"Seventeen years." Saffron said as he looked down the cliff. "It seems like
a lot more."
"It does." Herb answered by the Phoenix King's side. "Can you believe it? It took only a couple of days to nearly destroy both our lands, yet it has taken this long to reconstruct them."
"War is a terrible thing. In all of my years I've seen many wars play out. Never has there been a winner to any of them." The Phoenix said sadly.
Saffron and Herb stood in one of the Phoenix people's terraces, as it had become a tradition to them in the anniversary of the Amazon defeat, and looked down at what once was a battlefield where their people fought each other.
"How are your people doing?" Saffron asked. It was meaningless to ask, since he already knew the answer, but it was also part of the tradition these two leaders had accepted.
Herb chuckled. "The new generation has no problems with the females in the Citadel. The older ones still act like idiots." Both laughed at that. Since the few Amazon women that managed to survive had accepted Herb's hospitality the Musk had stopped their practices regarding getting brides. In fact the female population in the Musk Citadel had grown. They had learned from the mistakes made by the Amazons regarding the sexes. Had the Amazons allowed their males to combat as well the war would've had a different outcome. That and the fact that the only remaining healer in the Citadel after the war was a woman. Many of the injured warriors had to accept a woman's capacity to take over an important task.
They sobered after a while and it was then Herb's turn to ask. "How are your people doing?"
"The reparations are finally over. It was particularly difficult rebuilding the tunnels, but we eventually managed to finish the job." Saffron answered. "Now that we have our ancestral home back many feel that we can finally rest."
Sensing Saffron wasn't telling him everything, Herb asked. "I take it some don't feel like that?"
The Phoenix sighed. "There are some that continue to live as if we were still at war. They believe we have to be ready."
"An intelligent outlook on life, as long as they know the difference between being ready and simply wearing themselves out." The Musk King observed. "Both our races are warrior ones. Even in times of peace we prepare for war." After he said that both shared a long silence, watching towards the horizon as the sun rose and chased away the darkness. "How fairs Saotome?" Herb asked after a good twenty minutes.
The Phoenix King turned to look at Herb, who had a frown on his features. "I take it you still haven't forgiven him." Saffron stated. "It's been seventeen years, Herb. Surely even one as prideful as you would let time wash away the offense."
Herb snorted as he turned back to the horizon. "I shall never forgive the humiliation of being beaten to within an inch of my life in front of my people. Specially a second time. I don't care how he felt after losing his close ones."
Saffron shook his head. "Saotome's as strong as ever. After the battle against Cologne he's become obsessive over his training." He shot Herb a sideways glance. "I don't know why you keep asking. I've told you the exact same thing year after year."
"Mark my words, Saffron. Someday I will make Saotome pay for this humiliation." Herb said bitterly.
Saffron decided not to argue the point. It was moot, anyway. Ranma had trained so intensively he was beyond anything Herb could hope to fight. "How's Taro doing?" Saffron asked in return, trying to change the subject. Herb was always difficult to talk to whenever Ranma was mentioned.
After the battle, and the week that took Ranma to heal from his injuries, Kima's husband went after Herb and publicly challenged him to a fight. What followed was a beating that would forever stand in the minds of everyone present. Herb, King of the Musk Dynasty, was beaten to a bloody pulp with ease.
Herb answered Saffron's question, and at the same time brought him back from his memories. "He's expecting his fourth son in two weeks."
"I take it Pa Fum must be very hard on him, then?" The Phoenix asked with a raised eyebrow.
"She's sent him to the kitchen every night for the past two months. I swear that woman eats as if she had a dragon in her womb." Herb said in amusement.
Both chuckled at the image of the tough Taro being ordered around by a pregnant Pa Fum, a woman years ago Taro swore he despised.
"I take it you're holding a ceremony for the fallen ones?" Saffron asked, already knowing the answer.
"Just as your people, Saffron. We honor those who lost their lives so that we could continue on." Herb said. "And it's about time I take my leave to care for the preparations, as I'm sure you have to yourself."
The Phoenix King nodded. "Give my regards to Taro and Pa Fum."
Herb only nodded before jumping off the edge and dropping down. "See you next year."
Saffron turned and walked into a long hall. So many things had changed, yet so many remained the same. As he passed several guards, who all saluted him reverently, he couldn't help but think he would see many more faces guarding those same posts.
