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Child of Silence
By: Jeremy Evans
Disclaimer: I don't own these characters nor am
I am making no money from this. Please do not
sue me.
Part 1: The players take the stage
Chapter 1 - First Impressions
When dad got back from China he was feeling pretty low so
Grandpa decided to cheer him up with a fianc�. Grandpa
Never was any good at understanding people. Grandma went
along to smooth things over with the Tendos and to
Make sure the girls were worthy of her son. Grandma
Used to have some crazy ideas about manliness but
She kind of let it slide with Dad because of the burden
He bore. She did at least expect him to give the
engagement a try. Interestingly they didn't tell
him about until they were on the way to the Tendo home.
I guess even grandma has her brain farts.
Mr. Tendo did the same thing. I later asked his
daughters how they reacted. All told they took
It pretty well...
****
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU NEVER
MEET HIM!!!!"
Soun shrunk back from his youngest. The
News she'd be sharing mastery of the dojo
With another hadn't gone quite as well as
He'd hoped, the fact he hadn't meet Ranma
Had made things worse."
With a look from Kasumi, Akane managed to rein
her temper in.
"Father. For all you know he may be a poor
martial artist. IF he has any interest in the art
at all." She took a calming breath.
"She has a point daddy." Nabiki began "Besides I'm sure
we'd all feel better about this if you'd meet this boy
before." Kasumi nodded slowly in agreement.
Soun laughed nervously "Well, I'm sure he'll
Be fine, he is the son of a dear friend of mine after
All."
"Great another stupid BOY to deal with." The youngest
Tendo said under her breath.
Nabiki looked like she was about to say more when
Someone knocked on the door.
"That must be them now." With a smile on his face
and a spring in his step Soun Tendo sprang from
his seat.
A few moments later the sound of a door opening could
Be heard. Followed by a few muffled voices then by
the Sound of Soun Screaming and a body hitting the floor.
The Tendo daughters looked at one another before moving
To find out what happened.
****
Water has an interesting way of finding my father at the most
Inopportune times. This was one them. Fortunately Grandma
Was able to settle everyone down and explain the situation.
After which Akane Challenged dad to a match. Dad was surprised,
He'd figured most of Japan would know who and what he
Was by then. The truth was few did. The cover up had gone
Quite well. Seems they'd gotten a U.S. official to consult
them on such matters. He really wasn't interested in fighting,
but Grandpa insisted so he consented. So after a little hot water
dad was ready to go.
Now to understand how good a fighter my father is, you
Should know that he trained against guys like Akira
For fun. Fighting people who can lift 3 tons and move
At over 800 mph has a tendency to force someone to improve
or fall hard. Dad improved.
****
Soun and the assembled families watched as the Akane took
A normal Karate stance while Ranma simply stood with
His arms behind his back and waited.
Soun cleared his throat.
"Begin!"
Akane charged in with a right cross. Intending to fallow up
with a snap kick to the groin. It was an obvious male weakness
after all. Besides if he wasn't smart enough to protect it he
shouldn't be a martial artist.
Appearing to move lazily but with an incredible amount of speed,
Ranma grabbed Akane's outstretched arm and flipped her over
onto her back.
Akane blinked from her newfound position on the floor for a moment
before leaping to her feet and closing in again. This time she
feinted with her fist, then snapped out a kick.
With the same lazy yet lightening fast movement as before Ranma
grabbed her leg and tossed it up.
Akane did two cartwheels in the air before landing
unceremoniously on her back. As fast as possible, she
scrambled to her feet and stared at him cautiously. He
maintained the same stance as when she first attacked.
Only now he seemed to be nodding.
"Not bad. You have a fair amount of potential. You just
need to work on your speed, reaction time..."
Akane fumed. How dare he give her tips like she was a
beginner! she was Akane Tendo, Heir to the Tendo school
of anything goes Martial Arts! She didn't need this...
this..BOYS help.
