Okay this is a rough draft of chapter two...hope everybody likes it. The release of chapter three, next month... Disclaimer: Ranma's owned by Rumiko Takahashi, but I don't know who owns the Zorro Anime they cut the credits here because of the timespan... First Fic Warning :) Special thanks to Tony, Sachhs, my sister, Ryan, Azatlan, Jason and David. (Did I get everybody?) If anyone wants to pre-read this please contact me at winthrop@hotmail.com (I'm not on the list) The Road to Freedom Chapter Two: A Taste of Luxury By Angeline Jacoba The harvest was starting. Many like the Santiagos were rushing and could not afford to loose one night of transport. Not affording to leave their homes they had ordered for their grapes to be brought to their _hacienda's_ shed where it would be crushed to wine. The wine then would then be sold to the people at sometime the next week, just in time to pay their taxes. But accidents happen, sometimes there were landslides, other times there were floods. Most of them were such a rare thing, that the farm owners tend to forget about it. The thing that made _haciendados_ really worried were the bandits that took whatever they can raid in transport vehicles. And such was an easy ploy, especially since the wagons were slower than the bandit's horses. The gangs usually took the wine the carriage and left the driver on the road, beaten up badly, and such was the case with the Santiagos... It was a fairly warm morning, Akane was sitting near Nabiki's bed fingering the soft white blankets that covered it. Outside birds frolicked about in the air, singing their tunes of happiness and songs of tears. Leaves swayed by the softest kiss of the breeze and the flowers danced along with them. A picture perfect sight, it would have been better if she was younger and she could go and play, but she had been so interested in Zorro, and this was the only time she had to talk to her sister about him. "Well Nabiki, what do you think of Zorro?" Akane asked her older sister. "I think he's the thing that the people need right now." Nabiki answered. "Well, I guess so I mean he's fighting for our freedom and everything..." "Well that too, but the excitement and the betting rings are getting quite profitable." "Hey, you know you can't go and bet on those things, what would anybody think?" "That I'm a rich woman, who can afford it." Nabiki answered evenly. "Geesh, thinking about that at a time like this. If you really want to have all that money you could either marry Kuno or marry that low-life Ranma." "A good suggestion." Nabiki said, "Soldiers are a good catch these days, and the de la Vegas are one of the wealthiest people in California..." "I'm not here to talk about *marriage* Nabiki!" "Yes, and one of us is engaged to Ranma Vega." "Which reminds me, who is this person who you're bragging about, Nabiki? You say you're in love with this man, but I haven't seen him yet." "He's travelling," Nabiki pointed out, "But frankly I don't think you have anything to do with my love life." "I have if I'm going to get engaged because of it!" "You'll meet him soon enough, besides I'm not planning to become an old maid, I'll marry before I turn eighteen." "Oh nevermind, I want to know what you found out about Zorro." "Moi? Why would you think I'd know anything about him?" "Come on Nabiki, you know anything that worth something in San Tasco." Nabiki smiled, "Whoa, stop there for a moment. I suggest you fix your problems with your fianc� first *before* taking on this Zorro problem of yours." "What has that got anything to do with what I was asking you?" Nabiki shrugged, "Nothing. But I don't have any information on this Zorro character so you'd best solve your problem with Ranma first. Straighten out this mess you're both in. " "Nabiki you're not making any sense, why should I talk to him of all people?" "You'd be surprised at what you'll learn. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to check the inventory with the Vegas. I'm working for them part time, you know. I might have to work harder, because I need to show Ranma how *everything* works. I also need to see the barrels of wine *you'll* be delivering to the market. I'll tell Ranma to see you after all of that is finished." Akane sighed, when her sister wanted to finish the conversation it was finished instantly. "Well if you say so... tell him I'll be at the pond in the forest where we used to play in." *** In the shed at the Vega's hacienda, barrels of wine were being lugged in and out by the workers and Ranma. The shed was an old one, planked with elegant wood that was replaced once every thirty years. It was stacked with rows and rows of barrels elegantly designed with a Z at the bottom standing for the Vega's ownership. The sign wasn't used much now-a-days overlooked by the merchants who transferred its contents to their wine bottles. After the workers had finished stacking the wine Ranma started a systematic checking on it. When Ranma finished doing this he addressed Nabiki, "Nabiki, is this enough?" "Actually it's more than what we need." Nabiki pointed out as she tapped some papers she was holding, "We harvested 140 barrels of grapes -- forty more than the usual." "We usually use two barrels of grapes to make a barrel of wine." Nabiki shrugged "And since we made 70 barrels of wine, you need to take out ten barrels of old wine from our stock and the usual four dozen new ones. That dealer of ours, pays some extra gold coins for aged wine..." "Harvest must have been abundant. What do we do with the extra?" "We always store them. Then we sell those when there's a low supply of wine or there's a _fiesta_. The others you use in your house. After all 'wine tastes better with age'." "True. How many barrels are we selling to our wine dealer?" "Four dozen." Nabiki looked at the barrels then back at Ranma and said, "You know you could suggest to your father to open a stall there." "If we do that, the people won't buy in the merchant's store and then they'd be the ones to loose money. Besides we're making enough as it is, the fields plus the ranch provides a lot of income." Ranma then jumped up to the stacked barrels and brought the ten barrels of old wine, from the back. Lining them up in front of the four dozen new ones and labeling them with the date they were made. Nabiki considered what Ranma said and nodded, "Well we own a tavern, that's what Akane manages...most of the time, though I'm starting to think that I should find some other place for her to stay." "That's a pretty simple job," Ranma commented as he continued to stack the wine barrels, "I doubt you can mistake the drinks for another..." "But you can and she DOES," Nabiki said then waved her left hand dismissing the topic, "Never mind that, I am starting to worry about this particular load, Ranma, there has been a rash of wine thefts this month." "Yes, well, we'll see what we can do about that. Do we still have some extra wine barrels?" "Your mother always made sure that we had enough of it since your wine barrels have always been special, and we can't be too sure. But what has barrels got anything to do with all these?" "You'll see. Anyway, have 