Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction / Fatal Fury Fan Fiction / Gundam Wing Fan Fiction / Ranma 1/2 Fan Fiction / Sailor Moon Fan Fiction / Tekkaman Blade II Fan Fiction / Transformers Fan Fiction / Mobile Suit Gundam Fan Fiction ❯ A NEW DESTINY - Book 1: Hope's Sorrow and Vengeance ❯ A Lover Renewed, A Feud Reborn ( Chapter 4 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

A NEW DESTINY: Book 1
Part 4: A Love Renewed, a Feud Reborn


A/N: I know the titles stinks, but what are you gonna do? Again, I only own the character King Robert/Blue Goblin.



Matt looked into his brother's eyes in shock. The murderer responsible for their cousin's death was returning to Earth, and TK planned to take revenge when he did. "H-how?" he whispered, his calm voice failing him. "How do you know?"

TK whispered back, "Burter told me. He and I are training after school at the Mansion for the coming battle. He said that Friezor's father rescued him and they're on their way here. Burter and I have to be ready for the coming fight, since we may be the only ones who can keep the planet from being destroyed."

"But why would they come here? Ranma's dead, so it's not for revenge-."

"It is, Matt. Friezor's attack years ago was to get revenge on the Mega Avengers for always beating him and Ranma was caught in the battle. He'll come back to destroy our world because 1) the MA love this world dearly, and 2) because he'll get a kick out of it even if it had nothing to do with revenge. He kills for the fun as well as the profit of it all."

Mrs. Takaisha opened the door to the balcony and said, "TK, you have a visitor!"

TK nodded so his mother would leave. He looked at his brother and put a finger to his lips. "Remember, not a word to anyone!" He then left Matt standing alone in silence and entered the house to see Kari standing in the living room. He was surprised that she had found his new home, but also felt that something was wrong.

Kari looked at him and said, "We need to talk in private," she said. She motioned for him to follow her out into the hall, which he did. Once they were outside, TK closed the door and said, "What's up?"

She looked at him and said, "TK, I know about how Ranma died... and how it affected you. I met up with your uncle and Puppetmon. They told me everything."

TK looked at her but his face remained neutral. "Why, Kari? Why are you so interested in my past?"

"TK, you're my best friend! I want to help you get through this. I wanted to ever since it happened, but you were obsessed with training and then I moved here... You can't imagine how upset I was when I never got to say good-bye to you, and when my mom lost your phone number."

"Kari, I appreciate what you're doing for me... but I can't let you get involved with this. I've changed too much over the years... I'm dangerous. I'm not the same boy you used to know."

"But you are! Somewhere in there is the boy I love so much! Please... let me in." She carefully placed a trembling hand on TK's face. For a moment, it seemed that he welcomed her gentle touch. He looked like he used you years ago. To her sudden horror, he then grabbed her arm and forced it down.

"Go away, Kari Kamiya! Forget about me. It's for your own good..." He hated the words he had spitted out to her, but he knew he had to keep her safe at all costs.

Without hesitating, he went back into his apartment, and locked the door. He leaned back against it and slid to the floor as he heard faint crying from the other side. <Go away, Kari, please! Go to Davis... and forget about me.>

A quiet voice said, "I tried to warn you..." and the faint crying grew fainter before there was a knock on the door. TK knew who it was. "Puppetmon?"

"Yeah, TK?"

"Sometimes you talk too much."

"I'm sorry, TK...but you should realize that she's worried about you. Maybe she even loves you."

"She has a boyfriend already, so you're wrong about that." As he said that, tears began to fall from his eyes.


******************************************************* *************************


Kari couldn't believe what TK had just done. He had shut her out completely, in some idea that he was protecting her. He didn't know that he was hurting her in more ways than one. She began to cry, not caring who saw her as long as TK could hear her. She turned to see Puppetmon look at her.

"I tried to warn you..." he began, but she pushed him away as she ran down the hall. The Digimon shook his head sadly before he knocked on the Takaisha's door. "Puppetmon?" he heard a faint voice say.

