Hello, I don't really know where the idea for this came from, but I
have been reading a lot of the really depressing fanfics recently so
that probably has something to do with it.  So without further adu, here
comes Ranma 1/2 : Cold Future

Cold Future

Part one: Arrival

	The sun had not quite raised itself above the horizon yet.  The yard
was tinged by just the barest of light.  A soft breeze played off the
trees in the Tendo yard and sent a  ripple across the small pond.  Ranma
sat on the roof waiting for the sun to rise.  He didn't know just what
has awakened him, but he had quickly realized that he wasn't going to be
getting anymore sleep.  Discovering his father and the rest of his
adopted family still asleep Ranma had decided to watch the sun rise.
	The very top of the sun appeared over the horizon.  Ranma gasped at the
sudden influx of light, and then settled to watch the beauty of the
rising sun.  The shadows in the yard stretched under the assault of the
sun's light.  Suddenly it seemed to Ranma as if all the shadows began to
run together.
	Ranma's brows furrowed at the unusual event.  A board creaked behind
Ranma.  It was a small warning, but it was enough.  Ranma leaped up and
back, flipping in the air to land back on his feet at the very top of
the roof.  Genma Saotome's fist hung in the air where Ranma had just
been sitting, " You're getting soft Ranma.  If it wasn't for the
creaking roof I would have had you!"  At the end of that statement Genma
launched another attack.
	" Yeah, yeah, yeah, excuses, excuses.  Keep dreaming old man," Ranma
responded while he blocked his father's assault and countered with a
punch of his own.  The punch wasn't Ranma's best, but then Ranma was
dividing his attention between his father and the weird shadowplay going
on out in the yard.  The shadows all seemed to be converging on one
spot.
	Ranma felt a hand wrap around his wrist.  He snapped his attention back
to his father just in time to watch his father complete the throw.  < Oh
shit.>  Ranma was launched into the air.  
	Aaaaaaaaaaaaaghhhhh!" SPLASH!!
	Ranma sat up in the pond, blinking as he looked around.  The shadows
were all back to normal.  Ranma looked back to himself.  He was soaking
wet, and had two large protrusions on his chest.  <A girl again.>  His
father stood on the roof laughing at him.  Ranma slowly went from shame,
to red hot, blinding rage as he stared at his father.  Kasumi, who was
standing at the door having just came downstairs to start breakfast,
stared at Ranma.  " Oh my!"  she exclaimed.
	A shadowy figure stood in the cover of the trees watching this battle
with interest.  It closed its eyes for a moment questing outwards
towards Ranma, *A gift for you.*
	Ranma jumped to his feet and then leaped towards his father.  Genma,
expecting the attack leapt to counterattack.  This is usually about the
time where Ranma and his father would get tangled up and fall into the
pond.  Genma having the elevation advantage began flinging kicks and
punches in front of him.  Usually Ranma would perform a similar move of
his own, but not today.  Ranma twisted in mid-air to go sideways, past
his father.  Then, at the last possible moment Ranma brought his leg
up.  Genma gasped as the blow drove all the wind out of him.  Ranma
followed up with a  punch to the chin.  Genma saw stars.  Ranma then
twisted in the air to bring his leg around behind him and over his
father's back.  The move built up speed until Ranma's heal connected
with his fathers back.  Genma slammed down into the ground, right onto
the rocks that surrounded the pond.  He stood up just as Ranma alighted
onto the ground.  Genma seemed about to say something, but instead just
crumpled back to the ground into a twitching mess.
	" Oh my!" Kasumi said.

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


	Akane came down the stairs.  Kasumi had breakfast all laid out, Father
and Nabiki were already at the table.  Father was bawling, screaming
something about his poor lost friend.  "Kasumi...       What's wrong
with daddy??? " Akane asked.
	"Oh Ranma's father wasn't feeling very well after training this morning
so Ranma took him to see Dr. Tofu."
	Nabiki began to giggle at Kasumi's description of Mr. Saotome's
injuries.  "Kasumi.. why don't you tell Akane just how Mr. Saotome got
hurt," Nabiki suggested.
	Kasumi looked at Akane vacantly, " Well Ranma did kick Mr. Saotome a
little hard, but I'm sure he'd never do anything to harm his father."
	Akane's jaw hit the floor.

