Nezumi
A Ranma 1/2 WOD Fusion by
Soul Survivor

Disclaimer:
Domo Arigato Takahashi-sama for your wonderous work in Ranma 1/2.  I would never presume to claim your work for mine own, I simply borrow from your genius to entertain those who would read my work.  Please do not send your legions of Rabid Attack Lawyers for I am a simple person and broke to boot.

Chapter 2 - Blood Memory

Ranma finished gnawing the ropes and sat back to admire his handiwork.  While it would not affect the ship under normal conditions, the partially chewed ropes would give way under extreeme strain, say that caused by any number of the squalls common this time of year.  The ropes giving way under those circumstances would cause an untold amount of havoc on the decks, possibly even sinking the ship, this was good.  The dutch traders were unwelcome, gaijin who brought their rifles and black powder, disrupting the peace and harmony of his homeland in ways that would not _could not_ be tolerated.  Chittering an order to his companions, he led the way down the anchor rope and into the bay, swimming as fast as his four feet could carry him to the shoreline, their departure was noticed by a crewman on deck, who muttered something about rats and sinking ships before returning his attention to his rum.

He was awake again, or he thought he was at least, his last clear recollection being the strange woman in front of Ucchan's.  Where was he now?  His mind was filled with disjointed memories, dreams blending with reality, all overlaing with a chittering that he could almost understand.  'sleep' it said, 'sleep for there is more to see'  not having the energy to to do otherwise, he complied.

He found himself standing on a hilltop, looking at the skyline of Tokyo in the distance, the city seemed different some how, wrong in ways he could not begin to identify.  The chittering, now a voice he could follow, one he felt he could trust though he knew not why, surrounded him once more. 'What you feel, the discomfort, is that wound in the Emerald Mother's flesh, the entrapment of the wyld in the weavers webs'  looking closer, the scene before him altered, distorted slightly.  He could see the hill he stood upon, and the surrounding countryside take on a slightly untamed though health and vibrant aspect, whereas the closer to the city he looked, the less healthy it seemed, the voice was right, it was like a wound, not a mortal blow, more of a festering tear in the harmony around him.  The very essence of the land itself seemed bound and constrained, begging to be let free, pleading for release from the seemingly endless strands that bound it tight.  Worse, it was not the city alone, for the countryside around it was slowly being drawn in, captured, restraind, ordered and regulated.

'Look now upon the works of man, who in allaince with the weaver is bringing this age to a close.'

"What do you mean?  Whats going on?  Who are you?"

'You have many questions warrior, I am here to answer them.'  A haze formed in front of him, slowly resolving into the form of a giant rat, about ten feet tall at the shoulder, strangely enough, this didnt bother him.  Then it spoke again, in the same chittering sing-song language that he could somehow understand.  "To answer your last question first, I am Rat, your mother and guardian.  As for what is going on, you have been chosen from amongst your homid kin to join my ranks as a warrior for the Emerald Mother, known as Gaia to the Sunset People.  As for what I meant earlier, that will become clear in time"

Absorbing this tidbit brought the next logical question "Why me?  I may be the best martial artist around, but how can I affect this?"

"Why you?  Why not?  You are as you claim, an excelent fighter, and fighters are what I need.  True, you alone cannot affect much, or can you" the last was said with an expression that was _way_ to reminiscent of Nabiki for his liking.

"Wait a minute, you want more than a fighter here dont you?  You have something in mind, I can feel it!"

"That I may young warrior, that I may.  If I do, I am sure you will figure it out in time.  For now, let us say that you have talents that can be of great use to me, in return for which I am granting you strength, speed and abilities beyond what you could achieve on your own.  Provided of course you survive the re-birth."  That said, the apparition faded as if it had never truly been there at all.

Ranma stood there, replaying the conversation in his head when something that was said finally penetrated. "Whadaya mean _IF_ I survive?!?!"

End Part 2

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Sorry for the delay on part 2, I had to look up some information on Eastern Shifters as opposed to their Western Counterparts.  I hope to have part 3 out in a couple of days.

Ps.  Folks, I could really use som C&C here!  Aside from Redemption which is undergoing an overhaul as well as retitling (I found another fic with that title)  This is my first real major attempt at Fan Fiction.  Chapter One only got 3 responses which where mostly questions on where it was going.

Stay tuned for Chapter 3 "First Change"
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