Ranma 1/2: Ranma No More Alternate History By: Dani Yanega yanega@mindspring.com (please respond to this e-mail address) http://mindspring.com/~yanega/index.htm Chapter Fifty One Mr. Morboshi watches as his two students storm from the 'Joketsuzoku Village', he is unsure if he should go with them or enter the establishment. He decides his students are more important and follows the retreating figure of Ran Koh and Msu Tsu. /*\*/*\ Ran Koh walks into Nerima park she looks around for her friend and spots him sitting on a bench next to the lake. She walks up to join him, as she sits down she looks out across the lake while Msu Tsu throws pebbles into the cool water. "It is a beautiful place to do thinking, don't you think?" Ran Koh asks him while she continues to look out upon the lake. "Yes I guess so. Why are you here Ran Koh?" Msu Tsu stares at her from the corner of his eye, suspicion glowing in them. "*SIGH*! I am worried for you and Tal Kom, of all the people we know I am probably the only one who can understand what you are going through." She looks down at her delicate hands that are folded in her lap. "_DON'T YOU DARE_, PRETEND TO KNOW WHAT I AM GOING THROUGH! _No one_ not even Tal Kom can know the betrayal I have felt at what my grandmother did to me!" The young Chinese boy shouts at the beautiful white hair girl. Ran Koh jumps to her feet and glares down at the angry Msu Tsu the rage of lavender fire glowing in her haunted eyes. Msu Tsu has the good sense to look away in shame at the pain he sees filling the girl's eyes. "YOU ARE WRONG MSU TSU, DEAD WRONG! Of all of our friends _I am the only one_ who understands! Do you think you were the only one betrayed by a family member. Do you think you were the only one who thought they were loved only to be tossed aside when it got to hard for others to be around you! _Don't you dare pull that wounded child act on me!_ Li Ly did what she did to save your life and keep you from harm. My _FATHER_ used me to get what he wanted in life, I am nothing but a bargaining chip to him, to feed his fat stomach and just so he can live in luxury, while I slave to support him! So don't you _dare_ tell me I don't know how you feel!" Ran Koh finishes her purple and forest green aura blazing around her. Msu Tsu lowers his head his face coloring with embarrassment. He looks up at the one person outside the Phoenix Sect that put their life on the line to get him protection from the Amazon Counsel. He takes a deep breath and stands to face the fiery warrior before him. He tentatively embraces her and is happy when instead of punching him into a tree she returns the embrace. "I am sorry _sister_, you are correct! You of all others know what I am going through and I am glad you are here for me." Msu Tsu pulls back and they smile at each other. "I can get use to that you know." Ran Koh tells the Phoenix member. "Get use to what?" Msu Tsu asks with a look of confusion. "_Sister_, I like the sound of that a lot!" They both begin to laugh, but stop suddenly at the voice behind them. "Well I am glad it wasn't as bad as I thought it was." The two teenagers turn to see their first period teacher standing behind them. "Greetings Morboshi-sensei." Both teenagers chorus while they bow to their sensei. "Is there a problem that I may be able to help with?" He asks genuine concern on his face. "No sensei but thank you for asking it is a family matter that I must deal with." Msu Tsu tells his teacher. "Well then shall we return to 'The Joketsuzoku Village'? I am quite intrigued about your offer this morning." Mr. Morboshi tells them with a curious smile. Both Light Warriors chuckle then they flank their sensei and lead him back toward their home. They wonder how the instructor is going to feel working with a birdman. The walk back was talk of hobbies and old and hopefully new on the part of Ran Koh. /*\*/*\ Tomas watches his brother train some of the Amazons in the use of his wizardry, a scowl never leaving his face. He watches as the white hair sorceress returns with two others. His scowl deepens at the smile that comes to his brother's lips. He watches as the strange man is being introduced to the elders, who then lead him away to the war room of the apartment building Ran Koh going with them. "Do you think it is appropriate that you behave that way with _her_ brother?" Tomas asks his younger brother as he walks up to him. "Behave what way brother?" Samuel asks not looking at his brother but stiffening at the comment. "Nothing can come of it _she_ is fine for a distraction but you are the son of a chief and are required to marry..how shall I say this?" Tomas pauses and is about to finish when he begins to fly backwards into the nearest tree courtesy of a punch from Samuel. "You do not need to put it anyway _brother_. Do not forget I gave up my inheritance because I would not be forced into a loveless marriage. I am free to do as I please. My relationship with _Ran Koh_ is none of your concern!" Samuel glares down at his brother who can only look up at his glowing black and silver brother in shock. The confrontation between the brothers is being watched with great interest. The eyes shine with hunger and lust as