If you've read this far, you're either extremely bored or you find my work mildy interesting. I really hope its the latter. Really. Drop me a line: oddball22@hotmail.com DISCLAIMER: I have to say these characters aren't mine or else Akane will force feed me her cooking. "WRITER NO BAKA!" *WHAM* "Ite..." Ranma 1/2: New Challenges Winds Calling Chapter 6 Ukyo opened the door of her restaurant and walked inside. With her release from the hospital, she was anxious to open it back up and start making the best okonomiyaki in Japan once again. She closed the door and flicked on the lights, looking around. The restuarant looked like she felt. Empty. Konatsu was gone and now she really felt alone. She never realized how lonely it felt to come back to an empty home. She was unwilling to finish that line of thought. She walked across the floor to the door to her room. Hesitating a second, she opened the door and stepped inside. Everything was just like she remembered it. But she had no idea on how to do that. Walking over to her dresser, she plopped her duffel bag down and knelt on the floor. Grabbing ahold of the bottom drawer, she mustered her courage and pulled it all the way out. There was something else that was bugging her, ever since she got out of the hospital. There were two times lately, where she had failed in battle and been injured. The first was when Kenji had been kidnapped, and again when facing the fire lord. She knew her skills were falling behind in the increasing dangers that seeemed to spring up around Ranma. If she wanted to continue to be a part of his life and live in this town, she had to find a way to get stronger. And while she was in her coma, she had a flash of insight; and remembered. Seven years ago she had gone to visit her grandpa, hopefully to get some provisions and some idea on where to look for the fiance who abandoned her. Instead, her grandfather insisted that she train with him. Knowing that it would help when she finally caught up to Ranma, she agreed. When it was time for her to go, her grandfather gave her a couple of scrolls and told her to take good care of them. He also told her they contained some of the deepest secrets of their family's martial art, and to never use them recklessly. Ukyo had agreed and stashed them somewhere safe, then forgot about them. Until now. Turning over the drawer, she slid out the false panel and the scrolls fell out. Her hands shaking nervously, she picked up the scrolls. "Grandfather said there was more to our family's martial art than making okonomiyaki," she said softly to herself. "I think it's time I discovered what that was." She unrolled the scroll and began to read. After informing Oka about their plans, Kenji, Yuri, and Ryoga left for Nerima first thing Saturday morning. They were given access to their mother's account, which contained a little over a million yen, as their inheritance. Endeavering to get back as soon as possible, they withdrew some to buy 3 train tickets. The trio packed their belongings and said their good-byes. Now, on the train, Kenji sat staring out the window, watching the scenery flow by. He didn't think the elemental sects would return to bug them, since by Ranma's account, they had been trashed and the fire lord was gone. And just the thought of what the Fire Lord did to Ukyo, made him invoke a silent promise to himself that the sects would pay dearly. He also felt guilty over the fact that the mages were there because of him in the first place. So it was his responsibility to neutralize them as a threat. "Gotta admit, I'm not used to seeing you like this," his sister's voice broke him out of his reverie. He turned his head to look at her and frowned. "What do you mean?" "I mean, you've changed since that night," she said. He knew there was only one particular night she would be referrring to: the night of the fire. "You're so quiet and calm now, when you used to be quite lively, active, and..." She paused and smiled. Kenji cocked his head. "And what?" "A practical joker!" "Really?" He chuckled. "Well, having memories and experiences help to influence a personality. What was I like before?" She was silent a second, as if pondering whether or not to tell him. "Well, you always used to pull pranks and jokes on all of us." She grinned. "I remember one time you got mad at mom when she beat you in a sparring session. So you rigged up a rope trap on a tree and got mom to chase you. She didn't even see it coming. When me and dad came out to see what the scream was about, we saw you laughing on the ground while mom hung upside down from the tree with a whipped cream pie in her face. It was one of the few times you actually outsmarted and got the better of her." Yuri ended her narrative with laughter and Kenji joined her. "But you were always like that: using joy buzzers, water pails on top of open doors, and getting into various other mischief." When they calmed down a bit he said, "I