Disclaimer: Ranma ½, Street Fighter, King of Fighters, or any other anime series/characters or games characters that might be mentioned.
: Thoughts
Powers Comes With A Price
BY: Confucius
Chapter 4
Ranma was currently on a roof top. It was safe place for him to be at where he could reorganize without being disturbed. He was starting to lose control of his body. His lower half was numb while his left arm began to slump. There was no flesh wound on his body from the fight but his body was still in pain. The old man must have done something to my body, Ranma thought. Although he got away from the fight seemingly unharmed, he now felt the side effect from it. Seeing how much pain he was in right now, he was very glad that his body didn't act up during the fight.
As hard as it was, Ranma concentrated with his unique abilities to heal himself internally. He figured that his pain originates from internal wounds. The pain was subsiding little by little. He went over the fight that happened to tonight and went over what he learned from the old man.
So the old man use a fighting style that destroys a person from the inside out by giving them internal injuries. Most styles concentrates on giving external injuries by breaking bones and blood veins. Usually the martial art styles consists of more techniques that causes external injuries but this old man's style is completely made of dangerous internal injury causing techniques that are deadly. No doubt it; he's a killer who definitely had his sight on me. But something like that isn't news to me since I got a lot of enemies that are out for my blood.
It is Ranma's fortune to run into such a man and being able to rob his techniques and knowledge. However, he knows they if he doesn't practice whatever he learned, he would just end up forgetting them. His ability enables him to steal another person's knowledge for short term. He would need to practice the moves daily in order to convert them into long term memory. He knows how his injury has been caused now which makes it easier to heal himself. A few more minutes passed, and he felt like new again.
The same tingle that warns Ranma of danger was once again on alert. Ranma stopped hopping and surveyed his surroundings. His senses told him that nothing in the area was a threat to him and yet the tingle in his head was growing stronger. He instantly went into a defensive stance out of reflex from these types of situation where he knew he was going to be attacked but didn't know how and when. The danger sense was really flaring up now to the point where it was going to blacken him out. In an instance, the danger warnings were gone. Ranma didn't really bother to think why his danger sense started to appear and disappear because some other things had caught his attention. For the first time in many years, he could see.
Ranma couldn't believe what was happening. He was able to see. Ten feet away from him was a woman in an exotic purple dress and a long red scarf. She's very beautiful, thought Ranma. Although he was blind, he had ways to see a person's appearances. With Ranma's abilities, he could visualize a person's shape from the sound, smoke, or rain bouncing off of that person. Too bad this person is a few years older, but maybe that phrase "age doesn't matter" can apply here, Ranma contemplated.
"You're a handsome young man," said the woman. "Who would think behind that handsome face is a murderer?"
That comment brought Ranma back into reality now. He then noticed that he was no longer where he was standing minutes ago. He found himself in some sort of limbo. "Who are you? How and why have you brought me here? You seem to know me. Have we met before?"
"My name is Rose and we are in the astral plane. It is a place where minds can journey. You're a very strong psychic Ranma. It took me awhile to get through your defenses and pull you here."
"Defenses?"
Rose starred at the young man as if she was trying to read his soul. "I see. You are not yet experience in these situations. The defenses I had to get through were your mind's automatic defenses. Very intriguing."
"How come I am able to see you? It shouldn't be possible."
"Everything is possible in the astral plane. Possible as long as the mind allows it to be. You may think that you are using your eyes to see but that cannot be since your physical body is actually still where it is before I brought you here. What you see here is an interpretation of how our mind views things."
Ranma was feeling uneasy at the moment. He was more use to be in control of situations and not being caught off guard. It was making his blood boil to see that there was someone who had more knowledge than he has and maybe more powerful. Of course, he was far from being afraid of the woman. "What do you want?"
"You and I have a common acquaintance that also possesses somewhat the same power."
It didn't take long for Ranma to figure out whom she was speaking of. "Bison…my father."
"Yes, Bison whom is my other half that is blanketed by darkness."
Ranma gave her a confused look. He wasn't quite sure of what she meant by that comment.
"Your other half you said. Do you mean he's your husband or something?"
"We have not wed or shared any vows however we are soul mates, two half of the same soul."
They don't share any intimate connections but she is making it sound like they do.
"I came here to warn you about the future. Remember Ranma, there is always a way back towards the light. Don't feel like there is no way turning back from your actions. Redemption is the key."
