![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
mancha_samaBreath of Fire ½
By: Dragon-sama
Ryoga catches up to Ranma a little earlier at Jusenkyou, and both gain a different curse than expected. Now with two new traveling companions, they wander the globe in search of answers, as well as the truth behind the war from long ago. A Ranma ½ x Breath of Fire 3 crossover. No pairings planned.
Key-
"...” speech
{...} mental speech
[...] panda signs
'...' thoughts
-
It was a rainy day in Nerima.
Actually, Soun Tendou was just crying, but it gave the same results.
The reason for Soun's tears was the soggy postcard that read;
Soun,
Bringing Ranma and friend from China,
Genma
Finally his dream of uniting the two branches of Anything Goes Martial Arts could come true!
"Kasumi! Nabiki! Akane!" he called.
"Yes Father?"
"What is it Daddy?"
"..."
"Akane? Where is that girl?"
* * *
Akane had just finished her morning run.
"Tadaima!" she called as she stepped inside. Hurrying out to the dojo, she set up some bricks, and concentrating, let out a "Kiya!" as she drove her hand through them.
"No wonder the boys think you're so weird," came a drawling voice behind her. Akane turned to see her sister Nabiki standing there.
"Hmph! Who cares what boys think!" Akane sniffed.
"Well, this wouldn't interest you then," Nabiki said, walking away. Curious, Akane followed.
* * *
"Fiancé?!" came the Tendou girls' chorus.
"Oh my! I hope he's older. Younger men are so...boring," Kasumi commented.
"Is he cute?" Nabiki asked.
"Boys!" Akane said furiously.
"Is he cute?" Nabiki repeated.
"What's this Ranma like?" they chorused again. Laughing nervously, Soun glanced back down at the post card.
"It seems they've been studying in China for the past couple years, and even picked up a new student," he said, though how he knew all this when the message on the postcard was a single line is beyond me.
"Ooo, China!" Nabiki said eagerly.
"So they hiked across China. Big deal," Akane said disgruntledly.
"Oh come on, Akane. You never know, he might be cute," Nabiki said with a smirk for her sister. Akane hmphed and looked away. "Isn't that right Daddy?" Nabiki added, looking up at her father.
Soun drew himself up, paused, then deflated with a weak chuckle saying, "No idea."
"What?!" came yet another Tendou daughter chorus.
"I've never met him," he explained, smiling tremulously.
"You mean we have to marry someone that you've never met!?" Akane cried, appalled.
"That can be fixed!" Soun replied smugly. Just then, the doorbell rang.
* * *
"So why're we here anyway?" Ranko asked, wringing out her pigtail as they stepped under the overhang of the roof of a house. The overcast sky had finally delivered the rain it had been threatening all morning, not really surprising the traveling martial artists but still catching them unaware.
They had reached the Rhapala shore, the girls completely exhausted despite the fact that the boys had taken turns swimming with them. They may have been of two minds, but their one body had not been forgiving of them for putting it through such a grueling exercise.
Genma hadn't given them much time to lie around groaning though, and soon the trio (or quintet if you wanted to be technical) were making their way further inland. They'd passed over the bridge connecting the Rhapala and Wyndia regions with no trouble, and had passed by the great city Wyndia without stopping.
They hadn't actually stopped until they'd passed by Juubun and had now arrived in Nerima. It had taken them the better part of three months, but now they were standing triumphantly, or at least moistly, on the doorstep of a large, traditional style house, the two girls staring expectantly at the dripping panda.
"You said we were going to your old friend's. So is this it?" Ryoko asked, shaking her bangs out of her eyes. The panda looked around shiftily before holding up a sign.
[Um...Let me talk to the boys,] he signed nervously. The two girls glanced at each other in suspicion, but their eyes did unfocus as Ranma and Ryoga took over.
"What do you want, Oyaji? You know we don't like switchin' in the wrong forms," Ranma-chan grumbled, crossing her arms over her chest before grimacing and letting them fall to her sides. Ryoga-chan merely settled with glowering at the panda through her wet bangs.
[Heh heh...well, a long time ago...] the panda began, but cut off as Ranma-chan whacked him upside the head.
"Get to the point! I don't wanna stand here all day!"
Reaching out a paw to ring the doorbell, the panda held up a sign.
[We're here to meet your fiancée, Ranma.]
"..."
"..."
* * *
At the sound of the doorbell, Nabiki leapt to her feet.
"Oh! They're here!" she squealed in delight.
"My old friend Saotome!" Soun cried, and he and Nabiki charged down the entrance hall, Kasumi a few steps behind murmuring, "I do hope he's older..."
Much to Akane's surprise all three came charging right back down the entrance hall, followed by an aerial panda.
As the panda came crashing down, Kasumi asked, "Oh my! Is this your friend, Father?" Soun mutely shook his head.
"Oh, I suppose a flying panda just decided to visit!" Nabiki yelled. Again Soun shook his head vigorously.
"Stupid old man!" came a double cry from down the hall. Two girls came storming in, one with flaming red hair, the other with golden blonde hair. Soun immediately perked up.
"Are you...?" he asked unsurely, glancing between the two.
"I'm Ranma Saotome," the redhead said, kicking the panda hard.
"Ryoga Hibiki," the blonde muttered.
"Sorry about this," they chorused.
"At last you're here, my boy!" Soun cried as he grabbed the surprised Ranma in a fierce hug. He stopped as he realized something was very wrong, and held Ranma out. Nabiki came up and squeezed one of Ranma-chan's breasts.
Turning to her father with an expressionless face, she said, "He, is a girl."
Soun fainted dead away.
* * *
Amidst the confusion of the moment, Ranma and Ryoga slipped outside, at the same time giving control over to the two girls.
"That went well," Ranko said dryly, rubbing her chest with a grimace.
"You're telling me," Ryoko muttered morosely. She settled on the edge of the porch that overlooked the neat backyard, and Ranko flopped down beside her.
"I can't believe he waited until we got to the house to tell us that..." Ranko grumbled, scowling.
"I can. We wouldn't have come otherwise, and he knew we could easily overpower him if we wanted," Ryoko sighed. After a moment, she added, "It's going to get really confusing since the boys introduced themselves first."
"Hmmm," Ranko agreed. "But they were too agitated to notice their current, uh, form." Ryoko chuckled quietly, shoving the other girl with her shoulder as Ranko rolled her eyes.
{Excuuuse us!} Ranma said sarcastically.
{Besides, how long do you think we can keep it a secret anyway?} Ryoga added practically.
"Is that a bet, Ryoga? Won't last a day I say," Ranko asked teasingly.
"What won't last a day?" came a voice from behind them, making both girls jump. They whirled around to see a girl with long, bluish-black hair standing there looking curiously at them.
"Er, nothing," Ranko said quickly, glancing around nervously to see if anyone else had snuck up on them.
"Just...the engagement! That's it...heh heh," Ryoko laughed weakly. She privately agreed with her double, and wondered why they were hiding themselves. Surely it wouldn't be that bad to tell these people the truth...
"You don't seriously think my dad would engage two girls, do you?" the girl asked, incredulity written all over her face.
"No way!" Ranko said hotly.
{Don't be too sure about that. It is my dad, after all,} Ranma said sourly.
"Uh, well, probably not," Ryoko amended as Ryoga snorted in agreement.
"...Well, I heard you two were studying in China," the girl said, synching the belt of her martial arts gi a bit. The two girls blinked at the sudden change in topic.
"Yes?" Ranko said unsurely. The girl smiled prettily at them.
"I'm Akane," she said. "Do you want to be friends?"
{That's a little fast,} Ryoga said. {She doesn't even know us yet.}
{Who cares about fast! Did she make any sense? I thought she was askin' us about China!} Ranma complained.
"Shut up!" Ryoko hissed as quietly as she could, while Ranko smiled up at the other girl with a bright, "We'd love to!" The boys chuckled, but did quiet down.
"Let's head over to the dojo," Akane said, gesturing to the smaller building across the yard. "You study kenpo, right?"
{Not exactly,} Ryoga said, seeming unable to stay quiet for long. Of course, they were used to being able to talk to each other without censor, but it would look strange to most people (and indeed had lead to some odd looks in the past) if they started talking to people who 'weren't there'.
{I've studied it before,} Ranma put in. {It was a few year ago, though.}
"A little," Ranko replied, figuring it wasn't exactly lying.
"Well, let's have a little match then!" Akane said with a laugh.
{This is probably not a good idea,} Ranma said nervously.
{Isn't this how we got into trouble with the Amazons?} Ryoga warned.
"That was in China! It's a lot diff--" Ranko began, but cut off as Ryoko clamped her hand over her mouth, chuckling nervously at the confused Akane.
"What was in China?" Akane asked politely, wondering if she'd missed something one of the girls had said.
Ryoko cursed silently at the boys who were laughing at their plight, and wished not for the first time they didn't have to speak out loud to talk with them. Or that Ranko would remember other people couldn't hear them. Either way.
"Sorry! I was just worried about something that happened!" she said quickly, hoping to distract Akane from Ranko's inconspicuous outburst. "See, in China we got into a fight that went bad. I didn't want that to happen here." Ranko was struggling against her, but the blonde held on doggedly and grinned madly at the bemused Akane.
"That's okay! I can understand why you'd be nervous," Akane said sympathetically. "But don't worry! I promise to go easy on you!"
