Sorceress Saotome

By J.A.M

Disclaimer:

All characters from Ranma ½ belong to Rumiko Takahashi, and most certainly not me. Only the plot and maybe eventual OCs are mine, but even then I'm not making money off them.

The story may include lots of Ran-chan, a transgender Ranma, Spelling errors, General silliness, probable citrus content, Serious topics that will be taken seriously (or not at all), that-which-shall-not-be-named, and Author insanity. You have been warned. (maybe.)

Summary:

After the defeat of Saffron and the failed wedding, life returns to the 'normal' that Ranma has come to know, save for a few changes. Truths will be unveiled as Ranma unlocks a power she never knew she had. In the world of Anything Goes Martial Arts.. Ranma may have just changed the rules of the game.

Chapter 1:

It was that dream again. Once more Ranma found himself locked in battle with Saffron. His Ki was nearly depleted, and he had nearly thrown everything he could at the so called god. It wasn't enough. He needed more power. Something tickled in the back of his mind. Just beyond his reach, if only he could grasp it! Then he saw Akane, if Saffron wasn't stopped she would die.. and he could not let that happen! He dug hard for that power, not knowing what it was, just knowing it was the only thing that would stop him.

It was like touching lightning. It took everything he had to focus that power, but he managed.. Saffron was dead, Akane was safe. It was over. But the dream wasn't. The dream grew dark and he felt the eyes of someone else upon him. An image of a mountain in the west flickered before him. However, this time something was different.

"Why do you deceive yourself child?" Avoice boomed. It seemed like that of an older woman, if Ranma tried to guess, but that was all he could tell. "Can you not see that it is the source of your pain?"

"Who are you?! What are you talking about?!" Ranma demanded as he twisted about in the darkness.

"I am whom the power in your bones stems from. The one who has watched you from afar, wanting but unable to intervene until this moment." The voice replied, in an almost somber tone. "I speak of the self deceptions you place upon yourself every day." An image of his female form shimmered into existence. "Is this not the real you?"

"I don't know what you're talking about! I'm a guy damn it!" Ranma exclaimed defensively. "Its a curse! I don't like being a girl!"

"Then where did this come from?" Memories of the time he hit his head and had started to behave like a girl suddenly came forward. Ranma never truly forgot the whole event, he simply shoved it under a heavy layer of denial whenever is slipped back into his brain. "It would take much more than a simple blow to the head to alter your personality like this." Other memories came forth, reminding him of the times Ranma enjoyed his female form, despite his claims otherwise. "I could go on, child." The voice rumbled.

Ranma grimaced, he was not liking this dream, not one bit! "I.. I don't know.. okay! But I gotta be guy! My mom'll kill me and.. Pops-"

"Ridiculous!" The voice insisted. "Any real mother could not bear to put their child to the sword for something so petty. And your father is an honorless dog who derides you and women alike to make himself feel better. A truly pathetic worm!" The voice snarled.

There was a pause that seemed to stretch out for ages before Ranma spoke again, finding her voice taking on her female side's pitch. "But what can I do? Even.. even if I wanted to be a girl.. the curse will just change me back at the worst possible times.. And then there's the engagement... and Akane..."

"That will sort itself out in time, child." The voice soothed. "Akane has her own demons to overcome, as well as Nabiki. Have you forgotten what the eldest has done for you recently? Surely she understands and accepts you, and she is the true power of the household."

Ranma smiled a little at the memory. Ranma had been panicked when she discovered her curse had been locked after the wedding, simply because she was on her period. Kasumi had been extremely understanding and comforted her through out the ordeal. Cologne and Dr. Tofu seemed to think it was the exposure to all the magic that had messed with her curse to cause it, but it was still very distressing to say the least! However, that wasn't what made her smile the most. What made Ranma smile was how Kasumi banished both Soun and Genma from the house for the duration.

-Flashback-

"Now father." Kasumi had started. "Perhaps it is best you stay with Uncle Saotome during this time. Ranma is under a great deal of stress, and her condition worsens that considerably. I don't think you need to be reminded of what she can do when upset, do I?" She had smiled the strangest smile at Soun, who paled when the full implication had hit him.