"Yeah, TK?"

"Sometimes you talk too much."

"I'm sorry, TK... but you should realize that she's worried about you. Maybe she even loves you."

"She has a boyfriend already, so you're wrong about that."

Puppetmon just stood there looking at the door. <Ranma,> he thought. <I hope you can't see what's happened to TK. He's too much like you used to be.> He then said, "Maybe I am wrong... nevertheless, you still owe her an apology, and soon! She's waited six years for you, and you just let her down big time." Not waiting for a response, the Digimon walked away.


******************************************************* *************************


Kari rushed into her apartment and slammed the door behind her. The tears still hadn't stopped coming, because she wouldn't allow it. "Why, TK? Why?!"

"Because he cares for you very much, Kari Kamiya."

The unfamiliar voice scared Kari as she turned to see a man on a suit standing in her living room. She didn't recognize him, and she knew that her parents wouldn't let anybody into their apartment. "W-who are you? And how do you know my name?"

The man bowed and said, "We have met once years ago, but the form you see me now is but a disguise. Allow me to reveal myself..." With that, the man's physical appearance and his clothes melted, much to Kari's shock, into black and green goo. Yet the goo reshaped itself to change the man into a tall being with a white and purple face with black shoulders and black wings on his back. It was then Kari recognized him. "I saw you before! You were at that party the Mega Avengers once had, and also at Ranma Saotome's viewing!"


*************************************************** *****************************


The Mega Mansion was packed with members and non-members as people came to bid farewell one last time to Ranma Saotome. It had been three days since the night he had given his life to bring Friezor down.

The villain still lived, but now he had to rely on a life support system and someone to push him around in a wheelchair. He had been exiled to the prison planet Char for the rest of his life, knowing that he had been broken not by a Saiyan nor a Goblin, but a human.

Ranma's wounds had been cleaned and sewn up with the rest of him. He had been dressed in a white Chinese silk shirt and black pants, one of his best and favorite outfits. Beside his coffin were two large photos: one of his male and one of his girl forms. He was displayed in the main lounge, which had been emptied for space. It was the largest of all the rooms.

Genma and Nodoka were allowed to approach the coffin first since they would never see their son alive again. Genma tearfully laid a folded gi into the coffin and said, "Never again will I place my pride or ambitions over family again. The School means nothing now... now that you are gone. I can only hope that... you will ever forgive me..."

Nodoka simply laid her katana, which she herself had broken in two, beside her son's body. "I will miss you now, more than ever. Goodbye, my man among men." She then led the crying Genma away.

Tatewaki Kuno then approached. Instead of his usual samurai robes, he wore a black suit. He eyed the body sadly before placing a broken bokken beside his former rival. "Farewell, Ranma Saotome, " he said. "I only regret that I realized my wrongdoing too late to tell you that I am sorry. The only consolation is that you died with honor. Rest in the peace you were so wrongfully denied in this world."

Burter then came up, and he eyed the body with his red blank eyes. "No parent should ever have to bury his or her child," he said. He then whispered, "I hope you meet my son, and that you become friends."

Everyone looked in shock as a partially metallic Rusty walked up to the coffin. He had over half his body replaced with robotic components due to the injuries he received. Looking at the body, he sighed, "We both know that it should be me lying here instead of you. But you'd be too damn stubborn to admit it openly. I will always treasure the memories we made at the Tendo home, as I will treasure your friendship."

Ukyo and Shampoo were led up to the coffin by Mousse. Both girls looked teary eyed at Ranma's lifeless body before them. "Ranchan, you jackass," Ukyo said quietly. "Akane wasn't worth dying over. You still had me, and Shampoo. I'll never understand why you died." With that, she broke into a run out of the Mansion.

Shampoo also spoke in a quiet voice. "Ranma, Shampoo sorry you lose Akane to Pig-boy. Shampoo also sorry you no strong enough to go on. At least you die saving cousin's life. Bie Liao."

