"Ranma! Snap out of it!"
'Damn, he's never fought this hard during training before, what's wrong?' Lee continued to dodge and block the incredibly fast and deadly attacks a fourteen year old Ranma threw. Realizing that he was about to be overwhelmed by Ranma's continued strikes, Lee gambled and went for a strong counter punch.
Wham!
Lee slowly lowered his arm from the punch that landed on Ranma's face. As Lee started to stagger over to Ranma he noticed that the young boy was already starting to stand up. 'Woah, I put almost everything I had in that punch he should be unconscious' Lee finally closed his gaping mouth and continued to watch Ranma as the young boy seemed to be confused at his position.
"What in the world just happened?" Ranma asked as he felt his throbbing cheek and seeing his ripped clothes. Lee started to answer him before stopping and looking at the hand he had been clutching against his battered ribs a moment before. "Wha..." Lee's hand was covered in blood from a deep gash in his side "I didn't even notice it...." were the last words he got out before passing out.
Ranma quickly ran over to his rival to see what was wrong with him before noticing a couple of claw marks on Lee's body, especially the middle one which was way to deep for Ranma's liking.
"No.... This had to have been done with the cat-fist style, and I'm the only one mastering it right now. So that means I must have done it without even being able to remember it." Ranma thought in a panic 'what's happening to me?!' ****
Ranma looked over at his father-turned-panda with nervous eyes as he father looked back at him with the exact same look.
"I... I just had a nightmare from the past ..."
"Funny, I did as well..... It must be a sign, a bad omen!..... Boy, get some sleep I think tomorrow will be a very bad day."
"You know I don't believe in that bad omen crap, 'specially since almost everyday is a bad day." Ranma retorted before trying to get back to sleep without success. 'But, I haven't dreamt about those days since I arrived here, could it really be a sign.... Feh, yeah right.'
A Ranma 1/2-Rurouni Kenshin fusion Title Pending
By: Q Ranma 1/2 and Rorouni Kenshin do not belong to me and are being used solely for non-profit purposes.
Ranma walked to school alongside Akane and surprisingly Nabiki lost in thought, slowly being left behind by the sisters. Nabiki being the first to realize Ranma was being a lot quieter than normal glanced atop the fence. Only to find no one on it, looking backwards she spotted him staring into the canal with a faraway look.
"What's wrong with him?" Nabiki asked her sister.
"I don't know he's been like that all morning, spacing in an out." was the answer.
'This could be interesting' thought Nabiki wondering what could get Ranma this worked up.
"A penny for your thoughts." Ranma snapped out of his thoughts by Nabiki's voice. "Say what?" asked Ranma not able to catch Nabiki's question.
"What's bothering you?" Akane asked him, saving Nabiki from having to repeat herself.
"Just thinking about a dream I had last night, it was .... never mind it was just a silly dream" with that said Ranma continued on his way to school leaving to suspicious girls behind.....
Even though Ranma hoped to get Akane and Nabiki off his back about the dream, his odd behavior only fueled them on even to the point of adding Ukyo to the list of inquiring minds. Once school finally let out Ranma was cornered by the three and was 'persuaded' to have a little talk with them.
"All right Saotome what's the deal with this dream and why is it scaring you so much?" never to waste precious time Nabiki beat out the other two girls in asking the million dollar question
"Hey, I am not sca..."
" Come on Ran-chan I can help if some dream is scaring you."
"Hold on, first of all I'm not sca..."
"Look Ranma, we're trying to help you out so tell us what's got you so scared."
"I AM NOT SCARED!"
"....."
"....."
"....."
"I'm just a bit out of it because of a dream that reminded me of some training I took to get over my ..... fear of cats, and to master the cat- fist." Ranma finally admitted.
"Was the training that bad Ran-chan?" worried Ukyo.
"Well, actually most of it wasn't really that bad, I had an accident though. While mastering the cat-fist I found myself in a weird semi- conscious state of mind a lot of the time. I had to continue being in that state of mind until I could finally become fully in control of myself while using the cat-fist. However, a.... training partner of mine was sparring with me one day without any supervision and I lost what little hold over the cat-fist I had in the middle of it and almost killed him. After that I left the 'School of the Fang' and decided to stop trying to incorporate the cat-fist into my style. After all I was pretty confident that I could just get away from any cat before it was triggered."
"What's this 'School of the Fang'" Nabiki's curiosity was rearing it's ugly head.
"It was a school that taught the numerous 'Invincible techniques' like my Cat Fist for instance. The man I injured during my time there was probably one of the best students they ever had, he was learning the very difficult 'Serpents tongue' style." Ranma elaborated.
"So I guess you had a dream about your accident." Akane finished for him.
"Yeah, I'd appreciate it if you guys would let me go home and rest, I feel kinda' drained from talking about it."
"Sure, I'll walk with you to the dojo." Ukyo quickly answered.
"We'll walk with you home." Akane put in firmly while Nabiki just shook her head in amusement. *****
On the outskirts of Nerima, a pair of martial art 'masters' were trudging off on a training trip.
"Do you really think someone is coming for Ranma?" Soun asked Genma.
"I'm telling you, I had a bad omen last night, it's best to let the boy deal with it on his own" 'since I probably had something to do with it, and Nodoka's going to be pissed when she finds out.' Genma replied with conviction as the two continued on the training trip to a local Shogi tournament. *****
"I'm a bit suspicious about this 'training trip' my husband is on" Nodoka confessed to Kasumi.
"Yes, it is rather odd for him and father to go on a training trip without being forced." Kasumi agreed while the two continued shopping.
"If I didn't know better I would have sworn he had his 'something bad is coming and there's no way I'm going to be around to get caught for it .... ah, in it' look"
Kasumi blinked "that an interesting name for that look but I guess it fits rather well." *****
While all this was going on, a bandana clad young man was just realizing he was actually in front of the Tendo dojo.
"Wow, looks like my luck is looking up..."
"Excuse me?" Ryouga stiffened at the unfamiliar voice behind him, for some reason he felt like he had just stuck his foot in his mouth. 'Wait, that's Ranma who sticks his foot in his mouth all the time' Ryouga turned to the voice, secure in knowledge that, no matter what his gut was telling him, he hadn't sealed his fate. "Uh, what can I do for you?"
"I take it you live here young man" asked a man who seemed a couple of years older than Ryouga.
"Uh, heh heh, not yet.... I mean not usually.... I mean not really, yeah that's it." Ryouga finally answered while blushing and rubbing the back of his head.
"I.... see" Replied the older gentlemen without even raising an eyebrow. "So are standing in front of the gate for a reason?"
Ryouga finally pulled himself together and answered the man "Un, actually I was just about to go in, are you coming to the dojo yourself." Ryouga noted the green gi top, black undershirt, and black Chinese pants the man wore. He seemed pretty tall, maybe 6'2, with a pretty impressive build.
"Why yes I am. I would like to ask for lessons." the man replied with a friendly smile.
"Well, I'm not sure if anyone will be willing to teach you, but I guess it wouldn't hurt to ask." Ryouga replied while entering the Tendo yard. After knocking on the front door and getting no answer he went and peeked into the dojo still not seeing anyone home.
"No one seems to be home.... that's kind of odd, I'm sure some one will be here shortly since school should be out soon. You can wait if you'd like Mr..." Ryouga trailed off.
"Oh sorry, Mr. Mido, Kyoji Mido, I guess I'll stop back later." However before he could turn to leave Ryouga stopped him.
"Wait, why are you hear for lessons, I can tell you pretty strong just from your aura..." 'maybe as strong as me.... No! only Ranma can stand up to me' "and the I can tell your skilled just by the way you walk. Your not here for lessons are you! Your probably here to kidnap Akane! Well I stop you and be the hero this time." Ryouga proclaimed while pointing at Kyoji.
In response to Ryouga's shout Kyoji's smile dropped and his green eyes grew cold "Rather perceptive of you Ryouga Habiki, or should I say P-chan."
Ryouga quickly jumped back to put some space between himself and Kyoji, then settled into an aggressive stance. "Why the hell are you really here?!" demanded Ryouga.
"Hmm, since the 'cub' isn't here I guess I should leave a message." Kyoji wondered aloud.
"Cub, what the hell are you talking about?" Ryouga asked without dropping his stance. Kyoji didn't bother to answer, instead deciding to raise an eyebrow at the angry young man before him. "Fine, I'll beat it out of you!" Ryouga shot towards Kyoji's still form connecting with a punch to his face. "So, why don't you answer me before I decide to continue." Ryouga said with a smirk on his face, a smirk that died a quick and painful death a second later.
"Not bad, your strength's pretty good for a martial artist, However..." Ryouga once again put some distance between himself and Kyoji in the middle of Kyoji's sentence "to the warriors trained in the ultimate fighting styles you are rather lacking....Let me show you true power."
After taking off his green gi, Kyoji settled into what seemed like a odd snake stance with one hand on equal level with his green eyes and his other beside his chest, with all his finger pointing straight forward and his body from the neck down positioned sideways. Kyoji started to slowly and rhythmically swing his hands and arms in a erratic pattern, seeming to lull Ryouga into becoming almost lost in said pattern. Once believing Ryouga far enough under his spell, Kyoji quickly bent backwards slightly before flying at Ryouga faster than Ryouga could ever hope to see with his eyes. Kyoji quickly shoved his right hand that was level with his eyes into Ryouga's shoulder while using his own ki to disrupt Ryouga's.
The two fighters easily broke through the wall on the side of the dojo with Ryouga's body going first and Kyoji's quickly following with his hand still imbedded into Ryouga's shoulder. Once Kyoji's feet touched the dojo's floor he quickly took his hand out of Ryouga shoulder and began to walk out of the dojo.
"Wait!"
"I don't think you understand your situation piglet, you're better off staying down." Kyoji said while a ghost of a smile played across his face.
"I haven't showed you my special move yet..." and so saying Ryouga began to charge of his Shi Shi Hokodan. Once it was ready Ryouga started to shoot it into the air but before it could leave, the ki exploded out of his body violently leaving him unconscious.