"I suppose I can keep Genma out of.. trouble for a few days.. while you girls.. resolve this issue with Ranma." Soun had measured his words carefully, knowing fully well he didn't just have the wrath of Ranma to worry about, but potentially all three of his daughters. "I'm sure, Ranma will.. appreciate being surrounded by people sympathetic to his plight.."

-End Flashback-

Ranma giggled at the memory, Soun had packed and was out of the door in less than an hour. However, upon reflection, he noticed that Kasumi had used female pronouns the entire time.. did she know how Ranma really felt? Then something else occurred to her. "Wait... what do you mean that'll sort itself out in time? And.. and what is that power!? It ain't Ki.. I know that!"

"All in due time, child. But know this." The voice replied. "When you tapped your inner power, you changed the rules of the game. Now, its best you wake up, child... you wouldn't want to be late for destiny!" The voice cackled as a massive bolt of lighting tore through the sky toward her!

[\V/]

Ranma woke with a start, her heart thumping in her chest as she shook off the after effects of the dream. The pain in her stomach signaled the unfortunate truth of her current condition. Namely that A.) She was no longer in dreamland, and B.) She was still dealing with that horrible monthly nightmare that was overriding her curse. There was that other thing too, the power she summoned to defeat Saffron. She could still feel it pressing up against her mind, riding alongside her Ki. She had been very careful to not accidentally use it since then, for she was actually quite terrified of what might happen if she did.

"Ranma, Akane! Breakfast is almost ready!" Came the voice of Kasumi, reminding Ranma that Akane and Genma weren't going to be the ones waking her up, what with Genma staying at her mother's place, and Akane expressly forbidden to wake her up with the bucket of water.

Slowly and carefully, Ranma got up, taking care of a few necessities before coming down the stairs. She had long since conceded defeat to Kasumi's logic when it came to feminine hygiene and clothing during this time. Pads worked best when worn with panties, not boxer shorts. Since Ranma absolutely refused to even consider tampons, that meant during her enforced time as a girl, she was gonna have to wear panties. At least Kasumi was nice enough to get her something tasteful and plain! Ranma was still unsure how she talked her into wearing a sports bra, however. But in the end, she was grateful for it as it meant for one less annoyance to deal with, namely the incessant jiggling of her breasts whenever she had to move quickly.

When Ranma arrived at the table she found Nabiki already there, nursing her cup of coffee as if her life depended on it. "Mornin'" Ranma groaned out as she flopped down at the table, her hands blindly searching for the items she knew were there for her, namely the hot water bottle and the pills.

Nabiki arched a brow at Ranma, usually someone had to go drag her out of bed in order to get her to the breakfast table, it was a rare thing to see her there under her own power. "You're up earlier than usual." She stated tiredly. "What gives?"

"Dreams... Saffron." came Ranma's dull reply as Akane sluggishly descended the stairs.

Nabiki grew quiet at the mention of Saffron's name. Ranma had come from that fight.. disturbed, for lack of a better term. Immortal Phoenix aside, she suspected that taking his life weighed heavily on Ranma's mind.. regardless of how non-permanent Saffron's death was. While she reasoned that it rightfully should bother someone to take a life, the circumstances made it necessary and forgivable. "Ah." She replied, unwilling to poke that particular hornets nest.. especially with Kasumi's threat of removing all the coffee from the house if she even started to give Ranma a hard time over it. Come to think of it, Kasumi had been oddly protective of Ranma since the wedding debacle hadn't she? Nabiki frowned as the considered what that could mean.

Akane looked up with some mild surprise to see Ranma awake before her. Whenever Genma wasn't around to wake her up, usually by attacking her, Ranma almost never failed to sleep in. She offered a very slight smile. "Finally starting to catch up on all that missed sleep, eh Ranma?" She asked, remembering how Ranma went directly to bed the moment she got home from school the day before.

"Ha." Ranma replied as she gave Akane a long suffering look. "It would be years before I catch up on all the sleep I've missed 'cus of pop's and the rest of the idiots attacking me at stupid o'clock." She smiled a bare bit. "It is nice to have em out of my hair for a few days though."

