Author's notes: We have a winner, Kirika came in with 8 and Chloe with a 17. I'm rather surprised by the results as Kirika appeared to be the early favorite. Thank you to everyone who voted. The story would have been submitted 4/27/2006, but the website was having some problems with logging in. Thanks goes out to James Axelrad for checking over the story.
Disclamer: I own neither Noir nor Ranma ½
The Fourth Sapling
By: brindani
Chapter 4: First contact
Knock Knock.
Ranma's eyes blearily cracked open as the annoying noise reverberated throughout the room.
Knock Knock.
Ranma grumbled incoherently, unconsciously trying to make the racket disturbing his peaceful sleep, go away.
'The bed is so soft and comfy and Akane hasn't thrown a bucket of cold water yet. Wait… Akane doesn't knock on the door. I don't sleep in a bed.' These two thoughts slowly coursed their way through his mind. Still, Ranma boot version 1.01 refused to launch without the proper access codes; these fundamental codes included the likes of cold water, being thrown through air, the smell of breakfast, or a life threatening event. Anything else had been relegated to 'negligent attention needed' status. This new unusual attempt to activate was taking a long time to process.
"Ranma, it is time to leave," a quite, serious voice drifted through the door.
'That isn't Akane's voice.' The bypass auto-activation protocol went online pertaining to unusual circumstances.
Ranma's eyes opened fully to an unfamiliar ceiling quickly snapping shut as the light flooding through the window blinded him. "Where am I?" Ranma moaned, groggily looking around.
As if in reply, the boot-up sequence completed, loading Ranma's memory of the previous day. 'Wow, that wasn't a dream. That means I'm not in Nerima any more.' Ranma thought to himself. It was a little odd to no longer be in a familiar environment, no matter how hectic it might have been. He was now halfway across the globe to meet an unknown, but powerful person. In a way it was a little frightening and yet exhilarating. It was almost like being back on the road except with the extra bonus of no pops.
Lazily shifting his head Ranmas eyes came in contact with the clock next to the bed causing them to open suddenly. It was 7:05. Chloe wanted him ready before 7:00. 'Oh shoot!' Ranma jumped out of bed, disappearing in a flurry of motion as he made fast preparations for the day. He stopped cold when he exited the shower and noticed a clean pair of sky blue Chinese cloths identical to the red ones that he wore yesterday. He reached down and took hold of them. The fabric felt extraordinarily soft to the touch, making his old ones feel rough by comparison. Ranma shrugged his shoulders before realizing he was still running late, sending him scrambling into the fine silk clothing.
At exactly 7:08, Ranma opened the door to a cool faced Chloe. Ranma felt the aggravation radiating from her hidden face.
"You are late."
"Sorry, I must have been more tired then I expected."
"Follow me; we'll have to have breakfast in the car."
"I'm only eight minutes late."
Chloe didn't reply, simply turning away and walking to the elevator. She sharply turned to stare at Ranma as he boarded alongside her.
Stepping out on the ground floor, they were met by an elderly gentleman bowing before them. When he returned to his full height, he held out a hand.
"Good morning, Mistress Chloe, Master Ranma." He greeted as Chloe handed him her keycard. Ranma started to panic, searching his pockets realizing that he didn't have the card key on him. Nervously he tugged at his pigtail while Chloe looked back at him expectantly. "That is quite alright Master Ranma, I'll have someone fetch the card key from your room later on." The man said, understanding the reason behind Ranma's nervousness.
"Thanks," Ranma said as he ran to catch up to an already retreating Chloe.
Ranma found himself gawking as he exited hotel. Sitting beside the curb was a sleek black stretch limo. A person wearing a chuffer's uniform holding the door open as Chloe climbed in.
Once again, Ranma was reminded that this Altena was pulling out all the stops to meet with him. 'Why?' he wondered. 'I'm the best martial artist there is, but still this is going a little far even to meet with me.' Ranma thought as he entered the car, the chuffer closing the door behind him.
