Nihao!
Well, here it is, the second chapter of Journal of the Ages: Ranma. Thanks to all those who wrote me demanding that I write the next chapter. I have a good size chuck of authors notes at the bottom if you want to read the rest of the thanks. Any case, please send all the c&c you can, I'll even take MSTs and perhaps a flame or two, providing they tell me WHY it sucked.
Jusenkyo Guide
(Warning: This has just a bit of a one line lime in it. Also, if same sex parings bother you, please find another fic.)
Jusenkyo Productions Proudly Presents
A Ranma 1/2 Fan Fiction
Journal of the Ages: Ranma
Nerima: Present Day,
The book now sat on the low shelf in his room, a silent black gargoyle. Ranma eyed it warily; it had been three days since he had last read the book. He could still remember the power that had flowed through him, could still remember tossing off fireballs as if they were ki blasts.
After that night he had put the book in his room, determined not to read it again.
Three days later he picked it up and started to read again.
But this time it was just a book, no flashing lights, no transformations into another life, it was just a book. Ranma read on. After the first Ranma, the book was given to a young lad who was a cabin boy on a ship. He traveled from England to France, then through Europe. For this Ranma had wanderlust, a lust that was shared by a few of his traveling companions.
There was Amy, a barmaid from England who decided that seeing the world with him would be much more fun than serving drinks. Joan was a French prostitute that had fallen in love with Ranma as he came ashore in France. And Natasha, a farm girl who thought that following Ranma was more interesting than growing potatoes for the Czar. All three of them constantly fought over him, trying to be the one to get him. While Ranma cared for them, the one he loved was Akane. She had been with him from childhood, and wherever he went, no matter where, she was with him. Trying to kill him with her cooking.
Ranma smiled, no matter what the time, Akane still couldn't cook.
The book went on as Ranma left Europe for Asia, crossing Russia, Mongolia, and finally making his way into China. It was here, many, many years later, that he found the next Ranma. By that time, all his friends and Akane had died from old age. But the book was passed on to the parents of the next Ranma. They lived in a remote village that was famed for their fighting sprit and independence. The name of the village was Joketsuzoku.
Ranma felt the tingle as the book started to come alive again. "Oh man, not again!" he said before he was pulled into another life.
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Amazon's Duty:
Ranma silently crept through the tall grass. The hunt was on, and this time Ranma would win. A small rustle of the sun dried grass made Ranma stop. As still as a statue, the hunter waited for a most dangerous prey. There was no movement, no sound could be heard.
Ranma relaxed a touch, considering. 'Perhaps a small breeze in the grass?' the warrior wondered. "Perhaps not!" Ranma shouted aloud, kicking out towards the target without looking. The kick was caught and held in an iron grip. Ranma held the kick, waiting patiently.
Finally, after what seemed like forever and a day, the grip let go and a old voice said, "Good child, you have learned."
Ranma turned to the owner of the voice, "You really think so, Master?"
The old master smiled, "Of course Ranma, you are the best warrior I've trained in 400 years. The village should be proud to have you and should wish for more girls like you."
Ranma smiled and flicked some of her hair out of her face. No matter how she tried some of it always got into her mouth. She bowed to her master and waited. After every lesson in the Art, the Master would give a lesson on how to use it, or just on life in general. Ranma felt that she learned more from those talks than anything else. And she listened very, very carefully. For one day, Ranma was sure, she would be one of the elders, and advice from one this wise would always be useful.
While Ranma studied the master, the master studied Ranma. Here was a warrior that came but once in generations. Of course, if that damn book could be believed, Ranma was supposed to be the best.
That book, that damn book. The master remembered when the strange man wandered into the village. His hair and beard were white, and his skin brown from the sun. But his blue eyes danced with wonder at everything he saw. The master had met with the man as he came into the village. It was slow going, for he really couldn't speak well, but he finally was able to make his purpose known.
He said that his name was Ranma, and that he needed to see those women who were about to give birth. The master was about to refuse, when something made her pause. Magic, powerful magic. It rolled over her like a wave promising great fortune to those who helped, and great sorrow to those who hindered.
