[Ranma][Fanfic] Intermission

[Lee W Ginther]

The Ferret Farm BBs
X-Mailer: PCElm 3.21

Ranma 1/2
Intermission

Produced by: Horde O' Hentai Productions, Literature Division
Darren Demaine: Chairman of the Horde, President for Life
(chance of parole in 20 years)
Lee (Grey Wolf): Pun Minister, Guy We Rub for Luck
Rob (Barbarian): P.U. Officer, Breath Weapon Specialist
Craig (Dr. Ruminahri): Minister without parole
Concept: Darren Demaine
Written by: Darren Demaine
Rights for all characters and situations owned by: Takahashi
Rumiko-megamisama, Pony Canyon, Shogakukun, Viz Communications

Idly placing his shogi piece down, Genma felt his concentration once
again begin to drift from the game he was playing with his friend. Looking
up, he saw that Soun had already succumb to the same affliction; his
friend's face was turned away from the board and he gazed out through the
open garden doors, a look of peaceful contentment on his face.
Drawn by the same feeling he could read from Soun's features, Genma
couldn't help but sigh slightly as he too looked out upon the beautiful
scene before him. The late afternoon sun poured down molten gold upon the
two of them, its summer warmth having not yet faded into the beginning of
autumn. A soft wind blew gently, taking the edge off of what might
otherwise have been oppressive heat. As well as cooling the day, the
breeze caused the leaves to flutter above them and the grass below to
shiver like an ocean wave of green. The wall surrounding the grounds kept
out most of the sounds of the neighbourhood, giving the dojo an almost
serene sense of isolation from the bustle of the town.
Subtly enchanted by the warmth and beauty the day provided, both men
forgot their game; relegating it and other matters as unimportant when
compared to the moment at hand. Afternoon classes in the dojo were over
and the kids weren't yet home from school, leaving the whole house quiet
and blessedly tranquil.
"Such a beautiful day," Soun said quietly, almost afraid to speak least
it break the scene before them. Through hardships endured, he had learned
that tranquility was fleeting, and something to be treasured as memories
that would pass swiftly from view. The losses he'd suffered over the years
had taught him the meaning of such transitory moments, and he accepted the
joy and calm the day presented without reservation.
Genma only nodded, feeling the weight of the beauty before him settle
heavily on his soul; he'd enjoyed too few moments like this in his life. A
gentle silence, a warm day, and a good friend beside him were things that
he'd let go over his long years of training. Then had come a family and the
responsibility that undertaking had involved. His whole life wrapped up in
determination and promise, he'd nearly lost touch with a special part of
himself. Several times he'd come close to losing forever the feelings that
these moments could evoke. Now, once again among friends and family, he
was finding that such sensations could be rediscovered if he'd only be
willing to let them return.
He didn't even feel like cheating in shogi today.
For several minutes neither moved, their game forgotten, their lives
put on hold as they savoured what was before them. Nothing was done to
disturb the moment, for the fear the slightest sound could shatter it. It
wasn't often that their lives allowed them such peace, and both were
determined to enjoy such simple pleasures to the fullest.
Behind their backs, the family room door panel slid open, and the soft
padding of feet signalled the entry of someone into the room. Neither man
turned as the panel quietly closed, each pleasantly surprised that the
motion had not disturbed the invisible magic. The footsteps approached, then
stopped as someone knelt down behind them.
"Pardon me," a woman's voice said, soft and welcome enough not to shatter
the moment. "I was just wondering if the men of the house would care for
an afternoon snack?"
Both fathers turned in to face Nodoka. Sitting there in her
apron-covered kimono, Mrs. Saotome had placed a small tray by her side as
she smiled at them; the sunlight steaming in caused her apron to glow
absolutely white in their eyes. Genma smiled back in return, her presence
not detracting from the tranquility of the moment as it once would have,
before his secret came out.
"Yes, a snack would be lovely right now, wouldn't it Tendo-kun?"
"Lovely? I think it would be perfect. Thank you Oku-san," Soun said
to Nodoka. "Your timing is impeccable."
Mrs. Saotome smiled and turned to her tray; lifting off two mugs of
foaming beer. She placed each one down beside the two men and turned back
for two pieces of dark cake. Placing them beside the mugs, she added a small
fork to each dish. "I do hope you enjoy this. It's actually a recipe
Kasumi-san taught me." She picked up the tray and held it against her chest
as she rose to her feet.
"She's quite a remarkable young lady. You must be so proud of her."
As Nodoka crossed to the door and slipped out of the room, the men
took deep, lingering drinks from the mugs. "Ahh...that hits the spot," Soun
muttered as he savoured the taste. Genma had already put his down and was
taking a bite from the cake. A look of pure rapture crossed his features
as he bit into it.
"Ahh...this truly is wonderful, such a delicious blend of flavour and
texture...Kasumi-san is quite the chef."
"But it's your wife who so skilfully managed to emulate Kasumi's recipe.
Surely that must add to the taste," Soun returned.
"You're right of course," Genma said through his mouthful of food. "But,
there's something about this dish...something familiar...I think I've had
this cake before. And I don't mean just since I arrived." Soun glanced at
him, then reached for his own dish. Taking a bite, he chewed thoughtfully
for a moment, then gave a small smile.
"Yes, you're right. I recognize it as well; it's one of my wife's
recipes." His smile grew wistful as he thought back through the years. "If
I remember correctly, you had it the time you came here to visit and met her."
Genma nodded, getting a smile of his own. "I remember now...it was a
day like today, wasn't it?"
Soun nodded, his eyes going unfocused as he stared out into the yard. "
Yes...it was a day very much like this." Genma joined his gaze as the two
of them let their minds drift back through the years to a fond memory of many,
many years ago...