{Easy on us?} Ryoga said, aghast. {We could wipe the floor with her!}
{Uh, Ryoko? I think Ranko needs to breathe,} Ranma said uneasily. Ryoko blinked, then glanced down at the blue faced girl.
"Ah! Sorry!" she yelped, releasing the other girl who staggered dramatically, gasping for breath.
"Are ya tryin' ta kill me?!" Ranko wheezed, clutching at her chest theatrically.
{Did no one else notice she said she'd go easy on us?} Ryoga complained.
{Hey! We're trying not to die over here!} Ranma snapped back.
{What's the matter, Ranma? Don't tell me you guys can't hold your breath for that long!} Ryoga challenged.
{Not when you attempt to smother us when we're talkin'!}
"Auugh! Shut up! Never mind! Let's just go spar!" Ryoko snarled, grabbing Ranko by her sleeve and dragging her past the stunned Akane.
Akane frowned, but followed the two strange girls into the dojo. She wondered if the two girls didn't get along or something. Ranma seemed really annoyed with Ryoga, and Ryoga sounded quite angry at the other girl as well...
When she entered the dojo, however, 'Ranma' had jumped on a laughing 'Ryoga's' back and was attempting to mess up her hair while she shouted, "If its war you want, prepare to die!"
"Stop stealing our line!" the blonde replied, tossing Ranma over her shoulder. Ranma twisted midair, impressing Akane at the grace the move was executed, landing lightly and dancing away.
"Are you guys okay?" Akane asked cautiously, a little disconcerted at the abrupt mood swing of the two girls. She also thought Ryoga had said 'our', but that couldn't be right...
"Fine!" Ranko said brightly, smiling at the dark haired girl. "Who do you wanna spar with, anyway?"
Akane grinned uncertainly, but answered kindly enough.
"Why don't I fight you first, Ranma? Afterwards, I'll spar with Ryoga."
{Huh?} the boys chorused in confusion.
"Wrong names, stupid," Ryoko muttered under her breath and rolling her eyes. Really, was it that hard to remember?
"Okay! We'll take it easy, but I don't know if you'll be up to fighting Ryoko afterwards!" Ranko said cheerfully.
"Who?" Akane asked, sure this time that something was wrong with the situation. The girls blinked at her, reviewing what had been said.
"Gaah! Ryoga! I meant Ryoga!" Ranko said quickly, waving a hand frantically at the other girl. Stupid boys and their stupid big mouths!
{I get the feeling Ranko's right,} Ranma mused. {We won't even last to the end of the day.}
{Not with the way she's going,} Ryoga agreed dryly.
Akane was beginning to understand what was going on, but she decided it would be better to let it go for now. The girls seemed nice enough, if a little high strung.
"Okay...Are you ready then, Ranma?" she asked, carefully pronouncing the name as she slipped into a basic stance. Ranko nodded in relief and got into her own stance.
Ryoko had noticed the odd inflection, but dismissed it as she stepped forward between the two girls, raising an arm. She brought it down sharply with a swift, "Begin!"
Akane charged, throwing an easy punch at Ranko's head. She didn't want to hurt the girl, after all. Ranko, however, easily dodged the punch and countered with an open palm strike to Akane's stomach. Doubling over, Akane struggled to both catch her breath and get out of the way of Ranko's next strike. This girl wasn't too bad!
Straightening up, she saw Ranko waiting for her to recover. Frowning at the implied insult, at least in her mind, Akane charged again, not holding back this time. Ranko dodged each strike easily. Akane began to pant as she pushed harder and harder, still not able to hit the girl.
"Why don't you fight back?" she yelled as yet another punch was dodged by the agile girl.
"Well, I guess. But your defense is lousy," Ranko commented lazily as she proved her point and tapped Akane lightly on the shoulder. Growling at the insult, Akane charged forward recklessly, trying to land one hit on the small girl. Flipping over the last punch, which went through the wall of the dojo, Ranko tapped Akane lightly on the back of her head as she landed.
For a moment, there was silence, then Ryoko said, "Ranma, winner,"
Akane frowned. It wasn't so bad because it was a girl, but Ranma didn't have to be so insulting!
"Good match," she said, straightening her gi irritably.
"Yeah, thanks. I've gotten pretty good, or at least that's what my sensei says," Ranko replied cheerily.
{Of course! You were learning from the best!} Ranma bragged.
{No false sense of modesty there, eh Ranma?} Ryoga drawled sarcastically.
"Is that so? Your father must be pretty good then," Akane replied, grabbing a couple towels from a rack and tossing one to Ranko.
{Oi!} Ranma cried indignantly.
{Well, he did teach you,} Ryoga pointed out gleefully. Ranma was cut off from replying as Akane gave an embarrassed little laugh.
"I'm just glad you're a girl. I'd hate to be beaten by a boy," she said, wiping the sweat from her brow. Ryoko face-palmed as the boys groaned in their heads.
{I told you it'd be a bad idea!} Ranma complained loudly.
"Hey! I'm a girl! There should be no problems!" Ranko said hotly.
"Of course you're a girl," Akane said in confusion, glancing at the red head. "I never implied you weren't." Her face cleared suddenly, and she gave the two girls a sympathetic look. "I know what's going on here," she said seriously.
"You do?" Ranko blurted out in surprise.
"Doubt it..." Ryoko muttered. This was not going to end well.
"Yes, it's so clear! Your father must have brought you up as a boy!" Akane said emphatically. "Forcing you to revoke your femininity, change your name, teaching you how to talk like a boy, even making you dress like one! Don't worry," she said, taking a stunned Ranko by the shoulders and staring earnestly into her eyes. "You don't have to put up with this anymore! I'll make your father treat you right!"
Ryoko make a choked little sound, then keeled over laughing. Akane stared at the blonde in surprise, and Ranko sighed, putting her head in her hands.
"I give up! I can't do this!" she said, scowling through her fingers at the hysterical girl.
{You must admit we weren't being very subtle. What did you expect her to think?} Ryoga chuckled.
{You know, I bet that would have happened if I had been a girl,} Ranma sighed.
"What's wrong?" Akane asked bewildered. She was sure she'd had it right!
"I'm not Ranma, you're right there," Ranko explained tiredly. "But there is a Ranma. It's just really, really complicated."
"You mean he's forcing you to pretend to be his son?" Akane cried, aghast. This set Ryoko off into fresh peals of laughter.
"No! It's nothin' like that! Will you stop already?" Ranko snapped at the blonde. Ryoko staggered to her feet, gasping for breath as she got her laughter under control.
{It's not that funny...} Ranma sulked.
"Oh shut up," Ranko snapped, and Akane looked startled at the girl.
"What's going on here?" she asked, starting to get angry. She was just trying to help the poor confused girl!
{It's all up to you, Ranko,} Ryoga said, sounding far too amused at the situation.
"Yeah yeah, I said shut up," Ranko said grumpily, waving a hand irritably. She frowned as a weakly chuckling Ryoko staggered into her, but understood and appreciated the silent offer of support.
"Let me explain first before ya start askin' questions, okay?" she began, looking expectantly at the annoyed Tendou.
"Fine," Akane huffed, frowning at the girls.
"Okay," Ranko repeated, taking a deep breath. They never had to explain this to someone so...normal before, and she just knew she was going to mess it up. "So...I guess to start out, Ranma and his father have been on a ten year training trip--"
"Ten years?!" Akane blurted out in surprise.
"Yeah, ten years, can I please finish? This is hard enough..." Ranko muttered. Akane huffed again, but nodded silently.
"Anyway, Ranma met Ryoga a couple years ago at middle school, and they got into a fight or somethin' that never got finished. So Ryoga was followin' Ranma, trying to catch up and finish it."
"Genma snatched Ranma from the meeting place, so Ryoga thought Ranma had just run off," Ryoko explained, grin still plastered on her face.
{Again, not my fault!} Ranma had to add.
"Right," Ranko continued. "Anyway, a couple months ago, the stupid old man took Ranma to this famous old training ground in China. 'Course, the idiot couldn't read Chinese and didn't bother paying attention to any of the warnings around the place. Ryoga caught up to them there, an' he an' Ranma fought it out."
"Unfortunately, Jusenkyou wasn't a very nice place," Ryoko said, taking up the story. "It's a cursed training ground--and yes, I do mean really cursed, like magic," she said as Akane opened her mouth again. "Believe it or not. There are hundreds of pools of water in the valley, and each one has had someone or something drown in it."
{I wonder why every pool had something drown in it,} Ryoga mused quietly. He did remember the guide book saying that.
{The curse? Maybe it's more than just changin' people?} Ranma suggested.
"Anyway," Ranko said forcefully, trying to tune out the boy's chatter. "If you fall into the water, you turn into whatever drowned there. Hot water changes you back, but cold water turns you back into the curse form. Well, Ranma and Ryoga fell into one of the springs at the same time."
"It wasn't a normal spring, though," Ryoko said. "See, the spirit of the girl that drowned there was still hanging around. When the boys fell in at the same time, they both became possessed by the spirit, but something got scrambled so me and Ranko were both...eh...created," she said, shrugging.
"So whenever we're in girl form, me an' Ryoko take control, and the guys take over when we change back," Ranko finished. There. That hadn't been so hard!
Akane stared blankly at them.
"You really expect me to believe any of this?" she cried in disbelief.
