Ranma 1/2 Fan Fiction ❯ Nightmares on Nerima Street ❯ encounter with a skittish horse ( Chapter 3 )

NIGHTMARES ON NERIMA STREET

 

Disclaimer: I own nothing except Iridia Sunheart.

 

Notes: We are entering now into the meat of the subject. I have mapped the story but as I write there are plenty of little things taking a life of their own.

 

 

Chap 3: encounter with a skittish horse.

 

The young woman exiting the Nekohanten could have been confounded with an Amazon warrior of Joketsuzoku. She was clad in a silk kung-fu outfit black with green trim. A white sash was holding a Tai chi sword. She had waist long black hair and slightly luminescent green eyes. However her features showed the exotic blend of East and West: almond eyes, lightly golden skin and European traits.

 

Iridia Sunheart, new player in Nerima and being from another world was now considering her next action. The encounter with the Matriarch Khu Lon could be described as `satisfying'. Of course, she was not out of her intentions and agenda but at least she didn't provoke a conflict with the powerful Elder. She sighed. That only means that she was due to meet Xian Pu and Mu Tzu in the near future.

 

In fact, as she considered the neighbourhood, she was now a legitimate target for the Chaos of Nerima. She smirked. There lay the problem: Her assumption of what may happen to her or around her. Her foreknowledge of the past events and perhaps the future endangered her. Her eyes narrowed. Reacting to the events will be an error. Ranma's situation was proof enough of the dead end of this way. She must establish a goal and strived to it.

 

Well, the goal was simple: Going back to her world. She giggled. The KISS principle (Keep It Simple Stupid) should do a lot of good in the explosive situation of Nerima. She stopped her walk and tapped her lips. Yes, KISS, that was the idea and she had already taken a few steps. Continuing them was, for now, a good idea. She nodded. A solid base of operation was needed for her goal. The gathering of information was also a must. She couldn't pre-plan without a good grasp of the situation.

 

A base of operation meant a house for herself. Living in the Tendo house or with anyone of the others protagonists was a big no-no. Although she will be near the main players, she would be powerless to many of their antics. No, she needed a house. Well, she was in Nerima, she was almost sure she could find a mansion with a Batcave under it.

 

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The Chosen One of her Earth was sipping a can of iced tea on a bench in one of the many parks in Nerima. The remains of a few high-powered martial arts battles were visible here and there. She was calmly reading a brochure with all the lands available for loaning or buying around here. It was amazing what one can find in it. She even found a description of a mansion with… a rocket launch pad. This kind of houses was to be eliminated. Being chained with problems inherent to her base would only delay her task. She needed to BUY something simple, solid, with everything that should be needed nearby and not too near the local loons.

 

The use of the magical Chi-mask has been a good idea. The reduction of her apparent power level rendered her less attractive to fellow martial artists. The gunfighter syndrome mentality of Nerima was not something that she wanted to experiment yet. Once again Ranma was a privileged target as he was the premium martial artist of his generation. Well her physical beauty and her powerful personality will draw the attention of the local population of perverts but she was different than the others targets. She did not play within their rules, she played WITH their rules. And speaking of players, she was sensing a very high-level source of focused Chi being launched in the air and arcing in her direction.

 

She looked up to see the arrival. Ah, yes, here he was. A sad smile tugged at her lips as she considered one of the main actors in this dramatic story. `Ranma one half' was written as a comedy but taking it in another context and it was simply a disgusting drama.

 

Considering the level of altitude of Ranma, it has been certainly Akane and her Mallet Of Doom that sent him here, probably due to one of their standard `discussions'. Iridia observed attentively the trajectory with all her senses. `Huh? What is that?' As Ranma achieved re-entry, the Grand-Mistress focused on the curious energy field around him. Ranma was using his Chi to form a shield against the landing but there was something else…

 

Contact! Houston, Ranma has landed. Iridia shook her head as she considered the crumble form in the centre of the crater. At least now she understood why so many of the Nerimians were so resistant to physical trauma: A probability field. She suspected that the level of violence was the key to the strength of each field. This field enabled a relatively normal person to sustain an impact powerful enough to kill instantly.

 

Her eyes narrowed as she approached the unconscious teenager. It was another proof that something deliberate was going on in Nerima. This kind of field was not natural to the area AND the universe. Slowly Iridia descended the slop of the crater. Ranma was still a powerful martial artist: There was a risk to trigger a conditioned reflex of defence.

 

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`Hugh…Anyone take the number of the Mallet that hit me?'

 

Ranma came back from the black depth that his lovely fiancée has sent him. However, it was a little different this time. He was on his back, on a wooden surface with a cold cloth on his forehead. He didn't sense any danger and yet there was an intense source of unknown Ki near him. He opened his eyes and whirled into a defensive position.

