Subject: [FF][ranma][beta] Bonded chapter 1
From: Doug Torneden
Date: 10/20/1996, 8:32 AM
To: fanfic@fanfic.com
Reply-to:
daneel@flash.net

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>"