Ranma 1/2: Ranma No More Alternate History By: Dani Yanega yanega@mindspring.com (please respond to this e-mail address) Chapter Thirty One Mas Cra returns to the restaurant, where she finds the remaining people are sitting around a large table. Dr. Tofu still holds a sobbing Kasumi, but she seems to be settling down. Mas Cra looks at the crying woman feeling a kinship with her. She can understand how the girl feels, going against all that you know, and turning your back on your family is not easy. At times however, it is necessary to survive. She did just that over two hundred and eighty some odd years ago. When she left the pains of her home behind her and found her way to the Amazons. That is why she has conflicting emotions toward Ran Koh, on the one hand she understands the pain she is going through, and the fear she feels about getting to close. She was the same way after she left her torturous life behind her, but she did learn to trust and found happiness. That is why she also feels so protective toward the Amazons because they took her in and gave her a new life. They gave her a new family that cares for her, and protects her. That is why she does not like the way Ran Koh dismisses her heritage. She pogoes over to the table and joins the group, while Kasumi gathers her courage and turns to face them still leaning into Tofu's strong embrace. She smiles sweetly at them, then turns slightly and looks sheepishly at the three Takashi males. "I am sorry for the behavior of my father, I am afraid he can be a bit over zealous." She sighs deeply while tears still trickle down her cheeks. "I think child we are more concerned about what will happen to you? You took a great risk distancing yourself from you family." Ku Lon responds to her. "She will be fine, I will see to that." This is the sanest Tofu has ever been around Kasumi, but she needs him and he won't let her down. "What we need to know now is, did we make the right decision? Will you please tell us what Ran Koh's story is and what is happening?" He finishes looking at each of them, then turning to stare at the destroyed private dining room. When he looks back he notices the gajin male, close his eyes and gasps when he sees the Tao symbol glow on his forehead. Then it disappears, making Dr. Tofu wonder if he actually did see the symbol or not. Michael turns to Ku Lon and gives her a slight nod. She nods in response and turns to the doctor and Tendo woman. "It seems we have permission to tell you everything." Ku Lon then goes into everything they know. Kasumi and Tofu are in shock, their faces cloud with skepticism until Michael and Anna transform for them. They tell them of the monks, and the changes. They tell them what they fear might be coming. Their faces pale when Ku Lon tells them of Ran Koh's childhood. She tells them of the many dangerous and irresponsible training methods, Genma put Ran Koh through. One such training exercise, when he was only ten he had to carry his father and all their supplies plus a boulder through a swap with hungry wolfs snapping at his heels. Kasumi put her hand to her mouth in too much shock to even utter a word, while she listens to how Ran Koh was trained. The matriarch tells of the bonding between the young sorceress and Ryoga. When they finish it is nearly three hours later. Dr. Tofu thinks over the information just given to him, his mind tries to deny what he has been told and what he has seen. Try as he might, he could not deny the events he witnessed and the strong feeling of danger he has been feeling lately. The war he is having is evident upon his face when he looks up to those before him. He knows what has to be done he is a healer and a martial artist, but Kasumi will have to be protected. He then turns to face her, he freezes with shock when he sees her beautiful eyes flash with fiery anger, he watches as they fill with determination and knows he won't be able to stop her from helping. "We would like too help. You will need a physician and even though Kasumi has had no formal training she has been reading my medical books and has worked in my clinic." The group was a little taken aback by his assertiveness. "Very well Doctor we will be honored to have your assistance." Michael jumps in before anyone can turn him down. The Amazon elders turn eyes flashing with anger on Michael, for his presumption, until they see his Tao glowing brightly. They then realize Michael is telepathically sending this to his leaders even if Ran Koh and Ryoga are unconscious they know what is going on. Mas Cra rises from her seat and pogoes over to the two young lovers to be, and puts out her hand. Dr. Tofu takes it and they shake. "Ku Lon and I will stop by your office tomorrow to see if