I got some pretty good comments on this so I guess I'll be continuing
this, chapter two will be out *hopefully* next week. A rough estimate of
the chapters would be up to ten...

Disclaimer: Ranma's owned by Rumiko Takahashi, but I don't know who owns
the Zorro Anime they cut the credits here because of the timespan...

First Fic Warning :)

Special thanks to Tony, Sachhs, my sister, Ryan, Azatlan, Jason and
David. (Did I get everybody?)

If anyone wants to pre-read this please contact me at
winthrop@hotmail.com (I'm not on the list)

------------------------------
Currently Untitled
(Should I stick with Zorro 1/2, like somebody suggested or is that so
mundane already? ;)
Chapter One: A Hero is Born
By Angeline Jacoba
------------------------------


     Before the end of the 18th century, America was under the abuse of
Spain. Many were angry at the Spaniards. Although their days of
happiness had ended but even though they have suffered their hope is not
gone. For they know that one day they will be redeemed.

-----------

     San Tasco was a small town in the lower areas of California, it's
boundaries, the sea to the west and the lush green forest surrounding
it.

     A fountain marked the center of San Tasco, off to its side, was the
Cathedral, across the street was the noisy market and some quaint little
shops but one of the structures that held great importance was the San
Tasco Barracks.

     It was a beautiful structure, whitewashed with heavenly white. It's
lawn trimmed a full green with some trees at the gateway, a mansion
where the officers of higher rank lodged while they see to San Tasco's
demands.
     Most of the wealthy people were off to the hacienda's that they
owned outside the boundaries of their town. Their beautiful houses were
left to their wives and an occasional helper.

     This was the part of town that the new letter was going to. A boy
of about ten, handed the said letter to the woman and went whistling
away.

***

     A woman, about thirty years of age, smiled as she accepted the
letter. Brushing a strand of her brownish black hair away, she opened
the letter excitedly and read its contents:


		Mom, Dad,



			 I'd be leaving for California next 
		month aboard the _Lady Fair_. I'd
		probably arrive after the third week of 
		my departure.

			 Is there anything you want me to 
		do before I leave? I'll send the time
		of my arrival at a later letter.


					  Ranma


     She smiled as she called her husband; she couldn't wait to tell
him the good news.

     "Alex, dear," She called, "Ranma wrote. He's coming home."

     "Growf," A panda said appearing near the door, flipping a sign over
[I'll answer the letter, Nodoka, as soon as I get some hot water.]

     Nodoka sighed and started to head for the kitchen, "We'll be needing a
lot of that, too."

*****

     Two months later, a teen-age girl was riding a carriage frantically
trying to get to the harbor without the sergeant pulling close enough to
nab her. The young boy beside her and the three people they wanted to
help, were also having their own problems.

     "Akane," the boy said as he looked back at the soldiers, "He's
gaining."

     "He's a rebel!" The sergeant called out, "Whoever helps him will be
held under penalty as well."

     "What are you saying, sergeant? Ranma Vega is coming back today and
I'm just going to fetch him! His ship docks in an hour!" Akane shouted
urging her horses to move faster.

     "Ranma Vega you say?" A slightly crazed voice from the back of the
group of soldiers repeated, "Another chance at love...men in San Tasco
are such a boorish lot..."

     "I can't believe Sergeant Gonzales took Kodachi with him." Akane
huffed slightly turning to see her adversary, "She's as neurotic as
ever."

      Akane frowned. Ever since the Kunos were assigned in San Tasco,
they had been ruling the place like gods. It wasn't enough that
Commander Raymond Kuno had wanted to be assigned in a place like Hawaii,
he had brought his demented children as well.

      Colonel Tatewaki Kuno was another story. He'd been badgering most
of the girls in San Tasco by his badly written poetry and speeches. It
was bad enough he was the one in charge of making the soldiers collect
the taxes, he also had to make it his personal duty to escort 'lovely,
helpless maidens, to safety'.

      Though Tatewaki was bad, Kodachi was by far the worst of them all.
Keeping half of San Tasco awake with her maniacal laughter, she was a
spoiled and scheming woman that no one dared cross. Though she was a
good fighter, she was not allowed in the military, like all women. She
usually kept out of the government's business, but she still ordered the
troops around as badly as her father, sometimes even worse. Today was no
exception.

      "Gonzales, as soon as you capture that no good woman, escort me to
the docks," Kodachi shouted, not bothering that Akane heard her, "I
would want to meet this Ranma."

      Akane mumbled something about Kodachi that Bernard wasn't able to
hear, then told him, "We're slower than they are. they'll catch up
soon."

      From beside her a young boy, presumably Bernard, smiled as he checked
on the three riding the carriage, then he looked at Akane, "I'll take
care of the sergeant and the soldiers, good luck on reaching the harbor
safely."

      Akane looked at the boy, "You sure?"

      "Yeah." He smiled as he climbed on top of the carriage.

      Taking some rope with him, he slung it over his shoulder and tried
to loop it over a rock. Jumping off the carriage, he looped the other
end across the road. Hiding in some bushes, he waited till the sergeant
and his horses came and fell for his new trick

*****

      Ranma leaned over the deck of the ship that was soon to take him home
to San Tasco, California. He was reading the last letter his father sent
to him in Spain, for the fifth time. It had been some weeks since he
received it and he tried to think if his choice was the best one...or if
he could hold out.

				----------

		Dear Ranma,


		     When I last saw you (I believe 
		you were ten), we were just finished
		training in China and your mother 
		wanted you to study in Spain, I hope
		you have seen better days after our 
		unfortunate accident.

		     You have been away for eleven 
		years, and the last of what you saw
		here was when you were five.

		     A lot has changed since then. 
		The hardships of the people have gone
		from bad to worse. Large taxes have been 
		taken by the Spaniards. Most of
		the rules are unfair. You could not even 	
		see children playing freely in
		the streets anymore...Almost everyone is 
		afraid of the Spaniards. Some
		of the people have rebelled but none have 
		succeeded.


		     Ranma, my son, what you will do 
		now, lies in your hands.



