By RankoSaotome
Disclaimer on first chapter. Theme song of the fic is 'Forever' from Erementar Gerad (Elemental Gelade in the US).
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The wind-like melody that's moving within our hearts
Vibrantly leads us towards the yet-unseen tomorrow
If we create the future with each thing we think
Could we grasp the "moment" the miracle smiles upon?
I feel 'I need you.'
... I just miss you in my life.
Please don't let go
Ah, Let's join hands
Heading toward a sparkling place in the wide-open future
Open up your heart
And turn this pain and loneliness into kindness
Don't get lost along my way
Both at the moment we met and now, you surpassed time
Shine together with me forever...
The pledge that echoes in this dreary night is fleetingly falling apart
My heart beats to the fate of the stars that pass each other
At the meeting place of the broad sky, our pulses raced
What is there behind those tears you held back?
I will never leave you.
I want to promise you!
Don't forget
Ah, You gave me the courage to move forward
Let's hold on to it and fly
If we were bonded together
Embrace and don't ever lose the strength of
Protecting the people you can't replace
At the moment I learn my weaknesses, I will become stronger again
Yes, forever...
I feel 'I need you.'
... I just miss you in my life.
Please don't let go
Ah, Let's join hands
Heading toward a sparkling place in the wide-open future
Open up your heart
If we share the seemingly broken affection
As it keeps overflowing from our hearts, it will be like Heaven
At times when we're bewildered, let's keep building our unending dream
Yes, forever...
Open up your heart
And turn this pain and loneliness into kindness
Don't get lost along my way
Both at the moment we met and now, you surpassed time
Shine together with me forever...
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Chapter 8 - Troublesome Crush
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Ranma was confused. She'd seen many things in life, but the western styled town of Weino Point... Er... Well, if you could even CALL it a town... Since it really only had a hotel...
But that's not what Ranma was confused about. It was actually the massive train that was docked here. It was unlike anything she had ever seen before...
But as she and her friends boarded the massive train, she felt like she had entered a new world. The inside of the train was like a city! And she imagined, this would be where she could find all manner of gadgetry.
After a few minutes of asking around, it was pretty obvious to all concerned that they'd only find their Gadget Masters in the 'weird' side of town.
And upon reaching a large place, covered in graffiti, she found herself knocked over by some freaky guy with a large bag on his back. She heard him say something, but ignored it in favor of merely glaring at him.
"My name's Bandiger, hunter of..."
"Let me guess... Pretty women."
"Well, yes. If you give me something, I'll accept it. If not, au revoir." But before he was about to take off, he moved over to the now up Ranma and pointed in her face. "By the way... Do you believe in true love?" And with that, off he went.
Ranma merely grumbled to herself, wondering if the others were having better luck than her. Curious as to where he came from, she entered the only, neon colored place in that area.
"Oh, no... Where is it, where is it? I can't find it anywhere... Oh no! I hope nobody took it! I can't find the A-Trap Generator! It's my own invention, and it's very rare!" Ranma had the feeling she was being ignored, until the strange little girl started glaring at her. "Did you steal it? I'm so mad! I could just scream!"
"Uh... What's an A-Trap Generator?"
"Radar! That's it! Oh, I can use the radar to find it! Wow, I'm so smart! I amaze myself!" Ranma blinked at being ignored, before speaking again.
"Hey! You asked me a question, why aren't you listening to me?"
Once again, ignored. Ranma had to wonder if all Gadget Masters were like this. "There you are! You stupid piece of junk!" She said, going to a computer and starting something that looked very, very weird. What the heck is a radar anyways?
"Grrr... How could I be so stupid? How did it get into the locomotive?"
And the girl passed right by Ranma, making her blood boil. She set off after the girl. "Get back here!" She yelled, rushing after the girl.
She found her confronting the guy that bumped into her earlier. "Hey you thief! Give that back! It's not finished yet! If you use it like that, we'll all be in trouble!"
Ranma just stayed back, listening.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. You can't fool me with that story. Everybody has secrets. Since you want this back so badly, it must be something very special. Perhaps I should turn it on and find out." With that, he activated it.
Walls moved up before the girl, trapping her as he ran away again. Ranma mumbled something about lousy thieves.
