Slowly opening one eye, Ranma looked around his bedroom, checking to see if he was truly alone. Even going so far as to move a bit under his covers to ensure he was alone there as well with no hidden surprises, he decided it was safe to begin his plan.
His beautiful, well thought-out—at least, he considered it such—plan that would fix one of the biggest issues in his life!
Getting out from under the blanket, he quickly got dressed, paying attention to avoid any of the floor boards that would creak, or any other area that might alert people to him being awake.
True, this was helped by the fact that his mother was back at their rebuilt house, his father was likely passed out with Mr. Tendo ‘celebrating’ said event—whether Mrs. Saotome moving out or the home being rebuilt, only they could say—and it being so late at night, that even the Devil himself was asleep.
He knew, because despite protests to the contrary, Nabiki sometimes snored.
But still, he was careful as he exited his room through a recently lubricated door, down the hallway and stairs—making sure to stay to the areas that didn’t squeak—and out the door. He couldn’t afford to be caught now, couldn’t afford for questions to be asked, demands made, and hangers-on deciding they had to accompany him … for their own wants the Greater Good.
Quickly, he made his way out of the room, down the stairs—taking care to avoid the ones that creaked, and out the side door, as quietly as possible. Even if all three Tendo daughters were asleep, even if the old men were passed out in the Dojo from their celebrating and most likely concocting yet another plot to secure the future of the Dojo, even if the Old Letch was out of town…
He had to be careful, had to be certain that nothing unexpected happened, that he could finally achieve his desire and get cured.
Reaching under the porch, he grabbed his backpack, having stuffed it there earlier that night while the fathers had gone out after more booze, and the girls were busy. Just because he planned or this to be quick, didn’t mean it couldn’t go pear-shaped.
He had learned that much at least.
Jumping over the wall, he made his way as fast and as silently as he could, not even thinking about using the Umisenken—who knew if the Old Man had a way to sense it being used. It would be just like him not to teach Ranma everything about the technique, so he could exploit it later on.
So, a course was set. It took him away from everyone. It was in the direction away from Ucchan’s, the Nekō Hanten, and any other nut who might try and stop him.
Well, except Ryoga, but who knew where he was…
So, with hope in his heart, Ranma kept repeating his mantra, that would soothe his nerves, and help him make it to where he needed to be.
Never gonna be a girl again! Never gonna be a girl again!
It was an empty lot, surrounded by warehouses that the local construction companies used for overstock. When property damage was as high as it was in Nerima, it paid to buy not only in bulk, but when you could.
Luckily, a tournament last week had seen to any remaining stock at the moment. As such, the area was empty now, and thus could offer no witnesses to what Ranma was about to accomplish.
Looking about one last time—even going so far as to close his eyes and ‘look’ with other senses—Ranma smiled, as he reached into the backpack, and pulled out his ticket.
The Nanban Mirror … that was heavily repaired with crazy glue and duct tape.
Ranma chuckled lightly at his own genius! After all, everyone had assumed it was broken, thus worthless.
But all it needed was some glue, some tape, more glue, and a good luck talisman from the local shrine … who would still deal with him.
It wasn’t his fault that one priest was injured during the last ‘surprise wedding’.
But that didn’t matter.
“Never gonna be a girl again!” he sing-songed, as he pulled out an onion and put it near his eye, forcing a tear loose.
As it fell and hit the mirror, his grin was huge, as a light blossomed forth from the patchwork glass.
“Take me to a time at Jusenkyo where I can and will get cured!” he commanded, having spent a week on that one line, to ensure not only that he would arrive at the cursed springs, but arrive there and be able to be cured.
The glow intensified, making the dark parking area seem as if day had come.
*Crinkle!*
“..” was all Ranma could say, his smile slowly fading, as he dared to look down at the mirror … to spy a new crack.
*Crinkle!*
… Make that two cracks—the new one had popped up through the duct tape. “I thought Kasumi said duct tape was indestructible,” he murmured.
*Crinkle!*
“Um .. uh-oh,” he muttered, preparing to toss the now unstable mirror.
*FWOOSH!!!*
But it was too late.
Ranma Saotome was gone from his time, his space, his world.
And who knew where he would end up next … or if at all.
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(Posted Sun, 16 Aug 2015 06:58)
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らんま1/2 © Rumiko Takahashi
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