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Anime/Manga » Ranma » Dragons, Mages and Martial Artists font: B s : A A A . width: full 3/4 1/2
Author: Jerry Unipeg
Fiction Rated: M - English - Adventure/Fantasy - Reviews: 9 - Published: 04-02-08 - Updated: 04-03-08 - id:4172365
Ranma 1/2:
Dragons, Mages, & Martial Artists Crossover: DragonLance By: Dani Yanega (please respond to this e-mail address)
/yanega/index.htm or Visit my Mirror site at:
www.ranko.pwp./index.htm

Chapter Six

Ranma trailed along behind the companions and the other two Nerimaians. His mind playing a game of 'what if'. What if he never went to Jusenkyo Shampoo would still be in China along with the old ghoul and Mousse. One less fianc?, one less enemy and one less person trying to manipulate him. If he hadn't treated Ryoga like he had in junior high they could have been friends instead of enemies. If he had stayed one more day they would have had their duel and Ryoga would not had followed him and Ryoga would not be cursed. If he had chosen Ucchan instead of okonomiyaki, well that probably would had turned out the same.
The old man didn't want her along in any way shape or form.

If he had been honest when they first reached the Tendo house maybe things would have been different with him and Akane, but somehow he doubted it. She wanted a whipping boy and she had decided that Ranma was that boy. Ranma sighed deeply not hearing the voice beside him. Ranma looked up to the people in front of him wondering who they were and if any would want to be friends with a freak. Ranma felt a tug at his shirt tails and looked down to see Tasslehoff walking beside him.

"Hi Ranma! You look awfully sad back here by yourself." The kender's voice carried up to the others.

"SNORT! What does that pervert have to be sad about! He doesn't know sadness!" Ryoga grumbled to Mousse who agreed with a quick nod.

Neither of the two boys realizing or caring that Ranma could and had heard them.
They would however not want their new companions to hear them but they had.
Raistlin eyes narrowed and his face tinged a bit of red with anger. He then snapped his mind inward wondering where the strange feelings for young Ranma were coming from. It was not in him to care this much about someone, anyone.
There is something about the cursed youth that intrigued him.

"I'm fine Tasschan." Ranma smiled down at the confusion on the kender's elfin face.

"What's Tasschan?" The little child-like creature asked the pigtailed martial artist.

"It is a nickname 'Tass' is the first part of your name 'chan' means cute or special I guess would work too." Ranma explained to the little kender walking with him.

"Can I call you Ranchan?" Tass asked the martial artist, the kender had not noticed Ranma stiffening.

"Yeah, sure why not." Ranma agreed all of sudden missing home.

"I like being with you, your fun!" The little kender said as he took Ranma's hand and walked with him.

"Flint's the dwarf, he may act gruff but he is really nice and one of my best friends. Actually they are all my best friend but he and Tanis are my best,
best friends." The kender started out of the blue, causing Ranma to reel slightly at the abrupt change of subject.

"He's allergic to horses and he hates water, kinda like you but for different reasons he can't swim." Ranma stared ahead at the kender's friends while he talked about them.

"Tanis he is the half elf and he is our groups leader he is really patient and very protective of all of us." Tasslehoff went on skipping slightly to keep up.

"The stern guy in the armor is Sturm he's a Knight of the Rose, but most people don't like Knights of the Rose cause they blame them for cataclysm. Sturm is very honorable and a good fighter." The kender made a slashing movement with his arm as if it was a sword.

"Damn fool kender's going to tell them everything about us." The dwarf grumbled as he walked next to Tanis who smiled wryly.

"The man you protected is Riverwind he's a plainsman and Goldmoon is his princess. He protects her all the time, not that she needs it. She fights pretty good and with the blue crystal staff she is hard to beat." Tasslehoff begun to skip around Ranma making him a little dizzy.

"She's real pretty too, and sings like an angel." The kender kept dancing around the pigtailed martial artist as he stared ahead at the group in front of him.

