Ranma 1/2: Ranma No More Alternate History By: Dani Yanega yanega@mindspring.com (please respond to this e-mail address) Chapter Forty Four In their minds the light warriors see what is happening at the Nekohanten. They marvel at how impressive Alex is at handling the signing of the contract. They are happy to see that Alex takes care not only to protect Ran Koh in this negotiation but the rest of the Light Warriors, and any of the army that trains the Amazons. Msu Tsu tells Nodoka what is happening since her curiosity has been sharply increasing since the link is made with the magic users. Nodoka listens with pride as her daughter and friends work to protect all parties involved, to ensure everyone comes away from this with something and keep what is theirs to start. The warriors take turns telling Nodoka what is happening and who is there waiting for them when they returned. All the talking stops when Ryoga whispers in surprised awe. "Daniel!" Ryoga barely gets out as his eyes widen with shock. /*\*/*\ The group in the Nekohanten turns to the door to stare at a stranger. He has long blonde hair to just below his shoulder blades and held back into a loose ponytail. He stands 6' 4" and is very muscular; his eyes are a deep chocolate brown. His complexion is a ruddy outdoors color, and denotes someone who travels a lot. He wears a sleeveless olive green cotton shirt which is opened to just about two inches above his belted black denim pants. He wears black leather boots, but the most prominent feature is the two broad swords which are crossed on his back. Everyone one in the room looks at the stranger with varying degrees of interest to suspicion. The young females in the room look at him with dreamy stares, all but Ran Koh and Kasumi. Ran Koh stares with uncertainty and Kasumi just smiles sweetly as she takes hold of Tofu's hand. The elders look at him as a possible addition to their tribe and the Takashi men and the Light warriors look at him with suspicion. The doctors just look at him with curiosity. "Daniel?" Ran Koh blurts out calling the attention of the stranger to her from his looking around the restaurant. "Well, my lovely lady have we met?" He asks with a smile that makes Ran Koh uncomfortable and Samuel angry. "N..No, but you know a friend of mine Hibiki Ryoga!" Ran Koh states with a small amount of nervousness. Daniel looks at the white hair sorceress with a raised eyebrow. Then steps closer to her taking her hand in his, he brings it to his lips and kisses the back of it. While never letting his brown eyes leave her amethyst ones. He still holds her hand as he straightens and never looks at anyone else in the room when he responds. "I am going to have to have a _talk_ with Hibiki for keeping such an exotically beautiful woman a secret." He tells her with a wide smile, and keeping a tight hold on her hand as she tries to pull it away. "Ryoga and I have been corresponding since we met several years ago, I recently received his letter about what has been going on and came to join in the fight." He tells them stepping even closer to Ran Koh who tries to back up a step but bumps into the table instead. "What do you mean you will sign for the warriors Mr. Uh..um?" Samuel asks as he squeezes in between Daniel and Ran Koh taking her hand from the wandering warrior, and changing to his cursed form. The warrior watches with an amused expression as he stares into a pair of angry brown eyes. He looks over Samuel's shoulder and smiles with a wink at Ran Koh, then turns back to the wizard with a smug smile. "The full name is Daniel Randson, I am a swordsman and will sign your contract with the Amazons on behalf of the warriors, archers, and other combatant members of your army." He tells Samuel and the others, while stepping back to allow Samuel and Ran Koh some breathing room. "I don't think we..!" Samuel starts but is cut off by an old female voice behind them. "We Amazons except Mr. Randson as the spokesman for his group of warriors." They all turn to see Mas Cra and Ku Lon standing on their canes a gleam in their beady little black eyes. "Then all aspects of the army are covered and we will now sign, do the Amazons wish to sign first or shall the Light Warriors?" Alex asks as he places the contract on the table. Mas Cra comes up and signs then Ku Lon signs for the Chinese Amazons, while Hiroshi signs for the Japanese Amazons. Each of the Light Warrior leaders sign next followed by Dr. Tofu and finally the newest member of their growing little group Daniel Randson. Who, when he finishes grabs Ran Koh around the waist with a whoop he spins her around, then gives her a passionate kiss. Which is cut short when ice shards hit the traveling warrior at the same time a calico claw rakes Daniel's cheek. Daniel drops Ran Koh due to the pain, she then spin kicks Daniel into the wall by the door. Her eyes flashing with rage. He looks at her and smiles broadly at her, then turns to Samuel and glares daggers at him. He slowly gets to his feet and wipes the blood from his cheek. He bows to the elders and the others then he turns to leave. The restaurant with a slight limp. Mirako follows giving the excuse that he is wounded. Samuel goes to the angry Ran Koh and takes her in his arms and