Azure: * groans* I'm really,really, really sorry for not updating this for a while, but its mainly because of me transferring schools,classes and getting all the stupid paperwork done before I have to go out of the country for a bit. (Urgh..not matter what happens in college, the forever pain in the ass is going to be Financial Aid and paperwork), not to mention the pains of the courses...*grumbles * seriously...they need a better idea on 'course length'
Ranma: *Looks at Azure * Yeah well your the genius that decided to hold off on this until you could get a schedule going, and so far by the looks of it not even managing that!
Azure: *throws work at Ranma * shut it Saotome and read the answers to the reviewers and the disclaimer.
Ranma: Yeah yeah, alright then Azure's gonna answer some of the stuff the reviewers gave her.
Requiem the Relentless: I only used one flashback, but I guess it was rather long. Though you're right when I guess I made Nyx too influential, I'll try fixing that in later chapters. Its been a while since I've read the manga and I was doing this based on what I remembered reading which was the stuff happened in China. But thanks for the criticism, I'll be sure to fix Nyx's influence on Ranma along with Genma too.
Dragon Man 180: *grins * I really like your idea about Nyx in wolf form biting down Kuno's pants and revealing the teddy bear boxers or ones with Akane's face on them. Actually as sad as that is, I can actually SEE Kuno doing that!! About Ranma training Ben that's a a good idea with how the omnitrix cancels out at the wrong moments hahaha.
James Birdsong: XD congratz on guessing right that Tofu was Max's friend in Nerima
Sean Malloy-1: I got your Pms that you sent me and I tried getting this up as fast as I could but as for when Ranma will meet the Tennysons, I have a pretty good idea on how that'll happen.
Ranma: And that's about it for the reviewers and for the disclaimer Azure- *stops when he sees Azure with an evil glint on her eye * I suddenly have a feeling of dread in this chapter...
Azure: *smirks * Oh what gave you that idea?
Ranma:....the fact you got that grin when you're going to do something either highly amusing or terrifying at my expense.
Azure: *whistles innocently and goes back to typing *
Ranma: *sighs * I got a baaaadd feeling about this chapter, but as usual Azure owns nothing of Ranma ½ except for a a few old comics, the plot and Nyx. Everything else is owned by Rumiko Takahashi and flames will be used for fuel for Heatblast once again.
Azure: Oh one more announcement guys, I managed to make some new aliens for Ranma's omnitrix but I'm at a loss on names so at the end of the chapter there's some stuff if you can help me with some suggestions and voting. Anyway thank you for being patient with me and enjoy the chapter!
/Speaking another language/
"Speech"
'Thoughts"
//Mind speak//
"Thank you very much sir for using our exchange, have a nice day sir." the girl behind the counter said bowing slightly to Max as he took his exchanged money from the clerk. He walked away from the counter and then towards where Gwen and Ben were waiting outside, taking in the sites of Nerima.
"Okay you two, here's your spending money for right now. Try not to spend it all, okay Ben?" Max said handing each the same amount. Ben rolled his eyes and stuffed the money into his ragged wallet he had while Gwen folded the bills and put them in her wallet and put the coins in a pouch before putting said items in her bag she had with her.
"You know you should probably buy a new wallet while you're here Ben," Gwen started as she folded her arms, "you'll probably lose your money before you even spend it all."
"I used duct tape this time. It'll hold Gwen." Ben shot back.
"Now now, don't fight. You each have roughly forty dollars in Japanese yen. Here are some maps in case you get lost." Max added handing the two a small pamphlets. "I'll be at the Clinic with Ono catching up on old times. Any questions?"
The two cousins shook their heads.
"Good, now remember hold off using magic and going hero Ben. Like Ono said, the people here aren't as use to the aliens as the people back in the states." Max stated as a warning. "no matter how tempting it is do not use it unless absolutely necessary."
"Yes grandpa..." Ben sighed, but still wondering if he could manage to change just for a little bit, but got rid of that idea when he saw the look Max was sending him.
"Well, enjoy yourselves and try to get back to the clinic before night okay? Have fun now!" Max finished and walked back to the clinic.
"Any idea where the nearest restaurant is? I'm starving..." Ben groaned holding his stomach.
"For once I agree with you since we skipped Grandpa's 'homemade' breakfast..." Gwen agreed opening the pamphlet while taking out a pocket Japanese to English dictionary.
"Why do you need that thing? We have the tech that Tofu-san gave us." Ben said frowning while Gwen shook her head.
"Tofu-san said the devices he gave us would let us hear and understand what people here are saying, he never said anything about able to read." the long haired cousin replied.
"Dang..."
"Anyway from what I could translate I think if we go down here we'll reach the area with the all the restaurants." Gwen stated folding up the pamphlet and then pocketing it and walking down the street.
"Either that or we could just ask the first person we see for help." Ben called after pacing behind his cousin looking for any signs that looked like a restaurant.
The final bell rang at Furinkan High signaling the end of a long day for the exhausted students. Ranma was part of said tired students as he was packing up and then headed out of the classroom. He was tired of looking over his shoulder, watching out for a certain angry tomboy with a mallet and avoiding Ukyo to avoid unwanted dinner dates.
"Stupid tomboy, its not my fault I broke your 'record' of hitting the ball the farthest..." Ranma muttered to himself as he trudged down the hallway, quickening his pace when he felt someone glaring daggers behind him.
Sure he managed to go to school a few times when he traveled with his Pops and Nyx...at least the times Genma hadn't managed to 'accidentally lose' Nyx when they entered a town. He played only a few sports when he managed to stay in the school longer then a few days in the town, before his Pops would pull him out and they would be on the road again. He managed to make it out of the building and let out a relived sigh.
"I should be home free from here, even though I still like I'm walking on a mine field here..." Ranma muttered as he made his way to the front gate of the school. It didn't take very long before he saw the familiar brotherly figure of Nyx, leaning against the wall waiting for him. Nyx couldn't help but smirk at how weary the pig-tailed martial artist looked.
"Have a good day at school Ranma?" Nyx asked trying to stifle his laughter at the annoyed look the younger human was throwing him.
"Yeah if you count breaking Akane's record for farthest hit in baseball." he replied rather sourly.
Nyx looked confused. "Wouldn't it be a GOOD thing that you broke a record? That means you excel at that activity."
"You would think, unless you happen to be a mallet happy tomboy that didn't see it like that." Ranma retorted rolling his eyes making Nyx wince.
"Akane-san didn't actually hit you did she?"
".....she got a lucky hit..." Ranma grumbled making Nyx sigh.
"Right....anyway you ready to get back to training?" The alien asked, "or are you too tired for it?"
"Are you kidding!?" Ranma exclaimed giving Nyx an incredulous look, " I've been WAITING for this since you told me this morning!! no WAY am I going to just blow it off just because of another one of the uncute tomboy's temper tantrum!"
"Uh Ranma..." Nyx tried to say looking behind the teenager's shoulder, where a dark red aura was starting to form, but the oblivious teenager wasn't listening, too busy ranting about the youngest Tendo.
"I mean you really think because I had to watch out so I don't get reacquainted with the floor again I'd ditch training WHICH we haven't done in a while since YOU kept disappearing on me and Pops!"
Nyx bristled at that statement. " I didn't DISAPPEAR Ranma, I was more likely DITCHED when we separated. I just got lucky your father tends to leave a trail of bills behind him from bars."
"Yeah I'm still wondering how he avoided those...anyway enough about the macho chick, let's go already!" he said but wondered why Nyx was frozen as he was staring at something behind him.
Raising an eyebrow the pig-tailed martial artist turned around and froze himself. He felt a bead of sweat slide down the side of this face as he stared into the angry orbs of said tomboy, her angry red aura coming off in waves.
"RAAAAANNNNMMMMMAAAAAAAAAA...." the dark red aura suddenly became and overcast on the front gate making both Nyx and Ranma sweat as all the other students quickly backed away from the youngest Tendo. Pulling one of his Pop's infamous moves he snatched Nyx's arm and bolted quickly, just in time too as a new crater formed where he had stood only seconds before where a familiar mallet made its presence known.