"Well, yeah," Ranko said, surprised. All things considered, she thought they'd explained it very well.
"Look," Ryoko said impatiently. "If we show you the curse, would you believe us?"
"This is crazy!" Akane yelled. "You honestly expect--"
"Oh c'mon!" Ranko exploded. "It would only take a second to show you!" She crossed her arms, glowering at the scowling girl.
"Fine! We can get your stupid hot water in the kitchen!" Akane huffed, storming out of the dojo.
{Jeez, temper much?} Ranma said dryly.
"It's just our naturally sunny disposition that endears us to people," Ryoko drawled sarcastically, following the fuming Ranko after the huffy Akane.
"Shut up Ryoko!"
* * *
"AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!" came a resounding cry from the kitchen.
"Jeez, Akane! We told you this would happen!" Ranko was shouting. Now male again, Ryoga was back in control, but seemed reluctant to further provoke the frightened girl by talking. Of course, that rock did look heavy, and it would probably be a good idea for Akane to put it down before she hurt someone. Namely him. Ranko took the brave step forward, figuring she could at least tackle the girl before the other managed to brain her, but Akane actually recoiled.
"Get away, you freak!" the dark haired girl screamed. Ranko jerked back as if struck, eyes widening in hurt.
{What the hell!} Ryoko screamed in fury.
"You take that back!" Ryoga snarled, advancing on the terrified girl. Akane tossed the stone at his head, but in his fury Ryoga barely noticed, lashing a fist out and cracking it into pieces. How dare this girl hurt his friend like that!
"Chill out Ryoga," Ranko said coldly, halting the furious boy in his tracks. He whirled on her.
"She can't just--" he snapped, but Ranko had snatched up the forgotten kettle, pouring the rest of its contents over her. Ranma surged to the front, fire in his eyes.
He was absolutely furious this little girl had insulted his...his...damn it, Ranko was just like a sister, and this girl had hurt her!
"You--" he hissed, and stopped. All his life he'd been taught how girls were weaker, how they needed to be protected, how a real man never fought them. And here he was, wanting to hurt this girl, just because he was angry. Akane was staring at them white faced and scared, and abruptly Ranma was scared too. Swallowing with difficulty, he turned on his heel. "Forget this," he said, jerking his head at the other boy. "Let's go back to China. We can just help Khu Lon look for a cure if she hasn't already found one."
{You're not going to just let her--} Ryoko began.
"Yeah," Ryoga interrupted, clenching his fists hard enough to feel his nails dig into his palms. "Yeah, let's go." The look on Ranma's face had frozen his fury. He didn't know what the other boy was thinking, but he'd follow his lead for now. His temper had only got him into trouble in the past anyway.
{Fine,} Ryoko hissed unhappily. {Ranko, are you okay? Don't listen to that bi--}
{Don't swear. It's not like it matters,} Ranko said, but she still sounded wrong to the others. {'Sides, she was insultin' all of us, not just me.}
{But--!}
{Just...drop it,} Ranko sighed.
Ranma and Ryoga stormed into the living room where Nabiki and Kasumi were sitting next to their prone father. They looked up in surprise at the two boys, while the panda disappeared past them into the kitchen.
"Who are you?" Nabiki demanded, not liking the fact that strangers just seemed to be able to waltz in and out of their house with ease.
Before they could answer, Akane stormed in the room behind them, anger finally enough to overcome her fear.
"Wait a minute!" she cried, stalking up to the two boys. "You lied to me!"
"We did not!" Ryoga snarled, whirling around and baring his fangs at her. Ranma just stayed where he was, glaring straight ahead.
"Oh my! Is everything alright Akane?" Kasumi asked, rising to her feet and looking worriedly between the furious boys and her steaming sister.
"They just--" Akane cried, thrusting an indignant finger at the two boys, but clicked her mouth shut when Kasumi gave her a reproving look.
"Now Akane, this is no way to treat guests," she chided the suddenly apologetic girl.
"We're not your guests anymore," Ryoga growled, but frowned when Kasumi turned concerned eyes on him.
"Oh, please don't mind Akane! She's really a sweet girl, she's just a bit of a violent maniac!" Kasumi said. It should have sounded ridiculous, but somehow when the eldest daughter said it, it sounded reasonable and excusable. Ryoga found himself relaxing unconsciously, and actually saw Ranma's shoulders slump a little.
"Way to confuse them, Onee-chan," Nabiki drawled, still wary of the two angry strangers.
"I am not--" Akane began, but was silenced by another look from her eldest sister.
"Now once again, who are you?" Nabiki asked, standing up to take charge of the situation.
"I'm...Ranma Saotome," Ranma said shortly.
"Ryoga Hibiki," Ryoga growled, folding his arms across his chest.
"...Sorry 'bout this," Ranma mumbled, glancing at Kasumi. She had done something, but he had no idea what.
"No you're not," Nabiki said, raising an eyebrow in disbelief. She was used to the effect her older sister had on other people. "Ranma and Ryoga are girls. You two," she looked them up and down appreciatively, "are most definitely boys." Ranma frowned at the girl, squirming uncomfortably, and Ryoga actually flushed a little.
{Looks like you guys have a not-so-secret admirer,} Ryoko joked weakly. The anger was draining away, leaving them feeling numb. Genma took that moment to enter the room from the kitchen. As if he'd been waiting for this all along and not been lying comatose a moment ago, Soun sprang up from his 'death bed', miraculously recovered.
"My old friend Saotome! At last the schools will finally be joined!" he exclaimed loudly. Instantly Kasumi was by her father's side, comforting him as he burst into tears of joy. Nabiki stared at the newly made panda and two scowling girls.
"Gimme a break!" Ranma-chan cried, flinging her hands into the air in defeat.
* * *
Ranma had chosen to remain in control despite the fact he was still a girl, not wanting Ranko to deal with the current fallout. Ranko had complained, but not too much. Ryoko had almost gleefully taken over and was entertaining herself with glaring at Akane, trying to get the girl to snap again. Ryoga contented himself with not-so-silently encouraging her.
Meanwhile, a yet-again-restored Genma was busy explaining the curses, only including the existence of the girls when Ranma-chan whacked him sharply over the head. When he finished, there was a moment of dead silence.
Then Soun stood up and exclaimed, "Well, Ranma my boy, your problem is not so bad after all!" He grabbed the nearest girl and whirled her to face his daughters.
"Hey!" she yelped, but was cut off as Soun continued.
"My daughters Kasumi, 19, Nabiki, 17, and Akane, 16."
"I'm not Ranma!" Ryoko shouted, struggling out of Soun's grip. Soun blinked, then seized Ranma-chan and finished, "Pick which one you want, and she'll be your new fiancée!"
Kasumi and Nabiki immediately pushed Akane forward.
"Oh he wants Akane," Kasumi said.
"What?" screeched Akane.
"Oh definitely," Nabiki agreed.
"Don't I get any say in this?" Akane demanded.
"Well you hate boys..." Nabiki started.
"So you're in luck, he's half girl!" Kasumi finished.
"No!" Ranma-chan cried, twisting herself free from Soun's grasp. Ryoko quickly came to stand next to her. "I ain't gettin' engaged to nobody, especially not to some tomboy like her!" She jabbed a finger at the reddening Akane.
"You're being too nice, Ranma," Ryoko sneered. "I'd call her a back stabbing bi--"
{Ryoko!} Ranko admonished again.
"You must choose one!" Genma broke in, seizing Ranma-chan by her shirt.
"What did you call me!" Akane screamed at the blonde, starting to her feet in fury.
"No!" Ranma-chan shouted at her parent, knocking his hands away and glaring at him. "There's no way you can make me if I don't wanna, Oyaji!"
"You really want to know?" Ryoko snarled at the youngest Tendou. "I called you a back stabbing bi--"
"I didn't bring you up to be so ungrateful boy! If you do not marry one of them, you will dishonor your name!" the elder Saotome cried .
"How dare you!" Akane shrieked, stamping a foot and glaring at the fanged girl.
"How would I be dishonoring my name?! It's your stupid promise!" Ranma-chan shot back at the fat martial artist.
"What are you going to do about it!" Ryoko challenged, grinning madly at the other girl.
"This is a sacred promise between men! The honor of the Saotome name depends upon it!"
{I really wish I had some popcorn,} Ranko said to Ryoga. {I don't know which is more entertaining.}
Ryoga didn't get a chance to respond because at that moment Ranma-chan exploded at her father, shrieking out, "You stupid old man!" just as Akane snapped as well, snarling at the briefly distracted Ryoko, "You hydrosexual baka!" Both reached for opposite ends of the table at the same time, and with a loud 'CRACK' the table split in two, either half connecting solidly with the focus of their ire.
"They're so in tune with each other! The perfect couple!" Soun sobbed happily, letting himself be lead out of the room by a murmuring Kasumi.
"Are they even alive?" Nabiki asked curiously, looking down at the two twitching martial artists. Akane stormed out of the room in a swirl of anger, uncaring of the carnage she left behind. A minute later the sound of furious yells and breaking bricks could be heard from the dojo.
{Are you okay Ranma?} Ranko asked the frozen teen.
"Yes," she replied through clenched teeth. "I just don't think I can get outta the engagement."
Nabiki stared coolly at the boy-turned-girl.
