The Frozen Void By Eathan Michaud Disclaimer: The Ranma 1/2 characters are property of Rumiko Takahashi and I'll only claim them as my own when pigs fly under their own power. [It's Thursday night. A lone figure can be seen on mountain. Unseen by it, another figure is closing in on it.] Girl: Where the hell am I!? Ryoga: I was about to ask the same thing. Girl: Ryoga! The girl looks like a female Ryoga. She has black hair tied into a ponytail with a yellow and black-spotted bandana. She's a head shorter than Ryoga, and is wearing the same clothes as him, a yellow shirt and black pants. She has hazel eyes and the same fangs as Ryoga. Ryoga: So, Ryoka, what's up? Ryoka: My life is hell! Ryoga: Mine too, what happened? Ryoka: I was stood up! Ryoga: By who? Ryoka: A jerk named Keidanko. I told him to wait at my house and he never showed! Bah, he was probably lying when he told me he liked me. A thin aura of depression surrounds her. Ryoka: I can't believe I was going to tell him that I.... Shi Shi Hokodan!! Ryoka let's off a strong Shi Shi Hokodan and Ryoga barely dodges. Ryoka(scared): What, what was that? Ryoga: The Shi Shi Hokodan..... a ki blast of depression. Ryoka: So, the more depressed I am the stronger it is? Ryoga: Yeah, but... Ryoka: Good. Keidanko, revenge shall be mine! Ryoka runs off. Ryoga: I hope I get to him first. Ryoga runs off, in the opposite direction. [Nerima, a week later. It's Friday, in the afternoon. Tendo living room.] Ranma: I'm bored. Keidanko: Me too. Akane: 3 more days of vacation. Nabiki: Let's go do something. Ranma: Like what? Akane: Ice cream? Ranma: Not hungry. Nabiki: Me neither. Keidanko: Nope. Ryoka(off): How about dieing, Keidanko? Keidanko: Nah, how 'bout swimming? Ranma: Our curses. Keidanko: So? Ryoka storms in. Ryoka(angry): How dare you ignore me! Keidanko: Who the hell... Ryoka? Ryoka: So, you remember me. Keidanko: How're you.... Ryoka(angry): Shut up! Because of you I've seen hell!! Ranma: Feels like deja vu. Ryoga runs in. Nabiki: Don't you people knock?! Ryoga: Ryoka! Ryoka: Ryoga, you won't stop my revenge! Keidanko: Huh? Ryoka: Prepare yourself. Ryoka attacks Keidanko with a series of punches and kicks. Keidanko dodges. Ryoka's black aura flares up. Keidanko: Ack! Ranma: The Shi Shi Hokodan... Akane: Keidanko! Ryoka: Shi.... Shi.... Hoko.... DAN!!! Keidanko(same time): Hi... ryu... Rippuku... TSUBA!! The depression blast and anger blast slam into each other causing an explosion. Ryoka: Argh! Keidanko: Ryoka... gomen... Fenikkusu Tada Hisho! The ki slash knocks Ryoka out. Keidanko: Ryoka.... Akane: Keidanko.... An hour later. Hekaru, Soun, and Genma are having the situation explained to them by Ranma, Akane, and Ryoga. Keidanko is watching over Ryoka. Hekaru: Ryoka's your cousin? Ryoga: Yeah. Ranma: So, Keidanko dated two Hibikis Keidanko: Watch it Ranma! Ryoka stirs. Keidanko smiles as she wakes up. When Ryoka opens her eyes, she frowns and punches Keidanko in the nose. Everyone winces. Keidanko: Ite. Whad gou bo dhad flor? Ryoka: Beating me. This is for the two years I spent looking for you. Ryoka knees him in the groin. The male portion of the room winces. Keidanko: Kuso! Enough with the physical trauma! Ryoka: Fine! Ryoka gets up, shoving a pained and bleeding Keidanko to the floor. She walks to the table. Keidanko follows, limping. Hekaru: So, what'd Keidanko do to deserve this? Ryoka: One of the