Ranma 1/2 is owned by Rumiko Takahashi

Tribe of One is owned by TSR.
----------------------------------


"Ranma-kun, what exactly IS this tribe?"  Nabiki asked.

Ukyou turned sharply towards Nabiki, then glanced at Ranma.

"You were spying on us."  Ukyou said in a flat voice.

Nabiki smirked and said, "I know its a bad habit, but hey, we
all have our vices."  

<Guardian>  *This isn't the time nor the place to be discussing the Tribe.*

<Bitter>  *I agree, this situation is hostile enough!  All we need is Ryoga
and this would be perfect.*

As agreed, Ranma, Ukyou, Mu Tsu, Nabiki, and Akane were headed towards the
Saotome residence to talk to Shampoo.  Mu Tsu seemed be going through some
kind of an internal struggle while Ukyou and Nabiki traded glares.  Akane
pointedly ignored everyone, seemingly seething in anger.

"Uh, the tribe is going to be kind of hard to explain... Let's
settle this marriage business with Shampoo first, then we'll talk
about the tribe."  Ranma replied.

That mollified Nabiki.  To tell the truth, she was more concerned about
Shampoo than she was about the Tribe. 



			*****************************************
			*					*
			*	Raoh the Conquorer presents	*
			*					*
			*	 A Story of Ranma 1/2 		*
			*					*
			*	A Stained Glass Mind Part 11	*
			*					*
			*****************************************


<Ranma>  *I'm starting to agree with you Bitter... I need to be prepared
for what's gonna happen when he get home.  Guardian?  Can you...*

<Guardian>  *I'd be glad to Ranma.*

Guardian took control and started probing the minds of those around her.

<Guardian>  *Let's see here...  Akane is MAD about Ukyou, she's MAD at
Shampoo,
she's MAD at you, and she's MAD about the Tribe.*

<Ranma>  *Why's she mad about the Tribe?*

<Guardian>  *I think she just likes being mad.  But the root of the problem
is that you are keeping a secret from her.*  

<Ranma>  *What does she expect?  I haven't known her very long...*

<Guardian>  *She's paranoid when it comes to boys, Ranma.  You're the only
male her own age that has treated like a friend instead of a sex object.  
She thinks you have some kind of hidden agenda or plot against her.*

<Bitter>  *You sure do know how to pick them, Ranma!  That girl's got way too
much emotional baggage.  Now Nabiki, on the other hand...*

<Guardian> *Yes, let's talk about Nabiki.*

<Ranma>  *OK, what's her problem?*

<Guardian>  *She is VERY upset with us and with Ukyou.  She sees Ukyou as
competition
and suspects our intentions.  For the first time in her life she is
starting to
think with her heart instead of her mind and she's scared that she's going
to get hurt.
She's also wondering she can make a proift out of all this; especially the
Tribe.*

<Ranma> *Oh man... Bitter, this is all your fault!*

<Bitter>  *HEY!  I didn't do anything with Nabiki that you didn't do with
Akane
or Ukyou!  I can't help it if Nabiki is going to get hurt.  But I will always 
be her friend.  So help me Ranma, if some of your romantic bumbling around
hurts
her, I'll-*

<Guardian> *ENOUGH!  This is gone beyond fault!  We just need to prepare for
the consequences now.  We have to work together, OK?*

<Ranma>  *Right... What about Ucchan, then?*

<Guardian>  *She feels betrayed.  She has always been there for you and now
she sees you going after other women.  She still loves you, though.*

<Ranma>  *OK, that I think I can deal with...*

<Guardian>  *Mu Tsu might be a problem, however.  He doesn't HATE you, but his
passion for Xian Pu over-rides anything else.  He'll destroy any obstacle
that's
in his way; and right now, YOU are the only one.*

<Ranma>  *Ah... big deal.  He's as blind as a bat, I can take him, easy!*

<Guardian>  *Don't be too sure Ranma.  Mu Tsu is a master of hidden weapons,
he is also VERY determined to get Xian Pu.*

<Ranma>  *Hidden weapons?  Like what, he's got a knife, maybe a shuriken or
two
up his sleeves?* 

<Guardian>  *A bit more than that I'm afraid.*  

<Play>  *I wonder what ELSE he's got hidden under those robes!*

<Ranma>  *Man, I guess this CAN'T get any worse...*

<Bitter>  *Hahaha... Are you KIDDING?  What till we get HOME!*

"RANMA! PREPARE TO DIE!"  

