Daughter of the Dragonlines chapter two: Shopping, School, and Old Ghouls
by: John deGraffenreid
email: kenneday@aol.com and Lordjinnai25@aol.com
Author's Note: Greetings one and all, and welcome to the rewritten Chapter two. I've gotten a lot of positive response on this rewrite and it pleases me to know you think I'm doing a good job. However I would like to take this opportunity to address a few things, for purposes of clarification. First, the question of how Ryouga got so powerful after Ranma's battle with Saffron. Well I can't say anything right now, but that question WILL be addressed in chapter four or five. I haven't really decided which just yet.
Second the question of why Ranma, Shampoo and Nodoka simply left Nerima instead of getting revenge first. Well that one is kind of a tricky question. That kind of emotional devastation can affect people in different ways. I never said that they wouldn't get their payback, but it'll be a couple chapters yet before I handle that.
Thirdly, the question of how Ryouga and Akane got their hands on the Chisuiton and Kaisuifu. That one will be explained fairly soon, possibly during the part where you, the readers, learn how Ryouga gained so much power. Those are really the main issues people have addressed, if you have other questions relay them to me and I'll see if I can answer them without giving the story away.
One other thing, in one of the reviews I got the reviewer seemed to think that Akane and Ryouga's actions would anger Mousse and Cologne. I disagree, with Ranma stuck as a girl he can't marry Shampoo, something that Mousse would be ecstatic about. As far as Cologne goes, well she might be disappointed that Ranma couldn't marry Shampoo, but she would try and use any other means she deemed necessary to get Ranma into her tribe, either that or fall back on the Kiss of Death. Let's not forget how manipulative and dedicated to amazon law Cologne is.
At any rate without further adieu I present chapter two of Daughter of the Dragonlines.
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Nerima district, Okonomiyaki Ucchan's, 8 am.
Nabiki Tendo sat at her lap top thinking. She couldn't believe her little sister could be so callous and devious. She never would have pegged her for someone capable of hurting another person the way she had hurt Ranma. Though in truth she knew she should have expected it. She had always been a mean and violent girl. Akane the Princess, she to whom everyone bows. Of course in her heart of hearts Nabiki knew that she had real place to say anything. She herself was little better than a pornographer, selling pictures of her sister and Ranma to Kuno and any other pervert able to pay her price. She had set it up so that Ranma and Akane's wedding would be disrupted just to make a few more yen.
She knew that Ranma had no reason to do anything for her. Which was why it surprised her so much when he offered to set her up with someone who had a crush on her. She had been taken aback by this, of all the people she knew that played match-maker, Ranma had never fit into that mold. Of course she tried to back out, after all she had thought that no one knew about her preferences. That had been another shock to the system. Not only had Ranma known, he...she had known who she was crushing on; and managed to set them up on a date that would be uninterrupted. She owed Ranma big time for that one. Since that time she and Ukyo had gotten closer and closer. She had to repay Ranma somehow, make amends for what she had done in the past. So it was that she used her extensive computer skills to hack into her own bank account and transfer a large sum of money to the account of one Ranma Hino. Smiling to herself she walked back up the stairs and into the room of her lover. It was strange how it had worked out, but being free of her old house had led her to a place she could truly call home.
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Juuban District, Hino Shrine
The night had passed fitfully for Ranma nightmares plagued her sleep causing her to wake several times during the night. After the third time of waking up in a cold sweat Ranma left her futon and went to check on her mother. The deep bruises that had adorned Nodoka's back had begun to disappear, seeing this Ranma was grateful to Dr. Tofu for teaching her the healing shiatsu points that had aided her mother. Feeling sleep overtaking her again Ranma curled up beside her mother, hoping that her presence would keep the terrors that plagued her mind away for at least a little while.
Shampoo woke as light from the rising sun peeked through the window of the guestroom she was sleeping in. Looking around she saw that Ranma was nowhere to be seen, she rose to see if she could find her. Her search didn't take long. Shampoo made her way to Nodoka's room, quietly opening the door she saw Ranma sleeping soundly beside her mother, for once a look of peace gracing her face instead of the terror that normally came to her in her sleep. Shampoo smiled to herself and she was about to leave and quietly close the door when she heard a voice.
"I know you're there Xian Pu." Nodoka said. "It is good to know that my child has someone in her life that cares so much." Shampoo blushed at the compliment and was about to reply when Ranma woke.
"Thanks mom. Are you feeling better this morning."
"Yes Lady Saotome. Are you feeling better? If not I know of some herbal remedies for pain to aid the pressure points Ranma used last night." Nodoka smiled and nodded.
"Yes actually. I feel better than I have in years."
"Mom, did baka-oyaji do that to you?" Ranma's voice was low, almost a whisper. Shampoo feared another breakdown was eminent and placed her hand on Ranma's shoulder and squeezed it gently. Nodoka sighed, she had known this question was going to come eventually; but she had hoped it wouldn't be so soon.
"Yes Ranma he did." Ranma's expression turned to confusion. How could someone who was that much of a coward, someone who was terrified of the family katana do something like that. "Ranma, before I tell you what happened I want your word you will do nothing until I say you are ready. Will you give me that much?" Ranma's eyes were hard, unshed tears brimming in them. It was a hard thing for her mother to ask, Shampoo understood this. Nodoka was offering to train Ranma in her own Art. Ranma thought for a moment.
"Alright, you have my word mom; but I don't like it." With that the three women sat and Nodoka began to speak unaware that her father was listening in on the conversation.
