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Epilogue: The Reconstruction of the Fables
"...and that's the end of my tale," Ranko said, completing her words.
"What about the others, Ranko?" Tyler asked. "It's obvious about what happened to your brother and Akane, to Tate and Nabiki, and to Shamps and Mousse, but what about the others? You've got my attention on that one."
"Oh. Well, a few days after we got back, Pop and Shiva left for Osaka so he could start the adoption paperwork, and at the same time do a mini-training trip with Shi-chan. Unlike Ranma--or Ranma, Ryoga, and I, depending on which way you look at it--Shiva was trained entirely at home under the care of both my parents. Now, Shiva and the twins share an apartment near my parents' place in Osaka; they're all attending the same college. They're in their last year there at Gainaxtech. I don't know what Ling or Lung are studying, but I know Shi-chan's working on a physiology major. They train often enough with my Pop, but tend to get annoyed when Mom makes 'em wear kimonos and tells them to act 'like proper ladies.' When Cologne died three years ago, the twins became full Ghost Wolf ninjas, which was a moot point since they'd been considered members for years before that.
"Uc-chan was absolutely depressed for a month or so after Konatsu's funeral; Mom moved into the Uc-chan no Okinomiyaki-ya and stayed with her until she was okay. Uc-chan then found out she was pregnant a month after we got back; eight months after, she gave birth to Sakura. Now, she lives with oniichan and Akane, despite the fact that she's one of the wealthier women in Japan; she prefers her family--meaning we Saotomes, since she doesn't have anything to do with her own anymore--over creature comforts. As for little Kenzan Sakura, the only family she's ever known has been the Tendos and the Saotomes and our associates. She does especially love her mother, Uncle Ranma and Aunt Akane. She knows nothing of the Kuonjis, or the Kunouichis--and it seems that Uc-chan plans to keep it that way.
"Ranma and Akane married two years after he proposed; they were the third of our group to tie the knot. The first to marry were Kodachi and Mikado." She spat her ex-lover's name out with barely concealed rage. "Then soon after, Ryoga and Akari were wed. By then, Tate and Nabiki were a serious enough couple, and Ranma and Akane thought it was finally time.
"Natsumi's heart was finally won over by Mai; in fact, she won over everybody's heart. They've obviously not gotten married, but are just as strong a couple as the others. As for Mai, she's still pretty much the same innocent person she was when I met her eight years ago, and I hope she never changes. I know Uncle Tendo and Hinako consider her invaluable around the home, and I think they're hinting at Natsumi to go to Jusenkyo and toss herself in the Spring of Drowned Man in order for them to have a child--sometimes I think they forget Mai's a ghost.
"Kurumi's still dating, but hasn't really found anyone yet. The same for Azusa, except that she went to college in England and stayed there, turning her fashion skills into a multi-million dollar company that's as much a household name as Versace, DKNY, or Ralph Lauren.
"Just as Kasumi promised, Miss Kitty was never treated as a pet, but as a member of her household. Kasumi and Miss Kitty--they call her Shan Fu-chan, now--worked out a communication of sorts, and it was amazing, or so she's said many a time, how close friends they've become. Kasumi's kids, Kazumi and Akira, have no problem with a feline babysitter and nanny, and Tofu considers her invaluable around the home. I'd say besides me, she's led the happiest life when it came to being a familiar.
"Speaking of the familiars, Muu-muu-chan was the first of the familiars to die. P-Chan died a little while after, when he got lost and was hit by a car; Ryoga and Akane were an absolute mess. The furball and I are the only simulacra still alive," she said, glancing at Shampoo, "and even she's starting to get old by feline standards. I guess that I was the lucky one; I can function as a full human and have that kind of life that was denied to the others.
"Whether you believe me or not, I don't know; whether you think that my writing talents have gone to my head, I don't care. That is what the truth is about my life, regardless of what this--" she held up the old, yellowing photograph for emphasis, as a weary smile flitted across her features, "--shows." She looked at her friends, more solemnly this time. "I never was a child, never had a childhood; my brother had it for me. Since we are really the same person, I guess it could be said that I did have one. But not one that a normal girl would have." She sighed, then finished. "That's all I have to say, I guess."
