Author's notes:

A few notes about this story before you read it:

This story is a crossover between Dead or Alive and Ranma ½.

Ranma ½ belongs to Rumiko Takahashi and Viz comics. Dead or Alive belongs to Tecmo.

There are two characters in this story by the name of Kasumi but it shouldn't be difficult to discern which Kasumi I mean (especially since Kasumi Tendo barely appears).

This is set a while before the Saffron fight since the Viz translation of the Ranma manga wasn't finished when I started and I didn't have a way to read it online back then. I had only read up through the Ryu arc at the time. I also haven't seen the anime so the source is manga only (and the anime tropes I picked up from fanfics I suppose).

I am updating the stuff I wrote in 2005. I won't change the plot at all. Just think of it as a remastered edition (also an end to the wonky omnipresent third person narrator).

Prologue

"Damn rain," Ranma groused as she hurried along the fence, eager to be out of the sudden thunderstorm.

"We would have been home already if you hadn't of started another fight with poor Ryoga," said Akane who running along next to him, but on the sidewalk.

"Me start it?" Ranma said incredulously, "He attacked me!"

"Oh sure, that what you always… say…" Akane trailed off because Ranma had stopped, and was staring at something. "What is it?"

"Battle auras…big ones. Can't you sense them?" Ranma stood up on her tiptoes and put a hand over her eyes to keep the rain off.

"What are you talking about?" Akane tapped her foot impatiently. "Come on, Ranma. I want to get out of the rain!"

"So go," Ranma said absently. "I'm gonna go check this out."

"What are you up to?" Akane asked suspiciously.

Ranma gave her an exasperated look. "Look, tomboy, it ain't my fault your too weak to sense anything."

Akane took a swipe at him with her book-bag. Ranma easily hopped over it. "Jerk!" Ranma stuck her tongue out at her and bounded away. "I bet this is just a cover up so you can go visit your 'cute' fiancée or that Chinese bimbo!" She screamed after the departing redhead. "Well, I don't care!" Akane turned around and stomped back home.

:3

Ryu Hayabusa crashed into the ground as Kasumi dodged away from him once more. He glance around and spotted the other shinobi. "There!" He cried, attacking again. Kasumi was a deft and clever ninja. He'd been trailing her for weeks but this was the first time he'd actually caught her. If she escaped him, there was no telling when he would get another chance.

"I don't want to fight." Kasumi said as she dodged and blocked Hayabusa's furious attack. "Let me go. Please, Hayabusa!"

Hayabusa broke off his attack and jumped back. "I can not do that," he said. "I promised your brother I wouldn't let you die. Remember, the way of the shinobi is a harsh one," he said before launching himself at her again.

He caught Kasumi in the abdomen with a quick jump kick, knocking the wind out of her, but she grabbed his leg as she fell and threw him. The ninja slammed into a tree, shoulder first. He slowly got up and tried moving his shoulder. Dislocated, he thought dispassionately. If Kasumi figures that out, this fight is over. I'll have to finish it now. He charged Kasumi, who had assumed a defensive stance. Just before he hit her, Kasumi's eyes flicked to left. Hayabusa didn't know what distracted her but he took advantage. The ninja grabbed her with his good arm and throw her into the air. He jumped after Kasumi, caught her in a bear hug and smashed her into the ground head-first as he landed. Hayabusa got back up but Kasumi did not. Hayabusa sighed in relief. He'd won. Now he could keep his promise to Kasumi's brother. "Your safe now, Kasumi," he said.

A figure stepped out of the rain. She was a short pretty girl with a red pigtail, wearing a baggy red shirt and black trousers. She stared daggers at Hayabusa and said, "Step away from the girl if you don't want to get hurt."

"Who are you? And why do you care about Kasumi?" Hayabusa responded.

"I just don't like assholes like you beating up girls, that's all. My name is Ranma Saotome of the Saotome school of Anything Goes martial arts."

"Well, Saotome, this is none of your business, and I doubt you could hurt me." The ninja retorted.