"Genma is terrified Ranma, however I believe that his greed over powers that fear at times. The reason I was so badly hurt was because I told him I would not allow a marriage between our family and the Tendos. He took it worse than I had thought he would." Nodoka was now openly crying. "I suppose he never did care about me at all." Ranma and Shampoo moved to hug Nodoka, trying to help her through the pain. It was then that Nodoka's father made himself known.
"Welcome home Nochan. I'm glad you finally saw that fat, lazy coward for what he was. You and Ranma and her friend can stay here as long as you want. A fellow we had working here left recently and we have the spare room. Maybe you'll finally agree to teach some martial classes like I've been asking you to do for years." Ranma perked up at this.
"Mom you want to train me don't you?" Nodoka nodded causing Ranma to smile for a moment before it faded. "Thanks mom, I need to do this. Ryouga has to pay for he did to me. As for Akane..." Tears fell down Ranma's face, "I just wish I knew why." Rei knocked on the door and entered. She looked concerned for Ranma and spoke up.
"Aunt Nodoka uhm I was wondering if you had anything planned for today?"
"No Rei, nothing for today. Ranma, Xian Pu and myself need time recover from what happened recently. Why do you ask?" Rei smiled.
"Well I was hoping that you guys would go shopping with me. Ranma needs new clothes for school here." Ranma groaned at this, but knew that maybe now, without the constant interruptions she might finally see what she was capable of in school. She looked over to her mother.
"Mom, I'd like to go with Rei, but I'd love for you and Shampoo to go too." Grandpa Hino knew to get when the getting was good and sneaked out of the room while Rei was talking. Nodoka beamed with happiness and nodded.
"I'd love to go Ranma, let me get cleaned up first though alright. I'm sure we have time." Rei nodded. Shampoo took Ranma's hand and gave it a loving squeeze.
"You did something very good there beloved." She gave Ranma a gentle kiss on the ear, causing Ranma to blush, and Rei to break into giggles.
"Awwww Shampoo you know I'm not ready for that right now. I care about you, I really do but I need to sort things out first ok?" Shampoo nodded, then took on a mischievous gleam in her eyes. Ranma found herself on the floor embraced in a full amazon glomp.
"Shampoo so happy! Arien admit she love Shampoo. You take Shampoo to date now, or maybe make hot monkey love instead?" Ranma's eyes grew to saucer size until she saw Shampoo wiggling her eyebrows at her; she broke into giggles joined by Ranma and Rei, soon escalating to full-blown laughter. Nodoka smiled to herself as she walked to the bathroom. It had been far to long since she had heard Ranma genuinely laugh. Perhaps she would find the healing she needed so desperately now that she was in a better environment.
Meanwhile back in Nerima Cologne fumed to herself. Shampoo had lost, and worse after receiving her cure to her Jusenkyo curse she had betrayed the amazons. This could not be tolerated, if Shampoo could not fulfill the Kiss of Marriage then she would fulfill the Kiss of Death; at least that's what the council would want. Ranma was a nice enough boy, but a male none-the-less. A male that had killed Saffron who, for all intents and purposes, was supposed to be immortal. Cologne sighed; there was really no other way. She could no more order Shampoo to kill Ranma than she could do the deed herself. However whatever she did, both Ranma and Shampoo needed to believe that it was real. She smiled to herself, it would be real. There was really no other choice. Shampoo would be banished from the tribe, and forever marked as traitor. That meant she could never return home, but it was a price worth her great-granddaughter's life. She grew angrier with each passing moment, it had only been a day and already what Akane and Ryouga had done to Ranma was public knowledge.
She had no idea how the pig had gotten to be so powerful but she had a bad feeling about it. After the Saffron incident they had spent time recuperating in the amazon village. Ryouga had disappeared rather conveniently, just after Ranma regained consciousness. During that time Elder Sea Zhin had disappeared as well, Cologne had never really trusted that one. She was always plotting something, all of the Elders were actually. It was one of the many reasons she had been glad to come to Japan. Of course Shampoo's curse had been completely staged, a fact that not even Shampoo knew. Sighing heavily Cologne hopped to her room to think about things. She went over the facts as she knew them.
First, Ryouga revised the breaking point technique by combining it with the Shi shi hokodan, something that she had only thought Ranma capable of. Secondly, Ryouga had gotten far faster than he was ever known to be. Third, Akane had stolen the Nanichuan water and used it on Ryouga, meaning she had known about his curse yet didn't care about it. Fourth, somehow Ryouga had managed to get his hands on both the Kaisuifu kettle and the Chisuiton ladle. Both powerful Musk artifacts that would never leave their kingdom without Herb's knowledge or consent. Which meant that Ryouga had probably stumbled into their vault and taken them, knowing his unusual cursed sense of direction would get him far away before anyone knew what was going on. Fifth, Ryouga had used the ladle on Ranma and destroyed the kettle in front of hi.her. Sixth, Ryouga could only have gotten those items while the Musk where too busy celebrating Saffron's defeat. Seventh, the only person who could have taught Ryouga and made him so strong so quickly were herself, Happosai and Sea Zhin. Conclusion-Since neither Happy nor myself wanted Ranma to suffer, it wasn't one of us who trained the pig. Therefore it follows that, that old Harpy Sea Zhin must have trained Ryouga using the forbidden techniques.