The King was taken out of his thoughts as a silver-haired teenager turned around a corner. The winged girl was an almost exact replica of Ranma's female form, before he found the cure, except for the wings, the green eyes, and the fact that she was as tall as her mother. She smiled upon seeing him and bowed deeply. "Lord Saffron, Captain Silgad asked me to inform you that the preparations are almost ready."
"Thank you, Karmine. Please take your father out of the training hall. He'll listen to you more than he would listen to me." Saffron said with a smirk that only widened when he saw Karmine's nervous expression before leaving. She was probably nervous about Ranma making Saffron angry with his constant disrespect for the deity. *If only she knew.* Besides the fact that Saffron and Ranma were friends, in their own strange way, the Phoenix King wasn't sure about his chances in a fight against the human. The first time they fought Ranma got the better of Saffron. This time Saffron had his full power, yet Ranma had grown beyond anything thought possible, even though few were the ones to fully grasp the change.
Taking that thought out of his mind he entered the room they would be holding the ceremony in.
-----
The girl ran through the halls with the energy that youth bestowed on people. Older than a child, yet younger than an adult, Karmine swiftly made her way to the training hall. On her way she greeted several guards, who greeted her back with smiles on their faces. The older ones happy to see someone young and so full of energy, reward for all they fought for years ago. The younger ones happy to see their friend and, in some cases, possibly more.
"Father." She called out in a melodious voice as she entered the room that served to train the soldiers of the guard. Sure enough, her father was training in one of the corners of the room. He turned, stopped his kata and turned to her standing to his full height.
Only a bit taller than she was stood a strong looking man. He had long black hair tied back in a braid that reached to his waist. After the war Ranma resumed wearing his silk Chinese clothing, only instead of a red shirt he wore a gray, long-sleeved one that hung loosely over his frame. Blue-gray eyes met the girl's own green ones as he spoke. "What's the matter, girl?"
"Lord Saffron requests your presence for the ceremony." She said in as firm a tone as she could. This was an official request from her King, after all.
Ranma smirked. "So Saffy-chan sent you to get me." He said teasingly since he knew it would upset his daughter.
And upset her it did. "Father! How can you be so disrespectful to Lord Saffron?!" She all but yelled at him as she approached with menacing steps.
"You're no fun since you joined the guard." Ranma said with an infuriating smirk. Karmine only growled and launched herself at him with her fists at the ready.
It would be unfair to call what followed a fight. In fact the exchange consisted of Ranma avoiding three punches and two kicks, making demeaning comments about her skill, and trapping both her arms behind her back in a painful hold.
Karmine struggled to free herself but stopped when Ranma applied a little pressure, sending pain through her arms and effectively submitting her. "You've got a very long way to go before you manage to defeat me, girl." Ranma boasted before letting her go. "Tell Saffron I'll be there after I wash up." And with that he started walking out of the room.
Karmine rubbed her shoulders and turned to see her father's back with a smile. She couldn't help but feel proud of being his daughter. He always made sure to tell her she would someday become his better in the fighting arts, yet she doubted anyone could compare to his prowess in martial arts. That and the fact that he was a loving parent, if a little too obsessive in his training.
Shaking her head, and remembering she still had things to do, Ranma's daughter rushed out of the room to finish with the preparations.
-----
Ranma sighed as he entered the room and caught sight of the about to start ceremony. *Another year has gone by.* Wondering about the unrelenting passage of time he made his way to one corner of the room and watched as the ceremony was played out. Each and every member of the Phoenix had a part in it. The pigtailed man stood respectfully for the full two hours it took for the event to play out. Even if he didn't share these people's beliefs he knew it was important to them that things go on perfectly.
Tears were spilled and oaths made as the living paid their respects to the ones that passed on.
When things finally were said and done people started to leave the precinct to get on with their duties. Life goes on even when the ones you love are left behind.
Ranma nodded to Saffron as the King passed right by him, followed by the Nobles.
When the room was finally empty Ranma walked forward, silent as death, and stopped when he reached the place where Genma's and Nodoka's remains would forever rest. He clapped three times and knelt in front of the urns solemnly.
The now Saotome Patriarch had come to terms with the deaths of his parents long ago, yet the pain in this day would accompany him for the rest of his life. He lost so much that day. "Mom, you should see little Karmine." Ranma started conversationally. "The little girl you took care of when she was a baby turned out to be a beautiful woman. She's a proper lady when the need arises, yet such a carefree girl when she can relax. I just hope you could've been there for her. There are things she just won't talk about that I know you would've been able to get out of her, even if you had to threaten her with your katana." He finished with a smile.
