Ranma 1/2:

Ranma of Grayskull

Crossover: Masters of the Universe

By: Dani Yanega

(Dani: Legend is listed in Profile. My profile is also where I will address specific questions or issues that readers ask about.

I do not own many of the Characters in this story though some are mine all the KNOWN characters belong to those who originally created them. Thxs.

Please also NOTE I write Alternate Universe (AU) stories whether they are crossover or not. The AU applies to ALL characters. Thus this will make them OOC to the original Story and I like it that way. So if you plan to comment that Akane is not like that sorry I write her like I like to. This goes for all the characters it makes the story more fun for me to write that way. Got to have some antagonist and some friends! :D)

Chapter Seven

The embers in the campfire glowed lightly as they cooled in the night air. The forest surrounding the fire pit and tent grew quiet as the sun began to peek over the horizon. The silence though had not lasted long as the voice of a teenage boy tore through the early morning silence.

"NOOOOOOOOOOO!" Ryoga screamed as he bolted upright.

He slowly crawled from his tent and toward the edge of the glade where he was camping. His retching soon filled the forest as his dream kept playing over, and over in his mind. When he finally finished, he leaned back gasping for air. His body began to glow a sickly yellowish green. He had not seen the tendrils of mist as they floated above his camp and disappeared into the small shimmering rift. He had not seen as the rift slowly vanished as if it was never there.

"RANMA THIS IS ALL...shit!" He stopped in mid rant as he collapsed to the ground and curled up into the fetal position.

"I can't believe we were going to...NO it was a dream...but it seemed so real...!" Ryoga gasped repeatedly as he hugged himself.

He stared blankly into the forest as he rocked gently back and forth, his tears going unchecked as they pour from his eyes. He did not move from that spot for several days. At which point exhaustion took over and he fell into unconsciousness.

(l(l(l)l)l)

The rebels returned to Castle Brightmoon, to be met by an anxious king and queen. The rebels filed into the throne room their faces full of horror, confusion, and sadness. Glimmer led the way to the thrones of one of the monarchy of Etheria. As the group reached, the daises in the lead were Glimmer, He-Man, She-Ra, and Bo. They bowed to the queen and King. The queen acknowledged their presence but still looked in the crowd for the fire hair of the Mystic Warrior.

"How went the battle? Did Ranma show? Is she here?" The queen searched the crowd before her.

"We stopped the battle against the dragons though it was not of our doing. Ranma was taken by a giant red after she merged with an ancient multi hued dragon." The report came from Princess Glimmer.

The queen stopped looking for the fire haired warrior and stared at her daughter, her eyebrow arching slightly. She looked to the other warriors with her daughter and saw the despair on their faces, as they believed their own allies had destroyed their strongest weapon against the Kalcar. She looked to He-Man and She-Ra though there was worry on the warriors' faces it was not the despair of her subjects.

"He-Man, what is going on?" Queen Angella asked politely.

"It is simple your majesty Ranma is under the process of gaining the third set of powers needed to be the Mystic Warrior. The dragon was the last." He told her with a sad smile.

"I see but why was she taken by the dragons?" The queen asked them.

"I can answer that your majesty." Madam Razz stepped forward broom coming close behind her.

"She needs to be trained in her new gifts and what better trainer then a dragon for the power of a dragon." The lavender skinned witch told the queen of Brightmoon.

"They will bring her here once her training is complete." Madam Razz continued with a knowing smile.

"I hope it will not be to long." The queen stated quietly.

(l(l(l)l)l)

{NOW LITTLE ONE, SINCE YOU ARE HUMAN, EVEN WITH THE GIFTS BESTOWED UPON YOU BY NOVA. YOU ARE NOT A DRAGON. YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO USE OUR ATTACKS AS WE DO.}

{So, his name was Nova? Please, tell me about him Firestar!} Ranma asked her teacher, as she looked at him her eyes imploring him to comply.

{NOT NOW WE MUST TRAIN. I WILL TELL YOU LATER WHEN WE BREAK FOR SUSTINANCE.} Ranma's face fell but she nodded her head in agreement.

{Firestar why do we talking telepathically? I figured I got this ability from Nova.} Ranma asked the giant ancient red.

{BECAUSE IF I SPOKE THE ECHO WITHIN THIS CAVERN WOULD NOT ONLY DEAFEN YOU, IT COULD JUST TURN YOUR BRAIN TO MUSH. ANOTHER REASON, DRAGONS NORMALLY COMMUNICATE THIS WAY, THOUGH WE DO SOMETIMES SPEAK TO EACH OTHER.} The red thought back to when he and Nova first saw Ranma and how then they talked verbally.

{AND YES YOU GOT THE TELEPATHY FROM NOVA. YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO COMMUNICATE WITH ANY DRAGON USING IT.} He told her with a slight nod of his massive head.

{NOW QUIT STALLING WE MUST SHOW YOU WHAT POWERS NOVA HAS GIVEN YOU!} The red wagged a clawed finger at the fire haired warrior.

Ranma grabs his finger and using her new dragon strength along with her twelve years of fighting opponents larger then her, she spun quickly and threw the dragon 'over her shoulder' so to speak. Never the less Firestar was on his back looking up into the cat and flame orbs of his student. Ranma smiled down at him wagging her finger in front of his face.

"Let's not forget the massive strength boost sensei." Ranma spoke as she summoned her chi wings and fluttered down to the ground.

{YES WELL WE ARE GOING MORE FOR THE ATTACKS NOVA HAD PASSED TO YOU.} The red grumbled as he rose from his back to glare down at Ranma who was not even paying attention to him.

{Why do the wrists under my palms keep itching? It started last night.} Ranma complained while she scratched her wrists only to have her hands grabbed by Firestar.

{THIS IS NOT POSSIBLE! YOU WERE TO GAIN OUR MAGIC NOT OUR BREATH ATTACKS!} Firestar thought as he looked at her hands and wrists.

{TELL ME WHAT HAPPENED DURING YOUR CROSS-OVER CHILD!} Firestar demanded as he continued to probe the new forming dimples in Ranma's wrists.

{I told you everything. Please don't make me go through it again.} Ranma told him as she hung her head.

{YOU DIDN'T TELL ME EVERYTHING! REMEMBER DID YOU LEAVE ANYTHING OUT! THIS IS IMPORTANT RANMA!} Firestar pushed harder as he noticed the dimples had a hard crusting of skin around the depression no not skin dragon scale opalescent dragon scale.

{No well only, that I swallowed a lot of Nova's blood.} Ranma told him, as she looked thoughtful toward a distant point in the cavern.

{YOU WHAT!} Firestar shouted as he grabbed the young warrior by her hair, its searing fire was not affecting him any longer.

Firestar brought her up to his eyes and glared at her his brow furrowing deeply. He let go when Ranma flared her Phoenix aura causing her to burst into flame though the flame no longer seemed to hurt the red dragon it did surprise him and he released his grasp on her fiery locks.

{HEY! WHAT'S THE BIG IDEA?} Ranma shouted as her ki wings formed behind her.

{THIS IS NOT SUPPOSE TO HAPPEN!} Firestar ignored the perturbed warrior as he continued to figure out what to do.

"HEY TALK TO ME YOU OVER GROWN LIZARD!" Ranma was beginning to worry that something bad was going to happen, thoughts of Meriana crowd into her mind.

{I AM NOT SURE YOUNG WARRIOR, BUT IT SEEMS YOU HAD RECEIVED MORE THEN YOU SHOULD HAVE!} The giant red told her as he lowers himself into the lake.

Ranma floated over the water she could feel as Firestar contacted another dragon but because his thoughts were not directed toward her she could not hear what he was saying. She finally landed on the bank of the lake. She took a lotus position and begun to meditate. She went deep within her center to find out what was happening to herself. She found her center and nearly lost her concentration when she found her soul in turmoil. The Cat and Phoenix were fighting with the dragon as if they did not want to allow it access to the warrior's spiritual center. She noticed the white mist floating in and around the different factions and realized it was her Spirit Weaver powers. She reached out to them, to find they were working to bring all three of the powers in line. She could hear the mist as if it had a mind of its own.

{This would have been a lot easier if the Mystic Warrior were three separate beings like they were suppose to be!} At first Ranma was confused, she was then hurt that they wanted other warriors, but it was slowly replaced with comic relief.

She watched as the Neko power started to act more, cat like as it chased the mist around while the Phoenix and dragon faced off but never attack as she finally had enough. She exerted her control of all four and forced the melding of the dragon with the other three power centers. The last thing she needed was to be fighting an internal battle within herself. The dragon relaxed and allowed itself to be pushed into the power core of one of the Universe's most powerful warriors. Ranma watched as the rainbow color of the dragon's spirit mingles with the black of the cat and golden red of the Phoenix. She smiled as the bright blue of her own power and her new golden chi slowly merged pulling in the three gifts given her. She then slowly moved the mist of the Spirit Weaver in last to act as the binding agent that would keep it all together. She slowly moved toward her center core it's blue no longer alone and was now a kaleidoscope of colors. She slowly reached out with an ethereal hand and touched her core.

As her fingers brushed over the surface her, first reaction was to think how cold her core was. Her second reaction was to go into shock as a tendril of white grabbed her and pulled her into her core. She fought and tried to pull free but then tendrils of the other colors joined in and brought her fully into her power center. She felt each of the powers that now made up her existence they all buffeted her with their thoughts and feelings. She grabbed the sides of her temples and opened her mouth in a silent scream as the barrage started to be too much. Then before she could lose her sanity all together, the tidal wave of thoughts and emotions stopped. She lowered her hands and looked up. She gasped as she looked through her power core and marveled at how beautiful it was.

She slowly spun and as she looked through the stain glass of her core. The colors were vibrant and soothing at the same time. She reached out and caressed the wall of her core again. She was still amazed at how cold the walls were. She placed her hand firmly on the wall then closed her eyes and tried to open the communications with each of the spirits that make up her status as the Mystic Warrior. Her smile faded to a frown, as she could no longer feel the different parts of her power. She then felt a strong presence and she opened her eyes to see Firestar's ethereal form outside of her core.

{VERY GOOD YOUNG WARRIOR! NOW JOIN ME OUTSIDE AND I WILL EXPLAIN WHAT IS HAPPENING!} Firestar disappeared leaving a shocked Ranma as she reluctantly left her core to follow him.