"Redemption is the key? I sure met my fair share of weirdos today." Ranma repeated. It happened again. His danger sense started to flare up and died down, leaving the young master of Shadowloo sightless one more. Ranma spent the next few minutes going over what had just happened. He can't help but wonder what the future has in store for him and what Rose stated fit into that picture. Whoever Rose was, she was powerful enough to invade his mind. He never met someone who could do that besides him. Even his father could not perform such an act. Looking at how vulnerable he still was, he vowed to become strong.
Rose was exhausted from pulling Ranma into the astral plane. Normally, something like that is easy to do however it takes a huge amount of energy and concentration to do it over a long distance. She couldn't exactly pinpoint his location but she knew he was somewhere in Japan. She believes Ranma is a key factor in what's to come therefore went to great lengths to contact him and help him along the right path. Unfortunately, she is unable to cipher what the crisis would be but his name came up in all the tarot card readings.
Rose is still not sure what to think of Ranma. He had killed many people but she could sense a good soul within him. He had to be somewhat a good guy to be able to save the world, she thought.
By the time Ranma reached the Umenokouji Mansion, he could tell that something was up. There seemed to be more guards now even before he went on his mission.
How come a lot of things are happening to me today? It seems like something is happening. A lot more guards here than usual, which means they are expecting company.
As he entered the mansion, many of the guards were looking at him strangely. Some whom he considered friends or associates were giving him sad faces. The butler had been waiting for Ranma's arrival as like everyone and had told him that Taski wished to see him. It seemed that Taski had been waiting for him in the pub downstairs.
Before even nearing the pub, Ranma could also tell that something was wrong with Taski and everyone in the area by hearing their abnormal heart beats. He sensed the boss was alive but also showed the same symptoms. He wonders why everyone was edgy.
Ranma focused his super hearing and heard someone approaching the boss. That person entered the door and told the boss that he was home. Nakago's heart beat speeded up more. What his next sentence shocked the young Master of Shadowloo. Nakago planned to kill him and had ordered Taski to do it. This wasn't really unexpected. Ranma knew quite sometime that this day would come. His position within the organization had grown too dangerous. Nakago had foolishly given Ranma nearly complete control of the organization and has won over the men's loyalty. Ranma's name became known within the circle and many bosses view him as the leader. Nakago would surely dislike the idea and would not hesitate to take him out to regain control of his family's legacy. A grin was shown on Ranma's face.
Taski was drowning himself in liquor. He was caught between his brother and his friend whom he considered family. He awoke from his current state when he noticed someone sat across from him. There wasn't that much alcohol in his system so Taski could easily see that Ranma was back from his job. Wondering if the young man had caught on about the situation he was in, Taski looked at his eyes but failed since Ranma was wearing shades. The kid always wore shades.
"How was the job?" Taski asked.
"Mission complete," Ranma confirmed. "There were some setbacks but it wasn't a problem I can't handle. I met some interesting people today. They will peak your interest too if you ever got to meet them but I would advise you not too."
The older man laughed. "You always do get the job done. In fact, you take your job too seriously and do too much of a good work, which leaves us in a bind at the moment. So there is something we need to take care of. Let me pour you a drink."
"Everything just needs to happen right before I left huh."
There was a knock on Nakago's door. Inside, Nakago was sitting in his office with six of his elite bodyguards at his side. He poured himself several glasses of vodka to help calm his nerves. Some sacrifices needs to be made, he thought. Taski wouldn't be able to defeat Ranma, but would at least have the time to spike poison inside the boy's drink before dying. He does love his brother but unfortunately, he was the only one that Ranma fully trusted and is able to pull it off. It was either his brother's life or his. Nakago would sure to have a big ceremony for his younger brother and give him a nicely craved tombstone.
"It's me, Taski."
Nakago gave a sign of relief after he heard his brother's name and found out he was the one that knocked on the door. The task must have gone successful without a single problem. He didn't hear any noises downstairs, which mean there wasn't a struggle. He pointed at one of the guards to open the door for his brother. The night was still young and he wanted to know the details.
As the door opened, Taski stepped inside and greeted his brother. Following his entrance was Ranma.
Nakago's face went white after seeing the boy who he took in those years ago. He wished he had known that Ranma would cause him trouble so that he could have plotted the boy's death earlier.
"Hello boss," Ranma greeted. "Are you glad to see that I am alive?"
"Of course I am. How did you mission go? I assume that we will no longer have any trouble with them anymore. Am I correct?" Nakago was hoping that the boy doesn't know anything about the plot against him. Even though there were so many guards in the room, they wouldn't stand a chance against that killer.
