Augest 1993,

Somewhere in China…..

A bead of sweat collected along the young man's brow and slowly traced it's way down the side of his face. It stayed in place for a moment precariously hanging from his chin for a moment listening in the hot summer sun before being brushed away by a dirt-streaked hand. Ranma Soutome grinned, he was used to sweat.

Ranma shouldered the heavy travel-pack a little higher on his back and gave the straps a few securing tugs. The leather squeaked and complained over the movement before settling on his shoulders. Reaching the top of the ridge, he paused to look down the steep winding path that lead into the valley bellow.

Ranma's eyes narrowed as he looked down on the large valley. Everything was just as he remembered it. Many springs dotted the ground, set here and there with no real pattern in shape or size. The weathered

Bamboo poles, set at different heights still jetted up like forlorn limb-less trees in some demented forest.

"Jusekyo" The word softly left his lips as Ranma recalled the fateful training trip that his 'father' had drug him on a year ago. With a growl Ranma continued down the path, lost in his own dark thoughts.
His father had insisted on coming on this trip to China...to better his skills. Not that it had ever occurred to the man that neither of them could speak a word of Chinese. OR maybe thinking that he should have noticed the way the locals winced and ran in fear at the name of 'Jusekyo'.

But no, his father had still dragged him hear and settled him with this...CURSE. This damn curse that caused him to change into a girl when splashed with cold water. And if that wasn't enough his FATHER than decided to tell him that he had a 'intended bride' that he had never heard about! And that they were headed back to Japan curse and all to meet her.

Angrily Ranma pushed the thoughts of the past, the Tendo Dojo...and Akane..Out of his mind. He couldn't have stayed there, how could he keep his promise to his mother to be A-man-among-men when he wasn't even a real man? Worse….how could he be good enough for Akane?

Now standing in the middle of the valley he gazed around and decided that he would next have to find the Jusekyo Guide to help him find 'Spring OF Drowned man'. Trying all the springs until he found the right one was not an option. Walking through the ankle high grass, and carefully avoiding all of the deceptively still springs Ranma eventually made it to the door of the 'Guide's Hut'.Taking a deep breath Ranma studied the weathered wood for a few moments and listened to his heart beat before rapping smartly on the door.

After a few moments the door opened to reveal a short middle-aged Chinese man in a uniform. Ranma hurried to cut the man off before he could ask what he was doing there. He wasn't in the mood for the usual

lunacy and denial. "Hi, my name is Ranma Soutome. I was here a year ago and my old man got me stuck with this curse. I turn into a girl with cold water. I'm hear to find spring of drown man, so show it to me before I have to hurt you OK?"

The guide blinked at him a few moments before speaking in broken Japanese. "Oh yes sir. Fall in spring of drown girl. I remember you. Your father is Panda." The guide looked shocked "You got back here. Many do not. But I so sad to say...no spring of drown man...was destroyed a year a go. So sorry."

Ranma listened to the mans words, hearing them but not wanting to believe it. "No no NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO" Ranma screamed falling to his knees. This couldn't be happening all those sacrifices he'd made.. All that hell he went through! It couldn't be for nothing! But it was...the spring was gone...he was stuck with the girl-side forever. He was less than a man, and nothing would change that now.

The Guide watched Ranma fall to his knees crying in despair. He wasn't as cold hearted as many of the others belived, watching lives destroyed by the curses had taken its tole and the Guide felt partly responsible for not warning the boy and his father sooner a year ago. "Excuse me sir. There may still be a way to be All-man." The guide doubted the wisdomof his actions but it was to late to back out now. " It's Risky. May not work"

The Guide spoke slowly. Ranma however heard the Guide's words and felt that they were a beacon of lfie in a dyeing world. Springing to his feat he grabbed the guide by the shirt. "TELL ME I'LL TRY ANYTHING. I don't CARE anymore!"

After hearing the boy's words the guides mind was fully made up. He nodded and motioned the boy to follow. The pair made their way around and through The maze of springs and grass until they came to one large spring and paused. The spring was average sized and surrounded by tall reeds all around it obscuring it from view.

