Pug Productions ********************************* Author: Pug cruzd@rpi.edu http://www.rpi.edu/~cruzd/pug/pug.html ********************************* Insert standard disclaimer here: A fan fiction based on Takahashi Rumiko's Manga series, Ranma 1/2. The characters of Ranma 1/2 are the property of Takahashi Rumiko and her licensees. All characters portrayed in this story are owned by their respective creators and companies. I don't own any of them. Please don't sue me. Genre: Ranma/Tenchi Muyo Alternate Reality, cross-over. Version 1.00 Draft. Created 12/31/99 Please forgive any spelling of grammar mistakes. Version 1.01 Spelling and Grammar corrections Previous: This work is based off a previous story of mine, “The Girl who wasn’t and the Princess who was” In short, Ranma left Nermia to start his live anew. While searching for a cure to his curse, he came to the Masaki shrine and there he met Achika. The rest of the story is based on the Tenchi movie: Tenchi Muyo In Love. Ranma and Achika face Kain together and defeat the space criminal. The result of this leads Ranma to a cure as well as love between him and Achika. Now with out further ado, I present… Father of the Prince Prologue: A boy ran through the woods. He wore a pair of worn gray pants and the blue shirt. His dark hair done up in a ponytail was matted with sweat. He wiped his brow feeling a sting as perspiration touched his eyes. The trees lining the way rushed by as his feet carried him down the dirt path. There was a look of fear on his face as he pushed himself to go faster. With a surge of adrenaline he picked up the pace constantly looking behind him to see if he was being followed. In once such instance he fell to the ground as his foot caught and exposed tree root. A small object fell out from within his shirt and skittered in front of him. It was an oddly shaped rod somewhat resembling a sword hilt. The boy quickly recovered from his fall, clawing his way up from the dirt and picking up the hilt. He was off again racing down the path. He gripped the stick so tightly that his knuckles were turning white. Eventually the maze of branched and leaves parted. In the clearing the boy looked down toward his destination. A white house with a red tile roof sitting next to a lake. With a final surge of strength he sprinted to the door opening it and slamming it shut behind him. He finally relaxed leaning his back to the door. As he struggled to catch his breath he looked up and saw a pair of two pairs of eyes looking at him. Sitting together on the couch was an older man and a woman. The two were watching television from what he could tell. “Mom, Dad! You’re here!” he exclaimed. “Where else would we be?” The man scratched his head. His hair was tied in a pigtail. “Something wrong Tenchi?” the woman asked. Her black hair ran freely down her back with her features matching very closely to his. “You look a little jumpy.” She had a concerned look on her face. “N-no nothing’s wrong,” Tenchi stuttered. He quickly shoved the sword hilt in his shirt. “Look’s like ya saw a ghost or something son.” The older man laughed jokingly. Tenchi smiled weakly. “Yeah… a ghost… haha… I’m going to my room now.” Without any further comment Tenchi rushed up to the stairs and dove into his room. The man and the woman blinked. “What to you suppose that was about Ranma?” The woman asked her husband. Ranma shrugged. “Don’t worry about it Achika. I’m sure Tenchi can handle what ever it is.” He picked up the remote and started flipping though the channels. “I suppose your right.” Achika said snuggling closer to him. Chapter 1. The Present: The school bell rang sounding the start of noon recess. As the students gathered together and chatted among themselves Tenchi sat at his desk playing around with the sword hilt he had found during the summer. There was a dubious look on his face as he studied the hilt in his hands. ‘So this was suppose to be Yosho’s sword huh? It doesn’t look like much.’ “Hey Tenchi what have you got there?” A boy asked walking up to him. He was a tall paunchy looking kid with a large nose and glasses on his face. “Huh? Oh, hi Yuta. Nothing just a piece of junk,” Tehchi said as he placed the sword hilt back into his school bag. Yuta pulled up a chair next to him. “So Tenchi, how was your summer vacation?” Tenchi shrugged “Same as usual just me working all day long. It’s suppose to be all part of training.” He grimaced remembering the daily routine of waking up at the crack of dawn to practice with his father. Sleeping in was considered a punishable offence consisting of a bucket filled with cold water. “What a big drag, didn’t you get to meet any girls.” Yuta frowned. “Ha, You think they’d come to a shabby shrine in the mountains?” “Hell no.” “You can get to meet only old men and women up there.” Tenchi lamented. “Just once I wish some cute girls would go there.” “Pretty slim pickings huh? So I guess you dated mummies all summer?” Yuta slapped him on the back and laughed at his joke. “Yeah dried up mummies… hahaha…” Tenchi stopped laughing when he remembered the what happened in the demon cave. The image of the dried up creature grabbing him and running it’s gnarled crooked fingers across his face caused him to shudder. Beads of sweat appeared on his brow. Yuta noticed his friend’s reaction. “Hey what’s wrong Tenchi?” He studied Tenchi’s pale face. “Don’t tell me that your were so hard up that you slept with a mummy!!!” Yuta accused grabbing him by the collar. Tenchi snapped. “Baka! I didn’t sleep with no mummy!!!” There was a large crash as Yuta collided with the lockers in the hall. Recovering, Tenchi looked around the room and saw everyone staring at him. “Eh… s-sorry Yuta.” He apologized profusely. Yuta accepted with a groan. Tenchi opted for a quick exit and walked out of the classroom. He clenched his fists to keep his hands from shivering. ‘Get a grip now, no one knows what I did last summer.’ He used an arm to lean against the wall and took a couple of deep breaths to help calm him down. Just as he was settling down he was startled with a tap on his shoulder. “Tenchi?” A voice behind him spoke. “Ack!!!” Jumped up and spun around quickly taking up a fighting stance. His hands were up front set to attack or defend. His body was balanced on the balls of his feet ready to react in a moments notice. As his mind caught up to his reflexes, Tenchi recognized his would be assailant. “M-mom!” Achika looked at her son with a bemused expression. “No sparring during school hours Tenchi.” “Oh uh… sorry mom,” Achika raised an eyebrow. “I mean Masaki-sensi,” Tenchi said straightening up. Achika struggled not to laugh. Tenchi reminded her much of how Ranma was like at that age. Aside from inheriting his father’s blue eyes, Tenchi also showed the sincerity of his emotions, which read off his face like a book. Achika shook her head. ‘Where does the time go? I could swear that it was only yesterday that Ranma had gotten detention for sleeping in class and I had to wait after school for him. Now I’m the one who’s trying to keep the students awake in my class.’ “Sensi?” Tenchi saw the distant look in his mother’s eyes. Achika cleared her throat. “Never mind Tenchi. Just don’t let the other teachers catch you roughhousing. There are already enough dents in the lockers without you having to throw poor Yuta into them. So no more incidents for the rest of the day, ok Tenchi?” Tenchi nodded sheepishly. “Hai Sensi.” Achika watched her son trot off. ‘At least he’s more studious than his father ever was,’ she thought to her self. Ranma still held the standing record of detention for sleeping in class. She walked back to her class with a smile on her face remembering how cute Ranma looked napping on his desk. ***---**---*** The Past: “Ranma! Ranma!! Ranma for the last time stop sleeping in class!!!” the teacher bellowed. “The answer’s Hokido!” The pigtailed boy exclaimed returning from his nap. Ranma bolted up from his desk and was greeted with a piece of chalk hitting him on the head. Mr. Hojo the math teacher buried his face in his hands in exasperation. “Uh, Kyoto? No its Osaka right?” Ranma said with his mouth running. “Ranma! Hall! Now!” the man pointed to the door. “Hai sensi,” Ranma said as he got up from his desk and headed for the door. As he passed by her, Achika shook her head. As Ranma headed off to get some buckets, Mr. Hojo continued on with the class. “All right now, can someone begin the derivation of the Pythagorean theorem? Ah yes, Nobuyuki please begin…” Lunchtime: As the students took out their lunches, Tanaka came over and sat by her friend. “Hey Achika-chan eating alone again?” She inclined her head toward Ranma who was again sleeping at his desk. “Looks like it,” Achika said gloomily. “Hm, that’s the third time this week that Ranma’s been caught sleeping in class. What have you two lovebirds been doing so late at night? Eh Achika-chan?” Tanaka leered at her friend. Achika’s face took on a red tint, then saddened a little. “Father’s has been pushing Ranma training pretty hard lately. Their practices last a lot longer now. Ranma doesn’t seem to mind though. I mean martial arts is very important to him and father hasn’t had a decent sparing partner for a long time.” “Ah, no wonder you’ve been kind of moody lately. Ranma-kun doesn’t seem to be paying enough attention to you. I’m right aren’t I?” “N-no t-that’s not it at all.” Achika quickly began stuffing her face with her lunch. Tanaka rolled her eyes. “Achika really, Ranma’s just busy lately it’s not like he’s intentionally neglecting you. I know, why don’t you tell your father that the extra training is affecting Ranma-kun’s academics and that he should lighten up a bit. It is the truth after all.” “I don’t know…” Achika said unsure. “I’m sure it will work. Besides I still remember how you tow acted after the fieldtrip to Tokyo. You so sweet to each other I was positively sick.” Tanaka laughed. “Stop making fun of me,” Achika said blushing. Finishing up the rest of her lunch she looked over to the pigtailed sleeper. ‘He really does look cute when he sleeps.’ ***---**---*** The Present: Tenchi looked down over the school grounds from his perch on the roof. With no one around it was one of his favorite spots just to sit and think. Tenshi sat with his back against the wall and sighed. His thoughts taking him back the summer vacation. Ever since was he was little his grandfather had filled his head with storied about the shrine and its founding. A demon falling from the sky and warrior of light coming to defeat it and locking it away in the cave. His mother was another source of information. Her beliefs in the stories were as strong as his grandfather’s. From the first time he had stood at the mouth of the demon’s cave Tenchi had wanted to know from himself if there was something there. For years Tenchi had sought out to enter the darkness and learn the truth, but there was always one obstacle, his father. He remembered the first time his father caught him trying to find the keys to the gate entrance. **--*--** “Tenchi, there is enough complications in life that you don’t want to go looking around for more. “ Ranma said seriously to the eight-year-old boy. “Trust me on this, ok Tenchi?” The little boy reluctantly nodded. “Yes papa.” Ranma sighed remembering how active little boys were. “Tenchi, I think it’s about time I started to teach you something.” Tenchi perked up. “What’s that papa?” “It’s something very old, passed down through my family. How would you like to learn martial arts, Tenchi? My pop taught me the Anything Goes school and I think it’s about time I started to pass it down to you.” “Anything Goes?” the little boy said trying it out for the first time. Ranma nodded and smiled. “Want to give it a try Tenchi?” “Hai papa!” **--*--** Going into the demon cave had definitely been a mistake. “I should have listened to pop.” Tenchi lamented. “But at least nothing happened.” “The stories were true…” His brows fretted in thought. “I can’t believe that grandpa’s said nothing about it. Oh well, just as long as I don’t have to deal with it anymore. “ Tenchi yawned stretching his arms out. He felt himself drifting off tiredly. Before he fell asleep Tenchi made a mental note to himself to take his father’s advice more often. ***--**--*** Ranma sneezed. “Hm, hope I’m not coming down with anything.” He brushed off some leaves from his shoulder as he swept the steps leading up to the shrine. The autumn months were the most beautiful at the shrine. The changing of the leaves from emerald to gold was a sight that he loved watching every year. His thoughts were interrupted when he felt a surge a power from somewhere. “What the…” A shiver ran down his spine. Looking around he tried to find the source. “Hm… that’s odd. It feel like it’s coming from…” His eyes widened. “No way!” The broom fell and clattered against the stone steps. The path through the forest raced past him in a blur. Moments later Ranma arrived at the mouth of the demon cave. His eyes were alert and the yellow glow of Ki surrounded him. Looking around, his gaze fell upon what remained of the gates baring the demon cave. “Damn…” Ranma muttered. The iron bars were twisted like a pretzel. Focusing his senses he