A.N. All of you have probably already read the answers to your earlier reviews, so I won't include my old answers. Again, just dusting off an old fic chapter.
'Spirits Talking'
"Japanese"
Pheonix Talk (No one but Children of the Springs, little kids, and people who truly believe in Ranma can understand this)
-Chinese-
Thoughts
(Panda Signs)
000000000
Children of the Spring
First Chapter - Explosions of Light
000000000
Ranma knew his father was an idiot. Genma had ticked off one too many of the girls who held fancy for him with his high, haughty attitude, and nearly gotten himself maimed. So he decided it was time for both of them to run, very far, very fast. But for some strange reason he felt he needed to visit this mist-covered valley.
For Training, or some other non-sense he spouted just so Ranma would follow him.
"Welcome to Cursed Ground of Jusenkyou, honored sirs. Please, step light and – PLEASE NO HOP ON BAMBOO!! BE BAD YOU FALL IN!!"
Both Ranma and his father didn't hear the guide. Ranma launched a flying kick that Genma deflected. Ranma caught a pole, and flung himself at Genma with enormous speed. Genma was caught off-guard from the off angle attack, and sent tumbling into a spring. Ranma smiled at his success.
That smile was wiped off of his face when a large, black and white blur came careening at him at high speeds, and knocked him into the pool behind him. Only seconds later to come flying out, unchanged, and land in another pool. Light poured out of the pool he'd only seconds earlier been ejected from
Maybe it was a good thing he wasn't in there.
"No! Ancestors, is it really time for they return?" The guide asked. Apparently so, because four other springs lit up and ejected something, inclusive of the one Ranma had previously occupied. Everyone but the Guide and Genma were or fell unconscious, so they drag everyone in to the guide's hut.
Several hours and a few failed conversations later, Ranma awoke to the smell of wet fur. He opened his eyes to a wall of brown fur. And teeth.
Very sharp teeth.
He panicked, and nearly screamed. A very large, sleeping Grizzly Bear was sleeping in the same room as him, a very large and threatening looking Boar, a snake with legs, two kids, and a young woman. He hefted the girl and twins and high-tailed it out of the room.
"POPS! I know your training methods are weird, but a full grown, live bear? ARE YOU CRAZ - OOF!" Ranma had been hit by the girl.
"Will you please be quiet? I'm trying to rest." The Redhead had leveled both her glare and her temper at Ranma. He knew he was walking on treacherous ground, so he hoped to say the right thing. Perhaps it was a good thing he had been so loud, as the two twins woke up, and began to play with the redheaded girl, distracting her.
"Good Sirs, perhaps I should tell you what happen. Hundreds of Year ago, great prophet Mahi predict that the springs would bear children. She tell us very day what spring give birth. The pools that bear children lose magic for five-hundred years. Very sad for spring." Ranma looked at the girl, and she looked up at him. There eyes met for a moment, before hers clouded over in something of a mix between sadness and rage. She harrumphed and looked away.
"What did I do?" Ranma asked inching closer. The redhead glared at him, and he knew it was high time to retreat.
'Daughter of the Springs, why do you shun him? He only wishes to help you.' Everyone who wasn't from the springs went wide-eyed, and were dumbfounded.
"Did that bear-"
'Just talk? Yes, I can talk. I can also walk on my hind legs, too.' He said, as he started to do a little jig.
'What are you doing, Bear of the Springs?'
'A dance. I find it fun to stand and dance.' The giant boar had squeezed its way through narrow door, with the little golden dragon asleep on its back.
'Please, we need to talk. Young man, what is your name?' the boar had leveled its gaze on Ranma.
"I'm Ranma Saotome." He said, unnerved by having such a large animal stare at him so intently. The boar kept staring for a moment, before resuming communications.
'You'll do. There is a reason that the springs are giving birth to us. It knows that some great miasma is arising. Not neccesarily an evil, but something that still threatens every life on the planet. Jusenkyou may be a place of great mischief, but she is still protective of the living things she throws her mischief on.'
"I have question, honored Boar."
'Speak, Guide.'
"Will you change like others who fall in spring?"
