Authors Note's: I really hate it when life gets in the way of writing...
Chapter 11 In Honor's Name
Akane watched the tv as an older version of her future mother in law talked about Ranma's death, and hers. She was in shock. She looked over to Nabiki and for the first time in over a decade saw real tears in her eyes. Akane turned to her father and was shocked that he seemed to be calm. Finally it was over.
Kodachi had come when Ranma and company had invited her, she had not expected to be witness to the message of the future she had seen. In truth she had almost been asked to leave, but Ranma and his 'brother' Chi had asked that she also bare witness. She didn't know when she had grabed Ryu's arm, but she wasn't about the let go any time soon. One look into Ryu's face revealed that this had been news to him as well. But one thing had caught her eye.
"Could you play it again?"
Everyone turned to her confused. Nodoka voiced the question first.
"Why, dear?"
"I saw something I would like to see again."
Nodoka moved to get up and start the dvd again, when Chi stood up and moved to the player.
"I think I know."
Chi moved the message to the pictures from his childhood and stoped on the one picture without Nodoka or Genma Saotome. It was a thirteen year old Chi with a girl about the same age.
As everyone got a better look at this picture, there was suddenly a gasp in the room as people realised how much the girl resembled Kodachi. Although there were minor differences, their relation was undeniable.
"Chi, who is she?"
"Her name's Mina. She's my oldest friend. She wanted to come with me, but this was a one way trip and I couldn't do that to her."
Although Chi tried his best to hide it, not a person in the room missed the emotion in Chi's voice. It was Akane who understood everything first.
"You wanted her to be something more, didn't you?"
"... I would have liked that, but her mother wasn't too fond of Saotome's where I'm from."
Kurumi moved to hold her brother, and Kodachi lowered her head.
"What did I do?"
Chi looked at the girl who was a younger version of the noblewoman who was the bane of his existance.
"You never took being rejected by Ranma very well. You fell into a pit of depression. You eventually tried to throw yourself off a cliff. You were saved by the man you eventually married. He had been near the cliff training."
For just a moment, Chi's eyes rested on Ryu. Unfortunatly Ryu had been watching for a tell like that when he learned about Chi's origins.
"Was her name Kumon?"
CHi lowered his head and nodded slightly. Kodachi finaly caught on to the last piece of the puzzle.
"You set us up to meet earlier. Why?"
"You were a broken woman when you met, but he loved you anyway. Ranma never meant to seem like he was leading you on. I'm not telling you to get married or anything, but I have seen you happy together once."
"... Oh... ok..."
"Look, I'm sorry I"
"KASUMI!"
Everyone in the house was surprised to see Dr. Tofu seem to appear at Kasumi's side. He looked like the hounds of hell were about to take away everything he held dear.
"Kasumi, I'm here."
"OH ONO!"
Almost everyone in the room stared in shock. Not only was the doctor not turning into a quivering heap, he was holding Kasumi and she had forgone manners and called him by his first name.
Nodoka saw her husband reappear almost unnoticed in the room. She had seen him slip out not long after this last showing of the message started. She had wondered where he could go that was as important as being here? Once again she was proad of her husband. She remembered why she still loved him, and she would remind him later.
Chi stood up and moved towards the front door.
"I have a meeting at the Kuno's now. Pop, Nabiki, Ryu, could you all come with me please? Miss Kuno, if you would lead the way?"
"Hold on a minute-"
"Natsume, let your brother go. He has been preparing for over four years, let him do what he came here to do."
Natsume looked at her new mother and bowed her head. This was all just too much for her, for everyone she believed. Yet Chi just continued with what he was doing. He wasn't really giving anyone a chance to rest. She watched as one of her new brothers left with her new father. Brother, Father, Mother... Words she never expected to use for the rest of her days.
Kurumi was worried. She understood about Chi's reaction this morning. He had somehow changed things, and now the guy that was suppose to be his father was dead. And he still kept going. He had given everything he had up for Ranma and Akane, and her and Natsume as well. He was about to fall apart, she could see it in his eyes. He was holding it back very well, but it was only time.
Anger coursed through Kurumi. She would not allow ANYONE in her family to suffer. She had to do something. Maybe if she talked to this Mousse.
The roof of the Cat Cafe
"I don't believe you. I was worried sick. I thought my heart had been ripped out."
Mu Tsu looked at his younger brother and tried to be angry. Really, he did. But Wing Tsu was back from the grave and Mu Tsu couldn't be happier.
"I said I was sorry, I was hoping that I could get here before any letter from the village. How did it get here so fast?"
