Resolution







Resolution

A Ranma 1/2 fanfic by June "KaraOhki" Geraci


July 27, 2003

Ranma 1/2 belongs to Rumiko Takahashi, and I hope she forgives me for this one. This story was written for fun only, and may not be used commercially

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"So beautiful," murmured Ranma. There was no response, nor did he expect one. Trees and hills don't talk.

He continued climbing, enjoying the sense of freedom being in the mountains always gave him, especially when he was fortunate enough to get away without being accompanied or followed by his father, or any of the girls.

When the clouds began to turn pink Ranma stopped walking and set up camp. He placed his tent so that the first view he would have on emerging from it in the morning would be Fuji. Nothing could be more perfect. Nothing.

*****

The song of a bird welcoming the morning woke Ranma. He smiled, turned over, and went back to sleep. There was no reason to get up yet.

"Ranma! Wake up!"

"What? What?" Ranma woke a second time to find himself being shaken by Ukyo and Akane. "How did you get here?"

"Just get up and come outside! Now!" demanded Akane.

"Can I get dressed first?"

"NO!"

*****

Ranma emerged from the tent to the view of Fuji, just as he had planned it. He had not planned, however, on the rest of the view. In addition to Akane and Ukyo, Kodachi and Shampoo stood there. None of the girls looked particularly happy.

"Um," he ventured, scratching his head. "What's going on?"

Shampoo stepped forward. "Shampoo is tired. Shampoo wants to take husband and go home."

"HA!" exclaimed Kodachi. "Ranma-sama will go home with me!" Shampoo glared at her, and Kodachi looked down for a moment before turning her gaze to Ranma. "Won't you? Please?"

"This has gone on long enough," said Ukyo, in a very quiet tone of voice. "You are twenty-five years old. It's time to end it."

"We can't wait any longer," added Akane. "You've got to choose between us." She took a deep breath before continuing. "We've discussed this among ourselves. We're strong women, and we can survive not being chosen. I know I could go on, and make a life for myself, and I'm sure the others could too. We just need to end this."

"Akane right," agreed Shampoo. "Ranma must pick."

*****

Ranma just stood there. He didn't say a word, nor did he move. When he continued to stand there, the girls got impatient.

"Well? Aren't you going to say anything?" demanded Akane.

"Evidently not," murmured Kodachi.

"Shampoo think Ranma afraid," commented Shampoo.

That brought Ranma out of his stupor. "Hey!" he shouted. "I ain't afraid of nothin'!"

"Then what the hell are you waiting for?" shouted Ukyo. "Some sign from the gods?"

*****

The earth shook. A blast of smoke shot from Fuji.

*****

Ranma got back into his tent and crawled into his sleeping bag.

Outside, only a jagged line free of grass indicated where the earth had opened, swallowed his fiancees, and closed again.

"That was some sign," Ranma murmured, as he went back to sleep.