Shan Pu waited until the two girls were directly opposite her to leap out. As girl-Ranma had defeated her in honorable combat, the crippled girl would die in honorable combat. It was the way of the warriors. Executing a lightning-fast flip to land in front of the two girls, Shan Pu focused on the small girl who had ALMOST destroyed her. It was time to make her pay. She had disgraced Shan Pu in the tournament, received the Kiss of Death, and now stood as an obstacle between the young Amazon and her husband... boy-Ranma. Defeats were to be avenged, kisses of death redeemed in blood, and obstacles eliminated. This girl was thrice dead, yet still lived to taunt Shan Pu. That was about to change. Ranma went from full speed to a complete stop in the space of two meters. Only her still prodigious upper body strength kept her in the chair and the chair itself upright as it skidded to a stop. "Shampoo..." She let out. The girl she had defeated in China looked... different, and terrifying. Reason, and even thought could not be seen in Shan Pu's face, replaced by a hint of cunning and the threat of violence. Her once beautiful hair was matted and filthy; hygiene seemed another concept that she had forgotten in her all-consuming hunt for vengeance. The Amazon warrior pronounced her sentence, again. "Girl-Ranma. You die!" Ranma sucked in a breath... and for an instant knew fear. For a moment she saw her death, and Nabiki's. Then her warrior's instincts took over. "Nah, Shampoo. That's my line! That's what happens to YOU!" A slight pressure on her hand told her that Nabiki was there to share her battle, and her fate. Nabiki focused on the now, forcing all else from her mind. She would live, or die, in the moment... Unburdened by thought except as needed. *** A story from the Bet: Crippled, Body and Souls By Kevin D. Hammel From a story idea by Gregg Sharp. Episode 5: Fate and Finals Ranma 1/2 is property of Rumiko Takahashi. Publishing rights are held by Viz in the US and Shogakukan in Japan. My purpose is to honor the creator and her works. No infringement intended. *** "Ai Yah!" Shampoo screamed as she lunged at Ranma. This would be over quickly... the crippled girl was defenseless. As she moved to break the girl's neck, the Amazon noticed a flash of movement, and then felt herself hurtling over the wheelchair as girl-Ranma deflected her attack. Shan Pu executed a mid-air roll and landed lightly on her feet to face her prey again. Ranma was thrown back as she absorbed part of her opponent's momentum. As she deflected the Amazon's attack, the girl was dumped out of her wheelchair and thrown to the ground. As she hit the sidewalk, her sweats and knees were ripped up by the unyielding surface. Ranma collected her thoughts and rotated her body to face her opponent. She scarcely noticed thin daggers of pain on the fringes of her consciousness. The injured girl had no time to ponder what that meant as she turned to defend her life. Nabiki ducked as the Amazon was sent flying overhead by Ranma. A deftly executed roll brought her to her feet. She turned to see Ranma dumped on the ground as her wheelchair shot out from under her. A leap, and she was at Ranma's side again. The wheelchair, and most Ranma's mobility was out of the picture for now. Nabiki took a deep calming breath, preparing herself for battle. Girl-Ranma had only delayed the inevitable, and sealed her fate. In her maneuver, she had fallen out of her wheelchair, and now sat defenseless on the ground. Her superb defensive posture was rendered moot by her useless legs. Shan Pu smiled and walked to the girl. Money girl hurried to the little cripple's side, but she was not the focus of the Amazon's attention. There was no need to rush. Each instant of her suffering was a bit more payment for all Shan Pu had gone through because of this girl. Again, Ranma knew fear, and saw her own death. Tears pooled in her eyes as she watched and waited. She would try to defend herself, but with her mobility gone, it looked hopeless. "I'm sorry..." She whispered. To herself, and the girl who stood at her side... the girl she could not defend... the girl who would share her fate... Unless... "Nabiki..." Ranma whispered... "Are you a martial artist?" Nabiki squeezed her friend and sensei's shoulder in affirmative response. It was time for the student to take her first test. If she failed, there would never be another. Shan Pu focused on the crippled girl, watching her swallow, and enjoying the unshed tears in her eyes. Girl-Ranma DID have courage; she was a warrior to the last. Shan Pu would make sure her death was quick, as Ikuko's had been. With a final cry the Amazon lunged, only to hit the other girl. Nabiki had realized it was her moment, and moved to thwart the attack after Shan Pu had committed herself. Now SHE would have to face the insane harridan... alone. "What?" Shan Pu gasped as she rolled to face Nabiki. She had dismissed girl-Ranma's companion for the moment, considering her beneath notice. As the