Cologne banged her head on the table on her staff, bemoaning the stupidity of it all. That old fool had endangered the whole tribe with her stupidity. Ranma had done what all the elders of Joketsuzoku couldn't have done. She defeated Saffron, no not just defeated. Killed, in an incredibly brutal fashion. Now Cologne was worried. Sea Zhin had always hated Shampoo for the way she had rejected Mousse. It appeared as though Sea Zhin would finally get her wish. If Shampoo could not return to the village then Cologne would not return either. She stopped in her thoughts as something suddenly occurred to her. Mousse was nowhere to be seen. This did not bode well; she hopped to the storage room where she kept Mousse at night. Something she found to be a distasteful necessity to protect Shampoo from the blind boy in case he got to feeling amorous at night. Once in the room she saw that his things were gone. A note was left scrawled on the wall.
"Old Ghoul.
I'm going to Juuban to find that worthless whore you call your granddaughter. She rejects me and my bloodline for another woman. That is unacceptable. She WILL comply with what I want; I've endured your humiliations long enough old hag. If she thinks she can reject me she has another thing coming. I have the support of my grandmother in this mummy. If you interfere I will see you and your bloodline banished from the tribe forever.
I hate you
Mu Tsu"
Cologne's eyes narrowed in rage. The blind fool was walking into a situation where he might get himself killed. There was no choice now, Shampoo had to be banished and stricken from the tribal records. It was the only way for her to survive; she spun around suddenly, sensing another presence behind her.
"YOU!" she yelled. "What do you want you old pervert?"
"Now Kochan." Happosai said as he stepped out of the shadows.
"Don't you Kochan me namagomi. I should beat you senseless for the things you've done. I know you didn't train the pig Happy; but why didn't you intervene?"
"You know I never get involved if I can avoid it Kochan. Besides it was for the best, you should have sensed it yourself you know."
"What are you talking about?"
"The Fist of Artemis of course. Ranma was trained in it." Cologne's eyes went wide at this.
"What?! But how is that possible? Ranma is a boy! Men CAN'T learn that technique."
"True they can't, didn't you ever wonder just WHY I could absorb chi from Ranma? Even in female form, if Ranma were mentally and spiritually masculine his chi would have killed me. Think about it Kochan." Cologne thought for a moment and came to the conclusion Happosai was alluding to.
"Then that means that all this time, Ranma has been a woman at heart? But when did this start?"
"I don't know Kochan, but it most likely started well before his plunge at Jusenkyo. I can tell you that he learned the Fist of Artemis after he took the fall, and in all likelihood it was that which initiated the final change." Cologne nodded and thought back on her life and remembered the old prophecies.
"Happy, you do realize what this means don't you? It means the enemy is coming again." Happosai grinned at turned to Cologne.
"Why yes I suppose it does doesn't it." He said with a knowing smirk.
"Happy what aren't you telling me?" Cologne asked as she narrowed her eyes.
"Ah my dear Kochan, now THAT is a secret!" he said waving a finger and winking at her. He then stepped into the shadows and disappeared. Cologne shook her head and rubbed her temples.
"Stupid namagomi." She said with a trace of softness. She then hopped out of the storage room and prepared to make a quick journey to Juuban. She could only hope that no one could detect the magic she would have to use to get there in time. After all it would hard to explain how she knew something that was supposedly lost thousands of years ago.
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Back in Nerima Ranma, his mother, Shampoo, Rei, and Usagi, who had called to see what was going on and jumped at the chance to help her new friend, were going to the local mall. After all what better place to get Ranma a new wardrobe. Ranma, of course, protested at having to wear a skirt, but was cowed by a look from her mother.
"Don't worry Ranma," Usagi said. "By the time we're done no guy at Juuban will be able to resist you."
"ACK! No thank you." Ranma said. "That kind of attention I can do without thank you." The other girls giggled, bringing a smile to Ranma's face. "Thanks anyway Usagi, but I'm really not interested in attention from them." Ranma smirked, planning some payback on Shampoo for teasing her earlier. She clutched Shampoo's arm and kicked in her uber-kawai look. "Why would I want them when I have my sweet Shamchan!" Shampoo blushed beat red and stammered as Ranma began to laugh. Nodoka smiled to herself and ignored the stared from passing customers. She was glad her child was laughing, it was a sign that she wasn't letting herself think of the events of two days ago. She would have to deal with them eventually but now wasn't the time.
Ranma was confused, and was trying to not let it show. She had been betrayed by someone that she had thought that she loved, and by someone she had considered a good rival. How could she now feel so comfortable and happy? Ranma decided not to think about it for a while. Instead she would try and have a good time with her cousin Rei, her mom, Shampoo and Usagi. Over the course of the day they went to numerous stores buying all the necessities. Nodoka noticed a rather substantial amount of money that hod not been in her account previously. Ranma figured that it had been Nabiki who put the money there and sent a silent thanks to Kami-sama that she was finally moving beyond the Ice-Queen persona that she had enveloped herself in for so long. After trying on numerous dresses and skirts, much to Ranma's frustration, she was allowed to get some slacks and blouses. Of course Nodoka didn't stop there, much to the other girls' delight she took Ranma to a hairdresser where her hair was taken out of its traditional pigtail and styled for its length. Ranma was annoyed when her mother paid for a make-up application, but relented when she saw how much it meant to her. After a stop at Juuban High School to register they were on their way back to the Hino Shrine when the inevitable happened.
"SHAMPOO!" a male voice bellowed. Shampoo cringed and fell into a fighting stance, Ranma did the same. Nodoka shook her head and motioned for Usagi and Rei to stand clear of what was to come. A man dressed in white robes with long black hair and thick glasses appeared, leaping down from a building. "There you are. Shampoo you are coming with me. You are mine now drop this foolishness and come along."
