Disclaimer: I do not own Ranma ½ or Sacrifice™ or any related characters, terms or concepts.
Author's Notes: Wow… over 100 reviews for this story- I never dared believe I'd get so much as a 10th that number! To those of you asking: no, I do not intend to cross this fic over with any other fandoms. I don't really know any other anime/manga bar my primary trio: Ranma ½, Neon Genesis Evangelion and Slayers, though I also have a degree of knowledge in Inuyasha and El-Hazard, as well as some passing knowledge of Tenchi Muyo! Besides, this fic doesn't need any more elements; there's enough to do blending Sacrifice (before you say anything: I know I've really twisted it, but it's damn hard to write for straight from the game) and Ranma ½. By the way, none of you answered my question: do you think I should make alternaverse stories where Ranma chose a different God or not?
Part 7: Changing Patterns
Ranma's gaze swept across the stunned Nerima Wrecking Crew, inwardly smiling at how well his minor display of power had caught their attention.
"But power and a cure were not the only things that I acquired in Empyrea. You see, I am tired of being fought over and blamed, attacked for no reason and in general treated like a toy, a trophy, or a punching bag. I have had enough. My honour means much to me, but where is the honour in perishing because of the jealousy and temper of a spoiled brat?"
Here he directed a particularly icy and cutting gaze on Akane, who simultaneously flushed with rage and trembled with fear. The other fiancées smirked, only to join her in trembling when Ranma directed that gaze upon them.
"And you two aren't much better; how often have you started fighting each other over me, neither of you caring about either the fact I was caught between you –and taking most of the hits- or the fact you were treating me like I was a prize to be won instead of a human being? How often have you gotten jealous about the possibility that I might be doing something with another woman, while you yourself were actually dating someone? I refuse to take such abuse anymore."
The fiancées, even Akane, gulped; they were positive that this was the day they'd hoped would never occur, the events from their romance-related nightmares coming true. Ranma was going to revoke their engagements, and he now had both the intelligence to find the loopholes in their contracts and the power to bully the adults into accepting his decision. Easily discerning their fear, Ranma developed a bitter smile.
"Relax. I'm not going to cut off your engagement contracts… at least, not yet. There's still the matter of the honour invested in them to consider. I warn you all though; if you truly do desire my hand in marriage for reasons besides honour, you will have to change your methods. I will not be treated like some kind of prize. If you persist in doing so, then I will return to Otherworld and sever all ties with you, permanently. As for you two…"
He turned his gaze upon Mousse and Ryoga.
"If you want to retain your position as my rivals, I suggest you get some serious training in. Be warned; though I will not stoop to your levels, I will no longer be so merciful when you ambush me. The warning is issued; the choice is yours."
He stood up and walked over to the structure now growing in the Tendo's backyard, his Manahoars following behind him. He reached out with his hand and gently touched it, whispering something under his breath. No one could make out what he was saying, but they could see the way the pillar of white flames within the structure's center surged into new vigour.
"I'm going back to Dalara Peaks for a while, there are some things I need to take care of there. I will be back in time for dinner."
Having said that, Ranma stepped towards the pillar of flames, literally walking on water to do so. His fiancées stifled a gasp as the flames surged outwards, engulfing Ranma and his Manahoars before retreating back in upon themselves, leaving not a trace of their former presence. Once it became clear that Ranma had indeed left, the group released a breath they hadn't been aware they were holding. The Amazons left to return to the Cat Café, Ukyo had to get back to Ucchan's and Ryoga wandered away, announcing his intentions to head for the mountains and train. Pity for him he was going in the opposite direction.
In Dalara Peaks…Ranma took a deep breath and released it; that had gone about as well as he had expected it to go. He'd talked over his life with Yuki and Yiku, and they'd both advised him on what to do when he finally got back to Nerima and the chaos that was apparently inherent to that place. That didn't mean that his grievances weren't genuine, just that he hadn't wanted to have to confront them all like that. Ranma was more the reactive type than the initiative type. Such a direct confrontation ran contrary to his nature. It wasn't that he wouldn't carry out his threats, just that he'd feel sorry for committing them afterwards.
The Cat CaféCologne pogoed into the empty café, with Mousse and Shampoo trailing behind her. Nodding to herself, she bounced into the kitchen and beckoned for Shampoo to follow her. Mousse tagged along behind her, but neither of the Chinese Amazon women paid any attention to him.
We will speak in Mandarin child; there are things we need to discuss and we cannot afford any misunderstandings.
I understand.
It seems that Akane Tendo's foolishness may have both elevated the stakes and almost cost us all the game. While his new powers and awakened intellect make him even more of a prize, it is obvious that Ranma's patience is almost worn thin.
