Waters of Change
By: Kesshi Mashin
A Rurouni Kenshin/Ranma Nibunnoichi fusion.
For entertainment purposes only. No infringement intended. Ranma 1/2 is owned by Takahashi Rumiko. Rurouni Kenshin is owned by Nobuhiro Watsuki.
Author's Note: This isn't canon Ranma or Kenshin, you really don't need any previous knowledge of either to read this fanfiction, though it is helpful. Some ideas were also taken from Samurai X, a prequel of sorts to Rurouni Kenshin.
italics: past
* *: thoughts
Any C&C is welcome at: fxffects@hotmail.com
Reviews are appreciated. So is constructive criticism. Be sure to visit my ffn page! http://www.fanfiction.net/profile.php?userid=61420
Chapter Four: The First Beast...
'Whoever has ears ought to hear these words.
Anyone destined for captivity goes into captivity.
Anyone destined to be slain by the sword shall be slained by the sword...'
~ Revelation, 13:9-10
China
Autumn
11 years ago...
"... Mistress Khu-lon."
Cologne awoke with a start, staff already in hand as her eyes roamed about the dark room for the speaker. She sighed in relief as the speaker slowly stepped out from the shadows. "Kijo."
"Prince Saffron has joined with the Musk."
Cologne cursed lightly under her breath, as she briskly hopped off of her bed, adjusting the sheets slightly. "Is your source reliable?" she asked, glancing nervously at the half concealed messenger.
"Her lordship Kiima informed me of the shift of power during an assignment near Jusenkyo."
"It can't be," Cologne groaned, as she wearily rubbed her temples, feeling a migraine coming on. She pogoed over to a heavy oak chair near her desk, plunking into the chair heavily, as she continued to warily eye the messenger. After a slight pause, Cologne glanced up at Kijo, brows furrowed as she reached into her robes. "I have another target for you, Kijo," she whispered, as she tossed a wrapped parcel towards the messenger, who lazily caught it in one hand.
The messenger unwrapped the parcel slightly, pausing as a piece of the object was revealed. "Gekkaja."
Cologne nodded solemnly, as the messenger tucked the weapon away for future use. "You have until dawn, Kijo," Cologne called out, as the messenger silently slipped out the front door. As the door slid shut, Cologne couldn't help but shiver, as she slowly hobbled over to her bed. "Scary..."
~~~~~ ~~~~~
"... How hard did you hit her?" Genma asked curiously, as he stepped through another body-shaped hole. "I'm counting fifteen walls so far!"
Kenshin shrugged nonchalantly, as she gently picked through some of the rubble. "Oro... I've counted seventeen..." She quickly turned to the occupants of the house, briskly bowing, as she whipped out a small hammer. "Gomen, gomen, I'll have your hole patched up in just a second..."
"Oy! Kenshin! I think I've found her!" Genma called out, pointing at a body imbedded into the side of a small bus.
The redhead casually glanced about the area, a blank look on her face as she absently rummaged around in her hakama for a few nails. "Where, father?" Kenshin asked, a puzzled look on her face, as she whipped out a few boards and a bucket of paint.
"Nani?" Genma muttered, as he turned about to see the bus quickly drive off. The blood quickly drained from his face, as sweat began to bead on his forhead. *Oh my God, if Nodoka finds out that I lost another one...* "OY! OY! SOMEBODY STOP THAT BUS! OY!!"
~~~~~ Interlude ~~~~~
"Anything to declare?" the customs offical asked, as he lazily looked over the passport handed to him. His eyes widened somewhat when he flipped open the small blue book. "Miss... Shampoo, is it?" he murmured, quietly pocketing the yen notes tucked within the passport.
Shampoo nodded, her long purple tresses waving gently about her petite frame. Her eyes briefly flickered down to glance at the duffel bag at her feet, as she retrieved her passport. "I have... old aqauintances to catch up with," she replied with a smile, placing the duffel bag on the conveyor belt.
"Shampoo..." the customs official whispered lightly, turning his back towards the luggage x-ray screen. "Chinese?"
"Close," Shampoo replied, as she stepped through the metal detector and retrieved her bag. "It's Amazon..."
~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~
Kenshin stared out the train window at the passing urban city of Kyoto, idly toying with her empty tea cup as she hummed along with the music playing over the train speakers. Genma sat opposite her, gently dozing in the warm afternoon sun. Ayame sat beside Genma, also dozing, occasionally scratching at the assortment of bandages and braces riddling her bruised and battered body.