Ryoga and Mousse watched and listened to the descriptions. When Ryoga spotted Ranma looking at the one the kender called Goldmoon his anger rose as he felt Ranma was being unfaithful to Akane. Ryoga began to glow a greenish yellow. He started to turn when a hand with a grip of iron and felt like molten lava grabbed his shoulder. Ryoga spun ready to attack when he froze as he stared into the golden hourglass shaped eyes of Raistlin Majere.

"I think we need to keep moving! Don't you?" The last was stated as a question, both Ryoga and Mousse nodded and moved quickly on.

Ranma watched the altercation as it played out in front of him. Although he felt a little offended as he could take care of himself. He also felt a feeling he had not felt a lot of. A feeling of friendship began to grow deep in his soul for the golden mage. Then doubt flashed quickly across his face but disappeared before anyone noticed. Ranma's shoulders slumped slightly more as he pictured this possible new friendship turning into all the others.

Ranma figured that something was going to go wrong and these people would turn on him as everyone else had or started to treat him as their property with no rights of his own. Tasslehoff scampered around him oblivious to the confrontation and Ranma's change in mood. A smile spread across his face as he realized maybe the little kender is his one true friend. The kender started talking again and Ranma paid attention in order to learn about his new traveling companions.

"Tika use to work at the Inn of the Last Home in Solace. We had to leave though cause of the orcs. Laurana is a Qualinesti elf, isn't she pretty?" Ranma looked at the woman with long blonde hair Tasslehoff pointed out.

"She and Tanis are in love!" The kender whispered loudly to Ranma, who smiled as the two in questioned blushed

"Raistlin and Caramon go everywhere together. Their twins you know." Tass just kept on rambling, he never saw Ranma's nod.

"Raistlin is a powerful mage and Caramon a great warrior, but don't go near Raistlin's spell books he'll throw a fireball at you." Ranma looked down at the kender, he was surprised not to see any fear but instead excited curiosity.

Ranma looked up at the chuckle that came from in front of him. His sapphire blue eyes met those of gold. He saw the wry smile on the wizards face, as the man looked at the expression on the kender's face. From the corner of his eye he caught Ryoga and Mousse glaring at him. Ryoga glowing slightly, but only enough that Ranma could see it since he knew what to look for. Ranma sighed as he sank deeper into depression.

The kender skipped off thinking he had cheered up Ranma only to leave the cursed boy even more depressed. Raistlin stared at the dejected boy then at the two who came with him his eyes narrowed. He felt a strong hand on his arm and back.
He turned to see his over protective brother. Caramon stared at his twin with worry and tried leading him along the path.

"Brother I am fine what ever young Ranma did is still working. Although I do feel it wearing off." Raistlin told his brother hotly as he shrugged himself free of the bigger man's grasp.

The group entered a ravine and decided to it was time to make camp. Ryoga and Mousse helped set up the tents while Ranma helped Goldmoon and Tika get water and wood. Ryoga and Mousse watched the three as they left the campsite. The boys noticed the stares the three received from Tanis and Caramon. Ryoga's mind saw jealous rage, and Mousse just strained to see them.

Ranma followed behind Tika and Laurana his senses alert for any danger. The two women talked quietly to themselves and their topic was the three strangers. As they walked Ranma picked up wood for the fire. He quietly listened as the two woman talked about him and the others. A smile crossed his face as one comment stood out.

"You know Laurana, I think I like Ranma best of the three of them. He tries so hard to fit in and he seems so hurt when the other two try to hurt him." The redhead tells the elf woman.

"Yes but did you see his power! Raistlin says it isn't even magic! That could be dangerous, especially if what Goldmoon said is true." Laurana said as she followed Tika to the spring.

"Yeah I guess but he seems to be very conscious of those around him, unlike the other two." Tika stated emphatically, Laurana nodding in agreement.

The two woman stop when they heard a whispered curse behind them. They turned to see Ranma now in female form his face even more depressed. In the trees a small animal chattering at the young girl, on her head was an upside down gourd.
They began to giggle as the water dripped down the redheads face.

"Man I thought the water magnet part of this curse was left back home!" Ranma complained as she shifted her considerable bundle of wood and removed the gourd.

She tossed it lightly at the animal in the tree who caught it and scampered way happily. Ranma-chan trudged up to the other women taking the wood in both her hands. When she reached the still giggling females, she sighed and gave them a small sad smile.