"Well, you should probably patch things up with your new fiancée then," she drawled, ignoring the glare now fixed on her. "I have some...homework to do. Ta!" she said over her shoulder as she exited the room. Genma had vanished from the room the minute Ranma's attention was off him, and Ryoko sat up groaning, table falling to the floor next to her.
"Ow," she said simply, holding the back of her head and wincing.
{I think that even hurt me,} Ryoga said dryly.
{Well, that went well!} Ranko said with false brightness. {Next let's try fighting a whole village of Amazons!}
"You know what? I think that would actually improve the situation," Ranma-chan spat, and the teens were left to stew in the silent room.
* * *
The rest of the evening had been tense. Soun and a human Genma had retired to the back porch, playing a game of shogi and exclaiming happily to each other on how perfect the engagement was. Ranko had muttered that it seemed like they were trying to convince each other. Kasumi had set up the three guests in a spare room, before retiring to the kitchen to prepare dinner.
Akane wasn't seen (though everyone could hear the sounds of destruction coming from the dojo) until the meal, then spent the entire time glaring at everyone. Ranma refused to even look at the girl, concentrating on his plate ferociously while Ryoga (who'd changed back at some point) alternated between glaring at Akane and staring worriedly at the pig-tailed boy. Ryoko continued sniping about Akane, but Ranko was silent except for the occasional remonstration when it sounded like the other girl was going to start swearing.
After the meal, despite the fact that it wasn't that late, Soun, Nabiki, and Akane retired to their rooms, Kasumi cleaning up the dining room and kitchen before going to her room as well. The three travelers settled into their room in silence. Genma quickly fell into a noisy sleep, but Ranma stared blankly at the ceiling, not able to relax enough to sleep. He knew the others weren't asleep; he could still sense Ranko, and Ryoga hadn't fallen into the even breathing that would indicate sleep, so Ryoko was likely awake as well.
Finally he couldn't take it anymore, and Ranma sat up abruptly. Next to him Ryoga opened his eyes and sat up as well.
{Ranma?} Ranko asked, wondering what the boy was up to. Ryoga opened his mouth to ask as well, but Ranma held up a hand to silence him. Then the pig-tailed boy quickly drew a sentence against the floor with his finger. Ryoga couldn't see this in the dark room, but Ranko had been able to follow the movements.
{You want me an' Ryoko to do the talking so we don't wake anyone up,} she said keenly.
{Clever,} Ryoko said approvingly as Ryoga nodded willingly. He quickly sketched out a question that had been bugging him, which Ryoko duly repeated. {What was that about this afternoon? You just let Akane say that to Ranko and you didn't say anything back!}
{What were you going to do before Ranko stopped you?} Ranko repeated obediently for the frowning Ranma. Ryoga looked at him in annoyance at the dodge.
{He was going to hit her,} Ryoko snapped, not needing to wait for the boy to 'speak.'
Ryoga felt as if he'd been doused with cold water, a familiar feeling, but this was the ice of dread. Had he really? Yes, he had been advancing on the girl with the intent of hurting her.
{So what? She deserved it!} Ryoko continued angrily.
{No,} Ranko said, now understanding what was bugging Ranma. {That's not right! You know the boys! They never fight girls! Not if they can help it!}
{But they fight us all the time!} Ryoko protested. Ranma traced a reply.
{At first we didn't fight all out, if you remember, and besides, you guys are different,} Ranko repeated. Ryoga also traced out a response.
{We know you can take it,} Ryoko repeated, a trace of smugness in her voice. {But Akane wouldn't have been able to fight back--Oh,} she said in realization as what the boys were saying sunk in. {We were letting out tempers get away with us.} Ranma nodded, then began tracing again.
{We need to control ourselves better. This is not the way a martial artist is supposed to act. We don't pick on those who are weaker than us,} Ranko repeated thoughtfully. {Okay, I get that, but we didn't hurt her!} Ranma scribbled back. {But we did scare her, an' that's wrong too.}
{I'm used to having a temper,} Ryoko said as Ryoga wrote. {But I've never lost control like that. It's...} she paused as Ryoga tried to think of an appropriate word, {Worrisome.}
{Scary,} Ranko corrected. {It means that something in you really did change when you fell in our pool, aside from the obvious.}
{And it most likely has to do with you being changed into Brood,} Ryoko added. She snorted in disgust. {We were told about this. 'The Brood have a temper. It's only their self control that saves them,' isn't that what Khu Lon said?}
{So we have to perfect control then,} Ranko said decisively, Ranma nodding in agreement. He wrote again. {I won't let this control me, but we need to watch out for each other. If you see one of us losing it, the others have to calm them down,} Ranko repeated.
{Looks like Ranko's best at that,} Ryoko sighed. {She's the only one who didn't get mad.}
{Didn't get--I was furious!} Ranko spluttered. {But I was hurt more than I was angry. I thought she wanted to be friends...}
{She's not...I'm not saying this!} Ryoko cried hotly when Ryoga tried to say something. He scribbled angrily, and she huffed. {Fine! Only because I couldn't stand anyone else hearing you say that! Ryoga says 'She's not a bad person. She was scared and wasn't thinking clearly. It's obvious she has a temper too, so she probably feels bad about it now. But we weren't nice to her, and with everything else, it'll be hard to make peace with her,'} she bit out. {Why do we want to do that?!} she added angrily.
{It's not her fault our fathers are idiots,} Ranko said for Ranma. {And I like her!} she added to the fuming Ryoko. {She was really nice at first!}
{Until we didn't fit into her perfect little world!} Ryoko shot back, then threw up mental hands in defeat as all three began to respond. {Fine! Fine! We'll apologize to her, but until she apologizes back I reserve the right to call her names! I think I left off at thick-thighed clumsy bi--tomboy who doesn't have half the body that we do!}
{You know, I think she's just sore at being called a hydrosexual idiot,} Ranko sotto-voiced to the two boys. Ryoga snorted out loud, while Ranma grinned.
{Just wait until we get to the Training Ground!} Ryoko howled. {I'll make you eat those words!}
{There's just...one other thing,} Ranko said in surprise as Ranma hesitated mid-word. Ryoko grumbled, but settled down ungraciously. Ryoga tried to see the other boy's expression, but the room was too dark. Ranma continued writing, Ranko dutifully repeating it 'out loud'.
{Why did you get so angry at Akane, Ryoga?} The boy blinked in confusion, but wrote back.
{Because she insulted Ranko, obviously!} Ryoko said forcefully. What a stupid question!
{Yeah, I get that,} Ranko said as Ranma tried to figure out how to phrase his question, {but why...} Ranma hit his leg in frustration, but Ryoga began writing again.
{It wasn't what she said,} Ryoko repeated. {It was because she hurt my friend. I couldn't just let that go.} Ranma pointed at him quickly, opening his mouth before catching himself. He scribbled quickly.
{Right! You were mad because Ranko is your friend, but I was angry because Ranko is my...your what Ranma?} Ranko asked when Ranma stopped suddenly. The boy fidgeted nervously, glancing at Ryoga to see if he got it. The other boy had. The word screamed at him as if he'd heard it out loud. He wrote the word down, and even Ryoko was surprised.
{Sister,} she said. Ranko was silent, and Ranma fidgeted worse.
{That's...} she began, voice sounding oddly thick. {That's really sweet,} she finished quietly. {Do you really...?}
It was too much for Ryoko.
{My darling Onii-chan!} she cried theatrically, wishing they'd had this conversation in the Training Ground so she could have thrown herself at her double. {What a wonderful idea! Of course you'd be honored to have such a cute little sister as me! Is what Ranko is trying to say, obviously.} It broke the tension as Ranko burst into giggles, the two boys trying to stifle their own laughter. {A great idea, yes I know, and that means Ryoga's my brother. No offense Ranma, really!} Ryoko said, pleased with herself.
{Of course, that means the Saotomes are better!} Ranko giggled, Ranma nodding emphatically. Ryoga scribbled quickly, smirk vaguely visible in the gloom.
{We'll see what you say after we pound you into the Training Ground!} Ryoko crowed for her brother in agreement.
{You're on!} Ranko shot back, feeling the tension of the day disappear as the challenge loomed. Ranma and Ryoga lay back down, and despite their high spirits they drifted off into 'sleep' shortly after.
* * *
A figure slipped silently away from the guest room door. The three sleeping martial artists did not stir, and the figure quietly made its way down the hallway to its room. The Ice Queen frowned thoughtfully. The two boys hadn't noticed her peering through the barely opened shoji door, and she'd watched their odd actions in the covering darkness. She wasn't sure exactly what had happened, but she supposed it had to do with these 'spirits' they claimed possessed them. That was interesting.
Of course she'd heard of magic before. While such a quiet town as Nerima had forgotten of its existence, the Ice Queen had many, many contacts, and there were still those who could use the ancient power. Still, she'd have to keep an eye on the two new variables. She had a feeling they were going to stir up a lot of trouble.
She'd let some of the local young agents keep an eye on them. That would give her people some practical experience that she needed them to have, and keep her informed about these strangers at the same time. Yes, she was sure the immediate future would prove to be most interesting. With only a whisper of sound, she closed the door to her room offering her ritualistic prayer.
'Mother, watch over us, please.'
End Chapter 04
-
Author's Notes: Yeah…Akane really blindsided me in the re-write with her temper. *coughs* It's actually what forced me to add in another chapter. XD But yes, I realize I laid it on a little thick with the Ice Queen bit. *shrugs* Mah well.