(l(l(l)l)l)

Ranma's eyes fluttered open to come face to face with the golden reptilian eyes of Firestar. She smiled, as she was able to sense his presence so close to her. Firestar watched her closely and nodded as if she just confirmed his hypothesis. The dragon pulled back and lowered itself deeper into the lake only allowing his head to float on the surface. Ranma rose and dove into the lake. She swam out to the dragon. When she reached the floating behemoth, she grabbed one of its snout tendrils and climbed up to his snout. When she reached the top of his nose, she took a cross-legged position toward the end of his snout and waited for him to begin.

{I HAVE COMMUNICATED WITH ONE OF OUR OLDER AND WISER DRAGONS. HE IS AN EXPERT ON THE PROPHOCIES OF YOUR COMING. IT IS AS I FEARED YOU WERE NOT TO GAIN THE POWER OF OUR DRAGON BREATHS, HOWEVER SINCE YOU HAD DRUNK DRAGONS BLOOD IT IS AUGMENTING THE GIFTS YOU WERE SUPPOSE TO RECEIVE.} The red began.

{THE DIMPLES FORMING ON YOUR WRISTS WOULD BE HOW YOU USE THE DRAGON BLAST RANMA. IF YOU TRY TO SHOOT AS WE DO FROM OUR MOUTHS, YOU WOULD DESTROY YOURSELF FROM THE INSIDE OUT. NOT TO MENTION YOU COULD KILL SOMEONE JUST BY KISSING THEM.} Ranma's eyes open wide with horror as a vision of her giving Meriana a kiss and her bursting into flames.

"So will they open and close when I need them too?" Ranma asked quietly as a picture of her taking the hand of Meriana crossed her mind.

Ranma shuddered violently as each of the dragon blasts kills her daughter. She looked up at the red her face full of sadness. She opened her mouth to ask that the gifts of the dragon be removed when she was cut off by her sensei.

{DO NOT FEAR LITTLE ONE OUR BLAST WILL COME FROM YOUR WRISTS AND YOU WILL BE ABLE TO CONTROL THEM.} Firestar told her as he reached up and took her small hands into his claws and points to her wrists.

{Alright Firestar, I will learn hard so that no accidents will happen.} She told him as she stared down at the funny looking orifices developing on her wrists.

{NOW SINCE NOVA WAS A MULTI HUED DRAGON HE COULD USE ALL OF OUR BLASTS SO WE WILL WORK WITH EACH. DO NOT WORRY ABOUT GETTING ANY OF THE BLASTS ON YOU BECAUSE OF HIS GIFTS YOU ARE IMUNE TO ALL DRAGON BLASTS.} Firestar told Ranma, as she nodded her understanding.

{NOW POINT YOUR HAND TOWARD THAT WALL AND CONCENTRATE ON WHICH BLAST YOU WISH TO USE.} Firestar instructed his protégé.

Ranma rose to her feet, her arm out in front of her bent slightly at the elbow; her palm bent farther back as she aimed at a large boulder in the cavern some thirty feet from her. She concentrated on wanting a bolt of electricity to come from her wrist. The blast shot from her wrist but she was not prepared for the strength of the blast as she should have been and was thrown thirty feet back from where she was. She would have gone farther but a wall ended her flight. Ranma stood up shaking her head. She looked up at the opposite wall and saw the scorch marks on the boulder and on the wall above it.

{Well I guess I gotta learn to brace myself better. Oh boy I am gonna hate learning to do this in a fight.} Ranma stared wide-eyed at the far wall her hand behind her head scratching the base of her neck.

The laughter of Firestar resonated throughout her mind as she stared at her handy work. Ranma rose under her chi Phoenix wings and fluttered back to Firestar's snout. She landed on the top then began her new training. As she worked with her dragon gifts, an idea came to her. She decided since she had a chi based Phoenix techniques she would do the same for the dragon. Her Neko powers were already both but she might try that as well. It could not hurt to have powers they would not expect.

(l(l(l)l)l)

He-Man stood on the balcony of Brightmoon staring into the distance. A scowl creased his brow. He turned at the tender hand that rested upon his shoulder. He smiled at his sister as she stared at him with worry crossing her piercing blue eyes. He patted his sister's hand ending with giving it a slight squeeze.

"It has been almost two weeks, and Queen Angella is getting scared about something. This morning was the first time I saw her smile in over two weeks." He told his twin.

"Yes, but I can't find out anything. I feel it has to do with Meriana, but no one, not even Glimmer is talking. She-Ra said her voice filled with worry.

"DRAGON, DRAGON!" The twins looked to the sky at first they saw nothing.

As they searched the horizons, they saw a large object heading toward Brightmoon. The noise in the courtyard caused them to look down to see everyone in the courtyard clearing out the area to give the behemoth a place to land. She-Ra grabbed her brother's arm and dragged him over the balcony. The thirty-foot drop was nothing to them since they had been training with Ranma. They ran to the courtyard and waited with everyone else for Ranma and the dragon.

(l(l(l)l)l)

Queen Angella and King Micca stood on the balcony to the throne room they watched with awe as the ancient red came closer to Brightmoon. Angella watched closely for the fire hair of the Mystic Warrior. As the dragon neared, the people in the courtyard become more excited. It had been a long time since these majestic beasts paid a visit. She looked down into the courtyard and saw her daughter as she stood with her friends, their attention being held by the red dragon as he flew toward the makeshift-landing site. The gasps of the spectators drew Angella's attention toward the sky. The red dragon was slowly circling the courtyard. When he was satisfied, the giant red lizard slowly descended into the courtyard. The dragon looked down at the people surrounding him when he heard a beautiful lyrical voice. He turned and saw a blonde hair woman with white wings.

"Greetings oh ancient of dragons we welcome you to Castle Brightmoon." Angella told the dragon while showing him respect and bowing to him.

"GREETINGS! ANCESTRIAL QUEEN AND THE DEFENDER OF BRIGHTMOON!" The red's voice boomed like thunder, shaking the ground and the castle.

"I HAVE BROUGHT BACK TO YOU THE MYSTIC WARRIOR, HER TRAINING WITH US IS COMPLETE. I CANNOT STAY AS WE MUST PREPARE OUR DEFENSES AGAINST THE EVIL THAT INFECTS OUR WORLD. WE WILL SEE EACH OTHER AGAIN, MOST LIKELY IN BATTLE." The red not waiting for a reply opened his claw to reveal a glowing white orb.

He placed the orb on the ground then slowly rose to leave. The gale force of his slow ascent caused the spectators to scramble for cover except for the queen and her king, as well as the twins of Eternia, they held onto Glimmer to prevent her from falling. The white orb had not moved from the spot, the dragon had placed it. As the dragon reached, the apex of his take off he hovered over the courtyard looking down at the glowing white sphere.

{Goodbye Firestar and thank you I hope we meet again!} Ranma's soprano voice rang in the red dragon's mind.

{DO NOT FEAR LITTLE ONE WE WILL, WE DRAGONS WILL ALWAYS BE READY TO HELP THE HEIR OF NOVA, THE MYSTIC WARRIOR!} The crowd watched as the dragon hovered over the white sphere looking at it as if he was talking to it.

They watched as the dragon turned and flew back the way he had come. When he was finally but a speck on the horizon, they turned to stare at the white sphere. Then they quickly turned away as the ball had begun to glow brighter then the sun. When the glow faded, they turned to see a young woman kneeling on one knee. Her head bowed and her arms crossed over her chest her fists resting against their opposite shoulders. The garden was full of gasps and whisperings. This grew in intensity when He-Man and She-Ra stepped toward the young woman.

"Ranma?" He-Man asked her as he and She-Ra stood next to her on either side of her.

(l(l(l)l)l)

Nodoka busied herself preparing lunch for Lily and Mousse. She had to push Mousse from the kitchen several times. However, she was unable to get Ukyo to leave. She had come to visit and insisted on helping prepare food to feed everyone. Nodoka smiled as she watched the girl cook. She was surprised that she could cook something other than okomiyaki. Nodoka turned back to her preparation when she heard a gasp from the young chef. She turned and looked at the girl who was staring at Nodoka's stomach. Nodoka looked down and saw her locket from Ranma glowing.

"Lily it is Ranma!" Nodoka called as she entered the dining room Ukyo close behind her.

Nodoka opened the locket but her smile fell as she saw the face of the Sorceress. The guardian of Grayskull raised an eyebrow, but smiled at her houseguest's mother. She then saw the face of the Amazon behind Nodoka.

"Greetings, I am sorry I am not your child but I have news of her." The Sorceress started her smile widened slightly as Nodoka perked up.

"Is he ok? Where is he? Can I talk...?" Nodoka's questions were cut off as a hand fell on her shoulder giving it a gentle squeeze.

"Now, now daughter, give her time to answer." Lily told her adopted child.

"Yes _she_ is fine, but I feel the search to release the lock on her curse may be too late. I also sensed her transformation is complete. She has added the last of her power to be the Mystic Warrior." The gasps from the three women filled the room.

"What has happen to my _son_!" Nodoka cried trying to keep her anger in check.

"It is a long story Nodoka one that does not have a happy ending for the Mystic Warrior." The Sorceress told the three women of Ranma's betrayal by the Queen of Etheria.

It does not take long but long enough that the connection must end soon. The Sorceress also filled them in on her powers as a Spirit Weaver and how one of her parents was a full Spirit Weaver. They all stared at Nodoka as a slight tinge of red crossed her face.

"Yes we had hoped it was you that gave those powers to Ranma. I must go now, though the lotus locket is getting stronger and we may talk longer then before it is still not powerful enough for marathon speaking sessions. I will have Ranma contact you once she returns. Farewell." The image of the Sorceress faded as Lily and Ukyo stared at Nodoka curiosity on their faces.

"When did you plan on telling me daughter?" Lily asked the squirming woman.

"I wasn't, not because I didn't trust you but because in order to use my powers they need to be charged and the spells ingrained in me by the spirit world and there is _no_ spirit rift large enough on this world any longer to do that." Nodoka told them a bit perturbed.

Nodoka then rose and returned to the kitchen to finish preparing lunch. She effectively cut off any more questions. As she, started chopping the vegetables her eyes filled with tears. They slowly seep down her cheeks. She laid the knife down on the cutting board and slowly sank to her knees, covering her face with her hands. Mousse found her this way crying on the floor. He went over and knelt next to her as he wrapped his arms around her. She leaned into him her head resting on his chest as her hands grasped the sleeve of his robes.

Lily and Ukyo found them like this when they enter the kitchen to get more answers. As they rushed to Nodoka, Mousse released a spray of shuriken in front of them. His face held a scowl of rage, pity, and guilt. For as she cried Nodoka told Mousse of the loss of her son and her fear the seppuku contract would cause her child not to want to be with her any more. Mousse slowly rose and led his aunt away to her room casting one final glare at his grandmother and Ukyo.