Ranma stared at the lush leather interior, wooden side plating and a large widescreen TV embedded in the wall across from him. On the far side was a small cabinet that, when he opened, contained various beverages, most of which looked alcoholic. Ranma jumped slightly when he heard a small cough from behind him. Turning around, he noticed Chloe staring at him with intense eyes. Tracing where she kept glancing, he found the seatbelt in the chair he was kneeling across. Hurriedly he sat down and secured his seatbelt before continuing to look around him.
His eyes quickly latched onto the most interesting items sitting innocently on the cabinet of the far side; sandwiches. His stomach began to gurgle sending a clear message that missing dinner under the circumstances was understandable, but missing breakfast would be dealt with extreme prejudice.
Turning to Chloe, he received a brief nod. It was all the invitation Ranma needed before he tore into the sandwiches.
His hand extracted one after another to satisfy the one master he could not easily deny; his stomach. Reaching for the fifth, Ranma's hand hesitated, hovering above the tender morsel. He looked down to the four wrappers on his lap and back to the four remaining. He glanced at Chloe; her eyes closed, appearing to be asleep.
He had not seen her eat anything and there was nothing on her side of the car. Indecisively, Ranma continued to look between the inviting food and what must be his hungry host. It was a sacrifice that his stomach was complaining very loudly about, but he couldn't just let her miss breakfast because of him.
Reluctantly, Ranma gathered the rest of the sandwiches; lightly placing them next to Chloe, who opened her eyes as they settled beside her. Her gaze connected with Ranma's before shifting to the sandwiches. Her eyes gradually lost the hard edge they had carried all morning. Slowly, Chloe unwrapped one of the sandwiches and started to nibble on it. Well it was agonizing torture from Ranma's point of view.
To distract himself, Ranma inspected the interior or the vehicle. Though lugubrious, there was not much to truly see and he became quickly acclimated to the novelty of the limousine. Ranma's attention became enraptured with the sights streaking by outside. He could see a lot of tall old buildings. It made for an interesting contrast with all of the new cars framing the view. Just when he grew accustom to the sights of the city, they exited into the country with new appealing sights to see.
"I'm sorry."
"About what?" Ranma asked as his rapt attention diverted from the beautiful country side, back to Chloe.
"You'll have to wear this," Chloe gestured to a blindfold dangling in her hand.
"But," Ranma said pointing out to all the new sights he would miss.
"You will be able to sightsee later."
It had been a long time since he traveled to a foreign country since China and he didn't want to miss it. Then again, she said he would be able to see the landscape later.
Grudgingly, Ranma took the blindfold from Chloe, wrapping it around his forehead, blocking the alluring scenery flashing by the window from view. Ranma sat back and waited, only to wait some more. It almost felt like the airplane all over again. This time, however, he wasn't even able to look outside to watch the clouds drift by. The only thing he could do was feel the smooth road below him.
As things were boring, Ranma decided to follow one of his school's main principles; make everything into training. Ranma began to focus his senses, trying to expand them out to feel his surroundings. As they stretched, he felt himself bombarded with sensations from all directions. A veritable blur of greens and browns indistinguishable from one another overloaded his senses. Forcing his concentration down, he focused on a small part of the immense tapestry assaulting him, blocking everything else out. He could now almost distinguish parts from the barrage of colors.
Ranma frowned, it was still too much. He would have to focus on a smaller section. Turning his scan, he focused solely on the car. Some of the information started to make some sense. He could see the driver as a cool blue. Everything else appeared to be a drab gray. The picture was so crisp and clear it could almost double for a second sight. Gently he used more power, further defining the layout of the limo.
Ranma was surprised when his attention focused on Chloe. As he remembered from his previous scan, her aura was a shifting midnight black. What he was surprised to find was that it was not random. It almost felt like it sensed his probes and was trying to hide her from him. Testing, he lightly probed one direction after another to see the result. He was rewarded with a constant shift to best camouflage itself. He was surprised he had not sensed it last time.
"Please stop," came a soft voice from in front of him.
"What?" Ranma asked startled by the unexpected sound.
"You are doing something, please stop."
"Ok," Ranma replied, disappointed he could not explore what other applications for this new technique. Resigning himself, the pigtailed youth centered, trying to expand his ki reserves.