Parting the reads the guide pointed to the spring. "That be spring of Almost-Drowned-Ruroni."

He said softly watching Ranma's face for a reaction. "There legend of all-most drowned samurai that fell into spring from cliff." The guide pointed out the rocky rise high above their heads before continuing.

" Is only spring where person ALLMOST die in spring. He drown...but friends brought him back."

The guide looked at Ranma nervously " Because he not die...curse may not work...and if it do their may be problems..It works for only one person...not work for next person...so.."

"It doesn't matter" Ranma said with and final resolve. He pulled of his shirt and jumped in shouting "This is my only chance!"

Ranma felt the water hit and swallow him like an icy wave. His feet hit the sandy bottom, shafts of light lit the underwater world in a bizarre way as motes floated by. Ranma paused for a moment, sitting on the bottom just incase this spring needed Longer to work than others because of the 'Almost' drowned part.

After a minute Ranma bunched his knees and pushed up towards the surface. Bubbles floated before his eyes making there way to the surface first.

Ranma finally felt 'the change' take a hold of his body on the way up. It felt different this time he was sure of it! Breaking the surface of the water Ranma shook his head to rid himself of the long red bangs that were blocking his vision. And then a thought struck him with the force of one of Ryoga's kicks.

Red bangs. It had not worked the RED bangs of his Female form proved that.IF he was a man his hair would be black….but it wasn't.Nothing had changed after all…it must have been a product of a wishful mind.

Ranma was tempted for a moment to just let go of the edge and sink into the water leaving Jusankio with a new spring…

"Spring of Royally Screwed up Aqua transexual Marital artist".

Just as Ranma was ready to give up all hope to despair the Guide shouted something that changed his mind. "SIR IT WORKED"

Ranma's eyes snapped open in surprise. 'It WORKED'? But how could that be?

He had seen the red hair of his girl side...unless...! OF COURSE what if the MAN who almost-drowned here had red hair'! Ranma sprung out of the water and was pleased to notice that this new body had no problems pulling off the acrobatic maneuver. Ranma stood dripping wet and looked down at his chest. Sure enough no breasts."NO BREASTS! I HAVE NO BREASTS! NOT ONE! I AM TODALY BRESTLESS!

Ranma whooped in joy. And the Guide sweat-dropped.

A few minutes later the Guide and the EXTREAMLY happy Ranma were in the little hut where the Guide Gave Ranma a mirror. Ranma looked at his new permanent form. The face that stared back at him from the mirror was a mix of his own regular features and another's. Ranma guessed that came from the magic of a ALMOST-Drowned spring. He was stuck in a form between his own and the almost drowned samurai.

The Guide and he had discovered that there was no reversing this form...

He didn't change with cold or hot water...an apparent side affect from that spring.And to be honest Ranma didn't care, he could EASLY live with a few MALE appearance changes. Ranma carefully studied the features and body that were now his for the rest of his life, however long that proved to be. His face was still basically his own with a few slight changes. Ranma's facial features were now a bit finer, his chin more pointed and his eyes slightly slanted. The boy thought he caught a strange, almost haunted and shadowed look in those eyes but couldn't figure out why, he was certainly not depressed or anything. He repressed a chill reasoning he was just seeing things in the intense eyes.

And speaking of his eyes, Ranma noticed that Lavender eyes looked out from his fair skinned face marred only by a deep cross-shaped scar on the left check making the piercing orbs appear even more striking. A thick unruly mane of deep red-orange hair framed his face bangs partly shading his eyes in front, and cut longer where they hung parted in front of his ears framing his jaw. The hair spilled down his back to his waist like a cascade of dark flame. Like blood on fire.Ranma allowed himself a smile. This wasn't such a bad deal, it was a rather good looking face over all, most importantly it was a MAN's face.

And he was startled to see the strange face in the mirror smile in return. A little disturbed by how that drove the fact He was different now home in his mind. Ranma placed the mirror down and examined the rest of his new body.He found his body to be slightly leaner now, but no less toned or powerful. Several scars marred the skin of his back and chest under his Chinese shirt some rather wicked looking making Ranma to ponder who the 'samurai had pissed off.

