X X X X X X - Scene perspective shift
"speech"
'thought'
#panda sign#
(telepathy between Washu, Ryoko, Ranma, and cabbit)
Went through and fixed all the little "your" typos people were complaining about.
X X X X X X
Sasami smiled and hummed to herself as she prepared breakfast. Ryoga appeared to have left early in the morning but she was sure he would be back again. Maybe not today or tomorrow, but eventually he would turn up. Washu appeared to have already taken a spot among her expanded family and she was happy that Ryoko could get to have a mother now.
While aboard her sisters ship she had studied Ryoko's history to pass the time and she felt bad for how lonely the girl must have been. Abandoned by her foster family at 15 she was never reported, in 1400 years, of having anyone else in her life. 'It must have been endlessly lonely, no wonder she became a pirate.'
But not now, now she could have a family with Washu and Ranma. Maybe Ranma's mother on Earth would like to be Ryoko's as well, so Washu and Nodoka could be like Misaki and Funaho. Two mothers after all was the best way to go, twice the love could never hurt.
"Ryo-chan?"
"Miyah?"
"Could you go wake up Ranma-neechan?"
"Miyah miyah miyah!" Giggling she watched her furry friend run off. Pausing she wondered if Ryo-ohki was also a sister to Ryoko and Ranma.
"Good morning Sasami-chan."
"Tenchi-niichan you're up!"
"Jiichan wanted me up earlier for some training." Rubbing a particularly sore spot."The old guys a slave driver. Oh and have you seen Ryoga? His pack seems to be gone."
"Nope, he left before I was up."
"Strange he didn't say good bye."
"Don't worry he'll come back."
"So he just went into town?"
"No he left, but I'm sure he'll be back again sometime."
"Oh, haha whatever you say."
"Could you go get Washu-neechan for me? Breakfast will be ready in about 10 minutes."
"Sure thing."
X X X X X X
Tenchi entered Washu's subspace lab for the first time. His reaction was similar to Ranma's in that he gaped for several minutes as Washu smiled at his reaction.
"Is this, how did, this is huge, what happened to the closet?!"
"It's still there I just linked the doorway to my subspace lab. But that's unimportant! So Tenchi-dono, what can I do for you? Have you come to be my guinea pig? I promise no invasive surgeries. That may be a one time offer, you should take me up on it now."
Deciding that if he just ignored the weirdness of the lab and went with it he would be much happier, Tenchi finally caught on to what Washu had just said. Having no desire to become this girls play toy he edged towards the door. "Uh, no no, nothing like that. Sasami-chan told me to come get you for breakfast."
"I see I see, Tenchi-dono how about we play a little game."
"A game?"
"Yes a game. Outside my lab you're safe, but when you come in, I can try to make you my guinea pig. Does that sound fair?"
"I don't think."
"Great, I'll give you a free pass this time. Heh heh heh, this is going to be fun!"
"That's great." Forcing a smile he developed a twitch in one eye. "I'll just be going, remember breakfast will be ready in a couple minutes." He heard her thanks as he quickly opened the door and rushed out. Vowing never return to this place again.
"Oh yes this is going to be fun! THE GUINEA PIG HUNT IS ON! OH OH OH OH OH OH OH OH OH!"
X X X X X X
Ranma buried herself deeper in the large warm blanket trying to ward off whatever it was that was trying to rouse her. She had just gotten to sleep, no way was she getting up now. Whatever it was, was insistent as it was now hopping up and down on her head. Swiping her hand at whatever it was she rolled over and tried to get back to sleep.
This only seemed to agitate her annoyance who was now making loud noises as it now started to actively hit her. Nothing hard but it was annoying enough that she rolled over and crushed whatever it was under her arm. The small thing squirmed and tried to get free. At this point she was awake enough to note that the small furry thing trying to wake her was making cat like noises. This had the added benefit of instantly waking her up and causing her to jump up and cling to the ceiling. Looking around wildly for a cat she found Ryo-ohki pulling herself out from underneath the blanket.
"Oh it's just you." Dropping down she sat down as the cabbit glared at her. "Uh what's wrong with you?" More glaring and then Ryo-ohki turned and ran towards the door. She stopped and turned back to give off a miyah. "What? Ya know I can't understand ya, a, a, achoo!" Sneezing Ranma wiped her nose. "Just great."
"Miyah?"
"Fine I'm coming." Ryo-ohki passed through the door and Ranma slid it open to find the cabbit waiting. Padding after the cabbit she wish she had put on socks.
"Good morning Ranma." Tenchi greeted as he hastily made his exit from Washu's lab. Ryo-ohki quickly went over and greeted the boy.
"Morning, achoo!"
"You alright?"
"Yea I'm fine, just had something tickle my nose."
"Sasami said breakfast would be ready in a couple minutes."
"That's great I'm starving!" Entering the living room she found Ayeka sitting calmly at the table along with Sasami and Mihoshi. Ryoko floated in mid are, bundled up in a blanket next to the table. As soon as the girl saw Tenchi she was instantly wrapped around him, blanket forgotten.
"Tenchi! Why are you always spending time with Ranma over me?"
"Gah Ryoko get off of me." Tenchi tried in vain to pry the girl from his body.
"But Tenchi." The girl mewled and dropped to the ground to stare up at him.
"I can't believe you're my sister." Ranma smacked herself in the forehead.
"You're one to talk! I got a brother and a sister."
"What did you say?!"
Ryoko ignored her and continued on. "Well I guess that's alright, but you're the little brother slash sister. Now be a good little brother slash sister and go grab my blanket so me and Tenchi can enjoy the morning together." Ryoko went back to pawing at Tenchi as she dragged him towards the table.
"I'm a, a, a, achoo! Guy, you old mummy!"
"Obviously." Washu said from behind her causing Ranma to jump up to the rafters. Glaring down at the madly grinning Washu, Ranma dropped down and sneezed again. "Oh? Lemme see." She blinked down at Washu as the short girl put the back of her hand to Ranma's forehead. "Looks like you got a fever over 101 degrees."
"I'm fine, I don't get sick." Crossing her arms she made for the table. She'd never admit it but she did feel horrible, and with the lack of sleep she really just wanted to curl up in a nice patch of sun and sleep the day away. "Where's Ryoga at anyways?"
"He left earlier."
"Figures, I'm surprised, achoo! That he made it that long."
"What do you mean Ranma?"
"I remembered last night that I went to an all boys school with him about a year ago."
"AN ALL BOYS SCHOOL?!" Was the reaction from everyone.
"Huh?"
"But you, you turn into a girl." Tenchi supplied.
"What? No! This was before the curse. Back then I was a guy 100 of the time!" Sitting down in a huff she gave off another sneeze. Her left eye violently twitching. She'd only had the stupid curse for less than 2 months. What kept making people assume she had been cursed longer anyways?
"Ah, sorry, I forgot."
"As I was saying, the guy has a horrible sense of direction. He gets lost all the time, the running joke was that he could get lost in a room with one door."
"That's a little hard to believe." Tenchi was able to pry Ryoko off him long enough to take a seat next Sasami.
"You mean like the fact that we're aliens, you're a prince, those two and princesses, she's an evil space pirate, that's her ship, she's from the Galaxy Police, and Washu has a lab that is really freakin huge underneath the steps and is mine and Ryoko's mother."
Tenchi was about to retort when he stopped, closed his mouth, and nodded. "I retract my previous statement."
Breakfast continued as usual, mostly small talk, Ryoko and Ayeka bugging Tenchi about spending the day with. Ranma smiled at Tenchi's poor luck, for some reason she got the feeling that if something had turned out different she would have a similar problem with women.
"Good morning." Everyone turned to find Katsuhito entering the room through the kitchen door. Various replies went out to the priest.
"I've been meaning to tell you Ranma but I extended an open invitation to your mother should she want to visit."
"Hey that's gre, grea, gre, achoo! That's great."
"I would love to meet Nodoka-dono." Washu nodded sagely from her place at the table.
"Is something the matter Ranma?"
"Me I'm fine. Just something in my nose. Achoo!"
"Hmmmm." Blinking at the back of the hand that was now pressed against her forehead she quickly swatted it away. "You have a fever."
"I'm fine."
"Tenchi, you will take over Ranma's duties as well today."
"WHAT!?" Ranma and Tenchi chorused and glared at the priest.
"You're sick, stay home and recover, and Tenchi has been slacking off on his duties. Well all I really had was the news about your mother Ranma. I'll be up at the shrine if anyone needs me."
Glaring at Katsuhito, Ranma prepared to throw a chopstick at the mans head but quickly tucked it behind her back as the priest turned around at the exact moment when she was going to throw it. Whistling innocently she looked around and tried to look nonchalant.
