This is the standard disclaimer that all fanfics get.
The characters of Ranma ½ belong to Rumiko Takakashi.
The characters of Sailor Moon belong to Naoko Takeuchi.
This is all for non-profit reasons, so please don't
sue me. I don't have enough to make it worth while
anyway. And now on with the story.
Note: I know Ranma is acting out of character. The
reasons why will be explained in memories and flashbacks
throughout the story. This is NOT an SI fic.
From Weird to Weirder
A Ranma ½ and Sailor Moon Crossover
By: Tomas Megerson
Send C & C and flames to nighthawktm@yahoo.com
Chapter 1: Going Home
The sun's shinning light had died down to a faint glow in
the western sky. Light raining from the full moon kept
the street visible to those who walked it. The crisp spring
air held but the faintest touches of winter in it. Shadows,
drawn from the faintest touches of buildings darkend the land.
Had anyone been on these streets they would have noticed two
of the shadows seemingly come to life and flow down the road
with the grace of dancers.
Two figures walked into the light. Behind them were the
familiar streets leading to the Tendo Dojo. In front of
them was their future. One was a familiar pig tailed boy.
The other was a stranger to this city district. Both had
eyes that were far older than they were. Ranma Saotome looked
up at his taller friend. They had become close during the six
months they spent travelling together. They would stick together
no matter what happened. He was glad he had someone to fall back
on. He's nothing like Oyaji, I can trust him. It's strange
though. I haven't been this close to anyone since Ucchan and
I were younger.
"I still think you should have let me burn the place down Ranma!
Those bastards deserve it. After all you went through, to toss
you out like this!"
"Calm down Tomas. It's better this way. I've spent two years
trying to get out of this fiancée mess. I never would have
married that uncute tomboy. It's funny, really. During all
that time part of my mind kept telling me that I loved that
violent tomboy. I would go and rescue her from anything.
I destroyed my cure for her. I even went so far as to kill
for her. During this trip, though, telling you all of the
stories, I came to realize something. I was thinking of her
as an object to posess. She was something given to me, the
first thing that I didn't have to earn, and I was going to keep
it, no matter what. I saw something else as well. I was an
object to be possessed by them. None of my fiancées wanted me
because of who I am. I was just something to be fought over.
Now everyone is off my back. I've changed too much to accept
that life. Hell, you've changed me too much. I never did think
I would learn to hold my tongue. Even Akane never hit me as
hard as you did every time I shot off my mouth. At least she
never broke bones."
"Hey that only happened twice. Now at least you take the time to
stop and think about what you're saying. Sometimes. Besides,
think of all the times you've gotten to do the same to me."
"Yea, it was fun, but I still don't appreciate all the fights
you got us into because of it. You always want to test your
skills one way or another. I still don't understand how you can
get us into so many fights that don't concern us. "
"It's a gift, really. On the bright side, if I hadn't gotten us
into all those fights, Happosai may have beaten us. Look at
where you were when we met, and look at yourself now. It was
as good as that Breaking Point training you told me about.
Ranma's mind back to that fateful day when he and Tomas battled.
He knew that he was faster, but Tom had more strength and
endurance than he did. The battle had be hard and grueling with
ki attacks flying. Fist and feet slammed together trying to
break through the defenses of the other. Finally Ranma got fed
up and started to put everything he had into the Hiryu Shoten
Ha. He began to move around his opponent in a spiral fashion.
Tom followed him sending punch after punch and kick after kick.
There were a number of close calls but finally it was time.
Even as he released his attack, Tomas screamed an attack of his
own, his ever-potent Phoenix Rising Inferno. Even as the two
attacks collided, a huge tornado made of pure fire erupted
around them. After almost a minute and a half, it died down
leaving the two battered and burnt warriors staring at one
another. Then as one, they collapsed to the ground. After a
quarter of an hour of hard breathing, Tomas got up and walked
over to Ranma. Then again, it was more like stumbling towards
Ranma. Sitting down next to him he starts to question his
rival.
"So are you going to tell me why you're after the dwarf too or
not?"
"Why do you keep asking that?! You're working for him, so you
ought to know why I'm after him!"
"I'm not working for that perverted little freak of nature! I
want to rip his head off and cram it down his neck! My first
date in almost two years and he pops out of no where and glomps
her! Before I can move he turns and hits me with a ki blast! My
date faints and I look like an idiot! I'm going to kill that
bastard if it's the last thing I do!"
