Ryoutou

Disclaimer: I don't own Ranma½ or Rurouni Kenshin. I wish I did so I could finally skip this part. 

Book of Water

Chapter 3: Ryoutoutsukai

At the same time as the two previous chapters…

A young man was performing the last fighting stance of the Hiten Misturugi/Kamiyaa Kashin style under the moonlit night. One could see the glint of two distinct blades as it cuts silently into the air as it follows the intricate patterns of the kata. One could even see the young man throw himself up into the air without breaking his stride, rather the fluidity of his movements seemingly increased. The technique was called Ryoutou no Odori, the dance of the two swords. It was a technique developed by the aforementioned young man's great-grandfather and great-grandmother and it was the very technique that unified the two different sword styles of Hiten Mitsurugi and Kamiyaa Kashin, though several others were developed during the process of unifying the two ryuus.

Off to the side watching were the young man's mother, grandfather and his grandfather's closest friend who happens to be also one of the masters of the ryuu. You could clearly see a proud gleam in their eyes. "It seems your grandson has mastered the final technique my friend."

"Indeed he has Yahiko-dono. And all it took was one demonstration from each of us and already it seems like he has been doing this kata all his life."

"Yes it does seem like that. To say that he's gifted in the art is an understatement. I'll go so far as to say that he may have even outclassed your father at that same age, Kenji-sama. And as an added bonus, he seemed to have inherited your father's kind-hearted nature as well."

Kenji smiled and had a thoughtful look, "Yes he does, doesn't he? Though, I couldn't really compare their skills. I wasn't even born yet when father had all his adventures, but I will take your word for it. After all you were in almost all of his grand escapades."

"Mostly, only on his ronin years though. All what I know when he was still a hitokiri were the legends and hearsay that people would tell. He never mentions much about those days." A sad expression can be seen on Yahiko's aged face, "Though I wouldn't fault him for that. Whatever it was it might have been extremely painful experience."

Kenji made a motion towards the young man still performing the kata, "Going back on the subject, I think it might be time for Ranma-kun to be recognized as one of the masters of the school don't you think, Yahiko-dono?"

"Yes, I think it is the right time. He has already passed his final test during the battle against the derange Kuno Clan. And I don't think we have anything more to teach him. All he needs now is to polish up his skills and develop the experience needed as new master of the ryuu."

"Father, if I may?"

"What is it No-chan?"

"It's regarding my son's…engagements. The time has nearly come to fulfill those obligations as well."

Kenji nodded, "Yes. The time has indeed come. We will tell Ranma-kun of this tomorrow after the ceremony for his mastership. I trust everything is in place?"

Nodoka nodded, "Yes. I have already sent letters to both the Shinguji and Aoyama Families. The Aoyama would be here by the day after tomorrow since they are also here in Kyoto but the Shingujis might arrive in probably a week's time."

"Kenji-sama, if I may open a suggestion." Yahiko asked.

"Yes, my friend?"

"It would be best I think if Ranma-dono were to meet the two families at the same time. That is, to avoid him favoring the Aoyamas since he'll be able to spend more time with her than Shinguji-san."

"I guess it would indeed be wise. Very well, I'll write a letter to the Aoyamas to tell them that the official match make ceremony would start one week from now. That should be ample amount of time for the Shingujis."

Both Yahiko and Nodoka nodded their heads in agreement. "Alright father." 'But I was hoping he wouldn't need to choose between the two.'

Both elders noticed the look in Nodoka's face. 'She's at that manly thing again.' And both masters sighed. Kenji often wondered where Nodoka ever got that notion of manliness. It couldn't have come from him and neither from his wife. And he highly doubts it was from his father…or could it?

"Grandfather, Master Yahiko, mother…" Ranma bowed to the three gaining their attention, "I have completed the final stance as you have requested."

