The fabric of space twisted and contorted as a hole was ripped through the thin veil of the dimensional boundaries, a tunnel bored through time and space until it pierced through to the other side. From the tear in reality flew a familiar ship, one crewed by members of the Chaos Empire, including a clone of one Ranma Saotome. On the bridge, said clone watched through the view port as Earth came into view. Even using the jump drive, the trip took an entire day as it was forbidden to use Jump Technology near planetary bodies. Even now, they had to place the exit junction for the Jump above the solar ellipse so that they wouldn't interfere with any of the planets. That put them another hour from Earth. At least he could bring up the image on the view screen.

Ranma watched the slowly turning sphere of blue, green and white and wondered what he was going to do. This life wasn't really his own but as far as he knew, he was Ranma. All the memories and emotions of the pony tailed warrior were his to draw upon, with the exception of the Cat Fist training. It wasn't easy thinking of yourself as a clone, a mere copy of someone else. Well, Ranma Saotome was no mere anything. No matter what ended up happening to the original, whether dead or somehow rescued, THIS Ranma would continue his life and continue being confused as hell about women.

This past day traveling was perhaps one of the most stressful days in his life. In addition to the harsh training he put himself through, the three ladies that were with him seemed to make it their duty to make sure he was okay. Not that their attentions were unpleasant in and of themselves, but that the three of them seemed to be trying to compete to make sure that the discovery of his being a clone wouldn't bring him down. As if something like that would ever phase Ranma Saotome.

They weren't helping him make a decision in his life either. His feelings for Tristina were strongest among the three women but the affection he felt for his 'sister' was something that was beginning to confuse him. Before dying, he had insisted that their relationship stay in the realm of sibling propriety. Now though… it was as if the loss of the Cat Fist took something else away from him that he wondered if he could ever truly be the same. And what it would mean to those in his life.

What was he going to do about his commander though? Deborah had always been his superior officer, someone to be respected for their rank and experience. The day that he had discovered the truth about himself and felt those strong arms around him was the day that he finally allowed himself to understand the feelings that she had had for him for years. Why hadn't he noticed? Was this part of being cloned? A slight change in his personality from how he remembered himself?

Shaking his head to banish those thoughts, he instead concentrated on the scene before him, the rapidly approaching Earth. 'I'm sorry to have worried you, Mom. I told you I never lose. I'll be back soon and I'll never leave you again. I swear I'll bring you with me when I leave to return to the Chaos Empire.'

Outside the bridge, Tristina stood in fierce conversation with her ancient though remarkably (and annoyingly) young looking ancestor. The elder Dorsai continued to shake his head as the younger generation tried to layer arguments as to why she should be allowed to accompany Ranma down to the planet surface. Finally Sargon frowned. "That's enough. The decision is final. He is going down there to pick up his mother and no one, not you, not me, not anyone, is going with him. This is family business. The ONLY way I'd allow you to go down with him is if the two of you are married. And no, I won't marry the two of you. The boy isn't ready and neither are you." Sargon folded his arms across his broad chest, the silver bells in his hair chiming faintly as he stared at his wayward descendant, daring her to question his authority.

Tristina glared at Sargon for a moment, her raging emotions tempting her to deny that authority. Finally, she wilted under the power of his gaze and rank, years of training overriding the demands of her heart. Slowly, she nodded and turned to walk back to her temporary quarters to sulk.

Why did this have to happen to Ranma? So many strange things occurred and he always managed to find a way to prevail against the odds. Even death was somehow avoided as he escaped almost on his own from the cloning facility. Somehow, being a clone didn't stop the extraordinary amount of Chaos that surrounded him. Tristina lay on her bed, staring at the monotone grey ceiling of her quarters, mind awhirl with the various layers of complication that had overtaken her life and that of her best friend and love interest. Not that he ever reciprocated or acknowledged her feelings, except at the final moments before fighting Grikor. She took small comfort in the fact that he didn't seem to respond to anyone else so she at least still had a chance with him.

When he went down to Earth to get his mother, would she agree to leave her home and join her son among the stars? Would he be able to tell her that he was really a clone and wasn't her real son, just some copy. She shook her head at that thought. Ranma would never be just a copy. Clones who chose to join society were recognized as complete individuals, unique from their donors, no matter how complete the copy was. Especially clones like Ranma, who were made against the will of the donor. He would have to start from scratch though. This Ranma was no longer a Lieutenant Command in the Chaos Empire Marine Core. Instead, he was a civilian in the Chaos Empire, under the protection of the Dorsai Clan. He would eventually have to think of another name or some other way to distinguish himself from the original.

She sighed and rolled over, starring at the wall in the direction of where Ranma was standing. She could feel him. Everything about him felt the same, although the slight aura that she had come to associate with his bonded Cat Fist was absent. Ranma had explained that but… her thoughts trailed off at the computer chimed the time, saying that there were only a few minutes left for Ranma to board his stealth transport back to the planet surface. Getting out of the bed, she made sure she was presentable before heading to the hanger to see Ranma off.


