I'm not sure if I'm ready to post this or not, but I'm going to
anyway. I just HAVE to get some C&C if I'm going to continue with this,
(my inner voice speaking, "Ha! You couldn't quit if you wanted to!) Ah
well, I'm such a slave driver sometimes! :) At any rate, Here's my
offering unto the denizens of this ml,

BTW, this is the first fan fic of ANY kind I've ever posted, I want to
hear from people on this,
but PLEASE don't send flames. I don't care if somone's opinion is
negative, just don't write me saying, "I hate it!" and leave it at that,
give me DETAILS.

   This is a Ranma insert fic. This is a warning for those that don't
like
this kind of story. If you don't like it, don't read it.

Various chararcters and concepts stolen from Rumiko Takahashi and
various others. What can I say, she left things so vague that it's easy
to write a Ranma fic.

Bree

-------------------

     A Druid's Way


    Shaking his head and wincing from his pounding headache, Druid looks

around through squinted eyes. A few moments earlier he arrived with a
flash of light, not knowing how or why he had gotten here. Wandering out

of the side street in a daze. He walks right in front of a purple haired

young woman who crashes into him, causing them both fall to the ground.

---

   Shampoo looks with curiosity and not a little trepidation at the
strange young man walking beside her. She doesn't know what to think
about him. She can help felling that there is something more than meets
the eye but she doesn't know what or why. Her curiosity aroused she
resolved to take him to great-grandmother, maybe she can figure him out.

   When they reach the Nekohanten she gestures for him to precede her,
and follows him in. Surprisingly there are no customers, despite it
being in the late afternoon. Going into the kitchen with the stranger
in tow Shampoo sees her goal, her great-grandmother sitting in a chair
reading.

   Looking up from her book, Cologne start to greet her great-
granddaughter when she sees the stranger coming in after Shampoo.
"Shampoo, who is that person behind you."

   Shrugging Shampoo states simply, "Shampoo not know."

   Surprised Cologne requests that Shampoo explain. "I was coming back
from delivery when he stepped from alley right in front of me. I not
paying attention and ran into him, knocking him down.

   I surprised, I not  hit him very hard, and he didn't move. There
were a lot of people around and I hear one say that he appear just
before Shampoo get there. I try talking to him but seem not able to
speak."

   Frowning Cologne switches to Chinese, <"and you did not sense his
presence?">

   Shamefacedly Shampoo replied in kind, <"no great-grandmother, I did
not.">

   Narrowing her eyes Cologne gives the young man a thorough look over.
She is not very surprised to see a very focused ki and a 'low'
presence.

   Cologne ponders out loud, "Hmmmmm, interesting." Turning to Druid and

asks, "do you have any place to stay?" A shake of his head confirms her
suspicion. "If you want you can work here from room and board for a
time."

   At his enthusiastic nod she smiles. He wouldn't have liked to know
that the smile was at the thought of what she might gain from him.

   "What is your name?"

   He considers this for some time before taking a nearby pen and pad of

paper and writing on it. Handing it to Cologne he stands back a waits.

   Reading the name written on the paper Cologne's eyes widen. Hiding
her surprise masterfully she returns to her book, "Shampoo, take him
upstairs to the empty room, he'll start tomorrow."

   Surprised at her grandmother's unexpected offer Shampoo nevertheless
turns and leads him upstairs, leaving Cologne to her thoughts.

   Cologne wonders about this Druid. *There is something strange about
this young man. Interesting, I'm going to find out what it is, it may be

useful.* Her laughter follows Shampoo and Druid up the stairs.

   Later that evening Shampoo is awakened by a barely audible scream
from the room next door. Getting dressed quickly she goes to see what's
wrong with their guest. Seeing the door slightly ajar she pushes it open

and looks inside.

   She sees Druid sitting up breathing heavily. Forgetting he can't
speak she asks, "What wrong." Remembering his problem she mentally kicks

herself, and is therefore very surprised when she gets a response, "a
very, VERY bad nightmare," Druid rasps not noticing at first his
reawakened ability to speak.

   "Druid talk now!" Shampoo blurts out. Forgetting his fright from the
nightmare he says wonderingly, "So I can." Looking at Shampoo's rumpled
appearance he asks in an apologetic tone, "Did I wake you?" Dismissing
it Shampoo turns to leave saying, "It not matter. Shampoo go back to
sleep now."

   Neither of them notice Cologne slipping out after her as she leaves.
Druid wonders at his reawakened ability to speak, then decides to worry
about it in the morning after a full night's rest. With that thought he
goes back to sleep, dreamlessly for the rest of the night.

Chapter 2 Meeting.

   The next morning Druid wakes up feeling much better than when he
arrived. Looking out the window he sees that the sun has just risen.
After getting dressed he heads out of the room and starts down the
stairs, hearing sounds coming from the kitchen.

   Looking up Cologne, watches Druid come over to her. Pointing to a
bucket she gives him his first chore, "You can start by �

   Sitting in his room that evening Druid contemplated the events of the

day. "That was certainly a surprise when Cologne offered to teach me
martial arts. I can't understand why. I guess I'll find out eventually."

Hearing a knock on the door he call out, "Enter." The door opens, and
immediately afterwards he hears a gasp, "what this?!" Shampoo exclaims.

   Wondering at the cause of the exclamation Druid opens his eyes to a
site of wonder. Instead of his room, he sees what would appear to be a
view from space. Noticing that Shampoo is staring past his shoulder
Druid turns to see what she is looking at, and gets another surprise.

   Filling about a quarter of the wall is the earth as it looks from
space. Trying to see it clearer he wishes it was bigger, and is
understandably startled with it grows to fill the wall. "Did I do that,"

he asks himself wonderingly.

   Experimentally he imagines a wooded grove late in the after noon, and

the scene changes. Instead of space, they now see rolling hills filled
with redwood trees, with a river running through a valley, complete with

sound.

   Getting over her amazement Shampoo asks incredulously, "How you do
that?" Unnoticed by both of them until she speaks, Cologne echoes
Shampoo,
"Yes,. how DID you do that?" Her expression saying that he'd better have

a good answer.

