This is a Ranma insert fic. This is a warning for those that don't like
this kind of story. If you don't like it, don't read it.

Various characters and concepts stolen from Rumiko Takahashi and
various others. What can I say, she left things so vague that it's easy
to write a Ranma fic. To clarify, I mean that it easy to write a story
about Ranma, not easy to write a GOOD story, although I hope I've done
so.

Bree


Editing Draft,

Notes to myself will be enclosed in {} brackets. The 'è' symbol is used
as a marker to find them quicker.

<> enclose dialogue in chinese.
** enclose things the characters are thinking..


-------------------

     A Druid's Way


----Preamble---- A Sudden Change

   Druid crouched down, confusion and waves of nausea making it hard to
to move, or even thing. He struggled to stand, but found his body
wouldn't cooperate.

   The last thing he saw before he lost consciousness, was a young girl,
a look of sorrow on her face. Her red hair streaming in the wind made
him wonder, "How can there be wind in a cave?" Then he was gone.

   {I know the above still needs work, but do you think it's better than
before?}

   She sighed as a silver scaled dragon came up next to her.

   The dragon looked at where Druid had been when she spoke, "Was that
really necessary?"

   The girl turned to face her, "I'm sorry Ilashiara, it was the only
thing I could do." *At least it's the only thing I'm willing to do.*

   "I've been forbidden to directly interfere, but that doesn't mean I
can't send someone who can. Belldandy needs help."

----Chapter 1---- Arrival

   Shampoo looked with curiosity, and a vague unease at the strange
young man who walked beside her. She didn't know what to make of him,
felt that there was something... different about him. For the life of
her she couldn't tell what.

{è Mabye I should remove, 'was unsure why, but she' from the next
sentence?}

   She was unsure why, but she had decided to take him to her
great-grandmother in the hopes that she could figure him out. She looked
at him, remembering the encounter vividly.

  [She had decided to take him to her great-grandmother, in the hope
that she could figure him out.  As she looked at him she remembered
their initial encounter vividly.]

   She had been on her way back from a delivery, and he had walked out
in front of her, dazed.

   She hadn't been paying attention, and they'd gone down in a tangle of
arms and legs, with her landing on top of him.

   She got off of him quickly, and when he stood up she slapped him
yelling, "Watch where you going clumsy man!"

   The fact that he didn't react but for touching his face unnerved her
slightly. When he pulled the hand away, no mark showed.

   Curiosity overrode her irritation when she saw that, and she asked,
"How you do that?"

   He blinked and opened his mouth, but no sound came forth. He began
to panic, or so she though, but then his eyes glazed over. He stood that
way for several minutes, staring at nothing. Eventually his eyes cleared
and he shrugged, pointed to his throat and shook his head.

   Her curiosity once again got the better of her, "You can no talk?"

   He nodded.

   "You like come with me?"

   She got a much more vigorous nod.

   She turned and motioned for him to follow her, and he did.

   And so she led him to the Nekohanten. {è OUCH! This is what I'd call
clumsy! I'll see what I can do, but I'll have to hope for a miracle, at
least right now. Later I might come up with something and be iritated
not to have thought of it before.}

   When they reached their destination she gestured for him to precede
her, and once he was inside she followed him in.

   Surprisingly there were no customers, despite it being in the late
afternoon. Going into the kitchen with the stranger in tow Shampoo saw
her goal, who sat in a chair reading.

   Cologne looked up from her book as Shampoo came in. She began to
greet her, "Shampoo....," but cut it off when she saw the man following
her.

   She frowned and asked, "Who is that?" 

   Shampoo shrugged noncommittally, "Shampoo not know."

   Startled, and wishing to speak privately, Cologne switched languages.

   <Explain,> she demanded.

   Shampoo squirmed inside, *she's not going to like this.*

   <I was coming back from a delivery when he stepped out of an alley
right in front of me. I was not paying attention and ran into him,
knocking him down.

   I didn't hit him very hard, but he didn't move at first. There were a
lot of people around and I heard one say that he appeared just before
I got there. I tried talking to him but he seemd unable to speak.>

   Cologne's frown deepened, <And you did not sense his presence?>

   Shamefacedly Shampoo replied, <No great-grandmother, I did not.>

   Narrowing her eyes Cologne gave the young man a thorough look over.
She wasn't surprised to see a focused ki and a presence which blended
in with the background.

   "Hmmmmm, interesting," Cologne mused.

   Turning to the young man she asked, "Do you have a place to stay?"

   A shake of his head confirmed her suspicion. "If you want, you can
work here from room and board for a time."

   At his enthusiastic nod, she smiled. He wouldn't have liked that
smile if he knew it was at the thought of what she hoped to gain from
him. {è Too wordy still?}

   She took up a pad of paper and a pen. She handed them to him asking,
"What is your name?"

   He considered this for some time before writing something. Returning
it to Cologne he stood back to wait.

   Reading the name he'd written Cologne's eyes widened. Hiding her
surprise masterfully she returned to her book, "Shampoo, take him
upstairs to the empty room, he'll start tomorrow."

   Amazed at her grandmother's unexpected offer, Shampoo nevertheless
turned to lead him upstairs.

   Cologne's thoughts revolved around Druid. *There is something
strange about this young man. I'm going to find out what it is, it may
be useful.*

   Her laughter followed them up the stairs.

   Leading Druid down a short hall, Shampoo opened a door into a
modestly furnished room. A futon, a dresser and a nightstand was all
there was.

   Druid set his things down, then turned to speak to Shampoo, but she
had already gone. He decided to go to bed early, as he imagined it would
be a long day tomorrow.

   Later that evening, Shampoo was awakened by a barely audible yell,
which came from the room next to hers.

   She got dressed quickly, and went to see what was wrong with their
guest. She found the door was slightly ajar she when she got there. She
pushed it open and looked inside.

   Druid sat breathing heavily upon the bed.

   She forgot he couldn't talk when she asked, "What wrong?"

   She then remembered his inability to speak, and mentally kicked
herself.

   She was very surprised to get a response, "A very, VERY bad
nightmare," Druid rasped. He didn't notice at first that his ability to
speak had reawakened.

   "Druid talk now!" Shampoo blurted out.

   His fright forgotten, he said wonderingly, "So I can."

   Looking at Shampoo's rumpled appearance he asked in an apologetic
tone, "Did I wake you?"

   Shampoo dismissed it as she left, "It not matter. Shampoo go back to
sleep now."

   Neither of them noticed Cologne slip out after her.

   Druid wondered at his reawakened ability to speak. He decided to
worry about it in the morning, after a full night's rest. With that
thought he went back to sleep. No more dreams plagued him that night.


----Chapter 2---- Meeting.


   The next morning Druid woke up feeling far better than when he
arrived. He looked out the window and saw that the sun had just risen.

   Getting dressed quickly he went downstairs. Sounds could be heard
from the kitchen as he strode quickly through the room.

   Cologne watched as Druid came over to her. She pointed out a bucket
full of water with a cloth and mop next to it, and gave him his first
chore, "You can start by cleaning the floor then wiping down the
tables."

   She then turned back to preparing the kitchen for the day.

   Druid picked up the bucket and mop without a word, and immediately
set to work.

   Shortly Shampoo came down, rubbing sleep out of her eyes. With a
quiet, "Good morning," to Druid she strolled into the kitchen.

   A moment later she came back out, a broom in hand. She proceeded to
sweep outside, humming to herself.

   Soon they had the place ready for business, and the morning rush
commenced.

   Druid proved to be competent at working in the restaurant. The day
passed quickly, and by the end of the day Cologne was satisfied with his
work.

   After he cleaned up for the evening, Druid went up to his room. He
sat with his eyes closed, and contemplating the events of the day.

   *I wonder why Cologne offered to teach me some of her art. Maybe it
had something to do with me dealing with that drunk,* he mused.

   The man in question had staggered into the Nekohanten that afternoon,
drunk as a skunk. He'd begun to harass some of the other patrons,
obviously he didn't know who ran the place.