"I don't know. The elder just had it yesterday."
Mu Tsu looked at his brother. It was good to see him again, but it was time.
"Why?"
"For her."
Mu Tsu was confused.
"What do you mean?"
"Mu, I was visited about a year ago by an old demon from our legends, Happosai. He said he wanted to talk. He started telling me about myself and even about my love for Ling. He made me an offer. I can have a chance with Ling. He then told me how and at what price. The last thing he said before he disappeared was to ask me What is one chance worth to me.
"I waited a couple weeks in case he came back to talk, but he never returned. Just coming to the village once had been dangerous for him. Eventually his last question started ringing threw me head everytime I saw Ling in the village.
"You know how much one real chance is worth to me. I left. The prise was that I had to fake my death so that no one knew I was training, or who with."
"So you're going to be trained by the old pervert?"
Wing lowered his head. He was actually afraid to tell his brother this part. It might make them enemies.
"... No. I came to study under Ranma Saotome."
"What?"
"Happosai had told me that Ranma could train me into a great warrior. He said that I would soon learn proof of Ranma's skill. They say he defeated Saffron, and there are rumors that he beat the prince of the Musk. If even half of the rumors are true, then he is more than able to train me to defeat Ling Pi."
Mu Tsu looked into his brother's eyes. For some time now, Mu Tsu had begone to suspect Ranma's feelings for Akane. It had been his own stubborness that had stopped him from aproaching Ranma as a possible ally and friend. Mu Tsu knew his brother. Wing will go, with or with out Mu Tsu. He still didn't completely trust Ranma, but he trusted Wing with his life.
"Wing, the stories are all true. I was with Ranma at Mount Pheonix, and when he beat Herb. I've fought against him many times, but we've fought on the same side more than once as well."
"Big brother, I have never asked you for anything before. Could you please take me to Ranma Saotome?"
Mu Tsu lowered his head in a nod and stood up. They had gone to the roof to avoid being seen from inside. Wing wanted to hide his pressence in Japan from the other Amazons for as long as possible.
As the to reunited brothers took off for the Tendo Dojo, a shadow stirred slightly. If this shadow could have lips, they would be smiling.
"Good Luck young one. Hopefully this Ranma Saotome is as great as Kuh Lon claims he is."
Between two points
Kurumi was running hard. She wanted answers now. She was curious when she saw someone running in her general direction. When they got closer it lookied like the very person she was looking for, and...
"Chi!"
Mousse and Wings stopped at the yell and saw the stranger move toward them.
When Kurumi was only a few feet away she realised that Chi's hair was wrong. How could he sut and dye it so quickly? Her eyes widened slightly when she realised that it wasn't her brother.
Mousse recognized the girl as the one from the Tendo's this morning.
"Excuse me? Can I help you?"
"I'm sorry. I thought your friend was someone else."
"That's alright. We're looking for Ranma. Do you know if he's still at the dojo?"
"Yeah, my brother's there."
"Brother? I thought he was an only child?"
"Me and my sister Natsume just got adopted by his mother today. I'm Kurumi, by the way."
"I'm Mousse, and this is my brother Wings."
Kurumi froze. Wing? As in Chi's father? Isn't he suppose to be dead?
"But Ryouga said..."
"It's a long story."
"Oh boy. Follow me."
Outside the Kuno estate
"You understand pop? You Nabiki?"
Genma nodded once. Nabiki nodded relunctantly and allowed Genma to pull her into the invisibility cloth.
With those two now invisible, and Ryu and Kodachi off somewhere to talk, Chi was ready. This would be the hardest part for sublty by far.
He strode forward and knocked on the gate. He was met and led by Sasuke into the Kuno family den. Chi saw Kuno sitting by the fire with what appeared to be two identical swords in his lap.
"I'm sorry I'm late. I meant no disrespect, but family trouble happened. I believe you wish to ask me some questions first?"
Kuno raised his head and looked at the young man. He had spent the better part of the afternoon comparing the swords and trying to prove that one of the swords was a fake, but other than one extra name on one blade the swords were one and the same.
"Who gave you this blade? Who would give you the right to ask the Kunos for aid?"
"You son. By now you've compared the swords. I know what they mean, and I know you understand where I got it from. Or should I say when."
Kuno slumped down into his chair again and lowered his eyes to the floor.
"It's funny. If you told anyone, even her, what this blade means they wouldn't believe you. I've honestly tried hiding the truth from myself. But I know that the truth is there."
Chi walked over and sat beside Kuno.
"A war may be coming. Amazons versus Anything Goes. Saotomes and Tendos. I will need help, but more importantly, she will need a guardian. You are Samuri, and I have always respected you."