  "I don't know," Druid answers. Feeling a twinge from his conscience,
and Cologne's frown, he hastily amends, "I'm not sure how I'm doing it,
but I imagine something and concentrate on it, and it appears. I haven't

mentioned this yet but my memory is kind of hazy, almost as it were my
own doing!"

   "Hmmph," Cologne grunts, not certain whether he's telling the truth.
"I'm going to have someone come by in a while to check you over
magically." He tone said this was not a request.

   She is surprised by his immediate response, "not at all. I think I'll

be glad to know what's going on."

   After the mysterious someone had come and gone Druid let his mind
wander as he picked up the remnants of peoples meals, and washed tables.

"Whatever that person did it certainly put a dent in the seal over my
memory. Let's see if I can break it fully." Leaving his body on
automatic pilot, he delves into his memories, seeking to breach the way
to those older than the time he'd been here."

   Several hours later he stagers from exhaustion, he'd made some
progress. Enough to now be in full control of his magic, but not enough
to know why both Shampoo, and Cologne seem so familiar. Finishing up his

work for the day, he then went straight to bed.

   The following Sunday, Cologne watches Druid, with his long silver
hair
tied back in a braid, cleaning tables after some customers had left.

  Looking at the plants he had brought in the day before, she wonders
how is he able to keep them so healthy. The orchids alone aren't really
the kind of plants you can have sitting around tables and expect them to

grow well. She can tell that he is using some kind of magical ability to

help the grow, but she's never seen anything quite like it.

   The both look up as the hear someone come in, Cologne smiles as she
sees Ranma come in the door. "Son in law! Have you finally come to
confess your love for Shampoo?" She almost leers at him.

   Uncomfortable, Ranma looks around for something to change the subject

to. Noticing all the rare plants he asks, "Where did all these plants
come from? I haven't seen anything like some of them before."

   Sighing to herself at the obvious ploy, she nevertheless turns and
points to Druid saying, "He brought them in yesterday. His name is
Druid. Pointing to Ranma she introduces them, "Druid this is Ranma."

   Druid for his part had been staring at Ranma from the moment he came
in. Knowing he was here, and seeing him were two VERY different things.

   Dazed Druid holds out his hand, managing to get out, "Nice to meet
you Ranma." Thinking, "why not," Ranma shakes Druid's hand.

   Trying to get his head on track Druid asks, " I imagine you came here

to eat?" At Ranma's enthusiastic nod Druid smiles, "What would you
like?" Cologne speaks before Ranma can answer, "I'll have something
ready for you in just a moment."

   Druid and Ranma both shrug at this, though Ranma looks slightly
worried.

   Druid goes back to cleaning tables, and Ranma sits and waits for his
food.

   Shortly they both look up as Cologne come into the dining area with
a bowl full of steaming ramen. When Druid sees the noodles however, he
perceives a sickly green glow.

    Looking at Ranma, Druid sees that Ranma is nearly drooling in
eagerness and guesses that he can't see it, his stomach overriding his
caution.

    Thinking quickly he concentrates on the bowl and makes a brushing
motion, not wanting Ranma to get hurt by whatever was in the ramen,
dispelling whatever magical properties that the food might have. The
glow disappears without Cologne being aware of it, as her full attention

is on Ranma as she sets the bowl in front of him.

    Ranma scarfs down the food in almost no time whatsoever (big
surprise!).

    Cologne waits in anticipation for a moment, and is disappointed when

nothing happens. Suspiciously she looks over at Druid, who is now
sweeping the floor.

    Not reassured by his apparent innocence she decided to test it,
"Druid!" As he looked up she could see he was trying to conceal a smile
and look innocent, which was all the evidence she needed to put two and
two together.

   "You did this!" Cologne shrieks in anger and leaps to attack Druid,
who wasn't expecting this kind of reaction at all. Caught flat footed
Druid started to move, but far to slowly to do any good.

   Ranma had seen Cologne giving him the eagle eye after he'd finished
the ramen, and had wondered what she'd put in it this time. Seeing the
disappointed look that had passed over her face he'd assumed that
whatever it was hadn't worked.

   Ranma was able to correctly able to follow the following events and
figure that this Druid person had done something to prevent the magic
from working on him.  In a righteous rage he intercepts Cologne calling
out an attack, "TENSHIN-AMAGURIKEN!!"

   With a flurry of blows Ranma pushes Cologne away from Druid.

   She backs off a bit, and decides unable to attack again without the
possibility of hurting Ranma in the process.

   She also doesn't like the idea of Druid having free reign to us his
magic while she is concentrating on Ranma, *too bad Shampoo isn't here.*

   Calming herself down somewhat Cologne turns to Druid, "Leave! I don't

 want to see your face here a moment longer." She then promptly turns
and
move over to a customer who had just come into to take his order
completely
ignoring Ranma and Druid.

    Somewhat surprise at Cologne relenting so soon Ranma shrugs turns to

the young man. Gesturing for him to follow, he starts to leave, to be
stopped by an upheld hand. Speaking softly the Druid ask Ranma to wait.

    Surprised, Ranma watches as the strange young man closes his eyes,
with a flash of light a sword appears in his hand, which he promptly
straps to his back.

    Ranma, though shocked at the appearance of the sword, leads the way
out of the Nekohanten. Once they're a considerable distance away Ranma
relaxes, "was that ramen magical in some way, and did you make it not
work?"

    Druid is not phased by Ranma's forthright manner, having expected
it, "Yes to both questions. I don't know what exactly she had in the
ramen
but I COULD tell it wasn't nice. So I dispelled it."

    Hopping up onto a fence Ranma continues his walk, "so THAT'S why she

attacked you.

    "She must have be SO frustrated, I feel so sorry for her!" Ranma
breaks into gales of laughter at that, loving the thought of the old
ghouls frustration.

    Smiling impishly Druid laughs as well.

    They soon stop laughing, but continue to smile as they walk.

    After time though Druid sighs. At Ranma's questioning look Druid
explains," I need to find a new place to live, seeing as I've been
evicted from my current one."

    "You were living at the Nekohanten?" Ranma asks.

    Druid mutely nods.

    Ranma thinks for a moment then smiles, "would you like live with us,

at least until you can find another place to stay?"

