It is at times like this where I remember all the details in my hectic life.  The skies are filled with colors. The setting sun is surrounded by red and orange skies which slowly grows darker as the sun sets further until it is purple, then blue, the finally, when midnight come, all you see is black.  I remember during my training trip with pops, when we are in the middle of nowhere trying to find the next town or shrine, I would stare up at the sky and remember what we did up till now.  These times where I remember everything with such clarity are rare now.  A lot of times I would be fighting off challengers, rivals, or just doing homework from Ms. Hinako hoping I won't get drained the next day.  It's these times when I remember-

"Ranma, dinner is ready!"

            This is how it goes, when I start to remember something important, someone would interrupt me.  Maybe it was meant to be; maybe I should just give up and stop trying to remember my past.  After all, one doesn't live in the past, they live for the future. Or that's what one of those weird books Ms. Hinako made us read said.

            "Be right down Kasumi!"

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A continuation Ranma ½ ficcy:

Through the spirits I talk

Chapter 1: Just another simple idea

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            "GYAH!" Ranma screamed while running at speeds that would shame an Olympic runner.  He ran from the one thing that he feared, well, one of the things he fears, "Stop chasing me ya stupid THING!" Yep, Ranma is once again running away from a kitten.

            Akane and Nabiki walked slowly and watched as the kitten that Ranma ran away from stare at the retreating martial artist curiously.  "I don't know, I'm starting to feel sorry for Ranma." Akane said in a soft voice, "I mean, I wouldn't wish that on Kuno."

            Nabiki glanced at her little sister and snickered, "Oh really sis, I would've thought that you would be the first person on this planet to throw Kuno in a pit of staving cats wrapped with fish products."

            "Well, you know what I mean." Akane said with a blush, "Honestly, running away from a kitten. If there is a more demeaning thing that can happen to a person, I'd be horrified."

            "If you don't count turning into a girl, or a cat, or a duck, or a piglet with a splash of cold water," Nabiki countered, "Really, there are more demeaning things that can happen to a person."

            "Heh, I wonder if there IS a pool of a drowned piglet." Akane said in wonder.

            Nabiki sighed and rolled her eyes, "Well you never know.  I mean P-chan might be someone who fell into a Jusenkyo pool too."

            Akane laughed, "That is the most ridiculous idea I've heard Nabiki."

            "Is it?" The middle Tendo sister grinned mischievously.

            "Speaking of pets, Nabiki, how much do you think a dog would cost?" Akane asked suddenly.

            "Why?"

            "I don't know," Akane replied and looked up at the clear sky, "I guess I've always wanted one ever since I saw Ryoga's dog and her puppies on T.V."

            "But what about P-chan," Nabiki countered, "After all, you can't leave your poor piggy alone now can you?"

            Nabiki grinned suddenly with a glint in her eyes, "I have an idea."

            Akane blinked, "Don't drag me into it; I want no part in it."

            "Don't worry, this has nothing to do with you." Nabiki grin grew bigger, "I did want to get that new sweater."

            "Don't you ever think of something other than money?" Akane said raising an eyebrow at her sister.

            "Well a girls got to have some money to spend you know." Nabiki replied with a shrug, "I'm a high maintenance kinda girl after all."

            "Oh brother."

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            Ranma gasped for his breath and leaned on the door way of the Tendo residence, "Man, I can NEVER catch a break."

            "Hello Ranma," Kasumi greeted the pigtailed boy with her usual smile, "How was your day? Didn't run into too much trouble I hope?"

            "Nah, just a quick fight with Kuno, I booted him away good this time," Ranma replied with a grin, "Ran into one of THOSE things though, and I thought that it would be a nice day too. At least it isn't Shampoo, or she'd cling on ta me until I almost loose my mind."

            Kasumi nodded, "Do you want some snacks? I have some ready for You, Akane, and Nabiki."

            "It's ok Kasumi," Ranma replied, "I'll be goin' to the dojo ta get some practicin'. Pops didn't spar with me this mornin' 'cause he and Mr. Tendo went out ta drink again last night ya know."

