Devil Hunter Ranma
By Micronime
Micronime@hotmail.com
http:\www.geocities.com\Micronime
All the characters are the propriety of their respective
owner.
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---- indicate the beginning and the end of a section
**** indicate the beginning and the end of a flashback
"" indicate a speech in Japanese
<> indicate a speech in Chinese
[] indicate a thought
Author note :
This story that your about to read is a crossover
featuring the Ranma 1/2 cast, the Sailor Moon cast and the
characters from Devil Hunter Yohko. The action take place when
Ranma and Genma arrive at Jusenkyo and after the arrival of
Asuza. At first I wanted to write the plot into "The truth
revealed", but I a believed the story would have become to
complicated.
Now let get the show begin.
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Chapter 1 : China, demons and Amazons
07:32, Jusenkyo valley
Qinghai province, China
It was early in the morning, a light mist still covered
the valley, all that could be seen clearly were the hundreds of
bamboo poles sticking out of the many springs of Jusenkyo.
Beyond the nearby forest was the mount Quanjing dominated
everything of the fabulous surrounding. The only observers
of this breathtaking scenery were three men.
" Here sir, we come to famous ground of cursed springs,
Jusenkyo. "
Said the first man in a heavily accented Japanese. He
wore a green communist uniform with a matching cap. The man
was obviously bald under his cap and had a thick layer of
fat. He seemed to serve as a guide to the other two.
" Are you prepared Ranma? "
Asked the second man to the third, who was obviously
his son . The father was wearing a worn out white gi tied up
by a black belt he was also carrying a heavy looking back pack
and on his bald head a white handkerchief. He also looked
heavier than the guide .
" Ah man! This place isn't half as bad as I thought it'd
be. "
Was the only reply from Ranma. Like his father, the
boy was wearing a white gi tied with a black belt and his back
pack looked fully loaded. Ranma had his black hair tied back in
a ponytail.
As if those words had some untold magical power, the
ground suddenly opened in front of them and all the water
contained in the springs of the valley poured into the newly
made hole. Before any of the witnesses could say anything,
creatures of all form and shape, some familiar and some that
seemed to be a mixed creation of all kind of animal and some
vaguely human. Only a few seconds after the opening of the
fissure, creatures of true nightmare began to appear out of
what once had been the cursed spring of Jusenkyo : Demons .
The three men stayed surprised at the sight in front
of them. The first one to utter a word was Ranma.
" THAT look like a challenge! "
The two older man looked at him in disbelief. Having
heard Ranma too, the demons took an unhealthy interest in the
three humans. Then various demons started to move toward the
small group. Meanwhile, something came back in the mind of
the guide, and he said it out loud in a panicked voice.
" Eh! This ... this never happened before! "
Now HE was the center of attention of the two others.
Then all three of them looked at the demons that were quickly
closing toward their location. The guide slowly stepped back
from the abominations, then he turned around and ran as fast
as he could, he was soon followed by the fat Japanese man and
then his son quickly followed suit. The demons and also some
of the creatures gave chase. They ran like this for some time
and the men had gained some space from their pursuers, but
the oversized guide quickly felt behind .
" Sir .. Sir ... please ... wait for me! "
The younger one quickly turned around, but the older
one grabbed his right arm continued running. The desperate
guide searched for something he could do to save himself since
he doubted that the demons would have mercy for him. He would
not be able to defend himself against demons he doubted that
the three of them could stand a chance if they had to fight.
The only thing he knew was the locations of the sites that
might interest the tourist and the nearby villages. He then
remembered of those villages in particular and tried a
desperate gamble.
" Sir ... please .. I.. I know ... a village of strong ..
warrior .. nearby .. "
Now the older man turned around still holding the
boy's arm and ran toward the out of breath man. The boy and
the man each grabbed one of the guide's arm and ran in the
direction the oversized guide was telling them too.
