Special Thanks:

Rumiko Takahashi - Without whom Ranma 1/2 wouldn't exist...THANK YOU!

Shogakukan and Viz - For spreading the work of a genius around the world...

My Wife – For putting up with all my bizarre hobbies…And for pre-reading this…J

You - Hey, you're reading this...I just hope ya like it...J

Ranma 1/2 is copyright Rumiko Takahashi and Viz Video; the characters are used here without permission as a work of free entertainment...

AGAIN

Ranma 1/2 is not mine...The characters aren't mine and neither is the original story. This is purely for entertainment only...Please don't sue me...It's not like I have money anyway...'sides...If you sue me, I won't be able to afford that new manga coming out...L

This story is based off of the manga continuity, so some of the characters may seem OOC...That's just my interpretation from the manga...Akane doesn't always mallet Ranma, Ranma's not as stupid and crass, etc. Suffice to say, the story is a bit different...I wanted to take it in a direction that I haven't seen many go. Hopefully you'll like it...And if not...Well, it happens...

C&C is always appreciated, flames however are not...

Remember, People who start flame war go very bad place... :)

First Fic warning...

Hidden Depths – Chapter 1: Omens

In the beginning I guess I should have expected this. In the end however, it was the only choice left to me. So many people got hurt, and yet this was the only end result that I could be happy with. My spouse is the one that suggested I put this to paper, hoping that it would help exorcise these demons of guilt from my soul. Given what is to come, this purge will hopefully help me.

-- Flash --

It was an ordinary day in Nerima, well at least as ordinary as the citizenry was accustomed to. The Wrecking Crew was currently in grand form, chasing after everyone's favorite target, one Ranma Saotome. As to why everyone was after the currently female martial artist was anyone's guess. Most of the shopkeepers had given up trying to figure out the whys of it all, choosing instead to take advantage of the inevitable crowd of onlookers that the chase drew. Judging by the lump on Ranma's forehead one could be fairly certain that Akane Tendo had gotten hold of him, er...her, at some point during the chase. As fast as the running parade had come, they were gone again, leaving two surprisingly calm women sitting in a local eatery staring after them.

"And you say this happens all the time Kasumi?" asked an older, auburn haired woman.

"Quite frequently, yes Auntie. I'm beginning to worry for Ranma." replied the demure looking brunette.

"As am I now that I have witnessed this thing. You say that all of this is due to my husband's foolishness?"

"Much of it, yes. Though there are many other players deeply involved in causing chaos for him."

The older woman looked thoughtful at this statement. Kasumi had hoped that by witnessing the kind of spectacle that Ranma's life had become that the elder Saotome could help take steps to reduce the stress the poor boy was under. Her biggest hope was that Nodoka would release him from the seppuku contract completely. How could he be expected to be any sort of a man, when his honor was not allowed to be his own? Kasumi had been giving this quite a bit of thought after many of her morning conversations with Ranma. Those had been something of an eye opener for her. Given the way that Ranma normally spoke, she had fully expected more of the same. Surprisingly, he was soft-spoken and without bluster as they chatted about some of the goings-on in his life. He surprised her by his analysis of the situation, and explained his normally brash, irresponsible behavior. It was a defense mechanism of sorts, by appearing to be nothing but brawn and bravado; he didn't have to make decisions about whose honor to tarnish. Kasumi could tell that the whole fiasco that was his life was dragging a very good person down. Ranma Saotome may never lose, but it didn't mean Ranma Saotome always won.

The clunk of a cup being set on the table brought Kasumi out of her thoughts. As she studied the older woman before her, she saw many of the same mannerisms Ranma had displayed. It was obvious that Nodoka was giving the matter careful consideration, something Kasumi hadn't been certain she could expect. The woman before her had some unique views on manhood, and an obsession with obtaining grandchildren that bordered on religious fervor most of the time. Kasumi could only hope that by allowing Nodoka to be in attendance at some of the more "regular" occurrences of her son's life, that the sometimes neurotic woman would be swayed into action on his behalf.

"I have come to a decision...Though I'm certain that not many will like it."

