Thanks to Dave Roeder for the sanity check.

     ~~~~~

Transitions

a Ranma 1/2 fanfiction by Vince Seifert (seifertv@csus.edu)

Ranma 1/2 characters and situations are copyright 1987, 1999
by Takahashi Rumiko.  Publishing rights (Japan) by Shogakukan
Inc.  Publishing rights (North America) by Viz Inc.  This work
is not intended to infringe those rights.

     ~~~~~

     On a sunny afternoon in early spring, a visitor came to the
Tendo compound.  She stopped at the gate and read the old sign
proclaiming the existence of the Tendo Dojo; it seemed to
reassure her, for she let out a small sigh and relaxed
perceptibly.  She approached the door to the house and pushed the
button.

     A few moments later the door was opened by a petite, middle-
aged woman with dark hair and bright eyes.  "Good afternoon," she
wished her visitor.  "What can I do for you?"

     "Akane-san..." the visitor said with surprise,
disappointment, and a little trepidation.  "Akane-san, don't you
recognize me?"

     Saotome Akane looked embarrassed for a moment.  "No, I'm
afraid--"  She frowned.  "Michi?  Michi!"

     Michi nodded happily.  "That's me!"

     "My goodness, it's been, what, fifteen years?  Come in!  And
what's this 'Akane-san' nonsense?"

     "More like twenty," Michi said, stepping in and removing her
shoes as Akane closed the door behind her.  "Twenty years, six
hairstyles, and about ten kilos...."

     "Well, they look good on you, though," Akane said, looking
her old friend up and down.  "So does the hair."

     "You haven't changed a bit," Michi observed with only a
little exaggeration.  Akane smiled, displaying one of the
changes: a thin scar across her cheek.  Her hair was longer, but
done up in a neat bun and held with an antique steel skewer where
another woman might use a wooden ornament, or even a chopstick.
Her slacks and sweater were modern, though, and gave her the same
neat, wholesome stylishness she'd had as a teenager.  "You've
certainly kept your figure.  You must still be doing Musabetsu
Kakuto."

     "Well, of course," Akane said.  "Come on, let's go out on
the veranda and sit down."  She led Michi through the old house
to the place overlooking the koi pond, saw her settled
comfortably there, and knelt beside her.  A fat koi jumped,
seeming to hang for a moment at the peak of its leap, then fell
back with a splash.

     Michi smiled at the fish's exuberance, then glanced
uncertainly at Akane.  "Um, where's Ranma?  She, um, he didn't
leave you, did he?"

     Akane's happy expression altered, becoming rueful.  "Same
old Michi.  No, not the way you think."  She paused and eyed
Michi with concern.  "Michi... there's no easy way to tell you
this.  Ranma... Ranma died nearly ten years ago."

     Michi gasped as though punched in the stomach and folded
over.  A tear fell on the polished wood of the veranda, then
another.  "No...."  She felt arms around her and heard Akane's
compassionate voice.

     "I'm so sorry, Michi."

     Michi laughed through her tears.  "Isn't that my line?"  She
took the tissue Akane handed her and dabbed at her eyes.

     "Well, for me it was a long time ago.  For you, it's new."
Akane studied Michi.  "You loved him too, didn't you."

     "Maybe a little," Michi said, sitting up with a sniffle.
Akane released her and moved back.  "He was so... so cute, and
lively, and nice, in a rough sort of way."  She looked sadly at
Akane.  "But even if he hadn't been yours, he was too special for
me."

     "You would have had trouble with the competition, that's for
sure," Akane said dryly.  "There never was a time when other
girls weren't chasing him."

     "Do you suppose you could tell me where his grave is?  I'd
like to, you know, pay my respects...."

     Akane sighed and looked away. "I'm afraid I wasn't able to
recover his body.  We had a memorial service here, but no
funeral."

     "Um... how did he die?"

     Akane glanced back at Michi with a grim smile.  "Well.  Very
well indeed.  And his enemies didn't outlive him by long."
Unconsciously, she fingered the scar on her cheek.

     "Ah."  Taken aback, Michi decided not to pursue that.  "I
hope your children are fine...."

     "Oh, yes.  They're grown and gone, though.  The twins are in
China with the Joketsuzoku-- at least, they were when I heard
from them last-- and Tama-chan is in the JSDF."  Akane shook her
head.  "How that's going to get him into the Conshelf project, I
have no idea, but that's his plan."

     "It does seem awfully quiet around here, compared to the old
days."

     Akane glanced past Michi with a raised eyebrow;
instinctively, Michi turned to look, but there was no one there.
She turned back when Akane spoke.  "Well, Kasumi-oneechan is with
her family, of course.  Nabiki... we don't hear much from Nabiki.
She's too busy chasing yen, I guess.  Father still lives here."

     "Are you still teaching?"

     "Eriko is, and there's a couple of dozen office-ladies and
housewives who come twice a week to learn naginata from me."
Akane smiled a wry smile.  "I doubt any of them will ever have to
carve their way through a squad of annoyed Musk, but they seem to
enjoy it."  Akane clapped her hands briskly.  "But enough about
me.  How are you?  Married?"