--------------------------------------------------------------
07:43, Jusenkyo valley
Qinghai province, China
Only a few moments after the three men ran away,
another boy reached the valley, but this one was on top of a
cliff. He was wearing a pair of black trousers, a black
shirt and he had a orange bandana tied around his head. After
only a few second of contemplation over what was left of
springs, he started back to walk away from the edge of the
cliff. Before he started to run away he did one thing that
came out of habit to him in the last months : he yelled .
" Because of you Saotome Ranma, I have truly seen HELL! "
All the demons that were in earshot started
running toward their new-found prey. Since the regular demon
has a better hearing than human that mean a lot of demons.
Seeing the horde of demons moving toward him the boy ran in
the opposite direction and desperately hoped to get lost.
--------------------------------------------------------------
07:45, outside Jusenkyo valley
Qinghai province, China
Still running as fast as they could the three men were
nearing a forest. All were hoping that the trees would slow
down their pursuer and maybe find a hiding place were they
could regain their breath. The youngest of the three took a
quick look behind them.
" Hey ! Pop it looks like the demon are going back to the
springs! "
His father dared looking toward the springs. After a few
seconds of observation, he went back to look in front of him
just in time to avoid a low tree branch.
" Don't stop .. running son ... they might come back! "
The boy simply nodded before looking at the man he was
half supporting and half carrying. The guide looked like he
was starting to regain his breath.
" Is it still far before we get to that village you talked
about? "
" No kind sir .. it is just beyond those trees ... then down
mountain. "
After hearing this, the boy nearly lost his footing,
but was able regain his balance before he could actually
fall. Ranma was still trying to determine the reason why the
demons stopped to pursue them.
[ What could have made them turn around? Could it be ... ]
" Was there anybody else with you at the spring? "
The guide looked at him and answered him between two
heavy breaths .
" No just me. Normally daughter there too, but now she in
a nearby village. "
Ranma was relieved to have hear that nobody else was in
the valley, but it still didn't explain the behavior of the
demons.
[ Maybe they can't leave the valley. ]
He desperately hoped that was it, because he didn't
like the thought of demons running around in the countryside.
Without looking back the three men continued running.
--------------------------------------------------------------
08:30, outside the Chinese Amazons village
Qinghai province, China
The three men stopped running and looked at the
village at the base of the mountain ... but the main reason
of their halt was to regain their breath. The village was
like any other village that they had the chance to come
across, the majority of the houses were small and didn't have
a second floor. The structure that attracted the attention of
the travelers were the stone walls at the outskirts of the
village, those walls meant for them protection against the
demons. The guide spoke by reflex more than anything else.
" Here sirs, is village of .. Chinese Amazons. "
Ranma looked a the Chinese guide before asking some
explanation.
" What are Amazons? "
For the guide, explaining thing like he usually did had
the effect of calming him. It permitted him to forget the
recent event that took place at his old working assignment.
To answer the question of the brave boy was like temporally
escaping reality.
" They are strong women warrior. They also are very
prideful. "
The two foreigners gave each other a quick questioning
glance before following the guide. In mid trek the guide
stopped and turned around to look at the younger man.
" I strongly advise you kind sir not to defeat a Amazon
girl in combat, except that is if you looking for wife. "
At that moment, Ranma tripped on a loose rock and
nearly fell face first into the dirt. He normally wouldn't
have been so clumsy, but what the guide had just said had
surprised him. After regaining his balance, he looked at
the Chinese man.
" What do you mean by that? "
The guide could easily see the confusion in the boy's
eyes. It was not the first time that he had to explain the
laws of the Amazon to traveler. Some of them even tried to
defeat one, only a few had succeeded.
" Well you see kind sir, if Amazon woman is defeated by a
man she must marry man. "
Ranma looked at the Chinese man his eyes has big as
saucer. The teen couldn't believe what the guide had just
told him. Neither remarked the thoughtful expression on the
third man face.
" You gotta be kidding! "
" It is their law kind sir. And Amazons very proud and they
follow their laws. "
Before the boy could find anything to reply to this,
his father grabbed him by the shoulders and made him look at
him. Ranma had only seen his father that serious when he was
about to tell something he wouldn't like or that he was going
to teach him a difficult and _very_ dangerous technique. Ranma
had learned early to hate that look.
