Hello everyone it has been a while since I have posted anything, but I recently fished out the series I hadn't considered continuing called Legends. I've had a few requests that I continue the fic. Therefore I have decided to revise it a bit and repost it. Enjoy
PS. Please forgive me for what I did to Kasumi in this chapter, but it is necessary.
Belphera
Legends
by Belphera
The patriarch of the Tendo family sat in seiza as he stared at the note
in his hand. On one side was a picture of panda eating some bamboo, on
the other side was some illegible writing. Almost illegible, except for
the few words that popped out at him.
"Bringing Ranma to you. -Saotome."
Tears streamed down his eyes, it would be good to see Saotome again.
They were brothers of the art, and now they would be brothers from
marriage. He had to inform his daughters. Picking up the phone, he
dialed their home.
In a house in America, the phone rang at 3 am in the morning. Groggily
Nabiki Tendo hit the speaker phone and greeted whoever was on the phone.
"Nabiki? It's me, father!" In an instant she was up, picking up the phone
she began to talk excitedly.
"Daddy? What's wrong?"
"Nothing is wrong! In fact things couldn't be better. The dojo is
prospering here. How about over in America?"
"Akane is setting up the 25th dojo soon. But we are still hard up for some
eligible instructors."
"Do you want me to send one of my better students over to teach?"
"No, that's okay. We need someone who can speak English better. No offense daddy, but Masao was a good instructer but lousy at English, no one understood what he said when he taught. That caused a lot of students to leave."
"Okay, well, do you think you can get your sisters for me?"
"All right, daddy. Hold on a sec." Reaching over to the intercom, she
pressed a few buttons. Within moments, she heard a sleepy voice over the
intercom.
"What is it? I've got an 8'oclock and interviews tomorrow."
"Akane, daddy wants to talk to all of us now."
"Is there anything wrong?"
"He says 'no', but something is up. Meet me in the kitchen. I need some coffee."
"Alright, I'll be right over." Hanging up, Nabiki then called her other
sister on the intercom.
"Kasumi?" A delicate and sweet voice came over the speaker.
"Yes Nabiki?"
"Daddy wants to have a little family meeting now."
"I'll be right down. Just give me a second to- ouch!"
"Kasumi? Are you okay?"
"It's okay, I just fell on my arm."
"Well, take your time, don't hurt yourself anymore than you have to. We're meeting in the kitchen."
"I'm fine Nabiki, I'll be right down." Within five minutes, the Tendo
sisters were assembled in the kitchen.
"Okay daddy, we're all here." Nabiki said.
" Good, Now girls, I understand that this will not sit well with you
three, but I want you to first give it a try and a chance."
"I don't like the sound of where this is going. Daddy, did you get
Hinako-okasan pregnant again?" Akane said in an annoyed tone. "Don't you
think three more sisters are enough?"
"Oh my!" Kasumi exclaimed "That's not it is it father?"
"No! A good friend of mine is returning from a very long training trip.
He is the grandmaster of the brother school of the Tendo-ryu."
"And...?" Nabiki said questioningly.
"And he has a son ..." Soun said, waiting for the explosion to happen
anytime.
"No way! We will not be set up with a boy!" Akane shouted.
"Please calm down Akane." Soun pleaded.
"Akane sit, let's hear daddy out first." Nabiki reasoned.
"Yes, it would be disrespectful to father should we judge too soon."
Kasumi pointed out.
"Thank you, as I was saying ... My friend Genma Saotome, grandmaster of the school of Saotome Ryu, will be arrive here soon, and his son will then leave to America and meet the three of you. From there, we will join the two schools in marriage." There was then silence. Until...
"WHAT???" Akane and Nabiki nearly screamed.
"Oh my!" Kasumi exclaimed.
"Yes, Genma and I have planned this for a long time. Nodoka-san will be arriving at your house tomorrow."
"Damn it daddy! Nodoka is coming? I need to get all the stats and charts ready!" Nabiki cried.
"She isn't going there for business, she will want to meet her son."
"Well at least there is something good coming out from this. I can't
wait to show Nodoka-okasan how much my cooking's improved!" Akane said
happily.
"It will be good to have her here. I hope she can bring one of the
kimonos she designed here." Kasumi smiled.
"Hmph ... I don't believe you guys, Nodoka-san is the richest woman in the
world, and the second richest person in the world!"
"Still, she's like a mother to us Nabiki-chan." Kasumi stated a bit
unhappily. Clearing his throat, Soun attracted the attentions of his daughters.
"Anyway...Saotome is coming back from China."
"Really? How long was he there for?" A now fully awake Nabiki asked with a Cappochino in her hand.
"I believe he has been there for the past five years."
"Hmmmm... Maybe he was part of the reconstruction of China. I mean he is a high ranking Martial Artist right?"
"Of course, the Saotome-ryu is the brother school of our own Tendo-ryu. I suppose he may have had some part in the martial revolution in China. But regardless, I want you girls to give this agreement a shot."
