It was an old and familiar dream Ranma found himself in. He was on a half-built hull stuck in an abandoned drydock with the ocean so near and yet so far. As was an old habit with this dream, Ranma found himself walking through the half-built hull. The ship was large as it was supposed to be 266.4 meters in length when fully built. Why or how Ranma knew that fact he couldn't say. It was just something he knew whenever he was in this dream.
Ranma made his way to the part of the highest partially assembled deck and looked up. There were grey clouds in the sky above him and the air was cold. In all actuality it was freezing on the deck and yet Ranma didn't feel the cold in his bones like he would have awake. Sometimes in these dreams about the partially built ship hull it could be blistering hot, a raining downpour, muggy, a clear day, or even snowing. The weather never bothered him in these dreams.
The fact that Ranma knew he was dreaming and could interact with these dreams regarding this partially built ship was such old news Ranma didn't really think about it anymore. He had actually come to enjoy these dreams. There was generally an upbeat or at least peaceful atmosphere in these dreams that differed so much from the chaos he called his life. Even those dreams when this unknown ship was broken down were not bad. Those were the least enjoyable dreams in Ranma's mind but even than there was a sense of peaceful resignation.
Didn't seem like there was anyone else here in the dream but him and the ship. That was alright. Ranma took off the unmarked officer's uniform coat he was always seemed to wear in these dreams and folded it up into a pillow. He then laid down on the deck resting his head on the coat while he looked up at the sky and listened to the role of the waves. The teenager stayed like this for several minutes practically sleeping within a dream.
A smile appeared on Ranma's face as he happily enjoyed a few minutes of quiet to himself away from the usual craziness that clung to him like a terrible rash ever since he and pops had moved into Nerima. Okay, so Ranma's life had always been a bit usual. Normal people didn't have regular lucid dreams about an unfinished ship for years on end. It's just that things started really getting crazy ever since that now infamous trip to China started. Then the craziness kicked into high gear once Ranma got to Nerima. It was like the kami had it out for him ever since he made up his mind that he would not become a mindless drone in Japanese society. Ranma hadn't decided to become a Hikikomori or had become an Otaku. The young man had just decided he would live life as he wanted to live it and not live it based on the wider expectations of society.
Perhaps the kami were trying to punish him into being a compliant future corporate drone. The nail that sticks up gets hammered down as the old saying went. Well, if the curse and the craziness were supposed to be the hammer then the kami could suck it. Ranma refused to let anyone else dictate his life other than himself. He wanted to be a martial artist and preferably a professional competitor. Joining the self-defense forces was his backup plan before the curse, but even that had been a distant backup plan. Best way Ranma could think of it in his head was right idea wrong organization whenever he thought of serving in the JSDF. Ranma knew he was good at martial arts and his passion along with his long hours of grueling training gave him a real shot at such a career. Extra training basically was his cram school for his chosen career path and was far more useful to him then going to such a school.
Besides, it wasn't like he was being disrespectful of his elders. He was more than willing to get around to passing on the Anything Goes school eventually. It would be a pathetic legacy on his part to not have any students to be proud of in the future. There was also the fact that professional sport careers never lasted very long and that went double for very physically demanding careers like martial arts. Statistically an injury or aging reflexes did the athlete in.
Ranma stopped staring at the cloudy sky and got up to walk along the hull. Not that he'd really have to worry about an injury or aging reflexes given his training and chi knowledge. But even still, Ranma would only have a few years to really shine before he'd have to step away from the ring. Either there would be too many slanderous accusations of cheating to damage his reputation given how the muck rackers worked or he'd get to a point where no one would be willing to fight him. The point when his star was at its peak would be the best point for Ranma to step away from the ring to focus on teaching with occasional returns to the ring for special occasions.
Back in junior high, Ranma figured he could use the money and reputation earned in the ring to open his own dojo. Maybe he could arrange things so that his dojo helped to train special forces? That would be a good way to tie the two driving forces in his life together. Or Ranma could use the funds to go into the shipping business and be captain of his own ship. That had been a pleasant occasional day dream until the curse. No way did he want to spend practically every sea voyage as a girl!
If Pops had his way than Ranma would take over the Tendo Dojo. In the privacy of this dockyard dream Ranma could admit he wouldn't mind too much taking over the dojo in theory. Ranma could only admit this after he got over his anger at the engagement being a complete surprise. Such an arrangement would save him a great deal of funds in the future. However, those savings did not sooth Ranma's annoyance at people trying to control his life. Control was something to be valued for a martial artist and something Ranma valued even more ever since the stupid curse hit him.