"Oh yeah? Watch me!" And with that Ranma launched herself at Hayabusa. The surprised Hayabusa still managed to get his good arm up to block the kick but Ranma twisted around and whipped her other foot around in a kick that pinned Hayabusa's ear to his temple. The ninja went tumbling head over heels. Ranma snickered. "Not so confidant now, are ya?" she said as Hayabusa struggled to his feet. Not good. That was an expert attack and I only have one arm. Who is this girl? The girl in question was on him the next second, delivering a bevy of blows that Hayabusa couldn't effectively defend. She seemed to be everywhere at once. Eventually Hayabusa attempted a desperation kick. I need some room! Ranma simply jumped over it and grasped his outstretched leg with her hands. Then she spun around and smashed both heels into the side of his head. Hayabusa knew only blackness after that.

:3

Ranma, back in his male form, was sitting in his room staring at the rooms only other occupant, the strange girl who he had rescued. He had laced a meat bun with knockout powder and the dumped the fat in a closet after he ate it. The girl sneezed and Ranma got up and started pacing around the room. She was already running a high fever and Ranma knew that unless she was warmed up soon she risked getting sicker. She had been half-conscious when he found her but managed to tell him not to bring her to a doctor. He'd brought her back to the Tendo Dojo lacking other options but he was regretting it. She couldn't complain if he brought her to a good guy like Tofu right? Not that Ranma was helpless. He had some training in first-aid, having lived outdoors with his father for so long. The problem was that he knew getting her warm would involve stripping her of her wet clothes. He could just imagine asking one of the other people in the house:

"Boy! Akane is your fiancée!" Followed by Demon-head.
"Ranma! You pervert!" Followed by mallet.
"Well I suppose I could help you out…for a price." Followed by the emptying of his wallet.

Ranma frowned. That left one person but Kasumi was making dinner and it would be pretty suspicious of him to bring Kasumi up to his room, since he never paid much attention to her usually. So his only choice was to do it himself. Ranma glanced down at her again. She was the most beautiful girl he had ever laid eyes on, which was saying something since no less than four gorgeous women pursued him. She had long auburn hair and pretty amber eyes. Not to mention her stunning body. She had to be a couple of years older than him. He blushed just thinking about undressing her. He couldn't do it.

But then she moaned "Nii-san…" and a tear leaked from her eye. It felt like someone seized Ranma's heart. Before he knew what he was doing he had stripped off her long white stockings and shinobi outfit, moving with the incredible speed that was his trademark. After he was finished he covered her back up with a dry blanket and slumped against the wall, exhausted.

"Ranma! Dinner!" Kasumi called up the stairs. Ranma puzzled for a moment on whether or not to leave the girl alone but eventually his growling stomach won the fight. Besides, it would be suspicious of me to skip dinner.

Ranma returned from a relatively peaceful dinner since his father was still knocked out in a closet. He went over and checked out his patient. She still had a fever but it felt cooler. He went and got a cold washcloth to lie on her head. As he was laying it on her head her arms suddenly shot out and grabbed Ranma around the neck. "Nii-san," she murmured sounding relieved. A blushing Ranma quickly pried her hands from around his neck. He moved his futon to what he judged to be a safe distance and soon fell into a restless sleep.

After Ranma woke, he sat up and noticed Kasumi's eyes flutter open. She looked around for a few seconds before she sat up quickly enough that her blanket flew from her chest. Ranma turned his head away so fast his neck cracked, pinching nose to stifle the blood that had risen with the blush. Who am I, Ryoga?

Kasumi looked around. "Where am I?" she said as her eyes fixed on Ranma. "And who are you?" Her eyes darted around warily. "Where is Hayabusa?"

"Um…before I answer you…would you mind covering your self up?" He tossed one of his red Chinese shirts at her.

Kasumi glanced down at her nakedness and, with a slight blush, pulled the shirt on. "And why am I naked?" She gazed at him coolly.

