Dragon's Hope Spring
Chapter Two:
Partners
Must I reiterate?
Now get it straight!
Ranma is not mine,
I have no wish to pay a fine.
Narration of story
Thoughts of characters
"Speaking in Japanese"
This is Chinese
Wow, telepathy!
/Panda signs/
And finally, draconic
Note: telepathy has no language, because everyone hears telepathy as speaking their own first language, so there can be no telepathic miscommunication, because you don't speak with words, but with thoughts.
Three beings, not entirely unexpected by the local populous, trekked through the wilds of China along the locally known, much feared path between Jusenkyo and the village of the Joketsuzoku Amazons. These three travelers were obviously not unfortunate, lost wanderers, however…they were far unluckier than that, for one of them was the Jusenkyo guide.
That alone meant that the other two were cursed. The panda was most likely once human, as it wore clothing. The young man, however, looked fairly normal. What could he have once been? He wore clothing, and seemed unbothered by walking on two legs. A trained bear? A girl? Not that it mattered. Those touched by the springs brought only chaos. And so, Ranma, Genma, and the Jusenkyo guide walked unmolested through one of the most dangerous parts of China, simply by dint of where they'd been.
Elder Kuh Lohn of the Joketsuzoku Amazons watched with great pride as her great granddaughter, Xian Pu, the village champion, decimated her opponents, one after the other. It looked like the spunky, sometimes out-of-control purple-haired warrior maiden would win the annual tournament yet again.
Still. It would be nice if something were to happen to her to make her take things a bit more seriously. Something to help her to grow up. We can't just keep coddling the girl; she's become a spoiled brat!
The matriarch of the proud Chinese Amazons sighed as her great granddaughter defeated her last opponent and was declared village champion, yet again.
I'm so happy! I knew my training would pay off! Xian declared.
Congratulations, Xian Pu, but it looks like the celebrations will have to wait a bit. We've got company coming with the Jusenkyo guide.
Immediately, the girls began murmuring excitedly to themselves. The elder sighed as they speculated on which of them would be netting herself a husband this time, though this had only happened once before, and he'd been so pathetic that none of them had lost.
Xian Pu nearly squealed with delight before she remembered herself. The Jusenkyo guide was saying something in that barbaric Japanese language that her Elder Kuh Lohn was making her learn, something about broadening her horizons. That young man is so cute! Maybe it's only the stupid looking panda that fell in a spring.
However, before she could ready herself to challenge the handsome male to combat, the guide spoke in Mandarin.
Wait! Before anyone challenges these men, I must speak with an elder!
Guide, what is the meaning of this? You stopping any of our warriors from challenging a Jusenkyo victim is highly irregular.
The most recent happenings at the Springs of Sorrow has been highly irregular.
"Very well. All three of you, follow me."Xian, wait outside my hut.
"Yes, Elder," the guide replied in Japanese.
Yes, great grandmother, Xian Pu demurred.
Once all four were settled in Kuh Lohn's hut, the elder turned to the guide.
"Now, what, exactly, is the meaning of this?"
"The elder customer was fairly normal. He fell into the Spring of Drowned Panda. His son, however," the guide indicated Ranma, "fell into the Dragon's Hope Spring."
"And he didn't instantly perish?"
Wait…what's this about instantly perishing?
"Oh, don't tell me he can't speak anything but draconic!" Kuh Lohn complained.
"Ah…perhaps it would be better if you were the one who could understand him, Honored Elder," the guide to the Springs suggested as he removed the amulet he was wearing and handed it to her.
"Thank you," Kuh Lohn said, placing it around her neck. "Now, I am Elder Cologne of the Joketsuzoku Amazons. Please tell me how old you are, young dragon, and what you felt when you fell into the Spring of Dragon's Hope."
Sixteen, and it felt…it felt right. It felt like everything had been out of focus, and a bit off before, but I never noticed because it was like I didn't know what I was missing. Then it was like everything slid over a few centimeters, or something, and it was all clearer than it's ever been. Right and wrong, what's honorable and what isn't, my senses, everything! It was—is amazing, and I wouldn't want to turn back.
"Show me your true form, please."
True…form?
"Didn't anyone explain it to you? You two, guide and panda, out."
"Yes, Elder," the guide bowed and left.
"Growf!" Genma complained, but left.
"You can't possibly help but notice that your human form is less comfortable than your true, draconic form. The one you must have come out of the Spring in."
Ranma nodded, concentrating, and the young dragon felt himself dwindle, a tension he hadn't noticed suddenly released, and he snapped into the four-feet-at-the-shoulder, red-scaled, winged, tailed, four-legged form from before. Now that he knew what was happening, and wasn't panicked, it did feel better.
You mean this, right? He asked.
"Hm…not bad, not bad. Go chibi for me."
Chibi?
"They didn't tell you about that, either? Pathetic. Typical males." She sighed as the young dragon cocked his head to one side, adorably. Damn my weakness for infants of all types. the matriarch mentally grumbled. "It's like the form you're in now, only about the size of a cat." The dragon flinched. "Is there something wrong, young one?"
Please don't mention c-c-c-c those furry things that chase mice. I don't like them.
"Why not?"
Do I have to tell you?
"I can't force you. Anyway, you get the picture, right?" What could have been done to this poor boy, that he can't even say the word neko?
Yes. Ranma heaved a mental sigh, and concentrated on smaller. He felt himself shrink. It was a novel, and not unpleasant experience. It also happened very swiftly, so that before he knew it, he was about a foot long, and (though he didn't know it) absolutely adorable.