"Follow me please," the master had said.
There were three women who would give birth in the space of about a week. The master took Ranma to them. The first two he shook his head, they were not whom he was looking for. The third one, Ku Lon, he smiled at.
The man bowed and handed her a black book he was carrying. He said that it was to be given to her child when the time was right. He bowed again, thanked the both of them, and then walked out of the house and the village, he was never seen again.
Two days later, one of the women gave birth to a much hoped for daughter, Lin Chi. A girl named Akane showed up a few days later. The master started to have a few suspicions then as the name was not Chinese. They heightened when Ku Lon informed her that she could not open the book that the stranger gave her. The master gathered all her magic and managed to open the book. The pages were blank, except for one line in perfect Chinese.
'Don't even THINK about it, this book belongs to Ranma.'
The book then snapped shut. Three days later, Ku Lon gave birth to a healthy girl who had a shock of bright red hair.
"What will you name this one child?" the master had asked.
Ku Lon smiled sleepily at her child, "Ranma," she answered with a yawn.
"Ranma?" the master said softly. She had heard about the small empire across the sea. She had even learned the language in case one of them showed up in the village. Why would a stranger from the West come bearing the name from a place in the East? And why would a warrior from this village give a male Japanese name to her new born daughter? The master left mother and child.
'But,' as the master thought wryly, 'As my master used to say, 'that was then, this is now.' The master looked at Ranma on more time. 16 years after her birth, Ranma was already well on her way to being the most sought after mate. Her red hair she kept in a lose ponytail that forever needed to be tied back. Once again, some of it was creeping into her mouth.
Years of the art had given her a slim, athletic build, but there was no doubt that she was a girl. She was ambitious, everyone in the village knew that she wanted to be an elder and one of the council members. But that didn't stop her from being helpful, or cheerful.
'That,' the master concluded, 'Was why half the village youths of both sexes were after her.' Finally she sighed and spoke.
"Ranma, this is our final lesson together. You have learned in 12 years what it takes most all their lives. All I can do now is help you master the skills you have learned, and even then, I know you will soon out strip me."
Ranma looked a bit startled at that, but the master could see the pride in her eyes as well and knew it mirrored the pride in her own.
"Now child we must talk about other matters. Matters of which you have put off, and which I have as well."
Ranma blinked and followed the old lady to her house. The master's house was small, but one felt a sense of peace there, as if in the entire world, this is one place where trouble could never find you. The master sat in a chair and Ranma placed herself at her feet. One of the servants brought in some tea.
They sat there, drinking tea and looking out at the small garden that the master had for some time. Ranma was the one who broke the silence.
"Master, what is it that you wish to speak with me about?"
"My child, you are sixteen years of age, you have had the bleedings for a few years. You have long since past the age where you would be married, or life partnered. Tell me child, what do you plan to do about this?" The master spoke, the sipped her tea.
"I� I'm not sure," Ranma stuttered, "I never really thought about it. I mean, I'm not even sure if I like anyone."
The master sighed; she had a feeling that this one would be difficult. Before she could go on however, there was a small tap at her door.
"Come in please," she called out.
The door opened and two people came in.
When she saw who it was, the master let out a small sigh, Lin Chi and Akane. Of the pack of youths that were after Ranma, these two were the worse, although they went about it in different ways.
Lin Chi was aggressive; she stalked Ranma often catching her when she least expected it. One time Lin Chi had cornered Ranma in the bath. Unfortunately, this was right after Ranma had just learned the Hiryu Shoten-Ha. The village had needed a new bathhouse, but not that way.
Akane was the opposite. She protested long and hard about how much she disliked Ranma. No one in the village believed her, as you could almost always find Akane looking on as Ranma worked. Akane was a strange one for the village though. She wasn't all that much of a fighter, and never really progressed beyond the basics, in what was a commonly known Art. Her strength could never be mistaken, though. She had a strong will, and wisdom to match. The village joke, however, was that while Akane could see to the heart of the matter, she could never see her own heart.
