For Love of Kodachi Written by Razorclaw X (spiceoflife@hotmail.com) http://www.crosswinds.net/anaheim/~slythe/ranma/ranff.html Disclaimer: Ranma 1/2 and characters belong to Rumiko Takahashi. And all that other good stuff. Proper licenses belong to respective properties and characters. The manga takes precedence over material in the anime. This file can be freely distributed so long as it appears in its complete form and proper credit. No part may be reproduced for monetary gain without permission from the author. (to which the answer is probably "no") Author's note: This story takes place after the wedding fiasco in Vol.38. ------------------------------------------------ Opening theme: Little Date It was to Kodachi's surprise that she received a note from Ranma, asking to see her later that day. In fact, Kodachi was so elated that she invited her fellow students from St. Hebereke to witness what she believed was the day. The day that Ranma would side his heart with Kodachi. I knew your heart wasn't with that Tendo girl, Kodachi thought to herself. Never before had Ranma asked to see her, never! This was a change after all! She stood alone in the middle of the park, standing near the fountain that dominated the park's heart. The water cascaded from its peak down to the cool pool below, spouting from the mouth of some exotic fish. Kodachi's peers hid amongst the bushes at the edge of the plaza, among them Gosunkugi, whom Kodachi paid to take pictures for her. Ranma-darling, you picked such a wonderful spot! It was well-after the time when Furinkan High's students were dismissed for the day; Ranma chose that moment to make his entrance-- alone. He wore his usual Chinese shirt and pants, hands in his pockets, head held high, whistling to himself, as if what he was walking into was no problem at all. At once Ranma spotted Kodachi. More to the contrary, Kodachi spotted him. "Ranma-darling!" Kodachi cried, elated, her arms outstretched, ready to hug her beloved. Ranma's calm expression turned serious. Avoiding Kodachi's embrace, he said, "Kodachi, there's something I need to talk to you about. It's very important." He waved a hand toward the rim of the fountain. "I think you'd better sit." Kodachi immediately complied, unable to contain her eagerness. Her legs bounced against the ground, as if she were ready to run. "I'm waiting, my dearest!" Ranma took his seat at the fountain, careful to keep another person's distance between himself and the crazed schoolgirl. He scratched his head nervously. "I don't know where to start." "You can get to the point, or start from the beginning," offered Kodachi. I can wait forever; I want to savor this moment! "Well, okay, the beginning," Ranma decided. Clearing his throat, he said, "Kodachi, I'll admit that I don't really know you. I should be flattered that you always think of me...." It was at that point that Kodachi decided to stop listening, being consumed by her own thoughts of marrying Ranma, of ridding herself of those three common girls, of living happily ever after. Of being loved. "...and I'm kind of surprised at your behavior lately...." I can't believe it! He's finally seen me for what I am! He's no longer afraid of me! Oh, how wonderful! "...so what I'm trying to say is, that...." "Ranma, I love you too!" Kodachi cried spontaneously, hurling herself with arms-open at the young Saotome. "Wha...?!" was all Ranma could yelp before Kodachi collided with his person, sending Ranma back-first into the pool, Kodachi clamping herself onto him. Head submerged under water, Ranma wanted to scream as Kodachi pressed her lips onto his own. A deep, passionate kiss. Ranma flailed wildly, her eyes ready to burst, arms throwing water all about and over the rim of the fountain pool. Had Kodachi's eyes been opened, she might have seen her beloved Ranma transform into the hated pig-tailed girl. Unfortunately for her, her peers from school rushed from their hiding places, gathering around the pool with shocked stares. Gosunkugi waded to the rim of the fountain pool, taking pictures of the two teens. It was then that Ranma forced herself to the surface of the pool, throwing Kodachi off herself quickly. She took several deep breaths, having been lacking oxygen for a few moments-- perhaps almost a minute? Kodachi landed on her back, her school uniform soaked, absorbing the dirt lying on the ground. Her eyes still closed, she breathed several hard breaths, letting the world sink into herself. Oh, it felt so good! That is, until the disturbing murmurs of her companions woke her from her reverie. "Kodachi, I didn't know...." "I don't believe what you just did!" "What happened to that guy?" "Oh, was this what you wanted to show us?" "I took the pictures, just like you said!" Kodachi sat up. Her eyes opened to the sight of several shocked faces staring at her. "So, how was it?" she asked, unaware of just what happened. "Where's Ranma?" "I'm right here, you idiot," a feminine voice shouted over the others. The female Ranma pushed her way to the center of the circle around the Kuno girl. "You kissed a girl!" Kodachi's look turned venomous. "You! What have you done to my Ranma?" It was then Gosunkugi caught Kodachi's attention. "Well, I got your pictures right