Author's notes:
        Due to lots of assorted wierdness I'm reposting this thing.  It's
short and needs work but I'm satisfied at the moment it has a beginning AND
an ending.  I don't have any other stories like that.

Ranma 1/2: Sliders

*** prelude

        Ranma squared off against Mousse.  They circled each other slowly,
most of the fight had left them already.  For the better part of an
afternoon they had been fighting over something neither could quite
remember anymore.

        Mousse was pretty sure it had something to do with Shampoo's lunch
date with Ranma.  Ranma could remember dropping his lunch in a flurry of
knives.  That still upset him, he was hungry before they started and Mousse
wasn't one to take a break in the middle of a fight.

        "Aren't you tired yet Mousse?"

        "I can keep this up all night.  Besides that, there's nothing on TV
tonight."

        "Great..."

        Normally Ranma could have ended the fight much earlier but he was
still fatigued from an all nighter with Ryouga.  Skipping lunch didn't help
either.

        Ranma was just thankful the crowd left after the first hour, it was
one thing not to be fighting up to par but it was another to let people see
him not fighting up to par.  The field was empty except for the two of
them.  With Dr. Tofu and Akane approaching, that made four.

        "I can't believe you're still at it Ranma."

        For his part he dodged some eggs, "What do you mean me?!?  It's not
my fault he won't give up... and what are you two doing here anyway?"

        Dr. Tofu gave an appraising glance to Ranma who was busy dodging
razor sharp biscotti.  "Kasumi was worried when you missed dinner, she sent
us to go look for you."

        "Dinner too!?!  That's it Mousse, I'm pissed now."

        Mousse charged with a set of ginsu knives in each hand.  "So what
are you going to do about it Ranma?"

        "Hiryu.. shoten... huh?!?"  Ranma froze as the whirlwind began to
speed up and take on a rainbow of colors.  It felt like a vortex, growing
stronger with each passing moment.

        "WAHHHH!!!"  Mousse was the first to be sucked in.

        Akane cried out as she lost her footing and fell towards the hole.
Dr. Tofu tried to catch her but only managed to go tumbling towards the
vortex as well.  They both vanished into the void leaving a very confused
Ranma staring into a fading whirlwind.

        He didn't have to think twice, "Akane!!!"  With that he jumped
through, just as the vortex ended.  A light breeze blew across the field,
but even hurricanes start with a little breeze.

*** part 1

        The winds blew hard over Jusenkyo.  The ethereal winds collected
themselves, forming a gateway high above the natural springs.  Mousse
recognized the location imediately and managed to snag a nearby cliff with
a chain.

        He began pulling himself up but was halted sharply by Dr. Tofu, who
grabbed Mousse by instinct.  Mousse was barely able to regain his hold on
the chain before Akane follwed suit.  Her added weight forced Mousse to
wrap his arm around the chain.  He would worry about getting down later.
Akane's momentum started them swinging slightly, much to Mousse's
discomfort.

        They were swinging away as Ranma clipped them on his fall.  It was
just enough force to knock the chain loose sending them all plumetting
towards the pools.

        Ranma got out a scream before hitting the water.  The last thing he
saw was Akane and Tofu heading towards one of the larger pools.  He emerged
from the water as fast as he could, "AKANE!"

        He saw a nearby pool still rippling from an impact and scrambled
over to it as fast as he could.  He could see Mousse clinging franticly to
a bamboo poll for dear life.  "Please be okay Akane.. please don't be
something big and hairy... Akane?"

        Tofu came up first with Akane right behind.  They sputtered and
gasped a bit before treading over to the edge.  Akane looked to Ranma
fearfully, "Ranma?"

        Realization struck Ranma, 'I fell into a spring.'  He gulped and
returned Akane's fearful look.  'Oh god, I'm something horrible.  What if..
oh no.. anything but a cat.. PLEASE be anything but a cat.'

        Akane stared blankly into Ranma's shocked face.  'Oh no, it's even
worse than I thought.'  She couldn't take it any longer and hid her face in
her hands.

