[Ranma][FanFic] Heart of the Immortal 2
Anand Rao
Heart of the Immortal
----------------------
By: Anand Rao
Chapter 2:Defining Relationships
--------------------------------
Akane remained seated on the floor, completely stunned. (I. . . lost, and
to a boy no less!) To make things worse, this boy had slighted her father
in his own home.
"Hey, you okay, Akane? You didn't bruise anything, did you?" Ranma asked.
Akane buried her shame and shock, and instead, focused on the source of her
rage. She shot to her feet, her right fist going forward in a jab to
Ranma's chest. He caught her fist easily. "Hey now, none of that." Her left
fist flew towards his face and he caught that one too. "Look, we can begin
training any time you want, but the match is over. Stop this." His grip
tightened on her hands.
Akane tried to pull her arms back, but they wouldn't move. "Let go," she
growled.
Ranma ignored her demand. "Your actions are only embarrassing yourself and
your father. A martial artist should be above this. Do you understand?"
Ranma asked.
Akane tried pulling her arms back once more to no avail. "Yes," she finally
replied, gritting her teeth.
"Yes, what?"
"What do you mean, 'Yes, what'?" Akane asked, irritably. Her arms were
starting to tire.
"You haven't forgotten our bet, have you?" Ranma asked innocently.
Realization dawned on Akane and she shook her head vehemently. "Akane!"
Soun snapped.
"Yes. . . sensei," Akane finally replied. Ranma finally released her hands
and she quickly stalked out of the dojo.
"Be back here by five tomorrow morning! Not a minute later!" Ranma called
after her. (So much anger,) he thought, shaking his head.
"She took that rather well," Nabiki remarked dryly.
Soun sighed. "My baby girl is finally continuing her training."
Ranma whirled on Soun. "Don't think that -you're- off the hook! After she
leaves for school in the mornings, you and I get training."
"Of. . . of course, Sensei!"
"I'd better get to the market. I'm cooking a big feast for you tonight,
oniichan."
Ranma grinned roguishly at Kasumi. "In that case, allow me to go with you!
I'm always willing to help if there's a good meal involved."
Kasumi laughed. "I'll go get my purse."
***************************************
"This is nice." Kasumi companionably linked her arm with Ranma's. The pair
were walking on the sidewalk, the orange sun of early evening keeping them
comfortably warm.
"Yes. Do you remember when we used to do this on Sunday mornings?" Ranma
asked.
"Hmm. It was so much fun, feeling like I was helping Mother with her
chores." Kasumi suppressed a giggle. "Of course, it was also a good way to
get some ice cream."
"Heh. I noticed. I've never seen a child put away as much of that stuff as
you did! It's a wonder you never got sick," Ranma observed.
"It was a happy part of life for me. It was nice. . . having a big brother.
Someone to look after me, to play with me, protect me, tell me stories; and
now, look at you." Kasumi turned towards Ranma and stared wistfully at his
youthful face. "You look younger than me."
"That's the key word though. . . 'look'."
"Yes, I know. But when I'm old and gray, you'll still look as you do now,
right?"
"Yes, that's true." Ranma sighed.
"Why?" Kasumi asked.
"Hmm?"
"You never really explained why you're like this."
"You were too young to understand," Ranma countered.
"Well, you can explain it to me now, can't you. . . oniichan?"
Ranma shrugged his shoulders. "It's not that complex a thing. There are
these mysterious little creatures called Blood Worms. If you eat them, you
become immortal."
"Why did you want to become immortal?"
"I didn't," Ranma replied wryly. "I was tricked into eating the worms."
"Tricked?" Kasumi gasped. "Why? By whom?"
Ranma remained silent for a few moments, and Kasumi wondered if he had even
heard her. "To explain that, I'd have to tell you about Aya, and we just
don't have the time for that right now," he finally said.
"Who is Aya?"
"Aya. . . was my first fiancée."
