Chapter 17

Journey's Beginning

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Nabiki walked beside Ranma, still unsure of how she fit into his life now. She had revealed the truth, revealed all that she was and is, and yet...still had no clue of what he thought.

True, he had held her as she cried, but she knew he would have done that anyway. That was the kind soul Ranma had always been; always wanting to comfort a crying woman.

Ranma, please don't leave me...not after all we've gone through.

Ranma, however, was still digesting what Nabiki had revealed to him. Man, this is...is...is way too much. I mean, she just told me everything that'll happen to me for the next few decades, my dreams suggest I drowned, and she is scared I'll leave her.

I mean, she as much as told me Pops has destroyed the family's honor, I have a mother who may want kill me because of my curse, a multitude of fiancées who expect me to honor Pop's agreements, as well as a psychotic demi-god I need to kill in a little over a year before he tries and destroys the world.

Ranma swore that when he returned to the dojo, he would head on a training trip to straighten things out, but Nabiki informed him he would have been doing that anyway with her. With the school closed while they repaired the damage Akane had caused, she wanted to teach him some more, saying it was to help prepare him for what was to come.

He had to agree. Nabiki had told him that his other self had barely been able to defeat this Saffron guy using a revised Hiryü Shöten Ha: the Hiryü Hyou-Toppa (Flying Dragon Ice Breakthrough), if she remembered the name correctly. Truth be told, he would be grateful if Nabiki could explain that to him. True, he had the principles down, and even had managed to beat Nabiki's speed in the Kachü Tenshin Amaguriken in his male form. But still, it would be nice if they could practice the Hiryü Shöten Ha and its variations he apparently had...would...come up with. "What exactly are we going to train in, again?"

Nabiki stayed leaning on his arm, glad that she had managed to grab her bag of clothes before they had left the clinic, as the gown wasn't exactly appropriate clothes for walking in Nerima. "We need to toughen you up a lot, especially if you want to take out the Golden Pair. I figured it would be a good idea to start with the Bakusai Tenketsu, since I ain't letting my worthless little sister hit you with her damn mallet this time around."

"The Breaking Point..." Ranma scratched the back of his head. "So, how exactly does it work?"

"Well, it's an Amazon technique, so you know it involves a lot of pain, right?" Seeing Ranma nod in agreement, she continued. "Your old self never did it, but Ryoga did. You knocked him through solid reinforced walls, and he would just stand right back up, saying it felt like a baby's tap. As far as I know, it doesn't affect your speed, and makes your body able to withstand massive hits. There is one major problem, though."

"Which is?"

Nabiki rubbed her arm across her chest. "I'll have to teach you a technique first to prepare your girl form for the training. It won't hurt as much as getting nailed in the groin while in guy form, but I hear it's a close second."

His eyes went wide. "You mean I have to practice it as a girl as well?"

"Yep." She straightened up as they were now within a block of the clinic. "Like I said, Ranma; you are stuck with a girl's body half the time and you need to know what it can do as well as your guy side."

"Um, Nabiki, about the stuff that can lock me..."

She smiled at him, glad to see he was still learning to think ahead. "I've got a Phoenix Pill already made, we just need to grab it when he head home to load up. After you take it, you'll never have to fear the Cat's Tongue pressure point."

"And the kettle?"

"We can go get that on the next holiday. Herb won't be getting here for another few months to start looking for it. And if we have it, we can trade it for a few Musk techniques. Trust me, his flight technique alone would be worth it, and I'm certain after you see it a few times, you'll be able to refine it so it doesn't waste so much ki."

"Where have you been, Nabiki?"

The turned forward to see Tofu, standing in front of his clinic with a broom in hand. "You know, I tend to worry about severely injured patients who get up and walk away in the middle of the night."

"Sorry, Dr. Tofu." Nabiki wanted to keep Ranma as quiet for as long as possible. She doubted her disclosure of one future would change his foot-in-mouth disease. "I know a ki healing technique, but I needed to be surrounded by nature to use it. I apologize if I worried you."

