well, it's been awhile but here's a new chapter.
if you can't remember this series... uh, i can't help
you with that. lol. just skip to the bottom of this
e-mail and check out the addies for sites that have
it archived, i guess. those who do remember, i hope
you find it funny. anyway, fic away!


Black Rose, Blue Thunder:
An Altered Destiny

By: Dreiser

Chapter Nineteen:
Mama's Gonna Knock You Out
(Both of them.)


Perfume's thoughts went in this order...

Tingle, tingle, ow, ow, tingle, tingle, die, die, tingle, tingle, crap,
crap, tingle, tingle, argh, argh...

Then again, Perfume still wasn't entirely used to having magical
experiments being done on her. That might help to explain her train of
thought while she was levitated in the air surrounded by the glowing energy
of several spells that Siren was performing on her.

>From the corner of the room, Perfume locked eyes with Kasumi and on seeing
the other girl's sweet smile, her bravery increased. It would be all right,
Kasumi was here and grandmother... well, she really did want to help her
out. So, it should turn out okay.

Should being the important word here.

"Sensei is awfully strong, isn't she?" Kasumi whispered to Cologne who was
standing by her side.

"Yes, she is," murmured Cologne reluctantly. Frowning as she narrowed her
eyes, she said, "Perhaps a little bit too strong for many people liking."

"Like you?" asked Kasumi.

Turning to look at her companion, Cologne was surprised to see a calm and
decisive look in Kasumi's eyes. There certainly was more than to this girl
than it seemed.

"At times I feel that way," Cologne admitted. "I was more referring to our
village Elders who hold no real fondness for your dear Sensei."

"Why is that?" Kasumi asked curiously. "I would think that the village
Elders would be friendly with her at least because of her powers and fear
of them."

"They would if they were smart," said Cologne, she smiled slightly before
continuing. "However, they are well aware of the fact that Siren would
never do anything to hurt our people. Which gives them a slight advantage
over her. And as for why they're not particularly fond of her... well, that
more has to go with Siren's choice habit of ignoring most of the rules that
apply to the Elders in our village. She simply doesn't act as someone her
age should. Even shifting her appearance so it no longer reveals her inward
age, something against our customs."

Kasumi mulled over this for a moment before she gave a small shrug and
focused back on Perfume who was being lowered to the floor as the magic
around her body began to fade away. "Those sound like petty reasons to me,"
she murmured in way of reply. "Foolish also."

"Perhaps," Cologne murmured to herself, chuckling as Kasumi walked towards
Siren and Perfume. "But those are the laws of the Amazon and I cannot
ignore them." She paused then added quietly, "No matter how much I
sometimes may want to."

---

Atsuko was still in shock and Nodoka, well, Nodoka wasn't doing so well
either.

"They've been at Soun's the whole time?" said Nodoka dimly to herself,
looking out the window of their limousine as they drove towards Nerima.
"And they never called us? Ranma or Ryoga? But why?"

"Genma," Atsuko said decisively after a moment. "He must've done something
really big to screw things up this time. Something stupider than usual.
That's why he or the boys haven't called us until now."

"Until we were needed," Nodoka said with a sigh.

Blinking at this, Atsuko turned to her companion, "What's the matter,
Dokachan? Why the sigh?"

"It's simply that I'm tired of this, Atchan," replied Nodoka, turning to
face the other woman. "Tired of being left alone every other year so Genma
can take the boys on another training mission. We're martial artists as
well, are we not? I've taught Ranma the way of the sword and you helped
Ryoga perfect his techniques along with Genma. So why should we be left
behind? Only called upon when they need our help." She sighed again and
said, "They treat us like we're a pair of useless shoes. I'm sick of it. I
think that both our boys and Genma need to be reminded just how powerful
the two of us are."

Atsuko gave an almost evil chuckle and cracked her knuckles. "I like the
sound of that. So what're we gonna be doing exactly? Sneak attack?"

"That is what we're best at," said Nodoka with a smile. Turning forward,
she pressed the button that caused the pane of glass between them and the
driver to lower. "Oh, Tochi? You can stop here. We'll be walking the rest
of the way."

"Ma'am?" asked Tochi with some surprise. He'd been their driver for years
and never he had seen anyone in their family want to walk this far to their
destination.

"We'll be fine, Tochi, don't worry, huh?" said Atsuko, giving him her best
winning and fanged smile. As she climbed out of the car she leaned forward
and said, "We just want to surprise Genchan. No worries, okay?"