24 cases filled with water, and put those in my cart, the other 24 filled with wine, place in Akane's cart. Tell the wine dealer to wait for the other half of the shipment tomorrow and think of some way to compensate. Just to be sure, place a call to _Sarjento_ Gonzales. I want an escort to the market." "Getting nervous, Ranma?" Nabiki taunted taking notes of the small orders Ranma was giving. "Don't be ridiculous. We just might need the extra hand, being cautious never hurt anybody." Nabiki wrote the order down on the side of the paper as she continued to look at the barrels, "Umhm. I'll take care of the barrels, Akane wants to talk to you at that pond where you used to play. Be back before two." Ranma looked at Nabiki for a second and frowned contemplating on whether to accept the invitation or not, curiosity got the better of him as he said, "Ask Bernard and one of the other hands to help you with these." *** The forest at the end of San Tasco was a fresh haven for young ones to play, and be free of a lot of thing. It depended on what you wanted to get away from. The children went there to have fun outside the watchful eyes of their parents, to be themselves. For others it was an escape from the real world, a place where no one disturbed you, trees kept their silent words. Some even go there for company, for though heaven only knows the tears they shed, the forest is in a way 'heaven'. Akane was there to remember, to recall days when she was young and carefree, and probably to talk to a friend. She leaned against the tree trunk, the wind playing across her face. _Maybe, he didn't get my message. Maybe he had too much work at the _hacienda_. Maybe even though I didn't talk to Ranma I'd get a straight answer from Nabiki._ She sighed, hoping she was right, maybes seldom are. She was about to leave when she heard a distinct sound of snapping branches, "Ranma? Is that you? How long have you been there?" "Short while. Your sister said you wanted to talk to me?" Ranma asked after seemingly popping out of no where. Akane looked at Ranma, she had been there awhile and that gave her time to think what she was going to say, "I just wanted to ask a question. You seemed changed Ranma...what happened?" Ranma looked at her seemingly confused of the question, "Hmmm? What happened to what?" "You were never a coward...Never! I remember when we were younger, you never backed down from a fight." Akane stated vehemently, then she paused as if calming herself then continued, "Don't you remember? This was the place that the bullies cornered me into." Ranma remembered that incident, it was some time in the spring when he and Akane were five. Some months before he and his parents went out to China for the training trip. Ranma frowned as he stepped in the pond, it was hot, most of the waters were, since the dormant volcano that was nearby heated the waters surrounding the forest. He stopped and started to listen to Akane, a thing seldom in both youths. Akane started to narrate what happened, "I remember I was cornered by fifteen boys, they were always bullies. I defeated five, but fifteen was too much! _It was a rare event for she usually could fight, she knew how to fight, but she couldn't take 15. She had eliminated the initial five by fighting... but the rest were unstoppable. She was tired, cornered, and helpless. It was when Ranma came. "Stop it right there." The ten boys turned around and sneered, "Who are you?" "Yeah!" One of the boys repeated, "You think you can beat *us*?" "Get away from her." Ranma warned. "Or what kid? You'll tell us to your moma?" "I told you to get away from her."_ "Yeah, and you told me you could handle them." Ranma muttered, Akane ignored him as she continued, "You didn't back out even though you knew, that you were outnumbered. You never left me, until all those kids backed away. What happened?" "You studied in Spain, for what? You come back here to do what? Lazy around the house?" "I do *not* lazy around the house, Akane." Akane ignored him, "Why are you doing this?" "You don't understand *why* I *need* to do this." "So tell me, *make* me understand." Akane looked at him pleadingly, asking for guidance, understanding, something that hadn't worked well with them before... _Does she know something about Zorro? Most of the people here think that Zorro is a man, it's partly true, I *am* a man, but Zorro in a way wasn't... But then they wouldn't suspect that because no woman in her right standards would go around wearing men's clothing. I had mainly chosen to use that form to fight in because it completely changed my height and some other things, the question is, would anyone notice my resemblance to the girl? Especially with the pig-tail, but then, that was why I wear a hat..._ Ranma shook his head and decided to move to a safer topic, "Akane, I forgot to tell you, I broke that vase in your house this morning. Don't worry I'll replace it." With Akane, you never knew what was a safe topic... "You what?!" Akane shouted and tried to hit him, "Hey, that's not fair, you're changing the conversation! I want an answer Ranma why are you doing this?" He didn't get a chance to think of what he was going to say though, as a loud protest penetrated their conversation. "No!" "What was that?" Akane asked out loud. Ranma thanked the gods for this lucky break and called out to Akane, "I think it came from over there." He quickly jumped out of the lake, unrolled his pants and placed back his shoes, he then jumped a few branches up as he tried to pinpoint the location of the scream. From high up in the branches he could see miles away, not clearly, but then relative disturbances in the town caused so much riot, it was easily pointed out, "There." He said pointing to a small crowd gathering in a small house not far away. "Hey, Ranma! Get down here! I can't believe you! How far is it?" Ranma jumped down from the tree limb he was standing on and shook his head, "We won't be there in time if you walk with me." "What is that supposed to mean?" "It's too far to walk by the path, we need to go through a faster route." Not waiting for a sign of understanding he scooped her up and jumped to the next tree. *** For Ranma, the run, or the jumps rather were enjoyable, something rarely done, few people participated in, and few people understood. An experience only he and some other chosen ones participated in. In a way it was his apology of the unanswered questions Akane had voiced. Akane, not really understanding what they were doing, closed her eyes shut. She had done this in fear that she would fall or get injured by the long jumps, after the initial shock, she relaxed and opened her eyes. It was a blur, all of it, the green grass, the rooftops...then it suddenly stopped. "Never, never do that again!" Akane said as she was put back on her feet. "It worked didn't it? We're actually here." Ranma muttered as he went through the crowd to see what the commotion was all about, only stopping when he saw Kasumi. Akane pushed through behind him, seeing Kasumi as well she tapped her shoulder. "Kasumi, what's going on?" "Well the soldiers are taking their harvest because they can't pay their taxes." Kasumi explained. "Soldiers were never kind people." Akane muttered as she ran forward to stop one of the soldiers. "Wait, Akane. They're soldiers" Ranma said as he put a restraining hand on her, "Let me take care of this." "Like what you did the *last* time?" Akane asked sarcastically. Ranma sighed as he looked at her, "Will you just let me handle this?" "Sure, be my guest," Akane said dubiously gesturing to the soldiers. Ranma walked towards them in slow controlled steps thinking, _Eherm, *exactly* what am I supposed to do here?