Disclaimer: I do not Ranma ½. Enter the broken record… Disclaimers can be so stupid.
Author's Notes: I see that people are warming up to the story and I couldn't be happier. It probably seems like I'm always writing something and I am. I'll admit I really had only a vague idea of what I was going to do with this story but the full idea hit me like a train. I hope ya enjoy it! Please remember to tip your waitress and enjoy the show!
Demon's Crossing
Chapter 5
Nabiki was currently sitting in Ranma's room, Shampoo lying on the bed. The shorthaired girl was amazed and horrified at what Shampoo had told them. The purple-haired girl had related to them, in between spells of exhaustion, a tale of terror. Cologne was sent back to China after Perfume had performed a supposedly forbidden technique and disabled the elder. When Shampoo tried to resist, she was forced into her cursed form, where she was force fed Ghoul Powder. The results on a living creature are horrific for the creature becomes a demon! When she had been defeated and forced to revert, she knew it wouldn't last. What she didn't count on was being healed, the demon expelled completely. The poor girl was wearing a pair of Ranma's pajamas, her body twisting in agony from a bad dream. The Ice Queen's heart thawed. Even if she didn't like Shampoo, no one deserved this. With that thought in mind, she climbed onto the bed beside her and held her gently like her mother used to hold her. The Chinese girl clutched at her softly, her quiet crying subsiding as the peace of sleep overcame her. Nabiki found herself smiling warmly, almost against her will, and held the girl as she slept.
Kyoko was sleeping soundly in her bedroom. Her mana reserves were low from saving her brother and Shampoo. What mystified her earlier was how her brother became a neko hanyou. Hopefully her mom would have an explanation. When she had first arrived at home, she had taken a bath to wash up from the exertions. Her mind was awash with thoughts about what had happened. She had heard some of Shampoo's story and had to get away before she broke something. This was the kind of thing her group tried to put an end to and these senile old hags weren't treating it with the gravity this deserves. Ranma hadn't let go of the girl's hand at all while she spoke, not even washing up or even asking to change back. Her kitty ears twitching with barely suppressed agitation while her eyes held only comfort. The green-eyed girl had a few theories as to why her sister was acting like this. What few knew is that female neko hanyou would "adopt" stray kittens. Think of it as a Cat Woman complex. Shampoo's cursed form was a cat and she maintained the scent and mannerisms. That also confused her. Her healing ability not only banished the demon, but cleansed the curse. She offered her sister a cure as soon as she was rested, but was told not to bother. She was told that the curse wasn't so bad anymore. Perhaps later she would ask why her redheaded sis thought that way. Until then, she slept on.
Ranma (now male) pondered his reflection in the mirror. Whatever had been done seemed to have let his body finally mature. He had grown another several centimeters, his black hair was to his waist and his ears were black as well. He grinned, showing off cute little kitty fangs, his blue eyes were cat slits. Somehow he didn't feel so afraid or shocked at his appearance. His thoughts were "After everything I've been through, this is supposed to bother me?" Well, he also appreciated the added muscle mass. He wasn't Ryoga by any stretch of the imagination, but he certainly felt stronger. His fingernails were cat claws that seemed to emanate a subtle power that felt reminiscent of his ki claws. His mom was surprised at this turn of events, but also seemed as if she knew. The blue-eyed boy decided it was time to stop preening and go find out what was going on. He could smell dinner and decided to convince mom to eat in his room. After all, everyone should know what was happening, right?
Nodoka sighed as she put the finishing touches on dinner. Her children were growing so fast and discovering things before she was ready for them to. The young redhead had actually seemed strangely happy with what had happened, but her concern for her friend outweighed everything else. She still seethed that the barbarian's laws and customs, but she had to admit the girl needed somewhere safe. She fingered the hilt of the Saotome blade, placed near her on the counter. She had never stopped practicing her family's Art. What that fat fool doesn't know is that she had been instructing their son in her family style. The woman could never have been more proud of her son. It was time for him to take over as clan head. His father wasn't the real Saotome; he was just a fat fool who took on the name to claim the rewards. The family sword vibrated under her touch as she stroked it softly. The weapon would protect her son just as his sister's Aura Sword would protect her. Nothing could withstand the Nameless Sword and she would bestow it upon him tonight.
