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.
He was back there again, back in the dark pit, with them crawling all over him, biting, clawing and meowing. Their were dozens of them and no way out.. "No, daddy please don't put me in the pit again.. Please daddy." Ranma-chan had broken out into a sweat and was thrashing around slightly on her futon. Nabiki decided to investigate when she heard the noise. Ranma-chan awoke to the sound of the door opening. When she looked up she saw Nabiki coming in.
"You ok Ranma?"
Ranma-chan said quietly, "I'm fine now Nabiki. I was dreaming I was in the pit with the cats again."
Nabiki nodded. "Perhaps you should talk to Dr. Tofu? He may be able to figure out something now that the Nekoken is gone." Perhaps being reminded of someone elses uncontrollable fears will help him find some perspective on his reactions to Kasumi as well.
Ranma nodded. "Perhaps. Its not been as bad lately though."
"Hey Akane, if you don't want daddy to find a minister, you'd better get up."
Akane jerked awake in a panic. "No, you can't make me get married to that pervert!."
"Bad dream sis?"
Akane said sheepishly, "Hey, it was just a dream! Um oh. Good morning Ranma." Akane turned slightly red.
Ranma-chan felt in the mood for a bit of revenge. She walked over and gave Akane a quick kiss on the cheek before she could react.
Akane said hotly, "What was that for?"
"Oh just thought you might like a kiss from a pervert. I'm going to go practice. See you there." He shifted to his male form and quickly exited.
"That... That... That... Ranma!"
Nabiki laughed and left.
Ranma found the dojo to be occupied by someone he wouldn't have expected. Mr. Tendo looked like he was trying to practice the art, but he was so out of shape that it was not a pretty sight. Still there was signs that he once was quite good.. With a little practice perhaps..
"Hey, Mr. Tendo. Wanna spar?"
"Sure, although it looks like I won't be able to give you much of a workout."
Ranma did his best to encourage Mr. Tendo's renewed interest in the art. This went on for about ten minutes. About five minutes into it Akane came in and watched silently. Suddenly he messed up a dodge and fell. He fell to the ground in pain.
"Dad!"
"Don't worry Akane. Mr. Tendo could you hold still for a second. Akane could you give me a hand?"
Akane nodded, unsure if what Ranma intended to do was wise, but did it anyway. She sat next to Ranma and extended her right hand. Ranma took her right hand in his own and placed it over Mr. Tendo's injury. Good, it is very minor injury to his ankle. It won't even drain us much. A violet glow soon extended from Ranma and Akane. Soon the injury was gone.
Soun asked, "What did you do?"
"It is best not to think about it too much. You should be fine now, although you need a lot of practice to get back into shape. I think that once you do that, Nabiki might even be persuaded to take a lesson on occasion."
Soun nodded. He had hoped that perhaps, but well it was far past time to stop feeling sorry for himself. Still a long soak in the furo sounded very nice right now. I'd better wait till the others have their baths though since they had school. He went and sat down near the wall, curious to watch Ranma and Akane practice.
"Akane would you like to practice that meditation technique we did yesterday first?"
Akane thought about it and nodded. They joined hands, and a glow passed from Ranma over to Akane and then it was gone.
Meditation technique? Huh? Just what was that? Still Akane did suddenly seem more focused..
Akane and Ranma sparred for about thirty minutes. Soun was amazed at the level of skill Akane was showing. How did she get so good without him noticing? Ranma must truly be an amazing teacher. Ranma and Akane grabbed quick showers and then breakfast and were out the door. Nabiki had already left.
Nabiki arrived at Uchans and let herself in. Ukyo and Konatsu were getting ready for the days business.
Ukyo asked, "Nabiki, are you here with news of Ranma?"
"Yes, Ranma got back a couple days ago, but left right away on a training trip. He got back again last night. I have a tape of what he said to his family a couple days ago, if your interested.."
"How much?"
"Five thousand yen."
Ukyo forked over the money and Nabiki handed her the package.
"Some free advice. It is rare for me to ever give away anything this valuable so listen. First what is on that tape is private. I don't think Ranma will mind too much you hearing it or even Konatsu, but he might be very annoyed if it became general knowledge. I would also be very annoyed. Second, I would like you to think how you dream your life with Ranma would be if he one day married you, and then think about Ranma's life. He is a trouble magnet. It swirls around him and those close to him. My sister is very lucky to be alive right now. Finally I want you to really think about things after you listen to the tape. Don't just react. Ranma values your friendship and wouldn't ever want to lose it."
Ukyo nodded faintly.
"If you like I could ask Ranma to stop by after school today?" I really hope this works. Somehow I doubt Ukyo will give up this easily.
Ukyo nodded. With that Nabiki left and went on her way to Furiken.