reached out with his Ki trying to find the one behind the destruction. There was nothing, just faint traces of the energy he felt before. Ranma shook his head. “This is not good.” ***--**--*** The Past: “This is not good,” Ranma said as he looked at the piece of paper in his hand. It was his fifth detention slip in two weeks. “The old man’s not going to be happy about this.” He sighed putting the white slip in his pocket. “An Achika’s going to kill me for making her wait after school again.” In all it was shaping out to be a bad day for the martial artist. He made his way down the hall dreading having to apologize to Achika once again. He rolled his shoulders feeling the tightness in them. ‘This is all the oldman’s fault,’ Ranma thought. Training had definitely beet raised a notch by Katsuhito-sensi the last few weeks. Not even his Pop or the Old Ghoul had pushed him so hard. The techniques and forms that Katsuhito-sensi had started training him in were grueling exercises pushing his mind and body to the limits. And just when he though he couldn’t go any farther, Katsuhito-sensi would somehow find the right button to push to make him go that extra inch. “Know thy limits and strive to go further,” Was the credo that Ranma trained under. He looked at his hand, opening and closing his fist. ‘My limits… How far can I go?’ He wondered as he felt the constant pulsing of the Juri seed within him. ‘Not even Tsunami could answer that one for me.’ Ranma reached the school grounds with a tired sigh. “I guess I’ll have to make this up to Achika.” In truth he feared nothing more than a frown on her face. As he ran through the different scenarios of apologizing to Achika, his nose caught a familiar scent in the air. “Okonomiyaki?” “Hi’a Sugar,” a feminine voice said. His mind went numb as he recognized the voice. “It can’t be…” He slowly turned feeling a sense of dread. He came face to face with a pair of brown eyes. “Ukyou!” His ‘cute; fiancee was dressed in her usual attire of a blue chef’s outfit and black tights. Her brown hair was tied up with a white bow and on her back was the large battle spatula. “Um… Ah… W-what a coincidence meeting you here of all places,” he stuttered. ***--**--*** The Present: Achika waited at the bus stop. She wore a long dark skirt and a matching blouse. On he shoulder was her bag of books and papers that she needed grading. She looked up at the clock mounted on the front of the school building. “Hm… it’s almost five. Where is Tenchi?” Achika frowned. She didn’t want to wait for the next bus. There were only few students left coming out of the school. Most of them had stayed for after school activities. Achika recognized one large boy coming out of the main gate. “Yuta!” The boy looked up from the manga he was reading. “Huh? Oh! Masaki-sensi!” he said bowing. “Yuta have you seen Tenchi? He’s usually here by now so we can catch the bus home. Do you know if anything is holding him up?” Yuta scratched his head. “Well he wasn’t at the science-fiction club meeting. In fact I don’t remember seeing him at all since noon recess.” Achika’s frown increased. “Thank you Yuta. I’ll see you in class tomorrow.” “Yes sensi.” The boy bowed and continued on his way home. A few minutes later Achika heard the bus coming. She shook her head and made her way back into the school. **-*-** The tinkle of bells was heard. From his awkward sleeping position against the wall, Tenchi woke up. He yawned and rubbed his eyes. “Where am I?” He looked around him. It was dark out and the school grounds were quiet. Tenchi groaned. “Oh great I fell asleep and missed all my classes this after noon. Mom’s going to kill me when she finds out.” As he got up he heard a noise. “Meow...” He looked up an saw a small black kitten on the roof with him. “Kitty how did you get here?” He took a step toward it and before his eyes it vanished. “What the…” His eyes widened. The tinkle of bells was heard again. The chimes had an eerie ring to them. Tenchi swallowed, then slowly turned toward the direction of the sounds. His heart sipped a beat when he saw a girl sitting a top of the roof shed. Her cyan colored hair was set in a spiky fashion and her topaz shaded eyes had a hungering look about them. There was something very cat like about her. In her hand were two bells tied together with a red ribbon. She twirled them around her finger and tossed them toward Tenchi. “Ryoko. That’s my name,” she said lazily. A slight smile appeared on her face and her eyes began to glow. Tenchi’s jaw dropped. “Oh no, you can’t be that freeze dried demon!” “It was cold and dark in there. Seven hundred years have passes since I was trapped in that cave. You’ll never know how much pain I’ve had to suffer.” The coldness of her voice chilled Tenchi to the bone. ‘Oh boy…’ ***--**--*** The Past: ‘Why me?’ “Die Ranma!” The enraged okonomiyaki chef screamed as a trio of spatulas flew from her hand. Ranma felt the rush of the wind as the objects barely missed hitting his head. Three ‘thunks’ were heard as the blades bit into the brick wall of the school. “Ukyou wait-“ “Shut up!” she yelled bringing her giant spatula above her head and prepared brought it down. Ranma dodged the strike and sparks flew as the weapon’s edge glanced off the pavement. Ukyou kept up her attack which was being fed by her fury. Ranma fell back avoiding each swing. He refused to launch any offence of his own. He couldn’t, his conscience wouldn’t let him. “Ukyou, I-I can explain,” he said, desperately trying to reason with the furious girl. “Explain?” Ukyou paused gasping for breath. “Explain what? Explain why you ran off with out me again just like all those years ago!” She leveled her battle spatula towards his neck. “You’re no better than your jackass of a father!” “It wasn’t like that!” he said desperately. He kept backing up till he felt himself pressed against the wall of the building. “I had to get away. I just couldn’t take it anymore, the fights, the arguments, the entire mess. If I hadn’t of gone I’d of ended up miserable and would have hated you all for it. I didn’t want that. Ukyou, I never wanted to hurt you.” She shook her head. “Shut up you jackass!” she said, her voice cracked. Her eyes were beginning to waver. “I’m not listening to you anymore! I won’t fall for it again!” “I won’t fight you.” His arms dropped to his sides. “If this is what it takes, then go ahead and beat me up. I’m sorry Ukyou.” Ranma closed his eyes and steeled himself for the impact. Ukyou grit her teeth and swung. ***--**--*** The Present: “So you came back for revenge!?!” Tenchi asked the floating girl. “Right.” Tenchi took a step