I may have sent a different version of this fic to the FFML before.  If I did, please forget that it ever happened.  I know I'll try.

Dragon�s Destiny 7

By

the DragonBard
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Yes, I�m finally doing what I said and continuing this fic.  Sorry it took me so long but I just couldn�t come up with an idea for a chapter that I liked.  Ah well, we can�t all be Carrots or Metroanimes.  Those guys release stuff so fast I don�t know what they do.

I should note that I believe that, either Genma would have mentioned being a master of the Arts, or that it would fall under �his� definition of Man Among Men.  Though the �Arts� will be probably stretched to include most, if not all other art forms, not just martial.
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I am not, nor do I make any claims of being the owner of any of the characters mentioned in this work.  They are the property of their respective creators (Rumiko Takahashai, Gregg Sharp, and assorted others) This is a work of fan fiction, in the sense of imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
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   It was a nice peaceful day in the Nerima ward of Tokyo.  The school board had approved the funds necessary for repairs to the local high school, as little as there were needed.  The grounds keeper had turned in his resignation after seeing what Ryouga�s ice attack, and later fire attacks had done to the school.
Suddenly, the denizens of Nerima heard a faint rumble floating through the air, and a tremor running through the ground.  Well used to earthquakes in the geologically unstable area of Tokyo, they quickly moved to areas of their home of business that were �safe� during these times.  However, those who were outside at the moment soon saw the true source of the rumblings, and it was no mere act of plate tectonics.
   Ranma Saotome, heir to the Saotome Ryu of Anything Goes Martial Arts, wielder of the chi of a dragon-kami, engaged to a horde of women that would make Ataru Moroboshi drool, and Tenchi Masaki say �And I thought �I� had women troubles,� ran down the road as if his very life and soul depended on escaping whatever it was following him.  Almost immediately behind Ranma stormed a multitude of nubile (and some �not� so nubile) women.  Each of them with only one thing on their mind: getting a hold of Ranma and making him theirs.
   Ranma turned down an alleyway, where the other end was blocked off.  The girls pursued him into it, but found, to their disappointment and confusion, that it was empty.  Several of the girls began to look around, trying to see if he had perhaps hidden himself behind or within something, but no such luck.  They eventually dispersed, each going to their own homes, to try and plan a way that might soon make them the one to fulfill the dream of every girl in Nerima, and probably Japan; to marry Ranma.
   Moments after the girls had left, a crate, too small to hold even a very flexible adult, and thus, overlooked during the search, popped open, and Ranma pulled himself out.
   �I bet Mousse never thought of using his Hidden Weapons style like that.�  Ranma mused.  �I�ll have to thank him.�
   Ranma quickly jumped to the roof of the building, and began to hightail it to the Tendo Dojo.  His father had moved back into the Saotome Estate with Ranma�s mother.  Ranma had originally thought to return there too, but had changed his mind after being begged by the girls to stay.  Nodoka had been somewhat saddened that her boy wouldn�t be returning home, but overjoyed that he had some many girls who wanted him.
   Ranma, however, wasn�t quite so pleased.  Yes, it was somewhat nice, and an ego boost to have all of those attractive young women who thought he was that good looking, but there were very few who wanted him beyond anything but as a body.  The Tendo sisters, at least after the first few days of his living with them, had begun to see him as a person.  At least, he hoped they had.  The same went for Ukyou (who he was �still� having trouble connecting with his old pal Ucchan from long ago) and the Senshi.
   Shaking off his thoughts, Ranma walked into the Tendo home (though many of the students were already calling it the Saotome-Tendo, or even just Saotome home.)
   �I�m home.�  Ranma called out.  He allowed his chi aura to expand, tapping into the Wa of the home, tasting the presences of those who were presently there, and those who were no longer present.
   <It looks like all the girls are here.  The Senshi must be here for the training I mentioned.  Better grab a bite to eat before we start. > Ranma thought to himself.
   It had been irritating to find out that the three Senshi that he had tried to save from a case of Ryouga�s Deep Freeze hadn�t needed his help, and that he had once again accidentally life bonded them to himself.  From what he could work out, from legends, the stories his father and Mister Tendo told him, and his own instincts, the act of tying his own life energies to those of the girls had, for all intents and purposes, married them.  They were bound by forces rivaling love in strength, beyond any thoughts of law or morality, in some cases transcending even time, space, and death.  He had kept such thoughts from the girls, because he was certain that all of them would want to consummate the marriage on the spot.  However, Ranma was still not certain he was emotionally ready to be a father.  He was certainly not economically ready.  Then again, there was the matter of what effects being part dragon would have on any family they might have.
   The side effects of the wish that Kasumi had made at the Cave of the Dragon�s Fist were rather... interesting to say the least.  They had also made Kasumi somewhat embarrassed for her accidental slip of the tongue.  Ranma had become the recipient of the knowledge and skills of several of the girls, as they had from him, most likely from the chi infusions they had performed on each other.  Ranma could cook food with a skill that rivaled Kasumi�s usual fare, and showed a proficiency in Amazonian Wu-shu/Kung Fu that certainly had impressed Shampoo (though that may have been do to the fact that he had been practicing without his shirt on at the time).  He also showed an intimate knowledge of the Okinomyaki style martial arts of Ukyou�s family.  He knew how to use a computer with some competence, and how to perform several secret Shinto rituals that had been handed down to Rei from her grandfather.  Ranma had even been able to copy some of the Senshi�s attacks, though he felt as if only the instinctive knowledge of the technique, and not the magical power were gained.  Ami and Nabiki theorized that he was using either his chi, or the magical energies inherent in a dragon to fuel those attacks.  On the other hand, all of the Senshi now had at least a general working knowledge of the Saotome Ryu.  Rei and Makoto�s being the most advanced because of their prior martial arts training, and Rei�s Shinto mental disciplines.