"SorryAkanegottagoandtrainsoI'llseeyoulater!" Ranma quickly shouted as he and Nyx disappeared down the street.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"You know, you do realize you just encourage her anger by insulting and aggravating her." Nyx said once they were some distance from the school that Ranma let him go and they walked.
Scratching the end of his pigtail Ranma shrugged, "Hey she usually starts it by insulting me and then going and hitting me for no reason ya know!! and don't say to try to avoid 'er or ignore her either! It doesn't work with little miss mallet happy."
"Alright, alright fine." Nyx sighed, knowing that Ranma could be stubborn and unmovable about something he was adamant about. "So who was that weird kid in the outfit swinging around the stick?"
"It's a bokken Nyx-niisan its a practice of swords really." Ranma replied, "and he's Upperclassman Kuno, some guy that declared who ever could defeat Akane in combat would get to date her."
Nyx stopped and gaped at Ranma. "He declared that who ever could beat Akane in a fight gets to DATE her!? Of all the ludicrous ideas..."
Ranma snorted, "you think that's ludicrous? You should have heard what he was calling my girl form!?"
Nyx shook his head, "Not really, by the time I had gotten to you, you were already in his arms...."
"He called me his 'pig-tailed goddess' "
".......wow you earthlings sure get some strange ideas..." Nyx replied laughing a bit.
"You realize you insulted yourself a bit there since you're trying to BLEND IN with said earthlings." Ranma retorted.
"Okay okay point taken now let's hurry, I managed to find a spot that was secluded enough from the ward so no one would accidentally walk in on our train-" Nyx started but his ears twitched as a sudden noise had caught his attention and quickly grabbed the back of Ranma's shirt and pulled him back. Just in time for one of the neighbors hose to go array and avoid hitting them. It then took a moment for Ranma to process what had happened but then turned towards Nyx confused.
"What the hell!? Nyx-niisan how did you know that was gunna happen!?" the teen exclaimed looking at the alien.
"Well, I heard the guy holding the hose making a noise as I think he tripped on something and let the hose go. But honestly? I think it may have something to do with my curse enhacing my senses I think, or I could just be imagining it." Nyx replied shrugging.
"How can your curse help you avoid getting splashed?" Ranma asked making a face.
"Well...." Nyx started pausing for a moment folding his arms thinking, "I guess it made my ears more sensitive or something? I don't know how these curses work or if this is all just in my head."
"It must be in your head, I don't see how my GIRL form is going to help me fight or anything..." Ranma replied darkly as they continued walking.
"You do realize that some of your alien forms are FEMALES right?"
"Then I'll just avoid them!"
"You can't fight off the inevitable you realize and you have to admit to SOME advantages in your female form." Nyx tried to reason, but all he got was some mutters under the teenager's breath making the alien sigh. "you know you might as well try to at least get use to it and possibly accept it. There may not even be a cure for falling into the springs."
Ranma scowled at Nyx,"I'm not giving up so easily for a cure ya know Nyx-niisan! There has to be one out there..."
Nyx rolled his eyes. "Fine if you're going to be that way we're going to bring out some of the female aliens so you can see their advantages along with your girl form."
"What!?" Ranma exclaimed staring at Nyx like he had grown an extra head, "aw come on Nyx-niisan couldn't we work on your species form instead?"
"And give you an excuse to fly around where someone could spot you? I don't think so, now let's move along its just a bit farther near the outskirts of the ward." Nyx replied.
The two walked in silence for a bit as they neared the outskirts of the town and into a secluded area that was covered by nearby foliage and an abandoned building on the other side.
"This place should work as long as we don't do anything to give attention to ourselves." Nyx said as he put down the bag he had with him when he met up with Ranma at the school's gates. He started rummaging through it taking out two thermos and a few small trinkets that were probably something he fixed up.
"Are we seriously going to use my cursed form?" Ranma asked groaning.
"Think of it as a different perspective on your training," Nyx said grabbing one of the trinkets and activating it as a low humming noise emitted from it.
"What's that thing do?"
"Its a sensor to let us know if anyone is approaching the area within a several feet." Nyx replied.
"Right..." Ranma replied sighing and looking down at the Omnitrix masquerading as one of his black wrist bands.
He pressed one of the buttons on the device and started turning the dial idly, glancing down every few seconds at the different silhouettes of the different aliens that were inside his version. Suddenly a strange silhouette caught Ranma's attention. Unlike the other silhouettes, for some reason there were two of them together rather then the usual one.
'That's odd, is it a duplicating alien species?' Ranma thought to himself before curiosity got the better of him and he pressed down on the dial, activating the Omnitrix shifting sequence.
"Alright Ranma, I think I have everything set up and now we just need to-" Nyx started before a familiar flash of green and whirling of sounds caught his attention. Turning around quickly he gaped as he watched the light envelop Ranma and the alien could only groan.
"For the love of the goddesses, please don't let him have accidentally picked one of the more vicious species..." the griffen groaned out waiting for the light to die down. When the light from the Omnitrix had died down, Nyx couldn't help but rub his eyes as he stared at the two figures that appeared before him.
Ranma stood on the left side with several new features. His ears were still the same size but more pointed, he had dark blue draconic horns protruding from his head, wings that he had also obtained along with the scaly appendage wrapped around his left leg which had to be his tail. His pigtail had disappeared, leaving him with short and slightly spiky hair with tints of blue on the edges. His eyes remained the same with the exception of a black slit down the middle as the pupil. His clothes were had disappeared and had turned into an armless black body suit with white armor covering part of his chest with the emblem of the Omnitrix on it, there were two more pieces of armor attached to the sides of his waist. On his arms were large hand gauntlets with two azure gems on top and his legs had guards up to the knees.
But what had really caught Nyx's attention was the red haired girl next to the transformed Ranma. Her crimson red hair was tied up with what looked like a yin-yang pendant on one side of her head, also on her head were two furry red cat like ears with a bell behind each one as two small braids came down to the front of her face. The clothing the female wore looked like a short purple kimono in pieces. The body part split open and hanging off her shoulders as the sleeves of the kimono had strings from its edge close to the shoulder tied to the part of the kimono hanging off her shoulders. Around her neck was the symbol for the Omnitrix hanging from a black choker, from her was a sleeveless top that covered the tops of her chest from showing. Around her waist was a dark magenta and purple obi with two pieces of the kimono flowing downwards. On her feet she had on heeled sandals with black cloth wrapped around her ankles. On the skin that could be seen, there were small tattoos or symbols.
After a few moments of silence Nyx cleared his throat. "Uh...Ranma is that really you?" the alien couldn't help but ask.
"Eh? Of course its me Nyx-niisan! Who else would it be!?" the two voices replied at the same time before they realized that more the one person had answered and turned to the main source. "huh!? What the!?!?"
Nyx sighed as two distinct screams erupted, one higher pitched then the other.
"Hey Nyx-niisan what the hell is going on and what is my GIRL form doing out!?" Ranma shouted pointing an armored finger at his cursed form, who had managed to calm down and was inspecting the body. He was shifting away from her as well, his eyes never leaving the cat like features on top of the other form's head.
"Wow...this is interesting..." she muttered looking at her hands and moving around a bit, the bells in her hair ringing gently. "I...I actually have a body of my own..."
Nyx looked over the two for a few more seconds before he grabbed something and shoved it in his pocket and opened the two thermos he had brought with him to pour the water into the caps. He walked over to the two and before either forms could ask what he was doing the alien splashed the two with the water.
"*coughcough* Oi!! Nyx what was THAT for!?" Ranma shouted annoyed. "Now I'm all wet!!"
"What he said!!" the female form sputtered out, shaking her head to get the water out of her hair, her ears twitching annoyed.
"Do you two realize what I just splashed you with?" Nyx asked raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah you got me with really cold water..." Ranma muttered.
"And I got warm water..." the female form added.
It took a few seconds for what they said to process before their eyes widened and stared at the smug alien.
"Wa..wait you mean I'm CURED of my curse form!!?" Ranma exclaimed happily, while the elder alien shook his head.
"I wouldn't say that, I'm just thinking that since your cursed form has a body of its own, the curse wouldn't work since neither of you have anything to transform into." Nyx theorized. "Ranma what was the silhouette of the alien before you pressed down on the Omnitrix?"
