Ranma 1/2: A New Awakening Alternate Continuation (minor crossovers) By: Dani Yanega yanega@mindspring.com http://www.mindspring.com/~yanega/index.htm Co-author & Concept by: "Jerry" starfire@brainerd.net Chapter Thirty Two Through the thin vale of a blue gossamer curtain, a white blue glow was visible. The curtain was parted and sitting on an Egyptian reclining sofa was a beautiful woman of 5' 9" tall she had the face and ears of a domesticated cat and long auburn hair that went just past her shoulders. Her body was sensuously sculpted and covered lightly with a golden tan fur. She wore a beaded bikini top and thong bottom. On her upper arms were sapphire arm bands, while bangle bracelets adorned her wrists and ankles. Strapped to her upper thigh was a two inch wide beaded band with Egyptian hieroglyphs done in precious gemstones. Oh the outside of her thigh tucked into the band was a dagger of a strange crystal that glowed with a power all its own. The handle was a filigree of cats done in yellow, white and pink gold. In the hilt closest to the blade was placed a brown cats eye. She pulled the dagger out to cut a piece of fruit and a yellow cats eye could be seen on the opposite side of the brown one. She laid watching the glowing sphere in front of her a small proud smile on her face. In front of her laid two kittens, one the purest white the other an orange tabby. They purred contentedly but their eyes were filled with memories of terror and pain. The woman looked up at a noise and smiled broadly. She waved to a space beside her as she sat up. Standing in front of her was a woman of nearly six feet tall. She had the face and ears of a lioness. Her hair was as black as night and hung loose to her mid back. Her body just as sensuous as the other but more athletic. Her body also held raw power and strength. This woman wore upper arm bands of gold and silver but no other adornments. She wore a warriors breast plate over a short white dress. On her feet were boots that stopped just below the knees and on her back hung a blood red cape. "Sekhmet come join me! I have missed your visits since you have been away. How was the counsel meeting?" The cat woman asked with enthusiasm. "It has been such a bore since you and Ptah went away. My only diversion has been this wonderful child." The cat woman pouted as Sekhmet sat next to her. "BASTET! She is doing the Cat Fist! Humans can't do that without penalty! Why is a Caiteny training her in it!" The lion woman shouted standing and leaning over the viewing globe. She stared at the vision of Ranko bouncing around the training area, using the skills of the Cat Fist. Majha correcting her mistakes. It is apparent by his expression he did not expect her to be doing some of the things she was. When she lashed out and four claw marks appeared on his chest even though she was ten feet away he was surprised. Ranko stopped when her sensei looked at her with a strange look, fear crossed her young face as she feared she had hurt him. Then a smile spread over the tiger man's face exposing a pair of three inch fangs. He then lunged at the Sylph his chi claws slashing at thin air. "Oh, relax Sekhmet, she already knew it. These two were there and I am going to give them back their lives because of all the cats used they tried their hardest not to hurt that child. Besides the child was already cured of the cat fist." Bastet told her with nonchalance. Sekhmet looked at the other woman a look of skepticism on her face. Bastet pointed to the spot that Sekhmet had just vacated. Her friend reluctantly sat down and Bastet waved a hand over the magical globe. Sekhmet watched in fascination turned horror as the life of Ranma Saotome played out before her. Bastet watched her friend and co-wife of Ptah it is seldom that she saw so much emotion play across the face of her counterpart. Bastet's eyes widened as a dark blue glow began to form around Sekhmet. Bastet began to cringe away from Sekhmet as the glow grew larger and deeper in color till it was almost black. "We can not take revenge on those who have harmed the child Sekhmet. The Kami has so told me, that they must not be killed. Although I think death would be to good for them." Bastet told her friend as a dark red glow of her own began to form around her. "The Kami, however did not say we couldn't make trouble for them as long as we don't kill them." She smiled evilly at the magical globe as the scene returned to that of Ranko fighting with Majha. "Even though Majha had helped her remove the Cat Fist curse from her she still retained more of the Cat Fist then most humans would have. She of course kept the strength, speed, agility of the cat, but she also held onto