Ruroni Ranma. Part one, Here's Ranma. +++++++++++++++ 1975... Nodoka Saotome looked down at her son as he stood proudly with his father, a shinai was strapped across his back just behind his traveling bag as he stood and simply smiled at her. She fell to her knees and smiled at him gently as she pulled him into a gentle hug. They were standing in the door of the Tendo home, the sun had not yet risen and a cold wind blew outside. Both father and son looked serious as they prepared to leave on their voyage of training. Nodoka squeezed the boy a little tighter, not wanting to let him go. "Remember my son, do not forget your heritage while on your voyage, no matter what your father tells you." she whispered into his hear. Genma looked away in frustrated and impatient embarrassment as he eagerly awaited the journey he was about to embark on with his son. The boy would learn the Anything Goes style of Martial Arts and forget this foolishness his mother had implanted in his head. The bamboo practice sword would be thrown out at the earliest convenience once they left the home. The boy returned his mothers embrace and simply whispered his answer. "Hai." Without the elder Saotome noticing she slipped an aged looking scroll into the boy's backpack. "When we return, our son will be a true man," announced Genma as he pulled the boy away. Nodoka merely nodded and said nothing more as she watched her son leave. Her instruction had been minimal, and the fact that her own skills with the blade would be considered atrocious by any master of the art. Still, she had a faint hope that her own son would secretly carry on her family style. She bowed her head slightly and turned back into the house having only her memories to comfort her. ++++++++++++ 1979... Ranma Saotome stood in a vacant lot and stared patiently at the street. "Boy," growled his father angrily. "I will not leave until he comes," replied Ranma firmly. He simply stood waiting; the blade at his side kept his father at bay. He knew better than to press the boy's honor. His son had been practicing with a sword in secret for most of the journey. Waking up in the night and sneaking away into the shadows, Genma had ignored it at first, waiting until the boy's exhaustion would tire him of the game. Unfortunately that day never came. Ranma just became more and more focused on his mother's arts. After about three years of vainly hoping that the boy would give up the blade, he confronted his son. The battle had been remarkably short and Genma decided to allow the boy to continue to practice his art, so long as it did not interfere with his training. Ranma smiled at his father's wary gaze, the shinai had long ago been destroyed, it was replaced by a worn looking boken. The boy was progressing favorably in the family school, but his skills with the sword were down right frightening to the man. If he ever got his hands on the family blade Genma would have more fear of him than his own wife; Ranma was not aware of this of course, but still, the elder Saotome decided to wait another day for his son's rival to appear. ++++++++++++ On the fourth day, Ryoga Hibiki arrived. He was dressed in black traveling clothes with a yellow and black bandana tied across his forehead. He stood firmly opposite Ranma and smiled. "So, you had the guts to show up?" Ranma merely nodded his head and smiled. "The same could be said of you." There was a ferociousness in his eyes that only served to strengthen the Hibiki boy's resolve. "I will not be so easily beaten!" Ranma merely took up a loose kenpo stance and waited. Ryoga charged forward screaming in rage as the pair collided. His fist slammed into Ranma's face sending the boy back with a look of shock on his face as he staggered under the force of the boy. He recovered instantly and kicked out his leg taking the boy in the jaw and lifting him off the ground sending him sprawling across the ground. Hibiki reacted true to form and recovered instantly rising to his feet just as Ranma slammed his foot into the ground where he had been a moment before. They stood and charged again, Ryoga faced the wrong direction and glanced around in confusion before paying for his mistake as he received a hard kick in the back of his head. Taking advantage of the situation Ranma pulled Ryoga into a hold as he locked his arms around his neck and squeezed slowly. Ryoga screamed in rage, but slammed his palm on the ground signaling his defeat. "Damn you Ranma." The boy