can't believe I did something like that!" Then his gaze turned introspective. "I just wish I could remember them! I hate this stupid memory seal." Kenji gave his sis a squeeze, unwittingly getting more comfortable at showing affection for his sister. "You're lucky in that you can keep them alive in your memories." He tussled her blond hair. "Are you doin' okay?" She let go and nodded. "I may not be totally over it, but I've come to accept their passing. I had a couple of really good cries, and Neko was a big help bringing me through my emotional breakdown." Her expression became serious. "But if you tell anyone about it, I'll remove your spleen!" There was a knock at the door. "Enter." A man in a brown cloak, hood down, entered the office. He approached the desk and the gentleman behind it, then kneeled and bowed his head. "You may rise and report, Kato," the man sitting behind the desk commanded. "Lord Krynn, we've lost contact with one of our retrieval teams," Kato said nervously. "The restaurant was apparently a trap and very heavily infused with powerful magic." Kato gulped and thoroughly expected to be struck down right then and there. Kyrnn fumed as he built up a fireball. The fireball disappeared. Calming himself, he folded his hands on his large oaken desk. "I'm only letting you live because we're low on manpower, so I'll give you a chance to redeem yourself," Krynn said slowly. To which Kato nodded, visibly relieved. "We have to assume the ones who are responsible were the same ones who drove us out of our mountain lair. In time, the three idiots who were foolish enough to be taken prisoner will reveal our new location and we will be under attack once more. I cannot allow this just yet. We need something to tip the scales back into our favor." He thought for a second, then looked up. "Have you ascertained the dwellings of any of our enemies?" Kato nodded. "The only two we know about now are the Nekohanten restaurant and a dojo that is the home of the Tendo's. We are informed that the one known as Ranma lives there along with his parents." Krynn steepled his fingers. "That will do. I want you to dispatch a team and attempt to take as many hostages as you can. I want a fast surprise raid. In and out in minimal time. Think you can handle that?" The servant nodded. "Then you are dismissed." Kato left his master's room, grateful for second chances. Inside the office, Krynn pulled a drawer open on his desk to reveal a bluish-white crystal, slightly bigger than his hand. He picked it up and fingered it. He carefully placed the crystal back in the drawer, then stood up and walked to one of his windows. The view of the ocean below had a calming effect on him. "Garon was a fool. He reduced the sects power by a 25 percent, all in the pursuit of power. Then we were beaten down when he went after that Soyokaze kid." He began to clench and unclench his fist in an attempt to head off the anger that was building again. "We are now less than half of what we were, thanks to that madman who called himself the Fire Lord. And now it is up to me to rebuild." He recalled another disturbing report, delivered a few days earlier. It said that the remaining members of the sects were driven from their Tibetan home by something. No one could give details, but a few of there number had been killed in the escape exodus that followed. Not all had made it to the Japan compound. "And I must rebuild fast. I must remain strong, and I must protect the sects against anything that threatens them." A couple of hours later, in the predawn light, twelve cloaked figures surrounded the dojo and snuck inside. The dojo's occupants were either just getting up, or still asleep. In the kitchen, Kasumi was starting to prepare breakfast when she detected movement behind her. "Good morning," she said cheerily as she turned around to see who it was. "Oh my!" was all she could get out before she was grabbed and a fine powder sprayed into her face. She promptly passed out and was tied up, very gently. Somehow, her attackers felt that they didn't really want to hurt her. Soun was in the living room when he heard the scuffle in the kitchen. "Kasumi? Are you alright?" Hearing no reply, he grabbed his crutches and attempted to get to his feet. Six figures burst into the room and attacked. He might've been able to handle them if he didn't have the broken leg and was armed. As it was, he was quickly overpowered and had the same powder sprayed into his face. The results were the same and he was tied up next to Kasumi. Upstairs, Nabiki and Akane had come out of their rooms, hearing the strange noises downstairs. "What's going on, sis?" Nabiki said sleepily. Akane yawned. "I don't know but I thought I heard something." Just then, several of the cloaked figures came running up the stairs. "Nabiki, RUN!" She dropped into a fighting stance. She dodged the first one to get to her and delivered a chop to the neck, sending #1 to the floor, unconscious. She grabbed #2's outstretched arm and flipped him onto his back. A punch to the stomach ensured he wouldn't be rejoining the fight anytime soon. That's when she noticed her older sister still standing there, shock on her face. "NABIKI!" Akane yelled. "RUN! GO GET HELP!" That succeeded in jarring her into action. Nabiki ran back into her room, and sprinted to her window. Opening it, she warily glanced at the ground. Taking a deep breath, she leaped out the window and rolled when she hit the ground, to lesson the impact. Only slightly dazed, she was back on her feet and heading for the back entrance when she felt something strike her back. It felt like a pin prick. When she began to get sleepy, she realized it must've been a tranquilizer dart. She barely registered hitting the ground before blacking out. Inside, Akane had managed to incapacitate several more of her attackers, but there was just too many and she had taken a few good hits herself. A blow to the side of her head staggered her, then she felt something in her arm. Looking down, she pulled the dart out and prepared for the next attack. It never came and soon, she was joining her family in deep slumber. As the bodies were loaded into the waiting van, Kato smiled. This had gone off well and now his master would be pleased with him. He may just survive the day after all! With everyone in the two vans, he gave the signal and they were off, but not before leaving the note as ordered. Several blocks away, Ranma was walking along the fence towards the dojo. He wasn't quite sure what to say, but he knew he needed to talk to Akane and figure this whole engagement mess out. When he first arrived at the dojo, he thought he didn't want to marry the stupid tomboy. But over the past year, something had changed. Now, when he began to imagine life without her, the picture turned quite bleak. Jusendo had scared more than he could ever imagine. When he believed she was dead, all reason for him to go on living vanished. He knew now, that he could never live without her. He arrived at the dojo and pushed open the gate. Walking up to the door, he was about to knock when he realized the door was already open. "Hello? Kasumi-san? Tendo-san?" He stepped inside and his heart dropped into his stomach as he recognized the signs of a struggle. "Akane!" He raced into the kitchen. Nothing. He raced upstairs and checked the rooms. Nothing. He ran back downstairs and into the living room all the while calling out names. That's when he saw Happosai sitting in the midst of the wreckage that was the dining room. "Old freak!" he exclaimed. "Where are they!? What have you done with them!?" Ranma rushed him to attack but the old man simply held up his hand. In it, was an envelope. Ranma stopped and took it, opening it up to find four pictures and a note. The pictures were of Soun, Kasumi, Nabiki, and... Akane. Ranma's heart dropped into his stomach. All were in unconscious and bound positions. Ranma scanned the note. "You have our friends, we have yours," he read. "Don't think of coming after us or they're dead. We might be able to work out a trade however, if you find out where we are. Otherwise, stay out of our way and do not interfere." "You may think me a freak," Happosai said slowly. "But I do care about my family." And it was the truth, too. If there was one thing he had leanred, it was that all the panties in the world weren't worth a good family or home to come back to. "I promise you we will get them back and make whoever did this pay dearly." He looked up. "Do you know who did this?" Ranma looked up from the note. "Oh, I forgot, you've been gone for awhile. Yeah, I got a pretty good idea who did this. But we're gonna need help. Last time we were just barely able to beat these guys, and we don't everybody we had then. I'll go grab Ukyo and Doc Tofu. You go grab my pop at our house and we'll meet at the Nekohanten to form a plan." Together they leapt to the wall surrounding the yard. "Tell Cologne it's must be the wizard sects again and she'll tell you all about it. Her trap must've worked if they claim we have some of their men." Happosai nodded. "Very well, boy. I'll meet you there in a half-an-hour." They separated and were gone. As Ranma leapt from rooftop to rooftop, he said a silent prayer. "If I find one hair out of place on my Akane, I'll kill every last one of them!" he promised to himself, then stopped. "Wait a minute... Did I just say, `my Akane'?" A goofy grin crossed his face. "I guess I did..." He shook his head and continued on. "Can't think about that now." He soon arrived at Ucchan's as the owner was opening the restaurant. "Hiya Ranchan!" she greeted him cheerfully. She noticed the grave look on his face. "What's wrong?" "The Tendo's have been taken, I'm guessing by the wizard sects," he explained. "We could use your help if you feel up to it." She nodded. "Of course! Just let me grab my gear." She