" Ranma. I don't want you to fight one of those women even
if you are challenged by one of them. "
Ranma didn't expect that. He had dreaded that his
father would ask him to fight the wealthiest woman so he could
have all the protection _and_ food he wanted. Ranma was half
relieved, but there was still something that he didn't like
in what his father had said. Not that he wanted to get
married, but Saotome Ranma, heir of the Saotome school of
anything goes martial art, never back down from a challenge.
By accepting challenges he got stronger and faster, he also
learned many techniques like that, but more importantly he
had been raised like that.
" I never back down from a challenge! "
The older man shook him once to gain his entire
attention. The next few words were said slowly but in a tone
he rarely used.
" You won't fight with any of them even if you are
challenged! Do you understand boy? "
Ranma looked away from the man before facing him again.
" Yes, Oyagi. "
The words were not said loudly, but they were spoken.
The man released his child before readjusting his loaded back
pack.
" You can take this as part of your training. Not all the
fight are worth winning. "
" You always said the opposite. "
His father made as if he didn't hear him and he seem to
be very good at it. The guide having witnessed all of this
turned around and started to walk the village and was quickly
followed by the two foreigners.
--------------------------------------------------------------
08:40, inside the Chinese Amazons village
Qinghai province, China
The three travelers entered the village, but nobody
seem to pay attention to them. All the villagers were at the
center of the village and they seem to be looking at
something.
" I forgot today great tournament in village. "
Ranma stopped looking around and turned to face the
Chinese guide.
" A tournament? "
The teenage boy searched his surrounding to see the
ring, but he only found a big log that have been raised two
meters from the ground.
" Yes kind sir, today all the Amazons stop working to
assist or to participate. Great honor for the Amazon who win
the tournament. "
At that moment, two women climbed on the log and took
a ready stance.
" I hope they have strong warriors because were going to need
them, right pop? "
Not receiving any answers from his father the boy and
the guide started to look around for him. Ranma found him
first. He was heading toward a table covered with various
food.
" Hey look! He's going to eat the food at that buffet
there. That pop alright! Always thinking about his
stomach. "
When the guide saw where the father of the boy was
heading he was suddenly struck by fear.
" That no buffet! That first prize of tournament! "
When the statement of the guide registered in his
brain, Ranma quickly started to run toward his father.
While running he tried to warn his father.
" Pop! Don't eat that food it is for the winner of the
tournament. "
His father looked at him, already with a fruit in
his hand. If he had understood what his son had said it wasn't
showing since he was rubbing the fruit on his gi.
" Bah! They won't remark it if I eat only one or two. "
Ranma knew better than to trust his father with food,
but he tried to convince his father.
" Put that back pop we don't want any problem with those
amazons now, right? "
His father showed is understanding of is statement by
brining the fruit toward his open mouth. Before the hungry
Japanese man could start eating, his son jumped and tried to
grab the fruit. Soon after, what had started little a simple
game became a all out fight between father and son. After a
few moment of this battle, it was clear that the older man
was at disadvantage, because one of his hand was holding the
fruit. Before the father could do something to change that,
Ranma landed a swift kick right under his opponent undefended
chin.
After having send his father into unconsciousness,
Ranma quickly grabbed the fruit and put it back on the table.
After taking a deep breath, he turned around and was
surprised to see that he was now the center of attention of
the Chinese Amazons. One of the Amazons that looked to be
about his age and had long purple hair slowly walked toward
him. She was wearing a red dress that ended several inch over
her knees. The girl started to speak in a language he didn't
understand, but he was ready to bet it was Chinese.
< I, Shampoo, challenge you to fight me in combat! >
The only thing the boy understood in what the girl had
said was something about shampoo. Ranma's best translation
was that the girl wanted her hair washed, but for some reason
Ranma didn't think that was it.
