Magical Interludes: December's End Fanfic by J.K. Hayashi ******************************************* The story so far: Magic has come into the world based on scientific principles. Minor and low-level abilities appeared first world-wide, causing unrest in major metropolitan areas as people, groups, corporations, and governments sought to take advantage of the new power base. The unlocking of major talents seemed to be linked to the appearance of 'Vortices', people who were at the center of energy/magic storms. A 'vortex' gained access to power and insights of lives that they might have led. The fifth vortex, Ranma Saotome, differed in that he managed to draw three 'daughters' into his reality. The three sixteen year-olds (Ayuki, Keiko, and Midori born to Shampoo, Nabiki, and Ukyou respectively) came under the care of Nodoka Saotome. Cologne has been recruited by the japanese army and is in the process of rating martial artists. Kodachi has been spotted lurking around the Tendo Dojo. Its almost New Year's, and the teenagers are going to school... It is December 29th of Ranma and Akane's sophomore year... ******************************************* Chapter 7: Tests - Part I Kasumi brushes away at the rafters between the house and the dojo with a sprig of bamboo tied to a bamboo pole. The preparation of the house had been more rushed this year because of Ranma's "sickness", but it was almost complete. She quickly goes over the list of things that had to be done: Finish the New Year's cleaning (almost done except for the dojo). Lay the new tatami (done). Replace the old screens (done). Get the "special food" for New Year's (bought). Pay off the year's bills (Nabiki said done). Make and place the kadomatsu at the front gate (tomorrow). Get the kagame mochi and mochi for the ozoni soup (tomorrow at the mochi pounding at Dr. Tofu's - remember to make the family's sweet rice!). Clean up mother's grave (Saturday). Sneak off for some passion with Tofu... Kasumi quickly blushes at the last item. Its not supposed to be on the list, but still... Kasumi startles at a sudden knock at the front door. She goes to open it, thinking that it seemed unusual (first Cologne and that strange girl, then Ukyou) that so many people would be coming here at the same time. But Cologne had said something about a test the day before, so maybe it wasn't that unusual after all. Kasumi: "Hello, Inspector. What are you doing here?" Inspector: [puzzled] "I received a note to come here?" Inspector Muramoto shows Kasumi a simple note with a summons to be at the Tendo Dojo at this time. Kasumi stares at it, also puzzled. Kasumi: "Oh! I understand. It must be that they want you in the dojo." Kasumi leads the inspector to the dojo. ********************** Ranma: "So why are we supposed to be fighting?" Cologne: [exasperated] "So I can rate the dojo for the upcoming year. You do want a good rating, don't you?" Soun: [suddenly looming over Ranma] "We do, don't we?" Ranma: "Ack!" Kasumi opens the door and leads the inspector inside. Inspector Muramoto takes one look at Cologne and stops at the door, twirling around. Inspector: "I'm outta here!" Cologne: "Rate him... a one." The inspector turns back around, facing into the dojo again. Inspector: "I know what you're trying to do, you old goat... you're trying to provoke me into attacking. Well, its not going to work. I thumb my nose at your rating, and I thumb my nose at you!" The inspector raises his open hand to his nose, wiggling the fingers in a derisive manner, then adds a raspberry for good measure. He turns to leave. Cologne: "How rude." Cologne jumps at the inspector, preparing to hit him on the head with her staff. The inspector senses her coming and rolls to the right. As they start to fight outside, Kasumi cleans the rafters with her bamboo "broom", absent-mindedly singing a song of her mother's. Soun starts crying. Soun: "Oh, mother... Kasumi has become so much like you..." Everyone starts moving away from Soun (as not to get wet). Cologne comes hopping back into the dojo. Cologne: "Rate him... a four." Inspector: [weakly, from outside] "I can accept that rating..." The inspector loses consciousness. Kasumi steps over him as she starts on the rafters outside the dojo. ********************** Cologne: "Captain Ninomiya, report!" Hinako: "OK! Soun Tendo... Four! Akane Tendo... Four! Genma