disappeared back inside and emerged a couple of minutes later with her bandolier, battle spatula, and a determined face. She felt a little fear at the prospect of facing the group that had hurt her so bad before, but wasn't going to let that fear control her. "Ok, let's go!" Ranma shook his head. "We're meeting at the Nekohanten. I want you to go there right now. I'll be by as soon as I grab Doc Tofu. He'll want to come with Kasumi being held." Ukyo gave him a quick shoulder squeeze and they parted. A few minutes later, Ranma was at the clinic. After a brief explanation of the situation, which Tofu could barely understand, they were off as soon as he realized that Kasumi was in trouble. "So where are we supposed to put these people?" #1 asked the others. "The cells are full already, and we have to keep this group seperate from the ones in there." #2 stopped the group of four carrying their hostages. "How about in here?" "A storage room?" #3 questioned. "Are you sure that's a good idea?" "Yeah," #4 agreed. "Lotsa magic stuff in there. They could use it to escape." #2 waved his hand. "They wouldn't know how to use it, and we can just tie them up tight. It's perfect." #1 nodded. "It's as good a place as any. Besides, my back is getting tired from carrying this guy. Kyrnn just said to stash them someplace where they couldn't escape." "Alright," #3 relented. "But let's at least seperate them into two different rooms. And for kami's sake, don't tell Krynn!" The other three agreed heartily. "So you see, Happi, it's happening," Cologne concluded. Happosai let out a puff on his pipe. "I don't know, Cologne. In all my years, I wouldn't have suspected that it would happen now. They're not ready." "Neither is Shampoo, and that is precisely why we must leave," the old woman countered. "Without any real information, we are vulnerable. And we aren't going to get it here." "And we can't let them know what we're doing either, I know, I know." Happosai took another long puff on his pipe. "Very well. I guess I'm in agreement for the moment." "Your support means everything to me," Cologne drawled sarcastically. A scuffle could be heard outside the Nekohanten kitchen. "Yo! Old ghoul, we're here!" Cologne chuckled. "I do believe son-in-law has arrived." She pogo'ed out of the kitchen, and Happosai leapt out after her. "Ok, I think Cologne has explained everything to me," the old man began, "and her three captives have sqealed as to the location of their brethren." He pointed to the map on the table, where the mages base was outlined in red. Ranma studied it. "Okay, so the place where these wizards are hangin' out is at this building by the sea," he said thoughtfully, pointing at a spot on a map of Japan. "Then it's pretty obvious to me that we go ahead and make the trade." Ranma's brain began to think tactically. "Since they haven't seen Happosai yet, he'll sneak in first and find the family. Shampoo and mom should go to the train station to meet up with Ryoga and Kenji and appraise them of the situation." "No!" Shampoo yelled. "Shampoo go fight!" "No child," Cologne admonished. "You are still injured and would be a handicap in a fight. Last night was different since we held the advantage. You will protect your mother-in-law." Shampoo's countenance fell, but she muttered compliance. Happosai spoke up. "While it's true they probably don't know of me or Tofu yet, I doubt they'll fall for the same plan twice. We should at least head over and recon the area first. It'll take a couple hours just to get there so we should leave right away." The group nodded their assent and began to break up. Ranma felt a tug on his leg and looked down to see Happosai standing there. "We'll get them back son, I promise." For once, Ranma was in complete agreement with the old master, then he suddenly found herself wearing a bucket. *Glomp!* *Nuzzle, Nuzzle!* "But, first I need a recharge!" the old man said happily from between Ranma-onna's breasts. "Hotcha!" "Eeeaayyhh!" *POW!* Ranma's fist dropped the old man to the now- cratered floor. "Stupid letcher..." Two cabs deposited the ten a mile away from the targeted building a couple hours later. Then, Ranma, Genma, Happosai, Cologne, Mousse, Tofu, and Ukyo, along with the three they had captured, began the trek north along shore and through the forest to the their location, admist the forested growth. Pressure points kept their captives slumbering and easily managed. Of course that meant, Ranma, Genma, and Dr. Tofu had to carry them, but it was better than risking them escaping. Within ten minutes, they caught site of the compound, which was situated on top of high cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. They worked their way around to the western side where they had a higher view point and could see over the high walls that enclosed the five buildings. "I'll go scout around since I can move undetected by these amateurs," said Happosai. "The rest