" Eh! What did you say? "
< He didn't understand my challenge! >
Ranma understood even less of what she just said, but
he could clearly see the disappointment showing on the girl
face. Before he could reply to the Chinese girl, she took a
aggressive stance with her bonbouries in her hands. Ranma
unconsciously adapted a fighting stance, which made the girl
smile. Before the girl could attack, Ranma remembered his
promised to his father and dropped his stance, making it
clear that he would not fight.
< He seem to be refusing your challenge Shampoo. You should
maybe let me try. >
Shampoo quickly turned around to face the girl who had
spoke to her. Ranma at this seemed to be even more confused.
The girl had short green hair not going past her shoulder.
She was wearing a green and black dress in the same style than
the purple haired girl.
< No way Brush! I challenged him first! >
As the argument started between the two girl, Ranma
started looking for the Jusenkyo guide. He found him not far
from him in the crowd and made a few sign to make him come
closer . He nearly didn't see the green haired girl take out a
long wooden staff out of nowhere while shouting something in
Chinese.
< Then I challenge you for the right to challenge him. >
< I accept! >
All the Amazons started to make some space around the
two girls. Ranma easily understood what was to come and
quickly covered the space left between him and the Chinese
guide. His confusion clear in his voice.
" What going on? "
The guide seemed a bit nervous of all the activity
surrounding the young boy.
" Those two girls seem to be fighting over right to
challenge you kind sir. "
They both looked at the two girls had started to circle
each other and the first blow were about to be given. Ranma
returned his attention to the guide.
" But why? Is it because of the prize? "
The guide shook his head.
" No kind sir, I believe it is because they want you as
husband. You remember the law of the Amazon. And if I heard
right they aren't the only ones. "
Truth to be told many women of the tribe were looking
a him with strange gleam in their eyes. Other were totally
ignoring him to watch the two girls trading blow at a quick
pace. Ranma could easily tell that they were both skilled,
but if they continued one of them would surly get hurt.
" You got to stop them! "
" I agree kind sir, but how? "
Ranma looked back at the two girl just to see the
purple haired one land a blow into her opponent torso.
" Tell them about the demons at Jusenkyo. "
The Chinese guide put one hand behind his head looking
ashamed of himself.
" Oh, that right kind sir I nearly forgot about them with
all the recent excitement. "
Before the guide could speak, a old and raspy
voice beat him to it. To Ranma's amazement it was said in a
flawless Japanese.
" What do you mean by demons at Jusenkyo boy? "
All the activities around stopped even the two
fighting girls and they all looked at him. Ranma looked at
the one who had talked, a small old woman with long white hair
holding a staff bigger than herself, moving from behind a few
near Amazons . Ranma didn't need any more hints understand this
old woman was more than meet the eyes .
" Eh! Where the springs were the ground opened and strange
creatures and demons started coming out of it. "
Whispers started to circulated in the crowd of gathered
Amazons. They all ceased when the old woman looked toward the
crowd.
" Hum, and what did you do? "
" The guide, my father and I ran away as fast as we could. "
The old woman nodded approvingly.
" The wisest thing to do. "
She then looked toward the guide.
< His is telling the truth guide of Jusenkyo? >
The Chinese man nodded before answering.
< Everything he said his true elder of the Amazon. >
All around them whispers started once again to
circulate, only a few had understood what Ranma had say, but
everybody understood that it was serious.
< Quiet! >
No one dared to speak and looked toward the elder.
< All Amazon in age of fighting are to take their weapons. >
Now all the villagers ran toward the respective
house. The elder then turned to face the two girls that had
been fighting.
< Shampoo, Brush since you two already have your weapons
you are going to come with this boy and me. >
The purple haired one was the first to answer to the
elder.
< Yes great grandmother! >
Which was quickly followed by Brush's reply, who was
still nursing one of her bruises.
< Yes elder Cologne! >
She then turned so she was now facing the boy the
girls were fighting over. She had to admit that he looked
full of potential.
" Boy. You are to come me to see if those demons are coming
here or you can stay if you're too afraid. "
The last part was said like a taunt. To Ranma it
sounded like a challenge and there was no way he was going to
back done from that one.
" I am not afraid of anything! "
His voice was full of confidence.
