< THOUGHTS> "speech" Disclaimer: Rumiko Takahashi Owns The Ranma Characters and I Regret to say I fail to remember the owner of Sailor Moon at this time but I still cant find any copies of the episodes with outer Senshi or the tapes I had of the dubs. So I am unable to give her name but to her I give the credit for her Ideas and characters.> Note 1: Okay Ranma is repeating his Junior year of high school due to excessive absence, and the Sailors are just starting their freshman year. Note 2: On Ranma's and Ryouga's curses due to an over exposure over the years to magic both Ranma and Ryouga's curses have caused them to stop aging. The overdose has gone so far as to revert them to the ages they were physically as when they fell in the pools at Jusenkyo. Ranma has finally accepted his curse but still doesn't like it. As for Ryouga he still Hates his curse but has finally learned to channel Ki to a limited degree in that form in order to defend himself from danger.(Got the idea from Ranma 1/2 the movie) Also due to this Ranma no longer suffers from "The Curse Of The Dragon Hair Soup". Note 3: when Ranma is in boy-type mode I will refer to him/her as Ranma in girl form I will use Ranko. It is the name she/he goes by in that form. A child of Earth soul split in twain Shall be reborn to a life of pain Torn from a mother's arms one day On the paths of sorrow for a time to stay Regaining balance through loss and pain That which was split shall be whole again A father betrays honor for personal gain Two halves rejoined in the in eternity's flame A lost warrior follows behind to gain vengeance and peace of mind The warrior a friend who follows behind A love gained through honor past Rival of love to shall darkness amass A friend past abandoned alone on life's road Shall anger bring vengeance's the mode Earth daughter shall fight a battle she can not alone win Betrayed to an evil by a fathers dark sin The child's love by a dark rival betrayed By the lost warrior shall Earth's daughter be saved Through pain and hardship debt of sorrow be paid After the darkness comes once again A measure of balance Earth's daughter shall regain through a mother's love sorrow and pain Healed under the full Moon's light To love once more and the darkness fight A pall of silence hung over the Nerima ward of Tokyo. The turmoil of the few days events hung in the air. A madman had claimed one of Nerima's own. Now the city was in mourning. The high schools had closed for the day to honor her memory. Over three hundred people had attended the funeral. Sounds of grief filled the Tokyo cemetery. For the first time in three years the usual chaos of that permeated the air in Nerima was absent. Both Ranma and Ryouga leaned against Nodoka for support. The wounds they had received from the battle against Saffron had yet to heal. Ryouga's left eye burned from its' socket by the power they had unleashed against Saffron. Ranma's hands were bandaged from the burns and lacerations he had received channeling the power into their attack. Aside from the injuries they shared their grief, and a new sense of friendship having come from their need for support. The sorrow they shared was only matched by that of Akane's family. Her father had withdrawn from the world in to a coma-like trance to escape the pain of his daughters death. Nabiki hadn't stopped crying since the news of Akane's death had reached the dojo two days earlier. Her sobs could be heard above the others present. Thought raced through her mind of the things that she had done to her sister over the years exploiting her for money and for power over Ranma and others. The fact that she had never expressed how she felt about her sister hurt her deeply. She had realized that now she would never get to tell her sister that she loved her, and the pain of that loss wounded her deeply. Kasumi for the first time since the death of her mother cried. Her wracking sobs shook her frame. She leaned against Dr. Tofu for support. Tofu was calm for her in her hour of need trying to clam her and to ease her grief. Shadows from the dark clouds over head shadowed the grave as Ranma began Akane's eulogy. "Friends we are gathered here to honor the memory of Akane Tendo. She was a friend to many of us. Through the time I knew her we suffered through many trials, but with her courage and goading we always pulled through with those times. There were many good times to surpass the bad. It is those memories we must cherish. To do otherwise is to dishonor her memory. She taught me many lessons. The first was love. The second was patience, and honor. She gave us all so much and yet we rarely gave anything back in return and for that we owe her a great deal. Her indomitable spirit was an inspiration to us all. Though she lived but a short time, her influence on us was great. So to you I say honor her memory always, and hold her in your hearts. Where ever you maybe Akane good-bye we loved you." Ranma approached her casket and placed a gold ring on her finger, and before closing the lid said "Good-bye Akane, my uncute tomboy I shall love you always." As he turned to leave Akane's casket was lowered into the ground. Three months pass Ranma and his mother sat in the kitchen of the condo in which they were now living. Nodoka prepared a meal at the stove, as Ranma sat at the table eating a bowl of Miso soup. Looking up from her work Nodoka looked questioningly at her son "Ranma, are you sure about this? I mean transferring to another high school is one thing, but some of these