						Your Father,
						Alexander Vega


				----------

     Ranma creased his forehead in concentration seeing the children
playing on the deck, laughing merrily as they ran to and fro. What to
do... In his concentration he did not notice that they were already near
the shore. He sighed and folded the letter walking a little bit until he
reached the mast, he leaned there deep in thought.

     "Ranma!" Someone shouted.

     Ranma turned his head around looking over to a young woman with
long blue hair running towards him. It took him some moments to
recognize her, "A-Akane? Is that you? Wow, you've changed, I didn't
recognize you."

     "We can talk later, Ranma. We have to hide Adolfo and his family."

     Ranma looked at the three people behind Akane, the man, Adolfo was
tensely looking around him. The deep circles around his eyes implied the
lack of sleep, and Ranma was starting to see the faint stubble on his
chin from the lack of shaving. From his right hand he carried a small
bag, just enough to carry a day's clothes for each of them.

     The woman with him, held the same weariness in her eyes and was
trying to comfort the baby she held in her arms while putting up a brave
front for her family's sake. She gently folded the blanket of her baby
before she sent a pleading gaze towards Ranma.

     Ranma turned to Akane and nodded, "I'll speak to the Captain about
it."

     After telling the captain their cause, Adolfo and his family were
quickly led into the cargo hold, since it wasn't a cargo ship, the hold
only contained luggage of the passengers and the food used for the
entire trip. That day it was filled with salt and wine that it was hard
to find a small space for the three to get into.

     It took them at least five minutes to find a suitable hiding place
for them, a space between the rice sacks and the wine barrels.

     "You'll be able to hide here," the captain said pointing to the
place he found. "I'm sorry for the inconvenience."

     "It's all right," Adolfo answered as he helped his wife scoot up to
the cramped space. "I'm very grateful for this."

     "I've always been loyal to my country," the captain smiled, "Will
you be fine with the baby?"

     "We'll be fine."

     Hearing rough footsteps above their heads, the captain hurried
their movements and went up to the deck while Adolfo thanked his stars
that the baby slept.

*****

     Moments after Adolfo and his family were taken down to the cargo
hold, soldiers had swarmed the deck of the shipm Asking countless
questions and ruthlessly searching for their would be prisoners. Most of
the women looked at the soldiers worriedly while the men regarded them
with contempt.

     Near the side of the deck, Akane looked at Ranma, "Aunt Nodoka and
Uncle Alex are at your house. I offered to fetch you because of
Adolfo..."

     "Never mind that," Ranma looked at the soldiers perplexed, "What is
happening here, Akane?"

     Akane spoke in low tones "Adolfo is suspected against leading the
rebellion. The soldiers are saying that this is against the law and that
there will be a very heavy punishment. Do you think they'll be alright?"

     "I can help them, but you might be placed in danger."

     "You don't have to worry about me. I could take care of myself."
She was stopped short when she heard a baby cry.

     When Ranma heard Adolfo's baby, he knew that they' had been found.
Running towards the cargo hold he watched the scene unfolding below.

     "You two get out of there!" A soldier ordered as he held a gun on
the woman, "We've got them, Colonel Kuno."

     Adolfo was lead out of the cargo struggling with his wife not far
behind. "Please, give me my baby!" she cried. "Leave her out of this!"

     Akane ran up beside Ranma blocking the soldier's way. She then
looked indignantly at the soldiers, "You don't even have the honor to
leave the baby out of this."

     "You have no concern here, woman," Kuno said while struggling to
hold Adolfo in place.

     "What? Of course, it's my concern!" Akane exploded,

     "We're not afraid of you even if you're the children of the
wealthiest _hacienderos_ in this village." The soldier said as he
unsheathed his sword and pointed it over to Akane. "Let us pass."

     "No!" Akane said holding her position in front of the door.

     Kuno looked at the woman who dared defy his orders and smiled,
"Fair Akane, would you please let me pass? I know you must be seeking my
attention since I have not visited you for a while, but you must not
keep me from my duties."

     Akane's eyes flared, "Why you--How dare you say that. I have never
wanted your attentions, Colonel Kuno, as far as I'm concerned the whole
of San Tasco can have it!"

     Narrowing his eyes, Ranma arrived at his decision hours before the
episode came up. Unfortunately if everyone knew it was him, he, not to
mention his family, would be in big trouble.

     He stepped forward and blocked Akane waving his hands at the
soldiers, looking silly, "Uh--wait. Wait a minute sir."

     Kuno gave his prisoner to the soldier standing next to him and
looked at Ranma, "And who might you be?"

     "Me?" Ranma asked, "I'm Ranma Vega."

     "You're the son of Don Alexander Vega?"

     "You're not mistaken in your supposition, captain." Ranma said.

     "From what I gather, you've studied in Spain." Kuno raised an
eyebrow.

     "Yes." It was in Ranma's nature to boast and be honest, but decided
against it seeing that their ignorance of it might be useful in the near
future, "But they tossed me out later on saying that I'm too lazy to do
anything. What do you think I should do now, Captain?"

     "Boy, I'm not a Captain." Kuno said as he shoved Ranma away,
"Remember that."

     Akane looked at the two captives and ran after them. But Ranma held
her back.

     "Let me go, Ranma!" Akane shouted as she jerked her hand violently
away from his restricting arm.

     "Akane, don't. Why not take care of the child?"

     "I never thought you were a coward. You're such a coward, Ranma!"

*****

     Soun Tendo hiccupped as he brought the wineglass to his mouth, "I
think, I'm already drunk. Wine just tastes so good..."

     He looked at the Vega's mansion, which was currently holding a
party for the return of Ranma Vega. He had betrothed one of his
daughters to him in hopes that he had found a perfect match in the young
Vega and that they would at least prosper.

     His wife, Catalina, didn't approve of it, at first, she thought
Japanese men and women certainly had uncanny customs. Nodoka Saotome,
who carried a katana around everywhere she went, still gave her the
creeps.

     But then she just needed to get accustomed to the change of
culture. Don Vega did, but that amounted to little, seeing that he was
raised in Japan.

     Catalina tapped her husband's shoulder, "Don't you think it's time
to tell them?"

     Soun nodded, "I'll call them."

     "I'll be in the living room, dear." As she put his wineglass down,
she said, "And stop drinking."

