Ranma 1/2 Fan Fiction ❯ Umbra Aureola ❯ Chapter 23 - Darkness Inside ( Chapter 23 )
[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]
By: Xylix 
Anime/Manga: Ranma 1/2 Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Comedy / Adventure / Action / Martial Arts | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 03.12.2004 | Pages: 5 | Words: 6.3K | Visits: 433 | Status: Completed
Anime/Manga: Ranma 1/2 Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Comedy / Adventure / Action / Martial Arts | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 03.12.2004 | Pages: 5 | Words: 6.3K | Visits: 433 | Status: Completed
CHAPTER XXIII: DARKNESS INSIDE
The house was trashed. There was simply no other words to describe the incredible mess that was the Tendo Household. The forced entrance of the powered armor had literally ripped open the the structure. Even from outside the inner bedrooms of the Tendo's were revealed to anyone that cared to look. Broken pieces of wall lay scattered about on the ground in abundance.
The basic structure of Tendo House itself was an easy fix. Ranma and Anito had already set themselves upon the project of reassembling both the outer and inner walls of the Tendo Household. Thanks to Anito's enchantments the effort was more similar to some sort of giant jigsaw puzzle than actual construction. Groups of connected wooden block segments sat on the ground sorted by type and connection. Several groups of wall pieces lay already reconnected with their fellows by application of water. The attachments made by association of the wooden blocks before the connections to the actual could be located.
The two though mostly concentrated on rebuilding the structure itself. Starting with the points that looked to be in need more stability or that otherwise threatened collapse. With careful thought they would place single or sometimes entire groups of blocks back into the structure. All in all the house was being restored with an amazing rapidness. The same though could not be said for everything else that was and that had been inside.
"Anito." Nabiki's voice was pure ice. Even Ranma could feel a frozen rage burning inside the girl.
"Yes?" The arch-mage returned lightly. Things had been quiet since Ranma and Anito had found out another attack had been directed at the rest of the family while they were fighting the main military advance.
"Tell me how is it that we became involved in this mess?" Nabiki said her voice becoming even colder than before. Ranma could almost feel the chill himself. Apparently she didn't like the lightness in the wizard's voice.
"We underestimated the capabilities of our... adversary." The wizard replied emphasizing heavily the first word. Ranma swore that he saw Nabiki flinch.
If she was taken back by the reply Nabiki made a excellent job of covering it. "The involvement of my family is unacceptable."
"I agree, and am taking steps to ensure it doesn't happen again." Any lightness in Anito's eyes vanished leaving a grim vision of death.
"You damn well better." Nabiki snapped a bit of anger escaping the normally cool girl's facade. "They almost killed some of my family because of what you did." The ribbons faded into existence coiling in preparation to strike.
"I am well aware of what happened Nabiki, but need I remind you that you had equal part in this mess. Don't try to place burden solely on my shoulders." Anito returned. "Oh yes, and make sure to get some more, control with those." Anito continued pointing at the ribbons. "We wouldn't want another incident, now would we?"
Nabiki recoiled from the statement as though struck. Ranma could literally see the emotional blow from the way her aura lit up in response to the arch-mage's words. He didn't quite understand what that reference was to, but Ranma knew enough to see this situation needed defusing. While he certainly wasn't the man for the job Ranma was unfortunately the only one there that could do it.
"Hey now! We got enough to deal with without getting into this kind of junk." Surprisingly it looked as if it worked. Well, at least the two were looking his way now.
"Well aren't we all calm and cool." Nabiki said her voice implying her distaste at Ranma's ability to be just that.
"Slam!" Ranma rammed his fist into the wall ripping the new construction apart like tissue paper. "Damn it Nabiki! You think I like this anymore than you do?"
Nabiki looked at Ranma for a while her face not betraying even the slightest of what was going on in her mind. The girl's aura though told another story. The inner waves settled until they looked, to Ranma at least, more normal.
"Your facial control has improved." Nabiki said at last her voice giving a slight hint of approval. Her focus regained Nabiki faced the wizard. "Anito what exactly do you have planned to prevent this from happening again?" Ranma felt a bit of relief. The voice that just now spoke was the cold and slick Nabiki that he knew.
Anito apparently agreed with Ranma's assessment as a bit of the wizard's usual grin graced his lips. "It is my hope that their failure made it abundantly clear that they shouldn't try something like that again. However, in light of this situation I don't think we can count on it. As such I am going to take steps to further fortify this location against future assault. Including mystical warning wards, barriers, further structural improvements and of course some, offensive, capabilities."
"The last will require some endorsement and even a binding to the Tendo family." Anito finished implying the importance of the last. Given the stuff surrounding the last binding that the arch-mage had handled Ranma could understand why Anito was careful on this subject.
Nabiki was still for a moment as though considering the arch-mage's words. Her eyes focused thoughtfully. "I will need to discuss this with my family. Even should they agree I will still want to know more before allowing that to proceed. The defensive measures though will be more than welcome."
Anito nodded in acceptance. "Keep in mind our resources are much more limited than before. I won't be able to provide powerful artifacts, but the energy supplies I do have will allow greatly increased enchantments."
"So your going to spruce up this place, but what are we going to do about them?" Ranma broke in. Ranma was quite aware of the futility of winning a purely defensive battle. Further, defensive measures were not his specialty.
Anito's smile vanished. "For them, well... I will be delivering a message to make it absolutely clear that whatever rules they play by, we will play by as well." The wizard's grin crept back up in a way that Ranma hadn't seen since he first met the man.
"And how is that?" Nabiki said her eyes narrowing.
"I will show them that if they wish to target the... uninvolved, we are capable of upping the ante a million fold." While he spoke the wizard caressed a sphere of metal. A sphere Ranma recognized as weapon's grade plutonium.
Nabiki shivered slightly at Anito's words looking nervously at the sphere he held in his hands. Still she showed her approval. "Good." Apparently satisfied with the encounter the middle Tendo twirled and walked off at a brisk pace.
Ranma grabbed the arch-mage's shoulder forcing the man's complete attention. Looking the wizard in the eye he said, "I accept the need for a warning, but don't catch anyone up in this display. We don't need the kind of heat that would come from that, and you certainly won't need the kind of heat that would come from me for that."
Anito paused and nodded in understanding. "A mere show of our capabilities will be more than sufficient."
"Good." Ranma added to Nabiki's statement a bit of worry draining out of him. For a second there the pigtailed martial artist wondered if the wizard had gone off the deep end.
The two worked for a while longer before Anito spoke. "Do you think you can take care of this for a while? I would like to start some research on improvements."
Ranma nodded, "Sure thing, the sooner we can get some defenses up here the better I will feel."
Anito was gone in an instant using the shadow step to travel the short jaunt between where Ranma was standing and the lab. Ranma sighed settling into the work. Truth was he was of mixed emotions about the whole thing. Sure the fact that they had attacked his family and Tendo's made him angry, but it wasn't quite real to him. He hadn't been there, he hadn't seen it. Seeing Nabiki though and seeing how riled she was made it a whole lot more real. Still, it was hard for him imagine someone actually trying to kill them. Kidnap yes, but kill? There was one thing Ranma was certain of. He wasn't going to let it happen again.
