Disclaimer : I do not own Ranma½ or any other anime characters used in this story, and no way even pretend that I do.

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***** = memory
------- = another location

+++++ = another location in the memory :D

************** Beginning of time ***************

Ranma woke up to an empty bed, as he looked over and at the clock.

Ranma : Wow, for the first, in a long time. I've been able to sleep in.

The clock read 8:30 AM. Ranma got out of the bed, and let the blankets fall to the ground around him. He shrugged off the morning weariness as just mental stress. It's not every day that you relive an entire life in a flash. He pulled his hand against his head and touched his forehead gingerly. He sighed, and feared to face another day of the chaos that was his life. He put on a false smile and walked down the stairs, and was shocked when he realized it wasn't his home.

Setsuna : Good morning Ranma.

Ranma whirled around and stared at Setsuna in her bathroom, his mouth agape. Setsuna smiled and hugged him gently, before pulling him downstairs and sitting him in a chair.

Setsuna : It's Michiru's turn for breakfast this morning, so please, be ready. She's touchy about the promptness of her eaters.

Ranma chuckled to himself and was shocked as another hand was placed on his shoulder, and out of instinct he grabbed it, getting ready to twist the person into a judo throw. He looked up at the surprised face and saw Hotaru's beautiful eyes, catching himself before he launched her into the air. Unfortunately it wasn't early enough to stop the forward momentum and Hotaru tumbled onto Ranma, falling between his legs, and her head against his chest. Ranma instinctively pulled her against his body as to shield her from the fall. After a few fleeting moments, Ranma looked down into the violet eyes of Hotaru and blushed slightly. Hotaru doing much of the same.

Ranma : A-ah, I'm sorry Hotaru.

Hotaru : Not at all, it was quite com-

Hotaru snapped her mouth shut and slapped her hand over her mouth in an attempt to pull back the words that slipped by. Ranma looked at her for a few minutes, shocked by the outburst and angry at himself at the same time. Ranma looked down and had the decency to blush. Hotaru thought that she had hurt Ranma with her few choice words and ran from the scene, tears in her eyes. The front door slammed shut as she ran from the house.

Setsuna : Ranma...... What was that about?

Ranma whirled around and saw Setsuna coming out of the kitchen. A lot of people seemed to be able to sneak up on him as of late, and it was starting to piss him off. His mind drifted back to Hotaru as she ran from the house and he cursed to himself.

Ranma : A mistake Setsuna-mama. I need to go get her before she gets hurt.

Ranma moved at impressive speeds, fleeing from the scene through the same door. Setsuna shook her head and sighed.

Setsuna : Ahh, young love.

--------------

Hotaru ran from her house, and her pain. She had been running for a matter of minutes in every which way, and even though it was only minutes, she seemed like she ran a marathon. She stopped and leaned against a nearby alley's wall to catch her breath. Knowing Hotaru's luck, the wall across from her burst out in a shower of debris, as a Youma came tumbling out, a demon right on it's heels. The Youma grabbed Hotaru by the throat, holding it's extended claw against her neck.

Youma : One more move Destros, and I will kill this bitch of a human.

Destros : You fail to realize Deimos, that I care not for human life.

Deimos : And what you don't know, is that this girl is in love with the one you wish to hurt.

Destros eyes narrowed as he looked at the scrawny girl.

Destros : Don't play games with me Deimos. Ranma Saotome would never love this woman.

Hotaru, who had been scared stiff by this whole conversation, nearly broke into tears when she heard what the demon 'Destros' had said about Ranma. She knew deep down that the energetic Ranma could never love a weak Hotaru, but she tried to fight through that.

Deimos : It's true Destros, I swear it!

Destros : Well then. Let's just take her for a test run.

----------

Ranma was jumping rooftop to rooftop, looking for Hotaru, or something that would lead him to her. He stopped on a close by building to settle his thoughts and looked about. He then saw a cloud of dust being raised from a alley about three blocks away. He swore to himself and remembered his martial arts duty, to protect the weak. He looked up into the sky and sighed.

Ranma : Please, wait for me Hotaru.