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


	Shampoo was sweeping outside of the Nekohaten when she saw a familiar
figure walking down the street.  Shouting her ever-familiar
greeting/battlecry she ran over to the figure, "Niaho Ranma!"  She ran
over and glomped onto Ranma's arm.  The figure stopped dead in the
street.  After a moment he reached down and pushed Shampoo away. 
Shampoo was confused <Ranma never push Shampoo away before>  She looked
up into Ranma's face and gasped.  The man before her looked just like
Ranma except more mature, aged, and the eyes....     good god the eyes. 
Shampoo backed away and ran inside the restaurant.  Running past great
grandmother and straight into her room, flinging the door open, and then
slamming it behind her.  She was running from those dead eyes.
	Unfortunately for him, Moose had been walking down the hall, right in
front of Shampoo's door when Shampoo came fleeing to her room.  Moose
was not wearing his glasses.  He had the impression of a purple and
white blur coming down the hall, just before he was struck be Shampoo's
door.  WHAM!!!  Moose had unpleasant dreams about being struck by
speeding eighteen-wheeled trucks for the next several hours.
	The figure resumed walking.

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

	Ranma sat in his chair in class.  The teacher was rambling on about
something, but Ranma wasn't paying her any attention.  He still couldn't
believe what he'd done to Pop this morning.  One second he was facing
his slightly overweight father, the next he was facing just another
faceless opponent.  Another doll to be mangled, defeated, and
destroyed.  Ranma had figured out the counter-attack weeks ago, but had
not yet perfected the move enough to use it without seriously injuring
his opponent.  He'd never intended to use it on anyone yet.  Not till
this morning at least.  <What was I thinking?>
	"Ranma."  No response.
	"Ranma!"  Still no response.
	"RANMA!!!"
	Ranma jerked his head up out of his thoughts.  "Oh.  Hi Akane.  What's
up?"
	She was standing in front of him.  "Class is over Ranma.  Its time for
lunch."
	"Oh.  Okay, let's go."  Ranma stood up and the two of them began making
their way outside.  They spoke no words, mainly because Ranma's body was
on autopilot while he puzzled over this mornings escapades.  Finally, as
they sat down in the grass under a tree Akane broke the silence. 
"Uhm...   Ranma?"
	"Yeah?"
	"About your father.  Can you tell me what happened this morning?" 
Akane was keeping her voice low and calm, "I mean, its not like you to
just hurt somebody like that in a practice session, even if your angry
at someone."
	Ranma looked over at Akane, <She actually looks concerned.  Oh well, I
guess I have to talk to someone>  He set down his lunch, forgetting the
uneaten food as he tried to collect his thoughts.  He leaned back
against the tree behind him, " I don't really know.  One second I was
fighting Pop, getting real mad because he threw me in the pond, then
suddenly I just wasn't mad anymore,"  words seemed to fail him for a
moment, then he sighed and continued.  "It was like I suddenly was only
facing a practice doll.  I knew it was Pop, but emotionally there was no
connection.  In fact for a while there I didn't feel anything period. 
Then when Pop attacked I saw my opening and struck."  Ranma fell
silent.  Akane was still staring at him.  She seemed confused.
	"I don't get it.  I know you and your father never go easy on each
other, but what your talking about is just plain strange.  I don't
understand."  Akane fell silent.
	"Neither do I."  Ranma was staring down at his hands.
	"SAOTOME!!!"  Ranma and Akane both flinched at the slightly insane
shout.  "Saotome you Oedipus, come face judgment for you patricidal
ways."  Kuno was running at Ranma, bokken at ready.  Ranma sprang to his
feet, dodged Kuno's first strike, and leapt back into a defensive
stance.
	"Kuno, I am not in the mood for this right now.  Leave me alone!" Ranma
yelled.
	in response Kuno began another attack.  "Never!  I now know that your
lack of honor has no bounds.  I will defeat you to free my dear Akane
and Pigtailed Goddess from your vile, murdering hands."  As Kuno swept
in again Ranma leapt high over the striking bokken.  Before Kuno could
react Ranma landed a flying roundhouse to the side of Kuno's face.  This
was quickly followed by the other foot's heel and a second roundhouse. 
Kuno stumbled back, obviously stunned.
	Akane was watching the battle with little interest as the normal crowd
gathered to watch Ranma pound Kuno yet again.
	"1,000 yen says Ranma takes out Kuno in less than a minute," someone
shouts. A crowd is beginning to surround her sister Nabiki as she begins
her betting pool.
	Meanwhile Akane notices something just at the edge of her vision.  She
turns her head to see a flicker of shadow, and then...     nothing.
	Ranma watches as Kuno pulls himself up from the ground again.  He is
just about to launch one last attack when a slightly familiar sensation
begins to come over him.  His anger at being attacked slowly fades to be
replaced by a cold calculating awareness of his opponent.  Kuno stands. 
Ranma watches coldly, noting how Kuno's staggering stance leaves his
bokken just a little too far to the left, exposing his throat to a knife
hand strike.  Ranma begins visualizing the attack in his mind.  A small
feint to draw Kuno even farther out, and then a quick blow collapsing
Kuno's windpipe.  Something deep down in Ranma rebelled against the
vision.  "Nooooooooooo!!!!"
	Akane had become much more interested in the fight.  She watched his
face.  Watched his annoyed look fade to something...   cold.  That look
scares her.  She watched as Ranma changed his stance to the one he saved
only for his most serious battles.  Akane watches the cold expression be
replaced by something else...   fear, then total, full blown terror
crosses Ranma's face.  "Nooooooooooooo!!!" he screamed, and then Ranma
leapt away, out of the school grounds to the street.  From there he took
off running like a bat out of hell.
	A hush falls over the crowd.  No one had expected this twist of
events.  The quite didn't last long.  "Akane!  Finally I have rid you of
that vile murdering sorcerer Saotome.  See how he flees from the might
of Tate--!"  Kuno doesn't get any farther as Akane's foot is planted
into his face.  He falls down, unconscious.  Akane pays no more
attention to him as she rockets out of the schoolyard, "Ranma, come
back!"
	Nabiki stands within the midst of the crowd, "Well, since no bet on
Ranma fleeing the fight the house wins all wagers.  Thank you, come
again."  A community groan rises as the crowd realizes that just all
lost their money.