In their memory, the grounds of the dojo became younger, less weathered.
The trees were smaller and leaner, with less branches to blow in the autumn
breeze. The wall surrounding the Tendo residence had a much fresher, bright
coat of paint on it, and the house itself looked miraculously free of patches
and constant abuse. The whole grounds were coloured in the bright bloom of
youth, with the promise of the possibilities of the future. In the hallway,
just inside the open garden doors, two figures sat; calmly enjoying the last
few warm breezes of summer.
"Ah, Saotome-kun," Soun uttered, no moustache present on his upper lip,
and his face free of the worry lines that would later leave their impression
on him. "I'm so glad you dropped in to see me."
"How could I not come and say hello to my old friend?" Genma returned.
The reversal of years had not changed much on Saotome. The barefoot martial
artist was dressed in a white gi and glasses. His head was covered by a
tightly wrapped cloth, with but a few wisps of dark hair stubbornly showing
under the edges. "Even if you did go off and get yourself married," he
finished with a nudge.
Soun rubbed the back of his head and laughed with embarrassment. "Ah,
well, you know how these things are Saotome-kun..."
Genma shook his head in mock affront. "The Tendo Soun I knew, the one
who swore that together we'd prefect the art of the Anything Goes Martial
Arts, would never have done anything so foolish as running off and getting
himself married. And having a family to boot."
Still grinning stupidly, Soun bobbed his head in silent apology. The
two friends looked at each other for a moment, then broke out into heartfelt
laughter.
After calming down, they fell silent and stared out into the late
afternoon, listening to the laughter of school-aged children float in over
the walls. Hearing the joyful clamour caused Soun to take in a lungful of
the autumn air and sigh faintly.
"Yes, I do miss our old days together, Saotome-kun. The times we had
wandering from sensei to sensei; freezing our butts off in winter, baking
our brains under the summer suns, sparing against each other on those ocean
rocks daring the waves to snatch us away...Sneaking into farming villages in
the middle of the night so we wouldn't go hungry...I do miss those times."
"And yet," Soun continued, "I do cherish what it is I have here. However
much I might want to, I don't think I could ever really go back to that kind
of life. What I've found here, in this small world of mine, I don't think I
could ever give up." His voice was quiet, yet full of strong conviction;
much like the day before them, the power behind Soun's words were subtle but
potent. Amazed at what he'd heard in his friend's voice, Genma glanced over
at him from the corner of his eye. Soun was staring out, a look of utter
peace and serenity on his features. Genma had never seen that look on the
other before; it was a depth to him that Genma had never expected to find in
his childhood friend.
After a moment, Soun noted how unsettled his friend seemed. Almost
embarrassed to have caused it, he struggled for a moment to return the
conversation to a ground that would be more comfortable for his guest. "So,
tell me, have you had any luck tracking down the elusive master Happosai yet?"
Genma grinned ruefully and shook his head. "No, I haven't found him yet,
but I now know he leaves a trail wherever he's been. By the time he's left
a region, even the women there are vicious fighters."
Soun looked awed at the idea: a master who by his mere presence in an
area could grant even the women such skills. "Such a martial artist..." He
shook his head minutely and stared at his friend. "Saotome-kun; if you ever
learn the whereabouts of this great master, don't hesitate to tell me." He
took a deep breath. "I can spare some time to train under one such as him.
And it will be worth it: the Tendo Ryu can only benefit from having him pass
on his knowledge."
"Don't worry Tendo-kun," Genma pledged. "If I ever track him down, I'll
make sure to contact you. We'll train together, it'll be just like the old
days." After exchanging a determined nod with his friend, they both relaxed
again to enjoy the warmth. "You should know though, it might take years to
finally locate him. Like a true artist, the master seems to be always on the
move, he doesn't stay in one place for long."
"Such devotion to his art," Soun muttered, awed at the concept. For a
few more minutes, they spoke of trivial matters, catching up on the last few
years they'd spent apart. However, the warmth of the day was subtle but
intoxicating, and both soon fell silent to just enjoying each other's company;
two old friends reunited for a short time, determined to make the best of
what time they had.
Soft sounds from the hallway diverted the men's attention away from
their introspection. Coming round the corner, Mrs. Tendo walked into sight,
carrying a filled tray in her hands. She walked up just beside the two men
and smiled down at them. "Excuse me, I just thought that the two of you