many things he did was standing me up. The rest I don't wish to reveal. Keidanko(yelling): Nani!? That's what this is about? I'll have you know I waited nine days for you at your own house! This is stupid! I'm outta here! Keidanko storms out of the house. Ryoka(angry): That, that bastard! Hekaru: He's not at fault. Ryoka: What'd you mean? Ryoga: Our sense of direction is. Ryoka: Shut up! Ranma: P-chan's right. Ryoga: Was that necessary? Ranma: No. Akane: Ranma, Ryoga. Shut up. Ranma and Ryoga: Gomen. Akane: Go on Auntie. Hekaru: Arigato Akane. When you told Keidanko to wait for you he was very excited. He didn't sleep all that night. Ryoka: So? Hekaru: He was crushed when you didn't show. He stayed in his room for a week after that, only coming out to train and eat. He eventually created a new attack. Ranma: Really? Hekaru: Yes. The Hebi Fuko Namida, an attack that can freeze a roaring flame. He was deeply depressed but became better in the Art. That's one of the reasons Happosai was able to control him so easily. Ranma: The only attacks I've seen him use are the Hiryu Rippuku Tsuba and the Fenikkusu Tada Hisho. Hekaru: As time went on, he realized that the attack was to powerful to handle properly. He sealed it. Akane: Why was it to powerful? Hekaru: He said it was fueled by depression and sorrow. Ryoga: Like the Shi Shi Hokodan? Hekaru: No. The Shi Shi Hokodan can be dodged normally. The Hebi Fuko Namida cannot be dodged. Soun(disbelieving): The attack cannot be dodged? Genma: Ranma, you must learn that move! Ranma: Shut up Oyaji! That attack is Keidanko's forbidden move! It's to dangerous! Ryoka(to self): He made that attack because of me? Genma: The life of a martial artist is full of peril! Ranma: That attack can put others in peril! Ryoka(quiet): He's right. Keidanko..... Ryoka runs off after Keidanko, in the other direction. Akane: Ranma, Ryoga. Let's go find him. Ranma and Ryoga: Okay. The three leave. Hekaru: Keidanko..... [An empty lot. There are some trees scattered about.] Keidanko is alone. He's launching small Shi Shi Hokodans at the trees. Ranma, Akane, and Ryoga walk up to him. Keidanko: Shi Shi Hokodan! He launches a small blast at a tree. Ranma: What's eatin' ya? Keidanko: Leave me alone. Akane: We want to help you. Keidanko: I don't need your help. A thin black-blue aura surrounds him. Ryoga: We're staying with you. With company you won't be as depressed. The sorrow aura weakens. Keidanko: You'll get hurt. Ranma: We'll still try to help. The aura disappears. Keidanko: Why do ya wanna help me? Akane: Because we're friends. Keidanko: Arigato. Ranma: Forget about it. So, how'd a guy like you end up with a girl like her? Keidanko: I remember it as if it were yesterday... Ryoga: *Groan* A flashback. Keidanko: You wanna hear my story or not? Ranma: Can we get some popcorn? Keidanko: ...... Fine. 5 minutes later. Keidanko: You guys comfortable? Ranma, Akane, and Ryoga are sitting in movie chairs. Each of them have a soda and a box of popcorn. Akane: Why're we in a movie theater? Ryoga: So no one else will get hit by the flashback. Akane: Oh. Ranma: Flashback go now. Waving lines appear turning everything black. Ranma(off): I'm getting sick! Akane(off): Shut up baka. Ryoga(off): Cool, our comments can be heard! Akane(off): Why do I bother? [Flashback. 2 years ago, Osaka High, end of the school day.] A large group of students are leaving school.