Ranma 1/2: Ranma No More Alternate History By: Dani Yanega yanega@mindspring.com (please respond to this e-mail address) Chapter Twenty Five Ku Lon sits behind her desk, sipping the tea that Xian Pu has brought to her office; she then shoos the young Amazon out. She sits down and proceeds to tell Mr. Takashi what Ran Koh told them in the cave on the mountain back in China. She and Mas Cra watch as the man's expression went from friendly and happy to rage and hatred. The Amazons know the man is a trained martial artists. It is in his fluid grace when he moves. Although, not of their level. It does surprise them, though, when he starts glowing a dark angry red. He stands and slams his fist, on the desk, but before he can say a word there is a soft but urgent knock at the door. "Elder, may we come in?" Both Ku Lon and Mas Cra breathe a sigh of relief as they watch the rage drain from their gentleman caller, as his aura slowly diminishes into nothingness, but the anger still shown in his eyes. "Yes Ran Koh please enter." Mr. Takashi raises an eyebrow as he turns to face the door. When door opens, Ran Koh and Ryoga enter the office. After closing the door, Ran Koh turns to see the man in the office, she blushes with embarrassment. "I'm sorry elder, I didn't know you were busy. Ryoga and I can come back later." Ran Koh apologizes, while bowing. She and Ryoga then turn to leave. "So this is what you would have looked like if you were born a girl _Ranma_." Ran Koh stops frozen in place, shock evident on her face. Ryoga snaps around glaring at the man, threatening great bodily harm if he causes his friend..no his sister anymore pain. Ran Koh turns and looks at the man with a questioning look. "Ran Koh this is someone very special to you and me, this is Hiroshi Takashi, your uncle and Ra Koh's great grandson." Ku Lon introducing them to each other, Ran Koh's eyes widen first with fear, taking a step back, bumping into Ryoga. He puts his hands on her shoulders to give her his support. The kitten peeks out from under Ran Koh's hair to see what has upset her, it then gets confused as Ran Koh's emotions change instantly. She then looks at him with love and wanting, the wanting of belonging somewhere, of being wanted, just because. Then with tears of joy trickle down her cheeks, tears for a long lost child finally found. She slowly steps forward and timidly touches Hiroshi's cheek. /*\*/*\ Hiroshi is in a state of confusion, he is angered at the fear he first sees on her face, then it slowly returns to confusion as her look turns to love and wanting. That really scares him. Did he just see something move in her hair? Then when the tears start following he does not know what to do. He tries to back slowly away from Ran Koh but a hand behind him stops him, he half turns and sees Ku Lon smiling sadly at him. "That is Ra Koh right now, even though they are completely merged she does have a tendency to assert herself when she comes face to face with a descendant. Especially one that looks like her husband and bears his name." Hiroshi reaches out and takes the girl in his arms and hugs her tightly. She sobs quietly as she holds onto him. While holding her he feels something touch his chest he looks down and sees a kitten hiding in her hair. He smiles as the little critter plays with Ran Koh's hair. Soon she calms and gently pushes herself away from her _uncle_. "I am sorry uncle but I can not control her when she is determined to be with her family." Her uncle smiles at her, then places a hand on her shoulder. "It is quite alright, Ranma, you're with your family." Ran Koh cringes at the use of her old name. "Ranma Saotome is dead uncle, and after tonight Ran Koh may be as well." She states with a depressing sigh, her head bowed and shoulders slumped. They all look shocked at Ran Koh, then Ku Lon comes forward and places a hand on her shoulder. "No Ran Koh, that promise your _father_ signed can not harm you now. You are an Amazon and only the counsel can decree your death now, and we have no intention of doing that." Mas Cra nods her ascent to this statement, then turns to Hiroshi. "Before you even ask, _no_ Nodoka and Genma Saotome _are not_ Amazons. The counsel revoked all their rights as Amazons for what they did to this child. We treasure our children for they are our future. Your sister would have been a welcome addition had she