Ranma jumped toward the disturbance, at the fastest speed he could run right now. He got to the alley in time to see two youma like creatures, dragging Hotaru's beaten body away with them. His eyes widened as he saw the cuts and blood on her body. He growled to himself and launched down the alley, landing with a loud slam, pushing in the concrete under him. Ranma got off of his knee and walked out of the newly formed crater, toward the creatures.

Ranma : release her.

He stared at the demons with utter hatred, they swear they had seen hell when they looked into his eyes. Not that it scared them, after all it was their domain.

Destros : Hmm, it seems you were right Deimos. Very well, I guess I can over look you making out with Satan's daughter.

Deimos *sweat drop* : It was his wife. The daughters too young.

Destro : You sick bastard.

Deimos : I try. Now, about Saotome?

Ranma : H-hey, how do you know me? What are you doing with Hotaru?

Destros : That, my young corpse, is none of your business. However, we know of you because you killed our friends daily.

Ranma : So, you wish us to lay down and die for your sick perversions?

Destros : Not at all, but it's not your place to fight us.

Ranma : You threaten people. I make it my business.

Destros : Well, well, quite the spirited corpse aren't you?

Ranma : Why do you keep calling me a corpse. If anything, Hotaru and I are going to be the ones leaving here alive.

Destros : I think not mortal. Your no where near my level.

To prove his point, he lifted a clawed hand up and vines burst from the ground under them, piercing the demon next to him and holding the girl in mid-air. He looked at Ranma with a twisted smile and hunger in his eyes.

Destros : I care not for humans, or lower demons. What I care for, is that you have my master worried. Therefore you can't be permitted to live. I was going to let you walk out of here today and just take young Hotaru here. But since you came to save her, I guess I need to kill her since she is now useless.

Ranma : You do that, and I will make sure he dies just as horribly as you. A hundred fold if you even harm Hotaru.

The demon sneered, or so it seemed, and raised the sharp claw against Hotaru's shirt, slicing it slightly, exposing her mid section. Ranma fought off a blush and tried not to stare at Hotaru. He lowered his gaze back to the demon and saw it's grin.

Destros : I see. So Deimos didn't lie. You do have feelings for this little whore. I can personally tell you that she doesn't return those feelings though.

Ranma's face darkened as he heard those words, and a slight outline of green was seen around his body. Destros smirked when he saw this. He would make Ranma so depressed that he wouldn't want to fight, then kill both of them. He was such a genius, right? right?.

Ranma : It doesn't matter if she doesn't like me, the way I like her. What matters is that she stays happy, no matter the cost.

When Ranma looked back at Destros, his eyes were a crimson gold and his hair turning from gold back to black, to gold again. Apparently all the while trying to stand and defy gravity.

Ranma : Even if it costs my life. I will see Hotaru happy.

Hotaru was just regaining consciousness after she passed out from pain, and opened her eyes. What saw her, nearly scared her. She looked at Ranma, his face dark and contorted into anger and depression. Why, she had no idea. Then she heard what he said and gasped. Trying to voice out a complaint against the idea, but her voice failing her.

Destros : I see you care for this girl deeply. Too bad it will be for nothing.

He sliced more of the shirt and this time the buttons on her pants. Then soon there after, shredding all her clothes into nothingness. Hotaru sitting there in the vines grasp, naked and cold. She looked down and began to cry, tears falling from her eyes and landing on the roots of the plant that suspended her. Then, everything went dark for here again.

Ranma : I don't care. As long as Hotaru lives. My sacrifice will be worth it.

Destros dashed forward and slammed his fist into Ranma, nearly doubling him over from the impact. When he pulled back, Ranma fell to the ground gasping for air.

Ranma : S-shit.

Destros : Did you think one so weak as you could stand up against a greater demon lord?

Ranma : It doesn't matter. I said I will see Hotaru happy. Until then, I CAN'T DIE!