"Could you get enough water to change me back?" She asked them.

"Sure that should be no problem." Tika responded as Laurana was still giggling and Ranma could see no sign of it ending.

Both girls did stop as Ranma-chan stiffened. The two woman drew their swords and stood guard in front of Ranma who they felt being weaponless was vulnerable.
Ranma ignored them and stretched her senses as far as she cold. She found what she was looking for and she didn't like it.

"I have fought ogres before I hope you two have there is a large group of them heading straight for us. It might be better if you go back to camp and get them to move to a safer location or set up a defense I will distract them." Ranma whispered to the woman through clenched teeth.

"RANMA! Are you nuts you can't hold off one ogre let alone a large group, all by yourself!" Laurana half whispered half snarled.

"I won't argue with you two, the sooner you get back to camp the sooner I will have backup besides let us not forget which one of us killed a God." Ranma's voice dripped with barely controlled rage.

"We'll hurry back with support Ranma be careful!" Tika told the petite redhead as she grabbed Laurana's arm and dragged her back toward the camp.

Ranma jumped into one of the more stouter trees taking with her the arm load of kindling. She then quickly jumped higher into the branches keeping her eyes trained on the direction she sensed the ogres were coming from. A black glow surrounded her as her eyes showed the wall holding back her rage had finally crumbled.

"TANIS!" Came the frantic voice of Laurana.

"CARAMON!" Was followed by the voice of Tika fear clearly evident.

The men rose quickly their weapons drawn as the two women came running from the forest. Laurana ran straight into the arms of Tanis while Tika's small but buxom frame crashed into Caramon. Ryoga and Mousse looked to the forest their eyes narrowing in disgust as they do what they do best.

"RANAM YOU PERVERT DIE!" Ryoga's bellow shook the camp

"SAOTOME YOU ABUSER OF WOMEN! PREPARE TO PAY THE PRICE!" Mousse stood his steel claws drawn.

They started toward the woods but ended flat on their face as Ryoga tripped over an extend hoopak and Mousse tripped over the Staff of Magus. The two warriors looked up to the kender and mage. The kender smiled down at them with excited glee at the fun trick. They gulped however at the glowing gold eyes that looked down on them.

Raistlin then looked to the women their breathing still heavy but calming. He walked up to them a stern look on his face. The women quickly calmed their haggard breath and looked the mage straight in the eyes not planning on giving him the satisfaction of seeing them flinch.

"Where is Ranma!" The raspy voice of the mage came out chilling everyone.

"We were heading for the spring, when Ranma got splashed and turned to a girl,
she then stopped and she said she had fought ogres and that a large group was converging on us. She sent us back here to get the camp moved to safer ground"
Laurana told the gathered groups Mousse and Ryoga looked on disbelief showing strongly in their visage.

"Caramon we can't leave him out there to fight those monsters by himself! We have to help!" Tika turned to look into the eyes Caramon pleadingly.

"Alright here's what we're going to do. Riverwind you Mousse, Tass, and Flint get the woman to safety and protect them take down the camp and move it farther into the ravine look for a defendable location. The rest of us will head into the woods to help Ranma." Tanis stated as he pushed Laurana toward Flint.

"Aww! Tanis I want to help Ranma too! Besides I want to see the ogres they got to be really neat looking." Tasslehoff complained to deaf ears.

"Damn fool kender gonna get us all killed!" Grumbled Flint as he grabbed Tasslehoff's topknot and dragged him along.

Ryoga stood torn between his wanting not to anger these people as he needs them to stay alive. He, however really didn't want to save his arch rival. As he stood there Caramon and Raistlin came up behind him. Raistlin gave the lost boy a push with his staff. Ryoga stumbled then turned and glared at the golden mage.

"Move it boy, or did you forget your promise of honor to him!" The mage stated flatly, the other companions watched as the bandana boy began to sweat.

Ryoga swallowed and began to follow behind Strum a greenish yellow glow forming around him. Caramon stared at his brother as he had never seen this type of behavior from his weaker sibling. Raistlin began to follow behind the lost boy keeping his eyes fixed on him with keen interest.

THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT RANMA! I WILL GET MY REVENGE AND I WILL HAVE EVERYTHING YOU HOLD DEAR! Ryoga fumed as he trudged behind the other companions.

Nodoka retrieved the tanto daggers from Cologne. She then rose to leave. She turned and bowed to the two Amazons and with a wry smile turned to leave the Nekohanten.

"Where are you going now, child?" Cologne asked her curiosity piqued by this woman.

"I am going to the Tendo Dojo to end my husband's stupid plan. I will not have my son marry someone who was unfaithful to him." Nodoka stated her eyes flashed red with the fires of rage.

"He will only move the engagement to another daughter." Nodoka thought for a long moment on the elder's comment, her brow furrowed.

"Auntie, since both Genma and Soun knew about P-chan and still allowed him access to Akane's bedroom doesn't that constitute a breaking of the agreement?
Plus in a off handed way didn't Soun accept Ryoga as Akane's fianc??" Ukyo looked up her eyes red from the tears but a glint of revenge burning bright in her brown eyes.

"She is correct Elder Nodoka. I would suffice it to say that he even scorned the agreement by doing so and has dishonored your family." Cologne added an evil grin spreading across her face.

"I believe the two of you are correct. I am afraid however since Genma did not stop it he has added to our dishonor." Nodoka fingered the bundle she always carried.

"That mean Panda-man and crybaby-man insult Amazons also, great grandmother"
Shampoo asked she slowly excepting, if she wanted to marry Ranma she would have to win him another way.

"I believe you are correct granddaughter. I am afraid Nodoka dear you can not confront them alone. This is now an Amazon matter. We however must wait for the arrival of another matriarch. There must be at least three present for this kind of confrontation." Cologne rubbed her chin disappointment glowing in her eyes.

"Why does she have to wait?" Ukyo asked, her eyes narrowing.

"We need to send for another elder from the tribe and it will take a week or so for her to get here." Colognes eyes widened at the Nabiki like grin that crossed Nodoka's face.

"May I use your telephone Elder Cologne?" Nodoka asked with all the politeness of a Japanese woman but with the glowing battle lust of an Amazon warrior ready for battle.

Akane ran down the street toward her home her tears flowing freely down her cheeks. She stopped outside the gates to her home her hand resting on them as if she was afraid to enter. She paused her tears drying on her face instantly as her aura blazed around her. It then quickly winked out as her shoulders slumped. She turned from her home and headed toward the canal.

Akane reached the bridge that she used to find Ranma under when he needed to be alone. She smiled slightly at the memory of her being the only one he told of this spot. She climbed down the steep slope and under the bridge. She wrinkled her pretty nose at the dirt and rocks under the bridge. She looked around for the least dirty spot and found a large flat stone she could use as a seat.

Akane looked out onto the water as it flowed by and began tossing pebbles into the water. Her mind going over her life since Ranma had entered it. She grudgingly gave him points for stopping the daily fights, but his existence took away her right to choose. She thought about the meeting at the Nekohanten, and how she no longer had to worry about Ranma being in her life. Then why was she feeling so empty?

She thought back to the day she found out about Ryoga's curse. It surprised her now as much as then why she did not get mad at Ryoga but at Ranma instead. She thought about their whole relationship and how everyone seemed to blame Ranma.
Akane suddenly straightened her aura glowing.

We blamed him because it was always his fault, Ryoga showed me that! Akane thought using the Nerimaian logic that prevailed the community.

Flashback
It was three months after Ranma defeated Herb, Akane was alone in the house sick with a cold. The family had all left leaving her alone and Ranma was off being a pervert with his other fianc?s. Akane fumed as she laid in bed covered in sweat from the slight fever. Her only companion was P-chan, he laid close to her his eyes watched her intently.

"Well at least you didn't desert me, huh P-chan." The little pig looked up his sad eyes staring at her.

"Bwee!" Akane giggled then started to cough.

She sat up in bed then when the coughing subsided she got up. She picked up the little porker and headed downstairs to the kitchen. Kasumi had left a pot of hot water and a pan of broth on the stove for her. Akane put P-chan down on the counter next to the stove. Kasumi would be back later that day but she needed to do some shopping and she took Ranma and the others with her to help.

