Chapter 02: Divergence

Before a further question could be asked, and it was likely going to be a heated one given Kiema's expression, the Jusenkyo Guide's wife approached and wrapped a towel around the nude redhead. 'Can't our honored guests see that the poor girl needs care? It is not wise to harass the Spirit of a Drowned Spring.' The woman glanced back, not wanting to tolerate any impoliteness or conflict between the two powerhouses and their nations. 'Honored guests, please wash up inside. I am almost done making our meal. You are all invited if you can be civil.'

A loud rumble was heard which gave everyone pause and made them look to the redhead. Plum, the toddler that she was, was surprised by the sound and patted the redhead's belly. Kiema blinked and Cologne couldn't help but give a small chuckle of her own. 'It seems that creating a new body is very taxing on one's energy. Perhaps we should delay this for a time.' The Joketsuzoku Elder seemed to take this in stride, now that the apparent source of danger seemed to have no ill intent. Kiema gave a sigh in response.

'Very well. I can wait for a brief time for her to recover. She does not seem to be an imminent danger, but I still need an explanation sooner rather than later. My people are on edge.' Kiema explained, crossing her arms and adjusting her wings back behind her to fit through the door frame. The unlikely group went inside and prepared to have a meal together.

All but Cologne and the young Plum watched in abstract horror as the girl ate without manners nor care. Plum was just as transfixed, but it was more in awe than anything else. It was as if the redhead been starved for the whole of her existence as slovenly sounds escaped her mouth and throat. She gulped down the food, much of it without chewing. Cologne had seen such behavior before as well, but there was more to it. Kiema and Cologne could both see that she was on guard. There were almost no openings when it came to what was on her plate, the chopsticks she employed ready as a weapon to block or parry. She struck her targets with a speed and precision that was impressive. Cologne could see echoes of some of the more abstract culinary martial arts in her movements and even something else that was quite familiar.

'Where did you learn the Kachu Tenshin Amaguriken?' Cologne finally came out and asked, surprised that the girl knew the Chestnut Fist. The redhead mumbled unintelligibly around her food in response for a time before the Elder gave her look of irritation. 'Swallow, Child.'

With an audible gulp of her food, the girl then chugged down some water and then began to speak. 'Ranma knows. Some previous selves know too.'

'What do you mean 'selves'?' Kiema asked, not quite understanding what the embodiment of the cursed spring meant. The girl took a moment to think about how best to parse it.

'Cursed people and animals. They selves. From original drowned girl to Ranma now. Remember most from Ranma, but remember others some.' Cologne processed this information. It was indeed true that her tribe had used the Jusenkyo Springs as a punishment and that if they regained their honor, the punished were able to use the Spring of Drowned Girl as a cure if Jusenkyo allowed it. Some of those Amazons were quite accomplished fighters. Kiema and other female warriors of the Phoenix People, meanwhile, used the spring to blend in and infiltrate the world in human form. The implications were noteworthy.

'So you are, at least in part, of the Joketsuzoku? You are fortunate. It means I need not consider you an outsider, Child. Provided you're not hostile toward us.' The redhead glanced to the amused Cologne and was somewhat irritated with her implication.

'Not appreciate threat. Know you. Ranma know you. Play with rules and others' futures to get way. Also, am far-far older than you, 'Elder'. Use title and respect because sisters respect. Ranma grudgingly respect but call 'old ghoul' instead. You teach, but also trick and control. Kiema and Saffron also try hurt, but Ranma make peace after learn misunderstanding. Ranma make peace with Musk too, but now...am remembering how they treat 'wives'... The girl spoke sternly and gave a light shudder of rage at that last part. The Elder took note of this information. How could this girl have known her? The Spring of Drowned Girl wasn't used by the tribe in her lifetime, was it? It was at this point that the girl saw the vacant faces of Cologne and Kiema...and drew a conclusion.

'...You...not know? How you not know? Am in female form of Ranma! You and Xian Pu know too-too well! You too Kiema! Not too long since seen! Not know well as Elder, but still...' The girl was blinking...then looked enraged. 'Stupid Mu Tsu! What he do this time?'

At the naming of her descendant and her rather insistent young suitor, Cologne's eyes narrowed. 'I see...so this is quite heavily a Joketsuzoku matter. The names she just used are children in our tribe. Someone may have been playing with magic they shouldn't have been.'

Kiema grumbled, finishing her meal. 'Even so, the Phoenix People need the Spring of Drowned Girl. We can't just leave things as they are.' The Jusenkyo guide nodded furiously in agreement, but dared not interrupt the powerful and surely destructive forces in his home.