By: Dragon-sama
Ryoga catches up to Ranma a little earlier at Jusenkyou, and both gain a different curse than expected. Now with two new traveling companions, they wander the globe in search of answers, as well as the truth behind the war from long ago. A Ranma ½ x Breath of Fire 3 crossover. No pairings planned.
Key-
"...” speech
{...} mental speech
[...] panda signs
'...' thoughts
It was a rainy day in Nerima.
Actually, Soun Tendou was just crying, but it gave the same results.
The reason for Soun's tears was the soggy postcard that read;
Soun,
Bringing Ranma and friend from China,
Genma
Finally his dream of uniting the two branches of Anything Goes Martial Arts could come true!
"Kasumi! Nabiki! Akane!" he called.
"Yes Father?"
"What is it Daddy?"
"..."
"Akane? Where is that girl?"
* * *
Akane had just finished her morning run.
"Tadaima!" she called as she stepped inside. Hurrying out to the dojo, she set up some bricks, and concentrating, let out a "Kiya!" as she drove her hand through them.
"No wonder the boys think you're so weird," came a drawling voice behind her. Akane turned to see her sister Nabiki standing there.
"Hmph! Who cares what boys think!" Akane sniffed.
"Well, this wouldn't interest you then," Nabiki said, walking away. Curious, Akane followed.
* * *
"Fiancé?!" came the Tendou girls' chorus.
"Oh my! I hope he's older. Younger men are so...boring," Kasumi commented.
"Is he cute?" Nabiki asked.
"Boys!" Akane said furiously.
"Is he cute?" Nabiki repeated.
"What's this Ranma like?" they chorused again. Laughing nervously, Soun glanced back down at the post card.
"It seems they've been studying in China for the past couple years, and even picked up a new student," he said, though how he knew all this when the message on the postcard was a single line is beyond me.
"Ooo, China!" Nabiki said eagerly.
"So they hiked across China. Big deal," Akane said disgruntledly.
"Oh come on, Akane. You never know, he might be cute," Nabiki said with a smirk for her sister. Akane hmphed and looked away. "Isn't that right Daddy?" Nabiki added, looking up at her father.
Soun drew himself up, paused, then deflated with a weak chuckle saying, "No idea."
"What?!" came yet another Tendou daughter chorus.
"I've never met him," he explained, smiling tremulously.
"You mean we have to marry someone that you've never met!?" Akane cried, appalled.
"That can be fixed!" Soun replied smugly. Just then, the doorbell rang.
* * *
"So why're we here anyway?" Ranko asked, wringing out her pigtail as they stepped under the overhang of the roof of a house. The overcast sky had finally delivered the rain it had been threatening all morning, not really surprising the traveling martial artists but still catching them unaware.
They had reached the Rhapala shore, the girls completely exhausted despite the fact that the boys had taken turns swimming with them. They may have been of two minds, but their one body had not been forgiving of them for putting it through such a grueling exercise.
Genma hadn't given them much time to lie around groaning though, and soon the trio (or quintet if you wanted to be technical) were making their way further inland. They'd passed over the bridge connecting the Rhapala and Wyndia regions with no trouble, and had passed by the great city Wyndia without stopping.
They hadn't actually stopped until they'd passed by Juubun and had now arrived in Nerima. It had taken them the better part of three months, but now they were standing triumphantly, or at least moistly, on the doorstep of a large, traditional style house, the two girls staring expectantly at the dripping panda.
"You said we were going to your old friend's. So is this it?" Ryoko asked, shaking her bangs out of her eyes. The panda looked around shiftily before holding up a sign.
[Um...Let me talk to the boys,] he signed nervously. The two girls glanced at each other in suspicion, but their eyes did unfocus as Ranma and Ryoga took over.
"What do you want, Oyaji? You know we don't like switchin' in the wrong forms," Ranma-chan grumbled, crossing her arms over her chest before grimacing and letting them fall to her sides. Ryoga-chan merely settled with glowering at the panda through her wet bangs.
[Heh heh...well, a long time ago...] the panda began, but cut off as Ranma-chan whacked him upside the head.
"Get to the point! I don't wanna stand here all day!"
Reaching out a paw to ring the doorbell, the panda held up a sign.
[We're here to meet your fiancée, Ranma.]
"..."
"..."
* * *
At the sound of the doorbell, Nabiki leapt to her feet.
"Oh! They're here!" she squealed in delight.
"My old friend Saotome!" Soun cried, and he and Nabiki charged down the entrance hall, Kasumi a few steps behind murmuring, "I do hope he's older..."
Much to Akane's surprise all three came charging right back down the entrance hall, followed by an aerial panda.
As the panda came crashing down, Kasumi asked, "Oh my! Is this your friend, Father?" Soun mutely shook his head.
"Oh, I suppose a flying panda just decided to visit!" Nabiki yelled. Again Soun shook his head vigorously.
"Stupid old man!" came a double cry from down the hall. Two girls came storming in, one with flaming red hair, the other with golden blonde hair. Soun immediately perked up.
"Are you...?" he asked unsurely, glancing between the two.
"I'm Ranma Saotome," the redhead said, kicking the panda hard.
"Ryoga Hibiki," the blonde muttered.
"Sorry about this," they chorused.
"At last you're here, my boy!" Soun cried as he grabbed the surprised Ranma in a fierce hug. He stopped as he realized something was very wrong, and held Ranma out. Nabiki came up and squeezed one of Ranma-chan's breasts.
Turning to her father with an expressionless face, she said, "He, is a girl."
Soun fainted dead away.
* * *
Amidst the confusion of the moment, Ranma and Ryoga slipped outside, at the same time giving control over to the two girls.
"That went well," Ranko said dryly, rubbing her chest with a grimace.
"You're telling me," Ryoko muttered morosely. She settled on the edge of the porch that overlooked the neat backyard, and Ranko flopped down beside her.
"I can't believe he waited until we got to the house to tell us that..." Ranko grumbled, scowling.
"I can. We wouldn't have come otherwise, and he knew we could easily overpower him if we wanted," Ryoko sighed. After a moment, she added, "It's going to get really confusing since the boys introduced themselves first."
"Hmmm," Ranko agreed. "But they were too agitated to notice their current, uh, form." Ryoko chuckled quietly, shoving the other girl with her shoulder as Ranko rolled her eyes.
{Excuuuse us!} Ranma said sarcastically.
{Besides, how long do you think we can keep it a secret anyway?} Ryoga added practically.
"Is that a bet, Ryoga? Won't last a day I say," Ranko asked teasingly.
"What won't last a day?" came a voice from behind them, making both girls jump. They whirled around to see a girl with long, bluish-black hair standing there looking curiously at them.
"Er, nothing," Ranko said quickly, glancing around nervously to see if anyone else had snuck up on them.
"Just...the engagement! That's it...heh heh," Ryoko laughed weakly. She privately agreed with her double, and wondered why they were hiding themselves. Surely it wouldn't be that bad to tell these people the truth...
"You don't seriously think my dad would engage two girls, do you?" the girl asked, incredulity written all over her face.
"No way!" Ranko said hotly.
{Don't be too sure about that. It is my dad, after all,} Ranma said sourly.
"Uh, well, probably not," Ryoko amended as Ryoga snorted in agreement.
"...Well, I heard you two were studying in China," the girl said, synching the belt of her martial arts gi a bit. The two girls blinked at the sudden change in topic.
"Yes?" Ranko said unsurely. The girl smiled prettily at them.
"I'm Akane," she said. "Do you want to be friends?"
{That's a little fast,} Ryoga said. {She doesn't even know us yet.}
{Who cares about fast! Did she make any sense? I thought she was askin' us about China!} Ranma complained.
"Shut up!" Ryoko hissed as quietly as she could, while Ranko smiled up at the other girl with a bright, "We'd love to!" The boys chuckled, but did quiet down.
"Let's head over to the dojo," Akane said, gesturing to the smaller building across the yard. "You study kenpo, right?"
{Not exactly,} Ryoga said, seeming unable to stay quiet for long. Of course, they were used to being able to talk to each other without censor, but it would look strange to most people (and indeed had lead to some odd looks in the past) if they started talking to people who 'weren't there'.
{I've studied it before,} Ranma put in. {It was a few year ago, though.}
"A little," Ranko replied, figuring it wasn't exactly lying.
"Well, let's have a little match then!" Akane said with a laugh.
{This is probably not a good idea,} Ranma said nervously.
{Isn't this how we got into trouble with the Amazons?} Ryoga warned.
"That was in China! It's a lot diff--" Ranko began, but cut off as Ryoko clamped her hand over her mouth, chuckling nervously at the confused Akane.
"What was in China?" Akane asked politely, wondering if she'd missed something one of the girls had said.
Ryoko cursed silently at the boys who were laughing at their plight, and wished not for the first time they didn't have to speak out loud to talk with them. Or that Ranko would remember other people couldn't hear them. Either way.
"Sorry! I was just worried about something that happened!" she said quickly, hoping to distract Akane from Ranko's inconspicuous outburst. "See, in China we got into a fight that went bad. I didn't want that to happen here." Ranko was struggling against her, but the blonde held on doggedly and grinned madly at the bemused Akane.
"That's okay! I can understand why you'd be nervous," Akane said sympathetically. "But don't worry! I promise to go easy on you!"
