This is the first fic I've posted to the list, so I hope I don't mess it
up.. ^^;;;
-- Attached file included as plaintext by Listar --
-- File: darkness1.txt
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When Darkness falls: A Ranma 1/2 | Original X-over
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Standard disclaimer: The cast of Ranma 1/2 are not mine, they are all the creation of Rumiko Takahashi... Toshiro; his personality, weapons, and techniques, are of my creation... This was written for fun, and is free to all....
Author�s Notes: This chapter will mostly be past info on Toshiro, and how he ends up in the Ranmaverse, the main cast of said series will be brought in by the end... This is only the second fan-fic I've written, the first being unworthy of showing people now, after rereading it and gagging... I hope to get some C+C for this one, and maybe some grammar corrections (since it's been years since I set foot in an English class ^^), and maybe some flames too... This is mostly being done as a character study of Toshiro, and I wanted characters that could set him off, so that's why this is a X-over... Most of it will be from his perspective, and if anyone has any ideas for me to improve the format, I'd be very happy to hear them.. And no, this is not an SI fic.. Toshiro is nothing like me, in personality that is....
Continuity for Ranma 1/2: 2-3 months after the failed (or destroyed ^^;;) wedding... For Toshiro: This picks up with an alternate ending for my own Manga (currently being written/drawn)....
And now, on with the fic.... ^^
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{* * denotes emphasis, [[[ ]]] are signs, or writing of any kind (including Genma-panda's), < > are thoughts, " " is spoken dialogue in Japanese, { } is Chinese, and # # is in English... Hope I didn't miss any... ^^;;;}
-Graphic content warning: This fic will contain swearing, a main character who smokes, and what some might call violent imagery..-
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Mizuhi Studios Present,
A little piece of Fanfiction,
Written by S. Rodak
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When Darkness Falls -
Prologue: Anything that can go wrong, usually will.
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Opening scene: A lush forest in China, with step cliffs protruding out from the landscape sporadically. Birds are chirping from the tree tops, and the sun is slowly setting. A young man is walking along a dirt road, and from above we can see him making strange gestures with his hands. He is dressed it what appears to be a burnt, ruined, leather jacket, jeans, and sneakers.. The camping pack on his back has two short swords tied to it, and he it holding a scabbarded Katana in his left hand.. Closing in on his face, we can see that he has purple-black hair, and dark blue eyes.. There is a long scar running along his left cheek, his face clad with a smug expression...
Man, grumbling, "Stupid, stupid, stupid... Of all the places to end up, it just has to be some 'cursed' training ground... As if being sent here wasn't enough, now I have to watch out for cold water... If sis could only see me now..."
The man's shoulders slump down at that, and a faint blue-green aura shows around him... He stops suddenly, and lets out a small sigh...
"It's all my fault.. I couldn't.... Couldn't save Legacy, couldn't save everyone else... All that work, for nothing.. And now... Now my world is probably dead, along with everyone I've ever known...
"This fuckin' sucks!!!!!!"
He sighs again, and resumes walking.. "(whispered) Geez... now I'm talkin' to myself, must be losing it... Better get moving, it's a long way to Japan..... I just wish things could've ended differently...."
-Flashback-
There is a large battle field, with what could only be described as hundreds of decaying demons lying about.. A group of four humans stands at the center, battered and bruised, but still standing.. Their clothes are covered in blood, and some still drips from their bladed weapons... One of them looks very similar to the man in the woods, except his jacket is still intact... The sun has almost set, showing a crimson red in the sky...
One of them finally speaks up. He is a tall American with brown hair and eyes, wearing a flight jacket, jeans, and boots.. In his right hand is an odd gun, it's overly large barrel gleaming in the fading sunlight... "So is it over 'Shiro, or are we gonna have to do more killing for your family and the 'sake of the world'? " The last is harsh, and sounds very insulting...
"I hope so, I don't think I have an ounce of ki left.." A girl with long black hair says, as she wipes the blood from her naginata. "Those things were tougher than the others... Hey Bro," Turning to the man from the woods. "is the seal still in place?"
'Shiro stands up from where he was knelt, near a strange circular stone marker on the ground, and looks over at her... "I don't know Megumi, I'm getting an odd feeling from the chi here though, and it's growing.... I think you should all get out of here...."
