Send C&C to: oddball22@hotmail.com Find my stories at: www.geocities.com/kaiphantom2000 DISCLAIMER: I deny that I'm an all-poweful gaijin who's going to write himself into the story and solve all problems and beat everybody with one hit. On second thought, maybe I will... Ranma 1/2: New Challenges All That We Have Known Chapter 2 The rest of the week went normal, which was really saying a lot. Ranma expected that something would happen, given the fact he finally confessed his innermost feelings to Akane. Fate seemed to have a way of throwing a monkey wrench in the works whenever something good started to happen to him. The couple agreed that, while their family would know, they didn't want to let anyone in their school know just yet. They wanted time to enjoy their new relationship without everyone bugging them about it. They did tell Ranma's mother about their new status, since they felt she had to know. With her help, they were able to convince the happily babbling fathers to lay of the wedding until the couple felt they were ready. Of course, the clincher was the katana that was clearly visible the entire time. She also let Ranma move back into the Tendo home to be close to his iinazuke (and maybe show off some manly behavior). The Tendo dojo was also closer to the school, so there was a shorter walk. Genma and Soun quickly agreed, then in a true display of parenting skills, left to get drunk. One week later, a letter was delivered to the Tendo residence, the Saotome household, and Ucchan's, inviting them to come to the Nekohanten. The note especially invited Kenji to come. When the amnesiac mentioned, everyone assumed it had something to do with his memory restoration. They were half right. So on a Saturday night, a large group piled into the restaurant. The group consisted of practically everybody in those three households. Tofu also showed up, when Kasumi requested him as an escort. Of course Mousse and Shampoo were there as well, but Ryoga had left after his injuries healed and nobody had seen him since. When they were all in, the first difference they noticed was that all the tables were gone, except for one in the middle. Chairs lined the walls, and Shampo was nowhere to be seen. When asked, all Mousse would say was then she'd be out when she was ready. Several minutes passed before the purple-haired Amazon walked down the stairs to join them, adorned in a robe that was similar to Cologne's, except hers was in shades of blue and purple. An amulet hung from a gold chain around her neck, a strange symbol adorning it. Her left arm was also out of the cast, signifying that her fractured arm must've been healed enough to remove it. She gazed at each of the room's occupants as she descended the steps, nervousness mounting in her. she told herself. The time for mourning her great-grandmother was over. Now was the time for action and she must appear strong. The amulet around her neck would help, by enabling her to speak clear Japanese so she could convey what she wanted accurately. It was one of the trinkets passed to her when Cologne gave everything to her. Everyone quieted down when she spoke. "Greetings everyone, I wish to thank you for meeting with me tonight." There were quite a few murmurs around the room at her language, but they quieted down when requested by Mousse. Ranma wasn't the only one who noticed how down and defeated the myopic Amazon looked. "I have two main things to discuss tonight," she continued. "Now that my great-grandmother has passed on, we will be returning to China in two weeks. There are two things that must be settled by then. The first order of business is the last thing my great-grandmother was working on: removing the memory seal placed on Soyokaze Kenji-san. I have studied the notes she left, and am able to perform to spell necessary. Do you wish that I do this, Soyokaze Kenji-san?" All eyes turned to the amnesiac young man who literally dropped into their life. Kenji inhaled deeply, suddenly aware he was the center of attention. He tried to think on what he knew about the female Amazon across the room. He was told she was part of the party that saved him when he was taken, so that said something for her. But Ukyo didn't seem to have many good things to say about her, and he got the impression the chef didn't trust the Amazon. He knew they were waiting for an answer from him. "Uh, actually I've been thinkin' about that. While I guess I could live out my life as I am now, I do really want to know what my parents and previous life were like." It was acutally more like he needed to know. Where did he come from? What kind of person was he? He couldn't recall 17 years of his life, except for bits and pieces, and it was beginning to bug him more and more. He felt Yuri on his left, slip an arm around his shoulder and hug him in support and understanding. "I guess I feel that if I don't take this chance, I'll regret it for the rest of my life. So yes, Shampoo-san, if you could do this for me, I'd very much appreciate it." Shampoo nodded. "Very well. We will start as soon as we clear one more matter up. Whatever happens, I give my word that I will do my best to remove the memory seal." Ranma suddenly got a sinking feeling of where this was headed. Shampoo's