classes. I mean Advanced Self-Defense, and Advanced Food Preparation? Are these courses you really want to take? After all You've already surpassed any instructor I've seen in the ARTS, and the cooking class would probably be a waste of time you can already cook almost as well as I do." Looking up from the bowl of Miso soup he is eating Ranma replied, "Mom you know I enjoy cooking even though I don't usually admit it, and I can always learn something. As for the Self-defense course I need to keep in shape, and I can always learn something new. I mean even as good as I am I still gotta practice. Besides the only other gym class open in swimming, and I don't like cold water, with my curse and all it might just be a bad idea. " "OK son if you insist but what are you going to do about your curse from what I've seen you're a cold water magnet. You'll get soaked eventually, and then you will have a lot of explaining to do." "I know that mom, but the only answer I can think of is to show everyone my curse, or let things ride until I get soaked. After all things can get almost as strange here as they were in Nerima. True there might be a few problems, but from what I heard this part of Tokyo isn't as violent. Besides after they discovered my curse at Furinkan People started to talk to me they were interested as to how I got the curse. The girls thought it was great because I put the guys back in line when they complained about their Girlfriends canceling when sick or during that time of the month and the guys respected me because of what I had gone through." Smiling at her son Nodoka asked, "Are you sure it wasn't pity for what happened to you, or fear of what you were capable of doing to them?, and even though this part of Tokyo is almost as strange as Nerima your revealing your curse might get you into trouble around here. You have heard about the strange monsters that attack this part of the city from time to time?, and those girls that stop them? Well they might think your one of those monsters and come after you." "Yea they might, but I deal with it when and if it happens. The only alternative I can see is to enroll as a girl, as much as I hate it. I mean the only times that I was splashed by hot water were when I had to fight Kodachi in that tournament and in the Kitchen at the Tendo's on Christmas. I have to make my choice today registration closes tomorrow after all, and I'm already a year behind after everything that's happened. Although getting used to a new school again will be rough I'm used to it. What do you think I should do?" "Well, you might be right about going in your cursed form but I don't like it. It's wrong to deceive people about who you really are. You should just go as your self and let things happen as they may, Ranma if you don't there's no telling what happen." Ranma stands up and walks to the sink and starts to clean his dishes. "Thanks for your Advice mom you just might be right I mean what's the worst that could happen? I mean Osaka is nice and quiet in comparison with every where else I've been." Walking towards the door to his room Ranma turns back to the kitchen "If you need help with dinner call me I'll be in my room practicing." Nodoka sighed as her son left the room THAT NIGHT Watching her son prepare the evening meal Nodoka smiles at the skill displayed in his work. "Ranma, I've always wanted to know where did you learn to cook? You seem to be a natural at it, and your father certainly didn't teach you." She asked him as the blades in his hands became a silvered blur of motion. "Kasumi taught me. I felt kinda obligated to help at the Tendo's while we were there so I cooked about half of the . Everyone else was always so busy thinking up new schemes of their own no one ever noticed what was going on. Besides Kasumi needed a break form all he work she was doing. That and I enjoyed the compliments even if she got them. It helped a lot to know that I could do something to help out even when someone else got the credit." He replied as he finished tossing the knives in the sink. "Dinners ready. I hope it's edible." Shaking her head Nodoka looked at her son. "That's Good Ranma at least you helped out at the dojo, and you shouldn't worry so much though or you'll make your self sick." "OK, mom I'll try. I'm going to go to sleep now I've got a feeling that I'll need my sleep. With my luck something's bound to happen. Oh, and mom would you wake me early I want to get to the school as early as possible in the morning so I won't be late." The Hakarwa Shrine-the same night The Senshi are sitting in a circle laughing. Ami stands and clears her throat. "You know girls I think we best get home classes start tomorrow, and we don't want to be late. After all it is our first day of high school. We have some classes together but not one where we all got in but I think the gossip will be more fun that way, and I for one wanna get a head start on everyone else in my classes." Makoto looks toward her friend. "You might be right Ami. We need to get in good with the instructors as early as possible. I'll see ya tomorrow." as the group breaks for the night. end part one /// PT. 2A alpha Next day 5:00 Ranma wakes to sound of an alarm blaring in his ears. Staggering to the bath for his early morning routine. Splashing water on his face Ranma feels the usual changes occur to his form. Looking in the mirror she finally starts to awaken from a hard night's sleep. Smiling Ranko looks in the mirror After finishing the early morning ritual Ranma back in