"Surprise?" Tochi's eyes went wide as he remembered the last surprise his
Mistresses had given their husband when he'd been home. Swallowing the lump
in his throat, he said shakily, "Sure... it's okay. You... you have fun...
say hello to Saotome-san for me."

"Oh, we will," Atsuko said huskily, laughing now.

Seconds later, the limousine went screeching off leaving skid marks behind
and engulfing both Atsuko and Nodoka in a cloud of smoke.

"Jeez," said Atsuko, still coughing as she waved the smoke away from her
face. "He didn't have to screech off like that. Not like I said anything
all that scary."

"I think he was having flashbacks, dear," Nodoka murmured humorously.
"Unpleasant ones at that."

"Yeah, well, not my fault," Atsuko grumbled. Turning back to Nodoka, she
grinned widely then said, "So you ready to give our boys a good scare?"

"Oh yes," said Nodoka with a smile. "Do try your best to concentrate on my
thoughts though. I don't want us to get lost again because of your mind
wandering."

"Hey! That only happened once!" said Atsuko while the air around them began
to shift colors, causing the people walking in the suburban shopping
district some degree of surprise. "It was your fault for wearing such a
short skirt."

"Of course it was..." Nodoka's voice floated away into nothingness along
with both of their figures, an event that was causing their onlookers even
more panic. "I am ever so alluring after all."

Although the area where they once were was empty, the shoppers all heard a
dry voice say, "Egomaniac."

And hearing this caused a most predictable reaction in the shoppers of
downtown Juuban.

"Youma! Energy sucking youma!"

"No! They're heart crystal stealing youma!"

"I bet they want our star seeds again!"

"Worse! They're dumb looking with even dumber names youma here to assault
us with lame attacks!"

"That's every youma though!"

Hey, you've got to go with what you know. And in Juuban, they damn well
know their youma.

---

Genma was tied up.

Frankly, Nabiki rather tie up Ranma. He was causing far more trouble. They
dumped hot water on him hoping it would snap him out of his Clefairy
brained state but it hadn't helped at all. It just made him look stupider
as he bounced around everywhere cuddling everyone.

Including Nabiki. Who was currently sweatdropping as she looked at Ranma
rubbing his head on her abdomen. Ryoga, however, was turning an interesting
shade of red.

"Ranma," Ryoga drew the word out slowly as he lifted up his younger brother
by the collar. "How dare you snuggle your brother's iinazuke?"

"Fairy, clefairy," said Ranma in kawaii tones.

"Ranma," said Ryoga, his eyes narrowing. "That won't work on me. I know all
your little Pokemon tricks."

"Fairy? Clefairy?" Ranma looked very sad now.

"It... won't... work..." Ryoga was twitching.

"Faiiiiiiiryyy," Ranma wailed, looking heartbroken.

"Won't... work..." Ryoga repeated.

"Faiiiiiiiryyyyyy," Ranma wailed, disheartened.

"Ah! Ranma! I'm so sorry!" Ryoga shouted, pulling his brother into a hug as
Ranma smiled almost smugly.

Shaking his head slightly, Tatewaki murmured, "Even while he possesses the
brain of an innocent Clefairy, the foul Saotome still retains his ability
to trick people. It is a truly sad thing to witness."

"Shampoo think it funny," said Shampoo, smirking.

"Yes, well, perhaps," said Tatewaki, also smiling a bit. "But I cannot help
but feel sorry for Ryoga-kun."

"Mphzouiwou!" Genma muttered through his gag.

"Eh?" Tatewaki blinked. "What, Saotome-san?"

"He wants to know why no one feels sorry for him," supplied Kodachi in glib
tones, running her fingers through Ranma's silky black hair as he was once
again curled up in her lap. "As if anyone could feel sorry for a creature
such as him. Allowing my Ranma darling to use such a stupid technique. Why
didn't he stop him?"

"Well, actually, we did try to stop Ranma," said Ryoga rather sheepishly.
"It's just he thought... uhm..."

"He thought what?" Kodachi pursued.

"He thought we were only trying to convince him not to learn the Pokefist
technique because we wanted it for ourselves," said Tatewaki. He snorted
then added with a chuckle, "And that we would fear him with it. When it was
more like we would laugh severely at him with it."

"Big brother," growled Kodachi, her expression turning dark. "I thought
that I told you not to make fun of my Ranma dearest anymore."

