Prologue:
The raven, black against the bright burning sky. A tiny dot in the vast
heaven, distinct and unmoving. Cold and as unforgiving, as the winds that
blow from the troubled winds, that churned and tossed the restless sea
below it, foaming at the brim. Enticing like a lover that beckons the
other, that they may clasp each other in an unending embrace. The raven,
untouched, flies onward - pass the burning ball that is the sun. It's warm
light bouncing off the raven's array of feathers like water shunning the
touch of black oil. Flying on, sickened by the sea below it, it yearned for
the sight of land. The land of its destination that of the lands of China.
With a shriek of exultation it called in the wind, the raven flies on even
farther than before. Its voice heard in the shadows of the forests, through
the grasslands of the myriad of farm fields now below it. Golden as the sun
that shone in the bright unending sky like the sea that rustled to the
wind. The mountains in the horizon looking like jagged teeth tearing the
sky open, blanketed in white snow, echoing its wild call. And still it
flies, till it reaches a low hill with a pocket full of leafless trees on
the top and flanked on both sides by dry grass. The raven circles above it,
scanning the far skies for something still unseen, till it finally glides
down slowly to perch on a low branch that overlooked an old and dusty road.
A road, which parted and crossed the sea of grass that freely, swayed with
the passing of the wind. It's worn out path, brown and as dry as scorched
soil under the heat of the sun and worn away by the wind and the rain.
Littered with an assortment of stones and pebbles both large and small as
well as an assortment of dry dead leaves that danced in the breeze. This
road led to the mountains in the horizon and beyond it a fertile valley of
lush forest. The sky above it empty except for a few patches of slow moving
clouds.
The raven, calm and composed as it was gave a squawk of displeasure for the
intrusion of a new stranger to his domain.
The stranger like an apparition slowly rises from the bottom of the hill on
slow sure strides. His image blurred from the heat of the sun. Only then,
when it got close enough, was the raven able to see this man clearly, for
this much it knew from previous contact with its hard master. The stranger,
the raven saw as it slowly rose into view, wore a cloth cap. Tied in such a
way that it formed a rectangle above the forehead and continuing the form
onwards on to the top and down the back of the head till it reached the
shoulders. He also wore a blue long sleeved heavy cloth robe that fit
snugly on his strong well-muscled chest. Which was tied at the waist by a
long piece of white cloth, the rest of it hanging loosely at his side. He
also wore loose fitting grey pants, white socks and black cloth shoes. All
of this was covered by a light coating of dust, which indicated some hard
times of travel by this stranger. A bamboo rectangular-framed pack hung
limply behind him as he held on to his long wooden walking staff. The man
paused for a while once he reached the top of the hill to wipe away the
sweat building up on his forehead, his pigtail peeking out of the covering
given by the cloth cap. He gave a sigh as he leaned comfortably on his
staff as he surveyed the surrounding countryside. Empty of life, save for
the birds of the sky and the animals of the field. Not a single person to
be seen. He was alone. And giving out yet another sigh, not out of
tiredness, but of longing. For his journey on the road is now coming to an
end. And looking at the winding dirt road that lead to the foot of the
mountains, he paused in silent thought of that long journey. And at this
point, the raven, cold as the night that is steadfast approaching.
Launches itself into the air in a flurry of feathers, cutting Ranma's
reverie a bit short. As he gazes at the disappearing form of the black bird
in the slowly darkening sky, its feathers falling in a slow black rain.
His attention changes quickly as he suddenly feels the biting cold of the
restless wind and turns to look at the clouds slowly approaching from the
north.
"It's going to get dark soon." Ranma whispers to himself as he glances back
at the slowly darkening clouds.
"A storm is coming..."
And with that final thought locked in his mind, Ranma runs towards the
mountains just as the first black feather lands on the ground accompanied
by the thunder of the coming storm.
