Ok, this is the first chapter of my first fanfic after getting several
messages back showing interest in it. Those that read the teaser will
know some of the direction it will be going, but hang in there because
this chapter and the next will fill in some of the blanks I skipped at
the time. I am releasing this as a beta since I am not entirely sure
of the grammar and there is always the probablility of something
worded poorly. If you see anything or have trouble understanding the
way it reads let me know. I would love to get some C&C on this to
try and do the story justice and I am only a rank amauter at writing.
Bonded
A Ranma 1/2 Fanfic
by Doug "daneel" Torneden
We all know who created the series but thanks and credit still
goes to the goddess Takahashi for creating it.
Chapter 1
The sunset was a marvel to behold. It cast an orange glow as
it started to sink to meet the horizon creating a view that few
appreciated these days. It wasn't easy making sure its rays
approached the viewer in just the right angle to make the right
colors. People just don't realize the trouble the Sun went
through everyday to paint these majestic scenes. Today was an
exception, the Sun saw the young man watching it and worked even
harder than usual to create a masterpiece. It wasn't often
anymore it got these chances so it made sure it took advantage of
every one it got.
The sky was clear overhead with only scattered clouds in the
distance. These clouds gave the orange glow of the sunset a
beautiful purple contrast. The scene was just breath-taking. It
was so serene that the forest stood quiet in respect to the
unfolding real life painting. The sunset colored rays bathed
the forest with its light causing a majestic scene as patterns
of orange were painted on the ground at the feet of the young
man as he stared at a lone temple rising from the colored forest.
The beauty of the scene lasted for only a few minutes but during
that time the man was at peace. Everything in the world seemed
right. Everything in his life had meaning. This peace vanished
quickly though as his voice thundered across the forest to break
the silence, "Where the hell am I now?!"
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The temple appeared typical for the region. The roof was a solid red
while the rest of the building itself was black. In fact just about
everything in and around the temple was red and black. The path
leading up to the temple grounds was overgrown making Ryouga
wonder if the temple was still in use today or not. He looked
closer at the building and saw that it was immaculately cared for.
Ryouga can only believe that while the temple was in use now, it had
few visitors lately. As Ryouga walked up to the temple he saw a
young man dressed in white robes lighting the temple's laterns as
the darkness of night began to set in after the setting Sun. The
young priest was precise in his duties of lighting making Ryouga
realize this man had been doing this same chore for some time now.
As Ryouga approached the young priest turned to him with a serene
smile on his face.
"Welcome traveler to our temple. You must be troubled for the
spirits to direct you to this temple," the priest said as he set
aside his chore and laid his hand on Ryouga's shoulder. He began
to look over Ryouga. He saw a young man dressed in a yellow shirt
that had several days of road dust on it. His shoes looked a little
worn as if he had walked the world several times over. He was
wearing a yellow and black bandanna around his head and carried a
backpack with an umbrella strapped to it. "This is the temple of
the Cure-Curse. It is found only by those needing to find a cure
for an unusual curse. You look like you have the air of the cursed
with you."
"A cure... you can really cure me?" asked Ryouga excitedly. In his
mind visions of him being splashed with water and remaining himself
replayed continuously. Soon the vision shimmered to be replaced by
Akane's smiling face as she reached for Ryouga who was standing on
top of the unconscious form of Ranma. Ranma laid face down in the
dirt with his index and little fingers pointing straight and his thumb
pointing perpendicular on both hands. The Sun was shining brightly
down on the scene and birds flew by singing songs of love as they
passed. "With a cure I will no longer simply be Akane's pet pig,
P-chan. I can finally rid the world of that pervert Ranma and take
my proper place by Akane's side. Oh how the gods have finally
smiled on me!" Ryouga began his mental ranting. Slowly a chuckle
escaped from him, soon to be followed by a howling laugh.
"Errr.... cure a curse, yes, cure the insane, no," the priest
blurted out as a big sweatdrop appeared on the back of the head of
the priest who began to look at Ryouga as if he might be possessed
by an evil spirit.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Then prepare yourself," Ranma's voice rang out edged with
excitement of the upcoming battle.
Ranma launched himself through the air at his adversary only to
just barely miss striking him. Landing deftly on his feet he
rolled across the ground turning to stand facing his opponent
before he could strike at a blind spot. The two watched each
other for several seconds trying to see if they could read what the
other was about to do. Ranma's opponent threw several quick
punches causing Ranma to step back while dodging. Taking another
step back Ranma squared himself up and counter-attacked after
blocking the last of the punches. Ranma's fists were close to
landing but still only found air. His opponent was hard pressed to
dodge all the strikes and started to stumble backwards. Seeing
this Ranma leapt through the air once more and this time landed a
kick to the chest. Ranma moved in to finish his opponent.