********************************************
Ranma stared into his cup long after emptying its contents into his mouth.
The tea had been very hot, but he didn't notice. Nervousness tended to dull
pain. Aya had said she wanted to talk to him, and yet, the girl had not
said a word for over twenty minutes. (This is crazy,) Ranma thought. He
had known Aya since they were young children, but had never felt comfortable
around her. It was something he would have to move past before they got
married.
"Ranma-san."
Startled at finally hearing her voice, Ranma looked up and his breath caught
as he stared into her eyes. He always marveled at her beauty. Her dark
brown hair was tied in a bun on top of her head. She wore not a hint of
makeup, and she really didn't need any. Aya had a natural beauty that Ranma
found simply mesmerizing. Her eyes, however, always caused him discomfort.
Her eyes - large, luminous, and deep blue, seemed to pierce straight into
his mind. They held a possessiveness that Ranma wasn't sure he'd ever get
used to.
"Saotome-sensei told me of this trip you plan."
"Yes?" Ranma replied weakly. (How can anyone's voice be so strong and soft
at the same time?)
"Why?"
"Why am I going? Father thinks it would be a good way from me to improve my
skills. I won't be gone that long; a few months at most." Ranma strained
to keep his voice calm and nonchalant. Aya was jealous of his time as it
was, and he wasn't sure how she'd react to him being away for so long.
"Is that the only reason?" He voice was only -slightly- accusatory.
"Of course it is! Why else would I want to leave?" Ranma asked indignantly.
She lowered her eyes, and Ranma let out a relieved breath. "Sometimes I
think. . . you want to get away from me."
Ranma scratched the back of his head and let out a sigh. "You have to stop
that. We're going to get married eventually and sooner or later you have to
start trusting me or-"
"Do you love me?" She looked up at him then, and Ranma was once again at a
loss for words.
**************************************************
"Do you ever have trouble telling people how you feel?"
"Not really. But then again, oniichan, no one ever asks me how I feel. . .
"
Ranma winced and shook his head. "Have you been having a rough time of it,
Kasumi?"
"No. I've just. . . had to grow up a little faster than most girls my age,
that's all."
"So. . . what are you feeling, Hime-chan?" He asked lightly.
Kasumi playfully tapped her chin. "I'm feeling. . . curious."
"Curious about what?"
"I'm curious why you waited twelve years to visit us."
"I thought you'd forgiven me for that," Ranma mumbled sheepishly.
"Forgiven, yes," Kasumi agreed. "But I'm still curious."
"There are. . . other people like me. Once in awhile we run afoul of each
other."
"So you have other immortal friends?"
Ranma shook his head at Kasumi's naivety. "I wouldn't exactly call them
friends. Let's just say I had some problems and I didn't want your family
to get involved."
"Father would always be happy to help you, Ranma," Kasumi chided.
"I know that, but- Kasumi. . . who's that?" Ranma pointed across the
street.
"Oh, that's Doctor Tofu. Isn't he funny?" Kasumi giggled.
"Uh. . . yeah." Said doctor was alternating between staring adoringly at
Kasumi and talking rather animatedly with a skeleton. (Man, he's got it
bad.) Ranma grinned then had an idea. "Why don't you introduce me to him,
eh?"
"Certainly." Kasumi led Ranma across the street to the eccentric young
doctor. "Hello, Dr. Tofu," she greeted.
"K-K-Kasumi! Fancy meeting you here!" He turned towards the skeleton.
"Betty, say hello to Kasumi!"
Ranma frowned and took a step closer to Kasumi. (Maybe he's just nuts.)
Kasumi laughed and put a hand on Ranma's arm. "Doctor, this is Ranma
Saotome, he's a close friend of our family."
Tofu shook the skeleton's hand. "Nice to meet you, Ranma. My, you're
looking a bit pale. You may want to come to my office later for a check
up."
"I'll give it some thought," Ranma replied dryly.