 

Across the bench, still sipping her tea, Iridia merely raised an eyebrow. “Impressive reflexes.”

 

“Oh. It's you.”

 

“Good afternoon, Ranma. How are you feeling?”

 

“Huh?” That was not the standard greeting of another martial artist. It was more like Kasumi asking him that. This girl was…different. “Huh…'m fine, thanks…Huh? Iridia, right?”

 

“Correct.” The young warrior smiled. “Nice landing by the way. I didn't find any bruises on you except that one under your chin.”

 

“Oh? Yeah. That's where Akane hit me. Stupid tomboy…”

 

Iridia blinked. “Akane?”

 

“Yeah. You `now, one of my fiancées…”

 

Iridia sighed. It's not that Ranma was not intelligent. No, the problem was that he was conditioned by his previous experiences, hence his reaction here. “Ranma-san. I think you don't understand who and what I am. I am a total stranger to your world. I know NOTHING about your situation and about those around you.” She smiled considering the confused look of the young man. “Why don't you explain to me a little about yourself and Nerima and I will tell you a little about me and my world.”

 

Unbelievable, the girl was asking information. Asking, not ordering him to confess everything. And she was also offering something in return. She was really different. As strange as it seemed, he was not sensing the same reactions that he perceived with his fiancées and most of the girls he met. He was not also detecting what he sensed with Akane. It was something akin to what he has received from Kasumi or Tofu in the past: Genuine curiosity. Her Ki was steady and absolutely non hostile. Perhaps…

 

He shrugged and began his tale. He talked about his travels with his father to become the best martial artist. He talked of the few friends he met on the road and how they have been betrayed by his father. He talked about the numerous methods used by his father to teach him `ultimate techniques'. He talked about his arrival in Nerima and the meeting with the Tendo family. He talked about his first fiancée and all those who followed courtesy of his father. He talked about his various rivals who all wanted to beat him for many reasons. He talked about all the kidnappings that targeted Akane. He talked about all those around him and the martial community of Nerima. He talked about his mother. He talked about many things but he didn't mention the Neko-Ken, his curse, what truly happened at Jusendo and his…love for his `uncute tomboy'. Those…those were too personal and painful to reveal.

 

Listening to the pig-tailed teenager was a horrendous experience for Iridia. It was one thing to read stories and to see an anime about a fictional character, it was another thing to listen to him and to perceive the emotions beneath the voice. Ranma's angst was pouring from his core being and assaulted the perceptions of the lost young woman. Only the use of her Zanshin's mask enabled her to NOT exteriorize her fury.

 

Ranma was taken aback. The girl was saying nothing but her Ki was…very tense, almost stifled. He was not sure but her green eyes were shinning…with anger or tears? It was then that she spoke in a soft voice, almost devoid of emotion. She spoke of her transformation into a dragon by the first burst of liberated mystical energy of her planet. She spoke of her struggles to understand and accept what she had become. She spoke of the trials she endured to master her power. She spoke of the world tournament of those like her for securing a prize that she didn't want but that she couldn't let to others hands. She spoke of her forced isolation to protect her family. She spoke of the rejection of what she incarnated with a part of the population and the unwanted adulation of another part. She spoke of the traumatic war on the rediscovered island of Atlantis. She spoke of her many travels into others worlds to protect her home-world. She spoke of the constant conflict with demons which lead to her arrival here. There were things that she didn't mention but her silences during her tale spoke volumes.

 

The two blooded warriors stayed a long time saying nothing, each ones thinking about the past, their eyes looking but not seeing the scenery, their ears perceiving but not hearing the noises of the people around them.

 

“We're a nice pair, he?”

 

The comment from Ranma was so spontaneous, so unbelievable from him and…so funny that the two cursed individuals, one by Fate, the other by Destiny, burst into almost hysterical laughing. Sometimes, it was better to laugh than crying. Their respective positions were so ridiculous for an exterior witness that laughing was the only sensible response.

 

Giggling, Iridia turned to the pig-tailed martial artist and extended her hand.

 

“Friend?”

 

It has been so long that a genuine proposition of friendship has not been offered to him, at least not without a price attached to it that a suspicious wetness formed into the eyes of Ranma. Determined shinning blue eyes met wise mako green eyes. Two smiles blossomed on their lips. Ranma reciprocated the gesture of his peer and sealed the future of Nerima.

 

“Friend.”

 

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“Are you sure that it will be all right?”

 

“Yeah! Sure! Don't worry. It'll not be the first time that I bring back someone to dinner.”

