::Disclaimer: Not mine! Ain't gettin' paid::

When you see (words in brackets) they are speaking Russian.

Chapter 1 - The Visitor

The girl dragged herself through the streets of Nerima exhausted, using a tree branch to prop herself up with. She was slender, too slender, as if she had not eaten for over a month. She was tall and beautiful, her skin the color of alabaster. Her hair, that framed her delicate jaw line, was raven black but her bangs, that were dusting over her shoulders, was white as the first fallen snow. She approached the Tendo Dojo and took a deep breath as she knocked on the door. ('well... I have to try') she thought to herself.

She heard foot steps and a sweet voice calling from behind the door. "Yes, who is it?"

She replied with a heavy Russian accent "Onya... I.. ah.. friend Genma." ('God Japanese is hard') she thought. Kasumi reached the door and opened with a smile.

She saw this beautiful girl barely standing, wearing nothing but rags and a tattered and torn back pack. "Oh my, please come in you look tired."

Onya smiled a faint smile, "Th-thank... you." It was nice to see a smiling face for a change, it warmed her inside but she was too weak to express it right now. She was the same height as Kasumi but she could not stand at full stature as her body was slowly giving out beneath her. She looked up into her eyes.
"Genma... please."

"Yes of course, right this way." She lead Onya to the living room where the family was eating lunch. "Mr. Saotome you have a guest." ('the food... it looks so good...') her stomach rolled with hunger as the scent of Kasumi's cooking tickled her nose. Her legs buckled a little. ('c'mon girl.. focus...')

Genma looked up "Yes. Hello... do I know you?"

Onya pulled a piece of paper from her back pack and handed it to him. "My Japanese... not good... father... you friends..." She became very pale and fainted. Ranma leaped from his seat and caught her before she hit the floor.

Genma opened the paper and read what it said. "Hmmm... yes I remember her and her father well."

Ranma looked up at his father, "Well who is she?" He carried her to the futon and laid her down.

"She is Onya Vladigerov, he father is Lev Vladigerov the great master of Russian Systema. We met them when we were training on the Sakhalin Island." He nodded.

Ranma looked down at her, "Yes I remember her... I could never beat her when we spared..." he grew quiet, "...she's so thin..." he looked saddened as he touched her hand.

Everyone but Genma had a look of shock on their face. Akane got up and walked over, "You couldn't beat her?" She sat down next to Ranma and studied the girl.

"Nope he couldn't. No matter how hard he tried she always got the better of him." Genma nodded. "Her father and I used to make wagers on who would win. She'd beat him every time."

Akane looked down at her frail body. 'It's hard to imagine her beating anyone... she looks so weak.' She sat up straight and turned around to look at Genma with a look of death in her eye. "What type of wagers?"

Genma crosses his arms to defend himself, "Ah! Well... You know..!"

Akane stood up and crossed the room, "Yeah I bet I do know! Lemme guess! She's his fiancé!" She reached for the paper from Genma but he moved it out of her reach. Only to be stolen by Nabiki.

"Yep, you're right Akane. That's what it says right here. She bested him 30 times and he had to marry her... he didn't beat her once." She turned the paper around to show a score chart with a contract at the bottom. It had a doodle of a sad crying face on Genma's side.

Akane continued to yell at Genma when she heard Ranma's faint voice whisper, "What happened to you..?" She turned her head and saw he was still kneeling beside Onya, he looked as though he was almost going to cry.

"Ranma..." Akane walked over to him and sat down. "are you ok?"

He closed his eyes and bowed his head, "She was my best friend and my toughest rival for 3 years. I trained harder because of her..." he took a deep sigh, "...she looks so different... something horrible must have happened to her..." he shook his head. "We should call Dr. Tofu."

He got up and walked to the phone. Akane just stared at him. 'I've never seen you act this way...'

...

Dr. Tofu walked into the Family room and spoke to Soun and Genma very seriously, "She's still unconscious. She is suffering from sever malnutrition. Give her small meals frequently for the next few days, so not to over whelm her system." he pulled out a small envelope and handed it to Soun, "This is for her pain."

Soun looked at it and then Dr. Tofu "What, kind of pain?"

Dr. Tofu bowed his head and said, "That I'm keeping confidential... I think she will tell you when she is ready... but it's not my place to say."

They said their good byes and Dr. Tofu left. Nabiki looked at Onya and saw that she was waking up. She knelt next to the futon and smiled at her. Onya gave her a faint smile back.

"So you are here to steal Ranma away are you?" Nabiki smirked

Onya had a look of panic in her eyes "No... No! I.. I..."

Nabiki sat straight up and smiled "Don't worry. You won't be the first.. after all..."

Onya interrupted her, "Father Died!" tears where coming down her cheeks, her body was shaking and she was feeling very weak again.

Ranma entered the room with a tray of food and glared at Nabiki. "Leave her alone." He said in an angry voice. He knelt beside the futon and presented Onya with the tray. Her body seemed to tense when he got closer as if she was afraid of him. This didn't go unnoticed by Ranma. "Onya... are you ok..?" he reached to touch her arm and she moved away. Ranma pulled his hand back. ("I no hurt you") he said to her in Russian.