X X X X X X
"Ranma-san, are you really alright? You're looking a bit green." Ayeka was a bit worried about the small red head that was wrapped up in a blanket on a couch. It hadn't been that cold outside yesterday but then again Ranma had been outside most of the day. And Ranma's female form had such a small, if overly developed, frame.
"I'm fine! Stupid old man! How dare he tell me that I should take the day off, I'll show him, I'll, I'll, I'll, well I don't know but it'll be terrible! Wait I know I'll get Washu after him! That'll teach him, that dirty old pervert. Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh!"
"You seem a bit delirious as well."
"ACHOO!"
"Ranma and Ayeka-neechan would you like some tea?"
"Thanks Sasami." "Thank you Sasami-chan."
"Ahhh that's great stuff." Ranma sighed happily.
"Excuse me Ranma-san but why is it that you don't change back when ingesting hot liquids?"
"Hell if I know. Maybe cause spits hot or something?" Ayeka's eye twitched but she refrained from berating the sick girl. 'It's all because of her horrible father, it's all because of her horrible father, I will not punish someone who doesn't know better.'
"Ranma-san, it is saliva not 'spit', I'm sure both of your mothers would not be happy to hear you speak so uncouth around ladies. Especially as one."
"Huh, oh, I guess, either way. Hey wait a minute maybe if I used spit I could change back whenever I wanted!
"Please don't."
"Yea I guess that would be kinda gross. I'm gonna go get some hot water, I'm tired of being a girl. If I gotta be stuck in the house least I can do is do it as a guy." Ayeka just smiled at that idea being shot down. Ranma returned shortly enough, his hair slightly damp.
"Ahhhhh, I feel better already." The boy did look visibly better as he sat down.
"I'm not surprised." The trio visibly jumped as Washu stood grinning behind them with her hands behind her back.
"What do you mean Washu-sama?"
"I just need to test something out." Quickly bringing up her keyboard she hit several keys. Ayeka shared worried looks with Ranma and Sasami. Everyone had figured out, well with the exception of Mihoshi, that Washu typing on that thing was not a good person to be around. Ayeka yelped when a round yellow thing landed on Ranma's head. "Sit down and relax I just need to take some readings."
Ranma reluctantly did as asked and sat down. The large yellow thing had two large black eyes and a small mark making it appear to have a face. At the bottom it had two three toed feet to provide a base. It's eyes started to blink in random intervals as Washu rapidly typed. "I said relax."
"Washu-sama what is it that you are doing?"
"Ranma's curse is very interesting Ayeka-dono. As you know shapeshifters use a type of body modification that uses up a lot of energy to do. This is especially true for those who do not naturally have the ability. Ranma's curse bypasses the limitation and furthermore can create and destroy mass."
"Matter creation?"
"Ryo-ohki is able to change between ship and companion form by compressing the mass and storing it in subspace. It's inefficient but the only way to do such a thing. Ah there we go." 8 screens with different displays of information popped into existence around them. "Incredible!" Washu's eyes sparkled as she gazed at all the data.
"Can I take this thing off yet?"
"Huh oh yes yes." Washu still had a glazed look in her eye as the device disappeared. "It appears to be pretty standard. You see shapeshifters contain added portions to their DNA that is inactive, when they use their trigger those portions are turned on while the other sections are turned off. Gender shapeshifters have it a little different and with your more unique situation there wasn't much that was changed."
"So then why did you get all excited? And does that mean you can cure me?!"
"Hold on, what I was excited about was an extra that you've picked up. There appears to be an energy matrix surrounding you. The energy for the change comes from that matrix as it absorbs ambient bio energy around you. It's interesting because it's very effective and is able to hold the energy without anything to actually hold it. But it has the added affect of drawing in water to you."
"Wow, so useful. Now I know why I'm a water magnet, my life will be so much better. You're pretty good with that science stuff can ya get rid of it or not?"
"I'm the GREATEST with 'that science stuff'. While the change to your genetic make up is minor I'm hesitant to even unlock your real form after getting this data. There are simply too many unknowns at the moment to even think about trying to remove the extra data."
"But, there's gotta be a cure!" the boy jumped up from his seat and looked at Washu daring her to contradict the statement.
"Sorry Ranma, if there is one, it is specifically made for humans or a species that has drowned in the springs. There is an added problem and benefit. Seems that while your female form appears to be a normal human, it really isn't. Whatever was in the water seemed to view you as already human and used the most human section of your genetic code as a base to create the new form. Of course since you aren't really human, your female form is going through the same unlocking process as your male form. Though the time line appears to have been reset, so you have an added 16 years before your female form would catch up to the male."
"I'm stuck like this? I can't be all guy ever again?" Ranma's shoulders slumped and small tears formed in the corners of his eyes. Ayeka looked worriedly at the boy, this was the first time she had seen him have tears in his eyes. And she felt that this was a rare event, not even being reunited with Nodoka had brought this kind of emotion to his eyes. 'I didn't think that he was that afflicted by the curse. There are certainly worse things he could have changed into.'
Washu patted Ranma on the shoulder and smiled. "I didn't say that, but it'll take time. I wouldn't want to risk turning you into a puddle of gelatinous goo because your genetic structure fell apart. Which reminds me have you decided yet?"
"No, I still haven't really thought about it."
"Thought about what Ranma-san?"
"Uh waiting or having Washu unlock my abilities."
"Why would you wait? I would love to be able to fly around." Sasami said excitedly and mimicked flying by raising her arms in front of her and swaying side to side. Ryo-ohki did likewise but wasn't able to balance on her back legs, causing her to fall off the couch. The cabbit pouted as everyone shared a laugh.
"Yea that would be pretty awesome. It's just."
"You don't want to become a new person." Ranma's eyes widened at Washu. "Remember, mental link. You're worried that you won't be yourself anymore."
"Yea pretty much."
"I suppose I could modify the procedure to make sure you retained your looks now."
"So I would still be same now cept I could do all that stuff?"
"For the most part yes."
"I'll do it."
"I would love to do it right now but there is something in the way."
"What is it?"
"How's your cold?"
"I'm fine like I said." Washu's eyes narrowed and she pushed several keys on her keyboard. The data displays condensed together into one then merged with Washu's laptop as a bucket of water splashed down on Ranma's head. "What did ya do that HMPPH!" Ranma clamped her hands over her mouth and quickly exited the house to throw up outside. Ayeka and Sasami grimaced and Ryo-ohki covered her eyes with her large ears from the sound of Ranma as she finished off into dry heaves.
"Like I thought, the female form is far more human than the male form." A woozy Ranma walked back into the house. She burped a bit but held it in this time and laid down on a couch. "It appears that due to your duel nature an illness that would be nothing to your male form still affects your female."
"Wonderful." Ranma groaned.
"Don't worry, you just have to let it work it's way out of your female form's system and you'll be fine. Sasami-chan do you think you could make sure Ranma remains female until she recovers? She should be fine sometime this afternoon. After all a lot of his basic abilities have filtered over."
"Of course Washu-neechan."
"Why can't I just be a guy." Ranma moaned into the couch.
"Because you decided to come into contact with an interesting and highly advanced form of body modification." Washu supplied and was able to roll Ranma on to her back. "Here, she'll hatch in a couple hours and I wouldn't want you to miss it." Washu smiled and placed Rin-ohki's egg on Ranma's stomach.
"Washu-sama what is that?" Ayeka asked at the large black egg that Ranma was now cuddling with a contented look on her face.
"That is Rin-ohki, Ranma's partner and Ryo-ohki's sister." Sasami and Ryo-ohki were instantly next to Ranma as the red head cradled the egg.
"Really?! Another cabbit, awesome!"
"Miyah miyahmiyah, miyah miyah!" Ryo-ohki agreed and leaped up to curl up next to the egg.
"Another one?" Ayeka frowned, one cabbit was trouble enough, but two under the same roof? Washu just smiled and pulled a blanket of Ranma who was now asleep. Ayeka wasn't sure if it was Ryo-ohki or the red head that was making a purring noise. "And why is Ranma so happy just to hold it?"
"They are already bonded, it's been 2000 years of separation. Normally I can't make out anything distinct over my bond with Ranma, especially when female. But right now she's in heaven and little could break her out of her euphoria. It's best to let her sleep, it'll help her body recover."
"I'll go get Tenchi-niichan and tell him to plant more carrots!"
"Wait Sasami I'll go with you, I would like to see Tenchi-sama as well."
