Ranma, Kasumi and Nabiki lost themselves in torrid sex again, experimenting with various ways to achieve physical pleasure. Believing that their end was near, most if not all of their inhibitions had disappeared. At least, screwing like crazed animals in heat took their minds off the current situation.
Meanwhile, across Nerima, the other players in Ranma's life dealt with the coming End of the World in their own ways.
******
Ucchan's was deserted. Konatsu had left, going back to his 'step-sisters', in the meager hope of making peace with them before the End. Ukyo Kuonji was left alone, cooking okonomiyaki on automatic, trying to forget about what was coming. The okonomiyaki kept piling up as no one was here to eat them and she wasn't feeling hungry.
The sound of the restaurant's door opening announced the coming of a visitor. Ukyo smiled, thinking it was her Ran-chan. To her surprise, it was the last person she expected to see.
"D... Daddy!?"
Her spatula fell on her grill with a small clank. Her father was still the imposing figure she remembered but he looked... older. Akira Kuonji's whole being expressed sadness and regret.
"It's been a while. Can I come in?"
Ukyo woke up from her daze when she heard her father's voice "O...Of course... Sit down" She immediately began to make another okonomiyaki with his favorite seasoning. Her father walked up to the counter and took the place directly in front of her, the one Ranma used so often when he came here.
The silence between Ukyo and her fatehr strained, becoming almost uncomfortable. Someone had to make the first move.
"I see you've done well for yourself..." commented Akira Kuonji when he looked around "And so young too... When I was your age, I didn't have my own yattai. I was still an apprentice..."
Ukyo brightened a little "Yeah... Thank you but I'm not at your level yet. You're still the best when it comes to cook okonomiyaki, dad"
Akira ruefully smiled "No, don't sell yourself short, daughter. You can be proud of your accomplishments"
Ukyo froze. Surely she had heard him wrong "What did you say...?"
"Ukyo... You know what's coming. I don't want to leave this world without making up for my mistakes. I have been a fool. To put so much on you because I wouldn't admit my own stupidity" He took her hands in his own, looking at her directly in the eyes "I was wrong. You are my daughter, I love you just like you are and nothing will ever change that"
"Oh, Daddy..." Ukyo sniffled then started to cry "I... I..." Father and daughter hugged, both crying over all the lost opportunities and the unfairness of making up in such circumstances, when it was clear it was too late.
******
The Nekohanten was closed, as many businesses were in the World, due to the current circumstances.
Shampoo sat in ceremonial chinese amazon dress alongside her great-grandmother, in full matriarch regalia, meditating before the shrine of their ancestors. Cologne had decided that the two of them had to undergo a special amazon rite before the meteor hit. Mousse had been excluded from it as he was only a male. The blind hidden weapons master had been forcibly ejected from the restaurant and hadn't been seen or heard since then.
The ritual Shampoo and cologne performed was originally intended to prepare amazon warriors before they enetered a hopeless battle where their death was the most likely outcome.
Shampoo had bathed in cold water, purifying herself. She had reiterated her pledge to the ideals of the Joketsuzoku amazons, the Tribe and the deities. She had fought Cologne in a ceremonial duel and declared to be a worthy warrior. She had eaten her last meal. She had prayed the deities and her ancestors for guidance in her darkest hour. She had confessed her faults and failings to her matriarch and absolved.
Now, all that was left was the meditation part.
As time passed, Shampoo's concentration appeared to be slowly breaking apart. Cologne remained imperturbable.
Shampoo's eyes were still closed but she was frowning. A small twitch under her left eye and the clenching of her fists betrayed her impatience. A low grumble was coming out of her sneering mouth.
Suddenly, Cologne came out of her trance and spoke "It is done. We are now ready to face our fate as true amazons"
There was a whooshing sound and Shampoo was no longer in the Nekohanten. A cry of "Airen! Shampoo coming for you!" was heard in the distance. Cologne chuckled "Ah, to be young again..."
The amazon elder hopped on her staff and went directly to her room. She had recorded the last episode of 'Burning Passions' and simply refused to die without knowing how the series ended.
Read the comments on this episode
See other episodes by Jamil Nate
(Posted Tue, 27 Jan 2004 23:46)
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