Disclaimer: These characters are not mine. They belong to the wonderful
Romiko Takahashi and her licensees (Viz Communications in North America).
This work is strictly for the non-profit enjoyment of fans. No copyright
infringement is intended.
The Triune Power
a Ranma ½ fanfic
by Kayko
Chapter 2
part 1: A tale of two dimensions
"I don't care, I'm NOT going!" Akane said firmly.
"But, Akane dear, you really should go to school today." Kasumi replied in her motherly like voice.
"Kasumi I can't. I won't! I'm not leaving here until Ranma wakes up or we find out if that girl is an enemy or friend."
"Kasumi, it's all right, let her stay home. Let my daughter nurse her fiancée back to health." Soun said with tears in his eyes.
"Dad! I'm not doing it for that jerk. If you could of seen what happen yesterday you would understand."
"It's all right Kasumi, Akane won't miss much." Nabiki said passing her younger sister. "If she wants to play body guard, be all means let her do it."
Kasumi nodded her head allowing Akane to stay.
"Thanks Kasumi."
Akane walked into Ranma's room a stared at the two unconscious bodies laying on futons. "Ranma please be all right." Akane whispered and walked out of the room.
Before 1st period at Furinkan High School.
"All right. Those who are collecting come and collect. Those who owe, better pay up." Nabiki announced to the crowd in front of her. She was busy with money and talking to people who were still in debt, encouraging them to keep up with there payments or interest rate are gonna go up. "And here you go Yushi." She said as she handed a wad of cash to the boy in front of her. "Yes, I'm made out great. That was some fight, huh!"
"Fight?"
"Yeah, fight. You know the one where you're making a bundle of money off of."
"Ummm?"
"The one between Ryoga and Mousse. Geez! I think you may have what Ranma has. How is he feeling? Akane isn't in school either, is she sick too?"
"What? Oh yeah…he's fine." She said sounding confused.
"Why does he think Ranma is just sick. Doesn't he remember what happened yesterday?" She thought.
******************************************
"Okay I've keep my mouth shut for the entire day. I HAVE to find out what's going on." Nabiki thought as she quickly walked home.
"So far ten people have asked how Akane and Ranma are doing? And a whole lot more have given me a comment on the big Ryoga and Mousse fight. At first I thought that kid in the beginning of the day was nuts, but they all can't be nuts. Can they?"
Nabiki got to her home, kicked off her shoes and went straight for Ranma's room. She slid the door open and looked at the two unconscious bodies. At the same time Akane was walking by. "Akane!" Said Nabiki.
"Yes."
"Do you see a unconscious blond in the futon next to Ranma?"
With a look of confusion Akane said to Nabiki "Are you feeling well today Nabiki?"
"Ohh great here it comes, I've lost my mind." She thought.
"Of course there is! Don't you remember what happened yesterday."
"Yes…" she said with a look of relief.
"Yes, of course I remember. It's just that it seems the rest of the school doesn't."
"What!"
"I'm telling you, no one remembers that this girl materialized at of nowhere. But instead a fight between Ryoga and Mousse, and you and Ranma have the flu."
"But how can that be?"
"I don't know."
"Well besides that, Nabiki could you please get Kasumi out of the house, maybe to the market or something?"
"Why?"
"Dr. Tofu is coming over and.."
"Needn't say another word, sister dear I will get her out of the house."
A low mumbling came from Ranma's room.
Akane walking past the room heard "ohhhhhmmmmmuummm." and saw Ranma moving his head. "Ranma!" she thought and kneeled on the right side of him.
"Hello Akane. How are my two patients?" Dr. Tofu said walking in Ranma room.
"Just in time Dr. Tofu, I think he's going to wake up."
Following the doctor into the room walked Nabiki, Genma, and Soun.
Ranma began to stir. He opened his blue-gray eyes and found five pairs of eyes staring at him.
"Hey guys what's up?" He said as if nothing was wrong.
No answer.
"What's wrong?" He said as he sat up and looked around at the faces.
"Ranma…" Akane tried to finish her sentence, but Ranma cut her off by saying "Keiko! Keiko are you all right?"
Kneeling next to the girl with his hands on her shoulders, shaking her a little to get answer.
"As far as I can tell she's fine Ranma. Just unconscious like you a few minutes ago." Dr. Tofu said.
"OH RANMA! How could you bring another girl here while your engaged to my little girl." Soun cried with streams of water flowing from his eyes.
"What!" Ranma yelled "I didn't bring her here, she brought herself."
"Boy…"Genma was about the say something when the blond hair girl started to mumble and open her eyes.
Her blue eyes were like a refection of a clear blue sky. She sat up, "hello, how is everyone this day." She said polity. She turned to Akane "Thank you Akane for catching me when I fell."
"How? How did you know it was me who caught you? And how did you know my name?"
Keiko giggled lightly and tilted her head and said "I just knew." And smiled.
She turned to Ranma, "So glad to see you in the outside world Ranma-chan."
Ranma put his hand behind his head and laughed slightly, "glad to see you too."
Ranma jumped up and landed on his feet and raised his fists. "Man I feel great. I think I could take anyone right about now!"
"That was my intention." Keiko said.
"Huh?" Ranma replied.
"Okay that's enough. We got questions that need to be answered." Nabiki said sternly.
"Of course Nabiki, what would you like to know?"
Nabiki flinched a little when she said her name, but she didn't allow it to effect her stone cold face expression.
"Okay, how come everyone at school saw your arrival, but somehow today they all seem to remember a fight between Ryoga and Mousse, and they think Akane and Ranma have the flu? Also, how come everyone is this house, including the good doctor here remembers what really happened?"
"Easy enough question." Keiko said. "I made them forget."
"You made them forget?" Nabiki replied not quite believing her.
"Yes and then I put the fight between Ryoga and Mousse in their memories."
"How did you that?" Akane questioned.
"With practice." She said with a smile.
Akane was stunned. She lowered her right eyebrow over her eye and said "What?!"
"I'm sorry, at this time that is the best answer I can give."
Okay, there will be time for questions and answers later. Let me have a look at these two." Dr. Tofu said while getting up and pushing the group outside the room.
Later that evening
Dr. Tofu left the Tendo house about a half hour ago. Everyone was sitting around the dinning room table, except for Kasumi who was in the kitchen preparing dinner.
Keiko sipped her tea slowly. It was good to taste the warm liquid. She noticed that nobody was talking, just staring at her. She took the tea cup from her mouth and placed it on the table. She sat at the head, Soun at the other end of the table. To the left of him sat Nabiki and then Akane. On his right Genma and then Ranma. She folded her hands and rested them on the table and calmly asked. "Would you like me to explain?"
"YES!" Everyone replied.
"Well let me start with my name." She said
"I am June Keiko. Daughter of Yoko and Zen June"
"Yoko June?!" Genma stated with wide eyes. "But that's…"
"Yes, Yoko June, Uncle." She said.
"I didn't recognize you." He said, switching the conversation to just him and her.
"Well,"
"Wait! Woah! What are you two talking about? What is this Uncle stuff about?" Ranma yelled with an arm waving through the air.
"You see son, June is your mother's sister's married name. Keiko is your first cousin. I should of known you by the color of your hair." He said laughing a bit. *"I mean, how many people in Japan have blond hair."
Keiko smiled. Ranma looked as if somebody had punched him.
"Cousin! But, but I didn't even know I had a cousin. I didn't even know I had an aunt!" he said.
"Well I'm not surprised, you were very young the last time we saw them." Genma replied.
"I'll say you were no older then 4."
"Is that why you called him Ranma-chan back there when you first woke up?" Akane asked Keiko.
Keiko just kept her smile and nodded yes.
Genma continued "But, there was a car accident. I remember they told us nobody survived. How are you here now?"
Everyone turned and stared at Keiko awaiting her response.
"I don't know how I survived. I don't recall a lot of the accident. I remember my mother singing to me and the next thing I remember is walking through some woods and a older woman finding me. I don't know why but she took me in...
11 years ago
Lorna was hanging her wet laundry on her clothesline outside her little cottage in the woods. She like it there, it was peaceful. Her husband and daughter had lived there, until illness overtook them both three years ago. Now she enjoyed the simple life. No TV no radio, just her and Oreo. Oreo being a black and white dog who she found as a puppy three years ago. Hanging a white T-shirt on the line, she felt it. A feeling deep within her. She knew what she had to do, it was time. She put down her laundry and picked up her basket, which she uses to collect wild berries, and went off into woods. In the berry patch a feeling overcame her. "The child is coming." She said "it is time."
An hour of time had passed and Lorna heard in the distance a child crying. She picked up the basket of berries and went towards the sounds of crying. She came to a clearing in the woods and spotted a child, a girl, no more then five sitting on a fallen tree. Her blond hair was tied in two ponytails resting close to her neck. Lorna went over to the crying girl, "Why, hello there." She said with a smile.
"hi" said the little girl still crying.
"My what beautiful blond hair you have."
"yeah" she replied wiping her eyes.
"Are you hungry?"
"kinda."
"Would you like to come home with me and get something to eat?" Lorna asked while extending her hand to the child.
"okay." She said, taking hold of women's hand. "My name is Keiko. What is your?"
Present
"She took me in. I considered her my mother. She had a special gift. She knew I had umm, lets call it my "special talent." She taught me how to control it. She also trained me in martial arts."
