Sailor Moon Fan Fiction / Ranma 1/2 Fan Fiction ❯ Stars in the Sky ❯ Nerima ( Chapter 6 )

Chaos Lord Productions Brings You.

 

*********

 

Stars in the Sky

 

*********

 

Written by Chaos Lord

 

Disclaimer: All entities and devices in this story belong to their respective owners. For the purposes of this story those would be Rumiko Takahashi and Naoko Takeuchi.

 

WARNING: Extreme OOC ahead. If slavish adherence to the originals are your bag, read no further.

 

*********

 

Chapter 5 - Nerima

 

*********

 

A thick fog had rolled in that morning, obscuring all but the brightest of objects. That did not halt the activities at the port of Tokyo though. Men and women maneuvered bodies and machinery through a dense forest of cargo pallets and shipping containers. Their motions dictated by complex manifests and years of experience. Between the fog and their own single-minded pursuit of their jobs, not a single soul noticed an oddly dressed young man who moved through the labyrinthine area with careful swiftness.

 

After crossing both land and water Lime had arrived in the homeland of the only man to best Herb in single combat. Even as a female, Saotome had been a force to reckon with. The very planet had seemed to shudder and quake in fear as the two titans did battle. And, according to Herb, that deadly power would be required once more. Lime only hoped it would be enough to vanquish the monster his friend and lord had become.

 

With that hope burning brightly in his soul, the tiger-descended young man had focused all of his own considerable power to attaining two goals. The first was to find Saotome. And the second was to make sure that the first was done fast enough to ensure Mint's safety.

 

Throughout their entire flight from Musk lands, Mint had drifted in and out of consciousness. He had been greatly injured by the rubble of the palace and Lime was certain that the wounds went far deeper than broken bones and cut skin. Had this been the field of battle, Mint's damage would have probably garnered him a quick death at the hands of Musk healers who wished to spare a proud warrior a long, agonizingly ignoble, death. Lime could do no such thing, not to Mint. The two of them had been friends and fellow warriors for too long to do that. Just the thought of ending Mint's life had burned the tiger man's soul.

 

As stealthily as possible, Lime trudged through the back ways of Tokyo. At another time, he may have just jumped from roof to roof and made it to the Tendo Compound in an hour or so, but with the burden of Mint, and his own weakened state, the trek was considerably longer. Nearly three days after first stepping foot on a foggy pier, the Musk male crossed into Nerima proper. By then he had exhausted all of the admittedly meager supplies he had been able to gather while in the outer provinces of Musk land. For the last bit he had devoted all the remaining food to Mint, in hopes that he would survive until they reached the God Slayer. The only good thing was that clean water was plentiful, still Lime was forced to operate on just his own ki reserves, something that wasn't advisable for extended periods.

 

So it was, that after much hardship and deprivations, that the Musk warrior known as Lime stood before the front entrance of the Tendo estate. Swaying on his feet, Lime pounded weakly against the gate. Before, such a pummeling would have collapsed the gate and surrounding wall, now all it did was echo out a soft knock. Fortunately, it was enough to rouse the attention of one of the home's occupants, a brown headed woman that looked at his battered form with shock. “I . . . m . . must speak to Ranma S . .s. . saotome.” With his mission articulated to one that could actually take him to Saotome, that little bit of willpower which had kept him going gave up the ghost and Lime fell slowly forward.

 

*********

 

Walking though the Tendo estate, Nabiki looked around her home sadly. Since Ranma and Kasumi had left, an oppressive gloom had settled over the place. The fathers had initially attempted an expedition to find the missing Saotome. Their attempts had lasted approximately five minutes as the ambiguously stupid duo realized that all their money, and sake, had mysteriously disappeared. After their valiantly failed search expedition, Genma and Soun turned to their second, tried and true, tactic; brow beating. Between trying to get information on Ranma's location and attempting to weasel their way out of work, the pair had gone a long way to erode any remaining respect or patience Nabiki held for the men.

 

Luckily, Auntie Nodoka showed up after a few hours after The Incident aired to calm things down and impose order. Nabiki welcomed the help with open arms, but, like she had said the morning Ranma and Kasumi had left, things were not going to be like they were under the elder Tendo's tenure. Nodoka was only allowed to cook and perform one other chore. The rest of the work was divided amongst the rest of the house's occupants, and that included herself. Thinking of the sheer volume of tasks that had to be split up was staggering. Nabiki had always known that Kasumi did everything around the house, but now everything was taking on a brand new dimension. Between everyone, the chores just barely managed to get done, and yet Kasumi had managed to do them all and still have time bring light to all around her.

 

If Kasumi had been the one to give the Tendo home its soul, then Ranma was surely its heart. Without his almost infinite energy, all the life seemed to seep from the dojo like blood from an open wound. There were no more inane challengers, no suitors with odd weapons, not even a causal death threat. Without Ranma there, there was no reason for the crazies to come by. Sure, they stayed in Nerima, for whatever reason, but they seemed content to keep to themselves. Even the Amazons, a constant source of both trouble and excitement, were absent from the regular goings on at the dojo. As much as she bemoaned all the crap that followed in Ranma's wake, Nabiki found herself missing it all. At least there was never much cause for boredom, all she had to do is mention Shampoo or Ukyo in the same sentence as Ranma and there was sure to be some fireworks.

 

“God,” she whispered wistfully, “I wish something would happen.” As if the kami had heard her wish, there was a knock at the front gate. It was soft, and thanks to the fact that she was already heading out to buy groceries, she was the only one who heard it.

 

Moving wearily towards the large gate, Nabiki slowly opened the structure, less she get crushed by some new crazed martial artist. Upon opening it though, the middle Tendo daughter no longer held any fear of that eventuality. Her wish had been granted, and like most of those sort of wishes, Nabiki no longer wanted it.

 

“Somebody! Help!”

