Ranma 1/2 is owned my Rumiko Takahashi

Tribe of One is owned by TSR

Khu Lon smiled as the village gate came into view.  She had been traveling for
many days and nights without rest, but the trip was worth the effort.  Rage
boiled inside her each and every time she thought about the young beardless boy
who had humiliated her.  Her time would come soon, however, and this village
would be a start.

As she walked up to the gate, two guards approached her.  

"Good evening, Elder One.  Is there something we can do for you?"  One of the
guards, a young blonde woman, asked.  

"Good evening, child.  Is this the Village of the Mind?"  

"Yes, Elder One, it is.  How may we help you?"  the other guard asked.

"I... am curious, about a young... man who might have lived here.  A telepath?"  

"Oh, you must mean Ranma!"  The first guard exclaimed with a smile.

"He's the only male who's ever lived here."  The other guard said.

*Yes... Ranma.*  Khu Lon thought, returning the guard's smile.  *It would be soon.*


   *********************************


"Oh man... What happened?"  Ranma croaked as he woke up.  

He quickly looked around and noticed a few things. First, he was lying
in his futon in his room.  Second, there was a big gaping hole where
his window used to be so he had not been dreaming. The morning sun
was shining brightly. And third, he was a she.  

<Ranma>  *Uh... any of you awake?  What happened last night?*

<Play>  * Go away!  I'm sleepy!  yawn...*

<Guardian>  *I'm as lost as you are Ranma.  We were fighting Ryoga, remember?*

<Ranma>  *Oh yeah! And it started to rain... Guess that explains why I'm a girl.*

<Bitter>  *Obviously.*

<Ranma>  *I was fighting Ryoga... it started to rain... He... he...*

<Guardian>  *He slipped and threw the unbrella at us!*

<Ranma>  *Right! That's... the last thing I remember.*

<Bitter> *Sigh... Which means someone else took over and the rest of us blacked out.*

<Ranma>  *Yeah, but who?  Only Shade and Neko have had the ability to completely
block out the rest of the tribe...*

<Guardian>  *Don't forget Master.  He may not have done anything like that yet, I'm
sure he has the ability.*

<Bitter>  *_Surely_ Ryoga wasn't a big enough threat to awake the _Almighty_ Master?*

<Ranma>  *I'm not in a mood for your sarcasm right now!  You... don't suppose that
Shade... killed Ryoga, do you?*

<Bitter> *You mean like the last time?*

<Guardian>  *BITTER!*

<Bitter> *You can't protect him forever!  This is going to come up sooner or later! 
Now might be a good-*

<Guardian>  *NO!  We will not bring this up UNTIL we know all the facts!*


   *****************************************
   *     *
   * Raoh the Conquorer presents *
   *     *
   *  A Story of Ranma 1/2   *
   *     *
   * A Stained Glass Mind Part 10 *
   *     *
   *****************************************


The door to Ranma's room slowly opened and Nodoka peeked inside.  

"Okasan... good morning."  Ranma said in greeting.

"I see you're back to normal."  Nodoka said wryly with a smile.

"What... do you mean? Did you see me last night?"  Ranma asked.

"Your father and I heard some noise outside and went to invesitgate..."

"And?"  Ranma asked.

"We met Neko."  Nodoka replied, laughingly.

"N-Neko... ha..hahaha...hahahaha..."  Ranma laughed in relief.

"Is something wrong Ranma-chan?" 

"Uh... no Okasan, I just get a little nervous when I black out like that."

<Bitter>  *For good reason.*

<Guardian>  *Bitter...*

"How did I get back into my room?"

Nodoka walked up to Ranma and gave him a hug.

"Apparently, Neko knows who his mother is, as well.  I was able to calm him
down and bring him back inside... He didn't like your father, though."

<Bitter>  *Wow.  I guess he _isn't_ just some stupid beast after all.*

"I- he... didn't hurt you, did he?"  Ranma asked.

"No not all, although he was yowling a lot... And ALL the cats in the neighborhood
joined in!  It was quite a performance...*

Ranma winced, "I'm surprised all the noise didn't wake up Shampoo."

"I think she was more exhausted than she was letting on, Ranma.  A young girl
like her, abandoning her home and following you all the way here?  That takes
a lot strength, my son."  

"What are we going to do about her?  I can't marry her!"  

"Calm down, Ranma-chan.  I'll have a long talk with her today... We'll try
to settle things, OK? "

"Thanks, Okasan...  I'll be down for breakfast in a little while.  There are some
things I need to think through first..."

Nodoka kissed Ranma on the forehead and headed out of his room.

