Ranma 1/2: Ranma No More Alternate History By: Dani Yanega yanega@mindspring.com (please respond to this e-mail address) Chapter Thirteen "WHAT!" Shout both boys at once. Ra Koh holds up her hands in a calming motion, they close their mouths so she can explain. She takes a deep breath and continues. "Well since marriage is out of the question. This is the only option left too us. The law is obscure, but still valid. Ranma you do know the benefits of a soul mate, correct?" "Well first we would be linked by our souls, although not telepathically linked we would be emphatically linked to each other. To the point that we could sense each other's emotions and when the other is trouble. I would be able to cast spells through him, which would confuse our enemies, and if Ryoga learns magic he would be able to do the same. Um grandmother if we do this would both our forms be linked?" Ra Koh smiles proudly at Ranma's knowledge, then nods her head and answers his question. "Yes they will both be part of the link because they are both you and Ryoga. There might be problems with casting your magic through him when he is a wolf though, because he will have no hands. That would hold the same for him casting spells for himself and through you when a wolf. I am sure we can work around it but I won't guarantee it is possible." Ryoga gulps all this information just seems to zip by him, but he gets the jest of it. "Um, grandmother if Ranma and I are soul mates doesn't that mean that we would ah, um..Oh, jeez you know." He finishes with his face a dark red. Ranma whaps him lightly on the back of his head. "It looks like I am going to start teaching you some basic information in mysticism. Soul mates does not necessarily mean lovers Ryoga, siblings can be soul mates. If you find someone you love you can marry them and raise a family. We would still be soul mates, we just have a link deeper than most, people, that's all." Ryoga sighs with relief. "Now when you perform the ceremony, grandson, you and Ryoga will need to shift shapes many times during the process. This will strengthen the link between you. _BUT_ you must be human for the last part of the process. Ranma nods, and looks at the confused look on Ryoga's face. /*\*/*\ The next morning Ranma brings out the Saotome Ceremonial tanto. "Now Ryoga it is very simple we start as if we are becoming blood brothers. Then while clasping left hands, we use the left hand because it is closer to the heart. We start pushing our ki down to our clasped hands then up the other's arm to their heart. Once the ki reaches the heart you force it out of your heart and back to mine and I will do the same to complete the link at this time you should be in your human form. I will prompt you when to change back and forth. Ok any questions?" Ryoga thinks for a moment then shakes his head no. Ranma heats the tanto in the fire to purify the blade then takes hold of Ryoga's left hand and makes a deep cut but not deep enough that it wouldn't heal. He then does the same to his left hand. Next he takes hold of Ryoga's hand and forces him to kneel on the ground with him. Ranma then flares his aura and motions for Ryoga to do the same. Ryoga's now bright forest green aura flares up around him. Then they start to push their auras down their left arms, Ranma nods and Ryoga transforms into his wolf form. After a few minutes Ranma then transforms to his female side. The cursed boys continue this way with Ryoga shifting shapes every few minutes at Ranma's command. Then Ranma follows a few moments later. They were so focused on what they were doing that they did not see the shadows in the woods around them, watching their progress. As the auras finally reach their hands it becomes much harder to force it up the arm or paw as the case may be, of the other boy. They however continue since it was Ryoga's life in the balance and Ranma's as well since he taught him. Slowly their ki moves up the other boy's arm and to their hearts. Just as the energy was about to reach their hearts Ranma gave the signal for the wolf to become human and stay human. Ranma follows suit shortly there after returning to his male form. Once both have regained their true forms, their ki enters their heart, and then moments later explodes out of their chests and back to the original owner, thus completing the needed link. Their energies make a complete circuit for several minutes. Then they start pulling the ki away from each other. Just before they can stop the circuit the shadow's eyes start glowing fire red, the Tao symbols on both boys flare blinding them. The golden white light flares through their ki, flowing with the circuit, passing through each of the boys. The power is intense; they feel as if they are being fried from the inside out. It is then through the haze of the light and pain that Ryoga sees a flash of red, and Ranma's shape shrinks. The surge of power gets stronger and then Ryoga feels the tingle of his own transformation, but he didn't want to change. Ryoga then feels the scream more then hears it, is it Ranma? No it is him and he is howling in great pain. Suddenly the pain stops and blessed darkness claims him. /*\*/*\ Ranma has given the final signal to slowly break the connection when their auras suddenly flare with the golden white light; the ships captain has talked about. It is not only coursing through Ryoga and himself it is surrounding them as well. Ranma fights against the pain, he then feels the familiar tingle. Which tells him, he is changing. He doesn't remember activating his curse. While still holding onto Ryoga for comfort, Ranma doubles over in pain. She then feels more then sees Ryoga's change into a wolf. A minute or two later she hears Ryoga's howl of pain. As darkness starts to claims her, through the golden white light she catches sight of a gray robe at the edge of the glade.