Blind with rage she charged in again, swinging away.
Ranma simply dodged then tripped her up. She tried to
break her fall but failed and landed on her face.
Ranma winced. "... and Control. Jeeze are you all right?"
Ranma bent down and offered her his hand, which was
Promptly slapped away.
"I can get up on my own!" She snapped.
Ranma held his palms up in a placating manner and
back away. "Okay, okay sorry." He looked at Mr. Tendo
"Well?"
Tendo nodded "Very good Ranma." He looked to Akane "I'd
Say he's proven himself a Martial Artist, right Akane?"
Akane mumbled something as she got up that sounded
Like 'Right'
Soun smiled "Well then I guess all that's left is to
choose one of my daughters."
Ranma shook his hand up "I think we need to talk about
that. There's something else you should know about me
before then."
Soun was of course puzzled and looked to Genma, who looked
to his wife. Turning back Genma nodded "Yes old friend there
is something else."
Not liking the sound of that one bit. Soun ushered everyone
inside.
----
Once everyone was seated Ranma raised his right, which was
Encircled by a silver bracelet. Nabiki gasped.
"You're a special!" Once said the others in the family
reacted as well. Akane Vocally.
"Ah HA!" She stood up shoving an accusing finger in his
Face "You cheated! You probably read my mind or are inhumanly
fast."
Ranma actually became indignant "My powers do not work like
that. And if they did I would not use them in an duel."
Akane sat down and snorted "Yeah right! First you change
into a girl. And you probably spend hours in front of a
mirror with that. Now you can read minds. Probably force
girls to your lust, pervert!"
Now Ranma was appalled "That is WAY out of line! You just met me
and are ready to condemn me like that!! You have no right!!!"
"Listen here pervert, if you think you can trick me..."
The sound of someone clearing their throat forestalled
further argument. All eyes turned to Nodoka. Who gave
the younger Tendo a very frosty glare "MY son may be
manly but he would NEVER force himself on
a women."
Akane managed to look sheepish.
"Now what my son is about to say
Does not leave this room. Understood."
The three girls nodded, Nabiki reluctantly.
She turned to Ranma "Go on son."
He smiled "Thanks mom." He turned to the Tendos "The power
That was originally in my file was levitation. I can
levitate my self and whatever I'm in contact with about
20 ft. off the ground. However not everything I can do
is in my file."
Nabiki paled as certain pieces fell into place. "Your
him. The one that killed Akira Kimoto with a single touch!"
Kasumi glanced from her sister to Ranma "Is that true?"
Ranma nodded slowly "Unlike the rest, my abilities stem
from a control from the force that created us specials.
Through that I bring silence. None of the other specials
Have a clue as to what I could do before Akira. Now they
know. Some may come after me knowing, correctly,
that I can and will take them down if they become a
threat humanity at large."
Kasumi was white as sheet, while Nabiki was bringing
Herself under control. Akane looked disgusted, while
Soun looked thoughtful.
"This puts me in a precarious situation and I don't wish
to put you in any danger. So it may be best to postpone
this until a better time."
Here Soun spoke up "Son, their will never be a better time.
There are already 3000 specials worldwide. As long as they
exist you will be in some danger. This whole world could
one day be in danger because of a special. I would feel better
knowing a daughter of mine is married to a man who could save
her from one of those people if necessary."(1)
Ranma & Nodoka blinked in surprise. Not having expected him
To take that attitude. Genma however smiled heartily and slapped
his friend on the back. "Well Said Tendo! Well Said!"
Ranma looked at his mother who shrugged and then to the
Tendo girls. "Well what do you think?"
Kausmi's gaze rested on him for a long moment. He seemed
like a nice young man. Very responsible if he was willing
to carry out such a task at such a young age. The clincher
was his eyes. They seemed so hopeful. Like he needed
a few friend. She could guess why he felt that way.