_ He stopped one of the soldiers, "What is going on here?" The soldier shrugged as he pointed to the man and wife near the gates of the house, "They can't pay their taxes." "That's not true! We would have paid our taxes if the thieves haven't stolen our grapes." The man pleaded. "Mr. Santiago, I know that grapes in your orchard have been exceptionally low this year. You're lying through your teeth." The woman, Mrs. Santiago shook her head, "We would have paid for our taxes if our wine wasn't stolen." "We know that there has been a rash of thefts this past month, but we also know that you have been doing poorly. You are just making the thieves as an excuse for you not to pay for your taxes." "That's not true!" Mrs. Santiago protested. "We're confiscating your harvest. Don't worry we'll give it back to you, *when* you pay your taxes." "That's heartless, we would starve if you take that away!" Mr. Santiago said. Ranma chose that moment to speak to the soldiers, "Couldn't you help them? Catching the criminals is one of your responsibilities as a soldier." "You have no concern here, boy." Ranma cracked his knuckles, "That's where you're wrong. It is my concern." "Are you sure?" The soldier asked as he started to shove Ranma aside, but he side stepped it and kicked the soldier's back. In moments, Ranma had one of the soldiers in a choke hold. "Um, I think you made a little mistake when you started to shove me like that. Didn't your mother tell you that you shouldn't hit younger people?" The other four soldiers looked at each other, "You took care of him but you can't possibly beat all four of us." "Well, you wouldn't know if you won't try right?" Ranma asked. It was an incredibly short fight, with Ranma still holding one of the soldiers in his hands, he beat the other four unconscious "Well, I guess we know now. I suggest you wait for the 'near future' for their taxes. I'm sure they'll be able to pay for it." "Ranma!" Akane called as she ran up to him, "You shouldn't have done that. When they call in reinforcements, you can't take them!" "Says who?" Ranma asked shifting the soldier he was holding, "Speak for yourself, I can handle them." "Why you arrogant..." "Uhm--excuse me?" Mr. Santiago coughed up, stopping the fight instantly. "Yes?" Ranma and Akane asked as the looked at him effectively stopping the fight. "Thank you, very much." Mr. Santiago said, "Oh, it was nothing." Ranma muttered, unsure of what to say next. "Would you like some food to eat before you get on your way?" Mrs. Santiago offered. Ranma started to nod but when he heard the church bell chiming two, signifying the time, his eyes bugged out, "Akane, if we don't get moving, Nabiki's gonna fine us." Akane's eyes widened as she broke into a run, "Uh, thanks for the kind offer, but we really have to go." "Where's Kasumi! Did she bring a carriage?" _Ranma, what kind of a man are you?_ Akane thought as she followed him. Back at the shed, Nabiki was inside tabulating income when the two came in. She looked at them with an eyebrow raised and without blinking an eye looked at the clock outside. She then looked at their condition and then at the barrels and cleared her throat, "Unless I'm mistaken, which doesn't happen usually, you're late." "You're not." Ranma answered evenly as looked at her, "Well?" "Ranma, Akane, you're fifteen minutes late, you need to pay for that extra time." "Nabiki could you please lay it off, I'm your sister, and he's the son of your boss." Akane pointed out. Nabiki looked at them, coolly, "Rules are rules you know. There are no exceptions" Ranma looked at Nabiki and nodded he took out some coins and placed it in front of her asking, "Where are the barrels?" "Up front. Bernard is riding with the 24 cases of what you wanted plus Sergeant Gonzales and some soldiers are there already." Nabiki said walking over to the door opening it and ushering them to get out. Ranma shrugged as he started to go out, "Is everything ready?" "Yes. All you have to do is avoid those brigands, that are 'liberating' people of their wine and you're set." Nabiki said irritated by the small delay of time, time is money you know. The more the Vega makes, the more her pay. "That is, if Ranma here actually could avoid anything that moves." Akane retorted, tying her hair back into a loose pony-tail, trying to ignore him. "I could too! You're just sore that I beat you fair and square." Ranma said as he headed towards the wagons set out at the front gate, he noticed that some soldiers were indeed milling about, but did not see the Sergeant. "Did not! Besides you shouldn't talk that way to a lady." "Who would ever think *you're* a lady? Stupid tomboy," He muttered, "Well looks like we should get going. We're still going to pass that forest, and that's where those hijackers usually strike." "Hey, Ranma!" Bernard said holding the stirrups of the wagon, "I took care of your wagon for you, Ms. Nabiki said it was special and that I should take care of it! I did a good job didn't I?" Ranma smiled at Bernard looking at the wagon Bernard was sitting on, "Certainly did. Where's Sergeant Gonzales? I need to speak to him before we go. And, please give Akane the other wagon." "Sergeant Kuno is over there." Bernard said pointing to the table with some food, "Could I ride in your wagon?" "Sure." Ranma said patting his head as he walked up to the Sergeant. "Sergeant Gonzales, do you think we'll run into any trouble?" Ranma asked. The man stopped eating and turned around slightly to get a full view of his face, "You're Ranma Vega?" The sergeant was a man slightly on the plum side with a shock of thick black hair. His uniform, a green jacket and pants with a red V at the throat, was freshly pressed. A small cap rested on his head, and he held a riding whip and some food in his hands, his left leg held a sword, easily drawn in combat, and a rifle in a holster on his right. "Uh--yeah." Ranma answered and repeated his question, "Do you think we're going to have any trouble?" "Well, if you're saying trouble, trouble--bandits, I don't think, so, but Mistress Kodachi insisted to come along and..." A woman smiled eerily as she stepped closer to Gonzales, "What were you saying?" "I take it you're 'Mistress Kodachi'" Ranma said as he looked at both of them. The woman smiled as she offered him her hand, "I am she. Did you not see me last week when I announced the execution of Adolfo?" "I was in my room, too far away to notice. But you can't come...you're a girl..." "Does not a woman know how to fight as well? And is not your companion," She paused for a minute then said, "Akane Tendo, a woman