Ranma 1/2: Ranma No More Alternate History By: Dani Yanega yanega@mindspring.com (please respond to this e-mail address) Chapter Twelve Ranma is awake early and is up on the upper most ledges checking them for additional bedchambers. A total of five of the thirteen plateaus with caves where large enough to use as bedrooms. In addition, they had small alcoves for fires. He also thought that he could use heavy curtains to cover the doors to offer privacy. Of the other eight two had fire alcoves but they were not big enough for sleeping chambers so he decided he could use them to create potions and such where he would need a fire. Of the six that is left he will take the one with the largest cave, and use it as a sealed vault to store his magical devices, gold and gems. The cave could be a bedroom but with no fire alcove it would be to cold. Besides three guestrooms are more than enough. While he is examining the cave, he plan to use as a vault, Ryoga comes up behind him. "Hey, what are you doing?" "AAAHHHH, DON'T DO THAT!" Ranma pants while holding his heart. Ryoga snickers a little, then listens as Ranma explains about the bedchambers while pointing them out. The two plateaus for creating potions, this one as a vault. Leaving five to either use as libraries or set up as sealed vaults to protect their things, in the off chance someone is able to find the cave. Ryoga nods, but answers. "Hey don't push to much we can figure out what to do with other five later. We might even make them like living areas, you know sofas, chairs and such and put the library on the main floor." Ranma nods, and smiles broadly at his friend. "Hey I like that idea, we can put my desk on the main floor and a reading stand for the really big tomes, and if you want a desk we will have enough room for it too." Ryoga nods his approval and smiles proudly at his idea. "Well we got some ideas going, but now it is time to train." He says rubbing his hands together. Ryoga gulps, as he picks up his pack. They walk up the steep incline to the entrance and Ranma stops and probes with his magic. He can sense no one near the entrance, so he opens it. Once outside the cave he closes the entrance and he and Ryoga go down the mountain. It seems going down went a lot faster then going up and they were down by the end of the day. They made camp at the base of the mountain near a rock quarry, to be ready for training in the morning. In the woods the shadow seems to smile as it watches the two boys make camp for the evening. It turns and leaves for it did not want to be found out, but would return in the morning. /*\*/*\ Before the sun even rose the cursed boys were up and training in the Bakusai Teknetsu. Ranma is suspended from a sturdy tree in a harness while Ryoga throws boulders at him. They have to restrain him completely to prevent him from using the Bakusai Teknetsu, so he can be toughened up. They also decide to do this training on his female side as well. When doing Ryoga's wolf side they will use smaller boulders and work up to the bigger ones. For over five weeks this goes on first Ranma to toughen him up then Ryoga to teach the technique. In addition, at this time Ranma works on the Kachuu Tenshin Amiguriken to build up his speed, again training in both forms, he finds that although his female side is not as strong it is faster. Ranma also trains Ryoga in other Amazon techniques, he figures in for a penny in for a pound. While they are sparring, they learn Ryoga-wolf still has access to the Neko-Ken, this becomes known when Ryoga took a swipe at Ranma, thus shredding the front of his gi. They also begin to work with Ryoga-wolf on creating ki blast, it is during the training of Ryoga, Ranma notices that his heavy ki is no longer a constant, so he helps Ryoga find his newest stronger emotion. The problem is since Ryoga is no longer depressed all his other emotions are on an equal keel. They decide to talk with Ra Koh, she suggests using Ryoga's inner strength. This seems to work, Ryoga takes time out daily to meditate and locate his inner strength, he finds it not long after starting, his new aura burst forth in a bright forest green color. Still with the ever present golden white flashes. They also work on their telepathic link with the cats, and trying to set up one with themselves. They did not manage the link between themselves, even with the added power of the Neko-Ken and the Tao Symbols. They did however reach the very edge of Tokyo business districts about five miles from where they were. They feel they can probably do better, and both agree to work on it some more with the cats as well as between themselves. On the last day at the base of the mountain Ranma and Ryoga relax and talk about their next step. "Well I think we need to do something to protect you from the Amazons." Ranma states as fact. "I mean after all you did learn more then just the Bakusai Teknetsu. But what? I could adopt you I guess or have mom do it, I mean if she accepts me." Ranma finishes sadly. "What does grandmother think has she told you her plan yet?" Ranma shakes his head. "I have been trying to get her to talk about it but she won't, and I think I know why." Ranma shudders, and Ryoga looks at him with concern, but waits for Ranma to continue. "I think she wants us to marry." Ryoga falls over in a dead faint. In the trees the shadow watching nods affirmative then fades deeper into the forest. /*\*/*\ A half an hour later Ryoga finally wakes to stare at the midnight blue of the sky, he rolls over on his side and sees Ranma in female form meditating near the fire. He gets up and sits across from her, sitting in the lotus position then taking her hands in his. He closes his eyes and begins his meditations. /*\*/*\ Inside Ranma's mind Ranma and Ra Koh are arguing. "Grandson it is the only way, the two of you have to be married or the Amazons will kill him. It is that simple." "NO, grandmother it is not that simple, I am a guy not a girl. I have a gender changing curse, but I am a guy. If I agree to this, _IF_ he agrees to this I can _never_ see mom again she will never allow me to live then." "But grandson there is no other safer way then you marring him, I am sorry." "_You_ should have told us this before the training. I am not ready to give up on being a man I won't, what about adoption." "You need an Elder as a witness for that grandson. There is nothing else that can be done." "I can't do that, _not_ to Ryoga and certainly _not_ to me, I won't allow..." "Don't you think _I_ should get a say in this conversation?" Asks Ryoga as he stands with his legs slightly apart and his arms crossed over his chest. Ranma and Ra Koh turn around to face the eternally lost boy. "I am afraid I will have to agree with Ranma grandmother although I love Ranma very much it is the love I have for a brother and sister nothing more. I can also see what you are getting at. But there has to be a loop hole the Amazons have over looked?" Ra Koh raises an eyebrow then turns from the boys deep in thought. She then faces Ranma. "Grandson do you still have my copy of the Amazon laws and the one Ku Lon gave you?" Ranma nods and pulls them from dimensional space and hands them to his great grandmother. "Man, Ranma you are gonna have to teach me that one." Says Ryoga with a longing smile. As Ra Koh motions the boys to sit, she starts to go through the two different law books. As they watch their grandmother, Ranma's mind starts to wonder when he feels Ryoga tapping his shoulder. Ranma looks at him and Ryoga points at Ra Koh. Ranma looks and sees a grin of evil delight plastered on her face. She looks up at her grandsons and the smile grows. She closes the books then looks at them stone faced. "There is only one other way, it will link the two of you together in a manner that will prevent the Amazons from harming Ryoga. This link is so strong it will automatically make Ryoga an Amazon with all rights there of." Ranma perks up and Ryoga leans in closer as if they were conspiring against God and country. "What? What is it?" Ra Koh glares at Ranma. "Sorry, grandmother. What is our other option _grandmother_?" She again smiles evilly, and looks directly at Ryoga. "Ryoga my beloved adopted grandson you will become Ranma's soul mate!"