<Guardian>  *It just got worse.*

The small group turned around to see Ryoga charge towards them.

"Oh... It's that friend of yours Ranma-kun."  Nabiki said as she carefully
moved out of
Ryoga's path.  

The other's moved back as well as Ryoga reached Ranma.  Ranma sighed and
jumped over
Ryoga, who kept running and turned a corner.  Well, he turned what _would_
have
been a corner if a wall hadn't been there.  Akane and Nabiki winced as Ryoga 
crashed through the brick wall and continued on his way.

"Well, I guess we'd better go."  Ranma said.

"But...but what about that guy?!"  Akane asked.

"Oh, don't worry about him..."  Ranma said, trying to assure Akane.

"I think he wanted to kill you Ranma-kun..."  Nabiki pointed out.

Ranma sighed then smiled ruefully, "One problem at a time Nabiki... Let's
get going."

"Are you sure he won't be back, Ranchan? I mean, he didn't run too far
off." Ukyou asked.

"If what Otosan said about him was true, he probably won't find me for a
week or so..."

The others turned towards Ranma with a questioning look. 

"Never mind... It's really not worth explaining,"  he replied.

Ukyou shook her head and said, "You never should have left the village
Ranchan,
it was much safer there, and you _were_ happy, right?"

Ranma smiled sadly and replied, "Yes, I was happy there Ucchan... very happy."

'Well, UcCHAN... maybe YOU should go back to the village, it being SO
dangerous here
in Japan..."  Nabiki said, venom dripping from every word.

Ukyou gave Nabiki a frosty look and glomped onto Ranma's arm and said, "I
can take
care of myself, Nabiki-san, and besides, with Ranchan here, why would I
worry about
danger?"  

<Guardian>  *We need to stop this Ranma.  We need to stop this SOON.*

<Ranma>  *I know, I know... Look, we'll get home and start with Shampoo.
We'll
work our way down from there, OK?*

<Play>  *You mean we're gonna get down on-*

<Guardian> *DON'T even THINK it!*

<Play>  *sigh...*

<Ranma>  *hehehe... sigh... Let's quicken the pace a bit, OK?*

Ranma started walking a bit more quickly towards home, the others following
suit
understandingly.  

The small group eventually arrived at the Saotome home and Ranma took a deep
breath before opening the front door.

"I'm home!"  He called out.

A purple-haired blur pounced on him and wormed her way into his embrace.

"Airen!  You home! Shampoo miss you!"  The young amazon gushed as she seemed
to meld herself against Ranma's chest.

<Play>  *Ohhhhh... you GOTTA let me out for THIS!*

At this point all hell broke loose.  

Ukyou roughly disengaged Ranma from the Amazon and let out a gutteral
growl, drawing
her spatula and getting into a combative stance.

Xian Pu, in turn, growled back and muttered something to Ukyou in Chinese.
Unfortunately,
Ukyou understood her and took a swing at Xian Pu with the spatula.  Xian Pu
barely ducked
under the swing and Ranma was hit squarely in the face with the flat side
of the spatula.
Ranma twisted around and lost his footing, landing on Nabiki and Akane; all
three of 
them on the floor, a tangle of arms and legs.  

Mu Tsu took this opportunity to run into the house, screaming Xian Pu's
name loudly.
he managed to run past the two fighting females and embraced Nodoka as she
walked out
of the kitchen.  

"Xian Pu!  I've finally found you!"  Mu Tsu lamented, staring at Nodoka's
-angry- eyes.

Nodoka was about tell the blind boy -exactly- what he had found, but Ranma
disengaged
the two.

"Mousse!  You blind idiot!  Shampoo's over THERE!"  Ranma said, pointing to
the two
girls fighting in his living room.  

<Play>  *Okasan shouldn't mind too much, after all, he isn't a bad lookin'
guy!*

<Ranma>  *Don't.  Go.  There.*

Mu Tsu stared blankly at Ranma, then looked back at Nodoka.  

"Oh, I'm sorry Miss.  Even with  glasses my eye-sight is a little bad."  Mu
Tsu said sheepishly.

<Bitter>  *A -little- bad?*

<Play>  *He really IS blind if he can't tell the difference between Shampoo
and Okasan!*

Nodoka seemed to calm down a bit, mostly because the young man who had
accosted her
had called her 'Miss'.  

"That's quite all right."  She said coolly.