"Your lucky he only glomped her. He used some drugs on my
fiancée that were supposed to make her his love slave.
Thankfully it only put her in a coma. Once I get the antidote
from the freak I can bring her back."
"So it seems where on the same side, huh. The enemy of my enemy
is my friend and all that jazz. What do you say we work
together. Two of us stand a better chance of kicking the little
pervert's ass than only one."
"I don't work with strangers. They can't be counted on to watch
your back."
"Fine. I'm Tomas Megerson, but please call me Tom. And you
are?"
"Ranma Saotome."
"Well then Ranma since we're no longer strangers why don't we
work together. Two are better than one in a situation like
this."
"Alright, but on one condition."
"And that is?"
"That we NEVER combine those two attacks again. That hurt like
hell." With that simple statement the two young men shake hands.
Coming out of that memory, Ranma looked up at his 'big brother'
once again. He saw the experienced fighter he knew not the
angry young man behind it. Tomas was about 6'4" with a thin
build. Some would say he was too thin. He was also two years
older than Ranma, but was in the same grade. He had been out of
school for a while now. He didn't look it, but he was stronger
the Ranma. Not by much, but it was noticeable during a fight.
He wasn't as fast though. His speed lay some where between
Ranma's and Ryouga's. He was wearing the same thing he always
wore. A pair of jeans, a black tee shirt loose, and denim
jacket. He wore a plain black baseball cap backward with his
bangs hanging on the outside. He had sandy blonde hair that
fell around his head. He never could get it in any type of
style. He wasn't strikingly handsome, but he would always get
more than one look from the girls. He had sharp blue eyes,
which seemed to see everything all at once. They seemed to
change with his mood. They could be the soft blue of the sky or
as hard as ice in the North Pole. Right now they looked like
they could freeze hell over. Ranma sighed. These were just the
first of his problems. Tomas was a bigger trouble magnet then
he was. He could get into a fight at the drop of a hat. In
fact, any number of times he did just that. He hated it when
someone took his cap from him. Hell, we're probably still
wanted in that small town in China. I can't believe he broke
that many bones in that guy just because he flipped his cap
off. He also had a very hot temper. He wouldn't stand by and
let problems happen. He threw himself into them to try and end
them. He almost always succeeded. Normally, though, there was
more than one person out like a light. Oh, well, at least he
doesn't draw blood for the majority of them. With that thought
Ranma turned back towards the road ahead.
Tom turned toward his friend. Ranma was shorter by a good six
to eight inches. He had his black hair tied into a pigtail. He
wore a red shirt and black pants, both of Chinese make. His
clothing allowed for easier movement and no restrictions. He
was well built, muscular without being out of proportion. He
too had striking blue eyes. They weren't shinning as they
normally do, however. They had been totally clouded over with
depression. And if that wasn't enough, behind the depression
lay one of fear. Tom didn't know why, but he was beginning to
think he had better find out. As they reached the end of the
Nerima district Tom grabbed Ranma's arm and turned him around.
"You realize that you're not going back, right?" he asked in a
concerned voice. "This towns empty of anything that you want.
But Ukyou is still there, and you know how she feels."
"I know. The problem is that I don't feel the same about her.
Being with her would only ruin her life. She deserves someone
who truly loves her. Mr. Tendo threw me out of the only place I
could call home for the last two years. Pops ran away not long
after Akane did. He couldn't bear the thought of his dream
shattered. Shampoo got deported for attacking Akane while she
was in the coma. Oh, and Akane is most likely sleeping with
Ryouga, wherever the hell they are. I still can 't believe that
she let Ryouga lead them. They're probably in the Antarctic by
now. There is nothing left for me here. Lets go. I want to get
out of this hell hole as fast as possible. I want to start
over."
"Just one question Ranma, where are we going anyway?"
"To the Juuban district. That's where my mother lives. Its time
to go see her. I figured that if I'm going to start over, I
want to try to settle with her. Hopefully I can get her to void
out that stupid contract pops made me sign and except me for
who I have become. You coming with me?"
Well, at least I know what he's scared of now, not that it is
a good thing. "Of course. The pact we made said till death.
Besides I got a good feeling about this. At least we should be
able to get a free meal if nothing else. We just got to make
sure to ask for food before you give your life's history.