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

	It took Akane the rest of the afternoon to find Ranma.  Somehow she had
known that her search would end here, on the banks of the canal, under
the bridge.  Somehow Ranma had been wetted down, and Ranma was now in
his female form.  Akane was within ten feet of Ranma when she called out
his name, "Ranma."
	The reaction was immediate.  Ranma was scrambling back away from
Akane,  further into the shadows of the bridge.  He made pretty good
speed considering that he was moving backwards on his hands and butt. 
"S, s, s, st, st, stay back Akane.  You don't want to be anywhere near
me.  I don't want to hurt anyone!"
	Akane wasn't used to this.  Ranma was always the confident one, and
right now he looked about half a step away from a nervous breakdown. 
Akane focused and stepped forward, "Yes I do.  Come on Ranma, tell me
what happened."  As she spoke Akane kept moving forward.  Ranma had long
since ran out of space, and now pressed against the wall.  "Its all
right Ranma.  I'm here to help," Akane reached out and took Ranma by the
hand.  She had to kneel down to fit under the low ceiling which was why
she couldn't dodge when Ranma-chan suddenly leaped forward.  Akane
landed on her butt, with Ranma in her lap.  Akane gasped, but any action
was quickly negated.  Ranma did something so unexpected that Akane would
have never anticipated the next event.  Ranma hugged her close, then
broke down completely and began to cry.

