Ranma 1/2: A New Awakening Alternate Continuation (minor crossovers) By: Dani Yanega yanega@mindspring.com (please respond to this e-mail address) Co-author & Concept by: "Jerry" starfire@brainerd.net Chapter Four The week was passing slowly, for all concerned. Nabiki let it be known that Akane was no longer engaged, and the next morning the fights started up again. To get even Akane demanded twenty percent of Nabiki's take on anything dealing with her. "Oh, please Akane, why should I even hold to the ten percent now that Ranma is not here to enforce it?" Nabiki asked sarcastically as they walked home from school. Akane just grinned viciously grab her sister by the collar of her dress and lifted her off the ground. Bringing her face close to hers, and with a scowl, snapped out. "Because _you_ reinstated the morning battle _which I HATE_, because if you don't I will practice my _malleting_ on you!" She growled at her frightened sister. Akane than tossed her sister into the fence and stormed off, leaving a disheveled Nabiki, fuming with anger. Nabiki was beyond rage, she was beyond reasoning, and she was going to get even, if it was the last thing she did. "Not so smart make violent-girl mad, shoe on other foot." Shampoo grinned with a feral smile, at the Tendo girl. "What wrong mercenary-girl not like take Ranma's place as punching bag?" She spit out, as Nabiki cringed inwardly. Shampoo got back on her bicycle and took off leaving a stewing Nabiki. She straightened her clothing; she then headed for home. She knew somehow this was Ranma's fault. She just had to figure out how. /*\*/*\ Life in the Faerie realm was different; the first thing of course was that there were a lot of small beings. It was Nodoka and Ranko's first lesson that they had control over their size and shape. The second thing they learned was that a week of the mortal's realm time, in the Faerie realm was actually a little over ten years. Time which Ranko would put to good use. While Ranko was left to explore her new home Nodoka was summoned to an audience with Queen Titiana. Nodoka was escorted in by a guard to be presented to the Queen. To say Titiana was beautiful was to say the sun merely rose in the east. Nodoka could not recall seeing anyone or thing in her mortal life that compared to the Faerie Queen. She sat on a crystal thrown, and wore a crown of woven pearls. Her hair was as long as her own but it was a honey blonde in color and not as curly. Her dress was of a sky blue gossamer fabric that went to her blue slippered feet. It was an off the shoulder dress with a strip of loosely draped cloth just below her shoulders. Her wings were sapphire blue, and almost matched the color of her eyes. When she smiled at Nodoka the room radiated with a loving warmth. "Oh, I so wanted to meet Ranko. Is she not with you?" Titiana asked with her soft voice that sounded like the tinkling of bells. "I thought it would be best if I learned how _Genma_ caused all this alone. My child has had enough heart break because of him." Nodoka stated sadly. The Queen nodded her understanding. Then she turned to one of the royal courtiers, a cute little pixie with short brown hair and deep brown eyes. She wore a wreath of honeysuckle around her head. She wore a sort of peter pan type outfit which looked adorable on her. They whispered back and forth for a moment then the pixie first bowed to the Queen then Nodoka and left the hall. Queen Titiana turned back toward a confused Nodoka, and she smiled at her. "I have sent Honeysuckle to watch over Ranko and help her learn her new home, do not worry she will be fine." The Queen explained. Nodoka sighed in relief then turned to the Queen, expectation written across her now elfin face. Titiana smiled and motioned for Nodoka to sit in a chair that had been provided for her. She reluctantly did as she was bid. Then they were severed mint tea and honey cakes. Once the servers had left Titiana looked to Nodoka and began to tell a tale of a callous oaf of a man and a beaten child. /*\*/*\ Ranko flew around the little Faerie community in a blur, darting in and out of buildings looking at everything there was to see. She was like a kid in a candy shop and didn't know what to do first. She was just about to enter another store when she heard a small tinkling that sounded like her name. "Ranko, wait up, I _can't_ fly that fast!" She looked around confused, when suddenly in front of her appeared a brown hair pixie. Ranko looked first confused then she smiled and bowed to the little Faerie. The pixie smiled back and returned the bow. She then pointed to a perch next to the store Ranko