   Before Cologne could do anything, Druid intervened. He had politely
asked the man to leave.

   The man had thrown a punch at him, but Druid just stepped out of the
way, the punch missing him by a mile. He tried again, with the same
results.

   Enraged he'd grabbed a nearby glass and tried to hit Druid with it.

   Druid 'persuaded' him to not do that. The man eventually ending up
just outside in a heap.

   Druid had walked over to the counter, glass in hand, "that wasn't
good. Maybe I should wash dishes for a while, at least until these
people have left."

   Cologne was surprised by his suggestion, but she agreed.

   "Yes," she said slowly, "that would be a good idea."

   That was all there was to it. Druid went into the back to wash dishes
for a while, When Shampoo got back from a delivery she took over taking
orders.

   He heard a knock on the door, bringing him back to the present.

   He called out, "Enter."

   The door opened, and immediately afterward he heard a gasp.

   "What this?!" Shampoo shouted.
 
   Wondering at the cause of the exclamation Druid opened his eyes to a
site of wonder. Instead of his room, he saw a view which could only be
seen from space. He noticed that Shampoo was staring past his shoulder,
shocked. He turned to see what she was looking at, and got another
surprise.

   He saw an unbelievably clear image of the earth, as seen from space.
It filled about a quarter of the wall behind him. Trying to see it with
even greater clarity he wished it was bigger, and was stunned when it grew to
fill the entire wall.

   "Did I do that?" he asked himself wonderingly.

   Experimentally he imagined a wooded grove late in the after noon, and
the scene changed. They then saw rolling hills filled with redwood trees
instead of space, a river running through a valley. 

   Getting over her amazement Shampoo asked incredulously, "How you do
that?" she demanded.

   Unnoticed by both of them until she spoke, Cologne echoed Shampoo,
"Yes, how DID you do that?"

   Her expression said clearly that his response had better be a good
one.

  "I don't know," Druid answered.

   He feelt a twinge from his conscience, and Cologne's frown. He
hastily amended his last statment, "I'm not sure how I'm doing it, but I
imagine something, concentrate on it, and it appears. I haven't
mentioned this yet but my memory is kind of hazy, almost as it were my
own doing!"

   Cologne was not certain he was telling the truth and grunted.

   "I'm going to have someone come by in a while to check you over
magically. I hope you don't mind." Her tone said this was not a request.

   She was surprised by his immediate assent, "Not at all. I think I'll
be glad to know what's going on."

   Late the next evening, the someone Cologne had mentioned came. She
immediately took Druid to his room and shut the door behind her.

   She stayed in there for an hour, alternately asking pointed questions
and staring at Druid intensely.
           
   When she was done she took Cologne aside to confer with her. Pacing
back and forth she gave her conclusions, <I can't tell you much, but this
is what I was able to ascertain.

   He does have some magical talent, but it seems mostly blocked. As far
as I can tell what he told you was true, he doesn't remember his past
and he isn't in full control of his abilities at this time.

   If I'm not mistaken, his encounter with Shampoo was not by chance. I
don't think HE'S the one responsible if so. Other than that, I can't
tell you anything that you haven't figured out for yourself.>

   Thoughtfully Cologne asked, <do you think he's safe to have around?>

   <Certainly. He doesn't have a negative aura, the opposite in fact.>

   Her decision made Cologne nods, <very well, I shall allow him to stay
for a time. He can help around the restaurant until Mousse gets back.
Maybe I'll get something useful out of him.>

   Standing the woman inclined her head, <I shall leave then. I'll see
you later elder.>

   <Until next time child,> Cologne called after the swiftly moving
figure.

   She Looked up at the clock, and sighed upon seeing the time, *I'll
start with him tomorrow. Right now I need to get some rest.* She
immediately left to prepare herself for sleep.

   After the woman had left him , Druid let his mind wander over what
had occurred. *Whatever that lady did it certainly put a dent in the
seal over my memory. Let's see if I can break it fully.*

   He delved into his mind, seeking to breach the way to those memories
older than the time he'd been here.

   After several hours of intense work he slumped from exhaustion. He'd
made some progress. Enough to be in control of his magic, but not enough
to know why both Shampoo and Cologne seem so familiar now.

   He got into bed, *I'm too tired to do anything more right now....*
Before he could finish that though, he was asleep.

û
   The following Sunday Cologne watched Druid as he worked. He had his
long silver hair tied back in a braid to keep it out of the ways as he
cleaned the tables after some customers had left.

   She looked at the plants he'd brought in two days before, and
wondered how he could keep them so healthy. The orchids alone weren't
really what you would expect to have sitting on a restaurant table.

   She could tell that he was using some kind of magical ability to help
them grow, but she hadn't ever seen anything quite like it.

   They both looked up when they heard the door open. Cologne smiled as
Ranma came in. "Son in law! Have you finally come to confess your love
for Shampoo?" She leered at him.

   Uncomfortable, Ranma looked around for something to change the subject
to. Noticing all the rare plants he asked, "Where did all these plants
come from? I haven't seen anything like some of them before." 

   Sighing to herself at the obvious ploy, Cologne nevertheless turned
and pointed at Druid, "He brought them in two days ago. His name is
Druid." Pointing to Ranma she introduced them, "Druid this is Ranma."

   Druid for his part had been staring at Ranma from the moment he came 
in. He couldn't shake the feeling that he should know him.

   Druid held his hand out in a daze, managing to get out, "Nice to meet
you Ranma."

   Thinking, *Why not,* Ranma shook Druid's hand.

   Trying to get his head on track Druid asked, "I imagine you came here
to eat?" At Ranma's enthusiastic nod Druid smiled, "What would you
like?"

   Cologne spoke before Ranma could answer, "I'll have something ready
for you in just a moment."

   Druid and Ranma shrug at this, though Ranma appeared to be slightly
worried.

   Druid returned to cleaning tables, and Ranma sat and waited for his
food.

   Shortly Cologne came into the dining area with a bowl full of
steaming ramen. When Druid saw the noodles however, he perceived a
sickly green glow.

   Looking at Ranma, Druid could see Ranma almost drooling in eagerness
and guessed that he couldn't see it, as his stomach overrode his
caution.

   Thinking quickly he concentrated on the bowl and made a brushing
motion, dispelling whatever magical properties that the food might have
had. He did not want Ranma to be hurt by whatever was in the ramen. The
glow disappeared without Cologne being aware of it, as her full attention
was on Ranma as she set the bowl in front of him.

   Ranma consumes the food in almost no time whatsoever.

   Cologne waited in anticipation, but was disappointed when nothing
happened. Suspicious, she looked over at Druid, who had gone back to
sweeping the floor.

   Not satisfied by his {è apparent innocence?} , she decided to test it,
"Druid!"

   As he looked up she observed him trying to conceal a smile, and look
innocent. It was all the evidence she needed to put two and two together.

   "You did this!" Cologne shrieked in anger and leapt to attack him.
He wasn't expecting that kind of reaction. Caught flat footed Druid
began to move, but far to slow to do him any good.

   Ranma caught Cologne giving him the eagle eye after he'd finished
the ramen, and had wondered what she'd put in it this time.

   He saw a disappointed look pass over her face, and he assumed that
whatever it had been didn't work.

   He correctly assumed that Druid had done something to prevent the
magic from working when Cologne leapt at him with an angry shout.

   In a righteous rage he intercepted Cologne, and called out an attack,
"TENSHIN-AMAGURIKEN!"

   With a flurry of blows Ranma pushed Cologne away from Druid.

   She backed off a bit, and decided that it would be unwise to attack
again. The possibility of hurting Ranma in the process was too great.

   She also didn't like the idea of Druid having free reign to us his
magic while she concentrated on Ranma, *too bad Shampoo isn't here.*

   Calming herself down somewhat Cologne turned to Druid, "Leave! I
don't want to see your face here a moment longer."

   She then promptly moved over to a customer who had just come in,
and completely ignored Ranma and Druid.