Ronnie muttered, "You tell us this bizarre sci-fi tale, and expect us to believe it? Ranko, you're my friend, and I know odd things have a way of popping up when you're around, but this is straining credibility--no, straining *reality!"*
"I know reality has been strained," she said, turning her head, melancholy filling her eyes and voice. "And I have to live with that mistake every day for the rest of my life."
"Oh, for cryin' out loud, Ranko! Can you lay off the joke?!?" Ronnie shot back.
"It's not a joke, Ronnie. It's not even remotely funny to us--any of us," Mousse spoke, looking at Ronnie sternly. Shampoo, in turn, also had a dark look in her violet eyes.
Ronnie blanched. Shampoo's pointless anger she could handle--it was something normal in their friendship and rivalry. But to see Muu Tsu disappointed in her.... She shied off the subject immediately.
Gil groaned. "This whole day has been interesting, to say the least. At least Ranko's tale, true or not, has made it an interesting end to a typical night." He then faced the redhead directly. "Ranko, I don't intend to say that your story is true or not; the point I'm making is that it was very passionate to you, very moving. For a minute there, I could almost sense what you were going through. And if that ain't everything, may something odd befall me in the next second."
There was a snap and a momentary flicker, then all the power in the house went back on. Outside, while the rain continued to fall, it lessened significantly from a heavy storm to the intensity of a light shower. The group collectively blinked a few times, initially because of the sensoria of the lights, then due to the immediate slowdown of the downpour, then finally due to the eerieness of the timing.
{{Or was it just timing?}} Tyler wondered to himself.
Meanwhile, Maria looked at her watch. "11:00. Time to go, I'm afraid; if I'm going to make it to my doctor's appointment in time tomorrow morning, I'd better get some sleep." She looked at Gil. "Ready to go?"
Gil returned the gaze, a smile on his face. "Sure." Turning back to the others, he replied, "Thanks for having us over, ladies."
"Um, yeah," was all that Libby, Shampoo, and Ranko could simultaneously say.
As the pair went to the door, readying to leave, Maria told Gil she would meet him at the car. Gil went out, while Maria went up to Ranko. "Ranko, I just wanted to say...."
"Yes, Maria?"
"I wanted to say...that I believe you...Ranma-chan." Maria smiled with that ever-present sickeningly sweet smile of hers. "I believe you, my friend."
Ranko, whenever she heard that name, would normally begin swinging. This time, however, she realized it was Maria's way of explaining her beliefs. "Thanks, Maria. Domo arigato gozaimasu."
The brunette waved it off. "Naah. Don't worry about it. Hey, we're still on for lunch tomorrow, right?"
"You betcha."
"Call ya, then. Shampoo, Libby, thanks again for having me and Gil over. Hasta la bye-bye." With that, Maria turned and left the house.
Tyler went up and gave Ranko a soft punch on the shoulder. "I don't know if the story's true or not, but I don't care. I'm still glad to have you around."
She grinned like the Cheshire Cat. "Thanks, Tyler. I appreciate it."
"Don't mention it. See ya tomorrow at work." As an aside to Ronnie, he added, "Don't forget that we have that philosophy quiz in the morning, Ronnie."
"I won't. Thanks for the reminder, though. See ya in the morning."
"Yeah, see ya. Shamps, Libbs, thanks again. Take care, guys." He strolled out the door, braving the rain.
Ronnie stayed there, giving Mousse a look that was part sexy, part sorry. Glomping onto his arm once more, she looked at him, batted her eyes coquettishly, and said, "I'm really sorry about earlier, Muu Tsu. Will you forgive me for my earlier actions?"
An all-too-familiar bead of sweat appeared on Mousse's brow. "Yeah, um, sure, Veronica."
