Ranma 1/2 Fan Fiction ❯ City of Dreams ❯ Origin of Ranma Part 2 ( Chapter 7 )

“Genma is my father.” Ranma repeated.

 

Akane sat quietly as she absorbed the information. Finally she spoke, “I knew there must have been some relation... How... I mean Ryu claimed to be an only child.”

 

“I don't know. I'll tell you what I remember of my life in the Blind. My father as you know was a martial artist. Still is I guess. I remember growing up in a beautiful house, my bedroom was upstairs. I'd play in the backyard without a care in the world. One day when I was about four I think, my father decided to start training me in martial arts, the same style you use. I guess when he saw how much potential I had he decided Anything goes style would be the main focus of my life. From what little I can remember, my mother would always be there whenever I got hurt or would sometimes yell at my father for his training methods. Finally when I was six, he convinced my mother somehow to take me on an extended training trip without her. I remember my mother crying as my father carried me out of the house and down the street.” Ranma paused for a moment as if trying to get past a painful memory.

 

Finally he took a deep breath and continued, “I think it was only a few months later that he came back to our camp one night very excited. Apparently he'd found an old training manual of so called forbidden techniques. There was one really powerful one, the Neko Ken, that he was just dying to train me in. Being the age I was, I was just as excited as he was. It was funny, the training was so simple you'd think everyone would have been learning it. Well I found out why it was a forbidden technique. You see, first you dig a large pit. Then you fill it with as many cats as you can, no less than a dozen. After keeping the cats for about a week with no food you the take the trainee, that would be me, and wrap him up in fish sausages. I think any food product that cats liked would probably have worked. Anyway, you drop the trainee into the pit and let him be mauled by cats until the trainee dies or learns the technique.”

 

Akane paled and felt like throwing up. She reached out and held Ranma's hand.

 

“The last thing I remember of the Blind was being mauled by starving, raving cats. I've been here ever since. I don't know how long that is since time moves differently here but from what you've told me about my father I'd say it's been about ten years or so.”

 

Akane grabbed Ranma and hugged him pulling him into a comforting embrace. They stayed that way for a while just acknowledging each others support. Finally Akane moved her head back to look at Ranma. She was surprised to see a happy smile behind his sad eyes. She felt drawn to those eyes...

 

She wasn't even sure at what point she kissed him but it was wonderful and she melted into him as she felt him respond. She'd never kissed a boy before but had always imagined what it could be like with the right one. She desperately hoped this dream world was just as real, if not more so like Ranma claimed, so she wouldn't feel foolish when she woke up.

 

Finally, reluctantly, they broke the kiss. Ranma back away a bit with a kind of stunned look on his face.

 

“I'm sorry Akane, I didn't mean...” he trailed off not sure what to say.

 

Akane blushed. He thought it was his fault and that I'd be upset! She smiled a little, “It's Ok Ranma. I actually enjoyed it. It was unexpected but nice.” She laid her head against his chest and felt his heartbeat and warmth. She realized she was still in her bedroom and blushed even deeper. What would her father say if he knew she was making out with a boy in her room?

 

Then something occurred to her, “Ranma? What you said earlier, does that mean you're dead?”

 

Ranma looked down at her and a slight frown crossed his features, “I don't know. Mother never told me.”

 

“Your mother? She's here too?” Akane asked slightly confused.

 

“Not my original mother. When I first came here, Hathor the Egyptian goddess of dreams found me and decided to raise me as her son. She taught me everything I know about reality. I haven't been slacking off on my martial arts either as you could tell.” He finished with that egotistical grin Akane had come to expect on his face.

 

“So there's a chance you're still alive in the Blind? Maybe in a coma or something?” Akane asked.

 

Ranma shrugged, “I suppose it's possible. I don't know any other life than this though. I don't know what I'd do if I ever went back to the blind.”

 

Akane was about to say something when her alarm clock went off. She looked at it for a second as Ranma gave her a quick hug.

 

“Sounds like it's time for you to get up.” Ranma said.

 

“But I just went to sleep!” Akane exclaimed, not wanting to leave Ranma just yet.