"Wait! I can't believe you're making us go through this!" Akane
protested.
"This is important to unite the two schools of the Anything-Goes. Saotome and I have planned this for the past 26 years! It is a matter of honor. How would our family look if we had outright dishonored our clan? Our school would be ruined!"
"But marriage? It's too sudden!" A sleep-deprived Akane argued.
"Oh Father, please don't force us to go through with this." Kasumi said gently. Sighing in defeat, Soun Tendo, grandmaster of the Tendo-ryu, back down. He could never refuse anything from his eldest daughter. He owed her too much.
"Very well, I will speak to Saotome about it. But you three must at least try to see if there could be a relationship, I have waited a very long time for this day. Promise me that the three of you will try your hardest, if there is nothing, I will cut the deal off."
"I can live with that." Nabiki said in an almost meditative tone.
"I suppose I agree as well." Akane answered still rolling the idea of a boy in the house. "But if that guy tries anything funny with any of us, I'm going to send him packing!"
"Thank you Father, I know how hard it is for you to compromise." Kasumi said gratefully.
"It is the least I can do for my three angels... well you girls had better get some sleep. We will talk more at a later date."
Hanging up the phone, Nabiki looked to her two sisters.
"I don't know about you two, but there is no way I am getting tied down now."
"Neither am I. Hopefully this guy is at least decent at the art. I can use a sparring partner." Akane said in a grumpy tone "Well I'm going back to bed, I've got an 8 o'clock class tomorrow."
"Ah... the joys of college." Nabiki said mischeviously.
"Nabiki stop teasing your sister, I am going back to bed as well." Kasumi said as he left the room silently.
"What do you think is wrong with her?" Akane asked Nabiki worriedly.
"I don't know she's been like this for the past what... 3 or 4 months." Nabiki told her sister.
"Well as soon as finals are over, I'm going to find out." Akane said with a yawn. "Good night Nabiki."
"Nite Akane."
Looking down at her cup of cappuchino, Nabiki mulled over the current situation in her head. Shaking her head she looked at the time, it was 4 in the morning, if she caught another hour or two of sleep, she might be conscious for her meeting with another Chinese company tomorrow. But as she continued drinking from her cup, she reminesced about the past few years years.
It had been 9 years since she left Japan. She had come to America for college and opportunities. She managed to finish college in three years and then get hired by a computer company for management. In a short period, she had risen extraordinarily quickly, and by last June, she had made it to an executive position of the NGR Corporation. It wasn't until two months ago that she found out why she had succeeded so quickly. Her aunt, Nodoka had interceded and allowed her to take the elevator of the corporate ladder. A bit hurt that her aunt still treated her as a kid, but she set herself out to prove herself to everyone else that she wasn't just a favored kid of the head of the corporation. In doing so, she had smoothed out many of the age barriers that existed at the executive level.
Akane and Kasumi had come over about a year after she had come over. Their father had finally gotten remarried and Kasumi decided that she needed to leave the house, and Akane decided that America would be an exciting place to go to college in. Together they had suffered hardships. Kasumi studied in medical school now, and Akane was continuing their father's martial arts school in America.
Akane's school exploded, as hordes of people seemed to want to be taught the art. This was probably due to the fact that China's coup and emergence, which revealed many of China's secrets like the mystical aspect of asian martial arts. Not just fighting like what Bruce lee brought to America. But the mystical arts of the China and Japan; magic, energy projection, shape-shifting, legends of the dragons and phoenixes, you name it, it flowed out from China. Suddenly millions of people wanted to learn martial arts and be able to do what the Chinese could do. The Tendo-ryu was one of the few arts that were practiced that the official board of Martial Arts acknowledged as an art. Akane also competed in dozens of tournaments and won many ranks. However, due to the business and her training, she put college on hold for two years. She just recently returned to college and was in the middle of her sophomore year. The schools were being handled by the NRG corp. and by herself personally. Akane still taught but only in one school. Many of the instructors who taught the other schools came from the Tendo dojo back in Japan.
China now was a new market for many corporations. After the revitalization of the Chinese culture and spirit, the people began to work with a more motivated attitude. What sparked this emergence in China? It all began in the year 2000 when a group of religious fanatics / terrorists, called Efficit Pacit: The Bringer of All Peace, threatened the whole world with nuclear weapons positioned all over the world. They had somehow gotten the codes to many nuclear launch sites. The World was at a standstill, no one could do much. And the demands of terrorist group? Just to die. They believed that they would wipe the world clean and the human race would start all over again. People were in panic, governments were in panic, no one thought that they would do it. But they were wrong. Six months later, it all started, Hell on Earth began. Nukes were fired everywhere. Europe was hit hardest with most countries having only 10% of the population surviving... The US lost several cities on all sides. Chicago was hit especially hard nothing survived because they were hit with five nukes. The Middle East was decimated, the US had just recently began to help them rebuild cities. Originally the radiation was too risky to do that kind of a thing. China was hit with their own weapons, half their popuation died, the government was no more. China was in a chaotic state, with its head cut off, the rest of the country had to run blindly.