    "Are you sure it'll be all right for me to do that?" Druid asks
surprised.

    "No problem!" Ranma responded with certainty, and a confident smile.

    Looking at Ranma dubiously Druid accepts anyway, "Thank you, I would

appreciate it.

    Not far from the Tendo home they meet up with Akane who had been
looking for Ranma.

    Ignoring Druid completely Akane confronts Ranma, "Ranma! Where were
you?"

    Not liking her look at all Ranma laughs uncertainly, "Um...
nowhere?"

    Infuriate Akane goes ballistic, "Don't lie to me you jerk!"

    Getting angry Ranma is about to reply hotly but is interrupted, by
Druid snapping his fingers. In and of itself, someone snapping their
fingers wouldn't have gotten either of their attention, which Druid
guessed. What was unique about what he did was the fact that flame
appeared where his fingers touched, although they wouldn't be able to
tell it was illusory.

    Appearing utterly calm Druid hold his hand out to Akane, "hello, I
don't believe we've met, Akane isn't it?"

    Utterly flabbergasted Akane hold out her hand, which he takes, "my
name's Druid, nice to meet you."

    She turn to Ranma after Druid releases her hand and raises an
eyebrow.

    Sighing Ranma take a few minutes to explain what happened at the
Nekohanten.

    Agreeing with Ranma on his invitation Akane joins them the rest of
the way home. Not long after reaching the house a great shout can be
heard, "WHAAATTTTT!"

    Ranma and Druid are rather dazed by the shout, while Akane is just
infuriated, they confront her infuriate father in front of the pond.

    Before Soun can continue his burgeoning tirade Akane cuts in
fiercely, "Father he saved Ranma from have who know what kind of magic
spell being cast on him, loosing his place for doing so! I think we at
least owe him a place stay until he can find another!" Crossing her arms

she glares fiercely at her father.

    His anger blunted by Akane's he starts to speak but is gently
interrupted by Druid. He had been taking in the rather dilapidated state

of the dojo and had an idea, "if it's any help I think I can manage some

repairs on the house and dojo in return for my staying here."

    This is literally music to Soun's ears, and even more so to
Nabiki's, both thinking of money saved on repair bills. They follow him
away from the pond in front of the dojo.

    Staring at a recent looking hole in the roof, Druid concentrated,
"this is going to be tiring, I wish I'd had time to prepare for the
spell."

    The others watched in amazement as the shattered piece of the roof
where the hole now was reform, making the roof whole once again. After
it finished Druid slumped a little, "what do you think?"

    Changing his demeanor completely Soun musters some dignity, "I think

that this will be a fine arrangement," looking gleefully at the now
repaired roof. Without another word he returns to his shogi game with
Genma, and stares, Genma having taken the oportunity to artfully
redecorate the board.

    Smiling at her younger sister Nabiki goes back to her paperwork.

    "Follow me please." Akane requests. Akane leads the way into the
house Ranma close beside her. Smiling to himself Druid follows them.

    As she shows him the room upstairs Akane thinks back to her
encounter initial encounter with Druid.

    She had been out looking for Ranma, who had disappeared that
afternoon. She wonder why she had bothered looking for the pervert
anyway.

    Heading home she had literally run into him near the Dojo. Yelling
at him for being a pervert and about ready to clobber him for calling
her
a tomboy she was interrupted by someone clearing his throat.

    Looking to her right she saw someone she had never met before.
Dressed entirely in green he looked to be about 6 feet tall. The most
spectacular thing about his is that he looked to be around 20 years of
age,
but had completely silver hair!

    Turning back to Ranma she asked for an explanation... and got one.
When he was finished Akane forgot her anger for the time being and
decided to go with them to talk with her father.

    It was a good thing she had too! Ranma can be such a klutz
sometimes.

    Smiling at Ranma without realizing it she asks Druid, "Where did you

live before you came to Nerima?"

    As the walked into the sparsely furnished room Druid would be
staying in a troubled look came over his face. "I don't know," he relied

quietly.

    Feigning exhaustion he really didn't feel Druid asked, "If you don't

mind I'd like to get some sleep. I'm very tired."

    Without a word they leave the room and close the door behind them.
Immediately after the door closes Druid runs to it and starts drawing
strange figures and symbols with his finger.

    Wherever finger went glowing lines of light followed. To most eyes
this light couldn't be seen. After a few minutes of this he finishes his

drawing, after which he slumps down to the floor for a time.

    "There, that should keep them from disturbing my concentration.
It's going to be a very LONG night."

    Turning to face the center of the room he sets to work, ignoring the

fact that while could remember some things his memory was still very
hazy.

    The next morning the wards he had set went dormant when the sun
light touched them. The reason for this was two fold, 1 was the fact he
could get away with some of the effects at night because of people being

tired enough to ignore them as their imagination. The other was the
purely selfish reason of wanting to be awakened when there was food to
be
had.

    Very shortly after the wards turned themselves off there was a rapid

knock on the door.

    Awake instantly Druid calls out, "just a moment!" Quickly getting up

and dressed he looked at the floor and cast a minor illusion to conceal
the symbols superimposed on the surface. For the time being at any rate.

    Opening the door he acts surprised to see an agitated Akane. "Is
something wrong?"

    "Did you do it?!" Akane asks somewhat dazedly.

    "Do what?" Druid ask, knowing full well what she was probably
talking about.

    Unable to speak coherently Akane grabs Druid by the wrist and drags
him out of the house.

   Stopping in front of the Dojo Druid sees that everyone else was
there, except for Genma, who was still asleep. They all turn their
stunned gaze upon the two coming up behind them.

   Nabiki was the first to speak, "how did you do this?!" Loosing her
amazement far faster than anyone else Druid can almost see the yen signs

appearing in her eyes.

   The object of their attention was the Dojo itself. While not
completely repaired it was in FAR better condition than it had been the
evening before.

   Druid begins to reply when he feels a strong urge to move forward,
and does so... quickly.

   A moment later a loud crash can be heard dirrectly behind him. It was

immediately followed by an angry growl, and decidedly unplesent
sounding.