At this Kuno turns and looks into Chi's eyes. Kuno sees nothing but pure honesty reflected.
"Thank you. You never did give me your name."
"Chi Tsu Saotome."
"Cheese Saotome?"
Chi cringed slightly. Why did all Kunos call him that?
"No, Chi. Chi will be fine. Now what?"
Kuno turned to the fire. He seemed to be lost in thought.
"Now I find a way to tell Nabiki Tendo that I have always loved her. To hold proff or our future marriage in my hands is a little overwhelming. I know she plays me the fool, and that more times than not it is for her family. I am not well."
"I know about you condition. Your son once confided in me the curse of the Kuno name."
"So you understand. How can I ask someone who deserves the world to marry a mad man? My mother left because it was killing my father. They only drug that has any effect and my father is allergic to it, as am I. Yet Father would take it for mother's sake. It was killing him, but he thought she deserved better than a mad man. She left to stop him taking it. I took some in preperation for our meeting. I wanted a clear head."
"I am sorry for your pain, but I have one peace offering. Consider it a gift between families."
Chi reached into his pocket and pulled out a small medical vial.
"This is a non allergic cure. I was only able to bring enough for one person though."
Kuno looked at the vial as if it was a gift from the gods themselves. He took it into his hand and stood up.
"Sasuke!"
"Yes master? Shall I prepare to inject it?"
Kuno looked once more at the vial. He could see all the hopes and dreams it represented. He could see his fondest wish.
"Yes, then give it to my father. I believe mother's clinic is still on the south coast."
Chi watched as Kuno gave away his greatest dream for his father. He then turned to Kuno and waited for him to speak.
"If you bring that from times to come, then I can wait for another chance. I don't know if my parents can have that lugzury. Besides, Dachi would give anything to have mother home again. So would I."
Chi looked over as his father was no longer able to mask a crying Nibiki. Chi had not explained anything, but instead had told them to stay quiet and hidden. Chi needed his father to hide Nabiki.
Nabiki had listen to talk of son's and madness. She had herd confessions of love and dreams unfullfilled. She had heard Kuno admit to being her fool willingly because he respected her. And finally she had watch him give up what he thought was his one chance at happiness so that his parents could be reunited.
Over ten years ago Nabiki fell apart, and only a dashing samuri who stayed by her side had brought her back together in time to help her family before they lost everything. Her darkest secret was that she had fallen for Kuno back then, but she could never see it ever truely working out. She didn't give a damn anymore.
Kuno barely realised what happened before he found Nabiki's lips on his own. They never even noticed the Saotome's leave.
At Ucchan's
Ukyo was a little annoyed. Her twenty-four hour flu had taken a day and a half. SHe was finally feeling better and she was cooking to celebrate.
"Hey Ukyo."
Ukyo didn't even look up. She hadn't seen the guy come in, but there was no mistaking that depressed tone.
"What's up Ryouga suger? You seem more down than normal."
"You know, things woulda been a lot simpler if I'd gotten a crush on you instead of Akane."
This caused Ukyo to pause and look and the lost boy.
"What!"
"I mean it. We're friends and all, but I almost wish it had been more."
"Ryouga, you're starting to worry me."
"I ain't confessing anything, if that's what you're worried about. I've just been thinking."
"That's a first."
"... I take it back. I'd get lost on purpose rather than put up with you."
"Look, I'm sorry. But oyu ain't makin much sense here suger."
"Ranma and Akane confessed they love each other. The fiancee war is over."
Ukyo watched Ryouga for a second waiting on the punch line. When she realised that Ryouga wasn't kidding she started preparing for battle. Akane was a dead
"I wouldn't. It'd be suicide now. Akane has the Saotomes to watch her and she appearently going to start seriously training to try and catch up to Ranma. Ranma thinks she has a chance."
"I beat that stupid Panda before, and Ranchan would never hurt me."
"What about Chi, Natsumi, and Kurumi? Ranma's brother and sisters."
"Nice try. Ranma's an only child."
"Not anymore. Thy're taking aplications now. Ranma has an older sister, a younger sister, and a brother our age."
Ukyo sat down. She had lost. She had lost Ranma. SHe had lost Ranma and she had to hear it from Ryouga!
Suddenly a thought struck her.
"What did you mean earlier about it being easier if you had had a crush on me?"
"Just something I was thinking about so that I'd be too busy to think about my problems. It got kinda funny."
"What do you mean suger? What was so funny about an imaginary crush on me?"
"I woulda got off better than Ranma, that's all."