also?" "Your brother has very different ideas." Ranma replied as he thought back to what Tatewaki Kuno said during their fight. "My brother, as well as the rest of this country is so--old fashioned. For you," Kodachi said as she handed him a bouquet of black roses. "I am Kodachi 'The Black Rose Kuno. At your service" "Uh--thanks." Ranma said more than the lack of a suitable reply than gratitude. He looked at her, she was quite beautiful actually, her dark hair tied into a high pony-tail, and her eyes smiling coyly, from what he heard she was a homicidal woman, what he saw was very different. Kodachi gave him a soft smile extending her hand daintily out for him to reach, "A pleasure to meet you, Mr. Vega." Ranma looked at her then at the bouquet accepted her hand and said, "Well, we better get going if we want to reach the city before dark. We need to get this there before the opening of stalls tomorrow. Nabiki says I should start learning how to negotiate for a good price." *** The market was a busy place, especially now that the wine stalls will be closing for the day. People flocked to buy gallons and gallons of wine. Although if you look at it closely--the wine stalls were unnaturally few, and those that sold, offered higher than usual prices. That was why one of stalls in the corner market was flocked by people, he sold the cheapest wine of them all and money was a hard thing to come by. They had, after all much need for wine, it was used to complement their meals and to celebrate joyous occasions. They have also used it in cooking, medicine and religious ceremony, so of course a little savings here would matter, especially if they bought it every day. At the main stall a man gathered all the earnings after a long day of work. Entering his house he sat down the plush sofa and sighed, counting his earnings for the day. He was interrupted when a man wearing a neckerchief over his mouth entered the room. "Who are you? Why do you have that cloth over your mouth? Take it off!" "I'm surprised you don't remember one who supplies you with wine." He grunted looking at the other man cautiously, then said, "I'll take it off when I know I can trust you." "Well of course you can trust me," The wine dealer said after a moments hesitation, "friend" "Then you won't object to my selling to you my stolen wine?" He asked slightly humored by the man's cowardice. "You're saying all that, but you only need to bring me a lot," The man said, "I need it before I close that agreement with Commandante Reymundo Kuno tomorrow. I have enough but extra barrels will make a good impression. Especially since the elder Kuno loves festivals." "Then it's set, I have four dozen of barrels now and more is being acquired." "Very well, here's your payment for this shipment." The wine dealer offered the man a bag of gold coins, "This should cover your expenses, I want those barrels here by tonight, stacked outside my house. I would also need your services in transferring the barrels to the militia tomorrow." "You are going to handle the security of the barrels once we get to the barracks right?" "I will be." "Are you sure your men will be able to handle the other barrels?" "Of course, I have faith in them. You met them earlier, you decide" he sneered for a moment then said, "I'm expecting four dozen cases, but whatever they can make off with is fine. In fact, they're 'acquiring' the wine now." *** The forest was unusually quiet for this time of year, probably because they knew that a wagon was coming up. And such noise a wagon makes, the neigh of its horses, the clappety clap of their hooves, constant angry voices shouting at each other...it was best that they kept their distance. For what could they do other than scamper and watch these foolish beings constantly trample in on their homes? Especially the women---more so the women. For one looked totally psychotic and the other was easily enraged, these people they should try to sense danger more than they do. Kodachi laughed slightly twirling the black rose she had, "Let me see all of those gangs attack us! I will defeat them all! I the Black Rose the undefeated champion of the Spanish Militia, shall not fail." Bernard shifted uncomfortably in his seat trying to ignore Sergeant Kuno's rambling, "You sure this is wise Ranma? Kodachi is a good fighter, but frankly, I think she needs to get some screws tightened in that head of hers. Then Sergeant Gonzales, he's skilled but is totally feeble and useless in a fight with dangerous enemies." Ranma smiled, "It doesn't matter." "What?!" Bernard asked, "After investing everything on the wine? I mean I know you have enough money to..." "Wait, we're in a valley right?" Ranma said after looking about. Ranma and Bernard were traveling ahead of Akane, on either side of them were soldiers and in the front and back, too much to allow quick movement, but one can't be too sure. Ranma and his group had entered the forest some hours ago and his tension increasingly grew every step of the way. "Yeah, so?" Bernard asked. "Basically where were the other cargoes robbed?" Ranma asked. "In this forest at Shady Glen." Was Bernard's quick reply. "And where are we?" "Shad--" Bernard's answer was interrupted by two gunshots, startling the horses. "Whoa! whoa boy!" was all that was heard from the group. "Sergeant it's the thieves!" One of the soldier pointed out, ready to reign his horse. Clearly from the look the sergeant was giving them, they were expected to go after the bandits alone. It was okay, especially since they would get out of Kodachi's sight. Let them choose between bandits and Kodachi any day and they'll end up chasing the bandits, all the time. When Sarjento Gonzales did not move from his place Kodachi glared at him. From Gonzales' reaction, it was obvious that she had used that a lot of times for he immediately reigned after the soldiers. Kodachi was a hard woman to cross. Kodachi then gave a whimper and embraced Ranma's waist giving the full impression that she was scared, forcing ragged breaths and a tear out of her eye, she clung on desperately to him. "Ranma, you jerk, how dare you hang on Kodachi while I'm here!" Akane shouted from the back. "Hey, It's not my fault can't you see she's trembling?" "Yeah right!" Akane said shouting, while the fight continued Kodachi smiled, Ranma had truly proved to be what she was waiting for, yes, arrival would bring what San Tasco had much needed, and her the thrill of his company. Yes, indeed. After a few moments the bandits appeared in their sights again, clearly being chased by the soldiers to a place far away. After running into the wagons they jerked their horses and ran back into the forest. "Strange..." Ranma commented, "I don't understand why they ran away." Kodachi laughed, "Perhaps they were too awed by your presence, Don Vega." "Ranma..." Akane boiled as she tried to get her carriage to move next to Ranma's. At that moment four more men came from behind them and trained guns at them, "Just give us the barrels and no one will be hurt." Kodachi gave them a piecing gaze, "Me give up to you?" The man sneered as he leaned the gun closer to her throat, "Do you have a