   As Druid turned toward the sound, which he was sure was Shampoo,
something bothered him. He looked around at everyone, and started to
come to a realization which he had been deserately avoiding, he knew
everyone. All of them, not by direct experiance but by memory. *Ranma, I

can't beleive it! Ranma! GOD what a strange world!*

   This is too much for him and he says bye bye to the daylit world.

   Everyone is startled to see Druid slump to the ground in a faint, but

unfortunately Shampoo is the first one to react. Picking up the head of
the mace she had broken when trying to hit Druid she threw it at him.

   Strangely her aim was off,.. so instead of smashing his head like a
 melon, it hit his outflung forearm with a sickening double snap. This
 served quite well in waking him up screaming all the way. Abruptly the
 scream stopped.

   Directing a fierce glare at Shampoo she appeared to faint, followed
immediately after by Druid.

   Surprisingly Kasumi took charge of the situation and started giving
orders, "Ranma, would you please take Shampoo back to the Nekohanten?
Father, Genma please take Druid inside. Nabiki, would you call
Tofu-sensei and ask him to come over? I need to get something from the
market, I should be back after he leaves."

   Everyone was relieved at that last statement knowing what effect she
had on him, and astonished at her take charge attitude.

    Kasumi went inside taking off her apron as Ranma picked up Shampoo
and hopped off with her, and Soun and Genma gently picked Druid up and
took him inside. Shortly Kasumi came out carrying a shopping bag and
left the dojo.

    By the time she returned Tofu had been and gone which relieved
Kasumi somewhat. Everyone would have been surprised to find out that she

knew of the effect she had on him, which is why she left. She didn't
want him to make Druid's injuries worse.

    Going up to Druid's room she is faintly surprised to see Nabiki
keeping an eye on him. Stepping in quietly she softly asks, "How is he?"

    Druid who had to all appearances been asleep surprised them by
replying, "I've been better, but I've also been worse." The last was
said
with a rather wry twist to his lips. Opening his eyes he looks over at
Kasumi and continues, "Thanks for asking."

    Smiling she asks, "Are you hungry?"

    His stomach gives her all the answer that she needs. As she turns to

go however he makes a request, "Please don't bring any kind of meat,
I'm a vegetarian."

   Surprised Kasumi nevertheless leave with a thoughtful look,
wondering what to make to fit his diet.

   Nabiki meanwhile had been observing Druid during the conversation
and decided that she wanted some answers, now.

   "How did you fix the dojo, and make Shampoo faint like that," she
asks bluntly.

   Letting loose a long suffering sigh Druid tells her with one word,
"Magic."

   Not looking at all surprise she asks him further, "is that how you
stopped Colognes potion from working on Ranma?"

   "Yes," he sighs out.

   A grin blossoms on her face, which Druid does NOT like at all, and
her next question confirmed it, "what else can you do?"

   "YOU would ask that would you?"

   *I wonder why he put such emphasis on 'you'? Oh well I'm not going
to ask just yet.*

   Seeing that Nabiki isn't going to budge Druid give in. "Most of what
I do is either enchantment or healing, which happen to be most of what
I'm best at."

   Druid begins to take the bandage and splints from around his arm
that Tofu had put on as a temporary measure. "Take this arm for example.

As you know I broke it this morning, but if you'll feel it, you note
it's already set."

   He pauses to let her confirm it, and winces a little at her inexpert
movements.

   "It's doesn't even seem to be broken!" She marvels.

   "Not quite. It's about half healed, and about as good it's going to
heal at that accelerated rate. You see I enchanted MYSELF to increase my

healing ability, and somewhere, somehow along the way it became
permanent. It does have it's limitations however."

   "Oh?" Nabiki's tone showing her doubt of that statment.

   "The problem is my body is still not used to it yet, even though it's

been years. I tend to shut down and fall asleep whether or not I want
to, or whether it might be a better idea for me to be awake, like durig
a fight."

   "That could be a problem," she mutters softly. Looking him in the eye

she asks," why are you telling me this?"

   "I just wanted to point out that magic isn't necesasarily a good
thing in all situations. Unfortunatly many people make that mistake. I'm

not saying it's not useful, I'm just saying that it can also be a
problem. However right now this isn't one of those times."

   Nabiki watches with only a slight hint of her fascination as Druid
hold up his right hand. A small soft bluegreen ball of light appears.
Moving his hand over his right arm where the break occured, she watches
as the light seeps into the skin.

   An instant later he slumps, almost totaly tapped out, "It still take
energy to heal though." Too tired to notice what he's saying he
continues, "I haven't had a real chance to rest in months! Always on the

move that's me!"

   Seeing Nabiki's stunned look Druid apologizes, "I'm sorry for ranting

at you like that. Beleive me I don't do it all that often. I don't know
why I did that now." *And I don't really care.*

   Getting up, Nabiki looks down on Druid, "I'll be leaving now, but I
want to talk to you more about this tommorow afternoon."

   With that said she leaves. Druid stares at the door she went out of.
*My, what an interesting personality. It's definately going to be tough
to continue to match with with her!*

   Getting up slowly Druid walks over to the door, and reactivates his
enchantment. He then does something he hasn't felt safe enough to do for

years, and goes into deep sleep. Deep sleep is the term he uses for a
magical healing sleep.

   What happes is he becomes a magical magnet, drawing in neutra magical

energy from all around himself. It also allows his body to get an imense

ammount rest in a very short time.

   WHen he had done this in the past he'd never let himself do it for
more that an hour, as it's almost imposible to wake him up while doing
so.

   But, for some reason, he felt safe right here and now, and allowed
himself to stay in deep sleep all night.

   The next morning, he woke early. Felling far better than he had the
previous night. Getting up he gets dressed and heads downstairs. Sitting

down on the porch to watch Ranma and Genma spar over the pond.

   Soun came out sits beside him. Eventually he asks, "do you want to
learn Anything Goes martial arts?"

   Druid give it some thought before saying, "yes, I think I would."

   Smiling Soun exclaims, "Good, we can start after breakfast."
*Anything to keep him around a while longer. No more money spent on
repair bills!*

   Druid's reply is interrupted by a splash coming from the direction
of the pond. He watches amuses as first a wet panda and then Ranma-chan
get out of the pond, giving him quite a turn as well.

