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 Five Nodoka walked into her new home then stopped and stared in awe; the hollowed out tree apartment was beautiful. With the honed tree walls and floor. She was standing in a small alcove, where she removed her slippers putting them next to Ranko's sandals. She then walked into the living room, which was sunk into the room, about two steps down and off center to the left of her. They had shaped it as round as possible leaving just a little unevenness to make it look natural. Around the outer perimeter on three sides was a 3-foot walkway. On the fourth side level with the walkway was a large floor space where a dining room table and chairs sat. On the table sat a beautiful sculptured sliver candlestick holder. It would hold five taper thin candles and they had a dragon motif. She then noticed on directly opposite the front door was a balcony and a set of French doors. She walked toward the dining room and noticed hiding in a corner out of site from the front entryway was another door. She entered and found her self in a kitchen. She marveled at the wood burning stove and wondered how she was to use it without burning the tree down. She left the kitchen perplexed then noticed the hallway across from the dining area. She started to head there. She had walked halfway across the living room when a bundle of raw energy slammed into and carried her up to the ceiling spinning her around. Their long hair twirling around them. "Isn't this wonderful momma and it is all ours!" Enthused a happy Ranko. Nodoka stared at the unbridled joy now shining in her darling daughters eyes. Looking onto those eyes she can not believe the horror she went through under Genma's care. Taking a deep breath and pushing the rage deep inside her, she smiled at her daughter. Revenge will come later, and will be painful. "Why don't you show me the rest of the house Ranko?" Nodoka asked as they landed. Ranko burst into happy giggles and took her mother's hand and led her down the hall. It seemed that even in the Faerie Realm there was indoor plumbing. Ranko pulled her past a closet, the bathroom, a small bedroom, and a very large bedroom. She continued to drag her mother up a small flight of stairs to an attic type room. The ceiling had a skylight and although it was larger then the smallest room downstairs. It was not as large as the last bedroom they passed. "Can this be my room, momma? Please!" Nodoka looked around deciding that this would be a good room for her daughter. There was a full size bed, a dresser, and vanity table, with bench. The room also had a big bay window with window seat and a walk in closet. Nodoka looked down at her child looking at her expectantly and nodded her head. Ranko jumped for joy onto the bed laughing all the while. Nodoka left to check out the rooms that she flew by to allow Ranko time to enjoy her new room. She was met at the bottom of the stairs by the pixie, Honeysuckle. She smiled at the little pixie as they went to look at the other rooms. The Master bedroom was the largest about two of Ranko's bedrooms would fit inside it. There was a large king size bed, again a vanity and dresser, plus the walk-in closet. There was also a small sofa and two chairs by the one of the big bay windows; this room had two. Nodoka would make this her room. They then went to look at the smaller room; it was more of an office then a bedroom, with a twin-size bed for the occasional guest. It had one small bay window, and a dresser and desk, with a normal closet. During the tour Nodoka found that the stove worked with eldrich fire and that she will be taught how to use it. They then gathered Ranko and the three went shopping for more clothing especially something to wear during training, and to broaden Ranko's wardrobe. Ranko's eyes twinkle with mischief as the three of them headed to the business district. While they shopped, Nodoka worried about the money Honeysuckle was spending on them; she didn't like to be a burden to others, when she came up with an idea. "Honeysuckle, I want to open a shop to make my own funds, I don't wish to be a burden to Queen Titiana, like this." Nodoka explained to the pixie. "You are not a burden, _I am_ spending your salary as the Queen's messenger." She smiled sweetly at the worried woman. Nodoka raised an eyebrow, at the little pixie letting her know that she knew she was not being honest. Honeysuckle blushed, as Nodoka continued. "I could open a clothing store of mortal realm clothing, I am a very good seamstress, and the designs made with Faerie cloth would sell here and back on the mortal plan. I could also open a restaurant. Would the Faerie folk like to try the foods of the mortal plane?" She wondered as she looked at the little pixie. Honeysuckle sighed, not understanding _humans_. She then looked up and noticed the older woman watching her, she blushed again then made a suggestion. "Let me talk to Queen Titiana, right now you need to work on your training, ok." She finished with a