Ranma 1/2: A New Awakening Alternate Continuation (minor crossovers) By: Dani Yanega yanega@mindspring.com Co-author & Concept by: "Jerry" starfire@brainerd.net Chapter Twenty Four "YOU LEAVE CERULEAN ALONE!" Ranko shouted her rainbow aura glowing brightly, a bright green streak appearing through the white. "PROTECTION CONCUSSION BLAST!" Ranko than shot a ball of chi, it was the same color as the new streak. The blast flew from Ranko's hands hitting the strange wood elf woman. The blast threw her back into the door of the cottage. She slid slowly to the ground, no visible wounds. She was not even knocked out, but she was breathing heavily. "MOMMA JANNA!" Kasumi screamed she started toward the wood elf but Nodoka held her back. Janna's head snapped up anger flaring in her eyes. She slowly stood preparing her attack when; a soft sultry voice stopped her dead in her tracks. She turned to glare at the voice's owner. "Janna, I would recommend that you stop now, because you are no match for Ranko, even the witch queen would be hard pressed to beat her." Lady Victoria told the angry witch. "Don't underestimate my power or that of the queen _dragon_!" The elf witch snarled at the changed dragon. "Don't underestimate a Faerie that can fly at almost the speed of light and before she crossed over she killed the Phoenix King, plus she has bonded with an ancient blue, while saving his life. Are you sure you're powerful enough to hurt her?" As Lady Victoria spoke the witch's eyes widened with shock and a little fear. She looked at the young Sylph standing before her. She was confused at the strange stance she took. Janna then gasped and backed up against the door as Ranko's aura flared brightly. Kasumi pulled from Nodoka's grasp and stood in front of her adopted mother. Her hands on her hips as she stared down at Janna. "Momma Janna, I am ashamed of your actions! Ranko is my friend and that blue is hers, now apologize and quit threatening him!" She gave her adopted mother the look she would use on her sisters to get them to do what she wanted. Janna looked at her heir's determination, she then looked over to Ranko still glowing, Janna's eyes got even wider while she watched the ancient blue glow a golden orange and shift to a man with long sapphire blue hair. "_That_ is not possible Blues can not change shape!" Janna gasped, as Cerulean walked up behind Ranko wrapping his arms around her protectively. "Momma, I am waiting! Ranko's life has been nothing but abuse and being used for others own gains, and of loneliness. I will not allow you or anyone else to cause her anymore pain! _Now apologize_!" Janna jerked her head back to her adopted daughter with surprise, slowly Janna stepped forward watching the blue and Ranko carefully. "I apologize for my misunderstanding of the situation and for my rude behavior." She told the Sylph and dragon man, while holding out her hand. Ranko smiled brightly and tore from Cerulean's grasp and slammed into Janna lifting her up with a spin giving her the Ranko Aurora all out 'I like you' hug. Cerulean watched with a wry grin as the others that had been on the receiving end of one her little hugs just laughed. Janna had the air knocked out of her, when the young Sylph slammed into her. Janna couldn't help but smile as the young girl hugged the stuffing out of her. Ranko landed still hugging Janna when her mother intervened. "Ranko dear let go of the young woman she is here to be with Kasumi." Nodoka scolded lightly, her daughter looked at her mother over her should with a small pout. "It's ok Auntie Nodoka." Kasumi told her and ran over to the to hugging Faeries and joined the hug fest. "You never told us your elf mother was a white witch elf Kasumi." Kajri mentioned as she walked up with a sly smile. "_You_ know she's a white witch?" Kasumi asked astonished, completely missing the same smile on Janna's face. "Why yes and I can also tell she is the Princess Witch of Alexandrite." Kajri told her nonchalantly, Kasumi's eyes widened with shock. Suddenly Janna and Kajri began to start laughing, hanging off each other at the look of the young apprentice. The others watched with confusion as they watched Kasumi look with shock between Kajri and Janna. Kajri was finally able to pull her self together. She was still holding her sides as her laughter dwindled down to giggles. "Allow me to introduce you all this is Janna my baby sister." Kajri started laughing again at all the shocked faces that stared back at her and her sister, Janna had fallen to her knees holding her sides in pain from laughing. Kasumi moved to in front of the two laughing elves her arms crossed and something Ranko had never seen her do, she glared at them with not quite anger but it was close. Janna stopped laughing but a few giggles still escaped. She elbowed her sister who looked up at the Tendo girl, and started laughing uncontrollably again. The others just watched with bemused grins save Ranko who watched with curiosity at this side of Kasumi. "Momma Janna, you could have told me you and Kajri were sisters!" Kasumi told her in the voice she would use on her younger sisters to get them to behave. Janna and Kajri looked sheepishly at each other, then with guilt they turned back to Kasumi. They were both about ready to ask for Kasumi's forgiveness when Kasumi started laughing, she threw back her head and laughed heartily. The gasp of Nodoka and Ranko caused Kasumi to turn with surprise. "Kasumi dear your ears? They're pointed!" Nodoka told her, as Kasumi reached up to find her hair had come loose to expose her elfin ears. "It was the present she wanted for her twenty first birthday. I received Queen Titiana's permission to make Kasumi an elf." Janna offered still fighting the giggles. They all moved back into the cottage and settled down Ranko on the floor in front of her parents. Janna watched amazed as Cerulean went from human to his sapphire blue duck from and crawled into Ranko's lap. Kiri laid next to the Sylph resting her head on Ranko's leg. [I am going to have to get to know this girl!] Janna thought as she watched a fluttercorn lay down with a blue dragon, both vying for the Sylph's attention. "Kasumi what made you decide you wanted to become an elf?" Nodoka asked the young Tendo matriarch. "*SIGH!