at her, she moved to the correct cupboard and grabbed a
familiar yellow kettle. While she filled the kettle, she parried
Kasumi's swift attacks with one hand. Every cut or stroke Kasumi
made, the girl would tap the flat of the blade with her bare hands
and deflect it. Akane watched in amazement. Even to attempt
such a thing was a joke, but to succeed was beyond incredible.
When the kettle was filled and on the stove, the girl turned her
full attention to Kasumi. "It's not nice to play with sharp toys, Kasumi.
Someone, even me, could get hurt."
Faster then anyone could see - or sense, in Kasumi's
case - she reached out and pulled the sword from Kasumi's hands.
Placing it on the bench behind her, she sighed and looked at Akane.
"You tried to hit me this evening, and you couldn't. Do you want to try
again, or can we wait for the water to heat?"
The girls growled but relented. The kitchen exit was blocked, if she
wanted to get out, she could have done it long ago. Eventually the girl
pulled the kettle off the stove and poured water over her head. Kasumi
heard her sisters fall to the floor, and took a fighting stance. She could
not hear any new attackers. Then Ranma spoke. "I warned 'em what
to expect, and still they faint."
"Oh, Ranma-kun. When did you get here? Did you see a girl
leaving?"
"Damn, sorry Kasumi, I forgot you couldn't see me change. Give
me your hand for a second. OK, feel it? That's my chin, I'm talking
now. Now I pour some cold water. Do you get it?"
Under her hand, she felt the jaw lower a couple of inches, and
change in shape slightly. At the same time, the voice rose in pitch.
Unmistakably, Ranma had changed into the girl they had been
talking to.
"Oh my."
The sun was shining when Ranma finally managed to convince the
Tendo girls and to explain what had happened about his curse. Nabiki
was cynically refusing to believe in shape-changing magic curses, as
no magic she ever heard of allowed continuous and instant fluctuation
of form after the initial effect, curse or otherwise. Unfortunately, she
was having a hard time coming up with a better explanation.
Akane sat there for a while, then got permission to try for herself.
After a while she got the hang of it, and spent almost three hours
changing him from one sex to another as quickly as water could heat.
"I could get to enjoy this!"
"I'm sure you would," Ranma responded dryly, remembering back
to when Ukyo had responded similarly to discovering his curse.
When Kasumi began to place breakfast items on the table, Akane
ceased playing with her gender-changing toy. Ranma watched her as
she took the kettles and buckets away, she was much quieter and
gentler than the Akane he knew. For that matter, despite what he had
said last night, she was also a lot slower than the Akane he knew. His
tomboy was fast and strong. This girl had much better technique, but he
honestly believed that she wouldn't last the warm up against the Akane
he knew.
Ranma joined them at the breakfast table and noticed something
when reaching for the food. He was still a she. Moving his hand, he
grabbed the tea kettle and prepared for a very hot transformation.
"Ranma-kun, would you mind not changing? Akane gets a bit nervous
sometimes. I suspect that she just wanted to have a friendly girl around
for a while. Will you be going to school?"
That one stopped Ranma for a bit. To school or not to school? Sighing
Ranma realized that school probably was necessary. For that matter, if
he kept up studying, his teachers wouldn't get on his case too much when
he returned. "Hmm, you could be right Kasumi. I think I'd better go to
school. For that matter, it might be better if I went as a girl. It might
make things a bit... easier for a while. Say! Will you be all right if we
go off to school. I know you've got the sword and everything, but what
if Saotome comes here?"
Kasumi laughed. It was a beautiful sound. So full of life and
happiness, just the sound to fill the emptiness created by such
unpleasant thoughts. "Don't worry, Ranma-kun. I'll head off the
same time as you kids, and spend the day with my fiancee."
Ranma sat spell bound as Kasumi wiggled her fingers at him.
On one hand she had a gold engagement ring, with quite a large
diamond. "Err... Kasumi... I... I didn't realize. Is... is it Dr. Tofu?"
Kasumi gave her patented smile and laughed happily again. "Of
course it is Ranma-kun. Do you know Dr. Tofu? He so lovely, always
so kind. There's really no-one like him."
Ranma chuckled a little. "Oh, I'm not sure that's right, Kasumi. I
can think of one person who's every bit as nice as Dr. Tofu, and the
lucky man happens to be marrying her."
Kasumi blushed and the two packed away the dishes in a
contented silence. Kasumi would wash, and Ranma put them away
while they waited for Akane and Nabiki to get ready for school. In a
few minutes the kitchen was sparkling clean again. When the four
headed off for school (and Tofu's, which was along the route) Kasumi
pondered Ranma. He seemed so nice, but several things just did not
fit. Firstly, he seemed to know them all well. He knew Akane's skill,
he knew Nabiki's habits of selling information. He also put away every
plate and glass without hesitation, and that meant that he knew her
kitchen. Ranma knew just a little bit too much for her to be comfortable.
