Hunters
Ryouga Yagami
Ranma 1/2 belongs to Rumiko Takahashi
Hunters, people that have no place to live, no place to call home. Some because like this way of living. And others because is the only way.
RANMA, THE HUNTER
Open field near Kusanagi, morning, New Year's day
Ranma Saotome belongs to the second category. He left his village at the age of eighteen and now, six months later, he still looks for the cure of his curse. Sometimes his legs brought him back to his village, Kusanagi. He always waited someone, his father, his mother or his friends to come when he was near the village. But no one came.
'So near, so far', he thought and walked away from Kusanagi. "Hope everything changes this year", he said to no one in particular. It was good to hear his voice sometimes. Or simply talk to the air and the spirits Ranma believed were around.
A shadow caught his attention. He looked at the sky and saw two giant black ravens, 'Not the way I wanted the year to begin'. The two ravens came in his direction. The first one tried to hit Ranma with its beak, but failed. The second raven attacked with its wings but failed too. He was again in his fight stance when the first raven tried another attack. 'Such an easy enemy', he thought confident and when the bird was near, Ranma not only escaped from the attack, but also got the animal by the neck, "So, you think you can eat me for breakfast? Sorry to say, but you are mine"
---
After having breakfast, Ranma walked again. His life was resumed in walk, stop in a village, look for a cure, find none and go away. He wished he could end this cycle soon, but things were not going the way he wanted, he visited many places in the last six months and thought that it was time to try other horizons. Other continent. But he needed someone with a ship to transport him. He looked at his map again. The city of Scion would be his next destiny.
---
Scion, afternoon
"RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!", a man yelled and did as he said. Everyone around followed his actions, looked for a shelter or went to their homes. One minute after the yell, the street was empty. No people, no merchants.
"I think they learned", a tall man dressed in formal red chinese like clothes said as walked on the main street. Everyday he walked there and didn't like anybody to get on his way. His companion was a thirty-year-old man, long black hair tied on a low ponytail, dressed only in blue large pants and with a sword. After both figures passed, everyone went back to the street again.
'Strange', Ranma thought. He watched the scene from a roof and was expecting something big when he heard the man yelling. But when just two guys passed, he was disappointed. He landed on the street and looked around. It was like nothing happened, the women talked about other subjects, the merchants were trying to sell their products and children were playing.
'Something happened here and nobody seems to care... well, need to look for the port...', then he heard a scream and everybody looked for a shelter again, 'What's going on here?'.
---
The tall man looked with pleasure his companion punch an old man. "This is what happens if someone gets in my way", the tall man said. Even if the street was empty, he knew that everyone was hearing him.
"You... are... going to regret this some... some day...", the old man managed to say and stood up. He passed a hand on his white beard and on few hair that he still had on his head and adjusted his black gi.
"Father!", a twenty-year-old woman called. Her hair was short and it was black. She ran to help the old man.
"Yuri, get out of this!", the old man said, "I'm going to finish this now!"
The tall man looked surprised, "Oh, you dare challenge me? Well, this will be very interesting, a change for once", then turned to his companion, "Yari, finish them"
"Yes, master", Yari said and before he could do any movement, a young man was in front of him.
"I don't like to interfere in fights, but since people here seem to fear you, I will stay in your way", Ranma performed his best I'm-a-hero-so-you-can't-beat-me pose.
"What are you doing, young? You don't need to help me", the old man said.
"You are welcome", Ranma replied never taking his eyes off his enemies.
"Yari, come back", the tall man ordered and turned to Ranma, "Who are you, young?"
Ranma studied his opponents carefully, "Ranma Saotome from Kusanagi"
"Oh, a village to the north, not very far. I was thinking in attack there in a few days", the tall man smirked, "Be proud you will be my next victim. My name is Kouzou Hakeda. But you will not survive time enough to kneel in front of me and beg for your life", Hakeda smiled.
"Let's see about that, Hakeda", Ranma dropped in fight stance.
"It's mister Hakeda for you. Yari, attack!", Hakeda ordered.
"Yes, master", Yari said and firmed his grip on the one hand sword.