Keiko lowered her eyes and continued speaking. "When I was twelve, Lorna, passed away, but before she died she handed me this jewel, Keiko pointed to the blue-green gem that rested on her forehead. She told me that it was special and it was meant for me. I still don't know what she meant, but she told me of a family to seek out, tell them who I am and who sent me there. They would take care of me. Which they did, after I located them in America.
"America!" Akane yelled out "Do you speak English?"
"Yes, a matter of fact I speak five languages"
"Five languages, that mighty impressive." Soun questioned.
"Wow, if I ever need an interpreter I'll call you." Nabiki said.
Keiko smiled about to reply to the comment, but instead she sat silent for a few seconds and blinked her eyes a few times. She then leaned over to Ranma and whispered something in he's ear.
"If you would all just sit here for a minute I'll continue my story." Keiko got up and walked out of the room.
"Where is she going?" Akane asked.
"Ranma what did she say to you?"
Ranma was also getting up from his sitting position. "Oh nothing important, I'll be right back." He then left room.
"Now where is HE going?" Akane asked in her getting pissed off voice.
Outside the Tendo dojo a small black pig with a yellow bandanna was wondering around. "Okay I know the Tendo dojo is around here somewhere. I think?" it thought.
"Everything looks so different from down here."
As the pig wondered he saw coming towards him a beautiful girl. "Akane?" he thought. "No not Akane, not Ranma, they don't have blond hair . Who is that?"
"Hello Ryoga. And how are you?"
Ahhh! She knows who I am. Ranma must have told. He broke his word. If she knows then Akane must know. Oh no she is going to hate me. I'm going to KILL Ranma for this!
She smiled. "Don't worry Ryoga. Ranma didn't tell me your secret. And Akane doesn't know." She bent down and was looking right into the small pigs eyes.
Behind her Ranma walked up holding a steaming kettle and one of Ryoga's spare clothes.
"Hey there Pig boy! Look what I got fer ya. Lets go around the corner to the alley, so not the give the neighbors a peep show."
Keiko scooped the black pig in her arms and walked around to the side with Ranma.
She put him down and Ranma was about the pour the hot water on him when Ryoga started to squeal. "PeeeWEEeeeeeeeeeweeeewepeeee!"
"Oh I think he wants you to turn around." Ranma said to Keiko
She blushed "Sure, no problem."
Ranma then poured the water over the black pig. In a few seconds a naked boy of sixteen was kneeling in the alley. He got up and quickly dressed.
"Okay! What is going on here Ranma?" He asked.
"Who is this girl and how did she know I am P-chan?" He said glaring at Ranma.
Keiko turned around and meet eyes with the guy behind the pig.
"Ranma never told me of your secret. I know because when I contacted Ranma through his mind, images and names came across. And you're one of them."
"Huh?" Ryoga said.
"Maybe you should start from the beginning, Keiko." Ranma said.
Keiko told Ryoga how she got here and who she was in relation to Ranma. She did a quick display of her levitating powers to show him she wasn't making the whole thing up. When she lifted the garbage can off the ground, Ryoga believed her. Ranma too, he never saw her do it, just the feeling being lifted and hanging like a dead man at the end of a noose.
"Let us rejoin everyone else in the house, so I can finish my story and tell them what is going on" Keiko said to the two guys standing in front of her.
Back in the living room of the Tendo's home Keiko, Ranma and Ryoga walked in. Ryoga greeting everyone one in the room.
"I'm sorry everyone for that. I just felt that someone was really confused and lost. And figured out it must be Ryoga here." As she gestured towards the lost boy
"I also could use his help. In a matter of fact the more fighters the better."
"Okay, back to your story." Akane said.
"Oh yes, where was I?"
"America!."
"Ah…America. That is where the Stockwells were. They were friends of Lorna, and the husband, Jacob, had a talent of controlling fire.
"Controlling Fire!" everyone questioned.
"Yes, he could form fire balls in his hands, like chi energy, and control their trajectory . Fire never burned him, even if it wasn't ones he formed. Pun, the wife, could manipulate peoples minds. Comes in handy when you are haggling with a car salesmen.
She is the one you taught me how to suggest an event that didn't happen, i.e. why everyone thinks there was a fight between Ryoga and Mousse instead of what really happened."
"Wait, hold it!" Ranma said. "I thought you could only levitate things, how could you do the same thing that this Pun does."
"Umm Okay this is where it gets tricky. I was just told, what I'm about to explain to you, about 3 weeks ago. So it's all kinda new.
Keiko took a deep breath and sighed in one quick breath she blurted out. "Apparently I am of royal blood from a different dimension, and that is way I can learn different abilities of extraordinary nature."
"WHAT!" Every one in the room yelled as they half stood looking at Keiko.
"Different dimension!"
"Royal blood"
"How? What? Why? Where? Who?"
Everyone seem to ask her at once.
"If you would all sit down, I'll continue." She said.
"Do you deny that there are, and could be different dimensions and worlds out of your human reach?"
Everyone one in the room shook their heads no.
"Well there are. The one where I'm from is resting on the borderline of your dimension. That is why those who are supposed to born on that planet can be born here instead. But usually when a power is used for the first time a messenger is sent to aid the child and make them aware of who they are, where they came from and not to let normal humans know of their power."
"But why?" Akane asked "Why hide a great power that can be used for good."
"Simply put Akane, people fear what they can't understand. Those who are known for a power, mostly psychics, put themselves in great danger from bias opinions and actions.
You ever here the term, ignorance is bliss?"
she looked around her audience. "Well, what people don't know, won't hurt them. And I expect all of you to keep my secret, even you Nabiki."
"Me! Why would you think I would have use for this information?" Nabiki asked.
With that statement Keiko raised her hand and from Nabiki pocket levitated a small tape recorder. "Really?" Keiko said floating the recorder to her hand.
Ah haaha, I wonder how that got there?"
"Yeah, whatever. As I was saying, people with these powers are called Extraordinaries. They are mortal, they are human just with a bit extra in there genetic makeup. Which allows them extraordinary powers.
In my dimension there are kingdoms, which are like the countries here. There are also wars. Wars of power. One kingdom, the Onex Kingdom is ruled by an evil man. He doesn't care about those he hurts, just to obtain power. Jacob and Pun told me that King Sinew of the Onex Kingdom attack surrounding kingdoms and took them over. But he doesn't just conquer them, he steals their Royalty's powers, usually the King, Queen and their children. As of my birth he had only conquered smaller kingdoms, but my true parents knew that this wasn't going to go away quickly, so they sent me here to live with adopted parents who would train me and teach me of the ways of the psyches. Which, by the way is what my family is known for, a long line of telepaths.
I don't know if Lorna knew if I was going to be coming to her or it was just by accident. All I know is that I owe my life to her and the Stockwells."
"Why only steal the Royalty's power?" Ranma asked Keiko.
"Apparently those with a royal blood line contain the highest amount of power."
"Okay, so your a telepathic psychic. Does that mean you can see the future and read minds?" he asked her
"Well, there are more then one kind of telepaths. Pun told me that my mother is a psychic, that can read minds and sometime see glances of the future, but those previsions are not engraved in stone, they can be changed. My father is levitating telepath. Then there are less powerful people who can levitate small objects, or sense feelings of a person. I have most of my father's powers. But some of my mother is in me. I can't really read minds, but I can sense the way someone feels.
"How did you pull yourself through Ranma's dream into reality?" Akane asked.
"I don't know. I was desperate and needed help. Jacob knew that I was adopted by the June's and told me of you Ranma. How you deal with crazy stuff all the time. How your are one of the best marital artist in the world, and you have powerful friends that would prove useful. I think Pun knew I would end up with their family, and then need your help." Keiko said lowering her eyes to the floor.
"Umm, yeah why do you need are help?" Ryoga asked as he sat next to Nabiki.
She raised her head and said "I was just getting to that. I need your help because some guy, who calls himself Vigor, is trying to kill me. But not just your run of the mill gun shot to the head, but sends his followers to do the dirty work and he just watches. I manage to knocked most his henchmen out and then take him on. Though I'm so worn out from the fight I can't defeat him. He is truly a strong martial artist and with the combo of powers he has, he can be a real handful.
I need you Ranma and your friends, to fight the henchmen and wear down Vigor. Then I can deliver a final blow."
"Why is he trying to kill you?" Asked Ryoga.
Keiko looked down at the floor again, "I'm not sure, but he wants my jewel. He tried to take it the first time we fought. I don't know why he wants it though? So I ask you Ranma, will you help me." She said tear filled eyes as see looked up.
"Hey! Of course I'll help ya! I never turned down a good fight."
"Me too, you can count me in!" Ryoga chimed in
"Akane I know you aren't as good a fighter as these two here, but your effort would be great asset. Will you join in?"
"I may not be as good as these guys, but I'll try my hardest."
"That is all I ask of anyone. Very good then!" Keiko said with enthusiasm.
"Ranma, now I need you to get Ukyou, Shampoo and Mousse to join in. With their help I know we can beat this evil."
"You got it! First thing after school tomorrow I will ask them."
"Oh my! Akane, Nabiki, Ranma, it's late and you have school tomorrow. Please get to bed!" Kasumi said.
