Endless Sand! – By DS Wynne


Disclaimer: Star Trek, Ranma ½, Sailor Moon and other genres belong to their respective owners.

Note: This is a multi-genre story.


Part 12


Since learning of my son Darien Mamoru Saotome, I did what I could to spend as much time with him as possible. The boy had a quiet resolve about him, most likely from his mother. But…thankfully, he was an active kid. I suppose that in some way, I was hoping that he would turn out to be more like ME when he grows up. Then again, based upon my own upbringing by my father Genma, I should be so lucky that Darien has a NORMAL life…considering the way he was living since he was born.

For the past few months, Duke Leto and his son Paul have been coordinating their "anti-establishment" activities, though not with any problems. Paul did not want to have anything to do with the Bene Gesserit, in spite of the tacit support that Mohiam has given. He felt that because of their machinations up until that moment in time, Paul is wary of anything that the Sisters have to offer. Certainly, the Bene Gesserit does not do anything for FREE. However, considering the fact that Mohiam is—or will be—one of my direct descendants, I, as "Ranma Prime" was able to convince Mohiam that she is securing the future by teaching my more younger, naïve self the ways of the Sisterhood as a means of insuring the creation of not only the Bene Gesserit, but the legendary "Amazons" of ancient Earth. You see, "Ranma the Younger", as I like to call the "younger" ME, and his companions will one day return to Earth during the period known as "The Mythic Age"…a era when both Man and the Gods—and everything in between—walked the Earth together. And it will be during that time that they will become the template for the creation of these "warrior women".

At any rate, the alliance between the Atreides and the Bene Gesserit was the only bit of friction that existed between father and son. Leto had given his word to Mohiam after securing certain concessions from the Supreme Reverend Mother, while Paul confirmed Mohiam's assertions that she was, for once, above board…by being convinced from a visit from ME. Time traveling vis-à-vis the bloodline is a difficulty proposition since forming a pathway can open one's self to "possession". Still, this method is the simplest and most feasible method of time travel, which is similar, in principle, to quantum physicist Dr. Samuel Becket's "temporal string theory".

But I digress.

On the third month of my reunion with my friends, I was trying to make up lost time with my son Darien. Whenever I didn't go out on raids and the like, I would take my son out on hikes. Hoshi was very adamant that Darien is NOT pushed into doing anything that I might want him to do. That is fine, I suppose. Then again, maybe I wanted to be so involved in my son's life as a way to make up for what had a happened to Akane and our children. Of course, I did not know what had really happen to them at the time, but that didn't change the fact that I wanted to protect Darien from all harm…

Contrary to popular misconception, the desert world of Arrakis did have mountains. In fact, eons ago, the planet was a virtual water-world with strings of island chains that dotted the surface. No one knows exactly how the planet became a desert, but speculation was that some cosmic event had shifted that world's planetary axis. The sand worms, and a few plant lifeforms for that matter, are what's left of that world, and, in fact, has adapted quite well.

At any rate, what was once islands are now mountains.

"Weee!" Darien yelled, as he held onto his father's pigtail, while Ranma pretended to be a horse…an ironic choice of animal.

Ranma smiled, as he pretended to trot about the plateau, where he was spending time with his family.

On this day, Ranma was taken his new family, his son Darien and his common-law wife Hoshi, to one of the more secluded peaks near the southern most continent. Both he and Hoshi knew that Paul was planning on a major offensive against both the Emperor and the Baron of Geidi Prime. So, taking advantage of the calm, Ranma decided to spend the day with his "new" family. Also, since the return of Paul ("Muad'Dib") Atriedes' father, Duke Leto I, Paul was able to relax a bit for the first time in years. Chiani, Paul's common-law wife, and the mother of his first child "Leto the Younger", suggested that he takes his wife Usagi out, and spend time with his adopted "sister" Ranma and his family. Paul was still surprised by the fact that his father had officially made the "aqua-transsexual" his heir. However, he had to realize that up until recently, the House of Atreides had been finished. So, after much discussion, Paul allowed the matter to pass, since he would seek to challenge the Emperor for the throne to the Second Bountiful Human Empire. With that out of the way, and with Chiani back home watching Leto the Younger, Paul and Usagi, with their daughter Serena, would spend the day with Ranma and his "family".

"Look at them," Usagi says, as she feeds her daughter. For the past ninety days, she was training in order to get her strength back, so that she could join in Paul's fight against the Emperor. However, she didn't want to be negligent as a mother. So, she worked out a difficult balance between being both wife and mother, and being a warrior. "Aren't you proud?"

