His world was defined by pain... present and absent. It still hurt where the sword had left his body after severing his spine... ending his life. He had been the best martial artist in the area. Now lack of pain below his lower back mocked him day and night; taunting him with memories of the life he had lost... It had been all he was...
Now, he was nothing... but only if he gave up...
(((())))
A Story from "The Bet"
Crippled: Body & Souls
By Kevin D. Hammel
From an idea by MetroAnime
Episode 1: Nadir
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.
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A middle aged woman approached door 117 at Nerima General. Her hair was dark green shot with gray. The crisp, white uniform she wore identified her as the head nurse for this ward. Today it looked like her favorite patient was finally going to get the love he needed, his mother was coming... A smile lighting her face, Tanaka Tomoko opened the door, to greet her young friend. "Ranma, do you know who's visiting today?"
Saotome Ranma was distracted from his misery for a few moments by his new friend, Tomoko. She had almost become a mother to him in the past few weeks... He reminded her so much of her own children, it was only natural for her to
'adopt' him.
Ranma tried to smile. "Yeah, I guess my mom's 'comin..."
Tomoko became a little more serious. "She'll be here any minute, Ranma. Do you want me to stay?"
Ranma's smile became a little bigger. "Nah, I'll be fine. I hate to admit it, but I am lookin' forward to it!"
"Okay then, I'll be back to check on you later, Ran-chan!"
"See ya!" Ranma said as his friend left. He hoped he could keep the small smile alive on his face for his mom...
(((())))
Ranma's smile did survive the minutes that elapsed after Tomoko left. The door opened, and his smile got even wider as he recognized the woman opening the door... "Mom! It's so good to see you, thanks for coming."
Saotome Nodoka looked at her son in shock. She had thought him dead, then heard he lived... Now it was obvious that he was dead, after all. She wondered if what the youngest Tendou had said was true, about the curse which afflicted him... Making him even less of a man... none at all.
Nodoka regained her composure, the shock she experienced hidden behind a mask of control again. She walked in a stately manner to the sink and drew a glass of water. Filling it, she walked over to the bedside.
Ranma's smile evaporated. Did she know? His unspoken question was answered as his mother upended the glass over his head... He changed... Becoming a much smaller girl...
Nodoka observed the transformation unflinching. She noted the girl looked even more like the young son Genma had taken from her... and destroyed. She withdrew a document from her kimono and handed it to the girl... Nodoka gave her a look of pity...
Her mother's pity was not the love Ranma sought... Had counted on. She marshaled all her control to remain expressionless. She would not show her broken heart to this... woman.
Nodoka spoke, feeling for the broken girl before her. "I see plainly that my son is gone. I do not have the heart to make a poor, crippled girl like you live up to this pact... But know this, child... Saotome Ranma is dead!" Saotome Nodoka turned and left the room.
Ranma would not give the woman the satisfaction of hearing her cry... Instead, she became dizzy with grief. This couldn't be happening. It just couldn't... She opened the document... Tears came at last... She wondered if she would ever be able to stop them.
(((())))
Tomoko was shocked at how short Ranma's visit with his mom was... and the expression on the woman's face showed none of the joy she had expected. She had to check on Ranma...
She opened the door, seeing Ranma in his other body... The 'girl' that Chinese Amazon had sought to kill... Ranma held a document in her trembling hands, tears pouring from her eyes, her small body wracked by voiceless sobs.
Tomoko walked up to her, gently pulling the document from petite, unresting hands. Ranma looked into her friend's eyes, seeing the only love left in her world... A love she had every reason not to deserve. Ranma's hands flopped to her sides and she tried to get control of herself. No matter what body she wore, she was a man... She willed her tears to stop, but was drained, spent... The girl struggled, but could not keep her eyes open, as sleep claimed her... It would replenish some of the vigor she had lost, but not the part of her soul...
Tomoko's face showed both anger and a tiny smile as she looked at the small girl before her. She looked so peaceful... her face relaxed in sleep... her pain gone, for now. What had her mother done to her? She glanced at the document, her unspoken question answered. It was a legal contract, marked by Ranma's father, Genma, and Ranma himself... with a handprint. It promised Ranma would be a man among men... or Father and son would commit Seppuku. No wonder Ranma was so upset... How could that woman be so cruel to her only child? Tomoko glanced at her watch. Her shift was up, but she knew she wouldn't be going home for a while. She went to call her husband, hoping Ranma wouldn't wake up to an empty room in the meantime.
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Ranma returned to consciousness, the nightmare over. Today, mom was coming, and... She looked at Tomoko, noticing the... document was in her hands. She wouldn't be able to escape this nightmare, but she would survive it.
Tomoko looked at her... friend with almost motherly concern. "How do you feel, Ranma?"
Ranma's face betrayed no emotion. "Well, I guess it's just me now. I'll try to make it, but I don't really see how I can..."
"Ranma, I'll help you get started... but you are right... I can't help forever." Tomoko's face brightened... a little. "What about the Tendou's? Do you think they might be willing to help you?"