"It had two silhouettes next to each other, which I thought it was weird and just assumed it was some alien that duplicated itself." Ranma replied as he watched Nyx take whatever he had shoved into his pocket out and held it out to them. There was a small beep and a light scanned the two for a bit before the light disappeared. Nyx read what the device said and nodded to himself.
"Well that makes sense..." the alien muttered.
"What does?" The female form asked.
"The reason why there were two silhouettes was because Ranma had landed the dial on an alien species called Kagamisei, which is a planet where basically everyone is born with a twin. More specifically make and female twins." Nyx explained, "basically its a planet where balance is important, so in order to be balance mostly female and male twins are born. The whole species has animalistic features like how your female form has the cat ears while you have more dragon like features."
"Okay, so the planet has to be balanced which ends up having female and male twins...what does that have to do with us and what happened?" Ranma asked frowning.
"I'm getting to that," Nyx replied, "since the species everyone has a twin its because they can balance each others energy out. You know how female and males have different energy? I think it was yin and yang from what I remember or something close to it..."
"Yeah, males have the yang energy while females are the yin energy." the female form stated.
"How do you know that?" Ranma asked frowning at the girl form, while the other shrugged.
"I guess what ever Nyx-niisan taught you I have it too in my head." she replied. "and you do realize I'm not one of those 'things' "
"Yeah but the ears kinda makes me uneasy..." Ranma replied as he continued to shift away.
"It makes sense since you two had one mind only a little while ago." Nyx stated, "Yes, and separate they can't do much but together they are stronger." the alien added.
"So let me see if I got this. Because of how this species balances their female and male population it ends up giving me a slight cure for my curse since I fell into the spring of drowned girl, hence my cursed form getting the 'yin' part of the species?" Ranma asked.
"Pretty much, thats the reason you saw two silhouettes rather then one. But I'm wonder what will happen once-" Nyx started but there was a beeping on both the Omnitrix's on both forms and in a flash of light it was just Ranma that stood there. "....you return to your birth form..."
"Wow that was just weird, seeing my curse form walk and talk for itself." Ranma said scratching the back of his head, but then suddenly winced.
//Who you calling an IT!? My body may have died in the spring but I am still human dammit!! well...er...sorta// a voice in Ranma's head exclaimed.
"Nyx-niisan...I think because of the Omnitrix I have a voice in my head..." Ranma stated, and sweated when he saw a strange glint appear in the alien's eye, not to mention feeling albeit uneasy at the look that he was giving him. "what are you planning to do Nyx-niisan?"
"Oh nothing much just want to test another quick theory..." the alien replied and grabbed the thermos with cold water and splashed Ranma once more turning him into his female form. The red head blinked for a moment before looking around.
"What just happened?" The female formed asked looking at Nyx.
"Are you still Ranma or his other form?" Nyx asked.
"The female form, as Ranma is now inside MY head yelling at what just happened." the red head replied rubbing her head while Nyx laughed before folding his arms.
"Well what do you know, because of the Kagamisei DNA in the Omnitrix you know have your own mind and bodies, while Ranma has a slight cure." the alien said.
"What do you mean by 'I have my own bodies' and Ranma has a 'slight' cure?" the female form asked.
"Well, I told Ranma that some of his aliens were female and since YOU apparently take control of the body when its in that form like you're doing now, its my guess that when a female alien is chosen you'll be the one to take control of it." Nyx explained. "and by slight cure, it means when you two separate like you did earlier neither of you can transform into the other gender."
"Hmm but what about when Ranma and I are separate? With how he is, the last thing he'll want to do is just sit back and watch a fight when he would rather be participating in it." the female form replied.
//Oi, I'm still here ya know.// the disgruntled martial artist stated in the back of the head. The female form could tell that Ranma was both annoyed and pouting which she couldn't help but laugh a little at.
//Hahaha sorry brother but this is going to get some getting use to.// the female form replied.
//Hey why'd ya call me 'brother'? We aren't really related.// the male half asked a bit confused.
//Well if we somehow end up walking around together or something like that, it'll only make sense that I'd call you my 'brother' since we look alike. Besides at least now if Nyx-niisan isn't around you can always talk to me.// The female form said.
//Eh that's true, this is a bit weird though, talking like this. Think you can get Nyx-niisan to set the Omnitrix so it doesn't time out on us so the THREE of us can have an actual conversation?//
//You're using your head for once, I'm amazed brother//
//HEY!! that ain't funny//
"Nyx-niisan, Ranma was wondering if you could set the Omnitrix so it wouldn't time out. That way we can all have a conversation and I don't end up playing telephone." the female form said ignoring Ranma's ranting.
"That's a good idea. Oh we still need a name to call you, would you mind if we stayed with Ranko?" Nyx asked as the red head held out her arm with the omnitrix on it and he started to press the buttons.
"Might as well, I've pretty much forgotten my original name." Ranko replied as Nyx nodded.
"Alright, now turn the dial to the Kagamisei alien and we can go from there." the griffen alien stated.
In a matter of minutes and a flash of green Ranma and Ranko stood in front of Nyx once more.
"Well this should make training more interesting since now you two have sparring partners." Nyx stated humored.
"So what can these forms actually do? And why does Ranko have all those marks on her body?" Ranma asked.
"Okay well for starters those marks are called tattoos and besides the animal features like the wings which allow you to fly, Ranma you're basically an arms master and those gems on your gauntlets allow you to summon your energy to form any weapon." Nyx explained. " try it out now. Think of a weapon and it should appear."
Ranma nodded and he pictured a weapon in his head making the gems on his gauntlet glow and in a few seconds a staff shimmered in front of him and grasped it as it fell. He swung it a few times trying to get a feel for it. "So I can basically bring out any weapon I can think of?" Ranma asked.
"Mm well you would still need to know forms on how to use it correctly, but yes you can pretty much create or summon any weapon." Nyx replied, "with your enhanced abilities thanks to the animal like features its pretty much a bonus as well. For now I want you to try and create as many different weapons you can. Its always good to be prepared for anything."
"Hey Nyx-niisan does that mean I can make up my own weapons?" Ranma added as he started to get some ideas.
"Its not impossible, but I wouldn't really try anything right now Ranma. Besides I doubt you know enough about weapons to form anything." Nyx replied. "you're going to have to do some research on weapons before you want to try and make something. If you put too much energy into it, it'll end up backfiring on you."
"Damn...." the martial artist mumbled under his breath as he went to practicing as Nyx turned his attention to Ranko.
"Now as Ranma has inherited the skills of the males of the species, you've gained the female's species which is basically sorcery." Nyx said.
"You mean saying magic phrases and waving around a wand?" Ranko asked making Nyx sweat.
'Well that's a rather crude way to put it...but its essentially the same...' the alien thought to himself.
"Uh...not quite, but not that far off. You do have a staff to use as a medium to basically make your attacks stronger." the alien replied. Ranko looked at Nyx oddly before one of tattoos on her am glowed and a large golden ring with a small ruby on top with white ribbons at the base of the ring that connected with the top of the black staff appeared in front of her.
"Okay, but what about the other tattoos on me?" Ranko asked pointing to the different markings on her skin that showed.
"Well different women have different affinities for certain elements. Some have ice, fire, lightning, wood or earth...etc." Nyx explained, "the most elements the women have control over are two, rarely three. So to find out what elements those tattoos represent hold out your staff and try to feel what element calls to you."
Ranko followed Nyx's instructions and grasped her staff and concentrated on trying to find her elements like the alien had instructed. She tried feeling for her ki, like she remembered practicing with Genma when her and Ranma were in one form. As she was doing that, she not only felt her own ki, but some sort of other energy within in her, Ranko reached out and tried to grasp that energy and just as she did she suddenly heard a loud sputter and Ranma laughing. Opening her eyes Ranko was greeted to the sight of a completely drenched Nyx as Ranma holding his stomach laughing off to the side.
"Ahahahaha!! serves ya right for earlier Nyx-niisan!!!" Ranma crowed.
"Uh what just happened?" Ranko asked as Nyx spit out some water.