The package contained an audio tape and a smaller envelope, labeled open after listening to tape. The audio tape had the talk Ranma and Akane had with everyone when they returned from Jusendo, as well as the fight with his father on it. The package contained a few pictures of the fight. She had kept her promise and left out the strange energy blasts. Well they didn't photograph well anyway.
Ukyo was a bit stunned.. Who was this impostor and where was the real Nabiki? What the heck was on the tape? What did she mean imagine how life would be with Ranma. It would be perfect, how else could it be?
"Konatsu, put out the closed sign. I'm skipping at least part of school today as well. Lets see whats on this tape..."
Ranma and Akane stopped at Dr. Tofu's at Ranma's suggestion. Ranma had called before they left, to ask Dr. Tofu to meet him outside, as he didn't want to deal with his former father just yet.
"So what brings you here today Ranma?"
"I had the dream again this morning. Its not as bad as it was, but I really want to get over this fear of cats. I know you said it might be dangerous to try to treat it before with the Nekoken, but since thats gone, I had hoped..."
"The nekoken is gone? Are you sure. I wasn't aware that something like that could be removed.. Do you even know what the nekoken really is?"
Akane said quietly, "Yes doctor we do. Its original purpose was to allow a demonic cat spirit to posses a child and create a berserker. The Nekoken is gone of that we are sure."
Dr. Tofu nodded. He didn't know how, but they seemed certain.
"Why didn't you tell me if you knew Doc?"
"I swore to do no harm when I became a doctor. Telling you could do nothing but harm. It might have undermined your mental stability and let the Nekoken truly take control. Heck, knowing you there was the real possibility you would commit seppuku to protect those around you. I was so glad when I found out that even when you were in it, you never hurt anyone and Akane could always calm you down. I researched it but couldn't find anything even approaching a cure."
"When I was in the pit, the spirits of two kittens felt sad for me. They took the place meant for the demonic spirit. They saved me. They probably saved us all. They are free now."
Dr. Tofu nodded. Amazing. "Well as to curing your fear. I know a psychiatrist who specializes in such things. He took out a pen and wrote down a name and number and handed it to Ranma. I have seen him a few times lately myself. You might have noticed that I um act funny around your sister Akane."
"Well Betty-chan has been seen a few times around the city. Good for you doc for finally getting some help. Don't keep my sister waiting too long."
"A shrink? You want me to see a shrink?"
"Don't worry Ranma. There is nothing wrong with seeing a psychiatrist if you need one. That cat-fist training would have messed up anyone. It says a great deal that you haven't gone crazy several times over given your insane life. Oh, one other thing. He's a friend of mine and since he works in Nerima he is used to weirdness. You can trust him."
Ranma was dubious. "Ok doc, if you say so. We should get going."
"Your father will likely be well enough to come home this afternoon.."
"Thanks for the warning. Bye Doc."
"Bye Dr. Tofu"
Ranma managed to get splashed by the bucket lady on the way to school, but he focused and changed back right away. "How does she do it? I can't seem to pass her and stay male."
"You know your going to disappoint a lot of the male population of the school if you keep doing that."
"Heaven forbid. Once I figure out how to keep changing with water, I intend to tell them I'm cured. Let em suffer. Stupid perverts."
Akane felt a bit of deja vu. That sounded so familiar..
Kuno shouted, "Stop foul sorcerer! I will smite they and free my loves from your evil clutches!"
Ranma was tempted. He was so tempted. Musn't use my skills for petty reasons. Must resist frying him out of existence. Maybe I could just break a bone.. hmm actually, I'll let Akane handle him. She needs the practice after all...
Ranma had an evil look on his face. "Hey Akane, would you like Kuno duty?"
"Don't ignore me. I am Tatewaki Kuno the Blue Thunder of Furinken high."
Akane got a very evil look on her face and nodded. Nabiki checked that her camera was set for high speed photography and that she had a full roll of film.
Ranma stepped aside and went over to one of Nabiki's assistants to request copies of a couple of the best shots.
Akane stretched it out till it was almost time for class then ko'd him. Kuno did not look pretty. He had managed to get a couple hits in as well which hurt alot, but she didn't show it.
"Curse you Saotome for enchanting the fierce Akane Tendo against me! I will have my revenge."
Nabiki dragged the delusional kendoist to the infirmary. She had long ago gotten a special dispensation for being late due to doing Kuno duty. Besides she always got Kuno to pay five thousand yen for it. Hmm if I get a rush job I could sell Kuno some life sized pictures of Akane in third period. Yes that would be fun. She wondered if Kuno would ever get a clue. In some ways she hoped not. He was profitable after all.
Ms. Hinako said, "You two, out in the hall, buckets. now."
Akane blinked. "But we aren't late. We even have all the makeup work."
Ms. Hinako paused in thought. Hmm thats strange. They are always late.. "Um ok, then give me the work and take your seats." How odd. They are delinquents right?