"Stupid Mousse!" Shampoo said. "I am going nowhere with you. I am staying here with Ranma!" Ranma blinked at this and smiled. She was about to speak when Mousse interrupted.
"You would reject me for another woman? You worthless whore!" Mousse flew into a rage and launched into an attack sending chains hurtling toward Shampoo, trying to envelop her in them. He was stopped by a flying kick from Ranma, followed by a leap attack from Shampoo, using her bonbori. He stood shakily to his feet. "Stay out this Saotome you wretch!" Mousse was silenced by a katana being held to his throat. Ranma and Shampoo blinked, they hadn't even seen Nodoka move, yet there she was holding her family sword to Mousse's jugular vein.
"You will not speak to my son that way gaijin. You have no honor attacking us in such a fashion. You will leave or I will end this now." Mousse narrowed his eyes in anger but said nothing. Ranma stepped forward.
"Whoa mom that was incredible!" Nodoka smiled.
"Hino/Ikari School of Anything Goes sword style. I had to do something while you and your father were gone. I'll be teaching you when we get settled in." Ranma smiled then spoke again.
"Mom, Mousse is an idiot but don't kill him. Just tell him to leave. We'll know to keep an eye out for him now." Nodoka was about to ask why Ranma wanted to handle things this way when a staff knocked her sword out of the way and struck the back of her head.
"Cologne." Ranma said, her voice growing hard.
"Yes Ranma. Now Shampoo I'm sorry but I have to do this, you did break our laws after all." Cologne launched into her plan, attacking her granddaughter sent Ranma into action. Before Cologne knew what was happening Ranma was between her and Shampoo and caught her staff.
"Old Ghoul I suggest you leave."
"As you wish Ranma, I rather doubt I could defeat the one who killed the Phoenix King after all. But know this, if you or Shampoo should ever return to China, I will kill you both. Come along Mousse no need to pursue these outsiders." Shampoo fell to her knees, she knew she would be outcast for her actions but hearing her great-grandmother say the words were harder on her than she had thought they would be. Mousse glared at Ranma trying to comfort Shampoo. All the times Shampoo rejected him came flaring back to memory. He stepped forward and spit on her.
"You whore! I could have given you everything. But no you rejected me for another. How dare you do that to me you worthless slut!" Cologne was about to act when Mousse went flying past her, crashing into a lightpole. She turned to see Ranma, her foot extended and coming down from a kick.
"Old Ghoul, I suggest you take him and leave. Never bother us again. If you or any amazon comes after us what I did to Saffron will look like a papercut compared to what I will do to your people. Do we understand each other?" Cologne felt fear for a moment. This was the warrior that Happy had spoken of so long ago. She nodded her understanding, gather an unconscious Mousse and left. She could only hope that Shampoo would forgive her for what she had needed to do. Usagi and Rei were at their friends' side in moments. Seeing Usagi tending to Ranma and Shampoo, Rei went to help Nodoka get up as she began to stir.
"Ranma are you ok?" Usagi asked, concern evident in her voice. Ranma looked to her and nodded.
"Yeah, I think we'll be ok. Shampoo will you be alright? I know this was hard for you." Shampoo looked up at Ranma and smiled through her tears.
"Yes I'll be alright Ranma. I'm with you, as long as I have that then I have the world." Ranma blushed at this and hugged her friend, letting their tears mingle again.
"As sweet as this is I think we need to get home." Rei said as Nodoka leaned against a wall for support.
"I believe you are correct Rei. Let us go home." Nodoka said. With that she kneeled down and picked up the family katana, sheathing it and picking up her bundles. Each of the other girls picked up their own things and continued back to the shrine.
The next morning found Shampoo and an annoyed Ranma preparing for their first day at a new school. Ranma, having to actually wear a uniform was doubly irritated that it had to be a girl's uniform. She sighed in resignation and got dressed with Shampoo, trying not to look at her naked body. She really didn't need a nosebleed this early in the morning. Rei walked them to school with her friends, and much to her surprise, Ranma felt like she belonged. Maybe it was the blonde girl Usagi, but something about this group made her feel like she finally had some friends in the world.
As it turned out, mostly due to the idiot principal of Furinkan High, Ranma's school records for that institution of insanity, were missing. Meaning Ranma had to start high school over again. This bothered her, but then she realized that as much as she hated school, this would be her chance to make up for her horrible grades. It was something she could do to start moving away from the "dumb jock" image that had haunted her for a time. The day passed without incident, except for the few times she had needed to stop people from asking her irritating personal questions. The girl Makoto seemed especially pleased at her chosen method of pervert dissuasion. All in all it was a good day, and Ranma was starting to realize that maybe, just maybe being a girl wasn't so bad after all.
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That night in Nerima, a shadow passed over the Kuno mansion. A figure in black armor walked through the halls as if searching for something. He stopped at two rooms and cast a spell that transported their occupants to Atlantis. A simple incantation later and he was home himself. He took the unconscious boy and girl and placed them inside a pair of pod like chambers. The pods glowed with and eerie blue light as power coursed into them. The figure sat back down upon his ebony throne and chuckled to himself. Soon his brother and sister would awaken and then the world would learn who truly ruled the world. His only obstacles after all were the Sailor Senshi, and with what he knew, they would be no real threat at all.
To be continued........