 

*********

 

The living room of the Tendo home was in a panic. With Nabiki's worried yell, the rest of the house's occupants exploded into action. When they saw what had startled the, normally, cool Tendo so, even the lazy fathers helped out. Knowing pain as they did, both men could tell something terrible had happened. The Incident fresh in mind, Genma and Soun knew that the injured men brought fresh tidings of woe.

 

When she saw the extent of Mint's injures Nodoka immediately knew what to do. "I'll go call Dr. Hosen." In the wake of Tofu's departure, the area needed a small scale practitioner, Dr. Hosen filled that need.

 

Immediately, Nabiki whipped her head towards the older woman. "Don't Auntie."

 

"Why not?"

 

"If I am remembering right, these guys are Musk. We don't know how different they are from normal people. Call the Nekohanten, Cologne will know what to do."

 

Looking over the boy's injuries with critical eye, Genma barked out, "Akane, start heating some water. We will need it to clean their wounds." Though he did not know the specifics of their biology, the Saotome male was confident that there was enough similarities that dirt in wounds was a bad thing. Other, more intensive methods could wait for the old woman.

 

Normally, sending Akane anywhere near the kitchen was a fool's errand. The girl couldn't boil water without causing a stage 3 catastrophe. Today, the shock of seeing Mint and Lime's wounds placed her in a frame of mind that allowed her to perform her task in a normal manner.

 

Nabiki rushed back into the room with a sizable box under one arm. "I've got the first aid kit Uncle."

 

Genma grunted in approval. "How are your skills with it?"

 

"I'm only up on the basics."

 

"Then start cleaning the larger one's wounds. I will handle the little one."

 

A touch of green seeped into Nabiki's face as she spied Mint's wounds. "T,thank you."'

 

It was then that Nodoka rushed back into the room. "The elder is on her way." As she watched her husband peel off the young man's clothes, the Saotome woman felt a tad nauseated herself. Coming to rest next to her husband, she asked, "What happened to him?"

 

"I can't be sure, but he looks like he had a building dropped on him," he said grimly.

 

"You've seen this before, haven't you," it wasn't a question.

 

For a moment, Genma's eyes flashed and he was somewhere else; a dark, terrible place of years past. As quickly as it came, it passed and he was back in the present. "Yes, unfortunately."

 

Nodoka looked at her husband and nodded slowly. "What can I do?"

 

"We will probably need rags."

 

"I'll go get them." As Nodoka hurried to get the rags Genma needed, she did so with a heavy heart. At the moment, the man was the same that she had married all those years ago, but she knew, from Ranma, that this was just a temporary turn for the better. No matter how much she wanted to believe otherwise, Genma would return to the man he had become. Yet, perhaps that was for the best, a return to such a person would make her decision so much easier to follow through with.

 

*********

 

It took all of her more than three-hundred years of control not to slam the phone onto the cradle with enough strength to shatter it. Even with all her control, Cologne could not hold back the string of curses that erupted from her mouth. The most recent news from the Tendo home did not bode well for the future. Musk soldiers do not just show up for no reason, especially seriously wounded ones. In her native tongue, the elder called out, “Shampoo, Mousse!”

 

Both teens had heard Cologne's cursing but they continued with their normal duties in the restaurant. As young children, all Amazons learned that it was not wise to interrupt elders when they were in such a state, it usually ended in training that one was not yet ready for. When Cologne's call for them erupted from the back of the building, Shampoo and Mousse ran towards the elder. Just as experience told them to avoid irritated elders, so too did it teach to come running when one called them.

 

As they laid eyes upon the diminutive woman, the teens training clashed with more martial pursuits. In the center of the room stood Cologne and both Shampoo and Mousse stood in shock as they watched the elder position a wooden breastplate over her standard robes. The richly decorated piece of armor was something that they had only seen the elder use for serious combat training. It was made of ki-wood and, unlike more ornate, metal, armors, this armor was for war. To see any of their society wear such a thing meant that the situation was beyond serious.

 

“”Great-grandmother, what's wrong,”” asked Shampoo. So shocked was she that the purple-haired Amazon slipped into her native tongue.

 

“”Quick, make ready to leave. You have five minutes.”” With a sense of satisfaction, Cologne watched the teens stifle their curiosity and move to get armed and move customers out of the restaurant.

 

*********

 

“Thank you for your patience. Please, take these free coupons.” As he herded the few customers out, Mousse felt numb. For all of his life he had trained to be the best male warrior in the tribe. Though there were other male fighters, none could compare to their female counterparts, but in war every hand was needed. War. Honestly, he had never really thought that it would happen, even after all the rigorous training. After the last conflict, things had been rather quiet in the valley. The only real flare ups had been dealt with by Ranma and the rest of the group, and those had been more strike missions, not full up wars. Still, though the prospect of true war did not exactly excite him, training held true and, even as he cleared the place, the raven-haired man carefully slipped on his war garb.

 

Even in wartime conditions, Amazons were quick fighters. Speed and devastating individual attacks were at the center of their combat techniques. Such methods were not amiable to the heavy armors other groups use. Still, that did not mean that Amazons went into battle defenseless. Older fighters had their ki-wood armor, while younger ones, like Mousse, found themselves in simple metal ones. The nearly blind man's breastplate had been made by his father, a blacksmith of some talent. Polished to a mirror finish, the metal had a white swan etched and painted into the middle. From the bird's wings there extended lines attached to weapons. It had been a gift to celebrate the day Mousse had been declared a master of Hidden Weapons.

 

Along with the breastplate, Mousse wore a winged helm made of the same silvered metal. Now, most Amazons did not wear such helms, they were generally unnecessary for a people who could smash boulders with their heads, as a male though, he needed the extra protection. Additionally, his father had crafted the piece to negate Mousse's most crippling handicap, his vision. Inside, there were clips that held his glasses in place along with padding to keep the delicate lenses from being damaged in combat.

 

As the last patron left the building, Mousse closed and locked the door. Looking back at the empty tables and half-finished meals, a sigh escaped the bespectacled boy. “The center can not hold,” he muttered softly.