"Saotome!" An angry voice sliced through the pigtailed man's thoughts.
Glancing up Ranma saw Ryouga approaching. The pig boy was almost radiating a visible rage and Ranma didn't even need to be able to read auras to see what Ryouga was thinking. "Go away P-chan I'm not in the mood."
Listening had never been one of Ryouga's strong points. "Saotome how dare you let Akane get hurt!" The pig boy growled stomping his way up to Ranma.
Ranma's eyes flashed with annoyance. "Do you think I wanted that? I didn't want her involved any more than you did pig boy!"
Ryouga punched Ranma across the face sending the pigtailed martial artist sprawling backwards. "Then why were you playing around when she needed your help!"
"That one is a freebee bacon breath." Ranma stood rubbing his face. Now angered he continued. "And did you think I was out there playing? I was fighting for my life!"
Ryouga hit Ranma again knocking him through the recently rebuilt Tendo wall. "Stop making excuses!"
"Okay that's it! You wanted a fight you got it." Ranma growled back with visible anger as he stood back up from the blow.
Ryouga cracked his knuckles. "Good, I will give you the punishment you deserve."
"I doubt that." Ranma responded with icy coolness as he descended into the Soul of Ice as naturally as breathing. Suddenly Ranma burst forward dashing in with lightning speed.
"Jishinha Bakusai Tenketsu!" Ryouga stomped on the ground causing a huge column of earth to explode upward directly in Ranma's path. "Ha, you didn't think it would be s- Uumph!"
Ranma didn't even bother dodging the attack. A simple whispered, "Kaze no Yoroi" called a whirling sphere of wind to him like a defensive shield. Protected by a cocoon of air and magical cloth like armor Ranma had nothing to fear from such a offensively weak attack. Shooting out from the the cloud of dust Ranma buried a glowing fist deep into Ryouga stomach. The enhanced strength and mystical weight allowing the pigtailed martial artist's punch to overwhelm even Ryouga's supernaturally tough body.
Grabbing the dazed Ryouga by the neck Ranma lifted the pig boy off the ground with contemptuous ease. Angrily he hissed out, "I told you I wasn't in the mood P-chan."
Even through the powerful choke hold Ryouga made out a reply. "I won't forgive you for getting Akane hurt!"
Ranma's eyes blazed his grip tightening. "And what about Nabiki and Kasumi?" Ranma growled back anger burning inside him. "How about Soun and Genma? How about my mother? Do none of those matter in your little world!?"
Ranma's grip was so tight that even Ryouga could not reply. Anger boiled up from deep inside the pigtailed martial artist. Anger at Ryouga for attacking him, for carelessly damaging what Ranma was trying to fix. Mostly though it was anger at himself. Anger for placing at risk everyone who he just named. Anger for not being there to stop it. Finally though, there was anger that Ryouga had only considered Akane worthy of protection.
A thought flashed through the pigtailed martial artist's mind. It would be so easy. So very easy to let loose the raging fires. To let the orange flames sear their way into his enemy's body. To let them burn and shred flesh into a liquid sludge. To let them crack and powder bone. To completely destroy his enemy once and for all.
Ranma recoiled from the thoughts tossing Ryouga to the side as if the pig headed man were on fire. Staring at his hand as though it were a snake a single thought echoed back through the pigtailed martial artist's mind. "Is it you that wanted to make me suffer? Was it really you that wanted vengeance?"
"They are such demonic ideals aren't they." Ranma whispered to himself echoing the final line of the demon's speech. Ranma's eyes flickered over to pig boy. "Go away Ryouga."
Ryouga stumbled up from the ground obviously thrown off his mental balance by what just happened. "Don't think this is over Saotome."
Ranma's eyes already refocused on his hand, his mind deep in thought. Mentally he shoved aside his emotions instead focusing on what he really knew about his long time rival. Quietly the pigtailed martial artist asked, "Will you protect them? Will you protect them if I cannot."
"Of course I will! How could I call myself a man and do otherwise." Ryouga declared insulted that Ranma would ever think otherwise. "Don't think for a minute that because I will that it dissolves you of responsibility!"
Ranma smiled slightly. "You are a true friend Ryouga." Ranma started to walk off. As he did so he called out. "Don't follow me pig boy I need to think for awhile."
"You aren't going anywhere until we are finished Saotome!" Ryouga roared before propelling himself at his mortal enemy. His movement was halted when a solid hand stopped him cold.
"Son, let him go." Soun said for once stalwart. Then the man burst into tears clinging to Ryouga like a drowning man to floating debris. "You'll help us rebuild the house won't you! Please, please tell me you will!"
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Nabiki strode through the house with a purpose. Her destination was chosen. There was already enough things out of hand as it was and Nabiki was not going to let anything else slip through her control. This in mind the middle Tendo burst into the kitchen where her sister was attempting to put things back into some semblance of order.
"Kasumi," She said.
"Yes, what is it Nabiki?" Kasumi asked in return not put off in the least by the girl's show or the tone underlying the simple statement of her name.
"We need to talk."
"Go ahead, Nabiki."
"Since when have you been using magic?" Nabiki said her voice cool and crisp.
Kasumi smiled her sunny expression though did not melt away Nabiki's ice. "Why for a few weeks now. I taught myself out of Ranma's books. It is just so very interesting and there are so many ways you can use it to help around the house."
"So Saotome let you borrow his books huh? I will have to have a talk with him."
Kasumi lightly scolded her sister. "Nabiki, I choose to learn magic. Ranma had nothing to do with it."
"Kasumi I don't think you understand exactly what kind of dangers you are dealing with."
Kasumi shook her head lightly. "Now there Nabiki, I am well aware of the dangers. I took the utmost care when forging contracts with the spirits and made sure only to deal with the benign ones. Besides, I am more than old enough to make my own decisions."
Nabiki paused in annoyance. She couldn't argue that Kasumi shouldn't be allowed to make her own decisions. Nabiki certainly had made her own decisions. Despite that Nabiki couldn't stand to have her sister in danger and Nabiki found herself filled with a burning irritation at Saotome for letting Kasumi borrow his books without telling her about it.
Nabiki sighed, "Sis I just don't want you getting hurt. So make sure you are really careful and if something goes wrong ask for help." The thought crossed Nabiki's mind of telling her sister to learn from a master, like Anito. That though led to images of fireballs and lightning bolts that danced through her head. In light of such a vision Nabiki decided to discard the idea.
"Kasumi, Nabiki!" A furious Akane stomped into the room. Apparently she had finally gotten a chance to corner the two. "What are you thinking using magic Kasumi and you Nabiki I hope you see now what kind of trouble Anito is causing!"