"Yes?" the master, asked.
Akane was doing her 'I am ignoring Ranma' routine. "Master Yu, Thyme of the Musk Dynasty request a word with you," she said.
The master nodded, "Did he say why?"
Lin Chi answered, but while she was talking with the master, she was looking at Ranma in a way that made her squirm, "No Master, he said it was for your ears only."
The master sighed again, "Tell Thyme that I will see him."
"Yes Master," they both said, they then bowed and left.
Ranma looked out at the departing Akane, the master smiled.
"Ranma," she said.
Nothing.
"Ranma," she tried again.
Still nothing.
"Ranma!"
"Huh?" Ranma replied.
The master rolled her eyes; this was going to be SO much fun getting those two together. "Ranma, I will met with you later. In the mean time, please consider what I have said. You need not take a husband; others of this village have not done so, but having a life partner is a different matter, and one you need to consider most carefully."
"Yes Master," Ranma said, getting up gracefully.
The master paused for a second; "One other thing Ranma, this book I believe belongs to you." The master reached over to a table that was set by a window. On it was a black book. She picked it up and handed it to Ranma. With that, she left the room.
Ranma turned the book over in her hands then opened it. On the first page were the words, 'Greetings Ranma,'
***********************************************************
Ranma walked out of the house and down the street lost in though. That was the reason why she didn't notice both Akane and Lin Chi trailing her until Lin Chi glomped her.
"Ranma darling," she cooed into her ear.
"Giyaaaaaaaa!!!!!" Ranma responded and shot 20 feet into the air. She came down and spun on Lin Chi.
"Don't ever do that again! You almost killed me!"
"But Ranma darling," Lin Chi pouted, "It's just that I never get to see you any more."
Ranma sighed, Lin Chi was one of her childhood friends, but Lin Chi's passion for Ranma was a bit much.
Lin Chi leaned in closer, "Why don't you make it up to me? We could�" she started to whisper into Ranma's ear. Ranma became bright red.
"EXCUSE ME!" someone, said behind them, "We do have things we need to do today you know!"
Ranma turned to face Akane, and just sort of looked at her. Not that Akane noticed.
Lin Chi however smiled, "That's OK Akane, we can share her if you like."
"Huh?" Ranma said intelligently still lost in Akane's face.
"What?! Lin Chi! Why would I want to share Ranma anyway? I don't even like her!" Akane fired back.
Lin Chi smirked, "Oh? Don't tell me you don't think that Ranma's cute? I mean, look at these!" Lin Chi grabbed Ranma's breasts, "Wouldn't you like to get in-between them?"
"Huh?" Ranma said.
"With her? Never!" Akane yelled back.
"Then you won't mind if Ranma darling and I take a walk to view nature?" Lin Chi asked.
"Huh?" Ranma asked.
Both girls stopped and looked at the third.
"Ranma, is that all you're going to say all afternoon?" Akane asked.
"Hu� Oh, no Akane. I was� just� thinking," Ranma said.
"She talks! Wonder of wonders! It's a miracle you even talk at all! " Akane exclaimed!
THAT snapped Ranma out of it, "And just what do you mean by that!" she demanded.
"What do you think?" Akane replied.
Lin Chi smiled, then leapt into the argument, supporting one side, then the other. The rest of the village was use to these fights. It was said that one could count on them as one would the sun rising.
The master, returning from her talk with Thyme, heard the arguing. "To be young again!" she said with a sigh. She sighed again, this time not with longing for a lost youth, but for the dark times ahead.
Six weeks later, the Mongol warriors, who until that time had been busy conquering the rest of the world, swept down out of the Bayankala Range to attack the village and surrounding area. The Joketsuzoku quickly found out what the invading army wanted. Not dominion and ruler ship over them, but the people themselves. They had heard of the strong Amazons of this area and decided that they would be good mates.