pleading face. Nodoka agreed and they continued to do some more shopping, they picked up six more outfits for Nodoka and one or two for her training sessions. She also picked up a few more formal outfits for Ranko, against the young girls protests. They were on their way to a food emporium to pick up some groceries, when Ranko flew off excitedly. Nodoka and Honeysuckle hurrying after her. "_Ranko_ come back her, child!" Nodoka calls to her wayward child. They follow her to the entrance of a magic shop; Ranko is already inside looking around. When an out of breath Nodoka and exhausted Honeysuckle enter the shop. Honeysuckle is so tired she drapes herself over Nodoka's shoulder facing forward so she can see what is happening. "_Wow_ is she fast! I have never met a any Faerie realm folk that was as fast as she is!" The little pixie huffs and puffs out. "It is her training in the martial arts it makes her stronger, faster and more durable, I will even wager that her wings are stronger and more resistant to damage then normal Faerie wings." Nodoka said with a proud knowing smile. Honeysuckle looked up at her skeptically, and was about to comment on that fact, when Ranko came running up carrying to very pretty bags. Both were the color of Ranko and her mother's hair, and were in measurement (sorry human measurements, just remember they be Faerie size) eight inches wide and about thirteen inches tall and five inches thick. The bags had a drawstring for closing. At the end of each of the pull strings was a deep red garnet being held in the mouth of a gold dragon on one string and a silver dragon on the other. The tails curl in a loop at the end and that is where the pull ties are attached. About two inches under the gather of the drawstrings is a silver dragon with an open mouth trying to grasp the garnet in the tail of a gold dragon which is on the opposite side of the bags and is trying for the garnet in the silver dragon's tail. This is done all on candy apple red leather. "Momma can we get them please, they seem..to call to me! Don't you feel it momma?" To Nodoka's surprise she did feel it. "Those are bags of holding, and very old from the looks of them, we don't decorate them like that. They must have come from somewhere outside the Faerie Realm." Honeysuckle offers in way of explanation. "The little pixie is correct on both counts." Startled the three of them turn to see a young man of about thirty, with a shoulder length white hair, gold skin, and sparkling golden eyes. He smiled at Ranko then looked to her mother. He bowed to her, as she bowed to him. He stands at 5' 10", while leaning in a relaxed position on a six-foot staff. The golden skinned man walked toward them using the walking, but really not needing it. The staff is of gnarled oak which at the top had a dragon's claw, holding a sickly green glowing stone. He was wearing a light gray robe trimmed with three stripes one of black, red, and white. Then placed over the stripes are strange symbols in gold and silver. "Welcome to my store of Magic lovely ladies, I am called Raist. How may I help you?" He said as he offered his hand to Nodoka. She tentatively put out her hand and shook it. She then looked to the bags her daughter was holding. He took one from Ranko, when Nodoka grabbed for the other one in her daughters left hand a spark of lightening zapped out, not enough to do damage but to startle. Raist then handed the bag he was looking at to her. She backed away; he smiled as he explained. "Your daughter was right these bags will call only to their owners, that one is your daughters this one wants to be yours. It is alright here take it." The young man held out the bag to her. Nodoka slowly reached out and took the bag when nothing happen she brought it closer to her to examine it. She then looked up suspiciously but Raist was gone. She looked around and he was no where to be found. "*Sigh* I don't know how he makes a living when he does that." Honeysuckle complained, shaking her head slowly. "You know him? Why did he leave like that? What about payment for the bags?" Nodoka inquired. "Yes I know him, he came to live here ooh about five hundred mortal realm years ago. He had many curses, and he was wracked with a debilitating cough, we were able to cure that and one of his most horrendous curse, but his gold skin and eyes we couldn't fix. He doesn't seem to mind though." Honeysuckle told them as they walked out the door, unbeknownst to them they were being watched, well Ranko in particular, by a pair of curious golden eyes. "I think he does that every once in a while as a way to repay Queen Titiana for the cures." Honeysuckle said as she looked back at the store. Nodoka looked around to remember where the store was, if he would not take money for such valuable items she would see to it he takes friendship and gifts of food. Since Nodoka's dress does not have a belt she slipped the pouch over her hand like a purse, while Ranko attached it to her belt. They wondered around some more, when Nodoka noticed