back. “It’s not my fault! It was my ancestor. Some guy named Yosho-“ “I don’t care!” His explanation was cut off when a flash of light sprung out from Ryoko’s hands. There was a soft hum as an energy sword appeared before the demon girl. “I just need to let out my anger now.” With that Ryoko clenched her other hand into a fist and shot out a ball of energy. “Why me I told you it’s not my fault!!!” Tenchi screamed as he barely dodged the blast. There was a smoking crater where it hit. Ryoko snickered and shot out more blasts. Tenchi frantically dodged and ducked the deadly balls. He somersaulted in the air hoping to avoid most of the projectiles. The daily regiment of his father’s training was immensely helpful. Tenchi twisted his body in the air to avoid another shot. He could feel the heat that it radiated. He landed on the ground with a wary look as Ryoko eyed him mockingly. “What’s a matter? It’s no fun just running away Tenchi.” Ryoko jumped down from her perch. An indignant expression came to Tenchi’s face. If there was on lesson that he had learned from his father, it was to never give up with out a fight. Steeling himself Tenchi threw out his challenge. “As the heir to the Masaki school of Anything Goes Martial Arts I will defeat you Demon!” He swallowed. ‘I hope…’ Ryoko tilted her head looking at him curiously. She nodded. “Come on then!!!” Tenchi brought his fist in front of him. “All right, here I come!” He ran forward throwing a punch. Ryoko stood her ground in the face of his attack. As he was about to connect Ryoko vanished before his eyes. “Huh? She was just there…” “Looking for me Tenchi?” Ryoko said appearing behind him. Tenchi reacted instantly the moment he heard the voice. He tucked his body and tumbled forward avoiding the slice of the light sword. He rolled to a safe distance and got up. “H-how did you do that?” Ryoko just laughed and then vanished again. ‘Oh man I’m in trouble!’ Tenchi thought. ***--**--*** The Past: ‘I can’t fight her. I won’t fight her.’ Ranma winced hearing the strike. ‘That wasn’t so bad, I didn’t feel a thing.’ Cautiously he opened one eye. To his side were the crumbled remains of what was once a solid wall. “Ukyou…” She sat on her knees looking down at the spatula in her hands. Wet drops were falling down her face. “Stupid jackass…” she said quietly. Ranma kneeled down beside her. “Ucchan I’m sorry.” Before he could react he was suddenly glomped onto. Ukyou held on to his shirt. “Why Ranma? Why did you leave me again?” “Ukyou I care for you very much. I-I love you but only as a friend. No matter how hard I tried you just could never seem to understand.” He shook his head sadly. “But the engagement…” “Doesn’t mean anything any more. I’m not a Saotome anymore so the engagements don’t apply. “ “I know, I spoke to your mother when I found out you left. She told me about it herself. I wouldn’t have believed it otherwise. When I asked her where you went off to she wouldn’t tell me. I was so angry at you, I still am but… I love you Ranchan.” She looked into his deep blue eyes. “Ukyou I… Mmph!” He never finished as her lips pressed against his silencing any other protests. She kissed, lightly at first, then adding more effort as she felt his mouth relax. Ranma’s thoughts raced as struggled to control himself. ‘What am I doing?’ Fighting his instincts he broke the kiss. “Ukyou I can’t…” ***--**--*** The Present: Tenchi dodged another attack as Ryoko appeared and disappeared before his eyes. ‘How the hell am I suppose to hit her if she can do that?’ The air shimmered in front of him and again. His reflexes kicked in and he was able to roll again to safety. Before he could counter, Ryoko was gone again. ‘How can I hit something that I can’t see? That’s it! I got it now!’ The light bulb went off in his head. ‘Her Ki, if I can feel the moment her energy reappears I just might be able to get her.’ He focused his, mind relying on his training. Only people who spent years training could use of even feel Ki, the energy within all living things. Even now it was difficult for him, and he had been training constantly since he was eight. ‘Com’on where are you?’ He stood with his arms crossed protecting his face. His eyes scanned the empty rooftop. Then suddenly he felt it, just a bare moment before the air began shimmering. “There!” As the girl solidified Tenchi lashed out. “KACHUU TENSHIN AMAGURIKEN!!!“ In a blink of an eye he spun around, his fist nothing more than a blur as he threw a dozen punched in a span of a second. A pause. “Ah, Ouch!” Tenchi clutched at his hand as he staggered back from the girl. ‘It’s like hitting a piece of iron…’ He looked up and saw an amused expression on Ryoko’s face. “Try not to hurt your self, Tenchi. I’d like to do that for you.” Her hand crackled as a massive ball of energy grew in her fist. “HA!!!” Tenchi did a backfill into the air avoiding Ryoko’s fist as she slammed it into the roof. An explosion bigger than the others occurred blasting through the roof and down into the lower levels of the school. “Kami-sama…” Tenchi saw the destruction as the dust cleared. Ryoko hovered over the crater she had created. “Well Tenchi?” ‘Damn… I didn’t want to do this but I don’t have any choice.’ His body tensed as called upon the last of his reserves. What he was about to do would have to be done perfectly. His father had taught him this technique saying it was one of the most useful and powerful moves he knew. It relied on speed and surprise to work. ‘The timing will be critical. Ok, let’s do it!’ Tenchi straightened up. “All right demon, prepare yourself! HAAAAAAAAA!!!!!” A very faint aura appeared around him as he charged forward. “Masaki school of Anything Goes final attack!!!” “Huh? What’s this?” A look of caution appeared on Ryoko’s face as the boy ran toward her. “Masaki final attack, RUN… AWAY!!!” In his charge, just before he reached her, Tenchi jumped down the crater that Ryoko had created, tumbling onto the lower floor and made off like his life depended on it. Ryoko face-faulted. **-*-** ‘Where is he?’ A worried look was on Achika’s face. She had gone to Tenchi’s homeroom and found his bag by his desk. Since his bag was still there she could only assume that Tenchi was somewhere on campus also. Achika was becoming very concerned. It was unlike her son to be late for the bus ride home or for him to forget his things in school. Dozens of dark scenarios began playing in her mind. She tried to reason with her herself before letting her imagination run rampant. ‘Relax Achika, Tenchi is a big boy now and he can take care of himself.’ She took a breath to calm herself down. It was then that a tremor shook through the building. ‘What?’ She ran out into the hallway looking for the cause of it. “Tenchi? Tenchi!” She called out. More tremors and small explosions occurred. Achika looked up. ‘The roof! It’s coming from the roof…’ “Tenchi!!!” She ran towards the stairs. As she ran, a massive explosion tore into the building knocking her off her feet. Looking up she saw the ceiling collapsing on top of her. ‘No…’ ***--**--*** The Past: “Hey Achika-chan, wait up!” The dark-haired girl turned and smiled. “Oh, hi Tanaka-chan,” she said greeting her friend. “Is the club meeting over?” The other girl nodded, and fell in step with Achika. “Finished a little while ago. Waiting up for Ranma-kun again huh?” “I kept myself busy making these,” Achika said pulling out a plastic container from her knapsack. She popped open the lid and held it toward Tanaka. “Try one.” “Wow! They look so cute” Tanaka chirped, helping herself to one of the cookies. The little animal shaped crackers were still warm to the touch. Tanaka took a bite chewing it carefully. “Well?” Achika asked intently. “Hm… moist, tender, not too sweet and with just a touch of cinnamon.” She smiled and gave a thumbs up. “These are great Achika.” “I worked really hard making them,” Achika confessed. “Oh really? Making them for some special someone I take it? Even though he doesn’t deserve it.” Tanaka said teasingly. Achika blushed. “Is it that obvious?” “Oh please, you don’t have to act so embarrassed. Everyone knows that you and Ranma-kun a pair. Ever since our class trip to Tokyo you’ve been inseparable.” Tanaka laughed. “Humph!” Achika snapped the box lid close. “Every girl in school would kill to be in your place. I mean Ranma-kun is such a hunk.” “Careful, you might start drooling.” “Very funny,” she said wryly “Well you better keep a good eye on your man there Achika-chan. There’s hardly a girl out there who wouldn’t want him for herself. Me included.” Achika laughed. “I better get going. I’ll see you tomorrow Tanaka-chan.” Achika waved and hurried off. As she made her way out of the main building, she saw the familiar silhouette of a pigtailed boy waiting at the corner bus stop. She ran forward to greet him. His name died on her lips as she saw a chestnut haired girl break away from a kiss with him. She felt her heart growing heavier with each moment and with a feeling of dread she spoke out in a trembling voice. “R-Ranma-kun?” “Achika!” Ranma pulled back from Ukyou. His tongue was tripping over itself. “Achika-chan, It’s not what it looks like…” Achika turned her attention to the cute girl with the chestnut hair. Achika had come hoping to surprise Ranma with the cookies she had made, only to see him in the arms of someone else. The two girls’ eyes met sizing each other up like two boxers would in the ring. “Who are you?” Achika asked with pursed lips. Ukyou shot her a glare that was usually reserved for Akane or Shampoo. “I’m Ranma’s fiancee! Who are you?” “F-fiancee… Ranma-kun?” Achika looked between him Ukyou. She paled, her heart skipping a beat. Her hands went numb as the plastic container fell from her grasp. The lid cam open as it hit the ground and the small animal shaped cookies were scattered to the ground. ‘No…’ ***--**--*** The Present: Tenchi ducked into a room. He muffled his mouth with his hands to keep from making noise. There was a fearful look on his face as he looked out into the shadowy hallway. ‘I’ll just hide here while I figure out a plan. What can I do against something like that?’ His nose twitched as he caught the scent of something in the air. ‘What is that smell? Fumes? Gas fumes!!! Ryoko must have broken one of the gas lines! I got to get out of here!!!’ As he began to get up he heard a voice calling out his name. Tenchi froze swallowing nervously. From the wall facing him, a figure began to fade in. The cyan haired demon passed through the solid wall as if it were air. Ryoko looked at him. “I really like you. You’ve got great energy, Tenchi.” She stepped toward him and began to form another energy blast in her fist. Tenchi’s eyes widened to saucers as he saw the glowing hand. “No! Stop there’s gas!” He yelled out. A confused expression appeared on Ryoko’s face. “Gas? What’s gas?” Tenchi buried his face in his hands. ‘I can see the headlines, brilliant student blown to bits. If I had known I was going to die today, I wouldn’t have done all that homework over vacation! How am I going to get out of this?!? Wait, I think I might just have an idea.’ The Anything Goes school specialized in the art of distraction. And now Tenchi brought his technique to bare. “Hey what’s that out the window!” He yelled pointing outside. Ryoko turned and looked. “Oh? What is it? I want to see. Where tell me where it is,” she said tilting her head around looking out the window. “No… I don’t see anything,” she said turning toward Tenchi. The only problem was that he wasn’t there anymore. “Huh?” A sweat drop appeared on her head again. “I’ll get him!!!” She roared, realizing she had been duped again. She clenched her fist forming the energy sphere. The sparks she created were more than enough to ignite the gas and a ‘BOOM’ echoed throughout the building. From another room, Tenchi peeked out into the hallway when the blast ended. “Well there she goes. She was kind of cute,” he said regretfully. He clapped his hands together, as was the habit in the shrine honoring the dead. “Now how am I going to explain…” A laugh rang out. Tenchi’s jaw dropped. Through one of the windows he saw Ryoko cackling madly admits the flaming rubble. “She’s alive again! I got to get out of here!” ***--**--*** The Past: Wishing that he was anywhere other than there Ranma began trying to explain. “Achika I-“ “Fiancee?” Achika’s voice trembled in distress. “No she’s not Achika,” Ranma said pulling himself away from Ukyou. “Ranma the arrangement-“ Ukyou began to protest! “No! Not that again! I left that behind me Ukyou. I’m starting my life over again, this time on my terms. I won’t go back to the way it was before. I can’t.” “Then take me with you Ranchan. Start over with me.” Ukyou said desperately. “I’m sorry Ukyou…” he replied quietly. “Why! Why won’t you love me?” “Because...” He looked toward Achika. Ukyou noticed the exchange. ‘First Akane, then that bimbo Shampoo, followed by psycho Kodachi, now her!’ She turned glaring eye toward Achika. Ukyou’s blood began to boil. “You! Who do you think you are! I’ve spent ten years of my life looking from ‘my’ Ranchan! If you think I’m going to let some hussy take him away from me now your sorely mistaken!!!” “He’s not yours,” Achika stated returning the glare. ‘Slap!’ Achika gasped feeling the hard strike against her cheek. Her eyes blurred buy her pride refused to let her shed a tear. She steeled herself facing the other girl. ‘Slap!’ Ukyou brought her hand up to her reddening cheek. “You…” She began to reach for her spatula. The battle auras around the two girls began growing at an accelerated pace. “Ukyou!” Ranma put himself between the two girls. “Please leave…” “Ranchan I…” “Leave Ukyou or I swear I’ll never talk to you again.” He turned his face away from her. Ukyou took a faltering step back. Her eyes were wet. She took one last look to Achika. A mask of hate was on her face. Ukyou left with a sob as she fled off into horizon. “Achika… are you all right?” Ranma gently brushed her face with his hand. “Yes…” Ranma nodded. He bent down and picked up the spilled container. He started gathering the fallen cookies. “Achika I’m sorry about the cookies. They sure looked good.” “Ranma… why didn’t you ever tell me?” He sighed. “My life was so complicated back then. So many problems never any solutions. I just wanted to forget about it. That’s why I never told you about Ukyou and the other fiancees.” Achika blinked. “Other fiancées?” “Ranma froze. “Um…” “Ranma…” Achika said through her teeth.. “I-It’s a long story,” “That’s all right I’m in no rush,” Achika said. Her eyes were boring holes into him. ‘Oh boy…’ Ranma thought. ***--**--*** The Present: Achika looked up. ‘The roof! It’s coming from the roof…’ “Tenchi!!!” She ran towards the stairs. As she ran, a massive explosion into the building knocking her off her feet. Looking up she saw the ceiling collapsing on top of her. ‘No!!!’ She threw her hand up in the air. As the rock descended a light blue barrier shimmered around her. The large slab of concrete crumbled to smaller bits as it hit the surface of the shield. ‘That was too close.’ Achika sighed. She got up dusting flecks of debris from her. She took a few minutes to compose herself. ‘What is happening here?’ No sooner than she started to get moving again, a figure cam from around the corner and ran into her. The two tumbled to the ground with an “Umph!” “Tenchi!” Achika latched onto her son frantically checking to see that he wasn’t hurt. “Tenchi are you all right?” Shaking his head, Tenchi looked on a familiar face. “Mom!” “Tenchi, what’s going on here?” “I don’t have time to explain right now mom. We just have to get out of here before she finds us.” He said as he started to pull her toward the exit of the school. “Before who finds us?” Tenchi hesitated for a second. “Um… Ryoko.” “What!?!” “TENCHI!!!” Ryoko’s screamed was heard behind him. Achika’s eyes widened. “How…“ “No time!” Tenchi said grabbing onto his mother’s arm and pulled her along. ***--**--*** The Past: Ranma spoke to a closed door. “Achika I said sorry about not telling you about Ukyou. I knew you’d get mad so I didn’t want to tell you about the fiancee mess. I urk-” The door quickly opened revealing a pair of furious eyes belonging to Achika. “Not fiancee Ranma, it’s plural. Its fiancees! Four to be exact!!!” “B-B-But I-I…” The door slammed in his face. “Achika wait.” He opened the door and was greeted with a book flying toward him. “Woah!” he exclaimed as he fell backwards to avoid from being hit in the head. The door slammed shut again as he hit the floor. Katsuhito appeared over the fallen boy. “Interesting day at school Ranma?” From his position on the floor the pigtailed boy looked up and saw the older man hovering over him. “You could say that sensi.” “Hm…” Katsuhito mused as he flipped through the book. “The Five Rings. That’s some heavy reading,” he said weighing the hardcover in his hands. “It’s definitely something that requires more than one sitting to get through.” “Yeah, it’s something you don’t want dropped on you all at once,” Ranma replied. The man chuckled and helped him up. “Come on boy, it’s time for practice,” he said walking out the door. Ranma looked back toward Achika’s room. ‘I’ll come back later when she’s calmed down.’ A loud bang and other noises were heard from within. He swallowed. ‘Much later,’ he amended. Practice began with the regular stretches followed by basic katas to limber up the body. As it progressed the moves and forms became quicker and more complex. When Ranma finished his body warmed up and a sheen of perspiration covered his brow. Ranma faced Katsuhito. The priest’s usual carefree expression was gone leaving a mask of seriousness. It was during this time that Ranma was reminded that the humble Shinto priest facing him was a fighter he had yet to come close to equaling. Ranma grit his teeth and bowed, and with that, training began. To put it bluntly, sparring with the older man had always been a humbling experience for Ranma. Today was no different. When it was over he’d have his share of bruises as well as the continuing drive that one day he would stand on equal ground with his sensi. Ranma hit the dirt with a thud. His head was spinning as he sat up. “Too fast…” “Did you say something Ranma?” Katsuhito asked, walking up to him. “No, nothing sensi. Just trying to make sure that everything’s in one piece.” He shook his head trying to clear the fuzziness. The priest nodded, and offered his hand. “Something’s distracting you. You shouldn’t have let that last attack land.” Katsuhito studied him for a moment. “Something happened at school eh?” Ranma sighed. There was no hiding it from the old man. “Yeah… I sorta bumped into an old friend.” Katsuhito eyed him even closer. “I overheard. A young girl named Ukyou I believe. Was she a good friend of yours?” “Well… more like an old girlfriend…” Ranma swallowed. “… a fiancee actually.” “My, my aren’t young peoples lives interesting. Want to talk about it?” He walked over to a near by tree and sat down leaning his back against it. Ranma found his own seat and began. “We use to play together when we were kids. We were pretty young and I even thought that Ukyou was a boy at the time. My father and her father engaged us when we were six. I didn’t even know about it till a year ago when she came looking for me for revenge because she though I had run out of the marriage agreement. When she realized that I wasn’t to blame we got along great again. Just like old times, me and Ucchan. But for her the engagement was still valid and that problem has been haunting me ever since.” Katsuhito listened intently, nodding now and then encouraging the young man. “But you still care for Ukyou, yes?” “Hai, I mean she’s my best friend. But she’s more than that though. She’s like a sister. The marriage agreement just made things so