     He nodded as he called his three daughters, Kasumi was the easiest
to find she was in the kitchen helping about.

     "Yes, father?" She smiled.

     "I--we have something important to say to you...go to the living
room."

     Kasumi sighed as she took off her apron and laid it down the
kitchen sink. "Coming, father."

     Soun ran and called for Nabiki, who was dancing with a couple of
men. He gently pulled her aside and relayed the same message he had
given Kasumi.

     "What for?" She asked as she headed towards the Vega's mansion.

     "I'll tell you as soon as I find your sister, Akane." Soun said.
"Where is that girl?"

     "I know where she is." Nabiki said. "I'll get her."

     Soun nodded and ran back to the Vega's living room.

*****

     In Ranma's room, Bernard looked at the crying baby and started to
make faces, after a minute of this he pouted and looked down. He was
startled to hear the door opening.

     "Akane! Good thing you're here. She's been crying non-stop and I've
tried everything."

     Akane looked at him and picked the baby up, putting the glass of
water she was carrying down on the lamp-stand, "Here, let me try. Stop
crying, dear, Akane is here."

     Akane frowned, she had never been good dealing with babies, she
*was* admittedly trying to learn, but this was an unforeseen
circumstance and nothing she could do would make her stop her crying.

     Hearing the commotion Ranma peeked in the room, and took in what he
saw, he went out for a few moments and reappeared with a bottle of milk
he had taken from Adolfo's bag. "You won't be able to make her stop
crying."

     "And what does *that* mean?" Akane practically shouted, trying not
to frighten the baby, and failing miserably.

     Ranma looked at her, but decided to let the comment pass. "She's
probably hungry and you won't make her stop that way."

     Ranma took the baby from Akane's hands and fed her with a bottle
that instantly quieted her. "Well, see, she really was hungry."

     "Wow, you're really good at this, Ranma," Bernard said awed.

     Akane huffed, touching the baby's forehead, "That's not enough. A
man should be courageous too! The child doesn't need his kindness, she
needs the care of her parents."

     Ranma sighed as he fed the baby. As he thought _I don't think I can
keep this up much longer. And I've only just begun!_

     Someone cleared their throat in the doorway. "Sorry to break up
this quarrel. Akane, father wants to see us right now."

     "About what?" Akane asked.

     "I don't know." Nabiki shrugged, "As soon as you get down there,
he'll tell us, so hurry up."

     "Don't worry, I'll take care of the baby...go," Ranma urged them,
sitting down on the bed, near the table, gently wrapping the baby in her
blankets.

     "I want to hear it too!" Bernard said as he hopped off Ranma's bed,
"See you, Ranma."

     When they left, Ranma looked at his room in what it really was for
the first time since had arrived. It was as he had remembered it, Soft
blue colored draperies were hanged in the windows. At the edge of the
room was a bay window which made room for a small seat, a delight when
he was younger, for it showed a great view of the ocean and the forest,
and he had spent countless hours looking at it. The rugs were colored
cream, set of in a black marbled floor near the bed and the doors, on
top of one was a small table with a small lamp and a tall glass of water
which Akane had left.

     Before, there was a four poster bed with full-blue draw curtains
and deeply scalloped valances, now a simple one replaced it with a
deeply ornate headboard and soft white sheets. Besides the room itself
was two extensions, one was designed to place the clothes, and the other
was for the bath. At the other end of the room was an old bookcase
filled with books the Vegas had kept over the years.

     Ranma was about to take a look at the bookcase, when the baby
decided to go wild and splashed Ranma with some of the water Akane left.

     Ranma sighed as his body shifted. It was a common enough thing for
him. It had been happening ever since he was ten.  Ranma sighed as he
remembered what happened, he was too young then to understand *what* had
happened to him, now he understood too well.



--flashback--


     It was mid-morning, shortly after rain, the road was muddy and
there was a light fog settling over the terrain. There was a cliff off
to the side and below that was a valley full of springs, holding bamboo
poles of about ten feet tall each.

     A ten-year-old Ranma ran and was followed shortly by his father.
Technically, they were training in China, but to a young one like him,
it was like playing. Especially when they came to Jusenkyo.

     Alexander urged the young boy to move faster, "Well son, what do
you think? Can we outsmart your mother in her game?"

     Ranma nodded, "Sure dad! We could hide in one of those ponds and
breath through a bamboo pole."

     "Good suggestion!!" Alexander said as he stripped off about two
meters of stick from one of the bamboo and handed it to Ranma. "Here."

     Ranma nodded as he took one of the bamboo sticks that was offered
to him and dived for one of the pools, his father doing the same to
another.


--end flashback--


     _Jusenkyo,_ Ranma thought _I wonder if dad kept it a secret from
the Tendos._

     The boy turned girl left his room and went down the corridor
heading for the kitchen, hoping that there was some hot water for him.

*****

     Soun looked at his three daughters sitting at the Vega's living
room. Bernard was standing over Nodoka, Genma and Catalina, who were
currently sitting in another sofa. As he started to tell them about
Ranma he regarded them closely.

     The three obviously got their dark hair and round eyes, more from
their father than their mother, Catalina, who had long curly blond hair
and wide blue eyes. Each had their own personality crafted by age and
experiences.

     Kasumi, mild-mannered and soft-spoken held the family's morale up
when they were down with her unwavering cheerfulness. Wherever she is,
she carried her own sunshine, the brightness of the summer, the
freshness and the liveliness of spring is forever with her, an
achievement so rare, even with the calmest of women.

     The middle daughter, Nabiki, was one of the most unique women in
San Tasco. She had intellect and the capability to use it, more for
survival than anything else. She handled everything like a sculptor who
molds and fashions what she wanted through her will. It seemed that
whatever emotions touched her, lightly or deeply; she controlled them as
she wished.

     Lastly Akane, she was an impulsive young woman and steadfast in her
beliefs. She was as stubborn as she is compassionate, with a warm and
kind heart for a sad and romantic tale. Most men were in love with her
and the women longed to imitate her.

     When Soun finished his explanation, Akane asked, "What? Don't we
have a say in this?"