"Yes, you did," Tatewaki said as he gave a quirky smile. "But you must
admit, darling sister, he makes that a rather difficult promise to uphold
in current times."

"Tatewaki," Kodachi hissed. She looked like she was about to do something
rash when suddenly Ranma perked up in her hold and his ears seemed to
twitch while he gave a sharp look around the room. "Ranma darling?"

"Rewoiuwop!!!" Genma shouted against his gag.

"What, Dad?" asked Ryoga blankly.

"Erewouioww!!" Genma shouted again.

"He said: untie me, for the love of all that's good in the world, untie
me," said Kodachi in bored tones.

"But why?" Ryoga asked as he took the gag out of his father's mouth but
hadn't yet untied his arms and legs.

"Because they're here!" Genma shouted.

"Clefairrrrrry!" Ranma added with a kawaii shriek.

Seconds later, in a cloud of black smoke the figures of Saotome Nodoka and
Hibiki Atsuko appeared. Then just as swiftly, they then disappeared, taking
Ranma, Ryoga, and Genma along with them.

When the smoke cleared, everyone was left in shock. Everyone except for one
person, who was used to seeing this happen since he did know both of the
women.

"Well," said Soun after a moment. "It's nice to see they haven't changed
their habit of elaborate entrances."

---

The golden light around Perfume faded and when it did, her newly merged
form was revealed. And, as most would expect, it was obviously exotic.

Perfume's height had lessened severely leaving the girl barely over five
feet tall. Brown hair was now tinged and looked almost blonde while her
ears held an elfin point to them. What was most significant was the fact
that now Perfume had a pair of delicate wings on her back that definitely
weren't there before.

Wings that were moving almost of their own will as Perfume hovered off the
floor as she looked at Siren. Her mouth opened and she cried out, "Tink!!
Tink tink?"

All was absolutely silent as everyone stared at Perfume and Perfume stared
at everyone. Then Siren formed a very wary expression and said, "I think we
have a problem."

The only response Perfume gave to this was to scowl deeply and mutter low
pixie curses under her breath. At least, that's what she did until Kasumi
scolded her for it.

---

Ukyo wasn't used to chasing girls. For all of his natural born life they
had been chasing him. Wherever he went, whatever he did, it was just a
given fact for Kuonji Ukyo that some girl would pursue him along the way.

That was just something one had to deal with when they were as charming,
handsome, and talented as he was.

Because he had never gone after girls Ukyo was rather nervous as he stood
in front of the Tendo dojo. Yes, he'd made up his mind that he would make
Nabiki his. Not only to gain a semblance of vengeance on Ryoga but also due
to the strange feelings Nabiki caused in him.

Feelings Ukyo hadn't experienced since he was with a girl that he loved.
That sometimes he thought he still loved.

"Kuonji-san!"

Ukyo turned around to look at his two bodyguards, Akira and Sato, who
smiled softly at him.

"You can do it, Kuonji-san," Sato said wisely. "You're a lady killer. I
haven't met one girl who didn't fall for you."

"This girl already likes you, right?" added Akira.

"You guys," said Ukyo quietly as he formed a smile. Forming a thoroughly
confident expression he declared, "All right! It's in the bag, I'll make
Nabiki mine!"

In response, his bodyguards gave the thumbs up signal as Ukyo moved to
knock on the front door to the dojo. As the sound of desperate scurrying
and shouts met his ears, he frowned deeply. Then the door opened and
Kodachi stood before him, causing Ukyo to restrain the sudden urge to
scream loudly.

"Oh," said Kodachi with definite disappointment. "It's only you, Ukyo-kun."

"Thanks," Ukyo snorted. "I'm flattered you think so highly of me, sugar.
Especially after ruining my life."

"I have no time for your trifling complaints, Ukyo-kun," Kodachi
pronounced, walking away from him and leaving the door open. "Come inside
if you wish but we're busy attending to important matters at hand."

"What's going on?" asked Ukyo with a frown. He walked into the sitting room
and eyed the large group of people in attendance. The one his eyes rested
on was Nabiki who currently had a worried expression on her features. Ukyo
quickly strode to her side and crouching down, he gently reached out to cup
her chin. "Nabiki? What's wrong?"

Looking up into Ukyo's sandalwood gaze that was filled with such honest
concern for her, Nabiki's sniffled before she fell into his arms. "Ryoga's
gone!" she cried.