        Mousse jumped down to help Tofu out of the water.  Together they
walked over to Ranma and Akane.  Akane still had her face in her hands and
Ranma had his eyes shut tightly.

        "That's odd," Mousse said.

        Tofu looked a moment and voiced himself, "you can open your eyes
now.  You're not cursed."  He thought a moment and added, "well no more
than usual Ranma."

        Ranma opened his eyes slowly and looked down.  He had breasts, that
much was normal.  He was now female and soaking wet.  The same as Akane who
was climbing out of the pool.  Tofu was dripping as well.  Mousse's robes
were a little wet from helping Tofu but not enough to trigger a change.

        "What the?"  Ranma looked over everyone again including himself.

        Akane looked around.  "This is Jusenkyo right?"

        Mousse looked over the landscape, "definitely.  I recognize the
mountains, my village should be just down that road.  Maybe there was a
recent flood."

        "But how did we get here?"

        Tofu looked over Ranma briefly, "hmm.. right before Ranma's
hiryushotenha I noticed his ki was fluctuating wildly.  It seems to be
almost back to normal."

        "You're saying I did this?!?"

        Akane whipped out her hammer, "I should've known."

        Tofu continued, "not directly but yes.  I think somehow your
hiryushotenha was linked to the fabric of space/time.  When you started the
vortex it bent reality."

        "Are you serious doc?"

        My old teacher used to have a theory that the universe was composed
of a ki grid that touched all things, even the air itself.  Your ki was
very low while you were fighting.  Right before you started the whirlwind,
I saw it flare up.  It must have come from the surrounding air."

        "So you're saying the whirlwind threw us all the way to China?"

        "It seems so."

        "Enough about how we got here, how are we getting back?"

        "Well lets go to my village, at least we might be able to find you
some dry clothes."  Mousse started off.

        "Clean your glasses Mousse, the village is that way."

        Mousse looked around for a second before turning around, "I knew that."

***

        Akane felt a sense of dread as they entered the village.  Ranma and
Mousse were oblivious to the looks they received but Akane saw very clearly
that the entire village was focused on their group.  Most of it was
directed at Mousse but many eyes followed herself and Ranma as well.  Those
were looks of open appraisal.

        The meaning wasn't lost on Tofu, he whispered something into
Akane's ear and she in turn grabbed Ranma by the arm.  "No fighting in the
village."

        Ranma looked at Akane for a moment.  Her comeback died on her lips
as she finally took a good look at the people in the village.  Every eye
was focused on them, and none of them looked particularly friendly.

        Ranma was about to bring it up with Mousse but they were stopped
but what seemed to be a couple of guards.  They were both female, one had a
polearm and the other a flail.  They began talking with Mousse in Chinese
but it went by much too fast for the rest of the group to follow.

        It was not casual conversation, something was going on.  Finally
Mousse yelled something out and started to walk away.  He didn't get two
feet before the guard with the polearm knocked him over the head, sending
him to the ground.

        Despite the previous warning Ranma started to make a move towards
Mousse.  She was stopped short by the other guard who whipped her flail
around to point directly at Ranma's chin.

        Ranma and the guard locked eyes.  Ranma could tell by her gaze she
had no reservations about killing.  This was not a fight he wanted to get
into.

        Akane placed her hand on Ranma's shoulder.  "Don't."

        "Wasn't going to."  It was then that Ranma realized they were
surrounded.

        They were escorted towards a structure near the center of the
village.  Mousse was slung over the polearm guard's shoulder.  She dropped
him unceremoniously to the ground, allowing the others to go to him.

        Tofu did a quick examination before pressing a few pressure points.

        "Ugh," Mousse groaned.

        "So you've returned!"

        Mousse squinted towards the figure emerging from the structure.
The voice was familar, but the words were out of place.  "Ranma?"

        Ranma moved closer to Mousse, but he wasn't talking to her.  Tofu
looked up to see the face come into view.  It was definitely male Ranma,
followed shortly by Shampoo.

