"No more, no, I will not let you people ruin my life any longer!" A handsome young man with shoulder length black hair tied in pigtail shouted as he clutched what appeared to be severely broken piece of mirror.
"Ranma, boy, come to your senses. It has been two years, I gave you all the time you could possibly need, now stop this non sense and marry Akane!" chubby bald man wearing worn dirt stained gi shouted as he stepped closer to the pigtailed youth.
"I…" Boy named Ranma crutched the broken piece of mirror even tighter, the edge of the mirror cut into his skin, his blood dripping down his fingers. "At the phoenix mountain, I killed a god for her, I conquered my fears of cat fist so that I could save her. I thought I love her, I thought she love… me."
Tears were now falling from his watery eyes, his blue eyes showing sorrow that no man should ever bear. "And all for what? So that she can sleep with Ryoga!" Ranma shook his head left and right slowly. " I don't need this anymore!" he bellowed.
"Oh my." One of the girls that were watching said, she was beautiful young woman wearing what appeared to be plain dress and apron, she appeared to this household's housewife or even main.
"Son in law, you don't know what can happen when you use that mirror. It's broken in too many pieces, and with so many of its pieces missing…" the last speaker could give a mummy run for its money. She was three foot tall old fossil from Dark Age that doesn't realize she lived past her limits. She stood on top of a cane, showing amazing balance as she used the cane as a pogo stick to get closer to Ranma.
"If you are going to use it, use it already." A male voice cut through the crowd.
Ranma's eyes narrowed dangerously, his watery eyes suddenly drying as it burned with hatred. "Ryoga, for the hell you have shown me, I'll kill you." He growled out and burst into motion. The floor beneath him imploded leaving three foot wide cradler as Ranma launched him self at his foe.
Ranma's fist and anger slammed into the young man's stomach, making him double over in pain. Yellow bandana clad boy doubled over and took few steps back, trying desperately to get air into his lungs. Finally he crumpled to the ground and passed out from lack of oxygen. Ranma extended his palm towards the prone boy, his hand glowing brightly.
"And to think that I thought you as a friend…" Ranma shook his head once more. "Well, good bye Ryoga, there won't be anything left of you to burry."
"Stop!" female voice shouted as she lunged on top of the prone boy. She wore yellow sun dress, and her hair was cut short. At a glance, she appeared to be very cute, if you liked her type.
"Please, don't hurt him." She wailed, tears falling down her cheek as she got on her knees and bagged.
Ranma turned his head aside, not wanting to see his once beloved acting like this. Ranma's extended hand shot up towards the sky in an upper cut as he let out his frustration and anger at the skies. The blast was not like any they have seen, it was concentrated pillar of energy that was continuous, unlike simple ball of destructive ki. As the energy soared, it took shape of a great dragon roaring into the darkening skies.
Ranma's hand dropped to his side as he said. "Take me, take me to place where I can find peace, place where I am needed, and place where I am… wanted." His tear fell onto the blood stained magical artifact, in a flash of light he was gone from this realm forever.
For next ten days, the skies remained dark and gloomy, washing away the streets with his gentle downpour. It was as if heavens were mourning on behalf of mortal named Ranma Saotome."
&&&&&&&
Brilliant light flashed and disappeared quickly. In the center of where light originated stood a young man wearing red Chinese style silk shirt with black pants. Warped around him was blue silk sash keeping his pants in place. The young man appeared to be around fifteen, his lean figure gave him the looks of a gymnast.
He reached behind his head and began to untie his braids. Shaking his hair lose and retrying it in high pony tail. Many people around the street paused to look at the handsome young man redoing his hair. Most of the crowd being young girls of same age.
Ranma opened his majestic blue eyes and looked around his surroundings. He was no longer in the dojo of the Tendo compound. He looked around for some sort of street sign, and noticed that it was in Chinese.
He looked around the people that now stood watching him, some losing interest and walking away, thinking that sun must have been playing tricks to their eyes. Ranma turn to leave in random direction when someone unexpectedly called out his name.
"Ranma!" it was familiar voice, a voice he could never forget. 'Genma Saotome.' Ranma thought darkly as he turns to look at the chubby man that now stood before him.
"Ranma, what was the big idea leaving me behind like that?" Genma said as he put one of his hands on Ranma's shoulder. "I finally got the brochure you asked me to get, they didn't have Japanese version so I got English one like you asked."