the claws, and heightened senses. She is quite good as human fighters go and she soaks up her training like a sponge." Bastet chuckled, Sekhmet nodded with rarely seen respect for the redheaded fighter. "What have you decided to do Bastet." Sekhmet looked to her co- wife with a small sardonic grin. "Well I plan on returning these two to life, as a gift to Ranko's new sister. They will of course have the ability to protect their new mistress and her new family. I do however feel very sorry for Genma Saotome if they should come in contact with him." Bastet smiled just as evilly at Sekhmet. "They won't kill him but they will let him know what it is like to go through the Cat Fist training. Won't you my pretties." Bastet cooed down at the two purring kittens. Sekhmet smile broadened as she reached over and took the two cats from Bastet. She held them up in front of her face and began to glow a dark blue. The blue encased the two kittens, who showed no signs of fear. This pleased Sekhmet even more. She handed the cats back to Bastet with a pleased grin. "Now they can do it better." Was all Sekhmet said as she rose and left the room. Bastet picked up the kittens and glowing red she smiled at the magic that Sekhmet had used on them. Yes she did believe that her little emissaries would now do a much better job at protecting their new family and punishing Genma Saotome. /*\*/*\ Ukyo woke early she had a lot more thinking to do. Today Ranchan was returning and she had been up all night thinking about Nodoka's proposal. She loved Ranchan but did she want to become a Faerie to be with her. The little sprites and pixies told her about their home realm and answered her questions late into the night. She really had nothing here to hold her. Her own family didn't even know she existed, and since her father's death they seemed to care even less. Ukyo headed down to her kitchen and out to the alley behind her shop to practice her marital arts. Her mind still flooded with what might be if she became the sister of Ranko and Mou..Micca. She opened the door to the alley and all thoughts left her mind, she looked on her doorstep and there in a beaded basket sat two of the most adorable kittens she had ever seen. She then remembered Ranchan's fear of cats and her heart sank. If she was going to be with Ranchan she couldn't keep them. She paused when she spotted a scroll. She picked up the scroll and removed the sapphire, emerald, and ruby tie that held it shut. She opened it and began to read, her eyes widened then her smile lit the alley way, and then darkened it as the smile turned to an evil grin. She tied her hair with the gifted tie and put the scroll in her pocket. [Ranchan's going to love this!] She then leaned down and picked up the basket, and carried it into her shop. She then set about getting some nice food for the cats, anything but fish. The kittens ate with voracious appetites, a smile crossing her face. She then put out some milk for them and they drank every last drop. She then picked up the two kittens who began to purr at her touch. She held them to her face her smile fading as she saw the torture that still filled their tiny eyes. "I guess even now you still remember what happened to you?" She told them while holding them close to her. "I think I will name you Frost!" She told the white kitten while holding it up to look into its eyes. "You I will call Lava! Since you do kind of have the color of lava." The orange tabby reached out and licked Ukyo's nose, causing the chef to giggle. Ukyo put the two kittens back in the expensive looking basket and went outside to practice her Faerie protectors followed behind her. The two kittens followed her but since she shut the door they had to climb on top of the sink. They sat in the opened window and kept a protective eye on their new mistress. They watched as the tension they felt in her before faded away, and the look of sadness she had, changed to exuberance. The kittens jumped at a noise behind them, they turned and saw the two Egyptian Goddesses that sent them to their new mother. They were smiling wickedly at the kittens. Bastet and Sekhmet reached out and each one touched one of the kittens. "Now my children you have the power of your names added to your other abilities. Use them wisely, and protect your new family." Bastet told the little confused kittens, as they watched the two goddesses disappear with widening grins. They turned back and watched Ukyo finish her training. As she entered the restaurant she smiled at her audience. She then paused as her senses told her she was not alone. She looked around but saw no one. As she reached over and picked up the kittens she kicked something