   Knowing about their cursed forms, and actual seeing them were two
VERY different things especially in Ranma's case.

   Not surprisingly Kasumi calls out, "breakfast!" as they get out of
the pond.

   Following the siren's call Ranma, Genma, and Soun are the first to
the table, with Druid figuratively choking in their dust.

   Chuckling to himself Druid sits down next to Akane. Turning to her he

asks, "is it my imagination or are they always here before anyone else?"

   This got a laugh from Akane and Nabiki, as well as an almost unheard
gigle from Kasumi. Them male contingint studiously ignored the question.

   The meal continued in silence after that. After breakfast was over,
Ranma, Akane, and Nabiki left for school, and Druid spent the rest of
the
morning learning from Soun.

   It helped that he'd already had some martial training, though it was
mostly in sword and staff. But he did know enough of hand to hand to
help him learn quickly.

   As they were walking home that afternoon Nabiki to Akane what little
she'd learn from Druid the previous evening. "So he hold up his has a
sall light appears above his hand, which he held over his arm, and poof,

one healed arm. I wish I could do things like that."

   Akane payed attention with only half a mind, most of her attention on

Ranma, or his absence to be exact. *Where did that stupid hentai go
anyway. Hmph, probably to Ukyou's or Shampoo's. Well see if I care!*

   What she didn't know was that he heard her talking to Nabiki about
cooking. He had eroneously assumed that she was going to try one of her
disasters that evening. Unfortunately he had left and gone to Uchan's
before hearing that she was going to do it the NEXT night.

   They continued their walk, and soon reached the Dojo. As they walked
in they saw Druid practicing a kata that Soun had shown him, and was
doing it surprisingly well.

   Without a word Nabiki and Akane split up, Nabiki going inside to put
her books away and Akane stoping to watch Druid practice with a critical

eye.




   When they walked into the okonomiyaki restraunt they weren't
surprised to see Ranma there, eating. They moved over and sat down
across from him. He acknowledged them with a wave and continued to eat.

   Staring absently at Ranma, Druid began to notice a very strange
energy permeating his aura, but it was very faint.

   He tuned Nabiki out as she tried to extract money from Ranma for one
reason or another, it had something to do with pictures, and tried to
pick out the discrepancy with greater detail.

   He was so absorbed in this that he never noticed Nabiki trying to get

his attention, and failing that, leaving him a note and departing.

   Finally there was no one left but him and Ranma, and Ukyou was
closing up shop for the evening.

   Druid came out of his absorbtion when he felt a very insistant
tapping on his shoulder. Nabiki had tried the same tactic and had
failed. The reason it worked THIS time is the fact that the tapping was
more of a hammering.

   Wincing his mind came back into focus and he turned, "Ok! You can
stop now." The person he saw behind himself had to be Ukyou.

   Speaking up Ranma introduced them, "Uchan, this is Druid, Druid,
Ukyou."

   Standing Druid gives her a half bow, "Glad to meet you."

   Ukyou smiles, "It's nice to finally get your attention. I'm closing
up for the night."

   Looking around, Druid finally notes the lack of customers and the
darkness outside. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to keep you waiting, I was
distracted."

   Narrowing her eyes she asks, "why were you staring at Ranchan like
that anyway?"

   Unnoticed by both Ranma nods in agreement, "Yeah, why WERE you doing
that. Nabiki tried to get your attention and failed. She left a not for
you."

   Picking up the proferred note Druid read it quickly,

"Druid

   I tried to get your attention but you wouldn't even move. I was
starting to get annoyed when I saw the glassy far away look in your
eyes. I would imagine you were looking at something other than normal,
and from whom you were look at I would guess it has something to do with

Ranma's curse. You will tell me what you find out, won't you?:"

   Druid grimaced at the order implied in that last sentance.

   Seeing Ukyou's and Ranma's impatient look, he put the letter away and

answered their question, "I wasn't actually looking at you Ranma. I saw
something unusual, not really visible to most people. That's why I
wasn't responding, I was trying to figure out what it was."

   Ranma asks curiously, "did you find out what it was?"

   Grimmacing Druid treads very carefully, "it would be very difficult
for me to answer that. I need more time to analyze it."

   Ukyou has more questions but Ranma shrugs it off, "Ok, well we'd
better go as it's getting late." Turning to Ukyou he continues, "thanks
Uchan, for the food. It was great."

   WIthout another word he leaves.

   Not realizing it Ukyou thinks aloud, "that's just like him, coming
and going as he pleases."

   She is very startled to hear a reply, "somehow I'm not very
surprised."

   Looking up she is about to make a retort when she sees his dead
serious look.

   "If you don't mind I'd like to talk to you for a minute. As I
understand it you're the best friend Ranma has and I'd like to run
something by you."

   Confused, Ukyou never the less gestures for Druid to take a seat and
takes the one oposite him. "What is it?"

   Closing his eyes Druid sighs, then he opens them again, giving her a
sincere look. "When I said that it would be difficult for me to say what

I saw I wasn't lying, but I was misdirrecting you both."

   Ukyou tensed not too sure she wanted to hear more, "and?" she asked
almost unwillingly.

   "Before you ask, no I don't mean THAT." There was no need to explain
what THAT was. Her relieved look was almost comical.

   "The reason that it would be difficult is I don't know how Ranma
would react to my seeing something of his curse."

   Eagerly Ukyou leaned forward, "can you cure him?! They told me you
can do magic."

   She is disappointed to see him shake his head, "I was only able to
catch a glimpse of it. Definately not enough to even begin to try
something with. I'm not even sure it would be safe for me to try."

   Ukyou slumped in her chair as he continued, "I didn't want to tell
him what little I saw because he might become upset. What do you think?"

   Sitting up a litle straighter she thought about it. Eventually she
nodded, "I think you're right. He would have been depressed to have
seemingly come so close to a cure, and then find out you couldn't
actually do anything." Smiling at him she adds, "that was nice of you to

think of that."

   Ruefully Druid adds, "it also keeps his from hounding me to cure
him." Thinking back to earlier that evening Druid remembered something
that he had ignored before, "Didn't Ranma say he was planning on on
going on a training trip soon?"