Kasumi was just about to separate from the group to see her
fiancee when Ranma spoke up. "I've been thinking. Since everyone
here seems to jump at the name Ranma, perhaps we should try
something I usually do when I'm in my cursed form. Maybe Ranko,
or perhaps Yoiko."
Nabiki and Kasumi were not very keen. They both had alarm bells
ringing about this Ranma. Something just did not add up. If Ranma was
back in Nerima, then there was the possibility that this was him, playing
one of his little games. Nabiki had never heard of a spell which could
change someone's sex... but stranger things had occurred.
Akane on the other hand was over the moon. She immediately latched
onto Ranma's arm and batted her eyes at her. "Oh, I like Ranko! You
really are a wild child! Hey, after school you want to come back to the
dojo? We could do some sparing again. I'm sure that there's lots you
could teach me, you were so good!"
'Ranko' looked distinctly nervous, and Nabiki and Kasumi just
frowned. Their sister could be a bit thick some times, and it looked
like this was one of them. Ranko definitely was the sort of friend which
Akane favored, and Nabiki was just a little bit sad that she would not be
able to have that strong body of his. However, she knew what father would
say. If Ranma was half boy, and Akane liked him, Father would start
booking a wedding before the dust could settle.
As they continued on to school, Akane held Ranko's hand and
explained about their school and the strange Principle they had. He was
a bit obsessive about haircuts, and had a few strange ideas about running
a school, but all in all it was a nice enough place to study. They had
almost reached the school gates when they saw a crowd of boys. Akane
released Ranko's hand, and charged into the attacking fray.
Ranko turned to Nabiki in shock. In Ranma's world these fights had
ended within days of his arrival, and he had mostly forgotten them. Looking
at Nabiki, he struggled to put his surprise into words. Nabiki took pity on
the boy/girl and led her around the fight. "Yes, this happens every
morning. Gosunkugi decreed that anyone who wanted to date Akane had
to defeat her in combat. After all Akane's been through, you'd think he
could be a bit more tolerant, but that guy's so obsessed he couldn't see
anything other than himself."
Ranko could barely believe her ears. "Go... Gosunkugi!? Gosunkugi
told people to do this... and they did it?"
"Yeah. Makes you sick, doesn't it? But still, everyone's afraid of him,
so they sort of follow his orders."
Akane was finished, so they walked over to her and headed for the
school building. "I don't believe it. People are afraid of Gosunkugi?"
"Sure, no one can defeat him, and no-one comes anywhere near him
in power. He's probably the strongest mage in Nerima!"
When Ranko collapsed in shock, Akane carried her into class. Nabiki
wandered off thoughtfully. What they said was true. Gos-kun was the
best. He might not be as rich as Kuno-chan, but he had lots of potential.
A talented mage could have the world as his oyster, especially if he had
someone to guide him. Then again, the best way to deal with Ranko may
be to have someone with a little magical experience have a look at that
'curse' of his. Perhaps a word in Gosunkugi's ear...
Akane and Ranko were out in the grounds eating lunch when
Gosunkugi walked up. He looked the same as Ranko remembered,
but then, her Gosunkugi could not even command the respect of the
cockroaches, let alone command the sorts of power that Akane had
told her about. Gosunkugi on the other hand was thoroughly
unimpressed by Ranko. She looked like a Martial Artist, and he
had not been beaten in a fight since Elementary School when his
powers first manifested. Adjusting his vision to look in the magical
and etheric planes, Gosunkugi could not detect any sort of magic
around Ranko. She showed signs of having magically blessed... but
most of the usual magical fluxes were not present. If Nabiki had seen
anyone other than Ranko, it must have been an illusion spell cast at
the time.
"So, it is true! You have decided to mock my word and date with
the lovely Tendo Akane. Despite the fact that you are a member of the
fairer sex, you are still bound by my commands! Even more so, since you
would attempt to pervert this innocent girl with your strange desires. No!
If you would date with her, you must beat her in combat!"
Ranko just looked a t Gosenkugi through half-lidded eyes, thoroughly
unimpressed. "I did."
Gosunkugi turned beet root purple in rage. "You claim that you could
be someone as good as my flower? Very well, you must also beat me
before I would accept your advances on her!"
"'Scuse me Akane. This will only take a moment."
Even as Akane protested, Ranko stood up, then launched a blow at
Gosunkugi. She could see he was a wimp, so she wouldn't go all out.
When the blow stopped an inch from his face, Gosunkugi laughed. "Feh!
Your pitiful attacks can never penetrate my shield spell! Surrender now
and renounce you attempts on Akane's virtue and affections, or face your
punishment!"
Ranma snarled and took a fighting stance. Maybe there was some
truth to what Akane had said about magic. "You make me sick, Gos.
You're worse than Kuno ever was. He wanted Akane because he loved
her. You just see her as an object, a toy. Akane's someone special, and
I l... I l... I like her, so back off, or your gunna get hurt!"