-End Prologue-
A Ranma 1/2 Fanfic - A Chinese Ghost Story
By Kahlil Noriega
All characters and rights belong to Rumiko Takahashi to whom none of this
would be possible and to the creators of the movie "A Chinese Ghost Story"
to which I based this fanfic from.
* Author's note: This is a Ranma1/2 alternate universe fanfic from which
some details may greatly differ - Enjoy!
Chapter 1 -Braving the Storm
Storm clouds cover the sun in the far horizon. Bathed in crimson and grey
like a wounded animal from a fray. Absorbing what little light the sun has
left to shed, before the halo of the night comes to bring the sun to its
end. The mountains like giant sentinels parted and tore the heavens for the
sun, with their sharp frost covered peaks like swords slashing the shroud
of darkness in the sky.
The sun giving away what little light it could pass through the vale of
clouds to bless the fertile child cradled in the womb of the mountains.
Green and pure nestled in its very heart; the forest grew from the
struggles of the elements. The eye of the storm has long since passed hours
ago. And with it the fury of it's awesome power. Yet a trickle of that
power is still evident as the lifeblood of the storm seeped out from its
arms to drench the valley with its life giving blood. And the forest is
thankful for it.
The ground, still filled with moisture from the rain, is soft. Growing
colder by the minute as night grew on. Mist slowly rose from the ground,
playing by the suns dying light. Darting in between the trees and rocks as
it slowly blanketed the ground in soft wisp of white mist. Plants and grass
swayed equally with the wind that gently passed. Lifting in its wake, the
few dead leaves on the ground making them tumble and dance as the wind
wills them. While the sounds of various animals and forest life, blended in
with the soft whispers of the winds gentle moan.
***
>From a roadway at the base of the mountains' border, one could see the
whole valley stretched out from left to right. The trees, strong and
sturdy, covered the vast undergrowth in a vale of green leaves. And even
then this canopy housed various birds and animals that considered it home.
In this field of mammoth trees, the inn at the base of the mountain valley
situated in a small clearing of its own by the road side, stood out against
the backdrop of trees. From here it is easy enough to discern certain
features for the inn itself wasn't far away from where one could see it
from the mountain road. With its hanging windows that remained attach by a
single hinge, to the wide open doors that let some of the rain in. its hard
wood paneled walls painted in deep shades brown as well as green where moss
has found itself a home. It is almost quite surprising that someone
actually lived there for it was quite run down for the smoke coming out of
the chimney said as much as the aroma of food cooking did. There was also a
small pen for livestock at the back of the inn as well as a broken down
wagon cart with its huge wheels lying beside down it, covered by weeds and
dirt.
***
>From a distance, one could see a running form emerging from the forest
edge. Her clothes; wet and disheveled clung tightly on her slight small
body as the sounds of splattering water echoed in the cold wind. The mild
rumbles of thunder swallowing the sounds of her footfalls on water only to
be followed then by the rain's continuous drumming a moment later. Running
to escape the rain, Ranma clung hard to her cloth cap as it danced with the
rushing breeze. The wind unrelenting pierced her with its cold icy touch as
she awkwardly held on to her wooden staff as she ran towards the nearby
inn.
***
The inn, like so many of it's patrons was dirty and in dire need of repair
and fixing. Its creaking wooden floors mimicked the sounds of mice that
freely roamed the inns dusty interior. While the stench of aged old liquor
and rotting meat mixed in with the sweat of its various patrons wafted
freely outside through the myriad of holes in the inns' walls as dirt and
grime settled over the many tables and benches that lined it. A small
counter lay in a corner of the inn beside the main door stood on the
left-hand side. The wall behind it holding an assortment of plates and cups
some even chipped and cracked from use was old and dusty. An old greying
man stood behind this counter, worn and as bald as the inn he owned.