   Giving Druid a speculative look she nods, "Yes. There's a week long
school vacation coming up soon, he said he wanted to get away for a
while and train in peace."

   His smile returning Druid gets up, "I think I'll ask to come along if

he doesn't mind. It'll be a great oportunity to study it a little more
thouroughly." He holds his hand out to her, "It was nice meeting you
Ukyou, I hope I'll see you again sometime."

   Taking his hand firmly Ukyou nods, "I'd like that. See you soon."

   Druid departs, leaving a thoughtful young woman behind. "He's
certainly interesting, but I feel I'm fortunate to meet him. He didn't
show it but I think he may be one of the kindest men I've ever met."

   With that thought she heads off to bed.

   Druid catches up with Ranma just before he reaches the Dojo. He is
greeted by the site of an annoyed Akane, boken in hand. A short fight
ensues, resulting in Druid watching Ranma being pounded.

   Giving them a wide berth, Druid heads inside, and makes a brief stop
by Nabiki's room. He explains what he had discussed with Ukyou then head

off for his own bead.

   A week before Ranma is to leave Druid walks up to him in the dojo,
"Ranma?"

   Without breaking out of his kata Ranma asks, "Yeah?"

   Siting down to watch Druid begins, "I heard you're going to be going
on a training trip soon."

   "So?"

   "Well, I'd like come along with you if it's all right with you."

   Ranma doesn't answer as he goes into some more exotic moves.

   Druid waits a while before finally adding, "I think I can train you
to make a fire magically, no matter how wet it is. Maybe more that
that."

   THAT got Ranma's attention, "Really?" Sobering quickly Ranma hides
his excitment, "Well... I'll think about it."

   Later that same day Ranma found Druid and told him he could come
along. Druid spent a good deal of the remaining time getting ready for
the trip.

   On a bright Sunday morning they leave, Ranma setting a rapid pace
wanting to test Druid's endurance.

   Druid was grateful that he'd had so much training on the world he'd
met Alya and Talon, *Draksen* he reminded himself.

   As it was he was only able to maintain that pace for a short time
before he had to ask Ranma to slow down.

   After a while though Ranma picked back up the pace, and that was how
the next two days went until Ranma found a place he liked to train in.

   It was a very nice wooded grove, with a modest sized creek running
thorugh it.

   Working together they both set up camp and set up a fire.

   Ranma is about to start the fire when Druid held up his hand, "Lets
get started with your first lesson right now Ranma."

   Hesitating for a moment, Ranma nod and sits across from Druid, "what
do you want me to do?"

   Druid assures him, "this shouldn't be all that hard. Much of what I
would need to teach a beginner you already know."

   Ranma relaxes as Druid continues, "What I need you to do is
concentrate your ki in your hands, like you were going to do your ki
attack, but don't let yourself get quite that far."

   Looking Ranma over carefully Druid can see the energy building up in
his hands, "Good. Now... I want you to imagine a flame coming from your
hand and touchi.... YOW!"

   Ranma suceeded much better than Druid had imagined possible. A large
gout of flame FLEW from Ranma's hands, igniting the wood laid out for
it.

   Waving his hand Druid puts out the fire. Ranma is incensed, "what did

you do that for?"

   Firmly Druid quells him, "We've found out that you seem to have a
natural ability for this, *and I'd dearly love to know why!* but now you

need to learn control. The level of your potential seems high, but it's
also dangerous. We're not going to quit until you get a little more
control over it."

   Ranma relented, he had closed his eyes when following Druid's
instructions. He had been startled when he had felt something 'flowing'
from himself. *I wonder what that was? Whatever ever it is I want to
lear more!*

   Ranma was beginning to feel the yearning that all mages feel about
learning more about their art. So they spent the rest of the afternoon
working on his control.

   It was dark by the time they finished. This had given Druid enough
time to asses Ranma's abilities more thouroughly, which Druid shared
with Ranma.

   "Basically you're not going to be a really powerfull mage, but if you

work at it you can use magic to greatly increase your fighting ability."

   Druid watched as Ranma's face fell, "I don't think it would be a good

idea to use it in most fights."

   Druid agreed, "you're right Ranma, it wouldn't. However from what
I've heard there have been a few times when it would have been useful."

   Ranma had to agree with that.

   Druid points out something Ranma hadn't thought of. "One of the
biggest mistakes people make is that not being powerful means not being
able to do much. If you work at it, you'll eventually be able to do much

of what I can do. While I on the other hand won't ever be able to catch
up to you in fighting ability."

   Ranma was a little cheered by that last statment, "that true isn't
it?"

   Later that evening both Ranma and Andrew look up in surprise, hearing

someone walking toward them.

   They are even more surprised to see a young man who Druid guesses is
Ryouga. His next words confirm it.

   "I've found you Ranma!" Ryouga chuckles to himself as he walks out of

the nearby woods. "I challenge you!"

   Smiling Ranma leaps up to attack.

   The fight doesn't last very long, ending with both of the combatants
landing in the river.

   Setting aside his popcorn, [where'd that come from?] Druid walks over

to P-Chan, who is still in the water. Touching him briefly Druid walks a

circle around the now immobile piglet. Once he completes the circle he
sticks his hand in the water.

   Ryouga for his part was wondering what this strange person was going
to do to him. Trapped in his cursed form, and for some reason unable to
move. He was starting to get scared when he noticed something odd, the
water seemed to be getting warmer, a moment later he was sure of it.

   It didn't take much longer for it to warm up enough to cause him to
change back to his normal self. Before he could say anything the strange

man pulled his hand out of the water, taking with it a globe of water
about a half foot across.

   Druid calls to Ranma, who was sitting by the fire, "Ranma, don't
worry
about heating any water." Walking over to the fire Druid dumps the water

over Ranma.

   Ranma mutters a muffled thanks from under a towel as he dries himself

off.

   Wheels turning Druid wanders back over to the still immobile Ryouga,
"Hello Ryouga."

   "Who are you to interfere with my fight with Ranma!?" Ryouga shouts
angrily.