"That you have Ranma-kun." Kenji was still very much impressed in the way Ranma carried himself and in how much he has grownup in the passed ten years. After all, his idiotic 'late' father managed to kidnap him shortly after Nodoka recovered Ranma and evaded the clan's intelligence network for almost two years. Let's just say, Genma wasn't the best of examples for a growing boy. Luckily, he, his daughter, and Yahiko managed to eliminate Genma's influence. The only thing they left was the fierce determination in Ranma to strive to be the best, and the skills he acquired in unarmed combat. Unintentionally, it also taught the young Ranma back then to learn early on what was right and what was wrong. Needless to say, a head rolled that day. Kenji returned to the present when he heard his friend speak.

"Tomorrow Ranma-dono, we'll have your mastership ceremony. As of this moment, you are one of the masters of the Hiten Mitsurugi/Kamiyaa-Kashin Ryuu. Accept it with honor!" Yahiko said proudly, as Nodoka wiped a tear of happiness for her son.

Ranma once again bowed, "Thank you, Master Yahiko, although I must say I'm still very much inexperienced for such a position."

"Admitting one's own limitations is a good sign of leadership, Ranma." Kenji said as he placed a hand on his grandson's shoulder. "You will do well. Have faith in yourself and also, have faith in others. Don't hesitate to ask others for help. No one can possibly handle the burden of world alone. Friends will help you in your time of need. Always remember that."

Ranma smiled, "Yes, thank you for reminding me grandfather." He reminisces the time when he, Ryouga, Ukyou and Akane fought against the Kuno Clan during the deranged clan's bid to overthrew the Taisho Emperor and install one of their own as emperor. He still shriveled at the thought of Tatewaki as emperor of Japan. Though they did succeed and was graciously rewarded by the Imperial Family, that event was mostly covered-up to avoid mass hysteria that was sure to erupt at the supposed failure of the Imperial Army to protect the imperial line not to mention the Demon Wars still fresh in the minds of the people.

"Sumimasen, minna-sama." Said a blue-haired, female samurai as she announced herself.

"What is it Akane-san?" Nodoka inquired.

"I just came to inform you, that dinner is ready, and that milady Himura is anxiously waiting for all of you to join her." Akane said as she bowed. The Tendos along with the Hibiki and Kuonji families during the Kuno Wars were integrated into the Himura Clan as a yojimbo family. And apparently, Ryouga, Ukyou and Akane were assigned as personal guards to Ranma, not that he needs one, though protocol indicates that he must have at least one guard with him at all times except when he is within the estate.

"Alright, please inform mother we will be in shortly." Nodoka replied.

"By your leave, ma'am."

"Come, let us continue this later, otherwise I fear the wrath of your grandmother will be upon us if we are late." Kenji chuckled as did the others as they proceeded inside.

--- Next day, Himura Ceremony for Mastership ---

"…has learned all what we can teach him. May it be the precepts of the Hiten Mitsurugi/Kamiyaa-Kashin, or the Tendo Musabetsu Kakutou, or any of the other families' ryuu. All that is left is for him to experience the world and learn from its harsh lessons. Thus we, the masters of the ryuu and heads of families, elevate you to the rank of master." Kenji spoke before the assembled members of the Clan, both the Himura proper and the extended families. A loud applause can be heard following his speech, after all Ranma was well loved by everyone in the clan. Yahiko and Kenji's wife, Hotaru, approached him each carrying a wrapped bundle. "Step forward, Himura Ranma."

Ranma did so, then bowed low (w/c meant he knelt on two knees), before the grandmaster and daimyo of the clan.

Yahiko stepped forward first, unwrapped the bundle revealing the elegantly crafted katana, which caused several to gasp in recognition (at least those who were present in the Kuno Wars). Kenji took the sheathed sword, and placed it at Ranma's right hand.

"This is one of two legendary swords crafted during the time of the second attempted Mongol invasion, passed down from the imperial line and was a gift from the Meiji Emperor to our clan at its inception as a show of gratitude for my father's service during the revolution." Kenji let words sink in to those who didn't recognize the emblem that blazes the side guard of the katana. "I give to you my grandchild the holy sword, Masamune."