choice?" Bernard looked at the sergeant, then at Ranma and Akane, "Don't you think we should give them the barrels?" Ranma, looking at the four men, decided he could take them, if he could kick the gun that was trained at Kodachi. Deciding that the best way to do that was with caution stood up slowly. "Ranma, are you trying to tell me, you're going to give the wine up?" Akane shouted from the back. "Akane...that's not what I'm doing," Ranma started "Are you too much of a hot-head to see that?!" "I'm not a hot-head, you jerk!" "Oh you're not? Well you jump to conclusions to much, you never give me a chance to explain and to top it off you're a violent--" That was when Akane's mallet connected with Ranma's face, "Ranma, you jerk!" Kodachi looked at Akane, "How dare you chase away my beloved! For that the Black Rose will bring you to justice!" "Don't try to move," the leader said as he reminded Kodachi of the gun he had held at her throat. The other bandits bigsweated as they saw Ranma thrown off to the forest, "Never mind him, no one could have survived a blow like that." "Stupid jerk!" Akane mumbled as she reared her horse and urged them to run at the opposite trees. "Trying to escape is futile miss, give it up." The man sneered. "You won't get this from me!" Akane shouted trying to get free of the men. *** When Ranma was nearing the ground, he spun around aiming to land on his two feet. "OW! That hurt!" _Well, can't do anything about it now. I guess,_ He thought as he whistled, "_Viento_!" _I just hope, I'm as close enough to the mountain for him to hear._ After a few moments the horse appeared carrying the whole costume, sword and a wine flask, carrying water, at his back. Donning the said outfit, Ranma poured the water. _Heh, it's a good thing I thought I should actually make him carry the costume around._ Ranma thought triumphantly. Mounting on _Viento_ he thought _This plan had *better* work._ It took him a few minutes to actually find where Akane and the rest were since he didn't know where Akane had malleted him but then Bernard's shouts were loud enough to lead him there. *** "I finally caught up with her!" one of the bandits shouted. "Leave me alone!" Akane said struggling to free herself. "But dear, if we do that our 'investments' would have gone to waste." Akane, irritated, elbowed her captor in the stomach, freeing her instantly. But as soon as she was two steps away from them, the leader had a gun pointed at her head. "You really want to be buried at a young age, don't you?" The leader of the group asked, "Don't worry, I'll grant that wish. This bullet is especially for you." He started to fire but then the gun fell of his hands, while he yelped in pain. "Who goes there?" One of the bandits called out. Akane frowned, that gun couldn't have grown too hot all of a sudden. She looked at the gun and at the forest. Seeing Zorro she frowned, _he must have done something to the guns..._ Zorro grinned, "What's the matter? You know you really shouldn't be fighting with that hand, I must have hit it too hard." It was just a fight, seeing how skilled, Zorro was, it hadn't even lasted a minute with him, and most of the men were already breathing hardly while he was sitting there looking at them cockily smiling at their poor excuse for an attack. Kodachi had managed well, fighting with the other men, she had her own style of fighting, or so it seemed, whipping punishing the men into surrender. This made his job a bit easier, protecting Bernard, Akane and the barrels of wine, couldn't be *that* hard. He then jumped on to Akane's former wagon which was now being held by a thief and threw him out, making sure he was alive but well out of the way, and unconscious. Then he took hold of the reign and brought it around beside Akane. The leader growled, _This isn't good..._ "We got the other wagon of wine. I suggest we get moving." He ordered, and as soon as that was said, they made themselves scarce. Zorro hid a smile, so far, everything had gone on as planned. And it happened earlier than he expected. There were a few things he still needed to do, but that could be easily arranged. Better yet, since they have got themselves a prisoner. He then went on the rigid process of struggling with the branches of thyme the bandit fell on to. When he finally extracted him from the branches he tied his strongly and slung him on to the horse. Akane looked at Zorro up close, for probably the first time since his first appearance last month. He had fast become the people's favorite by his charming ways and quick-witted replies in combat. More so, because he had helped San Tasco regain what dignity it had left for its people. Most of his features were hidden because of the costume, except for his blue liquid eyes, his curved lips, and a bit of reddish-brown hair slipping out of the covers of his hat. She stood behind him and finally noticed his height, _My, he's short, he's even shorter than I am._ "Thank you, Zorro." Akane said, "I really appreciate you saving us like that. Good help can't be found now a days." "Erhm--yeah. Good help." Kodachi looked at the masked person who had just saved them, "You there, why are you wearing such ridiculous clothes, are you not a woman?" Zorro big-sweated as he looked at Kodachi, from his first impression of her, she was a dainty little woman, too fragile to be held. When she fought she proved that she handled herself well, a woman emotionally weak, yet physically strong. Now she was showing him how astute she is thinking, _How could she know that?_ "Nevermind, have you seen my darling Ranma?" "Ehrm--I saw him and hanging over some trees a while ago...ah, I think he was okay, told me you needed some help. I saw some of your men as well, tied up some miles from here." Kodachi nodded, "I shall look for my beloved," she said turning to Akane, "I will deal with you later." With that Kodachi jumped on to her horse, not minding the state of her dirtied dress and said, "I am sure that I will meet you again, Zorro. The next time I do, I shall take you to my father, and see what face lies behind that mask." Akane watched Kodachi, "She's crazy! Imagine, thinking you were a girl! You can't possibly be one right?" Zorro shifted uncomfortably and said, "You should be more careful in these parts." Bernard pouted, he had never liked to be left out in a conversation, especially when it was between Akane and another man, it always proved disastrous, not to mention uncomfortable, "I don't think I like what's happening." he muttered. "It's too bad that they got the other wagon of wine. If only that blasted Ranma wasn't such a coward." Akane continued to ramble, gesturing with her hands, her eyes wildly stating what her lips cannot. "Hey! Wait a minute, who are you calling a coward?!" Zorro demanded, deciding that he could not take the insults much longer. Here he was practically saving them and she calls him a *coward*. Admittedly he had started with the wrong foot with her but this was too much. It was too much a blow to his manhood to be ignored. Bernard big-sweated as Akane answered, "Ranma. He is *such* a coward." "You know, you shouldn't go insulting people