we need to do any _special_ training, and to coordinate with you for supplies and such." When she finishes she pogoes back to her seat. "I believe we might be able to help there too, my youngest daughter is returning home, the day after tomorrow, she too is a doctor. She has been on a training trip to learn the more exotic medical practices." Keitaro offers with an affirmative nod coming from his sons. "We also offer our skill in the sword, they are still going to need an army and if there is a danger coming we want to be there." Hayashi speaks up with determination. "After all Ran Koh and Ryoga are our family and we will not let them fight this battle alone." Hayashi continues while getting nods from both his father and younger brother. The elders smile, it seems the Japanese Amazons are just as much warriors as their Chinese counterparts. Ku Lon nods her assent then they all rise, saying their good nights, they begin to leave. Since they can do no planing until all the sects are together. Ku Lon walks everyone out while the others straighten out the tables in the restaurant. When she returns she looks toward the dining room and shakes her head. Walking up to Mas Cra she says sadly. "I will call the contractor to come an repair that room tomorrow, but I think we will _send the bill_ to Genma Saotome and Soun Tendo for the expense." She finishes with distaste. "You know they won't pay it!" Mas Cra answers with a look of shock. "Yes, well they can try not to pay, all we need do is lodge a formal complaint to our connections in the government, they will take care of the rest." A smile crosses Mas Cra's thin lips, nodding that she likes that idea. When everything was presentable, they all went to bed. Xian Pu escorts Anna to a suite of rooms on the fifth floor near the soul mates, at her request. Taji and Nodoka refuse to leave with the men so they agree to share a suite but neither sleep there. Soon the 'Joketsuzoku Village' settles down for the evening. /*\*/*\ During the night the 'Joketsuzoku Village' is awaken by the screams of a frighten child held in the grip of night terrors. Ryoga runs into Ran Koh's bedroom, from her parlor, and finds Nodoka and Taji tears streaming down their faces, trying to restrain the still sleeping Ran Koh. The kitten shows much bravery as it stays near the screaming girl. Ryoga goes up to Ran Koh and gently removes Nodoka, who glares at him. He ignores her while he takes Ran Koh in his arms rocking her gently and talking soothingly to her, while caressing her long white golden hair. This helps some, but for some reason she doesn't stop. It is at this time that Ku Lon enters the room. "Nephew let her mother try." Ryoga looks suspiciously at the elder then nods, while Nodoka looks confused. Nodoka begins to understand when she sees Ryoga move so that she can take his place. He helps her to adjust Ran Koh, so that she is cradling the young girl. Nodoka begins stroking her hair, and quietly talking to her. Tears continue to flow down Nodoka's face, and Taji's as she watches the scene unfold in front of her. "Shh, my precious one, momma is here, quiet my love I have you now, you have nothing to fear." She coos while she gently rocks the still screaming girl. "Oh, my poor baby _what_ did he do to you? Shh, shh, I have you now little one, trust your momma, she won't ever leave you again, shh." Then Nodoka starts to hum an old lullaby that her mother would sing to her when she had nightmares. Taji smiles and begins to hum it with her daughter. Taji sits down next to her daughter and granddaughter stroking the latter's back. Cali the kitten climbs into Taji's lap and places a gentle paw onto Ran Koh's back as well. "I had hoped the merging of the Neko-Ken would take away her nightmares." Ryoga says quietly watching the scene with anger flashing in his brown eyes. "No nephew that pain is to deep it will take a lot of time, love and support to ease it." Ku Lon states, while sadly shaking her head. Slowly Ran Koh quiets to a gentle sobbing while her mother; grandmother and pet try to comfort her. Cali gently climbs into her lap; she slowly crawls up her chest. When she reaches Ran Koh's face she gives her a gentle lick then curls up on her chest and begins to purr. Soon Ran Koh is back into a more relaxed sleep, but still clutching Nodoka tightly. They try to separate Ran Koh from Nodoka, Ran Koh however, refuses to let go. Since they couldn't get her to let go of her mother, Nodoka decides to stay with her daughter for the night. The others soon leave the two alone with only the kitten standing guard. /*\*/*\ Ran Koh reaches wakefulness feeling warm and very safe for the first time since she was a child. Snuggling deeper into the softness next to