'Megumi' seems irritated at his words, and walks over to him.. "Don't go babying me again, Toshiro, I thought you'd outgrown that 'Macho' bullshit years ago... Or are you still upset over Legacy? If there's something happening, just say it...."
Toshiro pulls back as if slapped, then glowers over her.. "Damn it Sis!! It *was* my fault she died, I should've been there!" He stops, with a pained looked in his eyes, and visibly calms. "That's not important now, though, this thing's going to blow, and I can't fire a big enough blast to stop it with you guys standing in the way..."
Megumi looks at him for a moment then turns her head away, glaring at the other man, who has an expression on his face somewhere between anger and sympathy... "So, do you think you can stop it or not Brother? You aren't trying to die on me again, are you??"
Toshiro walks back over to the 'seal' and looks down at it.. It seems to glow in the low light, and the archaic symbols set off an iridescent purple... He stares for a moment the goes stiff, his voice strained when he speaks.. "I think I can destroy the gate, but it's gonna take a lot of power... If the Dark Lord is doing what I think he is, their plan is to create a large explosion, the size of an asteroid impact, to breach the seal and kill us off all at once... I might be able to stop him, but I need room to gather power... Just move back, please, I don't want to risk anyone else..."
Megumi starts walks away, mumbling something to the other two men as she goes.. One of them follows, while the American stays for a moment...
"She cares about you, ya know... 'Shiro, you're all the family she has left, don't leave her alone in this world, just to get revenge... Legacy did love you, even though she never said the words, and she wouldn't want you to waste your life getting vengeance for her.. I've never really liked you much, but you're still a friend, so if ya can't seal it back, walk away.. There'll be other days, other battles..." He then turns away, walking down the incline, only to be stopped by a hand on his shoulder.. He glances back up to see Toshiro's eyes locked on him with a very resigned and sad look... The latter started to speak in a low firm voice..
"Take care of her Alex, there's a good chance I won't walk away from this, but unless something is done the world will *end*.. Have her put a chi shield up when you get down there, she should be able to, based on what I taught her... I expect you to protect her when I'm gone, so do a good job... They're building up for something huge, bigger than anything I've ever seen... I'll do everything I can, but it doesn't look promising.. I just... Just want you to know, I never hated you, and I hope you make my sister happy... Lord knows she deserves it..."
With a snort, Alex looked down the mountain, his voice came up, sounding too much like a machine.. "Just stop with all the 'honor' shit, ok.. You think you're so heroic, but deep down you're just like the rest of us... Do what you have to, I know I can't stop you..." He then went down the valley to the others, talking to Megumi for a moment when he reached them.. She looks angry for a moment, then slightly sad as she forms a blue sphere around the small group... Toshiro watched for a minute, then wearing a small frown, moved over to the seal...
As he reached the 'gate' there was a brief flash of light as his battle aura surfaced, and drew two short swords from under his jacket.. The ground rumbled ominously, and he drove the blades straight into the seal, just as they started to glow the same dark blue as his aura... Cracks appeared in the ground around it, the seal swelling out, as if it was a balloon filling up... His aura continued to grow, now well over two ft around him, and began to flare through the swords and onto the seal...
The next second seemed to last an eternity, as the ground's rumbling raised to deafening, and Toshiro's face twisted into an inaudible scream.. There was a blinding flash of blue light, only to be consumed by blood red flames erupting from the earth... Down the hill the others watched in horror as a pillar of flames and smoke reached up to the heavens, with a twenty foot high shockwave flowing out towards them... Inside the center of the blast, Toshiro floated in the fire, his own blast creating an 'eye in the storm'... He heard his Sister's screams and felt the intense heat all around him, but was too focused on his blast to realize the extent of his situation... Luckily, or unluckily, as his chi/ki mix subsided, a 6ft black orb flew out of the broken seal drawing him in, then dropped back inside the ground... Inside, he could see the shield put up by the demons, and their numbers, which must've reached into the millions.... The hallway, or cavern, seemed to stretch on endlessly, and the sheer scale of it sent his mind reeling.. <I've failed> he thought, as he was brought before the largest of the demons.. The monster called 'Dark Lord' stood before him, the crowd of demons slightly away, as if they feared this one more than death.. The demon king looked like a twisted medieval knight, black as night and at least nine feet tall... His eyes shown red in the darkness, his voice was low and deep...
