Newsgroups: rec.arts.anime Path: cunyvm!ukma!bogus.sura.net!howland.reston.ans.net!sol.ctr.columbia.edu!news.columbia.edu!cunixf.cc.columbia.edu!krim From: KAL Rim Subject: Kasumi's Story Part 8 Message-ID: <1993Jan20.045459.19648@news.columbia.edu> Originator: krim@cunixf.cc.columbia.edu Sender: usenet@news.columbia.edu (The Network News) Nntp-Posting-Host: cunixf.cc.columbia.edu Reply-To: krim@cunixf.cc.columbia.edu (KAL Rim) Organization: Columbia University Center for Computing Activities References: Date: Wed, 20 Jan 1993 04:54:59 GMT Lines: 285 Sorry for taking so long with this part but I had a hard time writing the last part - I wanted to make sure it flowed semi-perfectly. :-) Ranma 1/2 fan-fiction Kasumi's Story Chapter 8 -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= [ We see Ranma running through the night looking for Akane ] Ranma: Hold on, Akane, I'm coming! [ slows down and looks around ] Hmm, this place is a lot bigger than I thought. I wonder where I should start looking? Oh well, it's not as if anything is really going to happen to her. Akane is pretty strong... [ As Ranma starts strolling along, Akane is on some dock looking out into the sea. She has a pair of razors about to cut her hair at the root ] Akane: This is for the best... Then everyone will be happy... except me... No one likes me... Kunou: Don't be unhappy Tendo Akane! I love you! [ Kunou appears and hugs Akane, a VERY annoyed Akane kicks him away ] Akane: No one that matters likes me... Maybe Ranma was right about me, maybe I'm not cute... Woman: What's a cute girl like you doing out in a place like this? You know, it's not safe for a girl to be out by herself at this time of the night, Oh! You're crying... Akane: Please excuse me. Don't trouble yourself Ma'am. Woman: [ laughs] C'mon, I'm not *that* much older. [ We get a good look look at her and see that she's right. She seems to be about the age of a college student. She has long flowing hair (a little long at the temples, though) and deep green eyes. She's wearing blue jeans and a white shirt. ] Akane: [ laughs too] I'm sorry. Woman: Is it anything you want to talk about, honey? Akane: Not really... Woman: Oh, I understand if it's personal. Is it about a guy? Akane: Um, yes. Is it that obvious? Woman: What else could it be. Hmmm... I bet you had a fight with a guy you really like. What was it, another girl? Akane: Sort of... How did you... Woman: Well I'm pretty familiar with a similar situation Actually there was this one special person and I thought we were really meant for each other. Akane: Sort of the same thing with me too. But the jerk started seeing other girls.. Woman: Yeah, me too. What's worse was, my friend also liked him. And I wasn't sure who he liked more, her or me. But at the same time I couldn't really hate my friend for that. I felt jealous and ended up blaming him but I was really blaming myself most of all. Akane: That kind of sounds like me... Woman: You never really know what the other person is feeling. Sometimes you have to be the first one to let your guard down. I know if I did that, I could have saved myself and my friends a lot of pain. What really convinced me was that no matter what, he would always come out looking for me. Akane: Wow. Woman: Even though he had no idea what to say when he found me. He'd just stand in front of me and mumble... Akane: Thank you for talking... I don't even know your name. Woman: I'mma! Akane: What, that's Ranma's voice... [ Ranma has finally arrived ] Ranma: ...AKANE! Woman: Your name is... Akane? [ giggles ] Akane: What's so funny? Woman: Oh, nothing, it's just that... well it's not important. Is that him over there? Akane: Yeah... Woman: Well he must really like you to come after you all the way here. He seems like a nice guy. I'll leave you two alone.. Akane: Thank you... Woman: Oh, Akane? Here, I want you to have this. [ She tosses her something, which Akane just barely grabs, being such a clutz ] Woman: Good Catch! Akane: But this is yours... Woman: Keep it, I don't need it any more. Besides it looks great on you! Bye! Akane: What a nice person... Ranma: Akane, let me explain... Akane: C'mon Ranma, we better head home. Ranma: I was just.. HUH? Akane: Hurry up, our parents might be getting worried. Ranma: I'll never understand her. Hey, Akane, wait up! Akane: [ playfully ] Only if you can catch me! Ranma: [ grinning ] Watch me! [ As their run progresses their moods become lighter and lighter. The two of them run and laugh