next words confirmed it. "Ranma, by Amazon law I must marry you and take you back to Joketsuzoku. I love you very much and I know I would make a strong wife for you." Her voice became thicker with emotion. "I know I could make you so happy. So please, won't you marry me and come back with me?" Several people noticed tears begin to form in her eyes, as if she already knew the answer, but was desperately hoping otherwise. All eyes were now on Ranma, who gulped. "Shampoo, I'm sorry, but I can't marry you." He glanced at Akane, briefly. "I'm real sorry about about your laws and everything. If there's something I can do ta help ya, I'll try, but I can't marry you." Ranma took a deep breath and Akane gave his hand a squeeze in support. Shampoo hardened her face, forcing back the tears. "Then there are three options left," Shampoo stated. "Someone must defeat you Ranma, which would prove you were not the strongest. I don't think that is possible at this time. An Amazon must defeat me and take me as his wife. A claim by an Amazon is stronger than that of an outsider." All eyes turned to Mousse, who hung his head his head. All knew of his love for Shampoo, and knew that he couldn't bring himself to hurt her in any way. Akane spoke up. "Wait a minute, you mentioned three things. You've only explained two." Shampoo nodded. She recalled the ritual challenge and spoke the words. "By Amazon law, Ranma is mine. I now ask if there is any females in this room who would challenge me for the possession of this male. Are there any here who would attempt to take him from me? If so, they may fight me for possession rights. The loser will give up their claim on Ranma forever." She grinned in triumph. There were several gasps in the room, even as Ranma saw where this was going. Shampoo was the strongest female fighter in the room. Her last chance was her best chance, since it seemed there would be no one who could beat her. "I challenge you!" "Akane, no!" Ranma pleaded. Akane turned to him. "No Ranma, you've fought for me, it's my responsibility to do the same." She turned to Shampoo and said with conviction. "I will fight for him." "Then I accept your challenge, Akane," Shampoo said, unwavering. "By Amazon law, If you win, the kiss of marriage will be broken and I will leave in peace. If I win, then you and your clan will give up all claim on Ranma and he returns to China with me. Do you agree?" Ranma shot to his feet. "I am not a prize to be fought over! Akane, you can't do this!" If the Tendos gave up their claim on him, his honor would force him to return to China with Shampoo. Akane stood up next to him and met his eyes. "I can and I will because it's exactly what you have done and would do! You have to learn to trust me!" He paused. "Akane, I... I do trust you. But, you can't win!" She scowled, but kept her anger in check. "Yes I can! IF you believe in me." She looked up at him with as loving a gaze as she could manage. "Please?" Ranma looked around helplessly, but nobody had anything else to add. Finally, his gaze returned to her loving and imploring face. His resolve broke and he sighed. "Oh, all right." "Thank you, Ranma." Akane turned back to Shampoo. "I agree to your terms." "We shall meet in combat two weeks from today if that is all right with you Akane," Shampoo stated, to which Akane nodded. "Now, as I stated before, this will have no impact on Kenji-san's memory restoration. It was great-grandmother's last wish that this take place if Kenji-san wanted it to. I give my word as an Amazon warrior, no harm shall come to him. We'll take a short break while I get ready, then we'll continue. None of you need stay for this, I only asked you all to come as witnesses for Akane's challenge." She bowed to the assembled group and went in to the kitchen. Nervous conversation immediately started up again upon her departure. Outside, a figure who had been listening dashed away. He had just learned important information that he knew his mistress would want to hear. He gulped. Mousse approached Ranma and Akane. "Saotome, Akane-san, I'm truly sorry about this. If I wasn't such a coward; if I could fight Shampoo..." "You knew what she was going to say before didn't you?" Ranma accused. Mousse nodded. "How could you let her do that!? Why can't you be a man and fight her!?" Mousse looked up and met Ranma's gaze. "Could you fight and hurt Akane?" Ranma backed down as he realized Mousse's position. "Then you know how I feel. I wish you luck, Akane-san. Not only will you lose Ranma if you fail, I will lose Shampoo. I cannot help you." His head dropped. "I only wish things were different." With that he walked away. Kenji trotted over when he saw Mousse walk away. "Um, I don't know much of what's going on, or the history between you and Shampoo, but..." "You want to know if you should trust Shampoo with the spell?" Akane finished for him. The amnesiac nodded. "Yeah." "Shampoo is a lot of things," he said, "but being completely honorless is not one of `em. If she gives her word, I think she'll keep it." He took Kenji's hand and shook it. "You'll be okay, I'll be right here." "Thanks, Saotome. You too, Akane-san. I hope everything works out." Shampoo came back into the room with an old looking scroll and a couple of