   Ranma shrugged, surprised that Cologne had relented so soon.
Gesturing for Druid to follow, he started to leave, to be stopped by an
upheld hand. Speaking softly the Druid asked Ranma to wait.

   Surprised, Ranma watched as the strange young man closed his eyes,
with a flash of light a sword appeared in his hand, which promptly
strapped to his back. Immediately afterward a small backpack followed,
which he also put on.

   Ranma, though shocked at the appearance of the sword and pack, led
the way out of the Nekohanten. He relaxed once they were a considerable
distance away.

   He then asked a question that was burning in his mind, "Was that ramen
magical in some way, and did you make it not work?"

   Druid wasn't fazed by Ranma's forthright manner, having expected
it, "Yes to both questions. I don't know what exactly she had in the
ramen but I COULD tell it wasn't nice. So I dispelled it."

   Ranma continued to walk as he hopped onto a fence, "So THAT'S why
she attacked you."

   Druid assumed a mock mournful expression, "I feel so sorry for her,
she must have been SO frustrated!"

   Ranma broke out into gales of laughter at that, loving the thought of
the old ghoul's frustration.

   Druid smiled impishly and laughed as well.

   They soon stopped laughing, but continued to smile as they walked.

   After a short time into the walk though, Druid sighed. At Ranma's
questioning look Druid explained, "I need to find a new place to live,
since I've been evicted from my current one."

   "You were living at the Nekohanten?" Ranma asked.

   Mutely Druid nodded.

   Ranma thought for a moment then smiled, "Would you like live with us,
at least until you can find another place to stay?"

   "Are you sure it'll be all right for me to do that?" Druid asked in
surprise.

   "No problem!" Ranma responded with certainty, and a confident smile.

   Looking at Ranma dubiously Druid accepted anyway, "Thank you, I
would appreciate it."

   Not far from the Tendo home they met up with Akane who had been
looking for Ranma.

   Ignoring Druid completely Akane confronted Ranma, "Ranma! Where were
you?"

   Not liking her look at all Ranma laughed uncertainly, "Um...
nowhere?"

   Akane became infuriated and went ballistic, "Don't lie to me you
jerk!"

   Ranma got angry as well and was about to reply hotly when he was
interrupted by Druid snapping his fingers.

   In and of itself, someone snapping their fingers wouldn't have gotten
either of their attention, which Druid guessed. What was unique about
what he did was the fact that flame appeared where his fingers touched,
although they wouldn't be able to tell it was illusory.

    Looking to her right Akane saw someone she had never met before.
Dressed entirely in green he looked to be about 6 feet tall. The most
spectacular thing about his was that while he looked to be around 20
years old, his hair was completely silver!

    Appearing to be utterly calm, Druid held his hand out to her,
"Hello, I don't believe we've met, Akane isn't it?"

    Utterly flabbergasted Akane held out her hand, which he took, "My
name's Druid, nice to meet you."

    She turned to Ranma after Druid released her hand. She raised an
eyebrow, and asked the question without words.

    Sighing Ranma took a few minutes to explain what happened at the
Nekohanten.

    Although somewhat surly from the knowledge of where he'd been, Akane
nevertheless agreed with Ranma on his invitation. She joined them on the
short walk home, having decided to talk to her father with them.

   Not long after they reached the house a great shout could be heard,
"WHAAATTTTTT!!!!"

    Ranma and Druid were dazed by the shout, while Akane was incensed.
They confronted her infuriate father in front of the pond. Nabiki sat
just inside the house, a frown on her face.

    Before Soun could continue his burgeoning tirade Akane cut in
fiercely, "Father he saved Ranma from have who know what kind of magic
spell being cast on him, loosing his place for doing so! I think we at
least owe him a place stay until he can find another!"

   Crossing her arms she glared fiercely at her father.

    His anger blunted by Akane's, Soun began to speak when Druid gently
interrupted him.

   He'd been taken in the rather dilapidated state of the dojo, and had
an idea. "If it's any help, I think I can manage some repairs on the
house and dojo in return for my staying here."

   This was virtually music to Soun's and Nabiki's ears. Both thought of
the money saved on repair bills. They followed as he led them away from
the pond, to the front of the dojo.

   Staring at a recent looking hole in the roof, Druid concentrated,
*This is going to be tiring. I wish I'd had time to prepare.*

   The others watched in amazement as the shattered piece of the roof
where the hole was reform, making it whole once again. After the repair
was complete Druid slumped a little, "What do you think?" he asked
tiredly.

   Soun changed his demeanor radically, and attempted to muster some
dignity as he gazed gleefully at the repaired roof.

   "I think this will be a fine arrangement," he said regally.

   Without another word he returned to his game with Genma. He stared at
the board once he sat down, Genma having taken the opportunity to
artfully redocorate it.

    Smiling at her younger sister Nabiki goes back inside to her
paperwork.

   "Follow me please." Akane requested, taking up the role of hostess
as Kasumi was away at the moment. She led the way into the house, Ranma
close beside her. Druid smiled to himself as he followed them.
                                                fs
   Smiling at Ranma without realizing it she asked Druid, "Where did
you live before you came to Nerima?"

   A troubled look came over his face as the walked into an unused room.

   "I don't know," he replied quietly.

   Feigning exhaustion he didn't really feel Druid asked, "If you don't
mind I'd like to get some sleep. I'm very tired."

   Without a word they left, closing the door behind them. Druid ran to
the door once it was closed, and began drawing on it with his finder.

   To most eyes nothing would have appeared to happen. To those with
talents like Druid's, glowing lines of light followed his finger like a
puppy. After a few minutes of this he finished his drawing, then slumped
down to the floor.

    "There, that should keep them from disturbing my concentration.
It's going to be a very LONG night," he mumbled to himself.

    Turning to face the center of the room he set to work, ignoring the
fact that while could remember some things his memory was still very
hazy.

    The next morning the wards he had set went dormant when sunlight
touched them.

   There were two reasons why he done it this way. The first was his
certainty he could get away with some of the effects at night. He
figured the other would be tired enough to ignore them as their
imagination. The other was the purely selfish. He wanted to be awakened
when there was food to be had.

    Very shortly after the wards turned themselves off, there was a rapid
knock on the door.

    Druid sat up as he called out, "Just a moment!" He quickly got up
and dressed. He looked down at the floor and cast a minor illusion to
conceal the symbols superimposed upon the surface. For the time being he
would act as if it wasn't there while others were around.

    Opening the door he acted surprised to see an agitated Akane. "Is
something wrong?"

    "Did you do it?!" Akane asked somewhat dazedly.

    "Do what?" Druid inquired, knowing full well what she was probably
talking about.

    Unable to speak coherently, Akane grabbed Druid by the wrist and
dragged him out of the house.

   Stopping in front of the Dojo Druid could see that everyone else was
there. They all turned their stunned gaze upon the two coming up behind
them.

   Nabiki was the first to speak, "how did you do this?!" She lost her
amazement far faster than anyone else. Druid could almost see the yen
signs appear in her eyes.

   The object of their attention was the Dojo itself. While not
completely repaired it was in FAR better condition than it had been the
evening before.

   Druid began to reply, when he felt a strong urge to move forward,
and did so... quickly.

   A moment later a loud crash was heard directly behind him,
immediately followed by an unpleasant sounding angry growl.

   Something bothered Druid as he turned toward the sound, which he was
sure was Shampoo.

   He looked around at everyone closely, and began to come to a
realization that he had been unconsciously avoiding. He knew everyone,
All of them, not by direct experience but by memory. *Ranma, I can't
believe it! Ranma! GOD what a strange world!*

   This was too much for him to cope with just then, and he said bye bye
to the daylit world.

   Everyone was startled to see Druid fall to the ground in a faint.
Unfortunately Shampoo was the first to react. She picked up the head of
the mace she had broken in her first attempt to smash Druid. She then
threw it at him.

   Strangely, her aim was off, instead of smashing his head like a
melon, it hit his outflung forearm with a sickening double snap.

   This served quite well in waking him up, screaming all the way.
Abruptly the scream stopped. Directing a fierce glare at Shampoo she
appeared to faint, followed immediately after by Druid.