Hoshi looks up from her reading of Fremen poetry, and turns to see Ranma playing with their son Darien. She and the others were on a plateau that was once an island paradise that was once the home for a monastery, and it was one of the few places that had plant life. Few Fremen, let alone the general conscious at large, knew of this place (called "Lost Paradise" in the local vernacular). The only reason Paul knew about it was because of his role as the Muad'Dib- the messiah of the Fremen.

"About what?" Hoshi asked.

"You know…about you and Ranma. You two must be very proud to be parents."

Hoshi sighs, as she closes her book.

"Usagi, you KNOW not to answer that."

"But…why?"

"It's difficult to explain."

Usagi could tell that Hoshi wasn't going to say anything more, due to the fact that there were other people around.

"I see," Usagi said, as she dislodges Baby Serena from her bosom. She then turns to her husband. "Paul?"

Paul looks up from his surveying of the landscape. At his wife's insistence, he was trying to take up a hobby. So, he took up…composition. At the very least, he could use it for planning future military campaigns.

"Yes?"

"Hoshi and I are going to have some…'girl talk', and I need for you to watch Serena."

Ranma had overheard this, and stopped.

"Daddy?" Darien asked.

"Just a minute," Ranma replied. He then turns to Hoshi for her attention.

Hosi merely waved it off.

Ranma cocks his head.

"I don't know, Ranma," Hoshi replies.

"It's okay, Ranma," Usagi interjects. "I just need to speak to her in private about stuff."

"Fine," Ranma says, as he turns away.

"There you GO," replies Usagi, as she places Serena into her father's arms. Serena was about to cry. "Don't cry…Mommy will be back soon, okay?"

Serena looks at her mother with her big, blue eyes.

"Really."

"Giggle!" Serena laughed, as she reached out towards her mother. Serena went in to kiss her daughter, and then went in to kiss Paul.

"I'll be back, shortly, you two," Usagi says, as she turns to leave with Hoshi to a more secluded area of the temple.

Ranma looks at Hoshi.

"Hoshi-"

"Don't worry, I'll be BACK," Hoshi says, as gently kisses Ranma on the cheek. "I promise we'll talk."

After Usagi and Hoshi leaves, Ranma turns to Paul.

"What the heck was THAT all about?"

"Beats me," Paul says. "But apparently, there are some underlying issues between those two. And, apparently, between two other people here. "

"Who?"

"You and Hoshi."

"Humph," Ranma replied. "You think that you are SO great, huh?"

"Well, I AM the 'messiah' to the Freman," Paul smirked.

Ranma frowned.

"What is your problem?"

"I don't have a problem, 'sister'. I just feel that there is unfinished business between us."

Ranma thought long and hard.

"You STILL remember that crack that I said to you? About you being pampered 'rich boy'?"

"That is partially correct, but what I am referring to is the fact that we have YET to have our sparring match."

"That's ALL?"

"Of course. I need to make sure that I am…sure about my self, and I can't afford to have unfinished business on my mind. I had thought that I wouldn't have a chance to settle the score with your supposed death. But now that you are alive-"

"You want to test your strength," Ranma replies. "I see. So, how do you want to do this?"

"Since I want us both to be alive-and well-afterwards, let's say that we have a sparring session…a few days from now. We can get Stilgar to bare witness."

"Any handicaps?"

"No, just straight fighting, and no 'tricks'."

"And the stakes?"

"Just 'bragging rights'."

"Hmmmm…"

"Well?"

"You, have a deal."

"Excellent," Ranma says. "Let's shake on it."

The two spat in their respective hands, and shook on it. This is considered to be a "gentleman's agreement" within certain cultures, including that of the Freman.

"I look forward to our match," Paul says with a confidant smile. "And there is something else I wanted to ask of you."

"?"

Meanwhile, in another part of the plateau, Usagi and Hoshi have their private "meeting"…

"Mmmmm," Hoshi said, as she kissed her former love. Usagi had her back against the wall, as she accepted both the embrace and kiss. Usagi hands ran through Hoshi's hair. And then-

"Wait," Usagi said, as she suddenly broke off the kiss.

"What?" Hoshi replies.

"We…we can't continue to do this, Hoshi."

"I see…"

Hoshi steps away a bit, while Usagi straightens her frock. Hoshi then stares outside through a stone window.

"Hoshi-" Usagi began, as she touched her friend's shoulder.

"Save it," Hoshi replied, as she shrugged off the hand. "You KNOW we are meant to be together."

Usagi sighs.

"I know that I was meant to be with Prince Endymion, the Prince of the Earth…not Hoshi Sato, who is the planetary protector known as 'Sailor Terra'."

Hoshi suddenly turned around.

"But I AM him! I mean, I'm his reincarnation, for goodness sake! And I didn't WANT to become a Sailor Scout! I wanted to be 'Tuxedo Mask', the Earth Knight!"

Usagi shook her head.

