Chapter 1 - The Last Saotome
It was raining.
The sky was dark with clouds, and it was pouring down despite it being noon. Most Nerimites knew to stay indoors. Nothing good generally happened when the weather was bad in Nerima.
The few people who were out on the streets were there because they had to be, their jobs and the like. Still, even they stopped to gawk at the pair. Well, after scrambling out of the way, in any event.
The first of the pair was an overly large chubby figure on four legs with a black and white fur covering. A panda. While some knew it to be Genma Saotome, it was still a sight to see. A panda hadn't walked the streets of Nerima with such impunity in two years.
The second of the two made them look nervously at each other and fear for their homes. Not for their lives, people outside the combatants were rarely injured, but the buildings were another story.
He moved with the flowing grace of a trained warrior. The people of Nerima knew that grace because it was a matter of survival. Too many people could be hurt if one of them got angry - best to avoid them until you figured out just what their temperament was.
He moved easily, and seemingly without care, but with the peculiar awareness of someone who was used to being attacked regularly. Smart move. This was Nerima after all. The man himself was somewhat short at five foot three inches, but lean without looking emaciated, and the cross shaped scar on his cheek marked him as a man who had seen combat, not just training. He had a long mane of fire red hair, tied back, leaving a bit hanging down around to frame his face. It was still difficult to see his face, however, with both the weather and his straw hat interfering.
What could easily be seen, however, was the bokken slung in the belt of his robes. And that was what really kept people out of the way. People wielding bokken in Nerima tended to have wide ranges of mental deficiencies.
The two continued down their path, the panda leading the young man, and the Nerimians were simply thankful that nothing had happened… yet.
The rain also poured down on another scene.
A young woman sat leaning against a tree, talking seemingly to herself, until you took the time to realize that she was speaking to a gravestone.
"Ranma… your brother's coming. I know… I know father said you never knew him, but… I just feel like that soon enough our fathers will be back to their old tricks, you know?"
She sighed, and smiled a little, but it wasn't a happy smile. "They're bringing him in to replace you. They really are. They want me or Nabiki to marry him for honor… and I don't want to do that."
"I don't think you and I were ready for marriage back then. But I think, that with a little more time, we would have been. Assuming you got the courage to ask."
Her smile flashed genuine for a moment as she imagined what his reply to that would be. "Sorry Ranma, but no. We're all afraid of something. And you and I were afraid of our own emotions. I'm surprised you could throw a ki blast at all, but I guess if there was one emotion you had in abundance it was pride.
"I find myself wondering these days. Wondering if it's all worth it. Honor, I mean. Is it worth dictating our lives over? I'm not sure. But father… both of our fathers will insist - not to mention Auntie.
"I guess I should have known something was up when daddy began training me again. But I was too angry about your death to even think straight then. And once I… accepted… it, it was routine, you know? I didn't question it.
"I wonder if even Nabiki thought something was off. I think I've mentioned it before, but she took your death almost as hard as I did. She's… different now. She's still conning people out of their money to keep us afloat, though we're doing better without the constant damage, but she's I'm not sure… a bit more open now. I think your death shocked her a bit. Life's too short and all that.
Akane stood then, and stretched, shaking her head to clear some of the water from her hair. She'd grown it out again, but it was caught in a pigtail, the braid carrying down to her waist. "That's all my news for now, Ranma. I'll be back again soon."
She grabbed her umbrella turned to go, but stopped and smiled a little at the familiar figure approaching, carrying a box. "Hello Ukyo."
The brunette smiled back, subdued due to the surroundings. "Hey Akane. Givin' Ranchan the news?"
The first girl nodded, and Ukyo grinned. "Just so you know, Ranchan, I'm not going after this one. My contract was with you. And it's staying that way." She knelt at the grave and opened her box, removing an Okinomiyaki from it, placing it on the stone. The sauce had I Love Ranchan written on it. "One Ranchan special, just how you always liked it, right? I'll come back and give you my news another time. I need to give Akane some moral support. You understand."