Ronnie swooned at the mention of her name in his tones. {{He really wants me, not Shampoo! Now to show him a little lovin'!}} She moved closer, pressing her body against his, her lensed eyes peering into his. "Let's kiss and make up, 'kay?" With that pronouncement, she kissed him, pouring her entire love into that one gesture...
...and suddenly was propelled at a high speed out--and through--the front window, glowing with crimson flame. The window exploded outward on contact, sending a spray of glass shards out like a fine mist that cut its own path against the rain falling outdoors. The sound of the breaking glass, combined with the cacophony of the rain and Ronnie's surprised yelp, almost sounded amusing--certainly gratifying--to Shampoo's ears.
Mousse turned to Shampoo. "I'm sorry. I wasn't expecting that."
She turned and bodyslammed him into the wall, where he made a nice little dent. "Lech. You're supposed to be my boyfriend, may I remind you?!?" Shampoo then turned to her roommates. "Men, I tell ya...." Shrugging her shoulders, she said, "Ranko, it's your turn to order the coffee table."
In an instant, the redhead picked up the phone. "You know you do too much business with one place when they have a hotline especially set up for you. While I'm at it," she sighed, looking at the gaping hole that the rain was coming through, "I'll see if anyone there knows a good window repair shop."
"Right," said Libby, as she pulled a toolkit and some boards from nowhere, "I guess since the frame's shot, boarding up the window's not going to make that much of a difference anyway. But I got a question for you, Shampoo. Other than the obvious fact that Ronnie was pulling her usual stunts, why'd you nail her in the face? Usually, you just settle for punting her into the next time zone."
"Well, I gave her what she wanted." Shampoo smiled a pert little grin as she went to the wall to peel Mousse off it. "She wanted to 'kiss and make up.' She got to kiss Mousse, whereupon I applied a punch that will require that she use enough makeup tomorrow to cover the black eye she'll have."
The other two groaned at Shampoo's joke.
Mousse felt his adhesiveness decrease as he was pulled off the wall by his love. At first he though the sound of the pounding was his head, but a second later realized it was only Libby completing her handiwork on the window. "Shampoo," he spoke, his head still throbbing from the impact, "remember what I said about those communication skills couples are supposed to develop? How we need to work on them?"
Shampoo had the good grace to look admonished. "I'm sorry, Mousse. I admit, I gotta work on my temper, and--"
He put a finger to her lips, asking for silence. "Not even Akane puts Ranma into walls anymore...well, not as much," he amended. He then kissed her gently on the cheek, whispering, "Besides, I'd rather kiss you once than Ronnie a million times."
"Oh, Muu Tsu," she said, as she slid easily into his arms and delivered a kiss of her own, as the couple expressed their love for each other in a much gentler fashion this time.
Ranko and Libby watched the scene, sighing. Then, the blonde grabbed the redhead, and said, "C'mon, let's get outta here."
"Don't worry, I get the clue." She looked at her friends, then grinned. Giving Libby a sideways glance, she added, "'Sides, I gotta email my bro' and Akane and let 'em know how I'm doing."
"Think I'll join ya. Akane still owes me the recipe for her sugar cookies."
The pair instantly disappeared up the stairs and into Ranko's room, and the last thing that could be heard before they shut the door was Ranko commenting, "Yeah--and if you're lucky, Ranma may give you the recipe for the *antidote."*
"Alone at last." Shampoo gazed upon her boyfriend with loving eyes.
"Yep. But as much as I'd like to be alone with you right now," he yawned, "I've gotta get home and get to bed, love. Gotta drive to Berkley tomorrow to do a benefit magic show for the children's hospital there."
He started for the door, but was immediately grabbed by the smaller woman. "Where do you think you're going?" she said, impishly.
"Shan Fu, I already said, I need to get to bed and get some sleep."
Shampoo brought him down into a long kiss. When she broke for breath, she breathed, "Of course you're going to bed...just don't expect to get any sleep tonight." She took his hand and headed for the stairs. A split-second later, Mousse simply picked her up and carried her the rest of the way to her bedroom, closing and locking the door behind them.