"Easy there Miss Vesuvius or you might blow your top." Nabiki replied crisply.
"Now Akane, Nabiki and I were just talking about that and your sister managed to be much more civil." Kasumi returned sternly.
Akane glared at her middle sister obviously angry at Nabiki's statement. Then she looked back at Kasumi with a much nicer expression. "But Kasumi you know how much trouble magic has caused Ranma. Besides I just know this another one of that wizard's plots!"
"Sorry about the last sis, but she taught herself out of Ranma's books." Nabiki played the newly gained high ground effectively to her advantage. Being on top helped the girl recovery her normal outsider looking in perspective. Besides Nabiki was proud that her sister had managed to teach herself, even if leery about the dangers surrounding magic.
"Why that pervert!" Akane growled angrily. Then she whirled on her sister. "Don't think that you are getting out of this easy either. So tell me when did you get those ribbons and what did you sell to do it!"
Nabiki's eyes froze completely. She spoke with chill assurance. "I would never do something to harm my family." The ribbons hovered on the edge of reality drawn by the power behind Nabiki's words.
"Just like how you almost got everyone killed by attacking those soldiers!" Akane shot back.
Nabiki's face showed nothing, but her eyes flinched slightly at Akane's words. "Oh and perhaps you would like to explain exactly what you were thinking attacking that armor?"
"I couldn't let them shoot my sister and get away with it!" Akane exclaimed defensively.
Nabiki smirked slightly with cold superiority. "I see that I at least learn from my mistakes."
"Stop!"
Nabiki and Akane stopped instantly in surprise at the words that were barked out as from a drill sergeant. Kasumi smiled, "Wow, that worked better than I thought it would. Now Akane, Nabiki apologize to each other." Kasumi scolded both in turn causing Akane to drop her head in shame.
"But, but Kasumi." Akane whined.
"No buts." Kasumi said frowning at her sister.
"I'm sorry Nabiki." Akane made out the words clearly taking some effort to make it past her lips.
"My apologies as well. I let my emotions get the best of me. It won't happen again." Nabiki said in such a way that it was impossible to tell whether she was sorry for what she said, or merely sorry that she did so because of lack of control. Her words spoken Nabiki whirled to leave.
"Where are you going!" Akane said annoyance revived by Nabiki's pitiful excuse for an apology.
"To learn from my mistake." Nabiki replied cooly as she left the room.
Kasumi frowned a bit as her middle sister left, but she didn't say anything. It was obvious that Nabiki had a lot on her mind that she needed to deal with first and no words or actions would help until they were taken care of. Besides, the cold hearted mercenary they had for a sister would take the idea she needed emotional support as a personal insult.
Akane was still for a moment as one of the sources of her ire left the room. Akane sighed. She wanted to say a whole lot more to Kasumi about using magic, but with her other sister gone she just couldn't get worked up enough to make the words come. "So, what did father have to say about this." She managed at last.
Kasumi's face lit up like the sun. "Why he was very proud of me. He told me that he hoped that I would be the best witch in the whole world and that he would support me in this in whatever way he could."
Akane simply had nothing to say about that. The pure delight in her sister's voice was enough as it was. That her sisters desire was backed by their father completed it. There was simply nothing she could argue. "You know Kasumi..."
Kasumi smiled at Akane. It looked as though she had released her anger, at least she had released it for now. "What is it?"
"I'm suddenly feeling very normal."
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Ranma-chan sat cross-legged on the ground of the dojo. It wasn't the underground dojo this time. Instead it was the upstairs dojo. The original dojo. Sitting here Ranma-chan meditated upon what had happened. Her body for the first time in a long time in her female form. Something she had been avoiding like a plague for a bit more than a month now.
Ranma-chan absently traced the arch of heels with a finger. A shiver ran up her spine as she felt her touch as clearly as though the pink material was her own flesh. It was her own flesh, Ranma-chan reminded herself. The bonds between the demonic essence now ran so deep that they couldn't be separated. Demonic essence that now ran through her blood. That ran through her mind.
That is what brought her here. The image, the single thought that had passed through Ranma-chan's mind as she held Ryouga aloft in the cold steel grip of her hand. The vision of Ryouga's flesh boiling as the orange flames caressed his flesh. The idea of killing him, destroying him completely and forever. An image that should never have crossed her mind.
A slight disturbance broke the redheaded girl's thoughts. Feeling the aura with her constantly improving aura sight Ranma-chan identified the presence. "Nabiki." She said without even turning to confirm what she felt with her own eyes.
"So Saotome how is the return to the fairer sex?" Nabiki asked as she slid into the room. Her mind carefully evaluated the importance of the change. A change she knew Ranma-chan had be resisting with all her might.
"What do you want?" Ranma-chan asked. Nabiki wouldn't come just to take cheap shots at her. That wasn't how the middle Tendo played her game.
Nabiki raised an eyebrow. "Quick at the draw today eh Saotome. What makes you think that I want something from you."
Ranma-chan evaluated the girl's aura thoughtfully. She wasn't much good at identifying emotions yet, but it felt like reluctance. Ranma-chan though couldn't understand what would make Nabiki reluctant of anything. "Why else would you come here?" Ranma-chan asked finally.
Nabiki steeled herself to say one of the hardest things she had ever said. "I need your help."
Ranma-chan looked startled. This was something she would have never expected from Nabiki. "What do you need my help for?"
"I need training... I need to know how to control these." Nabiki said allowing the ribbons to fade into existence to show the source of her troubles.
"And why would you want that? I thought you hated the martial arts Nabiki. Besides why should I teach you, it appears I have abused the art enough already." Ranma-chan said darkly. Her mind again turned to the image of Ryouga.
"Abused the art? How is that Saotome?" Nabiki asked.
"I don't want to talk about it."
"And I do not wish to give my reasons for asking for training either." Nabiki returned.
Ranma-chan looked at Nabiki irritated. Sighing Ranma-chan said, "I almost lost control, I almost killed someone."
"At least it was almost." Nabiki said under her breath, her normally cool voice bitter.
Ranma-chan only barely heard the girl's statement. She considered probing Nabiki for some answers on what she meant, but figured the girl wouldn't talk unless she wanted to. Possibly not even then. Instead Ranma-chan chose to continue. "I fought Ryouga today... except this time I was really angry before I did it. It was when I was holding him up by his neck that it hit me. That I could kill him. I could use the bracers and get rid of him once and for all." Ranma-chan was silent.
Nabiki waited for awhile. "Is that all? You just thought about killing him?"
Ranma-chan's eyes flashed with annoyance. "Yes that's all! I didn't actually do it, but I thought it!"
Nabiki raised an eyebrow. "And you have never thought this before? In all the times Ryouga announced 'Ranma prepare to die!'. In all the battles the two of you fought killing him never once crossed your mind? Frankly, I find that idea more abnormal than having a simple thought of what you could do cross your mind."
Ranma-chan looked irritated. "It never happened before, okay!"