 

The two newly friends were calmly walking to the Tendo House. The evening was falling and Ranma has decided that he could risk his new pal within the controlled storm of his home. Kasumi will be delighted to meet such a polite without being obnoxious person. There will be sparks with the rest of the family but he was confident in the power of Iridia. His observation of her at a close distance has confirmed that her Ki was stronger than anyone else in Nerima, apart from him of course.

 

He blinked as she stopped before a shop. “Huh? What' ya doin'?”

 

“It is impolite for a guest to attend a dinner without a gift for the host. Wait for me a moment, please.”

 

Well now he was sure that she was polite. He chuckled. His father has `neglected' to teach him the finesse of the rules in the Japanese society. Sometimes, he felt he was more a gaijin than a real gaijin. His lack of education has brought him into many problems that could have been avoided if he only had known the correct way to react or act at those times.

 

He sighed. Even his way of talking was the fault of his limited knowledge and the constant recriminations of his father. He sounded rude even when he didn't want to. Now that he was alone, he could think back about what happened so far. He was, once again, up to his chin in the crap. The new girl seemed to be genuine so far but he was still waiting for her to take back her offer. She still didn't challenge him but since she was a martial artist, it was only a question of time. And although she was not a fiancée, thanks the Kami, he was sure that his moron of a father will do something about it soon. He wondered what push him to invite her when everything will fall on his head as soon as he entered the Tendo House. Perhaps…

 

“Sorry to have been so long. I'm ready now.”

 

She didn't carry any gifts but that means nothing when some people were capable to carry an entire armoury in their sleeves. Ranma began to walk alongside Iridia when something that was due to happen happened. A cold stream of water from the old ladle-lady hit him right on the mark and he changed into his cursed body.

 

`Oh no! Not now! She's goin' to call me a freak!'

 

Ranma-Chan sourly turned to the young woman. She could perhaps do something before it is too late. “Sorry about this… Listen I can explain everything! It's a…”

 

“…Curse.”

 

The cursed boy stopped net and her eyes widened as she considered Iridia. There was no repulsion in her eyes, no disgust and no pity. There was a deep seriousness and intensity in the gaze never seen before in the features of the Out-of-the-world girl. In fact she has never seen it before with anybody.

 

“Yeah…but…how…?”

 

“I fight against Demons, Ranma. Curses are part of the dangers I encounter. I know a curse when I see one.”

 

“You…you don't think I'm a freak or a pervert?”

 

“Freak? Pervert?” Iridia shook her head. “A curse is used to punish someone or to give a lesson. Someone can resist or adapt to it but a curse is never made to help the one who receive it. How did you find yourself cursed?”

 

“It was at Jusenkyo `fore I came to Nerima.”

 

“Oh, I remember. Another stupidity of your father, right?”

 

“Yeah, stupid Panda couldn't read Chinese. He fall into Spring of Drowned Panda, I fall into Spring of Drowned Girl. Cold water changes me and hot water gives me back my true body.”

 

Iridia nodded and reached into her magical pocket. A thermo of cold water appeared in her hand. She took a cup of water and concentrated on her Chi. With time, she learned how to use many of her Chi-spells with only her own Chi. A single mote of Chi was focused through her hand into the cup and the water began to boil. All of this under the attentive then awed gaze of Ranma Saotome. Now THAT was Ki control.

 

“Here.”

 

“Thanks” She upended the cup of hot water and reversed to his birth-form. “Wow. That was great. Can you teach me it?”

 

Iridia stopped and looked up the young man. Yes, she could teach him but was he ready? She could sense his `hunger' for new techniques. It was not the `sharp hunger' that she has felt in the past when she was confronted by those who seek power for power. No, it was the mix of curiosity and enthusiasm of the True Martial Artist.

 

“Why not? But, not now. Wait for me to be installed and I will find if I can teach you.” She leaned into the cursed boy. “I don't know enough of you to take such a decision and you don't know enough of me to accept my teaching.”

 

Ranma blinked. Well, why do you know? A willing but prudent teacher. Not like Cologne or Pop. And she was offering enough overtures to enable both of them to back away without consequences if either found the arrangement not for their taste.

 

“However, might I say that I find your courage in front of this curse impressive? Normal being would have been broken after such a time in my opinion.”

 

Ranma flushed. “Ah…Gee…thanks. It was nothin'...”

 

“In fact, I think I can reveal one of my little secrets to you now.”

 

“Huh? You're not forced to…I mean…”

 

“Relax, it's more a side note to my story than a dark secret. You see what I didn't tell was that I was born a male before my transformation in Dragon.”

 

The eyes of the pig-tailed martial artist widened. She was… He was… “You're…like me?”

 

“Not quite. It is not a curse, although I cursed the Fates the first time. Unlike you my transformation is permanent and irreversible. I was a man, now I'm a woman with all the implications in this word… And, with time, I have learned to accept it and adapt to it.” She smirked. “It was that or dying.”