" Good, then my great granddaughter didn't misjudge
you. "
That seem to puzzle the Japanese boy.
" Your great granddaughter? "
" Yes, Shampoo ... "
The elder said while pointing the purple haired girl,
who did a quick bow .
" ... and this ... "
She continued while pointing the other girl.
" ... is Brush one of the best of her age. They will come
with us, as for I am Cologne one of the elder of this
village. "
Ranma might not be the man with the more social skill,
but it was still evident what he had to do.
" I'm Ranma. Saotome Ranma and this ... "
He said while pointing the unconscious man.
" ... is my father Saotome Genma. "
" Well since the presentation are made we are better be
going then. "
After saying that she started to move toward the
village's gate on her staff. The three youngsters followed
her without saying a word. After a few moment, the man
laying on the ground opened an eye and looked around. Since
nobody seem to pay any attention to him he got back on his
feet and started eating the first price.
--------------------------------------------------------------
09:12, outside the Chinese Amazons village
Qinghai province, China
For the second time that day Ranma found himself
outside the protective stone walls and wishing to be already
inside. If he had refused to go with them they would have
believed that he was a coward, he was lucky they did not
already think that after declining Shampoo's challenge. The
small group begin their trek toward the cliff.
" Child. What can you tell me about the creatures and the
demons you saw at the valley? "
The young Japanese didn't like being called 'child',
but he tried his best not to let his annoyance show. Ranma
took some time to remember is encounter with the demons less
than two hours ago.
" Before we ran away I'd say that there was about a hundred
or so demons, maybe half of them weren't bigger than a man,
but I saw two or three that looked to be about three or four
meters high. Many of them had wings, but for some reasons
those didn't pursue us. "
" What about the creatures you were talking about
earlier? "
" I don't know why you should be worried about them, the
majority of them looked armless and some looked really
silly. "
The elder eyed the boy curiously before returning her
attention back to the path in front of her.
" Tell me what do you know about Jusenkyo, child. "
Ranma involuntarily flinched when the old woman called
him 'child' again. He tried to hide it behind a thoughtful
expression, but the old woman had seen it and smirked.
" Well, it is supposed to be ancient training ground, but
right now it is occupied by demon, that about it. Pop didn't
tell me much about the place before we got there. "
< What an inconsiderate idiot! >
Shampoo and Brush looked at each other asking
themselves the same question. It was Shampoo who dared ask
it.
< Great grandmother is he really that bad. >
< I wasn't talking about the boy, but his father, great
grand daughter. >
Both girl heaved a sigh of relief, which didn't go
unnoticed neither by the older woman, who let a small smile
reach her face, or the boy, who eyed them curiously.
" Is there something I should know? "
Cologne went back to a neutral expression before answering
the 'child'.
" The cursed springs of Jusenkyo wear that name because each
spring that the valley contains, possesses it's own curse. If
you had fallen into one of those springs you would have broke the
surface of the water with the body of what had already drowned
in it. "
The boy looked at the older woman trying to determine
if she was telling the truth or was just trying to scare him.
Before he could find his answer they arrived at the base of the
cliff. Cologne decided to push her explanation further.
" I am sure that you know that people have drowned elsewhere,
right? "
She waited to see him nod before resuming her
explanation.
" Well the reason why here the springs became cursed is
because that under the springs was a seal . That seal kept the
demons prisoners underground. The cause of the springs
gaining such curses came from either the magic of the seal or
the evilness of the demons or possibly both. But as you
witnessed the seal was somehow destroyed and the demons are
now free. Now child, could you tell me about those
creatures? "
Because of what he had just heard, Ranma didn't even
remark the child comment. He started to mentally evaluate the
number of strange creature he saw at the valley earlier today.
" Eh yeah, they were at least fifty of them, many of them
were birds and other were looking close to human. "
After hearing this, the older woman stayed quiet for
some time before telling what she had learned from the 'child'
to the two youngs Amazons. After having finished explaining,
nobody said a word for several minutes.