Washu smiled as the princesses left. For royalty they were pretty good to have around. Uncovering Ranma's blanket enough to see Ryo-ohki she patted the cabbit on the head. "Be sure to keep your sister and Ranma safe, alright?"
"Miyah miyah!" The cabbit nodded and snuggled closer to the pair. Pulling the blanket back over the sleeping red head, Washu left to head back to her lab. If she was going to freeze the physical changes it would take a lot of modifications. While she would like to have her son's original form back, she could understand him not wanting to become someone else. After all he already had to deal with that with an application of water.
X X X X X X
Up above, Ryoko's head stuck out of the ceiling as she watched the earlier discussion. A frown visible on her face as she passed through the ceiling to go after Washu. Phasing through the wall she teleported to stand next to the waiting scientist. "Good morning Ryoko-chan, how are you today?" Growling she brought forth an energy sword and pointed it at the girls neck. Washu's curious gaze hardened instantly and she traced a path from the tip of the sword up to Ryoko's face. "And just who are you pointing that at?"
"Who are you really? How do you have a cabbit egg?"
"I've explained that yesterday, and I'm not one to tell lies. As for the egg, I created both of your cabbits when I created you and him. It would be cruel to keep those two apart, just as it would be if I kept you from Ryo-ohki. Do you not agree?"
Turning away for a moment she glared through the wall to the spot where Ryo-ohki laid next to Ranma and the new cabbit. She would never admit it but Ryo-ohki was just about the most important thing in her life. Tenchi was the only other person that could claim such an important spot in her heart. Turning back she readied her blade. "I don't care if you made me or not. But I'm not going to let you do as you want."
"Not to be combative, but what will you do to stop me?" Ryoko gasped as her sword disappeared and Washu took a step towards her. Drawing back her hand she got into a stance, prepared to fight the girl physically. When Washu took another step forward she swung her right fist forward to take the girls head off. She froze, arm extended and looking forward. Slowly she drew her eyes down to view the spiky red hair that obscured her vision down.
"I'm sorry Ryoko." Ryoko didn't know what do to. She had been expecting something sinister from the evil little goblin. Racking her brain she tried to remember the last time someone had hugged her. "It's my fault isn't it? It's because I left you the gems that you've been alone all these years, why you ended up here sealed in a cave." (1)
"I don't know what you're talking about." She was able to stutter out, trying to ignore the odd feeling that was coming from somewhere.
"You don't have to lie."
Struggling she escaped the girls arms and jumped back into the air to stand up on the railing of the second story. "I don't know where you got the idea that you can talk to me like that, but if you do, you got another thing coming." Growling she tried to draw forth another sword but her energy seemed to be inaccessible. "Come on you stupid thing, why won't you work!?"
"Ryoko." Washu was looking up at her and had spoken softly. "I won't force you into a family. But don't punish Ranma for my mistakes by taking out your anger on him. I know that you're starting to feel a bond with him. You're twins, such connections are to be expected."
"You must not know who you're talking to! I am the space pirate Ryoko! My very name causes worlds to tremble! Entire civilizations have have been destroyed by my hand! I am a demon known throughout the universe for my cruelty and destruction! And I don't need anyone!" She pronounced and glared down at Washu. Falling backwards she teleported away.
Washu looked up at the spot Ryoko had stood. 'You don't have to lie to me Ryoko, especially since you're so transparent.' Shaking her head she entered her lab.
X X X X X X
Shampoo paused behind a tree. The woods around the shrine offered her plenty of cover to move silently and unnoticed towards the home. Warily she watched as a woman and a little girl passed by wearing strange clothing, even for Japan. They didn't look like fighters and she ignored them once past. There were even some odd log things, stationed along a smell fence on the road, that were talking to each other. 'Japan is such a strange place.'
Checking for any watchful eyes she darted across the open ground and flattened herself against the wall of the home. Sidestepping to the opposite side from the main road she peered inside a large windowed door. Inside was a large sparsely furnished room but what caught her eye was the mop of bright red hair that stuck out from a blanket. Quickly looking around to see if anyone else was in the room she slid the door open as silently as possible and stepped in.
Tip toeing forward she paused over the girl. The blanket was nearly covering her head but there was no way she could mistake who this girl was. Pausing to consider her options she drew forth a sword that was strapped to her back. If she killed the girl now she could go back to the village with her honor intact. But if what she had heard was true than this girl might also be a boy. That muddied the waters immensely.
She would love nothing more than to be able to finish this now. Stab the girl, end her life, finally go back home. The travel was nice, and this part of the country almost felt like she was back home. But anytime someone opened their mouth she was reminded that she was among foreigners. Those who would question the ways of the proud Amazon tribe. But she couldn't kill the girl outright now, Jusenkyo could be a very large factor. So for now she would confront the girl and find out the truth.
Pulling the covers up to expose more of the girl, just to be extra sure on who it was. She blinked as she found a large black egg and a small furry creature that was now looking curiously up at her. "Miyah?" It asked and she poked it with her sword. 'What kind of thing is this? Is it some kind of rabbit?' The creature sniffed her blade unafraid then actually took a bite out of it.
"AIYAH! You no eat Shampoo's sword." Clamping a hand over her mouth she looked around to see if anyone would come. Hearing nothing she looked at the ruined point of her sword. An exact semi circle of metal had been eaten. 'It eats steel?' Keeping her sword as far from the creature as possible she poked Ranma several times. "Ranma you wake up."
X X X X X X
Ranma was sick, she knew that, and hated every thing about it. That was because Ranma never got sick, in fact she could not remember the last time she had been sick. But all the irritation at being sick, being forced to be a girl, it was washed away when the egg touched her. The cabbit inside the egg had been waiting for 2000 years for her to come.
She paused and tried to figure out how she knew this. There was no real answer but she sensed that it was Rin-ohki talking to her. It was confusing though, the cabbit wasn't communicating with words or even images, just emotions and desires. She assumed it was 2000 years because Rin-ohki had felt that many days of extreme sadness. Ranma associated that day with the day she was sent away as a baby.
'Are you, were you awake all along?' She thought somehow knowing that Rin-ohki would hear it. The answer came with the feeling of long periods of nothing then the loneliness and nothing again. 'Does that mean you slept most of it?' Rin-ohki sent through their link an intense feeling of satisfaction. Happy that she had figured it out Ranma slipped deeper into the feeling of joy Rin-ohki was radiating. 'Don't worry Rin I won't let you be alone ever again.'
Rama's face furrowed in frustration as something hard poked into her arm. Her eyes opened enough to see that it was a sword that was poking her. Drawing her eyes further she found the owner to be a purple haired girl. Dressed in the pink Chinese clothing Ranma had come to know her for. 'Shampoo? What is she doing here?' Certain things now clicked in Ranma's mind. Shampoo did not attack if Ranma had been asleep.
There were several times where she had woken up to find Shampoo dozing or waiting patiently for her before making an attempt on her life. Apparently Shampoo's screwed up sense of honor forbade her from attacking a defenseless opponent. Not that it allowed Ranma to sleep well at night with the Amazon after her life.
"Ranma you." Shampoo started and pulled her sword away. This had two effects, the first was that Ranma was now fully awake, the second was that she was suddenly kicked into attack mode. Normally she would be set to flee, but not today, and especially not now. Right now Rin-ohki was helpless, that was strike one against Shampoo. Ranma was also sick, which was unfamiliar and very annoying, strike two. The third and final one, was that Shampoo had interrupted her reunion with her partner and Ranma was coming to believe that Rin-ohki was even more important than that.
Ranma's hand snapped forward before Shampoo could react and grabbed the sword with her fingers. Kicking herself up and over the two cabbits she rotated in mid air to kick Shampoo just underneath her breasts. There was a crunching noise and the girl was sent flying backwards and into the glass door. It shattered into pieces as Shampoo continued through it to slide across the grass and finally come to rest.
Remaining in a stance she watched Shampoo struggle for breath. The girls struggles ceased and she laid very still. "Ryo-ohki, stay with Rin-ohki." Behind her the cabbit gave off a 'miyah' of affirmation. Expecting some trick Ranma waited patiently but Shampoo never moved. "Shampoo? Whatever you're up to isn't gonna work." Getting no response her look softened and she approached the downed girl, careful to step around the glass shards. "Hey come on stop it." Using a foot she nudged the girl, being careful to remain out of striking distance.
"Shampoo?" Kneeling next to the girl she shook her shoulder. "Hey come on this isn't funny." Shaking a little harder Shampoo move enough to expose a small puddle of blood spreading out from under her body.
