The Two Ranmas

“So, that’s what Happosai did. It seems that his obsession had finally caught up with him.” Cologne sighed into her tea. It had been a long night for everyone, and dawn was starting to break. The clouds had finally stopped sending the rain to Earth, and in the East, the sun could be seen just peaking over the neighborhood houses. Although it promised to be a warm and sunny day, no one would get any enjoyment from that fact.

The body of Happosai had been wrapped in a blanket and placed in his room until it could be taken care of. There had been no call for an ambulance, nor had the police been called. With what has gone on during the night, and also with what the dirty old man has caused for trouble all over the city, it had been mutually decided that Happosai would quietly disappear. Cologne decided already that she would take care of that tonight after midnight, when the streets were quietest.

“The problem that we face is that the technique he used does appear to be permanent. However, there is usually always a way to fix such problems. Even problems such as what we face now,” she said to Genma and Soun, who were sitting across from her. “Happy would not have been able to do this without a recipe of some sorts to follow, and that is the first thing that must be found. I also must have the incense lantern that he used. From there, maybe I can find a means to change him back.”

Genma was in a state of shock. He barely registered the words that the old woman was saying. Part of the issue is that he had never killed anyone before. Granted, he and Soun had on more than one occasion had tried to dispose of their former master, but they had never really succeeded. The enormity of what he had done had sunken in, and he no longer knew what to do, or if he could ever trust himself around others ever again. His other issue was his child. Or more specifically, what was once his child, but now has become his children. Once, there was a time when he would have felt deep shame for the condition that he was in, but not anymore. Now, what he felt was sorrow. Sorrow for what his child must be going through. He could not even conceive what it must be like for his child, and he could conceive a lot. All he could think about was that, when his child needed him most, he had instead let his anger take a hold and make the situation all the more worse.

Soun was feeling the strain of the night’s activities. The stress had finally gotten to him, and he was starting to feel as if he would pass out. What he needed right now was food to keep going. Fortunately, that’s what Kasumi was taking care of in the kitchen. Bless her soul. She has always been the calm in the storm in this household. She had gotten that trait from her mother. Sipping his tea, he tells the old woman, “I would imagine it would be in his room. You just have to find it amongst his collection of panties and bras.”

“Well, I’ll find what I need Mr. Tendo. You need to be here for your family and the Saotomes.”

Taking another sip of her tea, she turns to Genma saying, “Mr. Saotome, please understand that you are not to blame for what you did tonight. Happosai did something that was totally inexcusable and horrifying beyond reason. Although we may not have always seen eye to eye, I am willing to be here to help if I can in any way.” She pours herself some more tea. “Ranma is going to need you. Both Ranmas actually. This is not going to be easy, but if we all hang together and support one another, we can get through this and Ranma will be returned to normal.” Hopefully, she thought, not wanting to chance dampening their spirits any more than they had already been by voicing that unspoken word.

At that point, Kasume walked in with breakfast. She made it simple for she did not believe that anyone could handle anything more than that this morning. The strain was even starting to show on her, though she lost none of her pleasantness. Instead, she just looked run down a bit. “I just checked on the others. They’ve finally fallen asleep,” she told those present as she served them their plates and poured more tea.
Soun dug in immediately. Cologne tidied herself politely before starting her meal. Genma just sat there. He couldn’t even think of food, even though his body was trying to tell him he needed it. Not only was he distraught, he felt sick. He felt as if he was a total failure. He blamed himself for what happened. His rational side knew it was Happosai that used the incense, and it was a simple accident that caused them both to fall into the two springs at Jusenkyo. Yet, he was not hearing his rational mind at all. What was in his head was all the times he cheated his son, all the times he fought with him, all the times that he berated him mercilessly, and all the lies he had told him. He told himself repeatedly that he failed to protect his child, and now Ranma is paying the price. While all this plays out in his head, he hears the snapping of bones as loud as cannon fire over and over again.

“Genma, please eat. My daughter made this for us. Don’t be rude,” says Soun between mouthfuls. He’s worried about his lifelong friend, and hopes that appealing to him this way may get him to take a bite or two. After that, the body will do the rest.

Trying to be polite, he takes a couple bites. This does have the desired effect, and soon, his plate is clean. As he is helping himself to seconds, Cologne finishes her meal and excuses herself from the table. “I need to start looking for the recipe he used. While I’m at it, I’ll bag up all his possessions. I would prefer to do this alone if you do not mind,” giving them notice that she will not tolerate any argument in this matter. As she enters Happosai’s room and closes the door, the tears start to fall. She never would admit it to the others, but she had feelings for the old man, and the loss was devastating. “Oh Happy…” she says through her tears.