"Ah, yes, the Shi Shi Hokodan, not a bad technique per se, but not good enough to fight through my ki disruption." Kyoji stated to no one before finally leaving the dojo and the Tendo home. *****
Ranma continued on his way towards the Tendo Dojo with his head tilted back gazing at the sky when he crossed paths with his mother and Kasumi.
"Hello Akane, Nabiki, and Ukyo" Said Kasumi with a smile on her face.
"How are you all doing today?... Oh, Ranma." Nodoka finally noticed her son on the fence behind the three girls.
"Huh, oh, hey mom... Kasumi." Ranma replied without much cheer.
Nodoka cast the girls a questioning glance as to her son's mood. 'I hope they haven't been fighting over my Ranma again.' Nodoka knew how depressed Ranma had started to become whenever his suitors fought with each other.
"Ranma's just a little out of it because of some bad memories from his training trip recently resurfaced." Nabiki calmly answered.
"I see." 'Maybe I can talk to him about it back at the dojo, I haven't really talked with him about his training trip' Nodoka thought while watching her son walk along the fence toward the dojo.
Feeling his mother's eyes on him Ranma tried to shake off his feeling of impending doom (tm) that continued to grow stronger as he reached the dojo.
Finally reaching the outer gate of the home Ranma was first at the gate as he opened it to allow everyone to enter before stiffening at the condition of the dojo.
"Move it Ranma, we've got a couple of bags out here!" shouted Akane trying to push past Ranma. "Jeez, pull yourself togeth... er?" Akane trailed off.
Hearing Akane's voice fall everyone shoved in past Ranma and Akane to see what was wrong.
"Oh My!" Kasumi covered her mouth.
"That definitely wasn't there when we left for groceries." calmly stated Nodoka.
Everyone finally tore their eyes away from the hole in the dojo wall and looked at Ranma.
"Hey, I was at school all day, you know that!" Ranma cried out indignantly at the stares he was receiving.
"Yeah, but I bet whoever did this came looking for you" replied his uncute fiancee.
"Feh, whatev...." Ranma trailed off as he sensed a wildly fluctuating ki flow still inside the dojo. "Someone's in there!" Ranma yelled while running for the dojo doors and throwing them open.
"Ryouga!" Akane cried while running over to check on him "He's bleeding pretty bad from his shoulder."
As the others all crowded around to see Ryouga's condition, Ranma walked back out side the dojo picking up the green gi top he say laying on the ground. *****
Kasumi finally finished with working on Ryouga's shoulder, sat back and let out a sigh. "Is he going to be alright Kasumi?" asked her baby sister with a catch in her throat. "He's going to be alright, he just needs some time to rest now. Would you like to watch over him just incase?" Akane nodded her head "Yeah, I'd like that"
Everyone slowly left the room after that, meeting at the dining table.
"Should we tell Ranma that Ryouga's going to be fine?" Kasumi asked to Nodoka. "I'll let him know" said Nabiki as she began to get up. "No, I think Ranma really should be left alone right now. He had a very intense look on his face when I went to talk to him a few minutes ago." Nodoka said with worry in her voice. *****
"So Kyoji, or should I say Lee, did you defeat son-in-law?" Cologne asked Lee. "No, he was not home when I arrived but I did run into the young Hibiki boy" answered Lee. "Did he give you any trouble?" Cologne asked wondering just how strong was this Lee character. "Besides figuring out I wasn't actually there for lessons like I claimed, then no, he wasn't any trouble at all." Lee calmly stated.
"I must say I am a bit surprised that a rival of son-in-law's would so easily ask for assistance instead of going off to fight him on their own..." Cologne gave Lee a piercing gaze.
"I just want revenge to matter how it is done." Lee stared back at Cologne.
After a long minute of staring Cologne gave in realizing it was foolish to expect him to crack this soon. 'I know you think your fooling me, but there's no way your here to get revenge against son-in-law as you claim. But I'll play along unless things get out of hand.' Cologne thought to herself wondering what was Ranma getting himself into now.
While Cologne and Lee talked, Mousse silently listened in on their conversation. Of course both Cologne and Lee knew this, but as with most situations involving Mousse, they figured it unimportant. *****
Lee began his walk down the almost empty sidewalk outside the Cat Cafe after the meeting with Cologne. 'Even though she's suspicious seeing her before meeting Ranma should keep her from interfering to much.' Lee couldn't help but smile a little about his upcoming meeting with the young 'cub'.
Back in her own room Cologne watched Lee intently 'Hmm he claims to be a member of the once legendary school of the fang. A group of warriors who each represented one of the invincible beast techniques. Like Lee's Serpent's Tongue or Son-in-laws Cat fist. Now the school is all but dead and Lee is nothing more than a worm drowning after the rain.... or is he. I just know there has to be more to this then just Lee wanting to fight one of the few students of the fang still around.' *****
Ranma sat in the dojo holding the green gi in his hand and looking at his left fist clench and unclench. 'So Lee is here, he always wore a green gi like this when he practiced, and Ryouga's wound was without a doubt done by Lee's special technique.....
"The venom bite" a technique that not only stabs the body, but disrupts your ki flow making it almost impossible to move your body correctly.'
Standing up and facing the hole in the dojo wall Ranma imagined Lee flying at him with his right hand poised to stab Ranma in his chest area. With a grunt Ranma ignited his own aura at full strength. Letting go of his aura Ranma wonder if he could hold out against Lee.
'With my hesitation in battle after killing Saffron and giving up mastering the Cat Fist can I ever hope to stand against Lee. Can I stand against a martial artis.... No! A warrior of Leon Max's power and mastery of one of the Invincible beast techniques?' *****
"You must decide now, will you finally become a ferocious tiger or will you let yourself wilt away as a pitiful martial artist training in some beat up dojo? What will your choice be young cub?"
Lee asked while walking alone down the street towards his temporary lodgings while in Nerima. ***** The afternoon of the next day....
Kasumi quickly peeked into the guest room seeing Akane watching over Ryouga. "Any changes yet?" Kasumi quietly asked. "No, not really, he's been mumbling a little.... it sounds like "Ranma, this is all your fault" I think." Akane replied.
"I'll bring you lunch alright." Kasumi told Akane as she headed downstairs.
Once she reached the entrance of the kitchen Kasumi was stopped by Ranma's question "Hey Kasumi, is Ryouga OK?" Kasumi looked over at him and nodded her head "Yes, no need to worry, Akane's watching over him right now." Kasumi was a bit disappointed to see Ranma not even notice what she said about Akane. "Good... I think I'll go practice some more." And with that Ranma went back to the dojo that he had spent the night in.
Nabiki and Nodoka watched Ranma's return to the dojo with worried expressions. "I've never seen Ranma look that ....." Nabiki paused to find the right word. "worried, focused, maybe a little scared." Nodoka supplied. "Uh, well I guess one or two of those. You know, with as many fights that happen around here I've never actually seen anyone that hurt before.... and for it to be Ryouga, the one with probably the toughest body, to have the injury is a bit unsettling." Nabiki replied.
"Hello?" Ukyo walked around to the side door seeing if any one was home. Spotting Nabiki and Nodoka sitting on the porch, Ukyo approached. "Hey, no body answered the door, so I came in to see if everything was alright."
"Sorry dear, we're all still a little out of it right now. please come an sit with us." Nodoka patted beside her. "Uh, OK." Ukyo replied "How's Ryouga doing? he was looking alright when I left yesterday."
"He's fine, Akane's keeping a silent vigil over him" Nabiki answered while staring at the dojo.
"How's.... Ran-chan been doing" Ukyo asked while squirming under Nodoka's gaze.
"Well, he's been in the dojo all day since yesterday, why do you ask." Nodoka smiled as Ukyo began to blush. "Well, that is, Um... a letter! yeah a letter was outside the dojo when I stopped by. It's for Ranma." Ukyo quickly held up the letter for everyone to see.
Ranma quickly exited the dojo to everyone's surprise "Afternoon Ucchan, did I hear you say you found a letter for me?" Ukyo nodded while handing the letter over.
"How'd you hear her Ranma? been spying on us or maybe feeling a bit paranoid?" Nabiki smirked. Without so much as a glance Ranma retorted "Well it's pretty easy to hear you guys when there's a Ryouga sized hole in the wall, ya know."
"Oh right" Nabiki deflated.
"I need to go for a walk, I'll see you guys later.... Bye!" Ranma called out while dashing for the outer wall and quickly jumping over it.
"Wait!" Nodoka cried to no avail. *****
Lee quietly ate his bowl of Ramen in the corner of the Cat Cafe when Mousse sat at the table beside him. Lee raised an eyebrow as Mousse began shooting hateful glares and the man sitting across the table from him. "Alright Pal, look here, Saotome is mine and I won't let you beat him or take Shampoo from me!" Mousse banged his fist on the table at the end of his declaration. "Ex.. Excuse me?" The unfortunate customer asked, wondering why the waiter was being so paranoid over hair care products that he hadn't even asked him for.
"Ahem.... I believe he's looking for me...." Lee told the young man who seemed completely confused and rightly so, before turning to address Mousse "and Mousse I think you should put on your glasses."
Mousse quickly dropped his glasses over his eyes before looking back and forth between Lee and the unimportant young man. "There you are!" Mousse yelled as he turned to Lee, however not moving to his table.
"Lee you can't fool me I know you trying to defeat Ranma so you can show my Shampoo that your the best for her!"
"What the hell are you talking about? You give your shampoo genders?"
"Ahem..."
"What? Of course my Shampoo has a gender what are you trying to say?"
"Oh wait, you mean the purple haired young women?"
"Um...."
"I knew it! you are after my Shampoo"
"I really hope your talking about that young women at the register and not actual hair care products."
"Excuse me..."
"So you admit it!"
"I'm admitting nothing, you water fool"
"will someone please pay attention to me?"
"It's waterfowl!"
"Whatever."
"ENOUGH!"
Lee and Mousse paused to look at the flustered young man who finally realized he had gotten their attention. "Could you two talk about this at your own table?"
