New Guardian Wanted

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A few quick notes from the author here:

Thanks to all my readers and their reviews, they were really helpful.

This story takes place after Dragonball GT (yes…Goku is gone) and after the Failed Wedding attempt in Ranma 1/2 (take heed, I am not a huge fan of the Nerima Wrecking Crew)

Some have complained on the inadequate length of my Prologue. I ask them not to worry, hopefully the next chapters will be longer 1000 or so….as a student I don't have a lot of time so I apologize in advance.

I haven't decided on the match-up yet but so far requests are:

Pan: 1

Bra:1

Finally Ranma is 100 human and he will stay that way

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Chapter 1: Confidence Can Be A Killer

Ten stared down at the young boy whom he had saved in bewilderment. One look at him and the lad had fainted and Ten was at a loss as to what could be the cause. Little Chaozu was currently bathing the boy's brow with a cool flannel and hopefully he would soon come around

After all , he chuckled to himself, I need to find out his name, what with calling him 'boy' all the time I'm beginning to sound like Vegeta

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A cool damp feeling on his brow brought Ranma slowly back to consciousness. That's Kasumi , he thought wearily, always looking after me . He slowly opened his eyes, expecting to be greeted by the sunny smile that always adorned Kasumi's angelic features. What he saw was a smile alright but rather than Kasumi there stood in her place a small boy. He could not be more than 12 years old and in his countenance there was a sense of youthful cheerfulness, of the infectious variety. Ranma began to smile in spite of himself and his current situation. It was then that a polite cough from the campfire, still burning merrily to his left, drew his attention to his other 'savior'.

The three-eyed man rose from his position and walked towards Ranma until he was level with his partner. As one they bowed to their guest as the three-eyed man spoke.

"Welcome to our fireside young one. My name is Tenshinhan but you may call me Ten, the little one is known as Chaozu. Your injuries should be healed in a day or so and in that time you are welcome to stay here while you recover. If you require anything do not hesitate to ask, for we will do all in our power to help a fellow martial artist", said Ten.

Chaozu rose from his bow, staring worshipfully at his best friend. He was firmly convinced that Ten was one of the greatest men who had ever lived. He was a true warrior, a man who was both benevolent toward his friends and a force to be reckoned with in battle.

To say that Ranma was stunned would be an understatement. Never before had he been treated so kindly by total strangers, not even by his closest friends and relatives. Throughout his short life, he had been used as a trophy, an heir, a bargaining chip, a meal ticket, an excuse, a way to escape from responsibility. He was even refused unconditional love and respect by his own Mother and Father and here was a total stranger (not even from his own world) offering him help and shelter in his time of need. Tenshinhan may have an ulterior motive for helping him of course but Ranma highly doubted it. He could sense this man was of a stern, honorable nature. The look on Chaozu's face only served to convince him further.

Ranma began to chuckle as he rose from his make-shift bed to the consternation of his hosts. Waving off their concerns he returned their bow with one of his own and replied without a trace of his usual roughness.

"I thank you… from the bottom of my heart for your kindness and continuing hospitality. My name is Ranma Saotome of the Saotome school of Anything-Goes Martial Arts."

As Ranma rose from his bow his vision began to swim in a most unsettling way. He sat down hurriedly in an effort to calm himself but the day's events suddenly proved too much. As his vision began to cloud over he noticed Chaozu begin to dash towards him, concerned for his patient.

Ranma smiled as darkness enveloped him

At last………friends

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Ten smiled as he watched Chaozu fussing over Ranma, concern etched on his cherub-like features. Whoever this boy was he was well versed in the martial arts … weak in comparison to himself of course but with definite potential. However something was wrong with the lad, Ten could sense a malevolent taint to his Ki. It was almost as if he were being slowly poisoned on the spiritual level.

One other thing puzzled him greatly. Ranma's Ki appeared, to Ten's spiritual vision, to be divided into three layers and each was overlapping the other. It was almost undetectable and Ten was baffled as to it's meaning….but no matter. That could wait. It was the bottom layer that worried him the most. It was deeply buried, and pulsed with awesome power but Ten could sense a darkness to it. What was it that Master Roshi had said to him all those years ago?

(FLASHBACK)

Master Roshi: You're even better than I thought you were…I'm so happy, I'm shivering! Walk the path of light and become a Hero

(END FLASHBACK)

Tenshinhan clenched his fists and stared up at the heavens

I will not let one with so much potential fall, I have found my place in the world thanks to another…It is now my turn to repay the favor

He ended his vow with a small prayer to Dende and then turned back towards Chaozu and Ranma's unconscious form.

"Chaozu", he began, "How would you feel about a new training partner?"

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Ranma awoke the next morning feeling well-rested and refreshed. A quick check revealed that yesterday's injuries had vanished, his Ki levels were at their peak and he was still male. He had never felt better!

Looking around for his new-found friends he noticed a small note attached to his blanket.

Gone to train by the river a mile north of here

Join us if you feel up to it

Ten

Following the sound of rushing water in the distance (this is Ranma remember…if anyone is trained to detect the sound of nearby water sources it would be him – Daval18) Ranma made his way to a clearing where sat his two friends, both meditating deeply. As he entered the clearing, both Ten and Chaozu opened their eyes and stood to face him.

Tenshinhan smirked, "I guessed we would see you sooner or later…Are you well enough to spar a little?"

Ranma returned the smirk, The poor guy doesn't know who he's dealing with he thought. Aloud he said "If you're game, I am. Don't worry I won't go to hard on ya"

Ten frowned suddenly, was it just him or was Ranma's Ki warping? "Pretty confident aren't you" he said.

Ranma shrugged nonchalantly and settled into his favorite stance. His smirk grew wider as he charged at his foe. "Ranma Saotome don't lose", he yelledas he cocked a fist back to strike.

Tenshinhan chuckled as he took his own stance.

"We shall see", he whispered.

"We shall see…"

End of Chapter 1.

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Comments…ideas…matchups …

Let me know

Daval18 bows to the reader and then melts into the shadows