Greetings... Here we go again! Remember to send your credit card numbers to this address: oddball22@hotmail.com DISCLAIMER: I didn't create these characters! Really, I didn't! I'm just a lackey set up to take the fall, be the scapegoat, a patsy, chump, fall guy... Ranma 1/2: New Challenges Winds of Change Chapter 6 Ranma woke up and checked himself, sighing when he realized he was female. Normally, this wouldn't be a question for most people, but Ranma's unique disposition negated that. Somedays he woke up male, some female; even when he went to bed as the opposite gender. He long ago stopped wondering why he'd get changed in the middle of the night, since it seemed to happen quite frequently. Yawning, she grabbed her toiletries and headed to the bathroom. Still half-asleep, she disrobed and tossed her clothes into the hamper, then tossed her towel over her shoulder and strode into the bathroom. The careful reader would note that fate would usually have Akane already in there, and would administer some punishment for Ranma's half-asleep error. However, today was different. Her fogged brain instead took a minute to process form the question of why there was a dog in the bathroom, and why was it's nose bleeding? Then she blinked, realization setting in as she figured out who it was. "Remember, hot water reverses it," the redhead told him, pointing to the furo. The wolf broke it's gaze away and jumped into the bath. A feeling of relief came over Kenji as his natural form came back to him, then froze. The amnesiac youth slowly turned around to see *her* washing down. Still in the nude. With no clothes on. He quickly turned his back to her again, his mind forming one question and passing it along to his mouth. "What the hell are you doing!?" "What?" Ranma's confused voice asked. "Just washin' down." Kenji sputtered. "B-but... but you're a girl!" "I am not!" Ranma's female voice protested. "I'm a guy!" . "Doesn't look like it!" Kenji countered. Ranma huffed, then poured a bucket of water over her head to rinse off the soap suds. "I. Am. A. Guy. Despite what I look like. And what about you, dog-boy?" Kenji screwed his eyes shut, his nostrils flaring. He then stood up. "And who's fault is that?" he accused, while reaching for his towel, still keeping his eyes off the naked girl. "I haven't forgiven you for that." He quickly left the bathroom. Ranma sighed noisily as she slid into the furo and returned to his normal gender. Breakfast was served by Kasumi. At the table, both the Tendos and Saotomes reiterated their desire for him to stay, and Kenji very reluctantly agreed. Part of him was glad to stay (not that he'd admit it), but most of him was still itching to leave and search for his real life. Breakfast passed in silence after that, and Kenji somehow sensed his depressive mood was dampening the atmosphere, but he didn't care. Ranma was wondering what he could do about it. A slow smile spread across his face. He waited until after the group began to break up immediately following the morning meal. As predicted, Kenji started to wander off alone. He was just approaching the gate to the Tendo compound when Ranma caught up to him. "Heya dog-boy, what'cha doin'?" "Shut up, Saotome," Kenji snapped, from the gateway to the Tendo property. "And go away." "Aw, you don't want me to do that," Ranma returned from his perch on Kenji's head. "Get offa me!" The amnesiac threw a punch up to knock Ranma off, but the pig-tailed boy had already leapt to the top of the outer wall. Ranma could see the other boy's temper was beginning to flare. "Man, that was pathetic. Whatsa matter? Fleas gettin' to ya?" "Shut up or else," Kenji threatened through clenched teeth. Part of him knew he didn't really stand a chance against the pig-tailed martial artist, and that was why he was holding himself in check. Another part knew Ranma was intentionally goading him.. "Get lost." "Yeah, that's what it it is!" Ranma said in realization. "You just got fleas! Well, that's easily fixed, we'll just get ya a flea collar." Kenji leapt up and tried to jump kick Ranma off the wall, but missed when the target jumped back. "Shut up!" Ranma seemed to ignore him as he continued talking. "We'll make it a nice pink color with bells and frilly things. And if we're really lucky, we can hook ya up with one with a nice little poodle or something!" Kenji's restraint was almost audible as it snapped. "AAAAUUUGGGHHH!" The fight that followed lasted almost half an hour, since Ranma wasn't really trying to beat him, so much as he was just getting Kenji to work out his frustrations. Truth be told, Ranma thought, the amnesiac martial artist did seem to be getting better; he was able to land a couple of blows, though to Ranma, they still didn't hurt much. Eventually, Kenji was left panting against a wall, having managed to practically exhaust himself in the fight. He was bruised and in pain, but strangely he was actually feeling a little better. He glanced up to see Ranma grinning at him. "What's your problem!?" he demanded to know. "That wasn't too bad," Ranma answered, nonchalantly. "Of course, I've seen better." He thought of Ryoga, Mousse, and Taro. "But then again, I've seen worse." Thoughts of the Kunos went through his