He took out a broken katana from his sleeve and stared at it. "Your Art will live on, mother. There will be a new Hiko Seijuro in five years at the most. I hope this makes you rest better."
With that said he fell silent and simply stared at the urns holding the ashes of his parents. No more words were needed. Every year he would speak a few words to his mother, a woman that he barely knew yet loved a great deal. Those words were directed at the few things he knew about her, since he knew there was a lot more knowledge he would never have about the woman that gave him life.
Genma was an entirely different matter.
After the war was over Ranma stopped participating in the Guard. He decided to dedicate himself to the Art, both intensifying his training and teaching others to pass on his father's legacy.
It was his way of honoring Genma's death, giving the old man the heir he always wanted. A man dedicated to the Art.
He shook his head and stood up after a while. He bowed to the urns before turning on his heels and walking out of the room.
Upon his exit he was greeted with an embrace, which he returned in full. "Father..." Karmine started when he put on a brave front. She knew her father always hid his pain from others, even his own family. It was a part of what made him Saotome Ranma.
Ranma interrupted her placing two fingers on her lips. "No need, girl."
Karmine just pouted and let him go, letting a younger girl to take her place. Ranma rolled his eyes but either way returned the embrace. The gesture was sweet, but it became annoying after years of being repeated. After a few more protests from the man were ignored by the two girls he gave up and let them take a hold of his sides. Together they walked to a terrace, where a woman and a twelve-year-old boy waited for them.
Ranma smirked. "Will you let go of me?" He asked the girls holding his arms possessively. They did and he was finally free to greet the woman with a soft kiss on the lips.
Karmine smiled at the gesture of affection while the other two kids looked embarrassed.
When the kiss was broken Kima smiled at her husband as she held him close to her. "I take it our children are still trying to pamper you?"
Ranma rolled his eyes once again. "They got that from your side of the family. We were never into the mushy stuff."
"Father." Karmine protested. "Seriously, you are such a hard person to please." She said crossing her arms over her chest.
Ranma shook his head while Kima laughed. "Leave him alone, sis." The boy said from the side. He had a strong resemblance to Kima, yet his hair was black with some red strakes on the sides.
Karmine smirked and bent down to be on eye level with him. "And if I don't?"
The boy's eyes narrowed but before he could say a word Kima interrupted them. "Children." She chided, effectively stopping any confrontation that could take place.
Karmine turned to her mother with a hurt look on her face. "Mother, I'm not a child anymore."
"Then stop acting like one." Kima said seriously. "There's no need to pick on your brother." Karmine just hung her head, feeling humiliated at being chastised and knowing she deserved it.
"Seijuro!" Kima snapped when said boy started to snicker. "Stop looking for reasons to pick on your sister. You and I both know your father doesn't need you to defend him."
"But mom..."
Ranma stopped his rant with a gesture of his hand. "Do what your mother tells you, boy."
This shut the boy up instantly. Ranma wasn't lenient in training with him as he was with Karmine.
Kima looked at her children and her features softened. "Please try to get along at least for today. Go see your friends." She turned to her eldest daughter. "That goes for you too, Karmine. Take the day off."
"But mother..." The young woman protested.
Kima shook her head. "And make sure to prepare for our trip. We leave in one week."
Karmine opened her mouth to protest once more, but nothing came out. Kima's tone of voice carried a finality with it that left no room for questions. It was an order from her mother. She nodded before turning to leave.
Seijuro ran behind her to catch up. Even if she was annoying most of the time she was still his older sister and he looked up to her.
That left Ranma and Kima alone with their middle daughter. "Do we really need to go, mother? I know it is important for father, but to leave the mountain..." She said and hesitantly looked the valley and onto a world she didn't know.
Ranma placed his hand on his daughter's head affectionately. "No worries, Nodoka-chan. I'll be there to protect you if something happens."
Still unsure, but smiling with the reassurance from her father, Nodoka looked up at him. "I'll be ready, then. Nothing will happen with my daddy protecting us." With that said she rushed inside, leaving her parents to their privacy.
Kima smiled at her daughter's retreating form. "Can you believe it, love?"
Ranma placed his arms around his wife and tightened the hug. "What? That we have three great kids? They are what we fought for so many years ago." The pigtailed man said seriously. "They are the reward for all the sacrifices we made in the war."
"Sacrifices we would gladly make all over again." Kima stated as she rested her head on his shoulder.
The married couple remained like that for a long time since Ranma's training was mostly over for the day and Kima's obligations were suspended because of the ceremony.