She turned towards Ranma, and her demeanor hardened slightly.  

"Now Ranma-chan, perhaps you can explain what this is all about?  Honestly!
 It
seems that you are becoming more and more like your father every day!"  

Bitter immediately took control.

"Hey!  That's going a bit far, don't you think?"  Ranma/Bitter asked
sharply.    

Nodoka blinked in surprise, then realized that she was talking to someone
else.

"Sorry, -Ranma-.  Perhaps that was uncalled for."  She said wryly.

Mu Tsu ran towards Ukyou and Xian Pu, who were still fighting... and ran right
past them to Akane, who he proceeded to hug.  

"Oh Xian Pu!!!!"  

"Mu Tsu, that's really not a good-"  Ranma/Bitter winced as Mu Tsu went
flying -back-
towards Ukyou and Xian Pu, the force of Akane's blow sending him directly
to them.

<Bitter>  *I'm outta here!  This is way to violent for me!*

Ranma regained control just in time to see Mu Tsu crash into Xian Pu and
Ukyou.  This
time, the three of -them- ended up sprawled on the floor.  Mu Tsu found
himself on
top of both women and looked closely at each of them.  He then sighed in
resignation
and embraced them -both-.  

"I'm sorry Ukyou, but this is the best way..."  Mu Tsu explained.

"Oh, Xian Pu!  I missed you so much!"  Mu Tsu lamented once again.  

"Oh dear..."  Nodoka sighed.

"What's wrong Okasan?"  Ranma asked innocently.

"That's a loaded question Ranma... You are... yes, you are Ranma... Anyway,
I think
I understand what this is all about about, and -that- scares more than
anything!"

<Bitter>  *hahaha... She can still have a sense of humor in spite of all
this...*

<Guardian>  *Okasan is really something...*

"Well then, if you children can pick yourselves off the floor, I think some
introductions
are in order... along with a few explanations."  Nodoka said.

Mu Tsu, Xian Pu, and Ukyou had the decency to blush as they got up and
stood akwardly
in front of Nodoka.

"Uh... Okasan, I'd like you to meet Ucchan.  You remember me telling you
about her, right?"

Nodoka's face lit up in a smile, "Of course I remember!  Come here dear,"
she said,
hold out her arms toward Ukyou.  

Ukyou hesitantly walked into Nodoka's waiting arms and returned the older
woman's hug.

"I am so glad to meet you, Ukyou-chan.  Ranma told me how close the two of
you are.
I want to thank you for being there for him.  For being the family he
didn't have..."

Ukyou looked into Nodoka's wet eyes and simply said, "I love him."  

<Bitter>  *This is starting to make me sick...*

Nodoka nodded in understanding and the two women embraced again.  

"Now, I've already 'met' Mu Tsu over there... Please all of you, sit down.
There 
are... things we need to discuss."  Nodoka said.

Everyone sat down at the small table that the Saotomes used for dining
purposes.  Xian Pu
immediately glomped on to Ranma's arm and Ukyou glomped on to the other.
Mu Tsu sat next
to Xian Pu, not touching her, but instead staring at her with a look of
adoration.  Nabiki
and Akane sat across from Ranma, both girls looking at him darkly.  Ukyou
and Xian Pu
traded venomous glances as Nodoka retreated into the kitchen to get some food.

<Ranma>  *I wish Okasan would hurry up!*

<Bitter>  *Yeah, this is getting bad.*

<Guardian>  *Just be patient.  Okasan is very clever.  If these people are
busy
eating, perhaps they won't fight.*

<Ranma>  *Don't count on it.*

<Play>  *You can always let ME out if you feel uncomfortable!*

Nodoka walked back into the room with a large tray and stopped when she saw
Ranma.

"You girls might want to ease up a little, you're probably stopping his
blood flow."
Nodoka said to Ukyou and Xian Pu.

The two girls reluctantly let go of their respective hold on Ranma, but did
not
move away from him.

<Guardian>  *See?*

<Bitter>  *Yeah... Okasan is really smooth...*

Nodoka set the tray of food on the table and sat down.  

"Please, help yourself."  She said, gesturing to the tray.

After everyone had eaten a little food, Nodoka began speaking again.

"I was planning on talking to Ranma and Xian Pu tonight, but I guess the
rest of you are involved in this as well."  

"I don't care what that idiot does..."  Akane muttered.

"Quiet Akane."  Nabiki whispered back.