boy mode rushes down the stairs to grab a bite to eat before rushing off to Juban for His first day of classes since everything fell apart. He was actually looking forward to it for the first time in his life. School would give him a refuge from all his recent troubles. To make sure he was ready he walked into the Family room to make sure he had remembered everything he would need. After checking his bag Ranma made a break out the door. Leaping over the rail Ranma jogged down the street toward his destination. Looking at signs and stores along his path Ranma fails to notice an old woman watering the walk until he had already passed by and felt the sensations that accompanied his transformations. Scowling Ranko looks into her bag and pulls out one of two black folders. "Well mom was right, I am going to need the medical records Doc. Tofu made for me. At least it will help me get through some of the questions that will be asked. . I Juban High School Ranko approaches Juban a look of trepidation on her face she approaches the door to the place where she'll spend the next two years. Stopping one of the students who apparently knows his way around the campus Ranko asks directions to the nurses office. After finally winding her way through the mess of students she arrives at her destination. Looking a bit nervous Ranko speaks out the tall brown haired woman who is presently packing the shelves with supplies. Ranko clears her throat before she begins to speak "Hello, Ma'am I'm Ranko Saotome, and I know you need my records but Doc Tofu said they wouldn't be delivered until tomorrow. I hope it won't cause any trouble." Smiling at the young girl the nurse relied "Don't worry about it, The first few days are always chaotic. The thing is that we aren't going to be organized for at least a week the way that things happen around this place." Laughing the nurse looks over at Ranko. "Not that something couldn't happen, but what are the odds?" "You've obviously never been to Nerima. If something doesn't happen at least every other day you know something's wrong. I mean with all the weirdo's showing up I never got any peace. At least no one knows where I transferred. I really don't need to go though that again. My grades suffered enough because of them. I'll be back in to morrow to make sure you got the records, but I gotta burn. The councilors need my file." Streaking down the hall Ranko slams into a young girl with two blonde pony tails nearly plowing her into a wall. Reaching down and grabbing her victims hand she yanks the blonde to her feet. "Hey watch where you're going! Don't you know you shouldn't run down these halls! You might have hurt someone!" "Sorry I ran ya over I'm late dropping my records and don't wanna miss my first class. I hope you can understand. Gotta make a good impression. Even if it's just Hinako Sensei." Grabbing her bag Ranko tears off down the hall toward her destination. Finally arriving at the offices. She burst through the doors panting from the exertion of dodging around all the students at top speed. Leaving a wake of toppled students in her wake. Shocked looks on their faces and papers scattered into the air. Only to find the smiling face of her new councilor. For one of the few times in her life Ranko was truly nervous. The look an the dark man's face was like a cat sizing up its' prey, as if she were insignificant to him. "Hello young lady. You must be Ranko. I believe you have something to drop off. I received a call about you from Furinkan about you. It seems you caused a lot of trouble there. I hope you won't be an aggravation for me. After all we don't need trouble here." Smiling up at her counselor she replied "Don't worry sir I won't cause any trouble. It just has a tendency to find me. Oh, here are those records on my classes from Furinkan and my courses I need for the semester. I hope there aren't any problems. I'm signing up for the martial arts as an assistant if the openings still there. I already know enough to take care of my self." "The position still open but you gotta talk to the coach he'll tell ya if you qualify." "If, you do. Get back in here so we can give you credit for it." "That and the fact you'll need to sign some papers in case you're injured. After all it is a rather rough class." Laughing at the man before her Ranko smiles. "You should really read my file before you make a statement like that. I'm a martial artist. That's why I'm doing this gotta keep in shape. If you'll just direct me to the coaches office I'll straighten up that little piece of business before my class starts, and then I'll be back after my classes to sign those papers." Looking up from her files with a grin on his face "OK' if you're that confident I'll be seeing you kid. I think I'm going to like being your counselor. You've got spunk." Hope you aren't to torn up when you get here though Sensei Eiko is extremely brutal. with his assistants. After all it is a defense class. Oh, and if you need help with classes come and talk to me name's Hiro Koimiko. I'll be you counselor this year" "Thanks for the help sir. I may need more adjusting to this school but don't know yet. See you after I'm done with my classes. Shooting out the door the young woman fails to notice the glowing the eyes of the man at her back. 15 minutes later Ranko Saotome streaks though the door of her English class not wanting to invoke the wrath of her sensei having had previous experience with this instructor at Furinkan. She was the most feared instructor in all