Ranko becoming listless. She still flit from store to store wanting to see everything, but she was looking a little peeked. Nodoka began to realize that Ranko is still a small child, as Faerie folk go and would need to rest more. "Ranko, Honeysuckle I think we should head back now, we have enough things for now. Let us go home." She called to her child and the pixie. Ranko flew to her mother's side with Honeysuckle riding her shoulder. The young girl looked like she was ready to drop from exhaustion. Nodoka cursed herself for not being more observant and not remembering that although she looked like a teen she is really just a child. As they slowly progressed Ranko became slower and more listless, until she finally could go no more she collapsed. "Momma, I am so tired, I wanna sleep, please!" Ranko said barely above a whisper. "Ranko, dear you can rest when we get home, come on child it is not that much farther." Nodoka was becoming frantic as her child did not respond. "May I be of some service?" Came a familiar voice from behind her. /*\*/*\ Shampoo, walked her bicycle up to the Nekohanten's back door. She locked to the stand there and entered the restaurant. Cologne watched her great granddaughter sadly. She did not take the news well when she was told the Kiss of Marriage was now voided, she was happy she didn't half to carry out the Kiss of Death though. ***Flashback*** Cologne pogoed slowly back to the Nekohanten, deep in thought. She was concentrating so much on what had happen to the Saotome woman that she pogoed right past her home. "Great grandmother where you go?" Shampoo inquired as her grandmother went right on by. Cologne stopped, and looked around, confusion quickly passing over her features. She sighed heavily and turned to enter the resturant. Cologne turned to her granddaughter. "Child please close up we have Amazon business to discuss, and bring Mousse with you. I will be up in my room, come and get me when you and the boy have finished cleaning up." She left the main room and Shampoo could hear her pogo up the stairs. While Mousse and Shampoo cleaned, her mind was not in her work; she would keep looking up in the general direction of where her great grandmother's room was. Mousse watched her closely for once he kept his distance, but cursed Saotome under his breath for causing his beloved such heart ache. An hour later the teens had finally finished cleaning the resturant, while Mousse prepared tea for the meeting Shampoo went to fetch her grandmother. She slowly ascended the stairs. She wanted to know what was going on, but something deep inside of her told her she wouldn't like it. She finally reached the door to her grandmothers room, and knocked. "Grandmother we are ready Mousse is preparing some tea for the meeting." Shampoo waited for a moment, but no reply came. "I will wait for you down stairs." She stated and turned and left to go back downstairs. She entered the main room and Mousse had set everything up in a booth by the window. He sat on the side with his back to the window, but he was turned sideways so he could look out of it. As he stared out the window, Shampoo watched him closely. She marveled at his handsome face, and was surprised at the depth of sadness she read there. She had never noticed that before. She was brought back to the problem at hand as she heard her great grandmother pogo down the stairs. She went to the table and took the seat across from Mousse. He did not even acknowledge her presence. When Cologne sat down Mousse turned to face them, his clear gray eyes for just a moment showed deep pain then it was gone. Both women gasped, but then believed they had imagined it. Mousse poured everyone some tea. As Cologne sipped her tea, she formulated what she was going to say in her mind. She then set down her teacup and began. "AS of this afternoon, the Kiss of Marriage to Ranma Saotome's male half and the Kiss of death to his female half has been revoked." She sat there waiting for the response. After the initial shock wore off she got it. "_WHAT_! WHAT GRANDMOTHER TALK ABOUT!" Cologne patted the girls arm; Mousse just stared at her with a small smile. "When I was called away this afternoon it was by the Tendo girl, she made me promise on my Amazon Heritage not to say anything and I agreed. I went to Dr. Tofu's clinic and what I found there both excited and frightened me. Cologne shook her head and looked down at the cup of fast cooling tea. She sighed heavily then told them both of what had happen to Ranma, and _her_ mother. Both the teens listened intently, Shampoo with disbelief, horror, anger and then despair. Mousse with relief, pity, curiosity, what surprised him was the feeling of jealousy and loss. They barely heard Cologne when she said that the two would be coming back at the end of the week and that they were to be at the Tendo Dojo to find out why this happened. Shampoo nodded solemnly, rose and ran upstairs; they heard her quietly close the door to her room. Cologne knew her granddaughter she had