"So, little one, you thought you could stop the coming with a simple energy blast... So foolish, maybe I should teach you a lesson... Hmmm.." The demon stopped for a moment, mimicking a human scratching his temples.. "Now, what would be the best way to dispose of you, killing you would be too easy, and I want you to live with this failure... Ahh, maybe the 'void' would be fitting, trapped in another world with no way back, there you can mourn your loss to deaf ears, since no one will believe this tale..."
He broke off to look at one of his 'men' who he spoke to in an incoherent language, then turned his full attention back to Toshiro, who was now beating on the orb... Toshiro yelled insults at the demon, which might have had an effect, if they had been audible outside his prison... The demon lord chuckled softly before speaking again...
"Well now, I have a world to destroy, so it's time for you to leave... Maybe the 'void' will be kind and not age you too badly.... I'll give your regards to Megumi, if she survives this explosion, would you be so kind as to give mine to that lovely girl Legacy when you die? Oh well, I guess not, I sincerely hope you enjoy your trip... "
The lord snickered and walked away, as three smaller demons lead the orb down a long damp walkway, one of the numerous offshoots from the main room... At the end was a battered wooden door, set in stone, with an ornate silver handle.. One of the shadowy creatures pulled open the door with a loud creak, the hinges protesting the movement... On the other side lay a swirling gray mist, as if reality stopped at this point and something else took over... The demons glanced at each other, fidgeting slightly, then laughing, pushed the orb through and shut the heavy door..
Inside of the void ,the orb disappears, and Toshiro floats seemingly unmoving, in a black mist.. His whole body goes numb, though the swords are still clutched firmly in his hands... We can see that he is weeping, eyes closed tightly, face scrunched up and red... He then shouts into the void, over and over, as if damning the whole world..
"Damn you! Damn all you fucking monsters!!! I'll find a way back and make you pay if you lay one hand on Megumi!!! You hear me!!! I'll make you all..."
His voice drops off suddenly as a burst of light washes over him, making him younger by around 4 years... He begins to cough, choking on his own dry throat, just as another light flashes, this one brighter and larger than the last... He reopens his eyes just in time to see a valley, not unlike the one he had been in earlier, filled with at least one hundred small pools of water.... He falls from the void, catching a hold of a bamboo pole protruding from a spring, and slides down toward the spring... Off in the distance he can hear a man yelling in Chinese, then Japanese..
"Oh no Sir!! Very bad you fall in spring!!!!"
Glancing at the man just as his foot touches the water, Toshiro gets out one word...
"Huh???"
-End Flashback-
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Toshiro is now sitting in a small wooded clearing, a campfire slowly burning next to him... He is currently rummaging through the travel pack, digging out some food, water, and a small laptop computer.. He tilts his head sideways at it, as though the object is new to him... After staring for another minute, he places it on the ground and opens the display, only to find a piece of paper taped to the screen.. Unfolding the paper, there is a note written in English...
Note:
[ Hello Big Brother, I thought you might be able to use this to let some of your grief out.. You don't seem to want to talk about her with me, or anyone else for that matter... Hopefully you'll use this as a journal, but if not, that's ok... I just wish you would talk to me once in a while, this demon business is driving us all a little crazy, and with all that's happened we should all stick together... Well, I'm not real great with words, course neither are you, so I'll leave the rest to you... Don't lose your head...
C-ya later, Megumi]
Drops of water are now hitting the surface of the paper, smearing the ink, as Toshiro gently folds the note back and places it into his pack.. After drying his eyes on his shirt, he boots the computer up, noticing the desktop background, a picture of him, Megumi, and another girl in front of Tokyo Tower.. The third person is slightly shorter than Toshiro, with short brown hair, brown eyes, and is giving the obligatory 'V' for victory to the camera... If you look closely you can see Toshiro's eyes in the photo locked on her... He shudders at the image, then goes through the controls and changes it to a view of the ocean... Then pulling a small pot off the fire, sits back against a fallen tree, and opens a typing program...