on the floor. She looked down and saw two collars. She picked them up and examined them. One was a single strand of what looked like diamonds, but Ukyo felt was probably rhinestones. It was held together with a heavy elastic type material, and had a single snow flake dangling from it. The other collar was a single strand of what looked like rubies but again she was sure they weren't and it had a bangle of a flame. "Well I guess this one is for you Frost, while the red one is for you, Lava." Ukyo put the diamond collar on Frost and the ruby collar on Lava, all the while wondering where they came from. She then put them in their basket and carried them up stairs to her room. The Faerie folk flying ahead of her up the stairs. While the kittens were playing with the bangle that hung from the each other's neck all the way up. Ukyo just laughed as she disappeared onto the second floor. She did not see the two figures watching her, she did not see the feral smiles that adorned their cat like faces. They stepped from the shadows and watched where the young chef had disappeared for a few more moments. Then they too disappeared. /*\*/*\ A flash of white light illuminated Tokyo Towers depositing a group of seven people. They looked around and decided to walk to the Tendo Dojo so they could continue their plans for the meeting. The small redhead with them seemed depressed and apprehensive as she walked next to a young boy who had his arm around her. "I really don't think that it is necessary Ranko dear I am sure Micca is correct and all Nabiki is going to do is take pictures and record us and you know how that will turn out." She told her remembering that Faeries can not be photographed. "I know you are wrong mom! Don't forget I lived with her she will do anything to get her own way and will justify what she does as for her family. No matter who she hurts. Look what she did at the wedding! They nearly killed you because Nabiki wanted to keep the money cow going of selling information on my and Akane's relationship." Ranko talked the maturity coming to the forefront. "She explained that dear as she felt you and Akane were being forced into it and she wanted you both to want to get married." Nodoka reminded the redhead what happened afterwards. "Mom, do you believe me when I tell you that Nabiki knows _everything_ that goes on in that house?" Ranko asked her mother. Nodoka paused and turned to look at her daughter her eyebrow raised. Ranko stared back earnestly at her mother determination on her face. Nodoka thought for a moment then looked back at her child with a solemn inquisitive look. "Yes child I do. Why?" Nodoka answered as she watched her child closely. "Because mom two nights before the wedding Akane and I finally talked really talked. We thought we were alone in the house but I guess Nabiki records everything when she is gone. Mom, Akane and I both decided that we wanted this marriage whether I got cured or not we wanted to be together! We were planning how we were going to handle the other fiancées and get on with our lives." Ranko told her mother, Nodoka nearly fell over in shock. "But..~" Nodoka couldn't finish as her daughter continued. "Mom the others got their invitations the day before the wedding and they were _NOT_ mailed to them they were left under their front doors. Ukyo told me this after I forgave her. Mom don't you see Nabiki didn't do this to save Akane but to keep us apart because together we couldn't generate any money." Nodoka's face began to flush red with anger as she asked one more question. "Ranko dear you can't be sure she knew!" Nodoka knew her daughter was not wrong but she wanted to believe she was. "Mom I found the audio and video tape of Akane and me talking about it. When I showed it Akane she did what she always did put her rose colored glasses on about Nabiki like she did with Ryoga and belted me out of her room. Mom that was the beginning of the end of my caring for her. When I came back from where she sent me, she had found a way to turn it around and blame me for it." Ranko hung her head, Micca staring in disbelief at her life in the Tendo home. "I see then I think our plans need to change a little. First we will teleport to within a block of the Tendo home. We will then search the area. Do nothing if you find anything but return to our landing spot." Nodoka stated a slight red glow forming around her. "Mom I have a suggestion." The group turned to look at Micca. "Yes dear?" Nodoka smiled at her son as he protectively held his sister, she hoped Ukyo joined them soon. "Cologne and Shampoo are probably already at the Tendo Dojo, Cologne loves talking with Kasumi, she says Kasumi makes her feel