   Surprisingly Kasumi took charge of the situation, and began giving
orders, "Ranma, would you please take Shampoo back to the Nekohanten?
Father, Genma please take Druid inside. Nabiki, would you call
Tofu-sensei and ask him to come over? I need to get something from the
market, I should be back after he leaves."

   Everyone was astonished at her take charged attitude, but relieved
that she wouldn't be there when Tofu-sensei arrived.

    Kasumi went inside, taking off her apron while Ranma picked up
Shampoo and hopped off with her. Soun and Genma gently picked Druid up
and took him inside. Shortly Kasumi came out carrying a shopping bag,
and left quickly.

    When she returned Tofu had been and gone, which relieved her
somewhat. Everyone would have been surprised to find out that she knew
of the effect she had on him. Which was why she had left. She didn't
want him to make Druid's injuries worse.

    She went up to Druid's room, and was faintly surprised to see Nabiki
keeping an eye on him. Stepping in quietly she asked softly, "How is
he?"

    Druid, who had to all appearances been asleep, surprised them by
replying, "I've been better, but I've also been worse." The last was
said with a wry twist to his lips. Opening his eyes he looked over at
Kasumi and continued, "Thanks for asking."

    Smiling she asked, "Are you hungry?"

    His stomach gave her all the answer she needed. As she turned to
go however, he made a request, "Please don't bring any kind of meat,
I'm a vegetarian."

   Surprised Kasumi nevertheless left with a thoughtful look, and
wondered what to make to fit his diet.

   Nabiki meanwhile had been observing Druid during the conversation
and decided that she wanted some answers, now.

   "How did you fix the dojo, and make Shampoo faint like that?" she
asks bluntly.

   Letting loose a long suffering sigh Druid tells her with one word,
"The same way I fixed that hole in the roof, magic."

   She wan't at all surprised, and asked him further, "Is that how you
stopped Cologne's potion from working on Ranma?"

   "Yes," he sighed out.

   A grin blossomed on her face, which Druid didn't like at all. Her
next question confirmed it, "What else can you do?"

   "YOU would ask that would you?" he asked petulantly.

   *I wonder why he put such emphasis on 'you'? Oh well I'm not going
to ask just yet.*

   Seeing that Nabiki wasn't going to budge Druid gave in. "Most of what
I do is either enchantment or healing, which happens to be what I'm best
at."

   Druid began to take the bandage and splints from around his arm,
which Tofu had put on as a temporary measure. "Take this arm for
example. As you know I broke it this morning, but if you'll feel it,
you'll note it's already set."

   He paused to let her confirm it, and winced a little at her inexpert
touch.

   "It's doesn't even seem to have ever been broken!" She marveled.

   "Not quite. It's about half healed, and about as good it's going to
heal at that accelerated rate. You see I enchanted MYSELF to increase my
healing ability, and somewhere, somehow along the way it became
permanent. It does have it's limitations however."

   "Oh?" Nabiki's tone showing her doubt of that statement.

   Druid rubbed his temple, "The problem is my body isn't used to it
yet, even though it's been years. I tend to shut down and fall asleep
whether or not I want to, or whether it might be a better idea for me
to be awake, like during a fight."

   "That could be a problem," she muttered softly. Looking him in the
eye she dug, "Why are you telling me this?"

   "I just wanted to point out that magic isn't necessarily a good
thing in all situations. Unfortunately many people make that mistake. I'm
not saying it's not useful, I'm just saying that it can also be a
hindrance. However... this isn't one of those times."

   Nabiki watched with only a slight hint of her fascination as Druid
held up his left hand, causing a small soft blue green ball of light to
appear. Moving his hand over his right arm where the break had occurred,
she watched as the light seeped into the skin.

   An instant later he lies back down, almost totally tapped out, "It
still takes energy to heal though." Too tired to notice what he's saying
he continues, "I haven't had a real chance to rest in months! Always on
the move that's me!"

   Seeing Nabiki's stunned look Druid apologized, "I'm sorry for ranting
at you like that. Believe me I don't do it all that often. I don't know
why I did it now." *And I don't really care.*

   Getting up, Nabiki looked down at Druid, "I'll be leaving now, but I
want to talk to you more about it this afternoon."

   With that said she left, as Druid stared after her. *My, what an
interesting personality. It's definitely going to be tough to continue
to match wits her!*

   Getting up slowly Druid walked over to the door to reactivate his
enchantment. He then did something he hadn't felt safe enough to do for
years, and goes into deep sleep.

   Deep sleep was the term he used for a magical healing sleep. What
happened was this, he became a magical magnet, drawing in neutral
magical energy from all around himself. It also allowed his body to get
an immense amount rest in a very short period of time.

   When he had done this in the past, he'd never let himself do it for
more that an hour, as it was dangerously difficult to wake him while
doing so.

   For some reason he felt safe enough here and now, and allowed
himself to stay in deep sleep all day and through the night.

   The next morning he woke early, felling far better than he had the
previous day. Getting up he got dressed and went downstairs. He sat down
on the porch to watch Ranma and Genma spar over the pond.

   Soun came out and sat beside him. Eventually he asked, "Would you
like to learn Anything Goes martial arts?"

   Druid gave it some thought before saying, "Yes, I think I would."

   Smiling Soun exclaimed, "Good, we can start after breakfast."
*Anything to keep him around a while longer, no more money spent on
repair bills!*

   Druid's reply was interrupted by a splash coming from the direction
of the pond. He watched amused as first a wet panda and then Ranma-chan
get out of the pond, giving him quite a turn as well.

   Knowing about their cursed forms, and actual seeing them were two
VERY different things, especially in Ranma's case.

   With impeccable timing Kasumi called out, "Breakfast!" as they got out
of the pond.

   Following the siren's call Ranma, Genma, and Soun are the first to
the table, with Druid figuratively choking in their dust.

   Chuckling to himself Druid sat down next to Akane. Turning to her he
asked, "Is it my imagination or are they always here before anyone else?"

   This got a laugh from Akane and Nabiki, as well as an almost unheard
giggle from Kasumi. Them male contingent studiously ignored the question.

   The meal continued in silence after that. After breakfast was over,
Ranma, Akane, and Nabiki left for school, and Druid spent the rest of the
morning learning from Soun.

   It helped that he'd already had some martial training, though it was
mostly in sword and staff. He did know enough of hand to hand however to
help him learn quickly.

   As they were walking home that afternoon Nabiki told Akane what
little she'd learned from Druid the previous evening. "So he held up his
hand and small light appeared above his it. He put it over his arm, and
poof, one healed arm. I wish I could do things like that," *imagine the
money I could make!*

   Akane paid attention with only half a mind, most of her attention on
Ranma, or his absence to be exact. *Where did that stupid hentai go
anyway. Hmph, probably to Ukyou's or Shampoo's. Well see if I care!*

   What she didn't know was that he heard her talking to Nabiki about
cooking. He had erroneously assumed that she was going to try one of her
disasters that evening. Unfortunately he had left and gone to Uchan's
before hearing that she was going to do it the NEXT night.

   They continued their walk, and were soon home. As they walked in
they saw Druid practicing a kata that Soun had shown him, and was doing
it surprisingly well.

   Without a word Nabiki and Akane split up, Nabiki going inside to put
her books away and Akane stopped to watch Druid practice with a critical
eye.

   When he finished she commented, "Not bad, but you were going a little
fast toward the end."

   Wiping the sweat from his brow he nodded, "I'll keep that in mind."
He looked around, and wondered at Ranma's absence, "Where's Ranma?"

   Her look turned flinty, "I have no idea where that pervert is!" and
left in a huff.

   Druid doesn't have enough time to do anything before Nabiki came back
out. She had changed out of her school clothes and was now in a pair of
shorts and a tee-shirt. Walking straight up to Druid she put her hands on
her hips, "Weren't we going to 'discuss' your abilities this afternoon?"

   Druid grunted, knowing that there was no way around it, "Yes, I
guess we are. Let's go for a walk, I don't really want to discuss it
here."