 

“I told you, time moves differently here...” Ranma's voice faded as the dreamscape collapsed.

 

* * * * * * * * * *

 

Akane woke up and smashed the irritating alarm clock into little bit of plastic and circuit boards. She growled in frustration as she got out of bed to get ready for her day. By the time she had finished her workout and made her way to the furo, having made a point to ignore the two Saotome's sparring in the backyard, she had calmed down enough to go over everything she had learned.

 

As she soaked she thought over her idea that Ranma might still be alive here in her world. Then she realized it the Genma's fault he was stuck in the dreamscape in the first place. Hopefully Nabiki would be making some inquiries and getting some more information today.

 

Finishing her bath quicker than usual, she had no desire to run into Ryu in the furo again, she got dressed and went down to eat breakfast. Genma and Ryu were arguing over something. They always seem to be fighting ever since they arrived.

 

“You're going to school and that's final. If anything it's to get you out of my hair during the day!” Genma was shouting.

 

“All right fine! Just don't expect me to study or nothin. Besides, there's probably all sorts of hot looking girls to choose from.” Ryu responded.

 

Genma smacked him on the back of the head, “You'll marry a Tendo and that's final!”

 

Ryu gave him an evil look, “Hey man, I never said I wouldn't.” He turned and gave Akane a smile as she was finishing her miso soup. Akane gave a worried glance to Nabiki who gave an imperceptible shake of the head.

 

A short time later Akane was walking with Nabiki to school together for once. Ryu walked along behind them leisurely taking in the sights, namely the rears of both Tendo girls. About halfway to school Akane heard a shout from behind her. Both her and Nabiki stopped and turned around to see Ryu chewing out some old lady.

 

“Watch where you're throwing water you old hag. You ever nail me again I'll beat the shit out of you!” the female Ryu screamed at the senior citizen. The old lady nearly fainted but managed to quickly go back into her house.

 

Akane frowned, wishing she could do something about this bully. Nabiki however had a sardonic smile on her face.

 

“Oh too bad Ryu, I guess you'll have to go home and change back.”

 

Ryu looked at her and snorted, “Nah, I'll change back later. It's no big deal.”

 

Nabiki seemed to mentally snap her fingers and just shrugged, “Suit yourself. C'mon Akane, we don't want to be late.” The two girls minus one extreme tomboy turned and headed on towards school.

 

It was as they neared the gates that Akane's features began to darken. Ryu either didn't notice or didn't care. She saw the gathered boys at the gates and clenched her fists in anger. Why couldn't they just leave her alone? She began working up a good head of steam and rushed the crowd as they became aware of her presence. Chanting her daily madra of `I hate boys!', Akane plowed into the mass, sending bodies everywhere.

 

Ryu finally seemed to notice what was happening and jumped up on the gates to get a better view.

 

Akane backhanded the last guy with a move Ranma had shown her, “I am getting sick and tired of this. Kuno! Where are you?” She yelled.

 

She was slightly shocked to see a disheveled Tatewaki Kuno stumble out from behind the tree he always hid behind. He had dark circles under his bloodshot eyes and his hair was no longer the well cared for wave he usually wore.

 

“Ah, The lovely Akane Tendo. You grace us with your presence once again.” Kuno said.

 

Ryu chose this moment to jump down and join the Tendo duo, “So who's this asshole?”

 

“Who are you to speak to me in such a manner? But wait, is it not custom to give one's own name first? Fine, mine I shall give. I am...”

 

“Look, nobody gives a rat's ass. You're bothering one of my girls so step off or I'll have to rough ya up.” Ryu threatened.

 

Kuno didn't know what to make of this new girl's speech. It was rough and masculine with heavy slang that hurt his sleep deprived mind. There were two options to what this girl had just said. One she was a friend and Akane and Nabiki were her girls. Two she had just proclaimed herself a lesbian and confessed to having a relationship with both girls. As tempting as it might be, Kuno went with the safer, cleaner option instead.

 

“Ah, but you misunderstand. I mean only to invoke my daily challenge so that Akane might date me once she is defeated.” Kuno explained.