Seventeen years had gone by since that fateful day.
From one of the windows on top of the terrace Saffron looked at the two people that saved the Phoenix. They fought the final battle against a foe he couldn't face and won, even against his own expectations.
He blinked a couple of times, remembering what happened that day.
*****
Saffron flew as fast as he could towards the Amazon village. He couldn't believe what happened. The power emanation from the village had started to weaken until it was no more. He knew Ranma and Kima had gone there, yet never would've he believed them to succeed.
As he caught sight of the village his eyes narrowed in search for any signs of life. He could feel nothing, but that was irrelevant with Kima and Ranma. They could hide their life force better than anyone he had ever met.
It wasn't difficult to spot his objective. All he had to do was follow the path of destruction. Even if nothing compared to the destruction in Phoenix Mountain, the collapsed walls and torn trees stood out too much not to be noticed.
As he approached he grimaced when he saw Saotome holding Kima close, a large puddle of blood beneath them and still growing. When Ranma turned to him, obviously having heard his approach, Saffron couldn't help but gasp. The black-haired man was a mess. His eyes were bloodshot and his entire face was one big bruise. Blood leaked from his broken nose and ears, speaking of severe head injury.
Ranma turned back to Kima, speaking incoherently to her. As Saffron landed he turned to the corpse of what once was a powerful demon god. How in the nine hells did Cologne manage to merge with such a being was beyond his comprehension. The demon made a mistake, though. When it merged with Cologne the matriarch managed to win the battle of wills, overwhelming the demon and taking control of both their essences. When Cologne died both were destroyed, since the matriarch was a mortal. Saffron could raise from the ashes of his own demise. The demon couldn't.
He was taken out of his thoughts by a thud behind him. Turning he could see Ranma had collapsed on top of Kima. He made haste to their side and started examining their wounds. What he found was alarming.
Kima was as pale as snow after having lost so much blood from a wound that should've killed her instantly. Instead she was slowly fading, the heat leaving her body just as the life was.
Ranma was in no better condition as he too was slowly but surely dying. His limbs would twitch every few seconds as blood now also flowed from his eyes.
The Phoenix King shook his head sadly. He would take them to Samando, but he didn't expect them to remain alive the entire trip.
*****
*But they did.* Saffron thought. *They survived their injuries and made a full recovery.* After that Ranma stopped actively participating in the Phoenix Guard, instead throwing himself into training both himself and others. Kima resumed her position in the Guard and gave birth to two other children.
When she was pregnant a second time Saffron was shocked. When news got out of her third child he fell off his throne. The Phoenix weren't a fertile race by nature, so a Phoenix woman having three children in a period of five years was incredible.
Saffron smiled. Karmine, Kima's eldest daughter, was as devoted to the Guard as her mother. At the tender age of eighteen she was a promising young woman that would surely achieve great things. Nodoka, the second born, wasn't a fighter. Something that amazed everyone thinking Ranma's children would all be martial artists. Ranma always gave his children the freedom to chose, and little Nodoka decided to pursue the path of healing. The girl was very patient and got Ranma's caring side. She would make a wonderful healer one day. As for Seijuro, the kid was to be the heir to the Hiten Mitsurugi Ryuu, something he looked forward to since he was seven. After five years of training under Kima, who used Nodoka's scrolls to instruct her son, he was so good with the katana that only a select few could defeat him. That included both his parents, Karmine and a few of the veterans of the war. He was beyond anyone of his age group in skill. The kid also seemed to have two personalities. One was the samurai, a young man that lived under a strict code of discipline. The other was playful and arrogant like his father.
Saffron looked down once again, at Ranma and Kima that were now sitting on the edge of the terrace leaning on each other. They would probably remain that way for the remainder of the day.
He shook his head and started walking to the throne room. Then entire family would leave for Japan in one week, the first time since the war. Ranma, even if he did his best to hide it, was looking forward to it. He wanted to see his friends after so long. Saffron really hoped the martial artist didn't find some tragedy had happened. Ranma was strong enough to survive nearly any disgrace, he was too stubborn to give up, but he didn't deserve to have another loss like the one of his parents.
In one week Ranma would return to Nerima, the warrior would travel once again.
END PART 1
Author's Notes: Here it is people, this breaks the cliffhanger and all the people that thought Kima was a goner can now rest easy. Now I will turn to working on my other fics, I've got an almost entire chapter for BGE ready, just need to work more on it. RTP is next in my list, after that I'll work on whatever feels right.
