THE PATH TO A COLD HEART: RANMA VS KENICHI

Warning: This takes place straight after the D and D tournament saga from the kenichi manga, and takes place after the end of the Ranma Manga. It contains heavy spoilers and will not make much sense if you have not reached those points in the respective mangas (You should read up to those points anyway, both 'Ranma ½' and 'History's Strongest Disciple Kenichi' are worth the read.)

EDIT: Have fixed a few errors pointed out by other people. If anybody else spots any mistakes, please let me know, but do not bother me with complaints about the plot or character interpretations. If you can't deal with my decisions, don't read my story.

CHAPTER 1: Beginning of an Era

Kenichi Awoke. He turned over and looked at his alarm clock. It was three in the morning.

It had been two days since he had returned to ryozanpaku. He should be back to perfect health tomorrow thanks to Akisame's healing techniques.

Miu had been worried about him, but all the masters said he'll be fine and she should stop worrying.

Miu.

Kenichi remembered Shou's last words; "I can no longer protect Miu. You have to do it in my place. Protect her! Protect her from Yami!"

He had vowed to protect Miu, for Shou's sake, but more importantly for his own sake. It was the reason he came to ryozanpaku in the first place.

But he couldn't do a thing until he was back to full strength.

Kenichi decided that he will get up and train his body in secret. It doesn't feel too bad.

As he was walking toward the training area, he heard a strange noise coming from the storage room.

"It's not here. I didn't think it would be. Guess I have to keep looking…"

Kenichi decided to investigate this mystery voice. It didn't sound like anybody he had heard before.

"Oh well, I can cross this one off my list. It's time to burn this Dojo."

'That doesn't sound good' thought Kenichi. He opened the door to see a Chinese boy about his age holding a tank of petrol and a match.

The boy dropped the now empty tank, and lit the match. He turned to Kenichi.

"Do not meddle in the affairs of demons" the boy instructed, as he dropped the match.

The whole storage room was suddenly ablaze. Kenichi ran towards the Chinese boy, hoping to catch him, but the boy pulled out a vial of water.

"I'll see you in hell!" the boy said, before cracking he vial in his fist.

Kenichi was shocked to see the boy transform into a horrific beast that could best be described as a massive bipedal bull with wings. The beast then jumped and smashed through the burning roof. Kenichi saw it fly off into the moonlight, before passing out from a mixture of smoke inhalation and his own injuries.

.

"Kenichi, wake up!"

That was Miu's voice.

Kenichi looked around and saw that he was outside the dojo gates.

"What happened?" he asked

Akisame rushed over. "Kenichi! What were you doing wandering around! I told you to stay in bed!"

"Go easy on the boy" said Kensei Ma. "Just be glad he's still alive."

Kenichi sat up and looked around. All the masters were outside.

"What happened? Why are we all outside?"

Sakaki walked over "The dojo was set on fire. We found you in the storage room unconscious. The Dojo has suffered irreparable damage. I'm sorry."

Kenichi couldn't believe it! Ryozanpaku had been burned down!

Miu turned to Ma "Do you think Yami could have done this?"

Kensei Ma shook his head and produced a pair of pantyhose from his coat.

Miu shot Ma a dirty look.

"Let me explain before judging me," Implored Ma. "This is the calling card of the notorious' Ox Demon', Pantyhose Taro. He is a very dangerous martial artist who goes around stealing rare artefacts. It is rumoured that he is currently destroying various dojos, shrines and temples all across Japan looking for a hidden scroll…"

"I think you're making that up," Miu interjected. Kenichi nodded in agreement. What kind of martial artist would call themselves Pantyhose Taro?

The Elder appeared behind Ma. "I assure you, granddaughter, He is telling the truth. I have just come off the phone to a Miss Nabiki Tendo. She is willing to let us rent out her dojo. I asked and it comes with accommodation and catering, although we do have to pay for them, as well as the rent."

Sakaki moaned. "I hope this doesn't mean I have to get a job!"

The Elder sighed. "There is a nearby clinic owned by a Dr. Tofu. Akisame and Ma will work there. Apachai will work at the local nursery, Shigure has agreed to sell some of the swords she collects on her travels, and I will look around for any sign of Yami. What you do, Sakaki, is up to you."

"When are we leaving?" asked Kenichi.

"Ten minutes. All the bags are already packed."

.

Ryoga closed his textbook. He was feeling nervous about going back to school after all this time, but Akari had talked him into it, and Ryoga had a hard time saying no to her.

"Okay, Akari, I'm ready."

"Goodie!" she replied "I'll lead, don't want you getting lost." Akari giggled.

Ryoga blushed and gave a shy smile as he followed Akari out the door.

.

Haruo Nijima was sneaking around the school as he always does when he saw a girl holding a small black pig. Behind her was a large, pink pig. She turned and whispered something to the large pig. It turned and ran into the woods behind the school.

She approached the alien-like boy.

"Excuse me, would you happen to know if there is any hot water nearby?"

Nijima pointed towards he girls toilets.

"Thank you, sir," said the girl. She bowed, and then went into the girl's bathroom.

A short while later, screams were heard as a naked boy wearing nothing but a yellow bandana bolted out the room, followed by an angry mob of screaming girls.

Nijima went over to the mob, but they appeared to have lost him. Nijima smiled a sly smile. This was certainly an … interesting turn of events.

To be continued…