"It seems as you were finding your energy, your staff was glowing a bit and the next thing I knew a burst of water came out." the alien replied dryly shaking his head and wringing out his hair trying to get rid of the water.
"Well at least we know what one of my affinity elements are!" Ranko replied giggling. She couldn't help it, Nyx looked absolutely hilarious being soaked completely.
"Yeah yeah, laugh it up. Just wait until it backfires on you and then you get soaked." Nyx replied wringing out his shirt. Before Ranko could give a retort a loud yell stopped her.
"WHERE THE HELL AM I NOW!?"
The three stared as a figure practically stomped into the grounds with a yellow bandana around his head, a heavy looking backpack with a red umbrella strapped on top. The guy looked around, trying to see if there was anything familiar around when his eyes landed on the trio, more specifically Ranma's. The guy gave the dragon turned martial artist an incredulous look as his mouth dropped.
"The hell!? Ranma Saotome is that really you!?"
"Oh shit...Ryoga!?" Ranma and Ranko cried out simultaneously.
"Wait, how do YOU know Ryoga!?" Ranma shouted at the red head before Ranko knocked his head with her staff.
"Stupid!! I have YOUR memories ya know!!" the girl replied, as she felt a bead of sweat slide down her face when she saw Ryoga turn his attention to her. He stared at her for a few minutes before something dawned in the other boy's head and pointed an angry finger at her.
"You-you're the one that knocked me into that cursed pool!!!"
Nyx could only slap his forehead and groan as arguments soon broke out between the teenagers.
"Hey Gwen what does that sign say?" Ben asked as the air suddenly was filled with a tasty and delicious aroma. They stopped in front of a restaurant where the aroma was originating from. The red haired cousin looked at the sign that Ben was pointing to and flipped through her translation guide.
"Hmmm...oh here it is!" Gwen said stopping at a page and frowned trying to pronounce the word correctly, "O-ko-no-mi-ya-ki?"
"Okonomi-what key?" Ben asked completely confused.
"I don't know, but I remember seeing it in a book I picked up before we left the states. I think its some sort of pancake or pizza." Gwen replied thoughtfully, "something about putting your own toppings and cooking it yourself maybe?"
"Oh sweet! Pizza here we come!!" Ben grinned walking in eagerly.
"Hey I said its sort of like a pizza!! I didn't say it was!!" Gwen replied exasperated as she followed her hungry cousin inside, "besides you can't even read Japanese Ben!!"
Ben was obviously ignoring her as he sat on a stool in front of a grill with a guy with wearing a sash with what looked like mini spatulas on it. Gwen took a seat next to her cousin she saw a few what looked like pancake batter being fried in front of her with all sorts of toppings on it.
"Order up!! Two pork okonomiyaki's comin' up!" the person behind the counter, who Gwen saw was actually a girl call out. She watched as she expertly flipped what was on the grill onto two plates and handed them to two people who were sitting a few chairs away from the two cousins. When she got back she gave the two a grin.
"So what can I getcha today sugar?" she asked cleaning away a few of the few burned toppings that fell onto the grill.
"Uh we're not actually really sure..." Gwen said, but was interrupted with Ben's enthusiastic cry.
"That was cool how you flipped those things so easily onto the plates though! How did ya do that?" Ben asked amazed. The cook laughed.
"Plenty of practice and its a family thing. My family can make the best okonomiyaki you ever tasted!" the girl stated rather proudly. "won't taste anything like it!"
"Well this'll be our first time eating okonomiyazi...er however you say it." Ben said trying to say whatever it was the cook was making as he scratched the back of his head looking sheepish. She looked positively scandalized when she heard that.
"Never tried okonomiyaki!? well you two are in for a treat then, what wll you'll have?" the girl asked.
"What can you put on it?" Gwen asked rather curious as she tried looking through the menu, trying to find anything that looked familiar.
"Well, cabbage meat generally people pick pork or bacon, octopus, squid, shrimp, vegetables, kimchi, or cheese. After that some okonomiyaki sauce, seaweed flakes, fish flakes, Japanese mayonnaise and pickled ginger if you'd like." the cook replied. "there's other stuff you can order as sides or additions like noodles."
"That's a lot of stuff...but it almost sounds like an omelet though." Gwen added.
"Hmm well when you put it that way it kinda does. You two new to the area?" the cook couldn't help but ask curious.
"Yeah, just arrived here today from America." Ben replied, putting the menu down when he couldn't figure anything past the pictures on the menu.
"Ah I see, you two speak rather well for coming over to Japan for the first time." The cook stated.
Gwen and Ben laughed nervously.
"Ye-yeah...our Grandfather speaks Japanese rather well and he ended up teaching us a few things. We still can't really read though ahahaha..." Gwen replied.
The cook just grinned back.
"That's alright you can just tell me what you like. We have special plates like all meat, seafood, veggie for examples." the cook said. "by the way my name's Ukyo Kunojii, owner of this establishment."
"You really own you're own restaurant at your age!? That's amazing!" Gwen exclaimed surprised, making Uyko grin.
"Not really that unusual for me. So figured out what you'd like to get? And I never got your names either sugar." Ukyo asked.
"I'm Ben Tenneyson and I'll take the all meat one!" Ben replied grinning at Ukyo.
"I think I'm going to try the seafood with everything, " Gwen finally decided, "I want to see what everything tastes like. Oh, and sorry for not introducing myself either I'm Gwen Tenneyson."
"I see," Ukyo said pouring the batter on the grill. "you two related?"
"We're cousins." Ben and Gwen replied in unison.
"Ahaha well, welcome to Nerima then Ben and Gwen." Ukyo said as she brought out what the Tenneysons wanted on their food, making sure the batter didn't burn. "so what're you guys doing here anyway? Vacation?"
"Something like that, we've been busy back at home and our Grandpa thought it would be a good idea to take a break." Ben replied shrugging.
"You two must do a lot of things if he thought coming all the way out here would be a good vacation." Ukyo replied as she started putting the toppings on as the two cousin watched interestedly on how the food was being cooked.
"Well, Grandpa thought it would be a good idea to see an old friend of his," Gwen added," so it was part of his idea to come here."
"Really? Anyone I might know?" Ukyo asked flipping the okonomiyaki on the grill.
"A doctor in a clinic down the road, Tofu-san." Ben replied, "Tall guy with glasses, nearly twisted Grandpa into a pretzel though."
"Did a girl by the name of Kasumi happen to come by? I've heard stories from Ranchan that the doc can get a bit weird when she comes around." Ukyo told them.
"A girl a bit older then you with brown hair tied at the bottom with a white dress and apron?" Ben asked. At Ukyo's nod the two Tenneysons nodded.
"Yeah...actually she did come into the clinic, Tofu-san got a little crazy it was like his brain shut down." Gwen stated. "started dancing with that skeleton he calls Betty and like my cousin eloquently put it nearly twisted him into a pretzel."
"Yep that sounds exactly like the doc from what Ranchan told me. Word of advise, try to avoid the clinic when Kasumi is coming." Ukyo said as she added the sauce to the two okonomiyaki cooking. After a few more minutes of chatting the food was soon cook and flipped onto two plates and presented in front of the two.
"Well dig in you two." Ukyo said grinning as Ben and Gwen grabbed chopsticks and broke them apart.
"Itadakimasu!" Gwen said as she started to dig in as Ben was about to dig into his food too but ended up staring at his cousin.
"Why the heck did ya say that for?" Ben asked.
"Its a tradition that you say that before you eat. It translates to "I will eat" or giving thanks before you eat." Ukyo explained. "after you finished a polite way to say thanks for the meal is "gochisou sama deshita which is 'it was a feast' "
"Wow everything here is really polite ain't it..." Ben said.
"That's just how it is, "Ukyo replied smiling, "but its really just common courtesy."
"Well, itadakemazu...I think..." Ben tried, fumbling a bit over the words making Ukyo laugh a bit.
"Good try Ben, just dig in and tell me what you think." the chef replied waiting for their reactions. Ben nodded and after a few awkward tries on trying to hold his chopsticks right he managed to get a piece of his food and up into his mouth. He chewed for a bit before his eyes widened and swallowed.