 

*********

 

Shampoo rushed into her small room with all the precision of a warrior born. Unlike the male below, she relished the prospect of a coming battle. The rush of blood would hopefully wash away the ill mood she had found herself in. Just thinking of her current state of mind had summoned memories of that terrible day. At first, her heart had lept at seeing her beloved again, even if it was on television. His skills showed brightly, even through the tiny box. Soon though, like so many others, she knew that Ranma would be beaten. The thought of a world without her love in it was a great blow, but what hurt even more was her inability to do anything. By all rights, she should have been there, at his side, battling the darkness as was proper for an Amazon couple. That proud honor had been denied to her though, and by one that she had never expected.

 

With a sigh, Shampoo slid on a thick silk pantsuit. Of all the women in Nerima, she had never even thought of Kasumi as a potential rival. The girl was so nice, even to a foreigner like herself, that it was impossible to think anything bad about her. She wasn't a fighter, by any stretch of the word. Ranma lived for the fight, it powered him more so than all the food he consumed. Shampoo had thought, to her error it seemed, that he would only seek out a fellow fighter as a mate. Yet, he had chosen the one who appeared the most fragile.

 

Fragile, ha what a farce of epic proportions. The steel in Kasumi was just as tough and tempered as that in Bro-maed. Though she was a healer by trade, Bro-maed could defeat all but the Elders with a slight narrowing of the eyes or dimming of her ever-present smile. Once one saw that, all thoughts of fighting, or much of anything else, faded into a deep well of shame. In all her sixteen years, Shampoo had only seen Bro-maed's cheery exterior fade to show the edge beneath. A certain male Amazon had been quite outrageous with his methods and seriously injured the healer's son. When the news had reached Bro-maed, she had transformed into an avenging warrior right out of the old tales. It was only the actions of the elders that had ensured the young man's survival.

 

That same fire, she saw now, resided in Kasumi. With Ranma's rebirth, the Tendo woman had shed her placid demeanor and had become a luminescent goddess. Despite the mandate about obstacles, there was no way that Shampoo could raise her hand to that beautiful calmness. She had been beaten, as surely as if Kasumi had struck out, the Amazon girl was defeated. And the truly damnable part of the whole affair, what really made her wonder just who she was, was the feeling that, in this case, defeat wasn't a bad thing.

 

So, Shampoo welcomed the coming storm as if it were a lover. For only there, in the seething mass of chaos and blood, could she find the peace her soul so desperately yearned for.

 

*********

 

With the two men taken care of, for the moment at least, Nabiki allowed herself the luxury of sitting quietly on the veranda with a soothing cup of tea. Normally, she preferred something with a bit more kick, but this particular blend always calmed her nerves. Just a whiff of its aroma and she could almost see Kasumi's gentle smile, could just barely hear her say that everything would be alright. She needed that assurance, now more than ever. As much as she wanted the others not to know it, seeing those two collapse at her feet had really shaken her up. Their wounds were unlike she had ever seen in person. Sure, being in Nerima, she had seen her fair share of bloody noses and broken hands, but never wounds that oozed green slime. It threatened to break through the hold she had on her emotions. So, to regain her composure, Nabiki sat, drank her tea, and stared out at the koi pond.

 

Just as Nabiki had worked up a good, placid, demeanor, Cologne, Shampoo, and Mousse suddenly appeared at the pond's edge. There were no war cries, no broken masonry, just one moment were there had been no one, three battle ready individuals materialized. “Wha,” she asked of the trio dumbly.

 

“Greetings Nabiki Tendo. Our presence was requested,” replied Cologne with a warmth that belied the serious nature of events.

 

“Yes. There are two Musk inside.”

 

“What are there conditions?”

 

Nabiki shrugged her shoulders, “No clue, but they look bad.”

 

“Then time is of the essence.” Without looking to the teens who flanked her, the elder barked out, “”Guard duty!””

 

Nabiki raised an eyebrow as Shampoo and Mousse readied weapons and split up. “Should I be worried?”

 

Cologne shook her head. “No child. These are perilous times, they will ensure that no one will attack.”

 

“Expecting trouble?”

 

“With everything going on? I am. Now come, let us see these young men.” With an eye for any anomaly, the ancient woman followed the Tendo girl into the house. It did not take long to arrive at where the injured were resting. Immediately, Cologne reached out with her senses to take in every aspect of their well being. The larger male, Lime she surmised, had minor wounds. His ki was severely depleted though, that coupled with other factors told her that he had burned through most of it trying to get here. Reaching out with her small hand, the elder quickly tapped several points along his ki paths altering them to enhance his healing.

 

While Lime's medicinal needs were few, Mint's gave Cologne a measure of pause. By some miracle, or the sadism of a capricious universe, the young man still lived. Between all his injuries and the illness said wounds had contracted, he should have been long since dead. Even now, only the most meager embers of life burned within the small man.

 

Casting her gaze towards the Tendo girl, Cologne said, "Quickly, gather everyone. Bring Shampoo and Mousse as well."

 

Not asking any particulars, Nabiki just nodded and ran off. Immediately, she headed downstairs for the family room. The assembled group was nervously trying to keep themselves busy and not think of the dark tidings the men heralded. When Nabiki burst in, they jumped as if someone had dropped a live grenade.

 

The first to recover any of their faculties was Soun. "How are they Nabiki?"

 

She shook her head, "Didn't say. She just told me to get everyone and bring them upstairs."

 

Asking no other questions, everyone in the quickly stood and made their way to the makeshift hospital. Towards the rear of the group, Nodoka noticed that thee middle Tendo wasn't following along with the rest. "Are you not coming as well?"

 

"Not yet Auntie. She wanted Shampoo and Mousse too."

 

"Then you best hurry."

 

*********

 

By the time Nabiki returned to the small small room, Cologne was just finishing off an intricately designed circle on the floor. Before she could make a remark about the costs of floor repair, the reforming Ice Queen heard Shampoo gasp out, "Aiya!"

 

"What's that," she asked of the lavender-haired beauty.