Ranma stood up, stone and dust raising from the ground and circling his body. His eyes were hidden behind his bangs as his teeth were bared. He looked up at the Destros, and showed the immense hatred and power behind the crimson that now held Ranma's eyes. Ranma's aura became unfocused and glowed a gold and crimson fusion, before bursting outward and destroying what remained of the alley they were in. When the dust cleared, Ranma stood six foot, three inches and his muscles were even more denser than before. His eyes were pure crimson and his hair was a jet black. Ranma growled at Destros and walked forward, but stopped when a claw was raised against Hotaru's throat, slicing a thin line of skin and letting some blood seep out. What remained of Ranma's mind snapped at that moment, and he burst forward, his form blurring from sight. He held Destros hand from moving with an iron grip. He sneered at the demon, before bringing his leg back and slamming it into Destros chest and throwing him through a volley of buildings. Bringing his leg back down, Ranma lowered himself to the ground without even thinking. He walked over to Hotaru and broke the vines that binded her. Ranma took off his shirt and put it around Hotaru's naked form. Not even noticing that there was a heavy fur coat where his shirt once was. He picked her up and jumped up to the roof, and jumped back toward his house.

---------

Setsuna sighed as she drank another glass of that American import drink called, jack daniels. She refilled her glass and thought back to the fight between Ranma and Hotaru. Well, fight was the wrong word. Quarrel was a more proper one. She downed the other glass and stared at the bottom of the shot glass. It was times like these she wished she could get drunk. She looked up as the side door opened and dropped the glass, letting it shatter against the ground. Ranma's powerful form walked into the house and laid Hotaru on the couch. Setsuna went to open her mouth, but was silenced by a glance from Ranma.

Ranma : Before you say anything. Can you please get Hotaru a fresh pair of clothes?

Setsuna nodded mutely and walked calmly upstairs, trying desperately to cling onto her icey exterior and failing miserably as the surprised look set in. Ranma chuckled to himself as he saw the look on her face, when she went upstairs. Ranma sat next to Hotaru and sighed, looking down at her dirtied face, he growled again to himself. If he ever met up with Destros again, he would destroy his very being from the fabric of reality.

Setsuna : Here you go Ranma.

Ranma jerked his head up and saw Setsuna standing in front of him with a pair of black and purple clothes. He smiled as he saw the colors and then looked at Hotaru again.

Ranma : Umm......

Setsuna : It's ok, just go upstairs and get a wash cloth. I will dress her.

Ranma breathed a sigh of relief and nearly jumped of the stairs four at a time. He waited up on the top stair until he heard from Setsuna. Hotaru woke up while Setsuna was buttoning up her shirt.

Hotaru : unh. .What happened? Where's RANMA?!?!

Hotaru shot up and looked around the room, her eyes swelling up with tears as she couldn't find him.

Setsuna : Ranma come down please. She's going to go hysterical if you don't come down here and show that your ok.

Ranma : COMING!

Ranma bounded down the stairs and walked into the living room, where Hotaru was laid up. She saw Ranma and suppressed a shocked look, and instead settled on a hug that stopped all Ranma's breathing. Once she released Ranma took a deep breath and gave her a sheepish smile.

Ranma : U-umm, Hotaru. I'm sorry about that earlier.

Hotaru shook her head and placed her finger against his lips and laid her head against his chest again. Ranma not knowing what to do wrapped her in a hug and held her for what seemed like a comfortable forever. When she pulled back, she was blushing and looked down. Ranma shuffled nervously around, and let his hands wrap around her again, pulling her into a hug and holding her. Setsuna had already left the room, to give the two some space and some time to get their feelings worked out. After all, it's not like they were engaged.

Setsuna : Do you care to explain the sudden change Ranma?

Ranma : What change?

Setsuna and Hotaru fought off the urge to hurt him, and Setsuna went to get a mirror. She brought it out, and slowly turned it toward Ranma's face. He stared at the image, then grabbed the mirror in surprise, and ran his hand through his hair. Watching it spring back into place. He looked at the red that outlined his eyes now, and the hardness that was in the pupil. He then got a glimpse of his hand, and the fur that lined it. He traced the fur across his body and then brought the mirror to look behind him. His eyes widened when he saw a tail protruding from his backside.

Ranma : What happened to me?

Setsuna : I don't know. Let me talk to the future me, and find out what happened.

Setsuna disappeared in a purple flash, leaving Ranma and Hotaru alone in the room. Hotaru shifted nervously as she sat down on the couch. She patted the seat next to her, and indicated to Ranma for him to sit. He nervously sat next to Hotaru and folded his hands in his lap.

Ranma : Um... what do you wanna do?

Hotaru : I'm fine just sitting here, next to you.