Cologne couldn't help but agree. The Spring of Drowned Girl was the only cure her people knew of for breaking free of a Jusenkyo curse. The Elder decided to inquire of the Phoenix Person across from her. 'I have heard that you can make new springs without killing the person in question. Is this true?'

Kiema nodded in confirmation. 'Yes, we can. However, none of the Phoenix People would make a proper template. It would have to be a human woman. We also have to expose the template to strenuous conditions, akin to drowning to where there's solid ingestion of water, but it is quite survivable.'

'Then when I return to the village, I will petition the Council to ask for volunteers or have it be a punishment for someone. It shouldn't be hard to get my peers to agree. At that time, provided your method is as advertised and the Council agrees, we can cooperate in this regard. We may need to open up lines of communication, though.' Cologne said to Kiema before looking to the redhead again. There were questions she wanted to ask, but perhaps that had best wait until she could get the girl back to the village. Still, this could open up a dialogue with the Phoenix People. A true accomplishment if she could pull it off.

'I agree, but I am concerned about the damage she did to Jusendo. There seems to be water exposed as a result. She also mentioned a misunderstanding of some sort?' Kiema seemed intent on receiving an explanation as she regarded the redhead, only for that confused look to return to the latter's face.

'You no remember that either?' The girl inquired, before giving a sigh. 'Saffron want be reborn. Want turn off cold Jusendo water for Jusenkyo Springs with Gekkajan and turn on hot Jusendo water for Spring of Rebirth with Kinjakan. Kiema attack Jusenkyo guide for map.' The guide stiffened and gave a shudder while Kiema briefly met his glance. 'Plum escape with map to Ranma. All allies misunderstand, think Jusenkyo springs lost forever if Saffron do. Other self and cursed allies fight or lose cure. Fight to keep map. Kiema kidnap...Akane.' The girl's tone shifted a bit when mentioning that name. The context, however, was complex and didn't fully convey what the girl was feeling. 'Kiema make Spring of Drowned Akane. Use form to spy and steal map. Also use imprinting eggs on allies. Akane...turn to doll when touch Kinjakan. Lose all water in her. Cold water turn on or Akane die quick. Saffron hatch early and no allow...so Ranma kill Saffron and save Akane.'

Kiema's eyes widened and she stood from the table, in a rage. 'What. Did. You. Just. SAY?'

The redhead, however, simply continued rather than allow herself to be intimidated. 'Two things happen. One, Saffron reborn. Chance be kinder raised. No cruel or out of control anymore. Two. Fight hit mountain, expose new hot Jusendo spring. No need dry up Jusenkyo when use Spring of Rebirth. No problem with heat or light anymore. Ranma leave Phoenix People on good terms.'

Kiema's anger simmered but she managed to calm herself down. Cologne looked to the woman and continued the questioning. 'So...this spring you exposed is the spring that this Ranma found?' The girl gave a nod of confirmation.

'Ranma body free from curse somehow. Confused Ranma purge unanchored cursed female 'yin' ki from male body in ki blast. Ki had no body now. Ki had flown all way from Japan. Needed energy. Needed reborn. Ki anchored to Spring of Drowned Girl, Spring of Rebirth, and new Jusendo Spring. Hit last one on way to Spring of Drowned Girl to get energy. Make new body. Draw all of Spring of Drowned Girl into self for memories. Now here. Now AM Nyannichuan. Confused though. Ranma...see thing from long time ago before purge. Mountain not expose spring already like remember. You two not know. Something wrong.' The young woman was concerned, her worry palpable as she moved her hand to her chest.

'Remember many, but am Ranma's ki. Am Ranma's memories...Ranma is other half. Need find.' Cologne was quite surprised, wondering who this Ranma was. He was apparently a teenage Japanese male if this girl's female form was based on his. However, this train of thought was interrupted by Kiema.

'I think we have an issue here. What year do you think it is?' Kiema asked, having calmed herself in favor of inquiring to the redhead.

The girl blinked in confusion. 'Heisei 1.'

Kiema returned her confusion. 'Hei...sei? What is that?'

This time, the redhead have a small sigh before smiling. 'Sorry, Japanese system. When there new Emperor, there new era. Don't know Chinese year, but is 1989 in West.' The surprised looks on the faces of the two women and the family of the guide were notable, but Ranma didn't notice immediately. 'Where Plum? She not come eat like little sister. Is good girl. Want thank again for help before.'

Plum was thoroughly confused, but Cologne elected to prod a tad further. 'Child, what is the last thing you remember before this...strangeness you said Ranma was experiencing?' The girl crossed her arms and got an irritated look on her face at the memory. She took the time to parse it carefully, not wanting to reveal that Shampoo was engaged to Ranma...