"This is really GOOD Kunoji-san!!" Ben exclaimed, remembering the term that he had called his grandpa's friend earlier.
"Just call me Ukyo-san sugar."
"Alright, but yeah this is really good!!" Ben replied as he continued to dig into his food.
"For once I have to agree with my cousin, this is excellent Ukyo-san." Gwen added after she ate a bit of her food.
"Well happy I could interest ya in comin back." Ukyo replied grinning. "Glad to make potential costumers outta ya."
"Uh huh, we'll bring our Grandpa next time. I'm sure he'd love to have some of this too." the red haired Tenneyson stated.
"No kidding, I'm sure Grandpa wouldn't mind eating here a few times." Ben piped up with his mouth full of food.
"Urgh Ben! Speak after you swallowed your food!" groaned Gwen as Ben just rolled his eyes and went back to eating. "by the way Ukyo-san, who's this Ranchan you keep talking about?" The girl blinked when she saw a silly grin appear on the chef's face along with a tinge of pink on her face.
"Oh I'm Ranchan's cute fiancee!" the chef replied albeit giddy and Gwen nearly choked on her food before she grabbed the water Ukyo brought them and gulped it down.
"Fi-fi-fiancee!? No offense Ukyo-san but aren't you a bit young!?" Gwen couldn't help but asked as she got a bit choked up.
"It was a pact made between my father and his dad," Ukyo replied rather calmly, "though the prick ran off an left me behind...I'll still kick his ass for that sometime..." the chef added muttering darkly.
"So...its an arranged marriage?" Gwen asked, "I thought arranged marriages didn't happen anymore."
"More or less, we knew each other when we were kids so its not we're total strangers sugar." Ukyo replied before she got a determined look, "and I will be his only fiancee one way or another I ain't about to let anyone get in my way."
"Yo-you're quite determined..."Gwen couldn't help but say nervously, "this Ranchan guy has more then one fiancee?"
"Actually his real name is Ranma Saotome, I call him Ranchan while I'm Ucchan to him. We've called each other that since we were kids." Ukyo replied shrugging as another costumer came in and gave her his order which she got started on. "and honestly? With the reputation his father has, I wouldn't be surprised if he does have more then one fiancee. But like I said before that isn't going to stop me from raising to the top!"
"Uh right Ukyo-san, good luck with that I guess." Gwen said a little edgy with the chef's determined attitude.
Soon Ben and Gwen had finished their okinomiyakis and thanked Ukyo for the delicious meal after paying her.
"Be sure to bring your Grandpa next time!" Ukyo waved as the two headed out the door.
"We'll be sure to do that Ukyo-san! Thanks again!" Ben replied waving back as he and Gwen left the restaurant and were back on the streets.
"Well that was interesting. Owning her own place and already planning to get married, looks like she's set." Ben said.
"I'm not too sure, it sounded more like she was in a competition with other girls for a prize rather then a fiancee..." Gwen replied uneasily.
"Must be a girl thing..." Ben muttered, "I mean wouldn't most guys want that kind of attention from girls?" making Gwen roll her eyes and resisting the urge to hit her cousin.
"Whatever, what are you going to do?"Gwen asked.
"I saw a bookstore a few stores down with a few comic books." Ben replied grinning.
"You realize you can't read them." his cousin replied folding her arms and raising an eyebrow as Ben shrugged.
"Eh, I don't really have to read what its saying if I can see what the pictures are doing." the alien wielding hero replied as he headed down the street.
"You know how to get back to Tofu-san's clinic!?" Gwen shouted after her cousin.
"Yeah yeah I know already!" Ben replied waving his hand dismissively, leaving his cousin standing alone in the streets.
"Well, might as well walk around and see if there's anything interesting around." she sighed to herself as she head in the other direction, with no real goal in mind. It wasn't long before she came to a residential area and stood in front of an interesting looking house with a wooden gate and two signs out in front. Taking out her book she tried to make out what the signs were saying.
"Okay...the one on the right says "Tendo Dojo" and the other one translates to uh..." Gwen sweated looking from her translation back to the sign on the left. "this can't be right...um Tendo Dojo of Martial Arts. Challengers to beat the master in gruesome and bloody combat, please use the back door and ring the bell..."
'I'm curious on challenging the master or at least a student but not so much into the gruesome and bloody combat part...' Gwen thought to herself, contemplating on what to do. She didn't have to wait long to figure out an answer as someone came up behind her.
"Excuse me can I help you with something?" a suspicious voice asked.
Gwen turned around to see a teenager her age wearing a school uniform with short blue hair frowning at her.
"Ah yes, I was walking around see well, I'm curious about this dojo here I practice martial arts myself and was wondering if I could have a match with a practitioner here." Gwen replied.
"Really? This is a first, we haven't had any challenges to the dojo for awhile." the girl replied, her suspicious attitude changing completely making the red haired girl blink at the sudden change.
"I thought dojos would get challenged or at least have students." Gwen asked confused while the other girl sighed and shook her head.
"My father he well...he doesn't teach classes anymore so the hall is barely used." the girl stated.
"I see, would it still be possible to have a match with one of the students then?" Gwen asked. "I train myself and currently have a black belt, but I'd like to expand on different kinds of art."
"Sure! It would be nice to have a sparring partner that isn't a jerk and won't attack back." the girl retorted looking eager. "I'm Akane Tendo and you are?"
"Gwen Tenneyson, nice to meet you Akane-san." Gwen said bowing slightly to Akane. "and you already have a sparring partner?" the girl added as the two headed inside from the front gate.
"He hardly trains with me and even when he does he doesn't fight back! Its so irritating how he has that smug and superior look on his face!!" Akane scowled.
"R-right um Akane-san I don't think your book bag is suppose to be crinkled like that." the red haired girl said pointing to the book bag that was in the other girl's hands. Noticing what she had done she let out an embarrassed noise before apologizing. They soon got to the front door where Akane opened it and announced herself.
"Tadaima!! I'm back! Kasumi, dad, Saotome-san?" Akane called out walking inside the house.
"Oh, welcome back Akane-chan, daddy and Saotome-san are playing shogi by the pond again. do you know where Ranma and Nyx-san are?" Kasumi asked coming out of the kitchen.
She had a few pots going for dinner and was wondering where Nyx was as he said he would like to try and learn how to cook. She looked at her sister but then recognized the young girl next to her sister as one of Tofu-sensei's guests. "Ara, you're the girl that was with Tofu-sensei this afternoon right?"
"Eh? You know Tofu-san?" Akane asked turning towards Gwen.
"My grandpa came to visit him, he's old friends with him." Gwen replied slightly bowing to Kasumi but having a nervous smile on her face. "its nice to meet you Kasumi-san right?"
The older girl blinked but nodded. "Yes, how did you know my name I don't think we formally met."
"Ah well Tofu-san was the one who told us your name when you came by the clinic." Gwen replied making Akane gape at her.
"You were at the clinic when Kasumi was there!?" She hissed quietly to the other girl as Gwen leveled Akane with an annoyed stare.
"Its not like we got a warning about how Tofu-san reacts with her around Akane-san!" Gwen defended quietly, "we know better now then to be around when your sister comes by."
"I see, well its nice to meet friends of Tofu-sensei." Kasumi replied smiling at the girl.
"Right...anyway the jerk ran off with Nyx for some training after school ended so I don't know when he'll be back." Akane answered Kasmi's question, "I'm going to train in the dojo with Gwen for a while okay sis?"
"Alright Akane-chan, Gwen-chan would you like to stay for dinner?" Kasumi asked before heading back into the kitchen.
"Huh! Oh I wouldn't want to impose on you all of a sudden..." Gwen started a bit surprised at the sudden invite, but the elder girl just gave the red head one of her angelic smiles as Gwen felt her resolve diminish.
"Its no trouble at all, and I would love to know more about Tofu-sensei's friends." she replied.
"If you insist then, alright then. May I use your phone later to call my Grandpa and tell him I may be late?" Gwen said smiling back at the older girl.
"Sure, the phone is right over here." Kasumi said pointing to the hallway near the stairs.
"Okay, I'm going to change into a a training gi really quickly. Would you want to borrow one Gwen-san? I think they'll fit you." Akane said as she headed up to her room as the other girl headed to the phone.