"You two, find a place to hide and let things with me!", Ranma said and ran to attack Yari. He jumped to escape from Yari's sword and tried to kick his head, but Yari blocked with his hand. He landed and waited a sword attack, but Yari kicked him on the trunk. Ranma jumped back and put a hand over the area.
"Not very good, need to practice more", Ranma taunted, but Yari's face didn't change, 'The guy is cold as ice, what's with him?', then he noticed Yari's eyes, 'They are... red? Is he a demon?', he thought.
"Practice?", Hakeda said, "I think you need it, because I didn't see any attack of yours"
"Now is the fun begins", Ranma got in his fight stance again. Suddenly an energy ball hit Yari's sword. The sword fell on the ground and Yari stunned.
Ranma looked at the place the ball came and saw the old man, 'They always like to interfere, don't they?', and looked at Yari again, 'It seems something happened here'. Yari was sweating. His mouth was opened and he was trembling.
"Stupid, old man!", Hakeda shouted and released an energy towards him. The energy hit the target and the old man flew far away.
Yari fell on the ground and Ranma ran to the old man. Hakeda walked near Yari and got him by his arms, "Tomorrow morning, you can consider Scion a ghost city", he said and walked away.
"Hey, Hakeda!", Ranma called.
"Let him, young man. This is all my fault", the old man said and fainted.
'Great, now I'm on something I know nothing about', he thought and put the old man on his arms, 'And he can be old, but sure is heavy. Where is that girl?'
---
Scion, night, Inabuki's house
"Thank you for your help, mister Saotome", Yuri said and handed Ranma a plate.
"Er... forget about this and, please, don't call me mister, just Ranma is fine", he paused to eat, "But what is all that about?", Yuri seemed very uncomfortable, "If you don't want..."
"No, I'll tell you what happened. After your help today, it's good to you to know what's going on", she paused, "Everything began a month ago when Kouzou Hakeda came to this city. He is a demon that likes to see the fear in people. Nobody knows why he is here or where he is from, but since he began to kill animals, people or break anything that was in his way, lots of fighters tried to defeat him. No one was successful. My brother was very close to kill Hakeda, but then he got Hakeda's sword. And since then, he wasn't the same..."
"Don't tell me your brother is..."
"Yes, Yari is my brother", Yuri tried to control her sobs, "That sword... dominated his mind and... Hakeda controls him... my father, was very upset and watched Yari and Hakeda walking on the streets everyday. But today he decided to fight Yari and, if necessary, kill him... then you appeared and..."
Ranma sighed, "Don't need to talk anymore", he looked at the old man unconscious, "I came here just to get in a ship and this happens. Like I didn't have any other problems", he mumbled.
"Do you need to be in a ship? Why?"
Ranma looked at Yuri surprised, 'Have to stop to talk out loud my thoughts', "I need to go to Kazima"
"The other continent?", Yuri asked and Ranma nodded, "Well, that's kind of hard. The captains around here don't like to have people from other places as sailors", 'Except Captain Gambarou', she added mentally.
Ranma sighed again, "That's great. Now how I'll go to Kazima?", then they heard a loud noise coming from outside, "What is going on?", Ranma asked and thought he was asking that too much lately.
Yuri went to the window, "Oh, my God… There are a lot of people outside", she reported.
"Yuri Inabuki! Come here!", a man yelled. Behind him, everyone was holding torches.
"What is going on?", Ranma asked again and cursed himself for repeating the question.
The shorthaired girl sighed, "I was already waiting for this, stay here, please", she opened the door and went outside. Yuri faced the people in front of her. She could say that they were not happy and that this would be a hard talk, "I'm here, what do you want?", she asked in a cold tone.
"We came here to burn your house down. You are not welcome to live here anymore", the leader said, "Go away before we have to use violent methods"
Silence.
"I... I can't believe it... did I hear it right?", she asked and couldn't help let the tears fall from her eyes, "Our family protects Scion for generations... my father... he saved this city lots of times when younger... and now we are... being expulsed?"
"I'm sorry, miss Inabuki, but..."
"How can I believe in your words! If you were really feeling any guilt, you would not cooperate with this! And what is the meaning of expulsing us? Do you think that Hakeda will stop coming here if you do it!"
"Hakeda will not come here again", everyone turned to see Ranma with his arms crossed leaned on the front door.