'No. Children of the Spring will not change when exposed to hot or cold water.'
"Exposed to hot or cold water? What does that do?" Ranma piped up in their conversation
'Was he unconscious for the entire time he was a pheonix?' the little dragon asked, finally awake.
'I am afraid so. He knows not that he is cursed. Allow me to demonstrate.' The Bear spoke again, and with an amazing amount of dexterity, the bear lifted the glass, and upended it on Ranma.
The first thing Ranma noticed was that nothing felt quite right. He looked down, and saw that his shirt was on the floor. And it didn't look quite right. An explanation for everyone: pheonix form Ranma has quinchromal vision instead of normal human trichromal vision.
Trichromal literally means three colors. Human eyes are adapted to detect the Red, Green and Blue light emitted by an object in white light. This means that the eye sees some 16 million colors created by combining the original three in many different ways. However, Ranma's eyes are now picking up two new colors: Infrared and Ultraviolet. Since it is impossible to describe the sensation of something this author has never experienced, he will still try his hardest.
Ranma looked over at the bear. At first glance, it had been a normal color. But after his change, the bear took on a different color. And Ranma didn't think it was one of the colors he'd learned in pre-school. He attempted to say 'Why does everything look so funny', but it'd just come out as a jumbled sound of notes.
'I'd heard legends of Pheonix's sight. Now I'm sure its better than mine. You're probably seeing how I look with all my body heat being translated to light. You're basically seeing heat.' The boar explained.
This is great and all, but its going to be hard for me to keep up with everyone. What're we gonna call you?
'Well, you can call me Kuma. After all, its what I am.' Kuma said, and stood up straight, nearly putting his head through the ceiling.
'Call me Buta.' The giant boar said. He continued.
'You can call the little one on my pack Pan.'
"Hi mister!" The two twins had run over to Ranma, and hugged the now fluffy bird.
"I'll be Nami!"
"I'll be Ai!" They both said. By now, Ranma had gotten used to his new body, and had begun to walk around. Despite the spindly limbs, his pheonix form was quite powerful, and he picked up the two girls onto his back. The girls squealed with delight as he sped around the room.
"I'll be Ranko."
Why does she look so much like me?
"I look like you because you fell in my spring! I'm basically you, had you been born a girl. Plus my own memories." Ranko was still feeling a little steamed.
Ranma had stopped his little joy ride with Nami and Ai. He noticed that Ranko was wearing his clothes, while Nami and Ai were wearing some of his old gis. He paused for a moment, and then realized the reason. If he'd been human, he'd've turned bright red. But as it is, he was already that color.
"PAPA!" A young girl of about twelve years old came running into the room.
-What is it, Plum?- The man asked.
-Amazons are coming to the valley!- The guide realized they might be after his guests.
"Honored guests, have you angered Amazons recently?"
"Not really made them angry. We just ... left before they were ready for us to. Ranma had become quite popular amongst the girls." The guide nodded and gulped.
"You realize, they chase you son to ends of Earth if they even like him a little?"
"Yes, I do. Ranma, its time you and I take our leave." Genma struck a noble pose, and dashed for the hills, nearly dragging Ranma the entire way. However, once Ranma was out of sight, Ranko felt a nauseous.
'Ranko, are quite alright?'
"Does it look like it, Buta-chan?" She said.
'I simply feel weary that he not nearby. He must have a stronger bond with you than the others because he fell in your spring.' Ranko quickly fell limp.
"Honored Boar, what happen to her?"
'Our power fades as the one chosen by the Spring leaves us. Ranko's bond is stronger, as I already explained, and she must fade more quickly.' The large boar lifted the redhead onto his back.
'I will catch the boy and his father, and stop them so the others may catch up. I'll take Ranko so she can regain her strength. The others will follow suit as soon as they hear the Amazons coming.' And with those words, Buta departed from the hut. A few moments of silence passed, and the Jusenkyou Guide allowed the others to listen for the Amazons.