   'Another' side effect of the wish, one Ranma was all too familiar with, was the fact that the soul bond between them played havok with Ranma's self control, as well as the girls self discipline.  Everytime he came near them, he could sense their longing, their desire for him, and they could feel his feelings for them.  This had almost resulted in there being a scandal since the group had been in public when it first hit them.  Only Ranma's well trained instinct for self preservation (which was second only to his honor and pride) had made him run for home, and hide until the girls (and he himself) could get control.  Since then, anytime Ranma came into the presence of one or more of his fiancee's, a tension like static electricity flowed through the air.  Ranma had developed a technique to keep things under control (at least from his side) which cooled things down, and kept the girl's emotions from feeding off of his, but it was a near things sometimes.
   Ranma walked in as Kasumi and Makoto just finished setting the table.  Makoto was spending most of the time she wasn�t at home, at school, or with the Senshi, at the Tendos.  The Tendo sisters could understand what loosing a parent was like, and had a better understanding of what loosing both must have been like for the tall brunette.  Especially as Soun had been a wreck for years, ever since the death of their mother.  Ranma, who had lived most of his life without his mother, could sympathize as well. Just then, he noticed a large bag of mail sitting in a corner.
   �More proposals?�  He asked.  At Kasumi�s nod he sighed in exasperation.  Ever since the bill that allowed polygamy in Japan had gotten final approval, Ranma had been inundated with mail from all over the country, all wanting to arrange an omiai with Ranma.  It took a lot of time for the girls to sort through the mail, trying to find which ones they actually wanted to read (from family and friends)
   �By any chance did the new law mention an upward limit?�  Ranma asked.
   Nabiki shook her head ruefully.
   �So long as all parties involved agree, the sky�s the limit as far as the law is concerned.
   �Don�t worry,�  She said with a chuckle.  �I�m sure that having eight wives will be enough even for your mother.�
   �Do not be so sure,� Shampoo said.  �This one saw Ranma�s mother getting very goofy grin when looking at how much mail was coming to Ranma from girls.�
   Shampoo�s Japanese had improved quite quickly after the wish.  Probably for the same reason that Ranma had been able to learn Chinese so quickly.  Of course, Shampoo had an advantage in that she had �some� ability to speak and understand the language prior to her transformation.  However, she often was quite formal in her speaking, unless she reverted to her �baby talk.�  She still made an occasional mistake, but would likely soon reach the point where she could talk without the slightest accent.
   �Oh, Ranma.�  Kasumi said, smiling in delight at her fiancee.  �Mother Nodoka called and said that the engagement rings would be ready soon.  She said that it would have been sooner, but the fact that eight were needed, almost identical, was taking a bit.  She also wanted to thank you for recommending such an outstanding jewelry store as Osa-P.�  Soun started blubbering, wailing that his �little girls were all grown up and about to get married and join the schools.�  The girls all got little grins at the mention of engagement rings.
   Ranma, the Tendos, and the other fiancee�s, quickly sat down to feast upon Kasumi�s meal.  The extra money that Ranma�s tutoring sessions, and the increased number of Dojo students, had made feeding the families much easier.  Especially with the help of Makoto occasionally bringing food over from her home.  Ranma had quickly picked up on manners (whenever he wasn�t being forced to deal with his father) so was eating like a normal human being (well, if you count the vast quantities of food he ate as normal).  The girls were chatting amongst themselves as to normal girl stuff (though Ami seemed to keep quiet during this.  For all her beauty she was a bit of a wallflower.)
   Afterwards, Saotome and his harem (as it was sometimes called in school) went to the dojo to talk and plan out the training.  Ranma had noticed that Ryouga�s primary attacks were similar in nature to those of the three Senshi he was bonded to.  This meant, that Ranma could use the Senshi�s attacks to help figure out how to counter Ryouga.  While the two were evenly matched in terms of power, Ranma felt that it would be good to better understand his new mode of attack.
   �Now the way I see it, since Ryouga�s attacks can have such a wide area of effect, and a large range, simply dodging them isn�t going to be enough.  Especially if he tries to pick a fight around innocent bystanders again.�  The girls quickly agreed.  None wanted a repeat of what had happened at the school, and none wanted any more fianc�e's to be added to the mix.  �The best bet is to use Ryouga�s attacks against himself.  Either by making them hit �him,� or by using them in some other way.
   Makoto got a thoughtful look on her face.  �You know, if we could get him into a lot of water, he couldn�t use the ice or electric attacks, since he would end up shocking or freezing himself.�  Ami nodded.
   �Yes, that�s true.�  She said.  �I don�t have that problem since my attack is more focused, but from what we�ve seen, he should be vulnerable to such a maneuver.�
   �That�s good Ami, but we can�t just hope to have water near whenever we have to fight him.  We have to figure out something that any of us could do. You�ve got the brains, you should be able to think of something.�
   Ami frowned, and pulled out the Mercury Computer.  �I think I may have an idea, but it will take a bit of study before I can explain it.�
   Everyone nodded their understanding, and continued to discuss their problems, confident that Ami would be able to find something for them to use.