Neither Akane and Gosunkugi could not quite understand Ranko's
references to Kuno. Although he was rich and a talented Kendo fighter,
he was still only one of the hordes of boys which wanted Akane. At
Ranko declaration of appreciation for Akane, they had quite distinctly
different reactions. Akane clasped her hands beneath her chin, and
looked like she was in heaven. Gosunkugi looked like he was in hell.
To help spread the misery, he summoned a small fireball in
one hand and threw it at Ranko. That should take the fight out of her.
Ranko saw the small orange ball coming for her and leaped straight
into the air. The fireball passed underneath her, and exploded against a
tree in the distance. When she landed, Ranko sent a series of kicks
and punches against Gosunkugi's shield. None of them managed to
penetrate, but they knocked him back a step. Watching in the
distance, Nabiki went white as a sheet. She wanted Gos-kun to
scare Ranko, maybe force her to drop whatever spell she used to
change sex.
Instead, it looked like Gos-kun was going to kill her.
This time the fireballs that Gosunkugi summoned were much
larger, and when he threw them, they also flew faster. Ranko dodged
them both, but was singed slightly when she got too close. Moving in,
she launched a series of blows that could have shattered a brick wall.
Again all she did was knock him back.
They kept this up for a few more passes. By this time, Gosunkugi's
shield was starting to weaken from the massive damage it had stopped.
In the past, he had helped the police and fought against killers with
guns, and even then he had not been as hard pressed as he was now.
The girl was an impossible target, even after he had cast a haste spell
on himself. No one should be able to move that quickly, and she did
this without any sort of magical aura. He did not even want to think
how much those blows would have hurt if they contacted. Time to end
this once and for all.
A sheet of flame grew up around the mage and he laughed insanely.
"Now know true fear! You will never defeat me, since every time you attack,
you will only hurt yourself."
Ranko looked around at the crowd that had gathered. Probably a bit
too close, but she thought her control was better than when she first tried
it... Moving around in a circle, she continued to dodge the lightning and fire
that Gosunkugi was throwing. When she reached the inside of her spiral,
she screamed and threw her icy punch. "HIRYUU SHOTEN HA!"
Gosunkugi never even saw what was coming. It should have been
a physical impossibility to do what this girl did without magic. When
she finally struck, the blow did not even land. Instead, he found himself
in the center of a massive whirlwind. Sucked up into the air, he was
battered and blasted by rocks and sand. When the Rising Dragon
Ascension finally ended, he was dropped unceremoniously on the
ground from almost sixty meters. His magical shield saved him from
death, but he was concussed badly.
Ranko walked over to the body on the ground and nudged it with her
toe. No movement other than raged breathing was evident. "I guess
that makes me the winner. And I say, Akane can do what she wants,
when she wants! Anyone who objects to treating Akane normally,
they're gunna answer to me!"
Everyone was too stunned to answer. Magic was a common class
at Furinkan, just like learning another language, only more useful,
and it required greater natural talent. Everyone had been required to
do a year of magic when they were young: it wouldn't do to miss out
on a high-class mage just because they chose they wrong subjects.
Over half of the students watching were magically sensitive to one
degree or another, and every one of them swore that Gosunkugi was
the only person using magic.
It shouldn't be possible to do what Ranko had done without it.
The school was a buzz with rumors and discussion. The two
hottest topics were Ranko and Ranko. How did she beat Gosunkugi,
and was she Akane's latest friend? Most of the girls knew Akane's
disposition, but since she respected them enough to treat them
normally when they said no, they respected her enough to remain
her friends. All of her close friends knew what Saotome Ranma had
done to her, and they brought anyone back into line if they tried to
make life difficult for her.
One of Akane's friends, Natsuko, decided to go over to Akane's
place that night. If Ranko really was staying in their dojo, it might help
the girl if she knew how Akane probably felt, before Akane told her.
Not every girl reacted well when another girl told them that they were
in love. Natsuko wanted to tell her in class, but Nabiki had come in
with the teacher and told Akane and Ranko that they were needed at
home.
Akane, Nabiki and Ranko ran home. When Kasumi had called the
school, she said that she and Tofu had gone home, and that they should
meet them there. Apparently their father had called from China, and
wanted to speak to everyone.
END CHAPTER ONE
A WORD FROM TANGENT: From here on out, Polarity will be
written by me. I changed the title from Hated, because while Fire has
given me permission to continue the story, he still plans to do so
himself following a different track than what I outlined to him when
I asked. Eventually, I may get around to adding more to this first
chapter, rather than just the bits and pieces I already put into this
draft of it.
By the way - apologies to Fire. Many of my 'spelling' corrections
were to Americanize British spellings of common words. Some of
the grammar corrections were probably of a similar nature, due more
to cultural differences between us rather than inherent inaccuracies
in our own writing styles...
~~~
C&C welcome, flames will result in firemen...
~~~
When given the constants a, b and c, and the variables x, y and z...
I often find it helpful to concentrate on point q
Tangent
tangent@zbzoom.net