"How so?"
"Ok, I'll tell you what I came up with. We're friends, right?"
"Yeah, go on."
"Well, I realised that you're the only girl around I can seem to talk to with out stuttering. Compared to Ranma and Akane I've pulled the dashing hero a couple of times when you were in trouble. When we went to that couple break up cave, even the ghosts thought we were a couple. Ranma and Akane have thought that we were dating on more than one occasion. On top of all that, you're probably the best looking girl in your school. You can cook. You already have your own business. Best off all, I'm completely relaxed when dealing with you. I've probably embarresed myself enough. I'll leave you alone."
Ryouga got up. He walked to the door. He was about to leave and dissapear to the coast for a few days, when he felt a hand on his shoulder stopping him.
Ukyo didn't know what she was doing, didn't know what she was going to say. As she listen to Ryouga's explination, she had felt amused, embarrased, and flattered. She knew that Ryouga wasn't trying to hit on her. That's what made his words hit so hard. She had grown to know this boy in the last year or so. He was only speaking the absolute truth in his opinion. Ryouga was an honest and caring soul, and he deserved more than what life gave him.
He had earned one moment. Ukyo already had her lips on his before she realised that she was giving him her first kiss. They parted after what felt like an eternity.
"I'm sorry, I don't-"
"My first kiss..."
"Huh?"
Ukyo was confused. Did Ryouga just say that that was his first kiss as well? Had they actually done something like SHARE their first kiss together? It was all too much for Ukyo to handle. Before she realised what she had done, she had spatulaed Ryouga halfway across Nerima. She opened her eyes and realised that they needed to talk, now. They didn't need something like this embasment between them.
"I'm sorry!"
With that Ukyo was off to try and find the Eternal Lost boy.
Tendo Dojo
Kurumi stopped and knocked at the door. This was going to get confusing fast.
Kasumi was busy being consoled by Dr Tofu, so Nodoka took it upon herself to play hostess. When she opened the door, she was surprised to see Kurumi, some boy, and what looked like Chi in a different hairstyle.
"Mom, this is Mousse and his brother... Wings."
Nodoka felt her heart skip a beat. Chi's father was alive?
"Inside quickly dear."
Nodoka lead the children to the living room which was currently being occupied by Ranma and Akane only. Everyone had either left or just decided to give them time alone.
Ranma looked up and saw Mousse, then he saw who he thought was Chi walking behind him.
"Ranma, this is my brother Wings. He has come to ask you something."
Wings? Chi's father? What was going on? The Chi look alike walked over and kneeled before Ranma.
"I am Wing Tsu, Last son born of the mighty Amazon Family Tsu. I have lived as a farmer, but I wish to study under you. Master I beg of you. Make me your student."
"Nice grovel there boy. Practice it on the way here?"
All eyes turned to Happosai at that comment. Happosai calmly walked over to the bowing Wings and crouched down.
"What is it worth to you?"
"Everything I have and more. I would live for her and I would die for her. I will do whatever it takes."
Happosai smiled and then turned to Ranma.
"I met this young man in my travels Ranma. It seems he's an Amazon who's in love with a champion level warrior. He needs to be strong and skilled to win her heart. Well?"
Ranma was not the dumb jock everyone takes him for. In fact, he is quite the genius. Up until know his mind was always over flowing with problems. They had been replaced with one simple thought. 'Akane loves me' With so much brain power suddenly freed up once more, Ranma was now frighteningly quick witted and intelligent.
"You set Chi up. You knew Wings was coming. You could have TOLD him!"
Happosai suddenly registered on fact. He had accedentally hurt one of Ranma's family, besides Genma. He was in trouble... Gone!
Ranma was About to give chase-
"Master?"
Ranma looked at the young man and remembered how history once went. So Chi was gathering Allies, and Happosai was speeding up certain things. He could deal with this. Besides, this would give Akane a sparing partner closer to her level for now.
"I accept."
"Then I bind you to the House of Tsu."
Everyone turned to the cloaked figure who had spoken, before anyone could ask any questions it was gone.
" MU! WAS THAT !>"
" What the bloody hell is she doing here? I thought you weren't caught.>"
" So did I.>"
"Guys?"
"Sorry Master. We were saying that she shouldn't be her."
"Who was she?"
Mousse looked Ranma stright in the eye and understood fully what had happened.
"Ranma, consider you and your family Amazons."
"All of us?"
"Huh?"
"I gotta big family now."
With that, they all walk in...
And two look alikes faint
Author's notes:
MUwahahahahaha.
I am feeling evil.
Please review.