(I'm going to be calling the younger Keidanko and Ryoka Keichan and Ryochan. Oh, please don't think that Keidanko's thinking he's a girl again. The reason why I used this is coming up. Arigato.) Keidanko(off): This is where Ryoka and I first met. A younger Keidanko walks out. Ranma(off): Hey, it's Keidanko! A younger Ryoka walks out, seemingly lost. Ryochan: Hm? Yay! I'm out! It only took me 5 minutes! Ranma(off): 5 minutes with no help? That's better than Ryoga! Ryoga(off): Grrrrr..... *Whap!* Ranma(off): Ite. Keichan: Huh? What do you mean "5 minutes"? Ryochan(blushing): I, uh, get lost easily. Ranma(off): Understatement. *Whap!* Ite. Keichan: You need help getting home? Ryochan: Home? Gosh, I haven't been there for a week. Keichan: Yer kiddin'. Ryochan(blushing): Uh.. no. Keichan sweatdrops. Akane(off): Awww... they're flirting! Keidanko(off): Enough comments please! [Ryochans house] Ryochan: Arigato. Keichan: Don't worry! I'll pick you up for school tomorrow. Ryochan: Okay. Ciao. Keichan: Ciao. Fade to black. Keidanko(off): Now it's time for our first date. Ranma(off): Scene opens to Keidanko and Ryoka necking, ripping off each others clothes in lust. Ryoga snickers. Akane(off): Ranma, this is a G-rated flashback. Ranma(off): Stick in the mud. Akane(off): But Ranma, I'm the stick you love. A brief silence. Then the loud laughter of three young men could be heard. Akane(off, angry): What's so funny? Keidanko(off, calming): Nothing. On with the show! [Opens on Ryochan's house. She's waiting outside.] Ryochan: Where is he? Keichan(off): Hey, Ryoka! Akane(off): I get it now. *Whap!Whap!Whap!* Hentais. Ranma, Ryoga, and Keidanko(off): Ite. Ryochan: Keidanko! I'm glad you came! Ryochan rushes to Keichan and they hug. After 3 minutes they release the embrace. Keichan: You ready Ryochan? Ryochan(happy): Yes Keichan. Ranma(off): Hey, that's what you and Ryoga called each other. Keidanko and Ryoga(off): Don't remind me! [McDonald's] Keichan: Gomen, I don't have much money... Ryochan: Don't worry. Keichan: Arigato. What do you want to eat? Ryochan: A Big Mac. Keichan: Okay. [Ryochan's house.] Ryochan: I had a wonderful time. Keichan: Me too. They kiss each other softly and slowly. Keichan(blushing): G-goodnight. Ryochan(also blushing): Goodnight, Keichan. Fade to black. Keidanko(off): Now, the fateful day. [Ryochan's house. Keichan is waiting outside.] Keichan: I wonder what's taking Ryochan. She must've gotten the days mixed up. [Next day.] Keichan: She'll be here. [9th day] Keichan(cry lightly): Ryochan... where are you? A younger Hekaru walks up to Keichan. Young Hekaru: Keidanko.. let's go. Keichan: Mom, *sob* it hurts. Young Hekaru: I know. The cinema Akane is crying, Ranma is sleeping, and Ryoga's expression is neutral. Akane(crying): That, was so sad. Ryoga: That's what happened. Keidanko: Yeah. They sweatdrop when they hear Ranma's snoring. Keidanko: That's what happened to the comments. Akane leans over Ranma and shakes him awake. Ranma(to self): Akane, something soft, asleep.... Ack! (aloud) Ack! Akane! I didn't mean to fall asleep on your bed! Akane giggles as Ryoga and Keidanko snicker. Ranma: What? Akane(smiling): We're in the theater, baka. Ranma(embarresed): Oh. Keidanko: Okay love birds, I wanna show you guys something. Ryoga: What? Keidanko: The Hebi Fuko Namida. [The empty lot] Ranma: You sure this is okay? Keidanko: Just stay behind