{Easy on us?} Ryoga said, aghast. {We could wipe the floor with her!}
{Uh, Ryoko? I think Ranko needs to breathe,} Ranma said uneasily. Ryoko blinked, then glanced down at the blue faced girl.
"Ah! Sorry!" she yelped, releasing the other girl who staggered dramatically, gasping for breath.
"Are ya tryin' ta kill me?!" Ranko wheezed, clutching at her chest theatrically.
{Did no one else notice she said she'd go easy on us?} Ryoga complained.
{Hey! We're trying not to die over here!} Ranma snapped back.
{What's the matter, Ranma? Don't tell me you guys can't hold your breath for that long!} Ryoga challenged.
{Not when you attempt to smother us when we're talkin'!}
"Auugh! Shut up! Never mind! Let's just go spar!" Ryoko snarled, grabbing Ranko by her sleeve and dragging her past the stunned Akane.
Akane frowned, but followed the two strange girls into the dojo. She wondered if the two girls didn't get along or something. Ranma seemed really annoyed with Ryoga, and Ryoga sounded quite angry at the other girl as well...
When she entered the dojo, however, 'Ranma' had jumped on a laughing 'Ryoga's' back and was attempting to mess up her hair while she shouted, "If its war you want, prepare to die!"
"Stop stealing our line!" the blonde replied, tossing Ranma over her shoulder. Ranma twisted midair, impressing Akane at the grace the move was executed, landing lightly and dancing away.
"Are you guys okay?" Akane asked cautiously, a little disconcerted at the abrupt mood swing of the two girls. She also thought Ryoga had said 'our', but that couldn't be right...
"Fine!" Ranko said brightly, smiling at the dark haired girl. "Who do you wanna spar with, anyway?"
Akane grinned uncertainly, but answered kindly enough.
"Why don't I fight you first, Ranma? Afterwards, I'll spar with Ryoga."
{Huh?} the boys chorused in confusion.
"Wrong names, stupid," Ryoko muttered under her breath and rolling her eyes. Really, was it that hard to remember?
"Okay! We'll take it easy, but I don't know if you'll be up to fighting Ryoko afterwards!" Ranko said cheerfully.
"Who?" Akane asked, sure this time that something was wrong with the situation. The girls blinked at her, reviewing what had been said.
"Gaah! Ryoga! I meant Ryoga!" Ranko said quickly, waving a hand frantically at the other girl. Stupid boys and their stupid big mouths!
{I get the feeling Ranko's right,} Ranma mused. {We won't even last to the end of the day.}
{Not with the way she's going,} Ryoga agreed dryly.
Akane was beginning to understand what was going on, but she decided it would be better to let it go for now. The girls seemed nice enough, if a little high strung.
"Okay...Are you ready then, Ranma?" she asked, carefully pronouncing the name as she slipped into a basic stance. Ranko nodded in relief and got into her own stance.
Ryoko had noticed the odd inflection, but dismissed it as she stepped forward between the two girls, raising an arm. She brought it down sharply with a swift, "Begin!"
Akane charged, throwing an easy punch at Ranko's head. She didn't want to hurt the girl, after all. Ranko, however, easily dodged the punch and countered with an open palm strike to Akane's stomach. Doubling over, Akane struggled to both catch her breath and get out of the way of Ranko's next strike. This girl wasn't too bad!
Straightening up, she saw Ranko waiting for her to recover. Frowning at the implied insult, at least in her mind, Akane charged again, not holding back this time. Ranko dodged each strike easily. Akane began to pant as she pushed harder and harder, still not able to hit the girl.
"Why don't you fight back?" she yelled as yet another punch was dodged by the agile girl.
"Well, I guess. But your defense is lousy," Ranko commented lazily as she proved her point and tapped Akane lightly on the shoulder. Growling at the insult, Akane charged forward recklessly, trying to land one hit on the small girl. Flipping over the last punch, which went through the wall of the dojo, Ranko tapped Akane lightly on the back of her head as she landed.
For a moment, there was silence, then Ryoko said, "Ranma, winner,"
Akane frowned. It wasn't so bad because it was a girl, but Ranma didn't have to be so insulting!
"Good match," she said, straightening her gi irritably.
"Yeah, thanks. I've gotten pretty good, or at least that's what my sensei says," Ranko replied cheerily.
{Of course! You were learning from the best!} Ranma bragged.
{No false sense of modesty there, eh Ranma?} Ryoga drawled sarcastically.
"Is that so? Your father must be pretty good then," Akane replied, grabbing a couple towels from a rack and tossing one to Ranko.
{Oi!} Ranma cried indignantly.
{Well, he did teach you,} Ryoga pointed out gleefully. Ranma was cut off from replying as Akane gave an embarrassed little laugh.
"I'm just glad you're a girl. I'd hate to be beaten by a boy," she said, wiping the sweat from her brow. Ryoko face-palmed as the boys groaned in their heads.
{I told you it'd be a bad idea!} Ranma complained loudly.
"Hey! I'm a girl! There should be no problems!" Ranko said hotly.
"Of course you're a girl," Akane said in confusion, glancing at the red head. "I never implied you weren't." Her face cleared suddenly, and she gave the two girls a sympathetic look. "I know what's going on here," she said seriously.
"You do?" Ranko blurted out in surprise.
"Doubt it..." Ryoko muttered. This was not going to end well.
"Yes, it's so clear! Your father must have brought you up as a boy!" Akane said emphatically. "Forcing you to revoke your femininity, change your name, teaching you how to talk like a boy, even making you dress like one! Don't worry," she said, taking a stunned Ranko by the shoulders and staring earnestly into her eyes. "You don't have to put up with this anymore! I'll make your father treat you right!"
Ryoko make a choked little sound, then keeled over laughing. Akane stared at the blonde in surprise, and Ranko sighed, putting her head in her hands.
"I give up! I can't do this!" she said, scowling through her fingers at the hysterical girl.
{You must admit we weren't being very subtle. What did you expect her to think?} Ryoga chuckled.
{You know, I bet that would have happened if I had been a girl,} Ranma sighed.
"What's wrong?" Akane asked bewildered. She was sure she'd had it right!
"I'm not Ranma, you're right there," Ranko explained tiredly. "But there is a Ranma. It's just really, really complicated."
"You mean he's forcing you to pretend to be his son?" Akane cried, aghast. This set Ryoko off into fresh peals of laughter.
"No! It's nothin' like that! Will you stop already?" Ranko snapped at the blonde. Ryoko staggered to her feet, gasping for breath as she got her laughter under control.
{It's not that funny...} Ranma sulked.
"Oh shut up," Ranko snapped, and Akane looked startled at the girl.
"What's going on here?" she asked, starting to get angry. She was just trying to help the poor confused girl!
{It's all up to you, Ranko,} Ryoga said, sounding far too amused at the situation.
"Yeah yeah, I said shut up," Ranko said grumpily, waving a hand irritably. She frowned as a weakly chuckling Ryoko staggered into her, but understood and appreciated the silent offer of support.
"Let me explain first before ya start askin' questions, okay?" she began, looking expectantly at the annoyed Tendou.
"Fine," Akane huffed, frowning at the girls.
"Okay," Ranko repeated, taking a deep breath. They never had to explain this to someone so...normal before, and she just knew she was going to mess it up. "So...I guess to start out, Ranma and his father have been on a ten year training trip--"
"Ten years?!" Akane blurted out in surprise.
"Yeah, ten years, can I please finish? This is hard enough..." Ranko muttered. Akane huffed again, but nodded silently.
"Anyway, Ranma met Ryoga a couple years ago at middle school, and they got into a fight or somethin' that never got finished. So Ryoga was followin' Ranma, trying to catch up and finish it."
"Genma snatched Ranma from the meeting place, so Ryoga thought Ranma had just run off," Ryoko explained, grin still plastered on her face.
{Again, not my fault!} Ranma had to add.
"Right," Ranko continued. "Anyway, a couple months ago, the stupid old man took Ranma to this famous old training ground in China. 'Course, the idiot couldn't read Chinese and didn't bother paying attention to any of the warnings around the place. Ryoga caught up to them there, an' he an' Ranma fought it out."
"Unfortunately, Jusenkyou wasn't a very nice place," Ryoko said, taking up the story. "It's a cursed training ground--and yes, I do mean really cursed, like magic," she said as Akane opened her mouth again. "Believe it or not. There are hundreds of pools of water in the valley, and each one has had someone or something drown in it."
{I wonder why every pool had something drown in it,} Ryoga mused quietly. He did remember the guide book saying that.
{The curse? Maybe it's more than just changin' people?} Ranma suggested.
"Anyway," Ranko said forcefully, trying to tune out the boy's chatter. "If you fall into the water, you turn into whatever drowned there. Hot water changes you back, but cold water turns you back into the curse form. Well, Ranma and Ryoga fell into one of the springs at the same time."
"It wasn't a normal spring, though," Ryoko said. "See, the spirit of the girl that drowned there was still hanging around. When the boys fell in at the same time, they both became possessed by the spirit, but something got scrambled so me and Ranko were both...eh...created," she said, shrugging.
"So whenever we're in girl form, me an' Ryoko take control, and the guys take over when we change back," Ranko finished. There. That hadn't been so hard!
Akane stared blankly at them.
"You really expect me to believe any of this?" she cried in disbelief.
"Well, yeah," Ranko said, surprised. All things considered, she thought they'd explained it very well.