young." Micca chuckled then Ranko started to giggle. "Go on son." His father encouraged a smile on his face at a 350 year old Amazon feeling _young_. "We can use the Cat Café as our headquarters so to speak this way no one will see us land and we would have a defensive place if someone spots us. I know every nook and cranny of that building I cleaned it enough times." Micca explained his eyes flashing dark stormy gray. "That is an excellent strategic maneuver!" Cerulean complimented his soul bonded Micca looked to him and smiled. "I have been training with some of the older soldiers that have seen battles many of them were part of planning the battles and have been teaching me how to develop strategies." Micca told them a little sheepishly. "HEY! Were supposed to train together!" Ranko looked over at her brother punching him lightly on the arm. "Sorry it just sorta happened and every time I went your were elsewhere." He told her with a shrug. "You can train both your sisters when we get back then include them in the rest of your training, alright?" Seran grinned at his children who looked up at him and nodded. The group headed into an alley Cerulean teleported the children while Lady Victoria brought the three adults. Seconds later they were standing in the main room of the Cat Café, it is empty as Micca had predicted. They decided to split up but stopped at the door by a large ball of light. Nodoka smiled as the light dimmed and a group of about twenty pixies and sprites appeared in front of them. They had been waiting for them at the Tendo Dojo but felt the magic of the dragons and came to them. Nodoka told them what they suspected so the little Faerie folk agreed to help canvas the area. Soon the Cat Café was empty again save for one little sprite that agreed to stay behind and protect the restaurant from incursion. It sat on the table that Nodoka had sat at the day before and began to play its flute. /*\*/*\ The time for the meeting was almost upon them they were all very nervous, save Akane as she sat at the table her eyes flashing with anger. Cologne though spotted the hope and anticipation she was trying to hide. Shampoo sat next to her grandmother, while Nabiki reclined on the sofa a smug smile on her face. "So where is Mousse I thought surely he would be here to gloat about Ranma losing out on marrying his beloved Shampoo?" Nabiki asked as her grin widened at Shampoo's grimace. "He will be here!" Was all that elder would say on the matter, everyone jumped when the telephone rang. "I'll get it!" Kasumi said as she came from the kitchen. "Moshi, Moshi!" The eldest Tendo said into the receiver. "Ra..Yes I will alright one moment." Kasumi came into the room everyone in shock as her usually calm face flashed anger. Cologne noticed it turned to rage when she looked at Nabiki. The middle Tendo noticed this as well and sat up worry on her face and a little fear but it was quickly replaced by her 'Ice Queen' persona. Cologne saw it as did Kasumi, and it was as if that was all Kasumi needed on confirmation. "Elder the call is for you." Kasumi stated quietly then returned quickly to the kitchen, as Cologne made her way to the phone all ears upon her. "Hello? Alright. Yes. I understand, yes I will thank you!" Cologne hung up the phone and headed back into the family room Kasumi behind her disappointment and rage on her face when she looked at her younger sister. Nabiki cringed inside at the stares directed at her by her older sister. "That was Nodoka, I am afraid the meeting is off." Cologne told the assembled group of family and friends all but Ukyo. "WHAT?!" The entire room shouted at the old woman except for Dr. Tofu who just sat frozen staring at Kasumi. He was not in his usual state of dementia, he was shocked out of it by the rage, betrayal and disappointment he saw her direct toward Nabiki. His fantasy of Kasumi finally destroyed as he never believed her capable of those emotions. He was also finding that he liked to know she could feel them. His attention was drawn to the Amazon as she banged the floor with her staff. "If you will shut up I will tell you what she said. It turned out that they had information that Nabiki had laid a trap for them." All eyes turned to Nabiki who gave them the 'Who little ole me?' look, no one was buying it. "They searched the area and found a large van from Tanaka Labs. They also talked with the technicians inside and found that Nabiki had planned on selling Ranko and her mother to the labs for dissection and experimentation." The eyes on Nabiki turned angry all but Genma who seemed jealous that he hadn't thought of that, Nabiki began to squirm. "It seems that our guests did not come alone to this meeting