for a while. The time seems like magic, all their problems and worries seem to just disappear. The moon seems to be shining just a little more brighter and the cool night air seems to be just a little more fresher. Finally at the end of their chase, they slow down and stroll along together. They seem to be a little out of breath but are smiling warmly. Several times their hands seem to almost touch but then veer away at the last moment. When they realize what they almost did they look away to avoid their embarassment ] Ranma: Akane, uh, where did you get that old hat? Akane: Why? Don't you like it? Ranma: No..., I mean Yes... I mean I think it looks good on you... I mean.. Well, red is your color... I mean... Akane: I'm only kidding! [ Ranma suddenly stops and looks her in the eyes ] Ranma: A...A.. Akane... Akane: Ranma.... [ Akane remembers the words the woman told her before Woman: Sometimes, *you* have to be the first one to let your guard down ] Akane: Ranma.... Shampoo: Ranma! [ Shampoo appears out of nowhere and grabs Ranma in a fierce hug.] Ranma: Sh...Shampoo! Shampoo: I was looking all over for you! I almost gave up all hope. I'm so happy I found you! [ Ranma has a really bewildered look on his face. Then he notices Akane steaming at the two of them. Ranma has one of those "It's not my fault!" expressions on his face. Akane slaps him and storms off. ] Akane: Ranma no Baka!! [ At another area of the docks ] Woman: I've done a good thing! [ Flashback ] Woman: Sometimes you have to be the one to let your guard down. Akane: Thank you... [ Flashback II ] Woman: Remeber, never give up! If you really love him sometimes you just have to go out and fight for him. Shampoo: Yes! I'll do my best! [ End Flashback II ] Guy: Hey you! I finally found you! Woman: You again? Why are you always bothering me? Guy: You were snooping through my room again! Did you read my diary?! Woman: What if I did? Your life is pretty boring. Guy: What happened to my hat? Woman: That old thing? I got rid of it for you. What are you doing with a woman's hat anyway, you weirdo? Guy: None of your business! That hat is important! Woman: If you weren't my cousin I wouldn't be caught dead with you. What an Otaku. Guy: Well at least I don't keep butting my nose in where it doesn't belong! ..... [ Back at the Tendou Dojo... ] Nabiki: And you don't remember anything? Kasumi: Remember what? The last thing I remember was calling everyone for dinner and then something hit my head. But I did have the strangest dream... I can't really remember it too well. But I think I was doing and saying the most unusual things Soun: Kasumi, so are you...well? Kasumi: Of course I am Father. Why shouldn't I be.. OH! Everyone: WHAT?! Kasumi: What happened to dinner?! [ Again, everyone falls flat on their faces ] Nabiki: I'm sorry to say, it didn't survive. Kasumi: Then I better start again... Soun: Oh I'm so happy Saotome-kun! Genma: Me too Tendou-kun! [ The next day, Akane is talking to her father... ] Akane: Tofu-sensei said that short term memory loss is very a common occurance with repeated head injury victims. Soun: Akane, don't you think you should thank Ranma for all he's done? Akane: Well.... [ In a seperate but nearby room ] Ranma: So you see, I really had two dishes, one was Akane's and one I just made. And in the last minute, I switched them. Kasumi initially smelled Akane's food and ... Nabiki: And when Kasumi thought she was eating Akane's she was really eating.. Ranma: ...my delicious dinner... I'm just glad I'm such a good cook... and Akane is so lousy! HAHAHAHA! Akane: [ hitting Ranma with a pot] I'm sorry I'm such a lousy cook! Kasumi: Father, why do you want me to wear this helmet all day? Soun: Please Kasumi, just do it for your father. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= THE END -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= I hope you all enjoyed the story. Please send me comments. I need to know exactly what was good and what wasn't to prepare for my next story. If you thought some things were really hilarious, tell me! If you thought some parts were stupid and sappy, Tell me! I can take it. Besides I can always feed my ego :-) If you missed any of the parts, Megazone will be making an archive for it on the wpi ftp site. Anybody else is welcome to do so as well (as long as my name is associated as the story's author) My next project will hopefully be a semi-serious action story with lots of cameo appearances (if I get the time to write it)