Wearing only a dull blue Chinese robe over his grey pants and a piece of
black cloth tied around his waist served as a belt. White socks and black
shoes completed his dress as well as his remarkably long snow white beard
that hung over his chest. After adjusting his black Chinese cap over his
head, he surveyed the inns' fairly lighted interior. Giving only a hint of
a nod to what he was thinking as his hand rubbed his chin. Calling a
waiter to his side, a young man of twelve to fourteen years or so. Asked
the lad to light a few more candles on the tables to illuminate the place a
bit for it was getting dark and it seemed that the storm has not yet
passed. And as the boy got to work only then did he truly see the boy.
Sporting a close crop of hair and brown eyes with a medium sized built. The
old man thought that the boy really looked out of place in the inn with its
gruff old waiters that seldom smiled. The boy would be a poor substitute
for a guard if ever a fight broke out, which it often did when a few men
got a little too much to drink. He thought then that he must again talk to
this boy about his job, yet he shoved it aside as he greeted a customer
coming in. There would be enough time for that later.
Waiters clothed in white shirts and grey pants freely circulated among
its' many customers, while taking orders and giving them their respective
meals. Always busy serving a variety of farmers that worked and toiled the
fields all day to a group of town drunkards' bent on drowning their
problems in ale. And on occasion, a merchant or two would join in from a
hard day's worth of trading in the market. While travelers in their dirt
covered robes would sometimes chat and speak of their travels to the folk
inside the inn. And through it all, the waiters kept to their own silence
looking quietly at their customers with dull eyes. The laughter and the
noise of the patrons washing over them, even though their talk were clearly
audible from outside. So they were quite a surprised when a sudden hush
settles in the inns interior. As all eyes were glued and focused on the new
arrival by the doorway. Her figure carved and outlined by flashes of
lightning only to be dimmed again by its passing. Leaving them yearning for
more for her delicate curves that her clothes poorly hid because of its
wetness that made them cling to her skin. The allure of this vixen left the
men in the room with mouths agape as they continued to stare in silence.
The heat of their desire, rising. While they devoured the scene from which
this girl walked out of some fantasy.
***
Ranma walks in. Oblivious of the hush and stares of the inns numerous
patrons as she casually seats herself on a nearby wooden bench by the doors
light. The lighted candle on top of the table, danced shadows and hi-lights
on her with its flickering luminous glow. Collecting in her eyes, making
them shine even through the darkness.
Laying down her bamboo pack and staff beside her bench. She pulls out a
white piece of cloth from her bag and gently applies it on her cold wet
body. Her robe, damp and heavy with rainwater has one side of it dangling
under her shoulder. Exposing pale white flesh. Giving its viewer, a
generous view of her ample cleavage as candlelight freely danced on her
smooth skin. Finding some solace from the heat of the candle, Ranma relaxes
for a moment. Sighing with contentment as she the heat of the candle washed
away the coldness of the rain. Its' gentle warmth, bringing a slight smile
to her face. Lifting up her arms to undo her pigtail. She lets loose in the
process, a cascade of red hair, that fell to the length of her back which
she gently gathered in her arms. Taking again the white cloth, she gently
applies it on her fiery hair, drying it with slow soft strokes as though
caressing a kitten in her hand. The men surrounding her couldn't believe
there eyes as they kept thinking of the luck that brought them such a
goddess in there midst.
Piercing blue eyes that cut through the darkness and gloom of the inns'
interior looked out from an oval face framed by fire. While her pale virgin
lips slowly ignited the fires of lust in the room. Her clothes clinging to
her body even more with every slight movement of her breathing. Brought
with it a few more appreciative eyes. Recollecting herself, she quickly
adjusts her garments, pulling it closer to her. That action brought with
it, a slight chill from the cold water it still retained. The feeling
passed quickly though as she settled her eyes on the presence of the young
waiter before her.
"Mistress." the young waiter slowly calls to Ranma. "Mistress. I've
brought you some hot soup. It must be terribly cold outside. Here please
take it.... On the house... I promise...." This he said in a rush as he
gently lowered the bowl he held onto the table.