She smiled warmly "I am curious about what it's like
To be a special and it would be nice to have you and
your family over if nothing else. We get so few visitors
These days."
Kasumi was rewarded with a bright smile from the young
Saotome.
Nabiki took a far more calculating look. Secrets she couldn't revel,
Minus. Potential to bring trouble minus. Might be convinced to
Start teaching a the Dojo big plus. Good Material for a book
Deal when this was over one-way or another, big Plus. Chance
To have a handsome man on her arm for the world to see, major
Plus. Chance at friendship...undetermined.
Nabiki decided to take a chance "I'm not saying I'll marry him
but I'm willing to give it a try." If he did teach at the dojo maybe
she wouldn't have to pull anymore petty blackmails for a bit.
It was getting hard to make money that way as people eventually
Wised up to her ploys. It was not like she was bothered by it morally
Or anything.
She too was rewarded with a smile
Akane Stared at the man who beat her. He turned into a girl. He could
Float in the air, which she was sure he'd somehow used to cheat.
And could kill with a touch. No Way.
"I am not marrying some FREAK daddy! Who knows what he might
pull!!" With that she stormed up the stairs and slammed her
door shut.
Soun frowned "I apologize for my daughters behavior. I think
she's having a tough time at school. Anyway, as I understand
your moving into the area?"
Nodoka spoke "Yes, I understand you wanted to reopen the Dojo
so we decided to move here to make it easier for Genma and
Ranma to assist you."
Soun rubbed his chin "Wonderful! Now we'll let you kids get
to know each other. Ranma why don't you come by in the
morning and Nabiki can show you where the school is."
****
Mr. Tendo and the group worked out the details. Nabiki and
Ranma would leave early tomorrow and put up signs around
town advertising schools reopening. Then Ranma would
stop by after school and help set things up. He went
on to add that for now they'd not push any thing. Nabiki
said she was never more pleasantly surprised by her father
than at that moment. I later asked Mr. Tendo
What made him decide to do it that way. He said that
basically there was little chance of forcing a special
to do what he wanted especially if the government would
back them. Best to set things up and hope they went
your way.
He was right actually. The 'good' specials weren't
obligated to do anything much if they served the
interest of the state. And dad qualified as that.
After all, having a special executioner
around is always useful.
When asked why he was willing to go along with this
whole fianc�e business. Dad simply told me that at
the time he felt he would soon be low on
Friends because of the Akira incident. So any chance
he had to make new ones was seized immediately. I
can relate. Me and my elder sister are both kind of
shunned because of what we are. So we both kind of
latch on to any friends we can find.
Anyways, after everything was settled Nodoka and
Ranma left. Soun and Genma went out to for a few
celebratory drinks, and the Tendo home quitted
down, mostly.
****
Nabiki watched as her little sister vented her
Frustration in an adult manner.
"ERRRGH!!" <SMASH! SMASH! SMASH! SMASH! SMASH!>
Akane looked up from the pile of broken bricks.
A slight smile forming as she imagined them to
Be that FREAK Ranma.
Nabiki shook her head. "You know sis, a few anger
Management classes might be in order."
Akane gave glared at her sister. "Don't you start.
My control is just fine! But knowing that...that...freak!
Will be coming Around here regularly just...ERRRGH!"
<SMASH! CRACK!> A pile of bricks and a piece of the
floor felt Akane's wrath.
Nabiki made a mental note get someone to repair the knew
Hole. "Akane are you really so upset that he's a special."
Akane wiped the sweat from her brow. A grimace gracing her
Features. "Of course! They all think so highly of themselves
Because they got powers! Big deal. I could take any of them
With only my training. I don't need any stupid powers to
Protect me!"
Nabiki observed her sister. Her stance, tone of voice, and
Facial expressions told the truth. No point in telling her
Tthough she'd only deny it and get angrier.