"Oh no... This sucks... See, I told you so!" The girl said, turning to Ranma, who was a bit surprised at finally being noticed. "What should we do now?"
"Calm down!" Ranma yelled, with a rather annoyed face. The girl started stomping her feet in a tantrum.
"Whatever, whatever. Just do something!"
"Wait, you want ME to catch him? I want to know what's going on, first!"
"Well, did you see what he stole from me? It's an A-Trap Generator, a secret weapon. It's powered by the mysterious Star Energy. It's still being studied, and we don't know what it can do. I made this because there are a bunch of weirdos wandering around Mounthand lately."
Star Energy? Wasn't that what Grapple said the Langoud uses? She was almost certain of it. Ranma decided to ask about it, despite the girl was creepy.
"So, uh..."
"Marion."
"Right. Marion, can you use the Star Energy? Oh, and do you know about the Langoud?"
"Hee hee. Of course! I'm an expert on Star Energy. Oh... I know about the Langoud. It's a gigantic ship island powered by some funky engine, right?" Then, a pause. "Oh... Why am I telling you this? Well, so much for the Langoud... Hurry up and catch that guy already!"
"Alright, alright!" And, with that, Ranma set off with the girl following.
And the place had the most annoying traps. First, a few cranes grabbed her, then a few robots assaulted her. Walls would appear in her path... The place was insanity! Then she had to play Rock-Paper-Scissors with a robot...
Then a lever puzzle... which resulted in a tin pan hitting her over the head... Then, cornering the thief at last...
"Finally got you, thief!"
"This is so humiliating... I am not a mere bandit! Don't underestimate me, big fella! I help those in need and punish those that do wrong. Do you believe in true love?"
Ranma had just one thought. The guy is psycho.
"I am Bandiger, seeker of Love. Get in my way, and you will regret it. Now..." He pulled out the device. "Switch on!" And, Ranma watched the most bizarre thing yet. Bandiger got smashed by a hammer and floated, literally floated, away! "Ciao!"
More robots! Ranma was getting deeply sick of these little things, as they would swarm her and wind up beating on her before she could kill them all. She'd had to heal herself more than once. By the time she got to the next lever puzzle, she was not pleased with getting hit and tossed around by these gadgets. She solved it, and moved to avoid the tin pan. It hit the ground and vanished...
Then appeared over her to hit her anyways. "Grrr... This place is practically hell itself!" She screamed, not caring if she got an answer. However, she still pressed on. And on... And on... She began to wonder if this path had no end...
Stairs and paths, each stretched on. This place was seeming endless!
... More robots! Ranma was about ready to kill someone!
... Especially since she was starting to feel the need to use the bathroom...
Then, that whole instant-quake thing scared her pretty bad, and almost made her wet herself from the shock. She... could barely hold onto the contents of her own bladder now...
And she finally found Bandiger again.
"I am a genius! I've figured out this device on my own. And you guys..." A cage came up around Ranma, to which she groaned. She was looking forward to getting some alone time for a bit...
Wait, alone time?
That's it!
"Ohhhh, too bad you would rather let me die in here... A handsome man like you... Would rather kill me than hold me in your arms..."
Marion was looking at Ranma strangely, but it was Bandiger's gaze that interested her the most. But he wasn't moving. Guess she had to raise the stakes a bit.
Slowly, she toyed with one side of her pants. "And just to think, it'll never be known just how lovely and sexy and girl can be when trapped like this..." She slowly pulled down one side of her pants, exposing a pair of lavender panties slightly. Then, teasingly, she covered them again. "Oh, woe is me..."
Worked like a charm. He rushed over, device in hand, to speak to Ranma when Ranma snatched the device so fast, he didn't realize it was gone until she bashed her fist over his head. She handed the device to Marion.
Released from their prison now, with Bandiger half-conscious at their feet, Ranma was ready to dish out a beating. She was ready to k...
K...
Ki...
She couldn't even think it! He may have been an utter annoyance, and a general pain in the ass, but she couldn't bring herself to kill him!
But while she was hating herself for wanting to kill him, he attacked her. And out of reflex, she counter attacked with her fists. She couldn't use her sword on him! He was annoying, but he needed to be dealt with, not slaughtered!
