Broken Hearts Combined

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I do not own Gold Digger and its associated characters. They belong to that marvelous fellow Fred Perry. I do not own Ranma ½ and its associated characters. They belong to the wonderful lady Rumiko Takahashi. This production is strictly for entertainment, and I am not making any money off of the writings. I am just a poor student, so please… Don't sue me… Please?

Author's Special Note: ~…~ = speaking through telepathy

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Broken Hearts Combined Chapter 20: GET OUT OF THE WAY PEDESTRIANS!

Pain… This seems to be a physical sensation that Ranma has been stuck feeling a lot lately… Ever since he met up with the Diggers family, he has been in fight, after fight, after beating, after massacre, after training bouts with Britanny and/or Sheila.

Ranma begins to squirm. He realizes he's sleeping on a bed… He's been ending up doing this after fights a lot lately as well…

Ranma (Thinks): Okay… I'm alive… That's always a good thing… I guess…

Ranma tries to move, and he feels his muscles tense up, and his skin start to burn. He begins to grimace and he feels his hair stand on end. He also makes notice of his breathing… It feels slightly constricted…

Ranma (Thinks): Ooooowwwwwww… Okay… This hurts more than usual… I didn't think that I would be in so much pain after that battle… I mean he only sliced me up what? Thirty, forty times tops?

Ranma decides that enough is enough. Ranma opens his eyes slowly, his vision a total blur of white. He lifts his neck up so his head is off of the bed he's on. He looks around the room slightly, as his vision comes into focus. First thing he sees is a yellowish orange blur on his chest. He looks further past the blur and finds he is in a simple room, sparse with furniture. The only things that stand out in the mostly bare room are a bookshelf with four books, a small nightstand to the right the bed he's on, and another bed and nightstand combination across the room from him. He can tell where he is just by the set-up of the room.

Ranma (Mutters): Healer's Clinic… I wonder how long I was out this time…

Ranma then looks to his left and right, and gets a slightly unexpected surprise. He once again finds Britanny and Sheila sitting in chairs at either side of him. Britanny is asleep, her body forward, and on top of his chest.

Ranma: Sigh… Britchan…

Ranma just strokes the strands of her hair lovingly, eliciting a purr from the werecheetah. He never thought he would do this… Petting a cat, and not being afraid of it… But then again, Britanny is not just any kind of cat… She's a werecheetah.

Soon, Britanny begins to squirm, and she opens her eyes slowly. She looks up at the smiling Ranma, and her eyes widen with joy.

Britanny: RANCHAN!

The volume of Britanny's cry causes Sheila's eyes to snap open, she bolts her head left and right, and sees that Ranma is awake.

Sheila: RANCHAN!

Both werecats look at Ranma with hearts in their eyes.

Ranma (Thinks, sweat-drops): … Uh oh…

Britanny & Sheila: RANCHAN!

Both of the werecats glomp onto Ranma with a Chinese Amazon-like force. Ranma's eyes widen in pain, as they're crushing all the cuts and bruises he has.

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Pan-shot of the outside of the Healers Clinic in Tessa.

Ranma (Voice): RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH! THAT HUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUURRRRRRRRRRTTTTTTTTSSSSSS!

We pan the shot away from the Healer's Clinic for about 10 paces, and see the outside of a café, Sabbo is sitting in one of the chairs, reading a scroll, and lifting his mask slightly, as to drink from a cup of coffee. (We still can't see his face, as the scroll is in the way).

Sabbo then puts the scroll down, and looks towards the Healer's Clinic.

Sabbo: Hmm… Sounds like he's awake. Good…

Sabbo then picks up a box that is at the side of his chair with his right hand, both his pineapples in his left hand. The box itself is a simple wooden chest, with a large iron lock on it.

Sabbo: And now to deliver this for Tsunami…

Sabbo then gets off from his seat, leaving two silver pieces on the table to pay for the coffee. He steps into a bit of shade caused by a crevice in the building, and he disappears.

(-)

Soon, when Ranma is well enough, the Healer allows Ranma and the others to leave. Ranma also finds out from Britanny and Sheila how long he was out…

Ranma: I was in a coma for a week after fighting with Tsunami!?

Sheila: Yep…

Britanny: Looks like Grandpa still has all his skill…

Ranma: … Dang… He's a really powerful old man…

Britanny: Well… He IS mom's father…

Sheila: Yes… Tsunami could have been the Armsmaster in his youth if he took the tournament seriously…

Ranma (Raises an eyebrow): Oh? What do you mean?

Sheila: Well, Tsunami truly is one of the greatest fighters. However, he never wanted the position of Armsmaster; even when he was in his prime. He's always preferred to stick to the shadows and fight in the ways of the Shinobi.

Ranma: Oh… Hmm…

Britanny: What's wrong Ranchan?

Ranma: … Nothing really… Just thinking…

Britanny: Oh…

Ranma: Well, are you guys ready to get a move on? We still got another Weaponsmaster to find before getting a move on to the West Continent.

