Disclaimer: I do not own Ranma ½ use it merely for entertainment purposes.

Ranma trudged his way through the dense forest of a country called Estonia. All he knew was that is was in Eastern Europe near Russia. Ranma was currently following Aishia to one of her kind. This particular Lupine was well over four thousand years old, but he was told that this person would not look more than about thirty years old. This friend was one of the most knowledgeable of the Lupines in terms of magic. According to Aishia the Lupine should have the ability to find Ranma's heritage by reading his supernatural aura. Also while they were there Aishia would begin Ranma's training by teaching him to change into his different forms.

As they continued to walk Ranma's tiredness was beginning to catch up with him. As soon as they left the airport in a city called Tallinn they began to move. At first Ranma was fine because he was able to sleep on the plane, after all the bad places he slept while on the training trip he could literally sleep anywhere. But as the journey continued jet lag caught up with him and he started to fell very drowsy. "Hey Aishia how much longer?" Ranma asked. "I'm starting to get kind of tired."

"Another couple of hours," Aishia said without looking back. "Riener, lives rather deep in the forest. Doesn't really like that many people."

"Don't wolves prefer to live in packs?" Ranma asked. Along the way Aishia explained that Lupines took on some of the social aspects of wolves as part of their nature. And one of the strongest was the need to be part of family, whether blood related or not.

"Riener is what you can call a lonewolf type," Aishia explained. "He's one of the few exceptions to the rule. He never really fit in with anyone, so he became a magician, they are often loners too."

They continued in silence for another few minutes until Ranma asked another question, "Doest this Riener speak Japanese? I hope I don't have to speak through you all the time."

Aishia stopped for a moment and thought, "You know in all the centuries I've known him I never asked," with a shrug she continued on, "We'll just to address that problem when we come to it."

Three hours later Ranma was literally walking in his sleep, well half sleep. He had been drifting off to sleep and continued walking about an hour after Aishia and he last talked. As he made another stumble he was awoken by a loud howl not more than a meter in front of him, "AAAWWWOOOO!"

Now fully awake Ranma saw Aishia howling into the night in her full wolf form. It was about the size he remembered Ryouga was but looked to have less mass and was about ten centimeters shorter at the shoulder. When he heard the howl something stirred inside of him as if responding to the call, "Aishia what was that? And why do I feel so strange?"

"That was a call of greeting," answered the deep, gruff, yet still feminine, voice from Aishia's muzzle. "All Lupines respond to it. Riener will answer the call soon by either showing up or…"

"AAWWWOOO!" came another howl from further into the forest.

"Or by howling a response back," she gave what appeared to Ranma as a smirk. She then changed from her full wolf form to her bipedal wolf form. "Come on he's given us permission to enter his territory," she turned back to Ranma who blinked at her in confusion, "Lupines and other Lycanthropes that live in the wild still stake out territories and visitors have to ask for permission to enter. It's a courteously like knocking on someone's door."

"Oh Ok," Ranma nodded. While not many people he knew would knock on the door, most would either sneak in or bust in, Ranma did know it was good manners to ask to be invited.

Ten minutes later Ranma and Aishia entered a small clearing where a modest old European style house stood. When they entered the clearing a tall gray bipedal wolf, well over two meters tall, (about 6' 9") was standing outside the house waiting for him. He soon came up to the pair and Aishia and the other Lupine started talking in the native language of the country. Meaning that Ranma had now idea what they there saying, "Aishia what're you two saying?"

Aishia turned away from the Lupine toward Ranma, "Sorry Ranma, this is Riener." She turned back to Riener and spoke gesturing to Ranma.

Riener turned to Ranma and spoke in broken Japanese, "Hello, nice meet you Ranma."

"Good you at least speak some Japanese," Ranma said. "And it's good to meet you too."

"Not speak Japanese in much time," Riener responded. "Come, long travel you need rest." Ranma made no argument and followed the two Lupines into house. There Riener led them to a guest room and showed them what looked to be very comfortable beds. Ranma did not hesitate and went to the closest and plopped down falling asleep as soon as he hit the bed.