But he was good! Especially since he was fighting with an umbrella, and he was a bit faster than her. He managed to use something called Bandiger Spin on her to knock her into a wall a few times... But nothing too terrible. In fact, it was her training as a martial artist most of her life that probably helped her win this battle. Not to mention, her skill with protection and countering was second to none. A few judo throws taught Bandiger that lesson after heading facefirst into a few walls.
And yet, after she had defeated him...
"Even the Gods aren't perfect. I can be magnanimous, so I will forgive you. Do you believe in true love?" And with that, he ran, but not before Ranma could kick him in the ass. He ran like hell now.
"Thanks for helping me out! I really appreciate it!"
"Marion, about the Langoud... Can you possibly fix it?"
"Of course I can! Alright, leave it to Marion! Well, for now... Let's go back to my house."
"G-Good..." Ranma stammered, having a little trouble holding the contents of her bladder now. Thankfully, when they got back, Marion understood Ranma's need to use a restroom on the way. After all, that place sometimes had too many traps.
Just before entering Marion's home, though, she found the others waiting at Marion's house. Smiling, she started towards them, having had enough time to think through her problems.
She heard an intercom and looked up. "A special announcement to the passengers of Mounthand: The next stop, Tokio Point, is currently occupied by an unknown armed force. We're very sorry for the inconvenience, but we will not be stopping at Tokio Point. The next stop is Sinaga Point."
Wyna was the first to speak. "Taken over? Unknown armed force?"
Next was Marion. "I dunno... Oh, wait a moment! There's an island country near Tokio Point called Wano. But, I heard that it was destroyed recently."
Ryouga was next. "What?"
Then Kasumi. "A whole country? Destroyed just like that?"
"There was all kinds of fighting amongst the people, then black airships went BOOM!"
Wyna chose to be the one to speak. "That was... um... very passionate. But I didn't understand a word of what you just said. Anyways, you're saying that Wano was destroyed by the armada of the Dark Acolytes... right?"
"Wano is best known for the katana, a type of long sword with incredible power. And the one who wields a katana is called a samurai, a courteous warrior with the heart of a lion." Ryouga added.
"Katana? If they can forge such a distinctive weapon... Does that mean...?" Kasumi decided to put in, looking excited.
"The Sacred Altar! Of course!" Ranma finished, raising a fist into the air.
"Right! There's gotta be a Sacred Altar in Wano!" Wyna exclaimed.
"But if Wano was destroyed..."
"... Then it's likely that the Dark Acolytes got to that Sacred Altar too."
"Wait a second. If they've already gotten to the Sacred Altar, then why are they in Tokio Point?" Wyna again.
"You're absolutely right, Wyna! They must still be looking for it!"
"Cool! We're all set then!" Came Ryouga's excited reply. He was ready to kick some tail again. Ranma didn't dare let him know the fights he missed.
"Alright! Next stop, Tokio Point!"
"Weren't you all listening? It's CLOSED!"
"We know that, Marion. We'll get off at Sinaga Point, then hike to Tokio Point."
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"Look at this luster! Deeper than darkness, more powerful than the sun! This is the power of Darkness! The power of the Holy Flame is magnificent. Using this power, I can forge any sword I wish! Yesss!"
"Not only because of the power of the Holy Flame, but because of your great talent as a Spirit Blacksmith."
"Did you say something, Jeala?"
"Nothing, just that it was because of your great achievements and your great power, Sir."
"This is not good enough! I need more power to make the perfect sword! Yes, YES! I remember now. I've felt this power before. But I cannot quite pinpoint where..."
"Hey Mr. D! Did you know that those guys went to Wano? I almost forgot to ask, Mr. D. Have you made my dark sword yet? Hey, Mr. D! I'm talking to you!"
"Yes..."
"Hey! Are you listening to me Mr. D? You're so mean, but I kinda like it. It's cool! Ohhh kay! I'm leaving without you... Mr. D... Don't take too long!"
"I remember! Yesss! That Ranma girl... The thrill of forcing her to her knees! And the power she makes her swords with! No doubt it's because of those girls she's with! With them, I could become even more powerful!"
"I don't understand, Sir! Why does it have to be one of them? Why can't it be me?"
"Pathetic... How can you feel love? You're merely a puppet."
"But..."
"Silence, doll!"