"Ryoga?" asked Ukyo with surprise. He darted his eyes around the room and
saw only grim looks that confirmed this. He looked down at Nabiki who was
resting in his arms and sighed. "Nabiki," he said in quiet but firm tones
that caused her to look up at him. "Where did that lost fool wander off to
this time?"

"He didn't wander!" Nabiki sniffled, rubbing her eyes. "His mothers
kidnapped him!" She seemed to realize where she was and gave a sharp gasp
then scooted away from Ukyo who raised an eyebrow at her actions.

"You don't have to move on my account," Ukyo drawled, forming a charming
smile. "Why don't you go ahead and tell me what's going on, all right?"

Taking a deep breath, Nabiki said, "It all started when Ranma saw this
Clefairy..."

The rest of the explanation was something that Ukyo would've never thought
of in a million years. And he was a major movie superstar who had read
thousands of the strangest scripts in the world.

That had to tell you something.

---

They were back home.

After countless days away they were finally back home. Too bad for Genma,
Ranma, and Ryoga they didn't have a chance to enjoy it. That was mostly
because as soon as they arrived in the courtyard to their large mansion,
Genma found himself at the end of Nodoka's katana.

"Darling," Nodoka pronounced in a low purr. "Perhaps you might tell us why
you've been staying with Soun and never sent us a single word of this
situation?"

"Yeah," said Atsuko, her eyes narrowing. "Spill it."

Giving an extremely nervous laugh, Genma said, "I can explain everything! I
promise!"

"Then explain," Nodoka prompted, sheathing her katana. She glanced to one
side and peered at Ranma who was currently crouching on the ground, holding
onto Ryoga's leg. Sighing, she met Ryoga's gaze. "The Pokefist?"

"Clefairy this time," Ryoga said sheepishly.

"I'll take care of it," Atsuko offered, walking over to her two sons. She
leaned down and when blue eyes met brown, Atsuko formed a dangerous grin
that gave a very good view of her sharp fangs. Moving closer, faces inches
apart, she growled, "Boo."

Seconds later, Ranma blinked and dimly peered into Atsuko's smiling
features then said, "Mom?"

"Heya," Atsuko grinned. "Feeling better?"

"Much," said Ranma, rising to his feet and looking at Ryoga with a little
embarrassment. "Uhm... did I...?"

"You hugged people mostly," Ryoga informed, forming a small smirk. "Nothing
too racy this time."

"Boys," Nodoka called out, looking over at her sons. "I don't suppose you
know why your father didn't tell us of your exact location?" Sensing that
Genma was about to sneak off, well, the best he could as he was still tied
up, she reached out and grabbed the back of his gi to keep him in place.
"Stay put," she ordered.

"I know," Ranma grinned widely. "Boy do I ever know."

"Then go on," Atsuko encouraged, darting her eyes back to the nervous
Genma. "We all want to hear the story."

"Ranma! Remember what I said!" Genma exclaimed, his expression pleading.
"My punishment!"

"Ain't my problem," Ranma shrugged. He pulled a flask out of nowhere and
looked at the two women. "We went on a little side trip we shouldn't have,
that's all." In a smooth movement, he dumped the contents of the flask over
his head and changed into a blonde elf. "And this is what happens when I
get hit with cold water. Pop," the grin Ranma wore turned mischievous. "Has
it worse."

"Jusenkyo," said Atsuko in shocked tones, her eyes wide and disbelieving.
She whirled around to face Genma and demanded, "You took our boys to
Jusenkyo?!"

"Uhm... not me..." said Ryoga slowly. When Nodoka and Atsuko focused on
him, he laughed nervously. "I sort of got separated from Father and Ranma
on the trip. I did go to Jusenkyo to look for them but lucky for me I
didn't end up with a curse like they did."

"How long were you lost, Ryochan?" asked Nodoka with concern, approaching
her eldest son. She hurriedly went to him and inspected for any injuries.
"Was it long?"

Ryoga grabbed her hands to stop this and smiled softly at her. "I'm fine,
Mother," he assured. "But I did miss you."

"Ryoga," said Nodoka, her eyes filling with tears. With a little sob she
pulled him into a hug. When she finally went out of his arms it was only to
embrace Ranma who turned an interesting shade of red before returning the
hug.

"Mother..." Ranma squeaked, her blonde pigtail lifting into the air a bit.
"We're not little kids anymore. You don't have to worry so much about us."