    Meanwhile, at Mina�s home, Usagi, Luna, Artemis, and Mina were talking about the new love interest of their fellow Inners.
   �Darn it!  Why couldn�t I have been there to be saved with them?�  Mina wailed.  �It�s not fair.  I�m the Sailor of Love, and now I�m the only one without a steady boyfriend.�  Mina started to pout, while the others in her room rolled their eyes.  This had been Mina�s steady complaint ever since hearing about what had happened to the others.  It had just gotten worse the instant she had laid eyes on the hunk named Ranma.
   �Yes, we know all that.�  Luna said in her best matronly voice.  No one could understand why she talked like that, even though she was supposedly wasn�t much older than the girls themselves.  �What we are here to talk about is what we should do about it.�
   �What do you mean Luna?� Usagi asked.  �Why should be doing anything?  Ranma and the girls are a great help in our fights, and Ranma is even beginning to teach us how to fight better as a team.�
   �What about the power he now holds over Makoto, Ami, and Rei?�  Luna asked.  �They may be your friends, but first and foremost their duty is to protect and serve you.  This life bonding they have with him endangers that.�
   �Luna, I may be the Moon Princess, but I am still their friend.  I want what�s best for them, and that�s it.  If they want to have lives outside of being Sailor Scouts, or move away, I�ll miss them, but I will also be there for them!�  Usagi said forcefully.
   Seeing as how her Princess would not be agreeing with her anytime soon, Luna backed down.  She was confident that, given enough time, she could get Usagi to come around to her way of thinking.  Never mind that she had miserable failures in trying to get the girl to actually focus on school, or anything else that wasn�t �fun� in Usagi�s book.
   Artemis wisely kept his own council about what was going on.  Having been one of the Royal Advisors in the Silver Millennium, and having had to deal with things back while Mina was Sailor V, he was able to see both sides of the argument.  He could sympathize with Luna�s frustrations, but also understood that some things were beyond their ability to control.  Probably it was a result of his working with the Royal Guard back in the old days.  The military had �technically� been under his oversight in the Silver Millennium, though he himself wasn�t a soldier, of which even he could admit.  That was why he had ended up being the advisor to Sailor Venus/Minako.  Luna, on the other hand, had been in charge of protocol and politics.  That was probably why she had ended up as the one to work with the Moon Princess.  Artemis often speculated what would have happened if it had been Luna to find Mina-chan, and turn her into Sailor V, while he was the one to meet Usagi.  It was something to do while Mina was away at school.

   Up in Heaven, Toltiir shook his head.
   �Trust Shen Long to choose such a boring timeline to continue.  Must be having to continuously deal with those insanely overpowered Saiyans.�  He muttered to himself.  With the exception of having so many women after him, and having to deal with an equally powerful Ryouga, this Ranma�s life was going to be so damned DULL!  After a short period of time, Ranma and his blushing brides were going to get married, and go on their honeymoon.  He would then aid in the establishment of Crystal Tokyo, and the creation of the next generation of Senshi.  The only good thing Toltiir could see coming out of this was that Ranma would be able to convince Usagi/Neo-Queen Serenity that Purifying the entire planet was not a good thing.  Still, the peace and order it would bring would be almost as bad in Toltiir�s mind.
   Ryouga would continue wandering for the rest of his �very� long life.  He would never be able to defeat Ranma, especially when backed up by the abilities and fighting skills of Shampoo, Akane, Ukyou, and the Senshi.  There was a chance of him meeting, and winning the heart of Akari Uuryu, but no one was putting any bets on that happening in the near future.
   �Considering this is Ranma, I would have expected things to be �much� more interesting by now.�
   Toltiir began to ponder things for a few moments, and then, a stone appeared above Mimir's Well, only to fall into it.
   "Hopefully 'this' will stir things up."  Toltiir muttered to himself.    ************************************************************************
I know, pretty rough.  Heck, I�m surprised I even got �this� far.  I�m still in the planning stages for the next chapter, so �hopefully� it won�t take as long to put out.  I�m not promising �anything� though.
As for those of you with dirty minds, �yes� I am thinking of some lemon side stories.  But those will be later on... maybe.

If you have any ideas for this story, I'm all ears.  After how long it took me to get this out, I need all the help I can get.


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