Computer screen:
[[[Journal entry: 1
Date: 09/28/04, or ??/??/96
I'm not sure what to write here, it's been a long time since I kept a journal, and I'm fairly confused about this whole mess... I assume I'm in China, as all the people I've meet so far speak that language.. Good thing that 'Guide' spoke better English then he did Japanese, otherwise I could be in even more trouble.... Well, I'm on some strange world, where I guess magic is commonplace, and the only lead I have to get home is some Amazon Elder... I'm glad I didn't fight any of the women in that village though, a wife is something I definitely don't need right now... They did give me a clue, and that's where this "Elder" comes in.. According to them, if anyone would know how I can get home, it would be her.. So, I'm on my way back to Tokyo, funny how this person lives in the same district Father did, but that's probably just coincidence..
Entry back into Japan has me worried, if this really is another dimension I might not exist here formally, and my passport will be utterly useless... This really sux, even if the passport goes over, I appear to have lost 4 yrs off my age, and instead of 23 I look more like 19... Guess I'll just have to plan everything out, like usual.. What did Alex call it? Oh ya, the 'Navy Seal Syndrome'.. Heh.. The chi of this world is strong though, and I've been wondering all day if I could've had this much power before, I might have won... Guess there's nothing I can do about that, and I've gotta get over it... If this has taught me anything, it's that we can't change the past... The chi here will help me heal these burns faster, and that will be a big plus...
I hope Megumi, Alex, and the rest are ok, I'd hate to live with any more deaths on my hands.. Sis is strong, so everything should work out... Just got to keep telling myself that.... I'll have to thank her for this when (or if) I get back.. It might help me get through customs, if I can remember what *she* told me about hacking.. It's risky, but I've got nothing left to lose....
On an up note, I've still got my swords, and their elemental properties seem to work here... Only one bad point to that, the water blade might set off this curse I have now, and that doesn't seem fun at all.. Of all the rotten places to be dropped, that has to be the worst.. The 'Guide' mentioned something about a boy who had fallen in that same spring a few years ago, and then brought it up again when I learned where this 'Elder' is.. Guess he thought the young man could help me, and I kinda hope so too.. I didn't tell the Guide much about how I got here, I don't think I can trust anyone with this yet...
I miss home... There, I said it.. Emotionless, brave to the point of stupidity, Toshiro Mizuhi is homesick... You'd be laughing your ass off right now Sis, if you could see this... I feel helpless here, no home, no friends, only trees, stars, and animals... I've still got my money belt though, and going by the look on the Guide's face when I paid him for his help, it's still worth something here.. Maybe I can get a hotel room in Hong Kong, or something, till I get a plane ticket.. I did get the year from him, it's 1996, which might explain my sudden drop in age.. I don't remember much about the 'void', as that bastard called it, and I blacked out once I got outta that damned pool...
Well, I'm sick of typing, and I need rest if I'm gonna walk all day tomorrow... Gonna have to save some of this coffee to reheat then... Time to stop rambling... I'll write again when I get to a 'city'...
End Journal ]]]]
Toshiro saved his files, shut down the computer, and put it back into his bag... There was a brief spark as he lit a cigarette, then he laid back onto a small bed roll and stared at the night sky... Soon the young man had finished smoking, and was fast asleep...
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(Three weeks later)
Scene: A shop in downtown Hong Kong, a vendor is haggling over a carton of American cigarettes with Toshiro...
Toshiro (in very ragged voice) #Damn it old man, They're not worth that much!! I figure $40 is more than enough for a carton, there's no way in hell I'm paying 70!!!#
The old man, who seems highly irate. #That's what they cost, you little brat, pay up or move along!#
#Fine then! Take the damn money!!# With this Toshiro drops some bills on the counter, snatches the cigs, and walks swiftly down the street.... He walks a few blocks, weaving in and out of the crowd, to a small hotel... Entering, he waves half-heartedly at the man behind the counter, then hurries off to a room.. Once inside he visibly relaxes, removing a pack from the carton, opening it and lighting up... The room is run-down, and there are large holes in three out of the four walls.. The bed is unmade, and a little table with two chairs is in one corner.. The crowds outside are drowned out by the sound of a window-mounted air conditioner...