like that." Zorro pointed out. Deciding that he had better diffuse the subject before anything he might regret happened he turned to Bernard, "Bernard, could you do me a favor?" Glad for the change of topic Bernard nodded "Sure!" "Now here's what you do..." Zorro said as he whispered something to Bernard's ear. Bernard's eyes lit up "Okay, I'll do it. Leave everything to me!" *** That morning, the sky was hazy, the kind of soft blue-lavander haze that means a hot day, with clear skies later on and perhaps a thunderstorm in the late afternoon or evening. This sight reflected on Bernard as he hastily took out some materials he had been playing with since Zorro had arrived. It was an exact replica of his costume, hand sewn by Maria, the cook and helper around the house and, smiled upon by his friends. He donned the suit and eagerly set on the task he was assigned. He had easily spotted homes with barrels last night, but the most intriguing of all was the Spanish Mansion. There were rows and rows of lined barrels on its lawn, that Bernard had to check it out first. He jumped off the barrels and when he found what he was searching for smiled. It had been easier than he had expected, and grinned as he started to walk away from the barrels _Good now all I have to do is look for Zorro..._ Somewhere off the side he heard footsteps, "Danger..." "Zorro--" He looked at the figure closely, "A child?" A sense of danger flicked through the Bernard's eyes as he watched the older man. It was something from Ranma, that had rubbed off to him, when he was smaller, he would look at him and Genma in awe as they practiced, when they were a bit older, and he was allowed to visit Ranma in Spain, he had seen him spar with another classmate. Being around with such people made you learn, mainly from observance than anything else. "What are you doing here?" The man demanded, pointing out his sword at him. Bernard smiled and held out a peace sign, "Nothing, just strolling around. Bye!" Bernard said as he started jumping around the stacks of barrels, another thing that he had learned from Ranma. And though he cannot jump a whole house, he had easily cleared the three barrel high stack, no problem. "Stop!" The man shouted chasing after the boy. But one of the things you cannot learn is stamina, and the chase was tiring him out. Seeing a perfect opportunity in the small barrels he stopped in front of it. Taking advantage of his size Bernard crawled between the spaces of the wine barrels. "Get out of there you rascal!" *** At that moment, Commander Raymond Kuno, was admitting a guest into the reception of the Spanish Mansion. This, like all rooms of the mansion was furnished just as nicely. Beautifully crafted rugs lay on the floor accentuated by the white stone, which was marble. Just like his office, there were two French doors opening out to the balcony overlooking the garden below. The room should have a comfortable feel to it--but it didn't, or so says most of San Tasco's residents who have been ushered into it one time or the other. Perhaps the commander's guest had not felt the cold chill that was Kodachi's laugh, or the irritation that was Tatewaki's poetry. Though they were not there all the time, it was firmly stamped across the halls and felt by the people. It was probably just as well that the people hated the government, or no one would dare enter. "Just taste this." The wine peddler urged Commander Kuno. He also put a pouch of money in front of him, nudging it a little, implying that it was a present. "And some extra, a little donation to the Spanish Government." After taking a sip the commander nodded his approval, a fairly unusual happening, for almost nothing but his tropical paradise pleased him, "True, this does taste good...but I have tasted better from the Vegas." "Just put your trust in me." The peddler said clearly having confidence in his business abilities. "I could make a deal with the Vegas, to sell me some of their wine, but then those would price high..." "They only sell their wine to some particular stalls in the market, and the Tendo's tavern. I know how they work." "Trust me Commander Kuno, I can get their wine." The peddler boasted, running his hand through his thinning black hair. A supposedly suave movement, that was totally blundered by a man like him. "Wouldn't it be ludicrous if I sold you the sole rights for peddling wine in the market?" Commander Kuno asked. "Don't worry, my only intention is to sell wine at a low price!" The peddler protested, letting out a smile and showing a set of--well teeth, or lack of it. "You have good intentions, Bruno." Commander Kuno thought for a moment then continued, "Okay, you have my assent to sell your wine freely." "You mean you're agreeing to my petition?" "Yes." Commander Kuno agreed, he laughed moments later the man known as Bruno joined as well. "The thieving negotiator and the commander that makes use of what the thief steals." The voice was obviously high-pitched desperately brought down a few octaves lower for a good effect. "Show yourself." Commander Kuno ordered. After that command, a silhouette, seemingly out of nowhere appeared on the French doors. The cape and the hat, was unmistakably Zorro's as the wind touched its invisible hands to make the cape move. He slowly entered the doors and watched their reactions coolly. "It's Zorro." At that comment from Bruno, three soldiers went inside the room and attacked Zorro. But with a swift movement he threw their weapons at a nearby wall, rendering them weaponless. With these men, disarm them, and they were useless, beat them and they show what a true coward they really are, mock them and you find out what they were afraid of. At this moment, they were afraid of Him--the man in the mask. "Thief! Thief!" Bruno, started running wildly around the room shouting, panicking, hugging his precious bag of gold coins in his chest. "*You're* the thief." "Hey, man in the mask, I don't know how to steal!" Bruno denied. "You don't steal the wine, but you sell stolen wine." He paused for a minute then said, "Well, isn't that called stealing as well?" "Shut-up!" Bruno said indignantly "You can't prove that." "Here's your proof." Zorro said taking a whip from one of the men and opening the door revealing a man bound up. The man, stumbled inside and fell into his face wide eyed, seeing a fleeting glimpse of the one man who was his 'boss'. "Wait, who's he?" Bruno asked "Bruno, help me!" The tied man called. Commander Kuno looked at Zorro, the tied man and turned to Bruno "Is all of this true, Bruno?" "No wait! I don't even know him!" Bruno protested. "Liar! He's already confessed everything to me." Zorro said. "Don't believe anything he says Commander!" Bruno said fearfully then began shouting again, "Thief, Thief, there's a thief in here!" Another three of Bruno's henchmen appeared attacking Zorro. They all failed to even scratch him, when they were about to hit, he evaded, when they were about to dodge, he hit. Who was this? They had been so sure of victory so many times just to be brought down by an unknown adversary. A man halted the fight as he opened the door, he grinned