Chaos
By Neon Tiger and Yuki Ryu
Chapter 1: Aftermath of the Disaster
Ranma ½ and all related characters and situations are copyright Rumiko Takahashi. New characters, story, and everything else are copyright Neon Tiger and Yuki Ryu respectively.
Authors' Notes: Yes! We have started another co-writing project together! Fear us and our writing skills! This is for fun, and we hope you'll find it fun as well. We worked very hard on it. You wiiiiiill review, you wiiiiiill! And we will enjoy it!
***
She was working hard into the night, trying to find the information she so desperately wanted... NEEDED to know. She yawned and stretched, pausing in her tedious reading of paper after paper. Her bones popped audibly as she stretched, bringing a dull pain, but it also brought a much welcome relief afterwards. There were a number of neatly stacked papers around her and one big sloppy pile at side of the table that already reached past the tabletop.
Two days and two nights of searching with nearly no rest was mind numbing, especially since she didn't really have any idea what she was looking for. It was just a very vague notion really. All she knew was that she'd know it when she found it.
She hoped that it wouldn't take much longer to find what she was looking for. She had lucked out so far with the past two nights being quiet, but she doubted that'd last for much longer.
"Damn @$^&&*$%% papers," she cursed inwardly then sighed. "There seems to be no @#$%^&#$% end to them!" She threw up her hands in frustration, accidentally knocking over some papers from one of the stacks. "Damn it!" she snapped. She bent over to pick them up, banging her on the corner of the table in the process. "@#%&$^&$#%#$@#$!!!" She rubbed the back of her head and growled at the papers she had picked up. "This is all your fault! Stupid @#^#%^@#$@^#$%@!!!" She was about to rip them into confetti out of spite when a name on the first one caught her eye.
"This is it!" she cheered with glee and she jumped up and down for joy, holding the papers reverently in her hands. She bounced around the room, knocking more papers over from the stacks, but not caring. She finally found what she was looking for.
She did a triple back flip into the air then landed neatly into the chair she was previously sitting in. She swept her arm across the table, knocking off the rest of the papers then neatly laid out the three papers before her. She picked up the first one, the one that caught her eye, and started to read it aloud, "Tendo, Akane..."
***
Akane suddenly sneezed then rubbed her nose. "Someone must be talking about me," she thought. She then waved that thought off as silly since she doubted anyone would be awake this late at night.
She sipped the cup of warm milk she had gotten to help her sleep. She had woken up about an hour earlier that night because of a horrible nightmare and had still not been able to get back to sleep since. She could only remember bits and pieces of it now that she was awake. Something in the shadows... a glimmer of silver light... then a mirror... It was all very abstract, and so confusing to her. The more she thought about it, the more she could swear that she almost had the answer. She would have a small piece of the puzzle for an instant, and then it was gone again as quickly as it came. It was so frustrating!
The dream would most likely have to do with what had happened in China, Akane mused. Being kidnapped, drowning, becoming a dried up doll, nearly dying repeatedly, and the failed wedding was all very taxing on her.
Akane sighed and took a sip of her milk. Not all the warm milk in the world was enough to calm her after all that had happened it seemed. What had troubled her the most, however, was hearing Ranma say he loved her then deny it immediately afterwards. She felt absolutely certain that he had said it to her, as she lay immobile in his arms. His agonized voice as he said it still reverberated in her mind and heart. She felt a small condolence, however, that he didn't deny being in love with her. He only denied saying it.
A tiny smile played on her lips. Maybe someday, hopefully soon, he'd finally admit it.
Maybe if he had they would be married already.
The smile disappeared at the thought of yesterday's events. The near-wedding was a complete and total disaster. It shouldn't have surprised her. Every other wedding attempt before it had ended in disaster after all. But this time, it was different.
This time she had been willing to go through with it.
Akane shivered slightly and rubbed her arms, trying to force down her emotions before they threatened to take over. She should have suspected that things would go wrong; things always did. But she never would have dreamed that the source would be her own flesh and blood.