Mousse then said, "I cannot tell you everything I want to say, Saotome. But I can only beg you to forgive me for all I have done to you. I may be blind, but Akane is blinder for not seeing the real you inside. Goodbye, my friend." Mousse them offered his hand to Shampoo, who slowly took it, and led her away.

The Tendos, minus Akane, came next along with Dr. Tofu. Soun's face was etched in sadness, but he shed no tears. He had done his crying the day Genma and Nodoka left, and he had run out, amazingly. He looked at the body and whispered, "I'm sorry, son. I'm so very sorry."

Nabiki was crying silently. She didn't care about her ice-queen image anymore. She had admired, if not loved, Ranma for a long time. Now that her little sister had betrayed him most bitterly, she, like her father and Kasumi, felt responsible for not exposing Ryoga's curse sooner.

Kasumi also wept, as did Dr. Tofu. He had finally gotten over his love-sickness for the eldest Tendo daughter, but from the news of Ranma's death.

Others came to view the dead teen: Goku and his family, Piccolo, Rob and Amy, both as their alter-egos and as Blue Goblin and Sailor Mercury, separately; Gosunkugi, Miss Hinako, even Cologne and Happosai. Frieza and Cooler also came, both whom felt responsible for the death since it was their brother who killed him.

Cell then approached the coffin. He said nothing as he stared at the body. He didn't have to speak with words. The tears running down his pained face spoke for him. It was a minute before he silently placed his MA badge beside the body, and walked out of the mansion for good, still in tears.

Kari and her brother Tai stood in the far back, looking at everyone in the room. They were among the earliest to arrive, but hung back to see who had come. As soon as Tai had learned of what had happened, he immediately told Kari and they came down to help comfort their friends Matt and TK, since Ranma had been their cousin. They finally approached the body after Cell.

Kari looked at Ranma sadly. She had met him once at a party two years ago with TK, and she always listened to TK's stories about him. She knew he was a good person with some flaws, and liked him. "I don't know what happened to you," she whispered. "But I am sorry that TK had to lose you."

They walked away but didn't go far as they saw TK, Matt, and their parents approach the body. TK stayed the longest, staring at his dead cousin, whom he loved dearly more as a brother. The depressed look on his face made Kari want to cry. Tai went over to talk with Matt as TK finally left the coffin. Kari walked up to her best friend. "TK?"

He looked at her with eyes that had seen too much death. Perhaps they had, given that they had seen Digimon killed by the likes of Myotismon and the Dark Masters, but then Digimon never truly die, but get reformatted. Ranma wasn't a Digimon, though, and would never come back even if he wanted to.

Kari lost her voice as she saw her friend look so sad. All she could muster was "I'm sorry."

TK looked at her as tears finally came to him. "It's my fault," he said quietly, looking down now at the floor. "He died because of me."

Unable to stand it any longer, Kari hugged TK as he cried. She cried as well, seeing the usually cheerful boy she cared for in pain.


******************************************************* *************************


The Android nodded at Kari's statement. "Yes, I was there. My name is Cell, and I am a friend of TK's, at least I hope I still am in his eyes. Puppetmon told you I was with them when Ranma came that night, didn't he?"

Kari nodded. "What do you mean, you hope you're TK's friend, and how did you get in here?"

"I teleported in. As for my comment, I believe TK may blame for Ranma's death. I had the power to save him, yet I couldn't. TK rarely spoke to me the days after that night, and I couldn't blame him. After the funeral, I left the Mega Avengers to mourn for my friend. I have been secretly been watching TK for some time now, and you as well. I know he shut you out earlier, but he did it for your safety. He doesn't trust himself around you anymore."

"But why?! He's still the same, even though he excludes himself from others. I thought that Friezor's death would-."

"Whoever said Friezor was dead? He didn't die that night, only lost his left arm, part of his head, and everything from the waist down. He was permanently exiled to a prison planet called Char, at least until two days ago."

"He's alive?"

