Balancing Act

By Turtlehat

Disclaimer:  I don't own the characters of this story.  I don't own Ranma or Slayers. 

Note:  This used to be Chapter 1 and 1b.  I've decided to stick the two together.

I didn't aim to write a serious story or a long epic, drawn-out story.  So if that's what you're looking for, this is not it. I used to have a website where I posted the entire story.  But since I was unhappy with it, I am re-writing it as I post.  The beginning will basically stay the same.  Chapter 2 should start changing.

Chapter 1.  Remembrance

Ranma was feeling edgy.  It has been a month now after his battle with Saffron, a month since he had lost his hope for a cure when Jusendo flooded.  With the loss of the only cure he knows, he had finally accepted the inevitable and accepted he will always be a 'half-girl'.  That was not the source of his uneasiness, though.  Since coming back from Jusendo, he had felt...'something.'  It started out a week ago when he felt something like a flood of power rush through.  He had asked the old ghoul about it but her response is that she didn't really know but that it may be a sign of another enemy coming.  It was like a small background noise in the natural chi flows, like the background music of a play.  It was as if nature is charged up.  He had asked everyone if they felt it, but only got dubious looks in reply.  Added to the craziness that normally makes up his life, he's decidedly on the defensive and tense.

So now Ranma sat on the top of the Tendo Dojo trying to get some peace and quiet.  Against all hope, after the failed wedding attempt, after the Phoenix incident, things had gotten back to what is normal before the incident.  As if nothing happened.  That fleeting moment of tenderness between him and Akane after the Jusendo incident had quickly passed, buried under the constant verbal battles and malletings between them.  The first two days after the wedding attempt has been unusually rough.  First, his father had again ambushed him in his sleep.  Not that it wasn't a new thing, but as he was still weak and disoriented from the wedding fiasco's damages, he wasn't able to properly defend himself.  Then Akane got the idea to cook for him every day (he thought it was a punishment for that failed wedding.)  That ended up in a fairly ugly scene as well.  Then his 'rivals' started attacking again.  It was as if fate has a grudge against him or something.  On top of it all is that charge he feels in the air. 

All in all, it was bad.  He's quickly reaching his limits.  Even his faith on the supposed 'love' for his mallet-happy fiancée is starting to be doubted.  Is he in 'love' with her or with the idea of belonging and having a place to call home?

It was just so typical.  There's not a day when he doesn't get beaten up, challenged, glomped and/or poisoned.  He was so tired of it all.  He was so depressed that unknowingly, he started to exhibit a greenish aura. 

*What can I do?* he thought despondently.  *I've been here for two years and what have I got?  I'm the best martial artist in my generation now, sure.  Heck, I can hold my own against the likes of Saffron!*  Then his momentarily-boosted ego deflated.  He sighed.  *I also got three or more fiancées and one wanna-be.  Rivals and enemies all over, more than I can count.  A mother who would behead me if I show signs of not being 'manly', whatever her wacko definition of a 'manly man' is.  A father who...better not think about that one.  Then there's Akane, who doesn't even listen.*  He sighed even more.  *It's just so unfair.  No one wants me just for myself.  I'm like a prize to all of them.  Everyone I know either wants to marry me, kill me, or make money off me.  Well, Kasumi doesn't, but she's different.  I wish I never got started.  I wonder what it would be like if I was born to different parents.  To have a regular home, with a mother and father who cares.  Maybe a brother or sister, or both.  Then have no curse, no daily attempts at my life.  Well, maybe a rival or two in the martial arts.  Then maybe have my own room...*

He was so involved fantasizing his 'ideal' life he failed to notice someone appear next to him sitting down.  They sat there for a while until Ranma came out of his daydream when a sigh from his hooded companion finally got his attention.  Startled, he did a double take and jumped up a meter off the roof and landed in a defensive stance. 

"Who are you?"  he demanded suspiciously.  To him suspicious-looking unknown stranger plus stranger seeming to know him equals rival or fiancée.  Neither prospects are something he wanted to deal with right now.

The figure remained sitting.  Then a feminine voice spoke out.  A voice that stopped him in his tracks as it sounded so very familiar.

"Don't you remember me, Ranma?"  The petite figure stood up and took off her hood facing him.  He took in the stranger's face and got a surprised look on his face.  The figure was definitely female, with large red, crimson eyes and long orange-red hair.  As if unlocking pandora's box, seeing her face and hearing her voice brought forth a rush of memories.  Memories that he didn't even know were there.

He remembered her now.  He remembered where he first met her.  Her and the others he came to call family in what seemed like another life…

***** Flashback *****

It was just after he got cursed in Jusenkyo.  After he realized what happened, he chased and beat up his panda father in rage then ran off.  He was angry, confused, ashamed, depressed, and most of all, miserable.  All through his life, he lived for the Art.  There was nothing else.  He lived and breathed the Art.  He had no friends, family (except for his father, who caused all of it), or any kind of life outside the Art.  And through it all, his Pops has taunted him whenever he fails 'Don't be such a girl!'  A girl, for him, is the total opposite of what he is supposed to be, the antithesis of his self-image.  And now he is one, thanks to that idiot father of his.  When he turned into a girl, all that he's worked for for so long, all that he was, it's all gone.  His own identity, his own self,  the only thing he had control over, has just vanished.  He ran, heedless of where he's going, not even seeing where he was going, not that he cared.  Now the boy-turned-girl just wanted to end it all. 

In another part of reality, a being of immense power stirred.  Someone is calling.  Calling for oblivion with all its' being with a will strong enough to be heard.  Responding to the call, it moved.

Onna-Ranma ran, oblivious to everything, her despair deepening every step.  She didn't notice when her aura started to glow gold instead of the green of depression.  Heedless of everything, it intensified until with a golden flash, she vanished.

Onna-Ranma appeared in a formless space.  Startled, she momentarily forgot everything and looked around her.  There was no feature to orient herself by.  There was no up, down, left or right.  No forward or backwards.  The only thing in her perception is this golden light all around, like the rays of the sun had melted and she had fallen into it.  Then remembering what happened, she curled up into a ball and stayed there, sobbing quietly, not caring anymore about anything or everything.  To her, she had died and this is eternity.