After establishing some control over himself, Ranma scooted closer to her and answered. "You're at the Tendo Dojo, where I'm staying. I'm Ranma Saotome. I don't know who Hayabusa is but I'm guessing he's the jerk I left knocked out in the woods. Oh, and you're naked because your clothes were soaked and you were gonna catch a cold. I-I took them off. Sorry." Ha looked away, blushing again.

Kasumi's gaze turned from cold to astonished. "You beat Hayabusa…to save me?"

Ranma blushed and shrugged. "It was no big deal…" he mumbled.

Kasumi grabbed his hand with her two smaller ones and looked at him earnestly. "It's a big deal to me." She said.

Ranma froze and as a consequence he and Kasumi were still in the same position when Akane stomped into his room shouting, "Get your lazy butt up outta bed or we'll be late."

:3

A little pig swam up to the shore. He looked around and promptly let out a high-pitched squeal. (Translation: "Where the hell am I?") The little pig opened a backpack, which he had miraculously dragged ashore, and pulled out a match, a camp stove and a flask of water. He lit the stove and waited for the water to heat up. The little black pig dumped the hot water on itself and became a fanged, muscular young man. Ryoga threw on some clothes and asked again, "Where the hell am I?" He stomped around the beach, kicking up sand and knocking down trees, bellowing with rage. "Why does this always happen!?"

A black man, wearing only sunglasses and a long pair of white shorts, came running down the beach toward Ryoga. "Hey man, whatta ya think your doing to ma island?" He said as he skidded to a halt next to Ryoga.

"Your…island?" Ryoga repeated. "Then you must know where I am!" Ryoga grabbed Zach by the shoulders and started shaking him back and forth. "Tell me where I am! Where's Nerima?"

As Ryoga quite literally tried to shake some information out of Zach. A tall, blond woman wearing nothing but a sheet that was lazily wound around her, strolled down the beach towards them. "Zach, baby, what's going on?" she said.

Zach, having escaped Ryoga's grasp, turned around and grinned. "Tina!" he said and then kissed her passionately. Ryoga's brain shut down as he watched the two lovers make out, and, as a result, nobody saw a large bearded man huff and puff his way to the top of a hill that was opposite the direction Tina and Zach had come from.

"Tina-chan!" he shouted at the top of his lungs and then ran down the hill and across the beach. Zach turned around only to body slammed by Bass. He flew out over the ocean into the horizon. Bass looked at Tina lovingly. "Tina-chan…"

Tina slapped him. "What the hell do you think your doing? Zach was gonna get me a movie role, you big jackass!"

"B-But Tina…" responded the hurt Bass.

"But? But? Why don't you just butt out of my life?" She snarled.

Bass started to get angry. "Listen young lady that's no way to talk to you father! Why in my day-"

"Um…I don't mean to interrupt, but can somebody tell me where I am?" Ryoga interrupted.

Bass spun around. "Another bastard trying to get their hands on Tina?"

"N-no…no!" Ryoga shouted while backing away from the crazed Bass.

"I'll kill ya!" Bass shouted. He viciously punched Ryoga in the side of the head and then kneed him in the stomach. Ryoga doubled over and Bass smashed his fist into the top of Ryoga's head, sending him crashing into the ground. Bass then grabbed Ryoga by the leg, spun around and threw him towards the hill that he had descended moments ago. Ryoga slammed into the hill with devastating force. The hill started to collapse and Ryoga was buried beneath and avalanche of dirt and rocks.

:3

Tina gasped in horror. "Father! What were you thinking? You prob'ly killed him!"

"Sorry, Tina." Bass said, rubbing the back of his neck. "I didn't know he was such a wimp. Why would you get together with someone so weak?"

"Whoever said I was getting together with him? I don't even know the guy!" Tina shouted.

"Really?" asked a puzzled Bass.

"Of course not!" Tina looked at the pile of dirt Ryoga was buried underneath and her eyes narrowed. "Hey, is it just me or is that pile glowing?"