With that cue everyone one got up and headed in different directions.
"Keiko I prepared a bed for you in Akane's room, you can sleep there." Kasumi told her.
"If it is all right with you Akane?" Keiko asked turning to Akane.
"Sure no problem."
"Ryoga dear, I can set up a bed for you if you like?" Kasumi said in a sweet voice.
"umm no that's okay Kasumi, I'll just find my way home to a bed."
"Don't you mean Akane's bed pig boy." Ranma whispered to Ryoga.
"Ranma! How dare you! I'll kill you here and now!!" Ryoga yelled taking his fist and swung at Ranma's face. Ranma easily did a back flip out of harms way, bounced off the wall and went to counterattack. Ryoga was ready for this and was going to hit Ranma square in the chest but something stopped him. He and Ranma were both suspended in mid air, as if someone pushed the pause button on a VCR.
"Hey! What's going on!" Both yelled.
Everyone turn to Keiko who had both her arms raised out in front of her and the palms of her hands were facing the ceiling.
"Now you two stop it. I don't need bruised fighters, I need you healthy and fit." She said
"Oh come on Keiko, you think Ryoga could take me?" Ranma said with cocky smile.
"RANMA! How dare you insult me! I will wipe that smile off your face!"
Ryoga tried to take a swing at Ranma but he couldn't reach. He just floated there which reminded Akane of someone swimming under water.
"You wish! It will be a snowball's chance in hell before you'll beat me."
He was right, Keiko thought, but Ranma doesn't need to insult poor Ryoga. The guy has been through so much, but he may need an attitude adjustment. Which she could fix that.
Keiko raised her hand higher and Ranma's body followed the motion. "Hey! What the!?" Ranma yelled.
She raised her hand back like a catapult ready to be cut and flung Ranma outside into the pond.
SLAPSH!!
Ahhh!! What'cha do that for!!" Ranma yelled in his female voice.
"Ha ha! Ryoga chimed in.
Keiko squinted her eyes, annoyed at Ryoga and dropped him on his ass.
"Now if you are done, let's go to bed." Keiko calmly said . She turned around and walked with Akane up the stairs.
( *note--not including Sailor Moon or Sailor Venus)
part 2: When you dream….
Keiko tossed and turned in the futon Kasumi made for in Akane's room. She laid in between sleep and consciousness. She could feel them. She could feel their cries of help. She couldn't do anything. "I'm here, I'm coming to help you!" she wanted to yell, but her mouth made no sound when opened.
She sat up in her bed with a tear stained face. The room was dark and the only light was the moonlight that came from the window. Keiko looked around and saw Akane was asleep in her bed. She got up, she didn't feel like going back to sleep.
Across the hall Ranma couldn't sleep with all the noise coming from his father's snoring. He was hungry, so he decided to head downstairs for a midnight snack.
Kasumi's leftovers were always good. Licking his lips he wondered back to his room. The curtains lightly sawed in the wind. It wasn't cold, nor warm out. It was a nice night. Ranma went over to the window and looked out to the night sky. He signed and leaned up against the windowsill. Ranma closed his eyes and listened to the wind's song, but realized it wasn't the wind, it was someone singing softly. He sat on the windowsill and listened more closely. He could hear words to a song so soft and sweet, as if someone was singing a lullaby to a baby. He deiced to check from a higher stand. He leaped up and landed on the roof. He looked around and saw Keiko siting on the roof, singing.
"When you dream,
what do you dream about?
When you dream,
what do you dream about?
Are they color or black and white,
Yiddish or English
or languages not yet conceived?
Are they silent or boisterous?
Do you hear noises just
loud enough to be perceived?
When you dream,
what do you dream about?
When you dream,
what do you dream about?"
He walked up next to her and sat down. "hey, nice song" he said.
"Thanks, what are you doing up?"
"Couldn't sleep. You?"
"Couldn't sleep either."
"What was that you were singing?"
"Oh…that? That was song I heard in North America, by a band called The Barenaked Ladies."
Oh…..are they really a band of naked ladies?" Ranma asked seriously.
She smiled and laughed softly, "No Ranma, just a group of guys that are clothed."
"Oh."
They both sat silent for a few minutes.
"I can hear their cries." She said softly.
"Who's cries?"
"The people of my world. My people. I can feel their pain and suffering." She replied with tears falling from her eyes.
"How long has this been going on?"
"Every since Jacob and Pun told me who I really am. It's like a door was opened and I can't close it."
"How long till this guy, what was he's name?
"Vigor"
"How long till he finds you?"
"I'm going to say in about week."
"Oh"
Silence again.
"Umm… Keiko?"
"Yeah"
"When we first woke up and I said that I could take on anyone, what did you mean when you said 'It was my intention?"
"I meant I did it on purpose, the sleep that is. I was like a stay of rest, where your chi could be brought up to full speed and full health. I little trick Pun taught me. Comes in handy after a big fight."
"Oh." Ranma said looking up at the night sky.
"It's been a long day." He said
"Yup, it has."
They both sat their on the roof staring at the stars. Not saying much, but talking now and then. Mostly small talk, not worth anything but to pass the time. They sat there and saw the dark blue night sky turn purple, then shades of reds and oranges and witnessed the sun rise.
part 3: The white bird cometh
Kasumi was humming to herself as she normally did when she was cleaning up breakfast. The morning was as typical as any other. Akane and Ranma were stepping outside ready for school when they meet Keiko standing in front of them.
"Keiko what are you doing?" Akane asked.
" I'm going to school with you guys today."
"Why? Why would you want to go to school?" Ranma asked her.
"Ranma, I'm sixteen years old and I've never attended a real school. I have always been home schooled. I would like to see what it's like."
"Keiko, are school is far from normal. Half the time Kuno is either trying to kill me or grope me in my female form, and if isn't Kuno then it's some other person doing it." Ranma said.
"I don't care, it should prove interesting."
They started to walk to school. The two girls walking on street and Ranma, as usual walking on the fence. They got to the school yard with time to spare. Maybe it was because she and Ranma weren't fighting, Akane thought. The three of them walked in the school yard. People began to stare at Keiko. "Who is that?" one boy said to another. "I don't know, but she is gorgeous. Just look at that blond hair."
"Probably dyed." Said a black haired girl next to the talking boys.
"Or just another fiancée."
"Not fair, he gets Akane, that Uykou chick, and the Amazon babe. Let's hope it isn't another one."
"People are talking about you already." Akane whispered to Keiko.
"It's okay, I'm fine with it. It just because I'm a new face in the crowd."
"RANMA SAOTOME! YOU WILL DIE!!! Ahhhhhhhhhh!" Screamed Kuno waving his bokkon in the air.
"I will smite thee for everything you have done, you vile of women, you who partakes in black magic. Prepare to die a hundred times before you hit the ground! AHHH!!"
"Ranma! What did you do to set him off today?!" Akane yelled
"What don't I do that set's him off?" Ranma said back.
"HOW dare you speak to the fair Akane like that! I will ki…! Who is this?"
Kuno stopped short right before Ranma was about to kick him across the school yard.
"Who is this ravishing beauty with hair more lovely then the wings of a butterfly or the sun its self?"
"Ohh Kuno that was bad." Moaned Ranma.
"Shut up you vile being!"
Keiko giggled softly "I am Ranma's…"
"No it can't be! You can not be another fiancée of this fowl enslaver of women."
"What!" Ranma yelled. "Kuno you have no idea what the hell your talking about!"
The eyes of the students were now focused on the four people in the middle of the school yard.
"I will smite thee!" He yelled waving his bokkon in Ranma's face
But a hand came down and rested it on the bokkon and gently lowered it. Keiko looked at Kuno and said sweetly "You shouldn't jump to conclusions, it's not proper. As I was saying… I'm Ranma's cousin, Keiko."
"Beautiful and considerate of manners. You should take a cue from her, Saotome. I am the Blue Thunder of Furinkan High!" ….Boom….Clash of thunder.
"How does he do that?" Thought Ranma.
" Head of the Kendo Club!" he raised his bokken above his head
"Head of the pervert club" said Nabiki to the group of her friends.
"age seventeen."
She did a slight bow, which any proper Japanese do during a greeting, "nice to make your acquaintance Tatewaki Kuno."
"Ahh you seem worthy of me. I will date with you."
"Kuno are you crazy? I'm not letting you…" Ranma started to say when Keiko held up her hand to interrupt him.
"As it seems, I don't find myself worthy of dating you. Maybe some other time." She replied, and walked away leaving The Blue Thunder behind.
Kuno stood there with his eyes closed not knowing he was just blown off. "Ahh, she speaks soft as yellow daffodil petals. She IS worthy, I'll make it known.
Ranma and Akane just stood there with shocked faces. In fact most of the school did the same.
"I've never seen anyone do that before." Said Nabiki.
"Do what?" her friend asked
"Completely blow off Kuno, nicely."
Keiko stopped at the school's entrance and looked over her shoulder towards Akane and Ranma. "Well are you two coming, or what?"
"Yeah we are." They both said.
During the day, Keiko went to the first two classes of the morning with Ranma and Akane, but during third period she was called down to the principal's office to clear up some paper work. "I'll meet you guys at lunch, okay." She told Ranma and Akane.
"Hey Keiko, don't let the principal try to cut your hair. He has a tendency of doing that."