Ranma looked at Hotaru and noticed she was looking at her hands and blushing furiously. Ranma smiled to himself and then thought about all the women he had been engaged to when he had been Ranma Saotome. His face darkened, but he banished it away when he noticed Hotaru looking up into his eyes.

Ranma : That sounds good to me.

Ranma leaned back against the couch and rested his arm behind Hotaru. Hotaru looked at the arm through the corner of her eye. She took a deep breath and leaned back, cradling her head against his shoulder. Ranma looked at her, and blushed slightly. Which mind you, didn't look that impressive on a person of his stature. Then in another flash, Setsuna reappeared in front of Ranma and Hotaru, giving them a knowing smirk, and laughed when Hotaru stood up fast. Ranma not far behind.

Ranma : Find anything out?

Setsuna : According to me, your blood was a mixture of human and Saiyan blood. The form you are in now is a legendary form, only been accessed by two others in another dimension. Goku and Vegeta. The form is called Super Saiyan four.

Ranma : Wow. So Goku and Vegeta are this strong too? I feel like I could take on the world.

Setsuna : You know them?

Ranma *chuckling* : Yes, I met up with them in the other dimension. That's the dimension that I grew up in.

Setsuna : Well, they are on this dimension too, but at the moment they are fighting off something called a 'lunar rave were-beast'. Apparently that beast is a strong one, for both of them to show up. Anyways Ranma, we've looked into the future and noticed some peculiar changes.

Ranma : hmmm? What kind of changes?

Setsuna : Well, when you re-gained your memories, your other self and all the details of your life fell to pieces.

Ranma : Huh?

Setsuna and Hotaru sweat dropped and looked at Ranma.

Setsuna : It means that you breaking off your ties with the Tendo and Saotomes have had a ripple affect on this dimension. In a matter of years, there will be no crystal Tokyo. All of this has come across because a group of martial artists that has taken over the Tendo dojo.

Ranma : Oh? Who?

Setsuna : A group of girls named Natsumi and Kurumi.

Ranma chuckled a bit to himself and then fell into a full blown laughter.

Ranma : I had forgotten about that. What do they have to do with this?

Setsuna : Well, since you weren't there to defeat them. Akane lost horribly and banished herself from the dojo until she could defeat them. Since you weren't around Ryoga, Xian Pu, and Ukyo had no reason to train Akane. She never gained the power to defeat them and lived her life in shame.

Ranma : Ok,.... and?

Setsuna *sweat dropped* : Well, without Akane to sacrifice herself to save her family, Soun Tendo will never get back the courage to fight in the upcoming battles, and train the senshi.

Ranma : What if I were to train them?

Setsuna : Well, that would be impossible, because they wouldn't look up to you like they would him, and not train so seriously.

Ranma : So you are saying that after I just broke off the engagement between the two families, I have to crawl back and beg forgiveness? Just to save Akane's ass in a fight?!?

Setsuna : Unfortunately, yes.

Hotaru : Isn't there another way?!? We just got him to stay here!

Hotaru was on the brink of tears, at the prospect of Ranma accidentally falling into love with Akane again. She had met him before and she selfishly wanted to keep him for herself. Hotaru grabbed Ranma into a tight hug and held him close.

Setsuna : Well, there is another way. However, I will leave it to Ranma to decide on which way to complete this task.

Ranma looked into Hotaru's eyes and saw that she truly cared for his well being, and didn't want him to have to go through the crap he did in the past. Ranma, overall, was touched by the concern showed toward him. Ranma looked up at Setsuna and nodded, then wrapped Hotaru in a hug. Hotaru was stunned by the return of her feelings, and then closed her eyes enjoying Ranma's warmth.

Setsuna : Ok then, well Ranma. This is what you will have to do.

--------------

A shadow garbed figure walked through the rear gates of the Tendo dojo. He checked the mask that covered everything but his eyes, to make sure it would stay on in a fight. He looked down and tightened the sash that was holding the black and orange gi in place. He sighed and walked into the challengers side door. Natsumi and Kurumi were standing there looking at him with curious looks on their faces.

Natsumi : Well, we were expecting Akane Tendo. Who might you be?