was about to enter, and motioned to sit down. Ranko nodded and flew to the perch. Once she and the pixie settled in the pixie began to explain. "My name is Honeysuckle, and Queen Titiana asked that I come and be your guide and help you get some clothes that would be better suited for you while in the Faerie Realm." The little pixie stated sticking out her hand to Ranko. Ranko shook it then looked down at her the piece of her mothers kimono which was tore from her mothers outfit to wrap around her. She didn't need to shrink down but she could move faster at the smaller size, plus her mother decided it was better when they met the Queen to be the same size as her, to show respect. She looked back at Honeysuckle and nodded. She looked around then quickly back at the pixie a question forming on her lips. "What about when I change size won't they tear? I mean our clothes didn't take well to shrinking. What about momma she needs clothes too?" As she pulled lightly at the cloth wrapped around her. "We'll take care of that too, and Faerie clothes are made with a touch of magic so they will expand and shrink as you do. Then we will go pick up your mother to go to your new home so you can see where you are going to be living. Finally we well go for a tour of the kingdom." She finished waving her hand denoting the community around them. Ranko smiled broadly and nodded excitedly. Ranko expanded slightly not enough to lose her wrap but enough for Honeysuckle to hitch a ride. The pixie jumped to Ranko's shoulder since the young girl flew a little on the fast side. Honeysuckle then directed her toward one of the many clothing shops. They flew in and out of the stores nothing catching her eye for herself or her mother. When Ranko stopped short almost dislodging her little companion. She flew to the window of a store and looked in awe at a dress she knew would be perfect for her mother. They entered and Honeysuckle talked to the proprietor about the dress in the window. Ranko just stood there staring at it with a small satisfied smile. Soon the dress was packed up with a pair of matching slippers and crown woven of pearls and cherry blossoms. Ranko wanted to go take the dress to her mother right then but the little pixie reminded her she still needed something to wear. Ranko blushed since she had forgotten. So the hunt continued an hour later Ranko finally found what she wanted and asked if she could wear it now. Both the seamstress and Honeysuckle agreed. When Ranko came out of the dressing room the shop owner and Honeysuckle whistled with awe. The outfit was prefect for her. It fit tightly and moved with Ranko as she went through some of her more strenuous katas. When she was satisfied it would not come off she came to her new friend and modeled it for her. The outfit was a strapless number with a heart shaped neckline looking like leaves. The hemline came just down to mid thigh, and had a leafy hemline to match the neckline. The outfit was a deep burgundy red. Laying across her arms just below her shoulder where loose fitting straps that also had the leaf motif. On her feet were slippers, where just the tip of the toe was closed and in the middle on the top of the foot was a small loop. The back also had a small closed heel, it too had a loop, but the sides were opened. The shoes were the color of the dress, and in the loops a ribbon was strung, and then it was crisscrossed up each leg to be tied off at just below the knee. The ribbon color was also burgundy. On her head was a woven crown of white babies breath, and pink crystals. Around her waist was a v shaped belt the same color as the crystals. The belt also came with several matching pouches, which now were empty. They bought her several more of the same outfit in different colors with matching crowns, since Ranko liked this outfit as much as she had liked her Chinese shirt and kung fu pants. In all Honeysuckle bought her five of the same outfit. /*\*/*\ They left the store and headed toward the palace, Honeysuckle riding on the top of Ranko's head. When they reached the palace the guards heads turned as Ranko walked by making the young girl blush. They were met outside the throne room by the Queen's personal advisor a high elf called Rohn; he looked at the young redhead with disdain, but directed them to a small sitting room off the main throne room to wait to be summoned. They waited for about half an hour when Honeysuckle was called into the throne room as the pixie left Nodoka came in, she being wrapped in a piece of her Kimono. Ranko ran to her slamming into her, giving her a tight hug, and almost knocking her off