~I do not own Ranma1/2, Inyuyasha or any of the characters within which belong to Rumiko Takahashi with the exception my own I add to the story.~
Story note:
This is an Alter-reality Ranma-kun-chan/Herb-chan story that first takes place at Jusenkyo will eventually end up in Nerima with the fiancées, Tendo's, Kuno's so forth.. however since this story will be O.O.C I will not guarantee all the canon event's will happen since I plan to change things up a bit, specially having Ranma with a mixed curse, and arriving not only with his father, but a companion as well.
~Some character's may may be effected by certain event's which could cause them to act O.O.C.~
I hope everyone will enjoy this new piece of work I plan to have more soon, as well as my other stories. -Zeltronica
Silent Dragon
By:Zeltronica
Prologue:
The Musk Dynasty was a rather secretive society who practiced martial art's based on animals, of course they took it to the extreme by taking select Animals they deemed would greatly improve their tribe plunging them into spring of drowned girl at Jusenkyo and locking them with the ladle of preservation and then fornicating with them to produce children.
Of course this method went on for many centuries on up until Herb was born of whom was one of the last children to be brought into the world in such a way since it was slowly making the tribe extinct since compatibility with the opposite sex was getting fewer and fewer thus not as many son's were born into the tribe.
Herb being of dragon decent due to his mother was a dragon caste into the spring of drowned girl and locked in that form by the ladle of preservation. The young prince would grow up only knowing his father who was also of dragon decent because his Mother died in childbirth which was for the best since all men are taken from their mothers at birth to be trained into elite martial artists who would spend most their time studying the arts, eventually becoming masters of Chi.
Seven years prior to Ranma arriving at Jusenkyo a seven-year old boy was preparing for what was to be his greatest event and would have went down as one of his greatest achievement which was held once a year for all boys ages seven to sixteen called the Great Hunt which was a tradition practiced by his people for centuries, this boy was the soul heir to his Dynasty his name is Herb or to those under him Prince Herb of the Musk Dynasty.
The courtyard was abuzz as participants were preparing for the hunt checking their combat leathers, and the weapons for which they would use ranging from daggers to bows, a young king looking to be in his thirties was knelt by a young child both had similar looks though their eye color didn't match his was an emerald-green and the child's was that of amber, he slowly tightened the straps to his son's chest armor.
Herb now dressed in a white silk shirt, red sash, with silk pants and a leather breastplate, on his feet a pair of red kung fu slippers, his hair done in its traditional style, short white bangs hung over his forehead, while long blue bangs framed his face, blue hair crowned the top of his head, while his mane was cotton candy pink, a gold ornamental comb decorated his hair.
"Will Lime and Mint be accompanying me father?" the young prince asked, as he looked around not seeing them anywhere in the crowed.
After making a few last-minute touches the king secured Herb's armor. "No I am sorry, but they had to go on a very important mission for me.. your uncle Peppermint will go with you however."
"Couldn't you go with me instead Father? Uncle is mean." Herb questioned since he was not at all fond of his father's brother.
The king chuckled at his son's words, raising his right hand ruffling his hair. "Don't think to badly of your Uncle he cares for you just as much as I do." he paused a moment giving his son a look over of who's gaze had fallen to the ground. "As much as I want to go with you on your first hunt my son I can't show favoritism since it's my job to judge the contest."
"You must be the King and your son the dragon prince!" exclaimed an excited brown haired boy who was dressed in commoners clothing and a human fox hybrid, of whom now had the attention of both father and son.
Herb scanned the boy who had just spoken not recognizing him. "Do I know you from somewhere?"
"I am Basel I used to train at the academy that is until my father pulled me out for some reason or another." Basel answered, not once did his excited expression falter.
Herb considered this new information now able to place a face with the name. "You usually were in the last row the runt of the litter is what everyone called you. Why did your father pull you out of training?"
"I don't really know.. it was for the best I wouldn't have made the cut that's what my father had said." Basel quickly replied.
Herb's father looked the boy over. "Does your father have a name boy?"