her, her conscious mind finally gets around to asking what is she laying on that is kinda lumpy but still soft and comfortable. Her eyelids flutter open and she looks a bit confused, at seeing her grandmother sitting next to her bed. "Well granddaughter it is about time you awoke. Do you think you can let go of your mother now?" Taji asks with a broad smile and mischievous twinkle gleaming in her soft brown eyes. Ran Koh blinks not understanding. Then a hand reaches up and strokes her head. She starts a little, then tilts her head up and sees her mother smiling down at her. She blinks confusedly then turns back to her grandmother totally disoriented. "You needed your mother last night child, she stayed with you." This was all Taji gave as an explanation. Ran Koh looks back up at her mother, timidly she reaches up and begins to caresses her cheek, but pulls away as if touching fire. Her mother takes her hand and places it on her cheek, so that Ran Koh can feel her warmth and the tears that were now traveling down her cheek. Ran Koh softly strokes her mothers face, as if to verify that this is not a dream. That she will not wake from a dream and find herself on the road with Genma. That her mother is really there, holding on to her as tightly as she is holding on to her mother. A tear escapes and trickles down Ran Koh's cheek. "Then it was real? I didn't dream it? I found my momma." She asks with a small wistful smile. "Yes, my child you found your momma." Nodoka says bolding Ran Koh close to her, not wanting too ever let go. Nodoka kisses her forehead then lays her cheek to the top of her head, a wistful smile crosses her face while she holds her daughter close. Taji smiling at them, comes to the bed, she sits down embracing both her daughter and granddaughter all three crying tears of happiness. "AAAAAHHHH!" All three women scream at once. Ryoga comes bursting into the room, to find the three Takashi women panting heavily with big grins on their faces. Ryoga looks at them confused and then Ran Koh with one hand holds up a little calico fur ball made for trouble. "She wanted to be a part of the group hug." Ran Koh said with a giggle. The little kitten looks at Ryoga with a face of pure innocence and a mischievous twinkle in her eyes. Ryoga starts to laugh, which causes the three ladies too as well. When the door to Ran Koh's room bursts open, in charges the males of the Takashi family plus the Amazons and Anna. They all look at the scene with some confusion. It is when they hear a quiet 'meow', they being to understand. They all head back down stairs, chuckling, while Ran Koh her mother and grandmother follows behind them, and riding on Ran Koh's shoulder a little playful kitten. /*\*/*\ Genma moves slowly as pain racks his body, he cautiously opens his eyes to find he is in the Tendo Dojo sleeping on the floor. Groaning, while he tries to sit up he looks around to find Soun next to him. [I guess the girls couldn't get us up to bed.] Genma thinks, when he hears a shout as the front door slams. "BYE everyone I have an appointment!" Nabiki hightails it out of the Tendo home. Genma grimaces in pain, as he gets into a sitting position. The first and second-degree burns he received last night were nearly as painful as the pain he goes through when shifting shapes. He looks at the burns, and then he begins to wonder why his burns weren't more severe. He notices he is still in panda form; he always wondered what a bear would look without fur. He slowly tries to stand but all he can manage is to roll onto the hard floor, there is a sharp intake of breath as the pain shoots through him, when he hits the hard floor. He slowly gets to his paws and, then begins to unsteadily go over to his long time friend. He places on big paw on Soun's chest and starts to shake him awake. /*\*/*\ Soun wakes slowly to the feeling of sharp nails digging into him, while being shaken sporadically. Each time he is shaken he hears a half grunt half growl of someone in pain. Soun finally opens his eyes to find a large burnt object with long sharp nails, shaking him; he jumps away from the _thing_ with a shout of fear and surprise. "AAAHHHH!" He lands up against the far wall staring in fear at the large blob of burns. Akane comes running into the Dojo; Soun looks at her and points to the huddle of burnt flesh. She rolls her eyes, and walks toward the quivering mass of burns and dumps boiling water over it. The scream that follows can be heard for blocks around. "_GGGGRRROOOAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH_!" Genma's pain sensors go on overload and he passes out. Akane snorts in disgust at the unconscious form then turns and leaves the Dojo. While Soun watches the transformation, last