* * *
FROM: rsaotome@friscomail.com
TO: nkuno@hq.kunotech.com, uc-chan@nekohanten.co.jp,
saotome-s@stu.gainaxtech.ed.jp, saotome@fujinet.co.jp,
kurumitendo@hikaroze.email.ne.jp,
hibiki@ntt.docomo-compys.co.jp
SUBJ: I told them
ATCH: C:\stuff\pix\myfrie~1.jpg
MESSAGE:
Well, all, I told them tonight. I finally got the chance, and wanted to for so long. Oniichan, Akane-chan, you were right--they don't understand, but they don't care, either. They only care that I'm here and their friend. It makes me feel a whole lot better about myself that way. I suppose that I shouldn't have worried about it in the end, but you know how I tend to get worked up about things like that. I'm old enough--okay, I'm physically old enough--to be able to sort out things like this. Oh well, c'est la vie, I suppose.
Still haven't found a writing job. I'm freelancing occasionally for a couple of the small-press papers in town, but until I get the attention of the Tribune or the Chronicle, then I'll still work at the Magic Duck. 'Sides, I don't mind working there. Mousse and Tyler are my friends and wonderful people to work with, to boot. Plus, some of my other friends--Pierre, Sally, and of course, Ronnie--work at Pier 39, so it's not so bad.
Uc-chan, I have the new album by Gravity Kills, and it rocks! I'll mail it to you tomorrow, unless you already got it. Can you send me the latest Bonnie Pink, if she's put a new one out yet?
Ryoga, do you still need a portable GPS unit? I saw one in the Sharper Image catalog.... ^_^
Shiva, hope everything's going okay for you. Still planning to visit for Christmas? Lemme know.... Nabiki, we're still on at your place, right? I know it's still a coupla months away, but you know how student scheds can be, and I don't want Shiva to miss any more school than need be (and I don't want to hear the 'I can take care of myself, onnesama' speech, Shi-chan!)
Ku-chan, hope you got the videos I sent you last week. I don't know how much they'll help you improve your English, since they're not subbed in Japanese, but there you go. BTW, thanks for sending me the newest _Rayearth_ OVAs. They rule!
Well, gotta go y'all--gotta get some sleep. Everyone here sends their regards, and hope to see you all soon. Peace out!
Hugs, kisses, and the occasional Chestnut Punch,
--Ranko
PS--I sent a JPEG file of me, Shampoo an' Libby when we were at Monterrey two weeks ago. Enjoy!
MESSAGE END
BEGIN JIS CONVERSION
....conversion complete
SEND
Ranko then closed the Email application and turned around to face Libby. "There, all done. Unfortunately, I'll have to call Mom and Pop; Shiva hasn't dragged them kicking and screaming into the digital age yet."
"Shame, that; Daddy always used to say that one of the things he liked most about your father was the fact that he was always so forward-looking. I guess that's what they meant when they say 'the times, they are a'changin', right?"
"Ain't that the truth," Ranko agreed.
"Speaking of truth...what you said about, well, you know, your um, birth," Libby put forward, unsure of what exactly to say.
"Yes?"
"I just want to say that whether it's true or not--and I'm not sure what to believe--I don't care. Like you wrote to your brother, it only matters that you're here with us, not how you got here. Clone or not, you're still my friend." She placed a hand on Ranko's shoulder. "Least, 'til the next time you make a 'Fuu' joke."
"Thanks, Libby. That really means a lot to me."
"Welcome." Libby then stifled a yawn, adding, "Well, it's been a long day. I'm gonna take a shower, then hit the hay. See ya in the morning." She departed the room.
"Yeah, see ya." Ranko got out of her chair and flopped on her bed, the pillow easily conforming to her head. She lay, still as the proverbial portrait for a few minutes, feeling completely drained as though the story was a physical purging. She turned her head, noticing her alarm clock as it read a stately 12:30 AM. Briefly toying with the idea of contacting her brother, she then decided against it, as there were some things that only she could work out for herself.