 

Shampoo was not even able to construct a response before Cologne injected herself into the conversation. "On this matter both Shampoo and Mousse are required to maintain strict secrecy. What I am doing is one of our greatest secrets." Knowing what her words unleashed in others, the ancient turned to pierce Genma with her gaze. "And I do not want anyone even thinking about replicating what I do here. This is a technique that has been in development since before our people arrived in China, over three thousand years ago. To even begin to learn it one must have mastered the ki techniques that allow for the extension of life. Should an untrained individual attempt it, they will undoubtedly kill themselves, those around them, and a sizable portion of the surrounding countryside. Are we clear?"

 

Just as Cologne had anticipated, Genma watched her actions with an eye for future replication and procurement. Her words touched something in him though. Deep within his soul, the same honor and fear that had been awakened with the devastation of his personal techniques, the yama and umisenken, spoke once more. "I swear not to talk about this to anyone and work against those who would try and redo it." Genma then surprised everyone further when he turned and faced Akane. "I want you to make the same oath, on penalty of your removal from the Anything Goes school."

 

Akane stood with her mouth wide open. "W,what?! Why me," she sputtered indignantly.

 

Genma folded his arms across his chest as he stood fully erect. "These things are too dangerous for one such as yourself to dabble in. Now swear, or I will kick you from the school this instant."

 

"You can't do that," yelled the youngest Tendo.

 

"He can, and he will," said Soun firmly. "And if doesn't, I will." He had seen Genma's horror at what he had wrought. That sort of pain was not for his daughters.

 

Nabiki saw all the signs of a tantrum in Akane and lashed out at her petulant sister. "Just shut the hell up and do as they say Akane. Or is your wounded pride worth more than his life."

 

Initially, Akane bristled at Nabiki's tone, but that died a quick death when she looked down at the man they were supposed to help. For a moment, she saw things beyond herself. She didn't want his death on her conscious, and what else were martial artists supposed to do but protect the weak. "Fine, I swear to never try this in any way."

 

"Good," ground out Cologne. "Now Genma, step into that circle closest to you. Shampoo, you take the next one. Then Mousse, and Akane." Following the elder's commands, the four martial artists stood above a circle that had been incorporated into the larger design. "The rest of you, take positions between the others; taking care not to disturb the circle mind you."

 

Soon enough, everyone in the room was positioned within the circle. Each was eager to aid the injured Musk however they could. Cologne took one final look at everyone before inhaling deeply. "I want each of you to focus your thoughts on increasing his well being. Try not to imagine how he should be repaired, just wish for him to get better. Understood?" Nods and declarations of readiness were shared by all. "Good, please begin."

 

Slowly, wisps of glowing stuff began to pull off of each of the gathered. Guided by the intricate patterns and Cologne's own energies, the wisps were channeled into Mint's still form. It was ki, raw, in its most primal form, yet directed for the sole purpose of healing and revitalization. Thanks to the amount of large ki reservoirs there was plenty of energy for the process. Soon, a healthy color began to suffuse his skin. Mint's labored breathing smoothed out and sounded less and less dire. After nearly hour, the streams of energy slowed to a trickle before coming to a halt.

 

As the ritual came to a close, everyone finally felt the drain. For each, it was like they had run a considerably long distance and were at the very edge of just passing out. Cologne though, was not as fortunate. Being the conductor took more out of her than anyone else. Though her core ki was safe everything else was gone. Letting loose an undignified groan, she slumped forward into blessed unconsciousness.

 

Genma was the most used to operating at reduced levels, so he was the quickest in this state. The sometimes panda reached out and caught Cologne before she could hit the floor. After a quick check of her pulse, Genma sighed with relief. "She's just asleep," he announced gladly. While he may not like most of what she had done over the years, Genma didn't want to see her trade her life for another in such a fashion.

 

"Course she is, Panda man. Great-grandmother too-too drained from technique. Needs sleep to recharge."

 

"Do you know what we need to do now, Shampoo," asked Nabiki with a yawn.

 

"Need to do same as Great-grandmother. All are tired, sleep will help."

 

"Well I can't argue with that," groaned Akane tiredly.

 

Nodoka discreetly concealed a yawn before asking, "Should I make something."

 

With a dismissive wave, Nabiki said, "Don't worry about it Auntie. I'll go call Ukyo."

 

Shampoo nodded. "Is good. Spatula girl and too-too nice ninja guard good when we sleep." Though she may have derided Ukyo in public, Shampoo privately understood that the chef was about as good as she was.

 

"I would kill for a octopus and spinach okonomiakis, or three," moaned Akane appreciably

 

As she headed out of the room, Nabiki silently cursed her sister. Up until then she had been keeping her hunger in check. Thanks to Akane though, the beast was now free and growling for an extra-large shrimp okonomyaki.

 

*********

 

For the fourth time in an hour, Ukyo wiped down the griddle. Today was the worst kind of day a business woman such as herself could experience; a slow one. Why but a single customer had partaken of her wares. Such things were to be expected on occasion, even with food as delightfully mouth watering as her's. Still, it stung of rejection on the part of her patrons. What made things worse was that the lull in activity left her alone with her thoughts.

 

Around and around two thoughts circled through her mind like some furious tempest. One was the image of Ranma, his lifeblood pouring from his chest as if he was some macabre fountain. Then, came the phone call. After more than a year of silence her father just called her up. Once again, he had asserted that honor was served, that she could come home and be his little girl again. Before, she became incensed at such talk. Ranma was her fiancée and, come hell or high water, he would choose her. With this most recent call though, Ukyo had been tempted. Ranma died, even if only for a little while. He left Nerima, left her, to go somewhere else and get himself killed for Kasumi. Was that what a life with Ranma require? Was that what she wanted?

 

Luckily, the answers to those questions were postponed by the ringing of the phone. Acting on blessed autopilot, the chef reached over to the phone. "Ucchan's Okonomyaki, how may I serve you today."

 

"Hi Ukyo, its Nabiki."

 

"What can I do for ya, sugar?"

 

"Listen, are you busy?"

 

Ukyo looked out at the empty restaurant and smiled wryly. "Not today sugar. Need me to come over?"