night comes barreling back into his mind, he runs to his friend to see if he is alright. Soun tries to find an area of Genma's body that isn't burned, which is no where. So he gently reaches out and touches a spot that doesn't seem to be as bad as the others. /*\*/*\ Genma snaps awake, when the pain registers in his brain come back on-line, telling him, 'someone just touched you, you moron!' He moans while he tries to sit up. Soun wants to help him but there is no place to put his hands without causing pain. Soun becomes frozen behind his friend when a noxious odor reaches him. He looks around frantically wondering where Kasumi is. Then he remembers what else happened last night and he starts to bawl. Genma didn't want to change now so he quickly snaps a fist backward into Soun, gasping in pain when his burn covered fist hits his friend. This sends Soun to the other side of the Dojo. When Soun hits the wall, he smiles as blissful unconsciousness takes over, with his last thought as he succumbs to the darkness. [This will teach Saotome to punch me, bwahahaha..ohh.] He collapses to the floor, unmoving. "DAD, MR. SAOTOME, BREAKFAST!" Akane hollers from inside the house. Genma looks up grinning, he jumps to his feet grunting in extreme pain. He smiles as he always has time to eat food and free food is the best. He heads into the house, while trying to ignore the pain. He stops at the dojo door, when he turns to look at the oblivious Soun. He shrugs his shoulders, then turns and leaves him where he lays. Genma hobbles into the main house and sits at the table, anxiously awaiting his breakfast. Akane peeks out of the kitchen to see only a smiling salivating Genma. "Where's daddy?" She asks with a small tinge of anger in her voice. "He wasn't feeling well so he is _resting_, I'll eat his share and he can get something later." Genma explains stretching to see what Kasumi is going to be bringing in for breakfast. Akane smiles and ducks back into the kitchen. She then comes walking in with a huge bowl of food, enough to feed a small army or one Genma Saotome. Since Genma's nasal passages where burned, he can not smell what Akane was bringing to him, so he decides to be polite. "That _smells_ wonderful Akane, I can hardly wait to eat it." Akane blushes and smiles brightly as she stands at the table. Genma wonders where the eldest Tendo girl was, shrugging he figures if Akane made it, she must have learned to cook from Kasumi. He figures it must be just as good. Akane places the bowl in front of the eating machine then waits for him to taste it. Genma stares at the bowl of of..something. It was a mixture of pea green lumps, mud brown congealed sauce, with black chunks of something. [Is it still bubbling or did something move?] Genma wonders as the concoction plops and belches with big bubbles. He stabs at it with his chopsticks, poking at one of the black chunks when a pea green lump, bursts apart releasing a cloud of noxious fumes. He is lucky he can't smell, but it makes his eyes start to water. He stirs the concoction, when something grabs a hold of the chopsticks from deep inside the bowl. Genma pulls hard on his chopsticks, pulling them free from the bowl, looking as if they had been half eaten, gulping he turns a little green around the edges. He looks up at Akane who stands there smiling sweetly at him. He also notices a faint blue glow forming around the girl as she is getting impatient for him to start eating. He looks from the rapidly expanding aura around her and then to the bowl. [This should be Ranma's job eating this stuff, to make sure it is safe for _human_ consumption!] He thinks angrily to himself. [Well maybe it doesn't taste as bad as it looks, besides it is food, and if it does taste bad with my smeller off line I won't know] He rationalizes then digs into the bubbling mess in front of him. Akane's aura disappears when Genma starts to eat her food with never before seen gusto, using the Saotome vacuum-cleaner technique for eating, He sucks up the whole bowl in a matter of seconds. Leaning back he gingerly pats his stomach, trying to avoid the burns. "That was very goo..URP, GASP, GAG, oohh!" He moves like grease lightening to the bathroom, but since his grease is a little too thick he passes out halfway there. Akane stomps over to the unconscious man, glowing bright blue with anger. She pushes him over with her foot, raising her mallet for _righteous_ revenge. [HOW DARE HE INSULT MY COOKING!] She thinks ready to pound the burnt man into the floor. She looks down at him, then stops in mid swing, she stares in fascination as Genma changes from deathly pale, to pea green, to mustard yellow, to burnt orange and so on. She gasps in amazement at what she next