picked up Ranma's habit of going to the roof especially when she was upset. She knew that her granddaughter would be heading there to sort out her feelings. /*\*/*\ Shampoo closed the door to her room, leaning her head against the door. Now she let herself be weak, to be a young girl and not an Amazon warrior. Her heart breaking in two to think she will never be Ranma's wife. Although she already knew deep down that it would never happen especially after the failed wedding attempt, but she held out hope, the longer it was that he didn't marry the Tendo girl. Taking a deep cleansing breath she grabbed a blanket and pillow from her bed then climbed out the window and onto the roof for a night under the stars. When she got to the roof she walked over to the chimney siting down she leaned her pillow against it then leaned on the pillow. She left the blanket beside her, and pulled her legs up to her chest wrapping her arms around them. She leaned her head back and stared at the stars, wondering if her Aire..no if _Ranko_ was finally happy. A tear slowly traveled down her cheek as she imagined herself as Ranma's wife. It is just a dream, she knew deep down that Ranma would never be happy as an Amazon male, it would have killed his spirit, that which attracted her the most, then it would have eventually killed him as well. The tears began to flow freely, as her heart shattered. She hoped that Ranko, was happy now, that she would live a long and healthy life. Shampoo lowered her head to the top of her knees and began to sob; she was alone now she had lost her best friend. She cried even harder when the realization came to her, that was all she ever was and would be to Ranma, but she didn't care. When she was with him she felt alive, she felt needed. Ranma was an adventure waiting to happen, the sobbing got even more intense as they wracked her shapely frame. Shampoo slowly calmed and leaned back again to stare at the stars, she looked directly into the full moon, and speaking in mandarin she invoked and ancient request. <"Oh, Goddess of the Moon, take this pain from my heart and soul, help me to find the happiness that I seek."> She reached over and pulled the blanket up around her and drifted off into a restless sleep. /*\*/*\ She never noticed the shadow standing behind her, or the moonlight that reflected off the tear and the glasses that were resting on top of his head. Mousse turned, and walked back inside the Nekohanten. As he entered his room, he closed the door, and leaned against it. Now alone he let the tears flow freely, he knew now that he would never have his belov..no, no more could he call her that. She invoked an ancient prayer, and it wasn't for his love. She does not care, though he always knew it he just didn't want to admit it. He would wait till this meeting, at the end of the week because he was curious also, but then he would leave and return home, no he liked the freedom he has here, the feeling of equality. He will go somewhere else, and maybe start a school of his own. Mousse slowly walked to his futon. He laid down on it and after much tossing and turning, sleep finally claimed him. /*\*/*\ Cologne watched as a broken hearted Mousse entered his room. She wondered what happen she didn't hear the usual argument from the two of them. She would have to ask in the morning. She closed her bedroom door, and went to her desk. She sat there for the longest of time trying to figure how she was going to tell the counsel of the change. She picked up her pen and put it to the paper but nothing would come. All that was in her mind was the look on her granddaughters face when she told her what happen. Cologne watched as her heir's heart shattered, and what hurt Cologne the most was that she could do nothing to rectify it. Cologne put her head down on top of her arms on the desk and for the first time in over several hundred years she cried for the pain of the only person she loved, Shampoo. ***End Flashback*** Cologne had tried several times to talk to both Mousse and Shampoo to find out what happen that night, but neither one would say anything to her. Mousse would just shrug and walk away, and Shampoo would say she never saw Mousse on the roof, and then continue with her work. Cologne resigned herself too never know. What really surprised her and Shampoo was Mousse's behavior after that night, he became distant, even when Shampoo tried to provoke him by flirting with the male customers Mousse would just walk away. Cologne could tell he was up to something but what she didn't know. She even sent him on a delivery to search his room, she was even more confused when she finished because the room was totally devoid of any life. Mousse had removed all essence of himself from the room. Cologne had to stop pondering as the lunch crowd started to roll in, Shampoo came back down the stairs and started to help run the restaurant, Cologne decided tonight she was going to get some answers, she didn't want any surprises, she hated surprises, especially at her age.