her feet. Ranko started talking about all the places she had seen and where she and Honeysuckle went. Her eyes sparkling with the joy found in small children's faces when they have been someplace new. Finally Nodoka put a finger to her lips. "Daughter you can tell me later but I understand you have something for me to wear?" She said, looking at what her daughter was wearing, and shaking her head. "I hope it is not what you are wearing I am afraid I am a little to old for that." She continued with a raised eyebrow. Ranko smiled mischievously, at her mother, to Nodoka's surprise her child seemed different, more child like then before, but she couldn't scold her for this is the first time since she had been back with her child that she seemed truly happy. Ranko ran over to where she dropped her mother's bag, she picked it up and handed it to her. "This was the only one we found that _I knew_ you would like." Ranko said excitedly. Nodoka smiled, they can go shopping later for more. She reached into the bag and pulled out the dress as it unfolded before her eyes, Nodoka gasped, a tear streaming down her cheek. It was the most beautiful dress she'd ever seen. She looked up at her child and smiled broadly at her daughter. She reached out and gave Ranko a tight hug. "Thank you daughter it is beautiful, I love it." She finished to Ranko's smiling face. Nodoka then turned and removed her wrap and put on the dress; she then reached into the bag for the slippers and put them on. Finally the crown. When she was finally dressed, she turned to show her daughter. "_Wow_, your beautiful momma!" Ranko enthused with her hands clasped under her chin. The dress was floor length, with a pearl white satin under dress, with spaghetti straps. Over top was a gold gossamer princess style over dress with long flowing sleeves, in a cone shape with the widest end reaching down to the middle of her hand. On her feet are a pair of pearlized white slippers with a one-inch heel, trimmed in gold. To finish she wears a woven crown of cherry blossoms and pearls, with three stands of cherry blossoms and pearls hanging down the back. There is a knock at the door. Then it slowly opened. Honeysuckle sticks her head in a little when she sees Nodoka she lets out a low whistle. She came all the way into the room and flutters up and lands on Ranko's shoulder as if she had been doing it all her life. "The Queen is ready to meet Ranko, and to set up the training of your powers." The little pixie stated, directing them toward the door. They all leave with Ranko following her mother. Skipping and dancing a little as she goes. Again Nodoka raised an eyebrow at her antics, and is beginning to worry. When they enter the throne room, Ranko is awed into stunned silence as she stands at the door transfixed. Honeysuckle lightly taps her cheek causing her to move. As she walked mouth agape she looked around the large room, not watching where she is going but to late to stop at the pixie's warning. "_Ranko_ watch out!" Ranko ran face first into an immovable object causing her to bounce off and land flat on her butt. "OOWW, that hurt!" She complained when she looked up at what she ran into and looked into the face of a very stern man. "Uh oh, it's Seran!" Honeysuckle whispered into Ranko's ear, Ranko just stared in awe the beautiful room forgotten. Seran stands about three inches taller then Nodoka, he has coal black hair worn in a ponytail down to his waist. He has hard cold steel blue eyes, with a slight hooked nose, though, not predominate, but it fits his thin hard features. His wings were dark medium blue on top and a darker blue on the bottom. He was wearing a navy blue tunic down to his just below his hips and long black pants tucked into calf high soft sole boots, of black leather. He has a matching black leather belt around his waist which has several pouches hanging from it. He looked down at Ranko his arms crossed over his just glaring at her. Ranko gulps and she quickly gets up. She bowed to the man and ran to hide behind her mother. Nodoka turned to face the man and matches him steely stare for steely stare. "So these are to be my students? A Little on the cowardly side, your highness!" His voice boomed like thunder. "Hey, who are you callin' a coward!" It was as if he knew what buttons to push, while Nodoka marveled at her child's return. Ranko jumped, not flew, up and double flipped over her mother, those watching knew she was not using her wings as she reached a height of more than thirty feet. She landed in front of a shocked Seran, in a ready stance, sneering at the winged man. Then there was another