Wild Cherry Blossoms

by Matt 'VGZ' Hanson
Edited by Steve 'Loki' McQuillen

: Thoughts

A Ranma 1/2 & Card Captor Sakura divergence/alterverse. Ranma 1/2 is the property of the genius Rumiko Takahashi. Card Captor Sakura is the property of Clamp. In other words I don't claim to own them so don't sue me.

Prologue:

Sakura meets the Wild Horse

It was a beautiful day in Tomoeda Central Park. There were a few little kids playing in the sand next to a large penguin-shaped slide. A few parents sat watching the kids play while some adults stood next to the canal/stream that flowed through the park. Others were sitting while eating in the shade of the trees on their lunch break.

Saotome Ranma was wandering around the park, looking for something to do, since his father had gone to get some supplies for a new technique. Ranma shuddered at that thought. I hope this ain't gonna be like the Neko-ken training.

Ranma's thoughts were interrupted by a hand on his shoulder. Reacting like the highly trained martial artist that he was, the ten year old tossed his assailant in a judo throw and dropped into a ready stance.

The truant officer stood shakily and glared at the pony-tailed boy who smiled sheepishly as he realized what he had done. "Er, gomen I was sorta actin' on reflex there. Do ya need somethin' sir?"

"Why aren't you in school young man?"

Ranma puffed up in pride as he stated "I'm trainin' to be the greatest martial artist in the world. Oyaji started trainin' me before I could walk."

The truant officer chuckled at the boys antics. Noticing the slightly worn gi and the black-belt tied around the boy's waist he figured the boy was telling the truth. I have to admit that he is well on his way based on that throw earlier. "Well, be that as it may, its still not an excuse for you to be out of school. Come with me."

Ranma shrugged as he followed the officer. "Oyaji's always sayin' that school is a waste a time and that a martial artist don't need that stuff."

"Well he is mistaken. Every martial arts master I've met has an education. If you plan on teaching others you'll need a degree from a university."

Ranma looked at the man in surprise. "Really? I guess I should try an' do well in school, huh?" At the officer's nod he continued, "I went ta school for awhile when I was five, before Oyaji took me on this trainin' trip."

The officer frowned slightly as they entered Tomoeda Elementary School. They proceeded to the principle's office. The truant officer explained Ranma's situation and lack of schooling. Ranma was sent to another room to take a placement test while they attempted to contact his father. The principle's secretary was sent to get one of the spare uniforms and some supplies for Ranma since they couldn't have him attending in a worn gi.

Ranma spent the next hour working on the test. He found the sections on Japanese and World History to be fairly easy as a result of his travels. The science was fairly easy since it focused on things he had learned from camping and hunting. The Math was somewhat confusing, most of the questions dealt with monetary exchange and similar ideas, and he wasn't as sure about his answers.

Elsewhere...

"So all I have to do is give you the original scroll and you'll give me a translation?" Saotome Genma asked the college professor in front of him. It had taken a while to find someone who could translate the scroll he had taken from the Happosai.

"That's correct Saotome-kun, I have rarely seen a scroll from this culture in such good shape. It should only take me a month or so to provide an accurate translation," responded the professor. The value of the scroll alone will cover the costs of translating it. Giving him a copy as payment is to good a deal to pass up.

"Over a month? I guess the boy an I will have to stay here for a bit longer than I planned," Genma stated grumpily.

Back at the school.

After Ranma's test was graded the principle and truant officer discussed the results.

"His Science skills are exceptional and he knows more History than most high-school students. His math skills seem a bit below average though impressive considering how little schooling he's had," stated the principle.

"He is also a very skilled martial artist. He actually threw me out of reflex when I grabbed his shoulder." The truant officer told him while rubbing his slightly sore back.

Handing the officer some papers, the principle instructed him to take Ranma to his class. "It took a bit of effort to contact him, but his father agreed to enroll him, though he complained about it 'cuttin' into the boys trainin' as he put it."

Sakura's classroom

Terada Yoshiyuki-sensei was in the process of finishing his lesson about History in the fairly standard Japanese classroom when a truant officer slid the door open and asked to speak with him. Terada-sensei stopped his lesson and followed him out of the room. A few minutes later he walked back in with a blue-eyed boy with a ponytail.

Li Shaoran and Li Meilen couldn't help but notice the boy's flowing movement. He has to be a martial artist. He has to be above the black-belt level based on the way he moves. Shaoran thought with narrowed eyes.

Meilen simply wondered how someone her age could move so fluidly. Its more like he's flowing than walking. She thought with a touch of jealousy and awe.

"Class, it seems we have another new friend joining this trimester. Let me introduce him to you. His name is Saotome Ranma-kun. He's the heir to his family's school of martial arts."

"Pleased ta meecha."

Kinomoto Sakura could only stare as one thought went through her mind. Thats the boy that was standing next to me in my dream last night.