At the point in time the Amazons were on the far side of the Springs, the Spirits were out the door
The Amazons made it to the hut in what they thought was record time. None of them expected the two they were looking for. Nearly all at once, five girls popped into the hut. Three look familiar: Soap, Wash, and Shampoo. However, two younger girls, maybe a year or two younger than Shampoo are also there. One has light green hair, while the other has a very vibrant shade of crimson hair.
-Where is Ranma Soatome?- Shampoo asked the Guide.
-You just missed him. His father dragged him off for parts unknown.- Shampoo cursed.
-Incense, Candle!- Shampoo barked.
-Yes, leader?- Incense said, her green hair waving. Candle just nodded her red locks.
-Go back and tell Cologne to send us Shower. We'll need her to find Genma's tracks.- The two girls nodded. They quickly got up and rushed out of the hut. The remaining three got up more slowly, and walked out, to begin setting up tents a few hundred yards away from the springs.
000000000
"Buta?"
'Yes, Ranko?'
"Remind me again why we have to follow him."
'Because, we need his help to stop the coming disater. Because you need him for strength, whether you like it or not. Because Nami and Ai have found an older brother in him. Besides, we cannot accomplish our task without someone of this world.'
"But why does it have to be him?" Ranko was beginning to whine. Buta gave a much of a smirk as a boar could.
'Just because you do not like him, does not mean Jusenkyou wouldn't choose him. Personally, I find his enthusiasm refreshing.' Ranko just rolled her eyes, and looked up at the red bird soaring above her.
"I really miss being a ghost."
'Get used to this form. You'll need it more so than your ghostly one.' Ranko slumped down, exhausted from the journey to merely catch Ranma.
A few weeks later, the entire gang is lead by the nose to Mr. Tendo's house.
"I really wish it hadn't started raining."
'I like rain.' Pan countered. She was still a very young dragon, but she was quite intelligent.
"But Ranma doesn't like rain." Nami piped up. Ai and Nami had both bonded quite throughly with Ranma, with sort of a big brother, little sister thing happening.
'Oh, yeah. He turns into a big firebird, doesn't he?' Pan said, scratching her chin.
"It makes him start to smoke. And he can't make those pretty balls when it rains."
'Their called fireballs.' Pan had wrapped herself around Nami's shoulders. Pan was still quite small, only being about three feet long. Whenever she held still, she looked like a big plushie doll. Ranma stood off to the side, his feathers smoking and an annoyed look on his face.
Can we please get on with it? I'd like to change back now.
(We're nearly there!) Genma held up a sign. They continued to walk, until they got to the front of a somewhat large house. The sign in front read,
Tendou House and Dojo
Challengers please use back
Entrance.
Note - Due to construction
complications, challengers
please use Front Entrance.
Thank You
Soun Tendou
Remind me why we're here again?
(Someone tell me what he just said)
"Ranma-oneekun just said he wanted to know why were here!" Ai said, leaping upon Kuma, trying to get a piggy back ride from the large bear, and succeeding. The twins were very loving, and nearly impossible to seperate.
0000000000
Kasumi heard her father calling her from the living. She set the cookies she was baking in the oven, and hurried over to the family room. She wondered if this would involve guests.
Nabiki had heard her father. Barely. She was listening to music while doing her aerobic exercises. She stopped her music, and changed into something a little more covering, and went downstairs.
Akane had just finished her jog session, and was setting up her third set of cinder blocks. She was about to break them when her father ran in.
"AKANE! COME TO THE LIVING ROOM, PLEASE!" Akane almost bruised her hand on the bricks. Pride just a little bruised, she marched into the house, wondering if this was going to be a waste of her time.
"Girls! One of my old friends is coming here!"
"Yeah daddy? So?"
"So? Didn't I tell you before? One of you three is going to be engaged to him!" All of his daughters gave the same basic response.
"WHAT!"
"Daddy, you know all boys are perverts! How could you engage me to one?"
"Wait Akane." Nabiki said, holding her hand up to her sister.
"Do you know anything about him, daddy?"
"Well, I know that you used to play together when you were little. And, the postcard has a picture of him on it." Soun showed his daughters the postcard of the group. Ranma and Genma were in the middle. Ai and Nami were sitting on-top of Buta, and Pan was on Kuma's head. Ranko sat in the middle of the picture, smiling a good smile.