X X X X X X
Washu paused as she was running through a checklist of specimens that had survived. This portion of her lab consisted of live creatures that she had collected. Large platforms stretched across the endless void that dropped beneath. Further down was another platform and then another and another, so on till it reached the bottom. Alongside each were cages and tanks, some stretched down through multiple stories to contain the creatures within.
"Ranma, what's wrong?" Her laptop displayed the image of a very distraught red head carrying a purple haired girl. "And who's that?"
"Can you help her? I hurt her real bad."
"I guess so, I'll put you through to my medical lab." Quickly inputing the command Ranma's image left her laptop and she quickly made her way to the lab. Inside Ranma was still holding the girl in her arms and was looking worriedly at her. Hitting a button on the wall a bed materialized in front of her. "Put her on the bed." Ranma complied and the girl was laid down on her side.
"I kicked her and I think I heard a crunch and then she flew through the door and fell on some glass." Quickly Washu put on some gloves and with some scissors she cut off the girls clothing. Grabbing some forceps, she examined the pieces that were sticking from the girls back and legs. It looked worse than the actual damage was as they were only small shards. Carefully pulling out the pieces of glass she sprayed on disinfectant to the wounds before placing small stick on bandages to cover them.
Gently laying the girl on her back she examined her front. A large bruise was forming just below her bust and gently prodding with her fingers caused a wince from the unconscious girl. Frowning she hit several buttons on the edge of the bed to bring up a small arm at the foot of the bed. Another bar shot out from it to go the width of the bed and it moved up and over the girl before returning to the foot of the bed and sliding back into it's slot.
A screen sprung up over the girls entire body and showed her skeleton in white and the broken portions in neon green. 'My my what did you do to the poor girl Ranma-chan? 10 broken ribs along with a several fractures along the sternum. Not to bad for a single kick, I may have to come up with some way to limit his strength so he can grow into it. It would avoid the problems Ryoko had when she was younger.' (2)
"Looks like you broke several ribs, she also appears to have a light concussion from hitting her head." Pulling a sheet up and over the girls body to provide some modesty she hit several more keys. Abruptly a cylindrical energy field encircled the girl and bathed her in a soft green glow. "This will help her breath and accelerate the healing process. By tomorrow the bones should be healed and I can let her out. Though she'll be bruised pretty bad for a while."
"So she's going to be alright?"
"Nothing appears to be life threatening and with my technology she'll be fine. Can you tell me what happened?"
"I thought she was going to attack me and Rin and so I stopped her." Ranma stood worriedly next to the bed and stared at the girl. "I didn't want to hurt her."
Sensing her child's distress she patted her on the shoulder. "I'll go get Rin-ohki."
In the living room Washu found Ryo-ohki looking around fearfully, the little cabbit completely out of her element on how to deal with the situation. Immediately she jumped up into her arms and started making rapid fire miyahs. "Easy easy, every thing's going to be fine."
Helping Ryo-ohki get to a position on her shoulder she gathered up Rin-ohki's egg as well as the blanket and examined the damage. Ranma's aim had been perfect to send the girl through the glass and on to the lawn where a puddle of blood had now dried to a crusty brown.
Dismissing it as unimportant she returned to her lab. Ranma hadn't moved and was currently tearing the bottom of her shirt apart as she used her hands to knead the fabric. Activating a reclining chair to form next to the bed she handed off Rin-ohki and Ryo-ohki follow suit, jumping over to nuzzle Ranma, she gently lead her 'son' to sit in the chair before pulling the blanket over the trio. Trying to reassure Ranma with a smile she excused herself to get back to her project.
"I could have killed her." Pausing she turned back to Ranma. "I would have, if she had done anything to hurt Rin, I would have." The girl finished in a soft voice. Sighing in defeat over getting any work done she went back next to Ranma. Materializing her mid air cushion she sat down on it.
"It was an accident. She surprised you and you reacted."
"But it wasn't an accident!" Ranma's breathing was erratic as she stared down at her hands. "I knew what she would try to do, what she has tried to do, and I acted to make sure she couldn't hurt Rin."
"You protected your partner, that's all that matters."
"No it isn't! I'm a martial artist, it's my duty to protect the weak not hurt people!"
Leaning forward she grabbed Ranma's chin and forced the girl to look up into her eyes. 'Dilated pupils, cold skin, irregular and rapid breathing, and anxiety. A mild case of psychological shock.' Gently smiling she pushed Ranma back so the girl laid down. The taller red head didn't resist and Washu was able to cover her with the blanket. Ryo-ohki curled up in the crook between Ranma's neck and shoulder and the girl was clutching Rin-ohki's egg like a life preserver.
"Relax Ranma, you seem to have a mild cause of shock. Do you feel Rin-ohki?" Ranma nodded. "Can you tell me what she says?"
"She's worried, and sad. But she's happy because she gets to be born soon."
"Does she know how soon?"
"Now." As if on cue a cracking noise came from underneath the blanket. Ranma sat up and put the egg on top of the blanket. Like Ryo-ohki's hatching the egg developed a spiderweb of cracks with a red light illuminating them. In a puff of steam the top cracked open spraying egg shards around the immediate area. The cabbit rotated around in the egg to pop her head out of the opening, her giant ears flopping down.
"Congratulation Ranma-chan, it's a cabbit."
Washu smiled as Ranma picked up the cabbit. Ryo-ohki jumped down to meet the new arrival which accented their differences. Ryo-ohki was brown in color and Rin-ohki was that same color but with a reddish hue. The older cabbit was also larger, but Rin-ohki would catch up soon enough. The two cabbits looked at each other curiously for a moment, sizing up the other, before they 'miyah'ed' happily and started to nuzzle each other.
It was puzzling how connected the two seemed. Ranma should have only a rudimentary connection to the cabbit, similar to her own with Ranma but they were communicating quite clearly. Bringing up her laptop she started a scan. When the results came in her eyes widened. 'But how? Ranma shouldn't have this much of his original genetic code.'
"Ranma have you been around or touched the gems at all? And were you a girl at the time?"
"Gems? I think I hit one in Ryoko's wrist when I first met her. And I grabbed the tenchi-ken which had two in it. Stupid thing zapped me. And yea I was a girl at the time. Why?" Tapping a finger on the laptop she examined Ranma. 'Well I guess it's good that Rin-ohki was born. It seems to have calmed her down a lot. As for the gems it seems to have had the added effect of reverting him back to his original form faster than anticipated. Just like how they stopped Ryoko from undergoing the process. How exactly did I miss this?'
"No reason really. Try to stay warm and get some rest. I'll check back with you in a bit."
"But I'm really feeling better."
"I said rest! I don't care about your bravado." Ranma looked like she was going to ask something else but nodded reluctantly and curled up on her side with the cabbits next to her stomach.
X X X X X X
"What happened here?" Ayeka looked around at the destroyed door and the brown spot that was out further on the yard. Next to her Tenchi, Sasami, and Mihoshi did likewise. Entering the home they found no sign of Ranma. "Watch out for the glass Sasami." The girl nodded and stepped around it quickly.
"Where's Ranma-neechan?"
On the opposite side of the room the door opened revealing Washu. "Washu-sama what happened here?"
"We have a little visitor Ayeka-dono. Ranma dispatched her before she could cause any harm and they are both in my lab right now. Ranma-chan got a little rough, as you can see."
"Is Ranma alright Washu?" Mihoshi asked.
"A little worked up, she did kick the girl through the glass door hard enough to nearly cave in her ribcage. But now that Rin-ohki is out of her egg, she's providing Ranma comfort."
"Why did Ranma attack someone?" Tenchi asked as he went to grab a broom and dust pan.
"You'll have to ask Ranma, I only know what happened not why. I just came out to get her something to drink."
"I'll help!" Sasami called out and moved to help Washu in the kitchen. Mihoshi followed shortly
Ayeka was unsure on what she should do. Tenchi could handle the glass and Sasami with Mihoshi were helping Washu. That left her with little to do, so she settled for moving to the lab entrance and waiting patiently. Mihoshi would after all get in the way enough, and she would never admit it but she wasn't all that good around the kitchen as it was.
X X X X X X
Ranma smiled as she and Rin-ohki looked at each other. The cabbit was sitting in her lap and they were, well she didn't know what they were doing. It was like they were talking but without words. Though Rin-ohki was starting to bring in some words, as if she was learning just by Ranma thinking of them.
"She's so cute!" Ranma jumped out of the chair as Sasami cried out. Rin-ohki in her hands and Ryo-ohki positioned on her head. Calming down in mid air she fell back down on the chair and smiled at the group that was now in the medical lab with her. Sasami quickly came up and stared in awe at the reddish cabbit that approached her.