This surprised Nabiki, "You speak Russian?"

Ranma glanced slightly at her "A little... it's been years... she was my best friend remember."

Onya spoke very softly "Go... please..." her body was shaking.

Ranma looked at her hurt. "Oh... ok... if that's what you want." He got up and turned to leave.

Onya whisper ("I'm so sorry Ranma...") and started to cry.

Ranma left the room reluctantly and bumped into Akane. "Why is she crying?"

Ranma shook his head, "She seems afraid of me." he watched her from the doorway, "She said her father died." he looked down at Akane, "Can you do me a favor."

Akane looked up at him surprised. "Uh yeah... what is it?"

"Can you make sure your sister leaves her alone? She was freaking her out when I went in... probably trying to con her or something." He looked back in the room pissed. 'Wow Ranma... I never seen you like this... she really must mean something to you...' Akane nodded and went into the room.

"Nabiki... can you leave us for a minute." Akane sat on the floor next to Onya who was still sobbing. Nabiki sheepishly nodded and left the room. "So your name is Onya? I'm Akane." she said softly with a kind smile.

Onya looked over at her "Ranma... is friend... I no marry." She furrowed her brow and nodded hoping she was making sense.

Akane touched her hand and Onya flinched but didn't pull away. "He said you seemed afraid of him." she looked at concerned. "Did he do something to make you afraid?"

Onya shook her head and sobbed, "Ranma... good person... he no hurt me."

Happosai came bounding in the room and saw this beautiful girl on the futon. He went flying at her "Oh my beauty where have you been my whole life?" he stopped and landed in front of her. He took a step back and studied her. She looked terrified. "My sincerest apologies miss." he bowed and started to leave the room "I might be a pervert... but even I would never do a thing like that. You have my deepest sympathies." he hopped away over the roof tops before Akane could ask him what he meant.

Akane watched him go then turned back and studied her, saw her tattered clothing, she was dirty. "Would you like a bath Onya? I can see if Kasumi has something you can change into if you like."

Onya nodded softly ('It's been so long since I had a bath...') she tilted her head and gave a sad smile.

Akane took her upstairs and gave her things for her bath and showed her to the bathroom. Ranma noticed her going in and stopped Akane on the stairs. "Akane?" he looked towards the bathroom door, "do you thinks she should be alone?"

Akane grew red with rage "RANMA?"

Ranma tossed his arms up in defense, "No no! 'cas she's weak! She might pass out and drown!"

Akane calmed down immediately "Oh Gosh... you're right.." She went back to the bathroom, "I'll sit with her.." she opened the bathroom door. "Onya... I'm sorry but I'm going to sit with you to make..." she looked across the room and saw her with the bathrobe hanging off her and deep scars all over her body. Akane gasped and covered her mouth. "Oh... Oh my god! What happened?" She could see some where months old and some were more recent, they looked very painful.

Onya slide the bathrobe back over her shoulders and sat on the side of the tub. ('How do I explain this?') she took a deep sigh and looked at her. "Sit?" she touched the side of the tub. "Forgive...my Japanese not good."

Akane sat next to her. "That's ok... we'll work through it."

Onya nodded "Men... kill father." she made a gesture as a gun. Akane nodded. "Then me." she pointed to a bullet wound in her side. "They... umm..." she showed her wrists and ankles, there were scars from shackles. Akane nodded understand, there was shock in her eyes. "..table..." she looked frustrated.

"They chained you to a table?" Akane helped.

Onya nodded, "yes" she cleared her throat. "They hit..." she pounded her fist in her palm, "... and cut..." she gestured a knife across her arm. "and they..." she closed her eyes tight and breathed heavy, she gestured with her left index finger going into a circle she made with her right hand. She looked over at Akane she saw her working it out in her head, then the complete horror that came across her face as she realized what Onya meant.

"Oh God!" the both began to cry 'no wonder she doesn't want Ranma around her... she probably doesn't want any man near her.'

Onya continued, "I fight and fight... then... stop." She looked so empty, "I no fight... months... they..." she grabbed her wrist like a shackle and then opened it.

"They unchained you?" Akane touched her hand, she flinched again then moved her hand farther underneath hers. Akane lightly held it.

Onya nodded, tilted her head back and laughed a bit. "They think... I no run!" she had a look of determination in her eyes. "I run!" she looked Akane dead in the eyes and nodded.

Akane nodded back. 'My god... how horrible...' she lightly touched Onya's arm she felt her whole body tense, she gently pulled her closer and gave her a caring hug. Slowly she relaxed in her arms and started to sob. "It's ok... we will protect you here. No one will hurt you again."

...

After Onya finished her bath Akane told her to rest in her room until supper. Onya agreed, she hadn't been in a bed since she was a small child. The blankets were so soft and the bed felt like a cloud. Before she even realized it she was asleep.

Akane went down stairs and told the family what Onya just told her. Ranma was furious he had a look that could kill. "How Dare They!" he slammed his fist on the table. "I'll kill them!" He got up and went out to the garden.