<<Taking another step into maturity. We're proud of you, Ranko.>>
<<Oniichan?>> She sat up in bed, surprised at the sound of his mental "voice". <<How did-->>
<<I felt that you were going through something emotionally strong, so I took a peek. You're okay, sis, and that's what matters. I just wanted to let you know that you're never alone--physically or otherwise. I'm always here, one way or another.>>
<<Thanks, Ranma. I appreciate it.>> The redhead sent a mentally lazy grin.
<<Anytime.>> He returned that tone of affection. <<Well, I'd better let you get some sleep--it's what, about midnight there? I'll contact you soon. Akane sends her love. Oyasumi nasai, Ranko.>> The male voice in her mind quieted down, as though someone had finished speaking.
"Yeah, hasta la bye-bye, oniichan," she whispered, speaking verbally as well as mentally. The redhead then picked up a tennis shoe, lobbing it at the light switch. The Reebok connected easily, turning it off. Ranko then shrugged out of her clothing, crawled under her sheets, and drifted off to sleep, her REM state easily bringing her dreams of comfort and peace.
* * *
{{1:30 in the morning, and I can't sleep. Feeling pretty restless, and want to talk to somebody. Unfortunately, my roommates are asleep, and Muu Tsu, well....}} Shampoo tried moving minimally to prevent waking up her lover. She continued to lay down, the gentle moonlight streaming in through the window, illuminating her and Mousse as they lay together. At the moment, he was asleep, snoring lightly as he had been pretty much exhausted.
Shampoo, however, wasn't. Something about Ranko's story had bothered her, opening old memories and unresolved personal conflicts. They had to do with the past brought up--something that she thought that she'd overcome, something that was supposed to have been buried in the past. But it was buried deep enough, obviously, for during Ranko's own coping situation, her own black past came up and haunt--
{{No. It came up even before she told the story. And it's still sitting downstairs, in Mousse's bag. The Box. Great-grandmother's legacy to me. An Amazon heirloom to a woman who's no longer an Amazon. Yet, it's become my family shrine, my treasure to remind me of her. I won't open it because it would dishonor her shrine, her last item created for me.
{{Or is it because I'm afraid of what's within? I know the Contrary Jewel's in there, as well as other magical charms and jewels. At one time, the Heart of the Demon was in there, too. Who knows what other items are in there for mankind to not get their hands on?
{{If that's the case then, Shan Fu,}} she told herself, {{you owe it to your Great-grandmother to open that box. You need to know what's in there, whether you like it or not. You can't defend something if you know nothing about it. At the very least, you can open the envelope that came with it--it may be a list of what is located within, thereby saving you the effort of opening the box.}}
She traced the lines of the muscles in Mousse's arms, loving his presence and the fact that he was so close to her at the moment; that he would be there if needed. Likewise, she also knew that Ranma would also come to her aid if required. Nothing could go wrong if she were at least to look at the documentation and see that the items were all there. Lastly, her roommates would be at her side the instant something went down. No, she concluded, nothing could go wrong that they couldn't handle or get adequate help for. After all, if they could beat the demon of the gem, then they were pretty safe.
Shampoo got out of bed, reached for the nearest clothing to the bed--sooner or later she was going to have to do her laundry before Mige tore everything to shreds--and threw on a pair of panties, her 501 shorts, and Mousse's shirt. Pausing only to give Mousse a quick peck on the cheek, she shambled downstairs in search of the box and hopefully, some hot cocoa.
As she arrived in the lower half of the house, she heard a soft scratch at the door. Wondering what it was, she opened the door...
...and found Ronnie, soaking wet, shivering and attempting to sleep on the front step. "H-h-h-h-el-l-l-lo Sh-sh-sh-shampoo. F-f-f-f-fancy me-e-eting you h-h-h-h-ere." Between her chattering teeth and the shaking, the younger girl sounded like a jackhammer attached to a voice box.