Akane smiled. "You're coming back with me?"
Ukyo looked faintly shocked. "Of course. I can't let you face down all of the others by yourself. Especially when they're bringing in the new guy."
"I guess."
Ukyo sighed. "I'm sure he'll be a nice guy Akane. If Ranma could be one with Genma, then one without him might actually be considerate."
Akane giggled. "Thanks Ukyo, I needed that."
Ukyo grinned. "That's what friends are for. Now come on. Let's get you back home before your dad does something outrageous. Well, more outrageous."
Tatewaki Kuno stood silently in his home, wondering about what was to come. Sasuke had reported faithfully, as always, that his most beautiful tigress, Akane Tendo, was engaged again!
With his death, the foul sorcerer Saotome had robbed the world of his pig-tailed goddess, but the beauteous Akane had managed to escape his grasp, and she had, as he expected, come running back into his arms - even if she was still as shy about expressing her love as ever. He shook his head fondly. Perhaps it is good that some things do not change. And he thought again of the travesty that would come to pass soon. And perhaps in some things it is not.
For a new Saotome, doubtless an honorless dog like his brother had been, was coming to Nerima.
But, Tatewaki would give him a chance to prove himself different, even if the odds were very small. After all, news of his approach had driven his sister into a rage, and he and his father had finally gotten her commited to a place that said she would be better. In a few years perhaps. The house hadn't been this quiet since. Good for him, good for his father, and quite surprisingly, good for Sasuke as well, who no longer seemed quite so constantly nervous.
Yes, Kuno decided, a chance he will get. But only one. And if does not measure up, then he will face the wrath of heaven, the might of the Blue Thunder of the Kuno Clan!
Cologne sat quietly.
She'd known of the other Saotome from almost the instant Genma had left two years ago, easily figuring out his purpose when he failed to reappear in the district for several weeks.
She now sat meditating, sensing the panda some time ago, and attempting to read the aura of the one he brought with him.
It was not often Cologne felt frustration.
But, alas, this was such a time. The boy's aura was not easily read. It spoke only of one thing, and spoke nothing of the boy's temperament. Water. That was the feeling she got from it. Placid, eternal calm. She was an Amazon elder, a matriarch, and she had a more active aura than this one.
Hold… wait a moment… There, just for a moment, she'd managed to plumb the depths of his aura, only to find steel waiting.
Encouraged, she waded in again, pushing against the tide, pushing aside the steel. After a few tries she got it, and gasped at what she saw.
Beneath the steel there was fire. Burning, with… hate? …passion? …both? She didn't know. But it was there, and it was burning.
Cologne pulled back and stood to her full height of two feet, stretching. She frowned quietly. There's more to this than a simple warrior, I'm sure of it. There was no way someone with an aura like that would not know someone had been prying, and with someone like this, it was hard to say what would happen.
Which would mean she'd need an investigator. Glancing out the window, her options of who to trust were narrowed rapidly. Well, if you want something done right, do it yourself.
Cologne told Shampoo and Mouse she was going out and to behave themselves while she was gone.
The panda would head for the Tendo household and dojo, and she intended to be there.
Akane, Ukyo and Nabiki sat at the table with their father, Kasumi and Mrs. Saotome in the kitchen, awaiting Genma, and… whoever it was. Nabiki decided to clarify that. "Father… just who is this new boy?"
Nabiki was a bit more honest with her feelings these days. Ironically, this made her better at manipulating people rather than the reverse, as she could use them to twist people to her will. But anger would still send her back into the 'ice queen' stage, and that was when people started getting nervous.
Soun sweated. "Now, now dear… if I'd never met Ranma, is it reasonable to expect that I know anything about this one?"
"I'm only looking for a name father."