"Oh sorry." Mousse looked a little sheepish as he went to sit at Lee's table.
"Mousse, I have no interest in your girlfriend or your hair care products, actually I really don't care if you are the one to beat Ranma." Lee told Mousse.
"Huh?" was Mousse's intelligent reply.
"Look I just want Ranma to suffer, I don't care if I'm not the one to do it. I sent Ranma a challenge letter he'll be meeting me at the outskirts of Nerima near the forest, you more than welcome to take my place, heck since he'll be expecting me he might not even notice you if your real quiet."
Mousse stared at Lee for a few tense seconds before giving in "Alright, I think I will go as a matter of fact." Mousse quickly got up and ran out the door not even bothering to inform Shampoo or Cologne.
'Fool, even as he is now, Ranma is far to skilled to lose to the likes of you.' Lee thought as he finished his meal, left his money on the table, and heading for the Tendo Dojo once again. *****
Ranma slowly walked down the path towards the beginning of the forest 'Why did Lee attack Ryouga? Did Ryouga start it? Lee wouldn't attack Ryouga just to get at me... unless he's changed because of the wound I gave him. With my luck that's probably exactly what's happened.'
Finally reaching the forest Ranma continued his train of thought almost ignoring his danger sense(tm) and the sound of metal flying through the air, almost. Ranma quickly jumped to the side while twisting in midair to face the direction the projectiles had come from. He was only slightly surprised to see Mousse standing across from him. "What are you doing here Mousse?" Ranma asked with a forcefulness Mousse had never heard in him before. "I'm here to defeat you of course, and finally win Shampoo from you." Mousse answered while attacking again.
Ranma narrowed his eyes as he quickly noted each chain and blade flying at him, once done his just moved a half inch to right then raising his right leg and tilting his head back to the left. Mousse gaped as Ranma barely put effort into the dodge 'What? I threw way to much at him for him to dodge that easily!' "Where's Lee? he sent the letter not you." Ranma calmly stated. "I'll tell you when you're laying at the bottom off my feet!" Mousse yelled while trying a new attack.
He jumped at Ranma and began to twist in midair while spinning spiked chains around him as he closed in. 'Interesting move... but nowhere near good enough to even worry about.' Ranma thought while timing a small ki blast to hit Mousse when the two chains were pointing in opposite directions of Ranma. Mousse yelped in surprise as he let go of the chains and began rubbing his back where he was hit.
Mousse began to wildly look around him as he realized he was still in a fight. 'Where is he..... Damn.' Mousse finally noticed Ranma when he looked up, unfortunately Ranma was only a few inches away from Mousse. Ranma quickly landed from the jump he used to avoid the chains, and at the exact moment of his landing shot back up with an uppercut to Mousse chin. Mousse flew back from the impact and decided to take a small time-out. *****
"I know it's kind of late but lunch is ready." Kasumi called out as she entered the dining area. She looked up noticing they had a guest at the dojo "Hello again Ukyo.... where's Ranma?"
"Oh don't worry about him, he took off earlier after receiving some letter." Nabiki wave off Kasumi's concern. "I wonder what it was about?" Ukyo wondered out loud.
"My manly son probably went to meet another of his girlfriends" Nodoka replied with a serene smile. "WHAT! another girlfriend?!" Ukyo cried out.
"I'm just joking Ukyo. I'm sure he'll be back soon Kasumi."
"I wonder who the letter was from.... maybe the guy who beat up Ryo..."
KNOCK. KNOCK.
Everyone turned towards the door wondering who was showing up. Kasumi quickly went to get it with Nabiki following.
"Hello." Kasumi said as she answered the door and blinked at the young man in front of her.
Nabiki raised an eyebrow at the man who was wearing a black suit with no tie and boots instead of regular dress shoes. As he removed his glasses she was shocked to see green eyes that clashed with his long black hair that framed the side of his face.
"Good day. I'm sorry to bother you , but I was wondering if Ranma Saotome was staying here?"
"Oh my, your here for Ranma?" Kasumi asked with a little shock.
"And just who might you be?" Nabiki asked.
"I'm sorry, let me introduce myself.... I'm Kyoji Mido. I work for the government, well when they ask me to at least. I usually deal with things concerning the unusual, like magic items and super powered martial artist. I wanted to warn Mr. Saotome about one such martial artist who was not only destroying dojo's but also putting it's students in the hospital. He's actually in the area if my sources are right and is probably planning on attacking Mr. Saotome, so I was wondering if maybe he could help me." Lee answered with a smile that rivaled Kasumi's.
"Well Ranma's not here right now and we're having lunch, so...." Kasumi trailed off not wanting to disappoint the nice man who seemed rather young to be working for the government, after all he couldn't be more than a year older than her.
"Actually that guy your talking about is probably the one who busted up our dojo, and left a.... friend of ours out of commission." Nabiki informed the so-called somewhat government agent, all the while studying his face. He was rather handsome but something about him seemed off.
"Oh, you don't say, do you mind if I have a look at the dojo while a wait for Mr. Saotome to return?" Kyoji asked the middle Tendo sister.
"Sure I'll show it to you" Kasumi answered while Nabiki watched the man follow her sister to the dojo. Eventually deciding to go eat with the other Nabiki, thought it be best to question him as soon as she finished eating. *****
Ranma relaxed a little as Mousse finally struggled to stand. "I know you have this dream that someday you'll beat me and then Shampoo will finally realize you're the perfect man for her, but really, do you expect to beat me with your current skill level?"
"I will defeat you!" Mousse attacked with renewed strength. moving in to fight somewhat hand-to-hand, however Mousse wore bracers with three claws on each sticking out almost like the claws on his shoes when he first fought Ranma in a duel. Ranma noticing Mousse's newest surprise decided to dodge instead of blocking Mousse's blows. After about a minute of cat and mouse, Ranma decided to put an end to this game. Ranma leaned back at an almost impossible angle letting Mousse's right hand shoot over his body where his head was a moment ago. Quickly grabbing the hand with his left he straightened back up and caught Mousse left hand in his right. After placing a knee in Mousse gut Ranma placed he foot on Mousse's chest and pulled off both of the bracers. As Mousse went stumbling away Ranma once again went at Mousse, quickly ripping off his shirt.
Mousse finally opened his eyes after closing them when he saw Ranma moving in to attack him again, and realized Ranma had removed his robe. Ranma watched Mousse's face pale in realization of his situation. "So Mousse, why are you here instead of Lee?" Ranma watched as Mousse dropped to his knees.
"He said he wanted me to soften you up before he tried to take you on. He threatened to try and win Shampoo if I didn't help him, besides we both wanted you defeated." 'Ranma should buy that' Mousse smirked with his face bowed.
Ranma turned away from Mousse disgusted 'either he thinks I'm a fool or he doesn't know Lee all that well.' "I can't say I completely believe you but I'm finished with you." Ranma began to walk out of the forest when he once again heard the sound of multiple items in the air. Ranma turned around with a look of shock on his face as the small egg bombs closed in on him.
Ranma was thrown back as the multiple bombs went off. *****
"What? There someone going around destroying dojo's all over, and now he's probably after our dojo too?"
"That's right. That's why I want you to be careful Akane."
"I wonder how strong he is, do you think Ran... we can beat him."
"I wouldn't worry about that Akane, I'm sure with Ranma's help we'll be alright. And until he gets here we have that nice young man in the dojo to help keep a look out."
"Yeah, I guess your right Kasumi."
"I better go make sure Nabiki doesn't start interrogating the young man."
Akane finally smiled at Kasumi "If it's not to late."
Said young women was in fact trying to do that very thing. "So you're not really with the government per se, just someone who helps out? Like an informant?"
"Well, I rather not think of myself as one, but I do provide information for the government as well as do a little field work if they ask.... and pay for it."
As the two continued to talk a certain Amazon came by looking for either her husband or coworker. She was quickly meet by whom she hoped would be her mother-in-law and Ukyo. "Nihao, Ms. Saotome is Airen or Mousse here?"
"Oh I'm sorry Shampoo, but Ranma left earlier and we haven't seen Mousse at all." Nodoka told Shampoo.
Wondering why Ukyo was there 'I hope she's not trying to kiss up to MY mother-in-law' Shampoo quickly asked "What Spatula girl doing here?" Ukyo narrowed her eyes and began to open her mouth when Kasumi entered the room.
"Oh, hello Shampoo have you came to check on Ryouga as well?" Kasumi asked.
Shampoo blinked at the new information "What wrong with pig boy?" she asked while still looking at Ukyo.
"Well Shampoo..." Nodoka began as she gestured for Shampoo to sit down with her 'It's so nice to have so many energetic young ladies to gossip with and talk about my son.' *****
Ranma groaned from his position on the ground as he curled up into a ball. "Ha, so now who's all high and mighty, Ranma. Well Lee said he wanted you to suffer no matter how it was done so I guess I'll grant his wish." Mousse said with smiling at his downed opponent.
"How generous of you" Ranma replied as he uncurled himself and lazily rolled to his feet. "It seems Lee might not be the man I remembered him as." Ranma replied while dusting his clothes. Mousse jumped into the air and went for more of his bombs as Ranma was talking to himself. Right as Mousse cocked his arm back to throw the bombs Ranma shouted out his own attack.
"Moko Takabisha!" *****
Ranma walked back to dojo as the sun began it's final descent. As he reached the gate he found Kasumi, Ukyo, his mother, and even Shampoo talking with each other on the porch. Blinking at the surreal scene of so many of his favorite women, and incidentally almost the only women he knew, all getting along together he wondered what was the occasion.
"Yo, what's up?" He called out catching all their attention at the same time.
"Ranma!" they all called out with odd faces.
"Um, yeah?" he was getting that impending doom(tm) feeling again.
"You had us worried, running around when there some dangerous fighter looking for you." his mother told him while pulling him along to the dojo.
"H..How'd you know about that?" Ranma fearfully asked.