containers. The room quieted down. "This spell requires several parts," she began. "Kenji-san, would you please sit on the table here." Kenji hugged his sister and sat on the table. "I have a potion for you to consume. When that's done, you'll lay on this table while I begin the spell. You'll have to be bound during this time." Kenji frowned at her, but she continued. "When the seal goes, you'll begin to experience many of your memories all over again. You may or may not try to physically act out everything. This is to keep you front hurting yourself or others. This will be over and you should have everything back in anywhere from 4 to 6 hours. The rest of your memories will come back in time." Kenji looked over the assembled group and his sister. He then took the orange potion from Shampoo. "Well, here's to memory lane, bottom's up!" And he downed the drink. "Ack! Tastes like sweaty gym shorts." Kenji laid down on the table while Mousse and Shampoo tied him down with some strong rope. She instructed him to close his eyes, then sprinkled some green powder over him. In a few minutes, everyone realized he was asleep. She explained that it was easier this way since the mind normally paralyzes the body at night to prevent someone from acting out their dreams. She then began to read the scroll. Not even Mousse understood what she was saying, since it was in a language that nobody understood. Well, Tofu said he understood a few parts here and there. All he could explain though, was it was something about beseeching the god of dreams to release the thoughts inside Kenji from magical control. The amnesiac's body began to glow orange, and then it faded as Shampoo sat down, exhausted. "Now the rest is up to him," she explained. "Over the next few hours, he will have to come to terms with his repressed thoughts. If he can do that, he should be fine." "Can we touch him?" Yuri asked. Shampoo nodded. "It should be okay. Just make sure he has room to breath. Treat him as someone in deep sleep, or a coma. The spell has drained me, so I am going to get some rest. You can call me if you need me." And with that, she headed back upstairs. Yuri and Ukyo moved to either side of him and each held a hand as they watched his face. For the first couple of hours, he was relatively quiet. His face would flicker between various emotions: Happy, sad, anger, fear, and others. Occasionally he would mumble something that was too soft to hear or say something out loud that Yuri would try her best to explain. They decided to watch him in shifts, so some rested while others watched, talked to him, and tried to make him comfortable. It wasn't until the end of the fourth hour that things really started to liven up. *FLASH* Kenji thought as he floated in a black space. Without warning, scenes began playing themselves out. Images of a softball game with a man he identified as his father, popped up. It dissolved to show a sparring session with a woman he knew to be his mother. As each scene would pop up, Kenji would start to remember the details and the scene would clarify. Some would have sound, some wouldn't. *FLASH* There he was, blowing out the candles on his fifth birthday. Walking to school with his sister. Playing around in class. Doing homework with his sister and mom. Training and sparring with his mom. Dad taking him out flying at night. *FLASH* At first he was able to assimilate all the information that was coming at him. Sights, sounds, and other memories reintergrated themselves back into his mind. Then, without warning, the images sped up. But the images kept going faster. *FLASH* Playing with his sister. His eleventh birthday. Dad training him at night. Dumping water on dad. Getting lost in the woods. He finally got the wind blast to work, his dad right there with him. Playing baseball. *FLASH* His head began to pound as pain flashed through his skull. He cried out and begged for release, but the onslaught of forgotten memories railroaded him. He began to convulse as his subconscious endeavored to make sense of the huge jumble of sensory information. It overloaded. *FLASH* His sixteenth birthday. Harvesting the farm crops. His first martial arts tournament. He came in 7th place. Falling off a cliff and twisting his ankle. Mom and Dad arguing. And waking up to a burning house... Kenji screamed. The flames danced around him and he panicked. His mind, already stressed from the forcefed memories, broke down. His only thoughts were of escape. He found a path and ran towards it, but the flames roared up and blocked it. With a frightened yelp, he jumped away and called for his family. No one responded. Tears began to roll down his cheeks as the fire closed in. His body froze up and he began to mumble incoherently. The hellish-red flames eventually reached him, lapping up his body. *FLASH* Ranma and Ukyo were watching him when he cried out. He began to struggle against the ropes, pulling at them while seemingly trying to escape some invisible enemy. The first cry woke everyone up who was resting, and they quickly went over to him. Nabiki and Kasumi had already left by this time, escorted by their father. Nodoka had left as well, but Genma hadn't gone with her. He still wasn't sure how welcome he would be. "What's going