* Well after the failed wedding attempt, I realized that my family would never let me have my own life. Akane just got angrier, father and Mr. Saotome pushed Ranma and Akane harder to get married. The harder those two tried to push them together the harder Nabiki tried to keep them apart. I am not sure if Nabiki did it because she did not believe Akane truly loved Ranma or she just wanted the profit from keeping the status quo." Kasumi took another deep breath and wiped a tear from her eyes. "I think it was both Kasumi, but mostly for the money." They all turned to Ranko, who was staring blankly past them at a wall, her eyes filled with unshed tears. "Yes Ranko I believe your right. Anyway when I reached my twenty first birthday I asked momma Janna to become a Faerie folk. I wanted a life after my family moved on, but I wouldn't get it till it was to late. Now I have the means to have a life of my own while still taking care of my family." Kasumi told them while wiping away a stray tear that fell down Ranko's cheek. "Kasumi dear, it is very honorable that you wish to take care of your family, but it is not very honorable on their part to keep you there excluding all else in your life. They will never learn to do for themselves as long as you are there to do it for them. Especially Akane and Nabiki as long as you are there making excuses for their behavior, and you know you do, I have heard you do it many times. They will never over come their shortcomings. They need to take responsibility for their own lives and actions." Nodoka told her with a sympathetic smile "She is right daughter, I have been trying to get you to leave for years. Your father is a grown man it is responsibility to take care of you and your sisters not yours. There is a man you love but he won't wait for you forever, child." Janna told her adopted daughter while giving her a hug. "I will think about it, but it is hard to walk away from my family." Kasumi told them. Nodoka and Janna gave her happy smiles. /*\*/*\ Raist walked into the cottage his face pale and eyes wide with disbelief. He caught the tale end of the conversation with Kasumi. He recognized her from the Tendo dojo, and was surprised for the second time today. He cleared his throat and everyone turned toward him. Ranko smiled and got ready to give him a hug when the strong hand of her father stopped her. Ranko pouted when Raist smiled his thanks to Seran. "Seran I have been talking with the villagers and one made a video crystal of the fight with the three red dragons. The one Nodoka killed was _Blackfire_." All but Lady Victoria, Nodoka, Ranko, and Cerulean-duck showed surprise. The dragons knew him personally. Nodoka and Ranko are too new to the Faerie realm to know of him. Nodoka watched her future husband go pale, and his eyes go wide. Ranko looked at both her parents with concern. "Dear what is wrong?" Nodoka asked with dread and worry. "There was a reward for that dragon. He had killed thousands of Faerie folk and destroyed untold numbers of villages." Raist told the worried woman. "You will collect a huge reward, I am not sure how much and half of Blackfire's horde." Seran told his love. "What will happen to the other half?" Asked Ranko with a bit of curiosity, the others look at her then back to Raist and Seran. "From what I understand the rest will be divided up between the victims of Blackfire. If his horde is as big as everyone thinks it is, there will be thousands of wealthy Faeries soon." Raist explained with a furtive look. "I think we should head back to see Queen Titiana Nodoka." Seran told his beloved. "It is late why not stay the night and go in the morning, besides I am sure your escorts are still exhausted. There are not many, I am sure, that can keep up with Ranko or her students. I will return with you and bear witness to the fact that Nodoka killed Blackfire." Lady Victoria told them, they all agreed. "Well I must return to earth there is a certain chef waiting to hear how her Ranchan is doing. She is quite worried." Kasumi said looking a Ranko with a soft smile. "UCCHAN! Is she alright? How she doing? Does she still want to be friends?" Ranko asked quickly the last bringing stunned looks to the faces of those around her. Kasumi having heard what had happen while Nodoka was on earth looked at the young Sylph with a sad smile. A tear slowly traveled down her cheek. She kneeled in front of the smaller girl amazed at how little she seemed even though she was a well developed nineteen year old. She put her hands on Ranko's shoulders and looked sternly into her eyes. "That is why I am hear Ranko. Ukyo has lost that link with you and she was frightened that it was because you died. She felt your anguish and pain. I decided to come here and find out what happened. She will be very happy to hear her _best friend_ in the whole of two worlds