After a while or at least seemed like a while, she realized someone's arms were holding her, patting her hair and back in soothing movements.  Sensing a sympathetic spirit like that from a half-remembered dream, she latched on and cried some more, not even bothering to discover her comforter and not caring in the least.  All she knew was that the hands that patted her hair and stroked her back was present and gave silent comfort.  Her body wracked in crying.  It was a total breakdown.

After what seemed like an eternity, she calmed down and struggled out of the comforting embrace.  Wiping her eyes, she looked up to see a sad-eyed redheaded girl with crimson eyes and long orange-red hair.  She was wearing a beige long-sleeved shirt and black pants.  A black cape and assorted jewelry finished the costume.  On her head, she wore a black headband. She looked to be in her late teens. 

"Feeling better?" she asked, as she looked onna-Ranma over.  Ranma nodded and wiped her eyes with the back of her hands, now feeling embarrassed at her breakdown.

"Sorry for cryin' on ya and all.  Where am I?  Who're you?  Where'd ya come from?"  She looked around and found the same formless, golden space around.  Except for the two of them, there seemed to be nothing else.  Except for that golden light around them.

"This place is called the Sea of Chaos."  The stranger said. 

"…?" onna-Ranma could only stare blankly, confused.

"Do you remember what happened to you?"  the girl asked curiously.

"How can I forget?" she replied bitterly.  She remembered, all right.  She just wished she didn't.

"Well, what happened to you made you feel so bad that you called for oblivion with your whole being.  You have such a strong will that your call was answered by the one who was the source of all things.  SHE brought you here."  Onna-Ranma stared at her uncomprehendingly.  Then she heard 'source of all things' and gasped.

"Kami-sama...Am I dead?"  she whispered, shocked.  Then a thought occurred to her.  The cursed martial artist gulped and moved her hand to her chest, patting, eyes bulging at the soft bulges that wasn't supposed to be there.

"In a way, yes."  Seeing her shocked look, she explained.

"Then how come I'm still a girl?!!!"  onna-Ranma was incredulous, feeling a bit hysterical.  If this was the afterlife, then it was worse than he ever thought!  Now he'll be a girl forever!  He was about to get really hysterical when the stranger spoke up again with a vague wave of a hand.

"Let's just say for now that your will was strong enough to call for self-destruction and oblivion that it was granted to you.  But the one who controls all things, and is the source of all things, decided to let you live anyway and I suppose you keep your curse."  Seeing as the cursed martial artist was starting to get a glazed look of incomprehension in her eyes, she asked, amused  "Are you even paying attention?"

Onna-Ranma's eyes snapped back to attention and shook her head, yes.  The stranger looked at her doubtingly.

"So who're you?  What'cha doing here?"  she was curious now, not completely understanding the stranger's answer.

"Why, I'm here to help you, of course." Without warning, they both vanished.

***

They appeared in a very nice bedroom.  It wasn't rich by any means, with it having only a simple wooden bed, a dresser, vanity with a mirror and a couple of chairs.  Most people would have called it plain and simple, if not downright bare.  But to the cursed martial artist, who had lived practically his entire life on the road, camping, it was luxurious.  She looked around, orienting herself, subconsciously marking where the door and windows are and noting how easy it would be to escape if needed.

"This is your room now.  Why don't you put your things away and have a look around.  I'll be downstairs in the kitchen when you're done" her host said as she walked out of the room.

Onna-Ranma couldn't believe it.  She was giving him this room?  Absently noting her backpack beside her, she wandered around.  The furniture was simple, wooden furniture - very sturdy.  The blankets and pillows arranged on the bed looked very inviting.  There was a single window with a comfortable chair next to it.  An empty bookcase next to it hinted to the purpose of the chair, even though it was totally lost to onna-Ranma.  Wandering to the window, she looked out.  She didn't see much, as it opened up to a grove of trees.  She could almost say that they were in a forest or something.  Wandering out the door, she paused at the hallway.  Then figuring that her host did say to 'look around', she peeked into the other rooms. 

Opening the door nearby, she figured it must be another guest bedroom, as it looked almost identical to the one she came from.  Finding nothing interesting, she opened another door.  This time, she found what she assumed to be the restroom.  What's strange, though was that it seemed to have no faucet.  There was a furo, but no faucet there, either.  There was no sign of lights, either.  Just candlesticks everywhere.  She may not be familiar with the modern world, but even she knew about regular plumbing and electricity.  *Strange.  Maybe we're in the back of China or something?  That must be it.*  She decided they probably were so far away from civilization they couldn't get electricity or nothin'.  Shrugging it off, she explored the last room.  Opening it, she decided it was probably her host's room.  There were clothes everywhere as well as trinkets and such.  Old-looking books and scrolls were tucked into overflowing bookcases.  The bed was enormous, with plush pillows and blankets tossed every which way.  Then she noticed what was on one corner of the room.  Her eyes almost popped out of their sockets at the large pile of gold coins and gems just lying there.  Before she knew it, she had walked to it and was about to grab some before she caught himself.  *I am not my old man* she told herself.  Looking around guilty, heart pounding, she walked slowly, almost forcing herself, to the door and closing it.  Now that she was safely out of the room, she leaned on the door, calming herself.  *What the heck was all that gold lying there for?  Anyone could've just gone in and taken it!*  Trying not to think of the gold, she walked downstairs.  The downstairs had a similar style as most of the upstairs though with a bit of differences.  The furniture stayed simple and functional, yet the furnishings have a touch of…eccentricity.  There were little touches here and there that defined the place.  A portrait here and there in extravagant frames, a …colorful…statue of some sort in a corner, mismatched curtains, oddly arranged flowers in elegant vases.  All in all, it felt…homey.  She was about to do more exploring when she smelled food.  Typical of a Saotome, she promptly forgot everything and followed her nose.

Her nose led her to the kitchen where she found her host waiting for her with a veritable banquet on the table.  Drooling, she stared at the food, suddenly becoming aware of how hungry she is.  Being thoroughly familiar with her look, her host invited her to eat.  Immediately, she was on the food like a rabid animal.  After she was done and all the food gone, she sat on a chair, patted her stomach and sighed in contentment.

"Well, now that you're fed, care to tell me your name?"  Her host wryly asked.  Onna-Ranma started and nervously rubbed the back of his head.

"Ranma.  I'm Ranma Saotome, heir to the Saotome school of Anything Goes.  Who're you?"  he asked.  He finally realized that they never did introduce themselves.