"By her laws, Xian Pu states that she must marry Ranma-" 

"NO!"  Mu Tsu yelled, suddenly standing.

"Please sit down."  Nodoka said calmly, staring serenely at Mu Tsu.

Mu Tsu sat back down, a little unsure of himself.

"Now, Ranma also defeated Xian Pu's grand mother, and left the village without
marrying Xian Pu.  Therefore she if she returns home -without- Ranma, she
will be disgraced, right?"  Nodoka asked, turning towards Mu Tsu.

"Yes... but that's OK, -I- will take care of her-"  Mu Tsu began.

"Stupid Mu Tsu!  Can't even take care of self!"  Xian Pu spat out.

Nodoka continued on, "I can't, in good conscience, just turn Xian Pu away, but
neither will I support any marriage.  Unless, of course, Ranma wants to
marry her."

All eyes turned towards Ranma.

<Guardian>  *It's now or never.*

"I like Shampoo, a lot.  But I don't love her.  And I really do not want to
marry her."  
Ranma said.

<Bitter>  *See?  That wasn't too hard now, was it?*

Xian Pu stubbornly grabbed hold of Ranma's arm.  "It no matter!  Ranma Xian
Pu's husband!
He learn to love!"  

"Let go him you... bimbo!  Didn't you hear?  He DOESN'T LOVE YOU!"  Ukyou
growled,
once again grabbing Ranma's other arm.

Nabiki sighed, looking like she wanted to laugh and cry at the same time.

"Please, girls..."  Nodoka said in a tired voice.

Both girls let go of Ranma, but continued to glare at each other.

"Besides, there are... other reasons Ranma cannot marry you, Xian Pu."
Nodoka continued.

"Other reasons?"  Nabiki and Xian Pu said at the same time.

Nodoka looked pleadingly at Ranma, not knowing how to continue.  Ranma
glanced at Ukyou
and she nodded her encouragement.  Everyone was so intent on Ranma that
they did not
notice the small figure enter the house.  

<Guardian>  *It's time to tell them Ranma; tell them everything.*

<Ranma>  *I know, but...*

<Guardian>  *You're scared, right?  That they won't like you anymore?*

<Ranma>  *...*

<Guardian>  *If they are TRULY your friends, they will support you.  They
might be a bit
startled at first, but they'll adjust.  It's time to trust them.*

<Ranma> *I... I know.*

<Guardian>  *Don't worry, Ranma.  I'll -always- be here for you.  We'll do
this 
together, OK?*

<Ranma> *Fine... The rest of you OK with this?*

<Play>  *OK by me!*

<Lyric>  *I want something to eat!*

<Bitter> *If we must, we must...*

<Lyric> *I REALLY want something to eat!*    

<Ranma> *Let's do it...*

"Does this have something to do with the 'tribe'?"  Nabiki asked, hazarding
a guess.

Nodoka seemed startled, then looked at Ranma questioningly.  

"Yes, son-in-law.  Tell us all about the Tribe!"  A voice called out from
behind.

Ranma whirled around in his sitting position and paled when he say Khu Lon.

"Ayia!  Great Grand Mother!  What you do here?"  Xian Pu exclaimed.

<Ranma>  *How did she get in here?  Why didn't the Watcher notice her?*

<Guardian>  *I DON'T KNOW!  But I think we're in trouble!*

<Bitter>  *THAT'S putting it mildly!  I'm outta here!*

Bitter fled to the recesses of Ranma's mind, knowing that he would not be
helpful
in the fight that would ensue.

Nodoka stood up and looked coldly at Khu Lon.  

"You are NOT welcome in this house."  She said flatly.  

"Oh, do not worry, I don't plan on being here long.  I just came to collect
what's mine. But first, Ranma was going to tell us about the Tribe, right?
The tribe of One?  Please Ranma, tell us all.  Tell us what kind of -freak-
you are!"  Khu Lon sneered.

"H-How did you find out about the Tribe?"  Ranma asked.

"I just visited that pathetic little village of yours... I found out
everything
I need to know."

Ukyou stood up, suddenly angry.  "If you've hurt anyone from MY home-" 

Khu Lon waved away Ukyou's threat and the young woman was thrown back
against a wall.

<Ranma>  *How did she DO that?*

<Guardian>  *Damn!  She's psionic!*

<Ranma>  *WHAT?*

"The Village of the Mind isn't the -only- place where Psionics live."  Khu
Lon said, 
confirming Guardian's suspicion.  