No more than two or three weeks later, they attacked again nukes to finish everyone off. That was when it happened. Some observers from around the world looked to the sky and saw a huge dome of multiple colors surrounded most of Asia. The missiles exploded harmlessly against this shield. Everyone was baffled, had China had an unknown technology that was never revealed? Regardless, when the attack was over, and the nukes ran out, the shield came down. Then it was revealed to the world the mysticism that surrounded China. It seemed that many kinglets wrestled for the position of the control of China, however one young prince succeeded. With his no nonsense manner, he forcibly united China in a bloody slaughter. In doing so, he united the masters of the arts in China. However the shield was not generated by them alone, instead, Kami had sent down a goddess to aid a member of the masters that was united. When the nukes had hit, the goddess helped the masters in their shield of life energy. Right after the shield had went down, the world was silent when a huge beam of light had emerged from China. The beam that was seen around the world. Historians said that it was the Beam of Hope. It was like a massive signal to all the masters of the arts around the world to unite. All petty differences were set aside. For why fight one another, when they were all going to die?
The bio-warfare had erupted due to the fact that other religious groups joined with the Efficit Pacit. Millions more died, by now, the world had reached the point that less than a billion people were still alive, and that number was decreasing because of the viruses. Though the advanced martial artists and the masters were not affected by these diseases, but normal citizens were dying left and right. It was at that point when hell truly began. All the diseases caused by the weapons suddenly dissapeared. The goddess who had come to earth sacrificed her soul and immortality to save the person. Some said it was out of love, some had said it was out of duty, and others say that she became scapegoat of the people's follies and had paid the ultimate price.
To say that the masters in China were in sorrow would be an understatement. The entire community of martial artists grieved. At that moment, the united group of Efficit Pacit struck the core of the masters. An attempt upon the center of where all the masters converged was hit at their weakest moment. No one truly knew what happened at that point, but all that was known was that mother nature began to wreak havoc upon the earth. The Earth re-oriented itself, islands sunk, land masses broke apart, the ocean swallowed some parts of the world. Some say that the only reason Japan still stands is that its lady goddess Ameratsu had watched over her people.
When it all settled, a group of elite members of the masters, literally similar to gods on earth, launched a full out attack on the Effecit Pacit. Within this elite group the person that the goddess had been sent to protect lead, his name to the rest of the earth was the Dragon. The emperor of China as well as some of the leaders of the different arts made up the rest of the team. Together they destroyed the Effecit Pacit. Africa now had a gaping hold in its center of the continent, Australia had been destroyed in a huge blast by the Dragon. Ten against millions of trained terrorists, these odds astounded the world. When the battle was over, these ten were regarded as the saviors of the world and revered almost as gods.
During this time, The United States and Asia emerged as the two world powers. Aunt Nodoka took advantage of the chaos of the world economy and constructed the largest corporation the world had ever seen. From Transporation to agriculture, technology to electronics, and much more. The conglomerate Nodoka-Genma-Ranma monopolized much of the world. Auntie probably could rule the world if she really wanted to, but she left the running of the conglomerate to her executives. Nabiki was one of them among the hundreds that kept everything running. During this time, Auntie has spent her times looking for her son and husband. but it seemed that she could not find any leads on them.
After another year, with the help of NGR, civillization seemed to continue and rebuild itself. Four grueling years of non stop terror, and it was finally over. But that was now in the past, The past four years the world has been recovering from their ordeal. The human population was still very low, as 3/4 of the population of the world was wiped out in the period of four years. Cities were beginning to populate again, overall things were starting to look up.
Glancing at the time again Nabiki swore to herself, it was now five in
morning, it was too late to go back to sleep. Stretching herself, she
headed off to the baths, all the while wondering what the boy that her
father was sending over tomorrow was really like.
____________________________________________________________________________
Off the coast of Japan, five figures emerged from the waters. They
slowly walked to the shore and looked around. Walking into the light,
the five figures were five people. Three men, each extremely powerfully
built, one beautiful woman, and another short elderly woman.
"Alright Pop, we're here, let's go see this old friend of yours. Then we will
go and see mother." A man in a pigtail said.
"Very well, boy. However, you must agree to at least try to see if you
can work out this marriage that I arranged." The older man in a white gi
replied.
"Ranma is my husband you fool!" The beautiful woman said angrily.
"True, however, I don't see why Ranma can't take more than one wife? I
mean Ryouga and I have both taken more than one." The older man asked.
"Ranma should only belong to me! But... should Ranma agree to this, I will
cope with it." The beautiful woman said sadly.
"Do not fret child, the second branch of the Happousei should be just as strong as the Saotome-ryu, so perhaps we can bring in new blood into our village."
The elder woman reasoned.
"I wish Ukyou and Ranko would get here sooner." The heavier built man
said with a sigh.