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

	Kuno Tatewaki, rising star of the high school kendo world, was bored. 
He could not find Akane Tendo or his pig tailed goddess anywhere.  After
forcing that sorcerer Saotome to submit to him Kuno had felt the need to
lay down to rest.  He had felt certain that his beauties would be there
when he awoke, but alas they had not <That filthy creature must still
hold them.>  
	Kuno was still following this train of thought when he saw a familiar
figure.  Basking in the glow of his earlier victory, Kuno reached to
pull his bokken from Bokken-Space (a place very similar to mallet-space)
and rushed to assault the figure.  "Saotome!  Having been truly and
fairly beaten you will now release my goddess in pigtails to ..." 
WHAM!  
	Kuno was flying across the market square.  He slammed squarely into the
wall of a restaurant, cracking the wall.  Kuno rose to measure his
opponent.  Ranma was still wearing his standard shoes and black, Chinese
trousers, but was now wearing a black Chinese shirt and <Is  that a
cape???>  "A lucky shot.  You shall not have another."  Kuno charged
forward again.
	WHAM!  WHAM!! WHACK!  WHAM!  
	(Straight-arm, Ax-kick, roundhouse, crescent kick)  Kuno was cataloging
the blows as they slammed into him.  Again he went flying back.  This
time instead of solid wall, he struck the glass of a window.  The window
cracked, but the glass held.  Barely.  Inside the restaurant Nabiki
Tendou was conducting a 'business' lunch.  Business meaning that her
perspective client was forced to pay as she fed herself while
simultaneously bleeding her client of every yen she could be finagle out
of him/her.  At the sound of glass cracking she looked out and saw
Ranma, dressed in a black version of his red satin shirt, standing in
the middle of the street.  All the venders and passersby were giving him
a WIDE birth.  Kuno was sliding down the side of the restaurants glass. 
Standing he charged at Ranma.
	"SAOTOME!!!"
	SLAM!!!
	Kuno came flying back at the window.  This time, when flesh met glass
at high velocity, there was absolutely no contest.  The already weakened
glass shattered.  Nabiki ducked just in time to watch Kuno's body going
over her head.  He came to ground; destroying a table in the process, in
the midst of shattered glass, strewn silverware, and the general chaos
of screaming eaters.
	Nabili crawled over to Kuno's side.  "Oh Kuno-baby, I bet that hurt
lots."  It was then that she began to truly notice Kuno's wounds.  Her
analytical mind knew that Kuno was able to take some major punishment,
but this looked bad even for him.  Several pieces of not so small glass
stuck out of his body from various angles.  She glanced back at Ranma. 
He still stood in the middle of the street; waiting for any sign of
activity from Kuno.  Ranma looked very serious.  He did not look
pleased.
	He also did not have to wait long.  While Nabiki's attention was
elsewhere Kuno began to straighten up.  Noticing, Nabiki began to push
back at Kuno, trying to get him to lay back down, "Kuno, just stay
still.  Your done."
	Her words did not have their intended effect.  Kuno pushed himself;
wobbling, to his feet.  "Release me woman.  Tatewaki Kuno backs down
from no battle."  With that said Kuno began to make his way back out the
window.  Even as injured as he was he was still able to walk out,
pulling against Nabiki.
	Pushing Nabiki away from himself, Kuno charged Ranma again.  Less than
three seconds later he was down on his back again.  Ranma watched
impassively as Kuno staggered to his feet for a fourth time.
	"Give up."  Ranma commanded.
	"Never," screamed Kuno.
	"So be it."
	This time Ranma went on the offensive.  With skill and precision he
began to ripe Kuno's ragged defense apart.  Kuno tried to block blow
after blow, but often miscalculated, and received yet another bruise. 
Weakly he raised his bokken to block a punch aimed for his face. 
Ranma's fist struck the bokken....     And the bokken shattered. 
Ranma's fist continued forward and connected with Kuno's jaw.  There was
a sickening snap as the bones of Kuno's jaw broke.  Several teeth went
flying from Kuno's mouth.
	Kuno stumbled back.  In some rear part of his brain, that was not
screaming with the pain of what had just happened, he realized that the
blow was well thrown, intending to injure without finishing the
opponent.  The next several minutes were horrible, even for the
onlookers.  Ranma continued to punish Kuno's body, without actually
knocking Kuno out.  Nabiki stared in horror as Ranma broke first Kuno's
left arm, and then his right.  Finally a series of body blows and kidney
punches left Kuno completely unprepared for a sweep kick  The kick
caught Kuno in the knees.  Kuno fell, one knee turned horribly the wrong
way.
	Ranma slid calmly down to one knee.  He pulled Kuno's severely beaten
head up, twisting it back so as to leave it open for one final blow.
	"NOOOOOOOO!!!!!"  Nabiki came flying in from left field to knock Ranma
away from Kuno.  She flung herself over Kuno's broken body.  For a
moment she only stared into Ranma's eyes.  She spoke only one word,
praying that she might appeal to some kindness she couldn't see,
"Please!"  Nabiki's eyes were filled with tears as she watched Ranma
pick himself up.  He walked over to Nabiki and Kuno.  He stared down at
the two of them for a moment.  Nabiki felt the need to say something,
but didn't really know what.  "Please Ranma, I know you're mad, but you
don't want to kill him.  You don't want to be a killer."
	Ranma reached out one bloody hand, and put a single finger to Nabiki's
lips.  "I am not mad," he said at last.  His voice was flat and
unemotional.  He stared at her for another moment.  "For you,
once-sister, I will spare his life." He turned and took a few steps. 
Pausing he turned back around.  "Kuno,"  his voice was quit, but
something in it caught even the pain racked Kuno's attention.  "I have
let you live this once, but if you ever challenge me again I shall
finish what we began today.  You will die."  Ranma turned and began
walking down the street, leaving Nabiki to hold Kuno until the ambulance
came.