"Look," Ryoko said impatiently. "If we show you the curse, would you believe us?"
"This is crazy!" Akane yelled. "You honestly expect--"
"Oh c'mon!" Ranko exploded. "It would only take a second to show you!" She crossed her arms, glowering at the scowling girl.
"Fine! We can get your stupid hot water in the kitchen!" Akane huffed, storming out of the dojo.
{Jeez, temper much?} Ranma said dryly.
"It's just our naturally sunny disposition that endears us to people," Ryoko drawled sarcastically, following the fuming Ranko after the huffy Akane.
"Shut up Ryoko!"
* * *
"AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!" came a resounding cry from the kitchen.
"Jeez, Akane! We told you this would happen!" Ranko was shouting. Now male again, Ryoga was back in control, but seemed reluctant to further provoke the frightened girl by talking. Of course, that rock did look heavy, and it would probably be a good idea for Akane to put it down before she hurt someone. Namely him. Ranko took the brave step forward, figuring she could at least tackle the girl before the other managed to brain her, but Akane actually recoiled.
"Get away, you freak!" the dark haired girl screamed. Ranko jerked back as if struck, eyes widening in hurt.
{What the hell!} Ryoko screamed in fury.
"You take that back!" Ryoga snarled, advancing on the terrified girl. Akane tossed the stone at his head, but in his fury Ryoga barely noticed, lashing a fist out and cracking it into pieces. How dare this girl hurt his friend like that!
"Chill out Ryoga," Ranko said coldly, halting the furious boy in his tracks. He whirled on her.
"She can't just--" he snapped, but Ranko had snatched up the forgotten kettle, pouring the rest of its contents over her. Ranma surged to the front, fire in his eyes.
He was absolutely furious this little girl had insulted his...his...damn it, Ranko was just like a sister, and this girl had hurt her!
"You--" he hissed, and stopped. All his life he'd been taught how girls were weaker, how they needed to be protected, how a real man never fought them. And here he was, wanting to hurt this girl, just because he was angry. Akane was staring at them white faced and scared, and abruptly Ranma was scared too. Swallowing with difficulty, he turned on his heel. "Forget this," he said, jerking his head at the other boy. "Let's go back to China. We can just help Khu Lon look for a cure if she hasn't already found one."
{You're not going to just let her--} Ryoko began.
"Yeah," Ryoga interrupted, clenching his fists hard enough to feel his nails dig into his palms. "Yeah, let's go." The look on Ranma's face had frozen his fury. He didn't know what the other boy was thinking, but he'd follow his lead for now. His temper had only got him into trouble in the past anyway.
{Fine,} Ryoko hissed unhappily. {Ranko, are you okay? Don't listen to that bi--}
{Don't swear. It's not like it matters,} Ranko said, but she still sounded wrong to the others. {'Sides, she was insultin' all of us, not just me.}
{But--!}
{Just...drop it,} Ranko sighed.
Ranma and Ryoga stormed into the living room where Nabiki and Kasumi were sitting next to their prone father. They looked up in surprise at the two boys, while the panda disappeared past them into the kitchen.
"Who are you?" Nabiki demanded, not liking the fact that strangers just seemed to be able to waltz in and out of their house with ease.
Before they could answer, Akane stormed in the room behind them, anger finally enough to overcome her fear.
"Wait a minute!" she cried, stalking up to the two boys. "You lied to me!"
"We did not!" Ryoga snarled, whirling around and baring his fangs at her. Ranma just stayed where he was, glaring straight ahead.
"Oh my! Is everything alright Akane?" Kasumi asked, rising to her feet and looking worriedly between the furious boys and her steaming sister.
"They just--" Akane cried, thrusting an indignant finger at the two boys, but clicked her mouth shut when Kasumi gave her a reproving look.
"Now Akane, this is no way to treat guests," she chided the suddenly apologetic girl.
"We're not your guests anymore," Ryoga growled, but frowned when Kasumi turned concerned eyes on him.
"Oh, please don't mind Akane! She's really a sweet girl, she's just a bit of a violent maniac!" Kasumi said. It should have sounded ridiculous, but somehow when the eldest daughter said it, it sounded reasonable and excusable. Ryoga found himself relaxing unconsciously, and actually saw Ranma's shoulders slump a little.
"Way to confuse them, Onee-chan," Nabiki drawled, still wary of the two angry strangers.
"I am not--" Akane began, but was silenced by another look from her eldest sister.
"Now once again, who are you?" Nabiki asked, standing up to take charge of the situation.
"I'm...Ranma Saotome," Ranma said shortly.
"Ryoga Hibiki," Ryoga growled, folding his arms across his chest.
"...Sorry 'bout this," Ranma mumbled, glancing at Kasumi. She had done something, but he had no idea what.
"No you're not," Nabiki said, raising an eyebrow in disbelief. She was used to the effect her older sister had on other people. "Ranma and Ryoga are girls. You two," she looked them up and down appreciatively, "are most definitely boys." Ranma frowned at the girl, squirming uncomfortably, and Ryoga actually flushed a little.
{Looks like you guys have a not-so-secret admirer,} Ryoko joked weakly. The anger was draining away, leaving them feeling numb. Genma took that moment to enter the room from the kitchen. As if he'd been waiting for this all along and not been lying comatose a moment ago, Soun sprang up from his 'death bed', miraculously recovered.
"My old friend Saotome! At last the schools will finally be joined!" he exclaimed loudly. Instantly Kasumi was by her father's side, comforting him as he burst into tears of joy. Nabiki stared at the newly made panda and two scowling girls.
"Gimme a break!" Ranma-chan cried, flinging her hands into the air in defeat.
* * *
Ranma had chosen to remain in control despite the fact he was still a girl, not wanting Ranko to deal with the current fallout. Ranko had complained, but not too much. Ryoko had almost gleefully taken over and was entertaining herself with glaring at Akane, trying to get the girl to snap again. Ryoga contented himself with not-so-silently encouraging her.
Meanwhile, a yet-again-restored Genma was busy explaining the curses, only including the existence of the girls when Ranma-chan whacked him sharply over the head. When he finished, there was a moment of dead silence.
Then Soun stood up and exclaimed, "Well, Ranma my boy, your problem is not so bad after all!" He grabbed the nearest girl and whirled her to face his daughters.
"Hey!" she yelped, but was cut off as Soun continued.
"My daughters Kasumi, 19, Nabiki, 17, and Akane, 16."
"I'm not Ranma!" Ryoko shouted, struggling out of Soun's grip. Soun blinked, then seized Ranma-chan and finished, "Pick which one you want, and she'll be your new fiancée!"
Kasumi and Nabiki immediately pushed Akane forward.
"Oh he wants Akane," Kasumi said.
"What?" screeched Akane.
"Oh definitely," Nabiki agreed.
"Don't I get any say in this?" Akane demanded.
"Well you hate boys..." Nabiki started.
"So you're in luck, he's half girl!" Kasumi finished.
"No!" Ranma-chan cried, twisting herself free from Soun's grasp. Ryoko quickly came to stand next to her. "I ain't gettin' engaged to nobody, especially not to some tomboy like her!" She jabbed a finger at the reddening Akane.
"You're being too nice, Ranma," Ryoko sneered. "I'd call her a back stabbing bi--"
{Ryoko!} Ranko admonished again.
"You must choose one!" Genma broke in, seizing Ranma-chan by her shirt.
"What did you call me!" Akane screamed at the blonde, starting to her feet in fury.
"No!" Ranma-chan shouted at her parent, knocking his hands away and glaring at him. "There's no way you can make me if I don't wanna, Oyaji!"
"You really want to know?" Ryoko snarled at the youngest Tendou. "I called you a back stabbing bi--"
"I didn't bring you up to be so ungrateful boy! If you do not marry one of them, you will dishonor your name!" the elder Saotome cried .
"How dare you!" Akane shrieked, stamping a foot and glaring at the fanged girl.
"How would I be dishonoring my name?! It's your stupid promise!" Ranma-chan shot back at the fat martial artist.
"What are you going to do about it!" Ryoko challenged, grinning madly at the other girl.
"This is a sacred promise between men! The honor of the Saotome name depends upon it!"
{I really wish I had some popcorn,} Ranko said to Ryoga. {I don't know which is more entertaining.}
Ryoga didn't get a chance to respond because at that moment Ranma-chan exploded at her father, shrieking out, "You stupid old man!" just as Akane snapped as well, snarling at the briefly distracted Ryoko, "You hydrosexual baka!" Both reached for opposite ends of the table at the same time, and with a loud 'CRACK' the table split in two, either half connecting solidly with the focus of their ire.
"They're so in tune with each other! The perfect couple!" Soun sobbed happily, letting himself be lead out of the room by a murmuring Kasumi.
"Are they even alive?" Nabiki asked curiously, looking down at the two twitching martial artists. Akane stormed out of the room in a swirl of anger, uncaring of the carnage she left behind. A minute later the sound of furious yells and breaking bricks could be heard from the dojo.
{Are you okay Ranma?} Ranko asked the frozen teen.
"Yes," she replied through clenched teeth. "I just don't think I can get outta the engagement."
Nabiki stared coolly at the boy-turned-girl.
