A New Beginning
by Lerris
Smith
Disclaimer: I don't own Ranma 1/2, Sailor Moon or Tenchi Muyo. This piece of work is purely for entertainment purposes. This is just a reposting to insure clean chapters. This story is on hold for now.
After a few hours Akane and Ranma-chan awoke. Ranma-chan was still fairly weak from everything, but he felt better than he had since Akane's ceremony. Setsuna was waiting for them to wake.
Setsuna, quietly so as not to wake the others said, "I need to talk with you two. Could you please come with me?"
Ranma-chan found it hard to stand, but Akane and Setsuna supported him and they soon made their way to what looked like a small kitchen complete with table and chairs. Ranma was really glad for the chair by then. Their was some takeout on the table. Setsuna merely commented that she picked it up. They eat the food while they talked.
"First of all, I suppose that this station is yours now Ranma seeing as the surface of the sun is somewhat inhospitable. You both will have to exercise some caution while you are here since without the stations shielding the radiation from the sun would kill you. Your Senshi transformation would probably protect you of course.."
Akane frowned. "Somehow I doubt you called us here to tell us about this place.."
"No. You are right. We did what we set out to do. You both are Sailor Senshi, and I suspect you have the potential to be among the strongest of us. You are also, almost certainly, the last of us that can be made. I was reading in the computer, and as each additional Senshi is linked to her celestial body, the process gets harder. Serenity would not survive something worse than the last."
Ranma-chan said, "I am sorry that it cost so much to save us. I owe you my life, and will try to help as much as I can."
"We, Ranma, We."
"Have you given any thought as to how to do that?"
"Some. There hasn't been a lot of time to think about it yet. I am one of the best martial artists of my generation. Thanks to the part of me that was Cara I also know a fair amount of magic. I gained control over some of the chaos magic, and will probably be able to use it as a weapon. Unfortunately most of my magic was focused on healing, and because of the chaos magic within me, it is much harder now. I have hopes that eventually Akane or others could learn some of it. She has a lot of potential there. I know the Scouts have great power in their spells, but how are they at physical attacks and teamwork?"
"The Sailor Scouts work together fairly well when it comes down to a crunch, but it could be much better. They have focused more on their own lives, whenever they could, than their lives as scouts. I can't really blame them for this, but it may cost us. I think their fighting skills and magic is more of a thing remembered from the Silver Millennium as much as anything else. They could be much better overall."
"You really think I could do magic?"
"Yes Akane, but given how much you need to learn, both in magic and martial arts it will be very hard on you. I think the link between us may shorten the time some, but we won't know till we try."
Akane had this huge silly grin on her face. Finally she was going to get some real training, and by Ranma. It was so hard to believe.
Ranma-chan continued after a pause. "For now I'm afraid that Akane and I will have our hands full settling that Nerima mess once and for all. Fixing the fiancee mess, our fathers, and straightening out our lives so we can help you without interference may take awhile." That may be the understatement of the century. "We also need to finish the last month of school and we have a lot of homework to make up."
Akane added, "We could come to Jubaan on weekends and learn about being Sailor Scouts and teach what we can to the Senshi who want to learn.."
"That sounds like the beginning of a plan. Hmm.. I'm well aware of the current mess you call a life. I have an idea that may help, but you may not like it. What if I had your name legally changed so that you no longer were a Saotome. That way legally you would no longer be responsible for any of your idiot fathers promises like the many engagements and debts he left in your name. I could then find you a place to live in Jubaan - perhaps some kind of dojo. A small stipend shouldn't be too hard either. How does that sound?"
"To no longer be a Saotome. To no longer be responsible for all the mess my Father made of my life. It won't be that simple you know.. and it does feel like running away.. I don't like accepting charity either."
"No, I don't think it will be that simple, but is it more important to try to honor the promises a dishonorable man made in your name, or to get your life together so you can help save the world? As to charity, what rubbish. If risking your lives to save the world isn't a worthwhile job, I don't know what is. As for the money, well I have been around for a very long time and have a lot of resources at my disposal. The money is not an issue."
"Akane what do you think? We could try to settle the fianc? mess during our last month of school and then move to Jubaan. You should know that when I force the issue with well Shampoo and Kodachi especially, your life might be endangered. Cologne particularly worries me. I hope to get her as an ally, yet.. It is very risky."
"Thank you Ranma, for the 'We'. I think we need to work out a lot of details, but the basic plan is a good one."
"Remember the Sailor Senshi are your friends now. Not even the entire Amazon nation could stand against us, were we together."
Ranma-chan said, "I know, but to an extent it is partly my fault things haven't been resolved before. I want to try to do this myself."
"Ranma you forgot the 'we' again. Don't think I'm letting you do this alone."