Akane went over to him, he was staring at his reflection in the koi pond, his fists so tense they were shaking. "Ranma... you really care for her don't you?"

Ranma closed his eyes, "It just ain't right Akane..." he looked straight a head, "She was my best friend... my only friend for 3 years. Then our dad's parted ways... we went to China, they went back to Khabarovsk Krai." he closed his eyes "She was the best damn fighter I ever knew..." he flung his arm out to the side "and this happened to her?" he stared at her for a moment 'If it could happen to her... what could happen to yo... no I can't even think it...' he went back to staring at the koi pond, Akane stood next to him.

They were silent for a long while, then Kasumi called to them. "Can you wake Onya... supper is ready."

"Okay Kasumi." Akane headed back into the house and she heard a splash. She saw girl Ranma climbing out of the koi pond. She looked surprised, then her look softened 'oh Ranma...' Akane went upstairs and knocked on her door as she opened it. She looked in and saw her sleeping so peacefully. 'It's a shame I have to wake her.' "Onya.." she said softly "Onya... supper is ready." she lightly touched her. Onya moved slightly and started to open her eyes. "Hi." Akane smiled.

"Hi..." Onya replied sleepily. ('she has a pretty smile') she reached out and touched Akane's hair and smiled at her.

Akane blinked then smiled cheerfully. 'She seems more comfortable around me... that's good...' "Do you feel better?"

Onya nodded into the pillow, "Yes much... thank you." she shifted herself to sit up and winced with pain.

Akane slowly reached and lightly touched her shoulder so Onya wouldn't flinch. "It hurts, doesn't it?" Onya nodded. "Where does it hurt?"

Onya furrowed her brow and looked at Akane then looked away. "All.." Then she smiled and looked at her "Not here!" she touched the back of her head. Akane smiled and lightly petted the back of her head. Onya smiled back then gave a funny face and parted her white bangs to show a deep scar, "does here... sometimes... my head pain."

"You get headaches?" Onya nodded. Akane snapped her fingers and startled Onya "Oh sorry, I just remember! Dr. Tofu gave us something for your pain." She held out her hand to help Onya out of the bed. Onya cautiously took it and stood up.

They headed down stairs to the Family room. Akane looked surprised when she entered the room to see Genma and her father sitting at the far end of the table together. 'They must be doing that so she doesn't have to sit next to a man.' Ranma, still in girl type, was sitting next to two empty spots. Akane sat next to Ranma and whispered to him "It's very kind of you to do this for her." Ranma nodded. Onya slowly and painfully fought to sit down. Akane supported her arm and helped her to the floor.

Kasumi handed her a glass of milky water. "Dr. Tofu gave us this for you. It's a powder to be put in water... it should help you feel better." Onya nodded and sipped the glass. Kasumi then placed a bowl of ramen in front of her. "I know it's hard... but eat slow ok?"

Onya nodded again with a tear in her eye. ('These people are so kind to me') she cautiously picked up the chopsticks ('it's been so long since I used these...') she fiddled and fumbled with them. Ranma placed her hand on Onya's. She removed her hair elastic and wrapped it around the chopsticks with a wad of paper in-between. Then handed them back to her. ('Wait...') she looked down at the chopsticks then looked up at Ranma. ('this girl...') she remembered back when she first meet Ranma he did the same thing for her. Ranma had a sad look on her face as she watched Onya, she hadn't even touched her own food. "Ranma...?" Everyone stopped eating and looked at her.

("Yes.") She nodded.

("But how? You were a boy... you are a boy... but you're a girl..") She touched her head a winced.

"It's a long story Onya... I'll tell you after supper, ok?" She looked down at her bowl of untouched food.

"Ok..." she still had a confused look on her face as she opened and closed the 'training chopstick' as Ranma called them many years ago.

It was a quiet meal. No one fought over the food, hardly a word was spoken. After the table was cleared Ranma and Onya sat next to the koi pond. She explained to her what had happened in Jusenkyo using Japanese, broken Russian and when she really didn't understand, hand gestures.

Genma sat back and smiled. "That how they communicated all those years ago. It's like I stepped back in time watching them now."

Akane looked over and saw they were laugh at some parts of Ranma's story. "They were really close, huh, Mr. Saotome?"

Genma closed his eyes and nodded. "They would have done anything for each other. One time Onya fought off a tiger for him as he was shivering in fear. That's why she has white bangs, that tiger hit her good, almost killed her, but she defeated it, then collapsed... she lost a lot of blood, Ranma carried her back to camp. She was unconscious for a week and Ranma never left her side."

Nabiki chimed in "Sounds like love to me..." she batted her eyes at Akane.

Akane became furious but Genma said back. "No Nabiki. To her... he was her brother... her best friend... she really had no romantic interests in him what so ever."

Akane looked back at Genma, "But you and her father..."

Genma smiled, "Don't worry Akane, this one won't fight you for him." he then made a serious face 'good thing too... you would never win...'

Akane blushed a little and turned to see Ranma trying to make hand gestures about turning into a girl and Onya holding her sides laughing as hard as she could, then Ranma laughing in return. 'Good, I'm glad... she seems happy.. they both do.'