"I'll say." Nabiki noted aloud. "Usually by now you and Akane are trading insults. Hell, grumpiness aside.. I swear you're actually nicer, when Uncle Saotome and father aren't around for a couple days."

"I don't think Uncle Saotome is a very good influence on Ranma-chan." Kasumi interjected as she started to serve breakfast. "You see how he winds her up every morning with insults and fighting." She offered Ranma a light smile of her own as she sat down to join everyone for the meal. "Honestly, I think we'd all be a bit happier without Uncle Saotome around all the time to make a difficult situation worse."

Nabiki eyed her elder sister carefully. Is that your angle sis? She wondered in her mind. Surely there had to be more to this. While she couldn't argue that cutting out the more toxic elements in Ranma's life in order to curb his or her more aggravating tendencies had its merits, she couldn't help but feel she was missing something. And she hated feeling like she was missing something! Still, Ranma wasn't exactly objecting to Kasumi's statement, and she was even eating at a normal speed for a change! Not having Genma around to constantly swipe her food has certainly made an effect!

"Hmph!" Akane snorted. "Uncle Saotome is only part of the problem. The rest of the idiot brigade don't help at all. Aside from Kuno, I'm surprised they've kept their distance lately!" Akane stated firmly. She wasn't completely blind after all. When all the usual annoyances were gone, and Ranma's entire attitude had changed for the better, it wasn't hard for her to put two and two together. Of course, it helped when Kasumi explained that the situation wasn't that much different than hers with Kuno and the Hentai Horde(TM). That revelation was a rather healthy shock to say the least!

"The old Ghoul has been really cagey around me since Saffron..." Ranma added quietly. "Even more so after the weddin' fiasco." Ranma paused. "Ya know... I haven't seen hide nor duck feather from Mousse since then? Shamp's once or twice, but not Mousse. Hell, I think I've seen Ryoga more often than Shampoo since then."

"Maybe the Amazons are afraid of pushing you now?" Nabiki suggested. "I mean.. you're pretty dang powerful." She frowned as she looked up at the clock. "Bah, I better get going. I got things to take care of before school." She paused. "You two need to get going too, unless you want to be late again dealing with Kuno-baby."

Ranma scowled at the idea of dealing with Kuno this morning, her irritation seeming to agitate the power pushing against her mind.. forcing her to will it back down. Although Akane felt similar irritation, she couldn't help but notice the strange pricking sensation that emanated from Ranma.

As Nabiki stepped out the front door, she was surprised when Kasumi stopped her with a grentle grip on her shoulder. "Nabiki." Kasumi began in a hushed tone. "I would hope you could convince Kuno to be elsewhere, it may not be healthy for him to continue this morning."

Nabiki arched a brow before responding in a similar tone. "I can try, but Kuno-baby lives in his own world. It probably wont work." She frowned. "Why are you defending Ranma so much lately? Everyone is walking on eggshells around him.. its.. weird."

Kasumi smiled softly. "Everyone has a limit to how much they can witness before a line has been crossed. I just feel I cannot stand idly by any more... is that so shocking?"

Nabiki frowned, there was something in the way Kasumi was saying it that seemed to hint at something more... then it clicked and she smirked. "Ah. I get it. I hope Akane is okay with that."

"She will understand." Kasumi replied simply before she headed back inside.

"I certainly hope so, Nee-chan" Nabiki mumbled before hurrying off to school.

[\V/]

There are idiots, and there is Tatewaki Kuno. Although Nabiki had managed to divert Kuno early that morning, by proclaiming that Ranma was hiding somewhere off campus, plotting against him. No amount of words could tell him that bothering 'girl' Ranma after school to proclaim his victory in thwarting 'boy' Ranma's plans was a seriously bad idea.

Ranma had been on edge the entire day. Not only was her period being particularly annoying, but her annoyance only served to stir up the power she was struggling to keep back. It was practically begging to be released somehow at this point, and Ranma wasn't sure if she could resist giving in any longer.

"My beloved pigtailed girl!" Cried Kuno as he raced toward Ranma, arms outstretched. "I have foiled that foul sorcerer Saotome's plans for this school! Truely I am deserving of your love!"