impact sent both girls to the ground, the Amazon warrior realized her opponent had changed. The Chinese girl did seize an opportunity to draw first blood as they flew past each other. Nabiki screamed as Shampoo's hand raked across her face, sharp fingernails leaving rent flesh and blood in their wake. Soon the pain was gone as she lost herself in the moment again. Both combatants rolled and jumped to their feet with weird synchronization, dancing a ballet of death to a mute score. Shan Pu looked at Money-girl, Akane-obstacle's sister. "Where you learn martial art?" She panted, chest heaving in response to unexpected exertion. "I don't know WHAT you're talking about..." Nabiki responded with a pained smirk, blood mixed with rain dripping from three gashes on her cheek. Shan Pu collected herself for a few moments, and then lunged again, yelling "Die!" Her unskilled opponent stood frozen in horror, unable to move. The girl was like a frightened animal sensing its death by a predator. This girl was NO warrior, just as Shan Pu had suspected. Victory would be even easier than she had thought. Then girl-Ranma would join her in death. "No!" Ranma screamed, as she crawled over to intervene in the combat. As if there was ANYTHING she could do. "Nabiki..." She choked out amidst tears which finally began to fall, only to be lost amidst the rain. Nabiki waited for a few milliseconds, hoping the Amazon's overconfidence would blind her to... a kick at the last instant. All she knew, and all she was, coalesced into a single attack to the hurtling opponent's unprotected jaw. Nabiki shouted at the impact, and watched an explosion of blood and teeth from the Amazon's mouth. She could feel her opponent's jaw collapse under the force of the blow. Nabiki let lose a scream of release as she crashed to the ground next to Ranma, who grabbed on to her with ferocity. "Nabiki..." Ranma whispered to her friend as she almost devoured her in an embrace. "Nabiki..." Ranma whispered again, as she shook with emotion. Words failed her as she hung on for all she was worth. After the eternity of a few eye-blinks Sensei Ranma issued her judgment of her pupil's first real test, "I... think you passed!" Nabiki felt a moment of exhilaration at her successful attack, then the heat of Ranma's close presence. "Thanks, Ranma," She replied... first with voice, then a kiss. Ranma felt the last of her feelings for Akane melt in the face of new warmth. At first she resisted Nabiki's lips, but then her traditional feelings of denial gave way to new sensations. Nabiki gave up her old life to help her. Then she had risked her new life to defend her. Was this what love felt like? She wasn't sure... but it felt good as she returned the passion. Flying back from the blow, struggling to remain conscious, Shan Pu could not believe what had occurred. Had she been defeated again? Her ears still rang from the impact, and blood poured from her ruined mouth. First landing, then painfully taking her feet, she felt dizzy... from blood loss, pain, and a concussion. To the wail of sirens, she turned to see... money-girl crumpled in a heap, embraced by girl-Ranma. Flashing blue lights harshly illuminated the two girls. The Police had come. The twice-defeated Amazon sank to her knees and cried as her consciousness flickered like a flame in a drafty room. She was alone, far from home, and farther still from what she had been. Once she had been a promising young warrior, the pride of her family. Full of life and a perky happiness, everyone in the village said she was a joy to be around. Many handsome and strong boys pursued her, none more persistent than that myopic moron, Mousse. Somehow, smiles seemed to follow her everywhere. Then, defeat by an outsider had set her feet on the road to dark ruin. No longer was she blessed of the Gods, she had to buy back her birthright with the outsider's blood. So, she set out to kill the girl... Ranma. Then, she had found a young man more than worthy to be her husband; a boy ALSO named Ranma. Because he had defeated her in combat, she was honor bound to pursue him. She had thrown herself at him, but girl-Ranma always seemed to be in the way. So she dealt with her, running the little harlot through with a sword. But the stubborn minx refused to die. Finally, Shan Pu set out to destroy her once and for all, only to find that, in the process, she had destroyed herself. Dreams of the husband she might have had could not console the young Amazon as blackness threatened to claim her. But, wait. There was something peculiar about girl-Ranma. Shan Pu had never considered it before now... She looked like boy- Ranma, though much shorter. But that was impossible, only people cursed at the springs could have two forms. No, it couldn't be! Girl-Ranma had just come from, "Jusenkyo." Shan Pu whispered as darkness finally claimed her. Ranma and Nabiki broke their kiss and looked in shock at the Amazon. The sound of car doors shutting then drew their attention. Kyoto's finest had arrived