"Rin-ohki?" The girl asked and received a happy miyah. "WAIII so cute!" The cabbit was quickly gathered up and hugged fiercely. Ryo-ohki gave off a protesting miyah and was grabbed as well to be hugged by the girl.
"Ranma-san why were you staring at Rin-ohki like that?"
"Oh heh heh I was, actually I don't know what I was doing. I guess I was talken to her."
"That's your mental link. Ryoko has one with Ryo-ohki, and I have one with both you and Ryoko."
"Really? I didn't really know what you were talken bout before." Scratching the back of her head she chuckled.
"And why aren't you resting?"
"I feel a lot better now." Seeing Washu's disbelieving look she waved her arms in warding. "Really I feel a lot better. Sorry bout getting all weird earlier."
"No reason to apologize. How's our patient doing?"
"Here Ranma we brought you something to drink." Ranma blinked down at the glass of water placed in front of her face.
"Thanks Mihoshi." Mentally she sighed. 'Why couldn't it have been hot water for once?'
"She appears to be healing well. Just to be sure she doesn't get up and damage herself, I'll keep her sedated till I am sure her ribs are back together."
"Who is this girl Ranma?" Tenchi asked while looking down at the purple haired girl.
"Not someone I ever wanted to see again thats who. But that doesn't mean I wanted to hurt her, even if she is trying to kill me."
"Kill you?!" Sasami's lapse in concentration allowed Rin-ohki to struggle from the girls grasp and leap back over to Ranma where the cabbit quickly assumed a position on her shoulder. Ryo-ohki settled for jumping up on Sasami's head.
"Ah heh heh, it was about a week after I got my curse and me and Oyaji were traveling with the Guide to a nearby village to pick up supplies and see about a cure. It just so happens that we show up when their having a tournament or something. Me and Oyaji were hungry so we started eating at this table thinken that it was like a big buffet. Turns out it was the first prize, stupid jackass Guide never did tell us anything important till after the fact."
"I really wish you would stop calling that man your father Ranma."
"Yea me too, but it's habit. Anyways Shampoo here won just as we started eating and I ended up challenging her so that the food would be ours. I beat her easy by kicking her off the log we were using as a ring and she up and kisses me on the cheek. Turns out that they have this stupid law that if they lose they give ya the 'kiss of death' and will hunt you down and kill you."
"How barbaric!"
"Tell me about it. Guess she found me again some how, and that's why I ended up kicking her through the window."
"Do you mind if I turn her into a guinea pig Ranma-chan? I would love to know how she was able to bypass my early warning sensors."
" Nah she doesn't deserve that. Sides she never really seemed all that serious about it." Her stomach chose this moment to let off a protest for it's neglect. "Um is anyone else hungry?" Rin-ohki also sent through the link a feeling of hunger. "Rin is hungry too." A short order of agreement from the assembled crew and they were heading off to get some lunch.
Except Washu stopped her as she was about to leave through the door. "Huh what is it?"
"Ranma, earlier I found out something that you may not like. It seems that your proximity and contact with the gems has changed how fast you're reverting to your real form."
"Uh alright."
"Basically where before it was linear now it is exponential. And I can only deduce that having Rin-ohki around will speed it up even further. What it means is that if you want to look as close to you are now, I'll need to do the process by 8pm tonight."
"I thought you said I had like 50 years!"
"No I said it would happen when you were 50 years old. This situation is far from ideal, I'm going to spend the rest of the time modifying the process to halt the cosmetic changes. I won't really have time take the 'curse' into consideration. Playing around with genetics like this is never easy, I can easily do it if I have a stable base to work with but you don't have that. It's why when I was first freed, I chose to just revert your age over turning you into a kappa."
" The other option is that I do nothing, which is my preferred method.. Though there is no guarantee that something unexpected wouldn't happen that way either. Before I go doing all the work I need to know what you want to do. Is it worth the possible risk just to look as you do now?"
Ranma paused as she carefully coming up with a response that she hoped would make herself clear. "I already gotta turn into someone else, but at least I look like a female version of myself. I don't want to see a stranger for the rest of my life. It's, I hate it, I hate becoming someone else. I've trained all my life to have control, and I can't think of a worse thing that losing it."
"I suppose that's as good a reason as any. I'll do my best, but if I am not satisfied with what I can come up with I won't do it. There's simply too large a risk. If I didn't know how much it bothers you, I wouldn't even think of doing this. Now run along and get some food."
"Thanks Washu."
"Thanks what? If I'm going to work my backside off preparing this you better start calling me mom."
"Oh right, thanks uh mom."
"Good boy, now get going. Oops before I forget make sure you tell Tenchi that I haven't forgotten about him."
"Forgotten what?"
" Oh nothing, but be sure to tell him."
X X X X X X
Ryoko sat cross legged on top of the shrines main building. Face contorted in an scowl she rested her head in her hands and watched Katsuhito as he swept the falling leaves. Behind her the pseudo tail that she liked lashed around angrily. 'Not one, not one person came looking for me. They formed a search party when that girl boy brother of mine got his panties in a wad.'
"If you keep such an angry face it will stay that way." The old priest smiled up at her and her scowl increased.
"Shut up ya old geezer or else I'll make you pay for what that bastard Yosho did to me." Floating up into the air she teleported to the side of him, continuing to stay in mid air she hadn't moved from her sitting position.
"Is there something this old priest could help you with?"
"Not if you can get rid of all the distractions to my Tenchi."
"So he's a piece of property then?"
"Of course not, he's not loot, but he belongs to me."
"How so?"
"What are you getting at old man?"
"Me? Nothing, certainly a smart girl like you could figure out why you are disliked around the home."
Materializing in front of the priest she growled in his face. "What do I care about being liked or disliked? All I care about is Tenchi."
"So why does Tenchi not return your fervor?"
"My what? Wait never mind, it's all because of that stupid princess Ayeka. She's filling his head with crap about Jurai. Like Tenchi really wants any part of that place."
"And why wouldn't he? He would be a prince there, that's a powerful incentive for any lad."
"And probably end up marrying some cousin." Blinking she scratched her head. "Actually wasn't Yosho supposed to marry his sister? Freaking weirdo's."
"With the technology available wouldn't they avoid the normal problems accrued by marrying close relatives?"
"So what? It's sick that's what it is. I couldn't imagine marryin." Trailing off she floated a short distance away to float in the air.
"Marrying Ranma? Tenchi told me of your relation."
"I still don't believe that little goblin Washu."
"Is that how you do things? Ignore others and just do what you want?"
"Of course, it's always worked in the past." The old priest chuckled and she was sorely tempted to gut him where he stood.
"I'm afraid that won't work if you wish to pursue Tenchi. You won't be able to force him, and if you try to it'll only push him away."
"Shows what you know old man, Tenchi's destined to be with me. He just doesn't realize it yet."
"Not if you continue on your current path. You may want to look at how the others interact with Tenchi if you hope to 'win' his affections."
"Yea right old man, blah blah blah. All you know how to do is talk. That's why you're living at some shrine till the end of your days. That must be pretty soon, seeing how wrinkly you are. I'll lay a flower on your grave, might even say something good about ya. If I can think of anything that is."
"I thank you. But I am afraid there are a few more years left in this old man. Not all of us can be as long lived as your family and the Jurains."
"Family? Yea right."
"You seem awfully set against having one."
"Like I need some little goblin and a cat phobic girl boy for a family."
"Have you ever had a family before Ryoko?"
"I've never needed one." Of course she had been with a family. Worthless trash had thrown her away. Too bad she hadn't been the one to send them to their graves.
"Maybe you should try. After all if you want Tenchi he'll end up wanting to create one."
"That's true, guys like that kind of thing don't they?"
"Usually the women more so but guys as well."
"Well if it's for Tenchi I suppose I could look into this family thing. Got any other insights on what Tenchi wants old man? This does make you more useful, I might not end up killing you after all."
"Harmony."
"Harmony? What kind of crock advice are you giving? Just when I thought you'd be useful."
"Just try being nicer to the others and you'll see what I mean. It's been nice talking to you Ryoko, you aren't as bad as my ancestor made you out to be." Still in her position she watched the priest head off to do whatever old farts like him did.
Glaring at the priest she started to float towards the house. "Stupid old man. They should be happy I don't just vaporize them."
X X X X X X
Dinner was a subdued affair, Ryoko was being unusually quiet but still passing angry glances at Ayeka. The patio door was closed with some plastic sheeting before it could be replaced with a new pane of glass. Understandably this made the living room a bit drafty and everyone was wearing an extra layer of clothing.