"Well get used to it he'll be around in the morning and
afternoons. You could at least try to be civil." Already
the cost of bricks and repair looked to be encroaching on
possible gains.
Akane stared at her sister "I'm not going to compromise
my self so you can make money off him!"
Nabiki mock winced. "Oh your right! How selfish of me.
I try to placate daddy so he won't be bawling for the
next few weeks and maybe get the dojo to generate some
cash for the family. Yes I'm just a cold hearted witch
who cares about No one! Oh woe is me."
Akane frowned "I still can't believe your doing this
whole fianc� thing. Kasumi yes but you..."
Nabiki cocked her head to the side. "Little sis, dad
is being very reasonable so far. We have two years to
get to know each other before we get married and
That's if we want to. Not a bad deal actually."
Akane looked unconvinced "Humph, HIM around us for at
least two years. I'd say we got the short end of the
stick." She returned to her Bricks.
Nabiki watched her sister vent her frustrations a moment
longer before quietly leaving.
----
The next morning Ranma arrived early so he and Nabiki
could put up fliers. Between Nabiki's ability to place
things for maximum effect and Ranma's skill
At getting at difficult to reach spots, they finished
pretty quickly.
Ranma was currently dropping down from a wall "Anymore?"
She shook her head "Nope that was the last of them. You've
been very helpful today Ranma, Thank you." The two started
to walk towards school."
Ranma turned his head to the side "Say, how did you get
these fliers printed so quickly?"
Nabiki returned the gesture "A week or so ago daddy asked
me to print a bunch of copies. I guess he was expecting
you to arrive soon."
"Figures, that's about the time we got back from china."
Curiosity stole over Nabiki's features. "What's it like to
Change with cold water?"
He shrugged "Not THAT bad but I'd prefer to know that I'm
going to be male all day."
Nabiki furrowed her brow "What, you think women are weak?"
A sharp bark of laughter escaped his lips. "Oh no. I've meet
Way to many powerful women to think that. I'm just kind of used
To being a man." He turned to look at her "I'm sure if you turned
Into a guy you wouldn't like it either."
She thought it over and found she had to agree.
For a few minutes they walked along in silence. The middle
Tendo trying to decide how to ask about life as a special,
When a thundercloud boomed overhead.
"Oh great, we're going to get rained on."
Ranma looked up then at here "Not if I run."
Nabiki gave him a flat stare. "You may make it,
but what about me?"
The mischievous grin the spread across his face surprised
Her. "I'll carry you."
And before she could protest, she was swept up into a fireman's
Carry position. Then found the world racing by as Ranma charged
along the street. She locked her arms around his neck, as she
saw the ground drop away as he leapt onto a wall, then to a roof.
It took all of her will power to keep from squealing in joy at
the sensation of flying through the air as he leapt from roof
to roof.
In no time at all Nabiki could make at the school in the distance.
"What's with the crowd of boys?"
Nabiki squinted her eyes. "Oh them. A guy named Kuno said you
Could only date my sister if you could beat her."
Ranma blinked "Your kidding."
"Nope."
Ranma just chuckled "I take it she mows through'em?"
Nabiki "Everyday. You almost have to admire there
Dedication."
Both shared a chuckle. Then Nabiki realized how this might look.
"um...Ranma, I think..."
"Where's your class?"
"Third floor room..."
"Which window?"
She blinked in confusion "Third from the right."
Ranma glanced at it and smiled "Good its open."
"Wha..?"
Her question died as Ranma poured on the speed, leaping over the
Assembled males. Then to bound into the class through the window.
All conversation came to an abrupt halt at the sight of a fairly
Handsome young man, leaping through a window with Nabiki in his
arms.
He set her down and then pulled out a slip of paper. "Do you know
where this class Is?"
Shakily she gave him directions.
"Thanks Nabiki, I'll see you later." And then he left.
Following his departure, a mob of girls surrounded
Nabiki and began to fire questions at her.