Minutes sledged past slowly rolling into hours. The only change Ranma felt was the gradual shift from smooth to rickety and finally into a rocky road. Eventually the sensation ended as the car creped to a stop.
Ranma heard the door swing open. Pulling himself out of his trance, he slid out, standing patently as he heard the car move back the way they had come. Soon after the sound faded into the background, he felt Chloe's presence approach him from behind, lifting the blindfold from his eyes. Light flooded his vision as it was removed. As his sight cleared he had to suppress a deep intake of breath. They were standing on the edge of a small hill. Before him lay a barren landscape; it only served to heighten the effect of a vast cluster of grape vines surrounding a large broken down building. It almost appeared to be a jewel in the middle of the landscape. Off to the side, he could make out a large building that looked similar to a coliseum in pictures he had seen once.
"Welcome to the manor," Chloe murmured before walking down one of the many isles leading through the grape vines. Ranma walked after her, half mesmerized by everything around him. The air itself was fresh and fragrant, filled with the intoxicating scents of grapes hanging heavily on the breeze. They were such a delicacy for him; he had only had a chance to sample them once or twice in his life. To be surrounded by so many was astounding.
It didn't take long with their quick pace to reach the manor proper. Waiting just in front of the main entrance stood a woman with long brown hair pulled behind her in a very nice braid. Chloe smiled before running from Ranma straight into the woman's open arms.
"My dear Chloe, how I have missed you." Ranma knew he was dense sometimes, but even he felt like he was intruding on a special moment between the two. After several minutes the older woman's eyes opened to look at Ranma over Chloe's shoulder. "I see you were successful in your mission." The woman said, allowing a final squeeze before letting go. She stood straight, staring into Ranma's eyes with an intense yet somehow gentle and caring look before bowing low. "My name is Altena; welcome, to my humble home, Ranma." She greeted in flawless Japanese.
Ranma was struck once again. It was a standard greeting by Japanese standards, but not one accustomed to receiving. Awkwardly, he bowed back to his host.
"Um… thanks for having me."
"Come, you must be tired after your long journey. Please, make yourself at home," she said, turning to walk back towards the building with a smiling Chloe beside her.
Ranma blinked several times before following after the two. They walked up the stone steps and into the manor itself. Before entering, Ranma took one last look at the broken and dilapidated large house. For some reason he did not feel disappointed even after the lavish transportation; something about this place was special. He could feel it.
Walking through several hallways, Ranma started to feel like he was in a maze; they continually turned from one passageway to the next without end. Eventually they turned into a barren room containing an old warn work table and a window with a good view of the vineyard.
Altena turned as she entered, briefly glancing at Chloe. The girl nodded happily before leaving through the door they had just entered. Once the young girl left the room, Altena carefully studied Ranma with those kind eyes. Ranma felt compelled to fall into those eyes and accept the embrace she would surly offer. He forcefully restrained himself. A man simply did not do things like that; he was a man amongst men.
"I'm glad you could come, Ranma. I know your life is very busy. You must have many questions for me. In fact I can guess what the first must be." She paused briefly giving Ranma the chance to reply before continuing. "Why have I asked you here all the way from Japan?" Altena stopped, again waiting for Ranma's reaction which eventually he gave in the form of a small nod in the affirmative. "Truly, I've asked you here for many reasons. The first was to see you with my own eyes." Ranma blinked.
"I have known about you for a long time, Ranma. Your mother and I were once acquaintances. When you were born, I was interested in hearing the tales of how you grew up on the road. Later, I heard many amazing and fantastic stories of your accomplishments in Nerima; shooting energy from your hand, facing enemies that were equaled in power only by their unusual techniques. In each case, you handled it with your strength of character and determination.
During all that time I have wanted to meet with you in person."
Ranma felt his chest puff out as he recalled many of those outlandish escapades and how he always did come out on top. After a few seconds, his brows lowered; his face becoming serious once more.
"You know my mother? Why hasn't she mentioned you?" Ranma asked curiously.
"It was unfortunately, but we had our differences in the past."