Captain Deborah Mahoran stood at attention outside the entry to the transport, a nervously pacing Kitt stalking up and down the short length of the corridor. Ranma hadn't arrived yet and both women were beginning to wonder what was taking the soldier so long. Deborah was mainly wondering what to do about her former subordinate. With the revelation of his clone status, their relationship had completely changed. No longer was there the faint stress of an interpersonal military relationship. Now he was just a civilian, though a civilian with more combat experience than most seasoned veterans.

She gazed down the hallway in the direction he was supposed to come and pondered, running through various scenarios that would allow her to explore the feelings that had budded within her the first time Ranma had saved her life, during one of their first ground campaigns. A pair of Phantom Crust Devils had burst from underground right underneath a troop transport, ripping into the cabin and quickly killing four marines. Ranma had blurred into the on of the beast just before it could reach for her, literally tearing it apart. The concentrated fire of the rest of the marines took out the other one. Standing there, covered in blood, Ranma scowled at his fallen opponent before beaming a smile at his captain.

It was a struggle to control her breathing as the memory of that smile and a thousand like it danced across her mind, but Deborah reigned herself in with the discipline of a trained soldier. That Ranma wasn't this Ranma. Her Ranma was gone and she wasn't going to transfer those feelings to the new man she had found herself entangled with. He deserved a chance to form his own life. That life may take him far away from her, though at least they would have the trip back to the Chaos Empire to explore the new feelings. She'd spent many hours mulling over what to do and the decisions she had come up with all revolved around what Ranma wanted to do. If he went back to the military, which seemed most likely, she'd have been access to him and they could try a relationship if he was willing. If he stayed a civilian, then they would stay friends.

The faint gasp of a half tigerian broke Deborah from her musing as she turned to her fellow lady in waiting, only to see the girl break into a loping run, turning into a purring, furry missile that honed in on the pony tailed man striding down the hall. Ranma scooped up his 'sister' into a fierce hug, almost crushing her against his broad chest. The hug lasted only a moment before he let her go and gave the same treatment to a surprised Marine Captain.

Ranma looked at his companions and smiled at the looks of surprise that adorned each face. "We'll talk again when I get back. I don't know what will happen to me when I return home, and especially when I deal with the issues of my being a clone, upon my return to the Empire, but I do know that something is different about me from what I remember of my former life. I'm going to have to forge a new one and I'm going to need all the help and support that I can get. I know that you will all be there for me, especially you…"

He turned around to indicate the startled Dorsai girl who had just arrived behind Ranma, trying to sneak up on him. His smile softened as he considered her, then pulled her into the same hug as before. "I can't imagine life without my best friend." He tilted his head slightly and kissed her cheek, then turned away and strode quickly through the entry way into his transport before anyone had a chance to react. The doors hissed shut behind him with an authoritative snap, closing off any chance of following. Not that any of the women knew what had happened. Both Deborah and Kitt turned to regard Tristina, who blushed a deep crimson and dashed back to her quarters before she could be subject to any questions from her rivals.

Kitt frown after the girl, then shrugged. She had no problem sharing. She just wanted a kiss of her own. Deep in thought, she stalked down the hall towards her own quarters. Deborah, left alone, had only one thought on her mind. Damnit, why didn't I think of kissing him.

"Now, Miss Tendo, I'm going to ask you series of questions and I'd like you to answer them with the first thoughts that come to your mind. Don't try to reason out an answer, just be honest. Miss Tendo? Excuse me?" The doctor sighed as he tried to get the attention of the girl, though he doubted she could her him over the sound of her teeth grinding together, or the constant mutters of "I'm going to kill him" the tumbled from her lips every few seconds as she continued to struggle against the reinforced restraints. Restraints that had been replaced three times already, each time stronger than before. The two guards standing nearby nervously fingered their tranq guns.


Ranma Saotome, one armed warrior, Lieutenant Command in the Chaos Empire Marine Core, veteran soldier, and all around unstoppable force of chaos, sat upon the roof of his mother's home, looking for all like the most serene man in the world. His one hand rested in his lap, relaxed. His eyes, the most visible change about him, were closed, as he tilted his head and listened to the wind, pony tail fluttering slightly in the breeze. If one listened closely enough, they could detect the subtle purr that seemed to buzz from his chest.

He was at peace with his situation. After nearly four hours of straight training this morning, allowing him to regain that crucial balance he had lost with the absence of his other arm, he was cooling off on the roof, he light breeze playing over his hot skin. Down below, his mother readied lunch, along with the two girls, who had returned from school. How they had managed to get permission for that, he didn't know and it really didn't matter. This afternoon was to be a combined date, with both girl accompanying him for a quick shopping trip in town to get some things that Nodoka wanted to bring with her when they left. Each of the girls was also allocated some spending money in addition to whatever they decided to bring on their own.

His thoughts drifted with the breeze to consider the two girls. What did he really know about either of them and why was he allowing them to accompany him back to the Chaos Empire? Granted, both were beautiful in their own way and seemed nice. That Nabiki girl was a refreshing challenge mentally though he wasn't looking forward to the time when she unleashed her untamed focus upon him. Sakura had potential, with a keen mind and a background in the military, if what he could gather of her family life was accurate. She would make a useful officer if she ever went out for the military.