Akane closed her eyes and shuddered. She had always known Nabiki seemed to care more about money than family, but Akane would never have thought her sister would sink so low as to destroy her happiness for a profit.
Akane wasn't sure which hurt worse, the okonomiyaki and meat bun explosives, the destroyed wedding, or the fact that Nabiki had sold wedding invitations to people who had no qualms about destroying things.
And hurting people.
Akane flinched, and then slowly fingered a slight discoloration on her wrist. It was a burn; a wedding present, if you would. She wasn't sure if it was from the okonomiyaki, the meat buns, or Happosai's own explosives. Either way, it was a painful reminder.
It would fade, eventually, but how long that would take was unknown. Ranma had already almost completely healed all of the burns he had gotten at the wedding when she had last seen him. For a minute she felt more than a little jealous over his body's ability to heal so quickly. It didn't last long as she also recalled how badly burnt Ranma had gotten by the time the insanity had calmed and everyone went home.
He was lucky he didn't need to go to the hospital.
As it stood, Akane wasn't sure if she could forgive Nabiki. If Ranma had gone to the hospital, she didn't want to think about how she'd react.
Blood was thicker than water, but apparently it wasn't thicker than yen. Akane idly wondered if Nabiki even felt the slightest bit sorry.
Akane sighed and set the now empty cup on the table. "If I have another glass of milk I'm going to start mooing," she muttered wryly. She yawned as fatigue finally came to her despite all the troubles that weighed heavily upon her mind. "Maybe now I can get some sleep."
Somehow she doubted it.
***
The wind wisped about the empty school grounds. The gray concrete sizzled as the morning sun poured down upon it. A single form strolled along the barren grounds, swinging his sword in an intimidating fashion. Instead of his usual bokken, he wielded his family's katana. Its blade gleamed wickedly in the sunlight.
Kuno.
Kuno glared about, his face stern. His eyes scoured every aspect of the school grounds, then looked skyward. His face hardened even more as he clenched his katana, trembling.
"Ranma Saotome... how many times have you foiled me in my quest to gain the affections of my beloved Akane Tendo, or the mysterious Pig-tailed goddess?" he whispered, his voice rough and emotional. "Curse you vile fiend! How many times must you use your dark magic to best me in combat when victory is rightfully mine!? A day does not pass by where I am not tormented by your foul presence... Ranma Saotome!" he hissed. He reared back, throwing his shoulders and holding his katana straight out. "RANMA SATOME!!! HOW DARE YOU ATTEMPT TO WED THE FAIR MAIDEN, AKANE TENDO! Surely the gods have blessed me when they sent me word of your foul deeds for I have stopped your injustice!"
Kuno raised the katana, pointing it towards the sky. "I swear upon my ancestors that upon this morn I shall free the fair Akane Tendo and the Pig-tailed girl from your wicked grasp and make them mine! RANMA SAOTOME, I WILL NOT TOLERATE-"
"Excuse me,"
Kuno blinked, surprised out of his speech. He then felt a sudden weight upon his head. Kuno's eyes widened as they drifted upwards.
A pair of big glimmering blue eyes greeted his own. His eyes widened even more at the sight before him. Standing upon his head was a beautiful woman, sleek and well endowed. Her long blood ember hair glistened in the sun, an orange tiger striped headband with curious tiger ears holding the lock of fire back. Upon her slim body was a skintight black body suit, which cut off inches from her knees and elbows. Over the body suit was an orange tiger striped vest and lower bikini bottom. An orange tiger striped knees and elbows. Over the body suit was an orange tiger striped vest and lower bikini bottom. An orange tiger striped belt wrapped around her waist, a cute tiger tail attached to it in the back. She wore knee high leather black boots and black gloves that reached to her elbows. Steel claws shimmered, attached to the leather clothing. Kuno blinked slowly as the slim girl stood upon his head, giving him a questioning look.
"Are you Genma Saotome?" she asked, her melodic voice innocent.
"Sully not my name, fair maiden, by accusing me of being responsible for the presence of the vile sorcerer Saotome into this world! Were I he I would have made him commit seppuku lest he tarnish family honor with his existence!" Kuno retorted, indignant.