here." He presented her with several Polaroid pictures, still awaiting the time to finish self-developing themselves. "May I have my pay now?" he asked nervously, obviously ready to dart. Kodachi reached into a pocket and produced a wad of wet yen bills. "Take it and get out of here!" Gosunkugi accepted the bills, then forced his way out of the circle. With that, the Kuno girl stood up, the unfinished Polaroid pictures in her hand. She stared at the pig-tailed girl with flaring anger. "I asked you a question, and I want you to answer it!!" Ranma folded her arms across her chest. "Well, if you want to know, why don't you look at the stupid pictures." "Fine, I will!" Kodachi said, fanning the Polaroids before her eyes. By this time she could make out her own features, and that of Ranma, just moments before they hit the pool. But, as she flipped through the Polaroids, the smug look on her face turned into terrible panic. There they were, pictures of the pig-tailed girl, submerged in the pool, with Kodachi on top of her, pressing her lips against her shocked face. "No...." was all Kodachi could say, backing away. "This... no!" "Pictures don't lie," Ranma pointed out. "You brought this upon yourself." Kodachi continued to back away, the circle of St. Hebereke girls breaking for her. "No, no, no!" "I didn't know you were gay," someone commented. "What would the others say?" said another. "I had no idea...." "That leaves more boys for me...." "We'd better watch out next time...." "...she might come for one of us!" "NOOOOOOOO!!!!" Kodachi screamed, her voice echoing throughout the park. Kodachi fought the tears that streamed down her eyes, lowering her head so the others couldn't see. And then, turning, she ran. Tatewaki Kuno entered the empty rooms of the Kuno estate only to be greeted by the sound of wailing. "How odd," Kuno told himself, "that there would be a voice in these grounds that suffer, without the presence of Father!" Silently, Kuno used his ears to follow the wailing to its source. He made his way down the hallways, oblivious of where he was, until he came to a stop. At Kodachi's door. He knocked. "Go away," was the response from within. "It's me, your brother." "I don't care, go away!" Kuno shook his head. No, it simply wouldn't do to live in the same house as a wailing maniac. Not if said wailing maniac was your own sister. He opened the door. Kodachi sat huddled in the corner, wearing a damp school uniform, her head buried in her arms. Before her, face-down, were several Polaroid pictures, the depiction of which Kuno had no doubt disturbed his sister. She continued to sob, letting the tears roll down her cheeks and to her arms. No doubt she'd been crying for quite a while. "I thought I told you to go away," Kodachi said, stifling a sob. "I admit, I've never seen you in such a condition," Kuno said. "What circumstances have gotten you to this undesirable point?" She said nothing, only pointing a waving finger at the discarded Polaroids before her. Kuno squatted, gathering the Polaroids with his hands. With all the Polaroids in his hands, he sifted through them, one at a time. The first picture that greeted him was of Kodachi jumping onto Ranma Saotome. "I told you he was no good for you," Kuno said. "You shouldn't have tried to love an evil man." "That's not it!" protested Kodachi. "It's much worse!" Kuno took a few silent moments to sift through the rest of the Polaroids. To say that he was in shock was an understatement. "The pig-tailed girl...." "Your stupid goddess has defiled me!" Kodachi screamed, almost seemingly ready to bite at her brother. "She... oh, how can I face the others again?!" "I don't believe this...." "I can't stand to live with this on my head!" Kuno nodded. He put the Polaroids in his pocket, then sat himself down against the wall, next to his weeping sister. He placed his arms around the girl, cradling her lovingly. "It's not the end of the world." "Yes, it is." "I'll destroy the pictures for you. I'll make sure the damage is undone. You'll see, everything will be all right again." Kodachi's head raised to meet her brother's eyes. Without a word, she buried it again, this time in her brother's arms. "Don't let go...." "Shhh. I'm still here," Kuno assured his sister. "I'm not leaving you." "You never did know when...." "No, I suppose not." *Sniff.* "You always were there...." "Yes, I know." "Even when I didn't want you...." Kuno nodded. "Love may have gotten you into this, Kocchi, but love will certainly see you through it as well...." The next day was overcast. Ranma ran alone to school, fearing that he would be late for the first class. He turned into the gates of Furinkan High, only to be welcomed by an awesome spectacle. "Greetings, Saotome," greeted Kuno. Forming a half-circle on the inside of the school wall was the Kendo team in its entirety, blocking all passage into and out of the school grounds. "Oh brother," Ranma muttered. "Saotome, it has come to my attention that you were involved in a scandal against my sister, the victim," declared Kuno. "What about it?" asked Ranma impatiently. "I have gathered the facts," explained Kuno. "You have willingly expressed a desire to meet my sister at a time and place of your choosing, whereby you