A wise man once said than an empire was more than the royals who ruled it. It was more than the people it governed. It was the land itself. It was the air, the water, and most importantly the life.
And so the legend was born. In a distant land by the name of Amerin, the people lived in prosperity and life flourished. The secret was in a certain family heirloom passed down to each ascending empress. Unknown, to many, including the emperor by her side, the only other person to know of it was her chosen daughter. The one born with the mark.
It was rumored that the heirloom was a scepter, which the empress used to control the rains. Others said it was a glove, a ornate jeweled glove, that the empress used to control nature and the people. But no one ever found the truth.
Centuries passed. The land and the people lived harmoniously. But, tragedy always strikes those who feel they are invincible.
With the birth of her third child, Kaoru Tendo became gravely ill.
For several years, the land did not suffer. For the child was to be the next empress. The circle was complete. The empress died, happy in the knowledge that her legacy was to live on, but saddened by the thought of never seeing her daughter ascend.
The land however, turned on its rulers. No longer would the feilds yeild harvest. No longer would the game allow themselves to be hunted. The waters became dangerous to everyone but the animals. And all turned accusing eyes to a tragedy that they allowed to happen. A tragedy that no one could fix....except for two young children.
Born into a destiny neither could control or forsee, they were pawns in a much bigger game. Alas, a human can only do so much, in so much time. The children's time would come. And the land would once again rejoice. And so our story begins...
The Wolf's Eye
Written By Silver-chan
Ranma 1/2
"Your Majesty, a man is here to see you. He claims he is the son of an old friend." The young messenger bowed his head to the floor, his eyes never leaving the black marble. It was protocol for all servants of the Royal House of Tendo.
The figure sitting high upon his golden throne looked up for a moment. The current conversation he was holding with his eldest daughter put on hold. "Yes Jeric? Who is he?"
Still continuing to gaze at the dark floor, the young man answered. "He claims to be the son of an old school mate of yours, sire. One by the name of Genma Saotome." The emperor's attention was grabbed immediately by the familiar name.
He nearly stood up in excitement. But his daughter's soft hand on his arm let him remember his place. He schooled his features into their normal, benevolent mask. "Show the man in, Jeric. Quickly."
Jeric bowed low before his emperor and walked back to the Receiving Room. As soon as the messenger left, Soun turned to his daughter, distress written in his eyes.
"Oh, Kasumi! He's finally come! I knew he would someday! He's going to ask...oh! What will I say! What will I do!"
His eldest smiled down at him. "As mother used to say, 'The truth shall set you free'. Isn't it time you let go of your burden, father? Its been 10 years. Let it go. Tell him the truth, but only if he asks."
Soun nodded at her wisdom. He smiled whimsically as he saw pieces of his beloved Karoi shine through her smile. 'So beautiful. Its a wonder Tofu went wild when he was first courting her', he thought to himself.
Within a few moments, the large oak doors leading to the Throne Room, were slowly drawn open. A young man along with Jeric walked the long carpet to the throne.
Soun took a long, perusal look at the young man. He mentally shook his head at the figure in front of him. It was hard for him to believe that this was the same little boy who used to terrorize the maids and send his prize swans on an early trip to the West.
Jeric bowed again to his Emperor. "My liege, may I present Ranma Saotome, son of the Royal Highnesses, Emperor Genma and Empress Nadoka." The Prince nodded his head to the servant and then bowed shortly before the throne.
"Emperor Soun, my father sends his greetings and his regrets that he was unable to make this trip. Family...difficulties have risen in our home. It was necessary that he remain there to...rectify them." Prince Ranma grimaced mentally as he skimmed around the truth.
'Difficulties? Hah. More like he got in trouble with Mother again. *sigh* He will never learn...' Ranma thought quietly. A small smirk appeared at the corner of his lips.
He slowly glanced around the throne. 'Hasn't changed much. But... something feels like it missing. I wonder.'
Emperor Soun smiled weakly at the Prince. He felt a fainting spell coming on. 'Oh dear. Not now.'
"Welcome to my palace, Prince. My home is your home. My servants are now yours. Any accommodation you require will be at your fingers. You need only ask. Now, forgive me for interrupting this meeting, but I fear that I am feeling a bit under the weather at the moment. Please excuse me. My daughter, Princess Nabiki will see to anything you require. Good day."
With that said, Emperor Soun stepped off his throne, and with the help of Kasumi, walked out of the Throne Room. Ranma frowned as he watched them walk out.
'He wasn't this feeble the last time I saw him. Of course, seventeen years is a while...but still. What happened?'
A soft clearing of a throat brought his attention back. Before him stood the second daughter of Emperor Soun Tendo. A quick overall glance proved that her tastes hadn't changed much. A modest looking dress was one's first thought of her apparel. Until she turned. Two long slits up to her mid-thigh were seen.