Ranma nodded. When Akane saw this she smiled. "Just remember that you chose to be by my side when I'm forcing you to train until you collapse.. If your going to stay this close to me, then your going to become an excellent martial artist, otherwise I'll go mad with worry." So many things had seemed so obvious to Ranma after the merging. He felt so guilty for opportunities lost.
Akane smiled. "I will Ranma. I promise. No matter what it takes."
Ranma-chan glanced at Akane then. She was so beautiful when she smiled. Ranma tried to capture that moment in her mind to treasure it allways.
"I'm glad we have a plan. The others should be waking soon, and we need to get back." They journeyed back into the main room, to find empty boxes as a memorial to the rest of the food Setsuna apparently brought.
Minako said, "Hey you guys, we were wondering about you."
Akane replied, "We were just having a talk with Setsuna."
In a sarcastic voice Rei added, "I'm a great fan of those talks."
Ami said, "I hate to intrude, but our families are probably missing us by now. We really should be going."
Suddenly a portal opened at Sailor Pluto stepped through. Setsuna looked at her future self but didn't bother asking any questions. She new better than anyone how useless it was to talk to herself about the future. She told what needed to be told and no more even to herself. Still Chibi-Usa's clear interference in the past was definitely bending the rules. She wondered if she was going to be forced to pay for that. No matter, even if her future self was stripped of her power and killed the moment she went back, she would do it again without blinking for it meant that she had fulfilled her queen's last request after all the thousands of years.
"I came to bring Usa back." She held Usa's form against her gently and prepared to open a portal to the future.
Setsuna caught her future self's eyes before she was gone. She could see the happiness and the fear in them. No one else could tell of course. She thought the happiness was probably due to her efforts with Usa succeeding, and the fear was understandable enough as well. The other Senshi largely held no loyalties to any gods or goddesses. She was the exception. Her control of time was a gift from them with a price. She forced the thought from her mind as Pluto disappeared. She thought of the power and great sense of responsibility she sensed in Akane and Ranma. She smiled a small smile. Yes some risks were worth the cost.
Setsuna turned back to the others. "Usa has gone home. Rei wake Usagi up and then let's go home."
Rei shook Usagi, and after a few, "just 5 more minutes Luna" she woke up. "We need Sailor Moon to lead the teleport home. Just think, once you get home you can eat ice cream."
Usagi's sleep induced mind perked up, "Ok."
Akane grinned. "Hey Ranma, why don't you transform first. We're curious."
Ranma-chan muttered quietly something about those outfits being indecently short. "Sun star power, Make up!"
Minako cheered. "Hey you look good Ranma." See the pictures for Sailor Sun and Io from the Sailor Ranko series. Links are provided at the end of Chapter 1.
Usagi rubbed her eyes. "You really do."
"Somehow I think I won't fit my mom's view of a Man among Men now... I do look good don't I? Its still indecent though. Kuno might die of a nosebleed if he saw me now."
Akane said, "Well what was it your father always said, 'The life of a martial artist is fraught with peril."'
Everyone laughed for a second and then transformed leaving a total of 10 Sailor Suited soldiers of justice. A ring was formed with all except Pluto who preferred to travel in her own way. With a yell of "Sailor Teleport" they all vanished and appeared in an isolated area a few blocks from the Hikawa shrine. They detransformed and walked towards the shrine.
Ami's communicator beeped and she nodded. "Setsuna says to tell Ranma that Artemis and Luna are back. They are intelligent cats that are friends of ours.."
"C...ats...?" Ranma cringed at the thought. Akane could tell Ranma did not want to face this now.
Rei said, "Ranma, we'll understand if you can't face this yet. You went through a lot and it will take time for you to finally overcome your fear."
Akane said, "We probably should be getting home anyway. Our families must be worried."
Ranma-chan sighed a bit in relief and looked a little guilty and nodded. They headed off to the direction of the train station. Before they got there, Setsuna caught up with them and handed them some cash and a cup of hot water. "I thought you might need that for the trip back." Ranma nodded and used the hot water.
Ranma said, "Thank you Setsuna. We are in your debt."
Setsuna waived and Ranma and Akane went into the train station.
Rei's grandfather walked into the room where everyone had gathered. "I have known for sometime you know. I called your parents and let them know that you went camping. Apparently you received some free train tickets that had to be used right away."
"Huh Grandfather? What do you mean?"
"Why I know you are all Sailor Senshi of course. You have often transformed in the very room. I may be old, but I do notice a few things." Everyone face faults. "What happened to those two that were here before? They didn't look too healthy."
Usagi said, "They are fine. Um, I think I'd better be getting home." The others voiced similar comments and got up to go leaving only Rei and her grandfather.