"That was not the only reason you wanted to see me, was it?" Ranma asked, knowing that this person had gone to a lot of trouble to see him. He sensed she was the type to do something for more then one reason.
Altena smile widened. "You are correct, Ranma. There are other things that I wanted to discuss with you. Please, have a seat." Altena offered, gesturing to the chair just behind her.
Reluctantly, Ranma sat down; it wouldn't do to upset his host, especially when he had no clue as to where he was.
Altena walked around and took a seat herself, facing Ranma. Between them lay a thick envelope. Picking up the envelope, Altena carefully extracted the content, placing it before her. Ranma found himself facing what appeared to be a large collection of pictures.
"I imagine you have seen something similar to these in the news recently." Altena stated placing the top picture in front of Ranma.
Ranma took in a heavy breath as he looked at the scene displayed before him.
In the picture, a woman crouched protectively over her daughter. Both watched helplessly as a solder brutally stomped on a bruised and battered man Ranma could only assume was the father. Another solder was hammering something into the door. Looking closer, Ranma could make out the English.
Evicted in the name of our glorious leader.
Ranma forced his eyes to the next picture placed before him. It featured twenty people lined up in front of a firing squad, a pit behind them filled with shapes Ranma's eyes refused to identify. In the background was a crowd of others that looked to be quivering in fear lined up for blocks.
The next a child of ten in a battered dirty dress on her knees, tears streaming down her face as she reached a hand through bars of a prison cell, a solder with a whip raised his hand back for another lashing.
Pictures came one after the next, each more horrific then the last. How could such horrible acts be possible? Were these people even human? Humans couldn't do anything so appalling.
Finally Ranma brought his eyes back up to meet Altena's, fighting back tears; he didn't know if they were of outrage, disgust, sadness or some twisted combination of all three. 'Men do not cry no matter what the reason.' He repeated over and over in his mind. "Why did you show me these?"
"In the country were they were taken, a civil war has erupted and violent acts have become common place. Their leader, Jamal Hecetate, has refused to listen to both the United Nations and our own private requests to stop the suffering."
Altena removed another pictures from the top of the stack, placing it before Ranma. Ranma took the picture and frowned, it was of a tall man, roughly 6 foot 4 with black hair combed in a precise split, a well groomed goatee, and eyes a harsh coal black. Ranma took an instant dislike to him. Physically he looked respectable, but those eyes screamed sadist; as if they truly enjoyed watching the suffering their owner inflicted.
"So you want me to help persuade this guy to stop the violence?"
"Yes, this situation will take a person of your exceptional skills to handle. Even with the darkness that shrouds the country there is a glimmer of light. This is April Towarto," Altena mentioned, pulling another photo of an attractive woman in her late twenties with hair a light shade of brown in a pony-tail pulled across her shoulder. She wore a professional business suit with a kind smile on her face "She led the country before Jamal organized a militaristic and bloody coup. Fortunately, we were able to pull her out before she was executed. She is now hiding in another country. She and I have an understanding, once Jamal has retired from power, his supporters will quickly fall and she will rush our offered aid to the suffering civilian populous. Do you understand, Ranma?" Altena took a moment to study the young man before her as he looked through the photos that she had laid before him. "You would of course receive payment and training for the mission if you accept."
"Hmmm," Ranma mumbled not really hearing what she said.
Altena sat quietly, allowing Ranma to study the photo that remained loosely in his hand; a firing squad ready to shoot innocent civilians. He noticed one young girl in the background no older then twelve. She didn't have her eyes closed at all. She looked on at the firing squad with resignation. Someone so young had already realized that these people were there to kill her. This woman, Altena, was giving him the chance to help these people, to put a stop to the death and suffering.
His father's parting words seemed to echo in his mind; he would get his wish. He now understood, he would be able to help people. Not just one or two, but thousands if not hundreds of thousands. He didn't know how this woman would allow him to, but if she could, he would follow her.
"If that is the case, I'll have to go down there and teach this guy the error of his ways." Ranma said, slamming the pictures down on the table, looking up to Altena who serenely smiled back.