"This is all your fault! If you didn't try to save the old man...", the guy stopped to talk when Ranma went on his direction and got him by the collar.
"And where were you? Hiding under a bed, for sure! At least the old man tried to save all of you and his son!", Ranma threw the guy on the ground, "Now, listen. Tomorrow I'll fight this Hakeda guy and win. Now let us in peace"
The guy got up, "What a stupid hunter can do to save us?", and tried to punch Ranma who just dodged the attack and kicked his back. The guy fell on the ground unconscious.
"Now, who is the next to call me 'stupid' and meet the floor?", Ranma challenged. The crew kept the silence.
Yuri was surprised, 'Probably no one saw, but that was not one kick, but several and in strategic places. I just saw four of them', she thought, 'Maybe we have a chance to win'
The leader turned to Yuri, "Better you and this hunter win tomorrow. We will wait", he said and, before someone protested, walked away.
---
"I can't believe it"
Krisaor woke up. His daughter told him what happened, "And I thought our family deserved something after so many generations protecting this place... I guess I don't know the human being's heart very well", he stood up.
"Father, please, lie down, you are not very good yet", Yuri warned.
"I'll, Yuri. But before, I need to say thanks to that young man"
---
On Inabuki's roof
"So here you are", Krisaor said from the ground. Ranma was on the roof watching the stars for the lack of anything else to do.
"Oh, hi, old man. How are you feeling?"
"Show some respect, my name is Krisaor Inabuki"
Ranma rolled eyes, "Geez, very well, mister Inabuki", then Ranma noticed Krisaor's body full of bandages, "What are you doing here? Your wounds are not healed"
Kisaor crossed his arms, "Thanks for your worry. But I'm here to thank you for staying by our side"
Ranma blinked, "Oh, don't worry about that. It's just the way I live", and looked at the sky.
"Don't you want to talk about it?", Krisaor asked.
Ranma looked back at Krisaor. 'Maybe this old man can help me... but probably not', "Sure, old man", he jumped to the ground, "Just let's talk inside", then Krisaor punched his head, "Hey, that's how you say thanks?"
"Show some respect for the old, young man. It's mister Krisaor for you", and both enter in the house.
---
In a cave near Scion, night
"Now I'm feeling better", Hakeda said caressing the one-hand sword, "Tomorrow, we will pulverize every being in that city. Scion will be risked from the maps"
The sword glowed.
---
Scion, night, Inabuki's house
"This is strange", Krisaor said as he saw Ranma-girl, "You said a demon did it to you, right?"
"Yes... mister Inabuki", Ranma-girl answered.
"I'm sorry to say that I really don't know. If you had been cursed years ago, it would not be hard to find a mage that could help you, but nowadays...", Krisaor paused as he saw the expression on Ranma-girl's face, "But you can't lose the hope, young... young..."
"I'm a man, ok!", Ranma-girl shouted and Krisaor punched her.
"Show some respect!"
'Oh, man. Why do these things always happen to me?', Ranma thought.
"Back to the subject, I hope you can find your cure in the distant west lands of Kazima, but a warning: Don't let nobody here find about your curse. People don't like to have cursed people as their sailors", 'Except for Captain Gambarou', he added mentally.
"Thanks for the advice", Ranma-girl said and stood up, "Are you sure you want to do that?"
"What, my plan?", Ranma-girl nodded, "I think it's the only way, even if I'm not in my best form"
Ranma-girl sighed, "Well, it's your choice. Now, excuse me, I need to sleep for tomorrow"
"Go, young... man. May the gods protect you"
"Just one more thing, mister Inabuki"
"Yes?"
"I need some hot water. I don't like to stay in my female body for a long time"
"Oh, sure. I'll bring you some, just wait", Krisaor said and went to warm the water.
---
Scion, morning
Everything seemed already dead when Hakeda and Yari stepped inside the city. The sky was dark and it was winding violently. Just Ranma was there to receive them.
"It seems everyone has something better to do, except for you, Ranma Satome", Hakeda said.
"It's Ranma Saotome"
"It doesn't matter. In some minutes you will be dead and your name will not have any importance to the world", Hakeda turned to Yari, "Bring his head to me"
"Yes, master", Yari ran to Ranma and tried to slice him with his sword. Ranma jumped back and avoided every attack.