     "Alex, Nodoka, Catalina, help me out here," Soun looked at them
pleadingly

     "We haven't said anything to Ranma yet," Nodoka pointed out,
"Shouldn't we have asked him to be here?"

     "What haven't you told me about?" Ranma asked from the doorway
wringing his black hair that seemed to be a little damp, while trying to
hold Alfonso's daughter in his hands.

     Alexander Vega cleared his throat and started explaining to his son
what had transpired, "You what?! I've only been gone ten years and you
go behind my back and engage me."

     Nodoka looked pointedly at her son. "Ranma,"

     "Hold her for me, please." Ranma asked as he gave Kasumi the baby
and took one of the wineglasses at the table. "Haven't you told them of
my--our problem yet, oyaji?"

     Nodoka sighed as she watched the confrontation between father and
son, she just *knew* this would happen, "Ranma, it happened even before
Jusenkyo...even before you were born."

     Ranma looked as his father who tried to get out when Ranma jumped
the distance and emptied the champagne on his father's face, instantly
transforming him into a panda, while carefully avoiding the water.

     The onlookers, except Nodoka, looked at them in shock. It was
Kasumi who recovered first looking to Ranma she smiled, "Well and you're
lucky you didn't turn into anything."

     Ranma looked at himself and decided against saying anything about
his curse murmured, "Yeah...lucky..."

     "Well, welcome to the family boy."

     Nodoka sighed, this was not a good thing. Her son was off a bad
start, before she could say anything Alexander smiled, "Since you're
going to inherit the dojo someday why don't you two spar?"

     Ranma looked at Akane, deciding that this would probably be the
best way to do it, he nodded.

     Ranma looked at his mother and nodded sending a warning gaze at his
father, "The dojo is still there?" he repeated.

     Nodoka nodded, leaving the room for some spare clothes, "I'll get
you something more comfortable, Akane."

     Akane nodded as she turned to Ranma and asked doubtfully, "You
still know martial arts?"

     "Yeah."

     Nodoka smiled as she re-entered the room carrying over a gi, "Go
ahead, I haven't seen you two fight in a while. Here these are more
comfortable to fight with. You can change in my room."

     "Thanks," She then looked at Ranma "Don't you want to change?"

     "No," Ranma answered indifferently, "Mom? Dad? You joining us?"

     Alexander shook his head while Nodoka nodded as she looked at
everyone else, "We'll be back."

*****

     Akane regarded Ranma thoughtfully, "You sure you want to fight?"

     "Maybe," Ranma muttered.

     Nodoka shook her head as she watched the exchange, seeing that her
son would need some saving from the conversation. She cleared her throat
and raised her hand.

     Akane went on a ready stance while Ranma just stood there in a
relaxed pose with his hands behind his back.

     _He tells me he knows Martial Arts...but he doesn't seem
experienced. I'll go easy on him,_ Akane thought as Nodoka brought down
her hands and said 'begin'.

     Ranma just looked at her from across the room his position
unchanging, _He's not going to attack me? Looks like I'm starting this
one._

     Akane was surprised when he dodged that pulled punch with inches to
spare. And it seemed he was dodging everything she was throwing at him.

     She frowned and thought _For real then!_ She stopped pulling and
misdirecting her punches, fully expecting it to connect. She was just as
surprised when she felt a tap at the back of her head.

     Nodoka looked at her son and nodded signaling the end of the
sparring session.

     "I *hate* losing to a guy." Akane said as she brushed herself off.

     When Akane stormed out of the dojo, Nodoka looked at Ranma, "It
looks like you have not forgotten what your father and I taught you."

     "I had some practice at school as well," Ranma said. "I met some
guys who knew the art."

     Nodoka smiled, "It's good that you practiced, Son. But don't you
think it unwise that Akane doesn't know your curse? She seems to be a
really spirited person."

     Ranma nodded grimly, "Maybe, but I will have to tackle that problem
when it comes."

     "You should take a bath and talk to them afterwards Ranma. It's
best that this is finished as soon as possible." Nodoka pointed out.

*****

     "Akane, Uncle Alex said you could use the bath." Kasumi said after
a while, "I think it's ready."

     "Thanks, Kasumi," Akane said as she trudged on the steps. Since the
Vega's house was a large one, she got lost once or twice. It was foolish
of her not to ask Kasumi exactly *which* bathroom was the one she was
supposed to use. In a mansion like the Vega's it was hard to find your
way around.

     She sighed when she finally opened a door to a bath. Taking off her
borrowed clothes she set them on the sink while she hung her dress near
towel rack. Sighing she opened the door to the bathroom clad only in a
towel.

     She paused for a few moments and closed the door, dressed up and
quickly ran down the stairs.

     Kasumi looked at her, "You're already finished with your bath,
Akane?"

     "Uh--you could say that," Akane said as she headed out the garden,
she looked around for a second and picked up a big rock muttering as she
brought it inside.

     "Oh my, Akane where are you off with that?" Kasumi asked again.

     "I'm just going to kill Ranma for peeping," Akane answered in a
matter of fact tone.

     "Akane, this is their house!" Kasumi reminded her little sister.

     Akane put the rock down and grumbled, "Nevermind."

*****

     "Hey! It wasn't my fault mom, she walked in on me!" Ranma scowled.

     "Why didn't you lock the door in the first place?" Nodoka asked.

     "Well, I was sorta accustomed to the boarding houses in Spain..."
Ranma protested.

     "Well I guess this is as good time as any to discuss the
engagement," Soun said trying to break the tension. "You know my
daughters, since you were with each other when you were younger. You are
now a man of sixteen. I hope you make the right decision."

     "I--" Ranma started.

     Kasumi smiled, "Oh, he likes Akane."

     Nabiki nodded, "Yes, Akane is the obvious choice, they're the same
age and have so much in common."

     "It will complicate things, Kasumi and you aren't married yet."
Soun said, while Catalina nodded.

     "It's very improper for the youngest to marry first."

     "I don't think you have any problems." Nabiki pointed out, "You
know Kasumi is as good as married to the good doctor, and I can marry
myself off later."

     "You can have him Nabiki," Akane muttered.