(l(l(l)l)l)

Genma sat huddling close to the campfire. His mind worked feverishly to find a way out of this mess. He growled low in his throat as he remembered his master's betrayal of sending away his last chance at an early retirement. His growl deepened as his mind traveled to his worthless son since he was not strong enough to stop the master's attack.

"I will just have to train the _boy_ harder when we finally get him back." Genma grumbled as he tossed another dead branch onto the fire.

Genma shuddered as he remembered the dream he had the other night. It was the first and only time he had ever had a nightmare, and if that was what they were like he hoped never to have one again. His frown turned to a sneering scowl as his mind went back to the dream. As he remembered, what his worthless son had done to him. He forgot what he and Soun had tried to do in the dream and that he enjoyed watching the female Ranma's pain. He turned his mind from the nightmare pushing it deep into the recesses of his mind. He had to work harder to push away the excitement he felt at watching the female form of Ranma being strangled by Kodachi.

He then tried to focus on how to get to his son and bring him back to marry Akane so the schools would be joined and he could sit back and spend all the money Ranma would generate as a sensei. His mind drifted toward his fantasy retirement of him and Tendo going to the most fancy of restaurants with young nubile women hanging off their arms as they ordered Champaign and expensive dishes. Then they would sign the bill over to the Tendo Dojo.

Drool started to flow down the sides of Genma's mouth as the plates upon plates of food crossed his mind. He had not registered the young women in his fantasy as they stripped naked and cover themselves in food to allow him a living table. He just drooled over the food and inhaled the morsels never once noticing the _tables_ that housed the food. As he fantasized, the dream changed slowly to the nightmare. Genma's eyes went wide as it played out again across the void of his mind. He went pale as he watched his death at the hands of his child and the Neko-ken. Genma shook himself from his nightmare and rose unsteadily but with determination. He slowly gathered his meager belongings and shuddered as a remnant of the nightmare flashed across his mind. He shouldered his pack and slowly headed back toward Tokyo. His brow furrowing as he headed off toward home.

[Nodoka will give me that pendant freely or I will take it by force.] Genma thought as he disappeared into the trees surrounding his abandoned campsite.

(l(l(l)l)l)

Soun sat in the gallery behind his two daughters and their lawyers. His face clouding, with worry and concern, he kept turning toward the courtroom doors waiting for his eldest daughter to arrive. A movement from the corner of his eyes caused him to turn to see Akane's lawyer lean toward his youngest daughter. He bowed his head in shame as he saw her glowing bright red.

"I DON'T KNOW WHY I AM HERE THIS IS ALL RANMA'S FAULT!" Her angry declaration quieted the courtroom spectators.

"No nee-Chan it is _your_ fault it has always been _your_ fault, because you refused to come out of the little princess world we all put you into." The gentle rebuke filled the courtroom just as easily as Akane's shout had.

"Onee-Chan!?" Akane's aura flickered out as she turned to see Kasumi standing there next to an older gajin woman.

Nabiki turned to look at Kasumi her Ice Queen mask stoically in place. However, a small smile broke through as she looked at her older sister. In the few weeks that her father had told her that Kasumi had left the Tendo home, Kasumi had made some changes. Her hair was no longer in a ponytail it now hung freely down past her hips. Nabiki did not realize her hair was that long. Instead of her matronly dress, she now wore a nice tailored navy blue suit with a light blue silk blouse with a mandarin collar. Around her neck was a set of pearls and on the lapel of her jacket was a white lotus blossom brooch. On her feet was a pair of sling back faux leopard print pumps with a small yellow handbag hanging from her shoulder. What really, made Nabiki smile was the fact she was wearing an outfit she would wear except possibly for the large wire hoop earrings in her sisters ears.

"No Akane, you must now face the consequences of your actions without _Ranma_ to come to your rescue. She had finally had enough of your abuse and refusal to grow up. It doesn't really matter though does it little sister since you and Ryoga have been together ever since the Saffron incident. Did he finally tell you he was P-Chan or did you already know?" Kasumi continued her eyes flashing a dangerous red.

The one coming from Nabiki over shadowed the gasp from Soun. She had always known of Ryoga's curse she made quite a bit from him to keep quiet. She however did not know her sister had known or that Akane had as well. Ryoga must have just kept paying to protect Akane from her blackmail. She was going to have to punish them both for deceiving her. Soun rose from his seat and walked to his elder daughter his mouth opening for protests.

"Don't bother father you knew about Ryoga's curse from the outset yet you and Uncle could only think of joining the school so you could live off Ranma's hard work to maintain the dojo. I am glad she has left this awful place and had escaped the life draining, soul-sucking mire of our home...no _your_ house had become. It is obviously _not_ a home." Kasumi's face filled with pain as tears flowed like a river down her cheeks.

"I am sorry I do love you all so much but I can't find my own way and keep my sanity if I remain a part of this family. I have removed myself from the family register and been placed on mother's. I have already talked with Uncle Daisuke and he has agreed to it. I came here today to wish you luck and I do hope the courts will be lenient on you both but I won't stay to watch the destruction of the Tendo family." With that said, she turned and fled the courtroom a trail of tears following along with the older gajin woman.

The Tendo's stared at the doors to the courtroom their faces frozen in masks of surprise, horror, and pain. Nabiki's face molded itself quickly back into a mask of disinterest, yet her insides were twisting into knots like the night her mother had died. She slowly turned from the doors and stared blankly toward the front of the courtroom her lawyer watching her with worry. Soun stood with his eyes wide with shock when he stumbled into his seat still watching the doors the tears flowing down his cheeks. This was not his normal wailing but the actual crying of a destroyed soul, one that knew he was to blame for all that was happening. Akane stared with pain, fear, guilt, and finally an emotion she understood anger crossing her face. Her fist slammed hard onto the table causing it to crumble to splinters at the assault.

"THIS IS ALL THAT BAKA...*SLAP*!" Her rage was stopped by the sound of a resounding slap across her face.

She turned first to her father who sat glaring at her then to her sister who stood before her. Akane leaned back from her older sister unsure as she saw the emotion filled face of Nabiki. In her older sister's face was an emotion that she had never seen before, rage.

(l(l(l)l)l)

Ranma slowly stood her new height becoming apparent; she looked up at He-Man with a smile and nodded her head slightly. The gasps around her drew her attention to the others in the courtyard. She saw they were staring at her and she looked down. She was wearing her white tang with an embroidered red dragon on it and a pair of black kung-fu pants and white fighting slippers. She looked down her front she then looked over her shoulder to check her back but had not seen anything out of the ordinary. Her cocky smirk never leaving her face.

"Is there something on my clothes?" She asked the Eternian royal twins.

Ranma was now five feet seven inches tall. Her eye color was now shifted between her old sapphire blue and emerald green. The other change in the Mystic Warrior was that her soft tan skin and billowing hair of fire, now shone with a slight rainbow luminescence. Though the change she knew they could not see was the fact her skin now had a layer of fine dragon scales though they looked and felt like skin they were still scales, they now protected her from the elements of dragon's breath. The last gift was long life from drinking Nova's blood. She turned at the sound of fluttering wings and saw Angella descending into the courtyard. Ranma's smirk faded to a frown but she curtly bowed her head slightly at the ruler of Brightmoon but showed her no more consideration for her station.

"Ranma...I am glad you have come." The queen stated with a little hesitation.

"I will not be staying long I have much to do at home." Ranma stated coldly.

"I am only here at the behest of the Red Dragon and the Sorceress of Grayskull." Ranma continued her eyes growing cold.

"Plea...Please won't you come with me and I will tell you why I asked for your aid." The queen continued nervously as she led the Mystic Warrior toward her throne room.

Ranma arched an eyebrow at the queen's demeanor but followed her into the castle. He-Man, She-Ra, Glimmer, and the rest of the rebels close behind. Battlecat and Swiftwind brought up the rear. Swiftwind smacked the back of Battlecat's head with a wing. When the big cat turned to glare at the flying Unicorn he was met with a cold stare.

"I think you should have told He-Man and She-Ra what happened between Ranma and Angella for now I fear they will be finding out the secret." Swiftwind whispered angrily at the green and gold tiger.

"I told you before as I have told the Sorceress it is not our place to tell them or anyone. I only told you because you wouldn't leave me alone and threatened to go to them." Battlecat hissed back then took off at a fast trot to catch up with the others.

Swiftwind stared at the cat then followed suit his hooves clacking as he trotted through the hallway. He knew Battlecat was correct it was Ranma's place to tell others but if he was right and the truth was about to come out it would hurt She-Ra and He-Man very much, mostly She-Ra. The winged unicorn entered the throne room and saw Ranma standing in front of the thrones of Angella and Micca. Glimmer had taken her place to the right of her mother's throne. Battlecat stood beside He-Man who stood to the left and behind Ranma, while She-Ra stood to the right. Swiftwind slowly walked up beside She-Ra his head bowed with anguish.

"Ranma I am glad you have finally come, I need your help. It seems Meriana has been refusing to eat except what the servants have been able to force down her. I need you to talk with her and stay here for awhile till she is healthy again." The queen told a shocked and anxious Ranma, then a calm came over the Mystic Warrior, though her eyes filled with pain and guilt.

"And when I have finished bringing _my daughter_ back to health then what?" Ranma asked a dangerous growl in her tone as a thin black line in the shape of a cat appeared around her.

"Then nothing she will remain here until her family is found or a family agrees to adopt her." Angella was oblivious of the aura around the Mystic Warrior or the shock that came to the faces of the Eternian Twins.

"That is not good enough! I will not be a party to your destroying the spirit of my child. I will not stay with her giving her false hope of going home with me only to have _you_ crush it by forcing us apart. Meriana will go with me now or I leave!" Ranma's face was as hard as diamonds.

Those around the throne room shivered as the temperature, dropped thirty degrees, as Ranma deployed the soul of ice. The queen stared in shock at the Mystic Warrior, confusion crossing her face. Then her face became harden as well, as she stood her hand ready to slap the warrior before her. Her hand was stopped by the most unlikely of people, her husband. Micca's hand was wrapped tightly around the wrist of his wife his other hand on her shoulder. She glared back at him but he shook his head and forced her to sit on her throne. He then approached Ranma.

"It seems you do not care as much as you say you do if you can allow her to starve herself to death." Micca glared down at Ranma who had not flinched under the cold stare.

"Oh, I care more then _you_ or your _wife_! I care enough not to let you two _continue_ to use me as a pawn to break her spirit so she will be more amiable and follow your authority without question. I won't let you turn me into the villain as you try to get her to hate me for leaving her again. If you want to see Meriana happy and healthy then return her to me. Your precious queen, can no longer claim I am not Etherian, since I have now merged with the oldest race on this planet." Ranma's last comment brought gasps from those closest to the throne, as the connotations of what she was saying filtered into their minds.