        Tofu looked again to Ranma's female form beside Mousse.  Either he
needed new glasses or there were definitely two of them.  "Oh boy."

*** part 2

        Ranma paced the hut, it served as a jail of sorts.  She could
easily overpower the guards but even if she could they had nowhere to go.
>From what her other self said it looks like they would be released soon
anyway.  Dr. Tofu sat quietly in a corner lost in thought.  Akane looked
out a window straining to hear the 'trial' happening nearby.

        She couldn't understand the Chinese but fortunately there was
enough Japanese between Mousse and the other Ranma for Akane to follow.

        "Why am I on trial here?!?"

        "Just a formality, the law is pretty clear on this one.  It was a
mistake to give you banishment."

        Shampoo stood beside Ranma, arms folded.  She said something in
Chinese Akane couldn't make out.  Whatever it was, from her expression it
wasn't a happy thought.

        "Well I didn't have anything to do with that!  I just got here when
that happened."  The other Ranma started saying something in Chinese before
continuing, "It doesn't matter now anyway.  He came back, he has to die."

        Akane could hear what sounded like Cologne's voice from somewhere
out of her view, "I said this the last time, we should have just castrated
him."  Definitely Cologne.

        The other Ranma winced, "Jeez.  Just let him die, no need to be
cruel about it.  I'd rather die then lose my.. umm.. manhood."

        Cologne's voice again, "we must make an example of him!"

       "It doesn't look good for Mousse."  Dr. Tofu interrupted Akane's
line of thought.  She didn't want to finish it anyway.

        "Where are we doctor?"

        "China," Ranma sighed.

        "We know that Ranma!  I meant what's happening!  Why's Shampoo
doing here, and who is that other Ranma?"  Frustration was pushing Akane to
the brink.

        Tofu fixed his glasses and scratched his head.  "I think Ranma's
little whirlwind did more then send us across the Sea of Japan.  I don't
think this is our earth."  Akane focused her attention on Dr. Tofu.  "There
are stories about an ancient technique, the mai no kami.  Supposedly it
would allow someone to break the barriers of reality and send their enemies
through time and space."

        "How are they suppose to get back?"

        "They're weren't."  Tofu saw Ranma's shoulders slump, "not unless
they could perform the eye of god themselves."

        Ranma was getting annoyed.  "But if that's what I did, I don't know
how I would do it again."

        Dr. Tofu thought for a moment.  "Assuming it's related to your ki
patterns I think I can get your body to emulate what I saw before you
performed the eye."

        "So what are we waiting for?  Let's try it."

        "They still have Mousse.  We can't just leave him here, especially
if they're going to kill him."

        "Oh yeah." Ranma's brow creased, "but how do we get him back?"

        As if on cue the door to an adjoining section flew open and Mousse
was thrown in.  He didn't seem harmed but he didn't look happy either.
They left him only his pants, apparantly their Mousse had a thing for
hidden weapons as well.

        Mousse got up into a sitting position.  "It's a good thing you're a
girl Ranma, I'm really not liking your male half right now.  Whatever I did
here seems to have pissed off all the village elders.  If it's possible I
think this Shampoo hates me even more then before."

        "Mousse, Dr. Tofu thinks he might have a way for us to get back home."

        He crawled over as close as he could get to Ranma.  "Well you
better do it soon, I'm slated for execution in the morning.  Right after
they castrate me and have the kids use me for target practice."

        Ranma winced, "Ouch!  How do they plan to execute you?"

        "I think they called it pain threshold testing.  I don't know what
that is, but let's leave.  Soon if possible."

        Ranma thought about that.  "Okay, here's the plan.  When they take
you past our door jump em and set us free.  All you gotta do is knock the
locking beam off.  We'll overpower them and make a run for it."

        Mousse looked at her for a second, "what if they don't take me that
direction?  What if they decide to castrate me in here?!?"

        "Umm.. plan B."

        "What's plan B?"

        "We'll sleep on it and let you know if I come up with anything."