'Ranma get challenge letter. Show up find stupid ghost cat Maomolin. Fight. Stupid Mu Tsu jump out of hiding place and scream 'wind tunnel'! He interfere! Dishonorable! Lots of suction and falling. Then back in cat-pit from Neko-ken training! Ranma no like. Fight free this time. Then shoot out female ki thinking it ghost cat possession, then here.' The girl concluded her tale and Cologne pondered the matter. Why had this Ranma been challenged by Mousse? Still, the results were clear.

'I see what you are thinking, Kiema. Child...the Wind Tunnel technique is a forbidden technique of my people. Without going into details, it sucks in a person and sends them back to when they first experienced the same sort of ki as the Hidden Weapons Style employs. In this case, that...foolish Neko-ken training. It is currently Showa 52, or 1977. Xian Pu, Mu Tsu, and likely your Ranma are all roughly 6 years of age. Am I to presume that this 'Saffron' is similarly distant from this prescribed maturity ritual in years?' Kiema gave a shallow nod of confirmation while the redhead's eyes widened. Her expression was initially shock, then a mix of severe alarm and disgust.

'...Must go now! Need find and help Ranma. Ranma's father is horrible man!' Standing up, the girl moved to rush out, but Cologne moved her cane and tripped the rushing girl. She fell on her face but recovered quickly enough to turn and glare at Cologne. The Elder simply looked at the girl seated on the floor.

'With nothing but a blanket? Not even a plan? That is not wise. Given that one of our own has created you and inconvenienced this Ranma in such a way, it is only proper that we get involved. We need to ensure that your new body is stable at the village while I speak with the Council on the matter. I'll extend to you the protections as an honored guest of the tribe, provisionally, while I relay this information. You'll have a chance to stock up on supplies and practice with weapons and skills that this Ranma does not know if the Council approves. There is much knowledge of our tribe's skills and ways in your head, Child, which you've yet to employ. It would be a disservice to yourself if you did not train. That and, to be quite honest, you sound rather silly. Your Mandarin needs work.' The girl did not refute the Elder's point. There was at least enough Amazon in her for that, but her obedience was tenuous. Cologne was serious on the outside but on the inside, she was quite interested. It seemed that Mousse's future self had sent back a formidable warrior and stacked twelve years of future experience onto him to boot. She'd have to tread carefully though. This whole matter sounded rather...complicated.


March 23, 1977

"-ple across Kyoto and points east today are in a panic about a yellow light seen shooting across the sky today, reported across three countries." Ranma shot up in his sleeping bag to the sound of the portable radio and immediately regretted it. The radio that was hanging by the strap from the top of the tent's poles promptly smacked him in the head. His small hands went up to nurse the bump on his head as the transmission continued to play. "While no nation has given any official report, Kyoto seems to have been its point of origin and the object was radar invisible. It is estimated to have sped through the air at an excess of Mach-" The radio continued, ignored by the boy.

"Aaah! Damn it, old ma-!" Ranma blinked. His voice still sounded off. Taking a moment to look at his hands, he noted how small they were. He was immediately reminded of when he'd had one of those age regressing mushrooms. When he thought back, though, he recalled being in the pit. That miserable place reignited his anger. The cuts all over his skin were already healing well, but they were positively numerous. Feeling a need to go verify the madness his memories conveyed, he got up and left the tent.

Carefully going outside to avoid banging his head again, he heard the sound of fighting cats. However, it didn't fill him with the sound of dread which it had before. He remembered the fear and the essence of the Neko-ken itself, but the ailurophobia was gone. Only anger for having been forced through the training remained. His trauma had been beaten. Or...prevented? He knew what this park looked like. What Kyoto looked like. Even through his formerly damaged memories, now cleared, he knew where he was. Walking over to a nearby pond, he looked into his reflection and confirmed what he'd suspected.

A six-year-old Ranma Saotome looked back at him.

"What'dya do this time, duck-boy..." He started to get angry as he grumbled, but a glimmer of hope broke through that budding resentment. The Neko-ken was gone. If it was gone because it never took hold in the first place...dare he hope that wasn't all that was wiped away?

Kneeling down and taking some water in his hands, he vigorously washed his face. It was more than enough cold water to trigger his curse, but the awaited transformation never came. He stared at his reflection, unchanged. In excitement, he even looked down the pants of his worn gi to verify that he was, in fact, still male.

He was cured. A burst of happiness rushed through him as he gave the biggest grin that mouth could muster, and Ranma started to laugh. It wasn't merely the laugh of a child, but the doubled over manic laughter of one dying of thirst who had finally found an oasis against all odds and had their thirst eased. For the first time in a long time, he was truly himself again. Even if a bit pint-sized.