"Screw that," Atsuko said with disdain. When they focused on her, her
features turned gentle. "You'll always be our little boys, so deal with
it." She arched an eyebrow as she studied Ranma. "Even if you're a girl."

"About that," Nodoka stared at Genma. "Why take them to Jusenkyo? Surely
you remembered its curse?"

Laughing even more nervously, Genma said, "Can you believe that I forgot
about it until I was there and stuck in one of their cursed pools?"

The dry look of skepticism that Atsuko and Nodoka exchanged told Genma they
didn't believe anything of the sort. Which didn't mean anything good for
him.

No, not at all.

---

While everyone gathered in the sitting room discussing the odd
disappearance of Genma, Ranma, and Ryoga, and just what it meant, Happosai
was busy searching through his treasures to pass the time.

Because being blown up a few times in one day does tend to make even the
most evil of martial arts Masters tired.

He liked to reminisce while looking through his various 'spoils of war', or
so he liked to call them, anyway. While he did this, Happosai came upon a
scroll and frowned.

Staring at it, he wondered why exactly he kept the thing. It wasn't of any
real use and how he got it wasn't exactly the best of his adventures. With
a shrug, Happosai tossed the scroll out the window of his room.

And as it flew out the window it landed on Chocolate's head, bouncing off
of it to fall into Akane's hands. They weren't participating in the missing
persons discussion and were instead in their favorite spot. The strongest
of the branches in the tree in the backyard.

Chocolate was leaning against the tree itself, her arms wrapped around
Akane who fell softly against her as she studied the scroll she held.

Resting her chin on Akane's shoulder, Chocolate frowned and studied the
scroll. "Doesn't look like much," remarked the Amazon. "But it sure hurt
when it hit my head."

"Poor baby," said Akane with a giggle. "Do you want me to kiss it and make
it better?"

"Always," Chocolate said, smiling wide. She peered over Akane's shoulder as
the other girl opened the scroll. Teal eyes narrowed and Chocolate said,
"It's a recipe."

"For pickles!" Akane exclaimed happily. Clapping her hands together, she
looked at Chocolate. "Pickles is one of the few things I can make halfway
decent!"

"I'm sure it's better than that, Akane-chan," Chocolate remarked tenderly.
"In fact," her eyes sparkled as she put her hands on Akane's waist,
wrapping her up in her arms. "Why don't you show me so? I'd love some
pickles."

"You mean you'll let me cook for you?" asked Akane, her eyes going wide. No
one in her entire life had ever asked her to do that for them. Despite how
kawaii she was. On seeing Chocolate nod, Akane made a sound of delight and
hugged the Amazon tight. "Yay! I love you, Chocolate!"

Blushing from head to toe, Chocolate swept Akane up in her arms and bounded
down to the ground. The pair then headed towards the kitchen and watching
them do this were the several occupants of the sitting room.

"They is happy," Shampoo commented to Tatewaki.

"Indeed," said Tatewaki giving a grave nod. He smiled at Shampoo then said,
"It makes my heart glad."

"Is so," Shampoo beamed brightly.

"How can you be so light hearted?" Kodachi demanded, jumping to her feet
with certain agitation. "Ranma darling is missing and granted it was his
mothers which took him from my embrace but still... I find it unacceptable!"

"Sister," said Tatewaki in worried tones. "Do not distress yourself. I'm
sure that they wouldn't harm one hair on his disrespectful head. He is
their son, after all." He looked at Soun then said, "And didn't Tendo-san
say that they had a habit of making dramatic entrances?"

"Yes," Soun cleared his throat as everyone focused on him. "Atsuko and
Nodoka do tend to be the serious sort. I think they simply wanted to teach
Saotome a lesson for not contacting them for so long."

"Then why take Ryoga? And why scare us too?" asked Nabiki. Her hazel eyes
then narrowed. "I don't think I like these prospective mother in laws of
mine much."

"Don't blame you Nabiki honey," Ukyo said casually. He formed a rakish
grin. "They sound a bit off to me."

Nabiki blushed at this and was about to reply but was cut off by the sound
of pots clanging together and Chocolate's sudden yelp along with Akane's
apologies.

"Don't worry," Soun murmured, meeting Nabiki's eyes. "They won't do
anything to harm Ryoga or Ranma, that much I know for certain. Genma
however..." Soun now grimaced as he thought of this.

Somehow this last statement of his didn't make anyone in the sitting room
upset at all.

Who knows why.

---

It took a few hundred few spells which caused Perfume to speak in some very
interesting languages before Siren had the one she needed.