            "Have fun." The eldest Tendo sister walked back to the kitchen, "Oh Ranma, I'm going to pick up some things for dinner tonight, can you tell my sisters?"

            "Will do." Ranma replied and headed towards the dojo.  Once inside, he sat in the middle of the large space, cross legged, and closed his eyes, the air around him seems to pick up slightly. A breeze of air blew across him clearing his mind of thoughts; muscles that seemed relaxed already were loosened even more.  Slowly, Ranma stood up and went into a fighting stance. A shadow of a smile appeared on his face and his body started to move with is mind as they started a simple Kata.  Punches are thrown, kicks flew all around him. Soon, he leaped from the ground, gently touching the ceiling with his legs with every leap, and with every landing, punches and kicks followed without a pause and they in turn lead to another leap.

            "RANMA!"

            Ranma's eyes snapped open in mid air, "Oh Shit!" the pigtailed boy screamed as he fell head first, arms flailing wildly into the wooden floor of the dojo.

            Nabiki smirked, "Oh and here I thought mister I'm the best martial artist would be able to land on his feet. After all, he is as strong as an ox, and as graceful as a ca-"

            "Don't say it!" Ranma shivered before growling at the Nabiki, "Oh what do ya want this time."

            "Is that the way you speak to all the people that is about to tell you an answer to one of your worst problems?" Nabiki sighed, "Oh well, I guess you don't really need my help, after all, you are Ranma Saotome, man amongst men, why would you want help from lil' old me."

            Ranma blinked as he watched Nabiki slowly walk towards the door of the dojo, "Oh by the way Saotome," Nabiki said before she walked out of the dojo completely, "This is a one time deal."

            Ranma stiffens before making a mad dash towards the door, "Wait! What problem are ya talkin' about?"

            Nabiki grinned, "Oh just a training accident you had when you were six."

            Ranma gasped, "Ye-ya not kiddin' are ya."

            "Why Ranma, I am shocked that you would imply I would sell you faulty information." Nabiki sniffed in mock anger, "For that, I will charge you double for this answer!"

            Ranma winced, "Umm, so how are ya goin' ta help me with THAT."

            Nabiki smiled and rubbed her fore finger and thumb together, "Money first, then the product."

            "Fine, let me get my wallet first." Ranma grumbled and shuffled towards his father and his room.

            "Ah Nabiki," the middle Tendo said to her self with a smug smile, "I amaze myself with the ideas I come up with sometimes."

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            "Ok here's the cash," Ranma said handing Nabiki few bills from his wallet, "Now what's this thing that can help me with my fear."

            Nabiki smirked, "It's quite simply really."

            Ranma swallowed and waited for the answer, after a few minutes of silence Ranma growled, "Well?"

            "Tell me Saotome, what is a man's best friend?"

            "Martial arts." Ranma replied with a knowing nod and a smile on his face.

            "No you idiot," Nabiki slapped her own forehead, "what is a man's best friend that is ALIVE."

            "Umm. a cow?" Ranma replied with a shrug.

            Nabiki gave Ranma a flat stare, "How did you come up with that?"

            "Well, we eat beef right, and beef comes from cows." Ranma said logically.

            "Please, no more." Nabiki groaned, "Ok, man's best friend is a dog ok."

            "So, how does that help me?" Ranma said glaring at her.

            "Like I said, it's quite simply," Nabiki said sighing, "Those things you don't like, don't like dogs."

            "So?" Ranma asked again with a blink.

            "Get a dog." Nabiki answer simply before turning around and walking away from the dumbfounded martial artist.

            "That's the big idea that I paid five thousand yen for?" Ranma muttered to himself, "NABIKI, I want my MONEY BACK!"

            Around the corner, the said person snickered before walking into her room.

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            "It makes sense I guess." Ranma muttered as he sat on the porch with textbooks beside him, which he ignored completely.

            "What makes sense?"

            Ranma paused in his thoughts and looked up, "Hi mom."

