Chains of the Past
A Ranma ½ Tenchi Muyo Crossover
Chapter Seven
A/N: Yes I know that last chapter was a bit short. This one's a bit longer. Enjoy!
And now, raise the curtain.
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Tenchi walked up to the bedrooms that were in the shrine to find Nabiki and Ranma. 'Wonder why they won't move in with us back at the house. It's not that bad after you get used to all the fighting.'
Tenchi found Nabiki's door open. Glancing in, he noted that Nabiki was trying to squeeze the life out of Ranma. "Am I interrupting something?"
Ranma turned his head towards the door where Tenchi was standing. "No, we just finished. What's up?"
"Grandpa is gathering everyone together in the shrine. He says it's important."
Ranma nodded. "We'll be there soon." Tenchi nodded and walked off. Ranma glanced down towards Nabiki. "Feelin' better?"
Nabiki detached herself off of Ranma. "Much better."
"Good. If anythin' is wrong, I want ya to tell me. It bothers me when you don't."
"That goes for you too Ranma. I want this relationship to be both ways, okay?"
Ranma nodded. "I wouldn't have it any other way."
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Tenchi walked into the living area for the shrine. He saw his grandfather along with Ryoko, Ayeka, and Sasami sitting there. "They're coming."
Katsuhito nodded. "Good." He glanced towards Sasami who seemed a bit out of it. "Are you okay Sasami?"
Sasami looked up towards Katsuhito. "Well…"
"Hey, we're here."
Katsuhito smiled when he saw Ranma and Nabiki walk in with smiles holding hands. "Hello children. Glad you could join us. Please, take a seat."
Ranma and Nabiki sat next to each other on the floor. "What's so important that everyone is here, Masaki-san?" Nabiki asked curiously.
"I'm glad you asked that, because what I'm about to say affects mostly you two." Ranma and Nabiki gave him curious stares. "I just received a phone call from Nodoka a little while ago."
Ranma perked up. "Mom called? What for?"
"She believes that someone may have found out that you are staying here, and called to warn us."
"Great," Ranma said sighing. "There goes the last bit of peace and quiet."
"She also told me that you would be able to tell us what to watch out for since you should know more of what's going on."
"If they're trying to find Ranma, they're going to be as sneaky as possible," Nabiki stated. "Mostly likely if you see them they're be in their cursed forms. Main ones to look for is a panda, a purple cat, a little black pig and white duck."
"A duck?" Sasami asked. "Like one with glasses?"
Nabiki and Ranma looked at her with wide-eyed expressions. "Yeah…" Ranma said dreading the next words to come out of her mouth.
"Like that one?" Sasami said pointing towards the door.
Ranma and Nabiki turned towards where Sasami was pointing to see a white duck with thick glasses. "Mousse."
To everyone's surprise, the duck held its wings straight up. "I think he surrenders," Nabiki guessed. The duck nodded.
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Ten minutes later, a now human Mousse was being contained by Azaka and Kamidake. Everyone else was looking at him. Ranma was the first to speak. "Okay Mousse, how did you find us?"
"I spied on your mother, which I never want to do again. That was the hardest" his face turned red "I mean longest" Even redder "I mean most difficult month of my life." Mousse lowered his head. "Honorable wife my ass," Mousse mumbled under his breath.
Everyone except Sasami and Katsuhito was turning red as well. Sasami looked curious. "Why's that?" She asked innocently.
Ranma blanched. "Okay, forget I asked. Why did you surrender like that?"
"Tell me Saotome, if I came out like this," he said waving his hand over himself, "what would you do?"
"I see," Nabiki said smiling. "You actually didn't want to fight us. Which begs the question why?"
"Believe it or not, I didn't come here for him." Ranma and Nabiki gave him disbelieving looks. "I'm actually using him to fish out Shampoo."
"Shampoo? Isn't she the Amazon you were telling us about?" Ryoko asked Ranma.
Ranma nodded. "Yes she is." He turned towards Mousse. "Two questions Mousse. One, is she comin' here and two, why didn't you try to attack me?"
"Don't like not being in the center of attention Saotome?"
"No, just don't like people changin' without me knowin' why."
Mousse smiled. "No, she's not coming yet, but she's on your trail. You didn't think that you could shake her forever, now did you? One of the things I like about her is her ability to track anyone down, though I do admit you did a decent job of hiding. And the reason why I didn't attack you is that you aren't an obstacle for me."
Nabiki looked confused. "No longer an obstacle? When did that change?"
"When you two ran off. Cologne knew for a while you two were getting close, but the council had put out not to anger you Ranma. You probably have no idea how your defeat of Saffron affected everyone, do you?"
Katsuhito looked a bit shocked. "You defeated Saffron of Jusendo, Ranma?"
Ranma lowered his head. "It's not something I like to brag about."
"What are you getting at Mousse?" Nabiki asked.