Soun sweated and pulled at his collar. Akane, Ukyo and Nabiki were all furious, but only Akane was willing mouth off right there. "WHAT?! YOU'VE ENGAGED US TO SOMEONE, AND YOU DIDN'T EVEN BOTHER TO GET HIS NAME?!"
"Well-"
Soun was saved from his own contrived explanation of why he hadn't bothered to consult Mrs. Saotome for even that scrap of information by the doorbell. He leapt to his feet, running for the door. The girls were right behind him.
Cologne stood there on her staff, and they all slumped visibly. Soun spoke, if only to forestall his questioning, and probable execution. "Honored Elder, may I ask what brings you to our door?"
Cologne just grumped. "The last Saotome, Soun Tendo, as you should be able to guess. I wish to meet him."
"May I ask why?"
Even as he said this though, he stepped aside for her. It would not do for the Amazons to be angry with them. Cologne spoke as she entered. "Beastly weather. As yes. I wish to meet him to determine what sort of man he is."
"And whether you can bring him into your tribe?"
Soun glared at Akane, but Cologne only chuckled. "Would it make a difference if I denied it?" She calmed a bit here before proceeding. "While, yes, a bit of it is that, I simply wish to know his motivations. Trouble will come to him, even if it is simply because he is Genma's son, that is certain." Her eyes hardened. "I want to know how much his attitudes will escalate those problems."
They had no sooner gotten to the table when the doorbell rang again. "It's them," confirmed Cologne, and then they were off for the door again.
Opening the door, Nabiki gave a silent sigh of relief. At least it's a boy this time. Or, should I say obviously a boy.
Genma held up a sign. #Could I get some hot water, please?# Soun smiled and escorted them in. While Genma returned to human shape once more, the entire group of family and friends faced the two of them. From his sitting position, the red haired boy bowed low, head almost touching the table.
"This one is named Kenshin Saotome. This one apologizes for the intrusion."
Okay, this was fun. Don't expect updates to always be like this. I've had more time and inspiration than normal.
Next chapter should be fun. We're finally going to get to see Ryoga again, and he's not anywhere near the same man he was two years ago.
It was raining.
The sky was dark with clouds, and it was pouring down despite it being noon. Most Nerimites knew to stay indoors. Nothing good generally happened when the weather was bad in Nerima.
The few people who were out on the streets were there because they had to be, their jobs and the like. Still, even they stopped to gawk at the pair. Well, after scrambling out of the way, in any event.
The first of the pair was an overly large chubby figure on four legs with a black and white fur covering. A panda. While some knew it to be Genma Saotome, it was still a sight to see. A panda hadn't walked the streets of Nerima with such impunity in two years.
The second of the two made them look nervously at each other and fear for their homes. Not for their lives, people outside the combatants were rarely injured, but the buildings were another story.
He moved with the flowing grace of a trained warrior. The people of Nerima knew that grace because it was a matter of survival. Too many people could be hurt if one of them got angry - best to avoid them until you figured out just what their temperament was.
He moved easily, and seemingly without care, but with the peculiar awareness of someone who was used to being attacked regularly. Smart move. This was Nerima after all. The man himself was somewhat short at five foot three inches, but lean without looking emaciated, and the cross shaped scar on his cheek marked him as a man who had seen combat, not just training. He had a long mane of fire red hair, tied back, leaving a bit hanging down around to frame his face. It was still difficult to see his face, however, with both the weather and his straw hat interfering.
What could easily be seen, however, was the bokken slung in the belt of his robes. And that was what really kept people out of the way. People wielding bokken in Nerima tended to have wide ranges of mental deficiencies.
The two continued down their path, the panda leading the young man, and the Nerimians were simply thankful that nothing had happened… yet.
The rain also poured down on another scene.
A young woman sat leaning against a tree, talking seemingly to herself, until you took the time to realize that she was speaking to a gravestone.
"Ranma… your brother's coming. I know… I know father said you never knew him, but… I just feel like that soon enough our fathers will be back to their old tricks, you know?"