As she continued pulling him towards the dojo, Nodoka answered her son "Someone with the government came by to warn you, he's waiting in the dojo now." Ranma blinked at this 'the government's getting involved in this? It's just a stupid 'guy challenges other guy to a fight to the death' type thing, nothing to get worked up about.' (A glimpse into the mind of Ranma Saotome)
"This is Mr. Kyoji Mido" Nodoka informed Ranma as she began to open the dojo doors. "He works with super powered martial artist and other so called crazy stuff." Ukyo helpfully added with a shrug.
'WHAT' Ranma gasped as he got a look at "Kyoji Mido" or Lee as Ranma knew him as.
'Ah, Damn.... this really sucks' Ranma quickly schooled his features.
"You took your time with that fool, Mousse. You've become sloppier than I expected....." Lee took a moment to think it seemed. "The last time we faced each other was when you almost mastered the Cat Fist was it not? It's been 3 years." Lee stated in a calm voice as he faced the shrine at the end of the dojo where he was standing.
"You know this man Airen?" Shampoo asked trying to keep up with all the new information coming her way since stopping by the dojo earlier.
"So, you've changed your name to Kyoji Mido?" Ranma completely ignored Shampoo's question.
Lee continued "3 years, only two little words, but those years were very long to live through in actuality."
"Yes, they were long enough for some people to become rotten to the core." Ranma replied in a voice just a calm as Lee.
"Excuse me, but will someone please explain what's going on?" Shampoo was really getting lost.
"Ryouga was always a hot head and not very concerned with other people's welfare when it came to our fights, but you used to be a very different fighter back when we all were still developing our skills. Back then you had incredible strength within you. You always fought your matches fair and square. You'd never hurt the people near your opponent to shock or rattle them. You'd never sent a distraction to catch your opponent off guard, or to keep them busy while you took something to hold over your opponent while they were distracted. You never resorted to those types of tricks before."
As Ranma spoke, everyone else in the dojo started to retreat from their 'guest' some even gasping as they realized what Ranma was insinuating about him.
Once Ranma stopped his description of Kyoji during the younger days, the young man in question began to laugh, chilling everyone in the dojo. He slowly faced Ranma, still laughing as Ranma began speaking again.
"You're no longer the person I considered my greatest rival ever..... Leon Max, Master of the invincible technique 'The Serpent's Tongue' and fellow student of the School of the Fang"
"Fellow student of the School of the Fang!?" Ukyo shouted.
"Master of the Serpent's Toungue" Nabiki followed Ukyo's lead.
"So this is actually the man that's after Ranma.... right?" Shampoo asked hoping to finally have something to latch on to.
Ranma and Lee continued to stare at one another until Lee finally began moving towards him.
"I was afraid you skills would deteriorate after leaving the school... I didn't think that your mind would as well. Mousse a distraction, that fool can't even pay attention to himself much less gain someone else's. As a student of the School of the Fang I know your strength better than probably anyone else. Going easy on Mousse.... you obviously have gotten soft since you left our school."
"You think Ranma's...." Kasumi began only to have Nodoka finish for her. "Soft?" Ranma's mother asked.
"My skills as the heir to the Saotome school of Anything Goes martial arts is more than enough to protect those I care about. I have no need for the skills of a warrior." Ranma shot back at Lee.
"Is that so? Well even as a martial artist you're a failure." Lee began to unbutton his coat as he watched Ranma flinch as if physically struck by his accusation. "While you were playing with Mousse, I was here. And while I was here your women let their guards down just because I said I was with the government. Who knows what I could have down while you were gone if I had wanted to?" Lee almost laughed at the expression on Ranma's face as he words began to set in. It looked like Ranma had just ate an Akane mystery meat dish, the mystery being if there was any meat in it or not. Nevertheless Lee continued "But this wasn't the only time was it? No, there was the time Shampoo used the formula 119 on Akane, and when Mousse kidnapped her and threatened to use the spring of drowned duck, you could barely face the Ghost Cat, your first Hiryu Shoten Ha swept up Akane, let's not even mention all the damn princes you faced to save one and sometimes all of your fiancee's, Oh but to top if off, you let some glass jawed wannabe God kill Akane." Lee did let out a soft laugh as Ranma's left eye twitched over and over again until it just settled on being a grimace.
All the females in the room whipped their head over to Ranma 'Akane actually died at Jusendo?' was on everyone's mind.
"How you were able to bring her back is beyond even me." Lee face lost all traces of cheer as he spoke again "but even worse than allowing others to get involved you allowed yourself to be beaten over and over again by fools like Happosai, Herb, hell you've even lost to that moronic piglet...."
'Has this guy actually been watching Ranma ever since he came to our dojo!' Nabiki asked in shock, even she couldn't know everything about Ranma's time in Nerima.
"Satisfactory strength is a good as no strength at all. And words spoken by a hypocrite, especially when not even realizing it, sickens me." Lee's faced sneered in disgust.
"Hey now! Even if some of what you say is true, if Ran-chan wasn't there all those times things would have gotten a lot worse!" Ukyo interrupted.
"Is true! Shampoo would have been stuck with the Ghost Cat if not for Airen." Shampoo backed Ukyo up.
"And if what you said is true than Ranma was even able to bring Akane back from the .... dead" Nabiki finally got out, still shocked from Lee's knowledge of what's been going on in Nerima and even more by finding out how close she came to losing her baby sister.
"That's right, Ranma always protects everyone" Kasumi added, getting caught up in the moment of defending Ranma.
"You think so?.... then what about Ryouga Habiki, Ranma's so called friend and rival....If I had wanted to I could have done much worse to the weakling." Lee continued to attach Ranma's psyche.
"You did that to Ryouga?!" Nabiki cried out.
"For you not to have figured that out immediately.... well I guess it's as you say, 3 years is enough time for someone to completely rot. Drowning yourself with this false belief in your strength. How can a man truly protect people without being a warrior?.... Have you forgotten?
'I shall live by the sword and I shall die by the sword.'
That was the one code every student lived by at the school. To see the man that you have degraded to is almost unbearable." Lee spoke to Ranma while tuning out all around him.
"I don't care what you say, I will not try to master such a deadly technique. I won't become a merciless fighter who thrives on violence." Ranma stated with conviction as his family and friends stared at him.
"I see...." Lee smiled as he slowly entered his Serpent's Tongue stance. "Well then I will destroy all your pretenses to your current claim of strength."
Ranma made no move as he stood in front of his mother. "What's wrong cub? Are you going to let your long lost mother feel my 'venom bite' as well?"
Nodoka grabbed the back of her son's shirt as he began to step away from her. Ranma paused "Don't worry mom, I can take this guy...."
"But son..." Nodoka tried to get out.
"Lee has come to finally settle the score for a mistake on my part. I can't ignore his challenge." Ranma tried to reason with his mother.
"Yes.... But... I can't let you just..." Nodoka trailed off not sure how to stop them from fighting, when Lee obviously had issued a challenge. Before she come up with a good enough reason Ranma once again left her embrace and placed himself at one end of the dojo. Lee also moved to the other end opposite of Ranma. Nabiki quickly moved over to the other woman, placing herself between Kasumi and Nodoka, as they all stood by the dojo's entrance.
Once everyone was more or less in place, Lee once again took up his stance as he let his hands began their slow dance, mesmerizing his audience. Ranma slowly relaxed into one of his defensive stances raising his left had in front of his face and his right hand clenched at his side with his legs parted, and knees slightly bent.
Lee continued his hand pattern as the sun finally died out. Ranma on the other remained perfectly still as he struggled to use his ki to fight off the effects of Lee's hypnotizing stage of the 'venom bite'.
Lee waited for the last ray of the sun to leave the dojo. Then as he had done against Ryouga, Lee shot out like a canon towards Ranma. "Defend Yourself!"
Ranma wasted no time jumping into the air and letting Lee fly into the dojo wall.
"Ha! with the Saotome school of anything goes specialty being midair combat, that guy doesn't stand a chance with landing that ground attack!" Ukyo cheered.
"That's right, that'll show him who's weak..." Shampoo added, never one to be left out when praising Ranma.
Lee quickly flipped back from the wall and sneered at Ranma. "Do you think that you've won 'cause you dodged my attack, well your wrong young 'Cub'!"
Lee quickly redirected his hands to point upwards at a diagonal and shot into the air to stab at Ranma again.
'The Rising Venom Bite!' Ranma internally screamed, disgusted with himself for having forgotten the technique. However let it not be said that Ranma hadn't learned any thing since leaving the school and his subsequent stay at the Tendo's, as he quickly used all his speed to force his body to twist at the top of his jump to avoid the attack. Letting out a breath in relief, his head snapped up as he noticed he hadn't heard Lee crash with the roof or wall of the dojo behind him.
Lee, shocked that Ranma had been able to dodge his attack twice, wasted no time in catching himself against the corner of the roof and wall. He quickly turned to Ranma's still airborne body shooting in exactly the opposite direction of his second attack, stabbing Ranma in the back with his hand.
Ranma held back a scream at the unexpected pain in his back.
Lee grinned at the blood flying out of Ranma's back.
The girls gasped at sight of Ranma's blood.
"Ranma!!" ***** To be Continued?
Authors notes: this is my first fic so please tell me what you think (I figured I try a fusion as a way to avoid writers block while gaining experience with writing before going with a completely original idea. Hopefully this will also help condition me toward writing long chapters.) Even though no characters from Kenshin will actually be in the fic (at least non are planned) the reason for me calling it a fusion for those who didn't catch it is because the events in this story mirror the Kyoto arc of the Kenshin anime. The story will continue to divulge from the anime though as I continue to write it. Akand and Ryouga will probably share Sannosuke's spotlight. Maybe Ukyo, Shampoo and even Nodoka will take the place of Yahiko and Kaoru. I been wondering on changing Leon Max's (also known as Lee and Kyoji Mido) name any suggestions are welcomed (He's half American, half Japanese. which is the reason for the height, build, eye color, and name.) I would also like any ideas on a title and the warrior code I used... 'I shall live by the sword and I shall die by the sword.' If anyone can think of something better just let me know.
quail12001@yahoo.com
'Damn, he's never fought this hard during training before, what's wrong?' Lee continued to dodge and block the incredibly fast and deadly attacks a fourteen year old Ranma threw. Realizing that he was about to be overwhelmed by Ranma's continued strikes, Lee gambled and went for a strong counter punch.