Scars held no shame to a martial artist, he flexed one hand into a fist, smiling at the fast and tight

Response his muscles gave. The callused strong hands spoke of the man's life of a warrior, the

speed and tightens of the grip hinted at great skill. Yes, Ranma could defiantly make this work

The Guide had said the man who almost-drowned had been a samurai, and these hands and body proved it. The only thing that irritated him was Ranma was sure he was an inch shorter than he was used to. But his girl form was short and Ranma had adapted to that, so it wasn't THAT big of a deal.

With a deep breath Ranma yelled a thanks at the guide as he turned to leave placing the mirror down. The older man left him with one last warning. Sometimes when a person falls into a spring they leave some of their spirit behind, and that spring was odd even for a cursed spring. So he should be careful for any odd things he may start doing. Ranma not really listing to the man's words, ran off .No 'side effects' could be worse than what he already lived through.

It was time he headed HOME.

Of coarse the first thing Akane did when she saw him...was hit him with a mallet and call him a moron. He hit the dirt with a surprised cry of what sounded to him something like "Oro" After listening to her yell at him for a moment Ranma found himself doing the oddest thing.

" Akane, I'm sorry that I worried you. I just had to do something for myself. I hope you forgive me." Akane's mouth snapped shut and she made several incoherent noises..

Not knowing that the heck was going on with him Ranma decided to take advantage of the situation to explain his trip to Jusekyo, the revelation that the spring was gone his chance to try the spring and his hope that things would go better now. A silence fell in the Tendo yard.
And then... Akane passed out cold. Ranma let out a startled "Orrrrooooo" as he caught her feeling strangely like fainting himself! IS this what the guide meant by 'STRANGE SIDE EFFECTS?' what other strange things would he be doing?

Things were oddly quiet the next morning on the way to school. After ALOT of talking last night Ranma and Akane were trying to settle into a routine with Ranma's new condition. OF COURSE their parents had been thrilled and started to talk about how now the two families could finally be joined in marriage. But an unusually cold glare from Ranma had shut them up fast...and to be honest the look had scared Akane a little as well. So it was an uneasy duo that was making it's way to Furinkin High this morning. Akane looked up to where Ranma walked along his usual spot atop the chain link fence.

'He looks so different' she thought to herself looking up at Ranma who was gazing strait ahead as he walked. ' And he was so polite last night...like he wasn't even Ranma...' A concerned frown marred her face. " HEY AKANE?" Ranma shouted squatting on the fence to shout in her hear. Swinging around angry she glared at him. " RANMA YOU JERK! DON'T SHOUT IT'S RUDE!"

Ranma Grinned smartly "Really? Who's shouting now Hu?" He taunted laughing at her.

"YOU YOU" Akane sputtered she couldn't imagine what she was thinking. So polite indeed! THIS was DEFINATLY that RUDE JERK she had always known!

Akane swung her bag at his legs. Ranma nimbly jumped over the bag and ran down the fence looking over his shoulder to raspberry at Akane. Akane let out an ear shattering "RANMA NO BAKA" before chasing after him. Looking forward Ranma Smiled, there now she was back to her old self. The routine of tease-the-tom -boy was relaxing. He didn't want the 'kiwakune' girl worrying after all.

They reached School a while latter, for once due to the chasing they made it on time. By the time they reached the gates the fight had been forgotten and Ranma walked along the road next to Akane. Ranma took a deep breath and looked up at the sky enjoying the peaceful moment. Ranma SHOULD have known a moment like this was to good to last.

"Halt foul Soutome! How dare thou walk so close to the divine Akane? Leave before the Honorable Tatiwaki Kuno smite you with his heavenly justice! Out of my site cur!" Kuno was up to his usual. He stood on the lawn in his kendo gear waving bokken and sneering at Ranma. Every other day Ranma would just fling a few insults back at Kuno. Every other time he just aimed a few well-placed hits and knocked Kuno over a wall. Every time he just chalked it up to inbreeding in the Kuno line.