"B-BOY! You awake?!" Ranma heard, over the scowling and screeching in the pit. The boy perked up and looked over, walking to the edge of the pit. What met his eyes made him stare for a good number of seconds. His father, covered in scratches and a large amount of meat tied to him with ropes, was battling against not only the starving cats but also iron chains attaching him to boulders and stakes in the pit. The old fool had secured himself down there to where he couldn't simply leap out, with assorted other outfits made of meat dangling out of the tree over the pit for his later use once his current garb had been consumed.

"G-good! About time you got up! Nnngh...listen, Ranma! Train on your own for now and feed yourself from the yattai. I've got my own-yeyeYEEE!...training to do! Got that? Don't slack off! I'll be firing that Moko Takabisha too before you know it! T-then we'll be going for some real training! Until then, ignore me, even if I plead for aid! J-just as I did out of respect for your training!" Ranma blinked at the sheer idiocy as he processed the scene before him.

"...uh...yeah. Sure, Pop." Ranma should have been enraged. He should have beaten the ever-loving snot out of the man. But he didn't think that this body could do that yet and his father was letting the cats do a fine job of it himself. Electing to accept the absurdity for what it was, he moved along and did as Genma recommended so as to test his body.

The results were about as Ranma expected. His speed and strength were, in comparison to his normal self, a joke. Still, he knew how to improve them significantly. In addition, he knew that he still had his ki and could notably bolster his own strength and speed by reinforcing his body with it...to a point. Finally, he decided to try what he'd managed to do the previous day in anger. With some focus, he recalled what it was like to be in the Neko-ken. How the ki flowed through his body, how the form responded and flowed, and even whispers of the instincts of the form that threatened to claim him this time around. It took a bit of time, but with his ability to assimilate techniques, Ranma was soon romping around on all fours at a notably higher pace. He was even slashing through nearby boulders dug out of the pit with ki-claws. It was a significant compensation for his degraded abilities, that was for sure.

Ranma breathed heavily from the exertion as he recalled what his father said about the yattai. Exploring the site, he found what his old man was referring to and froze in his tracks. The Kuonji family's Okonomiyaki Cart. His fist clenched as he recalled that the Neko-ken training started immediately after he'd been taken from Ukyo's company. Seeing the meat section of the cart mostly looted put it in a fresh context. The marriage hadn't been for the cart to feed them. It had been so the old man could train him without paying for the cats' bait!

This ticked him off anew, though he also kicked himself mentally for having never realized it before. His mind went back to those he left behind. Ucchan. Akane. Shampoo. Even his mother. He supposed that getting him out of the way was the point of whatever Mousse's attack was. Looking back, he and Maomolin were likely together on the whole thing. It was pretty clever, but it also gave Ranma a chance at a fresh start. After all, those people weren't dead, just...younger. And with the Chinese elements out of his hair, things could be so much easier in his life. Cologne and Shampoo were interesting, but not worth seeking out for the trouble and demands they'd bring.

At the thought of a 'fresh start', Ranma made his decision. The boy packed up their belongings. He left his father the items needed for survival but took the tent, his own belongings, the radio, the money, a bunch of papers which included assorted contracts for his hand in marriage, and assorted tomes including the Neko-ken manual. He paused for a moment when he found the Yamasenken and Umisenken scrolls. Should he? The boy pondered briefly before recalling what the Yamasenken did to the Kumon Dojo and the resultant death and suffering. Taking them and getting it all in a backpack, he then took some spare rope and tied himself to the cart to ensure that it wouldn't get away from him.

Before leaving though, he first got out some paper and a pencil. Searching those engagement papers as well as his memories for reference, the boy found an appropriate one for his idea. The location was far enough away and he vaguely remembered the man wanting to take a piece out of his father's hide. He carefully wrote out a note with as much kanji as he could to make it seem like a child could not possibly have written it. It was difficult, given how atrocious his penmanship was, but it would likely be enough to fool his father.

Saotome Genma,

I found your son while on business here in Kyoto. Taking back to my daughter in Kagoshima as per the marriage agreement. Taking your camping gear and martial arts tomes as an interest payment for the extra years you've had him. Ranma will have a far better life as the heir to the Yamamura School of Martial Arts Volcano Climbing than you could ever hope to provide.

Hideki Yamamura

After putting down the note, with a rock on each of its four corners to keep it from blowing away, he elected to quietly make his getaway with the cart while using the Umisenken to conceal his ki from his distracted father as well as from passerby. He was to a certain degree thankful to his father, but he couldn't allow things to continue as they were. There were things the boy had to make right, and he needed to start with Ukyo.