Disclaimer: Ranma 1/2 and Ruroni Kenshin are two cool mangas and animes owned by someone other than me. I don't even own the psychotropic needed to make yourself as delusional as the Kunos.

Nerima, Tokyo --- 2001

It'd been so long since he remembered walking along cement streets. The world he had left behind then had been a little smaller, not quite so advanced, and not quite so tall. Trees were given their space along the edges of the streets and in people's yards where they looked good. Back in the jungles the world was brown and green everywhere. But the cities were nice. They made the silent traveler think of the peace he'd earned through battle, the prosperity he helped forge. And in the same way, it felt hollow.

"Anything Goes," the man read. He was a good height for a Japanese man in his early twenties. While most people would have a cleaner, rounder look of a recently graduated student of academia, this man was rougher and leaner around the edges. Staring too long into his brown-orange eyes and you might think his body had yet to catch up with his true age.

The young man turned to look at the dojo beside him. The Tendou school of Anything Goes Martial Arts was his last stop before he completely gave up his past and disappeared somewhere else in the world. He held up a hand to shade his eyes from the bright sun to look up at the two-story building. It was nice. If his friend made it back maybe he could see if this life had become too nice to him. It was a silly thought that his one-time rival may have become fat and slow when he was such a spirited and athletic martial artist. How would their skills compare now? Could he finally beat the pigtailed boy?

Straightening out the bandanna around his forehead and the brown and yellow travel clothes, the young man bent over a little so he and his enormous back pack could enter the dojo's courtyard.

"Hello, can I help you?" A woman, possibly a few years older, her brown pony-tailed hair draped over one shoulder, paused in her sweeping to give him a pleasant smile. It was too easy for the man to smile back and he decided he liked her right away.

"Yes, I'm looking for a Ranma Saotome. I was told he might be here."

The young woman put a hand to her mouth and set the broom against the wall beside the door. "I'm afraid not, but his father is. Won't you come in?"

"Thank you," the young man bowed, then left his pack next to the entrance and walked in with only his umbrella over his shoulder. The woman looked at it oddly, but made no question.

The front of the dojo was a large two-story home, a comfortable, family atmosphere with little decorations both valuable and sentimental. The young woman led them into the larger living room connected to the dining room where two older men and two sisters sat relaxing in the afternoon.

The eldest Tendou daughter stepped aside. "Father, this is," she left it hanging as she hadn't asked the stranger's name.

The young man bowed politely, "Ryouga Tien."

The thinner man with a long black mustache and dark gi bowed from his seat beside a Shogi board. "I am Soun Tendou, how may I help you?"

"I was looking for Ranma Saotome, but you daughter says he is not here," Ryouga replied.

"You!" The other man stood up suddenly and pointed at Ryouga with a look of hope in his eyes. "You were with my son in China! Do you know where he is?!"

The middle daughter with a short business-style haircut snorted, "Not very quick on the uptake are you Saotome-san?"

Ryouga looked from the large, bold man to the girl and sighed, "I see." For a moment he wondered what life would have been like for his friend had he come to this place. Surely Ranma would have enjoyed the company of three pretty daughters, the Casanova. The thought slipped away and Ryouga was back in the living room, which did not seem as alive as it had only moments ago while Ryouga still held hope. "Then he truly did not make it out of China." Ryouga adjusted the grip on his heavy bamboo umbrella, holding it like a bokken over his left shoulder, and bowed again. "Thank you for your time."

Watching the stranger leave, the middle Tendou suddenly spoke up after glancing at the magazine in her hand for a moment, "That looks like a heavy umbrella you're carrying there Tien-san. I've heard stories about a Japanese man in the Chinese War who carried something like that as a weapon."

Ryouga had heard this before and nodded, "It belongs to a certain school of martial arts. There is likely more than one practitioner."

The line did not work against the sharp girl and she smirked at him a little. Her sisters noticed this while the fathers tried to reexamine the stranger.

The youngest glanced over at the magazine her sister was holding up and an astonished gasp came to her lips, "You think he is the Battousai?"

"How about it, Tien-san?" the middle Tendou grinned toothily.

Ryouga returned the grin with a lop-sided grin and tried to look weaker than he was. "Sorry, but you are confused. I am only Ruroni, that I am."

Chapter One

By Michael Fetter

Jusenkyou Valley, China --- 1996

"You bastard," Ranma thought angrily. Three weeks ago his father had used a forbidden Saotome technique and disappeared from the battlefield. At times he wondered if his father would remain invisible if he were killed at the time. It didn't matter to Ranma anymore; Genma was dead to him either way.