     "Four times.  Divorced four times."  Michi shrugged.  "Easy
come, easy go."

     Akane giggled, covering her mouth with one hand.  "Oh,
Michi.  Still looking for Mr. Right?"

     Michi leaned forward conspiratorially.  "Honey, they're ALL
Mr. Right."  She sat back and sighed dramatically.
"Unfortunately, they're all Mr. Wrong, too."

     "Well, as long as you're happy."

     "It keeps me occupied," Michi said contentedly.  She gave
Akane a sly glance.  "I could fix you up pretty easy...."

     "Thank you, but no," Akane said firmly.

     "Aw, c'mon, Akane.  You're young and good-looking.  You
shouldn't be alone."

     Akane regarded Michi seriously.  "Michi, really, it's all
right.  I just can't."

     "Still being faithful to Ranma?" asked Michi quietly.

     "That's part of it.  He was faithful to me... well, except
for that one time, but that was a special circumstance.  But
really, I can't see myself marrying a lesser man than Ranma.
Even if he says it's okay."  Blushing, Akane made an odd gesture
with her fist, as though hitting something next to her.

     Michi's eyebrows cocked, but she didn't comment.  "Well,
that makes sense, I suppose."

     A whistle sounded from the kitchen, and Akane rose to her
feet.  "No, you stay put.  I'll get the tea."

     She returned a few minutes later carrying a tray with a pot
and cups on it.  She poured a cup of tea for Michi, then poured
another and set it on the floor between them and off to the side
a little... then poured a third and sipped from it.

     Michi stared at the second cup.  "Um, Akane, what's with
that?"

     "It's for Ranma, silly," Akane said lightly.

     The hairs on Michi's neck rose.  "An offering?" she
suggested hopefully, hoping her old friend hadn't gone quietly
bonkers.

     "Yes, I suppose you could say that."  Akane took another sip
of her tea and glanced sidelong at the space above the teacup.

     Michi decided tact was not called for.  "Akane, that's
weird!  I can see making offerings once a year or something, but
you do this every day, don't you?"

     "Well, of course," Akane said, looking surprised.  "He'd get
hungry if I only fed him once a year.  You remember his
appetite."  She glanced sideways again with an exasperated look.
"Well, fine!  YOU cook, then!" she told the air.

     Michi gulped.  "Who are you talking to, Akane?" she
quavered.

     "Ranma.  He just made a rude remark about my cooking," Akane
sniffed.

     "Akane."  Michi took a deep breath to steady her nerves.
"Ranma's dead."

     "That's what I said," Akane confimed.

     "Then how can you be talking to him?!  Worse, how can he be
talking back?!"

     Akane smiled patiently.  "I said he was dead.  I didn't say
he was gone."

     The hairs at attention on Michi's neck suddenly had a lot of
company.  "Er...."

     Akane glanced aside again, then back at Michi.  "He says
hello.  Well, actually he said 'hiya'.  He's glad to see you."

     "Akane...."  Michi paused and decided to try tact again.
"Look, I should have been around for you when Ranma passed away,
and I'm sorry I wasn't, but maybe it's not too late.  Get help,
Akane."

     Akane frowned, then glanced sideways again and looked like
she was trying not to giggle.  She gave Michi a stubborn look.
"Michi, I don't want that kind of help.  Ranma's here.  If some
damn-fool shrink managed to convince me that he wasn't, I'd-- I'd
be really upset."

     Michi gave up.  "Well, maybe if that happened to me, I'd be
glad to go nuts too."  She looked sad.  "I guess I even wish it
were true."

     "Hold that thought," Akane said, smiling.  Her expression
changed to alarm.  "Ranma, wait--!"

     "EEEEEEE!"  Michi jumped to her feet, rubbing her cheek and
looking around wild-eyed.  "What the HELL was THAT?!"

     "I'd like to know that myself," Akane said tightly.  She
listened for a moment and her expression softened.  "Oh, that's
sweet, Ranma."  She looked at Michi.  "Remember way back when you
first found out about Ranma's curse?  You kissed her on the
cheek?  He just gave it back."

     "Guh."  Michi blinked, then collected enough of her
scattered wits to look at her wristwatch.  "Oh, jeez, look at the
time, I gotta go, I left the water running in the oven, it's been
swell, bye!"  She fled the veranda, skidded around the turn into
the hallway, and snatched up her shoes in the entryway.  She put
them on while hopping down the front walk.  A moment later she
was safe in the street outside.  "Poor Akane," she muttered,
leaning against the wall to catch her breath.  "She even had me
believing in it for a second...."  Already the feeling of the
ghostly touch on her cheek was fading to an imagined thing.  She
rubbed it one last time and set off down the street.

     ~~~~~

     "Nice going, baka," Akane admonished.  "You scared the poor
woman half to death."