would enjoy a snack, since dinner is such a long time off."
While Genma looked on hungrily, Soun nodded up at his wife. "That would
be lovely, thank you dear." Mrs. Tendo walked behind the men and sat down,
careful not to jar either her tray of food, or the cloth straps she had tied
in an X over her blouse. Placing the tray on the floor, she moved a full
jug of foaming beer near each man, and followed that up with a small piece
of dark cake.
"This is a new recipe I'm trying out. I was thinking of saving it for
dessert, but then realized that if Saotome-san can't stay for dinner, it
wouldn't be right to keep this all to ourselves."
Soun took a bite from the cake and closed his eyes as he savoured the
taste. "That's so kind of you dear. But I'm sure Saotome-kun will be
staying for dinner, won't you?"
Genma took a big bite from the cake and nearly floated away on a cloud
of pure rapture. "Ah, Tendo-kun, after being on the road for so long this
cake is a taste of heaven. Of course I'll stay for dinner." A moment later,
he showed his teeth in a grin. "And if dinner is anywhere as good as this, I
might just move in someday."
Soun laughed as his wife smiled and looked down modestly. "Saotome-kun;
all you need is a good woman to look after you. Why, just look at what it's
done for me."
"What? Become homebound and tied down like you?" Genma returned,
sounding properly scandalized. "It could never be for a roamer like myself."
He took another bite of his cake and chewed it for a moment.
"Although...I, I am seeing someone right now," he admitted reluctantly.
"Saotome-kun, you old dog you," Soun said, smiling. "Do I know her?"
"I don't think so; but she's a lovely woman...very determined and sure
of herself." He grinned foolishly for a moment. "But she does have a
stubborn streak to her."
"Hmm," Soun grinned in return. "Sure sounds like she'd be the anchor
in any relationship. Especially a relationship with someone as untrustworthy
as you." Both men again broke into loud, boisterous laughter as Mrs. Tendo
looked on. After a few moments of this, a soft noise interceded into the
laughter. Although not loud, it had the effect of instantly silencing the
two men.
Glancing over her shoulder, Mrs. Tendo's smile grew a little more tender.
"I see someone's awake now." Gently undoing the ties of the cloth over her
blouse, she eased her shoulders out of the straps and delicately moved the
bundle from her back into her arms.
Both Soun and Genma leaned in for a better look as Mrs. Tendo eased
back the blanket covering the bundle. A circular, pink pudgy face was
nestled there, eyes still closed as the baby gurgled again, then decided to
show the world that her majesty was awake by opening her little mouth in a
gigantic yawn.
Mrs. Tendo reached a hand in and gently combed the head of fine, brown
hair. "Konichi-wa, Kasumi-chan." A moment later, the baby magnanimously
acknowledged its mother and cooed slightly. Both men grinned like idiots at
the sound.
"Kasumi-chan," Mrs. Tendo said quietly, rocking her arms slightly. "Say
hello to Saotome-ojisama."
Kasumi-chan decided to humour the adults present and slowly opened her
eyes. As she looked around, Genma was busy making a series of stupid faces
at her. She let him suffer through several embarrassing attempts before
finally granting her approval with a toothless smile. Seeing that made
Genma grin as well, making him look even more foolish.
"Such a kawaii baby," he said, glancing over at his friend. "Must take
after her mother." Soun was too busy rubbing the back of his head and
grinning stupidly to reply.
Genma gently poked her nose with a finger, sending Kasumi cross-eyes as
she tried to follow the motion. She reached a small hand out and grabbed for
the finger, eventually holding onto it with all her baby strength. For a
moment they played a game of tug-of-war over his finger, with Kasumi-chan
winning.
"She's strong," Genma noted. "When she's older, she'll make a great
martial artist."
"Now, now," Mrs. Tendo said quietly, "why don't we let the future take
care of itself. Right now she won't be doing too much kempo, as all
Kasumi-chan is concerned about...is lunch. Isn't that right, Kasumi-chan?"
Giving her daughter a little shake, Mrs. Tendo smiled down at her.
Kasumi-chan giggled back and relinquished her hold on Genma's finger, having
decided that it was no longer worry of her precious attention.
Genma rubbed his finger and kept grinning at the baby. "When she grows
up, that smile of her's is going to make some lucky guy just go crazy."
Mrs. Tendo smiled brightly at Genma as she rose to her feet. Nodding
to the two men, she cradled her daughter against her breast and eased her
way around into the hallway then around the corner.
Genma grinned and shook his head as he returned to his food. "She's
just too beautiful to have anything to do you Tendo-kun."
"Who, Kasumi-chan or my wife?"
"Both."
Soun smiled at the comment. He looked down the hall where his wife had
disappeared, and his smiled faded into a thoughtful expression as he took a