"My name's Lina and you're at my home."  Her host answered then took on a lecturing tone.  "We're in the border between the kingdoms of Ralteague and Dils.  I found you in the Sea of Chaos and now you're staying here with me until I figure out what you are here for and why.  Any questions?"

Onna-Ranma blinked at Lina.  Then blinked again.  Seeing the blank look and thoroughly familiar with it, Lina explained again, this time in more simpler terms.  "I'm Lina.  This is my home.  You stay here until I find a way to get you home.  Okay?"

Onna-Ranma blinked again before nodding slowly as she digested the information.  "Where's my old man?"  Finally noticing the absence of the one person she's always has been with before.  Lina shook her head.  "I'm afraid he's not here.  Very few people go to the Sea of Chaos and come back.  He probably thinks you're dead already.  Sorry."

Lina watched as comprehension sank into the martial artist's eyes.  Ranma sank onto the floor in despair and misery.  Lina immediately ran forward and took her into her arms, crooning comforting tones.  They sat for a while until Ranma put herself together again.  Lina gave her a handkerchief to wipe her eyes with.

Rubbing her eyes, Ranma looked at Lina and sadly said "Ya must think me pathetic now, huh?  Always cryin' on ya.  But with Pops gone, I'm really alone now."  She looked down at her hands, like a sad child.  Lina's mothering instincts went overdrive.  Giving Ranma a bone-crushing hug, she tried to reassure the depressed cursed boy.

"Why don't you tell me about it, Ranma?  It sometimes helps to let it out."  Ranma nodded and started to tell her life story.  Starting with losing her mother at a young age (to her point of view), her buddy Ucchan, the cat-fist and all the 'training' that followed, the petty crimes, going to school only for short periods of time since they were usually on the run, and even more insane 'training', Jusenkyo, losing the only person, no matter how bad, that was the only constant in her life, the loss of identity being cursed caused.  Now she's just a weak girl.  Lina alternated between wanting to comfort the cursed martial artist, wanting to kill the father, and wanting to strangle Ranma for his gender stereotyping.  She silently vowed to get even with both.  But for now, Ranma needs comfort and that she gave.

"Don't worry, Ranma.  You're not alone.  From now on, you're part of my family, okay?"  She reassured him as she decided on a course of action.

"Really?  But you don't even know me!"  Ranma gazed at her in astonishment.  No one has ever offered such a thing to her before.  The only one that had gotten close to her in the past was her old buddy Ucchan.  And even then, they had to leave not long after.

"Doesn't matter!  Even if you were a bandit in the past, you're family now and families stick together, you hear?"  The open welcome, even if it sounded strange to him, was over whelming.  "Why?" he had to ask.  Seeing as he needed to hear the reasons, she replied, "I don't need a reason, Ranma.  It's a choice I've made and for better or worse, you're stuck with it.  Your coming from the Sea of Chaos just reinforces my decision.  So you'll stay here and be family and be happy.  Got it?"

Ranma happily nodded in acceptance.  Of course, the flaming eyes Lina was directing at her had nothing to do with it.  Neither does that scary, demon-like expression on her face.  Nope.  Not at all.

"Good.  Now before I introduce you to the others, we need to talk about your curse.  From what I can see, your curse is not stable and seemed to be water-based.  I'd theorize that hot water might turn you back into a boy…"  she didn't get to finish as onna-Ranma suddenly grabbed the hot tea nearby and dumped it on her head.  Instant male Ranma.  Crying in joy, he hopped around in celebration at his 'cure' when he heard Lina casually say 'Aqua create' and suddenly, he was doused with cold water, effectively stopping the impromptu celebration.  Blinking owlishly in confusion, he stared at the other redhead in inquiry.

"As I was saying, hot water will turn you back into a boy.  But cold water will turn you back into a girl."  Lina finished dryly.  Onna-Ranma gulped and looked down at her chest.  Sure enough, the breasts were back.

AAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!

Needless to say, he or she, screamed.

Later, after he calmed down and got turned male again, Lina sat him down for a talk.

"You have to learn how to be a girl now."

"What'cha mean?!  I just won't go near cold water, that's all!"  he was still in denial.

"Trust me.  You can't avoid it.  That's the nature of a curse.  You won't be able to avoid cold water now."  Her authoritive tone brooked no argument.  He slumped down in defeat, not knowing how to respond to the factual statement.  Can't fight a girl, after all.

"Now that's done, why don't you rest up and I'll introduce you to the family tomorrow, okay?"

By now, it was getting late and the sun was about to go down.  Noticing that it was getting darker in the room, he looked around for matches to light the candles on the tables when the light went on.  Looking around, he spotted the light shining in the middle of the ceiling and thought at first that the technology here must be very advanced.  He didn't even see the light bulb there earlier.  He was about to dismiss it when he saw Lina lighting the candles without the aid of matches.  Actually, she would just point a finger to each one and they would light up.  After arranging them in a pleasant way around the room so that not one will glare at eye-level, the light in the ceiling went out.  Startled from staring at Lina, he looked up to a bare ceiling.  There was nothing there at all.  It was just a plain, wooden ceiling.  No way to hide a light bulb there.  Turning now-large eyes to Lina, who was now carrying another candlelight to the kitchen, he hurried after her.

"L-Lina, what just happened?  How'd ya light all them candles?  What was that?"  he stuttered after her.  She looked at him strangely.  She couldn't think of what could upset him like that.  Then she realized what he was talking about and started laughing.  Ranma glared at the laughing Lina.  He didn't think anything was funny.

She just kept laughing at him.  "That's just a simple light spell, Ranma.  And I lit those candles using a very very small fireball.  Nothing to worry about."

Ranma finally understood.  "You mean magic?"

She nodded in reply, amused at his reaction.  "Yes.  Magic.  I can teach you, if you want…" she offered casually. 

Ranma was torn.  It wasn't martial arts, after all.  But it was just too cool…  Seeing his indecision, she couldn't help but taunt him.

"Tell you what.  You don't have to learn magic if you don't want to.  You might not even be capable of magic, after all.  Of course, with magic being superior to martial arts, you'll always be beaten, but…" she trailed off as Ranma stiffened in outrage.

"Magic is NOT superior to martial arts!  I'll show you!" he glared at her in indignation at the perceived insult.  Lina grinned, now knowing how to push his buttons.