Wham!
Lee slowly lowered his arm from the punch that landed on Ranma's face. As Lee started to stagger over to Ranma he noticed that the young boy was already starting to stand up. 'Woah, I put almost everything I had in that punch he should be unconscious' Lee finally closed his gaping mouth and continued to watch Ranma as the young boy seemed to be confused at his position.
"What in the world just happened?" Ranma asked as he felt his throbbing cheek and seeing his ripped clothes. Lee started to answer him before stopping and looking at the hand he had been clutching against his battered ribs a moment before. "Wha..." Lee's hand was covered in blood from a deep gash in his side "I didn't even notice it...." were the last words he got out before passing out.
Ranma quickly ran over to his rival to see what was wrong with him before noticing a couple of claw marks on Lee's body, especially the middle one which was way to deep for Ranma's liking.
"No.... This had to have been done with the cat-fist style, and I'm the only one mastering it right now. So that means I must have done it without even being able to remember it." Ranma thought in a panic 'what's happening to me?!' ****
Ranma looked over at his father-turned-panda with nervous eyes as he father looked back at him with the exact same look.
"I... I just had a nightmare from the past ..."
"Funny, I did as well..... It must be a sign, a bad omen!..... Boy, get some sleep I think tomorrow will be a very bad day."
"You know I don't believe in that bad omen crap, 'specially since almost everyday is a bad day." Ranma retorted before trying to get back to sleep without success. 'But, I haven't dreamt about those days since I arrived here, could it really be a sign.... Feh, yeah right.'
A Ranma 1/2-Rurouni Kenshin fusion Title Pending
By: Q Ranma 1/2 and Rorouni Kenshin do not belong to me and are being used solely for non-profit purposes.
Ranma walked to school alongside Akane and surprisingly Nabiki lost in thought, slowly being left behind by the sisters. Nabiki being the first to realize Ranma was being a lot quieter than normal glanced atop the fence. Only to find no one on it, looking backwards she spotted him staring into the canal with a faraway look.
"What's wrong with him?" Nabiki asked her sister.
"I don't know he's been like that all morning, spacing in an out." was the answer.
'This could be interesting' thought Nabiki wondering what could get Ranma this worked up.
"A penny for your thoughts." Ranma snapped out of his thoughts by Nabiki's voice. "Say what?" asked Ranma not able to catch Nabiki's question.
"What's bothering you?" Akane asked him, saving Nabiki from having to repeat herself.
"Just thinking about a dream I had last night, it was .... never mind it was just a silly dream" with that said Ranma continued on his way to school leaving to suspicious girls behind.....
Even though Ranma hoped to get Akane and Nabiki off his back about the dream, his odd behavior only fueled them on even to the point of adding Ukyo to the list of inquiring minds. Once school finally let out Ranma was cornered by the three and was 'persuaded' to have a little talk with them.
"All right Saotome what's the deal with this dream and why is it scaring you so much?" never to waste precious time Nabiki beat out the other two girls in asking the million dollar question
"Hey, I am not sca..."
" Come on Ran-chan I can help if some dream is scaring you."
"Hold on, first of all I'm not sca..."
"Look Ranma, we're trying to help you out so tell us what's got you so scared."
"I AM NOT SCARED!"
"....."
"....."
"....."
"I'm just a bit out of it because of a dream that reminded me of some training I took to get over my ..... fear of cats, and to master the cat- fist." Ranma finally admitted.
"Was the training that bad Ran-chan?" worried Ukyo.
"Well, actually most of it wasn't really that bad, I had an accident though. While mastering the cat-fist I found myself in a weird semi- conscious state of mind a lot of the time. I had to continue being in that state of mind until I could finally become fully in control of myself while using the cat-fist. However, a.... training partner of mine was sparring with me one day without any supervision and I lost what little hold over the cat-fist I had in the middle of it and almost killed him. After that I left the 'School of the Fang' and decided to stop trying to incorporate the cat-fist into my style. After all I was pretty confident that I could just get away from any cat before it was triggered."
"What's this 'School of the Fang'" Nabiki's curiosity was rearing it's ugly head.
"It was a school that taught the numerous 'Invincible techniques' like my Cat Fist for instance. The man I injured during my time there was probably one of the best students they ever had, he was learning the very difficult 'Serpents tongue' style." Ranma elaborated.
"So I guess you had a dream about your accident." Akane finished for him.
"Yeah, I'd appreciate it if you guys would let me go home and rest, I feel kinda' drained from talking about it."
"Sure, I'll walk with you to the dojo." Ukyo quickly answered.
"We'll walk with you home." Akane put in firmly while Nabiki just shook her head in amusement. *****
On the outskirts of Nerima, a pair of martial art 'masters' were trudging off on a training trip.
"Do you really think someone is coming for Ranma?" Soun asked Genma.
"I'm telling you, I had a bad omen last night, it's best to let the boy deal with it on his own" 'since I probably had something to do with it, and Nodoka's going to be pissed when she finds out.' Genma replied with conviction as the two continued on the training trip to a local Shogi tournament. *****
"I'm a bit suspicious about this 'training trip' my husband is on" Nodoka confessed to Kasumi.
"Yes, it is rather odd for him and father to go on a training trip without being forced." Kasumi agreed while the two continued shopping.
"If I didn't know better I would have sworn he had his 'something bad is coming and there's no way I'm going to be around to get caught for it .... ah, in it' look"
Kasumi blinked "that an interesting name for that look but I guess it fits rather well." *****
While all this was going on, a bandana clad young man was just realizing he was actually in front of the Tendo dojo.
"Wow, looks like my luck is looking up..."
"Excuse me?" Ryouga stiffened at the unfamiliar voice behind him, for some reason he felt like he had just stuck his foot in his mouth. 'Wait, that's Ranma who sticks his foot in his mouth all the time' Ryouga turned to the voice, secure in knowledge that, no matter what his gut was telling him, he hadn't sealed his fate. "Uh, what can I do for you?"
"I take it you live here young man" asked a man who seemed a couple of years older than Ryouga.
"Uh, heh heh, not yet.... I mean not usually.... I mean not really, yeah that's it." Ryouga finally answered while blushing and rubbing the back of his head.
"I.... see" Replied the older gentlemen without even raising an eyebrow. "So are standing in front of the gate for a reason?"
Ryouga finally pulled himself together and answered the man "Un, actually I was just about to go in, are you coming to the dojo yourself." Ryouga noted the green gi top, black undershirt, and black Chinese pants the man wore. He seemed pretty tall, maybe 6'2, with a pretty impressive build.
"Why yes I am. I would like to ask for lessons." the man replied with a friendly smile.
"Well, I'm not sure if anyone will be willing to teach you, but I guess it wouldn't hurt to ask." Ryouga replied while entering the Tendo yard. After knocking on the front door and getting no answer he went and peeked into the dojo still not seeing anyone home.
"No one seems to be home.... that's kind of odd, I'm sure some one will be here shortly since school should be out soon. You can wait if you'd like Mr..." Ryouga trailed off.
"Oh sorry, Mr. Mido, Kyoji Mido, I guess I'll stop back later." However before he could turn to leave Ryouga stopped him.
"Wait, why are you hear for lessons, I can tell you pretty strong just from your aura..." 'maybe as strong as me.... No! only Ranma can stand up to me' "and the I can tell your skilled just by the way you walk. Your not here for lessons are you! Your probably here to kidnap Akane! Well I stop you and be the hero this time." Ryouga proclaimed while pointing at Kyoji.
In response to Ryouga's shout Kyoji's smile dropped and his green eyes grew cold "Rather perceptive of you Ryouga Habiki, or should I say P-chan."
Ryouga quickly jumped back to put some space between himself and Kyoji, then settled into an aggressive stance. "Why the hell are you really here?!" demanded Ryouga.
"Hmm, since the 'cub' isn't here I guess I should leave a message." Kyoji wondered aloud.
"Cub, what the hell are you talking about?" Ryouga asked without dropping his stance. Kyoji didn't bother to answer, instead deciding to raise an eyebrow at the angry young man before him. "Fine, I'll beat it out of you!" Ryouga shot towards Kyoji's still form connecting with a punch to his face. "So, why don't you answer me before I decide to continue." Ryouga said with a smirk on his face, a smirk that died a quick and painful death a second later.
"Not bad, your strength's pretty good for a martial artist, However..." Ryouga once again put some distance between himself and Kyoji in the middle of Kyoji's sentence "to the warriors trained in the ultimate fighting styles you are rather lacking....Let me show you true power."
After taking off his green gi, Kyoji settled into what seemed like a odd snake stance with one hand on equal level with his green eyes and his other beside his chest, with all his finger pointing straight forward and his body from the neck down positioned sideways. Kyoji started to slowly and rhythmically swing his hands and arms in a erratic pattern, seeming to lull Ryouga into becoming almost lost in said pattern. Once believing Ryouga far enough under his spell, Kyoji quickly bent backwards slightly before flying at Ryouga faster than Ryouga could ever hope to see with his eyes. Kyoji quickly shoved his right hand that was level with his eyes into Ryouga's shoulder while using his own ki to disrupt Ryouga's.
The two fighters easily broke through the wall on the side of the dojo with Ryouga's body going first and Kyoji's quickly following with his hand still imbedded into Ryouga's shoulder. Once Kyoji's feet touched the dojo's floor he quickly took his hand out of Ryouga shoulder and began to walk out of the dojo.
"Wait!"
"I don't think you understand your situation piglet, you're better off staying down." Kyoji said while a ghost of a smile played across his face.
"I haven't showed you my special move yet..." and so saying Ryouga began to charge of his Shi Shi Hokodan. Once it was ready Ryouga started to shoot it into the air but before it could leave, the ki exploded out of his body violently leaving him unconscious.