----
By lunch Nabiki's arrival in Ranma's arms was the talk
Of the school. The female population was of the opinion
That it was the most romantic thing to happen in some
Time. Considering at least 75% of the male population
Was engaged in a battle for Akane's hand, that wasn't
hard to achieve.
So Nabiki found herself fielding all sorts of questions
About Ranma. From what his favorite color was to things
Not repeatable here.
For her part Akane sat with her two friends and listened
As they talked about the new boy on campus. She was tempted
To tell them the truth about him. Maybe she should, he
Was a potential danger to the school. Maybe keeping this a
Secret would do more harm than good. The public
humiliation and rejection he would receive
as a consequence were merely incidental.
Nabiki was taking 5000 yen from a girl who wanted to know
Ranma's shirt size when the crowd began to part. Nabiki
sighed inwardly when she saw who it was.
Kuno Swaggered up to her table "Ah Nabiki Tendo! I would have
words with you concerning this new boy who carried you to school."
"Why Kuno, are you jealous!?"
The kendoist snorted, "Hardly, I simply wish to know if he is
Indeed set upon you or after my fair maiden of the art."
Nabiki let his attitude slide, for now. "Personal info involving
Me? My that'll cost you."
"Or you could ask me."
Kuno twirled around to find Said martial artist standing behind him.
"You dare to sneak up upon a person of my noble parentage?!"
Ranma merely cocked his head to the side. "You had a question?"
Kuno glared at him for a moment "I wish to know what your intentions
Are towards the Tendo girls"
Ranma shrugged "Personally I'm not looking for anything beyond
Friendship with..."
"Fool!" Kuno leveled his bokken in front of Ranma's face. "Akane is
to good to associate with one such as you!"
Ranma stared at the bokken for a moment then crossed his arms over
his chest. "You shouldn't wave that thing around. You might hurt
yourself."
Kuno Snarled "Fiend, do you think to best my noble self to date
Akane Tendo?"
Laughter rang forth from the younger Saotome. "Look...Kuno is it?
I'm not interested in Akane, She's not my type."
Kuno laughed darkly "I see you prefer your women cold blooded
like Nabiki."
Ranma's mirth died. "I would suggest you choose your next words
very carefully."
Kuno looked down his nose at him "You think to put words in my
mouth." His lips quirked upwards "I am Kuno Tatewaki, known
as the Blue Thunder of Farina high and none may tell me what
to do or say."
"I'm Ranma Saotome, currently annoyed and waiting for you
to apologize to my friend."
"If you expect me to apologize to some low bred, mercenary
peasant..."
Now Akane was on her feet. Nabiki was her sister and no one
could bad mouth her like that. She about to give Kuno a
Piece of her mind when it became a moot
Point.
Ranma yanked the bokken out of Kuno's hand and in the
same motion slammed his knee into the others groin.
Hard.
Kuno dropped like a ton of bricks.
Ranma idly twirled the bokken around, between his fingers.
"That was strike 1. You have two more before I get nasty.
I would suggest you refrain from insulting my friends.
"Co...ward." Kuno croaked out.
Ranma shook his head "Next time apologize."
With that he snapped the bokken in his hands dropping
The remains on the kendoist. Then strode Away.
----
Dad once told me that a good friend could be closer than a
Brother. So he said to do good by these people unless they
Proved unworthy of it. It's tough to do believe you me.
And it really hurts when they prove unworthy of your
Friendship. But the ones who do, make it well worth while.
----
After school the Saotome's had come
Over. Her father, Genma and Ranma where readying the dojo.
Akane was practicing Kata's near the koi pond while Kasumi and
Auntie (As she wanted to be called) were making dinner.
Having finished her homework, Nabiki decided to see
How everyone else was doing. As she descended the steps
She was treated to the sight of Ranma floating
Off the ground in a horizontal position.
"I thought you were cleaning the dojo?"
He shrugged "Pop and Mr. Tendo wanted to talk about
Something in private so here I am.