smiled at his opponent and flipped his ponytail back over his shoulder. "It was a good match, I hope you're stronger when I return." Ryoga looked up at him from his place on the ground in surprise. "You're going somewhere?" His voice almost sounded hopeful, but also disappointed at the same time. "See you around Hibiki," said the boy as he walked off and met his father in the middle of the road. Genma looked back and sighed as he watched his son's rival stare at them in shock as they walked away. He would miss the boy, he had been good for Ranma; but his training would progress too slowly even if he remained here with him as a rival. The best way for them was to move on, besides, he owed rent money on the apartment anyway. Ryoga simply watched as they vanished into the sunset. Ranma Saotome was indeed an honorable man; he had waited four days for him to arrive and given him a good fight. "All right Saotome, when you return, Ryoga Hibiki will be your strongest opponent!" He pulled his bag over his shoulder and turned away for his own voyage of training. ++++++++++++++ 1985... "Tendo, coming from China, Saotome." Soun Tendo held the postcard in his hand as he trembled and simply stared at it in disbelief. "Oh, how I've waited for this day..." A few moments later his daughters sat around the table staring at their father in shock. "Is he cute?" asked Nabiki shrewdly. "Ara, I hope he's older, younger men are so...young," gasped Kasumi with a worried look on her face. "I don't know, I've never met him," replied Soun honestly. The girls looked at him for a moment when a noise came from the hallway. Soun stood up and rushed to the door with an excited look on his face. Kasumi and Nabiki followed close behind him while Akane merely scowled angrily. Soun threw open the door to greet the newcomer and stopped as a boy of about fourteen years old stood with his hand in a knock and looked at him blankly. On his face was a cross shaped scar, his hair fell back into a long ponytail, and his dress was that of a traditional samurai, although the red and black color scheme was a little unusual. Soun froze in place as he saw the scabbard hanging at the boy's side, throwing his arms wide he grabbed him in a rough hug. The boy merely looked at him and cocked his head slightly. "Oro?" "Ara," said Kasumi as she was uncertain of what to do at the moment. "Is this the Tendo residence?" asked the boy cheerfully. Soun flustered for a moment and regained himself. "Yes, why yes it is." "I'm Ranma Saotome, pleased to meet you," replied the boy as he bowed to them politely. Soun grabbed him in a rough hug instantly and squeezed him. "Oh, I'm so glad you came! Tell me, where is your father?" Ranma looked down at the ground and said nothing for a moment. "He's dead," he muttered quietly. Soun Tendo decided that the information was too much for his brain and passed out. Ranma turned towards Kasumi and smiled at her warmly. "Is there a place I can put this?" He held up his bamboo umbrella. The girl blinked for a moment and indicated the umbrella stand by the door. "He's so... young," she sighed with a hint of disappointment in her voice. The boy in front of her didn't look any older than fourteen. +++++++++++ Nabiki sat with the boy at the table with her two sisters flanking her on either side. "So, who are you, and what's with the weird clothes?" The boy was dressed in a long black Hakama and a rather flamboyant red shirt; he also had a Katana resting on his hip. He looked like something out of a samurai movie. "Ranma Saotome," replied the boy cheerfully. "What's so weird about them?" He lifted one of his sleeves up and inspected it for a moment. The girl looked away muttering something about 'Kuno' and seemed to lose interest. The youngest girl rolled just her eyes. "Why are you here kid?" snapped Akane. Ranma looked confused for a moment. "Didn't your father tell you? I'm supposed to marry one of you and continue the school of martial arts in my father's name." Akane looked at him for a moment. "You knew about this?" "Of course, it was my father's dying wish that I come here to honor the agreement," replied Ranma with a small shrug. "To this little kid?" said Nabiki with a small snort of disgust. "Um, did you say 'little kid?'" said the boy nervously. He was about to continue when Kasumi spoke up and placed her hand on his shoulder. "Ara! A final request!" said Kasumi with a horrified expression on her face. "It must be hard for someone as