to investigate the disturbance. "What kept you guys?" Nabiki asked, her tired face devoid of the bemused smirk that might have normally accompanied the crack. "Stay where you are!" The lead officer shouted, then turned to his fellows, "Secure the area!" Ranma and Nabiki were only too happy to comply, managing to trade faint smiles with one another. "You did it, Nabiki, thanks," Ranma whispered. "No, baka, WE did it. I could never have done it without YOU, Ranma," Nabiki said as she darted in for one last peck at her companion's cheek. "It's HER!" Came a shout from a few meters away. "It's the girl that killed that guard in Tokyo!" One policeman stayed to watch Nabiki and Ranma while the rest ran to assist with escaped prisoner who, being unconscious, didn't put up much of a fight. *** Akane went to the bathroom to wash her hands, and turn off the sink. As she wondered who had left the cold water running, she heard a rustling noise. Turning to see what had caused it, she saw her beloved, "P-chan!" Who made haste to leave. Akane outran the piglet and scooped the animal into her arms. A lot of the fight seemed to leave him as she hugged the little creature close to her chest. "P-chan, I've missed you so much!" She said with some of the happiness she had forgotten lately. "And, I really need to talk to you right now. I need a friend who will listen, will you do that?" She looked down at the little creature, which nodded slightly in agreement. "Thanks, P-chan. Let's go to my room and talk." Akane said, happiness at her beloved pet's return fighting with the sadness that filled her heart. Closing the door, Akane looked down at her friend, "Why, P-chan, Why?" Tears began to fall as she continued, "I... I Th... thought he loved..." A sob interrupted her speech for a moment, "Me." P-chan just looked at the girl, wanting to speak to her, to smile at her, to soothe her... But he was prevented by the failings of his cursed form, and his secret. He WOULD stay with her, and offer her what comfort he could as P-chan. He thought as he listened. But was it? Akane just sat and hugged her friend for a few minutes, delighting in one of the few loves left in her world. "Thank you for being here for me, P-chan. I don't know what I'd do if you weren't here," Akane said as she finished with a sunny smile, tears banished again. "So, does he love me?" P-chan froze like a deer caught in headlights, but SOMEHOW Akane saw the response she sought. "Thanks, P-chan he DOES love me after all!" Her smile clouded over a little as the rest of reality rolled back in, "Big Sister seems to be just going through the motions any more. The Saotomes and Dad spend a lot of time discussing the plans for the schools and the dojo. I'm just glad Ryouga will be there for me." Akane was smiling again when she continued, "But you don't care about any of that, do you, little one? I never really thought about it, but you're actually lucky, P-chan. Us humans have a lot to worry about..." She stopped for a moment, then spoke again, her smile even wider. "Don't worry, baby... Mommy'll be okay... Don't worry." She said to reassure P-chan, and herself. *** Not far from where three girls had fought for their respective lives, was a small cafe. It wasn't very fancy, but had a reputation among the locals and regulars as the best place in town to buy okonomiyaki. The proprietor of the place, a young man named Kuonji Ukyou, worked his tail off making a living for himself when he wasn't in school. Ogata walked into Ucchan's; it had been a tough day. First there had been the capture of the murderous Chinese Amazon who had escaped from Tokyo, then there was a robbery at a shop downtown. At least, here was a place he could relax. Ukyou greeted his regular with a warm smile. "Good evening officer, how many specials tonight?" The man looked thoughtful for a few minutes before responding. "Uh... how 'bout twenty Kuonji-san?" "TWENTY? Boy, you musta had it rough today." Ukyou commented with a bit of concern, "How does three sound?" "Great, Ucchan. Thanks." Returning the smile, the chef walked back to his grill, talking to the customer as he cooked. "So, what happened today, anyway?" "Well, at the crack of dawn, we got called to the scene of a fight just a few blocks from here. It seems that some crazy Chinese bimbo awaiting trial in Tokyo killed a guard and escaped." Ukyou shuddered for a moment, glad it was nearby, and not at his shop. "Was she armed?" "Nah, but she WAS a martial artist. 