     "But dear Akane," Nabiki smirked, "You don't know what you're
saying, you haven't even tried it yet."

     "Be engaged to a coward and a pervert like him?" Akane asked. "No
thanks."

     "Hey, you walked in on me! Besides that room was connected to mine,
I thought no one else would use it!"

     "Well it's not my fault you have such a big house!"

     Nodoka and Alexander eyed their son, what would make Akane think of
him as a coward? Have they raised a failure?

     Ranma big-sweated as he tried to back out gracefully. Alexander
cleared his throat, "If that's what you think, then we'll leave this
open ended, and see how the engagement will go."

     Nodoka saw Catalina nod in agreement and as did she.

     "Excuse us for a moment." Genma said as he grabbed Ranma and went
up to his room.

     "What did you do to make Akane think you of a coward?"

     Ranma looked at his father, "I just told her that I was this lazy,
stupid guy. Besides, it won't harm anybody. I'm having second thoughts
about it as well."

     Genma looked at her son, "You know that promise Ranma?"

     "What promise?"

     "That you should be a man among men. Cowardice is one of the things
a man must not posses. If you do not prove to me by the end of this year
that you are not worthy of carrying on mother's name as a Saotome and
your my estates as a Vega, you know what would happen."

     Ranma nodded in complete understanding.

*****

     Outside the party was still going on. The garden was beautifully
arranged that day, the flowers were all in full-bloom, there were tables
set with food off to the side and a small group of people playing music
in the other. Some couples were already dancing to the beat of the
music. But that wasn't what Catalina was interested in, she hadn't
noticed all of these when she walked up to Soun. He was milling about
when Catalina tapped him at the shoulder, "Soun, I don't think Akane or
any of our daughters want Ranma to be their husband."

     "What do you mean?" Soun asked as he drank off his glass, "More
importantly, how can you be sure of this?"

     "I just know."

     "Why is this happening to me? For so long I have wanted to join the
two schools of Anything Goes Martial Arts together."

     "And to be showered with at least some of the Vega's riches,"
Catalina added.

     They were interrupted by Alexander walking to them. "Is there a
problem?"

     "No," Catalina answered, "We were just talking about Ranma, he
seemed changed."

     "Yes, even I didn't recognize him at first." Soun commented.

     "Yes, I wonder if sending him to Spain was a good idea after all."
Don Vega shook his head. "But you're right he has changed, even Bernard
who has only known him for a month noticed it."

     "We were just a little worried that he wouldn't notice any of our
girls. They were just raised in a small town," Soun pointed out.

     "You have nothing to worry about that, Ranma doesn't think about
those things yet--"

     "But he should!" Catalina pointed out, "Ranma's old enough to
marry!"

     Alexander nodded, "But the boy is too preoccupied with so many
things lately..."

     Far off the music was drowned by the hoofs of horses. "What's
happening?"

     Sergeant Gonzales, a plump man with a short beard and moustache
rode through the gates, wearing a green uniform, signifying his rank. He
cleared his throat for a moment and said, "Miss Kodachi would like to
inform you of her father's wishes."

     When the crowd hushed after a moment one of the soldiers held out a
hand to the young woman as she got out of the carriage. She wore her
usual black dress and looked at the people, telling them, daring them to
go against her.

     She then said in a loud voice, "My father, _Commandante Reymundo_
Kuno wants to inform you all that the rebel Adolfo has been caught. He
is fated to be shot at a hill near here. All of you are invited to
watch."

     Don Vega looked at them, "And why do you think we would want to
watch this spectacle?"

     The sergeant looked at Don Vega getting nervous all of a sudden,
"Sir, please, listen to Mistress Kodachi, she--"

     Kodachi silenced the sargeant with her gaze while she looked at Don
Vega, "You, shut-up. While I'm here *you* listen to *me*"

     "But why should we?" Don Vega repeated again.

     "All those who would disobey our orders will be punished as well.
To show all those--" Kodachi stopped and then started laughing, "Why are
you asking all these questions anyway? Just go there. Understood?"

*****

     It was a fine day, in the distance, a bird sang a cascade of notes
that dropped and disappeared, only to begin again high and pure. A soft
breeze blended with the fragrance of the flowers was brought to the
people, seemingly to lighten the blow. An apology for the harsh day, yet
it was distinctly ignored.

     In the hill called _Sangre_, there was a beautiful view of the
town, and the sea's immense beauty. A pacific view of what was out
there. It was unfortunate no one noticed such small miracles, for today,
an execution was about to happen.

     _Sangre_ held a platoon of soldiers off to the side. Lined up to
shoot, they were testing their guns firing off at the unknown distance.
Standing at the back, watching over their progress was a man that
controlled San Tasco's laws.

      Commander Raymond Kuno smiled calmly at this, today, a rebel was
going to die. "Tatewaki, will Don _Alejandro_ Vega be here?" The
commander asked.

     "_Alejandro_? Oh you mean Alexander Vega. Don't worry, father. I
have already sent Sergeant Gonzales to 'invite' them."

     "Good. If they're not here. The execution will be at a waste." The
elder Kuno smiled as another squad fired their guns. "This will be a
lesson to all those who oppose the Spanish Regime."

*****

     Ranma closed his eyes as his mother went to see the commotion with
the soldiers. Looking over the window he heard the proclamation of
Sergeant Kodachi Kuno just as she was about to leave.

     _Well, I guess this is a good time as any to try out this plan of
mine._

     He looked at Alfonso's baby and placed her at his bed. "Don't
worry, I'll get them back...both of them."

     He had known of a secret passage when he was young. It was usually
used by the Vegas to hide those who opposed the Spanish government. It
was sealed off when he was younger but he had asked a friend to take out
the concrete that was blocking it. When he came home he had tried it and
found out his friend did a good job of reopening it.

     It had also proved to be lucky when he bought a horse some years
ago, and had trained the fine stallion himself. This was his chance to
prove that he had done a good job. And after a long trip home too...

     The costume was an easy thing to find, a mask, pair of boots, a
hat, gloves and a good sword. The only thing that actually gave him
trouble was the cape and the vest but those were sewed by a another
friend of his.