"But you are NOT, Hoshi. You may have his soul, but you are Hoshi Sato, the great-granddaughter of Mamoru Chiba and Rei Hino. And as your great-grandfather's heir, you are to be a Sailor Scout."

Tears began rolling down Hoshi's eyes.

"It's…it's not fair, Usako! I wanted to be with you as soon as I recalled my past memories, back on the Enterprise. But…you were so dead set on going back to the past…on keeping yourself pure, that you rebuffed my advances."

Usagi's eyes began to well up.

"I know. I knew how you felt that way since the day we left for the 'Delphic Expanse', after the Earth was attack by the Xindi. What I DIDN'T know is that you would have your 'Awakening', which lead you to becoming a Sailor Scout."

Usagi encircled her arms around Hoshi's waist.

"I will always be there for you, but I can't be with you in the way you want me to. Paul is a good man, and he has a great destiny awaiting him."

Usagi gently kissed Hoshi on the neck, and then broke away. As she turns towards the door of the old temple, she stops in her tracks.

"And Ranma is a good man, too, Hoshi. You know that, and I know that. And you have a son by him. Do us BOTH a favor, and be good to him."

And Usagi left through the door, leaving Hoshi to ponder her words…

Thirty minutes later, Ranma sees Hoshi stepping forth from the old temple. He was about to go after her when he sees her walking towards him.

"Mommy!" Darien yelled happily, as he ran up to his mother.

Hoshi smiled, as she hugged her young son.

Ranma notices the streaks of tears on her face.

"Hey, Hoshi," Ranma says nervously, as he held Hoshi's shoulders. "When Usagi came back out alone, I was getting kind of worried-"

"Ranma, will you…marry me?"

All eyes turn towards Hoshi and Ranma.

"Wh-what?"

"Well…is this what you want, right? I mean…you've been complaining about not being in a traditional relationship where Darien is concerned."

"Well, yeah, but you said so yourself that you weren't into tradition. In fact, you said that it would be a, and I quote, 'A cold day in Hell before I get married'."

"Yeah, but, you know how it is with me," Hoshi tried to laugh. "I felt that I could have my cake and eat it too. But…I think it's time for me to move on…to my next 'life'."

"Well, then we should get married after we take care of-"

"No, I want it as soon as possible."

"That can be arranged, Hoshi," Paul said, as he sat with his wife and daughter. "Besides, Stilgar is complaining that you have been 'living in sin'."

Hoshi give Paul the look.

"YOU didn't marry Chiani, Paul."

"Directly, no. However, when she chose me as HER mate, I became her husband by default under the Fremen's version of 'common law'."

"Riiiight."

"And there is something else."

"And what is that?"

"Ranma and I agreed to betroth our children."

Hoshi looks at Ranma.

"I thought you hated that sort of thing?"

"I do, but with everything that is happening…I want to make sure that Darien is taking care of."

"I think it's romantic," Usagi says.

"Well, I don't the idea that I am 'pimping' my son for a marriage of convenience," Hoshi says. "But…at least it's an option for the future."

That night, with Stilgar officiating, Ranma and Hoshi became "man and wife", as well as make the official pronouncement that Darien Mamoru Saotome, son of Ranma and Hoshi, and Serena Ikuko Atreides, daughter of the Muad'Dib and then Usa'Dib, were to be married upon adulthood. The wedding was purposely kept "low-key" due to security concerns, which is also why the honeymoon was delayed indefinitely.

Still, with the Atreides taking Darien off of the newlywed's hands for the evening, the couple could enjoy some quality time alone…

As the couple "enjoyed themselves" in their shared bed, Hoshi, could only think about her first true love. At the same time, and in a twist of irony, so was Ranma. Neither could admit to each other that while they cared each other, their "souls" belong to another.

With blessed release, Ranma plopped back on his side of bed.

"Whew," Ranma sighed. "You know…that felt nice."

Hoshi looks at Ranma with a perturbed look.

"'Nice'?"

"Well…you know…nice."

Hoshi takes a look at Ranma…and burst out in laughter.

"Ranma, Ranma, Ranma…you're something else."

"What?"

"Never mind."

The next day, Ranma received a surprised.

"Here is your morning meal, husband," Hoshi bowed slightly.

Ranma looked at his new bride. She was dressed in a traditional kimono (gray with write/blue flowers) with her hair tied in a bun.

"Hoshi?"

"Yes, husband?"

"What the heck is THIS?"

"This?"

"Yes, THIS."

"Oh, well, I had gotten this from storage, from The Icarus, and decided to wear it. I would have wore it as part of my duties as Earth's ambassador to the Federation, but…"

"Okay, but why get all traditional? As long as I have known you, you haven't been the sort."

Hoshi get on her knees, and drapes her slender arms over her husband's knee.

