I don't own Ranma 1/2. If I did, I would be wealthy. As I'm not, I don't.
Italics indicate thought.
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Butterflies and Wild Horses
A butterfly flapping its wings in Brazil and causing a typhoon in Singapore is an oft-used image describing a minor incident causing, through a chain of associated events, major and long-lasting effects.
It should be understood, however, that this is a merely a metaphor, the butterfly being a symbol for the causative event and the typhoon the eventual effect.
Taken in this mind, therefore, there are teeming multitudes of butterflies all around us every moment of the day. Some are obvious, the assassinating of a leader for example. Others are almost unnoticeable, such as a humble pebble falling at just the right (or, from certain perspectives, wrong) time.
It has been observed, though, that often the smaller the 'butterfly', the larger the 'typhoon'.
For instance…
The tapping of keys filled the computer lab, providing an aural counterpoint to the glow of the monitors.
This was not unusual.
The (currently) sole occupant of said lab was, however, at least in the minds of most. For Saotome Ranma was many things (Outstanding martial artist, defender of the weak, godslayer, and occasional girl) but were one to ask his peers, computer literate would most assuredly not be among them.
Nor would any number of other skills. Throughout the ward of Nerima it was known that while a genius of matters martial, Saotome Ranma was rather less than that at anything else. It was widely believed that this was due largely to some intellectual lacking on Ranma's part. After all, Ranma was a martial arts jock, right?
Which only goes to show that it is quite possible for an entire community to be dead wrong.
While it was true that his marks in anything other than P.E and history were poor, it was due not so much to an intellectual lacking as to excessive focus. Martial Arts was literally everything to him. Try to teach Ranma a skill or subject for its own sake (particularly if there was no obvious, immediate use for it) and one would be met with indifference and incomprehension. Put that same skill in the context of a challenge, competition or fight, on the other hand, and he would make the skill his own with a speed that would astonish. One or two teachers at Furinkan had in fact noticed this, resulting in occasional references to Sun Tzu, Musashi and Von Clauswitz making their way into lessons they should not logically be, to Ranma's benefit and his fellow student's dismay.
Which lead ultimately to Ranma being seated here in the computer lab, the tapping of keys (more a hum actually, Amaguriken was really useful sometimes) echoing around him. Stepping in to share some ahem pointed words with a couple of youths a young cram school student had resulted in being offered computer lessons as thanks.
Ranma snorted at the memory. He'd deferred at first, until Ami-san had described hacking. Using the computer as a weapon. Coding kenpo. Network ninjutsu.
Well, she was right about that he mused. Provided with the right mental framework Ranma had mastered the basics of the computer in a week and the more advanced skills in a further two. At any other school the drastic turnaround Ranma's grades took in Computer Science would have prompted remark, if not investigation. Fortunately, this was Furinkan, the shift being written off as being "simply Saotome".
Ranma blinked, noting he'd been idly link-hopping for the last few minutes. Examining the display on the monitor, he paused.
"'Chaos magic'? how'd I get to this?"
Ok, think back. I'd finished my research for History, thought I'd look up the history of Nerima, saw "chaos" as a link, another link and…got here. Oh well, may as well have a look. Lessee, "basics of Chaos Magic"
flap
Two hours later.
Leaning back in his chair, Ranma rubbed his eyes.
Anything Goes magic. Who woulda thought it?
He had considered learning magic before, if only to better react when it was used on him (as it far too often was) but had been put off by the seemingly endless rules, formulae and requirements.
This 'Chaos Magic', however…
No real rules, no restrictions. Taking the best aspects of every other style of magic and melding them into one more effective system. Now this was magic he could relate to!
Logging off, Ranma walked to the door, a sheaf of printouts in hand.
"Gonna have to try this out tonight" he muttered, a slight grin on his face…
Until he noticed the time.
And with his final cry of "Kusou!" ringing around him, Saotome Ranma took to the rooftops.
For all that the many martial artists populating Nerima more often than not made the life of one Saotome Ranma difficult (to put it mildly), there were times when their presence came in rather handy.
After all thought Ranma as he crept into the Tendo home in careful silence, without all those sparring sessions with Konatsu I'd never have learned the 'Nervous Bat hangs from the Cave Roof' technique.
Having heard the angry growling of Akane shortly before arriving at the front gate, Ranma had deemed it wiser to let her cool off a little before making his presence known…like a day or two.
Which ultimately lead to Ranma hanging by his toes from the kitchen ceiling, munching on the meal Kasumi had thoughtfully left for him.
"Oh my, Ranma-kun!"
Speak of the angel. "Hey Kasumi. Thanks for saving some dinner for me".
"It's no problem. What were you doing that delayed you?"
Ranma shrugged, an interesting sight on one upside down.
"Just lost track of time in the lab is all."
Kasumi graced him with a sunny smile. "It's wonderful that you're so interested, Ranma-kun. Computer skills are very useful in adult life."
Letting Kasumi-Chan know about the lessons was a good idea.
Ranma swallowed a bit of rice and nodded. "Yeah, it's given me some good ideas for techniques, too. Is the dojo free?"
"Yes, father and Saotome-ojisan are plating shogi. Oh yes, and Ranma-kun…"
"Mm?"
"Why are you on the ceiling?"
It was only through sheer will and discipline that Ranma avoided a legendary face-fault at this 'Kasumi-ism'.
"It sounded like Akane was a bit…upset…when I was coming in, so I thought I'd let her calm down a bit. Don't really feel like getting malleted tonight".