It was a true sign of how serious things were that Cologne referred to Ranma by his name rather than as son-in-law.
I wondered how long it would take before the abusive behavior heaped upon him by the Tendos, his father and that wretched Happosai would turn him against them, whereupon we could easily persuade him to join us. But I fear that he has lost almost all trust and patience with all of us; he was willing to reject not only his father and the Tendo agreement, but also his ties to Ukyo and us as well. We dare not attempt to force him to join us now, and I truly doubt if we can. The Mages of Otherworld are immensely powerful.
That was something I meant to ask you; how did you know what that amulet would do? And why did you seem so unsurprised about the changes to Airen?
That amulet was amongst the most ancient treasures of not only our tribe, but also our family. Around five hundred years after Joketsuzoku had been formed, one of the tribe's warriors encountered a stranger on the outskirts of the village. She formally challenged the man, only to be quickly defeated by the man's powerful spells. Though he initially refused to accept the Kiss of Life –much like Ranma has done- he and the warrior eventually fell in true love and were wed. They were the founders of our family, and that jewel was an artefact of his creation, handed down through our line.
Seeing the questioning look on Shampoo and Mousse's faces, she continued.
The man was a mage from Otherworld, though what God he followed has been forgotten, many of our most powerful moves were styled after his magic, which was instrumental in protecting the tribe against some of our more fearsome foes, such as the Phoenix People and the Musk Dynasty.
The Musk and the Phoenix? Those are little kid's stories!
That's where you are wrong. While they are most likely gone now, the Musk Dynasty and the Phoenix People truly existed, and they were our deadliest enemies. The mage's spells devastated their armies when they tried to invade us, and it was his threats to totally annihilate them that forced them sign peace treaties with us.
If this mage was such a hotshot, then why have we never heard of him before?
BOP
Cologne whacked the insolent Mousse on the head with her staff before resuming her talk with her great-granddaughter.
As the bird-brained four-eyes asked, the mage did not desire fame, simply skill. Combined with the fact that many of the Council who came after him were embarrassed by the idea that a "mere male" should be so instrumental in our history, he was censored from all the records. Only we, his descendants, still acknowledge his existence, but anyway. I fear that Ranma may be a lost cause to us. Perhaps I should just report this turn of events to the Council and renounce your Kiss of Life on him.
Shampoo gasped, her hand flying to her mouth in shock. Seeing this, Cologne gave a sad, ironic smile.
So, it seems the huntress has become the prey. You truly have come to love him, haven't you? If you do wish to continue pursuing him, then things will have to change. Firstly, you will stop speaking Japanese with that ridiculous broken accent!
But great-grandmother! It makes me sound so cute!
No, it makes you sound either stupid or childish, depending on how you look at it. While I admit it does serve to lower your enemies guard, Ranma is not your enemy- you do not want him to become your enemy- and he is clearly not simply interested in a wife for her physical appeal or her culinary skills. If that were the case, he would have dumped Akane for you, Ukyo, Kasumi or maybe even Kodachi by now.
All three present shuddered at the mention of Kodachi Kuno, and Shampoo had to quell an urge to vomit at the idea of Ranma marrying her. Even Mousse didn't think he deserved that!
Secondly, you will have to stop glomping him. I severely doubt that Ranma was raised with much physical affection, as evidenced by the way your glomps always seemed to unnerve him so. His desires for physical closeness, and ability to comprehend it as a sign of affection, were more than likely stunted even further by both his engagement to Akane and the molestations of Happosai. Essentially, he cannot help but compare you hugging him to the way Happosai gropes and fondles- or should I say, groped and fondled- his female side.
My Airen thought I acted like Happosai!
Mousse turned green around the gills, whilst Shampoo actually staggered to a nearby sink and began vomiting. Who could blame them? Cologne waited until her heir finished expressing her disgust before continuing.
You will have to use a more "gentle" approach. Think of how you would tame a wild animal; you don't simply charge in and attempt to beat it into submission, you need to be cautious, gentle and, above all else, patient. Unfortunately, seeing as how long you have been offering the "stick", it may well be that Ranma might never trust you to any real degree again. Pray to the spirits that it's not too late to change things, or you will never have him. Fortunately, we are aided in that it is unlikely that Akane Tendo will –or even can- change her ways, which will definitely hinder any efforts she might attempt to keep Ranma's affection. Finally, you can no longer use any magic in your efforts; Ranma will know virtually all of our mind-affecting potions, elixirs and drugs, as well as how to counter them. Continuing in their use would be futile and would probably destroy any chance you may have of winning his heart.