"His name is Strawberry my Lord." the hybrid fox quickly answered.
The king scrutinized the boy. "Are you any good at tracking by chance?"
"I don't claim to be an expert at tracking, but before my father pulled me from the academy I was training to become a scout." Basel answered, while looking too the elder.
The king looked to his son. "You said you wanted a tracker this boy might be of use?"
"He isn't a wolf hybrid like Mint, but he might do the job." Herb said with a casual nod of his head.
The king then looked to Basel. "Go get some gear if you prove yourself I may sponsor you back into the academy myself."
Basel started to run off into the crowed stopping to give the king a proper salute, before shouting Yahoo and heading for his nearby hut.
"He seems to be a hyper sort wouldn't you agree my son?" The king questioned, while watching Basel vanish into the crowed.
Herb gave a nod, while noticing his uncle had finally showed up with four rugged looking royal guards all of which were of dragon decent. "Uncle I don't want them coming along they will scare the prey away."
"These guards are only here to protect you Herb the wilderness is a rough place full of Amazons and bandits who would love to get their hands on you." Peppermint countered his nephew, as he and his men came to a stop.
Herb looked to his father. "Father can you tell my uncle to send his men away I will only have him go with me."
"Brother I am sure you can protect him just fine without these guards.. besides we are at peace with the Amazons and bandits rarely come into our lands these days." the king told his brother who also served as his right hand man and the general of the royal guard.
Peppermint looked to his brother. "The Amazons peaceful with us is a laugh Brother.. they lay in wait for a chance to see our destruction would you believe they are above kidnapping your son?" he countered adamantly.
"You are far to traditional Brother your concerns in this matter are not warranted." the king admonished while waving the guards off himself since his brother wasn't in a hurry to give the order.
Peppermint sighed to himself begrudgingly. "Fine Brother have it your way.. but for the record I say it's a bad idea to let the your heir out into the wilderness without adequate protection."
"When I was young I participated in this hunt with only a tracker and ran into no such issues and we were at at high tensions with the Phoenix and the Amazons when the dragon taps was stolen from us."
Herb watched both his father and uncle argue back and forth, observing Basel had returned dressed in some leather armor, a dagger at his side, and a bow as well with a bundle of arrows, on his back was a pack with supplies. 'He comes prepared.. interesting for a commoner who isn't cut out for military service.'
"Sorry I hurried as fast as I could." Basel called to the dragon prince, as an older hybrid who looked much like Basel, but with green hair also approached them.
The gentleman looked between the king and the young heir to the throne. "I could hardly believe it when Basel said he would be serving as your tracker my Lord." addressing Herb.
Herb gave a casual nod, while his father stopped arguing with his brother looking to the new comer. "So your young Basel's father Strawberry is it?"
"Yes that is me my king." the boy's father replied, giving a respecting bow.
The king regarded the man with a blank expression. "Why is it you pulled your son from the academy?"
"I-I well I felt he wasn't up to snuff after all he has an illness which would be a detriment to the military." Strawberry carefully lied.
The King then looked to Basel then back to the boy's father. "He looks healthy enough to me he might be small, but I am sure he is just fine for military service."
"I agree and it is village law every able-bodied male trains in the academy and eventually serves in the military in one fashion or another.. by lying you are committing an intolerable offense." Peppermint quickly added giving the Basel's father a piercing look.
Strawberry gulped at the high general's words. "Please I.. he's all I got.. I served in the tribal wars all my brothers died protecting our tribe from Saffron and the Amazons"
"We all served in that war under my father your brothers died hero's and not to allow your son to serve his people you are spitting on the values they held dear I should have you executed." the King snapped harshly.
Basel then spoke up in defense of his father. "Please my Lord don't kill my father."
The king continued to glare at the cowering father, while peppermint waited for the inevitable order, placing his hand on the hilt of his scimitar. 'Finally my brother isn't being so soft.' he thought.
"Run home before you ruin the hunt." Herb called to the older fox hybrid, of which the man gave a quick bow before running away with his tail between his legs.