"Is that a challenge?" A small smirk appeared at the redhead's face.  Immediately, a shield formed around the sorceress, which Ranma, unfortunately, couldn't see.  He could sense something though, he just didn't know what it was.  "Come and get me."  Lina taunted.  He stiffened, his back straight.  "I don't fight girls."  He informed her haughtily, his back ramrod straight.  Lina's eyes narrowed briefly with anger and suddenly he had to jump to the side as a fist-sized fireball appeared out of nowhere and landed on the spot where he was just standing.  He twisted in the air and landed facing her, face full of outrage.

"Hey!  What'cha do that for, ya uncute witch?!" he yelled at her.  Lina's eyes narrowed and another brief look of anger appeared on her face.  Unfortunately, or rather, fortunately for Ranma, Lina's very experienced in combat and the 'insult-your-enemy-to-let-them-attack-mindlessly' technique.

The sorceress just smiled.  So Ranma can dish out the insult technique, huh?  Let's see if he can take it.  "Oh come on, Ranma-chan!  Is the big-shot martial artist being beaten by a little girl who can't defend herself?" she kept taunting him.  Lina suddenly whipped out a small dagger and threw it at him.  Watching her aim, he didn't even bother moving as he saw it won't even hit him.  It hit his shadow instead.  Curious as to what that was for, he glanced back at her and saw her grin at him evilly and picked up a large statue nearby and prepared to throw it at his direction.  It looked very heavy.  Gulping nervously, he waved his arms back and forth as he tried to placate her.

"I didn't mean it!  Really!  You're not an ugly witch or nothin'!…" he silently vowed to himself to not get her angry as he turned to run as she hurled the statue at him.  He was confident he was going to be able to avoid it, only to be stopped dead on his tracks as something seemed to hold him in place.  Looking back in panic, his heart almost leaped out of his chest as he came face to face with the statue a finger's width from his face, seemingly just floating there.  Gulping and trying to calm his thundering heart, he looked down at what was holding him and stared at the dagger she had thrown earlier embedded on the very corner of his shadow.  Apparently, that little thing was holding him in place.

He breathed in relief as the statue floated back to where it was and settled down.  Sighing in relief, he bent down to pluck the dagger from the floor, only to jump as he got zapped when his fingers touched the hilt.

"OWWW!!!!  Hey!  What's the deal with the knife?  And that's not fair, ya know."  His sullen tone was too much.  Lina broke down laughing and walked to him, casually picking up the knife with no apparent discomfort and placing it back on it's sheath at her waist.

"That's the point, Ranma.  Magic makes a fight unfair against someone with no magic.  With just martial arts, you'd have to touch your opponent.  That's much too limiting.  You'd never be able to fight effectively against monsters and such if you always have to touch them to damage them.  What if they can't even be touched?  Or at a distance?"

"What do you mean?"

"Okay.  Let's see.  For example, how do you kill a monster made out of shadow?" Ranma blinked.  That's never been a scenario before.  But then again, magic hasn't been a factor before.  She tried to think of it as a challenge.  *shadow…shadow…*  Then she got an idea.

"How about light!  If you have light, shadows disappear!" 

"That's right!"  she congratulated him.  Before he could get the satisfaction of a right answer, she asked.  "What if it's nighttime?  How will you get enough light to destroy a large enough shadow?"  Ranma thought some more. 

"More light?" came the tentative answer. 

"Right.  But how do you get more light?"

"…get a really big flashlight?" he offered lamely.

Lina got confused at the unfamiliar word.  "What's a 'flashlight'?"

Now Ranma got confused.  *She don't know what a flashlight is?  Wait a second, come to think of it, I haven't seen any sign of modern civilization here…* his mind ran through several possible scenarios.

"Lina, have you heard of light bulbs?"  At the shake of Lina's head, she tried again.  "cars?  Airplanes? Telephone? Radio?"  At the negative replies and Lina's more and more confused look, she stopped and thought about it.  *Am I in another world or something?  Even in the most out-of-the-way places me an' pop went to, the people there knew what all of those were.  An' here they do magic and stuff.  I didn't see nobody do nothin' like those anywhere.*

Lina's thoughts were already along those lines.  Ranma's unfamiliarity to magic was startling.  Even when she had visited the 'outer' world, everyone knew about magic.  Sure they might not be able to do much past Lighting and Recovery, but they still knew about it.  That and the fact of finding Ranma in the Sea of Chaos, it's not a huge leap of the imagination to decide he may be from another world or dimension.  She shrugged it off, though.  L-sama must know what she's doing.

"I guess it's safe to say that you probably came from another world or dimension."  Anyone else might have freaked out at the idea.  It just goes to show just how unusual these two were when he just nodded in reply, agreeing.  Lina brightened.  "But since you're here now, you're going to have to learn how to live like the rest of us!  You, my dear, are going to learn magic."  She declared. 

***

By the end of the first night, Ranma already adjusted to his new 'home.'  After accepting he might not go back to his old 'home' and that he's probably at another world, he didn't think of it anymore.  It just wasn't that important anymore.  Having no ties to his previous life except for an idiot for a father, he had no problems adapting to the idea.  All he remembered in the past was being on the road with a father who continuously betrayed his trust and put him through hell in the name of 'training'.  First with the Cat Fist, then with the constant insane training methods, theft, and vagrancy his 'father' employed, all in the name of the 'art'.  To him, there was nothing tying him 'back there'.  Lina seemed to accept him despite the curse and the time they spent together during his breakdown has created an emotional tie between the two of them already.  To someone who was starving for affection and emotional support, Lina's offer of 'adopting' him was a gift from the gods.  He has a place to stay here and a 'family' who was willing to adopt him.

In the morning, after helping themselves to a huge breakfast, Lina decided to introduce him to the rest of the 'family' and Ranma got his first look at the 'town'.  It was basically a small village, though primitive looking.  It reminded him of the small towns they encountered in the backwoods of China, only a bit richer.  After all, not a lot of people in China wear expensive jewelry as part of their everyday attire.

Lina towed him from house to house, introducing everyone.  To his surprise, he found out that basically, the entire town was 'family', though no one said what Lina's relationship to all of them were.  When he commented on it, those nearby jokingly said that they were the town of Dra-mata, which made Lina chase threateningly after whoever said it.  It was all good-natured until someone decided to tease Lina by calling her 'oh great great great grandmother' and got a fireball in reply.  After the smoking instigator got carted off, everything got back to normal.  It did make him realize that everyone seemed to do what Lina said.  It was strange to see, for him, to see a teenager ordering everyone around and there would be no questions asked.  He filed it away to think of later.