Shocked at first, the village looked like it would fall in the first few hours of the attack. Then the spirit of the Amazons came alive. The tide of the battle quickly turned and the Mongols learned it was wise not to attack people who could send ki blasts that could kill half a dozen normal men. The Mongols withdrew, for awhile at least. The village had won some time to prepare itself for the next round of assault.
But the damage to the people had already been done.
Ranma had fought when they had come, she had been right in the middle of things. No one expected otherwise. She had stood by the master and helped blast the invaders into submission. But there had been a price. A heavy, heavy price.
"M..master?" Ranma said softly, "Master Yu?"
The old warrior lay crumpled on the ground. Out of her back, a single arrow.
"Master?" Ranma tried again, refusing to give in to what lay before her eyes. 'The master couldn't be, she just couldn't,' Ranma thought. It had to be another training trick. No, it just couldn't be!
"Master, please, you've got to get up!" Ranma begged, plucking half heartedly at the arrow.
A hand touched her shoulder, carefully, but with all the compassion in the world. Ranma looked over to see Akane. The soot stained face held grief, sympathy, and a question.
"Ranma?" she asked softly.
Ranma grabbed her hand like Akane was a lifeline in a stormed tossed sea. "Akane! Please help me! I can't get Master Yu to wake up, please help me."
"Ranma, I'm sorry, but she's gone," Akane said.
Ranma looked at Akane, not quite comprehending what she was saying. Then she went back to tugging at the arrow.
Akane wept silently. Master Yu was not the only dead that they would have to bury this day. Akane was in charge of directing some of the younger warriors, and Lin Chi was sent to protect her, as Ranma was to protect the master. Akane remembered as a sword took off her best friend's head and sent it spinning into the tall grass. It was one of the few times that Akane felt the blood lust take over. The person who killed her lived no more.
Akane gently led Ranma away from the fallen master, "Ranma, she's dead, we have to move on, we must!" she said.
Ranma looked at her, and Akane could see the pain in the other's eyes. Ranma was a warrior, trained for battle yes, but no training; nothing could prepare one for the lost of a loved one. She hugged the girl, holding her, trying to convey to Ranma that she was there for her, she always would be.
With a cry of a lost kitten, Ranma clung to Akane and wept. How long they stayed like that no one could say, but slowly, Ranma's weeping ceased.
Ranma straitened, and pulled out of Akane's embrace. "Thank you," was all she said. Akane nodded, all that needed to be said had been exchanged in that one small phrase.
Ranma looked around at the village; some of it was still burning, parts of it had been destroyed. "They will be back," she said.
"Yes," Akane replied, "I know. I have never heard of them giving up after a defeat."
"Where's Lin Chi? We are going to need to a plan for the next time."
"I'm sorry Ranma, but she's� Lin Chi's�" Akane's voice choked up with tears.
Ranma's face hardened, "I was going to be satisfied with their defeat, now they will die. Call the elders and the warriors together, we need to have a talk." With one last look at her fallen master, Ranma strode away.
Akane looked at the retreating form of her friend, no; she was more than that now. Six weeks ago, Ranma had left a very interesting book out. When she had finished it, she sat there in shock, not believing what she had read. But then there was that note.
'Akane, just give it up. These ties bind you and Ranma together, they are deeper than the blue sea and stronger than the mountains. There is nothing in all the Earth that can separate you.'
Akane hadn't really thought about it until she saw Ranma huddled over the Master's body. Then she felt it, what she had tried to deny for so long. Now as she watched as Ranma planed with the rest of the elders how to win the next battle in such a way as to make sure they were never attacked again, Akane whispered something. Something that in the crowed room Ranma still heard.
"Wo ai ni," she said.
Ranma looked up and smiled. Somewhere, deep inside of both of them, something clicked, and it felt right.
After a few days, the final touches were put on Ranma's plan. They would lure the Mongols into a valley not too far from the village. Those with the knowledge of the Bakusai-ten-ketsu would collapse the passes into the valley, trapping them there. From there, the slaughter could begin. The elders agreed with Ranma, unless a clear message of attack us and die could be sent, the village would be attacked again and again until there was no one left.