<Ranma>  *OK, Bitter... what's the problem.*


<Bitter>  *I was just thinking... Why DID Neko come out?*

<Guardian>  *That's pretty obivous, there must have been a cat around.*

<Bitter>  *In the middle of the rain?  Most cat's hate water.  So if it
was a cat, and I'm pretty sure that it was... Where did it come from?
And what happened to Ryoga?*

<Ranma>  *Do you think Neko hurt Ryoga?*

<Guardian> *No, that's not what Bitter is getting at... I see, now...*

<Bitter>  *Right!  Didn't Ryoga fall into one of cursed springs as well?*

<Ranma>  *DAMN!  So there WAS a cat and it was RYOGA!*

<Bitter>  *Exactly.  Hmmmm... That's got be rather inconvenient at times.*

<Guardian>  *That's going to be inconvenient for US, if we don't get things
settled with him.*

Another knock on the door interrupted Ranma's thoughts and Shampoo opened
the door.

"Ranma, you awake?"  the young amazon asked as she entered the room.

"Uh..."  Ranma-chan said intelligently.

"Who YOU?!"  Shampoo demanded, suddenly angry and shocked at finding this strange
red-headed girl in her "husband's" bedroom.

"My name is..."  

<Bitter>  *Ranko.*

"RANKO!  Yeah!  That's it!  HAHAHA... I'm... I'm...."

<Bitter> *Ranma's sister.*

"Ranma's sister?  I mean, I'm Ranma's sister.  Yeah..."

"Sister?"  Shampoo asked, narrowing her eyes a fraction.

"Yes, I'm his older sister... I visit from time to time... I heard that
Ranma had come home from his trip to China, so I decided to pay him a 
visit last night."  

"You older sister?  You no look that old..."  Shampoo pointed out.

"Hahaha... Well, things are not always as they seem."  Ranma-chan said nervously.

<Bitter>  *THAT was an understatement.*

"Ok."  Shampoo said happily, the matter resolved.  She then tilted her head to the
side and said, "Where Ranma?"

"Ranma?  Oh?  Uh... He's probably on his way to school right now.  Shampoo, why
don't you get ready for breakfast, I need to go talk to Okasan for a bit, OK?"

"Ok... hey, How Ranko know Shampoo?"  

"Uh... Okasan told me about you last night."  

"Ok.  Shampoo go brush teeth now." 

<Bitter>  *Oh, she'll feel right at home in the restroom... She meet her Uncle Toothpaste,
her sister Conditioner, her aunt-*

<Ranma>  *Enough man, I gotta go tell Okasan about this sister thing!*

Ranma-chan quickly ran downstairs and told her mother what she had said to Shampoo.
At first, Nodoka was a bit hesitant to go along with the deception, but after talking
to Guardian, decided that Bitter's 'sister' story might be the best alternative
for the present.  

Ranma-chan went the restroom to brush her teeth right as Shampoo was exiting.  

"Uh... Okasan's in the kitchen getting breakfast ready, I'll see you in a bit."

"OK, Oneechan!"  Shampoo said as she bounced into the living room.

<Ranma>  *Oneechan?*

<Bitter>  *After all, she DOES consider you to be her Sister-In-Law now.*

Ranma-chan quickly brushed her teeth, ran back to the kitchen and grabbed a
thermos of hot water that Nodoka had laid out for her, then ran out towards
the Tendo Dojo.  

<Play>  *Did we HAVE to skipp breakfast?  I'm hungry!*

<Ranma>  *I know, so am I, but I wanted to get away from Shampoo.  Okasan is 
gonna talk to her about this whole marriage thing.*

<Play>  *You should marry her!  She's sexy and cute, and oh so sweet!*

Ranma-chan opened the thermos and dumped the hot water over her head.

<Ranma>  *Ah... that's much better!*

Ranma continued on towards the Tendo Dojo, his spirits starting to brighten.

<Bitter>  *No time to be happy yet, Ranma.  What are we going to do about Ryoga?*

<Ranma>  *Let's deal with it when the time comes, OK?*

<Bitter>  *'When the time comes' we will be too BUSY acting like a damn CAT!*

<Ranma>  *Look, there's Nabiki and Akane... maybe seeing them will make
you feel better.*

Ranma had reached the Tendo Dojo, once again, just in time for Akane and Nabiki
to exit through the front gate.

"Good morning, guys!"  Ranma called out.

"Good morning Ranma-kun!"

"Morning, Ranma."

"Is something wrong?  The two of you look pretty tired."  Ranma commented to the 
girls as they started walking towards school.  

Nabiki yawned then smirked,  "You should talk, you look a little red around the eyes
yourself."

<Bitter>  *Yes, cat fights have that affect on us...*

"Yeah, I, uh, didn't sleep very well last night."

"I'm not surprised, with all that yowling and screeching going on."  Nabiki said.