"Damn you, Ranma, for getting me into this."

Ranma turned to regard his companion after dispatching his latest opponent. Blood ran like water about them as an unending tide of fighters swarmed upon them. To the two boys it felt as if all attention was focused on them by three armies. Ranma had long since lost count of the number of people he'd had to kill since the fight began. Ryouga was in much the same position. Fighting had been difficult since Ranma didn't have the extra reach of a weapon that Ryouga did, but with experience he was finding it becoming disquietingly easier.

Protecting his back as he protected Ryouga's, he found his companion pile-driving the heavy bamboo umbrella into the face of one of the winged-people. Ryouga was a bigger person than Ranma in matters of bulk, but he was slower. Brown and yellow shirt and pants were turning black with the stains of blood. Ryouga's black hair was held back by a bandana, which he could also use as a weapon with his family's fighting techniques. While Ryouga didn't make for a good friend, he was one of the best people to have on your side in a fight.

Turning back to the new rise of fighters, Ranma nudged the boy with his elbow to head further west into the valley. Ranma was beginning to slip with the number of bodies lying at his feet. Ryouga silently responded by stepping in the right direction and holding his umbrella up protectively. "We're getting closer to the edge of the battle I think," Ranma muttered. The attacks had been waning slightly and they were engaging more of one army than the other two. Neither boy felt too happy about this since they were fighting the Amazons more, better fighters, but women. Ranma and Ryouga both felt it dishonorable to fight women, but were having hard times of accepting this bit of samurai code when the women were attacking with deadly force.

Ranma heard Ryouga sigh a little with the news. They wanted nothing more than to get out of this fight alive. Both had suffered injuries, sword cuts, ki attacks, and once a fireball. Ranma had almost been pinned by an arrow, but his danger sense had saved him. He still boggled at the extreme luck of having caught the arrow. Even Ryouga had muttered that the catch had been cool; neither wanted to try it again, however.

Running down a steep slope, the boys came upon a valley of springs and were almost grateful for the chance at something to drink. Before they could approach the water, a number of women rang out with a now all too familiar war cry.

Ranma and Ryouga tensed and blazed their auras again. Many things were learned during this battle. Killing became easy, as did going without sleep for long periods at a time. The two martial artists lived in constant fear of being killed by every one of the armies. They slept in trees, caves, and hollowed out logs. Once they had slept beneath the bodies of other dead warriors. It had been disgusting and the smell terrible, but it was take it or leave it.

"Let's try to get rid of them quickly, Ryouga. They're too good to mess around with for very long," he knew Ryouga nodded to the suggestion without looking. "We can't be more than a mile from safety."

"The springs might hold them off while we shoot them form a distance." Ryouga suggested, bring up his hands and cupping them as if he had an invisible ball clasped between them.

The two moved further into the valley of springs. They didn't have long to wait as the women warriors rushed through the springs, carefully avoiding the water. They Amazons were forced into attacking at a one to one level. Before they could get that close, however, Ranma and Ryouga grasped for energy from the world around them and poured it into chi blasts that shown with a blue white light.

"Ha!" The boys screamed in unison, the unnamed blasts ripping across the area and tearing through the numbers of surprised Amazons. The attacks were mainly concussive and knocked people off their feet, possibly into unconsciousness. Amazons were bowled over each other, but a group of thirty could not be eliminated completely by just two energy blasts.

Neither boy could pull out another blast before they were set upon by the Amazons. Ranma ducked a spear and retaliated with an uppercut that must have shattered the woman's jaw. He leapt back to Ryouga's side in time to catch someone's sword arm and break it at the elbow. He suffered a mace hit to the side to save his friend, but he brushed it off with adrenaline and continued to fight.

Towards the other end of the valley, as the two left a trail of broken Amazon bodies, Ranma and Ryouga found themselves fighting only the best of what was left of the Amazon fighters. Ryouga felt the sting of a sai trying to break his arm. He was being attacked on two sides and the blows were starting to break through his tired defenses. He heard Ranma grunt and knew the pigtailed boy was not much better. Counting on his brute strength, Ryouga made a sweeping gesture with the arm holding the heavy umbrella and smirked as he saw the surprise on the blocking girl's face. The two Amazons were tossed to the ground a distance away and remained there.