Shampoo was slowly returning to the land of the living. She had the worst nightmares until what felt like an angel came and banished her demons. She had dreamt that her grandmother was desperately reaching out for her, but she couldn't reach her. Dark shapes were leaping out and knocking her away, trying to claw into her body. The girl wanted to cry and did, but someone gently hushed her and held her tight. Her eyes finally opened to find she was being held by someone, her bleary eyes found Nabiki's face, before involuntarily snuggling in tighter. The normally mercenary girl had almost a motherly presence that she couldn't put her finger on.
"Hey Sham-chan." She said with a quirk of humor. Her willing vigil had felt good. Her mother had always said what a gentle girl she was and here was the proof. If anyone at Furinkan found out her reputation was ruined, but the girl's happy smile made it almost worth it. The other began filing into the room with dinner, no one commenting on the sight before them. The brown-eyed girl helped the still tired girl sit up. Nodoka Saotome managed to look serene and almost regal, even with the cramped quarters. Kyoko was rubbing sleep out her eyes and staring at her brother when she thought he wouldn't notice. All female eyes were riveted on the new (and improved) Ranma Saotome. He was a hunk before, but now he was something on a whole other level. He fidgeted nervously as he noticed the female eyes on him. His sister was glad he was family and she seemed to be protected from his charms. Nabiki and Shampoo were staring at him almost hungrily, but backed off at Kyoko's slight hiss. He gave his sis a smile in thanks before his mother declared it was time to eat.
Dinner was delicious and plentiful; Ranma went downstairs three more times for the next helpings. Nodoka had assumed an air of authority that subtly got everyone's attention. Ranma was finishing off the ice cream sundae that his mom had practically force fed to him because he didn't want to appear unmanly. Sundae? A bloody sundae? That idiot had done damage in places the woman had never thought possible! As everyone began to calm down and settle in, the matriarch of clan Saotome began to speak.
"My dear son, Ranma. Your father is not the head of our family. I am. The hanyou blood comes from me. My grandfather wanted to breed it out of our clan and he sought Genma to do it." That brought many exclamations of shock, except from Shampoo oddly enough. "Your father had money, but no name. My father offered him me in marriage to join his money with our clan. When we were married, it was revealed that he had squandered the money on a bachelor party of all things, but the marriage was still valid. It really only called for an engagement between the two of us and nothing else. I have kept the ceremonial blade of our clan until the day I could give it to my manly son." She smiled warmly at her "boy" before continuing. "That was why the man amongst men agreement was so important, but it wasn't to make you afraid of your own mother. The seppuku pledge only called for his head, not yours. However, that is all in the past. Tonight we are here for a sacred purpose." She raised the sword delicately with both hands and gently held it out, reverently, to her son. He was struck by the sudden gravity of the situation and said the only thing he could. "I will never dishonor our name, Mother." And took the sword with the same reverence she bestowed it with. Shampoo and Nabiki shed silent tears at being allowed to witness such an important event. Kyoko embraced her brother with all the love in her heart as did their mother. The tears and well wishes would have lasted if not for a thunderous crash demanding attention.
All five of them ran outside to see what was happening. Nodoka stared in horror at her husband. The World's Most Dishonorable Father stared in amusement until he saw Ranma carrying the sword. Fury was etched upon his face as his eyes took in the fact that he also appeared to be a hanyou as well.
"Idiotic woman! What have you done to our son? As if he wasn't enough of a disappointment before, now the worthless boy is a freak as well!" he shouted in righteous anger. His friend Soun was also there as well, but looked as if it was against his will.
"Please Saotome. Let them be. This stupidity has gone on long enough." He pleaded softly with his friend.
"Where's your spine, Tendo? We must punish him for what he's done!" he fairly slathered maniacally. The Tendo patriarch raised pain-filled eyes to his friend.