long drink from his beer. Holding the mug in his hands, he turned to stare
out into the warm afternoon while beside him Genma polished off the last of
his own cake and started on the beer. Seeing his precious daughter like that
had reinforced something Soun had been thinking about recently. His gaze
moved from the blue sky to the trees, to the walls around him and back to
the sky above. Ignoring his drink, he seemed to think carefully, the peace
of the day helping him to focus his thoughts. Finally, he put his glass
down and began to speak; weighing each word carefully, almost as if he was
resting his whole future upon it.
"Saotome-kun," he said quietly. Genma washed down the last of his snack
with a long gulp of beer and looked over. There was a thoughtfulness on
Soun's face, and even Genma had to halt his eating upon seeing it. "You see
everything around you...this house...the dojo...I've put so much work into
it...besides my family, it's the most important thing in the world to me.
I...I want it to endure."
Genma didn't know how to reply, or even if one was needed. He just
watched silently as Soun gathered his thoughts. "To make the Tendo Dojo last
I know I have to offer the best training possible...However, my family is too
important for me to just give up everything for a life of training on the
road. For a short while, yes, I could manage, but not the years and years
required. You on the other hand have always shown the inner fire to do such
a thing, the determination needed for a life of training."
"Tendo-kun," Genma returned, trying to bring a little levity into the
moment, "when have I ever lacked determination?"
His attempt failed; Soun's expression didn't alter in the slightest.
Genma swallowed and settled in to listen carefully to what his friend was
saying. "Since my wife and I want more children, I'll be training them in
the Tendo Ryu Anything Goes Martial Arts. When you get an heir, no doubt
you'll train him in the Saotome Ryu, with all the years of training you've
learned while on the road. That's why...I have a favour to ask of you,
Saotome-kun."
While Genma looked on, amazed at what his friend was talking about, Soun
took a quick gulp of instant courage. "I would like...I would hope, that
if it's possible, when the time comes you would consider...joining our two
schools...and our two families."
Genma rocked back at the suggestion, stunned beyond words. Carefully
looking away, Soun continued, "I realize it's much to ask, especially of
our friendship, but if possible, I hope that a union between our children
will be agreeable to you."
After finishing, Soun looked somewhat embarrassed. He quickly glanced
down and started chugging his drink, avoiding his friend's eyes. Genma
hauled his mouth closed and stared in wonderment at his life-long comrade.
He rubbed his chin once, then removed his skull-cap and ran his fingers
through what remained of his dark hair.
Finally, Genma replaced his head covering and stared out into the warm
sunshine. A solemn expression adding weight to his features, he sighed
heavily. "Tendo-kun, I'm impressed at what you're offering me here; an
opportunity to have a school for the future teaching of an art I'll have
spent my life teaching to my future children. A way for me to achieve
immortality through the skills I'll pass on. An opportunity, not just for
me, but for my future family. I'd be a fool to turn down such an
opportunity, and after seeing Kasumi-chan, a son of mine would have to be
a complete moron to scoff at the chance to marry any daughter of your wife."
Soun glanced over at the other, hope beginning to make itself apparent
on his features.
"However," Genma said, holding up a hand; his features carved from
granite as he turned to face his friend. Soun's look of happiness was
brought to a standstill by Genma's unfinished sentence, his heart
constricted painfully at what might come next. "Despite all these things
I have mentioned, there is only one thing that will make me agree to a
future joining of our children."
Looking deep into the stern face presented to him, Soun forced himself
to speak. "And that one thing is?"
Genma looked him straight in the eye, and suddenly broke out into a
large grin. "Another piece of your wife's wonderful cake!" He started
guffawing loudly.
Soun blinked for a moment, then suddenly joined his friend in the
revelry. For long moments, they laughed in the autumn sunshine and breeze,
the tension flowing away and the ease of the moment returning. After they
regained control of themselves, Soun picked up his plate of almost untouched
cake and held it out towards Genma.
"Saotome-kun," he intoned formally, his actions mocking the words he
spoke. "For this piece of cake, will you join our two families?"
"Tendo-kun," Genma returned, equally as serious and equally as mocking, "
For this taste of your wife's cooking, and dinner tonight, I, Saotome Genma,
pledge my future son to a daughter of yours!"
Both looked at each other solemnly, then broke out into gales of
laugher.