 

Ryu nodded, “I thought it was something like that. Too bad for you. It means I have to teach you not to mess with what's mine.” She cracked her knuckles.

 

Akane and Nabiki were slowly fuming and Akane had to be restrained by her sister before she did something she'd regret.

 

Kuno however took this the completely wrong way, “If you wish to date me you should have just asked. I will however answer your challenge and if you should happen to defeat me then I shall date with you.”

 

Ryu's face was turning various colors of disgust, “Look asswipe, just because I have the body of a girl right now doesn't mean I'm a fag got it? Come on lets do this.”

 

Akane threw her hands up in exasperation and grabbed Nabiki's arm. Together they both ran inside while the two big martial artists had their testosterone levels measured. Once inside, the girls split up heading for their respective classes. Nabiki immediately went to the window where her henchmen were and caught up to speed on the current betting. No one was sure just who the new challenger but the odds were currently against her. Nabiki silently sighed in relief that after today she'd have enough money to keep the dojo in black even with the addition of two new guests.

 

Akane forced her way through the students and reached the window. She watched in silent horror as Ryu and Kuno fought. She found to her distaste, that she was rooting for Kuno to win. It wasn't looking very good at the moment though. Ryu was obviously playing with Kuno. Kuno himself wasn't going all out because he was reluctant to hit a girl. After jumping around and avoiding Kuno's blows, Ryu seemed to get bored and quickly moved in for the kill. She grabbed the boken from Kuno's grip as if he'd been handing it to her. A quick punch to the stomach forced the air from Kuno's lungs. Kuno went down to his knees.

 

Ryu stood in front of Kuno with the boken on her shoulder, “You're not bad for a beginner you know. Another hundred years of training and you might just make me break a sweat. Now, for attacking me, you need to be punished. Hmm, how about we keep you from using this little toy for a while eh?” She gestured to the boken in her hand. With a cruel smile she brought the practice sword down on Kuno's right arm with a loud crack. Kuno collapsed completely grasping his broken wrist. Ryu huffed before dropping the boken on the ground and kicking Kuno's head driving him unconscious.

 

Shrugging to herself, Ryu turned and walked into the school.

 

* * * * * * * * * *

 

Author's Rant:

 

So far everyone hates Ryu. Good, that's exactly what you should feel about him. A little back story on my version of Ryu. I'd like to think of this as a whole Nature versus Nurture example. In the manga, Ranma is basically a good kid who's had a terrible upbringing. From poverty and homelessness to child abuse, the fact Ranma is the way he is should be nothing short of a damn miracle. Ryu however, seemed to have a stable home life in the manga. Until his father's dojo was destroyed because of his father using one of Genma's secret techniques. He may have been poor but he had a much better upbringing than Ranma. Yet Ryu acted like a real jerk, even going so far as to threaten Ranma's mother to Ranma in exchange for the other half of the Saotome forbidden techniques. Now let's reverse the roles, Ryu being a jerk at heart being raised by a slime like Genma. Ouch. You can see how he could be the way he is.

 

And Finally, we now know how Ranma ended up leaving the blind. But that leaves more questions than were answered. Is Ranma still alive? Why is Genma engaging Ryu to the Tendo's? Why is Ryu a Saotome? Are Ryouga, Shampoo and Ukyou even going to show up in this fic? That my friends... is a secret!

 

“So it's true then?” Captain Gloval asked.

 

“Unfortunately yes. The Borg are somehow using their own drones to gestate the alien creatures the Transformers encountered.” Picard responded from his place at the conference table.

 

Ranma sat back and sighed in frustration, “Damn it! It just keeps getting better and better. There's got to be something we can do to stop these bastards.”

 

Picard frowned at Ranma's language, “The Borg's ability to adapt is quite formidable I admit but we will find a weakness I'm sure of it.”

 

“Fine, let me know when you have a plan. I'm gonna go talk to Washu, maybe she has something already.” Ranma swung his feet off the table and passed Luke as he left the conference room.

 

“I'll go with him.” Young Skywalker volunteered.

 

-excerpt from Ranma and Tenchi's Excellent Adventure.