Which immediately led to a long line of curses in Japanese to be spewed
from Perfume's lips. At least it did until Kasumi cried out, "Perfume!
That's enough!"

Halting in her line of curses, Perfume looked at Kasumi then sighed deeply.
"Sorry, Airen," she said.

"It's all right," said Kasumi more gently. "Just... that wasn't lady like
at all. Even for you."

"Well, at least you're not grunting anymore," Siren said, giving a slight
smile which Perfume scowled at. Giving a low cough, she spun her index
finger to produce a small rain cloud over Perfume's head. "Lets test the
result of the merging, shall we?"

Siren then snapped her fingers and a light rainfall came from the cloud,
causing Perfume to get wet and nothing more. She simply stood there getting
wet and looking the same as she was before except more damp.

"Success!" Siren exclaimed, giving a huge smile. "It worked perfectly,
don't you think, dear?"

"Grandmother," said Perfume slowly, eyeing her only relative who was
smiling widely at her.

"Yes my sweet Perfume?" asked Siren.

"Stop rain please," said Perfume dryly, pointing up at the cloud which was
still raining on her.

"Oh yes, that," said Siren. She gave another snap of her fingers and the
cloud stopped raining. "Better?"

"Much," Perfume responded. Looking down at her body which was far smaller
than it used to be, she said, "Why am I so tiny? And why couldn't I speak
normally before?"

"That," Siren looked a tad embarrassed. "Well..."

Cologne rolled her eyes then hopped forward on her staff and said, "The
merging went a little too well, Perfume. It gave you more definite aspects
of your cursed form than Siren expected. Leading to you only being able to
talk in pixie language until she fixed it with a counter spell." She turned
to look at Siren. "Am I right?"

"Always," said Siren warily. Narrowing her eyes, she said, "You've been
waiting to do that to me haven't you, Cologne-chan? The perfect revenge."

Quirking an eyebrow, Cologne replied, "Always."

The blonde Mage started to reply when her eyes widened and she went dashing
out of the magic shop. Blinking at this, her companions followed after her.

"Sensei?" asked Kasumi as she and Perfume walked out of the shop and into
the street. "What is it?"

"Airen," said Perfume slowly, tugging on her sleeve, floating just above
the ground so she'd be at Kasumi's eye level. Some parts of the merging
were to her liking. She certainly enjoyed being able to fly. "Look."

Following Perfume's gaze, Kasumi looked up and gasped on seeing a huge
airship flying over them. And looking at it, Kasumi said what she pretty
much always did.

"Oh my."

---

Atsuko was readying herself for another teleportation spell that would take
her family back to the Tendo dojo while Nodoka stared at their mutual
husband.

"You honestly thought that no one would fall in if you went to Jusenkyo for
training?" she said with disbelief.

"No one fell in the first time!" Genma exclaimed only to wince when he saw
Nodoka's deep glare.

"You're lucky I love you very much," Nodoka sighed deeply. She turned to
look at Ranma. "And that I know being a man is more than just having his
body."

"Thanks Mother," Ranma said, forming a sly smile on her pretty features.
"You always know what to say."

"It's a talent," murmured Nodoka smoothly. "So," she turned to Ryoga. "Your
father put you up to fulfilling that promise he made with Soun, did he?"

"Yes, but it's okay," Ryoga said quickly. He reddened as he continued, "I
mean... I like... Nabiki's a great girl..."

"What big bro here is trying to say is that he's got a thing for Nabiki so
it's all cool," Ranma smirked, whapping her older brother on the shoulder.
"Right, Ryoga?"

"Well then," Nodoka wore a pleased smile. Looking at Genma who she still
held by the scruff of his gi while he stood at her side. "You did something
good for once."

"I'm not all bad, see?" Genma said with a nervous laugh.

"Uh hmm," said Nodoka slowly. "I see."

"Dokachan!" Atsuko exclaimed. "We're ready to go so get over here and help
me with directions!"

"Or else we'll end up on vacation in Jamaica," Ranma chuckled. "Although,"
she considered thoughtfully. "That was an awful lot of fun, Mom."

"I'm glad you liked it little Ran," Atsuko grinned. "But I think we better
get Ryo back to his iinazuke, huh?"

"Mommm," Ryoga said in a slight whine, turning red.

Laughing softly, Nodoka walked over to Atsuko then said, "You're
embarrassing him."

"And?" Atsuko demanded lightly.