they peer at the two warring brothers then look to where Ran Koh has disappeared into the apartment building. A few moments later Mr. Morboshi leaves the building a wide happy grin on his face. He bows to the elders, then waves at Ran Koh and finally turns and leaves with a little happy skip in his step. The elders and Ran Koh watch him leave with small grins. Ran Koh's grin fades when she spots Msu Tsu standing alone his head bowed, as he is deep in thought. Her frown deepens when she spots Li Ly walk up to him. She watches as Li Ly pauses some distance from her grandson and begins to speak to him. She watches as Msu Tsu stiffens then sags his face full of confusion, mistrust and betrayal. Ran Koh watches as Li Ly pleads her case, and deep inside her Ran Koh hopes Msu Tsu is listening. "Don't worry child unlike your father, Li Ly loves her grandsons they will see that and a family torn will be mended." Ran Koh turns and stares hopefully at her great aunt. "I hope so Aunt Ku Lon I really do." Ran Koh responds as she walks away to join the training. Ku Lon watches her go then turns her attention to her friend Li Ly and her grandson, Msu Tsu. She finds herself wishing for a reunion as well. Ku Lon turns and follows her niece it is time to start training the Light Warriors in the Bakusai Teknetsu. The groans can be heard for over a block away when Ku Lon tells the Light Warriors the good news. She and the two other matriarchs begin to lead them to the training ground where they will start their training. /*\*/*\ The groans of pain fill the valley below the mountain that houses Ran Koh's lab, the scholars in the lab going over the tomes and journals are in shock that they can hear the sounds of the Light Warriors' pain from where they are. Morboshi Nguyen eyes sparkle while he looks through several ancient tomes that are spread out in front of him. Calcoridan watches him with an amused smile. He remembers how he felt the first time he was let loose in the archives at Phoenix Mountain. Ran Koh did well to choose him as part of the scholastic team. The passion he has for ancient text will show when it is truly needed. The scholars cringe when the sound of pain reaches their ears from the base of the mountain. They stare at where the door should be and visibly shudder. Morboshi-sensei looks to his companion with a worried frown. "They are going to be alright aren't they? It sounds as if they are killing them down there." He asks a sweat drop appearing on his forehead. "Do not worry boy, the training they are taking would not be given to them if they could not handle it." Calcoridan tells him, Nguyen snaps his head to the bird man with an angry scowl. "HEY! I happen to be thirty two, I am a full grown man! What's with this _BOY_ stuff!" His eyes flashing with indignation. "HAHAHAHA! I am sorry my friend but in your world you are a man but in mine you are still a _boy_! I happen to be older then Ku Lon and Mas Cra although I can't remember by how much. I don't pay much attention to birthdays anymore." He tells the teacher with a shrug of his shoulders, his wings ruffling slightly. The sounds of pain come to them again and they again shudder in sympathy. They try to block out the groans and return to the task at hand, gathering information that will save the lives of as many innocents as possible. /*\*/*\ At the base of the mountain the valley is littered with bodies of the Light Warriors. Their Amazon instructors standing over them with grim expressions. A very terse voice sounds behind the warriors, a voice they are beginning to dislike a whole lot. "Come now stand up we will do it again. You have learned many techniques quickly this should be no problem for you either." Li Ly walks behind the Light warriors a smug smile on her face. The Light Warriors are before her trussed up in the harness for learning the Bakusai Teknetsu. She knows they can not learn this technique and she doubts they know anything at all. Some of the Light Warriors lay prone on the ground bruises forming on their bodies and gasping for breath. Some of the others are barely standing, their breaths just as raspy but they refuse to give any satisfaction to the Amazon Elder tormenting them. Still some of the others were just leaning against each other to keep themselves from falling. After a small respite the warriors stand, they know that learning this technique might mean life or death for them. They know the Bakusai Teknetsu is not really that good of a battle technique, but what is does do is make then nearly invincible to damage, it makes them stronger and gives them more stamina. It is those attributes that the warriors need and they plan on having them. Ran Koh smiles when she looks up from training her mother and the other two elders sorcery she smiles at her new friends and their determination. She then scowls when her gaze falls on Li Ly. She turns and looks to Msu Tsu, she sees him watching his grandmother, with a mixture of love, confusion, betrayal, guilt, and hate. She knows the guilt is because of his hate of her. Ku Lon comes up and places a hand on her shoulder. Ran Koh turns and looks at her aunt. "Don't worry child, they will work it out all three