 

"That would be great. There are some things going on, so come ready to cook for an army, and maybe start a war."

 

The chef gripped the phone tightly. "This has somthin' to do with Ranchan, doesn't it." Visions of his death an rebirth flashed quickly before her eyes.

 

Nabiki's voice hesitated moment. "I can't be sure. But its likely." The girl sighed, "Listen, I'll tell you everything when you get here."

 

"Okay. Konatsu and I will be there soon." When the line went dead, the chef placed the phone back on the cradle. Across the small dining room, the kunoichi was cleaning while trying to appear as if he wasn't listening in. "Get your stuff. We're heading to the Tendos."

 

*********

 

For Lime, the return to consciousness was a welcome one. Though his body ached and his stomach practically roared for sustenance it was better than the nightmares of sleep. Given the soft padding beneath him, the Musk male made the assumption that his arrival at the Tendos had not been a dream.

 

He was not alone either. Mint was in the room, and his friend both sounded and smelled much better. That could only mean that the smaller man had received medical help; something Lime thanked the gods for.

 

There was one other soul in the room, a female unless he was mistaken. She smelled rather familiar, which reduced the list of possible persons to a rather small handful. Given that he distinctly remembered arriving at the Tendo Dojo, it could only be Saotome's woman. There as nothing particularly dangerous about her, as such he was probably safe in 'waking up.' Knowing that it was better to appear weaker than one truly was, the Musk male groaned weakly.

 

After waking up little more than an hour ago, Akane had taken over for Ukyo. At first, the remaining white marks of the healing circle had pulled at her mind. The part of her that so firmly held onto her status in the art mulled over the design, in an attempt to mentally recreate it. As for the rest of her, it desperately tried to forget even seeing it. Her common sense told her plainly that such things were as far beyond her as proper grammar was from Shampoo. Eventually, Akane's rational mind went and retrieved a book to keep her occupied b far safer pursuits. When she heard Lime's groan, the young Tendo quickly put down her book an moved over to the male. "Take it easy."

 

Lime slowly opened his eyes, even though the lights of the room were dimmed, they stabbed at him like a thousand flames. "W,where am I?"

 

“The Tendo Dojo. Do you remember me? Akane?”

 

Slowly, Line nodded his head. “Saotome's woman.”

 

Akane bristled at the comment but tried to keep her voice even. “Yes.”

 

Lime attempted to prop himself up. “I must speak to Saotome, quickly!”

 

“Woah, slow down.” With as much gentleness as she could muster, Akane pressed down on the man's chest. “He's not here right now.”

 

The Musk male's heart dropped. After all that hardship, was his mission all for naught? “Where?” Perhaps he was just away from the place on a quick errand.

 

Akane's smile turned down. “Let me get Cologne. She'll explain.” Before the awakened individual could say anything further, she stood and hurried from the room.

 

Lime's concern grew at the mention of the elder. Bringing a Joketsuzoku Matriarch into the situation would only complicate things. He had little time to consider the ramifications of her inclusion in events as the diminutive woman soon arrived at the door.

 

Surveying the renewed young man, Cologne shook her head. “To think, at one time I would have prayed to see one of your kind in such a state.”

 

He couldn't hold back the surprise at that, “And what about now?”

 

“Nerima changes a person,” she sighed. Hopping over to the his still form, Cologne looked the man in the eye. “So, what brings a Musk male to Japan while carrying an injured comrade.”

 

“I must speak with Saotome.”

 

“So I've gathered. Unfortunately, he is no longer living here.”

 

“Do you know where he is?”

 

“No, though I have my suspicions. Can you make it downstairs? Perhaps you can enlighten us all as to the nature of your quest."

 

Lime did not move and, while he tried to suppress it, his apprehension was clearly etched into the lines of the man's face.

 

The ancient woman sighed deeply. "I assure you, according to the Treaty of the Three Kingdoms, your safety is guaranteed."

 

That satisfied Lime's anxious heart. Though their peoples had been in silent war for most of their existence, there were still protocols that protected the lives of messengers. "Okay, I will do my best to make an accurate report."

 

"Good lad."

 

********

 

Downstairs, the various factions in the fiancée wars sat in silence. Each of the groups had gathered into their own little enclaves at various points in the main room. They all stared at one another wearily, it was rare that they all gathered in common purpose. To make matters worse, those times were usually in preparation for a major confrontation. A certain oddity hung over the room as well, with Ranma missing the whole gathering felt mildly wrong.

 

The only ones who seemed immune from the general sectional tensions were Nodoka and Nabiki. Sitting center stage at the table, the two women amicably sipped their tea and nibbled upon their treats. All of there negative feelings were directed to the ill tidings that the men brought in their wake. Something terrible was approaching and it seemed to effect both the old and new worlds.

 

When the sounds of movement began to manifest, all eyes, no matter their faction, turned to catch a glimpse of the one who brought such chaos. As the others sized him up, Nodoka stood and smiled. "Hello. Is there anything need?"

 

Lime stood flummoxed for a moment. No one had treated him with such respect. "Um, something to eat would be nice."

 

Nodoka smiled at his discomfort. "So like my Ranma," she thought wistfully. "Would you like anything to drink?"

 

"Do you have oolong tea?" The green water that the Japanese called tea was not to his liking.

 

"I think I can find some. Now have a seat and I'll be right out."

 

With wide eyes, Lime made his way towards the low table and the scantily clad female who sat there. Despite the seriousness of the situation, he had to consciously still his hands, lest they reach out for her thinly veiled chest. Still, will won out in the end and the Musk warrior was able to sit without embarrassing himself.

 

Nabiki watched the jittery man with a keen eye. He had been rather confident until Auntie had directed him to sit. Now, she was accustomed to such reactions from those who knew the old Nabiki. Lime though knew nothing of the reputation she had cultivated for so long. As far as she knew, there was no reason for such actions. "Hey now," she said gently, "everything's okay."