young as you." "Yes, it was my father's last request, I wasn't planing on marrying anyone anytime soon. I hope you don't mind," said the boy with a slightly worried look on his face. Akane's face softened a little, but her glare remained. "I don't care why you're here. I'm not marrying anybody! Especially not some little kid!" "I suppose I'll just have to choose someone else then," replied Ranma simply as he turned his gaze towards Nabiki and Kasumi. Soun sat up and remained silent as he took up his place at the head of the table. "Tell me, Saotome is he really..." "I'm afraid so, he died honorably," said Ranma simply as his face took on a seriousness that the girls had yet to see from him. "How?" asked Soun. "In the final battle of Jusendo, against the Musk Dynasty," answered Ranma with a slight tensing in his voice. "You were involved with that?" asked Akane as her eyes suddenly became wide in shock. Her sister's reactions were similar. It was no small matter, several years ago war had erupted in China between three factions, the Chinese Government, the Musk Dynasty, and The Joketsuko. In the end the Chinese government had won, but at heavy cost. An alliance between them and the Joketsuko was formed; they all but wiped out the Musk Tribe. "Yes, we were forced into service in the Chinese military, we fought bravely until the end for the cause," replied Ranma simply. "I'm sorry," said Kasumi gently. Ranma nodded, "I would have joined even if they hadn't forced us." Akane nodded as her eyes fell on the sword that hung at Ranma's side; the Japanese government had sympathized with the communist government despite past relations with them. Japan was against the Musk and what they represented during the course of the drawn out war that lasted almost nine years. Herb was a monarch, a complete and total ruler. His rise to power had shaken many of the democracies around the world. Soun smiled at the boy and took him by the shoulder. "Well, now that you're here, these are my three daughters! Pick anyone you like and she'll be your new fiancee!" Ranma blinked and his serious face was gone in an instant. "Well, we have plenty of time to consider that later." "Oh, he want's Akane!" said Nabiki sweetly. "Most definitely," agreed Kasumi as they pushed their younger sister towards him. "What? Why would I...?" snapped Akane before Nabiki cut her off. "He's one of those strong martial artist types, you two should get along well!" reasoned the girl desperately. "Besides, you're the only one young enough to marry him without looking weird," she whispered into her sister's ear as she gave the boy a sidelong glance. "What?!" cried Akane in shock. "He is a bit young, but perhaps you'll grow to love him?" said Kasumi cheerfully. "There's no need to be pushy, we have lots of time before..." started Ranma as he looked at her as she crossed her arms and looked away from him purposefully. "So, Akane it is Saotome," said Soun cheerfully as he pat the boy on his shoulder. "Now wait a minute Tendo I..." started Ranma, it seemed everyone was ignoring him. Akane glared at him with a stare that was almost pure hatred. "I'm leaving," she stomped up to her room and slammed the door, after a moment it opened back up and she stuck her head out again. "I'm not marrying him!" Soun looked at Ranma and smiled. "Don't worry, just give her a little time, she'll warm up to you." Ranma merely blinked again and opened his mouth. Nabiki covered it quickly and winked. "Don't worry Ranma, I'm sure you and Akane will get along fine." The boy hung his head and sighed. "I see..." +++++++++++++++ Soun looked at the board in shock, he had intended to sit and reminisce about his old friend while playing a friendly game of Shogi with the man's son. Unfortunately, the boy was wiping the floor with him quite nicely, despite the fact that he was cheating as much as possible under the boy's careful gaze. Ranma started a casual conversation. "So, how is the dojo doing?" Soun looked up at him and blinked as he realized he had been asked a question. "Well enough, we don't take many students nowadays." "That's too bad," replied Ranma with a shrug as he placed a tile down on the board. Soun looked back and fourth between his side and Ranma's and started to sweat a little. "It seems you have me." "It does?" said Ranma as he raised his eyebrow slightly and looked at the board, he saw at least three ways Tendo could retaliate. "So tell me Tendo, what kind of girl is your