"I still think that she'll kill me because of that stupid curse.
How can I be a man amongst men when I change into a girl when
splashed with cold water? This stupid curse is a death sentence
for me."
"Quite frankly I think your exaggerating. I can't believe that
any mother would force her only son to commit seppuku.
Especially when it's not his fault. Your father got you into
this mess. In my opinion your mother will have a way to get you
out. I think it's one of those universal law or something."
"My mother is very honor bound. She may not be as bad as Pops
with the Tendo mess, but she still places honor as a high
priority."
"Well, the only way to find out is to do it. Lets get moving."
With that the two young men walk towards the Juuban district
and a place they hope they may be able to call home.
****************************************************************
The sun rises into the sky as the two tired, hungry, young men
approach a modest looking home. All around the front porch were
flowers of every variety. Just before ringing the doorbell
Ranma stopped and looked at Tomas. "Well, this could be the
end. I hope that feeling you've got is right." So saying he
pushes the button twice. They wait for only a few moments, but
for Ranma it is an eternity. A middle-aged woman answers the
door. She still shows signs of great beauty. She looks the two
boys over and suddenly her eyes go wide with shock. "Ranma? Is
it really you? Have you finally come home to me?"
Both Ranma and Tomas bow to her, and Ranma speaks. "Yes,
mother, I've finally come home. It's great to see you."
Nodoka's eyes fly open wider than is thought possible. "My
son." She whispers and grabs Ranma in a bear hug. "Oh my son
you've returned at last! Bring your friend in. Who is he? Where
is Genma? Why has it taken so long for you to return? Where
have you been all these years? What has happened in your life?"
Seeing his mother on the verge of collapse, Ranma tried to calm
her down. "Relax Mom, I'll explain it all. Just sit down in the
dining room. I'll give you the whole story. Uh, mom, do you
mind if we fix ourselves something to eat before we start? We
haven't had anything since lunch yesterday.
"Of course dear. If you haven't eaten in so long get some food.
I wouldn't want you to faint on me while your telling the story."
"Hey, Ranma, you start telling the story and I'll go get us
some food. Its long enough as it is, and there's only so much
time in a day. Be back in a few." Even as Tomas said this, he
gently pushed Ranma into a chair across from his mother. Then
he headed off into the kitchen.
Ranma gathered his courage and started his story. "Well, I
guess I'll start by answering your questions. I've been living
in the Nerima district for the past two years. Me and pops were
almost always somewhere around the Tendo Dojo. As for where
Pops is now, I haven't got a clue. He ran out on me. Suffice to
say I want that entire part of my life closed. After I tell you
my story, my life will be a clean slate to start off on."
At this point Tomas returned with a pile of food. He sat down
next to Ranma and put the plate in between them. As they both
begin to eat (at a normal pace), Ranma continues answering the
questions. "This is Tomas Megerson. He's more than a friend
though. We're like brothers. In the past six months we've seen
living hell and stood together. We saved each other's lives
more times than I care to count. You know, Mom, he's the first
guy that I have ever trusted with my life. He's the first true
friend I've had in a long time.
Nodoka looked Tom over and than smiles warmly. "I'm glad to see
that my son has such a high opinion of you. I must ask, however,
what do your parents think of all this? They must be worried
about you. Maybe you should call home to let them know you are
alright."
Tom's eyes faze over with pain for a moment before he replies.
"Both of my parents are dead. They where returning home from
the airport when a drunk driver hit their car. They both died
instantly. I was an only child and my grandparents where
already dead. I couldn't stand home anymore; there were too
many memories. So I left. Haven't been back to the States
since. It's been almost two years now. Ranma's my best friend
and I would prefer to stay with him."
"I'm sorry to here about your parents deaths, but you must be
strong to have pulled through so well. Many would have broken
under the pain. You seem to be a fine young man, and I'm sure
they would be proud of you."
"Thank you, Mrs. Saotome. It means a lot to me, really."
All right then, Ranma tell me where you've been the
past ten years. I want to hear it all."
Ranma started by telling her about the Neko-ken training. He
then went on to his training trip, China (minus his and his
pops curse), the fiancées, his battles, Happosai's spell on
Akane which was the reason he had been gone for eight months,
his fight with Tom, their final battle with Happosai, and his
return home to find everything had changed. He concluded with
his being thrown out of the Tendo's. After all this, he turned
and looked at Tomas. "Would you mind go getting the water? I
need to show Mom this, not just tell her."