 

"He no afraid of you Nabiki Tendo." Though her grammar left much to be desired, Shampoo worked hard to address the others respectfully, lest her great-grandmother instill further respect into via her skull.

 

Casting a glance at the nervous man, Nabiki said, "Well something's got him worked up."

 

Mousse coughed into one of his voluminous sleeves. "If I may be so bold. The issue is your clothing. Musk women dress considerably more conservative than yourself."

 

Nabiki looked down at her short shorts and loose tee shirt, what she had taken to call her Ranma-baiting outfit. When she had chosen them, all she had in mind had been comfort. Never did she even consider that their Musk guest came from a radically different culture than her own. With an apologetic smile, she looked to Lime. "I'm sorry. Do you want me to go put on something else."

 

While the others stared at Nabiki as if she had grown another head, Lime looked at the young woman with gratitude. "Thank you. But no. This is your home and your land. It wouldn't be right for me to impose."

 

A broad and warm smile broke out across Nabiki's face. "Mmm, cute and polite. Not too shabby." "Thank you."

 

Lime, feeling as if he had passed some test that he didn't even know that he was taking, just smiled in return.

 

The others watched the exchange with the same sensation one has as they watch a train collide with a car on the track. Horror and wonder rolled across the assembled faces, as each tried to reconcile this new Nabiki with the terror that they had all grown to fear.

 

Luckily, for everyone, Nodoka re-entered the room at just that moment. Carrying with her a tray of steaming food. "Nabiki, be a dear and fetch the tea please."

 

"Okay Auntie," she chirped as she stood and practically bounced out of the room; her every motion being closely followed by the morbidly fascinated gathering.

 

Placing the tray down on the table before the, almost drooling, young man. Nodoka smiled. "I doubt it is what you are used to, but I hope this is satisfactory."

 

Looking at the food with the same lust as a parched man who stumbles across a vibrant oasis, Lime nodded absently. "Is this all for me?" He practically started crying when he saw the woman's smile and nod. A moment later Nirvana swept over him as his sensitive nostrils picked up the alluring odor of oolong tea. "Mmm, that smells just like the tea back home."

 

"It should sonny boy," cackled Cologne. "I lent some of my own stock."

 

Lime's eyes grew to the size of saucers. Bowing as deeply as his position would allow, he said, "My thanks elder."

 

"Think nothing of it. Now eat up before that bear of a stomach devours us all."

 

Though he blushed deeply, Lime tore into the meal provided to him. As he ate, the others allowed him to do so in silence; many with the knowledge that a martial artist and his food were not easily parted. For the Musk male, the different textures and flavors made it all taste oh so much better.

 

As the young man neared the end of his meal, Cologne cleared her throat. "Tell me child. Why have you come?"

 

Lime breathed deeply. On a full stomach, the news he carried seemed all the worse. "The Musk have fallen."

 

Gasps and cries of alarm raged around her, but Cologne remained focused on Lime. "Explain."

 

Slowly, Lime laid out the events that preceded his arrival. No detail was left unsaid. As a warrior, he knew that a lack of information could kill just as easily as an enemy weapon. His voice though, was flat and lifeless. No Musk wanted to even contemplate, let alone witness, the downfall of their ancient people.

 

As Lime finished his tale a hush fell over the gathering. Everyone had either witnessed or heard accounts of the battle between Ranma and Herb. For something to torment the Musk prince was disheartening indeed. Akane though, was the first to speak. "I don't get it."

 

"Get what," asked Cologne.

 

"Why is it always Ranma? Every time someone needs something stopped, its always Ranma they come for. He's not that good, I mean I can hit him whenever he's being a pervert."

 

"Foolish girl," snapped the aged woman. "Have you learned nothing about him in the year he lived with you? You were there at Jusendo when he defeated Saffron. Do you know what league it puts him in? It is possible that myself or the other elders of my tribe could vanquish the Phoenix lord, but that it only because of our immense knowledge and a lifetime of careful chi storage. Thanks to either breeding or his oafish father, Ranma is a martial artist of unparalleled ability. He absorbs skills like a sponge, but even more than that, he adapts them to his own designs. None of us would have thought to do what he had with just the Hiryu Shoten Ha. With all that he has done in this short time, Ranma has gained the attention of many in the wider world. And you honestly think that you can face him in a serious contest. The only reason you have been able to best him is his damnable chivalry. If he were to ever get over that handicap, then you would be a chunky paste upon the wall. Now be quiet and let those who are truly serious talk!"

 

Akane looked ready to dispute the elder's words. But a sharp glare from the woman, coupled with the disapproving stares of the others convinced the Tendo daughter to be silent.

 

Not even granting the petulant child the honor of a nod, Colonge looked back at Lime. "Your tale is troubling. Tell me, do you know what happened to your civilians?'

 

Nabiki's ears perked up at this bit of new information. "Civilians?"

 

"You didn't think that the Musk were all like our friend here," Cologne asked with a chuckle. "No, they have women and children, the same as any other people."

 

Lime sighed. "The last I saw of them, there was a long line moving quickly for Joketsuzoku."

 

"Then they should be safe," said Cologne. "Though, with Herb acting as you say, I can not be certain how long that will last for anyone."

 

"He's that strong," asked Ukyo with trepidation.

 

"Herb, by himself is a powerhouse of ki. Many elders would be hard pressed to keep up, especially with his flight capabilities. Granted, I could probably take him down, but it would hurt. This new force worries me though. Something powerful enough to subdue him could be a threat to us all."

 

Nabiki's face took on the calculating look of old. "You are thinking that this is linked with what happened to Ranma, aren't you."

 

Cologne regarded Nabiki with a guarded gaze. "I have my suspicions. I also suspect that you know where your sister and Ranma are hiding."

 

"Its possible," her expression was so neutral that she could be made the pinnacle of neutraldom. "I would ask why you have been careful not to call Ranma son-in-law?"

 

"Ah yes, that. Ranma, as always, is a complicated subject, especially in the realm of politics. With his defeat of Saffron, he was deemed too dangerous for further antagonizing gestures on the part of the Amazons. Shampoo was allowed to pursue Ranma as long as he made no decisions regarding a future bride."