Peppermint watched the cowering man leave. "Herb it's not proper protocol to give orders for your father." he chided.
"No it's fine Brother he's my heir he will be giving orders sooner or later it's about time he starts learning and receiving more responsibility." The king stated, before heading to the front of the gates, a crowed gathering.
Basel looked too the prince. "Thank you my lord.. for sparing my father."
"It's no problem." Herb replied, turning his head in the direction his father was headed. "Father I promise I'll bring home the biggest tiger you have ever seen!" he shouted with confidence.
Peppermint chucked at his nephews words. "You sure you can take on a tiger your a little pint sized rascal wouldn't you be more suited for rabbits?" he jeered.
"Speak for yourself Uncle.. I caught a bobcat with my bare hands during training." Herb boasted, while doing a last minute check of his equipment.
Peppermint shook his head at his nephew. "You seem to be forgetting you only caught that bobcat because Mint managed to stun it before it even reached you. If he hadn't have I believe your father would be siring another heir."
Basel watched the exchange before adding his two cents. "I think I remember that.. but the thing is how did a bobcat even get there without any of the soldiers spotting it?" he questioned as it was a mystery he had been curious about.
"I had been curious about that as well.. even father said it shouldn't have happened and my guards had all been called away due to a disturbance it was luck Mint somehow didn't receive the orders or he wouldn't have been there either." Herb said as he had suspected something was amiss that day.
Peppermint sighed to himself. "We will never know what truly happened that day after all I hadn't given the order as you know I was right there with you." he defended.
"True you was there Uncle. Ah forget it its old news anyways lets just enjoy the hunt.. I'll bet you a hundred gold that I catch that tiger." Herb challenged, while looking to his uncle.
Peppermint grinned. "Your on I'll bet two hundred all you bring home is rabbits."
"Since your family don't you share the treasury so wouldn't that be like betting nothing at all?" Basel pointed out, looking between both members of the royal family.
Both Peppermint and his nephew looked to the fox hybrid. "He's got a point." they both agreed in unison.
As time drug on Herb's father began a rather long drawn out speech of which once finished the crowds of onlookers cheered, and the participants of the great hunt set off out of the gates and into destiny all with the goal to capture the strongest prey possible and bring it back to the village dead or alive though alive was preferred.
As the day drug on into mid-day, clouds began to gather in the sky forming an overcast, and the wind went from fair to moderate, the summer heat seeming to lesson. Herb followed a trail deeper into the forest that headed south of his village, Basel and Peppermint bringing up the rear. After some time had passed the group stopped to take a break.
"How far are we going my Lord?" Basel questioned, while looking to the dragon prince who was studying a map.
Herb looked to his companion. "I want a tiger and well one of my fathers advisers said the best place to find them is near Jusenkyo valley."
"That's a two day walk from here.. and nearly in Amazon territory." Peppermint warned, while looking to his brother's son.
Herb looked to the older man heedless of the concern in his uncle's voice. "I ain't scared of these Amazon demons I will get my tiger.. if braving the Amazons accomplishes this then it will go along way in bringing me great honor and glory."
"Your only seven years old your being foolish do you really think you could take on a full-grown Amazon?" Peppermint questioned trying to put sense into the dragon prince.
Herb gave his uncle a fierce look. "I never said I would take one on. That is why I have you here with me isn't it to fend off such demons if need be Uncle?"
'Arrogant brat.' Peppermint thought before begrudgingly acknowledging his nephews words. "Yea that's why I am here." he said trying to mask his dislike for his nephew.
"My father says the Amazons are the worst kind of demons he says they skinned my uncles alive and made them into clothing." Basel said without realizing he had spoken his thoughts.
Peppermint nodded to the youngster. "Your father was telling the truth.. they did the same with my wife.. and they won't hesitate to do the same to you Herb if they manage to get a hold of you." he said with a hint of sadness to his tone as he remembered his wife.
"Father never said anything like that about the Amazons he said they were formidable warriors not barbarians." Herb stated simply, while looking to his companions.