Everyone was very welcoming.  Lina introduced him as the newest member of the family and that he came from the Sea of Chaos, he's staying with me and oh yeah, he's a girl, too.  Upon hearing the strange introduction, people would either just blink and get on with their lives, or would blink and ask him questions upon questions 'Do you remember where you came from?', 'What did she mean you're a girl, too?' or 'What was it like?' were common ones.  Wherever they went, they were served food, she would show off the curse (to his dismay and embarrassment), and would get sympathetic looks.  Actually, Ranma was amazed at how well they all took to the curse, most of them only remarking briefly on how odd it is but how it can be worse.  Despite many protests, they completed their rounds.

***

The following days became a blur.  Lina had decided he needed to learn to socialize first before any kind of magic lessons.  "Being able to cast the most powerful magic in the world doesn't mean anything unless you know when and where to use it" she pointedly told him.  Since he was not that sure he wanted to learn magic anyway, he didn't protest.  But her idea on 'socializing' him was what he protested on.  But not being able to argue against her (she always seemed to manage to goad him into doing what she wanted), he reluctantly complied and found himself having the time of his life.

Everyday, after breakfast, she would leave him with one family or another for chores and to help in whatever way.  He was turned into a waiter/waitress, cook, babysitter, weapon repairer, clerk's assistant, cleanup person, and general jack-of-all-trades' apprentice.  Per Lina's instructions, in the afternoons, he would be tossed out with the some of the other kids with the instructions of 'show him how to have fun' until dinner.  And since the other kids had a 'talk' with Lina before being tossed with him, they took him under their wing despite his awkward beginning attempts at friendship.  They took to roaming the forest, showing him the strange creatures that lived there and how to handle some of the more dangerous ones.  Of course, they had to first teach him to not insult everyone and brag about how good he is.  They made sure Lina heard about that 'lesson', to which she had laughed at all night.  After dinner, he would then relax and talk about his day with Lina for a few hours.  She would ask him about anything and everything he did that day.  It seemed like he became like a pet project for Lina.  He would then spend the rest of the night with the books, to his dismay.  He talked more and more to Lina just to avoid the study sessions. 

With no competition for food and bedspace, he found himself well-rested and fed everyday, giving him more energy through the day and allowing him to get up earlier.   And since they didn't leave him enough time for his martial arts, he started to get up early and practice before breakfast. 

To him, it was as if someone had turned back the clock and let him be a kid again.  Martial arts were not the only thing to do all day and he was encouraged to run wild with the other 'kids'.  Except for being stuck as a girl some times, it was the best time in his life.  But since they didn't give him enough time to practice every day, he took his father's advice 'treat everything as martial arts' to heart.  For example, waitressing became strength, balance and coordination training.  Cleanup became martial arts as he jumped and leaped over obstacles, strength and speed training as he rolled under the tables to clean the floor.  Dishwashing became speed training.  He'd chop wood with bare hands.  Everyone was amazed at his antics and performance.  Soon, he had a steady number of students who wanted to learn, including Lina herself.  To his dismay, though, she often 'cheated' by staying in the air longer than gravity would have allowed.

In their evening sessions, Lina filled him in about his new world.  He found out that there were at basically three races: Mazoku, Dragons, and humans (I'm not quite sure where the elves fit in).  The Mazoku were the race of evil, demons and monsters, serving the god 'Shabranigdo.'  While he'd call many of the creatures in the forest 'monsters', the real 'monster' race were very different and much more dangerous.  Those things in the forests were just beasts.  Dragons are similar.  While there may be some dragons around that are just 'beasts' (some were even hunted down as a delicacy, to which he turned green), the actual dragon race were intelligent and powerful, serving the god 'Ceipheed'.  She taught him what to expect and what creatures are out there, to which he was surprised.  After all, he didn't really enounter any 'monster' in the forest, just harmless strange-looking creatures.  When he said so, she replied that the only reason he didn't see them here was because people and creatures avoid this entire area altogether.  When he asked why, she told him it's because of her reputation.  She told him stories of her life, her wild younger days (she still looked like she's in her teens) and the friends who fought with her.  She used to be infamous, given names such as 'Bandit Killer', 'Enemy of all who lives', 'Destruction Poster Child', 'Girl who spooks dragons', hence the name 'Dra-matta'.  She had saved and almost destroyed the world a number of times.  Of course, nowadays, she doesn't bandit-hunt anymore, preferring research.  She then revealed that she was basically immortal, due to an event that happened when she was just seventeen.  All she said of that time was that her late husband had given all he had to get her back.  Of course, that explained why everyone here was 'family' as they were all basically her descendants.

It was not all fun and games, though.  To his horror, Lina had him learn to be comfortable in his girl-form, going as far as freezing him in it for days at a time.  She insisted after the first few incidents when he would parade around topless after a workout or after being splashed.  He learned how to act and dress as a girl.  He also learned about 'that time of the month', the hard way, after being stuck in female-form for a month.  He had nightmares about that incident for a while.  It almost rivaled the cat-fist training.   Lina fought an uphill battle with his foot-in-mouth disease.  To her dismay, he can't seem to grasp the idea that he can't just say everything he thinks to everyone and that not all girls are helpless.  She was determined to teach him that very valuable lesson and soon.

***

It was the end of the second month when he met the other 'occupant' of the house.  He had gone up to his room for his study session when he heard Lina shriek downstairs.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"XELLOS YOU FRUITCAKE!!!"

He jumped out of bed at the banging sounds and explosions coming from the living room.  Frantically rushing down the stairs, he jumped into the living room in a ready stance, expecting a life and death struggle, only to stop dead on his tracks to see Lina holding a purple-haired man with a red-orbed tipped wooden staff in a headlock.  She was swearing up a storm as she seemed to try to twist the stranger's head off while the stranger was protesting, almost whining, which seemed to make her even madder.  Hearing and seeing him arrive, the two struggling people paused. 

"Just a second, Ranma" Lina calmly smiled at him as if she wasn't trying to wring someone's neck.  She then proceeded to beat up the stranger, who never lost the smile on his face even as he was plastered onto the ground.  When she was done, she calmly dusted her hands off his cape and smiled in satisfaction.