 

"Then explain Shampoo at the wedding," growled Akane.

 

The elder sighed deeply. "That was an unfortunate mistake created the fires of youth. Something that she was duly punished for, I assure you."

 

. "Still," interjected Nabiki, "Shampoo hasn't shown a willingness to let go. How can I know that she won't start up again if I tell you where they are?"

 

Shampoo, who had been silent and mournful up till now, bolted up and withdrew her bombori. "What you know about Shampoo? Shampoo never hurt too-too nice Kasumi."

 

"Even to get Ranma," asked the reforming mercenary pointedly.

 

The amazon girl nodded quickly. "Is true. Shampoo call self Kasumi's shield maiden if need to."

 

"Shield maiden," asked Ukyo from the wings; giving voice to the thoughts of many in the room.

 

Cologne sighed, "It is an old tradition. If an amazon wishes, she can choose to be a fellow woman's protector. In battle, such a warrior will fight side-by-side with the one she protects. Any slights against one is a slight to them both. It also means that the protectee's husband is exempt from any of the kisses unless she willingly allows the shield maiden to have a chance at him. On this point, no coercion of any sort is allowed." Turning towards her granddaughter with a look that showed every moment of her 300+ years of life, Cologne asked, ""Are you sure about this child?""

 

""I'm sure elder. Kasumi has treated me with more kindness than I often deserve. I could not take from her someone she loves. After that battle it would only compound my shame.""

 

""As you wish,"" said Cologne sadly. She could see that the decision was terribly painful for her great-granddaughter, yet she was immensely proud that the girl had chosen a different path.

 

"Okay, I'll call and ask if it's okay," interjected Nabiki with a smile. "I just needed to know your motives Shampoo."

 

Both the elder and Shampoo stared at the former mercenary with shock. "You know Shampoo words?"

 

""Nabiki know enough. Not everything.""

 

"Astounding. And I thank you for your assistance," bowed the matriarch respectfully.

 

"I wouldn't thank me yet," replied Nabiki as she stood. "Ranma may not want to deal with any of you."

 

*********

 

Though she had only dialed the numbers once before, Nabiki knew Ranma's new phone number as if she had dialed it every day. Quickly, her fingers dashed across the surface of the phone's number pad.

 

After the second ring, the voice of an older gentleman could be heard. "Hello?"

 

"Hi, this is Nabiki Tendo. I need to talk to Ranma or my sister, if they are available."

 

The man's increased tension could be felt through the phone line. "What is the code?"

 

Nabiki smiled. To further ensure Ranma's protection, the Alexanders had instituted a code policy. Anyone calling from Nerima needed the specific word or phrase, otherwise they would get no further. "The price of freedom is eternal vigilance," intoned Nabiki solemnly. It was Joseph who decided on the phrase, taking it from one of his past presidents.

 

"I believe Ranma is still on the grounds. If you don't mind waiting a moment." With the correct code, the man's tone thawed significantly.

 

"Thank you."

 

The line went silent for a bit until, finally, Ranma's voice could be heard. "Nabiki?"

 

"Hey Ranma-baby."

 

"How are ya?"

 

"Good, I guess. Listen, I didn't really call for small talk. Something big is going down. Lime and Mint are here from China."

 

There was a pause on the other side of the line. "What's goin' on." Ranma's voice had dropped into mission mode.

 

It was then that Nabiki knew that Ranma knew what was going on. Over the time she had lived with him, the brunette had pretty much worked out Ranma Saotome. She had gotten to the point when she could practically hear what he was thinking. Right now, she knew that he knew about Herb, but the full extent of that knowledge still remained illusive. So, Nabiki quickly laid out the whole scenario. She made sure to include everything that had occurred during the meeting. In addition to the declaration of Shampoo in regards to Kasumi. Throughout the entire reporting, she made sure to lay out the facts, with zero commentary as to her opinion.

 

The middle Tendo could hear the gears running. With him on combat alert, she knew that he was running things at speeds that rivaled her own. The bit about the Musk civilians had gotten to him though, his gasp at their mentioning was clear proof of that. "What do you think?"

 

She ignored the coldness of his tone. He had obviously dropped into the Soul of Ice to deal with the news. “This is the big one and we are going to need everyone we can get. Lime's probably going to want to go back, and I bet Mint will too. Even Cologne has her people armed and ready for war. Given how things normally go, I wouldn't be surprised if a few more Amazons show up.”

 

"Great."

 

"I know," chuckled the brunette. "But they are some of the best fighters we know of."

 

"What about Shampoo," the question was laced with deadly seriousness.

 

Nabiki sighed deeply. "I think she is going to be okay. She may wang you in the head a few times, but Shampoo won't do anything against Kasumi."

 

The line was quiet for several minutes. Yet Nabiki could practically hear the thoughts whizzing through the battle computer that was Ranma's brain. Eventually a sigh escaped from the silent device. "Ok. Tell 'em where we're at. But make sure that they know I aint in no mood for their crap. And Pops and your dad aint allowed to come."

 

She could tell that the last instruction was non-negotiable. "Okay. I'll make sure that they get the message. Anything else?"

 

After a moment, the dark tension faded from the line.. "How's mom?"

 

"She's doing fine," smiled Nabiki. "Though I can tell she misses you."

 

"Yeah, well, IguessImisshertoo," he mumbled quickly.

 

"Okay you big softy," laughed the girl. "You get going and make sure my sister stays happy."

 

"Can do."

 

“Okay Ranma-baby, see you later today.”

 

“You too.” With that, Ranma's side of the line went dead.

 

*********

 

With Nabiki gone, Ukyo slid up next to Shampoo. The violet-haired girl's declaration surprised her, but also left her rather disbelieving. "So sugar. Did you really get out of the fiancé race?"

 

"Is true. Shampoo no chase Ranma. You out too.," she added bluntly.

 

"What do you mean by that," growled the chef weakly.