"Okay I will Ranma."
Ranma walked out into the school, looked around and spotted Akane. He walked up to her. "Umm Akane, have you seen Keiko yet?" he asked.
"No, not yet. You would think her blond hair would make her stand out."
Akane's friend Joan walked up to Ranma and Akane and said "That's because you can't see her blond hair through the sea of guys hanging around her." As she pointed to a tree near the brick wall of the entrance of the school yard.
Around the big trunk sat a bunch of boys gathered around in a semi circle.
"You know Akane, after the announcement of your engagement to Ranma, the girls started to like you more.
"Don't remind me about this jerk." She said giving Ranma a dirty look.
"Hey!" He replied "Like I want to many a tomboy like you anyway!"
"Anyway," Joan continued. "The girls now are pissed off again because your fiancée's cousin is taking all the guys attention away from them."
"I don't think she realizes it, Joan. This is her first day of school."
"Ever?"
"Well, she was home schooled all her life."
"Okay, I'll spread the word, maybe they will be more understanding."
With that, the sea of guys parted enough for Ranma to see Keiko sitting against the tree. She raised her hand and did a little wave toward them."
"I guess we should go join her." Ranma said.
Keiko sat on the grass next to the big oak. She was having lunch, well actually she was having a taste from many lunches. All the boys around her were all offering her their lunches. She was entered into many conversations. One boy was in the science club and asked her what were her feeling on the cloning issue. Another was on the baseball team and wanted to know if she like the sport. Others spoke about computers, while a few more discussed politics. She figured they were trying to impress her. They were failing. She had no interest in forming any relationships with them beyond friendship. But all and all she enjoyed the attention. Keiko answered all the questions, but would avoid the ones that asked why she moved around a lot. She found it easy to change the subject. At one point all of the group started to ask where had she been and why was she here. This time she could avoid the questions so easily. The only she got out of the inquires was to turn to the fellow on her right and said "you have a handsome smile," she turned to one right in front of her, "you have really nice eyes." This seem to work. Complementing them distracted them. "Oh really, you really think so."
"Hey! Keiko do you like my hair? I'll cut if you don't." and so on.
They continued, Keiko just smiled and nodded. Then it hit here. Like an electric shock through her brain. A quick flash of evil. She sat there for a brief second motionless. The boys didn't notice yet. Evil, but were was it coming from, she thought. To much interference down here. Keiko stood up, raised her eyes upward. The boys stopped talking and asking questions. She eyed the tree and started to climb it.
"Hey! Where are you going?" one boy asked.
"Yeah what'cha doing?" other boy asked.
She was climbing higher.
"I wish she was wearing a skirt instead of those pants." One boy whispered to another.
Keiko heard him, but just ignored him.
"Ranma, what is she doing?" asked Akane.
"I have no idea?"
Keiko reached the top of tree, as far as she could climb. Peeked her head out from the green foliage and looked around. There she could feel it, straight in front of her. Past the school. It was coming, flying. She squinted her eyes and made out an object of white in the distance. Closer it flew, closer until she saw it, it was coming for her. She couldn't let it know that she was at the school. It might endanger people lives. She couldn't go the Tendo's or anywhere around it might sense her. Keiko looked down and knew it would take to long to climb down or to even climb over to the other side of the tree and try to reach the top of the wall. She did the other thing she could do. She jumped. She carefully walked out to the edge of the branch, where it was still thick enough to hold her weight. Held her breath and leaped forward so to avoid other branches. She fell a good fifteen feet and landed on two feet as if she was a cat.
"Woah!? Are you all right?" someone asked her. She didn't answer, but instead glance upward and took off for exit. However, people were blocking it and she no time to weed herself in and out. With one motion she jump over and landed on the other side of the brick wall, which was a good six feet tall, and ran.
Akane and Ranma ran out through the crowd to see where she went. But by the time they made it out there Keiko wasn't in sight.
"Now why did she do that?"
"I don't know Akane, I don't know." Ranma answered.
Outside a small trendy shop a young man with a yellow bandanna stood holding a map, upside down.
"Now where am I he said aloud." And walked off.
"Run, run, run, run, run. Here!" Keiko stopped near a office building. And looked up. This is good, she thought . She scaled the fire escape and headed for the roof. "All right you scum, where are you?" She looked around and saw it again. It was close enough for to make out that it was about as big as she and white. A bird. The bird was huge, and white with purple feathers on it's head. It noticed her now. She stood tall and brave and allowed it to see her. She would not be the first to attack.
With a cry of a hundred ravens it lunged for her. As fast as it was it was no match for her. When it got close enough it tried to grab her with it's huge talons. It missed. Keiko jumped easily and with a chi charged kicked she knocked the bird down to the ground. It fell and landed on it's feathered back. She levitated herself down, as if she could fly like Superman. The white bird struggled to get up but she place her right foot on it's throat. "Caawwww!" it cried. "Geet off!!"
"You must be new." She said looking down at the creature, " Only a amateur would come searching for me in a form unknown to this world. You are a foolish shape shifter. How far is Vigor from here?"
"Caaawwwww!! Get off me you physic slut, CAAAWWWWW!!." It skreeked piecing her ears like knife.
She pressed her foot harder down on his throat to shut up his annoying voice. "Where is Vigor?" She asked growing inpatient.
"I can't say! I won't say, caaww! I admit defeat, you can not hurt me once I surrender. You risk your honor." It struggled to say.
At the same time, "The Eternally Lost Boy", Ryoga wondered by.
"Ah perfect timing!" Keiko exclaimed. "I may not be able to hurt you to get the answers needed , but Ryoga isn't just a defensive fighter. Ryoga could you please assist me?
"Huh? What? Keiko what.. are …you doing? What the hell is that thing!"
"Oh! This is a shape shifter." She said looking down at the creature.
"Uh… shape shifter?"
"Yes a shape shifter, those with the ability to transform into different shapes. I.e. a big ass ugly bird I have here under my foot."
"Well if it's a shape shifter, why can't it shift to get away for you?"
The bird struggled under her foot.
"STOP THAT! Oh, it's because if you cut enough of air circulation, just a little before doing a sleeper move, it's prevents them from shifting. A little trick Pun told me about."
"OH." he said.
"The problem is that I need some important information from him and I was brought up, by Lorna, never to attack if one surrenders. It's an honor thing. You know?
"So could I use your help?"
Ummmm…..sure, what do you want me to do?"
"How about using your *Bakusai Tenketsu technique."
"Umm.. Keiko that only works on…"
"Now I know Ryoga you don't like to use this attack on living things because you get blood and guts all over you, but how about this one time?" she said winking.
"If Keiko knows I'm P-chan then she must know that the Bakusai Tenketsu only works on rocks and concert. Why does she want me to use it here, it would be harmless." Ryoga thought. "But if she knows and I know, that doesn't mean that shape shifter thing doesn't know. Hahaha take that Ranma, always telling my I don't have a brain worth two cents."
"Ummm…Ryoga?" She said with a concern look in her eyes.
"Oh! Yeah….I'll do it." He went over and picked up the white bird around the neck where Keiko had her foot a second ago. With his arm straight out in front of him he held the squiring creature against the brick wall. Ryoga held his one hand back ready to strike, on Keiko's cue.
She stood right next to Ryoga with her arms folded across her chest and said "I'll ask you again. Where is Vigor?"
"Hah your bluffing! Caaawwww! HEY don't squeeze so hard!!"
"Ryoga why don't you show this rookie what kind of damage you can do."
"Gladly. BAKUSAI TENKETSU!" He yelled, while hitting the brick wall just to the left of the giant bird.
Bird's black eyes went wide with fear. The dust cleared and a few inches away from his head was a huge hole knocked out.
"Once more, W H E R E is Vigor?" The bird wiggled under Ryoga's grip. "Ryoga I think you'll have to get a dirty. I'm sorry."
"Oh well, BASUSAI TEN…"
NO! WAIT! I"LL TELL!! He is in America."
"Which part of America?"
"The East coast."
"I think I was there once."
"Shhhh Ryoga. WHERE on the East coast?"
"New York City. I hope there is enough time." Keiko mumbled
"What?" Ryoga asked.
"Oh!! You can let him go."
"Okay." He said dropping the bird's sorry ass on the ground.
"Ouch! Caaawwww!! You'll be sorry for this wench! I'll get you back I swear it!" It yelled when taking off flying east.
"Keiko why did you let it go?"
"Won't it tell this Vigor where you are, and come find you?"
"Yes, he will, I'm counting on it."
"WHAT!"
"I'll have to explain later, here comes Ranma and Akane."
"Hey! What happened to you!" Ranma yelled running up to her.
"Wait for me! Akane yelled. "Oh Ryoga hi! She said out of breath
"A…Akane, I… ummm. Hi!"
Ranma rolled his eyes, "Anyway, what just happened? What was that huge bird?"
"Okay I can tell everyone what happened later, the most important thing we do right now is go and get Ukyou, Shampoo and Mousse." She turned to Ryoga, "You're with me, we'll go to Ucchan's and get Ukyou." Ranma, you and Akane go to the Neko Hanten and get Shampoo and Mousse." Okay!
"Okay!" They all said together.
To be continued…..
