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.
Sunday morning began with water for Ranma.
Ranma-chan said, "What did you do that for?" Ranma looked wearilly at Nabiki.
"Come on, Wake up. Something has come up." Ranma looked around for Akane but didn't see her.
"What is it?"
"A message came for Akane from Shampoo."
"I knew it was too good to be true. Things are never this easy in my life." Ranma-chan got up and ran down the steps to find out what was the matter. Cologne sat at the living room table eating breakfast, while a silent war seemed to have broken out between Shampoo and Akane.
Soun was at the table crying. "The houses will never be joined now. Waaaahh." Kasumi could be heard humming in the kitchen.
Ranma said wearily, "What is going on?"
Nabiki said, "Well first off your mother arrived early and managed to drag your father off somewhere. She was saying something about it was his duty, and that he would do it or else. More importantly, It would seem that Shampoo has decided not to accept the deal you worked out. She has declared that since it was her honor that was lost when you beat her that the only way another can be allowed to marry you is for the other to be an Amazon and for the other to beat Shampoo in a formal contest."
Ranma said, "I thought we had this stuff settled. I'm not marrying Shampoo or any Amazon."
Akane turned her glare on Ranma. "Don't bet on it! You are going to marry an Amazon, just not the one you expected. I have accepted the challenge. I will become an Amazon. I'll teach that hussy just what Akane Tendo is made of."
"No you can't face Shampoo. Not my little girl." Soun continued to sob.
Ranma groaned. It was going so well. He should have known it couldn't last.
Cologne looked up from her food. "I would have preferred the other arrangement, but Shampoo has the right to ask this. I hope you will still consider teaching Mouse at least."
"When will it be?"
Akane said, "We agreed on the day before the wedding."
"Great. This is just great. Why did you bother to wake me up? Everything has already been decided." Ranma shoveled some rice onto his plate and began eating.
Cologne had finished her meal. "Remember Akane you must also learn the laws and customs in that book." The book Akane was now paging through was a couple inches thick. "Furthermore you are forbidden from letting any male or any non Amazon from learning the contents of the book. Doing so would mean you had automatically failed." Cologne bowed slightly and was gone. Shampoo followed right afterward.
Nabiki noticed that Cologne was wearing the smallest of smiles when she left. This would bear watching.
Ranma kept eating his rice. It seemed important somehow, or perhaps it was a safer subject right now. Finally he finished his meal. "You do realize that we have three weeks to get you ready for a true battle with Shampoo plus school, plus whatever else you have to study in that book."
"I'll manage!" She got a predatory look in her eyes. "And don't forget, you promised to teach me. Besides, I didn't do so bad when Shampoo and I sparred before after all."
"That was sparring. This will be an all out battle. I doubt Shampoo is going to sit around and wait for the match either. I would bet she will be training continuously right up to the match."
"I said I'll do it! Now are you going to help me or keep complaining? I need to do this."
"Very well, if your done with your breakfast go change into something comfortable. We have a very long run to do." Why me? And it was going so well.
Akane and Ranma went off to change. Ranma shifted back to his male form, and put on his traditional red silk shirt and black pants. Akane returned in gray sweat pants and a white t-shirt.
"Akane we are going to the jogging path in the park. I will set the pace."
They arrived shortly at the park and Ranma went off in what he considered to be Akane's top speed. Akane struggled to keep up. Each lap was about a quarter mile. One lap. Now two. Ranma could feel the energy bleeding out of him. It didn't seem fair, but he knew it was necessary. The third lap went by. By the time the fourth came around Ranma knew that Akane could not keep up the pace any longer so he slowed down but kept going. A fifth and a sixth lap. Ranma slowed and stopped at a drinking fountain and they both drank their fill. A seventh lap was done at almost a walking pace. It was the best Akane could manage right then. Ranma felt almost as bad due to the drain of his energy. Lap eight was done at a run as was lap nine. In the end they accumulated a total of twenty miles before they walked home.
"I feel like I've let Ryoga pound on me for an hour."
Akane was still breathing hard, trying to fully recover. "I'm sorry alright? There's nothing I can do about it other than train alone and then..."
"We are doing this together. Its just.. I'm tired ok?"
It was a sorry site when they walked into the kitchen and sat down at the little table there. Kasumi walked in, "Oh my, you look exhausted." She went over and poured them both glasses of lemonade she had made earlier.
Ranma said, "Thanks Kasumi, I needed that."
Akane drank some of her drink. "Thank's sis. That helps." As Akane put her glass down she noticed it. "What the heck happened to your hair and eyes? Are you ok?" Kasumi's eyes were now a pale rose color and her hair was now almost the exact same shade of blue as Akane's. If anything perhaps it was a little lighter colored.
Ranma looked at Kasumi as well.