Today however was not like another day. Not at all. Akane gasped as Ranma lowered his head slightly hiding his face in his bangs and clenched his fists.
" Kuno Tatiwaki, move.
Out.
Of.
My.
Way.
Now..." Lifting his head he reveled Ice-blue eyes with gold slowly creeping in to the edges. Kuno was slightly taken back. It was normal for the low-born sorcerer to talk back to him of course...but he had never...looked that way before. Kuno suppressed a shudder at the piercing look.

" The revered Tatiwaki Kuno will not be ordered by the likes of you! Crawl..." Kuno got not farther. Ranma's form blurred from view and the scrounging students gasped as a split second later Kuno went flying through the air to hit a tree. Ranma's form flicked back in to view and he glared at the now astonished Kuno laying upright against the tree.

A rage, white hot and yet at the same time almost emotion less surged trough his whole body and energy Rama was struggling to make since of. Kuno's bokken lay where it had been dropped near Ranma's feet. Almost absent mindedly Ranma's picked the wooden sword up and looked at it. ' This is very strange.

I've never moved that fast before...and I feel so...comfortable with this sword...BUT I HATE swords! Weapons are for wimps so why...?' Ranma got not farther in his thought process as Kuno pulled yet ANOTHER Bokken from his person and charged Ranma.

"HOW DARE YOU DEFILE MY BLADE WITH YOUR WORTHLESS HANDS? PREPARE TO DIE!"

Maybe it was because Ranma was not paying attention and was startled, or because that was just one insult to many. But the last thing Tatiwaki Kuno saw before all went black was Ranma's eyes turn a disturbing shade of gold.

What happened next was a blur for Ranma.

"Hu?' Ranma snapped back to himself and looked around confused at the horrified looks on his classmates faces. He looked at Akane she was staring at him in shock and FEAR? A sinking feeling struck Ranma as he lifted the broken bokken to his face.

The end glistened wet with blood 'O sweet Kami-Sama what have I done?' Ranma thought as he looked down at the ground. There lay Tatiwaki Kuno. Dead. Very Dead. VERY VERY DEAD. His broken form sprawled across the grass in a spreading crimson puddle. Eyes stared up sight-less at Ranma accusation in there cloudy depths. Neck at an bizarre angle. Part of a Bokken jutting out from his shoulder.

"N-No I ...I didn't mean to..I couldn't have... He...Akane." Ranma said desperately looking around at the faces of his horrified schoolmates. Akane couldn't help it. In horror she backed away from Ranma's out stretched hand. Something in Ranma's face crumpled inward and he fled faster then anyone could follow. Akane cursed herself venomously as she ran after Ranma.

She didn't blame Ranma for what happened to Kuno. Although the thought still made here shiver in horror Ranma had moved like he wasn't human his eyes were so cold. Some thing had happened to him and she had to find out what it was and help him! She knew she shouldn't have stepped back from his hand but it was a reflex! Ranma's hand had been covered in blood! Tears ran down Akane's face as she raced down the street. And ran right into cologne.

'Akane, Child? " Collone concerned for the girl. Akane didn't mien to but, she spilled out everything. . After listing to everything Akane had to say Cologne grabbed her by the shoulders. "Listen You have every reason to be concerned about Son-In-Law. I agree it wasn't his fault and he needs help.. But there is only one person I can thing of that may be able to help him now. But you must go with him and be strong! You must be the calming influence. Can you do that Akane Tendo?

Akane had no clue what Cologne was talking about but she would do anything to help Ranma and she nodded. As for Cologne...she had heard the Legend of Himura the Battousai in Jusekyo but had always thought it was a lie. Obviously it was not and a disaster had befallen because of it. Yes she knew what had to be done.

"Akane go to your home and find Ranma...I'll be there soon you must not let him leave to you under stand Girl?" Akane nodded and ran off. Cologne hoped that the dust might still work and ran to retrieve it from the Neko-Hanten and meat Akane.