complicated. I mean, I couldn’t marry my sister.” “Quite so…” Ranma didn’t notice the sweat drop forming on the older man’s head. Katsutito coughed clearing his throat. “I just can’t love Ukyou like that.” He sighed. “Things are falling apart again. Old problems are cropping up and now Achika’s ready to knock my block off. I’ve been through this before, I don’t want to go through it again.” Katsuhito walked over and patted him on the shoulder. “Wise is the man who learns from his mistakes Ranma.” Ranma looked up reviewing the man’s words. His eyes widened as the realization dawned on him. Katsuhito smiled. “Let’s end practice early today.” With that he turned around and made his way to the shrine. Ranma sped home running as fast as his legs could carry him. **-*-** “The jerk!” Achika pounded on the offending pillow on her bed. “Four! Four fiancees!” The pillow took half a dozen more hits. “And… and… she’s beautiful…” she threw the pillow across her room hitting the wall. Achika curled up in her bed. The image of Ukyou came to her mind as if mocking her. The girl was perfect. From her brown chestnut hair to the cute white bow she used to tie it with. Achika felt like an ugly ducking comparing herself to the other girl. ‘What would Ranma want with someone like me when he could have her? And she was his fiancee… How can I compete with that?’ She pulled the covers around her wishing that she could shut the rest of the word out by doing so. “I’m going to lose him…” A knock came on her door. “Achika!” She easily recognized the voice. “Leave me alone Ranma!” “No. Achika I need to talk to you and I’m not going to leave until I do.” She angrily got out of bed. “I don’t want to talk to you! Go talk to Ukyou for all I care! She is your fiancee after all!” she said yelling at the door. “Achika let me in!” “No!” “I’ll break the door down if I have to!” “You wouldn’t dare!” she replied angrily but she backed away unsure. “I warned ya! Hiaya!” The cracking of wood was heard as the door fell over. Achika was livid but as she began to voice her anger she saw the haunted look in Ranma’s eyes. “Achika I…” his voice wavered. The anger he had shown moments ago was gone leaving a quiet sadness in its place. “Ranma, leave me alone, please…” Achika turned away. “No. Not till I’m through. Achika… I’ve messed up enough times to know that if I didn’t talk to you now I’d regret it for the rest of my life.“ “…” “Ukyou is my friend, and that’s all I’ll ever be with her. The engagement doesn’t mean anything to me anymore. None of them do. It was just all one big mess I had to get away from. I… I love you Achika. You’re the most important thing in my life and I never wanted to hurt you like this. I’m not going to make the same mistakes again. I don’t want to lose you…” “Ranma…” “I love you Achika.” He held his hand out toward her. Achika hesitated for a moment, but only for a moment. Thoughts of inadequacies and doubts left her. He was there standing before he now as vulnerable as she had ever seen him. She took his hand and felt the warmth of his embrace. She rested her head on his shoulder, feeling the beating of their two hearts together. “Promise you’ll never leave me Ranma.” “I’ll be here for as long as you want me,” he said quietly. “Ranma?” “Yeah?” “What are we going to tell father about the door?” Ranma looked at the splintered wood and blinked. “Um…” Achika laughed and kissed him. “I love you too. “ ***--**--*** The Present: “I-I think we lost her.” Tenchi panted as he and his mother made it to the outer field of the school campus. Achika sank down to the ground. “That’s… good… huff… huff… Let me catch my breath… for a moment… huff…” “Mom are you ok?” Tenchi asked moving beside her. Achika nodded, her breathing gradually returning to normal. “I’m just not as in good as shape as you and your father.” “Here let me carry that for you.” He reached over and took his mother bag as well as his school bag from Achika. “Thank you Tenchi.” “We better get moving again mom. There’s no telling where Ryoko will show up next. “ He looked around them nervously. “Tenchi, “ she said as she got up. “do you know how Ryoko escaped from the shrine?” “Well… ya see… I sorta let her out by accident…” “H-How!” Achika exclaimed. “Istolegrandfather’skeysandentintothecavewhereIfoundthisoldswordwhichipulle doutofthisstonewhichletthedemonloseandi’tsallmyfaultandI’mreallyreallysorry!” Achika blinked. “Again Tenchi, but this time slower please.” “I stole grandfather’s-“ His explanation was interrupted by another voice. “Oh, Tenchi.” Ryoko shimmered out in front of the two. Her feline like eyes looking intently at them. Achika blinked checking her eyes. As a child she had know of the story of the demon imprisoned in the Masaki shrine. To amuse herself she had even imagined playing with Ryoko. It had once all a game to her until she learned the truth of her heritage. The stories were real. Her father, now a humble priest, was once know as Yosho, the one who had defeated and imprisoned the Ryoko. And now a young cyan haired girl stood before her as the demon she had know growing up. “Ryoko…” Ryoko tilted her head looking at Achika. “Who’s the old bag Tenchi?” “O-Old bag?” Achika said taken aback. Tenchi moved in front of his mother. “That’s my mother you monster!” he said angrily. “Monster? How dare you! Why do you call me a monster!” Ryoko shouted back thumping her chest. “You walk through fire! You walk through walls! You rip holes through the roof and you can even fly!!!” Tenchi yelled back. “Very good reason’s but not good enough!” Ryoko charged forward, her energy sword blazing in her hand. Tenchi stood his ground. ‘I can’t let her hurt mom.’ “Tenchi!!!” Achika screamed out as she saw Ryoko bring her sword down on her son. Tenchi could only defend himself by holding his school bag in front of the attack. Achika felt the familiar rush of power through her as she called upon her abilities to protect her son. Then as she was about to extend her shields around the two of them a flash of light erupted from the bag. When the light cleared Tenchi stood there with his own energy blade of blue energy. “Tenchi…” Achika’s surprised look match her son’s. ‘Father’s sword…’ Achika’s eyes widened seeing the Juri energy blade. “What the.. Huh?” Tenchi had little time to ponder the blade as Ryoko was barreling toward him. He reacted automatically blocking the strike. Ryoko grinned at him. “Don’t be so scared sweetie pie. I won’t hurt you too much.” “I’m ready for you!” And the fight was on. The two battled head to head. Ryoko relying on her energy attacks and ability to fade her as her main weapons. Tenchi did his best to keep up with her. A unique mixture of Masaki swordplay and Anything Goes were the only things keeping him alive. From the sidelines Achika watched in distress. Wishing that she could intervene but knowing that just charging in could do more harm that good. Ryoko’s ability to disappear at will and Tenchi’s fighting style of misdirection made things difficult if not impossible for her to follow. Ryoko shifted back after a close strike from Tenchi. “I’m impressed Tenchi. But your still not going to beat me.” ‘She’s right,’ Tenchi felt exhaustion creeping over him. ‘I can’t keep this up forever, and she doesn’t even look tired. How am I going to stop her? Wait a minute, those jewels on her wrist, that’s got to be the source of her power. The legend says so. Three gems for power, with out her power, that demon is just another girl.’ He eyed the gem on Ryoko’s wrist. ‘But how am I going to-‘ Ryoko threw another ball of energy at him but this time the ball split in two in the air. “Ack!” Tenchi was caught off guard. He managed to avoid the two blasts but he landed to the ground off balance. Seeing her chance Ryoko moved in. “Gotcha!” Ryoko swung. “W-Woah!!!” Tenchi flailed around in his effort to get back onto his feet as well as to avoid the girl. As yellow glow of Ryoko’s blade approached him, Tenchi felt the tug of the sword in his hand. Whether it was some unseen force guiding him or just dumb luck, he managed to avoid the deadly strike and at the same time cut off Ryoko’s hand. The Cyan haired girl fell back clutching at her stump. Her hand now on the ground burned away and the jewel that was on her wrist shimmered as it returned to the hilt of Tenchi’s sword. “Oh well another battle lost. My miserable lot.” Ryoko sighed and shrugged her shoulders. “Huh?” Tenchi now realized the missing hand. “I-I… The sword did it , I didn’t mean to cut off your hand! I’m sorry,” he said bowing profusely. Ryoko laughed seeing his distress. Taking her remaining hand she covered her stump with it and slowly pulled it back. When she was through, a new hand was there. “See.” Ryoko smiled and took a bow. “Farewell,” she said as she faded again, sinking into the ground. “Tenchi!” Achika ran over beside her son. “What just happened?” “I think I won, I guess,” he said, unsure of what to make of the entire incident. “Tenchi?” “Yeah mom?” “Just exactly how are we going to explain all this?” Achika asked. Tenchi turned to see the smoking charred rubble that was once his high school. He grew a sweat drop. ***--**--*** The Past: “Ranma wandered the halls filled with students pulling out their lunches from their lockers. His stomach growled thinking about lunch. He came over to a familiar face. “Hey Nobuyuki!” “Ranma, what’s up?” “Have you seen Achika around? It was her turn to pack our lunches today and I can find her.” “Sorry Ranma haven’t seen her since class.” “Oh man, I’m starving.” His stomach growled again. “Then how about one of my specials Ranma?” A box appeared in front of him. The smell coming from it could only be from one thing. “Okonomiyaki…” Turning he saw Ukyou there. She was dressed not in her chef’s out fit, but in a school uniform. The feminine attire as well as some subtle make up helped to make her devastatingly beautiful. “U-Ukyou?” Ranma swallowed as he noticed that his best friend as also done away with binding her chest. “Mh hm,” she nodded. “What do you think?” she asked cutely. Next to Ranma, Nobuyuki’s glasses had fogged up. “W-who’s your f-friend Ranma?” the poor boy nervously stuttered. “Ukyou Kuonji,” she said flashing the boy a smile. The result turned Nobuyuki into a quivering mass of jello. Ranma was unsure of what to make of it all. Ukyou saw the look on his face. “You can relax Ranma, I’ve finally decided to give up on the engagement.” “You have?” he asked surprised. Ukyou nodded. “Yup, I’m going to make you mine fair and square. And then there’ll be nothing that anyone can do about it.” She batted her eyes at him. “I’ll be seeing you around Ranchan.” Ranma stood there like a deer caught in headlights. There were two things running through his mind. The first being; ‘Ukyou really looks good in a dress.’ And the second; ‘When Achika finds out about this, I’m a dead man.’ ***--**--** The present: Tenchi staggered up to his room. He and his mother had prudently decided to head home before people with questions arrived to the school. Then made it home just in time to see the coverage about the fire on tv. The explosions were blamed on a gas leak and the damage would shut the school down for months. He knew his mother well enough to know that studies would continue at home under her supervision. Closing the door behind him, he pulled up his bag and took out the sword hilt. “That sword was really powerful. I wonder what happened to that demon girl. Was really the end of her?” He groaned lying down on his bed. Not even workout’s with his father made him feel this bad. “I’m so tired. Huh?” He felt something under the sheets. He pulled the covers away dreading what was under there. A pair of amber eyes looked back at him. Ryoko smiled. “Welcome home Tenchi,” End (for now) Story Notes: Fic based on the Tenchi OAV I expect to follow it for a bit but I will take some aspects from the tv series also. In the OAV, Tenchi’s friend who accused him of sleeping with a mummy didn’t have a name so I just called him Yuta. As for Tenchi’s personality, it’s pretty much the same but he is a bit more confident when it’s comes to fighting and he’s a little more out going. I figure that this is Ranma’s influence at work. As with Ranma and Achika, I just wanted to develop their relation ship more and see how things would work out. Also I believe that the other fiancees would not give Ranma up so easily. Author’s Notes: Ever since I wrote “The Girl who Wasn’t and the Princess who Was” I have gotten good remarks and encouragement. Some people wanted me to continue and others said that the story was perfect the way it was. Well depending on how this piece is received by those people I will decide to either continue or not. I am too selfconscious of my work to judge it myself. Please send me and comments that you may have. Lastly thank you all for your support and I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I had fun writing this. Special thanks to: Tom Sticka For motivating me to write as well as pre reading my work. Sorry it took so long Tom, I hope it was worth the wait. Please send comments to: ********************************* Author: Pug cruzd@rpi.edu http://www.rpi.edu/~cruzd/pug/pug.html *********************************