not allowed Genma to take Ranma from her. We would have forgiven that though, because of her skill as a martial artist, _BUT_ we could not forgive the accepting of a promise from a child to commit suicide if the father didn't make him a _Man above Men_." She finishes with anger glowing in her dark brown eyes. Ran Koh and Ryoga watch Mas Cra as she shakes with anger. Ku Lon places a soothing hand on her arm, while, Hiroshi digests what she has just said. "Then that means Nodoka has not condemned the rest of the Takashi Clan to be removed from our rightful place as Amazons?" Both old women snap their heads around to stare at him with first confusion then suspicion. Ran Koh looks at him with surprise. Then Ku Lon brightens. "No, if the rest of the Takashi clan wishes to claim their rights as Amazons we will allow it, _but_ not if they try to make Ran Koh adhere to that stupid promise." Hiroshi shakes his head, then, when he speaks he looks directly at Ran Koh. "As patriarch of the Takashi Japanese Clan, I claim our rights as Amazons and I claim the right to call _Ran Koh_ as a honored member of our clan. She has shown great wisdom, strength and courage, even if she was raised by Genma Saotome. I Hiroshi Takashi call the contract between Ranma Saotome and Nodoka Saotome null and void." Ryoga watches his _sister_ closely as she stares dumbstruck at her uncle. Then he watches as left side of her Tao symbol glows golden, she reverts to her true form. The change does not seem to bother Ran Koh's little stowaway. Hiroshi Takashi watches in disbelief as the young girl before him shifts to a slightly taller dark hair boy. Ran Koh watches her uncle as she changes, then bows deeply and respectfully to his uncle and the two Amazon matriarchs. "I Ranma Saotome accept the offer of being a member of the Japanese branch of the Amazon's Takashi clan, although Ranma is no more, the new soul that arose from the ashes of his life thanks you. As I, Ran Koh find my way in this world whether it be as a man or woman I will honor my lineage as a Takashi, and on my honor vow to never bring shame to either the Chinese Clan or the Japanese Clan of Takashi." When he finishes his small speech he again bows deeply to the two leaders of the Takashi clan and to Mas Cra. When he straightens his Tao symbol again glows golden and he is again a she. /*\*/*\ On the roof across from the 'Joketsuzoku Village' hiding deep in the shadows, hollow green eyes watches what plays out in the window of a small office on the third floor. Although unable to see the face the smile is evident from the twinkle in those eyes. A smile that gets even wider as it watches Ran Koh change from girl to boy and back to girl. Then a coppery red glow flares brightly, then it and the hallow green eyes are gone. /*\*/*\ A light knock can be heard, as Nabiki sits up in bed from her nap. She gets up putting on her robe she heads to the door of her room. She unlocks the door and opens it onto Kasumi's smiling face. "Come in, Kasumi." She motions her sister into the room, then closes the door behind her. Kasumi sets down the tray of tea and cookies on Nabiki's desk, then turns to look at her sister. When she is satisfied Nabiki is alright she smiles and points to the tray. "I thought you might like a little snack, we will be leaving for dinner in about four hours." Nabiki raises an eyebrow, but goes to the tray and digs into the cookies. She offers one to Kasumi who takes one and nods her thanks as she sits on Nabiki's desk chair. Nabiki sits crossed legged in the middle of the bed. "Leave for dinner? We aren't eating here tonight?" Kasumi swallows the cookie she had been eating, while shaking her head. "Oh my, we forgot to tell you, I am sorry, but the whole family has been invited to the grand opening of that new restaurant the Nekohanten Café. Dr. Tofu has agreed to be my escort." Kasumi blushes as she mentions Dr. Tofu, while Nabiki smirks to herself. [About _damn_ time if you ask me.] Nabiki thinks, as she takes another bite of cookie. Then she looks up at her sister with a devilish grin. She gets off the bed and heads to her closet. Kasumi watches her with mild curiosity. Nabiki reaches in the back of her closet and pulls out a pink satin dress with spaghetti straps and a flare skirt. There is also a pink lace shawl draped around the top of the hanger. She tosses the dress onto