"I was hoping you would help us. Please, follow me." Altena said standing to make her way out of the room. Ranma stood as well, following the woman out the door and back through the hallways of the manor. Once Ranma caught up to Altena she began to speak. "By its very nature, stealth will be a necessity for this mission. Even with your extraordinary abilities, going against an entire army would be suicidal at best."
Ranma nodded his head as they walked along. "That makes sense," he agreed.
"Yes, Chloe has mentioned that when you are a girl your speed is incredibly fast."
"How did you hear about that? Chloe hasn't said anything since we arrived."
"She wrote me a letter last night. I received it just before you arrived. In any case, it would be best if you used your female form to do this."
Ranma stopped in his tracks. "Do this in my girl form! What do you mean? I can handle this as a guy no problem."
Altena stopped several feet in front of Ranma and turned around to face him. "Ranma, have you ever dealt with guns before?"
"Well, of course not. Guns are for those too weak to fight their own battles. No one in Nerima is that weak." Ranma replied with a hint of disgust in his voice.
"Yes, guns are often used by the weak to make themselves feel strong, but they are only a tool; a very dangerous tool that can rob a person of their life with just a single miscalculation. A single moment of inattention can make the difference between life and death. Do you understand, Ranma?"
Altena's eyes seemed to harden as she stared directly into Ranma's, searching for an answer. Ranma knew that guns were dangerous, but still, he was the best.
"Yes Ranma even the best can fall prey to them. Please follow me," Altena said as she changed directions.
Ranma blinked, 'How did she know what I was thinking?' he thought before trailing after the woman once more. It didn't take long before they made their way to a large room. It looked like it may have once been a dinning hall, but now stood bare. Sensing that this was their destination, Ranma stopped at one side of the room while Altena continued to the other.
"Why don't we have a sparing match? I think that it may highlight several of the points that we have discussed."
'Sparing match? Ranma reappraised the woman across from him. She still seemed like the nice lady that he had met in the front of the manor. There was no look of strength in her eyes, no stance to indicate she was a martial artist worthy of his attention. But she had been kind enough to invite him here and provided a way out of the sticky mess he had been in previously.
"Sure I…" Ranma stepped back, a small impact hitting him in the chest. His eyes widened as he tentatively looked down. His breath caught as he found a trail of red freely running down his chest, coming from where his heart was. With a shaking hand he touched the spot, his eyes closing as he released a sigh when he made contact with unbroken skin, his heart still beating. Pulling his hand marked with the red liquid back to his nose, he found the smell of paint. Finally, Ranma looked back up to Altena, finding her pointing a very realistic looking gun straight at his heart.
"I wasn't…"
"…ready?" Altena asked, lowering the paint gun. "One of the realities of this mission is that those that you seek to stop are not honorable people like yourself, Ranma. They will take the shot without hesitation or warning. What if this had been a real gun? There would be no second chance, no rematch to see who the best is. You would be wounded with only your enemy to watch you lay dieing. Is that what you want; to be killed for no cause? I do not think I could bear the thought even after just meeting you."
Ranma stood stunned. Altena's words made sense; literally driven into him, the evidence currently dripping down his shirt. He had had no idea, but she was right. Plenty of people had attacked him with little to no warning. If they had used a gun… he would be dead.
Author's end notes: Ranma has met Altena and a mission is underway. I wanted to thank everyone that has reviewed this story. It would not be nearly as well developed if it wasn't for you.
Here are a couple of questions I thought might come up. I'll add more if necessary.
Question: Why have you held a voting to establish the pairing? This should come naturally as the story progresses.
Answer: Usually this is very true. What matters most when an author starts a story varies from story to story. Sometimes it is a precise end that they envision, others a specific coupling. For this story it is more of a concept. In the world of Noir, all of the contestants were raised with the idea that killing is acceptable. This whole story is based off exploring exactly what would it take for Ranma with semi-normal standards against killing to become the embodiment of death.
Question: Altena never asked Ranma to kill Jamal. How could Ranma expect to force him to 'retire' otherwise?
Answer: There is a reason behind this, but mostly it is Altena using Ranma's naivety.
Thanks for reading,
brindani