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

	Ranma was not walking on the fence.  Dr. Tofu had said to stop by this
afternoon to check up on Pop sot that was where he was headed.  After
the scene this afternoon Akane had insisted on coming along.  It had
actually been possibly the longest time that the two had not fought. 
All day and he hadn't been hit by her mallet once.  Things hadn't been
this good since that whole deal with Akane's near death to Saffron. 
<Boy did I blow it that time.  The first time we actually seem to be
working things out, and I just let things slide right back to the way
they'd been.>  If there was anything Ranma regretted it was that he had
had denied admitted to Akane that he loved her.  Somehow it just never
seemed the right time, or someone would interrupt them, or Ranma would
just plain chicken out.  	
	Akane was walking slowly beside Ranma.  After crying for a good ten
minuets Akane had gotten him some hot water.  Afterwards, instead of
thanking her Ranma had bolted off.  It had taken her another half-hour
to find him, and when she did find him he had just completely shut her
out.  It almost seemed like he was purposely ignoring her.  Why couldn't
he just say what he was feeling she wondered <Heh, like I'm one to
talk.>  Her morbid thoughts were interrupted as Dr. Tofu's clinic came
into sight.  They both picked up the pace a little.
	"Ah hello Akane.  Hello Ranma."  Dr. Tofu's greeting lacked its usual
hearty cheerfulness.
	Ranma's voice was quiet, even a tad hesitant, "Hey Doc.  How's Pops?"
	Dr. Tofu was staring Ranma straight in the eyes.  "He should be okay. 
He had a couple bruised ribs, and a sprained wrist, that's all."  Ranma
flinched.  "You know Ranma, you should really be more careful in your
sparing sessions.  You seriously hurt your father.  If you had used much
more force we would be talking about broken ribs, not bruised."

