Ranma Tales ½: Chapter 6- Calm, Decisions, and Birth

Part 1- Just another day in Nerima

Life started like it did every morning in the Tendo household. Kasumi was up first to start on breakfast. Akane was next up for her morning jog. Sometime later Soun would get up and go to the table to start reading the paper. Nabiki would then stumble out of bed and make her way downstairs for her morning caffeine fix. Akane would come back from her jog as Nabiki would dress for the day. Both would arrive back at the table just in time to eat breakfast.

Of course today was slightly different, since during Akane's bath Ranma had wondered downstairs with his stuff for school and sat drinking tea while Kasumi finished making breakfast. That wasn't much of a change though. It was a little embarrassing again for the other Tendo sisters as Ranma thanked Kasumi for the excellent meal. Even that though wasn't to much of a stretch. Even the walk to school with him didn't really change from what was becoming the 'new' normal for them even after only a couple of days.

School went the same way as the morning had. Kuno proclaiming his love for Akane as Ranma and Akane decided which of them would kick Kuno's ass this time. Kuno would end up flying through the air to end up unconscious on the ground or against the building. Class would then start where everyone would try to learn from the often strange teachers of Furikan. Then lunch with Ranma and Akane spending time at their tree, with their other school friends and sometimes Nabiki showing up to spend some time with them.

Ranma was enjoying this time living what everyone else called a normal life. Though since he'd just been threatened with death the night before, he was keeping an eye out for crazy amazon's seeking some strange vengeance. The same went for Akane, Nabiki at school and even Kasumi and Soun at home. In the meantime however he'd enjoy these moments with people he actually enjoyed being with. Maybe even people he would be happy to call his family, though Soun didn't exactly appear much better than Genma had. Nabiki also had her rough edges from what he'd seen. Both were nice as far as he was concerned though.

Akane really just wanted the day to end so she could talk to Ranma about martial arts. In the meantime she'd enjoy being with her friend. Her first ever male friend and she knew somehow already he'd be one of her best friends. Why she felt that way wasn't really sure, sop she didn't linger on it.

Kasumi wondered about the new person in their lives. She'd been somewhat freaked out initially by Ranma's curse, though she hadn't let it show. He was such a nice boy, and a nice girl, though so she could ignore something like that. He'd also apparently done wonders for Akane, she'd seemed so much better than she had the last few months. If for nothing else Kasumi would feel favorably toward him. Then came his stories last night, he'd had such a harsh life... Something inside of her that she hadn't felt stir except for her family had once again come to life. She truly cared for the young boy, though as a sisterly figure, and wanted to protect him from as much of the harsh life he/she was likely to continue to have. Kasumi however was sure that with her support and Akane's if no one else he'd probably make it through ok.

Soun really didn't care to much about the amazon girl threatening Ranma. From what he'd seen so far of Ranma he could take care of himself well enough. No, his concerns were all about how he could marry his little girl to his old friends son. He briefly considered calling Nodoka, but besides the fact he didn't want to have to tell her that her husband was dead, she wasn't supposed to know about the agreement. They had both long ago agreed that their wives wouldn't understand why they wanted to marry the two families together. That would have to be a last resort. But then how was he to marry the two now rather than two years from now...?

Nabiki was glad the school day was drawing to a close, her last class was Phys Ed and that was always the best time for her to get in some work before going home. Today though she had some business she wasn't to sure of that was a priority. Ranma had given her the name and number of his sensei's contact here in Japan. Apparently a guy named Tononmi Mochizuki, though Nabiki had never heard of him before. She shrugged though figuring it couldn't hurt and digging her cell phone out gave the number a call.

A Voice answered "Hello, Tononmi Mochizuki speaking."

Nabiki began "Yes hello my name is Nabiki Tendo and I'm calling on behalf of Ranma Saotome, Mr. Mochizuki."

The voice was friendly when it answered "How may I help you?"

Nabiki frowned and said "I'm not entirely sure, but after Ranma moved in with us the other day our dojo was accidentally damaged by... well by something unexpected."

Tononmi replied "Yes that sort of thing tends to happen around the masters pupils, I hope the the master's favorite pupil is unharmed?"

Nabiki answers "Yes he's fine. The damage was only to the dojo, but unfortunately it's extensive."

"That's good, though of course not the damage to your dojo." There is a brief pause "Before I forget, I want to think you for taking him in. I was somewhat worried when he checked out of the hotel. I'm glad he has found his father's friend already and you were willing to take him in." Another pause "We of course will help repair any damage that may occur during his stay and help in any other ways we can as well. Out master would be displeased if we would do otherwise. Have you already contacted a construction company for the repairs?"