"Sure thing, Ranma." With that Tomas headed into the
kitchen once more.
"Son, tell me what you meant by that? What do you have
to show me and what does water have to do with it?"
Even as Nodaka spoke these words, her eyes narrowed
into slits.
"Well, Mother, when Pops and I were on that training
trip we went to a place called Jusenkyo. It is in China and has
a thousand cursed pools in it. There was, well, an accident."
Even as he spoke these words Tom entered with the water, one of
cold and one of hot. "Pops fell into the spring of drowned
panda. When he leapt out of the water, well, I froze and he
hit me into another spring. Tom, pour the cold water on my
head please."
Even as the cold water dripped off of him, Ranma became
a red headed girl, with a body that many women would kill for,
even though she was short. He, or perhaps she, spoke again in a
higher voice. "Spring of drowned girl. Well, mother, what do
you think of your son now?"
"You can reverse it, right? It's not permanent is it?
After all you did arrive male." Even as she said this, Tom
splashed Ranma with the hot water. She changed back into a he.
`"It's water activated. Cold water turns me into a girl. Hot
water turns me back into a guy."
Nodaka was shocked. To have any one live through all
that her son did was incredible. For it all to come from a
16-year-old boy was even more so. Then the perfect way to
answer him came to her mind. She got up and went to the
fireplace. She drew out a document and showed it to Ranma. He
blanched wen he saw it was the contract he and Genma signed.
Then she tossed it into the roaring flames of the fire and said,
"That piece of garbage never happened. You are my son. To have
lived through all that you have without breaking is incredible.
You are truly a man amongst men."
It was at that point that Ranma broke down. All the
stress and now the relief of having his mother back overloaded
him. He started to cry. Tom took one look at Ranma, one look at
his mother, and quietly left the room to allow Nodaka to comfort
her son. As he headed out to the back yard, he sighed and
stretched his tired muscles. All of the pain and fear could
now leave his friend. That alone was worth all themoney he
could get his hands on. Even as he looked at the sun, he
realized that It took almost four hours for Ranma to tell his
whole story. At least we both have a place that we can call
home.
The characters of Ranma ½ belong to Rumiko Takakashi.
The characters of Sailor Moon belong to Naoko Takeuchi.
This is all for non-profit reasons, so please don't
sue me. I don't have enough to make it worth while
anyway. And now on with the story.
Note: I know Ranma is acting out of character. The
reasons why will be explained in memories and flashbacks
throughout the story. This is NOT an SI fic.
From Weird to Weirder
A Ranma ½ and Sailor Moon Crossover
By: Tomas Megerson
Send C & C and flames to nighthawktm@yahoo.com
Chapter 1: Going Home
The sun's shinning light had died down to a faint glow in
the western sky. Light raining from the full moon kept
the street visible to those who walked it. The crisp spring
air held but the faintest touches of winter in it. Shadows,
drawn from the faintest touches of buildings darkend the land.
Had anyone been on these streets they would have noticed two
of the shadows seemingly come to life and flow down the road
with the grace of dancers.
Two figures walked into the light. Behind them were the
familiar streets leading to the Tendo Dojo. In front of
them was their future. One was a familiar pig tailed boy.
The other was a stranger to this city district. Both had
eyes that were far older than they were. Ranma Saotome looked
up at his taller friend. They had become close during the six
months they spent travelling together. They would stick together
no matter what happened. He was glad he had someone to fall back
on. He's nothing like Oyaji, I can trust him. It's strange
though. I haven't been this close to anyone since Ucchan and
I were younger.
"I still think you should have let me burn the place down Ranma!
Those bastards deserve it. After all you went through, to toss
you out like this!"
"Calm down Tomas. It's better this way. I've spent two years
trying to get out of this fiancée mess. I never would have
married that uncute tomboy. It's funny, really. During all
that time part of my mind kept telling me that I loved that
violent tomboy. I would go and rescue her from anything.
I destroyed my cure for her. I even went so far as to kill
for her. During this trip, though, telling you all of the
stories, I came to realize something. I was thinking of her
as an object to posess. She was something given to me, the
first thing that I didn't have to earn, and I was going to keep
it, no matter what. I saw something else as well. I was an
object to be possessed by them. None of my fiancées wanted me
because of who I am. I was just something to be fought over.