Rei's grandfather sighed. "Must it always be you, that goes into danger?"
"We have old souls and a responsibility to this world. Quite often we are the only ones who can fight the darkness that comes to this place."
"Come, there is dinner prepared, and then you can fill me in on all of this."
Rei gave a brief history of the Silver Millennium and how she became a Senshi.
"What about those two from before?"
"Their whole story is not mine to tell, but I will tell you a little. Ranma is a natural born hero I think. Apparently he was also a bit of a jerk until recently. I think Akane has much promise as well. Ranma had just saved Akane's life, but both of them were dying. Poisoned by magic that was meant as a cure for Akane. Usagi may be air brained at times, but you couldn't ask for a better friend. In the end it took all of our power together to save them. Usagi could have easily died in the attempt, yet I think she would have risked her life even if those two weren't somehow important."
"Usagi is your leader? This Sailor Moon."
"Yes. Don't tell her I said this, but while she isn't the brightest when push comes to shove she almost always makes the right decision. She thinks with her heart, and has risked her life for us many times."
"I actually didn't figure it out until a few weeks ago. You were fairly careful. I don't know if it will help, but I have some advanced scrolls on meditation techniques and martial arts lore. Perhaps it is something that will help you."
"Thank you grandfather. Actually some of us were thinking of asking Ranma to help train us. He fought a lower level kami to a standstill for her with only his training and skill."
"What happened then?"
"That is his story, I'm afraid. It was over by the time Ranma was brought to us for help. Goodnight grandfather. I really should get some rest. It has been a long day."
"Pleasant Dreams."
Ranma and Akane boarded the train back to Nerima. Ranma found a cabin in the back where they could talk without being seen or overheard.
Akane said, "I'll call home.. They must be worried."
"Ok. I think we need to plan what we are going to say when we get home, so perhaps you should limit what you say."
Akane nodded and brought out her communicator and dialed home.
"Hello."
"Hello Kasumi. Listen, I can't talk for long. I'm a bit short of money. I just wanted to let you know that Ranma and I are ok and that we are coming home. Goodbye sis."
"Oh, thats good to hear. I'll tell everyone. Bye."
Nabiki asked, "Who was that sis?"
"It was Akane, she was calling to let us know her and Ranma were fine and they were heading home."
"My little baby is ok." cries a flood
"Did she say anything else?"
"No, she said she didn't have much money and couldn't talk long."
Nabiki frowned in thought. Well Akane's ok at least. I could so easily hate Ranma for bringing so much chaos to our family, save for the fact its usually not his fault and he does allways save my sister, no matter the odds. She briefly wondered if she made a mistake palming him off on Akane so long ago. Naah. She could never love someone she could manipulate that easily. She looked up at Kasumi, "Did she say when she would get here?"
"No she didn't."
Nabiki went to the phone and hit the key sequence to return the phone call but nothing happened. How odd. Well at least I'm good at waiting.
Akane asked, "So what are we going to tell our families."
"Mostly the truth, just not all of it I think. I am not looking forward to this."
Akane gave Ranma a hug. It seemed so much easier now. Ranma was so much more open now. She wished she could have truly got to know Ranma before though. She took a moment to regret opportunities lost.
Ranma and Akane discussed and planned out what they could of their future, never once considering that they no longer even questioned the "their" part.
The train ride ended and the long road home began. A home they both knew could not be theirs for much longer. It was time for them to find their own way. They also had their duty. They could see the darkness ahead of them, yet their was light now as well. A brief smile passed across their faces with the thought that the battles that they fought now would have meaning unlike much of the insanity of their past.
Shampoo and Mouse arrived at the Nekohaten. Because of Shampoo's agitation, Cologne closed the store so they could talk. Despite Shampoo's best efforts, Cologne managed to drag the entire story out of them, including how Shampoo was easily defeated by Mouse.
"I was wondering when your secret would slip Mouse. Continuous battles with Ranma do tend to improve a persons skills after all. Shampoo, by Amazon law Mouse stands equal with Ranma as a potential husband. He does this, because he saved your life combined with the fact he had to beat you in combat to do it. Mouse is correct, if you had stayed after Ranma killed Saffron, you would likely have been burned alive for your crimes." Besides, what if I was wrong about the prophecy?
"Nooo!. Shampoo no marry blind duck."
"I still intend to get Ranma for the tribe, but you should at least consider Mouse." Ranma will probably never marry Shampoo now.. not if Akane is still alive. I certainly can't imagine him killing a kami for Shampoo.
Mouse just looked thoughtful during most of this. He had promised himself long ago, that while he loved Shampoo he would never force her to accept him via any of the villages laws. Mouse decided for once, just to wait and see. He did wonder why Cologne acted as if it was certain Ranma was alive though. How could she know?