"So yer not him?" the tiger woman said, disappointed.
"Nay! I am Tatewaki Kuno, age 17, the Blue Thunder of Furinkan High!" Kuno roared, posing dynamically as lightning flashed.
"Dang... so you're useless to me," the woman sighed, apparently disappointed. "I was so sure I had finally found him. How many more people can there possibly be in this stupid city?"
"The Blue Thunder of Furinkan High is anything but useless. Ah, but how rude of me. What is your name, oh fiery tiger maiden?"
"I am Mouko Hasha!" the tiger woman shouted, leaping from Kuno's head. She landed upon the ground before him, her hair dancing like a flame. Her body bounced as she jerked back. Her hand shot up in a 'thumbs up' gesture. "Champion of the Tournament of Iken!"
"Ah, such a fiery spirit of grace and beauty such as yourself nearly matches that of Akane Tendo or the Pig-tailed girl. Very well, fiery one. If you can defeat me, I shall allow you to date with me!" Kuno announced. Mouko's eyes widened, slightly.
"DATE you!?" she repeated as Kuno crouched, holding his katana in at a ready position. "Don't be a screwball!" she snorted, delivering a kick to Kuno's exposed stomach. Kuno let out a grunt at the kick, then swung his katana, an arc from the side to Mouko's midsection. Mouko leaped back, barely dodging the slice.
"If you are THAT eager for a thrashing...," Mouko began, her eyes narrowed. "Then you've picked the right opponent!" she added. She flipped away, landing on her right foot. She raised her hands, holding them as if they were paws. She lifted her left foot, preparing to leap. A white aura flashed about her. "Thunder Wolf Attack!" she howled. With surprising speed, she bolted towards Kuno, the sound of thunder roaring at each step. Kuno had no time to react before Mouko's attack reached him. He felt many blows to his form, though the attack itself lasted but a couple seconds. Each blow sizzled against his body and it felt as though lightning were crashing down from the skies, striking his form. As the last blow fell, Mouko flipped away and landed a couple feet from the sizzling Kuno. "Date THAT!" she snickered.
"Ahhh... my fiery devil... you match the ferociousness of the pigtailed goddess!" Kuno cried, spasming as he lay on the ground. "You may date with me!" he twitched. Mouko's eyes opened as a nerve on her cheek spasmed. She grabbed Kuno's katana and thwacked him with the blunt side of it.
"STOP MOVING, DANG IT!" she shouted. Kuno spasmed once more before going out like a light. Mouko sighed with relief. "Now that THAT'S over... time to find Genma Saotome!"
***
Ranma and Akane walked side by side to school in silence, Ranma for once walking alongside Akane instead of walking on top of the fence as he normally did. After nearly losing her twice in China because of Saffron and the people of Mount Phoenix, he felt this almost subconscious need to be near her, and make sure nothing else happened to her. While it might not have been likely that someone would suddenly come along and try to kill Akane, one could never be too careful with all of the chaos in Nerima. Especially if you always seemed to be in the center of all the chaos.
Akane didn't seem to mind Ranma hovering around her. She felt his nearness to be more comforting than annoying. After everything that happened, she KNEW that he loved her. Not Ukyo. Not Shampoo. And certainly not Kodachi.
Akane sighed softly to herself. If only Ranma would just admit that he finally said that he loved her. If only the wedding had not been interrupted. If only there was a way to deal with the suitors and rivals.
If only they had a normal life.
"Who am I kidding?" Akane mused silently. "Life with Ranma will never be normal. Some new unexpected challenge will probably happen any time now."
Akane looked at Ranma out of the corner of her eye. She wondered if Ranma ever got as fed up with the chaos as much as she did. It seemed as if everything was reaching the boiling point, and if things did not get resolved soon, the results would end up in an even bigger disaster than the failed wedding.
Someone might even get killed...
The thought chilled Akane to the core. She knew she had to talk to Ranma about this. Maybe if she admitted to him how she felt, then maybe he'd admit that he did say he loved her. She opened her mouth to speak, and then closed it. She had absolutely no idea how to approach this subject. It was like walking on a proverbial land mine field. But something HAD to change soon...