"I almost lost my daughter to this idiocy." He said quietly. "If you move against Ranma, I will fight you. My own child is over there and after what you've done to Ranma. No. I will not allow this to continue. As a martial artist I swear it! Please beloved Kimiko, forgive me." The suddenly revitalized man prayed, steel returning to his eyes. Generations of Tendo's seemed to infuse the restored man, his posture becoming commanding. Genma stared in confusion as his oldest friend suddenly became something he had never seen before (and secretly wished he could have been). The man was ready for battle to protect those who could not defend themselves and bring justice for those wronged. The noble lion was ready to fight to protect his child and Genma realized that pandas are lion food. He had no choice; however, he had to do this to restore the family honor.
The fat martial artist adopted a lazy stance that invited attack, but Soun refused to be baited. Ranma shielded the others with his body, his heightened senses feeling something stirring in the air. The two men seemed to shimmer and become aspects of what they were. Soun was dressed in his usual outfit, but it seemed even more impressive. His stance was proud and ready, his steely gaze never wavering. Genma was dressed in black, his aura screaming of what kind of deceitful rat he is. One thing was plainly obvious the baka panda was scared. He began the assault on the restored man with a flying kick, but was countered with a dodge to the side. Soun's follow up chop to the neck sent the lazy fool flying, but Genma wouldn't go down that easily as he twisted and landed on his feet. Soun quirked a smile at his old friend, old reflexes coming back to him at an astonishing rate. The next charge was initiated by the martial artist formerly known as Water works. He released a powerful snap kick that his old friend turned aside easily, but the counter punch to the face took him by surprise. By the time he recovered, another kick was coming his way that sent him reeling. Genma countered with a flurry of lightning fast kicks, all the more impressive because they were delivered from the air, followed by a punishing bicycle kick. The two martial artists leapt away from each other, Genma was panting heavily and relishing the feel of fighting his old friend again. The lion glared at the panda, a feral smile on his lips that unnerved his old shogi buddy.
"You've made an excellent recovery, my old friend, but this is where it ends!" Genma cried before using the "Umi-Sen-Ken", but before he could vanish, Soun used his last resort attack. No one knows that Soun had actually created the original mallet attack, but it was quite different when he made it. With a roar, he manifested a massive spiked mace attached to a very long chain and hurled it with deadly force at his old friend. The startled martial artist couldn't use his most deadly technique, but he could be blasted off his feet by the oncoming weapon. Soun nodded once as he pulled the mace back.
"W-what was that?" Genma gasped out from a demolished wall courtesy of his own body.
"Anything Goes Tendo Ryu Ultimate Attack: Gaia's Hammer" he replied. His old friend stared in shock at the powerful technique. The Tendo patriarch went into full blown demon-head mode and roared at the pathetic little man. "If I catch you anywhere near this house, your wife, her children, or especially MY children, I will FINISH YOU!" The sensory overload drove his defeated adversary into unconsciousness. Everyone stared at the changed man before them. Nabiki stepped forward slowly, her wide at seeing a man who had died years ago with his wife. With tears in her eyes, she ran to the man she most wanted to see again.
"Daddy!" she cried as she hurled herself at him, sobbing. He caught his crying child and held her close, his own tears trailing slowly down his face. His heart was heavy for everything he put his children through, but that was going to end. He looked up as a hand rested on his shoulder. He noticed Ranma smiling at him, there were no words needed. Without a sound he ushered everyone back inside to give the two some time alone. Soun whispered to his child.
"Let's go home. We have a lot to discuss." He said as he scooped her up, making her giggle. In that moment they were transported years into the past as he took off with her at full tilt along the rooftops.
End Chapter 5
Author's Notes: The return of Soun and the fall of Genma. I like throwing in twists where I can and I decided it was finally time to break Soun out of the mold that many fanfiction authors cast him into. I wish to thank you all for reading this chapter and I hope you enjoy the next! What will Ranma do now that he is the Saotome clan head? Will they confront Perfume? What will happen next? Stay tuned to find out! Ja ne!