She then turned to the semi-conscious Mousse.
As for you, Mr. Part-Time, he has formally warned you about the consequences should you continue to launch unprovoked attacks upon him. If you arouse his wrath, then it will be on your own head; we will give you no shelter or aid, you must stand for yourself.
Cologne sighed, then spoke in Japanese.
"Come on now, we have to reopen for the late customers."
The Tendo DojoIt was time for dinner at the Tendo Dojo. True to his word, Ranma had rematerialized just a few minutes before it was ready, casually setting the table as though he hadn't fried his father and threatened everyone he knew only a few hours ago. Taking this into account, it wasn't so surprising that the meal was so silent; the recently recovered Genma wasn't even trying to steal any food from his son! Ranma himself paid absolutely no attention to the attitudes the others had taken, seeming for all the world exactly the way he had been two months ago. When dinner was finished though, he broke the silence.
"Hey, pop?"
"What is it b-er, Ranma?"
If he had noticed how his father had actually called him by his name, Ranma gave no sign of it.
"There's something I need to ask you, something only you can tell me. Oh, and by the way? Don't even think about lying. I know you, and I have magic that can identify lies, so think twice before lying to me."
Unseen by either of the Saotomes, the Tendos (bar Kasumi, who simply slipt back into the kitchen) scrambled for cover, anxious to be out of the way when Ranma went berserk.
"W-what is it, son?"
"It's about mom."
"Nodoka? What about her?"
"Don't you think it's high time I actually met her face-to-face? I mean, the curse is broken, I'm 100 guy again, don't you think I can meet her at last?"
"You're cured, but what about me?"
"What about you? My curse was the only thing that would have mattered to her, the seppuku contract only applies if I'M the one who's 'unmanly'. If anything, it might impress her; you made me what I am today, even though it cost you half your humanity."
One could practically see the wheels in Genma's head turning as he digested this information. Ranma leaned forward towards Genma, a large and somewhat threatening grin plastered on his face.
"So, what do you say pop? Tell me how to reach her."
Genma sighed, then dug around in the pockets of his gi before pulling out an old and somewhat weathered postcard, which he gave to Ranma.
"Here. Its one of the few she managed to send back to us, it tells where she moved to while we were training."
"She moved? Why?"
"Read it and see."
"Thanks pop. You should feel pleased with yourself, doing a good deed for once. Who knows, it might even save you."
At that remark, Genma's head snapped up.
"What do you mean by that!"
"Well, mom and I have a lot to catch up on, a lot to talk about. There's the Neko-Ken, the thefts, Ukyo's dowry, Jusenkyo, you do the math. I'm going to tell her everything. Everything. So you better think some good explanations."
Genma's eyes widened in fear, sweat dripping down his brow.
Happosai's roomIn his room, the perverted Grandmaster of Anything-Goes Martial Arts tried to simultaneously chuckle and wince. He was happy because he'd sent away the money to get himself a dose of Nyannichaun, but in pain because he'd made the stupid mistake of raiding Nabiki's room for the money. He should have remembered how much Nabiki's yen meant to her, and thus expected the booby-traps. If Nabiki ever found out that Happosai had stolen from her, her revenge would surely be terrible. Though doubtfully anywhere near as terrible as Ranma's would be should he learn precisely what the old pervert was planning.
A ship somewhere out to seaThis ship normally carried only cargo and crewmembers, not passengers. But the captain had made an exception for three strange people who not only promised to pay him in gold but also seemed very willing to kill him should he refuse. One of those passengers, a young boy wearing a weird hat featuring both the ears and the tail of a wolf, now clung to the rail, fighting a losing battle with seasickness. A slightly older boy, wearing a tiger-skin kilt and with fangs and slitted pupils, approached him.
"Hey Mint. Still not handling this too well, are ya?'
Mint's answer wasn't verbal, but it definitely got the point across. After he finished he wiped his mouth on his sleeve and turned to his companion.
"You got it Lime. I don't see why Prince Herb made us get on this wretched thing."
"Because what Prince Herb says, goes. Besides, look on the bright side.
"What bright side?"
"Well, across the sea is where women live."
At this both boys sighed dreamily.
"I wonder what they're like. The only one who knows anything about them is Prince Herb, and he won't say anything."
"Still, we'll find out soon enough, won't we Lime?"
"That's the spirit Mint!"
Okay, so Ranma's going to find his mom, Happosai's Cursed Spring Water is on its way, as are the Musk, and Ranma's fiancées will have to change their tune if they want to keep him. Please read and review, though I'll freely admit you've been extraordinarily generous with the reviews already.