Now everyone is off my back. I've changed too much to accept
that life. Hell, you've changed me too much. I never did think
I would learn to hold my tongue. Even Akane never hit me as
hard as you did every time I shot off my mouth. At least she
never broke bones."
"Hey that only happened twice. Now at least you take the time to
stop and think about what you're saying. Sometimes. Besides,
think of all the times you've gotten to do the same to me."
"Yea, it was fun, but I still don't appreciate all the fights
you got us into because of it. You always want to test your
skills one way or another. I still don't understand how you can
get us into so many fights that don't concern us. "
"It's a gift, really. On the bright side, if I hadn't gotten us
into all those fights, Happosai may have beaten us. Look at
where you were when we met, and look at yourself now. It was
as good as that Breaking Point training you told me about.
Ranma's mind back to that fateful day when he and Tomas battled.
He knew that he was faster, but Tom had more strength and
endurance than he did. The battle had be hard and grueling with
ki attacks flying. Fist and feet slammed together trying to
break through the defenses of the other. Finally Ranma got fed
up and started to put everything he had into the Hiryu Shoten
Ha. He began to move around his opponent in a spiral fashion.
Tom followed him sending punch after punch and kick after kick.
There were a number of close calls but finally it was time.
Even as he released his attack, Tomas screamed an attack of his
own, his ever-potent Phoenix Rising Inferno. Even as the two
attacks collided, a huge tornado made of pure fire erupted
around them. After almost a minute and a half, it died down
leaving the two battered and burnt warriors staring at one
another. Then as one, they collapsed to the ground. After a
quarter of an hour of hard breathing, Tomas got up and walked
over to Ranma. Then again, it was more like stumbling towards
Ranma. Sitting down next to him he starts to question his
rival.
"So are you going to tell me why you're after the dwarf too or
not?"
"Why do you keep asking that?! You're working for him, so you
ought to know why I'm after him!"
"I'm not working for that perverted little freak of nature! I
want to rip his head off and cram it down his neck! My first
date in almost two years and he pops out of no where and glomps
her! Before I can move he turns and hits me with a ki blast! My
date faints and I look like an idiot! I'm going to kill that
bastard if it's the last thing I do!"
"Your lucky he only glomped her. He used some drugs on my
fiancée that were supposed to make her his love slave.
Thankfully it only put her in a coma. Once I get the antidote
from the freak I can bring her back."
"So it seems where on the same side, huh. The enemy of my enemy
is my friend and all that jazz. What do you say we work
together. Two of us stand a better chance of kicking the little
pervert's ass than only one."
"I don't work with strangers. They can't be counted on to watch
your back."
"Fine. I'm Tomas Megerson, but please call me Tom. And you
are?"
"Ranma Saotome."
"Well then Ranma since we're no longer strangers why don't we
work together. Two are better than one in a situation like
this."
"Alright, but on one condition."
"And that is?"
"That we NEVER combine those two attacks again. That hurt like
hell." With that simple statement the two young men shake hands.
Coming out of that memory, Ranma looked up at his 'big brother'
once again. He saw the experienced fighter he knew not the
angry young man behind it. Tomas was about 6'4" with a thin
build. Some would say he was too thin. He was also two years
older than Ranma, but was in the same grade. He had been out of
school for a while now. He didn't look it, but he was stronger
the Ranma. Not by much, but it was noticeable during a fight.
He wasn't as fast though. His speed lay some where between
Ranma's and Ryouga's. He was wearing the same thing he always
wore. A pair of jeans, a black tee shirt loose, and denim
jacket. He wore a plain black baseball cap backward with his
bangs hanging on the outside. He had sandy blonde hair that
fell around his head. He never could get it in any type of
style. He wasn't strikingly handsome, but he would always get
more than one look from the girls. He had sharp blue eyes,
which seemed to see everything all at once. They seemed to
change with his mood. They could be the soft blue of the sky or
as hard as ice in the North Pole. Right now they looked like
they could freeze hell over. Ranma sighed. These were just the
first of his problems. Tomas was a bigger trouble magnet then
he was. He could get into a fight at the drop of a hat. In
fact, any number of times he did just that. He hated it when
someone took his cap from him. Hell, we're probably still
wanted in that small town in China. I can't believe he broke
that many bones in that guy just because he flipped his cap
off. He also had a very hot temper. He wouldn't stand by and
let problems happen. He threw himself into them to try and end
them. He almost always succeeded. Normally, though, there was
more than one person out like a light. Oh, well, at least he
doesn't draw blood for the majority of them. With that thought
Ranma turned back towards the road ahead.