Hope you enjoyed the chapter.
"It does." Herb answered by the Phoenix King's side. "Can you believe it? It took only a couple of days to nearly destroy both our lands, yet it has taken this long to reconstruct them."
"War is a terrible thing. In all of my years I've seen many wars play out. Never has there been a winner to any of them." The Phoenix said sadly.
Saffron and Herb stood in one of the Phoenix people's terraces, as it had become a tradition to them in the anniversary of the Amazon defeat, and looked down at what once was a battlefield where their people fought each other.
"How are your people doing?" Saffron asked. It was meaningless to ask, since he already knew the answer, but it was also part of the tradition these two leaders had accepted.
Herb chuckled. "The new generation has no problems with the females in the Citadel. The older ones still act like idiots." Both laughed at that. Since the few Amazon women that managed to survive had accepted Herb's hospitality the Musk had stopped their practices regarding getting brides. In fact the female population in the Musk Citadel had grown. They had learned from the mistakes made by the Amazons regarding the sexes. Had the Amazons allowed their males to combat as well the war would've had a different outcome. That and the fact that the only remaining healer in the Citadel after the war was a woman. Many of the injured warriors had to accept a woman's capacity to take over an important task.
They sobered after a while and it was then Herb's turn to ask. "How are your people doing?"
"The reparations are finally over. It was particularly difficult rebuilding the tunnels, but we eventually managed to finish the job." Saffron answered. "Now that we have our ancestral home back many feel that we can finally rest."
Sensing Saffron wasn't telling him everything, Herb asked. "I take it some don't feel like that?"
The Phoenix sighed. "There are some that continue to live as if we were still at war. They believe we have to be ready."
"An intelligent outlook on life, as long as they know the difference between being ready and simply wearing themselves out." The Musk King observed. "Both our races are warrior ones. Even in times of peace we prepare for war." After he said that both shared a long silence, watching towards the horizon as the sun rose and chased away the darkness. "How fairs Saotome?" Herb asked after a good twenty minutes.
The Phoenix King turned to look at Herb, who had a frown on his features. "I take it you still haven't forgiven him." Saffron stated. "It's been seventeen years, Herb. Surely even one as prideful as you would let time wash away the offense."
Herb snorted as he turned back to the horizon. "I shall never forgive the humiliation of being beaten to within an inch of my life in front of my people. Specially a second time. I don't care how he felt after losing his close ones."
Saffron shook his head. "Saotome's as strong as ever. After the battle against Cologne he's become obsessive over his training." He shot Herb a sideways glance. "I don't know why you keep asking. I've told you the exact same thing year after year."
"Mark my words, Saffron. Someday I will make Saotome pay for this humiliation." Herb said bitterly.
Saffron decided not to argue the point. It was moot, anyway. Ranma had trained so intensively he was beyond anything Herb could hope to fight. "How's Taro doing?" Saffron asked in return, trying to change the subject. Herb was always difficult to talk to whenever Ranma was mentioned.
After the battle, and the week that took Ranma to heal from his injuries, Kima's husband went after Herb and publicly challenged him to a fight. What followed was a beating that would forever stand in the minds of everyone present. Herb, King of the Musk Dynasty, was beaten to a bloody pulp with ease.
Herb answered Saffron's question, and at the same time brought him back from his memories. "He's expecting his fourth son in two weeks."
"I take it Pa Fum must be very hard on him, then?" The Phoenix asked with a raised eyebrow.
"She's sent him to the kitchen every night for the past two months. I swear that woman eats as if she had a dragon in her womb." Herb said in amusement.
Both chuckled at the image of the tough Taro being ordered around by a pregnant Pa Fum, a woman years ago Taro swore he despised.
"I take it you're holding a ceremony for the fallen ones?" Saffron asked, already knowing the answer.
"Just as your people, Saffron. We honor those who lost their lives so that we could continue on." Herb said. "And it's about time I take my leave to care for the preparations, as I'm sure you have to yourself."
The Phoenix King nodded. "Give my regards to Taro and Pa Fum."
Herb only nodded before jumping off the edge and dropping down. "See you next year."
Saffron turned and walked into a long hall. So many things had changed, yet so many remained the same. As he passed several guards, who all saluted him reverently, he couldn't help but think he would see many more faces guarding those same posts.
The King was taken out of his thoughts as a silver-haired teenager turned around a corner. The winged girl was an almost exact replica of Ranma's female form, before he found the cure, except for the wings, the green eyes, and the fact that she was as tall as her mother. She smiled upon seeing him and bowed deeply. "Lord Saffron, Captain Silgad asked me to inform you that the preparations are almost ready."