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

	"Ms. Tendou?"
	Nabiki looked up, "Yes doctor?"
	Dr. Makidoka looked the girl over.  She was young, but seemed
physically fit.  She was probably healthy though she couldn't really
tell right now.  The girl's eyes were puffed up from crying, and her
once stylish outfit was now covered on blood.  "Ms. Tendou I'd like to
assure you that your friend will be okay.  I was wondering if he had any
family that needed to be contacted."
	"I was able to get a hold of his sister.  She said that she would be
over as soon as possib--"  Further words were cut off as Kodachi (with
sasuke in tow) came boiling into the waiting room.
	"I demand to see my brother!"
	Dr. Makidoka turned to Kodachi, "You must be Tatewaki's sister.  Yes
you can see your brother in a moment.  First I want you to be aware of
the severity of your brother's injuries."
	"Yes, tell me!"
	Dr. Makidoka wasn't to put off by Kodachi's imperious command.  She was
used to all kinds of people after working the emergency room for two
years.  "Your brother is suffering from multiple broken bones.  The
upper part of his left arm and the right arm, just above the wrist.  He
also has four broken ribs, a cracked collarbone, as well as a broken
jaw.  Most of the other bones in his torso are also severely bruised. 
The worst of it is that his right knee has been completely shattered. 
Given the severity of the beating he has taken it is suprising that he
isn't in a coma."
	As the doctor began her list of injuries Kodachi had been calm, but as
the list continued her eyes grew wider and wider.  She could hardly
imagine taking that kind of punishment herself.  She realized that she
had missed whatever the doctor had just said.  "I'm sorry doctor, what
did you just say?"
	This kind of reaction Makidoka expected.  "I was saying that even with
extensive surgery your brother might never walk again without the use of
a cane or at least a sever limp."
	Kodachi nodded.  "Can I see him?"
	"Yes.  We have him stabilized now.  If you're quite you and Ms. Tendou
can both see him now."  The doctor led the two girls down a shot hallway
and into a small private room.  She closed the door after them.  
	Both Kodachi and Nabiki gasped when they saw Kuno.  Most of his body
was covered in casts and his jaw was wired shut.  Kodachi immediately
launched into a long impassioned speech vowing vengeance on her
brother's assailant.  During the speech she slammed her fist down. 
Right into the middle of Kuno's chest, causing the cast to crack, and a
swarm of chaos as medical attendants rushed into the room.  In short
order Nabiki and Kodachi were whisked right back out of the room.  
	Outside Kodachi turned to Nabiki,  "Tell me Tendou, who did this to my
brother?"
	A war raged within Nabiki.  Family loyalty fought against the rage and
horror she felt against Ranma at that point.  Finally it was greed that
tipped the scale.  "Telling could be dangerous for me.  What if his
assailant decides to come after me?  100,000 yen."
	Kodachi did not pause, "In revenge, there is no price tag.  You can
have your money.  I want a name."
	Nabiki had never seen such hatred in one person's face.  "Ranma.  It
was Ranma."  She watched the emotions play over Kodachi's face.  First
shock, then decision, and finally a cold, barely controlled rage.
*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	

	Akane and Ranma helped Ranma's father out of bed.  After being worked
on by Dr. Tofu this morning Genma had been put down to rest.  His
movements were slow, but controlled.  Dr. Tofu was instructing Mr.
Saotome on how to care for himself over the next few days.  As the trio
left the building Dr. Tofu gave Ranma one last talk.  "You know Ranma I
hope you will control yourself better in the future."
	Ranma was very much the crestfallen young man.  "Yes Dr. Tofu.  I won't
let myself get out of control again."
	Dr. Tofu smiled, "That's good to hear.  I wouldn't want to think that
you would abuse your skills."  This was about as close to a real rebuke
as Dr. Taofu was nature to give.  Ranma nodded his head, then he, and
Akane helped his father out of the clinic.