Nerima an now she had followed Ranko to Juban high. The hyper young girl at the front of the to the those who were not familiar with her seemed out of place. Her hyperactive childish demeanor at of place in the class room but to the knowing few this was the horror of Hinako Miramia. The most feared disciplinarian in all of Tokyo. Fortunately the students were wise enough to take a cue from the bell as class was brought to session. Hinako as her usual bounced around the room like a hyper active 5-year old after eating two-pounds of cotton candy. In other words her high pitched voice and cheerful demeanor became sickeningly. Her eyes becoming larger the more active hyper she got. Finally the bells rang releasing the students from the class they fled like a herd of stampeding animals from a forest fire. Escaping the terror of the new sensei they had tried to respect and seriously. To the horror of the huddled mass of cowering students they had been bombarded for a full hour by the high pitched voice of their tormentor. The sound of Her bubbly voice driving many of them out the door to the nearest bathroom wrenching from the sickening sweetness of the new instructor's voice that they had been inflicted with. Ranko for her part sat in the back of the room smiling at the reactions of her classmates having long since gotten used to the yammering of Miss Hinako. After finally being freed from English Ranko ran down the hall eager to get to her next class. Gymnasium The instructors standing on the center mat of the gym survey the students before them. The smiling as they nod to each other. The shortest of the two a dark eyed man with a strange foreboding about him begins the first class of the year dispelling the suspense that fills the room "OK, class we have notes here that some of you have prior experience in the arts. We need to know how much so we know which of you are qualified to assist in the teaching of our little class here. To do this we need to know what schools you have studied and what ranks you hold in said schools. Now let's begin when I point to you I want your name school's of study and belts in those schools and what year of high school your in is that clear" Almost as one the class yells out an answer in unison. "Yes ,SIR!'" Student 1: Makoto Kino , school Korean karate brown belt 1st year Student 2: Hiro Hanoshi, school Tea Kwon Do I'm only a forth rank 2nd year Ranko: Musabetsu Kakutou Ryu, Rank Black 9th dan, and kenpo belt black 8th dan 3rd year Instructor 2: Bull Shit! You are old enough to be that good in kenpo and you made up that other school, I've never heard of it. If you're not series get the hell out of my class!" Ranko with a wry smile: Care to try me? Leaping from her lotus position on the mat to land behind the instructor who had just accused her of lying. Faster than the human eye could follow she executed a perfect sweep knocking her accuser from his feet. Leaping into the air well above the heads of the other student whipping her weighted belt from around her slim form only to land in a ready stance with weapon in hand. You ready Sir?" Finally the rest of the class begins to react most of them with looks of disbelief. Two of the students react by fainting and Makoto doubles over laughing at the seen before her. A teen aged girl had just flattened her instructor with out even breaking a sweat. Finally recovering from her fit Makoto Smiles at the her class mate "You know girl, you really shouldn't be in here. You obviously out class the instructors. Why on earth would you want to take a defense class." "You can always learn something new even from some one less skilled than you are. After all I don't know every thing yet. I just might learn something by helping out" As the two young girls converse the fallen instructor regains his feet and charges the back of the girl who had just humiliated him in front of his students. Throwing a flurry of punches toward her at a frightening speed all while the others stand and watch in shock. The speed of his punches blurring to the eyes of his students catches Ranma off guard as a few blows connect she smiles. "You know you'll have to try harder than that if you're going to hurt me." dropping the belt in her hands as she dodges the blows her adversary is throwing at he Ranko starts to smile and releases an amiguriken throwing one hundred blows rocked out in less than a second. All but two punches launched past either side of her opponents head. The force of her two blows that connected to either shoulder rocketing him back to the mat. Looking at the other instructor Ranko Smiles. "OK, Teach was that good enough? Or do you want more." Saying this as she leaned against the wall smiling down at the man who had just been floored. The only sound from the floor was a low moan but the second instructor had the wisdom to speak up. "I think you'll do, but only if there are no challengers." Makoto's voice broke the stunned silence. "Well, I know I'm out of the running for the assistant position. Though I want to learn how she just did that" As the class ends Makoto pulls Ranko to the side names Ranko right? I'm Makoto. Want to go to lunch with me? My friends and I are new here so we kinda need some one who has experience at Juban." Looking sheepishly at the taller girl before her Ranko quietly says "Well actually I had to leave my old school because of personal problems this is my first year at Juban. So we're in the same boat, but I would like to meet someone if they can put up with my big mouth."