 

What can you say about that? Hell, what can you do about it? For once, Ranma was silent. It seemed to be the best way to react to this news. Could he do such a thing if it happened to him? He shuddered. It has been a close call a few times already for him. He now knew several means to seal him in his cursed form and there were certainly others. The two warriors continued to walk to the Tendo House, each thought about what they have revealed to each other.

 

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As they arrived near the Tendo House, Ranma was a little worried. He didn't warn anybody of his arrival with a `guest'. There was a very good chance that his… Oh Kami-Sama! Here was the Panda and his accomplice Water-works.

 

The pandafied martial artist opened fire with his signs. [Boy! How could you shame…] Flip. […the Saotome name with another fiancée!]

 

The Tendo Patriarch followed up with a volley of Niagara-type tears. “WAAAAAAAAA! THE SCHOOLS WILL NEVER BE JOINED NOW! WAAAAAAAAA!”

 

The so-called fiancée raised an eyebrow to the display and turned to her so-called frustrated and slowly angered fiancé. “I apologize Ranma. It seems that I underestimate what your stories have revealed.”

 

“Pop! Cut it out. She's not a fiancée!” It was really frustrating. Can those two morons think about anything but the union of the two schools?

 

[Oh.] Flip. [She's not.] Flip. [Then everything is all right.] Flip. [You just have to marry Akane…] Flip. […immediately, to prove that…] Flip. […she's really not another fiancée because of m…] Flip. […of you.]

 

Soun Tendo seized the opportunity like the great martial arts master he was (Yeah! Right!) and unleashed the dreaded technique of the Demon-head, capable to cower anybody with its sheer power. “YES! YOU WILL MARRY MY LITTLE BABY NOW! AND THAT'S FINAL!”

 

It was something of a ritual, a tradition: Something, in Nerima, as immutable as the celestial movement. And yet, today, it halted suddenly. Genma let go of his sign and the demon-head of Soun disappeared. Ranma gulped and turned to the aura he perceived. The eyes of the three martial artists widened as they considered the source.

 

Although she loathed this fact, Iridia was a killer. At first, she has been forced to defend her very life by shedding blood. Then, with the alterations of her Earth, she has resigned herself to be a warrior to live and help others to survive the new age. From the end of an age and the beginning of a new one, the former male paramedic has been transformed into a true warrior princess and, of course, all this without counting her draconic form.

 

Her luminescent green eyes were pinning the two morons as if they were high-powered lasers. Her Chi-aura was manifesting in the visible sceptre and hummed ominously with a blue-white colour. But the final argument was the pupils which has become vertical like a dragon. Behind it was not a threat but a promise of pain and if need be death if they didn't stop this nonsense NOW.

 

Iridia smiled, the predatory kind of smile. “Ranma, if you will be kind to present me those…persons.”

 

“Huh… Yes, of course. This is my pop, Genma Saotome and his buddy, Soun Tendo. Pop, Mr Tendo, this is Iridia Sunheart, the one I spoke about yesterday night.”

 

The smile became smirk. “I am charmed to meet you two. Your son was gracious enough to invite me at your table tonight. I hope it will be not a problem.”

 

“No…no problem…He He…Our house is your house… Why, it was very kind of Ranma to invite you… He He.”

 

[Yes! Of course!] Flip. [No problem at all.] Flip. [Why I was just thinking…] Flip. […of inviting you myself!]

 

“We were? Oh, yes! We were! We were! Welcome to our modest house. If you can excuse us, we were about to…finish an important task!”

 

[We were?] Flip. [Oh yes!] Flip. [How silly of me to forget it.] Flip. [We will meet you again for the dinner!]

 

And promptly, the two fathers disappeared inside the house, leaving a frustrated young man and an unimpressed young woman.

 

“Unbelievable! They didn't even look to me before launching their accusations. I could have been an old lady that they would have screamed that I was your fiancée.”

 

“Yeah… I know…” Ranma sighed. He was beginning to tire about the antics of his family. “Come on, let's go inside.”

 

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Notes: Phewww! You can not believe how long it took me to write those pages. It seems that my muse is a little flustered. I wonder why.

 

All in all, I'm not really satisfied with this chapter. I really hope I manage to create a proper atmosphere for the beginning of friendship between Iridia and Ranma.

 

You wonder why Ranma is so…skittish. It is because of the power-level of Iridia. Such a power-level means a challenge and a fight. It was always that way before and Ranma is certainly conditioned to the Chaos of Nerima.

 

The next chapter will be a memorable dinner wit the Tendo and the discovery of the true force of Kasumi.

 

Read and review please.