--------------------------------------------------------------
10:47, near the valley of Jusenkyo
Qinghai province, China
They still had to walk about one or two kilometers
before they could reach the outskirt of the valley and yet
they didn't encounter any demon. They were in the middle of
a forest and walking while looking all around them in case
of an attack. Ranma could feel something in the air, like if
the wind had shifted, but yet not like it. Being disturbed
by the new feeling Ranma slowed down. Cologne remarked that
and expanded her senses, then she felt it also. She quickly
raised her right hand.
" Stop! "
Then the three youngsters did as told and they took
ready stance and did as few noise as possible. All around
them no sound was heard, not even a bird were singing.
Cologne was eying Ranma with a thoughtful expression.
[ He felt it before I could. What does this mean? ]
Without making any noise, Cologne assigned them to
search different part of their surrounding. Brush directed
herself toward the left side, Shampoo went straight ahead
as for Ranma he went to the right.
After walking fifteen meters in his direction,
Ranma's strange feeling change into a light buzzing, he then
felt something quickly coming at his right and he jumped
backward. The tree that was at is left was smashed by a big
gray fist. Ranma looked at the owner of the fist, it was a
demon with two heads taller than him and build like a wall,
but what attracted his attention were the two red eyes looking
at him from the head of the monster.
The demon tried to punch Ranma again, but the boy
jumped over the his and landed on his arm. Ranma kicked
the head of the demon twice before using it as a springboard.
Having heard the tree being smashed the two youngs
Amazons ran toward the fight, but they were stopped by
Cologne. Shampoo looked at her great-grand-mother for
answers, but all her attention was on the airborne Ranma.
< I never thought that I would see this style again! >
>From the air, Ranma saw that his attacks had little or
no effect on the demon. Ranma started to jump from tree to
tree around the demon gaining speed with each jump. The Demon
tried to follow his movement, but Ranma was too
fast. At that moment, Ranma jumped straight a the demon with
his right foot first. The kick connected right behind the
head of the giant, who crashed to the ground twenty feet away
and laid still.
Ranma, breathing hard, slowly approached the demon.
Before Ranma could get near of it, Cologne stopped him with
her staff. Ranma looked at the elder before speaking.
" Is it .. dead? "
Before Cologne could answer him, the demon rose on
his feet. Ranma quickly took a fighting stance, but before
he could move toward the demon, Cologne extended her staff
from which a bright white light was shoot in the direction of
their opponent. On the path of the light everything was
affected as if a strong wind was passing. Before the demon
could move away, the light hit him right in the torso. The
hell creature let loose a scream that sounded like a the howl
of a thousand differents animals in one. When all the forest
became calm again, there was nothing left of the demon.
Ranma looked back where Cologne was a second ago to
see only a empty space. After looking around, he found her
hopping on her staff in the direction of the village.
" Quick you three! We must return to the village before
more get here. "
Ranma didn't wait any longer and followed her. The two
Chinese girls without having understood what their elder told
them followed none the less. Ranma was the first to reach
Cologne.
" What did you throw at the demon? "
Cologne eyed him with caution before answering.
" It was a chi blast. If you stay around long enough I will
teach you how to do the same, Ranma. "
Ranma looked at her with a surprised look, it was the
first time that she addressed him by his name! Cologne was
deep into her own thought.
[ It normally take years for a martial artist to be able to
manipulate his chi enough to do one. This should be enough
time for Shampoo or any other Amazons to give him other
'reasons' to stay at the village permanently. ]
For some reason Cologne couldn't shake the feeling
that she was wrong somehow. The two remaining amazons reached
them and they all ran back to the village. The more they ran
away the more the strange feeling was diminishing.
>From a good distance, another demon came out of it
hiding place and started to follow them, who was himself
followed by many others.
--------------------------------------------------------------
11:30, inside the village of the Amazons
Qinghai province, China
All of the Amazon tribe was ready for the upcoming
battle. They had already put their children in place of safety
and the principal task now was gathering as much food as
possible, that when they found the stranger feasting on
first prize of the tournament. For some time, the man has
been running around the village pursued by a group of female
warriors. They were at their third passages in front of the
village gate.