of you wait here." Before anyone could say a word, he was gone. "I sure hope the old freak knows what he's doing," Ranma thought out loud. Cologne turned on him. "An old freak he may be, but he is highly skilled. Even you must see that. Now we should all get some rest while we wait for him to finish his task." The old ghoul had a point. Ranma hated to admit it (both that the freak was skilled and they had to wait), but she was right. He sat down on a rock and proceeded to do the one thing that his insides were screaming not to do: wait. Elsewhere, two others were also waiting. Nodoka sat on a bench at the station with Shampoo. It was going to be another several hours before the train Ryoga and Kenji were on would arrive, so she thought she'd use this opportunity to find out a few things. She turned to her companion. "Would you mind of I asked you a question, Shampoo-san?" Nodoka asked. To which Shampoo nodded. "What exactly is your intentions toward my son? Shampoo didn't hesitate, but beamed with pride. "Shampoo love Ranma! Going to marry Airen and go back to Amazon village in China." "And do you know how he feels about you?" Shampoo thought a little harder. "Shampoo know he must love me. But it not matter since law says we must marry." Nodoka raised an eyebrow. "I was not aware. What is this law?" "It Amazon law. If outsider male defeat female Amazon, they must marry." "And what happens if they don't?" Shampoo's expression faded a bit. "Then Amazon woman lose much honor. Shampoo be disgraced before village. Everyone... lose respect for Shampoo." Especially before her peers, she realized.. They had always been jealous of her martial arts abilities, and so would take any excuse to make fun of her. When she was beaten easily by female Ranma in front of the entire village, she felt the only way to save face in front of her people was by using the kiss of death. When it was revealed that Ranma was male, she perserved her honor by delivering the kiss of marriage. Knowing Ranma was better than her, she requested training from her great-grandmother that would give her the ability to match, and that had resulted in Jusenkyo. To her eyes, that was a fiasco, since she still was no match for him. All it did was give her a curse Ranma couldn't stand. "I see." Nodoka thought for a bit. She knew her son was in love with Akane, so he couldn't marry this gaijin. Still, if he didn't, she would face terrible hardship and Nodoka didn't want that to happen to such a nice young girl. "Is there anyway to break off the engagement without any loss of face coming to the Amazon?" Shampoo thought for a few moments. Her situation wasn't as bad as she made it sound, but she wanted Ranma's mother on her side, so a little white lie wouldn't hurt. "Shampoo not aware of anything, other than one of couple dying. Probably rare cases come before council, but Shampoo not know of any." She looked up. "But Ranma marry Shampoo, so she no worry." Nodoka patted Shampoo's leg. "My dear, you may have to accept the fact that my son may not love you and may choose to marry someone else. I don't wish any harm to you, so maybe I will have a friendly chat with your great-grandmother and see if something can be worked out." They were silent after that, each lost in thought. Shampoo thought. But somehow, she wasn't entirely convinced. It was an hour later when Happosai returned and he gathered everyone together to hear his report. "I've counted about 30-40 guards and several more in glimpses of the buildings," he said. "They also have an impressive security circuit, but nothing that would stop me! Mostly cameras and infrared beams. The doors are also locked by hi-tech devices." He took a puff on his pipe. "With all this technology, it makes you wonder what kind of wizards these people are." "Any idea where the Tendos are?" Tofu asked. Happosai shook his head. "No, but I felt the strongest power coming from the top of the four-story building." He pointed at the biggest structure. "They're probably in there. The other buildings are most likely barracks, eating, and storage facilities. I suggest we concentrate the search on the main building where I sensed the power." Genma sat back. "So we still need a plan to get in there." Ranma began pacing. "I think I have a few ideas. So, Happosai, you say you can get in there?" He nodded. "Of course m'boy. But even I couldn't search the entire complex before they noticed something wrong and sounded the alarm." Ranma turned to Cologne. "I take it you could get in there too?" She nodded. "Of course." "Okay," he started. "Me, pop, Ucchan, and Mousse will deliver our guests and attempt to make the exchange, while Happosai and Cologne sneak in. We'll try to keep them occupied for as long as we can. As soon as you find them, you'll have to make some noise or something to let us know when to go all out." "What about me, Ranma?" Tofu asked. Ranma grinned at him. "What size are you, Doc?"