   "I call myself Druid. As for your fight, it looked to me like it was
over and I thought you might want to return to your normal form," Druid
answers calmly.

   Looking abashed Ryouga asks, "why can't I move?"

   Sitting down Druid looks him in the eye, "I wanted to make sure you
would stay in one place long enough for me to talk to you. If you want
you can stay with us tonight as long as Ranma doesn't mind and you don't

try to pick a fight with him."

   Enraged Ryouga shouts, "I can take care of myself!"

   "I'm sure you can, but I'm pretty sure you don't like being alone all

the time. Besides when you leave I'd like to go with you," Druid ends
blandly.

   Surprised Ryouga stares at Druid, "We've just met and you asking to
travel with me? Why?"

   Releasing him Druid walks with Ryouga over to the fire, "it's rather
simple really. From what I know of you, you and I are very much alike,
much more so than Ranma and I. I believe your style of fighting will be
muck more suited to my body and personality."

   Sitting down across from Ranma, Druid continues, "What I would like
to
do is have you to train me as we travel, and in return I can help you
when
your curse causes you trouble, and with food and the like."

   Looking at Druid appraisingly Ryouga stands, "let me think about this

for a bit." He then wanders a short distance from the fire and sits down

again.

   Druid can see the consternation on Ranma's face, and it doesn't take
long for him to burst, "why the heck would you want to go with him. He's

not as good as me and you're supposed to teach me magic."

   Nodding at each point Druid has a ready answer, "That true, overall
you are better than he is, but his style is better suited to me. As for
the magic, I'll teach you a few things before I leave, you'll need to
practice this on your own.

   Besides, didn't you initially want to come out here to be alone? I
hadn't intended to stay the whole time, I knew you wanted some time to
think."

   Ranma gave Druid a surprised look, and is even more surprised when he

adds softly, "everyone needs time alone Ranam."

   The next day, Ryouga and Druid left Ranma to train in peace. Neither
of them would see the Tendo Dojo for a while. They wandered the length
of Japan, Ryouga leading them from island to island by means unknown to
both of them.

   During this time they became fast friends. Ryouga teaching his style
of martial arts, and Druid teaching Ryouga a bit about magic, as well
had being handy with the hot water.

   It turned out that Ryouga couldn't handle magical energy if his life
depended on it. For some reason however, he was able to SEE it with
surprising clarity, surpassing even Druid once show how.

   One night after four months of wandering Druid has a strange feeling,

and turns to Ryouga, "We need to go back."

   Ryouga lets out a confused, "Eh?"

   With determination on his face Druid stands up grabbing his pack, "We

need to go back to the Tendo Dojo!"

   Ryouga's goes starry eyed, thinking of Akane, "Akane-san, I'll
finally see you again!" It takes him a moment to see Druid standing over

him, with his pack. Standing, he takes his it, "Shouldn't we wait till
morning?"

   Druid turns and starts walking briskly, "We don't have time! I have
no idea why, but we don't!"

   Ryouga adopting his sensei mode, reprimands him, "slow down! You need

to pace yourself, it's going to take a month to get back to the Dojo!"

   Druid startles him by saying, "No, it's going to take us a week as
long as you stay close to me."

   Surprised Ryouga is about to respond to this when he notices how
tense Druid is, and decides against it.

   True to his word Druid leads the way to the Dojo unerringly. As they
walked Ryouga noticed the terain shifting from time to time though
subtly.

   At the end of the week that Druid promised, an exhausted duo arrive
at
their destination.

   Staggering the two wanderers enter the grounds of the dojo, to be
greeted Ranma-chan.

   She furtively dragged them to the side, "My mother is here! Druid,
Ryouga, PLEASE call me Ranko when she's around."

   Both Ryouga and Druid nod mutely, knowing what could happen.

   As Ryouga wanders off to find Akane Ranma-chan leads Druid into the
kitchen, where Druid sees a strange woman.

   "Auntie Saoatome? I'd like you to meet Druid, a friend of mine."

   Nodoka turns and smiles, "hello. I'm glad to meet you. I've heard
quite a bit about you from Ranko and the others. I hope you don't mind
me taking up the room you were staying in."

   Druid shrugs it of, "Not at all. I wasn't here and you needed it.
Besides I can sleep just about anywhere. I will need to get some things
out of there though."

   "That's fine."

   Turning to leave Druid sees Ranma-chan staring at Nodoka with longing

look on her face. He prods her gently, "why don't you come with me?"

   Breaking out of her trance she turns and walks with Druid up to the
room.

   Druid asks, "How long has she been here?"

   "A week," Ranma-chan mournfully replies. Seeing Druid's blank look
she observes, "You don't seem surprised."

   "I'm not... well.... to be truthful I'm not surprised she's here,
I'm just unsure as to how I knew."

   "Hmph, well, you can stay in my room until she leaves, that'll be
simplest. Thought that may be a while," she mutters.

    As Druid picks up a few items he muses, "thanks Ranko, I appreciate
it. After I get this stuff moved do you want to go out somewhere? I'm
sure being here must be painful."

    "Sure why not?

    Depositing his things in Ranma's room they head out, Akane tagging
along, P-chan in hand. They spent the afternoon wandering around town,
at a rather leisurely pace to accommodate the exhaused Druid.

    They got back to the Dojo just at dinner time. No one mentioned it
but things were rather tense. Nodoka was planning on staying until her
husband and Ranma came back, and would not be disuaded. "I'm tired of
just missing them. I'll wait until they get back. No matter how long it
takes."

    Just before going to bed Druid found Ryouga, drying himself off.
"Ryouga, I'm going to be doing something that may be very stupid
tomorrow, and I'm not even very sure why. I want you to promise me that
once things start you won't interfere, and keep anyone else from
interfering also."

    Seeing the dead serious look on his face Ryouga nods, "Yes I can do
that, but what are you going to do?"

    "I can't tell you. It's not that I don't trust you, it's just that I

feel that it would be best not to tell anyone. Also I would be grateful
if you could talk to Kasumi and ask her to call Dr. Tofu. I need him
here early tomorrow morning."

    Wanting answers, Ryouga knows his new friend well enough to know he
wont get any. He complies.