"What about Saffron. I was told that you delivered a killing blow then."
"That was different." Ranma-chan muttered.
"How so?"
"With Saffron it was in the heat of the moment. I was fighting him in a kill or be killed fight. Also he was standing between me and saving Akane's life. When I killed him it was to protect." Ranma-chan explained. "With Ryouga it was different. I had already won. I wasn't protecting anyone. Had I killed him it would have been cold blooded murder."
"Then make sure it remains just a thought." Nabiki declared with a cool voice. "It is not the thoughts that you should fear, but instead the desire to make that thought reality. Or did you feel that as well."
Ranma-chan thought about it. "I suppose I did for a moment, but then I was repulsed the idea." Ranma-chan stopped for a moment. "Sometimes I wonder though if that demon is affecting me. That the demon is making me do things." Ranma-chan muttered in continuation.
Nabiki raised an eyebrow. Ranma-chan though didn't need the girl's encouragement to push her story forward. "You know, back then when I had the bracelet she said something to me. It was after a fight where I had tricked her and hit her with a ki blast just for a bit of vengeance that she said to me... 'Is it you that wanted to make me suffer? Was it really you that wanted vengeance? They are such demonic ideals aren't they.'"
Ranma-chan didn't pause sighing instead as she stared at her hand. "Then I had dismissed it. I thought she was just playing with me. Trying to destroy my confidence. To beat me completely. Now though I wonder, I wonder how many of my actions have been effected. Did I agree to invade that military base because of the demon? Did all this happen because of me? How much of me is me... how much of me is her."
"That is why I am like this." Ranma gestured to herself. "I wondered that maybe if I stopped running I might be able to do something about it." Ranma-chan went silent lost in thought.
Nabiki rolled the ideas that had been presented over in her head as Ranma-chan talked. In any normal situation Nabiki would have left things as they were. Nabiki though had a responsibility in these events. One that went deeper than even Ranma-chan knew. "This is as much my and Anito's fault as it is yours. Perhaps even more so. As I recall you were the only one that said we shouldn't do it."
Nabiki in addition silently recalled that it was her duty to act as the unbiased partisan. If anything her endorsement of the action was a complete failure of her duty. Anito had known his mind was compromised, and perhaps that Ranma's might be as well. That is why she was there. So to say the blame was even wasn't quite correct. No, Nabiki thought, she had the lion's share in this event.
Ranma-chan smiled, her lips pink from the light makeup brought on by the demon's influence. "Thanks Nabiki." Then the pigtailed girl smirked. "So now that I have talked about what I don't want to talk about, it is time for you to do the same."
"Touché, well played Ranma." Nabiki said with respect. "It seems that you have successfully backed me into a corner. Very well then if that is your price then I must pay it."
"My reasons are simple. My lack of control started what may very well have been disastrous consequences. Had my control been tighter I would not have struck that soldier, and thus I would not have set off a chain of events that nearly resulted in my death, Akane's death, Ryouga's death and the possible the injury or even death of the rest of my family as well." Nabiki managed to say it with a cold voice despite the fact she was choking on her pride as she did so.
Ranma-chan looked at Nabiki thoughtfully. "Yes, but if you hadn't it may have resulted in both Anito's and my deaths by forcing us to play by their rules."
"It does not matter. The fact that the results were coincidence rather than intentional is sufficient reason for me. My lack of control may lead to future disastrous situations. Thus I am forced to ask for training on how to control them."
"Why me, why not as Anito. He almost certainly would know far more about how to use those than I do."
"To put it simply Ranma you are a better teacher. In addition I both trust you more than I do Anito, and You do not have anything particularly important to do." Nabiki said. She thoughtfully neglected to mention a large part of why she trusted Ranma-chan more was because the red head was still not very good at the political game. In other words, Ranma-chan was less dangerous.
Ranma-chan scratched the back of her head. "Well I suppose if you put it that way..."
"One more thing Ranma." Nabiki said her voice like ice. The way her eyes narrowed made Ranma-chan just a bit nervous.
"Eh... what?"
"How is it that Anito, and now you have shown the ability to read me."
Ranma-chan's eyes brightened. "Oh that, aura sight. I can see your aura..., well only kind of, and use it to sort of tell what you are feeling. Anito is much better at it then I am." Ranma-chan added the last almost as an afterthought.
Nabiki's eyes narrowed even more, her thoughts though turned inward sparing the nervous Ranma-chan her gaze. "You will teach me this as well." It was a simple demand, no force behind it, but then Nabiki didn't need to put force behind her words for Ranma-chan to know that not listening would cause major problems.
Ranma-chan blinked twice. "Eh, why is that?" Ranma-chan asked curious as to why the girl would want to learn more martial arts than she possibly had to.
"Do you have any idea how potent of a technique you have there Ranma? The ability to read even the most closely guarded face has unimaginable use in both the business and political worlds. For just a moment consider having the ability to know exactly how much someone will buy for, or how low an individual will sell. Imagine being able to discover a person's deepest secrets just by saying a few words and watching how they react."
"As a business women I have long realized the necessity of an education in order to be successful. Martial arts, being mostly useless to business were discarded. A technique like that however, certainly falls in the category of worthy education." Nabiki explained cooly. Ranma could see her aura squirm with delight at the idea.
"Well I suppose I can handle that. Though I don't think pops training idea would work for you." Ranma-chan said thinking the it over. Not that her father's idea wasn't good, but the intention of that training was to teach aura sight as an extension of combat perception... while Nabiki would obviously want something different.
"Good. How soon can we start."
"Now." Ranma-chan replied a true smile forming at last.
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Well, this chapter had a slightly different tone than most to say the least ;)
In any case I wanted to bring up one subject. That mainly being the title of this fic. Quite frankly "Ranma: The Archmage Saga" sucks as a title. I am sure most can agree with this. Fortunately I can change the title both on Fanfiction.net and on Mediaminer. Unfortunately, I still have to consider whether I *should*.
Here is where you come in. Simply state your thoughts about whether the title should be changed when you write your normal review. If it is changed the name will goto "Umbra Aureola" (latin), which roughly translates to "Golden Shadow" or "Splendid Shadow".
The title is of course a direct make off of Anito's light and dark essence... Ranma dealing with his demon. It also plays off of the opposite nature of Ranma's curse male/female, shadow/light and yin/yang. It is also targets two major new characters that will be introduced with in the next dozen chapters... one which you might recognize, one which you won't.
If you have a better idea throw it out with your normal review!
If the title does change I will announce it with the next chapter, and make it clear in both the prologue and the story descriptor.
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Another point, I am editing past chapters (one per a new chapter). Right now my target is P-5 feel free to say your most hated chapter so that I can edit that as well.
Alternatively you can read the old ones. Plot lines haven't changed, but I try to portray things better and more consistently in the new renditions.
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Only because I am already talking!:
In response to the question: Wouldn't America Face repercussions?