< What is going on here? >
At the sound of that voice all the Amazon stooped what
they were doing, but Genma didn't. One of the early pursuers
stopped in front of Cologne.
< Matriarch, this man ate a good part of the first price of
the tournament. >
Before anyone could say anything more, a high pinched
scream came from over the newcomers. A slim winged demon
holding a mean looking sword was nearly on Ranma and dropping
fast. Before the boy could move away, another scream was
heard, but this one coming from a man.
" KIJIN RAISHUU DAN! "
The demon felt on the ground in two pieces. The
top half of the demon rolled on itself screaming and spilling
his dark blood all around him. When the demon ceased to
move, they all looked toward the Japanese man who had still
his arm high in the air.
Cologne looked at two women closest to the village
gate.
< Quick you two, close the gates before the other demons
can enter. >
After giving a few others orders, she motioned to
Ranma to follow her. She then walked toward the fat Japanese
man who still haven't moved, Ranma right behind her. A few
feet from the unmoving martial artist they stopped.
" Are you able to move or are you staying like that on
your own free will? "
The question seem to bring him back to the present and
he adopted a more normal stance which seem to satisfy the
matriarch.
" Good. Now follow me I must talk to you two in
particular. "
Ranma tried to read the expression on his father
face, but wasn't able to see anything past his father stoic
face. Ranma also had a few question to ask to is father so he
quickly followed the older woman.
--------------------------------------------------------------
11:42, inside Cologne house
Qinghai province, China
The house of the matriarch was had, as far as the two
Japanese could tell, four rooms. The room they were in
looked like a living room with is table and chairs around it.
It was a simple room; the only decorations they could see
were the weapons fixed into the walls, but were they really
just decorations? There were two closed doors and there was
also a doorway leading to what looked and smelled like a
kitchen. The small old woman was already waiting for them at
the table. The two Japanese quickly made their way toward
the table and they sat on a chair. Cologne looked toward
Genma.
" Tell me how did you came across the anything goes style? "
For a few seconds the two Japanese looked at each other
asking themselves the same question. Since he was the being
addressed at, Genma decided to ask it.
" How did you ever hear of our style? Not many know about
it, even less are able to identify it on sight. "
" At my age you have had the chance to see many things. "
The man looked thoughtful for a moment before accepting
the answer as a valid one. Looking at the Amazons he gave her
the answer that she asked for.
" A friend of my and I were taught by the founder of the
style. "
Cologne seem to satisfied by the man answer even a bit
amused trying to imagine what kind of exercise the did as
'training'.
" So. Is Happousai still alive? "
The reaction from Genma was instantaneous. He began by
making sign to Cologne to quiet then franticly looked around
and finally he hid under the table. All that in less than two
seconds. The change from calm from frantic left Ranma
blinking a few time and Cologne lightly laughing.
" I will take that as a yes. "
Ranma looked at the woman sitting in front of him then
his gaze directed itself toward his father under the table.
Although it wasn't the first time as seen his father hide in
haste, it was the first time he did so after earring a simple
name.
" Who is this Happo ... "
Before he could finish his father had already covered
his mouth with one of his hand. While covering the mouth of
his son, Genma had exited from his hiding place. He was white as
if he had seen a ghost.
" The master is a very powerful martial artist and his
training was rigorous and extremely dangerous it's a miracle
that I have survived it. "
Genma finished his passionate speech about his old
master. Then some moment of silence followed the speech.
Ranma tried to picture what could look like such man that
could leave his father shacking just from hearing his name;
certainly some kind of giant with arms as big as trees, maybe
he resembled the demon he fought in the forest.
" It is not how I remember him. He was a small man, even
when was in his prime, trying to flirt with every woman of
the village at the same time. When all the women had rejected
him many times, he left the village with many of our
treasures. "
Ranma eyed his father, who now wore sheepish smile,
with suspicion. He had always had question about the source
of the style, but now that he knew many things seemed to make
more sense, like some of the training exercises.