sees. [My what weird colors. I never knew people could turn plaid?] She puts her hammer back into hammerspace and walks upstairs to get ready for her day. Genma is left on the floor at the foot of the stairs, his stomach gurgling in protest. While his face continues to turn many shades of sickly colors. A trickle of saliva escapes his mouth and sizzles as it travels over the burns on his face. /*\*/*\ Ran Koh stops, when she enters the Nekohanten, she stares with her mouth agape. Her face fills with shame when sees the damage done to the private dining room by her chifire. She bows her head, staring at the floor, then watching her feet while she walks slowly over to Ku Lon and Mas Cra. She bows deeply to them. Then nervously she addresses them. "I would like to apologize for the damage I did to your restaurant. I would also like to make amends. Please tell me what the cost of the repairs are to the dining room and I will pay to have them done" She states quietly, while her new family smiles proudly at her. "Don't worry about it child, we aren't paying for it either, we are sending the bill to Genma Saotome and Soun Tendo." Mas Cra tells the sorceress, while patting her lightly on the back. Ran Koh looks confused for only a moment then a large happy grin crosses her face. In the background they can hear the telephone ringing. Che Ri brings in some bowls of ramen for the Takashi woman. The three women sit and begin to eat. Nodoka watches Ran Koh eat like a normal person and wonders why since she was raised by Genma. Ku Lon watches Nodoka's confusion and starts to laugh. The women turn to her with raised eyebrows. "I apologize but Nodoka dear, I noticed your confusion at Ran Koh's table manners, that is one of the many benefits she received when she merged with our ancestor Ra Koh." Nodoka nods, and Ran Koh blushes slightly. La Si enters the room and whispers to Ran Koh she excuses herself and follows her friend. As the Takashi's watch her leave Nodoka turns to her distant cousin. With a sheepish expression. "Cousin Ku Lon, mother has told me that *sigh* while I am married to Genma, I can not be an Amazon and a true part of my daughter's life?" She asks bowing her head with some embarrassment. "Yes, that is correct it is a decree from the counsel of elders, but you will always be a part of Ran Koh's life you are her mother. Why are you thinking of changing that status?" Ku Lon looks at the young mother. Mas Cra hearing where the conversation is going quietly joins them, this is now becoming Amazon business and that includes her. Ku Lon smiles to her friend to show her appreciation for joining them. They turn to Nodoka to wait for her to reply. She sighs deeply then looks up decisively, she notices the other matriarch has joined them, she pauses for a moment then continues. "Yes, I plan to change that immediately. I have asked mother to talk to father, about ending the marriage. Mother has told me that you had my son declared dead! I will use that and the fact that he stole Ranma from me as the reasons, plus abandonment." She says with a single tear escaping for the lose of her child. Ran Koh returns to the group a big smile on her face. She bows to everyone, then gives her mother, grandmother, and aunt a kiss on the cheek. "That was Michael my things have come in I will be going over to get them. I will see you sometime tomorrow, after the meeting with the others." She says turning to leave. "Would you like some help?" Ku Lon asks her, knowing the answer before she does. "No thank you I shall be fine." They watch her leave. Nodoka watches with a look of worry. Ku Lon reaches over and pats her arm, getting the other woman's attention. Nodoka turns to her, Ku Lon smiles at her. "Don't worry, she is going to her lab she will probably take Ryoga to help with the move." Ku Lon explains to them. Nodoka watches her daughter walk away with Ryoga by her side, a sad look crosses her face as this is a part of her daughter's life she is not allowed to access. Nodoka sighs heavily, then stares sadly at her teacup. "Don't feel to left out dear she protects the location religiously, I was able to get her to allow me to go, because she is storing some of the Amazon artifacts for me while I am in Japan. I needed to go to make sure they were stored properly. I however do not go there unless invited." Ku Lon finishes with a wistful smile. Nodoka nods understanding then something comes to her, a tiny smile crosses her face. She will await Ran Koh's return to see if her idea will work out. The other three woman watch Nodoka with some confusion. /*\*/*\ Ryoga and Ran Koh arrive at the back entrance of the 'Yankee Trader" where Michael is waiting for them. Since neither teen could drive Ran