"Splendid! Well, I really should be heading back to my office. Have tons
of paperwork, you know!" Tofu laughed heartily.
"Well, we need to get on with our shopping anyway," Kasumi replied. "Oh! I
will return the books I borrowed from you some time tomorrow, okay?"
"T-Tomorrow? Th-that's fine! Take your time, really!"
"I'll see you then."
"Bye, Kasumi!" Tofu ran off, skipping and jumping, and carrying the
skeleton on his back.
Kasumi smiled fondly in his direction. "He's such a nice man, always so
helpful and kind. Akane just adores him!"
"You seem to like him a bit yourself," Ranma observed slyly.
Kasumi blushed. "He's a nice man," she repeated.
"Yes, you said that." Ranma took a few steps away from Kasumi then turned
towards her. "I really should talk to your father about him."
"What for?"
"To set up a marriage meeting for the two of you, of course," Ranma replied.
************************************
Nabiki knocked on Akane's door and waited patiently for a response. After a
few moments of silence, she knocked once more, a bit louder.
"Go away!"
"Akane, it's me. I'm coming in, okay?" Nabiki opened the door and walked
inside. Akane was lying on her bed, hugging a stuffed bear in a strangle
hold. "So, ready to work with your new sensei tomorrow?"
Akane glared at her sister and for a moment, Nabiki thought she would throw
the bear at her. "I can't believe I lost to that. . . that. . ."
"Incredibly good marital artist?" Nabiki prompted.
"Rude, arrogant boy!" Akane countered.
"He beat you rather easily too."
"I don't need you to remind me," Akane snapped.
"Ranma is exactly what you need, Akane," Nabiki replied seriously. "He'll
help you regain your edge and keep you challenged."
"Okay, so he's good," Akane grudgingly admitted. "But he still has no right
to treat daddy like that. I mean, he's no older than us!"
"Treat daddy like what? You were probably too angry to realize it, but
daddy was actually excited today. Do you know what he's doing right now?
He's cleaning all the exercise equipment in the dojo. For the first time in
years, he's taking interest in things again. Maybe Ranma will be good for
him too."
"You're being awfully trusting," Akane said wearily.
Nabiki nodded her head. "There's a lot we don't know about Ranma, but I
plan to fix that really soon. But daddy trusts him and Kasumi trusts him,
and that's good enough. . . for now."
"Easy for you to say," Akane groaned. "You're not honor-bound to train with
him every day!"
"At five in the morning, no less!" Nabiki grinned. "Better start going to
sleep early, Akane." This time, Akane -did- throw the bear at her.
********************************************
"Oniichan, I'm not sure if this is a good idea."
"What's that?" Ranma idly asked, several bags of groceries dangling on each
arm.
"This. . . marriage meeting with Doctor Tofu," Kasumi explained.
(Good girl.) Ranma smiled. "I was wondering when you were going to bring
it up, you've been quiet ever since I mentioned it."
"I appreciate the thought, I really do, but. . ."
"What's the problem? You like him and he obviously likes you. Are you not
ready to get married yet?" Ranma asked.
"It's not that. It's just. . . who will take care of the family if I get
married? Maybe after Akane and Nabiki enter college, I can think about it,
but not until then."
Ranma stopped walking and just stared at Kasumi. "You're kidding, right?
You've been taking care of the family since you were nine! Your father is a
grown man, and Akane and Nabiki are certainly old enough to take care of the
chores around the house."
"They do help, but they can't do everything," Kasumi protested.
"And neither can you," Ranma replied firmly. "Look, if you don't want to
marry that nutty doctor, that's fine. If you don't want to get married
right now, that's okay too." Ranma leaned closer to Kasumi and stared hard
into her eyes. "But don't make this decision for the wrong reasons."
Kasumi blushed and lowered her eyes. "I'll think about it, oniichan."
"That's all I can ask." Ranma smiled. "Well, looks like we're back home.
Oh, and don't worry, I won't mention this to Soun until you ask me to,
okay?"