    Going into the guest room Druid sets his bedding and belongings up,
then sits down. Staring in front of himself he creates a three
dimensional diagram of the Dojo and examines it closely. After some time

he chooses the best place, then creates some elaborate spells using the
diagram as a focus. He doesn't notice when first Genma panda, then a
bruised Ranma-chan enter the room and go to sleep. Immediately upon
completion of his work Druid lets the illusion go, then topples over
into an exhausted sleep.

   The next morning he is awakened by the spell, a moment before a
splash and a duet of startled, MALE exclamations.

   Picking up his sword Druid immediately heads downstairs, grim
determination written over his face.

   Reaching his destination, he sees everybody else is already there,
Including Nodoka.

   He isn't surprised to see her sword already drawn, with Ranma and
Genma kneeling in front of her, daggers in hand. *I wonder how she
managed it that fast though?*

   Drawing his own sword Druid shouts angrily, "STOP!" All eyes turn to
him, wondering what he was planning.

   Everyone freezes in shock, staring at him. He makes sure they stay
frozen, except for Ranma.

   Turning to Nodoka, he now sees tears streaking down her face. "If
you make them go through with this, I'll kill you!" He did his best to
make it appear as if he meant it.

   Obviously he succeeds, as Ranma explodes to his feet, "What did you
say!?!?"

   Druid puts on a nasty looking grin, "I said I'd kill her if she made
you and your father kill yourselves. If you do kill yourself you won't
be around to protect her now will you?"

   Ranma goes berserk, from a combination of a fear of dying and an
anger
at Druid for threatening his mother's life. He immediately goes on the
attack.

   Druid dodged his first punch, but isn't able to avoid the following
one. What followed after that first blow is a massacre, with Ranma
beating Druid quite handily.

   "KACHU TENSHIN AMAGURIKEN!!!!!!" By now Druid was wondering what the
hell he had gotten himself into as the blows kept coming. He could no
longer see as the pain rose. He fell to the floor, and still the blows
came.

   As he lay there, waiting to die, he began to wondered at the fact
that
he wasn't feeling any additional pain. Deciding that he wanted to know
what
was going on, he opened his eyes, and saw a beautiful sight.

   Nodoka was hugging/holding an enraged Ranma from behind, preventing
him from doing anything more to him. Smiling Druid utters a triumphant,
"it worked!" then faded into unconsciousness.

   Ranma for his part received a succession of shocks during the fight,
the first of which was his mother grabbing him. She shouted for him to
stop,
sobbing the whole time, from both relief, and remorse.

   The second seeing Druid's eyes open, and looking at him and his
mother,
SMILE at the both of them. When he spoke, Ranma had to listen very hard
to hear the faint, "it worked!"

   As Druid fell unconscious Ranma began to have an inkling of what
Druid had been trying to do for him. Looking him over Ranma blanched as
he realized how much damage he'd done.

   Ryouga for his part had been keeping everyone away from the fight
once
they were released from Druid spell, as he'd promised.

   What worried him the most was when Akane had picked up Druid's
dropped
sword and asked him to move aside. Only the fact that he had promised
Druid
to keep anyone from interfering allowed to prevent her from doing so.

   He himself was going to interfere promise or no promise when Nodoka
saved him the trouble. Moving with a surprising amount of speed, she
ran up behind Ranma and grabbed him from behind, preventing him from
delivering another blow to Druid's head.

   He started to run to find Dr. Tofu when said person walked in the
door.

   Tofu for his part was confused as to the vague answers he'd received
from Kasumi when he questioned her request for him to come over this
morning. It didn't matter though, he would do anything for her.

   When he saw the beaten young man lying on the for all his thoughts
and questions vanished. He rushed over and examined him thoroughly. By
the time he was finished he was very worried. Both of his legs and right

arm were broken, as well as several of his ribs. He also had a
concussion and a very low level of ki.

   Standing, Tofu to the rest of the group, "I'm surprised he's not
dead. Could someone please get some blankets and bandages. Anyone else
please leave."

   Kasumi and Akane scrambled off to fill his request, the rest
vanish at various speeds. Except for two, Nodoka and Ryouga.

   Looking determined Nodoka steps forward, "I believe I have some
skills that would be of use."

   Seeing her determination as well as an unusually focused aura he
agrees, "All right, you can help me set his bones first." Turning to
Ryouga he raises an eyebrow questioningly.

   Awkwardly Ryouga explains, "I'd like to stay, but I'll keep out of
your way."

   Dr. Tofu nods, then immediately goes to work as Ryouga sets himself
down a short distance away, "this is going to take a while."

--

END of Part one. Don't worry though, I will finish the next one before I

post this one. I know how people hate multi-part stories that never get
finished. So I won't post this one if I don't finish the next part,
which means it's finished if you're reading this.

Now for the blame.... I mean inspiration. :)

TWISTER a.k.a. Darren Steffler, His Twisted Path the inspiration to get
me
to actually write something.

They Eyrie crew,

Ben "Gryphon" Hutchins
Brian "Megazone" Bikowicz
Rob "ReRob" Mandevil
Larry "Rtype" Mann
Kris "Redneck" Overstreet
and several others.

If you haven't read any of their fiction, shame on you! :)

Legion, a.k.a. Edward Becerra, may his quest be fruitful.

And many others. A big hand to all the fanfic authors out there, that
write such good stories!

Dictionary,

KACHUU TENSHIN AMAGURIKEN, One of Ranma's special attacks, this delivers

an amazing amount of blows in a very short period of time. The first
word is often left out however.

HIRYU SHOUTEN HA, Ranma learned this technique from Cologne after
Happosai
had hit him with the full body cat tongue. By maintaining his cool, he
can use the difference of 'temperature' in the ki of himself and his
opponent, causing a whirlwind to form, doing quite a bit of damage.

MOUKO TAKABISHA, Ranma's Ki attack. It draws energy from confidence.

BAKUSAI TENKETSU, Taught to Ryouga by Cologne, this technique allows him

to break rocks with a single finger. He also became much tougher during
the process of learning it.

SHISHI HOUKOUDAN, Ryouga's Ki attack. It draws it's energy from heavy
emotions, such as anger, fear, and especially depression.