It didn't help him that things with Akane were complicated to say the least. It wasn't like he had much experience with girls prior to his China trip. Sure, he found girls cute and occasionally he had an idle thought about this or that supermodel or actress. What teenage boy didn't? But it had never been something he had thought much about. Why day dream about girls when he could focus on improving his art?
He had figured that girls would come into the mix eventually. It was practically written into a sports star's contract that they'd get a hot girlfriend. Then there was the fact that his father would likely have eventually tried to arrange a marriage for him to continue the family line. Ranma never expected to have the arrangement so early in his life! How was he to handle being in an engagement when he had never even gone on a date before? It was like throwing a white belt into a tournament for black belts!
The old urge of frustration overcame Ranma and he paused to lean against a partially built wall. Being thrown into the proverbial deep end of relationships was bad enough without considering the stupid multiple fiancée issue. Shampoo was basically his fault given his stomach got the better of him and started things at her village. Sure, her peoples' laws were stupid and backwards in his mind. That didn't change the fact that he had challenged her for the meal he stupidly ate and if he had been a boy at the time then he would have been given the Kiss of Marriage off the bat without the whole Kiss of Death nonsense. Not that Ranma would admit such thoughts out loud. The Old Ghoul was enough of a pain without admitting that her arguments did have some basis. Even admitting them out loud in this dream seem dangerous at times.
Ukyo, well, his old pal Ucchan was a complicated subject for Ranma. He had many fond memories of his times playing with her as a kid even though he thought she was a guy at the time. It was also fun to be around Ukyo, at least, when she wasn't fishing for compliments as the cute fiancée. She didn't share as many of his interests as some of the other girls involved in his life. Although Ranma could respect the dedication and work Ukyo put into following her career goals with cooking. Pop's moment of weakness and greed made things a mess for him. The old man didn't have nearly as many as the rumor mongers made it out to be, but when Pops messed something up, he messed it up big time.
Kodachi fell into the not touching even with a hundred-foot pole. He helps out one person one time catching her from a fall and ends up with a yandere fixated on him. That unfortunately added lots of stress and headaches to the mess that was his romantic situation. About the only good thing Ranma could say about Kodachi was that she was determined.
Ranma walked up to the bow of the ship and turned around to look at the partially built ship. There were days Ranma wished he could just take to the ocean and sail around without sight of land for months at a time to get away from the mess his love life was. Sure, it was great to reassure himself that he still was a guy even with the curse given the girls after him. With a lot of hard work and luck Ranma had even gotten things into a semi-stable situation that he could tolerate.
But it was exhausting keeping things stable leaving Ranma little time to improve his martial arts and no chance to actually fix his issues. Part of Ranma, even with this stupid curse, yearned for the open ocean. Ranma knew the urge would be stronger in the morning when he woke up. It always was whenever these dreams came around. It would be so tempting to just find a way to head to sea, let the whole situation in Nerima meltdown, and come back after the blast to try and pick up the pieces he wanted.
The teen shook his head as he felt the stirrings of wakefulness reach out to him. Ranma knew he couldn't avoid his duty however unpleasant it was. As much as these dreams urged Ranma to the sea they also urged him toward doing his duty. A somber smile appeared on Ranma's face as he looked at the ship one last time and he whispered, "I wish I could remember your name."
Ranma woke up to find his father shaking him awake. Genma let go of Ranma and said, "It's about time you got up boy. Get a shower in quickly and remember to dress in your best clothes. We have some shrines to visit and don't have time for your regular early morning spar." Genma was already dressed in a rather formal kimono.
A yawn escaped the teen's mouth and he asked, "What shrine visit? Is this some crazy way to get a cure?"
With a hiss Genma said, "Shut your mouth boy. Not everything is about trying to get rid of these curses. We have a kami that has been important to the clan for several generations to pay respects to along with several departed ancestors. If you want me to start treating you like you're not an overgrown child than its time you start acting more like an adult. That means showing proper respect to the kami and your ancestors. Now get in the shower. We need to leave before the Tendos wake up or you'll probably ruin your best clothes."
Ranma fought the urge to roll his eyes as he grabbed his best outfit had headed towards the bathroom. In short order he was dressed in a dark blue suit and tie. Ranma had always felt more comfortable in slightly older western style formal clothes despite his usual casual attire. Pops had never said anything against it and didn't complain about Ranma outfit choice.
