Do you think this is a good idea, or it's just wasting both of our time... Disclaimer: Ranma is owned by Rumiko Takahashi, but I don't know who owns the Zorro Anime they cut the credits here because of the timespan... If anyone wants to pre-read this please contact me at winthrop@hotmail.com...(I'm not on the list...) Thanks to Tony, Sachss and my sister First Fic Warning :) Currently Untitled 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 is 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 their hacienda's they own outside the boundary of their town. Their beautiful houses 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. ***** Nodoka smiled as the she accepted the letter. Excitedly she opened it 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 Nodoka smiled as she called her husband, she couldn't wait to tell him the good news. "Alex, dear," Nodoka called, "Ranma wrote. He's coming home." "Growf," A panda said appearing near the door, flipping a sign over [I'll answer the letter, 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 month later, Akane was riding a carriage frantically trying to get to the harbor without the sergeant pulling close enough to nab her and Bernard. "Foolish girl, 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. "Ranma Vega you say?" The woman sergeant repeated, "A chance at love...men, in San Tasco are a such a boorish lot..." "I can't believe her." Akane huffed, "Sergeant Kodachi's as neurotic as ever." From beside her the 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 young 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 a week 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 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 looked 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 woman held a baby in her arms while Adolfo carried a small bag. He turned to Akane and nodded, "I'll speak to the Captain about it." ***** Moments after Adolfo and his family were taken down to the cargo hold soldiers swarmed the deck of the ship. 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 put 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 cry, he knew that they'd be found. Running towards the cargo hold he watched the scene below. "You two get out of there!" A soldier ordered as he held a gun on the woman, "We've got them, Colonel Kuno." The man was lead out of the cargo struggling with his wife not far behind. "Please, give me my baby!" she had cried. "Leave her out of this!" Akane ran up to door of the cargo hold 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. Ranma narrowed his eyes, he arrived at his decision, just hours before this whole episode came up. But at this rate, if everyone knew it was him...everyone will 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 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. "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 the Tendo and the Saotome School of Anything Goes Martial Arts may be united. His wife, Catalina, didn't approve of it, at first, she thought Japanese men and women certainly had weird customs. Nodoka Saotome, who carried a katana around everywhere she went, 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 wine glass 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. ***** Bernard he 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." Hearing the commotion Ranma peeked in the room. "You won't be able to make her stop crying." "And what does *that* mean?" Akane practically shouted. 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 "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," He urged them. "I want to hear it too!" Bernard said as he hopped off Ranma's bed, "See you, Ranma." As the three of them went down the stairs, 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-- 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 left for him. ***** "What? Don't we have a say in this?" Akane asked. "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 this for me, please." Ranma asked as he gave Kasumi the baby and took one of the wine glasses 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 "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 some clothes "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 said, "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 only clad 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." Akane answered in a matter of fact tone. ***** "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, both of 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." "Then why are you doing this to me? Get yourself engaged to him for all I care." "Because my dear sister I don't want to get engaged yet," Nabiki said, "Besides mother knows I already have my sights on someone," "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. Catalina held her champagne glass as she talked with Soun, "How will this be? 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. "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--" Far off the music was drowned by the hoofs of horses. "What's happening?" Sergeant Kodachi Kuno, rode through the gates, wearing a black uniform, signifying her rank, rode up through the gates with an escort of three soldiers, all on horseback. She paused for a moment for the crowed to quiet and 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 angrily, "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?" ***** In the hill where the execution was to be held, A platoon of soldiers were testing their guns. Standing at the back watching over their progress was Commander _Reymundo_ Kuno. "Tatewaki, will Don _Alejandro_ Vega be here?" The commander asked. "_Alejandro_? Oh you mean Alexander Vega. Don't worry, father. I have already sent _Kodachi 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 Armada." ***** 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 but that was sewed by a another friend of his. Pushing one of the bookcases of his room, the bookcase 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. ***** Commander Kuno saw the group of people walking towards him and smiled, "It's good that you didn't let me down with my invitation." He looked at the crowd for a moment 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. "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. "Start the execution," Commander _Reymundo_ Kuno said to Tatewaki. "Get ready to fire," Colonel Kuno ordered. The two soldiers hefted the rifles and started to shoot. "Have mercy on him!" Akane shouted as she threw her head down in her hands. "Fire!" Colonel Kuno ordered "No!" Adolfo's wife shouted out watching her husband tied to a tree. 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. 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 21." "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. "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. "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 when 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 at 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 hurried back from the meeting with Alfonso. 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. "Ranma!" Akane called. "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!" "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. After a while Ranma sat up and ran back to the cave, he needed to get there...just to be sure. ***** 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." The Kuno siblings 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. The commander pulled out a mirror off his desk, "Here. 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." Kodachi pointed out. "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. ***** 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 Sergeant Kodachi Kuno and whenever no one was looking putting some bits of her potion here and there. 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." "Well?" Kuno asked. "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." "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." Kuno stared into the foggy bank and started to follow Kodachi when he saw a group of fishing boats off to the side. 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. "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. _And those two are 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 Sergeant Kodachi looked at the foggy ocean, twirling a single rose while standing on a box of crates as if willing something to appear. "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 her head, "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 ;) Some meaning of words: Hacienda - this is a large plot of land, usually used to farm - agricultural land (orchard) Haciendados - (or Haciendero, I'm not sure of the term yet...) - a person owning the above stated hacienda, usually extremely rich 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 government in San Tasco Sarjento - Sergeant - An officer appointed to keep order in a legislature, court, social club, etc. 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 - 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 still need those stuff. Basically because this is my first time. - Please contact me at winthrop@hotmail.com I'm not on the list, but my sister is, hiya Ysis!! - Oh and I'd like to thank Tony Tin and Ysis for helping me work this out I love you guys. 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. :)