<Bitter>  *Uh oh.*

"Yowling?"  Ranma asked nervously.

"Yeah, you know, all those cats?  Something strange was going on last night, it was like
every cat in Nerima got together for a party or something..."

"Yeah, that _was_ strange, huh?  hahaha..."  

"I think _you're_ acting a bit strange today Ranma-kun."   Nabiki pointed out.


   *****************************

When they got to class, Ranma tried to strike up a conversation with Akane.

"I know you're upset over the engagement thing, but you gotta admit, it's nice
not having to fight every morning right?"  

In spite of herself, Akane smiled and said, "Yeah, I guess so... but if YOU
start anything..."

"Hey, hey... We've had this conversation before, remember?  Just friends.
That's not too bad, is it?"

"Well, OK... friends."  Akane agreed then quieted down as the teacher called the
class to attention.  

"Ok class... I would like to introduce two new students today, who, interestingly
enough, recently lived in China, like Mr Saotome."  The teacher said.

<Bitter>  *You don't suppose it's Shampoo?*

<Guardian>  *Perhaps... But who is the other one?*

The door to the classroom opened and two people walked in and stood in front
of the class.  The male student had long black hair and was wearing a large
pair of circle-rimmed glasses and a long white robe.  The other student, a 
female, was wearing a pair of slackes and a purple collared shirt.  She
also had a large spatula strapped to her back.  Ranma recognized her
immediately.

"Ucchan?!"  He called out loud in surprise.

"RANCHAN!"  Ukyou squeeled with glee as she launched herself into Ranma's
arms.  

<Bitter>  *I can't believe she followed us here!*

<Guardian> *She's like that Amazon fool!  Young and in love!*

The teacher cleared his throat and Ukyou unflinchingly walked back to the front of the class.

"As I was saying, these two students are from China, like Mr. Saotome, who apparently
knows at least one of them.  Class, I'd like to introduce you to Ukyou Konjii and 
Mu Tsu.  There are a couple of empty seats at the back of the class, please, sit
down."  

As the teacher started his lecture, Ranma ducked under and Bitter took control.
Akane tossed a note towards Ranma and it landed on his desk.  Ranma/Bitter
unfolded the note and read it.

 'Ranma,

  Who is that girl?

    
    -Akane'


<Play>  *Ho ho!  She's jealous now, isn't she?*

<Ranma>  *She is NOT!  She's probably just curious...*

<Bitter>  *Well, what do you want me to do?  I mean, passing notes in class
is REALLY childish.* 

<Ranma>  *Write back, tell her Ukyou is from the village... and that she's
like my sister.*

<Play>  *I bet that LAST part's really important, eh Ranma?*

Ranma/Bitter sighed and scribbled on the note then tossed it back to Akane.
Akane read the note, slightly blushed and nodded stiffly then turned back 
towards the teacher.

<Ranma>  *What did you write?!  She looks angry again!*

<Bitter>  *I write exactly what you told me to... but I also told
her what I thought about passing notes in class.  You can talk to
her during lunch.*

<Ranma>  *Thank you, oh so much.  You make her MAD and I have to deal with it!*

<Bitter>  *Hey, what are tribesmen for?*


After morning classes and ended and lunch was about to start, Ukyou grabbed Ranma
by the arm and led him outside.  Ranma had wanted to appologize to Akane, but
never got the chance.  As the two were leaving their classroom, they brushed
by Nabiki who looked at the retreating pair with surprise and a hint of anger.

Nabiki walked up to Akane's desk and said, "Well?"

"Well what, Nabiki?" Akane replied evenly.

"Who was she?"

"Ranma _says_ that she's like a _sister_?"

"Oh?  It looks to me like she wanted to a _private_ conversation with her _brother_"

"It's none of our business, Nabiki.  Who cares what Ranma does!"  

Nabiki turned around and briskly walked to the door.  As she was about to exit, she
turned towards Akane and impatiently said, "Well? Are you coming or not?"  

Akane let out a frustrated sigh and got up from her desk.

  
   *********************************

Ranma and Ukyou were standing by a large oak tree in the school yard.  Akane and Nabiki
crept up towards them, just close enough to listen to anything the two might say.
Unfortunately for Ranma, the two Tendos had stopped just outside the Watcher's range
of perception.

"I've missed you, Ucchan... but why did you leave the village?"  Ranma asked.

<Guardian>  *She came after YOU!*

"I've missed you too Ranchan... I guess... I- I got lonely with you gone.  And I 
felt so guilty about how we parted.  I didn't want your last impression of me
to be one of anger."  

"Ucchan... You're family!  I could never be angry with you."