Almost everyone was in a state of shock, even Ranma as he held the scabbard on his right hand. He was holding the very sword his grandfather carried during the campaign in the Kuno Wars and was nearly overwhelmed by the honor placed to him. Then gently, almost reverently, he pulled the katana from its sheath and a small trickle of light can be seen being emitted by the blade as it recognizes its new master. Everyone was in awe of the small display.

Before Ranma or anyone could say anything, his grandmother stepped forward unwrapping the bundle she was carrying. She presented yet another sword to Kenji. Though no one in the room, save for Kenji, Yahiko, Hotaru and Nodoka, recognized the emblem on its guard, they felt power radiate from it as well.

"This is the other legendary sword of the time of the second attempted Mongol invasion. Crafted by the same master smith, also passed down from the imperial line and was gift given to us by the Taisho Emperor for aiding in battle against the Kuno Clan. The imperial family has given us great honor by entrusting to us these two blades." Everyone was in a state of exhilaration, only a select few families in the empire were ever been given such high esteem by the imperial family. "But I must confess that to wield this sword will not be easy and shall be a continuous trial. But I have faith that if any could tame this sword it will be my grandchild, Ranma. So I present to him as well the cursed blade, Muramasa."

Everyone gasped as they recognized the name. It was one of two cursed swords that nearly wiped out Kyoto four hundred years ago. Ranma was a little shaken as he held the sheathed sword with his hands, but with a small gesture from his family, gathered the courage to draw the sword from its scabbard. An eerie glow could be seen as the cursed blade easily recognizes Ranma as its new master.

"Take heed when using that sword, Ranma-kun." Hotaru said.

Ranma slowly sheathed Muramasa and looked up to his grandfather, "Why give me such a sword grandfather?"

Kenji gave Ranma a look that was both sadness, and gladness. "It's to constantly remind you Ranma, that the power that protects is also the power that destroys."

"Yes, but I…"

Yahiko approached Ranma and held both his shoulders, "Ranma-dono listen to me. The sword itself is not really evil. Darkness does not mean evil; so much as not all light is good. It could be too dark to see any of the good or too bright to blind the user from seeing the evil."

Ranma was thoughtful, "You mean to say, that it all depends of the wielder?"

"Yes but is also depends on your strength of will not to succumb to dark temptations regardless of what you wield. You are a master of the two sword technique, I'm sure you will be able to use both swords effectively."

Ranma, now more determined, bowed once again. "Thank you for entrusting this to me, grandfather. I won't disappoint you."

"I know you won't Ranma-kun. I know you won't. Now, with your acceptance of the two swords, you are now officially a master of the Hiten Mitsurugi/Kamiyaa-Kashin Ryuu; may our ancestors guide you in your path!"

A loud applause followed, and Ranma was congratulated by everyone present, from his friends/bodyguards to other members of the clan. And a party to celebrate the youngest master followed shortly afterwards.

--- Later that night ---

"You called grandfather?" Ranma asked as peeked into the family room. He spots his mother, grandfather and grandmother seated at the low table.

"Yes Ranma-kun, we need to tell you of one other duty you need to fulfill as heir to the ryuu…" Kenji stated. "Ryouga-san, please leave us for a while."

Ranma nodded to his friend and Ryouga bowed in acknowledgement as he stepped out of the room and out of hearing range.

"Tell me, what is this duty grandfather?" Ranma asked as he seated himself at the table, somehow he felt a sense of foreboding doom. A feeling he has not felt since the battle at Kuno Castle.

Nodoka cleared her throat, "Ranma…"

AN: If time permits (and inspiration as well) after I write this main story arc I plan to write about the Kuno Wars. That is basically a prequel set about 2-3 years before this story. Probably even begin with Genma's supposed kidnapping. Oh, and yes that Hotaru was taken from Sailor Moon. I don't own it either.

AN: Yojimbo would mean "bodyguard."

AN: The tile translates into "The two-sword fencer."