            Nodoka Saotome smiled gentle at her child and sat herself beside him, "So what is this idea that makes sense?"

            "Well, Nabiki told me ta get a dog." Ranma said, "I mean if I got one, then they won't bother me anymore 'cause the dog would chase it away right?"

            Ranma's mom frowned, "Who are we talking about son? I sure hope your not talking about your fiancées."

            The pigtailed boy blinked as a mental image of a big dog chasing all his suitors appeared in his mind. "Well, it would give me more time ta myself during the weeken' if that would work," Ranma said with a grin, "But no, that's not what I'm talkin' about."

            "Well, what is this thing you're talking about?"

            "Umm, well, ya see." Ranma bit his lips, "Actually, it'll be easier if I showed ya mom."

            Nodoka frowned as she watched her son retreat back into the guest room of the Tendo's. Few minutes later, Ranma came back out holding a thin book with the title of 'Advanced Techniques', "Here, read this, on page 35 and 36."

            Nodoka opened the book curiously and read the pages Ranma told her to.  When she finished she calmly reached for her katana, "I guess Nabiki does make a good point. Excuse me son while I have a quick talk with your father."

            "Maybe I should warn the old man." Ranma mused and stare at the clear sky again, "Naw, he deserves what he gets."

            "GENMA!"

            "No-no-no-chan."

            "How DARE you do this to MY SON!"

            Ranma chuckled as sounds of violence reached his ears, "Suck on that old man."

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            "How's the sword wound pop." Ranma asked with a smirk, "I hope it doesn't hamper your dining abilities."

            "Ungrateful boy." Genma muttered as his son stole another pickle from him.

            "Ranma, behave yourself." Nodoka chided, "This isn't one of your training trips."

            "Yes mom." Ranma dejectedly and ate at a visible pace.

            "Oh No-chan," Genma said with a hopeful smile, "you still care."

            "I don't know you Mr. Panda." Nodoka replied coldly as she continued her meal.

            "Now Nodoka," Soun said pausing his eating for a second, "I'm sure whatever Genma did, he doesn't deserved to be treated like this."

            "Yes and I'm sure if you threw one of your daughters wrapped in fish products into a pit of starving cats, it would be totally acceptable." Ranma's mom countered with a raised eyebrow.

            "Oh, THAT." Soun said and quickly returned to his meal.

            "Oh Ranma finally told you about that Auntie?" Akane said from beside Ranma, "I thought he told you that already when I saw you chasing Uncle Saotome with your katana the first time."

            "Oh I just got to the part where Pops did 'basic' endurance training with me." Ranma said with a shrug, "I didn't get to the training I did with pops after I met up with Ukyou."

            "I assume it was more, rigorous." Nodoka said while giving Genma a glare.

            "Yeah, personally, I think runnin' with a couch while pops was sittin' on it was ok." Nodoka's eye's twitched and her hand slowly reached for her katana, "But I really coulda done without the rabid badgers chasin' after me ya know."

            "Rabid badgers? I thought you said it was a pack of wolves that chased you." Nabiki chimed in.

            "Oh the wolves, we did that after I manage ta lose the badgers." Ranma replied as he continued to eat, "I guess that WAS a bit better than swimmin' across the China sea, of course I didn't know why Pops would tie a raw piece of meat behind me half why through. Of course I took that off and tied it back ta pops, I figured he was just too lazy ta carry it."

            "WHAT! So it WAS you who tied the meat on me!" Genma glared at his son, "Those sharks are suppose to chase you!"

            "Oh so THAT's what the meat was for," Ranma said calmly, "I was always wonderin' why the sharks where chasin' you and not me, I'd figured ya do somethin' about that and get them ta chase me. And here I thought ya just wanted ta get yourself back inta shape."

            "You ungrateful-"

            "How could you do something like that to your own son!" Kasumi gasped.

            "And here I thought I can't hear a thing that would make you any lower Uncle Saotome." Nabiki added.

            "You're both idiots." Akane grumbled, "Why would anyone agree to swim the China Sea anyways."