"They are bringing Chi over right?" Ranma asked.
"Yeah." Ryouga answered.
"Okay, now lets go over to this Tendo Dojo." Ranma said as he levitated
into the air.
"Ranma! I thought you said you didn't want to attract attention! Streaking through the sky will raise more than just a few eyebrows!" The young woman said as she yanked on the foot of Ranma.
"Heh I suppose so, ah well walking it is." Ranma replied as he followed his father in the direction of the Tendo Dojo.
____________________________________________________________________________
Nodoka Saotome sat in her personal jet waiting for it to land in San
Francisco. She would be reunited with her husband and son soon, and she
was giddy because of it. For a while she had thought that they had died,
but last year Genma had finally written to her. He was still training
Ranma in the Art, no doubt her son was part of the martial arts movement
in China. Since then she had patiently waited for Genma to return, and
now after 18 years she would finally see the both of them.
Not only that, but Genma had said that he had a few surprises for her as well, and would meet her in America with the Tendo sisters. Though she thought it was strange, she did not argue because her family was going to be complete again. Looking down at her firm stomach, she grinned mischeviously and wondered if Genma would consider expanding the family a bit more.
____________________________________________________________________________
Soun Tendo watched over his advanced students with pride, these fine young youths were tobe the next generation of mighty martial artists. Glancing over at his wife, who was caring for their three smaller daughters. A faint pang of regret occured when he wondered why he neve had sons. Though he loved his daughters very much, he felt that he was destined to just have daughters and never a son to teach. Lost in his reminiscence he failed to note the presence of his best friend.
"Hey Tendo!" Snapping out of his deep thought, he looked around. That voice, it sounded just like Saotomes's, but where was he? Just then, five figures leapt from the roof and landed in
front of the dojo. Startled, Soun took a step back.
"Saotome! Did you just get into town?"
"Yes, Tendo, I'd like you to meet someone." Gesturing at the man behind
him, "This is Ranma." Soun looked at the young man he was wearing a red
tunic and black kung-fu pants. Around his waist was a black sash, and a
katana was strapped to his side. Looking at the young man, Soun was
in awe. Ranma seemed to built as a superb martial artist. He would have to test him sometime in the future. Inclining his head towards Ranma, Soun said in a deep voice,
"Welcome my boy, I have known your father for quite a while. I am glad
to see his son turned out so well. Your mother was just here a few hours
ago."
"I see, it is nice to see you Tendo-san. I would like to stay, however,
I am quite anxious to see my mother again."
"Understandable, however could you perhaps introduce me to your
companions?"
"Of course. This is Ryouga, my brother." He pointed towards the young
man behind him. This man was also built powerfully, he seemed to be a mountain where he stood, a powerful base. He was extremely muscularly built and was wearing a yellow tunic and a pair of
black pants tied off at the ankles. Upon his head he wore a yellow and
black spotted bandanna. He carried a heavy broad sword in one hand, and
looked extremely dangerous.
"Brother?" Soun said.
"Well, I sort of got married again." Genma said sheepishly.
"But what about Nodoka?" Soun demanded. Saotome would never do something like this!
"I am still married to her, however in China most of the people of my
rank had two wives. And well, we were training in the Amazon village ..."
"Amazon village? The place of the legendary martial artists? Amazing!"
"Actually, the other two ladies are from the Amazon village." Soun
looked over to the short elderly lady and the beautiful young woman, who
was getting stares from the men in his class. The elderly woman was
wearing green robes and seemed ancient. Almost as ancient as his old
master. The young woman was wearing a Chinese dress with a slit running
all the way up to her hips.
"Ah, Welcome, honored ones. It is a pleasure to meet such martial
artists such as yourselves." Soun greeted them with a deep bow indicating his respect for their stature.
"Thank you Tendo-san. I am Cologne and this is my great-granddaughter Xian Pu." Cologne replied, as Shampoo looked bored.
"Well then, why don't we wait until I finish up class, then I can bring
you to your mother Ranma."
"Did she move?" Ranma asked quizzically.
"No, she is visiting my daughters in America. She asked that you meet
her there."
"I see, very well, we will wait."
"Good, In the mean time, Why don't you get to know my new wife?" Soun
said pointing towards the dojo office. Gemna nodded and headed over to
the office. He was eager to see the woman who stole Soun's heart even
when he was still mourning for his first wife. Ranma stayed with Shampoo
to watch Soun teach his students. It had been a while since he taught
someone. The first time he taught someone martial arts was when he was
14 and before that Day. The last time he taught was two years ago, he
was teaching an old friend of his, Mu Tsu, however, Mu Tsu died in the
attack upon their village, shielding his love, Xian Fu. It was after that, he
had become close to his wife. She was suffering from Mu Tsu's death, and
Ranma was there to comfort her. He too had undergone a serious death of a loved one as well. Together they helped each other relocate their wa. In a few months, he had fallen in
love with her and one night when they were drunk, they were married.