Both Saotomes were soon assembled at the front door in their dress outfits. Ranma was a bit surprised that Genma hadn't let them grab a quick bite before they left. To Ranma's surprise, the older Saotome actually led him to a train station and purchased tickets for the two of them on an outward-bound train. Usually, the older Saotome had the two of them walk or ride bicycles where ever they needed to go. Genma claimed it was for training. Ranma thought it was because his dad was just that cheap.
Father and son were quickly able to board and found that the train wasn't packed to the point that the oshiya had to 'help' the passengers. Both Saotomes still had to stand and Ranma found things extremely cramp in the train car. The hard to read signs of dislike showed that Genma didn't like being packed like a sardine any more than Ranma. After a few minutes Ranma started to suspect there was a good reason his pops like to avoid the trains.
The duo's stop couldn't come soon enough and Ranma was thrilled to be let out of the train. Both Saotomes started walking down the street and took several turns before they reached their destination of the Togo Shrine. Ranma blinked his eyes in surprise and then he said, "Haven't we been here before when I was younger?"
Genma nodded his head and said, "It's been a few years since we've been in the area. However, it's been traditional since my father was a little boy for the men in our family to visit this shrine around this time of year when we are in the area. Last time you were eight years old. I had honestly hoped to visit the shrine again sooner, but the training journey we were on took different paths than I had originally planned."
Ranma turned to face his father and asked, "Why is that Pops? What makes this kami so important to our family?"
The older Saotome fought down the urge to snort. Now Ranma finally starts asking about the family history? Genma knew he wasn't one to boast about who his ancestors were and he didn't place much emphasis on family history in Ranma's upbringing. Too many people who did so were playing up their ancestors to cover their own inadequacies in the man's mind. But you would think that Ranma would be curious about the family tree other than knowing that they were from a samurai clan.
Still, Ranma was finally starting to ask and he was now getting old enough that he would be able to understand some of Genma's answers. The boy's own firsthand experience with the mystical should insure he didn't cry 'bullshit' on some of Genma's answers. In a firm manner Genma said, "This shrine is dedicated to the kami Togo Heihachiro. If you remember anything from your history lessons you should know he was one of the greatest naval heroes Japan ever had. Even westerners recognized his brilliance when they proclaimed him the 'Nelson of the East'. The navies of 5 western powers sent representatives and ships for a naval parade in his honor for his funeral back during a time when Asians were looked down on by westerners."
"As to why this shrine is so important to our clan the reason is simple. Ever since the Meiji Restoration the Saotome clan shifted from being bodyguards of various daimyos to being officers in the Navy. Several of our ancestors fought under the Gensui during the Battle of the Sea of Japan. Most of the clan perished during WWII fighting to defend the home islands. And our clan did act honorably in defense of the nation during that time. My grandfather personally kicked 2 members of the clan out who committed the egregious actions. One of whom joined in the killing of a senior officer who wasn't acting aggressive enough. The other was mistreating some conquered subjects at the time while on leave."
Genma paused to sigh when he thought of the lost branches of the once numerous Saotome clan. The clan's more defensive stances along with a strict adherence to an older code of bushido instead of the bastardized version popular at the time kept them from achieving prestigious commissions. Nevertheless, even those who didn't care for the clan's stances respected them as capable and dutiful officers.
In a somber manner Genma continued. "Of the 80 clan members serving in the Imperial Japanese Navy only my grandfather lived through WWII. Most of the civilian members of the clan were wiped out in the fire bombings. My own mother was one of only 5 family members for her generation to survive through the war. The others were girls from distant branches who married into other clans and did their best to forget about the price our clan paid for doing its duty."
Ranma flinched when he heard about so many distant relatives being whipped out in WWII. He knew that Japan had been in the wrong during that war but man. Did his family really have to pay that high of price for his nation's mistakes? Then something in his father's statement struck Ranma as odd. He asked, "Wait a minute Pops. I though you said that my grandmother was the only Saotome besides some distant cousins to make it through the war? How come the Saotome clan didn't end when she married Grandfather?"
Genma led Ranma over to where they could purchase some incense and answered the teen. "My father married into the Saotome clan. He was the illegitimate son of an admiral that my grandfather served under. My maternal grandfather looked after my father as a personal favor to my paternal grandfather. It would have been a great loss of face at the time if my father's existence was known. Even now over 70 years since his death the Saotome family has kept our ties to my paternal grandfather on the low even if it is documented on government records."