head, then he shivered and pushed them out again. Kenji sighed, shook his head, and started back into the dojo. Inisde, he found Akane going through several cement blocks. In fact, she had piled seven on top of each other and was in the midst of driving her fist through all of them. "How do you do that!?" he exclaimed, after the pile had been reduced to rubble. She smiled at him. "Focus. And spending a couple years practicing it." Ranma followed Kenji in. "More like brute strength." Akane was tempted to show Ranma her `brute strength', but instead settled for sticking her tongue out at him. Then she noticed Kenji's battered condition. "What happened to you?" The amnesiac spared Ranma a half-venomous glare. "You can thank your fiance for that." He shook his head. "Like it was even a fair fight to begin with. Maybe you should teach me those fancy moves of yours? The blue fireball thingy, and that fast punch technique?" "You mean the Moko Takabisha and the Chestnut fist?" Ranma asked. He nodded, trying not to look too eager. "Yeah, that's what they're called." Ranma hesitated. "Well, I don't know. Those techniques are pretty dangerous and hard to learn. Ya need to have superior focus to even attempt them, let alone get 'em out successfully." "What about that wind blast, Kenji-san?" Akane suggested, then realized what she said when it was too late. "Oops." Ranma cocked his head. "What wind blast?" Akane continued when Kenji shrugged that it was okay. "Well, when we were attacked by Kodachi several days ago, and I was paralyzed, I was about to get hit by her when Kenji did something. I felt a strong gust of wind and she went flying backwards." "I told you I'm not even sure I was the one who did it," Kenji added. "I think you were," she countered. "It felt like it came from you." Ranma looked thoughtful, the idea of learning a new technique fueling his excitement. "Interesting. Well, if ya did it once, we can get ya ta do it again." "How?" Kenji asked. Ranma grinned. "By recreatin' the circumstances that caused ya to do it in the first place." The amnesiac smirked and said sarcastically, "You mean I have to dislocate my shoulder, paralyze Akane, and get attacked by Kodachi again?" Ranma and Akane blanched. "Naw, just get them similar," Ranma explained. "Here, we'll try this. Why don't you two get inta the position you were in before and I'll be Kodachi." Akane dropped to her shins and Kenji laid down beside her. "Now, I'll come at Akane, and you do what you did before to stop me." Kenji nodded. Ranma began to run towards Akane with his fist raised. Kenji rose to a sitting position and stretched his hand out, palm forward. Ranma was just about to strike when Kenji willed the wind to strike. Nothing happened. Ranma's fist flew past Akane's head and struck the ground behind her. "See, I thought it wouldn't work," Kenji said dejectedly. "Don't be so quick to quit," said Ranma. "It took me quite awhile to develop the Moko Takabisha. I just think we're missin' somethin'." Ranma thought for a second. "What were you feeling at that moment?" "Huh?" Kenji looked questionably at him. "I've found that what you're feelin' and thinkin' makes a move easier or harder to pull off," Ranma explained. "For instance, the Moko Takabisha is fueled by confidence." "Don't you mean ego?" Akane quipped. Ranma stuck his tongue out at her, then turned back to Kenji. "Now what were you feeling?" The amnesiac young man thought back. "Well, I was hurt and angry. I guess a little bit scared. I knew she was going to hit Akane, and I just wanted to stop her." Ranma looked thoughtful. "The desire to protect... That might be it. Ok, let's try it again. This time, try thinkin' all that stuff you did before." Kenji nodded and they set it up again. He made himself angry and scared as Ranma began his charge. He intensified those feelings, and the effect was that his heart began to beat faster. Sitting up, he extended his hand, palm forward. Ranma closed the distance and began to bring his fist down, while Kenji tried to imagine a genuine threat to Akane. He snapped his eyes open. As Ranma's fist grew closer, a gust of wind flew past Kenji, gathered in palm and struck outward. It wasn't as strong as before, but it was enough to throw Ranma off a bit so he missed Akane by a wide margin and tumbled to the floor. Kenji sat there for a few seconds and stared at his hand. "I... I guess... I did... do that..." he managed. "Did I?" Ranma sat up with a smile on his face. "Heh! Now that's more like it. I did feel an odd change in the air flow and before I knew it, the wind hit me and I was forced sideways." "That was great, Kenji-kun!" Akane complimented him. Kenji smiled wide. "I've got real power!" Then he frowned. "But it wasn't as strong as before." "Probably because part of you knew Akane wasn't in real danger," Ranma said thoughtfully. "Now you'll just have to give it a name." Ranma tapped his fingers on the floor and thought. "We could also use someone who poses a real threat, just enough to make you feel a good sense of danger. Now who would...." As if on cue, the door slid open and Kenji saw a new boy with a yellow shirt and a yellow and black striped bandanna around his head, standing there. He was also