She took a good look at the space between
His back and the floor. "How do you do that?"
Ranma looked at himself "They say it has something to
Do with negating or lessening the effect of gravity."
Nabiki blinked and approached slowly him. Cautiously she
Reached out a hand and pushed. He slowly started to drift
Away.
"It works a lot like weightlessness on the shuttle, they say."
Here Ranma flipped around and pushed off the floor, then flipped
Around again to push of the ceiling towards Nabiki. Somehow
he manage to halt himself At eyelevel with Nabiki. "It's kind
of fun actually."
Nabiki cocked an eyebrow. "So it would seem. What about the
other thing you can do?"
He withdrew a bit as a pained expression tried
to take hold of his face. "It isn't as pleasant."
He sighed "Look I really, really don't want to talk about that
Right now. Maybe another time."
Seeing the pain she caused Nabiki winced "I'm sorry, I forgot."
He waved her off. "No problem."
Nabiki was about to say something else when Akane came in from
Outside. She froze for a second unsure of where to go. Finally she
Stomped over the floating martial artist and shoved a finger
in his face. "Look, I appreciate what you did to Kuno, he had
no right to talk about my sister like that. But know that'll
I'll do the same to you if you and your fre... friends Hurt
any of my family."
Ranma simply stared at her "Fair enough."
She glared at him then quickly left.
He watched her go. "Is there some reason she's
Got it in for me?"
Nabiki chewed her lip in thought. "She's jealous of
Your powers."
Ranma was actually surprised "What?!"
Nabiki sighed, "She always wanted to be a special
To be above normal beings." Nabiki shook her head in
Memory. "She jumped of the roof twice and once tried
To stop an on coming truck. Dad saved her, but she
Never quite got over not being special. Eventually
She took to deriding and hating them."
Ranma sighed and looked to where Akane had gone upstairs.
"Another person who hates us for reasons beyond our
control. I run into a lot of those. Its quite sad really."
Nabiki had to agree.
----
Kuno sat in his room, surrounded by images of his beloved and
Thought. He had been humiliated by a coward. A man who had not
Seen fit to challenge him to honor duel but to simply strike
Without warning. Such a man deserved no honor or mercy from
Him!
A puff of smoke signaled the ninja's arrival. "Master Kuno."
Kuno grunted an affirmative.
With out moving from his kneeled position. "Master Kuno,
Saotome is a special sir. According to the file, he is
capable of floating in the air."
Kuno pulled air of a wise samurai around him like a cloak.
"Surly all his power's were not reveled. How else could he
defeat one such as I."
Still on his knees the Ninja responded, "Orders my liege?"
Kuno thought for a moment then smiled. "I shall defeat this
Fiend in combat, to prove that special or not non may stand
In my way. But a proper humiliation is also in order."
"Sir?"
The smile grew "I want everyone in Nerima to know he is a special.
Everyone. I do not care how you do it. By tomorrow afternoon all
Are to know he is freak."
The ninja managed a bow "Thy will be done." And disappeared as
He'd arrived.
Alone Kuno looked at the images of his beloved "Soon my flower.
Very soon I shall free you of this vile special "
****
It wasn't that hard to find out if someone was a special. There
Was a database that had detailed descriptions on them and there
Powers. A public safety measure they called it. So it's of no
Surprise Kuno found out what he did.
I asked dad why he simply didn't announce it. He said that a lot of
People were of the don't ask don't tell opinion. As long as they
Could think you were normal, they didn't bother you. But once they
Knew you weren't something would have to be done. That is exactly
what Kuno was counting on.
- The end for now
Author notes: One thing I try to go for in all my fics
Is to treat all the characters fairly. Of course I show
A little favoritism to Ranma but otherwise I try to
Objective. So if anyone feels I am not being so
Please feel free to E-mail on it.
(1) What? Anyone can have a flash of insight.