"Grandfather joined the JMSDF shortly after it was founded and sponsored my father as well. He then arranged my parents' marriage to make sure the family name didn't die out and that my mother had a good man for a husband. I understand that similar stories have repeated themselves many times throughout the clan's history."
That made some sense to Ranma though it did leave him curious about who his great-grandfather was that Pops was being so secretive about. Ranma quickly decided that he didn't need to focus on the question. After all, he could always look up his family tree to find out who the admiral was. There was a different question that was eating at Ranma. "Hey Pops, why didn't you go into the JMSDF?"
The answer was delayed as the duo were now at the point to pick up the incense. Genma quickly made some selections of some of the more expensive incense and promptly paid for it. He then answered as they headed away from the cashier, "The reason I didn't become an officer in the JMSDF has to do with something I didn't want to talk to you about until you had some experience with the more mystical aspects of the world. Granted the curses were not what I expected but they do show that there is more to life than most people think."
Genma handed Ranma an incense stick as he continued. "In all honesty Ranma, I had planned on continuing the family tradition when I was your age. Soun can testify to that. However, your maternal grandmother was best friends with a seer who predicted I would die in brutal combat next to 2 warships with a city burning around my family. Now this old lady was the real deal which is hard to prove since it is possible to avoid or delay your revealed fate. Trust me I know that most people claiming the see the future are fooling people, but this lady had a proven track record."
"I didn't want your mother who I was courting at the time to be a young widow or any of our potential children to grow up without a father. In my childhood I had seen how devastated the surviving family were when an officer was lost in a training accident. I had sworn when I was barely a teen that I would do whatever I could to prevent such a tragedy from happening on my watch. So, I made the only choice I could and keep that oath. I gave up my childhood dream and career goal to avoid or at least delay the prophecy of my death. I've had to live with the shame and self-recrimination of that choice every day since I've made it."
Ranma was silent at his father's admission. This was the first time Ranma could ever think of that his father showed him a vulnerable side. The father son duo remained silent as they joined a small line to make their offerings. Ranma thought that perhaps he was a bit childish in how he viewed his father. There were more facets to the man than the slightly cantankerous martial arts sensei Ranma usually thought about when he thought about pops.
Soon it was Ranma's turn and he quietly placed his incense and lit the offering. He sent up a quiet prayer of respect to the kami that was so important to his ancestors. Part of Ranma hoped for a little guidance on what his duty was and how to best fulfill it.
Faintly Ranma felt a surge of something mystical on the edges of his senses. It was mute but carried a sense of authority that made you want to snap to attention. Ranma then heard a faint, almost whisper in his ear. "Stop being a cherry tree and start preparing. Japan expects that every man will do his duty."
Ranma resisted the urge to cause a scene as the hairs on the back of head stood up. A quick look around showed that Ranma wasn't the only one to feel the presence. However, the priest's eyes focusing on Ranma told the teen that he was somehow in the center of this event. An assistant discreetly motioned for Ranma and Genma to step aside. Genma was also glancing at Ranma while indicating they were to follow the assistant's directions.
Both Saotomes had been led into the shrine's office and were told that the head priest of the shrine would see them once he had attended to the other visitors. The father son duo silently sat in the offered seats wondering what they had stepped into now. The head priest, who happened to the priest when the presence was felt, entered and gave both Saotomes a very respectful bow. He then said, "I thank both of you for agreeing to this sudden change in your plans for the day. Not everyone present was as attuned to the event as we were it seems."
Genma spoke up, "It was no trouble for us sir. My son and I were merely fulfilling our familiar obligations to visit the shrine."
The priest smiled and said, "Such things are always a pleasing sight. My name is Akira. Might I have the honor of both of your names?"
Genma replied, "My name is Genma Saotome and this is my son Ranma Saotome."
Akira spoke. "Many thanks for giving me your names. I had you both brought here because something more than usual occurred today. Might I inquire if you are the Genma and Ranma Saotome living in the Furinkan district of Nerima with the Tendo family?"
Ranma cut in. "Yes, we are. Why are you asking?" The priest's description of them was right on the money and that made Ranma nervous. That commanding presence in the shrine had already raised Ranma's suspicions about getting sucked into another misadventure and this was just increasing his worries.
With smile Akira said, "I was just confirming that you were the same Saotomes I've heard so much about from some of the shrine caretakers in Nerima. It makes what I am about to say easier as you are both more familiar with unexpected parts of reality that do not mesh well with society's wider and more materialist view."