"It's alright, I'm good fighting in my clothes at the moment," Gwen replied, as she picked up the phone and froze when she came to the realization she never got the number to Tofu-san's clinic. She may know where Tofu-san's place was, but she never received the phone number to his place in case something came up. Biting her lip Gwen turned to the eldest Tendo just as she was about to head back into the kitchen. "Kasumi-san would you happen to know Tofu-san's number for his clinic?"
"Oh yes I do Gwen-chan." the woman replied taking the small notepad by the phone for messages and wrote down the number. "there you go."
"Thanks a lot Kasumi-san." Gwen replied taking the pad of paper and dialing the number. The other side rang for a few seconds before it was picked up.
"Ono's Clinic can I help you with something?"
"Tofu-san? This is Gwen."
"Oh Gwen-san how is everything so far? Enjoying Nerima?"
"Yes sir, its interesting. Ben and I ate some delicious Okinomiyaki and then separated. But may I speak with my Grandpa for a moment please?"
"Of course, Max-san! Gwen is on the phone!"
There was a bit of noise of the phone being transferred over before Max's voice came on the other side of the phone.
"Hey Gwen, did something happen with Ben?" Gwen had to laugh a bit at that part.
"No Grandpa, Ben is over at a bookstore trying to read some japanese comics. I'm over at the residential areas inside the Tendo Dojo. I never been inside a real dojo before and I was curious on how I would stand in a spar."
"Tendo Dojo?" Grandpa Max asked. There was a bit of mumbling on the other side which was probably Tofu talking to Max. "Ah okay, try not to get yourself hurt. Ono tells me they're regulars to his clinic so if your cousin isn't getting in trouble any particular reason you called?"
"I just wanted to tell you I may be a bit late going back to the clinic. I was invited to dinner by Kasumi-san." Gwen replied.
"Ah I see. Tofu-san was going to show us this nice sushi restaurant one of his patients recommended but we can go there with you next time. Just try and get back before ten alright?"
"Yes Grandpa I promise. I'll talk to you later then....uh huh bye." Gwen hanged up the phone and just in time as Akane came down the stairs in a training gi, looking ready for a good spar.
"You ready to head to the dojo Gwen-san?" the short haired girl asked as the other girl nodded.
"Uh huh, just finished talking to my grandpa." Gwen replied as she followed bluenette to the dojo.
Once there she took off her jacket along with her socks, shoes placing them in a corner so she wouldn't accidentally slip on them. She brought out a hair tie to tie back her hair in a ponytail as she walked back to the middle of the dojo where Akane was waiting. Before she began she remembered to roll up her sleeves as both girls got into a beginning form, waiting for the other to make a move.
Not one to wait too long, Akane soon dashed forward and thrust out a series of punches towards Gwen's midsection, but the other girl managed to dodge the first few and managed to block the others. The red haired girl grunted when she tried blocking she felt herself move back a bit. 'She puts a lot of power behind those punches...' Gwen thought before back flipping away from the tomboy just as she threw out her leg for a kick, allowing red haired Tenneyson to move forward quickly and sweep her leg knocking Akane down onto the dojo floor. Gwen smiled good naturally as she raised her hands up as Akane scowled, quickly getting up from the floor with renewed vigor to return the favor to the other girl. The dojo was soon filled with sounds of the two girls sparring furiously against each other, neither willing to back down.
"Hey Kasumi is someone in the training hall with Akane?" Nabiki asked walking in. She had stayed after school to finish up a few 'transactions' that needed to be done.
"Yes, Akane-chan made friends with one of Tofu-sensei's friends." Kasumi replied humming as she peeled a few vegetables as the middle Tendo daughter was left to her thoughts on the house guest.
"Friends of Tofu-san huh..."
Meanwhile back with Ranma....
Nyx let out a bored yawn as he sat away from the three teenagers, flipping through a book waiting for the trio to yell themselves hoarse, which would be pretty soon by how ragged their voices were sounding. Glancing up at the sky for a moment, he noticed the sun was lower and the sky was starting to take a red, orange hue. Sighing he stood up, dusting off his pants as he tossed his book into his bag and turned towards the teenagers clapping his hands to get their attention.
"If you three children are done arguing, its starting to become dusk and we should be heading back to the Tendos for dinner." Nyx said, "which I promised Kasumi-san I would help her with..." the alien added under his breath.
"But Nyx-niisan we haven't even finished training!!" Ranma and Ranko argued.
"And I still need to pay these two back for putting me through hell!!" Ryoga added making the twins turn on him.
"Duel!? Oi Ryoga I waited four days for you to show up!! I couldn't keep pops waiting any longer so he dragged me off!!" Ranma yelled.
"You should've waited for five days then!!" the lost boy shot back
"What hell could I have put you through Ryoga-kun?" Ranko asked curiously. " I know I kinda ran into you at the springs..."
"You knocked me off a CLIFF and into a pool below..." Ryoga replied darkly as Ranko frowned and gripped her staff clearly frustrated.
"It was an accident!!" she cried out, " I was chasing the old man for knocking Ranma into a pool and dammit...okay maybe it was my fault! What do want me to do about it!?"
Ryoga opened his mouth to argue but he couldn't think of any argument for the girl's outburst. The lost boy blinked stupidly trying to figure out what to say.
"Hey sis I think you broke his brain." Ranma said snickering and leaned back just in time to avoid a blow from a closed umbrella.
"Shut it Saotome!! You still have some explaining to do on why you look like that." Ryoga sneered, "last time I checked you didn't have scales, a tail, claws and armor."
"Crap...I still haven't figured on how to get out of explaining this to him..." Ranma lamented, looking at his old friend who was glaring at him with his arms folded and foot tapping.
"I'm waiting Ranma...I will get an answer out of you one way or another..."
Ranma's eye twitched, "That a threat lost boy?"
"No, its a promise!"
Just as it looked like the two boys were going to go for each other's throats, Ranko who has been ignored up to this point made her presence known by using her staff to knock both Ranma and Ryoga's heads in. "Alright knock it off BOTH of you!!"
"Yeouch! Ranko what the hell was that for!?"
"Dammit that hurt!!"
Ranko huffed at the two's reactions. "You two, we don't have time for a brawl since like Nyx-niisan said its getting late and don't you think Akane is gonna wonder where you've been?"
"No, she'll probably just assume I was at Ukyo's...." Ranma muttered. Ignoring the male half, Ranko turned to a scowling Ryoga who was rubbing his head.
"So what're you going to do Ryoga-kun?" the female half of Ranma asked.
"Huh?" Ryoga asked looking up at the girl.
"What're your plans now that you found my brother?" the girl asked
"Get back at him for missing our duel and get a few answers as well." he replied suspiciously looking from Ranko to Ranma. "he never mentioned having a sister before and I still haven't gotten an answer on why he looks like he's part lizard."
"Dragon you dolt! Its part dragon!!" Ranma shouted.
"Same thing!" Ryoga and Ranko retorted simultaneously. Both parties blinked at one another before looking away.
"As enlighting as this conversation is going let's try and make this fast since I promised Kasumi-san I would assist her in the kitchen." Nyx said as he finished packing up. He walked over to the downed Ryoga and sighed.
"I'll answer your questions as best as I can, not promising I'll answer everything." Nyx replied.
"Fine, its better then nothing I guess." Ryoga muttered standing up. "so who are you firstly? I don't remember seeing you."
"I'm Ranma's surrogate older brother and the reason you probably never saw me was because I tend to stray away from Ranma and Genma when we stop in town." Nyx replied.
"Is she really Ranma's sister and why the HELL does Saotome look like he does?" were Ryoga's next questions.
"Well...that's where it gets difficult to explain..." Nyx sighed rubbing his head. "you see she is but at the same time not. As for Ranma's looks well that's something I rather not explain right now, he'll turn back to normal though."
Ryoga frowned at the answers, "Either she is or she isn't...and why the hell can't you explain the new look?"
"Because its on a need to know basis and you're not one of those people that needs to know..." Nyx stated before shrugging, "maybe later but at the moment I don't really see reason for you to know."
