1Soul Searching
By: Awlric Hayell
Disclaimer: I do not own Saotome Ranma. He/She belongs to Rumiko Takahashi. Hatori Ohka Does belong to me, though. He is my OOCOC.
A/N: Well, as you know, I am unlikely to ever finish this story past what I have written on hard-copy (which is actually a fair amount). I was hoping to post this on Anime Addventure sometime andlet the talented writers there finish it, But I leave this open. If anyone wishes to use this story, feel free to do so. I would be much obliged. And one more thing that I forgot to mention. This is a slight AU in that, while Ranma has Defeated Saffron, Nodoka doesn't know about the curse...or does she?
Chapter 2: Trials of a Panda Man
"Ranma-kun! Saotome-san!" Kasumi called from the door. "Dinner is ready!"
"Awright, food! And not just any food, Kasumi's food!" Ranma paused for a moment to prepare himself for the heaven on Earth that was Kasumi's cooking. Quickly, he leapt down from the roof in order to head off his father, who, surprisingly, wasn't there to fling him aside into the koi pond. Ranma blinked. "What the-? Where the hell'd Pops go?" He snorted in derision. "Che. Baka Panda. More for me I guess." With that, Ranma dashed inside to prepare himself for a large slice of ambrosia known as Tendou Kasumi's homemade dinner.
5 seconds ago
"Ranma-kun! Saotome-san! Dinner is ready!"
Saotome Genma, Father of Saotome Ranma, Student of Happosai (Genma: Don't say that name!), Creator and sealer of the Umi- and Yama-senken Forbidden Arts, and all around idiot, didn't have much on his mind. As a matter of fact, his thought process in the 5 seconds from Kasumi's call were thus:
(Before the call) Ranma must wed Akane and insure my easy retirement
(After the call) Foooood!!!!
Food! Kasumi's delicous meals! Sweet nectar of the Gods!
Hey, is that No-chan coming around the corner?
Oh crap! No-chan!
Genma, so close to sweet, perfection induced bliss, screeched to a near halt and turned to run the other way, scrambling to find some cold water when-
"Genma?"
Nodoka spotted him. He froze, not wanting to look back, but to scared to continue forward. "H-hai, No-chan?"
Behind him, Nodoka smiled. "I've been looking for you. Do you mind informing me of what has become of my son? Is he manly yet?"
Genma gulped. "Why, of course, No-chan! I'm just..um...going to get him! Yeah, that's it!"
As he was about to run off, he heard an ominous sound. SHFF! The sound of the family-honor sword being uncovered. Slowly, he turned. Nodoka was still smiling but it held an incredible chill to it. Like she knew something he did not. Like she found out about...oh...well, he's screwed. Let's check in on the hero of our story, shall we?
"My name is Uzumaki Naruto and I'm going to be Hokage! Ya damn well better believe it, 'cause if ya don't, I'll kick yer ass!!!"
Whoops. Wrong anime.
"Yessss, my precioussss..."
Sheesh, not even close to Japan. And he ain't a hero!
"I'm Sailor Moon and in the name of the Moon, I'll punish you!"
This is not a magical girl crossover (as of yet, anyways...dun dun duuuuun)!
"OSUWARI!!!"
"OW! DAMMIT WOMAN! WHAT WAS THAT FOR!?!"
Right manga-ka, wrong manga.
Well, maybe later. Back to Genma.
"N-N-N-N-No-chan..."
Nodoka stared blankly at Genma before phasing out in a blur. Genma eeped at the feel of cold metal on his skin and suppressed the urge to jump. How did Nodoka get so fast!?! From the shadows behind him emerged a Nodoka not often seen by many. A seriously pissed Nodoka. "Genma, I do not appreciate being lied to. Where is Ranma? Or perhaps you would prefer if I said it this way." She mimicked herself mockingly. "Panda-san, Panda-san, Do you know where Sanzenin Ranma is?"
Genma blinked, his mind going into overdrive. "Sanzenin? Isn't that that obscenely rich oil tycoon? Yes! I'm set for life if I can just leech off of the worthless boy's inheritance." Sadly, the foot-in-mouth syndrome that appears to plague all Saotome men had kicked in.
"Worthless son? You mean Ranma isn't manly?"
Genma paled. "Oh fuck. I said that out loud, didn't I?"
"Yes, dear." Nodoka almost growled, a red aura rising around her. "You did."
Ranma looked up from his seventh helping of sukiyaki. "Mwha Mwa Ma Mao?"
Kasumi frowned slightly. "Remember your manner's Ranma-kun. Don't speak with your mouth full."
Ranma winced and swallowed. He feared a scolding from Kasumi more then anything in the world (except maybe Akane's cooking and c-c-cats. Yep, those cute fuzzy little hellspawn definitely topped the list of things that Saotome Ranma feared). "Sorry 'bout that, Kas-chan." Kasumi smiled at him and he felt as if the weight of the world just lifted off his shoulders. "What was that sound? It was almost like the sound of ultimate suffering combined with a chorus of c-c-c-c-c-those things."
Soun looked up from his newspaper. Then he shrugged and snapped it back into place, continuing where he left off.
Nodoka stood above a beaten and badly mutilated Genma, who was lying on the ground moaning in pain. "Now, Genma, do tell me of the training journey you took my son on. I want the trip, the whole trip, and nothing but the trip...especially the springs of Jusenkyo."
"H-how did you know of that?" Genma stuttered, paling to a new definition of pasty-white. 'Ohcrap,gonnadie,ohcrap,gonnadie,ohcrap,gonnadie!'
Nodoka smiled mysteriously. "Oh, I have my ways..."
Up in her bedroom, Nabiki hardly noticed the sneeze she let out as she continued to stare at the briefcase of ten-thousand-yen notes Nodoka had plopped in front of her a few hours ago for information regarding one Ranma Saotome. "I had no idea Auntie Nodoka was so loaded..."
The End (of the chapter)
Did you all enjoy that? Just wait, cause there's more to come! Soon, we shall cross over into new crossover territory! Please, do review. (PS Sorry it's so short, It was the end of the page for this chacpter. Coming next time: Pluto's plight! crossover hell!)