Ranma and Akane walked into the door. Nabiki,Kasumi,Nodoka,Soun and Genma were sitting around the dinner table.
Kasumi smiled when she saw them. "Welcome home you two. Ranma, your father told us what happened. I'm so glad you were able to save my sister. Thank you."
"Ya thanks Saotome. Without you two around, how could I make any money?"
"Glad to see you made it boy."
"Oh happy day. We can have the wedding tomorrow."
Ranma voice turned cold. "Before you all go deciding our future again, perhaps you should listen to us for a change. You know, just as a change of pace."
Akane said quietly, "Ranma was changed at Jusendo. In a way, the Ranma we all knew is dead."
"Oh come on sis, even I can see Ranma looks fine.."
Ranma proceeded to tell everyone present about what truly happened at the final battle. How in joining with Cara, he gained the strength to beat Saffron. He told that her knowledge allowed him to give Akane some of his strength so that she would live. Akane took up the story and told everyone that a Sailor Senshi had found them and brought them to safety. She went on to tell that the Sailor Senshi were able to heal them, but it was a great effort for them and that they owed a debt. The details about Ranma and Akane being permanently linked to each other, and about them becoming senshi were of course conveniently left out.
"I have an announcement to make. About a year ago Akane and I saved the life of a wealthy and influential person who does not wish to be named. He said he owed us a favor and gave us a way to contact him. Before our latest 'adventure' I gave copies of some taped conversations concerning things like the Nekoken training, the multiple fianc?s, being sold for rice and pickles, etc to someone who works for him."
"What do you think your doing son?"
Ranma ignored his fathers question. "Yesterday I gave him the final details. I owe my life to the sacrifice of Cara Inverse. In a way I am her, as much as Ranma and for that reason I chose Inverse as my new family name. Ranma Saotome is dead and with his death I leave behind all the promises made in his name by my former father."
"How dare you! You ungrateful girl! I'll teach you a lesson."
Ranma anticipated this and hit a pressure point on Genma that paralyzed him. He couldn't even talk.
"I am now Ranma Inverse. All the engagements and promises and debts made in my name no longer have anything to do with me. Cara's parents names were Gwyn and Jeran and I have taken them as my parents names."
Nodoka asked, "Ranma... Why?...What did I do?"
"How dare you. You will marry my daughter and thats final!"
"Oh my!"
"It was the only way. I need to live my own life, not the one that Genma tried to force on me or even the man among men goals of my mother which seem little short of turning into Happosai. Even if I wanted to meet all the obligations Genma made for me, it would be impossible to do so. I certainly don't intend on marrying eight women. And that says nothing for all the people that Genma stole from in my name. No, there was really no other choice. I have not given up on you mother, but you have made it hard sometimes."
"You are obligated to marry my daughter!"
"No, Mr. Tendo, I am not, nor is Akane or any of your daughters obligated to marry anyone. I love Akane, funny how I can say that now.. Maybe it comes with being half girl in truth now, or maybe its because my girl half was raised by such a loving family. At any rate, too much has changed in the past few days. We need time to get to know each other again and to make our own decisions."
Nodoka said, "I.. see.. Ranma, what did you mean by Nekoken training?"
Ranma froze up for a second. He hadn't planned on going into detail about that.
Genma started to sweat, but being paralyzed, that was all he could do.
Akane voice became quiet. "When Ranma was very young, not long after the training journey began, Genma decided Ranma would learn the legendary Nekoken. It involved digging a large pit and filing it with dozens of starving cats. The candidate would be wrapped in various fish products and thrown in the pit. This process was repeated many times until Ranma's mind finally snapped and he learned the Nekoken. Since then whenever he couldn't escape from a cat, his mind would snap and literally become like a cat. He was very powerful like that."
Ranma was shivering slightly. Akane took hold of Ranma's hand and he calmed slightly. Nabiki starred at their joined hands for a moment as if in thought. "The sailor scouts knew the whole truth about the Nekoken. The true purpose of the Nekoken was to destroy the mind of the subject and bind a demonic cat spirit into the subject. This was intended to create a nearly unstoppable berserker. We don't know quite know how the procedure went wrong, whether the procedure was messed up, or if Ranma was just incredibly lucky. At any rate, a couple of kittens died in that pit and we think they wanted to help child Ranma. Their spirits took the place of the demonic cat spirit, and protected Ranma from being taken over, else its quite likely Ranma would have killed us all by now. The sailor scouts were able to free the kitten's spirits and destroy the evil of the Nekoken from Ranma when they healed him, but his intense fear of cats remains."