"What is it Auntie?" Kasumi inquired across the brim of her cup.

"The decision of marriage will be put off for another five years, during which time Ranma will be allowed to focus on his studies and his training.", the older woman replied with a slight sigh. "My husband has made disaster out of my son's life. So for the next five yearsGenma will have nothing to do with him. Ranma will be free to explore the directions and options available to him without his father's poor influence."

"What about Ranma's curse?" Kasumi asked with a guarded look on her face.

After a pause Nodoka responded, "What about it? As it would appear that no cure either exists or is available, I would have to say it is simply another option open to him. If you are meaning to ask if I consider him manly in spite of the curse...I would have to say that I don't believe that term could ever apply to him, and shouldn't have been forced on him in the manner that it was in the first place."

Kasumi let out a breath she hadn't realized she had been holding.

"You seem awfully surprised by that reaction Kasumi-chan...Any reason for that?" Nodoka asked with a quirked brow.

"Well Auntie, in truth it seems everyone has their own agenda for your son. I was a little concerned that you might also...I'm sorry for doubting you", Kasumi replied with downcast eyes.

Nodoka laughed at this, leaving Kasumi somewhat dumbfounded. "You are forgiven Kasumi-chan. I do appreciate the concern for Ranma. Frankly, I should have picked up on his troubles without having to have it brought to my attention."

"What will this mean for Ranma, if you don't mind my asking?"

"Well...He will come home and live with me, at least until he graduates from high school. After that he will have to decide between college and another long training trip."

"I suspect he'll want the training trip, though that isn't to say he won't want the education also. Though somehow I doubt he'll major in physical education, he does have some interest in philosophy and history."

Nodoka blinked at this, "Philosophy and history? How on earth did that come from his life?"

"Truth to tell Auntie, I don't know", she smiled impishly," though he certainly gets enough time to analyze his life while soaring over the ward."

"Point taken", the older woman responded with a laugh.

-- --

Certain places were known havens of the group of martial artists known as the Nerima Wrecking Crew. Foremost among those was the Tendo Dojo, current home of Ranma Saotome. With all the repairs the home had seen over the last two years, it appeared to be one of the newest buildings on the block. The truth was quite different though, as the building dated back to the Shogunate as an ancestral holding of the Tendo clan. Right now, Ranma could feel the Tendo ancestors watching him as he performed one of the simpler katas from the Saotome Ryu of Anything Goes.

The day had been very hard on him. Once more he was blamed for things beyond his control, subjected to punishment for acts he didn't commit, and ignored as he tried to explain his side of the whole affair. All in all, it had been a very normal day for him; the only thing that would have highlighted the day would have been a new challenger to appear from the woodwork. He had been becoming more introspective since the Saffron ordeal and the failed wedding. It seemed, to him at least, he only had the Art left to him. The Art was his confidante, his anchor amid the storms raging through his life. If there were more to buoy his life, living for the Art would have been his greatest goal, instead of a needed survival trait. As it happened, the Art was the only real constant that he could cling to, the only decision that no one could take from him.

This wasn't to say that everything had gone downhill, after all he and Ryoga had come to an understanding and had the beginnings of a friendship. Somehow, Ranma expected that it may be the only friendship to come out of this whole mess. He knew that none of the fiancées would be accepting of friendship. Maybe he could cultivate a friend by way of Mousse, though even he could see the difficulties involved there. Konatsu already was a friend, of sorts, but he was too devoted to Ukyo for Ranma's own good. The Kuno's were straight out, delusional as they were.

He reached the final steps of his kata and finished with a bow to the dojo shrine. As he toweled off he was silently thankful that the fathers and two of the sisters Tendo were out for the time being. A shock came by way of Kasumi standing in the doorway.

"Hiya Kasumi"

"Hello Ranma-kun, how are you feeling?"

"Ahh...You know me Kasumi, fine as always", he said with a wry smile.

'Sure you are', Kasumi thought.

"I thought you might like to know that this came in the mail for you, the return address is somewhere in China."

