*Ranma ½: Ranma's Brother Series*

Legal Garbage: All the characters in this fan fic are copyright of Rumiko Takahashi and Shogakukan Inc, etc, etc, etc. I don't own them; I'm just borrowing them for the time being and will return them later. The only characters that don't belong to Viz or Rumiko are my own created characters Setsuna Saotome and Yu Long. Copyright laws apply to these characters, I created them, please don't use them unless you include my name and that THEY ARE MINE! Standard warnings for fan fics. YOU'VE BEEN WARNED!

Key: */*\* = Scene change

*word* = An action

name/name = said in unison

{word} = Thought

/word/ = Different language

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Part 7: Now Things Get Interesting.

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Setsuna walked along the streets of Nerima aimlessly, allowing his feet to take him where they may. His thoughts in disarray, he couldn't grasp the fact that Shampoo's Great-Grandmother could be so heartless and hurt her like that just because of some Amazon Law. As Setsuna walked along, he finally looked up and found himself in front of Ucchan's Okonomiyaki.

Setsuna: {Heh, I guess my stomach was leading my feet. Well, might as well go in.}

Setsuna pushed the sliding door and enter Ucchan's. As usual, the place was busy. Setsuna walked over to the counter and sat down at the far corner, somewhat in the shadows. Here Setsuna could scan the room and see if he could recognize anyone. Of course he saw Ukyo first, his gaze lingered on her for a moment, then continued his scan. He saw no one else he knew and allowed his eyes to return to Ukyo, content with looking at her. She hadn't noticed him yet as she served a customer. A thought occurred to Setsuna; before Ukyo saw him, he pulled the collar of his trench coat up to cover half of his face and hid his hair within it.

Ukyo finished serving a customer and was about to head back behind the counter when she noticed someone sitting in the corner, alone. Ukyo headed over to the man to see what he wanted.

Ukyo: What can I get for you sir?

Setsuna: *disguising his voice* Just some beef okonomiyaki Miss.

Setsuna reached out his hand and took hold of Ukyo's and kissed it. Ukyo was startled to say the least by this man's action, and before she was about to flatten him into the wall, the man looked up.

Setsuna: *returning to his normal voice* Hey Ukyo.

Ukyo: *a bit startled to see Setsuna* Oh, Setsuna, it was you.

Setsuna: *smiling* The one and only.

Ukyo: {So much like Ranma. Hard to believe they've been separated for so long.}

Setsuna noticed Ukyo staring at him, her face was smiling which only made her look cuter in Setsuna's eyes. Ukyo left Setsuna and walked over to the grill and began to prepare his okonomiyaki. Setsuna was impressed at how smoothly Ukyo created her masterpieces. As he watched her, he quickly came to the conclusion that making okonomiyaki wasn't only a form of cooking, but also a form of martial arts for Ukyo. Ukyo finished the okonomiyaki and took it over to Setsuna.

Ukyo: Hope you enjoy it.

Setsuna: *smiling* If what Ranma says is true, I'm sure I will. *winks at Ukyo*

Ukyo: *blushes* …uh thank you.

Setsuna began to dig in, as he had expected, the food was delicious. Ukyo was certainly an excellent cook. Setsuna looked up at Ukyo, she was cute, no not cute, beautiful, she knew how to cook, and to top it all off, she was a martial artist. Her firm body was all the evidence Setsuna needed to determine that.

Ukyo was still standing next to Setsuna, watching him eat his food and comparing him to Ranma. She recognized Setsuna's appetite, and it was similar to Ranma's, as were some of Setsuna's features. They both had pretty much the same smile, the same body type, the same texture in hair, and even some of the same facial features. Looking at Setsuna now, Ukyo could easily see the family resemblance.

Setsuna finished his meal with a satisfied sigh, then looked up at Ukyo. Setsuna smiled at Ukyo and thanked her for the meal.

Setsuna: Thanks Ukyo, that was great.

Ukyo: *smiling* Your welcome.

Setsuna: But, as much as I like talking to cute girls *Ukyo blushes* I have to get going.

Ukyo: *still blushing* That's ok, I'll see you around I guess.

Setsuna: Oh, I'm pretty sure you will. *grabs Ukyo's hand and kisses it* Farewell, for now. *smiles*

Ukyo: *blushes deeper* …

Setsuna stood and made his way out of Ukyo's restaurant, leaving Ukyo with certain feelings swirling around inside her. Setsuna walked the streets of Nerima, deep in thought once again. As he walked along, Setsuna's thoughts drifted to his brother.