(*Bakusai Tenketsu- Ryoga's point breaking technique)
Author's Note: Hello again. I hope you like what going on enough to want to read what happens next. Feedback is always welcomed. Ja ne
~Kayko
The Triune Power
a Ranma ½ fanfic
by Kayko
Chapter 2
part 1: A tale of two dimensions
"I don't care, I'm NOT going!" Akane said firmly.
"But, Akane dear, you really should go to school today." Kasumi replied in her motherly like voice.
"Kasumi I can't. I won't! I'm not leaving here until Ranma wakes up or we find out if that girl is an enemy or friend."
"Kasumi, it's all right, let her stay home. Let my daughter nurse her fiancée back to health." Soun said with tears in his eyes.
"Dad! I'm not doing it for that jerk. If you could of seen what happen yesterday you would understand."
"It's all right Kasumi, Akane won't miss much." Nabiki said passing her younger sister. "If she wants to play body guard, be all means let her do it."
Kasumi nodded her head allowing Akane to stay.
"Thanks Kasumi."
Akane walked into Ranma's room a stared at the two unconscious bodies laying on futons. "Ranma please be all right." Akane whispered and walked out of the room.
Before 1st period at Furinkan High School.
"All right. Those who are collecting come and collect. Those who owe, better pay up." Nabiki announced to the crowd in front of her. She was busy with money and talking to people who were still in debt, encouraging them to keep up with there payments or interest rate are gonna go up. "And here you go Yushi." She said as she handed a wad of cash to the boy in front of her. "Yes, I'm made out great. That was some fight, huh!"
"Fight?"
"Yeah, fight. You know the one where you're making a bundle of money off of."
"Ummm?"
"The one between Ryoga and Mousse. Geez! I think you may have what Ranma has. How is he feeling? Akane isn't in school either, is she sick too?"
"What? Oh yeah…he's fine." She said sounding confused.
"Why does he think Ranma is just sick. Doesn't he remember what happened yesterday?" She thought.
******************************************
"Okay I've keep my mouth shut for the entire day. I HAVE to find out what's going on." Nabiki thought as she quickly walked home.
"So far ten people have asked how Akane and Ranma are doing? And a whole lot more have given me a comment on the big Ryoga and Mousse fight. At first I thought that kid in the beginning of the day was nuts, but they all can't be nuts. Can they?"
Nabiki got to her home, kicked off her shoes and went straight for Ranma's room. She slid the door open and looked at the two unconscious bodies. At the same time Akane was walking by. "Akane!" Said Nabiki.
"Yes."
"Do you see a unconscious blond in the futon next to Ranma?"
With a look of confusion Akane said to Nabiki "Are you feeling well today Nabiki?"
"Ohh great here it comes, I've lost my mind." She thought.
"Of course there is! Don't you remember what happened yesterday."
"Yes…" she said with a look of relief.
"Yes, of course I remember. It's just that it seems the rest of the school doesn't."
"What!"
"I'm telling you, no one remembers that this girl materialized at of nowhere. But instead a fight between Ryoga and Mousse, and you and Ranma have the flu."
"But how can that be?"
"I don't know."
"Well besides that, Nabiki could you please get Kasumi out of the house, maybe to the market or something?"
"Why?"
"Dr. Tofu is coming over and.."
"Needn't say another word, sister dear I will get her out of the house."
A low mumbling came from Ranma's room.
Akane walking past the room heard "ohhhhhmmmmmuummm." and saw Ranma moving his head. "Ranma!" she thought and kneeled on the right side of him.
"Hello Akane. How are my two patients?" Dr. Tofu said walking in Ranma room.
"Just in time Dr. Tofu, I think he's going to wake up."
Following the doctor into the room walked Nabiki, Genma, and Soun.
Ranma began to stir. He opened his blue-gray eyes and found five pairs of eyes staring at him.
"Hey guys what's up?" He said as if nothing was wrong.
No answer.
"What's wrong?" He said as he sat up and looked around at the faces.
"Ranma…" Akane tried to finish her sentence, but Ranma cut her off by saying "Keiko! Keiko are you all right?"
Kneeling next to the girl with his hands on her shoulders, shaking her a little to get answer.
"As far as I can tell she's fine Ranma. Just unconscious like you a few minutes ago." Dr. Tofu said.
"OH RANMA! How could you bring another girl here while your engaged to my little girl." Soun cried with streams of water flowing from his eyes.
"What!" Ranma yelled "I didn't bring her here, she brought herself."
"Boy…"Genma was about the say something when the blond hair girl started to mumble and open her eyes.
Her blue eyes were like a refection of a clear blue sky. She sat up, "hello, how is everyone this day." She said polity. She turned to Akane "Thank you Akane for catching me when I fell."
"How? How did you know it was me who caught you? And how did you know my name?"
Keiko giggled lightly and tilted her head and said "I just knew." And smiled.
She turned to Ranma, "So glad to see you in the outside world Ranma-chan."
Ranma put his hand behind his head and laughed slightly, "glad to see you too."
Ranma jumped up and landed on his feet and raised his fists. "Man I feel great. I think I could take anyone right about now!"
"That was my intention." Keiko said.
"Huh?" Ranma replied.
"Okay that's enough. We got questions that need to be answered." Nabiki said sternly.
"Of course Nabiki, what would you like to know?"
Nabiki flinched a little when she said her name, but she didn't allow it to effect her stone cold face expression.
"Okay, how come everyone at school saw your arrival, but somehow today they all seem to remember a fight between Ryoga and Mousse, and they think Akane and Ranma have the flu? Also, how come everyone is this house, including the good doctor here remembers what really happened?"
"Easy enough question." Keiko said. "I made them forget."
"You made them forget?" Nabiki replied not quite believing her.
"Yes and then I put the fight between Ryoga and Mousse in their memories."
"How did you that?" Akane questioned.
"With practice." She said with a smile.
Akane was stunned. She lowered her right eyebrow over her eye and said "What?!"
"I'm sorry, at this time that is the best answer I can give."
Okay, there will be time for questions and answers later. Let me have a look at these two." Dr. Tofu said while getting up and pushing the group outside the room.
Later that evening
Dr. Tofu left the Tendo house about a half hour ago. Everyone was sitting around the dinning room table, except for Kasumi who was in the kitchen preparing dinner.
Keiko sipped her tea slowly. It was good to taste the warm liquid. She noticed that nobody was talking, just staring at her. She took the tea cup from her mouth and placed it on the table. She sat at the head, Soun at the other end of the table. To the left of him sat Nabiki and then Akane. On his right Genma and then Ranma. She folded her hands and rested them on the table and calmly asked. "Would you like me to explain?"
"YES!" Everyone replied.
"Well let me start with my name." She said
"I am June Keiko. Daughter of Yoko and Zen June"
"Yoko June?!" Genma stated with wide eyes. "But that's…"
"Yes, Yoko June, Uncle." She said.
"I didn't recognize you." He said, switching the conversation to just him and her.
"Well,"
"Wait! Woah! What are you two talking about? What is this Uncle stuff about?" Ranma yelled with an arm waving through the air.
"You see son, June is your mother's sister's married name. Keiko is your first cousin. I should of known you by the color of your hair." He said laughing a bit. *"I mean, how many people in Japan have blond hair."
Keiko smiled. Ranma looked as if somebody had punched him.
"Cousin! But, but I didn't even know I had a cousin. I didn't even know I had an aunt!" he said.
"Well I'm not surprised, you were very young the last time we saw them." Genma replied.
"I'll say you were no older then 4."
"Is that why you called him Ranma-chan back there when you first woke up?" Akane asked Keiko.
Keiko just kept her smile and nodded yes.
Genma continued "But, there was a car accident. I remember they told us nobody survived. How are you here now?"
Everyone turned and stared at Keiko awaiting her response.
"I don't know how I survived. I don't recall a lot of the accident. I remember my mother singing to me and the next thing I remember is walking through some woods and a older woman finding me. I don't know why but she took me in...
11 years ago
Lorna was hanging her wet laundry on her clothesline outside her little cottage in the woods. She like it there, it was peaceful. Her husband and daughter had lived there, until illness overtook them both three years ago. Now she enjoyed the simple life. No TV no radio, just her and Oreo. Oreo being a black and white dog who she found as a puppy three years ago. Hanging a white T-shirt on the line, she felt it. A feeling deep within her. She knew what she had to do, it was time. She put down her laundry and picked up her basket, which she uses to collect wild berries, and went off into woods. In the berry patch a feeling overcame her. "The child is coming." She said "it is time."
An hour of time had passed and Lorna heard in the distance a child crying. She picked up the basket of berries and went towards the sounds of crying. She came to a clearing in the woods and spotted a child, a girl, no more then five sitting on a fallen tree. Her blond hair was tied in two ponytails resting close to her neck. Lorna went over to the crying girl, "Why, hello there." She said with a smile.
"hi" said the little girl still crying.
"My what beautiful blond hair you have."
"yeah" she replied wiping her eyes.
"Are you hungry?"
"kinda."
"Would you like to come home with me and get something to eat?" Lorna asked while extending her hand to the child.
"okay." She said, taking hold of women's hand. "My name is Keiko. What is your?"
Present
"She took me in. I considered her my mother. She had a special gift. She knew I had umm, lets call it my "special talent." She taught me how to control it. She also trained me in martial arts."