Back in Nerima Happosai had returned from the 'training' journey with Genma and Soun. When the three got back Cologne had informed the Grand Master Pervert what happened while he was gone and that Ranma and Aishia would not return until the next full moon, in about three weeks. After Happosai learned that Ranma was a Lupine he went into serious contemplation about finally telling him the truth about everything he put his heir through. It was mostly to save his own hide because Happosai knew the next time Ranma stops one of his raids Happosai would just end up seriously injured. After all he had no delusion that a Lupine with his and Amazon techniques could do some serious city wrecking damage if he wanted to.

When Genma and Soun returned they were in the shock of their lives. First, Genma was not allowed to stay at the Saotome Home. Second the agreement between the Saotome and Tendo Clans about uniting the Schools became void by Nodoka. And third they learned that Nodoka was filing for divorce. Needless to say neither of them were happy to hear the news. Soun spent the entire day bawling about the Schools never being united and Genma became scared that all his planning was failing and crumbling around him. What Genma feared most about his current freeloading, without the excuse of uniting the Schools he had no real reason to stay at the Dojo. He could count Soun to allow him to stay but even someone as stupid as Genma could see that Soun did not run the house, it was his daughters Nabiki and Kasumi.

Currently the two Students of Happosai were sitting on the back porch playing shogi. Unlike most times however neither were actually moving, taking, or stealing pieces to try and win. This time both were too worried about their future to even give the game consideration. When a knock at the door was heard they did not pay any attention until the person whom knocked at the door came into their line of vision, it was Nodoka. Genma was the first to react and jumped to his feet and then began to grovel, "What are you doing here, No-chan?" he asked. "It is a matter of honor, you must see that Ranma must marry Akane."

"Yes," Soun jumped to agree with his friend, "It is the only way the Schools can be united and they must be joined."

"I am not here reinstate the engagement," Nodoka responded. "I am here to say that your Daughters are still able to pursue my Son but if he even chooses one of them will be up to Ranma. Second I have come to ask that I still be permitted to visit your Daughters, Soun. We have become very close and I value their friendship a great deal."

Soun was unsure at what to do for a few moments. But after quickly thinking he realized that this was the best chance at uniting the Schools, Ranma was still Happosai's chosen Heir and could unite them that way, he agreed, "Oh of course Nodoka. My girls would love to have you around and I am sure Ranma will like to have them around as well."

Genma began to sweat, "What about us?"

"I'm still getting a divorce," Nodoka answered. Genma then began to sweat even more and decided to leave the room with Soun incase Nodoka persuaded him to kick him out.

Back with Ranma, Aishia and Riener, after a good night's sleep Ranma was ready to get the training to begin. But before they would begin Riener wanted to scan his aura. And that brings Ranma sitting in Riener's cellar in his under where Ranma was in nothing but his underwear. "Um why do I have to be in my underwear."

"It make Lay Line pass in you gooder," Riener answered.

"Lay Line?" Ranma wondered.

"The Lay Lines are the magical energies that pass through the Earth," Aishia explained. "They will help Riener in his scan."

"Oh ok," Ranma then thought for a minute about him and magic. And the obvious question was raised, "Hey um Riener could you don anything about my Jusenkyo curse?"

"I sorry but no," Riener answered, "Springs use different magic I use."

"What do you mean?" Ranma asked.

"The Springs use very powerful Chaos Magic Ranma," Aishia explained again. "Riener uses Elemental Magic and Spirit Magic. But I do know someone that might help. After we're done here we'll seek her out."

"Hey thanks Aishia," Ranma smiled very widely.

"I ready," Riener announced. He then began to chant in a strange language neither Aishia nor Ranma could understand. Soon the candles that were set up for lighting began wave by a wind neither could feel. Strange pictographic righting that had been painted onto the wall started to glow and then Riener and soon after Ranma followed not far behind. After several minutes the glowing light died down and both Ranma and Riener where breathing very hard. "I done, I know."

"So what is he?" Aishia asked.

"He Great White Hunter of Northern Land," Riener confirmed, "He also Stalker."

"Well that explains his size," Aishia nodded. "She turned to Ranma anticipating his question, the Stalkers are Lupines from England they are on the larger side of Lupines but still not the biggest. Not many still live in England as their Ancestral Home was destroyed about nine centuries ago."