Ranma violently shoved his few possessions into his knapsack (that he oh so recently unpacked.) Following the clothing a few dollars in yen and some food. Ranma ran a hand through his wet hair. He had taken a quick bath to wash off..but the blood...the smell wouldn't go way he could still feel it on his hands..smell it on his clothing. The Red-Chinese shirt that had been a trademark for Ranma shoved in a garbage can in the park. The blood would never come off. A dark blue shirt donned him now matching the disturbed Blue-violet of his eyes. He flung the bag on his shoulder and prepared to jump out the window, and out of the Tendo's life forever. "RANMA" Akane shouted out of breath stopping him in his tracks.

Ranma didn't turn to look at her "Ranma you CAN'T... just leave me here.. Ranma! RANMA?"
He knew She didn't understand. He was dangerous...he could still feel the killer flexing under his skin resting coiled in a corner of his mind. "Akane...I...I'm dangerous...I KILLED Kuno..you saw me. I have to go. Now."
Ranma started to leap out the window but was stopped short abruptly a look of shock on his face as Akane grabbed his shirt from behind
"Don't go please" She whispered. Ranma stayed perfectly still on the windowsill as images flickered through his mind.

A sad dark eyed women placing a hand on his arm and sent of plums. Another women with blue eyes begging him not to fight...Stumbling back into the room and pushing Akane out of the way in the process Ranma clutched his head between his hands as images flickered by wildly. The images crashed in with gale force tearing at the walls of his sanity. The sound of dozens of faceless people screaming, Blood warm and thick running in slow red rivulets, three grey stones. Faces twisted in pain reaching out with stiff fingers. Fire. Pain.pain pain...
Ranma cried out slapping a hand to his left check and stared as it came away wet with his own crimson blood.
'Blood? Blood? What's happening to me why am I bleeding? Why.' Ranma thought frantically staring at his shaking blood stranded hands. Blood stained hands...Kuno. Ranma looked up at Akane. This time she didn't back away but grabbed and held him with everything she had. "It's OK Ranma it's OK your going to be OK."
Cologne who was previously standing in the shadows Stepped out and through a hand full of glittering powder from a pouch over the two of them "Yes it will be OK Son-In –Law, when you get there search out Himura Kenshin and his Master strait away! Do not waist time and take care of the violent girl" The world around Akane and Ranma started to fade away. " What the Hell are you talking about?" Ranma managed to yell out before the world around them blurred out and in darkness faded away completely...

"Ummmm...wha?" Akane moaned sitting up and rubbing her head. She seamed to be in a small wooded area of some sort. Looking around she saw Ranma was still asleep on the ground next to his bag. She sighed in relief noticing that he was breathing and here with her. Wherever she was at lest she didn't have to be alone.
She looked over at Ranma's face where he lay on his back in the grass. A crease between his brows showed a troubled state of mind, red bangs hanging all around. Akane' eyes were drawn to the vivid cross-shaped scar on his cheek. Sill red with a little blood it stood out vividly agents the pale skin of his face. Biting her lip Akane reached one-hand forward with carefully outs stretched fingers reaching to brush against the scar...

Ranma fought his way through a nightmare land of images...thousands of them fighting for attention. Slowly many of them drew back and the images focused on one seen that drew him into it against his will. In the Dream he was Sleeping. suddenly his warriors sense told him someone was reaching out to attack him. Opening his eyes Ranma/Battousai grabbed the arm of his assailant brought his katana around to the fools neck. And his eyes opened fully to focus on a woman...

Akane stifled a scream as Ranma awoke suddenly springing to his feet and grabbing her arm he held her with a cold look on his face one hand up , fingers in a stiff grip as if it held a weapon. Had Ranma gone insane? Was he going to kill her like Kuno?

Ranma/Battousai registered this was just that girl, Tomoe... Angry at what he/they almost did Battousai/Ranma flung the girl to the floor where she looks at him with her sad brown eyes. Brown... eyes...? Tomoe..Tomoe has/ had Black eyes... Akane?

Akane looked desperately up at Ranma's icy dark blue and amber eyes searching for any sigh of reconnection. A mixed swirl of emotions swam behind his eyes as she watched him struggle for control. He flung her to the ground where she looked up at him and sobbed "Ranma where are you? What's wrong with you baka?"