Nabiki can't believe what she's just heard and says "No not yet, our finances are... delicate, so I needed to figure out what my options were first."

Tononmi replies almost cheerfully "Then let me take care of that, I can have one of our construction crews at your address at your convenience tomorrow to repair the damage."

Nabiki blinks "That would be awfully nice of you... Let me give you my address." She waits for him to be ready to note her address down.

Tononmi interrupts "That won't be necessary. The master made sure we knew the location of the dojo some time ago. Is their anything else I can help with?"

Nabiki frowns "You already knew about us? How?"

Tononmi replies "Well the master wanted us to make sure we knew where his student would be going and had us research to find out where you lived. That however doesn't mean he was going to make it easy on Ranma. The master often only tells you what he thinks you need to know and let's you work out the rest. He knew Ranma would find you, he just wanted us to be able to help if needed until then and then after."

Nabiki can't help arching one eyebrow at this conversation. "Well that sounds interesting, I take it Ranma himself isn't to know exactly how much you all know about him?"

Tononmi replies "We would appreciate that as the price of our hope when the time comes. If Ranma didn't already have a clan to belong to he would most likely have joined us. Even so we take care of those who are our own as our master has looked after us for the last several centuries slowly rebuilding his wife's clan after it was nearly destroyed by a rival."

Nabiki's eyebrow twitches at her wealth of new and incredible information. "Thank you for everything Mr. Mochizuki. I appreciate all your help."

Tononmi replies "It is an honor. Please keep in touch."

Nabiki replies "Oh I will, goodbye." after he says his goodbye to her as well she ends the call and saves his number. 'Well this is a most interesting turn of events' Her thoughts turning over this new information.

Part 2- Akane's Decision

Ranma and Akane entered the Tendo home not to long after the school day came to an end, with Kasumi greeting them as they returned. Akane looks at Ranma and says "I want to continue the training we were doing yesterday, ok?"

Ranma nods "Sure, I'll run you through some katas I know that would be good for you."

Akane smiles and says "All right, let me change clothes and I'll meet you in the dojo."

Ranma shrugs "Ok, though it might be better to use the garden with the dojo kinda broken and all."

Akane frowns and says "No I'd rather be in the dojo. See you in a sec, 'K?"

Ranma shrugs again and walks into the dojo to wait for Akane. While he waits he marks off the dangerous areas, which leaves about half the dojo. Soon enough Akane comes back wearing her gi. Ranma frowns slightly and thinks to himself 'I really need to break her of the habit of wearing that thing... While it isn't exactly a bad thing to wear, it really needs to go for awhile. That can wait though.'

Akane smiled at Ranma and asked "What do I do first sensei?" Ranma lead her through a few katas that highlighted the areas she was weak at and worked her through them repeatedly. Eventually Ranma was satisfied with her progress and suggested they take a break. Akane relaxed against a wall and after using the towel she'd laid out and taking a drink she looked at Ranma.

Eventually in the silence she said "You asked me a question yesterday... Do you want to know my answer?"

Ranma frowns slightly dreading this answer "If you think you are ready to answer it I'll listen."

Akane leans back against the wall and says "First I want to know why you asked me that last question... What did it mean to you?"

Ranma sighs "It means that what I can teach you beyond simply mastery of the style should only be used to defend those who can't defend themselves. Even if it costs your life. Even if it requires you to take another's life. It was a harsh lesson to learn."

Akane nods though she frowns somewhat "I take it you mean a human life, not just a creature like last night?"

Ranma nods "Yes. Those creatures aren't really 'alive' really, at least not in the same sense that we are. I meant real people. For me being around sensei forced the issue. Last year a band of... Well for lack of a better term 'necromancers' in Shanghai decided to start a war with a branch of the Triad who ruled part of the city. We got caught in the middle since we could see the creatures attacking the Triad members. In the chaos I had to take the life of a couple of the necromancers. I couldn't let them live or they would have hurt innocents as well as villains with their actions. They were evil, but it still hurts."

Akane nods "I can see how it would, you actually kinda described my answer. I don't want to kill anyone. Not even Kuno and the Hentai Brigade. I would though if it was a matter of saving those I care about or somehow who could obviously not defend themselves. In that case I can't see any other reaction except to risk my own life to save theirs. If the other person believes the opposite of what I do then that just let's one of us live. When it comes down to that I'd rather it be me that lives."

Ranma smiles slightly "That's pretty much how I feel about it, though except for you and a couple friends pop forced me to leave behind I don't have many people to care about.