#I really need to stop losing my temper, that man was just trying to make a living...# He lets out a long sigh, sits down on the chair, and opens the laptop, which is on the table... As he starts typing there is a loud noise outside the window, unmistakable as a car crash... Toshiro glances up scowls, then mutters. #Idiot drivers...#
[[[Journal Entry 2
10/20/96
Well, I've made it to Hong Kong, and it seems this world is exactly like mine... ^^;;; I was able to get Internet access, and with the programs on this laptop, plus the fact that computers here are years behind this one, get a cleared passport and identity..
Thanks a lot Megumi, if I had known this was Legacy's I probably would've yelled at you back home... I know, I shouldn't write this as if I was talking to you, but it's all I can do to stay sane... ^^ Having no one to talk to is making me nuts, and if I want to survive I've got to keep my mind stable...
God, I looked up our family name in the register, the only living descendant is married, and no longer carries the name... Guess I'll find out soon enough, since the woman is connected to this Saotome character somehow.... I won't go into details till later, mainly because the records were vague at best...
I'm doing way too much research, I know, but the plane doesn't leave till tonight, and I don't know what'll happen when I get to Tokyo... You know how I was about going into something unprepared, so this isn't that surprising, although, this time, I don't have a lot to go on...
I should quit smoking, it costs way too much here, and Japan will be no different.. Remember how I used to have Alex run to the states to pick up some smokes?? ^^ Those were the days... Oh god, I sound like an old man.. Guess I'll have to switch brands, save some of my depleting funds... Money, I never used to care about it, but that was when I had a stable roof over my head... This is not good... I'm depressed Sis. I thought that I could just hold it all in, but.... It's not working, and the pain is turning to anger.. Maybe I can get past this if I can find someone to talk with when I get to Tokyo... I still can't speak Chinese, so the locals here are out of the question...
As far as the government is concerned, I'm now Japanese by birth, since hacking two countries computer systems would've driven me up the wall, and increased the risk of getting caught.. ^^;;; I miss you people, and hope to see you soon, even though it may be pointless...
I'll write again on the plane, I still have to eat, pack, and find a way to get the blades through customs.. Maybe I can hack them in as "historical treasures" or something.... ^^;
End Journal]]]
Toshiro lit a cig, closed the file, then opened another application.. He typed furiously for a few minutes, as a few screens showing airport terminal entries and luggage claims flew across the screen.. He selected a specific flight, then changed the passenger class, baggage claim, and boarding time... His small task done, Toshiro began packing his meager belongings into his pack and, with a quick look around the room, sighed then left...
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Scene: A medium sized passenger plane sits on the runway preparing for take off.. Through one of the windows we can see Toshiro munching on an egg roll, looking completely focused on the food.. To his right is an elderly woman, easily into her 80s, eating some noodles. She smiles broadly at him for a moment, then goes back to eating, and looking through a tabloid magazine.. Toshiro turns and stares out the window at the other planes, noticing two Harrier fighters inside one of the more secluded hangars..
<Geez, you'd think they'd keep those out of plain sight.. Oh well, they're not after me, so nothing to worry about... Guess I'll have continue being nice to granny over here, wouldn't want to seem rude.. Even though I gave her some of my meal... I probably shouldn't make a journal entry in front of her, she might be able to read it, and the last thing I need is to attract attention.. Oh well, it can wait till I get there...>
He looks over at the woman, smiles, then leans back on the seat.. The plane takes of, slowly to his mind, as he drifts off to sleep.. The old woman looks over at him, and gently takes the last egg roll... She laughs quietly to herself for a moment, and starts reading again... On the front of the Tabloid there is a large header, and if Toshiro could've understood Chinese, this header would've interested him... Seems some man out in the country reported seeing two 'shadows' kill ten of his cattle, then they disappeared through a round, black portal...
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The inside of Tokyo's airport is a very busy place, and it's easy to lose yourself in the crowds of travelers.. Toshiro is currently trapped in one of these stampedes, accidentally falling victim after leaving the customs desk...