"Your father's friend is a good teacher." Xian commented.
"Yes he is, very patient, compassionate and effective at the same time."
Ranma replied. Then he felt Xian wrap her arms around his waist, as he
draped his arm around her shoulder holding her in close.
"Ranma? Are you really going to go through with this?"
"Yes, mother want me to then I will. But if you do not like your
co-wife, I will explain this to mom and I'm sure she will understand.
But Xian, please give the girls a chance. If mother likes them as her own,
they can't be that bad."
"I know Ranma, but still, I hate the thought of having to share you with
any woman. I knew this day was coming, but still ... You know, Herb wanted
you to take on at least three wives."
"I know, but I simply will not take more than two. You are enough of a
workout." Ranma said with a grin. Xian smiled a sultry smile and
whispered into Ranma's ear.
"How about we do some sparring tonight?"
"Xian..."
"What?"
"Not while you are with child."
"You don't have to treat me like a porcelain doll! I am an Amazon! I can
take care of myself."
"I know that, but I still worry. It's only natural for me."
"*sigh* I understand." Leaning towards Xian, Ranma smiled and caressed
his wife's firm ass.
"But I think we can do some light sparring tonight." Xian looked up and
flashed her husband a smile. Soun finally finished class and allowed
some students to continue sparring. One of the head students was curious
about the group that arrived, and decided to challenge one of them. They
seemed like martial artists, and besides sensei said they just came from
China. He wanted to see what his skills were like against a martial
artist from China.
"Excuse me? Ranma?" Looking up from his wife, he saw a man in his late
twenties talking to him. He had fire in his eyes and a fiery spirit.
"I overheard you speaking with Sensei and I was wondering if you would
spar against me?"
"No." Ranma replied.
"What? How come?"
"I do not wish to."
"Why not, you're a martial artist right?"
"Yes."
"You would refuse an honorable challenge to test my skills?"
"Yes. Now please help your sensei clean the dojo, think of it as training."
"What? Who do you think you are high an mighty? Come on Fight me!"
"Back down boy, you do not wish this upon yourself." Ranma barked at the young man.
"If you won't attack me then- urk" Suddenly the student felt a chinese mace buried on his head. Bonelessly, he collapsed to the ground as Shampoo removed her bonbori from his head.
"Stupid boy, too stupid to understand Ranma. When say no mean no."
________________________________________________
Nabiki stood on the landing strip, where Nodoka was landing. She hadn't
seen her aunt in a year and was very nervous about it. Not only was she
her boss, but also Nabiki tended to look towards her as a mother and hoped for her approval in many things. Over the horizon, she saw the NRG private jet land. Smiling, she stood
dignified, waiting for aunt Nodoka. When the plane finally landed , the
stairs was brought to the door of the plane and her aunt Nodoka stepped
out. She looked the same as usual, always wearing some kind of a kimono
and carrying the wrapped bundle.
"Nabiki-chan!"
"Aunt Nodoka!" the two women embraced each other heartily.
"It's been so long! How have you been doing?"
"Just moved into that house Akane and I bought a couple months ago."
"Excellent! I hope you three are all doing well. Did you recieve my letters last year? I'm sorry I couldn't make it here on christmas, but Genma had finally contacted me and I was trying to track him down."
"Oh don't worry about it Auntie, we all know how important finding Uncle Genma and Ranma are to you. We're fine, but we should head home, because daddy just called and said that Ranma and his father just left Japan and were on their way here."
"Good, will Akane and Kasumi still be at school?"
"Akane won't, she should be back by now he econ class ended at 10, but I think Kasumi had to do
something at the hospital." Nabiki said as she led her aunt to the limo
she had that drove her around. When the two of them were finally in the
limo and settled, Nabiki offered Nodoka some tea from the wet bar.
"So how is Akane's school doing?"
"Great, in fact she just opened her 25th school, we just need to find an instructor."
"Why not use Ranma?"
"Well, Akane doesn't know how good Ranma is, and she likes to interview her sensei candidates first."
"Well, I'll ask Ranma to see if he wants to teach."
"And Kasumi?"
"Kasumi is on her last year of med school."
"Good, she will make a fine doctor. What kind of doctor does she achieve to be?"
"Pediatrician."
"That is a proper field for her. She is so good with children and with her sweet temperment, she will do fine."
"Yes, I agree."
"And you? Have you found anyone yet?"
"No... All the men are either intimidated by me, trying to get money from me or married. It's just not fair." Nabiki complained to Nodoka. Taking the younger girl in her embrace, Nodoka assured Nabiki.
"Don't worry Nabiki-chan you are still young, and there is a man out there who isn't just looking for money and will be able to match your sharp wits."
"I don't know, I mean Masao was such a great guy but he was so stupid, I couldn't stand him! I swear, I tried explaining some of the things I did at work, and he couldn't understand it. All he was interested in was fighting."
"Well perhaps my son will be able to sweep you off your feet. Genma's assured me that he is indeed a man among men." Nabiki looked cautiously at Nodoka before continuing.