     Pushing one of the bookcases of his room, it swiveled out leading
into a tunnel which connected to a cave. The cave's mouth opening
nearby. Donning on a mask the gloves and a cape he smirked _I can't
believe this, it might be a stupid idea, but it's worth a try._ Taking
out a flask of water he poured it over himself.

     He whistled and a white horse came to him, "Hello, there _Viento_,
it seems like I'll be trying you out today after all." _Hmm, maybe I
won't use the Art, exactly, but sword fighting. It's a good change...and
hopefully no one will notice._

     _Sorry, Mom, Dad, if you knew about this, we might all get into
trouble,_ He thought as he rode the white stallion to the hills.

     He silently laughed at what they called the hills, it was
appropriately named _Sangre_, the hills of blood.

*****

     The sun was setting, splashing brilliant colors over the horizon,
of red, orange and yellow. Its decent illuminated the people walking
towards the hills, a group of people silently mourning for a person who
was about to die.

     Most of them held their heads down though there were a few who
looked at the Commander with visible hatred. The Vegas were one of them,
the Tendos the next.

     Commander Kuno smiled, it was always good to see desolate faces
before an execution, it was what executions were about, "It's good that
you didn't let me down with my invitation. I would have been
heart-broken if you didn't come."

     He looked at the crowd for a moment, scoffing the eyes of those who
dared not look and locked his eyes with the Vegas, "Don Vega, Do�a Vega,
I have heard that your son has returned from Spain recently. Is this
correct?"

     The couple curtly nodded and the commander smiled, "Good, then
you'll have someone to help you when you harvest."

     Don Vega's lip tightened when he heard this, the commander had
probably set up what they took from them, higher than before, now that
Ranma arrived.

     "Oh, since you're all here..." The elder Kuno started, "We've
caught a rebel that went against the Spanish Government. And whatever
punishment he'll get, will be what anyone who disobeys my orders will
receive."

     "Please! Have mercy!" Adolfo's wife cried out, struggling out of
her bondage between the two soldiers and the ropes. She looked at them
with blank eyes, seemingly robbed out of hope and life, too soon.

     "Start the execution," Commander _Reymundo_ Kuno said to Tatewaki
heartlessly.

     "Get ready to fire," Colonel Kuno ordered.

     The two soldiers hefted the rifles and started to shoot, they're
eyes unblinking targeting the helpless man bound at one of the trees.

     "Have mercy on him!" Akane shouted as she threw her head down in
her hands in despair.

     Colonel Kuno looked at Akane once, but when he caught his father's
gaze, he pointed his sword to Adolfo's almost limp body, "Fire!"

     "No!" Adolfo's wife shouted out watching her husband's face,
seemingly memorizing it for the last time. The vanishing of hope from
his eyes, loathing those who were to shoot him, longing for what wasn't
with him, all wrapped into one ball of emotion that was at the same
time, Adolfo, but wasn't.

     The two bullets would have hit, for the soldiers that were going to
shoot were sharp. Unless for the intervention of the man on top of the
cliff.

     At ten feet up he had fired two precise shots at the two point
guns. Hitting the rifles at a place where the soldiers would immediately
release it but not hurting them that much.

     "Who are you to interfere with this?" Colonel Kuno asked out loud
pointing his sword at Ranma.

     Ranma looked down at Kuno, and blurted out the first name he could
think of, "My name is Z--"

     "Wait is it not custom to give one's own name first? I am, The Blue
Thunder of the Spanish Military Squad, my mere name sends shivers down
my opponent's spine. Colonel Tatewaki Kuno, age 17."

     "Yeah and my name is Zorro, which is all I'm going to say," He said
as he urged his horse to jump.

     It was an almost impossible jump, to say the least, an incredible
feat if you think of it closely.

     Jumping off his horse, Zorro took out the three soldiers easily.
And took the ropes off Alfonso, who fell on his knees in gratitude.

     "Follow my horse, he'll lead you to another one." Zorro whispered
as he tried to hold off the other soldiers when they were done. It was a
complete face off. With him standing there, unwounded and Colonel Kuno
standing at the side watching him with silent mockery.

     "Let's see if you can take me," Colonel Kuno said as he unsheathed
his sword.

     At the crowd, Nabiki was already starting a betting ring and
counting profits off this new character. _Well we certainly could use
the excitement. *And* I could use my spare time to finding out who he
is._

     Zorro unsheathed his sword and placed it formally in front of his
face. He exchanged several dodges and blows with Kuno then he knew that
he needed to end the fight. Taking one last swing at Kuno he jumped up.
At that moment Viento jumped over Kuno.

     Zorro rode over as he picked up Alfonso's wife and slashed her
ropes. He stopped near the edge and said, "Don't worry, I'll be back, to
release you from the enemy's abusive hands."

     Zorro urged his horse to catch up with Alfonso's horse. Once he
did, he said, "Alfonso, your daughter is with Ranma Vega. He'll meet you
at that mountain."

     Alfonso looked at where Zorro was pointing, got his wife and nodded
while Zorro went on the other direction.

*****

     Ranma pushed open the wooden bookcase as he stepped inside his
room. It was quieter than before, without the baby crying, something
that even for a few hours was a gift, a help to make him take that leap
to his decision.

     He hurried back from the meeting with Alfonso, knowing that Akane
and Bernard would immediately come for him asking for the baby. Hearing
footsteps outside his door he dived in the bed, poured some of the hot
water he had and pulled the cover up to his shoulders, so no one would
see the costume and feigned sleep.

     After a few knocks Bernard went in Akane following him, "Ranma!"

     "Hmmm?" Ranma asked sleepily from the covers "What?"

     "Where's Alfonso's baby?" Bernard demanded.

     "Hmmm. How should I know?"

     "You were the last person taking care of her." Akane pointed out.

     "Oh, well I just had this weird dream that Alfonso and his wife
came here and took her. But how could that be, when Alfonso's in jail?"
Ranma said thoughtfully, "I mean the security is tight and--"

     "Ranma!" Akane interrupted impatiently, "Well?"

     "Hey, Ranma, why is your neck swelling?" Bernard asked.

     "It is?" Ranma said surprised, _*Kuno* got a good hit?_ "I probably
hit it somewhere."