"The only question now is, which valley should we trap them in," Akane said.
Ranma carefully studied the map in front of her. The master had always taught her that planing was more important than skill. For a good plan could bring down an army of skilled warriors while skill alone could take care of but a few. She was also aware of the elder's gazes upon her. She was still young, her place as Master Yu's star pupil had been able to make them listen to her, but any mistake on her part would see her banned, perhaps for life.
"Well Ranma?" Xai Lung asked.
"There are three possibilities," Ranma said slowly, "There is the high valley on Mt. Phoenix."
"That one is unsuitable," Ku Lon, her mother, said, "For one, the terrain is too steep in some places to be able to get to, and I believe it will be too small to hold what they will throw at us."
Ranma nodded, "That is what I thought, but I was not sure. The next one would be the valley to the east of the castle of the Musk Dynasty. This has the advantage of perhaps using the castle as a base. The problems are that the Mongols may just push on through to the castle itself, and we have still to hear from Prince Thyme, he may not help us."
"It would be wise," Xai Lung said, "To count only on our own. If they decide to help, so much the better, if not, then we are none the worse."
"Then," Ranma said, "This is the one. It is a bit far from the village; we, but not the Mongols can climb the slopes. There are but only two passes into it, and the springs located inside will slow their advance."
The rest of the elders blinked, finally Xai Lung spoke, "But that place is cursed! Ranma, you know of the magic of that place."
Ranma smiled, it wasn't a very nice one, "I do, and I believe that fighting animals will be much easier that fighting men."
Xai Lung looked at the young girl shrewdly, "Very well done, young elder," she said. "We tell the warriors to lead them to the Valley of the Springs."
As Ranma walked out of the room, Akane went with her. A bit shyly, she snaked her arm around Ranma's waist.
Ranma smiled at her, then went back to her thoughts.
"Ranma, what are you thinking about?" Akane asked.
"Oh, just things. Like the plan, how we are supposed to lead them into that valley. Memories of Lin Chi and the Master," she said. Then Ranma blinked, as if remembering something.
"Akane?" she asked.
"Hmmmmm?"
Ranma opened her mouth, then took a look around. They were in the middle of the village, not really a good place to have a heart to heart. "Hang on Akane," she said. Then she picked her up and went bounding off towards some hot springs that were located not too far from there.
Akane looked in askance at Ranma as she set her down on one of the rocks.
"What is it Ranma?" she asked.
"Akane, can I ask you something?" she said.
"Sure."
"Ummm, while we were planing, I thought, I mean, I'm sure I heard you say, uh, ummm, well that is, did you?" Ranma finished. Turning somewhat red.
"Did I say what?" Akane asked, confused.
"Did you say that," she mumbled something.
"Yes?"
"Say that, mumble, love, mumble?"
Akane blinked, "Oh! I think I know what you're talking about." She looked Ranma straight in the eye. "Ranma, yes I did. Wo ai ni Ranma. It is you that I love. More than anything else, more than my life itself, it's you. My love for you is deeper than the blue sea and stronger than�"
"Than the mountains," Ranma finished for her, then looked at Akane wide eyed. "You read the book!"
It was Akane's turn to go a bit red. "I found it one day, and, I just had to read it. After I got done I found a note. I didn't really believe it, but then I saw you when Master Yu died, and, oh I don't know. I just, Ranma, it might be fate, or a spell, but it feels right."
Ranma looked at her, "Wo ai ni Akane," she said, drawing her into a hug, then a kiss that was more than platonic.
Ranma and Akane got back late to the village that night.
Two months later the scouts repotted that a large army was moving towards them. Prince Thyme had said that he would protect their flank, but had to look to his own defenses and was really unable to help.
"It is more than we could hope for," Akane had said, "The one flaw was that they would split up and come at us from both sides."
Then the most dangerous part began, someone would have to lead the attackers into the valley.
"I'll do it," Ranma said.
"No! You are needed elsewhere," the elders had replied.