Keiko lowered her eyes and continued speaking. "When I was twelve, Lorna, passed away, but before she died she handed me this jewel, Keiko pointed to the blue-green gem that rested on her forehead. She told me that it was special and it was meant for me. I still don't know what she meant, but she told me of a family to seek out, tell them who I am and who sent me there. They would take care of me. Which they did, after I located them in America.
"America!" Akane yelled out "Do you speak English?"
"Yes, a matter of fact I speak five languages"
"Five languages, that mighty impressive." Soun questioned.
"Wow, if I ever need an interpreter I'll call you." Nabiki said.
Keiko smiled about to reply to the comment, but instead she sat silent for a few seconds and blinked her eyes a few times. She then leaned over to Ranma and whispered something in he's ear.
"If you would all just sit here for a minute I'll continue my story." Keiko got up and walked out of the room.
"Where is she going?" Akane asked.
"Ranma what did she say to you?"
Ranma was also getting up from his sitting position. "Oh nothing important, I'll be right back." He then left room.
"Now where is HE going?" Akane asked in her getting pissed off voice.
Outside the Tendo dojo a small black pig with a yellow bandanna was wondering around. "Okay I know the Tendo dojo is around here somewhere. I think?" it thought.
"Everything looks so different from down here."
As the pig wondered he saw coming towards him a beautiful girl. "Akane?" he thought. "No not Akane, not Ranma, they don't have blond hair . Who is that?"
"Hello Ryoga. And how are you?"
Ahhh! She knows who I am. Ranma must have told. He broke his word. If she knows then Akane must know. Oh no she is going to hate me. I'm going to KILL Ranma for this!
She smiled. "Don't worry Ryoga. Ranma didn't tell me your secret. And Akane doesn't know." She bent down and was looking right into the small pigs eyes.
Behind her Ranma walked up holding a steaming kettle and one of Ryoga's spare clothes.
"Hey there Pig boy! Look what I got fer ya. Lets go around the corner to the alley, so not the give the neighbors a peep show."
Keiko scooped the black pig in her arms and walked around to the side with Ranma.
She put him down and Ranma was about the pour the hot water on him when Ryoga started to squeal. "PeeeWEEeeeeeeeeeweeeewepeeee!"
"Oh I think he wants you to turn around." Ranma said to Keiko
She blushed "Sure, no problem."
Ranma then poured the water over the black pig. In a few seconds a naked boy of sixteen was kneeling in the alley. He got up and quickly dressed.
"Okay! What is going on here Ranma?" He asked.
"Who is this girl and how did she know I am P-chan?" He said glaring at Ranma.
Keiko turned around and meet eyes with the guy behind the pig.
"Ranma never told me of your secret. I know because when I contacted Ranma through his mind, images and names came across. And you're one of them."
"Huh?" Ryoga said.
"Maybe you should start from the beginning, Keiko." Ranma said.
Keiko told Ryoga how she got here and who she was in relation to Ranma. She did a quick display of her levitating powers to show him she wasn't making the whole thing up. When she lifted the garbage can off the ground, Ryoga believed her. Ranma too, he never saw her do it, just the feeling being lifted and hanging like a dead man at the end of a noose.
"Let us rejoin everyone else in the house, so I can finish my story and tell them what is going on" Keiko said to the two guys standing in front of her.
Back in the living room of the Tendo's home Keiko, Ranma and Ryoga walked in. Ryoga greeting everyone one in the room.
"I'm sorry everyone for that. I just felt that someone was really confused and lost. And figured out it must be Ryoga here." As she gestured towards the lost boy
"I also could use his help. In a matter of fact the more fighters the better."
"Okay, back to your story." Akane said.
"Oh yes, where was I?"
"America!."
"Ah…America. That is where the Stockwells were. They were friends of Lorna, and the husband, Jacob, had a talent of controlling fire.
"Controlling Fire!" everyone questioned.
"Yes, he could form fire balls in his hands, like chi energy, and control their trajectory . Fire never burned him, even if it wasn't ones he formed. Pun, the wife, could manipulate peoples minds. Comes in handy when you are haggling with a car salesmen.
She is the one you taught me how to suggest an event that didn't happen, i.e. why everyone thinks there was a fight between Ryoga and Mousse instead of what really happened."
"Wait, hold it!" Ranma said. "I thought you could only levitate things, how could you do the same thing that this Pun does."
"Umm Okay this is where it gets tricky. I was just told, what I'm about to explain to you, about 3 weeks ago. So it's all kinda new.
Keiko took a deep breath and sighed in one quick breath she blurted out. "Apparently I am of royal blood from a different dimension, and that is way I can learn different abilities of extraordinary nature."
"WHAT!" Every one in the room yelled as they half stood looking at Keiko.
"Different dimension!"
"Royal blood"
"How? What? Why? Where? Who?"
Everyone seem to ask her at once.
"If you would all sit down, I'll continue." She said.
"Do you deny that there are, and could be different dimensions and worlds out of your human reach?"
Everyone one in the room shook their heads no.
"Well there are. The one where I'm from is resting on the borderline of your dimension. That is why those who are supposed to born on that planet can be born here instead. But usually when a power is used for the first time a messenger is sent to aid the child and make them aware of who they are, where they came from and not to let normal humans know of their power."
"But why?" Akane asked "Why hide a great power that can be used for good."
"Simply put Akane, people fear what they can't understand. Those who are known for a power, mostly psychics, put themselves in great danger from bias opinions and actions.
You ever here the term, ignorance is bliss?"
she looked around her audience. "Well, what people don't know, won't hurt them. And I expect all of you to keep my secret, even you Nabiki."
"Me! Why would you think I would have use for this information?" Nabiki asked.
With that statement Keiko raised her hand and from Nabiki pocket levitated a small tape recorder. "Really?" Keiko said floating the recorder to her hand.
Ah haaha, I wonder how that got there?"
"Yeah, whatever. As I was saying, people with these powers are called Extraordinaries. They are mortal, they are human just with a bit extra in there genetic makeup. Which allows them extraordinary powers.
In my dimension there are kingdoms, which are like the countries here. There are also wars. Wars of power. One kingdom, the Onex Kingdom is ruled by an evil man. He doesn't care about those he hurts, just to obtain power. Jacob and Pun told me that King Sinew of the Onex Kingdom attack surrounding kingdoms and took them over. But he doesn't just conquer them, he steals their Royalty's powers, usually the King, Queen and their children. As of my birth he had only conquered smaller kingdoms, but my true parents knew that this wasn't going to go away quickly, so they sent me here to live with adopted parents who would train me and teach me of the ways of the psyches. Which, by the way is what my family is known for, a long line of telepaths.
I don't know if Lorna knew if I was going to be coming to her or it was just by accident. All I know is that I owe my life to her and the Stockwells."
"Why only steal the Royalty's power?" Ranma asked Keiko.
"Apparently those with a royal blood line contain the highest amount of power."
"Okay, so your a telepathic psychic. Does that mean you can see the future and read minds?" he asked her
"Well, there are more then one kind of telepaths. Pun told me that my mother is a psychic, that can read minds and sometime see glances of the future, but those previsions are not engraved in stone, they can be changed. My father is levitating telepath. Then there are less powerful people who can levitate small objects, or sense feelings of a person. I have most of my father's powers. But some of my mother is in me. I can't really read minds, but I can sense the way someone feels.
"How did you pull yourself through Ranma's dream into reality?" Akane asked.
"I don't know. I was desperate and needed help. Jacob knew that I was adopted by the June's and told me of you Ranma. How you deal with crazy stuff all the time. How your are one of the best marital artist in the world, and you have powerful friends that would prove useful. I think Pun knew I would end up with their family, and then need your help." Keiko said lowering her eyes to the floor.
"Umm, yeah why do you need are help?" Ryoga asked as he sat next to Nabiki.
She raised her head and said "I was just getting to that. I need your help because some guy, who calls himself Vigor, is trying to kill me. But not just your run of the mill gun shot to the head, but sends his followers to do the dirty work and he just watches. I manage to knocked most his henchmen out and then take him on. Though I'm so worn out from the fight I can't defeat him. He is truly a strong martial artist and with the combo of powers he has, he can be a real handful.
I need you Ranma and your friends, to fight the henchmen and wear down Vigor. Then I can deliver a final blow."
"Why is he trying to kill you?" Asked Ryoga.
Keiko looked down at the floor again, "I'm not sure, but he wants my jewel. He tried to take it the first time we fought. I don't know why he wants it though? So I ask you Ranma, will you help me." She said tear filled eyes as see looked up.
"Hey! Of course I'll help ya! I never turned down a good fight."
"Me too, you can count me in!" Ryoga chimed in
"Akane I know you aren't as good a fighter as these two here, but your effort would be great asset. Will you join in?"
"I may not be as good as these guys, but I'll try my hardest."
"That is all I ask of anyone. Very good then!" Keiko said with enthusiasm.
"Ranma, now I need you to get Ukyou, Shampoo and Mousse to join in. With their help I know we can beat this evil."
"You got it! First thing after school tomorrow I will ask them."
"Oh my! Akane, Nabiki, Ranma, it's late and you have school tomorrow. Please get to bed!" Kasumi said.
With that cue everyone one got up and headed in different directions.
"Keiko I prepared a bed for you in Akane's room, you can sleep there." Kasumi told her.