Ranma snarled under her breath as she dodged the attempted hug. "Damn it Kuno! Go away! I don't want to deal with you right now!" Always with the 'sorcerer' bit! Kuno wouldn't know what a sorcerer was if it came up and bit him! Ranma mentally groused as she continued to dodge Kuno's affections.

Akane had stepped back. Her initial irritation giving way to confusion and worry over what she was seeing. Not that Kuno stood any chance in hell of touching Ranma, no. But Ranma was visibly crackling with energy! "Ranma! Somethings not-" Akane started, only to be cut off by Ranma's outraged yell.

"I've had enough of your crap, Kuno!" Ranma screamed.. allowing the power to flow through her fists. "Why. Won't. You. Leave. Me. ALONE!" She roared as lightning flared from her hands.. blasting Kuno clear across the schoolyard. Upon discharging the blast Ranma instantly felt relief, Kami blessed relief! Well she still had the cramps.. but the pressure at the back of her mind was gone! She felt almost giddy even! Then realization washed over her as Kuno didn't get back up. "Oh shit!"

Ranma had started to run to Kuno, to verify he was still breathing, only to stumble as a wave of dizziness washed over her. Akane barely caught her in time. "What did you just do Ranma?" Akane asked in a hushed tone.

Another student had ran to the downed Kuno, and checked his pulse before declaring. "He's alive!" Much to Ranma's and Akane's relief... which suddenly became consternation when someone quipped. "Ranma took out the Blue Thunder with actual lightning? Guess Ranma really is a Sorcerer!" Followed by a pasty nerd adding. "Sorceress is more like it!"

Ranma gave Akane a pained look. "Can we go home... now?" She pleaded, to which Akane silently agreed as she lead Ranma away from the school.

Unbeknownst to the pair, Cologne watched from the relative safety of one of the many tree's surrounding the school. "Just as I suspected.. it wont be long now..." She murmured before hopping away.

[\V/]

Halfway to the Tendo residence, Ranma was once more walking under her own power, although still very visibly exhausted. Akane looked upon her with concern. "So.. you gonna tell me what that was? You never even said an attack name.. and.. I don't remember you learning a Ki attack like that!"

Ranma grimaced. "I'm.. not sure myself. Ever since I fought with Saffron... I.. I tapped into something I never knew I could... and after that I've been feeling it building up inside." She sighed and rubbed her head. "I've been holding it back since that day, to afraid to let it out.. but Kuno." She snorted as a pang of irritation flashed through her, causing another crackle of energy to roll over her body. "I just couldn't hold it back anymore..."

Akane blinked. "And now?"

"Now its.. fine.. I still feel it.. but its not like I'm about to burst anymore... its strange.." Ranma admitted. "But I feel really really drained... I'm glad I didn't kill him.. but that could have been really dangerous."

Akane stayed silent for a while, letting the information settle in her mind. "Maybe.. you shouldn't have let it... build up like that? Why didn't you tell us?"

Ranma gave Akane a halfhearted smirk. "You know how my pops is.. I go to him for anything and he turns it around sayin' I'm weak or somethin' like that. Mom's wouldn't know what to do I don't think.. the ol' ghoul is out on principle.. an' Dr. Tofu... well he said he wasn't sure and not to worry about it... he figured it was probably my body reacting to all that magic and Ki I've been dealin' with... and that it would go away with time." Ranma frowned a little. "Guess he was wrong, but to be fair I don't think he deals with.. whatever this is.. all that often."

"Does Kasumi know?" Akane asked next as she thought back to how she had been acting lately. "She has been acting a little more.. protective of you lately."

Ranma looked thoughtful. "I don't think so? I mean.." She frowned as they neared the gates. "She started before I talked to Dr. Tofu... so I'm not sure what that's about.." Ranma sighed as she opened the gates. "Look, if anyone asks.. just say I figured out a new Ki technique by accident... I don't think I'm ready to mess with that stuff too much.. it freaks me out how easy it is to do something like what I did to Kuno."

Akane frowned, but nodded. "Fine, but if this gets worse.. please tell us!" She insisted.

"Yeah yeah.. I will I promise." Ranma replied before entering the house. "We're home!" Ranma announced.

"Welcome home! Ranma, you got a package!" Kasumi replied as she peeked out of the kitchen and indicated the small.. well beaten package that was occupying the dining room table.