Sometimes the universe has a downright perverse sense of timing. The split second between the roar of "RANMA NO BAKA!" and the impact of the rage-driven mallet was all the time Ranma had to react. Not nearly enough time to dodge the hammer, especially hanging from the ceiling. No, all he could do was adjust the trajectory enough that he would land in the next street instead of the next ward.
Kasumi shook off the shock of Ranma's mallet-driven flight and turned to the smirking Akane.
"That was unnecessary, Akane."
Akane turned aside with a snort. "The pervert deserved it Onee-chan. He was probably out with his sluts".
Kasumi's smile faded at this. For most an innocuous action. For Kasumi, the equivalent of going to battle stations.
"Ranma-kun was at school doing research for an assignment, Akane-chan. He could tell you were upset when he came home and decided to avoid bothering you. You had no reason or right to hit him."
Seeing Akane would likely still disregard her words, Kasumi made the decision to 'step it up' a little.
She frowned.
A sight feared by all true Nerimites. If the angelic Kasumi wore a frown, something had gone badly awry.
Akane paled. Big Sis was frowning. This was serious.
Seeing Akane demonstrating the appropriate reaction, Kasumi applied the final blow.
"I'm disappointed in you, Akane-chan. I think you should go to your room and think about controlling your temper better".
Knockout.
Akane suppressed an instinctive wince at Kasumi's words and slunk out of the kitchen.
Reaching for the well-stocked first aid kit, Kasumi cast a concerned look in the direction of Ranma's flight.
"Oh my, I hope he's alright"
"Stupid ladle lady, finally managed to land on my feet and away from water and I freakin' get splashed right outside the house. Why the hell's she washing the road at this time of night anyway?"
Soprano grumbling heralded Ranma-chan's arrival back at the tendo home. Noting the darkened windows she paused for a moment.
Ok, I go inside now I'll either get hit by the Tomboy (again), Oyaji'll preach at me or Nabiki'll try to fleece me. Screw it, I'll sleep in the dojo tonight.
"Oh my, Ranma-chan! Are you hurt?"
Of course, since Kasumi's up I may as well change back. No sense in giving Oyaji anymore help.
"Nah, I'm fine Kasumi. Managed to land on my feet this time. Any chance of some hot water?"
"I've had the kettle on since you 'left' Ranma-chan" said Kasumi, heading for the stove.
She's a saint. "Thanks Kasumi, you're the best."
Gently pouring the steaming water, Kasumi silently marvelled as the petite, busty redhead morphed into a muscular, black-haired youth.
"I hate to bother you more, Kasumi, but could I get a pillow and some blankets? I'll be sleeping in the dojo tonight. Oyaji's gonna preach at me anyway and I may as well get a good nights sleep beforehand".
Kasumi's seemingly ever-present smile faded slightly at the mention of Genma. She tried to think well of everyone but the part-time panda tried her patience. He almost made her frown sometimes.
Upstairs and fast asleep, Genma shivered.
Shaking off her unkind thoughts, Kasumi turned to the young man in front of her.
"Yes, I think that might be a good idea, Ranma-kun. I'll make sure Saotome- Ojiisan doesn't bother you" she said, walking to the linen cupboard.
"Good luck getting him to stop the 'Saotome Sunrise Surprise'" Ranma snorted, taking the pillow and blankets offered him. "Oyaji's as stubborn as a boulder". And about as heavy.
Kasumi cast him a smile, a smile holding no small amount of mischief.
"Oh, I'm sure he can be persuaded. I'll just let him know that being disturbed by morning combat makes me too stressed to make breakfast, leaving it to Akane to do."
Upstairs, Genma shuddered again.
"Yeah, that'll work" laughed Ranma. Strolling to the door, he glanced over his shoulder. "An' seriously Kasumi, thanks for everything. I couldn't survive here if it weren't for you". Casting here an honest smile, he left.
As the door closed behind him Kasumi shakily leaned against the counter, wondering at the sudden pounding of her heart.
"Oh my!"
Inside the dojo, Ranma was once again indulging in an act that would cause those who knew him to question the state of reality.
Lying on his bedroll, reading quietly.
Ok, so for this magic to work I have to empty my mind of all thought for an instant. Could be tricky, but…ah! A kata! I can use a kata! Man, this really is Martial Arts Magic!
Ok, next. It has to be something I can forget easily, 'fire and forget'. Damn, so much for curing my curse. Ok, something easy…"the next time I'd get splashed, I won't". Should work.
Now, "make a 'seed' out of the idea. Symbol, sound, thought…Ah! Gesture! Ok, I'll fire the 'seed' at the last strike of the kata. Yosh, let's do this.
A moment of thought later, Ranma stood and began to move. Slowly at first, punch leading to block, kick sliding into evasive step.
Faster now, taking to the air. Punch, roundhouse, crescent kick, twist, land, leap.
Now a blur, no division between moves. Breath flowing smoothly, moving without thought. Ranma was the art itself, and found in the storm of motion a point of stillness.
Forget the spell.
Forget the seed.
Forget the self.
Emptiness.
Gnosis.
Sudden stillness. Ranma stood, fist extended in the final move of the kata, grinning.
Then he slowly fell over.
Note to self, he thought as he crawled to his bedroll. Martial Arts Magic can take a lot outta you.
Drifting off to sleep, the grin reappeared.
Let's see what happens.
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Smylingsnake here.
Well, this is my first attempt at a fanfic. Hopefully chapters'll get a little longer as i get into my groove.
I welcome reviews, but please keep the criticisms constructive.
Cheers!