"But I thought the Wolf's Eye were from America," Ranma said.

"They are," Aishia said. "But don't forget he was not pure Native American either, he was half European descent, in this case English." Ranma nodded in agreement remembering what Nodoka said when she explained his heritage.

"I find other thing," Riener spoke up.

"What I'm part of another line?" Ranma asked half serious and half joking.

"No I find magic traces of Lunar Thorn," Riener answered.

"I think we just found the reason why you're a Lycanthrope Ranma," Aishia said.

"Why do you say that? And what's a Lunar Thorn?" Ranma asked.

"A Lunar Thorn is a magical plant that combined with certain factors turn a human into a Lycanthrope," Aishia said. "In your case the wolf bite and the Lunar Thorn combined to turn you into a Lycanthrope."

"Hunter and Stalker blood in Ranma before," Riener joined in. "Lunar Thorn and bite mix with blood cause you to be Lupine."

Ranma wondered if magic could combine like that. But after seeing people like Taro he decided he believed them. Besides they were the experts at Lycanthropes not him. So far all he had been told are a few of the general information like the transformations and the advantages and disadvantages. "So now that's done do we begin training?"

"No," Riener answered. Ranma looked depressed for a moment, that is until Riener continued, "Now food. I hungry." Ranma then perked up and smiled just as his stomach growled very loudly.

Up stairs in the Dining Room Ranma waited for lunch to be served. The smells coming from the kitchen were strange but no less mouth watering. Fifteen minutes later Riener brought a large roasted boar, when it was set on the table Ranma looked to Aishia and saw that she was salivating at the mouth. That was also when he felt some liquid running down his own mouth, reaching up realized he was drooling. "Maybe it has to do with being a Lupine," he thought.

After the meal, which consisted of mostly meat, Ranma was rather eager to start training. He had scene a few examples of what Aishia's bipedal wolf form and wanted to see what his could do. "So where do we begin?" Ranma asked.

"First you must learn how to change into your full wolf form," Aishia instructed. "It is best to know what your two full forms feel like in order to change properly into your bipedal wolf form."

"So how do I change into my full wolf form?" Ranma asked.

"You start by taking off your close," Aishia instructed.

Ranma blushed for a moment but started to comply, "So is this to help with drawing those Lay Lines things?"

"No," Aishia answered, "The transformation only involves your own power not an outside source."

Ranma paused for a moment after putting his shirt down, "Then why do I need to take off my clothes."

"So you don't tear them up," Aishia said. Ranma face faulted at that, Aishia smiled at that and continued, "After you've learned how to change I'll show you some tricks to store your close while you change."

After Ranma became dressed only in his boxers again, he refused go completely naked, he was almost completely red, "Now what?"

"Now comes the tricky part," Aishia answered. "The first controlled transformations have to be done while in a deep meditative state so that your animal instincts don't override your reason. Then you must search inside yourself to find the part of you that will cause you to change."

"How will I know when I found it?" Ranma asked.

"Only you can answer that," Aishia said. "Because it is part of yourself only you can know the right trigger to change. The length of time varies from person to person, some have been know to take several days before they accomplish their first controlled transformation."

Ranma nodded and sat down and closed his eyes. He then slowed his breathing and then cleared his mind and began to focus on his Ki. Ranma remembered that the White Hunters of the Northern Lands were known for their Ki and Chi manipulation so he figured it was a good place to start his inner search. Ranma located the source of his Ki deep within his mind and focused on it entirely blocking out all outside influences. From the noise of the forest to felling of the dirt he was sitting on to his very emotions that he used to focus his Ki in the past. During the plane ride to Riener's home Aishia and he had a long discussion about the dangers of using emotions to focus Ki, especially for Lycanthropes whose emotions are much stronger than a humans. It can lead to serious problems in the delicate balance between instinct and reason a Lycanthrope needs maintain control.