on?" Yuri asked frantically. "I don't know!" Ranma replied. "He just started screaming and struggling." "Talk to him you, Yuri-chan," Akane suggested. "Let him hear your voice and maybe he'll calm down." "Oniichan," Yuri said softly, taking his hand. "I'm here. Listen to me, it's going to be okay." The unconcious amnesiac seemed to calm a little bit, but immediately his cries went back into full force. No one seemed to notice the air currents pick up in the room. In Kenji's mind, he was reliving the details of his burning house. Those memories reacted with his newly gained fear of fire causing his mind to retreat and his body to take over. It was doing everything it could to get him free. "Uh, guys, I think we have a problem," Ranma said when the winds intensified. "Remember what happened in the cavern..." Akane's mouth dropped open. "If he keeps this up... We need to get everyone out of here! Ucchan and Yuri-chan, keep trying to calm him! Somebody get Shampoo, we need her!" Tofu fought the increasing winds to come up to the table that held Kenji. "Doc, can you do something to incapacitate him?" Ranma asked. "I might, hold on!" he replied. He reached out his hand and was immediately blown back into a wall. "Tofu!" Akane yelled, but the doc was out cold. "Oh no!" Ukyo exclaimed. "Look at his eyes!" Kenji's eyes had popped open, totally grey. He seemed to be staring at nothing in particular, or at something only he could see. Yuri felt his forehead and her hand came away slightly moist. "He's burning up! `Niichan, what's happening to you!?" "Perspiring?" Ukyo asked. "Maybe he feels like he is someplace hot?" Yuri looked up as comprehension flooded her face. "The fire! He told me he was there that night. He's reliving the fire! But..." She didn't get a chance to finish as another gust blew them away. With a few audible snaps, Kenji's arms and legs broke the restraints and he slowly rose, orienting himself into a vertical position. His feet were floating about foot off the floor. That's when he cried out again. "Momma! Papa! Yuri's in trouble!" Yuri concentrated her own wind energy and forced herself to her feet. "No I'm not, Kenji! I'm fine, I'm right here! Listen to me, oniichan!" She lowered the wind resistance around her body, trying to fight the buffeting tornado her brother was generating. Ranma was holding onto Akane while laying on the floor to avoid the chairs which were now flying around the room. "How can she stand up like that!?" he asked in wonder. "Well, they are siblings, so it would make sense they have similar abilities with wind," Akane replied. Shampoo had come back down from her room where she was resting, but stayed on the upper part of the stairs, hanging onto the railings. Mousse was launching chains and grabbing the flying chairs from the kitchen. Shampoo fingered the amulet she was wearing and studied the floating boy. "It's almost over!" she yelled. "The potion is nearly burned out of his system. We have to keep him from hurting himself and it should end in the next ten minutes or so!" Most of the flying objects were gone by now, but it was still dangerous as several forceful winds emitted by Kenji left small impact craters in the walls and floor. Ukyo had stabbed her giant spatula into the ground and was holding on tightly. She looked up to see Yuri fighting her way towards her brother. She was almost there. Yuri finally got close enough to grab her brother's hand. "I am here, oniichan! Feel my hand, here my voice, and look at me!" Kenji's eyes were still unfocused and when he spoke, it was with the meekness of a child. "Yuri? imoutochan? Where are you? I'm scared! It's so hot and there's fire everywhere!" His pupil-less eyes were beginning to shed tears. "I'm right here, Kenji," she said to him. "I'll always be here for you." She gently pulled her brother down until his feet touched the floor once again. Then she wrapped her arms around him. "It's all in your mind, `niichan." Kenji slowly returned the hug as the winds slowly died. "Imouto-chan..." Then, all strength left his body and he collapsed. Yuri eased her brother slowly to the floor, lying him onto his back, and it was quiet in the little restaurant once more. Ranma, Akane, and Ukyo gathered around him, while Shampoo and Mousse watched from a distance. Several long minutes passed before Kenji stirred and opened his eyes. "Oy, what a headache I have," he said slowly while holding his head and groaned "Do you remember everything now?" Akane asked. Kenji thought for a second. "Yeah, I think so. Bits and pieces, but I have a feeling it'll all come back to me in time." He sat up slowly. "I think the headache's fading, too." Yuri ran her fingers through Kenji's hair. "You sure you're all right, `niichan?" "I'll let you know in a sec. Could someone give me a hand?" Ranma reached his hand down. "Sure." His expression changed when he grabbed Kenji's hand. A pained look passed Ranma's face and his whole body seemed to vibrate wildy. When he finally pried his hand out of the grip, he fell backwards onto his butt. Looking up, he could see Kenji rolling in laughter. "What did you do!?" Ranma demanded to know. Kenji held up his hand. There was something in it. "Haven't you ever seen a joy-buzzer before?" Yuri joined