Peppermint sighed for what seemed the thousandth time that day. "Your father is too soft to see them for who they are. Demons who should be purged from these lands.. The land Jusendo, Jusenkyo it all belonged to us.. we nearly conquered all of China but then your grand father made bad decisions which caused us to lose it all in a matter of days.. It would have better had we been destroyed, but no your father had to concede to peace talks shortly after our father had been slain."
"My father isn't soft Uncle!" Herb shouted in anger, since he hated when anyone accused his father of being remotely weak.
Peppermint glared at his nephew. "You can say that now, but had you been there on that day to see your grandfather stuck like a stuffed pig placed on a spear in front of the palace gates you wouldn't be thinking that way.. your Father should have sought their destruction!" he growled
Herb glowered at his uncle fiercely, before getting up and walking away.
"Where you going Boy?" Peppermint called, watching his nephew sit down by a rather large boulder.
Herb didn't answer, instead he sighed to himself. 'I hate him.. why couldn't I been accompanied by Mint and Lime they never speak badly of my father.' he thought in angst."why does Father allow him to say such things?" he muttered under his breath, since this wasn't the first time his uncle had said ugly things about his father.
Peppermint laid back against the rather large tree that was behind him. 'Soon you won't be my problem anymore.. and your father's throne will be mine.' he thought, a wicked grin crossing his lips.
"So was it hard to become a general?" Basel questioned the older man, turning his attention somehow missing the smirk that disappeared from Peppermints lips.
Peppermint looked to the young fox hybrid. "You ask too many questions why don't you go pester my nephew."
"..." Basel frowned, standing up and walking over to where Herb was now sitting taking a seat. "Has your uncle always been a jerk?"
Herb gave a nod, while continuing to scan over the map. "Yea.. look Basel I rather not talk about him at the moment." he simply stated, upon considering his quarry "Say you do know what it is we are searching for?"
"Yea a tiger its orange, white, and has black stripes and is one of the largest of the cat species." Basel quickly replied, while looking to the map in the dragon prince's hands.
Herb's features formed into a pleased expression. "Good so when we arrive at our hunting grounds you should be able to track them."
"So long as I can find a paw print I believe I can track it." Basel quickly said, while watching Herb stand up, of which he did the same.
Herb looked to his uncle. "Uncle lets go we are almost there with any luck we will be there by nightfall."
"No rest for the wicked." Peppermint muttered under his breath, standing up then following after the two young boys deeper into Amazon lands.
As the day wore the trio covered more ground sure enough arriving at the place Herb had chosen, soon night would encroach upon them, they quickly setup camp, the sounds wind rustling the leaves of the nearby trees, thunder sounded in the distance as it always did around this area they were deep in the heart of Jusenkyo valley just another four miles from the ancient training grounds of Jusenkyo of which was the sight of many sorrows of individuals ranging from human,Animal, demons and much more who had drowned in the many springs where a bamboo pole stood erect at their center's.
Basel looked about their camp site, while peppermint placed some logs on the fire they had set up at the center of their camp, Herb sat nearby sharpening his hunting knife.
"U'm my Lord what is it you wish me to do now?" the young fox hybrid questioned, while giving the prince his attention.
Herb didn't look to whom had just spoken to him. "Go ahead and get some rest we have a long day tomorrow."
"You should do the same boy your no older than young Basel there." Peppermint reminded, as he finished what he was doing taking a seat on a nearby rock.
Herb gave a nod. "You have a point you get first watch Uncle." he said putting his knife away, and retiring to his tent.
After four hours went by Peppermint continue to sit staring into the fire, turning his gaze to the sleeping prince, then turned his attention to some people who appeared out of the darkness of whom were dressed in Chinese military uniforms.
"So you kept your word then is that the Prince?" a chubby gentleman with a captains rank questioned in a whisper, looking to the sleeping boy.
Peppermint gave an affirming nod. "You will remember our agreement?" he asked in a hushed voice.
"Yes the agreement will be honored. Kenny grab the boys.