"Oh that. That is nothing to be concerned about. Nabiki gave me a small gift that is going to help me to heal people someday. It seems to have changed my eyes and hair, but its no big deal. My vision is if anything better than before. Hmm, I wonder if Dr. Tofu will like the new look?"
Ranma caught hold of her hand and sent a weave of spirit into her to check her health. Kasumi shivered slightly. "Well you are healthy. You are a little like Nabiki is now from what I can tell."
"As I said, its nothing to worry about."
Ranma nodded but he still seemed a bit concerned. So many changes and not all of them bad.
Akane worried about her sisters. Neither looked like they had for the 17 years of her life. It was unsettling.
Kasumi said, "Lunch will be a little while yet. I have yet to start it."
Ranma added, "You may want to go soak in the furo when you finish that." Akane finished her glass and slowly headed off in the direction of the bathroom. A few minutes later Nabiki came into the kitchen and sat down next to Ranma and put her hand on his arm. A blue glow extended from her and into Ranma.
"Thanks Nabiki, that helped."
"Don't mention it. I'm going back into the dojo for more lessons from father. I'll see you at lunch in a little while." If one was looking closely they might have noticed Nabiki moved a little slower when she walked back to the dojo, but since no one was paying that much attention, no one noticed.
In the furo Akane suddenly felt better. Odd, I wouldn't have thought it would help that much.
Ranma noted that Kasumi was also sweating slightly. She must have been practicing before she came in here. Ranma smiled faintly and got up to help Kasumi with lunch.
Lunch consisted of simple sandwiches and more lemonade.
Soun asked, "Are you sure your not pushing my daughter too hard Ranma? She looks exhausted."
Ranma said, "Akane is strong enough to handle it."
Soun nodded dubiously. She looked so exhausted when she came in, but now she seems almost normal. Amazing. Soun looked between his three daughters. So much is changing, and I can hardly keep up. I'm counting on you Ranma to protect them.
"What's next Ranma?", asked Akane.
"Your body needs at least a few hours to fully recover from that run."
"But I feel fine."
"Unfortunately some things cannot be rushed. You know that."
"Fine, I'll be in my room studying."
Ranma nodded.
Nabiki said, "I think I'm going to go out and do some shopping for our house in Jubaan. We have a lot to get and we are going to need to get some pretty good deals if we are to afford everything. I was thinking that perhaps Ranma and Kasumi could come along. The house isn't far away from where I'd like to go shopping. We could stop by and show it to Kasumi."
Soun said, "If my daughters are going to live there, I'd like to see this house too."
"I'd like to go too..."
Nabiki said, "Sorry sis, but you have a battle to prepare for and that is a very thick book."
Akane grumbled quietly and went back to studying.
Ranma quickly cleaned himself up and put on some fresh clothes then met the others who were ready to leave. They arrived at Jubaan in about an hour.
Soun said, "So why do you want to go shopping at that store? After all there are many good furniture stores in Nerima."
"Some of the stuff we are buying is kind of big, and it will cost less to have it shipped if we get it here. This store also has very good prices."
They soon arrived at their new home.
Soun asked, "What happened to it? It looks like Ryoga got lost or something."
Nabiki said, "According to the realtor, they say some monster the Sailor Senshi later destroyed did that. Don't worry. Its scheduled to be fixed in the next few days."
"I don't think I like the idea of my daughters living in a place with monsters."
Nabiki replied, "Its not as if Nerima is any safer. We just have crazed martial artists instead. Besides Ranma is here, and Akane is as well."
"You know I wouldn't allow anything to happen to your daughters Mr. Tendo. I think the walls being damaged on this is just a fluke anyway. It may even be why this property became available."
Soun nodded. Ranma had the feeling he had just made an oath.
They entered the house. Soun commented that the bottem floor would make a fine dojo. Ranma agreed. They went upstairs, and Kasumi fell instantly in love with the kitchen.
"Its so bright and cheerful. Its as if I'm cooking outside, and look I can see people playing in the park in the distance." Kasumi went over and looked into the bedrooms. "They are nice too. I can imagine waking up to the sun on my face."
Sound said, "That must be some friend that got you this house."
Ranma nodded.
In the end they managed to get most of what they wanted at the furniture store and arrange for it to be delivered in a few days. They couldn't afford a television or a lot of the stuff they needed for the kitchen. Fortunately Mr. Tendo said they could have some of the kitchen stuff they needed and there was an old black and white tv in the attack they could have as well. It would do until they could afford better. The Tendo sister's had things they would be bringing from their own rooms to make the place complete. Ranma had never acquired much living at the Tendo's so had little to contribute.
Soun said, "I am glad you were able to afford beds for everyone. That way you can come home to visit as much as you want and still have a place to sleep."
