Ranma 1/2 Fan Fiction / Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ Warrior of Hope ❯ Exodus from China ( Chapter 1 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

Disclaimer: I don't own Ranma ½. I'm just a poor linguist who makes
a very meager living. Thus, the owners of said anime would not be
able to get any money from suing me.

Note to the readers. If you find a line between quotations it's said,
or thought, in Japanese. If its between asterisks (*) it's said or
thought in Chinese.


Chapter 1: Exodus from China


On his way to Juuban, Ranma had quite a bit of time to think.
He thought about all of things his father had put him through. True,
he was probably one of the best martial artists in the world, but was
it all really worth it? There was so much that he lost. He, flat
out, didn't know anything besides martial arts, and even some of that
was sketchy. After all, he supposedly learned the neko-ken, but the
only thing he could remember about that is being terrified of cats as
they crawled all over him, claws extended and mouths. Ranma shuddered
as he tried to forget about that and found that he had an answer to
his question. No, it definitely was NOT worth it.

Ranma sighed and tried to shrug off some of the doubts he had
about leaving the one parental figure he'd known his whole life. He
tried to think about something else, anything else, when his mind
came upon the destination of his current travels. His mother. He
was going to see someone he hadn't seen for over 10 years. What was
she like? Was she kind, or was she like her husband? Would she even
welcome back? And then, the worst thought of all struck. What was
she like, to send her son out at the age of six to possibly never see
him? She surely knew what Genma was like. Maybe she didn't even
want to see Ranma again.

Ranma sighed one more time as it started to rain. Within a
few seconds, Ranma had to tighten the drawstrings on his pants, and
adjust his balance to account for his new form. "Oh well, things
could be worse, right?", he thought to himself.

With said thought, the sky opened up, and started to let off
a true downpour. It was unbelievable the amount of wind and rain
that was coming down, as she huddled under one of the bigger trees to
catch some of the rain. However, it turned out to be unnecessary,
since, after five minutes, the rain stopped just as suddenly as it
started.

She though about getting out her camping gear so she could
heat up a kettle of water to change herself back, but decided against
it. She'd probably end up changing back into a girl afterwards,
since some rain was still falling from the top of the various trees
that surrounded her.

She sighed in defeat and started picking her way through the
trail she was on. Her stomach growled at her, but she wasn't able to
see any wild life and kept trudging along the trail. Within 30
minutes she came to the outside of some kind of backwater village.
She decided that she might be able to get some food and shelter from
these people, and entered through the city gates.

As she entered the village she noticed a distinct lack of
people. All the houses were made out of wood and had sticks held
together with some sort of clay for roofs. The place had an ancient
air to it, but it also had a lived in feel to it, so why wasn't
anyone around?

It was then that she heard some light shouting towards the
middle of the city#. She started to jog towards the noises, and was
able to see two females fighting on a log that was suspended by to
two other logs that were about 20' in height. The two fighters were
quite different in appearance. One was a rather hefty lady that held
two swords in a ready position. The only way Ranma could tell that
she was a girl was because of the makeup she wore on her face. The
other warrior, on the other hand, was quite beautiful. She had a
lithe body that was held two bonbori in a somewhat familiar ready
pose. The purple haired beauty's fighting stance nagged at her mind
for some reason. She shrugged it off as she heard somebody hit a
gong.

The two instantly started to sprint towards each other, but
to say it was a fight might have been pushing things. Within two
swings of the purple haired girl's bonbori the other girl was sent
flying off of the log. However, this wasn't noted by Ranma. She was
too busy staring at a table full of food. She thought about taking
some when she noticed a sign near it. Unfortunately she couldn't
read it, but she guessed it was probably a warning, so she sighed and
turned back around and saw a very old woman staring up at her with an
uncomfortable gleam in her eyes.

"I ain't gonna eat your food, if that's what you're
thinking.", she said to the woman#.

"No, child. I wasn't worried about the food. However, if
you're hungry you could fight my granddaughter for the food. It's
the prize of whoever wins this tournament."

Ranma shrugged. "Fine with me. Who's your granddaughter?",
she asked.

The elder responded by pointing to the log, where the purple
haired girl's hand was being held up by another girl, who she assumed
was a referee.