"Veronica! Honestly!" Shampoo restrained a laugh. "Even I wasn't this bad ten years ago!" Shampoo pulled her in the house, pointing the way to the bathroom. "Take off those clothes, and get in the shower. No sense in you going home, now; I'll set up the couch. I'll raid my closet; we're the same size."
"Th-th-thanks. W-wh-where's Mu-mu-mu-Mousse?"
"Asleep in my bed," Shampoo replied cattily. "Where else?"
Ronnie began to move towards the stairs, headed towards Shampoo's room.
"You know, it's supposed to rain all night." Shampoo crossed her arms, giving Ronnie her darkest look. "Sleeping on the front porch could give you a case of pneumonia...."
Ronnie readjusted her direction, heading for the bathroom.
"Thought so." Shampoo allowed herself a little victory smile before sprinting upstairs to grab some sheets and a change of clothes for Ronnie.
When Ronnie stepped out of the bathroom ten minutes later, the first thing she thought was to thank Shampoo for the loan of a pair of sweats. Drying her hair, she bit back a yawn and thought that if she wasn't going to bed her sweet Muu Tsu tonight, she could at least be consoled that she'd be sleeping in the same house he was. Unfortunately, that also meant that Shampoo would be crawling right back into bed with him, but Ronnie was too bone-weary and tired to argue the point.
Heading for the all-too-comfy couch, she saw said female in question sitting at the dinner table, two coffee mugs in front of her, with one obviously meant for Ronnie. The Chinese woman was engrossed in a letter, and from the look on her face, things weren't quite right. The paper looked like old Chinese parchment, and from what ideographs she could see, the person who wrote this penned them in a gnarled but elegant script.
Also on the table was an ancient-looking antique of some kind, and further inspection revealed it to be a small chest. The chest was made of hard, aged cherry wood, heavily lacquered and accented at its corners with cast iron upon which designs were etched--Ronnie, an archeology major, recognized them as old Chinese ward patterns. On the front of the box was an old 19th century cast iron lock; the key was in it and had a silk cord tied to it. As for the contents, it was filled with what looked to easily be a few million dollars worth of precious stones and metals. Instantly, Ronnie knew that she was looking at Shampoo's heritage, the infamous jewels of the Lao clan--the cursed, mystical objects that she feared so much.
Ronnie dropped into the seat next to her, picking up the mug and taking a sip of Ghirardelli Gourmet almond and raspberry cocoa. Shampoo, who had a catering contract with the company, often received such freebies like this. "Thanks, Shampoo. This really helps; this and the jogging gear."
Shampoo's reply was to simply nod her head in a barest hint of a bob, never taking her eyes off the letter. The look on her face grew even sadder, and to the Midwestern girl, it seemed as though her friend and rival received some kind of discouraging words.
"Shan Fu, are you--" Ronnie began in Chinese, hoping that it would put Shampoo at ease.
"Yeah. I'm okay. Thank you." Shampoo's voice was a reedy whisper, a soft exhalation that Ronnie strained to hear. Shampoo's usually lilting singsong Chinese took on somber tones as she said, "My world just got dropped out from under my feet. That's all."
"What do you mean?"
"This was a letter that my great-grandmother gave to Mousse to give to me. She wrote it six years ago, knowing me well enough to know it would be years before I read it. Now, I wish it was still sealed."
"Why? You always said that everything Cologne gave you was more precious than anything."
"Yeah--except these gems. These stones are my birthright; my duty to an emperor who died thirty years ago, and an empire that disappeared long before that. Still, this was a Lao duty, not an Amazon one, and thus I have no choice. And I'll do it, gladly, if only for my great-grandmother, but there's still so much that I don't understand...." Shampoo's words trailed off at that point.
"What was that, Shampoo?" Ronnie didn't quite catch her mumble.
"Here. Read." Shampoo gave her the letter as she walked away from the table with her cocoa cup, downing the thing in one shot. Setting the empty cup on the TV, she looked at a framed object sitting on the mantle of her fireplace. The young woman stood there for what seemed like forever, her violet eyes peering at the object as though it were something to be revered--or reviled. She ran a hand through her mussed-up short lavender hair, never taking her eyes off the object.