Bass spun around and stared at the pile. It seemed as though a green glow was emanating from it. Bass had just enough time to wonder what the hell was going on when the mound of dirt exploded with a muffled "Shi Shi Hakodon." Out of the cloud of dirt a green beam darted out and slammed into Bass. He was lifted up and slammed into a tree. As Bass slid toward unconsciousness he, mumbled, "Tina..."

Ryoga stood up and tried to dust off his clothes. He calmly straitened his bandana and walked up to Tina. He glared at her as he growled three words. "Where. Am. I?"

Tina glared back. "What did you do to my father?" She cracked her knuckles. "I'll have to teach you what happens when you mess with an Armstrong!"

Ryoga casually waved his hand. "Look, I don't fight women. Just tell me where I am so I can be on my way."

Tina's glare just intensified. She kicked away her sheet so it wouldn't restrict her movement and adopted a fighting stance. But then she blinked and looked around. Ryoga wasn't anywhere to be seen. "Where'd he go?" She didn't see Ryoga anywhere but she did see a little black pig floating unconscious near the shoreline. "Oh, poor thing!" She dove into the sea and pulled the pig out. She cradled it in her arms and walked over to check on her father. She checked is vital signs at determined that he was alive. As she turned to head back up the beach, she saw a piece of paper sticking out of her father's back pocket. She snatched it and quickly read it. Tina smiled in satisfaction. This could be an excellent opportunity for some publicity.

:3

Akane stomped into Ranma's room shouting, "Get your lazy butt up outta bed or we'll be late!" But, she stopped dead in her tracks when saw the scene in front of her.

Ranma had his hand clasped by a beautiful woman, whom Akane had never seen before and who was wearing only a shirt.

Ranma was holding hands with a strange, scantily clad woman.

Ranma was inappropriately touching a naked hussy.

Akane was enraged by the time her mental process had finished. She whipped out a mallet, and with an inarticulate scream, she sent Ranma smashing though a wall and out into the Tendo's lawn.

The hussy jumped up and shouted in surprise. "What do you think your doing?"

Akane rounded on her and narrowed her eyes. "You!" she growled. She dropped her mallet and swung at strange woman with a vicious haymaker. The hussy dodged easily, and hit Akane in the stomach with a quick but hard punch. Akane doubled over in pain, gasping for breath. Then the woman jumped out the hole in the wall and ran to Ranma.

Later, the entire household, except for Kasumi, who was cooking breakfast, was arrayed around the dining table. Ranma and the woman-now identified to all as Kasumi-back in her own clothes, sat on one side with Soun and Akane facing them. How dare that hussy have the same name as my sweet older sister? Akane thought sourly. A slightly drowsy Genma-panda sat at the end of the table, and Nabiki leaned against the door-frame. Soun took a deep breath and then looked at Ranma. "Do you want to explain why you were molesting this young woman in the room we have so graciously provided—?"

"I wasn't—"Ranma started.

"Don't interrupt me boy." He said sternly. "I want you to provide Akane with a suitable explanation for having this girl up in your room!"

"And why you had your hands all over her," Akane growled. "You pervert!"

Ranma barked a laugh. "What's wrong Akane? Afraid you might have some competition from a woman who's actually cute?" Akane noticed that Kasumi's cheeks colored slightly.

Akane stood up, battle aura blazing around her. She stomped to the door and then looked back over her shoulder. "Ranma, as far as I'm concerned this engagement never happened!" She stomped out the door towards the dojo.

:3

"Ranma, do you know what will happen if you leave Akane?" Soun calmly asked, before growing his demon head and booting Ranma out of the house.

A little ways down the street, Kasumi caught up with Ranma and said, "I'm sorry I got you in trouble."

Ranma turned to her and waved the comment off. "Aw, don't worry about it. Akane's always like that. She'll calm down in a few hours. Besides, it's not the first time they've thrown me out without listening to my side of the story."

Kasumi looked at him strangely. "She was quite…passionate."

Ranma chuckled. "Don't worry about the stupid tomboy. Anyway, whatcha doin' in Nerima? Why was that ninja after you?"