"Not, very fast, Yari", Ranma crouched and kicked Yari's legs. The swordsman fell on the ground, but even there he tried to slice Ranma. The pigtailed man rolled back and stood up, "I think he's not very good, Hakeda, why are you hiding behind him?", suddenly Yari came in high speed and punched Ranma on the face. He was pushed away by the impact, but didn't fall, 'Now, this hurts', he thought and looked at Yari, "If you were not being controlled, I would kill you, but mister Inabuki and your sister care too much about you"
Yari didn't respond and attacked Ranma again. He ran and suddenly disappeared, 'Where is he?', Ranma thought and his instincts told him to jump left. If he didn't, Yari would have separated his right arm from his body.
"I think it's better you go to kill, Ranma Saotome. Or you'll be killed", Hakeda smirked.
Ranma and Yari glared at each other. Yari had an emotionless expression and Ranma a concentrated one. He needed to take the sword off of Yari's hand and then he could fight the real enemy. He remembered that the day before, Krisaor released some kind of energy and the sword fell on the ground. Then Yari fell unconscious. 'Hope the old man is right', Ranma thought and launched himself at his enemy. Yari waited the impact, but Ranma jumped over his head and landed behind him. He quickly held Yari by his shoulders, "Now, mister Inabuki!", he yelled.
"What!", Hakeda said as he saw an energy coming in Yari and Ranma's direction. Hakeda released his energy sphere, but it was cancelled by another, "Who could...", then he looked at Yuri together with Krisaor over a roof.
Krisaor's energy continued his trajectory and hit its target. Yari and Ranma fell on the ground and Yari let the sword fall.
"Great shoot, old man!", Ranma yelled and got up.
Krisaor smiled, "That... was good... because it was... my only chance...", he said and fell unconscious.
"Father!", Yuri exclaimed, but before she could do something, Hakeda was behind her.
"Idiots", he said coldly and backhanded Yuri that fell from the roof.
"Yuri!", Ranma yelled, but felt his shoulders hurt, 'That old man... he didn't need to attack with such power', he thought.
"And you…", Hakeda said to the unconscious Krisaor.
"Where am I?", Yari said and put a hand over his head. Then he looked around and saw his sister lying on the floor, a pigtailed man and Hakeda with his father, "What...?"
"You will die!", Hakeda shouted and released energy over Krisaor. Big explosion. Krisaor and the house disappeared.
"FATHER!", Yari and Yuri yelled at the same time. After some time, raindrops were falling from the sky.
The only sound after that was of the rain and occasional thunders.
Hakeda, back to the ground, let the raindrops land over his palm, "Are these your tears, Krisaor?", Hakeda asked and laughed.
"Krisaor...", Ranma-girl punhed the ground and then stared at Hakeda, "Now you'll die, Hakeda!", she yelled.
Hakeda was surprised, "A girl? But what's the meaning of this?"
"My name is Ranma Saotome. And I'm the man who will kill you", a thunder resounded in the sky.
"Man? But what I see it's a woman... unless you are..."
"I'm cursed in this girl form. But this is not important now", Ranma-girl said and was in fight stance, "I'll kick you to hell!"
Hakeda laughed, "I want to see you do it", and raised a hand. The sword glowed and flew to his hand, "Come here, girl"
"Don't call me 'girl'!", Ranma-girl yelled and jumped towards Hakeda. She tried to kick and punch Hakeda several times, but didn't touch him.
"It seems that in your girl's body you are faster, but you still can't put a finger on me"
"Shut up!", Ranma tried to punch Hakeda again, but it was useless.
Distant from there, Yuri managed to get near her brother, "Yari, are you ok?"
"Yuri...", he was still in shock, "What is happening here?", he said his eyes full of tears, "Don't tell me this is my..."
"Don't worry about that now, brother. Ranma is fighting alone and...", then Yuri saw that Ranma was a woman, "But he was a man... what...?", Yari stood up, "Yari, what are you doing?"