Finally, she shook her head as though she was trying to shake something from within its depths. She mumbled in English, "So much water under the bridge--but if I look, then I will surely drown...." She then turned and said, "I...I need to get some sleep; have to meet with my financier tomorrow about a second restaurant." Walking back to the table, she picked up the box, closing it and refastened the ancient lock, while muttering to herself, "Will have to see about replacing the lock with a modern one." She paused for a second, then turned her attention back to her guest as she said, "Thanks, Ronnie. Thanks for listening. G'night." No more to be said, she ascended the stairs in a somber, ghostly fashion, as though that was all that seemed to be left of her.
Ronnie watched Shampoo's dilemma with a concerned view. This wasn't the stubborn, proud, friendly, and kind Chinese expatriate she knew; no, the Shan Fu Lao that Ronnie had just seen was a troubled version of her friend and rival. There was something that seemed to vex her tonight, something that must've been unearthed in Ranko's story, perhaps some unsavory memory of the past.
Still, that didn't make sense. When faced with situations like these, the Chinese woman didn't brood about her problems, she simply steamrolled over them and proceeded with her alternate plan--or ad-libbed on the spot. No, Shampoo was not the heavy thinker type, Ronnie concluded--and if she was doing that now, then it ran deeper than a simple bad memory.
{{She said that her world was just cut out from under her. It has to do with this letter.}} Ronnie momentarily glanced at the letter, wonder about its portent and what it spelled for the former Amazon.
"Night, Shampoo. Thanks for letting me stay over." As Shampoo vanished inter her room, Ronnie then turned her attention to the aged letter.
My dear Shan Fu,
By the time you read this, I will guess that many years have passed. Also, as you read this, you are probably in your new place in America. If this is the case, you have also admitted defeat in your chance to win Ranma's heart. Child, it is such the way of things. You were always one to never admit the facts, child, that you would make your own truths and to the seven hells with the particulars that were always presented to you. We were wrong in trying to make Ranma succumb to laws that had no bearing on him; I now realize that had we let things take their course, he would be with you now.
Shampoo, do not let that run you down. You may not have Ranma, but don't let sorrow fill your heart to the point that it is all you can see. I am sending Muu Tsu to join you in your new endeavor. He may not be Ramna, but he truly loves you and I suspect, you love him as well, though you have a hard time admitting to that. He will be your support and you must be his, for you are now in a new land and your outlook on life must reflect that.
However, just because you have let go of the past, does not mean that it must be entirely sundered. You may never call yourself an Amazon again, but you are still a Lao, and still have the responsibilities given to us by the Emperor. It is time that you take on that task. I am sending with Mousse the Lao gems, the gems that you must be prepared to defend at your life's cost, if need be. We have gone over what they mean and what they are many a time before, so I will not cover that here. Needless to say, though, I am an old woman, and though I have lived a long life, I will not live forever--thus, it is now time to pass the mantle to you. I have faith in your talents, and am sure that you will rise to the task now laid before you.
You must feel lonely at times, away from your last family member. Well, I will tell you something that I sould have years ago; I can only hope that you will someday frogive this old woman for not telling you sooner. Your father, Lao Jiu Riu was not your father--he was your uncle. Gel raised you as such out of honor for your mother, his dear yourger sister. He raised you as such out of the shame that your father caused.
When you were born, you were the younger of a pair of twins. Your father knew of the responsibilities that you and your sister would have to someday shoulder--which I have already mentioned. He took your older sister and fled the village; he had inteneded to take you as well, but your mother was elsewhere with you that night. We followed him as close as Beijing, but no farther, as both seemed to have died in an accident there. In the interim, your mother died of a broken heart--not of childbirth, as your uncle and I have told you many a time--because she truly loved your father.
I tell you this because (though I doubt it), your father and sister may still be alive somewhere in China, maybe Beijing--no bodies were ever recovered. Perhaps you may want to search for them someday, perhaps not; that is something tht only you can decide, for yourself and your children.