Kasumi wordless nodded her head as the two of them entered the house.
"We're home!" she called out.
**************************************
"501. . . 502. . . 503. . . 504," Ranma paused at the knock on his door.
"Come in." He continued his pushups. "505. . . 506. . ."
The door opened and Nabiki walked into the guestroom that Ranma was given.
"Am I interrupting you?"
"Not really. . . 507. . . 508. . . 509. . ."
"Well, can you stop for a few minutes, I'd like to talk to you," Nabiki
said, slightly irritated.
"Sure," Ranma chuckled. He stood up, stretched his back and then sat on his
futon. He looked at Nabiki questioningly and patted the space next to him,
offering her a seat.
Nabiki sat down and smiled. "I was wondering, since you're going to be
staying her awhile, if you'll be attending school with Akane and me."
"Why would I want to do that?" Ranma sounded amused.
"Truancy is against law, you know," Nabiki replied dryly.
"I'm well educated, Nabiki-chan," Ranma assured her. "I can read, write,
and count just fine."
"That's all well and good, but I still don't see the authorities allowing a
teenager to go running around by himself during the school day."
"Like I said, I'm older than I look."
"And how old are you?" Nabiki asked.
Ranma leaned closer to her, as if to share a secret. "You wouldn't believe
me if I told you," he whispered.
Nabiki smirked and stood up. "That's fine. I'll just find out by myself.
Besides, it's more fun that way."
"Good luck," Ranma chuckled.
"You'll need it more than I do if you're going to train Akane tomorrow,"
Nabiki replied. "Good night, Ranma."
"Good night, Nabiki-chan."
After Nabiki left, Ranma got back down on the floor to resume his push ups,
but sighed when he realized that he had lost count. "Oh well, guess that's
enough for tonight."
****************************
Akane stumbled into the dojo, large dark bags under her eyes and her hair in
complete disarray. She had, however, managed enough conscious thought to
change into her gi.
"Very good! And you're five minutes early, too."
Akane glared at Ranma but her uncontrollable yawn threw off any effect it
might have had. Ranma was dressed in an immaculate white gi and stood in
the center of the dojo. Unlike Akane, he appeared to be completely awake
and at ease.
"I made sure to set my alarm. . . Sensei." Akane nearly choked on the last
word.
"Good, I was wondering if I would have to wake you up. That. . . wouldn't
have been pleasant," Ranma replied.
"So are we going to train or are you just going to make threats?" Akane
yawned once more.
"We'll train. But first you need to warm up. Do some stretches, get
limber, and when you're ready we'll spar."
Akane began stretching while Ranma began a kata. They both moved in
silence, Ranma seemingly ignoring Akane, while she was mesmerized with his
movements. Ranma flowed like water; and he never stopped. Even the ceiling
and walls were no obstacle to him as he jumped, and flipped, and cascaded
all over the dojo. (He really -is- good,) Akane admitted to herself.
"You must be ready if you have the time to sit there and gawk at me like
that."
Akane blushed as she realized that Ranma had finished his kata, and in fact,
had been standing still for several moments. Swallowing her anger at his
barbed comments, she stood up. "I'm ready. Let's spar."
Ranma smiled lightly. "Well, then, hit me, if you can."
Akane tried. She really did. For an hour and a half, she swung her fists
and kicked her feet, but all she ever hit was air. Ranma left a painful
reminder of every opening she left; not with a condescending tap to the
head, but with solid hits to her chest, stomach, ribs, legs, and back.
Finally, she collapsed to the dojo floor, her breath ragged and her body
completely sore. "N- No. . . m-more. . . I. . . can't move. . . anymore."
"Get up, Akane. Don't just sit there, or you're going to start cramping up.
You need to cool down slowly. That's it, get up and go for a walk for a few
minutes. We're done for today."