Saotome... Not Here. Ranma Saotome... Six! Ryoga Hibiki... Six! Ukyou Kuonji... Four! Midori Saotome... Five! Keiko Saotome... Six! Ayuki Saotome... Eight! Happosai... unsuitable for training young girls!" Cologne: "All right, who's next?" Cologne starts to bounce away on her staff. (Young) Hinako follows her. Hinako: "Tatewaki Kuno, prelim. rating of three. Kodachi Kuno, prelim. rating of four. Can I drain them... please? I hate this body..." The inspector leaves the dojo, shaking his head. Inspector: "I hate that old bat..." Cologne: "Who's an old bat?" Cologne returns to whack the inspector with her staff. Kasumi finishes cleaning up the dojo, still softly singing her song to herself. Soun starts to cry again. ********************** The dinner table was conspicuous in the absence of two members. Ranma: "Its not like pops to miss dinner. What could they be doing?" The girls blush (or choke) as they think of what Nodoka and Genma are doing. Ranma just shrugs and returns to eating as Happosai and Soun fight over a last bit of fish. Happosai: "I know what they're doing... Genma wait for me!" Happosai drops his rice bowl and goes bouncing off into the streets. Kasumi turns to Soun. Kasumi: "Father, Tofu asked if I could help him with the first aid booth at tonight's festival." Soun: "Of course, of course." Keiko: [jumping up] "Can I go to the festival tonight, daddy? Please!" Ayuki: "Me too!" Midori: "Me three!" Keiko, Ayuki, and Midori: "Please, daddy?" Ranma: "Don't you have to study for exams like I do?" Keiko: [smiling] "We don't have to take them since we only started school a week ago." Ranma: "I don't know..." Kasumi: "Don't worry, Ranma. I'll be there." Ranma: "Well... OK." Keiko, Ayuki, and Midori: "Yay!" ********************** At 6:00, Kasumi leads the kimono-clad girls and Ryoga out of the house and toward the festival in the business district. They pass by Dr. Tofu's clinic, where Kasumi introduces Dr. Tofu's mother to the others. Dr. Tofu then walks with them, eventually reaching the business district where the streets have been lined with small carts and booths. Strings of paper lanterns that have been hung across the street provide a dim, carnival-like lighting. After making arrangements to meet Kasumi at the First Aid booth at 8:30, the three girls run off to have a good time, Ayuki dragging Ryoga behind her in an effort to keep up with the others and not have him get lost. ********************** Ranma and Akane are lying side-by-side on the floor of her room, books and class notes spread around them. Ranma: "We've been studying for over an hour already... isn't it enough?" Akane: "Ranma, you know that our finals are a third of our grade. I can't understand how you can make school seem so important to those three girls of yours but not to yourself." Ranma: "Maybe its because I got more important things..." Ranma slips a hand onto Akane's back and turns onto his side to face her. Akane smiles as she turns to face him. Akane: "Oh, like what?" Ranma: "Hmm... you know, Midori, Ayuki, and Keiko are probably having fun right now. I wish we were..." Akane: "Well, its 7:15, and I don't see the harm in taking a little break of our own..." Akane leans in toward Ranma and they start to kiss. ********************** Ukyou has closed her restaurant and prepares her food in a small okonomiyaki cart in front of the building as customers pass by and order. She quickly prepares each dish and wraps it in paper, handing it to the customers with a smile. She looks up when she hears her name called out, smiling when she sees the three Saotome girls. Midori: "Hi, Uk-chan. Do you need any help?" Ukyou: "No, Mi-chan. Everything's fine." Keiko: [remembering the day before] "Are you sure? One of us could take over while you go out." Ukyou: "I'm sure, Kei-chan." Midori: "It'll be no problem, Uk-chan. Don't you have to study for exams like daddy?" Ukyou: "I studied before the festival. You four go on and have a good time. I'll be fine by myself." Midori and Keiko look at each other, but leave Ukyou behind. Ayuki drags Ryoga to a game booth in an attempt to win a stuffed doll. ********************** *****************************End Chapter 7, Part I Magical Interludes: December's End Fanfic by J.K. Hayashi Chapter 7: Tests - Part II Kodachi slowly slides down the rooftop toward Akane Tendo's room. The darkness