*** part 3

        Not surprisingly it was dark at night.  Far from civilization the
only light came from torches set up around the perimeter of the village.
Even those did little but keep the wildlife at bay.  It was a starless
night and clouds covered what would have been a full moon.

        There were a couple set up near the prison hut, which allowed its
patrons a dim illumination.

        Ranma and Tofu awoke, their sixth sense alerted them to a presence
nearby.  Neither moved until they saw a figure start opening Mousse's door.
Ranma flicked a pebble at Mousse to get his attention.  "Psst.. plan B."

        Mousse nodded silently.  He had already been awake, unable to relax
enough for sleep.  Now that Ranma had alerted him to the presence he could
hear it for himself.

        Dressed in black with a hood over their face, the intruder crept
slowly towards Mousse's back.  At the last second Mousse whipped his arm
around to grab them, producing a small blade in his other hand.

        The intruder started whispering in Chinese, *"Shhh... I'm here to
help you escape.  Put the blade away."*

        *"Why should I?"*  Mousse whispered back.

        *"You can always take your chances with the sentries... or stay
here if that's what you really want."*  Mousse released his grip.  The
intruder watched as Mousse palmed the knife back into nowhere, *"You really
are Mousse.  I knew I should have checked you myself."*

        There was something to that statement Mousse couldn't quite fathom,
but it was unimportant at the moment.  The two of them got up.  *"Okay,
let's go."*  Ranma flicked another pebble at Mousse, but harder.  "Oh, and
them too I guess."

        The stranger gave Ranma an appraising look before answering.
"Okay, but we must hurry."

        The group headed for one of the side gates that was left unguarded.
*"I was on guard duty tonight,"* the stranger answered the unspoken
question.  *"But the rotation should reach your hut any moment now and see
that you're gone."*

        They made it to the edge of the forest before the alarms sounded.
"RUN!"

***

        They stopped in a small clearing.  Dr. Tofu and Akane sat on a
large rock while Dr. Tofu applied some pressure points to Ranma.

        *"She's cute.  Is she yours?"*  Indicating Ranma.

        "Hell no!"

        *"I guess I shouldn't be surprised."*

        Mousse relaxed a bit, *"What did you mean back there when you said
I really am Mousse?"*

        The stranger began to loosen the hood.  *"You're not from here.
The real Mousse is dead, I killed him."*

        *"What?  But if I'm dead here.."*

        *"Nobody else knows.  We met one last time after you were
banished."*  The stranger removed the hood to reveal her purple hair.  *"My
marriage to Ranma was too much for you to take, even in seclusion.  You
said if I still love you I would do it and never look back."*  Mousse was
dumbfounded and it showed.  Shampoo put down the pack she had been carrying
and smiled at him, *"god, you're just like him."*

        Before he could react she moved in close and kissed him forcefully,
running her hands over his back and through his hair.  The crackling of
electricity could be heard, the flashes like lightning could be seen, the
wind began to rage.

        "Mousse!  The portal's open!  We gotta go!"

        Shampoo broke the kiss and turned to see the display of light
before her.  *"That light will attract the guards, you better hurry!"*

        Mousse looked dumbly at her, "I wanna stay."

        Ranma grabbed Mousse's arm and started heading back to the portal.
"We don't have time for this.  Dr. Tofu's already through, I can't do it
again without him!"

        "The guards are on their way, you know what happens if they catch you!"

        Shampoo took that as her cue and handed Mousse her pack, *"the rest
of your clothes are in here.  I'll miss you always husband."*

        Mousse began to wimper as the portal began to suck him in.  "SHAMPOO!"

        Shampoo stood there as the portal closed.  'He probably has his own
Shampoo that loves and misses him very much.'  She sighed and headed back
towards the village.


*** epilogue

        "I'm going to kill you Ranma."

        "Can't it wait till we reach land?"

        "I'm very reassured by the fact everyone we ask about dry land
laughs in our face and sails away."

        "What about that nice man with the gills?  He seemed to think we're
heading in the right direction."

        "Was it just me or did he look like Kevin Costner to you?"

        "DIE RANMA!!!"