Ranma smiles at the offering the young man gave her. And taking that as
acknowledgement enough. The boy leaves her to her own business beaming as
he left to attending to his own chores around the inn. Blushing as he left
though stealing brief glances here and there. Ranma sees him go; though he
looked no older than she did. She thought that it must be hard for the boy
to work in such a place. Yet she feels a touch of pity for in him, she sees
an innocence, not yet tinged by life.
Ranma smiles again at the thought, recalling past events of her life since
her accidental dip in the Jusenkyo pool. Bringing in with it, a slight
frown that quickly passed with the memory. She smiles again at the thought
though.
"You're really pretty!" said the gruff bearded man. The stench and sight
of him cutting Ranma's reverie a bit short as he rudely seats himself in
the bench opposite from hers. Taking with him, her hand to caress as he
continued to stare at her with a toothless grin. Cold black eyes peeked out
from behind his unruly long hair. Held back only by a red piece of cloth
that covered most of his forehead. His expression showing utter delight for
the smoothness of her skin. His friends, a group of four or five men
watched the confrontation from a secluded corner of the inn. Wearing an
assortment of smirks and grins. Their manner as well as looks matching the
man seated before her. One of the men in the corner she saw wore an open
grin, his scar crossing the length of his face on his cheek. He wore a
tattered dull green jade-breastplate over brown and torn robes as he
absently played with his knife in his hand. Showing no concern at all with
what he was doing. The others wore the same, though some brandished swords
while another had an axe strapped behind his back. Yet all had the same
filthy minds in their heads.
"Please leave me alone." Ranma said pulling her hand free only to be taken
forcefully again. Her along with it as she faced the man directly before
her. Their faces, only inches apart. Ranma's piercing blue eyes filled with
contempt and hatred focused on the object of her disdain. Trying to keep
calm as she thought of a way to get out of here.
"I know your kind," he hissed at her. Slamming down a bunch of coins as he
drew her face in closer to him for a kiss. A slap rewarding him for his
troubles as Ranma stands up to leave. Still thinking of what the man said
to her. Damn the man for thinking her of that, she thought. The leader
shocked for a while stands up in blind fury as he batters away the table as
it crashed on the far wall. "NO ONE DEFIES ME WENCH!" the leader shouts as
his men draw up beside him.
"Master please..." as the young waiter drew up beside the man deliberately
placing himself between the two. "There is no need for all this. Why don't
I giv...uhhh!"
"SHUT UP!" the leader screams. Battering the helpless waiter with a
backhanded fist to the face. The waiter crumpling to the floor in pain as
well as shock from the blow. The leader, paying the waiter no mind, walks
forward over the crumpled body of the waiter towards his prize.
"Why are you doing this!" Ranma asks as she feels the hard wooden wall
press along her spine. She didn't realise that she was backing away from
the approaching form of the man till it was to late. The leader leaned his
body against hers. Trapping her with his body while his arms outstretched
on either side of her rested comfortably on the unyielding wall. She
hastily turns her face away from him as the leader's friends joined in for
a viewing circle around them to watch the proceedings.
"I don't know why." He replied courtly in her ear as he continued to
stare at her turned face. Enjoying the feel of her this close to him. "But
I do know this. You're going to pleasure me all night."
The leader smiles a toothless grin at his reply. Ranma turns her head
afterward to face him as he gently lowered his face to steal a kiss. Ranma
repulsed from the reply of the leader gives no hesitation as she
deliberately knees the leader in the groin. The leader folded in half from
the pain as his hands desperately grasped its source. Agony - clearly shown
on the man's face as Ranma shoves pass him into the waiting arms of one of
the leaders men. The leader collapsed on the floor before her with eyes
full of hate focused directly on her. While she desperately struggled to
free herself from her captors' strong grip. Who laughed at her puny
struggle to escape him.
"You are a feisty one aren't you!" the man holding Ranma said. Clearly
enjoying her struggling in his grip.