'What?' Ranma was surprised at his father's actions. Genma listening to Ranma's advice? Ranma closed his eyes and thought to him self. 'I see, different universe, same but different people. Maybe…' "Say dad, where did you plan on going?"
"Why the legendary spring of Jusenkyo of course." Genma said as if it was obvious. Starring at his son as if he had grown another head. "We planed this trip for past tree days now, I got everything ready and guide is ready to meet us when we arrive."
"I see." Ranma simply said as he closed his eyes once more, he was laughing like maniac on the inside. 'Great, parallel world where everything is not as it seems.'
"Lead the way." Ranma stated as he followed Genma quietly through the city.
&&&&&&&&&&
"Welcome to the springs of Jusenkyo, it is very bad if you fall into the spring. Springs are cursed." The guide spoke with heavy Chinese accent.
"I see, if I may ask, what is the curse?" Genma asked as he took out a notepad and pen.
"If you fall in spring, you take the form of what ever drown in the pool last. Cold water turns you into cursed form, hot water changes you back." The guide replied.
"Thank you kind sir." Genma replied with a bow.
"What's with the note book?" Ranma asked as he pointed at the notebook.
Genma stared at his son once more. "Are you sure you are not sick boy?"
"Just humor me." Ranma replied.
"It's my job boy, for past ten years we went around Japan and now China visiting this cursed grounds. After finding out rather they are real or not, I put it on my notebook and report my finding to the science department." Genma replied as he took his notebook and pen away.
"If want to lean more of curse, you go to village to the north. There is a village of amazons that have been in this area for long time." The guide replied.
"Are they martial artists?" Genma asked his eyes glistening with interest.
"Why yes, they very strong. But I recommend you no fight them. They have terrible law, if man defeats them in battle, they give kiss of marriage, and if female defeats them in battle they give kiss of death. It is very bad to win unless you want long term commitment." Guide replied as he shook his head.
During the travel to Jusenkyo, Ranma had found out that he still had most control of his ki, his physical aspect was weaker then his formal self but that was easy to fix. In fact, it worked out favorably as he found out Genma fed him quite well. Genma was chubby not because of him being lazy, but because he eats so well that his training is only burning off the calories from the food he ate. Good diet also meant head had more potential for growth then last time, and on even brighter side, his curse was even gone.
His father was even better martial artist then the man of his former life. Genma was clever and sneaky, it was nearly impossible for most people to predict what he would do during battle. But, Ranma had far out surpassed his father. Genma showed surprise during their first sparring, wondering how the boy could become so good overnight.
When Genma asked his son of his sudden improvement, Ranma simply smiled warmly at him and walked off.
It wasn't long before they arrived at the Amazon village. Because of the village tournament, they had no trouble passing through the village gates. Genma and Ranma watched on as two figures battled each other on the log.
Ranma recognized the one of the girl as Xian Pu. One of the girls from his past life. She was beautiful young woman with figure that many celebrities would kill for. Her flowing silk like black hair flew in the wind as she danced gracefully around her opponent.
"That is a fine warrior you have there." Ranma replied to the woman who tried to sneak up on them.
"Why thank you." She replied back in perfect Japanese. "I am Kun Lon, matriarch of this village."
"I am Saotome Ranma, traveling student of martial arts." Ranma replied with a bow, and introduced his father. "And this is my father and master, Genma Saotome."
"You are doing a fine job of hiding your strength young man." Three foot tall old matriarch of the Amazons replied as she gauged the young man's strength.
Ranma smiled as he turned back to the battle. "There are many things in this world that is not as it is seen." As he said Xian Pu was successful in knocking her opponent out of the arena.
"Oh?" Kun Lon raised one of her eyebrow in curiosity.
"I was wondering if you would be willing to train a stranger in your art?" Ranma asked as he faced the three foot tall troll.
"I'm afraid that I can not, you are an outsider, and we can not simply teach our art to outsiders." Kun Lon replied as she shook her head no.
"I see, if you would lift your laws, I would like to spar with you." Ranma still wore his pleasant smile.
"You are hundred years too ear to spar with me boy." Kun Lon huffed haughtily.
"You are over estimating your strength while under estimating my own." Ranma replied casually.
Kun Lon knew a challenge when she heard one and many of the villagers around them also understood. 'I can't back down from a challenge of a mere pup in front of villagers.'
"Alright boy, I will spar with you as you asked, as fellow martial artist. Our law will not apply during this fight." She exclaimed loudly for everyone to hear. Some gasp in amazement and villagers began to whisper amongst them self. Xian Pu walked over to her grandmother with questioning gaze.