is safe." Kasumi told the wide-eyed Sylph, Ranko then lunged into Kasumi's arms and gave her a big hug. "Kasumi will you come back for Seran's and my wedding? If Queen Titiana has her way when we return to court tomorrow we will be getting married." Nodoka asked, blushing when she felt the arms of her intended wrap around her. "I would be honored Auntie Sao..Nodoka!" Kasumi told her giving her a hug, as she turned to leave. Kasumi said her good-byes, with Janna beside her, they left. The rest of the group watched her go. Then Kajri took Ranko and her menagerie and lead her to bed. While Lady Victoria showed the two men to one room and Nodoka to another. They said good night and settled in for a well deserved rest. /*\*/*\ Genma staggered into the Tendo yard, and slowly made his way to the dojo. When he entered, he left the lights off and crawled into a corner. He curled into a ball facing the wall for more then an hour. He rose to his feet and walked to the middle of the dojo and he kneeled in front to the shrine. He sat on his knees with his back straight and eyes a fixed to the area of the wall where he knew the shrine hung. He was confused, he didn't know whether to cry, laugh, or get drunk and do both. His mind went back to when he and Nodoka were first married. They were so much in love they did everything together. It all changed when Ranma was born, everything bad that had happened to him, he in his own twisted mind could put back on the birth of his son. ***Flashback*** A younger Genma hid in the bushes watching the young girl practice with her two older brothers. He didn't like the fact she wasted her time with weapons fighting. She had such grace and strength. He felt sure he could teach her the Anything Goes style of fighting. He gaped at her thin well endowed frame as she performed the kata with her brothers. Genma watched as her long dark red hair flowed freely about her. With his eyes narrowed he took in her beauty and skill. He used his training from his master and absorbed everything he could about her family's style. He knew he would have to prove himself and all he can learn from them now would give him the needed edge later. "Come on brother fight me for real, I am just as good as you and Hiroshi." A younger Nodoka demanded of her brother. "_Little_ Sister why do you need to train in marital arts you will just marry and be a housewife raising children." Her brother teased, but to his surprise she didn't rise to the bait. "Yes I want to marry and yes I want lots of children, but I need to defend myself until the right man comes along." Nodoka told her brothers with all seriousness. While they stared at her dumbfounded she took the opportunity to attack. Her brothers barely had enough time to defend themselves. Genma smiled smugly, as he realized she would be a natural for Anything Goes. He followed them home from the rooftops, keeping a close eye on his intended. Genma had been following her for weeks. Learning everything about her, what he liked most was she was wealthy, married to her he won't have to work. He can forget about continuing his training with his crazy master. She can support him in the lap of luxury. Genma smiled greedily as he watched his future wife enter her family's estate. Over the next few days Genma followed Nodoka everywhere he could, thinking when the time was right he'd make his move and she would be his. His chance came when Nodoka made a wrong turn and ended in an area of town not suited for young ladies, even if they do carry a bokken. /*\*/*\ Nodoka knew he was there again, she had seen him a few days before following her. He was so handsome, and graceful. He must be a martial artist, but she won't contemplate going out with him unless he is very good at the art. She wants to raise her children to be martial artists and to help protect the weak, just as her grandfather would tell her when he trained her. "No-chan, always remember there are two types of marital artists, those who honor those weaker then themselves and strive to protect them, and those that use the art to get what they want with little or no regard for others. The former will do what ever it takes to protect the innocent even at the cost of their own lives. Where the later will talk about being a true and honorable martial artist but uses his skill to gain material things." Nodoka remembered her grandfather words. She now searched for that man, one that matched her beloved grandfather's idea of the perfect martial artist. She watched the man following from the corner of her eyes, she was so intent on watching him that she didn't notice the hoodlum standing in front of her till it was to late. "Well, well, what do we have here boys?" He asked his cohorts when Nodoka ran into him. He grabbed her by her upper arms tightly. He held her slightly back from him and looked her up and down drooling when his gaze fell to her ample breasts. His hair was greasy and he was unshaven. His breath smelled of alcohol. His eyes where bloodshot muddy brown. Nodoka looked at him with wide eye fear, then she slowly narrowed her eyes when she noticed the man's friends closing in on them. She knew if she didn't act she would be dishonored. The man who held her gasped, as his eyes nearly bugged out of his head. He let go of Nodoka grasping his crotch and bending over. Nodoka smirked, she always knew her basic martial arts training would come in handy. It also helped to knee the man hard in his crotch. She jumped back from her capture only to find herself surrounded by twelve of his friends. She