Akane frowns and whispers "You don't just have me, I say the way Kasumi reacted last night. She'd died to protect you now I think much like I would, though she's more the mother type than the defending warrior type. I think I even noticed Nabiki slip a bit out of her 'ice queen' role. At school Yuka, Sayuri, Daisuke, and Hiroshi would all probably do anything they could for you as well... Well within their limits... You really have a lot of people now that care for you."

Ranma smiles "Maybe your right, I have started to feel like I have a home here now. Which I have to say is rather nice after always moving around for so long."

Akane smiles and says "Well good, this is your home. Now how about some more training?"

Ranma sighs and replies "I take it then that I can't talk you out of walking the path?"

Akane nods and smirks at him "I'm not going to let you do that by yourself. You don't know how much it hurt to feel helpless last night... I don't want to feel that way again if I can help it. As much for everyone else, as for myself."

Ranma nods "Oh I've been their. Even after Shadow asked me the same question and invoked my 'second sight' or 'mind's eye' so I could see those critters I still couldn't do anything about them for a little while."

Akane smirks "Ok, so now that you know my answer what's next?"

Ranma looks at her and says "The first thing I should probably do is invoke your second sight ability... I'm pretty sure it's dormant in you like in a lot of people and Shadow showed me once how you 'unlock' it. That's pretty much required for most of the higher end stuff." He frowns "I've never done this to someone though, so I just hope things go right."

Akane shrugs "Well if you are ready I am. I just hope you don't screw up" The last said with a grin.

Ranma smiles and says "If I screw up it's still not a bad thing, this can't kill you unless it works." Akane raises an eyebrow, but doesn't say anything.

Part 3: Rebirth

Ranma has her sit down as if to meditate and then gives her a mental exercise to do as he prepares himself while kneeling in front of her. He finally says "Now remember this will be a bit weird, but you should be fine Your gift starts out more powerful this way than it normally is and it will overwhelm you." Akane nods. Ranma gathers a ball of energy into his hand and in a quick motion presses it against Akane's forehead.

Akane's body jerks briefly and she feels her spirit and mind separate from her body. In fact she quickly realizes she's staring at her own back. It took awhile because, with the weird ribbons of light surrounding almost everything, it didn't look like normal. In fact nothing looked normal to the point she started to doubt what 'normal' even was.

Nearly random shapes flowed through the air, sometimes to 'pop' to form glowing halo's of light. Strands of bluish particles flowed through the air linking one object to another. Familiar objects had strange looking characters in an odd language scrawled on them. Living things all had shifting aura's that swirled with color.

She looked at Ranma who was still kneeling in front of her body, his hands supporting her shoulders. His aura was amazing. It pulsed to his heartbeat and was a combination of blue and white with flecks of gold and crimson. It reminded her of a beautiful gem. Beneath that she could see little trails of light swirl inside his body, connecting bright lights at certain spots in his body. Each piece of light inside him was a different mix of colors.

Before she finishes looking she notices another strange light by his hand. One that shocks her because it looks like a red ribbon tied to his hand. Her thoughts race 'It couldn't be could it? I shouldn't be able to see something like that... Do I even want to know that...?' Her curiosity gets the best of her though and her gaze follows the glowing red ribbon from his finger. What she sees doing that nearly knocks her off her feet, tied around her own finger is her own red ribbon. Not just that, but unless she's not seeing things right their two ribbons connect to each other!

Akane didn't have time to think to much on that as her vision expanded outwards, letting her feel the presence of everything in the house and her sight followed it. Kasumi glowed in soft greens as she finished the laundry, little tracings of silver and gold running through her as she hummed to herself. Her father was covered with a dingy brown glow with a dark shadowy edge that made her worry. Nabiki who had just entered the door was a soft yellow glow with silver flakes.

There was one final presence. Soft and delicate that touched her senses. If she'd had a body she would have wept tears at this presence. Instead she just thought one word 'mom'. A ghostly translucent form filled her sight for the moment, it's outline reminding Akane of what little she could still remember of her mother. The form seemed to wrap around and envelop her like it was circling her in an embrace.

Her senses expanded again and she felt the whole block for a moment, and yet again and she felt the whole neighborhood. One final time it expanded outward and she felt all of Nerima for an instant. Then like a rubber band that had been tensed and released she snapped back to her body with a gasp.

She looked around briefly to see a sort of 'after image' on everything that reminded her of the vision she'd just had. The she remembers the ghostly form of her mother and starts to cry.

A shocked Ranma pulls her into his arms and sooths her as best he can "What's wrong Akane? I couldn't sense any hostile spirits, so nothing should have bothered you..."