"About that, Akane, Kasumi and I have discussed it with Daddy, and he said that if we really didn't want to marry him, we wouldn't have to. I how you won't be offended with that if neither of us choose to marry him. It's just too much of a decision to make in such a short time!"
"Worry not Nabiki, if neither of your like Ranma, we will not force you to marry him. Though I would really like for the three of you to be officially my daughters." Nodoka said sincerely. Nabiki looked upon the older woman with love in her eyes as she hugged Nodoka.
"Oh Auntie, we will always be your daughters, no matter what. You have raised us through our teenage years and in our adulthood, how would we think of you otherwise?" Tears shimmering in her eyes as Nodoka smile at the words.
"Thank you Nabiki, the three of you have filled the void of my son's absence. And I love you all for that." Wiping away some tears, the Founder and CEO of NGR felt overjoyed. "So how are Akane and Kasumi's love lives faring?"
"Kasumi is already taken."
"Really?"
"Yeah, some guy in the hospital she's interning at. I don't like him much, but Kasumi seems devoted to him."
"Please ask Kasumi to invite this young man over I would like to meet him. How about Akane?"
"There are just so many men who lust after her, and she simply turns them all down! I mean, dozens and dozens seem to be so attracted to her."
"Akane is just a wandering spirit, she can't be contained by any man unless the man is as wild as she is."
"Okay we're here." Nabiki said, as the driver rounded up the driveway of their luxurious new age home. The house was very large, but not quite a mansion. A beautiful solid marble archway adorned the front door giving the house an antiquated feel, but the satillite dish and electronic doorway implied the house was very technologically based. To the right side of the house an entire corner was composed of delicate glass. There were three stories of the house and a few dome shapes protruded on the roof. Unlocking the front door, Nabiki pressed a security code to enter. Pressing another few buttons, Nabiki stepped into the house.
"Auntie there is a bath being prepared upstairs in the bathroom in your room. I figured you may want to freshen up before Ranma and Uncle get here." Leading Nodoka up the spirled stairs, Nabiki took every opportunity to show of her new house to her surogate mother. She was very proud of this house, it used to be a courthouse before the war. She and Akane both decided to spend some money and renovate it. This was a trophy of sorts for her. It showed just how much she had risen in the world. Continuing down the hallway on the second level the walls were adorned with a few priceless relics. When She finally reached a door, Nabiki swung it open in a grand flourishing gesture.
"This is your room Auntie." The room was decorated in a distinct asian style. Golden Dragons and Phoenixes adorned the room, several priceless Chinese wooden furniture scattered throughout the room. In the center of the room a priceless golden bed with drapes surrounding it. there were some a few asian sliding doors towards the back of the room lead to the bathroom and a closet. There was a small wine collection to the right side of the wall, a tea set formal calligraphy utensils sat next to the wine self. An empty sword stand was placed next to the night stand next to the bed. several huge bay windows made up the most the the final wall. A small balcony was revealed as they stepped into the room. All in all, the scene was quite impressive.
"Well Nabiki, I must say I am impressed. I see you also have our new line of Intelli-home systems set up as well eh?" Nodoka said with a curious glance toward the panel to the right of her.
"Yes it works great! The intercom system is great, I can talk to Akane in the Dojo if I wanted. Not only that, but security is great, I hire some burglars to try and break into our place and they each met with quite a bit of resistance. It also has a great speaker set up, not only can you play music in the entire house, but each room can choose a different type of music. I also had a Laptop port setup for you on the table next to the calligraphy table." Nabiki said proudly. This had been the first time Nodoka had been in the house and she wanted to make a good first impression.
"Thank you very much Nabiki, it seems I will have a very relaxed stay here." Nodoka said with a slight twinkle of amusement in her eyes.
"Well I'll let you take your bath Auntie, I'll inform you when Ranma and uncle get here." Nabiki said as she left the room.
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Ranma sat impatiently in a comfortable jet as they flew over the Pacific towards California. It was taking too long, he had waited so long to see his mother. The final moments were like an torturous drip from a sink. He glanced over to Shampoo his wife and smiled, she was so beautiful. Her violet locks of hair were full and healthy, it was one thing that Shampoo had constantly prided in taking care of, her hair. It cascaded down her delicate back to her small waist. Yet no matter how delicate she seemed, he knew what she was capable off. She was capable of shattering boulders with her bare fists, head-butt a full armored knight into a concussion, and destroy acres of land at a time. When he had first met her, she was an arrogant girl of the age 16. Then again they were both arrogant, they constantly made fun of each other and insulted each others skills. The only thing from the two of them actually hurting each other too badly was Mousse. He was such a good friend, and his last student. However when the war hit, Shampoo and himself didn't have the time to be harsh to each other, it was to grow up or die. In that situation, they grew up quickly.