Kenny chuckled, as he walked over to the tent grabbing hold of Herb and Basel yanking them out of their tent, of which they both woke with a start. "Wake up brats."
"Whaa?" Herb let out still groggy from sleep, his sight focused in on the hand that was now wrapped around his wrist so tightly it caused him to wince in pain.
Basel struggled against Kenny's grasp. "Let go of me!" he shouted kicking the large man in the chin causing a howl of pain to erupt of which he let the fox hybrid go who ran from him only to be gathered up into the grasp of one of the nearby soldiers who quickly went to tieing his wrists together.
"Uncle help me!" Herb called, while trying to wrench his arm out of the larger man's grasp, of whom went about tieing his wrists together as well.
Peppermint didn't answer instead he stood there watching as his Nephew was being bound, his thoughts elsewhere at the moment as he was thinking of the day he would rule the Musk.
The following day it was now raining, the group marched further into Jusenkyo valley, as Herb walked his wrists bound, he looked to his left observing the cursed springs his father had once told him about. 'Why are we coming here?' he wondered, his comrade Basel stayed silent the entire trip, his eye's cast to the dirt trail they were following.
Peppermint was no longer with the group instead heading for Musk lands preparing an explanation to excuse why he wasn't returning with his brother's son.
"When my father learns of your trespass he will come and slaughter all of you." Herb said aloud of which the group chuckled at him which only served to annoy him.
The captain looked to the young dragon prince. "We are counting on him coming for you boy.. Now keep quiet we have just a bit further, look to your left the cursed training ground Jusenkyo your first step towards destiny." he called in a menacing tone.
One week later
The Musk war room was a rather large room, with a table that sat at as the focal point which displayed a strategical map of Jusenkyo valley, markers displaying the position of the three ethnic groups who shared the valley, this room was occupied by several people all dressed in traditional Musk combat leathers most of which were high-ranking officials, the King, his General and Brother Peppermint, and a human hybrid tiger known as Lime.
Spice stood in his war room looking over a scroll that had been sent to him by people claiming to be apart of the Jusenkyo Preservation society, he growled as he read the note.
[King Spice:
As your aware we have your heir if you ever wish to see him back safely in your arms then you will personally bring the ladle of preservation to Jusenkyo where we will make a trade your son for the ladle. If you ignore this letter we will execute him come next week.]
"This smells of a trap Brother you shouldn't go send me instead after all it's my fault he was captured to begin with if I hadn't left to catch some fish at the nearby river this would never have happened." Peppermint offered in a falsetto display of sincerity.
Spice glared at his brother, as he crumpled the letter in his right fist. "No I will go he is my son and I will handle this." he stated coldly, turning his attention to the human hybrid tiger who was standing nearby. "Lime gather my guard I will leave immediately."
"Yes master." Lime called, as he quickly left the war room.
"Brother listen to yourself your grief is blinding you.. this is most lik-" Peppermint argued being cut off as his brother caught him with a right cross sending him tumbling to the floor.
Spice glared coldly at his brother. "I am going and you will not stop me." he growled through gritted teeth, as he turned to leave the war room, the nearby generals watched on as their king disappeared into the hall.
The situation was personal for Spice since he had a gut feeling trouble would happen if he had sent his sons retainers away, he was very suspicious of his brother, but how do you accuse family of treachery specially one who had been so loyal in the past.
"Will Lime and I be coming with you Master?" came Mint's voice, of whom was a human wolf hybrid with raven hair.
Spice looked to his son's retainer shaking his head. "No that will not be necessary.. However I have a mission for you both to undertake should I not return.
"We will gladly take up any mission you give just give the order." Mint said, while looking to his master expectantly.
Spice smiled inwardly as Mint was very Loyal to his family and had served him for many years now, he then went on to relaying Mint's mission to him in a hushed whisper.
The following day around one in the evening Spice arrived at the cursed springs with his entourage, a pail latched to his belt, the ladle of preservation sat dipped in its enchanted waters, not far from them a group of people who were armed with modern weaponry, and dressed in the fashion of the Beijing military.