"Ranma's the one with black hair."
"Who's the girl?" Nabiki asked.
"No idea. Possibly, Genma's daughter, be she looks a little older than Ranma, so I don't know. Here's the message:
"Dear Soun,
Bringing Ranma in two weeks
Please expect the follow people
And/ or animals at your door
One Grizzly Bear
One Dire Boar
One Shenlong Dragon
Two-Five year old Girls
One Sixteen Year old Girl
One Pheonix or Fifteen year old boy
One Panda or me
Genma"
"Daddy? Why does your friend think that he's traveling with a pheonix and a dragon?" Soun flipped the card over. He looked at the picture hard.
"Well, there's his dragon." He said, pointing at Pan. Nabiki looked at the picture, and then dead-panned,
"It looks like he painted a lizard gold."
"Anyway, they should be here ... sometime today! And there coming from China. Everyone go get ready!" Akane harrumphed, and walked back out to the dojo. Nabiki smiled. She went upstairs, and grabbed her kimono. She didn't get very many chances at a boyfriend, and she knew she'd need a husband sometime in her life. Besides, trips to China weren't all that cheap. Kasumi wandered back in the kitchen, and started cooking an extra batch of cookies. She had to feed her guests, right?
There was a very loud knock at the door.
Kasumi walked over to the door. She was quickly joined by Nabiki in her spring kimono.
"Ooh, it must be Ranma!" She said excitedly. Kasumi opened the door, and took a mental note.
One Large Bear
One Very Big Boar
One Teenage Girl
Two Small Identical Twin Girls
One Small, Golden Reptile
One Panda
One Very Fluffy Bird
No Teenage boy
No Old Man
"Oh, can I help you?"
(Yes. I'm Genma. Could you please get us some warm water please?)
"Oh. Well, while you're waiting, please come in."
'Thank you. Is there someplace Buta can go, to get out of the rain? He's too big to get into here.' Kasumi was startled when the bear talked to her without moving his mouth, but heeded the wish.
"Yes. There is a dojo out back. It has very large doors. Nabiki, run and tell Akane that she's about to have some very ... different company.
'Thank you, miss...?' Buta said.
"Oh, my, I forgot, didn't I? I'm Kasumi."
'Thank you, miss Kasumi.'
While everyone shuffled in, Ranma immeadiately began to dry out, his body going through the motions of drying off automatically. He soon returned to his normal looking state. He had only landed on the couch arm when a loud noise nearly shook him from his perch.
"AAAAHHHHHHH!" Akane came screaming out of the dojo, and into the house.
"THAT THING TALKED TO ME!" She screamed.
'Please. We're not things. We're intelligent beings. I'm probably smarter than you are.' Pan had her pride, and it was her intellect.
"AAHHH! THE LIZARD TALKED!"
'I'm a dragon!' Pan said, very annoyed. She opened her mouth and out poured a high-pressure pillar of water that blew Akane into the wall. Kasumi then returned with the kettle, and saw Ranma-pheonix, frowning at the water on the floor before she saw it quickly evaporating into apparent nothingness. Nabiki went to change out of her kimono, as it was soaked now, and into some casual clothes. However, both Kasumi and Nabiki, still in her damp Kimono, said the same thing when they saw Ranma.
"KAWAII!" They immeadiately jumped to hug the bird, which made him panic, and a general run about the room. Genma picked up the kettle, and followed suit. Kasumi and Nabiki latched onto the boy finally, but he didn't notice until they both grabbed onto the couch to stop themselves. Ranma stopped short, and the two cuddled up to the cute bird.
"Excuse me. Could you please let go of my son?"
"This is just a cute birdy." Nabiki said.
"I'll show you he's not just a cute birdy." The two girls released Ranma, and Genma pour the rest of the kettle on Ranma. Ranma reappeared, wearing nothing but his pants, and said,
"I'm Ranma Saotome. Sorry 'bout this."
A.N. Hoped you liked the dust off. How come everyone seems to use this particular line in Ranma fanfiction? Any, reviews still appreciated. Ja ne!