"Ah, yes, the Shi Shi Hokodan, not a bad technique per se, but not good enough to fight through my ki disruption." Kyoji stated to no one before finally leaving the dojo and the Tendo home. *****
Ranma continued on his way towards the Tendo Dojo with his head tilted back gazing at the sky when he crossed paths with his mother and Kasumi.
"Hello Akane, Nabiki, and Ukyo" Said Kasumi with a smile on her face.
"How are you all doing today?... Oh, Ranma." Nodoka finally noticed her son on the fence behind the three girls.
"Huh, oh, hey mom... Kasumi." Ranma replied without much cheer.
Nodoka cast the girls a questioning glance as to her son's mood. 'I hope they haven't been fighting over my Ranma again.' Nodoka knew how depressed Ranma had started to become whenever his suitors fought with each other.
"Ranma's just a little out of it because of some bad memories from his training trip recently resurfaced." Nabiki calmly answered.
"I see." 'Maybe I can talk to him about it back at the dojo, I haven't really talked with him about his training trip' Nodoka thought while watching her son walk along the fence toward the dojo.
Feeling his mother's eyes on him Ranma tried to shake off his feeling of impending doom (tm) that continued to grow stronger as he reached the dojo.
Finally reaching the outer gate of the home Ranma was first at the gate as he opened it to allow everyone to enter before stiffening at the condition of the dojo.
"Move it Ranma, we've got a couple of bags out here!" shouted Akane trying to push past Ranma. "Jeez, pull yourself togeth... er?" Akane trailed off.
Hearing Akane's voice fall everyone shoved in past Ranma and Akane to see what was wrong.
"Oh My!" Kasumi covered her mouth.
"That definitely wasn't there when we left for groceries." calmly stated Nodoka.
Everyone finally tore their eyes away from the hole in the dojo wall and looked at Ranma.
"Hey, I was at school all day, you know that!" Ranma cried out indignantly at the stares he was receiving.
"Yeah, but I bet whoever did this came looking for you" replied his uncute fiancee.
"Feh, whatev...." Ranma trailed off as he sensed a wildly fluctuating ki flow still inside the dojo. "Someone's in there!" Ranma yelled while running for the dojo doors and throwing them open.
"Ryouga!" Akane cried while running over to check on him "He's bleeding pretty bad from his shoulder."
As the others all crowded around to see Ryouga's condition, Ranma walked back out side the dojo picking up the green gi top he say laying on the ground. *****
Kasumi finally finished with working on Ryouga's shoulder, sat back and let out a sigh. "Is he going to be alright Kasumi?" asked her baby sister with a catch in her throat. "He's going to be alright, he just needs some time to rest now. Would you like to watch over him just incase?" Akane nodded her head "Yeah, I'd like that"
Everyone slowly left the room after that, meeting at the dining table.
"Should we tell Ranma that Ryouga's going to be fine?" Kasumi asked to Nodoka. "I'll let him know" said Nabiki as she began to get up. "No, I think Ranma really should be left alone right now. He had a very intense look on his face when I went to talk to him a few minutes ago." Nodoka said with worry in her voice. *****
"So Kyoji, or should I say Lee, did you defeat son-in-law?" Cologne asked Lee. "No, he was not home when I arrived but I did run into the young Hibiki boy" answered Lee. "Did he give you any trouble?" Cologne asked wondering just how strong was this Lee character. "Besides figuring out I wasn't actually there for lessons like I claimed, then no, he wasn't any trouble at all." Lee calmly stated.
"I must say I am a bit surprised that a rival of son-in-law's would so easily ask for assistance instead of going off to fight him on their own..." Cologne gave Lee a piercing gaze.
"I just want revenge to matter how it is done." Lee stared back at Cologne.
After a long minute of staring Cologne gave in realizing it was foolish to expect him to crack this soon. 'I know you think your fooling me, but there's no way your here to get revenge against son-in-law as you claim. But I'll play along unless things get out of hand.' Cologne thought to herself wondering what was Ranma getting himself into now.
While Cologne and Lee talked, Mousse silently listened in on their conversation. Of course both Cologne and Lee knew this, but as with most situations involving Mousse, they figured it unimportant. *****
Lee began his walk down the almost empty sidewalk outside the Cat Cafe after the meeting with Cologne. 'Even though she's suspicious seeing her before meeting Ranma should keep her from interfering to much.' Lee couldn't help but smile a little about his upcoming meeting with the young 'cub'.
Back in her own room Cologne watched Lee intently 'Hmm he claims to be a member of the once legendary school of the fang. A group of warriors who each represented one of the invincible beast techniques. Like Lee's Serpent's Tongue or Son-in-laws Cat fist. Now the school is all but dead and Lee is nothing more than a worm drowning after the rain.... or is he. I just know there has to be more to this then just Lee wanting to fight one of the few students of the fang still around.' *****
Ranma sat in the dojo holding the green gi in his hand and looking at his left fist clench and unclench. 'So Lee is here, he always wore a green gi like this when he practiced, and Ryouga's wound was without a doubt done by Lee's special technique.....
"The venom bite" a technique that not only stabs the body, but disrupts your ki flow making it almost impossible to move your body correctly.'
Standing up and facing the hole in the dojo wall Ranma imagined Lee flying at him with his right hand poised to stab Ranma in his chest area. With a grunt Ranma ignited his own aura at full strength. Letting go of his aura Ranma wonder if he could hold out against Lee.
'With my hesitation in battle after killing Saffron and giving up mastering the Cat Fist can I ever hope to stand against Lee. Can I stand against a martial artis.... No! A warrior of Leon Max's power and mastery of one of the Invincible beast techniques?' *****
"You must decide now, will you finally become a ferocious tiger or will you let yourself wilt away as a pitiful martial artist training in some beat up dojo? What will your choice be young cub?"
Lee asked while walking alone down the street towards his temporary lodgings while in Nerima. ***** The afternoon of the next day....
Kasumi quickly peeked into the guest room seeing Akane watching over Ryouga. "Any changes yet?" Kasumi quietly asked. "No, not really, he's been mumbling a little.... it sounds like "Ranma, this is all your fault" I think." Akane replied.
"I'll bring you lunch alright." Kasumi told Akane as she headed downstairs.
Once she reached the entrance of the kitchen Kasumi was stopped by Ranma's question "Hey Kasumi, is Ryouga OK?" Kasumi looked over at him and nodded her head "Yes, no need to worry, Akane's watching over him right now." Kasumi was a bit disappointed to see Ranma not even notice what she said about Akane. "Good... I think I'll go practice some more." And with that Ranma went back to the dojo that he had spent the night in.
Nabiki and Nodoka watched Ranma's return to the dojo with worried expressions. "I've never seen Ranma look that ....." Nabiki paused to find the right word. "worried, focused, maybe a little scared." Nodoka supplied. "Uh, well I guess one or two of those. You know, with as many fights that happen around here I've never actually seen anyone that hurt before.... and for it to be Ryouga, the one with probably the toughest body, to have the injury is a bit unsettling." Nabiki replied.
"Hello?" Ukyo walked around to the side door seeing if any one was home. Spotting Nabiki and Nodoka sitting on the porch, Ukyo approached. "Hey, no body answered the door, so I came in to see if everything was alright."
"Sorry dear, we're all still a little out of it right now. please come an sit with us." Nodoka patted beside her. "Uh, OK." Ukyo replied "How's Ryouga doing? he was looking alright when I left yesterday."
"He's fine, Akane's keeping a silent vigil over him" Nabiki answered while staring at the dojo.
"How's.... Ran-chan been doing" Ukyo asked while squirming under Nodoka's gaze.
"Well, he's been in the dojo all day since yesterday, why do you ask." Nodoka smiled as Ukyo began to blush. "Well, that is, Um... a letter! yeah a letter was outside the dojo when I stopped by. It's for Ranma." Ukyo quickly held up the letter for everyone to see.
Ranma quickly exited the dojo to everyone's surprise "Afternoon Ucchan, did I hear you say you found a letter for me?" Ukyo nodded while handing the letter over.
"How'd you hear her Ranma? been spying on us or maybe feeling a bit paranoid?" Nabiki smirked. Without so much as a glance Ranma retorted "Well it's pretty easy to hear you guys when there's a Ryouga sized hole in the wall, ya know."
"Oh right" Nabiki deflated.
"I need to go for a walk, I'll see you guys later.... Bye!" Ranma called out while dashing for the outer wall and quickly jumping over it.
"Wait!" Nodoka cried to no avail. *****
Lee quietly ate his bowl of Ramen in the corner of the Cat Cafe when Mousse sat at the table beside him. Lee raised an eyebrow as Mousse began shooting hateful glares and the man sitting across the table from him. "Alright Pal, look here, Saotome is mine and I won't let you beat him or take Shampoo from me!" Mousse banged his fist on the table at the end of his declaration. "Ex.. Excuse me?" The unfortunate customer asked, wondering why the waiter was being so paranoid over hair care products that he hadn't even asked him for.
"Ahem.... I believe he's looking for me...." Lee told the young man who seemed completely confused and rightly so, before turning to address Mousse "and Mousse I think you should put on your glasses."
Mousse quickly dropped his glasses over his eyes before looking back and forth between Lee and the unimportant young man. "There you are!" Mousse yelled as he turned to Lee, however not moving to his table.
"Lee you can't fool me I know you trying to defeat Ranma so you can show my Shampoo that your the best for her!"
"What the hell are you talking about? You give your shampoo genders?"
"Ahem..."
"What? Of course my Shampoo has a gender what are you trying to say?"
"Oh wait, you mean the purple haired young women?"
"Um...."
"I knew it! you are after my Shampoo"
"I really hope your talking about that young women at the register and not actual hair care products."
"Excuse me..."
"So you admit it!"
"I'm admitting nothing, you water fool"
"will someone please pay attention to me?"
"It's waterfowl!"
"Whatever."
"ENOUGH!"
Lee and Mousse paused to look at the flustered young man who finally realized he had gotten their attention. "Could you two talk about this at your own table?"