Tofu released a breath he hadn't known he was holding. He had been worried when the girl was missing, but he knew since Ranma was gone, the girl would be protected. "Well, let me look you over before you head home. Perhaps we could even discuss this technique when you have some time."

She let out a quick smile. "I would love to. Unfortunately, it is for internal use. But between you and Ranma, I'm certain you guys could find some way to employ it outwardly."

Shampoo put away the fourth scroll she had read so far, before opening the fifth. She was able to read Japanese better than speak it, and since a portion of the scrolls were always in Mandarin, she was breezing through them. The Doctor had been kind enough to have her go over all he had, sharing all his knowledge in healing, even before Shampoo had promised to share with him all the healing techniques of her tribe.

These techniques are so...so... I don't know what to say.

Few people in the village knew the truth. Shampoo did love being a warrior, but she wasn't nearly foolish enough to confine herself to that role. Only an idiot would do such.

In the dojo and still asleep, a panda sneezed.

But she also knew that warriors had to find ways to deal with peace. Her great grandmother had chosen magic.

For Shampoo, it was healing.

She was looking at the scrolls like they were gold. Some were alternative methods and somewhat behind what her tribe knew. While others...they were so far beyond even what the tribe had considered. Great grandmother will be so proud of me. These scrolls...so...good.

Hearing voices, she turned to look down the hallway, to see the nice doctor talking to the male form of Ranma and...Nabiki! Aiyah, how is she able to be standing after what happened?

Maybe there were some techniques that weren't in these scrolls.

She walked towards them, catching their conversation.

"Well, if you think it'll help."

"I'm sure it will, Dr. Tofu." Nabiki turned towards Shampoo, before bowing and switching to Mandarin. "Xian Pu, this one would be honored if you would assist me and my beloved in our training of the Bakusai Tenketsu. This one knows you have been through it, and this one would believe it would be a better success if you assisted us."

Shampoo shook away her shock. "You wish this one's help?"

"Yes. This one fears that she has faltered too much, and believes that both she and her beloved would be made better through the training. You may say no, and fear no loss of face. This one simply wishes to have a prepared person on hand so that she does not make a mistake in the training." Nabiki smirked a little. "Plus, we need to prepare my beloved for the training in his other form. It will be...fun."

Shampoo smiled at the inside joke, knowing how often it took the female warriors of her village to understand how to keep the smashing boulder from...flattening certain body parts. She turned to Tofu. "Is okay Shampoo go with them. She get to practice techniques nice man show her."

She smiled as the doctor agreed; informing her he was sending several scrolls with her to help.

Before the trio left, with a now sad Shampoo that she was leaving a warm bed and shower, Tofu called out to them. "Nabiki, do you want to say goodbye to Akane?"

Nabiki stiffened up. She slowly turned around, no emotion on her face. "Tell her that she had better remember this was her last chance."

With that, the trio left.

Tofu sighed before returning to sweeping. Akane would awaken in a few hours, and he would try and get some more information from her.

Somehow, he just knew another powder keg was lit. He just didn't know whom it would explode on.

"Hey, Ranma, wait up!"

The trio turned to see Ryoga running up to them smiling, while a second figure followed him.

Nabiki shook her head. Damn it, who knew a changed Ryoga would find Ukyo and bring her here. "Ryoga, who's your friend?"

Ryoga caught up, smiling at the fact he was able to actually chase after Ranma and not get lost. "Oh, this is Ukyo. I think your dad pissed him off, Ranma."

Ranma stared at his former friend, knowing the reason that she was here for. "Sorry, Ucchan, but whatever my Pops did to you, you need to beat his ass."

Ukyo began to reach for her Battle Spatula. "So, you aren't taking any responsibility for what happened to me?"

Ryoga grabbed her hand stopping her from drawing it. "Hey, buddy, you gave me your word of honor you would discuss this civilly, and not like some jackass like I once was. Doesn't your word mean anything?"