daughter?" "Ah, trying to find out what you've gotten yourself into now?" asked the man as he leaned over the board and pat his shoulder. "Something like that," replied Ranma with a knowing smile. "Well, her measurements are twenty-seven, twenty..." started Soun. Ranma merely blinked and stared at the man in shock. "Oro?" +++++++++ A few moments later Kasumi walked up to Ranma with a small armload of sheets. "I'll show you to your room Ranma." "Thank you," replied the boy with a pleasant smile as he stood up. Kasumi blinked and felt a tiny pang of regret for dumping him off on Akane; he seemed like such a nice boy. She shook the thoughts away, he was after all, still a boy. As she led him into the spare room she turned to see him placing his traveling bag on the ground and glancing around at the windows and the closet carefully. The boy smiled and bowed to her, "Thank you again, Tendo." "Oh, you can call me big sister if you want too!" she replied cheerfully and blushed at her reaction to his formality. "How about, just Kasumi for now?" said Ranma wryly. "That will be fine," replied the girl. "Would you like to take a bath now? I just filled up the furo a short time ago." "I'd like that, thank you," replied Ranma. ++++++++++++++++ A few moments later, he sat on a stool looking at his reflection in the mirror. His hair dripped with the water he had dumped over his head and ran down his breast creating a strange yet familiar sensation. Ranma-chan sighed heavily as she stared at herself and stood up turning her back and inspecting herself. "How do I tell them about this?" she wondered out loud. "Well, I suppose there's no need to if I'm not staying long." After a moment she stepped into the water and relaxed feeling the change overtake her again. "This is nice." A noise caught his attention outside the doorway and he looked back at it for a moment. Whoever it was turned away and left again a moment later. He shrugged his shoulders and continued to relax. ++++++++++++++++ Akane looked at the basket and saw Ranma's clothes there. She frowned slightly and turned back out the door. "Kasumi, why did you tell me the bath was ready when Ranma's already in there?" "Sorry, I must have forgot about him," replied her sister sweetly as she stuck her head out of the kitchen. +++++++++++++++ It was evening, Ranma stood out in the yard and breathed calmly as he stood silently with his sword in his hands. He slowly opened his eyes and stepped forward in the first motion of a slow kata. His movements were smooth and precise, nothing fast or particularly flashy. It was flawlessly executed though. Nearby just inside the house Nabiki Tendo watched carefully while eating a bag of chips. Beside her Akane sat staring at the spectacle only half way interested. "What style is that? It isn't Anything Goes..." she commented. Ranma appeared beside her with his grin still plastered on his face. "It's called Hiten Mitsurugi style." Akane blinked for a moment and stared at him, she hadn't even realized he was finished yet. "Don't sneak up on me like that!" She slapped him across his face and he merely stood there looking at her. "Oro?" "Very impressive," noted Soun calmly as he nodded in approval. "I take it you learned it while you were in China. I've heard rumors of a Japanese man who killed with decisive efficiency during the wars. Did you happen to meet him?" "He was called Battosai," said Nabiki as her father handed her a small yen bill with a questioning look on his face. "Thank you Nabiki, tell me Ranma, did you know this Battosai?" said Soun cheerfully. "The name does sound familiar, I've been practicing Hiten Mitsurugi style almost as long as Anything Goes. I don't remember where I learned it, but it is very important to me for some reason. I can not stop, I think it was a promise I made..." the boy trailed off and looked into the distance outside. "Hmm, I see. Well, I suppose we can spar a little tomorrow after you get back from school, I'm getting out of practice myself," said Soun cheerfully. "Oro?" said Ranma as he whipped his head around with a confused look on his face. "School?" "Well, you are going to be staying a while Saotome," replied the man calmly. "I suppose I should return to school, I kind of forgot what with all the excitement over the past few years," said Ranma with a small laugh as he scratched the back of his head as if purposely avoiding something. "Honestly," growled Akane half-heartedly as she turned away from the men.