<Well, they bought the 'family heirloom' story, and I get to keep all my blades... This makes things a lot easier, now if I could just get to that exit, life would be good...> He finally gets free of the pack, and out onto the street, just in time to be assaulted by a murky wave... The taxi kept going, unaware of the puddle it had gone through at high speed... In Toshiro's place is now a soaking wet young girl, with purple hair.. She has an angry scowl on her face, which bares a small amount of teeth...
"I Hate Cars!!!!!!!"
She then stomps off in the opposite direction, chanting those words over and over as a mantra... Toshiro continues like this for a few minutes, until she notices a small bike shop close by... About an hour later, a slightly poorer, but much happier, girl walks out of the shop with a new mountain bike.. She hops on, and takes off at high speed toward Nerima district.. After asking directions a couple of times, as well as receiving strange looks from more than one people at the mention of Ranma, Toshiro finds herself in front of Furinkan High... School is unfortunately out for the day, and the only student on campus is one Tatewaki Kuno.. She looks at him for a moment, then deciding that it couldn't hurt to ask, leans the bike on a wall at walks towards the boy.. <Wonder what's up with that bokken... 'Course I shouldn't talk, how many people walk around with three swords?> He has his back turned towards her, so to get his attention, she clears her throat...
"Umm... Excuse me, but do you know where I can find Ranma Saotome, or maybe any Chinese Amazons in the area?"
Kuno turns around rather quickly, his hand immediately on the hilt of his wooden blade.. "Saotome? Where is the vile sorcerer?!" He then notices the girl in front of him, then the sword held at the ready in her hands.. "What do you seek that cur for fair maiden, or does he hold some spell over you, as he does the Pigtailed Girl or Akane Tendo?"
"Sorcerer? Spell? I don't know what you're talking 'bout buddy, I just want to know where I can find him.." <Of all the people to talk to, I pick a nutcase.. Why me?>
Kuno, who as usual wasn't paying attention to what was said, continues his ranting. "Whatever he has done to such a fair lady a thou art, I shall have to smite him for you... Fear not, the Blue Thunder of Furinkan High will avenge you, and free all women from the cretin's spells..." Kuno struck his usual dramatic pose, as lightning and thunder went off in the distance..
By this time Toshiro had finished her face-fault, and was slowly backing away from the would-be swordsman.. "Hey, what the hell are you going on about? All I want is directions, and you start into the second act of some school play.. Now, just tell me what I want to know, so I don't have to hurt on principle alone... I can take care of my own problems, if that was what you were referring to.. "
"Hey! Stop looking at me like that!"
#Shit#
"So you are skilled in the use of that sword.. Even with your rather odd hair color, and barbaric words, you are more beautiful than a Violet in bloom.. Fight with me, so you may be allowed the privilege of a date? I can not refuse my love to such a fair maiden, so have at thee.." With this Kuno drew his bokken and charged, in hindsight this was his second mistake, the first was using a bokken against a live blade..
Toshiro saw the strike coming from a mile away, and didn't really feel like wasting time fighting... <Just like that idiot mugger back home, 'cept he had a baseball bat...> She waited until Kuno was almost on top of her, his blade held overhead, then flicking the blade loose from the scabbard, drew it into a high arc, neatly slicing the taller boy's sword off at the handle...
Toshiro quickly reversed her grip on the sword, and using the spine of the blade, stuck him in the lower back... Her battle aura flashed briefly as the blow struck, and Kuno flew harmlessly over the school's boundary wall... She stood silent for a moment after, looking off into the distance, a smile slowly creeping across her features...
"Wow, never put anyone into low earth orbit before.. That felt pretty good... Kinda feel sorry for the guy though, all he had to do was say no, or give me the directions... Strange, very strange"
Picking up the bicycle, she began to ride away from the school, and unknowingly towards her destination... The first sign would've been the other bicyclist flying by at the speed of sound, and the bell ringing in her head a minute later, but ignorance is not always bliss.. She did notice the streak's cargo, a delivery box from a restaurant.. Toshiro turned a corner and came upon the Cat Cafe, and with nothing better to do, and her stomach agreeing, decided to get some food... Besides, maybe she could get actual help finding who she was looking for here..
