Mark of the Phoenix
A Ranma 1/2 Fanfic
by Shea McIntee (deus_ex_mach42@hotmail.com)

Disclaimer: Ranma 1/2 belongs to Takahashi-san, and not to this unworthy soul. I don't receive any profit from this, nor do I have much money in the first place (I survive on instant ramen...). And if you flame me, I'll unleash the otaku-ken on you... j/k... maybe :)

The man strode down the corridor behind the guard. The air smelled like any other cave, with moisture and limestone tickling the senses, but with a hint of herbs lightening the normally dank atmosphere.
The corridor was lined at the corners with a shining fungus that provided illumination, assisted by occasional hangling gloves glowing with bright flames.
His mouth quirked. The making of those globes was a secret of the phoenix, and worked much better than torches, as they put out no smoke to clog the air, and they lasted for years before needing replacement.
The guard stopped in front of a door, tall, with a gold and red bird arising from the flames outlined in the hard burnished wood. The phoenix.
His escort knocked.
"Come in."
The voice was young, but accustomed to command, with the typical arrogance of those born to power.
He opened the door and entered, his head slightly lowered towards the carpeted floor, with a faint ghostly smile dancing around his lips. The room hadn't changed much in the years since he'd last seen it.
The voice addressed the guard with just a trace of irritation.
"Yes, what is it?"
The guard bowed.
"Lord Saffron, there is a visitor who wishes to speak with you."
"Who?"
This would be his queue. He raised his head, his smile no longer ghostly.
The boy - no, young man, he corrected himself - in front of him was young, but held an aristocratic air about him. Here, indeed was someone accustomed to obedience.
He grinned, suddenly.
"It's good to see you, Lord Saffron."
Saffron froze in astonishment.
"Saveren? It's good to see you too, little brother."
"Hey! You're only five minutes older, Saffron."
Saffron smirked. The guard, on the other hand, was salck-jawed. Lord Saffron had a brother?
"Whatever you say, Savvy."
Saveren snorted.
"I'm called Ranma in this life. How has the mountain been while I've been away?"
"Tolerable. Sis?"
Ranma sighed.
"No sign yet. I'm still looking, though; I'll find her eventually."
"I hope so."
Neither figure was smiling, the mood having turned too serious for merriment.
"So, what can this humble ruler do for you?"
"Humble? You?"
"... As if you were one to talk about humble, Saveren."
"... point. Anyways, I need some help."
Saffron smirked again.
"Anything for my little brother. What do you need?"
"I need to use the kinjakan."
"What for? You never needed it for your Change before."
"I had to hasten the process and mature about 8 years early."
"How come?"
"Reckless parent... I had to leave rather quickly."
"That was never a problem before for you... just how reckless?"
"Wanted to teach me the neko-ken."
"..."
"Yeah... really dumb."
Saffron sighed, shaking his head.
"You really seem to attract the weird ones. Sure you can use it. I assume it won't take long?"
"Nope. About a week, then I'll be on my way."
"Where are you going now?"
"Japan. Another lead on sis. Hopefully this one'll be good."
"Good luck on that one. If you find her, bring her back here; I miss her too."
"Of course. Oh, and I'll be wanting one of your better warriors to accompany me."
"Whatever for? You were always one of the best of warriors, and you've only gotten better with time."
"Just a feeling. Besides, I get kinda tired of always traveling alone."
"Hmmm... I don't see any problem with that... will they need to be land-bound?"
"No... I can, if necessary, teach them how to conceal their wings, and flying allows coverage of ground faster."
Saffron paused and then smiled.
"I have just the person."
He turned to the guard still by the door, who was, by now, in a state of total shock.
"Would you go and fetch Kiima? I have a task for her."
The guard managed a faltering bow and almost ran out of the room. Ranma frowned.
"Her? You wouldn't be trying to play matchmaker with me again, would you?"
"No, not this time; she's one of my best. Although, now that you mention it..."
"..."
"You know, you really should settle down..."
"..."
"And I'm sure I can find some sweet girl for you..."
Ranma/Saveren shot the phoenix lord a dirty glance. Saffron smirked and stood up.
"Well, I suppose I should take you to the kinjakan."

Author's Notes: Well, I thought about the original plot for 'Mark of the Phoenix,' and I decided that I didn't like it, so I changed it :P. Background/explanations will be (hopefully) coming in in the next chapter; I wanted to put them in here, but it would be awkward. I'm using two characters that don't get a whole lot of exposure in canon, being relatively minor (Saffron/Saffuron and Kiima), and I decided to change their portrayals a bit. shrug Saffron is seen as an arrogant little whelp in the manga, and I thought it would be simplistic to assume he's always like that. In this fic, Saveren is his 'little brother,' so he wouldn't react with the same arrogance he shows to "outsiders." Hopefully, this fanfic will go places... C & C welcome! deus_ex_mach42@hotmail.com , www.geocities.com/thesunhawk. Review, please! (I could use feedback!). Note: as regards to match-ups: I sometimes like Ranma/Akane, and sometimes feel it not quite appropriate for the situation. The major match-up in this fic (Ranma/?) is not quite decided yet, so your thoughts on the matter would be appreciated. (PS: Ranma/Kiima would be intriguing...)