"And save that until we meet this iinazuke of his," Nodoka replied, holding
Atsuko around the waist.

Atsuko's only response was to form a wicked grin which caused Ryoga to
groan very loudly. Because as nice as it was to have his mothers back there
were certain things he didn't want them involved in.

His love life being one of them.

---

The Tendo dojo was a confused place.

That wasn't anything unusual. It was perpetually confused since the day
they had first moved there. That was maybe part of its charm.

Although nothing about the current situation was charming. One moment they
were all discussing their absent comrades and the next a huge shadow fell
over them and they were all looking at a giant airship.

Seconds later, Siren appeared in a golden bubble along with Cologne,
Kasumi, and Perfume. The latter of which people would've stared at if they
didn't have that airship hovering over them with some weird guy ranting.

Just when they thought it couldn't get anymore confusing, the Saotome
family returned in a wink of light. Causing Kodachi and Nabiki to embrace
Ranma and Ryoga.

Which is exactly where we are right now. At the embracing. Something Ukyo
watched with a dark gaze.

"Ryoga-kun!" Nabiki cried out, hugging him. "I was so worried when you
disappeared like that!"

"Nabiki-chan..." said Ryoga slowly, returning the embrace with an
expression of wonder. "It's all right, Mother and Mom just wanted to talk,
that's all."

"About that," Nabiki didn't release Ryoga and scowled slightly at the two
older women. "Did you have to be so dramatic about it? You scared me to
death."

"Definitely Kimiko's," Nodoka murmured.

"Uh huh," Atsuko grinned widely. She stepped closer and tilted her head to
one side, "We're sorry about our antics, little lady. It's a family habit,
that's all."

"Kidnapping is a family habit?" asked Nabiki dryly.

"Of sorts," Nodoka chuckled. Looking over at Kodachi who was busy making
out with Ranma, she said, "I think you were lax in telling us about your
paramour, son."

"Hah," Ranma pulled away from Kodachi reluctantly, looking red from lack of
breath. "Oh yeah," Ranma said, she squeezed Kodachi around the waist.
"Dachi, this is my Mother and Mom. Mother and Mom, this is Dachi, my
girlfriend. For a year," she added.

"That long?" Nodoka arched an eyebrow. "I'm surprised."

"Me too," said Atsuko. She inspected Kodachi closely then smirked. "You
must be special, girl."

"I suffice," Kodachi murmured suavely.

They would've kept up their casual conversation if Tatewaki hadn't cleared
his throat and said, "It appears as if our airship friend is becoming
agitated."

On hearing this, everyone looked up at the crazy man on the airship who was
beet red and shouting, "Kirin will not be ignored! Kirin is Prince of
Nekonron! You will give him the other half of the sacred scroll and his
bride!!"

"Bride?" echoed Nabiki.

"What scroll?" Ryoga frowned.

"The Seven Lucky God martial artists," said Siren lowly. "What are they
doing here?"

"Obviously searching for their scroll," Cologne said in sarcastic tones. "I
wonder who around here has that."

Narrowing her eyes, Siren snapped her fingers and moments later Happosai
appeared before them in a golden bubble, looking quite irate.

"What do you--" he paused on seeing Siren. "Siren baby! Long time no see!
Aren't you sexy as ever!"

"Can it Happy," said Siren in dry tones. "I still hate you for everything
you did to her. Now where's the scroll?"

"What scroll?" Happosai blinked.

"Kirin means it! You will give him his scroll!" Prince Kirin bellowed from
where he stood on his airship. "You do not want to deal with his wrath, he
promises!"

"That scroll," said Siren with a faint smirk.

"Oh, that," Happosai said. He shrugged his shoulders casually and said, "I
threw it away."

"You WHAT?!" Prince Kirin shrieked from his airship, somehow hearing
Happosai's answer. "You will pay!"

"I don't like the sound of that," said Ryoga warily.

"This not good, Airen," said Perfume, hovering in front of Kasumi and
covering her with her body.

"Oh my," Kasumi commented. "He's certainly angry."

"You will suffer greatly for destroying half of our country's greatest
treasure!" Prince Kirin declared. He looked back at his crew and slashing
his arm through the air, he declared, "Drop the pickles!"

Before anyone in the dojo could properly react, a storm of pickles dropped
from the airship and onto them. Burying them all in a pile of pickled
monstrosity that smelled just as bad as it tasted.