She sighed, and smiled a little, but it wasn't a happy smile. "They're bringing him in to replace you. They really are. They want me or Nabiki to marry him for honor… and I don't want to do that."
"I don't think you and I were ready for marriage back then. But I think, that with a little more time, we would have been. Assuming you got the courage to ask."
Her smile flashed genuine for a moment as she imagined what his reply to that would be. "Sorry Ranma, but no. We're all afraid of something. And you and I were afraid of our own emotions. I'm surprised you could throw a ki blast at all, but I guess if there was one emotion you had in abundance it was pride.
"I find myself wondering these days. Wondering if it's all worth it. Honor, I mean. Is it worth dictating our lives over? I'm not sure. But father… both of our fathers will insist - not to mention Auntie.
"I guess I should have known something was up when daddy began training me again. But I was too angry about your death to even think straight then. And once I… accepted… it, it was routine, you know? I didn't question it.
"I wonder if even Nabiki thought something was off. I think I've mentioned it before, but she took your death almost as hard as I did. She's… different now. She's still conning people out of their money to keep us afloat, though we're doing better without the constant damage, but she's I'm not sure… a bit more open now. I think your death shocked her a bit. Life's too short and all that.
Akane stood then, and stretched, shaking her head to clear some of the water from her hair. She'd grown it out again, but it was caught in a pigtail, the braid carrying down to her waist. "That's all my news for now, Ranma. I'll be back again soon."
She grabbed her umbrella turned to go, but stopped and smiled a little at the familiar figure approaching, carrying a box. "Hello Ukyo."
The brunette smiled back, subdued due to the surroundings. "Hey Akane. Givin' Ranchan the news?"
The first girl nodded, and Ukyo grinned. "Just so you know, Ranchan, I'm not going after this one. My contract was with you. And it's staying that way." She knelt at the grave and opened her box, removing an Okinomiyaki from it, placing it on the stone. The sauce had I Love Ranchan written on it. "One Ranchan special, just how you always liked it, right? I'll come back and give you my news another time. I need to give Akane some moral support. You understand."
Akane smiled. "You're coming back with me?"
Ukyo looked faintly shocked. "Of course. I can't let you face down all of the others by yourself. Especially when they're bringing in the new guy."
"I guess."
Ukyo sighed. "I'm sure he'll be a nice guy Akane. If Ranma could be one with Genma, then one without him might actually be considerate."
Akane giggled. "Thanks Ukyo, I needed that."
Ukyo grinned. "That's what friends are for. Now come on. Let's get you back home before your dad does something outrageous. Well, more outrageous."
Tatewaki Kuno stood silently in his home, wondering about what was to come. Sasuke had reported faithfully, as always, that his most beautiful tigress, Akane Tendo, was engaged again!
With his death, the foul sorcerer Saotome had robbed the world of his pig-tailed goddess, but the beauteous Akane had managed to escape his grasp, and she had, as he expected, come running back into his arms - even if she was still as shy about expressing her love as ever. He shook his head fondly. Perhaps it is good that some things do not change. And he thought again of the travesty that would come to pass soon. And perhaps in some things it is not.
For a new Saotome, doubtless an honorless dog like his brother had been, was coming to Nerima.
But, Tatewaki would give him a chance to prove himself different, even if the odds were very small. After all, news of his approach had driven his sister into a rage, and he and his father had finally gotten her commited to a place that said she would be better. In a few years perhaps. The house hadn't been this quiet since. Good for him, good for his father, and quite surprisingly, good for Sasuke as well, who no longer seemed quite so constantly nervous.
Yes, Kuno decided, a chance he will get. But only one. And if does not measure up, then he will face the wrath of heaven, the might of the Blue Thunder of the Kuno Clan!
Cologne sat quietly.
She'd known of the other Saotome from almost the instant Genma had left two years ago, easily figuring out his purpose when he failed to reappear in the district for several weeks.
She now sat meditating, sensing the panda some time ago, and attempting to read the aura of the one he brought with him.