Thinking back to the war, tears threatened to pour from his eyes. God only knows how many tars he's shed over the casualties of the war. He remembered HER. His first real true love. Even saying his name hurt him more than he would care to admit. He death all but killed him. She was so peaceful, calm and at times she could still see her. But if only he had trained harder, and been able to perfect the chi transfer technique, she would have lived. But those cowards had attacked them with unhonorable tactics. They knew about HER and purposely destroyed her domain a bit at a time. He avenged her death, but somehow he still felt empty at times.
Shampoo was there to catch him when he started falling down that abyss of depression. Had it not been for Ryouga, Ucchan and Shampoo, he would have destroyed all life around him with his rage. He thought back to the time when Mouse was killed in the assault on the village. He was still in pain, and Shampoo, Ryouga, and Ucchan were trying their best to restrain him. Mousse held back as many of those bastards as he could when one of them had tried shooting Shampoo. Ranma shuddered at the memory. The moments following his death was not something he liked to discuss, he had dishonored himself as well as the the notion of being a martial artist.
Then he panned forward to the time when he and Shampoo had recovered from their individual loss of their first loves. There had been much sake and hard liquor involved in their recovery, and of course there was the night when they had truly expressed their true love for each other. Ranma chukled at the memory, they had consummated their marriage as an earthquake had been occuring, but they were too into their lovemaking to notice. Shampoo had commented at how the earth had moved for them.
Moving deftly to Shampoo he hugged her from behind and kissed her on the back of her neck. he could hear her purr in pleasure. Bending his head down he whispered into his ear.
"You know what I want to do right now?"
"Shampoo know, but not in front of everyone!"
"I know I can't wait till tonight's 'sparring' session." Ranma said as he cupped his wife's firm breasts with his hands. Suddenly he heard a laugh from behind them. Looking behind him, Ranma saw Cologne. The old ghoul was like a grandmother to him, always treating him as a child, yet acting in his best interest.
"Well well Ranma, I see marriage life agrees with you. I can forsee quite a few children for you and Shampoo." With that she cackled and hopped towards the wet bar on her staff. Looking back to his wife, he saw that she was very red.
"Till tonight, my beloved." Ranma said as he turned Shampoo around and cupped the side of her face. "Till tonight..." and with that, he gave her a passionate kiss.
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Akane sighed deeply as she headed into the house. The morning was tiring due to her early class, and the interviews she had held on campus for the new sensei position. She hated it when everyone of her applicants were MAC, Males with an Attitude Complex. They seemed to believe themselves to be extraorninarily good because the had a "black belt" or held a certain number of "dans" She decided that she was just going to have an open sparring session on campus to see who was a good fighter and more closely resembled the style of Tendo-ryu.
Looking up at the grandfather clock by the coat closet, she saw it was around noon and Javier would be there by now. Javier was their cook since Kasumi started to go to medical school. She smiled at the memory when Nabiki discovered she had gained seven pounds because she kept on living off of pizza. Javier came in almost the very next day, he was a cooking student at a culinary school in San Francisco and with the amount of money they paid him, he now managed to open up a five star restaurant. But he still comes by to cook for them even though he doesn't need the money. Akane secretly believed he liked Nabiki, but never said anything. Besides why should she argue? Javier was a great guy and nice to have around the house, his carefree attitude was always a welcome addition to the Tnedo household.
Walking towards the kitchen, she heard Javier laugh loudly and a woman's voice laughing along with him. Nabiki was heard berating Javier about something. Stepping into the kitchen, Akane saw Javier bent over still laughing and Nabiki flushed red. Looking to Javier's right, she saw a beautiful woman dressed in a Yukatu laughing heartily with Javier. She had her hair tied in a bun and her eyes full of mirth.
"Nodoka-Okassan!" Akane said as she did a flying leap into Nodoka, who gracefully accepted Akane's bear hug.
"Hello Akane-chan. How have you been. Nabiki tells me you've been busy." Nodoka said as she fussed with Akane's hair. Why she insisted on keeping it that short was beyond her. Akane stepped back and released the older woman.
"Yes, the Tendo-ryu seems to be in demand everywhere I go, we have got most of the West Coast in a monopoly."
"Well well, it seems you've been doing will with yourself as well. I am proud of you Akane-chan." Akane looked at Nodoka with tears in her eyes, her okassan approved of her actions. For a while she didn't know if she would approve of her running a school that she felt was more for a man to do. But now, all her worries were assuaged as she heard her okassan's words.
"Thank you." Akane said with a bow only to be stopped by Nodoka.
"Now now, Akane-chan, my daughter doesn't really have to bow to me." Nodoka said conveying her meaning to Akane. She had finally officially called Akane her Daughter, though they may not be related by blood, Akane felt such a strong bond to Nodoka, as did her sisters. Akane never really knew if Nodoka thought of her as a daughter or just as a friend of the family, but now she knew and she felt like she had a mother again.
"Oh mom, I'm so happy." Giving her another hug, Nodoka laughed and held the smaller girl in her arms.