Akane manages to get out "I saw mom... She still watches over us from the family shrine... Then she hugged me... She's been gone so long and that felt so nice..."

Ranma smiled and said "That must have been nice. I should have realized that she'd be there. Like I said last night spirits linger and religion often helps act as a catalyst so shrines are potent. Your mother must have been an incredible woman, not only did she raise three beautiful intelligent daughters, but her love lingers on even after death to protect you all."

Akane sniffles and then smiling, she says "Thank you Ranma, if for nothing else that brief visit with mom means a lot to me."

Ranma just smiles and replies "Just wait eventually if you have need of her help you'll be able to call her to you any time you need to. Though to often does tend to annoy spirits..."

Akane whispers "Really?"

Ranma nods "Sure, anything else exciting happen? I can help you try to understand what you saw..."

Akane shakes her head and thinks to herself 'I can't tell him about the ribbon, I don't believe I really saw that. It can't be true... Can it?' Out loud she says "Can you tell me what the colors meant?"

Ranma goes into more depth about what Akane saw. More than once shocked just how much she had seen during the experience. He adds a few exercises to help her control these new senses. Lastly he teaches her how to properly ground, center, and shield. The first just needed fine tuning from what training she already had. The second was new, but needed so the things she saw didn't overwhelm her. The last taught her how to keep things within herself and things outside herself from coming in. As soon as he finished Kasumi called them to dinner.

Part 4: What Dreams May Come

Dinner had gone much as usual now. With the end of dinner marked by Ranma's thanks to Kasumi for the wonderful meal. Followed soon after by both of her sisters saying much the same. Which of course makes Kasumi blush. Then everyone heads upstairs while Kasumi cleans the table and does the dishes.

Within a couple hours most of the house was asleep except for one person. Akane just couldn't get past what she'd seen earlier. Visions of red ribbons and the ghostly warmth of her mother both dominating her thoughts. In frustration she bangs her head on the wall.

Not long after she hears a soft knock on her door and wondering who it is, she slides out of bed and opens her bedroom door. She looks a bit shocked when she sees Ranma standing opposite of her though through the now open door.

Ranma smiles slightly and says softly "I heard some noise when I went to use the bathroom, so I thought I'd check on you."

Akane smiles slightly back and replies "I'm just having trouble sleeping."

Ranma nods "Yeah I remember my first night after experiencing that... It all kinda comes as a shock." he pauses and says "Would you like me to show you one last little exercise for the night? It might help you sleep."

Akane shrugs "Anythings worth a try, I would like to be awake during school tomorrow."

Ranma grins and then explains his sensei's lucid dreaming techniques. "So you see this way you can work out anything bothering you, work out on certain mental and spiritual exercises you might know, or even just have some fun." After saying this he yawns.

Akane yawns as well and says "I think I understand how it works. Thank you Ranma. Goodnight."

Ranma smiles and says "'Night Akane. See you tomorrow."

Ranma leaves her room and goes back to bed, as Akane goes to sleep. Akane decides to use the technique she's just learned to work out her thoughts on Ranma and what he means to her. Meanwhile Ranma goes to sleep thinking about his wonderful friend Akane. Unknown to both of them they share a dream that night where the talk, play, laugh, and grow closer.

Author's Notes:

First thanks again for all nice comments, I will also get around to fixing the few issues pointed out... Eventually. I'd just rather work on new chapters at the moment and then go back and do corrections.

I have also modernized the story as you may have noticed, how modern it is I'm not yet sure. But I have no problems seeing Nabiki using a cell phone which wouldn't have been possible in the late eighties when Ranma ½ was originally created.

Oh also a quick note the name of the contact Nabiki calls who is a agent of Shadow's clan is also the name of the original director for season 1 of Ranma ½. He's also known for his work on Dirty Pair Flash, Fancy Lala, Kimagure Orange Road, Maison Ikkoku, Princess Nine, Video Girl AI, and Zettai Shonen among many others. This character (to the best of my knowledge at least) doesn't in any way resemble the actually person of the same name. I just needed a name and decided to borrow his.

Lastly The whole Red Ribbon of Fate... This is a Japanese concept or at least I've only ever seen it from Japanese media. It's the concept that you fate in love is decided by a ribbon that connects you to your 'true love'. It's fairly common in Harem Anime and I've always thought it was odd that Ranma ½ (which can be classified as one of that type) never bothered to use it, or at least I never say them use it. It isn't supposed to matter if you've meet the person before or not, but if they aren't 'nearby' you'd have to follow the ribbon to that person to know who they were. Kami and spirits are the only ones who are supposed to be able to see them, but I want to add to Akane's general confusion so she gets a glimpse... ;)