"Worse. His father, King Cold, rescued him. The Mega Avengers believe, as do I, that they'll come here to finish what Friezor attempted that night long ago: the destruction of the Mega Avengers and the planet Earth. TK knows this, and he's training with his former teacher Burter while also studying for school under a tutor. TK and Burter are the only ones who can defeat, maybe kill, Friezor and Cold."

"What about you? Will you help them?"

Cell shook his head. "I cannot. It's TK's battle now. As for Burter, I promised him long ago that he would kill Cold in revenge for killing his only son and his race. I'll be there just in case, but in the shadows. Now I have a question for you, Kari. How do you really feel about TK?"

The question caught Kari off guard. She blushed madly as she tried to gather her thoughts.

Cell then said, "Let me rephrase that: do you love him?"

Now Kari's face was bright pink. "Well... Yes. I didn't realize it until looking back at how much I missed him, and at how happy I was when he came here to Nerima." She then grew sad. "But he doesn't love me the same-."

"Bullshit!" Cell said in a loud angry tone. "I can read people's minds, and he thinks you're dating Davis Hibiki because that guy said so and TK doesn't want to ruin your friendship with him by stealing you from anybody. He was devastated when you moved away five years ago, at least that's what Burter told me. If that's not a sign he loves you, then I'm a monkey's uncle."

Kari absorbed what Cell had said, but couldn't quite believe it. "Davis is just a friend, but lately he's decided that we're an item. He believes that it's his way or nothing at all, and he's driving me crazy! Before, he acted like my older brother, and now he's almost like his cousin, and that's worse because I take lessons from the Hibikis."

Kari then said, "Ever since I first met TK about eight years ago, I felt a special bond between us. When we came home from the Digital World, we promised each other we'd be together always. We were young then, but now I think it was the best thing that happened to us. Do you really believe TK loves me?"

Cell crossed his arms. "I was sure Ranma loved Akane, and, ironically, I was right about that. It's a sure bet he loves you, but love is not on his mind totally right now. What he doesn't know is that he'll need someone in the aftermath of things, someone who he can bear his soul to and lend him a shoulder to cry on. He needs you as a friend, and maybe later a girlfriend, now more than ever. Give him some space when he asks, but not too much. Support him as much as he'll let you, but say nothing about what's coming to anyone. Above all, don't tell anyone you saw me." With that, he vanished from the room.

Kari stood in awe as to what Cell had told her. She never realized how much she felt towards TK, and now he needed her help even if he didn't know it himself. She walked to her room, planning for tomorrow.


*************************************************** *****************************


The next day after school, TK again walked to the gates only to get held up by Davis. "For the last time, Saotome, STAY AWAY FROM KARI! She's my girl!"

TK was getting fed up. "I'm trying to avoid her, okay? I don't wanna see her get hurt because of me, so do me a favor and keep her away-!" He was cut off as Kari walked up to them.

"Davis," she said. "We have to talk. TK, you'd better get going. You don't want to keep your tutor waiting all afternoon." Without waiting for a response, she grabbed Davis by the ear and dragged him away as TK walked off in the opposite direction, happy about Kari backing off of him, yet sad that he made her do it.

Once they were a safe distance from TK, Kari released Davis and faced him. "Davis, this has gone on long enough. I want you to understand right now that you and I are NOT an item! We're not boyfriend and girlfriend, and after careful consideration, we're not even just friends. I am sick of your attitude... no, scratch that. I'm sick of you period!"

Davis couldn't believe what she was saying. "Kari, why? Did Saotome say something to you-?!"

"As for TK, he's my best friend, and I don't want you bullying him! He cares about me, gives me my space, and has more honor than you give him credit for. You tell everyone that I'm yours like I'm some prize you own, and that makes me angry. I am my own person, I make my own decision on who I hang with and who I date!"

"He's a Saotome, Kari! He can't be trusted! His cousin-!"