Akane nodded her head wearily and stumbled out of the dojo. Ranma smiled,
shook his head, and began another kata. A few moments later, Soun
hesitantly stepped into the dojo. He waited for Ranma to finish before
voicing his question. "So, how did it go?"
"She's clumsy, Soun. Really clumsy," Ranma replied flatly. Soun bent his
head in shame. "However, she's so stubborn, I don't see how she can fail.
It will take work, but she has the potential to be one of the best."
"So, there's hope?" Soun asked eagerly.
"There's always hope, Soun." Ranma cracked his knuckles and got into an
offensive stance. "Now, are you ready to go?"
Soun sweat-dropped as he prepared himself for the coming pain.
***************************************
Akane slowly walked up the stairs towards her room. She met Nabiki in the
hallway as she reached the door to her bedroom. "You look terrible,"
Nabiki observed sleepily.
"I'm sore everywhere," Akane replied. "All I want to do is soak in the furo
for a good long time."
Nabiki quickly rubbed the sleep from her eyes. "If you're that tired, how
do you plan to handle your morning fan club?"
"I don't know," Akane replied tiredly. "And right now, I'm too sore to
care." Akane walked into her room and shut the door.
"It's too early in the morning for this," Nabiki muttered. She continued
down the stairs and after a few moments, decided to head for the dojo. Upon
entering, she found her father and Ranma engaged in a remarkable display of
aerial combat. Nabiki gaped in shock. She would have bet money, a large
amount of it, that her father was incapable of such feats.
"Great, Soun! You're just a bit rusty!" Ranma exclaimed as he bounced off
the ceiling.
"And. . . a bit. . . out of shape. . ," Soun replied, gasping for breath as
he dodged a kick aimed for his head.
"We'll fix that in the coming days."
"Of course, Sensei." The two had stopped moving and just stood facing each
other. Sweat poured off Soun's face, but Ranma didn't look the least bit
winded.
Nabiki chose that moment to speak up. "If you don't mind my interrupting, I
really need to speak to Ranma for a moment."
Soun looked at Ranma questioningly and sighed in relief when Ranma nodded
his head. "You only get a break for a few minutes though," Ranma warned.
"Good enough." Soun walked out of the dojo and collapsed on the grass.
"What can I do for you, Nabiki?" Ranma asked after Soun had left.
"It's about Akane. . . she looked in pretty bad shape."
"Don't worry, all she needs is some rest, she'll just be a bit sore by
tomorrow."
"But she doesn't have until tomorrow! She's going to be in a fight as soon
as she gets to school," Nabiki explained.
"A challenge?" Ranma grinned ferally.
"In a sense, but not the way you're thinking. Look, Akane fights this crowd
of boys every morning. They all want to go out with her and the captain of
the Kendo club said that only a person strong enough to defeat her would
have the right to do so and-"
"I think I get the picture," Ranma said.
"Yeah, well, Akane isn't exactly in any condition to take up the challenge
today."
Ranma shrugged. "Then tell her to stay home."
Nabiki crossed her arms over her chest. "Just because -you- don't care
about school doesn't mean that she can skip it any time she wants."
Ranma sighed. "So what is it that you want me to do?"
"You're Akane's sensei, so you're responsible for her, right?" Nabiki
asked.
"Yes. . . that's true. . ."
"Then come to school with us and fight in her place. After all, it -is-
your fault she can't deal with this today."
"All right, just come get me before you guys leave."
"Thank you, Ranma," Nabiki replied, a small smile growing on her face.
"You're welcome, now get your father back in here!"
*******************************************
"So now I have to go to -school- with you too?"
"Not at all, Akane-chan," Ranma replied. "I'm just curious about this
school of yours as well as your morning fights."
Akane turned towards Nabiki. "I still don't know why you told him about
that."
"The way you're moving, you'll need the help, sis."
"I do not need any help," Akane sulked, then winced as a small stab of pain
coursed through her leg. "Look, there's the school." She turned back
towards Ranma. "Sensei or not, this is -my- fight, got it?"