He passed a hand over his mouth and then looked at the blood, "Man or woman this doesn't matter. She is fighting against that demon alone. I need to do something", he said and walked in their direction, "Find a place to hide"
"Yes... brother", Yuri stood up and went to a safe place.
---
Back to the fight
After a long time, Ranma-girl tried to attack Hakeda. She managed to connect a few attacks, but in the female body, her attacks were not as effective as a man. She looked at her wounds, courtesy of a very strong opponent. After sometime, the rain stopped. 'It's a good sign', Ranma-girl thought, but she still needed to find hot water.
"Are you tired, lady?", Hakeda taunted.
Ranma-girl smirked in response. 'Stupid rain, when I was a man I still had a chance, but now', suddenly she felt a hand over her shoulder.
"Hey, are you ok?", Yari asked.
Ranma-girl smiled, "Actually no. This guy is very stubborn. But I will...", then Yari was in front of Ranma-girl, "Hey, this is my fight!"
"I don't like people from outside to interfere in the family's business", Yari said without looking at Ranma-girl, "But I need you to recover your masculine form"
Ranma-girl blinked, "How did..."
"I saw you were a man before and a second after you became a woman. If you have a way to change back, do it", he said without looking at her.
"Thanks, man. I own you one", and left.
'I believe I'm the one owning here', Yari thought.
"This will be interesting, two fighters against me", Hakeda said, "So, Yari Inabuki, do you want to wait or can we begin?"
"Shut up, idiot! You will face my fist!", Yari yelled and the fight began again.
---
"Hey, someone, please, I need hot water!", Ranma-girl yelled, but no one came in his help, 'What is with this people?', she kneeled and began to yell louder, "SOMEONE, PLEASE HELP ME!"
"Don't need to yell", an old woman came behind him with a kettle, "Warm water takes time, you know?"
Ranma-girl was embarrassed, "Oh, sorry...", she took the water and threw over herself, "OUCH! Didn't need to burn it!", now a man, Ranma handed the kettle back to its owner, "Thank you", he said and ran back to the fight.
"Teenagers", the old woman went back to her house.
---
The fight
Even if his wounds were very serious, Yari managed to equilibrate the fight. But he was very tired while Hakeda showed no sign of exhaustion.
"So, you still have a lot of energy", Hakeda said, "But I still have more", he concentrated some energy in a hand and then dissipated it.
"If I were you I would only talk when everything is over"
"You only win if a miracle happen. Now, die!", Hakeda yelled but couldn't move. Ranma held Hakeda by his shoulders, his feet in air because of Hakeda's height, just like he did before with Yari.
"Now, man, shoot that power!", Ranma yelled believing that if his father and sister could shoot some energy, he could too.
Yari smirked, "It's my pleasure", and concentrated.
"Let me go, stupid! Or you will die here too!", Hakeda yelled.
"Die? Me? I'm not weak, man", but Ranma was having problems to keep Hakeda quiet.
"It's now! Die, Hakeda!", Yari shot his power and Ranma jumped and kicked Hakeda's back to throw him towards the energy.
BOOM
After the explosion, the sword broke in two and a smoke came out of it. Hakeda was on the floor and Yari put a hand over his arm. Using the Inabuki attack in such conditions was not the wisest thing to do. And Ranma was on the floor with a hand over his chest, 'I have to stop risking my life like that', he thought. Suddenly, Hakeda stood up, 'I can't believe it'
"Ouch, my head", he said, "Where am I?"
Hakeda fell again, "What is this pain?", Hakeda asked and preferred to stay on the floor.
"Now, let's kill him!", someone said and a lot of people ran out of their houses with knives, old swords and other weapons. Ranma began to protectHakeda, "Hey what are you doing?", a man asked, "Are you protecting this guy?"
Ranma breathed and said, "Nobody here has the right to kill Hakeda. You didn't do anything. Just the Inabuki family has this right".
Everyone stopped and waited for Yari and Yuri to show up.
"Please, let me pass", Yari said and people got out of the way. Yari looked at Hakeda, his eyes full of anger.
"Hey wasn't he taller in the fight? And what was that smoke that came out of the sword?", a man observed.
Ranma looked at Hakeda, "Now that you say, I was in the air when I got him. But now, I could do it easily and my feet on the ground"
"And his clothes seemed to fit him better, too", another man said.