Ranma motion everyone to step outside so that he could speak to Nakago in private.
"Yes boss!" everyone said as they bowed to Ranma and left quietly.
"What are you people doing?" Nakago asked.
"I ordered my men outside so that we can chat quietly. That's what happened, Nakago."
"How dare you speak to me in that tone?"
"I do have a flight to make so I'll be quick about this. Your men have decided to join me. It happened some time ago actually. You should have been aware what would happen after you gave me control over the organization. I plotted, invested, and built everything and was recognized as an equal to our competition. You on the other hand lived comfortably and well, you should get a good picture where I am going with this. Most of the projects and properties that I acquire are under my name so you don't have to worry. Everything you own before I got here will be inherited by your brother who will give me the assets. Too bad you would rather play around then create an heir." Ranma looked at his watch. "Damn, looks like I wasted some time speaking with you. I will be in Spain but will come back to handle things."
Ranma mentally grasped his ex-boss's neck and lift him off the ground. With a quick jerk to the left, a cracking noise can be heard in the room. A few moments more, Ranma left the room and let his men do the clean up work.
Gen was walking down the streets in Japan, hoping to see the boy who fought him. The job he was set to do was finished even though not by his own hands. A few days ago, he had met a family that was very kind. Unfortunately, the eldest son of the family was addicted to drugs sold by the drug lord and died from an over dose. His homeland had also suffered from the same problem so the situation was not new to him. The planned to do away the drug boss tonight to avenge the kind family but the boy beat him to the job. The chances on seeing him again tonight were small and he knows it.
Never in his life has he seen someone using his own style against him. Each of the strike was accurate but was unpolished. They only people he trained in his arts were Chun Li, Yun and Yang. However, he only taught them the most basic of his arts which were all powered down to avoid instant kills. The boy who looked to be at Chun Li's age seemed to know his art style fully which can be said to be impossible because he was its last and only real successor.
Gen remembered his name. His name was Confucius and he seemed to be an assassin by what the oversized white bodyguard said. His body retained injuries from his own style which luckily he knows how to counteract. The old man went full out on the boy but couldn't manage to pierce into Confucius' body. Confucius' body was hard like steel. Gen also remembered the inhuman strength of the boy who uprooted a tree and shoved it down at him. That kid was a monster, he thought. If it was for the boy's unpolished moves, he wouldn't be standing there right now.
The assassin art the old man has attacks the body from the inside of the person's body without breaking bones and so forth. Each finger of the users had been trained to pierce through the body to deliver fatal internal wounds. That was the second level of his art. Confucius seemed to on level one with his style where he attacks the pressure points. With level two, the user would attack the points with piercing wounds that it can't be counteracted, plus endanger all important organs. In a few more years, Gen was sure that he would hear Confucius' name worldwide. The boy was amazingly strong and may be able to give him the death match which he desires.
Spain was defiantly a lot different then Japan. Just the buildings itself can say how much the two cultures were different. Ranma had lived in Spain for a number of years so everything was natural to him. Although he can't see his surroundings, he had a very good picture of it in his mind given from the air currents. He moved around people with such ease that no one could tell he was blind.
After unpacking his belongings, Ranma walked towards the balcony. He could feel the sun rays touching his skin. Moving in the daylight would cause suspicion, not to mention it was easier to get caught. Therefore Ranma chose to wait until after sunset before entering the compound.
Author's Notes:
It took me a whole year just to update this story. I actually had this chapter finished a long time ago but I felt I needed to rewrite it because I didn't like the flow. Then I had to rewrite some parts again after I found out I got some wrong information about Rose's bio. I lose interest in the fic later on. Guess I wrote so much after a short time and I got burned up and got sick of it. But now I'm back, but don't know for how long. Hopefully, I'll get to finish this story before taking another vacation. Oh yeah, I went around and rewrote this chapter again. By now, I forgot who the characters were in the story so I had to read the story myself.
I'm currently working on a Naruto story and might focus on that more. But I will continue this story since I want to see the end to this too.
I looks like chapter 5 will be how Ranma looks for Cammy and has to face his father. So on chapter 6 when Ranma is 21 years old, the story will finally pick up. I wanted Ranma to be able to at least drink legally before the story actually progress.
Gen hasn't met Akuma yet. But he will soon however I'm not going to cover that story. I will mention it probably when Akuma is written into the story.