"Well... my ladies, I shall prepare a great feast in honor of thine reunion! For I am master Chef Javier! The Ginzu of San Francisco Bay area!" With that Javier struck a ridiculous pose that resembled something a sentai pose.
"Masterful performance Master Chef Javier." Nodoka commented. "We will be in the dining room and leave you to your arts. What wine would you recommend?"
"Ah I see Madame Nodoka is a woman of tastes. Fear not! Javier shall choose a wine that is what you say... c'est magnifique!" Javier said in a French accent. With a broad smile he turned to the kitchen and prepared the ingredients for a meal.
"Wonderful young man Nabiki, you surely do know how to hire employees out of the office as well I see. I may just have to steal him from you." Nodoka said with a grin.
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At the a local hospital in San Francisco, a young girl was escorted outside by Kasumi. Bearing a gentle smile, Kasumi waved goodbye to the little girl as she went to her mother's car. They were such darlings. The little girl had had a slight concussion due to a soccer game. Her paranoid mother had rushed her to the emergency room and was demanding service even though she didn't have any insurance. When Kasumi happened to overhear the situation as the mother started hyperventilating. Quickly, Kasumi lead the worried mother to a room and sat the little girl down. Still disoriented from her fall, the girl cried a lot, but Kasumi had calmed her down and soothingly sang to her as she laid her down to sleep. Once asleep, she treated the wounds and checked to see if there was anything wrong with the girl. After taking her blood samples, and calming the mother down. She told them that she just had a slight concussion and that she would have a large bump on her head. There had been a small laceration on the forhead, but nothing that required stiches. The relieved mother thanked Kasumi and the little girl gave Kasumi a hug.
Hopefully, one day she would have a beautiful child like that. But until then she would settle for caring for other children. Sighing, she walked to the head nurse's desk and gave her some charts.
"Well The Angel Kasumi Tendo works her magic again." The nurse said with a smile. They had given her that name because she was always level headed, gentle and had miraculously saved some lives with her knowledge of shiatsu.
"Oh it was nothing, I love working with children. That's all." Kasumi replied modestly.
"Honey you skipped lunch to help her, you are already a skinny thing, you need to get some meat on you!" another nurse said humorously.
"Oh my." Kasumi said as she blushed.
"Are you going to be paying for her too?" the head nurse asked.
"Yes, I don't want to burden them with a bill. Just charge it to me." Kasumi said with a nod.
"Okay Kasumi. You know you really are an angel, you help the weak when they can't and bring love and hope to them." The plump nurse said warmly.
"Thank you." Kasumi said gently.
"Kasumi dear?" A deep voice came from behind her. Already know who it was, Kasumi smiled sweetly and turned around.
"Yes Dr. Phadron-kun?" The man behind her was a tall well built doctor with long brown hair.
"Can I speak to you privately?" he said sweetly.
"Of course." Kasumi agreed. 'He must want to talk about tonight! I knew he would remember our one year anniversary!' As the reached an office, Kasumi stepped in first.
"What was it P-" Her response was quickly cut off as Phadron grabbed Kasumi by her shoulders and slammed her into the wall. Kasumi cried out weakly as all the air was knocked out of her.
"You stupid bitch! What have I told you about leaving my side?" The doctor raged at her.
"That I shouldn't" Kasumi said in a small voice.
"That's right! And what do you do right after I told you to stay by my side? You run over to help a snot nosed little kid with a god damn bitchy mother!" He yelled into her face.
"I know she was just worried about-" a slap cut her off. Kasumi felt her cheek burning up as Phadron struck her.
"Listen you little bitch, if it wasn't for me, these other doctors would have eaten you alive with you stupid attitude. You are my bitch you understand? You owe everything to me! Everything! You will obey my every command! If I ask you to strip and bend over you do it! You are mine!" The doctor was shaking Kasumi with every statement and as a result her head banged on the wall. Her head hurt as if someone had just cracked her skull open. She started crying.
"Are you crying? You'd better because if I ever catch you disobeying me again, I will terminate your internship and destroy your record!"
"No!" Kasumi cried.
"Yes! Remember you are mine. Now get out of my sight." As Kasumi weakly lurched towards the door. Phadron slammed her back into the wall and kissed her savagely.
"I told you to not leave my side! You disobeyed me again. Tonight I want you to come by my place. I want some ... entertainment."
"Yes Dr. Phadron-ku-" Phadron slapped her again.
"Dr. Phadron-sama! I am your lord!" he said.
"Yes Dr. Phadron-sama."
"Good, now I give you my permission to leave, go home. I want you rested for tonight." As Kasumin opened the door, Phadron tossed a jacket with a hood at Kasumi.
"Put that on so no one can see your ugly face." He hissed. Nodding, Kasumi put the jacket on. As soon as she stepped out of the office she immediately ran to her car. There in her car, she cried endlessly to herself.
"He's just trying his best. It's not his fault." The mantra recycled itself in her mind.
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End of Chapter 1