Both Ranma and Nabiki were shocked at this. From what Nabiki had said, Ranma have expected Ryoga to join in the fun. Man, he at least changed.

Nabiki decided to let things out. "Ryoga, I know why they're angry. Would you like to know?"

"Uh, sure. Ukyo here wouldn't tell me a damn thing. But I figured whatever it was, was probably like my problem: all Genma's fault and none of Ranma's."

"Shampoo want to know, too."

"Well, what we have here is a case of worthless fathers fostering their responsibilities on their children."

Ukyo turned towards Nabiki. "Hey, my dad ain't done anything wrong!"

Nabiki smirked, showing her infamous Ice Queen grin. "Really, Ms Kuonji, I know more about things than you do." She decided to ignore Ryoga's gasp at the idea that Ukyo was really a girl finally hitting him. "Your father and Ranma's made an agreement for you to join them. But Genma ditched you, telling Ranma you were waving goodbye. Hell, he made certain Ranma believed you were a boy.

"And of course, when your father realized his trust in Genma was misplaced—like he had no knowledge of Genma's other arrangements—he decided to make you pay. Does that sound right for starters?"

Ukyo growled at her. "And just who are you?"

Nabiki bowed. "I am Nabiki Tendo, heir to the Tendo School of Anything Goes Martial Arts, and Fiancée Number One for the hand of Ranma Saotome. I believe you are Fiancée Number Seven, if my research is correct."

By this time, Ryoga had backed up towards Ranma, remembering that one should never stand too close to girls who might get into a fight. They had no problems with going for the painful places, no matter who was in the way. "Hey, Ranma?"

"Yeah, Ryoga?" Ranma, likewise, was doing the same thing.

"I take it your dad's a dead man, huh?"

"Worse, man, I found out he made a promise to my mom that could get me killed."

"Man...and I thought I'd seen hell. You're living in it."

"By the way, Ryoga, remind me to talk to you about the Jusenkyo curses me and Pops have. You'll have another reason to beat his ass."

Ryoga smirked. "He's the panda, isn't he?"

Ranma looked at him with a little shock, but Ryoga waved it off. "With the way my month's been going, I figured it would fit. Plus, it's amazing how clearly you can see things when your head's not in your ass. So, I take it we'll be looking for a cure?"

"Ain't a cure for Jusenkyo, the curses mix."

"You certain?" Ryoga was near frantic. There had to be a cure.

"Yep, Nabiki did some research."

"Damn." Ryoga could feel his depression trying to take over again.

"But I could look for some Nanniichuan for you. A pig-man would be better than a little pet pig."

Ryoga shook his head, a little saddened that his curse might be stuck forever, but Ranma's offer lifted his spirits. "Thanks, I'd like that. When do we get to have our match, by the way?"

"Well, we were headed for some training, wanna come?"

"Sure, just help me keep from getting lost."

Shampoo was still watching the girls, wondering why they were fighting over a male. Mu Tze must have really wrecked my ability to judge males. I wonder why those two are arguing over him?

In another universe, a bubbly Amazon sneezed as she was looking for her Airen to give him "too too delicious ramen".

"So, you expect me to believe Ranma is innocent in this?"

Nabiki shook her head. "You'll believe whatever you want, Ukyo. But you know just as well as I do that your father should be the one seeking revenge. Hell, Genma would blame Ranma to save his own furry ass, and would place some of the blame on your own father by saying he had already engaged Ranma. Remind you—if true—that means your father expected Genma to break one honorable agreement, and thus destroy the Saotome family honor, to make an honor agreement with him."

Ukyo started scratching her head. "Well—"

"Also," Nabiki decided to press her advantage. It was her style: confuse the opponent with the truth and a mixture of their own twisted logic to see things your way. "If Genma sold Ranma multiple times, how much would you like to bet he also sold a daughter's engagement as well?"

Both Ranma and Ukyo paled.