Ranma just shook her head, "Respected elders, I'm sorry, but I must disagree. My skills as a leader are not that great. Akane is far better; my skills as a warrior are needed for this. You would have to send a group of warriors to lead them there. I can do it by myself. We need every warrior we have."
"And how, child, will you manage to lead them there? They will not chase after just one warrior," Ling Ling asked.
Ranma smiled, "Before her death, Master Yu taught me the Splitting Cat Hairs. I can make myself appear to be a small army."
"Then go my daughter," Ku Lon had said, "And may the gods bless you."
Ranma crept through the bushes to where the army had been last seen. She was determined to succeed. It wouldn't be too hard, the army was moving in the general direction of the valley anyway. She just had to make sure that they didn't decide on any side trips.
Finally, a few miles outside of the valley, climbing up the pass, she saw them. Ranma stopped and whistled. The pass was filled with them. There were perhaps 5,000 mounted warriors. Compared to the 500 warriors that they could count on, it did look like the village was doomed.
Ranma planed to change that. She concentrated hard; the last time she did this, she was able to divide herself 50 times. Ranma figured that she would need twice that number to attract the army's attention.
The commander of the horde was surprised to say the least when he encountered a hundred and fifty red headed warriors, who charged his army, then ran yelling insults. Enraged, he ordered that every last one of the impertinent wenches be captured, with the warrioress themselves going to the man who captured her, to be raped in the Mongol way. The army had been on the march for a while now. They had climbed mountains, and had seen very little of the elusive female animal. Needless to say, then went after the red headed girls with great gusto.
"Oh man, I didn't know they'd be THIS enthusiastic!" Ranma exclaimed when she looked behind her.
Concentrating only on the girls, the invaders didn't notice other behind them. They didn't notice heading down into a valley filled with springs. They DID start to notice when some of their fellows fell into the springs and came up as pandas, cats, giant monsters, frogs, and one giant octopus.
'How did a giant octopus drown?' Ranma wondered as she ran, 'How did it even get up here anyway?'
The commander of the horde saw his men being transformed and called for a retreat. They turned around, only to hear cries of "Bakusai-ten-ketsu!" and the sound of shattering rock. They looked on in horror as the pass filled with rock, cutting off their escape. The sounds startled the horses; more men were plunged into the springs. The commander's lieutenant went by him, as a small creature that looked like it was a cross between a cat and a rabbit.
Then they heard the war cries of the warriors from the Joketsuzoku village. The commander also heard laughter. Ahead of him was a red headed girl, one of the ones who lead his army into this trap. She was laughing and climbing up the side of a cliff. On the top, he could see more warriors from the village.
The death cries of men and horses, (And cats, pandas, frogs, giant monsters etc.) filled his ears as the Amazons rained arrows and ki blasts into the valley. He knew that the girl was somehow responsible.
"Bitch," he muttered, then drew his bow and fired off a shot.
Akane watched as the army that came to enslave them was destroyed. She was commanding one of the sections above a cliff that the invaders could climb. She was also hoping that Ranma would use this to get up top, she wanted to see her lover again, to run her fingers through her hair and kiss her.
A flash of red caught her attention; Ranma was indeed climbing up the cliff. Then time seemed to stop as their eyes met. Ranma smiled and said something. It was in the middle of a battle but Akane heard it anyway.
"Wo ai ni, it's you I love, Akane."
Then she stiffened; an arrow seemed to appear out of her back.
"No," Akane screamed, "NOOOOOOO!!"
Ranma felt the thud of the arrows impact, then her hands released the rock wall she was climbing.
She felt herself falling, as she fell, she remembered her last meeting with Akane.
"Please be careful Ranma," she had said.
Ranma hugged her, "I will be, but I will always be with you. If what that books says is true, I will always be with you, always."
Ranme felt herself hit one of the springs; she had no strength left to pull herself out. As the waters closed over her head, her final thought was, 'I'll be with you always, for it is you I love.'
Nerima, Present Day:
Ranma felt himself slam into his body. For one wild moment he had no idea where, when, or who he was. He looked down at the book, the last line was still there, 'I'll be with you always, for it is you that I love.' Then the style of writing changed, as if someone actually did write in the book.