Ranma grimaced slightly, then washed away expression again. "I don't really know. I am disappointed Kasumi didn't visit, or offer to help. I wouldn't expect any help from the others. Nabiki's a self-centered mercenary, their dad saw me only as a marriage prospect, and Akane..." A single tear, and a face filled with hatred... and love, announced her feelings about that Tendou.
Tomoko got up and took Ranma small hands in her own. "Will you be okay, dear?"
Ranma managed to force a tiny smile on her face. "I'll be fine... But I'll be a little better as a guy..."
"You wish is my command, Ran-chan." Tomoko bowed slightly then went to the sink to draw some hot water to restore her friend's birth-form.
When the change was complete, Ranma took one of Tomoko's hands in his own, and looked into her eyes. "Thanks..." He let go, the smile much less forced.
"You're very welcome... young man." With a concerned smile, Tomoko turned and left the room. She had to contact the Tendous... The Saotome clan had abandoned Ranma, and honor.
(((())))
A minivan pulled up to a large house with attached dojo. A young man jumped out of the vehicle and hurried up the walkway to the home. This was his last delivery, he was in a great mood. He knocked on the door.
"I've got it!" Tendou Nabiki said as she walked to answer it.
A young man wearing the uniform of a courier service offered her a clipboard... and a smile. "Good afternoon, miss. I have a letter for the Tendou residence..."
Nabiki signed the receipt, accepting a carbon and an envelope. "Thank you."
The man bowed and left.
Nabiki closed the door, then glanced at the letter. It was addressed to "The Tendous". I'm a Tendou... she thought as she opened it. She read the letter, a single tear falling.
Kasumi entered the room, her cheerful expression helping Nabiki abandon the emotions she felt. "What was that, little sister?"
Nabiki looked at her sister, her mask in place again. "Just a letter for... me."
Kasumi's face darkened slightly. A tear, even a single one, was not something that belonged on Nabiki's face. "Do you want to talk about it?" Kasumi asked.
Nabiki turned to the stairway, "maybe... sometime." She replied, walking away.
Kasumi looked at her retreating sister with concern. What had upset her so? A smile returned to her face as she recalled what Nabiki's favorite food was... and there was still time to change the menu for dinner tonight. She hurried back to the kitchen.
Nabiki had a lot to think about... and do. She went into her room and closed the door.
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Guilt was not an emotion Nabiki felt much, or was used to feeling... It got in the way of business.
Then why did she feel it so strongly right now?
She hadn't been involved in the... tragedy, except as a bystander.
She went over all the things she had done to Ranma... "Helping" the water heater go out for a few days... Photographs she sold to Kunou... Razzing him about his curse in general.
He seemed to weather it all, but he must have felt each little jab, he just didn't want others to see it... Just like she didn't want others to see any pain she felt.
They were a lot alike, she probably understood him better than her sisters...
Why hadn't she seen it before? Because she didn't make a habit of observing others much, except when profit... her betterment, was involved.
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A week had passed since his mother had left, and Tomoko was concerned about Ranma. His physical condition had improved enough so his release was just days away, but his mental condition was something else entirely... She entered his room, dismissing her speculation.
Ranma looked up at his 'friend'. He really liked Tomoko, but it was impossible for him to escape the burden he had already become to her. Ever since he had returned to Japan, he had been a burden on people. First, the Tendous... No wonder they hadn't visited him... They were probably glad to be rid of him... one less mouth to feed for Kasumi and Soun, one less boy to bug Akane. Probably the only person that would really miss him was Nabiki... but only because a major profit source had dried up when the 'pigtailed girl' had left...
Tomoko could see the play of emotions on her young patient's face. "Ranma?" She asked in a gentle voice. "Tell me what you're thinking."
Ranma turned to her, his eyes glassy... emotionless. "I was just thinkin of all the people who're glad I'm gone..."
Tomoko looked at him with concern. "Ranma, think about your future, what you'll do when you get out of here, don't dwell on the past..."
He gave her a sarcastic look. "I have nowhere to live, no way to earn any money, no family of any kind... anymore..." His look became almost mocking. "Yeah... I've got a lot to look forward to out there..."
Tomoko could only look at the floor. What would happen to Ranma... Why hadn't the Tendous called? She looked up. "Please don't give up, Ranma. For me..."
Ranma's look became almost apologetic. "I'm sorry, I don't want to hurt you, Tomoko-chan, but I don't see any future for myself."
Try as she might, Tomoko couldn't escape the truth of his words. Tears came easily.
An orderly interrupted the scene, pushing a wrapped package into the room. He looked at Ranma. "Mr. Saotome?"
"Yeah?"
"Will you mark this, please?"
"Uh... Sure." Glad to be distracted, Ranma quickly signed the receipt.
"Thanks!" The orderly said as he walked off...
There was a card attached to the package, addressed to Ranma... Tomoko removed it and gave it to her friend.
Ranma opened the card. Its message was simple.
I figure you might need this...
Your Secret Admirer.
Ranma looked accusingly at Tomoko. "Secret Admirer, eh?"
Tomoko looked surprised. "Believe me, Ranma, I had nothing to do with this!"