"Master... His Majesty was saying... the Clan of Darkness was overthrown by the Clan of the Light. Your father was killed by them too. I can feel your pain... I will follow you as long as I live."
"Come with me, Jeala. Perhaps I can find a use for you."
"Yes, Master!"
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When Ranma arrived at Sinaga Point, she heard a scream The others were just getting off the train, so they didn't hear it. Leaving the kiosk where she just bought supplies, she rushed outside.
"Hehehehe... The power of the dark sword..."
"Oh man... How long does this madness go on...?" Ranma groaned to herself at the two purple glowing men. Not that they were purple... It was just that aura of evil intentions around them. She rushed them. Not thinking, she pulled her sword and attacked.
One went down with a shower of blood, and the other as Ranma struck out with her grappling hook, hooking it into the other swordsman's back. She heard him yelp in pain, then pulled. He then got cut down, with blood showering over Ranma.
"Hey, are you okay?" Ranma asked to the girl, before she was cut off by a woman... Or was it? Her vision was screaming female, while her senses knew something was wrong here.
But Ranma only had one thought running through her mind as she blushed.
'I... I think I'm in love...' She thought, before the woman attacked her. Ranma gasped at her speed, then dodged frantically. The sword this woman was using... It radiated darkness...
And yet...
She didn't seem overwhelmed by the darkness.
The other girl then spoke just as the woman knocked Ranma down and moved for the kill.
"Soushi! Stop it! She saved my life!"
"... I apologize for my actions. I thought that my sister was being attacked."
"I-it's okay..."
She moved up to Ranma, before Ranma realized... That was a man's voice!
"I am Soushi Mahoroba. Never have I seen such unparalleled beauty in a place like this. I would be honored..." HE said, taking Ranma's hand. "If you would grace me with your presence."
Ranma was acutely aware of her friends now watching, but she couldn't bring herself to take her eyes off Soushi. Man or woman... She could feel butterflies in her stomach. Maybe this wasn't true love, or even love itself... But she had a hunch this was what girls called a crush.
"I am free tonight. When would you like to meet me?"
"I, uh..."
He started to cough.
But before Ranma could answer, her friends came over. The girls started to fuss over all the blood Ranma had on herself, while Ryouga went back in to get more supplies.
But Ranma was still distracted by Soushi. She'd never felt like this before... And it felt oddly nice...
"A-Are you alright?" She asked to Soushi, surprising Wyna and Kasumi. Ranma was never this nice to strangers... What was going on?
"I'm not long for this world. I thought it would be wonderful if I could spend time with you before I..."
Then, Soushi's sister decided to pipe up. "Soushi, knock it off! You won't get anywhere with that sympathy act. Girls aren't that stupid!"
"Kyoka... How can you be so cruel to your own brother?"
Wyna decided to add a snide remark. "Ranma, just forget this guy. He's obviously thinking with the wrong head." Ranma, though, almost ignored it before the words registered. Then, she realized what Wyna meant and suddenly felt strange. To trick someone into thinking she's flirting is one thing... To be flirted with felt so much different... She wasn't angry for it... More like... disappointed he'd been tricking her.
"Kyoka..."
"Oh, you are such a great brother to me." Kyoka said sarcastically. "But you turn into this sickly narcissist at the sight of another woman."
"What are you saying? Surely, I couldn't be that way with my own sister!" Even Ranma looked disgusted at that thought.
"That's not my point!"
"Well, I must attend to some important matters..." He said, kissing the back of Ranma's hand, making her blush again. "Hopefully I will live long enough to see you again..."
Soushi left.
And Kyoka went right after him, but not before Kasumi managed to get some info on the Dark Acolytes' activities. Rikyu was their next destination... But to get there, they had to goto Tokio Point anyways.
But Ranma was too busy watching Soushi leave.
'Such a gentleman...' She thought.
They all checked into the Sinaga Hotel for the night.
And Ranma, for the first time in a long time, slept soundly... Or as soundly as one having a wet dream can be.
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TO BE CONTINUED...
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The Soushi/Ranma little pairing was written on a whim, as I wanted to see what would happen if Ranma wound up falling for a guy. I may or may not have them wind up together at the end of the fic. I don't know at this point. But Ranma having a love interest allows for some positive changes to be initiated. However, when she starts becoming more positive remains to be seen. We'll have to see what happens next time.