Kun Lon spoke to her in Chinese. "This young pup thinks he is good enough to spar with me, I'm simply teaching him a lesson."
Ranma and Kun Lon moved over to the challenge log, hopping on to the platform easily. Ranma stood in a relaxed stance that didn't appeared to be neither offensive nor defensive. At a glance, it appeared to have multiple openings, but Kun Lon's trained eyes knew better.
Kun Lon was first to act as she assaulted with simple thrust with her cane. Ranma simply tilted his head to the side and let it pass by harmlessly. Kun Lon's cane was one inch away from Ranma's cheek, with out missing any beat, Kun Lon shifted her weight and swung her cane side ways in a horizontal slash. Ranma nimbly ducked under the attack and kicked backwards aimed at her head.
Kun Lon hoped onto the attacking leg and swung her cane down ward. Ranma spun his body dodging the cane narrowly as he attacked with his other foot, when his foot neared Kun Lon used her cane as leverage to flip away from the kick.
"Not bad boy, not bad." Kun Lon appraised as she narrowed her eyes. She blurred into motion and attacked with increased speed. Ranma matched her speed and began with his own attacks. Two blurring figures moved around the arena, neither able to land a blow. Finally Kun Lon was the first to use special attack. With shout of chest nut fist her hand blurred, too fast for normal naked eye to follow.
Ranma stepped to the side and countered with his own technique, one that he had received innovation from a movie. "Shadow less kick!" he shouted the name of his technique as his feet also blurred, moving at near impossible speed.
Kun Lon's eyes widen in surprise, this young man was better then she had thought. She needed a plan to get him into her village. 'Lets see how good he really is' she thought as she renewed her attack. Her entire body seemingly banished, as she begin to appear in various places, leaving behind an after image. "Splitting cat's hair." She taunted her foe.
Ranma stood in a defensive stance, his eyes closed. He stood still and balanced him self, attuning his body with the energy of the environment, chi. Ranma dodged to the right as fist sailed past. Believing the movement to be stroke of luck Kun Lon attacked again, only to hit empty air.
Kun Lon's eyes widened as she realized what the young man before her was now doing. He was gathering Chi into his hands. He was taking in energy from his environment and gathering them. Kun Lon hastily gathered her ki, her internal body energy, ready to counter attack just in case.
Ranma's hands moved in large circular pattern, leaving behind light bleu energy on its wake. Soon, solid circular band of light formed in front of him, Ranma stopped moving his hands in wide arc and brought his hands down close, cupping them. The band of energy followed, forming a ball of energy. Ranma cupped the balls of energy to his side, gathering more energy from his environment. He felt like he would explode, the energies wanted to escape in all direction. He concentrated his thoughts to single target.
Kun Lon attacked desperately, not wanting to let the youth finish his attack. But he was nimbly dodging all of her attack while still gather energy from environment. His eyes were still closed.
The ball of chi in his hand felt stable, it no longer wanted to simply scatter in all direction. With his hands as a guide, Ranma mentally pushed the ball towards his opponent, his palms thrusting towards Kun Lon. "Wave fist!"
Blue ball of energy rocket forth, Which Kun Lon was barely able to dodge by concentrating her ki to her legs and pushing off to the sides. She landed un-ceremonially, her cane clattering to the ground.
The ball of Chi rocketed forward until it slammed into a tree, obliterating it and moving on. It continued on for several more feet until it hit the side of a mountain. The mountain now supported a cave, five foot wide, and twenty foot deep.
Ranma spun his hands in wide arc once more, before bringing both hands down towards his abdomen and breathed out. He opened his eyes and stared at Kun Lon. "I must thank you for sparing with me. I have learned a lot."
Kun Lon knew for fact that the young man before her could probably learn most of the technique she used in this battle on his own after analyzing it. She nearly cursed at her own foolishness. 'I can't believe I have underestimated him so much. I must truly get him into our tribe.'
Ranma walked over to his father, and prepared to leave for Japan once more. Before he could leave the village, he was interrupted by Xian Pu. "Outsider! I challenge!" She shouted in broken Japanese.
Ranma simply looked at her before turning his back to her. "Why fight a battle when you know for fact that you will lose? A true warrior knows when to fight and when to retreat." Ranma hefted his bag and walked away, guide leading the way and Genma following behind.