"Oh sorry." Mousse looked a little sheepish as he went to sit at Lee's table.
"Mousse, I have no interest in your girlfriend or your hair care products, actually I really don't care if you are the one to beat Ranma." Lee told Mousse.
"Huh?" was Mousse's intelligent reply.
"Look I just want Ranma to suffer, I don't care if I'm not the one to do it. I sent Ranma a challenge letter he'll be meeting me at the outskirts of Nerima near the forest, you more than welcome to take my place, heck since he'll be expecting me he might not even notice you if your real quiet."
Mousse stared at Lee for a few tense seconds before giving in "Alright, I think I will go as a matter of fact." Mousse quickly got up and ran out the door not even bothering to inform Shampoo or Cologne.
'Fool, even as he is now, Ranma is far to skilled to lose to the likes of you.' Lee thought as he finished his meal, left his money on the table, and heading for the Tendo Dojo once again. *****
Ranma slowly walked down the path towards the beginning of the forest 'Why did Lee attack Ryouga? Did Ryouga start it? Lee wouldn't attack Ryouga just to get at me... unless he's changed because of the wound I gave him. With my luck that's probably exactly what's happened.'
Finally reaching the forest Ranma continued his train of thought almost ignoring his danger sense(tm) and the sound of metal flying through the air, almost. Ranma quickly jumped to the side while twisting in midair to face the direction the projectiles had come from. He was only slightly surprised to see Mousse standing across from him. "What are you doing here Mousse?" Ranma asked with a forcefulness Mousse had never heard in him before. "I'm here to defeat you of course, and finally win Shampoo from you." Mousse answered while attacking again.
Ranma narrowed his eyes as he quickly noted each chain and blade flying at him, once done his just moved a half inch to right then raising his right leg and tilting his head back to the left. Mousse gaped as Ranma barely put effort into the dodge 'What? I threw way to much at him for him to dodge that easily!' "Where's Lee? he sent the letter not you." Ranma calmly stated. "I'll tell you when you're laying at the bottom off my feet!" Mousse yelled while trying a new attack.
He jumped at Ranma and began to twist in midair while spinning spiked chains around him as he closed in. 'Interesting move... but nowhere near good enough to even worry about.' Ranma thought while timing a small ki blast to hit Mousse when the two chains were pointing in opposite directions of Ranma. Mousse yelped in surprise as he let go of the chains and began rubbing his back where he was hit.
Mousse began to wildly look around him as he realized he was still in a fight. 'Where is he..... Damn.' Mousse finally noticed Ranma when he looked up, unfortunately Ranma was only a few inches away from Mousse. Ranma quickly landed from the jump he used to avoid the chains, and at the exact moment of his landing shot back up with an uppercut to Mousse chin. Mousse flew back from the impact and decided to take a small time-out. *****
"I know it's kind of late but lunch is ready." Kasumi called out as she entered the dining area. She looked up noticing they had a guest at the dojo "Hello again Ukyo.... where's Ranma?"
"Oh don't worry about him, he took off earlier after receiving some letter." Nabiki wave off Kasumi's concern. "I wonder what it was about?" Ukyo wondered out loud.
"My manly son probably went to meet another of his girlfriends" Nodoka replied with a serene smile. "WHAT! another girlfriend?!" Ukyo cried out.
"I'm just joking Ukyo. I'm sure he'll be back soon Kasumi."
"I wonder who the letter was from.... maybe the guy who beat up Ryo..."
KNOCK. KNOCK.
Everyone turned towards the door wondering who was showing up. Kasumi quickly went to get it with Nabiki following.
"Hello." Kasumi said as she answered the door and blinked at the young man in front of her.
Nabiki raised an eyebrow at the man who was wearing a black suit with no tie and boots instead of regular dress shoes. As he removed his glasses she was shocked to see green eyes that clashed with his long black hair that framed the side of his face.
"Good day. I'm sorry to bother you , but I was wondering if Ranma Saotome was staying here?"
"Oh my, your here for Ranma?" Kasumi asked with a little shock.
"And just who might you be?" Nabiki asked.
"I'm sorry, let me introduce myself.... I'm Kyoji Mido. I work for the government, well when they ask me to at least. I usually deal with things concerning the unusual, like magic items and super powered martial artist. I wanted to warn Mr. Saotome about one such martial artist who was not only destroying dojo's but also putting it's students in the hospital. He's actually in the area if my sources are right and is probably planning on attacking Mr. Saotome, so I was wondering if maybe he could help me." Lee answered with a smile that rivaled Kasumi's.
"Well Ranma's not here right now and we're having lunch, so...." Kasumi trailed off not wanting to disappoint the nice man who seemed rather young to be working for the government, after all he couldn't be more than a year older than her.
"Actually that guy your talking about is probably the one who busted up our dojo, and left a.... friend of ours out of commission." Nabiki informed the so-called somewhat government agent, all the while studying his face. He was rather handsome but something about him seemed off.
"Oh, you don't say, do you mind if I have a look at the dojo while a wait for Mr. Saotome to return?" Kyoji asked the middle Tendo sister.
"Sure I'll show it to you" Kasumi answered while Nabiki watched the man follow her sister to the dojo. Eventually deciding to go eat with the other Nabiki, thought it be best to question him as soon as she finished eating. *****
Ranma relaxed a little as Mousse finally struggled to stand. "I know you have this dream that someday you'll beat me and then Shampoo will finally realize you're the perfect man for her, but really, do you expect to beat me with your current skill level?"
"I will defeat you!" Mousse attacked with renewed strength. moving in to fight somewhat hand-to-hand, however Mousse wore bracers with three claws on each sticking out almost like the claws on his shoes when he first fought Ranma in a duel. Ranma noticing Mousse's newest surprise decided to dodge instead of blocking Mousse's blows. After about a minute of cat and mouse, Ranma decided to put an end to this game. Ranma leaned back at an almost impossible angle letting Mousse's right hand shoot over his body where his head was a moment ago. Quickly grabbing the hand with his left he straightened back up and caught Mousse left hand in his right. After placing a knee in Mousse gut Ranma placed he foot on Mousse's chest and pulled off both of the bracers. As Mousse went stumbling away Ranma once again went at Mousse, quickly ripping off his shirt.
Mousse finally opened his eyes after closing them when he saw Ranma moving in to attack him again, and realized Ranma had removed his robe. Ranma watched Mousse's face pale in realization of his situation. "So Mousse, why are you here instead of Lee?" Ranma watched as Mousse dropped to his knees.
"He said he wanted me to soften you up before he tried to take you on. He threatened to try and win Shampoo if I didn't help him, besides we both wanted you defeated." 'Ranma should buy that' Mousse smirked with his face bowed.
Ranma turned away from Mousse disgusted 'either he thinks I'm a fool or he doesn't know Lee all that well.' "I can't say I completely believe you but I'm finished with you." Ranma began to walk out of the forest when he once again heard the sound of multiple items in the air. Ranma turned around with a look of shock on his face as the small egg bombs closed in on him.
Ranma was thrown back as the multiple bombs went off. *****
"What? There someone going around destroying dojo's all over, and now he's probably after our dojo too?"
"That's right. That's why I want you to be careful Akane."
"I wonder how strong he is, do you think Ran... we can beat him."
"I wouldn't worry about that Akane, I'm sure with Ranma's help we'll be alright. And until he gets here we have that nice young man in the dojo to help keep a look out."
"Yeah, I guess your right Kasumi."
"I better go make sure Nabiki doesn't start interrogating the young man."
Akane finally smiled at Kasumi "If it's not to late."
Said young women was in fact trying to do that very thing. "So you're not really with the government per se, just someone who helps out? Like an informant?"
"Well, I rather not think of myself as one, but I do provide information for the government as well as do a little field work if they ask.... and pay for it."
As the two continued to talk a certain Amazon came by looking for either her husband or coworker. She was quickly meet by whom she hoped would be her mother-in-law and Ukyo. "Nihao, Ms. Saotome is Airen or Mousse here?"
"Oh I'm sorry Shampoo, but Ranma left earlier and we haven't seen Mousse at all." Nodoka told Shampoo.
Wondering why Ukyo was there 'I hope she's not trying to kiss up to MY mother-in-law' Shampoo quickly asked "What Spatula girl doing here?" Ukyo narrowed her eyes and began to open her mouth when Kasumi entered the room.
"Oh, hello Shampoo have you came to check on Ryouga as well?" Kasumi asked.
Shampoo blinked at the new information "What wrong with pig boy?" she asked while still looking at Ukyo.
"Well Shampoo..." Nodoka began as she gestured for Shampoo to sit down with her 'It's so nice to have so many energetic young ladies to gossip with and talk about my son.' *****
Ranma groaned from his position on the ground as he curled up into a ball. "Ha, so now who's all high and mighty, Ranma. Well Lee said he wanted you to suffer no matter how it was done so I guess I'll grant his wish." Mousse said with smiling at his downed opponent.
"How generous of you" Ranma replied as he uncurled himself and lazily rolled to his feet. "It seems Lee might not be the man I remembered him as." Ranma replied while dusting his clothes. Mousse jumped into the air and went for more of his bombs as Ranma was talking to himself. Right as Mousse cocked his arm back to throw the bombs Ranma shouted out his own attack.
"Moko Takabisha!" *****
Ranma walked back to dojo as the sun began it's final descent. As he reached the gate he found Kasumi, Ukyo, his mother, and even Shampoo talking with each other on the porch. Blinking at the surreal scene of so many of his favorite women, and incidentally almost the only women he knew, all getting along together he wondered what was the occasion.
"Yo, what's up?" He called out catching all their attention at the same time.
"Ranma!" they all called out with odd faces.
"Um, yeah?" he was getting that impending doom(tm) feeling again.
"You had us worried, running around when there some dangerous fighter looking for you." his mother told him while pulling him along to the dojo.
"H..How'd you know about that?" Ranma fearfully asked.