With a wave of relief she watched at his cold eyes were replaced by startled Lavender-blue ones and Ranma raised a hand to his left side of his face. "Akane?" he asked sounding puzzled. Still terrified Akane forced a smile, and then a look of mock anger "Of course it's me you Idiot? Who else would it be? Honestly acting like that..." Attempting to break the tension Akane rattled on at him, cheering up when he seamed to relax a bit.

Ranma had been startled when a sharp pain shocked him out of his trance. He saw Akane sitting on the ground looking up at him intensely relieved. Ranma had a sinking feeling he's done something stupid again. But found himself relaxing some when Akane startled bawling him out like normal. 'What ever I did it mustn't have been that bad if the Tom-Boy is at it again..."

Akane was looking around as Ranma carefully removed his hand from the side of his face. It came away wet with blood again. He replaced his hand quickly trying not to panic over a scar that apparently bleeds when it wants to. Akane turned in a circle "Well I can defiantly tell were not in Nermia anymore. Cologne said she was going to help you somehow, but I didn't know she was planning something like this. Ranma do you think were still in Japan because..." She trailed off noticing the trickle of blood running out from under his fingers.

"RANMA! Your hurt! SIT!" He thought about arguing but decided against it and sat silently on the grass.
" Really Ranma were you just going to keep bleeding? Your such an idiot." Ranma winced, as her less then gentle touch wiped blood from his check and held a bandage against it that she took from his pack. "I'm an Idiot? Who went and asked the ol' ghoul for help and got us stranded he hu?" Ranma shot back hiding a smirk.

Akane growled, but inside she was really thrilled to see him acting like himself.

" Whatever Ranma... Well were here now so we might as well look for a town...or something"

Ranma smirked holding the bandage to his face " A suggestion worthy of Ryoga!"

" YOU LEAVE HIM OUT OF THIS" Akane shouted. Ranma stuck his toung out and they headed down a small path through the woods walking towards some faint lights in the distance.

After a few hours of walking the reached the edge of a town. Crossing a large bridge Akane sneezed in the cool of the spring evening. Looking over his shoulder at Akane, Ranma took off his blue shirt and through it at her leaving him in a tank top.
"I can't take this Ranma you'll freeze" Akane protested.
"Heh I don't freeze fast as some people." He noticed her glare" Just take it already k?"
Ranma finished plainly. With a grumble and a slight smile Akane pulled his shirt over the top of her short sleeved one. A little farther into town Ranma looked up to a cry of "Uncle Ken-y!" Turning around very startled his legs were grabbed by two small girls chanting 'Uncle Ken-ni' at him.

The children were followed by an old man. "Sorry about that Kenshin-San, they were just so exited to see you! On your way to Karou's are you? .. Just a minute your not Himura san..."

Akane and Ranma had been gaping at the old man as he rambled on and now Akane bowed politely catching his attention. "My name is Tendo Akane, and this is Soutome Ranma.

The old man quickly recovered from his case of mistaken identity and bowed back. " I am Dr.Gensi, and these are my granddaughters Ayame and Sasumi." Pulling the little girls off Ranma's legs he spoke.

" I'm sorry for that it's just you look so much like a friend of ours.."
Akane remembered what Cologne had said about finding a person named 'Himura Kenshin' and that was just the name this old man had called Ranma. "Um that's...because...because...He's um Kenshin's...Nephew. Yes his nephew, and I'm his betrothed were hear for a visit! Ranma looked at her startled and was about to ask her what she was up to when she stepped on his food. "RIGHT Ranma?"
Ranma winced slightly and shifted his stance to the other foot.
"Right...Visiting...heh eheh"

Dr.Gensi look at the young couple... the boy looked like he could be related...
Akane rushed on "But you see we are having trouble finding where he's staying...you couldn't help us could you?"
Dr. Gensi Smiled. As a Mater of fact my granddaughters and I are heading over there right now, why don't you and Soutome-San come along?"

"Thank you very Much" Akane said smiling and grabbing Ranma's arm to drag him along behind. Ranma covered his eyes with one hand. He wasn't sure what she was up to but she had better have a plan or they'd be on ALOT of trouble with this Himura guy...