Ranma jumped up to the top of the log, slipping off her
backpack. She bowed to the surprised girl, while saying, "You're
grandmother said that if was able to beat you I could eat the food on
that table."

The girl looked at her in a confused manner, but got into a
ready stance as the referee jumped off the log. The gong was sounded
and, predictably, the girl rushed Ranma. Ranma stood there calmly in
a relaxed pose until she let out a high kick at the last instant.
The girl was caught completely by surprise and took the full brunt in
her chin, causing her to topple off the log.

Ranma was shocked. She saw the girl's skills from before.
She should have been able to dodge that easily. However, she didn't
have time for such thoughts. She jumped down after the girl and was
able to cushion her fall a little bit, leaving both of them slightly
dazed.

Murmurs went through the crowd at this unexpected event. No
outsider should be able to defeat any Amazon, let alone their best
warrior from this generation. What was going on?

A minute or so after the fall, the purple haired girl was the
first to get up. She looked at the redhead uncomprehendingly as she
also started to wake. Then she got a wicked gleam in her eye as she
moved over to the girl and cupped her chin in her hand. She was
about to deliver a kiss to this new girl's cheek when her
grandmother's staff was thrust in front of her.

*This isn't one to give the kiss of death to, Xian Pu*

*Why not, Great Grandmother? She defeated me and brought
dishonor upon our whole village. Why should I let her live?*

*Because, she's the one that was prophesied about.*

This brought a shocked look to Xian Pu's face. *That can not
be. This one is clearly a female. The foreordained one is supposed
to be a male that comes in disguise. That is not a male, and that is
NOT a disguise.*

Her grandmother bonked her over the head, as Ranma turned her
head from one to the other, watching the interaction with a confused
look on her face. *Do you think you know more about these matters
than me, girl? Go and get me some hot water and a towel.*, she said,
glaring at her granddaughter.

As Xian Pu scuttled off to find the necessary items, the
elder turned and bowed to Ranma. "I am Khu Lon, elder and chief
matriarch of this village. I apologize for the actions of my
granddaughter."

Ranma got up rather slowly, but returned the bow. "Thank you
for your hospitality, honored one. My name is Ranma."

"While we wait for my granddaughter to return, would you care
for some of the food you've earned?", Khu Lon asked.

No more prompting was needed as Ranma dug into it with the
usual Saotome gusto. A whole chicken and part of a watermelon were
gone before Xian Pu had a chance to return.

When she did return, the glass containing hot water was
snatched from her by Khu Lon, and given to Ranma.

"I believe you might want to change into something more
comfortable."

Ranma narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "Nah that's all right,
the clothes I have on right now are plenty comfortable."

"Come now, child. I think we both know what I mean. No harm
will be done to you. We know about the curses Jusenkyo can cause.*

At the sound of Jusenkyo muttering starting to, once again,
break throughout the gathered crowd. Was it true? Was their best
warrior defeated by a boy, of all people? Maybe they'd get a new
villager out of this.

Only one thought was going through Xian Pu's head. *If this
girl is really boy, that would mean. No...I can't get my hopes up.
Great Grandmother has been wrong before."

Ranma took this all in and sighed. It seemed to him that
he'd been doing a lot of sighing lately. Story of his life, he
guessed. Oh well, only one thing to do. And with that thought, he
poured the water over his head, instantly becoming male-type Ranma.

Gasps were heard throughout the villagers, and Xian Pu let
out a little clap as she rushed forward in order to give her new
husband the kiss of marriage. However, before she could actually
give the kiss her lips met her grandmother's cane, yet again.

*Grandma, why are you distracting me. He defeated me fair
and square. It's my right to claim him as a husband.*

*Haven't you listened to a word I've been saying girl?*, Khu
Lon snapped at Xian Pu. *Think about it. He comes on the
anniversary of the fall, after a short, but violent rain storm.
Can't you see who he is?*

Xian Pu's eyes get wider as she stares at Ranma. Could it
actually be true. She'd always thought that it was just an ancient
myth, handed down from one fool to the next.

"What? Do I got something on my face?", Ranma asked while
rubbing his sleeve around his mouth.

Xian Pu bowed to Ranma. "Hello, my name Xian Pu. Is honor
to meet you."

Ranma jumped to his feet and bowed back. "My name is Ranma.
The honor is mine."