could inflict sufficient damage to her! Your involvement in the scandal has caused me to take extreme measures to rectify it. You will be appropriately punished." "Well, whatever," Ranma said, shrugging. Something tapped Ranma on the head. The young Saotome looked up at the overcast sky, watching as tiny drops of rain assaulted him. Then more. And more. Until it started pouring. "Pig-tailed girl!" exclaimed Kuno in surprise. "How did you get here?!" Ranma peered at Kuno critically. "Stupid." Kuno, with arms wide-open, ran toward his beloved. "Pig-tailed girl, I knew you hadn't abandoned me! I love you!" To say the least, Ranma stopped the love-struck Kuno with one foot planted in his face. "Leave me alone!" Kuno ceased pressing his face into Ranma's foot. No, this cannot be! Could she truly be involved? Forced, or coerced? "But, my beloved, why do you reject me so? Do you not love me?" "Phaw!" spat the pig-tailed girl. "No way!" The elder student shook his head, as to shake a thought from his mind. When he opened his mouth, he said, "Then, pig-tailed girl, is it true that your heart lay with my sister?" "Ha!" was Ranma's reply. "How in the world could I love that maniac? She deserved that little stint, for what she tried to do to me!" "B...but, my love...." Kuno didn't know what to say or do. "Don't you get it? It was HER fault!" screamed Ranma, furious. Kuno shook his head. No, Kodachi cannot be lying about such a grievous matter. Could the pig-tailed girl lie to me? WOULD she lie to me? "You wouldn't apologize to her, even for my sake? Our love?" "No, you half-witted idiot! There never was an 'our' or a love between us!" Ah, where did love begin and end, and where was the boundary that honor lay upon? Kuno wondered, torn in his thoughts. The pig-tailed girl refused to atone for her malicious deed, Kodachi was beyond upset, and... and, could I do this? Never before had the pig-tailed girl refused my love! How cruel and unforgiving she has become this day! Oh, what dark times that are upon us! That vile Ranma Saotome must have done this! He's taken over my beloved before; this must be another of his perverted tricks! To possess innocents as the pig-tailed girl in order to harm my dear sister! Such acts are most evil of all! Kuno nodded, knowing what he must do. One hand reached down to his side, withdrawing a long, steel katana. The blade slid from its sheath without a sound, exposing the cold, hard blade against the pouring rain. If one inspected the blade carefully, one would have found the characters for 'Kuno' inscripted upon it. "You...." Kuno said ominously. "Ranma Saotome, I will make you pay for forcing my beloved to commit such heinous deeds!" The female Ranma held up her arms in surprise. "Kuno-darling! Don't point that at me! It was an accident! Honest! I thought you loved me!" Kuno didn't seem to listen. The members of the Kendo team spread out to complete the fighting circle, surrounding their leader and the pig-tailed girl in the center. "That which stains my beloved must be removed from this world," announced Kuno. "Had I the means to purify her soul, to purge Ranma Saotome's evil essence, I would gladly do so! But, destiny has dealt a cruel hand this day! The life of Tatewaki Kuno is tragic indeed!" Oh, swell, Ranma thought. So much for appealing to his little brain. What little of it there was. Without another thought, Ranma prepared herself for battle. "Forgive me, pig-tailed girl!" Kuno cried, knowing that if he is successful, he would never see his beloved again. The up-side was that Ranma Saotome would be no more as well. His face twisted into a determined snarl. "Ranma Saotome! The insult you have brought upon my undeserving sister, and my family... SHALL NOT GO UNPUNISHED!!" Raising katana high, Kuno charged, shouting, "HAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!" Closing theme: Don't Mind Lay-lay Boy ----------------------------------------------- Author's Rant Latest revision: rewrote the ending to make Kuno's attack against his beloved a bit more 'believable;' we get a good look at what he's really thinking. Pumped more testosterone into Ranma :) This fic's purpose was to help illustrate Kodachi and Kuno-- how close they stick together in their worst times. Hey, you would too, if this happened to YOUR sister. I know I'd do it, too, except I don't have a steel katana at my disposal ^^;;; The bond between brother and sister is much stronger than love of another. What happened to Ranma is completely up to you. I did this on purpose, because I want YOU to draw your own conclusions. In my version, Ranma's fish bait. One reader suggested that Kuno should've gone after Kodachi instead of the pig-tailed girl. Well, that's true, but nowhere in the manga has Kuno ever laid a hand on his sister, so why should he do it now? Yet another reader believes this is a darkfic, but I honestly don't see it that way. What I have created is a situation where Kodachi has been extremely-wronged, and Kuno does something about it in her name. I seriously doubt Kodachi would do the same for her brother, though, and that's what sets them apart. I'm not really good at/eager to do one-shot fics. Seriously. http://www.crosswinds.net/anaheim/~slythe/ranma/ranff.html