"I could sense that the kami of the shrine made his presence felt earlier today and I could sense that you were at the center of event Ranma. This is important and I can understand that what you just went through was probably deeply personal. However, if you haven't been forbidden by the kami can you please the event to me in as much detail as possible? You don't have to be precise if you cannot think of the proper words for whatever happened. It is critical that we know as much about this visitation as possible."
Ranma nodded his head and then recounted everything to the priest. Afterwards Genma recounted what he felt of the event but the older saotome didn't have much to add. It was obvious to all that the kami's attention had been focused on Ranma. A fact that was making Genma and Akira worried for about what the message could mean.
Akira turned on his computer and proceeded to quickly make some notes of everything that had been said. He then seemed to be looking something up. Neither Ranma nor Genma made any indication of trying to leave. Both Saotomes could since from Akira's prior questions that something important was going on. Moreover, they were now part of whatever was going on. Privately Ranma hope that this didn't come to bite him on the butt. That didn't seem likely although, one could always hope.
The priest seemed to find what he was looking for and turned around to face the Saotomes. There was a solemn look on Akira's face as he spoke. "I still do not have a clue what the kami meant when he said to stop being a cherry tree. It's meaning will likely become clear at a future date. However, the rest of what the kami revealed to you is very important Ranma. He told you that Japan expects that every man will do his duty. Lord Togo Heihachiro is known as the Nelson of the East and is held by some including the kami himself to be the reincarnation of the British Admiral Nelson."
"Those words were almost an exact restatement of the signal sent by Admiral Nelson before the Battle of Trafalgar commenced. A battle saw an outnumbered British force decisively beat a large French and Spanish navy. This battle is seen by many to mark when the British became the preeminent naval power of the world until WWII. It is also a battle that convinced Napoleon that he should permanently abandon any plans of invading Britain. The battle was also a costly one for the British as Admiral Nelson was killed in the fighting."
Akira paused to collect his thoughts and seemed to age a decade in second. He looked back and forth between Genma and Ranma as if weighting something in his mind. The office was silent for almost a minute before Akira spoke again. "What I am about to share with both of you is not something widely known except in certain circles. Circles that tend to be private even among the mystical members of society that you both have joined. For over a month now every mystic with the gift of being a seer has been getting forebodings that something major and likely disastrous is on the horizon."
"True seers have it difficult because the choices of regular people can shift things away from the 'maybe' that they spotted with their gift. Then there are all the pretenders who either want to imagine they have such a gift or are trying to make a quick yen on gullible people. I don't have the gift myself but I know some shrine tenders who do have it and I have learned many things about the gift from them. It's uncommon for a seer to see the same indications consistently. It's also somewhat rare for multiple seers to see the same event when attempting to learn about the future. Having both happen at the same time is extremely uncommon."
"Such things I am told only happen when events move beyond the point that any individual can control even if part of the movements can be directed. An example I was given by my elders is a nation on the verge of revolution. Seers may not see the match that sets the revolution off or its results. But they can see that a revolution is coming. Such events have so much weight behind them that even taking out a foreseen enemy leader will not stop the event from occurring."
"Every real seer not just in Japan, but across the entire world has been sensing something momentous coming. Many have felt that danger is also accompanying whatever is going to happen. This hasn't happened before in anyone's records that I, my fellow shrine keepers, or our mystical contacts can find in their records. No one knows exactly what is coming or when it will arrive. But everyone agrees that the Event coming is practically inevitable at this point."
Genma spoke up with fear in his voice. The old prediction of his doom being in the forefront of his thoughts. "Why tell us? Ranma and I don't have that kind of gift at all."
Akira fixed his eyes on Ranma, "The kami's message to your son is the clearest warning anyone has received about the upcoming event even counting the confusing first part. Whatever the looming Event is, we can now say it will involve some kind of conflict and a desperate one at that. I personally now think that this threat will somehow come from the sea. However, I will acknowledge that others will see this as the kami framing the warning to fit his domains."
"Ranma Saotome, this message was ultimately directed at you by the kami. It is clear to me that in someway you will become involved in the upcoming event. You must start preparing for whatever it is as the kami stated even if no one knows what is coming. The kami do not often speak so directly or so clearly. It only happens under the gravest of circumstances. I wish you were not facing this unknown burden, but I would be lying if I told you otherwise."