Once Ranma became completely focused on his Ki and nothing else he suddenly found his awareness of his mind's eye staring directly into the face of a pure white wolf the size of a good sized truck. Ranma reasoned this was the imagery of his wolf state because those that witnessed his transformation described what he looked like. At first he did not believe what they said about how he looked but if this was what he looked like Ranma could understand why they said he was beautiful, though he did not like the way it sounded. No he much preferred, "Majestic," he thought, "Yes majestic works just fine."

What Ranma found rather strange about the mental image of his wolf form was that it was asleep. Why it was asleep he had no idea, but if wanted answers on how to change into that form he figured it would have the answers he needed. That meant that Ranma had to wake up the imaginary wolf. Moving closer to the wolf Ranma could not help but actually feel at peace when he came near it. It was like coming in contact with a part of him that he had lost a long time ago and was now become complete. Ranma gently reached his hand out and started to shake the wolf trying to wake it up. Unfortunately there was no response from the wolf. After what felt like five minutes of trying to wake up the wolf and no response Ranma stepped back and began to think of how he could wake his wolf side up. After several perceived minutes of contemplation and not coming up with any solutions, its not like he could make a loud noise inside his own mind, Ranma became stumped. "So how do I wake you up?" he asked the wolf. Too his surprise the wolf's eyes shot open and he came face to face with the familiar deep blue he saw every morning in the mirror. That was the last thing he saw as all the outside stimuli suddenly came back to him in full force all at once, causing his mental world to collapse around him in a bright flash of pure light.

Outside Ranma's body Aishia sat watching over him. Three hours had passed since he entered his meditation and had been locked in place since then. As she watched she heard Riener come up from behind her and began to speak in his native language, "Has there been any change?"

"No," Aishia answered in the same language. "He just sits there with his eyes closed. If it weren't for his breathing I would say he would probably be dead."

"Quite surprising to be able to enter such a deep meditative state so quickly," Riener commented. "I don't think anything could disturb him at this point."

"True," Aishia said. "But what everyone that knows him tells me is true then it would not be wise to underestimate him in anything."

Riener nodded he could sense still untapped potential when he scanned Ranma's supernatural aura so he could believe just about anything from the young Lupine. "Does he have a prospective mate?"

Riener's question caught Aishia off guard, "Why do you ask?" clearly showing her surprise.

"Because he's an Alfa by nature," Riener answered. "He will want to form his own pack soon and I was just wondering if a female has caught his attention."

Aishia snorted for a minute thinking about all the girls that tried to claim Ranma as their husband when she read the file Nabiki gave her. "Not 'a' Riener, but several."

"Several?" Riener asked. "Quite odd in the modern world."

"Yes well the details are a long story," Aishia responded. "But let me just say that as a result of a stupid parent he was engaged to several dozen young girls during a ten year training journey. Most have been resolved but when we left he still had at least four girls gaining his attentions." Aishia then gave Riener a smirk, "And one of those girls just happens to he be Cologne's Great Granddaughter and chosen Heir."

Riener started to chuckle at hearing that, "And knowing her she made the poor boy's life a nightmare just for her own amusement."

"You nailed right on the head," Aishia said. "She even used the old Kiss of Marriage excuse." Riener laughed even harder upon hearing that, "But you know from what I could see she rather likes the kid, so much in fact she started teaching him Amazon techniques even though they were outside the Amazon village."

Riener would have commented but he was interrupted when both Lupines felt a sudden surge of Ki coming from Ranma. When they looked over they saw Ranma's eyes snap open and then close again, only this time in pain. He fell forward and caught himself with his arms even as they began to change from arms to forelegs. At the same time he fell forward the rest of his body began to change as well; his face elongated, fir started to cover his body, a bushy white tail sprouted at the base of his spine and his overall body becomes much larger and more muscular. By the end Ranma was once again in his full wolf form and painting from the excursion. "Congratulations Ranma," Aishia approached speaking in Japanese, "The first few time are always painful but they get easier with each transformation. A few more transformations to let you get used to the process we'll begin training you to transform into your bipedal form. For now get used to your for by taking a run through the forest." Ranma nodded and unsteadily stood up and began to run off into the forest.

As he left Riener came up behind Aishia and commented, "He is a rather impressive sight isn't he."

"That he is," Aishia agreed.