A: Look at how America spied on China for years with spy planes. Now when did they face repercussions? Why after they were caught! ;)
On a more important note you may have noticed that there is no indication of where the troops are from. Anito 'guessed' where they came from based on what he know. You can't however exactly explain to the Japanese authorities that you know they are American's because you stole nuclear material from them several weeks ago... Well you could... but the results wouldn't be pretty.
*Author Out*
The house was trashed. There was simply no other words to describe the incredible mess that was the Tendo Household. The forced entrance of the powered armor had literally ripped open the the structure. Even from outside the inner bedrooms of the Tendo's were revealed to anyone that cared to look. Broken pieces of wall lay scattered about on the ground in abundance.
The basic structure of Tendo House itself was an easy fix. Ranma and Anito had already set themselves upon the project of reassembling both the outer and inner walls of the Tendo Household. Thanks to Anito's enchantments the effort was more similar to some sort of giant jigsaw puzzle than actual construction. Groups of connected wooden block segments sat on the ground sorted by type and connection. Several groups of wall pieces lay already reconnected with their fellows by application of water. The attachments made by association of the wooden blocks before the connections to the actual could be located.
The two though mostly concentrated on rebuilding the structure itself. Starting with the points that looked to be in need more stability or that otherwise threatened collapse. With careful thought they would place single or sometimes entire groups of blocks back into the structure. All in all the house was being restored with an amazing rapidness. The same though could not be said for everything else that was and that had been inside.
"Anito." Nabiki's voice was pure ice. Even Ranma could feel a frozen rage burning inside the girl.
"Yes?" The arch-mage returned lightly. Things had been quiet since Ranma and Anito had found out another attack had been directed at the rest of the family while they were fighting the main military advance.
"Tell me how is it that we became involved in this mess?" Nabiki said her voice becoming even colder than before. Ranma could almost feel the chill himself. Apparently she didn't like the lightness in the wizard's voice.
"We underestimated the capabilities of our... adversary." The wizard replied emphasizing heavily the first word. Ranma swore that he saw Nabiki flinch.
If she was taken back by the reply Nabiki made a excellent job of covering it. "The involvement of my family is unacceptable."
"I agree, and am taking steps to ensure it doesn't happen again." Any lightness in Anito's eyes vanished leaving a grim vision of death.
"You damn well better." Nabiki snapped a bit of anger escaping the normally cool girl's facade. "They almost killed some of my family because of what you did." The ribbons faded into existence coiling in preparation to strike.
"I am well aware of what happened Nabiki, but need I remind you that you had equal part in this mess. Don't try to place burden solely on my shoulders." Anito returned. "Oh yes, and make sure to get some more, control with those." Anito continued pointing at the ribbons. "We wouldn't want another incident, now would we?"
Nabiki recoiled from the statement as though struck. Ranma could literally see the emotional blow from the way her aura lit up in response to the arch-mage's words. He didn't quite understand what that reference was to, but Ranma knew enough to see this situation needed defusing. While he certainly wasn't the man for the job Ranma was unfortunately the only one there that could do it.
"Hey now! We got enough to deal with without getting into this kind of junk." Surprisingly it looked as if it worked. Well, at least the two were looking his way now.
"Well aren't we all calm and cool." Nabiki said her voice implying her distaste at Ranma's ability to be just that.
"Slam!" Ranma rammed his fist into the wall ripping the new construction apart like tissue paper. "Damn it Nabiki! You think I like this anymore than you do?"
Nabiki looked at Ranma for a while her face not betraying even the slightest of what was going on in her mind. The girl's aura though told another story. The inner waves settled until they looked, to Ranma at least, more normal.
"Your facial control has improved." Nabiki said at last her voice giving a slight hint of approval. Her focus regained Nabiki faced the wizard. "Anito what exactly do you have planned to prevent this from happening again?" Ranma felt a bit of relief. The voice that just now spoke was the cold and slick Nabiki that he knew.
Anito apparently agreed with Ranma's assessment as a bit of the wizard's usual grin graced his lips. "It is my hope that their failure made it abundantly clear that they shouldn't try something like that again. However, in light of this situation I don't think we can count on it. As such I am going to take steps to further fortify this location against future assault. Including mystical warning wards, barriers, further structural improvements and of course some, offensive, capabilities."
"The last will require some endorsement and even a binding to the Tendo family." Anito finished implying the importance of the last. Given the stuff surrounding the last binding that the arch-mage had handled Ranma could understand why Anito was careful on this subject.
Nabiki was still for a moment as though considering the arch-mage's words. Her eyes focused thoughtfully. "I will need to discuss this with my family. Even should they agree I will still want to know more before allowing that to proceed. The defensive measures though will be more than welcome."
Anito nodded in acceptance. "Keep in mind our resources are much more limited than before. I won't be able to provide powerful artifacts, but the energy supplies I do have will allow greatly increased enchantments."
"So your going to spruce up this place, but what are we going to do about them?" Ranma broke in. Ranma was quite aware of the futility of winning a purely defensive battle. Further, defensive measures were not his specialty.
Anito's smile vanished. "For them, well... I will be delivering a message to make it absolutely clear that whatever rules they play by, we will play by as well." The wizard's grin crept back up in a way that Ranma hadn't seen since he first met the man.
"And how is that?" Nabiki said her eyes narrowing.
"I will show them that if they wish to target the... uninvolved, we are capable of upping the ante a million fold." While he spoke the wizard caressed a sphere of metal. A sphere Ranma recognized as weapon's grade plutonium.
Nabiki shivered slightly at Anito's words looking nervously at the sphere he held in his hands. Still she showed her approval. "Good." Apparently satisfied with the encounter the middle Tendo twirled and walked off at a brisk pace.
Ranma grabbed the arch-mage's shoulder forcing the man's complete attention. Looking the wizard in the eye he said, "I accept the need for a warning, but don't catch anyone up in this display. We don't need the kind of heat that would come from that, and you certainly won't need the kind of heat that would come from me for that."
Anito paused and nodded in understanding. "A mere show of our capabilities will be more than sufficient."
"Good." Ranma added to Nabiki's statement a bit of worry draining out of him. For a second there the pigtailed martial artist wondered if the wizard had gone off the deep end.
The two worked for a while longer before Anito spoke. "Do you think you can take care of this for a while? I would like to start some research on improvements."
Ranma nodded, "Sure thing, the sooner we can get some defenses up here the better I will feel."
Anito was gone in an instant using the shadow step to travel the short jaunt between where Ranma was standing and the lab. Ranma sighed settling into the work. Truth was he was of mixed emotions about the whole thing. Sure the fact that they had attacked his family and Tendo's made him angry, but it wasn't quite real to him. He hadn't been there, he hadn't seen it. Seeing Nabiki though and seeing how riled she was made it a whole lot more real. Still, it was hard for him imagine someone actually trying to kill them. Kidnap yes, but kill? There was one thing Ranma was certain of. He wasn't going to let it happen again.
"Saotome!" An angry voice sliced through the pigtailed man's thoughts.