"What's going on?" came his bewildered question.  The room was a mess, the furniture broken, the walls were dented and has holes.  Even the ceiling was scorched.

"Xellos just surprised me, that's all.  Nothing to worry about.  I'd like you to meet Xellos, Mr. Trickster Priest himself.  He comes by once in a while to visit.  I don't know how long he'll be here this time, though."  She smiled as Xellos peeled himself and his staff off the ground, none the worse for wear, much to his surprise.  He gaped, not knowing what to say or think.

"Why Lina-chan, I didn't know about a new guest."  He kept his eyes closed as he grinned in a friendly manner at Ranma.  He was standing up already, as if nothing had happened.

"Now you do.  Xellos, I'd like you to meet Ranma, the newest member of our family.  He'll be staying here so you better behave yourself."  Xellos just smiled more and tried his best to look harmless.

"But Lina-chan, I always behave myself."

"Right.  Behave like a fruitcake, you mean.  Now fix this mess you've made!"  She glared at him and indicated the annihilated living room.

"But you were the one who did it, not me!"  He protested.

"You made me do it so it was your fault.  And you know as well as I do you did it just for a good meal!  Now fix it!"  Her glare intensified as she tapped her foot in impatience.  Knowing it was a losing battle, he sighed and waved an arm around the room.  A bright light appeared, blinding them for a split second.  When it cleared, everything was back to normal, as it was earlier that evening.

"Good.  Now I need your help on something.  Ranma, go back up and study.  I'll fill you in later."  She dragged the still-smiling Xellos off and left Ranma just standing there, not really knowing what happened.

***

Xellos' arrival heralded the end of his 'free time'.  The next morning Lina started his 'real' lessons.  To his dismay, his first lesson was weapons and fighting against women.  Despite his many protests and remarks about a real martial artist doesn't use weapons, he found himself in that field facing a female.  It didn't take very long.  Lina started by getting her granddaughter, 'grandma Celia' to 'spar' with him.  Refusing to hit a girl, much more an old woman, he tried to run.  After the 'old woman' beat him around a couple dozen times, he started to retaliate.  To his surprise, none of his hits connected and he couldn't even disarm her!  The 'old woman' was insanely fast.  It was a very depressing 'battle', if it can even be called that.  A few more hours of this and he finally relented.  Her being spotless and not even winded while he was down and battered made it even more embarrassing.  Finally, when he couldn't move anymore, he convinced himself that since his 'pop' would have disapproved, it would be a great thing. 

So they taught him the art of swordsmanship, even though he was still reluctant to take a sword.  Fortunately, 'swordsmanship' to them involved all weapons from daggers, clubs, bow and arrows, axe to large broadswords. To his amazement, they showed him techniques that he was able to apply to the rest of his art.  His overall speed, strength and endurance increased, though he couldn't seem to match Grandma Celia's speed.  Before long, a long wooden staff was his regular companion.

Lina became as a mother/sister/sensei combined for him.  Xellos, who seemed to be around all the time (though Lina denied any sort of relationship,) became his other tutor/mentor.  After establishing he really did have a large capacity for magic, Lina started teaching him some basic spells.  By the end of the first week of magic lessons, they were incorporated into his Anything-goes style.  And being able to get hot water (via spell) whenever he wants made the curse less embarrassing (especially with a trickster Xellos around.)

Xellos taught him when to keep his mouth shut.  Not that he wanted to, mind you, Lina 'convinced' him.  It also didn't help the trickster to have an accomplice who couldn't keep a secret to save his life.  For Ranma, it was reminiscent of his previous 'training' under his 'pop'.  He definitely learned quickly.  The mazoku had him learn tactics and had him participate in practical jokes, particularly on a golden dragon named Filia who lived in a 'nearby' town (since they teleported there, he didn't really know how far it is.)  "For training" he said.  Filia took most of these in stride, but blamed that 'filthy mazoku' Xellos for 'corrupting' Ranma.  That's when he found out that Xellos was actually a Mazoku.  When he asked Lina later on, she explained that normally, Dragons and Mazoku are mortal enemies.  Not really understanding, he took it in stride as just another peculiarity okay to overlook since Lina seemed to accept him.

As for the Cat-Fist, it got triggered eventually.  Unfortunately for his opponents, though, he uses some of his magic while under the Cat-fist.  It's not unusual to see cat-Ranma throwing fireballs or other fire and wind attacks at those he considered threats.  Seeing what he can do with it and calming him down, Lina instantly latched onto the idea he should learn to control it or at least partially - just think, instead of ki-claws, to have an elmekia lance or some such spell at your fingertips.  A re-usable elmekia lance!  The possibilities took Lina to bliss for a few moments.

Much to everyone else's chagrin and to Lina's pride, he adopted Lina's teenage behavior.  It wasn't long before they started hearing of the new bandit-hunter.  Apparently, he also adopted Lina's motto of 'bandits have no rights', though he never went as far as kill them, but merely humiliate them.  "There are a lot worse things than death.  Not to mention more fun" he would say when asked why he won't kill.  He soon had his own reputation as bandits and creatures learned to give him a wide berth, if not run away from him altogether.  The already infamous reputation of the 'family' just got more infamous.  He spent many summer days roaming the countryside with his friends.

Lina was so proud of him she insisted he start calling her sister.

It was one morning when he woke up when the house was rocked by a powerful blast nearby.  Falling off his bed, he scrambled out of his room and looked out the window.  The last thing he saw was the sight of a powerfully built man with a pair of ice-chilling, determined eyes staring at him.  Then his world went white.

***

Back in the world he came from, the redheaded girl that he was was running, her heart breaking and wishing for oblivion with all her being, glowing golden.  Suddenly, in mid-stride, she vanished, only to re-appear a moment later standing bewildered.  She blinked a couple of times as the glow around her form faded, not knowing what had happened.  She remembered being cursed by that worthless piece of scum he used to call father, then running, then running some more and then...what just happened?  There was something very important... something missing, as if she had lost something very precious…She stood there for a while, trying to figure it out when a panda caught up and started berating the cursed martial artist on being so like a girl to run away just because of a little curse.  A surprisingly vicious and short fight later to which he was surprised at his speed, reflexes and strength, the Jusenkyo guide caught up to them and led them towards the nearest village that happened to be full of Chinese Amazons.  The rest, as they say, is history.