Khu Lon stared at Ranma and a blue glow started growing around her.

Ranma screamed in pain and clutched his head.  The pain was intense.  He
felt as
if his mind was exploding and compressing at the same time.  

<Ranma>  *G-Guardian... Do SOMETHING!*

<Guardian>  *I'm trying!  It's like... pushing... back...a tidal wave...*

<Ranma>  *What...is...she...*

The pain intesified and Ranma began to feel dizzy.  His eyes began to water
from
the pain as he managed to look up at Khu Lon's determined face.
Apparently, whatever
she was doing was taking a great deal of effort.  She began breathe a
little more
heavily and sweat droplets formed on her forehead.  *Such resistance in
once so young!*
she though as she intensified her attack.

<Ranma>  *This... is... killing... me...*

<MASTER> *No, not you...*

<Ranma>  *What?*

<Master>  *There is a way to stop this... but a sacrifice must be made.
Guardian?*

<Guardian>  *Yes, Master?*

Master released a flood of knowledge to the Guardian.

<Guardian>  *I... understand.*

<Ranma>  *What?  Do.. you have a plan?*

<Guardian>  *Don't worry Ranma, I'll take care of everything.  And
remember, I love you.*

<Ranma>  *What?*

The Guardian suddenly forced Ranma down and took control.  She forced
herself to stand up
and pushed against Khu Lon's attack with all her will. She pushed the
attack far enough
for the pain to recede, but it would not last long.  

Ranma was able to feel an enormous build up of mental energy in his mind
and became 
alarmed. 

<Ranma>  *Isn't this  a little dangerous??*

<Master>  *Quiet Ranma!  She knows what she needs to do.*

Suddenly, the mental wall the Guardian had built collapsed and with a burst
of pure
Psi power, Khu Lon's attack was completely negated.  Khu Lon collapsed on
ground, still
upright, but breathing heavily.

"All right you did it!"  Ranma screamed out loud, suddenly realizing that
he had
control once again.

<Ranma> *Uh... what happened, Guardian?*

<Master>  *She's... gone Ranma.  I'm sorry...*  

<Ranma> *Whaddya mean 'she's gone'?  Master?*

Ranma felt the Master pull back once again and knew that he would not get
any answers
there.

<Ranma>  *Guardian?  Guardian!  'She's gone'... No... oh God, no...
GUARDIAN!!!!!!!!*

The others saw Ranma slowly get up as Khu Lon collapsed;  then suddenly, he
fell back
to the floor, screaming and crying.  Khu Lon slowly got up and nodded in
satisfaction.

"What have you DONE TO MY SON!"  Nodoka screamed in rage, hurrying over to
Ranma's side.

"It was painful, but I made him one step closer to being normal.  In a few
moments,
I'll be ready to continue."  Khu Lon replied.

Nodoka could only stare at Khu Lon in horror, realizing what the old woman
had meant.

"I'm not going to let you hurt Ranchan again!"  Ukyou said, moving away
from the
wall she had slammed into.  

"Great Grand-Mother, I love you... but you no hurt Ranma ANYMORE!"  Xian Pu
stated.

"It was time you were dealt with properly, old Ghoul!"  Mu Tsu exclaimed.

"I don't know what this is about, but Ranma is... a friend.  I -won't- let
you near him!"
Akane joined in, standing next to Mu Tsu.

"Children... do you -really- think that you can harm me?"  Khu Lon said in
disgust.

"Maybe, maybe not, but you won't get to Ranma."  Ukyou stated firmly.

"Very well then. Xian Pu, this will be like training-"

Nodoka and Nabiki, who were hovering over Ranma, suddenly gasped.  All eyes
went back to
Ranma as a black glow eminated from his body.  Everyone, including Khu Lon,
subconsciously
took a step back.  Ranma stood up, but it was Shade who is in control.
Ranma/Shade
face Khu Lon, an impassive look on his face, the black glow growing stronger.

Shade had felt the turmoil of the Tribe.  The Guardian gone, probably dead,
Ranma, an
emotional mess, Master, no where to be found, as usually, and the others
cowering
somewhere in fear.  He instinctively knew that he had to act quickly if the
Tribe
was to survive.  He turned to face Khu Lon, the threat to the Tribe.  Only
one thing
was certain;  the old woman had to die.

*********************************
The End - Part 11

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