Tom turned toward his friend. Ranma was shorter by a good six
to eight inches. He had his black hair tied into a pigtail. He
wore a red shirt and black pants, both of Chinese make. His
clothing allowed for easier movement and no restrictions. He
was well built, muscular without being out of proportion. He
too had striking blue eyes. They weren't shinning as they
normally do, however. They had been totally clouded over with
depression. And if that wasn't enough, behind the depression
lay one of fear. Tom didn't know why, but he was beginning to
think he had better find out. As they reached the end of the
Nerima district Tom grabbed Ranma's arm and turned him around.
"You realize that you're not going back, right?" he asked in a
concerned voice. "This towns empty of anything that you want.
But Ukyou is still there, and you know how she feels."
"I know. The problem is that I don't feel the same about her.
Being with her would only ruin her life. She deserves someone
who truly loves her. Mr. Tendo threw me out of the only place I
could call home for the last two years. Pops ran away not long
after Akane did. He couldn't bear the thought of his dream
shattered. Shampoo got deported for attacking Akane while she
was in the coma. Oh, and Akane is most likely sleeping with
Ryouga, wherever the hell they are. I still can 't believe that
she let Ryouga lead them. They're probably in the Antarctic by
now. There is nothing left for me here. Lets go. I want to get
out of this hell hole as fast as possible. I want to start
over."
"Just one question Ranma, where are we going anyway?"
"To the Juuban district. That's where my mother lives. Its time
to go see her. I figured that if I'm going to start over, I
want to try to settle with her. Hopefully I can get her to void
out that stupid contract pops made me sign and except me for
who I have become. You coming with me?"
Well, at least I know what he's scared of now, not that it is
a good thing. "Of course. The pact we made said till death.
Besides I got a good feeling about this. At least we should be
able to get a free meal if nothing else. We just got to make
sure to ask for food before you give your life's history.
"I still think that she'll kill me because of that stupid curse.
How can I be a man amongst men when I change into a girl when
splashed with cold water? This stupid curse is a death sentence
for me."
"Quite frankly I think your exaggerating. I can't believe that
any mother would force her only son to commit seppuku.
Especially when it's not his fault. Your father got you into
this mess. In my opinion your mother will have a way to get you
out. I think it's one of those universal law or something."
"My mother is very honor bound. She may not be as bad as Pops
with the Tendo mess, but she still places honor as a high
priority."
"Well, the only way to find out is to do it. Lets get moving."
With that the two young men walk towards the Juuban district
and a place they hope they may be able to call home.
****************************************************************
The sun rises into the sky as the two tired, hungry, young men
approach a modest looking home. All around the front porch were
flowers of every variety. Just before ringing the doorbell
Ranma stopped and looked at Tomas. "Well, this could be the
end. I hope that feeling you've got is right." So saying he
pushes the button twice. They wait for only a few moments, but
for Ranma it is an eternity. A middle-aged woman answers the
door. She still shows signs of great beauty. She looks the two
boys over and suddenly her eyes go wide with shock. "Ranma? Is
it really you? Have you finally come home to me?"
Both Ranma and Tomas bow to her, and Ranma speaks. "Yes,
mother, I've finally come home. It's great to see you."
Nodoka's eyes fly open wider than is thought possible. "My
son." She whispers and grabs Ranma in a bear hug. "Oh my son
you've returned at last! Bring your friend in. Who is he? Where
is Genma? Why has it taken so long for you to return? Where
have you been all these years? What has happened in your life?"
Seeing his mother on the verge of collapse, Ranma tried to calm
her down. "Relax Mom, I'll explain it all. Just sit down in the
dining room. I'll give you the whole story. Uh, mom, do you
mind if we fix ourselves something to eat before we start? We
haven't had anything since lunch yesterday.
"Of course dear. If you haven't eaten in so long get some food.
I wouldn't want you to faint on me while your telling the story."
"Hey, Ranma, you start telling the story and I'll go get us
some food. Its long enough as it is, and there's only so much
time in a day. Be back in a few." Even as Tomas said this, he
gently pushed Ranma into a chair across from his mother. Then
he headed off into the kitchen.