The scene reverted to the present, with a fatter, balder Genma laughing
along with a thicker, mustached Soun. Both fathers wiped tears from their
eyes and slapped their knees.
"Ah, memories just don't get any better then that, do they Tendo-kun?"
"A truly touching moment Saotome-kun."
Both fathers broke into a new round of laugher, each caught up in the
memory of the time and revelling in its simplicity and tranquility.
Neither noticed the two figures standing in the hallway, looking in on
the family room. Two teenagers just home from school stood there, arms
loose and dangling, faces blank and staring, bodies sagging slightly forward
as if they couldn't believe what they'd just heard.
"I was married off," Akane said, stupefication weighing heavily in her
voice, "before I was even born?"
"Oyaji sold me for food," Ranma said, equally as stupefied, "not only
to Ukyou, but to you as well?"
Casually, Nabiki leaned a head in behind the two younger kids. "Don't
act so surprised. I mean, what else did you two expect?"

------------------------------------
Author's Notes:

Just a little something to keep me busy while I'm dealing with a case
of writer's block (for Ranma 1/100th Chapter 2 Part 3). Also to show just
how silly the two fathers are. Mainly to show that Genma sold Ranma for food
yet again (you think he agreed to join him to the Tendo's for any other
reason? No way).
For those who care about time-lines, the flashback involved a period
18 years ago, when Kasumi was a baby and Nabiki, Akane, and Ranma weren't
yet born. I have no idea when Genma married Nodoka, but place it after
Soun's marriage since Ranma is an only child and Soun never met Nodoka
before the infamous "Don't kill me dear!" manga story line.
Genma and Soun obviously didn't know what Happosai was like or else
they wouldn't have gone to study under him. Even they aren't _that_
stupid. According to the manga, they studied with him 10 years ago. (Most
things in Ranma 1/2 took place 10 years ago.)
Flashbacks have a tendency to be seen by people on the sidelines, so
Ranma and Akane saw what their fathers were remembering. I don't claim to
understand it, I just use it.
Story occurs after Vol. 38 of the manga, as evidenced by the presence
of Nodoka at the Dojo.
The title refers to the fact this is a pause between the antics that
regularly occur at the Tendo Dojo, but I wanted it to be different from
the normal ones that involve a Ranma-Akane tender moment. If reaction is
satisfactory, I've got a few other 'Intermission' ideas, if not, I'll get
back to my more action packed stories. You decide.
This is Darren Demaine, Chairman of the Horde, Horde O' Hentai
Productions, signing off. I can be reached via E-mail at
[grey...@ffarm.ampr.ca]
{My G*d, short author's notes...I must not be feeling well.)
--
grey...@ffarm.ampr.ab.ca
grey...@worldgate.com
http://www.worldgate.com/~greywolf/fanfic.html
Ferret Farm BBs Service