Glancing up Ranma saw Ryouga approaching. The pig boy was almost radiating a visible rage and Ranma didn't even need to be able to read auras to see what Ryouga was thinking. "Go away P-chan I'm not in the mood."
Listening had never been one of Ryouga's strong points. "Saotome how dare you let Akane get hurt!" The pig boy growled stomping his way up to Ranma.
Ranma's eyes flashed with annoyance. "Do you think I wanted that? I didn't want her involved any more than you did pig boy!"
Ryouga punched Ranma across the face sending the pigtailed martial artist sprawling backwards. "Then why were you playing around when she needed your help!"
"That one is a freebee bacon breath." Ranma stood rubbing his face. Now angered he continued. "And did you think I was out there playing? I was fighting for my life!"
Ryouga hit Ranma again knocking him through the recently rebuilt Tendo wall. "Stop making excuses!"
"Okay that's it! You wanted a fight you got it." Ranma growled back with visible anger as he stood back up from the blow.
Ryouga cracked his knuckles. "Good, I will give you the punishment you deserve."
"I doubt that." Ranma responded with icy coolness as he descended into the Soul of Ice as naturally as breathing. Suddenly Ranma burst forward dashing in with lightning speed.
"Jishinha Bakusai Tenketsu!" Ryouga stomped on the ground causing a huge column of earth to explode upward directly in Ranma's path. "Ha, you didn't think it would be s- Uumph!"
Ranma didn't even bother dodging the attack. A simple whispered, "Kaze no Yoroi" called a whirling sphere of wind to him like a defensive shield. Protected by a cocoon of air and magical cloth like armor Ranma had nothing to fear from such a offensively weak attack. Shooting out from the the cloud of dust Ranma buried a glowing fist deep into Ryouga stomach. The enhanced strength and mystical weight allowing the pigtailed martial artist's punch to overwhelm even Ryouga's supernaturally tough body.
Grabbing the dazed Ryouga by the neck Ranma lifted the pig boy off the ground with contemptuous ease. Angrily he hissed out, "I told you I wasn't in the mood P-chan."
Even through the powerful choke hold Ryouga made out a reply. "I won't forgive you for getting Akane hurt!"
Ranma's eyes blazed his grip tightening. "And what about Nabiki and Kasumi?" Ranma growled back anger burning inside him. "How about Soun and Genma? How about my mother? Do none of those matter in your little world!?"
Ranma's grip was so tight that even Ryouga could not reply. Anger boiled up from deep inside the pigtailed martial artist. Anger at Ryouga for attacking him, for carelessly damaging what Ranma was trying to fix. Mostly though it was anger at himself. Anger for placing at risk everyone who he just named. Anger for not being there to stop it. Finally though, there was anger that Ryouga had only considered Akane worthy of protection.
A thought flashed through the pigtailed martial artist's mind. It would be so easy. So very easy to let loose the raging fires. To let the orange flames sear their way into his enemy's body. To let them burn and shred flesh into a liquid sludge. To let them crack and powder bone. To completely destroy his enemy once and for all.
Ranma recoiled from the thoughts tossing Ryouga to the side as if the pig headed man were on fire. Staring at his hand as though it were a snake a single thought echoed back through the pigtailed martial artist's mind. "Is it you that wanted to make me suffer? Was it really you that wanted vengeance?"
"They are such demonic ideals aren't they." Ranma whispered to himself echoing the final line of the demon's speech. Ranma's eyes flickered over to pig boy. "Go away Ryouga."
Ryouga stumbled up from the ground obviously thrown off his mental balance by what just happened. "Don't think this is over Saotome."
Ranma's eyes already refocused on his hand, his mind deep in thought. Mentally he shoved aside his emotions instead focusing on what he really knew about his long time rival. Quietly the pigtailed martial artist asked, "Will you protect them? Will you protect them if I cannot."
"Of course I will! How could I call myself a man and do otherwise." Ryouga declared insulted that Ranma would ever think otherwise. "Don't think for a minute that because I will that it dissolves you of responsibility!"
Ranma smiled slightly. "You are a true friend Ryouga." Ranma started to walk off. As he did so he called out. "Don't follow me pig boy I need to think for awhile."
"You aren't going anywhere until we are finished Saotome!" Ryouga roared before propelling himself at his mortal enemy. His movement was halted when a solid hand stopped him cold.
"Son, let him go." Soun said for once stalwart. Then the man burst into tears clinging to Ryouga like a drowning man to floating debris. "You'll help us rebuild the house won't you! Please, please tell me you will!"
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Nabiki strode through the house with a purpose. Her destination was chosen. There was already enough things out of hand as it was and Nabiki was not going to let anything else slip through her control. This in mind the middle Tendo burst into the kitchen where her sister was attempting to put things back into some semblance of order.
"Kasumi," She said.
"Yes, what is it Nabiki?" Kasumi asked in return not put off in the least by the girl's show or the tone underlying the simple statement of her name.
"We need to talk."
"Go ahead, Nabiki."
"Since when have you been using magic?" Nabiki said her voice cool and crisp.
Kasumi smiled her sunny expression though did not melt away Nabiki's ice. "Why for a few weeks now. I taught myself out of Ranma's books. It is just so very interesting and there are so many ways you can use it to help around the house."
"So Saotome let you borrow his books huh? I will have to have a talk with him."
Kasumi lightly scolded her sister. "Nabiki, I choose to learn magic. Ranma had nothing to do with it."
"Kasumi I don't think you understand exactly what kind of dangers you are dealing with."
Kasumi shook her head lightly. "Now there Nabiki, I am well aware of the dangers. I took the utmost care when forging contracts with the spirits and made sure only to deal with the benign ones. Besides, I am more than old enough to make my own decisions."
Nabiki paused in annoyance. She couldn't argue that Kasumi shouldn't be allowed to make her own decisions. Nabiki certainly had made her own decisions. Despite that Nabiki couldn't stand to have her sister in danger and Nabiki found herself filled with a burning irritation at Saotome for letting Kasumi borrow his books without telling her about it.
Nabiki sighed, "Sis I just don't want you getting hurt. So make sure you are really careful and if something goes wrong ask for help." The thought crossed Nabiki's mind of telling her sister to learn from a master, like Anito. That though led to images of fireballs and lightning bolts that danced through her head. In light of such a vision Nabiki decided to discard the idea.
"Kasumi, Nabiki!" A furious Akane stomped into the room. Apparently she had finally gotten a chance to corner the two. "What are you thinking using magic Kasumi and you Nabiki I hope you see now what kind of trouble Anito is causing!"
"Easy there Miss Vesuvius or you might blow your top." Nabiki replied crisply.
"Now Akane, Nabiki and I were just talking about that and your sister managed to be much more civil." Kasumi returned sternly.
Akane glared at her middle sister obviously angry at Nabiki's statement. Then she looked back at Kasumi with a much nicer expression. "But Kasumi you know how much trouble magic has caused Ranma. Besides I just know this another one of that wizard's plots!"