"You bastard! How dare you do this to our son?" She brings her sword up to his throat.
Ranma moved to prevent her from killing him. "No, that solves nothing. I think the reason for most of his insane training was his obsession with my martial arts skills. He doesn't think about the cost of things.. unless he is the one to pay them."
Genma was finally getting to the point of being able to speak again. (quietly) "No-chan I'm sorry. It was all for the boy.."
"Akane and I have a month left of this school year. After that we plan on moving to Jubaan for our final year of high school. The favor came with a small place to live and enough money to get by for a little while if we find jobs. Akane and I need to be by ourselves, and away from the mess that is Nerima if we are to find our way. I also owe the Senshi my life. Perhaps I can help in some small way occasionally with the battles with monsters they continually get into to repay that debt."
"I owe them my life as well. Ranma has promised to train me very seriously so that I can help pay back that debt and be better at protecting myself."
"I forbid you to leave home. You aren't married. Why would you need to protect yourself? Thats what Ranma is for."
Nabiki said, "Haven't you been listening? Akane nearly died. Ranma may be good but their are limits. I'm sorry Ranma, but hanging too near you is hazardous to ones health."
"Before Saffron, I was undoubtedly one of the strongest martial artists of my generation and it wasn't enough. If it weren't for Cara and the Sailor Senshi your daughter would be dead now. Next time, she may not be so lucky. Nabiki is right. Chaos seems to follow me. A part of me wishes that Akane would find someone else.. someone not as apt to get her killed. Another part of me can't stand the thought of living without her. For as long as I live I will gladly protect her, and the best way I can do that now is to teach her. She will do very well I think."
"Thank you Ranma. Don't think your getting rid of me that easily Ranma. I owe you my life several times over, and even if I didn't I don't intend to let you go. I don't... I can't imagine a world without you with me. Father I do not wish to disobey you, but I owe a debt of honor to both Ranma and the Sailor Senshi. The only way to ever repay that debt is to be near them both." I hope this appeal to honor thing we discussed actually works...
Nabiki said, "What about all your fianc?s and rivals? Surely you don't think you can just move out of town and expect them not to follow. I mean its one thing to get yourself a new last name, but who is that really going to stop?"
"Nabiki, I don't pretend it is going to be easy. I have worried for some time that if Akane and I were to truly accept and welcome our engagement that Akane would be in danger. I don't think Ukyo would do anything to her, unless she panicked, but Shampoo was ever fond of "obstacles are for killing" and Kodachi is just as dangerous in her own way. Its hard to predict insanity. Then there is of course Cologne. That one is truly dangerous. Ryoga will probably try to kill me, again, of course, but thats nothing new and to be honest, as long as we can prevent him teaming up he doesn't worry me. Perhaps not even then. Besides once he knows that Akane finally figured out that Ryoga is p-chan, I don't think he will be a problem, but you never know."
Nabiki gasped. "Ryoga is p-chan?"
"Oh my!"
"Shampoo used her shiatsu technique on myself, Nabiki and Kasumi I'm afraid. It kept us from connecting the two. Ranma promised on his honor not to reveal Ryoga's weakness since he was the one who accidentally knocked the idiot in after he followed Ranma to china because of the stupid bread feud. To be fair, Ranma was a little mad about suddenly losing his manhood at the time and plotting revenge on the panda to pay attention to much. On the bright side, it is also why my cooking never improved."
Ranma was tempted to comment, that Pluto hadn't exactly said it was the only reason her cooking didn't improve, but decided being quiet was a good idea. Nope, I'm not gonna risk unleashing Akane's fury. That would be a bad thing.
"That pig is dead. And you.. Saotome. You should have told us."
"I can't change the past Nabiki, no matter how much I sometimes want to.. About my only moral compass in life before Jusenkyo was my father and I sorta used him as an example of what not to do. I should not have kept that promise once Ryoga acted so dishonorably. In truth I don't think he started out intending to use his curse that way.. It just snowballed out of control. Part of me feels sorry for him.."
Akane said, "Why is that?"
"You were probably one of the first people to show him love and affection, but you were showing your pet pig..."
"At any rate Nabiki, I will deal with Ryoga. He betrayed my trust. If I need your help, I'll let you know."
"I have a question Mr. Tendo. I know Ryoga changed when you were in the bath several times. Why didn't you tell your daughter? For that matter I'm sure Genma knew too."
"I didn't want to reveal Ryoga's weakness, and he was a pig after all. Besides Genma and I thought that if Ranma was jealous he and Akane might finally get together..."
"Father, how could you?"
"Thank kami that mom had good genetics."
Akane said, "I suppose I shouldn't be surprised. I'm just glad I'm leaving."
Nabiki said, "And I'm glad I'm going to college.."