Akane sighed again and shook her head, trying to clear the negative thoughts away. Maybe if she spent some time pondering on how to approach Ranma about this, then maybe an idea would come to her.
Soon the two were at the gates of Furinkan High School. Ranma blinked as he saw what was normally a usual sight, but with a slightly different twist to it. "What the?" he asked aloud, blinking.
Akane was startled out of her thoughts by Ranma's voice, and looked at him. She turned to see what he was looking at and blinked, twice.
Before them, scowling ferociously was a beautiful woman. Her long blood hair flowed in the wind, reflecting light. Her sharp blue eyes glittered like those of a predator, matching the tiger vest, tail, and ears she sported. Her body was covered with a black body suit, with boots and gloves of matching color with hideous claws upon them.
She spat venomously, beating the crumbled form of Kuno with the flat of his katana. "Stay DOWN," she growled. "How DARE you try and move again! Just give up!"
Kuno, unable to speak a reply, merely twitched in response.
"... STOP IT YOU STUBBORN PERVERT!" the girl bellowed, obviously angry at the stupidity that was Kuno.
"Yes, sir," Akane thought sarcastically. "Just another day in Nerima."
The girl kicked Kuno in the head, sending him sprawling. She glared after Kuno, and then glared at the katana. "HYAH!" she snapped. With a snarl, she slammed the flat edge of the katana against her knee, bending it sharply. She smirked at the ruined katana, and then tossed it over her shoulder at Kuno. "That's for being a pig," she spat. The blade hit the ground with a clank next to the defeated upperclassman's face. She tossed back her hair, allowing the wind to play with it. "So much for that."
At that moment, she noticed Ranma and Akane.
Ranma glanced the girl up and down, and mentally tried to figure out her approximate skill level. From the evidence shown he'd have to figure that she was definitely stronger than Akane, but probably not at Shampoo's level.
Akane didn't know what to make of the stranger, and she just didn't feel up to dealing with more insanity at the moment.
The girl glanced over Ranma, appraisingly. Her cheek twitched with amusement.
"Strong... but no Karuto," she thought. "But I should watch myself. He may surprise me."
Akane glanced between the two martial artists and sensed that a fight was likely to result. "Come on, Ranma, we're going to be late for class," she reminded her fiancée.
"... Ranma?" the girl asked, her eyes sparkling. "Ranma Saotome?"
Ranma glanced at Akane, and then looked at the girl. "Yeah that's me," he said, a mixture of pride and wariness in his voice.
The girl slammed her fist in to her hand. "Yokatta..." She grinned brightly. "Finally."
Ranma looked at the girl oddly. "So how do you know my name?" he asked bluntly.
Akane sighed mentally as she watched the scene. She had a sneaking suspicion growing in the pit of her stomach that this girl was probably another fiancée of Ranma's.
"RANMA!" the girl cried, pointing at him with her pointer finger. "Where is your GOOD FOR NOTHING father!?"
"Oh man," Ranma groaned. "What's pops done now?"
"Never mind that. Where is Genma Saotome?" she said, waving a finger. "Then I'll leave you to your school work,"
"What do ya wanna see my old man for?" Ranma asked.
The girl stared at Ranma, thoughtful. She then glanced at Akane.
"Who are you?" she asked, dodging Ranma's question.
Akane blinked at the girl then pointed at herself. "Me?" she asked, slightly surprised. "Ah, I'm Akane Tendo, Ranma's fiancée."
"I see!" the girl said, her face brightening widely. "Well, thank you! I think I'll be able to find my way to the Tendo residence,"
Ranma blinked at Akane's admittance of being his fiancée instead of denying it. "Our parents decided it," he added instinctively. Akane's cheek twitched, but otherwise she didn't let his denial affect her. It was an automatic reflex for him after all. It had been for both of them, but not for her, not anymore.
"I believe it. Your father does that a lot," the girl said with a grin.
"Tell me about it," Ranma muttered.