Several of the students passed notes to them asking where they were, but they ignored them. Later they told everyone that a little girl needed help and they helped her find her father. Well it was true, in a way.
When Ranma and Akane were in Home Ec class they heard a loud, "Saotome, you fiend. How dare you use your vile magics to change the lovely pictures of Akane Tendo to make it look like she attacked and vanquished the mighty Blue Thunder. Have at thee!"
Ranma sighed. "My turn it seems." Ranma ran over to Kuno and took him out with a pressure point. "Sasuke. I know your around here somewhere. I suggest you take your master home."
Sasuke appeared from the shadows and picked up Kuno and walked off with him. A few heard him sigh.
Yuka asked, "What was that about Akane?"
"It seems my sister had a little fun with Kuno. I wonder how much she charged for the pictures and if I should buy copies."
Ranma said, "Well, I already asked Nabiki's assistant to get me copies of a couple of the best ones."
Akane seemed surprised. "Oh." Akane was at a loss for words, so they continued on to class.
Ranma volunteered to be Akane's partner during a baking assignment, and oddly enough the cookies turned out edible. This was a far ways away from Kasumi grade, but a great improvement nonetheless. Akane was confused. She could sense that Ranma was happy though. Ranma whispered to her, "I suspect that meditation trick is helping you to get over Shampoo's conditioning. Sorry, I'm not the best cook in the world either." Ranma hoped she wouldn't see through the little white lie he just said. He was a decent cook after all, having been forced to make many of their meals on the road, or even, occasionally for others when they took odd jobs during their training trip.
In the next area, Sayuri noticed Ranma's quick changing of a couple of Akane's ingredients for more normal ones, but decided not to mention it.
Akane smiled. Yes! Now maybe people will stop comparing my cooking to toxic waste. It took me weeks to convince those people from the government that I wasn't a terrorist that time one of my less successful attempts at baking landed in the river and half the fish died.
Ranma loved to see Akane smile and to sense her happiness. He was lost in a little world of his own until the teacher came by and saw him eating one of Akane cookies. The teacher tried to stop him, but it was too late. She looked around for someone to carry Ranma to the infirmary again, then realized Ranma looked fine. "Good job Ms. Tendo.. Very good job."
Lunch came and went uneventfully. No one had told a certain Amazon that Ranma was back in town yet. The rest of the school day was uneventful except for the dodgeball game in gym class. Ranma whispered to Akane, "Just go along with it. Its training."
"How would you people like to help with Akane's martial arts training?"
Hiroshi said, "Um, what would we have to do. Nothing painful right?"
"No, I was thinking a game of dodgeball. Say with the entire class, except me, against Akane. To make it interesting you'd get say, three balls."
"You've got to be kidding, there is no way she could take all of us on."
"Well Akane?"
"I'll do it!"
"Just remember to keep your focus Akane and don't lose control of your emotions. You can do this."
It turned out to be an interesting game. Akane did very well, she had reduced the number of opponents from 30 to 3, but then one of them managed to tag her out.
"Dang it, I almost had it."
Ranma clapped. "Good job Akane."
Daisuke said, "But she didn't win."
Ranma looked at that student with an grin and said, "Well if you think you can do better, there is time left in class.."
Daisuke decided that being quiet was a very good idea.
After school Nabiki told Ranma and Akane what happened this morning at Uchans. Ranma didn't like it, but then, its not as if he had any better ideas.
"Come on Ranma. Its best we get this done with." Ranma sighed and followed.
Uchhan's okonomiyaki was closed and Ukyo and Konatsu were upstairs preparing to listen to the tape. She pressed play and it began. No one spoke until it was over. It somehow seemed important not to miss any details, and somehow Ukyo felt that if she spoke it would make it more real.
Ukyo sat and thought for quite a while, but couldn't come to any conclusions she liked. She went down and made some lunch and stayed like that for the rest of the day seemingly oblivious to the outside world.
Konatsu was also stunned. If everything on that tape was true.. Perhaps Ranma really was different now. That's the only thing that made any sense. He had also finally committed to ending this ridiculous crap with multiple fiancees, which Konatsu was grateful for. It was hurting Ukyo though, but Konatsu couldn't see any way around that. Despite the fact that he had also ended the engagement with Akane, it was more like he had ended his fathers forced engagement in favor of pursuing what he really wanted which ironically still seemed to be Akane. In a way perhaps the tape was best. It is harder to get angry at a tape. Well at least it gave Ukyo's anger time to cool anyway.
Konatsu went back to cleaning and organizing and generally trying to seem to be doing something important. He had a pretty good idea what Ukyo might be thinking right now, but also knew she wasn't ready to accept his help. He wondered if she ever would be.
Ranma knocked on the door at Uchans. Konatsu opened the door when he saw it was Ranma.