"Well Genma, you should be able to move about now. Do you want to fight now, or are you going to accept that I am no longer your son and let me live my own life?"
"Fine, you ungrateful whelp. Lets go outside. I'll teach you a thing or two."
Akane turned to Ranma. "What are you doing?"
"What I must. About the only thing that ever gets Genma to back down when he sets his mind to something is fear. I am going to make him afraid, very afraid."
"Ha, your just a woman. There is no way you can beat me."
Four pairs of women's eyes gave him a hard look, and Ranma did as well.
"You can go on out and get ready. I will follow once I change."
Genma goes out to prepare. Hmm, I must win this battle. From what I saw at Jusendo, I'll have to unseal the forbidden techniques, but he will bow down to me. I show that ungrateful welp.
"Nabiki, may I talk with you two for a second in my room? Akane will you call Dr. Tofu and ask him to come and then join us?"
They go in. "Nabiki, I know you need to make money for the dojo even if you sometimes seem to enjoy things a bit much, but I need you to please, for Akane's sake, be a little careful from now on. If you draw attention to me, Akane might get dragged into the mess, and I wouldn't want that. At any rate, you better make sure your camera has film. Seeing a little girl kick Genma's but should be worth preserving. Just don't let any pictures of anything odd get out ok?"
Hmm I wonder what he meant by anything odd... "My sister seems to have chosen you.. even if you are not officially engaged. I.. hadn't thought about how .. things might affect her.. I'll be careful okay?" Nabiki frowned as if in thought. Had she really been putting Akane in danger? Ranma was right. Akane will probably become a target, but then again they have targeted her before, and I fed some of their obsessions..
Akane comes in the door and sits on the futon.
Ranma tossed a cup of water over his head. Instant Ranma-chan. "Hmm theres not much time.. What should I wear?"
Nabiki perked up. She knew just the thing. It was bought for Ranma after all, and she had been waiting almost a month to try to get something on Ranma to convince her to model it. "I'll be right back." She returned less than a minute later with a skin tight dark blue Lycra shirt and pants with the name Nike on them along with matching red Nike tennis shoes and a bright red belt. The shirt was long sleeve and came right up to the edge of her hands.
"So how much of my debt will you forget if I wear this?"
Nabiki thought she could possibly make 100,000 yen on this. Ranma's debt was at about 20,000 yen. "10,000 yen" Since when did Ranma bargain?
"Hmm my debt is around 20,000 yen. I'll wear it if you wipe out the whole debt."
"But... How am I supposed to make money if I pay you so much?"
"Even if you truly won't make much on this, which I doubt, you have made allot in the past so its fair. So is it a deal or not?"
"Deal. Since when did you learn to bargain?"
"I plead the 5th."
Akane said, "Ranma learning when to shut up. To quote Kuno, 'Tis truly a wondrous thing to behold."'
Ranma winced. "Now, how about going to find me a nice sports bra or something I can wear? Remember nothing fancy, I may be truly part girl now, but well Cara was a tomboy."
Nabiki went and came back with a simple sports bra that would fit Ranma-chan. She wasn't going to screw this up, trying to make this too interesting. Ranma's final outfit was very nice looking on her but...
Akane was feeling mischievous. "Well we can't have you spoiling a perfectly good look with a pigtail." Before he could object Ranma-chan's shoulder length red hair was pulled into a ponytail with a white bow. Nabiki had taken the opportunity while she was distracted to apply a little makeup as well.
Ranma-chan muttered quietly, "Ack I'm in hell." but her words seemed to lack much force, and she smiled when she looked in the mirror before she caught herself. "Ermm we better get this done with."
"Are you sure everything will be ok? I get the feeling your father will be fighting very seriously for once. That outfit probably won't help either." added Akane.
"Akane please don't use the term father. It is hard enough.. It is hard enough.. and yes I expect he will be. I expect he has a few tricks up his sleeve that he has never showed me. Both of you make sure to stay well back. I don't want a stray attack to endanger you."
In a short time they arrived outside. Ranma went out slightly after the others to give Nabiki a chance to get ready.
"You could still call this off you know. Simply agree to leave me and Akane alone." Ranma-chan extended her magical and ki senses to their limits searching for any tricks that Genma might throw out. She also cast a silent spell that no one noticed to extend her speed and started infusing her muscles with ki.
"I see I my son has become a weak little girl. No matter. I will beat that out of you as well." Genma blurred and came at Ranma-chan with a vacuum blade intending to end this quick.
Ranma-chan saw him move and blurred away but made note that his father was willing to use an invisible ki blade of some kind. She stopped and quickly pulled ki and chaos magic into a ball inside a small subspace pocket. She then quickly pulled it forth and threw it. It zoomed to Genma's right and straight into the koi pond which flashed instantly to steam. The whole in the ground was about twice as big as it was.