the bed then reaches down into the closet floor and pulls out a pair of low heeled sling satin pumps that match the dress perfectly. She brings them to the bed also, then turns to face her sister. "Here you go Kasumi you can wear this for your first date with Dr. Tofu." Kasumi gently touches the soft material, then looks to Nabiki tears filling her eyes. She shakes her head and takes her hand away from the dress. "I can't Nabiki you should wear it tonight, I have plenty of things to wear." She gets up to leave, but Nabiki stops her. She grabs Kasumi's arm and turns her to face her, the 'Ice Queen' facade gone as always, when dealing with Kasumi, on a one on one basis, for the moment anyway. "No, Kasumi I had this outfit made for _you_ for your first date with Tofu and I would love it if you would wear it, _please_." Kasumi looks at the pleading in the eyes of her little sister. She sees all the emotions she keeps bottled up showing in her deep brown eyes. The feelings no one else ever sees but her. Then she looks to the dress longingly, and nods once. She turns and hugs Nabiki, then picks up the gifts and leaves to get ready. Nabiki smiles as she watches the wistful smile on her older sister's face. She then turns back to her closet to pick out her outfit for the night. /*\*/*\ The afternoon for Ran Koh is a blur of happy memories as she shows her uncle around the complex, her rooms, and Ryoga's rooms. All the while answering his questions of his training trips, the things Genma has done, both the good and bad things. Ran Koh readily admits that Genma's training methods although way off the wall, were effective, and made her the superior martial artist she has become. It is just that he has over stepped the bounds of honor and _stupidity_ too many times. She also tells of what Genma is still trying to force on her, without any remorse for the lives he has already destroyed. Hiroshi assures his niece that the Takashi's will support her in any decision she makes regarding her father and mother. Silently he hopes his little sister shows more sense now then she did ten years ago. During the meeting that afternoon, Ran Koh made it clear that she will be staying at the complex. There is a need for her and Ryoga to be there, though she isn't sure what it is. She just senses the complex will be important with the coming of the others. At around four o'clock everyone starts getting ready for the nights festivities, Hiroshi waits in Ran Koh's parlor for her to finish dressing. He sits playing with Ran Koh's new roommate, she hasn't decided on a name for the kitten yet, but the cat didn't seem to mind. It isn't long when she comes out of her bedroom, wearing a pair of black satin kung fu pants, which tie at the ankles and waist. Her shirt also satin is long sleeve, but with the sleeves rolled up. It is white in color with two tigers embroidered on the shirt, they were facing one another. One was a white tiger with gold strips the other was the gold tiger with white strips. Both tigers were superimposed over a large Tao symbol with the left side in gold and the right side in white. She has a huge smile on her face as her uncle whistles. She looks down at her outfit then back up at him. "Aunt Ku Lon had the village seamstress make this for me, isn't _great_, I'm gonna look for a spell to protect it, though." She finishes with a shrug. Hiroshi goes up to her and gives her a huge bear hug, then notices how loose the garment is. "Ran Koh isn't it a little on the big side for you?" Ran Koh just smiles then shifts her form, although her male side and female side are now nearly the same height, her male side is still taller by a few inches and broader in the shoulders, narrower in the waist and hips. Her uncle is still in awe at the change and nods his head in understanding. Ran Koh shifts back to female as they exit her rooms. Making sure the kitten has plenty of food, water, and toys till she returns. Ryoga is standing outside waiting for his soul mate and smiles as he sees her outfit, Ran Koh smiles back as she notices Ryoga's clothes. She gives it a critical eye as she walks around him. It is similar to her outfit except the shirt is gold instead of white, and the Tao symbol is gold on the right and white on the left. She smiles as she takes the arm of her uncle and friend, then leads them down stairs to the festivities. When they