holds her tightly to him making soothing and comforting noises. He can feel her being to relax in his arms as she slowly and hesitantly wraps her arms around him. The others watch the scene unfold in front of them. The Amazon elders watch as the last of Ranma Saotome dies and Ran Koh Takashi takes full control of her new life. The Takashi clan smile as they have only known Ran Koh as a young girl fighting to be free of and abusive father, finally reach out to someone else. /*\*/*\ Akane, Suka, and Yuri come down the Tendo's stairs wearing their new dresses. They have their makeup done up and all three look beautiful. They are letting their hair flow freely down their backs giving them an exotic look. They are each wearing a pair of Akane's shoes as they forgot to get matching one. The dresses fit the girls like a second skin. Soun and Genma watch while the three girls head out. They decided that since the Nekohanten is the place to be at this time they will go to a movie then a late supper at the Cat Café. /*\*/*\ The three girls leave the two fathers staring with their mouths scrapping the floor. They look at each other then back at the door where Akane and her friends just departed. They couldn't believe their ears the girls are going to the Nekohanten later, and with Akane dressed like she is Ranma is sure to fall for her. The two men forget the pain they are in and jump up and begin dancing. "Tendo we need to make sure that this night goes off without a hitch. We need to make sure that Ranma falls for your daughter." Genma tells his old friend with a slap on the back. "Quite right Saotome, my little girl is going to be married, WWWWWAAAAAHHHHHH!" Genma backs away from Tendo till he calms down enough to make a plan. /*\*/*\ The three girls leave the movie around 8:00pm they have some time to enjoy their dinner before having to go home and to bed, for tomorrow is a the start of school. The girls blush at all the attention they get from the men and boys they pass. Well except for Akane she fumes at the leering looks directed her way. "Stupid perverts! _Why_ can't I deck one or two of them!" She complains, her friends just laugh at her as they walk to the restaurant. "Oh, come on Akane they are looking a three beautiful women, if they were perverts they would try to do more then just look." Suka tells her with a slight giggle. "HOLD! Do mine eyes deceive me, but my tigress Akane comes forth to date her true love!" Kuno steps from the shadows all three girls roll their eyes in disgust. "Go away Kuno-sempi! I am out with my friends and want _nothing_ to do with you!" Akane growls, she is being held back by Yuri and Suka. "Ahh what loveliness tis this I see before me three lovely maidens that comes to service the Blue Thunder of Furinkan High!" Kuno continues ignoring Akane's outburst. Kuno reaches out and grabs a hold of Yuri and tries to pull her toward him. Akane knows she promised not to get mad or in a fight but this was too much she stormed forward summoning her mallet. She swings it like a baseball bat and it connects with Kuno's head sending him flying over the buildings of the business district. Akane watches him go then turns to her friends. She quickly vanishes her hammer and looks sheepishly at the two other girls. "I am sorry guys. I know I promised but I couldn't let Kuno do that to you." Akane tells them with a small frown. Both Yuri and Suka jump at Akane giving her big hugs. She turns and looks at them with a little bit of confusion. They smile at her. Then each takes hold of her hand and drags her to the restaurant. "You did nothing wrong Akane except save your friends from a _real_ pervert." Suka tells her with a wide grin. Akane blushes, and giggles with happiness, since she is finally able to say she protected someone. The girls enter the Nekohanten laughing and giggling, they wait at the door to be seated. They didn't have to wait long when Che Ri came to escort them to a table. Akane and the Amazon exchange glares, but neither say anything. Especially since both Yuri and Suka place their hands on Akane's shoulders to remind her of her promise. They are seated in a booth near the window away from the private dining room occupied by the Light Warriors, the Amazons, the Takashi clan, and the doctors. The group looks as if they are waiting for someone else. Akane watches Ran Koh and notices she seems agitated, she is curious, then she spots Kasumi coming from the kitchen followed by Nabiki and a young redheaded gajin woman. She starts to get up when she hears Yuri and Suka gasp. She looks back at them and sees their gaze is directed at the door of the restaurant. She turns and sees a well tanned gajin with long blonde hair and two large swords on his back. She watches as he looks around the room, his eyes lingering on their table for a moment then he turns and heads for the private dining room his eyes she notices riveted on Ran Koh, who is glowing ever so slightly. She watches as the new comer as he bows to the woman she knows as Nodoka Saotome, no she is now known by her maiden name of Takashi. He then rises and smacks Ran Koh's friend on the back in a friendly gesture. Oh what is his name, drat she couldn't remember. She then turns to her friends and smiles