   She gave him a long look, but decided to go along with him, at least
for the time being.

   Going back into the house, she called over her shoulder, "I'll be
right back." Shortly she was back with her purse. "Let's go to Ukyou's,
I imagine Ranma is there, I need to speak with him about something."

   "Sounds like a plan," Druid agreed. He looked over at her, "What
would you like to know?"

   Nabiki began to tick thing off on her fingers, "One, is the name you
use your real name? Two, you said you were good at healing and
enchantment, I want you to elaborate on that."

   Druid's look turned reminiscent, "You're right, Druid isn't my
original name. What it was doesn't really matter now, but if you must
you can call me Andrew. I took on that name for several reasons, one
being it was more descriptive of who I am, and that gets into your
second question.

   Early on in my training, I found that I had an affinity for living
things, plants and animals both. I could accelerate their growth, heal
them, even change them, which is why I took up that name."

   Nabiki stopped, a thoughtful look on her face.

   Curious, Druid inquired, "Why did you stop?"

   "We're at our destination silly," Nabiki said nonchalantly.

{è THUNK! Oops, was that a hammer? I meant for it to be a feather.}
   "Oh," he muttered as Nabiki preceded him inside. He shrugged and
followed her in.

   The first thing they saw as they walked in was Ranma sitting at a
table, eating. They moved over and sat down across from him. He
acknowledged them with a wave and continued to eat.

   Staring absently at Ranma, Druid began to perceive a very strange
energy permeating his aura, but it was very faint.

   He tuned Nabiki out as she tried to extract money from Ranma for one
reason or another, and tried to pick out the discrepancy in greater
detail. All he hears was it had something to do with pictures. 

   He was so absorbed that he didn't notice Nabiki trying to get his
attention, and failing that, left him a note before departing.

   Soon there was no one left but him and Ranma, and Ukyou was closing
up shop for the evening.

   Druid came out of his absorption when he felt a very insistent
tapping on his shoulder.

   Nabiki had tried the same tactic and had failed, the reason it worked
THIS time was the fact that the tapping was more like a jackhammer.

{è fill out}   He winced and his mind finally came back into focus, he
turned, "Ok! You can stop now." The person he saw behind himself had to
be Ukyou.

   Speaking up Ranma introduced them, "Uchan, this is Druid, Druid,
Ukyou."

   Standing Druid gave her a half bow, "Glad to meet you."

   Ukyou smiled, "It's nice to finally get your attention. I'm closing
up for the night."

   Looking around, Druid finally notes the lack of customers and the
darkness outside. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to keep you waiting, I was
distracted."

   Narrowing her eyes she asked, "Why were you staring at Ranchan like
that anyway?"

   Unnoticed by both, Ranma nodded in agreement, "Yeah, why WERE you
doing that? Nabiki tried to get your attention but you didn't move. She
left a note for you."

   Picking up the proffered note Druid read it quickly,

"Druid

   I tried to get your attention but you wouldn't even move. I saw
the glassy far away look in your eyes and I would imagine you were
looking at something other than normal. From whom you were look at I
would guess it has something to do with Ranma's curse. You will tell me
what you find out, won't you?"

Nabiki"

   Druid grimaced at the order implied in that last sentence.

   Seeing Ukyou's and Ranma's impatient look, he put the letter away and
answered their question, "I wasn't actually looking at you Ranma. I saw
something unusual, not visible to most people. That's why I wasn't
responding, I was trying to figure out what it was, and it took all my
concentration."

   Ranma asked curious, "Did you find out what it was?"

   Grimacing Druid tread very carefully, "It would be very difficult
for me to answer that. I need more time to analyze it."

   Ukyou had more questions but Ranma shrugged it off, "Ok, well we'd
better go, it's getting late." Turning to Ukyou he continued, "Thanks
for the food Uchan. It was great," and without another word he left.

   Not realizing she spoke out loud Ukyou muttered, "That's just like
him, coming and going as he pleases."

   She was very startled to hear a reply, "Somehow I'm not very
surprised."

   Looking up she was about to make a retort when she saw him gazing at
her soberly. "If you don't mind I'd like to talk to you for a minute. As
I understand it you're the best friend Ranma has and I'd like to run
something by you."

   Confused, Ukyou nevertheless gestured for Druid to take a seat and
took the one opposite him. "What is it?"

   Closing his eyes Druid sighed, then opened them again, giving her a
sincere look. "When I said that it would be difficult for me to say what
I saw I wasn't lying, but I was also not being entirely truthful
either."

   Ukyou tensed not too sure she wanted to hear more, "And?" she asked
almost unwillingly.

   "Before you ask, no I don't mean THAT." There was no need to explain
what THAT was. Her relieved look was almost comical.

   "The reason that it would be difficult is I don't know how Ranma
would react to my seeing something of his curse."

   Eagerly Ukyou leaned forward, "Can you cure him?! They told me you
can do magic."

   She was disappointed to see him shake his head, "I was only able to
catch a glimpse of it. Definitely not enough to even begin to do
something with. I'm not even sure it would be safe for me to try."

   Ukyou slumped in her chair as he continued, "I didn't want to tell
him what little I saw because he might become upset. What do you think?"

   She sat up a little straighter and thought about it. Eventually she
nodded, "I think you're right. Ranchan would have been depressed to have
seemingly come so close to a cure, and then find out you couldn't
actually do anything." She smiled at him, adding, "It was nice of you
to think of that."

   Druid ruefully added, "It also keeps him from hounding me to cure
him." Thinking back to earlier that evening Druid remembered something
that he had ignored before, "Didn't Ranma say he was planning to go on a
training trip soon?"

   She gave Druid a speculative look, "Yes. There's a week long
school vacation coming up soon, he said he wanted to get away for a
while to train in peace."

   His smile returned as Druid got up, "I think I'll ask to come along
if he doesn't mind. It'll be a great opportunity to study it a little
more thoroughly." He held his hand out to her, "It was nice meeting
you Ukyou, I hope I'll see you again sometime."

   She took his hand firmly, "I'd like that. See you soon."

   Druid departed, leaving a thoughtful young woman behind. "He's
certainly different from most men I've met, but I feel I'm fortunate to
meet him. He didn't show it much, but I think he may be one of the
kindest men I've ever met."

   With that thought she finished up her chores then went off to bed.

   Druid caught up with Ranma just before he got home. They were both
greeted by the sight of an annoyed Akane, boken in hand. A short fight
ensued, resulting in Druid watching Ranma being pounded.

   He gave them a wide berth as he snuck inside, and made a brief stop
by Nabiki's room.

   He took a deep breath as he knocked, and heard a muffled, "come in."

   Opening the door, he saw her lying on her bed, a small notebook in
hand. As he came he noted in passing that the room was very neat, and
seemed to be very orderly.

   She raised her eyebrow when he sat down on the chair across from her
bed, "What do you need Druid?"

   He pulled out the note shed left for him, "I though you might be
interested in why I became lost to the world at Ukyou's. I saw your
light was on and thought you'd like to hear now instead of later." He
then launched into a brief retelling of what he'd discussed with Ukyou.

   When he finished she had a speculative look on her face, "Do you
think you'll be able to cure his curse?" *Ranma can be a jerk at times,
but he and Akane seem to like each other, whether they admit it to
themselves or not. I just hope they realize it soon, their fights get on
my nerves.*

   She was not too happy with his answer, "Not for a long time I'm
afraid. It's going to take a lot of time to unravel the curse, if I can
at all. I just hope he won't mind me tagging along with him when he
leaves."

   "I can 'persuade' him to let you come," she said.

   Druid hesitated at accepting that, "I don't want Ranma to resent my
coming along. If you can influence him so that when I ask he'll
willingly take me along, I'll be more than happy for your help."

   Nabiki's expression turned to something any shark would know. "Of
course you'll be willing to give me something to help me decide to
actually do so... won't you?"

   He grimaced, then he had an idea. Grinning to himself he held up both
his hands, and a white mist formed. The mist coalesced into a spherical
crystal that glowed faintly.