"Huh...Um, well thanks Kasumi...Dunno who it'd be from though", he said, looking rather perplexed as he took the letter.

"You're quite welcome Ranma-kun. I'm putting together a light lunch if you would like some, it should be ready in about thirty minutes."

"Sure, sounds great Kasumi. Thanks again", he said with a small smile.

With that Kasumi merely smiled and made her way back to the kitchen.

Ranma frowned as he looked at the return address on the letter. There was no name with the return address, so it really could be any of a number of people. He shrugged and opened the letter to begin reading, and solve this little mystery.

Greetings Saotome Ranma,

It has been quite some time since our last encounter, yet you have been in my thoughts much as of late. Given your victory over the Phoenix some months ago, I should like to again test my skills against yours. I would have been hard-pressed to pull off a victory against one such as Saffron even given my draconic lineage. Lime and Mint wish me to send their regards as well.

I have been having some small issues centered on the curse you and I share, and would be very interested in discerning if they have been plaguing you as well. If it is as I suspect you already know of what I speak. I do not wish to write it for fear that to do so would cause the same to happen to you. If you are not already experiencing it I would not wish it upon you. My selfish hope however, is that I am not alone in this and that you are already familiar with this aspect of our shared curse. Should you have any insight in this matter I would be very interested in hearing it, and perhaps you could help me shed some light on a series of other recent happenings here as well.

There are other things which lead me to write to you as well. I should like to extend you an invitation to my palace for the summer following your graduation. You would have free access to our training scrolls and as much sparring as you could care for. I would personally appreciate having you spar with my men as I feel that it could only improve their skills. Should this arrangement be agreeable with you, please contact me by post so that I may ensure that your accommodations are made ready.

Sincerely,

Herb, Prince of the Musk Dynasty

Ranma blinked owlishly at the letter. Parts had sent chills racing up his spine, as he had a suspicion of what Herb was hinting at. He wasn't sure what to make of the invitation though. To his memory, he and Herb hadn't exactly parted company amicably. Still, it would get him away from Nerima, which was definitely a good thing in Ranma's opinion. Something in the letter wasn't sitting well with him though. Not so much in what was said, but what was left unsaid. He didn't recall Herb being quite so guarded with his words during their last encounter, but that could simply be attributed to maturing some. Mental pictures of the Musk prince/cess began floating through his mind as he puzzled over the potential hidden meanings of the missive. 'So, Herb's had the dreams too...I wonder what that means?' thought Ranma.

The dreams were Ranma's darkest secret, and worried him endlessly. They had become a regular occurrence ever since his first visit to Jusenkyo. Dreams of family and life embracing his feminine side brought body wracking shivers to him in his waking hours. He had told no one, and had ignored the dreams as best he could. To his conscious mind these were every bit as nightmarish as the dreams of the pit. He shook his head to drive the visions from his mind. 'Bleh, I wouldn't even wish those on the old lech.' He was fairly certain that was the issue with the curse that Herb was talking about. But the rest, there was something in there that he couldn't quite figure. Perhaps he'd let Kasumi look over the letter and get her input.

-- --

Nabiki Tendo prided herself in her ability to read people, to be able to get inside their heads. Up until recently Ranma had been an open book to her, but something had changed that. 'It's almost like he's hiding something, something big', she thought to herself as she walked to her next destination. She had a meeting scheduled with Cologne to discuss some concerns about the pigtailed boy. 'The elder doesn't usually operate this directly. I wonder what's going on to cause this.' Normally, she wouldn't even be dealing with Cologne; the old woman had a tendency of keeping her own counsel. Recently though, the playing field was changed and it seemed that the old rules about how Ranma behaved had been thrown out the window. Her internal musings stopped as she reached the agreed upon tea house. The meeting was taking place in the Juuban district to throw off any of the suspicious fiancées or rivals.

"Greetings Miss Tendo"

"Hello Elder, how are you today?" Nabiki coolly replied.

"Curious Miss Tendo", the tiny, old woman replied with a gleam of mischief in her eyes.