Setsuna: {I hope Ranma's ok, we did kind of wail on each other.}

And so, the Dragon Warrior made his way back home to the Tendo Dojo, hoping that his brother would be ok.

*/*\*

Meanwhile, at the Tendo Dojo, Ranma still lay upon the couch, out cold. The Tendos, Saotomes, and Cologne checking up on him. While Cologne continued to relate what she knew of the Omni Dragon school.

Cologne: From what I could gather from the fight, Setsuna has also taught himself other techniques to enhance his dragon styles.

Now all present in the household were gathered around Cologne and were listening intently to what she was saying.

Nodoka: What sort of techniques has Setsuna taught himself Cologne.

Cologne: I only saw one, the Mira Kabe, but I'm sure that he knows others as well.

Akane: How can Setsuna be that strong?

Cologne: His strength is basically the same as Ranma's, but since Setsuna knows stronger Ki attacks, he must of trained himself to have a higher well of ki energy.

Genma: I wish that boy was here so we could talk to him.

Cologne: That would be better, then we could find out what he's capable of.

As if on queue, or driven by some unseen force, Setsuna, at that very moment, walked through the front door.

Setsuna: *Calling out* I'm home.

Everyone quickly rushed to Setsuna, frightening the Dragon Warrior. Everybody began to speak at once, bombarding Setsuna with question. More then half he couldn't make out. Setsuna put up his hands.

Setsuna: Everyone, calm down, one at a time, I can't understand you.

Everyone calmed down and Nodoka was the first to being speaking.

Nodoka: Where have you been Setsuna?

Setsuna: I've been around town…

Setsuna stepped past everyone and made his way towards Ranma's comatose body. Setsuna placed his hand over Ranma chest and began to chant soft words.

Setsuna: *whispering* Gogatsu watashi jinsei chikara naosu anata

Setsuna's hand began to glow with a pallid light, and an alleviating aura seemed to flow from Setsuna's hand into Ranma. After a few more moments, Setsuna's hand ceased glowing and he stood up and turned to everyone.

Setsuna: Ranma will be fine by morning, but for now, just let him rest.

Cologne hopped over to Setsuna and stared into his face.

Setsuna: *In a dry tone* Yes…

Cologne: *eyeing Setsuna* So, you also have the healing powers of the silver dragon…

Setsuna: That's right…

Cologne: Perhaps you could enlighten us about the Omni Dragon School's history.

Setsuna looked at everyone in turn; they all seemed to want to hear the history as well. Setsuna contemplated his decision, he looked up and nodded.

Setsuna: Sure, I'll tell you, but it is a long story, you sure you want to hear it?

Everyone gathered around and sat down, Setsuna sat down, in front of the couch. If one would have just walked in, it would look like Setsuna was protecting Ranma…

Setsuna: Where should I begin?

Soun: How about how the school was founded.

Setsuna: *looking at Soun* Well, the thing is, much of the schools history is myth, none live who know the true means of how the school was founded.

Cologne: Then just tell us the myth and what you do know.

Setsuna: Very well, *takes a deep breath* The Omni Dragon school was said to be founded by the very first students that were ever taught the Omni Dragon Style, the original six dragon masters. Legend says they were taught the six demi-forms of the Omni Dragon. Legend also says that is was the Omni Dragon itself that split his body into eight parts. The Omni Dragon feared its own power and worried that humans and/or Onis would try to claim it for their own.

Nabiki: Smart dragon…

Setsuna: *grinning* Hm… As had many other people have said. Anyway, Omni came down to earth in six ninja forms: The Ninja of Sapphire, Ruby, Emerald, Diamond, Hades, and Heaven.

Akane: What about the other two parts?

Setsuna: Ah yes, the other two forms remained as dragon demi-gods, The Terra and Mecha Dragons. One controlled the very ground below, and the other, the lightning above. Those are the final two of the eight that form the Omni Dragon. It's said in some of the ancient scrolls that the Omni Dragon only came together to protect the land from a great evil…

Cologne: What was this great evil?

Setsuna paused for a moment, as if he was reluctant to continue. Setsuna took another deep breath, looked up and then continued.