Child, you make me proud, not only as the Amazon elder (I will never accept your so-termed "resignation"), but more importantly, as your great-grandmother. I hope that you will do your best in your new life, and that you know that I love you.
Always here for you,
Your great-grandmother,
-Lao K'o Lon
Ronnie set the letter down gently. {{Wow. Well, I can see why she's so upset. But that doesn't explain why she stared at that frame for so long. Hmmm....}}
Ronnie got up from the chair, moving over to the picture. It turned out to be no picture, but instead, a framed document to her from the PRC Consulate in town, written back sometime in late '94.
Ronnie picked it up and began to read the document, its straightforward and heartless words staring right back at her from 12-pitch laser-jet ink inscribed on letterhead from the Foreign Ministry of the Peoples' Republic. Curious enough, the letter was not only addressed to her, but to others as well:
23 September 1994
Shan-Fu Lao
130 Ashbury Rd
San Francisco CA 91740
United States of America
Muu-Tsu Jiang
259 Cabo Playa Dr Apt 3A
San Francisco CA 91741
United States of America
Xiao Ling-Ling and Lung-Lung
(c/o Saotome Nodoka)
2-22-16 Itami 2-chome
Osaka 167
Japan
To all concerned:
This is to inform you that you have been tried in absentia in accordance with Code 24329.a.124523.4z of the Peoples' Legal Codex (Quingang region). Per the edict of Chao Wei Pan, the village elder of the town of Joketsuzoku, you have been found guilty of the crime of treason and various other village codes. For punishment, your cases have been turned over to the Foreign and Justice Ministries for further action.
Since your crimes cannot be answered in person in the allotted time allowable under the law, (said time expired four months ago without a response), compounded with your current citizenship or legal residency in your respective countries, and the fact that your guilt is not backed up by substantial evidence, it would be difficult to contact your governments for repatriation to the Peoples' Republic for subsequent legal action. The Justice Ministry has decided not to pursue this course of action, and the Foriegn Ministry has decided to to persue any course of repatriation.
However, due to the nature of the crimes, it has been decided that you are hereby banned from return to the Peoples' Republic of China, its territories, or possessions. Any attempt to return to China will be considered illegal entry and will be dealt with accordingly.
Ronnie stopped reading the letter at this point; the rest was all so much bureaucratic crap; the answer was clear enough. Three years ago, after Cologne's death, Shampoo had no reason or desire to return to China; that was a major reason in her obtaining US citizenship. Now, with this letter, something that she'd always wanted, needed, was forever banned to her; bad enough that she could never see Cologne's grave again, but now she could never search for a father and sister who could still be alive.
If Cologne were still alive, she would have fought with a fury to ensure that this would not come to pass. But Cologne had left the earth, and that was the opportunity that everyone had waited for--Shampoo's flank was exposed, and could be attacked from an angle that she wouldn't realize was a vulnerability until now. As for Shampoo's guilt, the Chinese girl had admitted to giving up her Amazon status, but the other crimes were not mentioned; doubtless she didn't know about them, and they were most likely a sham, anyway.
Ronnie thought briefly about telling Ranko, Libby or Mousse, but in the end, decided against it. It was Shampoo's business to inform them, not hers. She could only offer what help and succor that she could. Still, Shampoo was a friend, despite their constant fighting over Mousse; Ronnie would call her and invite her to lunch tomorrow so they could talk about it.
The midwestern girl looked once more at the framed letter, thinking about Shampoo's unusual comment: {{"So much water under the bridge--but if I look, then I will surely drown...."}} Ronnie disagreed with that thought immediately. Looking at the stairs leading to Shampoo's bedroom, she said to herself, "No Shampoo, you won't drown--you're too stubborn. You'll simply find that you can swim, despite the odds, against the tide."
Ronnie turned off the lights, crawled into the sheets on the couch, and let herself doze off to sleep.
End of Volume Two