me and you'll be safe. Akane: Okay. They huddle up behind Keidanko. The black-blue aura of sorrow flares up. Keidanko: Hebi Fuko Namida! A ball of ice speeds towards a tree. The tree is frozen on contact. Akane: Wow! Ryoga: Cool. A treesicle. Ryoga walks up to the tree and punches it. The tree shatters. Ranma: How's it unblockable? Keidanko: It homes in on the closest heat source in front of me. Akane: That's why you told us to stay behind you. Ryoga: It's a deathblow. Ranma and Akane: Huh? Keidanko: That's right. It freezes on contact and the target melts or shatters. Ranma: I ain't learnin' it. Keidanko: You can't learn it. Sorrow isn't an emotion that suits you. Akane's better with anger, I should teach her the Hiryu Rippuku Tsuba. Ryoga doesn't have enough sorrow. Ryoga: How so? Keidanko: Did the girl you love tell you she hates you? Ryoga: No. Keidanko: Let's go home, Ryoga, you stayin' over? Ryoga: Got nowhere better to go. Ranma: Without getting lost. Ryoga: Grrr.... [3 days later, Monday in the afternoon. Tendo living room.] Ryoga: I'm bored. Ranma: Me too. Akane: I'm bored too. Keidanko: Likewise. Ranma: 'Round now Ryoka should burst in here. Nabiki walks in. Keidanko: Close enough. Nabiki: Hm? Keidanko: Nothing. Ryoka walks in with a young man. He wears an orange tee-shirt and blue jeans. He's blond and green eyes. Ryoga: Hey cos. Who's he? Man: I'm Oukan, chump. Keidanko: What's so special 'bout you? Ryoka(slightly shamed): He's my boyfriend. Everyone: Nani!? A black-blue aura surrounds Keidanko. Ranma, Akane, and Ryoga: Urk! Ryoka: Huh? Oukan: What's with the freak? Keidanko: Freak? You bastard! Hebi Fuko Namida! The ice blast went toward Oukan. Ranma threw his tea at the blast. The cup and tea froze, then fell to the ground, shattering. Oukan: The hell? Ranma: Baka! You coulda killed him! Ryoka: Was that... Akane: The Hebi Fuko Namida. Nabiki: Kami-sama. Ryoka: Keidanko.... Ryoka runs off. Keidanko and Oukan: Ryoka! Bastard! Oukan moves to attack but Ryoga stops them. Ryoga: Oukan, without Ryoka you're not welcome here. Oukan: Why would I want to stay at a piece of crap of place like this? I'll get you later, bastard. After I bed the slut Ryoka. Keidanko: Bastard! Keidanko tries to get at Oukan but Ranma and Ryoga are holding him back. Oukan: Ha! Ciao, losers. Akane: Jerk! Oukan leaves. They let go of Keidanko. Keidanko: Grrr... I feel like givin' him surgery with a dull knife, slowly and awake. Ryoga: Likewise, but he probably talks like that behind her back. Nabiki: I've got it taped. Keidanko and Ryoga: How much? Nabiki: 5000 yen. They both pay 2500 yen. And they take the tape. Ranma: Let's find her. Ryoga: Right! [Furinken High] Ryoka: Where am I? Ranma(off): She may be at Ucchan's. Akane(off): Or Dr. Tofu's. Keidanko(off): Ryoka! They walk onto the school yard. Ryoga and Keidanko: Ryoka! Ryoka(depressed): What? They play the tape. Ryoka: That bastard! Akane: Our sentiments exactly. Ranma: Yeah. Oukan walks into the yard. Oukan: There you are. Ryoka: Get away from me, you bastard! Oukan: What's with you!? Keidanko happily plays the tape. Oukan: Jealous bastard. Ryoka: Huh? Oukan: He doctored the tape to make me look bad. Ryoka: Oh, well did he? Ranma: Nope. Ryoga: It's all true. Akane: Nabiki taped it. Ryoka: Okay. (angry) Oukan you bastard! Oukan: I'm gonna kill you! Oukan attacks Keidanko. He dodges. Keidanko: To slow, baka! Oukan