Chains of the Past

A Ranma ½ Tenchi Muyo Crossover

Chapter Eight

A/N: The story's been flowing freely for the last two nights. It feels natural and I am pleased with how it's progressing.

And now, welcome to the greatest show on earth!

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"Now how did we get stuck doing this?" Tenchi asked his partners.

"Because we're men and they're girls. That's why." Ranma replied.

Ranma, Mousse, and Tenchi had the honor of carrying all the luggage from the van to the resort where they would be staying for the next three days. Katsuhito set them up to be there Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Ranma turned towards Mousse. "Now why is it you can't carry all this Mousse?"

Mousse started to carry a stack of three suitcases. "Because my pocket is full."

Tenchi sighed as he started to gather more suitcases. "How can women have so much stuff? It's unbelievable."

Ranma nodded. "I agree with you there. How much more do we have left?"

Tenchi started to count. "Well we have the six bags for Ayeka, three bags for Ryoko, and our bags."

Ranma looked confused. "Why does Ryoko have three bags? She can make her own clothing."

Tenchi sighed. "She discovered the joy of catalog shopping and started ordering new outfits."

Ranma looked even more confused. "With what money?"

Tenchi's head lowered. "Mine."

Mousse chuckled. "Man, you must got it rough here," he said exaggeratedly.

"Nah, it's not too bad." Tenchi smiled. "Once they're calm they're actually nice people. Sure they fight a lot, but it just shows that they care. They do say the more they fight the better friends they are."

Mousse and Ranma looked at each other with wide-eyes expressions and sweat drops on their heads. "He said it like he believed it," Mousse said unbelievably.

"No kiddin'," Ranma agreed a bit scared.

"Alright, let's get these inside," Tenchi said while picking up a stack of luggage. "I can't wait to get to those hot springs."

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Nabiki was going through her bag to get her stuff organized when someone knocked on her door. "Come in."

Ayeka stepped into the room. "Hello Nabiki-san. Have you seen Sasami? She ran off a couple of minutes ago."

Nabiki nodded. "She came in here asking where Mousse was. You might want to try his room."

Ayeka nodded and noticed her bag. "Are you missing any bags Nabiki-san?"

Nabiki shook her head. "No, this is the only one I brought."

Ayeka looked confused. "But where are all your things? Your hair-care products? What about your make-up?"

Nabiki raised a small make up bag and a bottle of shampoo. "Right here."

"That's all you brought?"

"It's all that I own. I don't wear make-up often."

"But what about when you dress up? Like for parties and such?"

Nabiki shrugged. "I borrow some of my sister's stuff, though I rarely dress up. I use it mostly to look professional. It's just not a big deal for me beyond that."

"Not a big deal?" Ayeka shook her head in disbelief. "Nabiki-san, you want to impress Ranma, don't you?" Nabiki nodded. "The best way to catch and keep a man's attention is your looks. And to look your best you need make-up." Ayeka grabbed Nabiki's hand. "Come with me Nabiki-san. It's time to teach you the finer points of being a woman."

"What about the hot springs?" Nabiki asked while being dragged down the hallway. She knew how to use make-up. Kasumi taught her while she was young. She's used it on a few occasions. But the determination in Ayeka's eyes was a bit unnerving, even for her.

"They can wait. We have tomorrow and Sunday to do that. This is more important. And we need to do something about your wardrobe. Only one bag. It's unbelievable. And your hair." Ayeka continued down the list.

Nabiki had a gut feeling that this was going to take a while.

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After hauling all the luggage to everyone's rooms, Tenchi, Ranma, and Mousse lounged around in the spring. Mousse looked towards Tenchi. "You know, living with both Ryoko and Ayeka, I'd figure you would be over that stage already."

Ranma shook his head. "You know how embarrassing it is to see you pass out with a nosebleed like that?"

Tenchi looked ashamed. "Sorry, I just can't help it."

Mousse smiled. "It's okay, we'll just remember to not have you and Ranma wash up at the same time tomorrow." He stretched his body. "Now this is relaxing."

Ranma smirked. "What, living with my mom as a pet wasn't relaxing?"