"Ranchan..."  Ukyou began, turning away from Ranma, "I know you don't
feel for me what I feel for you...  If I can't be your lover, then...
I guess I'll have to be content with being your sister... Only, I don't
want to be apart from you... ever."  

"Ucchan..."  Ranma said as he enveloped Ukyou in a gentle hug.  

They stayed like that for a few minutes then Ukyou sighed as she released Ranma.

"So.  How the does the Tribe like Japan?"  She asked brightly.

"Tribe?"  Nabiki whispered to Akane.

Akane just shook her head and continued to listen.

"Oh, they're... adjusting.  I think they like it here."  Ranma replied.

<Bitter>  *Speak for yourself!*

"Well, some are adjusting better than others..."

Ukyou laughed and said, "I bet... Has Play been enjoying himself?  I can imagine
that he finds the city exciting."

Ranma frowned and said, "Ucchan, there's something I have to tell you...about the tribe."

"Yes?  What is it?"

It was now Ranma's turn to look away from Ukyou.  

"I didn't tell you _everything_ about the tribe, Ucchan..."

Ukyou frowned but said, "That's all right Ranchan, no tells another person everything."

"Ucchan... Some members of the tribe are... are female."

"What?  How is THAT possible?"  Ukyou demanded.

"I seriously think that we're missing something here Akane..."  Nabiki whispered.  

"Yeah... Where is this tribe?  And who cares if some of them are female?"  Akane
whispered back.

"Maybe its a club, or a cult or something..."

"I don't know how it happened Ucchan, but it's true... I never told you, because,
well, I guess I was kinda embarrassed."  

"You have no reason to embarrassed about anything in front of me!  I love you Ranchan!
Is this the reason we can't be together?"  

"Well that's part-"

<Watcher>  *Someone's coming*

"Ranma Saotome,"  A voice called out.

Ranma turned towards Akane and Nabiki and the two girls thought that they had been discovered.
They both sighed in relief as Mu Tsu, the other new student walked into view.

"Uh... you're Mousse, right?  What can I do for ya?"  Ranma asked.

<Bitter>  *That's Mu Tsu, you idiot!*

Mu Tsu walked in front of Ukyou and said, "Ranma Saotome, I don't know whether
to thank you, or to kill you."

Ukyou gently turned Mu Tsu towards Ranma, who was startled by the blind boy's comment.

"Uh... What did I do?"  Ranma asked.

"I was there Ranma Saotome."  Mu Tsu said, this time facing Ranma.

"I was there when you defeated the fight master Ku Lon, and her Great-Grand daugher
Xian Pu."  

<Bitter>  *Great, another Amazon...*

"Ok..." Ranma replied, not realizing where Mu Tsu was going with this.

"I guess I should explain.  I love Xiam Pu!  She is my goddess!  My ONLY reason
for living.  However, she defeated me in battle when we were but children and
Ku Lon would not let me court her.  So I am your debt for defeating Ku Lon, however,
the woman I love is now your wife."

"WIFE?"  Ukyou, Akane, and Nabiki yelled in unison. 

Being that Nabiki and Akane had already give up their location, they stalked over
to confront Ranma.

<Bitter>  *oh oh.  This could get ugly.*

<Ranma> *What the hell are THEY doing here?*

<Guardian>  *They followed us here, obviously.*

<Lyric>  *Ohhhh... Are we gonna have an orgy?*

<Guardian>  *Lyric!  I'm shocked at you!*

<Lyric>  *Awwww, it was Play's idea!  We never get to do anything! *

<Guardian> *Lyric...*

<Lyric>  *Guardian?*

<Guardian>  *WHAT, Lyric..*

<Lyric>  *What's an orgy?*

<Guardian>  *Sigh... never MIND, Lyric...*

<Play> *hahaha... that was fun!*

<Guardian>  *I'll deal with YOU later!*

<Ranma>  *Uh Guardian?  You wanna take care of this?*  

<Guardian>  *Ranma, you don't need a telepath to tell you that those three girls
are _very_ upset right now!*

"Uh... look guys, Shampoo is at my house right now... Okasan is trying to 
convince her that we're not married.  Why don't we go there after school, OK?"

"Xian Pu actually FOUND you?"  Mu Tsu exclaimed.  

"Well, she literally ran into me yesterday.  Look Mousse.  I don't love Shampoo,
and I ain't gonna marry her... Maybe... we can work something out..."  Ranma said.

"I've been looking everywhere for her!  I followed her all the way here, but I never
thought I'd find her so fast!  Thank you Saotome, thank You!"  Mu Tsu said, vigorously
shaking Nabiki's hand.  

   
*************************
End Part 10

Next time:  Khu Lon VS. Ranma!  again!

and some one dies...


*************************
  


namaste,

Anand 

anandr@earthlink.net