"Listen, I can try and solve this thing so you have your honor back, and maybe even be able to register as female again. But I need some time to make certain we're prepared for any of Genma's screw-ups."

"And I should trust you why?"

Nabiki's smile took on a more pleasant appearance. "Because Ranma will always think of you as his friend, thus you are my friend. And like Ranma, I always help out friends."

Nabiki turned towards Ranma, before darting back to face Ukyo. "For starters, you can join us on a small training voyage. We need to stop at my home first to get our supplies. Since you're already packed, I guess you'll just have to settle for pounding Genma while you wait. It won't be a complete victory, but it's a start."

Ukyo simply sighed, before standing up straight. "Fine, I'll pound the jackass, but I reserve the right to fight Ranma for some peace as well."

As they started off, Shampoo walked beside Nabiki, switching to Mandarin. "This one would like to know why you teach a possible enemy?"

"Because, a possible enemy is also a possible ally. Besides, that one's problem is the same as that of my beloved: a father fostering off their duty and responsibility."

Shampoo thought that over. "And if that one still wants your beloved?"

Nabiki looked away from her, trying to regain control over her emotions. She didn't want to lose him, but... "This one will not force her claim to him. He must decide of his own free will to give this one his heart, otherwise such a marriage is worthless." She turned back towards Shampoo. "That is why the marriage laws of your tribe are null here. Blood is not always the best indication of potential. You have seen how my beloved's father acted at your tournament. Does my beloved strike you as that sort of person? Did his panda of a father offer to fight you instead?"

"No, he did not."

"Xian Pu, we often use traditions to make our way, but we cannot forget that even traditions at one time replaced a tradition before them. If we fail to grow, we die. We must make certain that we are in control over our destiny, and no relying on traditions to decide it."

Thus, the five made their way to the dojo. One was thinking about the wise words Nabiki had told her, one was thinking about extracting some revenge on a fat martial artist, one was thinking of dealing with something he would always be stuck with, one was thinking of how much his future might still be haunting him, and one was hoping that she could make everything right and still win the heart of the one she loved.

As Tofu left her in the room, Akane once again returned to staring at the ceiling, the same as she had done since she had awoken.

It...it didn't happen. N...Nabiki didn't defeat me. She must have cheated, but how?

Akane had been racking her brain, trying to figure it out. The little voice that had argued with her before about Ranma had returned, louder than ever.

Face it, princess, she kicked your ass.

No, I am the heir to the Tendo School of Anything Goes, not her!

Wrong, she won...so now she is.

But—

No buts, sunshine. You allowed your ego to ride shotgun instead of your conscious, so you ended up paying for it.

I'll challenge her again; I'll get my title back!

And do you think she'll go easy on you this time? Do you honestly think she'll let her temper get out of check again?

It doesn't matter; I know I can beat her. I've practiced all my life.

And she had practiced for about six months sooner than you to six months after mother died, as well as for the last month. She knows moves inside and out, while all you do is break bricks and attempt those same moves, before you get angry about failing and break some more bricks.

I'm the best, damn it!

Nope, Ranma is better than you, and you know his father has some tricks left hidden. Face it, Akane, you fucked up big time.

Shut up! You're supposed to be on my side.

Sorry, but I'm the part that Upperclassman Kuno seems to be missing. I'm your conscious.

No, you're just some voice I need to take medicine to get rid of.

Keep thinking that, Akane. But when Nabiki cripples you next time you pull something stupid like this, don't blame me.

My plan was perfect!

And what if that blast from the boiler had injured or killed someone?

Well...

Or how exactly would Nabiki have been safe from Ranma when Kuno told him who he thought she sold him those pictures?

Well...

Get it now? You allowed your personal feelings of weakness and your unstoppable ego to make you an embarrassment to the Art. Akane Tendo, you failed the Art. You failed Mother.

Don't you dare say her name!

I am you, jackass. You know how much she valued honor and the true spirit of the Art. Did what you did follow in that spirit?

Akane was silent; staring up at the ceiling, wishing the voice would just go away.