"His cousin died saving TK! He wanted to die after your cousin stole the girl he loved. TK wasn't born a Saotome, and I've known him since we were eight. I trust him a hell of a lot more than I trust you. Leave him, and me, alone! Good-bye, Davis!" She immediately turned on her heel and walked away.

Davis stood there watching her leave. He then clenched his fists and punched a wall, creating a large hole. "She's got to be kidding! Like I'm gonna let the love of my life risk her neck over that bastard. Takeru Saotome, you're a dead man!"



************************************************** ******************************


TK walked along the streets of Nerima after finishing his training for the day and was heading home. He suddenly stopped at a new restaurant that had a banner saying "Grand Opening," and a permanent sign that read "Nekohanten."

TK smiled. <The Amazons,> he thought. <Well, Mom and Dad are working late tonight. I might as well have dinner here.> His mind made up he entered the building.

Most of the tables were empty. TK checked his watch. It was only 6:30. <I guess people haven't heard of this place just yet.>

A woman with purple hair walked up to him and spoke in accented Japanese. "Welcome to the Nekohanten. Table for one?"

TK recognized the woman. "Yes, please, Shampoo."

The woman blinked. "How do you know my name?"

"You once chased after my cousin."

Shampoo's eyes went wide. "TK?! You've grown! Come sit over here." She led him to a table and sat him down. "You get special discount since this is our opening night. What can I get for you?"

TK glanced at the menu she had given him. "I'll try the pork ramen, and when you're not busy, you can tell me what you've been doing since I last saw you."

Nodding, Shampoo wrote down the order then went into the kitchen. She returned with two glasses of soda and sat with TK. "After Ranma died, I was allowed to return to my village in China. Mousse and Great-grandmother went back with me. They were a big help to me."

"Is it true Mousse defeated you in a fight?"

"Yes. When I first heard Ranma died because Akane dumped him, I was so angry I wanted to kill her. Mousse intercepted my attack and defeated me. He told me that nothing anyone or I could do would bring Ranma back. He didn't tell anyone he defeated me because he realized I could never love him, and he avoided me most of the time. But sometime after we returned home, I challenged him to a fight and he actually won again. Now we're married, although Mousse isn't how he used to be."

Shampoo sighed sadly. "I know he still loves me, but he rarely shows it. He probably thinks I chose him to replace Ranma, and he and I both know that no one could ever replace your cousin. One day, Mousse asked if I wanted to come back here and reopen the restaurant. I told him only if he came with me even if I had to drag him all the way here. Now, what have you been up to?"

TK told her about his training and his current problems, excluding details of his training and the fact that Friezor was coming. He kept it short, since Shampoo still had customers to wait on. Finally, his pork ramen was ready. As he was about to eat the last bite, the door swung open and in stepped Davis along with two people TK unfortunately knew: Ryoga and Akane Hibiki.

Mousse emerged from the kitchen to see what was going on, and when he saw the three, he glared at them and said, "What the hell do you want, Hibiki?"

Ryoga glared back at him. "We're looking for Takeru Takaishi."

Shampoo looked away in disgust. She stood so that she was blocking TK from the Hibikis's sight. "There's no one here with that name."

Ryoga ignored her. "Actually, I just remembered he changed his last name. I believe he's now Takeru Saotome." He said the name with deep hatred.

Before the Amazons could say anything else, TK stood up and gently moved Shampoo out of his way. "You found him... Although I was expecting you and your wife to show up the first day of school."

Akane blinked at him, then frowned. "My, my!" she said in a mock tone. "You look almost like Ranma."

"Flattery, Akane, will get you nowhere with me. Besides, you're a married woman now."

Mousse saw an opportunity from this. He looked straight at Ryoga. "That reminds me, how are you, P-chan? Do you sleep with your wife as her husband, or still as her pet pig?"

Akane and Ryoga turned dark red with anger from mousse's comment. Shampoo failed to hide her amusement at this, giggling happily.

TK faced Mousse and said, "That was uncalled-for, Mousse! I don't want to be the cause of a fight." He finished his ramen and laid some money on the table. "Keep the change, or put it towards my next meal. Whichever you prefer." Getting up, he headed for the door to be stopped by Davis.