slightly at them. "I will be right back I want to say hi to my sisters." Akane tells them as they nod absently still staring at the private dining room and all the handsome men sitting there. She walks toward the dining room her advancement being observed only by Megan. She excuses her self and meets Akane halfway to the dining room. She is now glad her father was stationed in Japan for several years and she had learned the language. Her Japanese friends always loved to hear speak their language with an Irish accent they said it made the Japanese sound more romantic. Akane stops and faces the redheaded gajin woman who smiles and bows deeply to her. Akane is trying to remember her English when the woman begins speaking Japanese with a strange accent. "Good evening, miss Tendo. May I help you?" Megan knows of the younger Tendo's temper and tries to remain polite and calm. "I..I want to see my sisters." Akane asks a little flustered at the woman knowing who she is since she has never met her before. "Well I am afraid that, you are about to interrupt a very private meeting, but I will tell your sisters you wish to see them. I am sure they will be happy to know you are here." Megan bows again and turns leaving a confused Akane behind. Akane watches the redhead return to the dining room and talk to Kasumi and Nabiki, she then notices that she talks to two of the gajin men in the group who turn to look at her. They then stand and close the curtains blocking any more view of the dining room. Akane's memory registers that they are using the same dining room that was destroyed over a week ago. She stands waiting for her sisters but no one leaves the room, and Akane begins to get angry. She is looking like a fool standing there, but she refuses to go back to her table without seeing her sisters, and finding out what is going on. She hates being treated like an outcast and storms toward the dining room. She reaches for the curtain when she hears the warning. "I wouldn't do that if I were you, it will only cause you great pain and embarrassment." Akane turns and sees Cy Sin standing behind her and to the left. She glares defiantly at the Amazon and grabs the curtain. Cy Sin shakes her head at her stubbornness and decides she would make a good Amazon if she would grow up. Cy Sin walks away with a smirk since she knows what is going to happen next she doesn't want to be around _to close_ for the fire works. The second Akane touches the curtain she is sorry she did. Her hand burns as if on fire, but she sees no damage. She tries to let go but hand refuses to listen to her brain. The pain becomes intense while she tries to free herself. Tears begin to roll down her cheeks while she works on trying to let go. She starts to collapse when a pair of arms catch her from behind. /*\*/*\ Genma and Soun follow the huge gajin into the restaurant once inside they sneak to a table in a dark corner and watch Akane and her friends. They are excited when they see Akane showing interest in the group in the private dining room. The two men assume it is because of Ranma. Soun gasps and tears begin to flow when he sees Kasumi and Nabiki enter the dining room he starts to rise to run to them but is held in check by Genma. "We don't want them to know we're here, you want those warriors to attack us again." Genma growls at his cohort. Soun shakes his head and sits back down, but keeps his eyes on his two wayward daughters. Genma nudges him then points at Akane while she makes her way to the dining room. Soun's eyes light up with excitement while he watches his daughter head for the private dining room. The two men watch her progress, and then her conversation with the redhead. The sag when Akane stays put while the redhead returns to the dining room talking to Kasumi and Nabiki. They notice her talk to two of the males of the group. Both men wonder who all those people are and when that group got so big. They watch while the two men close the curtains blocking theirs and everyone else's view. Soun turns to watch his daughter stand and wait for something. He then notices the slight blue glow appear around her and knows trouble is about to start. The two men watch while Akane heads for the private dining room, they watch her happily as she reaches for the drapes. They believe she is going to claim her fiancé. They see one of the older Amazons talk briefly with the young girl then shake her head and walk away. They watch with smile when Akane takes hold of the curtain. Their happiness turns to confusion when Akane stops and does no more then take hold of the drapes. The confusion turns to horror when they see tears start to form in her eyes. "Something is wrong!" Soun whispers urgently, before Genma can stop him Soun bolts toward his daughter. He sees her trying to pull her hand free and her mouth open in a silent scream. He sees her start to collapse still clutching the drapes. Soun reaches her in time to catch her before she hits the floor. Akane looks back over her shoulder to see her father look at her with worry. Soun reaches up and gently pries his daughter loose from the curtains. When she is free she falls back into his comforting arms. Soun then leads her back to the table with her friends. Genma joins them with