She stepped inside, taking in the smell of freshly cooked ramen, then suddenly went stiff... <Someone here has a large battle aura, old too.. I might've found the Elder.. Gotta try to suppress mine, don't wanna let too much information slip this early... Gotta stay calm...> She scanned the restaurant while looking for a seat, then settling into a booth saw the old woman behind the counter... <The bubbly girl waiting tables must've been on the bike, gotta watch out for her.. That hag cooking *has* to be her.. Now, how to ask... Oh shit, she's looking right at me! Gotta hide, gotta hide..> Pulling a menu in front of her face, Toshiro began to get nervous, then stopped abruptly.. <What the hell am I thinking... I can take on hundreds of demons on a regular basis, but I freak out over asking some old woman some questions? Get a grip boy! Or would that be girl? She coming closer, guess I better cover my aura for a little longer...>
Cologne saw the younger woman the moment she entered the restaurant, and the old woman was more than intrigued by the girl's subdued Ki.. Watching her 'case' the place, she decided to go have a talk with the newcomer.. And since the few other customers had received their orders, now was as good a time as any... Pogo-ing over to the girl, she saw the nervousness turn to calm as she approached, and was surprised at how quickly the other's emotions changed.. <Something traumatic, probably recent... I better watch her carefully... What's this?! Jhusenkyo magic, very interesting... I wonder if this is the curse, or the original form...>
Reaching the table, and smiling one of her toothy grins, Cologne looked the girl over once more, then began what would turn into a reviling conversation..
"Hello dear, can I help you with something, or do you need more time to look over the menu?"
Toshiro, who had been trying hard not to notice the old Amazon's eyes on her, choked out a response. "Well, actually, I came here to see you, Honored Elder.." <That's right, brown nose, it's never failed before..>
"And what do you need help with, child, you must know I can not cure Jhusenkyo's magic..." Replied Cologne.
"How??" She stammered for a moment, then regained her composure.. "It isn't that, I was told that you might know of a way to breach the dimensional barrier, if it was at all possible.."
"Hmmm... I don't know if I can trust you with that information girl.. I hardly know you, and judging by your entrance, you could be trying to put one over on this old woman.. So, why don't you tell me why you want to know..." The Elder smirked, she really wanted to know who this girl was now...
Toshiro sighed, this wasn't going to be easy, and she was worried that the old woman wouldn't believe her.. "It's a long story, and I'd feel better telling it to you in private, I doubt you'll believe any of it though... I still don't..."
Cologne seemed to think it over for a moment, then abruptly turned around and started hopping away... "Follow me girl, you can leave your things in the kitchen while we talk... Hurry up now, I haven't got all day....
Almost jumping for joy, Toshiro followed the woman into the back of the eatery, stopping briefly to dispose of her weapons and backpack... She idly noticed Cologne take a kettle off the stove before heading into the back room with her... <Well, time for at least part of the truth, hopefully it doesn't come out sounding too strange...>
The Amazon leader sat down quietly at a well worn table, motioning for Toshiro to sit as well... <Time to find out about the curse> "Now, would you like to change back before you tell your tale Deary?"
"Yes, thank yo.. Hey! How did you know this wasn't my true form?! The girl's mouth was slacked open in complete shock, her eyes as big as saucers...
"It was fairly easy, your Japanese is distinctly male oriented, and someone would've corrected you by now, had you been a girl.." Cologne responded, handing the stunned girl the kettle... "So, why don't you start at the beginning, perhaps your name?"
Toshiro took the offered hot water and, after changing, sat down... He then took out a cigarette, motioning a silent question if it was allright to smoke.. Then, after receiving a curt nod, lit it... Calming himself down somewhat, he began to tell the tale.
"My name is Toshiro Mizuhi... Before going into detail though, I'm going to let up on suppressing my ki, since you deserve the truth.."
The air around him heated suddenly, then, after a moment, started to cool.. Cologne let out a small gasp at the action...
"I am not from this world, although this Earth is similar to my own.. This is going to be a strange tale, and I hope it won't be too unbelievable..." He paused to look for a reaction, to which he received a small nod to continue...