"If it is all right with you Akane?" Keiko asked turning to Akane.
"Sure no problem."
"Ryoga dear, I can set up a bed for you if you like?" Kasumi said in a sweet voice.
"umm no that's okay Kasumi, I'll just find my way home to a bed."
"Don't you mean Akane's bed pig boy." Ranma whispered to Ryoga.
"Ranma! How dare you! I'll kill you here and now!!" Ryoga yelled taking his fist and swung at Ranma's face. Ranma easily did a back flip out of harms way, bounced off the wall and went to counterattack. Ryoga was ready for this and was going to hit Ranma square in the chest but something stopped him. He and Ranma were both suspended in mid air, as if someone pushed the pause button on a VCR.
"Hey! What's going on!" Both yelled.
Everyone turn to Keiko who had both her arms raised out in front of her and the palms of her hands were facing the ceiling.
"Now you two stop it. I don't need bruised fighters, I need you healthy and fit." She said
"Oh come on Keiko, you think Ryoga could take me?" Ranma said with cocky smile.
"RANMA! How dare you insult me! I will wipe that smile off your face!"
Ryoga tried to take a swing at Ranma but he couldn't reach. He just floated there which reminded Akane of someone swimming under water.
"You wish! It will be a snowball's chance in hell before you'll beat me."
He was right, Keiko thought, but Ranma doesn't need to insult poor Ryoga. The guy has been through so much, but he may need an attitude adjustment. Which she could fix that.
Keiko raised her hand higher and Ranma's body followed the motion. "Hey! What the!?" Ranma yelled.
She raised her hand back like a catapult ready to be cut and flung Ranma outside into the pond.
SLAPSH!!
Ahhh!! What'cha do that for!!" Ranma yelled in his female voice.
"Ha ha! Ryoga chimed in.
Keiko squinted her eyes, annoyed at Ryoga and dropped him on his ass.
"Now if you are done, let's go to bed." Keiko calmly said . She turned around and walked with Akane up the stairs.
( *note--not including Sailor Moon or Sailor Venus)
part 2: When you dream….
Keiko tossed and turned in the futon Kasumi made for in Akane's room. She laid in between sleep and consciousness. She could feel them. She could feel their cries of help. She couldn't do anything. "I'm here, I'm coming to help you!" she wanted to yell, but her mouth made no sound when opened.
She sat up in her bed with a tear stained face. The room was dark and the only light was the moonlight that came from the window. Keiko looked around and saw Akane was asleep in her bed. She got up, she didn't feel like going back to sleep.
Across the hall Ranma couldn't sleep with all the noise coming from his father's snoring. He was hungry, so he decided to head downstairs for a midnight snack.
Kasumi's leftovers were always good. Licking his lips he wondered back to his room. The curtains lightly sawed in the wind. It wasn't cold, nor warm out. It was a nice night. Ranma went over to the window and looked out to the night sky. He signed and leaned up against the windowsill. Ranma closed his eyes and listened to the wind's song, but realized it wasn't the wind, it was someone singing softly. He sat on the windowsill and listened more closely. He could hear words to a song so soft and sweet, as if someone was singing a lullaby to a baby. He deiced to check from a higher stand. He leaped up and landed on the roof. He looked around and saw Keiko siting on the roof, singing.
"When you dream,
what do you dream about?
When you dream,
what do you dream about?
Are they color or black and white,
Yiddish or English
or languages not yet conceived?
Are they silent or boisterous?
Do you hear noises just
loud enough to be perceived?
When you dream,
what do you dream about?
When you dream,
what do you dream about?"
He walked up next to her and sat down. "hey, nice song" he said.
"Thanks, what are you doing up?"
"Couldn't sleep. You?"
"Couldn't sleep either."
"What was that you were singing?"
"Oh…that? That was song I heard in North America, by a band called The Barenaked Ladies."
Oh…..are they really a band of naked ladies?" Ranma asked seriously.
She smiled and laughed softly, "No Ranma, just a group of guys that are clothed."
"Oh."
They both sat silent for a few minutes.
"I can hear their cries." She said softly.
"Who's cries?"
"The people of my world. My people. I can feel their pain and suffering." She replied with tears falling from her eyes.
"How long has this been going on?"
"Every since Jacob and Pun told me who I really am. It's like a door was opened and I can't close it."
"How long till this guy, what was he's name?
"Vigor"
"How long till he finds you?"
"I'm going to say in about week."
"Oh"
Silence again.
"Umm… Keiko?"
"Yeah"
"When we first woke up and I said that I could take on anyone, what did you mean when you said 'It was my intention?"
"I meant I did it on purpose, the sleep that is. I was like a stay of rest, where your chi could be brought up to full speed and full health. I little trick Pun taught me. Comes in handy after a big fight."
"Oh." Ranma said looking up at the night sky.
"It's been a long day." He said
"Yup, it has."
They both sat their on the roof staring at the stars. Not saying much, but talking now and then. Mostly small talk, not worth anything but to pass the time. They sat there and saw the dark blue night sky turn purple, then shades of reds and oranges and witnessed the sun rise.
part 3: The white bird cometh
Kasumi was humming to herself as she normally did when she was cleaning up breakfast. The morning was as typical as any other. Akane and Ranma were stepping outside ready for school when they meet Keiko standing in front of them.
"Keiko what are you doing?" Akane asked.
" I'm going to school with you guys today."
"Why? Why would you want to go to school?" Ranma asked her.
"Ranma, I'm sixteen years old and I've never attended a real school. I have always been home schooled. I would like to see what it's like."
"Keiko, are school is far from normal. Half the time Kuno is either trying to kill me or grope me in my female form, and if isn't Kuno then it's some other person doing it." Ranma said.
"I don't care, it should prove interesting."
They started to walk to school. The two girls walking on street and Ranma, as usual walking on the fence. They got to the school yard with time to spare. Maybe it was because she and Ranma weren't fighting, Akane thought. The three of them walked in the school yard. People began to stare at Keiko. "Who is that?" one boy said to another. "I don't know, but she is gorgeous. Just look at that blond hair."
"Probably dyed." Said a black haired girl next to the talking boys.
"Or just another fiancée."
"Not fair, he gets Akane, that Uykou chick, and the Amazon babe. Let's hope it isn't another one."
"People are talking about you already." Akane whispered to Keiko.
"It's okay, I'm fine with it. It just because I'm a new face in the crowd."
"RANMA SAOTOME! YOU WILL DIE!!! Ahhhhhhhhhh!" Screamed Kuno waving his bokkon in the air.
"I will smite thee for everything you have done, you vile of women, you who partakes in black magic. Prepare to die a hundred times before you hit the ground! AHHH!!"
"Ranma! What did you do to set him off today?!" Akane yelled
"What don't I do that set's him off?" Ranma said back.
"HOW dare you speak to the fair Akane like that! I will ki…! Who is this?"
Kuno stopped short right before Ranma was about to kick him across the school yard.
"Who is this ravishing beauty with hair more lovely then the wings of a butterfly or the sun its self?"
"Ohh Kuno that was bad." Moaned Ranma.
"Shut up you vile being!"
Keiko giggled softly "I am Ranma's…"
"No it can't be! You can not be another fiancée of this fowl enslaver of women."
"What!" Ranma yelled. "Kuno you have no idea what the hell your talking about!"
The eyes of the students were now focused on the four people in the middle of the school yard.
"I will smite thee!" He yelled waving his bokkon in Ranma's face
But a hand came down and rested it on the bokkon and gently lowered it. Keiko looked at Kuno and said sweetly "You shouldn't jump to conclusions, it's not proper. As I was saying… I'm Ranma's cousin, Keiko."
"Beautiful and considerate of manners. You should take a cue from her, Saotome. I am the Blue Thunder of Furinkan High!" ….Boom….Clash of thunder.
"How does he do that?" Thought Ranma.
" Head of the Kendo Club!" he raised his bokken above his head
"Head of the pervert club" said Nabiki to the group of her friends.
"age seventeen."
She did a slight bow, which any proper Japanese do during a greeting, "nice to make your acquaintance Tatewaki Kuno."
"Ahh you seem worthy of me. I will date with you."
"Kuno are you crazy? I'm not letting you…" Ranma started to say when Keiko held up her hand to interrupt him.
"As it seems, I don't find myself worthy of dating you. Maybe some other time." She replied, and walked away leaving The Blue Thunder behind.
Kuno stood there with his eyes closed not knowing he was just blown off. "Ahh, she speaks soft as yellow daffodil petals. She IS worthy, I'll make it known.
Ranma and Akane just stood there with shocked faces. In fact most of the school did the same.
"I've never seen anyone do that before." Said Nabiki.
"Do what?" her friend asked
"Completely blow off Kuno, nicely."
Keiko stopped at the school's entrance and looked over her shoulder towards Akane and Ranma. "Well are you two coming, or what?"
"Yeah we are." They both said.
During the day, Keiko went to the first two classes of the morning with Ranma and Akane, but during third period she was called down to the principal's office to clear up some paper work. "I'll meet you guys at lunch, okay." She told Ranma and Akane.
"Hey Keiko, don't let the principal try to cut your hair. He has a tendency of doing that."
"Okay I will Ranma."
Ranma walked out into the school, looked around and spotted Akane. He walked up to her. "Umm Akane, have you seen Keiko yet?" he asked.