            "Oh the path of a martial artist is really filled with peril." Soun nodded wisely

            "It's ok." Ranma said with a shrug, "Of course, the training grounds that we went ta were a bit more dangerous, but it's good training I guess."

            "Your just trying to get your mom mad at Uncle Saotome aren't you." Akane whispered to Ranma as everyone watched Genma running away from a katana wielding Nodoka while still trying to eat his dinner.

            Ranma just grinned, "Of course, why else would I talk about this?"

            Akane giggled, "Are you taking lessons from Nabiki?"

            "I'd be broke if I was."

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            "You're awfully cheerful today Ranma," Akane said taking a seat beside Ranma on the sofa, "Whys that?"

            "It was a good day." Ranma replied lazily.

            The two sat quietly as the other members of the household did their own thing. Kasumi and Nodoka in the kitchen cleaning the dishes, Genma, wrapped in bandages, and Soun playing on the Go board, Nabiki reading her Manga. 

            "Oh I heard Auntie went to see if those contractors finished rebuilding your house." Akane said quietly.

            "Yeah? Maybe that's what Mom was going to talk ta me about when I told her 'bout that."

            Akane nodded her head, "I heard it was finished."

            "That's nice."

            "You'll be moving back there right?"

            Ranma sighed, "I think it's 'bout time I go back home, I've been away for twelve years already."

            "Do you miss it?"

            "Can't say I really remember it clearly even if I've been there for a few days already," Ranma replied, "Sometimes I would get fuzzy pictures of it if I think about it long enough and if no one interrupts me. So I can't really miss somethin' I can't remember right?"

            "I guess."

            The two sat in silence in front of the television, but ignoring it totally, instead, they opted for just sitting there.

            "Hey Akane," Ranma said suddenly, "Would ya like ta come with me ta pick a pet dog?"

            Akane blinked, "Why?"

            "Well Nabiki said maybe if I get a dog, it might chase THEM away so I won't have a chance of freakin' out." Ranma answered, "Since I'm going ta move back ta my house, I guess I might as well bring a dog ta it too. Get used ta both of them at once ya know."

            "So THAT'S the idea Nabiki was talking about when we were walking back home," Akane said, "Why didn't we think of this sooner?"

            "Some god probably just hates me." Ranma muttered.

            "Not everything is revolved around you." Akane scoffed.

            "Whats THAT suppose ta mean!"

            "What do you think!"

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            With a small suggestion from Nabiki, I know, somehow, my life would be changed once again.  Later that night, Mom told everyone officially that we'll be moving back to our home tomorrow, but we're leaving pops behind for some reason.  Well at least I'll have some time off from all the constant rude awakenings that I get from him.  Something about getting a dog tickles the back of my mind, just like when Ryouga showed up, or when Ukyou was introduced to the class.  I know I am forgetting something, but what?

          Hopefully it isn't another nasty surprise like another fiancée or rival.  Maybe for once, it would be a good thing. Right?

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I present to you, the reason I am not writing Destiny of Magi! Like I said, my muse hates me, so when she comes along, she'll put tons and tons of ideas from other places into my head, but just not the one that I want.  Sucks to be a writer with that kinda muse huh?  Or maybe I just can't make a commitment, either way, I didn't get another chapter of Destiny of Magi, but it is half done, or so I think.

Actually this chapter seems shorter than it was first intended, but a lot of the scenes that I planned on adding onto this chapter would seem like useless space fillers. So I killed those and did some stuff to it changed this and that and tada this shorter than usual chapter that I wrote. Really surprised me at how small this chapter is. But then again, this is only the first chapter, so I'm not worried about short chapters if I am going to continue this.

BTW, I'm not sure if this is an original idea or not, if it's not, then I'm sorry for stealing your idea whoever you are, if it is, YAY! I RULE!

I'd like some feedback on this one, this first chapter doesn't introduce the MAIN plot of the story yet, the next chapter does, but I just want to see how people feel about this. So Reviews would be nice ^^;;; thanks a lot =p