Yari kneeled beside Hakeda, "Are you alright?", he asked.
Hakeda opened an eye, "Actually no. My whole body hurts. Where am I?"
"Scion", Yari answered.
"Scion? Garezu continent?", Hakeda asked and his eyes widened.
Yari blinked, "Yes... who are you?"
"My name is Kouzou Hakeda, explorer... I was exploring mines in Yusan and..."
"Yusan?", Ranma asked.
"A city in Kazima", Yuri said appearing behind Ranma.
"And what?", Yari asked Hakeda to continue.
"And I found a strange... sword... then I don't remember anything...", he said and fainted.
Everyone was in silence. Yari stood up, "Yuri, look for a place to stay", and turned to Ranma, "Could you please help me with him? I still have some questions to ask"
"But he...", Ranma began.
"I want to make sure that it was him that killed my father, but I suspect it was a demon inside that sword"
---
Outside Scion
"They beat me... I... can't believe it... I thought that after... all that time inside the... sword I would finally... begin a new era... but I was defeated... again...", suddenly the smoke dissipated in the air.
---
Scion, night
Yuri was taking care of Hakeda. Everything got clear after the explorer told his story. He was exploring mines in Yusan when he found an ancient sword. His companions said to him not touch the sword because of an ancient legend, but Hakeda didn't hear them and got it. After that, his mind went blank and he didn't remember anything. He asked what he did, but Yari said he didn't do anything.
Yari was in front of the place once was his house and where his father died, 'Father, I'm sorry', he thought.
"Yari", Ranma called.
"Yes, Ranma"
"Yuri is calling you", he paused, "Why didn't you say nothing to Hakeda?"
Yari closed his eyes, "I think he doesn't need to carry this weight. In a part it was his fault, if he listened the warns nothing of it would had happen, but in other way I... I can't do it to him. Even if I really want to kill him"
Ranma thought about Yari's words, "Well, I don't understand, but this is your choice", he looked at the place where was the Inabuki's house, "And about your house?"
Yari sighed, "We will live in Yuri's friend until next week. Then we will go to some other place. Scion is not our home anymore, Yuri told me what people did. They tried to expulse her and father", he looked at the sky, "Ranma, there's something I want you to have", he put a hand on his pocket and took out a scroll, "This is explaining how you can disparate energy attacks. It can be useful in your task", he said.
Ranma blinked and got the scroll, "Thanks, Yari"
"No, I must say thank you. If wasn't for you, I would not be here"
---
Scion, morning
Yari and Yuri were praying in silence over a symbolic grave of their father. Yuri cried and Yari just walked away, 'I'll not let a tear fall father. I'll be strong', but even thinking this, he felt a tear fell over his face. Yari smiled, 'Well, just this one'
"Yari, do you think Ranma and Hakeda left? I didn't see them when I woke up"
"Yes, Yuri, probably they are on the sea now", he looked at the sea, "I just hope they are not in..."
---
Scion, morning, a ship
"Well, sometimes it's good to travel", Ranma said.
"Sometimes", Hakeda said, "But not when you have to clear all the ship!", he yelled.
"Hey, don't complain! It's this or we would be stuck there", Ranma said.
"Hope you are not tired, cause there's a lot of work"
"Yes, Captain Gambarou", Ranma and Hakeda chorused.
"LOUDER!"
"YES, CAPTAIN GAMBAROU!"
"Good, after you clean the deck, you will clean the boats and my room! And after that, lunch!"
"And what is for lunch, captain?", Ranma asked.
"I don't know, sailor, but I suspect that I'll have meat and you'll have just potatoes!", the captain laughed, "Now back to work".
Hakeda sighed, "I don't know why we could not wait to say goodbye to Yuri and Yari. You need to be polite, Ranma"
"Shut up and clean!", Captain Gambarou yelled.
"You heard the man, Hakeda", Ranma said, 'Just hope Kazima has the cure for this curse... well, time will say it'
SPLASH
"STOP LOOKING AT NOTHING! BACK TO WORK, CURSED GIRL!", Captain Gambarou yelled again.
"Yes, captain!", Ranma-girl exclaimed unhappily and went back to work.