"Prepare the second wave!" Prince Kirin demanded. "We'll drop every last
grain of rice we have on them and bomb them into oblivion for destroying
our heritage!"

"This sucks," Ranma mumbled, digging herself out of the pile of pickles
along with Kodachi.

"Wow! That's way more pickles than mine!"

The few people had had dug themselves free of the pile of pickles and those
aboard the airship, looked at Akane who walked into the sitting room, a
tray of pickles in hand. At her side stood Chocolate who was never far away.

What more caught everyone's attention wasn't the pickles on the tray but
the scroll on it also. In particular it caught the attention of Prince
Kirin.

"My bride!" Kirin said happily. "I've found her! And she's a fine chef of
pickles as well! I'm so very happy!"

"Who's he?" asked Akane dimly.

Before anyone could answer her, Akane found herself wrapped up in a long
fishing wire and pulled high into the air and onto the airship. Dropping
the pickles as she flew into the air, she cried out, "Hey! I made those
especially for Chocolate and now they're ruined!"

"Never mind my bride!" Kirin laughed heartily, putting an arm around a
surprised Akane's waist. "I've found you and now our kingdom is complete!
We shall have many of the delicious chocolate pickles at our wedding!"

"They make chocolate pickles?" asked Ryoga dimly.

"Akane!!" Chocolate shouted, using Genma's head for a vault, she bounded
into the air. She pulled out a long claw and threw it against the ship,
using it to climb on board. In dark tones, she said to Kirin, "You can't
have her."

"Oh?" said Kirin with disdain. "And why is that?"

Blinking at this question and looking lost, Chocolate replied heatedly,
"You just can't! Akane is her own person you can't just make her marry you,
you weird pickle guy!"

"Weird pickle guy?" Kirin echoed. His eyes narrowed and he said in deadly
tones, "Kirin thinks that was an insult."

"Duh!" Chocolate declared. "Now let go of Akane!"

Instead of doing what Chocolate demanded, Kirin held Akane tighter and
simply smirked. Which caused her to scowl deeply and fly at him with an
assorted arsenal that was discarded by Kirin in a lighting fast movement
with, believe it or not, a pair of chopsticks.

Unfortunately for those below, all of Chocolate's various weapons which
included maces, dynamite, and one of two bombs, all fell to the ground.
Causing quite a bit of chaos as they scurried around, trying to avoid them.

Ignoring the explosions from below, Chocolate grimaced and moved into the
crane position. "It's not over. I'm not going to let you take Akane," she
said.

"Chocolate," whispered Akane. Her eyes turned teary and she clapped her
hands together happily. "You're so cool!"

Everyone sweatdropped at Akane's statement, even Kirin as he gave Chocolate
another look of disdain. "Try," said the Prince. "But you will never win."

With that, Chocolate rushed at him, only to be swept away with the speed of
his chopsticks, causing her to fall from the airship with the sound of
Akane shouting her name meeting her ears.

It was that sound that kept Chocolate from giving up and reaching out at
the last moment to grab the chain that she had attached to the airship
earlier. So when the ship seemed to vanish into nothingness, she went along
with it.

Watching this happen, those gathered at the dojo were silent for a long
moment then Soun spit out the pickle he had stuck in his mouth.

Some would swear for years later that the name Akane seemed to echo in the
air for hours after he screamed it. Then again, that might have something
to do with the fact that not only Soun was screaming it.

Because it was Akane, after all. Someone as kawaii and lovable as her
doesn't get kidnapped every day. And if she did, well then, the reaction
would be much the same.

One of total outrage.


To be continued...

Most characters in this fanfiction are from Ranma 1/2. This fanfic was
inspired by the works of Rumiko Takahashi but the craziness behind it is
purely my own. I'd like to thank Jim Robert Bader, Red Death, and my
brother Patrick for listening to my goofy ideas. Also special thanks to
Wade Tritschler for allowing me to be a part of his Altered Destinies
project.

Send me comments at: dreiser0@earthlink.net
 
Thanks to Red Death all of my fanfics are archived at:
http://www.angelfire.com/anime2/superhighway/Dreiser/dreiser.html

For previous chapters of BRBT visit Altered Destinies at:
http://www.fortunecity.com/lavendar/attenborough/249/index.htm

Next up: Chocolate tries, tries, and tries again to rescue Akane from
Prince Kirin and his pickely embrace.

"I hope she didn't feel my manly parts."
-Misaki; Futaba-kun Change-








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