wielding an... umbrella? "SAOTOME, PREPARE TO DIE!" he yelled, before charging his target. "Ryoga?" said Akane silently, just loud enough for Kenji to hear. The she grabbed him and pulled him to the side. "What's going on?" Kenji asked. "Ryoga-kun's always after Ranma for something," she explained. "But it's usually Ranma's fault, so I don't get involved. Don't worry, Ranma can handle him." "Chill Ryoga, what'd I do this time?" Ranma asked as he dodged the umbrella repeatedly. "You tried to kiss me, you hentai!" he yelled, his attacks growing fiercer. "Ryoga!" Ranma yelled back. "That wasn't my fault, I can explain!" "Shut up!" his opponent snarled. The two battled around the dojo for about 30 seconds before Ryoga landed a series of blows that slammed Ranma into the wall. Ryoga began to glow a faint white, then, in one smooth motion, he brought his hands together. "Shi Shi Hokoudan!" he yelled, prompting a beam to lance out and knock Ranma through the wall and into the yard. "Ranma!" the two sideliners exclaimed. Akane and Kenji followed the battle outside, but it was becoming clear who would win this fight. "Why isn't Ranma-san using any of those techniques he used before to save me?" Kenji asked. "I was wondering the same thing myself," Akane replied. Another few volley's of attacks were exchanged, then Ranma was slammed against the outer wall, sliding slowly to the ground. He didn't seem to be moving. Ryoga picked up his umbrella and leaped into the air, coming down point first. "Now I've got you!" A sickening feeling welled up inside the amnesiac youth as he realized what that could do to Ranma, tough as he was. While Ryoga descended, Kenji suddenly decided that upon a course of action. Ranma had saved his life, even if he ended up cursed. It was time to repay the debt. Kenji put both hands together and concentrated. The desire to protect Ranma filled him. A faint gray aura surrounded his body as he gathered his ki. The wind changed and gathered. He felt something inside as the energies gathered, almost like a barrier, but didn't give it much thought. He snapped opened his eyes and concentrated on the downward heading figure. The words tumbled from his lips almost without thought. "KIJIN BOUHUUKEN!" he yelled. All at once the wind blew past Kenji, gathered in his foreword facing palms, and flew foreword. Ryoga turned after hearing the shout, a split second before 200 mph winds struck him in a concentrated force. He was blown him out of the yard and sent soaring over several houses to disappear into the horizon. Suddenly, Kenji found his legs wouldn't support him. He dropped onto his butt, feeling like someone had just zapped all the strength out of his body. He looked up to see Ranma sitting up and smiling at him, despite having a bruised and battered body. He was actually giving Kenji the thumbs up! Akane could only stand and stare. "I was wondering when you were going to do something!" Ranma chuckled while returning to his feet. Kenji could only stammer out a "Nani?" "Well, I figured this would be as good as chance as any to get that `Fierce God Windstorm Attack' of yours to fully activate," Ranma explained. "Nice name, by the way." His iinazuke wasn't as amused. Akane's voice started low but gradually rose. "You mean you held back on purpose so Ryoga-kun could beat you to a bloody pulp all because you wanted to put yourself in a dangerous enough situation which you hoped would be enough to get Kenji to save you!?" Ranma nodded, his smile disappearing. "BAKA!" She pelted him across the yard and into the pond. "How dare you make me worry like that! Come on, Kenji-kun!" She grabbed his arm and dragged him towards the house. Kenji didn't have the strength to resist as Akane took him inside, even if he wanted to resist, which he didn't. The thunderous expression she wore convinced him to go along peacefully. An hour later, Kenji had taken a bath and recovered his strength. Then Akane informed him she had scheduled a day of fun to help take his mind off troubles for one day. Kenji objected, saying he'd rather train some more, but Akane showed him a note she had obtained from Dr. Tofu. In it, the doctor had practically made it an order for him to relax and have fun. He said it might help his memory if he were to spend a day to unwind and take his mind off current events. That last part convinced the amnesiac to go along with it, albeit reluctantly. He would've rather have learned some more from Ranma. He had thought that if he could learn enough of Ranma's fighting style, he might be able to really beat him and pay him back for both the sucker punches and his curse. He exited the house with Ranma and Akane as they led him down the street. Glancing over at the pig-tailed martial artist, Kenji still found it funny to know Ranma became a girl. Kenji thought. Then another thought struck him. "Hey, won't that Ryoga guy be back soon?" Ranma laughed. "With the sense of direction he's got, he should be back ina coupla weeks if he really wants ta find me." Akane sighed. "Unfortunately, Ranma's right. Poor Ryoga-kun is constantly getting lost so we won't see him for awhile. Speaking of which, I haven't seen P-chan in awhile either." Kenji thought he saw Ranma scowl, then quickly hide it. "Who's P-chan?" "He's my small, black, pet piglet," Akane answered. "He tends to wander off occasionally, but he always comes back. If you see him, could you bring him home?" Kenji nodded. "Got it. If I see a small, black piglet, bring him back." Akane smiled. "Arigato!" Kenji shook his head as she turned to talk to Ranma. By the time Kenji looked up, they were stopped in front of Ucchan's. He blinked as Akane pulled himside. "What are we doing here?" he asked her. "Ukyo-chan is going to join us!" Akane stated. Kenji frowned. "But why's she gotta come along?" he complained. *Clang!