charges, Keidanko dodges sending him into the fountain. A bull emerges. Keidanko: The hell? Ranma: Jusenkyo. Oukan-buru charges, sending Keidanko into a tree, bruising two ribs. Keidanko struggles to get up and Oukan-buru slams his hind legs into him. Keidanko is on the ground, barely conscious, as Oukan-buru rises onto his hind legs ready to finish him. A depression blast slams into the bull. The bull let's loose a furied roar and turns to Ryoka. Ryoka: Leave him alone, bull bastard! Ranma: Keidanko! Here! Ranma splashes Keidanko with water, changing him to his girl form. Keidanko-chan: What was that for? Ranma: A speed boost. Keidanko-chan: Oh. Oukan-buru saw the change and charged at Keidanko-chan. Keidanko-chan dodged successfully, using the bull's momentum to harm him. He charged again, only to miss and suffer three blows. Keidanko-chan lets loose a Hiryu Rippuku Tsuba and sends the bull into the fountain. She shoots another into the water, causing it to boil and changing him to his human state. Oukan: Bastard! Keidanko-chan: You lost, I won. Oukan: I'll get you for this! Ryoka: Get lost! Oukan: Something you do often. Ranma: Let's have him leave in style... Hiryu Shoten Ha! The wind attack sends Oukan into LEO. Ryoga: Wasn't that a bit much? Ranma: Maybe, but what does it matter. Ryiga: Right. Akane: Let's go home. [Tendo Dojo, living room.] Hekaru and Soun are playing shoji. Genma-panda is laying down, doing nothing. Nabiki was lounging on the couch, eating an ice pop and looking over her ledger. Kasumi was preparing lunch in the kitchen. Ranma, Akane, Ryoga, Keidanko, and Ryoka, who was hanging on Keidanko's arm beaming, came in the dojo. Hekaru: Why are you so happy? Soun switched two pieces. Ryoka(happy): Me and Keidanko made up! He's taking me out tonight! *Bang!* A wall collapses, revealing Shampoo. Shampoo: Airen! Airen take Shampoo to date now? Ranma: Uh... what about your date with Keidanko? Shampoo: Hmmm.... Shampoo go to date with new boy and Airen! Keidanko and Ranma: Huh? Ryoka(angry): Keidanko! Akane(angry): Ranma! Keidanko and Ranma: What? Ryoka and Akane: NO BAKA!!!!! Keidanko and Ranma: Aaaaaaaaaahhhhh!!!!!! Keidanko and Ranma take off, followed by Akane, Ryoka, Shampoo, and Ryoga. Akane: Ranma! Come back here and take your punishment like a man! Ryoka: Get back here you two-timing bastard! Shampoo: Airen, new boy! Come back! Ryoga: Ranma, Keidanko. Prepare to die! Keidanko: Why're you after us? Ryoga: I... don't know. Ranma and Keidanko facefault while running. Keidanko stops, then Ranma does also. Ranma: Are nuts!? Keidanko: I got an idea... Ranma and Keidanko wait for the girls and Ryoga to catch up. [Nightfall. McDonald's] Ranma-chan(grumpy): Great idea. Keidanko-chan: Better than getting acquainted with LEO. Shampoo: Airen pass ketchup? Ranma-chan: Here. Ranma-chan passes Shampoo the ketchup. Shampoo: Arigato. Ranma-chan, Keidanko-chan, and Shampoo are at a table eating burgers and fries while drinking Pepsi. Keidanko-chan: What'd you hafta promise Akane? Ranma-chan: Dinner at Tokyo Tower and a new dress. You? Keidanko-chan: Same thing. Shampoo: Shampoo happy! Ranma-chan and Keidanko-chan: *Groan* A few more minutes of silent eating. Shampoo: Shampoo ready, Airen and new boy ready? Ranma-chan: Yeah. Keidanko-chan: We'll take you home. [Outside Nekohanten] Shampoo: Shampoo take kiss now? Ranma-chan: Uh... Keidanko-chan: Gomen, we don't kiss on the first date, or when we're girls. Shampoo(slightly disappointed): Oh. Ranma-chan: 'Night. Keidanko-chan(chinese): Goodnight Xian Pu. Shampoo: Goodnight Airen, (chinese and with a slight grin) new boy. Shampoo enters the Nekohanten. Ranma-chan: Whew. I thought I'd hafta kiss her. Keidanko-chan: Mousse would've been on you like spandex on a fat person... Ranma-chan shudders at the image. Keidanko-chan: ...or Akane. Ranma-chan(angry): Akane can fit in spandex fine! She ain't fat! Keidanko-chan: How would you know? Ranma-chan: I've seen her wear some! Akane jumps out of the bush with Ryoka and Ryoga. Ranma-chan: Urk! Akane: Ranma... Ranma-chan(pleading): Please don't hit me! Akane(confused): Why would I hit you? (happy) That's the nicest thing you've ever said about me! Keidanko-chan: 'Bout time you came out. Ryoga: Huh? Ryoka: You sensed us? Keidanko-chan: Yeah. Akane: Why didn't you say something sooner? Keidanko-chan: I wanted to make Ranma sweat. Ranma-chan: Grrr.... Akane(remebering what Keidanko said): Keidanko... Keidanko-chan: Yeah? Akane: ...NO BAKA!!! *WHAM!* Akane then removes the mallet from Keidanko-chan's forehead. Ranma-chan: Ite. I know how he feels right now. Ryoga: Gee Ranma, since you've admitted your love for Akane you've been receiving the mallet less... Ryoka: ...And Keichan's been getting it more. Keidanko-chan(english): One of these days Akane, then it's to the moon! Ryoga(english): Honeymooners? Keidanko-chan: You speak english? Ryoga: In our family, one needs to know many languages. Keidanko-chan: Oh. (english) Yeah, Honeymooners. Ranma-chan: Let's go home. Akane: Don't forget, you owe me. Ryoka: You too Keichan. Ranma-chan and Keidanko-chan: *Groan* Akane and Ryoka(happy): Let's go! The five martial artists go back to the Tendo Dojo. The End Author's notes: Hey, another piece of fanfic from my brain. It wasn't as long as the first(it's about one fourth the size) but I still think it's a good fic. As usual constructive criticism and comments are appreciated. The Hebi Fuko Namida translates into the serpent sorrow tear. I still need proofreaders for those of you who are interested, you can reach me at Kukan Knight@aol.com. The next story is a crossover, with the Tenchi series. It is called Awakening of Power. Arigato for reading and sayonara! The Return of the Author's Notes: Konichiwa! I updated the story, not much changed, just a few lines, spelling, and grammar. Right now I'm about half way through Awakening of Power and am deciding on what to do on the next fic. Well, I'll leave you with a scene from Awakening of Power, however, it may not be in the finished fic. /Lunch time meetings, Awakening of Power/ [Outside Furinken, lunchtime.] Ranma: Where're Ryoka and Keidanko? Nabiki: 500 yen. Ranma: Tenchi? Tenchi: They're eating lunch together and alone. Ukyo(off): Hey Ranchan! Ukyo walks up to Ranma and the group. She is wearing a Furinken uniform, a female uniform, with no chest binding. Ranma: U-ucchan. Ukyo rotates in a full circle. She then flashes a smile at Ranma the reads ultra-kawaii. Ukyo: You like? Sorry you couldn't have seen me earlier, I had some problem at the restaurant. Ranma: Uuuuuuuuuuhhhhhhh... Nabiki: I think you fried his little brain. /end sneak peek./ Okay then, I hope you enjoyed that little scene. I'll try getting Awakening of Power done as soon as possible. Until then, sayonara!