Ranma simply nodded, although he didn't expect they would have time to visit often.
It was evening before they made it back to Nerima. Nabiki took out her cell phone and called ahead to order some takeout from Uchan's.
"Hello, may I take your order?"
"Auntie Saotome, is that you?" asked Nabiki.
"Yes it is. We agreed to run Ukyo's shop in Nerima as part of the debt the Saotome family owes to Ukyo."
Nabiki did the only thing she could do. She ordered several deluxe Okonomiyaki's and said they would pick them up shortly.
About ten minutes later they arrived at Uchan's. Nabiki made sure to be the last one to enter.
"What is going on?" asked Ranma.
"Ukyo's father came to visit me yesterday. We talked for a long time. It was a close thing, but we came to an understanding. Since it was my husband who stole Ukyo's dowry, I also owe a debt to their family. It seems that Ukyo is moving to Jubaan and this gives us an opportunity to repay part of that debt. Genma and I have agreed to continue to run this restaurant until Ukyo graduates from college with all the profits going to support Ukyo through college. We are making only a small salary." I suppose there is no need to tell them how close it came to Ukyo's father disowning her, or what else I promised. Still at least Ranma is free of that obligation now.
Genma kept glancing to the katana strapped to her back as he washed the dishes. The water must have been hot, since he stayed human the whole time.
Nabiki nodded. So Ukyo is following Ranma as well. Figures.
Ranma sighed. "Nothing is ever easy."
Kasumi said, "That is really nice of you."
Nodoka said, "What happened to you Kasumi? Is what happened to Nabiki spreading?"
Kasumi sighed. "I'm fine. I don't think so. At any rate, Dr. Tofu said Nabiki would be fine so I'm sure there is nothing to worry about. Personally, I kind of like it."
"Still you should go see Dr. Tofu. Just to be sure." Kasumi nodded. They picked up their order and headed home.
Akane came in to join them and started eating. "I wonder if something is wrong with Ukyo. These aren't up to her usual standard." She said this as she finished swallowing her third bite.
Ranma proceeded to explain what they learned at Uchan's as well as what they managed to get for their house.
"Figures. She is following you." Akane glared at him.
Nabiki and Soun started on their second Okonomiyaki. Kasumi finished her first.
Ranma nodded. "That doesn't mean she is still obsessed though."
"Still it is surprising that Mr. Saotome is working, not to mention that your mother managed to settle that issue so easily."
"Mother has always been really strong willed. I did notice Genma looking at her katana allot, so I suspect he has incentive."
Akane proceeded to go through the introductory kata she was working on flawlessly after dinner. She expected to be taught the next, but Ranma was sitting there starring blankly into nowhere.
"Ranma! Pay attention to me."
"Sorry, I was just thinking. Nabiki told me after dinner, that one of her spies reported, that Shampoo and Cologne had gone off to train leaving mouse to deal with moving the store to Jubaan by himself."
"So?"
"The point is, she can focus purely on training, and she overall is more experienced than you. Its hard to make up for that in such a short time. You have to divide your attention between training, school, and studying that book."
"I'll do it. I know its going to be hard. So lets get to it."
"No, to win won't require it to just be hard. You are going to have to train harder than I did before I came to live here. The only way I can see to give you a realistic chance is to spend all the training time sparring and doing actual fights. That combined with the learning possible with the enhanced bond between us and I think you will have a chance. It will be very painful at times. Are you sure this is what you want?" Dang it why did you have to accept those terms?
Akane grew solemn. She nodded. "I have to do this Ranma."
"One more question, did you feel anything after I left earlier? Nabiki had her cell phone and I was ready to turn around if I felt weak."
"No. Well about ten minutes after you left I felt a little tired, so I went to have a nap, but thats all."
"Thats good. I was sure it was ok, since I didn't feel anything, but nice to know nonetheless. Let's go practice outside. There is a full moon out." She is going to hate me for this. Ranma sighed.
Ranma came at her with hit after hit, never allowing her to get even close. Sure none of his hits had much force, but they were beginning to annoy the young Tendo. Nabiki had found a spot near the edge of the house to sit and watch. Soun and Kasumi sat down beside her shortly afterward.
"Stupid tomboy." Ranma punched her stomach. "Slow." Ranma dodged her punch. "Uncute." Ranma swept her off her feet with a kick. "Built like a brick." Akane got back up.
"Ranma!" Akane's hits grew faster, but more wild. None of them came even close. Her battle aura began to grow a brilliant blue.
"What's the matter? Did you get your feelings hurt? Oh poor little girl wants to fight with the big boys but can't keep up."