was perfect for a night assault; she smiles as she plans her simple strategy: beat up on Akane Tendo until she agrees to give up her darling Ranma. Ranma would then come to his senses and agree to marry her as they were destined to do. She takes a peek into Akane's room and goes ballistic as she sees Ranma and Akane on the floor kissing! ********************** Ayuki, Midori, and Keiko sit at a table drinking some tea (Ryoga also sits at the table, but has fainted after being kissed by Ayuki for winning her a stuffed shark). Keiko looks at her watch. Keiko: "That makes thirty minutes... are you sure he's not dead?" Midori: "I think I saw him take a breath... that's kind of pathetic, you know." Ayuki: "Yeah, but its a cute kind of pathetic." Keiko: "You mean something like mass murderers' groupies?" Ayuki: "Keiko!" Midori: "Well, all you did was peck him on the cheek and he spurted blood ten feet away. You'd think he'd have run out of blood by now." Ayuki: "I'll build up his resistance." Keiko and Midori: "Oh? How?" Midori and Keiko look at Ayuki with wicked eyes and all three start to giggle uncontrollably. They all take another sip of tea once they calm down. Midori: "Keiko..." Keiko: "Yeah, Midori?" Midori: "Maybe tomorrow night we could take over for Uk-chan?" Keiko: "But she doesn't want to attend the festival..." Midori: "I was thinking of asking daddy and mums to take her out." Keiko: "OK, if they agree." Ayuki: "I'll help too." Keiko: "Are you sure you don't want to start building up resistance?" All three girls look at each other and start laughing again. ********************** Kodachi bursts through the window set to punish Akane Tendo for her transgression with Ranma. Both sense her coming and they roll off to one side. Kodachi jumps onto Ranma's body and embraces him. Kodachi: "My darling Ranma, I'll save you from the mind-warping effect of Akane Tendo's kisses. My own lips will bring you back to sanity!" Ranma: "Stop it, Kodachi!" Ranma attempts to pry himself from Kodachi's grasp as he avoids her lips, but can't get enough leverage without touching her chest. Akane whacks Kodachi off. Akane: "You heard him. Now get lost!" Kodachi jams a bouquet of black roses into Akane's face. Expecting it to explode, Akane holds her breath and moves out of the way of the resulting cloud of knockout gas. Ranma draws Akane into his embrace. Kodachi: "Darling Ranma, I know that you truly love me... fight off this perversion that she has brought to you and admit your love for me." Ranma: "Kodachi, I don't love you. I never loved you. I never will. Please leave Akane and me alone." Kodachi: "Darling Ranma, No!" Kodachi runs crying out the window. Akane looks around the room. Akane: "What a mess she made." Ranma: "We could just leave it and get back to what we were doing..." Akane: "We're cleaning up my room now, Ranma." After they finish cleaning up, Akane takes a quick glance at the clock. Akane: "Ranma, its 8:00!" Ranma: "Hmmm? So?" Akane: "I'll never finish studying with you here... out! Out!" Akane gathers Ranma's books and notes and shoves them into his hands, then shoves him out the door. She gives him a quick kiss that threatens to become a lingering one, but she remembers herself and retreats back into her room, closing the door behind her. ********************** The three girls meet Kasumi as promised at the first aid booth and they start their way home. As they leave the fair they pass the "crafts" section where a small booth with the words "fortune telling" is prominently displayed. The lady inside calls out to them. Kasumi: "Yes?" Teller: "How would you like your fortune told? Free of charge!" Kasumi: "Thank you, but we should be getting home." Teller: "Just a quick fortune, young lady... I can tell already that yours will be good." Kasumi: "Oh my, really?" Keiko: "Try it, auntie... I'd like to see." The teller spreads out a set of hanafuda cards, face sides down, onto the table in front of her. Teller: "Just take as many cards as you like, and arrange them as you like, and I'll be able to tell your future." Kasumi hesitatingly picks out three cards and places them in front of the fortune teller in a single row. Teller: "Well, the first card will tell where you've come from..." [flips over the first card - cherry blossom and poem] "full bloom of spring... an official declaration of love? An