"Are you sure its a good idea for you to be here?"
"I am partly at fault that this has gone on so long. Waiting more would just make matters worse."
"I was referring to Akane. I am unsure how Ukyo-sama will react."
Akane thought for a moment. "I know I haven't always been as trusting as you deserved in the past Ranma. If you need to do this alone, I'll understand."
"No. I'm don't think I could convince her if you weren't here. She would probably just keep hoping and trying. I don't want Uchan to waste her life waiting for me. It wouldn't be right."
Konatsu nodded. "Be careful you too. She hasn't said anything since she heard the tape... Please be careful.. She is upstairs."
Ranma said, "Somehow, it will be ok." The works seemed hollow in his mouth. Ranma went up the stairs followed by Akane.
Ukyo looked up when they opened the door.
"You! How could you? How could you just toss all that we are aside? For what? For her? For a girl that regularly beats you with a mallet, that poisons you with her cooking and insults you on a regular basis? Why? Why dammit why?" Tears stream down her cheeks.
"Ukyo, I'm sorry. I am so sorry. I love you as a friend. You are my best friend Ucchan. Love doesn't always make sense, but Akane is the one I love more than life itself."
Akane said softly, "You are right Ukyo. I probably don't deserve him."
Ukyo smiled darkly. "Then leave. I will take good care of him."
"Without Ranma I'd probably still be angry at the world and forced into a relationship with Kuno right now and probably pregnant with that moron's child. Heck if he wasn't there for me a few days ago, I'd be dead. I got so angry at being forced into an engagement that I didn't give him a fair chance. Ryoga and the rest made it worse of course, but I am not without blame. I used to get so jealous every time I saw Ranma with Shampoo, Kodachi, or you that I would blame Ranma, when it usually wasn't his fault. Heck in the case of the first two, he was usually trying to get away. Of course Ranma does or at least did have a talent for getting in some situations which look really bad. Please Ukyo, you are my friend, can't we work this out?"
Ukyo just looked at Ranma. "I spent 10 years of my life planning for revenge and then.. you said I was the cute fiancee... and now... What do I have left? Nothing. When I tell my dad about this I won't even have a family anymore." Ukyo was crying freely now. Her body was shaking slightly as if unable to contain the pain. Ranma glanced briefly at Akane as if to reassure her and took Ukyo into his arms and gently held her. Ukyo saw the glance, but it helped a little.
"I spent 10 years of my life learning from my father how to be a sexist jerk, but I also learned the art. So many of my battles have seemed meaningless and hollow, yet with the art I have saved people, with the art I have been able to save Akane, and that makes it all worth it. You spent 10 years of your life perfecting your art. You are an accomplished chef, who owns her own restaurant. That is a feat few can claim. You are also a competent martial artist that has made a difference. I know, since you have helped me many times. As for family. Would you consider being my sister? I sorry I can't offer you a mother and a father.." Ranma let go of Ukyo and she stood a little distance away.
"You really did it. You somehow disowned your parents?"
"Yes. Genma has horribly tainted the Saotome name. I doubt he can or will ever restore the honor to that name he has lost. My mother, threatened me with death if I didn't meet her expectations. One of her expectations seems for me to act like Happosai, which isn't going to happen. She still has that stupid contract, so who knows. I hope it works out. I just don't know. I miss her, but then I remember being raised by Cara's mother and its almost ok."
Akane sensed that Ranma was fibbing slightly. Talk of Nodoka and Genma still upset him allot. She wished their was something she could do, but she didn't see anything.
Ukyo looked back and forth between them. "You really are different Ranma. So who exactly was this Cara?"
"Cara was the girl who died ... " Ranma proceeds to tell her about Cara.
"So you expect me to believe you know magic?"
Ranma concentrates and shifts to Ranma-chan: "Yes I do. I wish I knew more than I did. I studied all my life to heal people, and I can barely do that now thanks to the Jusendo spring." Ranma-chan summoned a ball of light and sent it into a corner.
"How did you change without water?"
"I figured out how to use my magic to control my curse. The light is magical as well." Ukyo wasn't entirely convinced, but she nodded thoughtfully.
"Ukyo is their anything you want? Is their anything I can do to help?"
Ukyo sighed. "I thought that someday you'd choose me and that we would be happy. I'd continue to run a restaurant, and you would teach martial arts nearby. We'd have normal children that would get into normal troubles. Somehow I thought all the craziness in your life would go away once we were married. Perhaps I am a fool. You are like a magnet for chaos. I kind of understood when I thought about what Nabiki said. Now theres a girl that surprises me. She does have a very caring heart underneath it all doesn't she?"
Akane smiled. "Don't spoil her secret. She might get mad."