Akane's aura doubled inside and grew dark. "Ranma! Die!" She pulled a mallet out of nowhere just as Ranma did an uppercut into the air. The resulting tornado was small as such things go, but it still sent Akane over twenty feet in the air. Ranma ran over to catch her then put her down before she could react. "Ranma! I'll get you. How dare you call me those things." Akane's mallet was reforming and she was preparing to come after him again.
"Akane stop! It was a lesson. I meant none of it. Stop!" Ranma began to run in circles then realized this was not helping Akane any. He knocked her mallet out of her hands and then paralyzed Akane with a pressure point. Dang it I hate this.
"I said stop! Now look what you did to yourself. Had I invoked the true soul of ice that Hiryuu Shouten Ha would have easily killed you. You made matters worse when you came at your opponent afterwards with blind rage.
Akane was glaring at him.
Nabiki said, "He's right you know."
Akane shifted her glare to her sister.
"You walked right into that. I wouldn't be surprised if Cologne teaches her the Hiryuu Shouten Ha just to take advantage of your temper. Of course I wouldn't be surprised if she teaches her something else entirely either."
Soun nodded. "A martial artist must always be in control of him or herself. Anything goes teaches the exploitation of weaknesses. Ranma just exploited yours."
Akane's face softened. It was hard to stay really angry at someone who you could feel was concerned about you. The bond left no doubt in such things. Ranma pressed the pressure point to undo the paralysis.
"Nabiki's right, I wouldn't be surprised if Shampoo comes back knowing at least one special attack so we'd better keep focused. You've have improved allot but you have a long way to go. If she can make you lose your temper then very likely you will lose the fight as we have already demonstrated. Because of that the first thing you are going to learn is some meditation techniques Cara learned long ago. They will help you remain focused during the fight and should prevent you from generating enough battle aura to use against you, that is if you master them."
"I'll master them!" Akane still seemed to be on the edge of controlling her anger. Whether the angry was at herself or Ranma not even she knew.
Soun, Nabiki, and Kasumi followed them back into the dojo. While Ranma's was only spending time teaching Akane, they were all curious enough to watch as well.
Nabiki left after about fifteen minutes. She knew similar techniques and didn't really see anything new there. I wonder if Ranma has any other reason for teaching her those techniques?
Kasumi and Soun remained. Kasumi tried to follow Ranma's directions with mixed success, but then Akane wasn't doing much better. Soun fell asleep against a wall.
The lesson continued for another hour and a half, and then it was time for bed.
Ranma wondered if they had enough time. Why did Shampoo have to insist on this and why did Akane accept it? He knew the answer of course. Pride. It had almost been his downfall not long ago. The part of him that was Cara had given him perspective though. He didn't think he would fall into that trap again. He hoped Akane would not be swallowed by it and at the same time he smiled. It was one of those things he loved about her after all. Still Akane almost had the one technique down. Once that was done it would even help her to memorize that accursed book. Ranma did not want to know what was in that book, but figured he would find out someday, exactly when he didn't want to.
Ranma continued to sleep in his girl form in Akane's room, although perhaps his futon was a little further away than it was the previous night. Certainly it seemed that way to him.
Nabiki continued to ponder her life. So many changes. She knew that Ranma had only begun the training Akane would need for Shampoo's fight and for future ones. She hoped her sister and Ranma's relationship survived it all. Now what am I going to do about my own training? Father teaches at such a snails pace and Ranma has become obsessed with training Akane. I had no need of the martial arts as a goddess, yet I'm hardly as powerful as I was before. I think tomorrow is a good time to visit Yosho. He's a martial arts master in his own right after all. I also need to start teaching Kasumi. Of course the meditation techniques Ranma is teaching Akane are an excellent basis for what I need to teach her, so If I can just encourage Kasumi to continue to practice them. I know, I'll get Kasumi to come with me. In a way maybe meeting Achika will give her someone with something in common. Perhaps I'll conspire a way to drag the doctor along as well. If I ask Yosho to act a little friendly with Kasumi then... Yes that might work. The worst that could happen is Kasumi and Yosho could fall for each other and that wouldn't be too bad at all.
In the Masaki house a young woman slept soundly. Her father had put her through the most grueling workout imaginable, at least as far as she was concerned. Tomorrow promised to bring another.
Ryoko had wandered around Japan exploring since she had been freed. This mostly consisted of touring various bars and flirting with random young men, most of which panicked at the site of the odd woman who floated off the ground. Stupid earthlings. Don't know what they are missing. In truth she was waiting around for Ryo-ohki to be ready to fly again. It was going to be weeks still. Perhaps I should go find that guy that was with Yosho when I was freed. He was nice looking and rather fun to fight with. Of course he seemed to be involved, but well all is fair in love and war.
In the mountains a young amazon warrior collapsed in her tent after finishing the training Cologne had given her. She knew it would begin again at first light. Morning seemed to be far too near.
2006-02-01