Ranma 1/2 Fan Fiction ❯ Nightmares on Nerima Street ❯ Why Nerima exist ( Chapter 2 )

NIGHTMARES ON NERIMA STREET

 

Disclaimer: I own nothing except Iridia Sunheart.

 

Note: A new chapter. Sorry, but my inspiration is alone and I have so many ideas to write, so many stories.

 

 

Chap 2: Why Nerima exist.

 

 

A merry chirping bird flew with the light of the rising sun. It was a good day, too good to let anybody in their bed. It went to a nearby window to chirp his `ode to the dawn'…with enough strength to wake up the dead.

 

It landed on the sill and then was seized by an electrical discharge. “CCCHHHIIIRRRPPP!!”

 

Iridia was awake the very instant the bird activate the ward of protection she affixed on the room she occupied. Oops, a very minor animal spirit was flying away chirping with eloquence a storm of curses about `know-it-all sorceresses' and the lack of respect of the young.

 

She sighed. The chaotic storm of Nerima was already trying to stick her in its webs. No doubt, she will have too deal with this animal spirit in the future, probably after he obtained a power-up. Well, she was awake and up now, breakfast seemed a good idea.

 

In the serving room of the Ryokan, Iridia was eating her first Japanese breakfast from this world. She didn't miss the look of the owner who seemed as xenophobic as many people back home. The serving without her permission of the rather delicious meal was probably a tentative to disgust a Gaijin with the local food. Too bad, she was used to it. However, tea was her passion and an art she has developed to a nice level in her biased opinion. She took her personal blend out of her magical subspace pocket.

 

The act was not lost to the eyes of the resident and clients of the Ryokan who then recognized the signs of a powerful martial artist. They were from Nerima after all. The service was instantly ameliorated for her and the normal persons gave her a wide berth.

 

She snorted internally. It was something she has always detested in her world. Treating her with contempt because of her appearance and then gave to her false smiles and forced respect when they witnessed her power.

 

She has been invited to the Nekohanten by Khu Lon when she has assuaged if she could return home and how. It was a two-edged sword. She couldn't insult the Chinese elder by rejecting her invitation and yet, going to her establishment was a sure mean to become stuck in a `typical situation' in Nerima.

 

Her Chi-senses could already detect several powerful auras in the process of their morning routine. There was also a vague feeling of…menace? It was too diffuse for her to pinpoint a location or the intent behind but it was here.

 

It was not the first time that she was in another world and she has two things to do in order to prevent a majority of problem: Report herself to the proper authorities and convert her money into a local currency.

 

Finding the proper authorities should not be too difficult. She just has to find a local police station and begin here.

 

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The black-silk clad warrior has just begun to search the sector when she felt the Chi of someone following her. She couldn't detect hostile or killing intent but one learnt to take care of even the most genuine stalker. It was a normal person or someone under a Chi-mask like her.

 

Using a convenient corner in an alley, she launched herself on the nearby roof. She then waited for her stalker and fall on her like the wrath of god. She griped a young throat and blocked her cry of alarm with a dagger. She looked into panicked brown eyes under black hair. This girl was not someone she known of the Nerima cast. However she wore the white shirt and blue jumper of Furinkan-school.

 

“Who are you and why are you following me?” The question was delivered in a no nonsense voice and the poised dagger on her jugular was enough to impart the seriousness of the situation.

 

“I…I'm…Ki…Kimiko Sonoda…I'm under orders from my boss…Nabiki Tendo…” The poor girl was terrified. She didn't expect to be taken at knife point like that. Her aura at such a point-blank range revealed nothing more than what Iridia was seeing. A non-combatant in a situation she would never have searched.

 

Iridia left one eyebrow. She was already in the collimator of the Ice-Queen? “I do not know of your boss.” She looked critically the young girl and released her. “Come with me.” It was not a request and the school-girl followed her too afraid to disobey.

 

Iridia came to a nearby café. “Sit.” At an exterior table, the Chi-mistress counted mentally the few yens graciously lend by Khu Lon last night. She has enough to buy a few drinks and reassured this poor girl.