Ranma gathered his courage and started his story. "Well, I
guess I'll start by answering your questions. I've been living
in the Nerima district for the past two years. Me and pops were
almost always somewhere around the Tendo Dojo. As for where
Pops is now, I haven't got a clue. He ran out on me. Suffice to
say I want that entire part of my life closed. After I tell you
my story, my life will be a clean slate to start off on."
At this point Tomas returned with a pile of food. He sat down
next to Ranma and put the plate in between them. As they both
begin to eat (at a normal pace), Ranma continues answering the
questions. "This is Tomas Megerson. He's more than a friend
though. We're like brothers. In the past six months we've seen
living hell and stood together. We saved each other's lives
more times than I care to count. You know, Mom, he's the first
guy that I have ever trusted with my life. He's the first true
friend I've had in a long time.
Nodoka looked Tom over and than smiles warmly. "I'm glad to see
that my son has such a high opinion of you. I must ask, however,
what do your parents think of all this? They must be worried
about you. Maybe you should call home to let them know you are
alright."
Tom's eyes faze over with pain for a moment before he replies.
"Both of my parents are dead. They where returning home from
the airport when a drunk driver hit their car. They both died
instantly. I was an only child and my grandparents where
already dead. I couldn't stand home anymore; there were too
many memories. So I left. Haven't been back to the States
since. It's been almost two years now. Ranma's my best friend
and I would prefer to stay with him."
"I'm sorry to here about your parents deaths, but you must be
strong to have pulled through so well. Many would have broken
under the pain. You seem to be a fine young man, and I'm sure
they would be proud of you."
"Thank you, Mrs. Saotome. It means a lot to me, really."
All right then, Ranma tell me where you've been the
past ten years. I want to hear it all."
Ranma started by telling her about the Neko-ken training. He
then went on to his training trip, China (minus his and his
pops curse), the fiancées, his battles, Happosai's spell on
Akane which was the reason he had been gone for eight months,
his fight with Tom, their final battle with Happosai, and his
return home to find everything had changed. He concluded with
his being thrown out of the Tendo's. After all this, he turned
and looked at Tomas. "Would you mind go getting the water? I
need to show Mom this, not just tell her."
"Sure thing, Ranma." With that Tomas headed into the
kitchen once more.
"Son, tell me what you meant by that? What do you have
to show me and what does water have to do with it?"
Even as Nodaka spoke these words, her eyes narrowed
into slits.
"Well, Mother, when Pops and I were on that training
trip we went to a place called Jusenkyo. It is in China and has
a thousand cursed pools in it. There was, well, an accident."
Even as he spoke these words Tom entered with the water, one of
cold and one of hot. "Pops fell into the spring of drowned
panda. When he leapt out of the water, well, I froze and he
hit me into another spring. Tom, pour the cold water on my
head please."
Even as the cold water dripped off of him, Ranma became
a red headed girl, with a body that many women would kill for,
even though she was short. He, or perhaps she, spoke again in a
higher voice. "Spring of drowned girl. Well, mother, what do
you think of your son now?"
"You can reverse it, right? It's not permanent is it?
After all you did arrive male." Even as she said this, Tom
splashed Ranma with the hot water. She changed back into a he.
`"It's water activated. Cold water turns me into a girl. Hot
water turns me back into a guy."
Nodaka was shocked. To have any one live through all
that her son did was incredible. For it all to come from a
16-year-old boy was even more so. Then the perfect way to
answer him came to her mind. She got up and went to the
fireplace. She drew out a document and showed it to Ranma. He
blanched wen he saw it was the contract he and Genma signed.
Then she tossed it into the roaring flames of the fire and said,
"That piece of garbage never happened. You are my son. To have
lived through all that you have without breaking is incredible.
You are truly a man amongst men."
It was at that point that Ranma broke down. All the
stress and now the relief of having his mother back overloaded
him. He started to cry. Tom took one look at Ranma, one look at
his mother, and quietly left the room to allow Nodaka to comfort
her son. As he headed out to the back yard, he sighed and
stretched his tired muscles. All of the pain and fear could
now leave his friend. That alone was worth all themoney he
could get his hands on. Even as he looked at the sun, he
realized that It took almost four hours for Ranma to tell his
whole story. At least we both have a place that we can call
home.