"Its still amazing, and if it were anyone but you Ranchan I'd find it hard to believe. Go off to china, join with the spirit of your curse, learn magic, kill a kami and get healed by the Sailor Senshi. I don't suppose you could get me an autograph?"
Akane said, "Well we are moving to Jubaan in a little under a month. Theres a chance we will run into them. Ranma and I want to try to find a way to pay back a little of the debt we owe them for saving our lives. It may take some time, but I'll try to get you that autograph."
Akane continued, "Theres one more thing that perhaps you should know, but it must remain a secret. Will you keep it secret if I tell you?"
Ranma looked at Akane quizzically. Surely she wasn't going to tell about the scouts. That knowledge would just complicate her life, and might even make her miserable.
Ukyo look at Ranma. Whatever secret Akane had was evidently important to Ranma as well. "I would never betray Ranchan."
Akane was disappointed, but tried not to show it. Still that was enough. "The water was meant to help me, but the mountain fell on us, and we were in it far too long. I didn't wake up. The chaotic magic of the water was killing us. Ranma couldn't heal me, not with all the chaotic magic around us and seeping into us. It just wouldn't work. In desperation Ranma cast an irreversible spell that was intended for a husband and a wife. It created a link between us where I could draw on his strength. That is how he saved my life and bought the time for the Senshi to later heal us. According to Ranma the spell wouldn't work if we didn't care for each other, and even now because of it I can sometimes feel his emotions and he can feel mine. Because of the link, I'm not sure if I could walk to another town without Ranma and avoid getting sick. Ranma was so afraid that I would hate him for what he had done. We both hate being forced into anything, and I was unconscious so he couldn't ask me. Yet the magical bond between us has become the most treasured thing I have. It is a reminder of how much Ranma cared for me then and cares for me now." Akane looked at Ukyo as if hoping she would understand.
"Ranma always did manage to be dramatic. Saving the fair maiden's life by giving of his own in an eternal pledge. So it is really over. Figures. Don't worry Akane, I will keep this secret. Thank you for inviting me to be your sister. I will be forever grateful that you made the offer. I need some time to think though. Perhaps you two should go now."
Ranma said, "If you need anything..."
"I know."
"Goodbye Ukyo."
Ranma and Akane turned to leave. Before they got to the door, a certain ninja found other places to be. He would keep their secret as well of course. He wished he was linked to Ukyo by a magical spell. Then again, he just wished Ukyo would return his love. Of course, today had already demonstrated, that wishing for that is sometimes useless.
Konatsu Kenzan had been raised to be the best female ninja possible and perhaps he truly was, except for the fact that he was obviously not female. Of course anyone looking at his normal mode of dress would find that hard to believe. Konatsu liked how he dressed. It was who he was after all. He had not known any other way. Still, perhaps it was time for a change. Change seemed all around after all. He would go and buy a simple set of male clothing. Perhaps then Ukyo might see well, he didn't know what, but he hoped. Most of all he hoped Ukyo would truly accept and move on. This insanity with Ranma and all his fiances had gone on far too long and it had hurt Ukyo so much.
Ranma and Akane arrived home a short while later. Soun and Genma were playing shogi. Nabiki was looking at a manga and Kasumi was humming in the kitchen. To Ranma, it somehow didn't seem right that things should seem so ordinary now, but perhaps it was for the best. He wondered what had happened to his mother. Perhaps ... Before long the Amazon's were bound to come knocking as well..
Then the wall exploded inward and a purple bundle of Amazon energy emerged and stood upon the pile of rubble that contained Ranma. Destroying the wall is simple enough, but how does she manage to allways destroy the wall in front of me?
"Shampoo, get off of me!"
Kasumi took that moment to let Nodoka in through a more conventional door. She was here to fix things although she didn't really know how. When she saw the chaos she chose to remain silent.
"Aiyah!" She hops off of him. "Shampoo bring ramen. Ranma eat good food and take Shampoo on date? Yes?"
Ranma in an exasperated tone. "No Shampoo. I am not taking you on a date. Could you please take your food and go?. Oh and please learn to use the door. Heaven knows how many photos of my girl form Nabiki will have to sell to that delusional idiot Kuno to pay for the damage you just caused."
Soun winced.
"Shampoo sorry. Shampoo glad you win battle with Saffron. Shampoo be hero when she bring home strong husband." She looked over and saw Akane and frowned.
"Sorry to disappoint you Shampoo, but I am alive as well."
"Just go Shampoo. I'll stop by tomorrow and we can talk. Ok?"
Shampoo nodded. "Shampoo be waiting for you." Shampoo set the ramen boxes down and left.
Nodoka said, "Whats this I hear about Nabiki selling pictures of my son to pay for home repairs?"
"It is my fault. I fell to pieces when Kimiko died, and have let my daughters take care of me. It took finding out how close my daughter came to death to really wake me up."