"Not so fast!" David said. "I challenge you to a fight, winner gets Kari."

TK looked at him funny. "Excuse me? You want to fight me just to impress Kari? I fail to see the reason in that."

"Ever since you came along, Kari's been ignoring me. And today she told me she doesn't want to be near me anymore, all because of you! We fight right now to see which of us gets her."

TK shook his head. "Davis, you're wasting your time. I will not fight you for any reason." He headed for the door again only to have Akane grab him by the shoulder.

"I don't trust you," she said. "My husband and I will handle this when Kari and Davis come to the Dojo for practices. You keep away from her! I won't let you ruin her life as Ranma ruined mine."

TK stood there, not looking at her. He said, "Now I know for sure, Akane, that you never loved my cousin. I guess Nabiki wasn't the only ice queen in the family. You have nothing to fear from me, Mrs. Hibiki. I swore never to hate or seek revenge against you... but I can never forgive you for how you treated Ranma."

Akane was about to say more heated words, but a policeman who was seated in a secluded corner stood up and said, "Now, now! Let's not start anything or I'll have to call for the wagon." He walked over to the group and said to TK, "Go home, son. I'll talk with these three."

After TK left, the policeman faced the Hibikis. "If I find out any of you harass that man again, I'll have you thrown in jail. Now go on home... in the opposite direction that he went!"

The three reluctantly obeyed, but Davis was still plotting his revenge. The police then changed into Cell, who looked at the Amazons and said, "Remember, not a word of this to anyone."


**************************************************** ****************************


A week had passed, and TK still trained under Burter while also studying under Rusty's tutorage. Davis had stopped holding him up after school, but glared at him every time and sometimes followed him to the Mansion. Kari also followed TK sometimes, even to his house.

Early Saturday morning, TK was still sleeping in his bed when a strange man wearing armor and a helmet sneaked into his room. The man held a laser in his right hand and wore a scouter on his left ear that covered his eye. He was about to grab TK when the teen awoke suddenly and ambushed the intruder.

He grabbed the laser and held it to the man's face, backing him to the wall. "Who are you," he demanded quietly. "And how did you get in here?"

The man was sweating hard. "I-I-I'm just a soldier for Lord Friezor. I used a universal key to open the door."

"What have you done with my parents?"

"N-n-n-nothing! I-I came for you first."

"If you're lying, I'll tear you apart! Now, where is Friezor?"

"On his way, with King Cold. They sent my battalion here to round up associates of Ranma Saotome to show them the end of the planet."

The phone rang before TK could ask another question. He glanced at it for a second before snarling, "Pick it up and give it to me!"

The man nodded in fear, picked up the phone, and gave it to TK, who answered, "TK speaking."

"TK, it's Burter. We got reports of several kidnappings, including your brother, your aunt and uncle, the Tendos, and... and Kari... just now."

TK felt his heart leap into his mouth. <Kari, no!> His eyes burned into the man before him as he spoke into the phone. "Burter, I have a soldier here who tried to kidnap me. He says he was ordered by Friezor-."

Suddenly, his blood chilled as he felt a high and evil power rapidly approaching the earth. No, he was wrong... it was two powers. "Burter... do you feel that?"

"Yes... it's them. They've entered the inner solar system just now, and they're moving fast."

"Try to get a lock on their point of landing! I'll meet you at the mansion!" He slammed the phone back on its resting place as he still glared at his prisoner. "You're coming with me, pal-!"

Suddenly, the man began to have a seizure, and then he fell dead to the floor. TK noticed a chip on the man's neck on the right side. <He was killed to shut him up! Friezor, if you harm any of those people, especially Kari, you'll wish you never heard of the name Saotome!>

TK quickly dressed in an indigo sweatshirt, a pair of tan pants, brown gloves and boots, and rushed out of the apartment and down the steps into the street. He then flew over to the Mega Mansion as fast as he could.


To be continued...