Mousse blanched. "Don't ever remind me of that time. I don't know what's worse: having to be her pet and listen to everything she was hoping you were doing, or hearing her in her bedroom while…" Mousse shuddered. "Still gives me nightmares."

Ranma shook his head. "Didn't think mom would be like that."

"Be like what?" The three youths looked towards the door to see Noboyuki coming into the hot spring. "I haven't heard from Nodoka for a while. How is she?"

Mousse turned red. "She's… very healthy and has a good set of lungs."

Noboyuki smiled as he recalled past memories. "Ah yes I remember many of time when she would yell at me for something or another."

Ranma sighed. "That's the last thing I need is another female in my life with a big set of lungs."

"How did you handle everything back in Nerima, Ranma" Tenchi asked. "I mean, with everything that I've heard, I would of gone crazy."

"I did it probably the worst way how. I tried to just let things be and hoped for the best." Ranma pointed at Tenchi. "Take my advice, Tenchi. You need to take charge before it's too late."

Noboyuki slapped Tenchi's back. "That's right my boy. And the best way to do that is to observe and take notes first." Noboyuki tied a towel over his head to make a mask. "And since we're at a hot spring resort, this is the best place to observe them while they're in their most natural state."

Ranma and Mousse gave each other knowing looks. 'This isn't going to end well.'

Tenchi gave his father a dirty look. "Hey, old man, why would I want to do something like that? I don't want them to get mad at me!"

Noboyuki smiled. "Nonsense. Come on my boy, time to show you the finer points of being a man." Noboyuki led Tenchi up the side of the tall wall dividing the woman's and the men's section of the hot spring. "Just remember, you won't get opportunities like this often, so you have to take the initiative."

Noboyuki started to look over the wall, and saw Ryoko's face right in front of his. "Hello."

Ranma and Mousse watched as Noboyuki fell from the top of the wall to the hot spring. "Ouch," Mousse commented calmly.

They also watched as Tenchi was grabbed and taken to the other side of the wall. "Well that wasn't what I was expectin'," Ranma commented. "Though I guess with Ryoko over there I should of thought different."

Mousse raised an eyebrow. "I take it Ryoko is more adventurous than most women."

"Quite an attitude with that one. Watch what you say, she has a bit of a temper."

Mousse smiled. "I do admit, Tenchi's kinda lucky. Just think of who's over there. Ayeka, Ryoko,…Nabiki." Mousse watched in amusement as Ranma's mood darkened a bit.

"Excuse me for a moment." Ranma went up the wall to get Tenchi and to… bring him back to the proper side of the spring. That's all.

When he made it over the wall, he saw Tenchi, Ryoko, and that's it. He looked confused. "Where's everyone else?"

Instead of a verbal answer, he got tossed over the side of the wall and landed in the Men's spring area. "Ouch," Mousse commented calmly with a small smirk.

Ryoko stood there simmering. "That… pervert! How dare he!"

Tenchi looked confused. "I thought Mousse said he wasn't like that."

Ryoko clenched her fist. "He better not think about doing that again or he'll regret it!"

"What's going on?"

Tenchi turned and saw Sasami standing there in a pink towel along with Ryo-ohki on top of her head. Ryoko waved to her. "Hi Sasami. Are you alone?"

Sasami nodded. "Sister and Nabiki-san are busy. Sister says they'll be here in a few minutes."

Ryoko raised an eyebrow. "Oh really? What's so important?"

"I don't know, but I saw Ayeka fussing over Nabiki's toe nails."

Ryoko smirked. "All well. That means more Tenchi time for me."

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Ranma glared at Mousse. "That was a dirty trick."

Mousse shrugged. "I didn't know Nabiki wasn't up there. Honest."

Noboyuki was swelling with pride. "My son is becoming a man. Oh how I longed for this day."

Ranma would have said something, but a loud "Ranma-san!" stopped him.

He turned towards the direction of the voice to notice Ayeka in the doorway behind the privacy curtains. She was waving him over without actually looking inside the Men's spring area. "Wonder what she wants?" His curiosity getting the better of him, he got out of the spring and grabbed his clothes. Once dressed, he walked out to the hallway where he saw Ayeka. "What's… up…"

Out of the corner of his eye he saw Nabiki. She was dressed in one of Ayeka's royal robes. Her hair, while in the same style, had a bit more volume to it. Her face was what caught his attention the most. Her lips had red lipstick, her eyes had a light coat of eye shadow, and her cheeks had a hint of blush. While looking at Nabiki, Ranma developed a blush. "Na-Nabiki…" he said disbelievingly.