*****  Finally End Flashback  *****

It's been a couple of years since he arrived here at the Tendo's.  Two long years without the memories of his time with her and the ones he came to call family.  With his memories returned, he regained the maturity he took so long to gain when he was with them.  With it, his eyes opened to the magic around him.  He stood there for a few minutes in shock, as he coped and incorporated the forgotten memories into his mind.  With the returning memories came the emotional support he's been missing.  A new Ranma opened his eyes. 

It was a rush.  Inside, he winced as he saw and realized what he's done in the past two years.  Shoving that thought aside for now, he stared at the female in front of him.

"s-sis?" his eyes were suspiciously moist as he asked in a disbelieving tone.

"What happened?  Why did I come back?"  His voice caught in his throat.  Not wanting to cry, he fought down his emotions.  She went over and gave him a hug.  He returned it with favor, trembling from the flow of emotions.

"I didn't want to forget you or anyone else.  Why?  Why'd I forget?  What happened to me?"  He whispered, tears in his voice.

"Shh.  It's okay, Ranma."  She tried to comfort him, patting him on the back while hugging him.  It was so familiar and yet so new that he trembled from the flow of emotions it produced.  They remained there for a while in comfortable and happy reunion.

***

A while later, after he calmed down, they sat down again to talk. 

"I think it's time I explain some things to you."  She said.  He didn't answer.  His silence was answer enough as he waited.

"The day you left was the day the mazoku attacked."  His eyes grew large.  He turned incredulous eyes on her.

"WHAT!?"

"Yes.  Apparently, they decided that it was time to destroy the world or something.   So they attacked.  You just happened to be one of the first ones they got.  Fortunately, we were able to save you in time and sent you back."

"Oh, man!  I didn't even get a shot in!  That's not fair!"  He yelled in indignation, outraged at not being included in the fight.  It must have been a spectacular fight!  Lina blinked, then laughed joyfully.  She had missed her little brother.  He gave her an annoyed look that only prompted her to laugh more.  Then he realized what he just said.  "Did I just say that?"  he asked sheepishly then joined her in laughter.  After a while, a thought came and he sobered up and asked.

"But how come I had to go back?  And why did you wait until now to come?  Why did I forget?"  Looking at his serious and angry face, Lina smirked and replied, wagging her finger at him.

"Now, that...is a secret." 

He face-faulted, landing heavily on the roof with a loud 'thunk'.  Lina laughed at him. 

"You've been around Xellos-san too long, sis."  He grouched at her as he rubbed his head where it hit.

"Oh shut up and give me a hug.  I missed you."

"I missed you too, sis."  He gave her another brief hug, still reeling at the memories he had just gotten back.

He didn't realize just how much noise they were making.  In the house, people woke up from the noise.  They were hugging each other when the Tendos walked out of the house and looked at the roof.  There on the roof was Ranma, holding a girl in his arms.  As usual, mayhem was to follow.  The difference is that this is a new Ranma.

The Tendos looked at the couple hugging and smiling at each other on the roof.  Akane burned in jealousy and anger.  How dare he flirt with another one!  That womanizing pervert!  Climbing up to the roof, she approached the couple.

Nabiki first thought that maybe Ranma's evil girl-side has escaped again.  Then she saw the face and hair of the girl and concluded that it was not.  It was definitely another girl.  For one thing, the new girl is not as well endowed as Ranma's girl-half.  She started to think of ways to profit from this as she mentally calculated the possible repair jobs that will be needed soon.

Kasumi looked at the two and just said "Oh my.  We have a visitor.  I better go make tea."  She left to make said tea.

Soun stood still in shock, mouth hanging open.

Genma was still asleep inside the house.

Akane approached the couple, hammer ready.  Ranma watched her, the girl he had thought he loved, approach with her all-too-familiar hammer and angry aura blazing.  The feelings he had attached to her had been straining for the last couple of years.  When he had first arrived, he had instantly fallen in love with her with her gentle and generous offer of friendship.  With no memories of his time with Lina and family, he had reverted to being as he was.  Being starved for affection and emotionally unstable, he had latched onto her as a drowning man would latch onto a lifeline.  However, her anger, impatience and insults, her mistrust of him and constant blame had eroded that tie.  With the return of his memories and the re-establishment of his emotional stability, that tie had completely broken.  Now all he saw was an angry girl.

"Ranma you pervert!  How dare you flirt with another girl!" she growled. 

Lina stood there, looking at Akane curiously while Ranma just watched sadly.  He was torn between wanting to protect Lina from Akane and protecting Akane from Lina.  Either way, it wasn't a good deal for him.  His stalling was cut short when he saw Lina lifting one arm and was about to point at the raging girl.  He panicked and jumped between them, waving his hands frantically.

"Now, now, Akane.  It's not what you think..." he tried to explain when the mallet swung.

Akane saw Ranma step protectively in front of the girl and saw red.  She thought *How dare he cheat me behind my back!  And now he's defending the tramp!  From me!  And to think I was actually willing to go through that wedding!  Now I know why he didn't really want to get married!  That Cassanova!  That pervert!  To think, all this time, he's had someone else!*

"RANMA NO BAKA!"  She swung the mallet, expecting it to hit, as usual.  This time, though, he was having none of it.  He just reunited with his 'sister' and no one is going to ruin it or try to harm her.  As the hammer came towards him, he struck out with one hand, grabbing her wrist and in a twisting motion, disarmed her.  As the hammer fell, he caught it with the same hand and tossed it away.  In the same motion, the he gently struck the open palm of his other hand at her chest, pushing her away.  Akane stumbled back.  She wasn't hurt, but it was the fact that Ranma, the one who went to ridiculous lengths to not fight girls even when they're trying to kill him, actually 'attacked' that shocked her.  She stood there a moment in shock before running back to her room, crying.  Ranma was about to follow her when there was a hand on his shoulder stopping him.  Looking back, he saw Lina shaking her head at him, silently telling him to leave her for now.  Understanding, his shoulders drooped down and he sat down, depressed.

Soun finally recovered from his shock and went into full demon-head attack.  "RANMA!  HOW COULD YOU CHEAT ON YOUR FIANCEE!!!"