"Nabs. What happened to your father?" Princess Nabiki cringed at the nickname. Only Ranma ever got away with calling her that. And she forever resented him for it.
Placing on her 'business mask', she appraised the male before her. 'Oh, nice chest. Great for cuddling. Long, strong legs. Great for-'
Ranma interrupted her thoughts. "When you're done with the silent auction, would you care to answer the question?" He smiled as her mask slipped for a moment.
Nabiki silently fumed at him. 'Jerk! We'll just see of he's as gullible now as he was back then.'
"Of course Ranma-dear. But it'll cost you." He reached inside his cloak and pulled out a small cloth bag. He weighted it for moment in his hand.
Nabiki was surprised when Ranma tosses it to her. A silver bracelet glinted in the sunlight as her right hand reached out to catch it.
A thought hit Ranma as the light hit his eye. "Nabs?" Bright brown eyes searched light blue-gray. "Where's Akane?"
The question floated around the room in the silence. The small cloth bag in Nabiki's hand fell to the floor. Ranma was surprised. Very few things made Nabiki let go of money. This had to be big.
He glanced at Nabiki's wide shocked eyes and pale features. 'Damn. This is not going to be good.' Nabiki shook her head for a moment and reached down to pick up the bag. Ranma turned away with a slight blush. Her dress dropped in places that a noble lady's shouldn't.
"Well?" Nabiki straightened and walked over to a side door. "Let me show you to your room. We'll talk there." The guards quickly opened the large oak door and Ranma followed her through.
~~***--***~~
Ranma took a long look around the well-furnished room. The dark tapestries flowed into to the black marble floor. The large four post bed could fit at least 5 men. And the bath could hold at least an army of people.
'Yup. Same old palace.' He removed his dark blue cloak and draped it over the large stuffed chair seated before the fireplace.
"Well? Where is your little sister? Terrorizing the maids still? I won't believe it. She's what-all of 27 years now, isn't she?"
No one answered him. For a moment, Ranma thought he might have lost her in the large room. But she stepped out of the shadows by the door.
Her eyes were large and wounded. As if someone had just robbed the Palace Treasury. Tears swam in dark brown eyes ringed with pain.
"Do you honestly not know? I swear, if you're lying to me Ranma, I'll see to it that every single dirty little secret I've ever saved about you is posted in the Royal Courtyard!?!"
Ranma took a step back from her outburst. This was new. Nabiki always wore her mask of ice. 'Something's wrong. Dear God, what happened to this family.'
Nabiki blinked back the tears rapidly forming in her eyes. 'Damn tears. Cry a river and still there's more left.' She started as she felt Ranma's hand touch her hand. He gently lead her to the large chair before the fireplace.
With a gentle push, she sat down. She took a deep breath and looked up at Ranma. He sat on the floor before her, giving his undivided attention.
"Talk Nabs. What's going on around here? Its' like someone died or something!"
Nabiki flinched as he hit the truth. "Ranma, I have something to ask you. And I want you to answer as truthfully as you can." Ranma frowned but nodded in agreement.
"You remember the project my father had Akane start when she turned 10?" Ranma looked away as the memory rushed back to him...
A young Ranma looked around the large garden for his friend. She was never late...so where was she?? Quick footsteps registered to his ears before the small body flew into him from behind.
"Ranma! Ranma! Ranma! You won't believe this!!" He turned to see the young girl behind him jump up and down in excitement. 'Must be something major. She's never this happy anymore.'
Excitement sparkled in her hazel eyes. Her smile was bright enough to blind the Sun. Ranma felt something catch in his throat. He had never looked at his friend like this before. Why now? He shook his head and tried to concentrate on her babble.
"Papa has given me a project! Can you believe it! ME! Of all his three daughters, he chose me! Oh! I can't wait to see what it is!" Something flashed in her eyes for a moment, and her smile faltered.
Ranma immediately went on alert. "What's wrong?" Akane looked back up at him and tried to regain her earlier enthusiasm. But it wasn't working. Something had changed. She looked away in with a solemn expression.
"P-Papa says that we have to leave immediately. We're leaving right before sunset." Ranma frowned. She often left on short notice, but that wasn't new. What was so different about this time?
"So? You do that all the time Akane. What's wrong?" Bright hazel eyes looked up to him pleadingly. She opened her mouth to answer but her voice caught in her throat. She cleared in softly and tried again.
"Ranma. I...I won't be coming back." The words hit him like a shock of cold wind. His soul twisted in dread.
To be continued....
Author's Notes: Well, after trying to post for several months, I finally get around to it. ^.^ As you can see, its an AU. I try to keep the characters as much "in character" as I can, but I prefer to tweak them in my own twisted way. One warning: this is an Epic. Meaning this is going to a very long ride. All comments and criticisms are invited and welcomes. However harsh remarks, otherwise known as "flames" will be tossed aside and laughed at by me and my colorful circus. Ja ne!! See you next time!!