Nodoka nodded. "And what of you dear husband? What have you contributed to help out around here?"
Genma had found a glass of water and held up a "I'm just a harmless Panda" sign.
"You disgust me. First you take my son away from me and from all accounts torture him for years along with selling him whenever you needed something. Then you get him cursed, and now you are freeloading and expecting everyone to take care of you. I'm just glad that Ranma didn't turn out like you. You are not the man I married. For Ranma's sake I will give you a month to try to impress upon me that you are serious about making up for your past. If you fail to do so, I will be getting a divorce."
"Ranma, I thought a long time about what you said, and well I've been a fool. Please forgive me. Here is my copy of that stupid contract. I'm sorry... I'm so sorry."
Ranma blinked. He took the document and looked at it and shed a tear. He went in the kitchen and came back with a glass of water and dumped it over his head.
"Since it was this, that stood between us when I became like this, it seems appropriate that it be destroyed by what I have become." Ranma prepared a combined chaos/ki blast in subspace and then wadded the paper up and threw it out into the yard. She then brought the energy ball into her right hand and launched it at the paper, annihilating it from existence.
Nabiki smirked. "A tad overkill don't you think?"
Ranma-chan said softly, "No." A single tear fell from her eye. She went over to her mother, for even though she had nothing but fond memories for Gwyn who was Cara's mother, Nodoka was Ranma's mother and she was alive. "Mother, can you love me like this? Can you love a son that is at times a daughter?"
Nodoka knew it would come to this. She loved her son, but the curse still scared her. It wasn't natural. It wasn't right. She had given birth to a son. A strong manly son. This petite, attractive red head who.. looked so much like herself when she was young.. Frustration, fear, anguish all passed over her face and ended on acceptance. "You will have to be patient with me. I think I can, but it will take time. I don't want to lose you from my life. I should go."
Kasumi asked, "Where have you been staying? I thought your house was destroyed.." Ranma cursed himself quietly for not remembering about that.
"Ukyo felt guilty and pitched in what she could. Cologne felt responsible as well and gave me some. I didn't have enough to have the whole house rebuilt. The builder rebuilt the right side of the house like it was. I have a bedroom, kitchen, and a bathroom. It is all I really need for now. I should go."
"Goodbye mother." And with that Nodoka departed. Genma had allready polished off the Ramen while everyone else was talking.
Kasumi said, "It will be another half hour or so until dinner."
"Lets go get some practice in before dinner. Ranma, Nabiki are you coming?" She was a little surprised when Nabiki followed, and even more surprised when her father did.
There is no way I'm going to get beat by any end of the world armageddon thing. She would have to figure out how to get Kasumi to train some as well. Her family would be prepared.
Soun asked, "Nabiki, why the sudden interest in the art?"
"My sister almost dying made me realize how fragile life is and how dangerous it can sometimes be. I won't let it beat me."
Soun nodded. It made sense after all. "Would you like me to help you train?"
"Yes daddy, I would. I was thinking that perhaps Kasumi might like to join us as well sometimes."
"Kasumi? Well sure if she wants to.. I hadn't thought.. No matter. I will be glad to train any and all of my daughters, although I think Akane has already found a far better trainer than me." I wonder if Nabiki knows something. Nah.. She must just be in shock over what happened to Akane.
Ranma-chan and Akane spent about 15 minutes practicing forms in synchronization with each other, then another 15 sparing. Again Nabiki could see small but clear improvement in Akane. She wondered if Ranma could do anything for her to help her learn faster that was a bit less permanent than the thing with Akane.
Nabiki and her father went through introductory exercises rebuilding and refreshing Nabiki's base in the Martial Arts. Genma had peeked on the session and was impressed that Akane had come so far so quickly. Dinner was served. Everyone other than Kasumi and Mr. Tendo pretty much ignored Genma. It was uneventful otherwise.
Later that night Ranma had followed Akane to her room and then shifted to Ranma-chan.
"Akane, do you mind if I continue to sleep here? I don't want to sleep in my room with the Panda you see.. and.."
"Sure Ranma." Thus began a pattern.
Later that night Soun noted that Ranma was again apparently going to sleep in Akane's room. Well its what he wanted after all. It was certainly far better than that stupid pig. He wondered if he would have a grandchild soon.
Genma had also noticed that Ranma failed to come down to their room. From what he could tell he figured he was in Akane's room. Now theres a laugh, his son beats the crap out of him, and tells him to mind his own business, and then goes off to make out with the girl he had chosen for him. Ungrateful welp.
Nabiki opened her sister's door. Akane was talking to someone on her Senshi communicator.
"Yes, everything is going better than expected. .. We still plan on moving to Jubaan after the end of the month after school is out. You do. Great." She glanced at Ranma. "Hmm we could come up one day this weekend and practice a bit." She nodded. "Well goodnight. ... Bye."