of them will. Msu Tsu and Tal Kom will come to understand why she did what she did. It will hurt but they will grow stronger from it." Ran Koh then looks back to Msu Tsu and nods her head. She turns back and begins their training again. She was finding that not many of the warriors have the ability to do magic. Alex and Samuel say they are finding the same problem. Of the three elders Ku Lon and Mas Cra were the only ones able to do sorcery. She knew Ku Lon was going to have no problem since she is a descendant of Ra Koh. It turns out Li Ly and three of the new Amazon warriors were better at magic and are starting their training with Alex when the Light Warriors learn the Bakusai Teknetsu. Xian Pu, Che Ri and one of the new Amazons were also working with her as they were best suited to sorcery. Ran Koh smiles secretively at her cousin as at night after everyone goes to bed Xian Pu is teaching her to play the flute. She is finding she loves it and her cousin is a wonderful teacher. She is also getting closer to her new cousin since they talk about much of what is bothering them. Xian Pu finding a sympatric ear, but one that does not judge her. Ran Koh turns and sees La Si in the distance with Cy Sin and Ryoga as the three of them spar it turns out they are to learn with Samuel along with four of the new Amazons. She wishes there were more who can use magic but they will have to make do with what they have. What worries her is they will not be very powerful but she hopes they will be powerful enough to do some damage. Her thoughts are again broken off when she hears the pain of her friends as they are hit once more with boulders. She smiles when she hears several of them shouting out the technique and then hears the explosion of the rocks. "BAKUSAI TEKNETSU!" Four of the Light Warriors stand in shock as the boulder coming at them explodes into fragments. "YYYYYAAAAAHHHHHHH!" Comes the simultaneous cry of the four as they try to give each other a high five, which is not easy to do when your hand is bound and only one finger is showing. The other Light Warriors look on with jealousy and disdain, then with eager anticipation as they realize they also can learn. The remaining Light Warriors stand taller and demand more boulders. Their four friends giving them encouragement and wanting to continue with the training to make sure they have it down pat. When they leave the valley that night after almost two weeks, all the Light Warriors have the Bakusai Teknetsu technique in their repertoire. Ran Koh's students have done well also, her mother is fast approaching an intermediate sorceress while the Amazons are closing the gap behind them and Nodoka. /*\*/*\ Their return to the 'Joketsuzoku Village' does not go unobserved. Akane watches as the Amazons and her classmates return many of them with bruises. She knows they were training and wants to train with them but she has gotten off on the wrong foot with them and deep down knows she is not on their level. A smile slowly crosses her face. [I am not on their level _yet_!] She turns and walks back toward her family's home to prepare for her new training regimen whether her sensei likes it or not. /*\*/*\ None of the worn out fighters seem to want sleep all are running high on adrenaline as they prepare for the next day's special event. Since it is the weekend the elders decide to close 'The Joketsuzoku Village' to hold the nuptials of Ryoga and La Si. The Amazons that did not go on the training trip were busy decorating the main hall for the ceremony. The nuptials are going to take place on the first landing to the upstairs, while the bride will descend the stairs on the left and groom on the right. They already have an arch on the landing covered in white roses. The banisters are garnished with garland of white roses also. They also put down a long white rug to the front door going down the center of rows of folding chairs and stopping at the Nekohanten. Inside, the restaurant is also being decorated with white wedding bells, ribbon and roses. The tables are pushed from the center of the floor to leave that space for dancing. The tables have white linen table cloths and brandy snifters with a white candles in them and are sitting in the center of a wreath of white tea cup roses. The bridal table will seat eight, the bridal couple each chose someone special for the best man and maid of honor then asked the leaders of the Sects to stand with them. La Si's choice was Xian Pu while Ryoga's was Ran Koh. "You don't have to be a male if you don't want to Ran Koh I just want you to stand with me." Ryoga tells his friend while they prepare for the next day. "I don't mind Ryoga it is not like I will spend the whole day as a male and besides I want this to be the most perfect day in your life, well next to when your children are born." Ran Koh looks at him with a wry grin, as Ryoga's eyes widen at the thought of children. "The outfit I will be wearing tomorrow will lend itself to both my male and female side so for the ceremony only Ranma Saotome will be resurrected, to stand by his best bud at his wedding." Ryoga smiles at his friend, who winks at him. The two Tiger Sect warriors do not see the shadow