`
"Let her GO!" A voice shouted from the back of the inn. It's call
answered by several other voices that witnessed the scene. Its' abrupt
call, took the attention of the leaders men off of Ranma as they all looked
at the source of it.
"What did you say?!" the scarred man said. Brandishing his knife in hand
as he looked upon his audience all tuned in on the knife he held. Those men
forced under that stare, fidgeted under the scrutiny as fear of their own
lives over took them.
"I said, what did YOU say!" the scarred man shouted.
"I said... let her... go..." replied a fat man slowly rising from his
seat. Fear clearly etched on his bloated face. His sweat trickling down as
he swallowed a small lump forming in his throat.
"Why don't you just try." The man holding the knife said. His obvious
threat strengthened by his companions that joined him as they all looked at
the merchant that slowly cowered in the darkness again. While the rest of
the inns patrons just stood in still silence, watching. The old man at the
counter could do little in anyway to help, as he felt resigned to his fate
as observer. The leader recovered from Ranma's blow stands up, Yet the pain
in his groin made the attempt feeble. He still manages to stand with a
little help from his followers. Anger a plain mask on his face as he looked
at Ranma with pure hatred.
"You BITCH!! Aarrummph" he said, slapping Ranma across the face as she
staggers to the floor before the man. Thin trails of blood seeped out from
the sides of her mouth as she felt her cheeks burn with pain. So distraught
was she from the mind numbing pain of the slap that she didn't see the
leader pull out his knife.
"NOOOOO!" the waiter screamed as he tackled the leader from behind.
Encircling his arms around his victims' throat as he pulled them both to
the floor a small distance away from Ranma. The elders scream at the boy
swallowed by the noise and shouts of the leaders' men. Each of whom sprung
to the aide of their leader. Leaving Ranma all alone on the floor.
"RUN MISTRESS! RUunnahuuhhhhh!" the waiter screamed. Coughing out blood
as the scarred man pulled out his bloody knife from the waiters' back. All
the while the elder fought to get to the side of the young boy screaming
for them to stop. The waiter falls to the ground eyes glazing, as he looked
far off into nothing. His death wails diminishing under the fists and kicks
of his assailants.
Upon seeing this Ranma ran to the door and into the shadows of the waiting
forests. As her mind raced with her heart, making her hear again the young
mans dying plea as he begged her to run. Run as a fawn might from a hungry
bear. Fear pushing, urging her even more to leave everything else, and
flee. And she did, rising, she headed off into the night, into the forest
that she hoped would shroud her from their cold dark eyes. Into the cold
night she ran, the clouds dry except for their ceaseless rumble.
"AFTER HER YOU FOOLS! DON'T LET HER ESCAPE!" the leader screamed at his
men upon seeing Ranma's escape through the doors of the inn. The men
suddenly hearing this left the waiter they were beating and gave chase.
Never seeing nor regretting the act they did as they pursued her into the
darkness of the cold night. The old man, weak and beaten hefted the head of
the young lad in his arms, as they lay there on the bloodied floor. Tears
streaked his eyes as he turned to look at the congregation of silent folk
that witnessed the murder of the youth.
***
(Somewhere inside the forest)
"Damn lost her again." The man said as he landed on a limb of a nearby
tree. Frustration and anger clearly etched on his young face as he cursed
the rain and his luck mentally, for again it has escaped him. His white
bandanna danced in the wind accompanied by the long strips of cloth wrapped
around the sleeves of his forearms. His circular straw woven hat hung
limply around his neck even as he adjusted his footing on the branch of the
tree.
Squatting down, with one knee balanced precariously on the limb, he held
out his bamboo umbrella in front of him before he drove the tip of it
through bark and branch for added support. The wind was cold at this
height, and strong even though the storm had passed hours ago. Smoothing
out loose strands of hair that covered his eyes, he surveyed the scene
below him. Exploring and memorising every minute detail even though the
moons light played shadows in the trees and bushes. It only made him more
careful.