Nabiki asked, "You were talking to them weren't you?" Akane nodded.
"We were right, she would have found out.."
"Of course Ranma. You don't think you can keep any secrets from me do you?"
Ranma-chan sighed. He was getting too good at sighing. "So whats up Nabiki? Did you need something?
"I was wondering if there was anything with say fewer long term commitments you could do to help me learn martial arts faster?"
"I'm afraid not. Being linked to Akane prevents me from ever forming a link like that with another person, and to be honest I wouldn't feel comfortable doing so anyway.. I don't suppose you have a thing going with Ryoga or Happosai I don't know about. Even then the caster would have to be one of those involved."
Nabiki shuddered. "Um no. No.. don't even think such things... I'll have nightmares.."
Akane laughed.
"Nabiki you have to understand that the spell is only helping us learn from each other by bringing us closer to being in sync. If Akane did not have the underlying potential and motivation to learn, she would not be learning. The same goes for you. You have a lot of potential for the art Nabiki. You just need to keep at it, and stay focused on it. One thing I can do, is heal you if your injured, but don't go and get hurt badly because there is a limit.. I can also on occasion remove some of your tiredness after working out. Unfortunately, unless I magically figure out how to work around the limitations imposed by the chaos magic that is a part of me now, doing either will take a great deal out of me, so I'd rather not do them too often."
"How long does it take to learn to heal like that? What about just removing tiredness?"
Ranma-chan smiled. "Well learning how to heal magically takes many years of practice. I was one of the best in the city, but I had spent 8 years learning and knew little else. I'm hoping Akane can shortcut that and learn faster, but only time will tell. Fortunately, it takes much less time to learn to remove tiredness. I could perhaps teach you enough to do a simple light spell and remove tiredness in a few months. Its actually quite a useful spell, since if someone is critically insured, doing something so simple as removing tiredness and fatique can make a huge difference, especially when combined with more traditional medicine. The spell can only be used about once a day safely though. Using it more often strains ones body too much."
Nabiki thought about it and decided it was probably worth it. "Well it looks like you got yourself a new student." She wondered what else she could do. Certainly that ward against listening would come in handy. She wondered if their was a spell to listen with.
"I also told Doctor Tofu I'd teach him. Perhaps we could stop there after school for a few days a week. I just wish we had some books or something to help."
"Well I'm off to bed. Goodnight you too. Stay out of trouble."
Akane said, "You know we will."
"Do I?" and with that she was gone.
Ryoga Hibiki was depressed. Before he ran into Ranma yesterday he had even imagined that if somehow Ranma had not survived then he could comfort Akane and then life would be perfect. His mind had been avoiding the thought of Akane not surviving with some considerable skill. It was much like the skill with which his mind would tend to conclude that anything bad happening to him was all Ranma's fault. After all, hadn't it all started with the bread?
Ryoga Hibiki had really tried to get lost. The sight of Akane putting her arm around Ranma was just too much for him to bear. It's not fair. Ranma ruins everyone's life and he sits there and girls flock to him. Now, even my beloved Akane. It was all Ranma's fault and he would pay!
Ryoga had failed in his attempt to get lost and managed to get to the Tendo Dojo. The very place he had been avoiding. Resigned to his fate, he hid his pack and splashed himself in the koi pond and then wandered around the dojo looking for Akane's room. His sense of smell as a pig was amazing. He could follow his old paths to the little area under Akane's bed where he slept when he didn't want to deal with Ranma. He still managed to get lost several times of course, but he got there eventually. He would take a nap. Akane would be here eventually and then he could crawl into her warm bed and everything would be ok.
Ryoga awoke about a half hour after everyone else went to sleep. He peered out from under the bed at the futon he had saw out earlier. No it couldn't be. There on the floor was Ranma. Ranma how dare you force yourself on Akane! Since pigs can't talk, what came out was, "Bwee, bwee bwee!" as Ryoga went over and started chewing on Ranma-chan's foot.
Ranma-chan awoke with a start. "P-chan, stop it!" Ranma reached down to club the pig upside the head, but the pig dodged incredibly well and started chewing on her other foot.
Akane awoke to the noise. P-chan... Ryoga! She looked up at the sound and saw Ryoga pestering Ranma. "P-chan, stop pestering Ranma!"
P-chan dodged another swing from Ranma who was getting annoyed. He then jumped up into Akane's arms which suddenly moved to block bouncing him off the floor.
Ryoga was confused. What was going on?
"Ranma can you keep him from moving without hurting him too badly?"
Ryoga looked at Ranma, and started backing towards where he thought the door was. He failed and ended up in the closet.