"When Ranma defeated Saffron, it basically made him the most powerful person in the world." Mousse smirked. "The council may be old and a bit senile, but they're not totally stupid. They know making Ranma come against his will has two outcomes. One, he blows up the village. Two, Jusendo declares war and destroys the village."
"Why would Jusendo do that?" Katsuhito asked.
Mousse looked towards Katsuhito. "To them Ranma is basically a god. If he would go to Jusendo and ask for anything, he would get it. If he would to be taken prisoner, that would basically mean a holy war between us and Jusendo, and the council realizes that."
"So if that were the case, why didn't Cologne call off Shampoo earlier?" Nabiki asked.
"Cause he didn't chose yet. There was still a chance for Shampoo to win his heart and for him to come willingly."
"But since I'm with Nabiki, she was supposed to call off Shampoo. Why is she comin' here?" Ranma asked slightly irritated.
Mousse lowered his head. "Because she's gone crazy. She's never taken defeat or rejection lightly, and you not choosing her was a giant blow for her. She refuses to see reality."
"Mousse, she isn't just coming to take Ranma, she is?" Nabiki asked a bit fearfully.
Mousse looked directly at Nabiki. "I'm afraid not. She wants to kill you as well."
Nabiki shrunk back a bit. Ranma wrapped an arm around her. "I swear I won't let her harm you."
Katsuhito studied Mousse. "If I let you go, will you cause any problems young one?"
Mousse shook his head. "No sir."
Katsuito smiled. "Well then, let's get you something to eat. You look a bit famished."
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Mousse was enjoying his dinner and eating really fast. Not as fast as Ranma, but still fast. "This is delicious," he managed between bites.
Sasami smiled. "Why thank you."
Ranma looked a bit worried. "You okay Mousse?"
Mousse stopped eating and looked a bit embarrassed. "Sorry, it's been a while since I had anything but duck food and table scraps."
Ranma looked confused. "Duck food and table scraps?"
Nabiki snickered. "You were Nodoka's pet, weren't you?"
Mousse turned red. "Please don't remind me of that."
"So Mousse, how is everyone over there?" Ranma asked.
Mousse held a finger against his chin in thought. "Let me think. Ryoga is hunting for you as usual. He claims to have a few new techniques to beat you with." Mousse shook his head. "Ukyo is not happy at all. I have reason to believe that she is working with Shampoo to find you. Your mother… we will not go into" Mousse blanched as he realized what he just said, "I mean let's avoid the subject. Akane is actually seeing a psychiatrist for the last month. Kasumi has started classes at the community college. Mrs.… Saotome has been paying for both of them."
Mousse scratched his head. "Your father has been actively hunting you down as well. I would of thought he'd be happy with two being together, but that's not the case. Soun's happy though. He loves the fact that you two are together. He's also crying over his 'little girl' leaving and not calling."
"I'm surprised father isn't looking for us as well," Nabiki stated. "I'd thought he would agree with Genma about the whole deal."
Mousse nodded. "Genma has tried to convince Soun that you two being together was a mistake, but Soun keeps insisting otherwise. He keeps pointing out how badly the wedding attempt turned out and the fact that you two were spending a lot of time together."
"You told us a little bit about Shampoo-san and Ukyo-san before Ranma-san," Ayeka stated. "Could you tell more about them?"
Ranma sighed. "Ukyo used ta be a friend of mine. She's an Okonomiyaki Chef. We met when I was six before the Neko-ken." Ranma slightly chuckled. "I actually thought she was a guy for the longest time. One day, Genma asked me to choose between Ukyo and Okonomiyaki, and I chose Okonomiyaki. He put me on her father's cart and we ran off with it. I didn't know what was happenin' at the time. It turns out that Genma arranged for me and her to be married and the cart was a dowry. We didn't see each other until about two years ago when she came huntin' for me and Genma. After a fight I learned of her bein' a girl and being engaged. When I called her cute she went form huntin' for my head to my heart."
"Shampoo, as I said, is after me to be her husband. To do so, she's used everything from herbs and potions ta magical artifacts. She and Ukyo would fight often over me. I don't see why she would team up with her."
"Unless she plans on betraying Ukyo," Nabiki pointed out. "I wouldn't put that over her, especially with her current mind set."
Ranma glanced towards his watch. "It's getting' a bit late. I'm goin' to get some schoolwork done. Excuse me." Ranma took his dishes to the sink and left for his room. Nabiki left soon afterwards to follow.
Ryoko sat next to Mousse. "Alright Mr. Ducky, I'm going to tell you this once. Any funny business and we'll make sure you'll regret it."
Mousse turned to his other side where Ayeka conveniently had placed herself. Her smile was setting Mousse on edge. It reminded him too much of Cologne when she got certain… thoughts. The wooden object in her hands reminded him too much of a certain woman who he did not want to be reminded of.
"Do we make ourselves clear?" Ayeka asked oh so politely.
Mousse nodded. "Yes ma'am."