Nabiki developed a blush of her own. "Do you like?" All Ranma could reply with is a nod.

Ayeka gave a slight smirk. "I'm going to take a soak in the springs. Have fun you two."

Neither Ranma nor Nabiki noticed her leave. "Wow…" Ranma breathed. "You look fantastic."

Nabiki's blush deepened. "Thank you. Ayeka helped me with it. You wouldn't believe all the stuff she has."

"I don't remember ya ever wearing this much make-up. What made ya change your mind?"

Nabiki smirked. "It seems that Ayeka has this thing about women needing to know how to wear make-up properly. She doesn't like the fact that I have only a small bag for all of my cosmetics."

"Hm, maybe ya should talk with her more often."

"Oh, and why's that?" she asked with a raised eyebrow. "Didn't like me before?"

Ranma, sensing trouble, started to panic. "No, no, that's not what I meant. I mean… I mean…. Ah man."

Nabiki giggled. "Don't worry Ranma, I know what you mean." She gave him a hug. "And thank you. For everything."

Ranma returned the hug. "Mm, nice perfume. Where did you get it?"

"Ayeka also thinks that I need more variety with my perfumes as well."

Ranma was a bit curious. "What else did she have in mind?"

"She also wants to get my finger and toe nails done, but claims to not have the proper equipment with her to fix them right now."

Ranma raised an eyebrow. "With all the stuff I carried in for her? She didn't bring everything?"

"She says she only brought a quarter of all of her stuff."

Ranma shook his head. "Nabiki, promise me ya won't ever get as much stuff as she has. I think it's kinda ridiculous to have that much stuff, ya know."

Nabiki smirked. "Trust me Ranma, I totally agree with you, though we both could use new wardrobes."

Ranma looked slightly insulted. "What's wrong with what I got?"

"Nothing, but don't you feel tired of wearing the same thing over and over again?"

Ranma shrugged. "Not really. I wore nothing but this and a training gi for about ten years."

"Case in point." Nabiki broke the hug and stepped back a step. "I think you would look dashing with a polo shirt and slacks. Maybe we should put your hair into a ponytail. I sense a shopping trip is in our future."

Ranma groaned. Shopping was not one of his favorite things to do. "Oh man…what's that?" Ranma sense a power source coming from outside. "Stay here Nabs." Ranma ran off towards the source of the power he was feeling.

"Stay here he says. I think not." Nabiki ran after him.

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Ranma ran into the girl's spa area. He watched Ryoko summon up a giant spirit. "How did she do that?"

"Certainly lives up to her name."

Ranma turned to his side. "I thought I told you to stay back."

Nabiki would of countered with something, but the spirit's roar stopped her. They watched as the demon took a swing at Ryoko. "I don't think she has control of it."

"And I think she just realized that." Ranma charged the rogue spirit. "Hey, ugly, over here!"

The spirit noticed Ranma yelling at it and roared. It took a swipe at Ranma, who quickly dodged. Ranma stuck out his tongue. "Nayh Nayh, missed me."

Ryoko took a shot at it with her energy blast, and it destroyed a part of its torso, but the demon reformed the area, making it as good as new. "Shit! What are we going to do?"

"Nabiki, get Sasami and Ayeka out of here while I distract it." Ranma turned towards the enemy. "Alright, let's see how you like this. Moko Takabisha!" A ball of orange chi shot out from Ranma's hands and flew towards the spirit. It had the same effect as Ryoko's energy blast. "Shit."

The spirit was about to counter-attack, but it was distracted by a bunch of weighted chains. "Take this demon." Mousse followed his last attack with a bunch of small bombs.

The demon roared not in pain but in annoyance. "This is going to require some work," Mousse observed.

"Hey, Mousse, do ya got any wards or anything like that?"

"Sorry Saotome, I'm fresh out at the moment, but I do have my port-a-potty if you feel the need to piss your pants."