Once dinner was finished they separated but still were together. Tenchi was sandwiched between the attentions of Ryoko and Ayeka. Sasami and Mihoshi had cleaned up and were now gushing over some manga at the dinner table. Ryo-ohki was sitting next to Ranma who finally had been reverted to his birth form and was camped out next to the window along with Rin-ohki who was playing with the larger Ryo-ohki. And if it hadn't been for the warm sunlight still coming through the window he would have stolen Ryoko's blanket from up in the rafters.
Feeling a tug through his connection with Rin-ohki he checked the road leading up to the shrine. A taxi was quickly moving up the road. "Hey anyone expecting visitors?"
"I don't think so." Tenchi used it as an excuse to escape the duo's attentions and came next to Ranma to look out at the road. "Two taxi's." Sure enough another was following.
"Well let's go meet whoever made the trek out here." Gathering up Rin-ohki so she could sit on his head Ranma and the rest of the house minus Washu went out to greet the arrivals. The first taxi arrived quickly and Ranma found that it was Nodoka and the three Tendo sisters that were in it.
"What the mom? What are you doing here? And why did THEY come?"
The kimono clad woman smiled at him. "Why I wanted to see my son. Katsuhito-san gave me an open invitation. Didn't he tell you? I asked if we were welcome to come today."
"No." I'll have to hit the old pervert for this later.
"And I asked them along so that I could have some company." Seemingly satisfied with him Nodoka greeted the other occupants of the house and then the Tendo sisters followed suit. Though Ranma noticed a very angry glare coming his way from Nabiki. What for, he had no clue.
"Do you know who's in that other taxi?" He asked when he noticed that it was just about to pull up.
"Not at all it was just us four that I had planned to come." The driver of Nodoka's taxi quickly unloaded the luggage and made a hasty exit.
Nabiki in keeping with her glare came up and sidled right next to him. Edging away from the girl she whispered to him. "Saotome, your little pet, the space ship thing does it like electronics perchance?" Blinking at the odd question he sent Rin-ohki a mental picture of his alarm clock. Instantly he could feel her ask if she could eat it.
"Um maybe."
"What are you two talking about?" Turning they found an irritated looking Akane glaring at him. "You're not trying anything with my sister are you?"
"Her of course not, what the hell gave you that idea?"
"Ranma isn't that your dad in the taxi?" Sure enough the bald martial artist stepped from the other taxi carrying a pet carrier.
"Oyaji? Damn it, what the hell are you doing here? And what's in that thing?"
"Genma you followed us?"
"Daddy what are you doing?"
"Stay out of this girls we need to talk with my boy right now." Unsure on how to act Ranma was pulled away from the group. Both he and Rin-ohki were curious over what the man wanted. Sides the old man might just give him a laugh. Who knew what hair brained scheme the old man had come up with.
"Do you think Ranma will be alright?" Tenchi asked.
"He can handle himself." Ryoko responded and stroked a finger on the boys chest.
"Oh dear I hope I wasn't mislead by Katsuhito-san's invitation."
"No it's alright, please come inside. So how was the trip?"
"Gorgeous this is such a scenic area."
"Thank you for bringing us Auntie, it's nice to get away for a while." Kasumi smiled pleasantly as she followed the group in.
X X X X X X
"Boy what do you think you're doing? Running off like that?" Sighing Ranma shifted on his feet and crossed his arms. On his head Rin-ohki looked on with curiosity but could feel his anger at Genma and gave off her own weak glare.
"Indeed son this is a matter of family honor."
"Like you know anything about honor old man, what did you sell me to this guy for anyways? Or were ya too sloshed to remember?"
"Don't question me Ranma, and what is that thing on your head anyways? It looks like something a girl would carry around!"
"Don't talk about Rin like that!" Glaring at the old man he didn't notice Soun circling around to his back and pull out a rope.
"Now Tendo!" Jumped from behind he fell to the ground on his face.
"What the hell?!" Struggling he was quickly tied up by the two older men. Sitting on the ground with his entire body bound by a long rope, he struggled to get free. Rin-ohki jumped on the rope and started to gnaw through it.
"Stupid boy, family honor must be fulfilled."
"Grr, when I get out of this old man I'm gonna pound you into paste!"
"Oh?" A cat was suddenly shoved in his face.
"AAAAH!" Falling backwards he looked up in horror at the feline now dangling over him. "GET IT AWAY GET IT AWAY!" Trying in vain to move away he was stopped by Soun who held him in place.
"Just promise on your honor to marry one of my daughters and you can go son."
"No never!" The cat was lowered. "STOP GET IT AWAY!" Vaguely he felt Rin-ohki trying to send comforting thoughts but the irrational terror washed it away.
"Come on if you just agree to honor the pact I'll take it away." Genma let the cat drop down even further as Rin-ohki hissed angrily at Genma. "Stupid thing." Genma grabbed Rin-ohki with his free hand and dropped her in the pet carrier. "There we go. Now if you promise I'll take the cat away and you can have that thing back. Otherwise I'll take it to the vet and have it put down. My son doesn't need to have some girls pet."
"Saotome-kun are you sure about this?"
"Of course Tendo-kun, it takes way more cats that this for him to go into the neko-ken."
"That wasn't really what I was talking about."
"Nonsense, it's punishment for his disobedience." Genma smiled cruelly and sat the cat down on his chest. Ranma's mouth opened and closed rapidly and he couldn't breath any faster. In fact he was breathing so fast that he wasn't taking in enough oxygen. "Just promise me boy and I'll take the cat away. Come on promise me you'll fulfill the pact. And once I get rid of that thing you can get a real manly pet."
Anything else that Genma said was ignored. In fact Ranma forgot about the cat completely. 'How dare he treat Rin like that! This bastard isn't even my father! And now he's using the neko-ken against me, just like he does whenever he wants me to do something!'
In the dark recesses of Ranma's psyche, the feral portion stirred. It wasn't exactly a cat personality. While being put through the neko-ken training the boy had dug deep, so deep that he had come upon buried instincts. As Ranma's higher functions shut down the cat portion came forth and it's eyes narrowed as he saw the most hated human in it's existence.
X X X X X X
Soun was having a major change of heart over this whole thing. His old training partner and best friend in the world had lead him to believe that it wouldn't be that big of a deal. In and out, In with the cat, out with the boy. But this, it was like torture, and to do it to someones own son? The life a martial artist was fraught with peril, but nothing about this struck him as for the art.
"Saotome-kun I don't know if I can go along with this. I've never seen someone so terrified of cats before. Are you sure that you caused this?" He was having a difficult time holding the boy, Ranma was incredibly strong, if it wasn't for his wild movement he would have gotten away.
"I had to Tendo-kun, the boy wouldn't listen otherwise. All he did was mope about and cry for his mother, I did it so I could get a clean slate to work with, the perfect base to build the best martial artist ever off of! You have no clue how good the boy is, it would have been a waste for him not to learn."
"You did what?" Soun stood and released Ranma. "You did it so you could force him to learn the art?" Ranma's struggles ceased and he lay still looking at the cat that now sat on his chest.
"He was too weak before, I needed to instill the essence of a wild beast in him!"
"But you told me the technique was fake!"
"Uh well, not all of it. But that's all in the past now, the boy's here, he'll promise to marry one of your daughters, and family honor will be upheld." Genma looked down at Ranma again as the cat hissed and jumped away to dart into the forest. "But cats always seek him out, they only run away when...when..."
"When what?"
"When Ranma is in the neko-ken." The two shared a look of horror and looked down at Ranma. Genma for his part knew that this was really really bad. Especially when the ropes simply fell through Ranma and the boy got on all fours to glare hatefully at Genma. Rational thought had fled the boy and only the cold calculating eyes of a beast stared at the pair. (3)
X X X X X X
Ranma-neko eyed the bad man who dared to touch his child. Well not really his child, but close enough, and close was all Ranma-neko really needed. Growling he jumped forward and swiped at the men to ward them off. They both turned tail and ran from him. Ranma-neko watched them leave, making sure they gone before padding forward to destroy the cage Rin-ohki was trapped in. The cabbit was quickly beneath him and rubbing against his front paws. Turning to the direction the bad men had been he let off an angry hiss.
Wanting nothing more than to chase the man down and slice him to pieces, the urge to protect warred with the urge to chase, but in the end Ranma-neko chose to guard his child. Looking around wearily at the open field he now found himself in, he looked around for any threats. Finding none he laid down and rubbed his face against Rin-ohki who returned it.
Ranma-neko didn't remember ever having a child. Well Ranma-neko didn't remember much other than how the bad man was a human he had to attack on sight. Mating was not something he remembered. It was confusing and beyond Ranma-neko's reasoning to figure out so he went with it.