"Well, you should probably patch things up with your new fiancée then," she drawled, ignoring the glare now fixed on her. "I have some...homework to do. Ta!" she said over her shoulder as she exited the room. Genma had vanished from the room the minute Ranma's attention was off him, and Ryoko sat up groaning, table falling to the floor next to her.
"Ow," she said simply, holding the back of her head and wincing.
{I think that even hurt me,} Ryoga said dryly.
{Well, that went well!} Ranko said with false brightness. {Next let's try fighting a whole village of Amazons!}
"You know what? I think that would actually improve the situation," Ranma-chan spat, and the teens were left to stew in the silent room.
* * *
The rest of the evening had been tense. Soun and a human Genma had retired to the back porch, playing a game of shogi and exclaiming happily to each other on how perfect the engagement was. Ranko had muttered that it seemed like they were trying to convince each other. Kasumi had set up the three guests in a spare room, before retiring to the kitchen to prepare dinner.
Akane wasn't seen (though everyone could hear the sounds of destruction coming from the dojo) until the meal, then spent the entire time glaring at everyone. Ranma refused to even look at the girl, concentrating on his plate ferociously while Ryoga (who'd changed back at some point) alternated between glaring at Akane and staring worriedly at the pig-tailed boy. Ryoko continued sniping about Akane, but Ranko was silent except for the occasional remonstration when it sounded like the other girl was going to start swearing.
After the meal, despite the fact that it wasn't that late, Soun, Nabiki, and Akane retired to their rooms, Kasumi cleaning up the dining room and kitchen before going to her room as well. The three travelers settled into their room in silence. Genma quickly fell into a noisy sleep, but Ranma stared blankly at the ceiling, not able to relax enough to sleep. He knew the others weren't asleep; he could still sense Ranko, and Ryoga hadn't fallen into the even breathing that would indicate sleep, so Ryoko was likely awake as well.
Finally he couldn't take it anymore, and Ranma sat up abruptly. Next to him Ryoga opened his eyes and sat up as well.
{Ranma?} Ranko asked, wondering what the boy was up to. Ryoga opened his mouth to ask as well, but Ranma held up a hand to silence him. Then the pig-tailed boy quickly drew a sentence against the floor with his finger. Ryoga couldn't see this in the dark room, but Ranko had been able to follow the movements.
{You want me an' Ryoko to do the talking so we don't wake anyone up,} she said keenly.
{Clever,} Ryoko said approvingly as Ryoga nodded willingly. He quickly sketched out a question that had been bugging him, which Ryoko duly repeated. {What was that about this afternoon? You just let Akane say that to Ranko and you didn't say anything back!}
{What were you going to do before Ranko stopped you?} Ranko repeated obediently for the frowning Ranma. Ryoga looked at him in annoyance at the dodge.
{He was going to hit her,} Ryoko snapped, not needing to wait for the boy to 'speak.'
Ryoga felt as if he'd been doused with cold water, a familiar feeling, but this was the ice of dread. Had he really? Yes, he had been advancing on the girl with the intent of hurting her.
{So what? She deserved it!} Ryoko continued angrily.
{No,} Ranko said, now understanding what was bugging Ranma. {That's not right! You know the boys! They never fight girls! Not if they can help it!}
{But they fight us all the time!} Ryoko protested. Ranma traced a reply.
{At first we didn't fight all out, if you remember, and besides, you guys are different,} Ranko repeated. Ryoga also traced out a response.
{We know you can take it,} Ryoko repeated, a trace of smugness in her voice. {But Akane wouldn't have been able to fight back--Oh,} she said in realization as what the boys were saying sunk in. {We were letting out tempers get away with us.} Ranma nodded, then began tracing again.
{We need to control ourselves better. This is not the way a martial artist is supposed to act. We don't pick on those who are weaker than us,} Ranko repeated thoughtfully. {Okay, I get that, but we didn't hurt her!} Ranma scribbled back. {But we did scare her, an' that's wrong too.}
{I'm used to having a temper,} Ryoko said as Ryoga wrote. {But I've never lost control like that. It's...} she paused as Ryoga tried to think of an appropriate word, {Worrisome.}
{Scary,} Ranko corrected. {It means that something in you really did change when you fell in our pool, aside from the obvious.}
{And it most likely has to do with you being changed into Brood,} Ryoko added. She snorted in disgust. {We were told about this. 'The Brood have a temper. It's only their self control that saves them,' isn't that what Khu Lon said?}
{So we have to perfect control then,} Ranko said decisively, Ranma nodding in agreement. He wrote again. {I won't let this control me, but we need to watch out for each other. If you see one of us losing it, the others have to calm them down,} Ranko repeated.
{Looks like Ranko's best at that,} Ryoko sighed. {She's the only one who didn't get mad.}
{Didn't get--I was furious!} Ranko spluttered. {But I was hurt more than I was angry. I thought she wanted to be friends...}
{She's not...I'm not saying this!} Ryoko cried hotly when Ryoga tried to say something. He scribbled angrily, and she huffed. {Fine! Only because I couldn't stand anyone else hearing you say that! Ryoga says 'She's not a bad person. She was scared and wasn't thinking clearly. It's obvious she has a temper too, so she probably feels bad about it now. But we weren't nice to her, and with everything else, it'll be hard to make peace with her,'} she bit out. {Why do we want to do that?!} she added angrily.
{It's not her fault our fathers are idiots,} Ranko said for Ranma. {And I like her!} she added to the fuming Ryoko. {She was really nice at first!}
{Until we didn't fit into her perfect little world!} Ryoko shot back, then threw up mental hands in defeat as all three began to respond. {Fine! Fine! We'll apologize to her, but until she apologizes back I reserve the right to call her names! I think I left off at thick-thighed clumsy bi--tomboy who doesn't have half the body that we do!}
{You know, I think she's just sore at being called a hydrosexual idiot,} Ranko sotto-voiced to the two boys. Ryoga snorted out loud, while Ranma grinned.
{Just wait until we get to the Training Ground!} Ryoko howled. {I'll make you eat those words!}
{There's just...one other thing,} Ranko said in surprise as Ranma hesitated mid-word. Ryoko grumbled, but settled down ungraciously. Ryoga tried to see the other boy's expression, but the room was too dark. Ranma continued writing, Ranko dutifully repeating it 'out loud'.
{Why did you get so angry at Akane, Ryoga?} The boy blinked in confusion, but wrote back.
{Because she insulted Ranko, obviously!} Ryoko said forcefully. What a stupid question!
{Yeah, I get that,} Ranko said as Ranma tried to figure out how to phrase his question, {but why...} Ranma hit his leg in frustration, but Ryoga began writing again.
{It wasn't what she said,} Ryoko repeated. {It was because she hurt my friend. I couldn't just let that go.} Ranma pointed at him quickly, opening his mouth before catching himself. He scribbled quickly.
{Right! You were mad because Ranko is your friend, but I was angry because Ranko is my...your what Ranma?} Ranko asked when Ranma stopped suddenly. The boy fidgeted nervously, glancing at Ryoga to see if he got it. The other boy had. The word screamed at him as if he'd heard it out loud. He wrote the word down, and even Ryoko was surprised.
{Sister,} she said. Ranko was silent, and Ranma fidgeted worse.
{That's...} she began, voice sounding oddly thick. {That's really sweet,} she finished quietly. {Do you really...?}
It was too much for Ryoko.
{My darling Onii-chan!} she cried theatrically, wishing they'd had this conversation in the Training Ground so she could have thrown herself at her double. {What a wonderful idea! Of course you'd be honored to have such a cute little sister as me! Is what Ranko is trying to say, obviously.} It broke the tension as Ranko burst into giggles, the two boys trying to stifle their own laughter. {A great idea, yes I know, and that means Ryoga's my brother. No offense Ranma, really!} Ryoko said, pleased with herself.
{Of course, that means the Saotomes are better!} Ranko giggled, Ranma nodding emphatically. Ryoga scribbled quickly, smirk vaguely visible in the gloom.
{We'll see what you say after we pound you into the Training Ground!} Ryoko crowed for her brother in agreement.
{You're on!} Ranko shot back, feeling the tension of the day disappear as the challenge loomed. Ranma and Ryoga lay back down, and despite their high spirits they drifted off into 'sleep' shortly after.
* * *
A figure slipped silently away from the guest room door. The three sleeping martial artists did not stir, and the figure quietly made its way down the hallway to its room. The Ice Queen frowned thoughtfully. The two boys hadn't noticed her peering through the barely opened shoji door, and she'd watched their odd actions in the covering darkness. She wasn't sure exactly what had happened, but she supposed it had to do with these 'spirits' they claimed possessed them. That was interesting.
Of course she'd heard of magic before. While such a quiet town as Nerima had forgotten of its existence, the Ice Queen had many, many contacts, and there were still those who could use the ancient power. Still, she'd have to keep an eye on the two new variables. She had a feeling they were going to stir up a lot of trouble.
She'd let some of the local young agents keep an eye on them. That would give her people some practical experience that she needed them to have, and keep her informed about these strangers at the same time. Yes, she was sure the immediate future would prove to be most interesting. With only a whisper of sound, she closed the door to her room offering her ritualistic prayer.
'Mother, watch over us, please.'
End Chapter 04
Author's Notes: Yeah…Akane really blindsided me in the re-write with her temper. *coughs* It's actually what forced me to add in another chapter. XD But yes, I realize I laid it on a little thick with the Ice Queen bit. *shrugs* Mah well.