'We will have you join the tribe yet boy.' Kun Lon thought as she prepared to leave the village with her granddaughter.
&&&&&&&&&&
Return trip to Japan was un-eventful as they enjoyed a three day cruse. After landing, Genma decided to have a serious talk with his son. "Son, I know that this may sound rather old in this time and age, but my friend and I have arranged so you will marry one of his daughters." Before Ranma could interrupt Genma raised a hand silencing him. "All I'm asking is that you try it out before you decide. You are still young, let us stay with the Tendo's and you can decide what to do then."
Ranma got out of the taxi cab and stretched his limbs. It has been rather long ride from the port. After getting their belongings from the trunk, Taxi drove off.
Genma walked over to the main gates and knocked. About minute later, beautiful woman came to answer the door. Kasumi was just as he remembered her, she was diamond in rough, hiding her true beauty behind the plain dress and aprons. She still looked to be motherly housewife, if not maid.
"Is Tendo here?" Genma asked bluntly.
"Oh my, yes he is, please come in." She replied guiding the two strangers into her home as she called out. "Father, you have visitors."
"Genma!" Soun exclaimed as he grabbed Genma in fierce hug. "Tendo!" Genma shouted as he hugged him back.
"How have you been my old friend?" Soun asked as he let go of Genma. "I have been fine Tendo, I'm here to fulfill my promise."
"Ah yes, have a seat. I have told my daughters not too long ago of our agreement." Soun stated as they set around the living room table. "Kasumi dear, could you please bring some refreshment and call your sisters please?"
"Yes father." She replied as walked towards the stairs and called for her sister. "Nabiki, father is calling for you!." Then she walked over to the porch, heading towards another building outside.
Before long, all of Tendo sisters set around the table, with teas and tray of cookie before them. "Now then, this is my eldest daughter Kasumi eighteen, this is Nabiki seventeen, and Akane sixteen." Tendo introduced his daughters and dropped the bomb on the table. "Choose anyone you like for a fiancé."
"What!" two of the three sisters burst out with a shout. "I'm not marrying a pervert!" the youngest shouted the second part.
Ranma looked at the youngest Tendo, and remembered how it was back then. He loved her dearly at one point, but she took his heart and ripped to shreds piece by piece. "Mr. Tendo, if I may, I would like to pick my fiancé at later time."
However it was Genma who answered instead. "I'm afraid you have to choose a temporally fiancé for now Ranma."
Ranma nearly exploded in rage but quickly cooled as he thought of Genma's word, temporally. "What do you mean?"
"We have to go meet your mother and spend some time with her. After all, we have not seen her in near ten years. And the girl you pick will join us on our trip. We will be with your mother for around six month, so you can get to know your fiancé for six month and if it doesn't work out, she can return and you can get to know his other daughters."
"I see." Ranma said after a while.
"Now, pick your fiancé" Soun repeated once more.
"Then I would like to pick…" Ranma looked over the girls once more, staring into their eyes. Akane stared at him with open hostility, Nabiki was staring at him as if he was piece of A grade beef, while Kasumi… stared at him hopefully? 'What the…' Ranma thought as his eyes met with Kasumi's. Until she shyly turned away.
"Kasumi?" It was some what a question, he didn't even really mean to say it but the group heard it non the less. Soun cried out in joy and danced a gig with Genma. Akane was glaring daggers at Ranma while Nabiki simply dismissed her self.
"By the way dad, where does mother live?" Ranma asked interrupting the happy dance.
"Why at Macross city ofcourse! She is the mayor after all." Genma looked at his son skeptically once more while Nabiki froze at the stairs. Macross city was one of the worlds most premiere city, where all the finest technological geeks gathered to study. Not only that, Macross was land of opportunities.
'What's so special about Macross island?' the youngest snorted as she dismissed her self also.
"Kasumi dear, if you would go pack your belongings, we are leaving tomorrow." Genma said as he and Soun walked out of the house to party.
"Well then, now isn't this interesting." Ranma replied as he also stood up.
"Oh my, let me show you to the guest room." Kasumi said as she lead him to the guest room.
"Kasumi?" Ranma called out to the retreating figure.
"Yes Ranma?" She asked turning around.
"Good night." He replied sweetly with a heart melting warm smile.
"Good night Ranma." She replied back walking upstairs to her room. 'I wonder if I can truly leave this place? I wasn't able to tell Ranma my true feelings then, I wonder if I can tell him this time? I can't believe I'm getting a second chance.'