enter the restaurant there is a small group of people Ran Koh has never seen, standing in the private dining room they intend on using for their meeting with Nodoka. Hiroshi smiles broadly and takes Ran Koh's arm and half leads, half drags the reluctant girl to the people. Ryoga follows with a suspicious glare at the back of Hiroshi Takashi. /*\*/*\ In a small Japanese style house, with a small Dojo, located on the outer edge of Nerima a woman of thirty two, with auburn hair styled up in a Gibson girl bun, is nervously getting ready. She stands at 5' 7" tall, with deep ice blue eyes. She pulls a kimono out of her closet, she puts it on. It is a light peach kimono embroidered with butterflies and orchids. She ties it with a dark peach sash. When she finishes dressing she checks her hair and makeup in the mirror to be sure everything is in order. Then she leaves the bedroom. She slowly walks down the stairs a sad wistful smile on her face as she gathers her belongings. Stopping by the dinning table she picks up a long bundle wrapped in rice cloth. [Soon we shall see if the promise has been kept, and if not...] Holding the bundle tightly against her chest, the woman thinks as she leaves her house. She heads toward the business district of Tokyo, with images of a small child playing in her mind. /*\*/*\ Soun and Genma wait in the living room for Soun's daughters to appear. There is a knock at the front door, and Soun goes to answer it. When he opens the door a very nervous Dr. Tofu Ono is on the other side carrying a bouquet of spring flowers. Soun bids him to enter and escorts him to the family room to wait with him and Genma. The first to come down the stairs is Akane, she is wearing a bright yellow sundress with pink, blue and lavender orchids on it, a white straw brimmed hat with a yellow scarf wrapped around it and yellow open toed pumps. Her long hair held in place by a silk orchid placed about half way up from the bottom of her hair. Soun starts to weep as Genma steps away from his crying friend. "Oh, doesn't my baby look beautiful, wwwwhhhaaaaaaaaa!" Dr. Tofu pats the man on his back trying to calm him down. Akane just stares incredulously at the men, as she notices all three are wearing their gi. She just shakes her head and tries to stay out of her fathers grasp, so as not to ruin her outfit. She stares longingly at Dr. Tofu, but when he does not notice her she hangs her head sadly and sits down to wait for her sisters. Nabiki is next to come down the stairs, all three men stare agape as she slinks into the room. She is wearing a black strapless dress that goes to mid calf with a slit up the left side stopping at a white crystal rose that hangs low on her left hip. Her shoes are black leather sandals, and around her shoulders she is wearing a beaded black lace shawl. Nabiki smirks at the reaction from the men and then notices Akane sitting there with her mouth scraping the floor as well. "Oh please don't drool, I don't want you to mess up my outfit for tonight." She complains sarcastically. The men quickly close there mouths, while Akane narrows her eyes angrily at her older sister, but before she can say anything the final Tendo daughter comes into view. Genma lets off a low whistle as Kasumi glides down the stairs, Soun gulps as he sees how much like his late wife, Kasumi reminds him, then he smiles sadly. Dr. Tofu is so enthralled that he forgets to go nuts at the site of her. Nabiki knew that outfit would look smashing on her older sister. Akane just stares as she realizes that her two older sisters will out shine her tonight. The pink satin dress that Nabiki gave Kasumi to wear fits perfectly, with the lace shawl she does not feel too exposed because of the low neckline. She has never owned such an outfit and with the matching satin shoes, Kasumi feels like a princess. She did her hair up in a bun with a ponytail coming from its center. Then around the bun she put teacup satin pink roses. She had gone out to buy them earlier to go with her new dress. She slowly walks up to the Doctor who is still mesmerized and gently takes the flowers. "Oh my, thank you Dr. Tofu these flowers are beautiful, let me go put them in a vase before we go." Kasumi goes to the kitchen and returns a few minutes later with a vase and the flowers, she set them in the center of the dining table, then turns to smile brilliantly