   Chuckling at some inner joke Druid held it out to her, and she
plucked it from his hand. "What does it do?" she asked curiously.

   "With that you will be able to feel the emotional state of anyone you
concentrate on while it is in your possession. Eventually you'll be able
to tell when someone is lying to you or not. If you wish I can make you
a chain so you can wear it at all times, although you might not want
to."

   He shark's grin on her face she asked incredulously, "why WOULDN'T I
want to know when someone's lying to me or not? Make me that chain you
promised and I'll help you with anything you need." After a moment's
thought she hastily added, "For a time."

   Druid got up hastily saying, "I'll have that chain ready for you by
tomorrow. I'll warn you now, I'm going to put a couple of enchantments
on both. One will make them unnoticeable, we don't want anyone stealing
it after all. The other I'll tell you tomorrow," and before Nabiki could
say anything Druid had left her room.

   She stared at the closed door and briefly considered following him to
ask about that last comment. *Nah,* she decided, *I won't be able to get
anything out of him I think.* Then her mind turned to Ranma, *Now how do
I get Ranma to let Druid come with him without making him mad?*

   The wheels turned in her mind, and eventually a plan formed. *I'll
just drop 'hints' about how useful Druid's abilities could be on such a
trip. Given enough time that should get Ranma to thinking about it
himself. I'll just ask Druid to wait a few days before asking.*

   Concluding she wasn't going to get anything more done that day,
Nabiki decided to wait for the morrow to begin her plan.

   The next afternoon Nabiki joined Druid outside as he sat under a
tree. As she came up to him he held his hand out to her without even
looking, "Hand me the crystal and I'll attach the two."

{è ALPHA}
   she strove not to show how startled she was as she handed the crystal
to him. Taking out a gold chain from his pocket he held the two close
together. After a moment he let the crystal go, and it swung on the
chain, even though the two were separate by a centimeter or so.

   He then handed it to Nabiki. Experimentally she tried to pull the
two apart, but couldn't. Satisfied, she put it on and slipped it under
her shirt, telling him of her plan. She concluded with, "so all you need
to do is wait a couple of days. Knowing Ranma he should be willing to at
least CONSIDER allowing you to come along."

   Druid nodded, "Good, just let me know when you thing would be a good
time ok?"

   She smiled confidently, "No problem." She then immdeiately left to
try out the new negotiating tool Druid had give her, leaving him to his
thoughts.

{è I need to reword this sentence.}
   Shortly before Ranma was to leave Druid came up to him in the dojo,
after being given the go ahead by Nabiki, "Ranma?"

   Without breaking out of his kata Ranma asked, "Yeah?"

   Siting down to watch Druid began, "I heard you're going to be going
on a training trip soon."

   "So?"

   "Well, I'd like come along if it's all right with you."

   Ranma didn't answer immediately as he began some more exotic moves.
*Maybe I should, he could be rather useful.*

   Druid waited a while before finally adding, "I think I could train
you to make a fire magically, no matter how wet it is. Maybe more that
that. If nothing else, you should be able to always have hot water."

   THAT got Ranma's attention, "Really?" Sobering quickly Ranma hid
his excitement, "Well... I'll think about it."

   Later that same day Ranma found Druid and told him he could come
along. Druid spent a good deal of the remaining time getting ready for
the trip.

   They left on a bright Sunday morning, Ranma setting a rapid pace
wanting to test Druid's endurance.

   Druid was grateful that he'd had so much training on the world he'd
met Alya and Talon, *Draksen* he reminded himself.

   As it was he was only able to maintain that pace for a short time
before he had to ask Ranma to slow down.

   After a while though Ranma picked back up the pace, and that was how
the next two days went, Ranma pushing Druid as far as he could be
pushed.

   Eventually Ranma found a place he liked to train in. It was a very
nice wooded grove, with a modest sized creek running through it. They
worked together to quickly set up a camp for the next several days.

   Druid laid out some wood for a fire and Ranma was about to start it
when Druid held up his hand, "Lets get started with your first lesson
right now Ranma."

   Ranma hesitated for a moment, then sat across from Druid, "What
do you want me to do?"

   Druid assured him, "this shouldn't be all that hard. Much of what I
would need to teach a beginner you already know."

   Ranma relaxed as Druid continued, "What I need you to do is
concentrate your ki in your hands, like you were going to do your ki
attack, but don't let yourself get quite that far."

   Looking Ranma over carefully Druid could see the energy building up
in his hands, "Good. Now... I want you to imagine a flame coming from
your hand and touchi.... YOW!"

   Ranma succeeded far better than Druid had imagined possible. A large
gout of flame FLEW from Ranma's hands, igniting the wood laid out for
it.

   With a wave of his hand Druid put the fire out. Ranma was incensed,
"What did you do that for?"

   Firmly Druid quelled him, "We've found out that you seem to have a
natural ability for this, *and I'd dearly love to know why!* but now you
need to learn control. The level of your potential seems high, but it's
also dangerous. We're not going to quit until you get a little more
control over it."

   Ranma relented. He had closed his eyes when following Druid's
instructions, and was startled when he had felt something 'flowing' from
himself. *I wonder what that was? It was slightly different from a ki
attack. Whatever ever it was I want to learn more!*

   Ranma was beginning to feel the yearning that all mages feel about
learning more about their Art, much like what he already felt for the
martial Arts.

   Thus they spent the rest of the afternoon working on his control.
Part way through the impromptu practice session Druid gave him a book
entitled, "Fundamental of Magic."

   By the time they finished it was dark. This had given Druid enough
time to asses Ranma's abilities more thoroughly, which Druid shared
with Ranma.

   "Basically you're not going to be a really powerful mage. Unlike what
I first thought, but if you work at it you can use magic to greatly
increase your fighting ability. You also seem to have an affinity for
some types of magic. Elemental one like fire. I can guess where that one
came from."

   Druid watched as Ranma's face fell, "I don't think it would be a good
idea to use it in most fights."

   Druid agreed, "You're right Ranma, it wouldn't. However from what
I've heard there have been a few times when it would have been useful."

   Ranma had to agree with that, "Yeah, I guess so."

   Druid pointed out something Ranma hadn't thought of. "One of the
biggest mistakes people make, is to assume that not being powerful means
not being able to do much, or not effectively. If you work at it, you'll
eventually be able to do much of what I can do now. While I on the other
hand won't ever be able to catch up to you in fighting ability."

   Ranma was a little cheered by that last statement, "That's true isn't
it?"

   Later that evening both Ranma and Druid looked up in surprise, hearing
someone walking toward them.

   They are even more surprised, though the shouldn't have been, to see a
young man whom Druid guessed was probably Ryouga. His next words
confirmed it.

   "I've found you Ranma!" Ryouga chuckled to himself as he walked out of
the nearby woods. "I challenge you!"
{è}
   Smiling Ranma leapt up to attack.

   The fight didn't last very long, ending with both of the combatants
landing in the river.

   As Ranma-chan got out of the water Druid set aside his popcorn,
[where'd that come from?] and walked over to P-Chan, who was still in the
water. Touching him briefly Druid walked a circle around the now immobile
piglet. Once he completed the circle he stuck his hand in the water.

{First pass through with this paragraph}
   Trapped in his cursed form, Ryouga wondered what the hell was going
on. He couldn't move and was freezing in the cold water. *Who the hell
is this guy? He touched me and all of a sudden I can't move! What is he
going to do to me?* He soon noticed something... odd, *What's that?* The
water seemed to be getting warmer, a moment later he was sure of it, *It
IS getting warmer!*

   It didn't take much longer for it to warm enough to cause him to
change back to his normal self. Before he could say anything the strange
man pulled his hand out of the water, taking with it a globe of water
about a half foot across.

   Druid called to Ranma-chan, who was sitting by the fire, "Ranma, don't
worry about heating any water." Walking over to the fire Druid dumped the
water over her head.

   Ranma muttered a muffled thanks from under a towel as he dried himself
off.