As she continued pulling him towards the dojo, Nodoka answered her son "Someone with the government came by to warn you, he's waiting in the dojo now." Ranma blinked at this 'the government's getting involved in this? It's just a stupid 'guy challenges other guy to a fight to the death' type thing, nothing to get worked up about.' (A glimpse into the mind of Ranma Saotome)
"This is Mr. Kyoji Mido" Nodoka informed Ranma as she began to open the dojo doors. "He works with super powered martial artist and other so called crazy stuff." Ukyo helpfully added with a shrug.
'WHAT' Ranma gasped as he got a look at "Kyoji Mido" or Lee as Ranma knew him as.
'Ah, Damn.... this really sucks' Ranma quickly schooled his features.
"You took your time with that fool, Mousse. You've become sloppier than I expected....." Lee took a moment to think it seemed. "The last time we faced each other was when you almost mastered the Cat Fist was it not? It's been 3 years." Lee stated in a calm voice as he faced the shrine at the end of the dojo where he was standing.
"You know this man Airen?" Shampoo asked trying to keep up with all the new information coming her way since stopping by the dojo earlier.
"So, you've changed your name to Kyoji Mido?" Ranma completely ignored Shampoo's question.
Lee continued "3 years, only two little words, but those years were very long to live through in actuality."
"Yes, they were long enough for some people to become rotten to the core." Ranma replied in a voice just a calm as Lee.
"Excuse me, but will someone please explain what's going on?" Shampoo was really getting lost.
"Ryouga was always a hot head and not very concerned with other people's welfare when it came to our fights, but you used to be a very different fighter back when we all were still developing our skills. Back then you had incredible strength within you. You always fought your matches fair and square. You'd never hurt the people near your opponent to shock or rattle them. You'd never sent a distraction to catch your opponent off guard, or to keep them busy while you took something to hold over your opponent while they were distracted. You never resorted to those types of tricks before."
As Ranma spoke, everyone else in the dojo started to retreat from their 'guest' some even gasping as they realized what Ranma was insinuating about him.
Once Ranma stopped his description of Kyoji during the younger days, the young man in question began to laugh, chilling everyone in the dojo. He slowly faced Ranma, still laughing as Ranma began speaking again.
"You're no longer the person I considered my greatest rival ever..... Leon Max, Master of the invincible technique 'The Serpent's Tongue' and fellow student of the School of the Fang"
"Fellow student of the School of the Fang!?" Ukyo shouted.
"Master of the Serpent's Toungue" Nabiki followed Ukyo's lead.
"So this is actually the man that's after Ranma.... right?" Shampoo asked hoping to finally have something to latch on to.
Ranma and Lee continued to stare at one another until Lee finally began moving towards him.
"I was afraid you skills would deteriorate after leaving the school... I didn't think that your mind would as well. Mousse a distraction, that fool can't even pay attention to himself much less gain someone else's. As a student of the School of the Fang I know your strength better than probably anyone else. Going easy on Mousse.... you obviously have gotten soft since you left our school."
"You think Ranma's...." Kasumi began only to have Nodoka finish for her. "Soft?" Ranma's mother asked.
"My skills as the heir to the Saotome school of Anything Goes martial arts is more than enough to protect those I care about. I have no need for the skills of a warrior." Ranma shot back at Lee.
"Is that so? Well even as a martial artist you're a failure." Lee began to unbutton his coat as he watched Ranma flinch as if physically struck by his accusation. "While you were playing with Mousse, I was here. And while I was here your women let their guards down just because I said I was with the government. Who knows what I could have down while you were gone if I had wanted to?" Lee almost laughed at the expression on Ranma's face as he words began to set in. It looked like Ranma had just ate an Akane mystery meat dish, the mystery being if there was any meat in it or not. Nevertheless Lee continued "But this wasn't the only time was it? No, there was the time Shampoo used the formula 119 on Akane, and when Mousse kidnapped her and threatened to use the spring of drowned duck, you could barely face the Ghost Cat, your first Hiryu Shoten Ha swept up Akane, let's not even mention all the damn princes you faced to save one and sometimes all of your fiancee's, Oh but to top if off, you let some glass jawed wannabe God kill Akane." Lee did let out a soft laugh as Ranma's left eye twitched over and over again until it just settled on being a grimace.
All the females in the room whipped their head over to Ranma 'Akane actually died at Jusendo?' was on everyone's mind.
"How you were able to bring her back is beyond even me." Lee face lost all traces of cheer as he spoke again "but even worse than allowing others to get involved you allowed yourself to be beaten over and over again by fools like Happosai, Herb, hell you've even lost to that moronic piglet...."
'Has this guy actually been watching Ranma ever since he came to our dojo!' Nabiki asked in shock, even she couldn't know everything about Ranma's time in Nerima.
"Satisfactory strength is a good as no strength at all. And words spoken by a hypocrite, especially when not even realizing it, sickens me." Lee's faced sneered in disgust.
"Hey now! Even if some of what you say is true, if Ran-chan wasn't there all those times things would have gotten a lot worse!" Ukyo interrupted.
"Is true! Shampoo would have been stuck with the Ghost Cat if not for Airen." Shampoo backed Ukyo up.
"And if what you said is true than Ranma was even able to bring Akane back from the .... dead" Nabiki finally got out, still shocked from Lee's knowledge of what's been going on in Nerima and even more by finding out how close she came to losing her baby sister.
"That's right, Ranma always protects everyone" Kasumi added, getting caught up in the moment of defending Ranma.
"You think so?.... then what about Ryouga Habiki, Ranma's so called friend and rival....If I had wanted to I could have done much worse to the weakling." Lee continued to attach Ranma's psyche.
"You did that to Ryouga?!" Nabiki cried out.
"For you not to have figured that out immediately.... well I guess it's as you say, 3 years is enough time for someone to completely rot. Drowning yourself with this false belief in your strength. How can a man truly protect people without being a warrior?.... Have you forgotten?
'I shall live by the sword and I shall die by the sword.'
That was the one code every student lived by at the school. To see the man that you have degraded to is almost unbearable." Lee spoke to Ranma while tuning out all around him.
"I don't care what you say, I will not try to master such a deadly technique. I won't become a merciless fighter who thrives on violence." Ranma stated with conviction as his family and friends stared at him.
"I see...." Lee smiled as he slowly entered his Serpent's Tongue stance. "Well then I will destroy all your pretenses to your current claim of strength."
Ranma made no move as he stood in front of his mother. "What's wrong cub? Are you going to let your long lost mother feel my 'venom bite' as well?"
Nodoka grabbed the back of her son's shirt as he began to step away from her. Ranma paused "Don't worry mom, I can take this guy...."
"But son..." Nodoka tried to get out.
"Lee has come to finally settle the score for a mistake on my part. I can't ignore his challenge." Ranma tried to reason with his mother.
"Yes.... But... I can't let you just..." Nodoka trailed off not sure how to stop them from fighting, when Lee obviously had issued a challenge. Before she come up with a good enough reason Ranma once again left her embrace and placed himself at one end of the dojo. Lee also moved to the other end opposite of Ranma. Nabiki quickly moved over to the other woman, placing herself between Kasumi and Nodoka, as they all stood by the dojo's entrance.
Once everyone was more or less in place, Lee once again took up his stance as he let his hands began their slow dance, mesmerizing his audience. Ranma slowly relaxed into one of his defensive stances raising his left had in front of his face and his right hand clenched at his side with his legs parted, and knees slightly bent.
Lee continued his hand pattern as the sun finally died out. Ranma on the other remained perfectly still as he struggled to use his ki to fight off the effects of Lee's hypnotizing stage of the 'venom bite'.
Lee waited for the last ray of the sun to leave the dojo. Then as he had done against Ryouga, Lee shot out like a canon towards Ranma. "Defend Yourself!"
Ranma wasted no time jumping into the air and letting Lee fly into the dojo wall.
"Ha! with the Saotome school of anything goes specialty being midair combat, that guy doesn't stand a chance with landing that ground attack!" Ukyo cheered.
"That's right, that'll show him who's weak..." Shampoo added, never one to be left out when praising Ranma.
Lee quickly flipped back from the wall and sneered at Ranma. "Do you think that you've won 'cause you dodged my attack, well your wrong young 'Cub'!"
Lee quickly redirected his hands to point upwards at a diagonal and shot into the air to stab at Ranma again.
'The Rising Venom Bite!' Ranma internally screamed, disgusted with himself for having forgotten the technique. However let it not be said that Ranma hadn't learned any thing since leaving the school and his subsequent stay at the Tendo's, as he quickly used all his speed to force his body to twist at the top of his jump to avoid the attack. Letting out a breath in relief, his head snapped up as he noticed he hadn't heard Lee crash with the roof or wall of the dojo behind him.
Lee, shocked that Ranma had been able to dodge his attack twice, wasted no time in catching himself against the corner of the roof and wall. He quickly turned to Ranma's still airborne body shooting in exactly the opposite direction of his second attack, stabbing Ranma in the back with his hand.
Ranma held back a scream at the unexpected pain in his back.
Lee grinned at the blood flying out of Ranma's back.
The girls gasped at sight of Ranma's blood.
"Ranma!!" ***** To be Continued?
Authors notes: this is my first fic so please tell me what you think (I figured I try a fusion as a way to avoid writers block while gaining experience with writing before going with a completely original idea. Hopefully this will also help condition me toward writing long chapters.) Even though no characters from Kenshin will actually be in the fic (at least non are planned) the reason for me calling it a fusion for those who didn't catch it is because the events in this story mirror the Kyoto arc of the Kenshin anime. The story will continue to divulge from the anime though as I continue to write it. Akand and Ryouga will probably share Sannosuke's spotlight. Maybe Ukyo, Shampoo and even Nodoka will take the place of Yahiko and Kaoru. I been wondering on changing Leon Max's (also known as Lee and Kyoji Mido) name any suggestions are welcomed (He's half American, half Japanese. which is the reason for the height, build, eye color, and name.) I would also like any ideas on a title and the warrior code I used... 'I shall live by the sword and I shall die by the sword.' If anyone can think of something better just let me know.
quail12001@yahoo.com