Akane blinked. "My home? Why do you want to go there?" she asked, confused.
"Easily!" the girl grinned. "Genma Saotome is too much of a loser to have a stable job, thus he could not afford his own home," she said. She raised a finger and pointed at Akane. "Thus he would have to live off the hospitality of others, which he is good at. You are with Ranma and, as you just said, are engaged to him. Therefore... it would be logical to assume he's mooching off of you and your home," she finished.
Akane blinked. "Wow, you're very astute," she commented, impressed.
The girl winked. "Thank you," she said.
"Nah," Ranma said, off-handedly. "If she knows my pop then she knows he's a mooch."
The girl snickered at that, and then shrugged. "He has me there,"
"See?" Ranma said smugly.
"Try not to get a swelled head, Ranma," Akane said as she rolled her eyes.
"Well! I'll leave you now," she said with a grin. She flexed her arm, a slight aura of red appearing. "I really must be going,"
"So you're gonna to beat up pop or what?" Ranma asked.
The girl glanced at Ranma, still thoughtful but hesitant. "... If I answered that, would you get involved?" she asked.
"Heck no, I'm always up to pound some sense into my old man when he does something stupid," Ranma said with a smirk.
"Well then, I guess there's no reason to hide anything," the girl responded with a shrug. She grinned. "I am Mouko Hasha. Your fiancée." She stood there, waiting for a response she expected.
Silence came from the two for a moment, and then...
Ranma groaned and slapped his forehead. "Not ANOTHER ONE!" he grumbled.
Akane sighed, she had suspected as such. Genma seemed to have had Ranma engaged to someone new every month or so when Ranma was too young to do anything about it. She hoped this new girl wouldn't fall for Ranma like all his other suitors.
The girl waved her finger, grinning. "Not for long," she replied.
Akane smiled, feeling relief at that comment. "Well this is new, Ranma, you actually have a fiancée that DOESN'T want to marry you," she commented.
"Yeah, 'sides you," Ranma said, almost instinctively. The thought of the failed wedding didn't enter his mind until a minute after he said it. He then winced and felt sweat trickling down the back of his head. "Uh... I mean, well...," he fumbled.
Much to his growing dread, Akane was glowing blue ever so slightly, her hands clenched into tight fists. He winced and braced himself for the mallet that he knew was going to come.
"That's why I must beat your father senseless," Mouko interjected, sensing the tension. "According to my culture... if a girl disapproves of her marriage arrangement, she may annul it by beating her father and her spouse's father within an inch of their lives," she said. "I already trashed my father. Now I am going after your own. So, we are half fiancées, half not."
Akane sighed and her aura died down. "I'm going to class," she said briskly before striding off, refusing to look back.
Ranma blinked, repeatedly, at Akane's retreating form, completely missing what Mouko said. He goggled at the fact that he didn't get hit with the mallet for speaking before thinking like he usually did. Was Akane feeling okay?
Mouko glanced between the two, and then shrugged.
"Anyway... you go to class and make up with her. I have to go and beat the tar out of your father,"
"Uh...," Ranma looked indecisively between Akane's rapidly retreating form and Mouko, trying to decide between saying something or running after his fiancée.
Suddenly the bell sounded, making his decision for him. He had to get to class or be late.
Mouko laughed and gave him a push in Akane's direction. She waved. "Ja ne," she said, winking, as the bell sounded loudly about her. She turned and ran across the school grounds, a smirk on her face.
"Hey!" Ranma yelped as he was pushed forward. He whirled at Mouko, blushing slightly. "We're not...!" he protested. Mouko waved after Ranma, and then disappeared around the corner. Ranma sighed in defeat, and ran into the school.
Just another day in Nerima.
***
Mouko grumbled as she darted down the street, glancing about for any signs of a Dojo. "I really should have asked for directions," she muttered as her feet pattered against the ground. The sun bore down on her, hot and unforgiving. She was beginning to wonder if the sun was angry about something.
She continued to run, uttering a silent prayer that she would find the dojo soon. Her long tail swished in the air, displaying her irritation.