Ranam was about to make a comeback remark, but the spirit showed that it didn't like being ignored. It took a swing at Ranma who quickly dodged.

"Hey you two, pay attention!" Ryoko yelled out. She gathered energy in her hand to form a sword. "Take this!" She swung at the spirit and managed to chop off it's right arm, but it grew back.

"I don't want to do this, but I've got no choice." He shot another Moko Takabisha at the spirit. "Hey, ugly, try to get me if you can."

The spirit took the bait and Ranma led it through a spiral. Mousse, who quickly recognized the move, gave him plenty of room. Ryoko noticed this and followed suit. Once they reached the middle, Ranma punched the air while yelling, "Hiryu Shoten Ha!"

Ryoko watched in amazement as a tornado formed in the middle of the spring. The spirit and all the water in the spring was sucked up inside. Not wanting to be anywhere near the landing point for all that water, Ryoko and Mousse backed off even further. All the water fell down making a huge splash, drenching everyone there. Ryoko smirked. "That was some move there, Ranma."

Ranma smirked. "Thanks… shit." The spirit not only was up and awake, but it was mad as well. "It didn't even faze him."

Ayeka looked on with awe and fear. "Oh my." Sasami sat there stunned.

Nabiki noticed Ryo-ohki. 'I don't want to do it, but….' A loud yell pulled her from her thoughts.

Tenchi joined the battle activating his sword. "Alright, let's do this. Hiiiyahhhh" Tenchi sliced both of spirit's arms off and one of its legs. "That should do it."

"We already tried that. Think again," Ranma stated. The spirit grew its limbs back and turned the new fighter.

Tenchi tightened the grip on his sword. "What's it going to take to beat this thing?"

The answer came when the sky turned crimson and black. A gaint black hole appeared in the middle of the sky, which sucked up the spirit. A few moments later, a spaceship appeared out of the hole. They watched as the ship started to tear apart. While this was going on, Ranma, Ryoko, and Tenchi were sucked up into the storm. "Ranma!" Nabiki yelled.

As they were being tossed about, Ranma noticed a woman who was unconscious. Being the sweet guy he was, he worked his way over to her and grabbed her. That's when the storm stopped and everything went back to normal. 'Hey, we're pretty high up,' Ranma noted as he began his descent down towards the springs.

Ranma landed with a big splash, drenching everyone again. Nabiki didn't care. She ran up to her fiancé. "Ranma! Are you alright?"

Ranma nodded. "Yeah, but she's not."

Nabiki noticed the woman Ranma was holding. "Who is she?"

"I don't know, but I found her drifting in the storm. We better get her inside."

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Ranma leaned in towards Nabiki. "I hate to say it but she fits the stereotypical blonde format, don't you agree?"

Nabiki nodded in agreement. How could anyone come to the conclusion that Ryoko was a watch repairwoman? "I'm more interested in the felon she was chasing. Ayeka and Sasami keep saying this is pretty much a backwater area of the galaxy, so hiding here is actually a good move."

"You know, when I first learned of their extraterrestrial origins, I didn't believe it," Mousse stated. "Now… it seems more fitting."

Ranma watched as Mihoshi looked at the screen that came out of her watch. The blood drained from his face when he heard of Ryo-ohki's crimes. "That thing did what?"

Nabiki looked at Ryo-ohki. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say that she was a bit proud of it."

Mousse adjusted his glasses. "I do say she does have a smug expression on her face."

"And it ate the tip of the gun," Ranma stated as he watched Ryo-ohki do just that.

Nabiki rubbed her chin. "I wonder if it would survive Akane's cooking,"

Ranma shuddered. "I don't think anyone or anything could stand up to that."

"Tenchi!" Everyone turned towards the old lady who had Noboyuki by the ear. "You better start explaining this!"

Tenchi started to laugh nervously. "Well, you see…"

"Hello. Is anyone here?"

Ranma, Nabiki, and Mousse looked at each other. "It couldn't be," Nabiki said while heading towards the voice.

When she made to the hallway she saw someone she didn't expect to see for a while. "Kasumi?"

A/N: I'd figure that is a good place to stop for a bit. Next chapter will explain why Kasumi is at the inn.

And remember, All work and no play makes me go CRAZY!