engagement or wedding..." The girls look at the teller with surprise on their faces. Teller: "The second card tells of what will come..." [flips over the second card - plum and bird] "the first flower of the year... new life... a baby. Yes, a baby..." The girls gazes turn to Kasumi as she suddenly blushes. Teller: "The last card will tell us when..." [flips over the third card - chrysanthemum] "September." The fortune teller looks up at Kasumi with a smile on her face. Teller: "That's the reading. A baby to arrive in September." Kasumi: "Will it be a boy, or girl?" Teller: [suddenly crotchety] "What do I look like, an ultrasound machine? Thank you, and good-night." Keiko: "Oh, can I go next?" Teller: "Sorry, no more readings tonight. Come back tomorrow. Tell your friends about me. Good-bye." The fortune teller gathers the cards and places them back in their holder, shooing the group away. Kasumi walks with a bemused expression on her face, her hand resting lightly on her stomach. Keiko has a slightly annoyed expression on her face as the group heads back to the dojo. Keiko: "I wonder if she could do that for the stock market..." ********************** Ryoga enters the room he had been sharing with Ranma since he had returned to the dojo. He was a bit nervous about it because he'd just gone out on a date with Ayuki, and they hadn't said anything to each other the previous night. Ranma is studying some notes while lying on the floor. Ryoga: "Ranma..." Ranma: "Yeah?" Ryoga: "Are you, um... OK with me going out with Ayuki?" Ranma: "Its none of my business." Ryoga breathes a sigh of relief. Ranma: "But if you even think of two-timing her..." Ryoga: "I... what? How could you even think that I'd do such a thing?" Ranma: "You did it. Didn't you wonder why Akane never married you when I married Ukyou and had Midori? It wasn't because of you standing her up... she understood that. Its because you kept chasing after any girl that said she liked you." Ryoga couldn't respond to what Ranma is saying. Ranma: "I promised Ayuki that I wouldn't interfere. But I won't lie to her either. If I see you cheating, I'll tell her. And I don't need to tell you how good a fighter she is... or how close she is to Midori and Keiko." Ranma turns back to his studying. Ryoga spreads out his futon and lies back, disturbed at the change in Ranma and wondering if he really was a two-timer. ********************** Keiko: "What do you think they'll make us do tomorrow at school?" Midori: "How about we set a trap for that weirdo, Kuno?" Ayuki: "Like what?" The three girls lie on their futons in silence. Midori: "OK, I got an idea. But we'll need some plastic wrap, petroleum jelly, a couple of 'slippery when wet' signs..." ********************** Captain: "Ah, Muramoto. I wanted to congratulate you on solving that prowler case. I can assure you that our superiors appreciate the... discrete way you've handled things, given the identity of the perpetrator." Inspector: "Thank you, sir. Tonight I'll deliver the restraining order. Hopefully everything will continue to be resolved quietly. I..." Captain: "What is it, Muramoto?" Inspector: "Sir, may I speak openly?" Captain: "Of course, of course." Inspector: "Sir, I do not believe that this case will be resolved quietly. According to my investigations, this 'Kodachi Kuno' is a highly obsessive individual. Relying on a piece of paper might not be the wisest course of action. Personally, I'd recommend mandatory psychiatric counseling or electroshock therapy." Captain: "You're still young, Muramoto... what, only twenty-two?" Inspector: "Twenty, sir." Captain: "Really, and just made inspector, too... listen to some advice from an old policeman: these things have a flow of their own. Keep your eyes open and act only when necessary when dealing with the powerful families; acting prematurely could cost you the chrysanthemum shield... or your life. Do you understand?" Inspector: "Yes, sir... I understand." Captain: [looking around] "Muramoto, can I speak to you privately?" Inspector: "Of course, Captain." ****************************End Chapter 7, Part II Magical Interludes: December's End Fanfic by J.K. Hayashi Chapter 7: Tests - Part III The captain leads the inspector to his office, shutting the door behind them to insure that no one hears their conversation. The captain sits down and motions for the