mock worry on his face. /*\*/*\ Rufino and Roberto, get up after talking with Megan. They close the drapes then return to their seats. Samuel's black and silver Tao symbol glows changing him into his wizard half. Daniel watches with interest and wonders what Ran Koh's other side is. Samuel then casts a spell on the room sealing it from further intrusion until the meeting is over, those inside the room suddenly hear nothing of what is going on outside its perimeter. "Tell me niece how was your visit to school today did everything go all right for you." Ku Lon asks Ran Koh as she squirms in her seat under the intense gaze of Daniel. "Yes, the Vice Principal met us at the gate and escorted us around the building. It turns out that for most of our classes our group will be together. The only difference will be with gym and home EC." Ran Koh tells her while trying to block out Daniel's presence. "I talked with the man and was able to get him to allow the children to leave at lunch. I explained that they needed to help run the Amazon business to help support the family. It was helpful that they were able to prove that they neither needed home EC training or gym class." Nodoka tells them with a proud smile. "I see, more knowledge gained from your great grandmother Ra Koh, child?" The sorceress is asked by Mas Cra, Ran Koh nods, and silently grins at Daniel's confusion. "Elders do you know when the rest of the Amazons will be arriving? We can start your training tomorrow but the sooner they start training the better." Ran Koh explains with some urgency. Both elders look at the young girl with some concern as they see the haunted look in her eyes. They turn to the other sect leaders and see the same look as well. Ukyo sees their concern and confusion and explains. "The last encounter with the monks this morning gave us leaders the ability to sense the evil as it builds. We can judge roughly how close it is to completion. I am afraid that during our trip to the school we were hit with the presence of another source of evil. This one farther away then one we felt this morning after the monks left." Ukyo looks at the elders with the same haunted look she shudders, then continues. "It seems that 'He Who Devours the Light' can not awake until all his generals have been awaken. One is already being revived, though hopefully it will take some time. The generals are scattered across the globe but once they are all fully awake they will converge here since this is where 'He Who Devours the Light' is." Ukyo waits for the implications to sink in, she hears a gasp coming from Kasumi. "Then that evil you felt after the monks changed you was the..!" Kasumi couldn't finish as it horrified her to think of it. "Yes Kasumi the first presence of evil we felt was 'He Who Devours the Light', but he can not fully revive until his generals rejoin with him. They are now being revived we can sense each one, once they being to wake." Taj tells the group, with a shudder. "Do you know how many generals there are going to be?" Keitaro asks of the Light Warriors. "Well there are suppose to be six, but in the last battle 'He Who Devours the Light' lost about half his generals. He needs all six to be revived before he can rise. It's their power the brings him fully into our world." Joshua tells them with a blank stare in his eyes. "This will give us a little more time to prepare, since the three surviving generals must be woken first, they will need to use their powers to bring forth three new generals from the realm they are banished to." Martina continues with vacant staring eyes. The non Light Warriors look to each warrior and notice they all have the same hollow staring eyes, as if they are being feed this information by a separate party. When Jasmine picks up from were Martina left off the elders at last are certain of it. "They can only retrieve enough entities to increase their number to the original six and they must be equal to them in power or 'He Who Devours the Light' can not rise." Jasmine stares solemnly a tear slowly escaping as if she does not want to hear what is being told her. "When they bring forth the new generals this will drain them considerably, making them to weak to bring forth their leader. They must then regain their strength, to revive him." Roberto continues the explanation his eyes clearing for a moment, long enough to reach out and take Jasmine's hand. "Once they are at full strength they will converge here off of Japans coast and bring forth the evil of 'He Who Devours the Light'. It will take them some time to bring him fourth since three of their number is new, but they will do it as quickly as they can." Anna continues with a shudder. The Light Warriors suddenly become lucid again and look at each other with some confusion. They then turn to the others who have been watching the exchange with some worry and a lot of confusion. "What just happen to you all?" Daniel asks his eyes wide with undisguised fear and awe. "It seems Takashi-san's question triggered a link set up by the monks, to them. When questions are asked that we do not know the answers to the monk feed us the information we need, as long as they feel it is needed to be known by others outside the Light Warriors." Msu Tsu