Next time: Ranma begins to dream of the past and the secret of the Fist of Artemis is revealed. An enemy attacks and new allies are born.
by: John deGraffenreid
email: kenneday@aol.com and Lordjinnai25@aol.com
Author's Note: Greetings one and all, and welcome to the rewritten Chapter two. I've gotten a lot of positive response on this rewrite and it pleases me to know you think I'm doing a good job. However I would like to take this opportunity to address a few things, for purposes of clarification. First, the question of how Ryouga got so powerful after Ranma's battle with Saffron. Well I can't say anything right now, but that question WILL be addressed in chapter four or five. I haven't really decided which just yet.
Second the question of why Ranma, Shampoo and Nodoka simply left Nerima instead of getting revenge first. Well that one is kind of a tricky question. That kind of emotional devastation can affect people in different ways. I never said that they wouldn't get their payback, but it'll be a couple chapters yet before I handle that.
Thirdly, the question of how Ryouga and Akane got their hands on the Chisuiton and Kaisuifu. That one will be explained fairly soon, possibly during the part where you, the readers, learn how Ryouga gained so much power. Those are really the main issues people have addressed, if you have other questions relay them to me and I'll see if I can answer them without giving the story away.
One other thing, in one of the reviews I got the reviewer seemed to think that Akane and Ryouga's actions would anger Mousse and Cologne. I disagree, with Ranma stuck as a girl he can't marry Shampoo, something that Mousse would be ecstatic about. As far as Cologne goes, well she might be disappointed that Ranma couldn't marry Shampoo, but she would try and use any other means she deemed necessary to get Ranma into her tribe, either that or fall back on the Kiss of Death. Let's not forget how manipulative and dedicated to amazon law Cologne is.
At any rate without further adieu I present chapter two of Daughter of the Dragonlines.
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Nerima district, Okonomiyaki Ucchan's, 8 am.
Nabiki Tendo sat at her lap top thinking. She couldn't believe her little sister could be so callous and devious. She never would have pegged her for someone capable of hurting another person the way she had hurt Ranma. Though in truth she knew she should have expected it. She had always been a mean and violent girl. Akane the Princess, she to whom everyone bows. Of course in her heart of hearts Nabiki knew that she had real place to say anything. She herself was little better than a pornographer, selling pictures of her sister and Ranma to Kuno and any other pervert able to pay her price. She had set it up so that Ranma and Akane's wedding would be disrupted just to make a few more yen.
She knew that Ranma had no reason to do anything for her. Which was why it surprised her so much when he offered to set her up with someone who had a crush on her. She had been taken aback by this, of all the people she knew that played match-maker, Ranma had never fit into that mold. Of course she tried to back out, after all she had thought that no one knew about her preferences. That had been another shock to the system. Not only had Ranma known, he...she had known who she was crushing on; and managed to set them up on a date that would be uninterrupted. She owed Ranma big time for that one. Since that time she and Ukyo had gotten closer and closer. She had to repay Ranma somehow, make amends for what she had done in the past. So it was that she used her extensive computer skills to hack into her own bank account and transfer a large sum of money to the account of one Ranma Hino. Smiling to herself she walked back up the stairs and into the room of her lover. It was strange how it had worked out, but being free of her old house had led her to a place she could truly call home.
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Juuban District, Hino Shrine
The night had passed fitfully for Ranma nightmares plagued her sleep causing her to wake several times during the night. After the third time of waking up in a cold sweat Ranma left her futon and went to check on her mother. The deep bruises that had adorned Nodoka's back had begun to disappear, seeing this Ranma was grateful to Dr. Tofu for teaching her the healing shiatsu points that had aided her mother. Feeling sleep overtaking her again Ranma curled up beside her mother, hoping that her presence would keep the terrors that plagued her mind away for at least a little while.
Shampoo woke as light from the rising sun peeked through the window of the guestroom she was sleeping in. Looking around she saw that Ranma was nowhere to be seen, she rose to see if she could find her. Her search didn't take long. Shampoo made her way to Nodoka's room, quietly opening the door she saw Ranma sleeping soundly beside her mother, for once a look of peace gracing her face instead of the terror that normally came to her in her sleep. Shampoo smiled to herself and she was about to leave and quietly close the door when she heard a voice.
"I know you're there Xian Pu." Nodoka said. "It is good to know that my child has someone in her life that cares so much." Shampoo blushed at the compliment and was about to reply when Ranma woke.
"Thanks mom. Are you feeling better this morning."
"Yes Lady Saotome. Are you feeling better? If not I know of some herbal remedies for pain to aid the pressure points Ranma used last night." Nodoka smiled and nodded.
"Yes actually. I feel better than I have in years."
"Mom, did baka-oyaji do that to you?" Ranma's voice was low, almost a whisper. Shampoo feared another breakdown was eminent and placed her hand on Ranma's shoulder and squeezed it gently. Nodoka sighed, she had known this question was going to come eventually; but she had hoped it wouldn't be so soon.
"Yes Ranma he did." Ranma's expression turned to confusion. How could someone who was that much of a coward, someone who was terrified of the family katana do something like that. "Ranma, before I tell you what happened I want your word you will do nothing until I say you are ready. Will you give me that much?" Ranma's eyes were hard, unshed tears brimming in them. It was a hard thing for her mother to ask, Shampoo understood this. Nodoka was offering to train Ranma in her own Art. Ranma thought for a moment.
"Alright, you have my word mom; but I don't like it." With that the three women sat and Nodoka began to speak unaware that her father was listening in on the conversation.
