Ranma 1/2 Fan Fiction ❯ The War of Two Families ❯ Chapter 2: Welcome to Catalina ( Chapter 2 )

Chapter 2: Welcome to Catalina

Catalina, the capital of Jusoun, was a magnificent city of splendor and grandness. Akane found it surprising that the war didn't ravage much of Jusoun, but merely the countryside, where most of the battles occurred.

Nor did any of the citizens appear affected by the Anucklempre-Jusoun wars. Life still went on as usual -- the markets were overcrowded with people, rich and poor alike. Just like home, Akane thought grimly. Ranma wove through the throngs of people, Akane struggling to keep up with him. She was amazed at how no one stopped to acknowledge Ranma, much less bow or step aside for him. In fact, it seemed that no one knew who he was until they reached the palace gates.

"How come no one acknowledges your presence?" she gasped out.

"It's customary - unless it's the King or Queen or it's in the palace."

The Palace at Catalina was a stunning fortress. Thick rock walls surrounded a palace of white marble and glass. There were guard towers all around, all armed with what seemed like miniature cannons. Guards stood in front of the entire length of the wall -- or rather, as far as Akane could see with her own eyes. When they stopped at the entrance, Akane was exhausted. Trying to catch her breath, she listened to Ranma talk to the guard.

"Ah, Your Highness! We all knew you'd escape from the Anucklempre dungeons!" Akane wanted to smash his face in.

"Well news travels fast, doesn't it. Did the citizens know I was captured?" Ranma asked.

"Of course not. Think of the panic that would go through the city! No, they're fine just knowing that they lost another war," the guard rolled his eyes, "as long as they didn't lose their biggest protector." He smiled at Ranma. "Her Majesty is awaiting your return." He looked at Akane, his face confused. "Who is this lady traveling with you, My Lord?"

"Her? Oh that's just, um..."

"Ah! A courtesan you picked up along the road?" The guard laughed. Akane, angry, was about to say something but Ranma shook his head. They stood there, glaring at each other, listening to the guard babble on. "Well we always thought it time that you started building a harem! After all, there needs to be another generation for the throne!"

Ranma merely smiled before dragging Akane into the palace. Wrenching her wrist from his grip, she hissed, "What the hell?! I am NOT going to be one of your concubines."

"If they know that you are part of my harem, they won't touch you." No one can know who she is until the plan is set into motion.

Akane glared at him. "Ok. But still, I won't allow you to touch me either."

"Why would I sleep with an un-cute tomboy like you?"

Akane was about to slap him but stopped when she saw two people coming towards them.

"Ranma!" the woman cried. She rushed forward to embrace him. "Oh my darling son, look at you! All torn up by those mad soldiers!" She gasped at the sight of so many cuts and bruises over her son's body. "Genma, stop going to war! Look at what it's done to my boy! Oh, my manly son!"

Akane grimaced. Thank God her father or sisters didn't embarrass her like this. She looked at the man named Genma. So this is the other enemy. Akane couldn't believe her eyes. This short, pot-bellied man did not seem like the fierce king who attacked their empire constantly. And why does he wear a cap on his head? Is he bald? Struggling to stifle a giggle, Akane looked around and realized it was the perfect opportunity to escape. She was about to run but she suddenly found herself staring into Ranma's mother's eyes.

"And who's this, Ranma?" Akane backed up, intimidated by the older woman's inquisitive stare.

"This is Akane. Mom, go take her to wash up or something. I have to talk to Pop here real quick."

Akane glanced down at herself. Indeed she needed to be tended to. The light sandals she wore in the palace obviously didn't stand up to the rough terrain between Anucklempre and Jusoun. Her feet were cut and the hem of her nightgown was ripped and soiled. She blushed, it wasn't proper for young ladies to be running around in their nightclothes. At least it isn't see-through, she thought. But let's just hope that guard didn't think Ranma was in bed with me because of this.