"Thank you, Karmine. Please take your father out of the training hall. He'll listen to you more than he would listen to me." Saffron said with a smirk that only widened when he saw Karmine's nervous expression before leaving. She was probably nervous about Ranma making Saffron angry with his constant disrespect for the deity. *If only she knew.* Besides the fact that Saffron and Ranma were friends, in their own strange way, the Phoenix King wasn't sure about his chances in a fight against the human. The first time they fought Ranma got the better of Saffron. This time Saffron had his full power, yet Ranma had grown beyond anything thought possible, even though few were the ones to fully grasp the change.
Taking that thought out of his mind he entered the room they would be holding the ceremony in.
-----
The girl ran through the halls with the energy that youth bestowed on people. Older than a child, yet younger than an adult, Karmine swiftly made her way to the training hall. On her way she greeted several guards, who greeted her back with smiles on their faces. The older ones happy to see someone young and so full of energy, reward for all they fought for years ago. The younger ones happy to see their friend and, in some cases, possibly more.
"Father." She called out in a melodious voice as she entered the room that served to train the soldiers of the guard. Sure enough, her father was training in one of the corners of the room. He turned, stopped his kata and turned to her standing to his full height.
Only a bit taller than she was stood a strong looking man. He had long black hair tied back in a braid that reached to his waist. After the war Ranma resumed wearing his silk Chinese clothing, only instead of a red shirt he wore a gray, long-sleeved one that hung loosely over his frame. Blue-gray eyes met the girl's own green ones as he spoke. "What's the matter, girl?"
"Lord Saffron requests your presence for the ceremony." She said in as firm a tone as she could. This was an official request from her King, after all.
Ranma smirked. "So Saffy-chan sent you to get me." He said teasingly since he knew it would upset his daughter.
And upset her it did. "Father! How can you be so disrespectful to Lord Saffron?!" She all but yelled at him as she approached with menacing steps.
"You're no fun since you joined the guard." Ranma said with an infuriating smirk. Karmine only growled and launched herself at him with her fists at the ready.
It would be unfair to call what followed a fight. In fact the exchange consisted of Ranma avoiding three punches and two kicks, making demeaning comments about her skill, and trapping both her arms behind her back in a painful hold.
Karmine struggled to free herself but stopped when Ranma applied a little pressure, sending pain through her arms and effectively submitting her. "You've got a very long way to go before you manage to defeat me, girl." Ranma boasted before letting her go. "Tell Saffron I'll be there after I wash up." And with that he started walking out of the room.
Karmine rubbed her shoulders and turned to see her father's back with a smile. She couldn't help but feel proud of being his daughter. He always made sure to tell her she would someday become his better in the fighting arts, yet she doubted anyone could compare to his prowess in martial arts. That and the fact that he was a loving parent, if a little too obsessive in his training.
Shaking her head, and remembering she still had things to do, Ranma's daughter rushed out of the room to finish with the preparations.
-----
Ranma sighed as he entered the room and caught sight of the about to start ceremony. *Another year has gone by.* Wondering about the unrelenting passage of time he made his way to one corner of the room and watched as the ceremony was played out. Each and every member of the Phoenix had a part in it. The pigtailed man stood respectfully for the full two hours it took for the event to play out. Even if he didn't share these people's beliefs he knew it was important to them that things go on perfectly.
Tears were spilled and oaths made as the living paid their respects to the ones that passed on.
When things finally were said and done people started to leave the precinct to get on with their duties. Life goes on even when the ones you love are left behind.
Ranma nodded to Saffron as the King passed right by him, followed by the Nobles.
When the room was finally empty Ranma walked forward, silent as death, and stopped when he reached the place where Genma's and Nodoka's remains would forever rest. He clapped three times and knelt in front of the urns solemnly.
The now Saotome Patriarch had come to terms with the deaths of his parents long ago, yet the pain in this day would accompany him for the rest of his life. He lost so much that day. "Mom, you should see little Karmine." Ranma started conversationally. "The little girl you took care of when she was a baby turned out to be a beautiful woman. She's a proper lady when the need arises, yet such a carefree girl when she can relax. I just hope you could've been there for her. There are things she just won't talk about that I know you would've been able to get out of her, even if you had to threaten her with your katana." He finished with a smile.