Micca stared at the warrior before him, he wanted to slap her this time but knew he could not to do so would be a huge mistake not only politically but also physically as he heard a low growl come from Battlecat. He lowered his head, as he knew Ranma was speaking the truth and that he knew that Angella though she meant well would do just what Ranma said she would. Micca nodded his head imperceptibly as he summoned a guard.

"Go get the child and her things." Micca ordered.

"Micca!?" Angella was out of her seat heading toward her husband.

"No Angella the child will only die here! If that happens then we will have been responsible for the death of an innocent child and the savoir of two worlds, for Ranma will surely die of a broken heart and spirit if that happens." Ranma stared at the king her respect for him showing in her exotically beautiful face.

Angella bowed her head and began to slump to the floor. She was suddenly supported from collapsing completely. The gasps around her caused her to look up. She expected to see Micca holding her but instead found the Mystic Warrior helping her to her throne. She looked around the throne room and saw the shock and confusion on the faces of everyone watching the proceedings. She felt as Ranma placed her on her throne then turned to look up at the warrior as she felt Ranma place her hand reassuringly on her shoulder.

"You will see your majesty this will be best for her and me!" Ranma told her a small sad smile on her face.

"I didn't want it this way! I didn't want others to know what happened between us, but this was too much to bear." Ranma whispered to the queen then turned and walked off the dais.

A commotion caused all in the throne room to turn. They saw an elderly nurse clutching a small-emaciated child in her hands. She glared at the guard following behind her carrying a small bag and gently pushing her toward the throne. Ranma's eyes widen with happiness then narrowed with rage as the flames in her eyes flare out past their confines and her black cat shape aura surrounded her. The nurse turned at the angry growl and nearly dropped the bundle she was protecting when she turned to stare into the face of an enraged Mystic Warrior. She backed away a step only to have the guard block her exit as he too stared frozen in fear at the image before him. Ranma held out her arms toward the bundle in the nurse's arms. The woman clutched the child closer to her only to feel the guard nudge her toward the angry beast in front of her.

"Momma!?" The bundle began to stir, as the nurse tried to prevent the child from seeing what stood before them.

"Give Ranma the child, Herleda!" The voice of the queen broke through the standoff.

"But your majesty she...!" Herleda started only to be cut off as Ranma took a step closer.

Herleda gulped as she saw those frightening eyes come closer to her again. Herleda stood a plump five feet ten inches though she was three inches taller then Ranma at, the moment Ranma seemed to tower over her. Herleda's dark auburn hair was streaked with silver and tied back into a loose bun. Her eyes were a dark hazel and showed years of pain and joy. Ranma took hold of the small child and gently removed her from Herleda's grasp.

"NO!" Herleda lunged for the child only to be stopped by a firm hand on her shoulder.

"Meriana? Come little Lotus Blossom it is time to go home." Ranma cooed to the small child in her arms.

"Momma?" The little girl looked up into the smiling iridescent face of the person she believed was her mother.

"Yes, my little Lotus Blossom, now say goodbye to everyone and thank them for taking care of you and we will go home." The little girl looked hopefully at her _mother_ then nodded.

She stayed nestled in Ranma's arms but turned and in turn faced the Queen and King, then Herleda. She told each goodbye and thanked them for their kindness. She then buried her face in Ranma's neck wrapping her arms tightly around the Mystic Warrior's neck. Ranma summoned her chi wings she bowed to the royal couple then to Herleda. She took the small bag from the guard then took flight. She left Brightmoon behind her and headed for the entrance to Castle Grayskull and a safe haven for herself and the young child holding onto her tightly.

(l(l(l)l)l)

"I HAVE HAD ENOUGH OF YOUR TANTRUMS! FOR OVER TWELVE YEARS I HAVE HAD TO SUPPORT OUR FAMILY BECAUSE KASUMI HAD TO BECOME A MOTHER AT 10, I BECAME THE BREAD WINNER! YOU BECAME NOTHING BUT A DRAIN ON THE FAMILY!" Akane stared in shock at her older sister, as did the courtroom around them.

"*SIGH* I can't do this anymore, you were given the chance to have someone love you but all you could do was treat him like dirt. He gave up many cures to save you! Damn it Akane he _KILLED_ a god for you but all you could do was belittle him and betray him with a sick pervert like Hibiki." Nabiki rubbed her forehead and shook her head gently.

"I sold my soul to support you and got nothing in return except more damages to repair and a weak willed father who wouldn't help except to try and force us into a loveless marriage. I cannot do this any longer. *Sigh*!" Nabiki sat next to her attorney then looked up at the shocked looks of Akane and her father.

"After this is over I am going to apologize to Mrs. Saotome and though I have no right to ask I am going to ask Ranma for his forgiveness as well. I don't care what the two of you do any longer you can both rot in hell and if you follow Hibiki I am sure you will end up there eventually. I want nothing more to do with either of you." Nabiki allowed the tears to flow unchecked as more than a decade of forcing her emotions deep inside the walls she had built finally broke loose.

"The two of you deserve to be all that is left of the Tendo clan since you both live in a fantasy world of your own making. I do not want to be there when reality finally crashes in and you find that you can't have everything your way." With that, Nabiki lowered her head into her hands, as her sobs filled the courtroom. Two bailiffs then brought in a new table for the defense, both men glaring at Akane.

Akane and Soun stared at the sobbing Nabiki they tried to be angry with her for her rebuke but the shock of seeing the emotionless Nabiki collapse into an emotional mess was too much for them. They did not know what to do Kasumi was always the comfort giver the one who would dry the tears and tell them it was all right. Now when they needed her most she had deserted them. Their anger now rose at Kasumi but it was again quickly dashed as they could not bring themselves to be angry at her. Akane decided she would do what she always did and blame Ranma, it was his fault, and he would pay for destroying her family. While Soun sat there looking down at his hands but not really seeing them as he thought over the words of his two elder daughters. He decided also to be angry but not at Ranma but at himself and at Genma Saotome for bringing his family to this ruin.

The attorneys of the defense tried to get a stay until Nabiki could calm down but the judge refused. The trial went as everyone that knew Nabiki expected. The prosecution brought forth her victims and the court learned of her yakuza behavior. The defense countered with getting the witnesses to admit that Nabiki did what she did to help her family survive and stay together. When each of the witnesses against her left the stand, they all felt guilty for coming forth. They stared at the middle Tendo and saw in her face shame, guilt, and depression. The trial for Nabiki had not lasted long as there were no witnesses on behalf of the defendant and she refused to testify on her own behalf. It seemed to her father she had given up and wanted to be punished. Soun stared at his middle daughter his heart breaking as she stared off at nothing her tears still flowing down her face. The judge after hearing the testimony turned to Nabiki. His face softened slightly but then hardened again.

"Would the defendant Nabiki Tendo please rise." He waited as Nabiki and her attorney rose to their feet.

"Do you have anything to say in your defense Ms. Tendo?" The judge asked his voice cold as he stared down at her.

"I have given my soul to save my family and today I find it was a soul mistakenly given. I will accept whatever punishment the court deems I must receive. I however feel it will never be enough for the pain I have caused to others in order to keep a clan as worthless as the Tendos together. The only thing I regret is the lost chance of having an eternal friend in Ranma and the pain I had caused him since his arrival." Nabiki lowered her head and waited for the verdict.

"Very well Ms. Tendo normally the practices with which you had dabbled in are looked on with disgust and are usually given with the harshest of punishments. However, there seems to be a guardian angel looking out for you as today on my bench a note appeared from nothing. I normally would have ignored it but after reading the history of this case it seems unusual incidents follows this person Ranma around like the plague." The judge lifted the envelope from his desk and turned it so the writing faced the defense table.

"*GASP* Ran...Ranma!?" Akane gasped as 'Ranma' escaped her lips.

Nabiki's eyes widened as she saw Ranma's sloppy kanji on the front of the envelope. The words made her mouth go dry as if it was being stuffed with cotton balls. She read the words her mouth quietly forming each word, 'My testimony on behalf of Nabiki Tendo'. Nabiki gulped as the words floated around in her mind. She heard her father jumping wildly behind her.

"MY BABY'S BEEN SAVED! I KNEW RANMA WOULD PROTECT MY BABY!" Soun's tears flowed like the ocean he normally cried.

*BANG; BANG; BANG!*

"MR. TENDO IF YOU DO NOT SETTLE DOWN YOU WILL BE FORCEABLLY REMOVED FROM THIS PROCEEDING!" The judge shouted to be heard over the excited man.

Soun suddenly stopped his face a mask of shock and sheepishness as he lowered himself into his seat. The judge glared at the Tendo patriarch then back at Nabiki. She had had time to recompose herself but unlike her father, her face had not shown the happiness her father's had. She stared straight into the judge's eyes, hers as hard as diamonds as she opened her mouth to speak.

"I am sorry your honor but I do not believe that note is from Ranma, he would if he could send one for Akane but not for me. If it truly were from him then I would prefer you not enter it into evidence, as I do not deserve his rescue. What I have done though for the right reasons is still wrong. In my effort to control my biggest source of income, I almost caused a wonderful woman to be hurt. I can't accept any aid from him or any other person for I do not deserve it." Nabiki stared at him, her jaw set with determination.

"Well Ms. Tendo I have already read this note and yes it was for you. It also in as much says that though he once loved your sister he does not any longer and feels he cannot defend her attack on his mother. He feels, she had overstepped her bounds at her arrest by not only trying to attack Nodoka Saotome but an officer of the law." The judge paused and looked down at the letter for a moment as if trying to locate his place.

"You however, he says he knew he and his father's gluttonous ways were a hardship on your family but mostly you and your elder sister Kasumi. This was why he setup the trust fund for her college education." The judge paused and looked at the three remaining Tendos.

*GASP* The last two daughters gasped as Soun already knew of the trust fund but not that Ranma had set it up.

"This note was his final payment to the hardship you had to endure to raise money to support them and the damage that followed them. He says, after the first time he found out about your activities he was angry that you were using him. He also said he felt betrayed because you did not ask him first. He however never stopped you because he realized you were the one thing between your family having a home or living on the street." The judge glanced up with just his eyes at the defense table the shock still filled all three of their faces, though Akane's held more anger than anything else.

"He continues with his hopes you change your ways and use the intelligence you have to become the person you always wished yourself to be. He says that he was happy to have met you and that he would always consider you a friend." The judge put down the letter and stared at Nabiki.