Lina looked at the demon-head and drew her dagger.  Curious, she poked it lightly with the point.  It collapsed like a popped balloon.  Soun stood there, astonishment written on his face.  Only Kasumi ever did that to him. 

"This is gonna cost you, Ranma"  Nabiki called out from the sidelines.

Lina then decided she'd had enough of this fiasco and cast a mind control spell on Soun and Nabiki and had them think this was all a dream and go inside and go to sleep.  Their eyes glazed over as the spell took effect.  Obeying the commands, they went inside and promptly went to sleep.  Seeing it, Ranma relaxed, realizing the situation is under control now.

"Hello there.  You must be tired.  Would you like some tea?"  Lina jumped as Kasumi appeared next to her holding a tray with a tea set.  She didn't hear the eldest Tendo daughter approach.

"Thank you."  She accepted a cup.  Ranma just looked at both girls, a smile on his face again.  Lina sipped her tea and gave it back to Kasumi, saying thanks. 

"Kasumi, I'd like you to meet my sister Lina.  Lina, this is Kasumi, she's the eldest of the Tendo sisters and a great cook."

Kasumi smiled.  She was glad.  It's been over two years now and she saw Ranma still didn't have anyone close to him.  For him to say someone was as close to him as a sister was very encouraging.  She's been a silent witness to the martial artist's plight as he attempted to adapt to 'normal' society.  She had thought that her sister might have been able to do it, as she could be the nicest person, but apparently she failed to see past his egotistical façade also.  His many fiancées and enemies have forced the cursed boy to distance himself from everyone, even though no one else seemed to notice.  The failure of the attempted wedding was proof of that.  Now this girl comes out of nowhere and already Ranma was calling her a sister.  That he spoke of her and to her with obvious affection speaks of the emotional bond between them.

"Nice to meet you, Kasumi.  I have to try your cooking sometime."  Kasumi blinked and wondered as to what Lina was doing, as she seemed to peering at her intently.  Ranma didn't say anything as he wondered the same thing.  He was glad to see her take a liking to Kasumi, though.  The eldest Tendo sister has always been like a mother figure to him in the two years he's been in Nerima.  After a few seconds, Lina sat back in satisfaction and self-congratulation.

"You're a shrine maiden, aren't you?"  It was more a statement than question.  Ranma's eyes widened and Kasumi looked at her in confusion.

"I'm afraid I'm not religious enough for that, Lina-san."

Lina was about to correct her when Ranma asked.  "You mean she can do magic?"

Lina nodded and Kasumi was even more confused.  Seeing her confusion, Lina explained.

"What I meant was you have a potential for magic.  We call women like you shrine maidens."  Seeing Ranma about to interrupt again, she barged on in her well-practiced lecturing mode.

"The reason you aren't aware of the fact was that no one here really can do magic.  You see, magic has been sealed away for a long time.  So long that no one even believes in it anymore or can use it.  With exceptions, of course.  Only thing is, Ranma's naturally chaotic nature attracts magic to him.  You people here have probably seen more magic than the entire world has seen in thousands of years.  Now, magic is coming back.  I'm sure you can feel it already, right, Ranma?"  Ranma nodded.  He can indeed feel it now and recognize it for what it is.  It was that faint buzz in the air around him.  It was what was bugging him for a week now.

"Now, as the magic is released, you will be able to use the spells I've taught you in greater strength.  Just don't overdo it.  The world is not yet ready for it.  As for you, Kasumi, do you want to learn?"

"Oh my.  What is this magic?  It sounds so hard.  I'm afraid I'm just not that smart."

"Yes you are.  It's already in your nature.  Tell me, wouldn't you like to be a healer?"  Kasumi nodded in agreement.  She had been borrowing Dr. Tofu's medical books for a couple of years now.

"Well, you can use white magic to help people.  Cure them and heal them."  The eldest Tendo daughter paused to consider before replying.

" If it will let me do those, then yes, I'd love to learn."  Lina nodded in encouragement.

"You can do it.  Ranma will teach you until I find someone else, okay?"

"Ranma?  I didn't know Ranma could do that."  Kasumi said.  Things were going too fast for her.

"Neither did I."  Ranma mumbled.  Lina heard him, though.

"Now, now, Ranma.  No complaining.  Just teach her some basics.  Light, levitation, recovery, dieclery, sleeping.  You know those already."  He nodded in agreement then changed the subject.

"So sis, you're staying here?"

"Oh no.  I can't stay.  I'm just visiting for a little bit."  Ranma's disappointed and surprised look cued Kasumi it was time to leave.  Picking up the tea things, she got up.

"It was very nice to meet you Miss Lina.  I hope you can visit us again sometime.  If you would both excuse me, I'll be going in now.  We can talk about my lessons tomorrow, Ranma-kun."  With that, she went back in.

Ranma was about to ask Lina what she was talking about when he saw her expression.  He tensed.  She grinned at his reaction. 

"Now, Ranma.  I've been wanting to ask you some things.  You see, I've observed what's happened to you since you came back and think we need to discuss something." 

Ranma gulped nervously.  "Uhh...what would you like to discuss, sis?" 

Lina grined even wider.  Now he was starting to get worried.  Last time they had did this kind of 'discussion'... he didn't want to think about it, it was worse than when he found out about 'that time of the month'.

"Oh, nothing much."  She smiled at him sweetly.  NOW he's really worried.  He stepped away from her slowly, waving his arms in front defensively.

"It wasn't my fault, really!  It was Pop's fault he engaged me to all those girls!"

She took a step towards him, causing him to step back even more.  He gestured even more frantically.

"Why don't we talk about this some more privately?"

He turned around and got ready to run, knowing it won't do any good.  The only sound he was able to say was a short 'eep' before a portal opened up in front of him and swallowed him up and disappear.  Lina followed suit right after.

Author's notes:

I'm not that good with writing stories.  And I'm not sure if I can do the Slayers any justice writing them.  I'm leaning towards sticking to the Ranma cast for now, though.  I already have this story written but am unhappy with it so am revising as I post.  If you're a good writer, specially when it comes to fight scenes, and would like to help (without taking forever at it), then please feel free to contact me.

Also, if the characters seem OOC, just remember this is fanfiction.  I'm not a professional writer nor even an amateur one.  I'm probably at the wanna-be-amateur level so don't be so mean please.  I'm just doing this for fun, after all.

I no longer have a website so just keep checking where you found this story for future postings.