Other than him though, what reason did they have to transplant their lives from somewhere reasonably stable like Japan and just travel to a foreign land, let alone another solar system? Maybe the date this afternoon would be able to provide those answers. Having finished his meditations, he turned towards the shadowed branches of a nearby tree and smiled, his eyes opening to reveal the slit cat eyes that was his new heritage.

"You might as well stop hiding. I've been able to sense you since you first arrived in the area. I don't know what business you have here, but if you had to hide yourself, it can't be all that legitimate, now can it?"

A tiny shadow detached itself from the tree and hopped up to the roof, resolving into the diminutive form of the Amazon Matriarch. Ku Lohn regard the boy from atop her staff, a wry grin on her wrinkled face. "I'm impressed, sonny boy, that you were able to detect me. I've been able to evade even the best of the trackers from my tribe."

Ranma smirked as he uncoiled from his seat and relaxed into a loose stance, his good arm held loosely at his side. "It's your soap. I remember it from when I fought Grikor. You were there, with a group of girls. Not sure what you were doing there. I know you weren't on his side, so I won't assume you are enemies. However, that doesn't automatically make you friends."

She chuckled softly in response. "Indeed right. And wise for someone so young. I could feel your aura the moment you reappeared yesterday, but couldn't really believe it. I was there when you died. Felt that same life spark fade and disappear. My warriors and I were just about ready to return home to China when I felt your return. I was curious how you survived and decided to investigate. The rest of the warriors remain at the docks, ensuring that our freighter doesn't leave without us." She grinned at the implications of that statement.

He returned the grin, knowing full well what that meant. He'd had to the same on occasion on some of the neutral or lesser patrolled planets among the rim systems during one particular nasty campaign. Cocking his head to the side, he examined the woman with his new senses, feeling out the hidden power simmering just below the surface, cleverly masked. Seems she didn't really trust him either. Not that he blamed her. Were the situation reversed, he'd be just as wary.

"Allow me to put some of your worries to rest. I'm the same man you watched die. And if you're wondering, yes I did die. I'm still not sure how I came back, but rest assured, it is me." He indicated the empty socket of his missing arm.

Ku Lohn nodded from her position balanced on her staff. "I can see that. Though I would love to learn how you cheated death, I will accept your word that you do not know the method by which you did so. However, should you learn, my tribe would be most grateful and generous if you would share that secret with us. Though I'm a little interested in the other changes in your aura and physical appearance, such as your cat eyes. I've never encountered the like."

Ranma shrugged. "Something happened when I died that bonded me with the aura of the Cat Fist." He paused at her sharp inhalation of breath, another smirk gracing his lips. "I see you recognize the technique. Rumor can't begin to touch what really happens to the person being trained. I survived and over the years, finally managed to gain control over the technique. Somehow, in order to 'cheat death', I had to fully bond with aura. The result is what you see. Though I had hoped it would regenerate my arm. It's throwing off my balance." He absently rubbed the healed over wound where his arm used to be.

The Amazon Matriarch regarded the man in front of her, a study in contradictions that went beyond the understanding of three thousand years of Amazon history. A sane Cat First trainee, a regenerator that came back from the dead, a strong male. All of those things thought impossible by tradition. Her mind flashed over several scenarios that could bring this boy into the tribe. Those amazing genes would propel the tribe to new heights in skill and ability.

"There is a way for you to get your arm back. I could give you a new body, one that is complete in every way. It is a bit of Amazon magic. With it you could…" Ranma cut her off.

"Thanks but I've never had any luck with magic. I've seen the results and I don't want to have anything to do with it. No offense."

She nodded slowly, silently cursing the boy for making her do things the hard way. She decided to give him one last chance. "If you come back with me to China, I'm sure we can find a way to help you regenerate. We have over three thousand years of history to draw upon. I myself have seen over three hundred years and can call upon that experience to your aid."

Ranma just chuckled, amused at the clear pride in the Amazon's voice. "Once again, no offense, but three thousand years of history is nothing. Where I come from, the Emperor is thirty thousand years old and has been the leader since the foundation of the government. I think they have you beat in terms of experience."

If there were a way for her jaw to drop any further, it would have hit the roof tiles. As it was, she had to close her mouth with an audible click. Her eyes narrowed. The boy was obviously making fun of her at this point. So much for him being a strong male. He was no different than any other. Reaching into her robes, she pulled out a small flask, unscrewed the top, and flung the contents at Ranma.

Surprised at the move, he didn't dodge, not sensing any danger from the water. He hadn't even felt any deadly intent from the woman and couldn't imagine why she was trying to get him wet. That is, until the water hit him and blinding pain engulfed his body. It was as if he was being torn apart and put back together again, his body pulled and pushed in ways it wasn't meant to bend. He collapsed onto the roof, shuddering in pain. His entire body felt off, different. Steadying himself with his arms, he struggled through the pain to get back to his feet.

He blinked. Then looked down at his arms. Both of them. There was something off though. While he had his arm back, it looked wrong, they both did. Smaller than normally. Then a lock of his hair fell into his eyes. His RED hair.


Author's Notes:

Any guesses on what just happened?