 

They shared a nice calming tea. The Chosen remained silent as she let the girl regained her wits. Then she attacked.

 

“I am a stranger from another realm.” She looked into the eyes of the Japanese. “My realm is a very dangerous one where life can be taken in a second of inattention.” She let the implications sink in. “I am not here for anything or anyone. I came by accident and want only to go back home.” She finished her tea and launched her final thrust. “Tell to your boss this: `Live and letting live'. Have a good day.”

 

Iridia left the flabbergasted girl at the café. She didn't know what will be the reaction of Nabiki but she has drawn the line. It will be the decision of the Ice-Queen. She resumed her quest for a police station.

 

She found her goal rapidly. However in the post, everyone was looking at her as if she was an alien who said that Elvis Presley was still alive and the King of the Universe. She had simply announced her extra-dimensional origin and her desire to be in contact with the proper authority to treat her case.

 

It was only after the tenth “You are WHAT and you want to DO WHAT?” that she began to manifest a little irritation with the focus of a small quantity of visible Chi in her aura and a tightening of her Mako green eyes. The policemen of Nerima were a bunch of veterans. They know how to handle super-powered martial artists. They immediately offered the correct address of the appropriate office and have prepared a car for her. Why, they will even warn the responsible of her arrival.

 

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One hour after, she was in a comfy office with a respectable member of the Japanese government that looked like Toshiro Mifune. She was also very confused.

 

“I beg your pardon? Nerima is a what?”

 

“A sector reserved for the super-powered martial artists of Tokyo.” The man smiled. “We have a few areas in Tokyo that has been reserved to `contain', shall we say, various specific elements of our dear country. Each sector has its own special status that enabled the government to keep the situation in a relative control and to protect the more normal citizen.”

 

The official took a portable computer and started to type. “Now, you are a special case among our `specials'. Your extra-dimensional origin would have assigned you to the Tomobiki sector, your magical powers should led you in the Juuban block, but since your primary focus is martial arts AND your status as royalty in your world…We just have to establish you as a royal martial artist in visit with diplomatic coverage in the Nerima sector.”

 

He smiled to the bewildered young woman. “Our country wished that our relations with your realm be long and prosper. Our lawyer service is at your disposition if anything happened. We just asked you to not abuse your status or the government founds at your disposition and that you conserve the ID card that I'm now typing on your person to facilitate your identification by the proper authorities.”

 

“Hum…Thank you very much…I think…” This was a first. Now, of course, the fact that the special office was outside all the specials sectors was probably the reason why everything was working smoothly. She was also fully cooperating, something that probably changed from the average visitor from another dimension.

 

“Oh! Before I forget about it. I have some precious metals and gems that I wished to exchange for the local currency.”

 

“Certainly. I'll call an expert to evaluate your goods and set a valour. Anything else?”

 

Iridia smiled. “No. I just wish to express my heartfelt thanks to you and your government for their help. I shall endeavour to repay your kindness in the future.” She bowed. “Thank you very much.”

 

“Be assured that the pleasure and the honour is all ours.” He bowed in return.

 

Some hours later, Iridia was returned to the Nerima sector with a background and money. A hard-rock solid background. She was all smiles. Her quest to return home had just begun on the right foot. Now it was time to visit Khu Lon.

 

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Entering the Nerima ward was an interesting experience. She didn't have the time to examine the sector from the exterior before. It was no wonder that the locals Chi-Dragons were so upset. The web of Dragons-lines and Ley-lines have been…deliberately arranged.

 

Oh, it was not a direct intervention. But the mere presence of so many martial artists and the constant battles where Chi was used in large quantity has remodelled the previous harmonious setting. It could NOT have been a coincidence, even with the existence of the `special areas' by the Japanese government.

 

Now the big question was who or what and why. She has enough experience to sense that the answers to those questions were probably her ticket to her home-world. Blood, tears and Death hang heavily into the intuition of the Chosen. She sighed. She could go away, find a place to live and waited centuries if need be for a less painful solution, but she was not a coward.