"An interesting answer Elder, perhaps you'd be interested in sharing your curiosity with me?" Nabiki inquired slyly.

Cologne grinned at this; she did so enjoy dealing with this child.

"Certainly, this old one could use to learn from the wisdom of youth" she said smirking.

At this Nabiki laughed, "You give me entirely too much credit Elder. Everyone knowsthat the wisdom of youth is folly."

"This is why I like dealing with you Miss Tendo, you have a cunning wit", cackled the crone.

"Why thank you Elder", Nabiki grinned.

"Now that the pleasantries are out of the way...How does Ranma fare?"

It wasn't so much the question that surprised Nabiki as it was the way it was asked. Taking a gamble she replied, "Your Son-in-law fares much the same way as he always has with being the center of attention."

"I find it curious Miss Tendo that you speak of an unknown person since I inquired about the Saotome child", Cologne responded guardedly.

'Hmm, something has changed in the Amazon contingent. This was unforeseen' "Forgive me Elder; I was unaware of a change in status. Ranma is more guarded now, as if something weighs on him. Though given his obligations it's anyone's guess as to what brought this change about."

Cologne's only reply was a wizened nod.

"You wouldn't happen to know what brought about the change in his demeanor, would you Elder?"

"I have suspicions, and Happi and I both have speculated the current trend that the Saotome child is exhibiting. Unfortunately I have no proof."

'She's been talking this over with Happosai! This bears watching. The only time those two confer is when the situation is truly dire.' "What did Jiisan1 have to say on the subject?"

"Nothing of great import, though he did say that he was considering testing the child for the title of Grandmaster."

"That seems very unlike Jiisan1."

"True, but the child does deserve the rank." Cologne shrugged.

Something about the way Cologne was speaking was setting off alarms for Nabiki, but she couldn't put her finger on it. Whatever it was, was dancing just outside of her mental reach. "Elder...Is there something I should know about concerning Ranma?" Nabiki was grasping with this question, hoping it may reveal what she wasn't seeing.

"Nothing that won't come out in time Miss Tendo, if it at all."

'She's being too guarded, but she's trying to warn me of something', thought Nabiki.

A youthful waitress came up to their table, briefly interrupting their conversation to get their orders.

"So, Elder…Why the change of address? Shampoo finally get over the Wild Horse?"

Cologne got a good chuckle out of the double entendre nested in there. "No Miss Tendo, but an understanding has been reached that some horses mustn't be broken."

'So the council told them to back off after the Saffron incident.' After a long pause Nabiki's curiosity got to her, "Elder...Something's still coming for otouto2 isn't it?" She hated having to be direct, and she hated that the stupid jock had wormed his way into her long frozen heart, but she couldn't really help it. He just had a way with people and no one was ever indifferent to him.

Cologne sat impassively for a moment, trying to weigh her response. "Yes child...Fate seems to have much in store for Ranma", Cologne said sadly.

Nabiki just nodded her response to this, "Is there anything we can do Elder?"

"I do not know. Even I am not sure how to make reparations to the child. I, and my tribe, have done much for which we are accountable to the young Saotome...And I find myself wishing I could help."

Right now, Nabiki noted, the Amazon Matriarch looked every bit of her 100 some odd years. 'Things have gone too far...She sees it just as much as I do.' Nabiki grinned a bit, 'But Ranma Saotome never loses, and maybe we can make those odds a bit better...' "Elder..." after seeing she had Cologne's attention, "How about we stack the deck?" Nabiki said with a Ranma-esque smirk.

Cologne merely grinned in response with a twinkle in her eye.

-- --

1 Grandfather

2 Little brother

End Chapter 1: Omens

Let me know what you think, and if I should continue the story. I'd also be interested in any speculations you may have about the directions I'm going in…I won't answer the speculations, mind you, but I'd be interested in seeing if I managed to keep my intentions and direction hidden.

All of that aside, I do have several more parts planned for this. If I get enough of a response I will try to post in a weekly serial fashion. Otherwise I may limit my updates to once every two weeks. I hope you're enjoying reading this as much as I am enjoying writing it. Thanks for reading!