"Suit yourself," Ranma shrugged his shoulders. "I'll just watch."
They approached the front gates of Furinkan high school and a horde of male
students rushed towards them.
"I'll defeat you, Akane Tendo!"
"No, let me! Then I'll date you!"
Akane charged forward into the group while Ranma and Nabiki stood back and
watched. "Wow, hockey, karate, soccer, tennis, dance, lacrosse. . . Looks
like members from every sports club on campus is here!"
"I'm glad you're impressed," Nabiki replied dryly.
Akane went through eight opponents before her leg gave out and she fell.
(Damn it! Ranma and his stupid training!) She closed her eyes and waited
for the attacks to come, but they never did. She looked up to see Ranma
standing in front of her. She looked around to see six more boys laying
unconscious on the ground, the rest wearily circling Ranma. "I thought you
said you were going to watch," she said, slightly irritated.
"I lied. Can you stand?"
"Sure, just give me a few seconds."
"Well, I don't want you to be late for school, so, why don't I just take
care of these guys for you?" Without waiting for an answer, Ranma tore into
the rest of Akane's suitors. Within a few seconds, they too were on the
ground blissfully unconscious. "Well, that wasn't so bad at all."
"You dare interfere with our sacred pact?"
Akane groaned. (Of course. . . Kuno.)
"And who might you be?" Ranma asked, eyeing the young man with the bokken
who approached him.
"I am the blue thunder of Furinkan high!" Kuno exclaimed as thunder rumbled
in the distance. "The rising star of the high school fencing world.
Tatewaki Kuno. Age 17."
"Right. And what is it that you're so upset about?"
"You interrupted our battle with the magnificent Akane Tendo. These men,"
Kuno waved his hands at the unconscious boys, "wished to prove their worth
and date with her. Theirs was a holy mission. . . and you have interfered!"
"Akane is my student, young Kuno. . . and I would not see her hurt."
"Student! Akane's skills are unmatched! What need has she to learn from
the likes of you?" Kuno sneered.
Ranma smiled. (This guy's arrogance and manner reminds me of the old days.
.. .) He took a few steps closer to the kendoist. "Why don't you challenge
me and find out?" he suggested.
"That I shall!" Kuno exclaimed, pointing his bokken at Ranma.
(Things are moving way to fast,) Akane thought.
"Whenever you're ready then, Kuno."
Kuno charged forward, swinging his bokken in a quick wide arc. Ranma ducked
under the blade, stepped forward and hit Kuno under the chin with a powerful
upper cut. The kendoist flew back and landed on the ground, the bokken
flying out of his hand. He did not get back up.
Ranma waited a few more minutes then scratched the back of his head and
smiled ruefully. "Well. . . that was rather anticlimactic," he observed.
The students who had observed the fight, both on the school grounds and in
the classroom, remained silent and completely astonished. Someone besides
Akane had managed to defeat Kuno; rather easily too. The late bell rang, and
Akane, Nabiki, and the other students, realizing that they were late, ran
into the school building.
Ranma's smile grew more amused and he glanced down at Kuno. "I guess I'll
see you girls after school." With that, he slowly walked back to the Tendo
Dojo.
***********************
End Chapter Two
Notes:
Wow, someone had suggested that I try to finish chapter two before
Christmas, but that seemed unlikely. Yeah, this is filler, but I needed it.
I've always been more character oriented than anything else anyway...
I need to thank a LOT of people for helping me get past my block, but
mainly: Michelle Thatcher, Hpackrat, X-ile, Donny Cheng, Matt Lewis, Jeffery
Vasquez, John Peasley, Steven Cornett, Takaya Nuriko, and Liath Corrine
MoonShadow. I'm missing a lot of people, I know, but thanks a bunch guys,
I've got a fairly clear picture of where I'm going with this.
Namaste,
Anand.
P.S. Oh, I've had about five glasses of wine before writing the final
scene, so the grammar might be somewhat horrific...