"No, not yet. You would think her blond hair would make her stand out."
Akane's friend Joan walked up to Ranma and Akane and said "That's because you can't see her blond hair through the sea of guys hanging around her." As she pointed to a tree near the brick wall of the entrance of the school yard.
Around the big trunk sat a bunch of boys gathered around in a semi circle.
"You know Akane, after the announcement of your engagement to Ranma, the girls started to like you more.
"Don't remind me about this jerk." She said giving Ranma a dirty look.
"Hey!" He replied "Like I want to many a tomboy like you anyway!"
"Anyway," Joan continued. "The girls now are pissed off again because your fiancée's cousin is taking all the guys attention away from them."
"I don't think she realizes it, Joan. This is her first day of school."
"Ever?"
"Well, she was home schooled all her life."
"Okay, I'll spread the word, maybe they will be more understanding."
With that, the sea of guys parted enough for Ranma to see Keiko sitting against the tree. She raised her hand and did a little wave toward them."
"I guess we should go join her." Ranma said.
Keiko sat on the grass next to the big oak. She was having lunch, well actually she was having a taste from many lunches. All the boys around her were all offering her their lunches. She was entered into many conversations. One boy was in the science club and asked her what were her feeling on the cloning issue. Another was on the baseball team and wanted to know if she like the sport. Others spoke about computers, while a few more discussed politics. She figured they were trying to impress her. They were failing. She had no interest in forming any relationships with them beyond friendship. But all and all she enjoyed the attention. Keiko answered all the questions, but would avoid the ones that asked why she moved around a lot. She found it easy to change the subject. At one point all of the group started to ask where had she been and why was she here. This time she could avoid the questions so easily. The only she got out of the inquires was to turn to the fellow on her right and said "you have a handsome smile," she turned to one right in front of her, "you have really nice eyes." This seem to work. Complementing them distracted them. "Oh really, you really think so."
"Hey! Keiko do you like my hair? I'll cut if you don't." and so on.
They continued, Keiko just smiled and nodded. Then it hit here. Like an electric shock through her brain. A quick flash of evil. She sat there for a brief second motionless. The boys didn't notice yet. Evil, but were was it coming from, she thought. To much interference down here. Keiko stood up, raised her eyes upward. The boys stopped talking and asking questions. She eyed the tree and started to climb it.
"Hey! Where are you going?" one boy asked.
"Yeah what'cha doing?" other boy asked.
She was climbing higher.
"I wish she was wearing a skirt instead of those pants." One boy whispered to another.
Keiko heard him, but just ignored him.
"Ranma, what is she doing?" asked Akane.
"I have no idea?"
Keiko reached the top of tree, as far as she could climb. Peeked her head out from the green foliage and looked around. There she could feel it, straight in front of her. Past the school. It was coming, flying. She squinted her eyes and made out an object of white in the distance. Closer it flew, closer until she saw it, it was coming for her. She couldn't let it know that she was at the school. It might endanger people lives. She couldn't go the Tendo's or anywhere around it might sense her. Keiko looked down and knew it would take to long to climb down or to even climb over to the other side of the tree and try to reach the top of the wall. She did the other thing she could do. She jumped. She carefully walked out to the edge of the branch, where it was still thick enough to hold her weight. Held her breath and leaped forward so to avoid other branches. She fell a good fifteen feet and landed on two feet as if she was a cat.
"Woah!? Are you all right?" someone asked her. She didn't answer, but instead glance upward and took off for exit. However, people were blocking it and she no time to weed herself in and out. With one motion she jump over and landed on the other side of the brick wall, which was a good six feet tall, and ran.
Akane and Ranma ran out through the crowd to see where she went. But by the time they made it out there Keiko wasn't in sight.
"Now why did she do that?"
"I don't know Akane, I don't know." Ranma answered.
Outside a small trendy shop a young man with a yellow bandanna stood holding a map, upside down.
"Now where am I he said aloud." And walked off.
"Run, run, run, run, run. Here!" Keiko stopped near a office building. And looked up. This is good, she thought . She scaled the fire escape and headed for the roof. "All right you scum, where are you?" She looked around and saw it again. It was close enough for to make out that it was about as big as she and white. A bird. The bird was huge, and white with purple feathers on it's head. It noticed her now. She stood tall and brave and allowed it to see her. She would not be the first to attack.
With a cry of a hundred ravens it lunged for her. As fast as it was it was no match for her. When it got close enough it tried to grab her with it's huge talons. It missed. Keiko jumped easily and with a chi charged kicked she knocked the bird down to the ground. It fell and landed on it's feathered back. She levitated herself down, as if she could fly like Superman. The white bird struggled to get up but she place her right foot on it's throat. "Caawwww!" it cried. "Geet off!!"
"You must be new." She said looking down at the creature, " Only a amateur would come searching for me in a form unknown to this world. You are a foolish shape shifter. How far is Vigor from here?"
"Caaawwwww!! Get off me you physic slut, CAAAWWWWW!!." It skreeked piecing her ears like knife.
She pressed her foot harder down on his throat to shut up his annoying voice. "Where is Vigor?" She asked growing inpatient.
"I can't say! I won't say, caaww! I admit defeat, you can not hurt me once I surrender. You risk your honor." It struggled to say.
At the same time, "The Eternally Lost Boy", Ryoga wondered by.
"Ah perfect timing!" Keiko exclaimed. "I may not be able to hurt you to get the answers needed , but Ryoga isn't just a defensive fighter. Ryoga could you please assist me?
"Huh? What? Keiko what.. are …you doing? What the hell is that thing!"
"Oh! This is a shape shifter." She said looking down at the creature.
"Uh… shape shifter?"
"Yes a shape shifter, those with the ability to transform into different shapes. I.e. a big ass ugly bird I have here under my foot."
"Well if it's a shape shifter, why can't it shift to get away for you?"
The bird struggled under her foot.
"STOP THAT! Oh, it's because if you cut enough of air circulation, just a little before doing a sleeper move, it's prevents them from shifting. A little trick Pun told me about."
"OH." he said.
"The problem is that I need some important information from him and I was brought up, by Lorna, never to attack if one surrenders. It's an honor thing. You know?
"So could I use your help?"
Ummmm…..sure, what do you want me to do?"
"How about using your *Bakusai Tenketsu technique."
"Umm.. Keiko that only works on…"
"Now I know Ryoga you don't like to use this attack on living things because you get blood and guts all over you, but how about this one time?" she said winking.
"If Keiko knows I'm P-chan then she must know that the Bakusai Tenketsu only works on rocks and concert. Why does she want me to use it here, it would be harmless." Ryoga thought. "But if she knows and I know, that doesn't mean that shape shifter thing doesn't know. Hahaha take that Ranma, always telling my I don't have a brain worth two cents."
"Ummm…Ryoga?" She said with a concern look in her eyes.
"Oh! Yeah….I'll do it." He went over and picked up the white bird around the neck where Keiko had her foot a second ago. With his arm straight out in front of him he held the squiring creature against the brick wall. Ryoga held his one hand back ready to strike, on Keiko's cue.
She stood right next to Ryoga with her arms folded across her chest and said "I'll ask you again. Where is Vigor?"
"Hah your bluffing! Caaawwww! HEY don't squeeze so hard!!"
"Ryoga why don't you show this rookie what kind of damage you can do."
"Gladly. BAKUSAI TENKETSU!" He yelled, while hitting the brick wall just to the left of the giant bird.
Bird's black eyes went wide with fear. The dust cleared and a few inches away from his head was a huge hole knocked out.
"Once more, W H E R E is Vigor?" The bird wiggled under Ryoga's grip. "Ryoga I think you'll have to get a dirty. I'm sorry."
"Oh well, BASUSAI TEN…"
NO! WAIT! I"LL TELL!! He is in America."
"Which part of America?"
"The East coast."
"I think I was there once."
"Shhhh Ryoga. WHERE on the East coast?"
"New York City. I hope there is enough time." Keiko mumbled
"What?" Ryoga asked.
"Oh!! You can let him go."
"Okay." He said dropping the bird's sorry ass on the ground.
"Ouch! Caaawwww!! You'll be sorry for this wench! I'll get you back I swear it!" It yelled when taking off flying east.
"Keiko why did you let it go?"
"Won't it tell this Vigor where you are, and come find you?"
"Yes, he will, I'm counting on it."
"WHAT!"
"I'll have to explain later, here comes Ranma and Akane."
"Hey! What happened to you!" Ranma yelled running up to her.
"Wait for me! Akane yelled. "Oh Ryoga hi! She said out of breath
"A…Akane, I… ummm. Hi!"
Ranma rolled his eyes, "Anyway, what just happened? What was that huge bird?"
"Okay I can tell everyone what happened later, the most important thing we do right now is go and get Ukyou, Shampoo and Mousse." She turned to Ryoga, "You're with me, we'll go to Ucchan's and get Ukyou." Ranma, you and Akane go to the Neko Hanten and get Shampoo and Mousse." Okay!
"Okay!" They all said together.
To be continued…..
(*Bakusai Tenketsu- Ryoga's point breaking technique)
Author's Note: Hello again. I hope you like what going on enough to want to read what happens next. Feedback is always welcomed. Ja ne
~Kayko