Suddenly shrill and horribly annoying laughter sliced through the air like a knife.
Mouko jumped, her head snapping about to look for the laughter. "What DIED?!" she gasped.
A shower of black rose petals fell down around Mouko moments before a black haired girl wearing nothing but a leotard landed in front of her momentarily before jumping back into the air with a shrill laugh, her ribbon twirling about her and lashing the ground harshly as she went.
Mouko stepped backwards, and then gasped as a ribbon jerked and went taut under her foot.
The leotard-clad gymnast's laughter was abruptly cut off as she was yanked backwards in mid-leap from the sudden tautness of the ribbon she held. She ended up falling face-first into the dusty and dirty ground before she was able to regain her footing. She coughed as she quickly stood up, and dusted herself off as she glared indignantly at the source of her fall. "YOU THERE!" she yelled as she pointed at Mouko.
Mouko blinked, staring at the girl.
"Do you have any Earthly idea whom you have so rudely thrust into the harsh, unforgiving soil!?" she demanded.
"I didn't thrust anyone. You fell," Mouko replied, calmly.
"I am Kodachi Kuno, the black rose," the girl continued as if Mouko had said nothing, placing the stem of a black rose she drew out of nowhere into her mouth.
"Kuno..? Isn't that the moron I beat at the school?" Mouko asked, surprised. "Oh... I see... siblings," she added, as if that explained everything.
"Oh, so you know of my brother, do you?" Kodachi asked, faintly curious.
"He's sprawled out, unconscious, on the school grounds with his bent sword," Mouko responded, shrugging.
"Oh, I see. You resemble that harlot the pig-tailed girl he goes on and on about," she said to herself as she examined Mouko more thoroughly. "Few have such blood red hair." A frown came to Kodachi's face as she began glaring at Mouko. "So! That would make you friends with the pig-tailed girl and Akane Tendo would it not?" Without waiting for a reply she rambled on. "Of course! It makes perfect sense! You're here to stop me from meeting my beloved Ranma Saotome! You wicked, wicked girl! The black rose shall not allow you to get away with this!"
"HARLOT!?" Mouko spat, her face flushed with anger. "Did you just call me a HARLOT!?"
With that Kodachi charged Mouko with a cry. "PREPARE YOURSELF, HARLOT!" she yelled as she whipped her ribbon at Mouko, who evaded the strike.
Mouko flushed with anger and her fist clenched. "How... DARE... you!" she shrieked. She lunged forward and slammed Kodachi in the face with a burning fist.
Kodachi staggered back from the blow, the ribbon nearly falling from her grasp. "So you know black magic do you? Then you must be the one who frames my Ranma darling and makes my brother believe he's a wicked sorcerer!" she accused. "I SHALL PUNISH YOU FOR YOUR CRIMES, YOU WITCH!" She pulled out a rubber ball and threw it at Mouko angrily.
Mouko spat, an aura of flame igniting about her. The ball touched the aura and was instantly incinerated before it could give off its deadly gas.
"You... YOU...," Mouko snarled, unable to think of a word that carried the strong negative meaning she wanted.
"I see I shall have to come with more effective methods for dealing with such a powerful witch!" Kodachi muttered to herself. She grabbed her spiked club, and attempted to hit Mouko in the head with it.
Mouko clenched her fists and lunged, slamming Kodachi in the stomach. The spiked club missed her as she moved quickly, repeatedly punching Kodachi in the stomach. "I... AM... NOT... A... HARLOT!!" Mouko roared, a punch enunciating each word.
Kodachi coughed out all of the air in her lungs as the punches forced all of it to leave her. She jumped back, trying to catch her breath and evade further attacks from Mouko.
Mouko lunged forward and brought her fist to Kodachi's stomach. "KYAAAH!!!" she shrieked. A fireball flew from Mouko's hand in to Kodachi's stomach, sending her flying.
Kodachi crash landed into a pile of garbage, her head hitting the filth-covered street and knocking her out cold.
Mouko panted, then stomped her foot. "I am not a harlot," she snapped.