inspector to take the opposing seat; he does. Captain: "Muramoto, you and I both know that the reason for your rapid rise is your fighting ability. For this reason I hesitate assigning you to a partner; you will be the point man for martial arts-related assaults and crimes and we have no suitable prospect at this time. However, there will be... resentment by other inspectors at your success. I do not want that to divide my station." Inspector: "I understand, sir. What do you recommend?" Captain: "I suggest that you take the time to get to know the other inspectors personally, and to become part of the community. The other inspectors will know that I suggested this." [slight smile] "They know me too well after our years together, so they won't think you're just another ass-kisser for trying to get to know them." Inspector: [gets up to leave] "Thank you, Captain." ********************** Various Students: "Happy New Year! What a test that was. Only one more semester, only one more semester... I'm dead meat. I'm going to go home and sleep... I'll meet you at the festival tonight." Ranma and Akane stop outside a small section of pathway cordoned off by warning signs. Ranma: [puzzled] "'Slippery when wet?' What do you think this is?" Akane: "I don't know." Keiko comes running up to them. Keiko: "Just stay there for a minute or so and you'll see. Wait... kiss each other." Ranma: [blushing] "In public? Well, I don't mind..." Akane: [blushing] "Neither do I... I guess..." As the two start to kiss, a shout comes from the school building. Kuno: "Ranma Saotome, prepare yourself!" Kuno comes running into the school courtyard with his bokken held high. Kuno: "With the coming of the new year comes an end to your villainy... finally I shall..." Kuno is unable to complete his sentence as he suddenly runs onto the section of concrete made slick with the school nurse's entire supply of petroleum jelly. He slides across the courtyard, unable to stop himself, until he impacts a tree and loses consciousness. Everyone starts laughing at him. Akane retakes Ranma's hand as they leave Furinkan High School. Akane: "Some things never seem to change." Ranma looks down at Akane's hand, lets go, and slips his arm around her waist. Ranma: "I'm glad some things do." Akane slips her own arm around Ranma's waist as they continue to walk home. Behind them, Keiko, Midori, and Ayuki work quickly to get rid of the evidence. ********************** Akane dresses in her festival kimono, looking up at a knock at the door. Midori: "Akane?" Akane: "Come in, Midori." Midori enters, also dressed in a kimono. Midori: "Akane, how do you feel about Uk...you?" Akane fidgets, uncomfortable with the direction the conversation is going. Akane: "Midori... you have to understand, its not that I dislike her, but..." Midori: "But what?" Akane: "Before you three came, she kept trying to break up Ranma's and my engagement..." Midori: "I understand, Akane. But daddy chose you now. Couldn't you become friends like she and daddy are?" Akane looks at Midori, a question in her eyes. Midori: "I think Uk-chan needs some close friends right now, and the three of us will always be 'Ranma's daughters' to her. Please, Akane. Could you and daddy go to the festival with her tonight?" ********************** Soun: "Is everyone ready?" Kasumi: "Yes, father." Kasumi carries some sweet mochi rice in a bamboo steamer box. Everyone starts to walk toward the festival, and as they go through the front gate they pass the kadomatsu that Soun spent the day making. Midori leads them towards Uc-chan's. ********************** Midori, Keiko, and Ayuki shove Ukyou out from behind her okonomiyaki cart and take her place. Ukyou: "What's the big idea?" Midori: "We're taking over. Go have fun." Ukyou: "Hey..." Akane seems to make up her mind, then touches Ukyou lightly on the shoulder. Akane: "Please, Ukyou. Ranma and I would be happy if you joined us." Ukyou looks at her, startled. She then looks at Ranma (who seems a little surprised), then the three girls behind the cart (who look hopeful). Ukyou: "OK..." *******************************************finis Chapter 7 [Author's note #0: New Year's traditions in this fanfic are based on those presented in Spectrum Hawaii's "Japanese New Year" episode (KHET - Hawaii PBS). This is not to say that all japanese families necessarily follow any or all