It was not often Cologne felt frustration.
But, alas, this was such a time. The boy's aura was not easily read. It spoke only of one thing, and spoke nothing of the boy's temperament. Water. That was the feeling she got from it. Placid, eternal calm. She was an Amazon elder, a matriarch, and she had a more active aura than this one.
Hold… wait a moment… There, just for a moment, she'd managed to plumb the depths of his aura, only to find steel waiting.
Encouraged, she waded in again, pushing against the tide, pushing aside the steel. After a few tries she got it, and gasped at what she saw.
Beneath the steel there was fire. Burning, with… hate? …passion? …both? She didn't know. But it was there, and it was burning.
Cologne pulled back and stood to her full height of two feet, stretching. She frowned quietly. There's more to this than a simple warrior, I'm sure of it. There was no way someone with an aura like that would not know someone had been prying, and with someone like this, it was hard to say what would happen.
Which would mean she'd need an investigator. Glancing out the window, her options of who to trust were narrowed rapidly. Well, if you want something done right, do it yourself.
Cologne told Shampoo and Mouse she was going out and to behave themselves while she was gone.
The panda would head for the Tendo household and dojo, and she intended to be there.
Akane, Ukyo and Nabiki sat at the table with their father, Kasumi and Mrs. Saotome in the kitchen, awaiting Genma, and… whoever it was. Nabiki decided to clarify that. "Father… just who is this new boy?"
Nabiki was a bit more honest with her feelings these days. Ironically, this made her better at manipulating people rather than the reverse, as she could use them to twist people to her will. But anger would still send her back into the 'ice queen' stage, and that was when people started getting nervous.
Soun sweated. "Now, now dear… if I'd never met Ranma, is it reasonable to expect that I know anything about this one?"
"I'm only looking for a name father."
Soun sweated and pulled at his collar. Akane, Ukyo and Nabiki were all furious, but only Akane was willing mouth off right there. "WHAT?! YOU'VE ENGAGED US TO SOMEONE, AND YOU DIDN'T EVEN BOTHER TO GET HIS NAME?!"
"Well-"
Soun was saved from his own contrived explanation of why he hadn't bothered to consult Mrs. Saotome for even that scrap of information by the doorbell. He leapt to his feet, running for the door. The girls were right behind him.
Cologne stood there on her staff, and they all slumped visibly. Soun spoke, if only to forestall his questioning, and probable execution. "Honored Elder, may I ask what brings you to our door?"
Cologne just grumped. "The last Saotome, Soun Tendo, as you should be able to guess. I wish to meet him."
"May I ask why?"
Even as he said this though, he stepped aside for her. It would not do for the Amazons to be angry with them. Cologne spoke as she entered. "Beastly weather. As yes. I wish to meet him to determine what sort of man he is."
"And whether you can bring him into your tribe?"
Soun glared at Akane, but Cologne only chuckled. "Would it make a difference if I denied it?" She calmed a bit here before proceeding. "While, yes, a bit of it is that, I simply wish to know his motivations. Trouble will come to him, even if it is simply because he is Genma's son, that is certain." Her eyes hardened. "I want to know how much his attitudes will escalate those problems."
They had no sooner gotten to the table when the doorbell rang again. "It's them," confirmed Cologne, and then they were off for the door again.
Opening the door, Nabiki gave a silent sigh of relief. At least it's a boy this time. Or, should I say obviously a boy.
Genma held up a sign. #Could I get some hot water, please?# Soun smiled and escorted them in. While Genma returned to human shape once more, the entire group of family and friends faced the two of them. From his sitting position, the red haired boy bowed low, head almost touching the table.
"This one is named Kenshin Saotome. This one apologizes for the intrusion."
Okay, this was fun. Don't expect updates to always be like this. I've had more time and inspiration than normal.
Next chapter should be fun. We're finally going to get to see Ryoga again, and he's not anywhere near the same man he was two years ago.