Miyo gasped for air as she ran through the darkening streets of Nerima, unnoticing of the wind tangling her long brown hair into snarls and her backpack bouncing against her back hard enough to bruise, or the way people noticing her coming hastily moved out of her way, half blind from the tears streaming from her eyes. Please, please, please, all the kami, any kami, please let them be home, she thought over and over as she pushed herself far beyond her normal physical limits.
Suddenly, her plunging run was brought to a halt as she ran full-tilt into someone and bounced backwards onto her ass. Looking up and wiping at her eyes as she stammered out apologies, she found herself looking at a bemused girl with short-cut black hair offering a hand to help her up. Glancing down, she found a red-haired, pigtailed girl rising to her feet and brushing off the sidewalk dust from her butt. “Oh, thank all the kami, you’re here,” Miyo gasped out, grasping Akane’s hand and getting to her feet. “Uh, where are you going?”
Ranma and Akane glanced at each other and shrugged. “We’re trying to see if we can get in a date without being interrupted by rivals or would-be fiancées,” Akane said. “Why do you ask?”
“Oh, no, you can’t! Not tonight!” Miyo wailed, throwing herself at Ranma and wrapping her arms around her. Ranma glanced apologetically at Akane, who just shook her head and chuckled, as the redheaded girl tried to wrap her arms comfortingly around their distraught classmate, underneath her backpack.
“Why, what’s wrong?” Akane asked gently, laying a hand on Miyo’s shoulder.
“B-B-Because something horrible is going to happen!” the brown-haired girl stuttered out into Ranma’s shoulder. “Please, can we go go back to the dojo? Please?”
“And we’ll be safe there?” Ranma asked as she and Miyo broke their embrace.
“I don’t know,” Miyo whispered, staring at the ground and sniffling, then giving Akane a grateful glance as the other girl gave her a tissue. “I ... I don’t know what’s coming, I can’t see it, but whatever it is, it’s huge. I thought your family has the best fighters in the district — that I’d be safer with you than anywhere else I can get to.”
Akane gazed at the sweat-soaked girl standing forlornly before her and her fiancé and realized that the way she was shaking was from fear as much as exertion. She’s absolutely terrified, she thought. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone this scared, except maybe Ranma around a herd of cats. Sighing, she smiled at Ranma. “Looks like we’ll have to try another night,” she said. “Let’s get her to the dojo.”
Ranma, seeing the same fear as Akane, nodded agreement. “Yeah, good idea.”
“We’re back!” Akane called as the three entered the dojo and exchanged their shoes for house slippers.
“Oh my, that was quick!” they heard Kasumi respond from the kitchen. “Did something happen?” The oldest Tendo sister walked around the corner from the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron, then paused when she saw Miyo — and her tear-stained face, sweat-stained clothing, and disheveled state. “Oh, my! What happened to you?”
“She ran us down on the way to the ice cream shop,” Ranma volunteered, and filled Kasumi in on what had happened.
“And do you believe her?” a voice asked from behind Kasumi, and the four girls turned to see a tall, redheaded, middle-aged woman standing behind them, also wearing an apron.
“I don’t know, Auntie Nodoka,” Akane replied thoughtfully, glancing apologetically at the brown-haired girl beside her. “She’s normally very accurate, but she didn’t quite get it right when she predicted Ranma and I would get married.”
“I see,” Nodoka responded, then stepped forward and reached out a finger to tilt Miyo’s head up to meet her gaze. “And your parents, child? Where are they?”
Miyo ducked her head to the side. “They’re at home,” she mumbled. “I told them, but they didn’t believe me. Daddy and I had a dreadful fight ... he told me if I left not to come back ...”
Tears started to flow again at the memory, and Kasumi embraced the crying girl. “I’m sure he didn’t mean it,” she assured comfortingly.
Nodoka nodded. “I’m sure Kasumi is correct, that he spoke in the heat of the moment. Why don’t I give them a call and let them know you’re here? What’s the last name and address?” On receiving both she turned away, then paused and turned back to examine Miyo’s state, then turned to Kasumi. “Kasumi, why don’t you get Miyo to the furo and get her a change of clothes? After I call her parents I’ll finish preparing dinner.”
Kasumi nodded and guided the still-crying girl toward the furo, while Nodoka headed for the phone, leaving Ranma and Akane standing in the entranceway. Ranma glanced at her fiancée and shrugged. “Well, if we’re ain’t goin’ to the ice cream parlor I’d better get changed,” she said. “Get some studyin’ in before dinner?”
Akane nodded agreement. “Might as well. I’ll meet you in my room.” The duo separated, Akane running up the stairs while Ranma headed for the kitchen and the tea kettle Kasumi kept simmering there.
Armageddon’s come! And it is ...
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(Posted Sun, 26 Jul 2009 04:19)
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らんま1/2 © Rumiko Takahashi
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