"Sorry about the last sis, but she taught herself out of Ranma's books." Nabiki played the newly gained high ground effectively to her advantage. Being on top helped the girl recovery her normal outsider looking in perspective. Besides Nabiki was proud that her sister had managed to teach herself, even if leery about the dangers surrounding magic.
"Why that pervert!" Akane growled angrily. Then she whirled on her sister. "Don't think that you are getting out of this easy either. So tell me when did you get those ribbons and what did you sell to do it!"
Nabiki's eyes froze completely. She spoke with chill assurance. "I would never do something to harm my family." The ribbons hovered on the edge of reality drawn by the power behind Nabiki's words.
"Just like how you almost got everyone killed by attacking those soldiers!" Akane shot back.
Nabiki's face showed nothing, but her eyes flinched slightly at Akane's words. "Oh and perhaps you would like to explain exactly what you were thinking attacking that armor?"
"I couldn't let them shoot my sister and get away with it!" Akane exclaimed defensively.
Nabiki smirked slightly with cold superiority. "I see that I at least learn from my mistakes."
"Stop!"
Nabiki and Akane stopped instantly in surprise at the words that were barked out as from a drill sergeant. Kasumi smiled, "Wow, that worked better than I thought it would. Now Akane, Nabiki apologize to each other." Kasumi scolded both in turn causing Akane to drop her head in shame.
"But, but Kasumi." Akane whined.
"No buts." Kasumi said frowning at her sister.
"I'm sorry Nabiki." Akane made out the words clearly taking some effort to make it past her lips.
"My apologies as well. I let my emotions get the best of me. It won't happen again." Nabiki said in such a way that it was impossible to tell whether she was sorry for what she said, or merely sorry that she did so because of lack of control. Her words spoken Nabiki whirled to leave.
"Where are you going!" Akane said annoyance revived by Nabiki's pitiful excuse for an apology.
"To learn from my mistake." Nabiki replied cooly as she left the room.
Kasumi frowned a bit as her middle sister left, but she didn't say anything. It was obvious that Nabiki had a lot on her mind that she needed to deal with first and no words or actions would help until they were taken care of. Besides, the cold hearted mercenary they had for a sister would take the idea she needed emotional support as a personal insult.
Akane was still for a moment as one of the sources of her ire left the room. Akane sighed. She wanted to say a whole lot more to Kasumi about using magic, but with her other sister gone she just couldn't get worked up enough to make the words come. "So, what did father have to say about this." She managed at last.
Kasumi's face lit up like the sun. "Why he was very proud of me. He told me that he hoped that I would be the best witch in the whole world and that he would support me in this in whatever way he could."
Akane simply had nothing to say about that. The pure delight in her sister's voice was enough as it was. That her sisters desire was backed by their father completed it. There was simply nothing she could argue. "You know Kasumi..."
Kasumi smiled at Akane. It looked as though she had released her anger, at least she had released it for now. "What is it?"
"I'm suddenly feeling very normal."
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Ranma-chan sat cross-legged on the ground of the dojo. It wasn't the underground dojo this time. Instead it was the upstairs dojo. The original dojo. Sitting here Ranma-chan meditated upon what had happened. Her body for the first time in a long time in her female form. Something she had been avoiding like a plague for a bit more than a month now.
Ranma-chan absently traced the arch of heels with a finger. A shiver ran up her spine as she felt her touch as clearly as though the pink material was her own flesh. It was her own flesh, Ranma-chan reminded herself. The bonds between the demonic essence now ran so deep that they couldn't be separated. Demonic essence that now ran through her blood. That ran through her mind.
That is what brought her here. The image, the single thought that had passed through Ranma-chan's mind as she held Ryouga aloft in the cold steel grip of her hand. The vision of Ryouga's flesh boiling as the orange flames caressed his flesh. The idea of killing him, destroying him completely and forever. An image that should never have crossed her mind.
A slight disturbance broke the redheaded girl's thoughts. Feeling the aura with her constantly improving aura sight Ranma-chan identified the presence. "Nabiki." She said without even turning to confirm what she felt with her own eyes.
"So Saotome how is the return to the fairer sex?" Nabiki asked as she slid into the room. Her mind carefully evaluated the importance of the change. A change she knew Ranma-chan had be resisting with all her might.
"What do you want?" Ranma-chan asked. Nabiki wouldn't come just to take cheap shots at her. That wasn't how the middle Tendo played her game.
Nabiki raised an eyebrow. "Quick at the draw today eh Saotome. What makes you think that I want something from you."
Ranma-chan evaluated the girl's aura thoughtfully. She wasn't much good at identifying emotions yet, but it felt like reluctance. Ranma-chan though couldn't understand what would make Nabiki reluctant of anything. "Why else would you come here?" Ranma-chan asked finally.
Nabiki steeled herself to say one of the hardest things she had ever said. "I need your help."
Ranma-chan looked startled. This was something she would have never expected from Nabiki. "What do you need my help for?"
"I need training... I need to know how to control these." Nabiki said allowing the ribbons to fade into existence to show the source of her troubles.
"And why would you want that? I thought you hated the martial arts Nabiki. Besides why should I teach you, it appears I have abused the art enough already." Ranma-chan said darkly. Her mind again turned to the image of Ryouga.
"Abused the art? How is that Saotome?" Nabiki asked.
"I don't want to talk about it."
"And I do not wish to give my reasons for asking for training either." Nabiki returned.
Ranma-chan looked at Nabiki irritated. Sighing Ranma-chan said, "I almost lost control, I almost killed someone."
"At least it was almost." Nabiki said under her breath, her normally cool voice bitter.
Ranma-chan only barely heard the girl's statement. She considered probing Nabiki for some answers on what she meant, but figured the girl wouldn't talk unless she wanted to. Possibly not even then. Instead Ranma-chan chose to continue. "I fought Ryouga today... except this time I was really angry before I did it. It was when I was holding him up by his neck that it hit me. That I could kill him. I could use the bracers and get rid of him once and for all." Ranma-chan was silent.
Nabiki waited for awhile. "Is that all? You just thought about killing him?"
Ranma-chan's eyes flashed with annoyance. "Yes that's all! I didn't actually do it, but I thought it!"
Nabiki raised an eyebrow. "And you have never thought this before? In all the times Ryouga announced 'Ranma prepare to die!'. In all the battles the two of you fought killing him never once crossed your mind? Frankly, I find that idea more abnormal than having a simple thought of what you could do cross your mind."
Ranma-chan looked irritated. "It never happened before, okay!"
"What about Saffron. I was told that you delivered a killing blow then."
"That was different." Ranma-chan muttered.
"How so?"
"With Saffron it was in the heat of the moment. I was fighting him in a kill or be killed fight. Also he was standing between me and saving Akane's life. When I killed him it was to protect." Ranma-chan explained. "With Ryouga it was different. I had already won. I wasn't protecting anyone. Had I killed him it would have been cold blooded murder."