evilly at the people inside and his eyes rested on his quarry. "Zorro, stop that, if you don't want your friend to be hurt." "Let me go!" Bernard squirmed, with a vitality that was admirable in such a young one. "Shut up!" The man holding him ordered. Bernard got his second wind a long time ago, and was able to move more. Rebellious of the strong arm that held him, he sank his teeth on it. It caused instant pain to his captor that he released Bernard immediately holding his wounded arm a bit. It was only a moment, but that was all Zorro needed. He spin kicked at the hand holding the gun and smiled. "This isn't a place to hold a fight is it? Follow me." Zorro said as he leapt out of the French doors hopping into one of the coconut trees before landing gracefully down near one of the stacks of barrels. The man sneered as he followed Zorro, but instead, he jumped into one of the barrels near the window. Seeing that the man hadn't followed him, Zorro jumped up to his place and unsheathed his sword, he had not used it with the fight with the others, but this was a good time as any to use it. Zorro was about to strike the man down when the barrels under him shifted and made him temporarily loose his balance, seeing this the henchman pushed him into a lying position and glared at him. "This is your end Zorro!" he said as he attacked. One of the qualities, Zorro was proud of, was that he was a quick thinker, more so in a fight, he gathered and processed information in such a speed that he knew what his opponent was going to do, before he actually did it. Reversing the hold on his sword, he used it to swiftly pierce one of the barrels, sending a cascade of red wine flowing into his opponent's eyes. He used that moment to swipe the sword off his adversary's hand and pin him down. Taking off the whip he had used earlier he used it to tie the man. "Wow you're really good!" Bernard said gleefully from the window where Zorro and the henchman jumped out. Since all the soldiers were already outside watching the fight, he was out of harms' way. "What are you doing? What are you waiting for? Help me!" The henchman shouted. "It saddens me to say but I cannot help you." Bruno said from below the wine barrels. "Why don't you admit it? We really did steal the wine didn't we?" "Shut-up!" Bruno shouted, "They have no proof!" "See this mark." Zorro said pointing on one of the barrels. At the bottom there was a large Z emblazoned across it, beautifully stamped with some designs to the sides. "All the Vegas' wine barrels have this mark. This Z is on 24 barrels in this yard." "What?" Bruno said not believing what he was hearing. "That's the evidence you're asking for. And the barrels don't even contain wine. Because it only carries water!" With that Zorro slashed the Z in the barrel and out poured water, something, useful in its own right but wasn't as expensive as the wine it is supposed to be. "Water? What is the meaning of this Bruno?" The commander demanded. "I don't know!" Bruno protested. "You want to make water into wine?" The commander shouted, effectively hiding both embarrassment and fury of having been tricked into admitting Bruno into the stalls. Not only that, but to be proved wrong by a common rebel, it was simply preposterous, that if he hadn't been involved in it, he would have laughed. "They really wouldn't know, because they just stole this and did not make it nor bought it from near by farm lands." Zorro said from the top, silently shifting his feet, getting ready to disappear with the morning mists. Bruno objected, "That's not true." "I'll just take care of this." Zorro said taking the sack of coins and Bernard, "I'm leaving the thieves and that cheating businessman in your hands Commander Kuno. Goodbye." Commander Kuno watched them take off not wanting to be outsmarted or out done by a common rebel he shouted. "Soldiers, Follow them!" Zorro knowing that this would happen, jumped off the barrels with blinding speed whistling with precise clarity and shouted his horse's name. As fast as they had appeared they both disappeared into the _empedrada_. Kuno glared at the simpering Bruno taking out his anger on the helpless merchant, "Bruno, from now on I'll close your business." "No! Now I might be the one who'll go hungry." "You should have thought of that before you entered this elaborate scheme of yours." *** Near the forests of Shady Glen, Zorro was quietly riding with Bernard. It seemed that nothing dared disturb that silence between both of them, for both of them heard nothing from the forest except the hooves of Zorro's horse. Bernard decided that the conversation should come from him and asked the first question popping in his mind, "How did you find me?" Zorro grinned, "It was easy, someone told me you got up early this morning saying you were going to the Mansion to run an 'errand'." Bernard slapped his forehead, of course, how could he have forgotten that he asked permission from Auntie Nodoka to go out. Thank goodness for small miracles, small coincidences that happen every day. There was another pregnant pause in the air before Zorro spoke again. "Why did you wear that?" Bernard shrugged "I wanted to follow your orders!" "All I said was for you to find the barrels with the mark." Zorro explained a small reprimanding tone in his voice, "Not to place your life on the line." Bernard decided that the only way to get out of the situation was to tell him the truth, of what he knew, "Zorro I really admire you because you're really courageous." "Really?" Zorro asked, for it was the first time someone had commented about courage near him. "At first I wanted to find out who was behind that mask." "Erhm--" Zorro cleared his throat, Bernard might be a child, but he was smart and was observant. "But now I know, I'm really, really happy, Ranma! You know when I first saw you I felt that you really were courageous, even though Akane says differently!" "Who's this Ranma you're talking about?" Zorro big-sweated, how could it be that a three year old boy, who had known him for only a mere month found out that he was the man behind the mask? Sure Bernard had visited him sometimes, but it was practically impossible. Even the Tendo siblings, who had known him since he was younger had not noticed, but now, the thirteen year old had just started to complicate things further. "Don't feign ignorance, Ranma. You won't deceive me. I know. Because you treat me like a brother. Right Ranma?" "I'm a girl." Ranma winced as he heard himself say it, though he had accepted the nature of the curse (being with six years did that to you), he did not say things like that on a normal basis, nor did he like the way it sounded, "I can't possibly be this Ranma." "You forget, you found me when I was three, just after Jusenkyo." --flashback-- The morning had promised so much for Ranma, but it had disappointed him when the first few drops of rain fell off its skies. Truly weather was unpredictable. He was caged inside the house with nothing to do. He certainly had no options for fun. He sat at the windowsill wistfully looking outside, his arms folded behind his back, watching the drops fall off the roof into the soft soil below. If he went out he'd turn into a girl...but if he stayed in he'd be bored. Choices, life never made easy ones for you. For a five-year-old youth, that was certainly important. He was about to leave the window when he spotted a three-year-old boy near the woods. _What's he doing?