Ranma grunted again as he felt the little redhead hit him in the stomach. Her punches were amazingly fast. If she were stronger Ranma would have been out of it long ago. The girl knew techniques that were nearly impossible to follow. One punch to the stomach he'd been almost certain were fifty, just thrown to quickly to be seen separately. While the girl's technique was good, it was not perfect. Ranma found he could counter easily if one part of the girl was occupied. Taking a few hits to the head, Ranma made a kick with the tip of his foot digging into the girl's rib cage. She grunted and doubled over, bringing her face into easy reach of Ranma's fist. He wasted no time in knocking the girl across the temple, dropping into the pool behind her.

Ryouga waited, blood dripping down his arm and lip. The last girl before him had punched through his sore arms to hit him square in the face with a pair of strange maces. His nose felt broken and likely sporting dark blue bruises. She attacked again, knocking Ryouga in the stomach, and he took a step back to keep his balance. He hit Ranma, but couldn't worry about it then. With a bit of strength from his depleted reserves, Ryouga flung the umbrella at the purple-haired girl. He smirked when it struck her in the face and collapsed onto the ground.

Under the water, Ranma had a close view of the redhead spasming suddenly while unconscious and then going limp. A strange sensation filled him and he wondered if he wasn't feeling chilled by death finally. The dead girl's eyes were closed and without the fierce glare on her face she looked cute. That thought hurt Ranma deeply. He wanted to be someone who protected others, not killed girls. But that's what he and Ryouga were now, killers.

Tightening his mouth, Ranma looked away from the girl and pushed off for the surface of the spring. His body felt weird, but it was something to be thought over later. Ranma burst out of the water and quickly jumped to the earth, searching all around for an attack. It seemed Ryouga had finished the last of the Amazons as the valley was empty of conscious attackers. Ryouga himself seemed unconscious.

Silently, Ranma reached out to press two fingers against the boy's neck. He found a pulse and breathed a sigh of relief. He'd have to carry Ryouga's dead weight until they could find some place to hide out in, but it was better than going through the rest of the war alone. Ranma snatched up umbrella and half-dragged Ryouga to the tree line. Did the boy feel heavier and taller all of a sudden?

~

A day passed while Ranma watched over his unconscious friend.

"The tracks disappear."

"Whoever these two men are, they are very capable warriors."

It was Chinese. Ranma had heard enough of the language while being stuck in this war to have figured out most of it. He and Ryouga were Japanese, caught in the middle of a war they didn't even understand. Attacked on three sides by the Musk, Amazons, and Phoenix, each of who thought that he and Ryouga belonged to another army.

"Yes, to take on a group of Amazons like they did."

"We should leave this place quickly. Jusenkyou is no less dangerous even in war."

Hardly breathing in fear of being heard, Ranma followed the feet of the Amazons outside of the hiding place he had found. Ranma had wedged Ryouga and his umbrella beneath a decaying redwood and then placed himself between Ryouga and the exit. He hoped his friend awakened soon because the hiding place would not be safe for very long.

His life and the life of his friend were the most important things to Ranma at the moment. They'd depended and defended each other for too long to ignore that bond of comradely. It was also this priority that was keeping Ranma from panicking now, and maybe getting himself killed. Something had happened back in the valley of springs. He'd noticed it after resurfacing from the pool Ryouga had bumped him into. The dainty hand that brushed a lock of red hair from his face reminded Ranma again of how different his . . her body now felt.

With a tightened jaw, Ranma pushed the thoughts aside. They would only get in . . her way and would distract her from the life and death battle she and Ryouga were caught up in.

"Ranma?" Ryouga shifted coming out of his sleep and brushed a hand over his companion's chest.

Ranma blocked out the odd sensation and put a small hand over Ryouga's mouth. "Shh," she saw his eyes open suddenly to examine her, but hoped he would still listen. "They may still be close by."

The boy's eyes began to blaze as he growled at her, "Who are you?"

Ranma had some choice words to fire back, "Ryouga-"

"What have you done with Ranma?" He cut her off with a louder snarl. Ranma felt the tip of a dagger pressed up against her throat as Ryouga rolled over halfway to loom over her. The new body, which Ranma had guessed looked something like the girl who had drowned in the pool, was so small compared to Ryouga.

"Bakusai Tenketsu!"

The ground beside Ryouga suddenly exploded outwards and a number of spears suddenly thrust into the hole exposing their hide out to point directly at Ryouga's exposed neck and belly. From beneath the boy, Ranma could see him swallow, fearing his end with no way to escape. Ranma felt that fear too, but also puzzlement as the Amazon warriors did not look at her except with concern.