"I'll get you... Someday." he finally answers to no one as he smiles one
of his toothy grins, reliving a memory only he could see. That he was so
sure of himself that it surprised him.
"But first. I need to find my way bacc...huh?"
Ryouga paused as the sounds of frantic running accompanied by shouts and
screams shattered the stillness of the forest. Cutting all thoughts and
memory as caution emerged instantly. Instinct brought him immediately to
the conclusion of examining the cause of this disturbance. Leaping from his
perch, he scanned the forest from the air, the need for action was
unbearable as he readily jumped from tree to tree. In the hopes of finding
the cause that bothered him.
***
Ranma could hear her own heart beating as the need for air came in short
gulps. Muscles to tired from running, strained from fatigue, started to
fail her as exhaustion and pain took its toll on her weary body. Her vision
limited by the darkness and as well as the slowly forming fog creeping on
the forests' floor her pace was slowed significantly. Fear of the men
chasing her as well as the fear of tripping or breaking a leg would only
ensure of her greatest fears. The wind gave no comfort either for her
clothes chilled her even more because of its wetness. Yet the shouts and
curses of her pursuers brought a sharper chill down her spine, as it became
stronger and audible by the minute. Her fear rising again of what they
would do when they caught up to her came rushing in a torrent of emotions.
Which spurred her even more to run.
***
"When I find that girl she will be sorry she ever tried to cross me again
I SWEAR IT!"
"Boss what if we don't find her?"
"I don't care if you trip on your face trying! FIND HER! She will warm our
cold wet bodies till the night is over."
And with this thought firmly lodge in the men's minds, they ran like wolves
in the hunt.
***
The wind swiftly passed by Ranma's sleek form as she dodged pass trees and
roots. Sweat stung her eyes making it even harder to see the uneven path
before her. Her movements faltering under the agony and strain of sore
muscles yet she moves on. Her face was a portrait of sheer determination as
she fought with the pain. Yet she has her own limits and as her mind
briefly wandered off from the trail, she lost her footing as she tripped on
an exposed root that she failed to see in her sprint for freedom. Rolling
and tumbling pass shrubs and soil; she skids to a stop in a small clearing.
Pain dulled her senses even further as she desperately tries to get up. She
recognised the futility of it as she realized that she twisted her ankle on
fall. Yet even this does not stop her determination, she drags herself on
the ground, pulling, twisting making every movement a move forward.
Darkness slowly stealing her vision as she realizes, with fear, the extent
of her exhaustion. Fear gripping her even more as the thought of being
helpless under them brought tears to her eyes. The sounds of pursuit were
getting closer and closer, as she lay there defenseless on the ground.
Waiting for the wolves to feast upon her naked flesh. Her vision wavered as
the extent of her wounds took their toll on her body. She catches only a
shred of a high-pitched scream and the sounds of metal upon metal as she
finally slipped into the waiting arms of darkness.
-End chapter one-
(First draft)
-Next chapter-
To Lotus Temple
*All comments and flames accepted though please note that this is my first
fanfic. Your comments would be greatly appreciated, as it will help me
improve this story. Please send all flames and comments to mail to:
becknkal@addax.bc.ca becknkal@addax.bc.ca thanks!
*Authors note: I got this Ranma 1/2 fanfic inspiration from the movie "A
Chinese Ghost Story" and as much as I would like to stick to the original
story. I must differ from it because of the characters "changes". To all
those who haven't seen the movie, Watch it! It is a GREAT film. Anyway,
thanks for taking the time to read this.
- Kahlil
Character Backgrounds:
Ranma - He is a travelling scholar, a learned man. Writing and composing
poems and stories. Which he
Sells in the towns he passes by for a living.
Ryouga - Ryouga in this story is a wandering Taoist monk who fights to keep
both worlds from destroying
each other.