Koh reluctantly agrees to allow Michael to drive them and since there are three moving vans of things he will be the one to drive the vans to and from the lab. Ran Koh has been working toward this day ever since she found her laboratory. She has been carefully scouring her magic books looking for a quick and easy way to get the items up the mountain. She found several spells that might do the trick, the problem was one spell took too long to prepare for, the other one took too much energy. She believes her best chance was with the levitation spell. In practicing the spell she found she likes flying; she also trained to lift a considerable amount of weight. It only takes twenty minutes to get close enough to the mountain; soon Ran Koh and Ryoga get out of the truck. They open the back, and stare at all of their things. Quietly Ran Koh casts her spell, Ryoga watches always in awe of the power she can wield. The items in the truck begin to glow, as Ran Koh backs away they float out of the truck. Once they are clear Ryoga closes the truck door, then taps the side of it, signaling Michael. He then leaves to get the next batch of furniture. Ryoga watches for a moment while Michael drives away, he then jumps to the top of the items still floating off the ground. Then he sits down next to Ran Koh; he reaches out and places his hand on her shoulder. He calls forth his aura feeding the additional energy to her. They begin to rise; in minutes they ascend the mountain. They soon reach the plateau that holds Ran Koh's laboratory. The sorceress lowers the items onto the ledge then jumps down and opens the door. Next she and Ryoga start carrying everything inside. They use their golden white auras as a light source until they can light the torches. Once they have deposited the first load, Ran Koh takes hold of Ryoga and floats them back down the mountain in time to meet the second load. /*\*/*\ By late afternoon Ryoga and Ran Koh are busy setting up the furnishings. When Michael returns to his shop he will call Anna to have her meet him at the 'Yankee Trader" in the morning early then they will pick the two of them up here, then it is off to the airport. Ran Koh keeps getting this feeling that something big is going to happen tomorrow, but she can't figure out what. Ran Koh levitates the furniture into its proper place then Ryoga sets about to putting it up. She still can't believe Michael talked her into an oak dining room set which she decides wants to keep at its smallest size, which seats four. Ryoga, however, suggests leaving it expanded, as a worktable; in addition, they wouldn't have to store the leaves anywhere. It comes with the three leaves, and including the additional chairs the table can seat up to twenty people comfortably. She does like the dark reddish brown finish though. After all the furniture is disbursed she goes to help Ryoga with the setup. She enters her room and Ryoga is just finishing putting the frame together on the king size cast iron frame with intricate scrolling at the head and foot board. At the four corners of the bed are long twisted spirals that reach to about eight feet in height. They are all connected with a double row of the same twisting cast iron. The same intricate scroll work connecting them together. There are small rings hanging from the lower bar which she will be hanging white lace curtains, just for effect. There is also a dresser, a free standing closet, two nightstands and a vanity table and bench. Once everything is in place they go to start on Ryoga's room. Ryoga chose a king size four poster bed made of dark maple with onyx inlays. She knew it cost a lot of money, but to her Ryoga's friendship is worth that and even her life if it need be. There is also the same type of additional furniture that they put into Ran Koh's room, although Ryoga didn't want the vanity Ran Koh got it anyway. All the bedrooms had the same type of furniture, only the materials changed. In one room, there is brass, in another room there is light maple, and in the last is a combination of dark oak, brass and mother of pearl. When they finish with the bedrooms, they go to each of the levels and adjust all the furnishings. Finally, they were able to start on the main floor. They set up about one hundred library selves, Ran Koh's desk with two bookstands and Ryoga's desk. Then they set up in four of the six side caves another hundred or so storage shelves. Using their speed techniques they were done around one o'clock in the morning. It is then, they finally are able to sit down and have a quick dinner of ramen, and then they head to bed exhausted. This night there were no nightmares, this night they sleep peacefully, Ryoga, Ran Koh, and Cali the little kitten.