"Drop your knife, boy," the lead Amazon demanded. Since the smoke cleared she had been watching Ryouga's knife hand intently, ready to drive in her spear the moment he twitched in the wrong way.

Slowly, Ryouga withdrew his knife and set it down where one of the warrior women could grab it. Directing him with their spears, Ryouga was guided off of Ranma and out of the hole where they could surround him. Ryouga was good, Ranma knew, but avoiding all of those spears would be impossible.

Unsure, Ranma grabbed the heavy bamboo umbrella in case she could use it to take out the Amazons, and pulled it out into the open with her. If not for the constant use of her ki the task may have been more difficult, but Ranma succeeded with only straining slightly.

"Are you alright, Rhu Bei?" The lead Amazon asked, taking a glance away from Ryouga to look over Ranma. She frowned a bit at the torn clothing that was obviously not Amazon make.

"Fine," Ranma spoke hesitantly. She had obviously been confused for the girl who had drowned in the pool; keeping up the charade may save her life and Ryouga's. The boy was, at the moment, unharmed except for the spears aimed at his heart. "What are you going to do with Ryouga?"

"Ryouga?" the lead girl raised an eyebrow and then looked over the clothing the red head was wearing again. Her other eyebrow shot up and she looked back to the outsider male. "Rhu Bei? Are you and he?"

Friends? "Yes," Ranma answered slowly, ready to attack if she had answered wrong.

The other three Amazons began to chatter quietly amongst themselves, often giving Ranma and Ryouga disapproving looks.

"But he has killed Amazons. The male should die," one jabbed at Ryouga's back with her spear, not breaking the skin.

A second shook her head, smiling a little at Ranma and then at the boy. "No, it is war. People die in war."

"He and his friend have killed many Amazons," a third replied.

Ryouga snorted, glaring at the girls around him, "Me and Ranma have killed a lot of people, but only because you attacked us."

A few Amazons bristled, thinking it was an insult of their skill somehow. The leader raised a hand to quiet the rest. She gave Ryouga a measured look, still not completely convinced, but trusting of her fellow Amazon, Rhu Bei. "Ryouga will be a powerful ally now."

"What happened to the other one, Rhu Bei?" The kinder Amazon asked, dropping her spear point a little and backing off from Ryouga.

Ranma glanced around the group of Amazons and stepped in closer to Ryouga. "I . . I don't know."

The lead Amazon frowned, but circled her left hand to rally the few hidden Amazons up from the bushes. "We should go. Even this close to the village we are not safe."

~

The sun was beginning to set as the party of Amazons leading Ranma and Ryouga entered the high walls of the Amazon village. The perimeter rose like sharp teeth standing three times as tall as any person there. Fire from within illuminated the world inside with almost hellish light. All around were men and women, armed with sharp weapons that glittered in a hunger for blood. Ranma shivered at how ferocious each of these warriors looked with the eyes in the shadows.

Ranma could tell the effect was not lost on Ryouga either as his arms tensed beneath her fingertips. "Just stay close, Ryouga. I don't think they'll attack if you're with me." On the walk over, Ranma could tell Ryouga had been trying to get lost the way he used to, but was reluctant to tear himself away from her, a girl who might have saved his life. Ranma would have rather Ryouga got lost and taken her with him.

From within one of the larger huts, whose door was draped with dark cloth, an old woman pogoed out into the open upon a gnarled cane that supported her two-foot frame. The long white hair reached for the ground and her skin was a mass of wrinkles that made her skeletal face seem more twisted in the fire light. "Rhu Bei. It is good to see you weren't killed as Shampoo thought," the old woman spoke softly, gravel in her motherly tone. She took another hop closer to examine Ryouga from her perch. "This boy will make the Amazons stronger. You have chosen well, Rhu Bei."

Ryouga didn't like what they were saying at all. He wasn't some sort of meat on sale and he sure as hell wasn't here to improve the odds of one side of this war. "What do you mean? Me and Ranma have been trying to find a way out of this war for weeks. We were just caught up in it by accident."

One of the guards who had accompanied the search party suddenly swung her flat sword at Ryouga's arm, which would leave a terrible cut, severing most of the muscle. "Insolent male!"

Ryouga had not survived so many weeks in this war on luck, however. Moving quickly, he made a block that struck the flat side of the blade and then caught the grip to tear it away from the Amazon's hand. "Little girls shouldn't be playing with sharp objects!" he snarled and snapped the blade directly from the hilt.