her brother in laughter. "Yep, that's my bro alright! He's back to normal!" Soon, everyone but Ranma was laughing and he tried to protest. "Hey, that ain't funny!" "What's the matter, boy," Genma slapped his son on the back. "A true martial artist can take a joke." In one smooth motion, Ranma grabbed Kenji's and his father's hands and slapped them together. The result was predictable. Genma vibrated for several seconds before he could pull his hand away. New laughter emerged. "What's the matter, Oyaji?" Ranma taunted as his father chased him out the restaurant. "A true martial artist can take a joke!" Then, both were gone. Akane sighed. "I'd better go after him." She turned around. "Congratulations, Kenji-kun, I'll see you all later!" She left and Ukyo, Yuri, and Kenji left soon after. The mood on the way back to the restaurant was a joyous one. "So, where did that buzzer come from, `niichan?" Yuri asked. "I thought you didn't remember doing anything like that." "I didn't," he replied. "But after you told me what I was like I thought I'd buy one and see if it brought back any memories. Just never got a chance to use it until now." "Tell me he's not gonna be doin' stuff like this from now on," Ukyo asked Yuri, a note of pleading in her voice. Yuri winked at her brother. "You'll learn to live with it. I had, too." Ukyo spun Kenji around till he was looking at her. "Well, if you even think about doing anything like that in my restaurant, you'll find yourself out on your butt!" Kenji held up his hands in defeat. "It's okay, Ukyo-san! I'm not exactly like I was before, just slightly different. I have yet to assimilate all my memories." They began walking again with Kenji in the middle and he put his arms around both girls. "Besides, why would I wanna jeopardize my life with two lovely young ladies?" Ukyo laughed and Yuri hugged her brother. "It is good to have you back, oniichan." "It's good to be back, Imouto-chan." Dear Diary, Sorry I haven't written in awhile, it's been an interesting week. Kenji finally got his memory back yesterday, and he seems happier now, especially since he has his sister back as well. Kasumi and Tofu-sensei managed to fool us all these past couple of years. When I finally cornered her down about Tofu, she explained that they actually had some sort of secret understanding. Kasumi knew it wasn't the right time for a relationship yet, until someone else could take over the domestic duties of the dojo. She never came out and actually said it, but I got the impression that I better take my cooking and sewing lessons more seriously, otherwise she wouldn't feel comfortable letting me take her place when she leaves. So if I want Kasumi to have a chance at love, I'm going to have to work hard to be able to take her place one day. Thanks for the guilt trip, sis... What really drives me up a wall, is that they were in love all this time but never told us about! Honestly, I don't know what I should do about those two. Cologne is gone, and Shampoo has changed somewhat. She now speaks almost perfect Japanese. Has she been hiding that ability, or is it something else? She is also much more serious. It has almost been two years since she first came here hunting for Ranma, and now she'll be heading home at the end of two weeks, with or without him. That's up to me. I'll have to fight her for possession of him. Ranma said he'll try to help me prepare for the fight, and Ukyo's volunteered to help as well. I guess the combined confrontations of Saffron and Krynn have finally convinced Ranma that he can't always protect me. He says I shouldn't totally rely on my Tora Dokiken technique. As if! I've finally got the power to match both him and Shampoo on equal terms! He's just jealous that I can match him if I want to! However, he does have a good point, too. I can't rely soley on the technique, since I probably wouldn't be able to keep it going long enough to beat Shampoo. I still don't know where it came from. Thinking back on that day, all I can recall is that, for the first time in my life, I was felt totally focused and determined. I just knew I couldn't allow my friends to be hurt anymore, and I was willing to do whatever it took to protect them. Speaking of Ranma, that baka finally admitted he loves me, and we kissed! About time, too! When I think of all we've been through since he arrived here, it's seems like a miracle we finally got to this point. We're gonna take it slow, however, since neither one of us wants to rush things and risk the situation exploding in our face. I think I can be content to just explore these new feelings with him for now. Kasumi is going to be attending a local medical school. It seems the reason that she borrowed all those books from Tofu were to study them. Apparently, she wants to help out at his clinic when she moves in with him (after being properly married to him of course). I wonder if Tofu has any idea what goes through the mind of his Kasumi? Well, it's getting late, I've had a rough day of training with Ranma, and I've got school tomorrow. I'll let you know how things turn out. Akane --------------------------------------------------------------- Kenji's got his memories back. Will he return to his practical joker ways? Only time will tell...