"I see you made haste to get here your highness." the chubby captain called out, Kenny stood nearby sword at the ready, his left hand grasp Herb stood bound and gagged.
Spice eyed his son noticing something off about his appearance. "I brought what you asked for now where is my son if you think I will trade for a fake you got another thing coming."
"Oh I didn't bring a fake do you not recognize your own daughter when you see her?" The captain called in a mocking tone, of which caused the Musk king to give him a fierce glare.
Spice growled his fury building. "Herb my.. my son? What have you done you bastard. Attack!"
The royal guard was quick to respond charging the soldiers, as a hail of gunfire erupted cutting them down, Spice however made it past the barrage getting nicked in the shoulder.
Throwing Herb to the ground, Kenny brought his sword to bare in defense of his captain of whom the enraged musk king was rushing towards at break neck speeds.
Spice charged his right arm with energy, of which he used it as if a sword, clashing against Kenny's blade causing it to crack under the force.
"You gotta get past me to kill the Captain!" Kenny shouted, his feet digging a rut in the dirt as his opponent continued forward despite his effort.
While Spice was busy fighting with the swords man, a soldier came from behind stabbing a blade deep into the right side of the king's ribcage, giving it a twist.
Herb watched on as her father fell to the ground, the light in his eye's dimming, the captain laughed as he took the ladle and pail in hand, then walked over to her of which she felt a cold splash as he doused her with its contents. "Father!" she cried however the gag muffled it to a point her words were beyond comprehension, tears forming in her eye's.
Three years later
Herb now ten years old paced back and forth in an eight by eight cell that was sparsely furnished with only a bunk style bed, a sink, and a room with a shower, and a small hole for bodily functions, dressed in a pink peasant dress, her hair still dressed in classic fashion.
Turning her attention from the granite floor to her left she noted the guard who sat outside her cell was now sound asleep. Slowly walking over to the bars of her cell she looked to the guard, then gave the rest of the hall a cursory glance. 'I can't let those monsters abuse the ladle.' she thought to herself remembering all the various woman she had met who had once been boys much like herself and now were doomed for the rest of their lives to stay in their cursed forms, charging chi energy into her left arm she quickly made two cuts at which she quickly caught the newly freed bars with her right hand so they wouldn't make a racket quickly laying them on the granite floor, she then slipped out through the bars and into the corridor.
"That was easy now just need to get the keys." Herb whispered to herself, as she slowly approached the guard, reaching for the keys which were attached to the mans belt she carefully unhooked them, then headed in the direction she remembered her father's killer kept his office.
After sneaking past countless guards, somehow going undetectable on the cameras that watched the halls, she had finally arrived at the captain's office, her blood ran cold as a memory of her first time in the office came to mind, she quickly squashed the vision that tried to surface of which threatened to cause her to become depressed.
'I can't fall apart now!' Herb chided herself, as she quickly tried the knob finding it unlocked, upon entering she noticed an old metal desk with papers strewn across its surface, and old rotary phone sat to the right, book shelves lined the back wall, of which she saw the item she sought, quickly making her way over she quickly took the ladle and pail in hand, then her attention was called to voices nearby one of which sounded like the captain.
"Dammit." she whispered quickly looking around wildly noticing a window that was open running over to it she quickly leaped out of it, however had she looked she'd noticed it was a straight drop which landed her in a river that washed her down stream away from the prison for nearly a mile.
Later that day Herb quickly found an old-looking temple, running inside she looked around finding an old tomb, she pushed the lid open observing a corpse inside, placing the ladle and pale inside, she then went to the other side pushing the stone lid back into place, then she turned exhausted sitting down next to the tomb, the barking of dogs could be heard in the distance reminding the dragon princess she hadn't much time.
Standing up Herb started to head for the entrance of the temple her tired legs reminded her she hadn't much time before her captors would catch up. Making haste out of the temple she quickly made a dash down an old winding trail, she rasped for breath as she finally collapsed to the ground, her legs wouldn't carry her any further.