"Have a new trick eh son? Pity you throw like a girl as well."
"Oh I hit what I intended to hit. We wouldn't want you accidentally becoming a panda. It would spoil Nabiki's pictures." Perhaps desting the koi pond was a mistake. He had a vague hope that Genma would get a clue and end this, but it was not to be.
Genma launched at her again, disappearing briefly after he started moving and sliced at Ranma-chan again, but she was already gone. Ranma-chan had a much smaller chaos/ki blast prepared and hidden. "Time to end it old fool." Before Genma reoriented on Ranma-chan. Ranma-chan launched the energy sphere and nailed him right on the seat of his pants. She then blurred again and followed up with knife handed hit to his left forearm, breaking it nearly in two. Genma collapsed in pain and passed out.
Akane said, "Did you have to break his arm?"
"There is too much at stake. We will have enough to deal with trying to fix the fianc? mess without dealing with him as well."
Dr. Tofu arrived and looked at Genma. "What happened?"
"I challenged him for the right to live my own life, and he lost. His left arm is broke as well."
Dr. Tofu unrolls the stretcher he brought that he hoped he wouldn't need. "Ranma will you help me carry him back?"
"Sure Doc. Akane would you like to come?"
"Ok."
With Ranma-chan's help Dr. Tofu got Genma in a bed and put a cast on his arm. Genma was still very much passed out.
"Ranma, perhaps you care to tell me now why your father is dying? His aura is horribly disturbed. If I had to guess I'd say he wouldn't live more than a day or two.."
"You will keep it secret?"
"Yes of course."
"I don't have time to go into all the details now, but the important facts are. I have all the skills of a sorceress named Cara that lived over a thousand years ago, along with my own of course. She is a part of me now. Also through an accident I managed to get control of a small amount of chaos magic. I did it to try to keep it from killing me, but now it is a part of me. Thankfully a friend was able to remove the rest of it. This allowed me to learn how to draw it myself and control it and make attacks with it if I need to. I blasted him with a fairly small ball that was a mixture of chaos magic and my own ki energy. Your right, left untreated that will kill him, but then I don't intend to leave it."
Dr. Tofu asked, "Why did you use something so dangerous?"
"My goal was not just to win the fight, but to win the fight in such a way that their was no doubt that he did not stand any chance whatsoever. One thing I learned from watching Happosai is Genma will run away from any fight he doesn't think he can win. I hope I got the point across and he accepts that I am no longer a Saotome. Also, considering he was using some form of invisible ki blades, I didn't want to give him any chance of getting close to me."
"I should begin soon. Waiting will just make it harder to remove the energy that is killing him. Akane, If you and Dr. Tofu will take my left hand, I will try to make it so you can see what happens. Dr. Tofu your ki senses may help as well."
Ranma-chan focused her mind, and caught the spark of magic within herself. She then wove flows of spirit into Genma to determine the extent of the damage. She wove wind, water and spirit around the contaminated energy and drew it from his body and into a ball that sat inside her hand. "I need to get rid of this." Ranma-chan got up and walked out the clinic followed by Tofu and Akane. He then threw the ball into the ground near a wall a little ways away. It exploded about a 6 inch crater from the ground. They walked back inside.
"He will need to rest for several days, perhaps a week, and then his arm will need to heal as well."
Dr. Tofu asked, "Can you teach me how to do that? To heal like that I mean..."
"I will teach both you and Akane when there is time. I don't expect there will be for awhile and my first priority is Akane's martial arts training. Right now it takes me a great deal of effort to heal at all. Chaos and healing just do not mix well."
Dr. Tofu was a healer and noticed something that Akane missed. "I'm sorry for your loss Ranma. Cara trained to be a healer didn't she?"
"Yes I did. The part of me that is Cara grew up to be a healer, to save lives. The part of me that is Ranma grew up to be the best at the art. He always wanted to help others and now I am complete and find myself far more able to kill than to heal. I haven't given up though. In time I may be able to figure out how to heal without being so affected by the chaos within me. Akane gives me hope as well. In time I think her potential as a healer may well outstrip my own."
"Thank you Ranma... You could have healed him completely couldn't you?"
"Yes, but it would have exhausted me to do so. Genma has never seriously had to face the consequences of his actions and a part of me still blames him for what amounted to inhuman torture growing up. Yes, I could have healed him completely and yes I chose not to, partly because I intended that he stay out of our way for a few days at least."
Dr. Tofu asked, "Why now Ranma?"
Ranma-chan sighed. He wanted this day over with.