pulled her bokken from her obi and then took her stance. The men laughed, and their leader glared at the redhead, he was going to make her pay for what she did and that damn stick wasn't going to stop him. He lunged at her expecting an easy take down. Actually it was for Nodoka. She met the on rushing man with a downward thrust, he moved to the side and the bokken missed him. Nodoka had expected that, as she passed him she continued the thrust to form a full circle, she turned on the up swing of the bokken behind her, the bokken made a solid thwack on the back of the hoodlums skull. This sent him to the ground in sweet darkness. He was lucky he went down first. His friends were not so lucky. /*\*/*\ Genma marveled at the skill of his future intended, he knew she would understand the art and his need to study it. He was surprised however, to actually find he was developing feelings for her, even though he hadn't met her yet. He let out a slow whistle while he watched her take down the leader of the pack. He smiled evilly as he decided to fight beside his wife to be. Genma jumped from the roof, landing in the middle of the circle of men. He landed next to Nodoka, and bowed to her then turned and took a defensive stance. Nodoka smiled at his back, and his long thick black hair. She so wanted to reach out and touch it. The sound of yelling brought her back to the battle at hand. The two martial artists fought the ruffians, while they guarded each other's backs. They made short work of the punks. Nodoka using her bokken and on occasion she would toss the practice sword sky word. Her opponent watched if for a moment then sneered at her apparent defenselessness. That was until he got close and she rained punches and kicks on him, she then spin kicked him into unconsciousness. She then held up her hand and caught the bokken hilt first. After only a few minutes the fight was over the only two left standing were Genma and Nodoka. Genma turned to Nodoka and bowed, standing he had a cocky grin on his face. "Your pretty good for weapon user." Nodoka raised an eyebrow at the comment and a small frown crossed her pretty face. "I mean I don't fight using weapons, to me they to easy to become dependant on, but you seem to have learned to combine weapon fighting with free hand fighting." He smiled at her with a hand behind his head, a small smile slowly spread across Nodoka's beautiful face. /*\*/*\ Three months later found the couple standing in front of Nodoka's home her bags packed, she stared at the closed-door tears streaming down her face. Why couldn't they see what she saw in Genma, he loved her and she him. He was an honorable man just like grandfather had told her about. She turned and headed toward her husband while he waited for her at the gate. Carrying her luggage with her head bowed she did not see the loathing on his face, as he looked at her then at the front door where her father and just discarded her. Now he was stuck with taking care of her, she was a drain on his perfection with her old time beliefs, and constant threats with that damn sword of her. He couldn't leave her yet not as long as she carried his child. When his _son_ was born he would start his training in the Anything Goes style. Then as soon as he could he would spirit the boy away from her. He would raise him to be the best martial artist. Then he'll marry him off to one of Tendo's daughters. Once he did that he would sit back and let the boy support him in the lap of luxury. ***End Flashback*** Genma stared blankly toward the dark shadowed covered wall where the dojo shrine hung, the divorce and custody papers on the floor in front of him. A single tear slowly traveled down his cheek. It stopped its decent when it caught on his upturn lip, as a smile crossed his face. He was free now, he had no wife to hold him back, no brat to look after. The smile turned to a snarl, but if he wanted his life of leisure Ranma had to marry a Tendo, and Akane was the one chosen. /*\*/*\ Kodachi stormed into the Kuno manor, and angry scowl on her face. She stormed past Sasuke knocking him out of the way as she passed him, her brother stepped out in front of her, his bokken laying across his arms. She raised her ribbon ready to slash through him. Her ribbon headed straight for him and he reached out and grabbed the end, wrapping it around his hand. He smiled at his sister with a sarcastic hint to his grin. "Well, sister what did you find out about the pigtailed goddess?" He asked her malevolence glowing in his eyes. "I _do not_ care about that piece of trash I went to find out about my Ranma-sama!" Kodachi snarled at her brother, her eyes narrowed with disgust. Tatewaki laughed, giving her ribbon a yank, he pulled her off her feet and into his grasp. He grabbed the front of her blouse and pulled her up to look him in his eyes. His face a snarl of disgust and rage. "I do not care for such low life as the black sorcerer, I want to know that the information the mercenary sold is correct." He spit out at his sister who was actually showing fear of him for the first time. "All she told me was that Ranma-sama was dead and his father was the cause." Kodachi flew across the room to be slammed against a wall, she slid to the floor unconscious. "IT IS TRUE THE EVIL SORCERER HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM THE BODY OF MY GODDESS AND NOW SHE WILL BE MINE!" Kuno shouts his arms raised one holding his bokken aloft and his head titled back, while he laughs at the ceiling. "BWHAHAHAHAHA!" His laughter rang through the Kuno manor.