they brought with them two dragons two very angry dragons as they were the ones to talk with the Tanaka people. Well let's just say; that is one van that is a total loss. Oh and Nabiki if I were you I would seriously rethink your attempt to sell them to a laboratory. If you don't they will not be able to protect you from the ancient blue dragon that has bonded with Ranko." Cologne continued, then turned a steely eyed gaze to the middle Tendo. "Now come we had a feast at the restaurant prepared and we don't want it to go to waste. Kasumi would you call miss Kounji and have her meet us there, please." Cologne finished with a smile to the older Tendo girl, who nodded and went to the phone. The family started to head for the door when Akane jumped to her feet glowing bright red. "WHERE ARE YOU GOING?!" She demanded of her family and house guest. "Why to have supper with Cologne and Shampoo." Her father told her, Akane's anger rose as her face became a dark red. "YOU ARE GOING TO EAT WITH THEM AFTER ALL THE TROUBLE THEY CAUSED FOR ME!" Akane fumed her aura glowing brightly. "Kitchen-destroyer no want _good_ food?" Shampoo asked a smirk on her face. "AAARRRRGGGGG! TRAITORS!" She screamed and ran up the stairs, they all winced at the slamming of her bedroom door. "Cologne could you and the family please go on ahead I need to talk to Nabiki for a moment." Kasumi told the elder who glared daggers at the middle Tendo then nodded her consent. "Sis if we don't go now that Panda garbage disposal will eat everything!" Nabiki told her sister as she nervously watched the others leave. "Do you really think that they would want to eat with someone who would sell another person into their _death_ for money?" Kasumi asked, Nabiki eyes going wide with shock then narrowed to angry slits. "He deserved it they both did! You heard what she did to Akane! Then she left us to support that _fat_ panda! I am doing this for our family so we can survive and as much as they cost us they should be willing to help us!" Nabiki argued trying to convince Kasumi and herself. "You mean they should willing go to Tanaka Labs and be dissected and experimented on just so _you_ can support our family?" Kasumi asked her voice dripping with sarcasm, Nabiki was confused and did not know how to handle this aspect of her sister. "You have dishonored yourself and our family! That deal was for Nabiki Tendo and no one else! I am ashamed to call you sister!" Kasumi told her sister, her eyes showing betrayal, which surprised Nabiki. "Why do you care! Look at all the trouble he has caused us and our family, besides he isn't human anymore! He is a Faerie folk so if they dissect them it doesn't matter they're not human we don't have to care what happens to them!" Nabiki was about to say more but stopped as she backed away from a glowing Kasumi. "I see so if I was one of those Faerie folk you would sell me to a laboratory for study as well?" Kasumi asked her eyebrow raised and her blue and green flashing aura darkening to almost black. "NO! You're my sister of course I wouldn't!" Nabiki looked at Kasumi her eyes drawn to her sister as she put her hair behind a pointed ear. "You have insulted people I care about and endangered the lives of ambassadors from the court of Queen Titiana and King Oberon. You have nearly started a war with a realm that has access to devices that could wipe mankind of the face of the earth all for your selfish wants. I am ashamed to be of your blood, mother never raised you to be this way! You have insulted and dishonored her memory! As matriarch of the Tendo clan you are nothing!" Nabiki couldn't take her eyes off of the pointed ear attached to Kasumi's head, then the words filter to her brain. "NO! YOU CAN'T DO THAT YOU DON'T HAVE THE RIGHT OR POWER TOO!" Nabiki screamed at her older sister who just smiled at her. "I am afraid she does!" Came a deep sad voice behind them they turn to see their father standing there. "I am ashamed that a daughter of mine would be so callous, I am only glad Kimiko is not hear. This is one time in my life I am glad she is dead." Nabiki's mouth dropped open she couldn't believe her ears her father grew a backbone. "I will allow your return only _if_ you can repair the damage you have done!" With that Kasumi and her father left a stunned Nabiki standing in the family room. Nabiki eyes stared blankly at the wall tears rolling down her face as a apparition of her mother stood in front of her, Kimiko's head bowed in shame as her tears fell to the floor leaving small pools of glittering tears. Nabiki ran to her room and slammed the door her mother's ghost vanishing as if it were never there. Only the drying tears marked her presence.