"Genma is terrified Ranma, however I believe that his greed over powers that fear at times. The reason I was so badly hurt was because I told him I would not allow a marriage between our family and the Tendos. He took it worse than I had thought he would." Nodoka was now openly crying. "I suppose he never did care about me at all." Ranma and Shampoo moved to hug Nodoka, trying to help her through the pain. It was then that Nodoka's father made himself known.
"Welcome home Nochan. I'm glad you finally saw that fat, lazy coward for what he was. You and Ranma and her friend can stay here as long as you want. A fellow we had working here left recently and we have the spare room. Maybe you'll finally agree to teach some martial classes like I've been asking you to do for years." Ranma perked up at this.
"Mom you want to train me don't you?" Nodoka nodded causing Ranma to smile for a moment before it faded. "Thanks mom, I need to do this. Ryouga has to pay for he did to me. As for Akane..." Tears fell down Ranma's face, "I just wish I knew why." Rei knocked on the door and entered. She looked concerned for Ranma and spoke up.
"Aunt Nodoka uhm I was wondering if you had anything planned for today?"
"No Rei, nothing for today. Ranma, Xian Pu and myself need time recover from what happened recently. Why do you ask?" Rei smiled.
"Well I was hoping that you guys would go shopping with me. Ranma needs new clothes for school here." Ranma groaned at this, but knew that maybe now, without the constant interruptions she might finally see what she was capable of in school. She looked over to her mother.
"Mom, I'd like to go with Rei, but I'd love for you and Shampoo to go too." Grandpa Hino knew to get when the getting was good and sneaked out of the room while Rei was talking. Nodoka beamed with happiness and nodded.
"I'd love to go Ranma, let me get cleaned up first though alright. I'm sure we have time." Rei nodded. Shampoo took Ranma's hand and gave it a loving squeeze.
"You did something very good there beloved." She gave Ranma a gentle kiss on the ear, causing Ranma to blush, and Rei to break into giggles.
"Awwww Shampoo you know I'm not ready for that right now. I care about you, I really do but I need to sort things out first ok?" Shampoo nodded, then took on a mischievous gleam in her eyes. Ranma found herself on the floor embraced in a full amazon glomp.
"Shampoo so happy! Arien admit she love Shampoo. You take Shampoo to date now, or maybe make hot monkey love instead?" Ranma's eyes grew to saucer size until she saw Shampoo wiggling her eyebrows at her; she broke into giggles joined by Ranma and Rei, soon escalating to full-blown laughter. Nodoka smiled to herself as she walked to the bathroom. It had been far to long since she had heard Ranma genuinely laugh. Perhaps she would find the healing she needed so desperately now that she was in a better environment.
Meanwhile back in Nerima Cologne fumed to herself. Shampoo had lost, and worse after receiving her cure to her Jusenkyo curse she had betrayed the amazons. This could not be tolerated, if Shampoo could not fulfill the Kiss of Marriage then she would fulfill the Kiss of Death; at least that's what the council would want. Ranma was a nice enough boy, but a male none-the-less. A male that had killed Saffron who, for all intents and purposes, was supposed to be immortal. Cologne sighed; there was really no other way. She could no more order Shampoo to kill Ranma than she could do the deed herself. However whatever she did, both Ranma and Shampoo needed to believe that it was real. She smiled to herself, it would be real. There was really no other choice. Shampoo would be banished from the tribe, and forever marked as traitor. That meant she could never return home, but it was a price worth her great-granddaughter's life. She grew angrier with each passing moment, it had only been a day and already what Akane and Ryouga had done to Ranma was public knowledge.
She had no idea how the pig had gotten to be so powerful but she had a bad feeling about it. After the Saffron incident they had spent time recuperating in the amazon village. Ryouga had disappeared rather conveniently, just after Ranma regained consciousness. During that time Elder Sea Zhin had disappeared as well, Cologne had never really trusted that one. She was always plotting something, all of the Elders were actually. It was one of the many reasons she had been glad to come to Japan. Of course Shampoo's curse had been completely staged, a fact that not even Shampoo knew. Sighing heavily Cologne hopped to her room to think about things. She went over the facts as she knew them.
First, Ryouga revised the breaking point technique by combining it with the Shi shi hokodan, something that she had only thought Ranma capable of. Secondly, Ryouga had gotten far faster than he was ever known to be. Third, Akane had stolen the Nanichuan water and used it on Ryouga, meaning she had known about his curse yet didn't care about it. Fourth, somehow Ryouga had managed to get his hands on both the Kaisuifu kettle and the Chisuiton ladle. Both powerful Musk artifacts that would never leave their kingdom without Herb's knowledge or consent. Which meant that Ryouga had probably stumbled into their vault and taken them, knowing his unusual cursed sense of direction would get him far away before anyone knew what was going on. Fifth, Ryouga had used the ladle on Ranma and destroyed the kettle in front of hi.her. Sixth, Ryouga could only have gotten those items while the Musk where too busy celebrating Saffron's defeat. Seventh, the only person who could have taught Ryouga and made him so strong so quickly were herself, Happosai and Sea Zhin. Conclusion-Since neither Happy nor myself wanted Ranma to suffer, it wasn't one of us who trained the pig. Therefore it follows that, that old Harpy Sea Zhin must have trained Ryouga using the forbidden techniques.