* * * * *

In Akane’s room, four people slept curled together. Two were there to comfort, and two were in need of comfort. Actually, the two in need of comfort only appeared to be sleeping. Though both Ranmas were doing better than they were a few hours ago, they could not find sleep. Instead, they just lied there wondering what was going to happen to them now that they were two separate people who could not return to being one person.

The boy Ranma was at a loss to figure out anything at this time. So many questions ran through his head at once that they seemed to blur into one big question mark. He could not understand why this was happening to him. It seemed so unreal and unfair. How was he ever going to have any sort of normal life now. And now that the one person who knew just how it was done to split him was dead, there seemed no hope at all. He felt so ashamed of what he had become. Sorrow filled him as silent tears slid down his face.

The girl Ranma was beyond sadness. What she felt was anger. How dare that dirty old man pull some shit like this! What the fuck am I gonna do now, she asked herself over and over in her head. She blamed everyone around her for what happened, especially Genma. She refused to acknowledge him as her father right now. A real father would never have let such an occurrence happen. If he had been a real father, he would have taken care of things a long time ago, she thought. Hell, if he had been anywhere near the father he should have been, then they never would have fallen into the springs at Jusenkyo. Her tears of rage flowed as silently as those of the other Ranma’s.

The two of them laid there, Nabiki hugging the girl, and Akane holding the boy, both wrapped p in their own thoughts. What was interesting to the both of them was that not only could they feel the girls hugging each of them, but they could also feel what the other felt too. If Akane hugged tighter, or if Nabiki moved a bit, both of them felt it. It was as if they shares aspects of one mind. They could also feel each other’s emotions, and that just fueled their own. One emotion seemed to be gaining strength in the girl Ranma. That was lust. For some reason that she could not explain, she suddenly felt a need deep in her loins. This was felt in her twin also, and they looked each other in the eyes.

With the Tendo sisters on the outside, there is nothing between the two of them, and they hesitantly reach for one another. Although they are familiar with each other’s bodies, this way seems strange to them. And it feels good, yet a bit frightening at the same time. Tentatively, their hands explore each other, feeling things in ways that they have never experienced. As He slips his hands up under her shirt, she gets more daring and reaches into his boxers, feeling him already getting hard. Tentively, he does the same and reaches down, slipping his hand between her legs and starts to rub slowly. A quiet gasp escapes her lips as she spreads her legs so he may have easier access. This goes on for a few moments until Akane shifts and mumbles something in her sleep. They quickly stop what they are doing, not wishing to get caught. “Another time,” he hears her think, not surprised that they can hear what the other thinks.

Deciding that sleep would be a good thing, the boy and redhead girl curl up with Nabiki and Akane. Tired as they were, it is not long before they fall asleep. They dreamed the same dream as they slept. It was a twisted, convoluted dream, with images of them both falling into cursed ponds, perverted old men, and life never returning to any state of normalcy.

* * * * *

It was late afternoon when the three girls and one boy woke finally. Weakly greeting one another, they get up and downstairs to the kitchen. They find Kasumi already up, having risen a couple hours earlier to prepare dinner for everyone. In a pot was a stew cooking, and it smelled wonderful. It was her way of trying to keep a sense of normalness in the household. She felt half exhausted by the ordeal going on, but did not show. Her sense of duty made it so she would always appear strong and calm for her family and friends. “Dinner will be ready soon. Would someone go wake Dad and Mr. Saotome, and tell Cologne too?” she asks.

Nabiki heads off to wake the two men while Akane heads off to Happosai’s old room to tell her, and maybe help if she can. The two Ranmas head to the dining room and turn on the TV. They don’t talk. Instead, they communicate by thought when they need to. By now, the shock is mostly gone, and the two of them were slowly getting used to having each other around.

In a moment, the others start to come in. Soon, Kasumi brings in dinner and starts to serve everyone. Dinner feels strained though, with most everyone here still feeling a bit ill-at-ease with the new person at the table. What conversation there is is forced and uncertain. Finally, Kasumi looks at the two Saotome teens, saying, “Well, we’re going to have to figure out what to call you, because it will get confusing calling you both Ranma,” looking at the pig-tailed girl. “Is there any name we should call you?” she asks.

The red haired girl doesn’t look up from her bowl of stew when replying. “That’s easy. Call me Ranko.”