     Akane impatiently watched this exchange and blurted out "You're
straying from the topic here, do you know where they were going?"

     "Well, they said they were going to escape at the harbor where I
came in. Anyway, could you just let me sleep?"

     Bernard and Akane looked at each other and ran downstairs.

     Making sure that they were gone Ranma sat up and ran back to the
cave, he needed to get there...just to be sure.

*****

     Back at the San Tasco government's 'office', Commander Kuno was
sitting behind his desk. The office was quite nice with beautiful
paintings adorning the walls and the desk made of mahogany. The French
doors opened out to a clear balcony overlooking the gardens outside,
which were designed to be in a very tropical setting, which the
commander had ordered and made the people work hard for.

     Commander Kuno ordered for the ship _Lady Fair_ to be searched. And
when he said 'search' he wanted it to be thorough. He put his son on the
head of the group, "You know what will happen to both of you if you
fail."

     Both of them nodded as they saluted, "Yes, sir,"

     There was a pregnant pause in the air before the commander stopped
his son, "What is that in your forehead?"

     "Hmm?" Tatewaki asked.

     Gonzales pulled out a mirror for him, "Here."

     The commander said, "You must have gotten that when you were
fighting that Zorro character."

     Tatewaki Kuno looked at his face critically and shook his head,
"Impossible, I didn't feel his sword on my forehead."

     "Then perhaps this opponent of yours is better than you initially
thought."

     "Yes, but is ignoramus really spelled this way? Well at least he
made it small so it could actually fit."

     "Just, go Tatewaki. Find that rebel, Alfonso. Set an example in
Zorro as well." The commander ordered.

*****

     The _Lady Fair_ was already turning to depart when the soldiers
stopped it. The men on the top deck were grumbling and the passengers
were complaining of the delay. Of course no one made the soldiers hear
this...they were soldiers after all.

     And the Kuno siblings were there, not a very good combination, with
Tatewaki looking at every woman and Kodachi menacing the passengers with
her infuriating laughter. That was why they were on the ship in the
first place, to get away from San Tasco's craziness, even for just a
while.

     With Colonel Kuno there everyone was working hard, the cargo hold
was searched twice over. Swords were taken out and poked through bags of
rice, flour, sugar, wine, everything.....

     Cabin doors were opened, rooms were ransacked, nothing was left
unturned.

     The kitchen was taken over by Kodachi and whenever no one was
looking putting some bits of her potion here and there.

     Unfortunately Sergeant Gonzales was there as well, trying to sneak
of bits and pieces of food into his mouth, without Kodachi noticing.

     But there was nothing, nothing in the ship.

     Kodachi laughed as she went out to her brother, "Brother dear,
there's nothing on the ship."

     Kuno grumbled as he called out, "Gonzales!"

     Sergeant Gonzales ran top deck and saluted with a chicken leg on
his hand. Seeing it, he shifted his hands and saluted with dazed
gestures...well an attempt to salute anyway.

     "Well?" Kuno asked.

     "No--*hic*--none--*hic* sir" Sergeant Gonzales hiccuped.

     Kuno looked at him and then turned to the sky, "Why does this
happen to me?"

     "If you really want to find anything, you should talk to the
Captain." Kodachi let out that maddening laugh of hers before she
continued, "I'm sure this ship has a gong, or a bell of some sort. And
sentimental fools, like Adolfo would not leave his child behind."

     Kuno's eyes lit up "That's right! I'm glad I thought of it! Call
the Captain of this ship, immediately."

     Moments later Kuno was facing the captain of the _Lady Fair_
"Captain, I want you to be truthful. Is Alfonso and his family in here?"

     "No," was the straightforward reply.

     "This is the only ship in here. They couldn't be anywhere else are
you sure?"

     "Yes, sir."

     "Well then, I want you to ring the gong. Alfonso will surely have
his child with him. She will wake up when you ring the gong."

     "But--"

     "Is there a problem, Captain?" Tatewaki asked.

     "No, If it really is what you wish, I'll order them to ring the
gong."

     Unfortunately for the soldiers no child cried at the sound of the
gong.

     Kodachi frowned as she twirled a black rose, "Maybe, they really
weren't here."

     Kuno simmered in anger, "Do you know what my father will do if he
finds out I didn't find that no good Alfonso?"

     "You forget brother dear, *I* was with you." Kodachi laughed, "They
can't be that far, surely they are waiting in one of this lowly houses."

     Since they found nothing on the ship, they saw no reason to delay
its departure, and filed off its decks. The soldiers, stood there at the
harbor gazing at the slowly departing vessel. By now Kuno was raving of
the unfairness of the world while Kodachi looked at him thoughtfully.

     "If you really don't want me to rip your head apart, you'd search
for them *NOW*, they might be hiding in the nearby houses!" Kuno
repeated.

     "Well? You heard the man! Go!" Kodachi ordered, as she strolled to
the nearby houses, "See you, brother."

     The soldiers scampered around the bank trying to fulfill the order
as soon as possible. When the Kuno siblings were both present, speed as
well as direct obedience was a *must*.

     Kuno stared into the foggy bank and started to follow Kodachi when
he saw a group of fishing boats off to the side. A wonder that he saw
it, since it was almost dark. At his point of view they seemed such
small lights blinking back and forth.

     The boats were waving at the _Lady Fair_ to stop. _Could it be?
Could it be that my luck has changed?_

     Running towards that side Kuno smiled. He will get that rebel.

*****

     Akane watched from a rock as Alfonso untied the boat. The red
streaks of the sun were practically below now and it was almost dark,
Adolfo held a lamp and the bag for them to get by. It had been a hard
week for them and this was their reward, freedom.

     "It's good he's going to get out of here safely." Bernard
commented.

     "Yes, but it's so hard to loose a friend, especially one who has
fought so hard to try and free us from this abuse. Our country need
people like him...but then more and more are forced to go into
hiding..."

     "Oh no." Bernard groaned, "It's Colonel Kuno."

*****

     "Wait you lowly cur. You are not about to escape the shores of
California that easily." The colonel ordered setting his eyes on
Alfonso.