   Wheels turning Druid wandered back over to the still immobile Ryouga,
"Hello Ryouga."

   "Who are you to interfere with my fight with Ranma!?" Ryouga shouted
angrily belligerent.

   "I call myself Druid. As for your fight, it looked to me like it was
over, and I thought you might want to return to your normal form," Druid
answered calmly.

   Looking abashed Ryouga asked "why can't I move?"

   Sitting down Druid looked him in the eye, "I wanted to make sure you
would stay in one place long enough for me to talk to you. If you want
you can stay with us tonight, as long as Ranma doesn't mind and you
don't try to pick a fight with him."

   Enraged Ryouga shouted, "I can take care of myself!"

   "I'm sure you can, but I'm pretty sure you don't like being alone all
the time. Besides when you leave I'd like to go with you," Druid ended
blandly.

   Surprised Ryouga stared at Druid, "We've just met and you asking to
travel with me? Why?"

   Releasing him Druid walked with Ryouga over to the fire, "It's rather
simple really. From what I know of you, you and I are very much alike,
much more so than Ranma and I. I believe your style of fighting will be
more suited to my body and personality."

   Sitting down across from Ranma, Druid continued, "What I would like to
do is have you to train me as we travel. In return I can help you when
your curse causes you trouble, and with food and the like."

   Looking at Druid appraisingly Ryouga stood, "Let me think about this
for a bit." He then wandered a short distance from the fire and sat down
again.

   Druid could see the consternation on Ranma's face, and it didn't take
long for him to burst, "why the heck would you want to go with him. He's
not as good as me, and you're supposed to teach me magic."

   Nodding at each point Druid had a ready answer, "That's true, overall
you are better than he is, but from what I know of his style it's better
suited to me. As for the magic, I'll teach you a few things before I
leave, but you'll need to practice this on your own. Besides, didn't you
initially want to come out here to be alone? I hadn't intended to stay
the whole time, I knew you wanted some time to think."

   {è}

   Ranma gave Druid a surprised look, and was even more surprised when
he added softly, "Everyone needs time alone Ranma."

   Thoughts of Akane filled his head as he nodded, "Yeah, you're right
Druid. I came out here to do some thinking, Ak....," he cut himself off
before saying anything he didn't want anyone to know. *Damn, it's too
easy to talk to him!* He flicked a glacne over at a brooding Ryouga,
*There's no way I'm going to say anything about Akane while HE'S here!*

   Druid smiled as Ranma fidgeted, having a good guess as to what he'd
cut off, *He was probably going to say something about Akane. Oh well,
with Ryouga here I don't think it'd be safe to discuss her anyway. Now
would probably be a good time to change the subject.*

   Druid picked up a branch from the fire and held it up between him and
Ranma, "Lets work on your magic before we leave." With just that as a
warning, Druid fed the flames and sent them toward Ranma. He was glad,
but surprised at the same time to see Ranma instinctively deflect the
fire. *I hadn't expected him to do that the first time! How come he's
catching on so well?!*

   He didn't have any more time to think about it as Ranma started
to yell at him, "What the hell did you do that for?!?!" He trailed off
as he watched Druid face go through various stages of surprise.

   He took a deep breath, then let it out slowly. "I wouldn't have let
you get hurt Ranma. I was ready to prevent the fire from actually
touching you, but I didn't need to, as you deflected it quite well. Are
you SURE you've never learned anything of magic before this?"

   Ranma though for a moment, then shook his head, "No. It's probably
because I've already learned to use my ki."

   Druid wasn't too sure about that, but let it slide, "Ok, I can accept
that," *for now.*

{è The above}


   The next day, Ryouga and Druid left Ranma to train in peace. Neither
of them would see the Tendo Dojo for some time. They wandered the length
of Japan and sometimes elsewhere, Ryouga leading them from island to
island by means initially unknown to both of them.

   During this time they became fast friends. Ryouga teaching his style
of martial arts, and Druid teaching Ryouga a bit about magic, as well
had being handy with the hot water Ryouga couldn't USE magic, but he
could SEE it.

   One night after four months of wandering found the two sitting by a
fire, resting from a practice session. Druid had a strange feeling, and
turned to Ryouga, "We need to go back."

   Ryouga let out a confused, "Eh?"

   With a determination on his face Druid stood up grabbing his pack,
"Ee need to go back to the Tendo Dojo!"

   Ryouga's went starry eyed, thinking of Akane, *Akane-san, I'll
finally see you again!* It took him a moment to see Druid standing over
him own with his pack. Standing, he accepted the pack and shrugged it
on, "Shouldn't we wait till morning?"

   Druid spun around and immediately set off, "We don't have time! I have
no idea why, but we don't!"

   Ryouga adopted his sensei mode, and reprimanded him, "Slow down! You
need to pace yourself, It's going to take a long time to get back to the
dojo!"

   Druid startled him by saying, "No, it's going to take us a week as
long as you stay close to me."

   Ryouga was able to discerned how tense Druid was, and decided against
making any kind of response.

   True to his word Druid led the way to the Dojo unerringly. As they
walked Ryouga noticed the terrain shifting from time to time, though it
was subtle. *I wonder how he's doing that?*

   At the end of the week that Druid promised, an exhausted duo arrived
at their destination.

   Staggering the two wanderers entered the grounds of the dojo, to be
greeted by Ranma-chan.

   She furtively dragged them to the side, "My mother is here! Druid,
Ryouga, PLEASE call me Ranko when she's around."

   Ryouga and Druid nod mutely, both knew what could happen if she found
out about the curse.

   As Ryouga drifted off to find, Akane Ranma-chan led Druid into the
kitchen, where he saw a strange woman.

{è THUNK!}
   Without preamble Ranma-chan spoke to her, "auntie Saoatome? I'd like
you to meet Druid, a friend of mine."

   Nodoka turned and smiled, "Hello. I'm glad to meet you. I've heard
quite a bit about you from Ranko and the others. I hope you don't mind
me taking up the room you were staying in."

   Druid shrugged it of, "Not at all. I wasn't here and you needed it.
Besides I've learned I can sleep just about anywhere. I will need to get
some things out of there though."

   "That's fine," Nodoka replied, on the surface complacent. Druid
noticed however a general tenseness, as well as tightness around the
eyes.

   Druid saw Ranma-chan staring at her mother as he began to leave, a
longing look on her face. He prodded her gently, "Why don't you come with
me?"

   Breaking out of her trance she assented and walked with Druid up to
the room.

   Druid asked, "How long has she been here?"

   "A week," was Ranma-chan's mournful reply. Seeing Druid's blank look
she observed, "You don't seem surprised."

   "I'm not, well.... to be truthful I'm not surprised she's here, I'm
just unsure as to how I knew." Ranma saw worry crease his brow.

   "Humph, well, you can stay in my room until she leaves, that'll be
simplest. Thought that may be a while," she muttered.

    As Druid picked up a few items he mused, "Thanks Ranko, I appreciate
it. After I get this stuff moved, do you want to go out somewhere? I'm
sure being here must be painful."

    "Sure why not? I could use a break," she answered eagerly.

    After Druid deposited his things in Ranma's room, they head out.
Akane decided to come along, P-chan in hand. They spent the afternoon
wandering around town at a rather leisurely pace to accommodate the
exhausted Druid.

    They got back to the Dojo just at dinner time. No one mentioned it,
but things were rather tense. Nodoka was planning to stya until her
husband and Ranma came back, and would not be dissuaded. "I'm tired of
always missing them. I'll wait until they get back, no matter how long
it takes," and that was the end of the matter.

    Just before he went to bed Druid found Ryouga, who was drying himself
off.

   "Ryouga, I'm going to be doing something that may be very stupid
tomorrow, and I'm not even very sure why. I want you to promise me that
once things start you won't interfere, and keep anyone else from
interfering also."

    Ryouga was amazed at the intensity Druid radiated, and bowed before
it, "Yes I can do that, but what are you going to do?"