Letting off a happy meow he grabbed Rin-ohki by the scruff of the neck and started to trot off on all fours to the woods. Pausing in mid step he cocked his head to the side. There was an odd feeling. Letting Rin-ohki to the ground he examined his back leg. There had been an odd twitch. Oops there it was again but in his arm. Frowning in confusion he was about to pick up Rin-ohki and continue to the forest when his entire body spasmed.
X X X X X X
"So what does Ryo-ohki eat?" Nabiki asked Ryoko as the girl tried to gain Tenchi's affections. The middle Tendo was impressed with the house. Three stories, new western style construction designed to last. Unlike their traditional home that was made from more easily damaged materials. She also found this Ryoko girl a bit more interesting than just her space ship pet. She knew what she wanted and she wasn't about to take no for an answer. 'A kindred spirit perhaps?'
"Ryo-chan loves carrots!" The little girl Sasami answered and the cabbit gave her affirmation. Nabiki smiled at the little girl, so much like Kasumi. In fact the pair had been talking about some recipe.
Further conversation was cut off as Washu burst into the room. "What's going on?" The small scientist demanded and looked around wildly. "One of my sensors just went off over some sudden surge of power."
"Nothing is happening here Washu." Tenchi answered.
Washu suddenly was at the patio window looking out. "Oh no!" The small girl quickly ran outside leaving a confused house in the wake.
"Who was that?" Nabiki asked.
"That was Washu-san, Ranma's mother." Mihoshi supplied.
"MOTHER!?" Was Nodoka's response as the woman quickly took off to follow. Shrugging her shoulders Nabiki followed as the rest of the people moved to exit the house.
X X X X X X
Washu froze outside of the door and blocked the path for others as they followed out. Quickly bringing up her laptop she formed a protective bubble around the group as a red wave of energy crashed over them. At its origin stood Ranma on all fours. Details were obscured by a sharp red glow. But the boy was about a quarter of the way around the lake and even at the distance she could tell he was in obvious pain.
"Washu what's going on?!" Tenchi asked as she rapidly hit keys.
"No time to explain, Ryoko, go grab Rin-ohki. She's next to Ranma."
"What why?"
"Because you're the only one who can survive another blast like that. NOW DO IT!"
"Alright alright." The former space pirate faded from view then returned a moment later with the cabbit in question. "Here ya go." The cabbit squealed in fright and jumped on Washu's shoulder. Sparing a few moments she gave the cabbit several pats on the head and received her neck nuzzled in response.
"It's alright Rin-ohki, Ranma should be fine. Well, he should be." Washu wasn't particularly sure on what would happen.
"I demand to know what is going on." Washu paused in collecting readings to turn to a regal looking woman, who was a dead ringer for Ranma's female form.
"You must be Nodoka-dono, I'm sorry but I do not have time to explain the situation right now. Please everyone just stay in the bubble."
"Why do we have to stay in this thing?" Akane asked and glared at the small red head.
"Look at the siding of the house." Washu having no time to deal with children didn't even look back at the girl. The collective group gasped as they saw the paint peeling from the house. Looking around they found the grass was withering and dieing "It should be over soon. Ah there he is, that worthless excuse for a human."
On Washu's screen was the location of Soun and Genma. They had not run far away and were hiding behind trees to protect themselves from the energy waves. Not that it would do much good and the two were probably having a hard time of it. Next to them Ayeka's guardians shimmered into existence.
"Princess our sensors alerted us to the energy and came to protect you. What would you have us do?"
"Hey logs, do your sensors detect the two males to the northwest of here?"
"We do Washu-sama."
"Good go keep them captive till I can get to them."
"I'm sorry Washu-sama but we cannot act in such a way without Ayeka-sama's orders."
"Ayeka-dono please have them do as I have asked."
"Um as you wish Washu-sama. Azaka, Kamidake go capture the two humans."
"As you wish Ayeka-sama." The two logs shimmered from view.
"Good it's finally dieing out. My my Ranma-chan had a bit of energy stored up." In response to her words one last wave of energy was buffeted by the barrier and Ranma's form fell to the ground. "Should be fine to exit the barrier now." Ignoring the group she ran across the field to Ranma's side. Around the boy was spherical indentation of rapidly cooling glass. For about 10 meters around his form the ground was bare of grass as it was incinerated. Further out all the way to the home the grass had simply withered and died. Several gasps came from around her as the rest caught up.
"What happened to Ranma-niichan?"
"He just forced his powers to activate. And ahead of schedule by nearly an hour and a half. I was right, exposure to Rin-ohki would speed up the process. Those energy waves were his body expelling the extra energy it couldn't handle. That's why they got weaker and weaker till his body no long had to expel it. And I know those two males had everything to do with it." Shaking her head she sighed. "And I was just about to perfect the process too." Bringing up her laptop she summoned a medical bed to rise up from underneath her son's form. She had miscalculated his position and part of his body was off of it. 'A tail?' Hanging from behind him was a long black appendage.
The bed moved out of the glass dome and she was able to examine him closer. Height was the same, clothing had been burned away leaving nothing but a black skintight battle suit. Grabbing the tail she found it to be nothing but cloth. 'Phew, Ranma really wouldn't have liked that one.'
Pushing him to lay him flat on his back she found his face had changed little, aside from his eyes being a bit more angular and less Japanese. His hair was a very dark shade of red bordering on black and was now longer in the back with a similar style to Ryoko's. The back reached down to the bottom of his shoulder blades and the front changed little except to become a bit more spiky. Both of Ranma's ears had stayed in their position but had changed into a pair of triangular cat ears. They were hairless but were as large as Ryoko's squared off ones.
Finally taking time to examine the people around her she noticed the 4 new arrivals. Three younger girls, a Sasami type, a clever one, and and angry one. Along with those three were Nodoka who she could have easily picked out as Ranma's Earth mother with the physical similarities. 'That makes 7 people that got by my early warning net. My sensors are going to need an overhaul if they have missed all these people showing up. Maybe it isn't calibrated for normal humans? Oh Washu, always forgetting something as simple as that.' (4)
"I'm going to take Ranma back to my lab to run some tests to be sure everything has settled down. Nodoka-dono you are welcome to come, I am sure you have questions."
"Will my son be alright?"
"If you had asked about 3 hours ago I would have said I don't know. But Ranma's condition seems to be far more stable now. That is, in answer to your question, yes he will. Mihoshi-dono I need to talk with you as well. Ayeka-dono please have your guardians keep those two humans who started this mess out of trouble."
X X X X X X
"Washu-san this is, I don't really know how to say it, it's incredible." The small scientist giggled as she sat on her mid air cushion. Nodoka and Mihoshi were kneeling on cushions on the ground in front of her.
"I get that a lot. Mihoshi don't touch that."
"Ok." The blonde whined but eyed the interesting button.
"This is just the entrance to my lab, I use it as an easy access point to the other sections. I know it will be a bit much for you to take in all at once, so I won't share with you it's exact dimensions. The other portion we were just in is the medical complex that I have setup. Ranma appears to be fine but needs some rest."
"Thank you for taking care of him Washu-san."
"No need to thank me, I would have done it anyways. Now what I really wanted to discuss with you is a matter that Mihoshi-dono can help us with."
"Me?"
"You are a member of the Galaxy Police are you not?"
"Oh right, yes I'm a detective first class."
"What I would like Mihoshi-dono is to bring Ranma's father up on charges of child abuse. As much as I would love to keep him and use him as a guinea pig for some of the more, involved, experiments I could come up with. I do not like to keep sentients captive unless they have done something truly terrible. And Genma has been lucky enough not to pass that line yet."
"Well I, I guess I would have to know exactly what things he has done before I could do anything. And my ship is damaged so I couldn't put in the paperwork. Poor Yukinojo..."
"Don't worry about that, as soon as this mess with Ranma is cleared up, I'll fix it right up for you."
"REALLY!? Oh thank you thank you thank you thank you!" The greatest scientific genius in the entire universe waited for Mihoshi to calm down and release her.
"Washu-san this is all really difficult for me to understand. But did not Mihoshi-san call you Ranma's mother earlier?"
"I suppose I should explain that to you."
"Does Ranma know?" Washu noted Nodoka's worry and how she was destroying a sleeve of her kimono. 'Just like Ranma.'
"Yes, he found out the other day."
"Is he mad at me?"
"No, please let me tell you the entire story on how Ranma came to be on this planet."
"This planet? You mean, that he's an alien?"