Ryoko smiled. "Good. Now let's finish eating. I'm still hungry."
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After dinner Ryoko stretched out on the living room couch to watch television, Ayeka sat in a chair to do the same, Tenchi went out to do some training, and Mousse and Sasami cleaned the dishes. Once the kitchen was clean Mousse and Sasami joined the others in the living room. Mousse went up to Ryoko. "Quite protective of them, aren't you?"
Ryoko pulled her attention away from the television. "I feel for them, that's all."
Mousse shrugged. "I don't see why you have to get defensive about it. They both have had rough lives. It's easy to feel for them."
"What do you know about them Mousse-san?" Ayeka asked.
"Bits and pieces of what I can gather." Mousse shook his head. "I know I wouldn't want to have Genma for a father, being as stupid as he is."
"Yeah, stupid, right," Ryoko commented from the couch. "I don't know what kind of spy you are, but you need work."
Mousse looked confused. "Why would you say that? I did find him."
"What she means, Mousse-san, is that your story is incomplete," Ayeka stated politely.
"Oh, and you have something to add?" Mousse countered.
"Apparently we do, Mr. Ducky," Ryoko said mockingly. "If you don't even know the main reason why they ran here in the first place you obviously need retake the Espionage 101 course again."
Mousse did not like being called Mr. Ducky. "Oh yeah? Did you know Ranma almost committed seppuku about seven months ago?"
Ryoko looked confused. "Seppuku? What's that?"
The color was drained from Ayeka's face. "Ritual Suicide? Why would he do something like that?"
"Huh? Ritual Suicide?" Ryoko looked a bit lost.
"It would be of interest for us to compare notes on the matter."
Mousse glanced behind him and saw Katsuhito standing there. 'I didn't even feel him at all. Amazing.' "I might be able to tell you a thing or two. I've got nothing else to do until Shampoo shows."
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Ranma sighed as he put his pencil down. "What a day."
Nabiki nodded. "I agree with you there, Ranma."
Ranma snapped his fingers. "Oh yeah, Katsuhito said that he wanted to take everyone to a hot springs resort tomorrow for the weekend. Tenchi's pops is coming with the van to take us all."
"Hm, a hot spring resort. Sounds nice."
"It will probably be our last time to relax before the others start showin', so I'm all for it."
Nabiki slightly smirked. "I guess fate does want to cause problems for you, doesn't it?"
Ranma shrugged. "Well, since they are bound and determined to find me, bein' here is probably the best place to be, ya know? With the others to back us up, it will make things much easier."
Nabiki nodded. "Given the fact that Mousse found us Shampoo can't be too far behind. I give it about at most two weeks before she shows."
"With Ukyo in tow. If Genma is huntin' us as well, he might be following 'em." Ranma sighed. "It makes me wonder why Mom put up with Genma for so long."
Nabiki smiled. "Well we know she found ways to keep herself occupied."
Ranma blushed. "I didn't think she would have it in her to cheat on Genma like that."
"I wonder when she'll tell him that she knows about the curse?" Nabiki asked. "It's been about half a year since you showed her."
Ranma narrowed his eyes."I want to know if him bein' scared of mom is an act. Yeah, she knows how to use a sword extremely well, but with what he's done, I can't be sure if he's just fakin' or is it real."
Nabiki nodded. "I'm sure we'll find that out soon enough." Nabiki spied a visitor walking through the doorway. "Oh, Ryo-ohki. Come here girl."
Ranma cringed when Nabiki said that. Ryo-ohki walked up to Nabiki and laid herself in Nabiki's lap. Nabiki started to pet the cabbit. "Come on Ranma, Remember what we agreed."
Ranma nodded. "I do. It's just a bit hard to fight the urge to run, especially with the way it's purrin'."
Nabiki chuckled. "I think it's cute." Nabiki gave Ranma a serious look. "Seriously Ranma, we need to get rid of your fear of cats, and this is the best way to do it. Once you're used to her, then we can move on to a real cat."
"I know, and I'm tryin', but… every time I see one of those things, I start to see myself back in the pit. Alone, scared, in pain." Ranma wrapped himself around his legs. "I don't want to feel like that ever again."
Nabiki moved herself next to Ranma and hugged him. Ryo-ohki, sensing the sadness radiating from Ranma, started to rub up against him. Ranma began to cringe heavily. Nabiki felt this. "It's okay Ranma, I'm right here. She's not going to hurt you."
Ranma's answer to that was a, "Meow."
Nabiki sighed. "I guess it was too soon for that." Nabiki moved to allow Neko-Ranma to change position and lay down on the floor. Nabiki started to pet the overgrown cat. "We'll fix this and make Genma pay for making you like this in the first place. I swear."
A/N: I'm on a roll. Didn't think I'd complete this chapter this soon.
Thanks for those who's helping out with the grammar and some of the situations. Highly appreciate it.
And remember, Honor your Mother and Father. Tell them that you love them before stabbing them in the heart with a knife.