The look of shock on Nabiki's face told the judge everything he needed to know. She knew nothing about the note and was not the one to place it on the bench. He then looked to Akane and Soun and their expressions told him they did not do it either. Though he shook his head as he saw the anger, Akane was manifesting. He turned his attention back to Nabiki when he heard her chair scrape the floor. He turned to see her kneeling on the floor her face buried in her hands as she sobbed anew. The hardness on his face softened as he realized the emotional void she had been for the last decade or so had finally broken. He stared at the note and saw the writing there that told of her life over the last ten years and how each of the Tendos had taken the death of Kimiko Tendo. He picked up the letter and replaced it into the envelope then slipped it into his pocket.

*BANG BANG BANG*

"I will have order in this court!" He exclaimed as Nabiki's lawyer helped her to her feet he supported her as the judge continued.

"This court has decided that Nabiki Tendo will be placed on probation for the next five years, and that during that time she must seek psychiatric care to help her deal with the loss of her mother and family structure. Ms. Tendo you may not leave the Tokyo area without the permission of the court, but we hope you will continue with your life and make plans for your future." Nabiki stared at the judge as if he had grown another head.

"Bu...But your honor...I broke many laws...you can't...you have to punish me!" Nabiki's ramblings just made the judge smile warmly at her.

"It is due to that response that I know you will not fall back into your old ways. No my ruling stands I will however remand you into the custody of...!" The judge was interrupted as Soun began to wail.

"MY BABY IS FREE AND SHE IS COMING HOME! SHE WILL BRING HOME KASUMI AND THE TENDO CLAN WILL BE TOGETHER AGAIN LIKE IT ALWAYS HAS!" His wailing was cut off as the judge's gavel pounded on his bench.

*BANG; BANG; BANG; BANG; BANG; BANG!*

"Bailiff restrain that man but do not remove him I want him to hear this!" The court bailiff moved to restrain Soun.

As Soun watched the big burly man head toward him, he sank into his chair like a cowed child. Soun's attention was drawn from the large man standing next to him as a red glow began to fill the room. He turned to see Akane glowing like a second sun. Her anger went from the judge to the bailiff. Soun jumped to his feet and dashed in front of the bailiff. Though he was a big and strong man, he would not survive his youngest daughter's rage and he was afraid she would not survive his pistol.

"AKANE STOP THIS I FORBID THIS BEHAVIOR!" He yelled at his enraged daughter, but she ignored him.

"HOW DARE YOU TREAT MY FATHER LIKE THAT?" The mallet of death appeared from nowhere and streaked toward the bailiff's head.

Soun took a defensive stance in front of the officer of the court praying that he was able to stop his youngest daughter's blow. The mallet stopped just inches from the skulls of both men. Soun's sigh of relief filled the courtroom for he feared not even he would have been able to survive. Akane fought with her mallet trying to get it to continue with its destructive path. The entire court just stared in shock and awe as a white mist stood before Akane and seemed to be holding the mallet in place. They also notice that Akane was oblivious as to why her mallet would not move. The mallet finally disappeared when Akane noticed three pistols pointing directly at her face with the hammers in the cocked position. As her hammer disappeared, so did the mist.

No one in the courtroom saw the wisp of white mist as it rose to the ceiling. They had not noticed as an opening appeared, an opening that looked like a tear in a piece of fabric. All eyes were locked on the youngest Tendo and three police officers with drawn and cocked guns. They had not noticed when the mist disappeared into the opening or that the tear closed up and disappeared.

(l(l(l)l)l)

Ranma stepped through the doorway and into castle Grayskull her host smiling at her and the bundle she held with tender loving care but tightly with the protectiveness of a mother tiger. She led Ranma and the young child into the main throne room of Grayskull. Ranma stopped and stared dumbfounded at the small feast that awaited her and her _daughter_. She turned to the Sorceress her eyebrow arching questioningly. The Sorceress smiled at her sweetly then shrugged as she motioned her to the table for something to eat.

"Do not forget warrior that my guardians and I have a telepathic link. He-Man told me of what happened and what condition your adopted daughter was in so I prepared some food for her and you. I also placed some special herbs on her portions to help her absorb the nutrients she needs to regain her health. I did that because you told me Angella found magic does not affect her." The Sorceress just smiled at the shock on her guests face.

She was surprised when Ranma came over and gave her a huge hug nearly crushing Meriana in the process. They felt the movement of the tiny body between them as she tried to push the two women apart. Meriana's movement brought their attention to the newest guest of Grayskull. The women pulled apart and look down at the young child Ranma held lovingly in her arms. Meriana looked at her mother then over at the Sorceress. She shrunk into Ranma's embrace as she stared in wide-eyed fear at the woman before her. The soceress' smile faded as Ranma frowned. Then she smacked her forehead with a slight shake of her head she lifted Meriana up so she was eye level with her host.

"Meriana I want you to meet someone very special to me. She is the Sorceress of Castle Grayskull. The place we now are. She took me in when I had no one else in my life that cared what happen to me. She is my very best friend and someone you can trust with your very life just like I do." Ranma looked at the Sorceress with a loving smile.

The Sorceress' eyes went wide at Ranma's introduction. She tried hard to hold her tears back as she had never had such a friend either. She then looked down at the child a warm loving smile on her face. The Sorceress held out her hand to the child.

"I am pleased to meet you Meriana." She watched as the child looked at the out stretched hand and back to her mother.

"I 'appy meet you too?" Meriana said as she extended her hand after a slight nod from Ranma.

"Come now let us eat while it is still hot." The Sorceress told them as she led them to the feast.

Meriana's eyes shot opened wide at the multitude of food before her. Ranma placed her in a chair with a few large tomes on it so she could reach the table. The Sorceress handed her a glass of milk to drink while her new mother dished up a portion of stew for the little girl. Ranma placed the bowl with a warm buttered roll in front of Meriana and then served the Sorceress and finally herself. As they ate the two women watch Meriana cautiously to make sure, she ate enough. The meal passed quietly with the Sorceress and Ranma watching Meriana as she ate with gusto, amused smiles on their faces. Neither woman had eaten much as they enjoyed watching the little girl gobble down her food.

"Well little Lotus Blossom do you have a full tummy or is there room for some pudding?" Ranma asked the small child.

"OH! DER ROOM FOR PUDDIN'!" Her voice echoed through the halls of Grayskull, both women tried hard to stifle their giggles.

"Well then Meriana here you go!" The Sorceress sat a bowl of vanilla pudding down in front of the child.

Meriana looked at the pudding then back at the Sorceress, then back to the pudding. The two women looked at each other with confusion, and then turned their attention back to Meriana. They watched as she pulled the spoon from the bowl and stared at it as if she had never seen one even though she just finished her bowl of stew with one. They watched with fascination as Meriana studied the glob of pudding on the spoon as it slowly slid off and back into the bowl. Ranma tried hard to hide a smirk as she saw Meriana lean forward and study the pudding over the edge of the bowl as she dipped the spoon into the creamy white mixture. The women then screamed with laughter when Meriana dropped the spoon into the bowl, grabbed a handful of pudding in each, and stuffed them both in her mouth at once. Their laughter filled the empty halls of Grayskull as all three were covered in pudding, since Meriana decided to throw the next two handfuls at the two women instead of eating them.

(l(l(l)l)l)

Mousse sat beside the sleeping matriarch of the Saotome clan. His eyes watching her but not seeing her as his mind was replaying the nightmare from a few nights back. Sweat poured down his face as he relived that horrible dream. He knew it was a dream as Ukyo was down stairs with his grandmother. Until he had seen Ukyo though he was not sure as the dream was so real. Then he could not understand why he was going to _do_ that to her. He shook his head vigorously to remove the images; he then stared down at the restless mother of his sworn enemy and wondered if she would actually kill her own child for a stupid pledge made by such a dishonorable fool.

(l(l(l)l)l)

Nabiki sat by the window in the judge's chambers her body bathed in a strip of light as it came through the blinds. She stared out the window not noticing the beautiful day before her. She waited for her new guardian to come and claim her. She still saw the pain and guilt in her father's eyes when the judge finally announced whom her guardian was to be. She thought Akane was going to blow a gasket when the judge told her she was going to be put into a psychiatric hospital to help her get over her anger and the loss of their mother. The memory faded, then was replaced with the dream that still plagued her. The nightmare was three days ago but she still saw it as if she just had the drea...no nightmare. Her body trembled as the grotesque horrors of the dream flicker disjointedly through her mind. A tear traveled down her cheek as she remembered her role in that horror of the night. Nabiki jumped slightly when a hand gently landed on her shoulder.

"It is time to leave Nabiki." Nabiki turned and through her dilated eyes from the sun saw her mother's face.

"Momma?" She asked with a small voice.

"No, but thank you for the compliment, come Nabiki let us leave here." Nabiki shook her head and stared back up at a familiar man.

The man stood five feet eleven inches his hair was the soft brown color of Kasumi's. He wore it short but not cropped. His eyes were the chocolate brown that all the boys loved of Akane. Nabiki bowed her head, as she saw nothing of herself in this man before her. Very much, like her mother. The man squeezed her shoulder slightly and when she looked back up at him, he was smiling down at her. She looked into his eyes and saw the intelligence that filled them. She then remembers seeing that same intelligence in the eyes of her mother, in the photographs of her that her father kept.

"Alright Uncle Daisuke I am ready, though I still feel the judge was to lenient in his sentence." Her uncle chuckled slightly and placed his arm around her shoulder as he led her out the door.

(l(l(l)l)l)

Soun sat in the empty courtroom. Akane's trial had been postponed due to the new charges being filed against her. Soun shook his head a stream of tears flowing as silent testimony to the truly broken soul within. He could not even hope for Ranma to rescue his youngest for the note left in the judge's hands made it clear he would not help his fiancée this time.

"*SIGH* Oh, Kimiko I have failed you. I have failed our children and it is only I that I can truly blame!" Soun stared at the floor his hands balled into tight fists in his lap.

Soun played back the last ten years after his wife's death and now saw his weak portrayal as a father. As he allowed his memories to show him were he went wrong, other memories ones more recent began to slip into the images. Visions of him and Genma forcing Ranma and Akane together, his ignoring the abuse his youngest would heap on her fiancé and his quiet prayer of thanks it was not him. The many times Ranma had rescued his stubborn youngest and the many times she beat him to unconsciousness with at damn mallet. Then more, recent memories slowly crept into his mind movie. Memories he knew never happened but they seem so real and so frightening.