"Nodoka-dono, with the exception of Tenchi-dono, none of us here are from this planet. Tenchi-dono is himself part Jurain. But rest assure we are not here to take over." Her eyes quickly moved to Mihoshi who had moved closer to a control panel. "Mihoshi!" The girl fell back and pouted. "Would you be so kind as to wait outside. It may take me a while and I'm sure you could go question Genma about his actions with Ranma." (5)
"Um alright, right away. Detective first class Kuramitsu Mihoshi is on the case." The blonde saluted and was able to leave the room on the first attempt.
"She may not seem it but she really is a good officer. Now back to Ranma, you see he and Ryoko are twins, I created them shortly before I was captured by the Galaxy Police."
"By the police? What for?"
"Ah heh heh, it's not really that important. To make a long story short, Ranma ended up on Earth and took on the characteristics of humans in order to blend in. It was a defense system I put in that was supposed to further help him assimilate until he could protect himself. Included with that was a bonding system."
"What does this system do?"
"You are a product of that."
"I'm not sure what you mean."
"You've met Ryo-ohki, and today you've met Rin-ohki. Both of them are mentally bonded to Ryoko and Ranma. A similar process was used unwittingly on you by Ranma."
"Excuse me?"
"Because Ranma wouldn't have real parents on whatever planet he ended up on, it was my attempt to give him as close to one as possible. It is the reason he looked so much like you. As well as why he would have been very close to you when younger."
"I had just assumed he was a distant relative."
"What I would like to do, is remove the link."
"You want to take Ranma away from me don't you?"
"No, that is not my intention. My intention is to allow you to think clearly. My greatest weakness is my penchant for doing more than needed. I believe the link is far too strong and has actually brain washed you to a small extent."
"It doesn't feel like I have been brain washed."
"You wouldn't know."
"In that case I am happier not knowing if I am. Ranma is all that I have in my life. I would never risk that again. Genma has changed greatly from the man I married. And I do not doubt he would leave me without a second thought."
"Is that your final answer?"
"If this bond is as you say it is, do you have to ask?"
"No I suppose not. Well now that that's out of the way." Clasping her hands she made her eyes sparkle. "How cute was Ranma-chan when he was little?"
"Oh he was just the most adorable little boy, if I had known I would have brought some pictures. I remember the first time I met him he had the most striking golden eyes...Oh my that is where I remember Ryoko's eyes from, I suppose this explains why the next time I saw him they were blue. Well anyways he was such a little bundle of energy I remember this one time ..."
An entire planet's distance away was Ranma in the medical wing. The sleeping boy let off several loud sneezes and if he had been awake he would have felt complete dread.
X X X X X X
Light years away on the planet Jurai, sat the emperor Masaki Azusa Jurai. Relaxing upon the throne of his home world he ruled the most powerful empire in the universe. The throne room was vast, designed to emphasize his power in an intimidating display to any visiting dignitary or royalty that he might have an audience with.
His throne sat a top a large hill, several flights of steps were required to get up to meet him. When first entering the room one needed to move through a large 10 meter tall door. After that a long walk down a stone path before a person could even reach the steps. All around ancient tree's from the time of Jurai's founding sprouted and stretched high up into the endless void. The only visible ceiling was the canopy created by these silent witnesses to the emperors who have come before.
Next to him on a smaller seat was his first wife Funaho. Her ever calm visage belied her worry. His first daughter Ayeka with his second wife Misaki had been found. His other daughter Sasami through Misaki as well would be with her. 700 years of silence as they searched for Yosho had ended and in an instant was snuffed out. Even the Galaxy Police detective who had been sent to retrieve her had disappeared.
Worry over his daughter warred with his great patience. Soon enough a ship from Jurai would be sent out to investigate. He could not afford to show such concern for his daughter without more proof of her life. Weakness such as sending out an unreasonable amount of force may allow his opponents in the endless struggle between factions among Jurai to gain ground.
Under his rule the empire has prospered and now sat clearly at the head of power in the universe. But, there were always those who were not happy. Those who thought they should expand out. The Galaxy Police were an easy target. Still holding much power themselves, the tentative alliance that allowed them to build such a peaceful society could crumble at any moment. And many would jump at the chance to cause such a conflict.
"How are you feeling today dear husband?"
"Weary, the mechanizations of foolish nobles weighs heavily on my mind."
"Such is life among Jurai politics."
"Yes, and one does learn to live with it."
The great door down below groaned as it was opened. A trio of men marched in. Two were dressed all in black and they did not continue but chose to take positions next to the door. The third strode forward confidently, dressed in the mantle of a Jurai nobleman. Around his neck was a high blue collar, his shoulders were topped by pleated green fabric and the rest was unadorned and colored a plain beige.
"Were we expecting anyone?"
"If we were, I was not informed."
"Another would be assassin perhaps?"
"The alarms would have signaled if he was."
"Pity, this day has been dull." Standing he approached the top of the stairs. "The emperor of Jurai greets you, state your business, so that he might hear." His voice carried easily, enhanced as it was by several devices grown into the trees around him.
The man however dismissed proper protocol, something he would have been instructed in long before he could enter the chamber. Choosing instead to start the trek up the steps. "Perhaps he is an assassin dear."
"He does seem to be a cheeky fellow."
"I suppose I can suffer his cheek, if only because it will be the highlight of this boring day." Turning he returned to his throne. "Do you know what is to be served for dinner tonight?"
"I believe Misaki-neesan is to pick the dish tonight."
"Perhaps I should let this possible assassin have his way with me then."
"You can be so terrible sometimes."
"I know." Chuckling he smiled at his first wife. It really was too bad that she did not pick the meals all the time. He loved his second wife, he really did, but some of the meals she came up with had no place at his royal plate. (6)
Propping his head up on his fist he waited patiently for the man to crest the top of the steps before drawing his eyes to the mans face. When he did he instantly stood up, next to him Funaho let out a gasp, and he looked fearfully at the man in front of him. The man who should not, could not possibly be standing in his presence.
The dark green haired man smiled. His pale face seemingly unused to the action as he nodded his head in a bow. "It has been a long time, Father...Mother."
Looking at the young man before him, Azusa could do nothing else but whisper the word. "Kagato."
X X X X X X
Author Notes:
Just to clear up something, Washu is going to take on the role of a watcher mainly. Only when a problem that can't be cleared up by the others will she come up and deal with it. Otherwise she's there to watch the show. She's simply too powerful to have around all the time. Of course she will cause a big problem soon, and that is the dimension tuner.
At first I was planning to do it similar to Tenchi Universe but I've decided to do several small crossovers, with all the characters in their own universe. I also want to play fast and loose with them with the majority used to try and bring some comedy in.
A reviewer pointed out that I took influence from the fic "Path of Chaos: Ascension of Supremacy" (In my favorites, pretty good, but gets ridiculous with how powerful and how many crossovers are done.) but I had honestly never read it till he mentioned it. If I had I might have came up with a different name for Rin-ohki, but as it stands they are named that for two different reasons so I see no reason to change it.
As for Ranma's physical changes, the guys lucky to get off without a real tail... for now. (Evil cackle) Just like Ryoko has a fake one attached to an obi, Ranma just formed one on his battle suit. As for his ears, they look like Brianna Digger's (Later chapters). For a picture of Ranma's new look check out my forum I made a special post just for images. I wanted something like Ryoko's first off, but when the whole altercation with the neko-ken got in my head I decided that it should be cat ears. Kind of an influence from the fic "Wild Magic".
(1) I'm planning on doing a Ryoko back story chapter, since the way I have her history it is different than the standard OVA one but somewhat similar to the Universe one. It'll happen sometime or at least several flashbacks will illustrate the differences.
(2) While Mihoshi's ship may be trashed Washu hacked into it to update her database. She also wanted to read up on Ryoko's past. Since the Galaxy Police keep a very detailed report on criminals. Especially such high ranking ones like Ryoko.
(3) Ranma has shown he can induce the neko-ken if there is a cat around. Chapter 50 Kitten of the Sea, I believe it's volume 3 chapter 14. Genma of course screwed himself over by threatening Rin-ohki. In the previous chapter I hinted that Ranma can use his abilities while in the neko-ken state. BTW not for my story but I think the only reason Ranma-neko puts up with Akane is because she chucked the huge bag of catnip at him. Everybody seems to forget that he ignored her completely before that.
(4) Astute readers will remember that Ryoga tripped Washu's sensors. Not sure if I want to go somewhere with it though.
(5) Poor poor Genma.
(6) Misaki seems like the kind of person who would come up with weird things if left to her own devices.
About the travel times. I got no clue to the real time since I couldn't find a train travel timetable that gave me the needed info. Oh well it's not that important. Why you'll find out next chapter.