He took out a broken katana from his sleeve and stared at it. "Your Art will live on, mother. There will be a new Hiko Seijuro in five years at the most. I hope this makes you rest better."
With that said he fell silent and simply stared at the urns holding the ashes of his parents. No more words were needed. Every year he would speak a few words to his mother, a woman that he barely knew yet loved a great deal. Those words were directed at the few things he knew about her, since he knew there was a lot more knowledge he would never have about the woman that gave him life.
Genma was an entirely different matter.
After the war was over Ranma stopped participating in the Guard. He decided to dedicate himself to the Art, both intensifying his training and teaching others to pass on his father's legacy.
It was his way of honoring Genma's death, giving the old man the heir he always wanted. A man dedicated to the Art.
He shook his head and stood up after a while. He bowed to the urns before turning on his heels and walking out of the room.
Upon his exit he was greeted with an embrace, which he returned in full. "Father..." Karmine started when he put on a brave front. She knew her father always hid his pain from others, even his own family. It was a part of what made him Saotome Ranma.
Ranma interrupted her placing two fingers on her lips. "No need, girl."
Karmine just pouted and let him go, letting a younger girl to take her place. Ranma rolled his eyes but either way returned the embrace. The gesture was sweet, but it became annoying after years of being repeated. After a few more protests from the man were ignored by the two girls he gave up and let them take a hold of his sides. Together they walked to a terrace, where a woman and a twelve-year-old boy waited for them.
Ranma smirked. "Will you let go of me?" He asked the girls holding his arms possessively. They did and he was finally free to greet the woman with a soft kiss on the lips.
Karmine smiled at the gesture of affection while the other two kids looked embarrassed.
When the kiss was broken Kima smiled at her husband as she held him close to her. "I take it our children are still trying to pamper you?"
Ranma rolled his eyes once again. "They got that from your side of the family. We were never into the mushy stuff."
"Father." Karmine protested. "Seriously, you are such a hard person to please." She said crossing her arms over her chest.
Ranma shook his head while Kima laughed. "Leave him alone, sis." The boy said from the side. He had a strong resemblance to Kima, yet his hair was black with some red strakes on the sides.
Karmine smirked and bent down to be on eye level with him. "And if I don't?"
The boy's eyes narrowed but before he could say a word Kima interrupted them. "Children." She chided, effectively stopping any confrontation that could take place.
Karmine turned to her mother with a hurt look on her face. "Mother, I'm not a child anymore."
"Then stop acting like one." Kima said seriously. "There's no need to pick on your brother." Karmine just hung her head, feeling humiliated at being chastised and knowing she deserved it.
"Seijuro!" Kima snapped when said boy started to snicker. "Stop looking for reasons to pick on your sister. You and I both know your father doesn't need you to defend him."
"But mom..."
Ranma stopped his rant with a gesture of his hand. "Do what your mother tells you, boy."
This shut the boy up instantly. Ranma wasn't lenient in training with him as he was with Karmine.
Kima looked at her children and her features softened. "Please try to get along at least for today. Go see your friends." She turned to her eldest daughter. "That goes for you too, Karmine. Take the day off."
"But mother..." The young woman protested.
Kima shook her head. "And make sure to prepare for our trip. We leave in one week."
Karmine opened her mouth to protest once more, but nothing came out. Kima's tone of voice carried a finality with it that left no room for questions. It was an order from her mother. She nodded before turning to leave.
Seijuro ran behind her to catch up. Even if she was annoying most of the time she was still his older sister and he looked up to her.
That left Ranma and Kima alone with their middle daughter. "Do we really need to go, mother? I know it is important for father, but to leave the mountain..." She said and hesitantly looked the valley and onto a world she didn't know.
Ranma placed his hand on his daughter's head affectionately. "No worries, Nodoka-chan. I'll be there to protect you if something happens."
Still unsure, but smiling with the reassurance from her father, Nodoka looked up at him. "I'll be ready, then. Nothing will happen with my daddy protecting us." With that said she rushed inside, leaving her parents to their privacy.
Kima smiled at her daughter's retreating form. "Can you believe it, love?"
Ranma placed his arms around his wife and tightened the hug. "What? That we have three great kids? They are what we fought for so many years ago." The pigtailed man said seriously. "They are the reward for all the sacrifices we made in the war."
"Sacrifices we would gladly make all over again." Kima stated as she rested her head on his shoulder.
The married couple remained like that for a long time since Ranma's training was mostly over for the day and Kima's obligations were suspended because of the ceremony.
Seventeen years had gone by since that fateful day.