Soun's tear streaked face paled as he watched how his part ended in the nightmare that had come back to haunt him. He knew it to be just that a nightmare but when he had it a few nights ago he woke in a cold sweat for it seemed so real then and now it seemed even more real. This must be an omen; something must have happened to Ranma something that would bring this gory terror to light. When he went to apologize to Nodoka, he would ask on the condition of the boy. He just wondered what the rest of the nightmare might have contained. He woke up after his death and could not sleep any more that night. Unseen by Soun a wisp of white mist vanished into what appeared to be a small tear in the middle of the ceiling.

(l(l(l)l)l)

Kasumi and Elisa entered the small coffee shop. Kasumi still shook as she tried to hold back the tears that would not stay inside of her. Elisa led her to a secluded table. She then went to the counter and ordered two coffees. She paid for the order then took them back to the table. She sat down as she placed a cup of the dark creamy brown liquid in front of Kasumi.

"My one weakness I brought from the states was a double chocolate mocha latte!" She smiled when Kasumi looked at her with confusion.

Kasumi then looked down at the cup, which looked to hold hot chocolate with whip cream. She lifted the hot liquid to her lips and sipped experimentally. She looked back up at Elisa who was watching her and smiled. Then she took a larger taste and nodded her approval.

"I see I have passed that weakness onto the next generation!" Elisa chuckled and so did Kasumi though her tears still flowed.

"Did I do the right thing Elisa, abandoning my family? I am the only mother Akane and Nabiki had ever really known. Oh, Kami-sama I wish Tofu was here! I called him once I moved in but he I have not heard from him since. I wonder if he didn't want to wait for me." Kasumi bowed her head to stare into the cup before her.

"Kasumi, you did not abandon them you finally let them grow up. Second, you may have been a mother to them but you _are_ not their mother. You should never have been put in the position in the first place. It is not the responsibility of children to maintain a house and family. I am sorry to say this but if you were in the states all three of you would have been taken from your father a long time ago and placed with relatives.

"As far as your Doctor Tofu dear you said yourself he had to sell his business and open a new one. So don't you worry about that young man I believe he is putting all his concentration in getting to you!" She smiled at Kasumi, as she did not want to mention foster care that was something that could be hard to explain sometimes.

"Yes and at times I wished our government had done that with us. If they had maybe father would have sobered up and did whatever he could to bring us back together. But Nabiki and I filled the void left by mother's death and allowed him to sink deeper into his self-pitying quagmire. Do you really think he will come soon?" Kasumi told her friend and landlady as she took another sip of the coffee before her, Elisa was getting dizzy as Kasumi kept changing the subject between her family and Doctor Tofu.

"I mean I think it was so romantic that father loved mother so much that he grieved so deeply for her. There are not many men that would love; their wives that deeply. It was obvious that Saotome-san cared very little for his wife's feelings or needs. However, father had responsibilities to us as well and he let them slide as if they were not important enough to him to matter. Though I think Tofu would love me that deeply I just hope he won't do as father had done." Kasumi's gentle tones slowly changed to bitter resentment and anger.

"You know Kasumi dear it might be a good idea if you also got some professional help to deal with your mother's death and the events afterwards. You also have some unfinished business if you will, with that event." Kasumi's mouth opened as if to rebuke Elisa's statement then she closed it just as quickly to be replaced with a nod of agreement.

"Well it seems Kimiko's intelligence went to more then one daughter!" The deep baritone broke into the two women's conversation causing both to jump.

Kasumi turned to see her Uncle Daisuke with a nervous Nabiki behind him. Kasumi stared at her sister and remembered the small child who would hide behind their mother with nervous energy, but was too shy to explore any new situations. Nabiki had come a long way from that small child. Kasumi tore her gaze from her hiding sister and turned it to her uncle. He looked down at her a warm smile graced his hard chiseled features.

"Is it all over with?" Kasumi asked him, as he shook his head no.

"For Nabiki it is. She has probation and is now in my custody until her sentence is over and she will be getting the help she needs and I feel it might be better for the both of you if with your individual sessions you do joint ones as well." Kasumi's expression darkened and her eyes narrowed with anger.

Her expression softened when she felt a gentle squeeze of her hand. She looked up to see Elisa smiling at her and her friend nodding her approval. Kasumi sighed heavily and nodded her head. She looked back up at her uncle her eyes filling with determination. She then caught sight of Nabiki her younger sister's head was bowed as she tried to hide the tears that were flowing freely. Kasumi looked on in shock, as she had not seen Nabiki cry since their mother's death. She pulled her eyes from her broken sister when she felt a strong hand on her shoulder.

"It will help the both of you, and maybe with the court's backing some of those sessions can include Akane as well. The three of you have gone through your own kind of hell and it is time to build a road out of it." Daisuke told his niece.

"What happened with Akane?" Kasumi asked him now realizing that the youngest and most volatile of the Tendo sisters was not present.

"Aww, yes! Well I fear she will be traveling a different rode. I fear in her uncontrolled anger she tried to attack the court bailiff and your father while he tried to protect the man. I am afraid that outburst had cost her dearly and she unlike Nabiki will probably not get probation. Her trial has been postponed until additional charges are added to the list." Daisuke sighed and shook his head solemnly.

"Oh, forgive me you must be Kasumi's new landlady, I am Daisuke Iemitsu." He bowed deeply to Elisa then held out his hand to her.

"No please; you and your family have a lot on your minds. I am Elisa Tanaka I am pleased to meet you." She said as she bowed her head slightly from her seated position then took his hand and shook it firmly.

"Oh, my! Please forgive me my rudeness, Elisa, Uncle Daisuke!" Kasumi exclaimed her face turning bright red.

"No forgiveness needed Kasumi dear and you must be Nabiki? How are you holding up dear?" Elisa looked at the middle Tendo still standing behind her uncle looking guilty.

"I am fine, thank you for taking care of my older sister and giving her a home to go too." Nabiki told Elisa as she bowed deeply to the motherly woman.

"No 'thank you' needed child I enjoy having her and her excitement at her studies in my home." The woman told the young woman.

"But I am afraid we must leave as Kasumi needs to prepare for her first day at college tomorrow and we still have books and supplies to pick up." Elisa stood and bowed to the two visitors as Kasumi rose and hugged her uncle and then reluctantly hugged her sister.

"Please Nabiki don't revert to your old ways, it would break my heart to lose you again." Kasumi whispered in the younger girl's ear.

"I won't sister I promise to come out of this a better person if not for you, for Ranma for the faith she had in me." Nabiki whispered back then released her hold on Kasumi and walked outside to wait for her uncle.

Kasumi stared at Nabiki's retreating form her face a mask of confusion. Her uncle and Elisa stared at the young woman with worry. Then Kasumi turned to her uncle a questioning look on her face.

"Uncle what faith does Ranma have in Nabiki?" She asked but unsure if she had asked the question correctly.

"Huh?" Her uncle looked at her then smiled as understanding came to his face.

Daisuke then explained the mysterious appearance of a letter written by Ranma that had appeared on the judge's bench. Daisuke gave the women the jest of the letter. His belief that Nabiki could change and that he understood her need to help her family and that he had allowed her to do what she did to him to help the Tendos. He also told the women of Ranma's denouncement of the engagement and Akane's behavior toward his mother and the arresting police officer. Daisuke told them he felt the letter was what helped Nabiki too receive only probation, though she herself demanded a stiffer punishment for what she had done to keep their family together. Kasumi listened to her uncle but stared out the window at her sister's back a small proud smile on her face.

After her uncle left Kasumi collapsed into her chair, her face filled with fear and pain. Her uncle's words still echoing in her mind she lowered her head to hide her tears as they fell. Elisa reached across the table, took her hand in both of her hands, and held it tightly. Kasumi's body shook with the pain at the loss of her family. She thought of giving up everything and going back home to help get them back together. She cried even harder as she knew in doing that it would go back to the way it was.

"I wish Tofu was here." Kasumi whispered as she took her napkin and dabbed at her eyes.

"I am here!" Kasumi looked up to see Tofu standing next to her table.

Kasumi tentatively reached out to the man she loved then pulled her hand back before touching him afraid it was a dream. He reached out, took her hand in his, brought it his mouth, and kissed it gently. He then pulled the engagement ring from his pocket and placed it on her finger. He then lifted her from the chair and held her tightly in his arms as she cried for happiness at being his fiancée and in sadness for the destruction of her family.

"I am sorry my love it took so long but I am here now my love and together we will bring your family together and make it stronger." Tofu whispered to his fiancée and kissed her gently on her neck just below her ear.

(l(l(l)l)l)

Ukyo finished preparing the days lunch her mind going back to when Mousse helped Auntie Nodoka to her room. She was surprised to say the least when Mousse attacked her and his grandmother, but understandable when she remembered the duress her fiancé's mother was under. Ukyo stopped then shook her head solemnly she still could not stop calling Ranma her fiancé, now more than ever it was not possible since it seemed the young man she loved...no _loves_ was now and forever a woman by her own choosing. Her memories flowed through her mind and shame showed on her face as she realized the trouble she had caused Ranma and that she was blaming him for something Genma had done. The knife she was using fell from numbed fingers as the remnant of a nightmare re-appeared through her stroll down memory lane.

"NNNNNOOOOOOOOO!" She screamed as she like Nodoka before collapsed to the floor crying hysterically, Lily appeared in the doorway then went to the distraught girl taking her in her arms.

(l(l(l)l)l)

Shampoo's frown did not detract from the Amazonian beauty, as she moved from table to table delivering or taking orders. The young men who came to the Nekohanten had not seemed to mind as it was not her face they were enjoying looking at, but instead her lithe figure and braless chest. Cologne watched her granddaughter the frown was not the only thing out of place on her granddaughter's face there was the horror that filled her eyes and the lost expression. Since the restaurant was about to close, she would talk with her great granddaughter and find the underlying cause of this. She kept a close eye on the young Amazon as she escorted the last customer out of the restaurant and locked the door placing the 'CLOSED' sign in the window. When Shampoo turned, it was to see the worried face of her grandmother behind her.

"AAAAHHHHH! GREAT GRANDMOTHER NO DO THAT!" The young warrior shouted her hand on her heaving chest.

"Sit down granddaughter we must talk." It was all that Cologne said.

Shampoo looked at her great grandmother as the old woman turned and headed into the kitchen. Shampoo gulped then moved to an empty booth. She absently cleaned the booth's table with her dishtowel even though it was immaculate already. She jumped slightly when her great grandmother placed a tray of tea, cups, and two bowls of ramen on the table. The young warrior watched as the older warrior filled the cups with the hot soothing liquid. She stared down at the cup that was placed before her cupping the small cup with both hands.