Ranma thought about it quickly and realized she didn't know any pressure points on a pig. Sudden inspiration struck as she quickly pumped enough magic and ki into her arms and legs to make sure she was faster than even a martial arts pig. She then grabbed the sheet she was covering herself with and proceeded to wrap Ryoga tight enough that he could only move his head. The wrap was complete with a gag. The wrap glowed faintly violet for a brief moment before he sat Ryoga on the ground in front of her bed.
"Thank you Ranma. Could you give us some time alone please?"
Ranma nodded and slipped out the window and quietly walked up on the roof.
"Now P-chan I am going to talk, and you are going to listen. First off, I know and I have not forgivin you for your deception. I may never forgive you for your deception. You used the trust I gave a pet pig to manipulate me and to get between me and Ranma. You used the honor of a good man to prevent him from telling what he should have told me long ago. You hapilly used that honor against him, so that he would be the one blamed over and over again, and yet he kept your secret. You even had the nerve to continually accuse Ranma of being a dishonorable bastard, when all along you were one."
P-chan was thrashing in the sheet, but for some reason was unable to get out. Dang you Ranma, how dare you tell her! I will make you pay!
"Let me guess, by now your blaming it all on Ranma. I must admit a part of me does blame him too, for holding his personal honor so high that he resisted the temptation to tell me no matter how much he hated it."
Akane's voice got quieter. "There was a cost to saving my life at Jusendo and Ranma paid it. Ranma was changed at Jusendo Ryoga, and in a lot of ways I'm glad. We get along so much better now."
Her voice returned to normal. "Yes Ranma did tell me, and I forgave him for not telling me earlier, as he has forgiven me... so many things. I don't know that I can ever fully forgive you though. It is partly because of you that I have lost the chance to ever truly get to know Ranma before Jusendo. Our fighting kept getting in the way of us just communicating."
Ryoga was deathly still now. A palpable aura of depression enfolded him.
"Because of the help you have given us in the past I am resisting the temptation to pound you into a pancake and sell you to Ukyo for Okonomiyaki ingredients. I've been trying to learn patience for Ranma's sake. Even so, my willpower has limits. I'm going to release you in a second. I suggest you go and think and stop blaming Ranma for all your problems. Oh and if I ever catch you sleeping in my room again, I will pound you until you are a stain on the floor. Do you understand me?"
P-chan nodded.
Akane picked up the p-chan bundle by a fold in the top. What an unpleasant smell. "Dang it p-chan couldn't you hold it? Oh heck with it. You deserve it for destroying my sheet if nothing else." She pulled out mallet-sama and sent P-chan, sheet and all, on a tour of the next town.
Ranma-chan came back in the window after he saw P-chan's exit. "It didn't go well?"
"Who knows? I told him. I told him why I was upset and why I may never forgive him. I even resisted the temptation to mallet him until I noticed he had wet the sheet he was tied up in."
"Well I'd say you definitely got your message across. The magic I put in his bindings should fade before long allowing him to free himself, if the trip or the landing didn't allready do it." Ranma turned to the floor. "I'll go fetch some cleaning supplies. I think Ryoga left a little behind."
While Ranma went off to do that, Akane found a new sheet for Ranma's futon and recovered it. Sleep came, yet both wondered what was next.
Several miles away P-chan landed in a garbage dump. He rolled down a particularly smelly hill, unrolling the sheet he was rolled up in at the same time. Damn you Ranma. I will make you pay for ruining my life! In pig it sounded like, "Bwee bwee bwee bwee bweeee!"
In one part of Nerima, Ukyo Kuonji was pondering today's events while Konatsu finished cleaning up the shop. "Konatsu, tomorrow I want to start looking into moving the shop to Jubaan."
"Your going after him aren't you?"
"I honestly don't know. I have known Ranma for a long time, and some part of me just refuses to give up on him." Suddenly Ukyo seemed to be relieved as if a burden was lifted from her shoulders.
"As you wish Ukyo-sama."
In another, Cologne, Matriarch of the Joketsuzuko, pondered what her daughter had told her. So I was right Ranma was alive, and Akane too. She wasn't particularly surprised. He would be coming tomorrow. She would have to be ready. She seriously considered trying to magically coerce him into the tribe, and rejected the notion. The consequences could be too high, were someone with the power to kill Saffron to come after the Amazons in anger. Well tomorrow would be here soon enough, and it would bring, what it would bring.
In the same building, Shampoo drifted off into a fitful sleep, wondering if Ranma would ever be hers. Grandmother had seemed so sure not so long ago, yet now even she had doubts. A few doors down, Mouse pondered his life and his choices. He still cared for Shampoo, but somehow being the consolation prize didn't seem all that appealing, but then the thought of living his life without her seemed worse still.
Nodoka Saotome slept on the futon that was all she could afford. It didn't bother her though. There seem to be a feeling of hope in the air, that brought dreams of what might be.
Sleep came, and night held its breath in anticipation of the birth of a new day.
2006-02-01