From one of the windows on top of the terrace Saffron looked at the two people that saved the Phoenix. They fought the final battle against a foe he couldn't face and won, even against his own expectations.
He blinked a couple of times, remembering what happened that day.
*****
Saffron flew as fast as he could towards the Amazon village. He couldn't believe what happened. The power emanation from the village had started to weaken until it was no more. He knew Ranma and Kima had gone there, yet never would've he believed them to succeed.
As he caught sight of the village his eyes narrowed in search for any signs of life. He could feel nothing, but that was irrelevant with Kima and Ranma. They could hide their life force better than anyone he had ever met.
It wasn't difficult to spot his objective. All he had to do was follow the path of destruction. Even if nothing compared to the destruction in Phoenix Mountain, the collapsed walls and torn trees stood out too much not to be noticed.
As he approached he grimaced when he saw Saotome holding Kima close, a large puddle of blood beneath them and still growing. When Ranma turned to him, obviously having heard his approach, Saffron couldn't help but gasp. The black-haired man was a mess. His eyes were bloodshot and his entire face was one big bruise. Blood leaked from his broken nose and ears, speaking of severe head injury.
Ranma turned back to Kima, speaking incoherently to her. As Saffron landed he turned to the corpse of what once was a powerful demon god. How in the nine hells did Cologne manage to merge with such a being was beyond his comprehension. The demon made a mistake, though. When it merged with Cologne the matriarch managed to win the battle of wills, overwhelming the demon and taking control of both their essences. When Cologne died both were destroyed, since the matriarch was a mortal. Saffron could raise from the ashes of his own demise. The demon couldn't.
He was taken out of his thoughts by a thud behind him. Turning he could see Ranma had collapsed on top of Kima. He made haste to their side and started examining their wounds. What he found was alarming.
Kima was as pale as snow after having lost so much blood from a wound that should've killed her instantly. Instead she was slowly fading, the heat leaving her body just as the life was.
Ranma was in no better condition as he too was slowly but surely dying. His limbs would twitch every few seconds as blood now also flowed from his eyes.
The Phoenix King shook his head sadly. He would take them to Samando, but he didn't expect them to remain alive the entire trip.
*****
*But they did.* Saffron thought. *They survived their injuries and made a full recovery.* After that Ranma stopped actively participating in the Phoenix Guard, instead throwing himself into training both himself and others. Kima resumed her position in the Guard and gave birth to two other children.
When she was pregnant a second time Saffron was shocked. When news got out of her third child he fell off his throne. The Phoenix weren't a fertile race by nature, so a Phoenix woman having three children in a period of five years was incredible.
Saffron smiled. Karmine, Kima's eldest daughter, was as devoted to the Guard as her mother. At the tender age of eighteen she was a promising young woman that would surely achieve great things. Nodoka, the second born, wasn't a fighter. Something that amazed everyone thinking Ranma's children would all be martial artists. Ranma always gave his children the freedom to chose, and little Nodoka decided to pursue the path of healing. The girl was very patient and got Ranma's caring side. She would make a wonderful healer one day. As for Seijuro, the kid was to be the heir to the Hiten Mitsurugi Ryuu, something he looked forward to since he was seven. After five years of training under Kima, who used Nodoka's scrolls to instruct her son, he was so good with the katana that only a select few could defeat him. That included both his parents, Karmine and a few of the veterans of the war. He was beyond anyone of his age group in skill. The kid also seemed to have two personalities. One was the samurai, a young man that lived under a strict code of discipline. The other was playful and arrogant like his father.
Saffron looked down once again, at Ranma and Kima that were now sitting on the edge of the terrace leaning on each other. They would probably remain that way for the remainder of the day.
He shook his head and started walking to the throne room. Then entire family would leave for Japan in one week, the first time since the war. Ranma, even if he did his best to hide it, was looking forward to it. He wanted to see his friends after so long. Saffron really hoped the martial artist didn't find some tragedy had happened. Ranma was strong enough to survive nearly any disgrace, he was too stubborn to give up, but he didn't deserve to have another loss like the one of his parents.
In one week Ranma would return to Nerima, the warrior would travel once again.
END PART 1
Author's Notes: Here it is people, this breaks the cliffhanger and all the people that thought Kima was a goner can now rest easy. Now I will turn to working on my other fics, I've got an almost entire chapter for BGE ready, just need to work more on it. RTP is next in my list, after that I'll work on whatever feels right.
Hope you enjoyed the chapter.