'I am writing to finish this story for my beloved. After I saw her fall into one of the pools I was able to call upon a technique that had only been done in legend, the Shishi hoko-dan. The resulting blast wiped out the rest of the invaders, but my Ranma was gone. Afterwards, I found another note telling me when and to whom this book will be passed on to. I hope that the next Ranma will have more time with me, her. I am now old and soon will pass this book on, I have done what she wanted, and I sit on the council. I hope that I do often as she would have wished of me. The Valley of the Springs is no more, after the battle, the name was changed to Pools of Sorrow, Chochuanshan. When it is my time, I will join her there as well.
Akane'
"Ranma!" A voice called from outside his door.
"Yeah mom?" Ranma called back; still distracted by a thought in the back of his mind.
"Have you finished that book? You still haven't told us what's in it," Nadoka said.
'Not yet,' the voice said, 'Not quite yet.'
"Um, I'm still reading it. Uh, tell Akane and Kasumi that I'll be a bit late getting to dinner, I have to go somewhere," Ranma said. Before his mother could answer, he leapt out the window and was gone.
'That boy really needs to learn some manners,' Nadoka fumed.
Ranma landed at the entrance of the Nekohanten and went on in. As usual, Shampoo was working the counter.
"Nihao Ranma! You come to take Shampoo on date yes?" the bubbly Amazon asked.
Ranma groaned softly, couldn't she at least get a new opening line? It was almost as bad as Ryoga's "Ranma! Prepare to die!"
"Not right now Shampoo, I need to talk to your great-grandmother," he said.
"About what son-in-law?" Cologne's gravelly voice asked from behind him. As usual, he didn't sense her sneaking up on him.
"Um, well, I'm doing a report on ancient Chinese history, and I was wondering if you could tell me something?" Ranma tried, rather lamely.
Cologne snorted a bit in amusement, the idea of Ranma actually doing schoolwork was funny. But still, whatever the reason, it should be interesting. "Ask," she said.
"Well, I read that the Mongols were attacking places about 1,500 years ago and I was wondering if your village got attacked."
Cologne considered the question for a while, "Yes son-in-law, we were. There was a big battle at Chochuanshan, the Amazons trapped the invaders in the valley and managed to kill them." She frowned for a second, "I can't seem to remember who led to battle though, it was a very famous battle and the warrior was much honored. I'm named after her mother."
Ranma blinked a few times, "One more thing, where's Chochasnshing?" he asked, mangling the name.
"Chochuanshan?" Cologne asked, "That's the Pools of Sorrow, you know it better, son-in-law, as the training grounds of accursed springs, Jusenkyo."
End Chapter 2.
Author's Notes:
O.K., how many of you saw that coming? It just felt right to write it that way. Many, many thanks to my pre-readers, you know who you are. (In case you don't, it's Nick, Toby, and Lisa) My writing has improved after they started helping. I know this because I have yet to get an email from Gary Kleppe san asking why I felt I must mangle the English language like I do. (J/K, I really do appreciate those emails as it means the finished product doesn't look like it was typed up by a fifth grader.)
Chapter 3 will be out whenever I get around to it. My writing times have been cut by work. :P Once more, thanks to all who read this and please send C&C.
'GIVE ME C&C OR GIVE ME AKANE'S COOKING!' A rather distraught fic author
JG
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Here sir we come to famous training ground of accursed springs
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|Guide of the training grounds|Ranma 1/2, Tenchi Muyo, BGC, |
|of accursed springs, 8th |AMG, Tank Police, Gall Force, |
|Disciple of Eriond, and proud|YUA, GitS, ADP, Evangelion |
| member of the #SkAS# |Project A-ko, UY, VPM, BGC! |
|--------http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/6549 ----------------|
|Akane, Linna, Washu, Nene, |Nene showed Mackie just how |
|Skuld, Belldandy, Kiyone |much she knew. Winter Blossoms|
---------------------------Jusenkyo---------------------------
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