It was three long and lonely days for Ranma before she could find her way back into town. Once there, she found a police man, and tried to explain what had happened.
Naturally, the officer was didn't believe anything about genies or magical sex changes, but just looking at the girl it was obvious that she needed help. And if she really believed those stories she was telling him, then she needed even MORE help.
Within short order, she placed in a foster home while the police searched for clues as to her real identity and parents. After all, she couldn't POSSIBLY be Ranma Saotome. Not only was he a boy, but he was spotted with his father again. Poor girl must just be confused. A good family environment would straighten her out.
With those thoughts, she was fostered by the Kuno family in Nerima.
Which actually wasn't that bad a decision. While the father was gone, (On a 'business trip' that had lasted over a year at the time), the mother Akuchi Kuno was well renowned as a good, gentle woman with a level head.
And while Tatewaki was a bit stand-offish, still being in the 'girls are icky' phase, Ranma and Kodachi hit it off quite well. The two soon became inseparable, even when they fought it blew over quickly. Since Akuchi had been worried about Kodachi ever making real friends, this was a relief for her.
When the police failed to find any parents or family for the young girl, Akuchi adopted her on the spot. Thus was 'Ranma Saotome' put to rest, and Yumi Kuno was born.
***
Time passes as it will. Akuchi Kuno died, killed by a petty thief with no skill and less brains, but he had a gun and bullets. Kodachi and Yumi leaned heavily on each other during this time. And when they had just about reached their own breaking point, they found new solace with another pair of grieving sisters, Nabiki and Akane Tendo, their mother having lost her long fight with cancer. It was tough on them all, but they managed to recover mostly all right - unlike Tatewaki who became obsessive and delusional.
Within short order, the four were inseparable, each seeming to find in the others that which they missed in their own mother. They were left with scars, but much fewer than what would have otherwise been.
And then, came the day everything changed, again.
***
"Are you going to see those commoners again, sister?" Kodachi asked with a smile.
Yumi stuck out her tongue. "As if you wouldn't be, if you didn't have gymnastics practice."
Kodachi laughed. "True. I think we can really go all the way this year, Yumi. But it won't happen if I don't keep the girls practicing. Give Akane and Nabiki my regards!" With that, Kodachi walked toward the gym.
Yumi was in a real good mood as she left St. Hebreke's. She felt as though her life was nearly complete. She was making top marks in school - enough so that, while only a freshman, top collages were already lobbying for her. Meanwhile, her martial skills continued to improve, what with her friendly competition with Akane Tendo.
If only her brother hadn't remember she was adopted. Now he was trying to court both her AND Akane. And didn't seem to understand what was wrong with that.
Entering the Tendo home, she heard Akane in the Dojo. There she found her friend performing one of the exercises they had developed to enhance their precision - a mess of blocks hung from the ceiling by strings. The idea was to strike one block without disrupting any of the others. Akane was failing this, big time. And Yumi knew Akane was better than that.
"Akane? What's wrong?"
Upon noticing her friend, Akane raced over and hugged her. Yumi became very worried when she realized Akane was sobbing. "Daddy just sprung an arranged marriage on us this weekend!" Akane wailed. "And somehow I got stuck dealing with that... that..." Akane couldn't seem to be able to find a word to accurately describe her feelings for her new fiancee.
Yumi, on the other hand, was relived. This sounded like it was just something Akane needed to vent on. "Oh, I'm sure he can't be that bad. What's his name?"
"His name is Ranma Saotome..."
Akane didn't notice how Yumi froze up at that name.
(Posted Mon, 10 Jan 2005 18:34)
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らんま1/2 © Rumiko Takahashi
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