"Ranma, when I decided to marry you, I promised myself that I would TRY to be a good wife. And you KNOW where I am coming from on this thing, remember?"

"Yeah, I do," replies, Ranma recalling the conversation of their particular fates of Hoshi being an incarnation of a dead man, while Ranma had a sex-changing curse. "Was that the reason for what happened yesterday?"

"Yes. I was just…fighting the inevitable, I suppose. So, can you at least humor me?"

Ranma looks into Hoshi's eyes. He then placed his right hand on Hoshi's left cheek.

"Okay, then," Ranma says. "We'll give it a go…my wife."

"Thank you, husband," Hoshi says, as she gets up. "And I want to redecorate our home to be more Japanese, and that includes manner of dress, furnishings and the like. And I want us to speak 'Japanese' instead of 'Basic' around Darien in our home."

"Basic Standard" was a form of English that incorporated much of the planet Earth's idioms. The syntax of this lingua was to 20th century American English, as American English was to Medieval English.

"You really are going 'hardcore on this'."

"Were your parents traditional, Ranma?"

"Well…yes. But as much as I care about them, and respect them, they had a skewed view on 'tradition'."

"Well, I am sure that we can do things properly."

"Deal. Look, I have to go," Ranma said, as he gets up.

"But what about-?"

"Already done," Ranma said, as he wiped his mouth with his napkin.

Hoshi looks over to Ranma's now-empty plate.

"How-?"

"It's a family art," Ranma said with a smile. He then went on to kiss Hoshi on the cheek. "I got to go train for my 'session" with Paul. "See ya!"

Hoshi sighs contently. She wasn't sure how long she could keep up the pretense of being a dutiful wife, but she is willing to try…for Usagi's sake.

A short time later, Ranma was in a secluded area of the compound. He knew that Paul had the same 'Bene Gesserit' training that he had. And he was sure that he could ultimately beat him, but Ranma saw the sparring session as a way to experiment, something that he hasn't done in a while. Ultimately, while he knew that his match was to be a "straight fight", Ranma wanted to use that time to develop a new technique.

"Let's see," Ranma says, as he thought for a moment. "I haven't done much with the whole 'shinobi jutsu' stuff in a while. I know the 'clone jutsu', which allows me to create illusionary doppelgangers, the 'transformation jutsu', which allows me to temporarily change my guise, and there is the 'body replacement jutsu', which allows me to do a full-body 'slight-of-hand'. The only other jutsu that I know is my 'shadow clone jutsu', and I had invented THAT in order to trick the Xindi into thinking that they executed me. But, man, was chi cost on that one horrendous. And, of course, there are the 'rope escape techniques' and 'ki control', but that stuff I already knew from Pops. Let's see if I can come up with something…offensive…"

Ranma thought for a moment. Mudra hands signs were used to prime the 'chakram network' for the desired effect.

"Maybe I can tap into an element," Ranma said, as he thought about which mudra sign represented an element, and which one was easier to achieve in the climate that he was in.

Earth was one, though he has had enough of all the sand.

Wind could work as well, but he hated all that dust that would be created.

Water could be a difficult thing to pull-off, given the circumstances.

Fire could work, and certainly much more impressive.

Fire.

Ranma always wondered if he would have won his fight with Saffron sooner, had he had some elemental control over fire.

Hmmm…

"Well, let's see what we can do," Ranma said, as he went to work…

Later that night, Hoshi comes looking for him.

"Ranma?" Hoshi called out. She went looking for her husband when he failed to return home. As she was about to enter Ranma's training area-

"FIRE BALL JUTSU!"

FWOOSH!

Hoshi ducked when a ball of flame came shooting out of the room.

"Yip!" Hoshi cried.

"Hoshi!" Ranma said, as he ran out of the room, and helped his wife up. "You okay?"

"I…I guess so," Hoshi replied. And then she looked at her husband ashy body. "What happened to your eyebrows? And what's going on?"

Ranma smiles.

"I just acquired a new attack," Ranma replied, as he went to pour water on his head, which changed him into a girl. "I call it the 'fire release jutsu', which allows me to breath fire…like a dragon. Got the idea from remembering this trick this Indian monk pulled during a 'street fight' I had witness when I was still a kid."

"I see…"

"I haven't refined it yet, but all I need is one more day-"

"That's nice," Hoshi says. "You can tell me ALL about it AFTER you return to your male-self."

"Ha! Even better," Ranma said as she poured hot water over her head. Now a guy, Ranma gathers his things. "I'm testing how much I can control the intensity of the flames."

"That's good to hear. So now we can have hot water at our place."

"…"

"I'm kidding. So is this new attack of yours…are you going to use it?"

"Only if I have to. If anything, I would love to see the look on Paul's face when I show him what I have…acquired."

Tbc.