"Damn bimbo," Ayame murmured in her sleep, snarling slightly, as she shifted about in her seat fitfully.
Kenshin smiled softly at the comment, gently stroking Yasha's fur as the kitten scrambled up into her lap. "I don't think my sister likes me that much," she whispered to the kitten.
"Meow."
"F-Fluffy..." Ayame grimaced, and buried her head into the seat, as she continued to talk in her sleep. "The puns... the horrible, horrible puns..."
Kenshin giggled delicately, and continued to stroke the purring kitten...
~~~~~ Interlude ~~~~~
... Nodoka poured her guest another cup of tea, and set the pot down on the table top. "I'm sorry, miss, you just missed them." She smiled, and reached behind her. "Cookie?"
"Ah, no thank you." Shampoo stared longingly at the chocolate confections, before returning her attention back to the smiling hostess. "Would you happen to know where he might've gone?" she asked politely, as she took another another sip of her tea. "I would really appreciate it."
Nibbling delicately at one of her cookies, Nodoka briefly stared off into space, a thoughtful look on her face. "Hmm... I believe Genma mentioned something about Nerima..."
"Arigato, Saotome-sama." Shampoo quickly got to her feet, and shouldered her pack. "That's all I needed to know..."
~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~
"I'm sorry, ma'am, the last train bound for Nerima left half an hour ago." The ticket vendor yelped in surprise, as a rather colorful mace embedded itself into the countertop.
"Which direction?" Shampoo hissed, as she dislodged her bonbori.
The vendor raised a shaky hand, and pointed behind him, as beads of sweat began to roll down his forehead. "Tunnel 23-"
"Thank you!" Shampoo chirped, tucking her bonbori into her duffel. *Heading east, so...* "Higashikaze!"
The man blinked, watching dumbly as the girl levitated off the ground, and began speeding down through the tunnel at break-neck speeds. "No... no," he mumbled, mouth hanging open in disbelief as he watched the girl disapear into the tunnel. "No problem..."
~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~
"Are we there yet?"
"No."
"... are we there yet?"
"NO."
"... now?"
"Sir, we will be in Nerima station in under an hour," the stewardess ground out, glaring balefully at the husky man. "Now, for the last time, sir, PLEASE stop asking me."
Genma plopped back into his seat, grumbling slightly under his breath as the stewardess quickly walked off. "Some service." He glanced down at his watch, before quickly shuffling out of his seat. "I'll be right back."
"Dumb dadi," Ayame muttered, as she leaned back in her chair slightly. "Gods, my back hurts..."
Kenshin's ears perked at the complaint. "I know some shiatsu points which could eleviate the pain," she offered, smiling at the other redhead.
"Touch me and die." Ayame stared down at her new found 'sister' with her one good eye. *If I can just reach my mallet...* There was an audible crack, and Ayame bit back a small whimper of pain. "Ite..."
~~~~~ ~~~~~
"Eenie... meenie... mienie.... MO!"
~~~~~ ~~~~~
Genma sighed in relief, as he plopped down onto the john. *Ah, Tendou, just another hour, then we can fi-* His train of thought stopped dead in its tracks, as a giant steel blade stabbed down from the ceiling, dangerously close to his-
"EEP!!!"
Well, let's leave it at that...
~~~~~ ~~~~~
"EEP!!!"
Shampoo's face turned a dark shade of red, as she quickly turned away from her makeshift peephole. "Ara, soo sorry!" she called out, and quickly hopped over towards the next cart, still blushing furiously. *I think I'm gonna be sick...*
~~~~~ ~~~~~
Genma stiffly stood and secured his pants, then promptly fainted...
~~~~~ ~~~~~
"Ok, ok, this time, I'm sure of it," Shampoo muttered aloud, as she brought her sword back over her head...
~~~~~ ~~~~~
End Chapter Four
Author's Note: Oy, that took a long time. Yes, the ending of chapter four is a bit abrupt... so sue me. Anywho, thanks to all of you who have read this far and have reviewed the story; I LOVE YOU GUYS!!! Anywho, this is the last SHORT chapter I will put out. From now on, I'm gonna strive to make my chapters at least 20+ kb, and I'll try and improve my writing skills and such. Hey, I'm still in high school! Give me a break!
Updated AN: Chapter Five will be posted very very soon, so sit tight!