"Now granddaughter, you will tell me what is wrong, and do not bother denying it there is something wrong!" Cologne told her charge her eyes filled with determination and sympathy.

Shampoo's shoulders slumped as she stared deep into her cup of tea. She took a deep breath then sipped her tea. She tried to get her thoughts in order as she milled over the question put to her by her grandmother. She knew the old woman would wait as long as it took her to be ready but she also knew the matriarch had a limit to her patience. Shampoo took a long draw of her cup of tea emptying it in one gulp. She watched as the hot brown liquid appeared again as if by magic.

"=Grandmother have you ever had a dream so real you found it hard to believe it to be a dream?=" Shampoo asked while keeping her gaze into the cup.

Cologne's eyebrow shot up in surprise, then her eyes narrowed with anger, as she was worrying for her granddaughter over a stupid dream. Then her anger fled her as the distraught eyes of her granddaughter locked onto hers. She saw the depth of pain and fear flowing from the young girl's eyes and shuddered with worry. Cologne took a sip of her tea as she thought upon the fact that her granddaughter was now speaking Mandarin and was trembling as if the thoughts coming to her were terrifying.

"=No, child I personally have not had dreams of that nature but I have taken care of those whose dreams had left them little more then blithering idiots.=" The wise woman told the younger one before her.

"=I see.=" The lavender haired girl said with a curt nod.

"=I have had such a dream grandmother a dream in which I am torn to shreds, a dream where I persecuted the person I love for something he...no _SHE_ could not fix.=" Shampoo's head lowered as her tears plop silently into her tea cup.

Shampoo then told of her dream and the horrible way in which she and Ukyo died. She told the elder she knew more happened in the dream but once her dream self died, she woke up and could not go back to sleep. She knew something else terrible happened in the dream and that she was not the only member of the Nerima Wrecking Crew to be a part of it. She looked up to her grandmother her face full of guilt and disgust as she remembered her behavior over the past week and the last two and a half years.

"=Grandmother may I return with you to Lady Saotome's home I wish to apologize to her for the way I had persecuted her so...daughter." Cologne's eyes narrowed at the use of the word as her granddaughter stared into her teacup.

"=What makes you say Ranma is now female.=" Cologne asked the young warrior.

"=Because in the dream she was female she felt female. Not a man trapped in a woman's body but a true woman, one who was happy with who she had become. Grandmother, she was happy with the change.=" Shampoo explained with a sad sigh.

Cologne's eyes opened wide and stared at her granddaughter with surprise and awe. It seemed her heir was finally growing up. She watched as Shampoo kept her head bowed she was not sure if it was to hide the tears that were flowing or out of guilt. Cologne reached over, took her great granddaughter's hand, and gave it a slight squeeze. Shampoo looked up to see her grandmother watching her with a small whimsical smile.

(l(l(l)l)l)

The villagers ran in terror their lives in the balance, the only thing they took with them were their children or livestock if there were no children. The large flying bull with octopus tentacles had been on a rampage for the last three or four days. No one knew where the creature had come from and they really did not care they just wished he would go back there and leave them alone. What frightened them the most was the rage and self-loathing they had seen in the beast's expression filled eyes. They however, did not ponder that to long as the roar of the flying Minotaur dove on their village crushing their homes. In their panic, they had not noticed the line of warriors that appeared on the cliffs over their village. The silhouettes showed them to be very well shaped women, their long beautiful odd colored hair flowing in the wind. Normally these women would not care for what happened to the villages around them. However, this creature was close to their home and they would bring it down. As the warriors raise their bows ready to fire, they were stopped.

"=HOLD!=" The lead Amazon turned to see an elder as she came up to them.

"=Elder Garnet we must destroy him before he reaches our village.=" The leader of the hunting party insisted.

"=Normally I would agree with you but use the skills you have been trained in girl!=" The elder, a tiny ghoul of a creature whose height was no more than two-feet tall.

Her height only given by her perch on a six-foot staff made from the wood of the strawberry tree. Her long white flowing hair reached the ground below her. Her indigo eyes shone brightly and their color matching her robes that were trimmed in an iridescent strip of white. The elder watched as her heir and great granddaughter as she stretched her chi senses as they touch the monster she turned green and tried to keep the bile down as the turmoil of emotions surge through her lovely body. She then broke her connection and turned to her elder. Her beautiful face had a deep scowl of disbelief.

"=HE IS TAINTED BY JUSENKYO!=" The emerald green hair Amazon shouted.

"=WE SHOULD HAVE DISTROYED THAT VALLEY A LONG TIME AGO!=" She continued in her rage.

"=No child to do that would destroy our sister village. The magic in the Jusendo Valley is what protects them and to an extent us as well. Do not forget the hot springs of our valley is fed by Jusenkyo. Though, they are not cursed springs the magic flows to ours just as well. It puts up a barrier between us and the outside world.=" The elder told her heir.

"=But now we have to deal with their cursed victims, Great Grandmother!=" The woman stared at the still raging Taro.

"=Not for long Emerald, not for long!=" Garnet waved her hand and a dozen new warriors came up and with specially designed arrows shot at the rampaging Minotaur.

Emerald stared an eyebrow arched on her beautiful face. The arrows were slightly longer then a normal longbow arrow, by about six inches. Attached to the tip was a water balloon she could tell was filled with water. Since Jusenkyo, victims need hot water to return to normal she was sure that was what was in the balloon like attachments. She watched as her Great Grandmother gave the signal and the dozen new warriors took aim and at Garnet's signal let the missiles fly. Emerald knew the twelve warriors were an over kill, as all of her village's warriors were experts with the longbow. However, she figured with the beast's size better safe than sorry. She watched as all twelve arrows made their mark.

(l(l(l)l)l)

Mousse slept next to Nodoka's bed his arms inside his voluminous sleeves. His mind replayed the nightmare that continued to haunt him. He was quickly pulled from his slumber from a cry from Nodoka. He was thankful for that, as he did not want to see that horror again. He bent down and saw Nodoka slept but was in distress. He reached out and gently shook her awake. Nodoka's eyes snapped open her gaze frightened Mousse as her eyes were glazed over and stared at nothing.

He reached out to shake her again when a hand wrapped around his wrist putting it in a vise-like grip. He turned and followed the tiny hand up to Cologne. He glared at her as Nodoka called out again. His great grandmother stood beyond the old warrior she was in the doorway her face a mask of worry as she looked from Nodoka to him. He could just make out Ukyo behind them her eyes red and puffy from crying. His attention was drawn back to Nodoka as she shouted in pain and bolted upright.

"I think we need to all go downstairs it seems that son-in-law has somehow been showing you all his pain and your parts in it." Cologne said as Nodoka stared at her with confusion.

Nodoka sat upright on her bed her gaze going from Cologne to her new Amazon mother and Ukyo at the door. She had noticed that the young chef had been crying. She jumped slightly at the hand that landed on her shoulder. She turned and found Mousse sitting on her vanity chair next to the bed. She smiled appreciatively as he must have been _guarding her_. He helped her from her bed and they followed the Amazons and chef back downstairs.

(l(l(l)l)l)

Kuno manor was quiet Sasuke was worried neither of his charges had left their rooms in over three days. He had tried several times to get them to come out and eat. They had been ignoring him. He had gotten food to them, as he knew all the secret passages in this old house. He knew they had been eating but not much of the food had been eaten. He turned and left as he went to get their breakfast to drop off in their rooms for them.

Kuno Tatewaki glared at the knock on his door. He stared at it willing Sasuke to leave him be. He slowly turned his head back to continue to stare at the ceiling. The nightmare he had three or was it four days ago played again in his mind. The most important information he came away with was his beloved pigtailed goddess was really the dark sorcerer Saotome.

He was however, gone now all that was left was the pigtailed goddess. He began to sweat as the memory of her voluptuous body was bared to him. He then fought with her his plan was to kill her! He was helped by the Amazon and the chef. His eyes glazed over as his death was replayed again in his mind. He must find his pigtailed goddess and let her know as long as the dark sorcerer had been vanquished they could be together.

He was happy with the rewriting of the nightmare as he swung his legs over the side of the bed and sat up as the real nightmare came back to him and his part in the torture of Ranma throughout that dream opened up before the crazed wanna-be samurai. His eyes glazed over as the horror filled his face at her ability to destroy those she was supposed to have loved.

(l(l(l)l)l)

Kodachi stood at her balcony. She sat on the balcony railing and stared out over the Kuno compound. Her mind like her brother tried continually to rewrite the nightmare from a few nights before. She was not successful as each time she got it the way it _should_ have been it came back to her in full force to show her how the dream really, went. She bowed her head as she realized the pigtailed harlot was her beloved Ranma-sama, he was now dead, and all that was left was she. Kodachi snapped out her whip allowing it flick a fly from the side of her home.

As her death played back over in her mind, she reached down and found herself still in one piece. Her tears flowed down her beautiful but psychotic face as the memory of her being cut into sections. She turned at a small *clink* sound and found a tray on her desk loaded with food. She moved to her desk and sat down. She picked up her chopsticks to begin eating when her vision glazed again as the nightmare started again. Kodachi shuddered as she died again. Over the past three days she has died over a hundred times and she knew she would die a hundred or more times as the days passed.

Kodachi rose, her food uneaten as she went to her bed she hoped she could sleep again and dream of her and her Ranma-sama living happily ever after. They would have many children and would train them all to fight with both their arts. As she crawled into the bed, she curled up into a tight ball. She replayed the nightmare the way she had wanted it to be. She helped her beloved as they fended off the fiancées and fixed it so she could change back to his male form. Then the real nightmare pushed the other roughly from her mind and showed her what really happened. This had left Kodachi crying and shaking with fright in her sleep.

(l(l(l)l)l)

Akane sat in jail her anger boiled over but because of her father; she could not access her skill or her mallets. She was beyond rage and when she got a hold of Ranma, she was going to vent, as she had never vented before. Ranma would be her target. She was tired, so very tired, as she had not slept since the nightmare. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw herself working with Kuno to destroy Ranma or _servicing_ that creepy Minotaur-boy Taro. She shuddered at that thought and gagged as the image continued to play out before her.

As the final attack of Ranma struck, she actually felt the flame as it tore through her body. Akane shook her head trying to force the images from her memories. She however could not she had tried several times to rewrite the images but they would come back even more vivid. She finally gave up on changing the nightmare to make it more to her liking. She looked out the barred window and saw it was late and the sky was a dark blue. She leaned against the wall as she sat on her bed her mind forcing her to shutdown. As Akane fell asleep, she slowly slid down the concrete wall to her bed and pulled the blankets up tightly around her. She however was not given a reprieve as the nightmare came back into her sleep leaving her to whimper in pain during her sleep.