of these traditions, but most do to some extent. Since the Tendos are an established family in the area (and because martial arts are usually based on traditions), I would expect that the traditional practices would be observed. Spellings are phonetic based on my interpretation, so may be different in common use. I will attempt to use these traditions to portray a more realistic view of life at this (calendar) time, but I must warn the reader that I do not follow all these traditions, so I may get them wrong. In this story, because of the school schedule, Soun, Genma, and Nodoka (and Kasumi when she's not with Dr. Tofu) have spent their spare time in cleaning the house during the week of the story. One can notice the "inversion" of Christmas and New Year's between east and west. In the west, Christmas is highly emphasized as a time of family while New Year's is typically marked only by a party, while in the east the two are reversed, most likely due to the non-Christian nature of the Japanese culture.] [Author's note #1: The New Year is a time of special traditions in the japanese household. Houses get cleaned up, top to bottom, of the year's accumulated dust (representative of the casting off of the evils/bad luck of the previous year and preparation for the new life that comes with spring). Rafters are cleaned with bamboo "brooms" (bamboo retains its color in winter, symbolizing the perseverance of life). Tatami (floor) mats and (paper) screens are also replaced at this time. "Kadomatsu", or gate pine, is the New Year's arrangement of pine, bamboo, and plum set at the gateway to the house (as an invitation for spirits to rest in the branches). It is burned after New Year's to receive the spirits' blessing.] [Author's note #2: "Mochi" is sweet rice that has been pounded until its no longer recognizable as such. It is typically shaped into small, round cakes and sometimes filled with sweet bean paste. Mochi pounding for New Year's is typically done a couple of days in advance; in this story Dr. Tofu does it the day before New Year's at the festival (the first day he's "on-call") for the community (he doesn't do it all himself; he provides the mortar, mallets, and steamers while families provide the sweet mochi rice and the labor). "Kagame mochi" are the large mochi placed on a person's source of livelihood (such as the dojo, or a cash register, or a computer) as an offering to insure success, usually consisting of two (large) mochi and a tangerine set in a pyramid. "Ozoni soup", or a mochi- vegetable soup, is typically part of the New Year's breakfast (most of which has some deeper meaning).] [Author's note #3: The ratings that Cologne gives are based on a ten-point scale with herself being a "10". It is an all-around rating based on a number of factors, such as special techniques and the ability to use them effectively; limitations in style; as well as straight fighting ability. Remember that the Takahashi characters have a continuity "cut-off" at the Happodaikarin (manga) storyline.] [Author's note #4: I have no factual basis for the New Year's festival (though it might exist - I don't know, I don't live in Japan). However, since New Year's is a time of both contemplation and celebration, It is not inconceivable that a two or three-day festival occurs preceding New Year's (and probably continuing after it). I have the (school) holiday occurring on (Saturday) December 31st because it allows the students and teachers to prepare for the new year.] [Author's note #5: Hanafuda fortune telling is one of my blatant lies. The deck is arranged into twelve "suits" or "months" based on what plant is depicted on them. I haven't completely worked out the rules behind it, but in Kasumi's case, the plum (ume) and cherry (sakura) have standard meanings behind them, with the bird (nature) and poem (mankind - business, etc.) being defining factors in the given interpretation. Since there are only forty-eight cards, there are the additional added variables of number of cards picked and placement (linear, crossing, etc.) in front of the fortune teller. Whether or not it tells the future is up for grabs, of course (though that probably won't stop Kasumi from seeing that her fortune comes true).] Next: Chapter 8: The Festival New Year's traditions! The Inspector visits the Kunos! Night Two of the New Year's Festival!