'Seems her tribe says that a defeat by another girl needs to be avenged in blood." He concluded, shaking his head. "Well, some debts do need a bit of revenge." The cook replied with a brief glare unnoticed by his customer. "But THIS went too far... Saotome-chan, Ranma." He clamped his mouth shut, then spoke again, "uh, the girl. She was already crippled by this Amazon, but the Chinese girl had to KILL her because of her tribe's stupid laws. Luckily for Ranma, her roommate was able to beat the Chinese girl with a lucky kick, or else there woulda been two dead girls. Make it three. We woulda hunted that Chinese girl down. In fact, since she killed that officer in Tokyo, we woulda hunted her down anyway." A whiff of burning okonomiyaki assailed the officer's nose, and a bit of smoke caught his glance. He looked up at his cook, who seemed distracted. Ukyou held a ruined, bent spatula in his hands as he stared into space. "Ucchan, you okay?" A concerned Ogata asked. "Ranma," Ukyou whispered before being pulled back to the cafe again by his customer's voice. Looking down at the ruined meal, he flushed a bit, the bowed slightly, "Sorry, Ogata-san. Three specials coming up, and the first one's on me!" "Great, Kuonji san. You should burn dinner more often!" The policeman replied with his first smile of the day. Ukyou forced himself to laugh in response. Sometimes it was tough to keep the customer happy. "Saotome Ranma," He whispered again, "Was a GIRL!!!" His smile became even harder to maintain as he thought what that GIRL had cost HIM. *** Kasumi looked at the letter. Inside was a train ticket. Her time had come at last. The young Matriarch of the Tendou clan seemed unusually cheerful as she cooked dinner that night. Akane, for one, noticed. "Well, Big Sister, you certainly seem glad about something tonight." "Yes, Akane-chan. I'm happy again." Soun smiled at his eldest, "It's good to see you smiling again, Kasumi." "And your cooking can only get better, now!" Genma added with a gluttonous grin. "I'm glad you're happy, Kasumi-san," A quiet Ryouga mentioned. Perhaps a happy Kasumi would help Akane through her depression. Kasumi just smiled and busied herself with eating and keeping all the plates at the table full. A little later, after Nodoka and Akane had helped her with the dishes, Kasumi went to the living room, with a tray of cold drinks for the assembled family. First she stopped at the Shogi board, where Father and Mr. Saotome engaged in their nightly contest. "Excuse me, would you like something to drink?" Kasumi politely asked. "Sure!" Genma said as he roughly grabbed a glass, accidentally dumping enough of the contents on himself to assume his panda form. "Oh, my! I'll bring you some hot water in a minute, Mr. Saotome." "Grwah!" Was his response, arms held to show he didn't care that much which form he was in. Nodoka glared at her husband with disgust. After serving her father, Kasumi visited Nodoka, "And would you like some, Mrs. Saotome?" "Yes, Kasumi-chan. Thank you." Nodoka replied, glad to have something to take her mind off the disgusting spectacle across the room. "My pleasure, Mrs. Saotome." The Tendou housekeeper replied. Finally, she came to Ryouga and Akane who were sitting closer than usual on the couch. An idea crystallized as Kasumi tripped, dumping the cold beverages on Ryouga, who assumed HIS alternate form. "Oh, dear! I'm so sorry, Ryouga! Ryouga?" Kasumi asked with a perplexed expression. Nodoka looked on in horror, as the heir to her husband's school became the little piglet that was Akane's pet... and bedtime companion. With new ears she heard again all Akane's complaints about Ranma's treatment of P-chan, AND Ryouga. She rose from her seat, and walked up the stairs. Genma-panda shuddered, then bounded for the door. It was time to train. Right away. Especially since his beloved wife was looking the other way. Hot water would HAVE to wait. "P... P-chan?" Was all Akane could say as she pitched forward, unconscious before she hit the floor. "Bwee?" P-chan questioned. Nodoka looked at her door, tears in her eyes. What could she do? Destroy two families? Or learn to live with the mistake that she had made months ago. She had never even considered the crippled girl after moving in with the Tendous. It seemed her... daughter... had more honor that most of the Tendou family. Perhaps Kasumi could help her find the girl. She would ask her in the morning. Soun rushed over to his daughter. "Akane!" He wailed, "Please speak to me! Oh, my darling little girl!" Kasumi looked at her lone surviving parent with a sober face. "Father, WHY didn't you tell her?" With that she turned to return to the kitchen. She had a little more housework to do; there was quite a mess in the living room. *** Early the next morning, Kasumi boarded the 'Red-rye' to Kyoto. She hoped her old family had learned something about honor last night. *** Thanks for reading. I must especially thank Motoko Chan. (motoko_section9@yahoo.com) It was his suggestion that resulted in the living room scene which concludes this chapter... Bryan Neef helped focus some plot points in a real time pre- reading/ICQ session. Gregg Sharp, creator of "The Bet" and author of the original scenario, offered excellent C&C. His ideas will be used in future stories, and helped improve this one as well. Kevin D. Hammel October 03,1999 ======================================== khammel@anime.sobhrach.com kevinsff@pacbell.net http://www.anime.sobhrach.com/~khammel/ ========================================