Britanny: Yeah! Let's get going!

Sheila: You bet Ranchan! We'll help you go all the way!

And so, Ranma and crew try to leave, but the healer stops them.

Healer: Wait!

Ranma and the others turn around to face the healer.

Ranma: What's wrong?

Sheila: Yeah. You got paid for your services. What else do you want?

Healer: Nothing, but I found this package with your name on it.

The Healer then gives Ranma the chest that was left in the clinic for him. (It's the same one that Sabbo had). Ranma takes the chest and opens it up.

Britanny: What is it Ranchan?

Ranma: It's a sheathed katana, a scroll, and a letter.

Ranma begins to read the scroll… However…

Sheila: What's it say Ranchan?

Britanny: Yeah? Whose it from?

Ranma: Uh…

Britanny & Sheila: Yeah?

Ranma (Sweat-drops): I can't read this…

Britanny and Sheila face-fault, more sweat-drops appear on Ranma's head, and the Healer just blinks at the situation before him. The werecats soon get off the floor and stare at Ranma.

Britanny: What do you mean you can't read it? Let me look at it.

Ranma hands Britanny the letter. Britanny looks at it and she gets a confused look on her face. She then turns it left, right, and upside-down, seeing which way makes sense.

Britanny: Why would grandpa write this? It makes no sense…

Sheila: Hey Britanny, let me look at it.

Britanny hands Sheila the letter, and Sheila looks it over.

Sheila: Hey… I know this… This is the language of the Giant clan…

Britanny: You mean like mom?

Sheila: Yes. He probably figured that Julia taught you guys how to read Giant… But I guess from your confused looks, she didn't…

Britanny blushes, and Ranma just scratches the back of his neck.

Sheila: Don't worry, I'll read this for you.

Britanny & Ranma (Wide-eyed): YOU CAN READ IT!?

Sheila (Nods her head): Yeah. Julia taught my brother Gar, and later on, he taught me how to read and write in Giant language.

Ranma: Okay… Well, can you translate this letter?

Sheila: Sure.

Sheila then looks the letter over a few times, thinking of how the words would translate into their tongue, and how the structuring of the sentences should mean. Finally she's ready to read.

Sheila: Okay… The letter reads as follows.

(-)

To the Wild Horse

I must admit, that was quite a fight we had and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. You had managed to take a lot of damage before finally going down from pain and exhaustion. That was real stamina. I do hope that you are doing well. I would have hated to hurt my granddaughter and the werejaguar by killing you. Those two werecats seem to care about you with all their hearts. I now think I understand why Julia has chosen you as her student. And if I am correct in my thinking, you are going to need all the help you can get. I wish you luck, and leave you with these three gifts to help you.

The katana 'Shadow Strike'. This sword is a magical weapon. As the Edge Guard have weapons that are linked to the elements such as Sheila's scimitar 'Ice Fang', Thropan's bladed nun-chuck 'Earth Flail' or Tirga's chained-mace 'Fire Claw', this sword is linked to an element as well. The element of shadow; which in turn, will allow you to learn spells of the shadow element.

I have also included a smaller scroll within the box, the spell of 'Presence Mask'; which actually hides your aura. It's extremely useful when paired with the spell 'Invisibility' (Those two spells are a ninja's best friend).

These two gifts will help you on your path to follow my way of life. The way of the Shinobi. This way of fighting will give you a sharper 'edge' over other fighters, if you catch my drift… And my final gift, is just something to help you on your way…

For my final gift… The location of the final Weaponsmaster on the East Continent of Jade. Go west, but make sure you head slightly towards the north once you reach the village of Di'brev; where you may want to stop for supplies before continuing. Once across, you shall reach the Seer's Desert, and then either cross it, or go around. On the other side of Seer's Desert is a city right on the border of the desert and Niek Ocean. This is the transport city of Trine.

Trine is a port for traders that go back and forth between the two continents. You will find a hidden Citadel known as 'Grand Cavern' beneath Trine. This is the home of the Shadow Elves and the Weaponsmaster Rhaoton. I wish you good luck. And please Wild Horse, look after my granddaughter Britanny and the member of the Edge Guard Sheila.

Thank you Tsunami

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Sheila then puts down the letter after reading it. Tsunami seems to have been able to pick up on her and Britanny's feelings for Ranma… She figures that she couldn't hide it from someone like him… But…

Sheila (Thinks): How did he know!? I mean we only met for about an hour before he left… How did he pick up on it? … Sigh… Stinkin' Shinobi…

Sheila then slightly frowns.

Sheila (Thinks): Guess this means I'll just have to try harder to understand my feelings for Ranchan… I mean, sure… I like Ranma… But then again… I know there's Tirga for me… I mean, the weretiger finally told me that he loved me… But… Knowing Tirga's less than reliable track record with women… Does he truly mean it? I think he does… But then again…

Sheila's frown deepens… But then turns to a smile…

Sheila (Thinks): At least I'll have Ranchan there!