"You do know what this means, don't you Xian Pu?", asked her
grandmother.

*Yes, Great Gr...*, she started, but was cut off by Khu Lon.

"It is rude to speak in a language are guest can not
understand, Xian Pu."

"Hai, Great Grandmother.", she said then bowed to Ranma. "I
sorry. Is hard for me to speak Japanese."

Ranma shifts his balance from foot to foot in discomfort. He
didn't have too much experience with other people, let alone
beautiful women. "It's alright.", he said while blushing. "I guess
that my Japanese isn't so good either."

"Is okay. From now on we study Japanese together. From now
on I your new companion."

"Whaddya mean, my companion?", Ranma asked hesitantly.

"She means that from now on she will go with you wherever you
go.", Khu Lon told him.

"Why'd she wanna do that?", Ranma asked with some distress in
his voice.

"Son, you may not know it, but you are already an honored
member of our village. For countless generations we have held a
scroll that contains the prophecy of a warrior. One that will save
our village, and all of humanity. You are the one the scroll
foretells."

"Forgive me if I don't believe ya, but I ain't the guy yer
lookin' for.", Ranma declared.

"Would you like to see a copy of the scroll? I assure you
you're the one.", she replied.

"Kay. What's it say?"

One of the villagers darted into a nearby house and came out
with a scroll, handing it to Ranma. He opened it up started scanning
it.

His shoulders slumped in resignation, after staring at it for
a couple of minutes. "I can't read this. It's all in Chinese."

"Sorry, I forgot. Allow me to translate for you. I assure
you that I have spent time pondering how I could translate it in
every language I know. It will be quite accurate."

"Okay."

"And he shall come on the night of the anniversary of the
fall. Before his coming there will be a storm that will be as fierce
as his coming, for it shall come quick and fierce, yet be gone as
quickly. And when he comes he shall be in a disguise which is not
his choosing."
"In his coming he shall defeat one of the village. In so
doing, she will be bound to him. Forever shall she be his, but never
will he be hers."

Khu Lon finished and rolled the scroll back up as Ranma
gulped. It wasn't much, but it was enough to let him know that
things would never be the same again. As if for affirmation, he
turned towards the meal placed in front of him, and sighed as his
stomach turned at the thought of eating anything else.

"Umm....listen. I've gotta get goin'. I gotta get back to
Japan."

"That's alright. Xian Pu can be ready to leave any time you
are.", Khu Lon responded.

"I appreciate the gesture. I really do, but I travel real
quick and light. Besides, I'm sure that Shampoo doesn't want to l
eave her family behind.", he said turning around to see Xian Pu
glaring at him. He idly wondered why he felt a sudden premonition
that he better get used to such looks.

"You mock me. I am warrior too. I no hold you back. I pull
own weight and yours. I know this area and I hunt well."

"That's all great, Shampoo, but tell me, do ya really want to
leave your friends and family behind?", Ranma asked, trying to give
were out of coming with him.

"No, I no want to leave my friends behind, but is nothing I
can do. I yours now. Without me you dead. Without you village
dead. What good friends to me if that happen?", she asked.

Ranma bowed his head in defeat, for the first time ever. "If
ya wanna come, there's nothing' I can do to stop ya. I'll give ya up
at a month to tie up loose ends, then we leave for Japan. However,
you should know that I still don' believe I'm this warrior you're
talkin' about."

"It's alright, Revered One. You don't need to. You just
need to be who you are, and do what you need to do. There's nothing
more we ask of you.", Khu Lon stated.

With that said the villager started to crowd in around Ranma,
trying to shake his hand and ask various questions.

"Help.", Ranma yelped.

"That's ENOUGH. Go back to your houses at once!", Khu Lon
yelled out, causing the various warriors to scatter and Ranma to
breathe with relief.

"You will be staying at my house until you leave. We will
supply you with everything you need. All I ask in return is that
you take some lessons from me."

"Lessons?", Ranma asked.

"Yes, lessons. Since you are part of the village I can teach
you some of our secret techniques that have been handed down since
the time of the fall."

Ranma was quite intrigued about these techniques, but
something kept tugging at the back of his mind. "You keep mentioning
the fall. What's that?", he blurted out, before he had a chance to
think about what he was saying.