 

"You see teevee. Ranma choose Kasumi. We loose."

 

Ukyo couldn't suppress the shudder that passed through her at mention of The Incident, and all the tumultuous emotions that went with it."Yeah. Well I want ta hear it from him first sugar," she said with false bravado.

 

Shampoo smiled sadly at the girl. She still held out hope, commendable if pointless. "Okay. Shampoo wish you luck."

 

*********

 

As she re-entered the room, Nabiki felt the intense stares of the room fall upon her. Even with as accustomed to the spotlight was she was, the intensity was rather unnerving. Still, she was Nabiki Tendo and she did not stay that way for long. "Well, I got off the phone with Ranma. But before I say where, elder, I need you to deal with the spy."

 

Cologne's form blurred for a moment before regaining its solidarity. "The Kuno ninja won't be up for at least two hours."

 

"Thank you. The last thing Ranma needs is the Kunos." On that everyone agreed wholeheartedly. "Now. Let me start by saying that Ranma has put you all on notice. He left to get away from the craziness of Nerima and he does not want a repeat performance." Through the room several heads hung low at the confirmation of their inner fears. "Further, neither of the fathers are allowed to come with the group to meet Ranma."

 

Genma bristled at that. "Who does that boy think he is?"

 

"He thinks that he is no longer a member of clan Saotome," countered Nabiki with a cold smirk.

 

Amid gasps of surprise, Genma went purple. "The boy left the clan?!"

 

"No Genma, I removed him from the records."

 

As if he had been stabbed through the heart, Genma stared at his wife with wide eyes. He had thought her too traditional to act in such a manner without his knowledge. "Why?"

 

"I felt that he no longer followed the Saotome ideal. As such, I directed him to a more appropriate family; my father's."

 

Genma went as white as the bandanna on his head. "Y,your father?" Though he was, by nature, a coward, there were few people in the world who could truly cause him to tremble in fear; his skills in the art normally being enough to bolster his weak spine. Joseph Alexander was one such man. While no where near the master's power, with one look the gaijin had pealed away all the layers of his mind and had beaten him upon a mental playing field. A victory that had left Genma with mental scars to this day.

 

"Indeed. He has graciously agreed to welcome Ranma into the Alexander family." Nodoka found the look of pure panic on her soon-to-be ex husband's face to be most amusing.

 

Soun watched the whole affair thoroughly confused. "Saotome, what does this mean?"

 

"Unless we can get Ranma to leave the Alexanders, he is immune to the pledge, Tendo," wailed the normally gruff man.

 

Nabiki ignored the crying men. "Like Auntie said, Ranma is living with his grandfather. The Alexanders own an estate in Minato, near Juban High." Though she was mending her ways, Nabiki made some inquiries into the new family Ranma found himself with. What she found would have made her mercenary self drool.

 

"So close, yet so far," thought Colonge. "Do you have the address?"

 

"I do. But I'll be heading with you. I want to see Kasumi again."

 

The elder nodded. "That is acceptable."

 

Lime, who had been following the exchange intently spoke up. "When can we leave?"

 

Nabiki glanced at her watch. "Give me a few minutes to get dressed, and I'll be ready. Who all is coming?"

 

Shampoo stood. "Shampoo go." She would see Ranma and announce their new relationship.

 

Ukyo chewed on her lip for a moment before joining the Amazon. "I'm going too I guess." Though unlike the other woman, Ukyo found herself reluctant to go. But go she must, there was one final act in their little drama and, like gravity, she could not resist it.

 

"I shall accompany you as well," intoned Nodoka. "It has been too long since I last saw my family."

 

Seeing no other volunteers, Nabiki clapped her hands once. "Great! I'll be down in a sec."

 

*********

 

As he returned the phone to the cradle, Ranma sighed deeply. He had seriously believed that Nerima, and all its problems, no longer had him in its grip. Now, he doubted if he would ever be free of that accursed place. And as if that was not enough, there was this whole Musk thing going on. Ranma didn't have the first clue as to how he would fix that.

 

Many of those worries were lessened by Kasumi's gentle arm wrapping around his shoulders. Through the link, he felt her comforting feelings seep into him in an effort to ease his burden.

 

"Everything okay," she asked softly.

 

Ranma shrugged his shoulders. "Eh, Lime showed up at the dojo. Seems like Draco used that idiot Herb to mess up his whole people."

 

Kasumi's smile dipped precipitously. In thinking about the whole Draco situation, the possibilities of civilian casualties had never entered her mind. She had just likened it to the same old Nerima battles; one bad guy versus one good guy. “Any idea how bad the situation is?”

 

"Can't be sure. But the way Nabiki sounded it aint pretty. We'll learn more when they show up."

 

"I guess," sighed the brunette. "Maybe we should postpone this meeting with Usagi."

 

"Nah," said Ranma with a shake of his head. "I need some stress relief an' they're pretty good for that."

 

"The ice cream helps to, doesn't it," quipped Kasumi with a smile reminiscent of her sister.

 

Ranma blushed but didn't look away. "Maybe."

 

Kasumi laughed, "Well then, we should be off then Shouldn't we dear."

 

"Yes ma'am."

 

*********

Authors Notes: There you have it, Chapter 5. Well known to be in the top five greatest chapters of this story. Initially, I wasn't going to have any meaningful returns to the Nerima crowd. For the purposes of this story they weren't necessary. At least, that was what I thought. But as Lime got closer to Japan I began to realize that I would have to bring the others along. Don't worry though, some more Ranma fighting will be coming in chapter 6.

 

On Shampoo: in many stories she is seen as being unable to see fundamental changes occurring around her. Now, I know that she wasn't that thoughtful in the cannon, but you know my thoughts on that. The way I reckon things, having seen Ranma die for another on national tv would be enough to shake her from her normal modes of thought.

 

Special Note: This is a slightly modified version of the orginal chapter. All that has been changed is certain references in regards to Ranma's knowledge of Herb's possesion.

 

Hope you all enjoyed this. See you next time.

 

Chaos Lord

King of the Wicker People