Ryoga was about to argue when Ranko stepped in front of him to stop him from probably threatening Nyx. "Ryoga-kun I'll explain what I can to you alright? Just don't threaten Nyx-niisan, he isn't a fighter."
"Fine, then explain whatever the hell Ranma called you." Ryoga replied irritated.
"You've been to 'those' springs right? The ones that change you?" Ranko started, while Ryoga rolled his eyes but he nodded, "well the thing is with Ranma he had two accidents rather then one." At this Ryoga raised an eyebrow while Ranma and Nyx looked at each other wondering what the curse personified was up to.
"The first accident was when his father had brought Ranma to Jusenkyo and he knocked Genma into a pool turning him into a panda and his father retaliated by knocking him into another pool since Ranma was in shock when Genma first changed." Ranko started.
"What does that have to do with you?" Ryoga asked making Ranko groan.
"It has everything to do with me because Ranma fell into 'spring of drowned girl' "Ranko replied. The girl and the others couldn't help but watch as the cogs in the lost boy's head turned before his mouth dropped and he gapped at Ranko before looking back at Ranma.
"Wait! If you change into spring of drown girl then..." He started but Ranko beat him to it. Summoing a bit of water from her staff she shot a spray at Ranma as Nyx jumped quickly away so he wouldn't get hit.
"He should've changed right?" Ranko finished for him, and was surprised when Ryoga grabbed her shoulders.
"He as a cure then!? That's why he didn't change right!?"
"Hey hands off Ryoga!! She's gunna get crushed!" Ranma exclaimed making the lost boy drop his hands from her shoulder, but he was still watching her.
"He doesn't have a cure and the reason he doesn't change was because of the second incident." Ranko added, "I forgot the exact details but something happened to Ranma where a device came into contact and he ended up separating us..."
She didn't exactly lie...it was really the Omnitrix's fault she had her own personality and separate body from Ranma but she knew better then to say that. It was enough that magical springs were involved but saying alien technology had a hand in the current situation seemed a bit much.
"and because of this device Ranma has new features?" Ryoga asked a bit disbelievingly.
"That's pretty much it, believe what you want Ryoga. When he turns back to normal I guess you can say I get 'absorbed' or assimilated into him and the curse is normal. When he's splashed with water he turns into a girl but I'm in control." Ranko finished.
"That is one messed up accident Ranma." was the only thing Ryoga had to say. "but I still want to fight you, new looks or not."
"Fine fine later. By the way..." Ranma replied getting a strange look in his face. "you said you fell into a pool, which one exactly was it Ryoga?" At this Ryoga's face was turning red as he glowered at the smirking pig tailed martial artist.
"I am NOT telling you my embarrassing curse!!" Ryoga declared backing away as Ranma grabbed one of the thermos out of the bag.
"Aw come on man, you know mine its only fair you tell me yours!" the pig tailed martial artist shouted as he started to throw the remaining cold water at his old rival. Though Ryoga fought back using his umbrella to shield himself from the water.
"Hell no!! There is no way you are going to pry that information from me-" the lost boy called out about to retaliate when he was stopped by a sudden torrent of water from behind him.
"ACHOO!!" Ranko rubbed her nose and then laughed sheepishly at the soaked boys, well...one soaked boy, a drenched wolf and a missing rival. "whoopsie...looks like I need a bit more practice."
"Ya think Ranko?" Ranma retorted rather dryly.
/Great, just when I thought I couldn't get soak since I stayed away from Ranko./ Nyx groaned walking over to Ranma and nudging his nose into the other's hand, making him look at the wolf.
"Oh right, ya might wanna turn around Ranko." Ranma said as he gathered Nyx's clothes before pressing the clip on the wolf's ear's.
"Uh huh...where did Ryoga disappear to?" Ranko asked as her back faced Ranma and Nyx.
"Who knows, that guy can get lost in a two door hallway and end up in another city." the other boy replied, as he pressed the clip and handing the human looking alien his clothing.
All of a sudden, Ranko heard an angry sort of squeal by her and glanced down. There she saw Ryoga's clothes on the ground along with his umbrella but no Ryoga. She saw something small was moving out of the lost boy's clothing and when she saw what it was she couldn't help but coo adoringly at the small piglet that appeared.
"Look Nyx-niisan, Ranma isn't he cute!?" Ranko declared hugging the small squealing thing to her chest as the piglet's face started to turn red. Ranma couldn't tell if the piglet was red from embarrassment for his curse being discovered or anger at being called cute and hugged by Ranma's girl form of all things.
Ranma shook his head at the small black thing in his female form's arms before groaning, "Dammit Ranko you're suppose to be me!! I don't 'coo' over anything cute!! especially when its Ryoga!!"
Straightening his shirt Nyx glanced over at Ranma trying to get Ranko to drop Ryoga in his piglet form but the girl was refusing, wanting hold the cute thing ignoring the obvious fact that it was Ryoga if the yellow bandana around its neck was any indication. Shaking his head, he picked up his bag and called out, "you guys better settle soon I'm going on ahead, I have a promise to keep with Kasumi-san so hurry up you three!!"
"Hey!! Wait up Nyx-niisan!!"
"Ranko!! Drop P-chan and let's go!"
"What!? no way!! I'm not letting poor Ryoga-kun wander around like this!"
"Oh dammit, don't tell me you wanna keep him for a pet!? I have an image ya know!!"
"Oiiiinnnnnkkkk!!"
Gwen breathed heavily as she barely dodged another blow to the face but nearly lost her breath when Akane's other arm came an managed to elbow her roughly in the side, though since Akane was close to her she managed bring up one of her legs and kick her in the back throwing her forward and stumbling. Akane managed to recover and get back to her feet though both girls were sweating and were breathing heavily having lost the time at how long they've been sparring against each other. Before they could continue on, the door slid opened and Kasumi walked in.
"I'm glad to see you two having fun, dinner's going to be ready in little bit." the elder sister said before closing the door behind her.
"*pant * I guess we're *pant * done for now?" Gwen asked as Akane nodded relaxing her stance but she couldn't help but smile at the other girl.
"Yeah *pants * I guess so. You're pretty good." the blunette stated as she tossed an extra towel to the other girl. "you train a lot?"
"A bit, I participated in a few tournaments too." Gwen replied wiping her forehead, "urgh we really had a work out, my clothes are sticking to me."
"I can let you borrow some of mine for now while you can wash up in the furo." Akane offered as they walked out of the dojo after Gwen had gathered her jacket, shoes and socks.
"That would be nice to wash up a bit." Gwen replied laughing a bit, " I'd rather not smell like sweat at the table."
"Come on I'll show you where the furo is while I go find some spare clothes. I can use it after you." the youngest Tendo said as she led the other girl upstairs. They walked down the hall a bit before they stood in front of the furo door.
"Just go in there an put your clothes in the hamper and grab one of the extra towels next to it in the antechamber." Akane explained as Gwen nodded and headed inside as the other girl left to her room to her room to find some clothing for Gwen to borrow. As Akane opened the closet and pulled out a few shirts and sizing them up, she heard the front door open and Ranma finally getting back from his training.
"Though for all we know he could've been hanging around Ukyo..." Akane muttered under her breath tossing a few shirts that looked like they would fit Gwen onto her bed before looking at her sweatpants and skirts. After a few minutes of going through what she had she picked out the two best shirt and pants or skirt for Gwen to borrow, just as she was picking up the clothing she suddenly heard a loud scream followed by a loud thud!
'That sounded like it came from the furo!!!' Akane thought to herself.
She quickly grabbed the clothes and ran towards the door and practically ripped it opened to get into the hallway where she was met with the sight of Ranma slumped against the wall with the door to the antechamber of the furo behind him with a piglet on his head with Nyx and Nabiki trying to wake the martial artist while Kasumi gently pushed her father and Genma down the stairs. Walking up to Nabiki, Akane tapped her sister on the shoulder.
"What happened Nabiki?" she asked while the other girl shrugged.
"Dunno sis, one minute everything was quiet next thing we all heard was a yell from the furo." She replied, "might want to ask your friend she may be able to answer your question. Though she did a good job on tearing the door off the hinges."