Setsuna: The great evil was a vile Oni who's only goal was to destroy all living things upon the face of the earth. He was an Oni of Chaos. Nothing could satisfy his thirst for death and destruction. This is why, according to legend, the Omni Dragon was brought into existence by Kami-sama. The Omni Dragon answered to Kami-sama whenever there was a calling. The Oni and the Omni fought each other over the OU Range. Their battle was fierce and grew increasingly more violent as it progressed. In the end, the Omni emerged the victor, though the Oni was not destroyed, merely contained for the time being.

Everyone seemed to fall silent; no one knew what to say next. Cologne studied Setsuna. To her, the young warrior's eyes seemed to darken at some thought that crossed his mind. Nodoka looked over to her youngest son, who was still lying upon the couch. Her eyes traveled over to Setsuna, Nodoka saw a strange glint in Setsuna's eyes. As if he was recalling some distressed thought. Although, in the same moment, the glint was gone and Setsuna continued the legend.

Setsuna: The Omni Dragon had won over the Oni, and had sealed him away, but not without a price. The Omni was critically wounded in his battle with the Oni, and to seal the Oni away it required a great deal of energy. By sealing the Oni away, the Omni made an ultimate sacrifice… it gave it's life to save the people of the earth.

Kasumi: Oh my…

Genma: So the dragon gave himself to help the people…

Setsuna: Yes, but he also left the people a gift… the Omni Dragon had trained six masters of the Omni Dragon Style. The six masters gathered students and together formed the Omni Dragon School of Anything Goes Martial Arts. That is how, according to legends, the school was formed.

Cologne: So… that is the schools legend…

Setsuna: I have told you all that I know. Although, for some unknown reason, there is know a seventh master, a Grand Master.

Cologne's eyes narrowed upon hearing this. Her gaze turned to a scrutinizing one. She approached Setsuna.

Cologne: What do you mean there is now a Grand Master?

Setsuna: He's the master of all six arts.

Akane: So he's like you then.

Setsuna: *smirks* Not really, it's more like he's the one who trained me in all six styles. Said I had the potential to be another Grand Master.

Cologne's eyes widen when she heard this. This couldn't be, there couldn't be a Grand Master, let alone a successor. Something didn't feel right. Cologne began to make her way to the door.

Cologne: I shall take my leave now, until we meet again. Farewell new son-in-law.

With that, Cologne left the Tendo Dojo and made her way back to the Neko Café. Everyone turned back to Setsuna, for some reason he had fallen silent and his face crestfallen. Nodoka went over to her son and placed a hand on his shoulder.

Nodoka: What's wrong Setsuna?

Setsuna: *looking up* oh, it's nothing. I was just thinking…

Nabiki: *eyeing Setsuna with suspicion* Really…

Setsuna: *Braving a smile* It's nothing really. *smiles*

Nodoka: If you say so son.

Soun: *stepping forward* Will Ranma be up by morning?

Setsuna: *looking up at Soun* Yeah, he'll be fine come morning. His wounds weren't to dire.

Nodoka: That's good to hear. Then I guess we should get dinner ready.

Kasumi: Oh my, I almost forgot what time it was.

Setsuna: I'll stay here, if you don't mind.

Nodoka and Kasumi disappeared into the kitchen. Akane allowed her gaze to turn back to Setsuna, who was now sitting next to the couch where Ranma lay. She walked over to him and sat down next to him.

Akane: You're sure he's going to be ok?

Setsuna: *Raises an eyebrow* If I didn't know better, I'd say you're worried about him.

Akane: *blushes* No, why should I care about that idiot.

Setsuna: *smiling* Anyway, yeah he should be fine by morning.

A little while later dinner was served. Everyone ate their meals in a rather lax fashion. With the absences of Ranma from the table, something seemed to be missing. After some more time had passed, everyone decided to turn in for the night. Setsuna said he would sleep by the couch and watch over Ranma for the night. No one questioned Setsuna's actions. The night was quiet, the air scarcely blew and Setsuna kept a careful watch over his brother.

Setsuna: I'll make sure everything works out Ranma, I promise…

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End of Part 7

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Author Commentary: THANK THE HEAVENS, IT'S FINISHED!!! This last part took way too long for my taste. I do have an Idea for the next part, but no secrets will leave these lips, not this time. Anyway, I can give you a peek at what's to come… NOT! You think I haven't learned from my mistakes? I'm not getting hurt again. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm getting out of here before anything or anyone shows up. Until next time, later days. *author makes a hasty retreat*

Next Time on Ranma ½: We All Have Secrets