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

	Now Ranma, Akane, and Genma were all walking back to the Tendo home. 
Ranma's talk to Tofu had finally dragged him out of his sullen mood.  "I
still can't believe I was bawling me eyes out right in front of you,"
Ranma said.
	"Well sometimes a good cry makes you feel better," Akane responded. 
"You certainly seem to be feeling better since then.
	Genma was confused.  "Cry???"
	Ranma ignored his father.  "I think I'm letting my girl body get the
better of me."
	"What is that supposed to mean?" Akane asked.
	Genma, "uh-oh"
	Ranma missed the daggers dripping from Akane's question.  "You know. 
Crying is a girl thing.  I must be letting my transformation get the
better of me."
	Genma, "Ranma was crying??"
	"And why is crying a 'Girl Thing'?"  There was ice coming off of this
question.
	Ranma still missed all the warnings.  "Well guys aren't supposed to
cry.  Its a sign of weakness."  Akane was beginning to be surrounded by
a familiar blue glow.  "I mean, I know you cry all the time, but thetas
okay.  Girls are allowed to do weak things like crying."
	Genma Saotome was not oblivious to the problem his son was creating. 
He covered his eyes.
	Akane jumped at Ranma, mallet in full swing, "Ranma no BAKA!"  This,
Ranma caught.  Head on as it were.

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

	Kasumi watched Mr. Saotome walk in the front gate, followed by Akane,
who was dragging an unconscious Ranma by his ponytail.  <Well, that's
the two of them.  I wonder where Nabiki is?  Its unlike her to miss a
meal without telling me.>
	Ranma was just beginning to wake up.  "Hey!  What did you do that for?"
	Akane simply sniffed at him and let go of his ponytail.  Ranma glared
at Akane's retreating back.  "Tomboy."
	Akane swung back around, "Jerk!"
	"At least I'm not some muscle-bound, sadist!"
	"No, you're a degenerate pervert."
	"Well you're not cute, and flat chested too!"  Things degenerated form
there.
	Ranma was just about to let loose with a particularly choice set of
insults, (Akane was just about to totally flatten him again with her
mallet) when a little glowing ball slammed into the ground between the
two.  The resulting explosion gathered everyone's attention.
	Stepping into the yard a figure moved towards the two.  He was dressed
in worn out slippers, string-tied black trousers, and a black shirt with
a Chinese symbol stitched in gold on the front.  He also had some form
of cape attached around the shirt.  He seemed to be about four to six
inches taller than Ranma.  Except that it was older and more mature
looking, the man's face was Ranma's.  He also had dead, soulless eyes. 
"Hello.  My name is Ranma Saotome."

End
Ranma: Cold Future
Part 1: Arrival


	Okay, here's my notes.  This is the final version of this.  I had a few
prereaders look over it and they didn't find any big plot loops with
it.  I was told that there wasn't much humor to it.  I'll try to do
better next time.  I'm not really sure when part two will be posted,
I've hit a wall for the begining of part 2, but I do know the general
direction that I'm headed in.  I'm currently working on another fanfic
that I have decided I will finish come hell or high water.  
	Story notes:  Where does the other Ranma come from?  Don't ask, I'm not
going to tell you yet.  It will be revealed later.
	Why did I beat the royal crap out of Kuno?  Well Kuno has always kind
of iritated me and I wondered what would ever happen if Ranma ever
totally let loose on the guy.  (Yes that was the original concept idea
that sparked this fic).  It fit in with the story, and I generally felt
like nearly killing Kuno.  I played with the idea of just killing the
idea, but scraped it.  
	Ranma breaking down and crying?  I know that Ranma always says that he
won't go easy on his Pop, but it struck me that with how good Ranma
really is, he must go easy on most of his opponents.  He also doesn't
seem to lose it like Ryoga does, so what does he do with all his anger,
he suppresses and controls it.  Same with pulling his fighting ability. 
Ranma was already reeling from nearly crippling his father, and then he
nearly lost it again with Kuno.  I figured a guy as in control as Ranma
normally is would just not be able to handle losing control twice in one
day, therefore I had him cry.  Don't like it?  Too bad, this is my fic
and I'll write it how I like.
	Where are Ukyo, Ryoga, and some of the other cast?  I'm getting there,
I'm getting there.  Ryoga will be in the next fic, Ukyo will show up in
the next one as well (probably, depends on where I finish up the
chapter.)
	How long is this story going to go?  I really have no idea.  I've got
the original story idea, and a stopping point that I'll get to soon
enough, but I've also already had an idea for a continuation.  We'll see
where it goes.  
	Okay, that's it.  I'm outta here.  Catch ya later.