The baka I bet he has snuck away to be with those two bimbos! Akane's battle aura flared again as she was dishing up the broth. Her anger rose as she tightened her grip on the small sipping bowl shattering it spilling hot soup over her and P-chan.

Akane turned to check her pig for any damage but instead stepped back in shock as she watched a familiar transformation, but slightly different. She watched as black skin turned a soft tan color and as piggy ears disappeared into human ears under a mop top of black hair. She watched as the yellow and black bandana moved from the neck to the forehead, just over a pair of dark brown eyes.

Akane's anger rose as she watched the four hoofed feet turn to a pair of arms and lags. Her anger quickly turned to embarrassment as she noticed the now human man in front of her was naked. She turned quickly her face glowing bright red.

"RYOGA! COVER UP, YOU PREVERT! YOUR JUST AS BAD AS RANMA!" Akane shouted her temperature rising even higher.

Ryoga grabbed an apron Kasumi had left on the counter and covered his lower half. He then slipped off the counter and walked up behind Akane. He gently placed his hand on her shoulder only to have it shrugged off. She spun her eyes filled with rage.

"DON'T YOU DARE TOUCH ME, YOU PREVERT!" Akane shouted her eyes narrowed with contempt then widened with shock.

"Ranma knew he tried to warn me!" Akane gasped as memories of the name calling and attempts to splash P-chan flooded her mind.

"He valued his honor more then he did yours!" Ryoga stated with earnest,
leaving out his dishonor in not telling her.

"I made him promise to tell no one as it is a weakness and he agreed, but he should have loved you enough to tell you!" Ryoga stopped short before reminding her he had been with her as his other self.

"How did it happen?" Akane asked, willing to give everyone else the benefit of the doubt since she knew it was Ranma's fault anyway.

"I followed him to Jusenkyo to finish our duel and he knocked me in when he was chasing his father just after he got cursed." Ryoga stated surprised how calm he was talking to his Akane-sama.

"It figures the baka would do something like that." Akane's anger began to grow again this time at Ranma.

"Akane I am sorry for deceiving you but it was the only way I knew to protect you from that womanizer. Akane-san I..I love you!" Ryoga told her his body turning deep red as he bowed his head and stepped back.

Akane looked at the lost boy her anger directing itself toward him for his deception then she saw his embarrassment and heard his words. Something she would never do with Ranma. Akane quickly pushed that thought away as irrelevant. She smiled and walked forward and kissed him deeply.
End Flashback

Akane turned red as the memories following that kiss made her squirm as she sat on the rock. Her mind coming back to focus on why she cared that Ranma had been taken from her. She didn't love him, although he did rescue her but Ryoga would have too, if he didn't get lost. A small smile appeared as she thought of the fanged boy.

No it was just that he was hers their fathers gave him to her and she wasn't going to give up her own personal property just because his mother said so. Her anger returning she cracked her knuckles as a smile returned to her face. She rose and dusted of her school uniform.

Now I have a score to settle with Ukyo and Shampoo for betraying me! Ranma is mine and I will continue to treat him as he deserves even if it kills him
She stomped off toward her home happy with her decision.

"I'm home!" Akane stated to the house.

"Oh welcome home little sister how was school?" Kasumi asked as she poked her head out of the kitchen.

"It was ok. Is dad and Mr. Saotome here?" Akane asked, putting her plan of letting them keep the engagement into play.

"Yes they are in the living room." Kasumi said as she disappeared into the kitchen.

Akane walked into the living room and found her father and Genma Saotome cheating over shogi. A smile crossed her lips after all she can't take her anger out on Ryoga she loved him, but as long as Ranma was around that wouldn't be a problem. Well until they got him back.

"Father! Mr. Saotome! I have a message for you from auntie Nodoka!" Akane smirked as Genma shivered and paled at the mention of his wife.

"Oh my, is she coming for dinner?" Kasumi asked as she entered the room with a tray of tea and cookies.

"No she is coming to break the engagement!" Akane told them as the three looked on in surprise.