at her escort. Who with several beads of sweat rolling down his face, smiles back. Dr. Tofu fights to keep control of his emotions as he walks up to Kasumi and taking her arm he announces. "S..S.Shall we go th.then?" The Tendos and their guests leave the house and head for the business district, for a fun filled night on the town. /*\*/*\ Ran Koh's uncle pulls her toward the small party, she sees Xian Pu and Ku Lon being given hugs and kisses by the people. She notices that La Si has come over to stake her claim on Ryoga. With a firm grip on his arm, she glares at any pretty girl who heads in their direction. Mas Cra is standing next to her great granddaughter trying very hard not to laugh. Hiroshi smiles at an elderly couple; Ran Koh can see the resemblance as her uncle ushers her towards them. The older man has gray hair, he is as tall as Hiroshi, and has the same blue eyes that she once had. He is dressed in a black business suit and wears a stern expression. Ran Koh gulps a little at the emotionless face he puts forward. The woman is just the opposite her hair is also gray, she is just a little bit shorter then Ran Koh, and her eyes are a dark chocolate brown. Where her male companion has a stern countenance she has one of joviality. She smiles happily and it is a true smile for her happiness can be read in her eyes. When they reach the couple Hiroshi is standing behind Ran Koh with his hands on her shoulders, it almost seems as if he is trying to keep her from bolting. Although, they both know that if she wants to leave only two people could stop her and even that is an iffy proposition. When the couple turn to see their son and the beautiful white hair girl, Hiroshi starts to speak. "Mother, Father, this is _Ran Koh_ Takashi, formerly Ranma Saotome. Ran Koh this is my father Keitaro, and my mother Taji. The man behind them is my older brother Hayashi." The couple look at the young girl skeptically, they were not sure if they should believe what the old Chinese women told them. When Hiroshi begins to introduce Ran Koh a man about the same age as Hiroshi turns to pay attention to the conversation. He eyes Ran Koh critically as she glares at him with the same look. Then the golden side of her Tao symbol glows, and soon female Ran Koh is now male Ran Koh. The elderly woman nearly collapses if it wasn't for the young man behind her catching her, she would have hit the floor. The change brought the first sign of emotion to the face of the older man, but instead of shock, rage glows from his eyes. Ran Koh looks to Ryoga who nods, and he bows his head as he changes back to female. The other guests start arriving to the grand opening Ku Lon Closes the drapes on the Takashi private reunion. While Hiroshi kept Ran Koh busy this afternoon she had told Ran Koh's immediate family everything that has happen to her, with the help of Ryoga about their travels after they left the Amazons in the cave. She shakes her head that even after seeing Ryoga's curse, she is surprised that Mrs. Takashi still nearly faints. Ku Lon smiles as she sees an older version of Ran Koh before the final change approach the restaurant, wearing a traditional kimono in light peach with a dark peach sash. She motions to Mas Cra to take over greeting their guests. "When the Tendos arrive put them in the private dining room next to the Takashi's." She tells her fellow elder, Mas Cra raises an eyebrow at this but before she can respond, however, Ku Lon pogoes up to meet the mother of Ran Koh, Nodoka Saotome. She reaches out and takes her arm, then leads her to the private dining room. The Joketsuzoku Elder watches as they disappear behind the curtain. She looks up in time to see the Tendos arrive. Mas Cra grins evilly as Genma goes pale and tries to bolt, but Soun Tendo grabs his arm and leads him into the restaurant. Cy Sin leads them to the private dining room Ku Lon indicated. /*\*/*\ In the alley across from the 'Joketsuzoku Village' a pair of glowing hallow green eyes watches the unfolding of Ran Koh's meeting the Takashi clan. The adding of the Auburn hair woman to the party. The family must be important to this story as they are placed near the other party. A feral grin is seen in the eyes as they watch the heavy man cringe and pale at the site of the old woman. /*\*/*\ Mas Cra watches as Cy Sin shows the Tendos to their table. She turns back to be