_ With closer scrutiny he looked at the boy and ran o ut to help him. "Hey you okay?" "Mother...father..." Was the boy's weak reply. "What happened to you?" Ranma-chan asked as she looked him over, uncaring that the rain had already drenched him to the bone. "Mother...father..." the boy repeated. Ranma felt the boy's forehead "You're hot!" Picking him up she raced inside the house and tried to find her parents, while shielding the boy's body from the rain with her own, "Mom, Dad! Help me!" *--* The boy woke up feverish as he looked at his savior, she smiled as she dried her hair, "I'm Ranma, you seemed pretty weak back there, what were you thinking going out like that? Especially in this weather" The boy moaned and repeated his words as he tried to get up, "I'm Bernard... Mother...father," Ranma restrained him from moving, "You have a high fever it's best to rest, mom got some medicine and dad's heating some water." Bernard looked around wildly then set his eyes on Ranma, fear still fresh from what he had gone through, but his head sank in the pillow thinking that he was safe, for now. *--* After a few days Bernard woke up and saw a boy with black hair watching him, "Who are you?" "Me? I'm Ranma don't you remember?" He asked. "But I thought she was a girl." Bernard pointed out. "It's a long story...Anyway where are your parents?" He asked, thinking of how they must be worried for him. "Accident...Now I can't go back to America..." "You're from America?" Ranma pondered the information, "Well, we are too, my dad that is. I'll ask them if you can go." --end flashback-- "Besides you called me Bernard, how did Zorro know my name?" "Er--I heard it from Akane..." "How did you know her name? And Why aren't you mispronouncing it like some people out there? Really you should start thinking before you answer." Bernard advised. "Don't worry about it, I won't tell a soul. Okay, I'd only ride up to here, Bye Zorro." Bernard said as he dismounted off _Viento_ and raced off the distance. *** He had so much to think about and so little time. If Bernard saw through his disguise, it was possible that the others would notice as well. There were few choices and so many decisions. For now, he settled with returning the stolen money, it was probably the easiest problem of them all to solve. Pushing other thoughts as the back of his mind he settled on the small pouch he had fastened on his belt. Zorro frowned as he neared the house he and Akane saw earlier. He could see one window with the light on. _Looks like I have to explain the money._ he thought as he took the pouch and threw it in the open window. "That's the money that was used for the stolen wine. You can now pay for your taxes." Zorro said before he rode into the dark night. "Zorro," Mr. Santiago said, "Thank You!" *** At the entrance of the cave Zorro smiled as he took off his mask. It was one of the most precious things he had. It was one of the things that separated Zorro from Ranma, besides the curse. Ranma dismounted off his horse as he tended to its grooming. Deciding that it was best, he left the horse untied, he unsaddled him and patted his back "Viento, thank you very much." He checked the pile of hay and seeing that it was sufficient until the next day went towards the secret panel leading to his room. Taking off his sword he pushed the narrow panel. He then took off his hat and cape and reached for the light. "Oh, you're already here, Ranma." Bernard said from a chair, "Here, I got you some hot water. You know you really should put some sort of hot water container in your room." "As if it would actually stay warm." Ranma accepted the water gratefully as he looked at the thirteen-year-old boy, "Bernard...you've been waiting here the whole morning?" "Well, I did want to make sure of my suspicion. Besides, when your friend was knocking the concrete that blocked that wall he was making such a racket, don't you think I would know?" "What! I told him to be discreet!" "Don't worry, I was the only one in the house when he did it. He asked permission from your father that you requested for him to 'fix' your bookcase. I overheard and I decided not to go out. He must have forgotten about me..." "Impossible, I specifically mentioned that you were a nosy kid." Ranma smiled. "From now on, I'm going to help Zorro, okay Ranma?" Bernard said with conviction. "Do I have a choice?" Ranma said resigningly as he pulled off the costume smoothing it out and folding it, "The pain of this job is, I have to wash and mend this everytime I get into a fight!" "Now *that* I'm not planning to do." Bernard said as he laughed. --end chapter two-- Spanish words found in the story: (if I misspelled something bare with me...it'd also benifit me if you actually told me as well...) Hacienda - this is a large plot of land, usually used to farm - agricultural land (orchard) Haciendados - a person owning the above stated hacienda, - usually extremely wealthy, highly educated and well traveled person who keeps large homes, which are managed by servants Commandante - Commander/Commandant - An officer in charge of a military unit (in this case the San Tasco Barracks) - In this period of time, he's the acting government in San Tasco Sarjento - Sergeant - An officer appointed to keep order in a legislature, court, social club, etc.) Viento - Wind - note: I know that Zorro's horse was named Tornado and was black, but the anime onne had white and was named viento (there is no Spanish for Tornado), my reason? Nothing, between white and black, I'd rather choose the previous than the latter. Empadrada - cobblestone - a street made out of cobblestones Basically I shift between the Spanish names to English, I don't notice it.. . Anyway if I missed something please tell me 'kay? Author's notes - I may not be able to get some of the Ranma characters in here and I might, I'm not sure yet. I'm sure, Ukyo and Shampoo will definitely appear Sorry guys one chapter each only (At least that's what I planned) Ryoga, will appear as well don't worry... at the very end that is... Mousse and Cologne I'm still not sure about those two - You prbably noticed this, but this is WAY shorter than the first Chapter, but exams and other stuff kinda got in the middle, sorry you guys!!! - Oh and the fusion isn't really with Zorro, Zorro oldie, it's the Anime one. I've watched it several times and I saw SOME resemblance, but thought Ranma would go out of scale...but what the heck right? It's a fanfic after all :) - Oh and C&C and the like are really begged for and answered. I need those stuff. Basically because this is my first time and because they're what makes people better writers ;). - Please contact me at winthrop@hotmail.com I'm not on the list. I guess that wraps it up, if you're reading this, you must have read everything (or skipped it) and I'm really, really grateful for that. :)