Looked down and and hesitated. Then her eyes widened and she skipped out of the way of a shuriken. The shuriken bounced off the sidewalk in a shower of sparks. Kasumi spun around and ran the opposite direction of where the shuriken had come from. "Follow me!" She called over her shoulder. Ranma cursed. He didn't like running from a fight but he didn't want to leave Kasumi alone. Kasumi led Ranma a complicated route but the pursuers would not be denied. After a few minutes, one of them finally managed to tag Kasumi across the calf with a shuriken. Kasumi stumbled and fell. More shuriken whistled through the air but Ranma jumped in front of Kasumi, and, in a dazzling display of speed, snatched all the shuriken out of the air. The shuriken stopped and seven ninja seemed to materialize, surrounding Kasumi and Ranma. Kasumi stumbled back to her feet as one of the ninjas said. "Boy, if you give the girl up peacefully you will be free to go, if you don't…" the ninja trailed off but Ranma had a good idea of what would happen if he didn't.

Ranma rolled his eyes at the cliché threat "Here's my answer!" Ranma leapt into the air and delivered a brutal jump kick to the ninja's chest. The ninja smashed into the wall of a nearby building and slipped down it. He didn't get back up. Ranma's victory was short lived however, because another ninja swiftly kicked him in the back. Ranma lurched forward and into a ninja who punched him in the face. Ranma stumbled back but dodged the katana strike of a third ninja. The two ninjas who had attacked him before likewise drew their katanas and advanced on him. Ranma's lightning-fast reflexes kept him from being slashed to ribbons but he wasn't used to fighters that worked so together so cohesively. Much less weapon-wielders that did so.

He chanced a look at Kasumi. She seemed to be holding her own against the other ninjas until she leaned to hard on her injured leg and it collapsed under her. Ranma immediately knew that she was dead if he didn't do something. He thrust out a hand and shouted, "Moko Takabisha!" A white blast shot out from his hand and knocked the ninja's feet out from under him. He flipped backward and smacked his head hard on the pavement. Ranma's action was not without consequence, however, as one of the ninjas thrust with is katana in an attempt to skewer Ranma with his katana. Ranma twisted at the last minute and instead of the katana going through him; it cut a gash along one of his ribs. Ranma gasped in pain but managed to dodge the other ninja's strike.

One of the ninja broke off his attack on Ranma to help his cohort attack Kasumi. Ranma took advantage of this and with a burst of speed, he unleashed a flurry a punches at one of the shinobi. The barrage sent the unfortunate ninja to join his friend on the pavement. The other ninja tried to decapitate Ranma from behind, but the young martial artist spun around and clapped the blade between his hands. Ranma and the ninja both strained but neither could wrench the katana from the other's grip. Ranma was stonger but his grip was insecure and the ninja had all the leverage. Sweat pored into Ranma's eyes, stinging them. Blood poured down his side and he dropped to one knee, completely exhausted. Time seemed to stretch out. Each ragged breath sent a jolt of agony up his side. His arm's started to cramp. Kasumi screamed in pain and Ranma snarled, "I don't have time to deal with you!" He snapped the blade in half and rammed his head into the ninja.

Ranma turned to Kasumi in the other shinobi just in time to see a cylindrical object bounce to the ground between them. Kasumi, the ninjas and Ranma all stopped and stared at the object as it started to pour out a white gas. Several more of cylinders joined the first. The gas hit Ranma and he suddenly felt woozy. Ranma stumbled backward a step and then fell. His one consolation as he lost consciousness was that the ninjas surrounding Kasumi were also dropping to the ground.

:3

Akane was ferociously beating a dummy crudely made into the likeness of a certain pigtailed martial artist. With each powerful punch she growled the word "jerk". So engrossed was she in this training, that she did not notice when someone entered the dojo and proceeded to watch her in plain view. Akane continued to punch the dummy, completely oblivious to the stranger, until, after a particularly nasty punch, it broke. Akane started as she heard clapping behind her. She whirled around to find a purple-haired, red-eyed woman clapping with a sardonic grin. "An impressive display of strength Miss Tendo." The stranger said. "I am Ayane." Ayane bowed slightly.