     "Sorry," Ranma said contritely.  "Too bad she couldn't see
me, though."

     "I think she could have if she'd just let herself," Akane
said.  "Well, maybe she'll change her mind and come back later."

     "I hope."

     "I suppose I could've handled that better, but I keep
forgetting there are people for whom this sort of thing isn't
perfectly normal," Akane said with a rueful headshake.

     "Heh.  Me too.  Hey, I could go haunt HER--"

     "Ranma!"  Akane swatted at him; her hand passed through his
shoulder, but he reacted as though struck, still grinning.

     "Just kidding."

     The widow and the ghost sat watching the cherry blossoms
falling in the garden for a while as the shadows lengthened and
the air cooled.  Finally Akane got up.  "Time to make dinner."

     Soun came shuffling into the main room a little later, drawn
by the sounds and smells of the evening meal.  He settled in his
place at the table and looked up as Akane came in.  "Hello,
Akane.  I heard you had a guest."

     "For a little while," Akane said, transferring the table
settings from her tray to the table.  "You remember Michi?"

     "Ah...  skinny girl, short hair?"

     "That's the one.  She didn't know about Ranma."

     "I can see how that'd be a shock."  Soun brushed a hand
through his hair, still long and thick but quite gray, and sighed
as Akane left.

     "It's not my fault," Ranma muttered, seating himself at the
table.

     "It never is, is it, Son?"

     "Well, sometimes, maybe," Ranma admitted, sharing a smirk
with his father-in-law.

     Akane came back in with another tray and started dishing out
dinner.  She mounded rice into a bowl, stuck two chopsticks in it
vertically, and set it before Ranma.  Soun eyed the bowl
uncomfortably.  "I just can't get used to that."

     "We've been through this, Father," Akane said in a matter-of-
fact tone, continuing to serve.  "It's an offering to the dead,
so that's the proper way."

     "Yes, but at table... oh, never mind."  He watched Ranma
pick up the bowl of rice, wincing a little when it seemed to
duplicate, one bowl staying on the table and the other rising in
Ranma's hands.

     "Itadakimas'," Ranma said cheerfully, and dug in.

     Akane was unusually silent all through dinner; she finished
her portions, but turned down Soun's usual offer of help with the
cleaning up and disappeared into the kitchen.  An hour later she
was done, and everything was back in its proper place, just the
way Kasumi had left it.

     In her room, Akane opened a chest and pulled out a writing
kit, paper, and a cloth-wrapped bundle.  She laid the other
things aside, then unwrapped the bundle to reveal a long tanto
knife.  Slowly, she slipped the scabbard off the bright blade,
then sat looking at it.

     "What the hell do you think you're doing?"

     "Poor choice of words," Akane said quietly.  "Just
thinking."

     "And I know what you're thinking about, too."

     "Yes."  Akane looked up.  "Don't you want me to join you,
Ranma?"

     Ranma dropped to sit crosslegged beside her, propped his
chin on his hand, and gave her a flat-eyed look.  "Don't go
laying this on ME.  I think things aren't so bad the way they
are."

     "Not as bad as I was afraid they would be, back when we were
young," Akane admitted.  "I was so happy, and it made me so
afraid that something would happen and I wouldn't be happy ever
again."

     "Idiot."

     "Idiot yourself," Akane riposted.  "I seem to remember
someone who would wake up from nightmares and need to be held
until he could go back to sleep."

     "Gaah."

     "I was watching the cherry blossoms fall, and thinking of
how beautiful they are, and how quickly they fade away.  Our life
together was so exciting and wonderful, and it seemed like it
only lasted a little while... and then you... died."

     Ranma was silent.

     "I really should have known.  We kept running into ghosts,
and magic, and for some reason I never made the connection
until....  I thought that if you died you'd just disappear, and
I'd never see you again.  Silly me."  Akane looked at the knife
again.  "But now I'm not afraid of death."

     "You know how hard it is on the ones left alive, though,"
Ranma said quietly.  "I think our sons and our daughter still
need you.  And there's your father, and your sisters, and
Momma...."

     A tear crept down Akane's cheek.  "I know.  Maybe it's
selfish of me, but I need, too.  I need to be with you."

     "Akane... if you need to die, then I'll be right there to
catch you.  If you want to live, then I'll keep right on haunting
you.  I...."

     "I love you too, Ranma."

     "...still have trouble saying it.  Gaah."

     Akane laughed, then sobered.  "Also... it wouldn't seem fair
to all the people who don't have this much to live for, and all
the people who don't know what happens after," she mused.  She
picked up the scabbard and slid the blade back into it with a
decisive click.  "All right.  I suppose when it's time, I won't
wonder; I'll know."

     "That's my Akane."  The ghost moved around behind her, and a
moment later Akane closed her eyes as she felt the strong, warm
embrace of her husband again.  The feeling lasted only a little
while, but when it faded Akane's melancholy was gone.

     "Let's go watch the cherry blossoms, Ranma.  While they
last."

     ~~~~~ end Transitions ~~~~~