Ranma arched a brow and looked to Akane, who simply shrugged in response. As Ranma approached the package, she noted the sheer number of postage stamps covering its surface.. and the return address was utterly illegible. Cautiously, she slid her fingernail through the tape holding it shut and peeked inside, hoping to Kami that it didn't have a cat inside. Shampoo had only done that once, but it was enough to make her wary of any strange boxes mailed to her. When nothing jumped out or exploded in her face, she relaxed and opened it the rest of the way.

Inside the box was a number of things. The first was a letter, that laid on top of a large glass ball that was carefully cushioned with several articles of clothing. When she opened the letter, she frowned, unable to make out the words. "Akane, it looks like English.. but I can't read it... I don't remember Hinako Sensei teaching us English words with these symbols above the letters either. You're better at it than I am.. can you read it?"

Akane blinked at Ranma when she admitted that she was better than her at something. Someone check the temperature in hell please! "Uhm.. Let me see then." She squinted at the words and frowned. "Ah... I don't think this is English Ranma. I'm not sure what it is." She looked at the postage stamps on the outside. "Whatever it is, I think its from Ireland... do you know anyone from there?"

Ranma gave Akane a blank look. "Not that I know of.. and this stuff's kinda weird for me." She pulled one of the clothing items out of the box. "This feels nice... but.. is this a dress? Eh.. I'll figure it out later.. when I'm not so tired." Ranma yawned.

"Oh, did you have exhausting day at school, Ranma?" Kasumi asked with a slight frown.

"You could say that." Ranma conceded, not wanting to think too much about what she did to Kuno earlier.

"Perhaps you should take a bath and relax then. Akane, can you put the box in Ranma's room for her?" Kasumi asked.

"Sure Nee-chan." Akane replied carefully, likewise not wanting to explain to Kasumi how Ranma had to deal with Kuno before coming home today. Best to let Nabiki handle that!

[\V/]

Nabiki slipped into the dining room, trying her best to avoid being noticed by her elder sister. She was not looking forward to explaining how she had failed to keep Kuno away from Ranma today. The fact that Ranma somehow threw lightning at the moron meant very little in the vast scheme of things, but it did generate a bit more revenue for her usual schemes. She had just barely made it to the stairs when she heard Kasumi clear her throat.

"I heard the most interesting thing from Ranma's teacher's today, Nabiki." Kasumi stated simply. "Care to explain?"

Nabiki grimaced. "I'm sorry Nee-chan.. but I couldn't keep the lunkhead away from her.. you know how impossible he can be to reason with. And I really don't know what it was that Ranma-chan did to him aside from what I heard from other students. You know how freakishly good she is at learning how to manipulate Ki..." She paused. "Wait, the teacher's spoke with you?"

"Ms. Hinako called earlier, having witnessed the altercation." Kasumi nodded. "I was just wanting clarification as to what happened and what is going on now."

Nabiki sighed, she hated giving information for free almost as much as she hated not knowing things. But this is her big sister asking. "Alright, grab a seat.. this might take a while... Ranma-chan's got a whole slew of new rumors going on now with that little outburst." She began, before divesting all she had gathered from the other students that day.

[\V/]

Ranma tossed and turned on her futon.. every time she drifted off to sleep she was greeted with dreams of battle. Monsters and elves fighting beast-men in a one sided battle that left bloodied beast men in its wake. Then there was that woman with fire red hair and eyes that glittered like sapphires, horns and pointed ears graced her head as she fought against an all too familiar man with the blood of a dragon. Each and every time she returned to sleep, Herb and his tribe were losing, badly.

Having decided that trying to go back to sleep wasn't working. Ranma got up and stepped groggily into the hall. She wasn't sure where she was going, but had vague thoughts about getting a glass of water to drink and then trying to go back to sleep. After drinking the glass of water and stumbling back toward her room she was brought to a halt by a pair of warm hands on her shoulders. She turned back to see Kasumi smiling softly before steering her to her room and pulling the tired redhead into her own bed... where the strange dreams troubled her no more.

[\V/]

Read and Review Please!

EDIT: Fixed Mousse's name... I am dumb sometimes.