"Akane? That's a pretty name for a pretty girl. My name is Nodoka." Akane looked at her. She was a beautiful woman, it was evident that the years didn't take a toll on her face. "Come along, we'll get you washed up." She said briskly, and led Akane away from Ranma and his father.

Genma stared at the departing pair. "Akane? As in the Anucklempre princess Akane?"

"Yeah," Ranma answered, "I figured out a way to screw Tendo over with her."

"With his daughter?" Genma scoffed. "You're stupid."

"Would you choose your empire over your own child?"

Genma thought for a moment. "Yes."

BOOM! The wall cracked as Ranma sent his father flying into the wall. "You old jerk! I wasn't asking you!" He straightened and dusted off his hands. "I'm saying Tendo loves his youngest too much. For sure he'll hand over the crown for her. Now if you don't mind, please excuse me father, I'm going to go take a bath."

Genma stared at the ceiling. His son really wasn't so stupid after all -- that was a brilliant plan. How come he didn't think of it himself? Getting up, Genma hurried over to the scribe's office.

"I need you to write a letter addressed to Soun Tendo."

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Akane had been pleasantly surprised by the courtesy and friendliness of Nodoka and her maids. Or maybe they just don't know that I'm that Akane. Nodoka had given her a change of clothes and told her to go to the room at the end of the East Wing to wash up.

"I'll be there in just a minute to help you," Nodoka had said and left.

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Nodoka giggled to herself as Akane left to go find the bath. Ranma's bath. Ranma, her clean son, was bound to go take a bath after his war adventures.

Nodoka had been surprised that her son came home with the princess of Anucklempre. But then, she was probably part of an elaborate plan to destroy the king there. Nodoka had been Empress of Jusoun long enough to know that her husband and son always cooked up some scheme to conquer the Seaside Kingdom. Well, tool or no tool, Akane was a well-educated, attractive girl, and she would make the perfect wife for Ranma. Nodoka herself would see to that. After all, what better way to start a relationship than seeing each other in the nude?

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Ranma was exhausted. A month away from home on the battlefield and in dungeons had worn him out. The most recent battle was by far the most bloody and fierce. And, he got captured by those damn barbarians. I probably look like I rolled around in dirt.

Stripping down in his room, he grabbed a change of clothes and opened the door to the bath. And saw Akane, standing in the tub and naked. Who screamed. A scream that was so loud and piercing that Ranma could almost hear glass shatter.

"Y-YOU PERVERT!"

"N-no, it's not what it seems like --!" Ranma felt blood spurt out of his nose as Akane threw a bar of soap at him and hit him dead on. And hard.

"YOU SICK, DISGUSTING, PERVERT!"

Nodoka, who had been standing by the door outside, nearly jumped out of her skin at Akane's screaming. What was going on? It wasn't supposed to turn out like this! She hurried in and gasped at the sight before her. Her son was sprawled face down on the floor, knocked out. Akane had flung a towel over him and was clutching another one to her chest, desperately trying to cover herself up.

"Akane, dear, what's wrong?"

"H-he walked in on me," she sputtered, pointing to the figure on the floor.

Playing dumb, Nodoka apologized. "Oh Akane I'm so sorry, I directed you to the wrong room! This is Ranma's. Did I tell you to go to the room in the East Wing? I meant West Wing. Here, go into the bedroom and put on your clothes. Then we'll go to my room to finish up." Obediently, Akane took the clothes and walked out. Sighing, Nodoka looked at her son. Guess this one is going to be a handful.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::Author's Chatterbox:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

I think it's about time I've started talking. So I mentioned that Anucklempre is by the Mediterranean Sea. In case any of you were wondering where by the Mediterranean, Anucklempre is the south coast of France -- right at the border between France and Spain. Jusoun is in Spain, away from the coast. Right in the Pyrenees Mountains. That explains the rough terrain.

Anyway...that's my clarification for the chapter! Please leave some reviews! If you have anymore questions, just mention them to me in reviews and I'll talk back in the next chapter. Thanks!