" Now there is something else I like to ask you. Could you
teach the ... kijin raishuu dan as you called it and any other
techniques that could be helpful in defeating those demons? "
Genma went from looking sheepish to totally serious and
calm. The change was so fast that Ranma fell off his chair.
" No! "
Said Genma, but seeing the questioning he was
receiving from the old woman and his son he continued.
" The kijin raishuu dan is a part of the Yama-sen-ken that I
have created along side the Umi-sen-ken, I have sealed both
set of techniques and hoped never to have to use them again.
Those techniques are as dangerous for the user than it
opponent. I do understand the importance of the situation and I
shall teach both set of technique to my heir, Ranma, but
only to him. "
For some time after another one of Genma passionate
speech, him and Cologne stared at each other some a few
minutes.
" Well, if you change your mind on that subject I would
be happy to introduce you to some very capable Amazons to learn
from you. "
[ That only make more reasons to have Ranma join the
tribe. ]
Cologne decided that she had finished with the older
Japanese man, she then turned to face Ranma.
" Now Ranma could you tell me why you refused Shampoo's
challenge earlier today? "
Ranma looked uncomfortable for few second before
answering.
" I promised pop I wouldn't fight any woman of this village
even if I was challenged. "
Cologne then turned again to face the man that have
been causing a lot of problems since she met him.
" Why? "
Was the only word that escaped Cologne's lips. A simple
word, but a question that Ranma too was greatly interested in
knowing the answer. Both of them looked at him, it was clear
on their face that they wanted a answer. Genma kept quiet for
some time, which infuriated both of them, but only Ranma
showed it.
" Ranma already has a fianc�e waiting for him in Japan. "
It didn't take long for Ranma to react to that news.
" What? I never heard of that fianc�e thing before today.
Is this some kind of joke? "
" You were engaged before both of you were even born. I
never saw the need of telling you before. It not like it
would have made a difference. "
Before Ranma could show felling about the whole thing
somebody barged into the house.
< Great-grand-mother ... the demons are ... getting close
to the village! >
Said Shampoo while trying to regain her breath.
Without losing a second Cologne bounced over the table and
motioned the two men to follow her outside.
--------------------------------------------------------------
12:23, inside the village of the Amazons
Qinghai province, China
All the village was silent, Amazons were waiting at
the closed gates impatient to begin the battle. Cologne,
Genma, Ranma and Shampoo quickly made their way to one of the
guard tower. Brush was already there looking beyond the gate
of the village. What they saw at the top of the structure
made their blood run cold. Demons descending toward the
village so many demons that couldn't be counted.
The fat man took a step back and his face lost some of
it color. He was not the only one to be struck by fear, but
neither Cologne nor the three youngsters showed it this
openly. Cologne had fought demons before, but she never saw
so many. She didn't even remember reading about gathering in
three thousand years of archived history. This could be the
darkest times of the Amazons.
Cologne looked at the two young amazons and the
Japanese boy. Gone was the fear in their eyes, now fire
burned in their eyes. The three of them were preparing for
the greatest challenge of their life and they were ready to
face it.
[ The Amazons might never had faced worse in their history,
but it won't be our last battle. ]
On the other guard tower many archers had gathered and
they were readying their bows. Ranma and the two youngs
Amazons climbed down from the guard tower and went toward the
village's gate where the warriors were gathering .
Cologne looked as the demons were quickly closing in.
[ May the goddess and our ancestor help us, because now
begin the greatest test to the Amazons. ]
End of chapter one
--------------------------------------------------------------
Author note :
The first chapter is done and I think I done well for
my first fic , except for the fact that it took me too damn
long to write it . Don't worry the characters of the other
series will be in the next chapter . The next chapter will be
in a darker tone than this one . This fic is dealing with
demons , a lot of them , and demons does what demons does .
I would not qualify what I have planned for the series as a
dark fic , but you might see it differently .
The next chapter start one month after chapter one and
it's time for Ranma and Genma to go back to Japan .
Please don't hesitate to send C&C.
Micronime@hotmail.com