(l(l(l)l)l)

The images formed in her slumber she watched as a passionate third party this time instead as the antagonist. It had been this way every night since she had the dream. She watched herself, as she demanded the pact be fulfilled. She screamed out that was not so! Her voice was never heard. As her tears fell, Nodoka followed her child her heart torn to pieces because of the pain she was going through. She watched as she tried not to hurt anyone but the specters of life would not allow her that opportunity. She watched, as her first victim was the Kuno girl. She saw the pain as it flowed through her child.

She moved toward her child and tried to wrap her in her embrace. The only thing she found was Ranma was a specter as well. She however, kept trying. She leaned in and whispered to her _daughter_ she was there and loved her and the Nodoka in this hellish nightmare was not she! She so wanted Ranma to understand to believe her.

She watched as Tendo and her husband died her mind began to shutdown. She watched as the Neko-Ken took over and protected its host and self. She watched as Ukyo and Shampoo came next along with the Kuno boy. She frowned as he lusted after her naked daughter. She tried to pull free her sword but she had no weapon with her. She ran up and tried to beat on the boy to leave Ranma alone but again her hands flowed through his body, as she was there only to observe.

She followed her tortured child as she left the three teens like her husband and Tendo. She feared for her baby's sanity as each killing brought her closer to it. She watched as tentacles and chains suspended her baby in the air. She frowned as Mousse, the Taro boy, the Hibiki boy started tormenting Ranma, and trying to do...she could not bring herself to admit their intentions. She watched as suddenly Ranma started fighting. She moved closer to her daughter and spoke words of encouragement. She spoke words of love that came from her heart and soul. She watched as Ranma burst into flame her eyes shocked at the power she now wielded. She marveled that even though she was at ground zero she was not hurt.

As Ranma escaped, she followed her. She frowned as they met up with the younger Tendo daughters she marveled as Kasumi was never in this horrible nightmare nor was Cologne. The boys that attacked her were also at this confrontation. Nodoka had to change the outcome she had to make Ranma understand it was not how she felt. As she knew that when her child lashed out at her dream self, it was the last of Ranma's old life that died. Then a deep voice came to her mind she did not know who it was but she wished it had been her father speaking in such loving tones. The voice spoke of love and caring. She followed the instructions and moved toward her dream self.

"You will not hurt my baby any longer!" She said in a whispered growl as she stepped into the dream Nodoka.

She forced her will over the nightmare version of herself. When she had control, she noticed everyone was staring at her as during this process the nightmarish Nodoka had stopped torment Ranma. She looked to Ranma and saw her staring at her. She smiled with all her love for the girl before. She took a step toward Ranma and she backed away. Nodoka could not keep the pain and guilt from her face.

She continued forward until she was halfway between Ranma and the tormentors of her beloved child. She turned on the group behind her and glared at them enraged. The group looked confused, as this was not how the nightmare was supposed to go. They backed up as Nodoka began to glow a bright red. She held the Saotome Honor blade tightly in her hands as it also began to glow red. She then looked to each of the five young adults her eyes showing the disgust and loathing she felt for them and herself because of this nightmare.

"First I am not this nightmare's Nodoka! I am the real Nodoka and as such, I will no longer allow you to torment my beloved _daughter_! If Ranma is happy now as a young woman then I will stand with her and stop any of you vulgar degenerates that are trying to hurt her!" Nodoka growled out as her body began to glow an even darker red she did not turn at the gasp behind her.

"But Auntie we are suppose to torment Ranma that is what _he_ is alive for! He is alive for us to torment, to abuse, and make money off of!" Nabiki said as she stepped forward Nodoka noticed, the five young people were now naked.

"BACKUP TENDO!" Nabiki jumped back as a solid black ball of chi slammed into the ground in front of her.

"RANMA YOU PERVERT HOW, DARE YOU DO THAT TO MY SISTER!" Akane's cry of rage filled the dream world they were now occupying.

They all looked up and found Ranma standing next to his mother encased in an aura as black as Nodoka's aura. Akane's anger flared as she brought forth her mallet and charged for the two Saotome women. She was surprised when the head of her mallet hit the ground. She looked up and saw Nodoka had moved closer to her and used the katana in her hands to destroy her mallet. As Akane grew angrier this time at the woman she tried to steal as her mother, she pulled back her fist in order to slam it into Nodoka's face. She however received a fist to her solar plexus when she doubled over she received an upper cut that sent her back into her compatriot.

"THINGS HAVE CHANGED! I WILL NO LONGER ALLOW YOU TO HURT ME OR MY MOTHER!" Ranma had stepped forward and attacked Akane to prevent her from hurting her mother.

(l(l(l)l)l)

Nodoka jerked awake when she felt a hand shake her. She looked into the black eyes of Cologne. At the door of her room, she saw Lily and Ukyo. She frowned at the chef. She then turned at the movement next to her and turned to see Mousse sitting next to her his face filled with guilt. Nodoka turned back to Cologne as she suggested that they all head downstairs to talk. Nodoka nodded slightly as her mind replied the dream and the parts she never had seen in the nightmare when she originally had it. She wanted answers and she was going to get them. If Ranma had this nightmare and she was sure her child had. It could be the reason behind Ranma not wanting to talk to her. She had to make Ranma realize that nightmare Nodoka was not her and not how she felt!

(l(l(l)l)l)

Ranma slept next to Meriana her arms wrapped around the tiny child protectively. She had not known it but she was encased in the black Neko aura. As she slept, the nightmare returned but something was not right. There was a presence with her throughout the nightmare. She felt as if someone tried to hug her during the confrontation with Kodachi, Tendo, and her father. She vaguely made out a shape attacking Kuno as he leered at her.

As she ran from the death of Kuno, Shampoo, and Ukyo she felt the presence was still with her. She felt its presence move toward her as she fought to bring forth her true powers. She felt safe and loved when that presence was near her. She stopped as the confrontation between her mother and the others began but something was happening to the dream Nodoka. She watched as she stopped in mid rant as if someone pushed her slightly. Her eyes got larger as the dream Nodoka began to glow then shouted she was Ranma's real mother and they had better leave her alone.

Ranma watched as she stepped toward her. When she backed up, she felt guilt at the pain it caused in her eyes. Ranma watched as Nodoka took a stance between her and the dream tormentors. She watched as Akane tried to attack Nodoka. She watched as her mother cut the head of Akane's mallet. She then watched as she moved to prevent Akane from striking her mother. The words of her mother still rang in her ears that she did not care what form Ranma took as long as Ranma was happy.

(l(l(l)l)l)

Ranma jolted awake. She looked down at Meriana who was still fast asleep. She got up and dressed. She then moved into the throne room and found the Sorceress working on the lotus locket. She looked up at the touch of Ranma's hand on her shoulder. The woman's smile turned to a frown at the confusion she saw on her guests face. She and Ranma moved to the mosaic the dragon had not yet been added as Ranma stared down at it.

When the Sorceress left to get them some tea Ranma decided no time like the present and reached out and placed her hand on the new floor mosaic. As she glowed, she did not notice as a white wisp of Spirit magic moved into the power she fed into the mosaic. When she finished, she looked down and saw the completed artwork. The dragon was placed behind the Phoenix and panther. The dragon was facing toward the Jaw Bridge or west. Its wings spread opened then in front was the Phoenix with its wings spread as it took flight its head thrown back and its mouth opened in a screech. In front of the other, two stood the panther with its left paw raised to strike at an unseen foe. Then Ranma's eyes widened, as spiraling around all three was a thin wisp of spirit mist.

"*GASP*" Ranma turned to see the Sorceress behind her as she stared at the completed image on the floor.

"Do you like it? I figured might as well get it done now while Meriana slept." Ranma said as the Sorceress moved next to her and sat down.

"What is that thin line of white?" She asked Ranma as she pointed to the spiral.

"I did not know it but my Spirit Weaver magic fused with it as well." Ranma said as she poured the tea for them since the Sorceress was busy looking at the mosaic.

"It is absolutely beautiful." She said as she sat back and took the offered tea.

"Now tell me what is wrong." Ranma looked at her with a sad smile and told her everything about the nightmare she had the day she received her dragon powers.

"So that is why you have been avoiding talking to your mother." The Sorceress commented as Ranma nodded.

Ranma continued and told the Sorceress of the fact she just had the nightmare again only this time there was a presence trying to help her trying to comfort her during all the deaths and when she felt despondent over the killings. She then told the Sorceress of the final confrontation and how this time what happened there. The Sorceress listened her eyes betrayed the shock she kept from her face. She listened as the presence was the real Nodoka and she took over her dream self to protect Ranma, and allow her, the right to chose and be happy. The Sorceress sipped her tea and smiled behind her cup.

"You know Ranma I did not get the chance to tell you it is your mother that is the Spirit Weaver. Maybe the spirits brought her into the nightmare as an observer. Maybe to see if she would behave as the dream Nodoka or as a mother that loves her child." The Sorceress told the Mystic Warrior.

"I guess so." Ranma said uncertainty was in her voice.

"Ranma you need to talk with your mother. Look how you felt when you were kept from Meriana. Imagine what she is going through when this Happosai sent you from her after she just got you back." The Sorceress' mind wondered to how she would felt in the situation.

"Ok Sorceress but how can I get a chance to talk to alone with Lily there all the time. I kinda would rather not have to explain about the nightmare. Some parts were...!" Ranma shuddered, as she could not complete the thought.

"Momma?" The two women turned to see Meriana run into the room toward her mother.

"Yes my little Lotus Blossom?" Ranma scooped her up and held her closely.

"I...I think you lef' me 'gain!" Meriana cried into Ranma's neck.

"Oh there is no such luck in that happening sweetie you're stuck with me and the Sorceress for a very long time." Meriana raised her head to look at the Sorceress with a shy smile.

"Hey how would you like to talk with your grandmother?" Ranma asked figuring this would make it easier for her when she talked with Nodoka.

"Gramma? I got gramma?" Meriana asked as Ranma nodded.

They rose and moved toward the throne of the Sorceress. She handed the locket to Ranma who put the chain over her head and held the locket in front of her and Meriana. Ranma looked up at the Sorceress a questioning look on her face. Then Ranma asked her friend.

"Can you help me set up the quartz necklace I made Meriana so when I am working in the valley she can talk to me? I mean I can't take her there while the castle is still so hot." Ranma asked as she looked at her friend.

"I can try Ranma." The Sorceress smiled as she would get to babysit for the little girl.

"Ok here goes. Mom?" Ranma called to her mother hoping she would like the news she was about to give her.