"Why would she do that?" They all turned as Nabiki came down the stairs a knowing grin on her face, daring Akane to lie.

Akane opened her mouth with a retort when Nabiki's question was answered from behind them. The group turned to see Nodoka, Cologne and a third woman that looked surprisingly like Nodoka carrying a similar bundle.

"Because Akane Tendo, Soun Tendo and Nabiki Tendo have dishonored the Saotome name and all that saves them from a blood feud is Kasumi." The group stared at the three woman their mouths agape.

"Oh my!" Kasumi stated her hand to her lips.

"Taji!" Gulped Genma as he slowly back pedaled trying to escape the cold glare of the brown eyes looking at him.

As Genma reached the door to the back yard he turned to make a break for it. He never saw the evil grins on the faces of Nodoka and Taji. He only saw the tips of four katanas at his throat his left leg up at the start of a run. He gulped and backed up a step as the four entered the house.

"Let me introduce you. This is my father Keitaro Takashi, my eldest brother Hayashi, my second oldest brother Hiroshi and finally the doctor of the family and my youngest sister Mirako. The woman standing with me is the Elder of the Takashi clan and my mother Taji." The group stared at the five strangers only Nabiki's face showed recognition.

"You mean Takashi Industries, Takashi?" Nabiki asked her 'Ice Queen' fa?de falling by the way side.

"Yes." Came the deep baritone of the man named as Keitaro.

"everyone please sit as this discussion is Amazonian in nature." Nabiki looked at the old woman a smile crossing her lips.

"What Nodoka won't let Shampoo marry Ranma?" Nabiki sneered as she came to the table.

"I will not allow my son to be furthered dishonored by his father and this family. This is a war counsel as the dishonor you have done to my son has disgraced the Amazons." Nodoka smirked at the quick flash of surprise on the Tendo girls face.

"No-chan please it is our family honor! Ranma must marry a Tendo!" Genma whines not hearing a word of what she said.

"Don't get me wrong, but don't you need THREE Amazon elders present to have a war council?" Nabiki smiled predatorily as she put an Amazon law book on the table.

"We have the necessary number of elders present girl!" Cologne told her matching her smile for smile as she opened the law book to the passage Nodoka showed her earlier.

Nabiki perused the passages her eyes widening at the implications before her.
She then turned white as a sheet when Cologne threw the missive on top of the book. Nabiki jumped back slightly when a tanto appeared embedded in the center of the missive. She noticed the crest on the tanto matched one of the seals on the missive.

"So the Takashi are Amazons, you are still one short and by your own laws Akane is already Ranma's wife since she has beaten him time and again." Nabiki glowed as she beat the old woman at her own game.

Everyone in the room watched, the Tendos and Genma pulling for Nabiki. The Takashi's just smiled smugly as the cards were played as they expected them to be. The smile froze on the middle Tendo's face as Nodoka pulled from her robe a tanto bearing the crest that matched another seal on the missive.

"First, during dearest absence I trained in my families other art! Since I am the only practicing member of the art that is old enough. I am the Elder of the Amazonian Tribe of Morboshi. Second since Ryoga Hibiki has no honor by his own deeds he has lost his right to claim his place among the Amazons. Third Ranma is an ELDER and the council of elders has agreed the outsider law does not effect him. Finally if it did Akane is unsuitable as she has dishonored herself and the name of Saotome by sleeping with another man!" Nodoka finished as Akane tried to look shocked, no one believed it as her aura of rage formed around her.

"You are wrong she only slept with the Hibiki boy in his pig form she doesn't even know Ryoga is p-chan." Soun jumped to his daughter's defense.

"Well until now dad." Nabiki said dryly.

"Actually she did know there were witnesses and she confirmed it herself earlier today. Her actions alone were enough for a blood feud with the Morboshi and Takashi clans. The fact that Soun and Genma knew about it and allowed it to happen is enough to add a war with the tribes of the Amazons." Taji stated calmly, though her eyes could freeze an active volcano.

"Oh my! Father? Akane? Is this true? Did you do these things?" Kasumi asked her eyes wide with disbelief and betrayal.



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