    "I can't tell you." Ryouga's look turned black, and Druid hastened to
reassure him, "It's not that I don't trust you Ryouga. It's just that I
feel it would be best not to tell anyone, heaven only knows why." He had
no idea how true that statement was. "Also I would be grateful if you
could talk to Kasumi, and ask her to call Tofu-sensei. I need him here
early tomorrow morning."

    Ryouga wanted answers, but he knew his new friend well enough to
know he wouldn't get any. He decided to comply, but not without a
parting request, "You will tell me what this is about tomorrow won't
you?"

   Druid grimaced, "I will if I can Ryouga."

   Going into Ranma and Genma's room, Druid set his bedding and
belongings up, then sat down. Staring in front of himself he created a
three dimensional diagram of the dojo and examined it closely.

   After some time he chose the best place to implement his plan. Then
he created some elaborate spells, using the diagram as a focus.

   He never noticed when first Genma panda, then a bruised Ranma-chan
entered the room and went to bed. Immediately upon completion of his
work Druid lets the illusion go, then toppled over into an exhausted
sleep.

   The next morning he was awakened by the spell. A moment before there
had been a splash and a duet of startled, MALE exclamations, from
downstairs.

   Druid immediately got up and picked up his sword, and hurriedly left
for the source of the commotion. Grim determination was written over his
face.

   As he reached his destination, he saw that everybody else was already
there, including Nodoka.

   He wasn't surprised to see she alread had her sword drawn. Ranma and
Genma knelt in front of her, daggers in hand. *I wonder how she managed
it that fast though?*

   Drawing his own sword Druid shouted angrily, "STOP!" All eyes turned
to him, obviously wondering what he was up to. They froze in shock when
the saw the sword in his hands, and stared at him. He made sure they
stayed frozen, except for Ranma.

   He moved to face Nodoka, and saw tears streaking down her face. "If
you make them go through with this, I'll kill you!" He did his best to
make it appear as if he meant it.

   Obviously he succeeded, as Ranma exploded to his feet, "What did you
say!?!?"

   Druid put on a nasty looking grin, "I said I'd kill her if she made
you and your father kill yourselves. If you do kill yourself you won't
be around to protect her now will you?"

   Ranma went berserk, a combination of a fear, and anger at Druid
for threatening his mother's life driving him over the edge. He
immediately attacked Druid.

   Druid dodged his first punch, but wasn't quite able to avoid the
following one. What followed after that first blow was a massacre, Ranma
beating Druid into a bloody pulp.

   Several minutes later Druid wondered what the hell he'd gotten
himself into. He'd been back into a wall and hear Ranma call out, "KACHU
TENSHIN AMAGURIKEN!!!!!!" and he fell to the floor. Yet the blows still
came, and the pain kept rising.

   As he lay there, waiting to die, he began to wonder at the fact that
he wasn't feeling any additional pain. Deciding that he wanted to know
what was going on, he opened his eyes, and saw a beautiful sight.

   Nodoka was hugging/holding an enraged Ranma from behind, preventing
him from doing anything more to Druid. Druid smiled, and uttered a
triumphant, "It worked!" before he faded into unconsciousness.

   Ranma had received a succession of shocks during those few minutes,
the first when his mother grabbed him from behind. She shouted for him
to stop, sobbing the whole time, from both relief, and remorse.

   The second was when Druid opened his eyes, looked at him and his
mother, and SMILED at them. When he spoke, Ranma had to listen very hard
to hear the faint, "It worked!"

   As Druid fell unconscious Ranma began to have an inkling of what
Druid had been trying to do for him. Looking him over Ranma blanched as
he realized how much damage he'd done.

   Ryouga for his part had been keeping everyone away from the fight once
they were released from Druid spell, as he'd promised.

   What had worried him the most, was when Akane picked up Druid's
sword.

   "Move aside Ryouga," she commanded in a menacing voice. He was torn,
either he'd break his promise to Druid, or make Akane mad at him.
Desperately he tried to walk the middle of the two, "Akane-san, Druid
never intended to hurt Ranma's mother, *I hope.* He asked me last night
not to interfere, or let anyone else either. I think he expected this to
happen."

   He was immensely relieved to see her lower the sword as realization
dawned on her face.

   He himself was going to interfere, promise or no promise, when Nodoka
saved him the trouble. She moved with a surprising amount of speed, ran
up behind Ranma and grabbed him from behind, preventing him from
delivering another blow to Druid's head.

   He started to run to find out where Tofu-sensei was as she asked Ranma
to stop. Fortunately Tofu-sensei walked in the door before Ryouga could
get anywhere.

   Tofu was confused as to the vague answers he'd received
from Kasumi when he questioned her request for him to come over this
morning. It didn't matter though, he would do anything for her.

   When he saw the beaten young man lying on the floor all his thoughts
and questions vanished. He rushed over and examined him thoroughly. By
the time he finished he was very worried. Both of his legs and right arm
were broken, as well as several of his ribs. He also had a concussion,
as well as a shockingly low level of ki.

   Standing, Tofu confronted the rest of the group, "I'm surprised he's
not dead. Could someone please get some blankets and bandages. Everyone
else please leave."

   Kasumi and Akane scrambled off to fill his requests, while the rest
vanished at various speeds. Except for two, Nodoka and Ryouga.

   Determined Nodoka steeped forward, "I believe I have some skills that
would be of use."

   Seeing her determination as well as an unusually focused aura he
agreed, "All right, you can help me set his bones first." He glanced at
Ryouga, raising an eyebrow questioningly.

   Awkwardly Ryouga explained, "I'd like to stay, but I'll keep out of
your way."

   Tofu-sensei nodded, and immediately got to work as Ryouga set himself
down a short distance away, "This is going to take a while."

--

END of Part one. Don't worry though, I will finish the next one before I
post this one. I know how people hate multi-part stories that never get
finished. So I won't post this one if I don't finish the next part,
which means it's finished if you're reading this.

Now for the blame.... I mean inspiration. :)

TWISTER a.k.a. Darren Steffler, His Twisted Path the inspiration to get me
to actually write something.

They Eyrie crew,

Ben "Gryphon" Hutchins
Brian "Megazone" Bikowicz
Rob "ReRob" Mandevil
Larry "Rtype" Mann
Kris "Redneck" Overstreet
and several others.

If you haven't read any of their fiction, shame on you! :)

Legion, a.k.a. Edward Becerra, may his quest be fruitful.

And many others. A big hand to all the fanfic authors out there, that
write such good stories!

While I wasn't privileged to read the following author's stories before
I began to write my own, they deserve a big hand for some excellent
stories.

The Eternally Lost Lurker, writer of Ona Redside, a Ranma 1/2 and Magic
Knight Rayearth xover, a surprisingly good story.

Krista Perry, her Hearts of Ice story has many drooling over her next
part, 18 as of this writing.

Todd Hill, his Careless Destiny fic is a wonder to read.

Much thanks go to Charles Hurst, the first person to give a scathing
editors view of how bad this thing started out as. Ok, I'm exaggerating
but he did write (I'm paraphrasing, as I don't know what happened to his
original post), "you've made just about every mistake a new author can
make." But he was very precise in telling me what he found wrong, and
for the most part I agreed. Here's to CONSTRUCTIVE criticism, and
comments.

Dictionary,

KACHUU TENSHIN AMAGURIKEN, One of Ranma's special attacks, this delivers
an amazing amount of blows in a very short period of time. The first
word is often left out however.

HIRYU SHOUTEN HA, Ranma learned this technique from Cologne after Happosai
had hit him with the full body cat tongue. By maintaining his cool, he
can use the difference of 'temperature' in the ki of himself and his
opponent, causing a whirlwind to form, doing quite a bit of damage.

MOUKO TAKABISHA, Ranma's Ki attack. It draws energy from confidence.

BAKUSAI TENKETSU, Taught to Ryouga by Cologne, this technique allows him
to break rocks with a single finger. He also became much tougher through
the process of learning it.

SHISHI HOUKOUDAN, Ryouga's ki attack. It draws it's energy from heavy
emotions, such as anger, fear, and especially depression.