* A large, flat, metal object promptly found his head. "I'm so glad you're eager for me to join you," Ukyo drawled from behind him. He pried the spatula off his head. "Ouch! What'd you hit me for!?" Ranma chuckled, for once NOT the object of a female inflicted pounding. "I'll be ready in a moment, Akane-chan," Ukyo said. She replaced her battle spatula on her back and went into the back room. The restaurant was relatively empty of customers at the moment, but Ukyo had said the dinner hours were the busiest times. Ranma motioned Akane over, after Kenji took a seat at the grill to wait. They were far enough away to talk softly without being overheard. "What is it, Ranma?" "Are you still sure about this?" Ranma asked, doubt clearly written on his face. "I'm all for Ucchan finding someone else ta take her mind off me, but, why him?" Akane shrugged. "Why not? Like I said, he seems to like her and vice versa. That, and I can't think of anyone else at the moment. She doesn't feel anything for Konatsu, poor guy. And I think they need each other, at least for now." She nervously reached out and took his hand, giving a gentle squeeze. Ranma seemed to brighten at the contact. "Kenji-kun needs someone to really trust and open up to, and Ukyo-chan needs someone to make her feel special." She smiled. "Ryoga might've been good; remember the haunted cave?" Ranma chuckled. "I really thought they had something going." "They might have, but Ukyo's been too hung up on you to do anything about it. And Ryoga is with Akari now." A smiled flitted across Ranma's face. "Yeah, pig-boy's really lucky to have her." "The point is," Akane continued, catching his eyes with her own, "everybody needs somebody. No one needs to be alone..." A minor blush colored her cheeks. Ranma suddenly became aware that she wasn't just talking about Ukyo and Kenji anymore, and also of Akane holding his hand. "Akane..." "I'm ready!" came Ukyo's voice, interupting whatever Ranma was going to say. Ranma and Akane were suddenly several feet apart and standing. "Uh, ready to go, Ucchan!" Ranma said, nervously. Akane sighed. The quartet headed out of the restaurant. Nearby, another figure watched them leave. he thought. Almost immediately, his master's words came back to him. "Find him, watch him, but take no action." The figure sighed. Oh well, at least this was better than sitting around that stuffy cave. The group didn't get too far when the inevitable happened. No, not rain, something much worse (at least in Ranma's opinion). "Nihao, Airen!" came the call of the purple-headed Amazon on the dreaded bicycle of death. "Shampoo have free day from restaurant. Ranma can take Shampoo on date!" "Ohohoho! Did I hear my Ranma-sama's name mentioned?" "Saotome, you cur! I shall smite thee!" "Oh great," Ranma muttered. "They're going to ruin everything!" Akane whispered to him. Ranma sighed. "Leave it to me." He leapt to the top of a nearby building. "Hey, if anyone wants me, here I am!" The remaining trio watched as a rooftop-traveling bicycle, a leaotard clad gymnast, and a angry kendoist converged on Ranma's position. He promptly took off across the rooftops with three figures in hot pursuit. "Well, now what?" Ukyo asked, hands on her hips. "Should we go after him?" Akane shook her head. "No, I don't want to let this spoil the day." She watched the direction her fiance headed off in. "Besides, I think I know where's he headed. Here, take these." She pulled out a couple of movie passes and handed them to Ukyo and Kenji. "I'll go get him and we'll meet you at the movie theater later, or the restaurant if we can't make the movie." She wrote down the name of the restaurant, then took off down the street without another word. "Akane-chan, wait!" Ukyo called, but it was too late. "Well, what now?" Kenji asked, somewhat exasperated. She turned to look at him. "We go see a movie, what else?" "W-what, just us!?" he blurted. She scowled at him. "And what's so bad about that?" Ukyo looked like she was itching for a reason to reach for the huge spatula on her back, so Kenji backed off. "Uh, nothin', I guess." The okonomiyaki chef relaxed. "Well, you heard her. They'll catch up later. Let's go." -------------------------------------------------------------- Author's notes: The translation for Kenji's attack, Kijin Bouhuuken, means: `Fierce God Windstorm attack' At least I think I'm getting this right. I'm not really adept at Japanese, so if I got this wrong and someone wants to correct me, feel free. I actually wanted `Raging Windstorm', but I couldn't find the appropriate Japenese for `Raging'. If you know, tell me! Will pay bug bucks!