Cologne banged her head on the table on her staff, bemoaning the stupidity of it all. That old fool had endangered the whole tribe with her stupidity. Ranma had done what all the elders of Joketsuzoku couldn't have done. She defeated Saffron, no not just defeated. Killed, in an incredibly brutal fashion. Now Cologne was worried. Sea Zhin had always hated Shampoo for the way she had rejected Mousse. It appeared as though Sea Zhin would finally get her wish. If Shampoo could not return to the village then Cologne would not return either. She stopped in her thoughts as something suddenly occurred to her. Mousse was nowhere to be seen. This did not bode well; she hopped to the storage room where she kept Mousse at night. Something she found to be a distasteful necessity to protect Shampoo from the blind boy in case he got to feeling amorous at night. Once in the room she saw that his things were gone. A note was left scrawled on the wall.
"Old Ghoul.
I'm going to Juuban to find that worthless whore you call your granddaughter. She rejects me and my bloodline for another woman. That is unacceptable. She WILL comply with what I want; I've endured your humiliations long enough old hag. If she thinks she can reject me she has another thing coming. I have the support of my grandmother in this mummy. If you interfere I will see you and your bloodline banished from the tribe forever.
I hate you
Mu Tsu"
Cologne's eyes narrowed in rage. The blind fool was walking into a situation where he might get himself killed. There was no choice now, Shampoo had to be banished and stricken from the tribal records. It was the only way for her to survive; she spun around suddenly, sensing another presence behind her.
"YOU!" she yelled. "What do you want you old pervert?"
"Now Kochan." Happosai said as he stepped out of the shadows.
"Don't you Kochan me namagomi. I should beat you senseless for the things you've done. I know you didn't train the pig Happy; but why didn't you intervene?"
"You know I never get involved if I can avoid it Kochan. Besides it was for the best, you should have sensed it yourself you know."
"What are you talking about?"
"The Fist of Artemis of course. Ranma was trained in it." Cologne's eyes went wide at this.
"What?! But how is that possible? Ranma is a boy! Men CAN'T learn that technique."
"True they can't, didn't you ever wonder just WHY I could absorb chi from Ranma? Even in female form, if Ranma were mentally and spiritually masculine his chi would have killed me. Think about it Kochan." Cologne thought for a moment and came to the conclusion Happosai was alluding to.
"Then that means that all this time, Ranma has been a woman at heart? But when did this start?"
"I don't know Kochan, but it most likely started well before his plunge at Jusenkyo. I can tell you that he learned the Fist of Artemis after he took the fall, and in all likelihood it was that which initiated the final change." Cologne nodded and thought back on her life and remembered the old prophecies.
"Happy, you do realize what this means don't you? It means the enemy is coming again." Happosai grinned at turned to Cologne.
"Why yes I suppose it does doesn't it." He said with a knowing smirk.
"Happy what aren't you telling me?" Cologne asked as she narrowed her eyes.
"Ah my dear Kochan, now THAT is a secret!" he said waving a finger and winking at her. He then stepped into the shadows and disappeared. Cologne shook her head and rubbed her temples.
"Stupid namagomi." She said with a trace of softness. She then hopped out of the storage room and prepared to make a quick journey to Juuban. She could only hope that no one could detect the magic she would have to use to get there in time. After all it would hard to explain how she knew something that was supposedly lost thousands of years ago.
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Back in Nerima Ranma, his mother, Shampoo, Rei, and Usagi, who had called to see what was going on and jumped at the chance to help her new friend, were going to the local mall. After all what better place to get Ranma a new wardrobe. Ranma, of course, protested at having to wear a skirt, but was cowed by a look from her mother.
"Don't worry Ranma," Usagi said. "By the time we're done no guy at Juuban will be able to resist you."
"ACK! No thank you." Ranma said. "That kind of attention I can do without thank you." The other girls giggled, bringing a smile to Ranma's face. "Thanks anyway Usagi, but I'm really not interested in attention from them." Ranma smirked, planning some payback on Shampoo for teasing her earlier. She clutched Shampoo's arm and kicked in her uber-kawai look. "Why would I want them when I have my sweet Shamchan!" Shampoo blushed beat red and stammered as Ranma began to laugh. Nodoka smiled to herself and ignored the stared from passing customers. She was glad her child was laughing, it was a sign that she wasn't letting herself think of the events of two days ago. She would have to deal with them eventually but now wasn't the time.
Ranma was confused, and was trying to not let it show. She had been betrayed by someone that she had thought that she loved, and by someone she had considered a good rival. How could she now feel so comfortable and happy? Ranma decided not to think about it for a while. Instead she would try and have a good time with her cousin Rei, her mom, Shampoo and Usagi. Over the course of the day they went to numerous stores buying all the necessities. Nodoka noticed a rather substantial amount of money that hod not been in her account previously. Ranma figured that it had been Nabiki who put the money there and sent a silent thanks to Kami-sama that she was finally moving beyond the Ice-Queen persona that she had enveloped herself in for so long. After trying on numerous dresses and skirts, much to Ranma's frustration, she was allowed to get some slacks and blouses. Of course Nodoka didn't stop there, much to the other girls' delight she took Ranma to a hairdresser where her hair was taken out of its traditional pigtail and styled for its length. Ranma was annoyed when her mother paid for a make-up application, but relented when she saw how much it meant to her. After a stop at Juuban High School to register they were on their way back to the Hino Shrine when the inevitable happened.
"SHAMPOO!" a male voice bellowed. Shampoo cringed and fell into a fighting stance, Ranma did the same. Nodoka shook her head and motioned for Usagi and Rei to stand clear of what was to come. A man dressed in white robes with long black hair and thick glasses appeared, leaping down from a building. "There you are. Shampoo you are coming with me. You are mine now drop this foolishness and come along."