Ranma gave her the first smile she had seen on his face since... before his mother came. "Sure, Tomoko."
Tomoko's expression was dead serious as she replied. "Please believe me, Ranma. I did not send this to you."
Ranma considered what his friend said. Perhaps she didn't know about it... she probably would've come out and given him the gift, not hidden her identity... "Then who?" He asked, truly not knowing.
Tomoko smiled at him. "Someone out there still likes you, Ranma. You're not alone anymore..."
"Well, could you please unwrap my gift, Tomoko chan?"
"I'd be happy to, Ran-chan!" The nurse quickly removed the wrapping, revealing the fanciest wheelchair either of them had ever seen. In the seat, was a locked metal box.
For the first time since he had checked into the hospital, Ranma's face showed hope. "Maybe there is someone out there who cares about me... But this doesn't give me a place to live, or put food on the table..."
Tomoko tried to look... hopeful for her patient. "But it does mean someone wants to share your future, someone who has accepted you as your are..."
Ranma's expression soured. "Yeah, sure... Tomoko, sure." He did stop the tears this time however. Things were looking up. His future was now just grim, not impossible any more...
(((())))
Another morning, Tomoko's shift was half over when she went to Ranma's room. His face showed concentration, not the depression she had seen before. The unknown benefactor had greatly improved his mood... perhaps saved his life... "So, what are you thinking about today Ranma?"
The boy looked up, his expression serious. "I really don't want to talk about it, but I am thinking about what I'll do when I get out of here..." He tried very hard to smile for Tomoko.
Tomoko gave her patient an understanding smile, "That's OK, Ran-chan. I understand you don't want to share every little thing with me. I'm just glad you're getting along so well."
A courier appeared in the doorway, ignorant of the strange circuit he was completing. "I have an envelope for... Ranma?"
"I guess that's me!" Ranma replied as he signed for the tiny package.
"Thanks!" The courier said with a smile, trading the package for his clipboard.
Ranma opened the envelope, finding a tiny key. He had no doubt what lock it opened. "Well, let's look at that mystery box."
There were several pieces of paper inside the box... a small map of Honshu showing rail lines... Why was Kyoto circled? A transit map of Kyoto with a route clearly marked from the rail station to a residential area. A key with an attached card bearing an address matching the destination shown on the map. Finally, an envelope containing a few hundred thousand yen, and a note...
(((())))
Ranma,
I thought this might be a good time to get away from
all of the troubles and memories of Tokyo. I've rented
a small two-bedroom apartment in Kyoto, and will meet
you in a few days. I've already taken care of your
registration at school, and they won't be expecting
you until next week. I need to close a chapter of my
life before I join you.
See you soon,
Your Secret Admirer
(((())))
Ranma looked up from the paper, his expression showing fear and expectation. He handed the paper to the nurse, who quickly read it.
Tomoko looked up from the paper with a smile. "Do you want me to help you move in, Ran-chan?"
Ranma gave her a confident, determined look, one she had never seen on his face before... "Thanks, but I'd like to take this one on myself."
Tomoko could only smile. Her heart told her that the look on his face was a bit of the old Ranma, returned to face the world again. Perhaps Ranma would be all right, after all...
(END)
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Hello,
This is a old story with a different focus than most I have written.
I owe a debt of gratitude to MetroAnime for coming up with this interesting scenario. It's a 'Bet' scenario that has resulted in (at least) four+ divergent story lines: Arthur Hansen's, Dale Ratner's, Pyeknu's, and my own.
Because it posting restrictions on , I will neither be able to post MetroAnime's bet entry nor Bryan Neef's chapter three of the story. What remains should still provide a complete story, however.
Thanks to all of the people on the FFML who commented on the story, and provided excellent suggestions on improving it, especially "Matoko Chan", Talis D. Merrill, and Markus Ling.
Thanks to Mike Koos and James Lee for pre-reading, and all the nice people who dropped by my old website and offering encouraging comments.
The most amazing contribution I got was Pyeknu's continuation of my storyline, "Like a Phoenix from the Grave". Since that time... long, long ago, Pyeknu posted a re-conceptualization of "Like a Phoenix from the Grave" here as "Phoenix from the Ashes" and all its many side-stories. "Like a Phoenix from the Grave" itself also has a continuation/resolution: "Nodoka's Ascendant" by ocramed .
Spokavriel and Spica75 gave C and C on fukufics dot com. I appreciated it, but decided to go with the story pretty much as is (was?).
Are characters 'IC'? Well... it is a "Bet" fic... so I'm not sure. :p But the point could be made that extreme circumstances can be a crucible of change for characters (I think I got that metaphor from Sunshine Temple). No matter, it has been an interesting story to write.
A lot of it was written in the course of 'one hour fanfic challenges' on the old FFML IRC, so it can be very terse (even more than my usual style).
I will be doing a little editing, and light rewriting, as I go along here. Not on the scale of what I'm doing on "On Her Own" (which has been undergoing rewrite for over a year).
Kevin D. Hammel
February 6, 1999/November 22, 2012/July 7, 2013