"Ranma, you've got a letter," Kasumi sang out sweetly as she
walked onto the family's porch watching Ranma and his father
Genma sparring around the small pond in the yard. Ranma heard
Kasumi's voice entering his ears unbidden. Ranma looked up at
Kasumi slowly registering what she said.
*POW*
Stars flashed before Ranma's eyes as a sudden spin kick sent him
flying across the yard to a quite often used landing spot.
*SPLASH*
"Whadda do that for?" sputtered Ranma as she broke the water's
surface. Her suddenly transformed red hair was plastered down
around her cute face. Her wet clothes clung to her shape
showing she was no longer male. She just glared at her father
who was looking sternly at the just recently boy.
Kasumi giggled as she watched what she knew would unfold.
Genma pulled himself erect and stepped up and onto a soapbox
that recently appeared at his feet. "Boy, if you're so easily
distracted how do you think you'll ever become a great
martial artist like...," Genma started and stalled as he was
distracted himself.
"Breakfast is almost ready," Kasumi stated with a pleasant
smile on her face while waiting for what happened next.
Genma's head swiveled towards her. He never saw Ranma grab
the empty bucket by the pond. As Genma realized his sudden
lapse the water Ranma scooped into the bucket hit Genma in
face and the bucket itself came to a stop dangling at an
angle from a panda's head. "And you're one to talk Old
Man," Ranma snidely commented as she dragged herself out of
the pond. "Now, I'll have to take another hot bath before
going to school."
They once again traded blows momentarily each hoping to land
the last punch. "This is all your fault. You're always
getting me into trouble. You drag me to China, sell me to
girls' fathers for food, and try to force me to marry a violent tomboy
who'd just as soon hit you as to smile at you. Why would I ever
want to marry that... that...," Ranma caught out of the
corner of her vision a terror worse than any nightmare she
could remember. She saw a blue aura surrounding Akane as she
swung her hammer at Ranma.
"Ranma no baka," Akane growled as her hammer met with sudden
resistance, namely Ranma's head. "Who said I wanted to marry
a pervert like you anyway."
Kasumi silently enjoyed the scene while giving no clue that
she was aware of the scene she created spoke again to Ranma,
"Looks like you got a letter from your dear friend Ryouga. I
wonder where he is this time. He's such a thoughtful friend
to keep sending you letters and postcards letting you know he
is alright," Kasumi said and waited for Ranma to respond all
the while looking like she was unfazed by the pair of water
dripping martial artists, one with a bucket still for a hat and
the other a growing lump that threatened to become the size of
a second head, standing in front of her. She offered the letter
to Ranma as Akane looked away from Ranma still fuming.
Ranma took the letter offered to her and looked at it for a
minute before opening it. "What's it this time Ryouga,
another challenge I'll have to wait a week for?" Ranma began
to read the letter when suddenly her eyes bulged out. "No, I
don't believe it. It can't be!" she exclaimed.
Genma looked at Ranma as she began to shake, "what is it boy?
Bad news?" rare concern showing in his voice.
Ranma began to jump up and down and shouted, "Ryouga, he's found
a cure. He says he found a cure!"
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
end of chapter 1
In the next chapter Ranma sets off alone to meet with Ryouga for
the cure, but how often does Ranma ever wind up alone? How often
do they find a cure that works right? And how come Ryouga is
offering Ranma a chance at a cure too????
Author notes:
This is my first attempt at a fan-fiction writing. I had several
ideas rolling around in my head and decided to try to get them on
paper... er... electrons before I forgot them. I'm not sure how
well this will go or if I will have a load of angry Ranma fans
beating my door down yelling, "Somebody get a rope" but I was
encouraged by several people to write this after the teaser I
wrote. If you really need someone to blame, blame my wife, she
keeps asking for more. (SHUDDER) She is really encouraging me,
she has bought a Hammerspace Mallet from Nabiki Inc. and asks
each day if I have anything else for her. Now that is
encouragement.
Thanks to Zen, Megane 6.7, wyrm AKA Tom Jefferys, White Wolf,
Adam Barnes for the encouragement to write this.
Special thanks to Nightelf, Chris Willmore, and "The Major" David
Bateson do the critiquing on the teaser, it pointed out some flaws
and gave me some ideas how to solve them.
If you have any comments, suggestions, complainants, or flames
e-mail me at daneel@flash.net
Doug "daneel" Torneden
"see honey, I'm writing as fast as I can. <BAP> lkjadfojopiajdf;ljk.
<Oooowwwww>"