 

Taking no action is an action. She had many choices at her disposition. She sighed again. No matter what, Nerima has gained a new player. She wondered what ripples her presence will create. There was only one way to know. Firmly, she took the direction of the Nekohanten.

 

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The Matriarch of the Joketsuzoku was taking a well-earned pause in the work of her restaurant. She sometimes asked herself what possess her to create such a burden for her. She smirked. The reason was the reason for everything that happened in Nerima: Ranma Saotome.

 

Well, almost everything. The arrival, yesterday, of the mysterious female warrior was not the fault direct at least of her son-in-law. She just loved it to infuriate him by calling him that. She pondered on the young woman from another dimension.

 

She has yet taken a decision concerning Iridia Sunheart. She had felt her Chi and was preoccupied by her level in skills and power. No matter what, she was a force to recognize. The question was how will she interact in the Nerima situation and how the Amazons can beneficiate of it.

 

Well, talk about the wolf and you can see its teeth. A powerful and centred Chi-source was entering her range of perception. It was slowly passing through the ward. It was curious as most martial artists who can do it, travel by roof-hopping.

 

Now, Khu Lon has an important discussion to prepare. She quickly dispatched her two charges on errand that will take time and prepared the Nekohanten for the confrontation. Always consider any diplomatic encounter as a prelude to war. She cackled. The modern saying on this old pearl of wisdom was also delectable: Prepare for the worst, hope for the best.

 

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Iridia, Tai Chi sword batting her side, entered the restaurant serenely. The Chi resonances that she had perceived were encouraging. Khu Lon was alone and wanted only to discuss…for now.

 

Even if she didn't take into account her bias due to her knowledge of the Manga, she knew that the Chinese Elder was too responsible for not gauging her and saw if she was a menace for her tribe.

 

“May I come in Elder?”

 

“Welcome to my establishment warrior.” Khu Lon smiled. Such politeness to her was so rare in Nerima. She gestured to a small room in the back. “Would you share a cup of tea with me?”

 

The mako green eyes twinkled with anticipation. “It will be with great pleasure. Thank you Elder Khu Lon.”

 

Silently the two blooded warriors and masters of their craft sipped the hot beverage. Khu Lon noted with pleasure that Iridia truly enjoyed a great tea.

 

“So I trusted that you have good news?”

 

The displaced Grand Mistress smiled gently to the old woman. “Yes and no.” She sighed. “I know how to come back home. However, the circumstances are simply not proper.”

 

“Oh?”

 

Iridia nodded. “The aperture of a dimensional gate required energy and an appropriate location. I can supply the energy but there are no locations suitable for now.”

 

“In what way?”

 

“The web of Dragons-lines of the Earth is not stable enough for me. I must wait for the right time.”

 

Khu Lon lifted an eyebrow. “It could take quite some time.”

 

The young woman waved the argument. “Time is not a problem to me.”

 

“Well, what are you going to do now?”

 

“I have already secured my position with the local authority and established a source of money.”

 

Khu Lon chuckled. “Oh! I see! You have met the person responsible of the `special status' of Nerima.”

 

“Correct.”

 

“Well, what is your position? Come on! Don't let an old woman like this. The suspense is killing me!”

 

Iridia giggled. “I am a Royalty in visit just as you are a passing country leader.”

 

That impressed Khu Lon. This woman was more perceptive than almost all the Nerima ward. She smiled and raised her cup to salute the warrior.

 

They finished their tea in contemplative silence. For Khu Lon, the meat of the subject has been deal with it. Anything else would be ice on the cake or antagonized Iridia. She was no more dangerous than the others high-level martial artists: That is very dangerous. The tribe, however, was not in danger for now. She wanted only to go back home.

 

Unfortunately, the tribe was also not gaining on the long term. An exchange or something seemed possible but she needed to know more over time about the lost traveller. She took her decision.

 

“Welcome to Nerima, Iridia Sunheart.”

 

“Thank you, Elder Khu Lon.”