The other Amazons rallied about Ryouga and raised their weapons to strike him down.

"Ryouga!" Ranma quickly dove in between the Amazons and her friend, hoping their belief that she was another Amazon would continue to save them. She kept one arm around Ryouga's waist and the other held out at the attackers. "Stay back!"

A loud clap stopped the warriors in place and brought the attention back to the old matriarch. "We do not have time for this. Keep your husband in line, Rhu Bei. He will certainly make a valuable addition to the tribe." This had not been spoken lightly, Cologne was a ki adept and could see the power within others. When it looked like battle, Ryouga's aura had begun to flare and pool into a proper energy blast. These were traits the Amazons would welcome into their tribe.

Ranma sighed in relief as she watched the matriarch and a large number of the Amazon warriors head off. Taking her arm away from Ryouga's waist and standing off a bit to give him room, Ranma relaxed. "That was close."

"I could've taken them," Ryouga insisted, but kept a wary eye out for other angry warriors. His back suddenly went ramrod straight as he went back to the old woman's parting words.

Ranma didn't notice and shook her head, "Whatever."

"Rhu Bei!"

Ranma and Ryouga's attention was drawn to a woman in her early forties, who came bounding through the crowd of retreating Amazons, with her arms open wide. Her hair was a darker red than Ranma's new body and she wore a purple sash about her leather fighting gear.

The woman, with a bright smile, landed in front of Ranma and crushed her with a warm embrace and kisses over her brow. "I'm so glad you're alright! I heard the reports and thought you were dead."

Ranma tried to give the unknown woman a reassuring smile and patted her shoulder lightly. "Uh, nope. Still alive."

Nodding happily, the woman hugged Ranma again and then glanced over to a still dazed Ryouga. Letting her eyes work over the boy, she advanced on him and pat his upper arm to feel the muscle. "Who's this, daughter?"

Understanding, Ranma adjusted her treatment of the woman to something more familiar. "This is Ryouga, uh . . mom."

Rhu Bei's mother considered this then took an arm of each of the children and dragged them merrily to back to her home. "You should rest before you have to go out in another war party."

Ranma stumbled along in the woman's hold and tried to offer Ryouga a wane smile. "Uh, I guess we're safe here for now, Ryouga."

The boy, however, was far from relaxed as he gaped at the redhead being dragged alongside of him. "We're m-m-m-m-mar-mar-married?!"

Ranma blinked in surprise. She had no idea what Ryouga was . . . What did that old woman say?! She shook for a moment and glanced about the area to see the other Amazons watching. Remembering her part, Ranma stood straight and glared at Ryouga angrily, "Of course we are! Now let's go," and grabbed his arm to drag the gaping boy by the hand.

~

Sae Xhi walked back into the kitchen as her daughter came in with her husband. She was very proud of Rhu Bei because life had not been easy on the redhead. Rhu Bei was a decent fighter, but not nearly enough to find any recognition amongst her peers. People knew her because she was pretty, but Rhu Bei had no great talent for anything so it had worried Sae Xhi that her daughter might be lost in time.

Now here she was, looking more capable and confident then Rhu Bei had ever looked. It must have something to do with the boy, Sae Xhi decided. "Have a seat, Rhu Bei. I have everything ready for tonight."

"Okay . . mom," Ranma answered and sat down at the table. Two settings had been laid down and the wonderful smell of food cooking was floating in from the kitchen.

Ranma was at a loss for what to do. She and Ryouga could probably get out of the village without trouble, but it would raise suspicion and the Amazons would be right on their trail again. Both the Musk and the Amazons had skilled trackers. Then again, if they stayed then she and Ryouga would at least have a short reprieve from the war. Maybe some time to recuperate would make escaping the valley easier. Ranma's muscles were sore and her stomach growled to mark their opinions on the matter.

Ryouga was still cautious, sitting down beside her and looking around the room. He was probably thinking the same thing, Ranma thought. When Ryouga glanced at her out of the corner of his eye and she saw him blush, she reconsidered what he might be thinking.

Ranma's stomach gurgled again, "At least now we get to eat some real food. I've been starving for weeks."

"What was that, daughter?" Sae Xhi asked, skipping back into the dining room with two bowls of ramen.

Ranma took in the heavenly scent and didn't hesitate, "Nothing, mom."