that is watching them, it hangs its head and turns and returns back to the kitchen. It pauses in the doorway and looks back at the two. The moonlight filters into the room highlighting Nodoka's face showing a small frown on her face and a tear slowly traveling down her cheek. She then disappears into the kitchen to help with food preparation. /*\*/*\ 'The Joketsuzoku Village' is up early finishing the final preparations before the ceremony. The Amazons work with great speed and diligence while the elders decide who will do the ceremony. It is Ran Koh who tells the elders what the couple want. "I am afraid that it will be none of you." Ran Koh tells the arguing elders when she enters Ku Lon's office, all three turn toward her in shock. "WHAT!" Comes the cry from all three. "Is this your doing _girl_?" Li Ly spits out at the young sorceress, Ran Koh glares at her, her eyes alight with lavender fire. "This is _their_ decision. La Si did not want to hurt any of you by choosing one over the other. She tells me that back in the village a priestess would perform the ceremony but since you did not bring one." She shrugs her shoulders and walks to the window. "We can legally perform the ceremony any matriarch can!" Ku Lon continues a hurt look quickly flashing in her eyes. "Yes, you can but at what cost? La Si is afraid to choose one of you because she does not want to hurt any of you. She thought is was quite funny really that of all the matriarchs the ones she cares the most for are here with her in Japan." Ran Koh's reflection shows a sad smile as she watches the sun rise in the golden horizon. "She has asked that the minister from the church down the street to officiate. This was a hard enough decision on her so I ask you please don't ruin this day for her by making her feel guilty." Ran Koh asks them turning to face them, her eyes begging them to agree. The three elders look at Ran Koh then at each other. The hurt evident on their faces, but they understand why La Si has chosen this path. Then all three turn back toward Ran Koh and nod in agreement. They marvel at the beautiful smile she gives them, it is the first true smile any of them have ever seen her give. Ran Koh bows respectfully to all three women then leaves the room. They all look at one another then follow their new Amazon sister from the office. They come downstairs to see guests already arriving and it is not even six yet. They see Kasumi and Tofu arrive and smile. They knew the Tendo girl is there to help and the Doctor can be put to use making sure the chairs and tables are just so. Ku Lon takes Kasumi to the kitchen while Li Ly and Mas Cra lead the doctor to the other men and starts having them organize the tables better and finish with the decorations. Six Amazons come down stairs and enter the Nekohanten, they make their way to a raised platform with six chairs and an arch of white roses set in the corner by the window on the far side of the restaurant. Msu Tsu, Daniel and Tomas have been _volunteered_ to set up the rose covered arch over the door to restaurant. "Now this is something I don't mind breaking my promise for!" They all turn to see Nabiki standing in the door her eyes alight with mischief, and a broad smile on her face. Jason Adder her boss and escort stands behind her holding a multitude of camera equipment. He looks around the room pleading for help but all he gets are snickers. Nabiki walks in and begins to set up several of her video cameras in the different corners to make sure she doesn't miss anything. She then sends Jason to the car to retrieve the boxes of blank tapes and sets up small tables by each camera. When Jason returns he sees the Amazons have already decorated the tables and the areas where the camera are so they do not stand out to badly. He then begins to place a dozen tapes on top of each table plus a case of blank tapes under the tables. He still can't believe that some Amazon wedding ceremonies can last for as long as two weeks. Though this one will probably only last for the weekend since some of the people here need to go to school on Monday. Jason finishes stocking the cameras in the Nekohanten then begins to look for the slave driver to see what else needs to be done. "This is perfect I can get the marriage alter and their walk to the reception. We can also put a camera here so we don't miss any of the guests entering. I can show several of your warriors how to change the tapes." Jason hears Nabiki and follows her voice. "Nabiki I can not believe you owned this many video cameras! Have you ever thought about being a professional photographer?" Ran Koh asks as she watches the Tendo girl meticulously set up her cameras. "Hey quit trying to steal my employees!" Nabiki straightens and Ran Koh turns to see Jason. "Slave I think is what you meant to say _Mr. Adder_!" Nabiki tells him with a warm smile, he responds with one of his own. They all stop when the music starts and they walk to the window and look in the restaurant to see the six Amazons play a variety of different flutes and clarinets practicing for later. Only Ran Koh spots her cousin hiding behind one of the private dining room curtains a sad wistful look on her face.