tells them with a warm feeling left by the link with his brother. "Well to answer your question I believe a contingent of thirty of our best warriors will be arriving within the next two weeks, along with another elder." Mas Cra informs the group. "We will need to build the remainder of the army from people from elsewhere in the world. Though I think that your army will come to you quickly as those destined to fight this battle will be drawn to you." Ku Lon explains, she then looks to Ran Koh and takes a deep sigh. "The counsel refuses to fight with the Musk and those of Phoenix mountain as they are our enemies and we do not want our secrets passed on to them. Mas Cra and I finally got them to agree to ask them, but with the stipulation that none of what you know from Ra Koh or any Amazon techniques are taught them. Do you agree?" Ku Lon asks her with a stern look. "Yes I agree! What say the representatives of the other groups?" Ran Koh turns and looks at each in turn all agree. "Then I will make a codicil to the contract stating that and we can all sign it tomorrow." Alex tells them making a note in a planner, the group still mumbling its agreement. "I think since there is going to be a large number of Amazons coming Ryoga, Anna and I should move out of the complex and to our own place." Ran Koh tells the stunned group. "Child it is not safe for you to be alone with Genma and Soun after you. There is plenty of room here for the three of you." Mas Cra tells the white hair sorceress. "No, I think it would be better that we did, besides it seems the vacant apartment building next door would be better not only for us but the entire group of the Light Warriors. There are forty plus apartments and the remaining apartments can be used for those warriors coming who need a place to stay." Ran Koh tells them while shaking her head and smiling. "We will move in tomorrow after school and I have talked with the Japanese Diet and they have agreed to extend the Amazon territory to include that building." Ran Koh's smile gets even bigger. "How long have you been planning this child?" Ku Lon asks with a small grin. "Since we found out about why we were changed. Michael was kind enough to help me furnish all the apartments, and if need be some of the warriors can double up. There are six apartments on the first floor and a community room, the other five floors have about eight to ten apartments each. We will give shelter to those warriors who do not have any." Ryoga tells the elder with a knowing smile. "So the sect leaders will take the six apartments on the first floor, and the other members will choose which apartment the wish to use. The community room will be our war room. The money Ryoga and I make here will help support the apartments since I bought the building outright, we only need to pay the utilities and since it is Amazon territory there is no taxes." Ran Koh tells them with a little sadness. "How big are the apartments, daughter?" Nodoka asks with eager eyes. "They are two bedroom with kitchenette and a small bathroom." Nodoka smiles but before she can say anything Mas Cra jumps in. "Then my I suggest you start from the outset and double up. The sect leaders each share an apartment and the light warriors double up as well. That will leave one female without a roommate to start but.." Nodoka cuts her off quickly when she sees her chance. "I can room with her then. Since I am training as one of the army I should stay near by. I am also not to sure about unmarried couples sharing apartments together." Nodoka finishes with a glare at the three male sect leaders. "It is ok mom, as soul mates we would never do anything to hurt the other besides only Alex and Taj have a romantic connection the rest of us feel our soul mate is more of a very close brother or sister. Besides if you think I'm going to get La Si mad at me your nuts!" Ran Koh tells her with a wide grin, as the two elders bust out laughing. La Si who had remained in the room when it was sealed took Ryoga's hand in hers. They each smile sheepishly at each other, then turn to face the scrutinizing stare of La Si's great grandmother. Ran Koh's eyes widen. She then turns quickly to Ryoga. "Are you sure Ryoga?" The others look at her with confusion except the other leaders, as they just smile. "*SIGH!* They have asked that I make the announcement. Ryoga has asked La Si to marry him, they have decided they wish to be married now since they may not survive the war." Ran Koh tells the group with a sad smile. "You will need to challenge her, _boy_ she is my heir!" Mas Cra growls in mock anger. "No they don't Mas Cra, you know that at times of war that the challenge can be put aside, besides he already did and he won. All that remains now is for them to consummate the union. They however want a ceremony for their family and friends." Ku Lon tells the with a sly grin. "WHAT!? When did they have a challenge?" Mas Cra asks incredulously. "They came to me a few days ago to officiate the challenge, I agreed and at the end of the week we will have the ceremony in the community room of the apartment building. So that will leave Ran Koh without a roommate unless she wants to share with the newlyweds." Ku Lon tells them with a mischievous grin.