"Dinner is served," Sae Xhi kissed Ranma on the cheek and then placed a little pouch of herbs beside her on the table. She whispered into Ranma's ear, "Rhu Bei, put a little of this in each of your bowls."

Ranma did as she was bid, not bothering to ask why. When it was done, Sae Xhi took back up the pouch and proceeded to head for the kitchen. "Ain't you havin any?"

Sae Xhi looked over her shoulder with a careless laugh, "Of course not."

Uncertain, Ranma looked to the food then to the woman who believed she was her daughter, "T-Thanks."

"Oh, I'm so happy for you dear," the woman bubbled, coming back from the kitchen. Sae Xhi picked up a few things then headed for the front door.

"You're leaving?"

Sae Xhi nodded, "I'll see you in the morning."

For a few minutes there was silence while Ranma listened to the woman's retreating footsteps, making sure the Amazon was gone before thinking it was safe. When all that was left was the light from the candle overhead and the slurp Ryouga made as he ate, Ranma relaxed and turned to her companion, "I think it's safe to talk now."

"This is good," Ryouga commented while sucking up another noodle.

Ranma looked at the hot meal and shrugged. "Talk after we eat."

It was good. Ranma began her traditional speed eating technique and finished by holding her bowl up and draining the rest of the hot broth into her stomach. The process took only a few moments and when she was finished Ranma burped her appreciation and wiped the back of her hand over her mouth.

"That's better." Ranma sighed and sat back in her chair, rubbing her stomach. Ryouga had a little grin, satisfied with finally being full. They both lounged around the table for a moment, taking sips of their drinks and just experiencing the temporary quiet within the war.

Sitting there, Ranma began to feel increasingly better about herself. She didn't know why except that her body was warm and she tingled through her belly. It was a euphoric headiness that left her mind fuzzy, and she smiled at all the little things she suddenly began to notice. The comfortable little home with its wood furniture and hand woven garments. The candlestick fastened into a red glass ball that swung in a soft breeze. Her dainty hand that belied strength with smooth feminine skin.

Ryouga must have noticed too because his hand came to rest on top of hers.

Ranma watched their hands, his large callused one wrapping hers up like a caring glove. She turned it palm up and spread the fingers to watch them push through Ryouga's. They sprouted like pink saplings and curled over his knuckles.

Taking their clasped hands and pulling them around Rhu Bei's waist, Ryouga leaned in closer, pulling the red head into his lap.

Ranma moved with Ryouga's instruction and put an arm around his shoulders. The heat had moved from her face to fall over her chest. Where Ryouga touched her skin it felt like fire. Her lips felt a little dry and she licked them slowly while staring searchingly into Ryouga's brown eyes. Why were they here? Why were they doing this? The questions failed to take hold. Ranma just knew that this felt right.

As Ryouga held her in his lap, felt her little weight, the slender waist in his arms, he could smell the sweet cleanness only women had even when they sweat. Rhu Bei's red lips pressed together and then her tongue swept across them. The strength of his desire became overpowering.

Ranma watched Ryouga's head dip down closer, their lips almost touching. She could feel his breath along her cheek and could only stare into his eyes. A hand came to rest on her cheek and her eyes fell halfway, "Ryouga what . . are . . you . ."

He silenced her with a kiss. It was pressing, fighting off whatever loneliness he'd experienced over the years. It was like if he held her close enough that something new could be built in its place, a structure that could protect and encompass the two of them.

With a sweeping gesture, Ryouga knocked aside the bowls on the table and lay Rhu Bei across it like a new meal. She smiled and drew him closer. "Rhu Bei-chan," he whispered.

"Ryouga-kun."

The candlelight flickered throughout the room late into the night, only retiring as a new sun began to rise and the stars hid themselves in the distance.

End Chapter One

* * *

I'm trying to keep everything in character, but it's hard to say what is in character for Ranma and Ryouga after being stuck in a war they had no place in. Obviously, the last scene doesn't conform to what we would expect from these two, but I'm sure you noticed the pouch of herbs Sae Xhi gave her 'daughter'. I thought that it must be hard for Amazons to keep outsider males sometimes so to fix this problem they had to somehow change the hearts of the Amazon and outsider. I'm calling the herb mixture used the 'Honeymoon Powder'.

Later chapters will continue to jump back and forth between timelines so you can watch how Ryouga and Ranma continued to develop into what would be the present. I didn't know what dates to choose so I decided on our present, not like it really matters.

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Or visit my website at www.geocities.com/jehtek

Ja ne.