"Yeah, well, what do you want?" Akane said gruffly, slightly miffed that she had not noticed the girl before.

"I understand that a woman was here. Her name is Kasumi. She has long auburn hair and was probably wearing blue and white clothing. I need you to tell me where she went." Ayane said pleasantly.

The image of the hussy that had been in Ranma's bed came to mind and reignited Akane's rage. "Why the hell would I care where that hussy went?" she snarled.

"Surely you must remember something of where she went! Even just the direction would be-!"

Akane cut her off. "Enough. I don't know where she went and I don't care. Leave me alone."

Ayane expression was shocked at first but it soon dissolved into a glower. "My questions are very simple, you stupid girl. I am trying to be polite but if I must, I'll extract the information from you in a less…pleasant way. Tell me what you know."

Akane felt a twist of nervousness in her stomach. She wasn't as confident in her fighting ability anymore. Not since Ranma had come to town and brought a bunch of super strong freaks with him. That nervousness soon turned to anger quickly though. Who is this woman, to look at me like that. She wants a fight, I'll giver her one! Akane lunged at her. Ayane dodged easily and Akane slammed into the dojo wall. "My, you sure taught that wall a lesson." Ayane laughed. Akane jumped back to her feet and threw herself furiously at Ayane. She attacked with a brutal combination of kicks and punches but Ayane danced around them all effortlessly, never losing that condescending smile. She's as fast as Ranma! Why does this always happen?! Come on, Akane. You can do this! She redoubled her efforts but to no avail, she couldn't even touch Ayane.

Eventually Ayane sighed in regret. "I'm sorry to stop our little fight so soon, but I have more pressing matters." With shocking speed she whipped around one of Akane's punches and backhanded her across the face. Akane was sent smashing into a corner of the dojo. She struggled back to her feet and glared with loathing at Ayane. "You show surprising resilience, Miss Tendo. If you want to finish this come find me." She flipped a piece of paper towards Akane and it settled on the ground not far away from her. Ayane sighed again. "I guess my vengeance will just have to wait for tournament." Then she disappeared through the doorway.

Akane stumbled over and picked up the paper. She read it quickly and stared at the door that Ayane had disappeared through. She crushed the paper in her fist.

:3

"Great-Grandmother! Is news from home!" Shampoo said, bouncing into the room where Cologne had just finished her soaps.

Cologne took the letter and opened it, revealing a single slip of paper, she read it with a growing look of horror spreading across her features.

"What wrong?" Shampoo asked, concerned.

Cologne set aside the letter and her look of horror was traded for one of sadness and weariness, she leaned back with her eyes closed. "An evil has returned to the land." She said. "Shampoo, we will be leaving tomorrow morning."

:3

Ranma regained consciousness. The first thing he noticed was the unpleasant metallic taste in his mouth. He opened eyes, and found that he was still laying on the asphalt where he had fought the ninjas. He sat up and groaned. His whole body ached. He felt the wound on his side. It had stopped bleeding but still hurt like hell. He stood up and looked around, then gasped in horror and his memories came flooding back. He had fainted. What had hit him? Where was Kasumi? He glanced around but didn't see her. The ninjas where all there but there was no sign of kunocihi. Then he noticed something blowing in the wind. A piece of paper tied to a lamppost with the ribbon Kasumi used to tie back her hair. Ranma could barely make out the words across the top of the paper as it lashed back and forth in the wind. The words said: Dead or Alive: Martial Arts Tournament.

Author's Notes

There, fixed up the prologue a bit. Mostly to correct characterizations just a touch and make a couple of the fights more believable. I know I said I wasn't gonna touch my original chapters but what can I say? I'm capricious. Probably inserted a bunch of new grammar mistakes too ^^;;

Thank you for reading!

Kuragari