"Now, do you know what a Dragon Partner is?"
No.
"Simply put, a Dragon Partner is a warrior that a dragon shares a telepathic link with. Once partnered, they cannot ever truly separate, and fight and work as a team. They travel together and are often the very best of friends. You will not be able to bond with a warrior you will not get along with, and it is often believed that dragons and their partners are destined to be together in the heat of battle and the forge of friendship. Do you understand?"
I think so. Ranma returned to his human form. Do you want me to be the partner of one of the village warriors?
"If you would consider my great granddaughter, Shampoo, I would be honored and very happy. She's a bit spoiled, but a good person at heart. She is, however, used to being the best at everything, and could use a wake-up call."
If she wound up traveling with me and Pops, there's no way she wouldn't get it. Ranma smirked. Sure, I'll consider her. Just tell me what to do.
"Just meet her. If she's the one, you'll bond with eye-contact."
The fledgling red dragon nodded.
Xian Pu was getting impatient. The Jusenkyo guide and the stupid panda-man had come outside, and she'd amused herself for a while with hot and cold water, but neither of them would tell her what was happening in her great grandmother's hut.
It's not fair! she complained to the guide I'm the great granddaughter of the village matriarch, and the village champion. I want to know what that's about!
For the last time, Elder Kuh Lohn told us to wait outside. We don't know what they're doing in there.
Frowning, Xian went into a pout. It's not fair. She had no chance to elaborate on why it was unfair, however, because that was the moment of time her great grandmother, the village matriarch and the oldest woman among the Joketsuzoku, chose to pogo out of her hut, leading the handsome young man behind her.
Xian, take this amulet, and speak in Japanese.
"Why?" asked the purple haired warrior, putting it on while marveling at the likeness of a European dragon etched into the strange metal.
"Ranma, please tell her why."
It's so you can understand what I say, the young man said in a rumbling voice that was like no language or sound Xian had ever heard before, but was something like a cross between a boulder rumbling of gravel and a feral animal growling, but she nevertheless understood like it was Mandarin.
"Wh-what? Shampoo is not understanding why I is understanding strange word-not-words."
Wow, do you need to practice your Japanese. I'm speaking draconic, because I can't actually pronounce Japanese anymore, though I do understand it. That amulet lets you understand what I'm saying, though I'm told that I'll be able to form the sounds in human languages when I turn 100. That'll be a while, though, because I'm only 16.
"Why are you not looking Shampoo in the eyes?"
Ah…I'd rather Pops didn't hear your responses, so do you know somewhere private that we could talk? I'd rather not have to trash him because he says something stupid. And tell Elder Cologne to keep an eye on his sticky fingers.
"Great grandmother, dragon boy say panda man have too too sticky fingers. Please to be keeping eyes on him while Shampoo talks to dragon boy?"
"Of course, Shampoo. I certainly hope he can help you with your grammar problem."
"Shampoo no is having grammar problem!"
Oooh, yes you do. Now, do you have some place we can talk away from prying ears, or not?
"Yes. Follow Shampoo. And no trying anything funny business, or Shampoo have to win too too big fight!"
I'm not going to try anything funny, now can we go so I can tell you what the Elder and I were talking about?
"Oh! Yes! Please be following Shampoo to too too secret place."
Upon reaching Xian Pu's secret hideout, a small hut built up a very tall tree and well-hidden in the foliage, only reachable by climbing up a cliff that curved into an overhang and jumping over various natural booby-traps, Ranma settled down to tell her what he and Kuh Lohn had been talking about.
When he'd finished, the warrior maiden was so overcome, she forgot he couldn't understand Chinese. Wonderful! We should see if we're right to be partners right now!
Er…what? Pops never let me learn any language but Japanese. He said it was a 'distraction from the Art' and hit me over the head when I tried, so you'll have to speak Japanese until you teach me.
"Oh. Shampoo sorry. Shampoo think we should see if we is right for each other right now! There too too many story about Dragon Partners and how strong and amazing they is!"
Really? You do realize that if this works and we bond, you'll have to travel with my stupid Pops.
"Yes, Shampoo know. But Ranma not have to beat on stupid panda man alone! Shampoo can help!"
Right. Ranma looked up and into Shampoo's eyes, and they both felt something click into place, like some vital part they had each been missing.
What just happened? Xian Pu wondered, then realized she'd projected it through that new link in her mind.
It looks like we are right to be partners for each other, Xian. Maybe we should return that amulet to the Jusenkyo guide, because it looks like you won't be needing it anymore.
Oh? Am I supposed to translate what you say for other people now?
You are my partner now, Xian Pu.
"True. We should be going now."
Probably.
Genma moaned. His only son had gone off with some purple-haired warrior woman telling her to tell him, Genma, why, though that was probably the boy overlooking the fact that his dear old father could no longer understand what he said.
"Old woman," he tried again, addressing the ghoul-like creature perched on a staff beside him, "why have my son and your great-granddaughter gone off?"
"Hm…I don't know," she answered, staring at him with those huge, unnerving eyes. "Why don't you ask them yourself?"
"Wha?" the bald Jusenkyo victim asked intelligently.
"Well, they are heading back to the village. You can ask them when they return."
(A/N)
Next time on Dragon's Hope Spring:
How will Genma react to Ranma being bonded to Xian Pu?
How will the Amazons react to Genma—long term?
How will Xian Pu take the news of traveling with Genma, once she gets to know him?
And could the Tendos be involved?
I don't actually know…you'll have to tell me. If you want the third chapter to be written, you must review!