"Then make sure it remains just a thought." Nabiki declared with a cool voice. "It is not the thoughts that you should fear, but instead the desire to make that thought reality. Or did you feel that as well."
Ranma-chan thought about it. "I suppose I did for a moment, but then I was repulsed the idea." Ranma-chan stopped for a moment. "Sometimes I wonder though if that demon is affecting me. That the demon is making me do things." Ranma-chan muttered in continuation.
Nabiki raised an eyebrow. Ranma-chan though didn't need the girl's encouragement to push her story forward. "You know, back then when I had the bracelet she said something to me. It was after a fight where I had tricked her and hit her with a ki blast just for a bit of vengeance that she said to me... 'Is it you that wanted to make me suffer? Was it really you that wanted vengeance? They are such demonic ideals aren't they.'"
Ranma-chan didn't pause sighing instead as she stared at her hand. "Then I had dismissed it. I thought she was just playing with me. Trying to destroy my confidence. To beat me completely. Now though I wonder, I wonder how many of my actions have been effected. Did I agree to invade that military base because of the demon? Did all this happen because of me? How much of me is me... how much of me is her."
"That is why I am like this." Ranma gestured to herself. "I wondered that maybe if I stopped running I might be able to do something about it." Ranma-chan went silent lost in thought.
Nabiki rolled the ideas that had been presented over in her head as Ranma-chan talked. In any normal situation Nabiki would have left things as they were. Nabiki though had a responsibility in these events. One that went deeper than even Ranma-chan knew. "This is as much my and Anito's fault as it is yours. Perhaps even more so. As I recall you were the only one that said we shouldn't do it."
Nabiki in addition silently recalled that it was her duty to act as the unbiased partisan. If anything her endorsement of the action was a complete failure of her duty. Anito had known his mind was compromised, and perhaps that Ranma's might be as well. That is why she was there. So to say the blame was even wasn't quite correct. No, Nabiki thought, she had the lion's share in this event.
Ranma-chan smiled, her lips pink from the light makeup brought on by the demon's influence. "Thanks Nabiki." Then the pigtailed girl smirked. "So now that I have talked about what I don't want to talk about, it is time for you to do the same."
"Touché, well played Ranma." Nabiki said with respect. "It seems that you have successfully backed me into a corner. Very well then if that is your price then I must pay it."
"My reasons are simple. My lack of control started what may very well have been disastrous consequences. Had my control been tighter I would not have struck that soldier, and thus I would not have set off a chain of events that nearly resulted in my death, Akane's death, Ryouga's death and the possible the injury or even death of the rest of my family as well." Nabiki managed to say it with a cold voice despite the fact she was choking on her pride as she did so.
Ranma-chan looked at Nabiki thoughtfully. "Yes, but if you hadn't it may have resulted in both Anito's and my deaths by forcing us to play by their rules."
"It does not matter. The fact that the results were coincidence rather than intentional is sufficient reason for me. My lack of control may lead to future disastrous situations. Thus I am forced to ask for training on how to control them."
"Why me, why not as Anito. He almost certainly would know far more about how to use those than I do."
"To put it simply Ranma you are a better teacher. In addition I both trust you more than I do Anito, and You do not have anything particularly important to do." Nabiki said. She thoughtfully neglected to mention a large part of why she trusted Ranma-chan more was because the red head was still not very good at the political game. In other words, Ranma-chan was less dangerous.
Ranma-chan scratched the back of her head. "Well I suppose if you put it that way..."
"One more thing Ranma." Nabiki said her voice like ice. The way her eyes narrowed made Ranma-chan just a bit nervous.
"Eh... what?"
"How is it that Anito, and now you have shown the ability to read me."
Ranma-chan's eyes brightened. "Oh that, aura sight. I can see your aura..., well only kind of, and use it to sort of tell what you are feeling. Anito is much better at it then I am." Ranma-chan added the last almost as an afterthought.
Nabiki's eyes narrowed even more, her thoughts though turned inward sparing the nervous Ranma-chan her gaze. "You will teach me this as well." It was a simple demand, no force behind it, but then Nabiki didn't need to put force behind her words for Ranma-chan to know that not listening would cause major problems.
Ranma-chan blinked twice. "Eh, why is that?" Ranma-chan asked curious as to why the girl would want to learn more martial arts than she possibly had to.
"Do you have any idea how potent of a technique you have there Ranma? The ability to read even the most closely guarded face has unimaginable use in both the business and political worlds. For just a moment consider having the ability to know exactly how much someone will buy for, or how low an individual will sell. Imagine being able to discover a person's deepest secrets just by saying a few words and watching how they react."
"As a business women I have long realized the necessity of an education in order to be successful. Martial arts, being mostly useless to business were discarded. A technique like that however, certainly falls in the category of worthy education." Nabiki explained cooly. Ranma could see her aura squirm with delight at the idea.
"Well I suppose I can handle that. Though I don't think pops training idea would work for you." Ranma-chan said thinking the it over. Not that her father's idea wasn't good, but the intention of that training was to teach aura sight as an extension of combat perception... while Nabiki would obviously want something different.
"Good. How soon can we start."
"Now." Ranma-chan replied a true smile forming at last.
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Well, this chapter had a slightly different tone than most to say the least ;)
In any case I wanted to bring up one subject. That mainly being the title of this fic. Quite frankly "Ranma: The Archmage Saga" sucks as a title. I am sure most can agree with this. Fortunately I can change the title both on Fanfiction.net and on Mediaminer. Unfortunately, I still have to consider whether I *should*.
Here is where you come in. Simply state your thoughts about whether the title should be changed when you write your normal review. If it is changed the name will goto "Umbra Aureola" (latin), which roughly translates to "Golden Shadow" or "Splendid Shadow".
The title is of course a direct make off of Anito's light and dark essence... Ranma dealing with his demon. It also plays off of the opposite nature of Ranma's curse male/female, shadow/light and yin/yang. It is also targets two major new characters that will be introduced with in the next dozen chapters... one which you might recognize, one which you won't.
If you have a better idea throw it out with your normal review!
If the title does change I will announce it with the next chapter, and make it clear in both the prologue and the story descriptor.
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Another point, I am editing past chapters (one per a new chapter). Right now my target is P-5 feel free to say your most hated chapter so that I can edit that as well.
Alternatively you can read the old ones. Plot lines haven't changed, but I try to portray things better and more consistently in the new renditions.
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Only because I am already talking!:
In response to the question: Wouldn't America Face repercussions?
A: Look at how America spied on China for years with spy planes. Now when did they face repercussions? Why after they were caught! ;)
On a more important note you may have noticed that there is no indication of where the troops are from. Anito 'guessed' where they came from based on what he know. You can't however exactly explain to the Japanese authorities that you know they are American's because you stole nuclear material from them several weeks ago... Well you could... but the results wouldn't be pretty.
*Author Out*