"Stupid Mousse!" Shampoo said. "I am going nowhere with you. I am staying here with Ranma!" Ranma blinked at this and smiled. She was about to speak when Mousse interrupted.
"You would reject me for another woman? You worthless whore!" Mousse flew into a rage and launched into an attack sending chains hurtling toward Shampoo, trying to envelop her in them. He was stopped by a flying kick from Ranma, followed by a leap attack from Shampoo, using her bonbori. He stood shakily to his feet. "Stay out this Saotome you wretch!" Mousse was silenced by a katana being held to his throat. Ranma and Shampoo blinked, they hadn't even seen Nodoka move, yet there she was holding her family sword to Mousse's jugular vein.
"You will not speak to my son that way gaijin. You have no honor attacking us in such a fashion. You will leave or I will end this now." Mousse narrowed his eyes in anger but said nothing. Ranma stepped forward.
"Whoa mom that was incredible!" Nodoka smiled.
"Hino/Ikari School of Anything Goes sword style. I had to do something while you and your father were gone. I'll be teaching you when we get settled in." Ranma smiled then spoke again.
"Mom, Mousse is an idiot but don't kill him. Just tell him to leave. We'll know to keep an eye out for him now." Nodoka was about to ask why Ranma wanted to handle things this way when a staff knocked her sword out of the way and struck the back of her head.
"Cologne." Ranma said, her voice growing hard.
"Yes Ranma. Now Shampoo I'm sorry but I have to do this, you did break our laws after all." Cologne launched into her plan, attacking her granddaughter sent Ranma into action. Before Cologne knew what was happening Ranma was between her and Shampoo and caught her staff.
"Old Ghoul I suggest you leave."
"As you wish Ranma, I rather doubt I could defeat the one who killed the Phoenix King after all. But know this, if you or Shampoo should ever return to China, I will kill you both. Come along Mousse no need to pursue these outsiders." Shampoo fell to her knees, she knew she would be outcast for her actions but hearing her great-grandmother say the words were harder on her than she had thought they would be. Mousse glared at Ranma trying to comfort Shampoo. All the times Shampoo rejected him came flaring back to memory. He stepped forward and spit on her.
"You whore! I could have given you everything. But no you rejected me for another. How dare you do that to me you worthless slut!" Cologne was about to act when Mousse went flying past her, crashing into a lightpole. She turned to see Ranma, her foot extended and coming down from a kick.
"Old Ghoul, I suggest you take him and leave. Never bother us again. If you or any amazon comes after us what I did to Saffron will look like a papercut compared to what I will do to your people. Do we understand each other?" Cologne felt fear for a moment. This was the warrior that Happy had spoken of so long ago. She nodded her understanding, gather an unconscious Mousse and left. She could only hope that Shampoo would forgive her for what she had needed to do. Usagi and Rei were at their friends' side in moments. Seeing Usagi tending to Ranma and Shampoo, Rei went to help Nodoka get up as she began to stir.
"Ranma are you ok?" Usagi asked, concern evident in her voice. Ranma looked to her and nodded.
"Yeah, I think we'll be ok. Shampoo will you be alright? I know this was hard for you." Shampoo looked up at Ranma and smiled through her tears.
"Yes I'll be alright Ranma. I'm with you, as long as I have that then I have the world." Ranma blushed at this and hugged her friend, letting their tears mingle again.
"As sweet as this is I think we need to get home." Rei said as Nodoka leaned against a wall for support.
"I believe you are correct Rei. Let us go home." Nodoka said. With that she kneeled down and picked up the family katana, sheathing it and picking up her bundles. Each of the other girls picked up their own things and continued back to the shrine.
The next morning found Shampoo and an annoyed Ranma preparing for their first day at a new school. Ranma, having to actually wear a uniform was doubly irritated that it had to be a girl's uniform. She sighed in resignation and got dressed with Shampoo, trying not to look at her naked body. She really didn't need a nosebleed this early in the morning. Rei walked them to school with her friends, and much to her surprise, Ranma felt like she belonged. Maybe it was the blonde girl Usagi, but something about this group made her feel like she finally had some friends in the world.
As it turned out, mostly due to the idiot principal of Furinkan High, Ranma's school records for that institution of insanity, were missing. Meaning Ranma had to start high school over again. This bothered her, but then she realized that as much as she hated school, this would be her chance to make up for her horrible grades. It was something she could do to start moving away from the "dumb jock" image that had haunted her for a time. The day passed without incident, except for the few times she had needed to stop people from asking her irritating personal questions. The girl Makoto seemed especially pleased at her chosen method of pervert dissuasion. All in all it was a good day, and Ranma was starting to realize that maybe, just maybe being a girl wasn't so bad after all.
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That night in Nerima, a shadow passed over the Kuno mansion. A figure in black armor walked through the halls as if searching for something. He stopped at two rooms and cast a spell that transported their occupants to Atlantis. A simple incantation later and he was home himself. He took the unconscious boy and girl and placed them inside a pair of pod like chambers. The pods glowed with and eerie blue light as power coursed into them. The figure sat back down upon his ebony throne and chuckled to himself. Soon his brother and sister would awaken and then the world would learn who truly ruled the world. His only obstacles after all were the Sailor Senshi, and with what he knew, they would be no real threat at all.
To be continued........
Next time: Ranma begins to dream of the past and the secret of the Fist of Artemis is revealed. An enemy attacks and new allies are born.