"The fall took place almost 4000 years ago. It is said that
there was a great warrior that fell from the sky into a nearby valley
where she vanished. We have waited 4000 years for her to awaken.
You are the one."

"Ya mean that I'm supposed to find her."

Khu Lon looks away, trying to avoid eye contact. "That's not
exactly it. You see, you are her. You are her reincarnated form."

"Okay, stop right there.", Ranma practically yells. "Now I
know you're wrong 'bout me. No way I can be this warrior. You said
it's a girl. I'm a guy. I was cursed ta turn into a girl. Ya hear
that? Cursed. As in, not my real form."

"This may generally be the case for Jusenkyo victims, Revered
One, but is not so for you. You see, there's another part to the
prophecy that the normal villagers aren't allowed to read.", Khu Lon
says while rummaging around in a chest. "Ah, here it is."

"Lo and behold, this new warrior will be a composite of what
is, and what was. Neither shall he be one whole, but divided into
two parts of a whole. Half shall be loved by the village and half
shall be scorned. Only in duality shall he conquer."

"So? Sounds like a lot of gibberish to me.", Ranma replied.

"That's because you don't know our history or laws. It means
that you are neither male nor female. You are, in fact, both."

"Well, obviously I'm both. That's the whole problem."

"Come now, Son. Haven't you wondered why you feel so
comfortable when you're in your cursed form?", she asks.

"Comfortable?! Of course I'm not comfortable. Why would I
be comfortable bein' some weak girl? I'm a guy!!"

Khu Lon's face grew ashen and she took a step towards Ranma
as her battle aura suddenly came to life.

"I'll choose to ignore your outburst since you're the Chosen
One. However, know this, and know it well. Never underestimate
myself or any other female. We are just as strong as any male."

Ranma took a step back and gulped. "But Pops said that...then
again, Oyaji's been wrong on a lotta stuff. Guess one more wouldn't
be too surprisin', eh?"

"Not this time at least. So, Ranma, do you choose to accept
my teachings and to keep them within the village?"

Ranma bowed to Khu Lon. "I, Ranma Saotome, hereby accept
Cologne as my sensei."

Khu Lon frowned slightly. "It seems I might have to teach
you more than just secret techniques, with the way you talk. It
isn't proper for a villager to not be able to say our names or to
speak the language of their homeland so poorly. From now on, you
will also be taking lessons in proper Japanese and be shown how to
say our names properly. Xian Pu will educate you on the finer points
in Chinese while you teach her more Japanese. Do you accept this
offer?"

Ranma grimaces, but bows anyway. "Yes sensei, I accept."

"Good let's get started then. Repeat after me."


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


One month later:

Both Ranma and Xian Pu are seen in front of the village with
backpacks on. The village is all crowded in front of the gate.

"Thank you for your hospitality, Matriarch Khu Lon. I take
with me the honor of your teachings and the honor of this village.",
Ranma recited before bowing to Khu Lon.

"The honor and the privilege were ours, Revered One. May you
take with you our fortune and blessings.", she said returning the bow.

They both turn around and Ranma started to hike back to the
trail he'd left.

"You can go back and say good-bye if you want to, Xian Pu.",
Ranma told his companion.

A tear could be seen rolling down Xian Pu's eye as she turned
around to look in the direction of the village. "No. Xian Pu said
what needed be said. Xian Pu now stay with Revered One.

Ranma still felt awkward being around people, but felt he
needed to do something. Ranma reached out and put his hand on
Xian Pu's shoulder. "I want you to know that I'll be here if you
ever need someone to talk, Xian-chan. And, please just call me
Ranma."

Xian Pu gave Ranma a small smile, while putting her hand over
Ranma's. "Thanks for offer. Xian Pu call you Ranma-chan from now
on.", she said while her smile broadened a little.

Ranma's face grew cloudy in mock anger at the implied gender
of the nickname. "Dare you make fun of the Revered One?"

"Hai.", Shampoo replied while running away.

Ranma smiled to himself. It seemed that no matter what
happened to him in the future he wouldn't be as lonely as he was
while he was training in China. Ranma ran after her with the first
true smile he'd had in over 10 years.


End of Chapter 1


Hope you all enjoyed it. If you have any questions of comments, be
sure to email them to me.

Asgeras
asgeras@prodigy.net
http://www.geocities.com/a sgeras@prodigy.net/index.html