"You mean Gwen-san?" Akane asked looking at the door before walking into the furo and standing in front of the door. "Gwen-san? Its me Akane I'm coming in!!"
When she didn't hear anything Akane slowly opened the door and walked in making sure that the door was shut behind her before she entered the furo. When she walked in she saw Gwen with her back facing the door.
"Gwen-san what happened? We all heard a scream and a sudden thud." Akane asked wondering why the girl wasn't answering. Placing the clean clothes on the towels in the antechamber she moved closer to tap the girl on her shoulder but was surprised when she heard the other girl muttering.
"Did he see? Oh gods I hope not..."
"Gwen-san?"
"AH!? A-Akane-san!?"
"What were you mumbling about? Who saw what?"
"O-oh..well I was finishing washing up and just as I was about to step out of the furo I grabbed my towel and all of a sudden I see that guy walk in." Gwen said her face burning.
"Wait...you mean Ranma walked in on you!?" Akane asked in a barely contained rage.
"Uh..I...guess so...I think I might've-" Gwen replied and her eyes widened when she saw a dark red aura starting to emit from the girl as she stomped out of the bathroom. At first she was wondering what happened when she heard a rather loud, " Ranma you pervert!!!" followed by the sound of something getting hit rather hard into the floor.
"Nice job sis, you knocked him back into dreamland..." drawled a voice from the other side of the door.
Several minutes Earlier...
"I'm glad you finally got yourself together." Nyx could help but smirk at the piglet seated on top of Ranma's head.
"I refuse to carry bacon breath..." Ranma mumbled as they walked through the front door. "We're back..."
"Welcome back Nyx-san, Ranma-san. How was your day?" Kasumi asked poking her head from the kitchen. Nyx stretched a bit as he dropped his bag.
"It was fine Kasumi-san, just did a few things with Ranma. Sorry if we're a bit late" the alien replied.
"Oh its fine Nyx-san, I could still use some help if your offer is still opened." Kasumi replied to the alien who nodded.
"Hey Nyx I'm going to head to the furo for quick soak." the pigtailed martial artist said. /which means you shut your eyes Ranko/
/I get it I get it!! I'll close my 'eyes' when you're in the furo Ranma./ Ranko repeated in the martial artist's head a bit annoyed how Ranma kept reminding her.
"Alright, I'm going to help Kasumi-san, could you take the bag to the room?" Nyx asked as he walked into the kitchen.
"Yeah sure." Ranma replied grabbing the bag off the floor and headed upstairs. He quickly dropped off the bag and headed to the furo.
"Ya know I don't really know if you should be near hot water P-chan, I mean it'll be rather odd for someone knew to appear out of no where." Ranma said looking up at the piglet on his head. Said piglet replied with an indignant oink and bit some of the black hair he was laying on.
"Oi! Quit it bacon butt!!" Ranma grimaced trying to pull Ryoga off his head, but the piglet refused to listen to Ranma and bit down harder on the hair to stay on.
/You know the more you try to force him off the harder he's going to bite down on your scalp. Might as well let him be/ Ranko giggled in his head making Ranma grumble.
/I blame you for even letting him on my head in the first place/ he retorted as Ranko whistled innocently.
Muttering obscenities under his breath, he yanked open door to the antechamber in the furo and grabbed a spare towel, not noticing the lack of an occupied sign or the female clothing in the hamper. He may not have noticed but someone sure did...
/Hey Ranma you might not want to go in there.../ Ranko tried to warn the male side, but all Ranma did was roll his eyes.
/Give me one good reason why I shouldn't go in there./ Ranma countered as he grasped the handle.
/Because-/ Ranko tried but it was too late as Ranma yanked back the door and was met with the sight of a shapely and beautiful looking girl with dark emerald eyes coming out of the furo holding a towel in front of her body as her long red hair clung to her face and body.
Just as Gwen figured she had soaked enough in the furo she stood up as she grabbed her towel and was about to wrap it around her when she heard the door open. Looking up she was caught up in stormy blue eyes of the guy that just walked in. She couldn't help but stare at how good looking he was, despite a cute little piglet clinging to his head that seemed to be staring at her as well with wide eyes.
The two gawked at each other for a moment before Gwen snapped out of her daze finally realizing the position she was in and screamed before diving back into the furo.
"Aaaaaaaahhhhhhhh!!!!!"
That seemed to break the guy as he realized what he had just done and started waving his hands in front of him trying to apologize. But before he could get an apology out Gwen threw out one of her hands an called out the first thing that came to mind.
" Mulcha Objectia!!" and an energy blast left her hands and threw the guy out the door and breaking the door the antechamber as he hit the wall with the door behind him. It took a moment for Gwen to realize what she had just done.
"Oh no, oh no, oh no!! I wasn't suppose to use that or any spells!!" Gwen wailed, "I can't believe I panicked like that and used my magic!! I just hope he just thought he was seeing things..."
~*~*~*~*~
/Ranma!?!? Hey Ranma you okay say something!! Oi!! don't make me mentally kick you!!/ Ranko shouted making Ranma groan.
/What the hell? Did that girl's hands glow as she hit me?/ the boy replied to Ranko's excessive chatting in his head. He thought he heard the sounds of the others running up the stairs after hearing the scream themselves.
/I...I think so but I'm not too sure.../ Ranko replied trying believe it herself, /but we could've just been seeing things...then again considering-oh shit Ranma watch out Akane's here and she looks pissed!!/
Ranma managed to get a glance at the tomboy just before he met with her mallet once again.
"Ranma you pervert!!!"
Azure: Well that's it for this chapter, again I'm sorry for the really long wait and I'll try not to take so long. Hopefully I was right about the Okonomiyaki toppings among other things. I've had to look up stuff for that and try to remember some of the things from two years of Japanese, so sorry if it seems a bit weird with Ukyo explaining some of it to Ben. *Scratches head* I hope none of the characters seem too ooc, if so I apologize for that. XD At least Ranma and Gwen meet for the first time an interesting first impresion huh? That spell Gwen used, "Mulcha Objectia" basically is just a blast of energy. So what did you guys think of the twist I did with Ranma's curse? I thought it would be interesting so tell me what you honestly think! The alien forms used in this chapter I made base off of characters from one of my video games, but its stil generally made up, Kagamisei which pretty much is "Mirror energy".
Ranma: *groans* I can't believe you did that with my girl side...
Azure: *laughs* Aw come on I thought it was funny!! and anyway I'm not done. I still got some things I need opinions on from the reviewers. *clears throat* Anyway, if any of you have seen Ben10 Alien Force (which wasn't that bad) I need some input on who should be paired with Ben here are the options and please vote on the poll I just put up on my profile please:
Julie (Ben10 Alien Force Girl)
Kai (Girl from the Ben Wolf Episode and ignoring the episode with Ken 10)
Charmcaster (Hey if Kevin can have a personality change and get to with Gwen in Alien Force I don't see why not her with Ben)
Other suggestions?
Here are some basic information I made on some aliens I made and just need help with input on names:
Name:
Alien Type:Harpy
Powers: Flight/sensory/sound/Illusions/
Weakness: illusions based on type of wind instrument
Based: Harpy sisters (YGO) & Tayuya (Naruto)
Form: Female
Name:
Alien Type:
Powers: Controls Gravity, makes things heavier or lighter
Weakness:
Base: Joker (Flame of Recca)
Form: Male
Azure: Oh, and if you guys have any other suggestions for alien forms PM the ideas to me or write them in a reivew. Thanks for taking time to read this part if you did, once I get enough input for the girls to be paired with Ben I'll set up a poll later. I've read a few stories where Ranma's girl side gets her own personality so I hope she doesn't seem too out of character...since she is a girl I tried to have her portrayed as still part of Ranma, but her own person in a sense.
Ranma: If thats all, please review this chapter while I go and try and avoid Azure from getting any more weird ideas....
Azure: Hey!! It wasn't THAT weird!! I thought it was a nice twist!! Well thats pretty much it for this chatper, as Ranma said, please review as critisim is always helpful for me to make improvements to this story. Suggestions, ideas, or anything can be sent to me via PM or in the review. Thanks again for reading! Until the next chapter!