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Britanny slightly frowns. She doesn't know what to make of this…

Britanny (Thinks): So grandpa understands that I like Ranchan… Hmm… I hope this doesn't mean anything will go wrong… I mean, I like Ranchan! HELL, I LOVE HIM! … But why can't I ever say it to him!?

Britanny lets out a sigh… But, she then smiles.

Britanny (Thinks): I may not understand express my feelings in words with Ranchan… But I most CERTAINLY know how to show him that I care for him in action.

Britanny closes her eyes and begins to purr.

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Ranma stands there; shocked by the letter and gifts left to him. Tsunami has helped him so much in one fell swoop, even though he didn't have to.

Ranma (Thinks): Okay… That was pretty nice of the guy… But what did he mean when he said he thought he understood master Julia's reasons… What reasons would she have in teaching me? I mean, sure, I understand that I am a great fighter, but… What else could she need me for?

Ranma frowns… His ears then pick up a sound…

Ranma (Thinks): Purring?

Ranma looks around. Britanny and Sheila have a far-off look in their eyes, and they're purring a bit audibly.

Ranma (Thinks): … Great… Better diffuse this situation before it gets worse…

Ranma then turns to Sheila and speaks to her.

Ranma: Hey Shechan!

Sheila's eyes then take focus, and she looks around.

Sheila: HUH!? Oh… Yeah Ranchan?

Ranma: I want to ask Shechan… Can you help train me in using magical weapons, since 'Shadow Strike' is one of them?

Sheila: Sure Ranchan. I'll start training you during along the way to Trine… After all… Trine is at least two-week travel from Tessa… If there are no stops along the way…

Ranma's eyes widen in shock.

Ranma: TWO WEEKS!?

Sheila: Yeah. After all, we're on the east side of the continent. Trine is on the west side. It'll take us awhile… What's wrong with that? It'll give us time to train.

Ranma: True… but… I've wasted enough time already…

Sheila: Oh? And how do you plan to deal with that?

So what does Ranma do? He works at sonic-speeds. He grabs the gifts left to him by Tsunami, says good-bye to the healer, literally grabs Britanny and Sheila, and starts running as fast as possible…

Britanny finally gets out of her thinking and realizes something is wrong… (Well, being

Britanny: HUH!? WHAT'S GOING ON!?

Ranma screeches to a halt outside the city.

Ranma: Oh. Sorry Britchan. I just really need to get us to Trine.

Britanny: Okay? Which direction?

Ranma: To the West.

Britanny: No problem. Prepare to see what Werecheetah speed is all about!

Britanny then grabs Ranma and Sheila, and starts running at a good 790 miles/hour.

Ranma & Sheila: WOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!

As Britanny runs, one notices trees flying into the air as she runs trough a forested area.

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Sabbo and Tsunami stand on a hill, watching the running Britanny.

Sabbo: Ah… Yes… They are on their way…

Tsunami: ~Indeed…~

Sabbo: How's your shoulder?

Tsunami: ~It's feeling better…~

Sabbo: Good… Now Tsunami, will you keep an eye on those three?

Tsunami: ~No… I have no need to. I believe you will do that anyway, with or without my help.~

Sabbo: Heh… True… Oh well… See you next time.

Tsunami (Smirks): ~If there is a 'next time' for you…~

Sabbo raises an eyebrow. However, one cannot see it under his Mystic's Mask.

Sabbo: And what does THAT mean oh wandering Weaponsmaster?

Tsunami: ~You'll see…~

Tsunami then holds out his right hand in front of himself. He gathers energy into it, and casts a spell.

Tsunami: ~Teleport.~

Tsunami then turns around and disappears in a gust of wind, leaving blowing around in the air.

Sabbo: … He's gone… But still… What did he mean?

Sabbo then turns around, from where Tsunami disappeared. He sees Britanny, carrying Ranma and Sheila running straight towards him at great speeds.

Britanny: GET OUT OF MY WAY!

Sabbo (Wide-eyed): WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH
HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Britanny plows right on through; sending Sabbo flying high into the air.

Sabbo (Flying off): THIS IS NO WAY TO TREAT THE ALMIGHTY HIDDEN EMPEROR OF JADE!

Sabbo then disappears in the horizon.

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After an hour, Britanny finally stops running. She drops Ranma and Sheila to the sides, so she can catch her breath…

Britanny: HUFF… PUFF… How's that for cutting down on time for traveling distance? Guys?

Britanny's eyes widen as she looks at Britanny and Sheila. Their faces are covered with pineapple bits.

Ranma: Next time Britchan… Don't serve snacks during those 'flights', okay?

Britanny (Blinks): … Oh my…

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End Chapter 20

Next Time: Ranma and crew take a quick pit stop in the small village of Di'brev, before they go into the Seer's Desert… However… They meet a familiar face… And Sheila comes to an 'understanding'…

-This is RedPriest17, signing off.

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