Soun, Genma, Nabiki and Kasumi walked into the dojo when they heard voices, hoping it were Akane returning home. When they got there, they saw a man about six foot and two inches, in a black and orange gi. His muscles were tight and dense, showing profound strength. What stumped them, was the mask covering the face of their challenger.

Ninja : Just a passing Rurouni looking to redeem himself in the eyes of another.

Natsumi : Well then. Are you challenging this dojo for it's sign?

Ninja : No, I am challenging this dojo for the right of Akane Tendo's return, and your immediate disembark.

Natsumi : That's a bold challenge. Since the stakes are high, it will be a two on one fight. We are of one mind and body.

The ninja shrugged it off. Why should he care.

Ninja : Agreed.

Natsumi and Kurumi stood at one of the dojo while the Ninja adapted a loose stance, which made him seem like he was under the skill level he was truly at.

Natsumi *thinking* : This will be an easy victory. *to Kurumi* Don't hold back, go all out from the beginning.

Kurumi nodded and once Nabiki signaled for the fight to begin, she reached behind her head and thrust out her ribbon. The Ninja didn't seem to move as the ribbon wrapped around his arm. Natsumi and Kurumi smiled to themselves and almost regretted having to defeat this weakling. When Kurumi tried to pull the Ninja from his standing position, she found it impossible. But the Ninja didn't even seem like he was straining. Natsumi's eyes narrowed as she struck out with her weapon, it's end encased in ice. The weapon smashed against the Ninja's shoulder and immediately broke off the piece of Gi covering it. The Ninja just rotated his shoulder in order to work out the kinks. He looked back up at the couple with expecting eyes.

Ninja : Is that all? Akane Tendo lost to a bunch of pathetic weaklings like yourselves? I find that hard to believe, what are you hiding?

Natsumi *smiling* : Fine then. Anything goes Martial arts ultimate technique!

Kurumi whipped out her ribbon, throwing it into a spiral design, surrounding the Ninja on his side of the Dojo. The Ninja under his mask, just grinned, and launched himself toward Kurumi. When he was close enough, he encased his fist in a powerful ice aura, and threw it toward the duo.

Ninja : Hiryu Shoten Ha, revised technique! Horizontal BLAST!

The energy surrounded Natsumi and Kurumi, leaving them in a wake of power, that back lashed destroying nearly the entire dojo. When the cloud of dust that was kicked up settled, he looked at the unconscious pair and grinned.

Genma : You came to save us!

Soun : Way to go!

Nabiki : Seems like you care about Akane after all.

Genma and Soun looked at Nabiki with blank expressions. When they looked back at Ranma their eyes widened.

Genma : Ranma!

Kasumi : Oh my.

Ranma looked down at his now tattered remains of his Gi and face mask with a grimace. He looked back up with a fierce look in his eyes.

Ranma : I did not do this as a form of apology. I did this because if Akane doesn't get better, the future is going to be hell. Soun, you should train Akane to be less reckless and to control her temper before she loses it and dies in a fight. Not everyone is as forgiving as me or Ryoga.

Genma : Ranma, what happened to you!

Ranma : HUH?

Geanma : Why are you covered in fur. How did you get so tall. What is with your Hiryu Shoten Ha?!?!

Ranma chuckled to himself and looked at the group once again and shook his head.

Ranma : No sense hiding it. I am what is known as a Saiyan. They are a race of warriors that were made to fight. Their bodies are adaptable to any kind of style or energy. Once pushed, they can break the limits of mortality and become stronger forms. This is a form called Super Saiyan four. I have become a god compared to you.

Genma : Ranma, you ungrateful son! I challenge you!

Ranma : no.

Genma : W-what?

Nabiki : He challenged you. It's on your honor that you have to accept.

Ranma : My honor says that I have to protect those weaker than myself. What kind of protector would I be if I killed one beyond weaker than myself?

Genma jumped at Ranma intent on killing him. That was when all hell broke loose.

---------------------------

TO BE CONTINUED.........

sorry about the lateness of this chapter. Wanted to take a break and play some games. Just got back into Unreal Tournament and Phantasy Star online for Gamecube.

recca@aemail4u.com

Flames will be read and then used as food for Buu. Unless they are actually good pointed. then I might give them to Majin Buu : )