     Alfonso and his wife looked at each other. This time, capture
seemed inevitable.

     "Kuno, don't you think you should pick on people who could fight
back?" someone asked.

     "How dare you call me without my rank you plebeian!" When he
realized it was Zorro he said "What have you done to my sacred face?"

     "The same thing you did to my neck. The only thing that was
different is I did it with style." Zorro said, standing over Kuno at the
cliff.

     "You are wrong 'ignoramus' is not spelled that way."

     "Of course it is." Zorro looked at Alfonso's family and shouted,
"Get out of here, I'll take care of him."

     "Why don't you fight down here? Fight me like a man!"

*****

     "I can't hear what they're saying," Bernard said frustrated.

     "We're too far away, and we can't afford to go closer," Akane
explained. "Just watch."

*****

     Ranma smiled, one thing he never backed down from was a challenge.
"I'm coming at you, Kuno."

     Ranma started to jump, aiming for a kick at Kuno's head. After the
initial kick he unsheathed his sword.

     Kuno had managed a hit in which the cloth of the cape had been
torn, but nothing more than what Ranma did to Kuno.

     "Zorro, I'll take off that mask from your face yet," Kuno said.

     "Let me see you try." Ranma sneered as he pointed his sword at
Kuno. When Kuno hit it again, they were on a full play sword fight.

     There was a little trouble afterwards when Kuno lunged for him and
fell towards his chest. Moving backward, Ranma didn't know if Kuno had
noticed that he was not fighting a man.

*****

     Kuno stopped when he jumped back from Zorro, thinking of his next
attack. Aiming for the shirt button and the hat Kuno tipped it a bit, it
was only as second, but he saw it his assumption was proved correct...he
was fighting a girl with fiery red hair.

     "Caped goddess you have no business fighting with me. My fight is
with that lowly Zorro. Has he no honor to run in the middle of a fight
and send one so young and inexperienced as you. He must be worse than a
cur!"

     Zorro couldn't take the insults any longer, "I *am* Zorro stupid!"

     "That is not true! A woman does not lower herself to fighting, a
woman does not fight. A woman must be--"

     Zorro smiled, "Don't tell me what a woman should be or what she
does, I know that perfectly well. Cut the speeches and come and fight
me."

     "Very well and if you win, I shall let you date me!"

     "Who would want to do that?!" Zorro asked disgusted.

     He started attacking Kuno with his sword with Kuno moving in the
defensive side. Kuno seeing that he was loosing picked up a small rock
and threw it in between Zorro's legs, causing him to stumble and fall on
his back.

     "No fair playing tricks, Kuno," Zorro said as he positioned himself
in a manner that would make his rebound easily.

     Kuno sneered as he pointed his sword at Zorro's neck, the last blow
was always the most painful one. What he hadn't anticipated was that
Zorro could counter from the way he had fallen.

     The moment Kuno lunged for him Zorro tipped his sword making Kuno
unhand his and sent it flying through the air. Thus their positions was
reversed, with Kuno on the ground weaponless and Zorro pointing his
sword at his neck.

     It was over, Kuno had lost, with a swift blow Zorro rendered him
unconscious. He looked back at Alfonso's family and sighed in relief as
he saw them halfway to the _Lady Fair_. _It's good they didn't see that
little thing._

     He scanned the beach and saw Akane and Bernard. _As for those two,
it's too dark and they're too far to have heard or realized anything._

     _Well not bad for the first job, now all I have to worry about are
the Tendos, that Seppuku promise of mine, my parents, that knucklehead
Kuno, and how to hide the swelling in my neck that Kuno did._

*****

     Back at the shore Kodachi looked at the foggy ocean, twirling a
single rose while standing on a box of crates as if willing something to
appear.

     Sergeant Gonzales on the other hand was sitting a top another crate
eating one of the chicken he had taken from the ship.

     "Hey, sergeant isn't that Alfonso?" One of the soldiers asked
pointing to a fishing boat, going to the direction of the stopped _Lady
Fair_.

     The sergeant looked at the boat closely and nodded his head, "Good
this is so good. It's good we saw them, very good indeed. We are so
good."

     Kodachi glared as she heard this and slitted her eyes as she
watched the boat disappear, "True. This is not good, my father does not
take failure lightly. But never mind, I shall find a way to stop those
puny rebels."

     She smiled a little and said, "Find my brother, I shall have to
talk to him about this matter, at once."

     Back at the shore Bernard and Akane watched Alfonso's departure. A
ride to freedom. Akane titled her head a little and looked at Zorro.
_Who is he? Well, it looks like I have to go and talk to Nabiki again,
she knows everything that's worth anything around here._


--end chapter one--


If something is spelled wrong, bare with me ;)

Meaning of some words...



Hacienda
-this is a large plot of land, usually used to farm
-agricultural land (orchard)



Haciendados
-a person owning the above stated hacienda,
-usually extremely wealthy, highly educated and well traveled person who
keeps large homes, which are managed by servants



Commandante
-Commander/Commandant
-An officer in charge of a military unit (in this case the San Tasco
Barracks)
-In this period of time, he's the acting government in San Tasco

Sarjento
-Sergeant
-An officer appointed to keep order in a legislature, court, social club,
-etc.

Sangre
-Blood, need I say more?

Basically I shift between the Spanish names to English, I don't notice
it... Anyway if I missed something please tell me 'kay?

Author's notes

Oh and I'd like to thank Tony, Sachhs and Ysis for helping me work this
out I love you guys.

Yes I know some of it was OOC but basically this is 'some' of the Ranma
gang in the Zorro universe.

I may not be able to get some of the Ranma characters in here and I
might, I'm not sure yet.

Oh and the fusion isn't really with Zorro, Zorro oldie, it's the Anime
one. I've watched it several times and I saw SOME resemblance, but
thought Ranma would go out of scale...but what the heck right? It's a
fanfic after all :)

Oh and C&C and the like are really begged for and answered. I need those
stuff. Basically because this is my first time and because they're what
makes people better writers ;).

Please contact me at winthrop@hotmail.com I'm not on the list.

I guess that wraps it up, if you're reading this, you must have read
everything (or skipped it) and I'm really, really grateful for that. :)