collective gasp from the Faeries, when Ranko's aura burst around her. The heat coming off Ranko caused Seran to take a couple of steps back. This is something they had never seen the likes of, only Nodoka and Titiana didn't seem surprised. Nodoka walked up to her child and gently placed her hand on her shoulder knowing that Ranko would not hurt her. "My child is the best martial artist of her generation, I would recommend not calling her a coward again, or next time I won't be there to stop her." Nodoka said with a sly smile. "Then it looks like I will be learning as well as teaching!" Seran commented with a broadening smile. Suddenly the cathedral room of stained glass and golden filigree fills with the sound of laughter that sounds like the tinkling of bells. They all turn to see Queen Titiana laughing heartily. Seran turned to her with a raised eyebrow. Then dawning came across his face, narrowing his eyes. "You _knew_ about this child's abilities before she got here!" It was more a statement then a question. Titiana shrugged her shoulders then turned to face Nodoka and Ranko. She smiled at the young girl, and Ranko smiled back, she then directed them to sit. Once all were seated she began. "Welcome to the Realm of the Faeries, Nodoka, Ranko, you have been chosen from the Mortal Realm to be my messengers. To that end the two of you are like no other. You are now elemental's of the air, but because you are going into a world that would rather destroy and dissect then listen and understand we choose to enhance your powers of Air with that of Faerie magic. You are Sylph, but with a little Faerie thrown in. Seran will be your primary teacher. He will teach you of the Sylph, and will coordinate with others in this Realm to teach you as well. You will learn much before you go back, for that meeting in one week of mortal realm time." Titiana notices Nodoka's confused gaze. "Time is different from realm to realm as Sylphs you must learn this as you are free to travel between realms with no hindrance. Seran will show you how to do this also. He will set up a schedule with the other elementals for training, since to some extent you can use the other elements. You will also be taught about your Faerie powers too." Ranko looked on in awe while Nodoka just nodded; she then looked at her daughter, questionably. Titiana noticed this and nodded for Nodoka to tell her what is bothering her. Nodoka again looked at her child, to see her again looking around the room like a little child, instead of paying attention as a young adult should be. Taking a deep breath she turned to the Queen and asked her the question. "Your highness, it seems that since the changing Ranko has been acting more like a small child of six or seven then her eighteen. What has happened to her?" Titiana again laughed her bell like laughter, causing Ranko to look back at her. "It is quite simple Nodoka you are now Faerie Folk with a life span so long you would be considered immortal. Ranko _is_ but a small child. When she was reborn she was reborn as a Sylph Faerie and they don't mature for sometime. Please don't fret she also, as you saw retained some of her previous adulthood. Once some of the newness wears of she will behave more maturely. I will warn you though there will be lapses to child like behavior until she is, ooh about one hundred and fifty or so." She completed with a small smile at the shock on Nodoka's face. "Tomorrow you and Ranko will begin your training with Seran. This meeting is over. Honeysuckle show Nodoka and Ranko to their new home." Titiana finished as she rose and left the room. Seran followed them to their new home, which was high up in one of the taller trees. Ranko darted inside and started looking around as Seran and Nodoka stood outside smiling at her antics. "It will be interesting training her, and learning from her, I will be here tomorrow morning by sunrise so please be ready. You might want to wear something you won't mind getting dirty though." Seran looked at Nodoka appreciatively. They turned as they heard the giggles from inside the apartment, then they heard Ranko's new bell like tones singing as she ran though their home. "Momma's got a boyfriend, momma's got a boyfriend!" Nodoka blushed as they heard the little pixie just after her. "Quiet Ranko they'll hear you!" Seran laughed then bowed to Nodoka and turned and flew away. Try as she might she couldn't be mad at Ranko, it was as if she was given a second chance to raise her child and she was going to make sure that this time it was truly a happy childhood. Nodoka entered the apartment, and was amazed at its size.