confronted by a gajin girl of about eighteen. She 5' 5", with an athletic build. Her hair is brown, which hangs just below her shoulders. Mas Cra stares transfixed at the young woman's vibrant hazel eyes. The girl is petite, she probably weighs no more then one hundred pounds. "May I have that table over there, please." The girl asks with a British accent. Mas Cra looks to see where she is pointing, it is the table nearest the room the Takashi clan is occupying. It is also a table out of the mainstream of the restaurant. Mas Cra nods and summons Che Ri to escort her to the table. Mas Cra watches her leave and notices the cat like grace with which she moves. She is soon called back to her duties as more people continue to show for the grand opening. /*\*/*\ When Nodoka is shown into the private dining she stops, in shock and nearly drops the cloth bound bundle that she is carrying. She looks around the room she sees three young people she doesn't recognize, the other four people in the room she does. The old woman who escorts her into the small room pogoes over to the three teenagers. She stands behind the young girl with the most exotic golden white hair and places a comforting hand on her shoulder. Nodoka looks from the teenagers to her family, she doesn't understand what is going on and could only stand there mouth agape. A man two inches taller then Hiroshi stands, he has the same twinkling blue eyes, but like Nodoka his hair is auburn, but about two shades darker then hers. He walks towards the woman. When he reaches her he wraps her in a huge bear hug. "It is good to see you sister. When little brother called and said you would be here tonight, I just had to be here. It has been to long my little No-chan, to long." He gently pushes her away to the full length of his arms, keeping his hands on her shoulders. He stares deeply into her pained blue eyes, he gently wipes away the tear that rolls down her cheek. "Hayashi, _w..what_ are you doing here, I came..." She begins then stops as she sees her older bother shake his head. Hayashi leads her to the table and she sits between her two brothers, after bowing deeply to her parents and to the young teenagers in the room. Ku Lon sits between Ryoga and Ran Koh, once everyone is seated their dinner is served. The conversation is kept fairly light. Nodoka learns that Hayashi refused taking over as patriarch of the Takashi clan because he wants to devote his time and energy to the family martial arts. Hayashi feels he is not good enough in business to run the finances, as Hiroshi feels he is not good enough at martial arts to keep the family art alive. Their mother just balks at them both saying they are just as good at what they don't believe they are. They just want different things out of life. Nodoka watches her father covertly, and is puzzled why he continually stares at the young white hair girl then glares angrily at her. She is beginning to feel uneasy. She can hear that the restaurant is filling. The sounds of happy people enjoying the grand opening of the Nekohanten. She then bows her head as she fears this was a wild goose chase and her son was not here to meet with her. Che Ri comes in and begins to clean away the dirty dishes, everyone watches as Hiroshi follows her every movement. When Che Ri leaves Nodoka looks at the old woman, with a stern face. /*\*/*\ The Tendos are having a wonderful time the food is good, Dr. Tofu is staying sane and no one has ticked off Akane. Genma is sitting against the wall to the Takashi dining area when what he hears causes him to go even paler then when he saw the old Amazon at the front door. He recognizes the woman's voice as that of his wife's as she talks to those in the other room. "Cologne, where is my son, you told me he would be here with me tonight. Yet I do not see him?" [Ranma is here, now I can make that insolent boy fulfill the promise, so I can live off his hard labor.] He listens closely for when to tell Ranma is there. He doesn't have long to wait, as he barely hears his wife whisper. "Ranma?" Genma jumps to his feet and grabs Soun by the arm pulling him behind him, Soun does not even have time to scream, the Tendo sisters hurry behind the men, with Dr. Tofu bringing up the rear. Genma throws open the curtains to the Takashi's private dining room. "Ranma my boy, now that you're here _you will marry_ a Tendo!"