"I'll skip some of the boring life story... This all started about two and a half years ago, my father died, leaving my sister Megumi, and I, the only living members of our family... From his will, and personal servant, we learned of the Mizuhi's heritage, which came with an oath to protect the world from demons called 'Shadow Walkers'... To say we were upset would be an understatement, and even though we didn't understand the full implications, we accepted it anyway... The years that followed were spent in almost constant battle, and since the demons where only killed by Ki or Chi, we had our work cut out for us.. Almost half way through the first year, a friend designed and built Ki based firearms.. They took a lot of energy to charge, but worked amazingly well, and took most of the pressure off Megumi and I.. Near the end of the second year the 'Shadows', as we liked to call them, staged an attack on our base of operations while we were away.. They killed my girlfriend, destroyed our equipment, and left a map in her blood on the wall.."
Toshiro pauses, wiping a tear from his eye at the memory... Cologne stares at his hands, which are digging smoking scratches into the wood of the table...
"The map, it.. It detailed the location of the seal that kept them out, almost as if they were mocking us... Looking back I can see that it was a trap, but in a blinded rage I lead an assault to that valley... To put it simply, I lost in the end, and as a form of lesson from the demons leader was sent here. He called the portal they put me through 'the void'.."
He looked up, hoping for some recognition of the word, but receive only a sad look from the Amazon... Putting the cig. out with some water from the kettle, he continued...
"Somewhere between your world and mine, I lost four years off my age.. I don't believe the spring did it, since I felt the difference before hitting the water.. I'd really like to get back, if that's at all possible.. Do you think you can help me?"
All was quiet, as Cologne thought the boy's story over... Her old eyes suddenly shot open after a moment, then she got up and took out an aged, leather bound, book... Opening it to a specific page and skimming the words for a minute, she then closed the tome and looked up...
"Unfortunately, I can not help you get home dear, the only way was fully sealed over 1500 years ago... The gate was where Jhusenkyo is now... I'm very sorry... Though, I may be able to clear up some of your past.. It seems that gate was sealed by a man named Mizuhi, who was trapped inside during the process... It was believed that he died, but judging by your story, he was merely sent to another world.. The ancient Elders refer to him as 'Master of War', which might explain you're strong aura.. Have you looked up your family name on this world yet? The legend states that his wife and son moved back to Japan after his disappearance..."
Toshiro looked somewhat sad when he replied. "Yes, I found one living relative here, she married and took the man's name, but is still listed on the family registry... What was the name again? Oh ya, Nodoka, Saotome Nodoka..."
Cologne had an odd, almost predatory gleam in her eyes at this news, which served to make Toshiro very nervous... He decided to voice his concern.. "Is there something wrong Elder? I didn't say anything bad, did I??"
"No child, nothing wrong.. Just that all our lives are going to very interesting for a while.. There are some things you should know, but I will leave it to you to find out.. I would ask that you use as little of your abilities as possible for the time being though.. Not many people here would stand a change, except maybe my Son-in-law, and I know you don't want any more deaths on your conscience..."
Toshiro opened his mouth to ask something, but was cut off before a syllable could leave his lips...
"No questions now, young man. You will find all your answers at the Tendo Dojo, and after you do, please come back and see me... You'll find it to the west of here, just listen for the shouting, and the absence of pedestrians.. I'll look though some additional legends, and see if there is any other way to send you home... Right now, I must get back to my restaurant, so I will bid you farewell..."
The old crone abruptly left the room, leaving a slightly confused boy standing there gawking... He snapped back into reality a moment later, getting up and going through the door... <Man... What a weird old lady..> After gathering his things, and waving goodbye to Cologne and the younger girl, he left the Cat Cafe....
Hopping on his bike, Toshiro looked around while lighting another butt, then headed west...
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The end, for now... ^^
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After the fic notes: Ok, so that was it... I've got a hundred directions this can go in, depending on the response I get from it... I'd love to hear any ideas some of you might have though, at least for the Ranma cast... ^^ I'll be posting this, all future chapters, and recent character designs for Toshiro on my website (http://www2.50megs.com/toshiro/)... There's an old pic of him on the site now, but it doesn't do him justice, and I'm currently working on a finished version.. ^^;;; As always, C+C welcomed, and appreciated (Flames too, for that matter, I just want some input), and can be sent to this e-mail address (Toshiro_@hotmail.com).. Thank you for reading!! ^^