Akane answered before he could. "Because it must end. In the past, my jealously and rage against all the crap lead to me losing my temper with Ranma alot. No one can live like that.. Not truly live. It was destroying our lives. Ranma and I almost died at Jusendo. The fact that we are alive is a miracle to say the least. Ranma resolved that the chaos would end, and one of the root causes was his father promised him in trade for whatever he needed or even ran up debts in his name. Ranma had himself removed from the Saotome register. He is now Ranma Inverse and that is why Genma and he fought."
"I'm sorry, I can see you've been through a lot. What should I tell him when he wakes?"
"Tell him a part of the truth I suppose. Tell him that he is lucky to be alive from whatever happened."
Akane said, "I just thought of something. What if your father goes to try to swim in Jusendo thinking he could get whatever it is you did."
Ranma-chan sighed. "Well if the phoenix mountain people don't kill him, extended exposure to that water would. I thought I made it clear to everyone that it poisened us and we only survived thanks to the Senshi and even then we were damn lucky. I don't know Akane. Your right, he could be that stupid. We will just have to deal with it, when or if it happens."
"We should be going."
"Take care of him Doc."
"I will" The bum deserved it anyway. Heck for just that stunt with the nekoken he deserved far more. It seems Ranma and Akane are growing up although I never expected to see Ranma in an outfit like that... He imagines what Kasumi would look like in that outfit and forgets all about his patient. It is far past time I stopped acting like an idiot around Kasumi. I'll send Nabiki an email. Perhaps if she could get me a few tasteful pictures of Kasumi I could use them to get some tolerance over my reaction to her.
Ranma-chan and Akane were walking back to the dojo. Ranma was careful to keep her senses extended since she didn't want to deal with fiances or pigs tonight.
Akane said, "I've been thinking and I think we should tell Nabiki most of the rest."
Ranma-chan had been worried about Nabiki. If she found out Ranma was a scout.. That could be messy. "Huh?"
"Well think of it this way. Nabiki is very perceptive. If we don't tell her, it is quite likely she will find out sooner or later, and in the process cause a huge mess."
"So you think Nabiki can be trusted? Hmm I think your right, especially since if she told anyone it would endanger you, and she does protect her family. Lets stop by her room before we go to sleep."
Ranma-chan and Akane made their way back to the dojo. Everyone had gone to bed by then. Ranma grabbed ahold of Akane and jumped them onto the roof without making any noise.
"I will learn how to do that."
"I have no doubt."
Akane knocked on Nabiki's window. "Hey sis, its me, open up." Nabiki wasn't asleep yet. She was busy looking at the photos she had just taken and trying to make sense of all this.. She knew they hadn't told everything somehow... but what? She heard a knock and opened her window. "Akane what are you doing outside my window?"
"Never mind that. Can Ranma and I come in for a second?"
"Ah. Sure.. So why are you two here?"
Akane said, "We stopped by to talk with you."
"Oh about what?"
Ranma-chan said, "I was pondering going up into the countryside tomorrow to train. I thought Akane would probably want to go as well, and I thought perhaps you might want to go."
"Why would I want to go train?"
Ranma-chan continued, "Actually thats not a bad idea.." smiles evilly "But I kind of thought it might be a learning experience of a different sort for you."
Nabiki nodded. Since when had Ranma learned to be subtle. "Ok Saotome, you've piqued my interest. I'll leave a bit after you in the morning and meet you at the train station. You'll have to pack enough stuff for me as well, since it would be noticed if I had a pack with me."
"Sis, this is important."
Ranma-chan said quietly, "Nabiki no cameras or tapes or anything. Some secrets must remain secrets. To do otherwise would endanger people."
"Then why are you telling me?"
Ranma-chan gave a short quiet, sardonic laugh. "We came to the conclusion that you were apt to find out sooner or later, and that we wanted you as an ally and not an enemy."
Nabiki nodded. Ranma continued to amaze her. That level of foresight was unheard of for him. Perhaps there was something to this merging with the spirit from the spring..
Akane said, "Well we should get some sleep. Remember after breakfast, we are packing and going."
They snuck down the hall and went in Akane's room.
"Akane, may I please stay? I will sleep on the floor. I know your not a bad fighter, and I don't think Shampoo could be trying anything yet, but please.."
Akane frowned then looked thoughtful: "Ok Ranma, I'll get you a pair of pajama's. You know I gotta get a copy of one of the pictures Nabiki just took."
"Thanks Akane."
"Every time I think I'm used to the new you, you remind me that you really are different now. It will take some getting used to.."
Ranma said quietly, "I know.." I just hope that you can love who I am now. They turned around from each others and got into some pajamas and were asleep shortly afterward. It had been a long day.
2006-02-01